bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness Analysis of Adjunct VSL#3 Therapy Versus Standard Medical Therapy in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Park K.T. , Perez Felipe , Tsai Raymond , Honkanen Anita , Bass Dorsey , Garber Alan 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBackground:Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are costly chronic gastrointestinal diseases, with pediatric IBD representing increased costs per patient compared to adult disease. Health care expenditures for ulcerative colitis (UC) are >$2 billion annually. It is not clear whether the addition of VSL#3 to standard medical therapy in UC induction and maintenance of remission is a cost‐effective strategy.Patients and Methods:We performed a systematic review of the literature and created a Markov model simulating a cohort of 10‐year‐old patients with severe UC, studying them until 100 years of age or death. We compared 2 strategies: standard medical therapy versus medical therapy + VSL#3. For both strategies, we assumed that patients progressed through escalating therapies—mesalamine, azathioprine, and infliximab—before receiving a colectomy + ileal pouch anal anastamosis (IPAA) if the 3 medical therapy options were exhausted. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the difference of costs between strategies for each quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) gained. One‐way sensitivity analyses were performed on variables to determine the key variables affecting cost‐effectiveness.Results:Standard medical care accrued a lifetime cost of $203,317 per patient, compared to $212,582 per patient for medical therapy + VSL#3. Lifetime QALYs gained was comparable for standard medical therapy and medical therapy + VSL#3 at 24.93 versus 25.05, respectively. Using the definition of ICER <50,000/QALY as a cost‐effective intervention, medical therapy + VSL#3 produced an ICER of $79,910 per QALY gained, making this strategy cost‐ineffective. Sensitivity analyses showed that 4 key parameters could affect the cost‐effectiveness of the 2 strategies: cost of colectomy + IPAA, maintenance cost after surgery, probability of developing pouchitis after surgery, and the quality of life after a colectomy + IPAA. High surgical and postsurgical costs, a high probability of developing pouchitis, and a low quality of life after a colectomy + IPAA could make adjunct VSL#3 use a cost‐effective strategy.Conclusions:Given present data, adjunct VSL#3 use for pediatric UC induction and maintenance of remission is not cost‐effective, although several key parameters could make this strategy cost‐effective. The quality of life after an IPAA is the single most important variable predicting whether this procedure benefits patients over escalating standard medical therapy.
Heterogeneity of Lower Esophageal Sphincter Function in Children With Achalasia
Authors: Morera Claudio , Nurko Samuel 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and Aim:Achalasia is a rare esophageal motor disorder in children. The manometric hallmarks are esophageal body aperistalsis, lack of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, and high LES pressure. However, LES relaxation and function may be heterogeneous, making the diagnosis difficult at times. The aim of the study was to describe LES function in children with achalasia.Patients and Methods:The present study is a retrospective review of manometric tracings of pediatric patients with achalasia and controls. LES response after each swallow was evaluated. LES parameters were defined as homogeneous (normal or abnormal) if the same response was observed in >75% of swallows. Otherwise, the LES parameters were considered heterogeneous.Results:Twenty‐nine patients with achalasia and 16 control patients were included. All of the controls had normal LES pressure and relaxation in all of the wet swallows. In the achalasia group, some LES relaxation was present in 74% of swallows and 25% of swallows had normal relaxation. Depending on the parameter, a heterogeneous LES (resting pressure, relaxation, residual pressure, and duration of relaxation) was observed in 27.6% to 34.5% of patients with achalasia versus 0% of the controls (P < 0.001). The rest of the patients with achalasia had homogeneous abnormal responses versus homogeneous normal responses in 100% of control patients (P < 0.001).Conclusions:The LES function in pediatric patients with achalasia is heterogeneous. The classic description of a nonrelaxing high‐pressure LES in patients with achalasia is rarely found in children. Partial relaxations are common, and normal relaxations may be present.
A Mechanistic Link betweenSTMandCUC1during Arabidopsis Development
Authors: Spinelli Silvana V. , Martin Ana Paula , Viola Ivana L. , Gonzalez Daniel H. , Palatnik Javier F. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe KNOXI transcription factor SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) is required to establish and maintain the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) apical meristem, yet little is known about its direct targets. Using different approaches we demonstrate that the induction of STM causes a significant up-regulation of the organ boundary gene CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1), which is specific and independent of other meristem regulators. We further show that the regulation of CUC1 by STM is direct and identify putative binding sites in its promoter. Continuous expression of STM in Arabidopsis leaf primordia also causes the activation of CUC2-3, as well as microRNA MIR164a, which provides a negative feedback loop by posttranscriptionally regulating CUC1 and CUC2. The results bring new insights into the mechanistic links between KNOXI and CUC transcription factors and contribute to the understanding of the regulatory network controlled by STM.
The MedicagoFLOWERING LOCUS THomolog,MtFTa1, Is a Key Regulator of Flowering Time
Authors: Laurie Rebecca E. , Diwadkar Payal , Jaudal Mauren , Zhang Lulu , Hecht Valérie , Wen Jiangqi , Tadege Million , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Putterill Joanna , Weller James L. , Macknight Richard C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractFLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes encode proteins that function as the mobile floral signal, florigen. In this study, we characterized five FT-like genes from the model legume, Medicago (Medicago truncatula). The different FT genes showed distinct patterns of expression and responses to environmental cues. Three of the FT genes (MtFTa1, MtFTb1, and MtFTc) were able to complement the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ft-1 mutant, suggesting that they are capable of functioning as florigen. MtFTa1 is the only one of the FT genes that is up-regulated by both long days (LDs) and vernalization, conditions that promote Medicago flowering, and transgenic Medicago plants overexpressing the MtFTa1 gene flowered very rapidly. The key role MtFTa1 plays in regulating flowering was demonstrated by the identification of fta1 mutants that flowered significantly later in all conditions examined. fta1 mutants do not respond to vernalization but are still responsive to LDs, indicating that the induction of flowering by prolonged cold acts solely through MtFTa1, whereas photoperiodic induction of flowering involves other genes, possibly MtFTb1, which is only expressed in leaves under LD conditions and therefore might contribute to the photoperiodic regulation of flowering. The role of the MtFTc gene is unclear, as the ftc mutants did not have any obvious flowering-time or other phenotypes. Overall, this work reveals the diversity of the regulation and function of the Medicago FT family.
A Barley ROP GTPase ACTIVATING PROTEIN Associates with Microtubules and Regulates Entry of the Barley Powdery Mildew Fungus into Leaf Epidermal Cells
Authors: Hoefle Caroline , Huesmann Christina , Schultheiss Holger , Börnke Frederik , Hensel Götz , Kumlehn Jochen , Hückelhoven Ralph 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Little is known about the function of host factors involved in disease susceptibility. The barley (Hordeum vulgare) ROP (RHO of plants) G-protein RACB is required for full susceptibility of the leaf epidermis to invasion by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp hordei. Stable transgenic knockdown of RACB reduced the ability of barley to accommodate haustoria of B. graminis in intact epidermal leaf cells and to form hairs on the root epidermis, suggesting that RACB is a common element of root hair outgrowth and ingrowth of haustoria in leaf epidermal cells. We further identified a barley MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED ROP-GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN (MAGAP1) interacting with RACB in yeast and in planta. Fluorescent MAGAP1 decorated cortical microtubules and was recruited by activated RACB to the cell periphery. Under fungal attack, MAGAP1-labeled microtubules built a polarized network at sites of successful defense. By contrast, microtubules loosened where the fungus succeeded in penetration. Genetic evidence suggests a function of MAGAP1 in limiting susceptibility to penetration by B. graminis. Additionally, MAGAP1 influenced the polar organization of cortical microtubules. These results add to our understanding of how intact plant cells accommodate fungal infection structures and suggest that RACB and MAGAP1 might be antagonistic players in cytoskeleton organization for fungal entry.
Employee management systems and organizational contexts: a population ecology approach
Authors: Bartram Timothy 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to construct a theoretical model of the characteristics and determinants of employee management configurations, simple management, personnel management and human resource management (HRM).Design/methodology/approachThis paper builds upon work in HRM by integrating critical management, population ecology and industrial relations to develop a conceptual framework of the character of employee management and its determinants.FindingsThis framework represents an important step forward in thinking about the determinants and character of employee management systems.Practical implicationsA typology of six employee management configurations is established in both union and non‐unionised contexts. The paper critiques the universalistic approach to HRM. This paper offers an insight into the rationale of employee management techniques and its determinants.Originality/valueWithin the normative HRM literature there has been little discussion of the role of context in influencing the character of HRM or employee management generally. The paper seeks to explore, using population ecology theory, how context influences the characteristics of employee management.
Perceived equity and unionization propensity in China
Authors: Wang Lei 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between employees' perceived equity and their propensity to unionize in China and the moderating effect of tenure on the relationship.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to 160 employees in a foreign‐invested company in China which had experienced a spontaneous labor strike seven months before the study.FindingsThe results supported the hypothesis regarding the relationship between workers' perceived equity and their unionization propensity in China. In addition, employee tenure was found to moderate this relationship such that the longer the tenure, the weaker the relationship between perceived equity and unionization propensity.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence of the external validity of the relationship between perceived equity and workers' unionization propensity in China. It also demonstrates the different roles employee tenure plays in the relationship. Specifically, senior workers were less likely to join spontaneous unions in China than junior workers when treatment was perceived to be unfair, a noteworthy contrast to existing research findings that senior workers in Western societies are more eager to get involved in union activities than junior workers.
Legal implications of helping students find employment
Authors: Elder Bruce , Sneed John 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the legal exposure faced by faculty if they are involved in helping students find jobs when they graduate.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the current federal employment laws as they relate to activities that many faculty undertake in helping students find employment.FindingsThe candidate referral activities that faculty frequently engage in could result in them being classified as an employment agency making them subject to federal employment discrimination laws also faced by employers.Practical implicationsUniversities should establish clear guidelines to instruct faculty on actions that can and those that should not be undertaken when helping students find employment.Originality/valueMost faculty have no idea that their actions in assisting students find employment could result in potential legal exposure for themselves and their university. This paper offers suggestions to reduce the potential risks.
The WTO, marketing and innovativeness capabilities of Vietnamese firms
Authors: Nguyen Tho D. , Nguyen Trang T.M. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of Vietnamese firms' expectations of opportunities provided by the World Trade Organization (WTO) – expected WTO opportunities – on their marketing and innovativeness capabilities, and subsequently, on business performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 323 Vietnamese firms in Ho Chi Minh City, a model incorporating expected WTO opportunities, marketing and innovativeness capabilities, and business performance by means of structural equation modeling was tested.FindingsIt was found that expected WTO opportunities had positive impacts on both marketing and innovativeness capabilities. Further, marketing and innovativeness capabilities underlie business performance of Vietnamese firms.Research limitations/implicationsA key limitation of this study is the examination of the impact of expected WTO on only two firm capabilities: marketing and innovativeness. There might be several other firm capabilities that may be affected by expected WTO such as entrepreneurial orientation and learning orientation.Practical implicationsThe results of this study suggest that firms should be prepared to take advantage of the WTO: to evaluate its opportunities, as well as threats, in order to design and implement appropriate strategies for doing business in a new and challenging environment.Originality/valueThis is the first study of this type on Vietnam's entry into the WTO as an important event for Vietnamese firms. The findings of this study suggest expected WTO opportunities play an important role in strengthening marketing and innovativeness capabilities, and subsequently, on business performance.
The efficiency wages perspective to wage rigidity in the open economy: a survey
Authors: Stavrevska Vesna 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the paper was to establish the implications of globalisation for labour markets when efficiency wages create endogenous wage rigidity and to re‐examine the credibility of the arguments that call for deregulation, more wage flexibility and less social protection in this context.Design/methodology/approachThe role of efficiency wages is reviewed in the traditional international economics theory, new economic geography and the neo‐Schumpeterian perspective towards international competitiveness.FindingsFirst, taking into account endogenous sources of wage rigidity has different implications for employment, inequality, regional growth convergence and the role of the welfare state in the context of international competitiveness, from those derived when assuming them away or taking them as imposed by labour market institutions. Second, policies that would substantially reduce social security or lead to cost‐cuts may have an adverse effect on effort and thus on productivity.Originality/valueTo the author's knowledge, this paper is the only review in the literature that concentrates on efficiency wages applied in international trade.
Globalisation and the emerging regional governance of labour rights
Authors: Deacon Bob , De Lombaerde Philippe , Macovei Maria Cristina , Schröder Sonja 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to review the case for improved (supra‐national) regional social and labour policies in principle, assess the extent to which existing regional associations of governments and regional organizations are actually developing effective regional labour policies in different sub‐regions of Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, and finally explore the driving forces behind their development and suggest how they might be further enhanced.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares the emergence of regional policies concerning labour rights and migrant workers' rights across regions. A sample of more than 15 regional arrangements are then ranked on the basis of their commitment in these areas. Finally, correlations between these rankings and different indicators of (real) regional interdependence are looked at.FindingsThe paper shows that regional socio‐economic policies are gaining importance in different world regions, although speeds are varied and generally low. It is difficult, however, to find strong correlations with indicators of regional interdependence such as trade or migration.Originality/valueThe paper presents one of the first systematic accounts of the development of regional socio‐economic policies in different world regions. It shows at the same time that huge opportunities for new policy initiatives exist in this area.
Testing the performance of a new approach to measuring employee well‐being
Authors: Juniper Bridget , Bellamy Pat , White Nicola 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the performance of two generic scales designed to evaluate employee well‐being against a new well‐being scale constructed for a specific sector; call centres.Design/methodology/approachThe method to develop the new scale is based on well‐established clinical models used to evaluate the well‐being of patients. Potential variables were confirmed using an item selection method known as impact analysis which places keen emphasis on the frequency and importance of variables according to employees themselves.FindingsFrom a potential pool of 102 items, impact analysis confirmed 43 variables most strongly associated with adverse well‐being. These were distributed across eight separate dimensions. Content validity and internal reliability were satisfactory. The results showed that existing scales were substantially insensitive to aspects of work that were perceived to be important and troubling to call centre employees and could therefore provide incomplete accounts of employee well‐being.Research limitations/implicationsConfirmation of the assessment's measurement properties will be the subject of future studies. The generalisability of the findings to other call centres will also be investigated.Practical implicationsFor employers and researchers wishing to evaluate and act on well‐being within a particular sector, this approach to measurement may offer a practical, parsimonious alternative to existing, generic options. Impact analysis also addresses criticisms of factor analysis when used in well‐being scale construction.Originality/valueThe findings suggest support for a new approach to measuring the well‐being of sector specific workers that is based on clinical evaluation practices.
Ecological systems approaches to sustainability and organizational development
Authors: Sisaye Seleshi 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe ecological framework focuses on ecosystems, natural resources, agricultural practices, geographical locations, conservation and environmental management. Recently, ecology has provided the underlying framework for sustainability development and reporting. This paper aims to relate the ecological approach to the environmental and conservation objectives embedded in sustainability development and reporting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper argues that sustainability reporting is an organizational development and management program that has to be studied within the context of ecological ethics. It examines the evolution of sustainability reporting in relation to triple bottom line (TBL) accounting systems prepared to report the economic, social and environmental objectives of organizations.FindingsThe paper shows that sustainability is a question that transcends several disciplines, including accounting and sociology. While sustainability has been within the domain of sociology (human ecology) and ecological anthropology, recently the subject has attracted researchers from other disciplines, notably from accounting and business management. This paper notes that sustainability development will continue to be of importance to financial accounting reports. TBL reporting has become a competitive advantage for many business organizations for sustained profitability and growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper examines how governmental and corporations' natural resources conservation efforts have shaped the disclosure of environmental and social information in sustainability accounting reports. It applies theories of functionalism, institutional legitimacy, adaptation, incremental and transformational growth strategies from the organizational ecology and sociology literature to study the evolution of sustainability development and reporting.Practical implicationsAccounting has benefited from sociological theory and methods of research. It highlights the importance of ecological issues in shaping the preparation of sustainability reporting in accounting systems, a subject of interest to practitioners and accounting researchers.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the few attempts to relate ecology and sustainability to accounting reports. It integrates the sociological and organizational development literature related to ecology to advance behavioral accounting research in sustainability reporting beyond current social and environmental issues.
Welfare, exclusion and rough sleeping in Liverpool
Authors: Kinsella Clare 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the relationship between rough sleepers, welfare and policy in the city of Liverpool, taking Liverpool City Council's Homelessness Strategy 2008‐2011 as a starting point. The paper takes as its premise the notion of rough sleepers as among the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, and questions how well they are protected by policy.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used is analysis and contextualisation of the strategy document in terms of welfare and criminological perspectives.FindingsThe paper posits that the city's European Capital of Culture Status for 2008 has acted as a springboard for further consumerist and regeneration‐driven aspirations, facilitated by restriction of entitlement to access city space for groups such as rough sleepers. The piece explores responses to rough sleepers and other “undesirable” city centre space users in Liverpool and contends that their behaviour and activities are criminalised. Ultimately, it is argued that the city, whilst it prioritises its goal of becoming a “world‐class city”, fails to deliver in terms of its welfare obligations.Originality/valueIt is argued that the failure of the strategy to adequately consider the direct needs of rough sleepers renders them subject to other approaches, namely criminalisation. The article is valuable to both academics interested in aspects of social justice and practitioners engaged in policy making, in that it highlights some of the ways in which policy can fail to meet its basic requirements.