bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovation practices in small technology-based companies during incubation and post-incubation periods
Authors: Oliveira Pedro Henrique de , Terence Ana Cláudia Fernandes
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Innovation is a constant attribute in the management processes of technology-based companies (TBCs), mostly small and young, and plays a relevant role in their competitiveness and survival. However, the authors assumed that the characteristics of innovation practices differ between incubated and post-incubated companies, in such aspects as formality, type, posture and strategy. The purpose of this paper is to report the innovation practices identified in small TBCs in the incubation and post-incubation periods (graduate companies).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the purpose, the authors carried out a multiple case study with four TBCs, two incubated and two post-incubated (graduate); the study was qualitative and exploratory, and the authors collected data with their managers.

Findings

The results show that these companies have high levels of innovation, which is a determinant factor for their presence in the business market; they create technological innovations in products and services, mostly incremental, such as improvements in existing products or reduction of internal costs of manufacturing. In addition, the results also show important features of the innovations, such as the interaction with other incubated companies and with universities and research centers.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that there were changes in innovation practices, in the transition from incubated to graduate companies, such as the formalization of processes, a shift in focus toward the customer and an increase in resources and in projects’ relevance.
Does innovation make a difference?
Authors: Vasconcelos Renata , Oliveria Marcos
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and measure the impact of the types of innovation on micro and small enterprises’ performance in the foodservice industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 55 micro and small enterprises located in the Recife Metropolitan Area in Pernambuco were considered for the purpose of the analysis. All the firms were registered in the Agente Local de Inovação (ALI) program during the period of 2015 and 2016. The innovations developed by the firms were identified and measured using the sectorial innovation index, and the firm’s performance was calculated by the annual revenue. The impact of the innovations on performance was measured using multiple linear regression and quantile regression.

Findings

The regressions’ findings suggest that two innovation dimensions stand out concerning firm performance, that is, brand and customer experience are thought as to contribute to firm performance significantly. However, it has also been found that the contribution of the innovations may vary in the level of firm performance.

Originality/value

The paper was distinguished by analyzing the relationship between innovation and firm performance in the context of micro and small enterprises. The research also allowed knowing the innovations that can contribute to the micro and small enterprises’ performance, allowing such organizations to identify and develop the innovations seen as necessary for their competitiveness.
Listening to the organization: change evaluation with discourse analysis
Authors: Akarsu Ozgur , Gencer Mehmet , Yıldırım Savaş
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Change is continuous and leaves many digital traces in contemporary organizations, while research on change usually lacks such continuity. The purpose of this paper is to test and explore the claim that change can be monitored through employee discourse. In doing so, the authors introduce basic text mining methods to detect prevailing keywords and their changes over time. Such monitoring of content and its change promises a continuous feedback and improvement for change management efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a mixed research design, combining an ethnographic approach with digital methods. The quantitative element of the method involves applying text mining techniques to a document corpus that is representative of people in organizations, and is originally collected as part of a relatively common performance management system. The findings about discursive categories and their change patterns through time are then combined with observations and secondary information about change management for interpretation.

Findings

By combining these measurements with additional information about the change program in focus, the authors develop an interpretation of the dynamics of organizational change. Results showed that even in a successfully implied change effort that realize the planned targets, change does not occur directly and fully, with some elements of discourse being more persistent than others.

Research limitations/implications

Method of the research presents a new way of monitoring discursive change. Its incorporation into practice potentially allows for timely correction of change efforts and increasing possibility of success.

Originality/value

This research provides a framework for understanding how, and to what extent, planned change efforts effect organizations. Furthermore, the method developed in this research presents an innovative approach to monitor discursive change and timely managerial intervention.
Identifying the risk factors in Indian non-listed real estate funds
Authors: Gupta Ashish , Newell Graeme , Bajaj Deepak , Mandal Satya
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Investment in non-listed real estate funds (NREFs) in an emerging economy like India has its own challenges that entail a detailed understanding of the risks. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key risk factors across the life cycle of a NREF, based on a considered feedback of various real estate fund management stakeholders. It is important for the investors and fund managers to appreciate these risk factors to make informed investment decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study based on the literature survey and discussion with experts identifies 39 risk attributes, which were further summarized using factor analysis into a smaller set of factors impacting NREF returns (risk). The relative importance of each risk attribute was examined and ranked using the relative importance index (RII). Further, cluster analysis using Euclidian distance was used to partition these risk attributes in various segments depending on their importance.

Findings

The risk attributes are summarized as five risk factors, i.e. regulatory RISK, foreign direct investment risk, entry risk, business risk and project risk. Whereas the top five perceived risk attributes are investee/partner risk, project entitlement risk, title risk, legislative and regulatory risk and project execution risk.

Practical implications

This study has significance to the industry practitioners and the academic community in developing an understanding of the dynamic nature of risks across the life cycle of the NREFs in India and classifying them at the macro-meso-micro levels.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first attempts to understand the risks impacting NREFs in India. It will help investors develop a better strategic understanding of the risks across the life cycle of an investment.
What do we know about what is going on inside the boardroom?
Authors: Francoeur Claude , Aubé Caroline , Sponem Samuel , Farzaneh Faranak
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The fundamental role of corporate boards is to monitor and advise top management on strategic issues. It is therefore of the utmost importance that corporate directors are effective as a decision-making group to ensure corporate performance (Zattoni et al., 2015; Minichilli et al., 2012). But, what do we know about what is really going on inside the boardroom? This study aims to shed light on this important question.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertake a targeted review of the literature to take account of all publications regarding board dynamics in relation to board effectiveness.

Findings

This study shows that we know very little about what is going on inside the “black box” of board dynamics and its relation to how effective directors are at doing their job, namely, monitoring and advising top management and establishing and expanding the firm’s network, to gain access to the resources it needs. The authors propose several avenues of research to better understand board dynamics.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors show how and why the present body of knowledge on team effectiveness should be harnessed to better understand corporate board dynamics in relation to board effectiveness.
Species pools and differential performance generate variation in leaf nutrients between native and exotic species in succession
Authors: Duffin Kirstin I. , Li Shao‐peng , Meiners Scott J.
Published: July 2018

A central aim of invasion biology has been to identify key functional differences between native and exotic species to determine which traits may be responsible for invasion success and impacts. There are two primary ways that differences may exist between native and exotic species—the traits of the local species pools may differ, or the way that the traits interact with their environment may differ.

We explored leaf nutrient concentrations as functional traits that directly link to plant metabolic processes by sampling healthy, mature leaves from 119 native and exotic taxa across a wide range of successional statuses in New Jersey, USA. Leaf nutrient concentration data (carbon, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) were paired with long‐term community dynamics from the Buell–Small Succession Study to evaluate abundance‐weighted trait values over succession for native and exotic species.

After accounting for differences across growth forms, there were minimal differences in foliar nutrients based on plant origin, with only lower leaf carbon and higher leaf potassium in exotic species. However, these differences were not sufficient to generate overall differences between native and exotic species in a multivariate analysis. In contrast, the successional trajectories of the abundance‐weighted trait values for most leaf nutrients differed strongly between native and exotic plants. While this pattern may be partially attributable to variation in the species pool for carbon and potassium, successional processes generated differential sorting, suggesting underlying differences in how the same traits function in native and exotic assemblages.

Synthesis. These results suggest that both variation in the species pool and variation in the successional selection of plant traits can generate functional differences between native and exotic plants. Assessments of trait differences between native and exotic species will require information on traits and plant performance to unambiguously link traits to function in dynamic plant communities.
Evolution during population spread affects plant performance in stressful environments
Authors: Lustenhouwer Nicky , Williams Jennifer L. , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: July 2018

Reliable predictions of population spread rates are essential to forecast biological invasions. Recent studies have shown that populations spreading through favourable habitat can rapidly evolve higher dispersal and reproductive rates at the expansion front, which accelerates spread velocity. However, spreading populations are likely to eventually encounter stressful conditions in the expanded range. How evolution during spread in favourable environments affects subsequent population growth in harsher environments is currently unknown.

We examined evolutionary change in performance under drought, interspecific competition, and heat stress for populations of Arabidopsis thaliana that experienced six generations of spread through replicated experimental landscapes of favourable habitat. To quantify how population performance under stress differed between leading edge and founding populations, we combined individual tests of genotype performance under stress with knowledge of the genotype frequency changes that occurred over the replicate invasions.

After spreading through favourable environments, the average silique production of individuals exposed to drought or interspecific competition was lower in leading edge than founding populations. This change was driven by the evolution of lower intrinsic silique production, which was correlated with increased seed size, a trait that evolved as populations spread. The ability of plants to tolerate drought or interspecific competition, however, did not change markedly during spread. Heat tolerance did increase in leading edge populations, and this trait was associated with the evolution of taller plants during spread through favourable habitat.

Synthesis. We conclude that evolution during spread in favourable environments may affect the ability of populations to grow under stressful conditions as experienced in the expanded range, through changes in either intrinsic fecundity or stress tolerance. Thus, evolution during spread may constrain or extend the eventual range limit of nonnative species invasions.
On The Mergers Of Latin Close‐Mid Vowels
Authors: Leppänen Ville , Alho Tommi
Published: July 2018

In this article, we examine the details and dating of the mergers of Latinĭ,ēintoẹandŭ,ōintoọ. While these mergers have long since been recognised as a matter of historical fact within the broader development of Latin into Romance, their micro‐level mechanics present several problems. By re‐examining the available evidence from various empirical and theoretical perspectives, we argue that the mergers were the result of two phonological processes: the rise of peripherality distinctions in the vowel system on the one hand and the loss of contrastive vowel length in the fifth centuryADon the other.
Estimating the Temperature of Heat‐exposed Bone via Machine Learning Analysis of SCI Color Values: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wärmländer Sebastian K.T.S. , Varul Liivi , Koskinen Juuso , Saage Ragnar , Schlager Stefan
Published: July 2018

Determining maximum heating temperatures of burnt bones is a long‐standing problem in forensic science and archaeology. In this pilot study, controlled experiments were used to heat 14 fleshed and defleshed pig vertebrae (wet bones) and archaeological human vertebrae (dry bones) to temperatures of 400, 600, 800, and 1000°C. Specular component included (SCI) color values were recorded from the bone surfaces with a Konica‐Minolta cm‐2600d spectrophotometer. These color values were regressed onto heating temperature, using both a traditional linear model and the k‐nearest neighbor (k‐NN) machine‐learning algorithm. Mean absolute errors (MAE) were computed for 1000 rounds of temperature prediction. With the k‐NN approach, the median MAE prediction errors were 41.6°C for the entire sample, and 20.9°C for the subsample of wet bones. These results indicate that spectrophotometric color measurements combined with machine learning methods can be a viable tool for estimating bone heating temperature.
Analysis of Three Commonly Used Tibia Length Measurement Techniques
Authors: Lynch Jeffrey James , Maijanen Heli , Prescher Andreas
Published: July 2018

This study analyzes three tibia length measurement techniques on a sample of 107 tibiae. Two of the techniques meet published criteria by resting the tibia on its posterior surface with the longitudinal axis parallel to an osteometric board. The third technique does not adequately keep the longitudinal axis parallel to the board. Statistical analyses show low levels of interobserver error for all techniques and statistically significant differences between the third technique and the other two techniques. Results report a maximum difference of 6 mm between measurement techniques with the third technique having greater than 95% directional bias. A survey sent out to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences forensic anthropology community reported more than 50% of respondents having been taught the third technique when an osteometric board with a slot/hole is not available. The intermixing of the third technique with the other two has likely contributed to higher levels of interobserver error in tibia length measurements.
Herbivore‐induced rice resistance against rice blast mediated by salicylic acid
Authors: Zhang Kai‐Li , Liu Qing‐Song , Kang Hou‐Xiang , Liu Xiao‐Mei , Chen Xiu‐Ping , Peng Yu‐Fa , Li Yun‐He
Published: July 2018

In agro‐ecosystems, plants are important mediators of interactions between their associated herbivorous insects and microbes, and any change in plants induced by one species may lead to cascading effects on interactions with other species. Often, such effects are regulated by phytohormones such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Here, we investigated the tripartite interactions among rice plants, three insect herbivores (Chilo suppressalis, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis or Nilaparvata lugens), and the causal agent of rice blast disease, the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. We found that pre‐infestation of rice by C. suppressalis or N. lugens but not by C. medinalis conferred resistance to M. oryzae. For C. suppressalis and N. lugens, insect infestation without fungal inoculation induced the accumulation of both JA and SA in rice leaves. In contrast, infestation by C. medinalis increased JA levels but reduced SA levels. The exogenous application of SA but not of JA conferred resistance against M. oryzae. These results suggest that pre‐infestation by C. suppressalis or N. lugens conferred resistance against M. oryzae by increasing SA accumulation. These findings enhance our understanding of the interactions among rice plant, insects and pathogens, and provide valuable information for developing an ecologically sound strategy for controlling rice blast.
Business strategies and annual report readability
Authors: Habib Ahsan , Hasan Mostafa Monzur
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the association between firm‐level business strategy and the readability of narrative disclosures in annual reports. As business strategy affects the information environment and financial performance of firms, we expect the readability of narrative disclosures to vary with the particular business strategy that a firm pursues. In accord with this expectation, we find that firms with prospector‐type business strategies produce less readable narratives, while those with defender‐type business strategies produce more readable narratives. We also document that the association between strategy and readability is partially mediated by organisational performance, although the mediation effect is rather modest. These findings are robust when subjected to a series of sensitivity tests.
Education and health care provision in the Romanian Danube Valley: Territorial disparities
Authors: Damian Nicoleta , Mocanu Irena , Mitrică Bianca
Published: July 2018

The Romanian Danube Valley is an integral part of the Danube Region. According to the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), a healthy and well‐educated population is the key issue for sustainable and coherent development of this territory. This paper aims to explore, at micro‐scale level (Local Administrative Units 2 – LAU2), the population's responsivity to health care and education provision according to the demographic characteristics. By using the official statistical data available at a local level and the results provided by the TEMPO‐Online time‐series published by the National Institute of Statistics in 2015, the study assesses current education and health care provision in the Romanian Danube Valley, following the micro‐scale responsivity of the population. The authors have selected some specific statistical indicators in order to highlight education and health care provision and the population's responsivity. The indicators are normalised and gathered in the Education and Health Care Provision Index and the Education and Health Care Responsivity Index. This study shows that the majority of the Danubian LAU2 registered more users of the education and health care services than being available along the Valley. It also highlights the interrelation between low education and health care provision level and poor social and economic opportunities, and therefore the loss of market efficiency, marginalising some groups and reinforcing existing inequalities.
The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids
Authors: Lucas Catherine J. , Galettis Peter , Schneider Jennifer
Published: July 2018

There is increasing interest in the use of cannabinoids for disease and symptom management, but limited information available regarding their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to guide prescribers. Cannabis medicines contain a wide variety of chemical compounds, including the cannabinoids delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is psychoactive, and the nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis use is associated with both pathological and behavioural toxicity and, accordingly, is contraindicated in the context of significant psychiatric, cardiovascular, renal or hepatic illness. The pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids and the effects observed depend on the formulation and route of administration, which should be tailored to individual patient requirements. As both THC and CBD are hepatically metabolized, the potential exists for pharmacokinetic drug interactions via inhibition or induction of enzymes or transporters. An important example is the CBD‐mediated inhibition of clobazam metabolism. Pharmacodynamic interactions may occur if cannabis is administered with other central nervous system depressant drugs, and cardiac toxicity may occur via additive hypertension and tachycardia with sympathomimetic agents. More vulnerable populations, such as older patients, may benefit from the potential symptomatic and palliative benefits of cannabinoids but are at increased risk of adverse effects. The limited availability of applicable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information highlights the need to initiate prescribing cannabis medicines using a ʻstart low and go slowʼ approach, carefully observing the patient for desired and adverse effects. Further clinical studies in the actual patient populations for whom prescribing may be considered are needed, to derive a better understanding of these drugs and enhance safe and optimal prescribing.
Influence of initial mathematical competencies on the effectiveness of a classroom‐based intervention
Authors: Cueli Marisol , Areces Débora , García Trinidad , Rodríguez Celestino , Vallejo Guillermo , González‐Castro Paloma
Published: July 2018

Background

Students commonly struggle with mathematics and mathematical problem‐solving. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement interventions aimed at improving these essential components of learning. Furthermore, the outcomes of these interventions can vary significantly and appear to be a function of a student's initial competencies in mathematics.

Aim

This study attempts to analyse the influence of initial levels of mathematics competency with respect to the benefits of a specific intervention known as the Integrated Dynamic Representation (IDR).

Sample

Participants were 288 students (aged 6–8 years) who were divided according to their levels of mathematics competency (low–medium–high).

Methods

Students were assigned to the two primary intervention groups, experimental group (EG; students who received the IDR intervention) and control group (CG; students who followed the traditional instructional methods). All participants completed the Test of Early Mathematics Abilities (TEMA‐3) both before and after the intervention.

Results and conclusions

Although all the three competency levels of the EG improved, the progression was different for each level. Results showed that students with low competency level improved substantially more than the students with medium and/or high baseline competency level.
Developing and testing a web‐based intervention to encourage early help‐seeking in people with symptoms associated with lung cancer
Authors: Mueller Julia , Davies Alan , Jay Caroline , Harper Simon , Blackhall Fiona , Summers Yvonne , Harle Amelie , Todd Chris
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To detail the development method used to produce an online, tailored, theory‐based, user‐centred intervention to encourage help‐seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms.

Design

Intervention development was structured around the person‐based approach. The feasibility study involved a randomized controlled trial design.

Methods

Intervention development drew on qualitative inquiries, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and identifying concrete mechanisms of change to implement in the intervention (Behaviour Change Techniques). The final intervention involved two key features: (1) tailoring and (2) ‘TPB components’ to target beliefs about help‐seeking. In an online feasibility study, we recruited people reporting potential lung cancer symptoms using mailing lists, social media, websites, and Google AdWords. Participants were randomized to the intervention, a tailored comparison group (CG) without TPB‐components, an untailored CG with TPB components, or a CG with neither. Following treatment, participants clicked a button to indicate whether they wished to make an appointment and completed a TPB questionnaire.

Results

A total of 130 participants reporting relevant symptoms were recruited (24% of website visitors). Participants in the intervention group reported higher intention to seek help than those who received tailored information without TPB components (p = .03). User comments indicate more support is needed for people who sought help for symptoms, but felt dismissed.

Conclusions

The potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration. Future help‐seeking interventions should provide support for those who have previously felt dismissed by health professionals. The feasibility study provides some evidence that our ‘TPB components’ were effective, but validation in a powered trial is necessary.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

People with lung cancer often delay presenting symptoms to health services.

Some patients (or their family/friends) look up symptoms online before their diagnosis, to decide whether they should see a doctor.

Interventions are needed to ensure people can find useful information online that will encourage them to seek help for relevant symptoms.

What does this study add?

Theory‐mapping and user involvement facilitated systematic intervention development.

Lung cancer help‐seeking interventions should address salient beliefs and personal relevance.

The potential for differential dropout in online randomized trials requires careful consideration.
Cost‐effectiveness of aprepitant in Japanese patients treated with cisplatin‐containing highly emetogenic chemotherapy
Authors: Tsukiyama Ikuto , Hasegawa Shiori , Ikeda Yoshiaki , Takeuchi Masayuki , Tsukiyama Sumiyo , Kurose Yusuke , Ejiri Masayuki , Sakuma Masaki , Saito Hiroko , Arakawa Ichiro , Inoue Tadao , Yamaguchi Etsuro , Kubo Akihito
Published: July 2018

Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains a major adverse event in cancer chemotherapy. Although aprepitant is effective in preventing CINV, an increment in financial burden for uniform use of aprepitant is a concern. The aim of the present study was to define the cost‐effectiveness of aprepitant from the perspective of the Japanese National Health Insurance system. Based on the results of a randomized phase II trial comparing an aprepitant‐containing regimen versus a nonaprepitant regimen in Japanese patients who received cisplatin‐containing highly emetogenic chemotherapy, a decision analytic model was developed. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated both in the outpatient care setting (OCS) and in the inpatient care setting (ICS). The use of the aprepitant‐containing regimen was associated with improved quality of life compared with the nonaprepitant regimen, with an increment in quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) of 0.0016. The incremental total medical costs associated with the use of the aprepitant regimen were lower in the OCS than in the ICS, 6192 JPY (56.92 USD) and 9820 JPY (90.27 USD), respectively. The ICER was calculated as 3 906 698 JPY (35 910 USD) per QALY gained in the OCS and 6 195 781 JPY (56 952 USD) per QALY gained in the ICS. Cost‐effectiveness of the aprepitant‐containing antiemetic therapy was limited to the OCS, considering the threshold of willingness‐to‐pay commonly accepted (5 million JPY [45 960 USD] in Japan and 50 000 USD in the USA). The efficacy of aprepitant offsets the costs for revisiting clinics or rehospitalization added with rescue medications in the OCS.
Population pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous C1‐inhibitor for prevention of attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema
Authors: Pawaskar Dipti , Tortorici Michael A. , Zuraw Bruce , Craig Timothy , Cicardi Marco , Longhurst Hilary , Li H. Henry , Lumry William R. , Martinez‐Saguer Inmaculada , Jacobs Joshua , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Riedl Marc A. , Katelaris Constance H. , Keith Paul K. , Feussner Annette , Sidhu Jagdev
Published: July 2018

Background

Long‐term prophylaxis with subcutaneous (SC) administration of a highly concentrated plasma‐derived C1‐esterase inhibitor (C1‐INH) formulation was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for hereditary angioedema (HAE) attack prevention.

Objective

To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of C1‐INH (SC) (HAEGARDA®; CSL Behring) in healthy volunteers and HAE patients, and assess the variability and influence of covariates on pharmacokinetics.

Methods

C1‐INH functional activity data obtained after administration of various C1‐INH (intravenous; IV) and C1‐INH (SC) doses from 1 study in healthy volunteers (n = 16) and 2 studies in subjects with HAE (n = 108) were pooled to develop a population pharmacokinetic model (NONMEM v7.2). Pharmacokinetic parameters derived from steady‐state simulations based on the final model were also evaluated.

Results

C1‐INH functional activity following C1‐INH (SC) administration was described by a linear one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination, with inter‐individual variability in all parameters tested. The mean population bioavailability of C1‐INH (SC), and pharmacokinetic parameters for clearance (CL), volume of distribution, and absorption rate were estimated to be ~43%, 1.03 mL/hour/kg, 0.05 L/kg and 0.0146 hour−1, respectively. The effect of bodyweight on CL of C1‐INH functional activity was included in the final model, estimated to be 0.74. Steady‐state simulations of C1‐INH functional activity vs time profiles in 1000 virtual HAE patients revealed higher minimum functional activity (Ctrough) levels after twice‐weekly dosing with 40 IU/kg (~40%) and 60 IU/kg (~48%) compared with 1000 IU IV (~30%). Based on the population pharmacokinetic model, the median time to peak concentration was ~59 hours and the median apparent plasma half‐life was ~69 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Twice‐weekly bodyweight‐adjusted dosing of C1‐INH (SC) exhibits linear pharmacokinetics and dose‐dependent increases in Ctrough levels at each dosing interval. In this analysis, SC dosing led to maintenance of higher Ctrough levels than IV dosing.
The experiences of carers in using shared activities to communicate with looked‐after young people about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
Authors: Carver Hannah
Published: July 2018

Parental conversations with their teenage children about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are associated with lower rates of use. Looked‐after young people are at greater risk of early initiation, higher rates of use, and more problematic use. However, there is no evidence regarding whether these conversations occur in settings where the parental role is assumed by someone other than the biological parent. The aim of the study was to examine how carers communicate with looked‐after young people about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 16 residential care staff and foster carers in Scotland. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Participants talked about “shared doing” as a way of building relationships and communicating about substance use. Shared doing encompassed particular activities that carers and young people would do together, such as driving in the car, cooking, watching TV, and going for a walk. Shared doing provided an opportunity to spend time together and to create an environment in which communication could be facilitated. These environments were shaped by space, time, and context. Carers should be encouraged to take advantage of the time‐limited occasions they are with young people to have conversations about substance use.
MegaViews: Scalable Many‐View Rendering With Concurrent Scene‐View Hierarchy Traversal
Authors: Kol Timothy R. , Bauszat Pablo , Lee Sungkil , Eisemann Elmar
Published: July 2018

We present a scalable solution to render complex scenes from a large amount of viewpoints. While previous approaches rely either on a scene or a view hierarchy to process multiple elements together, we make full use of both, enabling sublinear performance in terms of views and scene complexity. By concurrently traversing the hierarchies, we efficiently find shared information among views to amortize rendering costs. One example application is many‐light global illumination. Our solution accelerates shadow map generation for virtual point lights, whose number can now be raised to over a million while maintaining interactive rates.
Clinical characteristics associated with therapeutic nonadherence of the patients with major depressive disorder: A report on the National Survey on Symptomatology of Depression in China
Authors: Zhou Qian , Wu Zhi‐Guo , Wang Yun , Liu Xiao‐Hua , Chen Jun , Wang Yong , Su You‐Song , Zhang Chen , Peng Dai‐Hui , Hong Wu , Fang Yi‐Ru
Published: July 2018

Aims

Nonadherence is one of the leading challenges to treatment of the major depressive disorder (MDD). Few studies have systematically analyzed the relationship between clinical characteristics, especially symptoms of depressive patients and their therapeutic nonadherence over a relatively large sample. This study aimed to investigate factors of nonadherence in a nationwide survey in China.

Methods

Participants with MDD who met the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) (DSM‐IV) were recruited from 32 sites throughout China. Patients were all over 16 years old. A doctor‐rating questionnaire with 64 symptoms based on DSM‐IV was constructed to evaluate depression‐related feeling and behavior. Single‐factor logistic regression was utilized to screen variables, and multifactor logistic regressive analysis was used to identify which factors were risk or protective for nonadherence. We included 882 patients of poor adherence and 857 patients of good adherence.

Results

Recurrence, untreated first episode, tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)‐treated first episode, antidepressant‐only‐treated current episode, decrease or loss of interest, more somatic symptoms, and “atypical” symptoms were risk factors for nonadherence, whereas selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)‐treated first episode was a protecting factor.

Conclusion

Clinical characteristics may play an important role in predicting nonadherence. Doctors may have to pay much attention on patients with these factors and should keep on discussing them with patients.
Hexavalent chromium in tattoo inks: Dermal exposure and systemic risk
Authors: Bocca Beatrice , Senofonte Oreste , Petrucci Francesco
Published: July 2018

Background

The presence of hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]), which is carcinogenic to humans and a dermal sensitizer, in tattoo inks may represent a serious health concern. The level of this impurity is limited to 0.2 mg/kg in tattoo inks by the European Resolution ResAP(2008)1.

Objectives

To analyse 29 tattoo inks, produced in Europe and the United States, of different colours and brands, for Cr(VI) to assess their conformity with ResAP(2008)1 and to characterize dermal and systemic risks.

Methods

Ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to determine the levels of Cr(VI) in inks; risk characterization was performed by calculating the systemic exposure dosage (SED) and margin of safety (MoS).

Results

Ninety per cent of inks contained Cr(VI) (range: 0.22‐4.09 mg/kg), ie, above the maximum allowed level, and no information appeared on the label. More than 1 mg/kg Cr(VI) was detected in 27.6% of inks; these might represent a possible cause of dermal adverse reactions. Exposure to Cr(VI) in inks resulted in negligible SED values and MoS values of >100 (safety threshold), indicating no appreciable systemic risk.

Conclusions

The minimization of Cr(VI) contamination and the use of technology compliant with good manufacturing practices is recommended to increase the safety of tattoo inks.
Regulation and functions of MicroRNA‐149 in human cancers
Authors: Zhi Yingru , Zhou Hao , Mubalake Abudoureyimu , Chen Ying , Zhang Bei , Zhang Kai , Chu Xiaoyuan , Wang Rui
Published: July 2018

MicroRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs that play critical roles in the regulatory mechanisms involving cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Recent research efforts have been conducted to apply these discoveries into clinical functions, including the early diagnosis and therapeutic outcome of patients with cancer. Previous studies have shown that microRNA‐149 (miR‐149) is dysregulated in various human cancers and exerts its effects on tumorigenesis and tumour progression. In this review, we summarized the potential roles of miR‐149 dysregulation and its target genes during tumorigenesis and clinical treatment of human cancers.
Comprehensive molecular profiling of the B7 family in gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Zhao Qijie , Hu Fuyan , Xiao Zhangang , Li Mingxing , Wu Xu , Zhao Yueshui , Wu Yuanlin , Yin Jianhua , Lin Ling , Zhang Hanyu , Zhang Lingling , Cho Chi Hin , Shen Jing
Published: July 2018

Objectives

B7 family has been identified as co‐stimulatory or co‐inhibitory molecules on T‐cell response and plays an important role in tumour mortality and malignancy. In this study, the expression pattern of B7 family in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer was examined. Its upstream regulating mechanism, downstream targets and association with clinical parameters were also studied.

Materials and methods

The expression level of B7 members was analysed by FIREHOUSE. The gene mutation, DNA methylation, association with clinical parameters and downstream network of B7 members were analysed in cBioportal. The mutation frequency was analysed by Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) analysis. The phylogenetic tree was constructed in MEGA7. The interaction protein domain analysis was performed by Pfam 31.0.

Results

Differential expression of B7 family molecules was detected in different kinds of GI cancer. High‐frequency gene alteration was found in tumour samples. There was negative correlation of promoter methylation and mRNA expression of B7 family members in tumour samples, suggesting the epigenetic basis of B7 family gene deregulation in GI cancer. The overexpression of B7‐H1 in pancreatic cancer, B7‐H5 in oesophageal cancer and B7‐H6 in liver cancer were significantly associated with worse overall survival. Finally, by network analysis, we identified some potential interacting proteins for B7‐1/2 and B7‐H1/DC.

Conclusions

Overall, our study suggested that B7 member deregulation was strongly involved in GI cancer tumorigenesis.
Double dropping down under: Correlates of simultaneous consumption of two ecstasy pills in a sample of Australian outdoor music festival attendees
Authors: Grigg Jodie , Barratt Monica J. , Lenton Simon
Published: July 2018

Introduction and Aims

The term ‘double dropping’ refers to a person consuming two drugs simultaneously, typically two ecstasy pills. This practice has been reported in numerous countries, including Australia; however, the prevalence and correlates of double dropping among ecstasy users is unknown. Double dropping is particularly risky when adulteration of ‘ecstasy’ with novel substances and higher dosages of MDMA in pure ecstasy pills have both been increasingly reported. This paper investigates the prevalence and correlates of double dropping in a purposive sample of Australian festival‐goers who used ecstasy at the last festival they attended.

Design and Methods

A web survey was completed by almost 2000 Australian festival‐goers. The analytic sample (n = 777) was 59% male and had a median age of 20 years (interquartile range 19–23).

Results

Almost half (48%) of respondents who used ecstasy pills reported double dropping in association with the last festival attended. Multivariable logistic regression found respondents who were younger, male, more frequent ecstasy users, more frequent festival‐goers, had a preference for electronic dance music, attended a multi‐day festival and used ecstasy in pill form were at greater odds of reporting double dropping at the last festival attended.

Discussion and Conclusions

Double dropping was a commonly reported practice among festival‐goers in this purposive sample. While this practice may reflect historically low‐dose ecstasy pills in Australia, the changing contexts of novel drugs and increasing MDMA purity may warrant consideration of harm‐reduction interventions and drug‐checking services which could help festival‐goers make more informed decisions about drug dosage.
Capturing arthropod diversity in complex cave systems
Authors: Wynne J. Judson , Sommer Stefan , Howarth Francis G. , Dickson Brett G. , Voyles Kyle D.
Published: July 2018

Aim

Identify the optimal combination of sampling techniques to maximize the detection of diversity of cave‐dwelling arthropods.

Location

Central‐western New Mexico; north‐western Arizona; Rapa Nui, Chile.

Methods

From 26 caves across three geographically distinct areas in the Western Hemisphere, arthropods were sampled using opportunistic collecting, timed searches, and baited pitfall trapping in all caves, and direct intuitive searches and bait sampling at select caves. To elucidate the techniques or combination of techniques for maximizing sampling completeness and efficiency, we examined our sampling results using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests, species richness estimators and species accumulation curves.

Results

To maximize the detection of cave‐dwelling arthropod species, one must apply multiple sampling techniques and specifically sample unique microhabitats. For example, by sampling cave deep zones and nutrient resource sites, we identified several undescribed cave‐adapted and/or cave‐restricted taxa in the south‐western United States and eight new species of presumed cave‐restricted arthropods on Rapa Nui that would otherwise have been missed. Sampling techniques differed in their detection of both management concern species (e.g., newly discovered cave‐adapted/restricted species, range expansions of cave‐restricted species and newly confirmed alien species) and specific taxonomic groups. Spiders were detected primarily with visual search techniques (direct intuitive searches, opportunistic collecting and timed searches), while most beetles were detected using pitfall traps. Each sampling technique uniquely identified species of management concern further strengthening the importance of a multi‐technique sampling approach.

Main conclusions

Multiple sampling techniques were required to best characterize cave arthropod diversity. For techniques applied uniformly across all caves, each technique uniquely detected between ~40% and 67% of the total species observed. Also, sampling cave deep zones and nutrient resource sites was critical for both increasing the number of species detected and maximizing the likelihood of detecting management concern species.
The gap between current knowledge and clinical practice in childhood disability
Authors: Rodby‐Bousquet Elisabet
Published: July 2018

This commentary is on the original article by Kenyon et al. on pages 1018–1025 of this issue.
Supporting public financial management in conflict‐affected situations: Adapting to change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Authors: Pijuan Albert
Published: July 2018

This article traces the introduction of public financial management (PFM) processes and systems in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) since they came under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). A number of factors combined make for an extremely challenging context for external actors to catalyse change: non‐existent formal central government functions at the time the PA was established, major restrictions in the movement of goods and people, ill‐designed donor budget support and a very asymmetric distribution of power that favours the status quo. An unelected government, donor‐dependency and a suffocating and chronic (yet low‐level) conflict are increasingly de‐incentivizing long‐term institutional reform. Such a complex problem requires multi‐faceted solutions. This article describes a dual delivery model adopted by the Palestinian Governance Facility (PGF) encompassing adaptive interventions that support longer‐term PFM improvements combined with the introduction of a selective workstream targeting service delivery. This focuses on the management of external medical referrals, which emerged as a political problem. A flexible development assistance delivery model can allow reform areas not anticipated at project design to be tackled as they emerge on the political agenda and open the space for political capital. A constant examination of contextual issues and re‐programming of project activities are offering lessons from which to learn and adapt. The ideal coalition involves flexible, aligned donors and relevant “institutional entrepreneurs” from within local organizations, with direct access to politicians. If high‐level government buy‐in falters, a coalition of technocrats may help construct and broker problems from which to gain political access.
Hypothalamic AMPK and energy balance
Authors: López Miguel
Published: July 2018

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the main cellular energy sensor. Activated following a depletion of cellular energy stores, AMPK will restore the energy homoeostasis by increasing energy production and limiting energy waste. At a central level, the AMPK pathway will integrate peripheral signals (mostly hormones and metabolites) through neuronal networks. Hypothalamic AMPK is directly implicated in feeding behaviour, brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). It also participates in other metabolic functions: glucose and muscle metabolisms, as well as hepatic function. Numerous anti‐obesity and/or antidiabetic agents, such as nicotine, metformin and liraglutide, are known to induce their effects through a modulation of AMPK pathway, either at central or at peripheral levels. Moreover, the weight‐gaining side effects of antipsychotic drugs, such as olanzapine, are also mediated by hypothalamic AMPK. Therefore, considering hypothalamic AMPK as a therapeutic target in metabolic diseases appears as an interesting strategy due to its implication in feeding and energy expenditure, the two sides of the energy balance equation.