bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing interorganizational technology development: Project management practices for market‐ and science‐based partnerships
Authors: Gama Fábio , Sjödin David Rönnberg , Frishammar Johan
Published: May 2017

Firms are increasingly relying on collaborating with external partners to drive technology development. Many firms struggle with managing the inherently uncertain and ambiguous technology development process, especially with external actors involved, because they may not have or share the same project management practices concerning coordination and control activities. To address this gap, this study examines appropriate project management practices for market‐based and science‐based partnerships in three large technology‐intensive firms. Our results suggest that interorganizational technology development is problematic because firms lack sufficient partner understanding and struggle with aligning their project management practices with those of their partners. To address these problems, we identify project management practices of coordination and control to fit the contingencies of each type of partner collaboration. Our results provide implications for theory and managerial practices related to managing interorganizational technology development.
Visual tools for business model innovation: Recommendations from a cognitive perspective
Authors: Täuscher Karl , Abdelkafi Nizar
Published: May 2017

Managers involved in business model innovation (BMI) encounter a series of cognitive challenges. Although cognition research provides important insights into how visual tools can reduce cognitive challenges, it does not address the effective design of business model tools. To advance our understanding in this area, this research applies a cognition‐centered perspective to analyze different visual business model representations. It builds upon a systematic literature review that identifies a selection of 45 visual representations from the academic literature and a sample of 50 visualizations from outside the academic realm. A content analysis of the sample reveals that all visual business model representations can be classified into three complementary categories, leading to a novel framework for distinguishing business model understandings. After assigning each visual representation to the framework, we use findings from the cognition literature to derive recommendations on how to select suitable graphic forms for different phases of the BMI process. Thus, this research contributes to the broader understanding of how visual tools can support business model innovation at a cognitive level.
Organizing for success in internal corporate venturing: An inductive case study of a multinational consumer goods company
Authors: Makarevich Alex
Published: May 2017

This study explores internal corporate venturing programs at two sites of a multinational consumer goods company that differ significantly in their venturing success. Using inductive methodology, it first identifies critical factors of corporate venturing success and then, using both cross‐case variance and within‐case process‐tracing techniques, it establishes linkages between these factors and organizational features of corporate venturing programs. The results of the study suggest that internal corporate venturing based on a structured, company‐wide program characterized by broad involvement of managers from key functional divisions is preferable to a single‐sponsor venturing program, even if sponsors have vast authority in the company. The study identifies a number of organizational elements that facilitate success of internal corporate venturing and provides practical recommendations for managers.
Establishing and managing a network for continuous innovation: Invoking organizational pressure
Authors: Karlsson Anna , Björk Jennie
Published: May 2017

Social networks in organizations have been identified as important both in terms of increasing our understanding of innovation and for organizations to realize innovation outcomes. While previous studies have informed us of the importance of networks for innovation, we know little of how companies intentionally can design and utilize networks to achieve continuous innovation. The aim of this paper is to explore how a network for continuous innovation can be established and managed. A longitudinal case study has been performed using data covering the establishment and subsequent management of a network for supporting continuous innovation, spanning the product management and R&D department of a large multinational company. The results reveal the potential to use intra‐organizational networks to invoke organizational pressure conducive for making innovation happen. This pressure is induced by autonomy and self‐organizing in the network and consists of reciprocal expectations and demands between the top (management) and the bottom (employees involved in the network) of the organizational hierarchy. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Food and beverage television advertising exposure and youth consumption, body mass index and adiposity outcomes
Authors: Powell Lisa M. , Wada Roy , Khan Tamkeen , Emery Sherry L.
Published: May 2017

This study examines the relationships between exposure to food and beverage product television advertisements and consumption and obesity outcomes among youth. Individual‐level data on fast food and soft drink consumption and body mass index (BMI) for young adolescents from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, kindergarten cohort, (1998–1999) and adiposity measures for children from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2004) were combined with designated market area (DMA) Nielsen media advertising ratings data. To account for unobserved individual‐level and DMA‐level heterogeneity, various fixed‐ and random‐effects models were estimated. The results showed that exposure to soft drink and sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) advertisements is economically and statistically significantly associated with higher frequency of soft drink consumption among youth even after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, with elasticity estimates ranging from 0.4 to 0.5. The association between fast food advertising exposure and fast food consumption disappeared once we controlled for unobservables. Exposure to cereal advertising was significantly associated with young adolescents' BMI percentile ranking, but exposures to fast food and soft drink advertisements were not. The results on adiposity outcomes revealed that children's exposure to cereal advertising was associated with both percent body fatness and percent trunk fatness; fast food advertising was significantly associated with percent trunk fatness and marginally significantly associated with percent body fatness; and exposure to SSB advertising was marginally significantly associated with percent body and trunk fatness. The study results suggest that continued monitoring of advertising is important and policy debates regarding the regulation of youth‐directed marketing are warranted.
An empirical study of credit shock transmission in a small open economy
Authors: Bedock Nathan , Stevanović Dalibor
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we identify and estimate the dynamic effects of foreign (US) and national (Canadian) credit shocks in a small open economy. We use standard credit spreads as proxies to the external finance premium. Our first result suggests that the US and Canadian credit spreads contain substantial forecasting power for several measures of the Canadian real economic activity, especially during the recent financial crisis and its aftermath. Secondly, an adverse US credit shock generates a significant and persistent economic slowdown in Canada: the national external finance premium rises immediately while interest rates, credit aggregates, output and employment indicators decline. Variance decomposition reveals that credit shocks have a sizeable effect on real activity measures, leading indicators and credit spreads. Yet, the unexpected shocks in domestic credit spreads are not able to generate any significant dynamic response of the real activity once we control for the US credit market conditions.
Calculating the real return on a sovereign wealth fund
Authors: Benedictow Andreas , Boug Pål
Published: May 2017

We present a new methodology for calculating the real return on sovereign wealth funds (SWF) that share the investment objective of maximizing international purchasing power in terms of goods and services. Specifically, we modify the traditional approach for deflating the nominal return along three dimensions: the aggregator formula, the measure of international prices and the weighting scheme. We argue that a geometric average of price levels is an appropriate aggregator formula for capturing the deflationary effects of imports increasingly originating from low‐cost countries, and that import prices paid by the SWF owner and weights reflecting the owner's import pattern are consistent with the investment objective. Our proposed approach, using the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global as an illustration, raises the estimated average annual real rate of return over the sample period of 1998–2012 from 3.1% to 4.9%.
Synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxic activities of artemisinin derivatives
Authors: Sun Qian , Wang Jin , Li Yao , Zhuang Jingjing , Zhang Qian , Sun Xiao , Sun Dequn
Published: May 2017

Artemisinin is a naturally occurring antimalarial agent which has shown potent anticancer activity. In this work, new artemisinin derivatives with the piperazine group were synthesized. The cytotoxic activities of derivatives 5a–5d were evaluated by MTT assay against ten cell lines. The results showed that 5a–5d were more effective in inhibiting cancer cell growth than artemisinin. 5d was the most active against HepG2 and PLC‐PRF‐5 cells and presented no cytotoxicity on L‐02 cells. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry experiment revealed that 5d could induce HepG2 and PLC‐PRF‐5 cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 5d induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased the levels of intracellular free calcium and reactive oxygen species. 5d also induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in HepG2 cells. According to the results of Western blotting and caspase‐3 kit, 5d could significantly increase the content of p53, bax, Apaf‐1, and caspase‐3 and decrease the protein level of bcl‐2, pro‐caspase‐9, and pro‐caspase‐3 in HepG2 cells. These findings indicate that 5d activates the mitochondria‐mediated apoptotic pathway in HepG2 cells and may merit further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Prognostic value of preoperative anti‐thyroglobulin antibody in differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Jo Kwanhoon , Kim Min‐Hee , Ha Jeonghoon , Lim Yejee , Lee Sohee , Bae Ja Seong , Jung Chan Kwon , Kang Moo Il , Cha Bong Yun , Lim Dong‐Jun
Published: May 2017

Context

The coexistence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and thyroid autoimmune disease could represent a better or worse prognosis. This study investigated the prognostic importance of preoperative anti‐thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) in DTC patients.

Design and patients

This retrospective hospital‐cohort study enrolled 1171 consecutive DTC patients with preoperative TgAb data, who underwent total thyroidectomy between January 2006 and December 2011. Clinical parameters studied included demographics, primary tumour characteristics, radioiodine therapy, thyroid function tests, preoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) and TgAb levels, and cancer persistence/recurrence.

Results

A total of 254 (21.7%) patients were preoperatively TgAb positive. The percentage positive for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody and lymphocytic thyroiditis was significantly higher in the TgAb‐positive group. The TgAb‐positive group had a significantly higher rate of lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis both overall and in patients without TPOAb and lymphocytic thyroiditis (non‐HT group). The mean number of total and central lymph nodes dissected and rate of lateral lymph node dissection were significantly higher in the TgAb‐positive group, both overall and in non‐HT patients. In regression analysis, preoperative TgAb was an independent risk factor for lateral lymph node metastasis. Over 50.2±14.5 months of follow‐up, disease persistence/recurrence was not significantly different between patients with and without TgAb, both overall and in non‐HT patients. Preoperative TgAb showed no significant correlation with final disease status.

Conclusion

Positive preoperative serum TgAb is associated with worse primary tumour characteristics but rarely showed poor prognosis, probably due to more aggressive treatment of these subjects.
Contracting Medial Surfaces Isotropically for Fast Extraction of Centred Curve Skeletons
Authors: Li Lei , Wang Wencheng
Published: May 2017

Curve skeletons, which are a compact representation for three‐dimensional shapes, must be extracted such that they are high quality, centred and smooth. However, the centredness measurements in existing methods are expensive, lowering the extraction efficiency. Although some methods trade quality for acceleration, their generated low‐quality skeletons are not suitable for applications. In this paper, we present a method to quickly extract centred curve skeletons. It operates by contracting the medial surface isotropically to the locus of the centres of its maximal inscribed spheres, which are spheres that have their centres on the medial surface and cannot be further enlarged while remaining the boundary of their intersections with the medial surface composed of only the points on the sphere surfaces. Thus, the centred curve skeleton can be extracted conveniently. For fast extraction, we develop novel measures to quickly generate the medial surface and contract it layer by layer, with every layer contracted isotropically using spheres of equal radii to account for every part of the medial surface boundary. The experimental results show that we can stably extract curve skeletons with higher centredness and at much higher speeds than existing methods, even for noisy shapes.
Waiting for Bobos: Displacement and Impeded Gentrification in a Midwestern City
Authors: Billingham Chase M.
Published: May 2017

The degree to which lower–income residents are displaced by the process of gentrification has been the subject of considerable debate. Displacement is generally framed as a possible, and potentially remediable, outcome of gentrification. This portrayal of the link between gentrification and displacement is problematic, though, because gentrification can proceed without substantial displacement, while displacement frequently occurs in the absence of gentrification. In this article, I use a historical case study to examine the link between displacement and gentrification. Drawing on archival research and media accounts of redevelopment over the course of 50 years in Wichita, Kansas, I demonstrate how a displacement–first strategy has characterized all attempts to transform the city's “skid row” into the hub of a gentrified downtown core, and I describe how, despite widespread displacement, the gentrification of downtown Wichita has been largely unsuccessful. I discuss the implications of these findings for sociological theories of gentrification and displacement.
Tautomerism, crystal structure, and copper(ii) complexation of pyridonylazo dyes derived from methyl 4‐aminobenzoate
Authors: Feng Ya‐Nan , Wang Yue‐Hua , Liu Yun‐Hong , Qian Hui‐Fen , Huang Wei
Published: May 2017

Four heterocyclic dyes, derived from methyl 4‐aminobenzoate and pyridine‐2,4‐dione components, with different N‐substituents in the latter [CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2OH, CH2CH2CH2OCH(CH3)2], were synthesised by the traditional diazotisation‐coupling strategy. Furthermore, a Cu(ii) dye–metal complex was prepared and characterised by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction for comparison, where the configuration transformation from hydrazone to deprotonated azo forms was found before and after Cu(ii) ion complexation. In addition, the azo–hydrazone transformation could be observed by acid–base titration experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first structural study of pyridone dyes based on methyl 4‐aminobenzoate and the corresponding dye–metal complex.
Low‐temperature dyeing of meta‐aramid fabrics pretreated with 2‐phenoxyethanol
Authors: Sheng Dan , Wang Yunli , Wang Xin , Lu Xuefeng , Jiang Shan , Pan Heng , Cao Genyang , Xu Weilin
Published: May 2017

In this study, meta‐aramid fibres were pretreated with 2‐phenoxyethanol under different conditions to investigate the effect of 2‐phenoxyethanol on the dyeing of aramid at low temperature (95 °C). Structural alteration of the pretreated fibres was reflected by thermogravimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, indicating more H‐bonds, lower crystallinity, and slightly lower thermal stability. The change in structure showed that 2‐phenoxyethanol combined with the fibre macromolecules and resulted in swelling of the fibre. Creation of a biphasic system through the addition of 2‐phenoxyethanol to the dyeing solution resulted in the cationic dye being partitioned more towards the 2‐phenoxyethanol‐rich phase than the aqueous phase. The cross‐sections of the dyed fibre suggested that the meta‐aramid fibre could be dyed more thoroughly with an appropriate concentration of 2‐phenoxyethanol. The colour value of aramid fabric was tested by varying the concentration of 2‐phenoxyethanol and the temperature of pretreatment, indicating a dramatic improvement in dyeing performance to aramid after 2‐phenoxyethanol pretreatment. 2‐Phenoxyethanol pretreatment and low‐temperature dyeing can overcome the problems of chemical and energy waste while producing a satisfying colour.
Impact of the genetic variants of GLCCI1 on clinical features of asthmatic patients
Authors: Chiba Shinji , Nakamura Yutaka , Mizuno Tomoki , Abe Kazuyuki , Horii Yosuke , Nagashima Hiromi , Sasaki Nobuhito , Kanno Hiroyuki , Tanita Tatsuo , Yamauchi Kohei
Published: May 2017

Background

Several gene variants are associated with a response to an inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) treatment in patients with bronchial asthma. A variant of the glucocorticoid‐induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) genes has previously been associated with decreased lung function improvement upon treatment with ICSs in patients with bronchial asthma. Another report has also demonstrated that this genetic biomarker did not influence the change in flow volume in 1 second. However, no studies have considered the treatment content and the GLCCI1 variants. We were able to determine the relationship between the pulmonary function and clinical features and the variant of the GLCCI1 in Japanese asthmatic patients receiving long‐term ICS treatment.

Materials and methods

In this study, 405 patients with bronchial asthma, who were receiving ICS and living in Japan, were recruited, genotyped and underwent pulmonary function tests. To identify the GLCCI1 protein expression cells, endobronchial biopsy specimens were examined.

Results

We found that the pulmonary function was not significantly different in the homozygotes compared to the wild types. Also, the homozygotes increased the risk of a sustained step‐up of the asthma treatment when compared to the wild type and heterozygotes. GLCCI1‐positive cells were localized to the bronchial epithelial cells. The amount of GLCCI1 protein that cultured epithelial cells harboring GLCCI1 variants produced was less than the GLCCI1 wild type in the presence of a corticosteroid.

Conclusions

A worsening of pulmonary function caused by GLCCI1 variants could be prevented due to recently used medications based on new action mechanisms.
Use of TBAg/PHA ratio in distinguishing tuberculoma from cancer in solitary pulmonary nodule or mass
Authors: Wang Feng , Hou Hongyan , Zhou Hongmin , Wu Shiji , Mao Lie , Huang Min , Yin Botao , Huang Jing , Sun Ziyong
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Differentiation of tuberculoma from cancer in solitary pulmonary nodule or mass still remains a major challenge in diagnostic laboratories.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to determine the performance of T‐SPOT.TB assay in discriminating these 2 diseases.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 331 patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule or mass on computed tomography scans. Conventional tests and T‐SPOT.TB assay were simultaneously performed in all participants.

Results

Our results showed that the performance of directly using T‐SPOT.TB results in distinguishing tuberculoma from cancer in solitary pulmonary nodule or mass was not satisfactory because of moderate sensitivity and specificity. However, a further calculation of the ratio of TB‐specific antigen (TBAg) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (TBAg/PHA ratio) of T‐SPOT.TB assay may lead to improvement in distinguishing these 2 diseases. If using the threshold value of 0.236, the sensitivity and specificity of the TBAg/PHA ratio in distinguishing tuberculoma from cancer in solitary pulmonary nodule or mass were, respectively, 80.6% and 93.3%. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.921 (95% confidence interval, 0.875‐0.967). Furthermore, the TBAg/PHA ratio may also be used to distinguish tuberculoma from other benign diseases (AUC: 0.909, sensitivity: 85.07%, specificity: 90%).

Conclusions

Calculation of the TBAg/PHA ratio might provide a useful non‐invasive tool for distinguishing tuberculoma from cancer in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule or mass in TB‐endemic countries.
Use of intra‐aortic counterpulsation in cardiogenic shock post‐liver transplantation
Authors: Palanisamy Arun P , Nadig Satish N , Chedister Gabriel R , Dowden Jacob E , Koch David G , Stoll William D , McGillicuddy John W , Chavin Kenneth D
Published: May 2017

Left ventricular dysfunction resulting in cardiogenic shock occurs infrequently following organ reperfusion in liver transplantation. The etiology of the cardiogenic shock is often multifactorial and difficult to manage due to the complex nature of the procedure and the patient's baseline physiology. Traditionally, this hemodynamic instability is managed medically using inotropic agents and vasopressor support. If medical treatment is insufficient, the use of an intra‐aortic balloon pump for counterpulsation may be employed to improve the hemodynamics and stabilize the patient. Here, we analyze three cases and review the literature.
Open‐access evidence database of controlled trials and systematic reviews in youth mental health
Authors: De Silva Stefanie , Bailey Alan P. , Parker Alexandra G. , Montague Alice E. , Hetrick Sarah E.
Published: May 2017

Aim

To present an update to an evidence‐mapping project that consolidates the evidence base of interventions in youth mental health. To promote dissemination of this resource, the evidence map has been translated into a free online database (https://orygen.org.au/Campus/Expert‐Network/Evidence‐Finder or https://headspace.org.au/research‐database/). Included studies are extensively indexed to facilitate searching.

Methods

A systematic search for prevention and treatment studies in young people (mean age 6–25 years) is conducted annually using Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Included studies are restricted to controlled trials and systematic reviews published since 1980.

Results

To date, 221 866 publications have been screened, of which 2680 have been included in the database. Updates are conducted annually.

Conclusions

This shared resource can be utilized to substantially reduce the amount of time involved with conducting literature searches. It is designed to promote the uptake of evidence‐based practice and facilitate research to address gaps in youth mental health.
General Oral Health Assessment Index: A new evaluation proposal
Authors: Campos Juliana A. D. B. , Zucoloto Miriane L. , Bonafé Fernanda S. S. , Maroco João
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To validity the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) among adults who sought dental care and to present a new proposal for calculating scores on self‐perception of oral health.

Background

There is no study that presents a GOHAI scores using weight of the items.

Materials and Methods

The one‐factor model, the three‐factor model (physical function, psychosocial/psychological function and pain/discomfort) and the second‐order hierarchical model (SOHM) were evaluated from confirmatory factor analysis (λ, χ2/df, CFI,GFI and RMSEA). The reliability (CR,α) was estimated. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14). The invariance of the models was estimated in independent samples. The calculation of an overall score using the factor scores was proposed to obtain the overall weighted scores. These overall weighted scores were compared to the scores estimated as the simple arithmetic mean (overall unweighted scores) using a repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

A total of 1000 individuals participated (74.1% female; age: 40.7 (SD=14.3) years). Three items of the GOHAI were excluded (λ<0.40). The one‐factor model (λ=0.40‐0.77; χ2/df=6.291; CFI=0.947; GFI=0.960; RMSEA=0.073) and the three‐factor model (λ=0.40‐0.78; χ2/df=8.321; CFI=0.932; GFI=0.954; RMSEA=0.086) each presented an adequate fit. Reliability was adequate (one‐factor: CR=0.83/α=0.83; three‐factor: CR=0.53‐0.76/α=0.53‐0.73), with the exception of the pain/discomfort factor. The GOHAI was invariant in independent samples, and the concurrent validity was adequate. The overall unweighted scores overestimated self‐perceptions of oral health when compared with the weighted scores.

Conclusion

Both the one‐factor and three‐factor models of the GOHAI were found to be valid, reliable and invariant for the sample after the exclusion of three items. The use of overall weighted scores is recommended for calculating the score of self‐perception of oral health.
Preparation and Measurement of Cassiterite for Sn Isotope Analysis
Authors: Mathur Ryan , Powell Wayne , Mason Andrea , Godfrey Linda , Yao Junming , Baker Mark E.
Published: May 2017

Increased interest in the fractionation of Sn isotopes has led to the development of several techniques for preparing cassiterite (SnO2, the primary ore of Sn) for isotopic analysis. Two distinct methods have been applied in recent isotopic studies of cassiterite: (a) reduction to tin metal with potassium cyanide (KCN) at high temperature (800 °C), with subsequent dissolution in HCl, and (b) reduction to a Sn solution with hydriodic acid (HI) at low temperature (100 °C). This study compares the effectiveness and accuracy of these two methods and contributes additional methodological details. The KCN method consistently yielded more Sn (> 70% in comparison with < 5%), does not appear to fractionate Sn isotopes at high temperatures over a 2‐hour period and produced consistent Sn isotope values at flux mass ratios of ≥ 4:1 (flux to mineral) with a minimum reduction time of 40 min. By means of a distillation experiment, it was demonstrated that HI could volatilise Sn, explaining the consistently low yields by this method. Furthermore, the distillation generated Sn vapour, which is up to 0.38‰ per mass unit different from the starting material, the largest induced Sn fractionation reported to date. Accordingly, the HI method is not recommended for cassiterite preparation for Sn isotopic analysis.
Evolution of Heterogeneous Mixed Siliciclastic/Carbonate Aquifers Containing Metastable Sediments
Authors: Franco Daniel , Coulibaly Kapo , Kunberger Tanya , Kinzli Kristoph‐Dietrich , Arbelaez Sebastian , Missimer Thomas M.
Published: May 2017

Mixed carbonate and siliciclastic marine sediments commonly become freshwater aquifers in eastern coastal regions of the United States and many other global locations. As these deposits age, the carbonate fraction of the sediment is commonly removed by dissolution and the aquifer can become a solely siliciclastic system or contain zones or beds of pure quartz sand. During aquifer evolution, the sediment grain size characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity change. An investigation of these changes using mixed carbonate/siliciclastic sediment samples collected from a modern barrier island beach in southern Florida showed that the average mean grain diameter decreased with removal of the carbonate fraction, but the average hydraulic conductivity and porosity increased slightly, but not to statistical significance. This counterintuitive result occurs because of the change in the pore types from a combined shelter and intergranular pore system producing a dual porosity system in the mixed sediments to a single intergranular pore system in the siliciclastic sediment fraction. Within the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic sediment, in the pure carbonate fraction, large shell fractions form grain‐supported large pores, which become filled with sand‐sized quartz as the shell fragments decrease in size or as the sediment becomes compacted. The hydraulic conductivity increases because the shell fragments that were oriented perpendicular to flow caused an increase in the length of the flow path, or a larger scale tortuosity, compared with the flow through pure quartz sand.
Visual Auras in Epilepsy and Migraine – An Analysis of Clinical Characteristics
Authors: Hartl Elisabeth , Angel Jose , Rémi Jan , Schankin Christoph J. , Noachtar Soheyl
Published: May 2017

Objective

To evaluate the characteristics of visual auras (VA) in epilepsy and migraine.

Background

Both disorders are usually diagnosed on clinical grounds, but differentiation might be challenging in isolated auras or because of the similar presentation in migraine and epilepsy.

Methods

A retrospective study of two cohorts was performed to compare the VA characteristics of 27 epilepsy patients and 27 age‐matched migraine patients.

Results

The duration of VA was significantly shorter in epilepsy (median: 56s; 1st quartile Q1: 26s; 3rd quartile Q3: 130s) than in migraine (20 min; Q1: 10 min; Q3: 30 min) (P < .0001). A cutoff duration of ≥5 minutes identified all migraine patients (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity). VAs of epileptic etiology were characterized by restriction to a visual hemifield (74.1% vs 29.6% in migraine,P = .0024) with stereotypic affection of one hemifield (55.5% vs 7.4% in migraine,P = 0.0003). Centrifugal or centripetal spread of visual phenomena only occurred in migraine (37.0%), but not in epilepsy (P = 0.0007). If present, accompanying symptoms such as nausea/vomiting (19/27) or photo‐/phonophobia (17/27) identify migrainous auras (vs 0/27 in the epilepsy patients;P < .0001). Headache presented in all migraine patients, but was also observed in six of the epilepsy patients during cephalic auras or the postictal phase (P < .0001). None of the visual migrainous auras evolved into an epileptic seizure, a concept called migralepsy.

Conclusions

Several clinical characteristics differentiate VA of epileptic and migrainous origin – if presenting in classical manner. Additional EEG evaluations should be performed in patients with VA of unclear etiology and epileptic VA features added to current classifications to increase their discriminatory power.
Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging reflects co‐activation of β‐catenin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kitao Azusa , Matsui Osamu , Yoneda Norihide , Kozaka Kazuto , Kobayashi Satoshi , Koda Wataru , Minami Tetsuya , Inoue Dai , Yoshida Kotaro , Yamashita Taro , Yamashita Tatsuya , Kaneko Shuichi , Takamura Hiroyuki , Ohta Tetsuo , Ikeda Hiroko , Sato Yasunori , Nakanuma Yasuni , Harada Kenichi , Kita Ryuichi , Gabata Toshifumi
Published: May 2017

Aim

The aim of this study is to clarify the correlation of the co‐activation of β‐catenin and hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)4α with the findings of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B3 expression, and histological findings in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

One hundred and ninety‐six HCCs surgically resected from 174 patients were enrolled in this study. The HCCs were classified into four groups by immunohistochemical expression of β‐catenin, glutamine synthetase (GS), and HNF4α: (i) β‐catenin/GS (positive [+]) HNF4α (+); (ii) β‐catenin/GS (+) HNF4α (negative [−]); (iii) β‐catenin/GS (−) HNF4α (+); and (iv) β‐catenin/GS (−) HNF4α (−). We compared the four groups in terms of the enhancement ratio on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI, immunohistochemical organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP)1B3 (a main uptake transporter of gadoxetic acid) expression and histological features, overall survival, and no recurrence survival. The Kruskal–Wallis test, Steel–Dwass multiple comparisons test, Fisher's exact test, and log–rank (Mantel–Cox) test were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Enhancement ratio on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI in HCC with β‐catenin/GS (+) HNF4α (+) was significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P < 0.001). The OATP1B3 grade was also significantly higher in HCC with β‐catenin/GS (+) HNF4α (+) (P < 0.001). Hepatocellular carcinoma with β‐catenin/GS (+) HNF4α (+) showed the highest differentiation grade as compared to the other groups (P < 0.004). There were no significant differences in portal vein invasion, macroscopic growth pattern, or prognosis analyses between the four groups.

Conclusion

Co‐activation of β‐catenin and HNF4α would promote OATP1B3 expression, and consequently higher enhancement ratio on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI and higher differentiation grade in HCC.
The information needs of occupational therapy students: a case study
Authors: Morgan‐Daniel Jane , Preston Hugh
Published: May 2017

This article summarises a case study on the information needs of Masters level Occupational Therapy 5 (OT) students at one English university. A mixed methods questionnaire was used to explore motivators for information‐seeking, preferred information resources and barriers inhibiting the satisfaction of information needs. Thirteen recommendations for practice were formulated, focusing on how information professionals can best facilitate OT students’ learning and evidence‐based research skills in preparation for clinical practice. The study was completed by Jane Morgan‐Daniel, who received a Distinction for her work from Aberystwyth University, where she graduated with an MSC in Information and Library Studies in December 2016. She has written this article together with her dissertation supervisor, Hugh Preston.

A. M.
Knowledge Management in healthcare libraries: the current picture
Authors: Hopkins Emily
Published: May 2017

Knowledge management has seen something of a resurgence in attention amongst health librarians recently. Of course it has never ceased to exist, but now many library staff are becoming more involved in organisational knowledge management, and positioning themselves as key players in the sphere. No single model of knowledge management is proliferating, but approaches that best fit the organisation's size, structure and culture, and a blending of evidence based practice and knowledge sharing. Whatever it is called and whatever models are used, it's clear that for librarians and information professionals, the importance of putting knowledge and evidence into practice, sharing knowledge well and capturing it effectively, are still what we will continue to do.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and photoluminescence properties of TTB‐type PbTa2O6:Eu3+ phosphor
Authors: İlhan Mustafa
Published: May 2017

Undoped and Eu3+‐doped tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) PbTa2O6 phosphors were synthesized by using solid‐state reaction method. Synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, SEM‐EDS, and photoluminescence analyses. XRD results revealed TTB‐type crystal structure with single phase up to 10 mol% Eu3+ doping concentration. In SEM‐EDS analyses, elemental composition of Pb decreased with the increasing concentration of Eu3+. Emissions at the excitation wavelength of 398.5 nm were observed at 593.2 and 618.8 nm due to 5D0→7F1 transitions and 5D0→7F2 transitions, respectively. Emission increased with the increasing Eu3+ doping concentration up to 10 mol% and not observed concentration quenching.
Dietary emissions patterns and their effect on the overall climatic impact of food consumption
Authors: Hyland John J. , McCarthy Mary B. , Henchion Maeve , McCarthy Sinéad N.
Published: May 2017

Food consumption is responsible for a considerable proportion of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). This study aimed to determine whether different dietary emission patterns (EPs) are evident in the Irish population. Respondents of the national nutritional survey were segmented using cluster analysis based on GHGE generated from food groups; thereby profiling similarities in how emissions were attained. Three distinct EPs were observed: Unsustainable, Culturally Sustainable, and Nutritionally Sustainable. The Unsustainable pattern had a significantly greater climatic impact; generating significantly higher emissions from processed meat, alcohol, carbonated beverages and savoury snacks, but significantly lower emissions from dairy.Total GHGE did not differ significantly between the Culturally Sustainable and the Nutritionally Sustainable despite the latter deriving significantly lower emissions from red meat. Nevertheless, the Nutritionally Sustainable pattern adhered to more dietary guidelines than other EPs. The results imply that policy instruments should be holistic in naturerather than concentrating on individual food groups.
The use of medicinal plants in venous ulcers: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Freitas Anderson L , Santos Carla A , Souza Carlos AS , Nunes Marco AP , Antoniolli Ângelo R , da Silva Wellington B , da Silva Francilene A
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to systematically review the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of varicose ulcers. The databases used in the search were: Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, Cinhal, Lilacs and Web of Science. The selection process was divided into two phases: the reading of titles and abstracts and the full reading of selected articles. The item description was compared with the checklist of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials. The initial search produced 3505 articles and seven were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. Of the included studies, 7 (100%) evaluated the reduction of the ulcer area, 4 (57·14%) evaluated reepithelisation, 2 (28·57%) evaluated bacterial flora and 1 (14·28%) evaluated the oxygen pressure and percutaneous carbon dioxide. The level of evidence rating indicated that five studies (71·42%) were rated at level 2 and two (28·57%) were rated at level 3. The quality assessment was performed using the Jadad scale, which is prevalent in the literature. The quality score of the Jadad questionnaire ranges from 0 to 5; here, the studies analysed had an average of 2·5. A meta‐analysis was performed on two studies that analysed the effects of Mimosa tenuiflora hydrogel in the treatment of venous ulcer and included 42 patients with a mean age of 60·5 years and a mean duration of treatment of 10·5 weeks. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2; we obtained a high value of 84%. We concluded that, despite the efficacy of the incorporation of Ageratina pichinchensis into the gel, the hydrogel that incorporated M. tenuiflora appeared to be a promising candidate for the management of venous ulcers.
X‐ray tomography of feed‐to‐glass transition of simulated borosilicate waste glasses
Authors: Harris William H. , Guillen Donna P. , Klouzek Jaroslav , Pokorny Richard , Yano Tetsuji , Lee SeungMin , Schweiger Michael J. , Hrma Pavel
Published: May 2017

High‐level waste feed composition affects the overall melting rate by influencing the chemical, thermophysical, and morphological properties of a cold cap layer that floats on the molten glass where most feed‐to‐glass reactions occur. Data from X‐ray computed tomography imaging of melting pellets comprised of a simulated high‐aluminum feed reveal the morphology of bubbles, known as the primary foam, for various feed compositions at temperatures between 600°C and 1040°C. These feeds were formulated to make glasses with viscosities ranging from 0.5 to 9.5 Pa s at 1150°C, which was accomplished by changing the SiO2/(B2O3+Na2O+Li2O) ratio in the final glass. Pellet dimensions and profile area, average and maximum bubble areas, bubble diameter, and void fraction were evaluated. The feed viscosity strongly affects the onset of the primary foaming and the foam collapse temperature. Despite the decreasing amount of gas‐evolving components (Li2CO3, H3BO3, and Na2CO3), as the feed viscosity increases, the measured foam expansion rate does not decrease. This suggests that the primary foaming is not only affected by changes in the primary melt viscosity but also by the compositional reaction kinetic effects. The temperature‐dependent foam morphological data will be used to inform cold cap model development for a high‐level radioactive waste glass melter.
The economic value of patent portfolios
Authors: Gambardella Alfonso , Harhoff Dietmar , Verspagen Bart
Published: May 2017

Patent holders may choose to protect innovations with single patents or to develop portfolios of multiple, related patents. We propose a decision‐making model in which patent holders allocate resources to either expanding the number of related patents or investing in higher value of patents in the portfolio. We estimate the derived value equation using portfolio value data from an inventor survey at the level of individual inventions rather than the firm as a whole. We find that investments in individual inventions exhibit diminishing returns, and that a good part of the value of a portfolio depends on adding new patented inventions. Also, while diminishing returns to individual inventions are stable across subsamples, the returns to portfolio size vary between complex and discrete industries, and between inventions that are science‐based or driven by customer information. When firms seek to strengthen appropriability, the returns to an increase of portfolio size are not different from the sample average. Thus, a higher number of inventions in a portfolio may reflect both stronger appropriability via patents and genuine creation of value.
Brief isoflurane anesthesia regulates striatal AKT‐GSK3β signaling and ameliorates motor deficits in a rat model of early‐stage Parkinson′s disease
Authors: Leikas Juuso V. , Kohtala Samuel , Theilmann Wiebke , Jalkanen Aaro J. , Forsberg Markus M. , Rantamäki Tomi
Published: May 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder primarily affecting the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. The link between heightened activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and neurodegene‐rative processes has encouraged investigation into the potential disease‐modifying effects of novel GSK3β inhibitors in experimental models of PD. Therefore, the intriguing ability of several anesthetics to readily inhibit GSK3β within the cortex and hippocampus led us to investigate the effects of brief isoflurane anesthesia on striatal GSK3β signaling in naïve rats and in a rat model of early‐stage PD. Deep but brief (20‐min) isoflurane anesthesia exposure increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β at the inhibitory Ser9 residue, and induced phosphorylation of AKTThr308 (protein kinase B; negative regulator of GSK3β) in the striatum of naïve rats and rats with unilateral striatal 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesion. The 6‐OHDA protocol produced gradual functional deficiency within the nigrostriatal pathway, reflected as a preference for using the limb ipsilateral to the lesioned striatum at 2 weeks post 6‐OHDA. Interestingly, such motor impairment was not observed in animals exposed to four consecutive isoflurane treatments (20‐min anesthesia every 48 h; treatments started 7 days after 6‐OHDA delivery). However, isoflurane had no effect on striatal or nigral tyrosine hydroxylase (a marker of dopaminergic neurons) protein levels. This brief report provides promising results regarding the therapeutic potential and neurobiological mechanisms of anesthetics in experimental models of PD and guides development of novel disease‐modifying therapies.

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The Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System in Greyhounds and Non‐Greyhound Dogs
Authors: Martinez J. , Kellogg C. , Iazbik M.C. , Couto C.G. , Pressler B.M. , Hoepf T.M. , Radin M.J.
Published: May 2017

Background

The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates blood pressure, electrolyte homeostasis, and renal function. Blood pressure, serum sodium concentrations, and urinary albumin excretion are higher in Greyhounds than other purebred and mixed‐breed dogs.

Hypothesis

Alterations in the RAAS in Greyhounds are associated with hemodynamic and clinicopathologic differences observed in the breed.

Animals

Clinically healthy Greyhound and non‐Greyhound dogs consecutively enrolled as blood donors (n = 20/group).

Methods

Prospective study. Standard chemical analysis was performed on serum and urine. Serum angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity was determined by fluorometric assay. All other RAAS hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) was measured by immunoassay. Measurements were compared to blood pressure and urine albumin concentration. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median, range.

Results

Serum creatinine (1.5 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.1 mg/dL, P < .001), sodium (149, 147–152 vs 148, 146–150 mEq/L, P = .017), and SDMA (16.1 ± 2.9 vs 12.2 ± 1.8 μg/dL, P < .001) were significantly higher in Greyhounds versus non‐Greyhounds, respectively. Plasma renin activity (0.69, 0.10–1.93 vs 0.65, 0.27–2.93 ng/mL/h, P = .60) and ACE activity (4.5, 2.1–8.5 vs 4.6, 2.1–11.4 activity/mL; P = .77) were similar between groups and did not correlate with higher systolic pressures and albuminuria in Greyhounds. Plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly lower in Greyhounds versus non‐Greyhounds (11, 11–52 vs 15, 11–56 pg/mL, respectively, P = .002).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Basal RAAS activation did not differ between healthy Greyhounds and non‐Greyhounds. Lower aldosterone concentration in Greyhounds is an appropriate physiologic response to higher serum sodium concentration and blood pressure, suggesting that angiotensin II effects in the renal tubule predominate over those of aldosterone.