bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on alcohol use in a Traveller community: an exploratory case study
Authors: Hurcombe Rachel , Bayley Mariana , Thickett Anthony , Thom Betsy
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Travellers are consistently found to have poorer health outcomes and health status than other minority ethnic groups. Very few studies have examined alcohol use among Travellers, but some indicate that their drinking patterns are changing. This study aims to explore alcohol use, health needs and health service access within an Irish Traveller population in England with a view to identifying themes for further study.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory pilot study was carried out using an oral life history approach. Ten individuals were interviewed along with two professionals working closely with the Traveller group.

Findings

While improvements in general health and access to healthcare were widely reported, many Travellers were concerned about the effects of leaving behind their nomadic lifestyle to living more “settled” lives. This change was felt to bring young male Travellers, in particular, into contact with the risky drinking behaviours of non‐Travellers and away from the monitoring and informal controls traditionally accompanying their former nomadic lifestyle.

Research limitations/implications

These findings may not generalise to other Traveller groups; they draw on a small sample of Travellers living in “settled” accommodation. The sample was limited to discussions with older Travellers and further research is needed among younger generations to explore how health related behaviours and alcohol use may be changing.

Originality/value

This study highlights potential pathways for young male Travellers to become “youth at risk” importantly through involvement in alcohol and drug use. It should be of value to health policy makers and health/support workers in contact with Traveller communities.
Estimating college student behavior frequencies
Authors: Cole James S. , Korkmaz Ali
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Surveys that collect data regarding behavior estimates are found in many fields including, but not limited to, those that conduct consumer research, health studies, sexual behavior, drug use, political polls, and many types of education studies. These studies typically use either vague behavioral quantifiers as the response set, or enumerated response sets where the respondent needs to select or tally the target behavior, or a combination of both types. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between these two methods of estimating educationally related behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study was taken from the 2010 administration of Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE), which is administered to incoming first‐year students. Respondents included 30,964 first‐year entering students from 81 higher education institutions in the USA. Data analysis was then carried out.

Findings

This study found that the more frequent the behavior, the shorter the time frame the respondent uses when estimating the behavior using enumerated strategies. In addition, this study showed that for many educationally relevant behaviors vague quantifiers are associated with increasing enumerated responses for the same behavior showing that two behavioral estimates are providing consistent estimations of the same behavior. Another equally important finding is that there were few meaningful group differences regarding these estimates.

Originality/value

Overall, the results from this study shed new light on interpreting behavior estimations using vague and enumerated responses.
Integrating project‐based learning into an undergraduate programme using Web 2.0 and videoconferencing
Authors: Fitzsimons John , Turner Rebecca
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Project‐based learning has been used in a number of disciplines to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to simulate professional activities and apply theory to practice. It has been identified as an effective way to develop a range of transferable skills required by employers. This article aims to report a novel application of project‐based learning, which provided students with an opportunity to work on an international collaboration, facilitated by videoconferencing and Web 2.0.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a number of data sources, this article examines the contribution that project‐based learning made to the development of key skills which employers within the media industry expect graduates to possess.

Findings

Conclusions suggest how project‐based learning can be used more widely to develop a range of employability skills. The international context and the use of new technologies were also seen by students to be important aspects of the project. Students offered some original insights into how these may enhance project‐based learning.

Originality/value

This study deals with a novel application of project‐based learning, which gave students an opportunity to work on an international collaboration, facilitated by videoconferencing and Web 2.0. Students offered some original insights into how the international context and the use of new technologies may enhance project‐based learning.
The gender gap in top corporate jobs in China
Authors: Xiu Lin
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the gender pay gap in organizational leadership positions in China. The author seeks to analyse how much of the gap is explained by differences in individual characteristics and how much is explained by firm characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study estimates pay functions based on a unique data set from a survey of private firms and top managers in Liuzhou, Guangxi, China.

Findings

Female managers receive much lower pay than male managers in China. A larger portion of the gender earnings gap can be attributed to firm‐level characteristics than individual characteristics. Female managers tend to have fewer firm‐level characteristics that are associated with higher pay, and when they do, they tend to receive a smaller pay premium for those characteristics. This is especially the case for the firm size variable where female managers are less likely to be employed in higher paying large firms, and when they are, they receive a smaller firm‐size premium.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses a sample of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. As such, the gender pay gap in larger firms or firms in large cities (e.g. Beijing or Shanghai) may not be represented by the findings of this study.

Practical implications

This study offers insights on how women executives are paid after they cross the “glass ceiling” and enter the managerial ranks in China. Female executives should be aware of the effects of firm characteristics on gender differences in compensation.

Originality/value

This study adds to the limited empirical literature on the gender pay gap among top executives using a matched establishment‐manager data set in China.
What drives organisational engagement?
Authors: Malinen Sanna , Wright Sarah , Cammock Peter
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Past research has found meaningful differences between job and organisational engagement. However, research to date has mainly focused on job engagement, whereas the construct of organisational engagement has been largely neglected. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antecedents of organisational engagement and its influence on withdrawal attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an on‐line survey, the authors investigated employees’ perceptions of fairness and trust in senior management, 12 months prior to the measurement of organisational engagement and withdrawal attitudes. The study was conducted in a professional services public organisation, characterised by frequent change and uncertainty.

Findings

The authors showed that perceptions of procedural justice and trust in senior management predicted organisational engagement 12 months later. In addition, organisational engagement partially mediated the relationship between procedural justice perceptions, trust in senior management, and withdrawal attitudes.

Practical implications

The authors’ research suggests that monitoring and influencing employees’ levels of engagement can benefit organisations, and that leaders in particular can influence employees’ level of engagement. Indeed, the present research showed that employees who had trust in senior management and felt that they had a voice in the organisation showed higher levels of engagement and lower intentions to exit the organisation.

Originality/value

This research contributes to our understanding of the drivers of engagement, and demonstrates the importance of organisational‐level, in addition to job‐level engagement.
Population sex ratio and dispersal in experimental, two‐patch metapopulations of butterflies
Authors: Trochet Audrey , Legrand Delphine , Larranaga Nicolas , Ducatez Simon , Calvez Olivier , Cote Julien , Clobert Jean , Baguette Michel
Published: April 2013

Sex‐biased dispersal, that is, the difference in dispersal between males and females, is thought to be the consequence of any divergent evolutionary responses between sexes. In anisogamous species, asymmetry in parental investment may lead to sexual conflict, which entails male–male competition (for sexual partner access), female–female competition (for feeding or egg‐laying habitat patches) and/or male–female competition (antagonistic co‐evolution).

As competition is one of the main causes of dispersal evolution, intra‐ and intersexual competition should have strong consequences on sex‐biased dispersal. However, very few experimental studies, if any, have simultaneously addressed the effect of biased sex ratio on (i) each dispersal stage (emigration, transience, immigration), (ii) the dispersal phenotype and (iii) the colonization success of new habitat in order to fully separate the effects of varying male and female density.

Here, we used the Metatron, a unique experimental system composed of 48 interconnected enclosed patches dedicated to the study of dispersal in meta‐ecosystems, to investigate the effect of sex ratio on dispersal in a butterfly. We created six populations with three different sex ratios in pairs of patches and recorded individual movements in these simple metapopulations.

Emigration was higher when the proportion of males was higher, and individuals reached the empty patch at a higher rate when the sex ratio in the departure patch was balanced. Males had a better dispersal success than females, which had a lower survival rate during dispersal and after colonization. We also showed that sex and wing size are major components of the dispersal response.

We did not observe sex‐biased dispersal; our results thus suggest that female harassment by males and male–male competition might be more important mechanisms for the dispersal of females and males, than the search for a mating partner. Furthermore, the demonstration of a differential mortality between males and females during dispersal provides causal hypotheses of the evolution of sex‐biased dispersal.
Time and its uses in accounts of conditional discharge in forensic psychiatry
Authors: Coffey Michael
Published: April 2013

Time is a recurring feature of storied accounts of health and social care. This article addresses the use of time in accounts of conditionally discharged patients and workers in forensic psychiatry. This study contributes new knowledge about time and its uses by a seldom heard group. An analysis of time‐relevant discourse taken from 59 in‐depth interviews with patients and their workers is provided to show regularities and discontinuities in schedules of post‐discharge supervision in community living. Regularities included timed phases for achieving discretionary permission for greater liberty from services. Discontinuities indicate mismatches between hospital and community time and patient and professional time. Benchmarking by patients is an important resource and allows comparisons and measurements of stages in the discharge process. The discharged patients showed awareness of deviance and implicated time as an important resource in claiming ordinary identities. The participants produced progressive stories to show their incremental movement towards recovery and, ultimately, establish their non‐deviant identities. The workers use time as just one part of a complex display of professional judgement of continued risk status. Fixed periods of elapsed time are necessary but not sufficient criteria for workers to reduce surveillance. Time remains a useful resource for patients to chart their way towards more routine identities.
Alcohol‐Induced Osteopenia Among In‐Custody and Homicide Deaths from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
Authors: Backo Heather , Love Jennifer
Published: April 2013

Four cases of in‐custody or unlawful death are presented as examples of increased bone fragility with an associated increase in fracture rates due to ethanol‐induced osteopenia. In addition, one of the individuals suffered fractures several weeks premortem, allowing some healing to take place. Using radiographs and physical examination, the ribs from these individuals are compared with those retained from three individuals with no history of alcoholism to illustrate diagnostic characteristics that will be notable using standard autopsy and anthropological procedures. Trabecular bone mass is notably decreased in the alcoholic group leading to a greater chance of fracture occurring during conflict, including arrest and in‐custody situations. The average number of perimortem fractures among the alcoholic individuals is 15, while the control group is six. In the case of the individual with healing, the degree of bone repair on the ribs was less than is expected considering the interval between injury and death.
Foreign Ownership and Information Asymmetry
Authors: Choi Jongmoo Jay , Lam Kevin C. K. , Sami Heibatollah , Zhou Haiyan
Published: April 2013

Foreign ownership has two competing effects on information asymmetry. Short term investment horizon, superior information processing capability, controlling positions, and increased agency costs associated with foreign ownership increases information asymmetry, while demand for more disclosure, better accounting and auditing standards, use of international auditors, incentive alignments, long term investment horizon and greater monitoring decreases information asymmetry. In this article, we examine and find a significant and positive impact of foreign ownership on information asymmetry measured by bid‐ask spread in China. On balance, foreign equity investors tend to enhance their informational advantages more than improving the general informational environments in local markets. These results have implications for transparency and disclosure policies as well as privatization in emerging markets.
Do Perceptions of Ballot Secrecy Influence Turnout? Results from a Field Experiment
Authors: Gerber Alan S. , Huber Gregory A. , Doherty David , Dowling Conor M. , Hill Seth J.
Published: April 2013

Although the secret ballot has been secured as a legal matter in the United States, formal secrecy protections are not equivalent to convincing citizens that they may vote privately and without fear of reprisal. We present survey evidence that those who have not previously voted are particularly likely to voice doubts about the secrecy of the voting process. We then report results from a field experiment where we mailed information about protections of ballot secrecy to registered voters prior to the 2010 general election. Consistent with our survey data, we find that these letters increased turnout for registered citizens without records of previous turnout, but they did not appear to influence the behavior of citizens who had previously voted. The increase in turnout of more than three percentage points (20%) for those without previous records of voting is notably larger than the effect of a standard get‐out‐the‐vote mailing for this group. Overall, these results suggest that although the secret ballot is a long‐standing institution in the United States, beliefs about this institution may not match the legal reality.
The trichodysplasia spinulosa‐associated polyomavirus: virological background and clinical implications
Authors: Kazem Siamaque , van der Meijden Els , Feltkamp Mariet C. W.
Published: April 2013

Trichodysplasia spinulosa‐associated polyomavirus (TSPyV) is a new species of the family Polyomaviridae that was discovered in 2010. TSPyV infects humans and is associated with the development of a rare disease called trichodysplasia spinulosa. Trichodysplasia spinulosa is a skin disease of severely immunocompromised hosts characterized by follicular distention and keratotic spine formation especially on the face. Electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and viral load measurements indicate an etiological role of active TSPyV infection in the development of this disease. This review will address virological and pathogenic properties of TSPyV, as well as epidemiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of TSPyV infection.
Physician, heal thyself: The paradox of anxiety amongst house officers and work in a teaching hospital
Authors: Tan Susan Mooi Koon , Jong Sze Chin , Chan Lai Fong , Jamaludin Nurul Akmal , Phang Cheng Kar , Jamaluddin Nur Shahirah , Shah Shamsul Azhar
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Anxiety among house officers may impair functioning and health care delivery. This study aimed to determine the association between anxiety among house officers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, sociodemographic and work‐related factors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study using the self‐rated and validated Malay Depressive Anxiety and Stress Scale 21, the General Stressor Questionnaire and a sociodemographic questionnaire.

Results

Of the 89 house officers, 60.7% were anxious. Multivariate logistic analysis showed work‐related challenges, performance pressure (odds ratio [OR] = 9.000, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.812–44.705), poor relationship with supervisors (OR = 5.212, 95% CI = 2.033–3.365), poor relationship with colleagues (OR = 4.642, 95% CI = 1.816–11.866), bureaucratic constraints (OR = 3.810, 95% CI = 1.541–9.415) and poor job prospects (OR = 3.745, 95% CI = 1.505–9.321) strongly associated with anxiety. Family‐related stressors were less significant (OR = 1.800, 95% CI = 0.760–4.266) unless they were work related (work–family conflicts [OR = 8.253, 95% CI = 2.652–25.684]).

Discussion

Almost two‐thirds of this cohort reported work‐related anxiety symptoms. Administrators need to address these mental health needs early. The subsequent improvement in communication skills, conflict resolution and anxiety reduction will result in short‐ and long‐term benefits towards the young doctors's mental health. The cascading impact on these individuals, thus empowered, will be good work–life balance, improved patient care and safety, a satisfying medical career whilst contributing maximally to the country's health care.
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic studies of the 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor MK‐0916 in healthy subjects
Authors: Wright D. Hamish , Stone Julie A. , Crumley Tami M. , Wenning Larissa , Zheng Wei , Yan Kerri , Yang Amy Yifan , Sun Li , Cilissen Caroline , Ramael Steven , Hermanowski‐Vosatka Anne , Langdon Ronald B. , Gottesdiener Keith M. , Wagner John A. , Lai Eseng
Published: April 2013

Aims

To characterize pharmacokinetic parameters of MK‐0916 and its safety and tolerability in lean, healthy male subjects following single and multiple oral doses. To assess (by stable‐isotope labelling) the in vivo inhibition of cortisone‐to‐cortisol conversion following oral MK‐0916.

Methods

Data are presented from two randomized, controlled, double‐blind, rising‐dose phase I studies. In the first study, subjects received single oral doses of 0.4–100 mg MK‐0916 (n = 16). In the second study, subjects received 0.2–225 mg MK‐0916 followed by daily doses of 0.2–100 mg for 13 days beginning on day 2 or day 15 (n = 80). Plasma and urine drug concentrations were measured for pharmacokinetic analysis. For pharmacodynamic analysis, concentrations of plasma [13C4]cortisol were measured by high‐pressure liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry following a single oral dose of 5 mg [13C4]cortisone.

Results

Doses ≥3 mg were rapidly absorbed (time at which maximal concentration was achieved in plasma, 1.1–1.8 h). Exposure (measured as the area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 168 h) increased approximately in proportion to dose. Values for the maximal plasma concentration and the plasma concentration at 24 h increased in excess of dose proportionality at doses <6 mg and roughly in proportion to dose at doses >6 mg. In subjects dosed with 6 mg MK‐0916 once daily for 14 days, the mean trough plasma concentration was 240 nm and in vivo cortisone‐to‐cortisol conversion was inhibited by 84%. The relationship between plasma MK‐0916 and hepatic 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibition was well represented by a simple Emax model with an IC50 of 70.4 nm. Exposure to MK‐0916 was generally well tolerated.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 is effectively inhibited in human subjects by doses of MK‐0916 that are well tolerated.
Methylphenidate use in pregnancy and lactation: a systematic review of evidence
Authors: Bolea‐Alamanac Blanca M. , Green Amy , Verma Gauri , Maxwell Penelope , Davies Simon J. C.
Published: April 2013

Aims

The aims of this review were to summarize the scientific evidence about the risks of using methylphenidate for ADHD in pregnancy and lactation, to present a case in which interruption of treatment after delivery and during breastfeeding was harmful and to discuss the implications of treating or not treating ADHD in pregnancy and lactation.

Methods

For the systematic review, databases searched included Pubmed, Psychinfo, Web of Science, Embase, Biosis and Medline.

Results

Three articles were found with a total sample of 41 children exposed to methylphenidate in pregnancy. Malformations reported included congenital heart defects (n = 2), finger abnormalities (syndactyly, adactyly and polydactyly n = 2) and limb malformations (n = 1). Other problems included premature birth, asphyxia and growth retardation. One case report (n = 1) and one case series (n = 3) were identified regarding exposure to methylphenidate through breast feeding. In all cases, children developed normally and no adverse effects were reported. In our case report we describe an infant exposed to methylphenidate during pregnancy and breast feeding, who developed normally having no detectable congenital abnormalities.

Conclusions

The number and size of the studies found were small. Identified cases were not representative of the general adult ADHD population having methylphenidate as monotherapy during pregnancy as all the articles reported combinations of methylphenidate with either known teratogenic drugs or drugs of abuse. There is a paucity of data regarding the use of methylphenidate in pregnancy and further studies are required. Although the default medical position is to interrupt any non‐essential pharmacological treatment during pregnancy and lactation, in ADHD this may present a significant risk. Doctors need to evaluate each case carefully before interrupting treatment.
Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma in HIV‐infected patients: a study of 17 cases in the combination antiretroviral therapy era
Authors: Gilardin Laurent , Copie‐Bergman Christiane , Galicier Lionel , Meignin Véronique , Brière Josette , Timsit Julie F. , Bouchaud Olivier , Gaulard Philippe , Oksenhendler Eric , Gérard Laurence
Published: April 2013

Most cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) are of B‐cell origin; T‐cell NHLs are rarely reported. Within a single centre prospective cohort of 370 HIV‐NHL, 17 (5%) were of T‐cell origin (82% male; median age, 39 years). Median CD4+ cell count was 0·194 × 109/l and 41% had undetectable plasma HIV‐RNA at lymphoma diagnosis. All patients received combination antiretroviral therapy during chemotherapy. All histological samples were centrally reviewed. The distribution of the histological subtypes differed from the general population with absence of angioimmunoblastic subtype. Lymphoma was disseminated in 14 patients, and seven patients had performance status >2. All patients received full‐dose chemotherapy: eight standard and nine intensive regimens. Two patients who received intensive chemotherapy died during therapy. The complete remission rate was 53%; 62·5% with standard therapy and 44% with intensive therapy. After a median follow‐up of 7·2 years, the median overall survival was 9·4 months. Most deaths (85%) occurred within the first year following diagnosis, as a consequence of lymphoma progression in 10/13 cases. In this rare but severe complication of HIV infection the use of intensive chemotherapy does not appear to be beneficial for response, with increased toxicity.
Short Break and Respite Services for Disabled Children in England: Comparing Children's and Parents' Perspectives of Their Impact on Children
Authors: Welch Vicki , Collins Michelle , Hatton Chris , Emerson Eric , Robertson Janet , Wells Emma , Langer Susanne
Published: April 2013

Researchers, health and social care workers often seek to understand the perspectives of children; but gathering views directly from children can present difficulties. Parents are often asked to provide accounts of children's feelings or opinions on the assumption that their proxy reports are accurate and unproblematic. This qualitative thematic analysis of open‐question responses from 352 parents and 73 disabled children examines their accounts of the impact of short break services on disabled children. Participants' perspectives differed; children tended to describe immediate outcomes such as enjoying activities and participation; parents acknowledged these, but focused on longer term developmental outcomes for children.
Responsibility and Privacy — Ethical Aspects of UsingGPSto Track Children
Authors: Fahlquist Jessica Nihlén
Published: April 2013

WithGPStechnology, children can be monitored 24 h a day throughout their childhood and teens. In spite of the advantages in terms of safety and security, there are ethical problems with this. In this article, some of these are discussed. First, the concept of parental responsibility is explored and discussed in the context ofGPSand children. Second, against the background of psychological research, it is argued that it is not conducive for children's sense of responsibility to be constantly monitored. Third, the question whether children have a right to privacy is discussed. It is concluded that due to the considerable uncertainty concerning the effects of constant monitoring as well as the ethical problems discussed, we ought to adopt a cautious attitude to usingGPSto track children.
Enhancing Quality Interventions Promoting Healthy Sexuality (EQUIPS): A Novel Application of Translational Research Methods
Authors: Chinman Matthew , Acosta Joie , Ebener Patricia , Driver Jennifer , Keith Jamie , Peebles Dana
Published: April 2013

Translational research is expanding, in part, because Evidence‐Based Programs or Practices (EBPs) are not adopted in many medical domains. However, little translational research exists on EBPs that are prevention programs delivered in nonclinical, community‐based settings. These organizations often have low capacity, which undermines implementation quality and outcomes. Rigorous translational research is needed in these settings so within a single study, capacity, implementation quality, and outcomes are measured and links between them tested. This paper overviews the study Enhancing Quality Interventions Promoting Healthy Sexuality (EQUIPS), which tests how well a community‐based setting (Boys & Girls Clubs) conducts an EBP called Making Proud Choices that aims to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, with and without an implementation support intervention called Getting To Outcomes. The study design is novel as it assesses: Getting To Outcomes’ impact on capacity, implementation quality, and outcomes simultaneously and in both study conditions; will assess sustainability by measuring capacity and fidelity a year after the Getting To Outcomes support ends; and will operate on a large scale similar to many national initiatives. Many studies have not incorporated all these elements and thus EQUIPS could serve as a model for translational research in many domains.
Prevalence and treatment profile of patients with grass pollen and house dust mite allergy
Authors: Worm Margitta , Lee Hae‐Hyuk , Kostev Karel
Published: April 2013

Background

In Europe, grass pollen and house dust mites are the most common allergens responsible for IgE‐mediated allergies. The aim of our study was to examine the data provided by various medical practices specialized in allergic diseases in Germany regarding patients with rhinoconjunctivitis in terms of demographic data and the prescribed treatment by different medical specialists.

Patients and methods

Data from patients who were diagnosed with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were taken from the “disease‐analyzer” database (IMS Health GmbH) and analyzed. The data assessment was anonymous in accordance with the guidelines for data protection. The information collected included specific data about diagnosis and treatment in private practices in Germany.

Results

The majority of patients with grass pollen allergy were treated by their general practitioners, while those with house dust mite allergy were treated by a specialist with a background in allergic diseases (pulmonologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and dermatologists). Treatment was primarily symptomatic, usually consisting of antihistamines. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy, the only causal treatment for IgE‐mediated allergies at present, was performed rarely.

Conclusions

The data suggest the need for an interaction and knowledge transfer between various specialists in order to improve patient‐centered care in regard to allergic diseases.
Promoting Research Integrity in Africa: An African Voice of Concern on Research Misconduct and the Way Forward
Authors: Kombe Francis , Anunobi Eucharia Nkechinyere , Tshifugula Nyanyukweni Pandeni , Wassenaar Douglas , Njadingwe Dimpho , Mwalukore Salim , Chinyama Jonathan , Randrianasolo Bodo , Akindeh Perpetua , Dlamini Priscilla S. , Ramiandrisoa Felasoa Noroseheno , Ranaivo Naina
Published: April 2013

African researchers and their collaborators have been making significant contributions to useful research findings and discoveries in Africa. Despite evidence of scientific misconduct even in heavily regulated research environments, there is little documented information that supports prevalence of research misconduct in Africa. Available literature on research misconduct has focused on the developed world, where credible research integrity systems are already in place.

Public attention to research misconduct has lately increased, calling for attention to weaknesses in current research policies and regulatory frameworks. Africa needs policies, structural and governance systems that promote responsible conduct of research.

To begin to offset this relative lack of documented evidence of research misconduct, contributors working in various research institutions from nine African countries agreed to share their experiences to highlight problems and explore the need to identify strategies to promote research integrity in the African continent. The experiences shared include anecdotal but reliable accounts of previously undocumented research misconduct, including some ‘normal misbehavior’ of frontline staff in those countries.

Two broad approaches to foster greater research integrity are proposed including promotion of institutional and individual capacity building to instil a culture of responsible research conduct in existing and upcoming research scientist and developing deterrent and corrective policies to minimize research misconduct and other questionable research practices. By sharing these experiences and through the strategies proposed, the authors hope to limit the level of research misconduct and promote research integrity in Africa.
Transitional coordination in Sudan (2006–08): lessons from the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office
Authors: Clarke John N.
Published: April 2013

With the increase in internal conflicts following the end of the Cold War, the scale and scope of the United Nations' work in conflict and post‐conflict environments grew markedly. As a result, the coordination of programming and policy in the transition from relief to recovery has been a central preoccupation of academics and practitioners alike. Intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) have made these topics a subject of regular discussion, while some countries have altered their bureaucratic structures to respond more effectively in post‐crisis settings, particularly in cases involving the deployment of national troops. The United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Sudan provides a model for other transitional countries and is a useful case study of the broader challenges of post‐crisis programming. Effective coordination structures and planning/programming processes are identified as interdependent prerequisites for ensuring a successful transition from relief to recovery.
Q&A
Authors: Meeker Shane , Allison Kevin , Schrage Michael
Published: April 2013

Procter & Gamble's company historian and corporate storyteller sifts through 175 years of P&G history to run the firm's Heritage & Archives Center.

This comedian has made a living getting people to tell their stories—and teaching them how to do it with maximum effect.

The author of Serious Play offers some thoughts about the state of the art.
Community‐Led Design Through Digital Games
Authors: Lam Busayawan
Published: April 2013

Games that encourage more‐involved citizens, offer urban dwellers some control over their neighborhoods, and inspire better city planning.
Brand Storytelling: A Framework for Activation
Authors: Smith Kelly , Wintrob Michael
Published: April 2013

Sometimes the story of your brand is part of a bigger story. Why not help your customers tell it?
The Design Playground
Authors: Bayram Merve
Published: April 2013

It's probably safe to say you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she plays a game. Maybe you could even guess that he or she is a designer.
Right Ventricular Abnormalities in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Rodrigues Ana Clara , Guimaraes Laise , Lira Edgar , Oliveira Wercules , Monaco Claudia , Cordovil Adriana , Fischer Claudio H. , Vieira Marcelo , Morhy Samira
Published: April 2013

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, described as transient regional contractile abnormalities limited to the apical and mid‐segments of the left ventricle (LV), has also been reported to involve basal and/or mid LV segments (inverted Takotsubo); fewer reports, however, have addressed right ventricular (RV) dysfunction.

Aim

To assess the distribution of regional abnormalities and RV involvement in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and compare it to the literature.

Methods and Results

We evaluated 23 patients with both classical and inverted presentations (19 female, aged 64 ± 19 years), including 2 recurrences, totaling 25 episodes. Classical Takotsubo was observed in 15 patients, while 10 had the inverted form. LV ejection fraction (EF) was lower for classical compared to inverted presentation (30 ± 7 vs. 45 ± 4%, P < 0.001) with higher troponin values (1.3 ± 1.4 vs. 0.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.034). RV abnormalities were found in 7 patients (28%), mainly with classical presentation (6 patients), presenting with mid and apical RV impairment. One patient with inverted Takotsubo had mid‐RV involvement. Patients with RV involvement had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (28 ± 10% vs. 40 ± 10%, P = 0.02), but not when adjusted for presentation type. Overall rate of complications was higher for classical compared to inverted presentation, and not influenced by RV involvement.

Conclusion

RV contractile abnormalities may follow the same LV regional distribution in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; the type of presentation rather than the presence of RV dysfunction seems to be responsible for an increased risk of complications and severity of functional impairment.
Is Atrial Electromechanical Coupling Delayed in Patients with Secundum Atrial Septal Defect?
Authors: Oflaz Mehmet Burhan , Karapinar Hekim , Kucukdurmaz Zekeriya , Guven Ahmet Sami , Gumrukcuoglu Hasan Ali , Sarikaya Savas , Yilmaz Ahmet
Published: April 2013

Background

There is no available published information about the atrial electromechanical coupling time (AEMCT) in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ASD and AEMCT obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Methods

A total of 35 patients with ASD and 22 healthy controls were included in the study. The time intervals from the onset of the P‐wave on the surface electrocardiogram to the beginning of the late diastolic A‐wave (PA) representing AEMCT were obtained from the lateral mitral annulus, septal mitral annulus, and right ventricular (RV) tricuspid annulus, and named PA‐lateral, PA‐septal, and PA‐tricuspid, respectively. The difference between PA‐septal and PA‐tricuspid, PA‐lateral and PA‐septal, and PA‐lateral and PA‐tricuspid were defined as intra‐right AEMCT, intra‐left AEMCT, and inter‐ AEMCT, respectively.

Results

PA‐tricuspid, PA‐septal, and PA‐lateral values were longer in patients with ASD when compared with the controls, but did not reach statistical significance (39.9 ± 19.1 vs. 37.2 ± 15.5, P = 0.952; 49.6 ± 14.0 vs. 45.4 ± 11.1, P = 0.826 and 60.3 ± 16.3 vs. 59.7 ± 12.5, P = 0.437, respectively). There were no significant differences between the ASD and control groups in terms of inter‐atrial, intra‐right atrial, and intra‐left AEMCT (21.3 ± 2.3 vs. 20.8 ± 4.6, P = 0.957; 9.7 ± 3.3 vs. 6.9 ± 1.3, P = 0.723 and 13.6 ± 4.7 vs. 10.9 ± 4.5, P = 0.518, respectively). Furthermore, ASD diameter and total septum length did not correlate with AEMCT.

Conclusion

Both intra‐ and inter‐AEMCT were not increased in patients with ASD than control subjects. In addition, we found no association between the ASD diameter and indices of AEMCT in patients with ASD.
Establishment of Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Benth. in Corsica
Authors: Tison J.‐M.
Published: April 2013

Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Benth. is reported as established for the first time in Corsica. This is also the first record for France. Two populations of this invasive alien plant are described, one of these is currently considered casual and the other is considered established. An estimation of the invasion risk for this plant is given for the Mediterranean Basin.
PPARα is involved in the multitargeted effects of a pretreatment with atorvastatin in experimental stroke
Authors: Ouk Thavarak , Potey Camille , Laprais Maud , Gautier Sophie , Hanf Rémi , Darteil Raphaël , Staels Bart , Duriez Patrick , Bordet Régis
Published: April 2013

There is now substantial data in the literature showing that statins can protect against cerebral ischemia. This neuroprotective potency is related to their pleiotropic effects that modulate various pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of stroke. It has been demonstrated that statins exert anti‐inflammatory and vasculoprotective effects, thus contributing to a reduction in infarct size. The underlying mechanisms are still incompletely known. As a cross‐talk between statins and the nuclear receptor PPARα has been described, we hypothesized that this cross‐talk is necessary to neuroprotection in stroke. We studied the effects of a 14‐day preventive atorvastatin treatment (10 mg/kg/day) on C57Bl6 wild‐type and PPARα‐KO mice submitted to experimental stroke. PPARα was involved in the atorvastatin‐induced neuroprotective effect, as confirmed by the measurement of infarct volumes. We also evidenced that the anti‐inflammatory action of atorvastatin is mediated, at least partly, by PPARα. The decrease in IL‐6 plasmatic levels was PPARα dependent. The cerebral expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule was reduced by the atorvastatin treatment, and this effect was PPARα dependent in the cortex but not in the striatum of treated animals. Atorvastatin also diminished the cerebral expression of iNOS in the cortex, but had no effect in the striatum of treated mice, whatever the PPARα status. At the vascular level, we found that the atorvastatin‐related endothelial nitric oxide synthase upregulation was regulated by PPARα in the aorta, while there was no effect in the brain. We demonstrate here that PPARα is a key mediator of the multitargeted neuroprotective effects of statins in stroke.
Robust autoactivation, chymotrypsin C independence and diminished secretion define a subset of hereditary pancreatitis‐associated cationic trypsinogen mutants
Authors: Geisz Andrea , Hegyi Péter , Sahin‐Tóth Miklós
Published: April 2013

Mutations in human cationic trypsinogen cause hereditary pancreatitis by altering its proteolytic regulation of activation and degradation by chymotrypsin C (CTRC). CTRC stimulates trypsinogen autoactivation by processing the activation peptide to a shorter form, but also promotes degradation by cleaving the calcium‐binding loop in trypsinogen. Mutations render trypsinogen resistant to CTRC‐mediated degradation and/or increase processing of the activation peptide by CTRC. Here we demonstrate that the activation peptide mutations D19A, D22G, K23R and K23_I24insIDK robustly increased the rate of trypsinogen autoactivation, both in the presence and absence of CTRC. Degradation of the mutants by CTRC was unchanged, and processing of the activation peptide was increased fourfold in the D19A mutant only. Surprisingly, however, this increased processing had only a minimal effect on autoactivation. The tetra‐aspartate motif in the trypsinogen activation peptide binds calcium (KD of ~ 1.6 mm), which stimulates autoactivation. Unexpectedly, calcium binding was not compromised by any of the activation peptide mutations. Despite normal binding, autoactivation of mutants D22G and K23_I24insIDK was not stimulated by calcium. Finally, the activation peptide mutants exhibited reduced secretion from transfected cells, and secreted trypsinogen levels were inversely proportional with autoactivation rates. We conclude that D19A, D22G, K23R and K23_I24insIDK form a mechanistically distinct subset of hereditary pancreatitis‐associated mutations that exert their effect primarily through direct stimulation of autoactivation, independently of CTRC. The potentially severe clinical impact of the markedly increased autoactivation is offset by diminished secretion, resulting in a clinical phenotype that is indistinguishable from typical hereditary pancreatitis.
Breakthrough of contaminant plumes in saturated volcanic rock: implications from the Yucca Mountain site
Authors: Kelkar S. , Srinivasan G. , Robinson B. A. , Roback R. , Viswanathan H. , Rehfeldt K. , Tucci P.
Published: April 2013

This manuscript addresses the topic of transverse dispersion and its impact on the behavior of the saturated zone below Yucca Mountain, a site that had been proposed for a US nuclear waste repository. Guided by a review of relevant observations of dispersion in similar formations, this study evaluates the importance of uncertainty in dispersion, particularly dispersion transverse to the mean transport direction, on metrics of interest to the Yucca Mountain risk assessment. Although as expected, larger values of transverse dispersivity lead to greater spreading of the plume in directions orthogonal to the mean flow direction, a corresponding sensitivity is not observed to the travel time statistics of the breakthrough curve at the compliance boundary. Thus, when a risk assessment is based on contaminant mass flux at compliance well or ‘fence line’ downstream from the source, as in the Yucca Mountain case, transverse dispersion may be of secondary importance to other parameters that more directly impact travel times. This result is in contrast to systems in which reactive transport processes are important to the attenuation of the plume, in which case transverse dispersion and mixing may be expected to play a dominant role in controlling the reaction rates and contaminant concentrations in the plume.
Inhibition of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in gallbladder cancer cells leads to decreased growth in vitro
Authors: Garcia Patricia , Leal Pamela , Ili Carmen , Brebi Priscilla , Alvarez Hector , Roa Juan C.
Published: April 2013

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm associated with late diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment and poor prognosis. Previous work showed that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression is increased in this malignancy. This matricellular protein plays an important role in various cellular processes and its involvement in the tumorigenesis of several human cancers has been demonstrated. However, the precise function of CTGF expression in cancer cells is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CTGF expression in gallbladder cancer cell lines, and its effect on cell viability, colony formation and in vitro cell migration. CTGF expression was evaluated in seven GBC cell lines by Western blot assay. Endogenous CTGF expression was downregulated by lentiviral shRNA directed against CTGF mRNA in G‐415 cells, and the effects on cell viability, anchorage‐independent growth and migration was assessed by comparing them to scrambled vector‐transfected cells. Knockdown of CTGF resulted in significant reduction in cell viability, colony formation and anchorage‐independent growth (P < 0.05). An increased p27 expression was observed in G‐415 cells with loss of CTGF function. Our results suggest that high expression of this protein in gallbladder cancer may confer a growth advantage for neoplastic cells.
Acute aortocaval fistula: role of low perfusion pressure and subendocardial remodeling on left ventricular function
Authors: Mazzo Flávia R. R. , de Carvalho Frimm Clovis , Moretti Ana Iochabel S. , Guido Maria C. , Koike Marcia K.
Published: April 2013

The experimental model of aortocaval fistula is a useful model of cardiac hypertrophy in response to volume overload. In the present study it has been used to investigate the pathologic subendocardial remodeling associated with the development of heart failure during the early phases (day 1, 3, and 7) following volume overload. Compared with sham treated rats, aortocaval fistula rats showed lower systemic blood pressure and higher left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure This resulted in lower coronary driving pressure and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Signs of myocyte necrosis, leukocyte cell infiltration, fibroplasia and collagen deposition appeared sequentially in the subendocardium where remodeling was more prominent than in the non‐subendocardium. Accordingly, increased levels of TNF‐alpha, IL‐1 beta, and IL‐6, and enhanced MMP‐2 activity were all found in the subendocardium of rats with coronary driving pressure ≤60 mmHg. The coronary driving pressure was inversely correlated with MMP‐2 activity in subendocardium in all time‐points studied, and blood flow in this region showed positive correlation with systolic and diastolic function at day 7. Thus the predominant subendocardial remodeling that occurs in response to low myocardial perfusion pressure during the acute phases of aortocaval fistula contributes to early left ventricular dysfunction.