bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influential factors of online fraud occurrence in retailing banking sectors from a global prospective
Authors: Sun Yan , Davidson Ian
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on online fraud occurrence in retailing banking sectors both in the UK and China. Online financial transactions bring convenience to individuals dramatically and improve banking service quality efficiently. However, the latest service channel, Internet, has been exploited by fraudsters excessively, standing at a huge monetary loss worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

– In aspects of demographic factors, financial activities and IT usage, results would benefit financial organisations and local authorities in strengthening customers’ education and improving policymaking. The fraud occurrence model is empirically tested using quantitative data, and comparison is discussed using qualitative data collected in both countries.

Findings

– The findings provide solid understanding of customers’ behaviours towards online financial transactions and fraud occurrence internationally. As the main implication, customer education is proposed to benefit financial organisations in both countries. According to the data collection process and the data analysis results, individual customers are aware of banking policies and practices to some extent. Particularly in China, customers’ satisfaction level is relatively lower and service quality is not reasonable in most circumstances.

Research limitations/implications

– The research experiences gained from this study suggest a number of areas for future research, particularly the under-researched area of fraud. Rather than approaching the research questions through individuals, there would be much value in working with merchants and financial organisations that are dealing with financial transactions and fraud on a daily basis.

Originality/value

– By combining three approaches (demographic factors, financial activities and IT usage), this study is trying to develop a comprehensive and statistical understanding of online fraud occurrences.
Gender and the use of external business advice: a Swedish study
Authors: Yazdanfar Darush , Abbasian Saeid
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to examine whether there are significant differences between female and male entrepreneurs’ use of consultation during business start-ups.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using several statistical tools, including ANOVA and seemingly unrelated regressions, empirical analyses are conducted on a unique and firm-level panel database of 837 female- and 1926 male-owned active small firms.

Findings

– The results indicate that gender may be an important variable in the use of advice among small business owners in Sweden. Female owners in this study are shown to be more eager than male owners to use external business advice, and do so to a higher extent.

Practical implications

– One implication of this study is that firms may not be able to use all business advice types simultaneously during their start-up stage, so an ordered list of consultancy services would help them prioritize and adjust their needs accordingly. Because the use of business advice is context-based, the findings of this study may not be generalized to firms in other countries. This paper shows some gender-based attributes/features relating to the use of business advice, which need to be better integrated into policymaking for the future assistance of small businesses.

Originality/value

– This article focuses on an important issue and is unique partly because few studies have examined the relationship between gender and external business advice. By explicitly and empirically examining this issue, this article makes a contribution to the small- and medium-sized enterprises’ literature.
Female directors and IPO underpricing in the US
Authors: Reutzel Christopher R. , Belsito Carrie A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore how initial public offering (IPO) investors view female presence on boards of directors in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study utilizes hierarchical regression and analyzes data collected from firms undertaking their IPO’s in the USA during 1997 and 2007.

Findings

– The findings of this study suggest that US IPO investors react negatively to female presence on the board of directors. However, this negative effect has weakened post-Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Research limitations/implications

– The results of this study may not generalize to other settings.

Practical implications

– Gender bias against females in the boardroom exists but appears to be weaker post-Sarbanes-Oxley.

Social implications

– One hurdle to greater female representation in entrepreneurial ventures in the USA may be weakening as a result of greater awareness of female director contributions to board functioning.

Originality/value

– First, the study represents one of the few attempts to examine the influence of female directors on organizational outcomes in IPO firms. Second, this study represents one of the first studies to consider the influence of director gender on IPO performance. Finally, this study extends extant research by examining investor reactions to female board presence. The results of this study suggest that bias against females in the boardroom may exist but appears to be weakening post-Sarbanes-Oxley. This finding indicates increasing awareness of female director contributions to board functioning on the part of IPO investors.
Finnish student teachers’ critical conceptions of entrepreneurship education
Authors: Rönkkö Marja-Leena , Lepistö Jaana
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to reveal and investigate differences in how Finnish student teachers understand entrepreneurship education and how critical they are of it. The research question is: what kind of critical understanding do student teachers reveal in their conception of entrepreneurship education?

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research approach termed content analysis was used to investigate student teacher’s conceptions. The data were collected from essays written by 257 student teachers at the University of Turku’s, Rauma teacher education department during 2010-2012.

Findings

– The conception of entrepreneurship education is, in many ways, related to how much one already knows about entrepreneurship education or how one reacts to it. It seems that most student teachers’ conceptions of entrepreneurship are positive, but even those in favour of it, in principle, do not necessarily want to see entrepreneurship education included in the basic education curriculum. Nevertheless, they think that enterprising pedagogy is useful and that the way of thinking about teaching is inspiring. They also feel that both teacher education and basic education benefit from some kind of entrepreneurship component, but do not take entrepreneurship education for granted. On the basis of this study, it is proposed that teacher education should incorporate more teaching that supports critical thinking in all study modules.

Originality/value

– The findings of this study illustrate that there is much more to do in teacher education and its curricula. Teaching situations and learning situations are always social situations and both learners and teachers have a vital role to play.
REVIEW: Can habitat selection predict abundance?
Authors: Boyce Mark S. , Johnson Chris J. , Merrill Evelyn H. , Nielsen Scott E. , Solberg Erling J. , van Moorter Bram
Published: February 2015

Habitats have substantial influence on the distribution and abundance of animals. Animals’ selective movement yields their habitat use. Animals generally are more abundant in habitats that are selected most strongly.

Models of habitat selection can be used to distribute animals on the landscape or their distribution can be modelled based on data of habitat use, occupancy, intensity of use or counts of animals. When the population is at carrying capacity or in an ideal‐free distribution, habitat selection and related metrics of habitat use can be used to estimate abundance.

If the population is not at equilibrium, models have the flexibility to incorporate density into models of habitat selection; but abundance might be influenced by factors influencing fitness that are not directly related to habitat thereby compromising the use of habitat‐based models for predicting population size.

Scale and domain of the sampling frame, both in time and space, are crucial considerations limiting application of these models. Ultimately, identifying reliable models for predicting abundance from habitat data requires an understanding of the mechanisms underlying population regulation and limitation.
Sign‐Supported English: is it effective at teaching vocabulary to young children with English as an Additional Language?
Authors: Marshall Chloë R. , Hobsbaum Angela
Published: February 2015

Background

Children who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) may start school with smaller vocabularies than their monolingual peers. Given the links between vocabulary and academic achievement, it is important to evaluate interventions that are designed to support vocabulary learning in this group of children.

Aims

To evaluate an intervention, namely Sign‐Supported English (SSE), which uses conventionalized manual gestures alongside spoken words to support the learning of English vocabulary by children with EAL. Specifically, the paper investigates whether SSE has a positive impact on Reception class children's vocabulary development over and above English‐only input, as measured over a 6‐month period.

Methods & Procedures

A total of 104 children aged 4–5 years were recruited from two neighbouring schools in a borough of Outer London. A subset of 66 had EAL. In one school, the teachers used SSE, and in the other school they did not. Pupils in each school were tested at two time points (the beginning of terms 1 and 3) using three different assessments of vocabulary. Classroom‐based observations of the teachers’ and pupils’ manual communication were also carried out.

Outcomes & Results

Results of the vocabulary assessments revealed that using SSE had no effect on how well children with EAL learnt English vocabulary: EAL pupils from the SSE school did not learn more words than EAL pupils at the comparison school. SSE was used in almost half of the teachers’ observations in the SSE school, while spontaneous gestures were used with similar frequency by teachers in the comparison school.

Conclusions & Implications

There are alternative explanations for the results. The first is that the use of signs alongside spoken English does not help EAL children of this age to learn words. Alternatively, SSE does have an effect, but we were unable to detect it because (1) teachers in the comparison school used very rich natural gesture and/or (2) teachers in the SSE school did not know enough BSL and this inhibited their use of spontaneous gesture. Explanations (1) and (2) might mean that the potential benefits of spontaneous gesture in the input to the children in the comparison school matched any potential benefits of SSE. We suggest that studying early years professionals’ spontaneous use of gesture, and how their gesture supports the language learning of all children in their class, would be fruitful areas of research for the future.
Is Inequality Increasing?
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: February 2015

In academic economics, inequality has received little attention in recent decades, although popular concerns about the super‐rich have grown. The World Top Incomes Database provides evidence of the rise of the super‐rich in many countries since 1980. Thomas Piketty has publicised the new data, predicting increases in inequality due to the return to capital exceeding the rate of economic growth and advocating policies to counter such increases by high taxes on the income and wealth of the super‐rich. This article asks why inequality has been a neglected topic, assesses empirical contributions and Piketty's model and discusses implications for evidence‐based policies.
Measuring Income Inequality in Australia
Authors: Wilkins Roger
Published: February 2015

This article surveys the Australian data sources suited to the study of income inequality. Strengths and weaknesses of the data sources are discussed and a brief overview of inequality trends is presented. While there are several suitable data sources, each source has limitations for the purposes of ascertaining both the level of inequality at a point in time and trends in inequality over time. Drawing together the collective findings of the alternative data sources in part addresses the limitations of individual data sources, but there nonetheless remain significant sources of uncertainty about inequality levels and trends in Australia.
Inequality and Its Socioeconomic Impacts
Authors: Whiteford Peter
Published: February 2015

This article assesses trends in income inequality and household income levels in Australia since the 1980s, as well as the different causal factors associated with these trends in different periods. Selected socioeconomic outcomes—health, crime and punishment—are discussed and the article argues that trends in these outcomes appear more likely to be related to trends in these causal factors, rather than changes in income inequality, per se.
Exploring the definitions and discourse of co‐location
Authors: Griffiths Eve
Published: February 2015

The phenomenon of co‐location is not new, but there is very little research that focuses specifically on co‐located schools and the teaching and learning that takes place therein. This article focuses on the term ‘co‐location’ and considers the sometimes vague discourse and definitions surrounding the term. The article recommends that future research should begin to explore co‐located schools so as to support the developing discourse and to help us better understand the potential of such arrangements.
The levator ani muscle during pregnancy and major levator ani muscle defects diagnosed postpartum: a three‐ and four‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound study
Authors: Siafarikas F , Stær‐Jensen J , Hilde G , Bø K , Ellström Engh M
Published: February 2015

Objective

To investigate associations between levator hiatus area and levator ani muscle function during pregnancy and major levator ani muscle defects postpartum.

Design

Observational prospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital, Norway.

Sample

A cohort of 234 nulliparous women at 21 and 37 weeks of gestation, and at 6 weeks postpartum.

Methods

Ultrasound measurements of the levator hiatus at rest, during pelvic floor muscle contraction, and during the Valsalva manoeuvre were taken at 21 and 37 weeks of gestation. Levator ani muscle function was estimated as the percentage changes in levator ani muscle length from rest to contraction, and the level of muscle stretch during the Valsalva manoeuvre. Major levator ani muscle defects were diagnosed at 6 weeks postpartum using tomographic ultrasound imaging.

Main outcome measures

Associations between ultrasound measurements antepartum and major levator ani muscle defects postpartum.

Results

Women with major levator ani muscle defects postpartum had significantly smaller levator hiatus area at rest and during the Valsalva manoeuvre at mid‐pregnancy (mean difference 1.03 cm2, 95% CI 0.31–1.76; 2.92 cm2, 95% CI 1.77–4.07), and at 37 weeks of gestation (mean difference 1.47 cm2, 95% CI 0.62–2.32; 2.84 cm2, 95% CI 0.88–4.80), than women without such defects. They also had significantly less shortening of the levator ani muscle during contraction at 37 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions

Smaller levator hiatus area at rest and during the Valsalva manoeuvre at mid and late pregnancy, and less shortening of the levator ani muscle during contraction at 37 weeks of gestation, are associated with major levator ani muscle defects postpartum.
A Physical Match of a Metallic Chip Found on a Bolt Cutters’ Blade
Authors: Finkelstein Nir , Volkov Nikolai , Novoselsky Yehuda , Tsach Tsadok
Published: February 2015

Bolt cutters are known as devices which are used for cutting hard objects and rigid materials such as padlocks and bars. They are commonly used in instances of forced entries. In this case study, a bolt cutter was found in the car of two suspects in a grocery burglary. This study indicates how the presence of a small metallic chip found on a suspected bolt cutter can prove that the tool was used in the crime scene. During the initial examination, a metallic chip from the cut shackle padlock was found stuck to one of the bolt cutters’ blades. By comparing the metallic chip's microscopic edge and the breaking (fracture) line of the padlock's shackle, a full physical match was noticed. We wish to report here how residue, even the smallest, can be used to link burglary tools to a crime scene with a high level of certainty.
Morphology versus DNA barcoding: two sides of the same coin. A case study of Ceutorhynchus erysimi and C. contractus identification
Authors: Stepanović Svetlana , Kosovac Andrea , Krstić Oliver , Jović Jelena , Toševski Ivo
Published: February 2015

Genotyping of 2 well‐known weevil species from the genus Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) distributed in west Palearctic, C. erysimi and C. contractus, revealed phenotype versus genotype inconsistencies in a set of 56 specimens (25 C. erysimi and 31 C. contractus) collected from 25 locations in Serbia and Montenegro. An analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI), widely used as a barcoding region, and a nuclear gene, elongation factor‐1α (EF‐1α), revealed stable genetic divergence among these species. The average uncorrected pairwise distances for the COI and EF‐1α genes were 3.8%, and 1.3%, respectively, indicating 2 genetically well‐segregated species. However, the genetic data were not congruent with the phenotypic characteristics of the studied specimens. In the first place, C. erysimi genotypes were attached to specimens with phenotypic characteristics of C. contractus. Species‐specific PCR‐RFLP assays for the barcoding gene COI were applied for the molecular identification of 101 additional specimens of both morphospecies (33 C. erysimi and 68 C. contractus) and were found to confirm this incongruity. The discrepancy between the genetic and morphological data raises the question of the accuracy of using a barcoding approach, as it may result in misleading conclusions about the taxonomic position of the studied organism. Additionally, the typological species concept shows considerable weakness when genetic data are not supported with phenotypic characteristics as in case of asymmetric introgression, which may cause certain problems, especially in applied studies such as biological control programs in which the biological properties of the studied organisms are the main focus.
Molecular turnover, the H3.3 dilemma and organismal aging (hypothesis)
Authors: Saade Evelyne , Pirozhkova Iryna , Aimbetov Rakhan , Lipinski Marc , Ogryzko Vasily
Published: February 2015

The H3.3 histone variant has been a subject of increasing interest in the field of chromatin studies due to its two distinguishing features. First, its incorporation into chromatin is replication independent unlike the replication‐coupled deposition of its canonical counterparts H3.1/2. Second, H3.3 has been consistently associated with an active state of chromatin. In accordance, this histone variant should be expected to be causally involved in the regulation of gene expression, or more generally, its incorporation should have downstream consequences for the structure and function of chromatin. This, however, leads to an apparent paradox: In cells that slowly replicate in the organism, H3.3 will accumulate with time, opening the way to aberrant effects on heterochromatin. Here, we review the indications that H3.3 is expected both to be incorporated in the heterochromatin of slowly replicating cells and to retain its functional downstream effects. Implications for organismal aging are discussed.
Financial incentives for smoking cessation in pregnancy: a single‐arm intervention study assessing cessation and gaming
Authors: Ierfino Diana , Mantzari Eleni , Hirst Julie , Jones Tina , Aveyard Paul , Marteau Theresa M.
Published: February 2015

Aims

Financial incentives were the single most effective intervention for smoking cessation in pregnancy in a recent Cochrane Review, but based on a few small trials in the United States using only 7‐day point prevalence measures of cessation. This study estimates (a) prolonged cessation in an unselected population of English pregnant smokers who are offered financial incentives for quitting and (b) ‘gaming’, i.e. false reporting of smoking status to enter the scheme or gain an incentive.

Design

Single‐arm intervention study

Setting

Antenatal clinic and community

Participants

A total of 239 pregnant smokers enrolled into the financial incentive scheme, attending for maternity care at one hospital in an area of high deprivation in England over a 42‐week period.

Measurements

Smoking cessation at delivery and 6 months postpartum, assessed using salivary cotinine; gaming assessed using urinary and salivary cotinine at enrolment, 28 and 36 weeks gestation, and 2 days and 6 months postpartum.

Findings

Thirty‐nine per cent (239 of 615) of smokers were enrolled into the scheme, 60% (143 of 239) of whom made a quit attempt. Of those enrolled, 20% [48 of 239; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 14.9%, 25.1%] were quit at delivery and 10% (25 of 239; 95% CI = 6.2%, 13.8%) at 6 months postpartum. There was no evidence that women gamed to enter the scheme, but evidence that 4% (10 of 239) of those enrolled gamed on one or more occasions to gain vouchers.

Conclusions

Enrolment on an incentive scheme in an unselected English cohort of pregnant smokers was associated with prolonged cessation rates comparable to those reported in US trials. Rates of gaming were arguably insufficiently high to invalidate the use of such schemes.
Diversity of germination strategies and seed dormancy in herbaceous species of campo rupestre grasslands
Authors: Le Stradic Soizig , Silveira Fernando A. O. , Buisson Elise , Cazelles Kévin , Carvalho Vanessa , Fernandes G. Wilson
Published: February 2015

The effects of fire on the vegetation vary across continents. However, in Neotropical fire‐prone grasslands, the relationship between fire and seed germination is still poorly understood, while their regeneration, especially after strong anthropogenic disturbance, is challenging for their conservation. In the present study, we assessed diversity of germination strategies in 15 dominant herbaceous species from Neotropical altitudinal grasslands (locally known as campos rupestres). We exposed seeds to several fire‐related treatments. We also compared germination between regularly and post‐fire fruiting species. Finally, we investigated the diversity of dormancy classes aiming at better understanding the biogeography and phylogeny of seed dormancy. Germination strategies varied among families. Velloziaceae and Xyridaceae produced non‐dormant, fast‐germinating seeds. Cyperaceae and Poaceae showed an extremely low or null germination due to a high proportion of unviable or embryo‐less seeds. The seeds of campo rupestre grasslands are fire resistant, but there is no evidence that fire triggers germination in this fire‐prone ecosystem. Although heat and charred wood did not promote germination, smoke enhanced germination in one grass species and decreased the mean germination time and improved synchrony in Xyridaceae and Velloziaceae. Fire had a positive effect on post‐fire regeneration by stimulating fruit set in some Cyperaceae and Poaceae species. These species produced faster germinating seeds with higher germination percentage and synchrony compared to regularly fruiting Cyperaceae and Poaceae species. This strategy of dispersion and regeneration seems to be an alternative to the production of seeds with germination triggered by fire. Physiological dormancy is reported for the first time in several clades of Neotropical plants. Our data help advance the knowledge on the role of fire in the regeneration of Neotropical grasslands.
Capabilities of a mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation service for severe respiratory failure delivered by intensive care specialists
Authors: Sherren P. B. , Shepherd S. J. , Glover G. W. , Meadows C. I. S. , Langrish C. , Ioannou N. , Wyncoll D. , Daly K. , Gooby N. , Agnew N. , Barrett N. A.
Published: February 2015

We conducted a single‐centre observational study of retrievals for severe respiratory failure over 12 months. Our intensivist‐delivered retrieval service has mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation capabilities. Sixty patients were analysed: 34 (57%) were female and the mean (SD) age was 44.1 (13.6) years. The mean (SD) PaO2/FIO2 ratio at referral was 10.2 (4.1) kPa and median (IQR [range]) Murray score was 3.25 (3.0–3.5 [1.5–4.0]). Forty‐eight patients (80%) required veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at the referring centre. There were no cannulation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation‐related complications. The median (IQR [range]) retrieval distance was 47.2 (14.9–77.0 [2.3–342.0]) miles. There were no major adverse events during retrieval. Thirty‐seven patients (77%) who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survived to discharge from the intensive care unit and 36 patients (75%) were alive after six months. Senior intensivist‐initiated and delivered mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is safe and associated with a high incidence of survival.
Prevalence of Huntington's disease gene CAG trinucleotide repeat alleles in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Ramos Eliana Marisa , Gillis Tammy , Mysore Jayalakshmi S , Lee Jong‐Min , Alonso Isabel , Gusella James F , Smoller Jordan W , Sklar Pamela , MacDonald Marcy E , Perlis Roy H
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms that are caused by huntingtin gene (HTT) CAG trinucleotide repeat alleles of 36 or more units. A greater than expected prevalence of incompletely penetrant HTT CAG repeat alleles observed among individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder raises the possibility that another mood disorder, bipolar disorder, could likewise be associated with Huntington's disease.

Methods

We assessed the distribution of HTT CAG repeat alleles in a cohort of individuals with bipolar disorder. HTT CAG allele sizes from 2,229 Caucasian individuals diagnosed with DSM‐IV bipolar disorder were compared to allele sizes in 1,828 control individuals from multiple cohorts.

Results

We found that HTT CAG repeat alleles > 35 units were observed in only one of 4,458 chromosomes from individuals with bipolar disorder, compared to three of 3,656 chromosomes from control subjects.

Conclusions

These findings do not support an association between bipolar disorder and Huntington's disease.
Are all cases of paediatric essential thrombocythaemia really myeloproliferative neoplasms? Analysis of a large cohort
Authors: Randi Maria L. , Geranio Giulia , Bertozzi Irene , Micalizzi Concetta , Ramenghi Ugo , Tucci Fabio , Notarangelo Lucia D. , Ladogana Saverio , Menna Giuseppe , Giordano Paola , Consarino Caterina , Farruggia Piero , Zanazzo Giulio A. , Fiori Giovanni M. , Burnelli Roberta , Russo Giovanna , Jankovich Momcilo , Peroni Edoardo , Duner Elena , Basso Giuseppe , Fabris Fabrizio , Putti Maria C.
Published: February 2015

Sporadic essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is rare in paediatrics, and the diagnostic and clinical approach to paediatric cases cannot be simply copied from experience with adults. Here, we assessed 89 children with a clinical diagnosis of ET and found that 23 patients (25·8%) had a clonal disease. The JAK2 V617F mutation was identified in 14 children, 1 child had the MPL W515L mutation, and 6 had CALR mutations. The monoclonal X‐chromosome inactivation pattern was seen in six patients (two with JAK2 V617F and two with CALR mutations). The other 66 patients (74·2%) had persistent thrombocytosis with no clonality. There were no clinical or haematological differences between the clonal and non‐clonal patients. The relative proportion of ET‐specific mutations in the clonal children was much the same as in adults. The higher prevalence of non‐clonal cases suggests that some patients may not have myeloproliferative neoplasms, with significant implications for their treatment.
The experience of sleep in chronic fatigue syndrome: A qualitative interview study with patients
Authors: Gotts Zoe M. , Newton Julia L. , Ellis Jason G. , Deary Vincent
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Sleep disturbances are common in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and one of the key symptom complaints, yet it has been neglected by previous qualitative research. The aim was to explore the specific role of sleep in patients' experience of their illness.

Design

A qualitative semi‐structured interview format facilitated a detailed and open exploration of sleep, and the extent to which its management and problems were linked to the lived experience of CFS.

Methods

Eleven semi‐structured interviews were conducted with individuals with CFS. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically, to explore and describe patients' experience of their sleep, and its impact on their condition.

Results

Sleep emerged as a key aspect of the illness experience, and its management and effect on daytime functioning was a central pre‐occupation for all 11 participants; all of them saw sleep as playing a critical role in their illness through either maintaining or exacerbating existing symptoms. Exploration of individual experiences presented three overarching themes: (1) sleep pattern variability over illness course and from day to day; (2) effect of sleep on daytime functioning; and (3) attempts at coping and sleep management.

Conclusions

Each patient with CFS has a unique experience of sleep. Despite the differing narratives regarding the role of sleep in CFS, all participants held the belief that sleep is a vital process for health and well‐being which has had a direct bearing on the course and progression of their CFS. Also, every participant regarded their sleep as in some way ‘broken' and in need of management/repair. Patients' insights demonstrate sleep‐specific influences on their CFS, and the impact of disturbed sleep should be a consideration for clinical and research work.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Sleep disturbances are common in CFS, and one of the key symptom complaints, yet it has been neglected by previous qualitative research. Ontology of CFS is a matter of dispute, with models ranging from the biological to the psychological competing to explain symptomatology in this illness. A qualitative study has the potential to add some clarity to the debate by making the patients' lived experience of the condition, and their own understanding of it, the focus of research.

What this study adds?

Coping and attempts at managing sleep problems in CFS adds to the ‘illness burden' experienced by patients.

Disturbed sleep is universally seen by patients with CFS as impacting on other daytime symptoms.

Broken sleep may contribute to a biopsychosocial cycle that serves to maintain this illness.
Pharmacological characterisation of the relaxation induced by the soluble guanylate cyclase activator, BAY 60‐2770 in rabbit corpus cavernosum
Authors: Estancial Camila S. , Rodrigues Renata L. , De Nucci Gilberto , Antunes Edson , Mónica Fabiola Z.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To characterise the relaxation induced by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, BAY 60‐2770 (4‐({(4‐carboxybutyl) [2‐ (5‐fluoro‐2‐{[4′‐(trifluoromethyl) biphenyl‐4‐yl]methoxy}phenyl)ethyl] amino}methyl)benzoic acid) in rabbit corpus cavernosum (CC).

Material and Methods

The penis from male New Zealand rabbits was removed and fours strips of CC were obtained. Concentration–response curves to BAY 60‐2770 were constructed in the absence and presence of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, N (G)‐nitro‐L‐ arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME, 100 μm), sGC, 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ, 10 μm) and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE‐5), tadalafil (0.1 μm). The potency (pEC50) and maximal response (Emax) values were determined. Then, electrical‐field stimulation (EFS)‐induced contraction or relaxation was tested in the absence and presence of BAY 60‐2770 (0.1 or 1 μm) alone or combined with ODQ (10 μm). For EFS‐induced relaxation two protocols were used: (i) ODQ (10 μm) was first incubated for 20 min and then BAY 60‐2770 (1 μm) was added for another 20 min (ODQ + BAY 60‐2770); (ii) in different CC strips, BAY 60‐2770 was incubated for 20 min followed by another 20 min with ODQ (BAY 60‐2770 + ODQ). The intracellular levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also determined.

Results

BAY 60‐2770 potently relaxed rabbit CC with mean (sem) pEC50 and Emax values of 7.58 (0.19) and 81 (4)%, respectively. The inhibitors ODQ (n = 7) or tadalafil (n = 7) produced 4.2‐ and 6.3‐leftward shifts, respectively in BAY 60‐2770‐induced relaxation without interfering with the Emax values. The intracellular levels of cGMP were augmented after stimulation with BAY 60‐2770 (1 μm) alone, whereas its co‐incubation with ODQ produced even higher levels of cGMP. The EFS‐induced contraction was reduced in the presence of BAY 60‐2770 (1 μm) and this inhibition was even greater when BAY 60‐2770 was co‐incubated with ODQ. The nitrergic stimulation induced CC relaxation, which was abolished in the presence of ODQ. BAY 60‐2770 alone increased the amplitude of relaxation. Co‐incubation of ODQ and BAY 60‐2770 did not alter the relaxation in comparison with ODQ alone. Interestingly, when BAY 60‐2770 was incubated before ODQ, EFS‐induced relaxation was partly restored in comparison with ODQ alone or ODQ + BAY 60‐2770.

Conclusions

The relaxation induced by the sGC activator, BAY 60‐2770 was increased after sGC oxidation and unaltered in the absence of nitric oxide. Thus, this class of substances may have advantages over sGC stimulators or PDE‐5 inhibitors for treating patients with erectile dysfunction and extensive endothelial damage.
Synthesis and Anti‐Inflammatory Evaluation of Novel C66 Analogs for the Treatment of LPS‐Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Feng Jianpeng , Xiao Bing , Chen Wenbo , Ding Ting , Chen Lingfeng , Yu Pengtian , Xu Fengli , Zhang Huajie , Liu Zhiguo , Liang Guang
Published: February 2015

We previously reported a symmetric monocarbonyl analog of curcumin (MACs), C66, which demonstrated potential anti‐inflammatory activity and low toxicity. In continuation of our ongoing research, we designed and synthesized 34 asymmetric MACs based on C66 as a lead molecule. A majority of the C66 analogs effectively inhibited LPS induction of TNF‐α and IL‐6 expression. Additionally, a preliminary SAR was conducted. Furthermore, active compounds 4a11 and 4a16 were found to effectively reduce the W/D ratio in the lungs and the protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Meanwhile, a histopathological examination indicated that these two analogs significantly attenuate tissue injury in the lungs with LPS‐induced ALI rats. 4a11 and 4a16 also inhibited mRNA expression of several inflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, COX‐2, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, in the Beas‐2B cells after LPS challenge. Altogether, the data exhibit a series of new C66 analogs as promising anti‐inflammatory agents for the treatment of LPS‐induced ALI.
The social support networks of care leavers from a children's village in Ghana: formal and informal supports
Authors: Frimpong‐Manso Kwabena
Published: February 2015

In the past few decades, the number of children requiring out‐of‐home care in the developing world has risen sharply. Many children end up in institutions where they make a transition to adulthood. Little is however known about the social support available to young people during and after they leave care. This study examines the sources and kinds of support as well as the barriers to social support for a group of care leavers from a children's village in Ghana. The participants used a combination of formal and informal sources for their support needs. The formal sources provided mostly financial and practical support, whereas the informal sources offered emotional and informational support. The barriers to access included the attitude of the staff and SOS adults and limited cultural skills of the care leavers. Recommendations for removing the barriers and improving social support for care leavers are offered in the final part of the study.
Biomarkers for Bisphosphonate‐Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Authors: Kim Jin‐Woo , Cha In‐Ho , Kim Sun‐Jong , Kim Myung‐Rae
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate a possible biomarker for bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in an animal model.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐eight Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into the bisphosphonate group (n = 36), who were injected once a week with zoledronic acid, and the control group (n = 12), who were injected once a week with saline. After 6 weeks, surgical intervention was performed, and injections were continued up to 8 weeks. Rats in the bisphosphonate group were then further classified to the ONJ group, and the non‐ONJ group, and biomarkers, including CTx, Glu‐OC, TRACP 5b, RANKL, and OPG, were assessed at baseline (T0), at surgical intervention (T1), and at sacrifice (T2). Histomorphometric analysis for quantification of osteoclasts was performed.

Results

Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that TRACP 5b levels and the RANKL/OPG ratio were significantly decreased over time in the ONJ group compared with the non‐ONJ group (p < .05). At T2, the area under the curve was 0.807 for TRACP 5b (sensitivity: 88.9%, specificity 66.7% at cutoff) and 0.765 for the RANKL/OPG ratio (sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity 62.9% at cutoff). TRACP 5b showed a lower least significant change (29.6%) with lower intra‐assay coefficient of variability (CV; 6.32%) and interassay CV (11.20%) compared with those of the RANKL/OPG ratio (39.27%) and showed a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (2.76) than that of the RANKL/OPG ratio (1.62). N.Oc/T.Ar and N.Oc/B.Ar demonstrated significantly decreased number of osteoclasts in ONJ group versus non‐ONJ group.

Conclusions

These results show that serum TRACP 5b and the RANKL/OPG ratio were possible biomarkers for BRONJ. These data may provide useful additional information for future ONJ research. Further studies are needed to validate these results in humans with ONJ.
A comparison of systemic inflammatory responses between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients presenting with otorrhea due to chronic suppurative middle ear disease
Authors: Sarmento K.M.A. , Sampaio A.L.L. , Nakanishi M. , Gurgel J.D.C.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To study the occurrence of fever and the behaviours of inflammatory blood markers (C‐reactive protein – CRP and procalcitonin – PCT) during episodes of otorrhea due to uncomplicated chronic otitis media in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.

Design

Prospective study of patients presenting with otorrhea over a 36‐month period.

Setting

All patients were treated at Bonsucesso General Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Participants

A total of 84 participants, of which 50 were immunocompetent and 34 were immunocompromised. Immunocompetent patients had a total of 106 episodes of otorrhea, and immunocompromised patients had 117 episodes of otorrhea.

Main outcome measures

Occurrence of fever (axillary temperature over 38°C) and elevation of C‐reactive protein and procalcitonin levels above the normal ranges.

Results

In the immunocompetent group, the levels of procalcitonin were elevated in five of 106 episodes of otorrhea. The C‐reactive protein levels were above the normal range in nine of 106 episodes, the same number of episodes in which fever was observed. In the immunocompromised group, procalcitonin was elevated in 38 of 117 episodes of otorrhea, C‐reactive protein levels were abnormal in 40 episodes, and fever was detected in 37 episodes. Cases of otorrhea with systemic inflammatory response were significantly more common in immunocompromised patients with associated rhinosinusitis.

Conclusions

Otorrhea due to uncomplicated chronic otitis media rarely causes a systemic inflammatory response in immunocompetent patients. Its occurrence in immunocompromised patients seems to be more related to concurrent rhinosinusitis than to the chronic middle ear inflammation itself.
Postoperative Systolic Blood Pressure as a risk factor for haematoma following thyroid surgery
Authors: Morton Randall P. , Vandal Alain C.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To examine potential factors that may predict development of postoperative haematoma following thyroid surgery, with particular attention to postoperative systolic blood pressure.

Design

Retrospective, observational case–control study of patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Setting

Secondary General Hospital.

Participants

Patients attending Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) between 2002 and 2012.

Main Outcome Measures

Post‐operative Haematoma formation that required re‐exploration of the wound.

Results

The overall rate of postoperative haematoma was 2.57% (16/621). Three patients bled immediately (i.e. after wound closure but while still on the operating table); 10 patients (1.6%) bled in the early postoperative period; and three others bled 24 h or more after surgery. The principal independent risk factor for postoperative haemorrhage that remained after multivariable regression was postoperative systolic blood pressure level. There was a 39% increase in risk of bleeding for every 10 points rise of highest blood pressure recordings in our patient population (OR 1.39; 95% CI = 1.09–1.8).

Conclusions

This study identifies postoperative hypertension as significantly related to development of early postoperative haematoma. Cause for late post‐thyroidectomy bleeding remains speculative.
Estimating Social Influences from Social Networking Sites—Articulated Friendships versus Communication Interactions
Authors: Guo Hong , Pathak Praveen , Cheng Hsing Kenneth
Published: February 2015

Despite the ubiquity of social networking sites, the online social networking industry is in search of effective marketing strategies to better profit from their established user base. Social media marketing strategies build on the premise that the social network of online users can be predicted and social influences among online users can be estimated. However, the existence of various heterogeneous social interactions on social networking sites presents a challenge for social network prediction and social influence estimation. In this article we draw upon the literatures on self‐presentation on social networking sites and signaling in online social networking to categorize six heterogeneous online social interactions on social networking sites into two types—articulated friendships and communication interactions. This article provides empirical evidence for the differences between articulated friendships and communication interactions and the corresponding articulated and communication networks. In order to compare the impacts of the social influences based on these two networks, we utilize support vector machines to build a classifier to predict virtual community membership and we further estimate the marginal effects of these social influences using a two‐stage probit least squares method. We find significant explanatory power of social influences in predicting virtual community membership. Although the communication network is much sparser than the articulated network, social influences based on the communication network achieve similar performance as the articulated network. These findings provide important implications for social media marketing as well as the management of virtual communities.
Competitive Goals and Plant Investment in Environment and Safety Practices: Moderating Effect of National Culture
Authors: Power Damien , Klassen Robert , Kull Thomas J. , Simpson Dayna
Published: February 2015

Operations managers clearly play a critical role in targeting plant‐level investments toward environment and safety practices. In principle, a “rational” response would be to align this investment with senior management's competitive goals for operational performance. However, operations managers also are influenced by contingent factors, such as their national culture, thus creating potential tension that might bias investment away from a simple rational response. Using data from 1,453 plants in 24 countries, we test the moderating influence of seven of the national cultural characteristics on investment at the plant level in environment and safety practices. Four of the seven national cultural characteristics from GLOBE (i.e., uncertainty avoidance, in‐group collectivism, future orientation and performance orientation) shifted investment away from an expected “rational” response. Positive bias was evident when the national culture favored consistency and formalized procedures and rewarded performance improvement. In contrast, managers exhibited negative bias when familial groups and local coalitions were powerful, or future outcomes—rather than current actions—were more important. Overall, this study highlights the critical importance of moving beyond a naïve expectation that plant‐level investment will naturally align with corporate competitive goals for environment and safety. Instead, the national culture where the plant is located will influence these investments, and must be taken into account by senior management.
Engrailed and tectum development
Authors: Omi Minoru , Nakamura Harukazu
Published: February 2015

The optic tectum is a visual center of nonmammalian vertebrates derived from the mesencephalon. In this review, function of Engrailed (En) in tectum development is reviewed. En plays crucial roles at three steps of tectum development. First, Engrailed is expressed in the mesencephalon and the metencephalon and essential for the regionalization of the mesencephalon. En is expressed in a gradient of caudal‐to‐rostral in the tectum primordial, and regulates the rostrocaudal polarity of the tectum. In the advanced stage of tectum development, En is expressed in a lamina‐specific manner and it is suggested that En regulates cell migration in the tectal laminar formation.