bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swearing
Authors: Allan Keith , Burridge Kate
Published: March 2014

In this chapter, we provide an account of antipodean swearing patterns, drawing on examples from existing written and spoken data banks. As part of this investigation, we consider general questions to do with swearing: what it is, why speakers do it and how swearing patterns have changed over the years. We identify four overlapping functions of swearing: the expletive, abusive, social and stylistic functions. We also consider the shift in social attitudes toward swearing and the repercussions of this for the law. Swearing has always been characterized as an earmark of Australian and New Zealand English. We conclude that it remains an important feature of these varieties, but question just how uniquely antipodean it is.
Codifying Ghanaian English
Authors: Anderson Jemima
Published: March 2014

Although non-native varieties of English used in English as Second Language (ESL) communities such as India, Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa have been described and codified in dictionaries and grammar books, there are other ESL communities such as Ghana where the localized varieties of English are still low on the continuum. In spite of the efforts that have been made to describe the development of a distinctive Ghanaian variety of English, there are many factors that have militated against these efforts. This paper gives some of the factors that affect the description and codification of a distinctive variety of “Ghanaian English” and also explores some of the possible solutions to these problems. The paper begins by discussing the status of English in Ghana and then goes on to explore some of the factors that have made it impossible to describe and codify Ghanaian English. It also discusses the means by which the English language spoken in Ghana can be accepted as a peculiar Ghanaian variety. The paper finally discusses how the codification of Ghanaian English can help in the development and growth of a Ghanaian variety of English.
Australian English as a regional epicenter
Authors: Peters Pam
Published: March 2014

This paper explores whether an evolving regional standard of English could impact on the development of neighboring varieties while still consolidating its own identity. In the case of Australian English this can be seen in several kinds of lexical innovation, which are uniquely or strongly associated with it and have subsequently entered the New Zealand lexicon, e.g. convict terms adapted for agriculture, Aboriginal loanwords, and morphological developments such as hypocoristics ending in -ie/-y and -o. The historical context for these 19th century Australian inputs to New Zealand English was the participation of Australian emigrants in the New Zealand pastoral industry. It shows that a regional variety can exercise areal influence before becoming a fully fledged epicenter.
The roles of English in Southeast Asian legal systems
Authors: Powell Richard
Published: March 2014

The traditional division of Southeast Asian legal systems into anglophone common law jurisdictions and non-anglophone civil law systems has lost some of its validity in recent decades. On the one hand, postcolonial language planning has brought a much greater role for local languages in several common law systems. On the other hand, English is becoming an important part of legal drafting and professional training in several civil law systems as the influence of economic globalisation and cross-border legislation increases. Using evidence from courtroom observations and interviews with lawyers, this article considers the extent to which English is becoming an instrument of legal harmonisation around the region and how attitudes to the language reflect tensions between convergent legal practices and divergent legal cultures.
A discourse-historical approach to the English native speaker
Authors: Hackert Stephanie
Published: March 2014

The concept of the native speaker, once viewed as “a common reference point for all branches of linguistics” (Coulmas 1981: 1), has increasingly come under criticism, particularly in connection with the study of World Englishes, where it has been pointed out that, while there may be linguistic differences between native and non-native speakers of English, the native speaker is really a political construct carrying a particular ideological baggage. The following paper presents a close reading of Marsh (1859), the text in which the term first occurs, in order to retrace some of the discourses surrounding the concept’s emergence. It will be shown that, just like its contemporary counterpart, the 19th-century English native speaker was employed to “other” particular speaker groups and assert ownership over the language.
Preventable Proportion of Severe Infections Acquired in Intensive Care Units: Case-Mix Adjusted Estimations from Patient-Based Surveillance Data
Authors: Lambert Marie-Laurence , Silversmit Geert , Savey Anne , Palomar Mercedes , Hiesmayr Michael , Agodi Antonella , Rompaye Bart Van , Mertens Karl , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: March 2014

Background.

More than 10% of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) experience a severe, healthcare-associated infection, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or bloodstream infection (BSI). What could be a public health target for prevention is hotly debated, because properly adjusting for intrinsic risk factors in the patient population is difficult. We aimed to estimate the proportion of ICU-acquired VAP and BSI cases that are amenable to prevention in routine conditions.

Methods.

We analyzed routine data collected prospectively according to the European standard protocol for patient-based surveillance of healthcare-acquired infections in ICUs. We computed the number of infections to be expected if, after adjustment for case mix, the infection incidence in ICUs with higher infection rates could be reduced to that of the top-tenth-percentile-ranked ICU. Computations came from model-based simulation of individual patient profiles over time in the ICU. The preventable proportion was computed as the number of observed cases minus the number of expected cases divided by the number of observed cases.

Results.

Data for 78,222 patients admitted for more than 2 days to 525 ICUs in 6 European countries from 2005 to 2008 were available for analysis. We calculated that 52% of VAP and 69% of BSI was preventable.

Conclusions.

Our pragmatic, if highly conservative, estimates quantify the potential for prevention of VAP and BSI in routine conditions, assuming that variation in infection incidence between ICUs can be eliminated with improved quality of care, apart from variation attributable to differential case mix.
1.55 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of Rv3902c fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Reddy Bharat G. , Moates Derek B. , Kim Heung-Bok , Green Todd J. , Kim Chang-Yub , Terwilliger Thomas C. , DeLucas Lawrence J.
Published: March 2014

The crystallographic structure of theMycobacterium tuberculosis(TB) protein Rv3902c (176 residues; molecular mass of 19.8 kDa) was determined at 1.55 Å resolution. The function of Rv3902c is unknown, although several TB genes involved in bacterial pathogenesis are expressed from the operon containing the Rv3902c gene. The unique structural fold of Rv3902c contains two domains, each consisting of antiparallel β-sheets and α-helices, creating a hand-like binding motif with a small binding pocket in the palm. Structural homology searches reveal that Rv3902c has an overall structure similar to that of theSalmonellavirulence-factor chaperone InvB, with an r.m.s.d. for main-chain atoms of 2.3 Å along an aligned domain.
Preliminary crystallographic analysis of a double mutant of the acetyl xylo-oligosaccharide esterase Axe2 in its dimeric form
Authors: Lansky Shifra , Alalouf Onit , Salama Rachel , Dvir Hay , Shoham Yuval , Shoham Gil
Published: March 2014

Xylans are polymeric sugars constituting a significant part of the plant cell wall. They are usually substituted with acetyl side groups attached at positions 2 or 3 of the xylose backbone units. Acetylxylan esterases are part of the hemicellulolytic system of many microorganisms which utilize plant biomass for growth. These enzymes hydrolyze the ester linkages of the xylan acetyl groups and thus improve the accessibility of main-chain-hydrolyzing enzymes and their ability to break down the sugar backbone units. The acetylxylan esterases are therefore critically important for those microorganisms and as such could be used for a wide range of biotechnological applications. The structure of an acetylxylan esterase (Axe2) isolated from the thermophilic bacteriumGeobacillus stearothermophilusT6 has been determined, and it has been demonstrated that the wild-type enzyme is present as a unique torus-shaped octamer in the crystal and in solution. In order to understand the functional origin of this unique oligomeric structure, a series of rational noncatalytic, site-specific mutations have been made on Axe2. Some of these mutations led to a different dimeric form of the protein, which showed a significant reduction in catalytic activity. One of these double mutants, Axe2-Y184F-W190P, has recently been overexpressed, purified and crystallized. The best crystals obtained belonged to the orthorhombic space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 71.1,b= 106.0,c= 378.6 Å. A full diffraction data set to 2.3 Å resolution has been collected from a flash-cooled crystal of this type at 100 K using synchrotron radiation. This data set is currently being used for the three-dimensional structure analysis of the Axe2-Y184F-W190P mutant in its dimeric form.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a novel type of lipolytic hydrolase fromBacillus licheniformis
Authors: Ju Hansol , Pandian Ramesh , Kim Kyungmin , Kim Kyeong Kyu , Kim T. Doohun
Published: March 2014

With increasing demand in biotechnological applications, the identification and characterization of novel lipolytic enzymes are of great importance. The crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic study of a novel type of hydrolase fromBacillus licheniformis(BL28) are described here. Recombinant BL28 protein containing a C-terminal His tag was overproduced inEscherichia coliand purified to homogeneity. BL28 was crystallized using 0.2 Mammonium acetate, 0.1 Msodium citrate tribasic dihydrate pH 5.6, 30%(w/v) PEG 4000 as a crystallizing solution. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 1.67 Å with anRmergeof 5.8%. The BL28 crystals belonged to the tetragonal space groupP41212, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 57.89,c= 167.25 Å. A molecular-replacement solution was obtained and structure refinement of BL28 is in progress.
Preliminary crystallographic analysis of the ankyrin-repeat domain ofArabidopsis thalianaAKT1: identification of the domain boundaries for protein crystallization
Authors: Chaves-Sanjuán Antonio , Sánchez-Barrena María José , González-Rubio Juana María , Albert Armando
Published: March 2014

TheArabidopsis thalianaK+transporter 1 (AKT1) participates in the maintenance of an adequate cell potassium (K+) concentration. The CBL-interacting protein kinase 23 (CIPK23) activates AKT1 for K+uptake under low-K+conditions. This process is mediated by the interaction between the cytosolic ankyrin-repeat (AR) domain of AKT1 and the kinase domain of CIPK23. However, the precise boundaries of the AR domain and the residues responsible for the interaction are still unknown. Here, the optimization procedure to obtain an AR domain construct suitable for crystallization and the preliminary crystallographic analysis of the obtained crystals are reported. The crystals belonged to space groupP21212, with unit-cell parametersa= 34.83,b= 65.89,c= 85.44 Å, and diffracted to 1.98 Å resolution.
Using the swept volume to verify maintenance space in virtual environment
Authors: Zhou Dong , Jia Xu , Lv Chuan , Kang Le
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Maintainability, as an intrinsic property that shows how well a product can be maintained, should be strictly controlled in the design stage. Maintenance space is an important aspect of maintainability and should be verified in the design stage. Methods to verify maintenance space based on expert knowledge or vision cone have been proposed. However, no proper quantitative solutions have been proposed yet to verify maintenance space in the design stage. This paper aims to provide a new method to evaluate quantitatively the maintenance space in a virtual environment by using the swept volume (SV).

Design/methodology/approach

– An integrated platform for quantitatively evaluating maintenance space in a virtual environment is designed. Virtual reality technology and digital prototype are used to overcome the shortage of physical prototypes in the design stage. SVs are applied to represent the movement of the hand along the entire maintenance process. Maintenance operations are divided into three basic types. Each type of basic operation refers to two quantitative indexes, namely the surface area and the volume of the SV of the maintenance personnel. Data on the indexes are gathered and calculated to evaluate maintenance space.

Findings

– The proposed methodology can evaluate feasibly and efficiently the maintenance space determined by the layout design of product components in the design stage.

Practical implications

– Application of the proposed method can help designers reduce the shortness of maintenance space and improve the design layout of products.

Originality/value

– A method to evaluate maintenance space that employs a quantitative combination of virtual environment and swept volume is pressed.
Costing in the Newcastle Infirmary, 1840-1888
Authors: Funnell Warwick , Holden Andrew , Oldroyd David
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper examines the nature and function of cost accounting at the Newcastle Infirmary, a large voluntary provincial hospital, established in 1751. In particular, the paper adds to the literature on accounting within early voluntary hospitals by identifying the relative contributions of the costing system to planning and controlling the operations, assisting decision making and holding managers accountable for their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper relies primarily on original documents preserved in the archives of the Newcastle Infirmary.

Findings

– Although evidence was found of quite sophisticated costing systems, the findings suggest that the majority of the information was producedex postby the hospital management to demonstrate good stewardship and to engender financial support.

Research limitations/implications

– More cases are needed of other hospitals to ascertain how typical the Newcastle Infirmary was of the voluntary hospital sector in the nineteenth century.

Originality/value

– Although there are other studies of accounting within British voluntary hospitals, and studies of the use of accounting to drive decision making in profit-making organisations during the nineteenth century, none have investigated the use of accounting as a decision-making tool in a voluntary hospital.
The uncertainties of risk management
Authors: Vinnari Eija , Skærbæk Peter
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the implementation of risk management as a tool for internal audit activities, focusing on unexpected effects or uncertainties generated during its application.

Design/methodology/approach

– Public and confidential documents as well as semi-structured interviews are analysed through the lens of actor-network theory to identify the effects of risk management devices in a Finnish municipality.

Findings

– The authors found that risk management, rather than reducing uncertainty, itself created unexpected uncertainties that would otherwise not have emerged. These include uncertainties relating to legal aspects of risk management solutions, in particular the issue concerning which types of document are considered legally valid; uncertainties relating to the definition and operationalisation of risk management; and uncertainties relating to the resources available for expanding risk management. More generally, such uncertainties relate to the professional identities and responsibilities of operational managers as defined by the framing devices.

Originality/value

– The paper offers three contributions to the extant literature: first, it shows how risk management itself produces uncertainties. Secondly, it shows how internal auditors can assume a central role in the risk management system. Thirdly, it develops Callon's framing/overflowing framework with the notion that multiple frames are linked and create unexpected dynamics, and applies it to the study on the effects of risk management tools in an internal audit context. It shows how, despite recurring attempts to refine risk management, further uncertainties are continuously produced, thus providing an empirical illustration of how reframing and overflowing intertwine in a continual process.
Developing a sensor-based learning concentration detection system
Authors: Su Yen-Ning , Hsu Chia-Cheng , Chen Hsin-Chin , Huang Kuo-Kuang , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to use sensing technology to observe the learning status of learners in a teaching and learning environment. In a general instruction environment, teachers often encounter some teaching problems. These are frequently related to the fact that the teacher cannot clearly know the learning status of students, such as their degree of learning concentration and capacity to absorb knowledge. In order to deal with this situation, this study uses a learning concentration detection system (LCDS), combining sensor technology and an artificial intelligence method, to better understand the learning concentration of students in a learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed system uses sensing technology to collect information about the learning behavior of the students, analyzes their concentration levels, and applies an artificial intelligence method to combine this information for use by the teacher. This system includes a pressure detection sensor and facial detection sensor to detect facial expressions, eye activities and body movements. The system utilizes an artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to optimize the system performance to help teachers immediately understand the degree of concentration and learning status of their students. Based on this, instructors can give appropriate guidance to several unfocused students at the same time.

Findings

– The fitness value and computation time were used to evaluate the LCDS. Comparing the results of the proposed ABC algorithm with those from the random search method, the algorithm was found to obtain better solutions. The experimental results demonstrate that the ABC algorithm can quickly obtain near optimal solutions within a reasonable time.

Originality/value

– A learning concentration detection method of integrating context-aware technologies and an ABC algorithm is presented in this paper. Using this learning concentration detection method, teachers can keep abreast of their students' learning status in a teaching environment and thus provide more appropriate instruction.
Experiments of iterative learning control system using particle swarm optimization by new bounded constraints on velocity and positioning
Authors: Huang Yi-Cheng , Li Ying-Hao
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper utilizes the improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) with bounded constraints technique on velocity and positioning for adjusting the gains of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) and iterative learning control (ILC) controllers. The purpose of this paper is to achieve precision motion through bettering control by this technique.

Design/methodology/approach

– Actual platform positioning must avoid the occurrence of a large control action signal, undesirable overshooting, and preventing out of the maximum position limit. Several in-house experiments observation, the PSO mechanism is sometimes out of the optimal solution in updating velocity and updating position of particles, the system may become unstable in real-time applications. The proposed IPSO with new bounded constraints technique shows a great ability to stabilize nonminimum phase and heavily oscillatory systems based on new bounded constraints on velocity and positioning in PSO algorithm is evaluated on one axis of linear synchronous motor with a PC-based real-time ILC.

Findings

– Simulations and experiment results show that the proposed controller can reduce the error significantly after two learning iterations. The developed method using bounded constraints technique provides valuable programming tools to practicing engineers.

Originality/value

– The proposed IPSO-ILC-PID controller overcomes the shortcomings of conventional ILC-PID controller with fixed gains. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed IPSO-ILC-PID algorithm exhibits great speed convergence and robustness. Experimental results confirm that the proposed IPSO-ILC-PID algorithm is effective and achieves better control in real-time precision positioning.
A tubular linear machine with dual Halbach array
Authors: Yan Liang , Zhang Lei , Jiao Zongxia , Hu Hongjie , Chen Chin-Yin , Chen I-Ming
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Force output is extremely important for electromagnetic linear machines. The purpose of this study is to explore new permanent magnet (PM) array and winding patterns to increase the magnetic flux density and thus to improve the force output of electromagnetic tubular linear machines.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on investigations on various PM patterns, a novel dual Halbach PM array is proposed in this paper to increase the radial component of flux density in three-dimensional machine space, which in turn can increase the force output of tubular linear machine significantly. The force outputs and force ripples for different winding patterns are formulated and analyzed, to select optimized structure parameters.

Findings

– The proposed dual Halbach array can increase the radial component of flux density and force output of tubular linear machines effectively. It also helps to decrease the axial component of flux density and thus to reduce the deformation and vibration of machines. By using analytical force models, the influence of winding patterns and structure parameters on the machine force output and force ripples can be analyzed. As a result, one set of optimized structure parameters are selected for the design of electromagnetic tubular linear machines.

Originality/value

– The proposed dual Halbach array and winding patterns are effective ways to improve the linear machine performance. It can also be implemented into rotary machines. The analyzing and design methods could be extended into the development of other electromagnetic machines.
Function-technology platforms improve efficiency in high-tech equipment manufacturing
Authors: (Alex) Alblas A.A. , (Hans) Wortmann J.C.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Success in manufacturing industries often depends on the ability of a firm to apply product platforms. In speeding up product development, platforms often enable companies to benefit from scale effects by reusing existing components in the development of new products. In the delivery of complex products and system (CoPS), however, platforms are frequently modified since components have to be changed within their life cycle to meet additional customer-specific engineering demands and evolving innovations in technology. In this article, it will be illustrated that intangible design elements can be used as platforms in firms that deliver CoPS. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through extensive fieldwork at a leading supplier of science-based lithography machinery, a modified platform concept was developed and tested that is labelled as the function-technology (FT) platform. The longitudinal data, collected on site, demonstrate positive effects of applying FT platforms.

Findings

– The results show that an important explanation for firm's success in delivering lithography machinery with attractive performance is their ability to deliver variants that are specific in terms of physical modules, but common in terms of functions and technologies. Based on the results, it can be argued that establishing an FT platform will allow the efficient creation of variants within a family of CoPS.

Originality/value

– The findings add considerable insight to the existing literature on operations management by explaining how intangible design elements, instigated during development, can be reused in the delivery of CoPS. Moreover, it enables development managers to more easily structure and reuse complex development tasks.
Brand meaning gaps and dynamics: theory, research, and practice
Authors: Jane Wilson Elizabeth , Bengtsson Anders , Curran Catharine
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, propositions in an existing conceptual framework are empirically explored to note whether and how brand meaning gaps exist for internal and external stakeholders of a focal brand. Second, a typology of brand meaning gaps, characterised by meaning assonance and valence, offers new insight for brand management strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use case study methods to explore the research propositions about brand meaning gaps among stakeholder groups. The focal firm is The Black Dog Company of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts in the USA. Data from brand owners (internal stakeholders) and consumers (external stakeholders) are collected using in-depth interviews, observation, document analysis, and an online survey that includes a picture association task. Further inductive analysis of secondary data helps develop the typology of brand meaning gaps and dynamics.

Findings

– The research propositions are supported. Brand meaning gaps exist between internal and external stakeholders, and they exist among two external stakeholder groups. Brand meaning for owners, primarily defined as family heritage, is largely unknown to consumers. Among consumers, brand meaning for stakeholder group 1 is “coastal New England”; brand meaning for group 2 is “dog lovers.” Although multiple brand meanings exist for stakeholders, the meanings are relatively assonant (harmonious) and positively valenced. The findings regarding the polysemic nature of brand meaning are useful to brand managers seeking to leverage offerings to multiple target markets. These findings, along with additional secondary data, serve as the basis for a typology of brand gaps and dynamics characterized by assonance and valence. Four types of meaning gaps may lead to situations where brands are beloved, on-the-cusp, hijacked, or facing disaster.

Originality/value

– This work addresses calls from the literature to empirically explore brand meaning among multiple stakeholder groups.
CSR in India: reflections from the banking sector
Authors: Hadfield-Hill Sophie
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the Indian context, focusing on the banking sector. This is of particular importance at this time given the financial industry's pivotal role in driving forward India's growth; this paper contributes to the literature on the operationalisation of CSR within one of the world's fastest growing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents empirical, on-the-ground qualitative evidence from the Indian finance sector with regard to CSR operations and motivations. Data are based primarily on a series of semi-structured interviews with “elite” participants; senior officials operating in the banking sector.

Findings

– The paper offers insight into four levels of CSR engagement which currently exist in the day-to-day operations of Indian companies. Of significance to debates on CSR trends and strategies, the paper presents evidence to suggest that western CSR initiatives are influencing executives in India; ultimately causing a reactive response of an ad-hoc nature.

Research limitations/implications

– While the focus of this paper is the Indian finance industry, the trends within this sector and emerging practice, one must be cautious about making broad generalisations about CSR in India based on the data presented here.

Originality/value

– A focus on responsible project finance and CSR is imperative at this time of major infrastructure growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) economies; indigenous financial institutions have a crucial role to play in social and economic development. Through a focus on four modes of engagement, which emerged from empirically grounded data collection, this paper highlights multiple forms of commitment and motivation which are often overlooked when reviewing CSR primarily through reporting methods.
Team processes for adaptive and innovative outcomes
Authors: London Manuel
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to consider how exploitative and exploratory team processes contribute to adaptive and innovative outcomes. The paper integrates the team learning and team adaptation literature and examines factors that stimulate and support exploitative and exploratory processes in interdisciplinary and homogeneous teams. This has implications for team learning research and facilitation that fosters adaptation and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews how teams learn to be exploitative and exploratory and the extent to which adaptive and innovative outcomes ensue. The paper suggests the value of teams understanding how different conditions (environment, leadership, member characteristics, and team composition) affect team members' interactions as they learn and apply exploitative and exploratory processes to produce adaptive and/or innovative outcomes.

Findings

– Teams learn frames of reference for being exploitative and exploratory influenced by environmental conditions, leadership, particularly leadership that creates psychological safety, and team member characteristics and team. Interdisciplinary team composition and resulting possible subgroup formation pose challenges for exploitative and exploratory teams.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research should study teams over time to observe subgroup formation and integration, and facilitation by leaders, team members, and group dynamics professionals to support exploratory and exploitative frames and the emergence of adaptations and innovations.

Practical implications

– Teams may be more successful in implementing innovations when they have learned how to weave between exploratory and exploitative frames of behavior.

Originality/value

– The paper applies exploitative and exploratory processes to teams to increase their capacity to produce adaptive and innovative outcomes.
Gonadal and uterine function in female survivors treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or bone marrow transplantation for childhood malignant and non‐malignant diseases
Authors: Beneventi F , Locatelli E , Giorgiani G , Zecca M , Locatelli F , Cavagnoli C , Simonetta M , Bariselli S , Negri B , Spinillo A
Published: March 2014

Objective

To evaluate gonadal function and uterine volume in a cohort of female survivors treated by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation (SCT) for childhood malignant and non‐malignant diseases.

Design

An observational study.

Setting

S. Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy.

Population

A cohort of 135 female survivors.

Methods

A clinical, hormonal, and ultrasonographic evaluation. Thirty‐three patients (24%) had non‐malignant haematologic diseases (thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia), 68 (50%) had leukaemia, 23 (17%) had lymphomas, and 11 (8%) had solid tumours. In total, 106 patients had received SCT, preceded by a conditioning regimen.

Main outcome measures

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and Inhibin–B, and uterine volume.

Results

The median concentrations of AMH and Inhibin–B in the entire cohort were 0.12 ng/ml (interquartile range, IQR, 0.1–0.5 ng/ml) and 3.5 pg/ml (IQR 0.1–13.2 pg/ml), respectively. In a stepwise ordered logistic regression analysis, conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of malignancies, as opposed to total body irradiation (TBI), was the only oncologically significant predictor of increased AMH levels (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.9–12, P < 0.001). Conditioning treatment before or after menarche did not influence AMH concentrations (P = 0.24). The best predictor of reduced uterine volume was TBI during the preparation for the allograft (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4–8.4, P = 0.006). Increasing age at treatment (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.95, P = 0.04), chemotherapy, as opposed to other treatments (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.28, P < 0.001), and solid tumours as opposed to either leukaemia/lymphomas or non‐malignant diseases (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.07–0.56, P = 0.002) were associated with larger uterine volumes.

Conclusions

Conditioning therapies for SCT, including TBI, had the worst effects on uterine volume and gonadal reserve. Increasing age at treatment and conventional chemotherapy were associated with less detrimental effects on uterine volume.
Difference in perceived knowledge, confidence and attitudes between dietitians and other health professionals in the provision of weight management advice
Authors: MacDonald‐Wicks Lesley K. , Gallagher Lindy M. , Snodgrass Suzanne J. , Guest Maya , Kable Ashley , James Carole , Ashby Samantha , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Collins Clare E.
Published: March 2014

Aim

The aim of this analysis is to establish if dietitians have the knowledge, skills and attitude to provide support to other health professional (HP) groups in the provision of weight management advice to overweight/obese patients.

Methods

A secondary data analysis of a cross‐sectional survey of HPs was undertaken to perform a gap analysis with regard to practices, knowledge, confidence and attitudes in the provision of weight management advice. Survey responses and additional measures (practice, knowledge, confidence and attitude scores) were compared between dietitians and other HPs. Descriptive statistics were undertaken, and differences between group χ2 tests were performed for nominal data and the Wilcoxon rank sum test for ordinal and non‐parametric data.

Results

About 100% of dietitians had received initial weight management training and 85% had participated in professional development training, compared with 18 and 19% of HPs, respectively, although 70% believed it was within their scope of practice to provide evidence‐based advice. Dietitian respondents achieved a higher median score (maximum 10) in the following areas (practice = 6.5, knowledge = 8.0, confidence = 8.3) when compared with HP respondents (practice = 4.2, knowledge = 7.0, confidence = 5.4). The median attitude score for both groups was 6.0.

Conclusions

HPs are receptive to providing evidence‐based weight loss messages to overweight/obese clients in their current practice. However, weight management training is required to enhance HPs' knowledge and skills in order to increase confidence and improve practice skills. Dietitians can assist HPs to ensure that clear, consistent, evidence‐based messages are delivered to overweight clients throughout the health‐care system.
Discovering new bioactive molecules from microbial sources
Authors: Monciardini Paolo , Iorio Marianna , Maffioli Sonia , Sosio Margherita , Donadio Stefano
Published: March 2014

There is an increased need for new drug leads to treat diseases in humans, animals and plants. A dramatic example is represented by the need for novel and more effective antibiotics to combat multidrug‐resistant microbial pathogens. Natural products represent a major source of approved drugs and still play an important role in supplying chemical diversity, despite a decreased interest by large pharmaceutical companies. Novel approaches must be implemented to decrease the chances of rediscovering the tens of thousands of known natural products. In this review, we present an overview of natural product screening, focusing particularly on microbial products. Different approaches can be implemented to increase the probability of finding new bioactive molecules. We thus present the rationale and selected examples of the use of hypersensitive assays; of accessing unexplored microorganisms, including the metagenome; and of genome mining. We then focus our attention on the technology platform that we are currently using, consisting of approximately 70 000 microbial strains, mostly actinomycetes and filamentous fungi, and discuss about high‐quality screening in the search for bioactive molecules. Finally, two case studies are discussed, including the spark that arose interest in the compound: in the case of orthoformimycin, the novel mechanism of action predicted a novel structural class; in the case of NAI‐112, structural similarity pointed out to a possible in vivo activity. Both predictions were then experimentally confirmed.
Review article: the psychosexual impact of inflammatory bowel disease in male patients
Authors: O'Toole A. , Winter D. , Friedman S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Knowledge of the extent and the impact of sexual dysfunction and interpersonal relationships in men with inflammatory bowel disease is scarce.

Aims

The aim of this review article was to summarise the current literature on sexual function in male patients with IBD and to provide a critical review of the IBD‐related medical, surgical and psychological complications that can result in impaired quality of sexual health.

Methods

To collect relevant articles, PubMed/Medline and Embase searches were performed using Boolean search phrases.

Results

Reported rates of sexual dysfunction in male IBD patients range from 10% to 50%. Thirty‐three to fifty per cent of patients report that sexual desire and satisfaction deteriorated after IBD diagnosis. Of those patients who were sexually inactive, half of these attributed lack of intercourse to underlying IBD. A striking finding reproduced in numerous studies is that disease activity relates strongly to impaired psychological function, and the most consistently reported risk factor for sexual problems in IBD patients is co‐existing mood disorders. Hypogonadism is a complication of IBD and its therapies, the role of testosterone deficiency should be further explored as a potentially treatable and reversible factor in sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

By understanding what factors contribute to poor sexual functioning in our patients, we can strive to minimise adverse psychosocial events. Further insight into this complex relationship requires an IBD‐specific measure of sexual function in male patients. We recommend screening for and treating co‐morbid depression, testosterone deficiency and striving for clinical remission to prevent psychosexual dysfunction in male patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The preclinical pharmacology of mephedrone; not just MDMA by another name
Authors: Green A R , King M V , Shortall S E , Fone K C F
Published: March 2014

The substituted β‐keto amphetamine mephedrone (4‐methylmethcathinone) was banned in the UK in April 2010 but continues to be used recreationally in the UK and elsewhere. Users have compared its psychoactive effects to those of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’). This review critically examines the preclinical data on mephedrone that have appeared over the last 2–3 years and, where relevant, compares the pharmacological effects of mephedrone in experimental animals with those obtained following MDMA administration. Both mephedrone and MDMA enhance locomotor activity and change rectal temperature in rodents. However, both of these responses are of short duration following mephedrone compared with MDMA probably because mephedrone has a short plasma half‐life and rapid metabolism. Mephedrone appears to have no pharmacologically active metabolites, unlike MDMA. There is also little evidence that mephedrone induces a neurotoxic decrease in monoamine concentration in rat or mouse brain, again in contrast to MDMA. Mephedrone and MDMA both induce release of dopamine and 5‐HT in the brain as shown by in vivo and in vitro studies. The effect on 5‐HT release in vivo is more marked with mephedrone even though both drugs have similar affinity for the dopamine and 5‐HT transporters in vitro. The profile of action of mephedrone on monoamine receptors and transporters suggests it could have a high abuse liability and several studies have found that mephedrone supports self‐administration at a higher rate than MDMA. Overall, current data suggest that mephedrone not only differs from MDMA in its pharmacological profile, behavioural and neurotoxic effects, but also differs from other cathinones.
Using dynamic vegetation models to simulate plant range shifts
Authors: Snell R. S. , Huth A. , Nabel J. E. M. S. , Bocedi G. , Travis J. M. J. , Gravel D. , Bugmann H. , Gutiérrez A. G. , Hickler T. , Higgins S. I. , Reineking B. , Scherstjanoi M. , Zurbriggen N. , Lischke H.
Published: March 2014

Dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) follow a process‐based approach to simulate plant population demography, and have been used to address questions about disturbances, plant succession, community composition, and provisioning of ecosystem services under climate change scenarios. Despite their potential, they have seldom been used for studying species range dynamics explicitly. In this perspective paper, we make the case that DVMs should be used to this end and can improve our understanding of the factors that influence species range expansions and contractions. We review the benefits of using process‐based, dynamic models, emphasizing how DVMs can be applied specifically to questions about species range dynamics. Subsequently, we provide a critical evaluation of some of the limitations and trade‐offs associated with DVMs, and we use those to guide our discussions about future model development. This includes a discussion on which processes are lacking, specifically a mechanistic representation of dispersal, inclusion of the seedling stage, trait variability, and a dynamic representation of reproduction. We also discuss upscaling techniques that offer promising solutions for being able to run these models efficiently over large spatial extents. Our aim is to provide directions for future research efforts and to illustrate the value of the DVM approach.
The burden of white matter hyperintensities is a predictor of progressive mild cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sunwoo M. K. , Jeon S. , Ham J. H. , Hong J. Y. , Lee J. E. , Lee J.‐M. , Sohn Y. H. , Lee P. H.
Published: March 2014

Background and purpose

To evaluate whether white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) may act as an independent predictor for progression of cognitive status, the authors analyzed the longitudinal effects of WMHs on cognitive dysfunction in non‐demented patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

A total of 111 patients with PD were enrolled, including subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 65) and cognitively normal subjects (CN, n = 46). These individuals were classified as MCI converters (n = 22) or MCI non‐converters (n = 43) and CN converters (n = 18) or CN non‐converters (n = 28) based on whether they were subsequently diagnosed with PD dementia or PD‐MCI during a minimum 24‐month follow‐up. The WMH burden and the Cholinergic Pathway Hyperintensities Scale (CHIPS) and their relationships to longitudinal changes in cognitive performance were examined.

Results

PD‐MCI converters had larger WMH volume (14421.0 vs. 5180.4, P < 0.001) and higher CHIPS score (22.6 vs. 11.2, P = 0.001) compared with PD‐MCI non‐converters. Logistic regression analysis revealed in patients with PD‐MCI that WMH volume (odds ratio 1.616, P = 0.009) and CHIPS score (odds ratio 1.084, P = 0.007) were independently associated with PD dementia conversion. However, WMH volume and CHIPS score did not differ between PD‐CN converters and PD‐CN non‐converters. In patients with PD‐MCI, both WMH volume and CHIPS score were closely associated with longitudinal decline in general cognition, semantic fluency and Stroop test scores.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that WMH burden is a significant predictor of conversion from PD‐MCI to PD dementia and is related to ongoing decline in frontal‐lobe‐based cognitive performance.
Same Same But Different: Dialects and Trade
Authors: Lameli Alfred , Südekum Jens , Nitsch Volker , Wolf Nikolaus
Published: March 2014

Language is a strong and robust determinant of international trade patterns: Countries sharing a common language trade significantly more with each other than countries using different languages, holding other factors constant. In this article we present the first analysis of the effect of language on trade in an intra-national context. Analyzing unique data for a single-language country, Germany, we find that similarities in the local dialect have a significantly positive impact on regional trade. We interpret this finding as evidence for the trade-promoting effect of culture, because linguistic similarities likely reflect cultural ties across regions, rather than lower costs of communication or similar institutions.
Much Ado about Nothing? The Role of Primary School Catchment Areas For Ethnic School Segregation: Evidence From a Policy Reform
Authors: Makles Anna , Schneider Kerstin
Published: March 2014

By the 2008/09 school year the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) abolished binding school catchment areas in all municipalities. The reform has been controversial and it was feared that school choice would increase ethnic segregation. Using data on all primary schools we contribute to this debate by analyzing ethnic segregation before and after the reform. We discuss drawbacks of commonly used segregation indices and their interpretation as well as causality issues. Although there is an increase in segregation over the time period studied, our results show that segregation has not been affected by the policy reform.
Prevalence and effects of caregiving on children
Authors: Nagl‐Cupal Martin , Daniel Maria , Koller Martina Maria , Mayer Hanna
Published: March 2014

Aim

This paper reports the prevalence and its related sociodemographic factors of informal caregiving by underage children in Austria. The quantity and intensity of caregiving activities, the motivation for and effects of caregiving and how this differs from non‐caregiving children were investigated.

Background

Young carers are a worldwide phenomenon. Due to methodological and sampling problems, little quantitative data are available.

Design

Cross‐sectional, descriptive study.

Methods

Based on a random selection of 85 schools and 474 classes, a total of 7403 children aged 10–14 years completed a self‐reporting questionnaire that asked for children's help in their families. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

In the sample, 4·5% caregiving children were identified. The average age of young carers was 12·5 years. Most young carers were female (69·8% vs. 52·7% in the non‐young carers group). Young carers assumed more responsibilities (household tasks, general care and sibling care) than their peers. They showed a higher level of physical (e.g. headache 38·2% vs. 24·4%) and mental (e.g. to worry about 68·1% vs. 41·8%) adverse effects than non‐young carers. Extrapolation suggests a rate of 3·5% young carers in underage children of 5–18 years in Austria.

Conclusion

Data on national level are essential preconditions to initiate support for young carers. Nurses can promote children's health and well‐being through prevention of an inappropriate caregiving role.