bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rocuronium and sugammadex in patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing thymectomy
Authors: SUNGUR ULKE Z. , YAVRU A. , CAMCI E. , OZKAN B. , TOKER A. , SENTURK M.
Published: May 2013

Background

The use of neuromuscular blocking agents is still controversial in myasthenic patients but rocuronium could be useful after the introduction of sugammadex as a selective antagonist. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of rocuronium‐sugammadex in myasthenic patients undergoing thoracoscopic thymectomy.

Methods

After ethical approval, 10 myasthenic patients undergoing videothoracoscopic‐assisted thymectomy were enrolled in the study. Neuromuscular block was achieved with 0.3 mg/kg rocuronium and additional doses were given according to train‐of‐four (TOF) monitoring or movement of the diaphragm. Sugammadex 2 mg/kg was given after surgery. Recovery time (time to obtain a TOF value > 0.9) was recorded for all subjects.

Result

All patients were extubated in the operating room after administration of sugammadex. Mean rocuronium dose was 48 mg and the average operation time was 62 min. Recovery time after sugammadex administration was 111 s (min 35; max 240).

Conclusions

A rapid recovery of neuromuscular function was found in myasthenic patients receiving rocuronium when sugammadex was used for reversal. This combination could be a rational alternative for myasthenic patients for whom neuromuscular blockade is mandatory during surgery.
To use tourism as a conservation tool, first study tourists
Authors: Buckley Ralf
Published: May 2013

Read the Feature Paper: Understanding heterogeneous preference of tourists for big game species: implications for conservation and management

Other Commentaries on this paper: The Big 5 and conservation

Response from the authors: Conservation marketing and education for less charismatic biodiversity and conservation businesses for sustainable development
Anxiety and depression following preeclampsia or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome. A systematic review
Authors: Delahaije Denise H.J. , Dirksen Carmen D. , Peeters Louis L. , Smits Luc J.
Published: May 2013

Women who suffered from pregnancy complications are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether having suffered from preeclampsia (PE) or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome is associated with anxiety and depression, and whether PE/HELLP is an independent risk factor for developing anxiety and depression. Systematic search on PubMed and PsycInfo with no time limit. Studies presenting original data, including women with a history of PE/HELLP and at least one comparison group of women without PE/HELLP, reporting the results for each group separately or in a multivariate regression analysis with PE/HELLP as an independent variable. Study characteristics and outcomes were extracted using a prespecified form. If necessary, additional calculations were performed. The search yielded 267 articles, with only six being suitable for inclusion in this review. Studies on depression (six studies) showed generally positive associations between PE/HELLP and the prevalence of depression or severity of depressive symptoms. However, the results of three studies were not statistically significant. Studies addressing anxiety (two studies) did not show significant associations between PE/HELLP and anxiety scores. Associations between post‐traumatic stress and PE/HELLP, investigated in four studies, were often nonsignificant. Due to heterogeneity of study methods, a meta‐analysis of the results was not possible. In most studies, confounder control was poor. Evidence is mixed but generally points to positive associations between various forms of psychopathology and previous PE/HELLP. Causality of the associations can, however, not be judged adequately.
High tracking of apolipoprotein B levels from the prepubertal age to adolescence in Spanish children
Authors: del Villar‐Rubín S , Escorihuela R , Ortega‐Senovilla H , de Oya M , Garcés C
Published: May 2013

Aim

To assess tracking of lipid and apolipoproteins from the prepubertal age (baseline, 6–8 years old) to adolescence (follow‐up, 13–16 years old) in Spanish children.

Methods

The sample population included 385 healthy children (179 boys and 206 girls). Tracking was estimated by correlations between baseline and follow‐up levels, multiple regression models in which the follow‐up lipid was the dependent variable and analysing the percentage of individuals who remained in the same lipid levels status from prepubertal age to adolescence.

Results

Correlations between baseline and follow‐up levels for low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apo B) were stronger in boys and for high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and apo A‐I stronger in girls. Regression analyses showed that, after adjusting by body mass index (BMI), baseline LDL‐cholesterol and apo B levels explain 23% and 39% of the variation of follow‐up LDL‐cholesterol and apo B levels, respectively, in boys and 13% and 22%, respectively, in girls. The strength of tracking for LDL‐cholesterol and apo B was 79% and 89%, respectively, in boys and 72% and 82%, respectively, in girls.

Conclusion

Apolipoprotein B showed the strongest tracking in both sexes, stronger than for LDL‐cholesterol, which supports the importance of determining apo B levels as a marker of dyslipidaemia in children.
Design milieux for learning environments in African contexts
Authors: Duveskog Marcus , Sutinen Erkki , Cronje Johannes
Published: May 2013

During the years 2002 to 2009, five African settings were used as foundation for designing different learning environments. While the content and target group for each learning environment varied, all of their design settings, or milieux, shared one implicit expectation: the milieu should facilitate the production of a change‐making learning environment. A retrospective qualitative analysis identified a set of 10 common indicators that describe how successful a given setting is as a design milieu for creating learning environments. The study shows that for each design milieu indicator, a milieu can feature success and failure at the same time. The results, novel in their emphasis on the design setting rather than the use setting, can be used for both assessing the prospects of a particular milieu and improving its strengths for design opportunities especially in African or other developing contexts.
MicroRNAs in myeloid malignancies
Authors: Gordon Jane E. A. , Wong Justin J.‐L. , Rasko John E. J.
Published: May 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key to the pathogenesis of human malignancies and increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Haematological malignancies, being the earliest human malignancies linked to aberrant miRNA expression, have consistently underpinned our understanding of the role that miRNAs play in cancer development. Here, we review the expanding roles attributed to miRNAs in the pathogenesis of different types of myeloid malignancies and highlight key findings.
Newcomers' cognitive development of social identification: A cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of self‐anchoring and self‐stereotyping
Authors: van Veelen Ruth , Hansen Nina , Otten Sabine
Published: May 2013

Upon joining a new social category, group members strive to establish and maintain high social identification. Thus far, we know relatively little about the cognitive underpinnings of social identification when developing from a new to a well‐established group member. This research investigates the differential impact of newcomers' self‐stereotyping (i.e., assimilation of the self to group stereotypes) and self‐anchoring (i.e., projection of self‐attributes onto the ingroup) on the development of social identification over time. Across two time points during the academic year, first year psychology students (N = 123) filled in a questionnaire on their perceptions about the self, psychology students, and social identification. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses confirmed our hypotheses that self‐anchoring instigated new group members' social identification, while self‐stereotyping instigated social identification once group membership was more well‐established. This research emphasizes the interactive role of the personal and social self in the development of social identification.
Sedimentology of an ice lobe margin esker with implications for the deglacial dynamics of the Finnish Lake District lobe trunk
Authors: Ahokangas Elina , Mäkinen Joni
Published: May 2013

We provide evidence for the subglacial to ice‐marginal successive deposition of the Lohtaja−Kivijärvi ice lobe margin esker influenced by the changes in the meltwater delivery and proglacial water depth within the Finnish Lake District lobe trunk during the last deglaciation in Finland. The study is mostly based on the sedimentological data from the 100 km long esker chain with 15 logged sites. The long breaks in the lobe margin esker and the re‐emerged deposition along the stable position of the subglacial meltwater route were related to the discontinuities and reappearances of the neighbouring eskers. This considerable variability in the meltwater discharge and debris transport under the described deglacial conditions cannot be explained by markedly decreased meltwater production due to palaeoclimatic factors or lack of debris within the trunk region. The primary control on the changes in meltwater availability and related esker deposition was thus due to the spatial and temporal changes in ice mass properties and shifting of the meltwater flow paths within the trunk. These changes were initiated by the topographically higher and partly supra‐aquatic Suomenselkä watershed area with subsequent deepening of the proglacial water during the deglaciation. The understanding of the long‐lived esker deposition along the former ice‐stream trunk margin adds to the evaluation of palaeoglaciological reconstructions and geomorphologically based spatial models for ice‐stream landscapes.
Cruciferous vegetable consumption and gastric cancer risk: A meta‐analysis of epidemiological studies
Authors: Wu Qi‐Jun , Yang Yang , Wang Jing , Han Li‐Hua , Xiang Yong‐Bing
Published: May 2013

The relationship between consumption of cruciferous vegetables (CV) and risk of gastric cancer has been investigated by many studies, but remains controversial. We carried out a meta‐analysis to summarize available evidence from epidemiological studies on this point. Relevant published reports of CV intake and gastric cancer were identified using MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science databases through to the end of September 2012. We pooled the relative risk from individual studies using a fixed‐ or random‐effects model and carried out heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Sixteen case–control and six prospective studies were included in our analysis. When all studies were pooled, we yielded a significantly inverse association between CV (relative risk = 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.88) intake and gastric cancer risk, with little heterogeneity (Q = 27.27, P = 0.292, I2 = 12.0%). Specific analysis for cabbage intake yielded similar result. When separately analyzed, case–control studies of CV intake yielded significant results and the results of prospective studies showed borderline statistical significance. Moreover, significant results were consistent for high‐quality studies, for North American, European, and Asian studies, for studies on males, and for studies on non‐cardia gastric cancer. Findings from this meta‐analysis provide evidence that high intake of CV was inversely associated with the risk of gastric cancer and non‐cardia gastric cancer in humans. Further studies on other specific CV, food preparation methods, and stratified results by anatomic cancer site and histological type should be extended in the future.
Conditionally replicative adenoviral vectors for imaging the effect of chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Kimura Jun , Ono Hidetaka A. , Kosaka Takashi , Nagashima Yoji , Hirai Shuichi , Ohno Shigeo , Aoki Kazunori , Julia Davydova , Yamamoto Masato , Kunisaki Chikara , Endo Itaru
Published: May 2013

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis after complete macroscopic resection combined with chemotherapy. Even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection is often not possible. Moreover, current imaging techniques cannot reliably distinguish viable cancer cells from scar tissue at the resectional margin. We investigated the use of a conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAd), Ad5/3Cox2CRAd‐ΔE3ADP‐Luc, for imaging the effects of chemotherapy. The CRAd infectivity of pancreatic cancer cells was enhanced by a chimeric Ad5/3 fiber, E1A expression was under the control of the Cox2 promoter, and the luciferase gene was inserted adjacent to the adenovirus death protein (ADP) gene. Subcutaneous xenografts of the pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa‐2 were established in 24 BALB/c nu/nu mice. When xenografts reached a diameter of 4–6 mm (day 1), the mice were injected i.p. with either PBS (group A; n = 12) or 1000 mg/kg gemcitabine (group B; n = 12), weekly. On days 19, 26, 33, and 40, CRAd were injected intratumorally into three mice in groups A and B. Bioluminescence was imaged 72 h after CRAd injection, and gross tumor volumes were measured then tumors were removed for ex vivo histopathology using H&E and Ki‐67 staining. Correlations between gross tumor volume, pathological evaluation of the percentage of viable tumor area, and CRAd bioluminescence were analyzed. Bioluminescence correlated closely with the percentage of viable tumor area (R = 0.96), but not with gross tumor volume (R = 0.31). Therefore, CRAds might be reliable imaging tools for monitoring chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, and could improve our ability to distinguish viable tumor cells from scar tissue.
Parathyroid hormone, vitamin D levels and urine albumin excretion in older persons: the 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Woo , Park Hyunkyoung , Cho Kyung Hwan , Han Kyungdo , Ko Byung‐Joon
Published: May 2013

Objective

Persistent elevation of urinary albumin excretion (UAE), even within normal range, is an independent predictor for cardiovascular disease. Accumulating research suggests that low levels of vitamin D and high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) also increase cardiovascular disease risk. This study is intended to investigate the relationship between PTH, vitamin D levels and UAE.

Methods

We examined 2897 adults aged 50 and above, participating in the second year of the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V‐2). Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed. Elevated UAE was defined as spot urinary albumin creatinine ratio equal or above 10.

Results

The proportion of elevated UAE (21·8%, 23·2%, 23·2%, 31·8%; P for trend = 0·002) rose with increasing quartiles of PTH. The odds ratio for elevated UAE in the highest quartile of PTH was 72% higher than the lowest quartile group. There was no relationship between vitamin D and elevated UAE.

Conclusions

Elevated PTH levels are associated with elevated UAE in Korean adults aged 50 and above. Additional studies are needed to clarify this relationship.
Goitre and urinary iodine excretion survey in schoolchildren of Kashmir Valley
Authors: Masoodi Shariq Rashid , Ali Altaf , Wani Arshad Iqbal , Bashir Mir Iftikhar , Bhat Javaid Ahmad , Mudassar Syed , Zargar Abdul Hamid
Published: May 2013

Background

An extensive survey on schoolchildren in Kashmir Valley in 1995 showed a high prevalence of goitre, making it imperative to have a relook at our iodine status, 15 years postiodization.

Objective

To study the total prevalence of goitre and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in Kashmiri schoolchildren, 15 years postiodization.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey, covering 9576 schoolchildren, aged 5–15 years (5988 in 6–12 year age group) was conducted. Goitres were graded as per WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD. UIE was measured by the arsenic acid reduction in ceric ions method and was estimated in 208 subsampled children. Results were compared with that of 1995 survey.

Results

The overall prevalence of goitre in the present study was 3·8% (95% CI: 3·4–4·2) and 3·7% (95% CI: 3·2–4·2) in those aged 6–12 years. No significant difference in prevalence of goitre was observed between boys and girls overall (3·6% vs 4·1%. P > 0·2), nor in the 6–12 year age group (3·3% vs 4·0%, P > 0·1). There was a significant trend of increasing prevalence of goitre with age (P < 0·005). UIE ranged from 12 to 397 μg/g.creatinine (median, 104); 11% subjects had UIE of <50 μg/g.creatinine. Overall, prevalence of goitre was significantly lower (3·8% vs 45·2%, P < 0·001), and mean UIE was significantly higher (123·6 ± 5·3 vs 49·60 ± 3·55 μg/g.creatinine, P < 0·001), compared to that in the 1995 survey.

Conclusion

The marked improvement in overall iodine nutrition in Kashmir Valley‐ one and a half decades after implementation of salt iodization should encourage healthcare providers to make tangible efforts for implementation of iodization programmes in areas with iodine deficiency.
Multimodality evoked potentials for discrimination of atopic myelitis and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kanamori Yuji , Isobe Noriko , Yonekawa Tomomi , Matsushita Takuya , Shigeto Hiroshi , Kawamura Nobutoshi , Yamasaki Ryo , Murai Hiroyuki , Tobimatsu Shozo , Kira Jun‐ichi
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To clarify the differences in multimodality evoked potential findings between patients with atopic myelitis (AM) and those with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 70 consecutive AM patients and 93 MS patients was carried out. All patients were negative for serum anti‐aquaporin‐4 antibody. Visual‐ (VEP), somatosensory‐ (SEP) and motor‐evoked potentials (MEP) recorded at first examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings from the first examination were compared between AM and MS patients.

Results

Compared with MS patients, AM patients showed male preponderance, lower the Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and less frequent spinal cord MRI lesions. Visual impairment and muscle weakness were also less severe in AM patients. Frequencies of abnormal VEP and prolonged central conduction time on lower limb MEP were significantly lower in AM patients than in MS patients (AM vs MS: 9.5% vs 55.6%, and 28.2% vs 54.4%, respectively), whereas frequencies of peripheral nerve involvement in upper and lower limb MEP and upper limb SEP were significantly higher in AM than in MS patients (AM vs MS: 12.8% vs 2.9%, 17.9% vs 2.9% and 33.3% vs 4.4%, respectively). When patients whose EP were examined within 5 years of disease onset were compared, lower frequencies of abnormal VEP and higher peripheral nerve involvement detected by MEP and SEP were observed in AM patients.

Conclusions

AM patients have distinct physiological features compared with MS patients, even at the first examination of evoked potentials, which might suggest distinct immunological mechanisms between the two conditions. Multimodality evoked potentials might contribute to the early discrimination of these two disorders.
Relation between Occupancy and Abundance for a Territorial Species, the California Spotted Owl
Authors: TEMPEL DOUGLAS J. , GUTIéRREZ R. J.
Published: May 2013

Land and resource managers often use detection–nondetection surveys to monitor the populations of species that may be affected by factors such as habitat alteration, climate change, and biological invasions. Relative to mark‐recapture studies, using detection–nondetection surveys is more cost‐effective, and recent advances in statistical analyses allow the incorporation of detection probability, covariates, and multiple seasons. We examined the efficacy of using detection–nondetection data (relative to mark‐recapture data) for monitoring population trends of a territorial species, the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis). We estimated and compared the finite annual rates of population change (λt) and the resulting realized population change (Δt) from both occupancy and mark‐recapture data collected over 18 years (1993–2010). We used multiseason, robust‐design occupancy models to estimate that territory occupancy declined during our study (Δt = 0.702, 95% CI 0.552–0.852) due to increasing territory extinction rates ( = 0.019 [SE 0.012]; = 0.134 [SE 0.043]) and decreasing colonization rates ( = 0.323 [SE 0.124]; = 0.242 [SE 0.058]). We used Pradel's temporal‐symmetry model for mark‐recapture data to estimate that the population trajectory closely matched the trends in territory occupancy (Δt = 0.725, 95% CI 0.445–1.004). Individual survival was constant during our study ( = 0.816 [SE 0.020]; = 0.815 [SE 0.019]), whereas recruitment declined slightly ( = 0.195 [SE 0.032]; = 0.160 [SE 0.023]). Thus, we concluded that detection–nondetection data can provide reliable inferences on population trends, especially when funds preclude more intensive mark‐recapture studies.

Relación entre Ocupación y Abundancia en una Especie Territorial, el Búho Moteado de California
Microsaccade and drift dynamics reflect mental fatigue
Authors: Di Stasi Leandro L. , McCamy Michael B. , Catena Andrés , Macknik Stephen L. , Cañas José J. , Martinez‐Conde Susana
Published: May 2013

Our eyes are always in motion. Even during periods of relative fixation we produce so‐called ‘fixational eye movements’, which include microsaccades, drift and tremor. Mental fatigue can modulate saccade dynamics, but its effects on microsaccades and drift are unknown. Here we asked human subjects to perform a prolonged and demanding visual search task (a simplified air traffic control task), with two difficulty levels, under both free‐viewing and fixation conditions. Saccadic and microsaccadic velocity decreased with time‐on‐task whereas drift velocity increased, suggesting that ocular instability increases with mental fatigue. Task difficulty did not influence eye movements despite affecting reaction times, performance errors and subjective complexity ratings. We propose that variations in eye movement dynamics with time‐on‐task are consistent with the activation of the brain's sleep centers in correlation with mental fatigue. Covariation of saccadic and microsaccadic parameters moreover supports the hypothesis of a common generator for microsaccades and saccades. We conclude that changes in fixational and saccadic dynamics can indicate mental fatigue due to time‐on‐task, irrespective of task complexity. These findings suggest that fixational eye movement dynamics have the potential to signal the nervous system's activation state.
Ecological effects of environmental change
Authors: Luque Gloria M. , Hochberg Michael E. , Holyoak Marcel , Hossaert Martine , Gaill Françoise , Courchamp Franck
Published: May 2013

This Special Issue of Ecology Letters presents contributions from an international meeting organised by Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Ecology Letters on the broad theme of ecological effects of global environmental change. The objectives of these articles are to synthesise, hypothesise and illustrate the ecological effects of environmental change drivers and their interactions, including habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, invasive species and climate change. A range of disciplines is represented, including stoichiometry, cell biology, genetics, evolution and biodiversity conservation. The authors emphasise the need to account for several key ecological factors and different spatial and temporal scales in global change research. They also stress the importance of ecosystem complexity through approaches such as functional group and network analyses, and of mechanisms and predictive models with respect to environmental responses to global change across an ecological continuum: population, communities and ecosystems. Lastly, these articles provide important insights and recommendations for environmental conservation and management, as well as highlighting future research priorities.
Predicting community and ecosystem outcomes of mycorrhizal responses to global change
Authors: Johnson Nancy C. , Angelard Caroline , Sanders Ian R. , Kiers E. Toby
Published: May 2013

Mycorrhizal symbioses link the biosphere with the lithosphere by mediating nutrient cycles and energy flow though terrestrial ecosystems. A more mechanistic understanding of these plant–fungal associations may help ameliorate anthropogenic changes to C and N cycles and biotic communities. We explore three interacting principles: (1) optimal allocation, (2) biotic context and (3) fungal adaptability that may help predict mycorrhizal responses to carbon dioxide enrichment, nitrogen eutrophication, invasive species and land‐use changes. Plant–microbial feedbacks and thresholds are discussed in light of these principles with the goal of generating testable hypotheses. Ideas to develop large‐scale collaborative research efforts are presented. It is our hope that mycorrhizal symbioses can be effectively integrated into global change models and eventually their ecology will be understood well enough so that they can be managed to help offset some of the detrimental effects of anthropogenic environmental change.
A road map for integrating eco‐evolutionary processes into biodiversity models
Authors: Thuiller Wilfried , Münkemüller Tamara , Lavergne Sébastien , Mouillot David , Mouquet Nicolas , Schiffers Katja , Gravel Dominique
Published: May 2013

The demand for projections of the future distribution of biodiversity has triggered an upsurge in modelling at the crossroads between ecology and evolution. Despite the enthusiasm around these so‐called biodiversity models, most approaches are still criticised for not integrating key processes known to shape species ranges and community structure. Developing an integrative modelling framework for biodiversity distribution promises to improve the reliability of predictions and to give a better understanding of the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of species and communities under changing environments. In this article, we briefly review some eco‐evolutionary processes and interplays among them, which are essential to provide reliable projections of species distributions and community structure. We identify gaps in theory, quantitative knowledge and data availability hampering the development of an integrated modelling framework. We argue that model development relying on a strong theoretical foundation is essential to inspire new models, manage complexity and maintain tractability. We support our argument with an example of a novel integrated model for species distribution modelling, derived from metapopulation theory, which accounts for abiotic constraints, dispersal, biotic interactions and evolution under changing environmental conditions. We hope such a perspective will motivate exciting and novel research, and challenge others to improve on our proposed approach.
Scale‐dependent effect sizes of ecological drivers on biodiversity: why standardised sampling is not enough
Authors: Chase Jonathan M. , Knight Tiffany M.
Published: May 2013

There is little consensus about how natural (e.g. productivity, disturbance) and anthropogenic (e.g. invasive species, habitat destruction) ecological drivers influence biodiversity. Here, we show that when sampling is standardised by area (species density) or individuals (rarefied species richness), the measured effect sizes depend critically on the spatial grain and extent of sampling, as well as the size of the species pool. This compromises comparisons of effects sizes within studies using standard statistics, as well as among studies using meta‐analysis. To derive an unambiguous effect size, we advocate that comparisons need to be made on a scale‐independent metric, such as Hurlbert's Probability of Interspecific Encounter. Analyses of this metric can be used to disentangle the relative influence of changes in the absolute and relative abundances of individuals, as well as their intraspecific aggregations, in driving differences in biodiversity among communities. This and related approaches are necessary to achieve generality in understanding how biodiversity responds to ecological drivers and will necessitate a change in the way many ecologists collect and analyse their data.
An Exploration of the Research/Teaching Trade‐off in the Perception of Business Students
Authors: Giangreco Antonio , Goethals Frank , Maes Johan
Published: May 2013

Most business education institutions (BEIs) try to hire good researchers for teaching. However, it is controversial to say that excellent researchers are always excellent instructors. This paper explores the students’ perception of the teaching delivered by both researchers and non‐researchers. Our data suggests that the pure possession of a PhD is negatively related to measured aspects of students’ satisfaction with classes. However, the instructor's publication record is positively related to most – but not all – aspects. Having more teaching experience, another element that is typically considered in an instructor's job interview, is not positively related to the students’ satisfaction, but rather it is the specific teaching experience in that specific BEI that counts. Moreover, smaller group sizes, a key element in a BEI's cost structure, are appreciated by students. Finally, compulsory and optional classes are perceived to be equally useful, although the latter seem to overall better satisfy and entertain students.
A new method for modelling the support effect under rotating bending fatigue: application to Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy, with and without shot peening
Authors: Olmi G. , Freddi A.
Published: May 2013

The subject of this paper is to investigate the capability of the relative stress gradient to properly represent the beneficial effect of residual stress states on the fatigue life of Ti‐6Al‐4V specimens, with notches of different severity. The research was developed considering notched and un‐notched specimens with different geometries and different shot‐peening treatments. The results were determined by running fatigue experimentation under rotating bending and by developing a novel predictive model based on the relationship between the local fatigue limit and a generalized form of the relative stress gradient, accounting for the peening‐induced residual stresses. The proposed tool for fatigue limit estimation was completed by a stochastic analysis, which considered the variability of the involved parameters, in particular the residual stress entity. This made it possible to finally determine the component failure probability in a general, efficient and accurate way.
Behavioral and neurochemical changes in the zebrafish leopard strain
Authors: Maximino C. , Puty B. , Matos Oliveira K. R. , Herculano A. M.
Published: May 2013

The zebrafish leopard phenotype (leo) displays abnormal pigmentation and shows increased anxiety‐like behavior. The neurochemical changes associated with this anxious phenotype are not known. Here, we demonstrate that leo show increased anxiety‐like behavior in the light/dark box and in the novel tank test. This anxious phenotype is rescued by acute treatment with a dose of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, that is inactive in wild‐type animals. Moreover, leo show decreased tissue levels of serotonin, increased serotonin turnover and slightly increased monoamine oxidase activity. These results suggest that the anxious phenotype observed in leo zebrafish is caused by a decrease in serotonin uptake. This work could open an important avenue in defining the neurochemical underpinning of natural variation in anxiety disorders.
Knowledge, Innovation, and Regional Performance: Toward Smart Innovation Policies
Authors: Capello Roberta
Published: May 2013

If the need to develop a knowledge economy at the regional level is increasingly evident to policy makers in Europe, the right set of policies to accomplish such an aim has not yet been devised, and is an important policy debate also at the European Community level. This special issue is a step forward in this direction. The design and implementation of regional innovation policies should take the specificities of each regional mode of innovation into account, and these peculiarities can be highlighted only through sound scientific conceptual and empirical analyses in which the regional dimension is carefully taken into consideration and the spatial effects of policy tools like R&D investments and innovation incentives clearly assessed in terms of their impact on regional growth in different regional contexts. It is in this spirit that this special issue has been conceived.
R&D, Socio‐Economic Conditions, and Regional Innovation in the U.S
Authors: Crescenzi Riccardo , Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés
Published: May 2013

This paper looks at the genesis of innovation in the U.S. from a territorial perspective. The analysis aims to disentangle the impact of local research and development (R&D) expenditure from other contextual conditions supportive of the process of innovation. Particular emphasis is devoted to the role of socio‐economic factors and systems of innovation (“social filter” conditions) and to their impact on the returns of R&D expenditure in different territorial contexts. The empirical analysis is based on a regional knowledge production function approach, leading to an empirical model estimated by means of panel data analysis for the period between 1994 and 2007 at the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis‐Economic Area level. The results unveil the complexity of the territorial dynamics of innovation of the U.S. Local R&D investments are important predictors for regional innovative performance and their impact is highly localised. However, social filter conditions are fundamental for the productivity of innovation efforts.
Regional Innovation Patterns and the EU Regional Policy Reform: Toward Smart Innovation Policies
Authors: Camagni Roberto , Capello Roberta
Published: May 2013

The present debate on regional policy design to fit the Europe 2020 Agenda calls for additional reflections on the way sectoral policies, like innovation policies, can be translated appropriately into a regional setting. The paper enters the debate on smart specialization strategies by stressing the need to overcome the simplistic dichotomy between core and periphery in the Union and between an advanced “research area” (the core) and a “co‐application area” of general purpose technologies to local technological specificities (the periphery). The geography of innovation is much more complex than a simple core‐periphery model, and the logical pathway toward innovation is much more complex than the linear model of research and development‐invention‐innovation direct link: the innovation patterns are differentiated among regions according to their regional context conditions. The identification of specific “innovation patterns” is necessary to design “smart innovation” policies. The paper presents a critique to the smart specialization debate, suggests a new taxonomy of European innovative regions based on their innovation patterns, and proposes innovation policies for each regional mode of innovation.
Living related liver transplantation in an adult patient with hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma 13 years after bone marrow transplantation for Fanconi anemia: A case report
Authors: Colle Isabelle , Laureys Geneviève , Raevens Sarah , Libbrecht Louis , Leroy Juliaan G , Reyntjens Koen , Geerts Anja , Rogiers Xavier , Troisi Roberto I , Hoehn Holger , Schindler Detlev , Hanenberg Helmut , De Wilde Vincent , Van Vlierberghe Hans
Published: May 2013

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome due to defective DNA inter‐strand cross‐link repair. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative for pancytopenia, but may not prevent the development of non‐hematological malignancies. We describe a 26‐year‐old male patient with FA and Marfan syndrome who in 1994 underwent successful HSCT with bone marrow stem cells from his human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical sister. In 2006, three lesions in the liver were detected and resected. The three lesions all showed activation of the β‐catenin pathway and were histologically characterized by a highly differentiated steatotic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with remnants of the underlying adenoma from which it arose, a hepatocellular adenoma with foci of well‐differentiated HCC, and a cholestatic adenoma. Risk factors for the emergence of HCC included FA itself, the use of androgens for a period of 3 years preceding HSCT and toxicity of the conditioning regimen. Because of the danger of developing additional HCC, liver transplantation was proposed, taking into consideration that immunosuppression would increase the risk of other malignancies. By using part of the liver of the sister, who already acted as bone marrow donor 13 years earlier, immunosuppression could be avoided. Liver transplantation was performed in 2007 without complication. Five years after liver transplantation the patient is doing well. This case is twofold special being the first case reporting FA co‐occurring with Marfan syndrome and being the first reported case of FA treated for HCC by liver transplantation from a HLA‐identical sibling donor without the use of immunosuppression.
Outsourcing child care, home cleaning and meal preparation
Authors: Cornelisse‐Vermaat Judith R. , van Ophem Johan A.C. , Antonides Gerrit , Maassen van den Brink Henriëtte
Published: May 2013

In this paper, the outsourcing of child care, home cleaning and meal preparation is analysed by means of a socio‐economic model that incorporates household‐economic, life cycle, lifestyle and health variables. The data (n = 700) were collected during a telephone survey in the Netherlands. About 10% of the households did not use any of the three outsourcing types. About 70 to 90% of households outsourced meal preparation at least once per month. In each household life cycle stage, the average monthly expenditures on outsourcing meal preparation were the highest of the three outsourcing categories. Factors affecting expenditures were generally the same for each type of outsourcing studied. In general, household economic variables including wage and working hours were unimportant in explaining the incidence and expenditures of outsourcing. The same holds for self‐reported health. All expenditure types were affected by life cycle variables. There was an indication that a traditional lifestyle and traditional family type affected outsourcing expenditures negatively. Education appeared as an important factor: regardless of gender, both medium‐ and higher‐educated people were more inclined to spend money on outsourcing than the lower educated. Especially, people younger than 44 years outsourced meal preparation. Outsourcing was neither restricted to nor especially practised by couples.
Scaling mental imagery: an application to commercial web sites
Authors: Frikha Azza , Khrouf Lilia
Published: May 2013

This study develops a comprehensive scale for measuring customers' mental imagery for commercial web sites. Following Churchill's framework, a number of methodological instruments including two focus groups (the first with 4 experts and the second with 9 PhD students) and three surveys (151 students for the first survey, 205 and 200 web surfers, respectively, for the second and the third surveys) are used. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) resulted in a multiple‐item (13 items) scale with four dimensions; quantity/ease, links, vividness/clarity and valence, which seems to exhibit evidence of reliability and validity.
Public face and private thrift in Chinese consumer behaviour
Authors: Lin Li , Xi Dong , Lueptow Richard M.
Published: May 2013

The concept of face, or mianzi, is quite important in Chinese culture. We examine how public face and private thrift together affect Chinese consumer shopping behaviour based on the results of a survey of nearly 400 Chinese consumers under the age of 40. When a product is used in public or the behaviour occurs in a public place, Chinese consumers are typically willing to spend more money than if a product or service is used in a private place or at home. In addition, non‐Chinese or Western brands do not mean more ‘face’ to Chinese consumers. Instead, it is the expense of the item that matters most with the ultimate goal of being praised by others.
Overview of skin diseases linked to connexin gene mutations
Authors: Avshalumova Lyubov , Fabrikant Jordan , Koriakos Angie
Published: May 2013

Mutations in skin‐expressed connexin genes, such as connexins 26, 30, 30.3, 31, and 43, have been linked to several human hereditary diseases with multiple organ involvement. Mutations in connexin 26 are linked to diseases includingVohwinkel syndrome, keratitis‐ichthyosis deafness, and hystrix‐like ichthyosis deafness syndromes, palmoplantar keratoderma with deafness, deafness withClouston‐like phenotype, andBart–Pumphrey syndrome. Mutations in connexin 30 are correlated withClouston syndrome. Connexin 30.3 and 31 mutations lead to erythrokeratoderma variabilis, and mutations in connexin 43 are correlated with oculodentodigital dysplasia. Provided is a review of these mutations and related skin disorders.
Amaranth flour, cassava starch and cassava bagasse in the production of gluten‐free pasta: technological and sensory aspects
Authors: Fiorda Fernanda Assumpção , Soares Júnior Manoel Soares , da Silva Flávio Alves , Souto Luciana Reis Fontinelle , Grosmann Maria Victória Eiras
Published: May 2013

The objective of the present research was to analyse the combined effect of pregelatinised cassava starch and bagasse (70:30) flour, cassava starch and amaranth flour on the cooking properties of pasta, verify the acceptance and buying intention of the product with the best technological characteristics, and finally compare them with commercial products made with regular and whole wheat flour. The vermicelli‐type pasta obtained in this study in the proportion of 10:60:30 (pre‐gelatinised flour:cassava starch:amaranth flour) showed the best results in the quality tests, with a cooking time of 3 min, mass increase of 101.5% and 0.6% solids loss to the cooking water, superior to the commercial pasta. Acceptance testing showed that this was a very good pasta (score of 7.2 on a 9‐point scale) and obtained 42% buying intention amongst the consumers. The elaboration of pasta containing pregelatinised cassava starch and bagasse (70:30) flour, cassava starch and amaranth flour was shown to be a feasible alternative with respect to the technological and sensory aspects, and could be consumed by those suffering from gluten intolerance.
Diosgenin quantification, characterisation and chemical composition in a tuber collection of Dioscorea spp. in the state of Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: de Lourdes Contreras‐Pacheco María , Santacruz‐Ruvalcaba Fernando , García‐Fajardo Jorge A. , de Jesús Sánchez G. José , Ruíz L. Mario A. , Estarrón‐Espinosa Mirna , Castro‐Castro Arturo
Published: May 2013

Dioscorea spp. tubers are known commonly as camote de cerro to the state of Jalisco, México. Besides its use as food, it contains diosgenin, a raw material used widely for synthesising steroid hormones. The purpose of the present research was to determine diosgenin contents by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), as well as physical and chemical characteristics of sixty Dioscorea spp. accessions cultivated in mesh shade coming from eleven localities in the state of Jalisco. Extraction protocol for diosgenin was maceration combined with ethanol 80%. Significant statistical differences for diosgenin content were found between accessions, finding levels between 0.02 and 0.16 mg kg−1 in dry basis. Length, weight tuber, proportion pulp/skin, percentage of pulp and percentage of skin showed significant differences. Chemical composition based in fresh weight presented in moisture percentage a range of 71.93–83.26%, crude protein 1.42–1.74%, ashes 0.80–1.16%, lipid 0.13–0.17%, crude fibre 3.80–4.02% and total carbohydrates 13.97–25.44%. Results show that tubers from Jalisco can be an important source of nutrients for consumers.
Measuring Cultural Intelligence in the Turkish Context
Authors: Şahin Faruk , Gürbüz Sait , Köksal Onur , Ercan Ümit
Published: May 2013

The present article reports the results of two studies designed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the cultural intelligence (CI) scale in the Turkish context. The proposed four‐factor (cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and behavioral) structure of CI was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The results supported the discriminant validity of the four‐factor model of the CI scale in relation to the Big Five personality factors and the emotional intelligence factors. Furthermore, CI explained additional variance in intercultural task performance over and above that explained by demographic characteristics and emotional intelligence. With regard to internal consistency and test–retest reliability, the CI scale showed acceptable results and was in concordance with the prior studies. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Turkish version of CI scale is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to measure individual's intercultural capabilities.
Measurement and Application of Egoistic and Moralistic Self‐enhancement
Authors: Vecchione Michele , Alessandri Guido , Barbaranelli Claudio
Published: May 2013

Five studies were conducted to develop and validate the Egoistic and Moralistic Self‐enhancement (EMS) scale, a new self‐report measure of egoistic and moralistic self‐enhancement. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for a two‐factor structure comprising the tendencies to promote agentic (egoistic) and communal (moralistic) qualities (Study 1). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with established measures of socially desirable responding, such as the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (Study 2) and the Impression Management scale of the 16 Personality Factors (Study 3). When the EMS scale has been applied in organizational settings, we found that job applicants were more inclined than nonapplicants to promote their own agentic and communal qualities, although differences were more pronounced for egoistic self‐enhancement (Study 4). Findings also suggested that exaggeration of agentic qualities decrease the criterion‐related validity of conscientiousness in predicting job performance (Study 5). Taken together, findings suggest that the EMS scale provides a valid and reliable measure that can be fruitfully used for both theoretical and applied research.
Giving from the Heart or from the Ego? Motives behind Remittances of the Second Generation in Europe
Authors: Fokkema Tineke , Cela Eralba , Ambrosetti Elena
Published: May 2013

The aim of this article is to investigate the remittance behavior of host country-born children of migrants – the second generation – in various European cities. We address the following question: Are second-generation remitters driven more by altruism or by self-interest? Data from “The Integration of the European Second Generation” (TIES) survey are utilized and encompass individuals with at least one migrant parent from Morocco, Turkey, or former Yugoslavia. Using logistic models, we test different classical theories on microeconomic determinants of remittances and add some additional expectations for the second generation. The results show that those second-generation Moroccans, Turks, and former Yugoslavs who send money are motivated by two main reasons: Emotional attachment to their parents’ home country (altruism motive) or to pay people who look after their investments or other material assets that are likely to be part of their preparation for “returning” (self-interest – exchange motive). These two motives are not necessarily exclusive: As part of a well-prepared return, to integrate easily once back “home,” it is not only relevant to ensure that people take care of one's investments and other material assets, but also to strengthen social ties and be well informed about the situation in the country of origin. This interpretation fits closely with the return model, which deserves more attention in the theoretical literature on remittances.