bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sourcing portfolio analysis and power positioning: towards a “paradigm shift” in category management and strategic sourcing
Authors: Cox Andrew
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The paper aims to present the case for a “paradigm shift” in current thinking about how to undertake category management and develop sourcing strategies using power positioning techniques. The case is made based on the growing evidence of a mismatch between currently dominant academic and consulting methodologies and the reality of professional managerial practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides a critique of the currently dominant thinking about how to conduct category management and strategic sourcing using the Kraljic Purchasing Portfolio Analysis methodology and the more recent Purchasing Chessboard approach. The critique focuses on their lack of analytical rigour when segmenting categories of supply, and their lack of robustness when making practical recommendations for managers when developing sourcing strategies.

Findings

– The paper demonstrates how (building on the initial power positioning approach outlined, but not fully developed, by Kraljic) a new approach to portfolio analysis can be developed. Sourcing Portfolio Analysis identifies over 30 strategic sourcing strategies for managers to utilise. Using a simple case study, the power of this new methodology to provide managers with more comprehensive and effective sourcing strategies is demonstrated.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the power of this new approach, and the need to challenge existing methodologies, researchers are encouraged to utilise it and try help to generate a “paradigm shift” in current thinking within the profession.

Practical implications

– The paper provides the basis for a future more strategic supply management, rather than the currently tactical spend management, approach to sourcing.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a new approach to portfolio analysis.
Complementary theories to supply chain management revisited – from borrowing theories to theorizing
Authors: Halldórsson Árni , Hsuan Juliana , Kotzab Herbert
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to identify ways by which the theorizing of supply chain management (SCM) takes place, with particular attention to complementary theories. SCM suffers as well as benefits from a “conceptual slack”.

Design/methodology/approach

– The nature of SCM is discussed, and the role and relevance of theorizing is addressed by using key characteristics of “academic scholarship” based on a literature review of SCM and evaluation of application of theory and theory development.

Findings

– The integrative and multi-layered nature of SCM sets the conditions for “theorizing SCM” that can take place through various forms: theory application, new theoretical combinations and sensitivity to managerial practice. It is pivotal that future research explore further the performative potential of SCM.

Research limitations/implications

– Research with focus on theory development or using complementary theories to advancing understanding of SCM can benefit from the five building blocks of theorizing SCM proposed in the paper.

Practical implications

– Theoretical principles in SCM are not only used to describe practical problems but also to “produce the world”; supply chains can be seen as organizational units that act or consummate an action that delivers a particular performance.

Originality/value

– This paper portrays SCM sensitivity to managerial challenges by moving from borrowing to a more bilateral view on theorizing of SCM, reflecting the nature of SCM.
Evolution of the migratory supply chain model
Authors: Potter Andrew , Towill Denis R , Christopher Martin
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the impact of the original work and provide an updated model to reflect the changing environment for supply chains. In 2000, a migratory model for supply chain evolution was proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors start by analysing the content of the papers that have cited the original Christopher and Towill (2000) paper. The development of an updated migratory model is informed by the findings from this, and then demonstrated through a case study of the book supply chain.

Findings

– Despite being the major contribution, the majority of citing papers actually use other parts of the original work, and some potential reasons for this are proposed. An extra stage is added to the migratory model, reflecting a customer centric strategy.

Research limitations/implications

– Given that the migratory model appears under-researched, the authors identify this as an opportunity for future research and suggest that methods less common in supply chain management are used.

Practical implications

– The updated migratory model can be used by supply chain managers to develop appropriate supply chain strategies for their organisations, while emphasising that many of the underlying tools to enable this reflect traditional industrial engineering approaches.

Originality/value

– The updated migratory model represents a new contribution to understanding the evolution of supply chains.
Why supply chain collaboration fails: the socio-structural view of resistance to relational strategies
Authors: Fawcett Stanley E. , McCarter Matthew W. , Fawcett Amydee M , Webb G Scott , Magnan Gregory M
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to elaborate theory regarding the reasons why collaboration strategies fail. The relational view posits that supply chain integration can be a source of competitive advantage. Few firms, however, successfully co-create value to attain supernormal relational rents.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a quasi-longitudinal, multi-case interview methodology to explore the reasons why collaboration strategies fail to deliver intended results. The authors interviewed managers at 49 companies in Period 1 and managers at 57 companies in Period 2. In all, 15 companies participated in both rounds of interviews.

Findings

– This study builds and describes a taxonomy of relational resistors. The authors then explore how sociological and structural resistors reinforce each other to undermine collaborative behavior. Specifically, the interplay among resistors: obscures the true sources of resistance; exacerbates a sense of vulnerability to non-collaborative behavior that reduces the willingness to invest in relational architecture; and inhibits the development of essential relational skills and organizational routines.

Originality/value

– This research identifies and describes the behaviors and processes that impede successful supply chain alliances. By delving into the interplay among relational resistors, the research explains the detail and nuance of inter-firm rivalry and supply chain complexity. Ultimately, it is the re-enforcing nature of various resistors that make it so difficult for firms to realize relational rents.
Variation and macroevolution in leaf functional traits in the Hawaiian silversword alliance (Asteraceae)
Authors: Blonder Benjamin , Baldwin Bruce G. , Enquist Brian J. , Robichaux Robert H.
Published: October 2015

The Hawaiian silversword alliance is a spectacular example of plant adaptive radiation. The lineage includes 33 species in three endemic genera (Argyroxiphium, Dubautia and Wilkesia) that occupy almost all major habitats of the Hawaiian archipelago.

Here, we quantitatively explore functional diversification in the lineage by linking measurements of multiple leaf functional traits with climate niche and phylogenetic data.

We show that leaf functional trait variation (i) spans much of the global angiosperm range, (ii) is best explained by a white‐noise evolutionary model and (iii) is integrated in ways consistent with both the global leaf economics spectrum and the predictions of leaf venation network theory.

Our results highlight the importance of functional diversification and integration in rapidly evolving plant lineages. They also provide compelling additional support for the view that the Hawaiian silversword alliance is one of the world's premier examples of adaptive radiation in plants.
Industrial Agglomeration and Environmental Degradation: Empirical Evidence in Chinese Cities
Authors: Sun Puyang , Yuan Yan
Published: October 2015

An array of cross‐country studies have investigated both theoretically and empirically the relationship between industrial agglomeration and environmental quality. However, the literature lacks evidence from within one particular country. This paper examines the impacts of industrial agglomeration on the shape of the standard environmental Kuznets curve using 287 prefecture‐level cities in China over the period 2003–2008. Our results confirm its significant impacts on both the slope and the height of the environmental Kuznets curve. Furthermore, we find that cities with higher levels of manufacturing agglomeration are associated with more serious environmental degradation while cities with higher levels of service agglomeration show a tendency of higher environmental quality.
Monitoring to Learn, Learning to Monitor: A Critical Analysis of Opportunities for Indigenous Community‐Based Monitoring of Environmental Change in Australian Rangelands
Authors: Wiseman Nathanael D. , Bardsley Douglas K.
Published: October 2015

Indigenous community‐based monitoring has been a central feature in many international attempts to improve monitoring of and local adaptation to environmental change. Despite offering much promise, Indigenous community‐based monitoring has been underutilised in natural resource management in Australia, particularly within the remote, semi‐arid rangelands. This paper discusses contextual social and environmental factors that may help to explain this apparent deficiency, before critically analysing key stakeholder perceptions of the roles for, and challenges of monitoring in the Alinytjara Wilurara Natural Resources Management region in the north‐west of South Australia. The analysis guides a discussion of responses to better integrate monitoring in general, and Indigenous community‐based monitoring in particular, into regional environmental management approaches. We argue that community‐based monitoring offers a range of benefits, including: better coordination between stakeholders; a heightened ability to detect and respond to climatic trends and impacts; the effective utilisation of Indigenous knowledge; employment opportunities for managing and monitoring natural resources; and improved learning and understanding of rangeland socio‐ecological systems. Identified opportunities for spatial and temporal community monitoring designed for the Alinytjara Wilurara region could be of value to other remote rangeland and Indigenous institutions charged with the difficult task of monitoring, learning from, and responding to environmental change.
Research With Considerations of Use
Authors: Huff C. Ronald
Published: October 2015

The August Vollmer Award Address is intended to focus on contributions to justice and the recipient's research and policy experiences. This is a story of one person's career focusing mainly on research with “considerations of use.” After receiving a formal education in psychology, social work, and sociology, as well as experience as a practitioner, the author's academic career has primarily focused on the link between research and criminal justice policy and practice. This is the story of that journey and how it was aided by events that could not have been foreseen.
A zooarchaeological approach to understanding desert kites
Authors: Chahoud Jwana , Vila Emmanuelle , Crassard Rémy
Published: October 2015

Kites have often been interpreted as traps built for hunting purposes. This is based on ethnographic parallels, and recurrent references of the habitat range of animals and possible migration routes. Faunal remains from limited zones and from a selection of sites around kites were studied, particularly from northern Syria and eastern Jordan. When considering the wide distribution of kites in the Middle East and Central Asia, some patterns of animal exploitation and hunting strategies are explored in testing the hypothesis of a cynegetic function of the kites across these regions. As a component of the Globalkites project, the zooarchaeological analyses are used to investigate data regarding the function of kites by reconsidering faunal assemblages recorded around their distribution area, as well as by mapping the historical animal distribution in the Near East and Caucasus. The function of kites is discussed on a large scale, through intensive analyses of the subsistence economy, animal habitat and hunting activities carried out by regional human communities. Cross‐referencing these variables with the surrounding environment, settlement patterns and animal ethology and their role in ancient societies, leads to an assessment of the current hypothesis on the function of kites.
Out of the harra: desert kites in south‐eastern Jordan. New results from the South Eastern Badia Archaeological Project
Authors: Abu‐Azizeh Wael , Tarawneh Mohammad Barakat
Published: October 2015

Although kite structures are known from several areas of the southern Levant and the Near East (e.g. Sinai, Negev, Syria, Saudi Arabia), their distribution in Jordan was thought to be restricted to the north‐eastern basalt harra landscape. From the point of view of arid peripheries settlement dynamics, the gap left in southern and south‐eastern Jordan was puzzling in view of the clear continuity in human occupation evidenced by recently intensifying research in this region. This paper presents the first occurrences of kites identified in this hamada landscape in the framework of the joint French‐Jordanian South Eastern Badia Archaeological Project (SEBAP). Despite obvious similarities with the examples known from the harra, the two distinct sets of kites uncovered show clear local specificities in their layout and use of topography, which will be emphasised through the description of survey and excavation results. The evidence clearly supports a function of hunting structures and some clues regarding dating, although still preliminary, are expressed as well. Some lines of investigation to grasp the diversity and regionalism of the kite phenomenon are also explored, as different kite‐building traditions seem to emerge from the growing body of evidence available.
Accuracy of genomic selection for age at puberty in a multi‐breed population of tropically adapted beef cattle
Authors: Farah M. M. , Swan A. A. , Fortes M. R. S. , Fonseca R. , Moore S. S. , Kelly M. J.
Published: October 2015

Genomic selection is becoming a standard tool in livestock breeding programs, particularly for traits that are hard to measure. Accuracy of genomic selection can be improved by increasing the quantity and quality of data and potentially by improving analytical methods. Adding genotypes and phenotypes from additional breeds or crosses often improves the accuracy of genomic predictions but requires specific methodology. A model was developed to incorporate breed composition estimated from genotypes into genomic selection models. This method was applied to age at puberty data in female beef cattle (as estimated from age at first observation of a corpus luteum) from a mix of Brahman and Tropical Composite beef cattle. In this dataset, the new model incorporating breed composition did not increase the accuracy of genomic selection. However, the breeding values exhibited slightly less bias (as assessed by deviation of regression of phenotype on genomic breeding values from the expected value of 1). Adding additional Brahman animals to the Tropical Composite analysis increased the accuracy of genomic predictions and did not affect the accuracy of the Brahman predictions.
A population database study of outcomes associated with vitamin K antagonists in atrial fibrillation before DOAC
Authors: Blin Patrick , Dureau‐Pournin Caroline , Lassalle Regis , Abouelfath Abdelilah , Droz‐Perroteau Cécile , Moore Nicholas
Published: October 2015

Aims

This study aimed to describe the real‐life incidence of bleeding, arterial thrombotic events and death during vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

This was a cohort study in Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires, the 1/97 sample of the French national healthcare claims and hospitalization database, of new VKA users with definite or probable AF and no other indication, and of patients without AF, from 2007 to 2011. Prespecified outcomes were all‐cause death, hospitalization for bleeding, arterial thrombotic event (ATE), or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or any of the above (composite outcome).

Results

Of 8894 new VKA users, 3345 had probable or certain AF, 51.7% were male, mean age was 75.1 years, 87.1% had a CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥ 2 and 11.6% a HAS‐BLED score > 3. Among AF patients, during VKA exposure the incidence rate of bleeding was 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2, 3.4] per 100 patient‐years, including 0.6 (95% CI 0.3, 0.8) cerebral, 1.0 (95% CI 0.7, 1.3) digestive and 1.4 (95% CI 1.0, 1.7) other bleeds. There were 1.6 (95% CI 1.2, 2.0) ACS, 1.5 (95% CI 1.1, 1.8) ATE and 3.8 (95% CI 3.2, 4.4) deaths per 100 patient‐years. The incidence rate of the composite outcome was 9.1 per 100 patient‐years (95% CI 8.2, 10.0). When patients stopped VKA, bleeding decreased (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.43, 1.04)), but death or thrombosis increased (RR 3.06, 95% CI 2.46, 3.81 and 1.75, 95% CI 1.14, 2.70, respectively). During VKA exposure non‐AF patients had similar rates of bleeding, but fewer deaths, ACS and ischaemic events.

Conclusions

Real‐life rates for bleeding, arterial thrombotic events, ACS and deaths in AF patients treated with VKA were similar to those observed in clinical trials.
Recent advances in the management of AL Amyloidosis
Authors: Kastritis Efstathios , Dimopoulos Meletios A.
Published: October 2015

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, the most common of the systemic amyloidosis, is characterized by the deposition of amyloid fibrils that derive from the aggregation of misfolded monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. Amyloid fibrils disrupt tissue architecture and the pre‐fibril oligomers are directly toxic to myocardiac cells, causing cardiac dysfunction. The lethal consequences of AL amyloidosis are due to the toxic product and not due to the malignant behaviour of the plasma cell clone; however, the characteristics of this clone are associated with long‐term prognosis. Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to effective management, but is challenging. Modern chemotherapy options (including autologous transplantation, bortezomib, lenalidomide) have improved the outcomes of patients at low or intermediate risk, but the prognosis of patients with severe cardiac dysfunction is still poor. Therapies targeting amyloid deposits and the amyloidogenic process are under investigation and offer promise for better future treatments.
Laboratory measurement of the direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Dale Brian J. , Chan Noel C. , Eikelboom John W.
Published: October 2015

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including the direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, and the direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban, are approved for thromboembolism prevention and treatment. These drugs do not require routine coagulation monitoring but, in some circumstances, measurement of drug level or anticoagulant effect may be necessary. Although traditional coagulation tests lack analytical sensitivity and specificity, they are widely available and inexpensive, and can provide useful information regarding the residual anticoagulant effect of DOACs. Hemoclot® and ecarin‐based assays can be used to quantify dabigatran level and calibrated chromogenic anti‐FXa assays are suitable for measuring rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban levels, but these tests are not yet widely available.
PhaseIItrial of R‐CHOPplus bortezomib induction therapy followed by bortezomib maintenance for newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma:SWOGS0601
Authors: Till Brian G. , Li Hongli , Bernstein Steven H. , Fisher Richard I. , Burack W. Richard , Rimsza Lisa M. , Floyd Justin D. , DaSilva Marco A. , Moore Dennis F. , Pozdnyakova Olga , Smith Sonali M. , LeBlanc Michael , Friedberg Jonathan W.
Published: October 2015

Bortezomib is active in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), with approval in upfront and relapsed settings. Given inevitable recurrence following induction chemoimmunotherapy, maintenance approaches are a rational strategy to improve clinical outcomes. We conducted a phaseIIstudy to evaluate the safety and efficacy of six cycles of R‐CHOP(rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) plus bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2days 1 and 4 of 21 d cycles) followed by bortezomib maintenance (1·3 mg/m2days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 3 months for 2 years). Sixty‐five eligible patients were enrolled. The treatment was well tolerated and toxicities were mainly haematological. The rate of grade ≥3 peripheral neuropathy was low (5%). With a median follow‐up of 6·8 years, 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 62%, and 2‐year overall survival (OS) was 85%. At 5 years,PFSwas 28% andOSwas 66%.MCLInternational Prognostic Index scores were significantly associated with 2‐yearPFS, but did not predict long‐term (≥5‐year)PFS. Baseline Ki‐67 index was significantly associated with survival. Combination R‐CHOPwith bortezomib followed by maintenance bortezomib appears to improve outcomes compared historically with R‐CHOPalone, with prolonged remissions in a subset of patients. These results suggest that inclusion of bortezomib with induction chemotherapy and/or maintenance is promising inMCLand warrants further exploration.
Minimal residual disease assessed by multi‐parameter flow cytometry is highly prognostic in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Ravandi Farhad , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , O'Brien Susan M. , Jabbour Elias , Thomas Deborah A. , Borthakur Gautam , Garris Rebecca , Huang Xuelin , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Burger Jan A. , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Wierda William , Kadia Tapan , Jain Nitin , Wang Sa A. , Konoplev Sergei , Kebriaei Partow , Champlin Richard E. , McCue Deborah , Estrov Zeev , Cortes Jorge E. , Kantarjian Hagop M.
Published: October 2015

The prognostic value of minimal residual disease (MRD) assessed by multi‐parameter flow cytometry (MFC) was investigated among 340 adult patients with B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B‐ALL) treated between 2004 and 2014 using regimens including the hyperCVAD (hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, methotrexate, cytarabine) backbone. Among them, 323 (95%) achieved complete remission (CR) and were included in this study. Median age was 52 years (range, 15–84). Median white blood cell count (WBC) was 9·35 × 109/l (range, 0·4–658·1 ×1 09/l). MRD by MFC was initially assessed with a sensitivity of 0·01%, using a 15‐marker, 4‐colour panel and subsequently a 6‐colour panel on bone marrow specimens obtained at CR achievement and at approximately 3 month intervals thereafter. MRD negative status at CR was associated with improved disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0·004 and P = 0·03, respectively). Similarly, achieving MRD negative status at approximately 3 and 6 months was associated with improved DFS (P = 0·004 and P < 0·0001, respectively) and OS (P = 0·004 and P < 0·0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis including age, WBC at presentation, cytogenetics (standard versus high risk) and MRD status at CR, 3 and 6 months, indicated that MRD negative status at CR was an independent predictor of DFS (P < 0·05). Achievement of an MRD negative state assessed by MFC is an important predictor of DFS and OS in adult patients with ALL.
Low free drug concentration prevents inhibition of F508del CFTR functional expression by the potentiator VX‐770 (ivacaftor)
Authors: Matthes Elizabeth , Goepp Julie , Carlile Graeme W , Luo Yishan , Dejgaard Kurt , Billet Arnaud , Robert Renaud , Thomas David Y , Hanrahan John W
Published: October 2015

Background and Purpose

The most common cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation F508del inhibits the gating and surface expression of CFTR, a plasma membrane anion channel. Optimal pharmacotherapies will probably require both a ‘potentiator’ to increase channel open probability and a ‘corrector’ that improves folding and trafficking of the mutant protein and its stability at the cell surface. Interaction between CF drugs has been reported but remains poorly understood.

Experimental Approach

CF bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to the corrector VX‐809 (lumacaftor) and potentiator VX‐770 (ivacaftor) individually or in combination. Functional expression of CFTR was assayed as the forskolin‐stimulated short‐circuit current (Isc) across airway epithelial monolayers expressing F508del CFTR.

Key Results

The potentiated Isc response during forskolin stimulation was increased sixfold after pretreatment with VX‐809 alone and reached ~11% that measured across non‐CF monolayers. VX‐770 (100 nM) and genistein (50 μM) caused similar levels of potentiation, which were not additive and were abolished by the CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh‐172. The unbound fraction of VX‐770 in plasma was 0.13 ± 0.04%, which together with previous measurements in patients given 250 mg p.o. twice daily, suggests a peak free plasma concentration of 1.5–8.5 nM. Chronic exposure to high VX‐770 concentrations (>1 μM) inhibited functional correction by VX‐809 but not in the presence of physiological protein levels (20–40 mg·mL−1). Chronic exposure to a low concentration of VX‐770 (100 nM) together with VX‐809 (1 μM) also did not reduce the forskolin‐stimulated Isc, relative to cells chronically exposed to VX‐809 alone, provided it was assayed acutely using the same, clinically relevant concentration of potentiator.

Conclusions and Implications

Chronic exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of VX‐770 did not reduce F508del CFTR function. Therapeutic benefit of VX‐770 + VX‐809 (Orkambi) is probably limited by the efficacy of VX‐809 rather than by inhibition by VX‐770.
The production of unequal vulnerability to flood hazards: A conceptual framework for hazards research in Canada's cities
Authors: Oulahen Greg
Published: October 2015

Key Messages

Flood risk is a growing concern in Canada's cities but residents have differential risk.

Factors related to societal structural forces, human agency, and place interact to produce unequal vulnerability to hazards.

This review essay provides a conceptual framework for looking across scales and across actors to identify and situate the factors that influence vulnerability to flood hazards in Canada's cities.
Bauhinia purprea agglutinin‐modified liposomes for human prostate cancer treatment
Authors: Ikemoto Keisuke , Shimizu Kosuke , Ohashi Kento , Takeuchi Yoshihito , Shimizu Motohiro , Oku Naoto
Published: October 2015

Bauhinia purprea agglutinin (BPA) is a well‐known lectin that recognizes galactosyl glycoproteins and glycolipids. In the present study, we firstly found that BPA bound to human prostate cancer specimens but not to normal prostate ones. Therefore, we sought to develop BPA‐PEG‐modified liposomes (BPA‐PEG‐LP) encapsulating anticancer drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer. We examined the tumor targetability of BPA‐PEG‐LP with human prostate cancer DU145 cells, and observed that fluorescently labeled BPA‐PEG‐LP dominantly associated with the cells via the interaction between liposome‐surface BPA and cell‐surface galactosyl molecules. We also observed that BPA‐PEG‐LP accumulated in the prostate cancer tissue after the i.v. injection to DU145 solid cancer‐bearing mice, and strongly bound to the cancer cells. In a therapeutic study, DU145 solid cancer‐bearing mice were i.v. injected thrice with BPA‐PEG‐LP encapsulating doxorubicin (BPA‐PEG‐LPDOX, 2 mg/kg/day as the DOX dosage) or PEG‐modified liposomes encapsulating DOX (PEG‐LPDOX). As a result, BPA‐PEG‐LPDOX significantly suppressed the growth of the DU145 cancer cells, whereas PEG‐LPDOX at the same dosage as DOX showed little anti‐cancer effect. The present study suggested that BPA‐PEG‐LP could be a useful drug carrier for the treatment of human prostate cancers.
The prevalence of developmental delay among children aged 3–60 months in Izmir, Turkey
Authors: Demirci A. , Kartal M.
Published: October 2015

Backgrounds

Developmental delay is defined as delays in speech and language development, motor development, social‐emotional development and cognitive development. On a global scale, the prevalence estimations in paediatric population range between 5% and 15%. However, no prevalence studies on developmental delay have been conducted in primary care in Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of developmental delay among children aged 3–60 months in Izmir.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, descriptive study involved 1514 children aged 3–60 months, who were at 12 primary health centres for various reasons in Izmir between 1 November 2013 and 31 January 2014. The questionnaire and age‐specific Turkish version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires were applied to mothers via face‐to‐face interview.

Results

The prevalence of developmental delay was 6.4% (95% confidence interval 5.2–7.7). The prevalence for age groups varied between 3.3% and 12.1%. Significant associations were found between developmental delay and maternal age, maternal/paternal education, socio‐economic level of the family and the presence of consanguineous marriage.

Conclusions

Identifying developmental delay in children earlier by a validated, reliable, parent‐completed questionnaire like Ages and Stages Questionnaires and detecting risk factors for delay are crucial for primary care where their growth and development are monitored. Identifying developmental delay and early referral to rehabilitation services may help improve children's quality of life.
The nature of peer‐directed behaviours in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and its relationship with social scaffolding behaviours of the direct support worker
Authors: Nijs S. , Vlaskamp C. , Maes B.
Published: October 2015

Background

The multiple and complex disabilities of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) form a barrier for peer interactions and peer‐directed behaviours. In this study, we further explore the nature of peer‐directed behaviours in persons with PIMD and its relationship with social scaffolding behaviour of direct support workers (DSWs).

Methods

Fourteen dyads of children with PIMD, who knew each other for at least 12 months, participated. They were sitting in close proximity while they were filmed with and without the presence of the DSW. Video recordings were coded continuously making use of observation schemes for the peer‐directed behaviours of the children and the peer interaction influencing behaviours of the DSW.

Results

Significantly more singular peer‐directed behaviour (without DSW: 18.00%; with DSW: 3.81%) was observed than multiple peer‐directed behaviour (without DSW: 4.01%; with DSW: 0.52%). The amount of time the singular and multiple peer‐directed behaviours were observed was significantly lower in the presence of a DSW. When the DSW shows peer interaction influencing behaviour, it was mostly social scaffolding behaviour (2.17%). The conditional probability of observing social scaffolding behaviour in the 10 s following on singular peer‐directed behaviour was 0.02 with a Yule's Q of 0.04 and following on multiple peer‐directed behaviour 0.04 with a Yule's Q of 0.33.

Conclusion

The way in which peer interactions in children with PIMD are defined could have an impact on the amount of observed peer‐directed behaviours and on the effect of the social scaffolding behaviours presented by DSW.
Factors that influence outcomes in cochlear implantation in adults, based on patient‐related characteristics – a retrospective study
Authors: Kraaijenga V.J.C. , Smit A.L. , Stegeman I. , Smilde J.J.M. , van Zanten G.A. , Grolman W.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Outcomes in speech perception following cochlear implantation in adults vary widely. Many studies have been carried out to identify and quantify factors that influence outcomes. This study adds a new dimension to pre‐existing literature.

Design

Single‐centre retrospective cohort study.

Setting

University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Participants

A total of 428 adults with bilateral severe‐to‐profound sensorineural hearing loss, unilaterally implanted between February 1988 and March 2014.

Main outcome measures

Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were carried out to identify factors that may influence outcome after cochlear implantation. Consonant‐vowel‐consonant word scores were recorded pre‐ and post‐implant and were used as outcome measure in two groups of patients (prelingually and postlingually deafened adults). As an added dimension, multiple imputation was implemented and evaluated to tackle 4% (17/407) missing data.

Results

For postlinguals, pre‐implant speech perception score and age at onset of deafness are positive predictors and meningitis and otosclerosis as cause of deafness are negative predictors of post‐implant speech perception. This model accounted for 26% of variance. For prelinguals, pre‐implant speech perception score is the only strong positive predictor (β 0.524; P < 0.001). This model accounted for 31% of variance. Age at implantation was not a significant predictor in either group.

Conclusions

Speech perception is predicted by pre‐implant speech perception, age at onset of deafness and aetiology (meningitis and otosclerosis) for postlinguals and solely pre‐implant speech perception for prelinguals. Age at implantation is of lesser importance in predicting speech perception outcome post‐implant. Multiple imputation is a useful statistical technique when analysing incomplete data sets.
A SPoARC in the Dark: Spatialization in Verbal Immediate Memory
Authors: Guida Alessandro , Leroux Aurélie , Lavielle‐Guida Magali , Noël Yvonnick
Published: October 2015

In 2011, van Dijck and Fias described a positional SNARC (Spatial‐Numerical Association of Response Codes) effect: the SPoARC (Spatial‐Positional Association of Response Codes). To‐be‐remembered items (e.g., numbers, words) presented centrally on a screen seemed to acquire a left‐to‐right spatial dimension. If confirmed, this spatialization could be crucial for immediate memory theories. However, given the intricate links between visual and spatial dimensions, this effect could be due to the visual presentation (on a computer screen), which could have probed the left‐to‐right direction of reading/writing. To allow a generalization of this effect, we adapted van Dijck and Fias's (2011) task using an auditory version of Sternberg's paradigm. Lists of five consonants were auditorily presented at a rate of 3 s/item. A SPoARC effect was observed. The consequences are discussed first from an immediate memory perspective, putting forward the view that order could be coded through spatialization, and then in terms of similarities between SPoARC and SNARC.
Past landscape explains forest periphery‐to‐core gradient of understorey plant communities in a reforestation context
Authors: Bergès Laurent , Avon Catherine , Arnaudet Lucie , Archaux Frédéric , Chauchard Sandrine , Dupouey Jean‐Luc
Published: October 2015

Aim

To disentangle whether long‐range periphery‐to‐core gradient of forest understorey plants could be attributed to past forest landscape and/or to current environmental filtering processes. We investigated (1) whether species response to past land use (ancientversusrecent forest) was consistent with species response to distance to present forest edge (coreversusperiphery) (2) what life‐history traits explained plant response to distance to present edge and past land use (3) whether distance to past forest edge explained current species distribution better than distance to present forest edge.

Location

Temperate forests in the northern half of France (80,000 km²).

Methods

Local climate, soil and stand characteristics, past land use, and present and past landscape metrics were collected on 11,936 plots using National Forest Inventory data and historical maps from 1831. Logistic regressions were applied to determine the response patterns of 181 species to present and past landscape, while controlling for local habitat quality (soil, climate and stand).

Results

Species response to distance to present edge very well matched response to past land use. Plant traits related to colonization capacity explained species response to present edge and past land use. The spatial distribution of 42 species was better explained by distance to forest edge in 1831, 37 species were better explained by distance to present edge and 24 species were better explained by distance to present edge and past land use.

Main conclusions

Two mechanisms were responsible for the long‐range periphery‐to‐core gradient: (1) past landscape and colonization processes and (2) present edge‐related mechanisms. This suggests that plant community differences between periphery and core zones are thus related to dispersal limitation and not only to environmental filters. Our results underline the need to combine landscape ecology and history and have important implications for forest plant dynamics and conservation in the context of climate change.
Percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy (introducer method) in chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction: Report of two cases and literature review
Authors: Küllmer Armin , Schmidt Arthur , Caca Karel
Published: October 2015

We report on two patients with recurrent episodes of chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (CIPO). A 50‐year‐old woman with severe multiple sclerosis and an 84‐year‐old man with Parkinson's disease and dementia had multiple hospital admissions because of pain and distended abdomen. Radiographic and endoscopic findings showed massive dilation of the colon without any evidence of obstruction. Conservative management resolved symptoms only for a short period of time. As these patients were poor candidates for any surgical treatment we carried out percutaneous endoscopic colostomy by placing a 20‐Fr tube in the cecum with the introducer method. The procedure led to durable symptom relief without complications. We present these two cases and give a review through the existing literature of the procedure in CIPO.
Effect of socioeconomic status (SES) disparity on neural development in female African‐American infants at age 1 month
Authors: Betancourt Laura M. , Avants Brian , Farah Martha J. , Brodsky Nancy L. , Wu Jue , Ashtari Manzar , Hurt Hallam
Published: October 2015

There is increasing interest in both the cumulative and long‐term impact of early life adversity on brain structure and function, especially as the brain is both highly vulnerable and highly adaptive during childhood. Relationships between SES and neural development have been shown in children older than age 2 years. Less is known regarding the impact of SES on neural development in children before age 2. This paper examines the effect of SES, indexed by income‐to‐needs (ITN) and maternal education, on cortical gray, deep gray, and white matter volumes in term, healthy, appropriate for gestational age, African‐American, female infants. At 5 weeks postnatal age, unsedated infants underwent MRI (3.0T Siemens Verio scanner, 32‐channel head coil). Images were segmented based on a locally constructed template. Utilizing hierarchical linear regression, SES effects on MRI volumes were examined. In this cohort of healthy African‐American female infants of varying SES, lower SES was associated with smaller cortical gray and deep gray matter volumes. These SES effects on neural outcome at such a young age build on similar studies of older children, suggesting that the biological embedding of adversity may occur very early in development.
A multi‐center, multinational age‐ and gender‐adjusted normative dataset for immunofluorescent intraepidermal nerve fiber density at the distal leg
Authors: Provitera V. , Gibbons C. H. , Wendelschafer‐Crabb G. , Donadio V. , Vitale D. F. , Stancanelli A. , Caporaso G. , Liguori R. , Wang N. , Santoro L. , Kennedy W. R. , Nolano M.
Published: October 2015

Background and purpose

Quantification of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs) in skin biopsies is now the tool of choice to diagnose small fiber neuropathies. An adequate normative dataset, necessary to assess normality cutoffs, is available for brightfield microscopy but not for immunofluorescence.

Methods

Intraepidermal nerve fiber density data in distal leg skin samples processed with immunofluorescence were collected from 528 healthy individuals from four experienced laboratories worldwide. In all laboratories skin samples were collected, processed and analyzed according to standard procedures. Quantile regression analysis was employed to tailor the fit of the 5° percentile as the normal cutoff value and to test and measure the effect of age, gender, body mass index, race, biopsy site (lateral distal lower leg or medial posterior mid‐calf) and participating laboratory as possible influential variables.

Results

Age, gender and biopsy site showed an independent linear correlation with IENF density. For each decade the 5° quantile IENF cutoff showed a 0.54 fibers/mm decrease, whilst females exhibited a 1.0 fiber/mm cutoff greater than males. Compared to the lateral distal lower leg, biopsies from the calf showed a 3.4 fibers/mm lower 5° percentile cutoff, documenting a variation linked by site.

Conclusions

An age‐ and gender‐adjusted normative dataset for IENF density at the lateral distal lower leg obtained with indirect immunofluorescence is presented for the first time by sharing data from four experienced laboratories worldwide. This dataset can be used as reference for laboratories processing skin biopsies with this technique.
Facial varicosity affecting the lower eyelid of a horse
Authors: Reardon R. J. M. , Dixon P. M. , Kane‐Smyth J.
Published: October 2015

A 12‐year‐old Clydesdale cross mare was referred for investigation of right periocular vascular distension. Physical examination and ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a varicosity of the veins of the lower eyelid and transverse facial vein. The size of the varicose vein led to concerns about the potential progression in size of the lower eyelid to obstruct vision. Percutaneous encircling sutures were ineffective at occluding the vessel and surgical excision of the abnormal vein was performed. This treatment approach proved effective and 7 months post operatively the swelling has not recurred. This case demonstrates that varicosities can be successfully surgically resected in horses if there is a clinical indication.
Are strong fire–vegetation feedbacks needed to explain the spatial distribution of tropical tree cover?
Authors: Good Peter , Harper Anna , Meesters Antoon , Robertson Eddy , Betts Richard
Published: October 2015

Aim

The spatial pattern of tropical fire‐induced tree mortality is partly determined by climate, but feedbacks of tree cover on fire are also important. We re‐examine some recent observations proposed as evidence for very strong tree‐cover feedbacks on fire, sufficient to allow savanna and forest to be alternative stable states over large areas of the tropics. Two pieces of previously reported observational evidence are examined: (1) the trimodal statistical distribution of tropical tree fraction, and (2) the fact that different tree fractional cover is found at different locations in the tropics with similar rainfall.

Location

Global tropics.

Methods

For point (1) above we analyse the statistical distribution of tree fraction predicted by the logistic equation of tree growth and self‐competition, with spatially varying mortality rates. For (2), the relationship between mean annual rainfall and mean net primary productivity (NPP) in a climate model is examined.

Results

(1) A trimodal distribution of tree cover does not necessarily require tree‐cover feedback on fire. It can arise from a combination of two factors: nonlinearities in vegetation dynamics and climate‐driven spatial variation in mortality (the intermediate fire–productivity hypothesis). (2) Different locations in the tropics can have identical rainfall but significantly different NPP, even with no feedback of tree cover on fire.

Main conclusions

Our results show that strong tree‐cover feedback on fire is not necessary to explain observations (1) and (2). However, it is still possible that strong fire–vegetation feedback is the primary explanation – our results do not rule this out. We simply demonstrate the possibility of an alternative hypothesis (of strong climate control). In reality, it is likely that both tree‐cover feedback and climate contribute. It is challenging to separate these two effects cleanly. More work is needed to quantify their separate effects. We show that plots of mortality versus productivity are useful tools for understanding spatial variations in tree cover.
An application of Kleene's fixed point theorem to dynamic programming
Authors: Kamihigashi Takashi , Reffett Kevin , Yao Masayuki
Published: October 2015

We show that the least fixed point of the Bellman operator in a certain set can be computed by value iteration whether or not the fixed point is the value function. As an application, we give a simpler proof of one of Kamihigashi's main results.
Population‐dependent acclimatization capacity of thermal tolerance in larvae of the rocky‐shore barnaclePollicipes elegans
Authors: Crickenberger Sam , Walther Kathleen , Marchant Sergio , Marko Peter B. , Moran Amy L.
Published: October 2015

As environmental temperatures increase and become more seasonally variable, the ability of individuals to plastically alter their physiological responses to temperature (=acclimatize) may affect the potential for species persistence. Among marine organisms, the larval stage is often the most physiologically sensitive; larvae are also often the main dispersal stage in the life history. However, studies that address the acclimatization of marine larvae are rare. We investigated whether larvae of the gooseneck barnaclePollicipes elegansfrom two temperate populations, one from the Northern Hemisphere (Mexico) and one from the Southern Hemisphere (Peru), show patterns of seasonal acclimatization to temperature. We compared the effects of temperature on swimming activity, oxygen consumption, and mortality of larvae from the two populations in both warm and cold seasons. Larvae from Mexico had higher thermal tolerances when collected in the boreal summer compared to the boreal winter, while no similar indication of seasonal acclimatization was seen in larvae from Peru. The lack of acclimatization in larvae ofP. elegansfrom Peru may be related to recent thermal history, low selection for acclimatization due to irregular patterns of seasonal temperature change duringENSOevents, or to different phylogeographic histories of Northern‐ and Southern‐hemisphere populations.