bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executive team consensus-based perspective of organization evolution
Authors: Garg Vinay
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Executive leadership plays a crucial role in initiating, shaping and directing strategic reorientations. But it must somehow mediate between forces of inertia and fundamental changes. This paper aims to address the unresolved paradox: how do executives address these conflicting demands?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to interweave two streams of seminal research in organizational evolution and organizational culture to develop a typology of strategic reorientations. The four types of strategic reorientations are illustrated with the help of published cases and biographies of CEOs, mostly of high visibility international companies such as Heineken, Burger King and Starbucks.

Findings

Combinations of high and low levels of executive team consensus on its external adaptation tasks and on its internal integration tasks provoke four different types of strategic reorientations: chaotic, negotiated, muted and promising.

Research limitations/implications

Until appropriate methods of empirical research can be found to test this framework, one has to rely on some anecdotal support as preliminary and cursory evidence. This study can inform a wide body of research which incorrectly suggested that consensus among executives during strategic reorientation has a unidirectional, positive impact on organizational performance. Directions to explore how top executives may develop ambidextrous leadership are suggested.

Practical implications

Seeking high growth, executive teams must have a good mix of managerial and entrepreneurial cognitions. Therefore, executives having dissimilar skills and backgrounds should be inducted in the team periodically, instead of hiring hurriedly at the eleventh hour. Otherwise, the new executives may contribute too high or too low levels of consensus of each type needed for optimal strategic reorientation.

Social implications

The paper has not attempted this aspect.

Originality/value

This paper contributes a novel framework that combines two streams of seminal research, which, each by itself, would not sufficiently address the unresolved executive paradox.
Do employees’ private demands lead to cyberloafing? The mediating role of job stress
Authors: Koay Kian Yeik , Soh Patrick Chin-Hooi , Chew Kok Wai
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Cyberloafing has been reported as a prevalent practice among employees and has been called the hidden epidemic killing business productivity. Given the importance of this issue, this study aims to propose and empirically test a research model to investigate the relationships between private demands, job stress and cyberloafing, premised on border theory, conservation of resources theory and general strain theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 301 usable data were collected from employees who work in the ICT sector, using self-reported questionnaires that are subsequently analysed using Partial Least Square (PLS) structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results of this study have revealed that both private demands and job stress are positively related to cyberloafing. In addition, job stress is positively related to private demands and also partially mediates the relationship between private demands and cyberloafing. Therefore, the findings are suggestive of employee’s job resources being depleted when they cross between work and non-work domains as they attempt to satisfy their private demands. As a result, insufficient job resources channelled towards handling job-related demands results in job stress, followed by their engagement in cyberloafing behaviour as a coping mechanism.

Originality/value

The main theoretical contribution of this research is to expand upon the existing knowledge of the relationship between private demands and cyberloafing by demonstrating the mediating effect of job stress. Interestingly, the findings revealed that employees’ non-work domain can have a significant influence on both emotions and behaviours at work.
Functional trait dissimilarity drives both species complementarity and competitive disparity
Authors: Wagg Cameron , Ebeling Anne , Roscher Christiane , Ravenek Janneke , Bachmann Dörte , Eisenhauer Nico , Mommer Liesje , Buchmann Nina , Hillebrand Helmut , Schmid Bernhard , Weisser Wolfgang W.
Published: July 2017

Niche complementarity and competitive disparity are driving mechanisms behind plant community assembly and productivity. Consequently, there is great interest in predicting species complementarity and their competitive differences from their functional traits as dissimilar species may compete less and result in more complete use of resources.

Here we assessed the role of trait dissimilarities for species complementarity and competitive disparities within an experimental gradient of plant species richness and functional trait dissimilarity. Communities were assembled using three pools of grass and forb species based on a priori knowledge of traits related to (1) above‐ and below‐ground spatial differences in resource acquisition, (2) phenological differences or (3) both. Complementarity and competitive disparities were assessed by partitioning the overyielding in mixed species communities into species complementarity and dominance effects.

Community overyielding and the underlying complementarity and competitive dominance varied strongly among the three plant species pools. Overyielding and complementarity were greatest among species that were assembled based on their variation in both spatial and phenological traits. Competitive dominance was greatest when species were assembled based on spatial resource acquisition traits alone.

In communities that were assembled based on species variation in only spatial or phenological traits, greater competitive dominance was predicted by greater differences in SLA and flowering initiation respectively, while greater complementarity was predicted by greater dissimilarity in leaf area and flowering senescence respectively. Greater differences in leaf area could also be linked to greater species complementarity in communities assembled based on variation in both phenological and spatial traits, but trait dissimilarity was unrelated to competitive dominance in these communities.

Our results indicate that complementarity and competitive disparity among species are both driven by trait dissimilarities. However, the identity of the traits that drives the complementarity and competitive disparity depends on the trait variation among species that comprise the community. Moreover, we demonstrate that communities assembled with the greater variation in both spatial and phenological traits show the greatest complementarity among species.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
The role of topography and plant functional traits in determining tropical reforestation success
Authors: Cheesman Alexander W. , Preece Noel D. , van Oosterzee Penny , Erskine Peter D. , Cernusak Lucas A.
Published: July 2017

Early establishment and sapling growth is a key phase in ensuring cost‐effective reforestation success in relation to biodiversity outcomes. Therefore, species selection must consider the interaction between plant functional traits and the often‐challenging and heterogeneous biophysical environment of degraded landscapes.

In this study, we examine how microtopography (slope) results in spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients, especially phosphorus (P) in a degraded tropical pasture landscape in Queensland, Australia. We then explore how this small‐scale heterogeneity influences the growth of two native tree species,Cardwellia (C.) sublimis(Proteaceae) andFlindersia (F.) brayleyana(Rutaceae), which differ in key nutrient‐acquisition strategies.

The proteaceousC. sublimiswas found to be buffered from possible P limitation in degraded soils due to its effective P acquisition by cluster roots. In contrast toC. sublimis,which showed no difference in growth after 5 years across a range of soil conditions,F. brayleyanawas found to be highly responsive to soil conditions with increased growth in low‐slope, higher P availability areas. The ability ofF. brayleyanato take advantage of high soil P levels, including the development of leaves with higher P concentrations, resulted in an apparent switch in competitive fitness between these two species across a landscape gradient.

Synthesis and applications. In a detailed study of a landscape reforestation experiment in North Queensland, Australia, we demonstrate that site edaphic factors can vary within tens of metres due to topographic relief, and that species respond differently to these conditions. We therefore show the need to consider both the spatial heterogeneity of edaphic factors and the below‐ground functional traits of potential reforestation species when planning reforestation programmes.
Arboreality increases reptile community resistance to disturbance from livestock grazing
Authors: Neilly Heather , Nordberg Eric J. , VanDerWal Jeremy , Schwarzkopf Lin
Published: July 2017

Domestic livestock grazing directly alters ground‐level habitat but its effects on arboreal habitat are poorly known. Similarly, the response to grazing of ground‐dwelling fauna has been examined, but there are few studies of arboreal fauna. Globally, grazing has been implicated in the decline of vertebrate fauna species, but some species appear resistant to the effects of grazing, either benefiting from the structural changes at ground level or avoiding them, as may be the case with arboreal species. Here, we examine arboreal and terrestrial habitat responses and reptile community responses to grazing, to determine whether arboreal reptile species are more resistant than terrestrial reptile species.

We conducted arboreal and terrestrial reptile surveys on four different grazing treatments, at a 19‐year experimental grazing trial in northern Australia. To compare the grazing response of arboreal and terrestrial reptile assemblages, we used community, functional group and individual species‐level analyses. Species responses were modelled in relation to landscape‐scale and microhabitat variables.

Arboreal reptile species were resistant to the impact of grazing, whereas terrestrial reptiles were negatively affected by heavy grazing. Terrestrial reptiles were positively associated with complex ground structures, which were greatly reduced in heavily grazed areas. Arboreal lizards responded positively to microhabitat features such as tree hollows.

Synthesis and applications. Arboreal and terrestrial reptiles have different responses to the impact of livestock grazing. This has implications for rangeland management, particularly if management objectives include goals relating to conserving certain species or functional groups. Arboreal reptiles showed resistance in a landscape that is grazed, but where trees have not been cleared. We highlight the importance of retaining trees in rangelands for both terrestrial and arboreal microhabitats.
The effect of tocopheryl phosphates (TPM) on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein‐E deficient mice
Authors: Libinaki Roksan , Vinh Antony , Tesanovic‐Klajic Sonja , Widdop Robert , Gaspari Tracey
Published: July 2017

α‐Tocopheryl phosphate (TP) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin E found in the body. In the present study we compared the ability of an α‐TP mixture (TPM) against a standard vitamin E supplement, α‐tocopherol acetate (TA) on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE‐deficient mice. Mice were maintained on either a normal chow diet for 24 weeks (Normal Diet), vs a group in which the final 8 weeks of the 24‐week period mice were placed on a high fat (21%), high cholesterol (0.15%) challenge diet (HFHC), to exacerbate atherosclerotic lesion development.. The difference in these two control groups established the extent of the diet‐induced atherosclerotic lesion development. Mice in the various treatment groups received either TA (300 mg/kg chow) or TPM (6.7–200 mg/kg chow) for 24 weeks, with TPM treatment resulting in dose‐dependent significant reductions in atherosclerotic lesion formation and plasma levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. TA‐treated mice, with the tocopherol equivalent TPM dose (200 mg/kg chow), showed no significant reduction in plasma lipid levels or evidence for aortic lesion regression. At this TPM equivalent TA dose, a 44% reduction in aortic lesion formation was observed. In addition, these TPM treated mice, also showed a marked reduction in aortic superoxide formation and decreased circulating plasma levels of known pro‐inflammatory markers IL‐6, MCP‐1, IL‐1β, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α. These findings indicate that TPM treatment slows progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE‐deficient mice with this effect potentially involving reduced oxidative stress and decreased inflammation.
Dual RNA‐Seq of Lysobacter capsici AZ78 – Phytophthora infestans interaction shows the implementation of attack strategies by the bacterium and unsuccessful oomycete defense responses
Authors: Tomada Selena , Sonego Paolo , Moretto Marco , Engelen Kristof , Pertot Ilaria , Perazzolli Michele , Puopolo Gerardo
Published: July 2017

Biological interactions in the microbial communities of the rhizosphere continuously shape the gene expression patterns of each individual microorganism. A dual RNA‐Seq approach was applied to obtain a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms activated during the interaction between the biocontrol rhizobacterium Lysobacter capsici AZ78 and the soilborne phytopathogenic oomycete Phytophthora infestans. The RNA‐Seq transcriptional profile of L. capsici AZ78 was characterized by up‐regulation of genes concerned in the biogenesis of type 4 pilus and lytic enzymes, involved, respectively, in host colonization and subsequent attack of the P. infestans cell wall. The activation of detoxification processes allowed L. capsici AZ78 to overcome the attempted defense processes of P. infestans. Moreover, the genes involved in antibiotic biosynthesis were up‐regulated in L. capsici AZ78 and caused cell death in P. infestans, with the activation of putative apoptotic processes. The consequences of P. infestans cell death resulted in the down‐regulation of primary metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids and protein metabolisms. Overall, the mechanism of action of L. capsici AZ78 was related to parasitism and predatory activities that cause the death of P. infestans.
Normal chaos: A new research paradigm for understanding practice
Authors: Lauder Michael A. , Marynissen Hugo
Published: July 2017

Our key point is this: if practitioners always have to work in imperfect ways with imperfect tools, with imperfect understanding using imperfect information and within imperfect systems where the degree of control available is limited, how do they cope, managerially (i.e., “deal effectively” with the issues before them)? As researchers, we believe the answer to that question is not known and, accordingly, we recommend a new research paradigm for understanding practice more generally. We call that paradigm normal chaos.
An Evaluation of a Clinical Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis Education Intervention among Men Who Have Sex with Men
Authors: Raifman Julia , Nunn Amy , Oldenburg Catherine E. , Montgomery Madeline C. , Almonte Alexi , Agwu Allison L. , Arrington‐Sanders Renata , Chan Philip A.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To evaluate the impact of an HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) education intervention on PrEP awareness and use among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Men who have sex with men STD clinic patients.

Study Design

We estimated a difference‐in‐differences linear regression model, comparing MSM whose first visit to the clinic was before (“control”) or after (“treatment”) intervention implementation and controlling for patient.

Data Collection/Extraction

We used self‐reported data on PrEP awareness and use from STD clinic intake forms.

Principal Findings

Pre‐exposure prophylaxis awareness between first and second clinic visits increased 27.2 percentage points (pp) in the treatment group, relative to 13.7 pp in the control group. Similarly, PrEP use increased 7.1 pp in the treatment group versus 2.4 pp in the control group. Based on adjusted estimates, the PrEP intervention increased PrEP awareness by 24 pp (p < .01) and PrEP use by 5 pp (p = .01), increases of 63 percent and 159 percent relative to the 6 months prior to the intervention.

Conclusion

A brief, scalable STD clinic PrEP education intervention led to significantly increased PrEP awareness and use among MSM. Health care providers should consider implementing brief PrEP education interventions in sexual health care settings.
Big‐Box Stores and Urban Land Prices: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Slade Barrett A.
Published: July 2017

This study examined the effect of a new Walmart store on nearby U.S. urban land prices and found that, within one quarter mile of a new Walmart store locale, land prices increased by almost 39% over the four‐year development time period. Supercenters and commercial land sales were instrumental in driving the positive price effects. Robustness tests found a positive land price effect with other big‐box stores, suggesting that the land price effect was not limited to Walmart stores, but in fact, was a big‐box store effect.
Alfred Marshall, Silver, and China
Authors: Zhao Liuyan , Zhao Yan
Published: July 2017

The paper provides an empirical investigation of Alfred Marshall's analysis of the silver flow mechanism between the West and the East, which maintains that silver will flow whenever there is a difference in its purchasing power. The results show that Marshall's analysis offers an empirically sound interpretation of changes in the price level in China and the silver flow across China's borders. The results also confirm that there was a high degree of international integration for China's internal and external prices of silver. Moreover, the stable purchasing power parity could in practice be maintained by silver flow without resorting to a substantial percentage of tradable goods.
Conclusion: Special issue on genetic and alcohol use disorder research with diverse racial/ethnic groups: Key findings and potential next steps
Authors: Chartier Karen G. , Hesselbrock Michie N. , Hesselbrock Victor M.
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives

This special issue brings together papers focusing on a wide range of topics relevant to the research and understanding of the role of race/ethnicity and genetic variation for the susceptibility of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

The key findings from the issue's 10 articles are reviewed and organized here around three topics: I: addictive behaviors and potential environmental influences; II: a focus on four racial/ethnic groups; and III: special methodologies.

Results

Several potential next steps in improving effective research strategies are highlighted: (1) implementing best practices for outreach and community engagement may reduce reluctance to participate; (2) recruiting adequately sized and racially/ethnically diverse samples will require new collaborations with investigators who successfully work in diverse communities; (3) identifying and assessing environmental influences that are both unique to, and common among, racial/ethnic groups may inform preventions for AUD; (4) use of standardized measures will facilitate the generation of larger samples and meta‐analysis of research findings; and (5) use of better analytic approaches and experimental methods will improve replication in gene finding research and help advance new areas of research.

Conclusions

Genetic research of AUD in diverse racial/ethnic populations is advancing. The articles in this issue examined the general theme of including diverse population groups in genetic studies and offered potential strategies for addressing some common problems.

Scientific Significance

Greater inclusion of diverse racial/ethnic populations in this research is important to ensure that the benefits of new knowledge and technology are equally shared. (Am J Addict 2017;26:532–537)
An evolutionary perspective on the systems of adaptive immunity
Authors: Müller Viktor , de Boer Rob J. , Bonhoeffer Sebastian , Szathmáry Eörs
Published: July 2017

We propose an evolutionary perspective to classify and characterize the diverse systems of adaptive immunity that have been discovered across all major domains of life. We put forward a new function‐based classification according to the way information is acquired by the immune systems: Darwinian immunity (currently known from, but not necessarily limited to, vertebrates) relies on the Darwinian process of clonal selection to ‘learn’ by cumulative trial‐and‐error feedback; Lamarckian immunity uses templated targeting (guided adaptation) to internalize heritable information on potential threats; finally, shotgun immunity operates through somatic mechanisms of variable targeting without feedback.

We argue that the origin of Darwinian (but not Lamarckian or shotgun) immunity represents a radical innovation in the evolution of individuality and complexity, and propose to add it to the list of major evolutionary transitions. While transitions to higher‐level units entail the suppression of selection at lower levels, Darwinian immunity re‐opens cell‐level selection within the multicellular organism, under the control of mechanisms that direct, rather than suppress, cell‐level evolution for the benefit of the individual. From a conceptual point of view, the origin of Darwinian immunity can be regarded as the most radical transition in the history of life, in which evolution by natural selection has literally re‐invented itself. Furthermore, the combination of clonal selection and somatic receptor diversity enabled a transition from limited to practically unlimited capacity to store information about the antigenic environment. The origin of Darwinian immunity therefore comprises both a transition in individuality and the emergence of a new information system – the two hallmarks of major evolutionary transitions.

Finally, we present an evolutionary scenario for the origin of Darwinian immunity in vertebrates. We propose a revival of the concept of the ‘Big Bang’ of vertebrate immunity, arguing that its origin involved a ‘difficult’ (i.e. low‐probability) evolutionary transition that might have occurred only once, in a common ancestor of all vertebrates. In contrast to the original concept, we argue that the limiting innovation was not the generation of somatic diversity, but the regulatory circuitry needed for the safe operation of amplifiable immune responses with somatically acquired targeting. Regulatory complexity increased abruptly by genomic duplications at the root of the vertebrate lineage, creating a rare opportunity to establish such circuitry. We discuss the selection forces that might have acted at the origin of the transition, and in the subsequent stepwise evolution leading to the modern immune systems of extant vertebrates.
Thyroid disease symptoms during early pregnancy do not identify women with thyroid hypofunction that should be treated
Authors: Pop VJ , Broeren MA , Wiersinga WM , Stagnaro‐Green A
Published: July 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether women during early pregnancy with “hypothyroidism” symptoms are at risk of biochemically defined hypothyroidism. The 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) recommend case‐finding on the basis of symptoms to identify these women during pregnancy, while evidence is lacking.

Design

Construct validation of a thyroid hypofunction symptom checklist during the first trimester of pregnancy comparing high scores with biochemically defined hypothyroidism.

Patients

A total of 2198 healthy pregnant women from an iodine‐sufficient area in 2013‐2014.

Measurements

Completion of a draft questionnaire with “classical” symptoms of hypothyroidism at 12 weeks of gestation. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of TSH and fT4 during pregnancy in TPO‐Ab‐negative (<35 kU/L) women were used to define euthyroid women and those with overt (clinical) and subclinical hypothyroidism. The prevalence of overt (subclinical) hypothyroidism was compared between women with high symptom scores and those with low symptom scores.

Results

According to fT4 and TSH cut‐offs (0.23‐4.0 mIU/L and 11.5‐18.0 pmol/L, respectively), there were 15 women with “to treat hypofunction” (overt hypothyroidism or TSH >10 mIU/L) and 68 women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Questionnaire construct validation revealed a 12‐item hypothyroid checklist with normally distributed scores. The cut‐off indicating high scores of OH was set at 1 SD > mean. Women with high symptom scores did not present more often with biochemically defined thyroid hypofunction.

Conclusion

This study does not support the ATA recommendation that pregnant women who require levothyroxine therapy can be identified by case‐based screening of women with symptoms of thyroid disease.
Normalizing post adoption support for all
Authors: Lushey Clare , Holmes Lisa , McDermid Samantha
Published: July 2017

Within a context of substantial adoption policy reform in England, this paper explores post adoption support. Findings from a small‐scale survey of 22 local authorities in England and interviews with 11 adoption practitioners (from 11 of the authorities that completed the survey) are presented and related national policy discussed. The paper argues that support should continue postmatching a child with their adoptive parent(s) and that this should be the norm rather than the exception. It also emphasizes the need to improve the availability of and access to post adoption support in a timely manner.
Progressive subglottic stenosis in a child with Pallister‐Killian syndrome
Authors: Shiohama Tadashi , Fujii Katsunori , Shimizu Kenji , Ohashi Hirofumi , Takatani Tomozumi , Okamoto Nobuhiko , Nishimura Gen , Kato Mitsuhiro , Shimojo Naoki
Published: July 2017

Pallister‐Killian syndrome (PKS) is rare genetic disorder caused by tetrasomy 12p mosaicism with supernumerary isochromosome 12p that manifests with intellectual disability, craniofacial dysmorphism, and epilepsy. Although PKS presents as a multisystem morphological defect, respiratory system involvement is rare, except for diaphragmatic hernia. We are the first to report a case of PKS with progressive subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis is a potentially lethal condition due to severe respiratory obstruction and difficult intubation; therefore, further accumulation of cases is required to assess the causal link between PKS and subglottic stenosis.
Clinical, radiological, and gene expression analyses in smokers and non‐smokers, Part 2: RCT on the late healing phase of osseointegration
Authors: Sayardoust Shariel , Omar Omar , Norderyd Ola , Thomsen Peter
Published: July 2017

Background

The mechanisms behind the impact of smoking on osseointegration are not fully understood.

Purpose

To investigate the initial clinical and molecular course of osseointegration of different implants in smokers and non‐smokers in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Materials and Methods

Smoking (n = 16) and non‐smoking (n = 16) patients received 3 implant types: machined, oxidized, and laser‐modified surfaces. Baseline bone biopsies were retrieved from the implant sites. After 60 and 90 days, the pain score, implant stability quotient (ISQ), and peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) gene expression were analyzed. Furthermore, radiological and clinical assessments were made at 90 days.

Results

At 90 days, no pain was reported, irrespective of smoking habit. A higher ISQ was found in smokers compared with non‐smokers. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was greater in smokers than in non‐smokers. The comparison of implant surfaces revealed greater MBL exclusively at the machined implants in smokers. At 90 days in smokers, the PICF around machined implants revealed a higher expression of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and a lower expression of the osteogenic gene, osteocalcin (OC), compared with the PICF around modified implants. Furthermore, OC expression was lower at machined implants in smokers compared with machined implants in non‐smokers. After adjustment for age and implant location (maxilla/mandible), multivariate regression revealed the following predictors of MBL: smoking, bleeding on probing at 90 days, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α) expression at baseline and IL‐6 expression in PICF at 90 days.

Conclusions

During the early phase of osseointegration, non‐smokers and smokers present a similar, high implant survival. In contrast, smokers present a greater MBL, particularly at machined implants. HIF‐1α baseline expression in the recipient bone and IL‐6 expression in PICF cells are important molecular determinants for MBL after 90 days. It is concluded that smoking has an early effect on osseointegration, which is dependent on the implant surface properties and the local host response.
Dimensional changes of the maxillary sinus following tooth extraction in the posterior maxilla with and without socket preservation
Authors: Levi Itay , Halperin‐Sternfeld Michal , Horwitz Jacob , Zigdon‐Giladi Hadar , Machtei Eli E.
Published: July 2017

Background

Sinus pneumatization is commonly observed following tooth extraction in the posterior maxilla, however, the role of this pneumatization in the overall changes in the vertical bone height is not clear.

Purpose

To compare dimensional changes in the alveolar ridge and corresponding maxillary sinus following tooth extraction, with or without socket preservation.

Materials and Methods

42 patients underwent tooth extraction (control group) and 21 patients underwent tooth extraction with socket preservation using DBBM (study group). Panoramic radiographs, prior to and approximately 1 year post extractions were superimposed and matched using a fixed reference unit. The following measurements were performed in the midline of the tooth site: distance of the bone crest to the sinus floor; distance of the sinus floor to the sinus roof and the sagittal circumference of the maxillary.

Results

The mean change in the distance from the sinus floor to the sinus roof pre and post operatively was 0.30 mm (±0.10 SE) in the study group and 1.30 mm (±0.27 SE) in the control group (P = .0221). The mean change in the distance from the bone crest to the sinus floor was 0.32 mm (±0.09 SE) in the study group and 1.26 mm (±0.28 SE) in the control group (P = .0019), and the mean change in the sinus sagittal circumference was 37.34 mm (±6.10 SE) and 125.95 mm (±15.60 SE), respectively (P = .0001).

Conclusions

Ridge preservation using bovine derived xenograft might reduce sinus pneumatization along with minimizing crestal bone resorption.
Histologic and histomorphometric assessment of sinus‐floor augmentation with beta‐tricalcium phosphate alone or in combination with pure‐platelet‐rich plasma or platelet‐rich fibrin: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Cömert Kılıç Songül , Güngörmüş Metin , Parlak Seçil Nazife
Published: July 2017

Background

The potential effects of adding pure platelet‐rich plasma (P‐PRP) or platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) to beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) graft substitute on bone formation and regeneration after maxillary sinus‐floor elevation remains unclear.

Purpose

To compare the histologic and histomorphometric outcomes of maxillary sinus‐floor augmentation among β‐TCP alone, P‐PRP‐mixed β‐TCP, and PRF‐mixed β‐TCP.

Material and Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, elevated sinus cavities were grafted with β‐TCP (the control group), P‐PRP‐mixed β‐TCP (the P‐PRP group), and PRF‐mixed β‐TCP (PRF group). The sample was composed of 26 patients: 9 subjects in control and P‐PRP groups, and 8 subjects in PRF group. After a 6‐month, healing period, bone graft biopsies were harvested prior to implant placement, and the specimens were analyzed. The main outcome variables included findings of histologic and histomorphometric analyses of the bone graft biopsies. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests.

Results

The mean percentages of new bone formations were 33.40 ± 10.43%, 34.83 ± 10.12%, and 32.03 ± 6.34% in control, P‐PRP, and PRF groups, respectively, with no significant differences (P > .05). Mean percentages of residual graft particle area were 30.39 ± 10.29%, 28.98 ± 7.94%, and 32.66 ± 7.46% in control, P‐PRP, and PRF groups, respectively, with no significant differences (P > .05). The mean percentages of soft‐tissue area were 36.21 ± 10.59%, 36.19 ± 13.94%, and 35.31 ± 10.81% in control, P‐PRP, and PRF groups, respectively, with no significant differences (P > .05). Mean densities of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and capillary vessels showed insignificant difference between groups (P > .05), but osteoprogenitor cells were lower and inflammatory cells were higher in the PRF group than those in other groups (P < .01). Biopsies of P‐PRP, PRF, and control groups showed similar composition and distribution of histologic structures.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that adding P‐PRP or PRF to β‐TCP graft substitute was not beneficial on new bone formation and regeneration, and P‐PRP plus β‐TCP or PRF plus β‐TCP is not superior to β‐TCP alone.
Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and ménière syndrome: The role of cerebral venous drainage
Authors: Ciccone M. M. , Scicchitano P. , Gesualdo M. , Cortese F. , Zito A. , Manca F. , Boninfante B. , Recchia P. , Leogrande D. , Viola D. , Damiani M. , Gambacorta V. , Piccolo A. , De Ceglie V. , Quaranta N.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of cerebral venous drainage on the pathogenesis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) and Ménière syndrome (MD).

Design

Observational, prospective, cohort study.

Setting

ENT and Cardiology Departments (University of Bari, Policlinico Hospital, Bari, Italy).

Participants

We enrolled 59 consecutive patients (32 males, mean age 53.05 + 15.37 years): 40 ISSHL and 19 MD.

Main outcome measure

All patients underwent physical examination, biochemical evaluation (glycemic and lipid profile, viral serology, C reactive protein, etc), audiometric (tonal, vocal, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and auditory brainstem response test) and impedentiometric examination. The pure tone average (PTA) was calculated for the following frequencies: 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 8000. An echo‐color Doppler evaluation of the venous cerebral veins, internal jugular (IJV) and vertebral veins (VV) at supine and 90° position was performed.

Results

No morphological alterations were found both in patients and controls. There were no signs of stenosis, blocked flow, membranes, etc. We found lower minimum, mean and maximum velocities in distal IJVs (P = .019; P = .013; P = .022; respectively) and left VVs (P = .027; P = .008; P = .001; respectively) in supine (0°) position in both MD and ISSHL patients as compared to controls. The same was for orthostatic position (90°). We found negative correlations between the velocities in extracranial veins and PTA values: therefore, the worst the audiometric performance of the subjects, the lower the velocities in the venous cerebral drainage.

Conclusions

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and Ménière syndrome patients showed altered venous flow in IJVs and VVs as compared to controls, independently from posture. This different behavior of venous tone control can influence the ear performance and may have a role in the pathogenesis of both diseases.
Abstraction and the (Misnamed) Language Familiarity Effect
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth K. , Bruggeman Laurence , Cutler Anne
Published: July 2017

Talkers are recognized more accurately if they are speaking the listeners’ native language rather than an unfamiliar language. This “language familiarity effect” has been shown not to depend upon comprehension and must instead involve language sound patterns. We further examine the level of sound‐pattern processing involved, by comparing talker recognition in foreign languages versus two varieties of English, by (a) English speakers of one variety, (b) English speakers of the other variety, and (c) non‐native listeners (more familiar with one of the varieties). All listener groups performed better with native than foreign speech, but no effect of language variety appeared: Native listeners discriminated talkers equally well in each, with the native variety never outdoing the other variety, and non‐native listeners discriminated talkers equally poorly in each, irrespective of the variety's familiarity. The results suggest that this talker recognition effect rests not on simple familiarity, but on an abstract level of phonological processing.
Big data regression with parallel enhanced and convex incremental extreme learning machines
Authors: Kokkinos Yiannis , Margaritis Konstantinos G.
Published: July 2017

This work considers scalable incremental extreme learning machine (I‐ELM) algorithms, which could be suitable for big data regression. During the training of I‐ELMs, the hidden neurons are presented one by one, and the weights are based solely on simple direct summations, which can be most efficiently mapped on parallel environments. Existing incremental versions of ELMs are the I‐ELM, enhanced incremental ELM (EI‐ELM), and convex incremental ELM (CI‐ELM). We study the enhanced and convex incremental ELM (ECI‐ELM) algorithm, which is a combination of the last 2 versions. The main findings are that ECI‐ELM is fast, accurate, and fully scalable when it operates in a parallel system of distributed memory workstations. Experimental simulations on several benchmark data sets demonstrate that the ECI‐ELM is the most accurate among the existing I‐ELM, EI‐ELM, and CI‐ELM algorithms. We also analyze the convergence as a function of the hidden neurons and demonstrate that ECI‐ELM has the lowest error rate curve and converges much faster than the other algorithms in all of the data sets. The parallel simulations also reveal that the data parallel training of the ECI‐ELM can guarantee simplicity and straightforward mappings and can deliver speedups and scale‐ups very close to linear.
860. BOMAREA × CANTABRIGIENSIS
Authors: Petitt Sally
Published: July 2017

Bomarea ×cantabrigiensis Chitt. is a seldom grown, twining hybrid which was raised at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The origin of the hybrid is discussed along with the taxonomic history of the genus and the parents.
861. CYPRIPEDIUM FARGESII
Authors: Cribb Phillip , Schuiteman André
Published: July 2017

Cypripedium fargesii Franch., an endangered species from West China, is described and illustrated. Notes on its discovery, taxonomy, habitat, conservation status, and cultivation are provided.
“You cannot collect data using your own resources and put It on open access”: Perspectives from Africa about public health data‐sharing
Authors: Anane‐Sarpong Evelyn , Wangmo Tenzin , Ward Claire Leonie , Sankoh Osman , Tanner Marcel , Elger Bernice Simone
Published: July 2017

Data‐sharing is a desired default in the field of public health and a source of much ethical deliberation. Sharing data potentially contributes the largest, most efficient source of scientific data, but is fraught with contextual challenges which make stakeholders, particularly those in under‐resourced contexts hesitant or slow to share. Relatively little empirical research has engaged stakeholders in discussing the issue. This study sought to explore relevant experiences, contextual, and subjective explanations around the topic to provide a rich and detailed presentation of what it means to different stakeholders and contexts to share data and how that can guide practice and ethical guidance. A qualitative design involving interviews was undertaken with professionals working in public health institutions endowed with data (HDSS), ethics committees, and advisory agencies which help shape health research in Africa. A descriptive form of thematic analysis was used to summarize results into six key themes: (1) The role of HDSSs in research using public health data and data‐sharing; (2) Ownership and funding are critical factors influencing data‐sharing; (3) Other factors discourage data‐sharing; (4) Promoting and sustaining data‐sharing; (5) Ethical guidance structures; and (6) Establishing effective guidance. The themes reveal factors regarding the willingness or not to share and an intricate ethical system that current discourse could reflect. Many of the concerns resonate with the literature, but a whole other gamut of people and process issues; commitments, investments, careers, and the right ethical guidance are needed to realize a sustainable goal of reaching ‘share’ as a default.
GENDER PERFORMANCE GAPS: QUASI‐EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE ON THE ROLE OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SLEEP CYCLES
Authors: Lusher Lester , Yasenov Vasil
Published: July 2017

Sleep studies suggest that girls go to sleep earlier, are more active in the morning, and cope with sleep deprivation better than boys. We provide the first causal evidence on how gender differences in sleep cycles can help explain the gender performance gap. We exploit over 240,000 assignment‐level grades from a quasi‐experiment where students' schedules alternated between morning and afternoon start times each month. Relative to girls, we find that boys' achievement benefits from a later start time. For classes taught at the beginning of the school day, our estimates explain up to 16% of the gender performance gap. (JEL H52, I20, I21)
Validation of the “early detection Primary Care Checklist” in an Italian community help‐seeking sample: The “checklist per la Valutazione dell'Esordio Psicotico”
Authors: Pelizza Lorenzo , Raballo Andrea , Semrov Enrico , Chiri Luigi Rocco , Azzali Silvia , Scazza Ilaria , Garlassi Sara , Paterlini Federica , Fontana Francesca , Favazzo Rosanna , Pensieri Luana , Fabiani Michela , Cioncolini Leonardo , Pupo Simona
Published: July 2017

Background

To establish the concordant validity of the “Checklist per la Valutazione dell'Esordio Psicotico” (CVEP) in an Italian help‐seeking population. The CVEP is the Italian adaptation of the “early detection Primary Care Checklist,” a 20‐item tool specifically designed to assist primary care practitioners in identifying young people in the early stages of psychosis.

Methods

The checklist was completed by the referring practitioners of 168 young people referred to the “Reggio Emilia At Risk Mental States” Project, an early detection infrastructure developed under the aegis of the Regional Project on Early Detection of Psychosis in the Reggio Emilia Department of Mental Health. The concordant validity of the CVEP was established by comparing screen results with the outcome of the “Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States” (CAARMS), a gold standard assessment for identifying young people who may be at risk of developing psychosis.

Results

The simple checklist as originally conceived had excellent sensitivity (98%), but lower specificity (58%). Using only a CVEP total score of 20 or above as cut‐off, the tool showed a slightly lower sensitivity (93%) with a substantial improvement in specificity (87%). Simple cross‐tabulations of the individual CVEP item scores against CAARMS outcome to identify the more discriminant item in terms of sensitivity and specificity were carried out.

Conclusions

In comparison to other, much longer, screening tools, the CVEP performed well to identify young people in the early stages of psychosis. Therefore, the CVEP is well suited to optimize appropriate referrals to specialist services, building on the skills and knowledge already available in primary care settings.
Effect of silicic acid on the aggregation properties of goethite
Authors: Nguyen M. N. , Picardal F. , Dultz S. , Nguyen‐Thanh L. , Dam T. T. N. , Nguyen K. M.
Published: July 2017

Aggregation properties of iron oxide particles have received much attention because of their environmental importance in soil and aquatic environments. The effects of silicic acid on the pH‐dependent surface charges that govern the aggregation of goethite have received little attention. In this study we determined the effect of silicic acid as a function of pH and ionic strength (IS) on the aggregation of a synthetic goethite by a combination of particle‐size analysis using dynamic light scattering and test tube experiments to quantify particles in suspension. We investigated silicic acid adsorption on goethite quantitatively by batch adsorption isotherms, and the changes in surface charge on the adsorption of silicic acid were identified by the zeta potential (ζ). Our results revealed that silicic acid can lead to a significant decrease in ζ. A change in the pHiep (iep: isoelectric point) from 8.5 to lower pH values, typically pH 4–5.5, in the presence of silicic acid suggests enhanced aggregation of goethite in the acidic pH range. At alkaline pH, both goethite and silicic acid were negatively charged because of strong deprotonation, and silicic acid adsorption promoted goethite dispersion. Ionic strength affected the aggregation of goethite by shifting ζ towards the iep and it can also obscure the role of silicic acid.

Highlights

Effect of silicic acid on surface charge and aggregation of goethite was investigated.

Adsorption of silicic acid reduces ζ and allows goethite to aggregate at lower pH.

Ionic strength can also affect aggregation of goethite by shifting ζ towards the isoelectric point.

Silicic acid in soil might maintain goethite particles in an aggregated state.
Resistance, tolerance and environmental transmission dynamics determine host extinction risk in a load‐dependent amphibian disease
Authors: Wilber Mark Q. , Knapp Roland A. , Toothman Mary , Briggs Cheryl J.
Published: July 2017

While disease‐induced extinction is generally considered rare, a number of recently emerging infectious diseases with load‐dependent pathology have led to extinction in wildlife populations. Transmission is a critical factor affecting disease‐induced extinction, but the relative importance of transmission compared to load‐dependent host resistance and tolerance is currently unknown. Using a combination of models and experiments on an amphibian species suffering extirpations from the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), we show that while transmission from an environmental Bd reservoir increased the ability of Bd to invade an amphibian population and the extinction risk of that population, Bd‐induced extinction dynamics were far more sensitive to host resistance and tolerance than to Bd transmission. We demonstrate that this is a general result for load‐dependent pathogens, where non‐linear resistance and tolerance functions can interact such that small changes in these functions lead to drastic changes in extinction dynamics.
Phenomenological network models: Lessons for epilepsy surgery
Authors: Hebbink Jurgen , Meijer Hil , Huiskamp Geertjan , van Gils Stephan , Leijten Frans
Published: July 2017

The current opinion in epilepsy surgery is that successful surgery is about removing pathological cortex in the anatomic sense. This contrasts with recent developments in epilepsy research, where epilepsy is seen as a network disease. Computational models offer a framework to investigate the influence of networks, as well as local tissue properties, and to explore alternative resection strategies. Here we study, using such a model, the influence of connections on seizures and how this might change our traditional views of epilepsy surgery. We use a simple network model consisting of four interconnected neuronal populations. One of these populations can be made hyperexcitable, modeling a pathological region of cortex. Using model simulations, the effect of surgery on the seizure rate is studied. We find that removal of the hyperexcitable population is, in most cases, not the best approach to reduce the seizure rate. Removal of normal populations located at a crucial spot in the network, the “driver,” is typically more effective in reducing seizure rate. This work strengthens the idea that network structure and connections may be more important than localizing the pathological node. This can explain why lesionectomy may not always be sufficient.