bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of the national university in developing nations' digital cultural heritage projects
Authors: Dowding Heidi
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the national university in developing sustainable cultural heritage digital preservation practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan as an example, this paper discusses current development of cultural heritage digital collections, and looks to the university library's impact on nationwide digital practices development.

Findings

– While the university and its digital collections are still nascent, NU will likely have a large impact on the creation of sustainable digital cultural heritage preservation practices due to its international visibility and direct connection to stakeholders.

Originality/value

– Focused on developing nations, this paper will be of special interest to librarians working in countries facing similar challenges, such as other CIS nations.
Surface methods for monitoring the densification of parts in the selective laser sintering process
Authors: de Oliveira Setti Grazielle , Vicente Lopes da Silva Jorge , Fernandes de Oliveira Marcelo , Alves Maia Izaque , Pereira de Jesus Dosil , Savu Raluca , Emilio de Almeida Santos Thebano , de Cássia Zacardi de Souza Rita , Joanni Ednan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to characterize polyamide parts prepared by the SLS process using techniques that are dependent on surface properties and compare the results to density measurements in order to assess which technique better reflects the degree of densification achieved using different laser power levels.

Design/methodology/approach

– Fabrication of Nylon 12 (Duraform PA) samples and their characterization by apparent density measurements, perfilometry, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area and contact angle measurements.

Findings

– Methods dependent on surface analysis are not suitable indicators of the degree of sample densification. Among the surface methods, the results from Raman spectroscopy are the ones with the best performance. Incipient sintering of the superficial layers and raw material powder on the surface, inherent to the parts made by the SLS process, strongly interfere with the characterization.

Originality/value

– Quantitative comparison of a number of surface probing methods for monitoring densification of SLS parts. Characterization of sample surfaces with and without raw material powder.
The reverse guillotine tribometer for evaluation of sliding wear of additive manufactured fixtures
Authors: Minetola Paolo , Iuliano Luca
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a custom-built tribometer that mimics the wear of additive manufactured fixtures used in inspection of sheet metal components.

Design/methodology/approach

– Referring to the inspection of sheet metal parts, the fixture undergoes sliding wear during loading and unloading phases of the quality control operation. A new wear test is proposed to mimic the actual wearing conditions of the fixtures because the standards are deemed insufficient. In the tribometer, a cylindrical Alumide cantilever beam is made to slide back and forth inside a slightly bigger hole cut into a nickel-plated steel sheet. The sheet is spring loaded such that it applies a force on the specimen. The wear on the beam is measured after every 500 cycles of the beam motion.

Findings

– Results of some first test trials are reported to evaluate the durability of Alumide fixtures fabricated by selective laser sintering. The results are also compared to those obtained for a machined fixture made of an Al-Cu alloy.

Practical implications

– The proposed wear test estimates the life time of additive manufactured fixtures in terms of numbers of inspected components. The test can be extended to different materials to compare their durability.

Originality/value

– Today, the fabrication of custom fixtures by means of additive manufacturing technologies is a reality in many manufacturing industries. The advantage of using those production technologies for custom fixtures is well assessed in literature in terms of manufacturing times and costs, whereas little attention was given to the life time and wear behaviour of fabricated fixtures. For its practical implication, the fixture durability is indeed very important for manufactures.
Academic business librarians' assistance to community entrepreneurs
Authors: Mort Feldmann Louise
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine on a national scale how academic business librarians are working with community organizations and other libraries to assist local entrepreneurs with their information needs.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi method approach was used to gather information. In spring 2012, a survey and follow-up interviews were conducted with academic business librarians. Additionally, business consultants who have worked with librarians were interviewed.

Findings

– The survey had 53 respondents. Of those, 40 percent indicated that they collaborate to assist entrepreneurs. Five interviewees confirmed the findings of the survey and discussed their collaborative arrangements. The consultants discussed best practices in working with entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

– This research studied academic business librarians and reached those who monitor the buslib-l and brass-l listservs. Not all librarians have the time or take the time to respond to a survey. Additionally, this research only explored collaborations to assist local entrepreneurs and did not specifically focus on campus entrepreneurs and outreach to business schools.

Practical implications

– This study provides information on academic business librarians' efforts to assist community entrepreneurs. It also provides some information on lessons learned.

Originality/value

– A national study of academic business librarians' outreach to entrepreneurs has not been conducted in the past.
Information behaviour of humanities PhDs on an information literacy course
Authors: Madden Ronan
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to examine whether an information literacy course/module is an appropriate intervention during the initial months of a humanities PhD, and if there is more that can be learned from the course participants that might provide a better understanding of their information behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was distributed to new humanities PhD students prior to their attending the course. A second questionnaire was distributed to those who had completed the course in full. Interviews were conducted with six participants to gain a richer understanding of how their information-seeking needs had evolved.

Findings

– Despite the relatively generic nature of the module, and the diversity of humanities research, the course had clear benefits for the participants. In their first year, scoping their topic and finding quality information can pose a challenge. The participants reported that the most appropriate time to attend the course is during the initial months. Some preferred to attend (or repeat) particular units later as workshops. The most valued elements were those that helped them bridge initial gaps. Face-to-face delivery is preferred. There is some potential for further one-to-one contact with librarians and additional follow-up workshops.

Practical implications

– This study can inform how librarians can better support PhD researchers in the humanities.

Originality/value

– The study is based around an established and accredited humanities PhD course that has already been adapted in various ways in terms of content and timing of delivery. Drawing on Kuhlthau's “Information Search Process”, the study seeks a deeper understanding of a specific humanities group during the initial months of their PhD research.
Text a librarian: a look from the user perspective
Authors: Luo Lili
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth examination of the use and non-use of text reference service among library users, seeking to evaluate the service from library users' perspective and hence enhance the professional understanding of the best practices of text reference service.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey study was conducted among library users, examining user demographics, user's texting behavior, user awareness of text reference service, and users' use or non-use of the service.

Findings

– Findings suggest that the majority of library users have not used the service and their non-use is primarily attributed to their lack of awareness. Users who have used the service report a high degree of satisfaction and appreciate the convenience, ease of use and speediness of the service.

Practical implications

– The paper helps interested libraries develop an enriched view of texting's affordance as a reference service venue and thus make more informed decisions in successfully implementing the service.

Originality/value

– Text reference is the most recent reference development and it does not have a large body of literature. Current reports are primarily of a single library's experience and rarely investigate users' experience with text reference service. This paper fills the void in the literature by presenting a thorough study of text reference service from the user's point-of-view.
Four questions every leader needs to ask about talent management
Authors: Kinley Nik , Ben-Hur Shlomo
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The authors aim to examine the use of talent intelligence – the understanding that businesses have of the skills, expertise and qualities of their people – within talent management strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors combine their field work and research expertise to understand the use of talent intelligence and its effectiveness, and how this can be improved upon.

Findings

– Beneath the succession plans and talent pools, talent management is built upon the foundation of talent intelligence. It is the basis of every people decision that organizations make. Yet there is evidence that this basic foundation of talent management is broken.

Originality/value

– The authors look at why talent intelligence is not being used to its potential, and explore what businesses can do to rectify the matter. Four practical steps are shared to help HR professionals assess the quality of their organization's talent intelligence.
Develop and engage all your people for business success
Authors: Caplan Janice
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to draw on some key ideas set out in Janice Caplan's book, Strategic Talent Development. In essence, Strategic Talent Development is about achieving business success in today's environment, which is so different from the one on which most management practice is based.

Design/methodology/approach

– Caplan argues that conventional thinking has pushed too much onto line managers and given them an impossible task. She also debunks popular notions, such as we should invest differentially in high potential, or pivotal staff, or that leaders must win hearts and minds.

Findings

– She shows how new ways of working are making current line management structures and processes unviable, and she proposes two key solutions. The first is to implement “shared management” structures that spread people management responsibilities so that individuals get the attention they need, when they need it. The second is to establish longer-term approaches to career development that ensure everyone keeps pace with change. This also takes care of high potentials and future leaders.

Originality/value

– The author shows how the proposed solutions are critical to raising levels of employee engagement and therefore business profitability.
BEEHAVE: a systems model of honeybee colony dynamics and foraging to explore multifactorial causes of colony failure
Authors: Becher Matthias A. , Grimm Volker , Thorbek Pernille , Horn Juliane , Kennedy Peter J. , Osborne Juliet L.
Published: March 2014

A notable increase in failure of managed European honeybee Apis mellifera L. colonies has been reported in various regions in recent years. Although the underlying causes remain unclear, it is likely that a combination of stressors act together, particularly varroa mites and other pathogens, forage availability and potentially pesticides. It is experimentally challenging to address causality at the colony scale when multiple factors interact. In silico experiments offer a fast and cost‐effective way to begin to address these challenges and inform experiments. However, none of the published bee models combine colony dynamics with foraging patterns and varroa dynamics.

We have developed a honeybee model, BEEHAVE, which integrates colony dynamics, population dynamics of the varroa mite, epidemiology of varroa‐transmitted viruses and allows foragers in an agent‐based foraging model to collect food from a representation of a spatially explicit landscape.

We describe the model, which is freely available online (www.beehave-model.net). Extensive sensitivity analyses and tests illustrate the model's robustness and realism. Simulation experiments with various combinations of stressors demonstrate, in simplified landscape settings, the model's potential: predicting colony dynamics and potential losses with and without varroa mites under different foraging conditions and under pesticide application. We also show how mitigation measures can be tested.

Synthesis and applications. BEEHAVE offers a valuable tool for researchers to design and focus field experiments, for regulators to explore the relative importance of stressors to devise management and policy advice and for beekeepers to understand and predict varroa dynamics and effects of management interventions. We expect that scientists and stakeholders will find a variety of applications for BEEHAVE, stimulating further model development and the possible inclusion of other stressors of potential importance to honeybee colony dynamics.
Positive systemic practice: a controlled trial of family therapy for adolescent emotional and behavioural problems inIreland
Authors: Cassells Ciara , Carr Alan , Forrest Mary , Fry Jane , Beirne Fidelma , Casey Tom , Rooney Brendan
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of positive systemic practice (PSP) in the context of a controlled trial.PSPis a model of family therapy for adolescent emotional and behavioural problems. A series of thirty‐seven consecutive patients assigned to aPSPtreatment group and thirty‐five similar patients consecutively assigned to a waiting‐list control group completed this trial. They were assessed at baseline (Time 1) and 16 weeks later (Time 2) using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) that evaluates adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, and the systemic clinical outcomes and routine evaluation (SCORE) that evaluates family functioning. ThePSPgroup was also followed up 6 months later (Time 3). For trial completers, the clinical improvement rate on theSDQin the treatment group (65%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (20%) at Time 2 and the improvement was maintained at Time 3 (60%). The amelioration in adolescent behaviour problems on theSDQwas correlated with improvement in family adjustment on theSCORE. Treatment completers reported a high level of treatment satisfaction with this model of family therapy.

Practitioner points

PSPis a promising model of family therapy for adolescent emotional and behavioural problems.

A distinctive feature of the model is the provision, by a co‐therapy team, of conjoint family sessions and parallel series of sessions to adolescents and parents.

The model is described in a treatment manual.
Anal incontinence and Quality of Life in late pregnancy: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Johannessen HH , Mørkved S , Stordahl A , Sandvik L , Wibe A
Published: March 2014

Objective

To evaluate the association between different types of anal incontinence (AI) and Quality of Life (QoL) in late pregnancy.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Two maternity units in Norway 2009–2010.

Population

Primiparae aged 18 or over.

Methods

Participants answered questions about AI during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy on the St. Mark's score and impact of QoL in the Fecal Incontinence QoL score. Socioeconomic data were obtained from hospital records.

Main outcome measures

Self‐reported AI and impact on QoL.

Results

1571 primiparae responded; 573 (37%) had experienced AI during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy. One third of the incontinent women reported reduced QoL in the domain ‘Coping’. ‘Women experiencing urgency alone reported markedly better QoL compared to any other AI symptoms. AI appeared to have the strongest impact on the domains ‘Coping’ and ‘Embarrassment’. Depression was only associated with experiencing the combination of all three symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 13; 95%confidence interval (CI) 3.2–51]. Experiencing flatus alone weekly or more was associated with the highest impact on ‘Embarrassment’ (OR 20; 95%CI 6.4–61) compared with all other symptoms or combination of AI symptoms, except the combination of all three AI symptoms.

Conclusions

Between 3 and 10% of the primiparae in this material experienced AI to such a extent that it affected QoL. The greatest impact was seen in the QoL domain ‘Coping’. These findings highlight the importance of an increased awareness of AI in late pregnancy among health professionals and the need to implement routine discussions about AI with expectant and new mothers.
Effects of 1‐Methylcyclopropene and Hot Water Quarantine Treatment on Quality of “Keitt” Mangos
Authors: Ngamchuachit Panita , Barrett Diane M. , Mitcham Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2014

The optimal 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) treatment to slow ripening of whole “Keitt” mangos, either alone or in combination with hot water treatment (HWT) (prior to or post 1‐MCP) was identified. USDA‐APHIS mandates that HWT can be used for control of fruit flies, but this may affect fruit response to 1‐MCP. Mangos were evaluated by repeated measurement of nondestructive firmness, peel color, and ethylene production on the same mango fruits during 2 wk of ripening at 20 °C after treatment. The magnitude of ethylene production increased as a result of both 1‐MCP and HWT. With softer mangos (65 N), treatment with 1‐MCP alone delayed fruit softening and extended the number of days to full‐ripeness (25 N) from 5 d in untreated fruit to 11 d. For these riper fruit, application of 1‐MCP prior to HWT extended the days to full‐ripeness to 9 d compared with 7 d when 1‐MCP was applied after HWT. With firmer mangos (80 N), 1‐MCP treatments alone prolonged the days to full‐ripeness to 13 d as compared to 11 d for the untreated fruit. There was no significant concentration effect on firmness retention among 1‐MCP treatments (0.5, 1.0, or 10.0 μL/L). HWT resulted in a faster rate of fruit softening, taking only 7 d to reach full‐ripeness. Combining 1‐MCP with HWT reduced the rate of softening compared to HWT alone, resulting in 9 to 11 d to full‐ripeness. Application of 1‐MCP before HWT showed a greater ability to reduce the rate of fruit softening compared with 1‐MCP treatment after HWT.
Chyle leakage patterns and management after oncologic esophagectomy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim Dohun , Cho Juhee , Kim Kwhanmien , Shim Young Mog
Published: March 2014

Background

This study aims to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of chyle leakage after curative oncologic esophagectomy, and the effectiveness of thoracic duct ligation.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using the medical records of 1514 patients who underwent curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between September 1994 and December 2010. Patients whose pleural fluid analysis corresponded to chyle were included, and drainage patterns by different management groups were examined with multilevel models. The chyle leakage patterns during the time before and after duct ligation were also evaluated, adjusting for demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment.

Results

The prevalence of chyle leakage after esophagectomy was 3.8%. The three management groups were as follows: (i) conservative–controlled only with conservative management; (ii) surgical I–duct ligation during the esophagectomy; and (iii) surgical II–duct ligation after the esophagectomy. Pattern analysis determined that drainage of the conservative group was ∼400 mL/day (maximum on postoperative days [POD] = 9.2); drainage of surgical II was ∼1000 mL/day (maximum on POD = 18.1). On average, thoracic duct ligation was performed 18.7 days after the esophagectomy, and drainage significantly decreased after duct ligation (P‐value <0.001).

Conclusions

There was a clear pattern of lower chyle leakage with the patients requiring conservative management compared with those requiring surgical management. Active and prompt surgical management needs to be considered in the early postoperative phase for patients with high‐output (over 1000 mL/day) chyle leakage after esophagectomy.
Ex‐smokers are happier than current smokers among Chinese adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Wang Man Ping , Wang Xin , Lam Tai Hing , Viswanath Kasisomayajula , Chan Sophia S.
Published: March 2014

Aim

To investigate the cross‐sectional association between smoking and happiness in Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

Design, Setting and Participants

Telephone surveys were conducted between 2009 and 2012, with 4553 randomly sampled Chinese adults (male 54%, mean age 58.3 years) in Hong Kong.

Measurements

Happiness was measured using the four‐item Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and single‐item Global Happiness Item (GHI). Smoking status was categorized as current smokers (7.7%%), ex‐smokers (6.5%, 93% quit for >6 months) and never smokers (85.8%). Linear and ordinal logistic regressions were used to calculate adjusted β‐coefficients for SHS and proportional adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for GHI in relation to smoking.

Findings

Compared with current smokers, ex‐smokers enjoyed greater happiness according to both SHS (adjusted β = 0.16, P < 0.05) and GHI (aOR = 1.52, P < 0.05) measurements, but current and never smokers were similar. Among current smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked was not associated with happiness, but the lack of any attempt to quit was associated significantly with greater happiness (adjusted β = 0.31 for SHS, aOR = 1.82 for GHI) compared with smokers who had tried to quit but not succeeded. Smokers not intending to quit in the next 6 months had higher odds of happiness (GHI) than those wanting to quit within 6 months (aOR = 1.86, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Ex‐smokers in Hong Kong are happier than current smokers and never smokers, whose happiness measurements are similar. Causal associations have yet to be established.
Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in women following gastric bypass: a Danish national cohort study
Authors: Berlac Janne Foss , Skovlund Charlotte Wessel , Lidegaard Øjvind
Published: March 2014

Objective

To assess obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in women following gastric bypass, compared with adipose women without surgery and with a normal weight control population.

Design

Historical controlled cohort study.

Setting

Denmark.

Population

All women undergoing gastric bypass during the period 1996–2011, and subsequently giving birth.

Methods and main outcome measures

Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in women without gastric bypass matched on age, parity, plurality, year, and body mass index, and normal weight women.

Results

In 415 women giving birth after gastric bypass we found significantly more women with hypertension in pregnancy; relative risk (RR) 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.3–5.0), gestational diabetes; RR = 6.9 (3.5–13.5), and acute abdominal pain during pregnancy; RR = 4.7 (2.9–7.8) compared with normal weight controls. Compared with women with similar body mass index, they had a lower incidence of preeclampsia and emergency cesarean sections, and their children a lower incidence of asphyxia; RR = 0.4 (0.2–0.8). Their children were on average 212 g smaller than newborn of normal weight mothers, and 319 g smaller than newborn of adipose controls, and had significantly more admissions to neonatal intensive care unit compared with newborn of normal weight mothers; RR = 1.5 (1.1–2.0).

Conclusions

Gastric bypass may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, emergency cesarean section, and perinatal asphyxia, compared with adipose women without surgery. Compared with normal weight controls women who had had a gastric bypass had a higher risk of hypertension, gestational diabetes, and acute abdominal pain during pregnancy and their children a lower birthweight and higher incidence of admittance to neonatal intensive care.
Intergenerational Transfers and Asset Inequality in Japan: Empirical Evidence from New Survey Data
Authors: Hamaaki Junya , Hori Masahiro , Murata Keiko
Published: March 2014

This paper quantitatively examines the impact of intergenerational transfers on asset inequality among Japanese households. We estimate an intergenerational asset transfer function with various control variables, using a unique micro dataset taken from a survey conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office. Employing three different models, a Tobit model, an interval regression model and an ordered probit model, to ensure that our results are independent of the specific econometric approach used, we investigate whether asset transfers received are correlated with households’ financial strength. We find that higher income households are likely to receive larger asset transfers. However, the contribution of intergenerational transfers to asset inequality appears to be small.
Clinical characteristics of 15 children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia who developed blast crisis: MDS Committee of Japanese Society of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology
Authors: Honda Yuko , Tsuchida Masahiro , Zaike Yuji , Masunaga Atsuko , Yoshimi Ayami , Kojima Seiji , Ito Masafumi , Kikuchi Akira , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Manabe Atsushi
Published: March 2014

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) is a rare haematopoietic stem cell disease of early childhood, which can progress to blast crisis in some children. A total of 153 children diagnosed with JMML were reported to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome Committee in Japan between 1989 and 2007; 15 of them (9·8%) had 20% or more blasts in the bone marrow (blast crisis) during the disease course. Blast crisis occurred during observation without therapy (n = 3) or with oral 6‐mercaptopurine treatment (n = 9) and in relapse after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT; n = 3). Six patients had a complex karyotype (5 including monosomy 7) and an additional three patients had isolated monosomy 7 at blast crisis. Seven patients received HSCT after blast crisis and four of them achieved remission. Eleven out of the 15 patients died; the cause of death was disease progression in 10 patients and transplant‐related complication in one patient. In summary, patients with blast crisis have poor prognosis and can be cured only by HSCT. The emergence of monosomy 7 and complex karyotype may be characteristic of blast crisis in a substantial subset of children.
C-reactive protein levels in hereditary angioedema
Authors: Hofman Z L M , Relan A , Hack C E
Published: March 2014

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients experience recurrent episodes of angioedema attacks that can be painful, disfiguring and even life-threatening. The disorder results from a mutation in the gene that controls the synthesis of C1-inhibitor (C1INH). C1INH is a major regulator of activation of the contact system. It is often assumed that attacks results from uncontrolled local activation of the contact system with subsequent formation of bradykinin. To evaluate the involvement of inflammatory reactions in HAE, we analysed C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. HAE patients included in a clinical database of recombinant human C1-inhibitor (rhC1INH) studies were evaluated. For the current study we analysed CRP levels when patients were asymptomatic, during a clinical attack and in a follow-up period, and correlated these with the clinical manifestations of the attack. Data from 68 HAE patients were analysed and included CRP levels on 273 occasions. While asymptomatic, 20% of the patients analysed had increased CRP. At the onset of the attack (P = 0·049) and during the next 24 h CRP rose significantly (P = 0·002) in patients with an abdominal location, and post-attack levels were significantly higher in these patients than in patients with attacks at other locations (P = 0·034). In conclusion, CRP levels are elevated in a substantial proportion of asymptomatic HAE patients. Levels of CRP increase significantly during an abdominal attack. These data suggest low-grade systemic inflammatory reactions in HAE patients as well as a triggering event for attacks that starts prior to symptom onset.
Five‐year outcome of bariatric surgery in a patient with melanocortin‐4 receptor mutation
Authors: Elkhenini H. F. , New J. P. , Syed A. A.
Published: March 2014

Monogenic obesity is characterized by mutations in genes involved in the central regulation of food intake. Melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R) mutations are the most frequent monogenic cause of severe early onset human obesity. Although bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for idiopathic morbid obesity in adults, little is known about its effectiveness in patients with monogenic obesity syndromes. We report 5‐year outcome of gastric bypass surgery in a young man with severe super‐obesity associated with MC4R mutation. A 22‐year‐old man with a weight of 221.6 kg and body mass index of 76.7 kg m–2 associated with a heterozygous MC4R mutation was referred to our centre for bariatric surgery. He underwent Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and achieved weight loss of 76% of excess weight over a follow‐up period of 58 months. Heterozygous MC4R mutations have been associated with dominantly inherited obesity in various ethnic groups, and non‐surgical interventions are rarely effective in the long term. One previous report of bariatric surgery in a patient with complete MC4R deficiency reported poor weight loss after gastric banding. We speculate that patients with MC4R mutations achieve superior weight loss outcomes from procedures such as RYGB that produce neurohormonal changes rather than gastric restriction alone due to beneficial effects on appetite and satiety regulation.
Completely diverted tube ileostomy compared with loop ileostomy for protection of low colorectal anastomosis: a pilot study
Authors: Zhou X. , Lin C. , Chen W. , Lin J. , Xu J.
Published: March 2014

Aim

The study was designed to evaluate a new completely diverted tube ileostomy (CDTI) with a reversible single‐row stapled occlusion of the distal limb to defunction a low colorectal anastomosis, and to compare it with a loop ileostomy (LI).

Method

From September 2010 to August 2012, 95 patients with rectal cancer who underwent elective low anterior resections were recruited into the study. They received either a CDTI or a LI. Demographics, clinical features and operative data were recorded.

Results

Fifty‐four patients (56%) had a CDTI and 41 (44%) a LI. There were no significant differences in patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Anastomotic dehiscence occurred in three (5.6%) patients in the CDTI group and two (4.9%) in the LI group (not significant) and no patient developed faecal peritonitis. In the CDTI group, the distal ileum spontaneously recanalized from the stapler occlusion with an average anastomosis exclusion time of 27.9 (14–70) days. The CDTI tube was removed on day 33 (20–75) and the subsequent stoma closure time was 12.3 (6–30) days.

Conclusion

The CDTI procedure is a safe and effective technique for defunctioning an elective low colorectal anastomosis and avoids a formal stoma.
A New Culture of Learning: Digital Storytelling and Faith Formation
Authors: Hess Mary E.
Published: March 2014

How has the “new culture of learning” begun to transform us, and in what ways might the faith formation practices of religious communities be impacted by the shift? Recent research funded by the MacArthur Foundation lays an empirical basis for recognizing shifts in learning brought about by widespread access to digital technologies. The implications of that research, in turn, pose widespread challenges to the work of faith formation in contemporary communities of faith. Communicative theologies may be best poised to engage these challenges through the practices of digital storytelling.
Big Data and the 21st Century Church
Authors: Gutzler Michael D.
Published: March 2014

This article observes the practices and techniques of personal data collection with analytical analysis by major retailers and social media agencies, and then offers practical ways congregations can collect data for the purposes of producing targeted messaging, evaluating the movement of individual member faith practices, and creating a model for helping members growing a deep sense of connection and commitment to congregational life.
“Of Course I Can”: The Effect of CEO Overconfidence on Entrepreneurially Oriented Firms
Authors: Engelen Andreas , Neumann Christoph , Schwens Christian
Published: March 2014

Guided by the upper echelons theory, this research examines the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) overconfidence and a firm's entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The study theoretically establishes and empirically validates an increasing effect of CEO overconfidence on EO, although at a decreasing rate. Empirical results are based on a multisource secondary data set for high–tech S&P 500 firms from 2005 to 2007. Findings further indicate that the proposed relationship between CEO overconfidence and EO is moderated by market dynamism. A theoretically established moderating effect of market concentration could not be validated empirically.
Struggling with Market Entry and Expansion: Parlance Communications in Mexico
Authors: Ensign Prescott C. , Lunney Andrew Ray
Published: March 2014

Beth Reuben, charged with business development, has been with Parlance Communications (ParCom) for a little over a year. Chief executive officer and founder, Dr. Emmanuel Cole, has instructed Beth Reuben to prepare the strategy for ParCom's entry into Mexico and handle a trade show in Mexico City, Mexico, in 3 months.
Movers and shakers: nutrient subsidies and benthic disturbance predict biofilm biomass and stable isotope signatures in coastal streams
Authors: Harding Jennifer N. , Harding Joel M. S. , Reynolds John D.
Published: March 2014

Nutrient subsidies and physical disturbance from migrating species can have strong impacts on primary producers. In the north Pacific, adult salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) transport marine‐derived nutrients back to freshwater streams and can also significantly disrupt the substratum during spawning events. We tested for effects of spawning pink (O. gorbuscha) and chum (O. keta) salmon on stream biofilm. Biofilm is a mix of algae, fungi and bacteria that provides food and habitat and forms the base of these aquatic food webs.

We collected rock biofilm samples to compare stable isotopes and biomass prior to and following peak salmon spawning in 16 catchments on the central coast of British Columbia, Canada.

We conducted two separate analyses. The first was a within‐stream comparison, which focused on 5 catchments that had a barrier to pink and chum salmon migration. The second was an among‐stream analysis that included all 16 catchments and explicitly considered biotic and abiotic factors, in addition to salmon density, known to influence biofilm growth and isotope ratios.

Salmon density proved to be the best predictor of biofilm δ15N. Biofilm δ13C was best predicted by salmon density and catchment size. While spring chlorophyll a increased with mean salmon density, it was on average lower during spawning in the autumn, probably due to physical disturbance from spawning salmon.

These results show that of the several variables considered to affect biofilm isotopes and biomass, salmon density and catchment size are among the most influential in coastal streams where salmon spawn.
Gender and Climate Change Adaptation in Agrarian Settings: Current Thinking, New Directions, and Research Frontiers
Authors: Carr Edward R. , Thompson Mary C.
Published: March 2014

The impacts of climate variability and change impinge upon different lives and livelihoods within agrarian populations in complex ways. While academic, donor, and implementer efforts to understand and act on this complexity have been profoundly influenced by gender analysis, most contemporary analyses are predicated on a construction of gender as binary (men versus women). This approach runs contrary to current understandings of gender and identity in the wider social science literature, which treats gender as a social categorization that takes meaning from its intersection with other identities, roles, and responsibilities. An emerging adaptation literature takes on this intersectional approach to gender, making conceptual, methodological, and empirical arguments against assessing the vulnerability of agrarian populations to the impacts of climate variability and change through binary gender categories. This literature argues that binary approaches are likely to overlook the specific challenges facing significant portions of any agrarian population, and therefore can result in maladaptive interventions that enhance, instead of ameliorate, the vulnerability of the most marginal and vulnerable. Though this emerging literature makes a compelling case for change, efforts to convince the academic and implementation communities focused on agrarian adaptation to adopt intersectional gender analyses point to two broad research frontiers. First, convincing these communities of the value of this shift will require an expanded, rigorous empirical base of evidence for who is overlooked by binary gender analysis relative to intersectional analysis in particular places. Second, facilitating the implementation of intersectional approaches will require methodological innovations that have thus far been under‐addressed in this literature.
Patterns of tertiary prophylaxis in Canadian adults with severe and moderately severe haemophilia B
Authors: Jackson S. C. , Yang M. , Minuk L. , St‐Louis J. , Sholzberg M. , Card R. , Iorio A. , Poon M.‐C.
Published: March 2014

From a young age patients with severe and moderately severe FIX deficiency (haemophilia B) can experience spontaneous or traumatic bleeding and joint destruction may result. The use of coagulation factor IX concentrate to prevent anticipated bleeding, as primary or secondary prophylaxis, has become a common and recommended practice in children. The current practice of using tertiary prophylaxis, in the presence of established joint arthropathy, in adults with haemophilia B is not well characterized. This observational study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the recent Canadian experience with tertiary prophylaxis in adults with severe and moderately severe haemophilia B. Data were collected from all eligible adult (≥ 18 years of age) males with baseline FIX:C ≤ 2% from seven Canadian Hemophilia Treatment centres over a 2‐year observation period from 2009 to 2011. Thirty‐four per cent of the 67 subjects with moderately severe haemophilia B were exposed to prophylaxis with the majority as continuous prophylaxis (≥45 weeks year‐1). The severe subgroup (FIX:C < 1%) demonstrated a 52% exposure rate. None had primary prophylaxis exposure in childhood. Eighty‐one per cent used once or twice weekly infusion regimens and reported a median annual bleeding rate of five bleeds per year versus four bleeds per year for those using on‐demand treatment. Annual median factor utilization for all subjects using prophylaxis was 196 283 U year‐1 compared to 46 361 U year‐1 for on demand. Approximately 50% of adults with severe haemophilia B are using continuous tertiary prophylaxis in Canada, a practice likely to increase which warrants further study.
Total ankle replacement in patients with haemophilia and virus infections – a safe alternative to ankle arthrodesis?
Authors: Strauss A. C. , Goldmann G. , Wessling M. , Gravius S. , Müller M. C. , Wimmer M. D. , Wirtz D. C. , Oldenburg J. , Pennekamp P. H.
Published: March 2014

Despite reliable results of ankle fusion for advanced haemophilic arthropathy, total ankle replacement (TAR) may be functionally advantageous. There is only very limited literature data available on TAR in patients with haemophilia. The objective of this study is to evaluate the short‐ and mid‐term results after TAR in patients with end‐stage haemophilic ankle arthropathy and concomitant virus infections. In a retrospective study, results after eleven TAR in 10 patients with severe (n = 8) and moderate (n = 2) haemophilia (mean age: 49 ± 7 years, range, 37–59) were evaluated at a mean follow‐up of 3.0 years (range, 1.2–5.4). Nine patients were positive for hepatitis C, five were HIV‐positive. Range of motion (ROM), AOFAS‐hindfoot‐score, pain status (visual analogue scale, VAS) as well as patient satisfaction were evaluated. In two cases deep prosthesis infection occurred leading to the removal of the implant. In the remaining eight patients the mean AOFAS score improved significantly from 21.5 to 68.0 points (P < 0.0005), the VAS score decreased significantly from 7.6 to 1.9 points (P < 0.0005). ROM increased from 23.2 to 25.0 degrees (P = 0.51). At final follow‐up all patients without any complications were satisfied with the postoperative results. Radiographic examination did not reveal any signs of prosthetic loosening. TAR is a viable surgical treatment option in patients with end‐stage ankle osteoarthritis due to haemophilia. It provides significant pain relieve and high patient satisfaction. However, due to the increased risk of infection and lack of long‐term results, TAR particularly in patients with severe haemophilia and virus infections should be indicated carefully.
George Lindbeck as a Potential Religious Pluralist
Authors: Fridlund Patrik
Published: March 2014

Interreligious dialogue and conversion are two contentious foci for understanding how religion operates. An interpretation of George Lindbeck serves as a starting point for discussion in this paper. The dominant reading is that Lindbeck claims that traditions absorb the world. Religious traditions are isolated, and the one with a greater capacity to assimilate others’ concerns emerges the strongest – implying what is called exclusivism. My proposal is that a different reading of Lindbeck is possible; I am not so much questioning Lindbeck as highlighting another aspect of his oeuvre. If grammar, framework and structure – and not propositional first‐order ontological contents – are given first place, dialogue and conversion appear differently. Questions must be raised, however; isn't it true that there is always some content and substance – even if hidden or disguised?
Utilization of psychotropic drugs prescribed to persons with and without HIV infection: a Danish nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Rasmussen LD , Obel D , Kronborg G , Larsen CS , Pedersen C , Gerstoft J , Obel N
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The objective was to estimate the utilization of psychotropic drugs in HIV‐infected individuals compared with that in the background population.

Methods

Using data obtained from the Danish HIV Cohort Study and the Danish National Prescription Registry, we analysed aggregated data on redeemed prescription of psychotropic drugs during 1995–2009. We primarily focused our analyses on HIV‐infected individuals with no history of injecting drug use (IDU) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Drug utilization was expressed as defined daily doses per 1000 person‐days (DDD/1000PD). The utilization rate ratio (URR) was calculated as utilization in the HIV‐infected cohort compared with that in the comparison cohort. We estimated longitudinal trends in utilization and potential associations with HIV and exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), especially efavirenz.

Results

During 1995–2009, 54.5% of the HIV‐infected cohort (3615 non‐IDU/non‐HCV‐infected HIV‐infected individuals) and 29.2% of the comparison cohort (32 535 individuals) had at least one prescription of a psychotropic drug. HIV infection was associated with a URR of 1.13 for antipsychotics, 1.76 for anxiolytics, 4.42 for hypnotics and sedatives, and 2.28 for antidepressants. Antidepressants were confined primarily to men who have sex with men (MSM). Older age, more recent calendar time, and increased time after HIV diagnosis were associated with increased drug utilization. However, no association with exposure to HAART or efavirenz was found.

Conclusions

HIV‐infected individuals had a higher utilization of psychotropic drugs than the background population, which was not confined to individuals with a history of IDU or HCV infection. This emphasizes the need to focus on diagnosis of, and appropriate psychopharmacological interventions for, mental disorders in this population.
Cases of Indiscriminate Killing and Society: Toward a Sociological Analysis of Curvatures in Contemporary Society
Authors: Uchida Ryuzo
Published: March 2014

Indiscriminate killing is regarded as a radically antisocial act for its transgression of the social contract as well as the legal system. However, previous studies of indiscriminate killing have mainly focused on classifying these acts and their subjective aspects rather than analyzing the society producing and narrating about the acts. Therefore, this article aims to examine the correlations between cases of indiscriminate killing and wounding and social space, with reference to the contemporary Japanese society. In general, indiscriminate offenses are discussed within the social space via narratives disseminated or reported by the mass media. Although these narratives are also adopted by the criminal offenders, victims, media, courts and public, many fail to provide a satisfactory explanation for the offense. Instead of following these narrators and simply speculating about the reasons for these offenses, this article analyzes the correlations between antisocial incidents and the systematical realities of a society. Using this approach, this article examines the possibility of constructing an analytical frame of reference that focuses on the figurative, structural and allegorical correspondences between an aggregation of incidents caused by individuals and a society's systematical realities.
Possibility of “Literature” in Sociology
Authors: Hase Masato
Published: March 2014

Sociology can be both a science and literature. While sociology as science investigates general tendencies of social phenomena through statistical analysis and advances social policies based on the understanding of their objective causes, sociology as literature focuses on the non‐generalizable aspects of an individual event and considers the reasons for the resulting actions of human beings. In this article I examine prominent works in the sociology of literature by three representative Japanese sociologists, Sosuke Mita, Keiichi Sakuta and Shun Inoue, from the 1970s to the early 1980s. After this period, contemporary French philosophy, such as that of Foucault, introduced to Japan during the 1980s, made it clear that literature is nothing more than a social institution that produces interiority in individuals. As a result, sociology as discourse has dominated the intellectual scene in Japan ever since, eclipsing the possibility of sociology as literature, which focuses more on the romantic individual. However, I argue that an alternative possibility for sociology as literature can be found in a sociology of singularity, which grasps the concrete facticity of human activities in ordinary everyday life through reading their descriptions in works of literature.