bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning not to labour: a micro analysis of consensual male unemployment
Authors: George Giazitzoglu Andreas
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The Drifters are ten long-term unemployed British men. The Drifters’ unemployment is consensual: the men believe they have chosen to “not work” and rely upon welfare benefits for their socio-economic survival. The purpose of this paper is to present micro sociological analysis of the Drifters’ existences which focuses upon first, exploring why the Drifters’ consensual unemployment has resulted in them experiencing high levels of stigma in their everyday lives; second, analysing the Drifters’ (micro) relationships with (macro) unemployment policies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Primary, qualitative data were elicited from the Drifters during two phases of fieldwork. In both phases of fieldwork, the author conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and participant observation-based research with the Drifters to generate data on how the men subjectively experience and account for the intersection of consensual non-work, welfare reliance and stigma in their lives.

Findings

– In the pseudonymous locale where the Drifters reside (Dramen) displaying a willingness to work is – despite high rates of local unemployment – a social expectation and marker of “respectable” masculinity. By living lives of consensual non-work and welfare reliance, the Drifters violate a localised cultural code and are accordingly stigmatised. Rather than attempting to manage their stigma, the Drifters ritually indulge in secondary deviant behaviours. This amplifies the Drifters’ statuses as reviled agents. The Drifters lack employment options. The Drifters have been able to successfully exploit unemployment benefits. Accordingly, the Drifters’ non-work is somewhat inevitable, rather than lamentable, as many citizens in Dramen believe; and as wider current right-leaning political and media rhetoric relating to unemployment implies.

Originality/value

– Examinations into the lives of non-consensually unemployed males exist. However, the lives of males who are unemployed apparently consensually – i.e. out of choice – remain under-researched. This paper functions as a micro empirical corrective, which diversifies the way male unemployment in capitalist societies can be viewed; and which offers a fresh look at how proposed unemployment welfare reform may impact the Drifters and the group in British society which the Drifters represent more broadly.
An exploratory study of entrepreneurial marketing in SMEs
Authors: Franco Mário , de Fátima Santos Maria , Ramalho Isabel , Nunes Cristina
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Marketing has been seen as one of the greatest problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but simultaneously one of the most important activities for their growth and survival. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to determine the importance and role of entrepreneurial marketing in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

– To reach this goal, a qualitative approach was adopted, with two case studies (SMEs) selected. As data-collecting instruments, interviews and documentary analysis were used, and the data-treatment technique was content analysis.

Findings

– The empirical evidence obtained shows that the importance of entrepreneurial marketing is recognized, but that it differs considerably according to firm size. In the SMEs studied, marketing is informal and reactive to market opportunities and the founder-entrepreneur has an influence on the decision-making process.

Practical implications

– The study contributes to the existing research about the role the founder-entrepreneur can have in the firm's ability to develop entrepreneurial marketing activities. From a practical viewpoint, the study has found that entrepreneurial marketing is based on networking to build and support marketing activity and it is associated with the use and development of the marketing management competencies of their entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

– The study is innovative because the authors are able to outline empirically new issues for future investigation in this area of scarce research. Second, an integrative and holistic model is proposed for entrepreneurial marketing in SMEs and this represents the primary contribution of the study.
Mechanical behaviour and identification of damage by acoustic emission of smart composites
Authors: Masmoudi S. , El Mahi A. , El Guerjouma R. , Turki S.
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The smaller sizes of current electronic devices suggest the feasibility of creating a smart composite structure using piezoelectric implant to monitor in-situ and in-service conditions the life of civil and aerospace structures. Piezoelectric (lead zirconate-titanate (PZT)) sensors embedded within laminates composites represent a new branch of engineering with the potential to greatly enhance the confidence and use of these materials. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study presents a health monitoring of laminates composites materials incorporating by piezoelectric (PZT) implant using acoustic emission (AE) technique. A series of specimens of laminate composite with and without embedded piezoelectric were tested in three-point bending tests in static and creep loading while continuously monitoring the response by the AE technique. The AE signals were analysed using the classification k-means method in order to identify the different damages and to follow the evolution of these various mechanisms for both types of materials (with and without embedded sensors).

Findings

– Comparing embedded sensor to sensor mounted on the surface, the embedded sensor showed a much higher sensitivity. It was thus verified that the embedded AE sensor had great potential for AE monitoring in fibre reinforced composites structures.

Originality/value

– Piezoelectric implant to monitor in-situ and in-service conditions the life of civil and aerospace structures.
Guest Editorial: Accounting for public governance
Authors: Grossi Giuseppe , Steccolini Ileana
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to introduce the special issue and outline its major themes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The public governance literature is described, and the necessity for analysing challenges for accountability and accounting in the public sector is elaborated upon, as a precursor to introducing the contributions to this special issue.

Findings

– The public governance turn in public management and policy studies has often meant that accounting and accountability issues have been overlooked. This special issue reminds us that they are central in public governance and networks, and that accounting cannot be dismissed as only a “technical” issue since it is central in power relationships, building trust, ensuring transparency and improving decision making for both internal and external stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

– This special issue ofQualitative Research in Accounting & Managementaims to stimulate qualitative research on how accounting and accountability are being shaped by the new public governance paradigm and, in turn, contribute to shaping it.

Practical implications

– The articles included in this special issue focus on reforms and innovations that have been adopted based on the assumption that improving mechanisms of public governance and accountability will result in better public sector performance. The different aspects of governance and accounting changes will also be of interest to politicians, managers, citizens, and those who seek accountability from public sector organisations.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a systematic empirical examination of the innovative experiences of different governments to strengthen transparency, openness and participation, and to enhance the capacity to manage, steer and monitor contracts, partnerships and relationships with private and public sector entities.
Contracting accountability in network governance structures
Authors: Hansson Lisa , Longva Frode
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how accountability is expressed in contractual arrangements found in network governance structures that provide public transport services and to raise discussion of how to understand contracting accountability in network governance contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is rooted in two research traditions: contracting studies and studies of accountability in government/governance contexts. Content analysis is used in examining contracts from two cases. These contracts are of five types: contracts between public organizations, contracts within a public organization, contracts between public organizations and private firms, and contracts between political parties within a municipality and contracts within a network. Various contracting approaches are identified within these types.

Findings

– The paper concludes that the contracts' functions differ between the cases. The first case did not have an overall contract that defined the network, relying on different two-party contracts instead. In the other case, an incentive-based contract was used to link the organizations. From an accountability perspective, the latter contracting structure clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the actors and increases the possibility of accountability to citizens.

Originality/value

– The paper brings new insights to the field of contracting and accountability by focusing on the role of contracts in network governance structures, taking account of various accountability relationships. It also contributes new theoretical categories usable when analysing contracting accountability in a network context.
Beyond projection: using collaborative visualization to conduct qualitative interviews
Authors: Comi Alice , Bischof Nicole , J. Eppler Martin
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to argue for the reflective use of visual techniques in qualitative inter-viewing and suggests using visuals not only as projective techniques to elicit answers, but also as facilitation techniques throughout the interview process.

Design/methodology/approach

– By reflecting on their own research projects in organization and management studies, the authors develop a practical approach to visual interviewing – making use of both projective and facilitation techniques. The paper concludes by discussing the limitations of visualization techniques, and suggesting directions for future research on visually enhanced interviewing.

Findings

– The integration of projective and facilitation techniques enables the interviewer to build rapport with the respondent(s), and to elicit deeper answers by providing cognitive stimulation. In the course of the interview, such an integrative approach brings along further advantages, most notably focusing attention, maintaining interaction, and fostering the co-construction of knowledge between the interviewer and the interviewee(s).

Originality/value

– This paper is reflective of what is currently occurring in the field of qualitative interviewing, and presents a practical approach for the integration of visual projection and facilitation in qualitative interviews.
Dissecting the variation of a visual trait: the proximate basis of UV‐Visible reflectance in crab spiders (Thomisidae)
Authors: Gawryszewski Felipe M. , Birch Debra , Kemp Darrell J. , Herberstein Marie E.
Published: June 2014

The astounding diversity of animal coloration is indicative of a wide variety of selection pressures. Despite great interest in adaptive function, detailed understanding of the constituent elements of colour traits is lacking for many systems. Such information is important in allowing more accurate appraisals of colour variation and its potential production costs.

In this study, we ‘dissect’ the dorsal colour of crab spiders (Thomisidae) to examine the mechanistic basis of a polyphenic colour trait. These spiders possess the ability to alter reflectance in the ultraviolet (UV), violet and blue wavelengths, changing their colour within days. We investigate and compare the proximate mechanistic basis of colour production in multiple phenotypes of three species using histology and spectrophotometry.

Our analyses indicate that the spider cuticle is not equivalently transparent to light across the spectrum (300–700 nm) – as previously argued – and contributes to colour variation. UV light is reflected from guanine crystals, present in storage cells ventral to the hypodermis. The crystals are exposed through a partially UV‐transmitting hypodermis and cuticle. Variation from white to yellow is likely mediated through pigments/crystals present in different oxidative stages in the hypodermal cells.

Simple mechanistic changes are therefore necessary to produce the observed variation, and likely underlie the evolutionary and ontogenetic lability of this trait. Our findings imply that either a UV‐reflective abdomen was the ancestral state for crab spiders, or, if pre‐dated by UV‐absorbent hypodermal pigments, the evolution of UV reflection has only involved the exposure of underlying guanine crystals through an otherwise clear hypodermis.
Spatial replicates as an alternative to temporal replicates for occupancy modelling when surveys are based on linear features of the landscape
Authors: Charbonnel Anaïs , D'Amico Frank , Besnard Aurélien , Blanc Frédéric , Buisson Laëtitia , Némoz Mélanie , Laffaille Pascal
Published: June 2014

Occupancy estimates can inform biodiversity managers about the distribution of elusive species, such as thePyrenean desmanGalemys pyrenaicus, a small semi‐aquatic mammal that lives along streams. Occupancy models rely on replication within a sampling site and provide estimates of the probability of detection. However, we still do not know how occupancy and detection estimates obtained from spatial vs. temporal replications differ or the appropriateness of using one or the other when cost and logistics make one approach prohibitive. Recently, theMarkovian occupancy model has been developed to analyse adjacent spatial replicates and to test for spatial dependence between them. This model has already been applied to large and highly mobile mammals using trails, but never tested for any species with linear home ranges.

We compared detection and occupancy estimates obtained from both temporal and spatial sampling designs that were subsequently organized into four data configurations (sites with both spatial and temporal replicates, adjacent spatial replicates only, temporal replicates only at the segment and site scales). From that, five occupancy models with different assumptions (the standard occupancy model, the standard multiscale model, the multiscale model withMarkovian process for detection, theMarkovian detection model and theMarkovian occupancy model) were used. We also assessed which occupancy model was the most appropriate for each data configuration to determine whether it is necessary to incorporate correlation into models.

We found that the estimated detection probabilities were relatively high (≥0·58) and similar when the same model was applied to each data configuration.

Spatial replication weakly underestimated occupancy. But when using this design, theMarkovian occupancy model was the most supported and minimized the underestimation of occupancy, highlighting a spatial dependence between adjacent replicates.

Synthesis and applications. We show that a survey based on adjacent spatial replicates for a mammal living along linear features of the landscape is a good compromise between cost and occupancy estimates, while using theMarkovian occupancy model to estimate detection and occupancy. Our finding may have wider applications for the monitoring of species especially when temporal replicates are difficult or unrealistic. Spatial design, for surveys based on sign detection, could thus be applied for species with linear home ranges or when surveys are constrained by linear habitats.
The impact of supportive counselling on women's psychological wellbeing after miscarriage – a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kong GWS , Chung TKH , Lok IH
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of supportive counselling after miscarriage.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

University hospital.

Sample

Two hundred and eighty women with miscarriage.

Method

Women were randomised to receive supportive counselling from a nurse (at diagnosis and 2 weeks later) or routine care. Psychological wellbeing was measured with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome measured the proportion of women suffering psychological distress (GHQ‐12 score ≥4) at 3 months after miscarriage. Secondary outcomes were GHQ‐12 and BDI scores at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months.

Results

There was no difference in the proportion of women suffering psychological distress at 3 months after miscarriage (17.1% in counselling group versus 24.4% in control group; 95% CI –0.034 to 0.177; P = 0.19). However, for the subgroup of women (n = 152) with high baseline GHQ‐12 scores, the median GHQ‐12 score in the counselling group was significantly lower than the control group at 6 weeks (median score 3 versus 4.5 in counselling and control groups; P = 0.04) and 3 months (median score 1 versus 2.5 in counselling and control groups; P = 0.03). Similarly, for women with high baseline BDI scores (BDI > 12), the proportion for women continuing to score high was significantly lower in the counselling group 6 weeks after miscarriage (33.3 versus 61.1% in counselling group and control group; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Although the results of current study do not justify routine counselling of all women following miscarriage, a supportive counselling programme for selected women with high levels of psychological distress is promising and merits further investigation.
Marine bacterial communities are resistant to elevated carbon dioxide levels
Authors: Oliver Anna E. , Newbold Lindsay K. , Whiteley Andrew S. , van der Gast Christopher J.
Published: June 2014

It is well established that the release of anthropogenic‐derived CO2 into the atmosphere will be mainly absorbed by the oceans, with a concomitant drop in pH, a process termed ocean acidification. As such, there is considerable interest in how changes in increased CO2 and lower pH will affect marine biota, such as bacteria, which play central roles in oceanic biogeochemical processes. Set within an ecological framework, we investigated the direct effects of elevated CO2, contrasted with ambient conditions on the resistance and resilience of marine bacterial communities in a replicated temporal seawater mesocosm experiment. The results of the study strongly indicate that marine bacterial communities are highly resistant to the elevated CO2 and lower pH conditions imposed, as demonstrated from measures of turnover using taxa–time relationships and distance–decay relationships. In addition, no significant differences in community abundance, structure or composition were observed. Our results suggest that there are no direct effects on marine bacterial communities and that the bacterial fraction of microbial plankton holds enough flexibility and evolutionary capacity to withstand predicted future changes from elevated CO2 and subsequent ocean acidification.
Truth or consequences in the diagnosis of substance use disorders
Authors: Martin Christopher S. , Langenbucher James W. , Chung Tammy , Sher Kenneth J.
Published: June 2014

Aims

This commentary critically evaluates the use of substance‐related negative psychosocial and health consequences to define and diagnose alcohol and other substance use disorders.

Methods

Narrative review.

Results

The consequences of substance use cause much suffering and are major public health and economic problems. However, there are a number of conceptual and measurement problems with using consequences as diagnostic criteria for substance disorders. Data indicate that substance‐related consequences introduce systematic bias and degrade the validity of diagnostic systems.

Conclusions

Negative psychosocial and health consequences of substance use should play a fundamentally reduced role in modern diagnostic systems for, and definitions of, addictive disorders.
Redeeming the Warrior: Myth‐making and Australia's Vietnam Veterans
Authors: Dixon Chris
Published: June 2014

In late 1960s a powerful myth developed in the United States that Vietnam veterans were spat on when they returned home. A parallel myth survives in Australia with widespread claims that paint or even blood was routinely thrown at returning soldiers. In a 1966 incident, red paint was thrown on Lieutenant Colonel Alex V. Preece as he led the First Battalion through Sydney. The Australian myth remains central to perceptions of Australian Vietnam veterans as despised outsiders and feeds into contemporary demands that Australians support their soldiers and the wars in which they are involved. This paper explores connections between cultural politics in the Unites States and Australia, particularly as they pertain to the contentious legacies of the 1960s.
Conditioning out‐of‐date bank‐stored red blood cells using a cell‐saver auto‐transfusion device: effects on numbers of red cells and quality of suspension fluid
Authors: Read M. S. , Coles P. , Pomeroy M. , Anderson E. , Aziz M. I.
Published: June 2014

We investigated the utility of a cell‐saver device for processing out‐of‐date red blood cells, by washing twenty bags of red blood cells that had been stored for between 36 and 55 days. The volume of recovered cells, and the characteristics of the suspension fluid, were measured before and after treatment. The ratio of free haemoglobin to total haemoglobin was up to 0.02 before processing, and up to 0.011 afterwards, changing by between −0.013 and +0.003. This ratio met the current standard for free haemoglobin (less than 0.008 in more than 75% of samples), both before and after processing. Ninety‐three percent of red blood cells survived the process. Potassium ion concentration fell from above 15 mmol.l−1 in all cases, to a mean of 6.4 mmol.l−1 (p < 0.001). The pH rose to a mean value of 6.44 (p = 0.001). Lactate ion concentration fell to a mean value of 14 mmol.l−1 (p < 0.001). Sodium ion concentration rose from a mean value of 93 mmol.l−1 to a mean value of 140 mmol.l−1 (p < 0.001). A useful proportion of out‐of‐date red blood cells remained intact after conditioning using a cell‐saver, and the process lowered concentrations of potentially toxic solutes in the fluid in which they were suspended.
Effects of anemia and iron deficiency on quality of life in women with heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Peuranpää Pirkko , Heliövaara‐Peippo Satu , Fraser Ian , Paavonen Jorma , Hurskainen Ritva
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess the impact of anemia and iron deficiency on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in women treated for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Design

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Five university hospitals in Finland.

Sample

A total of 236 women referred for HMB.

Methods

Women were randomized to treatment with hysterectomy or a levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system. We defined groups based on women's pretreatment hemoglobin [hemoglobin <120 g/L (anemic) vs. hemoglobin ≥120 g/L (nonanemic)] and serum ferritin (ferritin <15 μg/L vs. ≥15 μg/L) concentrations. HRQoL was compared between groups at baseline, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Hemoglobin and ferritin were followed for 5 years.

Main outcome measures

HRQoL was measured by the RAND 36‐item health survey (RAND‐36), 5‐Dimensional EuroQol and two questionnaires of mental wellbeing.

Results

At baseline, 63 women (27%) were anemic and 140 (60%) were severely iron deficient (ferritin <15 μg/L). Only 8% of the anemic women had taken iron supplementation. Twelve months after treatment hemoglobin had increased in both hemoglobin groups, but was still significantly lower (p < 0.001) in initially anemic women (128 g/L) compared with nonanemic women (136 g/L). Twelve months after treatment three domain scores of RAND‐36 increased more (energy, p = 0.002; physical functioning, p = 0.04; social functioning, p = 0.05), and anxiety (p = 0.02) and depression scores (p = 0.002) decreased more in anemic compared with nonanemic women. Serum ferritin took 5 years to reach normal levels.

Conclusions

Improved HRQoL after treatment of HMB is associated with correction of anemia. Clinicians should actively screen for anemia in women with HMB and emphasize early iron substitution as an integral part of treatment.
Should myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with PCM1‐JAK2 and other rearrangements of JAK2 be recognized as specific entities?
Authors: Bain Barbara J. , Ahmad Shahzaib
Published: June 2014

Since the publication of the 2001 and 2008 World Health Organization classifications of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, there has been an increasing move towards classification of haematological neoplasms on the basis of the underlying molecular genetic disorder. In recent decades there have been a significant number of reports of haematological neoplasms with rearrangement of JAK2. Published data on such cases have therefore been analysed to determine if any specific entities could be identified. On the basis of this analysis, it is suggested that lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms associated with t(8;9)(p22;p24); PCM1‐JAK2 fusion should be recognized as an entity. Furthermore, lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms associated respectively with t(9;12)(p24;p13); ETV6‐JAK2 and with t(9;22)(p24;q11·2); BCR‐JAK2 should be documented carefully in order to define their features more clearly and assess whether they can be recognized as entities. Identification of all these conditions is important because of the possibility of response to JAK2 inhibitors.
Edaphic, Nutritive, and Species Assemblage Differences between Hotspots and Matrix Vegetation: Two African Case Studies
Authors: Arnold Stephen G. , Anderson Todd M. , Holdo Ricardo M.
Published: June 2014

Areas of locally intense and frequent grazing, or ‘hotspots’, are pervasive features in tropical grasslands and savannas. In some ecosystems, hotspot presence is clearly associated with edaphic factors (e.g., high clay content and elevated soil fertility), such as those that develop in abandoned cattle bomas. Studies in a range of other savanna ecosystems, however, have failed to find intrinsic soil differences between hotspots and the surrounding matrix. Also, it remains unclear to what extent hotspots are associated with specific assemblages of nutrient‐rich plant species, as opposed to being a manifestation of intraspecific variation in nutritive quality. We conducted simultaneous studies in Kruger (South Africa) and Serengeti (Tanzania) National Parks to re‐evaluate the role of edaphic correlates of hotspot occurrence and to test whether intraspecific variation in plant quality occurs across hotspot‐matrix boundaries. We sampled soils and plants in paired hotspot and matrix plots at multiple sites within each ecosystem to test oura priorihypothesis that hotspots would be associated with distinct species assemblages and differences in soil fertility. We found clear hotspot‐matrix differences in foliar N, particularly within species, despite finding no differences in any soil or plant–soil variables, including N mineralization potential and mycorrhizal inoculation levels. We found only weak differences in community composition across the boundary, suggesting that intraspecific variation in foliar N rather than species turnover is mainly responsible for the enhanced nutritive value of hotspot vegetation. We propose that grazer–plant interactions may be stronger drivers of hotspot maintenance in these systems than plant–soil interactions.
Local Hydrological Conditions Explain Floristic Composition in Lowland Amazonian Forests
Authors: Moulatlet Gabriel M. , Costa Flávia R. C. , Rennó Camilo D. , Emilio Thaise , Schietti Juliana
Published: June 2014

Amazonian forests harbor a large variety of understory herbs adapted to areas with different hydrological conditions, ranging from well‐drained to seasonally flooded forests. The presence versus absence of flooding forms the extremes of a hydrological gradient, with various intermediate conditions, such as seasonal soil waterlogged areas, in between. We investigated the relationship between understory herbs and hydrological conditions in Central Amazonian forests using eighty‐eight 250 × 2 m plots distributed along a 600‐km transect. Hydrological conditions were determined regionally by precipitation and locally by topographic conditions based on drainage potential, flooding height and soil permeability (sand content). Soil cation concentration was used as a proxy for soil fertility. The floristic dissimilarities among plots were visualized by Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling, and simple and multiple regressions were used to identify the best predictor of herb species composition. Local drainage potential was more important in determining herb species composition than soil fertility or precipitation at non‐flooded and flooded sites. Flooded sites comprised a very distinctive herb species composition even when the flood height was low (0.3 m). We conclude that hydrological conditions are the primary constraint of herb distribution within this flat regional landscape with moderate amounts of soil fertility variation (0.09–2.280 cmol(+)/kg). Hydrological models that consider local water conditions explained the largest part of herb species composition. Therefore, predictions of species distribution based on large‐scale climatic variables may underestimate the favorable area for understory herbs if the variation on local hydrological conditions is not considered.
Responses of Primates to Landscape Change in Amazonian Land‐bridge islands—a Multi‐scale Analysis
Authors: Benchimol Maíra , Venticinque Eduardo M.
Published: June 2014

Large hydroelectric dams are one of the current drivers of habitat loss across Amazonian forests. We investigated how the primate community at a hydroelectric dam in Brazilian Amazonia responded to changes in the landscape and local habitat structure of land‐bridge islands after 21 yr of post‐isolation history. The Balbina Dam, constructed in 1986, inundated 3129 km2of primary forests and created more than 3500 variable‐sized islands. We conducted primate and habitat structure surveys on 20 islands from 5 to 1815 ha, and extracted forest patch and landscape metrics for each island. The number of primate species per island varied between 0 and 7 species. Primate composition varied substantially according to both island area and forest cover remaining within the landscape, whereas island area alone was the most significant predictor of richness. Locally, tree density and vertical stratification were the most significant explanatory variables of primate composition and richness. A model containing area effects had the most explanatory power regarding site occupancy for most species. Individually, each species responded differently, with howler and brown capuchin monkeys showing greater tolerance to cope with habitat changes. Body size was also an important predictor of primate occupancy. We recommend protecting large fragments and enhancing the suitability of surrounding habitats to ensure primate conservation in most Neotropical fragmented landscapes. Given the flat topography of hydroelectric reservoirs, which mainly favors the formation of small islands, and the escalating hydropower development plans in Amazonia, our findings provide evidence for pervasive detrimental impacts of dams on primate communities.
Seeing it my way: living with childhood onset visual disability
Authors: Tadić V. , Hundt G. Lewando , Keeley S. , Rahi J. S. ,   Vision‐related Quality of Life (VQoL) group
Published: June 2014

Background

Although the significant impact of visual disability in childhood has been widely recognized, children's own perspectives of living with a visual impairment have not been considered. We report the experiences of visually impaired (VI) children and young people aged 10–15 years about growing up with impaired sight.

Methods

The participants were 32 VI children and young people, aged 10–15 years [visual acuity logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) worse than 0.51] recruited through National Health Service (NHS) paediatric ophthalmology and developmental vision clinics and 11 VI pupils aged 12–17 attending a specialist school for pupils with disabilities. Individual semi‐structured interviews with participants captured their experiences of living with a visual impairment. A child‐centred interview topic guide was developed from a literature review, observations at ophthalmology clinics, consultation with health and education professionals working with VI children and young people, and interviews and a focus group with VI pupils from the specialist school. Collaborative qualitative thematic analysis by three researchers identified emergent themes. NVivo software was used for coding the data.

Results

Analysis identified six themes concerning living with a visual impairment: (i) social relationships, participation and acceptance; (ii) independence and autonomy; (iii) psychological and emotional well‐being; (iv) aspirations and concerns about the future; (v) functioning – home, school and leisure; and (vi) treatment of eye condition. Key issues included: the importance of family and peer support; balancing independence, support and safety; the emotional burden and adjustment of living with a disability; concerns about education and job prospects in the future; functional restrictions and limitations; and ongoing management of the eye condition.

Conclusions

The findings offer insights into the complex realities of living with visual impairment. They provide the basis for development of patient‐reported outcome measures. They can also serve to help enrich the understanding of health professionals working with VI children and young people, potentially enabling them to better support them.
An Integrative View of School Functioning: Transactions Between Self‐Regulation, School Engagement, and Teacher–Child Relationship Quality
Authors: Portilla Ximena A. , Ballard Parissa J. , Adler Nancy E. , Boyce W. Thomas , Obradović Jelena
Published: June 2014

This study investigates the dynamic interplay between teacher–child relationship quality and children's behaviors across kindergarten and first grade to predict academic competence in first grade. Using a sample of 338 ethnically diverse 5‐year‐old children, nested path analytic models were conducted to examine bidirectional pathways between children's behaviors and teacher–child relationship quality. Low self‐regulation in kindergarten fall, as indexed by inattention and impulsive behaviors, predicted more conflict with teachers in kindergarten spring and this effect persisted into first grade. Conflict and low self‐regulation jointly predicted decreases in school engagement which in turn predicted first‐grade academic competence. Findings illustrate the importance of considering transactions between self‐regulation, teacher–child relationship quality, and school engagement in predicting academic competence.
Lymph node status as a prognostic indicator after preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of rectal cancer
Authors: Mirbagheri N. , Kumar B. , Deb S. , Poh B. R. , Dark J. G. , Leow C. C. , Teoh W. M. K.
Published: June 2014

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to examine lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using a novel scoring system describing the pathological lymph node regression grade. The proposed scoring system was based on the percentage of fibrosis and the presence of residual tumour amount. The secondary aim of the study was to assess the oncological impact of this scoring system.

Method

The project was a retrospective cohort study over a 10‐year period. Two hundred and two patients with rectal cancer who had received CRT followed by curative surgery were included. A histopathologist prospectively scored each specimen and the impact of the scoring system on survival and recurrence was analysed.

Results

One hundred and ninety patients completed long‐course preoperative CRT and formed the basis of the study. Overall, 40 recurrences (local and distant) were observed over a median follow‐up of 36 months. The lymph node regression score was a significant predictor of tumour recurrence (hazard ratio 1.273, 95% CI 1.048–1.548; P = 0.015). The overall mortality rate was 21%, and a lower lymph node regression score was correlated with an improved survival curve (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that lymph node response to neoadjuvant CRT based on a nodal regression scoring system is related to recurrence.
The feasibility and clinical efficacy of intravenous iron administration for preoperative anaemia in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Keeler B. D. , Simpson J. A. , Ng S. , Tselepis C. , Iqbal T. , Brookes M. J. , Acheson A. G.
Published: June 2014

Aim

The study aimed to analyse the feasibility and efficacy of administration of a single intravenous iron infusion (IVI) in the preoperative optimization of colorectal cancer patients with anaemia.

Method

Twenty patients were recruited at least 14 days before the planned date of surgery. A single 1000 mg dose of ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject®) was administered as an outpatient procedure. Blood samples were taken at recruitment prior to drug administration (REC), on the day of surgery prior to any intervention (DOS) and on the first postoperative day. Allogeneic red blood cell transfusions (ARBT) and outcomes were recorded from recruitment throughout the study period.

Results

There was a significant median rise in haemoglobin levels (Hb) from REC to DOS of 1.8 g/dl [interquartile range (IQR) 0.75–2.45, P < 0.001] for the entire cohort. Two patients received ARBT preoperatively, and for those not transfused preoperatively (n = 18), this incremental Hb rise remained significant (P < 0.001, median 1.65 g/dl, IQR 0.5–2.3). Of these patients, those who responded to IVI had higher erythropoietin (EPO) levels at recruitment (P < 0.01) and lower recruitment Hb values, transferrin‐saturation (TSAT) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels (P < 0.05). REC Hb (Rs = −0.62, P < 0.01), REC TSAT levels (Rs = −0.67, P < 0.01) and REC EPO (Rs = 0.69, P < 0.01) correlated with the magnitude of treatment change in Hb levels. Five patients received ARBT until the fourth postoperative day, which was significantly fewer than predicted (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

IVI can be administered preoperatively in the outpatient clinic to colorectal cancer patients with anaemia, with associated reduction in ARBT use and increase in Hb levels.
Large cell acanthoma: a variant of solar lentigo with cellular hypertrophy
Authors: Fraga Garth R. , Amin Sapna M.
Published: June 2014

Background

Large cell acanthoma (LCA) is an epidermal proliferation of enlarged keratinocytes. There is a lack of consensus on whether it represents a unique neoplasm or not. To determine whether it is a variant of solar lentigo, we compared macroscopic, microscopic and immunophenotypic attributes of LCA with conventional solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis and Bowen disease.

Methods

We constructed tissue microarrays containing multiple cores of LCA, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis and Bowen disease. Tissue microarray sections were blindly analyzed for microscopic morphologic variables. Corresponding ex vivo dermoscopic images from the original cases were blindly analyzed for macroscopic morphologic variables. Immunostained sections from the tissue microarray were tested for keratin 10, keratin 5/6, Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67 expression by image analysis.

Results

There were no significant differences in the studied morphologic attributes between LCA and solar lentigo. All other tumor classes showed at least one significant morphologic difference with LCA. LCA and solar lentigo showed different keratin 10 and Bcl‐2 signal intensities.

Conclusions

LCA is best considered a variant of solar lentigo with cellular hypertrophy. The differences in immunophenotype and cell size could be because of differences in cell kinetics.
Economic determinants of fertility in Belarus
Authors: Amialchuk Aliaksandr , Lisenkova Katerina , Salnykov Mykhaylo , Yemelyanau Maksim
Published: June 2014

This study examines the determinants of births in Belarus in 1996–2007 by using detailed micro‐data from the Belarusian Household Budget Surveys (BHBS). The existing literature offers several explanations of the recent trends in fertility in Belarus and in other former Soviet Union countries. It is often argued that the collapse of the Soviet Union and the concomitant economic instability reduced fertility in the 1990s, while economic growth and stabilization were responsible for its recovery since 2005. We evaluate these and other hypotheses by looking at the determinants of the first, second and third births, separately for women aged below 30 years of age and above 30 years of age. We provide evidence on the presence and the relative importance of the economic determinants, including income and wages, economic uncertainty, maternity and child‐care benefits. Our findings could inform demographic policies in Belarus and in other transitional countries.
Treatment for continuous spikes and waves during sleep (CSWS): Survey on treatment choices in North America
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , Chapman Kevin , Peters Jurriaan M. , Klehm Jacquelyn , Jackson Michele C. , Berg Anne T. , Loddenkemper Tobias
Published: June 2014

Objective

Current literature does not allow an evidence‐based approach to the treatment of continuous spikes and waves during sleep (CSWS). The aim of this study was to describe treatment choices made by clinicians caring for patients with CSWS in North America.

Methods

A 24‐question survey on treatment choices for CSWS was distributed to the members of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). The survey presented a clinical vignette of CSWS. The questions addressed treatment choices for that clinical scenario. Surveys were self‐administered and collected using an online survey website (www.surveymonkey.com).

Results

Two‐hundred thirty‐two surveys were completed. Prominent sleep‐potentiated spiking was considered to warrant treatment by 81% of respondents. The proportion of patients in whom cognitive improvement occurs when sleep‐potentiated spiking is effectively treated is in >75% of patients (according to 16% of respondents), in 25–75% of patients (according to 52% of respondents), in <25% of patients (according to 20% of respondents), and no or unclear cognitive changes (according to 12% of respondents). The preferred first choice to reduce sleep‐potentiated epileptiform activity was high‐dose benzodiazepines (47%), valproate (26%), and corticosteroids (15%). The preferred second‐choice was valproate (26%), high‐dose benzodiazepines (24%), and corticosteroids (23%). Among high‐dose benzodiazepines, the preferred one was diazepam 1 mg/kg for one night followed by 0.5 mg/kg/day. The preferred dose of valproate was 30–49 mg/kg/day. Among corticosteroids the preferred choice was oral prednisone 2 mg/kg/day. The most commonly considered endpoints of treatment efficacy were (in decreasing order): response of epileptiform activity in electroencephalography (EEG), cognitive function, and seizure reduction. Results were consistent among respondents with different levels of training and clinical experience. There were differences in conceptualization and treatment approaches between pediatric and adult neurologists.

Significance

Most clinicians considered that prominent sleep‐potentiated epileptiform activity should be treated. There was no agreement on best treatment, but potential candidates included high‐dose benzodiazepines, valproate, levetiracetam, and corticosteroids.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Conversion to lacosamide monotherapy in the treatment of focal epilepsy: Results from a historical‐controlled, multicenter, double‐blind study
Authors: Wechsler Robert T. , Li George , French Jacqueline , O'Brien Terence J. , D'Cruz O'Neill , Williams Paulette , Goodson Robin , Brock Melissa ,   the ALEX‐MT Study Group
Published: June 2014

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of conversion to lacosamide 400 mg/day monotherapy in adults with focal epilepsy.

Methods

This historical‐controlled, double‐blind study (NCT00520741) enrolled patients aged 16–70 years on stable doses of 1–2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and experiencing 2–40 partial‐onset seizures per 28 days during the 8‐week prospective Baseline. Patients were randomized to lacosamide 400 or 300 mg/day (3:1 ratio), starting at 200 mg/day and titrated over 3 weeks to randomized dose. Patients then withdrew background AEDs over 6 weeks and entered a 10‐week Monotherapy Phase. The primary assessment was the Kaplan‐Meier–predicted percentage of patients on 400 mg/day in the full analysis set (FAS) meeting ≥1 predefined seizure‐related exit criterion by day 112, compared with the historical‐control threshold (65.3%).

Results

Four hundred twenty‐five patients were enrolled and were eligible for safety analyses (400 mg/day, n = 319; 300 mg/day, n = 106). A total of 271 (63.8%) of 425 patients completed the Lacosamide Maintenance Phase (combined AED Withdrawal and Monotherapy Phases). Among 284 patients in the 400 mg/day group in the FAS, 82 (28.9%) met ≥1 exit criterion; the Kaplan‐Meier–predicted exit percentage at day 112 for 400 mg/day (30.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 24.6–35.5%) was lower than the historical control. When exit events, withdrawal due to treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and withdrawal due to lack of efficacy were summed (n = 90), the predicted exit percentage (32.3%; 95% CI 26.8–37.8%) was also lower than the historical control. Most patients receiving 400 mg/day reported some improvement on the Clinical Global Impression of Change (75.4%) and Patient Global Impression of Change (74.3%). Overall, the most common (>10%) TEAEs were dizziness (24.0%), headache (14.4%), nausea (13.4%), convulsion (11.5%), somnolence (10.4%), and fatigue (10.1%); most (74.1%) were mild‐to‐moderate in intensity. Seventy‐two patients (16.9%) discontinued due to TEAEs. Seventeen patients (4%, all receiving 400 mg/day) experienced serious AEs.

Significance

Lacosamide 400 mg/day monotherapy was effective, with a favorable safety profile in patients with focal epilepsy.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.