bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thinking green: How marketing managers select media for consumer acceptance
Authors: Rademaker Claudia A. , Royne Marla B.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Knowledge about what drives managers to make more sustainable media decisions is important, as it can influence communication effectiveness, especially in countries with strong green consumption preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine corporate environmental policies and personal green attitudes of managers in the media selection process as potential influencers of marketing managers’ green thought, driving corporate sustainability.

Findings

The findings show that managers’ personal green attitudes are an internal driver of corporate sustainability with regard to more sustainable media decisions, while corporate environmental policies are not.

Practical implications

These findings highlight the importance of recruiting marketing managers with strong green personal profiles, particularly companies with a green profile. Results also suggest companies use environmental policies in all managerial decisions, including marketing communications decisions such as media selection.

Social implications

This research begins the process of understanding what drives marketing managers in their green thinking and related managerial decisions. With today’s growing focus on the environment, this knowledge is increasingly important, so companies can be aligned with the increasing number of eco-conscious consumers who purchase products based on corporate communications and green corporate decisions.

Originality/value

Where previous research found that the lack of commitment among company’s owners and the inability of suppliers to comply with the company’s sustainable policies are barriers of corporate sustainability, the current study found that this is the case even for marketing managers through the non-use of corporate green policies in marketing decisions and those with weak personal green attitudes.
Antireflective and passivation properties of the photovoltaic structure with Al2O3 layer of different thickness
Authors: Swatowska Barbara
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to verify the possibility of applying alumina (Al2O3) as the passivation and antireflective coating in silicon solar cells.

Design/methodology/approach

Model of a studied structure contains the following layers: Al2O3/n+/n-type Si/p+/Al2O3. Optical parameters of the aluminium oxide films on silicon wafers were measured in the range of wavelengths from 250 to 1,400 nm with a spectrophotometer Perkin Elmer Lambda 900. The minority carrier lifetime at the start of the n-type Si base material and after each of the next technological process was analysed by a quasi-steady-state photoconductance technique. The electrical parameters of the solar cells fabricated with four different thickness of the Al2O3 layer were determined on the basis of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The silicon solar cells of 25 cm2 area and 300 µm thickness were investigated.

Findings

The optimum thickness of alumina as passivation layer is 90 nm. However, considering also antireflective properties of the first layer of a photovoltaic cell, the best structure is silicon with alumina passivation layer of 30 nm thickness and with TiO2 antireflective coatings of 60 nm thickness. Such solution has allowed to produce the cells with the fill factor of 0.77 and open circuit voltage of 618 mV.

Originality/value

Measurements confirmed the possibility of applying the Al2O3 as a passivation and antireflective coating (obtained by atomic layer deposition method) for improving the efficiency of solar cells.
Application of microwave heating in ceramic-based microfluidic module
Authors: Malecha Karol , Macioszczyk Jan , Slobodzian Piotr , Sobkow Jacek
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the application of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology in the fabrication of a microfluidic module with integrated microwave components. The design, technology and performance of such an LTCC-based module is investigated. The rapid heating of liquid samples on a microliter scale is shown to be possible with the use of microwaves.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed microwave-microfluidic module was fabricated using well-known LTCC technology. The finite element method was used to design the geometry of the microwave circuit. Various numerical simulations for different liquids were performed. Finally, the performance of the real LTCC-based microwave-microfluidic module was examined experimentally.

Findings

LTCC materials and technology can be used in the fabrication of microfluidic modules which use microwaves in the heating of the liquid sample. LTCC technology permits the fabrication of matching circuits with appropriate geometry, whereas microwave power can be used to heat up the liquid samples on a microliter scale.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the presented work is found to be in conjunction with LTCC technology. The dimensions and shape of the deposited conductors (e.g. microstrip line, matching circuit) depend on the screen-printing process. A line with resolution lower than 75 µm with well-defined edges is difficult to obtain. This can have an effect on the high-frequency properties of the LTCC modules.

Practical implications

The presented LTCC-based microfluidic module with integrated microwave circuits provides an opportunity for the further development of various micro-total analysis systems or lab-on-chips in which the rapid heating of liquid samples in low volumes is needed (e.g. miniature real-time polymerase chain reaction thermocycler).

Originality/value

Examples of the application of LTCC technology in the fabrication of microwave circuits and microfluidic systems can be found in the available literature. However, the LTCC-based module which combines microwave and microfluidic components has yet to have been reported. The preliminary work on the design, fabrication and properties of the LTCC microfluidic module with integrated microwave components is presented in this paper.
High voltage applications of low temperature co-fired ceramics
Authors: Dabrowski Arkadiusz , Rydygier Przemyslaw , Czok Mateusz , Golonka Leszek
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to design, fabricate and test devices based on transformers integrated with low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) modules with isolation between primary and secondary windings at the level between 6 and 12 kV.

Design/methodology/approach

Insulating properties of the LTCC were examined. Dielectric strength and volume resistivity were determined for common LTCC tapes: 951 (DuPont), 41020, 41060 (ESL), A6M (Ferro) and SK47 (KEKO). According to the determined properties, three different devices were designed, fabricated and tested: a compact DC/DC converter, a galvanic separator for serial digital bus and a transformer for high-voltage generator.

Findings

Breakdown field intensity higher than 40 kV/mm was obtained for the test samples set, whereas the best breakdown field intensity of about 90 kV/mm was obtained for 951 tape. The materials 41020 and 951 exhibited the highest volume resistivity. Fabricated devices exhibited safe operation up to a potential difference of 10 kV, limited by minimum clearance. Long-term stability was assured by over 20 kV strength of inner dielectric.

Practical implications

This paper contains description of three devices made in the LTCC technology for application in systems with high-voltage isolation requirement, for example, for power or railway power networks.

Originality/value

The results show that LTCC is a suitable material for fabrication of high-voltage devices with integrated passives. Technology and properties of three examples of such devices are described, demonstrating the ability of the LTCC technology for application in reliable high-voltage devices and systems.
Capacitive touch sensor
Authors: Zuk Samuel , Pietrikova Alena , Vehec Igor
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the possibilities of mechanical switch replacement by capacitive film touch sensor in applications requiring high reliability and short response time. Advantage of replacing mechanical switch by capacitive touch sensor is no mechanical wear and possible implementation of sensor in application where the switch could not be used or where the flexibility of the sensor substrate is required. The aim of this work is to develop a capacitive touch sensor with the advantage of maximum mechanical resistance, short response time and high sensitivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on various possible sensors layouts, the authors realized 18 different (14 self-capacitance and four mutual capacitance) topologies of capacitive sensor for touch applications. Three different technologies – PCB, LTCC and polymer technology – were used to characterize sensor’s behaviour. For precise characterization of different layouts realized on various substrates, the authors used integrated circuit FDC2214 capacitance-to-digital converter.

Findings

Sensing range of the capacitive touch (proximity) sensor is affected by the per cent of area covered by the sensor, and it does not depend on topology of sensor. The highest sensing range offers PCB technology. Flexible substrates can be used as proper substituent to rigid PCB.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in finding the touch capacitive sensors that allow shorter switching times compared to standard mechanical switches.
Borosilicate spray-on glass solutions for fabrication silicon solar cell back surface field
Authors: Filipowski Wojciech , Drabczyk Kazimierz , Wróbel Edyta , Sobik Piotr , Waczynski Krzysztof , Waczynska-Niemiec Natalia
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method of preparing spray-on dopant solutions that enable obtaining a p+ region forming a back-surface field (BSF) during the diffusion doping process. The spray-on method used allows to decrease the costs of dopant solution application, which is particularly significant for new low-cost production processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents steps of production of high concentration boron dopant solutions enabling diffusion doping of crystalline p-type silicon surfaces. To check the fabricated dopant solutions for stability and suitability for spray-on application, their viscosity and density were measured in week-long intervals. The dopant solutions described in this paper were used in a series of diffusion doping processes to confirm their suitability for BSF production.

Findings

A method of preparing dopant solutions with parameters enabling depositing them on silicon wafers by the spray-on method has been established. Due to hygroscopic properties of the researched dopant solutions, a maximum surrounding atmosphere humidity has been established. The solutions should not be applied by the spray-on method, if this humidity value is exceeded. The conducted derivatographic examination enabled establishing optimal drying conditions.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new composition of a dopant solution which contains high concentration of boron and may be applied by the spray-on method. Derivatographic examination results, as well as equations describing the relation between dopant solution density and viscosity and storage time are also original for this research. The established dependencies between the sheet resistance of the fabricated BSF and the diffusion doping time are other new elements described in the paper.
The effects of enactment on communicative competence in aphasic casual conversation: a functional linguistic perspective
Authors: Groenewold Rimke , Armstrong Elizabeth
Published: May 2018

Background

Previous research has shown that speakers with aphasia rely on enactment more often than non‐brain‐damaged language users. Several studies have been conducted to explain this observed increase, demonstrating that spoken language containing enactment is easier to produce and is more engaging to the conversation partner. This paper describes the effects of the occurrence of enactment in casual conversation involving individuals with aphasia on its level of conversational assertiveness.

Aims

To evaluate whether and to what extent the occurrence of enactment in speech of individuals with aphasia contributes to its conversational assertiveness.

Methods & Procedures

Conversations between a speaker with aphasia and his wife (drawn from AphasiaBank) were analysed in several steps. First, the transcripts were divided intomoves, and all moves were coded according to the systemic functional linguistics (SFL) framework. Next, all moves were labelled in terms of their level of conversational assertiveness, as defined in the previous literature. Finally, all enactments were identified and their level of conversational assertiveness was compared with that of non‐enactments.

Outcomes & Results

Throughout their conversations, the non‐brain‐damaged speaker was more assertive than the speaker with aphasia. However, the speaker with aphasia produced more enactments than the non‐brain‐damaged speaker. The moves of the speaker with aphasia containing enactment were more assertive than those without enactment.

Conclusions & Implications

The use of enactment in the conversations under study positively affected the level of conversational assertiveness of the speaker with aphasia, a competence that is important for speakers with aphasia because it contributes to their floor time, chances to be heard seriously and degree of control over the conversation topic.
MRπ: Inside the meat pie
Authors: Massie John , Kean Michael , Cain Tim ,   from the Society for the Advancement of Humour in Medicine
Published: May 2018

Meat pies have been adopted as one of Australia's favourite foods, and considered an icon by many. The hand‐held convenience of the pie has made them a culinary necessity while watching sport, also beloved in Australia. An enduring question about the meat pie is what exactly is inside. This can be difficult to ascertain by digital, ocular or oral exploration. In this study we use MR imaging to study the contents of some of Australia's best loved pies.
Multiscale movements of golden perch (Percichthyidae: Macquaria ambigua) in the River Murray, Australia
Authors: Zampatti Brenton P. , Leigh Sandra J. , Bice Christopher M. , Rogers Paul J.
Published: May 2018

Understanding the spatio‐temporal characteristics of animal movement is integral to effective conservation and management. Golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) is a potamodromous species known to undertake long‐distance movements, putatively in response to elevated flow in spring and summer. In this study, 52 adult golden perch from the lower River Murray were surgically implanted with radio transmitters and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and tracked for 2 years. Strong site fidelity was common, with 19 fish (~36%) remaining at the site of capture throughout the study. This included a spawning season (spring‐summer) and a period of elevated flow. Eighteen fish (35%) made small‐ to medium‐scale (2–22 km) movements that included the establishment of new home sites. Fifteen fish (29%) migrated long distances (33–270 km) upstream in spring–summer, coincident with steady, falling and rising flows. These movements were correlated with seasonal variation in mean daily water temperature, and to a lesser extent, short‐term (10‐day) flow variability, and did not coincide with spawning or recruitment during the year of migration. This contrasts previous studies that have associated long‐distance movements of golden perch with increased flows and spawning. Upstream migration continued until passage was blocked by a weir, or fish were captured by anglers. Our results highlight the need for a broad spatio‐temporal perspective when investigating the movement of long‐lived potamodromous fishes, to integrate the range of behaviours exhibited by individuals and population contingents. We advocate that life history models that incorporate behavioural plasticity and a river‐scale perspective will advance conservation.
Effects of seed dispersal and microsite features on seedling establishment in New Zealand fleshy‐fruited perennial mountain plants
Authors: Young Laura May , Kelly Dave
Published: May 2018

Factors determining the effectiveness of animals as seed dispersers include effects of gut passage on seed viability and germination, the microsite into which seeds are deposited, and potential post‐dispersal impacts on establishment through predation and herbivory. We determined the relative importance of key pre‐ and post‐ seed dispersal processes for eight fleshy fruited montane and subalpine woody species that occur naturally in montane‐subalpine mixed shrub‐grassland in New Zealand's Southern Alps. A full factorial field experiment measuring the effects of fruit pulp removal, beneath‐canopy microsite (shade/open), vegetative competition (turf dug/not), and seed/seedling herbivore exclusion (caged/uncaged) on germination, seedling survival and height growth was carried out for 3.5 years. Only three species began germination within one year of sowing while all species experienced at least some germination by 3.5 years, showing the importance of long‐term studies in the subalpine environment. The shade treatment gave the highest germination success, seedling survival and seedling heights for seven of the eight species. Fruit pulp removal, herbivore exclusion and reduced competition were all retained in some final top models, but less often than shade and with smaller effects on means. The seed disperser fauna of New Zealand's mountain flora has transformed from predominantly native birds to exotic mammals over the past century. Birds and mammals likely move seeds to different microsites. Since shady microsites were more important than fruit pulp removal, any changes in plant recruitment caused by changing disperser faunas are likely to come from different seed deposition sites.
Size or quality. What matters in vegetation restoration for bird biodiversity in endangered temperate woodlands?
Authors: Lindenmayer David B. , Blanchard Wade , Crane Mason , Michael Damian , Florance Daniel
Published: May 2018

Vegetation restoration is a globally important form of management intervention designed to both remediate degraded land and to restore biodiversity. Using a 15‐year controlled experimental study in endangered Australian temperate woodlands, we quantified the response of bird biota to vegetation enhancement leading to the re‐establishment of an understorey, an increase in woodland patch size, or a combination of both. Our empirical results were characterized by marked variation in species richness and in the response of individual species to both time since enhancement and type of enhancement. For example, overall bird species richness initially responded negatively to enhancements but the effects were mitigated over time. Similar responses were identified for individual species such as the Rufous Songlark (Megalurus mathewsii). In the case of the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala), responses to enhancement were negative and remained so over time. Conversely, the White‐plumed Honeyeater (Ptilotula penicillata), Yellow‐rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and Superb Fairy‐wren (Malarus cyaneus) responded positively to enhancements. We also found evidence for variable responses to the kind of enhancement with some species responding to increased woodland patch size (e.g. Yellow‐rumped Thornbill), others to a combination of enhancements (e.g. White‐plumed Honeyeater), whereas yet others were agnostic to the kind of intervention that was implemented (e.g. Noisy Miner). Positive effects of enhancement were often time lagged for 6–8 years following instigation of underplanting and/or increases in woodland patch size. The negative effects of patch enhancement on the Noisy Miner indicate that underplanting and/or increases in woodland patch size may represent ways in which the impacts on other bird taxa of this despotic, hyper‐aggressive species might be mitigated.
A new method for correcting locational error from aerial surveys improves habitat model performance
Authors: Ndaimani Henry , Murwira Amon , Masocha Mhosisi
Published: May 2018

The utility of aerial survey data in modelling the distribution of wildlife has been questioned due to locational errors. Yet, little effort has been made to correct these errors. Here, a new method is proposed for correcting locational errors associated with aerial survey data. We further tested whether the correction improves model performance using elephant aerial survey data collected at three protected sites in Zimbabwe. Our correction method succeeded in shifting location by 143–177 m from the line of flight. Based on the true skill statistic, models built using corrected data in Hwange and Mana Pools national parks were significantly better than those from uncorrected data and only in Gonarezhou national park were no significant differences in model performance observed. These results underscore the benefit of applying the new correction method in modelling wildlife distribution. The other key result is that the correction seems to be more beneficial in heterogeneous landscapes than homogeneous ones for in the former, a small shift in location results in the sampling of different habitats than where sightings were made. The proposed method opens new opportunities for improving the accuracy of aerial survey data in species distribution modelling.
Bone graft in posterior spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kirzner Nathan , Hilliard Luke , Martin Catherine , Quan Gerald , Liew Susan , Humadi Ali
Published: May 2018

Backgrounds

The aim of this study was to systematically analyse and perform a meta‐analysis on the current available literature comparing the fusion rates and complications associated with use of autograft, allograft and bone substitutes to supplement posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

The electronic databases including Embase, PubMed, Medline, Cinahl and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. A total of 12 studies with 2389 patients were included for meta‐analysis. The primary outcome was fusion rate, while the secondary outcomes included blood loss, operation time, infection rates and post‐operative pain.

Results

The current meta‐analysis found no difference in fusion rates between groups with an overall fusion rate of 100% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.00; P < 0.05). Total estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) group compared with control group (1018 versus 861 mL; P < 0.01). In addition, the mean operative time was significantly higher in the ICBG group (259 versus 237 min; P < 0.001). The ICBG group also had increased post‐operative pain issues compared with the control group (26 versus 9%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of post‐operative wound infection between groups with an overall infection rate of 1% (95% CI 0.0–0.02; P = 0.06).

Conclusion

ICBG confers no advantage over the other graft options in achieving fusion in AIS surgery. Furthermore, crest harvesting was associated with significant increases in blood loss, operative time and post‐operative pain issues. Therefore, allograft and bone substitutes are attractive alternatives to autogenous grafting during posterior fusion in AIS.
Adjusting the length and direction of the redundant duodenal stent using a detachable snare and endoclips
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Fujisaki Junko
Published: May 2018

Watch videos of this article.
Attentional selection and suppression in children and adults
Authors: Sun Meirong , Wang Encong , Huang Jing , Zhao Chenguang , Guo Jialiang , Li Dongwei , Sun Li , Du Boqi , Ding Yulong , Song Yan
Published: May 2018

The fundamental role of covert spatial attention is to enhance the processing of attended items while simultaneously ignoring irrelevant items. However, relatively little is known about how brain electrophysiological activities associated with target selection and distractor suppression are involved as they develop and become fully functional. The current study aimed to identify the neurophysiological bases of the development of covert spatial attention, focusing on electroencephalographic (EEG) markers of attentional selection (N2pc) and suppression (PD). EEG data were collected from healthy young adults and typically developing children (9–15 years old) as they searched for a shape singleton target in either the absence or the presence of a salient‐but‐irrelevant color singleton distractor. The ERP results showed that a lateral shape target elicited a smaller N2pc in children compared with adults regardless of whether a distractor was present or not. Moreover, the target‐elicited N2pc was always followed by a similar positivity in both age groups. Counterintuitively, a lateral salient‐but‐irrelevant distractor elicited a large PD in children with low behavioral accuracy, whereas high‐accuracy children exhibited a small and “adult‐like” PD. More importantly, we found no evidence for a correlation between the target‐elicited N2pc and the distractor‐elicited PD in either age group. Our results provide neurophysiological evidence for the developmental differences between target selection and distractor suppression. Compared with adults, 9–15‐year‐old children deploy insufficient attentional selection resources to targets but use “adult‐like” or even more attentional suppression resources to resist irrelevant distractors. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWapx0d75I
Arterial stiffness in people with Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Hvelplund Kristiansen M. , Banghøj A. M. , Laugesen E. , Tarnow L.
Published: May 2018

Aims

To examine whether people with Type 2 diabetes with concurrent obstructive sleep apnoea have increased arterial stiffness as compared with people with Type 2 diabetes without obstructive sleep apnoea.

Methods

In a study with a case–control design, 40 people with Type 2 diabetes and treatment‐naïve moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index ≥15) and a control group of 31 people with Type 2 diabetes without obstructive sleep apnoea (Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index <5) were examined. Obstructive sleep apnoea status was evaluated using the ApneaLink®+ home‐monitoring device (Resmed Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), providing the Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index scores. Arterial stiffness was assessed according to carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity using the Sphygmocor device and the oscillometric Mobil‐O‐Graph® (I.E.M. GmbH, Stolberg, Germany).

Results

Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity was not significantly different between participants with Type 2 diabetes with obstructive sleep apnoea and those without obstructive sleep apnoea (10.7±2.2 m/s vs 10.3±2.1 m/s; P=0.513), whereas oscillometric pulse wave velocity was significantly higher in participants with Type 2 diabetes with obstructive sleep apnoea than in those without obstructive sleep apnoea (9.5±1.0 m/s vs 8.6±1.4 m/s; P=0.002). In multiple regression analysis, age (P=0.002), gender (men; P=0.018) and HbA1c (P=0.027) were associated with carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, and systolic blood pressure (P=0.004) and age (P<0.001) were associated with oscillometric pulse wave velocity. After adjustment, presence of obstructive sleep apnoea was not independently associated with pulse wave velocity whether assessed by tonometry or oscillometry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the present study did not find an age‐ and blood pressure‐independent association between moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea and arterial stiffness in non‐sleepy people with Type 2 diabetes. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02482584)
Efficacy and safety of MK‐1293 insulin glargine compared with originator insulin glargine (Lantus) in type 2 diabetes: A randomized, open‐label clinical trial
Authors: Hollander Priscilla A. , Carofano Wendy L. , Lam Raymond L.H. , Golm Gregory T. , Eldor Roy , Crutchlow Michael F. , Marcos Michael C. , Rendell Marc S. , Home Philip D. , Gallwitz Baptist , Rosenstock Julio
Published: May 2018

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of MK‐1293 insulin glargine (Mk‐Gla) and Lantus (Sa‐Gla) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and methods

This Phase 3, randomized, active‐controlled, open‐label, 24‐week clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02059187) enrolled 531 participants with T2DM (HbA1c ≤11.0%) either eligible for or currently taking basal insulin (≥10 U/day). Participants were randomized 1:1 to once‐daily Mk‐Gla (n = 263) or Sa‐Gla (n = 263). Titration of insulin was guided by a fasting plasma glucose (FPG)‐based dosing algorithm. The primary efficacy objective was to demonstrate the non‐inferiority of change from baseline in HbA1c (margin of 0.40% [4.4 mmol/mol]) with Mk‐Gla versus Sa‐Gla after 24 weeks. The primary safety objective was anti‐insulin antibody development after 24 weeks.

Results

For Mk‐Gla and Sa‐Gla, the least squares (LS) mean HbA1c change from baseline (95% CI) was −1.28 (−1.41, −1.15)% (−14.0 [−15.4, −12.6] mmol/mol) and −1.30 (−1.43, −1.18)% (−14.2 [−15.6, −12.8] mmol/mol). The LS mean HbA1c difference (Mk‐Gla minus Sa‐Gla) was 0.03 (−0.12, 0.18)% (0.3 [−1.4, 1.9] mmol/mol), meeting non‐inferiority and equivalence (secondary objective) criteria. Insulin doses, FPG, and seven‐point plasma glucose profiles were similar between groups. Safety and tolerability, including anti‐insulin antibody responses, hypoglycaemia, adverse events and body weight, were similar between insulins. The efficacy and safety of Mk‐Gla and Sa‐Gla were similar both in participants who were insulin‐treated or insulin‐naïve at baseline.

Conclusions

Mk‐Gla and Sa‐Gla demonstrated similar efficacy and safety over 24 weeks of treatment in people with T2DM.
First detection of Diaporthe eucommiae causing leaf black blight disease on Cyclocarya paliurus
Authors: Jiang D. , He H. , Peng X. , Tao Z. , Xiao T. , Wang H.
Published: May 2018

During the vegetation period (March to October) of 2013 and 2014, an outbreak of leaf black blight was observed on Cyclocarya paliurus plants in three plantations in Chengbu County, Hunan Province, China. A Diaporthe species was consistently isolated from the diseased leaflets or rachides. Based on the morphological characteristics of colony appearance, shape of conidia and conidiomata as well as sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the fungus was identified as Diaporthe eucommiae. Pathogenicity test showed that D. eucommiae isolates caused the symptoms originally observed on those of naturally infected plants, and the pathogenic isolates were successfully re‐isolated from inoculated leaflets, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of D. eucommiae causing leaf black blight on C. paliurus. Laboratory screening indicated that the D. eucommiae isolates were highly sensitive to thiophanate‐methyl, chlorothalonil and iprodione, suggesting that practical use of these three fungicides has high potentials to control the leaf black blight on C. paliurus.
Ecosystem‐based forecasts of recruitment in two menhaden species
Authors: Deyle Ethan , Schueller Amy M , Ye Hao , Pao Gerald M , Sugihara George
Published: May 2018

Gulf (Brevoortia patronus, Clupeidae) and Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus, Clupeidae) support large fisheries that have shown substantial variability over several decades, in part, due to dependence on annual recruitment. Nevertheless, traditional stock–recruitment relationships lack predictive power for these stocks. Current management of Atlantic menhaden explicitly treats recruitment as a random process. However, traditional methods for understanding recruitment variability carry the very specific hypothesis that the effect of adult biomass on subsequent recruitment occurs independently of other ecosystem factors such as food availability and predation. Here, we evaluate the predictability of menhaden recruitment using a model‐free approach that is not restricted by these strong assumptions. We find that menhaden recruitment is predictable, but only when allowing for interdependence of stock with other ecological factors. Moreover, while the analysis confirms the presence of environmental effects, the environment alone does not readily account for the complexity of menhaden recruitment dynamics. The findings set the stage for revisiting recruitment prediction in management and serve as an instructive example in the ongoing debate about how to best treat and understand recruitment variability across species and fisheries.
Prospective plasma efavirenz concentration assessment in Chinese HIV‐infected adults enrolled in a large multicentre study
Authors: Guo F , Cheng X , Hsieh E , Du X , Fu Q , Peng W , Li Y , Song X , Routy J‐P , Li T
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Few studies have explored the optimal dosing for efavirenz in individuals from China. We investigated plasma efavirenz concentrations and their association with efficacy and tolerance of efavirenz 600 mg daily in Chinese HIV‐infected adults.

Methods

An analysis was performed using plasma samples from 455 patients enrolled in a prospective multicentre trial in China. A total of 1198 plasma samples collected at weeks 4, 24 and 48 following antiretroviral therapy initiation were analysed. The mid‐dose interval efavirenz concentrations (C12) were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

The median efavirenz concentration (interquartile range) steadily increased over time from 3.02 (2.28–4.23) to 3.71 (2.91–4.91) mg/L from week 4 to 48 (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients withC12> 4.0 mg/L also rose from 28.0% to 34.2% and 43.8%, measured at 4, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001). Five patients had efavirenz concentrations < 1.0 mg/L at week 4, 24 or 48. In the multivariable regression analysis, lower body weight and non‐Han ethnicities were associated with higher efavirenz concentrations over time. At each time‐point, patients with a body weight < 60 kg had significantly higher efavirenzC12compared with those with body weight ≥ 60 kg (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Efavirenz concentrations increased steadily over 48 weeks, and a substantial proportion of participants had efavirenzC12above the upper limit of the proposed therapeutic window, especially those with low body weight (< 60 kg). Based upon these findings, a dosage reduction of efavirenz to 400 mg daily may warrant consideration in this population, especially for those with lower body weight.
Diagnostic accuracy of new and old cognitive screening tools for HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Trunfio M , Vai D , Montrucchio C , Alcantarini C , Livelli A , Tettoni MC , Orofino G , Audagnotto S , Imperiale D , Bonora S , Di Perri G , Calcagno A
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Considering the similarities between HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and neurodegenerative dementias and the frequency of executive dysfunctions among HIV‐positive patients, we evaluated the accuracy of the Frontal Assessment Battery and Clock‐Drawing Test together with the Three Questions Test and International HIV Dementia Scale to screen for HAND.

Methods

A cross‐sectional monocentric study was conducted from 2010 to 2017. The index tests were represented by the four screening tools; the reference standard was represented by a comprehensive neurocognitive battery used to investigate 10 cognitive domains. Patients were screened by a trained infectious diseases physician and those showing International HIV Dementia Scale scores ≤ 10 and/or complaining of neurocognitive symptoms were then evaluated by a trained neuropsychologist.

Results

A total of 650 patients were screened and 281 received the full neurocognitive evaluation. HAND was diagnosed in 140 individuals. The sensitivity, specificity, correct classification rate and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were, respectively, as follows: Frontal Assessment Battery, 40.7%, 95.1%, 68.3% and 0.81; International HIV Dementia Scale, 74.4%, 56.8%, 65.4% and 0.73; Clock‐Drawing Test, 30.9%, 73.4%, 53.8% and 0.56; and Three Questions Test, 37.3%, 54.1% and 45.7%. Raising the Frontal Assessment Battery's cut‐off to ≤ 16 improved its sensitivity, specificity and correct classification rate to 78.0%, 63.9% and 70.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

We observed poor screening performances of the Three Questions and Clock‐Drawing Tests. While the International HIV Dementia Scale showed a poor specificity, the Frontal Assessment Battery showed the highest correct classification rate and a promising performance at different exploratory cut‐offs.
US Newspapers’ Portrayals of Home Invasion Crime
Authors: BYRON REGINALD A. , MOLIDOR WILLIAM S. , CANTU ANDREW
Published: May 2018

This article presents the first known analysis of US newspaper portrayals of ‘home invasion’ crime by quantitatively investigating over 1,000 cases of home invasion drawn from 15 geographically spread city newspapers. In line with the concept of moral panic, descriptive statistics suggest a recent marked increase in the usage of the term ‘home invasion’ among newspapers. Additionally, regression analyses predicting levels of coverage suggest that a market‐driven model of news production, invoking a fearful worst‐case scenario, prevails. Victim or suspect fatalities, the number of victims or suspects, and the type of weapon reported, all generally predict the word count of initial articles and the likelihood of a follow‐up article. Analyses also partially support the hierarchy of victimisation hypothesis. We conclude by cautioning that citizens and legislators should consider these findings when calling for new legislation and appeal to criminologists to produce comprehensive empirical analyses on home invasion crime.
Do Immigrants Catch‐up with the Natives in Terms of Earnings? Evidence from Individual Level Data of Canada
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Rayaneh , Ahmad Nisar , Naveed Amjad
Published: May 2018

This article analyses differences in dynamic transitions into and out of any of the five hourly wage quintiles and quintile zero (unemployed and non‐employed people) between immigrants and natives for the period 1993‐2004. Using Longitudinal Level data from Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID) for men aged 25 to 55, we investigate how unobserved heterogeneity factors and initial conditions may affect individuals’ propensity to stay in or leave any of the wage quintiles. We also consider a dynamic multinomial logit model with the random effects approach. Empirical results show that state dependence exists in all hourly wage quintiles. Moreover, education, experience, marital status, immigrant minority status, and age at immigration are significant factors determining hourly wage differentials between immigrants and natives.
Multidisciplinary team meetings appear to be effective in inflammatory bowel disease management: an audit of process and outcomes
Authors: Ferman Mutaz , Lim Amanda H. , Hossain Monowar , Siow Glenn W. , Andrews Jane M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTM) have proven efficacy in cancer management. Whilst widely implemented in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, their value is yet to be investigated. We reviewed the performance of MDTM for IBD patients.

Methods

Retrospective review of MDTM from March 2013 to July 2016. Each patient’s first MDTM was considered. Data collected included: report production and location, disease factors, recommendation(s), implementation and barriers to implementation. The MDTM process was considered successful when at least top‐level recommendations were implemented within 6 months.

Results

MDTM attendance included an IBD gastroenterologist, surgeons, a radiologist, nurses, dieticians, psychologists and clinical trial staff. Initial MDTM encounters of 166 patients were reviewed: 86 females, mean age 40 years, 140 (84.3%) with Crohn disease and mean disease duration of 10.8 years (interquartile range 15 years). Electronic reports were filed for all patients, with hard copies in 84%. In 151 of 166 episodes, all (n = 127) or top‐line (n = 24) recommendations were implemented, although there was a delay beyond 6 months in 5. Of 146 patients with a successful MDTM, 85 (58.2%) were in clinical remission at last review (median follow up: 27 months). Amongst patients with unsuccessful MDTM (n = 13), only two (15.4%) were in clinical remission at follow up. Barriers to implementation included patients declining recommendations and loss to follow up.

Conclusion

The majority of MDTM encounters were successful from both a process and clinical outcome perspective. System opportunities to improve the process include ensuring that 100% of reports are available and addressing implementation delays. Patient factors that require addressing include improved engagement and understanding reasons for declining recommendations.
Diagnostic value of nailfold videocapillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Xia Zhongbin , Wang Guiping , Xiao Huashi , Guo Shanshan , Liu Ying , Meng Fanru , Liu Dan , Li Guoqing , Zong Liang
Published: May 2018

Background

Microvascular changes play a decisive role in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and occur early in the course of the disease. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) represents one of the main clinical expressions of the vascular changes in SSc, and the abnormal changes, especially capillary density and capillary width, are detectable at nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC).

Aims

To investigate the differences in capillary nailfold changes in SSc patients with and without PAH and to estimate the early diagnostic value of NVC in SSc secondary PAH (SSc‐PAH).

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and PUBMED was performed to identify published studies without language restrictions. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. The pooled specificity, sensitivity, positive likelihood rate, negative likelihood rate, diagnostic odds ratio, area under the curve and Q value were found using Meta‐Disc version 1.4 software packages. Finally, seven studies were included in this meta‐analysis.

Results

The meta‐analysis demonstrated that the diagnostic odds ratio, area under the curve and Q value were 5.84 (95% confidence interval: 1.95–17.54), 0.79 and 0.72 respectively. It indicated that the microvascular changes detected at NVC were significant in SSc‐PAH and especially showed significantly lower capillary density and higher capillary width.

Conclusion

The NVC may be a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of SSc‐PAH. It can detect the early microvascular changes associated with the risk of PAH and has a significant role in the early prediction of SSc‐PAH.
Assistants in nursing working with mental health consumers in the emergency department
Authors: Gerace Adam , Muir‐Cochrane Eimear , O'Kane Deb , Couzner Leah , Palmer Christine , Thornton Karleen
Published: May 2018

Nursing students, regardless of setting, require skills in working with people with mental health issues. One way to provide students with learning opportunities within the context of limited undergraduate mental health content and lack of mental health placements is through employment as assistants in nursing (AIN). The purpose of the study was to investigate the use of AINs employed in an emergency department in South Australia to supervise (continuous observation) mental health consumers on inpatient treatment orders. Twenty‐four participants took part in the study, with AINs (n = 8, all studying in an undergraduate nursing programme), nurse managers (n = 5), and nurses (n = 11) participating in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes focused on (i) the AIN role, their practice, boundaries or restrictions of their role, and the image consumers have of AINs; (ii) learning through experience, where the AIN role was a practical opportunity to learn and apply knowledge obtained through university studies; and (iii) support, which focused on how AINs worked with nursing staff as part of the healthcare team. Overall, participants believed that AINs played an important role in the ED in supervising consumers on involuntary mental health treatment orders, where their unique role was seen to facilitate more positive consumer experiences. The AIN role is one way for nursing students to develop skills in working with people with mental health issues.
Benthic ctenophores (Platyctenida: Coeloplanidae) in South Florida: predator–prey interactions
Authors: Glynn Peter W. , Coffman Brian , Primov Karim D. , Moorhead Shannon G. , Vanderwoude Jeongran , Barrales Rachel N. , Williams Megan K. , Roemer Robert P.
Published: May 2018

The primary goal of this study was to demonstrate, from field observations and laboratory experiments, some key trophic roles of benthic ctenophores as predators and prey in subtropical communities. We examined individuals of two benthic platyctenid species: Coeloplana waltoni, a minute epibiont on octocorals in exposed, open‐water settings; and Vallicula multiformis, an associate of calm‐water biofouling communities and floating Sargassum spp. Laboratory observations of individuals of both ctenophore species revealed frequent capture and ingestion of diverse zooplankton taxa, especially crustaceans. Laboratory predation trials demonstrated the capture of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) eggs and larvae by both ctenophore species. Dolphinfish eggs and larvae larger than individuals of C. waltoni were captured but not ingested during 2‐h trial periods. These prey items were sometimes purloined and ingested by polyps of the ctenophore's octocoral host. Ingestion of dolphinfish eggs and larvae by individuals of C. waltoni was observed, however, after longer periods of exposure to prey. In predation trials, dolphinfish eggs and larvae were both captured and ingested by larger individuals of the ctenophore species V. multiformis. Field and laboratory observations revealed diverse invertebrate and fish taxa that prey on both ctenophore species. In the laboratory, the mean daily per capita consumption of individuals of C. waltoni by a pomacanthid fish ranged 0.5–2.8 individuals, and ranged 2.6–3.6 individuals for predation by an ovulid mollusc. Field population densities of these predators ranged 0.1–0.7 individuals per m2 for the pomacanthid, and 0.2–1.1 individuals per m2 for the mollusc. Laboratory feeding observations demonstrated frequent consumption of individuals of V. multiformis by a sea anemone, and by three species of brachyuran crabs. Field observations revealed eight fishes that probably feed incidentally on individuals of V. multiformis. These findings add to the limited knowledge base of predator–prey dynamics in both C. waltoni and V. multiformis.
Temperature‐dependent tensile strength model for 2D woven fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites
Authors: Deng Yong , Li Weiguo , Wang Xiaorong , Kou Haibo , Zhang Xuyao , Shao Jiaxing , Li Ying , Zhang Xianhe , Ma Jianzuo , Tao Yong , Chen Liming
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a temperature‐dependent model for predicting the tensile strength of 2D woven fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. The model takes into account the combined effects of temperature, temperature‐dependent residual thermal stress, temperature‐dependent matrix strength, and fibers strength on the tensile strength of composites. To verify the model, the tensile strengths of 2D woven fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites available are predicted at different temperatures. The model predictions agree well with the experimental data. This work could provide a practical technical means for predicting the temperature‐dependent tensile strength of 2D woven fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites and uncovering the dominated mechanisms leading to the change of tensile strength and their evolution with temperature.