bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungible Space: Competition and Volatility in the Global Logistics Network
Authors: Danyluk Martin
Published: October 2018

This article examines an emerging form of interspatial competition premised on attracting cargo traffic and value‐added logistics activities. Against the backdrop of economic globalization and the revolution in logistics, place‐based actors are increasingly vying to insert their localities into transnational supply chains. I explore the causes, conditions and consequences of this burgeoning growth strategy through a study of the dynamics surrounding the expansion of the Panama Canal, opened to shipping traffic in June 2016, and the consequent battle among North American ports to attract a new generation of oversized container vessels. The spatial practices of mobile actors in the logistics industry, I argue, represent the leading edge of capitalism's tendency to render places interchangeable—a condition I call fungible space. The abstract logic of spatial substitution, however, can never fully escape the concrete qualities of particular places, which form the very conditions of interchangeability itself. This dialectic of spatial fungibility and geographic specificity has intensified rivalries for volatile commodity flows and made logistics‐oriented development a particularly risky growth strategy for cities. What is at stake in these speculative ventures is the welfare of vulnerable communities and workers, who disproportionately bear the costs and risks of supply‐chain volatility.
Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of donkey milk kefir fortified with sulla honey and rosemary essential oil during refrigerated storage
Authors: Perna Annamaria , Simonetti Amalia , Gambacorta Emilio
Published: October 2018

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of donkey kefir fortified with sulla honey and rosemary essential oil, during refrigerated storage. The type of flavouring strongly influenced the antioxidant activity of the kefir: rosemary essential oil kefir showed the highest 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid values; sulla honey kefir showed the highest ferric‐reducing antioxidant power values but, at the same time, in both fortified kefirs, the thiol content decreased, probably because of the formation of polyphenol‐protein complexes that would have influence the availability of bioactive components. The antioxidant activity increased significantly during refrigerated storage, showing the highest values after 15 days. Sensory analysis highlighted the fact that the donkey kefir was well accepted by consumers. Addition of sulla honey resulted in the highest acceptability, while addition of rosemary essential oil kefir was less accepted by consumers. This knowledge provides a basis that could lead to the production of fortified donkey kefir with specific nutraceutical characteristics.
Methanol Detected in a Subdural Hematoma as an Embalming Artifact
Authors: Powers Robert H. , Criss Benjamin E. , Topmiller Robert G. , Dean Dorothy E.
Published: October 2018

Analysis of subdural hematomata has been used to suggest antemortem drug concentrations, with the assumption that materials within the hematoma are less subject to metabolism or degradation during any survival period and postmortem interval. We report the case of an 87‐year‐old woman whose death had not been reported to the coroner's office until postembalming. Autopsy revealed a traumatic brain injury with subdural hematoma causing a mass effect. Testing of the clot indicated a methanol concentration of 51.8 mg%. No additional analyses were detected. These findings suggest that methanol can be present in a postmortem hematoma sample, yet not represent a poisoning. Our findings also suggest that while the interior of hematomata do not necessarily represent completely “protected space” from postmortem diffusion of some blood constituents, such diffusion is not facile, and analysis may still provide useful indications of antemortem drugs present, if not actual concentrations.
Internal Validation of RapidHIT®ID ACE Sample Cartridge and Assessment of the EXT Sample Cartridge*†
Authors: Amick Gray D. , Swiger Roy R.
Published: October 2018

A new rapid DNA solution, the RapidHIT®ID, can accommodate two different sample cartridges, ACE, for the analysis of a single swab and EXT, for the analysis of DNA extracts. An efficient internal validation designed for low‐throughput rapid DNA is described. An evaluation of the EXT sample cartridge is also described. Each cartridge generated profiles with sufficient data quality to meet CODIS eligibility in fewer than 120 min. The results exhibited 100% correlation when compared to conventional DNA typing methods. Precision, reproducibility, stochastic, mixture, and contamination experiments produced expected results. Sensitivity of the ACE sample cartridge was acceptable for buccal swab analysis. The sensitivity of the EXT sample cartridge is discussed. The ACE validation and the EXT evaluation utilized a minimalist, cost‐saving, efficient design to generate a validated RapidHIT®ID instrument capable of producing genetic profiles from both extracted forensic DNA samples and buccal swab samples within 120 min.
Lung brain metastasis pseudoprogression after nivolumab and ipilimumab combination treatment
Authors: Melian Marcos , Lorente David , Aparici Fernando , Juan Oscar
Published: October 2018

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer; however, its role in the treatment response of lung brain metastasis is unknown. Understanding immunotherapy activity in the central nervous system is important in order to avoid additional toxicity, such as that associated with the use of cerebral radiotherapy. We present two cases with clinical and radiological progression with increases in size and perilesional edema of brain lesions after treatment with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab. The increasing use of immunotherapy in lung cancer requires increased knowledge of new patterns of radiological response, such as pseudoprogression.
Orexin‐mediated restoration of hippocampal synaptic potentiation in mice with established cocaine‐conditioned place preference
Authors: Lu Guan‐Ling , Lee Ming Tatt , Chiou Lih‐Chu
Published: October 2018

Orexins (also called hypocretins) are implicated in reward and addiction, but little is known about their role(s) in the association between hippocampal synaptic plasticity and drug preference. Previously, we found that exogenous orexin via OX1 and OX2 receptors can impair low frequency stimulation‐induced depotentiation, i.e. restoring potentiation of excitatory synaptic transmission (re‐potentiation) in mouse hippocampal slices. Here, we found this re‐potentiation in hippocampal slices from mice that had acquired conditioned place preference (CPP) to cocaine. Both 10 and 20 mg/kg of cocaine induced similar magnitudes of CPP in mice and re‐potentiation in their hippocampal slices, but differed in their susceptibility to TCS1102, a dual (OX1 and OX2) orexin receptor antagonist. TCS1102 significantly attenuated CPP and hippocampal re‐potentiation induced by cocaine at 10 mg/kg but not at 20 mg/kg. Nonetheless, SCH23390, an antagonist of dopamine D1‐like receptors (D1‐likeRs), inhibited the effects induced by both doses of cocaine. SKF38393, a D1‐likeR‐selective agonist, also induced hippocampal re‐potentiation in vitro. Interestingly, this effect was attenuated by TCS1102. Conversely, SCH23390 prevented orexin A‐induced hippocampal re‐potentiation. These results suggest that endogenous orexins are released in mice during cocaine‐CPP acquisition, which sustains potentiated hippocampal transmission via OX1/OX2 receptors and may contribute to the addiction memory of cocaine. This effect of endogenous orexins, however, may be substituted by dopamine that may dominate hippocampal re‐potentiation and CPP via D1‐likeRs when the reinforcing effect of cocaine is high.
Cytisine versus varenicline for smoking cessation for Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) and their extended family: protocol for a randomized non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Walker Natalie , Smith Barry , Barnes Joanne , Verbiest Marjolein , Kurdziel Tomasz , Parag Varsha , Pokhrel Subhash , Bullen Chris
Published: October 2018

Background and aims

Cytisine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist (like varenicline) found in some plants, is a low‐cost, effective smoking cessation medication that may appeal to Māori [the indigenous people of New Zealand (NZ)]. The RAUORA trial aims to determine the effectiveness, safety and cost‐effectiveness of cytisine (Tabex®) versus varenicline (Champix®) for smoking cessation in Māori and thewhānau(extended family) of Māori.

Design

Pragmatic, community‐based, open‐label randomized non‐inferiority trial.

Setting

Lakes District Health Board region, NZ.

Participants

Daily smokers (n = 2140) who self‐identify as Māori orwhānauof Māori, and are: aged ≥ 18 years, motivated to quit smoking in the next 2 weeks, eligible for subsidized varenicline, able to provide verbal consent and have daily access to a mobile phone/internet. Recruitment uses multi‐media advertising.

Intervention and comparator

Participants are randomized (1 : 1 ratio) to receive a prescription for 12 weeks of cytisine tablets [following the manufacturer's dosing regimen for 25 days, then one 1.5‐mg tablet every 6 hours (two per day) until 12 weeks] or varenicline tablets (following the manufacturer's dosing regimen). Both groups receive brief stop‐smoking advice from the prescribing doctor and withdrawal‐orientated behavioural support via community‐based stop‐smoking counselling services (frequency, duration and mode of delivery tailored for participants) or a research assistant (six weekly 10–15‐minute calls). Participants are advised to reduce their smoking over the first 4 days of treatment, with day 5 as their designated quit‐date.

Measurements

The primary outcome is carbon monoxide‐verified continuous abstinence at 6 months post‐quit date. Secondary outcomes at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐quit date include: self‐reported continuous abstinence, 7‐day point prevalence abstinence, cigarettes per day, time to (re)lapse, adverse events, treatment adherence/compliance, treatment acceptability, nicotine withdrawal/urge to smoke and health‐care utilization/health‐related quality of life.

Comments

This trial compares cytisine and varenicline when used by the indigenous people of NZ and their extended family for smoking cessation.
Does the nicotine metabolite ratio moderate smoking cessation treatment outcomes in real‐world settings? A prospective study
Authors: Shahab Lion , Bauld Linda , McNeill Ann , Tyndale Rachel F.
Published: October 2018

Background and aims

In smoking treatment trials comparing varenicline with transdermal nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), stratified by nicotine metabolite (3‐hydroxycotinine/cotinine) ratio (NMR), the relative benefit of varenicline is greater among normal rather than slow metabolizers. This study tested if the relative effectiveness of varenicline and NRT is associated with NMR status in a natural treatment setting. A secondary aim was to test if this relationship is moderated by behavioural support.

Design

Prospective observational multi‐centre study with 4‐week and 52‐week follow‐up.

Setting

Nine English Stop Smoking Services (SSS).

Participants

Data came from 1556 smokers (aged ≥ 16 years) attending SSS between March 2012 and March 2013.

Interventions

Participants received pharmacotherapy together with behavioural support.

Measurements

The primary outcome was carbon monoxide‐verified continuous abstinence at both follow‐up times. Main explanatory variables were (1) NMR status [slow (NMR < 0.31, n = 451) versus normal (NMR ≥ 0.31, n = 1105) metabolizers]; (2) pharmacotherapy (varenicline versus NRT) and (3) behavioural support (individual versus group‐based treatment). Analyses adjusted for baseline socio‐demographic, SSS, mental/physical health and smoking characteristics.

Findings

Of participants, 44.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 41.7–46.6%] and 8.0% (95% CI = 6.8–9.5%) were continuously abstinent at 4 and 52 weeks. Varenicline was more effective than NRT at 4 weeks (P < 0.001) but only marginally so at 52 weeks (P = 0.061). There was no or inclusive evidence that NMR status moderated relative efficacy of varenicline and NRT at 4‐ [P = 0.60, Bayes factor (BF) = 0.25] or 52‐week follow‐ups (P = 0.74, BF = 0.73). However, this relationship was moderated by behavioural support (p = 0.012): the relative benefit of varenicline over NRT at 52‐week follow‐up was greater in slow, not normal, metabolizers receiving group rather than individual support (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

In a real‐world setting, the nicotine metabolite ratio status of treatment‐seeking smokers does not appear to contribute substantially to the differential effectiveness of varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy in Stop Smoking Services, when both pharmacotherapy and behavioural support are self‐selected.
Iatrogenic subcutaneous facial emphysema secondary to a Class V dental restoration: a case report
Authors: Chien PY‐H
Published: October 2018

Subcutaneous facial emphysema (SFE) following routine dental operative procedure is an uncommon but potentially life‐threatening complication. The present case details a Class V restoration where air was introduced into the fascial tissue planes via the gingival sulcus from the use of an air‐driven dental handpiece. Although the SFE is usually self‐limiting within 3–10 days, such instances should be regarded as a medical emergency as in severe cases, the air may spread to the neck, mediastinum and thorax to result in cervicofacial emphysema with potential pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax.
A frameshift variant in the EDA gene in Dachshunds with X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia
Authors: Hadji Rasouliha S. , Bauer A. , Dettwiler M. , Welle M. M. , Leeb T.
Published: October 2018

X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) is a genetic disease characterized by hypoplasia or absence of hair, teeth and sweat glands. The EDA gene, located on the X chromosome, encodes the type II transmembrane protein ectodysplasin A. Variants in the EDA gene can lead to XLHED in humans, mice, cattle and dogs. In the present study, we investigated a litter of Dachshund puppies, of which four male puppies showed clinical signs of XLHED. We performed a candidate gene analysis in one affected puppy and several non‐affected relatives. This analysis revealed a single base‐pair deletion in the coding sequence of the EDA gene in the affected puppy (NM_001014770.2:c.842delT). The deletion is predicted to cause a frameshift, NP_001014770.1:p.(Leu281HisfsTer22), leading to a premature stop codon which truncates more than one quarter of the EDA protein. Sanger sequencing results confirmed that this variant was inherited from the dam. Based on knowledge about the functional impact of EDA variants in dogs and other species, c.842delT is a convincing candidate causative variant for the observed XLHED in the male puppies.
When does curatively treated colorectal cancer recur? An Australian perspective
Authors: Reece Mifanwy M. , Chapuis Pierre H. , Keshava Anil , Stewart Peter , Suen Michael , Rickard Matthew J. F. X.
Published: October 2018

Background

While most colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrences reportedly occur within 3 years following curative treatment, many studies are limited by short‐term follow‐up. This study examines the time to recurrence of CRC in a large Australian cohort with a long follow‐up period and assesses whether time to recurrence has changed over time.

Methods

A comprehensive prospective database of patients undergoing resection for CRC is maintained at Concord Hospital, Sydney. Demographic and time to recurrence data were extracted for patients who developed a recurrence following potentially curative resection for colon cancer from 1995 to 2010 and rectal cancer from 1971 to 2010. Non‐deceased patients had a minimum of 5 years follow‐up.

Results

Between 1995 and 2010, 2575 patients with CRC underwent surgery. After exclusions, 386 had recurrence following potentially curative resection, ranging from 1 to 172.5 months (median 20.3) after treatment. Within 1 year, 27.5% recurred, 57.5% by 2 years, 74.6% by 3 years, 85.5% by 4 years and 89.6% by 5 years. There was no difference in time to recurrence between colon and rectal cancers (P = 0.674). Among patients having a potentially curative resection for rectal cancer between 1971 and 2010, 386 recurred. There was no difference in time to recurrence by decade (P = 0.863).

Conclusion

The majority of recurrences occurred within 3 years of curative treatment. Had surveillance been limited to 5 years, detection of more than 10% of recurrences would have been delayed. Time to recurrence for rectal cancer has not changed in over 40 years, despite treatment advances.
Snus users had high levels of nicotine, cotinine and 3‐hydroxycotinine in their breastmilk, and the clearance was slower than in smoking mothers
Authors: Nordenstam Felicia , Lundell Bo , Edstedt Bonamy Anna‐Karin , Raaschou Pauline , Wickström Ronny
Published: October 2018

Aim

Using snus, an oral moist tobacco, has increased among pregnant women in Sweden, the only European Union country where sales are legal. This study evaluated whether snus generated similar concentrations of nicotine and its metabolites in breastmilk to cigarette smoking.

Methods

We analysed 49 breastmilk samples from 33 nursing mother – 13 snus users, six cigarette smokers and 14 controls – for concentrations of nicotine, cotinine and 3‐hydroxycotinine. The mothers were recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden from 2007 to 2012.

Results

The median nicotine concentration in breastmilk of the snus users was 38.7 ng/mL (0–137) versus 24.0 ng/mL (0–56) in smokers, with median cotinine levels of 327.6 ng/mL (37–958) versus 164.4 ng/mL and median 3‐hydroxycotinine levels of 202.7 ng/mL (28–452) versus 112.4 (0–231), respectively. Nicotine was still detected in the breastmilk of eight of the 13 snus users after abstaining from tobacco for a median duration of 11 hours (0.6–12.5), while the breastmilk of the smokers was nicotine‐free after four hours’ abstinence.

Conclusion

Snus users had high levels of nicotine and metabolites in their breastmilk and nicotine was found even after 12.5 hours of abstinence.
Bitterless guaifenesin prodrugs—design, synthesis, characterization, in vitro kinetics, and bitterness studies
Authors: Thawabteh Amin , Lelario Filomena , Scrano Laura , Bufo Sabino A. , Nowak Stefanie , Behrens Maik , Di Pizio Antonella , Niv Masha Y. , Karaman Rafik
Published: October 2018

A respected number of drugs suffer from bitter taste which results in patient incompliance. With the aim of solving the bitterness of guaifenesin, dimethyl maleate, maleate, glutarate, succinate, and dimethyl succinate prodrugs were designed and synthesized. Molecular orbital methods were utilized for the design of the ester prodrugs. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the hydrolysis efficiency of the synthesized prodrugs is significantly sensitive to the pattern of substitution on C=C bond and distance between the nucleophile and the electrophile. The hydrolysis of the prodrugs was largely affected by the pH of the medium. The experimental t1/2 for the hydrolysis of guaifenesin dimaleate ester prodrugs in 1N HCl was the least and for guaifenesin dimethyl succinate was the highest. Functional heterologous expression of TAS2R14, a broadly tuned bitter taste receptor responding to guaifenesin, and experiments using these prodrugs revealed that, while some of the prodrugs still activated the receptor similarly or even stronger than the parent substance, succinate derivatization resulted in the complete loss of receptor responses. The predicted binding modes of guaifenesin and its prodrugs to the TAS2R14 homology model suggest that the decreased activity of the succinate derivatives may be caused by a clash with Phe247.
Statistical Learning Is Not Age‐Invariant During Childhood: Performance Improves With Age Across Modality
Authors: Shufaniya Amir , Arnon Inbal
Published: October 2018

Humans are capable of extracting recurring patterns from their environment via statistical learning (SL), an ability thought to play an important role in language learning and learning more generally. While much work has examined statistical learning in infants and adults, less work has looked at the developmental trajectory of SL during childhood to see whether it is fully developed in infancy or improves with age, like many other cognitive abilities. A recent study showed modality‐based differences in the effect of age during childhood: While visual SL improved with age, auditory SL did not. This finding was taken as evidence for modality‐based differences in SL. However, since that study used auditory linguistic stimuli (syllables), the differential effect of age may have been driven by stimulus type (linguistic vs. non‐linguistic) rather than modality. Here, we ask whether age will affect performance similarly in the two modalities when non‐linguistic auditory stimuli are used (familiar sounds instead of syllables). We conduct a large‐scale study of children's performance on visual and non‐linguistic auditory SL during childhood (ages 5–12 years). The results show a similar effect of age in both modalities: Unlike previous findings, both visual and non‐linguistic auditory SL improved with age. These findings highlight the stimuli‐sensitive nature of SL and suggest that modality‐based differences may be stimuli‐dependent, and that age‐invariance may be limited to linguistic stimuli.
Delayed calcineurin inhibitor introduction and renal outcomes in liver transplant recipients receiving basiliximab induction
Authors: Lange Nicholas W. , Salerno David M. , Sammons Chelsea M. , Jesudian Arun B. , Verna Elizabeth C. , Brown Robert S.
Published: October 2018

Background

To investigate the impact of delayed calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) initiation in liver transplant recipients (LTR) with peri‐operative renal insufficiency receiving basiliximab induction, we compared renal outcomes of LTR stratified by the degree of achieved post‐operative renal recovery (RR) prior to CNI initiation.

Methods

All adult LTR transplanted between 01/2007 and 12/2015 who received basiliximab were included. Patients who received multi‐organ transplantations, were repeat transplant recipients, or expired prior to post‐operative day (POD) 90 were excluded. The primary outcome of our retrospective analysis was renal function at POD 90.

Results

A total of 210 patients were included in our final analysis. Most patients were Caucasian males undergoing liver transplantation for liver disease secondary to hepatitis C virus. Baseline characteristics were similar among the evaluable population. Estimated GFR was significantly higher among patients with the greatest degree of post‐operative renal recovery at POD 90; however, this difference did not persist at POD 180. There was no significant difference in incidence or severity of biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR) at any measured time point.

Conclusions

Delayed CNI initiation following liver transplantation in patients with post‐operative renal insufficiency who receive basiliximab induction does not adversely affect the incidence of BPAR or long‐term renal outcomes.
Neural correlates of facial emotion processing in infancy
Authors: Xie Wanze , McCormick Sarah A. , Westerlund Alissa , Bowman Lindsay C. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: October 2018

In the present study we examined the neural correlates of facial emotion processing in the first year of life using ERP measures and cortical source analysis. EEG data were collected cross‐sectionally from 5‐ (N = 49), 7‐ (N = 50), and 12‐month‐old (N = 51) infants while they were viewing images of angry, fearful, and happy faces. The N290 component was found to be larger in amplitude in response to fearful and happy than angry faces in all posterior clusters and showed largest response to fear than the other two emotions only over the right occipital area. The P400 and Nc components were found to be larger in amplitude in response to angry than happy and fearful faces over central and frontal scalp. Cortical source analysis of the N290 component revealed greater cortical activation in the right fusiform face area in response to fearful faces. This effect started to emerge at 5 months and became well established at 7 months, but it disappeared at 12 months. The P400 and Nc components were primarily localized to the PCC/Precuneus where heightened responses to angry faces were observed. The current results suggest the detection of a fearful face in infants’ brain can happen shortly (~200–290 ms) after the stimulus onset, and this process may rely on the face network and develop substantially between 5 to 7 months of age. The current findings also suggest the differential processing of angry faces occurred later in the P400/Nc time window, which recruits the PCC/Precuneus and is associated with the allocation of infants’ attention.
Glucose metabolism dysregulation at the onset of mental illness is not limited to first episode psychosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kucukgoncu Suat , Kosir Urska , Zhou Elton , Sullivan Erin , Srihari Vinod H. , Tek Cenk
Published: October 2018

Aim

To compare the differences of glucose metabolism outcomes between treatment‐naïve, patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) and mood disorders.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of glucose intolerance in treatment‐naïve, first episode patients with severe mental illnesses (SMIs).

Results

We identified 31 eligible studies. Compared to healthy controls, FEP group have higher insulin and insulin resistance levels, and both groups have higher glucose tolerance test results. No significant differences were found in glucose metabolism outcomes between FEP and mood disorder groups.

Conclusions

Our results highlight impaired glucose metabolism at the onset of SMIs, suggesting both patients with psychosis and mood disorders are high‐risk groups for diabetes development.
Cognitive neuroscience can support public health approaches to minimise the harm of ‘losses disguised as wins’ in multiline slot machines
Authors: Myles Dan , Carter Adrian , Yücel Murat
Published: October 2018

Video slot machines are associated with both accelerated transition into problematic forms of gambling, as well as psychosocial harm above and beyond other forms of gambling. A growing body of evidence is uncovering how key design features of multiline slot machines produce an inflated experience of reward, despite the fact that these features offer no overall financial benefit to the player. A pernicious example of this are ‘losses disguised as wins’ (LDWs), which occur when simultaneous bets placed on multiple lines result in a winning combination that returns an amount greater than zero, but less the total wager. These events are usually accompanied by the same celebratory sounds and animations that accompany true wins. We argue that LDWs may leverage neuropsychological phenomena that underlie reinforcement learning and contribute to extended or repetitive use and gambling‐related harm. While other characteristics of slot machine gambling have been examined by cognitive neuroscientists, this feature has not yet received attention. Neuroscientific methods can be used to assess the impact of LDWs on the human reward system, to assess the claim that these events are a reinforcing and contributing factor in the development of harmful play. Positive findings would provide further persuasive evidence in support of strategies to minimise gambling harm through the regulation of machine design.
Perceived Romantic Relationship Quality: Associations With Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms and Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Beckmeyer Jonathon J. , Coleman Marilyn , Proulx Christine M.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To understand whether 15‐year‐old adolescents' reports of positive and negative interactions in their romantic relationships are associated with their depressive symptoms and externalizing behavior.

Background

To ensure that relationship education programs comprehensively address adolescent romantic development, there is a need for research focused on relationship dynamics during adolescence. In particular, there is a paucity of research on the associations between romantic relationship quality and adolescent adjustment.

Method

Data were from adolescents in romantic relationships during the fourth wave of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 205). Adolescents reported the positive and negative interactions in their romantic relationships, depressive symptoms, and externalizing behavior.

Results

Negative interactions were positively associated with depressive symptoms and externalizing behavior. Positive interactions were not associated with adolescent adjustment but did moderate the associations between negative interactions and depressive symptoms. Specifically, and unexpectedly, positive interactions exacerbated the association between high (+1 SD) negative interactions and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Adolescents in romantic relationships may be at risk for depressive symptoms and externalizing behavior when they experience negative interactions with romantic partners. They do not, however, appear to benefit from positive interactions.

Implications

A primary goal of adolescent‐specific relationship education should be to minimize negative interactions between romantic partners.
Bayesian Point Process Modeling to Quantify Geographic Regions of Excess Stillbirth Risk
Authors: Zahrieh David , Oleson Jacob J. , Romitti Paul A.
Published: October 2018

Motivated by the paucity of high‐quality stillbirth surveillance data and the spatial analysis of such data, we describe the pattern of stillbirth events as a step toward increased understanding of risk factors which can better guide future measures to mitigate these events. A challenge in such an analysis is that some mothers experience stillbirth events from independent pregnancies within a defined study period. To account for these dependencies, we parameterize our model to include a maternal contextual effect and broaden the appeal of Bayesian Poisson point process modeling to quantify excess stillbirth risk while considering a form of a log‐Gaussian Cox process. In the presence of extra unobserved spatial variation in risk, we demonstrate a pragmatic methodologic strategy to model the risk surface in relation to covariates and that there is a variance‐bias trade‐off associated with the use of a maternal contextual effect. We applied our strategy to the spatial distribution of stillbirth in Iowa during the years 2005–2011 using data obtained from an active, statewide public health surveillance program. We identified areas of excess risk for further investigation based on model components that captured important features of the data.
Patterns of predator behaviour and Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix nest survival in a primaeval forest
Authors: Maziarz Marta , Grendelmeier Alex , Wesołowski Tomasz , Arlettaz Raphaёl , Broughton Richard K. , Pasinelli Gilberto
Published: October 2018

Understanding the foraging behaviour of predators is key to interpreting the role of anti‐predator adaptations of birds in reducing nest losses. Conducting research in primaeval habitats, with a low level of direct human interference, is particularly valuable in the understanding of predator–prey interactions. Using nest cameras, we investigated the identity and behaviour of potential and actual predators appearing at Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix nests, and the importance of different predator groups for nest survival, in the primaeval part of Białowieża Forest (Poland). Mammals formed the main predator group (30 of 32 nest depredations), particularly medium‐sized carnivores (24 of 32), which attacked nests more frequently than merely passing by. This contrasted with other species, especially small rodents, which were commonly recorded near nests but rarely attacked them. Most nest attacks (22 of 32) took place at night and nest survival did not depend on nest visibility, indicating a reduced utility of nest concealment in defence against predators using mainly sound or olfaction when hunting. Daily nest survival declined strongly with nest progression (from egg‐laying to fledging of chicks), probably due to increased predator detection of nests containing older and louder chicks, rather than to increasing parental activity at nests during the day. The set of actual nest predators differed from some previous studies in human‐transformed habitats, showing that Wood Warblers may face different threats in modified vs. near‐pristine environments.
FAMILY FIRMS, BANK RELATIONSHIPS, AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: A COMPREHENSIVE SCORE CARD
Authors: Karaivanov Alexander , Saurina Jesús , Townsend Robert M.
Published: October 2018

We examine the effect of financial constraints on firm investment and cash flow. We combine data from the Spanish Mercantile Registry and the Bank of Spain Credit Registry to classify firms according to whether they are family‐owned, not family‐owned, or belong to a family‐linked network of firms and according to their number of banking relations (with none, one, or several banks). Our empirical strategy is structural, based on a dynamic model solved numerically to generate the joint distribution of firm capital (size), investment, and cash flow, both in cross sections and in panel data. We consider three alternative financial settings: saving only, borrowing and lending, and moral hazard constrained state‐contingent credit. We estimate each setting via maximum likelihood and compare across these financial regimes. Based on the estimated financial regime, we show that family firms, especially those belonging to networks based on ownership, are associated with a more flexible market or contract environment and are less financially constrained than nonfamily firms. This result survives stratifications of family and nonfamily firms by bank status, region, industry, and time period. Family firms are better able to allocate funds and smooth investment across states of the world and over time, arguably done informally or using the cash flow generated at the level of the network. We also validate our structural approach by demonstrating that it performs well in traditional categories, by stratifying firms by size and age, and find that smaller and younger firms are more constrained than larger and older firms.
Cumulative and CUB Models for Rating Data: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Piccolo Domenico , Simone Rosaria , Iannario Maria
Published: October 2018

Ordinal measurements as ratings, preference and evaluation data are very common in applied disciplines, and their analysis requires a proper modelling approach for interpretation, classification and prediction of response patterns. This work proposes a comparative discussion between two statistical frameworks that serve these goals: the established class of cumulative models and a class of mixtures of discrete random variables, denoted asCUBmodels, whose peculiar feature is the specification of an uncertainty component to deal with indecision and heterogeneity. After surveying their definition and main features, we compare the performances of the selected paradigms by means of simulation experiments and selected case studies. The paper is tailored to enrich the understanding of the two approaches by running an extensive and comparative analysis of results, relative advantages and limitations, also at graphical level. In conclusion, a summarising review of the key issues of the alternative strategies and some final remarks are given, aimed to support a unifying setting.
Does a multicultural perspective shape unbiased minds? The moderating role of outgroup threat
Authors: Urbiola Ana , Willis Guillermo B. , Ruiz‐Romero Josefa , Moya Miguel
Published: October 2018

The multicultural perspective is an ideological orientation that values the recognition and inclusion of diverse ethnic and cultural groups as sources of identity and culture that are favorable to society, because they promote positive intergroup relations and social equality. However, there are conditions that moderate the constructive effects such a perspective potentially yields. In this research, we used experimental procedures to examine the effects of a multicultural perspective on levels of implicit and explicit prejudice aimed at Gitanos (Spanish Roma). In Study 1, we manipulated the content of a newspaper article to generate three conditions, which were (a) the multicultural perspective, (b) the use of counter‐stereotypical exemplars, and (c) the control. In Study 2, we not only evaluated the effect of the manipulation of the multicultural perspective relative to the control, we also assessed the extent to which symbolic and realistic outgroup threats moderate the effect of a multicultural perspective on implicit prejudice. Results showed lower levels of implicit prejudice in the multicultural condition than in the control condition. The multicultural perspective effectively reduced implicit prejudice when the perceived threat was low, but yielded no such observable effect when the perceived threat was high.
Judicial Elections, Public Opinion, and Decisions on Lower‐Salience Issues
Authors: Canes‐Wrone Brandice , Clark Tom S. , Semet Amy
Published: October 2018

Scholarship finds that in states with judicial elections, public opinion affects judges’ decisions on hot‐button campaign issues such as the death penalty or marijuana legalization. Yet the literature leaves open the question of how public opinion affects judicial decisions on less salient issues, which not only dominate the dockets of state supreme courts but also encompass areas of major legal and policy significance. We consider one such issue that infrequently emerges in judicial campaigns, environmental law. Specifically, we collect an original dataset of over 5,000 judicial votes on nearly 1,000 cases heard in 40 state supreme courts from 1990–2014. We find that for the dataset as a whole, there is not a significant effect of public opinion on judicial decisions in any of the major judicial selection systems. However, in the few states in which environmental issues have been the subject of campaign attack ads, we find evidence of such a relationship during the years following the ads. These results contribute to a growing literature that suggests elections can reduce judicial independence from public opinion.
Making Firms Liable for Consumers’ Mistaken Beliefs: Applications to the U.S. Mortgage and Credit Card Markets
Authors: Alexandrov Alexei
Published: October 2018

In theory, an introduction of a liability on firms, related to the difference between consumers’ beliefs and the effective terms of purchase/contract, can improve both social welfare and consumer surplus, depending on the relative magnitudes of: (1) decrease in the gap between the beliefs and the effective terms of the contract due to the introduction of the liability, (2) output decrease or price increase, and (3) efficiency of administering the liability (and the amount transferred). I do not find statistically significant evidence of (2) in two examples of instituting a similar liability: when several large U.S. credit card issuers dropped mandatory arbitration clauses (that effectively precluded class action lawsuits) and when U.S. residential mortgage creditors became liable for failing to consider a borrower's future ability to repay the mortgage, suggesting that these events improved consumer surplus and might have improved social welfare.
Validation of the inflammatory bowel disease disability index for self‐report and development of an item‐reduced version
Authors: Paulides Emma , Kim Catherine , Frampton Chris , Gearry Richard B , Eglinton Tim , Leong Rupert W , de Boer Nanne K H , Mulder Chris J J , McCombie Andrew M
Published: October 2018

Background and Aim

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD‐DI) is a measure of disability in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The IBD‐DI is validated for use as a clinical interview but not for use as a self‐report questionnaire. We aimed to validate the IBD‐DI for self‐report (IBD‐DI‐SR) and to reduce the number of items, using IBD patients from two centers.

Methods

Between April and August 2017, ambulatory IBD patients were recruited from Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand and Concord Hospital, Australia. The IBD‐DI clinical interview version was compared with a self‐report version. Participants were randomized to do the clinical interview or self‐report first. Validation of the IBD‐DI‐SR involved calculating the correlation coefficient between the clinician completed and self‐reported version of the IBD‐DI and Cronbach's α of internal consistency of the IBD‐DI‐SR. To create an item‐reduced version, multiple linear regression was used. The R2 of the model described the overall association between the item‐reduced IBD‐DI‐SR and the IBD‐DI.

Results

One hundred fourteen patients (57 from Christchurch and 57 from Sydney) completed the IBD‐DI‐SR validation phase, of whom 63 had Crohn's disease and 51 had ulcerative colitis. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the IBD‐DI‐SR and IBD‐DI is 0.90 (P < 0.001), and Cronbach's α of the IBD‐DI‐SR was 0.86. The item‐reduced version of the IBD‐DI‐SR consisted of eight questions instead of 28, explaining 77% of the variance.

Conclusions

The IBD‐DI‐SR has demonstrated reliability and validity. The item‐reduced IBD‐DI‐SR is a concise self‐report instrument for measuring IBD disability, which makes the IBD‐DI more widely usable.
Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults—Moving Toward Evidence‐Based Decision‐Making
Authors: Singh Sonal , Zieman Susan , Go Alan S. , Fortmann Stephen P. , Wenger Nanette K. , Fleg Jerome L. , Radziszewska Barbara , Stone Neil J. , Zoungas Sophia , Gurwitz Jerry H.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To determine the efficacy and safety of statins for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in older adults, especially those aged 80 and older and with multimorbidity.

Methods

The National Institute on Aging and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute convened A multidisciplinary expert panel from July 31 to August 1, 2017, to review existing evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and consider whether statin safety and efficacy data in persons aged 75 and older without ASCVD are sufficient; whether existing data can inform the feasibility, design, and implementation of future statin trials in older adults; and clinical trial options and designs to address knowledge gaps. This article summarizes the presentations and discussions at that workshop.

Results

There is insufficient evidence regarding the benefits and harms of statins in older adults, especially those with concomitant frailty, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and cognitive impairment; a lack of tools to assess ASCVD risk in those aged 80 and older; and a paucity of evidence of the effect of statins on outcomes of importance to older adults, such as statin‐associated muscle symptoms, cognitive function, and incident diabetes mellitus. Prospective, traditional, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and pragmatic RCTs seem to be suitable options to address these critical knowledge gaps. Future trials have to consider greater representation of very old adults, women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals of differing health, cognitive, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Feasibility analyses from existing large healthcare networks confirm appropriate power for death and cardiovascular outcomes for future RCTs in this area.

Conclusion

Existing data cannot address uncertainties about the benefits and harms of statins for primary ASCVD prevention in adults aged 75 and older, especially those with comorbidities, frailty, and cognitive impairment. Evidence from 1 or more RCTs could address these important knowledge gaps to inform person‐centered decision‐making. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2188–2196, 2018.
Enhanced contrast in X‐ray microtomographic images of the membranous labyrinth using different X‐ray sources and scanning modes
Authors: Goyens Jana , Vasilopoulou‐Kampitsi Menelia , Claes Raf , Sijbers Jan , Mancini Lucia
Published: October 2018

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in balance and gaze stabilisation by sensing head movements. The interconnected tubes with membranous walls of the vestibular system are located in the skull bone (the ‘membranous labyrinth’). Unfortunately, these membranes are very hard to visualise using three‐dimensional (3D) X‐ray imaging techniques. This difficulty arises due to the embedment of the membranes in the dense skull bone, the thinness of the membranes, and the small difference in X‐ray absorption between the membranes and the surrounding fluid. In this study, we compared the visualisation of very small specimens (lizard heads with vestibular systems smaller than 3 mm) by X‐ray computed micro‐tomography (μCT) based on synchrotron radiation and conventional sources. A visualisation protocol using conventional X‐ray μCT would be very useful thanks to the ease of access and lower cost. Careful optimisation of the acquisition parameters enables detection of the membranes by using μCT scanners based on conventional microfocus sources, but in some cases a low contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) prevents fast and reliable segmentation of the membranes. Synchrotron radiation μCT proved to be preferable for the visualisation of the small samples with very thin membranes, because of their high demands for spatial and contrast resolution. The best contrast was obtained by using synchrotron radiation μCT working in phase‐contrast mode, leading to up to twice as high CNRs than the best conventional μCT results. The CNR of the synchrotron radiation μCT scans was sufficiently high enough to enable the construction of a 3D model by the means of semi‐automatic segmentation of the membranous labyrinth. Membrane thickness was found to range between 2.7 and 36.3 μm. Hence, the minimal membrane thickness was found to be much smaller than described previously in the literature (between 10 and 50 μm).
Autism‐linked CHD gene expression patterns during development predict multi‐organ disease phenotypes
Authors: Kasah Sahrunizam , Oddy Christopher , Basson M. Albert
Published: October 2018

Recent large‐scale exome sequencing studies have identified mutations in several members of the CHD (Chromodomain Helicase DNA‐binding protein) gene family in neurodevelopmental disorders. Mutations in the CHD2 gene have been linked to developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism and seizures, CHD8 mutations to autism and intellectual disability, whereas haploinsufficiency of CHD7 is associated with executive dysfunction and intellectual disability. In addition to these neurodevelopmental features, a wide range of other developmental defects are associated with mutants of these genes, especially with regards to CHD7 haploinsufficiency, which is the primary cause of CHARGE syndrome. Whilst the developmental expression of CHD7 has been reported previously, limited information on the expression of CHD2 and CHD8 during development is available. Here, we compare the expression patterns of all three genes during mouse development directly. We find high, widespread expression of these genes at early stages of development that gradually becomes restricted during later developmental stages. Chd2 and Chd8 are widely expressed in the developing central nervous system (CNS) at all stages of development, with moderate expression remaining in the neocortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cerebellum of the postnatal brain. Similarly, Chd7 expression is seen throughout the CNS during late embryogenesis and early postnatal development, with strong enrichment in the cerebellum, but displays low expression in the cortex and neurogenic niches in early life. In addition to expression in the brain, novel sites of Chd2 and Chd8 expression are reported. These findings suggest additional roles for these genes in organogenesis and predict that mutation of these genes may predispose individuals to a range of other, non‐neurological developmental defects.