bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do you measure what you can't define?
Authors: Aksoy Lerzan
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This research aims to provide a synthesis of the normative prescriptions from the scientific literature as it relates to customer loyalty tracking and an evaluation of how close practice comes to these prescriptions. It offers a description of the landscape for how and why aspects of loyalty measurement and management converge and/or diverge.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is gathered through in‐depth telephone interviews with 92 senior level marketing managers across a variety of industries.

Findings

The overwhelming majority of firms view customer loyalty as a top strategic priority but only one in four has a formal definition of customer loyalty. Customer satisfaction and likelihood to recommend are the two most tracked measures. The findings also demonstrate that few firms are relatively sophisticated in their analytics capabilities and only half examine how loyalty influences business outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The current study uses single respondent per firm.

Practical implications

The results provide compelling evidence that managers need to determine more consciously what customer loyalty means in the context of their business. Furthermore, firms could benefit from the use of more sophisticated and advanced modelling approaches which have the potential to uncover patterns in customer data and link with business results.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the scientific literature that investigates how close what managers are actually doing in practice comes to scientific prescriptions for tracking and engaging with customers in an effort to engender customer loyalty.
Multi‐year non‐life insurance risk
Authors: Diers Dorothea , Eling Martin , Kraus Christian , Linde Marc
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation‐based approach for modeling multi‐year non‐life insurance risk in internal risk models. Strategic management in an insurance company requires a multi‐year time horizon for economic decision making, for example, in the context of internal risk models. In the literature to date, only the ultimate perspective and, more recently, the one‐year perspective (for Solvency II purposes) are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a way of defining and calculating multi‐year claims development results and extend the simulation‐based algorithm (“re‐reserving”) for quantifying one‐year non‐life insurance risk, presented in Ohlsson and Lauzeningks, to a multi‐year perspective.

Findings

The multi‐year algorithm is applied to the chain ladder reserving model framework of Mack (1993).

Practical implications

The usefulness of the new multi‐year horizon is illustrated in the context of internal risk models by means of a case study, where the multi‐year algorithm is applied to a claims development triangle based on Mack and on England and Verrall. This algorithm has been implemented in an excel tool, which is given as supplemented material.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no model approaches or studies on insurance risk for projection periods of not just one, but several, new accident years; this requires a suitable extension of the classical Mack model; however, consideration of multiple years is crucial in the context of enterprise risk management.
China's transformation towards a global green system of innovation
Authors: Marinova Dora , Guo Xiumei , Wu Yanrui
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine recent trends and China's role in the emerging global green system of innovation (GGSI) and present the major achievement in China's R&D sectors and major challenges faced by the country. The authors use China's role in the clean development mechanism (CDM) as a case to demonstrate the country's willingness to adopt new technology and green innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to understand China's transformation towards the GGSI, the approach used in this study is a review of innovation systems literature combined with analysis of statistical data from various sources. The authors also build an innovation model for the emerging global green system of innovation to demonstrate the building blocks which allow for transformational system failures to be avoided. The clean development mechanism (CDM) is used as a case example as to how GGSI works.

Findings

This paper puts into perspective some recent developments in innovation and argues that there is enough evidence to claim that the world is re‐orienting towards a global green system of innovation in which China is already one of the most significant players.

Originality/value

Through building a new innovation model, this study demonstrates the complexity and the development of innovation in the context of China's transformation towards the GGSI.
QFD application using SERVQUAL for private hospitals: a case study
Authors: Camgöz‐Akdağ Hatice , Tarım Mehveş , Lonial Subash , Yatkın Alim
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how quality function deployment (QFD) methodology was employed for translating customer needs and expectations into the quality characteristics in a private healthcare setting. This case study illustrates how an existing approach of SERVQUAL and QFD integration can be applied for quality improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrating SERVQUAL into QFD to set the success factors to improve quality in the healthcare industry is the main aim of this paper. A privately‐held university hospital, within the city of Istanbul in Turkey, was selected as the sampling frame. A SERVQUAL‐type of questionnaire was used and a total of 250 questionnaires were distributed and 210 of them were received. Usable responses were 170, comprising a response rate of 68 percent.

Findings

From the results of the QFD application it is seen that behavior and attitude of staff has the highest weight score, meaning that when behavior and attitude of staff is improved there will be almost 25 per cent of improvement in the hospital. Another finding was that there is strong relationship among skills of physician, behavior and attitude of staff, and having enough modern equipment.

Research limitations/implications

QFD technique is able to provide hospitals with a better understanding of customers' expectations to translate these expectations into appropriate service specifications and perform existing process assessment.

Originality/value

The case study was a first attempt to apply this integrative approach to a service sector and thus offers practical and applied information useful to both academicians and practitioners.
A compassionate formulation of task drift in mental health staff
Authors: Kennedy Angela
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the novel use of the compassion focused formulation framework, to give thought to the ways that staff can be distracted from their primary task. It aims to examine systemic ideas for supporting staff to be effective and compassionate in their mental health care.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a reflective piece using qualitative data and experience to frame the information.

Findings

Staff have a variety of ways of coping with the stress of their work and some of these ways are more helpful than others. The formulation framework creates a helpful structure for understanding these strategies in a non‐blaming way. This facilitates reflective practice and the model points to ways that compassionate organisations can help staff in their primary task.

Originality/value

The CFT formulation has not been applied systemically in the literature to organisations or groups of staff.
Creative practice as mutual recovery in mental health
Authors: Crawford Paul , Lewis Lydia , Brown Brian , Manning Nick
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the value of approaches to mental health based on creative practice in the humanities and arts, and explore these in relation to the potential contribution to mutual recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual analysis and literature review.

Findings

Recovery can embrace carers and practitioners as well as sufferers from mental health problems. Divisions tend to exist between those with mental health needs, informal carers and health, social care and education personnel. Mutual recovery is therefore a very useful term because it instigates a more fully social understanding of mental health recovery processes, encompassing diverse actors in the field of mental health. Research demonstrates the importance of arts for “recovery orientated mental health services”, how they provide ways of breaking down social barriers, of expressing and understanding experiences and emotions, and of helping to rebuild identities and communities. Similarly, the humanities can advance the recovery of health and well‐being.

Originality/value

The notion of mutual recovery through creative practice is more than just a set of creative activities which are believed to have benefit. The idea is also a heuristic that can be useful to professionals and family members, as well as individuals with mental health problems themselves. Mutual recovery is perhaps best seen as a relational construct, offering new opportunities to build egalitarian, appreciative and substantively connected communities – resilient communities of mutual hope, compassion and solidarity.
Too big to hire: factors impacting weight discrimination
Authors: Bartels Lynn K. , Nordstrom Cynthia R.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of applicant weight and sex, job type and employer attitudes on employee screening decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants rated one of four job applicants on their hiring suitability for four different entry‐level jobs with high or low visibility and physical demands. Applicants varied in sex and weight as depicted in a photograph, but their job applications were identical.

Findings

Results showed that overweight women experienced weight discrimination when applying for a job that was high in both visibility and physical demands.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine weight discrimination in other racial and ethnic groups and with higher‐level jobs. Future research could also examine hiring decisions using a within‐subjects design to allow comparison across job applicants.

Practical implications

Employers' perceptions of applicant weight may lead them to make biased decisions about individuals who are overweight during the hiring process particularly for jobs that are high in visibility and physical demands.

Social implications

There has been an alarming increase in obesity rates in the USA, but there is limited legal protection against weight discrimination. Employers who make stereotyped assumptions about individuals who are overweight may be missing out on valuable workforce talent. Similarly, individuals who are overweight may face discriminatory obstacles in finding work.

Originality/value

This study systematically manipulated two important job characteristics: visibility and physical demands and used a sample of adults as raters.
Markers for persistent specific expressive language delay in 3–4‐year‐olds
Authors: Everitt Andrea , Hannaford Philip , Conti‐Ramsden Gina
Published: July 2013

Background

Identifying 3–4‐year‐olds who are most at risk of persisting language difficulties, and possibly specific language impairment (SLI), is difficult due to the natural variation of language in young children. In older children, markers for SLI have been identified that differentiate between children with and without SLI. It is not known whether these markers can be used at an earlier age to identify children most at risk of persisting language difficulties.

Aims

To identify possible risk markers of current status that distinguish children who have specific expressive language delay (SELD) from the variation observed in normally developing children at age 3;0–4;0 and 4;0–5;0. To determine the most suitable measure(s) that would predict which children with SELD at age 3;0–4;0 were likely to have persistent expressive language delay (PELD) at age 4;0–5;0.

Methods & Procedures

Forty‐seven children with SELD and 47 children with typical language development (TLD) were assessed on language, nonverbal IQ and marker tasks at age 3;0–4;0 (baseline). Ninety‐one children were reassessed on the measures one year later (follow‐up). At both time points, the marker tasks were compared with a reference standard (Expressive Communication subscale (EC) of the Preschool Language Scale—3 (PLS‐3) (UK)) to determine the most useful marker for identifying children with SELD. Possible predictors were examined to determine the most suitable measure(s) that would predict which children with SELD at baseline were likely to have PELD at follow‐up.

Outcome & Results

A modified version of Recalling Sentences, a subtest of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)—Preschool UK, was the most useful marker for identifying children with SELD at baseline and at follow‐up. Thirty‐five (76.1%) of the 46 children with SELD at baseline had PELD at follow‐up. Performance on the Auditory Comprehension (AC) and EC subscales of the PLS‐3 (UK) and on modified Recalling Sentences at age 3;0–4;0 were predictors of PELD at age 4;0–5;0.

Conclusions & implications

A modified Recalling Sentences task was a good risk marker for SELD at age 3;0–4;0 and SELD at age 4;0–5;0. PLS‐3 AC, PLS‐3 EC and modified Recalling Sentences at baseline were the best predictors of PELD. The use of modified Recalling Sentences as a predictive marker requires confirmation.
Foregrounding the Muslim periphery (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Benthall Jonathan
Published: July 2013

This guest editorial considers the implications of Akbar Ahmed's latest book –The Thistle and the Drone: How America's war on terror became a global war on tribal Islam, which was the centrepiece of several panel discussions in London.
Karl Marx: Anthropologist (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Morris Brian
Published: July 2013

Marx was not only a philosopher, but he was very much and anthropologist of his day. Here, the author describes Marx's work in terms of four key concepts, namely, nature, society, history and science, and considers how anthropologists at the time influenced Marx in his thinking.
Simultaneity, Forecasting and Profits in London Copper Futures
Authors: Goss Barry A. , Avsar S. Gulay
Published: July 2013

Previous research on price determination for non‐ferrous metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME) suffers from three limitations: first it has employed single equation methods only, which cannot explain the simultaneous determination of spot and futures prices; second, by focusing on current and lagged prices, previous research does not analyse the effect on price determination of critical variables such as expectations, consumption and inventories; third, the outcome of prior research regarding market efficiency is ambiguous.

This paper, which addresses these issues, develops a simultaneous model of the copper market at the LME, with representation of the activities of hedgers, speculators and consumers. This model produces post‐sample forecasts of the spot price which outperform conventional benchmarks, thus providing evidence against the efficient market hypothesis. Model‐derived forecasts are employed as the foundation of a trading program which produces risk‐adjusted profits (net of commission costs) for holding periods of one week and one month, thus fulfilling the ‘sufficient condition’ for market inefficiency.

This study, therefore, provides new insights into price determination on the LME copper market, and resolves the ambiguity of previous research regarding the efficiency of that market. This is the first application of the model forecasting approach to the question of performance of the market for copper.
Unravelling the nature of Waiparaconus, a pennatulacean (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) from the Late Mesozoic–Early Cainozoic of the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: BUCKERIDGE John S. , CAMPBELL Hamish J. , MAURIZOT Pierre
Published: July 2013

Enigmatic calcareous conical fossils have been known from marine Paleocene–Eocene sequences of New Zealand since the early 1870s. More recently, similar fossils have been recorded from both Late Cretaceous marine sequences of Western Australia, New Caledonia and Antarctica, and possibly from the Eocene of South America. The present paper extends the record to the late Cretaceous of New Caledonia. These remains are unlike any living taxa, and have been variously interpreted as molluscs (rudistid bivalves), cirripedes (stalked barnacles), annelids and inorganic structures. Assignation to the Cirripedia has been refuted by Buckeridge (1983, 1993), who proposed that the material would be better placed within the Cnidaria. We investigate this hypothesis in light of the New Caledonian material and by comparison with living gorgonians and pennatulaceans, and demonstrate that Waiparaconus is best placed within the Pennatulacea. Waiparaconus zelandicus varies in form somewhat, with 3 morphotypes defined and reinforced by geography. Comment is provided on the imperative to fit organic remains into known groups, with reflection on what may happen if taxa are left in insertae sedis.
A multicomponent theory‐based intervention improves uptake of pelvic floor muscle training before radical prostatectomy: a ‘before and after’ cohort study
Authors: Hirschhorn Andrew D. , Kolt Gregory S. , Brooks Andrew J.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To assess the effect of a multicomponent theory‐based intervention, incorporating patient information guides, an evidence summary, audit and feedback processes and a provider directory, in the provision/receipt of preoperative pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Subjects and Methods

Over an 18‐month period (9 months before and 9 months after the intervention), we measured the provision/receipt of preoperative PFMT using surveys of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy at one public hospital (n = 32) and two private hospitals (n = 107) in Western Sydney, Australia, as well as practice audits of associated public sector (n = 4) and private sector (n = 2) providers of PFMT.

Self‐report urinary incontinence was assessed 3 months after radical prostatectomy using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Form (ICIQ‐UI Short Form).

Results

There was a significant increase in the proportion of survey respondents receiving preoperative PFMT post‐intervention (post‐intervention: 42/58 respondents, 72% vs pre‐intervention: 37/81 respondents, 46%, P = 0.002).

There was a corresponding significant increase in provision of preoperative PFMT by private sector providers (mean [sd] post‐intervention: 16.7 [3.7] patients/month vs pre‐intervention: 12.1 [3.6] patients/month, P = 0.018).

Respondents receiving preoperative PFMT had significantly better self‐report urinary incontinence at 3 months after radical prostatectomy than those who did not receive preoperative PFMT (mean [sd] ICIQ‐UI Short Form sum‐scores: 6.2 [5.0] vs 9.2 [5.8], P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The intervention increased the provision/receipt of preoperative PFMT among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Additional component strategies aimed at increasing the use of public sector providers may be necessary to further improve PFMT receipt among patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in the public hospital system.
Comparison of an adjustable anchored single‐incision mini‐sling, Ajust®, with a standard mid‐urethral sling, TVT‐OTM: a health economic evaluation
Authors: Boyers Dwayne , Kilonzo Mary , Mostafa Alyaa , Abdel‐Fattah Mohamed
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To assess the cost, quality of life (QoL) and cost‐effectiveness of a single‐incision mini‐sling (SIMS; Ajust®, C. R. Bard Inc., New Providence, NJ, USA) compared with a standard mid‐urethral sling (SMUS; TVT‐O™, Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) in the surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence.

Patients and Methods

A total of 137 women, in a secondary care setting, were randomized between October 2009 and October 2011 to undergo SIMS placement (n = 69) under local anaesthesia as an opt‐out policy or SMUS placement (n = 68) under general anaesthesia.

Clinical outcome measures included the patient‐reported success rate (Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI‐I]) and the impact on the patients’ QoL (King's Health Questionnaire [KHQ]).

Health economic data (cost and quality‐adjusted life year [QALY] data) were compared using linear regression models to generate an incremental cost per QALY estimate, in order to determine a measure of cost‐effectiveness.

Deterministic sensitivity analyses investigated uncertainty in the results, and non‐parametric bootstrapping techniques were used to estimate a probability of cost‐effectiveness.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the KHQ total score (P = 0.27) or the patient‐reported success rate (P = 1.00, odds ratio: 0.895; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.344 to 2.330).

There was no significant difference in QALYs for the SIMS group compared with the SMUS group (mean difference: −0.003; 95% CI: −0.008 to +0.002).

The SIMS was on average less costly, −£142.41 95% CI: (−316.99 to 32.17) and generated cost savings of £48 419 per QALY loss with 94% probability of cost savings to the health services.

Taking a wider perspective on the costing analysis by including the wider community benefit associated with the significantly earlier return to work observed in the SIMS group (P = 0.006, 95% CI: 11.756 to 17.217), there was an increase in cost savings to −£477, (95% CI: −823.65 to −129.63), with a probability of 100% of cost savings to the wider economy.

Conclusions

The adjustable anchored SIMS (Ajust), performed under local anaesthesia as an opt‐out policy, delivers cost savings to the health service provider when compared with the SMUS (TVT‐O), and is likely to be cost‐effective up to 1 year after placement.

Further research should be undertaken to confirm the results of our study over longer follow‐up and should explore patient preferences alongside an adequately powered non‐inferiority randomized controlled trial.
Impact of pneumonia on hospitalizations due to acute exacerbations of COPD
Authors: Andreassen Siw Lillevik , Liaaen Erik Dyb , Stenfors Nikolai , Henriksen Anne H.
Published: July 2013

Background and Aims

Pneumonia is often diagnosed among patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The aims of this study were to find the proportion of patients with pneumonia among admissions due to AECOPD and whether pneumonia has impact on the length of stay (LOS), usage of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) or the in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

Retrospectively, all hospitalizations in 2005 due to AECOPD in the Departments of Internal and Respiratory Medicine in one Swedish and two Norwegian hospitals were analyzed. A total of 1144 admittances (731 patients) were identified from patient administrative systems. Pneumonic AECOPD (pAECOPD) was defined as pneumonic infiltrates on chest X‐ray and C‐reactive protein (CRP) value of ≥40 mg/L, and non‐pneumonic AECOPD (npAECOPD) was defined as no pneumonic infiltrate on X‐ray and CRP value of <40 at admittance.

Results

In admissions with pAECOPD (n = 237), LOS was increased (median 9 days vs 5 days, P < 0.001) and usage of NIV was more frequent (18.1% vs 12.5%, P = 0.04), but no significant increase in the in‐hospital mortality (3.8% vs 3.6%) was found compared to admissions with npAECOPD. A higher proportion of those with COPD GOLD stage I–II had pAECOPD compared to those with COPD GOLD stage III–IV (28.2% vs 18.7%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

In‐hospital morbidity, but not mortality, was increased among admissions with pAECOPD compared to npAECOPD. This may, in part, be explained by the extensive treatment with antibiotics and NIV in patients with pAECOPD.
Cutaneous meningioma: a potential diagnostic pitfall in p63 positive cutaneous neoplasms
Authors: Fox Melanie D. , Billings Steven D. , Gleason Briana C. , Thomas Antoinette B. , Cibull Thomas L.
Published: July 2013

Cutaneous meningiomas are divided into three groups. Type I lesions present at birth and are derived from ectopic arachnoid cells. Type II lesions usually present in adults and are derived from arachnoid cells surrounding nerve bundles. Type III lesions are due to direct extension or metastasis from dural‐based neoplasms. Dural‐based meningiomas are known to express p63. The aim of our study is to examine the expression of p63 in type II and type III meningioma. Two cases of cutaneous meningioma (type II and type III) were evaluated for the expression of p63, EMA, CK 5/6, S100 and CD31. The cells of interest were spindled to epithelioid and arranged in a whorling pattern. Immunohistochemical staining showed expression of EMA and p63 in both cases, while stains for CK 5/6, S100 and CD31 were negative. Among cutaneous tumors, p63 is considered a marker of epithelial derivation, as it is positive in epidermal and adnexal neoplasms. It is important to be aware of p63 expression in the context of cutaneous meningioma to avoid misinterpretation as an epithelial tumor. On the basis of our small study, it is unlikely that p63 expression would be helpful in distinguishing between type II and type III meningioma, as both may be p63‐positive.
Combined blue nevus‐smooth muscle hamartoma: a series of 12 cases
Authors: Tzu Julia , Goldman Chloe , Perry Ann E. , Meehan Shane A.
Published: July 2013

Background

One of the most common types of combined melanocytic nevus is that of a blue nevus with ordinary melanocytic nevus. Blue nevi have also been described in association with non‐melanocytic cell types, such as those of neural or mesenchymal derivation. Although there are rare descriptions in the literature of blue nevi with myomatous structures, the specific association of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia has not been reported

Methods

We review the clinicopathological features of 12 cases of combined blue nevi with smooth muscle hyperplasia.

Results

The majority of these lesions occurred on the back of middle‐aged patients and were clinically interpreted as melanocytic nevi or melanoma. Histopathologic examination revealed a combined population of ‘common’ and blue nevus melanocytes with accompanying smooth muscle hyperplasia. In addition to a lentiginous proliferation of melanocytes at the dermal‐epidermal junction with variable basilar hyperpigmentation, there were varying degrees of epidermal acanthosis and follicular induction (three cases).

Conclusion

We present an unusual hamartoma with features of combined blue nevus and smooth muscle hyperplasia, which has not been previously described.
Pesticide tolerance in amphibians: induced tolerance in susceptible populations, constitutive tolerance in tolerant populations
Authors: Hua Jessica , Morehouse Nathan I. , Relyea Rick
Published: July 2013

The role of plasticity in shaping adaptations is important to understanding the expression of traits within individuals and the evolution of populations. With increasing human impacts on the environment, one challenge is to consider how plasticity shapes responses to anthropogenic stressors such as contaminants. To our knowledge, only one study (using mosquitoes) has considered the possibility of induced insecticide tolerance. Using populations of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) located close to and far from agricultural fields, we discovered that exposing some populations of embryos and hatchlings to sublethal concentrations of the insecticide carbaryl induced higher tolerance to a subsequent lethal concentration later in life. Interestingly, the inducible populations were located >800 m from agricultural areas and were the most susceptible to the insecticide. In contrast, the noninducible populations were located close to agricultural areas and were the least susceptible. We also found that sublethal concentrations of carbaryl induced higher tadpole AChE concentrations in several cases. This is the first study to demonstrate inducible tolerance in a vertebrate species and the pattern of inducible and constitutive tolerance among populations suggests the process of genetic assimilation.
Calcium oscillations triggered by cardiotonic steroids
Authors: Fontana Jacopo M. , Burlaka Ievgeniia , Khodus Georgiy , Brismar Hjalmar , Aperia Anita
Published: July 2013

Na+, K+–ATPase (NKA) is well known for its function as an ion pump. Studies during the last decade have revealed an additional role for NKA as a signal transducer. In this brief review, we describe how cardiotonic steroids, which are highly specific NKA ligands, trigger slow Ca2+ oscillations by promoting the interaction between NKA and the inositol trisphosphate receptor, and how this Ca2+ signal activates the NF‐κB subunit p65 and increases the expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl‐xL. The potential tissue‐protective effects of this signal are discussed.
Climate change in tropical fresh waters (comment on the paper ‘Plankton dynamics under different climatic conditions in space and time’ by de Senerpont Domis et al., )
Authors: Sarmento Hugo , Amado André M. , Descy Jean‐Pierre
Published: July 2013

de Senerpont Domis et al. (2013, Freshwater Biology, 58, 463–482) forecasted changes in plankton dynamics in temperate, polar and tropical regions resulting from climate change. For tropical regions, they predicted an increase in precipitation intensity that would increase nutrient loading, increasing phytoplankton biomass and select for plankton adapted to flushing.

We do not agree with these predictions, as regional projections from the IPCC did not forecast a major increase in precipitation in tropical regions. The only regions where a slight increase in precipitation was projected were eastern Africa and South‐East Asia. In eastern Africa, the major freshwater bodies are large, deep lakes that have very long residence times and are unlikely to be affected by flushing. Moreover, nutrient inputs from their catchment represent a small fraction of their total nutrient loading.

Several independent studies carried out in this region have provided evidence of a decrease in primary productivity in some of these large tropical lakes due to climate change. The major process providing nutrients to the euphotic layer is internal loading, which has been reduced as warming of the surface waters has increased the temperature gradient and the water column stability. Moreover, reduced velocity of trade winds during the dry season has affected the mixed layer depth and decreased internal nutrient fluxes. Therefore, the trend for large tropical lakes in a warming climate is oligotrophication, not eutrophication.

In tropical South America, the rainfall increase is not the dominant scenario; thus, the predicted changes in plankton dynamics do not stand.

Therefore, we believe that the predictions presented in the paper for tropical systems under a changing climate are invalid for most tropical systems.
Sponge biomass and bioerosion rates increase under ocean warming and acidification
Authors: Fang James K. H. , Mello‐Athayde Matheus A. , Schönberg Christine H. L. , Kline David I. , Hoegh‐Guldberg Ove , Dove Sophie
Published: July 2013

The combination of ocean warming and acidification as a result of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered to be a significant threat to calcifying organisms and their activities on coral reefs. How these global changes impact the important roles of decalcifying organisms (bioeroders) in the regulation of carbonate budgets, however, is less understood. To address this important question, the effects of a range of past, present and future CO2 emission scenarios (temperature + acidification) on the excavating sponge Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900 were explored over 12 weeks in early summer on the southern Great Barrier Reef. C. orientalis is a widely distributed bioeroder on many reefs, and hosts symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. Our results showed that biomass production and bioerosion rates of C. orientalis were similar under a pre‐industrial scenario and a present day (control) scenario. Symbiodinium population density in the sponge tissue was the highest under the pre‐industrial scenario, and decreased towards the two future scenarios with sponge replicates under the ‘business‐as‐usual’ CO2 emission scenario exhibiting strong bleaching. Despite these changes, biomass production and the ability of the sponge to erode coral carbonate materials both increased under the future scenarios. Our study suggests that C. orientalis will likely grow faster and have higher bioerosion rates in a high CO2 future than at present, even with significant bleaching. Assuming that our findings hold for excavating sponges in general, increased sponge biomass coupled with accelerated bioerosion may push coral reefs towards net erosion and negative carbonate budgets in the future.
Junctional Rab13‐binding protein (JRAB) regulates cell spreading via filamins
Authors: Sakane Ayuko , Alamir Mahmoud Abdallah Ahmed , Nakano Kiyoshi , Honda Kazufumi , Kitamura Toshio , Imoto Issei , Matsushita Natsuki , Sasaki Takuya
Published: July 2013

We previously showed that Rab13 and its effector protein, junctional Rab13‐binding protein (JRAB)/molecules interacting with CasL‐like 2 (MICAL‐L2), regulate junctional development by modulating cell adhesion molecule transport and actin cytoskeletal reorganization in epithelial cells. Here, we investigated how JRAB regulates reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in NIH3T3 fibroblasts, in an attempt to obtain novel insights into the mechanism of JRAB action. To this end, we expressed mutant proteins that adopt a constitutively open or closed state and then examined effect on cellular morphology of the resulting actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Expression of the JRABΔCT mutant (constitutively ‘closed’ state) induced stress fibers, whereas expression of the JRABΔCC mutant (constitutively ‘open’ state) caused cell spreading with membrane ruffles. Next, we identified the proteins involved in JRAB‐induced rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton leading to morphological changes. In NIH3T3 cells expressing HA‐JRABΔCC, filamin, an actin cross‐linking protein, coimmunoprecipitated with HA‐JRABΔCC. Expression of ASB2 induced degradation of all three filamin isoforms and inhibited the JRABΔCC‐induced cell spreading. Consistent with our previous results, actinin‐1/‐4 were also immunoprecipitated with HA‐JRABΔCC. However, actinin‐1/‐4 have no effect on the cell spreading regulated by JRABΔCC. These data suggest that JRAB contributes to the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton during cell spreading via filamins.
Are neighborhood conditions associated with HIV management?
Authors: Shacham E , Lian M , Önen NF , Donovan M , Overton ET
Published: July 2013

Objectives

HIV infection has become a manageable chronic disease as a result of treatment advances. Secondary prevention efforts have proved inadequate to reduce the estimated incidence of new HIV infections. Epidemiological data suggest that geographical clustering of new HIV infections is a common phenomenon, particularly in urban areas among populations of low socioeconomic status. This study aimed to assess the relationship between neighbourhood conditions and HIV management and engagement in high‐risk behaviours.

Methods

During routine out‐patient HIV clinic visits, 762 individuals from the St Louis metropolitan area completed behavioural assessments in 2008. Biomedical markers were abstracted from their medical records. Multi‐level analyses were conducted based on individuals' census tracts.

Results

The majority of the sample were male and African American. In the adjusted models, individuals residing in neighbourhoods with higher poverty rates were more likely to have lower CD4 cell counts and be current smokers. In neighbourhoods with higher rates of unemployment, individuals were less likely to have a current antiretroviral prescription. In more racially segregated neighbourhoods, individuals reported more depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Despite the advances in HIV disease management, neighbourhood characteristics contribute to disparities in HIV care. Interventions that address neighbourhood conditions as barriers to HIV management may provide improved health outcomes.
Clinical and molecular characterization of Hb Hofu in eastern India
Authors: Purohit P. , Mashon R. S. , Patel S. , Dehury S. , Pattanayak C. , Das K. , Nair S. , Italia K. , Bag S. , Colah R. , Patel D. K.
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Hb Hofu (HBB:c. 380T>A) is a rare inherited hemoglobin abnormality with few case reports in the world literature.

Methods

Screening for the sickle cell gene mutation and other hemoglobinopathies was carried out using the sickle slide test, Hb electrophoresis, and HPLC under an ongoing central government project.

Results

We detected twelve Hb Hofu heterozygotes and three sickle Hb Hofu compound heterozygotes. The heterozygotes were asymptomatic except for one individual who had chronic kidney disease and moderate anemia. Only one HbS‐Hofu case was symptomatic and presented with intermittent attacks of painful crisis. In the carrier state, the Hb Hofu eluted as a hump at the beginning of the HbA0 window. But in HbS‐Hofu cases, Hb Hofu eluted as a single peak in the HbA0 window, with the HbA2 levels being >4% consistently.

Conclusion

HbS‐Hofu has a variable clinical presentation. The retention time of Hb Hofu on HPLC is very close to that of HbA0 and often elutes in the A0 window. Thus, there is every possibility of the HbS‐Hofu chromatogram to be misinterpreted as that of a sickle cell trait/transfused sickle cell‐beta‐thalassemia case. This is the first time where Hb Hofu has been detected by HPLC, which is the widely accepted screening technique for hemoglobinopathies around the world.
Testing the Effectiveness of Market‐Based Controls: Evidence From the Experience of Japan With Short‐Term Capital Flows in the 1970s
Authors: Esaka Taro , Takagi Shinji
Published: July 2013

This paper tests the effectiveness of marginal reserve requirements employed by Japan in the 1970s to influence short‐term capital flows. We thereby contribute to the ongoing debate on the use of capital controls—market‐based ones in particular. While the case for using market‐based controls relies on the mixed evidence from the experience of Chile with unremunerated reserve requirements, testing for their effectiveness is hampered by the endogeneity of such a measure, which is typically imposed or intensified when inflows surge. We address this problem in the Japanese context by applying the method of propensity score matching, and find that an increase in marginal reserve requirements modestly reduced short‐term capital inflows through non‐resident free‐yen accounts. The impact was not statistically significant, however, implying that the price elasticity of short‐term capital flows was likely small. We conclude that market‐based controls must be nearly prohibitive, perhaps combined with administrative measures, to be effective in a meaningful way.
Taylor's Rule Versus Taylor Rules
Authors: Nikolsko‐Rzhevskyy Alex , Papell David H.
Published: July 2013

Does the Taylor rule prescribe negative interest rates for 2009–11? This question is important because negative prescribed interest rates provide a justification for quantitative easing once actual policy rates hit the zero lower bound. We answer the question by analyzing Fed policy following the recessions of the early‐to‐mid‐1970s, the early 1990s and the early 2000s, in the context of both Taylor's original rule and latter variants of Taylor rules. While Taylor's original rule, which can be justified by historical experience during and following the recessions, does not produce negative prescribed interest rates for 2009–11, variants of Taylor rules with larger output gap coefficients, which do produce negative interest rates, cannot be justified by the same historical experience. We conclude that the Taylor rule does not provide a rationale for quantitative easing.
Structural Reforms and Macroeconomic Performance in the Euro Area Countries: A Model‐Based Assessment
Authors: Gomes Sandra , Jacquinot Pascal , Mohr Matthias , Pisani Massimiliano
Published: July 2013

The recent financial crisis is likely to have damaged the potential output of many countries belonging to the euro area. Moreover, the heterogeneity in long‐run macroeconomic performance among Member States may not be sustainable in the presence of strong monetary and financial integration, thus suggesting the need for coordinating structural reforms. Using a multi‐country dynamic general equilibrium model of the euro area, we assess the macroeconomic effects of increasing competition in the labour and services markets in Germany and the rest of the euro area and, in an alternative scenario, Portugal and the rest of the euro area. Our main results suggest that (i) a unilateral increase in competition in the labour and services markets would increase long‐run output; and that (ii) cross‐country coordination would make the macroeconomic performance of the different regions more homogeneous, in terms of both price competitiveness and of real activity.
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Local Tolerance at Injection Site of Marbofloxacin Administered by Regional Intravenous Limb Perfusion in Standing Horses
Authors: Lallemand Elodie , Trencart Pierre , Tahier Carine , Dron Frederic , Paulin Angelique , Tessier Caroline
Published: July 2013

Objective

To evaluate pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic variables and local tolerance at injection‐site of marbofloxacin administered via regional intravenous limb perfusion (RIVLP) in standing horses.

Animals

Adult horses (n = 6).

Methods

RIVLP were performed with rubber tourniquets applied to the forelimbs of standing sedated horses. Marbofloxacin (0.67 mg/kg) was randomly injected in 1 forelimb, with the contralateral limb serving as a control (0.9% NaCl solution). Samples of jugular blood and synovial fluid from the radiocarpal joint of the marbofloxacin‐perfused limb were collected before and at intervals after RIVLP for determination of drug concentrations. All injection sites were evaluated before, 24 and 48 hours after RIVLP by means of ultrasonographic examination, circumferential measurements and subjective visible inflammation scores by veterinarians unaware of treatment received.

Results

No adverse effects associated with the technique or antibiotic were observed. High marbofloxacin concentrations were obtained in the synovial fluid, AUCINFwas significantly higher in synovial fluid than in plasma (78.64 ± 49.41 and 2.85 ± 0.60 µg h/mL respectively,P = .028). The efficacy indices, AUC0–24/MIC90and/MIC90, predicted a favorable outcome in the treatment of synovial fluid infections caused by enterobacteriaceae andStaphylococcus aureus. After RIVLP, there was no statistically significant difference between marbofloxacin‐injected and control limbs for lameness, visual inflammation score, limb circumference, and ultrasonographic appearance of the veins. Marbofloxacin injected limbs had a significantly greater subcutaneous thickness, compared with control limbs.

Conclusions

These data suggest that RIVLP of marbofloxacin (0.67 mg/kg) could be a safe and effective method for treatment of infections of the distal portion of the limb for susceptible organisms.
Long‐Term Effect of Cervical Distraction and Stabilization on Neurological Status and Imaging Findings in Giant Breed Dogs With Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy
Authors: Lewis Melissa , Olby Natasha J , Sharp Nick JH. , Early Peter
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To assess long‐term clinical and imaging outcomes in giant breed dogs with cervical stenotic myelopathy treated surgically.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Dogs (n = 7).

Methods

All dogs had lateral or dorsolateral cord compression at 1 or more sites and were treated with cervical distraction and stabilization using PMMA plugs. Four dogs had follow‐up CT or CT/myelography performed at least 6 months postoperatively. Spinal canal stenosis measurements were compared between pre‐ and postoperative CT images. Long‐term clinical neurologic re‐evaluation ranged from 4 to 7 years. Outcome was considered positive, satisfactory, or negative. Recurrence was defined as signs of a cervical myelopathy in dogs that initially improved or had stable disease postoperatively.

Results

All dogs had immediate postoperative improvement. Recurrence (4 months to 4 years postoperatively) occurred in 3 dogs that had multiple sites of compression. Long‐term outcome was positive in 4 of 7 dogs. Postoperative imaging revealed subjective regression of bony proliferation at surgical sites in 2 of 4 dogs that improved clinically but morphometric data showed no change in canal measurements. An adjacent site lesion was confirmed in 1 dog.

Conclusions

Distraction and stabilization with PMMA plugs and bone grafts is a safe surgical option for giant breed dogs with CSM with a single site of lateral or dorsolateral compression. Long‐term recurrence was common among dogs with multiple sites of compression. Follow‐up of 4 years or more among a larger population is indicated to fully assess implications of surgical intervention and determine recurrence rates.
Northernmost North American Pinus contorta var. latifolia (lodgepole pine) sociations and vegetation diversity relative to its central range east of the Rocky Mountains
Authors: Strong W. L
Published: July 2013

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) stands were sampled in central Yukon, Canada (61.5–64°N latitude), which represented the northernmost 9% of the tree's North American range. Within this area, lodgepole pine occupied only ˜ 2% of the landscape. This study determined: 1) what forest sociations occurred (i.e. structural dominance‐types); 2) how plant growth form composition and richness differed from the central portion of the species’ geographical range; and 3) if stands were biased towards occurring on more thermally favorable south‐facing slopes. Five lodgepole pine sociations were recognized among 100 relevés: Rhododendron groenlandicum (Labrador tea); Cladonia arbuscula (green reindeer lichen); Calamagrostis purpurascens (purple reedgrass); Hylocomium splendens (stairstep moss) and Alnus viridis (green alder, n = 4 relevés). Rhododendron stands were proportionally more common on low gradient sites and had more total plant cover than the other sociations. Cladonia and Calamagrostis stands were typically associated with dry coarse‐textured soils and warm dry sites, respectively; whereas the composition of the Hylocomium sociation reflected the detrimental influences of atypically dense forest canopies on understory vascular plants. Only the Calamagrostis sociation was unique to the study region. Species richness among common northern lodgepole pine sociations averaged 16–19 taxa per relevé (p > 0.05). Northern compared to central range (n = 1394) relevés were compositionally different based on little overlap of their datasets in the ordination space. Northern vegetation had less (p < 0.001) total plant (129% vs 184%), deciduous shrub (9% vs 26%), broad‐leaved herb (5% vs 25%), and bryophyte (27% vs 54%) cover; had greater macro‐lichen cover (13% vs 5%) and lower floristic richness (11 vs 24 taxa) and was less than half as phytosociological diverse. Lodgepole pine stands in the northernmost portion of their range were not biased towards occurring on south‐facing slopes, which suggested an ecological potential for range expansion.