bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future Application of Multitheory Model of Health Behavior Change for Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors
Authors: Martin Brian , Nahar Vinayak K. , Boyas Javier F. , Jacks Stephanie K. , Brodell Robert T. , Sharma Manoj
Published: August 2017

Skin cancer is a global health issue and constitutes the most common form of cancer worldwide. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a primary skin cancer risk. Engaging in sun protection behavior could mitigate this risk. Several sociobehavioral theories can be used to better explain and predict health behaviors. Unfortunately, application of theories has yielded mixed results with variable predictability. Most importantly, they do not impact long-term changes in behavior. Therefore, there is still a need to develop theoretical models that better explain and predict health behaviors, in particular, sun-safe behaviors. A recently proposed health behavior theory, called the multitheory model of health behavior change, may be the answer. The multitheory model has been shown to be effective in changing attitudes toward other health behaviors such as physical activity, portion size control, and sleep deprivation. It is unique from established health behavior theories because it emphasizes long-term change over short-term behavior modification, which is more likely associated with relapse. It does this by separating factors that lead to short-term change from those that promote long-term behavior adoption. This article presents the application of the principles of multitheory model to skin cancer preventative behaviors.
Postsurgical Care and the Global Period
Authors: de Golian Emily , Jacob Sharon E.
Published: August 2017

Teledermatology is a term to describe the provision of dermatologic medical services through telecommunication technology. This is a teledermatology case of a shallow erosion on the lower back.
Fatty Infiltrate of the Lumbar Multifidus Muscles Predicts Return to Play in Young Athletes With Extension-Based Low Back Pain
Authors: Winslow John , Getzin Andrew , Greenberger Hilary , Silbert Walter
Published: August 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the predictive value of fatty infiltrate of the lumbar multifidus muscles (LMM) for return to play in young athletes with extension-based low back pain (EB LBP).

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Hospital-based sports medicine practice.

Patients:

Sixty-two athletes, 61.3% female, and 38.7% male, mean age 14.8 years, with a primary complaint of EB LBP who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); 46.8% had a pars interarticularis stress reaction or fracture and 53.2% were MRI negative.

Interventions:

A musculoskeletal fellowship-trained radiologist reviewed MRI for all subjects and graded the degree of fatty infiltrate of the LMM, using the Goutallier classification system (GCS), at the L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels.

Main Outcome Measure:

Days to return to play after first MD visit were correlated with the amount of fatty infiltrate in the LMM measured on MRI for each subject.

Results:

When the level of fatty infiltrate increased to a 2 or 3 on the GCS (greater than fatty streaks in the muscle), the predicted probability of return to sport decreased significantly.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrated that athletes with EB LBP and fatty infiltrate in the LMM had lower odds of return to sport compared with athletes with normal muscle.

Level of Evidence:

II B.

Clinical Relevance:

This study provides sports medicine clinicians with a prognostic tool to help manage young athletes with EB LBP. Clinicians can make decisions regarding rehabilitation and return to play based on MRI findings.
Effect of Physical Methods of Lymphatic Drainage on Postexercise Recovery of Mixed Martial Arts Athletes
Authors: Zebrowska Aleksandra , Trybulski Robert , Roczniok Robert , Marcol Wieslaw
Published: August 2017

Objective:

Physical methods are reported to be important for accelerating skeletal muscle regeneration, decreasing muscle soreness, and shortening of the recovery time. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the physical methods of lymphatic drainage (PMLD) such as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), the Bodyflow (BF) therapy, and lymphatic drainage by deep oscillation (DO) on postexercise regeneration of the forearm muscles of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes.

Design and Methods:

Eighty MMA athletes aged 27.5 ± 6.4 years were allocated to 4 groups: MLD, the BF device, DO therapy, and the control group. Blood flow velocity in the cephalic vein was measured with the ultrasound Doppler velocity meter. Maximal strength of the forearm muscles (Fmax), muscle tissue tension, pain threshold, blood lactate concentration (LA), and activity of creatine kinase were measured in all groups at rest, after the muscle fatigue test (post-ex) and then 20 minutes, 24, and 48 hours after the application of PMLD.

Results:

The muscle fatigue test reduced Fmax in all subjects, but in the groups receiving MLD, DO, and BF significantly higher Fmax was observed at recovery compared with post-ex values. The application of MDL reduced the postexercise blood LA and postexercise muscle tension.

Conclusions:

The lymphatic drainage methods, whether manual or using electro-stimulation and DO, improve postexercise regeneration of the forearm muscles of MMA athletes. The methods can be an important element of therapeutic management focused on optimizing training effects and reducing the risk of injuries of the combat sports athletes.
Systematic Selection of Key Logistic Regression Variables for Risk Prediction Analyses: A Five-Factor Maximum Model
Authors: Hewett Timothy E. , Webster Kate E. , Hurd Wendy J.
Published: August 2017

General and Critical Review Format:

The evolution of clinical practice and medical technology has yielded an increasing number of clinical measures and tests to assess a patient's progression and return to sport readiness after injury. The plethora of available tests may be burdensome to clinicians in the absence of evidence that demonstrates the utility of a given measurement.

Objective:

Thus, there is a critical need to identify a discrete number of metrics to capture during clinical assessment to effectively and concisely guide patient care.

Data Sources:

The data sources included Pubmed and PMC Pubmed Central articles on the topic. Therefore, we present a systematic approach to injury risk analyses and how this concept may be used in algorithms for risk analyses for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in healthy athletes and patients after ACL reconstruction.

Main Results:

In this article, we present the five-factor maximum model, which states that in any predictive model, a maximum of 5 variables will contribute in a meaningful manner to any risk factor analysis.

Conclusions:

We demonstrate how this model already exists for prevention of primary ACL injury, how this model may guide development of the second ACL injury risk analysis, and how the five-factor maximum model may be applied across the injury spectrum for development of the injury risk analysis.
ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism Is Associated With the Incidence and Severity of Injuries in Professional Football Players
Authors: Massidda Myosotis , Voisin Sarah , Culigioni Claudia , Piras Francesco , Cugia Paolo , Yan Xu , Eynon Nir , Calò Carla M.
Published: August 2017

Objective:

The ACTN3 R577X gene variant results in the absence of the α-actinin-3 protein in ∼18% of humans worldwide and has been associated with athletic performance and increased susceptibility to eccentric muscle damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ACTN3 R577X variant and indirect muscle disorders/injuries in professional football players.

Design:

A case–control, genotype–phenotype association study.

Intervention:

Two hundred fifty-seven male professional Italian football players (from Serie A, Primavera, Allievi, and Giovanissimi; age = 21.2 ± 5.3 years) and 265 nonathletic controls were recruited for the study. Genomic DNA was extracted using a buccal swab, and the ACTN3 R577X genotype was performed using a PCR method. Structural–mechanical injuries and functional muscle disorders were collected from a subgroup of 169 football players during the period of 2009 to 2014.

Main Outcome Measure:

We hypothesized that the 577XX genotype would be associated with higher predisposition to muscle injuries (compared with the other genotypes).

Results:

ACTN3 XX (α-actinin-3 deficiency) players had 2.66 higher odds for an injury incidence than their ACTN3 RR counterparts (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-6.63, P = 0.02), whereas RX and RR players had similar injury incidence. Furthermore, ACTN3 XX players had 2.13 higher odds for having a severe injury compared with their RR counterparts (95% CI: 1.25-3.74, P = 0.0054), whereas RX individuals had 1.63 higher odds for having a severe injury compared with the RR players (95% CI: 1.10-2.40, P = 0.015).

Conclusions:

The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with the incidence and severity of muscle injuries in professional football players; players with the ACTN3 577XX genotype have higher odds of having muscle injuries than their RR counterparts.

Clinical Relevance:

Discovering the complex relationship between gene variants and muscle injuries may assist coaches, physiologists, and the medical community to development tailored injury prevention program for football players, which could provide a new edge for successful competition.
Surgical Pathology of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Practical Implications of Morphologic and Molecular Heterogeneity for Precision Medicine
Authors: Charville Gregory W. , Longacre Teri A.
Published: August 2017

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract, exhibits diverse histologic and clinical manifestations. With its putative origin in the gastrointestinal pacemaker cell of Cajal, GIST can arise in association with any portion of the tubular gastrointestinal tract. Morphologically, GISTs are classified as spindled or epithelioid, though each of these subtypes encompasses a broad spectrum of microscopic appearances, many of which mimic other histologic entities. Despite this morphologic ambiguity, the diagnosis of GIST is aided in many cases by immunohistochemical detection of KIT (CD117) or DOG1 expression. The natural history of GIST ranges from that of a tumor cured by surgical resection to that of a locally advanced or even widely metastatic, and ultimately fatal, disease. This clinicopathologic heterogeneity is paralleled by an underlying molecular diversity: the majority of GISTs are associated with spontaneous activating mutations in KIT, PDGFRA, or BRAF, while additional subsets are driven by genetic lesions—often inherited—of NF1 or components of the succinate dehydrogenase enzymatic complex. Specific gene mutations correlate with particular anatomic or morphologic characteristics and, in turn, with distinct clinical behaviors. Therefore, prognostication and treatment are increasingly dictated not only by morphologic clues, but also by accompanying molecular genetic features. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the heterogenous molecular underpinnings of GIST, including implications for the practicing pathologist with regard to morphologic identification, immunohistochemical diagnosis, and clinical management.
The New Realization About Cribriform Prostate Cancer
Authors: Iczkowski Kenneth A. , Paner Gladell P. , Van der Kwast Theodorus
Published: August 2017

Data from the past 6 years have shown that the presence of any amount of cribriform (or more comprehensively, large acinar cribriform to papillary) pattern of invasive prostate cancer is associated with adverse pathologic features and leads to uniquely adverse outcomes. Sixteen papers and numerous abstracts have reached these conclusions concordantly. Not only does this justify removal of all cribriform cancer from Gleason grade 3, it shows that cribriform cancer has pathologic, outcome, and molecular features distinct from noncribriform Gleason grade 4. Suggestions for accommodating the presence of cribriform cancer into the 2014 Grade Group scheme are proposed.
Five-Year Follow-Up of Midface Distraction in Growing Children with Syndromic Craniosynostosis
Authors: Patel Parit A. , Shetye Pradip , Warren Stephen M. , Grayson Barry H. , McCarthy Joseph G.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Maxillary position in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis after midface distraction has been shown to be stable 1 year postoperatively. The purpose of this study is to assess midfacial position in the growing child with craniosynostosis 5 years after Le Fort III advancement with a rigid external device.

Methods:

Seventeen consecutive patients were identified to have the diagnosis of syndromic craniosynostosis and had undergone underwent midface advancement. There were 10 boys and seven girls, seven patients had Crouzon syndrome, five had Apert syndrome, and five had Pfeiffer syndrome. A standard subcranial Le Fort III osteotomy was performed. Cephalometric analysis was performed to assess the position of the maxilla.

Results:

After device removal, orbitale advanced 13.67 mm along the x axis and downward 1.70 mm along the y axis. The A point advanced 15.97 mm along the x axis and downward 1.14 mm along the y axis. At 1 year after distraction, both orbitale and A point had advanced an additional 0.47 mm and 0.24 mm along the x axis and downward 0.58 mm and 1.78 mm along the y axis, respectively. At 5 years after distraction, the orbitale moved posterior 0.58 mm and the A point advanced an additional 2.08 mm along the x axis. Orbitale and A point descended 3.23 mm and 5.2 mm along the y axis, respectively.

Conclusion:

After Le Fort III advancement with distraction, the maxillary position remains stable and continues to advance minimally along the x axis and demonstrates more growth along the y axis over the long term.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Superthin SCIP Flap for Reconstruction of Subungual Melanoma: Aesthetic Functional Surgery
Authors: Lee Kyeong-Tae , Park Bo Young , Kim Eun-Ji , Kim Jung-Han , Jang Kee-Taek , Choi Sang-Hee , Lee Dong-Youn , Mun Goo-Hyun
Published: August 2017

Background:

This study aimed to use a superthin, free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap in functional surgery for treating subungual melanoma and to evaluate its outcomes.

Methods:

Forty-one patients with primary subungual melanoma of less than or equal to 2-mm thickness who were treated with functional surgery were prospectively enrolled. After oncologic resection, a thin SCIP flap was harvested along the trans–superficial fat layer and transferred to the defect with further thinning by primary defatting. Complications and oncologic outcomes were investigated. Postoperative functional status was assessed, using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire for finger cases and the Foot Function Index for toe cases, and was compared with that of patients treated with amputation.

Results:

The SCIP flap was inset with a final thickness ranging from 1.5 to 4 mm after defatting. Total flap failure occurred in one patient. Complete wound healing was achieved within 3 weeks postoperatively in most cases (90.2 percent). The majority of patients achieved satisfactory contour without needing secondary debulking. Two recurrences developed during a mean follow-up period of 31 months: one local recurrence and one in-transit recurrence. The 3-year disease-free survival was 97.1 percent. Mean scores for the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and the Foot Function Index following functional surgery were significantly lower than those following amputation.

Conclusion:

The superthin SCIP flap might serve as a valuable reconstruction option, providing aesthetically thin coverage and reliable outcomes, in functional surgery for treating early-stage subungual melanoma.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Odours from marine plastic debris induce food search behaviours in a forage fish
Authors: Savoca Matthew S. , Tyson Chris W. , McGill Michael , Slager Christina J.
Published: August 2017

Plastic pollution is an anthropogenic stressor in marine ecosystems globally. Many species of marine fish (more than 50) ingest plastic debris. Ingested plastic has a variety of lethal and sublethal impacts and can be a route for bioaccumulation of toxic compounds throughout the food web. Despite its pervasiveness and severity, our mechanistic understanding of this maladaptive foraging behaviour is incomplete. Recent evidence suggests that the chemical signature of plastic debris may explain why certain species are predisposed to mistaking plastic for food. Anchovy (
Engraulis
sp.) are abundant forage fish in coastal upwelling systems and a critical prey resource for top predators. Anchovy ingest plastic in natural conditions, though the mechanism they use to misidentify plastic as prey is unknown. Here, we presented wild-caught schools of northern anchovy (
Engraulis mordax
) with odour solutions made of plastic debris and clean plastic to compare school-wide aggregation and rheotactic responses relative to food and food odour presentations. Anchovy schools responded to plastic debris odour with increased aggregation and reduced rheotaxis. These results were similar to the effects food and food odour presentations had on schools. Conversely, these behavioural responses were absent in clean plastic and control treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence that adult anchovy use odours to forage. We conclude that the chemical signature plastic debris acquires in the photic zone can induce foraging behaviours in anchovy schools. These findings provide further support for a chemosensory mechanism underlying plastic consumption by marine wildlife. Given the trophic position of forage fish, these findings have considerable implications for aquatic food webs and possibly human health.
Differential sperm storage by female zebra finches
Taeniopygia guttata
Authors: Hemmings Nicola , Birkhead Tim
Published: August 2017

When females mate promiscuously, female sperm storage provides scope to bias the fertilization success towards particular males via the non-random acceptance and utilization of sperm. The difficulties observing post-copulatory processes within the female reproductive tract mean that the mechanisms underlying cryptic female choice remain poorly understood. Here, we use zebra finches
Taeniopygia guttata
, selected for divergent sperm lengths, combined with a novel technique for isolating and extracting sperm from avian sperm storage tubules (SSTs), to test the hypothesis that sperm from separate ejaculates are stored differentially by female birds. We show that sperm from different inseminations enter different SSTs in the female reproductive tract, resulting in almost complete segregation of the sperm of competing males. We propose that non-random acceptance of sperm into SSTs, reflected in this case by sperm phenotype, provides a mechanism by which long sperm enjoy enhanced fertilization success in zebra finches.
Epidemiology of paediatric gastrointestinal colonisation by extended spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in north-west Cambodia
Authors: Aartsen JJ van , Moore CE , Parry CM , Turner P , Phot N , Mao S , Suy K , Davies T , Giess A , Sheppard AE , Peto TEA , Day NPJ , Crook DW , Walker AS , Stoesser N
Published: August 2017

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance (ESC-R) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare threat; high gastrointestinal carriage rates are reported from South-east Asia. Colonisation prevalence data in Cambodia are lacking. We determined gastrointestinal colonisation prevalence of ESC-resistant E. coli (ESC-R-EC) and K. pneumoniae (ESC-R-KP) in Cambodian children/adolescents and associated risk factors; characterised relevant resistance genes, their genetic contexts, and the genetic relatedness of ESC-R strains using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Faeces and questionnaire data were obtained from individuals <16 years in northwestern Cambodia, 2012. WGS of cultured ESC-R-EC/KP was performed (Illumina). Maximum likelihood phylogenies were used to characterise relatedness of isolates; ESC-R-associated resistance genes and their genetic contexts were identified from de novo assemblies using BLASTn and automated/manual annotation. 82/148 (55%) of children/adolescents were ESC-R-EC/KP colonised; 12/148 (8%) were co-colonised with both species. Independent risk factors for colonisation were hospitalisation (OR: 3.12, 95%, CI [1.52-6.38]) and intestinal parasites (OR: 3.11 [1.29-7.51]); school attendance conferred decreased risk (OR: 0.44 [0.21-0.92]. ESC-R strains were diverse; the commonest ESC-R mechanisms were blaCTX-M 1 and 9 sub-family variants. Structures flanking these genes were highly variable, and for blaCTX-M-15,-55and-27, frequently involved IS26. Chromosomal blaCTX-M integration was common in E. coli. Gastrointestinal ESC-R-EC/KP colonisation is widespread in Cambodian children/adolescents; hospital admission and intestinal parasites are independent risk factors. The genetic contexts of blaCTX-M are highly mosaic, consistent with rapid horizontal exchange. Chromosomal integration of blaCTX-M may result in stable propagation in these community-associated pathogens.
Chemical control of a CRISPR-Cas9 acetyltransferase
Authors: Shrimp Jonathan H. , Grose Carissa , Widmeyer Stephanie R. T. , Jadhav Ajit , Meier Jordan L.
Published: August 2017

Lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) play a critical role in the regulation of transcription and other genomic functions. However, a persistent challenge is the development of assays capable of defining KAT activity directly in living cells. Towards this goal, here we report the application of a previously reported dCas9-p300 fusion as a transcriptional reporter of KAT activity. First we benchmark the activity of dCas9-p300 relative to other dCas9-based transcriptional activators, and demonstrate its compatibility with second generation short guide RNA architectures. Next, we repurpose this technology to rapidly identify small molecule inhibitors of acetylation-dependent gene expression. These studies validate a recently reported p300 inhibitor chemotype, and reveal a role for p300’s bromodomain in dCas9-p300-mediated transcriptional activation. Comparison with other CRISPR-Cas9 transcriptional activators highlights the inherent ligand tuneable nature of dCas9-p300 fusions, suggesting new opportunities for orthogonal gene expression control. Overall, our studies highlight dCas9-p300 as a powerful tool for studying gene expression mechanisms in which acetylation plays a causal role, and provide a foundation for future applications requiring spatiotemporal control over acetylation at specific genomic loci.
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex in a model of traumatic stress: fear inhibition or contextual processing?
Authors: Pennington Zachary T. , Anderson Austin S. , Fanselow Michael S.
Published: August 2017

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has consistently appeared altered in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although the vmPFC is thought to support the extinction of learned fear responses, several findings support a broader role for this structure in the regulation of fear. To further characterize the relationship between vmPFC dysfunction and responses to traumatic stress, we examined the effects of pretraining vmPFC lesions on trauma reactivity and enhanced fear learning in a rodent model of PTSD. In Experiment 1, lesions did not produce differences in shock reactivity during an acute traumatic episode, nor did they alter the strength of the traumatic memory. However, when lesioned animals were subsequently given a single mild aversive stimulus in a novel context, they showed a blunting of the enhanced fear response to this context seen in traumatized animals. In order to address this counterintuitive finding, Experiment 2 assessed whether lesions also attenuated fear responses to discrete tone cues. Enhanced fear for discrete cues following trauma was preserved in lesioned animals, indicating that the deficit observed in Experiment 1 is limited to contextual stimuli. These findings further support the notion that the vmPFC contributes to the regulation of fear through its influence on context learning and contrasts the prevailing view that the vmPFC directly inhibits fear.
Non-uniform nanosecond gate-delay of hybrid pixel detectors
Authors: Shayduk Roman , Pennicard David , Krausert Konstantin , Gaal Peter , Volkov Sergey , Vonk Vedran , Hejral Uta , Jankowski Maciej , Reinhardt Matthias , Leitenberger Wolfram , Stierle Andreas
Published: August 2017

A simple experiment to characterize the gating properties of X-ray area detectors using pulsed X-ray sources is presented. For a number of time-resolved experiments the gating uniformity of area detectors is important. Relative gating delays between individual modules and readout chips of PILATUS2 series area X-ray detectors have been observed. For three modules of a PILATUS 300K-W unit the maximum gating offset between the modules is found to be as large as 30 ns. On average, the first photosensor module is found to be triggered 15 ns and 30 ns later than the second and the third modules, respectively.
Sport fans in a “smart sport” (SS) age: drivers of smartphone use for sport consumption
Authors: Ha Jae-Pil , Kang Sun J. , Kim Yukyoum
Published: August 2017

Purpose

With the ever-increasing popularity of smartphones, it has become one of the most important medium to increase sport fan engagement. However, very little attention has been paid to understand how fans use smartphones to follow sport. With that in mind, the purpose of this paper is to investigate specific factors that influence the use of smartphones in the sport consumption context.

Design/methodology/approach

This research empirically examined theoretical relationships between three categories of variables (perceptions toward smartphones, sport-specific factors, and smartphone-specific factors) and intention to use the smartphone in following sports.

Findings

Of the 11 proposed hypotheses, eight hypotheses were supported. Approximately 79.4 percent of variance in the usage intention was explained by the three categories of the variables.

Originality/value

As one of the first to take a holistic approach toward understanding sport consumption behaviors using smartphones, results of the current research can be employed as a base for studies examining other multi-functional technology medium in various sport settings.
Content analyses of alcohol-related images during television broadcasts of major sports events in New Zealand
Authors: Gee Sarah , Sam Michael P. , Jackson Steve J.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature, frequency, and duration of alcohol-related promotions and crowd alcohol consumption during major sports events broadcasted on the SKY Sport network between September 2011 and February 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analyses for various categories of alcohol-related images were conducted, including a novel inclusion of analysing crowd alcohol consumption.

Findings

The results provide empirical evidence that sponsorship and activation-related activities of alcohol brands subvert national regulations that ban alcohol advertising during daytime television programming.

Originality/value

The results serve to sensitise researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and regulators to the prevalence of incidental alcohol promotional material within the overall televised alcohol advertising mix and the broader societal exposure to such images. This research also informs readers that alcohol companies and media outlets produce alcohol-related marketing that may not be in-line with the meaning and/or intent of laws.
The impact of celebrity-advertising context congruence on the effectiveness of brand image transfer
Authors: Kim Taehee , Seo Hyo Min , Chang Kyungro
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of celebrity-advertising context congruence on transferring a celebrity’s image to a brand image.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the effect of the advertising context, which is the background of the ad provided by the vehicle carrying it, in transferring a celebrity athlete’s image.

Findings

The results indicate that the presentation of a celebrity athlete in an advertising context that is congruent with the professional expertise of the athlete enables the more effective transfer of the athlete’s image to the brand’s image compared with the incongruent advertising context. In addition, the findings suggest that image attributes perceived as belonging to the professional expertise of an athlete are transferred more effectively by a context-congruent advertisement, while image attributes based on the sociocultural influence of an athlete show no difference in image transfer based on the advertising context.

Originality/value

Although the advertising context has been thought to influence advertising effectiveness, no specific research has thus far analyzed the relationship between image transfer and the advertising context in the sports marketing literature.
The effect of endorsement and congruence on banner ads on sports websites
Authors: Lee Woo-Young , Hur Youngjin , Kim Dae Yeon , Brigham Christopher
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of congruity and endorsement on consumer attitudes toward sports website advertisements (Aad), the advertising brand (Abr), and consumers’ future intentions (FI).

Design/methodology/approach

The current study followed a 2×3 between-subjects experimental design. Sports celebrity (or the presence or absence of a sports celebrity in a banner ad) and the level of congruity between the website and banner ad (high congruity – soccer, medium congruity – snowboard, and low congruity – computer) were the primary independent variables. Data were collected in two stages. An initial pilot study (n=40) established the reliability and validity of the scaled measures guiding this test. The second phase of data collection, the main study, was conducted over a five-day period. A random assignment of treatment conditions (i.e. exposure to one of six banner ad manipulations) was followed by a series of short surveys designed to measure the dependent variables of subjects’ cognitive ad responses (i.e. Aad, Abr, and FI).

Findings

The results indicated that participants who viewed the ad with the endorsement showed a more positive Aad than those who viewed the ad without it. The participants with a high congruity condition reported a more positive Abr and higher FI than those with low or medium congruity.

Originality/value

This study extends the application of congruity theory to banner advertisements, thereby aiding our understanding of consumers’ perceptions of advertising.
A target tracking and location robot system based on omnistereo vision
Authors: Cai Chengtao , Fan Bing , Weng Xiangyu , Zhu Qidan , Su Li
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Because of their large field of view, omnistereo vision systems have been widely used as primary vision sensors in autonomous mobile robot tasks. The purpose of this article is to achieve real-time and accurate tracking by the omnidirectional vision robot system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide in this study the key techniques required to obtain an accurate omnistereo target tracking and location robot system, including stereo rectification and target tracking in complex environment. A simple rectification model is proposed, and a local image processing method is used to reduce the computation time in the localization process. A target tracking method is improved to make it suitable for omnidirectional vision system. Using the proposed methods and some existing methods, an omnistereo target tracking and location system is established.

Findings

The experiments are conducted with all the necessary stages involved in obtaining a high-performance omnistereo vision system. The proposed correction algorithm can process the image in real time. The experimental results of the improved tracking algorithm are better than the original algorithm. The statistical analysis of the experimental results demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.

Originality/value

A simple rectification model is proposed, and a local image processing method is used to reduce the computation time in the localization process. A target tracking method is improved to make it suitable for omnidirectional vision system. Using the proposed methods and some existing methods, an omnistereo target tracking and location system is established.
Optimization design of drive system for industrial robots based on dynamic performance
Authors: Ge LianZheng , Chen Jian , Li Ruifeng , Liang Peidong
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The global performance of industrial robots partly depends on the properties of drive system consisting of motor inertia, gearbox inertia, etc. This paper aims to deal with the problem of optimization of global dynamic performance for robotic drive system selected from available components.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the performance specifications of drive system, an optimization model whose objective function is composed of working efficiency and natural frequency of robots is proposed. Meanwhile, constraints including the rated and peak torque of motor, lifetime of gearbox and light-weight were taken into account. Furthermore, the mapping relationship between discrete optimal design variables and component properties of drive system were presented. The optimization problem with mixed integer variables was solved by a mixed integer-laplace crossover power mutation algorithm.

Findings

The optimization results show that our optimization model and methods are applicable, and the performances are also greatly promoted without sacrificing any constraints of drive system. Besides, the model fits the overall performance well with respect to light-weight ratio, safety, cost reduction and others.

Practical implications

The proposed drive system optimization method has been used for a 4-DOF palletizing robot, which has been largely manufactured in a factory.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on how the simulation-based optimization can be used for the purpose of generating trade-offs between cost, performance and lifetime when designing robotic drive system. An applicable optimization model and method are proposed to handle the dynamic performance optimization problem of a drive system for industrial robot.
Shadow economy and tax evasion. The Achilles heel of Greek economy. Determinants, effects and policy proposals
Authors: Vousinas Georgios L.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to bring into surface two major socioeconomic problems of Greece, tax evasion and shadow economy.

Design/methodology/approach

It examines the determinants and the factors that led to the formation and expansion of tax evasion and subsequently of black economy. Empirical data and related research are used to provide a clearer view of the existing situation.

Findings

Tax evasion and shadow economy are proved to remain two of the most severe problems that torture Greek economy. The factors that contribute the most to the formation of these phenomena are the lack of tax awareness, the tax burden, the structure of the tax system, the role of the state, the level of approvement of public authority, self-employment, unemployment and the level of organization of the economy. Except from the negative characteristics, positive ones are also identified, and certain policies are suggested so as to combat tax evasion and black economy.

Originality/value

The paper highlights two major issues that constitute the deadly weakness of the Greek economy, providing a holistic view of the current situation, identifying the roots of the problem and suggesting specific measures.
Digital entrepreneurship in a resource-scarce context
Authors: Ngoasong Michael Zisuh
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically explore how context as an antecedent to entrepreneurial digital competencies (EDCs) influences digital entrepreneurship in a resource-scarce environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The data comprises semi-structured interviews with 16 digital entrepreneurs, as owner-managers of small digital businesses in Cameroon.

Findings

The results reveal the ways in which EDCs shape the entry (or start-up) choices and post-entry strategic decisions of digital entrepreneurs in response to context-specific opportunities and challenges associated with digital entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

The data comes from one African country and 16 digital businesses thus the research setting limits the generalisability of the results.

Practical implications

This paper highlights important implications for encouraging digital entrepreneurship by focussing on institutional, technology and local dimensions of context and measures to develop the entrepreneurial and digital competencies. This includes policy interventions to develop the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, transport and local distribution infrastructure, and training opportunities to develop the EDCs of digital entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Whereas the capabilities to adopt and use ICTs and the internet by small businesses have been examined, this is among the first theoretically sensitised study linking context, EDCs and digital entrepreneurship.
Case–control study of chronic low‐level exposure of inorganic arsenic species and non‐melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Kim Tae‐Hoon , Seo Jeong‐Wook , Hong Young‐Seoub , Song Ki‐Hoon
Published: August 2017

A significant relationship between arsenic exposure and non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is well known. The toxicity of arsenics which develop NMSC is dependent on their species. Accordingly, total arsenic levels are unreliable for risk assessment of NMSC. However, there are few studies on quantitative exposure assessment of arsenic species in NMSC patients. To validate the contribution of each arsenic species to NMSC, we compared the creatinine‐adjusted urinary concentration of arsenic species in NMSC patients and community controls. A total of 124 biopsy‐proven NMSC cases and 125 age‐ and sex‐matched community controls, drinking tap water with low‐level arsenic concentration (<5 μg/L), were included in the study. High‐performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used for the measurement. The NMSC group was found to have significantly higher levels of total inorganic arsenic, trivalent and pentavalent arsenic and monomethylarsonic acid than the control group. Total arsenic, organic arsenic and dimethylarsonic acid levels were lower in the NMSC group. We suggest that inorganic arsenic species, trivalent arsenic and pentavalent arsenic may influence the prevalence of NMSC, in spite of these levels being lower than the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry‐recommended standard or the levels reported by other highly contaminated areas and neighboring countries in East Asia. Furthermore, it also suggests that total arsenic level cannot represent the risk of NMSC.
Amelioration of atopic‐like skin conditions in NC/Tnd mice by topical application with distilled Alpinia intermedia Gagnep extracts
Authors: Amagai Yosuke , Katsuta Chihiro , Nomura Yoshihiro , Oida Kumiko , Matsuda Kenshiro , Jang Hyosun , Ahn Ginnae , Hamasaki Tetsuyoshi , Matsuda Hiroshi , Tanaka Akane
Published: August 2017

Alpinia intermedia, a perennial plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, has been used in folk medicine for a long time in the southern region of Japan. Because skin care is an effective approach that enables patients to manage their atopic dermatitis (AD), various herbal ingredients with few adverse effects have been evaluated for use in AD patients in recent years. In this study, we examined whether distilled extracts obtained from A. intermedia were beneficial for AD‐like skin conditions in NC/Tnd mice. Topical application with the A. intermedia extracts significantly reduced the severity of AD, transepidermal water loss and scratching behavior in the mice. Supplementation of the extracts to cell cultures suppressed the expression of Tslp mRNA in PAM212 keratinocytes, degranulation in bone marrow‐derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC), and neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglia. In addition, the component analysis revealed that β‐pinene was a major constituent of the A. intermedia extracts. The inhibitory effects of β‐pinene both in vivo and in vitro were also demonstrated. These results indicate that topical application with the A. intermedia extract to the skin of NC/Tnd mice improved the condition of the skin by suppressing multiple inflammatory responses. The extracts may become novel skin‐care remedies for AD patients.
Case report of cutaneous protothecosis caused by Prototheca wickerhamii designated as genotype 2 and current status of human protothecosis in Japan
Authors: Inoue Maki , Miyashita Azusa , Noguchi Hiromitsu , Hirose Noriyuki , Nishimura Kazuko , Masuda Michiaki , Ihn Hironobu
Published: August 2017

An 85‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with infiltrative erythema and ulceration on the extensor surface of her right forearm. Direct microscopic examination demonstrated spherical and morula‐like sporangia, while histopathology revealed numerous microorganisms with a mulberry‐like appearance in the dermis. Staining of the microorganisms also showed mulberry‐like sporangia that resembled the spokes of a wheel. The isolated yeast‐like microorganism had been identified as Prototheca wickerhamii genotype 2 in another independent study on the basis of its morphological, biochemical and genetic analysis. This case of protothecosis was recorded in Kyushu, Japan, and oral treatment with itraconazole 200 mg/day for 2 months was effective. Herein, we also summarize and analyze 39 cases of human protothecosis reported in Japan since the first record in 1983.
(‐)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate and atorvastatin treatment down‐regulates liver fibrosis‐related genes in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ying Le , Yan Feng , Zhao Yueling , Gao Hugh , Williams Bryan RG , Hu Yiqun , Li Xiaofang , Tian Run , Xu Ping , Wang Yuefei
Published: August 2017

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated advanced liver diseases have become prevalent conditions in many countries and are associated with increased mortality. Gene expression profiles in NAFLD have been examined recently but changes in expression elicited by chemical compound treatments have not been investigated. Since (‐)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and atorvastatin (ATST) exhibit similar efficacy in NAFLD models, we reasoned that some common key genes might alter after treatment of EGCG and ATST. Accordingly, we applied integrated bioinformatics analyses of RNA microarray data from EGCG and ATST treatment groups compared to controls in a NAFLD phenotypic mouse model. Using differential expression (DE) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and ClueGO enrichment, shared EGCG and ATST down‐regulated pathways were identified which included extracellular matrix (ECM)‐receptor interaction and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To refine key genes associated with liver fibrosis, a human NAFLD signature derived from patients of different fibrosis stages was analyzed. The results showed that fibrosis‐related genes Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1 and Col6a3 were significantly down‐regulated. These four genes were further validated as down‐regulated in an independent mouse NAFLD dataset. We conclude that EGCG and ATST treatment results in the significant down‐regulation of genes related to liver fibrosis.
The intersection of class origin and immigration background in structuring social capital: the role of transnational ties
Authors: Andersson Anton , Edling Christofer , Rydgren Jens
Published: August 2017

The study investigates inequalities in access to social capital based on social class origin and immigration background and examines the role of transnational ties in explaining these differences. Social capital is measured with a position generator methodology that separates between national and transnational contacts in a sample of young adults in Sweden with three parental backgrounds: at least one parent born in Iran or Yugoslavia, or two Sweden‐born parents. The results show that having socioeconomically advantaged parents is associated with higher levels of social capital. Children of immigrants are found to have a greater access to social capital compared to individuals with native background, and the study shows that this is related to transnational contacts, parents’ education and social class in their country of origin. Children of immigrants tend to have more contacts abroad, while there is little difference in the amount of contacts living in Sweden across the three groups. It is concluded that knowledge about immigration group resources help us predict its member's social capital, but that the analysis also needs to consider how social class trajectories and migration jointly structure national and transnational contacts.
Clinical Characteristics of Fatal Methamphetamine‐related Stroke: A National Study
Authors: Darke Shane , Lappin Julia , Kaye Sharlene , Duflou Johan
Published: August 2017

The study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of fatal methamphetamine‐related stroke in Australia, 2009–2015. There were 38 cases, 60.5% male, with a mean age of 40.3 years. In no case was there evidence that this was the first time methamphetamine had been used by the decedent, and 52.6% had known histories of injecting drug use. The stroke was hemorrhagic in 37 of 38 cases. In 21.1% of cases, the stroke was purely parenchymal and, in 18.4%, involved purely the subarachnoid space. A ruptured berry aneurysm was present in 31.6% and in 68.8% of initial subarachnoid hemorrhages. There was evidence of systemic hypertension in 8 of 25 cases in which full autopsy findings were available. With increased use of methamphetamine, there is a high probability of increased hemorrhagic stroke incidence among young people. In cases of fatal hemorrhagic stroke among young cases presenting to autopsy, the possibility of methamphetamine use should be borne in mind.
An Objective Measure of Splitting in Parental Alienation: The Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire
Authors: Bernet William , Gregory Nilgun , Reay Kathleen M. , Rohner Ronald P.
Published: August 2017

Both clinicians and forensic practitioners should distinguish parental alienation (rejection of a parent without legitimate justification) from other reasons for contact refusal. Alienated children—who were not abused—often engage in splitting and lack ambivalence with respect to the rejected parent; children who were maltreated usually perceive the abusive parent in an ambivalent manner. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) in identifying and quantifying the degree of splitting, which may assist in diagnosing parental alienation. Results showed that severely alienated children engaged in a high level of splitting, by perceiving the preferred parent in extremely positive terms and the rejected parent in extremely negative terms. Splitting was not manifested by the children in other family groups. The PARQ may be useful for both clinicians and forensic practitioners in evaluating children of divorced parents when there is a concern about the possible diagnosis of parental alienation.