bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attrition during a randomized controlled trial of reduced nicotine content cigarettes as a proxy for understanding acceptability of nicotine product standards
Authors: Mercincavage Melissa , Wileyto E. Paul , Saddleson Megan L. , Lochbuehler Kirsten , Donny Eric C. , Strasser Andrew A.
Published: January 2017

Aims

To determine (1) if nicotine content affects study attrition—a potential behavioral measure of acceptability—in a trial that required compliance with three levels of reduced nicotine content (RNC) cigarettes, and (2) if attrition is associated with subjective and behavioral responses to RNC cigarettes.

Design

Secondary analysis of a 35‐day, parallel‐design, open‐label, randomized controlled trial. After a 5‐day baseline period, participants were randomized to smoke for three 10‐day periods: their preferred brand (control group) or RNC cigarettes with three nicotine levels in a within‐subject stepdown (one group: high–moderate–low) or non‐stepdown (five groups: high–low–moderate, low–moderate–high, low–high–moderate, moderate–low–high, moderate–high–low) fashion.

Setting

A single site in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Participants

A total of 246 non‐treatment‐seeking daily smokers [mean age = 39.52, cigarettes per day (CPD) = 20.95, 68.3% white] were recruited from October 2007 to June 2013.

Measurements

The primary outcome was attrition. Key predictors were nicotine content transition and study period. Exploratory predictors were taste and strength subjective ratings, total puff volume and carbon monoxide (CO) boost. Covariates included: age, gender, race, education and nicotine dependence.

Findings

Overall attrition was 31.3% (n = 77): 24.1% of the control and 25.0% of the stepdown RNC cigarette groups dropped out versus 44.6% of non‐stepdown groups (P = 0.006). Compared with controls, attrition odds were 4.5 and 4.7 times greater among smokers transitioning from preferred and the highest RNC cigarettes to the lowest RNC cigarettes, respectively (P = 0.001 and 0.003). Providing more favorable initial taste ratings of study cigarettes decreased attrition odds by 2% (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

The majority of participants completed a 35‐day trial of varying levels of reduced nicotine content cigarettes. Participant dropout was greater for cigarettes with lower nicotine content and less in smokers reporting more favorable subjective ratings of the cigarettes.
You get what you pay for: the link between price and food safety in Kenya
Authors: Hoffmann Vivian , Moser Christine
Published: January 2017

The lack of a reliably safe food supply in developing countries imposes both health and economic costs. Food safety is one of several dimensions of food quality that are typically unobservable at the time of purchase. Branding can overcome this information problem by allowing firms to build reputations based on the quality of their products. If a reputation for food safety is valued directly by consumers, or if food safety is correlated with other valued attributes, firms producing safer food should be able to use their brand equity to charge higher prices. In addition, firms with stronger brand equity have stronger incentives to meet food safety standards in order to maintain that equity. Using data from more than 900 maize flour samples representing 23 distinct brands in eastern and central Kenya, we explore the relationship between price and contamination with aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a fungal toxin common in maize, groundnuts, and other crops around the world. We find a strong negative correlation between price and contamination at the brand level, consistent with the hypothesized positive relationship between brand equity and food quality.
Risk factors for trachelectomy following supracervical hysterectomy
Authors: Tsafrir Ziv , Aoun Joelle , Papalekas Eleni , Taylor Andrew , Schiff Lauren , Theoharis Evan , Eisenstein David
Published: January 2017

Introduction

We identified risk factors for trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy (SCH) due to persistence of symptoms.

Material and methods

A retrospective case–control study in a university‐affiliated hospital. Seventeen women who underwent a trachelectomy following SCH for nonmalignant indications between June 2002 and October 2014 were compared with 68 randomly selected women (controls) who underwent a SCH within the same time period. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the study and control groups. Univariate analysis identified potential risk factors for trachelectomy following SCH. Univariate logistic regression models predicted which patients would have a trachelectomy following SCH.

Results

The occurrence of trachelectomy following SCH during the study period was 0.9% (17/1892). The study group was younger than the control group (mean age 38 ± 6 years vs. 44 ± 5 years; p < 0.001). Patients who had a history of endometriosis [odds ratio (OR) 6.23, 95% CI 1.11–40.5, p = 0.038] had increased risk for trachelectomy. Pathology diagnosed endometriosis only among women in the study group. Preoperative diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.075, p = 0.016), anemia (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01–0.53; p = 0.003), and fibroid uterus (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07–0.82, p = 0.024) reduced the risk for future trachelectomy.

Conclusion

Young age and endometriosis are significant risk factors for trachelectomy following SCH.
Evolution of Gas Permeable Membranes for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Yeager Torin , Roy Shuvo
Published: January 2017

Gas permeable membranes are a vital component of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems. Over more than half a century, membrane fabrication and packaging technology have progressed to enable safer and longer duration use of respiratory life support. Current research efforts seek to improve membrane efficiency and hemocompatibility, with the aim of producing smaller and more robust systems for ambulatory use. This review explores past and present innovations in oxygenator technology, suggesting possible applications of state‐of‐the‐art membrane fabrication methods to address shortcomings of earlier concepts.
Benchmarking and Learning in Public Healthcare: Properties and Effects
Authors: Buckmaster Natalie , Mouritsen Jan
Published: January 2017

This research investigates the effects of learning‐oriented benchmarking in public healthcare settings. Benchmarking is a widely adopted yet little explored accounting practice that is part of the paradigm of New Public Management. Extant studies are directed towards mandated coercive benchmarking applications. The present study analyses voluntary benchmarking in a public setting that is oriented towards learning. The study contributes by showing how benchmarking can be mobilised for learning and offers evidence of the effects of such benchmarking for performance outcomes. It concludes that benchmarking can enable learning in public settings but that this requires actors to invest in ensuring that benchmark data are directed towards improvement.
The Impact of Australian Accounting Education on Repatriates' Career Development
Authors: Hao Jie , Liu Qingsong
Published: January 2017

The aim of this article is to explore the impact of Australian accounting education on the career development of Chinese self‐initiated repatriates (SIRs) in different business settings. It is acknowledged in the literature that international education has an impact on the career development of SIRs. However, in this study, we explore the impact in terms of professional knowledge, qualifications and international exposure. A multi‐case study was conducted with Chinese SIRs in different industries in an effort to understand the specific impacts and potential adverse effects across different types of enterprises in China. Our research found that international accounting knowledge has a positive influence on individuals’ careers, especially in foreign enterprises. Skills obtained from international experience are highly valued in the foreign financial industry, while the CPA qualification is highly valued in accounting firms. Readjustment, competition from local counterparts and employers’ unreasonable expectations do have adverse effects. By analysing how SIRs’ professional knowledge in accounting disciplines has impacted their job performance in different industries, this article not only contributes to contemporary literature from a direct perspective but also presents practical recommendations regarding Chinese and Australian professional education.
Impact of Partner Change on Audit Quality: An Analysis of Partner and Firm Specialisation Effects
Authors: Arthur Neal , Endrawes Medhat , Ho Shawn
Published: January 2017

This study investigates the impact of audit partner rotation on audit quality and whether industry specialisation moderates such a relationship. The results of this study show that audit partner rotation can enhance audit quality but only when both the incoming audit partner and the audit firm are industry specialists. The results of the study provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of audit partner rotation and auditor industry specialisation practices, and their impact on audit quality. The results have implications for the profession as well as regulators regarding audit partner and audit firm industry specialisation. This is the first study to examine the moderating effect of industry specialisation on the auditor rotation–audit quality relationship at the partner level. The introduction of industry specialisation as a moderating factor provides additional insights into the auditor rotation–audit quality relationship at the partner level.
The EGALITY study: a confirmatory, randomized, double-blind study comparing the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of GP2015, a proposed etanercept biosimilar, vs. the originator product in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis
Authors: Griffiths C.E.M. , Thaçi D. , Gerdes S. , Arenberger P. , Pulka G. , Kingo K. , Weglowska J. ,   on behalf of the EGALITY study group, Hattebuhr N. , Poetzl J. , Woehling H. , Wuerth G. , Afonso M.
Published: January 2017

Background

GP2015 is a proposed etanercept biosimilar.

Objectives

To demonstrate equivalent efficacy, and comparable safety and immunogenicity of GP2015 and the etanercept originator (ETN, Enbrel®) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis.

Methods

In total, 531 eligible patients were randomized 1 : 1 to self-administer GP2015 or ETN twice weekly subcutaneously. Patients with ≥ 50% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) at week 12 were rerandomized to continue the same treatment on a once-weekly dosing schedule or to undergo a sequence of three treatment switches between GP2015 and ETN until week 30. Thereafter, patients continued treatment with the product they had been assigned to last, up to week 52.

Results

The difference in PASI 75 (75% improvement from baseline PASI score) response rates at week 12 between GP2015 and ETN (primary end point) was −2·3%. The 95% confidence interval (−9·85 to 5·30) was well contained within the prespecified margin range of −18 to 18. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events up to week 52 was comparable between continued GP2015 (59·8%) and ETN (57·3%); switching treatments revealed comparable safety profiles. Antidrug antibodies, all non-neutralizing, were limited to five patients on ETN during treatment period 1, and one patient in the switched ETN group, who had been treated with GP2015 for 12 weeks at the time of the finding.

Conclusions

The EGALITY study demonstrated equivalent efficacy and comparable safety and immunogenicity of GP2015 and ETN. The study results provide the final clinical confirmation of biosimilarity and contribute to the totality of the evidence proposing that GP2015 is an etanercept biosimilar.
Bone marrow stroma protects myeloma cells from cytotoxic damage via induction of the oncoprotein MUC1
Authors: Bar‐Natan Michal , Stroopinsky Dina , Luptakova Katarina , Coll Maxwell D. , Apel Arie , Rajabi Hasan , Pyzer Athalia R. , Palmer Kristen , Reagan Michaela R. , Nahas Myrna R. , Karp Leaf Rebecca , Jain Salvia , Arnason Jon , Ghobrial Irene M. , Anderson Kenneth C. , Kufe Donald , Rosenblatt Jacalyn , Avigan David
Published: January 2017

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a lethal haematological malignancy that arises in the context of a tumour microenvironment that promotes resistance to apoptosis and immune escape. In the present study, we demonstrate that co‐culture of MM cells with stromal cells results in increased resistance to cytotoxic and biological agents as manifested by decreased rates of cell death following exposure to alkylating agents and the proteosome inhibitor, bortezomib. To identify the mechanism of increased resistance, we examined the effect of the co‐culture of MM cells with stroma cells, on expression of the MUC1 oncogene, known to confer tumour cells with resistance to apoptosis and necrosis. Co‐culture of stroma with MM cells resulted in increased MUC1 expression by tumour cells. The effect of stromal cell co‐culture on MUC1 expression was not dependent on cell contact and was therefore thought to be due to soluble factors secreted by the stromal cells into the microenvironment. We demonstrated that MUC1 expression was mediated by interleukin‐6 and subsequent up‐regulation of the JAK‐STAT pathway. Interestingly, the effect of stromal cell co‐culture on tumour resistance was partially reversed by silencing of MUC1 in MM cells, consistent with the potential role of MUC1 in mediating resistance to cytotoxic‐based therapies.
Non‐inferiority trials: No better? No worse? No change? No pain?
Authors: Hills Robert K.
Published: January 2017

With improvements in care over time it becomes harder to improve clinical outcomes in those conditions where cure rates are high. The focus of research can thus turn to the so‐called non‐inferiority trial: where the main aim is not to improve clinical outcome, but instead to provide evidence of a lack of difference, whilst other issues, such as cost or toxicity, are improved. The interpretation of such trials is not always straightforward. The burden of proof is reversed compared to a traditional superiority trial, and this means that many of the statistical safeguards, such as significance and intention‐to‐treat, which act as restraints from an overhasty adoption of a new therapy, may actually work in the opposite fashion. The issues regarding non‐inferiority and equivalence trials are considered, and their interpretation discussed.
The aspirin story – from willow to wonder drug
Authors: Desborough Michael J. R. , Keeling David M.
Published: January 2017

The story of the discovery of aspirin stretches back more than 3500 years to when bark from the willow tree was used as a pain reliever and antipyretic. It involves an Oxfordshire clergyman, scientists at a German dye manufacturer, a Nobel Prize‐winning discovery and a series of pivotal clinical trials. Aspirin is now the most commonly used drug in the world. Its role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease has been revolutionary and one of the biggest pharmaceutical success stories of the last century.
Evaluation of a 24‐gene signature for prognosis of metastatic events and prostate cancer‐specific mortality
Authors: Pellegrini Kathryn L. , Sanda Martin G. , Patil Dattatraya , Long Qi , Santiago‐Jiménez María , Takhar Mandeep , Erho Nicholas , Yousefi Kasra , Davicioni Elai , Klein Eric A. , Jenkins Robert B. , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Moreno Carlos S.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To determine the prognostic potential of a 24‐gene signature, Sig24, for identifying patients with prostate cancer who are at risk of developing metastases or of prostate cancer‐specific mortality (PCSM) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

Sig24 scores were calculated from previously collected gene expression microarray data from the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic (I and II). The performance of Sig24 was determined using time‐dependent c‐index analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

Higher Sig24 scores were significantly associated with higher pathological Gleason scores in all three cohorts. Analysis of the Mayo Clinic II cohort, which included time‐to‐event information, indicated that patients with high Sig24 scores also had a higher risk of developing metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 3.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.96–7.29; P < 0.001) or of PCSM (HR 6.54, 95% CI: 2.16–19.83; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study show the applicability of Sig24 for the prognosis of metastasis or PCSM after RP. Future studies investigating the combination of Sig24 with available prognostic tests may provide new approaches to improve risk stratification for patients with prostate cancer.
MicroRNA‐9 plays a role in interleukin‐10‐mediated expression of E‐cadherin in acute myelogenous leukemia cells
Authors: Nishioka Chie , Ikezoe Takayuki , Pan Bin , Xu Kailin , Yokoyama Akihito
Published: January 2017

We previously showed that the CD82/signal transducer and activator of transcription/interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) axis is activated in CD34+/CD38− AML cells that favor the bone marrow microenvironment. The present study explored the novel biological function of IL‐10 in regulation of expression of adhesion molecules in AML cells and found that exposing AML cells to IL‐10 induced expression of E‐cadherin, but not other adhesion molecules, including VLA4, CD29, and LFA1. Downregulation of E‐cadherin with an siRNA suppressed the adhesion of leukemia cells to bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and enhanced the anti‐leukemia effect of cytarabine. A microRNA (miRNA) database search identified an miR‐9 as a candidate miRNA binding onto the 3′‐UTR of E‐cadherin and regulating its expression. Notably, treatment of leukemia cells with IL‐10 decreased miR‐9 expression through hypermethylation of the miR‐9 CpG islands. In addition, downregulation of DNA methyltransferase 3A by siRNAs decreased E‐cadherin expression in parallel with an increase in levels of miR‐9 in leukemia cells. Notably, short hairpin RNA‐mediated IL‐10 downregulation impaired engraftment of human AML cells and enhanced the anti‐leukemia effect of cytarabine in conjunction with miR‐9 upregulation and E‐cadherin downregulation in a human AML xenograft model. Taken together, the IL‐10/E‐cadherin axis may be a promising therapeutic target for treating AML.
Mitochondrial uncoupler exerts a synthetic lethal effect against β‐catenin mutant tumor cells
Authors: Shikata Yuki , Kiga Masaki , Futamura Yushi , Aono Harumi , Inoue Hiroyuki , Kawada Manabu , Osada Hiroyuki , Imoto Masaya
Published: January 2017

The wingless/int‐1 (Wnt) signal transduction pathway plays a central role in cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. When β‐catenin: a component of the Wnt pathway, is mutated into an active form, cell growth signaling is hyperactive and drives oncogenesis. As β‐catenin is mutated in a wide variety of tumors, including up to 10% of all sporadic colon carcinomas and 20% of hepatocellular carcinomas, it has been considered a promising target for therapeutic interventions. Therefore, we screened an in‐house natural product library for compounds that exhibited synthetic lethality towards β‐catenin mutations and isolated nonactin, an antibiotic mitochondrial uncoupler, as a hit compound. Nonactin, as well as other mitochondrial uncouplers, induced apoptosis selectively in β‐catenin mutated tumor cells. Significant tumor regression was observed in the β‐catenin mutant HCT 116 xenograft model, but not in the β‐catenin wild type A375 xenograft model, in response to daily administration of nonactin in vivo. Furthermore, we found that expression of an active mutant form of β‐catenin induced a decrease in the glycolysis rate. Taken together, our results demonstrate that tumor cells with mutated β‐catenin depend on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for survival. Therefore, they undergo apoptosis in response to mitochondrial dysfunction following the addition of mitochondrial uncouplers, such as nonactin. These results suggest that targeting mitochondria is a potential chemotherapeutic strategy for tumor cells that harbor β‐catenin mutations.
Preschoolers Continually Adjust Their Epistemic Trust Based on an Informant's Ongoing Accuracy
Authors: Ronfard Samuel , Lane Jonathan D.
Published: January 2017

Children aged 4–7 years (N = 120) played four rounds of a find‐the‐sticker game. For each round, an informant looked into two cups and made a claim about which cup held a sticker. At the end of each round, children guessed the sticker's location, and then the sticker's actual location was revealed. For three of the rounds, the informant accurately reported the sticker's location. But critically, for one round—either Round 1, 2, or 3—she was inaccurate. Children continually adjusted their trust in the informant as they obtained more information about her accuracy. Relations between the informant's pattern of accuracy and children's trust were robust, neither mediated nor moderated by children inferences about her intent or traits.
The genotype–phenotype landscape of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Australia
Authors: McCann E.P. , Williams K.L. , Fifita J.A. , Tarr I.S. , O'Connor J. , Rowe D.B. , Nicholson G.A. , Blair I.P.
Published: January 2017

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous fatal neurodegenerative disease. Around 10% of ALS cases are hereditary. ALS gene discoveries have provided most of our understanding of disease pathogenesis. We aimed to describe the genetic landscape of ALS in Australia by assessing 1013 Australian ALS patients for known ALS mutations by direct sequencing, whole exome sequencing or repeat primed polymerase chain reaction. Age of disease onset and disease duration were used for genotype–phenotype correlations. We report 60.8% of Australian ALS families in this cohort harbour a known ALS mutation. Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 accounted for 40.6% of families and 2.9% of sporadic patients. We also report ALS families with mutations in SOD1 (13.7%), FUS (2.4%), TARDBP (1.9%), UBQLN2 (.9%), OPTN (.5%), TBK1 (.5%) and CCNF (.5%). We present genotype–phenotype correlations between these genes as well as between gene mutations. Notably, C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion positive patients experienced significantly later disease onset than ALS mutation patients. Among SOD1 families, p.I114T positive patients had significantly later onset and longer survival. Our report highlights a unique spectrum of ALS gene frequencies among patients from the Australian population, and further, provides correlations between specific ALS mutations with disease onset and/or duration.
Risk of arrhythmic death in ischemic heart disease: a prospective, controlled, observer‐blind risk stratification over 10 years
Authors: Pezawas Thomas , Diedrich André , Robertson David , Winker Robert , Richter Bernhard , Wang Li , Schmidinger Herwig
Published: January 2017

Background

Risk of arrhythmic death is considered highest in ischemic heart disease with severe left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction. Non‐invasive testing should improve decision‐making of prophylactic defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

Design

We enrolled 120 patients with ischemic heart disease and LVEF < 50% and 30 control subjects without ischemic heart disease and normal LVEF. An initial assessment, a second assessment after 3 years and a final follow‐up comprised of pharmacological baroreflex testing (BRS), short‐term spectral [low‐frequency (LF) to high‐frequency (HF) ratio] and long‐term time‐domain analysis of heart rate variability (SDNN), exercise Microvolt T‐wave alternans (MTWA) and others.

Results

The median follow‐up was 7·5 years. Resuscitated cardiac arrest and arrhythmic death due to ventricular arrhythmias ≥ 240/min was observed in 18% and 15% of patients, respectively. Cardiac death was observed in 28% of patients. The incidence of arrhythmic death and resuscitated cardiac arrest was identical in patients with ischemic heart disease with LVEF < 30% and ≥ 30%. No significant difference between subgroups with LVEF of < 30%, 30–39% and ≥ 40% was found either. MTWA, BRS, SDNN and LF to HF ratio failed to identify patients at risk of arrhythmic death in a multiple regression model.

Conclusions

Ischemic heart disease patients with LVEF < 30% and ≥ 30% face the same risk of arrhythmic death. Stratification techniques fail to identify high‐risk patients. Therefore, the current practice to constrain prophylactic ICDs to patients with severely reduced LVEF seems to be insufficient.
Survival and growth of hatchery and wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) parr in three Austrian headwater streams
Authors: Pinter Kurt , Weiss Steven , Lautsch Erwin , Unfer Günther
Published: January 2017

Brown trout populations of three headwater streams in the Northern Limestone Alps of Austria were supplemented by three‐month‐old hatchery‐reared parr from a wild and locally adapted strain and a nonresident domesticated hatchery strain. Growth and survival were monitored with three surveys over a period of 16 months after stocking. Fish descending from the wild reared origin strain demonstrated higher survival rates than the hatchery strain. Differences in growth were found among the investigated streams but not among the investigated strains. The differing temperature regimes of the streams were considered as the primary factor causing those disparities. We conclude that stocking measures had little or no additive effect on successful natural reproduction, as the resident wild brown trout performed significantly better than the stocked fish.
The transcriptional modulator Ifrd1 controls PGC‐1α expression under short‐term adrenergic stimulation in brown adipocytes
Authors: Park Gyujin , Horie Tetsuhiro , Kanayama Takashi , Fukasawa Kazuya , Iezaki Takashi , Onishi Yuki , Ozaki Kakeru , Nakamura Yukari , Yoneda Yukio , Takarada Takeshi , Hinoi Eiichi
Published: January 2017

Sympathetic tone activates the function of classical brown adipocytes, which constitutively exist in the brown adipose tissue (BAT), and inducible brown adipocytes (so‐called beige adipocytes), which sporadically reside within the white adipose tissue (WAT). Here we identified the transcriptional modulator interferon‐related developmental regulator 1 (Ifrd1) as a negative regulator of thermogenic and mitochondrial gene expression in brown adipocytes. Ifrd1 expression was markedly induced by cold exposure and administration of CL‐316243 (a β3 adrenergic agonist) in interscapular brown adipose and inguinal subcutaneous WATs, but not in epididymal visceral WAT, in vivo. Adrenergic stimulation also induced Ifrd1 expression in brown adipocytes in a cAMP responsive element binding protein‐dependent manner in vitro. CL‐316243 injection markedly elevated thermogenic and mitochondrial gene expression, including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (Pgc1a) in the subcutaneous WAT of Ifrd1 knockout mice compared with gene expression in wild‐type mice. Pgc1a promoter activity enhanced by the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was markedly repressed by co‐introduction of Ifrd1 in brown adipocytes, whereas the repression was markedly prevented by the addition of trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Moreover, adrenergic stimulation induced complex formation between Ifrd1, Sp1 and mSIN3B, which is a component of the SIN complex containing histone deacetylase, in brown adipocytes. These findings, therefore, suggest that Ifrd1 could be a pivotal negative regulator of sympathetic regulation of thermogenic and mitochondrial gene expression in brown adipocytes by interacting with Sp1 and the mSIN3 complex.
Suppression of invasive lake trout in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park
Authors: Fredenberg C. R. , Muhlfeld C. C. , Guy C. S. , D'Angelo V. S. , Downs C. C. , Syslo J. M.
Published: January 2017

Fisheries managers have implemented suppression programmes to control non‐native lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum), in several lakes throughout the western United States. This study determined the feasibility of experimentally suppressing lake trout using gillnets in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, for the conservation of threatened bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley). The demographics of the lake trout population during suppression (2009–2013) were described, and those data were used to assess the effects of suppression scenarios on population growth rate (λ) using an age‐structured population model. Model simulations indicated that the population was growing exponentially (λ = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16–1.28) prior to suppression. However, suppression resulted in declining λ (0.61–0.79) for lake trout, which was concomitant with stable bull trout adult abundances. Continued suppression at or above observed exploitation levels is needed to ensure continued population declines.
Road culvert restoration expands the habitat connectivity and production area of juvenile Atlantic salmon in a large subarctic river system
Authors: Erkinaro J. , Erkinaro H. , Niemelä E.
Published: January 2017

The effects of restoration of impassable road culverts on the distribution of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were evaluated in seven small tributaries of the subarctic River Teno system, northernmost Finland/Norway. Restoration enabled the passage of juvenile salmon through the culverts and increased the distribution area of salmon parr in the seven streams by tens or hundreds of metres, depending on the natural slope of the tributary with a total of ≈1 km new area for ascending juveniles. Areas upstream of the culverts were colonised after varying number of years, mostly 2–3, following restoration. Age‐1 and age‐2 parr were the first salmon age groups entering the new territory after removal of the migration barrier. Although the restoration measures were conducted at the downstream outlet area of the culverts only, the connectivity was improved and increased the production area accessible to juvenile salmon. Such removal of migration barriers and securing habitat connectivity by passable culverts should be taken into account in environmental management strategies of river systems safeguarding the essential habitats of salmonid fish.
Making knowledge legitimate: transnational advocacy networks' campaigns against tobacco, infant formula and pharmaceuticals
Authors: ANDIA TATIANA , CHOREV NITSAN
Published: January 2017

In this article, we examine three different cases in which health activists lobbied the World Health Organization and its member states to regulate the marketing practices of multinational companies. The campaign against tobacco manufacturers resulted in a binding treaty; the campaign against manufacturers of infant formula resulted in a non‐binding code of conduct; and the campaign against pharmaceutical manufacturers failed. We show that existing arguments regarding the success of global social movements and transnational advocacy networks fail to explain the divergent outcomes in these three cases. Instead, we argue that the effectiveness of global advocacy in these cases depended on the level of perceived legitimacy of the knowledge supporting the advocates' claims and on the prestige of the experts participating in the campaigns.
Controls on Methane Occurrences in Shallow Aquifers Overlying the Haynesville Shale Gas Field, East Texas
Authors: Nicot Jean‐Philippe , Larson Toti , Darvari Roxana , Mickler Patrick , Slotten Michael , Aldridge Jordan , Uhlman Kristine , Costley Ruth
Published: January 2017

Understanding the source of dissolved methane in drinking‐water aquifers is critical for assessing potential contributions from hydraulic fracturing in shale plays. Shallow groundwater in the Texas portion of the Haynesville Shale area (13,000 km2) was sampled (70 samples) for methane and other dissolved light alkanes. Most samples were derived from the fresh water bearing Wilcox formations and show little methane except in a localized cluster of 12 water wells (17% of total) in a approximately 30 × 30 km2 area in Southern Panola County with dissolved methane concentrations less than 10 mg/L. This zone of elevated methane is spatially associated with the termination of an active fault system affecting the entire sedimentary section, including the Haynesville Shale at a depth more than 3.5 km, and with shallow lignite seams of Lower Wilcox age at a depth of 100 to 230 m. The lignite spatial extension overlaps with the cluster. Gas wetness and methane isotope compositions suggest a mixed microbial and thermogenic origin with contribution from lignite beds and from deep thermogenic reservoirs that produce condensate in most of the cluster area. The pathway for methane from the lignite and deeper reservoirs is then provided by the fault system.
A qualitative study exploring medication management in people with dementia living in the community and the potential role of the community pharmacist
Authors: Maidment Ian D. , Aston Lydia , Moutela Tiago , Fox Chris G. , Hilton Andrea
Published: January 2017

Background

The prevalence of dementia is increasing rapidly. People with dementia may be prescribed complex medication regimens, which may be challenging for them and any carers involved to safely manage.

Objective

To describe and understand the key challenges, in relation to medication issues, experienced by people with dementia and their informal carers dwelling in the community and the potential role of community pharmacists.

Design

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews.

Participants

People with dementia, informal carers and health and social care professionals (HSCPs).

Results

Thirty‐one participants (eleven informal carers, four people with dementia and sixteen HSCPs) were interviewed. Three key themes were identified: the key challenges, improving medication management and the role of pharmacists. The caring role commonly included responsibility for medication management which created both practical problems and an emotional burden. This burden was worsened by any difficulty in obtaining support and if the person with dementia was on a complex regimen. Participants believed that the process could be improved by coordinated and on‐going support from HSCPs, which should focus on the informal carer. Medication reviews, particularly when conducted in the home environment, could be helpful.

Conclusion

Medication management for people with dementia living in the community is a complex process, and informal carers have a key role, which they frequently find challenging. Community pharmacists could have an enhanced role in this area, but would need to work within a more multidisciplinary environment outside the pharmacy.
Development of a peer‐review framework for cancer multidisciplinary meetings
Authors: Johnson Claire E. , Slavova‐Azmanova Neli , Saunders Christobel
Published: January 2017

Background

There is no mechanism in place for monitoring or quality improvement of cancer multidisciplinary meetings (MDM) in Australia.

Aim

To develop a peer‐review process for quality improvement of MDM.

Methods

This project involved three phases: (i) development of a draft peer‐review framework, supporting documents and peer‐review process; (ii) consultation with key stakeholders; (iii) refinement of the framework, documents and processes following a pilot study with three MDM.

Results

Feedback indicated that specific standards included in the framework needed to allow the peer reviewers to be flexible relative to the circumstances of the individual MDM. Conversely, feedback identified the need for clear, evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines for the conduct of MDM, with accepted standards and objective measures of performance. MDM members were divided about the need to employ peer reviewers from the tumour stream of the MDM under review but agreed that closer involvement of the team under review to support the implementation of recommendations is warranted.

Conclusions

We developed an adaptable peer‐review framework and process using the current available evidence and guidance. While further research is needed to establish what constitutes best practice in MDM and which processes contribute to improved patient outcomes, the structured peer‐review process we describe, when modified using the disease‐relevant evidence, could be utilised more broadly as a quality improvement tool.
Psychosocial screening and management of young people aged 18–25 years with diabetes
Authors: d'Emden Helen , McDermott Brett , D'Silva Neisha , Dover Tom , Ewais Tatjana , Gibbons Kristen , O'Moore‐Sullivan Trisha
Published: January 2017

Background

Routine psychosocial screening and management of people with diabetes is recommended.

Aims

To profile demographic, medical and psychosocial characteristics of young people with diabetes, and to develop a screening tool and care pathway for routine use.

Methods

Indices of diabetes control and recorded diabetes complications were complimented by psychosocial screening tools assessing psychological, diabetes specific and perceived stress (Kessler 10, Problem Area in Diabetes, Perceived Stress Scale), well‐being (World Health Organization Well Being Index‐5), disordered eating (Eating Disorder Risk Inventory‐3 Risk Composite), compensatory behaviour questionnaire, social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), resilience (Connor Davidson Resilience Scale – 2 item) and financial concerns. Service provision and demographic data were also collected. Diabetes and mental health clinicians then identified a subset of measures to use for routine screening along with care pathways.

Results

Psychosocial screening was well accepted. Participants (151) had suboptimal glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin 8.0 interquartile range 1.8%/64 interquartile range 22 mmol/mol). Severe diabetes‐related distress (Problem Area in Diabetes ≥40) was found in 19.4% and 26.0% reported difficulties managing healthcare costs. A mental health disorder was likely in 9.7%, whilst 23.4% had high Kessler 10 scores. Low World Health Organization Well Being Index‐5 scores (≤13) were seen in 29.0%. Risk for an eating disorder (Eating Disorder Risk Inventory‐3 Risk Composite) was 12.7%, whereas approximately 36.0% had disturbed eating behaviours.

Conclusion

Psychosocial screening of young adults with diabetes identified complex needs. A brief psychosocial screening tool and associated care pathways were developed for routine use in a young adult tertiary referral diabetes clinic. The tool assesses constructs, such as diabetes distress, depression, anxiety, well‐being, hypoglycaemia‐unawareness, fear of hypoglycaemia, social support, weight, shape and eating concerns and financial concerns. This will provide a longitudinal data source for further research to inform clinical practice.
Entrepreneurial impact sourcing: a conceptual framework of social and commercial institutional logics
Authors: Khan Shaji , Lacity Mary , Carmel Erran
Published: January 2017

This article answers calls for better characterizations of impact sourcing given its potential to create social impacts in conjunction with global sourcing. It introduces a conceptual framework consisting of four dimensions drawn from entrepreneurship literature: primary mission, success criteria, resource mobilization and innovation approach – that characterize entrepreneurial impact sourcing service providers. These four dimensions are anchored across ideal types of social and commercial institutional logics to explicitly account for and capture the dual social and commercial value orientations of impact sourcing service providers as acknowledged in the literature. We evaluate the utility of this framework by using it to assess a US‐based business process outsourcing social enterprise that focuses on the underserved workforce of military veterans and spouses of military personnel. We found that this firm used social logic for both the firm's primary mission and the firm's resource mobilization; it used commercial logic for its success criteria, and it used both logics for its innovation. Our analysis of the case substantiates the applicability of the framework for capturing variation in how impact sourcing providers may selectively draw upon different logics across the four dimensions. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Light‐level geolocation reveals wintering distribution, migration routes, and primary stopover locations of an endangered long‐distance migratory songbird
Authors: Cooper Nathan W. , Hallworth Michael T. , Marra Peter P.
Published: January 2017

The importance of understanding the geographic distribution of the full annual cycle of migratory birds has been increasingly highlighted over the past several decades. However, the difficulty of tracking small birds between breeding and wintering areas has hindered progress in this area. To learn more about Kirtland's warbler Setophaga kirtlandii movement patterns throughout the annual cycle, we deployed archival light‐level geolocators across their breeding range in Michigan. We recovered devices from 27 males and analyzed light‐level data within a Bayesian framework. We found that most males wintered in the central Bahamas and exhibited a loop migration pattern. In both fall and spring, departure date was the strongest predictor of arrival date, but in spring, stopover duration and migration distance were also important. Though stopover strategies varied, males spent the majority of their spring migration at stopover sites, several of which were located just before or after large ecological barriers. We argue that loop migration is likely a response to seasonal variation in prevailing winds. By documenting a tight link between spring departure and arrival dates, we provide a plausible mechanism for previously documented carry‐over effects of winter rainfall on reproductive success in this species. The migratory periods remain the least understood periods for all birds, but by describing Kirtland's warbler migration routes and timing, and identifying locations of stopover sites, we have begun the process of better understanding the dynamics of their full annual cycle. Moreover, we have provided managers with valuable information on which to base future conservation and research priorities.
Overconfidence, CEO Awards, and Corporate Tax Aggressiveness
Authors: Kubick Thomas R. , Lockhart G. Brandon
Published: January 2017

Theory and prior research suggest that overconfidence leads managers to overestimate their own ability to generate returns, leading to riskier corporate policies. We use a novel dataset of media awards as an exogenous shock to overconfidence to test whether award‐winning CEOs adopt more aggressive corporate tax policies. Using propensity score matching and a difference‐in‐difference design, we find strong evidence that firms with an award‐winning CEO exhibit significantly greater tax aggressiveness following the award. Overall, our results suggest that CEO overconfidence has a meaningful impact on corporate tax policy.
The effectiveness of integrating teaching strategies into IRS activities to facilitate learning
Authors: Wang Y.‐H.
Published: January 2017

Previous studies on the interactive response system (IRS) have generally adopted the lecture method to facilitate teaching and learning, while few have made efforts to investigate the learning effects of instructional methods and IRS activities on learning and teaching. The purpose of the present study was therefore to explore whether the use of the IRS with two different teaching methods would affect students' learning performance. A quasi‐experimental design was employed, with the teacher conducting the course using the learner as leader strategy in the experimental group (E.G.) and the teacher leader strategy in the control group (C.G.). The experiment was conducted over a period of 15 weeks (a semester), and questionnaires were administered at the beginning, in the middle and after the experiment to elicit the learners' views on the IRS application. The results support previous research which found that using the IRS improved learners' engagement and interaction. They also provide further evidence that the use of the IRS with both teaching strategies not only had a short‐term learning effect but could also be a tool for sustaining students' learning motivation and self‐directed learning for long‐term learning purposes. Besides, the use of the learner as leader strategy contributed to enhancing discussion in groups, especially for the leading groups. The use of the IRS with the learner as leader strategy benefited those who acted as leaders in taking the initiative to learn the course content, and also engaged the students who acted as learners in concentrating on the course because it was their classmates who were leading.

Lay Description

What is already known about this topic

The interactive response system (IRS) facilitates course interaction, and increases course attendance and learning performance

Most studies have integrated the IRS with lectures to facilitate teaching and learning

What this paper adds

The paper explored the effectiveness of using the IRS with two teaching methods on students' learning for a semester.

The use of the learner as leader strategy with IRS benefited the learners who acted as leaders in taking the initiative to learn the course content, and engaged the students who acted as learners in concentrating on the course.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Students are benefited in taking the initiative to learn the contents through hosting the IRS activity.

Teachers could adopt both lectures and learner as leader strategy with IRS to sustain students' learning motivation and self‐directed learning for long‐term learning purposes.
Comments in MOOCs: who is doing the talking and does it help?
Authors: Swinnerton B. , Hotchkiss S. , Morris N.P.
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the characteristics and behaviour of learners on nine Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on the FutureLearn platform in 2014 and 2015. FutureLearn's social constructivist approach, which emphasizes learning through social interaction, makes the focus on forum posting within these MOOCs particularly appropriate. This study makes a significant contribution to the research on MOOCs by exploring first the extent to which learners on FutureLearn MOOCs make comments, second, whether groups of learners who comment to a lesser or greater extent have different demographic characteristics and third, whether commenting activity is associated with MOOC completion. The study uses a large dataset of over 25 000 learners to examine learners who comment versus those who do not, and learners who generate many posts. The results show that learners who are older, work part‐time or not at all are more likely to post a comment, and those who are older, work part‐time or not at all, are better educated and have prior online experience make the most comments. Making comments is also strongly associated with completing a MOOC, in particular for those who make many comments.

Lay Description

What is already known about this subject matter?

MOOCs have low completion rates.

There are different types of MOOCs with different pedagogical approaches.

FutureLearn MOOCs have a social constructivist approach and provide discussion areas to encourage social interaction.

MOOC learners have different commenting behaviours.

What this paper adds?

A consideration of the extent to which the FutureLearn approach is successful in its encouragement of social interaction.

A better understanding of which learners make comments.

A large‐scale study of the relationship between commenting and completion of MOOCs.

Implications for practitioners

Commenting and completing seem to be related.

Older, educated learners who have done an online course previously, who have spare time tend to comment and complete more.

A recognition that some types of learners engage with MOOCs in a less socially interactive way.