bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doing well when doing good: the fit between corporate sponsorship and brand concept
Authors: Zhu Huawei , Li Qingan , Liao Junyun
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Firms are now investing heavily in sponsorship, yet much of this sponsorship fails to deliver the expected positive outcomes to firms. This paper aims to address this problem by taking into consideration the nature of corporate sponsorship and the fit between brand image developed by corporate sponsorship and established brand concept.

Design/methodology/approach

Two separate studies were conducted. Study 1 aimed to test the main effect of two types of corporate sponsorship on consumer responses to the brand and the mediating role of brand image perception. Study 2 used a different design to test the moderating effect of brand concept. Data collected from two distinct samples were analyzed using MANCOVA and regression analysis.

Findings

The results from two studies indicated that two types of corporate sponsorship commercial and philanthropic influenced consumer response through varied mechanisms. Specifically, commercial sponsorship increased the competence perception of sponsors and thereby enhances purchase intention, while philanthropic sponsorship promoted brand attitude through strengthening the warmth perception of sponsors. Moreover, the fit between established brand concept and brand image perceptions is critical for consumer responses. That is, warmth perception was more congruent with the self-transcendence brand concept, while competence perception fitted better with the self-enhancement brand concept in increasing consumer responses.

Originality/value

This paper divides corporate sponsorship into commercial and philanthropic sponsorship and investigates the process of achieving fit when conducting corporate sponsorship. More important, this paper adds to the literature by investigating the interaction between brand image produced by corporate sponsorship and original brand concept, which helps to reveal how fit occurs when conducting sponsorship.
The use of mature models in advertisements and its contribution to the spirituality of older consumers
Authors: Chevalier Corinne , Moal-Ulvoas Gaelle
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the reaction to the use of senior models in ads by older consumers while taking into account their spiritual dimension in the context of ageing.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies on a qualitative approach and the narrative analysis of 40 transcribed interviews with older adults of age 50-83.

Findings

Interviews with senior respondents confirm that ageing is a challenging individual process in the context of which spiritual needs emerge. Taking these needs into account helps understand the reaction of older consumers to the use of senior models in ads. It also reveals the potential of this marketing practice to respond to spiritual needs in the context of ageing.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the understanding of older consumers’ reaction to the senior models they see in ads. It reveals the necessity to take spiritual needs into account to fully understand consumer behavior at old age. This paper contributes to the understanding of older consumers’ reaction to the senior models they see in ads. It reveals the necessity to take spiritual needs into account to fully understand consumer behavior at old age.

Practical implications

This paper provides practical guidance to advertising professionals on the use of senior models in ads.

Social implications

This research reveals that the adequate representation of older models in advertisements can help fight the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and contributes to highlighting the major role played by older adults in society.

Originality/value

This research is the first to investigate the relationship of older consumers to the senior models used in advertisements while taking into account their spiritual dimension. It extends the existing research on older consumers and advertising, especially their perception of senior models.
“The beat of my heart”: the relationship between resting heart rate and psychopathy in a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Bergstrøm Henriette , Farrington David P.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between resting heart rate (RHR) and psychopathy. The literature on heart rate vs criminality (including violence) is quite clear; low RHR is associated with engaging in violent and criminal behavior. However, results are not as consistent for psychopathy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes heart rate measured at ages 18 and 48, and psychopathy at age 48, in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD). The CSDD is a prospective longitudinal study that has followed 411 boys from childhood to middle age, and measured social and biological factors of interest to the field of criminal psychology.

Findings

Interestingly, it was only heart rate at age 18 that was negatively and significantly related to psychopathy at age 48. No trends or relationships were found between heart rate at age 48 and psychopathy at age 48. The findings do, however, indicate that low heart rate at age 18 predicts psychopathy at age 48, and the strongest negative relationships are found between low heart rate (beats per minute) and impulsive and antisocial psychopathic symptoms.

Originality/value

This is the first ever longitudinal study showing that low RHR predicts later psychopathy. Suggestions for future research are outlined.
Laser pulses and rotation effects with the temperature-dependent properties in micropolar thermoelastic solids with microtemperatures
Authors: Othman Mohamed I.A. , Tantawi Ramadan S. , Hilal Mohamed I.M.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report effect of rotation of micropolar thermoelastic solid with microtemperatures heated by laser pulses. The problem was solved analytically to obtain the expressions of the physical quantities.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical method used was the normal mode.

Findings

Numerical results for the physical quantities were presented graphically and the results were analyzed. The comparisons were established in variant cases of the effects used and then shown graphically.

Originality/value

In the present work, the authors shall discuss the effect of rotation and temperature-dependent properties with the laser pulses in the micropolar thermoelastic medium with microtemperatures. This problem is very important in more empirical branches such as the human body and earthquake engineering.
Incorporation of whole oat, especially bran, into a high-fat diet, improves cardio-metabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Bensalah Fatima , Harrat Nour el Imane , Affane Fouad , Chekkal Hadjera , Lamri-Senhadji Myriem
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whole oat, oat bran and refined oat incorporation in a high-fat diet (HFD) on cardio-metabolic risk biomarkers in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design/methodology/approach

T2DM was induced by feeding male rats with an HFD for 10 weeks, followed by a low dose of streptozotocin. T2DM rats were then divided into four homogeneous groups. Three groups consumed an HFD containing 45 per cent (g/100 g diet) whole oat, oat bran or refined oat. The fourth untreated group (control) received the HFD.

Findings

The results showed that whole oat and oat bran, compared with refined oat and control, effectively reduced food intake (p< 0.007), arterial blood pressure (p= 0.0001), glycemia (p< 0.001), insulinemia (p< 0.01), glycosylated haemoglobin (p< 0.001) as well as homeostasis insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p< 0.001). They also improved blood lipid levels and reverse cholesterol transport by reducing serum total cholesterol (p= 0.0001), triacylglycerols (p< 0.05), very-low- (p= 0.0001) and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol contents (p< 0.02) increasing lipids (p< 0.002) and cholesterol excretion (p= 0.0001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters (HDL2-CE) concentrations (p= 0.0001) and stimulating lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity (p= 0.0001). Moreover, they attenuated lipid peroxidation by increasing paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) atheroprotective activity (p< 0.05).

Originality/value

In T2DM rats, whole oat and particularly, its bran incorporated into an HFD improves arterial blood pressure, glycemic balance and lipid metabolic pathway by reducing hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia and increasing atheroprotective activities of LCAT and PON-1. In contrast, refined oat accentuates the risk factors associated with diabetes.
Optimization of SLM process parameters for Ti6Al4V medical implants
Authors: Elsayed Mahmoud , Ghazy Mootaz , Youssef Yehia , Essa Khamis
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Ti6Al4V alloy has received a great deal of attention in medical applications due to its biomechanical compatibility. However, the human bone stiffness is between 10 and 30 GPa while solid Ti6Al4V is several times stiffer, which would cause stress shielding with the surrounding bone, which can lead to implant and/or the surrounding bone’s failure.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the effect of selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters on the characteristics of Ti6Al4V samples, such as porosity level, surface roughness, elastic modulus and compressive strength (UCS), has been investigated using response surface method. The examined ranges of process parameters were 35-50 W for laser power, 100-400 mm/s for scan speed and 35-120 µm for hatch spacing. The process parameters have been optimized to obtain structures with properties very close to that in human bones.

Findings

The results showed that the porosity percentage of a SLM component could be increased by reducing the laser power and/or increasing the scan speed and hatch spacing. It was also shown that there was a reverse relationship between the porosity level and both the modulus of elasticity and UCS of the SLM part. In addition, the increased laser power was resulted into a substantial decrease of the surface roughness of SLM parts. Results from the optimization study revealed that the interaction between laser process parameters (i.e. laser power, laser speed, and the laser spacing) have the most significant influence on the mechanical properties of fabricated samples. The optimized values for the manufacturing of medical implants were 49 W, 400 mm/s and 99 µm for the laser power, laser speed and laser spacing, respectively. The corresponding porosity, surface roughness, modulus of elasticity and UCS were 23.62 per cent, 8.68 µm, 30 GPa and 522 MPa, respectively.

Originality/value

Previous investigations related to additive manufacturing of Ti alloys have focused on producing fully dense and high-integrity structures. There is a clear gap in literature regarding the simultaneous enhancement and adjustment of pore fraction, surface and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V SLM components toward biomedical implants. This was the objective of the current study.
Microstructure and mechanical property of TiB reinforced Ti matrix composites fabricated by ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser engineered net shaping
Authors: Ning Fuda , Hu Yingbin , Cong Weilong
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify if the implementation of ultrasonic vibration in laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process can help to reduce internal weaknesses such as porosity, coarse primary TiB whisker and heterogeneous distribution of TiB reinforcement in the LENS-fabricated TiB reinforced Ti matrix composites (TiB-TMC) parts.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental investigation is performed to achieve the results for comparative studies under different fabrication conditions through quantitative data analysis. An approach of microstructural characterization and mechanical testing is conducted to obtain the output attributes. In addition, the theoretical analysis of the physics of ultrasonic vibration in the melting materials is presented to explain the influences of ultrasonic vibration on the microstructural evolution occurred in the part fabrication.

Findings

Because of the nonlinear effects of acoustic streaming and cavitation induced by ultrasonic vibration, porosity is significantly reduced and a relatively small variation of pore sizes is achieved. Ultrasonic vibration also causes the formation of smaller TiB whiskers that distribute along grain boundaries with a homogeneous dispersion. Additionally, a quasi-continuous network (QCN) microstructure is considerably finer than that produced by LENS process without ultrasonic vibration. The refinements of both reinforcing TiB whiskers and QCN microstructural grains further improve the microhardness of TiB-TMC parts.

Originality/value

The novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) LENS process of TiB-TMC is conducted in this work for the first time to improve the process performance and part quality.
Assessing the landscape of US postdoctoral salaries
Authors: Athanasiadou Rodoniki , Bankston Adriana , Carlisle McKenzie , Niziolek Caroline A. , McDowell Gary S.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Postdocs make up a significant portion of the biomedical workforce. However, data about the postdoctoral position are generally scarce, and no systematic study of the landscape of individual postdoc salaries in the USA has previously been carried out. The purpose of this study was to assess actual salaries for postdocs using data gathered from US public institutions; determine how these salaries may vary with postdoc title, institutional funding and geographic region; and reflect on which institutional and federal policy measures may have the greatest impact on salaries nationally.

Design/methodology/approach

Freedom of Information Act Requests were submitted to US public universities or university systems containing campuses with at least 300 science, engineering and health postdocs, according to the 2015 National Science Foundation’s Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering. Salaries and job titles of postdocs as of December 1, 2016, were requested.

Findings

Salaries and job titles for nearly 14,000 postdocs at 52 US institutions around December 1, 2016, were received. Individual postdoc names were also received for approximately 7,000 postdocs, and departmental affiliations were received for 4,000 postdocs. This exploratory study shows evidence of a postdoc gender pay gap, a significant influence of job title on postdoc salary and a complex relationship between salaries and the level of institutional National Institutes of Health/NSF funding.

Originality/value

These results provide insights into the ability of institutions to collate and report out annualized salary data on their postdocs, highlighting difficulties faced in tracking and reporting data on this population by institutional administration. Ultimately, these types of efforts, aimed at increasing transparency regarding the postdoctoral position, may lead to improved support for postdocs at all US institutions and allow greater agency for postdocs making decisions based on financial concerns.
Ungulates mediate trade‐offs between carbon storage and wildfire hazard in Mediterranean oak woodlands
Authors: Lecomte Xavier , Caldeira Maria C. , Catry Filipe X. , Fernandes Paulo M. , Jackson Robert B. , Bugalho Miguel N.
Published: November 2018

Ungulates influence ecosystem services in important ways, including by altering the amount of standing plant biomass and species composition. Browsing, for example, removes biomass and, in consequence, can decrease the risk of wildfires. The influence of ungulates on carbon storage is more complicated. Browsers reduce carbon stocks directly by consuming biomass, but if browsing reduces fine fuel loads, then long‐term carbon storage may increase.

We investigated how wild ungulates mediate trade‐offs between carbon stocks and wildfire hazard in a Mediterranean oak woodland. We assessed the effects of deer (Cervus elaphusandDama dama) on the colonization by gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer), a highly flammable Mediterranean shrub, through a long‐term ungulate exclusion experiment.

We established fenced (unbrowsed) and open (browsed) plots in areas where shrubs were previously cleared, and compared shrub density, height, biomass, and above‐ground carbon stocks 6 and 14 years after fencing.

There were no significant differences in shrub density between treatments after 6 years of browsing exclusion but, by this point, height was already significantly greater in fenced plots. At the end of the experiment, shrub density and height were both significantly greater in fenced plots. Biomass and carbon stocks of gum cistus increased and reached a plateau in fenced plots, while in open plots biomass and carbon stocks increased initially but then decreased. Ungulates also prevented accumulation of litter carbon stocks, which was significantly higher in fenced plots after 14 years of browsing exclusion.

We also modelled fire behaviour in fenced and open plots. Browsing reduced fine fuel load, an important contributor to fire spread, by 80%. In browsed plots, modelled wildfire rate of spread, flame length, and fireline intensity decreased by 50%, 65%, and 90%, respectively, which also decreased the probability of canopy fire and of oak mortality.

Synthesis and applications. By decreasing fire hazard and the probability of canopy fire, ungulates may ultimately increase ecosystem carbon stocks through improved adult oak survival. These critical, indirect trade‐offs need to be assessed when addressing the effects of ungulates on ecosystems and the management of their populations.
Response of a peat bog vegetation community to long‐term experimental addition of nitrogen
Authors: Levy Peter , van Dijk Netty , Gray Alan , Sutton Mark , Jones Matthew , Leeson Sarah , Dise Nancy , Leith Ian , Sheppard Lucy
Published: November 2018

We report results from a long‐term experiment in which additional nitrogen has been deposited on a peat bog in central Scotland for over 14 years, in three different forms: as ammonia (NH3) gas, as ammonium () solution, or as nitrate () solution. The automated experiment was designed to apply nitrogen in such a way that mimics real‐world nitrogen deposition. Background nitrogen deposition at the site was 0.8 g N m−2 year−1).

Observations of cover for 46 species were made. We analysed the change in six common species in relation to nitrogen dose and form. The responses differed among species and nitrogen forms, but five out of the six species declined, and NH3 produced the biggest change in cover per unit of nitrogen addition. The exception was the graminoid sedge Eriophorum vaginatum, which increased dramatically in the NH3 treatment. Multivariate analyses identified responses to nitrogen dose across treatments which were consistent with the univariate results.

We surmised that the larger experimental response to nitrogen observed in the NH3 treatment (cf. the and treatments) was because of the higher nitrogen concentrations at the vegetation surface produced by dry deposition. and were sprayed in solution, but much of this will enter the peat porewater, and be further diluted. Because NH3 deposits directly to the leaf, it stays contained within the small volume of water on and in the leaf, producing a high internal concentration of nitrogen ions.

Synthesis. Consistent trends with nitrogen were discernible across species. All species showed a decline with NH3 treatment, except for Eriophorum vaginatum which increased. In the absence of phosphorous and potassium (PK), all species declined with and , except for Calluna vulgaris and Hypnum jutlandicum. The effect of PK was not consistent across species. Per unit of nitrogen deposited, NH3 generally had a larger impact on vegetation composition than or . However, the actual deposition rate of NH3 on UK peat bogs is lower than the other forms. In the case of the most common species of the peat‐forming genus Sphagnum, we estimate that deposition has the largest impact, followed by and NH3.
Humboldt and the reinvention of nature
Authors: Pausas Juli G. , Bond William J.
Published: November 2018

Alexander von Humboldt is a key figure in the history of ecology and biogeography who contributed to shape what is today ecology, as well as the environmentalist movement. His observation that the world’s vegetation varies systematically with climate was one of his many contributions to science.

Here, we question to what extent Humboldt’s view biased our vision of nature. The current emphasis on the role of climate and soils in ecological and evolutionary studies, and the emphasis on forests as the potential and most important vegetation, suggests that we still view nature through the eyes of Humboldt.

Over the last 20 years, diverse studies have shown that many open non‐forested ecosystems (savannas, grasslands, and shrublands) cannot be predicted by climate and are ancient and diverse systems maintained by fire and/or vertebrate herbivory. Paleoecological and phylogenetic studies have shown the key role of these plant consumers at geological time scales. This has major implications for how we understand and manage our ecosystems.

Synthesis. We need to consciously probe the long‐standing idea that climate and soils are the only major factors shaping broad‐scale patterns in nature. We propose to move beyond the legacy of Humboldt by embracing fire and large mammal herbivory as additional key factors in explaining the ecology and evolution of world vegetation.
Americanising Brexit Britain's Welfare State?
Authors: Gingrich Jane , King Desmond
Published: November 2018

Will the British welfare state revert to an Americanisation trajectory or retain features of the European model after April 2019? After a period of historically prolonged austerity and substantial working age welfare reform, with the UK facing yet another renegotiation of the social contract in a post‐Brexit world, the question of whether there remains space for an alternative to the ‘American’ model is of crucial importance. We argue that there has been a blurring of differences across the American and European welfare states in terms of working age benefits, as most countries have adopted aspects of work‐based conditionality reforms, which attach the receipt of benefits to the active pursuit of work and, to varying extents, the underlying politics of US welfare reform, where there are large coalitions supportive of more punitive policies towards low‐income adults and minorities. These trends are taking place against the backdrop of a second major shift: increasing restrictions on benefits for immigrants. This double narrowing of the welfare state, making benefits conditional for citizens and excluding those who are not citizens, seemingly sets the agenda for a more restrictive post‐Brexit welfare state. The experience of the last two decades suggests, however, that the adoption of the American model has not been wholesale; steering a middle path between punitive conditional American benefits and more traditionally generous universal benefits is on the agenda across advanced welfare states.
A Rising Tide? The Salience of Immigration and the Rise of Anti‐Immigration Political Parties in Western Europe
Authors: Dennison James , Geddes Andrew
Published: November 2018

In this article, we consider the causes of the increase in voting for anti‐immigration parties in western Europe in the past decade. We first note that one of the most commonly assumed reasons for this increase is an associated increase in anti‐immigration sentiment, which we show is likely to be false. We also outline the major theoretical explanations, which we argue are likely to be incomplete. We then introduce our proposed explanation: these parties have benefitted from a sharp increase in the salience of immigration amongst some voters. We show that there are strong correlations over time between the salience of immigration and the polling of such parties in most western European countries. We argue that aspects of immigration in the last decade have activated pre‐existing opposition to immigration amongst a shrinking segment of the populations of western European states.
The Globalization of Production and the Politics of Dispute Initiation at the World Trade Organization
Authors: Yildirim Aydin B. , Poletti Arlo , Chatagnier J. Tyson , De Bièvre Dirk
Published: November 2018

The aim of this article is to show how the degree of integration into so‐called global value chains (GVCs) affects World Trade Organization (WTO) members’ decision to initiate a dispute at the WTO. Many potential violations of WTO law remain unchallenged, raising the question under which conditions WTO members complain about particular allegedly‐WTO‐incompatible policies. Controlling for alternative explanations, we demonstrate that decision‐makers are generally more likely to try and eliminate barriers to cross‐border trade by tabling a WTO complaint, when they are facing pressures to do so by firms and sectors highly integrated into such GVCs, especially when these are multinational corporations with sourcing interests in the defendant country. We test our hypothesis by comparing data from trade barrier reports with actual dispute initiation data from the US and find that, all else equal, trade barriers are more likely to be filed as disputes at the WTO in sectors with US MNCs highly integrated into GVCs. In light of the anti‐WTO rhetoric of the current US administration and its attempts to undermine its functioning and legitimacy, this analysis suggests that GVCs activate relevant societal actors that have an interest to uphold existing multilateral trade commitments, even in the efface of reluctance from their own political leaders.
Machine learning to classify animal species in camera trap images: Applications in ecology
Authors: Tabak Michael A. , Norouzzadeh Mohammad S. , Wolfson David W. , Sweeney Steven J. , Vercauteren Kurt C. , Snow Nathan P. , Halseth Joseph M. , Di Salvo Paul A. , Lewis Jesse S. , White Michael D. , Teton Ben , Beasley James C. , Schlichting Peter E. , Boughton Raoul K. , Wight Bethany , Newkirk Eric S. , Ivan Jacob S. , Odell Eric A. , Brook Ryan K. , Lukacs Paul M. , Moeller Anna K. , Mandeville Elizabeth G. , Clune Jeff , Miller Ryan S.
Published: November 2018

Motion‐activated cameras (“camera traps”) are increasingly used in ecological and management studies for remotely observing wildlife and are amongst the most powerful tools for wildlife research. However, studies involving camera traps result in millions of images that need to be analysed, typically by visually observing each image, in order to extract data that can be used in ecological analyses.

We trained machine learning models using convolutional neural networks with the ResNet‐18 architecture and 3,367,383 images to automatically classify wildlife species from camera trap images obtained from five states across the United States. We tested our model on an independent subset of images not seen during training from the United States and on an out‐of‐sample (or “out‐of‐distribution” in the machine learning literature) dataset of ungulate images from Canada. We also tested the ability of our model to distinguish empty images from those with animals in another out‐of‐sample dataset from Tanzania, containing a faunal community that was novel to the model.

The trained model classified approximately 2,000 images per minute on a laptop computer with 16 gigabytes of RAM. The trained model achieved 98% accuracy at identifying species in the United States, the highest accuracy of such a model to date. Out‐of‐sample validation from Canada achieved 82% accuracy and correctly identified 94% of images containing an animal in the dataset from Tanzania. We provide an r package (Machine Learning for Wildlife Image Classification) that allows the users to (a) use the trained model presented here and (b) train their own model using classified images of wildlife from their studies.

The use of machine learning to rapidly and accurately classify wildlife in camera trap images can facilitate non‐invasive sampling designs in ecological studies by reducing the burden of manually analysing images. Our r package makes these methods accessible to ecologists.
Hot Off the Press: A Systematic Review And Meta‐analysis of Ketamine as an Alternative to Opioids for Acute Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Heitz Corey , Morgenstern Justin , Bond Christopher , Milne William K.
Published: November 2018

Ketamine has been studied as an alternative to opioids for acute pain in the emergency department setting. This review compares the effectives of intravenous ketamine at a dose of <0.5mg/kg to opioids for acute pain in adult patients. Measurements were taken within 60 minutes of administration. Ketamine was found to have similar effectiveness to opioids. Increased, but short‐lived, side effects were seen with ketamine.
Risk factors for suicide in depression in Finland: first‐hospitalized patients followed up to 24 years
Authors: Aaltonen K. I. , Isometsä E. , Sund R. , Pirkola S.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To examine longitudinally risk factors for suicide in depression, and gender differences in risk factors and suicide methods.

Method

We linked data from (i) The Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, (ii) the Census Register of Statistics Finland, and (iii) Statistics Finland's register on causes of deaths. All 56 826 first‐hospitalized patients (25 188 men, 31 638 women) in Finland in 1991–2011 with a principal diagnosis of depressive disorder were followed up until death (2587 suicides) or end of the year 2014 (maximum 24 years).

Results

Clinical characteristics (severe depression adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.19 [95% CI 1.08–1.30]; psychotic depression AHR 1.45 [1.30–1.62]; and comorbid alcohol dependence AHR 1.26 [1.13–1.41]), male gender (AHR 2.07 [1.91–2.24]), higher socioeconomic status and living alone at first hospitalization were long‐term predictors of suicide deaths. Highest risk was associated with previous suicide attempts (cumulative probability 15.4% [13.7–17.3%] in men, 8.5% [7.3–9.7%] in women). Gender differences in risk factors were modest, but in lethal methods prominent.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics at first hospitalization predict suicide in the long term. Inpatients with previous suicide attempts constitute a high‐risk group. Despite some gender differences in risk factors, those in lethal methods may better explain gender disparity in risk.
Retrospective evaluation of early risk factors in children with different types of micturition disorders
Authors: Berk Klaudia , Powirtowska Malgorzata , Blahuszewska Adrianna , Korzeniecka‐Kozerska Agata
Published: November 2018

Aim

The aetiology of micturition disorders in children is multifactorial and still unclear. The perinatal factors may play a role in the development of children's urinary incontinence. We compared each type of micturition disorders in terms of length of gestation, birthweight, family history of bedwetting and delivery type.

Methods

Data were from 488 patients of the Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Children's Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Bialystok, and included: age, sex, clinical diagnosis, perinatal history, constipation, history of vesicoureteral reflux, family history of nocturnal enuresis, urodynamic diagnosis, bladder capacity. We performed statistical analysis using Mann–Whitney and Spearman tests.

Results

Combined daytime‐nocturnal incontinence made a higher percentage and nocturnal enuresis made a lower percentage of clinical diagnoses in children with low birthweight compared with group of normal birthweight. In children with micturition disorders, lower birthweight was associated with smaller bladder capacity than normal for age.

Conclusion

Low birthweight might predispose to combined daytime‐nocturnal incontinence. We are the first to show that patients suffering from micturition disorders with low birthweight present lower estimated bladder capacity than age‐matched children. Thus, we assume that low birthweight may have strong clinical relevance in children's micturition disorders.
Compensatory gastric stretching following subtotal gastric resection due to gastric adenocarcinoma in a diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota)
Authors: Baron HR , Šlapeta J , Donahoe SL , Doneley RTJ , Phalen DN
Published: November 2018

Case report

A 7‐year‐old male diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota) presented with a 2‐month history of anorexia and a discrete intracoelomic mass, approximately 15 cm in length, located 90 cm from the head and approximately two‐thirds of the snout to vent length. Physical examination determined the mass was likely to be stomach, testes or the right kidney. Radiographs showed a soft tissue opacity mass in the region of the stomach; fine needle aspirate demonstrated cellular debris admixed with bacteria and degenerate heterophils. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed a gastric mass involving 90% of the length of the stomach, partially occluding the gastric lumen. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed; the neoplastic tissue was removed with 2 cm margins, leaving 1 cm of stomach wall and the pyloric sphincter caudally that was anastomosed to the oesophagus. Four large nematodes were found within the necrotic lumen of the mass tightly adhered to the gastric mucosa. Ascarid nematodes were identified morphologically and further confirmed by molecular diagnostics as Ophidascaris spp. Histopathological evaluation of the excised mass revealed a gastric adenocarcinoma. Postoperatively the snake suffered from gastrointestinal dysfunction and maldigestion and was managed with slurry feeding for month. Three months postoperatively the snake was gaining weight, eating without assistance and digesting whole prey, which was incrementally increased in size. Gastroscopy 6 months postoperatively revealed the presence of a functional stomach with a functional pyloric sphincter and 8.5 cm of gastric mucosa caudal to the anastomosis between the oesophagus and stomach.

Conclusion

This is the first report of almost complete subtotal gastric resection in an Australian python, with evidence of compensatory gastric stretching resulting in a functional stomach.
Animal welfare implications of treating wildlife in Australian veterinary practices
Authors: Orr B , Tribe A
Published: November 2018

Objective

To evaluate the extent, costs, demands and expectations of Australian veterinary practices in the treatment of wildlife, to identify potential risks to animal welfare based on the current situation and to propose recommendations for improvements.

Methods

A survey was sent to all veterinary practices across Australia identified through the website Yellow Pages®. The survey was designed as a cross‐sectional study. Data were collected using an online self‐completed questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS 19.0.

Results

Of the 902 veterinary practices contacted, 132 (14.6%) completed the questionnaire. Most practices (82%) saw less than 10 wildlife patients per week, with birds and marsupials most commonly admitted. Vehicular trauma, trauma (other) and predation made up the majority (82%) of presentations. However, wildlife cases were only examined immediately upon presentation in 20% of practices, with 74% reporting they only attended to wildlife whenever they had spare time. The majority (90%) of veterinary practices never or rarely received reimbursement for their wildlife work, indicating most is performed pro bono. Several barriers to treatment were highlighted, including time and a lack of knowledge/skills.

Conclusion

Private veterinary practices play a more significant role in wildlife treatment than has been previously thought. The effect of perceived barriers on willingness to treat wildlife requires further research. Further investigation into educational resources to aid veterinary assessment of wildlife should also be considered.
Demographic studies of owned dogs in the Northern Peninsula Area, Australia, to inform population and disease management strategies
Authors: Hudson EG , Brookes VJ , Ward MP
Published: November 2018

Objective

To generate domestic dog demographic information to aid population and disease management in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland, Australia.

Methods

Sight–resight surveys using standard and modified methods were conducted to estimate the free‐roaming dog population size. A cross‐sectional questionnaire of dog owners was used to gather dog demographic information and investigate owners’ dog management behaviours. A survey was also conducted to estimate the total dog population size.

Results

The mean total dog population size was estimated to be 813 (range, 770–868). The roaming dog population was 430 or 542 (95% confidence interval (CI) 254–608; 95% CI 405–680, standard and modified methods, respectively). Therefore, the roaming population represents 52.8% or 66.7% of the total population based on the sight–resight methodology. We surveyed 65 dog owners who owned 165 dogs (1 : 1 ratio of male : female dogs). Only 14% (95% CI 9–19) of dogs were sterilised and significantly more males were entire (P = 0.02). Although most dogs were pets (65%), hunting dogs were significantly more likely to be taken outside of the resident community (P < 0.001). The birth rate was 2.4 puppies/dog‐owning house/year, which was higher than the death rate (1.7 dogs/dog‐owning house/year). In the previous 12 months, 90% of the 109 deaths were dogs aged 0–2 years old.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that most of the dog population in the NPA is free‐roaming and that the population has increased, likely because of a lack of population management strategies such as sterilisation. This information will be used to develop population and disease management strategies in the NPA.
Postoperative healing and behaviour when surgical swabs are applied to calf dehorning wounds
Authors: Fordyce G , McMillan H , McGrath N
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess the effect on healing and pain‐associated behaviours of covering exposed sinuses after horn amputation under extensive production conditions in northern Australia.

Methods

Horned, weaned Brahman‐cross heifers (n = 50) aged approximately 6 months were alternately allocated to have their dehorning wounds either patched with a dry, non‐sterile gauze swab or left untreated. Adherence of swabs and growth rates, healing and pain‐associated behaviour were monitored for 88 days post‐surgery.

Results

Half of the patches were lost by 24 h post‐surgery, with most of the rest falling off 2–6 weeks later. Patching resulted in healing 5.5 days earlier (P = 0.018). Sealing of exposed frontal sinuses occurred in most heifers within 3 weeks and full healing occurred within 13 weeks. Patching reduced haemorrhage (P < 0.01) regardless of when the patches were dislodged, prevented insect invasion of the wound and reduced the incidence of secondary infection (P < 0.01). Wound patches did not affect behaviour in the weeks following surgery. In the days after surgery, the heifers did not eat and showed a high incidence of behaviours indicating pain. Behaviour was relatively normal by 2 weeks after surgery, although the heifers avoided social interaction with other unbranded calves for 4 weeks.

Conclusion

The application of gauze swabs to dehorning wounds advanced healing, reduced the incidence of haemorrhage and secondary infections, and may reduce deaths. Efficacy is expected to improve if high rates of 24‐h retention of patches can be achieved. The prolonged time to healing and the pain‐associated behaviours highlight the need for better welfare of dehorned calves through improvements in analgesia, surgical procedures and post‐surgical care.
The morbidity of subthreshold pediatric bipolar disorder: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vaudreuil Carrie A. H. , Faraone Stephen V. , Di Salvo Maura , Wozniak Janet R. , Wolenski Rebecca A. , Carrellas Nicholas W. , Biederman Joseph
Published: November 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morbidity of subthreshold pediatric bipolar (BP) disorder.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search in November 2017 and included studies examining the morbidity of pediatric subthreshold BP. Extracted outcomes included functional impairment, severity of mood symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, suicidal ideation and behaviors, and mental health treatment. We used meta‐analysis to compute the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous measures and the pooled risk ratio (RR) for binary measures between two paired groups: subthreshold pediatric BP vs controls and subthreshold pediatric BP vs pediatric BP‐I.

Results

Eleven papers, consisting of seven datasets, were included. We compared subthreshold pediatric BP (N = 244) to non‐BP controls (N = 1125) and subthreshold pediatric BP (N = 643) to pediatric BP‐I (N = 942). Subthreshold pediatric BP was associated with greater functional impairment (SMD = 0.61, CI 0.25‐0.97), greater severity of mood symptomatology (mania: SMD = 1.88, CI 1.38‐2.38; depression: SMD = 0.66, CI 0.52‐0.80), higher rates of disruptive behavior (RR = 1.75, CI 1.17‐2.62), mood (RR = 1.78, CI 1.29‐2.79) and substance use (RR = 2.27, CI 1.23‐4.21) disorders, and higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts (RR = 7.66, CI 1.71‐34.33) compared to controls. Pediatric BP‐I was associated with greater functional impairment, greater severity of manic symptoms, higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and higher rates of mental health treatment compared to subthreshold pediatric BP. There were no differences between full and subthreshold cases in the severity of depressive symptoms or rates of comorbid disorders.

Conclusions

Subthreshold pediatric BP disorder is an identifiable morbid condition associated with significant functional impairment including psychiatric comorbidities and high rates of suicidality.
Patients with multiple needs for healthcare and priority to the worse off
Authors: Gustavsson Erik
Published: November 2018

There is a growing body of literature which suggests that decisions about healthcare priority setting should take into account the extent to which patients are worse off. However, such decisions are often based on how badly off patients are with respect to the condition targeted by the treatment whose priority is under consideration (condition‐specific severity). In this paper I argue that giving priority to the worse off in terms of condition‐specific severity does not reflect the morally relevant sense of being worse off. I conclude that an account of giving priority to the worse off relevant for healthcare priority setting should take into account how badly off patients are when all of their conditions are considered (holistic severity).
Persistence and stochasticity are key determinants of genetic diversity in plants associated with banded iron formation inselbergs
Authors: Byrne Margaret , Krauss Siegfried L. , Millar Melissa A. , Elliott Carole P. , Coates David J. , Yates Colin , Binks Rachel M. , Nevill Paul , Nistelberger Heidi , Wardell‐Johnson Grant , Robinson Todd , Butcher Ryonen , Barrett Matthew , Gibson Neil
Published: November 2018

The high species endemism characteristic of many of the world's terrestrial island systems provides a model for studying evolutionary patterns and processes, yet there has been no synthesis of studies to provide a systematic evaluation of terrestrial island systems in this context. The banded iron formations (BIFs) of south‐western Australia are ancient terrestrial island formations occurring within a mosaic of alluvial clay soils, sandplains and occasional granite outcropping, across an old, gently undulating, highly weathered, plateau. Notably, these BIFs display exceptionally high beta plant diversity. Here, we address the determinants and consequences of genetic diversity for BIF‐associated plant species through a comprehensive review of all studies on species distribution modelling, phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, life‐history traits and ecology. The taxa studied are predominantly narrowly endemic to individual or a few BIF ranges, but some have more regional distributions occurring both on and off BIFs. We compared genetic data for these BIF‐endemic species to other localised species globally to assess whether the unique history and ancestry of BIF landscapes has driven distinct genetic responses in plants restricted to this habitat. We also assessed the influence of life‐history parameters on patterns of genetic diversity. We found that BIF‐endemic species display similar patterns of genetic diversity and structure to other species with localised distributions. Despite often highly restricted distributions, large effective population size or clonal reproduction appears to provide these BIF‐endemic species with ecological and evolutionary resilience to environmental stochasticity. We conclude that persistence and stochasticity are key determinants of genetic diversity and its spatial structure within BIF‐associated plant species, and that these are key evolutionary processes that should be considered in understanding the biogeography of inselbergs worldwide.
Solid phase synthesis and self‐assembly of higher‐order siRNAs and their bioconjugates
Authors: Cultrara Christopher N. , Shah Sunil , Kozuch Stephen D. , Patel Mayurbhai R. , Sabatino David
Published: November 2018

New methods for the synthesis of higher‐order siRNA motifs and their bioconjugates have recently gained widespread attention in the development of new and improved gene therapeutics. Our efforts aim to produce new chemical tools and protocols for the generation of modified siRNAs that screen for important oncogene targets as well as silence their activity for effective gene therapy in cancer models. More specifically, we have developed an efficient solution‐phase synthesis for the production of a ribouridine branchpoint synthon that can be effectively incorporated by solid phase synthesis within higher‐order RNA structures, including those adopting V‐, and Y‐ and >‐< shape RNA templates. Self‐assembly of complementary RNA to the template strands produced higher‐order siRNA nanostructures that were characterized by a combination of PAGE, DLS, and TEM techniques. In an effort to extend the repertoire of functionally diverse siRNAs, we have also developed solid phase bioconjugation strategies for incorporating bio‐active probes such as fatty acid appendages and fluorescent reporters. Taken together, these methods highlight the ability to generate higher‐order siRNAs and their bioconjugates for exploring the influence of modified siRNA structure on anti‐cancer activity.
Determination of the binding mechanism of histone deacetylase inhibitors
Authors: Meyer‐Almes Franz‐Josef
Published: November 2018

This article places its focus on methods and tools enabling the elucidation of the mechanism by which ligands, small‐molecule inhibitors, or substrates interact with zinc‐containing bacterial or human members of the histone deacetylase family (HDACs). These methods include biochemical and biophysical approaches and can be subdivided into equilibrium and kinetic methods. More information about the exact mode of action can be obtained by combining these methods with specific mutant variants of the enzymes and/or series of structural similar ligands. All available equilibrium and kinetic data including additional information from 3D structures of HDAC–ligand complexes can be beneficially combined in a data analysis procedure called Integrated Global‐Fit analysis eventually providing the most likely binding mechanism.