bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling continuous improvement evolution in the service sector
Authors: Milner Christopher D. , Savage Barbara M.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to make a contribution to existing knowledge regarding how service-based organisations establish and sustain incremental performance improvement. Alongside a review of existing continuous improvement (CI) evolution theory, the longitudinal study draws a comparison between two units of analysis within a leading UK financial service provider.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an interpretive philosophy and inductive nature, the study uses a multi-qualitative methodological design. The multi-embedded case study, conducted over a three-year period, allows for an intensive review and in-depth exploration. The longitudinal time horizon makes use of a narrative enquiry, reflecting upon behaviour and allowing the researcher to gain access to deeper organisational realities. A thematic analysis of empirical data offers insight into the evolution of CI over almost a decade of activity.

Findings

The findings establish that there are numerous obstacles faced and a wide variety of methods, tools and techniques that may be blended together under the auspices of a formalised CI programme. The challenge is in sustaining, embedding and associating value from CI within the everyday life of the infinitely complex structures and prevailing cultures of organisations; ideally involving all staff, emphasising on CI in all things, at all levels, all the time, forever.

Originality/value

Evidenced through a thematic narrative, the paper answers the call for existing frameworks of CI evolution to be tested within the private and service sectors. The research offers an application and reflection upon the Bessantet al.’s (2001) maturity model against the CI evolution in a real world scenario.
Organizational change as student project
Authors: Oxenswärdh Anette , Fredriksson Maria
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This research project aims to study how some organizations choose to prioritize certain changes when offered assistance by students who are studying quality technology.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature study is pursued. In this project, textual analysis of student works, such as reports, project diaries and subtasks, is used as an empirical source.

Findings

Organizations seem to already have identified areas for changes, but they neither have the methods and proper tools nor the know-how of implementing the changes. The results show that organizations take their opportunity to learn different tools in quality technology pointed out and used by students. There seems to be a huge need of knowledge about different tools and help with implementation of organizational changes.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to a case study containing students’ project on a Swedish island.

Practical implications

The major implication of the study is that managers in organizations are positive in using university students in organizational change. Also, the students fill the gap for needs of knowledge about implementation. However, it is the managers together with the students who suggest change project and the students continue to perform the change.

Originality/value

The study makes a contribution to the knowledge of change management in exploring how educational course can bridge the gap between theoretical and practical aspects of organizational change by creating collaborative learning.
Publication trends in top-tier journals in higher education
Authors: Johnson Matthew R. , Wagner Nick J. , Reusch Jonathan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze author and methodological characteristics in top-tier publications in higher education. As the importance of research in the professoriate continues to grow and faculty face ratcheted-up expectations for prestige in their research, such data are important contextually and historically.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive study examines 587 articles within four top-tier higher education research journals from 2008 to 2012. Data were open coded and analyzed with a research team, resulting in an intercoder reliability of 0.96.

Findings

Results show most authors are assistant professors, overwhelmingly received PhD’s from very high research institutions (Carnegie classification), and currently work in similar institutions. Five degree-granting institutions accounted for 29.0 percent of publications in top-tier journals. Additionally, quantitative research accounted for 60.6 percent of published articles, with regression as the most commonly used analytic technique (34.7 percent).

Research limitations/implications

This study examined only higher education faculty and institutions based in the USA as well as first authors.

Practical implications

These results are meant to provide baseline data for top-tier journals within higher education and might inform conversations about methodological acceptability, respectability of qualitative research, graduate education research requirements, journal editor trainings, and tenure and promotion criteria.

Originality/value

This paper provides an update to previous studies that examined publications in higher education within the last three decades. In addition, this study examines author characteristics, which previous studies have mostly excluded. This study offers empirical data to inform conversations about the state of research in top-tier publications within higher education.
Mentoring tertiary students from a secondary school incubator programme focusing on health careers
Authors: Crawford Ruth , Monson Kathy , Searle Judy
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Developing the health workforce is an ongoing concern, especially in New Zealand, where Māori and Pasifika populations are under-represented. Programme Incubator (PI) was developed by a health provider to raise awareness of careers in the health sector. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study undertaken in a tertiary institution which involved tracking and mentoring students who had been engaged in PI, and mentoring them through their tertiary studies.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 40 students (n=40) were recruited into the four year study, which involved a survey and participating in focus groups.

Findings

PI was found to be an effective initiative of encouraging secondary students to enter a career in health, but more work is needed to facilitate students’ choice of tertiary provider and academic programme. Within the tertiary sector, mentoring was found to be lacking.

Originality/value

Group mentoring and peer mentoring are introduced to mitigate these concerns and provide students with the mentoring support they require.
Customer perception regarding Sharī‘ah compliance of Islamic banking sector of Pakistan
Authors: Saqib Lutfullah , Farooq Muhammad Aitisam , Zafar Aliya Mueen
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of Sharī‘ah compliance perception on customer satisfaction in Islamic banking sector of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected from 242 account holders of Islamic banks and Islamic banking branches of conventional commercial banks and analyzed by correlation and regression through self-administered questionnaires based on SERVQUAL model.

Findings

Significant moderating effects of Sharī‘ah compliance perception on the relation between service quality and customer satisfaction have been identified.

Research limitations/implications

As a cross-sectional study with convenience sampling restricts generalizability and because financial benefits offered by banks were not included as a variable, the scope of this study is limited to service quality only. Future research may focus on the moderating effect of Sharī‘ah compliance perception through longitudinal study with larger sample size in a multi-cultural environment.

Practical implications

Results of this paper recommend Islamic banks to focus on their core strength “Sharī‘ah compliance” while developing their product/service and building marketing strategies. Moreover, assurance of high-quality services will sustain such strategies against competition with conventional banks.

Social implications

Islamic banks must primarily develop their brand through extensive communication and public awareness programs regarding Sharī‘ah compliance standards in terms of products/services, policy/procedures, code of conduct and Sharī‘ah board.

Originality/value

This research examines moderating role of Sharī‘ah compliance perception between service quality and customer satisfaction in Islamic banking sector of an Islamic Republic with dual banking system. This interactive effect of Sharī‘ah compliance perception has not been found as an overriding theme in any of the main stream journals/articles. Therefore, this study fills this gap.
Graphomotor skills in children with prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A population‐based study in remote Australia
Authors: Doney Robyn , Lucas Barbara R. , Jirikowic Tracy , Tsang Tracey W. , Watkins Rochelle E. , Sauer Kay , Howat Peter , Latimer Jane , Fitzpatrick James P. , Oscar June , Carter Maureen , Elliott Elizabeth J.
Published: September 2016

Background/aim

Few studies have examined graphomotor skills in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Methods

Graphomotor skills were assessed in 108 predominantly Australian Aboriginal children aged 7.5–9.6 years in remote Western Australia using clinical observations (pencil grasp; writing pressure) and standardised assessment tools (the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting; and the Miller Function and Participation Scales – The Draw‐a‐Kid Game). Skills were compared between children (i) without PAE, (ii) PAE but not FASD and (iii) FASD.

Results

Most children used a transitional pencil grasp and exerted heavy handwriting pressure (83.3% and 30.6% of the cohort). The percentage of letters (M = 62.9%) and words (M = 73.3%) written legibly was low. Children with FASD were more likely than children without PAE to use a cross‐thumb grasp (P = 0.027), apply heavy writing pressure (P = 0.036), be unable to write a sentence (P = 0.041) and show poorer word legibility (P = 0.041). There were no significant differences between groups for drawing outcomes, although some children with FASD drew pictures that appeared delayed for their age. There were no significant differences between children without PAE and those with PAE but who were not diagnosed with FASD.

Conclusions

Overall, graphomotor skills were poor in this cohort, but children with FASD performed significantly worse than children without PAE. Findings suggest the need for improved occupational therapy services for children in remote regions and evaluation of graphomotor skills in children with PAE.
Development and characterization of EST‐SSR markers in an East Asian temperate plant genus Diabelia (Caprifoliaceae)
Authors: Zhao Kun‐Kun , Wang Hua‐Feng , Sakaguchi Shota , Landrein Sven , Isagi Yuji , Maki Masayuki , Zhu Zhi‐Xin
Published: September 2016

A set of expressed sequence tag (EST) simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed and characterized using next‐generation sequencing technology for the genus Diabelia (Caprifoliaceae). De novo assembly of RNA‐seq reads resulted in 58 669 contigs with the N50 length of 1211 bp. A total of 2746 contigs were identified to harbor SSR motifs, of which 48 primer pairs were designed and 11 were shown to be polymorphic across three morphospecies of Diabelia. When evaluated with 30 individuals, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 and the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.399 to 0.873, respectively. Distance‐based clustering indicated that the EST‐SSR markers can provide sufficient power to distinguish the three species (or populations). These markers will be useful for evaluating the range‐wide genetic diversity of each species and examining genetic divergence and gene flow between the three species.
Temperature moderates the infectiousness of two conspecific Symbiodinium strains isolated from the same host population
Authors: Hawkins Thomas D. , Hagemeyer Julia. C. G. , Warner Mark E.
Published: September 2016

Symbioses between cnidarians and symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) are ecologically important and physiologically diverse. This diversity contributes to the spatial distribution of specific cnidarian‐Symbiodinium associations. Physiological variability also exists within Symbiodinium species, yet we know little regarding its relevance for the establishment of symbiosis under different environmental conditions. Two putatively conspecific Symbiodinium strains (both ITS2‐type A4) were isolated from the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida and placed into unialgal culture. Thermal tolerance of these cultures was compared following heating from 26°C to 33.5°C over 18 days. Photosystem II function was negatively impacted by heating in one strain while PSII function in the other showed little response to elevated temperature. Additionally, infection of Symbiodinium cells into aposymbiotic anemones was assessed for both strains at 26°C and 30.5°C. The heat‐sensitive strain had greater infection success at 26°C, while there was no difference in infection between the two strains at the higher temperature. Results from this work suggest that variability in thermal optima or ‐tolerance within Symbiodinium spp. has relevance for early stages of host‐Symbiodinium interactions. Thus, varying infectiousness among differentially heat‐sensitive Symbiodinium strains could provide a mechanism for the emergence of novel and potentially resilient cnidarian‐Symbiodinium associations in a rapidly warming environment.
Influence of manufacturing conditions on thermo‐physical properties of ripened experimental Emmental‐type cheese and comparison with commercial Emmental cheese
Authors: Hartmann Katja Isabel , Reicherter Ronny , Hinrichs Jörg
Published: September 2016

Experimental Emmental cheese was produced at pilot plant scale with varied process conditions, and the ripened cheeses were analysed in terms of thermo‐physical properties. The amount of propionic acid and the temperature at tan δmax ( loss factor) were significantly influenced by varied process parameters. Experimental cheeses were compared to commercial Emmental cheese by the application of principal component analysis. Commercial Emmental cheese was clearly discriminated from experimental Emmental cheese mainly due to the melting behaviour. The results allow the establishment of a small‐scale process for Emmental cheese production to promote product development on a time and cost‐saving level.
Experience of endoscopic thyroidectomy in a single‐centre institution
Authors: Tai Dora KC , Chick Wai‐Keung , Chan Peter CM , Lau Chi‐Hung , Tang Donald LC
Published: September 2016

Aim

Endoscopic thyroidectomy has been applied to various thyroid diseases to improve the cosmetic outcome of patients. Our centre has adopted the bilateral axillo‐breast approach for certain thyroid diseases. The aim of the present study was to report our experience of endoscopic thyroidectomy in comparison with open thyroidectomy to compare outcomes, complications and feasibility.

Patients and Methods

Between January 2011 and December 2014, a total of 47 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy for benign thyroid diseases. From January 2013 to December 2013, a total of 60 patients who underwent open thyroidectomy with the same criteria as endoscopic thyroidectomy patients were included as the control group. Age, sex, tumour size, operative time, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were analysed.

Results

There was no statistically‐significant difference in terms of age, sex or size of thyroid nodule between the two groups. The majority of surgeries in both groups were hemithyroidectomies (87.2 per cent in the endoscopic group and 81.7 per cent in the open thyroidectomy group). The mean operative time for the endoscopic group was significantly longer than that of the open thyroidectomy group (238.2 + 73.6mins vs 120.2 + 38.8 min, P < 0.001). The length of hospitalization was also longer in the endoscopic group (mean: 5.1 + 1.4 days vs 3.7 + 1.6 days, P < 0.001). Regarding postoperative complications, there was no statistically‐significant difference in terms of hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, skin numbness, skin burn or seroma formation.

Conclusion

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is a safe operative procedure, and is a feasible alternative to open thyroidectomy for benign thyroid tumours.
Improving the Sun Drying of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) with Photo‐Selective Dryer Cabinet Materials
Authors: Milczarek Rebecca R. , Avena‐Mascareno Roberto , Alonzo Jérôme , Fichot Mélissa I.
Published: September 2016

Photo‐selective materials have been studied for their effects on the preharvest quality of horticultural crops, but little work has been done on potential postharvest processing effects. The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of 5 different photo‐selective acrylic materials (used as the lid to a single‐layer sun drying cabinet) on the drying rate and quality of apricots (Prunus armeniaca). Photo‐selective cabinet materials that transmit light in the visible portion of the solar spectrum accelerate the apricots’ drying rate in both the early period of drying and the course of drying as a whole. These materials do not significantly affect the measured quality metrics during the first day of sun drying. However, when drying is taken to completion, some minor but significant quality differences are observed. Infrared‐blocking material produces dried apricot with lower red color, compared to clear, opaque black, and ultraviolet‐blocking materials. Clear material produced dried apricot with significantly lower antioxidant activity, compared to black and infrared‐blocking materials. Using appropriate photo‐selective drying cabinet materials can reduce the required sun drying time for apricots by 1 to 2 d, compared with fully shaded drying. Ultraviolet‐blocking material is recommended to maximize drying rate and minimize quality degradation.
Up‐Regulation of PKR Signaling Pathway by Ethanol Displays an Age of Onset‐Dependent Relationship
Authors: Duncan Jeremy W. , Johnson Shakevia , Zhang Xiao , Zheng Baoying , Luo Jia , Ou Xiao‐Ming , Stockmeier Craig A. , Wang Jun Ming
Published: September 2016

Background

Ethanol (EtOH) neurotoxicity can result in devastating effects on brain and behavior by disrupting homeostatic signaling cascades and inducing cell death. One such mechanism involves double‐stranded RNA activated protein kinase (PKR), a primary regulator of protein translation and cell viability in the presence of a virus or other external stimuli. EtOH‐mediated up‐regulation of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ; the oxidative stress‐inducible regulator of PKR), PKR, and its target, p53, are still being fully elucidated.

Methods

Using Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and linear regression analyses, changes in the IFN‐γ‐PKR‐p53 pathway following chronic EtOH treatment in the frontal cortex of rodents were examined. The role of PKR on cell viability was also assessed in EtOH‐treated cells using PKR overexpression vector and PKR inhibitor (PKRI).

Results

In rats chronically fed EtOH, PKR, phosphorylated PKR (p‐PKR), IFN‐γ, and p53 were significantly increased following chronic EtOH exposure. Linear regression revealed a significant correlation between IFN‐γ and p‐PKR protein levels, as well as p‐PKR expression and age of EtOH exposure. Overexpression of PKR resulted in greater cell death, while use of PKRI enhanced cell viability in EtOH‐treated cells.

Conclusions

Chronic EtOH exposure activates the IFN‐γ‐PKR‐p53 pathway in the frontal cortex of rodents. p‐PKR expression is greater in brains of rodents exposed to EtOH at earlier ages compared to later life, suggesting a mechanism by which young brains could be more susceptible to EtOH‐related brain injury. PKR and p‐PKR were also colocalized in neurons and astrocytes of rats. This study provides additional insight into biochemical mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorder related neuropathology and warrants further investigation of PKR as a potential pharmacotherapeutic target to combat EtOH‐related neurotoxicity, loss of protein translation and brain injury.
Predictors of the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition in bipolar disorder: a novel methodology
Authors: Miskowiak K. W. , Petersen J. Z. , Ott C. V. , Knorr U. , Kessing L. V. , Gallagher P. , Robinson L.
Published: September 2016

Objective

The poor relationship between subjective and objective cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder (BD) is well‐established. However, beyond simple correlation, this has not been explored further using a methodology that quantifies the degree and direction of the discrepancy. This study aimed to develop such a methodology to explore clinical characteristics predictive of subjective‐objective discrepancy in a large BD patient cohort.

Methods

Data from 109 remitted BD patients and 110 healthy controls were pooled from previous studies, including neuropsychological test scores, self‐reported cognitive difficulties, and ratings of mood, stress, socio‐occupational capacity, and quality of life. Cognitive symptom ‘sensitivity’ scores were calculated using a novel methodology, with positive scores reflecting disproportionately more subjective complaints than objective impairment and negative values reflecting disproportionately more objective than subjective impairment (‘stoicism’).

Results

More subsyndromal depressive and manic symptoms, hospitalizations, BD type II, and being male positively predicted ‘sensitivity’, while higher verbal IQ predicted more ‘stoicism’. ‘Sensitive’ patients were characterized by greater socio‐occupational difficulties, more perceived stress, and lower quality of life.

Conclusion

Objective neuropsychological assessment seems especially warranted in patients with (residual) mood symptoms, BD type II, chronic illness, and/or high IQ for correct identification of cognitive deficits before commencement of treatments targeting cognition.
“Men who smell of fear”: The Menzies Government and Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence
Authors: Watts Carl
Published: September 2016

This article uses international archival sources to examine Australian policy on the problem of Rhodesian independence during the 1960s. It demonstrates that until November 1965 the Australian government led by Sir Robert Menzies followed a finely balanced policy that was broadly supportive of Britain but also sympathetic to the Rhodesian Front. However, the Australian response to Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) revealed increasing bureaucratic conflict in Australian policy‐making and exposed the limits of Australian support for Britain in dealing with the international consequences of the UDI. Analysis of Australia's decision to not attend the Lagos Conference in January 1966 demonstrates the Menzies government's anxiety about the implications of racial issues for Australian domestic and foreign policies. This suggests that historians should pay more attention to the significance of Africa in Australian foreign relations during the Menzies era.
“Super” Debates within the Antipodes? Explaining Differing New Zealand and Australian Retirement Policies in the late Twentieth Century
Authors: Nolan Melanie
Published: September 2016

As others have shown, for much of the twentieth century, “although to different degrees in different periods and to different degrees in the two countries”, New Zealand and Australia shared a peculiar approach to social protection internationally. In particular, Francis Castles has published widely on the Antipodean “wage earners’ welfare state”. He has also shown, however, that New Zealand and Australia took quite dissimilar paths in refurbishing each welfare state in the last two decades of the twentieth century, significantly over superannuation. Most commentators attribute the distinction to dominant political personalities. New Zealand's Robert Muldoon's “election bribe” in 1975, meant a compulsory paid‐work based superannuation system, akin to the one Australia came to develop, was replaced by a universal pension scheme. Australia's Paul Keating implemented the compulsory Australian superannuation scheme in 1992 confirming the trajectory begun in the 1970s. In this paper I put the spotlight on the 1970s corporatism and Australasian industrial cultures to explain the varying New Zealand and Australian superannuation pathways. Such an approach emphasizes multilayered historicity, agency and contingency outside leadership‐driven models. It points to variance and its limits rather than convergence, despite, and because of, common origins and welfare foundations.
Settling the Office: The Australian Prime Ministership from Federation to Reconstruction
Authors: Day David
Published: September 2016

Settling the Office: The Australian Prime Ministership from Federation to Reconstruction. By Paul Strangio, Paul ‘t Hart and James Walter (Melbourne: Melbourne University Publishing, 2016), pp. vi + 312. Thirty‐two illustrations. AU$49.99 (cloth).
Just Relations: The Story of Mary Bennett's Crusade for Aboriginal Rights
Authors: McGregor Russell
Published: September 2016

Just Relations: The Story of Mary Bennett's Crusade for Aboriginal Rights. By Alison Holland (Perth: UWA Publishing, 2015), pp. xv + 453. AU$45.00 (pb).
Country Women and the Colour Bar: Grassroots Activism and the Country Women's Association
Authors: Holland Alison
Published: September 2016

Country Women and the Colour Bar: Grassroots Activism and the Country Women's Association. By Jennifer Jones (Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press, 2015), pp. v + 229. AU$39.95 (pb).
Neoliberal Indigenous Policy: Settler Colonialism and the “Post‐Welfare” State
Authors: Rowse Tim
Published: September 2016

Neoliberal Indigenous Policy: Settler Colonialism and the “Post‐Welfare” State. By Elizabeth Strakosch (Houndsmills and New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015), pp. vii + 213, with index, £60.00 (cloth).
The Age of Catastrophe: A History of the West, 1914–1945
Authors: Doumanis Nicholas
Published: September 2016

The Age of Catastrophe: A History of the West, 1914–1945. By Heinrich August Winkler, translated by Stewart Spencer (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2015), originally Geschichte des Westens: Die Zeit der Weltkriege (Munich: Beck Verlag, 2011), pp. xiii + 998. AU$114.00 (cloth), available in Australia through Footprint Books.
Diagnostic role of staging laparoscopy in a subset of biliary cancers: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Tian Yunhong , Liu Lei , Yeolkar Ninad V. , Shen Feng , Li Jun , He Zhenxing
Published: September 2016

Background

Accurate preoperative radiological staging of biliary cancers remains difficult. Despite the improvement in imaging techniques, a number of patients with biliary cancers who undergo laparotomy are ultimately found to have unresectable diseases. The goals of staging laparoscopy (SL) are to rule out metastatic and locally advanced unresectable diseases and better define locally advanced unresectable diseases. This study evaluates the efficiency of SL in ruling out unresectable disease in a subset of biliary cancers.

Methods

Literature published between January 2000 and December 2015 on the use of SL for patients with biliary cancers was retrieved from five electronic databases. Summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated.

Results

Eight studies were included in the meta‐analysis. During the laparoscopy, unresectable disease was found in 316 of 1062 patients (29.8%), of whom 32.4% were patients with suspected hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) and 27.6% were patients with suspected gallbladder cancer (GBC). The sensitivities were 0.556 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.495–0.616) for patients with HC and 0.642 (95% CI: 0.579–0.701) for patients with GBC. The pooled specificity for the SL was 100% (95% CI: 0.993–1.000) for all studies.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis revealed that 32.4% of patients with HC and 27.6% of patients with GBC may avoid unnecessary laparotomy with the use of SL. It is worthwhile to perform SL combined with an intraoperative ultrasound in patients with suspected GBC or HC.
Rapid Speed Modulation of a Rotary Total Artificial Heart Impeller
Authors: Kleinheyer Matthias , Timms Daniel L. , Tansley Geoffrey D. , Nestler Frank , Greatrex Nicholas A. , Frazier O. Howard , Cohn William E.
Published: September 2016

Unlike the earlier reciprocating volume displacement–type pumps, rotary blood pumps (RBPs) typically operate at a constant rotational speed and produce continuous outflow. When RBP technology is used in constructing a total artificial heart (TAH), the pressure waveform that the TAH produces is flat, without the rise and fall associated with a normal arterial pulse. Several studies have suggested that pulseless circulation may impair microcirculatory perfusion and the autoregulatory response and may contribute to adverse events such as gastrointestinal bleeding, arteriovenous malformations, and pump thrombosis. It may therefore be beneficial to attempt to reproduce pulsatile output, similar to that generated by the native heart, by rapidly modulating the speed of an RBP impeller. The choice of an appropriate speed profile and control strategy to generate physiologic waveforms while minimizing power consumption and blood trauma becomes a challenge. In this study, pump operation modes with six different speed profiles using the BiVACOR TAH were evaluated in vitro. These modes were compared with respect to: hemodynamic pulsatility, which was quantified as surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE); maximum rate of change of pressure (dP/dt); pulse power index; and motor power consumption as a function of pulse pressure. The results showed that the evaluated variables underwent different trends in response to changes in the speed profile shape. The findings indicated a possible trade‐off between SHE levels and flow rate pulsatility related to the relative systolic duration in the speed profile. Furthermore, none of the evaluated measures was sufficient to fully characterize hemodynamic pulsatility.
Structured Ordinary Least Squares: A Sufficient Dimension Reduction Approach for Regressions with Partitioned Predictors and Heterogeneous Units
Authors: Liu Yang , Chiaromonte Francesca , Li Bing
Published: September 2016

In many scientific and engineering fields, advanced experimental and computing technologies are producing data that are not just high dimensional, but also internally structured. For instance, statistical units may have heterogeneous origins from distinct studies or subpopulations, and features may be naturally partitioned based on experimental platforms generating them, or on information available about their roles in a given phenomenon. In a regression analysis, exploiting this known structure in the predictor dimension reduction stage that precedes modeling can be an effective way to integrate diverse data. To pursue this, we propose a novel Sufficient Dimension Reduction (SDR) approach that we call structured Ordinary Least Squares (sOLS). This combines ideas from existing SDR literature to merge reductions performed within groups of samples and/or predictors. In particular, it leads to a version of OLS for grouped predictors that requires far less computation than recently proposed groupwise SDR procedures, and provides an informal yet effective variable selection tool in these settings. We demonstrate the performance of sOLS by simulation and present a first application to genomic data. The R package “sSDR,” publicly available on CRAN, includes all procedures necessary to implement the sOLS approach.
Understanding how long‐acting β2‐adrenoceptor agonists enhance the clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma – an update
Authors: Newton Robert , Giembycz Mark A
Published: September 2016

In moderate‐to‐severe asthma, adding an inhaled long‐acting β2‐adenoceptor agonist (LABA) to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) provides better disease control than simply increasing the dose of ICS. Acting on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, gene NR3C1), ICSs promote anti‐inflammatory/anti‐asthma gene expression. In vitro, LABAs synergistically enhance the maximal expression of many glucocorticoid‐induced genes. Other genes, including dual‐specificity phosphatase 1(DUSP1) in human airways smooth muscle (ASM) and epithelial cells, are up‐regulated additively by both drug classes. Synergy may also occur for LABA‐induced genes, as illustrated by the bronchoprotective gene, regulator of G‐protein signalling 2 (RGS2) in ASM. Such effects cannot be produced by either drug alone and may explain the therapeutic efficacy of ICS/LABA combination therapies. While the molecular basis of synergy remains unclear, mechanistic interpretations must accommodate gene‐specific regulation. We explore the concept that each glucocorticoid‐induced gene is an independent signal transducer optimally activated by a specific, ligand‐directed, GR conformation. In addition to explaining partial agonism, this realization provides opportunities to identify novel GR ligands that exhibit gene expression bias. Translating this into improved therapeutic ratios requires consideration of GR density in target tissues and further understanding of gene function. Similarly, the ability of a LABA to interact with a glucocorticoid may be suboptimal due to low β2‐adrenoceptor density or biased β2‐adrenoceptor signalling. Strategies to overcome these limitations include adding‐on a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and using agonists of other Gs‐coupled receptors. In all cases, the rational design of ICS/LABA, and derivative, combination therapies requires functional knowledge of induced (and repressed) genes for therapeutic benefit to be maximized.
Changes in Beliefs About Category Homogeneity and Variability Across Childhood
Authors: Brandone Amanda C.
Published: September 2016

Effective category‐based induction requires understanding that categories include both fundamental similarities between members and important variation. This article explores 4‐ to 11‐year‐olds’ (n = 207) and adults’ (n = 49) intuitions about this balance between within‐category homogeneity and variability using a novel induction task in which participants predict the distribution of a property among members of a novel category. Across childhood, children learned to recognize variability within categories—showing increasing sensitivity to the role of property type and domain in constraining inferences. Children below the age of 6 showed evidence for a domain‐general assumption that categories are homogeneous—generalizing properties broadly to 100% of category members. These studies support important developmental changes in category representations that may influence category‐based induction.
Varied incidence of immediate adverse reactions to low‐osmolar non‐ionic iodide radiocontrast media used in computed tomography
Authors: Kim S. R. , Lee J. H. , Park K. H. , Park H. J. , Park J. W.
Published: September 2016

Background

Low‐osmolar non‐ionic radiocontrast media (RCMs) are commonly used throughout hospitals. However, the incidence of immediate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to various low‐osmolar non‐ionic RCMs is not well studied. We compared the incidence of immediate ADRs among different low‐osmolar non‐ionic RCMs used in computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Severance Hospital has collected data for adverse reactions occurring in‐hospital using an internally developed system. Using this data, we reviewed 1969 immediate ADRs from 286 087 RCM‐contrasted CT examinations of 142 099 patients and compared the immediate ADRs of iobitridol, iohexol, iopamidol, and iopromide. We analysed the incidence of immediate ADRs to different RCMs, as well as the effect of single or multiple CT examinations per day.

Results

Iopromide showed the highest incidence of immediate ADRs (1.03%) and was followed by iopamidol (0.67%), iohexol (0.64%), and iobitridol (0.34%). In cases of anaphylaxis, iopromide also showed the highest incidence (0.041%), followed by iopamidol (0.023%), iohexol (0.018%), and iobitridol (0.012%). Risk of immediate ADR due to multiple CT examinations (1.19%) was significantly higher than the risk due to a single CT examination (0.63%). Risk of anaphylaxis was also higher for multiple CT examinations (0.052%) than for a single CT examination (0.020%).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The incidence of immediate ADRs varied according to the low‐osmolar non‐ionic RCM used. Iopromide‐induced immediate ADRs were more frequent, while iobitridol was associated with fewer immediate ADRs than other RCMs. Multiple CT examinations per day resulted in a higher incidence of immediate ADRs and anaphylaxis than a single CT examination. Clinicians should consider these risk differences of immediate ADRs when prescribing contrasted CT examinations.
Calpain‐activated mTORC2/Akt pathway mediates airway smooth muscle remodelling in asthma
Authors: Rao S.‐S. , Mu Q. , Zeng Y. , Cai P.‐C. , Liu F. , Yang J. , Xia Y. , Zhang Q. , Song L.‐J. , Zhou L.‐L. , Li F.‐Z. , Lin Y.‐X. , Fang J. , Greer P. A. , Shi H.‐Z. , Ma W.‐L. , Su Y. , Ye H.
Published: September 2016

Background

Allergic asthma is characterized by inflammation and airway remodelling. Airway remodelling with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and larger smooth muscle mass are correlated with increased airway responsiveness and asthma severity. Calpain is a family of calcium‐dependent endopeptidases, which plays an important role in ECM remodelling. However, the role of calpain in airway smooth muscle remodelling remains unknown.

Objective

To investigate the role of calpain in asthmatic airway remodelling as well as the underlying mechanism.

Methods

The mouse asthma model was made by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. Calpain conditional knockout mice were studied in the model. Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were isolated from smooth muscle bundles in airway of rats. Cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, TNF‐α, and TGF‐β1, and serum from patients with asthma were selected to treated ASMCs. Collagen‐I synthesis, cell proliferation, and phosphorylation of Akt in ASMCs were analysed.

Results

Inhibition of calpain using calpain knockout mice attenuated airway smooth muscle remodelling in mouse asthma models. Cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, TNF‐α, and TGF‐β1, and serum from patients with asthma increased collagen‐I synthesis, cell proliferation, and phosphorylation of Akt in ASMCs, which were blocked by the calpain inhibitor MDL28170. Moreover, MDL28170 reduced cytokine‐induced increases in Rictor protein, which is the most important component of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2). Blockage of the mTORC2 signal pathway prevented cytokine‐induced phosphorylation of Akt, collagen‐I synthesis, and cell proliferation of ASMCs and attenuated airway smooth muscle remodelling in mouse asthma models.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Our results indicate that calpain mediates cytokine‐induced collagen‐I synthesis and proliferation of ASMCs via the mTORC2/Akt signalling pathway, thereby regulating airway smooth muscle remodelling in asthma.
An homozygous mutation in KCNK3 is associated with an aggressive form of hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Navas Tejedor P. , Tenorio Castaño J. , Palomino Doza J. , Arias Lajara P. , Gordo Trujillo G. , López Meseguer M. , Román Broto A. , Lapunzina Abadía P. , Escribano Subía P.
Published: September 2016

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare devastating disease characterized by a high genetic heterogeneity with several related genes recently described, including BMPR2,TBX4 and KCNK3. The association between KCNK3 and PAH has been recently identified, but the prognosis and phenotype associated with these mutations have been poorly described. We studied a series of 136 idiopathic and hereditary PAH Spanish patients for BMPR2, TBX4 and KCNK3 mutations. We report the results of KCNK3 in which we were able to describe two new mutations (p.Gly106Arg and p.Leu214Arg) in three patients. The first one was found in a patient belonging to a consanguineous Romani family, who carried a homozygous mutation in KCNK3 and developed a severe and early form of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a homozygous mutation in KCNK3 is reported in a PAH patient. The second one was found in a patient who presented at the young adult age a severe form of the disease. The present report supports the contribution of KCNK3 mutations to the genetic etiology of PAH and strongly suggests that mutations in KCNK3 follow incomplete dominance with worsening of the clinical features in homozygous patients.
Excess cement and the risk of peri‐implant disease – a systematic review
Authors: Staubli Noémie , Walter Clemens , Schmidt Julia C. , Weiger Roland , Zitzmann Nicola U.
Published: September 2016

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the role of excess cement as risk indicator for peri‐implant diseases.

Material and methods

A systematic literature search with the keywords peri‐implant disease, peri‐implant mucositis, peri‐implantitis, excess cement, cemented, and screw‐retained restorations was performed for articles published by June 2016 using MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases, complemented by hand searching.

Results

The included 26 publications referring to 21 study groups were published between 1999 and 2016 and comprised 945 subjects with 1010 cemented implant restorations in 10 prospective and eight retrospective studies and eight case reports/series with pronounced heterogeneity of the study designs. Prevalence of peri‐implant diseases varied between 1.9% and 75% of the implants with cemented restorations, with proportions of 33–100% associated with excess cement. In publications including early follow‐ups and regular recall intervals, peri‐implant disease was mostly detected at an early stage. Cofactors, such as type of abutment (standardized or individualized) and cementum medium used, did not have a significant influence, while higher prevalence of peri‐implant diseases was found with immediate loading or cementation subsequent to reentry, and with cemented vs. screw‐retained restorations.

Conclusions

Excess cement was identified as a possible risk indicator for peri‐implant diseases and was more frequently observed with soft tissue healing periods shorter than 4 weeks. To reduce the risk of peri‐implant disease associated with excess cement, a crown margin at the level of the mucosal margin providing sufficient access is recommendable, and soft tissue maturation and early follow‐ups after restoration placement should be assured.
Immunopathological characterization of cryptoglandular anal fistula: a pilot study investigating its pathogenesis
Authors: Ratto C. , Litta F. , Lucchetti D. , Parello A. , Boninsegna A. , Arena V. , Donisi L. , Calapà F. , Sgambato A.
Published: September 2016

Aim

The pathogenesis of cryptoglandular anal fistula (AF) is still under debate. Tissue inflammation could play a primary role. The pathological process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) might be involved but has never been investigated.

Method

In a prospective pilot study, 12 patients with an AF had a fistulectomy. The excised track was divided into proximal (intrasphincteric) and distal (extrasphincteric) parts which were subjected to standard histopathological examination. The cytokines IL‐8 and IL‐1beta were analysed as markers of inflammation, while EMT was evaluated by expression of TGF‐beta, Vimentin, Zeb‐1, Snail and E‐cadherin. The mRNA and protein expression of these molecules was investigated by real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR), Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry and was compared with that of the normal adjacent tissue.

Results

Chronic inflammation and granulation tissue and a stratified epithelium were evident on standard histopathological examination. The cytokine IL‐8 was more expressed in the proximal than the distal part of the track (fold increase 4.34 vs 3.60), while the reverse was found for IL‐1beta (fold increase 1.33 vs 2.01); both were more intensely expressed compared with the normal anal mucosa. EMT was demonstrated, in both proximal and distal parts of the track, with an increase of TGF‐beta, Vimentin, Zeb‐1 and Snail and a mean decrease of E‐cadherin. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry confirmed the protein expression.

Conclusion

The study suggests that chronic inflammation is present in cryptoglandular fistulas. The inflammatory pattern might be different in the proximal than in the distal part of the fistula track. The cytokines IL‐1beta and IL‐8 could play a possible role in fistula formation. The study demonstrates for the first time the potential importance of EMT in the pathogenesis of cryptoglandular AF.
TURNING PINK SLIPS INTO RED TAPE: THE UNINTENDED EFFECTS OF EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION
Authors: Holt Harlan , Hendrickson Joshua R.
Published: September 2016

This article presents evidence on the link between employment protection legislation (EPL) and the rate of unemployment in a cross‐country panel dataset of Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development countries from 1985 to 2013. We use both a traditional panel specification with lags of the policy variable, and also a unique structural panel vector autoregression (PVAR) method to determine the long‐run dynamic interaction between EPL and unemployment. We confirm that more restrictive EPL for permanently employed workers causes a significant and persistent increase in unemployment, but the effect is only apparent at long‐lag lengths, some 2–5 years after the law has been implemented. (JEL J68, J65, J63)
Membranous nephropathy in the kidney allograft
Authors: Filippone Edward J. , Farber John L.
Published: September 2016

Membranous nephropathy (MN) may occur in a kidney transplant as recurrence of the original disease (rMN) or as a de novo MN (dnMN). rMN often occurs early, within the first year, and often in a mild or subclinical fashion. Recurrence cannot be predicted by clinical features at the time of transplantation. The natural history is increasing proteinuria over time, with less chance for spontaneous remission compared to primary MN (pMN). Antiphospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies should be evaluated in all patients with pMN at the time of transplantation and serially. If titers persist or rise, biopsy is indicated. Irrespective of PLA2R status, any case with proteinuria reaching 1 g/day should be biopsied. No randomized controlled trials have been published regarding treatment of rMN. Observational data support use of rituximab. Given the progressive nature of rMN and lack of spontaneous remissions, a period of observation does not seem justifiable. dnMN occurs with about equal frequency as rMN and shares features of secondary MN in native kidneys. Causes include viral infections (e.g., hepatitis B or C), which should be treated. In some cases, dnMN may represent an atypical alloimmune response. The role of rituximab in dnMN is undefined.