bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing loss and dementia: an exploratory study of the views of audiologists
Authors: Wright Nicola , Stickley Theodore , Mulla Imran , Bradshaw Edward , Buckley Laura , Archbold Sue
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore audiologists, views and experiences of working with older adults with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

– An online survey was distributed to audiologists working in the UK NHS and private sector via their professional organisations. A total of 312 audiologists took part in the study. The survey collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Basic descriptive statistics summarised the quantitative responses. The qualitative data were analysed using conventional thematic approaches.

Findings

– The quantitative data demonstrated that the vast majority of audiologists had treated someone with dementia (96 per cent). Despite this, 65 per cent of respondents did not feel adequately supported to help this service user population. Four overarching themes were used to explain the qualitative data: integrated and individualised care; formal (including training) vs experiential knowledge; the interaction between dementia and hearing and using the technology.

Research limitations/implications

– The self-selecting nature of the sample is a limitation which needs to be taken into account when considering the transferability and implications of the findings.

Practical implications

– Given the anticipated increase in rates of dementia within the population and the potential for hearing impairment to exacerbate the symptoms; this study highlights the unique role audiologists have. The need for more training and development for this professional group is also identified.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first papers to explore audiologists, views and experiences of working with people with dementia. As such, it highlights some interesting areas worthy of further research using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Fogarty Tim , A. Jones David
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to review qualitative research on tax practitioners. US tax professionals have always found themselves in a uniquely ambiguous position. Unlike auditors, the espousal of service to the public interest is not constantly articulated. Unlike management consultants, the devotion that practitioners can have to their clients’ interest cannot be unconstrained. Tax practitioners are expected to help clients minimize their tax liabilities, while simultaneously assisting the government collect fair shares of tax revenue. Using semi-structured interviews, the paper examines the nuance of this navigation. Practitioners struggle to serve two masters, albeit imperfectly. The qualitative nature of relationships looms as a disproportionally important factor, often neglected in normative accounts and empirical evaluations

Design and methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews with tax practitioners.

Findings

– Practitioners struggle to serve two masters, albeit imperfectly. Where they strike the balance is difficult to predict, as people differ in how aggressive they are willing to be. Practitioners want to be ethical and rarely are willing to take positions that they perceive to be dangerous to their livelihood. The fear of audits is also shared. The qualitative nature of relationships looms as a disproportionately important factor, and one that is not well-appreciated in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

– More study of a qualitative nature is needed. Students need to be given a better idea of the conflicts that exist in practice on a daily basis. More work is needed that exposes the importance of the client interface and the limited value of tax research outside of the marketplace.

Practical implications

– The long-term relationship with clients is very important to how tax practitioners approach the ambiguities of the tax law. How tax practitioners decide what is worth an investment of their time is under-studied

Social implications

– The extent to which we can ask individuals to protect the integrity of the tax collection process is debatable as long as they are compensated by self-interested taxpayers. The limits of ethical codes should be revisited in such a complex world.

Originality/value

– Actually listens to working professions describe their world.
Are there gender differences in what drives customer delight?
Authors: N. Torres Edwin , Fu Xiaoxiao , Lehto Xinran
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to understand how male and female hotel guests become delighted customers. It aims to present the similarities and differences along with respective implications for theory and application.

Design/methodology/approach

– During a period of three months, tourists were interviewed at an upscale Florida hotel. A total of 208 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The script for the interviews was based on an interview protocol used by Crottset al.Adapted from a previous customer delight study (Torres and Kline), a codebook was developed to determine the salient themes that emerged during the interview process. Interviews were coded independently by three experienced reviewers using the process of content analysis.

Findings

– The results demonstrated that while men and women agreed on most aspects of the service experience that led them to feel delighted, there were other aspects of the delight experience that seemed to vary by gender. More specifically, female guests were more likely to be delighted by employee friendliness and professionalism. In contrast, male tourists appeared to be more likely to be delighted by having their needs met, by efficient and timely service and by the availability of complimentary amenities or upgrades.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study contributes to existing literature by demonstrating that men and women can potentially be delighted by different aspects of the service experience. Such information can potentially benefit hospitality industry practitioners to deliver service experiences desired by each gender.

Originality/value

– Ekinciet al.proposed that the ultimate evaluation of customer experiences can be highly individualized by elements such as personality. The present research argues that the process of delighting customers might be more complex than originally conceived. Accordingly, the results suggest: a universal set of criteria will tend to delight all guests, and a more specific set of criteria will potentially delight guests of a certain gender. Future research is encouraged to quantitatively validate the findings and explore other factors that impact customer delight such as personality, age, income and culture.
A visitor-based brand equity perspective: the case of a public festival
Authors: Manthiou Aikaterini , Kang Juhee , Schrier Thomas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to empirically examine how five different brand equity dimensions of a festival brand (i.e. awareness, image, quality, value and loyalty) are inter-related. Specifically, this study aims to examine the impact of brand awareness on perceived brand image, perceived brand quality and perceived value; the impact of perceived brand image on perceived brand quality and brand loyalty; and the impact of perceived brand quality on perceived value and brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual model was tested with an onsite sample of a public festival referred to as the VEISHEA (Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Home Economics and Agriculture) festival, which is located in a Midwestern college-town. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to reach the goals of the study.

Findings

– The findings revealed that improving attendees’ awareness is a keystone in promoting brand quality perceptions, increasing perceived value and creating favorable brand image. Perceptions of quality on brand loyalty were stronger than any other effect, pointing out the need for superior quality. These findings confirmed that a public festival which does not require visitor admission fees can increase visitors by utilizing branding strategies, as has been done with other types of festivals.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was conducted at a public festival. Further study should be conducted at other festivals/events. Analysis of antecedents such as advertising and promotions in the brand equity creation process will provide further important information.

Practical implications

– This study provides guidance for practitioners to manage festival brands properly and develop strategies (e.g. communications and promotions) which reinforce the intangible asset of brand equity.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that applies the brand equity concept to the setting of public festivals. This application to a new context contributes to the body of knowledge of brand equity theory.
Can fundraising be fun? An event management study of unique experiences, performance and quality
Authors: Chen Po-Ju , Singh Dipendra , Bulent Ozturk Ahmet , Makki Abdullah
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The objective of this study was to examine the effects of performance and uniqueness as predictors of fundraising event quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study utilized intercept surveys collected from attendees at a non-profit fundraising event organized by the tourism and hospitality industry in a major tourism destination. Factor analysis was used to explore underlying event performance dimensions. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess predictability of event performance and unique experience design as predictors of event quality.

Findings

– Three salient dimensions were identified: Hedonic Event Performance, Event Design Performance and Informative Event Performance. Of the three dimensions, Hedonic Event Performance was found to significantly predict Event Quality. However, Unique Event Experience provided stronger predictability of Event Quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The results provide information which can be utilized by event organizers or managers to enhance the overall quality of fundraising events. The distinct attributes of event success identified in this study can be capitalized upon for improving future attendance. The use of event attendees from one particular event, which focused on a very specific cause, can be considered a limitation of the study.

Originality/value

– This study focused on identifying different dimensions of a fundraising event which impact quality. The study provides insight into uniqueness of event experiences and their effect on event quality.
Influences on food choices of urban Chinese teenagers
Authors: Veeck Ann , Grace Yu Fang , Yu Hongyan , Veeck Gregory , W. Gentry James
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the major influences of food choices of Chinese teenagers within a dynamic food marketing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports findings from semi-structured interviews with high school students which examine teenagers’ guidelines for selecting food, along with their actual eating behavior.

Findings

– The results reflect on how four major influences – personal, family, peer and retailer – may intersect to affect the eating behaviors of Chinese adolescents, as they navigate an intense education schedule during a time of rapidly changing cultural values. Different norms of food choice – nutrition, food safety, taste, body image, price, convenience, sharing, friendship and fun – are evoked according to the social context and concurrent activities of the teenagers.

Social implications

– The findings offer tentative insights related to the potential for promoting healthier eating habits for adolescents in urban areas of China.

Originality/value

– The study demonstrates how, within this rapidly changing food environment, food retailers are creating alliances with teenagers to meet needs of convenience, speed, taste and social interaction.
Species richness of wild bees, but not the use of managed honeybees, increases fruit set of a pollinator‐dependent crop
Authors: Mallinger Rachel E. , Gratton Claudio
Published: November 2014

Native, wild bees are important pollinators for both crop and wild plants. With concerns over the availability and cost of managed honeybees, attention has turned to native, wild bees as crop pollinators. However, the ability of native, wild bees to provide sufficient pollination may depend on their populations at local scales.

Therefore, at the farm scale, we examined the pollination contribution of both native, wild bees and managed honeybees to apples and assessed the relative importance of bee abundance vs. species richness. Over three growing seasons, apple fruit set, bee abundance and bee species richness were measured at orchards in Wisconsin, half of which used managed honeybees, thus allowing us to independently examine the contribution of native, wild bees to fruit set. We additionally conducted observations of honeybees and wild bees foraging on apple blossoms in order to examine functional complementarity.

We found that apples are highly dependent on animal pollinators. However, fruit set was not significantly higher at orchards with managed honeybees, nor did it increase with the number of honeybees per orchard. Instead, fruit set significantly increased with the species richness of native, wild bees during bloom.

Honeybees and wild bees showed different foraging preferences: honeybees more frequently visited apple flowers on densely blooming trees, while wild bees showed no preference for floral density, thereby evenly visiting trees throughout the orchard.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that native, wild bees play a significant and unique role in apple pollination within our region and cannot therefore be replaced by managed bees. Moreover, our findings suggest that bee conservation efforts should focus specifically on maintaining or increasing bee species richness in order to improve pollination and crop yields.
Criterion Analysis and Content Validity for Standardized Behavioral Tests in a Detector‐Dog Breeding Program
Authors: Rocznik Dorothee , Sinn David L. , Thomas Scott , Gosling Samuel D.
Published: November 2014

Many working‐dog programs assess behavior during a dog's first year of life with the aim of predicting success in the field. However, decisions about which tests to administer are frequently made on the basis of tradition or intuition. This study reports results from a survey given to U.S.A.'s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) detection‐dog handlers (N = 34). We categorized and summarized handlers’ responses regarding traits they felt were important for work. We used this criterion analysis to examine the content validity of the TSA's puppy tests. Results indicate that 13 of 15 traits that are currently being measured are relevant. However, several traits not currently measured were identified as being highly important, notably “play” and off‐duty “calmness.” These results provide support that the TSA tests are measuring traits relevant to operational search team performance but also highlight other traits that may be profitable to assess in this and other detection‐dog programs.
Preliminary Observations of Arthropods Associated with Buried Carrion on Oahu
Authors: Rysavy Noel M. , Goff M. Lee
Published: November 2014

Several studies in Hawaii have focused on arthropod succession and decomposition patterns of surface remains, but the current research presents the first study to focus on shallow burials in this context. Three domestic pig carcasses (Sus scrofaL.) were buried at the depths of 20–40 cm in silty clay loam soil on an exposed ridge on the leeward side of the volcanically formed Koolau Mountain Range. One carcass was exhumed after 3 weeks, another after 6 weeks, and the last carcass was exhumed after 9 weeks. An inventory of arthropod taxa present on the carrion and in the surrounding soil and observations pertaining to decomposition were recorded at each exhumation. The longer the carrion was buried, the greater the diversity of arthropod species that were recovered from the remains. Biomass loss was calculated to be 49% at the 3‐week interval, 56% at the 6‐week interval, and 59% at the 9‐week interval.
Resistance status of the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus and the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae to selected acaricides on strawberries
Authors: Bi Jian‐Long , Niu Zi‐Mian , Yu Lu , Toscano Nick C.
Published: November 2014

The carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) and the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, are serious pests of strawberries and many other horticultural crops. Control of these pests has been heavily dependent upon chemical acaricides. Objectives of this study were to determine the resistance status of these two pest species to commonly used acaricides on strawberries in a year‐round intensive horticultural production region. LC90 of abamectin for adult carmine spider mites was 4% whereas that for adult twospotted spider mites was 24% of the top label rate. LC90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 0.5%, 0.5%, 1.4% and 83% of their respective highest label rates for carmine spider mite eggs, 0.7%, 2.7%, 12.1% and 347% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. LC90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 4.6%, 11.1%, 310% and 62% of their respective highest label rates for twospotted spider mite eggs, 3%, 13%, 432,214% and 15% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. Our results suggest that T. cinnabarinus have developed resistance to bifenazate and that the T. urticae have developed resistance to hexythiazox. These results strongly emphasize the need to develop resistance management strategies in the region.
AN EXPLICIT TEST OF PLEA BARGAINING IN THE “SHADOW OF THE TRIAL”
Authors: BUSHWAY SHAWN D. , REDLICH ALLISON D. , NORRIS ROBERT J.
Published: November 2014

Bargaining in the “shadow of the trial,” which hinges on the expectations of trial outcomes, is the primary theory used by noncriminologists to explain variation in the plea discount given to defendants who plead guilty. This study develops a formal mathematical representation of the theory and then presents an empirical test of the theory using an innovative online survey with responses to a hypothetical case from 1,585 prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. The key outcomes are the probability that the defendant will be convicted at trial, the sentence for the defendant if convicted, and the best plea that the respondent would accept or offer. Variation in the outcomes is created through experimental variation in the information presented to the respondents. Structural regression models are estimated to fit the formal theoretical models, and the instrumental variables method is used to correct for measurement error in the estimate for probability of conviction. The data support the basic shadow model, with minor modifications, for only prosecutors and defense attorneys. Controlling for the characteristics of the individual actors and their jurisdictions adds explanatory value to the model, although these control variables did not affect the key coefficients from the shadow model.
Bipartite lunate incidentally noted on radiographs obtained for skeletal age estimation: A report of two cases
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Husen Yousuf , Rehman Abdul
Published: November 2014

Bipartite lunate is a rare congenital anomaly of carpal bones. We present a report of two cases where children referred for determination of skeletal age were incidentally found to have bipartite lunate. In both cases, radiographic appearance of lunate could have been mistaken for secondary centres of ossification in other carpal bones. It is imperative for all radiologists to be aware of this rare congenital anomaly in order to avoid pitfalls in clinical diagnosis.
Re‐torsion of the ovaries
Authors: Hyttel Trine E. W. , Bak Geske S. , Larsen Solveig B. , Løkkegaard Ellen C. L.
Published: November 2014

The increasing use of de‐torsion of the ovaries may result in re‐torsion. This review addresses risk of re‐torsion and describes preventive strategies to avoid re‐torsion in pre‐menarcheal girls, and fertile and pregnant women. We clinically reviewed PubMed, Embase, Trip and Cochrane databases. The main outcome measures were re‐torsion and viability of ovary with fixation measures. A total of 38 publications including 71 girls, 363 fertile women, and 69 pregnant women were found to be relevant. All studies were case reports or case series, sometimes with non‐randomized controls. The studies show considerable heterogeneity in design, population, management and outcome. Only four studies included more than 50 cases. In pregnancy the risk of re‐torsion was as high as 19.5–37.5%; among fertile women it was 28.6%. Most articles concluded that fixation of the ovaries to the pelvic sidewall or plication of the ovarian ligament after torsion may prevent re‐torsion. In one case a girl experienced re‐torsion after ovariopexy. Based on observational studies it seems that de‐torsion and fixation of the ovary is a safe procedure that usually ensures maintenance of ovarian function and reduces the risk of recurrence, especially when there are no ovarian cysts or adnexal masses.
Purkinje Cell Pathology and Loss in Multiple Sclerosis Cerebellum
Authors: Redondo Juliana , Kemp Kevin , Hares Kelly , Rice Claire , Scolding Neil , Wilkins Alastair
Published: November 2014

Cerebellar ataxia commonly occurs in multiple sclerosis, particularly in chronic progressive disease. Previous reports have highlighted both white matter and grey matter pathological changes within the cerebellum; and demyelination and inflammatory cell infiltrates appear commonly. As Purkinje cell axons are the sole output of the cerebellar cortex, understanding pathologic processes within these cells is crucial to develop strategies to prevent their loss and thus reduce ataxia. We studied pathologic changes occurring within Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Using immunohistochemic techniques, we found changes in neurofilament phosphorylation states within Purkinje cells, including loss of dephosphorylated neurofilament and increased phosphorylated and hyperphosphorylated neurofilament. We also found Purkinje axonal spheroids and Purkinje cell loss, both of which occurred predominantly within areas of leucocortical demyelination within the cerebellar cortex. These changes have important implications for the study of cerebellar involvement in multiple sclerosis and may help design therapies to reduce the burden of ataxia in the condition.
Structural style and evolution of a salt‐influenced rift basin margin; the impact of variations in salt composition and the role of polyphase extension
Authors: Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Lewis Matthew M.
Published: November 2014

Because salt can decouple sub‐ and supra‐salt deformation, the structural style and evolution of salt‐influenced rifts differs from those developed in megoscopically homogenous and brittle crust. Our understanding of the structural style and evolution of salt‐influenced rifts comes from scaled physical models, or subsurface‐based studies that have utilised moderate‐quality 2D seismic reflection data. Relatively few studies have used high‐quality 3D seismic reflection data, constrained by borehole data, to explicitly focus on the role that along‐strike displacement variations on sub‐salt fault systems, or changes in salt composition and thickness, play in controlling the four‐dimensional evolution of supra‐salt structural styles. In this study, we use 3D seismic reflection and borehole data from the Sele High Fault System (SHFS), offshore Norway to determine how rift‐related relief controlled the thickness and lithology of an Upper Permian salt‐bearing layer (Zechstein Supergroup), and how the associated variations in the mechanical properties of this unit influenced the degree of coupling between sub‐ and supra‐salt deformation during subsequent extension. Seismic and borehole data indicate that the Zechstein Supergroup is thin, carbonate‐dominated and immobile at the footwall apex, but thick, halite‐dominated and relatively mobile in high accommodation areas, such as near the lateral fault tips and in the immediate hangingwall of the fault system. We infer that these variations reflect bathymetric changes related to either syn‐depositional (i.e. Late Permian) growth of the SHFS or underfilled, fault scarp‐related relief inherited from a preceding (i.e. Early Permian) rift phase. After a period of tectonic quiescence in the Early Triassic, regional extension during the Late Triassic triggered halokinesis and growth of a fault‐parallel salt wall, which was followed by mild extension in the Jurassic and forced folding of Triassic overburden above the fault systems upper tip. During the Early Cretaceous, basement‐involved extension resulted in noncoaxial tilting of the footwall, and the development of an supra‐salt normal fault array, which was restricted to footwall areas underlain by relatively thick mobile salt; in contrast, at the footwall apex, no deformation occurred because salt was thin and immobile. The results of our study demonstrate close coupling between tectonics, salt deposition and the style of overburden deformation for >180 Myr of the rift history. Furthermore, we show that rift basin tectono‐stratigraphic models based on relatively megascopically homogeneous and brittle crust do not appropriately describe the range of structural styles that occur in salt‐influenced rifts.
Lasting Disadvantage? Comparing Career Trajectories of Matched Temporary and Permanent Workers in Canada
Authors: Fuller Sylvia , Stecy‐Hildebrandt Natasha
Published: November 2014

Is the economic insecurity associated with temporary employment transitory or lasting? What accounts for differences in medium‐run earnings trajectories for workers first observed in temporary and permanent jobs? Although there is now a considerable body of research investigating mobility outcomes for temporary workers, most studies focus on single transition points and pay little attention to the quality of subsequent employment beyond its temporary or permanent status. In this paper, we compare income trajectories for a nationally representative sample of Canadian temporary workers and a set of permanent workers selected to match them as closely as possible on personal, job, and work‐history characteristics. We find that temporary workers start out with lower incomes and fail to catch up to their permanent counterparts over the next five years. Differences are more pronounced for women.

L'insécurité économique associée à l'emploi temporaire est‐elle passagère ou durable ? Comment peut‐on expliquer les différences de trajectoires des revenus à moyen terme entre les travailleurs dans des emplois temporaires et ceux dans des emplois permanents au début de l'étude ? Bien qu'il y ait maintenant une masse considérable de recherche portant sur la mobilité économique des intérimaires, la plupart des études se concentrent sur un seul point de transition et accordent peu d'attention à la qualité de l'emploi par la suite, mis à part son statut temporaire ou permanent. Dans cet article, nous comparons les trajectoires de revenu pour un échantillon national représentatif d'intérimaires canadiens ainsi qu'un ensemble de travailleurs permanents choisis avec le plus de précision possible sur la base de leurs similarités avec l'échantillon d'intérimaires en ce qui concernent leurs données démographiques, leur emploi, et leur historique de travail. Nous concluons que les intérimaires commencent avec des revenus inférieurs et ne parviennent pas à rattraper le groupe des travailleurs permanents sur une période de cinq ans. Les différences sont plus prononcées pour les femmes.
Depletion of high‐affinity corticosteroid‐binding globulin corresponds to illness severity in sepsis and septic shock; clinical implications
Authors: Nenke M.A. , Rankin W. , Chapman M.J. , Stevens N.E. , Diener K.R. , Hayball J. D. , Lewis J.G. , Torpy D.J.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG) is cleaved by neutrophil elastase converting the high‐affinity (haCBG) conformation of CBG to a low‐affinity (laCBG) conformation with a ninefold reduced cortisol‐binding affinity. These in vitro data suggest that cortisol release by CBG cleavage results in the targeted delivery of cortisol to areas of inflammation. Our objective was to determine whether CBG cleavage alters circulating levels of haCBG and laCBG in vivo in proportion to sepsis severity.

Design

Prospective, observational cohort study in an adult tertiary level Intensive Care Unit in Adelaide, Australia.

Patients

Thirty‐three patients with sepsis or septic shock grouped by illness severity [sepsis, septic shock survivors, septic shock nonsurvivors and other shock].

Measurements

Plasma levels of haCBG and laCBG were assessed using a recently developed in‐house assay in patients. Plasma total and free cortisol levels were also measured.

Results

Plasma total CBG and haCBG levels fell significantly, in proportion to disease severity (P < 0·0001 for both). There was a nonsignificant increase in free and total cortisol as illness severity worsened (P = 0·19 and P = 0·39, respectively). Illness severity was better correlated with haCBG levels than either free or total cortisol levels.

Conclusions

Increasing illness severity in sepsis and septic shock is associated with markedly reduced circulating haCBG concentrations in vivo. We propose that low levels of haCBG in chronic inflammation may limit the availability of cortisol to inflammatory sites, perpetuating the inflammatory process.
Special care dentistry: how prepared are we?
Authors: Yeaton S. , Moorthy A. , Rice J. , Coghlan D. , O'Dwyer L. , Green E. , Sultan A. , Guray S. , Mohamad N. A. , Aslam N. , Freedman L.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To assess and evaluate the confidence of the undergraduate dental team in Irish dental schools regarding their training in the field of special care dentistry (SCD).

Method

A questionnaire was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental teams within Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH) and Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH). The data were analysed to assess for differences between the median responses of the various groups.

Results

A total of 139 students participated in the study; 82 from DDUH (59 dental science students, seven dental hygiene students and 16 dental nursing students) and 57 from CUDSH (43 dental science students and 14 dental hygiene students). Twenty‐two per cent (n = 30) of respondents agreed that their training had been sufficient in providing treatment or assistance for patients requiring SCD. Seventy‐five per cent agreed that more emphasis should be placed on clinical training in SCD (n = 76). Thirty‐one per cent of students anticipated a high level of confidence in treating patients requiring SCD upon graduation (n = 43), with dental science students feeling the least prepared amongst the dental team.

Conclusion

Confidence levels of the undergraduate dental team were low with regard to SCD. The existing hands‐on clinical training in SCD was deemed insufficient by the respondents. Students believed more emphasis should be placed on SCD training in the undergraduate curriculum.
Myeloma cells act as tolerogenic antigen‐presenting cells and induce regulatory T cells in vitro
Authors: Frassanito Maria Antonia , Ruggieri Simona , Desantis Vanessa , Di Marzo Lucia , Leone Patrizia , Racanelli Vito , Fumarulo Ruggiero , Dammacco Franco , Vacca Angelo
Published: November 2014

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintenance of self‐tolerance; however, tumor cells can exploit the tolerance to escape the immune system. We investigated the Tregs frequency in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and in those with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and found that CD4+FoxP3+ and CD8+FoxP3+ Tregs were significantly increased in patients with MM and correlated with the active phase. Both Tregs subsets were expanded in cocultures of CD3+ lymphocytes and fresh CD138+ MM plasma cells or RPMI8226 and U266 cell lines and functioned as natural (n) and inducible (i) Tregs insofar as they inhibited the proliferation of stimulated CD3 lymphocytes via contact‐dependent and contact‐independent pathways. Induction of Tregs by MM plasma cells required a contact‐dependent pathway, implying antigen recognition by T cells. MM plasma cells acted as immature and tolerogenic antigen‐presenting cells (APCs), in that they displayed low CD80/CD86 expression associated with a phagocytic activity. By acting as immature APCs, MM plasma cells plausibly expand (n)Tregs and (i)Tregs both through conversion of CD3+FoxP3− into CD3+FoxP3+ T cells and proliferation of CD3+FoxP3+ T cells, which may suppress the anti‐MM immune response.
A role for solute carrier family 10 member 4, or vesicular aminergic‐associated transporter, in structural remodelling and transmitter release at the mouse neuromuscular junction
Authors: Patra Kalicharan , Lyons David J. , Bauer Pavol , Hilscher Markus M. , Sharma Swati , Leão Richardson N. , Kullander Klas
Published: November 2014

The solute carrier and presynaptic vesicle protein solute carrier family 10 member 4, or vesicular aminergic‐associated transporter (VAAT), was recently proven to have a modulatory role in central cholinergic signalling. It is currently unknown whether VAAT also affects peripheral cholinergic synapses. Here we demonstrated a regulatory role for the presynaptic vesicle protein VAAT in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development and function. NMJs lacking VAAT had fewer branch points, whereas endplates showed an increased number of islands. Whereas the amplitude of spontaneous miniature endplate potentials in VAAT‐deficient NMJs was decreased, the amplitude of evoked endplate potentials and the size of the readily releasable pool of vesicles were both increased. Moreover, VAAT‐deficient NMJs displayed aberrant short‐term synaptic plasticity with enhanced synaptic depression in response to high‐frequency stimulation. Finally, the transcript levels of cholinergic receptor subunits in VAAT‐deficient muscles were increased, indicating a compensatory postsynaptic sensitization. Our results suggested that VAAT modulates NMJ transmission efficiency and, as such, may represent a novel target for treatment of disorders affecting motor neurons.
Perineuronal nets affect parvalbumin expression inGABAergic neurons of the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Yamada J. , Ohgomori T. , Jinno S.
Published: November 2014

Recent studies have suggested that the perineuronal net (PNN), a specialised extracellular matrix structure, and parvalbumin (PV), an EF‐hand calcium‐binding protein, are involved in the regulation of plasticity of neural circuits. Here, we aimed to quantitatively estimate the relationship between the two plasticity regulators, PV and PNNs, in the hippocampus of young adult mice. Dual fluorescence staining for PV andWisteria floribundaagglutinin (a broad PNN marker) showed that a substantial population of PV‐expressing (PV+) GABAergic neurons lacked PNNs. Optical disector analysis demonstrated that there were fewer PNN+neurons than PV+neurons. The ratio of PNN expression in PV+neurons was generally lower in the dendritic layers than in the principal cell layers, whereas the ratio of PV expression in PNN+neurons was effectively 100%. The mean PV fluorescence was significantly higher in PNN+/PV+neurons than in PNN−/PV+neurons. Cumulative frequencies for single‐cell PV fluorescence indicated that intensely stained PV+neurons tend to be enwrapped by PNNs, whereas weakly stained PV+neurons are likely to lack PNNs. We digested the PNNs by a unilateral injection of chondroitinase ABC (chABC) into the dorsal CA1 region. Although the densities of PV+neurons remained unchanged, the PV fluorescence declined 7 days after chABC injection. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated a reduction in PVmRNAexpression following chABC injection. These findings indicate that the presence or absence of PNNs affects the relative PV expression in GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus.
Aberrant expression of miR‐218 and miR‐204 in human mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis—Convergence on axonal guidance
Authors: Kaalund Sanne S. , Venø Morten T. , Bak Mads , Møller Rikke S. , Laursen Henning , Madsen Flemming , Broholm Helle , Quistorff Bjørn , Uldall Peter , Tommerup Niels , Kauppinen Sakari , Sabers Anne , Fluiter Kees , Møller Lisbeth B. , Nossent Anne Y. , Silahtaroglu Asli , Kjems Jørgen , Aronica Eleonora , Tümer Zeynep
Published: November 2014

Objective

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is one of the most common types of the intractable epilepsies and is most often associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), which is characterized by pronounced loss of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be dysregulated in epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases, and we hypothesized that miRNAs could be involved in the pathogenesis of MTLE and HS.

Methods

miRNA expression was quantified in hippocampal specimens from human patients using miRNA microarray and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction RT‐PCR, and by RNA‐seq on fetal brain specimens from domestic pigs. In situ hybridization was used to show the spatial distribution of miRNAs in the human hippocampus. The potential effect of miRNAs on targets genes was investigated using the dual luciferase reporter gene assay.

Results

miRNA expression profiling showed that 25 miRNAs were up‐regulated and 5 were down‐regulated in hippocampus biopsies of MTLE/HS patients compared to controls. We showed that miR‐204 and miR‐218 were significantly down‐regulated in MTLE and HS, and both were expressed in neurons in all subfields of normal hippocampus. Moreover, miR‐204 and miR‐218 showed strong changes in expression during fetal development of the hippocampus in pigs, and we identified four target genes, involved in axonal guidance and synaptic plasticity, ROBO1, GRM1, SLC1A2, and GNAI2, as bona fide targets of miR‐218. GRM1 was also shown to be a direct target of miR‐204.

Significance

miR‐204 and miR‐218 are developmentally regulated in the hippocampus and may contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of MTLE and HS.
Depolarization affects the lateral microdomain structure of yeast plasma membrane
Authors: Herman Petr , Vecer Jaroslav , Opekarova Miroslava , Vesela Petra , Jancikova Iva , Zahumensky Jakub , Malinsky Jan
Published: November 2014

We report the transmembrane voltage‐induced lateral reorganization of highly‐ordered lipid microdomains in the plasma membrane of living Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using trans‐parinaric acid (all‐trans‐9,11,13,15‐octadecatetraenoic acid) as a probe of lipid order and different methods of membrane depolarization, we found that depolarization always invokes a significant reduction in the amount of gel‐like microdomains in the membrane. Different depolarization mechanisms, including the application of ionophores, cell depolarization by an external electric field, depolarization by proton/hexose co‐transport facilitated by HUP1 protein and a reduction of membrane potential caused by compromised respiration efficiency, yielded the same results independently of the yeast strain used. The data suggest that the voltage‐induced reorganization of lateral membrane structure could play significant role in fast cellular response to acute stress conditions, as well as in other membrane microdomain‐related regulatory mechanisms.
Native Chinese‐Speaking K–12 Language Teachers' Beliefs and Practices
Authors: Lü Chan , Lavadenz Magaly
Published: November 2014

This study investigated the relationships between the beliefs and practices of K–12 native Chinese teachers on Chinese language and literacy instruction. Using a descriptive‐exploratory design, this study employed a mixed‐methods approach consisting of three steps: (1) a teacher beliefs questionnaire, (2) classroom observations and videotaping, and (3) semi‐instructed teacher interviews. Results indicated that novice Chinese teachers desired large “doses” of practical pedagogical strategies; however, development of those strategies required that teachers have ample opportunities for thoughtful anticipatory and retroactive reflection centered on student learning and grounded by the knowledge of language‐specific pedagogical content knowledge. The results highlighted the importance of fostering Chinese pedagogical knowledge through anticipatory instructional planning and reflection in apprenticing Chinese language teachers into the profession.
Forecasting Groundwater Temperature with Linear Regression Models Using Historical Data
Authors: Figura Simon , Livingstone David M. , Kipfer Rolf
Published: November 2014

Although temperature is an important determinant of many biogeochemical processes in groundwater, very few studies have attempted to forecast the response of groundwater temperature to future climate warming. Using a composite linear regression model based on the lagged relationship between historical groundwater and regional air temperature data, empirical forecasts were made of groundwater temperature in several aquifers in Switzerland up to the end of the current century. The model was fed with regional air temperature projections calculated for greenhouse‐gas emissions scenarios A2, A1B, and RCP3PD. Model evaluation revealed that the approach taken is adequate only when the data used to calibrate the models are sufficiently long and contain sufficient variability. These conditions were satisfied for three aquifers, all fed by riverbank infiltration. The forecasts suggest that with respect to the reference period 1980 to 2009, groundwater temperature in these aquifers will most likely increase by 1.1 to 3.8 K by the end of the current century, depending on the greenhouse‐gas emissions scenario employed.
The perceived impact of public involvement in palliative care in a provincial palliative care network in the Netherlands: a qualitative study
Authors: Haarsma Frederike , Moser Albine , Beckers Manon , van Rijswijk Henk , Stoffers Esther , Beurskens Anna
Published: November 2014

Background and objective

Public involvement in palliative care is challenging and difficult, because people in need of palliative care are often not capable of speaking up for themselves. Patient representatives advocate for their common interests. The aim of our study was to examine in depth the current practice of public involvement in palliative care.

Setting and sample

The study was conducted in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands, with six palliative care networks. Study participants were 16 patient representatives and 12 professionals.

Method

This study had a descriptive design using qualitative methods: 18 in‐depth interviews and three focus groups were conducted. The critical incident technique was used. The data were analysed using an analytical framework based on Arnstein's involvement classification and the process of decision making. Impact categories as well as facilitators and barriers were analysed using content analysis.

Findings and conclusion

The perceived impact of public involvement in palliative care in terms of citizen control and partnership is greatest with regard to quality of care, information development and dissemination, and in terms of policymaking with regard to the preparation and implementation phases of decision making. The main difference in perceived impact between patient representatives and professionals relates to the tension between operational and strategic involvement. Patient representatives experienced more impact regarding short‐term solutions to practical problems, while professionals perceived great benefits in long‐term, strategic processes. Improving public involvement in palliative care requires positive attitudes, open communication, sufficient resources and long‐term support, to build a solid basis for pursuing meaningful involvement in the entire decision‐making process.
The challenge of transferring an implementation strategy from academia to the field
Authors: Trietsch Jasper , van Steenkiste Ben , Hobma Sjoerd , Frericks Arnoud , Grol Richard , Metsemakers Job , van der Weijden Trudy
Published: November 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

A quality improvement strategy consisting of comparative feedback and peer review embedded in available local quality improvement collaboratives proved to be effective in changing the test‐ordering behaviour of general practitioners. However, implementing this strategy was problematic. We aimed for large‐scale implementation of an adapted strategy covering both test ordering and prescribing performance. Because we failed to achieve large‐scale implementation, the aim of this study was to describe and analyse the challenges of the transferring process.

Methods

In a qualitative study 19 regional health officers, pharmacists, laboratory specialists and general practitioners were interviewed within 6 months after the transfer period. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and independently coded by two of the authors. The codes were matched to the dimensions of the normalization process theory.

Results

The general idea of the strategy was widely supported, but generating the feedback was more complex than expected and the need for external support after transfer of the strategy remained high because participants did not assume responsibility for the work and the distribution of resources that came with it.

Conclusion

Evidence on effectiveness, a national infrastructure for these collaboratives and a general positive attitude were not sufficient for normalization. Thinking about managing large databases, responsibility for tasks and distribution of resources should start as early as possible when planning complex quality improvement strategies. Merely exploring the barriers and facilitators experienced in a preceding trial is not sufficient. Although multifaceted implementation strategies to change professional behaviour are attractive, their inherent complexity is also a pitfall for large‐scale implementation.
Experimental determination of REE partition coefficients between zircon, garnet and melt: a key to understanding high‐T crustal processes
Authors: Taylor R. J. M. , Harley S. L. , Hinton R. W. , Elphick S. , Clark C. , Kelly N. M.
Published: November 2014

The partitioning of rare earth elements (REE) between zircon, garnet and silicate melt was determined using synthetic compositions designed to represent partial melts formed in the lower crust during anatexis. The experiments, performed using internally heated gas pressure vessels at 7 kbar and 900–1000 °C, represent equilibrium partitioning of the middle to heavy REE between zircon and garnet during high‐grade metamorphism in the mid to lower crust. The DREE (zircon/garnet) values show a clear partitioning signature close to unity from Gd to Lu. Because the light REE have low concentrations in both minerals, values are calculated from strain modelling of the middle to heavy REE experimental data; these results show that zircon is favoured over garnet by up to two orders of magnitude. The resulting general concave‐up shape to the partitioning pattern across the REE reflects the preferential incorporation of middle REE into garnet, with DGd (zircon/garnet) ranging from 0.7 to 1.1, DHo (zircon/garnet) from 0.4 to 0.7 and DLu (zircon/garnet) from 0.6 to 1.3. There is no significant temperature dependence in the zircon–garnet REE partitioning at 7 kbar and 900–1000 °C, suggesting that these values can be applied to the interpretation of zircon–garnet equilibrium and timing relationships in the ultrahigh‐T metamorphism of low‐Ca pelitic and aluminous granulites.