bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When innovation met renovation: back to the future of branding
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Retro-marketing is rampant. Throwback branding is burgeoning. Newstalgia is the next big thing. Yet marketing thinking is dominated by the forward-facing discourse of innovation. The purpose of this paper is to challenge innovation’s rhetorical hegemony by making an exemplar-based case for renovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– If hindsight is the new foresight, then historical analyses can help us peer through a glass darkly into the future. This paper turns back time to the RMSTitanic, once regarded as the epitome of innovation, and offers a qualitative, narratological, culturally informed reading of a much-renovated brand.

Findings

– In narrative terms,Titanicis a house of many mansions. Cultural research reveals that renovation and innovation, far from being antithetical, are bound together in a deathless embrace, like steamship and iceberg. It shows that, although the luxury liner sank more than a century ago,Titanicis a billion-dollar brand and a testament to renovation’s place in marketing’s pantheon. It contends that the unfathomable mysteries of theTitanicprovide an apt metaphor for back-to-the-future brand management. It is a ship-shape simile heading straight for the iceberg called innovation. Survival is unlikely but the collision is striking.

Originality/value

– This paper makes no claims to originality. On the contrary, it argues that originality is overrated. Renovation, rather, rules the waves. It is a time to renovate our thinking about innovation. The value of this paper inheres in that observation.
On the Diachronic Development of a Hungarian Declarative Complementiser
Authors: Bacskai‐Atkari Julia
Published: July 2015

My paper investigates the diachronic development of the Modern Hungarian finite declarative complementiser hogy ‘COMP’. In Old Hungarian, hogy could be combined with other complementisers, e.g. mint ‘than/as’, giving configurations like hogymint and minthogy, that is, complementiser combinations in general are attested both in the hogy+X and the reverse X+hogy orders, X standing for an unspecified complementiser. The rich variation of Old Hungarian complex complementisers is not fully reflected in Modern Hungarian: it is invariably only one of the orders that survived. I will show that it is always the one that fully grammaticalised into a single C head; this is ultimately tied to the original underlying order of hogy and X as separate C heads. I will also demonstrate that hogy came to be used as a general marker of finite subordination.
Simulation Detection in Handwritten Documents by Forensic Document Examiners
Authors: Kam Moshe , Abichandani Pramod , Hewett Tom
Published: July 2015

This study documents the results of a controlled experiment designed to quantify the abilities of forensic document examiners (FDEs) and laypersons to detect simulations in handwritten documents. Nineteen professional FDEs and 26 laypersons (typical of a jury pool) were asked to inspect test packages that contained six (6) known handwritten documents written by the same person and two (2) questioned handwritten documents. Each questioned document was either written by the person who wrote the known documents, or written by a different person who tried to simulate the writing of the person who wrote the known document. The error rates of the FDEs were smaller than those of the laypersons when detecting simulations in the questioned documents. Among other findings, the FDEs never labeled a questioned document that was written by the same person who wrote the known documents as “simulation.” There was a significant statistical difference between the responses of the FDEs and layperson for documents without simulations.
Association between Down syndrome and mortality in young children with critical illness: a propensity‐matched analysis
Authors: Gupta Punkaj , Rettiganti Mallikarjuna
Published: July 2015

Aim

To evaluate the outcomes among critically ill young children with Down syndrome using propensity score matching from a national database.

Methods

Patients in the age group from one day through 24 months admitted to an intensive care unit during their hospital stay at a Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS)‐participating hospital (2004–2013) were included.

Results

Of the 293 697 patients who qualified for inclusion, 12 282 (4%) were classified in the Down syndrome group. Using propensity score matching, 10 477 patients with Down syndrome were matched one to one to patients without Down syndrome. Prior to matching, the mortality was significantly lower among the patients with Down syndrome (with vs. without Down syndrome, odds ratio (OR), 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.79; p < 0.001). After matching, the mortality was similar in both groups (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.87–1.07; p = 0.51). The mortality risk increased among the Down syndrome patients with increasing hospital length of stay (LOS).

Conclusion

In this large, contemporary cohort, Down syndrome did not confer a significantly higher mortality risk among children with critical illness. However, children with Down syndrome followed a time‐dependent, differential mortality risk with increased risk noted in relation to increasing hospital LOS.
Executive functions in kindergarteners with high levels of disruptive behaviours
Authors: Monette Sébastien , Bigras Marc , Guay Marie‐Claude
Published: July 2015

Executive function (EF) deficits have yet to be demonstrated convincingly in children with disruptive behaviour disorders (DBD), as only a few studies have reported these. The presence of EF weaknesses in children with DBD has often been contested on account of the high comorbidity between DBD and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and of methodological shortcomings regarding EF measures. Against this background, the link between EF and disruptive behaviours in kindergarteners was investigated using a carefully selected battery of EF measures. Three groups of kindergarteners were compared: (1) a group combining high levels of disruptive behaviours and ADHD symptoms (COMB); (2) a group presenting high levels of disruptive/aggressive behaviours and low levels of ADHD symptoms (AGG); and (3) a normative group (NOR). Children in the COMB and AGG groups presented weaker inhibition capacities compared with normative peers. Also, only the COMB group showed weaker working memory capacities compared with the NOR group. Results support the idea that preschool children with DBD have weaker inhibition capacities and that this weakness could be common to both ADHD and DBD.
Therapeutic targeting of N‐cadherin is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma
Authors: Mrozik Krzysztof M. , Cheong Chee Man , Hewett Duncan , Chow Annie W.S. , Blaschuk Orest W. , Zannettino Andrew C.W. , Vandyke Kate
Published: July 2015

Elevated expression of the cell adhesion molecule N‐cadherin (cadherin 2, type 1, N‐cadherin (neuronal); CDH2) is associated with poor prognosis in newly‐diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. In this study, we investigated whether targeting of N‐cadherin represents a potential treatment for the ~50% of MM patients with elevated N‐cadherin. Initially, we stably knocked‐down N‐cadherin in the mouse MM plasma cell (PC) line 5TGM1 to assess the functional role of N‐cadherin in MM pathogenesis. When compared with 5TGM1‐scramble‐shRNA cells, 5TGM1‐Cdh2‐shRNA cells had significantly reduced adhesion to bone marrow endothelial cells. However, N‐cadherin knock‐down did not affect 5TGM1 cell proliferation or adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells. In the C57BL/KaLwRij murine MM model, mice intravenously inoculated with 5TGM1‐Cdh2‐shRNA cells showed significantly decreased tumour burden after 4 weeks, compared with animals bearing 5TGM1‐scramble‐shRNA cells. Finally, the N‐cadherin antagonist ADH‐1 had no effect on tumour burden in the established disease setting, whereas up‐front ADH‐1 treatment resulted in significantly reduced tumour burden after 4 weeks. Our findings demonstrate that N‐cadherin may play a key role in the extravasation of circulating MM PCs promoting bone marrow homing. Moreover, these studies suggest that N‐cadherin may represent a viable therapeutic target to prevent the dissemination of MM PCs and delay MM disease progression.
Blockade of interleukin-6 receptor enhances the anti-arthritic effect of glucocorticoids without decreasing bone mineral density in mice with collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Suzuki M , Yoshida H , Hashizume M , Tanaka K , Matsumoto Y
Published: July 2015

In a mouse arthritis model, we investigated whether interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blockade would enhance the anti-arthritic effect of glucocorticoids (GCs). DBA/1J mice were immunized with type II collagen (CII), and were treated with prednisolone (PSL) and/or anti-mouse IL-6R antibody (MR16-1). Also, the effects of IL-6 on gene expression and the nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) were examined in cultured cells treated with dexamethasone (DEX). PSL reduced the arthritis score dose-dependently in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. The arthritis score in the PSL (3 mg/kg) + MR16-1 group was lower than in the PSL (3 mg/kg) group, and at the same level as in the PSL (6 mg/kg) group. Lumbar vertebra bone mineral density (BMD) was decreased significantly in CIA mice and was higher in the PSL (3 mg/kg) + MR16-1 group than in the PSL (6 mg/kg) group. In the in-vitro synovial cells, IL-6 pretreatment attenuated the inhibitory effect of DEX on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and inhibited the nuclear translocation of GR induced by DEX. In contrast, in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, IL-6 pretreatment exacerbated the decrease in expression of osteocalcin and the increase in expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) by DEX. We demonstrated that IL-6 signalling blockade by an anti-IL-6R antibody can augment the anti-arthritic effect of GCs and inhibit the bone loss they cause.
Quality of life after different procedures for regional control in oral cancer patients: cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Govers T.M. , Schreuder W.H. , Klop W.M.C. , Grutters J.P.C. , Rovers M.M. , Merkx M.A.W. , Takes R.P.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To examine health utilities in patients withcT1‐2oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma following different diagnostic and treatment modalities for the neck and to investigate the relation between shoulder morbidity and health utility.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Two Dutch hospitals.

Participants

Four subgroups of patients with oral cavity cancer who underwent watchful waiting, sentinel lymph node biopsy, elective supraomohyoid neck dissection or therapeutic modified radical neck dissection.

Main outcome measures

Patients received the EuroQol‐5D‐3L questionnaire and the shoulder disability questionnaire. Mean health utility, visual analogue scale and shoulder disability scores were calculated.

Results

A total of 181 patients (62%) returned the questionnaires. Mean health utilities, adjusted for age, gender and time since treatment were 0.804, 0.863, 0.834 and 0.794 for the watchful waiting, sentinel lymph node biopsy, supraomohyoid neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection subgroups, respectively. Mean shoulder disability scores (higher score means more shoulder complaints) for these subgroups were 8.64, 10.57, 18.92 and 33.66. Patients with shoulder complaints had a mean utility of 0.78 while patients without shoulder complaints had a mean utility of 0.90.

Conclusions

This study shows that more invasive procedures appear to result in lower health utility. The high health utility for patients after sentinel lymph node biopsy supports a role for this procedure in patients with oral cancer.
Parents Produce Explicit Cues That Help Toddlers Distinguish Joking and Pretending
Authors: Hoicka Elena , Butcher Jessica
Published: July 2015

While separate pieces of research found parents offer toddlers cues to express that they are (1) joking and (2) pretending, and that toddlers and preschoolers understand intentions to (1) joke and (2) pretend, it is not yet clear whether parents and toddlers consider joking and pretending to be distinct concepts. This is important as distinguishing these two forms of non‐literal acts could open a gateway to understanding the complexities of the non‐literal world, as well as the complexities of intentions in general. Two studies found parents offer explicit cues to help 16‐ to 24‐month‐olds distinguish pretending and joking. Across an action play study (n = 25) and a verbal play study (n = 40) parents showed more disbelief and less belief through their actions and language when joking versus pretending. Similarly, toddlers showed less belief through their actions, and older toddlers showed less belief through their language. Toddlers' disbelief could be accounted for by their response to parents' language and actions. Thus, these studies reveal a mechanism by which toddlers learn to distinguish joking and pretending. Parents offer explicit cues to distinguish these intentions, and toddlers use these cues to guide their own behaviors, which in turn allows toddlers to distinguish these intentional contexts.
Homeostasis of iron and hepcidin in erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Bossi Krista , Lee Jingyun , Schmeltzer Paul , Holburton Eric , Groseclose Gale , Besur Siddesh , Hwang Sunil , Bonkovsky Herbert L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X‐linked protoporphyria (XLP) are genetic abnormalities of heme synthesis that result in excess production of protoporphyrin and that manifest as severe photosensitivity. These disorders are often associated with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Our aim was to determine whether hepcidin is increased in EPP/XLP patients, resulting in decreased enteral iron absorption and IDA.

Material and methods

Eight subjects with EPP, one with XLP and nine controls had baseline blood and urine samples collected, and thereafter were given oral ferrous sulphate (660 mg). Post‐iron blood and urine samples were collected at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Blood counts, serum cytokines, ferritin and iron studies were analysed at baseline. Serum iron studies, serum and urine hepcidin, and erythropoietin (Epo) were analysed at baseline and subsequent time points.

Results

At baseline, EPP–XLP subjects had lower mean blood haemoglobin (13·9/15·3 g/dL) and serum ferritin (31·6/115 ng/mL) than controls. Serum iron levels increased markedly in both cohorts. Mean serum and urine hepcidin levels were significantly lower in the EPP–XLP group at 4 and 8 h post‐iron (serum – 4 h, 3·79/26·6, 8 h, 5·79/34·6 nM; urine – 4 h, 0·85/2·50, 8 h, 1·44/6·63 nM/mM creatinine). Serum cytokines and Epo were normal and not different between groups.

Conclusions

We conclude that serum and urine hepcidin are not inappropriately increased in EPP/XLP subjects at baseline and do not increase over time as serum iron increases after oral ferrous sulphate. Levels of serum cytokines and Epo are normal in EPP/XLP. The molecular basis for the iron‐deficient phenotype in EPP/XLP remains unknown.
PRIMING THE CHARITABLE PUMP: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF TWO‐STAGE RAFFLES
Authors: Goerg Sebastian J. , Lightle John P. , Ryvkin Dmitry
Published: July 2015

We experimentally study two‐stage self‐financing raffles in which participants can buy tickets in two stages. In all raffles, one half of the proceeds are donated to a local charity and the raffle winner wins the other half. The mechanisms differ by what happens to the tickets purchased in the first stage. In the complete draw down two‐stage raffle, the first stage tickets are eliminated from the active pool of tickets, while in the no draw down raffle they remain in the active pool. We find that both two‐stage raffles initially perform better than the standard one‐stage 50–50 raffle. Over time, the aggregate contribution level in the complete draw down raffle declines and approaches that of the one‐stage raffle, while in the no draw down raffle contributions are stable and remain higher than those in the other two mechanisms. In both two‐stage raffles, we observe a positive correlation between the proceeds of the first stage and the number of tickets bought in the second stage. Our results are at odds with a standard warm glow model of giving, and also cannot be explained by the joy of winning or learning about bidders' types. (JEL C72, C92, D64)
Seasonal Variation, Cranial Autonomic Symptoms, and Functional Disability in Migraine: A Questionnaire‐Based Study in Tertiary Care
Authors: Shin Yong‐Won , Park Hyun‐Jung , Shim Ji‐Young , Oh Min‐Jung , Kim Manho
Published: July 2015

Objective/Background

Seasonal variation of migraine attack frequency has been described as a phenomenon. We aimed to compare functional disability and the occurrence of cranial autonomic symptoms (CASs) in patients who reported a seasonal variation in their migraine attack frequency with those who did not.

Methods

We conducted a questionnaire‐based observational study on patients with migraine without aura who visited our institution from January 2005 to December 2013. Patient demographics, headache characteristics, and accompanying symptoms were recorded, and functional disability was evaluated by Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire.

Results

Of 4423 patients screened, 769 were eligible for analysis, and 104 (13.5%) of them reported seasonal variation. Several CAS features such as conjunctival injection (25.0% vs 14.0%), lacrimation (20.2% vs 10.8%), eyelid edema (20.2% vs 10.2%), forehead and facial sweating (22.1% vs 11.4%), and ptosis (23.1% vs 11.4%) were more prominent in this subset of patients. They showed higher MIDAS scores (15.4 ± 23.5) than the other migraineurs (10.4 ± 16.9), with a 1.77‐fold increased risk (95% confidence interval 1.06‐2.96) of severe functional disability (MIDAS score ≥21) after adjustment for age group, sex, headache frequency, intensity, and duration. The higher the number of CASs, the greater also was the proportion of patients with severe functional disability.

Conclusions

Patients who reported seasonal variation in migraine also reported more CASs and had more severe functional disability. The profound functional disability in the migraineurs reporting seasonal variation or CAS also provides direction for proactive clinical management in these patients.
Use and reporting of restricted randomization: a review
Authors: Higham Ruchi , Tharmanathan Puvan , Birks Yvonne
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Restricted randomization, such as blocking or minimization, allows for the creation of balanced groups and even distribution of covariates, but it increases the risk of selection bias and technical error. Various methods are available to reduce these risks but there is limited evidence about their current usage, and there are also indications that reporting of these methods may not be adequate. This review aims to identify how frequently different methods of restriction are being used and to assess the reporting of these methods against established reporting standards.

Methods

82 reports of randomized controlled trial were reviewed. For each trial, the reported method of randomization was recorded and the reporting of randomization was assessed. Where the method of randomization was not clear from the main paper, protocols and other published materials were also reviewed, and authors were contacted for further information.

Results

For 11% of trials the method of randomization was not reported in either the paper or a published protocol, and in a further 39% of cases the report omitted key details so that the predictability of the method could not be evaluated. In total, 88% of trials appear to have used some form of restricted randomization, and all of those that report the exact methods used either blocking or minimization. 15% of trials reported using blocks of six or less and 4% used minimization with no random element reported, both of which are highly predictable.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the majority of trials use some form of restriction, with many using relatively predictable methods that put them at greater risk of selection bias and technical error. Reporting of randomization methods often falls short of the minimum requirements set out by the CONSORT statement, leaving the reader unable to make an informed judgement about the risk of bias.
Increased water intake to reduce headache: learning from a critical appraisal
Authors: Price Amy , Burls Amanda
Published: July 2015

Abstract Critically Appraised Topic (CAT): Water Intake to Reduce Headache

Clinical Bottom Line

Water intake is a cost effective, non‐invasive and low‐risk intervention to reduce or prevent headache pain. Rationale: Chronic mild dehydration may trigger headache. Increased water intake could help. A small trial shows modest benefit; however, a larger methodologically sound randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm efficacy.

Critically Appraised Paper

Spigt, M., Weerkamp, N., Troost, J., van Schayck, C. P., & Knottnerus, J. A. (2012). ‘A randomized trial on the effects of regular water intake in patients with recurrent headaches.’ Family practice, 29(4), 370–5. Doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmr112

Clinical scenario

Patients from primary care registered as ‘headache’, ‘tension headache’ and/or ‘migraine’ for more than one year who suffer at least two episodes of moderately intense headache or more than four mildly intense episodes of headache per month with a daily fluid intake of less than 2.5 litres per day.

PICO (M)

Patient/Problem = Headache > 1 year with 2 moderately intense or 4 mildly intense episodes per month

Intervention = 1.5 litres water per day + stress control and sleep hygiene

Comparison/Control = stress control and sleep hygiene

Outcome = Reduce or eliminate headache

Methodology = Therapy RCT

Table 1: Final Search Terms

TRIP Data Base: hits = 517 used filter Extended Primary research 4 found 1 paper applicable
'Water intake '[MeSH Terms] AND 'Headache '[All Fields]'
Best match to PICO, (2012) RCT

Selection Criterion and Overall Results

102 headache patients in16 primary care clinics were randomized into control (n = 50) and intervention groups (n = 52) Inclusion criteria = two > episodes of moderately intense headache or five > mildly intense headaches per month and total fluid intake > 2.5 litres per day, Follow‐up @ 3 months. 79% intervention and 66% of controls completed RCT. Drinking more water resulted in a statistically significant improvement of 4.5 (confidence interval: 1.3–7.8) points on Migraine‐Specific Quality of Life (MSQOL). 47% in the intervention (water) group self‐reported improvement (6 > on a 10‐point scale) against 25% in controls. Drinking water did not reduce headache days.

Comments

The transparency from the author of this critically appraised paper enables others to use this study as a teaching tool and to learn from the shortcomings in the trial. The study was underpowered and contains methodological shortcomings. Participants were partially un‐blinded during the trial increasing the risk for bias. Only the subjective measures are statistically significant and attrition was significant. The intervention is low risk and of negligible cost. A methodologically sound RCT is recommended to evaluate if the intervention has beneficial effects.
Fetal and infant exposure to the Chinese famine increases the risk of fatty liver disease in Chongqing, China
Authors: Chen Jiang‐Peng , Peng Bin , Tang Lan , Sun Rong , Hu Shan , Wen Xiao‐Yan , Que Ping , Wang Yong‐Hong
Published: July 2015

Background and Aim:

Early life exposure to the famine may affect the susceptibility to the metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of early life exposure to the Chinese Famine (1959–1961) with the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia in adulthood.

Methods:

We used the data of 10 935 adults born between 1956 and 1965 in Chongqing from check‐up center at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in 2011. Logistic regression models were used to explore the effects of famine on the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia.

Results

In Chongqing, prevalences of fatty liver disease among adults in non‐exposed (1956–1958 plus 1963–1965) group and born in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962 were 34.01%, 36.42%, 34.63%, 40.27%, and 36.09%, respectively. Prevalences of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly higher in males versus females. The risk of fatty liver disease was about 1.375‐fold (1.303 (95% confidence interval, 1.066–1.594) for male, 1.547(95% confidence interval, 1.195–2.002) for female) higher in subjects born in 1961, and 1.142‐fold (1.117 (95% confidence interval, 0.957–1.305) for male, 1.242 (95% confidence interval, 1.003–1.537) for female) higher in subjects born in 1962 after adjustment of age and sex, compared with non‐exposed subjects. Early life exposure to the Chinese famine was also associated with the increased risk of obesity and hyperglycemia.

Conclusions:

Exposure to the Chinese famine during fetal life and infancy was associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease in adulthood.
Life Cycle–based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing
Authors: Marvinney Elias , Kendall Alissa , Brodt Sonja
Published: July 2015

This is the second part of a two‐article series examining California almond production. The part I article describes development of the analytical framework and life cycle–based model and presents typical energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for California almonds. This part II article builds on this by exploring uncertainty in the life cycle model through sensitivity and scenario analysis, and by examining temporary carbon storage in the orchard.

Sensitivity analysis shows life cycle GHG emissions are most affected by biomass fate and utilization, followed by nitrous oxide emissions rates from orchard soils. Model sensitivity for net energy consumption is highest for irrigation system parameters, followed by biomass fate and utilization.

Scenario analysis shows utilization of orchard biomass for electricity production has the greatest potential effect, assuming displacement methods are used for co‐product allocation. Results of the scenario analysis show that 1 kilogram (kg) of almond kernel and associated co‐products are estimated to cause between −3.12 to 2.67 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2‐eq) emissions and consume between 27.6 to 52.5 megajoules (MJ) of energy. Co‐product displacement credits lead to avoided emissions of between −1.33 to 2.45 kg CO2‐eq and between −0.08 to 13.7 MJ of avoided energy use, leading to net results of −1.39 to 3.99 kg CO2‐eq and 15.3 to 52.6 MJ per kg kernel (net results are calculated by subtracting co‐product credits from the results for almonds and co‐products).

Temporary carbon storage in orchard biomass and soils is accounted for by using alternative global warming characterization factors and leads to a 14% to 18% reduction in CO2‐eq emissions. Future studies of orchards and other perennial cropping systems should likely consider temporary carbon storage.
An anatomical study of porcine peripheral nerve and its potential use in nerve tissue engineering
Authors: Zilic Leyla , Garner Philippa E. , Yu Tong , Roman Sabiniano , Haycock John W. , Wilshaw Stacy‐Paul
Published: July 2015

Current nerve tissue engineering applications are adopting xenogeneic nerve tissue as potential nerve grafts to help aid nerve regeneration. However, there is little literature that describes the exact location, anatomy and physiology of these nerves to highlight their potential as a donor graft. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise the structural and extracellular matrix (ECM) components of porcine peripheral nerves in the hind leg. Methods included the dissection of porcine nerves, localisation, characterisation and quantification of the ECM components and identification of nerve cells. Results showed a noticeable variance between porcine and rat nerve (a commonly studied species) in terms of fascicle number. The study also revealed that when porcine peripheral nerves branch, a decrease in fascicle number and size was evident. Porcine ECM and nerve fascicles were found to be predominately comprised of collagen together with glycosaminoglycans, laminin and fibronectin. Immunolabelling for nerve growth factor receptor p75 also revealed the localisation of Schwann cells around and inside the fascicles. In conclusion, it is shown that porcine peripheral nerves possess a microstructure similar to that found in rat, and is not dissimilar to human. This finding could extend to the suggestion that due to the similarities in anatomy to human nerve, porcine nerves may have utility as a nerve graft providing guidance and support to regenerating axons.
Breastfeeding and child development outcomes: an investigation of the nurturing hypothesis
Authors: Huang Jin , Vaughn Michael G. , Kremer Kristen P.
Published: July 2015

This study investigated whether the nurturing hypothesis – that breastfeeding serves as a proxy for family socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours – accounts for the association of breastfeeding with children's academic abilities. Data used were from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which followed up a cohort of 3563 children aged 0–12 in 1997. Structural equation modelling simultaneously regressed outcome variables, including three test scores of academic ability and two subscales of behaviour problems, on the presence and duration of breastfeeding, family socio‐economic characteristics, parenting behaviours and covariates. Breastfeeding was strongly related to all three tests scores but had no relationships with behaviour problems. The adjusted mean differences in the Letter–Word Identification, Passage Comprehension) and Applied Problems test scores between breastfed and non‐breastfed children were 5.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.14, 7.14], 3.46 (95% CI: 1.67, 5.26) and 4.24 (95% CI: 2.43, 6.04), respectively. Both socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours were related to higher academic test scores and were associated with a lower prevalence of externalising and internalising behaviour problems. The associations of breastfeeding with behaviour problems are divergent from those of socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours. The divergence suggests that breastfeeding may not be a proxy of socio‐economic characteristics and parenting behaviours, as proposed by the nurturing hypothesis. The mechanism of breastfeeding benefits is likely to be different from those by which family socio‐economic background and parenting practices exert their effects. Greater clarity in understanding the mechanisms behind breastfeeding benefits will facilitate the development of policies and programs that maximise breastfeeding's impact.
Efficacy of e‐technologies in improving breastfeeding outcomes among perinatal women: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lau Ying , Htun Tha P. , Tam Wai S.W. , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee
Published: July 2015

A growing line of research has highlighted that e‐technologies may play a promising role in improving breastfeeding outcomes. The objective of this review was to synthesise the best of available evidence by conducting a meta‐analysis to evaluate whether e‐technologies have had any effect in improving breastfeeding outcomes among perinatal women. The review was conducted using nine electronic databases to search for English‐language research studies from 2007 to 2014. A ‘risk of bias’ table was used to assess methodological quality. Meta‐analysis was performed with the RevMan software. The Q test and I2 test was used to assess the heterogeneity. The test of overall effect was assessed using z‐statistics at P < 0.05. Of 1842 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 16 experimental studies were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Half of the selected studies had a low risk of bias, from which a total of 5505 women in six countries in these studies were included. Meta‐analyses revealed that e‐technologies significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding initiation (z = 6.90, P < 0.00001), exclusive breastfeeding at 4 weeks (z = 2.12, P = 0.03) and 6 months (z = 3.2, P = 0.001), breastfeeding attitude (z = 3.01, P = 0.003) and breastfeeding knowledge (z = 4.54, P = < 0.00001) in subgroup analyses. This review provides support for the development of web‐based, texting messaging, compact disc read‐only memory, electronic prompts and interactive computer agent interventions for promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
Modified veranda‐trap hut for improved evaluation of vector control interventions
Authors: OXBOROUGH R. M. , KITAU J. , MOSHA F. W. , ROWLAND M. W.
Published: July 2015

Experimental huts with veranda traps have been used in Tanzania since 1963 for the study of residual insecticides for use with insecticide‐treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Mosquitoes are allowed unrestricted entry through the eaves to facilitate the collection of an estimable proportion of mosquitoes that attempt to exit through the eave gaps, which are left open on two sides of the hut. This study was designed to validate the use of eave baffles to funnel entry and to prevent mosquito escape, and to determine biting times of Anopheles arabiensis (Patton) (Diptera: Culicidae). Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) were released into the room at 20.30 hours and collected the following morning from veranda traps, window traps and the room. Centers for Disease Control light traps hung overnight next to volunteers were emptied every 2 h to determine peak biting times. A total of 55% of An. arabiensis were trapped before 22.30 hours and the highest peak in ‘biting’ was recorded during 18.30–20.30 hours. Of the released An. arabiensis that exited into veranda traps, 7% were captured in veranda traps entered through baffles and 93% were captured in traps entered through unmodified eaves. When veranda screens were left open to allow for escape outdoors, recapture rates were 68% for huts with eave baffles and 39% for huts with unmodified eaves. The comparison of open eaves with baffled eaves validated the assumption that in huts of the traditional non‐baffled design, 50% of mosquitoes escape through open eaves. Eave baffles succeeded in reducing the potential for mosquito exit and produced more precise estimates of effect.
Antibodies to m‐type phospholipase A2 receptor in children with idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Ramachandran Raja , Kumar Ashwani , Nada Ritambhra , Suri Deepti , Gupta Anju , Kohli Harbir Singh , Gupta Krishan Lal , Jha Vivekanand
Published: July 2015

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), the commonest cause of adult nephrotic syndrome (NS), accounts for only a minority of paediatric NS. Antibodies to m‐type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) are seen in two‐thirds of adult IMN cases. PLA2R staining in glomerular deposits is observed in 74% and 45% of adult and paediatric IMN cases, respectively. However, there are no reports of anti‐PLA2R in paediatric IMN. We evaluated anti‐PLA2R levels and PLA2R in gloemrular deposits in paediatric IMN seen at our center. Five cases were enrolled, all the cases stained for PLA2R in glomeruli and three (60%) had antibodies to PLA2R antigen. There was a parellel reduction in proteinuria and anti‐PLA2R titer. The present report suggests that PLA2R has a contributory role in the pathogenesis of paediatric IMN.
Dimethylarginines as biomarkers for the kidney transplant management in methylmalonic aciduria
Authors: Aldámiz‐Echevarria Luis , Andrade Fernando , Llarena Marta , de las Heras Javier , Couce María Luz
Published: July 2015

Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an inborn error of metabolism associated with many complications despite treatment. Chronic renal failure is the most common problem, and patients may eventually require kidney transplant. Therefore, it is worth investigating whether living donor kidney transplant offers a better option than deceased kidney donors; and the value of novel vascular risk biomarkers in the assessment of transplanted MMA patients. We report a case of a 26‐year‐old man with MMA, who progressed to end‐stage renal disease and received kidney transplant from a heterozygous next‐of‐kin living donor at 20 years of age. Although post‐transplant urinary levels of methylmalonic acid decreased, this reduction was lower than previously reported for deceased donors. No episodes of metabolic decompensation were observed after transplantation. During his clinical progress, vascular complications appeared; and finally, pancreatitis was the cause of death. After kidney transplant, we evaluated novel vascular risk factors, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), which were used as early biomarkers of progression and metabolic management for this transplanted patient. This case report illustrates the disadvantage of transplantation with an allograft from a heterozygous living donor, and the utility of vascular risk biomarkers in renal transplant assessment.
Phylogenetic investigation of the complex evolutionary history of dispersal mode and diversification rates across living and fossil Fagales
Authors: Larson‐Johnson Kathryn
Published: July 2015

As a primary determinant of spatial structure in angiosperm populations, fruit dispersal may impact large‐scale ecological and evolutionary processes. Essential to understanding these mechanisms is an accurate reconstruction of dispersal mode over the entire history of an angiosperm lineage.

A total‐evidence phylogeny is presented for most fossil fruit and all extant genera in Fagales over itsc. 95 million yr history. This phylogeny – the largest of its kind to include plant fossils – was used to reconstruct an evolutionary history directly informed by fossil morphologies and to assess relationships among dispersal mode, biogeographic range size, and diversification rate.

Reconstructions indicate four transitions to wind dispersal and seven to biotic dispersal, with the phylogenetic integration of fossils crucial to understanding these patterns. Complexity further increased when more specialized behaviors were considered, with fluttering, gliding, autorotating, and scatter‐hoarding evolving multiple times across the order.

Preliminary biogeographic analyses suggest larger range sizes in biotically dispersed lineages, especially when pollination mode was held constant. Biotically dispersed lineages had significantly higher diversification rates than abiotically dispersed lineages, although transitions in dispersal mode alone cannot explain all detected diversification rate shifts across Fagales.
Identification and functional characterization of natural human melanocortin 1 receptor mutant alleles in Pakistani population
Authors: Shahzad Mohsin , Sires Campos Julia , Tariq Nabeela , Herraiz Serrano Cecilia , Yousaf Rizwan , Jiménez‐Cervantes Celia , Yousaf Sairah , Waryah Yar M. , Dad Haseeb A. , Blue Elizabeth M. , Sobreira Nara , López‐Giráldez Francesc ,   University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Kausar Tasleem , Ali Muhammad , Waryah Ali M. , Riazuddin Saima , Shaikh Rehan S. , García‐Borrón José C. , Ahmed Zubair M.
Published: July 2015

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a Gs protein‐coupled receptor of the melanocyte's plasma membrane, is a major determinant of skin pigmentation and phototype. Upon activation by α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone, MC1R triggers the cAMP cascade to stimulate eumelanogenesis. We used whole‐exome sequencing to identify causative alleles in Pakistani families with skin and hair hypopigmentation. Six MC1R mutations segregated with the phenotype in seven families, including a p.Val174del in‐frame deletion and a p.Tyr298* nonsense mutation, that were analyzed for function in heterologous HEK293 cells. p.Tyr298* MC1R showed no agonist‐induced signaling to the cAMP or ERK pathways, nor detectable agonist binding. Conversely, signaling was comparable for p.Val174del and wild‐type in HEK cells overexpressing the proteins, but binding analysis suggested impaired cell surface expression. Flow cytometry and confocal imaging studies revealed reduced plasma membrane expression of p.Val174del and p.Tyr298*. Therefore, p.Tyr298* was a total loss‐of‐function (LOF) allele, while p.Val174del displayed a partial LOF attribute.
The relative efficacy of telephone and email reminders to elicit blood donation
Authors: Germain M. , Godin G.
Published: July 2015

The aim of the study was to test the relative efficacy of telephone and email reminders to trigger blood donation. A sample of 3454 donors was randomized to one of three conditions: phone only (n = 1176), email only (n = 1091) and phone + email (n = 1187). There was a higher proportion of donors who registered to give blood in the phone + email condition (18·45%) compared to the other two conditions (phone: 15·73%, P < 0·05; email: 13·20%; P < 0·001); this effect was apparent only in men. The phone and email conditions did not differ significantly (P = 0·16), suggesting equivalent efficacy.
A Mixed Double-Sided Incremental Forming Toolpath Strategy for Improved Geometric Accuracy
Authors: Zhang Zixuan , Ren Huaqing , Xu Rui , Moser Newell , Smith Jacob , Ndip-Agbor Ebot , Malhotra Rajiv , Cedric Xia Z. , Ehmann Kornel F. , Cao Jian
Published: July 2015

Double-sided incremental forming (DSIF) is a relatively new dieless forming process which uses two hemispherical ended tools, one on each side of the sheet, moving along a predefined trajectory to locally deform a peripherally clamped sheet of metal. DSIF provides greater process flexibility, higher formability, and eliminates the tooling cost when compared to conventional sheet forming processes. While DSIF provides much improved geometric accuracy compared to other incremental forming processes, current toolpath planning strategies suffer from long forming times. A novel mixed double-sided incremental forming (MDSIF) toolpath strategy is proposed in the present study. It simultaneously reduces the total forming time by half while preserving the best currently achievable geometric accuracy. The effect of the forming parameters, i.e., of the incremental depth and of tool positioning on the geometric accuracy of the parts formed with MDSIF was investigated and compared to those formed by traditional DSIF strategies.
A Spatial-Random-Process Based Multidisciplinary System Uncertainty Propagation Approach With Model Uncertainty
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Li Wei , Apley Daniel W. , Chen Wei
Published: July 2015

The performance of a multidisciplinary system is inevitably affected by various sources of uncertainties, usually categorized as aleatory (e.g., input variability) or epistemic (e.g., model uncertainty) uncertainty. In the framework of design under uncertainty, all sources of uncertainties should be aggregated to assess the uncertainty of system quantities of interest (QOIs). In a multidisciplinary design system, uncertainty propagation (UP) refers to the analysis that quantifies the overall uncertainty of system QOIs resulting from all sources of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty originating in the individual disciplines. However, due to the complexity of multidisciplinary simulation, especially the coupling relationships between individual disciplines, many UP approaches in the existing literature only consider aleatory uncertainty and ignore the impact of epistemic uncertainty. In this paper, we address the issue of efficient uncertainty quantification of system QOIs considering both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. We propose a spatial-random-process (SRP) based multidisciplinary uncertainty analysis (MUA) method that, subsequent to SRP-based disciplinary model uncertainty quantification, fully utilizes the structure of SRP emulators and leads to compact analytical formulas for assessing statistical moments of uncertain QOIs. The proposed method is applied to a benchmark electronic packaging design problem. The estimated low-order statistical moments of the QOIs are compared to the results from Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The UP result is then used to facilitate the robust design optimization of the electronic packaging system.
Development of a video image‐based QA system for the positional accuracy of dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system
Authors: Ebe Kazuyu , Sugimoto Satoru , Utsunomiya Satoru , Kagamu Hiroshi , Aoyama Hidefumi , Court Laurence , Tokuyama Katsuichi , Baba Ryuta , Ogihara Yoshisada , Ichikawa Kosuke , Toyama Joji
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To develop and evaluate a new video image‐based QA system, including in‐house software, that can display a tracking state visually and quantify the positional accuracy of dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system.

Methods:

Sixteen trajectories in six patients with pulmonary cancer were obtained with the ExacTrac in the Vero4DRT system. Motion data in the cranio–caudal direction (Y direction) were used as the input for a programmable motion table (Quasar). A target phantom was placed on the motion table, which was placed on the 2D ionization chamber array (MatriXX). Then, the 4D modeling procedure was performed on the target phantom during a reproduction of the patient's tumor motion. A substitute target with the patient's tumor motion was irradiated with 6‐MV x‐rays under the surrogate infrared system. The 2D dose images obtained from the MatriXX (33 frames/s; 40 s) were exported to in‐house video‐image analyzing software. The absolute differences in the Y direction between the center of the exposed target and the center of the exposed field were calculated. Positional errors were observed. The authors’ QA results were compared to 4D modeling function errors and gimbal motion errors obtained from log analyses in the ExacTrac to verify the accuracy of their QA system. The patients’ tumor motions were evaluated in the wave forms, and the peak‐to‐peak distances were also measured to verify their reproducibility.

Results:

Thirteen of sixteen trajectories (81.3%) were successfully reproduced with Quasar. The peak‐to‐peak distances ranged from 2.7 to 29.0 mm. Three trajectories (18.7%) were not successfully reproduced due to the limited motions of the Quasar. Thus, 13 of 16 trajectories were summarized. The mean number of video images used for analysis was 1156. The positional errors (absolute mean difference + 2 standard deviation) ranged from 0.54 to 1.55 mm. The error values differed by less than 1 mm from 4D modeling function errors and gimbal motion errors in the ExacTrac log analyses (n = 13).

Conclusions:

The newly developed video image‐based QA system, including in‐house software, can analyze more than a thousand images (33 frames/s). Positional errors are approximately equivalent to those in ExacTrac log analyses. This system is useful for the visual illustration of the progress of the tracking state and for the quantification of positional accuracy during dynamic tumor tracking irradiation in the Vero4DRT system.
Protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B56α limits phosphatase activity in the heart
Authors: Little Sean C. , Curran Jerry , Makara Michael A. , Kline Crystal F. , Ho Hsiang-Ting , Xu Zhaobin , Wu Xiangqiong , Polina Iuliia , Musa Hassan , Meadows Allison M. , Carnes Cynthia A. , Biesiadecki Brandon J. , Davis Jonathan P. , Weisleder Noah , Györke Sandor , Wehrens Xander H. , Hund Thomas J. , Mohler Peter J.
Published: July 2015

Targeting a regulatory subunit in the phosphatase PP2A could limit arrhythmias caused by excessive adrenergic stimulation.
Mitochondria power drug-induced invasion
Authors: Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: July 2015

Redistribution of mitochondria to the cortex contributes to the enhanced invasive phenotype of cancer cells exposed to phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors.