bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S Group’s vision for strategic transformation: “Your Own Store”
Authors: Neilimo Kari , Kuusela Hannu , Närvänen Elina , Saarijärvi Hannu
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The vision should ignite and facilitate strategic change as well as help a company to transform and reinvent itself in the face of competition. Too often executives use vision as a mere slogan without real relevance. The purpose of this study is to show how the vision guides strategic change.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study from a successful multi-format, multi-industry service business is used to illustrate the role of vision in strategic change management.

Findings

– The article illustrates how the vision was used in practice in guiding the strategic transformation process of the case organization. The study presents four focal tasks of the vision and concludes with five practical guidelines for executives.

Originality/value

– The article highlights the role of vision as an important tool for managing strategic change.
Body reserves influence allocation to immune responses in capital breeding female northern elephant seals
Authors: Peck Hannah E. , Costa Daniel P. , Crocker Daniel E.
Published: June 2015

Mounting an immune response requires substantial energy. Ecological immunology theory predicts allocation trade‐offs between reproductive effort and immune responses under conditions of energy limitation. Little is known about the impact of capital breeding strategies on energy allocation to immune function in mammals.

Northern elephant seals (NES) forage in the marine environment, breed in dense terrestrial colonies and exhibit high rates of energy expenditure for lactation while fasting. Body reserves strongly influence reproductive effort and lactation requires elevation of plasma cortisol for energy mobilization.

We characterized immune response by measuring a suite of immune markers including cytokines, an acute phase protein, and immunoglobulins early and late in breeding and moult haul‐outs in 197 samples from 129 female NES. We explored potential impacts of breeding, body condition and plasma cortisol on immune function.

Immune responses were greater and more varied during breeding. Adiposity had positive associations with innate immune responses across all life‐history stages. Body mass had positive associations with both adaptive and innate immune responses early in fasts. Females with lower fat reserves showed reduced innate immune responses at the end of lactation. Immunoglobulin E, a marker of immune response to parasitic infection, exhibited a significant negative association with cortisol across all life‐history stages.

These data suggest that breeding carries an immune cost and provide evidence for allocation trade‐offs between immune function and breeding effort. These trade‐offs may reflect a compromise between immune costs inherent in colonial breeding and energetic limitations that arise in use of capital breeding strategies. Variation in evidence for immunosuppressive effects of cortisol suggests that decoupling of these effects may be limited to specific aspects of the immune response during terrestrial fasting. Immune responses that are required for survival may be modulated relative to the energetic demands required for successful reproduction.
Structure and functioning of intertidal food webs along an avian flyway: a comparative approach using stable isotopes
Authors: Catry Teresa , Lourenço Pedro M. , Lopes Ricardo J. , Carneiro Camilo , Alves José A. , Costa Joana , Rguibi‐Idrissi Hamid , Bearhop Stuart , Piersma Theunis , Granadeiro José P.
Published: June 2015

Food webs and trophic dynamics of coastal systems have been the focus of intense research throughout the world, as they prove to be critical in understanding ecosystem processes and functions. However, very few studies have undertaken a quantitative comparison of entire food webs from a key consumer perspective across a broad geographical area, limiting relevant comparisons among systems with distinct biotic and abiotic components.

We investigate the structure and functioning of food webs in four tidal ecosystems of international importance for migratory shorebirds along the East Atlantic Flyway: Tejo estuary in Portugal, Sidi Moussa in Morocco, Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania and Bijagós archipelago in Guinea‐Bissau. Basal food sources, shorebirds and their prey (benthic invertebrates) were sampled in all areas, and Bayesian stable isotope mixing models and community‐wide metrics were used in a comparative analysis among areas.

Significant differences among study areas were found in the structure of food webs, as well as in the relative importance of basal resource pools supporting each food web. Overall, the food web of Banc d'Arguin was characterized by lower trophic diversity and higher functional redundancy than the other sites. This result might be explained by the low number of trophic pathways of organic matter transfer in this seagrass‐dominated system which, as a fossil estuary, lacks inputs from both freshwater and nutrient‐rich offshore oceanic waters.

Structure of shorebird communities was consistent with the main organizational patterns found for each food web, highlighting the less diverse character of the community of Banc d'Arguin. At Banc d'Arguin and Bijagós archipelago, which displayed the smallest and largest isotopic niche widths in bird assemblage, respectively, mean niche overlap among species was low, suggesting high interspecific partitioning in resource use. Tropical systems typically offer comparatively lower harvestable prey biomass for shorebirds and might thus strengthen interspecific competition, leading to low niche overlap among species.

Our study reveals relevant differences in the structure of food webs and shorebird communities in coastal areas along an avian flyway. While differences in trophic redundancy of food webs point to distinct levels of ecosystem resilience, contrasts in the organization of shorebird communities highlight the plasticity in the foraging behaviour of species inhabiting areas with distinct environmental conditions.
Scale‐dependent responses of pollination and seed dispersal mutualisms in a habitat transformation scenario
Authors: Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Jordano Pedro , Medel Rodrigo
Published: June 2015

Transformed habitats are the result of deliberate replacement of native species by an exotic monoculture, involving changes in biotic and abiotic conditions. Despite the fact that transformed habitats are becoming more common and constitute a major biodiversity change driver, little is known about the scale‐dependent responses of plant–animal mutualisms.

Aiming to test the multiscale responses of pollination and seed dispersal in a habitat transformation scenario, we examined a gradient of native and transformed habitats at three spatial scales (0–50, 50–100 and 100–250 m) and focused on a highly specialized mutualistic system composed of a hemiparasitic mistletoe (Tristerix corymbosus) that is almost exclusively pollinated by a hummingbird (Sephanoides sephaniodes) and dispersed by an arboreal marsupial (Dromiciops gliroides).

Even though mistletoes were found along the gradient, they were more abundant and more densely aggregated when the transformed habitat was dominant. Disperser and pollinator activity also increased as the transformed habitat becomes dominant, at the scale of 0–50 and 50–100 m, respectively. Furthermore, crop size and disperser activity covaried at broad and intermediate scales, whereas recruitment covaried at intermediate and fine scales. Moreover, disperser activity and the number of seedlings were spatially associated, stressing D. gliroides’ role in the recruitment of the mistletoe.

Synthesis. This highly specialized mutualistic system seems to be responding positively to the habitat structure modifications associated with Eucalyptus plantations. However, the actual costs (e.g. reduced gene flow, increased herbivory) in these transformed habitats are yet to be assessed.
The Persistence of a Stigmatized Practice: A Study of Competitive Intelligence
Authors: Reinmoeller Patrick , Ansari Shaz
Published: July 2015

Studies on the diffusion of practices provide valuable insights into how organizations adopt, adapt, sustain and abandon practices over time. However, few studies focus on how stigmatized practices diffuse and persist, even when they risk tainting the adopters. To address this issue and understand how firms manage stigmatized practices, we study US organizations associated with the practice of competitive intelligence (CI) between 1985 and 2012. CI includes legitimate information gathering practices that are sometimes also associated with infringements and espionage. Our findings suggest that CI became highly diffused and persisted despite the risk of stigmatizing its adopters. We identified three factors to explain CI's persistence: (1) keeping it opaque to avoid the negative effects of stigmatization, (2) ‘constructing’ usefulness to justify its ongoing use by leveraging accepted beliefs and invoking fear of unilateral abandonment and (3) adapting it by developing multiple versions to increase its zone of acceptability. These three factors contribute to practice persistence by allowing firms to dilute the potential stigma from use of the practice. Our contribution lies in explaining the adoption, diffusion and ongoing use of a stigmatized practice whose benefits cannot be overtly acknowledged or made public.
Barriers and Facilitators for Sustainability of Tele‐Homecare Programs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Radhakrishnan Kavita , Xie Bo , Berkley Amy , Kim Miyong
Published: June 2015

Objective

To identify the barriers and facilitators for sustainability of tele‐homecare programs implemented by home health nursing agencies for chronic disease management.

Data Sources

English‐language articles on home telehealth in the CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and Cochrane Reviews databases published from January 1996 to December 2013.

Study Design

We performed a systematic literature review. Data extraction using PRISMA guidelines and quality appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) were conducted on relevant empirical studies. Thematic analysis across the studies and narrative summaries were used to synthesize the findings from the included studies.

Principal Findings

Of the initial 3,920 citations, we identified 16 articles of moderate quality meeting our inclusion criteria. Perceptions on effectiveness of tele‐homecare programs for achieving intended outcomes; tailoring of tele‐homecare programs to patient characteristics and needs; relationship and communication between patient, nurse, and other health care professional users of tele‐homecare; home health organizational process and culture; and technology quality, capability, and usability impacted the sustainability of tele‐homecare programs.

Conclusions

The findings of this systematic review provide implications for sustained usage of tele‐homecare programs by home health nursing agencies and can help such programs realize their potential for chronic disease management.
Accuracy of Self‐Reported Health Care Use in a Population‐Based Sample of Homeless Adults
Authors: Hwang Stephen W. , Chambers Catharine , Katic Marko
Published: June 2015

Objective

To assess the accuracy of self‐reported ambulatory care visits, emergency department (ED) encounters, and overnight hospitalizations in a population‐based sample of homeless adults.

Data Source

Self‐report survey data and administrative health care utilization databases.

Study Design

Self‐reported health care use in the past 12 months was compared to administrative encounter records among 1,163 homeless adults recruited in 2004–2005 from shelters and meal programs in Toronto, Ontario.

Data Extraction Methods

Self‐reported health care use was assessed using a structured face‐to‐face survey. Each participant was linked to administrative databases using a unique personal health number or their first name, last name, sex, and date of birth.

Principal Findings

The sensitivity of self‐report for ambulatory care visits, ED encounters, and overnight hospitalizations was 89, 80, and 73 percent, respectively; specificity was 37, 83, and 91 percent. The mean difference between self‐reported and documented number of encounters in the past 12 months was +1.6 for ambulatory care visits (95 percent CI = 0.4, 2.8), −0.6 for ED encounters (95 percent CI = −0.8, −0.4), and 0.0 for hospitalizations (95 percent CI = 0.0, 0.1).

Conclusions

Adults experiencing homelessness are quite accurate reporters of their use of health care, especially for ED encounters and hospitalizations.
The Empirical Uses of Theoretical Models: The Case of Veto Player Theory
Authors: Ganghof Steffen
Published: July 2015

Veto player theory is a powerful approach to comparative politics. This article argues that the debate about its explanatory success would beneﬁt from more systematic distinctions. The theory not only comes in different theoretical variants, it is also used in radically different ways empirically. Starting from recent debates about the ‘testing’ of theoretical models, the article distinguishes ﬁve ways in which theoretical models can be used empirically: contrastive, axiomatic, exploratory, presumptive and modular. The typology is applied to veto player theory and illustrated with exemplary studies and debates. The article concludes that each type raises different questions that should be answered in individual studies. Moreover, while veto player theory has an excellent track record on four empirical uses, the picture on its contrastive use is far more nuanced. More explicitly contrastive testing of the theory is desirable.
Using a Modified GOI Index (Effective Grid Containing Oil Inclusions) to Indicate Oil Zones in Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Nai ZHANG , Wenlong PAN , Long TIAN , Xiaoqing YU , Jing JIANG , Xu JIN
Published: June 2015

The GOI (grains containing oil inclusions) index is used to distinguish oil zones, oil‐water zones and water zones in sandstone oil reservoirs. However, this method cannot be directly applied to carbonate rocks that may not have clear granular textures. In this paper we propose the Effective Grid Containing Oil Inclusions (EGOI) method for carbonate reservoirs. A microscopic view under 10× ocular and 10× objective is divided into 10×10 grids, each with an area of 0.0625 mm×0.0625 mm. An effective grid is defined as one that is cut (touched) by a stylolite, a healed fracture, a vein, or a pore‐filling material. EGOI is defined as the number of effective grids containing oil inclusions divided by the total number of effective grids multiplied by 100%. Based on data from the Tarim Basin, the EGOI values indicative of the paleo‐oil zones, oil‐water zones, and water zones are >5%, 1% 5%, and <1%, respectively. However, the oil zones in young reservoirs (charged in the Himalayan) generally have lower EGOI values, typically 3%–5%.
Impacts of New Zealand's lowered minimum purchase age on context‐specific drinking and related risks
Authors: Gruenewald Paul J. , Treno Andrew J. , Ponicki William R. , Huckle Taisia , Yeh Li‐Chia , Casswell Sally
Published: June 2015

Aims

The minimum purchase age (MPA) for alcohol in New Zealand (NZ) was reduced from 20 to 18 years in 1999. We assessed the degree to which this change was associated with alterations in uses of drinking contexts, drinking and related problems.

Methods

NZ National Alcohol Surveys among people 14+ years of age provided demographics, frequencies and amounts consumed in drinking places, and problem measures for 1995, 2000 and 2004. Censored regression estimates of parameters of a context‐specific dose–response model identified MPA‐associated changes in drinking and problems.

Results

The lowered MPA was associated with more frequent drinking at pubs/nightclubs among the newly of‐age 18–19‐year‐olds (b = 15.26, P = 0.009), moderated drinking quantities at these places (b = –0.94, P = 0.034) and greater quantities consumed at home (b = 1.01, P = 0.010) and others’ homes (b = 0.87; P = 0.029). Drinking frequency and quantity in the 16–17‐year age group increased at home (b = 22.11, P = 0.040 and b = 1.22, P = 0.002) and others’ homes (b = 11.65, P = 0.002 and b = 0.91, P = 0.021). Problems associated with drinking contexts changed post‐MPA (G2 ≥ 27.45, P ≤ 0.002), specifically increased association with drinking in pubs/nightclubs (b = 0.09, P < 0.001) across both age groups.

Conclusions

The 1999 change in New Zealand's minimum purchase age for alcohol from 20 to 18 years appears to have been associated with substantive changes in uses of drinking contexts, drinking and associated drinking problems among 16–19‐year‐olds.
eQTL of bronchial epithelial cells and bronchial alveolar lavage deciphers GWAS‐identified asthma genes
Authors: Li X. , Hastie A. T. , Hawkins G. A. , Moore W. C. , Ampleford E. J. , Milosevic J. , Li H. , Busse W. W. , Erzurum S. C. , Kaminski N. , Wenzel S. E. , Meyers D. A. , Bleecker E. R.
Published: June 2015

Background

Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have identified various genes associated with asthma, yet, causal genes or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remain elusive. We sought to dissect functional genes/SNPs for asthma by combining expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and GWASs.

Methods

Cis‐eQTL analyses of 34 asthma genes were performed in cells from human bronchial epithelial biopsy (BEC, n = 107) and from bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL, n = 94).

Results

For TSLP‐WDR36 region, rs3806932 (G allele protective against eosinophilic esophagitis) and rs2416257 (A allele associated with lower eosinophil counts and protective against asthma) were correlated with decreased expression of TSLP in BAL (P = 7.9 × 10−11 and 5.4 × 10−4, respectively) and BEC, but not WDR36. Surprisingly, rs1837253 (consistently associated with asthma) showed no correlation with TSLP expression levels. For ORMDL3‐GSDMB region, rs8067378 (G allele protective against asthma) was correlated with decreased expression of GSDMB in BEC and BAL (P = 1.3 × 10−4 and 0.04) but not ORMDL3. rs992969 in the promoter region of IL33 (A allele associated with higher eosinophil counts and risk for asthma) was correlated with increased expression of IL33 in BEC (P = 1.3 × 10−6) but not in BAL.

Conclusions

Our study illustrates cell‐type‐specific regulation of the expression of asthma‐related genes documenting SNPs in TSLP, GSDMB, IL33, HLA‐DQB1, C11orf30, DEXI, CDHR3, and ZBTB10 affect asthma risk through cis‐regulation of its gene expression. Whenever possible, disease‐relevant tissues should be used for transcription analysis. SNPs in TSLP may affect asthma risk through up‐regulating TSLP mRNA expression or protein secretion. Further functional studies are warranted.
The comparative effectiveness of biologics among older adults and disabled rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Medicare population
Authors: Yun Huifeng , Xie Fenglong , Delzell Elizabeth , Chen Lang , Yang Shuo , Saag Kenneth G. , Joseph George , Harrison David , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2015

Aims

Older and disabled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are often not present in large numbers in clinical trials or registries. A novel, claims‐based clinical effectiveness algorithm provides the potential to compare the effectiveness of different biologics among this population using large administrative databases.

Method

Using Medicare 2006–2010 data for 100% of patients with RA, we identified biologic naïve users of abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, defined as no biologic use during the 12 months before the biologic initiation. The effectiveness was evaluated at 365 days after biologic initiation, determined using a validated claims‐based algorithm. We compared the proportion meeting effectiveness criteria for each biologic using robust Poisson regression to compute risk ratios (RRs) adjusted for potential confounders. One year cost per effectively treated patient was calculated by different biologics.

Results

The study included biologic naïve users of abatacept (n = 2129), adalimumab (n = 2944), etanercept (n = 3517) and infliximab (n = 5654). The algorithm classified the medications as 26% effective for abatacept, 24% for adalimumab, 28% for etanercept and 23% for infliximab, indicating comparable effectiveness. However, after adjustment and compared with infliximab, the RRs for effectiveness were 1.17 (95% CI 1.06, 1.30) for abatacept, 1.11 (95% CI 1.02, 1.23) for adalimumab and 1.27 (95% CI 1.17, 1.39) for etanercept. Older patients had a higher effectiveness than patients who were disabled (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.08, 1.28). Infliximab had highest cost per effectively treated patient.

Conclusion

Abatacept, adalimumab and etanercept are more effective than infliximab among RA patients initiating biologics. Effectiveness was significantly higher among older patients compared with disabled RA Medicare patients.
Morphine Analgesia Modification in Normotensive and Hypertensive Female Rats after Repeated Fluoxetine Administration
Authors: Kosiorek‐Witek Anna , Makulska‐Nowak Helena Elżbieta
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this investigation was to determine through the use of fluoxetine the effect of administering a serotonin reuptake inhibitor over several days on the antinociceptive action of μ‐morphine type opioid receptor agonist. Investigations were performed on rats of both sexes, both the WKY normotensive strains as well as on the SHR genetically conditioned hypertensive strains. Results showed that the efficacy of morphine analgesia is higher in the SHR strain compared to normotensive rats (WKY). Surprisingly, repeated administration of fluoxetine reduced morphine analgesia, with the weakening of opioid antinociceptive action comparable to the duration of serotonin reuptake inhibitor administration. It was also concluded that the antinociceptive action of morphine in female rats and the alteration of its efficacy as a result of fluoxetine premedication for several days depend on oestrus cycle phase. The highest sensitivity of female rats to morphine was reported in the dioestrus and oestrus phases; much lower values were reported for the metoestrus phase.
Wound dehiscence in a sample of 1 776 cystectomies: identification of predictors and implications for outcomes
Authors: Meyer Christian P. , Rios Diaz Arturo J. , Dalela Deepansh , Hanske Julian , Pucheril Daniel , Schmid Marianne , Trinh Vincent Q. , Sammon Jesse D. , Menon Mani , Chun Felix K.H. , Noldus Joachim , Fisch Margit , Trinh Quoc‐Dien
Published: June 2015

Objective

To investigate the incidence and predictors of wound dehiscence in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).

Patients and Methods

In all, 1 776 patient records with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for radical cystectomy (RC) were extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP) between 2005 and 2012. Stratification was made based on the occurrence of postoperative wound dehiscence, defined as loss of integrity of fascial closure. Descriptive and logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of postoperative wound dehiscence. The implications of wound dehiscence on peri‐ and postoperative outcomes such as complications, mortality, prolonged length of stay (>11 days), and prolonged operative time (>411 min), were assessed.

Results

Of 1 776 patients analysed, 57 (3.2%) had a documented wound dehiscence. In multivariable analyses, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–4.0; P = 0.03) and high body mass index (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.4; P = 0.008) were significant predictors of wound dehiscence. While female gender had significantly lower proportions of wound dehiscence, multivariable analyses did not confirm this (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.4–1.4; P = 0.75).

Conclusions

Our study is the first to identify predictors of wound dehiscence after RC in a large, contemporary multi‐institutional cohort. Identifying patients at risk of postoperative wound complications may guide the use of preventative measures at the time of surgery.
The Temporal Dynamics of Childhood Economic Deprivation and Children's Achievement
Authors: Wagmiller Robert L.
Published: June 2015

Economic deprivation during childhood adversely affects achievement in adolescence and early adulthood. Economically disadvantaged children tend to achieve less than their more advantaged peers on a variety of measures of educational and socioeconomic achievement. Researchers recognize that what matters for achievement is not merely exposure to economic deprivation during childhood but also the temporal dynamics of deprivation. Recent studies have found that the effects of childhood economic disadvantage on achievement depend on the timing of deprivation (early childhood vs. middle or late childhood), the sequencing of deprivation (whether family income is rising or falling), and the overall duration of exposure to deprivation. In this article, I describe conceptual and methodological advances in understanding the temporal dynamics of childhood economic disadvantage, and address the implications of these improvements for our knowledge of how deprivation affects children's achievement.
Molecular‐based allergy diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in Aspergillus fumigatus‐sensitized Japanese patients
Authors: Tanimoto H. , Fukutomi Y. , Yasueda H. , Takeuchi Y. , Saito A. , Watai K. , Sekiya K. , Tsuburai T. , Asano K. , Taniguchi M. , Akiyama K.
Published: June 2015

Background

Distinguishing between patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)‐sensitized asthmatic patients without ABPA is sometimes difficult owing to the IgE‐cross‐reactivity between Af and other fungal allergens.

Objective

To establish the usefulness of molecular‐based allergy diagnostics using allergen components from Af in distinguishing ABPA from Af‐sensitized asthma without ABPA.

Methods

Sera from Japanese patients with ABPA (n = 53) and Af‐sensitized asthma without ABPA (n = 253) were studied. The levels of IgE and IgG antibodies to allergen components from Af and IgE antibodies to different fugal allergen extracts were measured by ImmunoCAP. Comorbid atopic dermatitis (AD) was taken into consideration in the sensitization profile analysis.

Results

Patients with ABPA possessed significantly higher levels of IgE antibodies to Asp f 1, and Asp f 2 than asthmatic patients without ABPA. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the levels of IgE to Asp f 1 and Asp f 2 as diagnostic markers of ABPA were 0.75 and 0.78, respectively. The presence of IgE positivity to Asp f 1 and/or Asp f 2 resulted in increased sensitivity while losing little specificity. Comorbid AD was associated with higher levels of IgE to Asp f 6 (manganese superoxide dismutase from Af, a ubiquitous pan‐allergen in fungi) and low but positive levels of IgE to other Af‐components, which hampered the serological discrimination of ABPA.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The levels of IgE to Asp f 1 and/or Asp f 2 can effectively differentiate ABPA from Af‐sensitized asthma, suggesting that the amounts of IgE specific for these molecules are markers for genuine Af‐sensitization in ABPA. However, comorbid AD must be taken into consideration in the interpretation of high IgE to Asp f 6. Establishing of IgE‐sensitization profiles using panel of Af‐allergen components provides valuable information for distinguishing genuine vs. cross‐reactive sensitization in Af‐sensitized patients.
Evaluating cytology for the detection of invasive cervical cancer
Authors: Landy R. , Castanon A. , Hamilton W. , Lim A. W. W. , Dudding N. , Hollingworth A. , Sasieni P. D.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To assess the sensitivity, the number needed to screen (NNS) and the positive predictive value (PPV) of cervical cytology for the diagnosis of cancer by age in a screening population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of women with invasive cervical cancer nested within a census of cervical cytology. All (c. 8 million) women aged 20–64 years with cervical cytology (excluding tests after an earlier abnormality). From April 2007 to March 2010, 3372 women had cervical cancer diagnosed within 12 months of such cytology in England. The sensitivity of cervical cytology to cancer, NNS to detect one cancer and predictive values of cytology were calculated for various ’referral‘ thresholds. These were calculated for ages 20–24, 25–34, 35–49 and 50–64 years.

Results

The sensitivity of at least moderate dyskaryosis [equivalent to a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or worse] for cancer of 89.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88.3–90.4%] in women offered screening was independent of age. At all ages, women with borderline‐early recall or mild dyskaryosis on cytology (equivalent to ASC‐US and LSIL, respectively, in the Bethesda system) had a similar risk of cervical cancer to the risk in all women tested. The PPV of severe dyskaryosis/?invasive and ?glandular neoplasia cytology (equivalent to squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma/adenocarcinoma in situ, respectively, in the Bethesda System) were 34% and 12%, respectively; the PPV of severe dyskaryosis (HSIL: severe dysplasia) was 4%. The NNS was lowest when the incidence of cervical cancer was highest, at ages 25–39 years, but the proportion of those with abnormal cytology who have cancer was also lowest in younger women.

Conclusions

The PPV of at least severe dyskaryosis (HSIL: severe dysplasia) for cancer was 4–10% of women aged 25–64 years, justifying a 2‐week referral to colposcopy and demonstrating the importance of failsafe monitoring for such patients. The sensitivity of cytology for cervical cancer was excellent across all age groups.
Reliability of the Dutch‐language version of the Communication Function Classification System and its association with language comprehension and method of communication
Authors: Vander Zwart Karlijn E , Geytenbeek Joke J , de Kleijn Maaike , Oostrom Kim J , Gorter Jan Willem , Hidecker Mary Jo Cooley , Vermeulen R Jeroen
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aims of this study were to determine the intra‐ and interrater reliability of the Dutch‐language version of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS‐NL) and to investigate the association between the CFCS level and (1) spoken language comprehension and (2) preferred method of communication in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Participants were 93 children with CP (50 males, 43 females; mean age 7y, SD 2y 6mo, range 2y 9mo–12y 10mo; unilateral spastic [n=22], bilateral spastic [n=51], dyskinetic [n=15], ataxic [n=3], not specified [n=2]; Gross Motor Function Classification System level I [n=16], II [n=14], III, [n=7], IV [n=24], V [n=31], unknown [n=1]), recruited from rehabilitation centres throughout the Netherlands. Because some centres only contributed to part of the study, different numbers of participants are presented for different aspects of the study. Parents and speech and language therapists (SLTs) classified the communication level using the CFCS. Kappa was used to determine the intra‐ and interrater reliability. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between CFCS level and spoken language comprehension, and Fisher's exact test was used to examine the association between the CFCS level and method of communication.

Results

Interrater reliability of the CFCS‐NL between parents and SLTs was fair (r=0.54), between SLTs good (r=0.78), and the intrarater (SLT) reliability very good (r=0.85). The association between the CFCS and spoken language comprehension was strong for SLTs (r=0.63) and moderate for parents (r=0.51). There was a statistically significant difference between the CFCS level and the preferred method of communication of the child (p<0.01). Also, CFCS level classification showed a statistically significant difference between parents and SLTs (p<0.01).

Interpretation

These data suggest that the CFCS‐NL is a valid and reliable clinical tool to classify everyday communication in children with CP. Preferably, professionals should classify the child's CFCS level in collaboration with the parents to acquire the most comprehensive information about the everyday communication of the child in various situations both with familiar and with unfamiliar partners.
Clinical findings and treatment of shear mouth in two horses associated with ipsilateral painful dental disease
Authors: Moore N. T.
Published: June 2015

Shear mouth is a rare and poorly described dental condition observed in horses. This report outlines 2 cases of unilateral shear mouth with ipsilateral painful dental disease. Both cases are young horses diagnosed with idiopathic 409 cheek tooth fractures associated with shear angles on the 100 and 400 cheek teeth rows. Corrective odontoplasty was performed in both cases to correct the cheek tooth occlusal surface angle following exodontia of the diseased molars.
Cretaceous granitoids and their zircon U–Pb ages across the south‐central part of the Abukuma Highland, Japan
Authors: Ishihara Shunso , Orihashi Yuji
Published: July 2015

Zircons separated from Cretaceous granitoids are dated from a south‐central transect of the Abukuma metamorphic and granitic terrane. The zircon ages do not follow ‘older’ and ‘younger’ granitoid ages that are used conventionally. In the western part of the study area (Zones I, II and III) where the Takanuki and Gosaisho metamorphic rocks are exposed, the Iritono quartz dioritic stock intruding the greenschist facies rocks in Zone III exhibits the oldest age of 121 Ma in the studied region. Quartz diorite located northward shows 112 Ma, but the other four granitoids intruding into the Takanuki and Gosaisho metamorphic rocks are younger and 103–99 Ma. Two‐mica and biotite granites belong to the youngest age group of 99 Ma. The granitic activities of both the Abukuma and Ryoke belts were initiated by intrusion of quartz dioritic magmas and were ended by two‐mica granite activity. The ages of the eastern two batholiths vary from 110 to 106 Ma (four samples), and show no age common to the Kitakami granitoids farther to the north. Throughout the Japanese Islands arc, Cretaceous granitic activities became younger toward the marginal sea side from the Kitakami Mountains, to the Abukuma Highland, and the Ryoke Belt, then to the Sanin belt of the Inner Zone of Southwest Japan.
Towards allele‐level human leucocyte antigens genotyping – assessing two next‐generation sequencing platforms: Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine and Illumina MiSeq
Authors: Duke J. L. , Lind C. , Mackiewicz K. , Ferriola D. , Papazoglou A. , Derbeneva O. , Wallace D. , Monos D. S.
Published: June 2015

Human leucocyte antigens (HLA) typing has been a challenge due to extreme polymorphism of the HLA genes and limitations of the current technologies and protocols used for their characterization. Recently, next‐generation sequencing techniques have been shown to be a well‐suited technology for the complete characterization of the HLA genes. However, a comprehensive assessment of the different platforms for HLA typing, describing the limitations and advantages of each of them, has not been presented. We have compared the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM) and Illumina MiSeq, currently the two most frequently used platforms for diagnostic applications, for a number of metrics including total output, quality score per position across the reads and error rates after alignment which can all affect the accuracy of HLA genotyping. For this purpose, we have used one homozygous and three heterozygous well‐characterized samples, at HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C, HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1. The total output of bases produced by the MiSeq was higher, and they have higher quality scores and a lower overall error rate than the PGM. The MiSeq also has a higher fidelity when sequencing through homopolymer regions up to 9 bp in length. The need to set phase between distant polymorphic sites was more readily achieved with MiSeq using paired‐end sequencing of fragments that are longer than those obtained with PGM. Additionally, we have assessed the workflows of the different platforms for complexity of sample preparation, sequencer operation and turnaround time. The effects of data quality and quantity can impact the genotyping results; having an adequate amount of good quality data to analyse will be imperative for confident HLA genotyping. The overall turnaround time can be very comparable between the two platforms; however, the complexity of sample preparation is higher with PGM, while the actual sequencing time is longer with MiSeq.
Application of PRECEDE‐PROCEED model to tackle problems identified with diarrhoea burden among under‐5s in Botswana
Authors: Popoola Tosin , Mchunu Gugu
Published: June 2015

Diarrhoea has been identified as the second leading cause of mortality among under‐5s and also claims more life than HIV, measles and malaria combined together in the same category of population. This article is a combination of literature review and personal experience of lessons learnt from past diarrhoea outbreaks in Botswana that caused significant rate of mortality among under‐5s. The paper used literature review to identify contributory factors to diarrhoea burden among under‐5s in Botswana and applied a community health nursing framework (PRECEDE‐PROCEED) to tackle the problems identified. The study revealed that Botswana mothers are lacking in knowledge related to exclusive breastfeeding, prevention and treatment of diarrhoea disease. The paper recommends that health‐care workers in Botswana be sensitized on current diarrhoea management to tailor their health education methods appropriately.
A randomized pilot study of dietary treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents
Authors: Wong J. M. W. , Gallagher M. , Gooding H. , Feldman H. A. , Gordon C. M. , Ludwig D. S. , Ebbeling C. B.
Published: July 2015

Background

Evidence is lacking to recommend one diet over another when treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Objectives

To obtain preliminary data, comparing the impact of a low‐glycaemic load (LGL) vs. low‐fat (LF) diet on biochemical hyperandrogenism in overweight and obese adolescents with PCOS. To ascertain feasibility of recruiting study participants, in partnership with an adolescent clinic, and implementing dietary interventions.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial of 19 overweight and obese adolescents with PCOS and not using hormonal contraceptives (HCs). Interventions comprised nutrition education, dietary counselling and cooking workshops to foster adherence to a LGL (45% carbohydrate, 35% fat, 20% protein) or LF (55% carbohydrate, 25% fat, 20% protein) diet over 6 months. Serum bioavailable testosterone was the primary outcome.

Results

Sixteen (LGL, n = 7; LF, n = 9) participants completed the study. Body fat percentage decreased (P < 0.05) in response to the interventions, with no difference between the LGL and LF groups (−1.2% vs. −2.2%; P = 0.16). Bioavailable testosterone did not change for either group (−0.4 vs. −1.8 ng dL−1; P = 0.35). Regarding feasibility, recruiting adolescents posed a challenge, and use of HCs was a main reason for ineligibility. Participants attended 5.9 of 6 in‐person visits and 2.6 of 3 cooking workshops, completed 4.9 of 6 telephone counselling calls, and reported high satisfaction with the diets and cooking workshops (≥8 on a 10‐cm scale).

Conclusions

Dietary interventions were beneficial for weight control but did not attenuate biochemical hyperandrogenism. Innovative strategies are needed to recruit adolescents for studies aimed at assessing independent effects of diet on features of PCOS.
The sequence of prenatal growth restraint and post‐natal catch‐up growth leads to a thicker intima‐media and more pre‐peritoneal and hepatic fat by age 3–6 years
Authors: Sebastiani G. , Díaz M. , Bassols J. , Aragonés G. , López‐Bermejo A. , de Zegher F. , Ibáñez L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Infants born small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) who develop post‐natal weight catch‐up are at risk for insulin resistance, central adiposity and cardiovascular disease in later life, even in the absence of overweight.

Objective

In young (age 3–6 years) non‐obese SGA children, we assessed arterial health (as judged by intima‐media thickness [IMT]) and abdominal fat distribution (subcutaneous, visceral, preperitoneal and hepatic components by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and/or ultrasound [US]) besides a selection of endocrine markers.

Methods

Comparisons of measures in SGA (n = 27) vs. appropriate‐for‐GA (AGA) children (n = 19) of similar height, weight and body mass index. Longitudinal outcomes (age 3–6 years) were carotid IMT (cIMT); fasting glucose, circulating insulin, IGF‐I and high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) adiponectin; abdominal fat partitioning by US. Cross‐sectional outcomes (age 6 years) were aortic IMT (aIMT) and abdominal fat partitioning by MRI.

Results

At 3 and 6 years, cIMT and IGF‐I results were higher and HMW adiponectin lower in SGA than AGA children; at 6 years, SGA subjects had also a thicker aIMT and more pre‐peritoneal and hepatic fat, and were less insulin sensitive (all P values between <0.05 and <0.0001). cIMT correlated positively with pre‐peritoneal fat, particularly at 6 years. Post‐SGA status and weight gain in early childhood (between 3 and 6 years) were independent predictors of cIMT at 6 years, explaining 48 % of its variance.

Conclusion

SGA children aged 3–6 years were found to have a thicker intima‐ media and more pre‐peritoneal and hepatic fat than AGA children of comparable size.
Thematic orientation of the ISJ within a semantic space of IS research
Authors: Evangelopoulos Nicholas
Published: July 2015

This study examines research published in the first 24 years of Information Systems Journal's (ISJ) publication history using a thematic space of all information systems (IS) research as the backdrop. To that end, abstracts from all contributing articles published in eight prominent IS journals in the period 1991–2014 were analysed to extract a latent semantic space of five broad research areas. A two‐dimensional projection of the results was used to create a two‐by‐two map, where one dimension represents the European vs. North American style of IS research and another dimension represents a micro vs. macro level of IS research. The ISJ is positioned in the ‘micro and European school’ quadrant. Over the course of the journal's first 24 years, research in the ISJ started with a relative focus on the IT artefact and IS development and gradually moved towards a more balanced position that includes a considerable amount of research on IT for teamwork and collaboration, as well as on IT and individuals.
Modeling Slow Crack Growth Behavior of Glass Strengthened by a Subcritical Tensile Stress Using Surface Stress Relaxation
Authors: Seaman Jared H. , Lezzi Peter J. , Blanchet Thierry A. , Tomozawa Minoru
Published: July 2015

Glasses exhibit slow crack growth under stress intensities below the fracture toughness in the presence of water vapor or liquid water. It has been observed by several authors that when an oxide glass with a large crack is held under a subcritical stress intensity (where no slow crack growth occurs) in room‐temperature water vapor or liquid water, upon reloading to a higher stress intensity, a finite restart time is observed prior to measurable crack extension. This phenomenon of apparent strengthening, or crack arrest, has been attributed to concepts such as corrosive dissolution of the crack tip, crack tip blunting, or water diffusion, and subsequent swelling of the material around the crack tip. Recently, a newly observed surface stress relaxation process that is aided by molecular water diffusion was used to improve the mechanical strength of glass fibers and to explain the subsurface compressive stress peak observed in ion‐exchange strengthened glasses. The same process is employed here to explain these delayed slow crack growth data. A simple mathematical model has been developed utilizing water‐assisted surface stress relaxation and fracture mechanics. Predictions of restart times using the model agreed well with published experimental data, indicating that surface stress relaxation is responsible for the anomalous delayed slow crack growth behavior.
Island biogeography: patterns of marine shallow‐water organisms in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Hachich Nayara F. , Bonsall Michael B. , Arraut Eduardo M. , Barneche Diego R. , Lewinsohn Thomas M. , Floeter Sergio R.
Published: July 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to understand whether the large‐scale biogeographical patterns of the species–area, species–island age and species–isolation relationships associated with marine shallow‐water groups in the Atlantic Ocean vary among marine taxa and differ from the biogeographical patterns observed in terrestrial habitats.

Location

Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

Reef fish, gastropod and seaweed species richness as well as reef fish endemic species data were obtained for 11 Atlantic oceanic islands. Using a multimodel inference approach based on linear and nonlinear regressions, we tested hypotheses regarding the variation in species richness and endemism as a function of island area, age and isolation. Best models were selected using ratios between Akaike weights corrected for small sample size (AICc). Results were compared between the three shallow‐water species groups and contrasted against previous studies of marine and terrestrial systems.

Results

Island area was the best single predictor of gastropod and seaweed richness, although it was not an improvement compared to the null model for reef fish. Island age explained richness in all taxa and was the best single predictor of reef fish richness. Isolation was a good predictor of seaweed richness but not of fish and gastropod richness, possibly because of their overall higher dispersal capacity. Reef fish endemism was influenced solely by island isolation.

Main conclusions

This work reveals large‐scale island biogeographical patterns for marine shallow‐water organisms in the Atlantic Ocean. Our results suggest that reduced gene flow is a potentially important mechanism for the maintenance of reef fish endemism in oceanic islands. The role of island age regarding the species richness of all taxa emphasizes the importance of habitat history for the geographical distribution of marine shallow‐water biodiversity. Finally, we show that some island biogeographical patterns differ not only between marine and terrestrial ecosystems but also, importantly, within marine shallow‐water environments, where the biogeographical patterns are highly taxon‐dependent.
Translational aspects of cardiac cell therapy
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Han , Sereti Konstantina‐Ioanna , Wu Benjamin M. , Ardehali Reza
Published: June 2015

Cell therapy has been intensely studied for over a decade as a potential treatment for ischaemic heart disease. While initial trials using skeletal myoblasts, bone marrow cells and peripheral blood stem cells showed promise in improving cardiac function, benefits were found to be short‐lived likely related to limited survival and engraftment of the delivered cells. The discovery of putative cardiac ‘progenitor’ cells as well as the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells has led to the delivery of cells potentially capable of electromechanical integration into existing tissue. An alternative strategy involving either direct reprogramming of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts or stimulation of resident cardiomyocytes to regenerate new myocytes can potentially overcome the limitations of exogenous cell delivery. Complimentary approaches utilizing combination cell therapy and bioengineering techniques may be necessary to provide the proper milieu for clinically significant regeneration. Clinical trials employing bone marrow cells, mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells have demonstrated safety of catheter based cell delivery, with suggestion of limited improvement in ventricular function and reduction in infarct size. Ongoing trials are investigating potential benefits to outcome such as morbidity and mortality. These and future trials will clarify the optimal cell types and delivery conditions for therapeutic effect.