bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of dividend policy on share price volatility: an analysis of Mediterranean banks’ stocks
Authors: Camilleri Silvio John , Grima Luke , Grima Simon
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the share price volatility of Mediterranean banks and their dividend policies, with particular emphasis on the variation of results across sub-samples and the outcomes when omitting outlier observations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use dividend yield and dividend payout as proxies of dividend policy, and regress these ratios together with other control variables to model volatility. The robustness of the results is assessed by re-using a data set which omits the outliers relating to the aftermath of the 2007 financial crisis and by forming sub-samples using cluster analysis.

Findings

The results show that the elimination of outliers and the setting up of sub-samples lead to different inferences about the underlying relationship between dividend policy and volatility. In addition traditional indicators of statistical significance may give the impression of a robust relationship, when this may not be the case.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights to stock traders and corporate managers in terms of better understanding the effect of dividend policies on share price volatility and its related risks and opportunities.

Originality/value

The study presents noteworthy empirical evidence in terms of its rigorous approach towards checking the robustness of results.
Effects of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation on the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into neural progenitor cells
Authors: Ishizuka Toshiaki , Ozawa Ayako , Katsuura Mieko , Nomura Sayaka , Satoh Yasushi
Published: June 2018

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchRs), which are expressed in various embryonic cells, may regulate neuronal differentiation. In the present study, we examined the effects of mAchR stimulation on the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Mouse iPS cells were cultured on ultra‐low attachment dishes to induce embryoid body (EB) formation. All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA, 3 μmol/L) and/or pilocarpine (10 or 100 μmol/L), a mAchR agonist, were added to EB cultures for 4 days, following which the EBs were cultured on gelatin‐coated plates for 7 days. Subtype‐specific antibody staining revealed that mouse iPS cells predominantly express m2‐ and m4‐AchR. Treatment with pilocarpine alone did not affect the expression of Nestin (a specific marker for neural progenitor cells). However, additional treatment with pilocarpine significantly suppressed ATRA‐induced Nestin expression. Pretreating EBs with either AF‐DX116 (an antagonist of both m2‐ and m4‐AchR) or forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase) significantly reversed the pilocarpine‐induced suppression of Nestin expression. In addition, treatment with pilocarpine significantly suppressed ATRA‐induced phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element‐binding protein (CREB). These findings suggest that the stimulation of m2‐ or m4‐AchR suppresses ATRA‐induced differentiation of mouse iPS cells into NPCs by inhibiting the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway and CREB activation.
Identification of a crucial tryptophan residue in ADAMTS13 required for its secretion and enzymatic activity
Authors: Ling Jing , Ma Zhenni , Liu Ling , Yin Jie , Su Jian , Shen Fei , Xie Liqian , Hu Shaoyan
Published: June 2018

Functional deficiency of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)13 causally assists in the pathology of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Previous study showed that the WXXW motif is very important to the enzymatic activity of ADAMTS13. However, the functional role for a single amino acid residue within WXXW motif is still undetermined. Here, Trp390 residue within WXXW motif was substituted with Ala to generate Trp390Ala (W390A) mutant ADAMTS13. We found that W390A mutant ADAMTS13 had impaired binding affinity to its substrate Von Willebrand factor (VWF). Moreover, W390A mutant retarded ADAMTS13 secretion, leading to its deposition in endoplasmic reticulum. Compared with the wild type ADAMTS13, W390A mutant also had a decreased cleavage activity for multimeric VWF under both static and shear stress conditions. These data indicate that Trp390 residue within the WXXW motif is required for ADAMTS13 secretion and enzymatic activity, which provide insight into understanding the pathological basis of TTP and opens new avenues for exploring potential treatment strategies.
Unpacking the lunchbox: biopedagogies, mothering and social class
Authors: Cappellini Benedetta , Harman Vicki , Parsons Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

This study investigates how mothers respond to school surveillance of their children's packed lunches. In a context where increasing attention is focused on healthy eating, we adopt a biopedagogical approach to illustrate different positions and strategies which mothers occupy in relation to feeding their children in the school setting. We use photo‐elicitation interviews and focus groups to trace both the discursive and practical significance of these biopedagogies. We find that the subjective experiences of feeding children at school are infused with classed notions of mothering in public. Our analysis highlights two broad positions. Firstly, there were those with strong distinctions between home‐food and school‐food, which was associated more clearly with middle class families. Secondly, there were those with more fluid boundaries between home‐food and school‐food. This was more commonly encapsulated by working class mothers who were seen to place more emphasis on their children as autonomous decision‐makers. Overall the findings document localised and classed practices of resisting the school's normalising gaze.
Microwave ablation with continued EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy prolongs disease control in non‐small‐cell lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Li Xin , Qi Han , Qing Gou , Song Ze , Xie Lin , Cao Fei , Chen Xiaoming , Fan Weijun
Published: June 2018

Background

Although patients with EGFR‐mutant non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from treatment with EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), outcomes are limited by the eventual development of acquired resistance. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of EGFR‐TKI therapy beyond focal progression, associated with microwave ablation.

Methods

Patients with metastatic EGFR‐mutant NSCLC treated with EGFR‐TKIs at our institutions from May 2012 to December 2017 were identified. Patients with single lesion progression, treated with MWA, and continually administered EGFR‐TKI therapy until further progression, were included in the study. Initial response to target therapy, median progression‐free survival (PFS1), and first progression site were recorded. The median time to progression after local therapy (PFS2) was also assessed. Overall survival was calculated from the initiation of EGFR‐TKIs to the date of final follow‐up or death.

Results

Fifteen out of 205 patients (10%) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Local therapy was well tolerated, and complete ablation was performed in 11 (73.3%) patients. The median PFS1 was 9.5 months (range 6–41), and the median PFS2 was 8 months (range 3–24). The corresponding 6 and 12 month PFS rates were 73.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Median overall survival was 23 months (range 15–64).

Conclusion

The longer disease control observed in our patients suggests that continuation of EGFR‐TKI beyond focal progression associated to microwave ablation is an efficacious therapeutic strategy.
Efficacy of repeated surgery is superior to that of non‐surgery for recurrent/second primary lung cancer after initial operation for primary lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Haitao , Kang Xiaozheng , Dai Liang , Yan Wanpu , Yang Yongbo , Lin Yao , Chen Ke‐Neng
Published: June 2018

Background

The current study aimed to determine the oncological efficacy and surgical safety of multiple pulmonary resections (MPRs) after prior curative surgery for local regional recurrent or second primary lung cancers.

Methods

All cases of lung cancer included in our prospective database between January 2000 and July 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The oncological efficacy endpoints for synchronous and metachronous MPR were five‐year overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and progression‐free survival (PFS) rates after the second surgery. The surgical safety endpoints were postoperative mortality and complications (Clavien‐Dindo classification) within 30 days.

Results

In total, 67 MPR cases were identified. There were no significant differences in the five‐year OS and DFS between the synchronous MPR group (n = 50) and the propensity score‐matched solitary major pulmonary resection group (n = 250) (5‐year OS 84.5% vs. 69.0%, log rank P = 0.112; DFS 64.4% vs. 58.0%, log rank P = 0.278). The five‐year OS and PFS of the metachronous MPR group (n = 17) were significantly better than those in the non‐surgical control group (n = 19) (5‐year OS 94.1% vs. 50.7%, log rank P = 0.005; 5‐year PFS 53.9% vs. 10.5%, log rank P = 0.020). No postoperative mortality or severe complications occurred in the MPR group.

Conclusion

The oncological efficacy of MPR is superior to the non‐surgical approach for the management of local regional recurrent or second primary lung cancer, with comparable postoperative mortality and complications.
Fitting functional responses: Direct parameter estimation by simulating differential equations
Authors: Rosenbaum Benjamin , Rall Björn C.
Published: June 2018

The feeding functional response is one of the most widespread mathematical frameworks in ecology, marine biology, freshwater biology, microbiology, and related scientific fields describing the resource‐dependent uptake of a consumer. Since the exact knowledge of its parameters is crucial to predict, for example, the efficiency of biocontrol agents, population dynamics, food web structure, and subsequently biodiversity, a trustworthy parameter estimation method is highly important for scientists using this framework. Classical approaches for estimating functional response parameters lack flexibility and often only provide approximations of the correct parameters.

Here, we combined ordinary differential equation (ODE) models that were numerically solved using computer simulations with an iterative maximum likelihood fitting approach. We compared our method to classical approaches of fitting functional responses using data both with and without additional resource growth and mortality.

We found that for classical functional response models, such as the frequently used type II and type III functional responses, the established fitting methods are reliable. However, by using more complex and flexible functional responses, our new method outperforms the traditional methods. Additionally, our method allows the incorporation of side effects such as resource growth and background mortality.

Our method will enable researchers from different scientific fields who are measuring functional responses to calculate more accurate parameter estimates. These estimates will enable community ecologists to parameterize their models more precisely, thus allowing a deeper understanding of complex ecological systems, and will increase the quality of ecological prediction models.
Revisiting long‐access versus short‐access cocaine self‐administration in rats: intermittent intake promotes addiction symptoms independent of session length
Authors: Allain Florence , Samaha Anne‐Noël
Published: June 2018

In rats, continuous cocaine access during long self‐administration sessions (6 versus 1–2 hours) promotes the development of behavioral symptoms of addiction. This has led to the assumption that taking large amounts of drug during extended daily bouts is necessary to develop an addiction phenotype. Recent work shows that within‐session intermittent access (IntA) to cocaine produces much less drug intake than continuous‐access procedures (i.e. long‐access sessions) but evokes addiction symptoms more effectively. IntA‐sessions are also long, typically lasting 6 hours. It is not known whether IntA‐sessions must be extended to promote addiction‐relevant changes in drug use over time. Here, we determined the influence of IntA‐session length on patterns of cocaine use relevant to addiction. Two groups of male Wistar rats self‐administered cocaine (0.25 mg/kg/injection, injected over 5 seconds) during 18 daily IntA‐sessions. One group had long 6‐hour sessions (Long‐IntA), the other group had shorter, 2‐hour sessions (Short‐IntA). Only Long‐IntA rats escalated their cocaine intake over sessions, but both groups developed a burst‐like pattern of drug use over time and similar levels of psychomotor sensitization. The two groups also showed robust and similar levels of both responding for cocaine under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement and cocaine‐induced reinstatement of extinguished drug‐seeking behavior. In summary, long IntA‐sessions lead to greater cocaine intake than shorter IntA‐sessions, but the two conditions are equally effective in evoking the patterns of drug‐taking and drug‐seeking that define addiction. This suggests that chronic intermittent cocaine use, even during short daily bouts, is sufficient to promote addiction symptoms.
Health and hunger: nutrient response to income depending on caloric availability in Nepal
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Villa Kira M. , Joshi Janak
Published: June 2018

Using data from NLSS III, we estimate nutrient‐income elasticities for macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. We further allow for differential nutrient demand response to income depending on where a household is in the caloric availability distribution. We find that some nutrients are income inelastic indicating that they are necessity goods while others are relatively income elastic. We further test and reject equivalent nutrient‐income elasticities across the caloric availability distribution. Households in the lowest calorie quintile have highly income elastic nutrient demand leaving them vulnerable to income fluctuations. Moreover, as households meet their first‐order caloric needs, they substitute away from cheap calorie‐dense staples toward more expensive nutrient‐dense foods. Finally, for most nutrients, households in the highest calorie quintile exhibit more elastic nutrient demand, similar to households in the lowest quintile. Our results suggest that policies aimed at improving income will likely also improve household nutrient availability, particularly for the most calorie poor households. They further suggest that policies aimed at protecting poor households from negative income shocks will also likely yield nutritional benefits.
Screening for coeliac disease in children
Authors: Kivelä Laura , Kurppa Kalle
Published: June 2018

Aim

Coeliac disease is a common but markedly under‐diagnosed condition, which may lead to serious long‐term complications if untreated. Both the diagnostic yield and true incidence have significantly increased during the last few decades and it is now one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal conditions in children. The aim of this review was to summarise the current concepts on screening for coeliac disease in children and adolescents.

Method

We conducted a non‐systematic literature review of papers published about coeliac disease screening since the year 2000.

Results

Our review showed that the diagnostic yield could be significantly improved by screening for at‐risk groups, or even the whole population, but these approaches remain controversial. Evidence suggests that screening for certain high‐risk groups could be beneficial, but untargeted mass screening is not currently recommended. However, whether the benefits of an early diagnosis would overcome the challenges of lifelong dietary treatment, especially in asymptomatic individuals who consider themselves healthy, are unclear.

Conclusion

There is moderate evidence that screening certain at‐risk groups for coeliac disease could be beneficial, but more studies in different settings are needed before large‐scale population screening can be recommended.
Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Authors: Butterfield Bradley J. , Palmquist Emily , Ralston Barbara
Published: June 2018

Questions

How closely do riparian plant communities track hydrological and climatic variation in space, and how do interactions among hydrological and climatic filters influence success of flow management strategies?

Location

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA.

Methods

Multi‐year vegetation surveys were conducted across three hydrological zones—active channel, active flood‐plain and inactive flood‐plain—within each of 42 sandbars that vary geographically in temperature and precipitation along a 400‐km river segment. Ecological niche models were used to estimate locally optimal conditions of maximum inundation duration, elevation above daily peak flow, mean annual precipitation and mean maximum and minimum temperature for 16 of the most abundant woody and 58 of the most abundant herbaceous plant species. These estimates were used to calculate CWM environmental preferences, which were used to determine how closely vegetation preferences tracked local variation in environmental factors, and to assess interactive responses of species and communities to variation in hydrology and climate.

Results

Communities closely tracked hydrological variation across zones, but less so within zones. Communities tracked variation in minimum temperature more closely than maximum temperature or precipitation. At the species level, woody plants that were more abundant in wetter hydrological conditions were also more abundant in wetter climatic conditions, and vice versa. This relationship was even stronger at the community level, where there were significant negative relationships between CWM preferences of inundation duration and temperature for both woody and herbaceous vegetation.

Conclusions

The climate–hydrology linkages found in this system suggest that increasing temperatures and drought are likely to reduce the inundation tolerance of riparian vegetation within the Grand Canyon. Increasing the duration of high‐flow events would likely reduce the abundance of encroaching woody vegetation but could also reduce the resilience of remaining vegetation to heatwaves and drought. The reinforcing effects of climatic and hydrological filters are likely to generally result in greater sensitivity of species composition to environmental change than if those environmental filters acted independently. These results have implications for predicting resource responses to environmental change, as well as prescriptions for direct vegetation management to enhance resilience.
Revegetation of subtropical soil slopes: Groundcover performance and the implications of urban development and slope features on plant community
Authors: Chau Ngai Lung , Chu Lee Man
Published: June 2018

Questions

Is revegetation of soil slopes with the currently used plant groundcovers effective in promoting dense vegetation and ecological values of landscapes? Does the degree of urban development influence the abundance of groundcovers? Is there any relationship between slope features and the plant community of soil slopes?

Location

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.

Methods

We conducted a vegetation study focusing on groundcovers on 35 revegetated soil slopes in urban and suburban areas of Hong Kong and determined differences in plant cover, diversity and community composition among areas under various degrees of development. We also assessed slope features, including presence of erosion control mats, canopy openness, slopes angle, area, elevation and substrate properties, such as soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and nutrient status, to examine their relationships to the plant community composition.

Results

Plant cover was generally about 30%, with ferns having the highest cover. The initially planted groundcover species were replaced by native graminoids and ferns, or an invasive climbing herb, Wedelia trilobata. Soil slopes covered by erosion control mats had significantly lower plant cover than those without. Contrasting plant community composition of groundcovers was found among areas with different degrees of urban development and between slopes with and without erosion control mats. Slope angle, canopy openness, sandy soil texture and soil EC were closely associated with the plant communities of soil slopes.

Conclusions

The current planted groundcovers used for revegetating soil slopes led to unsatisfactory plant cover but allowed colonization of other native groundcovers. Planting strategy using more adaptable native groundcovers, but not invasive species, is a feasible approach to ecologically restore soil slopes. The degree of development and certain slope features influence the plant community and should be considered in the revegetation of soil slopes.
Selective logging intensity in an East African rain forest predicts reductions in ant diversity
Authors: Ross Samuel R. P.‐J. , Garcia Francisco Hita , Fischer Georg , Peters Marcell K.
Published: June 2018

As natural forest ecosystems increasingly face pressure from deforestation, it is ever more important to understand the impacts of habitat fragmentation and degradation on biodiversity. Most studies of anthropogenic change in the tropics come from Southeast Asia and South America, and impacts of habitat modification are often taxon‐specific. Here we empirically assessed the impact of habitat fragmentation and recent (within 25 yr) and historic (>25 yr ago) selective logging on the diversity of ants in the Kakamega rain forest in western Kenya, and asked whether these forms of degradation interact as multiple stressors. We found that the severity of recent selective logging was negatively related to overall species richness and abundance as well as the richness and abundance of forest specialists, but found no detrimental effect of past selective logging or habitat fragmentation on ant diversity, although habitat fragment size was correlated with estimated species richness. There was also no effect of any form of habitat degradation on the richness or abundance of open habitat specialists, even though these species often exploit niches created in disturbed environments. Ultimately, this study reveals the detrimental impact of even moderate forms of habitat degradation on insect biodiversity in the understudied African rain forests.
Larvicidal study of tetrahydropyrimidine scaffolds against Anopheles arabiensis and structural insight by single crystal X‐ray studies
Authors: Bairagi Keshab M. , Venugopala Katharigatta N. , Mondal Pradip Kumar , Gleiser Raquel M. , Chopra Deepak , García Daniel , Odhav Bharti , Nayak Susanta K.
Published: June 2018

A series of methyl or ethyl 4‐(substitutedphenyl/pyridyl)‐6‐methyl‐2‐oxo/thioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrimidine‐5‐carboxylate (HPM) analogues 4a–g were synthesized and evaluated for larvicidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis. These newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral studies such as FT‐IR, NMR (1H and 13C), LC‐MS, and elemental analysis. The conformational features and supramolecular assembly of molecules 4a, 4b, and 4e were further analyzed from single crystal X‐ray study. The larvicidal activity of these tetrahydropyrimidine pharmacophore series was analyzed based on their relative substituents. Among the synthesized HPM analogous from the series, compounds 4d and 4e both having electron withdrawing chlorine group on phenyl ring at the fourth position of the tetrahydropyrimidine pharmacophore exhibited the most promising larvicidal activity.
Referral and treatment pathways for pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin within a national treatment programme
Authors: Fish R. , Renehan A. G. , Punnett G. , Aziz O. , Fulford P. , Selvasekar C. , Wilson M. , Halstead R. , O'Dwyer S. T.
Published: June 2018

Aim

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare neoplasm of the appendix, which if untreated disseminates throughout the abdominal cavity and generates considerable morbidity. Since 2002 in the UK, patients with PMP have been managed via two nationally commissioned centres. We evaluated referrals and treatment pathways over time at the Manchester centre.

Method

Data from all patients referred with suspected PMP were prospectively collected (2002–2015). Definitive treatment was cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Disease burden was quantified using the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) (score 0–39) and complete cytoreduction (CC) defined by scores of 0/1. Novel treatment algorithms were developed for patients with low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) localized to the peri‐appendiceal tissue.

Results

In all, 817 patients with confirmed PMP were referred increasing from 11 in 2002 to 103 in 2015. Disease burden was high with a mean PCI of 31 in the first quartile (Q1), levelling off to 15, 15, 17 thereafter (P = 0.002). The proportion of CC0/1 increased from 67% in Q1 to 77% Q2 and 74% Q3/4. Where complete cytoreduction was achieved, 5‐ and 10‐year overall survival was 77% and 66%. The proportion of patients referred with localized LAMN increased over time reaching 25% each year since 2010 (Ptrend < 0.0001). Two‐thirds of localized LAMN now undergo laparoscopically assisted risk‐reducing CRS.

Conclusion

The establishment of a national treatment centre was associated with an initial presentation of patients with advanced disease. The programme has demonstrated a clear trend over time towards earlier referral and adoption of minimally invasive techniques for localized disease.
Morphology quiz: Cytology of a palmar swelling with axillary lymphadenopathy
Authors: Gupta Parikshaa , Rajwanshi Arvind
Published: June 2018

Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue (also known as malignant melanoma of soft tissue and clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses), is a rare high‐grade sarcoma, currently included in the WHO category of soft tissue tumors with uncertain differentiation. Establishing a diagnosis on cytology is challenging but knowledge of the characteristic cytomorphological and immunocytochemical features of this entity can allow an accurate cytological diagnosis.
Smokers’ risk perceptions and misperceptions of cigarettes, e‐cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapies
Authors: King Bill , Ndoen Enjelita , Borland Ron
Published: June 2018

Introduction and Aims

To identify the range and coherence of smokers and recent ex‐smokers’ general beliefs about the harms associated with smoking and the implications of these beliefs for their assessments of the relative harms and addictiveness of various nicotine containing products.

Design and Methods

The study consisted of 18 single participant interviews with current smokers or vapers (13 M, 5 F) and three focus groups (15 M, 14 F) with current smokers/vapers and recent quitters. Both individual interviews and focus groups included semi‐structured discussions of how nicotine and cigarette smoke cause disease and addiction, and a structured task involving rating the relative harmfulness and addictiveness of 17 nicotine products against a reference, popular, cigarette.

Results

Most participants were able to give adequate accounts of what makes cigarette smoking harmful and addictive but this general knowledge was not consistently applied to making harmfulness and addictiveness judgements about specific products. Many participants applied simple affect‐based heuristics to harmfulness and addictiveness judgments, even when they had apparently demonstrated more sophisticated knowledge earlier. Most used binary safe/dangerous thinking, with addictiveness and harmfulness strongly linked and a decoupling of satisfaction and addictiveness.

Discussion and Conclusions

Many smokers appear to have reasonable general knowledge of the risks of smoking but cannot reliably apply this knowledge to practical risk judgements. We need to rethink how we communicate with the public about the risks of smoking, and using other nicotine products, in ways that allow them to make more informed decisions about their smoking.
Good government and the vocation of citizenship: A Lutheran perspective
Authors: Kleinhans Kathryn A.
Published: June 2018

Martin Luther considered governmental authority to be one of the structures through which God exercises providential care of the created world. Consequently, government and civil society are dimensions of life in which one lives out the divine calling to serve one's neighbors. This theological perspective offers a distinct contribution to discussions of the appropriate role of religion in the public square. God's desire for justice for all is the criterion by which to evaluate specific governments, policies, and officials. The goal of justice provides a common framework within which Christians can work for the common good with those of other faiths and no faith.
A qualitative analysis of students’ perceptions of videos to support learning in a psychomotor skills course
Authors: Botelho M. G. , Gao X. , Jagannathan N.
Published: June 2018

Introduction

This qualitative study analysed students’ experiences and perceptions about different types of videos in a psychomotor skills course, relating to clinical knowledge and skills and how they benefited learners in and out of the classroom.

Methods

Subjects were recruited from 4th and 5th year dental undergraduate programme. The recruitment was terminated after 24 students participated since data saturation was reached. A semi‐structured interview was conducted with each participating student, digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach to identify key themes.

Results

Four key domains were identified from thematic analysis: functionality and access; learning and understanding; clinical skills preparation and performance and supplementary learning resources. Students perceived videos to be an important and vital learning tool relating to its on‐demand access, control of functionality and use for particular needs that is not possible from textbooks or lectures. Video learning materials allows students to clarify knowledge, improve cognitive thinking and enhance revision of theoretical concepts and clinical skills. Two types of video were regarded as particularly useful as students reported being actively and cognitively engaged in the learning content and broadened their clinical experience. In addition, students reported mental preparation of clinical psychomotor skills using their own mental visualisation which enabled them to prepare for the clinical care of their patients.

Conclusion

This qualitative research supports the benefits of learning from videos in relation to convenience of access and functionality of the videos. In addition, it shows novel aspects to learning from videos that are more cognitively engaging and in mental preparation of clinical skills prior to patient care.
Primary tissue for cellular brain repair in Parkinson's disease: Promise, problems and the potential of biomaterials
Authors: Moriarty Niamh , Parish Clare L. , Dowd Eilís
Published: June 2018

The dopamine precursor, levodopa, remains the “gold standard” treatment for Parkinson's disease, and, although it provides superlative efficacy in the early stages of the disease, its long‐term use is limited by the development of severe motor side effects and a significant abating of therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there remains a major unmet clinical need for the development of effective neuroprotective, neurorestorative or neuroreparatory therapies for this condition. The relatively selective loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal pathway makes Parkinson's disease an ideal candidate for reparative cell therapies, wherein the dopaminergic neurons that are lost in the condition are replaced through direct cell transplantation into the brain. To date, this approach has been developed, validated and clinically assessed using dopamine neuron‐rich foetal ventral mesencephalon grafts which have been shown to survive and reinnervate the denervated brain after transplantation, and to restore motor function. However, despite long‐term symptomatic relief in some patients, significant limitations, including poor graft survival and the impact this has on the number of foetal donors required, have prevented this therapy being more widely adopted as a restorative approach for Parkinson's disease. Injectable biomaterial scaffolds have the potential to improve the delivery, engraftment and survival of these grafts in the brain through provision of a supportive microenvironment for cell adhesion, growth and immune shielding. This article will briefly review the development of primary cell therapies for brain repair in Parkinson's disease and will consider the emerging literature which highlights the potential of using injectable biomaterial hydrogels in this context.
Ravens adjust their antipredatory responses to con‐ and hetero‐specific alarms to the perceived threat
Authors: Nácarová Jana , Veselý Petr , Bugnyar Thomas
Published: June 2018

Heterospecific alarm calls are typically found in situations where multiple species have a common predator. In birds, they are particularly common in mixed mixed‐species flocks. In species with highly developed social and cognitive abilities like corvids, there is the potential for differential responses to heterospecific vs. conspecific calls according to the riskiness of the habitat. We tested the responses of free‐ranging ravens (Corvus corax) to conspecific alarm calls and compared them to heterospecific alarm calls of jackdaws (Corvus monedula). We observed the proportion of ravens leaving the feeding site after the con‐ or hetero‐specific playback was presented in a situation of low threat (wild boar—Sus scrofa enclosure) and high threat of predation (wolf—Canis lupus enclosure). We show that ravens responded to conspecific calls more intensively at the wolves than at the wild boar, but the response to conspecific calls was in both enclosures stronger than to the control (great tit—Parus major song). The response to the heterospecific alarm was also stronger in the wolves’ enclosure, but it did not differ from control in the wild boar enclosure. These findings suggest that ravens are aware of the meaning of the jackdaw alarm calls, but they respond to it only in a situation of high predatory threat (wolves are present). In the wild boar enclosure, the ravens probably consider jackdaws warning against some other predator, very probably harmless to ravens. This interpretation requires further testing, as both enclosures differ also in respect to other parameters like food quality and shelter availability.
Sustainability of Chinese airlines: A modified slack‐based measure model for CO2 emissions
Authors: Hadi‐Vencheh Abdollah , Wanke Peter , Jamshidi Ali , Chen Zhongfei
Published: June 2018

Sustainable airline operations have become an increasingly important issue in recent years. With this respect, several initiatives for reducing pollutant emissions—such as carbon dioxide (CO2)—in the airline industry are now under consideration by regulators, policymakers, and companies. The impact of these initiatives upon efficiency levels of airline operations is still being analysed by different authors. This article is focused on the efficiency assessment of 13 major Chinese airlines from 2008 to 2015, applying a modified slack‐based measure model to account for CO2 emissions. The impact of contextual variables related to the airline's age, fleet mix, stock market governance, ownership type, network span, and whether or not it has undergone a previous merger and acquisition process is tested by means of a stochastic non‐linear robust regression approach. Findings suggest that sustainability in Chinese airline operations is dependent upon a number of economic factors such as learning curve, economies of scale, technology type, and network management. Policy implications are derived for Chinese airlines.
Crucial role of protein oligomerization in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases
Authors: Choi Minee L. , Gandhi Sonia
Published: June 2018

Misfolding and aggregation of the proteins amyloid‐β, tau and alpha‐synuclein is the predominant pathology underlying the neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. While end stage insoluble products of aggregation have been well characterised in human and animal models of disease, accumulating evidence from biophysical, cellular and in vivo studies has shown that soluble intermediates of aggregation, or oligomers, may be the key species that mediate toxicity and underlie seeding and spreading in disease. Here, we review the process of protein misfolding, and the intrinsic and extrinsic processes that cause the native states of the key aggregating proteins to undergo conformational change to form oligomers and ultimately fibrils. We discuss the structural features of the key toxic intermediate, and describe the putative mechanisms by which oligomers may cause cell toxicity. Finally, we explore the potential therapeutic approaches raised by the oligomer hypothesis in neurodegenerative disease.
Effect of initial microstructure on surface relief and fatigue crack initiation in AISI 410 ferritic‐martensitic steel
Authors: Batista M.N. , Marinelli M.C. , Alvarez‐Armas I.
Published: June 2018

This work is focused on the effect of the initial tempered‐lath microstructure on the surface relief and nucleation of microstructurally short fatigue cracks developed during low‐cycle fatigue tests of the ferritic‐martensitic AISI 410 steel. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as electron back‐scattered diffraction were used to study the surface‐damage evolution in smooth, cylindrical, notched specimens. Results from the electron back‐scattered diffraction analysis broaden the understanding of the processes of nucleation of microstructurally short fatigue cracks in the initial tempered‐lath microstructure of AISI 410 ferritic‐martensitic steels. Results prove that during fatigue, microcracks nucleate mainly at high‐angle boundaries represented by block subunit interfaces formed in this tempered microstructure. Besides, the progress of fatigue cycling causes the reorientation of the {112} <111> systems to a direction more favourable to slip, giving rise to the formation of extrusions within the blocks and consequently the formation of microcracks.
Amenity grassland quality following anaerobic digestate application
Authors: Pawlett Mark , Owen Andy , Tibbett Mark
Published: June 2018

Anaerobic digestate applied to land is a source of readily available nutrients, yet there is a paucity of knowledge regarding effects on grassland. To address this, we investigated the viability of using digestate as an alternative to mineral fertilizer for Lolium perenne L. grassland maintenance. We present findings of two independent field‐trials, where food‐waste digestate was applied over two growing seasons at two rates (100 and 200 kg N ha−1 year−1) and compared to mineral fertilizer (N:P:K‐12:4:6 at 100 kg N ha−1 year−1) and control (no additions) plots. L. perenne nutrition (N, P and K), chlorophyll and sward composition were assessed in the summer and autumn to observe treatment and seasonal effects. The sward benefited from digestate application in the summer with reduced occurrence of dead L. perenne. Both the digestate and mineral fertilizer shifted the sward composition similarly and in favor of Poa annua L. in summer and L. perenne in autumn, with reduced broad‐leaved weeds and bare soil coverage regardless of season. Quantities of foliar N and K uptake were similar between the digestate and mineral fertilizer; however, the highest rate of digestate application was required to supply similar quantities of P to the grass compared to the mineral fertilizer. Grass chlorophyll was not adversely affected by the high ammonium‐N in the digestate. These broadly positive results for digestate present opportunities for the development of digestate use as a fertilizer on amenity grassland such as outfields in sports facilities, parks, and road verges as well as showing potential for supplementing the fertility of pasture systems.
Early detection of gastric cancer after Helicobacter pylori eradication due to endoscopic surveillance
Authors: Sakitani Kosuke , Nishizawa Toshihiro , Arita Masahide , Yoshida Shuntaro , Kataoka Yosuke , Ohki Daisuke , Yamashita Hiroharu , Isomura Yoshihiro , Toyoshima Akira , Watanabe Hidenobu , Iizuka Toshiro , Saito Yutaka , Fujisaki Junko , Yahagi Naohisa , Koike Kazuhiko , Toyoshima Osamu
Published: June 2018

Background

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is commonly performed to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer is occasionally discovered even after successful eradication therapy. Therefore, we examined the prognosis of gastric cancer patients, diagnosed after successful H. pylori eradication therapy.

Materials and Methods

All‐cause death rates and gastric cancer‐specific death rates in gastric cancer patients who received successful H. pylori eradication treatment was tracked and compared to rates in patients who did not receive successful eradication therapy.

Results

In total, 160 gastric cancer patients were followed‐up for up to 11.7 years (mean 3.5 years). Among them, 53 gastric cancer patients received successful H. pylori eradication therapy prior to gastric cancer diagnosis. During the follow‐up period, 11 all‐cause deaths occurred. In the successful eradication group, the proportion of patients with cancer stage I was higher. The proportions of patients who received curative endoscopic therapy and endoscopic examination in the 2 years prior to gastric cancer diagnosis were also higher in the successful eradication group. Kaplan–Meier analysis of all‐cause death and gastric cancer‐specific death revealed a lower death rate in patients in the successful eradication group (P = .0139, and P = .0396, respectively, log‐rank test). The multivariate analysis showed that endoscopy within 2 years before cancer diagnosis is associated with stage I cancer.

Conclusions

Possible early discovery of gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication due to regular endoscopic surveillance may contribute to better prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.
Evaluating the benefits of digital pathology implementation: time savings in laboratory logistics
Authors: Baidoshvili Alexi , Bucur Anca , van Leeuwen Jasper , van der Laak Jeroen , Kluin Philip , van Diest Paul J
Published: June 2018

Background

The benefits of digital pathology for workflow improvement and thereby cost savings in pathology, at least partly outweighing investment costs, are being increasingly recognised. Successful implementations in a variety of scenarios have started to demonstrate the cost benefits of digital pathology for both research and routine diagnosis, contributing to a sound business case encouraging further adoption. To further support new adopters, there is still a need for detailed assessment of the impact that this technology has on the relevant pathology workflows, with an emphasis on time‐saving.

Aims

To assess the impact of digital pathology adoption on logistic laboratory tasks (i.e. not including pathologists’ time for diagnosis‐making) in the Laboratorium Pathologie Oost Nederland, a large regional pathology laboratory in The Netherlands.

Methods and results

To quantify the benefits of digitisation, we analysed the differences between the traditional analogue and new digital workflows, carried out detailed measurements of all relevant steps in key analogue and digital processes, and compared the time spent. We modelled and assessed the logistic savings in five workflows: (i) routine diagnosis; (ii) multidisciplinary meeting; (iii) external revision requests; (iv) extra stainings; and (v) external consultation. On average, >19 working hours were saved on a typical day by working digitally, with the highest savings in routine diagnosis and multidisciplinary meeting workflows.

Conclusions

By working digitally, a significant amount of time could be saved in a large regional pathology laboratory with a typical case mix. We also present the data in each workflow per task and concrete logistic steps to allow extrapolation to the context and case mix of other laboratories.
Association between community characteristics and implementation of community programmes and policies addressing childhood obesity: the Healthy Communities Study
Authors: Schultz J. A. , Collie‐Akers V. L. , Fawcett S. B. , Strauss W. J. , Nagaraja J. , Landgraf A. J. , McIver K. L. , Weber S. A. , Arteaga S. S. , Nebeling L. C. , Rauzon S. M. ,   on behalf of the Healthy Communities Study Team
Published: June 2018

Background

Little is known about whether characteristics of communities are associated with differential implementation of community programmes and policies to promote physical activity and healthy eating. This study examines associations between community characteristics (e.g. region and race/ethnicity) and the intensity of community programmes and policies implemented to prevent childhood obesity. It explores whether community characteristics moderate the intensity of community efforts to prevent childhood obesity.

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate associations between community characteristics and the intensity of community policies and programmes to prevent childhood obesity documented in the Healthy Communities Study that engaged a diverse sample of US communities.

Method

Programmes and policies were documented in 130 communities across the USA, reporting over 9000 different community programmes and policies to prevent obesity among children ages 4–15. We examined associations between community characteristics and the intensity of community programmes and policies implemented (i.e. their amount and reach, duration and strength of change strategy).

Conclusion

Community characteristics explain 25% of the variability in the intensity of community programmes and policies implemented in communities. Particular characteristics – urbanicity, region, being a large county and the per cent of African–Americans in a community – contributed to more (over 18% of the 25%) of the observed variability.