bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Influences on Hormonal Markers of Chronic HPA Function in Human Hair
Authors: Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Grotzinger Andrew , Briley Daniel A. , Engelhardt Laura E. , Mann Frank D. , Patterson Megan , Kirschbaum Clemens , Adam Emma K , Church Jessica A. , Tackett Jennifer , Harden K.Paige
Published: May 2016

Cortisol is the primary output of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and is central to the human biological stress response, with wide-ranging effects on physiological function and psychiatric health. In both humans and animals, cortisol is frequently studied as a biomarker for exposure to environmental stress. Relatively little attention has been paid to the possible role of genetic variation in heterogeneity in chronic cortisol, in spite of well-studied biological pathways of glucocorticoid function. Using recently developed technology, hair samples can now be used to measure accumulation of cortisol over several months. In contrast to more conventional salivary measures, hair cortisol is not influenced by diurnal variation or transient hormonal reactivity. In an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 1 070 child and adolescent twins and multiples from 556 unique families, we estimated genetic and environmental influences on hair concentrations of cortisol and its inactive metabolite, cortisone. We identified sizable genetic influences on cortisol that decrease with age, concomitant with genetic influences on cortisone that increase with age. Shared environmental influences on cortisol and cortisone were modest and, for cortisol, decreased with age. Twin-specific, non-shared environmental contributions to cortisol and cortisone became increasingly correlated with age. We find some evidence for sex differences in the biometric contributions to cortisol, but no strong evidence for main or moderating effects of family socioeconomic status on cortisol or cortisone. This study constitutes the first genetic study of hormone concentrations in human hair, and provides the most definitive characterization to-date of age and socioeconomic influences on hair cortisol.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of social dilemmas
Authors: Gokhale Chaitanya S. , Hauert Christoph
Published: May 2016

Social dilemmas are an integral part of social interactions. Cooperative actions, ranging from secreting extra-cellular products in microbial populations to donating blood in humans, are costly to the actor and hence create an incentive to shirk and avoid the costs. Nevertheless, cooperation is ubiquitous in nature. Both costs and benefits often depend non-linearly on the number and types of individuals involved–as captured by idioms such as ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ where additional contributions are discounted, or ‘two heads are better than one’ where cooperators synergistically enhance the group benefit. Interaction group sizes may depend on the size of the population and hence on ecological processes. This results in feedback mechanisms between ecological and evolutionary processes, which jointly affect and determine the evolutionary trajectory. Only recently combined eco-evolutionary processes became experimentally tractable in microbial social dilemmas. Here we analyse the evolutionary dynamics of non-linear social dilemmas in settings where the population fluctuates in size and the environment changes over time. In particular, cooperation is often supported and maintained at high densities through ecological fluctuations. Moreover, we find that the combination of the two processes routinely reveals highly complex dynamics, which suggests common occurrence in nature.
Novel protein–inhibitor interactions in site 3 of Ca2+-bound S100B as discovered by X-ray crystallography
Authors: Cavalier Michael C. , Melville Zephan , Aligholizadeh Ehson , Raman E. Prabhu , Yu Wenbo , Fang Lei , Alasady Milad , Pierce Adam D. , Wilder Paul T. , MacKerell Alexander D. , Weber David J.
Published: May 2016

Structure-based drug discovery is under way to identify and develop small-molecule S100B inhibitors (SBiXs). Such inhibitors have therapeutic potential for treating malignant melanoma, since high levels of S100B downregulate wild-type p53 tumor suppressor function in this cancer. Computational and X-ray crystallographic studies of two S100B–SBiX complexes are described, and both compounds (apomorphine hydrochloride and ethidium bromide) occupy an area of the S100B hydrophobic cleft which is termed site 3. These data also reveal novel protein–inhibitor interactions which can be used in future drug-design studies to improve SBiX affinity and specificity. Of particular interest, apomorphine hydrochloride showed S100B-dependent killing in melanoma cell assays, although the efficacy exceeds its affinity for S100B and implicates possible off-target contributions. Because there are no structural data available for compounds occupying site 3 alone, these studies contribute towards the structure-based approach to targeting S100B by including interactions with residues in site 3 of S100B.
Effect of impurities and post-experimental purification in SAD phasing with serial femtosecond crystallography data
Authors: Zhang Tao , Gu Yuanxin , Fan Haifu
Published: May 2016

In serial crystallography (SX) with either an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) or synchrotron radiation as the light source, huge numbers of micrometre-sized crystals are used in diffraction data collection. For a SAD experiment using a derivative with introduced heavy atoms, it is difficult to completely exclude crystals of the native protein from the sample. In this paper, simulations were performed to study how the inclusion of native crystals in the derivative sample could affect the result of SAD phasing and how the post-experimental purification proposed by Zhanget al.[(2015),Acta Cryst.D71, 2513–2518] could be used to remove the impurities. A gadolinium derivative of lysozyme and the corresponding native protein were used in the test. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) diffraction snapshots were generated byCrystFEL.SHELXC/D,Phaser,DM,ARP/wARPandREFMACwere used for automatic structure solution. It is shown that a small amount of impurities (snapshots from native crystals) in the set of derivative snapshots can strongly affect the SAD phasing results. On the other hand, post-experimental purification can efficiently remove the impurities, leading to results similar to those from a pure sample.
Identification of the critical linker residues conferring differences in the compactness of NS5 fromDengue virusserotype 4 and NS5 fromDengue virusserotypes 1–3
Authors: Subramanian Manimekalai Malathy Sony , Saw Wuan Geok , Pan Ankita , Grüber Ardina , Grüber Gerhard
Published: May 2016

Dengue virus(DENV) nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) consists of a methyltransferase (MTase) domain and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. The cross-talk between these domains occursviaa ten-residue linker. Recent solution studies of DENV NS5 from all four serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) showed that NS5 adopts multiple conformations owing to its flexible linker and that DENV-4 NS5 is more compact and less flexible compared with NS5 from DENV-1 to DENV-3 [Sawet al.(2015),Acta Cryst.D71, 2309–2327]. Here, using a variety of single, double, triple and quadruple mutants of DENV-4 NS5 combined with solution X-ray scattering studies, insight into the critical residues responsible for the differential flexibility of DENV-4 NS5 is presented. The DENV-4 NS5 mutants K271T and S266N/T267A as well as the deletion mutant ΔS266T267showed enlarged dimensions and flexibility similar to those of DENV-3 NS5. The data indicate that the residues Lys271, Ser266 and Thr267 are important for the compactness of DENV-4 NS5 and therefore may be critical for the regulation of virus replication. Furthermore, quantitative characterization of the flexibility of these DENV-4 NS5 linker mutants using the ensemble-optimization method revealed that these mutants possess a similar conformational distribution to DENV-3 NS5, confirming that these residues in the linker region cause the higher compactness of DENV-4 NS5.
Affective choosing of clustering and categorization representations in e-book interfaces
Authors: Wu Ko-Chiu , Hsieh Tsai-Ying
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate user experiences with a touch-wall interface featuring both clustering and categorization representations of available e-books in a public library to understand human information interactions under work-focused and recreational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

– Researchers collected questionnaires from 251 New Taipei City Library visitors who used the touch-wall interface to search for new titles. The authors applied structural equation modelling to examine relationships among hedonic/utilitarian needs, clustering and categorization representations, perceived ease of use (EU) and the extent to which users experienced anxiety and uncertainty (AU) while interacting with the interface.

Findings

– Utilitarian users who have an explicit idea of what they intend to find tend to prefer the categorization interface. A hedonic-oriented user tends to prefer clustering interfaces. Users reported EU regardless of which interface they engaged with. Results revealed that use of the clustering interface had a negative correlation with AU. Users that seek to satisfy utilitarian needs tended to emphasize the importance of perceived EU, whilst pleasure-seeking users were a little more tolerant of anxiety or uncertainty.

Originality/value

– The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) encourages library visitors to borrow digital books through the implementation of an information visualization system. This situation poses an opportunity to validate uses and gratification theory. People with hedonic/utilitarian needs displayed different risk-control attitudes and affected uncertainty using the interface. Knowledge about user interaction with such interfaces is vital when launching the development of a new OPAC.
Understanding the influence of social media on people’s life satisfaction through two competing explanatory mechanisms
Authors: Zhan Liuhan , Sun Yongqiang , Wang Nan , Zhang Xi
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how social media usage affects people’s life satisfaction through two competing explanatory mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

– An online survey was conducted to collect data. And the partial least squares method was used to examine the relationships among the usage of social media, social benefit, social overload and life satisfaction.

Findings

– The results indicate that usage of social media can make people achieve social benefit, thus leading to enhanced life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, though usage of social media can bring the negative consequences (e.g. social overload), social overload cannot predict a decreased life satisfaction.

Originality/value

– Concentrating on the outcomes of social aspects by using social media, this study proposes the double-sided role of social media instead of single effect.
Asset specificity and capability of e-Trade performance: evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Hag-min , Lee Ho-hyung
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– E-Trade (paperless trade or cross-border e-commerce in B2B format) does not necessarily show positive results. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize why and how such happens and furthermore, has two research purposes. First is to explain why studies in e-Trade performance show controversial results, such as some showing positive while others are not. Second is to investigate the relationship among research constructs such as e-Trade benefits, e-Trade use, asset specificity, and exporting firm’s capability.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study considers multiple dimensions and evolutionary perspective of e-Trade performance. Structural equation model adopts the measures of firm’s capability, e-Trade use, and benefits to analyze e-Trade performance. Performance was divided into organizational net benefits (ONB) and industrial net benefits. Several hypotheses were suggested to test the relationship among the variables in the model. Basic moderator effect represented as an interaction between asset specificity and other constructs. In total, 295 exporting firms have participated in the survey and their responses were utilized for analysis.

Findings

– This study shows that e-Trade performance should consider maturity as well as multiple stages among constructs. Critical paths were found among capability factors, process use (PU), ONB, and asset specificity. Results also show that information capability and marketing capability (MC) are determinant factors on e-Trade performance. In addition, MC and level of PU are read to be determinant factors of ONB. Furthermore, small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) asset specificity, with level of capability and e-Trade use moderates their e-Trade performance.

Research limitations/implications

– Asset specificity of SMEs has to be managed in a positive direction. Government’s e-Trade supporting programs for SMEs should be transformed in a way that can foster the growth of capability and self-sustainment. It reads to be inevitable to amend the current characteristics of e-Trade services. Furthermore, developing a specialized e-Trade service for large firms will also be in need. And utilizing exporting firm’s financial data would be more advisable testing the hypotheses.

Originality/value

– Most works in information system as well as in e-Trade area report controversial performance results and this paper suggests an alternative model by combining asset specificity into capability and e-Trade use. Study on e-Trade performance is complicated and needs to consider multiple dimensions as well as their stages. This study envisions firm’s capability, asset specificity and at the same time contributes in e-Trade benefits.
Environmental assessment of the MSW treatment from the transport point of view
Authors: Torretta Vincenzo , Ionescu Gabriela
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to point out some important elements that can be useful to minimize the impacts and the results can possibly inform business and policy makers about how to minimize the impacts associated to the municipal solid waste (MSW) collection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present work faces with the problem of transport, placing attention to the relationship of emissions from scenarios that has been selected between real systems of management.

Findings

– The choices related to the typology of treatment has the same importance to the item concerning the correct localization of the plant for the implications related to the environmental pressure due to the transport of waste.

Originality/value

– An important aspect that has to be considered in terms of MSW management is the stage of collection. The emissions generated from these systems can arrive to values that are of the same order of magnitude of emissions from combustion of waste in waste-to-energy plants according to some scenarios.
Assessing the economic sustainability of managing protected areas using the CVM and CBA approaches
Authors: Aoun Dani
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to design a preservation policy aimed at safeguarding the Ehden Natural Reserve, a reserve providing shelter to a substantial number of endangered species.

Design/methodology/approach

– The current paper, offers an approach which merges contingent valuation and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to design a preservation policy aimed at safeguarding the reserve. Contingent valuation is used to estimate the expected benefits from the reserve for both local residents and tourists visiting Ehden, while using a certainty analysis approach to explore the problem of hypothetical bias. A CBA is then applied to the findings to evaluate a ten year plan to preserve the protected area through a non-profit foundation.

Findings

– Findings from the analysis support the feasibility of a project of this nature, which shows a positive NPV within the studied period and at an acceptable social discount rate (SDR). The balance between benefit and cost is thus always positive, except in some pessimistic cases when analyzing the sensitivity of the model’s critical variables, particularly the number of visitors, the different WTPs for visitors and locals and the different SDRs.

Originality/value

– The paper adds to the scarce research available on the sustainability of protected areas in the Middle East region.
Experimental and computational investigations of the potential improvement in helmet blast-protection through the use of a polyurea-based external coating
Authors: Grujicic M. , Ramaswami S. , Snipes J. S. , Yavari R. , Dudt P.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The design of the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) currently in use was optimized by its designers in order to attain maximum protection against ballistic impacts (fragments, shrapnel, etc.) and hard-surface/head collisions. Since traumatic brain injury experienced by a significant fraction of the soldiers returning from the recent conflicts is associated with their exposure to blast, the ACH should be redesigned in order to provide the necessary level of protection against blast loads. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the present work, an augmentation of the ACH for improved blast protection is considered. This augmentation includes the use of a polyurea (a nano-segregated elastomeric copolymer) based ACH external coating. To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, blast experiments are carried out on instrumented head-mannequins (without protection, protected using a standard ACH, and protected using an ACH augmented by a polyurea explosive-resistant coating (ERC)). These experimental efforts are complemented with the appropriate combined Eulerian/Lagrangian transient non-linear dynamics computational fluid/solid interaction finite-element analysis.

Findings

– The results obtained clearly demonstrated that the use of an ERC on an ACH affects (generally in a beneficial way) head-mannequin dynamic loading and kinematic response as quantified by the intracranial pressure, impulse, acceleration and jolt.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first reported combined experimental/computational study of the blast-protection efficacy and the mild traumatic brain-injury mitigation potential of polyurea when used as an external coating on a helmet.
Non-linear delamination fracture analysis by using power-law hardening
Authors: Rizov Victor Iliev
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to perform a theoretical analysis of non-linear delamination fracture in cantilever beam opened notch (CBON) configuration. It is assumed that the non-linear mechanical behavior of the CBON can be described by using a stress-strain curve with power-law hardening.

Design/methodology/approach

– The fracture analysis is carried-out by applying the integration contour independent J-integral. For this purpose, a model based on the technical beam theory is used. Equation is derived for determination of the CBON specimen curvature in elastic-plastic stage of deformation. The equation is solved by using the MatLab program system. Solutions of the J-integral are obtained at linear-elastic as well as elastic-plastic behavior of the CBON. The influence of the power-law exponent on the non-linear fracture is evaluated.

Findings

– The analysis reveals that the J-integral value increases when the exponent of the power-law increases. The solution obtained here is very useful for parametric analyses of the non-linear fracture behavior, since the simple formulas derived capture the essentials of the fracture response.

Practical implications

– Beside for parametric investigations, the solution obtained here can also be applied for calculating the critical J-integral value at non-linear behavior using experimentally determined critical fracture load at the onset of crack growth from the initial crack tip position in the CBON configuration.

Originality/value

– An analysis is performed of the non-linear fracture in the CBON configuration by applying the J-integral approach, assuming that the mechanical response can be modeled using a stress-strain curve with power-law hardening.
Watch the working capital of tier-two suppliers: a financial perspective of supply chain collaboration in the automotive industry
Authors: Vázquez Xosé H. , Sartal Antonio , Lozano-Lozano Luis M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how lack of financial cooperation damages the operational efficiency of supply chains. The thesis is that economic and technological forces are provoking increasing financial tensions that push companies to transfer their credit needs and inventory requirements to their weakest suppliers. Thus, what might initially seem positive from an individual perspective can in fact generate losses in production efficiency for the supply chain as a whole.

Design/Methodology/approach

This paper uses official data collected from 116 first- and second-tier suppliers in the Spanish automotive components sector, covering nine years (2001-2009). The relationships between the key variables are analysed using panel data estimations.

Findings

Significant differences were found between the working capital (WC) of first- and second-tier companies, proving additionally that although this approach may temporarily improve the results of first-tier suppliers, it leads to lower production efficiency in plants throughout the value chain.

Practical implications

Practitioners should avoid short-sighted attitudes when organizing the supply chain on a cooperative basis, going beyond the conventional wisdom on physical and information flows between original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers to reach upstream stages and embracing financial considerations.

Originality/value

The paper takes a novel approach to the issue of inter-organizational collaboration in the supply chain, aiming to go beyond conventional Lean Supply practices. From an empirical point of view, while much of the research on the topic utilizes key informant insights collected using psychometric data collection techniques, this study uses different financial proxies collected from secondary panel data.
Motivational influences on supply manager environmental sustainability behavior
Authors: Anthony Swaim James , Maloni Michael J. , Henley Amy , Campbell Stacy
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Although supply chain managers serve a central role when implementing corporate environmental sustainability objectives, existing literature does not demonstrate high levels of supply manager support for such initiatives. This paper aims to investigate the potential of individual behavioral influences to explain supply manager orientation toward environmental responsibility.

Methodology/approach

This paper constructs a research model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore how personal environmental motivations influence supply manager environmental behavior in the workplace. This paper also incorporates hyperbolic discounting as a cognitive bias moderator in the model. The research hypotheses were tested with regression of survey data of practicing supply managers in the USA.

Findings

Support was found for the direct TPB hypotheses, revealing the importance of an individual’s personal attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control on interpreting and applying the organization’s environmental sustainability objectives. Although the interactive effect of hyperbolic discounting as a cognitive bias was not supported, a direct effect was found.

Practical implications

The findings can help organizations improve supply manager support for sustainability initiatives.

Originality/value

Prior supply chain sustainability research has examined drivers and barriers at political, legal, economical and overall firm levels. This study expands this research base by investigating individual-level barriers and drivers related to personal responsibility for environmental sustainability. As a second contribution, integration of cognitive biases in the TPB has been understudied in existing literature.
How much can we afford to lose?
Authors: Savage Kathryn S.
Published: May 2016

Synopsis

This case focusses on internal controls necessary to prevent theft of cash collections. Troy Wheeler, assistant dean of the School of Business and Public Policy was asked to write a memorandum to the university’s internal auditor verifying that controls on the cash register in the school were adequate to prevent major theft. Troy wrote the memo, but the request awakened nagging concerns regarding the cash register. The more Troy thought about it, the more concerned he became about the potential for loss. Troy needed to identify the major weaknesses in the existing system and make feasible recommendations to improve control.

Research methodology

This case is based on the author’s personal association with the organization, observation, interviews of key figures in the case, and examination of relevant documents.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is appropriate for any graduate or undergraduate accounting class where internal controls are analyzed and documented. The case could be used in courses on internal or external auditing or accounting information systems.
Conceptual model for knowledge discovery process in databases based on multi-agent system
Authors: Jahani Alireza , Akhavan Peyman , Jafari Mostafa , Fathian Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) is a tedious and repetitive process. A challenge for the effective use of KDD is understanding and confirming its results derived from the harmonized process. To exploit the advantages of agents’ application, this paper aims to propose a conceptual model based on a multi-agent system (MAS) to control each step of the KDD process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the empirical findings of a survey conducted among academic and industrial sectors in Tehran, Iran. In this survey, the participants answered a questionnaire about the main factors of designing a suitable model for the KDD process based on MAS. The factor analysis reveals important insights of previous models developed by various researchers.

Findings

This research uses the survey results to find six critical success factors, continuity in refinement and improvement; learning and acting concurrently; loosely or tightly coupled approach for using technologies; cooperative, dynamic and flexible environment; documentation and reporting; and extracting and evaluating knowledge intelligently, for a proper conceptual model of the KDD process based on MAS.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model reflects all aspects of the KDD process by applying the intelligent agents for each process steps. In addition, this research only considers the Iran society; hence, it cannot be generalized to other nations, and it may need further research in other countries and to be implemented in real-world business domains.

Originality/value

This research helps organizations to adopt a proposed model and implement a KDD process to advantage the valuable knowledge that exists in their data resources.
Collaborative conceptualisation processes in the development of lightweight ontologies
Authors: Sousa Cristóvão Dinis , Soares António Lucas , Pereira Carla Sofia
Published: May 2016

Purpose

In collaborative settings, such as research and development projects, obtaining the maximum benefit from knowledge management systems depends on the ability of the different partners to understand the conceptualisation underlying the system’s knowledge organisation. This paper aims to show how information/knowledge organisation in a multi-organisation project can be made more effective if the domain experts are involved in the specification of the systems semantic structure. A particular aspect is further studied: the role of conceptual relations in the process of collaborative development of such structures.

Design/methodology/approach

An action-research approach was adopted, framed by a socio-semantic stance. A collaborative conceptual modelling platform was used to support the members of a research and development project in the process of developing a lightweight ontology aiming at reorganising all the project information in a wiki system. Data collection was carried out by means of participant observation, interviews and a questionnaire.

Findings

The approach to solve the content organisation problem revealed to be effective both in the result and the process. It resulted in a better-organised system, enabling more efficient project information retrieval. The collaborative development of the lightweight ontology embodied, in fact, a learning process, leading to a shared conceptualisation. The research results point to the importance of the elicitation of conceptual relations for structuring the project’s knowledge. These results are important for the design of methods and tools to support the collaborative development of conceptual models.

Originality/value

This paper studies the social process leading to a shared conceptualisation, a subject that has not been sufficiently researched. This case study provides evidence about the importance of the early phases of the construction of ontologies, mainly if domain experts are deeply involved, supported by appropriated tools and guided by well-structured processes.
An investigation of the effect of extroverted and introverted personalities on knowledge acquisition techniques
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Dehghani Maryam , Rajabpour Amir , Pezeshkan Amir
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between personality traits (introversion versus extroversion) and knowledge acquisition (KA) techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The major methodology of the current study is survey. Results are based on 152 usable responses provided by experts in different industries including electronic, communication, information technology, computer and biology. The major analytical technique used is Pearson correlation analysis.

Findings

According to the results, there are significant relationships between personality traits (i.e. introversion versus extroversion) and KA techniques.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted on data from 152 Iranian experts which limits the generalizability of the results. This limitation can be addressed by future studies conducting similar studies on cross-country samples. Further, due to the analytical technique adopted in this study, causality implications cannot be drawn from the results.

Originality/value

This study reveals linkages between personality traits (i.e. introversion versus extroversion) and KA techniques. Results shed light on the KA process for both scholars and practitioners involved in KA programs in the organizations.
Monetary Policy Announcements, Communication, and Stock Market Liquidity
Authors: Lee Jieun , Ryu Doojin , Kutan Ali M.
Published: May 2016

Using the high‐quality intraday transaction data from 2001–2012, we investigate changes in stock market liquidity in response to the monetary policy announcements of the Bank of Korea (BOK). We find that liquidity impairment associated with informed trading occurs prior to the announcements but it disappears subsequent to the global financial crisis. In addition, liquidity impairment appears to become more severe with insufficient experts' predictability and accuracy rather than with policy rate change itself and unscheduled announcements. Finally, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcements, changes in the Volatility Index (VIX), and trading by foreign investors play a limited role in explaining stock market liquidity changes. Overall, results indicate that central bank communication plays a significant role in reducing liquidity impairment by enhancing the predictability of policy actions, and therefore, mitigating information asymmetry.
Education for children with a chronic health condition: an evidence‐informed approach to policy and practice decision making
Authors: Peters Sanne , Hopkins Liza , Barnett Tony
Published: May 2016

Children managing chronic health conditions face many obstacles which can impede their learning during periods of hospitalisation. In one particular hospital, a team of educators deemed it necessary to take a personalised learning approach in order to maintain students’ educational progress, namely making use of individual learning plans (ILPs). This team adopted an evidence‐informed practice (EIP) approach to the issue in order to persuade administrators of the need for change. The successful implementation of the EIP approach led to the inclusion of the ILP form in patients’ medical records, which is thought to be a first for Australia. Although EIP is regarded highly by practitioners and policy makers, there can be difficulties when implementing this approach. This study aims to identify the enabling features that permit EIP to be successfully implemented and to examine the ways in which EIP can lead to improved practice.
A renewed focus on strengths‐based assessment in schools
Authors: Climie Emma , Henley Laura
Published: May 2016

School‐based practitioners are often called upon to provide assessment and recommendations for struggling students. These assessments often open doors to specialised services or interventions and provide opportunities for students to build competencies in areas of need. However, these assessments often fail to highlight the abilities of these students and instead focus on areas in need of remediation. The use of a more positive, or strengths‐based, approach to working with students is needed. Although strengths‐based assessment (SBA) is not a new concept, it is not routinely incorporated into school‐based assessment services. This article provides an overview of SBA and its benefits, along with empirically‐driven models that support the implementation of SBA in schools, and calls for a renewed focus on understanding students from a strengths‐based model. Examples of SBA measures and techniques are included, along with implications for practice for both students and psychologists.
Maternal and offspring outcomes in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Brown HK , Cobigo V , Lunsky Y , Vigod SN
Published: May 2016

Objective

To compare the risks for adverse maternal and offspring outcomes in women with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Population

Singleton obstetrical deliveries to 18‐ to 49‐year‐old women with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (n = 3932 in the exposed cohort, n = 382 774 in the unexposed cohort; 2002–2011 fiscal years).

Methods

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities were identified based on diagnoses in health administrative data or receipt of disability income support. The unexposed cohort comprised women without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Modified Poisson regression was used to compute adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing the two cohorts.

Main outcome measures

Primary maternal outcomes were: gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre‐eclampsia, eclampsia, and venous thromboembolism. Primary offspring outcomes were: preterm birth, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age.

Results

The exposed cohort, compared with the unexposed cohort, had increased risks for pre‐eclampsia (aRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11–1.93) and venous thromboembolism (aRR 1.60, 95% CI 1.17–2.19). Their offspring had increased risks for preterm birth (aRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.47–1.80) and small for gestational age (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.25–1.45).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that there is a need to address modifiable risk factors for adverse outcomes among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities prior to and during pregnancy. Moreover, there is a need to enhance monitoring for maternal and offspring complications in this population.

Tweetable abstract

Large cohort study: intellectual and developmental disabilities predispose women/babies to adverse outcomes.
Ethyl Acetate Extract of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum Prevents Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetes in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Vujicic Milica , Nikolic Ivana , Kontogianni Vassiliki G. , Saksida Tamara , Charisiadis Pantelis , Vasic Bobana , Stosic‐Grujicic Stanislava , Gerothanassis Ioannis P. , Tzakos Andreas G. , Stojanovic Ivana
Published: May 2016

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that develops as a consequence of pancreatic β‐cell death induced by proinflammatory mediators. Because Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Greek oregano) contains antiinflammatory molecules, we hypothesized that it might be beneficial for the treatment of T1D. An ethyl acetate extract of oregano (EAO) was prepared from the leaves by a polar extraction method. Phytochemical composition was determined by liquid chromatography‐UV diode array coupled to ion‐trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization interface (LC/DAD/ESI‐MSn). In vitro immunomodulatory effect of EAO was estimated by measuring proliferation (MTT) or cytokine secretion (ELISA) from immune cells. Diabetes was induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLDS) in male C57BL/6 mice and EAO was administered intraperitoneally for 10 d. Determination of cellular composition (flow cytometry) and cytokine production (ELISA) was performed on 12th d after diabetes induction. EAO suppressed the function of both macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro. In vivo, EAO treatment significantly preserved pancreatic islets and reduced diabetes incidence in MLDS‐challenged mice. Besides down‐modulatory effect on macrophages, EAO reduced the number of total CD4+ and activated CD4+CD25+ T cells. Furthermore, EAO affected the number of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells through downregulation of their key transcription factors T‐bet and RORγT. Because EAO treatment protects mice from development of hyperglycemia by reducing proinflammatory macrophage/Th1/Th17 response, this plant extract could represent a basis for future diabetes therapy.
Alcohol Intervention for Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Project Step Up, a Treatment Development Study
Authors: O'Connor Mary J. , Quattlebaum Justin , Castañeda Marleen , Dipple Katrina M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Project Step Up proposed to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related negative outcomes in adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

Methods

The 54 participants (30 females, 24 males) were assigned to either Project Step Up Intervention (SUI) or Control conditions and were assessed prior to intervention, immediately following intervention, and at 3‐month follow‐up. Adolescents in the SUI condition participated in a 6‐week, 60‐minute group intervention that provided alcohol education and promoted adaptive responses to alcohol‐related social pressures. Caregivers attended concurrent but separate sessions on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain and how to handle parenting challenges associated with alcohol use in teens with FASD.

Results

Thirty‐three percent (n = 18) of adolescents were classified as light/moderate drinkers, and 67% (n = 36) were abstinent/infrequent drinkers based on their lifetime drinking histories. Results revealed a significant decrease in self‐reported alcohol risk and in alcohol‐related negative behaviors (Cohen's d = 1.08 and 0.99) in light/moderate drinkers in the SUI compared to the Control group. These results were partially sustained at 3‐month follow‐up. Furthermore, adolescents in the abstinent/infrequent group exhibited no increase in alcohol‐related outcomes suggesting that the group intervention used in this study was not iatrogenic.

Conclusions

The success of this treatment development study provides preliminary support for effective treatment of adolescents with FASD to prevent or reduce alcohol use and its negative consequences in this high risk population.
Buprenorphine compared with methadone to treat pregnant women with opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of safety in the mother, fetus and child
Authors: Zedler Barbara K. , Mann Ashley L. , Kim Mimi M. , Amick Halle R. , Joyce Andrew R. , Murrelle E. Lenn , Jones Hendrée E.
Published: May 2016

Aims

To assess the safety of buprenorphine compared with methadone to treat pregnant women with opioid use disorder.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational cohort studies (OBS) that compared buprenorphine with methadone for treating opioid‐dependent pregnant women. Two reviewers assessed independently the titles and abstracts of all search results and full texts of potentially eligible studies reporting original data for maternal/fetal/infant death, preterm birth, fetal growth outcomes, fetal/congenital anomalies, fetal/child neurodevelopment and/or maternal adverse events. We ascertained each study's risk of bias using validated instruments and assessed the strength of evidence for each outcome using established methods. We computed effect sizes using random‐effects models for each outcome with two or more studies.

Results

Three RCTs (n = 223) and 15 cohort OBSs (n = 1923) met inclusion criteria. In meta‐analyses using unadjusted data and methadone as comparator, buprenorphine was associated with lower risk of preterm birth [RCT risk ratio (RR) = 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.18, 0.91; OBS RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.50, 0.90], greater birth weight [RCT weighted mean difference (WMD) = 277 g, 95% CI = 104, 450; OBS WMD = 265 g, 95% CI = 196, 335] and larger head circumference [RCT WMD = 0.90 cm, 95% CI = 0.14, 1.66; OBS WMD = 0.68 cm, 95% CI = 0.41, 0.94]. No treatment differences were observed for spontaneous fetal death, fetal/congenital anomalies and other fetal growth measures, although the power to detect such differences may be inadequate due to small sample sizes.

Conclusions

Moderately strong evidence indicates lower risk of preterm birth, greater birth weight and larger head circumference with buprenorphine treatment of maternal opioid use disorder during pregnancy compared with methadone treatment, and no greater harms.
Laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy after right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Igami Tsuyoshi , Komaya Kenichi , Hirose Tomoaki , Ebata Tomoki , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Sugawara Gen , Mizuno Takashi , Yamaguchi Junpei , Nagino Masato
Published: May 2016

Although laparoscopic hepatectomy is widely accepted for primary hepatectomy, the clinical value of laparoscopic hepatectomy for repeat hepatectomy is still challenging. We herein describe our experience with laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy after right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy. A 72‐year‐old woman who had undergone right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma 31 months prior was diagnosed with liver metastasis in segment 3. We performed laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy. Because mild adhesions in the left side of the abdominal cavity were detected by laparoscopy, the planned procedure was accomplished. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 139 min and less than 1 mL, respectively. The patient was discharged at 6 days after surgery and was healthy with no evidence of recurrence at 21 months after laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy. Laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy is a suitable and safe procedure for minor hepatectomy, provided that careful technique is used after the working space is secured under pneumoperitoneum.
Palmitoylethanolamide for the treatment of pain: pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy
Authors: Gabrielsson Linda , Mattsson Sofia , Fowler Christopher J.
Published: May 2016

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been suggested to have useful analgesic properties and to be devoid of unwanted effects. Here, we have examined critically this contention, and discussed available data concerning the pharmacokinetics of PEA and its formulation. Sixteen clinical trials, six case reports/pilot studies and a meta‐analysis of PEA as an analgesic have been published in the literature. For treatment times up to 49 days, the current clinical data argue against serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) at an incidence of 1/200 or greater. For treatment lasting more than 60 days, the number of patients is insufficient to rule out a frequency of ADRs of less than 1/100. The six published randomized clinical trials are of variable quality. Presentation of data without information on data spread and nonreporting of data at times other than the final measurement were among issues that were identified. Further, there are no head‐to‐head clinical comparisons of unmicronized vs. micronized formulations of PEA, and so evidence for superiority of one formulation over the other is currently lacking. Nevertheless, the available clinical data support the contention that PEA has analgesic actions and motivate further study of this compound, particularly with respect to head‐to‐head comparisons of unmicronized vs. micronized formulations of PEA and comparisons with currently recommended treatments.
Next‐generation sequencing of Chinese stage IV lung cancer patients reveals an association between EGFR mutation status and survival outcome
Authors: Li F. , Du X. , Zhang H. , Ju T. , Chen C. , Qu Q. , Zhang X. , Qi L. , Lizée G.
Published: May 2016

Large‐scale genomic characterization of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has revealed several putative oncogenic driver mutations that may constitute druggable therapeutic targets. However, there are little data to suggest that such gene alterations have clinical relevance. Over 12 consecutive months, tumor biopsy samples from 80 patients with stage IV NSCLC were analyzed for mutations in selected exons of 508 cancer‐related genes using next‐generation sequencing. From 85 specimens referred for genomic characterization, 80 (94%) specimens were successfully genotyped, and all had identifiable somatic alterations. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and TP53 genes contained the highest frequency of observed mutations (65% and 40%, respectively) in the stage IV NSCLC cases. Notably, patients with EGFR mutations showed a significantly shorter survival time compared with patients expressing wild‐type EGFR (p = 0.0053). Moreover, of the 32 patients harboring EGFR mutations, EGFR‐L858R mutant patients showed a significantly shorter survival time compared with patients with other EGFR mutations (p = 0.036). In conclusion, tumors from stage IV NSCLC patients harbor characteristic gene alterations, of which EGFR L858R in particular appears to be a poor prognostic factor for overall survival.
Coordinating a Supply Chain When Facing Strategic Consumers
Authors: Li Tian , Yu Man
Published: May 2016

This article examines the impact of strategic consumers on the efficiency and coordination of a supply chain. We consider a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a newsvendor retailer selling a seasonal product to strategic consumers, who may choose to wait for clearance sales to maximize their intertemporal utility. Under a prenegotiated supply contract, the retailer chooses retail price and ordering quantity simultaneously. After that, the strategic consumers, who may be heterogeneous in their patience levels, make purchasing decisions. We find that strategic consumer behavior can hurt the supply chain efficiency due to severe double marginalization, and that a simple buyback contract can coordinate the supply chain. Nevertheless, we show that the supply chain does become more difficult to coordinate when strategic consumers are present: the set of buyback contractual terms that coordinate the chain shrinks as consumers are more willing to wait, and the chain profit cannot be arbitrarily allocated between the firms. Contrary to popular intuition, this result implies that the retailer may enjoy some benefit from consumers' strategic waiting. In addition, we find that the retailer's gain is the highest when impatient and patient consumers are comparably mixed in the population.