bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expressing herself through brands: the Arab woman’s perspective
Authors: Alserhan Baker Ahmad , Halkias Daphne , Boulanouar Aisha Wood , Dayan Mumin , Alserhan Omar Ahmad
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to extend Wallström et al.’s (2010) six-nation study on brand use and notions of self-expression to Arab women in the UAE. Additionally, it extends the scope of investigation to include an extensive qualitative data corpus to inform and explain the consumption practices of this large, very wealthy and under-researched sector of the global marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses mixed methodology emphasizing qualitative research as a means of building on the results of Wallström et al.’s (2010) quantitative study.

Findings

– Results reveal that Arab women are less committed to the idea that beauty care products are a locus of self-expression, and their purchase choices are based on perceived quality of care products, scene of use and their lack of value in the culture as vehicles of conspicuous consumption cues.

Originality/value

– The paper offers valuable insights to researchers and practitioners into the use of beauty care products as a means of self-expression, and emphasizes the value of word-of-mouth communication in enhancing reach in this category. The authors recommend the investigation of relationships between expressing self through brands and variables revealed in this study such as respondents’ relationships to religiosity and health concerns. An extension of this research is also recommended to produce a cross-cultural body of literature on women’s self-expression through brands and how the variable of self-expression can be an important driver of consumer preferences and choices in this population.
Innovation and cause-related marketing success: a conceptual framework and propositions
Authors: Christofi Michael , Leonidou Erasmia , Vrontis Demetris , Kitchen Phillip , Papasolomou Ioanna
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to illustrate how innovation typologies may lead to cause-related marketing (CRM) success when applied to services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hence, the paper identifies product/service and brand factors that underpin CRM success, undertakes an innovation theory application in CRM and examines its theoretical and practical significance.

Findings

– The paper develops a conceptual framework that may serve to facilitate CRM success.

Originality/value

– Intended contributions include: a critical review of academic research related to CRM success; identification of underdeveloped connections between five innovation types and CRM success; enrichment of the innovation and CRM literature by developing a framework that combines these; managerial guidelines to achieve successful CRM practice in services; and an agenda for future research in CRM via a multi-dimensional concept of innovation.
Eliciting positive social change: marketing’s capacity to drive prosocial behaviours
Authors: O'Cass Aron , Griffin Deborah
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– While social marketing has been utilised to bring about positive social change, ultimately, the decision to engage in prosocial behaviour resides with the individual. The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants and outcomes of prosocial behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

– A web-based self-administered survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample of largely university staff and students. Data obtained were analysed using SEM-based partial least squares methodology.

Findings

– The results show that individuals who are future oriented and issue involved are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviour. Also, these individuals are more likely to assess fewer negative consequences and experience more positive feelings as a result of their prosocial behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– While the study focuses on two social issues, it does provide some explanation of self-reported behaviour, rather than intention to behave. However, future research could pay attention to a wider array of social issues and undertake post hoc testing to measure the characteristics of the chosen social issues. This may enhance findings, and provide greater support for the generalisability of the model. Also, future research could be directed towards the examining the role of perceived risk and feelings as an outcome of behaviour.

Practical implications

– A better understanding of the prosocial individual can assist in designing more effective social marketing campaigns. In particular, focusing on positive feelings as a result of engaging in prosocial behaviour has practical implications.

Originality/value

– Little attention has been given in the marketing and consumer behaviour literature to understanding the prosocial individual. To this end, this research empirically tests a model of prosocial behaviour for two social issues that integrates determinants (social responsibility, time orientation and issue involvement) and outcomes (assessment of negative consequences and feelings). Moreover, the results highlight that positive feelings are a significant outcome of prosocial behaviour.
An insight into pay-what-you-want pricing
Authors: Roy Rajat
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Extant literature on pricing posits that consumers’ internal reference price (IRP) drives willingness to pay (WTP), when external pricing cues are available. This positive IRP-WTP relationship is further moderated by involvement and price consciousness. The purpose of this paper is to test how the IRP-WTP relationship will be moderated by involvement and price consciousness, albeit in the pay-what-you-want (PWYW) context. In the PWYW setting consumers can pay any amount of money (including nothing) and no external pricing cues are provided.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was engaged to measure the key variables, and the data was analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression with spotlight analyses.

Findings

– In the normal everyday pricing context, involvement strengthens the IRP-WTP relationship, while price consciousness weakens it. Contrary to this normal pricing wisdom, in the PWYW context, it was found that both involvement and price consciousness weaken the IRP-WTP relationship, thereby driving down consumers’ WTP.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies should use experimental design to manipulate some of the independent variables used in the study, focus on the mediating processes that underlie PWYW decision-making and extend the findings in the context of wider demographics.

Practical implications

– Managers should focus on segmentation, branding and product experiences to ensure higher returns of PWYW businesses.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses lack of overall research in the PWYW area, and also addresses some key gaps left by extant research of Kimet al.(2009) that was published in theJournal of Marketing.
Self-marketing brand skills for business students
Authors: Manai Aicha , Holmlund Maria
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Despite the widespread interest in self-marketing, scant research has been published about students’ self-marketing skills. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap and develop a framework for self-marketing brand skills specific to business students.

Design/methodology/approach

– Aaker’s Brand Identity Planning Model (2002) was used to construct personal-brand-identity elements. Empirical data were gathered from interviews with 17 students from two business schools in Finland, who were selected using a snowballing sampling technique.

Findings

– Branding-related elements, together with empirically grounded themes, emerged and were developed into a framework for developing self-marketing brand skills. Self-marketing brand core, self-marketing brand goals and self-marketing brand activities were suggested and further divided into sub-topics, becoming the content of the new framework.

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides a starting point for further research on self-marketing skills from a branding perspective.

Practical implications

– The paper discusses several important practical implications for business students who wish to improve their job-seeking success.

Originality/value

– Rather than adopting a knowledge or activity perspective on self-marketing skills in job searching, the study extends the current knowledge by taking a complementary view, i.e. a branding perspective, and highlights students’ mental preparedness and drive.
An exploration of environmentally-conscious consumers and the reasons why they do not buy green products
Authors: Johnstone Micael-Lee , Tan Lay Peng
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand how and why environmentally conscious consumers rationalise their non-green purchase behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– Seven focus groups were conducted. A total of 51 people, aged 19-70 years, participated in the study. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to organise the data as various themes emerged.

Findings

– Through application of neutralisation theory, this study identified additional barriers to green consumption. Two new neutralisation techniques emerged, namely protecting (maintaining) one’s sense of self and consumer attachment to the brand. These techniques recognise the impact consumer culture has had on consumers.

Research limitations/implications

– The study took place in an urban centre hence the views of the participants may be different from those who live in rural centres; low-income consumers were under-represented; and more male participants would have been desirable.

Social implications

– Despite its limitations, this study reveals that consumers will rationalise their decisions in order to protect their self-esteem and self-identity. Until green becomes a social norm, consumers will continue to place individual goals over collective goals. Understanding this rationalisation process is important if marketers and policy makers want to encourage behavioural change.

Originality/value

– This study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of the green attitude-behaviour gap. It provides fresh insights into how environmentally conscious consumers vindicate their non-green consumption behaviours and how marketers and policy makers can overcome these challenges. It also identifies two new neutralisation techniques and extends the theory to a consumer culture context.
Do changes in gross margin percentage provide complementary information to revenue and earnings surprises?
Authors: Lento Camillo , Sayed Naqi
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between gross profit percentage, abnormal market returns, revenue surprises and earnings surprises. Gross margin is relied upon by various market participants, as its predictive power is incremental and distinct from revenue and earnings signals; however, gross margin has received little researcher attention.

Design/methodology/approach

– General regression specifications found in the prior literature are extended to assess the informational content of changes in gross margin percentage. In addition, various portfolios are created based around the nature of the signals (positive or negative), provided by each income statement metrics (revenue, gross margin and earnings). A sample of 5,582 quarterly observations of S
&
P 500 firms is compiled. The main regressions are exposed to three robustness tests that focus on industry sub-groupings, institutional ownership and fourth-quarter observations.

Findings

– The main findings reveal that gross margin percentage changes and earnings surprises are significantly related to abnormal market returns in the short window around the earnings announcement date and persist into a wider window measured as the quarter after the earnings announcement date. The relationship between gross margin percentage changes and abnormal returns is more pronounced when positive (negative) changes in gross margin percentage are accompanied by positive (negative) revenue and earnings surprises.

Research limitations/implications

– This study relies upon S
&
P 500 firms which are all relatively large firms. Therefore, the results may not be generalizable to smaller firms. In addition, the gross margin change is measured as the quarter-over-quarter percentage change because there is no analyst expectation for gross margin.

Originality/value

– This paper extends the prior literature by developing three testable hypotheses that investigate the linkages between abnormal market returns, gross margin and revenue and earnings surprises. This is the first known study to investigate the informational content of changes in gross margin percentage.
Auditor-provided tax services and long-term tax avoidance
Authors: Hogan Brian , Noga Tracy
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the association between auditor-provided tax services (APTS) and long-term corporate tax rates.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses empirical data and multivariate regression models to explore the relationship between a firm’s use of APTS and their long-term effective tax rate.

Findings

– An economically and statistically significant long-term negative relationship was found between firm levels of APTS and taxes paid. Further, a portion of this benefit is lost for some firms when returning to their auditor for tax services even after a short break.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the debate regarding the value of APTS by providing evidence of the apparent long-term negative consequences to firms who reduce their reliance on APTS, perhaps even through the engagement of separate accounting firms for their audit and tax functions, although these consequences may be mitigated upon return with a significant increase in APTS. However, this is the first study, to our knowledge, to explore, in a long-term setting, the consequences of a firm’s return to their auditors for a non-audit service previously reduced or terminated. Additionally, further incremental contributions are made to other studies that look at APTS and tax avoidance by studying the long-term relationship which allows firms to consider the cumulative cost/benefit relationship between independence and knowledge spillover.
The role of CEO inside debt holdings in corporate pension funding status
Authors: Yu-Thompson Yin , Cho Seong Yeon , Fu Liang
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine how pension risk shifting can be explained and constrained by debt component in chief executive officer (CEO) compensation and to explore whether a CEO’s relatively large holdings of inside debt to equity compensation would result in a well-funded pension status.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use two-stage least-squares model to control the potential unobserved and uncontrolled firm characteristics that could drive both CEO inside debt determinants and firm pension funding status.

Findings

– This paper finds a positive relationship between the CEO inside debt ratio and firm funding status. Additional tests show a positive association between the CEO inside debt ratio and financial slack measures and a negative association between this ratio and financial constraint measure. Additional evidence also shows that the CEO inside debt ratio is negatively associated with other contemporaneous investment activities. Overall, the findings suggest that CEO inside debt creates managerial incentives that can affect pension funding decisions and decrease pension risk shifting.

Research limitations/implications

– One of the difficulties facing the compensation literature is the unobservable nature of the entire compensation negotiation and design process. Pension funding status is another challenging topic given that management has discretion over the pension assumptions and the calculations themselves are complicated. Therefore, the determinants of pension status used in this paper are not all-inclusive. Although a two-stage least-squares methodology is applied to mitigate endogeneity, it is still possible that an omitted variable problem exists in both cases.

Originality/value

– This study provides direct evidence of the executive debt-like compensation’s effect on pension risk-shifting behavior and pension funding decisions and also contributes to the literature that investigates the association between CEO inside debt and firm risk by examining the trade-off between pension funding and other contemporaneous investment activities.
Gender Inequality in Democratic Participation: Examining Oral Evidence to the National Assembly for Wales
Authors: Rumbul Rebecca
Published: July 2015

Women’s presence in politics has been much scrutinised, with emphasis primarily on electoral politics. There has been less scrutiny of those contributing to politics in a non-electoral capacity and the characteristics of such groups. The fledgling Welsh legislature has demonstrated high electoral engagement of women, and this article asks whether this electoral gender balance is mirrored in non-electoral engagement with the wider demos. The empirical evidence presented demonstrates that the representation of women in elected positions is not mirrored in the representation of women in the provision of oral evidence. This poses legitimate questions concerning the quality of Welsh democratic engagement.
Reﬂections on Teaching Africa in South Africa
Authors: Matthews Sally
Published: July 2015

This article draws on the author’s experience of teaching African Studies to undergraduate South African students in order to reﬂect on some of the key challenges facing teachers of African Studies, both in South Africa and beyond. In particular, it discusses challenges relating to teaching a ﬁeld as contested as African Studies, looking at whether teaching African alternatives to mainstream African politics is helpful and at whether and how one can teach Africa in a way that encourages and develops critical thinking. The article also explores how the racial politics of the context in which one teaches African Studies inevitably affects the way in which students engage with the content of the course. While the article discusses these issues in relation to the South African higher education context in particular, implications for other contexts are also highlighted.
Psychophysical Effects of Increasing Oil Concentrations on Saltiness and Bitterness Perception of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions
Authors: Torrico Damir Dennis , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: July 2015

Limited research has been done to investigate saltiness and bitterness perceptions of NaCl, KCl, and caffeine in emulsion systems. Saltiness and bitterness intensities of emulsions prepared with different concentrations of oil [0% (that is, solution), 20%, 40%, canola oil] and different concentrations of 3 tastants (NaCl [0.5% to 1.0%], KCl [0.5% to 1.5%], and caffeine [0.05 to 0.15%]) were measured using the Spectrum™ descriptive method (N = 16) and the Electronic‐tongue (E‐tongue). Linear regression and the Stevens’ power law were used to model the taste intensities against the tastant concentrations. From the descriptive data, saltiness intensities in emulsions were higher than solutions, demonstrating a saltiness‐enhancing effect imparted by oil. Bitterness intensities in emulsions were lower compared to those of solutions for caffeine, but they were similar for KCl. This demonstrated that oil suppressed bitterness for caffeine. E‐tongue saltiness measurements were corresponding to those of the descriptive data; however, E‐tongue bitterness intensities of KCl showed an opposite pattern.
Microbiome changes associated with sustained eradication of Clostridium difficile after single faecal microbiota transplantation in children with and without inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Hourigan S. K. , Chen L. A. , Grigoryan Z. , Laroche G. , Weidner M. , Sears C. L. , Oliva‐Hemker M.
Published: July 2015

Background

Little data are available regarding the effectiveness and associated microbiome changes of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children, especially in those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with presumed underlying dysbiosis.

Aim

To investigate C. difficile eradication and microbiome changes with FMT in children with and without IBD.

Methods

Children with a history of recurrent CDI (≥3 recurrences) underwent FMT via colonoscopy. Stool samples were collected pre‐FMT and post‐FMT at 2–10 weeks, 10–20 weeks and 6 months. The v4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. C. difficile toxin B gene polymerase chain reaction was performed.

Results

Eight children underwent FMT for CDI; five had IBD. All had resolution of CDI symptoms. All tested had eradication of C. difficile at 10–20 weeks and 6 months post‐FMT. Pre‐FMT patient samples had significantly decreased bacterial richness compared with donors (P = 0.01), in those with IBD (P = 0.02) and without IBD (P = 0.01). Post‐FMT, bacterial diversity in patients increased. Six months post‐FMT, there was no significant difference between bacterial diversity of donors and patients without IBD; however, bacterial diversity in those with IBD returned to pre‐FMT baseline. Microbiome composition at 6 months in IBD‐negative patients more closely approximated donor composition compared to IBD‐positive patients.

Conclusions

FMT gives sustained C. difficile eradication in children with and without IBD. FMT‐restored diversity is sustained in children without IBD. In those with IBD, bacterial diversity returns to pre‐FMT baseline by 6 months, suggesting IBD host‐related mechanisms modify faecal microbiome diversity.
Pre‐transplant comorbidity burden and post‐transplant chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Vaughn Jennifer E. , Gooley Ted , Maziarz Richard T. , Pulsipher Michael A. , Bhatia Smita , Maloney David G. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Flowers Mary E. , Storb Rainer , Sorror Mohamed L.
Published: July 2015

The Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation‐Comorbidity Index (HCT‐CI) was designed as a predictor of non‐relapse mortality after HCT. Chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) contributes to mortality after HCT. Here, we investigated whether the HCT‐CI could predict development of chronic GVHD or post‐chronic GVHD mortality. We retrospectively analysed data from 2909 patients treated with allogeneic HCT for malignant and non‐malignant haematological conditions at four institutions. In Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders, increasing HCT‐CI was not statistically significantly associated with the development of chronic GVHD [hazard ratio (HR) = 1·02, P = 0·34]. Yet, the index was associated with an increased risk of non‐relapse mortality (HR = 1·29, P < 0·0001) as well as overall mortality (HR = 1·25, P < 0·001) following the development of chronic GVHD. The association between HCT‐CI and post‐chronic GVHD mortality was similar regardless of donor type or stem cell source. HCT‐CI scores could be incorporated in the design of clinical trials for treatment of chronic GVHD.
Patterns of care for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Australia
Authors: Day Daphne , Kanjanapan Yada , Kwan Edmond , Yip Desmond , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Andrews Miles , Davis Ian D , Azad Arun A , Rosenthal Mark , Wong Shirley , Johnstone Alice , Gibbs Peter , Tran Ben
Published: July 2015

Objective

To examine the patterns of care and outcomes for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in Australia, where there are limited reimbursed treatment options. In particular, we aim to explore prescribing patterns for first‐line systemic treatment, the practice of an initial watchful‐waiting approach, and the use of systemic treatments in elderly patients.

Subjects/Patients and Methods

Patients with mRCC undergoing treatment between 2006 and 2012 were identified from four academic hospitals in Victoria and Australian Capital Territory. Demographic, clinicopathological, treatment, and survival data were recorded by chart review. Descriptive statistics were used to report findings. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. The study was supported by a grant from Pfizer Australia.

Results

Our study identified 212 patients with mRCC for analysis. Patients were predominantly of clear cell histology (75%), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2 (67%) and with favourable/intermediate Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center risk (68%). The median age at diagnosis was 61 years. In all, 163 (77%) patients received first‐line systemic therapy, while 49 (23%) received best supportive care (BSC). The most frequently used first‐line treatment was sunitinib (125 patients, 77%). Patients who received sunitinib had a median overall survival (OS) of 27.6 months. In all, 43% of patients who received sunitinib underwent a watchful‐waiting period of >90 days before initiating treatment; these patients had a median OS of 56.3 months. Elderly patients (50 patients aged ≥70 years) were more likely to receive BSC alone than younger patients (46% vs 16%, P < 0.001). Of those who received systemic therapy, elderly patients were also more likely to have upfront dose reductions (30% vs 8%, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Our study of patients with mRCC treated in Australian centres showed that sunitinib was the most commonly prescribed systemic treatment between 2006 and 2012, associated with survival outcomes similar to pivotal studies. We also found that an initial watchful‐waiting approach is commonly adopted without apparent detriment to survival. And finally, we found that age has an impact on the prescribing of systemic therapy.
Confirmation of TTC8 as a disease gene for nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP51)
Authors: Goyal S. , Jäger M. , Robinson P.N. , Vanita V.
Published: July 2015

Nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is genetically highly heterogeneous, with >100 disease genes identified. However, mutations in these genes explain only 60% of all RP cases. Blood samples were collected from 12 members of an autosomal recessive RP family. Whole genome homozygosity mapping and haplotype analysis placed the RP locus in this family at chromosome 14q31.3. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) in proband revealed a mutation in TTC8, which was flagged as most likely candidate gene by bioinformatic analysis. TTC8 is mutated in Bardet–Biedl syndrome 8 (BBS8), and once reported previously in a family with nonsyndromic RP. Sequencing of amplified products of exon 13 of TTC8 validated c.1347G>C (p.Gln449His), a novel change that affects the final nucleotide of exon 13 and might deleteriously affect splicing. This mutation segregated completely with the disease in the family and was not observed in 100 ethnically matched controls from same population. This represents second report of a TTC8 mutation in nonsyndromic RP, thus confirming the identity of TTC8 as causative gene for RP51.
Assessing the effectiveness of specially protected areas for conservation of Antarctica's botanical diversity
Authors: Hughes Kevin A. , Ireland Louise C. , Convey Peter , Fleming Andrew H.
Published: July 2015

Vegetation is sparsely distributed over Antarctica's ice‐free ground, and distinct plant communities are present in each of the continent's 15 recently identified Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions (ACBRs). With rapidly increasing human activity in Antarctica, terrestrial plant communities are at risk of damage or destruction by trampling, overland transport, and infrastructure construction and from the impacts of anthropogenically introduced species, as well as uncontrollable pressures such as fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) activity and climate change. Under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, the conservation of plant communities can be enacted and facilitated through the designation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). We examined the distribution within the 15 ACBRs of the 33 ASPAs whose explicit purpose includes protecting macroscopic terrestrial flora. We completed the first survey using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) satellite remote sensing to provide baseline data on the extent of vegetation cover in all ASPAs designated for plant protection in Antarctica. Large omissions in the protection of Antarctic botanical diversity were found. There was no protection of plant communities in 6 ACBRs, and in another 6, <0.4% of the ACBR area was included in an ASPA that protected vegetation. Protected vegetation cover within the 33 ASPAs totaled 16.1 km2 for the entire Antarctic continent; over half was within a single protected area. Over 96% of the protected vegetation was contained in 2 ACBRs, which together contributed only 7.8% of the continent's ice‐free ground. We conclude that Antarctic botanical diversity is clearly inadequately protected and call for systematic designation of ASPAs protecting plant communities by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties, the members of the governing body of the continent.
A review of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence following rectal surgery and radiotherapy
Authors: Thomas G. P. , Bradshaw E. , Vaizey C. J.
Published: July 2015

Aim

Faecal incontinence may occur following rectal surgery and/or radiotherapy for rectal cancer. The aim of this paper was to review the evidence to support the use of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for patients with incontinence who had undergone rectal surgery or received rectal radiotherapy.

Method

A search was performed of PubMed, Medline and Embase. All studies which reported the outcome of SNS in patients who had undergone a rectal resection or radiotherapy were reviewed.

Results

The first report of SNS following rectal surgery was in 2002. Since then seven further studies have described its effect in patients who have undergone anterior resection or pelvic radiotherapy. The total number of patients was 57. All studies were single group series, which ranged in size from one to 15 patients. The follow‐up ranged from 1 to 36 months. The success of peripheral nerve evaluation ranged from 47% to 100%. Permanent SNS improved the symptoms and in some studies this was reflected in improved quality of life. The wide variation of patient factors, operations performed, the dose of radiotherapy given and time from operation makes interpretation of the results difficult.

Conclusion

Larger studies with better patient selection are needed to investigate the effect of SNS on incontinence following radiotherapy or rectal surgery.
Neoplastic and non‐neoplastic complications of solid organ transplantation in patients with preexisting monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Authors: Goebel Teresa E. , Schiltz Nicholas K. , Woodside Kenneth J. , Chandran Pillai Aiswarya , Caimi Paolo F. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Koroukian Siran M. , Campagnaro Erica L.
Published: July 2015

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) occurs in 3–7% of the elderly population, with higher prevalence in renal failure patients, and is associated with a 25‐fold increased lifetime risk for plasma cell myeloma (PCM), also known as multiple myeloma. Using the California State Inpatient, Emergency Department, and Ambulatory Surgery Databases components of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), we sought to determine whether patients with MGUS who undergo solid organ allograft (n = 22 062) are at increased adjusted relative risk (aRR) for hematologic malignancy and other complications. Among solid organ transplant patients, patients with preexisting MGUS had higher aRR of PCM (aRR 19.46; 95% CI 7.05, 53.73; p < 0.001), venous thromboembolic events (aRR 1.66; 95% CI 1.15, 2.41; p = 0.007), and infection (aRR 1.24; 95% CI 1.06, 1.45; p = 0.007). However, when comparing MGUS patients with and without solid organ transplant, there was decreased aRR for PCM with transplant (aRR 0.34; 95% CI 0.13, 0.88; p = 0.027), and increased venous thromboembolic events (aRR 2.33; 95% CI 1.58, 3.44; p < 0.001) and infectious risks (aRR 1.44; 95% CI 1.23, 1.70; p < 0.001). While MGUS increased the risk of PCM overall following solid organ transplantation, there was lower risk of PCM development compared to MGUS patients who did not receive a transplant. MGUS should not preclude solid organ transplant.
Patterns and correlates of new psychoactive substance use in a sample of Australian high school students
Authors: Champion Katrina E. , Teesson Maree , Newton Nicola C.
Published: July 2015

Introduction and Aims

In recent years there has been growing concern about new psychoactive substances (NPS) designed to mimic the effects of established illicit drugs. This paper explores the patterns and correlates of NPS use in a sample of Australian students.

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Australia in 2014. Data were collected from 1126 students (mean age: 14.9 years) from 11 secondary schools. Students completed a self‐report questionnaire assessing NPS use and knowledge, beliefs and intentions to use these substances. NPS users were compared with non‐users and illicit drug users, who had not used NPS, in terms of gender, binge drinking, tobacco use, psychological distress and self‐efficacy to resist peer pressure.

Results

Of the 1126 students, 3% reported having ever tried NPS, 2.4% had used synthetic cannabis and 0.4% had used a synthetic stimulant. Analyses revealed that NPS users were more likely to have had an episode of binge drinking in the past 6 months, tried tobacco and had higher levels of psychological distress and lower perceived self‐efficacy to resist peer pressure than non‐users, but did not significantly differ from users of other illicit drugs.

Discussion and Conclusions

NPS use appears to be uncommon among Australian school students. Although adolescents that do use these substances did not differ from students that had used traditional illicit drugs, both appear to be higher‐risk groups of students than non‐users. Our findings suggest that universal education about NPS be incorporated into existing drug prevention programmes, and that targeted NPS prevention may also be warranted among high‐risk adolescents. [Champion KE, Teesson M, Newton NC. Patterns and correlates of new psychoactive substance use in a sample of Australian high school students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:338–344]
Muscle synergies: input or output variables for neural control?
Authors: Damiano Diane
Published: July 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Steele et al. on pages 1176–1182 of this issue.
Brain structural and microstructural alterations associated with cerebral palsy and motor impairments in adolescents born extremely preterm and/or extremely low birthweight
Authors: Kelly Claire E , Chan Linda , Burnett Alice C , Lee Katherine J , Connelly Alan , Anderson Peter J , Doyle Lex W , Cheong Jeanie L Y , Thompson Deanne K ,   the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study Group
Published: July 2015

Aim

To elucidate neurobiological changes underlying motor impairments in adolescents born extremely preterm (gestation <28wks) and/or with extremely low birthweight (ELBW, <1000g), our aims were the following: (1) to compare corticospinal tract (CST) microstructure and primary motor cortex (M1) volume, area, and thickness between extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents and a comparison group with normal birthweight (>2499g); (2) to compare CST microstructure and M1 volume, area, and thickness between extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), motor impairment without CP, and no motor impairment; and (3) to investigate associations between CST microstructure and M1 measures.

Method

This study used diffusion and structural magnetic resonance imaging to examine the CST and M1 in a geographical cohort of 191 extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents (mean age 18y 2.4mo [SD 9.6mo]; 87 males, 104 females) and 141 adolescents in the comparison group (mean age 18y 1.2mo [SD 9.6mo]; 59 males, 82 females).

Results

Extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents had higher CST axial, radial, and mean diffusivities and lower M1 thickness than the comparison group. Extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents with CP had higher CST diffusivities than non‐motor‐impaired extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents. CST diffusivities correlated with M1 volume and area.

Interpretation

Extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents have altered CST microstructure, which is associated with CP. Furthermore, the results elucidate how CST and M1 alterations interrelate to potentially influence motor function in extremely preterm/ELBW adolescents.
Plant species variation in bottom‐up effects across three trophic levels: a test of traits and mechanisms
Authors: MOREIRA XOAQUÍN , ABDALA‐ROBERTS LUIS , HERNÁNDEZ‐CUMPLIDO JOHNATTAN , RASMANN SERGIO , KENYON SARAH G. , BENREY BETTY
Published: July 2015

1. An increasing number of studies have addressed the mechanisms by which plant inter‐specific variation influence interactions at higher trophic levels, but little is known about the underlying plant traits driving these dynamics.

2. Here we investigated the effects of host plant species on herbivore‐parasitoid interactions and the underlying traits driving such effects. For this, we measured the abundance of seed‐eating bruchids and their parasitoids across seven sympatric populations of the bean species Phaseolus coccineus and Phaseolus vulgaris in Central Mexico. To investigate the mechanisms underlying differences between bean species in bruchid‐parasitoid interactions, we carried out two laboratory experiments to test whether bruchid and parasitoid performance differed between plant species. We also measured seed size and phenolic compounds to investigate if seed traits mediate bruchid‐parasitoid interactions by influencing herbivore susceptibility or resistance to parasitoids.

3. Field surveys revealed that the rate of parasitoid recruitment to bruchids was significantly higher on P. vulgaris than on P. coccineus. Subsequent laboratory bioassays indicated that bruchids developed more slowly and exhibited lower fitness on P. vulgaris seeds than on P. coccineus seeds. Accordingly, we found that bean species differed in seed size, with P. vulgaris having smaller (less nutritious) seeds, which explains why bruchid development was slower on this plant species.

4. These results provide a mechanism for why bruchids exhibited higher parasitism rates on seeds of P. vulgaris in the field which could be due to Slow‐Growth/High‐Mortality effects, a smaller physical refuge provided by the seed, or both factors. The roles of these mechanisms remain inconclusive without further study.
Reduced thalamocortical functional connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: He Xiaosong , Doucet Gaelle E. , Sperling Michael , Sharan Ashwini , Tracy Joseph I.
Published: July 2015

Objective

In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the thalamus is well known for its role in the propagation and spread of epileptiform activity. However, the integrity of thalamocortical functional connectivity (FC) in TLE and its relation to specific seizure patterns have not yet been determined. We address these issues with resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods

Resting‐state fMRI was performed on two groups of unilateral TLE patients: those with focal seizures only (16 left TLE, 16 right TLE) and those with additional generalized seizures (16 left TLE, 10 right TLE), and 16 matched controls. A thalamic parcellation based on FC between five nonoverlapping cortical seeds (prefrontal, motor, somatosensory, parietal‐occipital, and temporal) and the ipsilateral thalamus was carried out to parcel each thalamus into five corresponding segments. FCs between each segment and its ipsilateral cortical seed were extracted and compared across groups using analyses of variance (ANOVAs).

Results

Compared to healthy controls, patients with TLE displayed decreased thalamocortical FC in multiple posterior and ventromedial thalamic segments of both the ictal and nonictal hemispheres. Our parcellation analysis revealed that these thalamic regions were functionally connected to the parietal/occipital and temporal lobes. In patients with TLE with focal seizures these regional thalamocortical FC decreases were limited to the ictal hemisphere. In contrast, TLE patients with both focal and generalized epileptiform activity displayed FC decreases in both the ictal and nonictal thalamus involving the dorsolateral pulvinar, a region preferentially connected to the parietal and occipital lobes.

Significance

Our data provide the first evidence of regional specific thalamocortical FC decreases in patients with unilateral TLE. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that patients with different seizure types present different thalamoparietal/occipital FC decrease patterns. While patients with focal seizures present thalamocortical FC decreases in the ictal hemisphere only, patients with additional generalized seizure activity also show thalamocortical FC decreases involving the thalamus in the nonictal hemisphere.
Increment of subcutaneous adipose tissue is associated with decrease of elastic fibres in the dermal layer
Authors: Ezure Tomonobu , Amano Satoshi
Published: July 2015

Obesity is a significant risk factor for various skin disorders, including pressure ulcer and delayed wound healing. We previously showed that increment of subcutaneous adipose tissue contributes to poor skin condition by decreasing dermal elasticity. Here, we examined the mechanism involved. Histologic observation of abdominal skin from middle‐aged females with a wide range of body mass index (BMI), an indicator of subcutaneous fat mass, showed that dermal elastic fibre abundance was significantly decreased with increment of BMI. Concomitantly, adipocytes were significantly enlarged. Adipocyte enlargement was significantly negatively correlated with dermal elastic fibre abundance. We hypothesized that enlarged adipocytes negatively influence dermal elastic fibres, so we investigated elastic fibre‐degrading factors in in vitro‐cultured enlarged adipocytes. MMP9 gene expression and secretion were significantly increased; further, these changes were blocked by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor. Nuclear translocation (activation) of AP‐1, a downstream ERK signalling molecule, was also observed in enlarged adipocytes. MMP9 abundance was significantly increased in skin of subjects with high BMI and enlarged adipocytes. These results suggest that increment of subcutaneous adipose tissue leads to adipocyte enlargement together with increased degradation of dermal elastic fibres, mediated at least in part by an ERK signalling‐mediated increase of MMP9 in enlarged adipocytes.
Ligand‐induced conformation changes drive ATP hydrolysis and function in SMARCAL1
Authors: Gupta Meghna , Mazumder Mohit , Dhatchinamoorthy Karthik , Nongkhlaw Macmillan , Haokip Dominic Thangminlen , Gourinath Samudrala , Komath Sneha Sudha , Muthuswami Rohini
Published: July 2015

Mutations and deletions in SMARCAL1, an SWI2/SNF2 protein, cause Schimke immuno‐osseous dysplasia (SIOD). SMARCAL1 preferentially binds to DNA molecules possessing double‐stranded to single‐stranded transition regions and mediates annealing helicase activity. The protein is critical for alleviating replication stress and maintaining genome integrity. In this study, we have analysed the ATPase activity of three mutations – A468P, I548N and S579L – present in SIOD patients. These mutations are present in RecA‐like domain I of the protein. Analysis using active DNA‐dependent ATPase A domain (ADAAD), an N‐terminal deleted construct of bovine SMARCAL1, showed that all three mutants were unable to hydrolyse ATP. Conformational studies indicated that the α‐helix and β‐sheet content of the mutant proteins was altered compared to the wild‐type protein. Molecular simulation studies confirmed that major structural changes had occurred in the mutant proteins. These changes included alteration of a loop region connecting motif Ia and II. As motif Ia has been implicated in DNA binding, ligand binding studies were done using fluorescence spectroscopy. These studies revealed that the Kd for protein–DNA interaction in the presence of ATP was indeed altered in the case of mutant proteins compared to the wild‐type. Finally, in vivo studies were done to complement the in vitro and in silico studies. The results from these experiments demonstrate that mutations in human SMARCAL1 that result in loss in ATPase activity lead to increased replication stress and therefore possibly manifestation of SIOD.
The introduced species fishery of Lake Naivasha, Kenya: ecological impact vs socio‐economic benefits
Authors: Hickley P. , Britton J. R. , Macharia S. , Muchiri S. M. , Boar R. R.
Published: July 2015

Lake Naivasha is a shallow, freshwater lake in the eastern Rift Valley of Kenya. Its fish community now comprises only introduced species. Oreochromis spirulus niger was stocked in 1925 as a forage fish for the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, introduced in 1929 for sport fishing. Further introductions of tilapiines followed for commercial exploitation. A gillnet fishery opened in 1959, and the annual species catch composition to 2000 was dominated by Oreochromis leucostictus. Following their accidental introduction, carp Cyprinus carpio appeared in catches in 2002; by 2010, it comprised >99% of landings by weight. Carp now provides a sustainable fishery in a lake heavily impacted by anthropogenic stressors, including water abstraction and nutrient enrichment. Oreochromis niloticus was reintroduced in 2011 to reinvigorate tilapia stocks following the collapse of its stocks in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the African catfish Clarias gariepinus is now captured in small but increasing numbers. The current status of the fishery, especially the predominance of carp, presents major management challenges; these are addressed by stakeholder engagement and co‐management. The introductions have artificially created a commercial fishery that provides substantial societal benefits in a semi‐arid region of a developing country with high poverty levels.
“An Old Order Is Passing”: The Rise of Applied Learning in University-Based Teacher Education during the Great Depression
Authors: D'Amico Diana
Published: July 2015

From the late nineteenth century through the first decades of the twentieth century, New York City housed two contrasting models of professional education for teachers. In 1870, the Normal College of the City of New York opened in rented quarters. Founded to prepare women to teach in the city's public schools, in just ten weeks the tuition-free, all-female college “filled to overflowing” with about 1,100 enrolled students. Based upon a four-year high school course approved by the city's Board of Education, the “chief purpose” of the college was to “encourage young women… to engage in the work of teaching in elementary and secondary schools.” Vocationally oriented and focused on practical skills, the Normal College stood in contrast to the School of Pedagogy at New York University and Teachers College, Columbia University founded in 1890 and 1898, respectively. The Normal College's neighbors situated their work within the academic traditions of the university. According to aSchool of Pedagogy Bulletinfrom 1912, faculty sought to,

meet the needs of students of superior academic training and of teachers of experience who are prepared to study educational problems in their more scientific aspects and their broader relations.