bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Long-term Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Coping in Australian Volunteer Firefighters
Authors: Doley Rebekah M. , Bell Ryan , Watt Bruce D.
Published: May 2016

This study examined the relationship between coping style and long-term posttraumatic stress symptoms in an Australian sample of volunteer firefighters 84 months following a bushfire disaster. A total of 277 firefighters completed 4 questionnaires to assess patterns of psychiatric morbidity. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to investigate the effect of time and disorder on coping. Firefighters evidencing distress were more likely to use both problem- and emotion-focused methods of coping. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that problem-focused coping strategies would be used after 84 months. The use of both problem- and emotion-focused coping may be due to the length of time following this disaster or unique characteristics of firefighters. These data suggest that present coping theories are not sufficient to account for the onset and pattern of psychiatric morbidity within a firefighter sample. The authors declare no conflicts of interest including financial, consultant, institutional, and other relationships that might lead to bias.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Podoplanin in Clinical Variants of Oral Leukoplakia and Its Correlation With Epithelial Dysplasia
Authors: D’souza Brendan , Nayak Ramakant , Kotrashetti Vijayalakshmi S.
Published: May 2016

Oral leukoplakia is the most common premalignant lesion of the oral cavity and is associated with development of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Certain changes at cellular and molecular level are important indicators for transformation into carcinoma. Podoplanin, a transmembrane glycoprotein is involved in the cytoskeletal remodeling and increased motility of the cell which helps in determining the malignant potential of oral leukoplakic lesions. The objective of the study was to determine immunohistochemically the expression of podoplanin in homogenous (HOL) and nonhomogenous oral leukoplakia (NHOL) and to compare the expression with clinicopathological parameters. Study group included 15 cases each of HOL, NHOL and control group included 15 healthy volunteers. Both tissues were immunohistochemically stained for podoplanin (D2-40) antibody. No statistical significant difference was observed between the study and control groups for expression of podoplanin but significant difference was observed on comparison of podoplanin scores between HOL and NHOL. Statistical significant difference was observed when the podoplanin expression in the epithelium and the lymphatic vessel density were correlated with the histologic grading of HOL and NHOL. Expression of podoplanin was greater in NHOL as compared with HOL, this supports the fact that NHOL has a greater risk of malignant transformation when compared with HOL. Podoplanin expression, lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic vessel density increased with increasing grades of dysplasia, suggesting that cellular modeling and motility is increased as the grade of dysplasia advances. Thus suggesting podoplanin can be used as a prognostic marker to determine the malignant potential in oral leukoplakias.
Changes in Pediatric-Sized Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure With Elevation Gain
Authors: Long Michael T. , Cvijanovich Natalie Z. , McCalla Gary P. , Flori Heidi R.
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Prolonged excessive endotracheal cuff pressure greater than 30 cmH2O is thought to cause ischemic airway injury. Excessive cuff pressure with altitude gain during air medical transport has been previously described in adult patients. It is poorly understood how pediatric-sized endotracheal tube (ETT) cuffs behave with atmospheric pressure change during flight.

Methods

In ex vivo models 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0, ETTs restricted within scaled syringe tubing were inflated to 20 cmH2O. Pressure was measured against 1500 ft elevation gain in ground and flight models. In an in vivo observation of pediatric patient transport, change in cuff pressure was measured between takeoff and helicopter peak flight altitudes.

Results

In the ex vivo ground model, endotracheal cuff pressure increased linearly with altitude and exceeded 40 cmH2O in all tube sizes. Comparable pressure change was demonstrated in the flight model. No difference was demonstrated in the degree of pressure change between ETT sizes. In the in vivo observations during patient transport, pressure increase was consistent with that seen in the ex vivo models.

Conclusions

Children who are intubated with cuffed ETTs for air medical transport are subject to excessive endotracheal cuff pressure at even low flight altitudes. Endotracheal tube size did not affect the degree of cuff pressure change, contrary to previous study. These findings need to be validated and correlated to patient clinical outcomes. The implications of these data need to be considered clinically particularly for prolonged transport of intubated pediatric patients at elevation.
Suprafascial Anterolateral Thigh Flap Harvest: A Better Way to Minimize Donor-Site Morbidity in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Yen-Chou , Scaglioni Mario F. , Carrillo Jimenez Leonardo Enrique , Yang Johnson Chia-Shen , Huang Eng-Yen , Lin Tsan-Shiun
Published: May 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and donor-site morbidity between the suprafascial and subfascial harvesting of anterolateral thigh flaps.

Methods:

Sixty-one patients who underwent free flap reconstruction (30 suprafascial and 31 subfascial anterolateral thigh flaps) were included in this study. The patients assessed the subjective donor-site morbidity and satisfaction with the overall functional result using a self-reported questionnaire. The flap characteristics (i.e., perforator number, flap size, and harvest time) and outcomes (i.e., success rate, partial necrosis, infection, hematoma, and fistula) were compared.

Results:

The success rates of suprafascial and subfascial anterolateral thigh flaps were 96.7 and 96.8 percent, respectively. There were no significant differences in flap size, harvest time, or overall complication rates. The suprafascial anterolateral thigh flap group experienced fewer abnormal sensations (p < 0.001) and better subjective satisfaction at the donor site than did the subfascial anterolateral thigh flap group (p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

In terms of reducing donor-site morbidity, the suprafascial anterolateral thigh flap group showed fewer sensory disturbances in donor thighs and exhibited better patient satisfaction than did the subfascial anterolateral thigh flap group, but meticulous dissection of tiny perforators above the fascia is required for the former procedure.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Assessment of Orthotopic Liver Transplant Graft Survival on Gadoxetic Acid–Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Qualitative and Quantitative Parameters
Authors: Bastati Nina , Wibmer Andreas , Tamandl Dietmar , Einspieler Henrik , Hodge Jacqueline C. , Poetter-Lang Sarah , Rockenschaub Susanne , Berlakovich Gabriela A. , Trauner Michael , Herold Christian , Ba-Ssalamah Ahmed
Published: May 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic potential of a 3-parameter visual scoring (qualitative score [QS]) system for hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in orthotopic liver transplant grafts.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study of 128 patients was approved by our institutional review board. Two readers independently assigned 3 QSs to T1-weighted MRI scans, 20 minutes after the administration of gadoxetic acid (hepatobiliary phase), based upon the following: (1) liver parenchymal enhancement (EnQS, 0–2); (2) biliary contrast excretion (ExQS, 0–2); and (3) signal intensity of the portal vein relative to the liver parenchyma, that is, the portal vein sign (PVsQS, 0–2). The functional liver imaging score (FLIS) was calculated as the sum score of these 3 parameters. The relative liver enhancement (RLE) was measured as well. Demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters, and imaging findings were included in univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The primary end point was graft failure, that is, retransplantation or death from liver failure. The probability of graft survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

In the univariate analysis, EnQS, ExQS, PVsQS, and FLIS scores, as well as RLE, were significantly associated with the 1- to 3-year probability of graft survival (P < 0.001). For a FLIS of (0), the 3-year probability of graft survival was 6.5%, whereas it was 51.3% for a FLIS of (1–3) and 100% for a FLIS of (4–6) (P < 0.001). In the multivariate survival models, EnQS, ExQS, and PVsQS, each independently outperformed the majority of clinical and laboratory parameters, and the FLIS did even better regarding the prediction of 1- to 3-year graft survival.

Conclusions

In liver transplant recipients, gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI-derived QSs (ie, EnQS, ExQS, and PVsQS), as well as the FLIS and RLE, can predict graft survival probability.
Talk About Sex: Sexual History–Taking Preferences Among Urogynecology Patients and General Gynecology Controls
Authors: Fairchild Pamela Susan , Haefner Jessica Katherine , Berger Mitchell Brian
Published: May 2016

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate patients' experiences and preferences regarding sexual history taking. We also sought to compare preferences between women in general gynecology versus urogynecology clinics and between women of different ages.

Methods

This is a survey of 219 patients presenting in gynecology and 164 in urogynecology clinics. Surveys were voluntary and anonymous. Survey instruments included questions about sexual function, past experiences, and preferences regarding taking a clinical sexual history.

Results

Subjects agreed that sexual health is important for overall health and should be asked about regularly. Most respondents were not embarrassed to discuss sexual history. When asked about experience with providers, subjects reported that their primary care providers (PCPs) inquired infrequently about their sexual health. Respondents perceived that obstetrician-gynecologists asked about sexual health more frequently than PCPs. There were no significant differences between general gynecology and urogynecology patients' history-taking preferences. Younger women were more likely to feel that sexual health was an important aspect of overall well-being, whereas older women were more likely to agree that sexual problems are unavoidable with age. On logistic regression, there was an association between the ages of younger than 40 years and expressing agreement that providers should frequently ask patients about sexual health. Agreeing that sexual health is an important part of well-being was also associated with being in the 40 years or younger group.

Conclusions

Patients place importance on sexual health history as part of their overall health, and providers should more frequently query their patients about this topic. Both PCPs and obstetrician-gynecologists have room for improvement.
A novel independence test for somatic alterations in cancer shows that biology drives mutual exclusivity but chance explains co-occurrence
Authors: Canisius Sander , Martens John W.M. , Wessels Lodewyk F.A.
Published: May 2016

Just like recurrent somatic alterations characterize cancer genes, mutually exclusive or co-occurring alterations across genes suggest functional interactions. Identifying such patterns in large cancer studies thus helps the discovery of unknown interactions. Many studies use Fisher’s exact test or simple permutation procedures for this purpose. These tests assume identical gene alteration probabilities across tumors, which is not true for cancer. We show that violating this assumption yields many spurious co-occurrences and misses many mutual exclusivities. We present DISCOVER, a novel statistical test that addresses the limitations of existing tests. In a comparison with six published mutual exclusivity tests, DISCOVER is more sensitive while controlling its false positive rate. A pan-cancer analysis using DISCOVER finds no evidence for widespread co-occurrence. Most co-occurrences previously detected do not exceed expectation by chance. In contrast, many mutual exclusivities are identified. These cover well known genes involved in the cell cycle and growth factor signaling. Interestingly, also lesser known regulators of the cell cycle and Hedgehog signaling are identified.

Availability

R and Python implementations of DISCOVER, as well as Jupyter notebooks for reproducing all results and figures from this paper can be found athttp://ccb.nki.nl/software/discover.
The Drosophila genesdisconnectedanddisco-relatedtogether specify development of adult legs
Authors: Rosario Juan B. , Mahaffey James W.
Published: May 2016

In the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster, specification of the legs begins during embryogenesis when Wingless signaling induces small groups of cells to form the imaginal disc primordia in the thoracic segments. This signal initiates expression of transcription factors that will later be used to pattern the legs. The paralogous genesdisconnectedanddisco-relatedencode transcription factors that are expressed in the disc primordia during early embryogenesis, and their expression continues in the leg discs during larval and pupal stages. The importance of these two genes in establishing the leg development trajectory was indicated by our previous observation that ectopic expression of either gene in the wing discs cells caused legs to develop in place of wings. However, because of their redundancy and requirement for survival during embryogenesis, we were unable to define their role in development of the adult legs. Here, we report loss-of-function analyses of thediscogenes during development of the legs. We discovered that loss of both genes’ functions causes both truncation of the distal leg with apparent overgrowth of proximal regions and complete loss of legs and ventral thoracic body patterning. At the molecular level we noted reduction or loss of signaling and transcription factors that pattern the proximal-distal axis of the legs. We conclude from these studies that thediscogenes promote leg development through regulation of signaling processes, but also by stabilizing expression of the leg determination gene network.
Access and exclusivity in nineteenth-century Victorian schools
Authors: Hooper Carole
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– In the mid nineteenth-century Victorian government-aided schools were patronised by a broad spectrum of the community, many of whom sought a higher, or “middle-class”, education for their children. The various educational boards responsible for the administration of the public system, while not objecting to the provision of advanced tuition, were determined to ensure it was not offered on a socially selective basis. The purpose of this paper is to examine how accusations that some schools had engaged in socially selective practices led to the eventual removal of higher subjects from the curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

– Documentary evidence, particularly the correspondence between the central educational boards and the local school committees, is examined to assess the validity of the claims and counter claims made by those involved.

Findings

– It appears that administrators used accusations of social exclusion to justify the removal of advanced subjects from the curriculum; with the result that it was not until state high schools were established early in the twentieth century that a higher education was again offered in the public sector.

Originality/value

– The paper looks at an area of educational provision that has attracted little attention from researchers.
Interactive and situated learning in education for sustainability
Authors: Altomonte Sergio , Logan Brian , Feisst Markus , Rutherford Peter , Wilson Robin
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore the opportunities offered by interactive and situated learning (e-learning and m-learning) in support of education for sustainability in disciplines of the built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper illustrates the development of an online portal and a mobile app aimed at promoting students’ motivation and engagement with sustainability in design, and discusses the outcomes of their testing, investigating users’ acceptance, comparing academic results and analysing feedback.

Findings

The findings add empirical evidence to the view that information and communication technology-enhanced pedagogies can substantially contribute to the agenda of sustainability in higher education, primarily due to their affordance of interactive communication and contextualisation of knowledge, while guaranteeing flexible time and pace of learning.

Research limitations/implications

The study solely focused on the development and testing of e-learning and m-learning tools to foster students’ competence of sustainability in design studio work. The tools trialled were mostly at their prototypical stage and their testing included a relatively short-term evaluation and a narrow, self-selected, user base. However, the approach and findings are felt to be applicable to a much wider range of educational contexts.

Originality/value

Interactive and situated pedagogical methods and tools have the potential to prompt a departure from transmissive educational models, encompassing at once theoretical, experiential and analytic learning processes. This is of value to education for sustainability in disciplines of the built environment due to the requirement to holistically consolidate multi-/inter-/trans-disciplinary knowledge into a coherent design whole.
The comprehensiveness of competing higher education sustainability assessments
Authors: Bullock Graham , Wilder Nicholas
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the comprehensiveness of competing higher education sustainability assessments. Higher education institutions (HEIs) have been increasingly communicating their sustainability commitments to the public. To assist the public in evaluating these claims, a broad range of actors have assessed the sustainability of HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an evaluation framework (the GRI-HE) consisting of criteria developed by the Global Reporting Initiative and the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future to analyze the comprehensiveness of nine publicly-available frameworks that have been used to assess HEI sustainability.

Findings

While finding that in general these assessments are not comprehensive and particularly lack coverage of the social and economic dimensions of sustainability, the paper identifies the Pacific Sustainability Index and Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS) as the most comprehensive assessments in the sector.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not assess the quality of the match to the GRI-HE’s criteria, only whether they match to a reasonable degree. The analysis highlights areas where each HEI sustainability assessment framework can add criteria and improve their comprehensiveness and validity. Future research should explore the causes and relative importance of the gaps in these frameworks.

Originality/value

The paper provides a valuable discussion and demonstration of the use of comprehensiveness as a proxy metric for the validity of sustainability assessments. This analysis is the first detailed, comprehensive and transparent analysis of HEI sustainability assessments based on a broad-based and widely accepted set of criteria.
Higher education institution sustainability assessment tools
Authors: Cronemberger de Araújo Góes Heloisa , Magrini Alessandra
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gather elements to propose a sustainability assessment tool (SAT) to be used in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Brazil and the related program to be created for SAT dissemination and HEI monitoring, publication of results and benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics of eight SATs were identified, seven of which are applied through widely known international programs to identify aspects to be considered in the definition of the Brazilian model.

Findings

In Brazil, stakeholders usually do not know how HEIs develop their potential to contribute with the construction of a sustainable development model. There currently is an international trend, which Brazil must join, to assess HEI sustainability through SATs. The comparison between different international SATs and respective programs yields some recommendations for a Brazilian model, such as definition of their purpose, types of questions to be used, the possibility to apply SATs to HEI sub-units, means of dissemination and others.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitation is the difficulty to obtain information allowing a deeper understanding of sustainability-related activities developed by Brazilian HEIs.

Practical implications

This paper provides a base on which to construct SAT and program models tailored for Brazil.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that stresses the importance of adopting a SAT tailored for Brazil, by comparing and discussing models that may be used for that purpose.
Educating for sustainability in language degrees: a tale of 2 case-studies
Authors: Hubscher-Davidson Séverine , Panichelli-Batalla Stéphanie
Published: May 2016

Purpose

According to the 2014 joint report drafted by the Quality Assurance Agency and Higher Education Academy (QAA/HEA), universities have a key role to play in the development of sustainability literate graduates who can contribute to an environmentally responsible society. This paper aims to assess language students’ understanding of sustainable development (SD) issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 surveys two cohorts of final-year language students about to enter the graduate job market, and Study 2 surveys first-year language students before and after the inclusion of SD content in one of their modules. The questions to the students are provided along with qualitative and quantitative results.

Findings

Results suggest that only 48 per cent of language graduates are currently aware that they will need to take account of the environmental impact of their work as professional practitioners and 52 per cent do not consider it appropriate to learn about SD during their degree. However, results also suggest that incorporating SD early on in the language curriculum could contribute positively to the development of sustainability literate graduates.

Originality/value

While many language departments are aware of the importance of integrating sustainability into their curricula, and while employers are increasingly demanding sustainability literate graduates, there is little evidence that language students leave university with a real understanding of sustainability issues. This paper presents evidence of the current situation, as well as a novel way to integrate sustainability into the language curriculum to remedy the situation.
HSBC Mexico AML failings: a case study
Authors: O’Sullivan Patrick
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the anti-money laundering (AML) failings documented by the US Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found in Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Mexico. This paper focuses in on the key areas of concern raised by the 2012 report in respect of HSBC Mexico (HBMX) such as failure to undertake correct customer due diligence on high risk customers and repeated failings by senior management at HBMX to remedy these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant parts of the Subcommittee report relating to HBMX were examined along with the evidence submitted to the Subcommittee. From this examination, the author then noted the key examples of AML failings at HBMX and then commented on these examples while also referring to academic and regulatory guidance such as that from Financial Action Task Force.

Findings

Certain proposals are made throughout the paper, but these remain only suggestive. The key point is that the failings evident in HBMX may very well arise in other institutions, and this paper proposes how these failings may be resolved.

Research limitations/implications

Research for this paper remained limited to second-source references such as the Subcommittee report and the listed Exhibits along with other academic resources. The paper was also peer reviewed by a compliance officer. However, examining the paper from a more practical viewpoint may have struck a better balance between an optimal and realistic level of compliance.

Practical implications

Adopting an analytic approach to the subject of AML controls should aid those who work in compliance daily while also generating further commentary among both regulators and senior management within financial institutions.

Originality/value

The paper is the only one to date to focus on one geographical strand of the AML failings at HSBC and then comment on this from an academic perspective.
Offering a hybrid approach of data mining to predict the customer churn based on bagging and boosting methods
Authors: Fathian Mohammad , Hoseinpoor Yaser , Minaei-Bidgoli Behrouz
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Churn management is a fundamental process in firms to keep their customers. Therefore, predicting the customer’s churn is essential to facilitate such processes. The literature has introduced data mining approaches for this purpose. On the other hand, results indicate that performance of classification models increases by combining two or more techniques. The purpose of this paper is to propose a combined model based on clustering and ensemble classifiers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on churn data set in Cell2Cell, single baseline classifiers, ensemble classifiers are used for comparisons. Specifically, self-organizing map (SOM) clustering technique, and four other classifier techniques including decision tree, artificial neural networks, support vector machine, and K-nearest neighbors were used. Moreover, for reduced dimensions of the features, principal component analysis (PCA) method was employed.

Findings

– As results 14 models are compared with each other regarding accuracy, sensitivity, specification, F-measure, and AUC. The results showed that combination of SOM, PCA, and heterogeneous boosting achieved the best performance comparing with other classification models.

Originality/value

– This study examined the performance of classifier ensembles in predicting customers churn. In particular, heterogeneous classifier ensembles such as bagging and boosting are compared.
Spatially embedded inequality
Authors: Holck Lotte
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply a spatial approach to organizational inequality to explore why unequal opportunity structures persist in an organization despite its commitment to diversity and employing highly skilled ethnic minority employees.

Design/methodology/approach

– The (re)production of inequality is explored by linking research on organizational space with HRM diversity management. Data from an ethnographic study undertaken in a Danish municipal center illustrates how a substructure of inequality is spatially upheld alongside a formal diversity policy. Archer’s distinction between structure and agency informs the analysis of how minority agency not only reproduces but also challenges organizational opportunity structures.

Findings

– The analysis demonstrates how substructures of inequality stabilize in spatial routines enacted in an ethnic zoning of the workplace and ethnification of job categories. However, the same spatial structures allows for a variety of opposition and conciliation strategies among minority employees, even though the latter tend to prevail in a reproduction rather than a transformation of the organizational opportunity structures.

Research limitations/implications

– The reliance on a single case study restricts the generalizability of the findings but highlights fruitful areas for future research.

Practical implications

– The study sensitizes HRM practitioners to the situated quality of workplace diversity and to develop a broader scope of HRM practices to address the more subtle, spatially embedded forms of inequality.

Originality/value

– Theoretical and empirical connections between research on organizational space and HRM diversity management have thus far not been systematically studied. This combination might advance knowledge on the persistence of micro-inequality even in organizations formally committed to diversity.
I will follow (when I need to)
Authors: de Jong Jeroen P. , Curseu Petru L.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the personality trait of desire for control over others (DFCO) matters to team leadership and performance, and how commitment to the leader mediates this relationship. Furthermore, the authors study whether intergroup competition moderates this indirect relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors test hypotheses for mediation and moderation using a sample of 78 groups and their leaders. Commitment to the leader and intergroup competition were measured at the team member level, while DFCO and team performance was rated by the team leader. Bootstrapping was used to assess the significance of the (conditional) indirect effects.

Findings

– The results show that leader’s DFCO does not relate to team performance through commitment to the leader. Leader’s DFCO only relates negatively to team performance through commitment to the leader when the team operates in a context with little or moderate intergroup competition. In a highly competitive environment, however, leader’s DFCO does little damage to team performance.

Originality/value

– This research is the first study to focus on DFCO as a personality trait of a group leader. In doing so, it adds to the continuing debate about leader personality and context, as well as the ongoing study on how subordinates respond to different levels of control over decisions in groups.
Thinking Strategically in Federal Policy: Defining the Attributes of High‐level Policies
Authors: Samnakay Nadeem
Published: May 2016

Governments frequently develop policies that are strategic in nature. Strategic issues at the national level are those requiring long timeframes for impact, coordinated approaches across multiple tiers of government, are cross‐sectoral, and require systemic approaches to design and implementation. Yet the process of how national strategic polices are developed and implemented in Australia is unclear, and largely unattended in the literature. This paper provides a foundation to understanding the characteristics of strategic polices and approaches to their development. Five national policies are compared (National Competition Policy, National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, the Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure, Australia in the Asian Century, and the National Food Plan) and discussed. An analytical framework is constructed and key attributes of strategic policy identified.
Performance Measures in Earnings‐Based Financial Covenants in Debt Contracts
Authors: LI NINGZHONG
Published: May 2016

This paper examines how performance measures are defined in major earnings‐based financial covenants in loan contracts to shed light on the economic rationales underlying the contractual use of performance measures. I find an earnings‐based covenant is typically based on a performance measure close to earnings before interest, tax, amortization, and depreciation expenses (EBITDA). However, my empirical analyses show that EBITDA is less useful in explaining credit risk than earnings before interest and tax expenses (EBIT) and even the bottom‐line net income. Thus, measuring credit risk cannot fully explain the choice of accounting performance measures in earnings‐based covenants. I conjecture that contracting parties choose an EBITDA‐related measure, instead of a measure calculated after depreciation and amortization expenses (e.g., EBIT), to make the performance measure less sensitive to investment activities, which can be controlled through other contractual terms, such as a restriction on capital expenditure, and provide empirical evidence consistent with this conjecture.
Gravitational deformation and inherited structural control on slope morphology in the subduction zone of north‐central Chile (ca. 29–33°S)
Authors: Becerra Juan , Arriagada César , Contreras‐Reyes Eduardo , Bascuñan Sebastián , De Pascale Gregory P. , Reichert Christian , Díaz‐Naveas Juan , Cornejo Natalia
Published: May 2016

Subduction zones provide direct insight into plate boundary deformation and by studying these areas we better understand tectonic processes and variability over time. We studied the structure of the offshore subduction zone system of the Pampean flat‐slab segment (ca. 29–33°S) of the Chilean margin using seismic and bathymetric constraints. Here, we related and analysed the structural styles of the offshore and onshore western fore‐arc. Overlying the acoustic top of the continental basement, two syn‐extensional seismic sequences were recognised and correlated with onshore geological units and the Valparaíso Forearc Basin seismic sequences: (SII) Pliocene‐Pleistocene and (SI) Miocene‐Pliocene (Late Cretaceous (?) to Miocene‐Pliocene) syn‐extensional sequences. These sequences are separated by an unconformity (i.e. Valparaíso Unconformity). Seismic reflection data reveal that the eastward dipping extensional system (EI) recognised at the upper slope can be extended to the middle slope and controlled the accumulation of the older seismic package (SI). The westward dipping extensional system (EII) is essentially restricted to the middle slope. Here, EII cuts the eastward dipping extensional system (EI), preferentially parallel to the inclination of the older sequences (SI), and controlled a series of middle slope basins which are filled by the Pliocene‐Pleistocene seismic sequence (SII). At the upper slope and in the western Coastal Cordillera, the SII sequence is controlled by eastward dipping faults (EII) which are the local reactivation of older extensional faults (EI). The tectonic boundary between the middle (eastern outermost forearc block) and upper continental slope (western coastal block) is a prominent system of trenchward dipping normal fault scarps (ca. 1 km offset) that resemble a major trenchward dipping extensional fault system. This prominent structural feature can be readily detected along the Chilean erosive margin as well as the two extensional sets (EI and EII). Evidence of slumping, thrusting, reactivated faults and mass transport deposits, were recognised in the slope domain and locally restricted to some eastern dipping faults. These features could be related to gravitational effects or slope deformation due to coseismic deformation. The regional inclination of the pre‐Pliocene sequences favoured the gravitational collapse of the outermost forearc block. We propose that the structural configuration of the study area is dominantly controlled by tectonic erosion as well as the uplift of the Coastal Cordillera, which is partially controlled by pre‐Pliocene architecture.
Island‐wide aridity did not trigger recent megafaunal extinctions in Madagascar
Authors: Crowley Brooke E. , Godfrey Laurie R. , Bankoff Richard J. , Perry George H. , Culleton Brendan J. , Kennett Douglas J. , Sutherland Michael R. , Samonds Karen E. , Burney David A.
Published: May 2016

Researchers are divided about the relative importance of people versus climate in triggering the Late Holocene extinctions of the endemic large‐bodied fauna on the island of Madagascar. Specifically, a dramatic and synchronous decline in arboreal pollen and increase in grass pollen ca 1000 yr ago has been alternatively interpreted as evidence for aridification, increased human activity, or both. As aridification and anthropogenic deforestation can have similar effects on vegetation, resolving which of these factors (if either) led to the demise of the megafauna on Madagascar has remained a challenge. We use stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values from radiocarbon‐dated subfossil vertebrates to disentangle the relative importance of natural and human‐induced changes. If increasing aridity were responsible for megafaunal decline, then we would expect an island‐wide increase in δ15N values culminating in the highest values at the time of proposed maximum drought at ca 1000 yr ago. Alternatively, if climate were relatively stable and anthropogenic habitat alteration explains the palynological signal, then we would anticipate little or no change in habitat moisture, and no systematic, directional change in δ15N values over time. After accounting for the confounding influences of diet, geographic region, and coastal proximity, we find no change in δ15N values over the past 10 000 yr, and no support for a period of marked, geographically widespread aridification culminating 900–950 yr ago. Instead, increases in grasses at around that time may signal a transition in human land use to a more dedicated agro‐pastoralist lifestyle, when megafaunal populations were already in decline. Land use changes ca 1000 yr ago would have simply accelerated the inevitable loss of Madagascar's megafauna.
Seed traits and bird species influence the dispersal parameters of wetland plants
Authors: Reynolds Chevonne , Cumming Graeme S.
Published: May 2016

Patterns of seed dispersal are strongly influenced by disperser and propagule traits. However, the relative importance of these characteristics for dispersal outcomes is unclear.

We investigated differences in the potential dispersal of wetland plants between Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) and red‐billed teal (Anas erythrorhyncha), two southern African Anatidae. The seeds of seven wetland plants with varying traits were fed to the birds and the dispersal parameters of gut passage time, recoverability and germinability of ingested seed were determined.

We tested the effect of disperser species and seed traits on dispersal parameters. In addition, we determined whether increased retention times lead to lower recovery and germination of ingested seed. We predicted that the seed traits of small size and increased hardness would be better at mediating the trade‐off between retention time and recoverability and germination, but that this might differ between vectors.

The dispersal parameters varied significantly between Egyptian goose and red‐billed teal. In particular, Egyptian goose had longer average and maximum retention times of seeds, but also higher recoverability. Furthermore, short seeds had significantly longer average retention time and were also recovered in the highest numbers. Short seed length potentially facilitates endozoochory by two complementary mechanisms. First, short seeds are less digestible, leading to higher recoverability. Second, due to lower digestibility, short seeds are able to survive at longer retention times to be dispersed further, similarly to hard seeds (with hardness positively correlated with seed mass).

Our results suggest that small seed length and hardness are optimal seed traits facilitating endozoochory in wetland plants. Dispersal parameters were also influenced by the bird species and indicate that differences in vector morphology and digestive physiology may likely have important consequences for seed dispersal. Hence, vector characteristics should be given more explicit consideration in future studies of seed dispersal in aquatic systems.
Patterns of land use, extensification, and intensification of Brazilian agriculture
Authors: Dias Lívia C. P. , Pimenta Fernando M. , Santos Ana B. , Costa Marcos H. , Ladle Richard J.
Published: May 2016

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is one of the main strategies to provide global food security. However, its implementation raises enormous political, technological, and social challenges. Meeting these challenges will require, among other things, accurate information on the spatial and temporal patterns of agricultural land use and yield. Here, we investigate historical patterns of agricultural land use (1940–2012) and productivity (1990–2012) in Brazil using a new high‐resolution (approximately 1 km2) spatially explicit reconstruction. Although Brazilian agriculture has been historically known for its extensification over natural vegetation (Amazon and Cerrado), data from recent years indicate that extensification has slowed down and was replaced by a strong trend of intensification. Our results provide the first comprehensive historical overview of agricultural land use and productivity in Brazil, providing clear insights to guide future territorial planning, sustainable agriculture, policy, and decision‐making.
CCL11‐induced eosinophils inhibit the formation of blood vessels and cause tumor necrosis
Authors: Xing Yanjiang , Tian Yijun , Kurosawa Takamasa , Matsui Sayaka , Touma Maki , Yanai Takanori , Wu Qiong , Sugimoto Kenkichi
Published: May 2016

We previously demonstrated that IL‐18 and CCL11 were highly expressed in an NFSA tumor cell line that showed limited angiogenesis and severe necrosis. However, IL‐18 was not responsible for the immune cell accumulation and necrosis. Here, we attempted to clarify the relevance of CCL11 in angiogenesis and tumor formation. We established CCL11‐overexpressing MS‐K cell clones (MS‐K‐CCL11) to assess the role of CCL11 in immune cell accumulation and angiogenesis. The MS‐K‐CCL11 cells did not form tumors in mice. MS‐K‐CCL11‐conditioned medium (CM) and recombinant CCL11 induced macrophage and eosinophil differentiation from bone marrow cells. The MS‐K‐CCL11‐CM effectively recruited the differentiated eosinophils. Furthermore, the eosinophils damaged the MS‐K, NFSA and endothelial cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Administration of an antagonist of CCR3, a CCL11 receptor, to NFSA tumor‐bearing mice restored the blood vessel formation and blocked the eosinophil infiltration into the NFSA tumors. Furthermore, other CCL11‐overexpressing LM8 clones were established, and their tumor formation ability was reduced compared to the parental LM8 cells, accompanied by increased eosinophil infiltration, blockade of angiogenesis and necrosis. These results indicate that CCL11 was responsible for the limited angiogenesis and necrosis by inducing and attracting eosinophils in the tumors.
Process and impact of patient involvement in a systematic review of shared decision making in primary care consultations
Authors: Hyde Catherine , Dunn Kate M. , Higginbottom Adele , Chew‐Graham Carolyn A.
Published: May 2016

Background

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in systematic reviews remains uncommon, despite the policy imperative for patient involvement in research. The aim of this study was to investigate the process and impact of collaborating with members of a patient Research User Group (RUG) on a systematic review about shared decision making around prescribing analgesia in primary care consultations.

Methods

Five members of an established patient RUG collaborated with researchers undertaking a systematic review with narrative synthesis, through workshops held at three time‐points. These addressed the following: designing the protocol, interpreting the results and planning dissemination. Support from a RUG coordinator and user support worker facilitated collaboration throughout the review process. Researchers reflected on how PPIE modified the review at each time‐point.

Results

RUG members identified factors important in shared decision making around analgesic prescribing additional to those initially proposed by the research team. Search terms and specific outcomes of interest were amended to reflect these additional factors. Thirty of the 39 patient‐identified factors were absent in the published literature. The categories of factors identified were used as a framework for the narrative synthesis and for reporting results. RUG members prioritized options for disseminating the results.

Conclusion

PPIE collaboration throughout the systematic review impacted on the scope of the review, highlighting gaps in the literature that were important to patients. Impact on interpretation and dissemination of findings ensured the review directly reflected patient priorities. Challenges and strategies to facilitate PPIE involvement in systematic reviews and suggestions for future researchers are highlighted.
Closed incision negative pressure therapy: international multidisciplinary consensus recommendations
Authors: Willy Christian , Agarwal Animesh , Andersen Charles A , Santis Giorgio De , Gabriel Allen , Grauhan Onnen , Guerra Omar M , Lipsky Benjamin A , Malas Mahmoud B , Mathiesen Lars L , Singh Devinder P , Reddy V Sreenath
Published: May 2016

Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) affect up to or over 25% of patients undergoing operative procedures, with the subset of surgical site infections (SSIs) being the most common. Commercially available closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) may offer surgeons an additional option to manage clean, closed surgical incisions. We conducted an extensive literature search for studies describing ciNPT use and assembled a diverse panel of experts to create consensus recommendations for when using ciNPT may be appropriate. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using key words ‘prevention’, ‘negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)’, ‘active incisional management’, ‘incisional vacuum therapy’, ‘incisional NPWT’, ‘incisional wound VAC’, ‘closed incisional NPWT’, ‘wound infection’, and ‘SSIs’ identified peer‐reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2015. During a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, the 12 experts reviewed the literature, presented their own ciNPT experiences, identified risk factors for SSOs and developed comprehensive consensus recommendations. A total of 100 publications satisfied the search requirements for ciNPT use. A majority presented data supporting ciNPT use. Numerous publications reported SSI risk factors, with the most common including obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2); diabetes mellitus; tobacco use; or prolonged surgical time. We recommend that the surgeon assess the individual patient's risk factors and surgical risks. Surgeons should consider using ciNPT for patients at high risk for developing SSOs or who are undergoing a high‐risk procedure or a procedure that would have highly morbid consequences if an SSI occurred.
Improving diagrammatic reasoning in middle school science using conventions of diagrams instruction
Authors: Miller B.W. , Cromley J.G. , Newcombe N.S.
Published: May 2016

Visual representations are essential for science understanding, but many students have poor diagrammatic reasoning skills. Previous research showed that teaching high school and college students about the conventions of diagrams (COD) can improve diagrammatic reasoning. In this study, middle school science students received COD instruction delivered as a classroom warm‐up using laptop computers, while control students received publisher‐developed warm‐up questions. Students receiving COD warm‐ups for 10 weeks (but not 4 weeks) improved their diagrammatic reasoning more than control students. Treatment students' answers were more accurate than control students' answers, especially on easy questions. The discourse of pairs of students during the warm‐ups showed that treatment students talked about the diagrams more and made more inferences and that this difference was greatest for easy questions. Results suggest that COD instruction can be initiated in middle school along with more formal science instruction, can be integrated into classroom routine using computer‐delivered warm‐ups, is helpful (if sustained) both for improving diagrammatic reasoning and for supporting learning science content and works at least in part by increasing students' engagement during routine work.