bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A three-dimensional house: extending quality function deployment in two organizations
Authors: Farokhnia Moein , Beheshtinia Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Nowadays, many organizations use quality function deployment (QFD) in order to recognize their customers’ wants and arrange a set of corrective activities in order to satisfy these wants. In a competitive environment, two or more organizations cooperate in order to meet their customers’ wants. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new hybrid approach of QFD employing SERVQUAL method, named three-dimensional house of quality (3DHOQ) to help the cooperation between two organizations with common customers by determining some common corrective activities that would satisfy their customers’ wants.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to better explain the proposed model, it is implemented in Birjand International Airport and Iran Air airline. At first, the customers’ want in the airport and airline sections are identified and the SERVQUAL method is used to determine the final weight of these wants. Afterwards, the corrective activities for satisfying the customers’ wants are determined using the three-dimensional QDF; and then are given weights using the multi-dimensional relation matrix.

Findings

Results of this study show the customers’ wants in two sections of airport and airline, the importance of each customer want, the gap between customers’ perception and expectation of each want, the collective corrective activities required to satisfy the customers’ wants and the weight of these corrective activities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper helps the airline and airport sections have an analyzed list of their customers’ wants and a set of shared and unshared corrective activities to meet these wants.

Originality/value

This paper presents a simultaneous QFD analysis in the airport and airline sections. Moreover, a new hybrid approach employing SERVQUAL method, named 3DHOQ is introduced to determine the corrective activities of both organizations and their weights.
Co-production and involuntary psychiatric settings
Authors: Pilgrim David
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the popular policy assumption of co-production is feasible in secure psychiatric settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The assumptions of co-production are listed and then used as a basis for an immanent critique to test the feasibility described in the purpose of the paper. An explanatory critique exploring consumerism in the welfare state then follows. These forms of critique are derived from the philosophy of critical realism.

Findings

A distinction is made between the co-production of knowledge about mental health services and the actual co-production of those services. It is concluded that the former has emerged but the latter is not feasible, given the limitations on citizenship imposed by psychiatric detention.

Research limitations/implications

Evidence for the co-production of mental health services (rather than the co-production of knowledge about those services) remains sparse.

Practical implications

The contradictions about citizenship created by the existence of mental health legislation and the social control role of mental health services requires ongoing honest reflects by mental health professionals and those responsible for the development of mental health services.

Social implications

As described above, mental health legislation pre-empts confidence in the co-production of mental health services.

Originality/value

Whilst there is a small literature on co-production and mental health services, alluded to at the outset, this paper uses immanent and explanatory critiques to deepen our understanding of the topic.
Corporate governance evaluation of Chinese listed companies
Authors: Li Weian
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In recent years, the quality and environment of global corporate governance have drawn attention from researchers and practitioners. Based on the public information of Chinese listed companies (CLCs), the Evaluation Research Group of China Academy of Corporate Governance at Nankai University developed the first corporate governance index system that includes six dimensions to evaluate the status of the governance of CLCs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the findings of the annual evaluation in 2017.

Findings

The authors found that five of the six dimensions of CLC governance index increased, except for shareholder governance index. Management-level governance and information disclosure index increased most significantly.

Originality/value

Through the evaluation, the authors discovered some governance problems of CLCs and proposed some corresponding suggestions to improve the effectiveness of corporate governance of these companies.
Mutual fund investor’s behaviour towards information search and selection criteria
Authors: Kaur Inderjit
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The fund selection process of investors in a mutual fund needs to be understood for designing better marketing strategies. Knowledge and perception about the mutual funds can affect investor’s behaviour towards information search and selection criteria during the decision process. Therefore, this study aims to examine Indian mutual fund investors under the framework of Theory of Planned Behaviour and consumer’s behaviour model.

Design/methodology/approach

The data have been collected from mutual fund investors in the National Capital Region–Delhi, India, through structured questionnaire. The collected data were examined with relevant statistical tools.

Findings

Knowledge and perception affect information search behaviour of the investor. Investors having better knowledge of mutual funds access impersonal sources of information and performance of fund affects their choice, whereas investors having lesser knowledge of mutual fund take advice of experts and select funds based on fund characteristics. Investors with better return perception for mutual funds ignore performance as selection criteria, whereas investors having poor risk perception tend to reduce their bias by accessing personal sources of information. Education and income of investor affect knowledge and perception of mutual funds.

Practical implications

The financial advisor-driven investors ignore performance as selection criteria and could lead to dissatisfaction later. Therefore, to make the industry investor driven, mutual funds need to focus on improving the knowledge of investors.

Originality/value

This paper shows the unique effect of knowledge and perception on information search behaviour of investors towards mutual funds. The knowledgeable investor selects mutual funds by understanding all risks and benefits.
Do Indian stock market sentiments impact contemporaneous returns?
Authors: Aggarwal Divya , Mohanty Pitabas
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of Indian investor sentiments on contemporaneous stock returns of Bombay Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange and various sectoral indices in India by developing a sentiment index.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses principal component analysis to develop a sentiment index as a proxy for Indian stock market sentiments over a time frame from April 1996 to January 2017. It uses an exploratory approach to identify relevant proxies in building a sentiment index using indirect market measures and macro variables of Indian and US markets.

Findings

The study finds that there is a significant positive correlation between the sentiment index and stock index returns. Sectors which are more dependent on institutional fund flows show a significant impact of the change in sentiments on their respective sectoral indices.

Research limitations/implications

The study has used data at a monthly frequency. Analysing higher frequency data can explain short-term temporal dynamics between sentiments and returns better. Further studies can be done to explore whether sentiments can be used to predict stock returns.

Practical implications

The results imply that one can develop profitable trading strategies by investing in sectors like metals and capital goods, which are more susceptible to generate positive returns when the sentiment index is high.

Originality/value

The study supplements the existing literature on the impact of investor sentiments on contemporaneous stock returns in the context of a developing market. It identifies relevant proxies of investor sentiments for the Indian stock market.
Addicted to PBS? CBT can fix that: commentary on improving the adoption of PBS and ABA using diffusion of innovations
Authors: Mason Jonathan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary to Hayward, Poed and McKay-Brown’s article by expanding upon some of the reasons for the apparent dominance of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary notes the rise and dominance of Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) over a similar time frame, and uses both this and ideas from the literature to examine the reasons for, advantages and consequences of PBS’s dominance.

Findings

The paper identifies three overlapping reasons for the comparable rise of PBS and CBT, and examines the impact that their dominance has had on attempts to manage quality, improve outcomes and train staff.

Originality/value

Establishing the reasons for the success of a theoretical approach can assist with the development of other effective interventions.
The protective effects of nasal PcrV‐CpG oligonucleotide vaccination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia
Authors: Naito Yoshifumi , Hamaoka Saeko , Kinoshita Mao , Kainuma Atsushi , Shimizu Masaru , Katoh Hideya , Moriyama Kiyoshi , Ishii Ken J. , Sawa Teiji
Published: October 2018

An effective vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa would be hugely beneficial to people who are susceptible to the serious infections it can cause. Vaccination against PcrV of the P. aeruginosa type III secretion system is a potential prophylactic strategy for improving the incidence and prognosis of P. aeruginosa pneumonia. Here, the effect of nasal PcrV adjuvanted with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG) was compared with a nasal PcrV/aluminum hydroxide gel (alum) vaccine. Seven groups of mice were vaccinated intranasally with one of the following: 1, PcrV‐CpG; 2, PcrV‐alum; 3, PcrV alone; 4, CpG alone; 5, alum alone; 6 and 7, saline control. Fifty days after the first immunization, anti‐PcrV IgG, IgA and IgG isotype titers were measured; significant increases in these titers were detected only in the PcrV‐CpG vaccinated mice. The vaccinated mice were then intratracheally infected with a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa and their body temperatures and survival monitored for 24 hr, edema, bacteria, myeloperoxidase activity and lung histology also being evaluated at 24 hr post‐infection. It was found that 73% of the PcrV‐CpG‐vaccinated mice survived, whereas fewer than 30% of the mice vaccinated with PcrV‐alum or adjuvant alone survived. Lung edema and other inflammation‐related variables were less severe in the PcrV‐CpG group. The significant increase in PcrV‐specific IgA titers detected following PcrV‐CpG vaccination is probably a component of the disease protection mechanism. Overall, our data show that intranasal PcrV‐CpG vaccination has potential efficacy for clinical application against P. aeruginosa pneumonia.
Niche partitioning of sympatric penguins by leapfrog foraging appears to be resilient to climate change
Authors: Clewlow Harriet L. , Takahashi Akinori , Watanabe Shinichi , Votier Stephen C. , Downie Rod , Ratcliffe Norman
Published: October 2018

Interspecific competition can drive niche partitioning along multidimensional axes, including allochrony. Competitor matching will arise where the phenology of sympatric species with similar ecological requirements responds to climate change at different rates such that allochrony is reduced.

Our study quantifies the degree of niche segregation in foraging areas and depths that arises from allochrony in sympatric Adélie and chinstrap penguins and explores its resilience to climate change.

Three‐dimensional tracking data were sampled during all stages of the breeding season and were used to parameterise a behaviour‐based model that quantified spatial overlap of foraging areas under different scenarios of allochrony.

The foraging ranges of the two species were similar within breeding stages, but differences in their foraging ranges between stages, combined with the observed allochrony of 28 days, resulted in them leapfrogging each other through the breeding season such that they were exploiting different foraging locations on the same calendar dates. Allochrony reduced spatial overlap in the peripheral utilisation distribution of the two species by 54.0% over the entire breeding season, compared to a scenario where the two species bred synchronously.

Analysis of long‐term phenology data revealed that both species advanced their laying dates in relation to October air temperatures at the same rate, preserving allochrony and niche partitioning. However, if allochrony is reduced by just a single day, the spatial overlap of the core utilisation distribution increased by an average of 2.1% over the entire breeding season.

Niche partitioning between the two species by allochrony appears to be resilient to climate change and so competitor matching cannot be implicated in the observed population declines of the two penguin species across the Western Antarctic Peninsula.
Institutional ownership, cross‐shareholdings and corporate cash reserves in Japan
Authors: Nguyen Pascal , Rahman Nahid
Published: October 2018

Cross‐country studies document a negative relation between corporate governance and cash holdings. In contrast, this relation is found to be positive in the United States. In this paper, we examine the case of Japanese firms. Using institutional ownership and cross‐shareholdings as the main governance variables, we show that better governance is associated with higher cash balances as in the United States. The reason is that better‐governed firms make better investment decisions. Their investments are not driven by excess liquidity and result in higher profitability and higher firm valuation. Overall, our findings indicate that management profligacy is a bigger concern to shareholders than management propensity to hoard cash because of risk aversion.
Varenicline and nabilone in tobacco and cannabis co‐users: effects on tobacco abstinence, withdrawal and a laboratory model of cannabis relapse
Authors: Herrmann Evan S. , Cooper Ziva D. , Bedi Gillinder , Ramesh Divya , Reed Stephanie Collins , Comer Sandra D. , Foltin Richard W. , Haney Margaret
Published: October 2018

Tobacco and cannabis co‐users (T+CUs) have poor cannabis cessation outcomes, but the mechanisms underlying this are not well understood. This laboratory study examined the effects of (1) the partial nicotinic agonist, varenicline, on tobacco cessation among T+CUs, and (2) varenicline, alone, and when combined with the cannabinoid agonist nabilone, on cannabis withdrawal and a laboratory model of cannabis relapse. Non‐treatment‐seeking T+CUs were randomized to active‐varenicline or placebo‐varenicline, and completed a 15‐day outpatient phase; varenicline was titrated to 1 mg BID during days 1–8, and participants were instructed to abstain from tobacco during days 9–15. Participants then moved inpatient for 16 days, where they continued their outpatient medication and tobacco abstinence. Inpatient testing included two, 8‐day medication periods, where active‐nabilone and placebo‐nabilone were administered in counterbalanced order, and measures of acute cannabis effects (days 1–2), withdrawal (days 4–5) and ‘relapse’ (days 6–8) were collected. Participants in the active‐varenicline group were more likely to achieve cotinine‐verified tobacco abstinence during the outpatient period versus placebo‐varenicline group (46 percent versus 24 percent, respectively), and also reported less mood disturbance and cigarette craving while inpatient. Active‐nabilone attenuated cannabis withdrawal in both groups but did not affect cannabis relapse. Regression analyses revealed that two tobacco‐related variables, i.e. age of first cigarette use, and cigarette craving while inpatient, were independent predictors of cannabis relapse outcomes. Thus, varenicline holds promise in this population, as a tool to examine the effects of tobacco abstinence on cannabis use outcomes, and as a component of smoking cessation treatments targeting T+CUs.
Pregnancy outcomes for women with pre‐pregnancy diabetes mellitus in Australian populations, rural and metropolitan: A review
Authors: McCarthy Elizabeth A. , Williamson Rebecca , Shub Alexis
Published: October 2018

Background

Historically, pre‐pregnancy diabetes (PPDM) is a recognised risk factor for poor pregnancy outcome. Co‐existing pathology and adverse social determinants including rural‐metropolitan inequities in health and healthcare access may confer additional risks. Multidisciplinary care before, during and after pregnancy can improve outcomes for women with PPDM and their infants. The extent to which rural Australian women and their families share in improved outcomes is unknown. We aimed to summarise maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes for women with PPDM, including women in rural settings and examine applications of existing clinical guidelines to rural Australian practice.

Methods

We sought English language population and cohort studies about PPDM using Medline, Embase, PubMed, Australian epidemiological and international clinical practice guidelines.

Results

Women with PPDM are changing: older, more obese, of lower parity, less likely to smoke, more likely to have type 2 rather than type 1 diabetes and shorter duration of PPDM. Women with PPDM continue to experience excess adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal morbidity, complicated birth, perinatal loss, congenital anomalies and mother‐infant separation. On face value, clinical guidelines appear relevant to women living in rural settings but there are only a few, conflicting outcome studies for rural women with PPDM.

Conclusions

PPDM is changing. A significant minority live in rural locations, and although perinatal mortality/morbidity seems to be improving, it is unclear if this is also true for rural women due to a lack of recent Australian studies. Further research is necessary to achieve excellence everywhere for women with PPDM and their babies.
Measuring the profiles of the security needs of forensic psychiatric inpatients: Validation of the See, Think, Act Scale
Authors: Siu Bonnie Wei‐Man , Au‐Yeung Cherie Cheuk‐Yee , Chan Anita Wai‐Lan , Chan Lanly Shui‐Yee , Yuen Kwok‐Kuen , Leung Hon‐Wah , Yan Chor‐Kwan , Ng Kwok‐Kuen , Lai Anita C.H. , Tighe James
Published: October 2018

Introduction

This study aimed to develop and validate a Chinese version of the See, Think, Act Scale (C‐STA). The relational security of the Department of Forensic Psychiatry of Castle Peak Hospital, which provides territory‐wide forensic psychiatric services in Hong Kong, was measured.

Methods

The See, Think, Act Scale was first translated into Chinese, then back‐translated into English for comparison, and finally, subject to modification until alignment was achieved. Its content validity and face validity were explored through expert panel evaluation and focus group discussion, respectively. Eighty‐nine Chinese mental health professionals were recruited from six service units to measure the relational security of the Department of Forensic Psychiatry using the C‐STA.

Results

The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was high, with all components exceeding 0.90. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the test‐retest reliability of all components ranged from 0.50 to 0.72. Participants had the lowest score on the “patient focus” component (M = 2.56, standard deviation [SD] = 0.32). A significant sex difference in total relational security scores was found (P < 0.001).

Discussion

The C‐STA is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the relational security of forensic psychiatric services. “Patient focus” might be the target component of relational security for which the Department of Forensic Psychiatry needs to have interventions. The significant sex difference in total relational security scores needs further exploration.
The role of vascular endothelium in nitroglycerin‐mediated vasodilation
Authors: Zhou Kangbin , Parker John D.
Published: October 2018

Aims

Nitroglycerin (or glyceryl trinitrate, GTN) has been long considered an endothelium‐independent vasodilator because GTN vasodilation is intact in the absence of the endothelium and in the presence of endothelial dysfunction. However, in animal and in vitro models, GTN has been shown to stimulate the release of certain endothelium‐derived vasodilators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2). In addition, chronic GTN therapy leads to endothelial dysfunction. In this series of experiments, we explored how GTN might interact with the vascular endothelium in normal humans, without cardiovascular disease or risk factors associated with abnormalities in vascular function.

Methods

We examined the effect of inhibition of NO, PGI2, and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs, a class of endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor) on GTN‐mediated vasodilation. We measured arterial blood flow responses to brachial artery infusions of GTN in the absence and presence of L‐NMMA (n = 13), ketorolac (n = 14) and fluconazole (n = 16), which are inhibitors of endothelium‐derived NO, PGI2 and EETs, respectively, in healthy volunteers.

Results

Our results demonstrate that inhibition of endothelium‐dependent vasodilator mechanisms does not alter forearm resistance vessel responses to GTN.

Conclusion

We conclude that GTN‐mediated dilation of forearm resistance vessels is largely independent of vascular endothelium.
Friendships in middle childhood: Links to peer and school identification, and general self‐worth
Authors: Maunder Rachel , Monks Claire P.
Published: October 2018

Children's friendships are important for well‐being and school adjustment, but few studies have examined multiple indices of friendships together in middle childhood. The current study surveyed 7‐ to 11‐year‐olds (n = 314) about their friendships, best friendships, friendship quality and indices of self‐worth, identification with peers, and identification with school. Peer relationships were positively related to self‐worth, but not identification with peers or school. Best friendship quality moderated the relationship between number of reciprocated friendship nominations and self‐worth. Children with a reciprocated best friend had higher friendship quality and peer identification than others. Where best friendship was reciprocated, the relationship with identification with peers was mediated via positive friendship quality. The results suggest that friendship reciprocity is particularly relevant for children's self‐worth and identification with peers. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of fostering the development of reciprocated friendships.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Friendships are related to well‐being, school relations, and how young people feel about their peers at school.

Friendship quality may be important in moderating the relationship between peer relations and adjustment.

What does this study add?

Various aspects of friendships are studied simultaneously with younger children than much previous research.

Reciprocated best friendships were better quality than partial or non‐reciprocated best friendships.

Friendship reciprocity was most relevant for children's self‐worth and peer identification.
von Willebrand factor clearance – biological mechanisms and clinical significance
Authors: O'Sullivan Jamie M. , Ward Soracha , Lavin Michelle , O'Donnell James S.
Published: October 2018

The mechanisms involved in regulating von Willebrand factor (VWF) clearance remain poorly understood. However recent studies have shown that macrophages play a critical role in regulating the half‐life of VWF, and have identified specific lectin (including asialoglycoprotein, macrophage galactose‐type lectin, Sigec‐5 and C‐type lectin domain family 4 member M) and scavenger receptors (including low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein‐1, scavenger receptor A1 and stabilin‐2) that are involved in VWF clearance. Further studies will be required to determine the relative importance of these individual receptors with respect to physiological and pathological VWF clearance. Nevertheless, recent clinical data have highlighted the importance of enhanced VWF clearance in the pathogenesis of type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD). Moreover, increased clearance also contributes to reduced VWF levels in many patients with type 2 and type 3 VWD. Improved understanding regarding VWF clearance is not only of direct biological relevance, but may also have important implications for the development of novel therapeutic agents with extended plasma half‐lives for the treatment of both VWD and haemophilia A.
Prostate cancer heterogeneity: texture analysis score based on multiple magnetic resonance imaging sequences for detection, stratification and selection of lesions at time of biopsy
Authors: Orczyk Clement , Villers Arnauld , Rusinek Henry , Lepennec Vincent , Bazille Céline , Giganti Francesco , Mikheev Artem , Bernaudin Myriam , Emberton Mark , Fohlen Audrey , Valable Samuel
Published: October 2018

Objective

To undertake an early proof‐of‐concept study on a novel, semi‐automated texture‐based scoring system in order to enhance the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions and clinically significant prostate cancer (SPCa).

Patients and Methods

With ethics approval, 536 imaging volumes were generated from 20 consecutive patients who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) at time of biopsy. Volumes of interest (VOIs) included zonal anatomy segmentation and suspicious MRI lesions for cancer (Likert Scale score >2). Entropy (E), measuring heterogeneity, was computed from VOIs and plotted as a multiparametric score defined as the entropy score (ES) = E ADC + E Ktrans + E Ve + E T2WI. The reference test that was used to define the ground truth comprised systematic saturation biopsies coupled with MRI‐targeted sampling. This generated 422 cores in all that were individually labelled and oriented in three‐dimensions. Diagnostic accuracy for detection of SPCa, defined as Gleason score ≥3 + 4 or >3 mm of any grade of cancer on a single core, was assessed using receiver operating characteristics, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The proportion of cancerous lesions detected by ES and visual scoring (VS) were statistically compared using the paired McNemar test.

Results

Any cancer (Gleason score 6–8) was found in 12 of the 20 (60%) patients, with a median PSA level of 8.22 ng/mL. SPCa (mean [95% confidence interval, CI] ES = 17.96 [0.72] NATural information unit [NAT]) had a significantly higher ES than non‐SPCa (mean [95% CI] ES = 15.33 [0.76] NAT). The ES correlated with Gleason score (rs = 0.568, P = 0.033) and maximum cancer core length (ρ = 0.781; P < 0.001). The area under the curve for the ES (0.89) and VS (0.91) were not significantly different (P = 0.75) for the detection of SPCa amongst MRI lesions. Best ES estimated numerical threshold of 16.61 NAT led to a sensitivity of 100% and negative predictive value of 100%. The proportion of MRI lesions that were found to be positive for SPCa using this ES threshold (54%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than using the VS (24% of score 3, 4, 5) in a paired analysis using the McNemar test. In all, 53% of MRI lesions would have avoided biopsy sampling without missing significant disease.

Conclusion

Capturing heterogeneity of prostate cancer across multiple MRI sequences with the ES yielded high performances for the detection and stratification of SPCa. The ES outperformed the VS in predicting positivity of lesions, holding promise in the selection of targets for biopsy and calling for further understanding of this association.
Penile length is preserved after implant surgery
Authors: Habous Mohamad , Giona Simone , Tealab Alaa , Aziz Mohammed , Sherif Hammoda , Abdelwahab Osama , Binsaleh Saleh , Ralph David , Bettocchi Carlo , Mulhall John P. , Muir Gordon
Published: October 2018

Objective

To investigate if there is a correlation between penile size measured preoperatively and erect penis after penile implant surgery (PI). A common cause of patient dissatisfaction after PI is caused by patients complaining that surgery has shortened the penis. It has been suggested that stretched penile length preoperatively is almost the same after surgery when the prosthesis is in erect status. However, no comprehensive data supports this theory. This prospective study was done to investigate this theory.

Patients and Methods

Standardised measurements of stretched penile length and girth were performed in theatre before PI implantation then re‐measured at the end of the procedure with the penis in the erect position. We recorded type of PI, cylinder lengths and malleable rod diameters. All patients had data recorded on body mass index (BMI), hypertension (HTN), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and Peyronie's disease (PD).

Results

In all, 133 patients were assessed; 88 (66.2%) had a malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) and 45 (33.8%) an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). The median age and BMI were 56 years and 30 kg/m2, respectively. In all, 40 (30.1%) patients had HTN, 37 (27.8%) had PD, and 89 (66.9%) were diabetic. The mean (SD) pre‐implant stretched length was 12.8 (1.8) cm. The mean (SD) flaccid girth was 10.3 (1.2) cm. Postoperatively, the mean (SD) erect length and girth were 13.1 (1.7) cm and 11.3 (1.3) cm, respectively. Overall, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in both the mean (SD) length at +0.36 (0.63) cm, and girth at +1.04 (1.02) cm. Patients who had an IPP, had a greater increase in both length (mean [SD] 0.62 [0.72] cm) and girth (mean [SD] 1.7 [1.0] cm) compared to those who had a MPP (mean [SD] 0.22 [0.53] cm and 0.7 [0.87] cm, respectively) (P < 0.05). We investigated correlations between pre‐ and postoperative outcomes related to BMI, HTN, diabetes, and PD. None of these variables affected outcome.

Conclusions

PI surgery does not significantly decrease penile size compared to the preoperative assessment. The outcome was not affected by co‐morbidities. The preoperative length and girth correlated well with the immediate postoperative erect penis, although girth was not necessarily comparable in this series of patients measured under anaesthesia. Recording penile dimensions in the clinic and agreeing these with patients’ preoperatively may be a way of improving satisfaction levels with this surgery.
Retinal explant culture: A platform to investigate human neuro‐retina
Authors: Murali Aparna , Ramlogan‐Steel Charmaine A. , Andrzejewski Slawomir , Steel Jason C. , Layton Christopher J.
Published: October 2018

The retina is the tissue responsible for light detection, in which retinal neurons convert light energy into electrical signals to be transported towards the visual cortex. Damage of retinal neurons leads to neuronal cell death and retinal pathologies, compromising visual acuity and eventually leading to irreversible blindness. Models of retinal neurodegeneration include 2D systems like cell lines, disassociated cultures and co‐cultures, and 3D models like organoids, organotypic retinal cultures and animal models. Of these, ex vivo human retinal cultures are arguably the most suitable models for translational research as they retain complex inter‐cellular interactions of the retina and precisely mimic in‐situ responses. In this review, we summarize the distinguishing features of the human retina which are important to preserve in experimental culture, the historical development of human retinal culture systems, the factors affecting ex vivo human retinal culture and the applications and challenges associated with current methods of human retinal explant culture.
Recent metformin adherence and the risk of hypoglycaemia in the year following intensification with a sulfonylurea
Authors: Min J. Y. , Griffin M. R. , Chipman J. , Hackstadt A. J. , Greevy R. A. , Grijalva C. G. , Hung A. M. , Roumie C. L.
Published: October 2018

Aim

To evaluate whether recent low adherence to metformin monotherapy is associated with hypoglycaemia after addition of a sulfonylurea.

Methods

We assembled a retrospective cohort of veterans who filled a new prescription for metformin between 2001 and 2011 and intensified treatment with a sulfonylurea after ≥1 year of metformin use. We calculated metformin adherence from pharmacy data using the proportion of days covered in the 180‐day period before intensification. The primary outcome was hypoglycaemia, defined as a hospitalization or emergency department visit for hypoglycaemia or an outpatient blood glucose measurement <3.3 mmol/l in the year following intensification. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the risk of hypoglycaemia between participants with low (<80%) and high (≥80%) adherence. Adherence was also modelled as a continuous variable using restricted cubic splines.

Results

Of 187 267 participants who initiated metformin monotherapy, 49 424 added a sulfonylurea after ≥1 year. The median (interquartile range) rate of treatment adherence was 87 (50–100)% and 43% had adherence <80%. Hypoglycaemia rates per 1000 person‐years were 23.1 (95% CI 21.1–25.4) and 24.5 (95% CI 22.7–26.4) in participants with low and high adherence, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.84–1.08). The risk of hypoglycaemia was similar across all levels of adherence when adherence was modelled as a continuous variable.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that past low adherence to metformin monotherapy was associated with hypoglycaemia after intensification with a sulfonylurea.
CHANGING BUSINESS MODELS IN INTERNATIONAL BANK FUNDING
Authors: Gambacorta Leonardo , van Rixtel Adrian , Schiaffi Stefano
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the foreign funding mix of globally active banks. Using BIS international banking statistics for a panel of 12 advanced economies, we detect a structural break in international bank funding at the onset of the great financial crisis. In their postbreak business model, banks rely less on cross‐border liabilities and, instead, tap funds from outside their jurisdictions by making more active use of their subsidiaries and branches, as well as interoffice accounts within the same banking group. (JEL C32, F65, G21)
Land cover, riparian zones and instream habitat influence stream fish assemblages in the eastern Amazon
Authors: Montag Luciano F. A. , Winemiller Kirk O. , Keppeler Friedrich W. , Leão Híngara , Benone Naraiana L. , Torres Naiara R. , Prudente Bruno S. , Begot Tiago O. , Bower Luke M. , Saenz David E. , Lopez‐Delgado Edwin O. , Quintana Yasmin , Hoeinghaus David J. , Juen Leandro
Published: October 2018

The Amazon rainforest has experienced rapid land‐use changes over the last few decades, including extensive deforestation that can affect riparian habitats and streams. The aim of this study was to assess responses of stream fish assemblages to deforestation and land cover change in the eastern Amazon. We expected that percentage of forest in the catchment is correlated with local habitat complexity, which in turn determines fish assemblage composition and structure. We sampled 71 streams in areas with different land uses and tested for relationships between stream fish assemblages and local habitat and landscape variables while controlling for the effect of intersite distance. Fish assemblage composition and structure were correlated with forest coverage, but local habitat variables explained more of the variation in both assemblage composition and structure than landscape variables. Intersite distance contributed to variance explained by local habitat and landscape variables, and the percentage of variance explained by the unique contribution of local habitat was approximately equivalent to the shared variance explained by all three factors in the model. In these streams of the eastern Amazon, fish assemblages were most strongly influenced by features of instream and riparian habitats, yet indirect effects of deforestation on fish assemblage composition and structure were observed even though intact riparian zones were present at most sites. Long‐term monitoring of the hydrographic basin, instream habitat and aquatic fauna is needed to test for potential legacy effects and time lags, as well as assess species responses to continuing deforestation and land‐use changes in the Amazon.
Impact of the Friendly Schools whole‐school intervention on transition to secondary school and adolescent bullying behaviour
Authors: Cross Donna , Shaw Therese , Epstein Melanie , Pearce Natasha , Barnes Amy , Burns Sharyn , Waters Stacey , Lester Leanne , Runions Kevin
Published: October 2018

Peer bullying increases in times of school transition, influenced by changing peer and friendship groups, new schooling environments and greater stress. Covert forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, become more common in secondary school and cause considerable distress and long‐term harm. The period of transition to secondary school is therefore a critical window for intervening to manage and prevent bullying. A three‐year cluster randomised control trial was conducted to develop, implement and evaluate the Friendly Schools Project intervention which aimed to reduce bullying and aggression among more than 3,000 students who had recently transitioned to secondary school. Intervention schools were provided with individualised training and resources to support students’ transition and reduce bullying using a multi‐level comprehensive intervention addressing classroom curriculum, school policies and procedures, the social and physical environment, pastoral care approaches and school‐home‐community links. Although the observed effect sizes were small, the intervention had a consistently significant positive effect across a range of outcomes, including bullying perpetration, victimisation, depression, anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness and perceptions of school safety at the end of the students’ first year in secondary school. However, none of these differences were sustained into the students’ second year of secondary school. These findings demonstrate the immediate value of whole‐school interventions to reduce bullying behaviour and associated harms among students who have recently transitioned to secondary school, as well as the need to provide strategies that continue to support students as they progress through school, to sustain these effects.
Head positioning in a cone beam computed tomography unit and the effect on accuracy of the three‐dimensional surface mode
Authors: Stamatakis Harry C. , Steegman Ralph , Dusseldorp Joost , Ren Yijin
Published: October 2018

Head position during cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination can easily deviate from the ideal, which may affect the accuracy of the segmented three‐dimensional (3D) model. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of head positioning on the accuracy of the 3D model. A human dry skull was positioned at predetermined orientations in a CBCT scanner and scanned in multiple orientations and voxel sizes. The resulting 3D surface models were superimposed over those derived from the reproducible centered positioned skull with 0° inclination. Color mapping and analysis of the differences expressed by the root mean square error (RMSE) were performed. The RMSE for each orientation using the 0.3 mm voxel ranged from 0.31 to 0.87 mm for the whole maxillofacial region, from 0.44 to 0.91 mm in the maxilla, and from 0.31 to 0.72 mm in the mandible. For the 0.4 mm voxel, the RMSE ranged from 0.47 to 0.86 mm for the whole maxillofacial region, from 0.60 to 0.96 mm in the maxilla, and from 0.56 to 0.86 mm in the mandible. The maxilla showed a slightly higher deviation than the mandible in both voxel groups. It can be concluded that the head position affects the accuracy of the segmented 3D model, but the inaccuracy does not exceed clinically relevant levels.
Effect of chewing rate on meal intake
Authors: Paphangkorakit Jarin , Kanpittaya Kasama , Pawanja Nattawipa , Pitiphat Waranuch
Published: October 2018

Fast eating has been shown to increase the risk of overweight in both children and adults. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the correlation between chewing rate and the number of chews per mouthful and to evaluate if they were associated with the weight of meal intake. Thirty healthy subjects, aged 18–24 yr, ate a test lunch at their habitual speed until they felt satiated. The activities of masseter and suprahyoid muscles were recorded to determine the number of chews and the moment of swallowing. The weight of meal intake was recorded along with body mass index (BMI), chewing rate, number of chews per mouthful, meal duration, ingestion rate, hunger, and food preference levels. The mean weight (±SD) of meal intake, chewing rate, and number of chews per mouthful were 261.4 ± 78.9 g, 94.4 ± 13.5 chews min−1, 19.2 ± 6.4 chews per mouthful, respectively. Chewing rate was not correlated with the number of chews per mouthful. The multivariable linear regression showed that meal intake was significantly positively associated with chewing rate, meal duration, and BMI, but inversely associated with the number of chews per mouthful (adjusted R2 = 0.42). It was concluded that the number of chews was not associated with chewing rate but meal intake was explained by both reduced number of chews and increased chewing rate.
IL‐17‐positive mast cell infiltration in the lesional skin of lichen planopilaris: Possible role of mast cells in inducing inflammation and dermal fibrosis in cicatricial alopecia
Authors: Hobo Ayako , Harada Kazutoshi , Maeda Tatsuo , Uchiyama Masaki , Irisawa Ryokichi , Yamazaki Masashi , Tsuboi Ryoji
Published: October 2018

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a primary cicatricial alopecia characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes in the upper portion of hair follicles. Inflammation around the bulge region of hair follicles induces destruction of hair follicle stem cells and tissue fibrosis, resulting in permanent hair loss. Treatment is still challenging, and the precise pathophysiology of this disorder is unknown. To clarify the pathogenesis of LPP, we performed histological and immunohistochemical analysis on specimens obtained from LPP patients. Formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded samples were evaluated by staining with haematoxylin and eosin (HE), toluidine blue stain, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that CD4‐positive T cells preferentially infiltrated into the follicular infundibulum in the LPP lesions. Toluidine blue stain detected a large number of mast cells in the inflammatory lesions of LPP. Interestingly, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the mast cells harboured IL‐17A‐ and IL‐23‐producing activity and expressed the IL‐23 receptor. The number of IL‐17A‐positive mast cells was significantly higher in the LPP lesions than in normal scalp. Moreover, the IL‐17 receptor was expressed exclusively in the follicular epithelial cells in the LPP lesions. These results suggested that mast cells infiltrating hair follicles might play a role in the pathogenesis of LPP via the IL‐23/IL‐17 axis.
Improved fatigue crack growth resistance by retrogression and re‐aging heat treatment in 7010 aluminum alloy
Authors: M.S. Nandana , Bhat K. Udaya , C.M. Manjunatha
Published: October 2018

Aircraft grade 7010 aluminum alloy was heat treated to two different conditions: (1) standard peak aging (T6) and (2) retrogression and re‐aging (RRA). The microstructures of these alloys were characterized by using transmission electron microscope. Fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) tests were conducted using standard compact tension specimens, following ASTM standards. Tests were conducted at various stress ratios, R ranging from 0.1 to 0.7. The RRA‐treated alloy was observed to contain coarsened η′ (MgZn2) precipitates with higher inter‐particle spacing when compared with T6‐treated alloy. The grain boundary precipitates (GBPs) were also coarsened and discontinuous in RRA‐treated alloy as compared with continuous GBPs in T6 condition. The FCGR was lower and ΔKthwas higher in RRA‐treated alloy compared with T6‐treated alloy at all the stress ratios investigated. Improved fatigue crack growth resistance in RRA‐treated alloy was correlated to the modified microstructure and enhanced crack closure levels.
Risk‐taking channel of monetary policy
Authors: Adrian Tobias , Estrella Arturo , Shin Hyun Song
Published: October 2018

One of the most robust stylized facts in macroeconomics is the forecasting power of the term spread for future real activity. We propose a possible causal mechanism for the forecasting power of the term spread, deriving from the balance sheet management of financial intermediaries and the “risk‐taking channel of monetary policy.” Monetary tightening leads to the flattening of the term spread, reducing net interest margin and credit supply. We provide empirical support for the risk‐taking channel.
Early Archean planktonic mode of life: Implications from fluid dynamics of lenticular microfossils
Authors: Kozawa Tomoki , Sugitani Kenichiro , Oehler Dorothy Z. , House Christopher H. , Saito Izumi , Watanabe Takeshi , Gotoh Toshiyuki
Published: October 2018

Lenticular, and commonly flanged, microfossils in 3.0–3.4 Ga sedimentary deposits in Western Australia and South Africa are unusually large (20–80 μm across), robust, and widespread in space and time. To gain insight into the ecology of these organisms, we performed simulations of fluid dynamics of virtual cells mimicking lenticular forms of variable sizes, oblateness, flange presence, and flange thickness. Results demonstrate that (a) the flange reduces sedimentation velocity, (b) this flange function works more effectively in larger cells, and (c) modest oblateness lowers sedimentation rate. These observations support interpretations that the lenticular microbes were planktonic—a lifestyle that could have been advantageous in an early Earth harsh environment including violent volcanic activities, repeated asteroid impacts, and relatively high UV‐radiation. Although the robustness of these organisms could have provided additional protection on the early Earth, this architecture may have impeded a planktonic lifestyle by increasing cell density. However, our data suggest that this disadvantage could have been compensated by enlargement of cell volume, which could have enhanced the ability of the flange to slow sedimentation rate, especially if coupled with vacuolation. The results of this simulation study may help to explain the unique morphology and unusually large size of these Archean microfossils.