bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On condition of reaching a high level of consensus when new decision makers join
Authors: Gong Zaiwu , Forrest Jeffrey , Yang Yingjie , Wei Cuiping
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The consensus opinion helps with the achievement of fairness of the decision process, especially when the new decision makers (DMs) are added into the group decision making (GDM). This paper aims to show by constructing consensus models that when some conditions are met, the consensus level does not decrease even when new DMs are invited to join the GDM (new opinions are added to the GDM).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper first constructs a deviation which is the difference between each two individual opinions. The smaller these differences are, the higher consensus degree (level) of the group. Then, a consensus optimization model based on individual differences (IDCO) is constructed by minimizing the aggregated deviations. Lastly, based on the optimization model, the condition of reaching a high level of consensus when new DMs are added into the GDM is discussed.

Findings

– The discussion on the properties of the IDCO indicates that once the consensus with all DMs reaching an acceptable level, the consensus deviation degree decreases as the number of DMs increases when certain conditions are met, and the consensus level does not decrease even when new DMs join the GDM.

Originality/value

– Practically, high-level consensus needs to be reached no matter how difficult it is when the new opinions are added into the GDM. To see how this end could be achieved, this paper takes the fuzzy preference relations as particular instances to investigate the conditions of consensus under which new DMs (opinions) are added into the GDM. The rather holistic analysis leads us to such a conclusion that the authors can replace this particular kind of preference, as used in the discussion, in many other cases by, for instance, multiplicative preference relation, linguistic preference relation, etc.
Aging silently
Authors: Church Tydings Judith
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the transforming effect of pursuing person centered ethnography using contemporary reflexive methods and a cultural traditions model on a researcher in late life. It attempts to show the usefulness of life history research as a lens through which to examine the complex ways people age. It adds to literature dealing with ethnographic studies of aging women and demonstrates personal narrative as a way to convey information. Lastly it demonstrates the value of studies pursued by researchers in old age, and illuminates aspects of ethnographic work when women interview women.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a journey format, the paper uses personal narrative as a way to achieve its goals. The personal account is complemented by noting other ethnographic studies that have contributed to age studies literature, and it draws attention to the value of reflexivity in good ethnographic work as proposed by anthropologists Barbara Myerhoff and John Caughey.

Findings

– The paper points toward research institutions who study aging valuing ethnographic findings and making use of researchers in old age to engage in ethnographic studies. It points to the possibility that elders engaged in such research may strengthen their sense of self and empower them as they make a contribution to age studies.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper deals with the transformative power of engaging in reflexive life history research, especially as it is done by an ethnographer in late life. This freeing from customary cultural ways of thinking may be as beneficial to the researcher as life review or reminiscence. This should be explored further.

Originality/value

– The paper points to the idea, implicit not explicit, that an elder who engages in reflexive life history research that involves doing a self-ethnography, can benefit in ways similar to having engaged in life review or reminiscence. This is original.
A gerontologist and her career
Authors: Tinker Anthea
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer some insight into how an individual enters a career as a gerontologist.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is an invited opinion piece and comment based on the author's experience and career choices. It is a brief autobiographical account focused on occupational opportunities.

Findings

– Career choice can often be a mix of opportunity and chance. Having good colleagues and a supportive research community is the secret to success.

Originality/value

– Personal insights from professionals at the height of their career can help less experienced researchers understand what it means to take opportunities when they arise.
From engineer to farmer
Authors: Barcanescu Ileana
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to encourage readers to think about a life after retirement, with an emphasis on the nature and activities of small agribusiness for actively retired people. The article can also provide a comparison between the activities of “re-converted” elderly farmers in different parts of Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is an invited viewpoint piece and based upon the experience and opinions of an actively retired Romanian citizen, currently managing her small family farm.

Findings

– A complete change of work and living environment can be the much-needed step that many actively retired professionals need. Nevertheless, the success and happiness found following such a decision is also dependent on previous experiences and knowledge in the newly chosen field of activity, since these activities are not just a pastime, but can easily become the equivalent of a fulltime job… or even more than this.

Originality/value

– The article provides not only a succinct overview of a small agribusiness run by an actively retired person, but also remarkable insight and understanding of the retirement for people from different cultures and professional backgrounds. It presents a different perspective of active retirement for elderly people in Eastern European countries.
Are your leaders brain-savvy, and why should you care?
Authors: Hills Jan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper discusses the findings of a survey carried out to understand how employees perceived their leaders. The author was particularly interested in how brain-savvy leaders were – by this, is meant are leaders working in a way that is consistent with how the brain works? The author was interested in the question because she believes that working in a way that is consistent with how the brain works creates efficiency, productivity and engagement as well as improves the chances that change will be successful.

Design/methodology/approach

– We surveyed 2,000 people by telephone. Respondents were based in the UK and consisted of public sector and private sector employees spanning across all industry sectors.

Findings

– Our findings suggest leaders are failing to act in a way that is consistent with how the brain works. Less than 5 percent of UK employees said that their leaders were working in a brain-savvy manner and 24 percent said the leader in their organization was brain-fried, that is over stressed, a poor communicator and lacking personal connection.

Originality/value

– Neuroscience, the science of how the brain works offers insight into the implications for HR in organizations. The science is pointing to a number of ways the brain responds, for example, perceiving threat over reward leading to avoidance and reductions in creativity and effective decision making, and the importance of relationships as a motivator and creating engagement. The science also points to ways HR can help create more brain-savvy leaders and businesses.
What makes employees stay?
Authors: Sengupta Santoshi , Dev Santosh
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in India is progressing with an unparalleled velocity. Although, much research has taken place time and again elaborating on attrition, which is a menace to this industry, not much of work has been done on retention. The present study aims to explore the dimensions of retention in a comprehensive manner. The paper identifies the main factors that lead to retention, compares these dimensions across various demographic characteristics and develops a regression model to find out the contribution of the factors to the long term sustenance of employees in a BPO.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was completed by 500 BPO employees located in the National Capital region of India. It measured their perception towards the importance of factors that are responsible for their sustenance in the organization. Data was analyzed using tests like factor analysis, descriptive stats, correlation and regression.

Findings

– Four major dimensions of retention were extracted. Of the four job-related dimensions and five personal characteristics, intrinsic motivation factor, employee involvement factor, age and education are the primary determinants of employee retention. It was also found that there is a difference in perception of BPO employees towards the importance of these job-related retention dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to selection of only a few facets of job characteristics, and limited geographical area of data collection, generalization of the study findings is limited. Future replication studies with more job characteristics and wider geographical selection in other related subject areas are also recommended.

Practical implications

– Research findings will contribute to the body of knowledge in the BPO literature on employee retention programs and educate BPO employers on the organizational benefits associated with loyal, committed workers. Study implications will contribute towards industry's continual pursuit for growth, prosperity and profitability.

Originality/value

– The present study explores novel dimensions of employee retention and makes a major contribution to the relative influence of job and personal characteristics in the BPO industry.
The Mulberry Bush School and UK therapeutic community practice for children and young people
Authors: Diamond John
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to inform readers and researchers about the use of a “lived experience” of therapeutic community work as an effective intervention for severely emotionally troubled children.

Design/methodology/approach

– An explanation of the main developmental influences and how the Mulberry Bush School is continuing to incorporate new theories and approaches.

Findings

– How the Mulberry Bush as a specialist therapeutic residential provision can bring about excellent outcomes for severely emotionally troubled children.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper explores the work and legacy of the school's founder Barbara Dockar-Drysdale and of her collaboration with Donald Winnicott to create a lived experience of community as an agent of therapeutic change. The paper also provides descriptions and a case study of the current multi-disciplinary work of the school, including how neuroscientific research is influencing the evolution of the therapeutic task with traumatised children.

Practical implications

– The paper shows how a highly evolved model of integrated provision can support excellent outcomes for traumatised children and young people.

Originality/value

– To broaden and deepen knowledge about the use of therapeutic community principles in the treatment of severely emotionally trouble children and young people.
Influences in children's materialism: a conceptual framework
Authors: Francisco Dávila Juan , Casabayó Mònica
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to answer two questions: According to research carried out in the last decades, what are the factors that influence materialism in children? And, can these factors be classified in a comprehensive conceptual framework?

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the most cited articles on the topic published in academic journals during the last 35 years, as well as a selection of articles in specific journals published during the last ten years.

Findings

– A conceptual framework is provided which classifies the factors in three groups: individual factors, semi-contextual factors (family related) and contextual factors (external influences).

Practical implications

– The classification helps to understand how the factors relate to each other, and is intended to be a tool for parents, educators and policy makers willing to understand how to deal effectively with materialism in children.

Originality/value

– As far as is known, this paper is the first attempt to classify the factors that influence materialism in children in a conceptual framework.
“You can't buy friends, but … ” children's perception of consumption and friendship
Authors: Lundby Erika
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This article aims to explore, and compare, the perceived association between economic resources and peer relationships among two age groups of Swedish tweens.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data consist of 101 drawings by Swedish tweens, aged nine, and aged 12. The children were asked if and how children can attract friends through the use of money.

Findings

– Most children did perceive economic resources as a means to attract friends. However, both the kind of items that were found in the drawings, and the children's perceptions of how to use the items, were relatively different between children aged nine and children aged 12.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the small sample size, it is not possible to generalize results obtained in the current study to a population of children in general.

Practical implications

– If children believe that they can use material goods to become more popular and accepted, they may be highly vulnerable to the internalisation of materialistic values. In order to more deeply understand the meaning of consumption in children's peer relationships, there is a need to gain more knowledge of the extent to which children themselves perceive money as a means of attracting friends.

Originality/value

– Previous research indicates that material possessions are important for children in order to gain popularity among peers. However, few studies have tried to investigate if and how children perceive economic resources as a means to attract friends, in different age groups.
Children's food meanings and eating contexts: schools and their surroundings
Authors: Horta Ana , Truninger Monica , Alexandre Silvia , Teixeira Jose , Aparecida da Silva Vanda
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Concerns on children's obesity and overweight have been related to food diets with excessive sugar and fat. Given the relevance of school meals in Portuguese children's lives, schools follow governmental guidelines in order to provide nutritiously balanced and healthy meals. As imbalances persist, this study aims at understanding the acceptance of school meals by children, in the context of competing marketing allures of nutritiously poor foods outside the schools.

Design/methodology/approach

– Plural qualitative research techniques (focus groups with children and parents, direct observation and interviews with school directors and kitchen staff) were combined to analyse children's food-related meanings and practices, and also images of food displayed at schools and in their surroundings. The empirical data were collected in four primary and secondary public schools with different socio-economic backgrounds in the area of Lisbon.

Findings

– Results show sharp contrasts between food images and meanings at school canteens and commercial food outlets outside schools. Data suggest that subjection to supervision, unappetizing school meals and images in the canteens stand out against favourite flavours and social levers (such as autonomy and status) of food available outside school.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has an exploratory nature and results are not-generalizable to other schools of the country.

Originality/value

– Limited attention has been paid to competing social contexts of children's food consumption at schools and their surroundings in Portugal. Research results can bring insights to conceptual development on school meals and children's food practices.
The role of overgrazing and anthropogenic disturbance in shaping spatial patterns of distribution of an invasive seaweed
Authors: Tamburello Laura , Bulleri Fabio , Balata David , Benedetti‐Cecchi Lisandro
Published: November 2013

Natural and human‐generated disturbances are widely acknowledged as key drivers of biological invasions. Understanding the role of spatial patterns of compounded disturbances in determining invader establishment and spread can enhance the effectiveness of control strategies.

Using the framework of 1/f noise models and by means of a field experiment, we evaluated how the simultaneous exposure of Posidonia oceanica meadows to disturbances (namely overgrazing and rhizome uprooting from vessel anchoring) differing in spatial extent and degree of autocorrelation influenced the establishment and spread of the invasive seaweed, Caulerpa racemosa. Effects on invader establishment and spread were evaluated by means of mixed‐effect models relating spatial patterns of disturbance and presence or abundance of C. racemosa, quantified through spectral coefficients.

The spatial distribution of C. racemosa mimicked that of overgrazing, both variables showing positive autocorrelation. Yet, C. racemosa was unable to disperse from disturbed patches into adjacent intact areas. The uprooting of rhizomes did not promote the establishment of C. racemosa, but magnified (≃18 times) the proliferation of the exotic seaweed when coupled with overgrazing.

Synthesis and applications. Fish overgrazing of Posidonia oceanica lessens the resistance of seagrass beds to invasion by Caulerpa racemosa. Thus, conservation strategies (e.g. marine protected areas) aiming to restore over‐exploited fish populations may indirectly enhance the susceptibility of P. oceanica meadows to invasion by C. racemosa. Uprooting of P. oceanica rhizomes, such as that caused by boat anchoring, exacerbates the effects of overgrazing. The anchoring of recreational vessels should be, therefore, strictly regulated in areas characterized by intense grazing of P. oceanica leaves. More generally, our study shows that native herbivores may indirectly facilitate invasion by reducing the resistance of resident plant communities and suggests that sounded strategies for controlling the establishment and spread of invasive species require taking into account the interactive effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
The ubiquitous nature of Listeria monocytogenes clones: a large‐scale Multilocus Sequence Typing study
Authors: Haase Jana K. , Didelot Xavier , Lecuit Marc , Korkeala Hannu ,   L. monocytogenes MLST Study Group, Achtman Mark
Published: November 2013

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitously prevalent in natural environments and is transmitted via the food chain to animals and humans, in whom it can cause life‐threatening diseases. We used Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) of ∼2000 isolates of L. monocytogenes to investigate whether specific associations existed between clonal complexes (CCs) and the environment versus diseased hosts. Most CCs (72%) were not specific for any single source, and many have been isolated from the environment, food products, animals as well as from humans. Our results confirm that the population structure of L. monocytogenes is largely clonal and consists of four lineages (I–IV), three of which contain multiple CCs. Most CCs have remained stable for decades, but one epidemic clone (CC101) was common in the mid‐1950s and very rare until recently when it may have begun to re‐emerge. The historical perspective used here indicates that the central sequence types of CCs were not ancestral founders but have rather simply increased in frequency over decades.
Complete Cardiac Rupture Associated with Closed Chest Cardiac Massage: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Tattoli Lucia , Maselli Eloisa , Romanelli Maria Carolina , Di Vella Giancarlo , Solarino Biagio
Published: November 2013

Chest skeletal injuries are the most frequent complications of external chest massage (ECM) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but heart and great vessels lacerations that are indeed very rare. We report the case of a 35‐year‐old workman who collapsed and underwent ECM by his co‐workers for almost 30 min. At autopsy, no external injuries, fractures or bruises of the ribs or sternum, were observed. A hemopericardium with a rupture of the heart was found, with no signs of pre‐existent cardiac disease. Bruises of thoracic aortic wall, lung petechiae, a contusion of the liver, and bruises of lumbar muscles were found. The cause of death was due to sudden cardiac death with an extensive cardiac rupture. This is an unusual report of massive heart damage without any skeletal or muscle chest injuries, secondary to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This kind of cardiac lesions may be considered when thoracic–abdominal trauma, or medical history, is unclear.
Citrate Content of Bone for Time Since Death Estimation: Results from Burials with Different Physical Characteristics and Known PMI
Authors: Kanz Fabian , Reiter Christian , Risser Daniele U.
Published: November 2013

A recently introduced method to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) based on quantification of the citrate content in bone was applied on the temporal bones and femora of 20 individuals buried in wooden coffins (WO) and body bags (BB), respectively. Concerning known vs. calculated PMI, a significant difference between the temporal and the femur bone samples of the same individuals was observed in the BB group (p = 0.012). In contrast, differences were insignificant for the WO group (p = 0.400). Moreover, similar levels of underestimation of PMIs resulted from the analysis of the femora for both burial groups (p = 0.247). Also, there was consistently less citrate preserved in the flat temporal bones as compared to the femora, indicating that the cortical layer of the long bones should be preferentially employed for citrate‐based PMI estimations. The results call for additional research on subsurface‐buried and surface‐deposited remains to enhance the accuracy of the published PMI equation.
Comparative Analysis of Insect Succession Data from Victoria (Australia) Using Summary Statistics versus Preceding Mean Ambient Temperature Models
Authors: Archer Mel
Published: November 2013

Minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) can be estimated with preceding mean ambient temperature models that predict carrion taxon pre‐appearance interval. But accuracy has not been compared with using summary statistics (mean ± SD of taxon arrival/departure day, range, 95% CI). This study collected succession data from ten experimental and five control (infrequently sampled) pig carcasses over two summers (n = 2 experimental, n = 1 control per placement date). Linear and exponential preceding mean ambient temperature models for appearance and departure times were constructed for 17 taxa/developmental stages. There was minimal difference in linear or exponential model success, although arrival models were more often significant: 65% of linear arrival (r2 = 0.09–0.79) and exponential arrival models (r2 = 0.05–81.0) were significant, and 35% of linear departure (r2 = 0.0–0.71) and exponential departure models (r2 = 0.0–0.72) were significant. Performance of models and summary statistics for estimating mPMI was compared in two forensic cases. Only summary statistics produced accurate mPMI estimates.
Partial sequence and characterization of nitric oxide synthase gene from Hyphantria cunea
Authors: Kim Hong Ja , Kim Yong Il , Kwon Yong Min , Kang Young Jin , Cheon Hyang Mi , Ha Nam Gyu , Seo Sook Jae
Published: November 2013

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene has been partially sequenced from Hyphantria cunea and compared with those already determined from insects. Hyphantria cunea NOS possesses putative recognition sites for co‐factors heme, BH4, CaM, FMN, FAD, and NADPH common to NOS. The deduced amino acid sequence of H. cunea NOS cDNA showed 70.3% identity to Manduca sexta NOS and 57.6–69.5% identity to NOS sequences from other insects. Nitric oxide synthase is expressed in all tissues of H. cunea, except in hemocytes. The NOS expression in midgut, fat body, epidermis, and Malpighian tubule strongly increased against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial infection. These results suggest that NOS may play an important role in insect defense system against bacterial infection.
Kinetics of the Thermal Degradation of Patulin in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Kokkinidou S. , Floros J. D. , LaBorde L. F.
Published: November 2013

Degradation of the mycotoxin patulin between 25 and 85 °C without and with added ascorbic acid was studied, and the effectiveness of linear and nonlinear models for predicting reaction rates was compared. In agreement with previous reports, ascorbic acid significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) the rate of patulin degradation at all temperatures studied. The data for patulin degradation in the absence of ascorbic acid were adequately modeled using a zero‐order linear kinetic model. However, the predictive abilities of zero and higher‐order linear models were not adequate to describe the more complex reactions that likely occurred when ascorbic acid was added. In contrast, the nonlinear Weibull model adequately described the patulin‐ascorbic acid reaction throughout the temperature range studied. Zero‐order rate constants and Weibull scale values for each of the respective reactions followed the Arrhenius law. Activation energies of 58.7 ± 3.9 and 29.6 ± 1.9 kJ mol−1 for the reaction without and with ascorbic acid, respectively, confirmed decreased patulin stability in the presence of ascorbic acid and suggested that the mechanisms for the 2 degradation reactions were different.
Changes in temperature affect the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture
Authors: Brightwell Robert E. , Choong Andrew M. T. L. , Barnett Adrian G. , Walker Philip J.
Published: November 2013

Background

There is a well‐established link between exposure to hot and cold temperatures and an increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalization or death. There is also contrasting evidence of a seasonal increase in aortic ruptures related to atmospheric pressure, but an association with environmental temperature has never been formally modelled.

Methods

Using a prospective database, we identified 295 patients who were operated in a single centre for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in south‐east Queensland between 1990 and 2010. We matched patients to their nearest weather station to estimate their exposure to temperature and air pressure in the days leading up to their rupture. We used the case–crossover method to estimate the risks of temperature, which we allowed to be non‐linear (increased risks at high and low temperatures) and delayed by up to 25 days.

Results

There was an immediate increase in risk after exposure to cold, and a delayed risk after exposure to heat. An increased risk after exposure to high pressures disappeared after adjusting for temperature. At a mean temperature of 19°C (66°F), the odds ratio for rupture was 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.09, 2.76) compared with the reference temperature of 24°C.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate an association between temperature and risk of aortic aneurysm rupture in the Southern Hemisphere. The physiological changes caused by thermoregulation may be a trigger for those people with a fragile aneurysm.
Efficacy and safety of low‐dose celecoxib in reducing post‐operative paralytic ileus after major abdominal surgery
Authors: Raju Devinder P. , Hakendorf Paul , Costa Marcello , Wattchow David A.
Published: November 2013

Background

A number of interventions have been used to decrease the incidence of post‐operative paralytic ileus. A secondary outcome of a randomized controlled study showed that COX‐2 inhibitors decreased the incidence of paralytic ileus. We sought to study a large cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal operations who were treated with a COX‐2 inhibitor.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. All eligible patients were given a COX‐2 inhibitor – celecoxib 100 mg – twice daily starting on the day of surgery until the seventh day post‐operatively or discharge, whichever was earlier. The rate of paralytic ileus was calculated and compared with historical data. Secondary outcome measures were the effect of using COX‐2 inhibitors on renal function, electrolytes and haemoglobin, morbidity and leak rates.

Results

Two hundred and fifty‐two patients were treated with celecoxib; the control arm consisted of 67 historical patients. Of the 252 patients, we had complete data for 235 patients and ileus in 17 patients (7.23%) compared with 13.4% in the control group (P = 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed ileus in 5.45% of colectomy patients and 6.36% of patients who have had a colectomy and high anterior resection. There was no detriment of measured blood tests. There were leaks in two treated patients, both of whom did not require a laparotomy.

Conclusions

The use of low‐dose COX‐2 inhibitor over a short period of time decreases the paralytic ileus rates and does not cause any significant morbidity.
The viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug
Authors: Bastholm Sara K. , Becher Naja , Stubbe Peter R. , Chronakis Ioannis S. , Uldbjerg Niels
Published: November 2013

Objective

To characterize the viscoelastic properties of cervical mucus plugs (CMPs) shed during labor at term.

Design

Experimental research.

Setting

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

Population/Sample

Spontaneously shed CMPs from 18 healthy women in active labor.

Methods

Viscoelastic properties of CMPs were investigated with a dynamic oscillatory rheometer using frequency and stress sweep experiments within the linear viscoelastic region.

Main outcome measures

The rheological variables obtained were as follows: elastic modulus (G′), viscous modulus (G″) and tan delta (G″/G′). Random‐effects regression was used for statistical analysis.

Results

All CMPs showed solid‐like viscoelastic behavior. This was substantiated by the elastic modulus which was three to four times greater than the viscous modulus and by tan delta, which was <1 at all frequencies. Mean tan delta at 0.01 Hz was 0.38 (95% CI 0.34–0.43) and 0.27 (95% CI 0.23–0.32) at 1 Hz. The elastic modulus could be described by the relation G′(ω) = KωA [mean R2 0.95 (95% CI 0.93–0.98)]. Despite relatively large variation in the rheological properties within CMPs, rheological variables obtained from frequency sweeps differed significantly among CMPs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The CMPs are solid‐like viscoelastic structures. These rheological characteristics are probably essential for the CMP's ability to form and sustain a plug in the cervical canal during pregnancy, thereby reducing the risk of ascending infections. The technique described here might be used for evaluation of an association between CMP viscoelasticity and preterm delivery.
The regulation of gastric acid secretion – clinical perspectives
Authors: Waldum H. L. , Hauso Ø. , Fossmark R.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this review, based upon 40 years of research, is to clear old controversies. The gastric juice is a strong acid with active enzymes (pepsin and lipase); ideal for killing swallowed microorganisms. Totally isolated rat stomach and histamine determination. Human gastric carcinomas were examined for ECL cell differentiation because tumours found in rodents after dosing with inhibitors of acid secretion were reclassified to be of ECL cell origin. The gastrin receptor is localized to the ECL cell only, where gastrin stimulates the function and growth. Drug‐induced hypo‐acidity induces hypergastrinaemia and ECL cell hyperplasia responsible for rebound acid hypersecretion. Every condition with long‐term hypergastrinaemia disposes to ECL cell neoplasia. In man, both atrophic gastritis and gastrinoma lead to ECL cell carcinoids. Proton pump inhibitors induce hypergastrinaemia with ECL cell hyperplasia and ECL cell carcinoids that disappear when stopping treatment. The gastrin antagonist netazepide induces regression of ECL cell carcinoids due to atrophic gastritis. Human gastric carcinomas of diffuse type, particularly the signet‐ring subtype, show ECL cell differentiation, suggesting involvement of gastrin in the carcinogenesis. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) causes gastritis and peptic ulcer, and when infecting the antrum only gives a slight hypergastrinaemia with acid hypersecretion predisposing to duodenal ulcer, but protecting from gastric cancer. When Hp infection spreads to oxyntic mucosa, it induces atrophy, reduced acid secretion and marked hypergastrinaemia and cancer.It is remarkable that the interaction between Hp and gastrin may explain the pathogenesis of most diseases in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Respiratory hamartoma in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Authors: Rosenwax AC , Gabor M , Reece RL
Published: November 2013

Case report

An 8‐year‐old female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented with coelomic distension. Palpation revealed an irregular intracoelomic mass. An exploratory coeliotomy was performed and the mass successfully removed. Histopathology determined the mass to be a respiratory hamartoma.

Conclusion

The bird recovered uneventfully and 2 years later showed no evidence of recurrence.
A feline anaesthetic death associated with equipment incompatibility
Authors: O'Hagan BJ , McKinnon C
Published: November 2013

Background

A juvenile cat was anaesthetised for ovariohysterectomy. After intubation, the endotracheal tube was connected to an end‐tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in‐line adapter and then to a non‐rebreathing anaesthetic system. Immediately on connection to the non‐rebreathing system, the patient developed abdominal distension. The endotracheal tube was removed and found to be supplying a continuous flow of oxygen while connected to the ETCO2 monitor adapter and rebreathing system. The adapter was removed from the rebreathing line and the endotracheal tube re‐inserted. Despite resuscitation attempts, the cat died.

Results

Necropsy revealed barotrauma to the lungs and separation of the diaphragm from the dorsal body wall, with retroperitoneal gas accumulation. Close inspection of the gas delivery system revealed the creation of a plastic‐to‐plastic seal between the internal fresh gas pipe of the non‐rebreathing system and the ETCO2 adapter, preventing overflow of excess gas.

Conclusion

Careful assessment of equipment compatibility before every anaesthetic event is essential.
Impact of prior rituximab on outcomes of autologous stem‐cell transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive B‐cell lymphoma: a multicentre retrospective Spanish group of lymphoma/autologous bone marrow transplant study
Authors: Redondo Alba M. , Pomares Helena , Vidal María J. , Pascual María J. , Quereda Belén , Sancho Juan M. , Polo Marta , López Javier , Conde Eulogio , Jarque Isidro , Alonso Natalia , Ramírez María J. , Fernández Pascual , Sayas María J. , Requena María J. , Salar Antonio , González José D. , González‐Barca Eva , Arranz Reyes , Caballero Dolores , Martín Alejandro
Published: November 2013

The use of highly effective rituximab‐containing therapy for treating diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) makes it more difficult to salvage relapsed or refractory patients. Autologous stem‐cell transplantation (ASCT) is the reference treatment for these patients, but the impact of previous exposure to rituximab on the subsequent results of ASCT remains unknown. We analysed 248 patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL or grade 3B follicular lymphoma pre‐treated with rituximab as part of first‐line therapy (R+ group) who received ASCT, in comparison with a control group of 127 patients without previous exposure to rituximab (R− group). The complete remission (CR) rates were similar in both groups. Multivariate analysis identified age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index at diagnosis, extranodal involvement and disease status at transplant, and the number of previous chemotherapy lines as independent factors with a negative influence on CR rate. Compared with R− patients, those in the R+ group had a significantly better progression‐free survival (63% vs. 48% at 5 years) and overall survival (72% vs. 61% at 5 years). This observation was independent of other prognostic factors that affected these outcomes. In conclusion, ASCT is no less effective in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive B‐cell lymphoma pre‐treated with first‐line rituximab‐containing therapy than in rituximab‐naive patients.
Vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) management and screening patterns: are paediatric urologists following the 2010 American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines?
Authors: Sunaryo Peter L. , Cambareri Gina M. , Winston Dock G. , Hanna Moneer K. , Stock Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2013

Objective

To evaluate the current practice patterns of vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) management and screening among paediatric urologists and their relationship with the current American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines in managing and treating VUR.

Subjects and Methods

A 17‐question survey was sent out to 476 paediatric urologists who are members of the Society for Pediatric Urology (SPU). In all, 133 respondents answered the survey and results were included for all questions.

Results

Paediatric urologists who were surveyed were consistent with the 2010 AUA guidelines in the initial evaluation of children with VUR, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis for the child aged < or >1 year, and follow‐up evaluation in children with VUR. Most paediatric urologists do not obtain a serum creatinine on initial screening of children with VUR. The new guidelines address screening of siblings of patients with VUR and most paediatric urologists were consistent with these recommendations. Almost one third of responders screened all neonates diagnosed with prenatal hydronephrosis regardless of clinical history or findings on imaging despite the recommendations of the new guidelines.

Conclusion

We conclude that based on our present sample, most paediatric urologists follow the 2010 AUA guidelines on VUR management.
The MCH1 receptor, an anti‐obesity target, is allosterically inhibited by 8‐methylquinoline derivatives possessing subnanomolar binding and long residence times
Authors: Sakurai T , Ogawa K , Ishihara Y , Kasai S , Nakayama M
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose

Melanin‐concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH1 receptor) antagonists are being considered as anti‐obesity agents. The present study reports a new class of MCH1 receptor antagonists with an 8‐methylquinoline scaffold. The molecular mechanism of MCH1 receptor blockade by these antagonists was examined.

Experimental Approach

The pharmacological properties of the 8‐methylquinolines as exemplified by MQ1 were evaluated by use of multiple biophysical and cell‐based functional assays.

Key Results

Multiple signalling pathways for Gαi and Gαq, and β‐arrestin were inhibited by MQ1. Furthermore, MQ1 produced an insurmountable antagonism, causing a rightward shift of the curve for concentration‐dependent binding of MCH along with a progressive reduction of the maximal response. The dissociation kinetics for MQ1 were determined from washout experiments as well as by affinity selection‐MS. In short, MQ1 was shown to be a slowly dissociating reversible MCH1 receptor blocker with a low Koff value.

Conclusion and Implications

This is the first time that a slowly dissociating negative allosteric modulator of the MCH1 receptor has been demonstrated to inhibit the numerous signalling pathways of this receptor. The characteristics of MQ1 are superior and distinct from previously reported MCH1 receptor antagonists, making members of this chemotype attractive as drug candidates.
How good is a morning cortisol in predicting an adequate response to intramuscular synacthen stimulation?
Authors: Yo Wee Shuan , Toh Li‐Mae , Brown Suzanne J. , Howe Warwick D. , Henley David E. , Lim Ee Mun
Published: November 2013

Context

Previous studies have demonstrated that a morning serum cortisol of <100 nmol/l makes further dynamic testing such as the Synacthen stimulation test (SST) unnecessary to confirm adrenal insufficiency. The morning cortisol level that reliably predicts adrenal sufficiency (AS) is less well established, and values ranging from 300 to 500 nmol/l have been proposed.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the ambulatory morning cortisol level that predicts adrenal sufficiency, as defined by an adequate response to SST, using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.

Design

Observational retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Method & Subjects

We conducted a retrospective audit of SST performed at PathWest Laboratory QEII from January 2006 to August 2008. A total of 761 results were obtained. Patients who were acutely ill or in intensive care, on glucocorticoid therapy, and those with inadequate data or multiple records were excluded from the analysis leaving 505 available for analysis. Baseline serum was obtained prior to intramuscular injection of 250 mcg Synacthen, and a second sample was obtained 30 min post‐Synacthen. AS was defined as a 30‐min post‐Synacthen cortisol of >550 nmol/l; values ≤550 nmol/l were considered inadequate.

Results

Based on SST criteria, of the 505 patients included in the study, 350 patients (69%) were adrenal sufficient and 155 (31%) had adrenal insufficiency. Using the minimum ROC distance criterion, a basal cortisol value of >236 nmol/l was identified to predict AS with sensitivity 84% and specificity 71%. However, to increase the specificity to 95%, we recommend a basal cortisol cut‐off of >375 nmol/l. For patients with known pituitary disease (n = 152), basal cortisol of >214 nmol/l (sensitivity 85% and specificity 71%) may obviate the need for SST in the appropriate clinical context, although 330 nmol/l gives a specificity of 95%.

Conclusion

Basal morning cortisol is a viable first step in the evaluation of patients with suspected adrenal insufficiency.
Dynamic Comics for Hierarchical Abstraction of 3D Animation Data
Authors: Choi Myung Geol , Noh Seung‐Tak , Komura Taku , Igarashi Takeo
Published: November 2013

Image storyboards of films and videos are useful for quick browsing and automatic video processing. A common approach for producing image storyboards is to display a set of selected key‐frames in temporal order, which has been widely used for 2D video data. However, such an approach cannot be applied for 3D animation data because different information is revealed by changing parameters such as the viewing angle and the duration of the animation. Also, the interests of the viewer may be different from person to person. As a result, it is difficult to draw a single image that perfectly abstracts the entire 3D animation data. In this paper, we propose a system that allows users to interactively browse an animation and produce a comic sequence out of it. Each snapshot in the comic optimally visualizes a duration of the original animation, taking into account the geometry and motion of the characters and objects in the scene. This is achieved by a novel algorithm that automatically produces a hierarchy of snapshots from the input animation. Our user interface allows users to arrange the snapshots according to the complexity of the movements by the characters and objects, the duration of the animation and the page area to visualize the comic sequence. Our system is useful for quickly browsing through a large amount of animation data and semi‐automatically synthesizing a storyboard from a long sequence of animation.
Hair Interpolation for Portrait Morphing
Authors: Weng Yanlin , Wang Lvdi , Li Xiao , Chai Menglei , Zhou Kun
Published: November 2013

In this paper we study the problem of hair interpolation: given two 3D hair models, we want to generate a sequence of intermediate hair models that transform from one input to another both smoothly and aesthetically pleasing. We propose an automatic method that efficiently calculates a many‐to‐many strand correspondence between two or more given hair models, taking into account the multi‐scale clustering structure of hair. Experiments demonstrate that hair interpolation can be used for producing more vivid portrait morphing effects and enabling a novel example‐based hair styling methodology, where a user can interactively create new hairstyles by continuously exploring a “style space” spanning multiple input hair models.
Fast Image‐Based Modeling of Astronomical Nebulae
Authors: Wenger Stephan , Lorenz Dirk , Magnor Marcus
Published: November 2013

Astronomical nebulae are among the most complex and visually appealing phenomena known outside the bounds of the Solar System. However, our fixed vantage point on Earth limits us to a single known view of these objects, and their intricate volumetric structure cannot be recovered directly. Recent approaches to reconstructing a volumetric 3D model use the approximate symmetry inherent to many nebulae, but require several hours of computation time on large multi‐GPU clusters. We present a novel reconstruction algorithm based on group sparsity that reaches or even exceeds the quality of prior results while taking only a fraction of the time on a conventional desktop PC, thereby enabling end users in planetariums or educational facilities to produce high‐quality content without expensive hardware or manual modeling. In principle, our approach can be generalized to other transparent phenomena with arbitrary types of user‐specified symmetries.
Robust Denoising using Feature and Color Information
Authors: Rousselle Fabrice , Manzi Marco , Zwicker Matthias
Published: November 2013

We propose a method that robustly combines color and feature buffers to denoise Monte Carlo renderings. On one hand, feature buffers, such as per pixel normals, textures, or depth, are effective in determining denoising filters because features are highly correlated with rendered images. Filters based solely on features, however, are prone to blurring image details that are not well represented by the features. On the other hand, color buffers represent all details, but they may be less effective to determine filters because they are contaminated by the noise that is supposed to be removed. We propose to obtain filters using a combination of color and feature buffers in an NL‐means and cross‐bilateral filtering framework. We determine a robust weighting of colors and features using a SURE‐based error estimate. We show significant improvements in subjective and quantitative errors compared to the previous state‐of‐theart. We also demonstrate adaptive sampling and space‐time filtering for animations.
Soft Folding
Authors: Zhu L. , Igarashi T. , Mitani J.
Published: November 2013

We introduce soft folding, a new interactive method for designing and exploring thin‐plate forms. A user specifies sharp and soft folds as two‐dimensional(2D) curves on a flat sheet, along with the fold magnitude and sharpness of each. Then, based on the soft folds, the system computes the three‐dimensional(3D) folded shape. Internally, the system first computes a fold field, which defines local folding operations on a flat sheet. A fold field is a generalization of a discrete fold graph in origami, replacing a graph with sharp folds with a continuous field with soft folds. Next, local patches are folded independently according to the fold field. Finally, a globally folded 3D shape is obtained by assembling the locally folded patches. This algorithm computes an approximation of 3D developable surfaces with user‐defined soft folds at an interactive speed. The user can later apply nonlinear physical simulation to generate more realistic results. Experimental results demonstrated that soft folding is effective for producing complex folded shapes with controllable sharpness.