bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Australian adults’ knowledge of Australian agriculture
Authors: Worsley Anthony , Wang Wei , Ridley Stacey
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Agriculture is a major generator of wealth and employment in Australia. However, it faces a range of economic and environmental challenges which require substantial community support. The purpose of this paper is to examine Australian adults’ Australian knowledge of, and attitudes towards, Australian agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach

– Online questionnaire survey of 1,026 adults conducted nationwide during August 2012.

Findings

– Most respondents had little knowledge of even the basic aspects of the industry but they approved of farmers’ performance of their roles. Latent class analysis showed that there are two groups of consumers with low and lower levels of knowledge. The respondents’ age, rural residence and universalist values were positive predictors of agricultural knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– This was a cross-sectional, quota-based survey which examined only some aspects of agriculture. However, the findings suggest that more communication with the general public about the industry is required in order to build on the positive sentiment that exists within the community.

Practical implications

– More education about agriculture in schools and higher education is indicated.

Social implications

– The poor state of knowledge of agriculture threatens the social contract upon which agricultural communities depend for survival.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the poor state of general knowledge about agriculture in Australia. The findings could be used as a baseline against which the efficacy of future education programmes could be assessed.
The impacts of green claims on coffee consumers’ purchase intention
Authors: Chen Mei-Fang , Lee Chia-Lin
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– As huge environmental impacts caused by the coffee industry are significant and controversial in the course from cultivation to consumption, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether or not different types of green claims based on the product lifecycle can lead to different extents of green psychological variables including purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– The green claims of Starbucks were chosen as the research target for this study not only because the coffee chain store is working on the “Starbucks” Shared Planet’ program, which makes a commitment to do business in ways that are good for people and the planet, but also because such a program can be categorized into three major green message elements on the basis of the product lifecycle. A total of 920 valid self-reported questionnaires collected in Taiwan were used for this empirical analysis.

Findings

– One-way ANOVA results reveal that all of the three green claims of Starbucks can lead to consumers building up the same level of green brand image of this company, with “ethical sourcing” significantly possessing more impacts on the other green psychological variables (i.e. green trust, green satisfaction, green brand equity, and green purchase intention).

Practical implications

– The empirical results and findings from this study are helpful to the coffee industry marketers if they, in formulating various promotion campaigns, can communicate with the consumers with an eye to increasing their green brand image and other green psychological variables, including green purchase intention.

Originality/value

– This study is among the first to introduce different types of green claims on a basis of the product lifecycle to examine whether or not consumers’ green psychological variables will be different.
Risk management implementation in small and medium enterprises in the UK construction industry
Authors: Rostami Ali , Sommerville James , Wong Ing Liang , Lee Cynthia
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The competition and challenges facing construction firms during the recent recession have brought risk management (RM) to the fore in people’s minds. Examination of the difficulties of implementing RM in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK construction industry has been relatively untouched. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– As part of on-going research to facilitate RM processing aimed at improving the competitiveness of SMEs, the difficulties in RM implementation were identified through a literature review of RM implementation in SMEs. Postal questionnaire were sent to SMEs who have experience of construction management.

Findings

– Of the 153 of SMEs responding, most highlighted that the main difficulty experienced is how to scale RM process to meet their requirements. None of the available standards explain the fundamental principle of applying RM to the situations that SMEs find themselves in. This difficulty is further exacerbated by a lack of management skills and knowledge in the adoption of RM tools or techniques to identify and analyse the business’ risks.

Originality/value

– The identified difficulties can be considered to develop a process to facilitate RM process within SMEs.
Management by obedience: the patterns that lead to evil acts
Authors: Johannessen Jon-Arild
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– If we know something about the patterns and conditions of crime against humanity, we may perhaps at an early point be able to diagnose and identify developments that lead to these acts. If such developments can be diagnosed, it will be easier for the international community to intervene and stop developments that can lead to a human catastrophe. Consequently, the main reason to examine the patterns and conditions for crime against humanity is to contribute to efforts that will ensure that this crimes likely do not happen again. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Designing system of propositions to develop a theory of crime against humanity, using a typology and conceptual models.

Findings

– Development of a model for management by obedience leading to evil acts.

Research limitations/implications

– Understanding patterns leading to evil acts.

Practical implications

– A model of management by obedience. The model is a way to understand and explain crimes against humanity from a systemic perspective.

Originality/value

– Development of a typology of crimes against humanity and development of a theory (system of propositions) of crimes against humanity.
Country perspective on medical tourism: the Malaysian experience
Authors: Abd Manaf Noor Hazilah , Hussin Husnayati , Jahn Kassim Puteri Nemie , Alavi Rokiah , Dahari Zainurin
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The study seeks to explore the perception of international patients on Malaysia as a medical tourism destination country, as well as overall patient satisfaction, perceived value and future intention for repeat treatment and services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Self-administered questionnaire was the main method of data collection. The survey covered major private hospitals in medical tourists’ states in the country, namely, Penang, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Convenience sampling was used due to the condition of patients as respondents.

Findings

– Indonesian patients formed the largest majority of international patients in the country. Five dimensions of medical tourism in Malaysia was identified, namely, hospital and staff, country factor, combining tourism and health services, cost saving and insurance and unavailability of treatment. Of these, hospital and staff was found to be the most important factor for the patients. Perception of value, overall satisfaction and intention for future treatment was also found to be high. This indicates that Malaysia is on the right footing in this burgeoning industry.

Practical implications

– Findings from the study will enable policy-makers to better position Malaysia as a medical tourist destination country.

Originality/value

– Medical tourism is a recent phenomenon and very little empirical research has been carried out at the patient level. This study is one of the first few studies which seek to explore medical tourism from the perspective of the patients themselves.
Using focus groups in naturally occurring settings
Authors: Brown Sally
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the experiences of conducting focus groups amongst acquaintances in naturally occurring settings, where participants were known to each other and participation was less about being recruited, and more about being there when the focus group took place.

Design/methodology/approach

– This was a qualitative study of multi-generational experiences of teenage parenting, and used interviews and focus groups. The study took an ethnographic approach, using case studies with a small number (4) of families, plus supplementary interviews, and focus groups with teenage parents and parents-to-be.

Findings

– Using focus groups in naturally occurring settings alongside other qualitative data collection affords insights into the research topic that would not otherwise be available.

Originality/value

– The paper discusses the challenges and benefits of using naturally occurring groups, and reflects on the way the findings from these groups illuminated aspects of the study concerning relationships. It argues that naturally occurring groups have advantages over conventionally organised focus groups that contribute to a deeper understanding of relationships between members.
Distinct characteristics of Scytalidium dimidiatum and non‐dermatophyte onychomycosis as compared with dermatophyte onychomycosis
Authors: Bunyaratavej Sumanas , Prasertworonun Nuntida , Leeyaphan Charussri , Chaiwanon Onjuta , Muanprasat Chanai , Matthapan Lalita
Published: January 2015

Studies of demographic data, predisposing factors and clinical manifestations of non‐dermatophyte mold (NDM) infection particularly in Scytalidium spp. have been limited. This study aimed to compare these data between dermatophytes (DMP) and NDM onychomycosis with statistical analysis. This was a retrospective chart review of outpatients with onychomycosis in the Nail Clinic of Department of Dermatology between January 2011 and December 2013. A total of 237 patients who had presented with onychomycosis were included. One hundred and eighty patients (75.9%) were infected with DMP: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 46.8%; and Trichophyton rubrum, 28.3%. Of patients who had NDM onychomycosis, 17.3% were Scytalidium dimidiatum and 6.8% were Fusarium spp. Comparing the DMP and NDM groups, family history of superficial fungal infection was significantly demonstrated in the DMP group. Approximately 50% of patients in both groups had feet infections. However, no patients with NDM onychomycosis had fungal glabrous skin infection at other sites beyond the feet that was statistically different from cases with DMP onychomycosis. In conclusion, The distinct characteristic of patients with NDM onychomycosis was absence of fungal glabrous skin infection in areas other than the feet. This was statistically different from DMP.
Behavioural phenotypes in the classroom: a qualitative study of parental and teacher knowledge of classroom guidelines and teacher views on best practices
Authors: Reilly Colin , Murtagh Lelia , Senior Joyce
Published: January 2015

Research suggests that genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability often have specific cognitive and behavioural profiles. It has been suggested that educational approaches need to reflect these profiles. Parents (n = 381) and teachers (n = 204) of children with one of four syndromes, fragile X syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Williams syndrome and velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome were surveyed. Syndromes were compared with respect to what parents and teachers had researched or been told with respect to appropriate educational approaches. Parent and teacher reports were subsequently compared with actual published guidelines on the syndromes. Teachers were also surveyed on what they felt were successful approaches based on actual experiences of teaching the children. Parent and teacher reports of efficacious strategies for supporting their children based on what they had been researched or been told differed across syndromes as might be anticipated. However, differences between parents and teachers and between parent/teacher reports and the published guidelines suggest that parent and teacher knowledge of guidelines is deficient and/or that parents and teachers are accessing knowledge elsewhere. With respect to teaching practices, there were much less differences between the syndromes than in the published guidelines indicating that differences between syndromes in guidelines may not be as evident in practice.
Volatility Forecasting and Time‐varying Variance Risk Premiums in Grains Commodity Markets
Authors: Triantafyllou Athanasios , Dotsis George , Sarris Alexandros H.
Published: January 2015

In this paper we examine empirically the predictive power of model‐free option‐implied variance and skewness in wheat, maize and soybeans derivative markets. We find that option‐implied risk‐neutral variance outperforms historical variance as a predictor of future realised variance for these three commodities. In addition, we find that risk‐neutral option‐implied skewness significantly improves variance forecasting when added in the information variable set. Variance risk premia add significant predictive power when included as an additional factor for predicting future commodity returns.
Strategic Mortgage Default: The Effect of Neighborhood Factors
Authors: Bradley Michael G. , Cutts Amy Crews , Liu Wei
Published: January 2015

This article studies strategic default—the willingness of a borrower to walk away from a mortgage when the value of the home falls below the unpaid principal balance despite an ability to pay. This study differs from the literature in two fundamental ways. First, we use unique data assets describing the household's equity position and capacity to carry the debt in addition to credit performance to identify strategic defaulters accurately. Second, we address externalities from local foreclosures and other strategic defaults and find that the incidence of strategic default is sensitive to the presence of other nearby strategic defaulters. These results have significant implications for foreclosure and loss mitigation policies employed by servicers and investors.
Navigating health priorities and motivators during pregnancy and new motherhood
Authors: Maher Judith H. , Lowe John B.
Published: January 2015

Aim

To explore the health‐related priorities of women during pregnancy and early motherhood and the motivators underpinning these.

Methods

Qualitative semi‐structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 28 mothers living in Queensland, Australia, with at least one child under 5. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using both descriptive and interpretive approaches.

Results

Participants described health priorities as actions and behaviours they associated with producing health or being healthy, including dietary practices and being active. Key motivators underpinning these health priorities were identified including the sense of responsibility, conforming to social norms and health guidance, and developing and enacting self‐direction.

Conclusions

Results provide insight into the broader context within which women make decisions about health and nutrition‐related practices reflecting the complex ways which health perspectives and experience intersect, and the challenge of navigating the cacophony of ‘voices’ and personal priorities. These results can guide practitioners when reflecting on current ways of supporting and educating mothers during this life stage.
MetaPopGen: an r package to simulate population genetics in large size metapopulations
Authors: Andrello Marco , Manel Stéphanie
Published: January 2015

Population genetics simulation models are useful tools to study the effects of demography and environmental factors on genetic variation and genetic differentiation. They allow for studying species and populations with complex life histories, spatial distribution and many other complicating factors that make analytical treatment impracticable. Most simulation models are individual‐based: this poses a limitation to simulation of very large populations because of the limits in computer memory and long computation times. To overcome these limitations, we propose an intermediate approach that allows modelling of very complex demographic scenarios, which would be intractable with analytical models, and removes the limitations imposed by large population size, which affect individual‐based simulation models. We implement this approach in a software package for the r environment, MetaPopGen. The innovative concept of this approach with respect to the other population genetic simulators is that it focuses on genotype numbers rather than on individuals. Genotype numbers are iterated through time by using random number generators for appropriate probabilistic distributions to reproduce the stochasticity inherent to Mendelian segregation, survival, dispersal and reproduction. Features included in the model are age structure, monoecious and dioecious (or separate sexes) life cycles, mutation, dispersal and selection. The model simulates only one locus at a time. All demographic parameters can be genotype‐, sex‐, age‐, deme‐ and time‐dependent. MetaPopGen is therefore indicated to study large populations and very complex demographic scenarios. We illustrate the capabilities of MetaPopGen by applying it to the case of a marine fish metapopulation in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ethnic Drinking Cultures, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status in Asian American and Latino Drinking
Authors: Cook Won K. , Caetano Raul
Published: January 2015

Background

Heterogeneity in drinking across national groups is well documented, but what explains such heterogeneity is less clear. To improve understanding of the underlying cultural conditions that may lead to diverse drinking outcomes, we investigate whether 3 dimensions of ethnic drinking culture (EDC)—alcohol consumption level, drinking prevalence, and detrimental drinking pattern (DDP) in the country of origin (COO)—are significantly associated with alcohol consumption in Asian Americans and Latina/os, and whether the associations vary by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) as assessed by educational level.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of 1,012 Asian American and 4,831 Latino adults extracted from the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data was used. A series of multiple logistic and linear regression models were fitted separately for Asian Americans and for Latinos. Analyses were also stratified by gender and educational level.

Results

Overall, the associations between EDC variables and drinking outcomes were more pronounced for all Asian Americans than for all Latina/os, for males than for females among Asian Americans, and for Latinas than for Latinos. In analyses simultaneously stratifying on gender and education level, however, there was a clear pattern of COO DDP associated with heavier drinking and alcohol consumption volume only for Latinos without a college degree.

Conclusions

Ethnic drinking cultures may influence drinking in Asian American and Latino subgroups, albeit to a varying degree. Low‐SES Latinos may be at disproportionate risk of harmful drinking patterns pervasive in their COO. Future research might investigate the complex interplay between socioeconomic disadvantage and cultural conditions to inform targeted interventions for subgroups at high risk of alcohol‐related harms.
Moderate‐Level Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Sex Differences in Dopamine D1 Receptor Binding in Adult Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Converse Alexander K. , Moore Colleen F. , Holden James E. , Ahlers Elizabeth O. , Moirano Jeffrey M. , Larson Julie A. , Resch Leslie M. , DeJesus Onofre T. , Barnhart Todd E. , Nickles Robert J. , Murali Dhanabalan , Christian Bradley T. , Schneider Mary L.
Published: January 2015

Background

We examined the effects of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and/or prenatal stress exposure on (D1R) binding in a non human primate model. The dopamine D1R is involved in executive function, and it may play a role in cognitive behavioral deficits associated with prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure. Little is known, however, about the effects of prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure on the D1R. We expected that prenatal insults would lead to alterations in D1R binding in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum in adulthood.

Methods

Rhesus macaque females were randomly assigned to moderate alcohol exposure and/or mild prenatal stress as well as a control condition during pregnancy. Thirty‐eight offspring were raised identically and studied as adults by noninvasive in vivo neuroimaging using positron emission tomography with the D1 antagonist radiotracer [11C]SCH 23390. Radiotracer binding in PFC and striatum was evaluated by 2 (alcohol) × 2 (stress) × 2 (sex) analysis of variance.

Results

In PFC, a significant alcohol × sex interaction was observed with prenatal alcohol exposure leading to increased [11C]SCH 23390 binding in male monkeys. No main effect of prenatal alcohol or prenatal stress exposure was observed.

Conclusions

These results suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure results in long‐term increases in prefrontal dopamine D1R binding in males. This may help explain gender differences in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders consequent to prenatal alcohol exposure.
N‐Acetylcysteine Inhibits the Up‐Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis Genes in Livers From Rats Fed Ethanol Chronically
Authors: Caro Andres A. , Bell Matthew , Ejiofor Shannon , Zurcher Grant , Petersen Dennis R. , Ronis Martin J. J.
Published: January 2015

Background

Chronic ethanol (EtOH) administration to experimental animals induces hepatic oxidative stress and up‐regulates mitochondrial biogenesis. The mechanisms by which chronic EtOH up‐regulates mitochondrial biogenesis have not been fully explored. In this work, we hypothesized that oxidative stress is a factor that triggers mitochondrial biogenesis after chronic EtOH feeding. If our hypothesis is correct, co‐administration of antioxidants should prevent up‐regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes.

Methods

Rats were fed an EtOH‐containing diet intragastrically by total enteral nutrition for 150 days, in the absence or presence of the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) at 1.7 g/kg/d; control rats were administered isocaloric diets where carbohydrates substituted for EtOH calories.

Results

EtOH administration significantly increased hepatic oxidative stress, evidenced as decreased liver total glutathione and reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio. These effects were inhibited by co‐administration of EtOH and NAC. Chronic EtOH increased the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma‐coactivator‐1 alpha and mitochondrial transcription factor A, and mitochondrial DNA; co‐administration of EtOH and NAC prevented these effects. Chronic EtOH administration was associated with decreased mitochondrial mass, inactivation and depletion of mitochondrial complex I and complex IV, and increased hepatic mitochondrial oxidative damage, effects that were not prevented by NAC.

Conclusions

These results suggest that oxidative stress caused by chronic EtOH triggered the up‐regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes in rat liver, because an antioxidant such as NAC prevented both effects. Because NAC did not prevent liver mitochondrial oxidative damage, extra‐mitochondrial effects of reactive oxygen species may regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. In spite of the induction of hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis genes by chronic EtOH, mitochondrial mass and function decreased probably in association with mitochondrial oxidative damage. These results also predict that the effectiveness of NAC as an antioxidant therapy for chronic alcoholism will be limited by its limited antioxidant effects in mitochondria, and its inhibitory effect on mitochondrial biogenesis.
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Impairs Executive Function in Mice into Adulthood
Authors: Marquardt Kristin , Sigdel Rahul , Caldwell Kevin , Brigman Jonathan L.
Published: January 2015

Background

Despite evidence that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to a wide range of impairments in cognitive, social, and emotional behaviors, drinking during pregnancy remains common. Although there is a general understanding that high levels of drinking during pregnancy are unsafe, conflicting evidence regarding the impact of low intake may account for the persistence of this behavior.

Methods

To investigate the effects of PAE on learning and executive control, we utilized a voluntary paradigm where pregnant mice had access to a saccharin‐sweetened 10% alcohol solution for 4 hours, during the dark cycle, throughout gestation. Male and female offspring were tested as adults on a touch‐screen discrimination and reversal task mediated by corticostriatal circuits.

Results

Consistent with previous findings, PAE did not lead to gross morphological, motor, or sensory alterations in offspring. Both PAE and saccharin control female mice were slower to acquire the discrimination than males, but PAE did not impair associative learning in either sex. During reversal, PAE led to a specific and significant impairment in the early phase, where cortical control is most required to flexibly alter choice behavior. PAE mice showed a significant increase in maladaptive perseverative responses but showed intact learning of the new association during late reversal.

Conclusions

Previously, data from clinical studies have suggested that executive control deficits may underlie cognitive, as well as social, problems seen in adolescents with documented PAE. These data demonstrate that even more moderate alcohol exposure during development can lead to impaired cognitive functioning well into adulthood.
Characteristics of Women Who Consume Alcohol Before and After Pregnancy Recognition in a Canadian Sample: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: McDonald Sheila W. , Hicks Matthew , Rasmussen Carmen , Nagulesapillai Tharsiya , Cook Jocelynn , Tough Suzanne C.
Published: January 2015

Background

High levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are teratogenic to fetal development, yet less is known about the effects of low levels of consumption. Only a few studies have reported on the predictors and maternal characteristics associated with different alcohol consumption patterns prior to and following pregnancy recognition.

Methods

The All Our Babies longitudinal study in Alberta, Canada was used to analyze the association of maternal characteristics with binge drinking prior to pregnancy recognition and low to moderate levels after pregnancy recognition among 2,246 women who consumed alcohol 1 year prior to pregnancy. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted.

Results

Thirteen percent of women reported binge drinking prior to pregnancy recognition. Forty‐six percent reported drinking after pregnancy recognition, almost all at low to moderate levels. Significant, independent predictors (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) of binge drinking in early pregnancy included high school or less education (3.61, 1.81 to 7.19), some or completed university/college (2.23, 1.16 to 4.27), nulliparity (1.62, 1.19, 2.20), not trying to get pregnant (1.92, 1.37 to 2.69), smoked in the year prior to pregnancy (1.98, 1.43 to 2.73), binge drinking in the year prior to pregnancy (10.83, 6.71 to 17.46), and low dispositional optimism (1.73, 1.23 to 2.42). Independent predictors of low to moderate average levels of consumption after pregnancy recognition included not trying to get pregnant (1.91, 1.45 to 2.52), prepregnancy body mass index <25.0 kg/m2 (1.41, 1.61 to 1.72), smoking in the year before pregnancy (1.90, 1.43 to 2.53), and binge drinking in the year before pregnancy (2.62, 2.16 to 3.18).

Conclusions

Common risk factors for different alcohol consumption patterns are unintended pregnancy and substance use behaviors prior to pregnancy. Other risk factors were specific to the different patterns. Targeted strategies that address the needs of alcohol or nicotine using women and that can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy may be beneficial.
Effects of Naltrexone on Neural and Subjective Response to Alcohol in Treatment‐Seeking Alcohol‐Dependent Patients
Authors: Spagnolo Primavera A. , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Schwandt Melanie L. , Zhang Lishu , Blaine Sara K. , Usala Julie M. , Diamond Kristie A. , Phillips Monte J. , George David T. , Momenan Reza , Heilig Markus
Published: January 2015

Background

Positively reinforcing properties of alcohol are in part mediated by activation of the ventral striatum (VS). Alcohol‐induced release of endogenous opioids is thought to contribute to this response. Preclinical studies show that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) can block this cascade, but its ability to do so in treatment‐seeking alcoholics has not been examined. Our objective was to study the effects of NTX on alcohol‐induced VS activation and on amygdala response to affective stimuli in treatment‐seeking alcohol‐dependent inpatients.

Methods

Sixty‐three treatment‐seeking alcoholics were randomized to receive NTX (50 mg) or placebo (PLC) daily. On Day 7, participants underwent an alcohol cue reactivity session, and craving was measured using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. On Day 9, participants received a saline infusion followed by an alcohol infusion and also viewed affective stimuli in a magnetic resonance scanner.

Results

Irrespective of medication treatment condition, the alcohol infusion did not activate the VS in the alcohol‐dependent patients. Unexpectedly, VS activation was greater in NTX treated patients than in the PLC group. NTX treated patients also reported increased craving in response to alcohol cue exposure, and increased subjective response to alcohol (“high” and “intoxicated”) compared to PLC subjects. No significant effects of alcohol infusion on brain response to affective stimuli were in the NTX or PLC groups.

Conclusions

Unlike previous findings in social drinkers, a moderate level of intoxication did not activate the VS in treatment‐seeking alcoholics. This is likely to reflect tolerance to the positively reinforcing properties of alcohol in this clinical population. Our findings may help explain the efficacy of NTX to reduce heavy drinking, but not to maintain abstinence.
Effects of Varenicline on Ethanol‐Induced Conditioned Place Preference, Locomotor Stimulation, and Sensitization
Authors: Gubner Noah R. , McKinnon Carrie S. , Phillips Tamara J.
Published: January 2015

Background

Varenicline, a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, is a promising new drug for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) dependence. Varenicline has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation therapeutic and has also been found to reduce EtOH consumption in humans and animal models of alcohol use. These studies examined the hypotheses that varenicline attenuates the stimulant and sensitizing effects of EtOH and reduces the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues. The goal was to determine whether these effects of varenicline contribute to its pharmacotherapeutic effects for alcohol dependence. In addition, effects of varenicline on acute stimulation and/or on the acquisition of sensitization would suggest a role for nAChR involvement in these effects of EtOH.

Methods

Dose‐dependent effects of varenicline on the expression of EtOH‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor activation, and behavioral sensitization were examined. These measures model motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues, euphoric or stimulatory effects of EtOH, and EtOH‐induced neuroadaptation. All studies used DBA/2J mice, an inbred strain with high sensitivity to these EtOH‐related effects.

Results

Varenicline did not significantly attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced CPP. Varenicline reduced locomotor activity and had the most pronounced effect in the presence of EtOH, with the largest effect on acute EtOH‐induced locomotor stimulation and a trend for varenicline to attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced sensitization.

Conclusions

Because varenicline did not attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced CPP, it may not be effective at reducing the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues. This outcome suggests that reductions in the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues may not be involved in how varenicline reduces EtOH consumption. However, varenicline did have effects on locomotor behavior and significantly attenuated acute EtOH‐induced locomotor stimulation. In humans who drink while taking varenicline, it might similarly reduce stimulant responses and have an impact on continued drinking. General sedative effects in such individuals should be carefully considered.
Heritability of compulsive Internet use in adolescents
Authors: Vink Jacqueline M. , van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Huppertz Charlotte , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: January 2015

Over the past decades, Internet use has grown substantially, and it now serves people as a supportive tool that is used regularly and—in large parts of the world—inevitably. Some people develop problematic Internet use, which may lead to addictive behavior and it is becoming important to explore the risk factors for compulsive Internet use. Data were analyzed on compulsive Internet use [with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)] from 5247 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) adolescent twins registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. The participants form a sample that is informative for genetic analyses, allowing the investigation of the causes of individual differences in compulsive Internet use. The internal consistency of the instrument was high and the 1.6‐year test–retest correlation in a subsample (n = 902) was 0.55. CIUS scores increased slightly with age. Remarkably, gender did not explain variation in CIUS scores, as mean scores on the CIUS were the same in boys and girls. However, the time spent on specific Internet activities differed: boys spent more time on gaming, whereas girls spent more time on social network sites and chatting. The heritability estimates were the same for boys and girls: 48 percent of the individual differences in CIUS score were influenced by genetic factors. The remaining variance (52 percent) was due to environmental influences that were not shared between family members. Because a life without Internet is almost impossible nowadays, it is important to further explore the determinants of compulsive Internet use, including genetic risk factors.
Recovery of plant diversity in restored semi‐natural pastures depends on adjacent land use
Authors: Winsa Marie , Bommarco Riccardo , Lindborg Regina , Marini Lorenzo , Öckinger Erik
Published: January 2015

Questions

Does restoration success of formerly abandoned semi‐natural pastures depend on adjacent land use? Is species richness higher in restored pastures adjacent to an intact semi‐natural pasture than in restored pastures adjacent to arable land? Does community similarity between a restored and an adjacent intact pasture decrease with distance from the border between the two pastures? Do differences in species richness and community similarity decrease over time?

Location

Agricultural landscapes in south‐central Sweden.

Methods

The plant community in previously abandoned but now restored semi‐natural pastures was surveyed along a distance gradient from the border between the restored pastures and adjacent fields towards the centre of the pastures. The restored pastures were located adjacent to either a crop field (N = 8) or a continuously grazed pasture (N = 6), and differed in time since restoration (1–13 yr).

Results

The total species richness was higher in pastures adjoining continuously grazed pastures compared to crop fields. Richness of both total and specialist species increased with time since restoration. Irrespective of adjacent land use, richness of specialist species decreased with increasing distance from the edge, an effect that became weaker with increasing time since restoration. The similarity in species composition compared to that in adjacent continuously grazed pasture also decreased towards the centre of the restored pasture.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that restoration of biodiversity in semi‐natural pastures benefits from adjacent pastures that can act as source habitats. The most likely mechanism is step‐wise short‐distance dispersal, but also other processes, such as more long‐distance dispersal, seed bank dynamics and historical legacies are probably involved. To best succeed in habitat restoration in fragmented landscapes, the spatial location of source populations must be considered.
Improving Efficiency in Clinical Trials Using Auxiliary Information: Application of a Multi-State Cure Model
Authors: Conlon A. S. C. , Taylor J. M. G. , Sargent D. J.
Published: January 2015

In clinical trials, an intermediate marker measured after randomization can often provide early information about the treatment effect on the final outcome of interest. We explore the use of recurrence time as an auxiliary variable for estimating the treatment effect on overall survival in phase three randomized trials of colon cancer. A multi-state model with an incorporated cured fraction for recurrence is used to jointly model time to recurrence and time to death. We explore different ways in which the information about recurrence time and the assumptions in the model can lead to improved efficiency. Estimates of overall survival and disease-free survival can be derived directly from the model with efficiency gains obtained as compared to Kaplan–Meier estimates. Alternatively, efficiency gains can be achieved by using the model in a weaker way in a multiple imputation procedure, which imputes death times for censored subjects. By using the joint model, recurrence is used as an auxiliary variable in predicting survival times. We demonstrate the potential use of the proposed methods in shortening the length of a trial and reducing sample sizes.
Exploring the concept of eating dyscontrol in severely obese patients candidate to bariatric surgery
Authors: Calderone A. , Mauri M. , Calabrò P. F. , Piaggi P. , Ceccarini G. , Lippi C. , Fierabracci P. , Landi A. , Vitti P. , Santini F.
Published: January 2015

Eating dyscontrol constitutes a potential negative predictor for the outcome of treatment strategies for obese patients. The aim of this study was to examine the qualitative characteristics of eating dyscontrol in obese patients who engage in binge eating (BE) compared with those who do not (NBE), and to analyse the relationship between eating dyscontrol and axis‐I, axis‐II, spectrum psychopathology using instruments that explore mood, panic–agoraphobic, social–phobic, obsessive–compulsive and eating disorders spectrum psychopathology (SCI‐MOODS‐SR, SCI‐PAS‐SR, SCI‐SHY‐SR, SCI‐OBS‐SR, SCI‐ABS‐SR). This was a cross‐sectional study involving a clinical sample of adult obese patients with severe obesity (average body mass index = 45 ± 8 kg m−2) and candidate to bariatric surgery who were recruited between November 2001 and November 2010 at the Obesity Center of the Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa. All participants completed a face‐to‐face interview, including a diagnostic assessment of axes‐I and II mental disorders (using the Structured Clinical Interview for Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition [SCID]‐I and SCID‐II) and filled out self‐report spectrum instruments. Among obese patients not affected by BE, eating dyscontrol was highly represented. Indeed, 39.7% (N = 177) of subjects endorsed six or more items of the Anorexia–Bulimia Spectrum Self‐Report, lifetime version domain exploring this behaviour. The cumulative probability of having axis‐I, axis‐II and a spectrum condition disorder increased significantly with the number of eating dyscontrol items endorsed. In both BE and NBE obese subjects, eating dyscontrol may represent an independent dimension strongly related to the spectrum psychopathology and axes I/II disorders. A systematic screening for eating dyscontrol symptoms by means of self‐report spectrum instruments may be valuable to assign specific treatment strategies.
Associations between fitness and mobility capacity in school‐aged children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Balemans Astrid C J , Van Wely Leontien , Becher Jules G , Dallmeijer Annet J
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the longitudinal associations among fitness components and between fitness and mobility capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Forty‐six children (26 males, 20 females; mean age 9y 7mo [SD 1y 8mo]) with a bilateral (n=24) or a unilateral spastic CP (n=22) participated in aerobic and anaerobic fitness measurements on a cycle ergometer and isometric muscle strength tests (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I [n=26], level II [n=12], level III [n=8]). Mobility capacity was assessed with the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and a walking capacity test. Associations over longitudinal measurements (three or four measurements over 1y) were determined since longitudinal data allow a more accurate estimation. The associations were determined using a mixed model with fixed effects (mobility capacity as dependent variables and fitness components as independent variables) and a random intercept.

Results

In children with bilateral CP, changes in aerobic fitness were associated with changes in anaerobic fitness (p<0.001), and changes in aerobic fitness showed an association with changes in muscle strength (p<0.05). Anaerobic fitness was not associated with muscle strength. No associations between fitness components were found in unilateral CP. Anaerobic fitness and muscle strength were significant determinants for GMFM and walking capacity in bilateral but not in unilateral CP.

Interpretation

The longitudinal associations between aerobic and anaerobic fitness and mobility indicate that increasing either aerobic or anaerobic fitness is associated with improvements in mobility in children with bilateral CP. While increasing anaerobic fitness might be beneficial for mobility capacity in children with bilateral CP, this is less likely for children with unilateral CP.
Gestational age and learning disabilities
Authors: Alloway Tracy Packiam , Horton John
Published: January 2015

This commentary is on the systematic review by Kovachy et al. on pages 410–419 of this issue.
X marks the spot: motor endplate‐targeted botulinum toxin injections of the gracilis
Authors: Smith Martin
Published: January 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Van Campenhout et al. on pages 476–483 of this issue.
Validation of the Diabetes Family Impact Scale: a new measure of diabetes‐specific family impact
Authors: Katz M. L. , Volkening L. K. , Dougher C. E. , Laffel L. M. B.
Published: January 2015

Aims

To develop and validate the Diabetes Family Impact Scale, a scale to measure the impact of diabetes on families.

Methods

The Diabetes Family Impact Scale was developed by an iterative process, with input from multidisciplinary diabetes providers and parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. The psychometric properties of the Diabetes Family Impact Scale were assessed in parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. This assessment included internal consistency, convergent validity and exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Parents (n = 148) of children (mean ± sd age 12.9 ± 3.3 years) with Type 1 diabetes (mean ± sd duration 6.2 ± 3.6 years) completed the 15‐item Diabetes Family Impact Scale. After eliminating one item, the 14‐item measure demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α  =  0.84). Correlations between the Diabetes Family Impact Scale and measures of parent diabetes burden (r = 0.48, P < 0.0001), stressful life events (r = 0.28, P = 0.0007), and child's quality of life (r = ‐0.52 and ‐0.54, P < 0.0001 for generic and diabetes‐specific quality of life, respectively) supported the convergent validity of the instrument. Factor analysis identified four factors corresponding to the four survey domains (school, work, finances and family well‐being).

Conclusions

The Diabetes Family Impact Scale measures diabetes‐specific family impacts with good internal consistency and convergent validity and may be a useful tool in clinical and research settings.
The Development of a Comprehensive and Coherent Theory of Learning
Authors: Illeris Knud
Published: January 2015

This article is an account of how the author developed a comprehensive understanding of human learning over a period of almost 50 years. The learning theory includes the structure of learning, different types of learning, barriers of learning as well as how individual dispositions, age, the learning environment and general social and societal conditions influence learning possibilities. All this started when the author, aged 27, broke off his career as a travel agent and joined a course for matriculation at the university. He found this course extremely ineffective and got the idea that a firm knowledge about how human learning takes place might be a starting point for the development of more engaging and effective learning, teaching, schooling and education. Over the years, he gathered inspiration from a broad range of learning theorists such as Piaget, Rogers, Ausuble, Leithäuser, Schön, Kolb, Furth, Mezirow, Kegan and his own Danish instructor, Thomas Nissen. But the theory was built up as his own structure by critically adding new elements from the examination of other theories and carefully analysing experience from teaching, supervising and observing learning courses at all levels from primary school to adult education and university studies.
UNESCO, the Faure Report, the Delors Report, and the Political Utopia of Lifelong Learning
Authors: Elfert Maren
Published: January 2015

Two education reports commissioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Learning to be, otherwise known as the Faure report (1972) and Learning: The treasure within, otherwise known as the Delors report (1996), have been associated with the establishment of lifelong learning as a global educational paradigm. In this article, which draws on archival research and interviews, I will explore how these two reports have contributed to debates on the purpose of education and learning. In the first half, I will shed light on their origins, the context in which they came about, how they have been received by the education community and by UNESCO member states and how they have been discussed in the scholarly literature. In the second half, I will discuss the key themes of the reports, in particular lifelong learning as the global educational ‘master concept’. In the last section, I will reflect on how the Faure report and the Delors report are still relevant for our debates about learning today. I will argue that the concept of lifelong learning, as put forward by these reports, was a political utopia which is at odds with today's utilitarian view of education.