bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin B12 and folate status in early pregnancy and cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring at age 5–6 years: findings from the ABCD multi‐ethnic birth cohort
Authors: Krikke GG , Grooten IJ , Vrijkotte TGM , van Eijsden M , Roseboom TJ , Painter RC
Published: August 2015

Objective

To explore whether maternal vitamin B12 and folate status during early pregnancy are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in the offspring at age 5–6.

Design

Prospective multi‐ethnic birth cohort, the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study (ABCD).

Setting

12 373 pregnant women living in Amsterdam were approached between 2003 and 2004 for participation in the study.

Population

Mother–child pairs for whom information on maternal vitamin B12 or folate status in early gestation and health at age 5–6 years was available (n = 1950).

Methods

Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were determined in maternal serum at intake in early pregnancy (median 13 weeks' gestation). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and fasting blood samples were collected during a health check of children aged 5–6 years. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the association between maternal serum concentrations and children's outcomes, corrected for confounders.

Main outcome measures

Gestational age at birth, birthweight, body mass index (BMI), glucose levels, triglyceride levels, blood pressure and heart rate of the offspring at age 5–6.

Results

Low maternal folate levels during early pregnancy were associated with slightly higher BMI in the offspring [decrease per 10 units: β 0.07 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01, 0.13]. Low maternal vitamin B12 concentrations were associated with higher heart rates (decrease per 100 units: β 0.49 beats/min, 95% CI 0.11, 0.87).

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence that maternal nutrition in early pregnancy may possibly program cardiometabolic health of the offspring.

Tweetable abstract

Low folate and vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy are associated with higher BMI and heart rate in offspring.
Ethnic outbidding and nested competition: Explaining the extremism of ethnonational minority parties in Europe
Authors: Zuber Christina Isabel , Szöcsik Edina
Published: August 2015

The classical outbidding model of ethnic politics argues that democratic competition involving ethnic parties inevitably leads to ethnic outbidding where parties adopt ever more extreme positions. However, recent small‐N studies show that ethnic outbidding is only one of a range of strategies available to ethnic parties. This article seeks to explain why some ethnic parties are extremist, whereas others adopt moderate positions. Drawing on the ethnic outbidding and the nested competition model of ethnic party competition, it is hypothesised that the ethnic segmentation of the electoral market, and the relative salience of an ethnically cross‐cutting economic dimension of party competition, account for the varying degrees of extremism. Hypotheses are tested drawing on a novel, expert‐survey‐based dataset that provides indicators for the positions of 83 ethnonational minority parties in 22 European democracies in 2011. Results of ordinary least squares and two‐level linear regressions show that as the economic dimension gains importance, parties become more moderate relative to the party system mean. The electorate's ethnic segmentation has a positive effect on extremism, but this effect is not significant in all models. Contrary to expectations, higher ethnic segmentation of the party system is associated with more moderate positions in the majority of the estimated models.
Inside versus outside lobbying: How the institutional framework shapes the lobbying behaviour of interest groups
Authors: Weiler Florian , Brändli Matthias
Published: August 2015

Different types of interest groups use different lobbying strategies. This article presents an investigation of this already well‐established hypothesis once more, but additionally proposes that the institutional framework of the country in which interest groups operate also influences their lobbying behaviour. More specifically, it is shown that groups working in the interest of the public are better integrated into the policy‐making process when direct democratic instruments, such as referendums, occur regularly (as in Switzerland) than when referendums are the exception (Germany). The article demonstrates that Swiss cause groups – often also referred to as ‘public interest groups’ in the literature – use a more balanced mixture of insider and outsider strategies than their German peers, but also that this moderating effect cannot be found for specific interest groups, such as industry groups or unions.
A New Index for the MMPI‐2 Test for Detecting Dissimulation in Forensic Evaluations: A Pilot Study
Authors: Martino Vito , Grattagliano Ignazio , Bosco Andrea , Massaro Ylenia , Lisi Andrea , Campobasso Filippo , Marchitelli Maria Alessia , Catanesi Roberto
Published: August 2015

This pilot study is the starting point of a potentially broad research project aimed at identifying new strategies for assessing malingering during forensic evaluations. The forensic group was comprised of 67 males who were seeking some sort of certification (e.g., adoption, child custody, driver's license, issuance of gun permits, etc.); the nonforensic group was comprised of 62 healthy male volunteers. Each participant was administered the MMPI‐2. Statistical analyses were conducted on obtained scores of 48 MMPI‐2 scales. In the first step, parametric statistics were adopted to identify the best combination of MMPI‐2 scales that differentiated the two groups of participants. In the second step, frequency‐based, nonparametric methods were used for diagnostic purposes. Results: A model that utilized the best three predictors (“7‐Pt”, “L,” and “1‐Hs”) was developed and used to calculate the Forensic Evaluation Dissimulation Index (FEDI), which features satisfactory diagnostic accuracy (0.9), sensitivity (0.82), specificity (0.81), and likelihood ratio indices (LR+ = 4.32; LR− = 0.22).
The Role of Interface on the Impact Characteristics and Cranial Fracture Patterns Using the Immature Porcine Head Model
Authors: Deland Trevor S. , Niespodziewanski Emily , Fenton Todd W. , Haut Roger C.
Published: August 2015

The role of impact interface characteristics on the biomechanics and patterns of cranial fracture has not been investigated in detail, and especially for the pediatric head. In this study, infant porcine skulls aged 2–19 days were dropped with an energy to cause fracturing onto four surfaces varying in stiffness from a rigid plate to one covered with plush carpeting. Results showed that heads dropped onto the rigid surface produced more extensive cranial fracturing than onto carpeted surfaces. Contact forces generated at fracture initiation and the overall maximum contact forces were generally lower for the rigid than carpeted impacts. While the degree of cranial fracturing from impacts onto the heavy carpeted surface was comparable to that of lower‐energy rigid surface impacts, there were fewer diastatic fractures. This suggests that characteristics of the cranial fracture patterns may be used to differentiate energy level from impact interface in pediatric forensic cases.
The glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonist liraglutide attenuates the reinforcing properties of alcohol in rodents
Authors: Vallöf Daniel , Maccioni Paola , Colombo Giancarlo , Mandrapa Minja , Jörnulf Julia Winsa , Egecioglu Emil , Engel Jörgen A. , Jerlhag Elisabet
Published: August 2015

The incretin hormone, glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), regulates gastric emptying, glucose‐dependent stimulation of insulin secretion and glucagon release, and GLP‐1 analogs are therefore approved for treatment of type II diabetes. GLP‐1 receptors are expressed in reward‐related areas such as the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, and GLP‐1 was recently shown to regulate several alcohol‐mediated behaviors as well as amphetamine‐induced, cocaine‐induced and nicotine‐induced reward. The present series of experiments were undertaken to investigate the effect of the GLP‐1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, on several alcohol‐related behaviors in rats that model different aspects of alcohol use disorder in humans. Acute liraglutide treatment suppressed the well‐documented effects of alcohol on the mesolimbic dopamine system, namely alcohol‐induced accumbal dopamine release and conditioned place preference in mice. In addition, acute administration of liraglutide prevented the alcohol deprivation effect and reduced alcohol intake in outbred rats, while repeated treatment of liraglutide decreased alcohol intake in outbred rats as well as reduced operant self‐administration of alcohol in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol‐preferring rats. Collectively, these data suggest that GLP‐1 receptor agonists could be tested for treatment of alcohol dependence in humans.
Airborne exposure to methylisothiazolinone in paint causing allergic contact dermatitis: An Australian perspective
Authors: Wright Annaliesa M , Cahill Jennifer L
Published: August 2015

An alarming increase in contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI) has been noted worldwide. Airborne exposure to MI in paint is an acknowledged occupational hazard. We present the first Australian report of airborne allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) following exposure to wall paint containing MI.
Escalating incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis in Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, 1993–2013: a population‐based study
Authors: Giriens B. , Yan P. , Safroneeva E. , Zwahlen M. , Reinhard A. , Nydegger A. , Vavricka S. , Sempoux C. , Straumann A. , Schoepfer A. M.
Published: August 2015

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the esophagus with a rapidly increasing incidence. However, population‐based epidemiologic data on EoE are rare and limited to regions with less than 200 000 inhabitants. We evaluated the incidence and prevalence of EoE over time in Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.

Materials and methods

Canton of Vaud lies in the French‐speaking, Western part of Switzerland. As of December 2013, it had a population of 743 317 inhabitants. We contacted all pathology institutes (n = 6) in this canton to identify patients that have been diagnosed with esophageal eosinophilia between 1993 and 2013. We then performed a chart review in all adult and pediatric gastroenterology practices to identify patients with EoE.

Results

Of 263 patients with esophageal eosinophilia, a total of 179 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for EoE. Median diagnostic delay was 4 (IQR 1–9) years. No patient was diagnosed with EoE prior to 2003. Incidence of EoE increased from 0.16/100 000 inhabitants in 2004 to 6.3/100 000 inhabitants in 2013 (P < 0.001). The cumulative EoE prevalence in 2013 was 24.1/100 000. The incidence in males was 2.8 times higher (95% CI 2.01–3.88, P < 0.001) when compared to that in females. The annual EoE incidence was 10.6 times higher (95%‐CI 7.61–14.87, P < 0.001) in the period from 2010 to 2013 when compared to that in the period from 1993 to 2009.

Conclusions

The incidence and cumulative prevalence of EoE in Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, has rapidly increased in the past 10 years.
Newly born low birthweight infants stabilise better in skin‐to‐skin contact than when separated from their mothers: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chi Luong Kim , Long Nguyen Tien , Huynh Thi Duy Huong , Carrara Henri P.O. , Bergman Nils J.
Published: August 2015

Aim

Routine care of low birthweight (LBW) neonates relies on incubators for stabilisation. An earlier study suggested that skin‐to‐skin contact achieves better physiological stability in the transition period when compared to incubator care. The aim of this study was to replicate that study with a larger sample.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial with LBW infants (1500–2500 g) randomised at birth, 50 to routine care and 50 to skin‐to‐skin contact, with stabilisation using the Stability of Cardio‐Respiratory system in Preterms (SCRIP) score measured repeatedly over the first six hours of life as the primary outcome.

Results

Newly born infants in skin‐to‐skin contact showed better transition to extra‐uterine life (p < 0.02), with the SCRIP score at 360 minutes in skin‐to‐skin contact being 5.82 (SD 0.66) and in maternal infant separation 5.24 (SD 0.72), p < 0.0001. In extended skin‐to‐skin contact care, infants had significantly less need for respiratory support, intravenous fluids and antibiotic use during the remainder of the hospital stay.

Conclusion

Skin‐to‐skin contact was likely to be an optimal environment for neonates without life‐threatening conditions who weighed 1500–2500 g at birth. By preventing instability that requires subsequent medical treatment, it may be life‐saving in low‐income countries.
Suitability of stx‐PCR directly from fecal samples in clinical diagnostics of STEC
Authors: Tunsjø Hege S. , Kvissel Anne K. , Follin‐Arbelet Benoit , Brotnov Beth‐Marie , Ranheim Trond E. , Leegaard Truls M.
Published: August 2015

PCR‐based testing for Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) directly from fecal samples is increasingly being implemented in routine diagnostic laboratories. These methods aim to detect clinically relevant amounts of microbes and not stx‐carrying phages or low backgrounds of STEC. We present a diagnostic procedure and results from 1 year of stx‐targeted real‐time PCR of fecal samples from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in Norway. A rapid stx2 subtyping strategy is described, which aims to quickly reveal the virulence potential of the microbe. stx was detected in 22 of 3320 samples, corresponding to a PCR positive rate of 0.66%. STEC were cultured from 72% of the PCR positive samples. Four stx1 isolates, eight stx2 isolates, and four isolates with both stx1 and stx2 were identified. With the method presented, stx‐carrying phages are not commonly detected. Our results support the use of molecular testing combined with classical culture techniques for routine diagnostic purposes.
Single‐incision cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis presenting with cholelithiasis: A case report
Authors: Deguchi Yoshio , Mitamura Keitaro , Omotaka Shunsuke , Eguchi Jun‐ichi , Sakuma Dai , Sato Masashi , Nomura Norihiro , Ito Takayoshi , Grimes Kevin Lawrence , Inoue Haruhiro
Published: August 2015

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for the treatment of cholelithiasis, and many reports of single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy have been published in the past few years. Situs inversus totalis is a very rare condition, but the variant anatomy should not preclude a minimally invasive approach to surgery. We report a case of successful single‐port laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis, describe the technical advantages, and review the literature.
Appendiceal submucosal mass as presentation of intestinal endometriosis
Authors: Oliveira Ana , Costa Marta , Amaro Pedro , Sofia Carlos
Published: August 2015

Submucosal lesions are mass‐like protuberances into the gastrointestinal lumen covered by normal mucosa. Making a definitive diagnosis is difficult because of the number of benign and malignant lesions and extrinsic compression. Here we report the case of a 42‐year‐old woman referred for colon polypectomy. Colonoscopy revealed a polypoid formation with externalization from the appendicular orifice covered by normal mucosa and another formation at the sigmoid colon. The histopathology of both lesions was normal. Endoscopic ultrasound showed a hypoechoic lesion that was slightly heterogeneous in the fourth layer, and CT colonography confirmed the findings. Surgical therapy with ileocolic resection and resection of the sigmoid lesion was performed. Surgical specimens revealed an appendicular intussusception by endometriosis and endometrial foci in the sigmoid. Intestinal endometriosis may have several presentations, but it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a submucosal lesion in the colon.
Risk factors for mortality in cattle during live export from Australia by sea
Authors: Moore SJ , Madin B , Norman G , Perkins NR
Published: August 2015

Objective

This study investigated mortality trends and risk factors for death for cattle exported live from Australia by sea.

Methods

Mortality data for all voyages from Australia to all destinations between 1995 and 2012 were analysed retrospectively. Daily mortality trends were assessed for 20 long‐haul voyages from Australia to the Middle East and to the Russian Federation between 2010 and 2012.

Results

The overall voyage mortality percentage was 0.17% across the 13 million cattle exported on 6447 voyages. Mortality rates decreased significantly after 2000 and stabilised at low levels from 2003. The mortality rate for voyages to the Middle East and north Africa (0.44%) was significantly higher than for voyages to south‐east Europe (0.28%), north‐east Asia (0.12%) and south‐east Asia (0.09%). Cattle exported from ports in southern Australia carried a higher mortality risk than those exported from northern ports for both long‐ and short‐haul voyages. The daily mortality rate on long‐haul voyages peaked at 3–4 weeks post‐departure, although there was a smaller peak at 1–2 weeks.

Conclusion

The marked reduction in mortality rate since 2000 is related to a number of factors, including industry initiatives, government legislation and market demand, that have resulted in changes to both the selection of cattle for export and the management of cattle prior to and during voyages. Routine collection of animal performance data, combined with NLIS records and use of methods described here, have the potential to contribute to more effective management of mortality risks across the export chain.
Introduction‐virtue and virtuousness: when will the twain ever meet?
Authors: Beadle Ron , Sison Alejo José G. , Fontrodona Joan
Published: August 2015

This paper introduces ‘Virtue and Virtuousness: When will the twain ever meet?’ a special edition of Business Ethics: A European Review. The Call for Papers invited contributions that could inform the relationship between organisational virtuousness, as conceptualised by positive organisation studies, and the classical conception of virtues pertaining to individual women and men. While the resources of particular virtue traditions – Aristotelian, Catholic, Confucian, and the like – could inform their own debates as to whether virtue extends beyond individuals, the debate between virtue traditions and positive organisation studies has a different dimension. The question is whether the claims of positive social sciences as such are compatible with those of any virtue tradition. We argue that positive social science and virtue traditions are indeed rivals such that adherence to the claims of the one precludes adherence to the other. Resolution to such conflicts requires that one tradition is able to resolve questions that exhaust the resources of the other. This paper suggests that at least one area of incoherence in the findings of positive social sciences can be resolved by virtue traditions, and introduces the remaining papers in the special edition.
Constancy and integrity: (un)measurable virtues?
Authors: Robson Angus
Published: August 2015

Positive psychology seeks to establish a classification of character strengths and virtues based on objective measures, and so to provide guidance on how good character might be developed. However, it offers no substantive theory of the good life. A short critique of this approach is offered, and an alternative mode of empirical enquiry is explored following Alasdair MacIntyre's philosophy. The virtues of constancy and integrity as they appear in the career narratives of leaders in Scottish banking illustrate this mode of enquiry. Empirical enquiry into these virtues reveals a process of interpretation, which is dependent on an understanding of structures in virtue ethics and an understanding of the way that particular agents pursue their own ideas of human flourishing in some particular social milieu. One consequence of this is that, while behavioural tendencies or dispositions might be measurable through statistical method, virtues are not.
Second allogeneic stem cell transplant for aplastic anaemia: a retrospective study by the severe aplastic anaemia working party of the European society for blood and marrow transplantation
Authors: Cesaro Simone , de Latour Regis Peffault , Tridello Gloria , Pillon Marta , Carlson Kristina , Fagioli Franca , Jouet Jean‐Pierre , Koh Mickey B. C. , Panizzolo Irene Sara , Kyrcz‐Krzemien Slawomira , Maertens Johan , Rambaldi Alessandro , Strahm Brigitte , Blaise Didier , Maschan Alexei , Marsh Judith , Dufour Carlo ,   the Severe Aplastic Anaemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Published: August 2015

We analysed the outcome of a second allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) in 162 patients reported to the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation between 1998 and 2009. Donor origin was a sibling in 110 and an unrelated donor in 52 transplants, respectively. The stem cell source was bone marrow in 31% and peripheral blood in 69% of transplants. The same donor as for the first alloHSCT was used in 81% of transplants whereas a change in the choice of stem cell source was reported in 56% of patients, mainly from bone marrow to peripheral blood. Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred in 85% and 72% of patients, after a median time of 15 and 17 days, respectively. Grade II‐IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD occurred in 21% and 37% of patients, respectively. Graft failure (GF) occurred in 42 patients (26%). After a median follow‐up of 3·5 years, the 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 60·7%. In multivariate analysis, the only factor significantly associated with a better outcome was a Karnofsky/Lansky score ≥80 (higher OS). We conclude that a second alloHSCT is feasible rescue option for GF in SAA, with a successful outcome in 60% of cases.
The impact of change in serum C‐reactive protein level on the prediction of effects of molecular targeted therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Teishima Jun , Kobatake Kohei , Kitano Hiroyuki , Nagamatsu Hirotaka , Sadahide Kousuke , Hieda Keisuke , Shinmei Shunsuke , Shoji Koichi , Inoue Shogo , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Inoue Yoji , Ohara Shinya , Mita Koji , Matsubara Akio
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To investigate the impact of pretreatment serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level and its change after targeted therapy on the anti‐tumour effect of targeted agents in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Patients and Methods

The serum CRP level in 190 cases of molecular targeted therapy for mRCC was measured before starting the prescription of molecular targeted agents and when computed tomography showed the maximum effect. Patients in which the pretreatment CRP level was ≥0.5 mg/dL were classified into a ‘higher‐CRP’ group and others into a ‘lower‐CRP’ group. The higher‐CRP group was further classified into two subgroups, i.e. those whose serum CRP level decreased after molecular targeted therapy (‘decreased‐CRP’ subgroup), and those whose level did not decrease after therapy (‘non‐decreased‐CRP’ subgroup). All patients were also classified according to their other clinical details and progression‐free survival (PFS) rates of each subgroup were compared.

Results

Of the 190 patients, 97 were categorised as lower CRP and 93 as higher CRP, with 50 and 43 patients in the higher‐CRP group further categorised as decreased‐ and non‐decreased‐CRP subgroups, respectively. For the maximum effects of the targeted therapy, determined based on the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, in the lower‐CRP group, significantly more patients had a complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) (P = 0.002) and significantly fewer had progressive disease (PD) (P < 0.001) vs the higher‐CRP group. In the higher‐CRP group, significantly fewer patients had PD in the decreased‐CRP subgroup (P < 0.001) than those in the non‐decreased‐CRP subgroup. The 2‐year PFS rate for the lower‐CRP group (39.1%) was significantly better vs the decreased‐CRP subgroup (21.2%; P = 0.013) and significantly better vs the non‐decreased CRP subgroup (0%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses in the higher‐CRP group revealed that decreased CRP was an independent predictive factor for PFS (P = 0.002, hazard ratio 2.454, 95% confidence interval 1.404–4.290).

Conclusion

A decrease of CRP and pretreatment CRP levels show promise as a novel predictive factor for anti‐tumour effects in patients treated with molecular targeted therapy.
Budget impact of incorporating one instillation of hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride blue‐light cytoscopy in transurethral bladder tumour resection for patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer in Sweden
Authors: Rose James B. , Armstrong Shannon , Hermann Gregers G. , Kjellberg Jakob , Malmström Per‐Uno
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To explore the cost impact on Swedish healthcare of incorporating one instillation of hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride (HAL) blue‐light cystoscopy into transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) in patients with suspected new or recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials and Methods

A decision tree model was built based on European Association of Urology guidelines for the treatment and management of NMIBC. Input data were compiled from two recent studies comparing recurrence rates of bladder cancer in patients undergoing TURBT with either the current standard of care (SOC) of white‐light cystoscopy, or with the SOC and HAL blue‐light cystoscopy. Using these published data with clinical cost data for surgical and outpatient procedures and pharmaceutical costs, the model reported on the clinical and economic differences associated with the two treatment options.

Results

This model demonstrates the significant clinical benefits likely to be observed through the incorporation of HAL blue‐light cystoscopy for TURBT in terms of reductions in recurrences of bladder cancer. Analysis of economic outputs of the model found that the use of one instillation of HAL for TURBT in all Swedish patients with NMIBC is likely to be cost‐neutral or cost‐saving over 5 years relative to the current SOC of white‐light cystoscopy.

Conclusions

The results of this analysis provide additional health economic rationale for the incorporation of a single instillation of HAL blue‐light cystoscopy for TURBT in the treatment of patients with NMIBC in Sweden.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm, But the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese: Non‐Technological Innovation in Creative Industries
Authors: Martin‐Rios Carlos , Parga‐Dans Eva
Published: August 2015

In the context of economic turmoil, firms in the creative industries (CIs) must make fast decisions as to when to break through with innovations. This paper discusses non‐technological, organizational innovation of early‐adopters, first movers and early followers in order to overcome persistent economic decline, and the implication of different strategies for innovation success. The strategic principle of the pioneer's advantage rests on pre‐emption – the premise that ‘the early bird gets the worm’ and this often applies to business model innovation (BMI). ‘But the second mouse gets the cheese’ points at early followers who may have a more systematic, strategic approach towards innovation. Greater understanding of the advantages of each strategic approach and their significance for innovation performance is critical for CIs where unpredictability and the accelerating pace of change pervade the decisions concerning innovation. Drawing on five exemplary cases of archaeological firms in Spain, this paper explores different innovation process dynamics. The study develops a contingency model where pioneers who challenge their current business model, may be outperformed by early followers who incorporate complementary management innovation (MI) initiatives into the BMI.
Mobile Surface Reflectometry
Authors: Riviere J. , Peers P. , Ghosh A.
Published: August 2015

We present two novel mobile reflectometry approaches for acquiring detailed spatially varying isotropic surface reflectance and mesostructure of a planar material sample using commodity mobile devices. The first approach relies on the integrated camera and flash pair present on typical mobile devices to support free‐form handheld acquisition of spatially varying rough specular material samples. The second approach, suited for highly specular samples, uses the LCD panel to illuminate the sample with polarized second‐order gradient illumination. To address the limited overlap of the front facing camera's view and the LCD illumination (and thus limited sample size), we propose a novel appearance transfer method that combines controlled reflectance measurement of a small exemplar section with uncontrolled reflectance measurements of the full sample under natural lighting. Finally, we introduce a novel surface detail enhancement method that adds fine scale surface mesostructure from close‐up observations under uncontrolled natural lighting. We demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the proposed mobile reflectometry methods on a wide variety of spatially varying materials.
The Temporal Dynamics of Regularity Extraction in Non‐Human Primates
Authors: Minier Laure , Fagot Joël , Rey Arnaud
Published: August 2015

Extracting the regularities of our environment is one of our core cognitive abilities. To study the fine‐grained dynamics of the extraction of embedded regularities, a method combining the advantages of the artificial language paradigm (Saffran, Aslin, & Newport, ) and the serial response time task (Nissen & Bullemer, ) was used with a group of Guinea baboons (Papio papio) in a new automatic experimental device (Fagot & Bonté, ). After a series of random trials, monkeys were exposed to language‐like patterns. We found that the extraction of embedded patterns positioned at the end of larger patterns was faster than the extraction of initial embedded patterns. This result suggests that there is a learning advantage for the final element of a sequence that benefits from the contextual information provided by previous elements.
Randomized controlled trial of a home‐visiting intervention on infant cognitive development in peri‐urban South Africa
Authors: Murray Lynne , Cooper Peter , Arteche Adriane , Stein Alan , Tomlinson Mark
Published: August 2015

Aim

To determine whether, in an impoverished South African community, an intervention that benefitted infant attachment also benefitted cognitive development.

Method

Pregnant females were randomized to intervention (n=220) and no‐treatment control groups (n=229). The intervention was home‐based parenting support for attachment, delivered until 6 months postpartum. At 18 months, infants were assessed on attachment and cognitive development (Bayley Scales Mental Development Index [MDI]) (n=127 intervention, n=136 control participants). Infant MDI was examined in relation to intervention, socio‐economic risk, antenatal depression, and infant sex and attachment.

Results

Overall, there was little effect of the intervention on MDI (p=0.094, d=0.20), but there was an interaction between intervention and risk (p=0.03, =0.02). MDI scores of infants of lower risk intervention group mothers were, on average, 4.84 points higher than those of other infants (p=0.002, d=0.41). Antenatal depression was not significant once intervention and risk were controlled (p=0.08); there was no association between infant MDI and either sex (p=0.41) or attachment (p=0.56).

Interpretation

Parenting interventions for infant cognitive development may benefit from inclusion of specific components to support infant cognition beyond those that support attachment, and may be most effective for infants over 6 months. They may need augmentation with other input where adversity is extreme.
Testing two screening instruments for autism spectrum disorder in UK community child health services
Authors: Charman Tony , Baird Gillian , Simonoff Emily , Chandler Susie , Davison‐Jenkins Abi , Sharma Ajay , O'Sullivan Tony , Pickles Andrew
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of two screening instruments in UK Community health services: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M‐CHAT) and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A two‐stage screening and in‐depth assessment procedure, combined with sampling stratification and statistical weighting, allowed the accuracy of the screens to be estimated in the entire population of referred children.

Method

The study included all referrals of children aged 18 to 48 months to community paediatric and speech and language therapy services in two London districts over a 12‐month period between September 2004 and September 2005. Parents of 808 children were approached; screen data were obtained on 543 children (67.2%). A stratified subsample of 120 children received an in‐depth assessment for ASD as defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition. Community clinician judgement of likely ASD was available for 98 out of the 120 children.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity were 64% (95% confidence intervals; range 51–80%) and 75% (63–85%) for the SCQ, and 82% (72–92%) and 50% (33–64%) for M‐CHAT. There was no evidence that the area under the curve differed between the two screening instruments. There was also no evidence that clinician judgement of likely ASD differed from either of the screening tests. The screening tests did not perform well to confirm preliminary clinical judgement to refer (in series), nor as an alternative indicator for referral (in parallel).

Interpretation

While screening tests may provide useful information, their accuracy is moderate. Screening information in isolation should not be used to make referral decisions regarding specialized ASD assessment.
Not there yet: the classification of communication in cerebral palsy
Authors: Potter Nancy L
Published: August 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Virella et al. on pages 285–291 of this issue.
Consider Your Man Card Reissued: Masculine Honor and Gun Violence
Authors: Shuffelton Amy
Published: August 2015

In this article, Amy Shuffelton addresses school shootings through an investigation of honor and masculinity. Drawing on recent scholarship on honor, including Bernard Williams's Shame and Necessity and Kwame Anthony Appiah's The Honor Code, Shuffelton points out that honor has been misconstrued as exclusively a matter of hierarchical, competitive relationships. A second kind of honor, which exists within relationships of mutual respect between equals, she suggests, merits theorists' further consideration. In its hierarchical mode, honor is often a source of violent action, but honor in its egalitarian mode can play an important role in peacemaking. Shuffelton turns to Homer's Iliad and Adrienne Rich's “Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying” to explore honor's potential. Linking both kinds of honor to masculinity and the issue of gun violence, this article contends that to address gun violence in and outside of schools, masculine honor needs to be “reissued” as a matter of egalitarian relationships based on honest communication.
Media and Violence: Does McLuhan Provide a Connection?
Authors: O'Dea Jane
Published: August 2015

School shootings publicized worldwide inevitably awaken the debate about contemporary communication media and violence. It is often conjectured that regular exposure of young people to countless acts of aggression in contemporary popular media leads them to become more aggressive and, in some cases, to commit violent crimes. But is this claim valid? Media guru Marshall McLuhan argues that it is not so much the content of such media that incites aggressive actions as the sociostructural conditions they bring into being. In this article, Jane O'Dea draws on the cultural context of postmodernity and on Jean Baudrillard's thought to explore and critically assess the validity of the linkage McLuhan proposes, identifying the kinds of questions, inquiries, and educational implications it potentially raises.
Curriculum as Conversation: Vulnerability, Violence, and Pedagogy in Prison
Authors: O'Donnell Aislinn
Published: August 2015

It is difficult to respond creatively to humiliation, affliction, degradation, or shame, just as it is difficult to respond creatively to the experience of undergoing or inflicting violence. In this article Aislinn O'Donnell argues that if we are to think about how to address gun violence — including mass shootings — in schools, then we need to talk about violence inside and outside schools. Honest, and even difficult, conversations about violence and vulnerability can take place in schools, and there are ways of working with curricula and student voice that can allow for this. If pedagogy is to play a role in reorienting responses to violence and vulnerability, discussion of equivocal and ambivalent responses to corporeal vulnerability, and of histories and genealogies of violence, must be invited. We need to acknowledge that we do not have, and we may well never have, a world without violence. Drawing upon the experience of teaching philosophy in nontraditional learning environments, including prison, O'Donnell argues for an approach to pedagogy and curricula that invites difficult conversations about the complexity of violence.
Arthropod ecosystem services in apple orchards and their economic benefits
Authors: CROSS JERRY , FOUNTAIN MICHELLE , MARKÓ VIKTOR , NAGY CSABA
Published: August 2015

Apple is grown as a long‐term perennial crop and orchards provide relatively stable ecological habitats. Only a small proportion of the diverse fauna of arthropods that can inhabit the orchard ecosystem are important pests, the majority of species being minor pests, beneficial or benign. In this paper, the interacting ecosystem services provided by five contrasting naturally occurring arthropod groups in cool temperate apple orchards are reviewed, and their economic benefits broadly quantified. These are:

The roles of bees and other insects in apple pollination increasing yields and fruit quality, the economic value of which may be significantly underestimated.

Naturally occurring, pesticide‐resistant phytoseiid predatory mites and their role in regulating phytophagous mites. They eliminate the need for 1–2 acaricide sprays per annum and the risk of acaricide resistance.

The earwig Forficula auricularia L. and its role in regulating several important apple pests. There is great variability in populations between orchards for reasons not fully understood. It is estimated that F. auricularia reduces insecticide applications by 2–3 per annum and reduces pest damage.

Mutualism between the common black ant Lasius niger (L.) and important pest aphids, the roles of competitors, natural and artificial food sources, and ant exclusion in disrupting mutualism which can foster biocontrol of aphids by generalist predators so greatly reducing the need for sprays.

Beneficial epigeic arthropods and their role in predating the soil dwelling life stages of insect pests. These contribute to the control of pest populations although the level of suppression is not consistent depending on several ecological factors.
Do native predators benefit from non‐native prey?
Authors: Pintor Lauren M. , Byers James E.
Published: August 2015

Despite knowledge on invasive species’ predatory effects, we know little of their influence as prey. Non‐native prey should have a neutral to positive effect on native predators by supplementing the prey base. However, if non‐native prey displace native prey, then an invader's net influence should depend on both its abundance and value relative to native prey. We conducted a meta‐analysis to quantify the effect of non‐native prey on native predator populations. Relative to native prey, non‐native prey similarly or negatively affect native predators, but only when studies employed a substitutive design that examined the effects of each prey species in isolation from other prey. When native predators had access to non‐native and native prey simultaneously, predator abundance increased significantly relative to pre‐invasion abundance. Although non‐native prey may have a lower per capita value than native prey, they seem to benefit native predators by serving as a supplemental prey resource.
Two modes of climatic control in the Holocene stalagmite record from the Japan Sea side of the Japanese islands
Authors: Sone Tomomi , Kano Akihiro , Kashiwagi Kenji , Mori Taiki , Okumura Tomoyo , Shen Chuan‐Chou , Hori Masako
Published: August 2015

The Holocene stalagmite FG01 collected at the Fukugaguchi Cave in Itoigawa, central Japan provides a unique high‐resolution record of the East Asian winter monsoon. Because of the climate conditions on the Japan Sea side of the Japanese islands, the volume of precipitation during the winter is strongly reflected in the stalagmite δ18O signal. Examination of the carbon isotopes and the Mg/Ca ratio of FG01 provided additional information on the Holocene climate in Itoigawa, which is characterized by two different modes separated at 6.4 ka. Dripwater composition and the correlation between the δ13C and Mg/Ca data of FG01 indicate the importance of prior calcite precipitation (PCP), a process that selectively eliminated 12C and calcium ions from infiltrating water from CO2 degassing and calcite precipitation. In an earlier period (10.0–6.4 ka), an increase in soil pCO2 associated with warming and wetting climate trends was a critical factor that enhanced PCP, and resulted in an increasing trend in the Mg/Ca and δ13C data and a negative correlation between the δ13C and δ18O profiles. A distinct peak in the δ13C age profile at 6.8 ka could be a response to an increase of approximately 10% in C4 plants in the recharge area. At 6.4 ka, the climate mode changed to another, and correlation between δ18O and δ13C became positive. In addition, a millennial‐scale variation in δ18O and pulsed changes in δ13C and Mg/Ca became distinct. Assuming that δ18O and PCP were controlled by moisture in the later period, the volume of precipitation was high during 6.0–5.2, 4.4–4.0, and 3.0–2.0 ka. In contrast, the driest interval in Itoigawa was during 0.2–0.4 ka, and broadly corresponds to the Little Ice Age.
The efficiency of Poly(ADP‐Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) cleavage on detection of apoptosis in an experimental model of testicular torsion
Authors: Aslan Koşar Pınar , Tuncer Hamdi , Cihangir Uğuz Abdülhadi , Espino Palma Javier , Darıcı Hakan , Onaran İbrahim , Çiğ Bilal , Koşar Alim , Rodriguez Moratinos Ana Beatriz
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and apoptotic changes occurring in the rat ipsilateral and contralateral testes, after experimental spermatic cord torsion, and to explore and the role of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in testicular torsion–detorsion injury. A total of 37 Wistar albino rats were subjected to 720° unilateral spermatic cord torsion for 1, 2 and 4 h, followed by 4‐h reperfusion, or else to a sham operation (control group). Histology of the testicle was evaluated using haematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining and Johnsen's scoring system. Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated via active caspase‐3 immunostaining, and PARP expression levels were evaluated via Western blotting. The mean Johnsen's tubular biopsy scores (JTBS) of the ipsilateral testicles were lower for all torsion groups than for the controls (P < 0.05), but the JTBS of the contralateral testicles were only lower in the 4‐h torsion group (P < 0.05). The mean apoptosis score (AS) of the ipsilateral and contralateral testicles was significantly higher in the torsion groups than in the sham group. AS increased correlatively with torsion time, in both testicles. The effect of testicular torsion on PARP cleavage was time dependent, with the highest effect observed after 4 h of testicular torsion (P < 0.05). Testicular torsion caused time‐dependent histological changes, apoptosis and increases in PARP cleavage. Our results suggest that testicular torsion–detorsion injury caused cell damage and germ cell apoptosis that apparently involved cleavage of PARP. Increased PARP cleavage could, in turn, lead to enhanced apoptosis.
Contemporary perspective and management of testosterone deficiency: Modifiable factors and variable management
Authors: Hisasue Shin‐ichi
Published: August 2015

Testosterone deficiency can occur in males of all ages. In adult males, it is induced by endogenous testosterone decline through aging and other modifiable factors. Recent publications suggested the importance of the magnitude of longitudinal decline of testosterone from baseline. The baseline level and the longitudinal decline have individual variability influenced by individual factors including digit ratio, CAG repeat of the androgen receptor and sirtuin activity. Regarding treatment for testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy is the gold standard for the management of testosterone‐deficient patients, and it improves three domains of testosterone deficiency symptoms, such as the physical, psychological and sexual domain. Recent reports suggested the importance of modifiable factors in the testosterone decline in addition to aging. Therefore, it might be responsible for the prevention of testosterone deficiency symptoms to maintain testosterone secretion taking account of the modifiable factors. The present article reviews the literature, and introduces contemporary perspectives and management of testosterone deficiency.
Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study: Outcomes from a contemporary series of 713 patients
Authors: de la Rosette Jean , Elhilali Mostafa , Naito Seiji , Unal Dogan , Razvi Hassan , Liatsikos Evangelos , Bachmann Alexander , Tubaro Andrea , Alivizatos Gerasimos , Mak Siu King , Badlani Gopal , Eltahawy Ehab , Wong Carson , Telich Vidal Martin , Te Alexis , d'Ancona Frank , Arum Carl‐Jørgen , Gutierrez Jorge ,   the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study Group
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the outcome in patients undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction as part of the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study.

Methods

Data were collected on 713 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate at 25 centers worldwide, between April 2010 and April 2012. Three types of GreenLight laser powers were used: 80 W, 120 W or 180 W. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Outcome parameters measured at baseline, 6–12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months were: uroflow measurements, International Prostate Symptom Score; prostate‐specific antigen and International Index of Erectile Function.

Results

Operating time was shortest with the 180‐W laser at 53.8 min. Intraoperatively, bleeding occurred in 3.1% of patients. Statistically significant changes were reported in maximum flow rate, postvoid residual urine, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and prostate‐specific antigen (P < 0.01) at each time‐point assessed for the 80‐ and 120‐W lasers as well as for the 180‐W laser, with the exception of prostate‐specific antigen at 6 months and 12 months. There were 14 Clavien–Dindo grade III‐A complications and two grade III‐B. The incontinence rate at 12 months was 6.3%, 4.5%, and 2.6% for the 80, 120 and 180 W lasers, respectively. The overall blood transfusion rate was 0.4%.

Conclusions

Objective and subjective improvement after GreenLight laser treatment worldwide was significant at 1‐year follow up. Morbidity and complications were low. Although not a randomized control study, the data can provide an indication of the outcome of the different GreenLight laser powers.