bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
We know our place
Authors: Austin Jon , Parkes Glen , Antonio Amy
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use the experience of attempting to locate funding for three contiguous components of a research program to be undertaken in remote areas of Queensland to reflect upon the increasing challenges to critical qualitative research in the Australian context.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper utilizes forms and formats of the composite narrator, narrative inquiry and autoethnographic techniques in putting their lived experience into the context of the neoliberalized university.

Findings

– As the research team developed and pursued a funding application through various university committees, the value of their work and the ways in which they were being increasingly marginalized qua researchers became starkly apparent to them.

Originality/value

– While Appadurai’s concern was to try to understand the inexplicable and seemingly inordinate fear of small numbers that, in contemporary times, causes large majority groups to launch horrendous campaigns of erasure against miniscule minority groups, the authors wonder whether the same concern of an ascendant majority is not at play in strategies of erasure being deployed in contemporary research paradigm skirmishes. Regardless, the authors are rapidly approaching the point where perhaps the authors, as critical qualitative researchers, should fear any numbers, big or small.
Polyphonic coding in qualitative analysis: conversation as musical motet
Authors: Probst Barbara , Bucholtz John
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Thematic coding is a common form of qualitative analysis, yet identification of “codes” can limit understanding by directing the researcher to formulated categories rather than inviting exploration of what else the data may be trying to convey. Since categorization is an essential component of language and can scarcely be avoided, the purpose of this paper is to propose a polyphonic approach as a way to add texture and nuance. In polyphonic coding, text is coded several times along various dimensions of interest; these independently coded versions are then superimposed to identify patterns and relationships, allowing a multi-lensed view of the data as both forest and trees.

Design/methodology/approach

– Polyphonic coding is applied to a specific interview in order to illustrate how the method can be utilized in a three-step process: in vivo coding from several independent perspectives (role, relational movement, and vocal mannerism), merging the perspectives, and “plugging in” to theory.

Findings

– Polyphonic coding reveals relationships among the perspectives that point to an over-arching theme (in the example used) of a struggle for control.

Research limitations/implications

– This approach offers a way to code verbal, tonal, and somatic data as a means of understanding the construction and negotiation of identity in the relational context of qualitative research.

Practical implications

– This approach promotes a flexible, expanded use of data analysis software.

Originality/value

– The metaphor of a musical motet is used to describe a multi-faceted approach to qualitative analysis that can help to mitigate some of the pitfalls of typical thematic coding.
Empowering with image:arts based practice
Authors: Lord Anne
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss whether artists create research outcomes in a revolving (or spiraling) process? This can be a catch-22 where their work is responding to and forecasting change, while the artist’s voice is often seen as too qualitative to provide research impact for university societies or to be compared with the quantitative data that scientists use.

Design/methodology/approach

– Where will research methods, qualitative and quantitative overlap? The author knows that both methods are important for ongoing observations about creative arts practice. The qualitative is part of Holmes’ (2011/2012) query about how “knowledge involved in artistic thinking should […] include the issue of how mental images are given creative form, but this is a process that remains obscure in current art research” (p. 2).

Findings

– For Holmes, “the knowledge product of art research cannot be considered separate from the researcher’s psychic processes; and the currently obscure relationship between artistic production and subjectivity might lead to one of the unique contributions to be made by art research” (Holmes, 2011/2012, p. 2). Holmes’ suggestion provides a strategic link to the way arts and sciences might overlap. “How do artists and scientists find a way to match issues, ideas and theories?” This may be especially so in relation to the integral use of image to empower a message.

Originality/value

– This paper offers an original look at how artists empower with image.
Respecting recovery: research relationships with people with mental illness
Authors: Milbourn Benjamin , McNamara Beverley A , Buchanan Angus J
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The lived experience of individuals who experience mental illness should be at the heart of recovery-orientated practice and research. The purpose of this paper is to outline key ethical and practical issues that both respect principles of recovery and are fundamental to establishing and maintaining a research relationship with people with severe mental illness (SMI).

Design/methodology/approach

– Theoretical frameworks of recovery, discourse ethics and critical reflexivity were used in a 12-month longitudinal community study to construct and build methodology to inform the collection of rich descriptive data through informal discussions, observations and interviews. Detailed field notes and a reflective journal were used to enable critical reflexivity and challenge normative assumptions based on clinical and lay views of SMI.

Findings

– The paper provides an analysis through three vignettes which demonstrate how the principles of recovery were incorporated in an ethically grounded research relationship.

Research limitations/implications

– The study may have been limited by the small sample size of participants.

Practical implications

– Aspects of the research methodology may potentially be adopted by researchers working with people who experience SMI or with other hard-to-reach groups.

Originality/value

– As more research is undertaken with individuals who experience SMI, stigma around understandings of mental illness can be broken down by supporting individuals to find their voice through recovery orientated discourse ethics.
Effective reward ensures effective engagement
Authors: Lardner Sarah
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Operating in an increasingly complex and competitive market, Gemserv’s prime objective in reviewing its reward and benefits strategy was to help attract, engage and retain key staff. They wanted to achieve this by having a better understanding of employees needs and then creating and communicating a compelling total reward proposition.

Design/methodology/approach

– Gemserv wanted to encourage and reward performance linking it to individual long-term career and corporate growth aspirations. The company set out to achieve this by focussing on creating an “Employee Deal” that: Strengthened the link between contribution and performance to enhance perceptions of rewarding exceptional performance; and incentivised individual and team performance to make a real difference and achieve long-term growth aspirations.

Findings

– Beyond all the talk of strategy, talent retention and corporate advantage, Gemserv believes that the biggest result has been seen in the high levels of staff perception of, and participation in, the programme and, consequently, hugely improved employee engagement.

Originality/value

– Gemserv’s senior management benefited from a deeper insight into employee perceptions, aspirations and requirements covering a wide range of areas. Gemserv is now more transparent around the process, the decision-making and is truly honest on pay and benefits positioning – and how that can be effectively aligned with business objectives.
Development of quantitative model to investigate the strategic relationship between information quality and e-government benefits
Authors: Alenezi Hussain , Tarhini Ali , Sharma Sujeet Kumar
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the relationship between improvements in information quality and the benefits and performance of e-government organizations. As information quality is multi-dimensional measure, it is very crucial to determine what aspects of it are critical to organizations to help them to devise effective information quality improvement strategies. These strategies are potentially capable of changing government organizational structures and business processes. It examines the nature, direction and strength of the connections between information quality and the success of e-government initiatives. A conceptual model by means of which organizations performance and information quality research can be viewed is proposed and validated in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study used a quantitative methodology to investigate the causal paths. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 268 employees positioned in the Kuwait Government ministries. Each of the main effect hypotheses was analyzed using stepwise multiple regression with stepwise selection.

Findings

– It was found that the relationships between information quality and strategic benefits along with institutional value were in upright agreement. Our statistical analysis highlighted that improvement in different aspects of information quality can lead to a better organizational image. Specifically, usability and usefulness attributes of information quality came on the top of the key influencers on both strategic benefits and institutional value.

Originality/value

– This is the first study which adequately covers the relationships between information quality and organizations performance in Kuwait. Based on our evaluation, the authors propose a conceptual model to assist in studying the effects of information quality improvement on e-government benefits and performance.
Accounting for the contexts of government service transformation
Authors: Letch Nick , Teo Joseph
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the perspective provided by stage models and examine the wider contexts in which government service transformation occurs. Traditional stage models of e-government have been criticised as being too narrowly focussed suggesting that government services are transformed by information and communications technology (ICT) in a linear manner.

Design/methodology/approach

– Government service transformation involves the interplay of a multitude of social and technical factors over time. We propose that an appreciation of the wider institutional, political and economic contexts is necessary and develop a framework of government service transformation in terms of thelocusof context and focus of the change initiative. This framework is illustrated with reference to a case study of the transformation of the building approvals process in Singapore over two decades.

Findings

– Application of the framework to the case study illustrates that government service transformation is not a linear progression and is influenced by decisions and factors related to both inner and outer contexts.

Research limitations/implications

– While bringing institutional theory to extend analyses of service transformation, the reconstruction of events in the case study presented does not provide a rich enough data set for a full analysis of the institutional forces at play.

Practical implications

– Managers of e-government initiatives can use the dimensions of the framework to assess their progress, as new technologies emerge and policy priorities change.

Originality/value

– The framework presented in the paper provides a complement to existing models for examining e-government transformation and brings a theoretically based perspective to government service transformation which is lacking in existing stage models.
Organizational structures during SOA implementation: the case of a Greek healthcare organization
Authors: Koumaditis Konstantinos , Themistocleous Marinos
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate service-oriented architecture organizational studies (SOA OS) in healthcare through a rigorous literature review, development and testing in an eGovernment health-care setting. The application of SOA paradigm to integrate information systems has been pursued mainly by private organizations. However, SOA starts to appear in the public agenda and specifically in health-care reengineering, as well. Recently, government strategies for eHealth have been slowly incorporating the SOA paradigm to integrate isolated systems, provide cost-effective solutions and expand the capabilities of their health-care information system. Yet, literature indicates that eHealth government strategies, including SOA, require the support of SOA OS to be successfully implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

– To investigate the less acknowledged phenomena like SOA OS in healthcare, the authors incorporate an interpretive, qualitative case study approach to conduct this research. This method will assist in examining the phenomenon in its natural setting, examine the in-depth complexities and health-care processes and provide rich qualitative data during interviews and observations.

Findings

– The authors critically review the literature and synthesize a SOA OS with specific attributes, sub-elements, guidelines and healthcare-specific parameters. This conceptual structure was tested in the practical arena leading to an evaluated SOA OS blueprint.

Research limitations/implications

– As the outcome of the research was based on a single case, the paper concludes that the SOA OS in health-care research needs to broaden its perspective with more empirical data.

Practical implications

– This research revealed empirical insights that can help practitioners and researchers focus their attention to the significant role that the SOA OS plays during SOA implementations.

Originality/value

– This paper focuses on critical success factors related to SOA implementations in health-care organizations and can be considered as novel as it identifies and structures a SOA OS element that can be part of a SOA governance approach in the area of healthcare.
Plant trait characteristics vary with size and eutrophication in European lowland streams
Authors: Baattrup‐Pedersen Annette , Göthe Emma , Larsen Søren E. , O'Hare Matthew , Birk Sebastian , Riis Tenna , Friberg Nikolai
Published: July 2015

Previous studies investigating community‐level relationships between plant functional trait characteristics and stream environmental characteristics remain scarce. Here, we used community‐weighted means to identify how plant traits link to lowland stream typology and how agricultural intensity in the catchment affects trait composition.

We analysed plant trait characteristics in 772 European lowland streams to test the following two hypotheses: (i) trait characteristics differ between plant communities in small and medium‐sized streams, reflecting adaptations to different habitat characteristics, and (ii) trait characteristics vary with the intensity of agricultural land use in the stream catchment, mediated either directly by an increase in productive species or indirectly by an increase in species that efficiently intercept and utilize light.

We found that the communities in small streams were characterized by a higher abundance of light‐demanding species growing from single apical meristems, reproducing by seeds and rooted to the bottom with floating and/or heterophyllous leaves, whereas the community in medium‐sized streams was characterized by a higher abundance of productive species growing from multi‐apical and basal growth meristems forming large canopies.

We also found indications that community trait characteristics were affected by eutrophication. We did not find enhanced abundance of productive species with an increasing proportion of agriculture in the catchments. Instead, we found an increase in the abundance of species growing from apical and multi‐apical growth meristems as well as in the abundance of species tolerant of low light availability. The increase in the abundance of species possessing these traits likely reflects different strategies to obtain greater efficiency in light interception and utilization in nutrient‐enriched environments.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings challenge the general assumption of the EU Water Framework Directive compliant assessment systems that plant community patterns in streams reflect the nutrient preference of the community. Instead, light availability and the ability to improve interception and utilization appeared to be of key importance for community composition in agricultural lowland streams. We therefore suggest moving from existing approaches building on species‐specific preference values for nutrients to determine the level of nutrient impairment to trait‐based approaches that provide insight into the biological mechanisms underlying the changes. We recommend that existing systems are critically appraised in the context of the findings of this study.
Multipotent bone marrow stromal cell therapy promotes endogenous cell proliferation following ischemic stroke
Authors: Pirzad Jahromi Gila , Shabanzadeh Pirsaraei Alireza , Sadr Seyed Shahabeddin , Kaka Golamreza , Jafari Mahvash , Seidi Sadegh , Charish Jason
Published: July 2015

Despite extensive research over the years, there still exists some debate as to what constitutes the optimal therapeutic strategy to promote recovery following stroke. Due to the complexity of injured brain pathophysiology, treatment approaches should ideally address numerous factors, ultimately aiming to promote tissue protection, axonal regrowth and functional recovery. This study extends the understanding of the effects of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) treatment following experimentally induced ischemic stroke in rats. Focal ischemic brain injury was experimentally induced in rats by placing a preformed clot into the middle cerebral artery. Animals were injected intravenously with BMSCs at 24 h after stroke and were killed 7 days post injury. When administered BMSCs following stroke, the neurological outcome was significantly improved relative to controls. There was an increase in the number of BMSCs labelled with BrdU present in the injured hemisphere of the brain compared to the non‐injured side. Furthermore, administration of BMSCs also led to increases in astrocytosis, vascularization and endogenous proliferation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of action of BMSC treatment and further argue for the therapeutic potential of BMSCs as an effective treatment following cerebral stroke.
An update on the clinical pharmacology of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor alogliptin used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Wu , He Zhi‐Xu , Zhou Zhi‐Wei , Yang Tianxin , Zhang Xueji , Yang Yin‐Xue , Duan Wei , Zhou Shu‐Feng
Published: July 2015

Alogliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor that is a class of relatively new oral hypoglycaemic drugs used in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other anti‐diabetic agents, including metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylureas and insulin with a considerable therapeutic effect. Alogliptin exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles in humans. Alogliptin is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6) and CYP3A4. Dose reduction is recommended for patients with moderate or worse renal impairment. Side effects of alogliptin include nasopharyngitis, upper‐respiratory tract infections and headache. Hypoglycaemia is seen in about 1.5% of the T2DM patients. Rare but severe adverse reactions such as acute pancreatitis, serious hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis, angioedema and severe cutaneous reactions such as Stevens‐Johnson syndrome have been reported from post‐marketing monitoring. Pharmacokinetic interactions have not been observed between alogliptin and other drugs including glyburide, metformin, pioglitazone, insulin and warfarin. The present review aimed to update the clinical information on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and drug interactions, and to discuss the future directions of alogliptin.
The Growing Power and Autonomy of House of Commons Select Committees: Causes and Effects
Authors: Fisher Lucy
Published: July 2015

This article is an examination of the rising prominence of House of Commons select committees during the 2010–2015 Parliament, which takes into account the impact of the Wright reforms. The new system of electing committee chairs and members is explored as a central reform that has burnished the autonomy, independence and credibility of the committees. In addition, the characteristics of the coalition government and circumstances entailed by a two‐party executive are seen as factors that have made more robust the neutrality of the committees, which have been looked to ever more urgently as impartial scrutineers of government policy and personnel. As the system has been strengthened and received greater attention from the government, the public and the media, select committees have also come to present a platform upon which certain members and chairs have grown their profile. This phenomenon in turn has added to the desirability of roles on committees, which now present an alternative career route to the ministerial ladder.
Response Surface Optimization of Process Parameters and Fuzzy Analysis of Sensory Data of High Pressure–Temperature Treated Pineapple Puree
Authors: Chakraborty Snehasis , Rao Pavuluri Srinivasa , Mishra Hari Niwas
Published: July 2015

The high‐pressure processing conditions were optimized for pineapple puree within the domain of 400‐600 MPa, 40‐60 °C, and 10‐20 min using the response surface methodology (RSM). The target was to maximize the inactivation of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) along with a minimal loss in beneficial bromelain (BRM) activity, ascorbic acid (AA) content, antioxidant capacity, and color in the sample. The optimum condition was 600 MPa, 50 °C, and 13 min, having the highest desirability of 0.604, which resulted in 44% PPO and 47% BRM activities. However, 93% antioxidant activity and 85% AA were retained in optimized sample with a total color change (∆E*) value less than 2.5. A 10‐fold reduction in PPO activity was obtained at 600 MPa/70 °C/20 min; however, the thermal degradation of nutrients was severe at this condition. Fuzzy mathematical approach confirmed that sensory acceptance of the optimized sample was close to the fresh sample; whereas, the thermally pasteurized sample (treated at 0.1 MPa, 95 °C for 12 min) had the least sensory score as compared to others.
Characterization of the genome and transcriptome of the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus: polymorphisms, sex‐biased expression and selection signals
Authors: Mueller Jakob C. , Kuhl Heiner , Timmermann Bernd , Kempenaers Bart
Published: July 2015

Decoding genomic sequences and determining their variation within populations has potential to reveal adaptive processes and unravel the genetic basis of ecologically relevant trait variation within a species. The blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus – a long‐time ecological model species – has been used to investigate fitness consequences of variation in mating and reproductive behaviour. However, very little is known about the underlying genetic changes due to natural and sexual selection in the genome of this songbird. As a step to bridge this gap, we assembled the first draft genome of a single blue tit, mapped the transcriptome of five females and five males to this reference, identified genomewide variants and performed sex‐differential expression analysis in the gonads, brain and other tissues. In the gonads, we found a high number of sex‐biased genes, and of those, a similar proportion were sex‐limited (genes only expressed in one sex) in males and females. However, in the brain, the proportion of female‐limited genes within the female‐biased gene category (82%) was substantially higher than the proportion of male‐limited genes within the male‐biased category (6%). This suggests a predominant on‐off switching mechanism for the female‐limited genes. In addition, most male‐biased genes were located on the Z‐chromosome, indicating incomplete dosage compensation for the male‐biased genes. We called more than 500 000 SNPs from the RNA‐seq data. Heterozygote detection in the single reference individual was highly congruent between DNA‐seq and RNA‐seq calling. Using information from these polymorphisms, we identified potential selection signals in the genome. We list candidate genes which can be used for further sequencing and detailed selection studies, including genes potentially related to meiotic drive evolution. A public genome browser of the blue tit with the described information is available at http://public-genomes-ngs.molgen.mpg.de.
Efficacy and safety of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor application for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion caused by lung cancer
Authors: Li Qian , Sun Wenkui , Yuan Dongmei , Lv Tangfeng , Yin Jie , Cao Ehong , Xiao Xinwu , Song Yong
Published: July 2015

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) signifies a poor prognosis for patients with lung cancer. For treating physicians, the primary goals are to achieve sufficient control of MPE and minimize invasive intervention. Recombinant human mutant tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (rhu‐TNF) has been used in the treatment of MPE. The aim of our research was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhu‐TNF application via ultrasound‐guided chest tube for the treatment of MPE. rhu‐TNF was administered as a single dose to 102 patients with MPE caused by lung cancer, and dexamethasone (Dxm, 5 mg) was administered 30 minutes before rhu‐TNF in 35 randomly selected patients in order test its ability to prevent side effects. The primary endpoint was the efficacy of the rhu‐TNF treatment (disease response rate) and side effects (pain, fever, and flu‐like symptoms), evaluated four weeks after instillation. The disease response rate of rhu‐TNF treatment was 81.37%. Side effects included 13 (12.75%) patients complaining of flu‐like symptoms, 15 (14.71%) with fever/chill, and 14 (13.73%) with chest pain. A significantly higher efficacy was observed for treatment with 3 MU versus 2 MU of rhu‐TNF (P = 0.036), while the adverse effects were similar. There was no significant association between the dose of rhu‐TNF and progression‐free survival (P = 0.752). In conclusion, our study shows that intra‐pleural instillation of rhu‐TNF achieves sufficient control of MPE and minimizes invasive intervention.
After 30 years of dissemination, have we achieved sustained practice change in motivational interviewing?
Authors: Hall Kate , Staiger Petra K. , Simpson Angela , Best David , Lubman Dan I.
Published: July 2015

Aims

Motivational interviewing (MI) is the most successfully disseminated evidence‐based practice in the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment field. This systematic review considers two questions relevant to policymakers and service providers: (1) does training in MI achieve sustained practice change in clinicians delivering SUD treatment; and (2) do clinicians achieve a level of competence after training in MI that impacts upon client outcomes?

Methods

A systematic review was conducted and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement, examining training outcomes for MI in the SUD treatment sector, and for clinicians working in a SUD treatment role. We determined a training method to have resulted in sustained practice change when over 75% of participants met beginning proficiency in MI spirit at a follow‐up time‐point.

Results

Of the 20 studies identified, 15 measured training at a follow‐up time‐point using standard fidelity measures. The proportion of clinicians who reached beginning proficiency was either reported or calculated for 11 of these studies. Only two studies met our criterion of 75% of clinicians achieving beginning proficiency in MI spirit after training. Of the 20 studies identified, two measured client substance use outcomes with mixed results.

Conclusions

A broad range of training studies failed to achieve sustained practice change in MI according to our criteria. It is unlikely that 75% of clinicians can achieve beginning proficiency in MI spirit after training unless competency is benchmarked and monitored and training is ongoing. The impact of training on client outcomes requires future examination.
Ideology, Learning, and Policy Diffusion: Experimental Evidence
Authors: Butler Daniel M. , Volden Craig , Dynes Adam M. , Shor Boris
Published: July 2015

We introduce experimental research design to the study of policy diffusion in order to better understand how political ideology affects policymakers’ willingness to learn from one another's experiences. Our two experiments–embedded in national surveys of U.S. municipal officials–expose local policymakers to vignettes describing the zoning and home foreclosure policies of other cities, offering opportunities to learn more. We find that: (1) policymakers who are ideologically predisposed against the described policy are relatively unwilling to learn from others, but (2) such ideological biases can be overcome with an emphasis on the policy's success or on its adoption by co‐partisans in other communities. We also find a similar partisan‐based bias among traditional ideological supporters, who are less willing to learn from those in the opposing party. The experimental approach offered here provides numerous new opportunities for scholars of policy diffusion.
Laparoscopic skill improvement after virtual reality simulator training in medical students as assessed by augmented reality simulator
Authors: Nomura Tsutomu , Mamada Yasuhiro , Nakamura Yoshiharu , Matsutani Takeshi , Hagiwara Nobutoshi , Fujita Isturo , Mizuguchi Yoshiaki , Fujikura Terumichi , Miyashita Masao , Uchida Eiji
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Definitive assessment of laparoscopic skill improvement after virtual reality simulator training is best obtained during an actual operation. However, this is impossible in medical students. Therefore, we developed an alternative assessment technique using an augmented reality simulator.

Methods

Nineteen medical students completed a 6‐week training program using a virtual reality simulator (LapSim). The pretest and post‐test were performed using an object‐positioning module and cholecystectomy on an augmented reality simulator(ProMIS). The mean performance measures between pre‐ and post‐training on the LapSim were compared with a paired t‐test.

Results

In the object‐positioning module, the execution time of the task (P < 0.001), left and right instrument path length (P = 0.001), and left and right instrument economy of movement (P < 0.001) were significantly shorter after than before the LapSim training. With respect to improvement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a gallbladder model, the execution time to identify, clip, and cut the cystic duct and cystic artery as well as the execution time to dissect the gallbladder away from the liver bed were both significantly shorter after than before the LapSim training (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our training curriculum using a virtual reality simulator improved the operative skills of medical students as objectively evaluated by assessment using an augmented reality simulator instead of an actual operation. We hope that these findings help to establish an effective training program for medical students.
Experimental economics as a method for normative business ethics
Authors: Francés‐Gómez Pedro , Sacconi Lorenzo , Faillo Marco
Published: July 2015

We advance the thesis that the method of experimental economics can make significant contributions to normative, as opposed to descriptive, business ethics. We contend that there are two basic ways in which experimental economics may make this contribution, and we exemplify these ways by pointing to experimental support of social contract theory as rational foundation for business ethics. These two ways are: (1) adding psychological realism; and (2) testing some quasi‐empirical assumptions present in normative theory. In order to make good our methodological claim, we first describe the methodological rules of experimental economics, distinguishing this method from other behavioral business ethics approaches. We also contemplate the possible objection that empirical methods cannot bear on normative ethics because there is no way of bridging the gap between descriptive theory (how people behave) and normative theory (how people ought to behave).
Use of focus groups in business ethics research: potential, problems and paths to progress
Authors: Cowton Christopher J. , Downs Yvonne
Published: July 2015

The use of focus groups is a well‐established qualitative research method in the social sciences that would seem to offer scope for a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in the field of business ethics. This paper explores the potential contribution of focus groups, reviews their contribution to date and makes some recommendations regarding their future use. We find that, while the use of focus groups is not extensive, they have been utilised in a non‐negligible number of studies. Focus groups are usually used as a supplementary method, often as part of the development of a research instrument. Whether used on their own or in conjunction with other methods, we find that in the majority of cases there is insufficient information for a reader to judge that the method has been carried out well and hence that the ‘findings’ may be trusted. Nor is it easy for future researchers to learn about the practical application of the method in business ethics contexts. We therefore recommend improved reporting in future published studies. Based on an analysis of a subsample of papers that provided a reasonable level of methodological detail, we provide further insights into, and recommendations for, the use of focus groups in business ethics research.
Continuous inhibition of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I in adipose tissue leads to tachyphylaxis in humans and rats but not in mice
Authors: Morentin Gutierrez P , Gyte A , deSchoolmeester J , Ceuppens P , Swales J , Stacey C , Eriksson J W , Sjöstrand M , Nilsson C , Leighton B
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose

11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (11β‐HSD1), a target for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, converts inactive glucocorticoids into bioactive forms, increasing tissue concentrations. We have compared the pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship of target inhibition after acute and repeat administration of inhibitors of 11β‐HSD1 activity in human, rat and mouse adipose tissue (AT).

Experimental Approach

Studies included abdominally obese human volunteers, rats and mice. Two specific 11β‐HSD1 inhibitors (AZD8329 and COMPOUND‐20) were administered as single oral doses or repeat daily doses for 7–9 days. 11β‐HSD1 activity in AT was measured ex vivo by conversion of 3H‐cortisone to 3H‐cortisol.

Key Results

In human and rat AT, inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 activity was lost after repeat dosing of AZD8329, compared with acute administration. Similarly, in rat AT, there was loss of inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 activity after repeat dosing with COMPOUND‐20 with continuous drug cover, but effects were substantially reduced if a ‘drug holiday’ period was maintained daily. Inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 activity was not lost in mouse AT after continuous cover with COMPOUND‐20 for 7 days.

Conclusions and Implications

Human and rat AT, but not mouse AT, exhibited tachyphylaxis for inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 activity after repeat dosing. Translation of observed efficacy in murine disease models to human for 11β‐HSD1 inhibitors may be misleading. Investigators of the effects of 11β‐HSD1 inhibitors should confirm that desired levels of enzyme inhibition in AT can be maintained over time after repeat dosing and not rely on results following a single dose.
Facile Synthesis of Core–shell Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for pH‐sensitive Anticancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Shao Dan , Wang Zheng , Dong Wen‐fei , Zhang Xin , Zheng Xiao , Xiao Xuan‐ang , Wang Ying‐shuai , Zhao Xue , Zhang Ming , Li Jing , Huo Qi‐sheng , Chen Li
Published: July 2015

The facile synthesis of core–shell magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs) was reported in aqueous phase using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template under alcohol‐free conditions. Compared to the conventional synthesis method for core–shell Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs, the approach in this study is rapid (only 5‐min reaction time), cheap (without using organic agents), and environmentally friendly (one‐step synthesis in alcohol‐free medium). Doxorubicin (DOX)‐loaded Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs exert extraordinarily high specificity for liver cancer cells, which was due to the pH‐sensitive doxorubicin release, as well as higher endocytosis capacity in liver cancer cells rather than normal liver cells. The potential advantages of using such Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs as the vehicle of anticancer drugs were that the Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs exhibit good biocompatibility, high loading and protection of the guest molecules, selective killing effect, and efficient cellular uptake. The exciting pH‐dependent release properties of doxorubicin‐loaded Fe3O4@mSiO2 NPs make their use a promising strategy for enhancing efficient therapy toward tumors, while reducing the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin to human normal neutral tissue or cells.
Pathogenesis of IgE‐mediated food allergy
Authors: Berin M. C.
Published: July 2015

Food allergy is a prevalent disease for which there is no current treatment beyond careful food avoidance. Accidental exposure to foods causes reactions in allergic individuals that can range in severity from mild skin reactions to severe and life‐threatening anaphylaxis, and there are no validated tools to predict severity of reactions. A greater understanding of the pathogenesis of food allergy is needed to develop prevention and treatment strategies for food allergy. In the last few years, there have been significant developments in the field of food allergy that have led to new ideas about food allergy prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This review will discuss these recent advances in the food allergy field as well as identify gaps in our knowledge about the immune mechanisms of allergy and tolerance to foods.
Higher methylation of the IGF1 P2 promoter is associated with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Ouni Meriem , Castell Anne‐Laure , Rothenbuhler Anya , Linglart Agnès , Bougnères Pierre
Published: July 2015

Background

Idiopathic short stature (ISS) has a strong familial component, but genetics explains only part of it. Indeed, environmental factors act on human growth either directly or through epigenetic factors that remain to be determined. Given the importance of the GH/IGF1 axis for child growth, we suspected that such epigenetic factors could involve the CG methylation at the IGF1 gene P2 promoter, which was recently shown to be a transcriptional regulator for IGF1 gene and a major contributor to GH sensitivity.

Objective

Explore whether the methylation of the two IGF1 low‐CG‐rich promoters (P1 and P2) is associated with ISS.

Subjects and methods

A total of 94 children with ISS were compared with 119 age‐matched children of normal height for the methylation of CGs located within the IGF1 promoters measured with bisulphite PCR pyrosequencing.

Results

The methylation of 5 CGs of the P2 promoter was higher in ISS children, notably CG‐137 (49 ± 4% in ISS vs 46 ± 4 % in control children, P = 9 × 10−5). This was also true for CG‐611 of the P1 promoter (93 ± 3% vs 91 ± 3% P = 10−4). The CG methylation of the IGF1 promoters thus takes place among the multifactorial factors that are associated with ISS.
Radiological study of the anatomy of the keystone area of the nasal septum using computed tomography to aid septal surgery
Authors: Carr S. , Twigg V. , Mirza S.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

An optimum septoplasty result may require complete detachment of the superior osseocartilaginous junction (OCJ), but this may lead to disruption of the keystone area with loss of nasal support and consequent supratip depression deformity. The aim of this study was to analyse normal keystone anatomy using CT scan images and to estimate the incidence of risk of supratip depression when completely detaching the OCJ.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre.

Participants

Adult patients who underwent CT paranasal sinuses prior to transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in a tertiary referral centre between 2009 and 2013.

Main outcome measures

Length of the keystone area. A length of <5 mm and certain anatomical configurations were considered at risk of a supratip depression with complete detachment of the OCJ.

Results

CT scans of 91 patients were reviewed. The mean keystone length was 9.04 mm (range 0–23 mm). Twenty‐nine (32%) cases were at risk of supratip depression. Relatively shorter nasal bones (nasal bone length: overall dorsal length <0.37) (n = 26) were associated with a shorter keystone area (P = 0.0051).

Conclusions

Thirty‐two per cent of patients have keystone anatomy on radiology predisposing them to supratip depression with complete detachment of the OCJ. Relatively shorter nasal bones were significantly associated with a shorter, higher risk keystone area. In cases with a high septal deviation undergoing a septoplasty, a preoperative CT enables the surgeon to assess the keystone area and determine whether it is safe to completely detach the OCJ.
Emerging conservation challenges and prospects in an era of offshore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation
Authors: Kark Salit , Brokovich Eran , Mazor Tessa , Levin Noam
Published: July 2015

Globally, extensive marine areas important for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning are undergoing exploration and extraction of oil and natural gas resources. Such operations are expanding to previously inaccessible deep waters and other frontier regions, while conservation‐related legislation and planning is often lacking. Conservation challenges arising from offshore hydrocarbon development are wide‐ranging. These challenges include threats to ecosystems and marine species from oil spills, negative impacts on native biodiversity from invasive species colonizing drilling infrastructure, and increased political conflicts that can delay conservation actions. With mounting offshore operations, conservationists need to urgently consider some possible opportunities that could be leveraged for conservation. Leveraging options, as part of multi‐billion dollar marine hydrocarbon operations, include the use of facilities and costly equipment of the deep and ultra‐deep hydrocarbon industry for deep‐sea conservation research and monitoring and establishing new conservation research, practice, and monitoring funds and environmental offsetting schemes. The conservation community, including conservation scientists, should become more involved in the earliest planning and exploration phases and remain involved throughout the operations so as to influence decision making and promote continuous monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems. A prompt response by conservation professionals to offshore oil and gas developments can mitigate impacts of future decisions and actions of the industry and governments. New environmental decision support tools can be used to explicitly incorporate the impacts of hydrocarbon operations on biodiversity into marine spatial and conservation plans and thus allow for optimum trade‐offs among multiple objectives, costs, and risks.
Comparison of micafungin and voriconazole as empirical antifungal therapies in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Oyake Tatsuo , Kowata Shugo , Murai Kazunori , Ito Shigeki , Akagi Tomoaki , Kubo Kohmei , Sawada Kenichi , Ishida Yoji
Published: July 2015

Objectives

In cases of hematological malignancy, patients with persistent fever and neutropenia receive antifungal empirical therapy to prevent and treat invasive fungal infections. The clinical efficacy and safety of micafungin and voriconazole were compared.

Methods

In this randomized, cooperative group, open‐label trial, we assessed and compared the efficacy and safety of micafungin and voriconazole as an empirical antifungal therapy in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy. Patients were classified according to invasive fungal infection risk.

Results

There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy between the two treatments, evaluated based on (i) successful treatment of baseline fungal infection (no evaluation), (ii) absence of breakthrough fungal infection (P = 0.106), (iii) survival for ≥7 days after study completion (P = 0.335), (iv) premature study discontinuation due to poor efficacy (P = 0.424), and (v) resolution of fever during neutropenia (P = 0.756). Discontinuation due to drug‐related adverse events (grades 3‐4) occurred less frequently in the micafungin group (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

The clinical efficacy did not differ between micafungin and voriconazole. Micafungin was generally better tolerated than voriconazole when given as an empirical antifungal therapy in patients with persistent fever and neutropenia.
Prenatal exposure to common environmental factors affects brain lipids and increases risk of developing autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Wong Christine T. , Wais Joshua , Crawford Dorota A.
Published: July 2015

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has been on the rise over recent years. The presence of diverse subsets of candidate genes in each individual with an ASD and the vast variability of phenotypical differences suggest that the interference of an exogenous environmental component may greatly contribute to the development of ASDs. The lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is released from phospholipids of cell membranes, and is important in brain development and function; PGE2 is involved in differentiation, synaptic plasticity and calcium regulation. The previous review already described extrinsic factors, including deficient dietary supplementation, and exposure to oxidative stress, infections and inflammation that can disrupt signaling of the PGE2 pathway and contribute to ASDs. In this review, the structure and establishment of two key protective barriers for the brain during early development are described: the blood–brain barrier; and the placental barrier. Then, the first comprehensive summary of other environmental factors, such as exposure to chemicals in air pollution, pesticides and consumer products, which can also disturb PGE2 signaling and increase the risk for developing ASDs is provided. Also, how these exogenous agents are capable of crossing the protective barriers of the brain during critical developmental periods when barrier components are still  being formed is described. This review underlines the importance of avoiding or limiting exposure to these factors during vulnerable periods in development.