bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual Interactions with Strategy Tools: Producing Strategic Knowledge in Workshops
Authors: Paroutis Sotirios , Franco L. Alberto , Papadopoulos Thanos
Published: January 2015

How do managers visually interact with strategy tools during workshops to produce knowledge about strategic issues? Building on the strategy‐as‐practice perspective and visual organization studies, we conceptualize workshops as arenas where visual interaction with strategy tools takes place. Following this approach, we examine how a top management team creates a strategy tool during a workshop (using primarily video data). Our findings reveal three distinctive patterns of visual interactions: shift, inertia, and assembly. We also show how each of these patterns is enabled by the affordances of the tool used. Our study contributes to theoretical elaborations of how actors visually interact with strategy tools, which offers extensions to the strategy‐as‐practice and visual organization literatures.
Constructing Spaces for Strategic Work: A Multimodal Perspective
Authors: Jarzabkowski Paula , Burke Gary , Spee Paul
Published: January 2015

In this paper we take seriously the call for strategy‐as‐practice research to address the material, spatial and bodily aspects of strategic work. Drawing on a video‐ethnographic study of strategic episodes in a financial trading context, we develop a conceptual framework that elaborates on strategic work as socially accomplished within particular spaces that are constructed through different orchestrations of material, bodily and discursive resources. Building on the findings, our study identifies three types of strategic work – private work, collaborative work and negotiating work – that are accomplished within three distinct spaces that are constructed through multimodal constellations of semiotic resources. We show that these spaces, and the activities performed within them, are continuously shifting in ways that enable and constrain the particular outcomes of a strategic episode. Our framework contributes to the strategy‐as‐practice literature by identifying the importance of spaces in conducting strategic work and providing insight into the way that these spaces are constructed.
Strategic Activity as Bundled Affordances
Authors: Demir Robert
Published: January 2015

This study addresses the question of how strategy actors instil strategic behaviour in everyday strategic activity despite their physical absence. To do this, I draw on ecological psychology and introduce the concept of bundled affordances, multiple spatiotemporally distinct yet co‐performing action possibilities offered to strategists in single strategic events. Through an in‐depth qualitative study of three affiliated banks, I illustrate that affordances can be usefully bundled when familiar features of material objects are placed in the everyday perceptual field of strategists. The study further suggests that when corporate interests and individual goals are effectively entangled into affordance bundles, they not only motivate individuals to behave strategically but also make those actions intuitive rather than open‐ended action possibilities, instructive rather than interpretive, and readily identifiable in events rather than in information about the properties of material objects.
Expression profiles of glutathione S‐transferase superfamily in Spodoptera litura tolerated to sublethal doses of chlorpyrifos
Authors: Zhang Ni , Liu Jia , Chen Shu‐Na , Huang Li‐Hua , Feng Qi‐Li , Zheng Si‐Chun
Published: January 2015

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad‐spectrum organophosphate insecticide. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) in insects are a family of detoxification enzymes and they play critical roles in CPF detoxification. Spodoptera litura is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in tropical and subtropical areas in the world. In this study, 37 Slgsts from 46 unique transcripts of gsts in S. litura transcriptome data, including eight previously reported GSTs, were identified and their expression patterns in susceptible and 12‐generation‐CPF‐treated strains were analyzed to understand the roles of these Slgsts in sublethal doses of CPF tolerance. The results indicate that the members of the S. litura GST superfamily could be distinguished into three major groups: one group, including six cytosolic Slgsts (SlGSTe1, SlGSTe3, SlGSTe10, SlGSTe15, SlGSTo2 and SlGSTs5) and two microsomal Slgsts (SlMGST1‐2 and SlMGST1‐3), was directly responsible for CPF induction in both 12‐generation‐treated and susceptible strains; the second group, including three cytosolic Slgsts (SlGSTe13, SlGSTt1 and SlGSTz1) and one microsomal Slgst (SlMGST1‐1), was induced only in the 12‐generation‐treated strain; the third group, including eight cytosolic Slgsts (two epsilon, three delta, one omega, one zeta and one unclassified Slgst), was expressed 1.52–5.15‐fold higher in the 12‐generation‐treated strain than in the susceptible strain.
Volatile Composition and Aroma Activity of Guava Puree Before and After Thermal and Dense Phase Carbon Dioxide Treatments
Authors: Plaza Maria Lourdes , Marshall Maurice R. , Rouseff Russell Lee
Published: January 2015

Volatiles from initially frozen, dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD)‐ and thermally treated guava purees were isolated by solid phase microextraction (SPME), chromatographically separated and identified using a combination of gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), GC‐olfactometry (GC‐O), and GC‐pulsed flame photometric detector (GC‐PFPD, sulfur mode). Fifty‐eight volatiles were identified using GC‐MS consisting of: 6 aldehydes, 2 acids, 15 alcohols, 6 ketones, 21 esters, and 8 terpenes. Eleven volatiles were newly identified in guava puree. Hexanal was the most abundant volatile in all 3 types of guava puree. Ten sulfur compounds were identified using GC‐PFPD of which 3 possessed aroma activity and 3 were not previously reported in guava puree. Both treatments profoundly reduced total sulfur peak areas and produced different peak patterns compared to control. Thermal treatment reduced total sulfur peak area 47.9% compared to a loss of 34.7% with DPCD treatment. Twenty‐six volatiles possessed aroma activity. (Z)‐3‐Hexenyl hexanoate was the major contributor to the aroma of the freshly thawed and DPCD‐treated guava puree. DPCD treatment reduced total MS ion chromatogram (MS TIC) peak area 35% but produced a GC‐O aroma profile very similar to control. Whereas thermal treatment reduced total TIC peak area only 8.7% compared to control but produced a 35% loss in total GC‐O peak intensities.
Effects of Inoculation of Commercial Starter Cultures on the Quality and Histamine Accumulation in Fermented Sausages
Authors: Wang Xinhui , Ren Hongyang , Wang Wei , Zhang Yin , Bai Ting , Li Junxia , Zhu Wenyou
Published: January 2015

To meet the requirements of high‐quality safe products, starter cultures are used to produce fermented sausages. The effects of 3 commercial starter cultures, namely SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181, on histamine accumulation and quality parameters including microbial quality, pH, water activity, and total volatile base nitrogen, as well as the color and texture properties, were evaluated during the fermentation and ripening of fermented sausages. Although initial counts of Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas were similar in the 4 batches, the growth of these microorganisms was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) in batches SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181 throughout the fermentation and ripening period. The counts of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas increased to maximum levels of 3.89, 4.41, and 5.15 log10 colony forming units/g in the control sausages, respectively. At the end of ripening, the levels of histamine were 8.85, 0.32, 7.82, and 3.18 mg/kg for batches C, SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181, respectively. The results revealed that commercial starter cultures, particularly starter cultures SM‐194 and SM‐181, made a great contribution to histamine reduction. In addition, batches inoculated with starter cultures showed a stronger acidification and lower level of total volatile base nitrogen than the control sample during production (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that the inoculation of commercial starter cultures, particularly starter cultures SM‐194 and SM‐181, contributes to improving microbial quality, hygienic quality and food safety of fermented sausages.
Direct and Simultaneous Quantification of Tannin Mean Degree of Polymerization and Percentage of Galloylation in Grape Seeds Using Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform‐Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Pappas Christos , Kyraleou Maria , Voskidi Eleni , Kotseridis Yorgos , Taranilis Petros A. , Kallithraka Stamatina
Published: January 2015

The direct and simultaneous quantitative determination of the mean degree of polymerization (mDP) and the degree of galloylation (%G) in grape seeds were quantified using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and partial least squares (PLS). The results were compared with those obtained using the conventional analysis employing phloroglucinolysis as pretreatment followed by high performance liquid chromatography‐UV and mass spectrometry detection. Infrared spectra were recorded in solid state samples after freeze drying. The 2nd derivative of the 1832 to 1416 and 918 to 739 cm−1 spectral regions for the quantification of mDP, the 2nd derivative of the 1813 to 607 cm−1 spectral region for the degree of %G determination and PLS regression were used. The determination coefficients (R2) of mDP and %G were 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. The corresponding values of the root‐mean‐square error of calibration were found 0.506 and 0.692, the root‐mean‐square error of cross validation 0.811 and 0.921, and the root‐mean‐square error of prediction 0.612 and 0.801. The proposed method in comparison with the conventional method is simpler, less time consuming, more economical, and requires reduced quantities of chemical reagents and fewer sample pretreatment steps. It could be a starting point for the design of more specific models according to the requirements of the wineries.
Molecular and phenotypic characteristics of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young compared with early onset type 2 diabetes in China
Authors: Zhang Manna , Zhou Jiao Jiao , Cui Wenjie , Li Yan , Yang Peng , Chen Xiaoyun , Sheng Chunjun , Li Hong , Qu Shen
Published: January 2015

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the contribution of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY) genes to the etiology of 14 Chinese MODY families and to assess phenotypic differences between patients with MODY but without a known genetic cause of diabetes (MODYX) and those with early onset type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

The study included 14 MODY probands from unrelated families and 59 patients (age of onset ≤35 years) diagnosed as early onset T2D. A standard meal test and metabolic studies were performed to characterize the clinical features of all patients. All probands with MODY were analyzed for nucleotide variations in promoters, exons, and exon–intron boundaries of 13 known MODY genes by direct DNA sequencing.

Results

Mutations in 13 known MODY genes were not present in the 14 Chinese families and they were classified as MODYX. However, different polymorphisms were identified, with I27L (42.9%; 12/28) and S487N (46.4%; 13/28) of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF1α/MODY3) being two most frequent polymorphisms. Two new polymorphisms, namely T412I and D504H, were detected in carboxyl ester lipase (CEL/MODY8). Compared with patients with early onset T2D, patients with MODYX were diagnosed with diabetes at a younger age (28.3 ± 6.5 vs 24.3 ± 6.5 years; P < 0.05) and had a lower body mass index (BMI; 28.3 ± 6.1 vs 24.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2; P < 0.01) and homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function (47.6 [22.2–89.4] vs 18.5 [6.5–33.7]; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Herein we report on 14 Chinese families with MODYX and describe its phenotype. Compared with early onset T2D, MODYX is characterized by lower BMI and decreased insulin‐secreting capacity.
Case report: Cavitation of mesenteric lymph nodes as the presenting feature of coeliac disease
Authors: Forrest Charlotte E , Masters Vahid , Smith Caroline L , Farshid Gelareh
Published: January 2015

Cystic cavitation of the lymph nodes associated with hyposplenism is a rare and under‐recognised complication of coeliac disease. This report encompasses the clinical, radiological and pathological features of this condition, while demonstrating the pivotal role radiological imaging plays in achieving a clinical diagnosis.
DNA barcoding largely supports 250 years of classical taxonomy: identifications for Central European bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea partim)
Authors: Schmidt Stefan , Schmid‐Egger Christian , Morinière Jérôme , Haszprunar Gerhard , Hebert Paul D. N.
Published: January 2015

This study presents DNA barcode records for 4118 specimens representing 561 species of bees belonging to the six families of Apoidea (Andrenidae, Apidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae and Melittidae) found in Central Europe. These records provide fully compliant barcode sequences for 503 of the 571 bee species in the German fauna and partial sequences for 43 more. The barcode results are largely congruent with traditional taxonomy as only five closely allied pairs of species could not be discriminated by barcodes. As well, 90% of the species possessed sufficiently deep sequence divergence to be assigned to a different Barcode Index Number (BIN). In fact, 56 species (11%) were assigned to two or more BINs reflecting the high levels of intraspecific divergence among their component specimens. Fifty other species (9.7%) shared the same Barcode Index Number with one or more species, but most of these species belonged to a distinct barcode cluster within a particular BIN. The barcode data contributed to clarifying the status of nearly half the examined taxonomically problematic species of bees in the German fauna. Based on these results, the role of DNA barcoding as a tool for current and future taxonomic work is discussed.
Current small cell lung cancer treatment in China
Authors: Shi Yuankai , Xing Puyuan , Fan Yun , Zhang Xin , Hu Chengping , Wang Caixia , Liu Xiaoqing , Chen Xiaoxia , Zhou Jianying , Wang Mengzhao , Wu Meina , Han Baohui , Fan Min
Published: January 2015

Background

The treatment status of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in Mainland China has never been reported; therefore, this study is the first multicenter survey investigating the status of epidemiology and treatment options of SCLC in Mainland China.

Methods

Two questionnaires were designed to obtain information in 12 medical centers in five major Chinese cities. The hospital information questionnaire was designed to outline SCLC patients' characteristics and treatment preferences in each medical institution, and the patient information questionnaire collected detailed treatment information of 298 SCLC cases in these hospitals.

Results

SCLC represented 13.7% and 18.3% of all lung cancer patients in 2005 and 2010, respectively. Clinical management of SCLC follows mainstream clinical guidelines in general. The most widely applied first‐line treatment mode for limited‐stage patients was combined chemoradiotherapy (66.2%), while 77.0% of the extensive‐stage patients received chemotherapy alone as initial treatment. Etoposide with cisplatin or carboplatin were the most accepted first‐line chemotherapy regimens. The objective response rate was 58.3% after first‐line chemotherapy and 23% of the patients who responded well to first‐line treatment received prophylactic cranial irradiation. As for second‐line chemotherapy, single regimen topotecan or a combined regimen containing topotecan were preferred (53.0%).

Conclusions

The treatment options indicated in our study are in accordance with the international clinical guidelines, which is valuable for the improvement of future guidelines, health care standard, and even the better distribution of health care resources in China.
Weed species differ in their ability to emerge in no‐till systems that include cover crops
Authors: Cordeau S. , Guillemin J.‐P. , Reibel C. , Chauvel B.
Published: January 2015

No‐till cropping systems that include cover crops could lead to important changes in weed communities by decreasing some annual weed populations. In this study, we predicted that seed burial depth and the presence of cover crop would affect the emergence and initial growth success of annual weed species. We tested two factors on 14 weed species in a greenhouse: the seed burial depth of weeds (buried versus soil surface) and the presence/absence of a cover crop (ryegrass). We counted the emerged seedlings and measured the height of weeds and cover crops (Hweed, Hcover), the dry matter content of weeds and cover crops (DMCweed, DMCcover) and the number of leaves of weeds (NLweed) on 1433 weed and 390 ryegrass individuals. Emergence of five weed species (AMBEL, ANGAR, BROST, CENCY and EPHHE) was affected by the seed location (−10.3% on average for unburied seeds), five other weed species (ALOMY, CAPBP, SONAS, VERPE and VLPMY) were affected by cover (on average −9.5% for seeds emerged in the presence of cover crop), and four weed species (GERDI, LAMPU, POAAN and VIOAR) were not affected by either. Weed growth of all weed species also decreased with the presence of a cover crop (on average Hweed: −49.9%, DMCweed: −87.2% and NLweed: −55.4%) and for unburied seeds (on average Hweed: −33.7%, DMCweed: −70.6% and NLweed: −43.3%), with various responses according to species. This study indicates that annual weeds could be disadvantaged by no‐till systems using cover crops.
Alcohol consumption in adolescent homicide victims in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Swart Lu‐Anne , Seedat Mohamed , Nel Juan
Published: January 2015

Aims

To describe the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of adolescent homicide victims in Johannesburg, South Africa and to identify the victim and event characteristics associated with a positive BAC at the time of death.

Design

Logistic regression of mortality data collected by the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS).

Setting

Johannesburg, South Africa.

Participants

A total of 323 adolescent (15–19 years) homicide victims for the period 2001–9 who had been tested for the presence of alcohol.

Measurements

Data on the victims’ BAC level, demographics, weapon or method used, scene, day and time of death were drawn from NIMSS.

Findings

Alcohol was present in 39.3% of the homicide victims. Of these, 88.2% had a BAC level equivalent to or in excess of the South African limit of 0.05 g/100 ml for intoxication. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that a positive BAC in homicide victims was associated significantly with the victim's sex [male: odds ratio (OR) = 2.127; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.012–4.471], victim's age (18–19 years: OR = 2.364; CI = 1.343–4.163); weapon used (sharp instruments: OR = 2.972; CI = 1.708–5.171); and time of death (weekend: OR = 3.149; CI = 1.842–5.383; night‐time: OR = 2.175; CI = 1.243–3.804).

Conclusions

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a substantial proportion of adolescent homicides in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is more prevalent among male and older adolescent victims and in victims killed with sharp instruments over the weekends and during the evenings.
Species–area relationship within benthic habitat patches of a tropical floodplain river: An experimental test
Authors: Montaña Carmen G. , Layman Craig A. , Winemiller Kirk O.
Published: January 2015

The curvilinear relationship between species richness and habitat area (species–area relationship (SAR)) is a fundamental ecological pattern. The relationship is often viewed from a long‐term perspective across relatively large spatial scales, reflecting a balance between immigration and extinction dynamics. We explored whether predictions of SAR also manifest over short time periods (days) in benthic habitat patches of a dynamic floodplain river where littoral faunal assemblages are continuously assembled and disassembled with changing water levels. We examined the relationship of patch size with faunal abundance (i.e. fish and aquatic invertebrates), taxonomic richness, trophic group richness and overall assemblage composition. Strong taxa–area relationships emerged despite the relatively short experimental time period (21 days); larger patches had more taxa and trophic groups. For the smallest patches, taxonomic richness was especially sensitive to abundance of individuals; abundance of individuals was a less important predictor of taxonomic and trophic group richness for the largest patches. Despite the relatively short time frame for study within this temporally dynamic ecosystem, our findings indicate a strong SAR for fishes and macroinvertebrates inhabiting patchy habitats in the littoral zone of this tropical river.
Economic impacts of integrated pest management (IPM) farmer field schools (FFS): evidence from onion farmers in the Philippines
Authors: Sanglestsawai Santi , Rejesus Roderick M. , Yorobe Jose M.
Published: January 2015

This article comprehensively examines the impact of integrated pest management‐farmer field school (IPM‐FFS) on yield, insecticide expenditures, labor expenditures, herbicide expenditures, fertilizer expenditures, and profit, based on data from onion producers in the Philippines. Propensity score matching (PSM) and regression‐based approaches that account for potential bias due to selection problems from observable variables are used to achieve the objective of the study. Sensitivity of our IPM‐FFS impact results to potential bias due to “selection on unobservables” was also assessed. We find that farmers who participate in the IPM‐FFS training program have statistically lower insecticide expenditures than the non‐IPM‐FFS farmers. But we do not find any evidence that the IPM‐FFS training program significantly affects yield and the other inputs. There is some evidence indicating that IPM‐FFS farmers may have statistically higher profit levels than non‐IPM‐FFS producers, but these results are sensitive to and may still be invalidated by bias due to unobservable variables. Since IPM‐FFS seem to only significantly reduce insecticide use, policymakers and extension educators may need to adjust the IPM‐FFS curriculum to further emphasize (or include) other agronomic practices that also optimize the use of other inputs like labor, fertilizer, and herbicides. The more efficient use of all inputs would likely reduce total expenditures and eventually translate to higher incomes.
Admixed Origin of the Kayah (Red Karen) in Northern Thailand Revealed by Biparental and Paternal Markers
Authors: Kutanan Wibhu , Srikummool Metawee , Pittayaporn Pittayawat , Seielstad Mark , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Kumar Vikrant , Prombanchachai Thanawut , Chantawannakul Panuwan
Published: January 2015

This study analyzes the autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) variation and the presence of Y chromosomal haplogroups from 44 individuals of the Kayah or Red Karen (KA) in Northern Thailand. The results based on autosomal STRs indicated that the KA exhibited closer genetic relatedness to populations from adjacent regions in Southeast Asia (SEA) than populations from Northeast Asia (NEA) and Tibet. Moreover, an admixed origin of the KA forming three population groups was observed: NEA, Southern China, and Northern Thailand. The NEA populations made a minor genetic contribution to the KA, while the rest came from populations speaking Sino‐Tibetan (ST) languages from Southern China and Tai–Kadai (TK) speaking groups from Northern Thailand. The presence of six paternal haplogroups, composed of dual haplogroups prevalent in NEA (NO, N, and D1) and SEA (O2 and O3) as well as the intermediate genetic position of the KA between the SEA and NEA also indicated an admixed origin of male KA lineages. Our genetic results thus agree with findings in linguistics that Karenic languages are ST languages that became heavily influenced by TK during their southward spread. A result of the Mongol invasions during the 13th century A.D. is one possible explanation for genetic contribution of NEA to the KA.
Heart Rate Turbulence and T‐Wave Alternans in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: The Influence of Diabetes
Authors: Perkiömäki Juha , Exner Derek V. , Piira Olli‐Pekka , Kavanagh Katherine , Lepojärvi Samuli , Talajic Mario , Karvonen Jarkko , Philippon Francois , Junttila Juhani , Coutu Benoit , Huikuri Heikki
Published: January 2015

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Factors associated with the risk profiles of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with DM are not well established. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) and T‐wave alternans (TWA) are often used to predict arrhythmia events.

Methods and Results

HRT and TWA were measured in two independent groups: the ARTEMIS cohort study and the REFINE‐ICD randomized trial. ARTEMIS assesses risk 3–12 months after coronary angiography in patients with CAD. The initial 1001 patients in ARTEMIS, 526 with and 475 without DM, are included in this analysis. REFINE‐ICD compares usual care versus usual care plus ICD therapy in patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) values of 36–50% assessed 2–15 months after myocardial infarction. The initial 275 patients screened in REFINE ICD are included in this analysis. Abnormal HRT plus TWA was more common in patients with versus without DM in ARTEMIS (125/526, 24% vs 63/475, 13%; P < 0.001) and REFINE‐ICD (43/55, 78% vs 55/220, 25%; P < 0.001), respectively. Abnormal HRT plus TWA was also more common in patients with LVEF values < 50% (28%) vs ≥ 50% (18%; P < 0.001) in ARTEMIS and LVEF values below the population median of 42% (60/138, 43%) versus above the median (38/137, 28%; P < 0.01) in REFINE‐ICD.

Conclusions

Abnormal HRT plus TWA is more common in CAD patients with DM compared with the patients without DM and is related to the severity of LV dysfunction.

Clinical Trial Registration Information

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01426685; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00673842.
Induction of clinical and colonoscopic remission of mild–to–moderate ulcerative colitis with budesonide MMX 9 mg: pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies
Authors: Sandborn W. J. , Danese S. , D'Haens G. , Moro L. , Jones R. , Bagin R. , Huang M. , David Ballard E. , Masure J. , Travis S.
Published: January 2015

Background

Conventional oral corticosteroids are effective at reducing inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis (UC); however, systemic adverse effects limit their use. Budesonide MMX is an extended‐release, second‐generation corticosteroid that targets delivery of budesonide to the entire colon.

Aim

To analyse efficacy and safety outcomes from two phase 3 studies of budesonide MMX in patients with mild‐to‐moderate active UC.

Methods

Patients were assigned to budesonide MMX 9 mg, budesonide MMX 6 mg, or placebo once daily in two randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 8‐week studies (CORE I and II). Pooled data were analysed for pre‐defined primary (combined clinical and colonoscopic remission), secondary and exploratory endpoints. Primary endpoint data were analysed to evaluate the potential influence of demographical and baseline disease characteristics on remission.

Results

Modified intent‐to‐treat population (histological evidence of baseline inflammation) had 232, 230 and 210 patients in budesonide MMX 9 mg, budesonide MMX 6 mg and placebo groups respectively. Combined clinical and colonoscopic remission rates were significantly greater than placebo (6.2%) for the budesonide MMX 9 mg group (17.7%; P = 0.0002), but not the budesonide MMX 6 mg group (10.9%). The primary endpoint of remission with budesonide MMX 9 mg was significantly greater than placebo in most subgroups analysed. Symptom resolution and colonoscopic improvement rates were significantly greater with budesonide MMX 9 mg vs. placebo. Budesonide MMX was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusion

This pooled analysis showed that budesonide MMX 9 mg is efficacious, safe and well tolerated for inducing remission of mild‐to‐moderate UC.
Japanese clinical guidelines for myasthenia gravis: Putting into practice
Authors: Murai Hiroyuki
Published: January 2015

Treatment of myasthenia gravis has depended largely on high‐dose corticosteroids for decades. Although this procedure remarkably reduced the mortality rate of myasthenia gravis, it highlighted issues such as the adverse‐effects of steroids and reduction in quality of life. With the recent discovery of novel autoantibodies, a numbers of alternative therapeutic options have become available. The new Japanese clinical guidelines for myasthenia gravis were published in 2014, and they proposed a novel treatment strategy utilizing these therapeutic options, which might replace high‐dose steroids. They also proposed a draft of new diagnostic criteria. The present review introduces the essence of these guidelines and shares the fundamental philosophy of the treatments that value the patients' quality of life.
Oligomeric amyloid β facilitates microglial excitotoxicity by upregulating tumor necrosis factor‐α and downregulating excitatory amino acid transporter 2 in astrocytes
Authors: Horiuchi Hiroshi , Parajuli Bijay , Kawanokuchi Jun , Jin Shijie , Mizuno Tetsuya , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Suzumura Akio
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Soluble oligomeric amyloid β (oAβ) directly causes synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death, which are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, several lines of evidence have shown that glia‐mediated excitotoxicity is also involved in the disease progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, it is still unclear how oAβ induces glia‐mediated excitotoxicity. Therefore, we tried to clarify the mechanism of oAβ‐induced glia‐mediated excitotoxicity using mouse primary cultures.

Methods

Glial glutamate production was assessed using a colorimetric assay kit. Glial production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) was evaluated using a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. Microglial survival was examined using the MTS assay. mRNA and protein expression levels of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

Results

We showed that oAβ‐stimulation induces glutamate release from astrocyte/microglia co‐cultures, but not from single culture of astrocytes or microglia. oAβ increased TNF‐α release from astrocytes, but not from microglia, and the astrocyte‐derived TNF‐α enhanced glutamate release from microglia. TNF‐α elongated microglial survival and triggered sustained microglial glutamate release in a positive feedback mechanism through TNF‐α receptor 1. Furthermore, treatment of oAβ decreased astrocytic expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2, which plays a pivotal role in homeostasis of the extracellular glutamate level.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that oAβ contributes to glia‐mediated excitotoxicity through the two‐hit mechanism by suppressing astrocytic glutamate uptake through excitatory amino acid transporter 2 and enhancing microglial glutamate release, and triggers chronic glial neuroinflammation through the TNF‐α/TNF‐α receptor 1 positive feedback loop in Alzheimer's disease.
Prospective study comparing enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and glycoarray assay to detect antiglycolipid antibodies in a routine diagnostic neuroimmunology laboratory setting
Authors: Delmont Emilien , Robb Henry , Davidson Amy , Halstead Susan , Yao Denggao , Meehan Gavin R. , Willison Hugh
Published: January 2015

Objective

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the conventional technique for antiglycolipid antibody testing in inflammatory neuropathy sera. Miniaturized array‐based assays (glycoarrays) have also been used to detect these antibodies. As previous studies have focused on specific disease categories, such as Guillain–Barré syndrome, the array has never been tested on an unselected population in a routine diagnostic laboratory setting.

Methods

In the present prospective study, we compared the results of the glycoarray with data obtained with a standardized inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment‐ELISA. A total of 300 sera sent to the Glasgow Neuroimmunology Laboratory for routine antiglycolipid antibody testing during a 6‐month period were tested both with ELISA and glycoarray.

Results

The two techniques were significantly correlated and showed good agreement. By ELISA, six sera were positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies against GM1 or GD1a, 11 for immunoglobulin G anti‐GQ1b antibodies, five for immunoglobulin M anti‐GM1 antibodies and three for immunoglobulin M antibodies against disialosyl gangliosides. The glycoarray had a sensitivity of 92% to detect ELISA‐positive sera with a specificity above 92% for all the different ELISA patterns.

Conclusions

The glycoarray allows testing of large panels of antibodies against single glycolipids and complexes of glycolipids on a very small scale. Its technical characteristics make it suitable as a diagnostic screening test. As data provided by the glycoarray and ELISA were reliably correlated in the present study, the glycoarray can be used in a routine setting to detect antiglycolipid antibodies. Further studies, including more positive samples, are required to clarify the future position of the array in the biological investigation of inflammatory neuropathies.
Specular Lobe‐Aware Filtering and Upsampling for Interactive Indirect Illumination
Authors: Tokuyoshi Y.
Published: January 2015

Although geometry‐aware filtering and upsampling have often been used for interactive or real‐time rendering, they are unsuitable for glossy surfaces because shading results strongly depend on the bidirectional reflectance distribution functions. This paper proposes a novel weighting function of cross bilateral filtering and upsampling to measure the similarity of specular lobes. The difficulty is that a specular lobe is represented with a distribution function in directional space, whereas conventional cross bilateral filtering evaluates similarities using the distance between two points in a Euclidean space. Therefore, this paper first generalizes cross bilateral filtering for the similarity of distribution functions in a non‐Euclidean space. Then, the weighting function is specialized for specular lobes. Our key insight is that the weighting function of bilateral filtering can be represented with the product integral of two distribution functions corresponding to two pixels. In addition, we propose spherical Gaussian‐based approximations to calculate this weighting function analytically. Our weighting function detects the edges of glossiness, and adapts to all‐frequency materials using only a camera position and G‐buffer. These features are not only suitable for path tracing, but also deferred shading and non‐ray tracing–based methods such as voxel cone tracing.
Harvesting Choices and Timber Supply among Landowners in the Southern United States
Authors: Zhang Daowei , Sun Xing , Butler Brett J. , Prestemon Jeffrey P.
Published: January 2015

The recent rise of institutional timberland ownership has led to a significant change in the structure and conduct of the timber industry in the United States. In this study, we apply a two‐period harvest model to assess the timber harvesting behavior of various landowners at the stand level by utilizing USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data for nine southern states. Forest industry and institutional timberland owners were found to be more likely to conduct partial and final harvests than nonindustrial private forest landowners. Aggregately, Timberland Investment Management Organizations were found to be most, and timberland Real Estate Investment Trusts to be least, price‐responsive among ownership groups.
Crystallographic study of two monoazo disperse dyes with a D–π–A system
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Kai , Hou Aiqin
Published: January 2015

Two azo disperse dyes, 2,6‐dichoro‐4‐nitro‐4′,4′‐N‐cyanoethyl‐N‐benzyl‐azobenzene (D1) and 3‐(3‐methyl‐4‐N‐ethyl‐N‐benzyl‐phenyldiazenyl)‐5‐nitro‐2,1‐benzisothiazole (D2), were synthesised and characterised. The crystal morphologies and single crystal structures were measured. The various packing and supramolecular interactions were described. D1 formed stellate crystals. The two benzene rings bilateral to the azo unit were not coplanar. Their dihedral angle was 75.72°. They were linked by the azo unit and were twisted. The coupling‐component N‐substituted benzyl and benzene rings were not coplanar. The chemical structure was not the typical azo structure. A dimeric packing mode was formed between adjacent molecules in a head‐to‐head and tail‐to‐tail manner. One molecule was inserted between two dimeric molecules in a head‐to‐tail manner. D2 formed globe crystals. The isothiazole and benzene rings of the azo unit were coplanar, with the typical π–π conjugated structure. The benzene rings of the azo unit and the coupling‐component N‐substituted benzyl were vertical. Their torsion angle was 179.9°.
A highly selective and sensitive benzothiazole‐based ‘turn‐on’ fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ ion
Authors: Erdemir Serkan , Malkondu Sait , Alici Onder
Published: January 2015

A simple benzothiazole‐based fluorescent probe (TDA) for the determination of Hg2+ ion in aqueous solutions was synthesised in one step and characterised by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, APT, COSY, FTIR, and elemental analysis. TDA shows a significant fluorescence change upon the interaction of Hg2+ ion in DMF–water (v/v = 1/1), while only minor changes in fluorescence intensity are observed with 18 other metal ions. Fluorescence enhancement by a factor of 15 is achieved upon selective interaction with Hg2+ ion. The Hg2+ ion detection process is found to be pH dependent; therefore, TDA could be feasible within a pH range of 4.0–7.0.
Artificial neural networks for colour prediction in leather dyeing on the basis of a tristimulus system
Authors: Jawahar Malathy , Narasimhan Kannan Chandra Babu , Kondamudi Manobhai Mehta
Published: January 2015

Computer‐assisted colour prediction and quality control have become increasingly important to the dyeing process in many consumer goods manufacturing industries, including textile and leather. The most challenging aspect concerns dye recipe prediction for the production of the required shade on a given substrate. Computer recipe prediction based on the conventional and widely used Kubelka–Munk model often fails under a variety of conditions. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to develop an artificial neural network model to predict colour in terms of tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) given the concentration of dyes. An artificial neural network model was trained with 300 pairs of known input vectors, i.e. dye concentrations, and output vectors, i.e. colour parameters, using a backpropagation algorithm. The artificial neural network topology consists of three neurons in the input layer to represent the concentration of dyes, three neurons in the output layer to represent the tristimulus values X, Y, and Z, and five neurons in the hidden layer with a log‐sigmoid transfer function. The artificial neural network results showed a good level of colour prediction during the training and testing phase. The results also indicate that the artificial neural network has the potential to give better predictive performance than the conventional Kubelka–Munk model.
A Comparative Study of Patients’ Attitudes Toward Clinical Research in the United States and Urban and Rural China
Authors: Wu Elizabeth , Wang Tianyi , Lin Tammy , Chen Xisui , Guan Zhe , Cao Claudia , Rao Huiying , Yang Ming , Feng Bo , Pui Sandra , Chan Melvin , Fu Sherry , Lin Andy , Wei Lai , Lok Anna S.
Published: January 2015

As the number of clinical trials conducted in China increases, understanding Chinese attitudes toward clinical research is critical for designing effective and ethical studies. Two survey studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to compare patient attitudes toward clinical research and factors affecting research participation in the United States and urban and rural China. We surveyed 525 patients in 2012 (186 US, 186 urban, 153 rural China) and 690 patients in 2013 (412 US, 206 urban, 72 rural China). US patients were more likely to have no concerns regarding research participation than Chinese patients. Most common concerns of US patients were safety, privacy and confidentiality, and time required. Safety was a top concern for many Chinese. Chinese patients, particularly rural Chinese, were more concerned about the likelihood of self‐benefit, and receiving free medical care and financial incentive had greater influence on their participation. Being informed of the freedom to choose whether to participate or to leave a study was less important to Chinese patients. Our study provides important insights into Chinese patients' attitudes toward clinical research and the need to educate them about their rights. These findings help in designing cross‐cultural clinical studies that maximize enrollment while upholding Western ethical standards.
Access to Investigational Drugs: FDA Expanded Access Programs or “Right‐to‐Try” Legislation?
Authors: Holbein M. E. Blair , Berglund Jelena P. , Weatherwax Kevin , Gerber David E. , Adamo Joan E.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The Food and Drug Administration Expanded Access (EA) program and “Right‐to‐Try” legislation aim to provide seriously ill patients who have no other comparable treatment options to gain access to investigational drugs and biological agents. Physicians and institutions need to understand these programs to respond to questions and requests for access.

Methods

FDA EA programs and state and federal legislative efforts to provide investigational products to patients by circumventing FDA regulations were summarized and compared.

Results

The FDA EA program includes Single Patient‐Investigational New Drug (SP‐IND), Emergency SP‐IND, Intermediate Sized Population IND, and Treatment IND. Approval rates for all categories exceed 99%. Approval requires FDA and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and cooperation of the pharmaceutical partner is essential. “Right‐to‐Try” legislation bypasses some of these steps, but provides no regulatory or safety oversight.

Conclusion

The FDA EA program is a reasonable option for patients for whom all other therapeutic interventions have failed. The SP‐IND not only provides patient access to new drugs, but also maintains a balance between immediacy and necessary patient protection. Rather than circumventing existing FDA regulations through proposed legislation, it seems more judicious to provide the knowledge and means to meet the EA requirements.
Synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal: A new demand on detoxification services
Authors: Macfarlane Vicki , Christie Grant
Published: January 2015

Introduction and Aims

Synthetic cannabinoid dependence and withdrawal are not well described in the literature. We aimed to report on the characteristics and treatment course of clients attending a detoxification service for support with synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal in Auckland, New Zealand.

Design and Methods

A retrospective audit of electronic and paper files for clients presenting for treatment in association with problematic synthetic cannabinoid use between May 2013 and May 2014 was conducted. Demographic information, reported synthetic cannabinoid use, other substance use, reported adverse effects, withdrawal symptoms and treatment information were recorded using a piloted template. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the characteristics of the audit sample.

Results

In the 12 month period, 47 people presented to detoxification services reporting problems withdrawing from synthetic cannabinoids. Twenty clients were admitted for medical management within an inpatient setting. Coexisting substance dependence apart from nicotine dependence was low. The most common withdrawal symptoms were agitation, irritability, anxiety and mood swings. Withdrawal symptoms were managed with diazepam and quetiapine.

Discussion and Conclusions

The harm associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids has had a direct impact on the utilisation of specialist alcohol and drug services in Auckland, New Zealand. Many clients with synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms required intensive support including medication and admission to an inpatient detoxification unit. Clients withdrawing from synthetic cannabinoids were the third largest group of clients admitted to inpatient detoxification services in Auckland, New Zealand, between May 2013 and May 2014. [Macfarlane V, Christie G. Synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal: A new demand on detoxification services. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:147–53]
Avifaunal disarray: quantifying models of the occurrence and ecological effects of a despotic bird species
Authors: Thomson James R. , Maron Martine , Grey Merilyn J. , Catterall Carla P. , Major Richard E. , Oliver Damon L. , Clarke Michael F. , Loyn Richard H. , Davidson Ian , Ingwersen Dean , Robinson Doug , Kutt Alex , MacDonald Michael A. , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: January 2015

Aim

Strongly interacting species have disproportionately large ecological effects relative to their abundances or biomass. We previously developed two conceptual models that described how one such strong interactor, the Australian bird the noisy miner Manorina melanocephala: (1) establishes resident high‐density and hyperaggressive colonies and (2) in doing so, affects other biota and ecosystem processes. Here, we evaluate parts of those models relating to noisy miner habitat preferences and effects on bird assemblages using data from across the geographical range of the miner.

Location

Eastern Australia.

Methods

Avian‐assemblage data were compiled for 2 128 survey transects (distributed over > 1.3 × 106 km2) and were linked to variables reflecting productivity, local habitat structure and landscape context. Predictors were chosen based on the models, although detailed data for some variables were unavailable at such large scales. We used hierarchical Bayesian models that included observation models to account for different survey effort coupled with potentially nonlinear, spatially‐explicit process models.

Conclusions

Noisy miner densities increased with proximity to forest edges (higher densities on forest edges and open sites), in low rainfall areas, and in vegetation dominated by trees with blade‐shaped rather than needle‐shaped leaves. The presence of noisy miners at even relatively small densities (> 0.6 individuals ha−1) depressed both species richness and the abundances of smaller (< 63 g) bird species, by 50% on average. There were positive associations between densities of noisy miners and the abundance and richness of larger‐bodied (> 63 g) bird species. In areas with higher mean rainfall, the associations between noisy miners and small‐ and large‐bird species were more negative and less positive, respectively.