bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproductive health peer education for multicultural target groups
Authors: Peters Ingrid A , Schölmerich Vera LN , van Veen Daniëlle W , Steegers Eric AP , Denktaş Semiha
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of the participants and the success of the recruitment methods and increase in knowledge of participants in reproductive health peer education. Dutch perinatal mortality rates are relatively high compared to other European countries. Non-Western ethnic minorities show particularly adverse outcomes. They seem to have low health literacy and less access to health care.

Design/methodology/approach

– These groups were specifically targeted, and reproductive health education covering the full spectrum of obstetric care was developed, led by specifically trained female peer educators coming from the targeted communities.

Findings

– “Active” recruitment methods were the most successful methods; 1,896 women and 275 men were recruited and participated in the intervention. Sixty-five per cent of the total female participants had a first-generation immigrant background. Significant knowledge improvements were found on all five measurements of reproductive behaviour and antenatal and postnatal health care system knowledge (24 per cent average knowledge increase in already knowledgeable participant group and 46 per cent in the not knowledgeable group). Active interpersonal recruitment methods were most successful in reaching the target groups. Peer education resulted in knowledge increase in these groups.

Practical implications

– Invest in training of educators for peer education reproductive health. Organize recruitment by verbal advertising by community organizations and social networks of peer educators.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, no studies have been conducted combining investigation of the results of specific recruitment methods, the characteristics of reached participants in a multi-ethnic population and their increase in knowledge about reproductive health and care.
What does global migration network say about recent changes in the world system structure?
Authors: Korotayev Andrey , Zinkina Julia
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the structure of the international migration system has remained stable through the recent turbulent changes in the world system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology draws on the social network analysis framework – but with some noteworthy limitations stipulated by the specifics of data.

Findings

– The list of the most central nodes demonstrates remarkable stability over time, with the USA consistently occupying the first place and Russia and Germany stably entering the top-five (or even top-three ever since 1990). Centrality analysis also clearly demonstrates the emergence (in the 1970s) and development of the Gulf countries (particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE) as major migration destinations.

Research limitations/implications

– The results of the analysis present a mixture of evidence to support both the principles of the neoclassical migration theory, and some of its critiques, as the migration patterns are strongly influenced by historical links (such as colonial ties), geographical distance, cultural distance, etc. Defining the scope of influence of each of these factors lies beyond the scale of this paper. However, further application of social network analysis to studying the global migration network, in the authors ' opinion, has quite remarkable potential for contributing to this line of research.

Originality/value

– The paper views the specific features in the structure of the global migration network and their implications for world system studies.
Modelling strategic management for the development of competitive advantage, based on technology
Authors: Sakas Damianos , Vlachos Dimitris , Nasiopoulos Dimitris
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research work is to find a methodology for the strategic development of competitive advantage for information technology (IT) companies (Mezger and Violani, 2011). The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a methodological approach on this issue, based on dynamic simulation models (DSM) (Wirahadikusumah and Abraham, 2003). With the aid of DSM, senior managements of organizations will have the opportunity to make decisions of assured success. This success shall be guaranteed by the realization of entrepreneurial activity in a safe and inexpensive computing environment before actual investment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper highlights the advantages of the dynamic modelling of systems aiming at developing competitive advantage for IT companies (Ordóñez de Pablos, 2006). In this research, we have used the science of design and the research methodology for testing the concept of modelling as well as the process of modelling. The models have been completed through a series of alternations and iterations in the design, development, simulation, testing and evaluation.

Findings

– This paper examines the interface among several dimensions for the development of dynamic models. The validity and usefulness of those models in the process of decision-making has been confirmed by the usage of dynamic models in various sectors.

Originality/value

– This paper applies the system and the concepts of dynamic modelling, which are pioneering elements as to their nature and evolution. Although the sector, where the modelling was applied, is an IT company, the concepts and principles investigated, developed and validated can be applied to most enterprises.
Ensemble majority voting classifier for speech emotion recognition and prediction
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Theodoros , Skourlas Christos
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the emotional state of a human being by capturing the speech utterances that are used during common conversation. Human beings except of thinking creatures are also sentimental and emotional organisms. There are six universal basic emotions plus a neutral emotion: happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, disgust and neutral.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is proved that, given enough acoustic evidence, the emotional state of a person can be classified by an ensemble majority voting classifier. The proposed ensemble classifier is constructed over three base classifiers: k nearest neighbors, C4.5 and support vector machine (SVM) polynomial kernel.

Findings

– The proposed ensemble classifier achieves better performance than each base classifier. It is compared with two other ensemble classifiers: one-against-all (OAA) multiclass SVM with radial basis function kernels and OAA multiclass SVM with hybrid kernels. The proposed ensemble classifier achieves better performance than the other two ensemble classifiers.

Originality/value

– The current paper performs emotion classification with an ensemble majority voting classifier that combines three certain types of base classifiers which are of low computational complexity. The base classifiers stem from different theoretical background to avoid bias and redundancy. It gives to the proposed ensemble classifier the ability to be generalized in the emotion domain space.
Relationship between strategic management accounting techniques and profitability – a proposed model
Authors: Abdelmoneim Mohamed Abeer , Jones Tracy
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive strategic model to manage profitability. Strategic management accounting concepts and tools are adopted to explore and manage the main profitability drivers (cost, assets, and revenue).

Design/methodology/approach

– A deductive approach is used to identify the variables of the profitability model. Phase one of this study rely on reviewing prior literature in the field in order to identify the key profitability drivers that uses in managing profitability (costs, assets and revenue).Phase two of the research focuses on testing the perceptions of the managers of Egyptian “Information and communications technology” sector, the relative merits of such a model.

Findings

– The most important finding in the current study, which has not been investigated in previous studies, is that the proposed comprehensive profitability model which contains cost, the assets and revenue techniques was a better predictor of profitability than the alternative models, which contain a combination of two variables.

Originality/value

– As the first study of its kind, this model contributes to the theoretical literature in the field. It is also a practical contribution in managing profitability of the Egyptian “Information and communications technology” sector.
Unwrapping senior consumers’ packaging experiences
Authors: Sudbury-Riley Lynn
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of older consumers with a range of product packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses qualitative diary research (QDR). Ten seniors recorded all their experiences with packaging over a two-week period. Using a frame narrative that views ageing as multidimensional, diary entries uncover rich data that goes beyond physical age-related issues.

Findings

– In addition to physical problems with packaging, older adults experience psychological frustration and feelings of alienation. Social implications of dependence on others are also discovered, despite many being purchasers of up-market luxury products.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is exploratory and due to its qualitative methodology findings cannot be generalised to the wider population. Nevertheless it provides a starting point for future research into packaging and senior consumers.

Practical implications

– The study has implications for all managers who participate in planning and designing brand packaging and calls for them to work more closely with ergonomics and design professionals in order to better plan for the needs of a large and growing sector of the population.

Social implications

– Findings suggest that the basic need to feed oneself is hampered by some packaging, which of course is detrimental to the quality of life of older adults.

Originality/value

– Few studies consider packaging and older consumers and this is particularly true in the marketing literature. This is the first study to use QDR in this context, and as such has several advantages over recall studies. The study also makes a contribution to knowledge pertaining to vulnerable consumers.
Phenomenology and organizational communication
Authors: M. Budd John , L. Velasquez Diane
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present ways for managers to attain the phenomenological attitude. Achieving effective communication in organizations like libraries and information agencies is a difficult challenge. The business literature offers some suggestions, but those fall short. Application of phenomenological methods by managers can help meet the challenge and bring people together around the intended messages.

Design/methodology/approach

– Of utmost importance to effective communication is transcending what can be called the “natural attitude” in favor of the “phenomenological attitude”. This requires recognition by managers of the unique relationship of self and other, plus the realization that action is intentional (meaning that being conscious means being conscious of something). This paper presents ways for managers to attain the phenomenological attitude.

Findings

– Phenomenological methods of communicating have the potential to engage and involve everyone in the organization by enabling all to comprehend fully the nature of what is communicated and what is to be accomplished.

Originality/value

– Phenomenology is seldom applied to organizational communication; this paper demonstrates that it presented the wherewithal to help managers improve the effectiveness of libraries and information agencies.
University presses in libraries: potential for successful marriages
Authors: Missingham Roxanne , Kanellopoulos Lorena
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of libraries and university presses and to present the Australian National University (ANU) Press and Library as a case study of successful structural integration.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyses current debates about libraries as structural centres for running university presses. Taking into consideration the major areas of debate, the methodology used is to analyse the operation of the press; compare the financial parameters to two traditional Australian university presses; analyse the policy and procedures of the press; review the benefits to the university, library and press of the current operation; and outline issues for the future.

Findings

– Over the past 10 years, the ANU Press has developed into a major producer of open access scholarly outputs. The relationship with the Library has enabled a sharing of information, joint work on issues such as access and copyright and a platform from which integrated support for scholarly communication can occur.

Research limitations/implications

– The article is a detailed case study of the ANU Press. Further studies could compare the operations of other university presses that are located within universities and analyse the fit of different models.

Practical implications

– The model used at ANU has been used to develop two other presses in Australia, with some modifications. It can be used by other universities.

Originality/value

– Establishing libraries as the structural home for university presses is an area of hotly contested debate. This is a systematic review of a model of a press located within a library. It has resulted in both internal cooperation within the scholarly communication paradigm and a research impact of approximately one million downloads a year. It provides insights into the role of libraries in scholarly communication that have been the basis of assertions in current debate, providing information that will support further experimentation and more informed discussions.
Student publishing: future scholars as change agents
Authors: J Caprio Mark
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight undergraduates as an emergent student–scholar author group and to encourage institutions to take a future-oriented view, focusing greater attention to and support of undergraduate’s publishing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Highlighting benefits derived from undergraduate research (UR) experiences and publishing taken from the literature and experienced through local practice (Providence College), presenting pedagogical models for transforming students into independent thinkers (students as scholars) and responding to business and non-profit leader graduate skills requests of higher education, this paper argues for the need to cultivate graduate attributes (requisite 21st century workforce skills, abilities and behaviors), especially graduate demonstrated articulation and communication (publication) skills and abilities.

Findings

– The conclusions drawn in this paper align with the literatures’ support of derived benefits from UR experiences and its completion through articulation and communication (publication). Final remarks reiterate that critical thinking, complex problem-solving and communication (publication) skills and abilities demonstrate graduate agency and preparedness for meeting 21st century challenges.

Originality/value

– This paper layers several pedagogical engagement-based teacher–learner models, highlights benefits of undergraduates’ completing the research process through communication (publication) and underscores the importance of cultivating 21st century graduate agency.
Fostering engagement and dealing with stress in projects that effect change
Authors: Frank Cervone H.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors that can contribute to successful management of these issues by project managers. Frequently, projects involve significant change efforts. To achieve project success, project managers must have the skills and understanding to manage the personnel issues related to change and stress related to change.

Design/methodology/approach

– By reviewing the definitive literature related to change management, the author provides some criteria for project managers to consider as they foster engagement and manage stress related to change in projects.

Findings

– There are three primary strategies project managers can use to successfully manage both engagement and stress in projects that involve significant change efforts.

Originality/value

– While the issues related to change management have been discussed generally, the application of these theories and practices to project management has not been extensively explored in the literature. This article provides a general overview of the major theories in direct relationship to project management.
Working capital management: a literature review and research agenda
Authors: Pratap Singh Harsh , Kumar Satish
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review research on working capital management (WCM) and to identify gaps in the current body of knowledge, which justify future research directions. WCM has attracted serious research attention in the recent past, especially after the financial crisis of 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using systematic literature review (SLR) method, the present study reviews 126 articles from referred journal and international conferences published on WCM.

Findings

– Detailed content analysis reveals that most of the research work is empirical and focuses mainly on two aspects, impact of working capital on profitability of firm and working capital practices. Major research work has concluded that WCM is essential for corporate profitability. The major issues with prior literature are lack of survey-based approach and lack of systematic theory development study, which opens all new areas for future research. The future research directions proposed in this paper may help develop a greater understanding of determinants and practices of WCM.

Practical implications

– Till date, literature on classification of WCM has been almost non-existent. This paper reviews a large number of articles on WCM and provides a classification scheme in to various categories. Subsequently, various emerging trends in the field of WCM are identified to help researchers specifying gaps in the literature and direct research efforts.

Originality/value

– This paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on the WCM and their classification according to various attributes. The paper will be useful to researchers, finance professionals and others concerned with WCM to understand the importance of WCM. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no detailed SLR on this topic has previously been published in academic journals.
Shari’ah issues in Islamic banking: a qualitative survey in Malaysia
Authors: Echchabi Abdelghani , Abd. Aziz Hassanuddeen
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the customers’ perception regarding the current shari’ah issues of Islamic banks in Malaysia. Specifically, the study attempts to examine the awareness of the current criticisms of the main shari’ah issues in Islamic finance, and the perception of the selected customers towards these criticisms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses a qualitative approach to understand in detail the customers’ perception and experiences about shari’ah compliance of Islamic banks. Semi-structured interview is used with ten Islamic banks’ customers in Malaysia. The study also used phenomenological techniques to analyse the data.

Findings

– The findings revealed that the interviewees have considerable exposure and awareness of the current criticisms of the shari’ah compliance of Islamic banks.

Originality/value

– This research is the first to study the shari’ah issues of Islamic banks in Malaysia from the customers’ perspective, by using a qualitative research approach. The findings of this study are of original importance, because they unveil the customers’ experience in an area that has been severely looked at from the professional and experts’ point of view only.
Equity market integration: the new emerging economy of Montenegro
Authors: G. Papavassiliou Vassilios
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of capital market integration between the Montenegrin stock market and a number of European Union (EU) countries and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use an equity data set at the daily frequency from 12 countries and 4 broad regions, spanning the period from March 2003 to September 2008. They investigate long-run and short-run dynamics using cointegration techniques, Granger causality tests and vector error correction models.

Findings

– The authors provide evidence for the existence of a long-run equilibrium between Montenegro and the developed countries of Western Europe and the USA. The investigation of short-run dynamics reveals that Montenegro follows an autonomous path, influenced mainly by domestic developments.

Originality/value

– This is the first study on the Montenegrin stock market which has been neglected by the academic community. Montenegro’s accession in the EU is imminent; thus the study of the level of its integration with the rest of EU countries, before its actual accession, is useful for regulators and policymakers. Various lessons of a more general nature can also be drawn from the analysis of this paper.
CEO compensation and the reported value of stock options in initial public offerings
Authors: J. Amoruso Anthony , D. Beams Joseph
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to test the effects that different compensation policies have on managerial discretion with regard to stock options.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hand-collected data from Securities and Exchange Commission registration statements are used to analyze the effects of chief executive officer (CEO) compensation policies on managerial discretion used in valuing stock options.

Findings

– This paper provides evidence that during the height of the initial public offering (IPO) bubble, CEO pay was associated with the undervaluation of stock options by IPO firms. The discretion varies with the relative mix of cash vs stock-based compensation. Firms with higher cash compensation tend to undervalue the unobservable market price of pre-IPO shares, leading to lower option values and a lower likelihood of reporting in-the-money options. Firms with greater stock-based compensation understate stock volatility, resulting in lower measures of the time-value component of options.

Practical implications

– The results provide evidence that firms attempted to disguise the true value of CEO pay when making IPOs. By disguising the value of options granted to the CEO, outsiders were not aware of the actual cost incurred and the true value of the company.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to document that IPO firms understate the non-observable market price of pre-IPO shares to manipulate the value of stock options. It also documents the effect of discretion in estimates of volatility on stock options and the link between this discretion and CEO compensation.
The versatile nature of coral‐associated viruses
Authors: Bettarel Yvan , Bouvier Thierry , Nguyen Hanh Kim , Thu Pham The
Published: August 2014

A recent hypothesis considers that many coral pathologies are the result of a sudden structural alteration of the epibiotic bacterial communities in response to environmental disturbances. However, the ecological mechanisms that lead to shifts in their composition are still unclear. In the ocean, viruses represent a major bactericidal agent but little is known on their occurrence within the coral holobiont. Recent reports have revealed that viruses are abundant and diversified within the coral mucus and therefore could be decisive for coral health. However, their mode of action is still unknown, and there is now an urgent need to shed light on the nature of the relationships they might have with the other prokaryotic and eukaryotic members of the holobiont. In this opinion letter, we are putting forward the hypothesis that coral‐associated viruses (mostly bacterial and algal viruses), depending on the environmental conditions might either reinforce coral stability or conversely fasten their decline. We propose that these processes are presumably based on an environmentally driven shift in infection strategies allowing viruses to regulate, circumstantially, both coral symbionts (bacteria or Symbiodinium) and surrounding pathogens.
Propertisation and Commercialisation: On Controlling the Uses of Human Biomaterials
Authors: Quigley Muireann
Published: August 2014

Third parties, such as researchers and biotech companies, can and do legally acquire property rights in biomaterials. They are protected by the law of property in their use of these. Recent legal decisions have seen a move towards the tentative explicit recognition of some property rights in biomaterials vesting in the source of the materials. However, this recognition has not included income rights. This article discusses the interests that parties have in controlling the uses of biomaterials and the commercial interests that stem from those uses. The article argues that concerns regarding the allocation of property rights to the source generally elide property rights in biomaterials with the right to derive income from the transfer of those materials. Propertisation does not analytically entail commercialisation. It is therefore questionable whether it is reasonable to protect third parties' income rights, while excluding the source of the biomaterials from such protection.
The Quest for a Satisfactory Definition of Terrorism:RvGul
Authors: Greene Alan
Published: August 2014

TheUK SupremeCourt judgment inRvGulpresented a unique opportunity for a judicial appraisal of the definition of terrorism contained in section 1 of theTerrorismAct 2000. While the applicant was ultimately unsuccessful in his challenge, theSupremeCourt's rejection of the state's argument that reliance on prosecutorial discretion could mitigate certain absurd applications of the section 1 definition of terrorism, eg the labelling of acts ofUKor other military forces as terrorist, has potentially wide‐raging implications for theUK's counter‐terrorism measures. In addition, the powerfulobiter dictumarguing in favour of a reform of this definition and a ‘root‐and‐branch’ review of counter‐terrorism legislation is a strong rebuke of recent high profile misapplications of such powers.
Stillbirth rates among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous women in Queensland, Australia: is the gap closing?
Authors: Ibiebele I , Coory M , Boyle FM , Humphrey M , Vlack S , Flenady V
Published: August 2014

Objective

To determine whether the disparity gap is closing between stillbirth rates for Indigenous and non‐Indigenous women and to identify focal areas for future prevention efforts according to gestational age and geographic location.

Design

Population‐based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Queensland, Australia.

Population

All singleton births of at least 20 weeks of gestation or at least 400 g birthweight.

Methods

Routinely collected data on births were obtained for the period 1995 to 2011. Indigenous and non‐Indigenous stillbirth rates and percent reduction in the gap were compared over time and by geographic location and gestational age.

Main outcome measures

All‐cause and cause‐specific stillbirth rates (per 1000 ongoing pregnancies).

Results

Over the study period there was a 57.3% reduction in the disparity gap. Although marked reductions in the gap were shown for women in regional (57.0%) and remote (56.1%) locations, these women remained at increased risk compared with those in urban regions. There was no reduction for term stillbirths. Major conditions contributing to the disparity were maternal conditions (diabetes) (relative risk [RR] 3.78, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 2.59–5.51), perinatal infection (RR 3.70, 95% CI 2.54–5.39), spontaneous preterm birth (RR 3.08, 95% CI 2.51–3.77), hypertension (RR 2.22, 95% CI 1.45–3.39), fetal growth restriction (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.17–2.71) and antepartum haemorrhage (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.13–2.22).

Conclusions

The gap in stillbirth rates between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous women is closing, but Indigenous women continue to be at increased risk due to a number of potentially preventable conditions. There is little change in the gap at term gestational ages.
Cell‐type‐specific tonic GABA signaling in the rat central amygdala is selectively altered by acute and chronic ethanol
Authors: Herman Melissa Ann , Roberto Marisa
Published: August 2014

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is an important site for the reinforcing effects of ethanol and has been implicated in the development of alcohol dependence. The CeA GABAA receptor system is particularly vulnerable to the effects of acute and chronic ethanol exposure. Previous work in the CeA focused on ethanol and phasic GABAA receptor signaling, but tonic GABAA receptor signaling in the rat CeA remains understudied. In the present study, we found that the CeA contains two types of tonic conductance that are expressed in a cell‐type‐specific manner. Low threshold bursting (LTB) and some regular spiking (RS) neurons have an ongoing tonic conductance that is mediated by the α1‐GABAA receptor subunit and is insensitive to acute ethanol exposure. Late spiking (LS) and a separate population of RS neurons do not display a persistent tonic conductance but have the potential for tonic signaling that is mediated by the δ‐GABAA receptor subunit and can be activated by increasing the ambient GABA concentration or by acute ethanol exposure. Acute ethanol exposure differentially alters the firing discharge of different CeA cell types. Chronic ethanol exposure produces a switch in tonic signaling such that the tonic conductance in LTB and some RS neurons is lost and an ongoing tonic conductance is present in LS and a separate population of RS neurons. Collectively, these data demonstrate cell‐type‐specific tonic signaling in the CeA and provide new insight into how acute and chronic ethanol exposure differentially alter specific aspects of inhibitory circuitry in the CeA.
Anabolic androgenic steroids and violent offending: confounding by polysubstance abuse among 10 365 general population men
Authors: Lundholm Lena , Frisell Thomas , Lichtenstein Paul , Långström Niklas
Published: August 2014

Background and Aims

Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with aggressive and violent behaviour, but it remains uncertain if this relationship is causal in humans. We examined the link between AAS use and violent crime while controlling for polysubstance abuse and additional suggested risk factors for violence.

Design

Cross‐sectional study of a population‐based sample.

Setting

In 2005, all Swedish‐born male twins aged 20–47 years were invited to participate in the Swedish Twin Adults: Genes and Environment (STAGE) survey of the Swedish Twin Register (response rate = 60%).

Participants

A total of 10 365 male survey participants with information on AAS use.

Measurement

Data on self‐reported use of AAS, alcohol and other substances, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and personality disorder symptoms were linked to nation‐wide, longitudinal register information on criminal convictions, IQ, psychological functioning and childhood socio‐economic status (SES) covariates.

Findings

Any life‐time use of AAS was associated strongly with conviction for a violent crime [2.7 versus 0.6% in convicted and non‐convicted men, respectively; odds ratio (OR) = 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.7–9.3]. However, this link was substantially reduced and no longer significant when controlling for other substance abuse (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.8–3.3). Controlling for IQ, psychological functioning, ADHD, personality disorder symptoms and childhood SES did not reduce the risk further.

Conclusion

In the general population, co‐occurring polysubstance abuse, but not IQ, other neuropsychological risks or socio‐economic status, explains most of the relatively strong association between any anabolic androgenic steroid use and conviction for a violent crime.
The impact of the tobacco retail outlet environment on adult cessation and differences by neighborhood poverty
Authors: Cantrell Jennifer , Anesetti‐Rothermel Andrew , Pearson Jennifer L. , Xiao Haijun , Vallone Donna , Kirchner Thomas R.
Published: August 2014

Aims

This study examined the impact of tobacco retail outlets on cessation outcomes over time among non‐treatment‐seeking smokers and assessed differences by neighborhood poverty and individual factors.

Design

Observational longitudinal cohort study using geospatial data. We used generalized estimating equations to examine cessation outcomes in relation to the proximity and density of tobacco retail outlets near the home.

Setting

Eight largeDesignatedMediaAreas across theUnited States.

Participants

A total of 2377 baseline smokers followed over three waves from 2008 to 2010.

Measurements

Outlet addresses were identified throughNorthAmericanIndustryClassificationSystem codes and proximity and density measures were constructed for each participant at each wave. Outcomes included past 30‐day abstinence and pro‐cessation attitudes.

Findings

Smokers in high poverty census tracts living between 500 m and 1.9 km from an outlet were over two times more likely to be abstinent than those living fewer than 500 m from an outlet (P < 0.05). Density within 500 m of home was associated with reduced abstinence [odds ratio (OR) = 0.94; confidence interval (CI) = 0.90, 0.98) and lower pro‐cessation attitudes (Coeff = −0.07,CI = −0.10, −0.03) only in high poverty areas. In low poverty areas, density within 500 m was associated with greater pro‐cessation attitudes (OR = 0.06;CI = 0.01, 0.12). Gender, education and heaviness of smoking did not moderate the impact of outlet proximity and density on cessation outcomes.

Conclusions

In theUnited States, density of tobacco outlets within 500 m of the home residence appears to be negatively associated with smoking abstinence and pro‐cessation attitudes only in poor areas.
Positron emission tomography‐positive thyroid nodules: rate of malignancy and histological features
Authors: Flukes Stephanie , Lenzo Nat , Moschilla Girolamo , Sader Chady
Published: August 2014

Background

Thyroid nodules may be incidentally detected on 18F‐FDG‐positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Previous reports suggest a high incidence of malignancy in FDG‐avid nodules. The aims of this study were to examine the incidence of malignancy in a large cohort and to report on the histological features. The findings suggest that poor prognostic histologic features are often associated with FDG‐avid thyroid nodules and this may have clinical implications.

Methods

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted. A database containing all patients who underwent PET scanning at a single tertiary referral centre from January 2006 to January 2013 was searched to identify those with incidental PET‐positive thyroid nodules. Patients with known preexisting thyroid disease were excluded from analysis. The demographics, fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy result and operative histopathology were analysed.

Results

A total of 27 851 FDG‐PET scans were performed of which 221 found incidental PET‐positive thyroid nodules (incidence 0.8%). Fifty‐three patients went on to have further investigation and 21 of these were found to have malignant disease (incidence 39.6%). Histopathological examination of 12 malignant nodules revealed an expected rate of poor prognostic features, including poorly differentiated subtype (8.3%), lymphovascular invasion (16.7%), perineural invasion (8.3%) and extrathyroid extension (33.3%).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that PET‐positive thyroid nodules are associated with a high incidence of malignancy. This finding provides strong support for further investigation including FNA biopsy in all surgically suitable patients.
Mykologie – ein Update Teil 2: Dermatomykosen: Klinisches Bild und Diagnostik
Authors: Nenoff Pietro , Krüger Constanze , Schaller Jörg , Ginter‐Hanselmayer Gabriele , Schulte‐Beerbühl Rudolf , Tietz Hans‐Jürgen
Published: August 2014

Pilzinfektionen der Haut werden in Deutschland und weltweit am häufigsten durch Dermatophyten verursacht. Die Tinea pedis ist die häufigste Pilzinfektion in den Industriestaaten der westlichen Welt. Ausgehend von dieser Dermatophytose entwickelt sich eine Tinea unguium. Insbesondere bei älteren Patienten kommt es infolge Autoinokulation von der Tinea pedis et unguium zu Tinea‐Formen der freien Haut. Die Tinea capitis tritt bei Erwachsenen selten auf. Dagegen gilt sie als häufigste Pilzinfektion im Kindesalter. Bei der antimykotischen Behandlung der Tinea unguium und der Tinea capitis kann ein Dermatophytid auftreten.

Hefepilzinfektionen betreffen die Schleimhaut von Orointestinaltrakt und Genitalsystem. Die Candidose der Haut betrifft vorzugsweise die intertriginösen Regionen der Hautfalten. Dagegen ist die Pityriasis versicolor eine oberflächliche Pilzinfektion am Körperstamm. Schimmelpilzinfektionen sind selten und spielen fast nur bei der Onychomykose eine Rolle.

Die Diagnostik von Dermatomykosen umfasst den mikroskopischen Pilznachweis mittels Kaliumhydroxid‐ bzw. alternativ fluoreszenzoptischem Blankophor‐Präparat und den kulturellen Pilznachweis. Dem histologischen Pilznachweis mittels PAS‐Färbung sollte aufgrund der hohen Empfindlichkeit insbesondere bei der Onychomykose‐Diagnostik ein wesentlich höherer Stellenwert zukommen. Mit der PCR, u. a. einem Dermatophyten‐PCR‐ELISA, lassen sich die Erreger direkt im klinischen Material spezifisch und hoch empfindlich nachweisen. Molekulare Methoden, auch die MALDI‐TOF (matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight)‐Massenspektrometrie (MS) als Kulturbestätigungstest, ergänzen die konventionelle mykologische Diagnostik.
Contrast set mining in temporal databases
Authors: Magalhães André , Azevedo Paulo J.
Published: August 2014

Understanding the underlying differences between groups or classes in certain contexts can be of the utmost importance. Contrast set mining relies on discovering significant patterns by contrasting two or more groups. A contrast set is a conjunction of attribute–value pairs that differ meaningfully in its distribution across groups. A previously proposed technique is rules for contrast sets, which seeks to express each contrast set found in terms of rules. This work extends rules for contrast sets to a temporal data mining task. We define a set of temporal patterns in order to capture the significant changes in the contrasts discovered along the considered time line. To evaluate the proposal accuracy and ability to discover relevant information, two different real‐life data sets were studied using this approach.
Evaluation of fatigue life for titanium alloy TC4 under variable amplitude multiaxial loading
Authors: Wu Z.‐R. , Hu X.‐T. , Li Z. X. , Song Y.‐D.
Published: August 2014

Fatigue tests under variable amplitude multiaxial loading were conducted on titanium alloy TC4 tubular specimens. A method to estimate the fatigue life under variable amplitude multiaxial loading has been proposed. Multiaxial fatigue parameter based on Wu–Hu–Song approach and rainflow cycle counting and Miner–Palmgren rule were applied in this method. The capability of fatigue life prediction for the proposed method was checked against the test data of TC4 alloy under variable amplitude multiaxial loading. The prediction results are all within a factor of two scatter band of the test results.
Epidemiology ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection
Authors: Eusebi Leonardo H. , Zagari Rocco M. , Bazzoli Franco
Published: August 2014

Medline and PubMed databases were searched on epidemiology ofHelicobacter pylorifor the period of April 2013–March 2014. Several studies have shown that the prevalence ofH. pyloriis still high in most countries. In north European and North American populations, about one‐third of adults are still infected, whereas in south and east Europe, South America, and Asia, the prevalence ofH. pyloriis often higher than 50%.H. pyloriremains highly prevalent in immigrants coming from countries with high prevalence ofH. pylori. However, the lower prevalence of infection in the younger generations suggests a further decline ofH. pyloriprevalence in the coming decades. Low socioeconomic conditions in childhood are confirmed to be the most important risk factors forH. pyloriinfection. Although the way the infection is transmitted is still unclear, interpersonal transmission appears to be the main route. Finally,H. pylorirecurrence after successful eradication can still occur, but seems to be an infrequent event.
Body mass index trajectory throughout adolescence: a comparison of maltreated adolescents by maltreatment type to a community sample
Authors: Schneiderman J. U. , Negriff S. , Peckins M. , Mennen F. E. , Trickett P. K.
Published: August 2014

Background

Childhood maltreatment is associated with adult obesity, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between childhood maltreatment and obesity during adolescence.

Objectives

To compare the body mass index (BMI) trajectory of adolescents with a specific type of maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect) to adolescents with another type of maltreatment (maltreated sample n = 303) and to a comparison group (n = 151).

Methods

Individual growth models were used to estimate average growth trajectories of BMI percentile separately by sex (ages 9 to 22 years). Unconditional and conditional linear and quadratic growth models were estimated and maltreatment types were added before including covariates (ethnicity, anxiety, depression and pubertal stage).

Results

BMI growth trajectories of sexually abused girls and neglected girls were significantly different from comparison girls. Comparison girls had a growth trajectory that reached its apex at 15 years and then began to decline, whereas sexually abused girls and neglected girls had lower BMI than comparison girls until age 16–17 years when their BMI was higher than comparison girls.

Conclusions

Late adolescence appears to be the developmental period during which differences in BMI percentiles become pronounced between girls with sexual abuse or with neglect vs. comparison girls.
Association of urinary incontinence and sexual function in women
Authors: Su Cheng‐Chen , Sun Beth Yu‐Chen , Jiann Bang‐Ping
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To investigate the association between urinary incontinence and female sexual function in a non‐clinical population.

Methods

A self‐administered questionnaire was distributed to 2159 female employees of two hospitals.

Results

Of the 883 sexually active participants, pure stress urinary incontinence was reported in 18.3%, pure urge urinary incontinence in 6.8%, mixed urinary incontinence in 15.1% and no urinary incontinence in 59.8%. The prevalence of female sexual difficulty, defined by the Female Sexual Function Index total score ≤26.55, was 52.0%, 56.1%, 54.3% and 42.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). After adjustment of age, menstrual status, length of marriage, having children and relationship with the partner, all types of urinary incontinence showed a significant association with female sexual difficulty with an odds ratio of 1.6–1.8. Taking into consideration the individual domains, pure urge urinary incontinence was a risk factor for decreased sexual lubrication and more sexual pain, and mixed urinary incontinence was a risk factor for less sexual satisfaction, whereas pure stress urinary incontinence was not related to a difficulty in individual domains.

Conclusions

Stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence are associated with general impairment of female sexual function to a mild degree. Only urge urinary incontinence is related to sexual difficulty in specific domains including sexual lubrication and sexual pain.
Looking for Rural Idyll ‘Down Under’: International Immigrants in Rural Australia
Authors: Krivokapic‐Skoko Branka , Collins Jock
Published: August 2014

This article outlines the empirical findings of the first national longitudinal study of almost 1,000 recent immigrants who decided to move to non‐metropolitan Australia. The national survey (2008‐2010) identified that new international immigrants tend to move to rural areas because of the natural beauty, lifestyle and community spirit to be found there, as well as the idyllic image of peacefulness and a relaxing environment associated with these areas. Natural attractors, such as rurality and climate, were important features of the places which, according to the survey, were particularly liked. However, there is tension between the imagined Australian rural ideal and reality, with remoteness, isolation and parochialism being the key features in how the countryside may be misrepresented. The retention of new immigrants in rural places is very strongly related to constructed attractors – the availability and quality of infrastructure, as well as recreational, entertainment and cultural activities.
Some Sort of Help for the Poor: Blurred Perspectives on Asylum
Authors: Ordóñez Juan Thomas
Published: August 2014

This article explores the distinction between economic and forced migration by following three Guatemalan day labourers in northern California who “discover” the possibility of asylum after coming to theUSas undocumented migrants. Vaguely understood as“some sort of help for Guatemalans,” asylum acquires a confusing assortment of meanings for these men as they hear about it from other migrants and localNGOs. They thus face two problems that hinder their application. The first is that their own rendering of their reasons for migration can look both “forced” and “voluntary.” The second is that beyond the validity of their claims, their life in theUSis embedded in the marginalization of the cohort of undocumented migrants they join. Whatever the outcome, the men thus continue to follow the logics of fear and mistrust that characterize undocumented day labourers in the United States.
Typical and Atypical Development of Visual Attention in 3‐ to 9‐Month‐Old Infants
Authors: Colaizzi Janna , Aubuchon‐Endsley Nicki , Grant Stephanie L. , Kennedy Tay S. , Thomas David G.
Published: August 2014

The interactions between attention and stimulus encoding in infancy were examined using heart rate (HR) and visual habituation measures. At 3, 6, and 9 months of age, infants (N = 119) were habituated to an adult face; longest look (LL) duration was measured as an indicator of encoding speed. Three groups were formed based on LL change from 3 to 9 months: Large Decrease, Small Decrease, and Increase. Using concurrent electrocardiograph recordings, attention was measured through the percentage of looking time in orienting, sustained attention, and attention termination. We partially replicated previous findings regarding developmental patterns of attention in these three groups, notably that these patterns were different for the Increase group. Looks away from the stimulus were also assessed in each attentional phase and, as predicted, HR acceleration phases showed less visual engagement than HR deceleration phases. We also found anomalous behavior for the LL Increase group. In general, this small but distinct group showed similarities at 3 months to the presumably more mature behavior of typical 9 month olds, but by 9 months, they behaved more like typical 3 month olds regarding some, but not all, cognitive measures. These results are discussed in the context of the development of endogenous attention.