bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance to change in the case of mergers and acquisitions: part 3
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Karelis Catherine , Le Henaff Anne , McLaughlin Beverly
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are inherent to firms evolving in today’s business world, whether they be corporate giants, SMEs or start-ups. While the ultimate objective of an M&A is to improve the newly constructed firm’s performance, financial and technical impacts are but some of the considerations the organization will need to face. Indeed, employee resistance appears to be a major factor in the overall success of this strategic move. Throughout this three-part paper, the purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough overview of the forces at play in employee resistance to change, its influence on the M&A’s success, and the ways to address such resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing empirical studies, industry expert findings and academic reviews, this paper sought to link together the concepts of communication at a time of change, leadership, employee involvement, feeling of adherence to the firm (the four key pillars), and their respective influences in how they may handicap or aid the firm in achieving its M&A objectives.

Findings

Although it may seem like a straightforward concept, resistance to change in the turbulent time that is an M&A situation is anything but simple. Classic assumptions of resistance being a negative force or participation being a requisite part of overcoming resistance are challenged. At the same time, leadership and employee feeling of adherence to their previous organization play a supporting role when compared to the significant influence of communication pre, during and after the merger. The ensuing portrait is, thus, multifaceted and underscores the complexity of handling an M&A at the human resources level.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the paper allowed to identify and link the different factors at play, a thorough empirical study in order to compare and contrast those factors at an M&A’s different stages (pre-during-post), and thus evaluate their respective importance, would be commendable.

Practical implications

In providing an overview of several aspects at play in employee resistance to change, this paper allows management practitioners to consolidate their knowledge on the process’ four key pillars.

Social implications

By illustrating not only its – expected – negative outcomes, but by also providing a glimpse at some potential benefits in terms of increased merger performance, this paper gives managers incentives to not always challenge but also embrace their employee’s resistance to change as a healthy part of the firm’s transformation process.

Originality/value

This literature review provides an overview of resistance to change and draws parallels between the concepts explored herein and the M&A situation, which would be useful to the general practitioner undergoing an M&A.
Generational differences in job engagement: a case study of an industrial organization in Iran
Authors: Akhavan Sarraf Ahmad Reza , Abzari Mehdi , Nasr Isfahani Ali , Fathi Saeed
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Understanding generational differences are important because generational diversity can affect work relationships and the effectiveness of communication, engagement and performance management strategies. On the other hand, organizations should be concerned about employee engagement, considering all the positive outcomes that engaged employees could bring to the workplace. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is to examine employee engagement of different generations in Iran. Four hypotheses were proposed regarding job engagement and its constructs: vigor, dedication and absorption. The study utilized ANOVA tests to detect statistically significant differences between generations.

Findings

The results revealed not only a number of significant differences among generations, but also some similarities. The study shows the value of generational analysis as a useful segmentation criterion in organizational behavior researches.

Originality/value

To distinguish between different generations in relation to job engagement, also better understanding the behavior of generational cohorts that affect the success of organizations. It helps managers to find and resolve the conflict among persons and groups in the organization and also to achieve the benefits of diversity, creativity and energy of generations.
First-time managers: increasing chances of their success before the promotion
Authors: Plakhotnik Maria S.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss what could be done before the promotion to management to help first-time managers succeed in their new roles.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews literature from scholarly and professional journals and magazines and uses the author’s professional experience as a training and development consultant.

Findings

The paper argues that organizations should offer support to first-time managers before they get promoted. This period could be called a preparation period. The paper suggests to differentiate between the preparation and transition periods because each has different goals. On the basis of the goals of the preparation period, the paper suggest activities that could be used by organizations.

Originality/value

Conversations about support of first-time managers to ease their transition to management usually evolve around either the ways newly promoted managers could help themselves by developing certain skills, knowledge base, and attitudes or the ways in which organizations could implement certain training and development activities after employees are promoted to managerial positions. Very little has been said about “the before” or the preparation period.
Establishing sustainable and scalable workflows for cataloging and metadata services
Authors: Han Myung-Ja K.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Academic and research libraries have been experiencing a lot of changes over the last two decades. The users have become technology savvy and want to discover and use library collections via web portals instead of coming to library gateways. To meet these rapidly changing users’ needs, academic and research libraries are busy identifying new service models and areas of improvement. Cataloging and metadata services units in academic and research libraries are no exception. As discovery of library collections largely depends on the quality and design of metadata, cataloging and metadata services units must identify new areas of work and establish new roles by building sustainable workflows that utilize available metadata technologies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses a list of challenges that academic libraries’ cataloging and metadata services units have encountered over the years, and ways to build sustainable workflows, including collaborations between units in and outside of the institution, and in the cloud; tools, technologies, metadata standards and semantic web technologies; and most importantly, exploration and research. The paper also includes examples and uses cases of both traditional metadata workflows and experimentation with linked open data that were built upon metadata technologies and will ultimately support emerging user needs.

Findings

To develop sustainable and scalable workflows that meet users’ changing needs, cataloging and metadata professionals need not only to work with new information technologies, but must also be equipped with soft skills and in-depth professional knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper discusses how cataloging and metadata services units have been exploiting information technologies and creating new scalable workflows to adapt to these changes, and what is required to establish and maintain these workflows.
Strategies for sustainable services in academic libraries
Authors: Cmor Dianne
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore distinctive yet simple strategies for sustainability in academic libraries focussing on structured communication templates for stakeholders, pre-planned daily programming, and regularized, self-sustaining staff development.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study of unique strategies implemented at Nanyang Technological University Libraries.

Findings

Each of the three strategies has been successfully launched though they are at various stages of maturity. The first two strategies (structured communication templates and daily programming) have been implemented quite recently, whereas the staff development programme has been running for some time. Findings indicate that sustainability in all of these cases is directly linked to good planning which either minimizes daily, weekly or monthly work, and/or helps to clarify goals and focus action.

Practical implications

These strategies are feasible, transferable, malleable, and impactful such that other academic libraries with varying staffing structures can adopt and adjust them to their local needs.

Originality/value

Implementing simple sustainable services and strategies can have real impact and can provide alternatives to large-scale projects that may be too resource intensive for many to undertake on a regular basis.
Feasibility study on accurate rapid prototyping for human hand bones and affiliated artery
Authors: Ji Dafeng , Wang Peng , Zhang Xinhua , Chen Xinrong
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of rapid prototyping for human hand bones and additional artery with topological preservation.

Design/methodology/approach

A serial of slices derived from spiral computed tomography human hand specimen was imported into 3DSlicer 4.4.0 to obtain a three-dimensional virtual model. The model is exported as a standard template library file. Additional arteries were structured according to the atlas and the bone model. Then, a real model was printed based on the virtual model. Measurements were approached in 11 parts of the virtual and real model.

Findings

There is no statistical difference between virtual and real model in 11 parts, and the topological characters were preserved.

Practical implications

This method can be used in reconstruction of clinical iconological blood vessel and anatomical education.

Originality/value

This paper shows that it is possible to keep the topological structure of blood vessel not only in painting but also in clinical data.
Rapid tooling using friction stir welding and machining
Authors: Abdel-All Esraa Saleh , Frank Matthew Charles , Rivero Iris Violeta
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a friction stir molding (FSM) method for the rapid manufacturing of metal tooling. The method uses additive and subtractive techniques to sequentially friction stir bond and then mill slabs of metal. Mold tooling is grown in a bottom-up fashion, overcoming machining accessibility problems typically associated with deep cavity tooling.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the feasibility of FSM in building functional molds, a layer addition procedure that combines friction stir spot welding (FSSW) with an initial glue application and clamping for slabs of AA6061-T651 was investigated. Additionally, FSSW parameters and the mechanical behavior of test mold materials, including shear strength and hardness, were studied. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/elemental map analysis (EDS) of the spot weld zones was carried out to understand the effect of FSSW on the glue materials and to study potential mixing of glue with the plate materials in the welded zone.

Findings

The results indicate that FSM provides good layer stacking without gaps when slabs are pre-processed through sand blasting, moistening, uniform clamping and FSSW using a tapered pin tool. The tensile shear strength results revealed that the welded spots were able to withstand cutting forces during machining stages; however, FSSW was found to cause hardness reduction among spot zones because of over-aging. The SEM/EDS results showed that glue was not mixed with slab materials in spot zones. The proposed process was able to build a test tooling sample successfully using AA6061-T651 plates welded and machined on a three-axis computer numerical control (CNC) mill.

Originality/value

The proposed FSM process is a new process presented by the authors, developed for the rapid manufacturing of metal tooling. The method uses additive and subtractive techniques to sequentially friction stir bond and then mill slabs of metal. The use of FSSW process for materials addition is an original contribution that enables automatic process planning for this new process.
Dynamic resolution control in a laser projection-based stereolithography system
Authors: Pan Yayue , Dagli Chintan
Published: February 2017

Purpose

In a typical additive manufacturing (AM) system, it is critical to make a trade-off between the resolution and the build area for applications in which varied dimensions, feature sizes and accuracies are desired. Conventional solutions to this challenge are based on curing of multiple areas with a single high resolution and stitching them to form a large layer. However, because of the lack of the capability in adjusting resolution dynamically, such stitching approaches will elongate the build time greatly in some cases. To address the challenge without sacrificing the build speed, this paper aims to design and develop a novel AM system with dynamic resolution control capability.

Design/methodology/approach

A laser projector is adopted in a vat photopolymerization system. The laser projection system has unique properties, including focus-free operation and capability to produce dynamic mask image irrespective of any surface (flat or curved). By translating the projector along the building direction, the pixel size can be adjusted dynamically within a certain range. Consequently, the build area and resolution could be tuned dynamically in the hardware testbed. Besides, a layered depth image (LDI) algorithm is used to construct mask images with varied resolutions. The curing characteristics under various resolution settings are quantified, and accordingly, a process planning approach for fabricating models with dynamically controlled resolutions is developed.

Findings

A laser projection-based stereolithography (SL) system could tune resolution dynamically during the building process. Such a dynamic resolution control approach completely addresses the build size-resolution dilemma in vat photopolymerization AM processes without sacrificing the build speed. Through fabricating layers with changing resolutions instead of a single resolution, various build areas and feature sizes could be produced precisely, with optimized build speed.

Originality/value

A focus-free laser projector is investigated and adopted in a SL system for the first time. The material curing characteristics with changing focal length and therefore changing light intensities are explored. The related digital mask image planning and process control methods are developed. In digital mask image planning, it is the first attempt to adopt the LDI algorithm, to identify proper resolution settings for fabricating a sliced layer precisely and quickly. In the process of characterizing material curing properties, parametric dependence of curing properties on focal length has been unveiled. This research contributes to the advancement of AM by addressing the historical dilemma of the resolution and build size, and optimizing the build speed meanwhile.
Geometrical analysis and tensile behaviour of parts manufactured with flame retardant polymers by additive manufacturing
Authors: Borille Anderson Vicente , Gomes Jefferson de Oliveira , Lopes Daniel
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Flame-retardant plastics are used in critical applications, such as aircraft interior parts, when the occurrence of fire can lead to serious injury to people. However, there is a lack of related publications. The purpose of this study is to present experimental data regarding geometrical analysis, such as dimensional accuracy and surface roughness, tensile strength and elongation of parts manufactured with flame-retardant materials by additive manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

Two additive manufacturing processes, selective laser sintering (SLS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), were selected to manufacture the parts to be evaluated. Each process used its respective polymer, that is polyamide with flame-retardant additive (PA) for SLS and polyphenylsulfone (PPSF) for FDM. The samples consist of tensile specimens and representative parts of different products. Tensile tests were performed using standard tensile test machines, and geometrical analyses were performed using coordinate measuring machine as well as surface roughness tester.

Findings

As each material can be, in commercial machines, produced by only one process, the material selection for final products has to consider the manufacturing process as well. In general, although the FDM/PPSF process provided specimens with the highest ultimate strength, because of its strong influence by the building direction, FDM/PPSF also provided the lowest strength. SLS/PA was able to provide average strength with less dependency on the build-up direction. The geometrical analysis showed that SLS/PA presents a much smoother surface, but FDM/PPSF presented slightly better dimensional accuracy.

Originality/value

There is still lack of publications on polymers with flame resistance or flame-retardant polymers. Thus, this paper brings new technical information about processing such materials.
Piezoelectric component fabrication using projection-based stereolithography of barium titanate ceramic suspensions
Authors: Song Xuan , Chen Zeyu , Lei Liwen , Shung Kirk , Zhou Qifa , Chen Yong
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Conventional machining methods for fabricating piezoelectric components such as ultrasound transducer arrays are time-consuming and limited to relatively simple geometries. The purpose of this paper is to develop an additive manufacturing process based on the projection-based stereolithography process for the fabrication of functional piezoelectric devices including ultrasound transducers.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the challenges in fabricating viscous and low-photosensitive piezocomposite slurry, the authors developed a projection-based stereolithography process by integrating slurry tape-casting and a sliding motion design. Both green-part fabrication and post-processing processes were studied. A prototype system based on the new manufacturing process was developed for the fabrication of green-parts with complex shapes and small features. The challenges in the sintering process to achieve desired functionality were also discussed.

Findings

The presented additive manufacturing process can achieve relatively dense piezoelectric components (approximately 95 per cent). The related property testing results, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, dielectric and ferroelectric properties as well as pulse-echo testing, show that the fabricated piezo-components have good potentials to be used in ultrasound transducers and other sensors/actuators.

Originality/value

A novel bottom-up projection system integrated with tape casting is presented to address the challenges in the piezo-composite fabrication, including small curing depth and viscous ceramic slurry recoating. Compared with other additive manufacturing processes, this method can achieve a thin recoating layer (as small as 10 μm) of piezo-composite slurry and can fabricate green parts using slurries with significantly higher solid loadings. After post processing, the fabricated piezoelectric components become dense and functional.
Influence of oxygen availability on the activities of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea
Authors: Qin Wei , Meinhardt Kelley A. , Moffett James W. , Devol Allan H. , Virginia Armbrust E. , Ingalls Anitra E. , Stahl David A.
Published: February 2017

Recent studies point to the importance of oxygen (O2) in controlling the distribution and activity of marine ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA), one of the most abundant prokaryotes in the ocean. The AOA are associated with regions of low O2 tension in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), and O2 availability is suggested to influence their production of the ozone‐depleting greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). We show that marine AOA available in pure culture sustain high ammonia oxidation activity at low μM O2 concentrations, characteristic of suboxic regions of OMZs (<10 µM O2), and that atmospheric concentrations of O2 may inhibit the growth of some environmental populations. We quantify the increasing N2O production by marine AOA with decreasing O2 tensions, consistent with the plausibility of an AOA contribution to the accumulation of N2O at the oxic‐anoxic redox boundaries of OMZs. Variable sensitivity to peroxide also suggests that endogenous or exogenous reactive oxygen species are of importance in determining the environmental distribution of some populations.
CSF YKL‐40 and GAP‐43 are related to suicidal ideation in older women
Authors: Rymo I. , Kern S. , Bjerke M. , Zetterberg H. , Marlow T. , Blennow K. , Gudmundsson P. , Skoog I. , Waern M.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To investigate possible relationships between suicidal ideation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glial markers YKL‐40 (also known as chitinase‐3‐like protein 1), growth‐associated protein‐43 (GAP‐43) and myelin basic protein (MBP).

Method

The sample was obtained from the Prospective Population Study of Women and included 86 women without dementia who underwent both psychiatric examinations and lumbar puncture (LP). Eight of these women reported past‐month suicidal ideation.

Results

Significantly, higher CSF levels of both YKL‐40 and GAP‐43 were detected in women with past‐month suicidal ideation. Associations with suicidal ideation remained for both YKL‐40 and GAP‐43 in regression models adjusted for smoking status, BMI and age. CSF levels of YKL‐40, GAP‐43 and MBP did not differ by depression status. Higher levels of CSF GAP‐43 were associated with feelings of worthlessness; a strong relationship was demonstrated in the fully adjusted model (OR 5.95 CI [1.52–23.20], P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Our findings of elevated CSF concentrations of both YKL‐40 and GAP‐43 in women with suicidal ideation, compared to those without, suggest that a disrupted synaptic glial functioning and inflammation may be related to the aetiology of suicidal ideation in older adults.
Pemphigus, a pathomechanism of acantholysis
Authors: Furue Masutaka , Kadono Takafumi
Published: February 2017

Autoantibodies to the desmosomal proteins desmoglein 1 and 3 cause pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris, which are characterised by keratinocyte dissociation (acantholysis) and intraepidermal blister formation. The passive transfer of pathogenic anti‐desmoglein antibodies induces blisters in mice in vivo and the loss of keratinocyte adhesion in vitro. The pathogenetic mechanisms of acantholysis due to anti‐desmoglein autoantibodies are not fully understood. However, recent studies have revealed that signalling‐dependent and signalling‐independent pathways are operative in the loss of cell adhesion. In this review, we focus on the pathomechanism of acantholysis due to autoantibodies to desmogleins and recent therapeutic approaches.
Cross‐sectional study of emergency department presentation triage categories at Goondiwindi Hospital and their effect on the treatment of acute emergencies
Authors: Saleh Ashraf
Published: February 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the number and proportion of non‐acute presentations to a district hospital emergency department in Goondiwindi, a rural Queensland town, both in the treatment of emergency cases and potential barriers patients have in seeing a medical practitioner in the general practice setting.

Design

Occasions of service to Goondiwindi Hospital were collated from administrative records according to Australasian Triage Scale categories and analysed by Student's t‐test for monthly variations in triage category presentations.

Setting

Outpatient clinic (emergency department of a public district hospital).

Participants

All patients presenting to Goondiwindi Hospital Emergency Department from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2013.

Main outcome measure

Proportion of high and low triage category presentations in Goondiwindi Hospital during the study period.

Results

Triage category 4 and 5 presentations comprised 35.9% (mean = 225 per month) and 44.4% (mean = 278 per month), respectively, of all occasions of service at the Goondiwindi Hospital Emergency Department during this 6 month period. Life‐threatening presentations (Triage Category 1 and 2) comprised <5% of all occasions of service at Goondiwindi Hospital. There were statistically insignificant differences between total occasions of service by month of presentation.

Conclusions

Although patients of all acuities presented to Goondiwindi Hospital, low‐acuity presentations were more common than reported at larger hospitals. Frequent interruptions impairing attention to more urgent tasks were noted at Goondiwindi Hospital, causing delayed treatment of sick patients. Educating the local community in the appropriate use of public health services would help direct more attention to the most ill seeking medical care at rural emergency departments such as Goondiwindi Hospital.
Early microvascular retinal changes in optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Simonett Joseph M. , Scarinci Fabio , Picconi Fabiana , Giorno Paola , De Geronimo Daniele , Di Renzo Antonio , Varano Monica , Frontoni Simona , Parravano Mariacristina
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) can lead to significant vision loss and blindness and has a particularly high prevalence in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1). In this study, we investigate quantitative differences in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) data between DM1 patients with no or mild signs of retinopathy and non‐diabetic subjects.

Methods

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging was performed on DM1 patients with no or mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and healthy, age‐matched controls. Parafoveal vessel density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) and superficial capillary plexus (SCP) were calculated with automated quantification software and compared between patient cohorts.

Results

A significant decrease in parafoveal vessel density was seen in the DCP of DM1 patients compared to non‐diabetic controls (57.0 ± 3.3% versus 60.7 ± 2.4%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SCP parafoveal vessel density, DCP FAZ area, or SCP FAZ area between cohorts.

Conclusion

M1 patients with no or mild signs of retinopathy have reduced parafoveal vessel density in the DCP on OCTA when compared to non‐diabetic controls. These OCTA findings suggest that parafoveal capillary nonperfusion is an early process in DM1‐related retinal changes and occurs initially at the level of the DCP. Further investigation is needed to understand the prognostic role of these vascular changes.
Editorial: relative efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab in Crohn's disease in an Australian and New Zealand cohort
Authors: Barreiro‐de Acosta M. , Gisbert J. P.
Published: February 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Doecke et al and Radford‐Smith et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13880 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13968.
Letter: multivariate clinical model for eosinophilic oesophagitis – is this generalisable to a general population? Authors’ reply
Authors: von Arnim U. , Röhl F. W. , Miehlke S. , Jechorek D. , Reinhold D. , Wex T. , Malfertheiner P.
Published: February 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Von Arnim and Rohl et al and Chitsaz papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13869 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13919.
The genomics of inherited bone marrow failure: from mechanism to the clinic
Authors: Wegman‐Ostrosky Talia , Savage Sharon A.
Published: February 2017

The inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) typically present with significant cytopenias in at least one haematopoietic cell lineage that may progress to pancytopenia, and are associated with increased risk of cancer. Although the clinical features of the IBMFS are often diagnostic, variable disease penetrance and expressivity may result in diagnostic dilemmas. The discovery of the genetic aetiology of the IBMFS has been greatly facilitated by next‐generation sequencing methods. This has advanced understanding of the underlying biology of the IBMFS and been essential in improving clinical management and genetic counselling for affected patients. Herein we review the clinical features, underlying biology, and new genomic discoveries in the IBMFS, including Fanconi anaemia, dyskeratosis congenita, Diamond Blackfan anaemia, Shwachman Diamond syndrome and some disorders of the myeloid and megakaryocytic lineages.
Real‐world use of pomalidomide and dexamethasone in double refractory multiple myeloma suggests benefit in renal impairment and adverse genetics: a multi‐centre UK experience
Authors: Maciocia Nicola , Melville Andrew , Cheesman Simon , Sharpley Faye , Ramasamy Karthik , Streetly Matthew , Jenner Matthew , Benjamin Reuben , Schey Steve , Maciocia Paul , Popat Rakesh , D'sa Shirley , Rismani Ali , Cerner Aviva , Yong Kwee , Rabin Neil
Published: February 2017

Myeloma patients who become refractory to immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) and bortezomib have poor survival, with limited therapeutic options. Pomalidomide has shown improved survival and good tolerability in this patient cohort in clinical trials, but real world data are scarce. We retrospectively analysed all patients treated with pomalidomide at five UK centres between 2013 and 2016. Of 85 patients identified, 70 had sufficient information for response assessments. Median age was 66 years [40–89], 96·5% were refractory to IMiDs, 72·9% were refractory to both an IMiD and bortezomib and 92·9% were refractory to their last treatment. Of 45 patients with fluorescence in situ hybridization results 64% had adverse risk, 19 patients (22·4%) had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 ml/min. Grade ≥3 non‐haematological toxicities occurred in 42·4%, and grade ≥3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 38% and 24% respectively, but only 18·8% had dose reductions. The overall response rate was 52·9%. At a median follow‐up of 13·2 months, median progression‐free survival was 5·2 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4·150–6·238], and median overall survival was 13·7 months (95% CI 11·775–15·707). No significant difference was seen in response, survival or tolerability by renal function, age or cytogenetic risk. This real‐world data support the results seen in published clinical trials.
Antibiotic use as a marker of acute infection and risk of first and recurrent venous thrombosis
Authors: Timp Jasmijn F. , Cannegieter Suzanne C. , Tichelaar Vladimir , Braekkan Sigrid K. , Rosendaal Frits R. , le Cessie Saskia , Lijfering Willem M.
Published: February 2017

A role for transient infections in the aetiology of venous thrombosis (VT) has been suggested. This study aimed to determine whether individuals who receive antibiotic treatment (as a proxy for infections) have an increased risk of first and recurrent VT and whether infections should be seen as a provoking risk factor for VT.

We used the self‐controlled case series method to study the risk of first VT during antibiotic prescriptions. The risk of recurrent VT during antibiotic use was estimated by of time‐dependent Cox‐regression. A total of 2547 patients with a first VT were included and followed for a median of 5·9 years for recurrence (1999–2010), in whom 114 first events occurred during antibiotic use. We found a five‐fold increased risk of first VT during antibiotic treatment: [incidence‐rate‐ratio 5·0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4·0–6·1]. Antibiotic use was associated with a 2·0‐fold (95% CI, 1·1–4·0) increased risk of recurrent VT. Patients with an unprovoked first VT who used antibiotics shortly before this event, had a similar risk of recurrence as patients with a provoked first VT (adjusted hazard ratio 1·1; 95% CI, 0·7–1·7). Individuals who receive antibiotics have an increased risk of first and recurrent VT and infections should be considered a provoking risk factor for VT.
Delays in treatment intensification with oral antidiabetic drugs and risk of microvascular and macrovascular events in patients with poor glycaemic control: An individual patient simulation study
Authors: Folse Henry J. , Mukherjee Jayanti , Sheehan John J. , Ward Alexandra J. , Pelkey Ryan L. , Dinh Tuan A. , Qin Lei , Kim Jennifer
Published: February 2017

Aims

To use the Archimedes model to estimate the consequences of delays in oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) treatment intensification on glycaemic control and long‐term outcomes at 5 and 20 years.

Materials and methods

Using real‐world data, we modelled a cohort of hypothetical patients with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥8%, on metformin, with no history of insulin use. The cohort included 3 strata based on the number of OADs taken at baseline. The first add‐on in the intensification sequence was a sulphonylurea, next was a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, and last, a thiazolidinedione. The scenarios included either no delay or delay, based on observed and extrapolated times to intensification.

Results

At 1 year, HbA1c was 6.8% for patients intensifying without delay, and 8.2% for those delaying intensification. For no delay vs delay, risks of major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, heart failure and amputations were reduced by 18.0%, 25.0%, 13.7%, and 20.4%, respectively, at 5 years; severe hypoglycaemia risk, however, increased to 19% for the no delay scenario vs 12.5% for delay. At 20 years, the results showed similar trends to those at 5 years.

Conclusions

Timing of intensification of OAD therapy according to guideline recommendations led to greater reductions in HbA1c and lower risks of complications, but higher risks of hypoglycaemia than delaying intensification. These results highlight the potential impact of timely treatment intensification on long‐term outcomes.
Project beneficiary participation and behavioural intentions promoting project sustainability: The mediating role of psychological ownership
Authors: Aga Deribe Assefa , Noorderhaven N. , Vallejo B.
Published: February 2017

It is of great importance that development projects (especially those projects that target improving the livelihood of rural communities) continue to deliver their intended benefits over their intended economic life—we call this “project sustainability.” Applying an experimental design, our study reveals that active involvement of project beneficiaries during the needs assessment and planning stages has a significant positive influence on the behavioural intentions of the project beneficiaries toward project sustainability. Our study also finds that psychological ownership plays a mediating role in the relationship between project beneficiary participation and project sustainability. Implications for project sustainability and directions for future research are discussed.
Tracking bowfin with acoustic telemetry: Insight into the ecology of a living fossil
Authors: Midwood Jonathan D. , Gutowsky Lee F.G. , Hlevca Bogdan , Portiss Rick , Wells Mathew G. , Doka Susan E. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: February 2017

Little is known about the spatial ecology and behaviour of bowfin (Amia calva), despite the fact that it is an important freshwater carnivore, the last living member of the Amiiformes and effectively a living fossil. In the summer of 2013, acoustic telemetry transmitters were surgically implanted in ten bowfin captured in Toronto Harbour on Lake Ontario. Using a stationary acoustic telemetry array that covered most of the 18‐km2 harbour, the residency and movement patterns of bowfin were tracked from their release until November 2014. Detected bowfin ranged in size from 562 to 725 mm total length and included six males and three females (one female was not detected). Bowfin showed high site fidelity with most fish detections concentrated in embayments and within the Toronto Islands, areas characterised by relatively high stable water temperatures and submerged vegetative cover. Statistical modelling revealed that bowfin residency was significantly affected by season, body size, site‐specific estimates of vegetative cover and an interaction between body size and season. Bowfin residency increased with vegetative cover and was highest for large fish during the winter and fall months. Despite the overall high site fidelity exhibited by individuals, several bowfin were mobile over the spring and summer months and moved 5.2–12.9 km among telemetry receivers in the inner and outer harbours. The results of this study provide insight into the seasonal habitat preference, home range size and activity level of this unique fish.
A comparison between decay patterns of the white‐rot fungusPleurotus ostreatusin chestnut–leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia) shows predominantly simultaneous attack bothin vivoandin vitro
Authors: Bari E. , Karim M. , Oladi R. , Tajick Ghanbary M. A. , Ghodskhah Daryaei M. , Schmidt O. , Benz J. P. , Emaminasab M.
Published: February 2017

In this research, we examined decay patterns occurring inQuercus castaneifoliawood under natural conditions compared with controlled decayin vivo.Pleurotus ostreatus‐infected oak wood was obtained from the Sari forests in the north of Iran. The species causing decay was verified asP. ostreatususingrDNA‐ITSsequencing of pure cultures from infected sapwood. In addition toP. ostreatus, two wood‐inhabiting Ascomycota,Trichoderma harzianumandT. lixii,were present. Mass loss in oak sapwood samples exposed toP. ostreatusfor 60 days was around 10 per cent. Samples were prepared from both naturally decayed wood and wood decayed under controlled conditions and examined using microscopy.P. ostreatuswas found to produce a simultaneous white‐rot decay pattern in both conditions.
Long‐term survival and non‐vector spread of the pinewood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, via wood chips
Authors: Hopf‐Biziks A. , Schröder T. , Schütz S.
Published: February 2017

The pinewood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease and is transmitted to new host trees by beetles of the genusMonochamus. The increasing interest in imported wood chips from North America for paper production and energy purposes and the corresponding phytosanitary risk of non‐vector transmission ofB. xylophilushas been discussed since 1984, the year of the first interception ofB. xylophilusin wood chips in the European Union. The long‐term survival ofB. xylophilusin wood chips and its non‐vector spread from infested wood chips to non‐infested trees were studied.Pinus sylvestrislogs were inoculated with a suspension ofB. xylophilusto produce infested wood chips. During the long‐term storage test,B. xylophilusinP. sylvestriswood chips were examined. Four variants, including sealed and openly stored wood chips at both 15°C and 25°C, were studied. For the test of non‐vector spread,B. xylophilus‐infested wood chips were placed on three‐ to four‐year‐oldP. sylvestrissaplings under different conditions.Bursaphelenchus xylophilussurvived for more than 1 year at both temperatures in the sealed wood chips, which was significantly longer than for the openly stored variant at 25°C. Temperature, tree condition and wood chip location all influenced non‐vector spread through wood chips. Of the 480 trees that were in contact with infested wood chips and showed clear symptoms of pine wilt disease,B. xylophiluswere extracted from 42 pines at 25°C and one pine at 15°C. The highestB. xylophilusinfestation rates resulting in clear pine wilt disease symptoms (75%) were found in infested wood chips directly attached to stem‐wounded trees at 25°C. However, more variants exhibitedB. xylophilusinfestation at this temperature; trees with stem or root injuries plus direct contact with infested wood chips to the wounded part were primarily affected. Moreover, non‐vector spread was also detected in stem‐ and root‐injured pines without any direct contact with infested wood chips. Our results confirmed thatB. xylophiluscan survive for long periods in wood chips and can be transmitted from infested wood chips to damaged trees, but the likelihood of suchPWNestablishment should be low compared to spread through vectors. These findings must be considered in the pest risk analysis ofB. xylophilus,and studies using outdoor trials should be carried out to complete this pest risk analysis.
Impact of induction treatment before autologous stem cell transplantation on long‐term outcome in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Gassiot Susanna , Motlló Cristina , Llombart Inuska , Morgades Mireia , González Yolanda , Garcia‐Caro Montse , Ribera Josep‐Maria , Oriol Albert
Published: February 2017

Objective

Clinical trials for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) using novel agent (NA)‐based regimens before autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) have shown improvement in response rates and progression‐free survival (PFS); however they have failed to identify a significant overall survival (OS) benefit. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential impact of initial induction on the feasibility and outcome of subsequent treatment lines in a real clinical practice setting.

Methods

Patients with consecutive MM <70 years of age diagnosed between 1999 and 2009 were prospectively registered and classified as having received conventional chemotherapy induction regimens with new agents available at relapse (CC cohort, 89 patients) or as treated with NAs upfront (NA cohort, 65 patients).

Results

Patients in the NA cohort demonstrated a superior median PFS (2.8 years vs 1.6 years, P=.03) and also a median PFS from diagnosis to second progression (5.2 years vs 2.7 years, P=.003). After a median follow‐up of 7 years, clear differences in OS were observed (7.97 years in NA cohort compared to 3.35 years in CC cohort, P<.001).

Conclusions

New agent‐based first‐line induction treatments provide benefits in both PFS and beyond that point, contributing to a significant improvement in OS.
Nanoparticle delivery systems, general approaches, and their implementation in multiple myeloma
Authors: de la Puente Pilar , Azab Abdel Kareem
Published: February 2017

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that remains incurable, with relapse rates >90%. The main limiting factor for the effective use of chemotherapies in MM is the serious side effects caused by these drugs. The emphasis in cancer treatment has shifted from cytotoxic, non‐specific chemotherapies to molecularly targeted and rationally designed therapies showing greater efficacy and fewer side effects. Traditional chemotherapy has shown several disadvantages such as lack of targeting capabilities, systemic toxicity, and side effects; low therapeutic index, as well as most anticancer drugs, has poor water solubility. Nanoparticle delivery systems (NPs) are capable of targeting large doses of chemotherapies into the target area while sparing healthy tissues, overcoming the limitations of traditional chemotherapy. Here, we review the current state of the art in nanoparticle‐based strategies designed to treat MM. Many nanoparticle delivery systems have been studied for myeloma using non‐targeted NPs (liposomes, polymeric NPs, and inorganic NPs), triggered NPs, as well as targeted NPs (VLA‐4, ABC drug transporters, bone microenvironment targeting). The results in preclinical and clinical studies are promising; however, there remains much to be learned in the emerging field of nanomedicine in myeloma.
Kant on Impenetrability, Touch, and the Causal Content of Perception
Authors: Marshall Colin
Published: February 2017

It is well known that Kant claims that causal judgments, including judgments about forces, must have an a priori basis. It is less well known that Kant claims that we can perceive the repulsive force of bodies (their impenetrability) through the sense of touch. Together, these claims present an interpretive puzzle, since they appear to commit Kant to both affirming and denying that we can have perceptions of force. My first aim is to show that both sides of the puzzle have deep roots in Kant's philosophy. My second aim is to present three potential solutions to the puzzle and show that each faces problems.
Effects of extreme drought on specific leaf area of grassland species: A meta‐analysis of experimental studies in temperate and sub‐Mediterranean systems
Authors: Wellstein Camilla , Poschlod Peter , Gohlke Andreas , Chelli Stefano , Campetella Giandiego , Rosbakh Sergey , Canullo Roberto , Kreyling Jürgen , Jentsch Anke , Beierkuhnlein Carl
Published: February 2017

Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experimental drought manipulation studies using rainout shelters in five sites of natural grassland ecosystems of Europe. The single studies assess the effects of extreme drought on the intraspecific variation of the specific leaf area (SLA), a proxy of plant growth. We evaluate and compare the effect size of theSLAresponse for the functional groups of forbs and grasses in temperate and sub‐Mediterranean systems. We hypothesized that the functional groups of grasses and forbs from temperate grassland systems have different strategies in short‐term drought response, measured as adjustment ofSLA, withSLA‐reduction in grasses andSLA‐maintenance in forbs. Second, we hypothesized that grasses and forbs from sub‐Mediterranean systems do not differ in their drought response as both groups maintain theirSLA. We found a significant decrease ofSLAin grasses of the temperate systems in response to drought whileSLAof forbs showed no significant response. LowerSLAis associated with enhanced water‐use efficiency under water stress and thus can be seen as a strategy of phenotypic adjustment. By contrast, in the sub‐Mediterranean systems, grasses significantly increased theirSLAin the drought treatment. This result points towards a better growth performance of these grasses, which is most likely related to their strategy to allocate resources to belowground parts. The observedSLAreduction of forbs is most likely a direct drought response given that competitive effect of grasses is unlikely due to the scanty vegetation cover. We point out that phenotypic adjustment is an important driver of short‐term functional plant response to climatic extremes such as drought. Differential reactions of functional groups have to be interpreted against the background of the group's evolutionary configuration that can differ between climatic zones.