bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Customer involvement, fashion consciousness, and loyalty for fast-fashion retailers
Authors: Kim Jiyeon , Park Joohyung , Glovinsky Paige L.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how customer involvement in product development creates an emotional connection, satisfaction, and subsequent loyalty toward fast-fashion retailers across high vs low fashion-conscious consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gain understandings of the impacts of customer involvement. To explore customers’ general perceptions of fast-fashion retailers, a focus group interview with 11 US students was conducted. Data for a hypothesis test were obtained from 306 US female consumers and analyzed through structural equational modeling.

Findings

The findings underscored the relational benefits of involving customers in product development and the substantial moderating impact of female customers’ fashion consciousness.

Practical implications

The study’s findings support that the customer-brand relationship can be solidified by proactively involving customers in product development. This is beyond benefits derived from leveraging customers’ operant resources in product innovation. Thus, apparel retailers should take such interactive opportunities to build relationships with customers. Also, involving customers in product development can be a critical way for fast-fashion retailers to establish an emotional bond with and loyalty from consumers with a low level of fashion consciousness. Thus, any digital opinion platform designed to foster customer involvement should be managed with the customer-brand relationship in mind.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the emerging body of literature on customer involvement in product development in fast-paced retailing by elucidating the psychological process through which their participation strengthens the customer-brand relationship manifested in emotional, evaluative, and behavioral responses to the brand, and by identifying a consumer attribute that fortifies this process.
Relationships among advanced manufacturing technology, innovation, export, and firm performance
Authors: Altuntas Serkan , Cinar Omer , Kaynak Selahattin
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find the relationships among advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), innovation, export and firm performance by using data obtained from 310 Turkish manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study was performed to obtain data from manufacturing firms. Multiple-item scales were adapted from the literature to conduct the survey in this study. Data were collected from five cities located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region in Turkey (Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Kilis, Diyarbakir and Sanliurfa). Structural equation modeling was utilized to investigate the relationships among AMT, innovation, export and firm performance in Turkish manufacturing firms operating in several industries. The direct and indirect relations between these variables are examined in the proposed conceptual model. In addition, the complex relations including in the proposed model are assessed in detail through the mediation analysis.

Findings

Six of the proposed ten hypotheses related to manufacturers are validated by the empirical evidence from manufacturing companies in Turkey. Significant findings obtained in this study include the following: there are strong positive associations between the use of AMT and innovation and between export and firm performance. In addition, innovation mediates the relationship between AMT and firm performance and between AMT and export. Finally, export mediates the relationship between AMT and firm performance and between innovation and firm performance. It is expected that the results obtained from this empirical analysis will help decision makers and managers to construct a good technology and production management strategy for manufacturing systems.

Originality/value

In this study, a novel conceptual model is proposed to examine the relationships among AMT, innovation, export and firm performance via the use of survey responses from 310 Turkish manufacturing firms. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study that proposes such a conceptual model in the literature.
Renminbi central parity: An empirical investigation
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong , Hui Cho‐Hoi , Tsang Andrew
Published: May 2018

On 11 August 2015, China revamped its procedure for setting the official central parity of the renminbi (RMB) against the US dollar. Our empirical investigation suggests that the intertemporal dynamics of China's central parity shifted after this policy change, although the deviation of the RMB offshore rate from the central parity and the US dollar index remained the two significant determinants of central parity after the policy change. In contrast, the VIX index only offered explanatory power up to August 2015. Thereafter, the onshore RMB rate and the difference between the 1‐month offshore and onshore RMB forward points have significant impacts on the central parity. While the US dollar index effect remains, we find no evidence of a rate‐fixing role for the RMB exchange rate against the currency basket announced by China in December 2015.
The International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems study of uterine rupture: a descriptive multi‐country population‐based study
Authors: Vandenberghe G , Bloemenkamp K , Berlage S , Colmorn L , Deneux‐Tharaux C , Gissler M , Knight M , Langhoff‐Roos J , Lindqvist PG , Oberaigner W , Van Roosmalen J , Zwart J , Roelens K ,   INOSS (the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems)
Published: May 2018

Objective

International comparison of complete uterine rupture.

Design

Descriptive multi‐country population‐based study.

Setting

International.

Population

International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS).

Methods

We merged individual data, collected prospectively in nine population‐based studies, of women with complete uterine rupture, defined as complete disruption of the uterine muscle and the uterine serosa, regardless of symptoms and rupture of fetal membranes.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of complete uterine rupture, regional variation and correlation with rates of caesarean section (CS) and trial of labour after CS (TOLAC). Severe maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Results

We identified 864 complete uterine ruptures in 2 625 017 deliveries. Overall prevalence was 3.3 (95% CI 3.1–3.5) per 10 000 deliveries, 22 (95% CI 21–24) in women with and 0.6 (95% CI 0.5–0.7) in women without previous CS. Prevalence in women with previous CS was negatively correlated with previous CS rate (ρ = −0.917) and positively correlated with TOLAC rate of the background population (ρ = 0.600). Uterine rupture resulted in peripartum hysterectomy in 87 of 864 women (10%, 95% CI 8–12%) and in a perinatal death in 116 of 874 infants (13.3%, 95% CI 11.2–15.7) whose mother had uterine rupture. Overall rate of neonatal asphyxia was 28% in neonates who survived.

Conclusions

Higher prevalence of complete uterine ruptures per TOLAC was observed in countries with low previous CS and high TOLAC rates. Rates of hysterectomy and perinatal death are about 10% following complete uterine rupture, but in women undergoing TOLAC the rates are extremely low (only 2.2 and 3.2 per 10 000 TOLACs, respectively.)

Tweetable abstract

Prevalence of complete uterine rupture is higher in countries with low previous CS and high TOLAC rates.
Variation in hyperemesis gravidarum definition and outcome reporting in randomised clinical trials: a systematic review
Authors: Koot MH , Boelig RC , van‘t Hooft J , Limpens J , Roseboom TJ , Painter RC , Grooten IJ
Published: May 2018

Background

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a common cause of hospital admission in early pregnancy. There is no international consensus on the definition of HG, or on outcomes that should be reported in trials. Consistency in definition and outcome reporting is important for the interpretation and synthesis of data in meta‐analyses.

Objective

To identify which HG definitions and outcomes are currently in use in trials.

Search strategy

We searched the following sources: (1) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, (2) Embase and (3) Medline for published trials and the WHO‐ICTRP database for ongoing trials (27 October 2017).

Selection criteria

All randomised clinical trials reporting on any intervention for HG were eligible.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently assessed trial eligibility and extracted data on HG definition and outcomes.

Main results

We included 31 published trials reporting data from 2511 women and three ongoing trials with a planned sample size of 360 participants. We identified 11 definition items. Most commonly used definition items were vomiting (34 trials) and nausea (30 trials). We identified 34 distinct outcomes. Most commonly reported outcomes were vomiting (29 trials), nausea (26 trials), need for hospital treatment (14 trials) and duration of hospital (re)admission(s) (14 trials).

Conclusion

There is substantial variation of HG definition and outcome reporting in trials. This hampers meaningful aggregation of trial results in meta‐analysis and implementation of evidence in guidelines. To overcome this, international consensus on a definition and a core outcome set for HG trials should be developed.

Tweetable abstract

There is a wide variation of definitions and outcomes reported in trials on hyperemesis gravidarum.
Community asthma management of emergency department patients: A pilot study of adherence with national consensus guidelines
Authors: Ross Nicholas D , Taylor David McD , Sellar Ashleigh J , Chen Hayley H , Plant Luke D , McLean Daniel , Berlingeri Paul , Gavan Rex , Weiland Tracey J , Knott Jonathan C , McDonald Christine F
Published: May 2018

We aimed to determine whether the outpatient management of ED patients with asthma adheres to Australia's Asthma Consensus Guidelines. Adult patients, under treatment for asthma, were administered a validated questionnaire. Data on their outpatient management were collected and analysed descriptively. Of 51 patients, 14 smoked and 35 did not undergo regular GP review. Twenty‐one patients had a good understanding of a written asthma action plan although only 15 owned one. Fourteen patients used no preventer medication. Patients were only able to identify a mean of 3.4 asthma triggers. Most patients’ management does not adhere to Australian guidelines.
Reliability of repeated arm‐crank cardiopulmonary exercise tests in patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Durrand J. W. , Wagstaff K. , Kasim A. , Cawthorn L. , Danjoux G. R. , Kothmann E.
Published: May 2018

Arm‐crank ergometry may be useful in patients unable to pedal, for instance due to peripheral arterial disease. Twenty participants with small abdominal aortic aneurysm undertook two serial arm‐crank tests and then a pedal test, four of whom had indeterminate anaerobic thresholds, precluding analysis. The mean (SD) peak arm and leg oxygen consumptions in 16 participants were 13.71 (2.62) ml.kg−1.min‐1 and 16.82 (4.44) ml.kg−1.min‐1, with mean (SD) individual differences of 3.11 (2.48) ml.kg−1.min‐1, p = 0.0001. The respective values at the anaerobic thresholds were 7.83 (1.58) ml O2.kg−1.min‐1 and 10.09 (3.15) ml O2.kg−1.min‐1, with mean (SD) individual differences of 2.26 (2.34) ml O2.kg−1.min‐1, p = 0.0001. The correlation coefficients (95%CI) for peak oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold were 0.88 (0.62–1.0) and 0.70 (0.32–1.0). There were no significant differences in serial arm‐crank tests, with intracluster correlations (95%CI) of 0.87 (0.86–0.88) and 0.65 (0.61–0.69) for peak oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold, respectively.
Connecting social disorganization to broken windows and routine activities
Authors: Piscitelli Anthony , Doherty Sean
Published: May 2018

Routine Activity Theory, Broken Windows Theory, and Social Disorganization Theory each attempt to explain the spatial distribution of neighbourhood crime. This paper explores how these theories relate to neighbourhood crime. A concept map integrating key concepts from the theories comprehensively describes the causes of neighbourhood crime. In particular, the map highlights the concept of Ecological (Dis)advantage as a key link between Routine Activity Theory and Social Disorganization Theory. Combining these theories explains more about the causes of neighbourhood crime than any one individual theory acting alone.
What Factors Facilitate Resilience in Developmental Dyslexia? Examining Protective and Compensatory Mechanisms Across the Neurodevelopmental Trajectory
Authors: Yu Xi , Zuk Jennifer , Gaab Nadine
Published: May 2018

Developmental dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by deficits reading single words. Dyslexia is heritable and has been associated with neural alterations in regions of the left hemisphere in the brain. Cognitive and neural atypicalities have been observed before children with familial risk for dyslexia begin reading, yet children who are at risk subsequently develop reading abilities on a continuum from good to poor. Of those children who develop good reading skills, what factors are associated with more successful outcomes? In this article, we review findings describing genetic, cognitive, neurobiological, and environmental factors that facilitate reading development and propose a model of neural pathways to support successful reading development in at‐risk children. This research can inform educational and clinical strategies to support at‐risk children. Investigating factors that contribute to the variance in behavioral outcomes among at‐risk children may help us understand developmental disorders and associated etiological, compensatory, and protective factors.
Why Do Children Learn the Words They Do?
Authors: Mani Nivedita , Ackermann Lena
Published: May 2018

Most children can produce a few words by the end of their first year and rapidly acquire almost 30 times as many words in the following year. Although this general pattern remains the same for children learning different languages, the words individual children know are considerably different. In this article, we consider the possibility that children are an important source of variability in early vocabulary acquisition in the context of curiosity‐driven approaches to language learning. In particular, we review research that supports two interrelated claims: that what children know and what children are interested in interact in shaping what children learn. We suggest that this, as well as the possibility that children are motivated intrinsically to learn language, sets the stage for early vocabulary learning.
Customary Legal Empowerment in Namibia and Ghana? Lessons about Access, Power and Participation in Non‐state Justice Systems
Authors: Ubink Janine
Published: May 2018

Since the early 2000s, legal development cooperation has displayed an increasing willingness to engage with customary justice systems. However, this engagement is frequently problematic. External actors often lack knowledge about the different versions of customary law, the negotiable nature of customary justice and the power differentials involved in defining customary law. In customary justice systems, norms are defined and negotiated in administrative structures and dispute‐settlement institutions. Inclusion in these fora is therefore of paramount importance to improve the position of vulnerable groups. To illustrate the point, this article analyses two case studies of customary justice reform, respectively focusing on gender dimensions in northern Namibia and land management in Ghana. These case studies demonstrate that when programming ignores issues of power and empowerment, it will not have the hoped‐for positive impact on vulnerable groups.
Global Governance, neoliberalism and national responses: The case of Bangladesh’s ready‐made garment (RMG) sector
Authors: Khan Mohammed Adil , Milne Grace
Published: May 2018

This article on the ready‐made garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh shows how over‐reliance on foreign capital for development financing and deregulated investment—a hallmark of neoliberal economic arrangements—undermines the incorporation of SDGs’ and INGOs’ equity principles, contributing to biased policy responses yielding unequal outcomes. The article cautions that while countries prioritize economic growth over social and environmental nourishment and continue to adopt neoliberal economic policies to promote economic growth, inequity is unavoidable, if not inevitable. Thus, the way forward may be to shift the focus of ‘development’ from the economy to society, to building ‘good societies’ where institutions and strategies, including those that contribute to economic growth, are organized such that these complement not compromise the evolution of such societies.
Psychosis screening practices in schools: A survey of school‐based mental health providers
Authors: Kline Emily R. , Chokran Cole , Rodenhiser‐Hill Janine , Seidman Larry J. , Woodberry Kristen A.
Published: May 2018

Aim

Many school districts in the United States employ mental health professionals to provide assessment, counselling and crisis interventions within the school setting; however, little is known about actual clinical practices of psychosis screening in schools. The aim of the present study is to examine attitudes and practices regarding psychosis screening among school mental health providers in metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts.

Methods

School‐based mental health clinicians (N = 100) completed an anonymous survey assessing familiarity, screening, and involvement with psychosis and psychosis risk prior to attending trainings on psychosis.

Results

Providers reported screening for psychosis less often than other mental health problems and rated themselves as less confident treating psychosis relative to other mental health concerns. Frequency of screening for psychosis was significantly associated with familiarity with psychosis assessment and case management, confidence providing treatment for individuals experiencing psychosis, and the number of students with or at risk for psychosis with whom providers had been involved. Frequency of screening for psychosis was not associated with years of practice, suggesting that both novice and experienced school‐based providers may benefit from training on this issue.

Conclusions

Community outreach via school‐based provider training on assessment and management of psychosis may help to increase providers' understanding of psychosis and increase the practice of verbal or written screening for psychosis and psychosis risk within schools.
The role of ethnicity on pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy: The need for specific research
Authors: Hao Nanya , Graham Janet , Hitchcock Alison , O'Brien Terence J. , Vajda Frank J. E.
Published: May 2018

The role of ethnicity on pregnancy outcomes of women with epilepsy (WWE) has received little research attention but is important to guide management. The aim of this review is to identify and describe current knowledge of ethnicity for WWE giving birth. Literature searches were performed with the following terms: ethnic/race combined with epilepsy/seizure, antiepileptic drugs (AED), and/or pregnancy, and combined them with congenital malformation, birth outcome, or pregnancy complication, with English language restriction in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Both primary studies and review articles were included. Ethnicity disparities exist in specific congenital malformations, pregnancy complications, and birth outcomes among the general population. There is also ethnicity‐related diversity of AED disposition. Information on ethnicity is rarely considered in studies about pregnant WWE. The association between ethnicity and pregnancy outcomes of WWE remains to be elucidated. The lack of data relating to ethnicity in pregnancy studies among WWE needs addressing. Knowledge of potential effects of ethnicity on pregnancy outcomes in WWE will help inform better clinical care around the world.
Journeys unknown: Embodiment, affect, and living with being “lost” and “found”
Authors: Hughes Ainsley , Mee Kathy
Published: May 2018

The tools, technologies, and practices people use to find their way are rapidly changing. Over the last decade, the “new mobilities paradigm” (Sheller & Urry, 2006) has enhanced how we understand our mobile lives. New mobilities research has focused attention on the ways in which we experience the world as we move through it: including the more ephemeral, fleeting, and affective practices that shape everyday mobilities. Despite this, most new mobilities research focuses on journeys where people know, or can relatively easily interpret information about, where they are going. As a result, analysis of stories about how people experience being “lost” and “found” as they negotiate their everyday mobilities is largely absent from the mobilities literature in human geography. This is problematic because the practices of trying to find our way and being lost and found fundamentally shape mobilities and produce affects which shape future journeys. This paper theorises the impact of exploring wayfinding practices for mobilities research. By bringing together conceptual insights from current mobilities research and popular accounts of being lost and found, this paper will open up discussion regarding how researchers conceptualise, articulate, and account for the lived experiences of being lost and found in their work.
Increases in Arousal are More Long‐Lasting than Decreases in Arousal: On Homeostatic Failures During Emotion Regulation in Infancy
Authors: Wass Sam V. , Clackson Kaili , Leong Vicky
Published: May 2018

In emotion regulation, negative or undesired emotions are downregulated, but there are also opponent processes to emotion regulation—in which undesired emotions are exacerbated dynamically over time by processes that have an amplifying or upregulating impact. Evidence for such processes has been shown in adults, but little previous work has examined whether infants show similar patterns. To examine this, we measured physiological arousal in 57 typical 12 month olds while presenting a 20‐min mixed viewing battery. Fluctuations in autonomic arousal were measured via heart rate, electrodermal activity, and movement. We reasoned that if transitions in autonomic arousal are random (stochastic), then (1) arousal would be normally distributed across the session, and (2) episodes where arousal exceeded a certain threshold above the mean should be as long‐lived as those where arousal exceeded the same threshold below the mean. In fact we found that (1) heart rate and movement (but not electrodermal activity) were positively skewed, and (2) that increases in arousal have a lower extinction probability than decreases in arousal. Our findings may suggest that increases in arousal are self‐sustaining. These patterns are the opposite of the homeostatic mechanisms predicted by naïve approaches to emotion regulation.
Optimal combination strategy of left atrial appendage closure plus catheter ablation in a single procedure in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Du Xianfeng , Chu Huimin , He Bin , Wang Binhao , Liu Jing , Feng Mingjun , Yu Yibo , Fu Guohua , Jin He , Gao Fang , Zhu Jingjing , Chen Xiaomin
Published: May 2018

Background

The efficacy and safety of combining left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) plus atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation (CA) in a single procedure has been established, but the optimal combination strategy has not been thoroughly elucidated to date.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the impact of different combination strategies on clinical outcomes.

Methods

Eighty‐two consecutive patients with symptomatic AF (mean CHA2DS2‐VASc score 4.4 ± 1.4, mean HAS‐BLED score 3.5 ± 1.0) were enrolled. LAAC with the Watchman device was performed either before (occlusion‐first group, N  =  52) or after (ablation‐first group, N  =  30) CA. Procedural and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the advantages of each strategy.

Results

Complete device occlusions were achieved in 92.3% and 90.0% of patients, respectively (P  =  0.719). Neither acute nor chronic peridevice leak greater than 5 mm was detected. Oral anticoagulants were held in all patients, except two (one in each group) with asymptomatic device‐related thrombi. AF‐free success rates were comparable between groups with a mean follow‐up of 11.2 ± 7.3 months (75.0% vs. 70.0%, log‐rank P  =  0.311). The new peridevice leak rate was significantly lower in the occlusion‐first group (7.7% vs. 26.7%, P  =  0.019). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the combination strategy was independently associated with the new peridevice leak (P  =  0.025, OR 13.3).

Conclusions

Both occlusion‐first and ablation‐first strategies were efficacious and safe as combined procedures in patients with nonvalvular AF; however, the occlusion‐first strategy was associated with lower new peridevice leak rates at follow‐up.
Prognostic factors for maximally or optimally cytoreduced stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy
Authors: Cuylan Zeliha F. , Meydanli Mehmet M. , Sari Mustafa E. , Akbayir Ozgur , Celik Husnu , Dede Murat , Sahin Hanifi , Gungorduk Kemal , Kuscu Esra , Ozgul Nejat , Gungor Tayfun , Ayhan Ali
Published: May 2018

Objective

To identify factors predictive of poor prognosis in women with stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who had undergone maximal or optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by six cycles of intravenous carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Methods

A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with stage III nonserous EOC who had undergone maximal or optimal primary CRS followed by six cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy at seven gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected.

Results

A total of 218 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 64 (29.4%) patients had endometrioid, 61 (28%) had mucinous, 54 (24.8%) had clear‐cell and 39 (17.9%) had mixed epithelial tumors. Fifty‐five (25.2%) patients underwent maximal CRS, whereas 163 (74.8%) had optimal debulking. With a median follow‐up of 31.5 months, the 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 34.8% and 44.2%, respectively. Bilaterality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.056; P = 0.04), age (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.176–4.323; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.202–0.58; P < 0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS. However, age (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.215–5.591; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.166–0.615; P < 0.001) were defined as independent prognostic factors for OS.

Conclusion

The extent of CRS seems to be the only modifiable prognostic factor associated with stage III nonserous EOC. Complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease should be the main goal of management in these women.
Noninvasive PK11195‐PET Image Analysis Techniques Can Detect Abnormal Cerebral Microglial Activation in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Kang Yeona , Mozley P. David , Verma Ajay , Schlyer David , Henchcliffe Claire , Gauthier Susan A. , Chiao Ping C. , He Bin , Nikolopoulou Anastasia , Logan Jean , Sullivan Jenna M. , Pryor Kane O. , Hesterman Jacob , Kothari Paresh J. , Vallabhajosula Shankar
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), which might be influenced by successful neuroprotective drugs. The uptake of [11C](R)‐PK11195 (PK) is often considered to be a proxy for neuroinflammation, and can be quantified using the Logan graphical method with an image‐derived blood input function, or the Logan reference tissue model using automated reference region extraction. The purposes of this study were (1) to assess whether these noninvasive image analysis methods can discriminate between patients with PD and healthy volunteers (HVs), and (2) to establish the effect size that would be required to distinguish true drug‐induced changes from system variance in longitudinal trials.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 20 participants with PD and 19 HVs. Two independent teams analyzed the data to compare the volume of distribution calculated using image‐derived input functions (IDIFs), and binding potentials calculated using the Logan reference region model.

RESULTS

With all methods, the higher signal‐to‐background in patients resulted in lower variability and better repeatability than in controls. We were able to use noninvasive techniques showing significantly increased uptake of PK in multiple brain regions of participants with PD compared to HVs.

CONCLUSION

Although not necessarily reflecting absolute values, these noninvasive image analysis methods can discriminate between PD patients and HVs. We see a difference of 24% in the substantia nigra between PD and HV with a repeatability coefficient of 13%, showing that it will be possible to estimate responses in longitudinal, within subject trials of novel neuroprotective drugs.
Black Reltrad: Measuring Religious Diversity and Commonality Among African Americans
Authors: Shelton Jason E. , Cobb Ryon J.
Published: May 2018

The Black Church has remained an important topic of scholarly interest for more than a century, but less attention has been devoted to the consequences of contrasting denominational affiliations within the African‐American Protestant religious tradition. We advance a new coding scheme that allows researchers to measure and test black affiliates across a range of denominations with roots inside and outside of the greater Black Church. Findings from the 1972 to 2014 General Social Surveys indicate that our “Black Reltrad” syntax more meticulously captures similarities and differences among African Americans with respect to religious sensibilities, religious‐related social attitudes, and engagement in black politics than extant coding schemes. Consequently, although the legacy of racial discrimination and inequality binds blacks together, scholars must also recognize differences within the African‐American Protestant religious tradition.
Institutionalized Norms, Practical Organizational Activity, and Loose Coupling: Inclusive Congregations’ Responses to Homosexuality
Authors: Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: May 2018

Congregations vary widely in their responses to homosexuality. Among those inclusive congregations that integrate gays and lesbians into congregational life, why do some adopt a formal organizational statement of welcoming while others do not? Drawing on the new institutionalism and inhabited institutions literatures, this study is the first quantitative examination of the concept of “loose coupling” within religious organizations regarding homosexuality. Analyses using nationally representative congregational data (National Congregations Study) indicate that particular types of inclusive congregations are more likely to loosely couple their practical activity from their formal organizational stance. These findings suggest that inclusive religious organizations respond to myths and norms from various organizational fields and that agentic actors inhabiting the organization influence it by responding, interpreting, and making sense of those institutional norms. The analyses also indicate that loose coupling is one avenue through which particular types of religious organizations respond to the transformation of societal norms with innovation.
The Positives and Negatives of Higher Education: How the Religious Context in Adolescence Moderates the Effects of Education on Changes in Religiosity
Authors: Schwadel Philip
Published: May 2018

Although longitudinal research suggests that declines in religiosity associated with higher education vary across religious traditions, it tells us little about variation in the effects of higher education on changes in religiosity more broadly. Higher education may promote increases in religiosity for some, particularly with many Americans now being raised in relatively secular homes. This research note uses multilevel growth curve models and four waves of longitudinal data to examine how the religious context in adolescence moderates the effects of higher education on changes in emerging adult religiosity, regardless of the direction of change. Religious tradition and parent religious service attendance assess the religious context in adolescence, and several religiosity scales and measures of religious behaviors assess dimensions of religiosity. Results show that higher education is particularly likely to lead to religious decline for mainline Protestants and those with religiously active parents, and to increases in religiosity for the religiously unaffiliated and those with parents who infrequently attend religious services. These findings demonstrate how the religious context in adolescence conditions the influence of education, thereby highlighting the variable nature of the influence of higher education on changes in religiosity.
Change‐Point Detection in Autoregressive Models with no Moment Assumptions
Authors: Akashi Fumiya , Dette Holger , Liu Yan
Published: May 2018

In this paper we consider the problem of detecting a change in the parameters of an autoregressive process where the moments of the innovation process do not necessarily exist. An empirical likelihood ratio test for the existence of a change point is proposed and its asymptotic properties are studied. In contrast to other works on change‐point tests using empirical likelihood, we do not assume knowledge of the location of the change point. In particular, we prove that the maximizer of the empirical likelihood is a consistent estimator for the parameters of the autoregressive model in the case of no change point and derive the limiting distribution of the corresponding test statistic under the null hypothesis. We also establish consistency of the new test. A nice feature of the method is the fact that the resulting test is asymptotically distribution‐free and does not require an estimate of the long‐run variance. The asymptotic properties of the test are investigated by means of a small simulation study, which demonstrates good finite‐sample properties of the proposed method.
Recognition of, and beliefs about, causes of mental disorders: A cross‐sectional study of US and Chinese undergraduate nursing students
Authors: Liu Wei
Published: May 2018

Nursing students' beliefs about etiology and manifestation of mental illness will impact on their professional attitudes in future clinical practice. The aims of the present study were to examine and compare US and Chinese undergraduate nursing students' recognition of, and beliefs about, causes of depression and schizophrenia. A total of 310 US (n = 152) and Chinese (n = 158) nursing students completed the Australian National Mental Health Literacy Survey questionnaire between April 2016 and April 2017. Although nursing students in the USA and China were highly accurate in recognizing depression and schizophrenia, the US students were more likely to nominate multiple items alongside the correct diagnosis than the Chinese students. The Chinese students were more likely to view depression and schizophrenia as multi‐causally‐determined mental disorders than the US students. The findings highlight the need for the incorporation of mental health issues, including symptomatology of different mental disorders and their application to patient care, into various aspects of the US nursing curriculum. In China, opportunities can be created for nursing students to discuss the impact of personal beliefs on care delivery and social stigma during clinical placement.
Extensive drought‐associated plant mortality as an agent of type‐conversion in chaparral shrublands
Authors: Jacobsen Anna L. , Pratt R. Brandon
Published: May 2018

ContentsSummary498I.Introduction498II.Ecological drought and vegetation type‐conversion499III.Chaparral mortality during extreme drought events501IV.Some species survive drought and others do not501V.Recovery potential502VI.Conclusions503Acknowledgements503References503

California experienced an intense drought from 2012 to 2015, with southern California remaining in drought to the present. Widespread chaparral shrub mortality was observed during the peak of the drought in 2014. Some species were more impacted than others and shallow‐rooted shrub species were the most vulnerable to drought‐associated mortality. This type of drought represents what is termed an ‘ecological drought’ during which an ecosystem is driven beyond thresholds of vulnerability, triggering impairment of ecosystem services and feedbacks that may result in long‐term type‐conversion of natural communities. The ability of shrublands to recover will depend on the timing, intensity and seasonality of future extreme climate events, post‐fire recruitment potential of species with obligate fire‐associated recruitment, and interactions with other stresses.
Social motor coordination during adult–child interactions
Authors: Pfeiffer Rita , Wallace Mark , Lense Miriam
Published: May 2018

Social motor coordination (SMC) pertains to the timing of contingent movements during social interactions and is of high relevance for successful social and musical interactions. Semi‐automated, objective methods are increasingly being used to analyze SMC, though it is unclear if these methods are feasible in naturalistic settings with young children. The purpose of the current preliminary study was to explore SMC in adult–child dyads during semi‐structured social interactions. Thirteen dyads (mean age of children = 36 months) participated in a predictable turn‐taking task from a social communication assessment, and a semi‐automated frame‐difference approach was used to capture movement activity. Relative timing and activity approaches revealed that, while there is some evidence of co‐occurring movement, the dyad predominantly exhibited patterns of responsive movement activity (e.g., turn taking or alternating movement) consistent with the activity's structure. Future work may extend these approaches to social musical interactions in order to examine movement coordination and prosocial behavior during joint music‐making activities with young children.
Changes in the parameters of ventricular repolarization during preapnea, apnea, and postapnea periods in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Sökmen Erdoğan , Özbek Sinan Cemgil , Çelik Mustafa , Sivri Serkan , Metin Mehmet , Avcu Mustafa
Published: May 2018

Background

Ventricular arrhythmias are reported to be more common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Preliminary evidence showed such parameters regarding ventricular repolarization as Tp‐e, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc may be related with increased cardiac arrhythmias and even sudden cardiac death. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization during immediately preapnea period, apnea period, and postapnea hyperventilation period in patients with OSA.

Methods

A total of 59 patients who underwent polysomnography and were diagnosed with OSA between the years 2016–2017 in our hospital were included in our study. Of 59 patients (mean age: 52.51 ± 9.66), 28 were male and 31 were female. In all patients, Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT ratio, and Tp‐e/QTc ratio, together with some other parameters, were calculated. Categorical variables were expressed as proportion and continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Electrocardiogram calculations of interest were compared through preapnea, apnea, and postapnea periods using Friedman's test.

Results

Tp‐e interval (85.6 ms [78.3–95.6], 98 ms [88.5–107.7], 91.2 ms [81–98.8], respectively; P < 0.001), Tp‐e/QT ratio (0.219 [0.202–0.237], 0.242 [0.224–0.269], 0.233 [0.212–0.246], respectively; P < 0.001), and Tp‐e/QTc ratio (0.210 [0.190–0.222], 0.233 [0.209–0.247], 0.212 [0.193–0.229], respectively; P < 0.001) were significantly increased during apnea period compared to the preapnea period and significantly decreased during postapnea hyperventilation period compared to the apnea period.

Conclusion

Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QT ratio, and Tp‐e/QTc ratio were shown to be increased during apnea period and decreased during postapnea hyperventilation period. Our findings may help explain cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death in OSA patients.
Lactate in bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kuang Heidi , Duong Angela , Jeong Hyunjin , Zachos Kassandra , Andreazza Ana C.
Published: May 2018

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a debilitating mood disorder with no specific biological marker. No novel treatment has been developed specifically for BD in the last several decades. Although the pathophysiology of BD remains unclear, there is strong evidence in the literature supporting the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in BD. In this systematic review, we identified and investigated 12 studies that measure lactate, which is a direct marker for mitochondrial dysfunction, in BD patients and healthy controls. Six studies measured lactate levels in the brain through proton echo‐planar spectroscopy or magnetic resonance spectroscopy and five of these studies reported significantly elevated lactate levels in patients with BD. Two studies reporting cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels also found significantly elevated lactate in BD compared to healthy controls. Two other studies that reported peripheral lactate levels did not demonstrate significant findings. The meta‐analysis, using standardized means and a random‐effect model for five studies that measured brain lactate levels, corroborated the findings of the systematic review. Although the meta‐analysis had a nearly significant overall effect (Z = 1.97, P = 0.05), high statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 86%) and possible publication bias suggest that the results should be interpreted with caution. To validate lactate abnormalities in BD, further studies should be carried out, including larger sample sizes, not excluding female patients, and using standardized methodologies. Peripheral lactate levels and other bioenergetic markers should be thoroughly studied to better understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in BD and to help develop more objective diagnostic tools.
A prospective evaluation of oral Yunnan Baiyao therapy on thromboleastographic parameters in apparently healthy dogs
Authors: Tansey Colleen , Wiebe Melissa L. , Hybki Gabrielle C. , Patlogar Jeffrey E. , Murphy Lisa A. , Bianco Domenico , Nakamura Reid K.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the effect of Yunnan Baiyao (YB) on hemostatic parameters measured by thromboelastography (TEG) in healthy dogs administered 1 capsule of YB orally twice daily for 1 week.

Design

Prospective study of client‐owned dogs at a small animal specialty hospital.

Setting

Private referral center.

Animals

Eighteen client‐owned adult dogs weighing at least 15 kg.

Interventions

Dogs had a baseline TEG performed and then each dog was administered 1 capsule of YB twice daily by mouth for 1 week and the TEG was reevaluated. Any side effects attributed to YB were noted at this time.

Measurements and Main Results

All 18 enrolled dogs completed the study. Dogs that received 1 capsule (250 mg/capsule) of YB orally twice daily had significantly increased G as well as A30 and A60 values. There was also a significantly decreased LY30 and LY60 values after 1 week. The YB appeared well tolerated as only one dog developed mild diarrhea.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that YB at 1 capsule orally twice daily in healthy medium to large breed dogs increases the strength of the clot as measured by TEG and that YB was apparently well tolerated in the study population reported here. Larger prospective studies in different disease states are warranted to further evaluate these preliminary findings.
Incidence of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in dogs and cats with and without nasogastric tubes over a period of up to 36 hours in the intensive care unit
Authors: Chih Annie , Rudloff Elke , Waldner Cheryl , Linklater Andrew K. J.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis (HCMA) in dogs and cats in the ICU that had intermittent nasogastric tube (NGT) aspiration for up to 36 hours.

Design

Prospective cohort study (December 2013 to October 2014).

Setting

Privately owned emergency and referral teaching hospital.

Animals

Forty‐nine client‐owned dogs and 16 client‐owned cats.

Interventions

Patients wherein NGT placement was recommended and client consent was obtained were included in the interventional group. Those with an NGT placed (NGT group) had the NGT aspirated every 4 hours. Patients for whom placement of a NGT was declined by the owner served as a reference group (NoNGT). Venous blood gas and electrolyte values were obtained every 12 hours.

Measurements and Main Results

Thirty‐five dogs and cats had an NGT placed. Thirty dogs and cats did not have an NGT placed. The serum venous blood gas and electrolyte changes were compared over time within the NGT group and between the NGT and NoNGT groups. No cases developed HCMA. In the NGT group, blood pH increased over time. There was no significant difference between the NGT and the NoNGT group in the average value of pH, HCO3−, base excess, chloride, or corrected chloride. Serum venous blood gas, chloride, and corrected chloride changes were not associated with the volumes of gastric fluid aspirated over time.

Conclusions

In this small population of dogs and cats, intermittent NGT aspiration was not associated with the development of HCMA over a period of up to 36 hours after NGT placement.
Dogs with acute myeloid leukemia or lymphoid neoplasms (large cell lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia) may have indistinguishable mediastinal masses on radiographs
Authors: Epperly Erin , Hume Kelly R. , Moirano Steven , Stokol Tracy , Intile Joanne , Erb Hollis N. , Scrivani Peter V.
Published: May 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia is an uncommon hematopoietic neoplasm of dogs that should be differentiated from lymphoid neoplasms, such as lymphoma, because of different treatment protocols and a worse prognosis. Thoracic radiography is performed frequently in dogs with suspected hematopoietic neoplasia, and detecting a mediastinal mass often prioritizes lymphoma as the most likely diagnosis. However, we have observed a mediastinal mass in several dogs with acute myeloid leukemia and hypothesized that (1) the frequency of a mediastinal mass was higher and (2) the size of the mass was larger in dogs with acute myeloid leukemia compared to dogs with lymphoid neoplasms. In this analytical study (observational, retrospective, and cross‐sectional), the sample population included 238 dogs with hematopoietic neoplasia. These dogs were divided into lymphoid (large cell lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and myeloid groups based on standard phenotyping tests. A mediastinal mass was detected during thoracic radiography in 73/218 (33%) and nine of 20 (45%) dogs in the lymphoid and myeloid groups (P = 0.21), respectively. The median size ratio of mediastinal mass to cardiac silhouette was 0.20 and 0.23 in the lymphoid and myeloid groups (P = 0.96), respectively. Additionally, we observed normal thoracic radiographs in 111/218 (51%) dogs in the lymphoid group and nine of 20 (45%) dogs in the myeloid group. In conclusion, acute myeloid leukemia should be considered when a mediastinal mass is detected during radiography in dogs with suspected hematopoietic neoplasia—but the presence or size of a mediastinal mass does not differentiate between myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms.