bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ownership structure, stock volatility and analyst independence
Authors: Song Xiaobao , Zheng Wenjia
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine securities analyst independence in China's capital market and the effect on analyst independence of institutional investors’ shareholding and separation between control rights and cash flow rights of ultimate controller.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data of China's listed companies from 2006 to 2012, the authors empirically tested the relationship between analyst following and volatility of stock return. And based on the test, the authors investigated the role played by institutional investors’ ownership and separation between control rights and cash flow rights of ultimate controller.

Findings

– According to the empirical results, there is a significant negative correlation between analyst following and volatility of stock return. Also, shareholding of institutional investors and the separation between control rights and cash flow rights of ultimate controllers will have an impact on the relationship between analyst following and volatility of stock return. When institutional investors hold higher proportion or the separation between control rights and cash flow rights of ultimate controllers keeps at a high level, the negative correlation between analyst following and volatility of stock return will weaken.

Originality/value

– First, based on the theory of market intermediation, the paper examined analyst independence by investigating and analyzing the relationship between analyst following and volatility of stock return. Second, it analyzed the factors affecting analyst independence by integrating enterprise characteristic variable and market characteristic variable on the basis of introducing two variables – shareholding of institutional investors and the separation between control rights and cash flow rights of ultimate controllers.
The PIES for solving 3D potential problems with domains bounded by rectangular Bézier patches
Authors: Zieniuk Eugeniusz , Szerszen Krzysztof
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply rectangular Bézier surface patches directly into the mathematical formula used to solve boundary value problems modeled by Laplace's equation. The mathematical formula, called the parametric integral equation systems (PIES), will be obtained through the analytical modification of the conventional boundary integral equations (BIE), with the boundary mathematically described by rectangular Bézier patches.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents the methodology of the analytic connection of the rectangular patches with BIE. This methodology is a generalization of the one previously used for 2D problems.

Findings

– In PIES the paper separates the necessity of performing simultaneous approximation of both boundary shape and the boundary functions, as the boundary geometry has been included in its mathematical formalism. The separation of the boundary geometry from the boundary functions enables to achieve an independent and more effective improvement of the accuracy of both approximations. Boundary functions are approximated by the Chebyshev series, whereas the boundary is approximated by Bézier patches.

Originality\value

– The originality of the proposed approach lies in its ability to automatic adapt the PIES formula for modified shape of the boundary modeled by the Bézier patches. This modification does not require any dividing the patch into elements and creates the possibility for effective declaration of boundary geometry in continuous way directly in PIES.
Analysis of explosion in concrete by axisymmetric FE-SPH adaptive coupling method
Authors: De’an Hu , Chunhan Liu , YiHua Xiao , Xu Han
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to confirm that the axisymmetric finite element and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (FE-SPH) adaptive coupling method is effective to solve explosion problem in concrete based on the experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

– Axisymmetric FE-SPH adaptive coupling method is first presented to simulate dynamic deformation process of concrete under internal blast loading. Using calculation codes of FE-SPH coupling method, numerical model of explosion is approximated initially by finite element method (FEM), and distorted finite elements are automatically converted into meshless particles to simulate damage, splash of concrete by SPH method, when equivalent plastic strain of elements reaches a specified value.

Findings

– In this paper, damage process and pressure curve of concrete around explosive are analyzed and buried depth of explosive in concrete influence on damage effect under internal blast loading are obtained. Numerical analyses show that FE-SPH coupling method integrates high computational efficiency of FEM and advantages of SPH method, such as natural simulation to damage, splash and other characteristics of explosion in concrete.

Originality/value

– This work shows that FE-SPH coupling method has good performance to solve the explosion problem.
Application of 2D base force element method with complementary energy principle for arbitrary meshes
Authors: Peng Yijiang , Zong Nana , Zhang Lijuan , Pu Jiwei
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a two-dimensional (2D) model of the base force element method (BFEM) based on the complementary energy principle. The study proposes a model of the BFEM for arbitrary mesh problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– The BFEM uses the base forces given by Gao (2003) as fundamental variables to describe the stress state of an elastic system. An explicit expression of element compliance matrix is derived using the concept of base forces. The detailed formulations of governing equations for the BFEM are given using the Lagrange multiplier method. The explicit displacement expression of nodes is given. To verify the 2D model, a program on the BFEM using MATLAB language is made and a number of examples on arbitrary polygonal meshes and aberrant meshes are provided to illustrate the BFEM.

Findings

– A good agreement is obtained between the numerical and theoretical results. Based on the studies, it is found that the 2D formulation of BFEM with complementary energy principle provides reliable predictions for arbitrary mesh problems.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the use of Lagrange multiplier method, there are more basic unknowns in the control equation. The proposed method will be improved in the future.

Practical implications

– This paper presents a new idea and a new numerical method, and to explore new ways to solve the problem of arbitrary meshes.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a 2D model of the BFEM using the complementary energy principle for arbitrary mesh problems.
Getting what (employers think) you’re worth
Authors: Bredtmann Julia , Otten Sebastian
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the gender wage differential of labor market entrants and the determinants of their starting wages.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper makes use of a unique data set on graduates in economics from a large German university that contains detailed information on the graduates’ course of study, their additional qualifications and their transition from university to the labor market. Based on these data, Mincer-type earnings functions as well as wage decompositions as proposed by Blinder (1973) and Oaxaca (1973) are performed.

Findings

– The paper finds a significant gender wage differential of 7 percent. Blinder-Oaxaca decompositions suggest that the major part of this gap remains unexplained by gender differences in observable characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– The main feature of our analysis – having a highly homogeneous sample of graduates from a single university – comes at the costs of reduced ability to draw generalized conclusions from our findings.

Originality/value

– This paper investigates the determinants of entry wages for a homogeneous group of high-skilled workers using a unique data set of graduates in business and economics from a large German university. Concentrating on a highly homogeneous sample limits the problem of unobserved heterogeneity, which results in an overestimation of the unexplained component of standard decompositions analyses. Hence, the finding that a large part of the gender pay gap remains unexplained can be considered as an indicator for gender discrimination in the labor market for economics graduates.
Dialogic peer coaching as teacher leadership for professional inquiry
Authors: Charteris Jennifer , Smardon Dianne
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Dialogic peer coaching as leadership can enable teachers to influence each other's professional learning. The purpose of this paper is to shift the emphasis from the role associated with the designated title of leader to the purpose and relevance of teacher leadership in the context of dialogic peer coaching.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was undertaken as a small qualitative case study embedded in a school-based, teacher professional development project. Nine groups of peer coaches from five unrelated schools engaged in a formal process of collaborative inquiry over two years. Interview data from 13 volunteer teacher participants were analysed using the constant comparison method and themes determined.

Findings

– The study revealed that there was growth in teacher leadership capabilities as they become dialogic peer coaches to each other.

Practical implications

– Through their collaborative peer coaching dialogue teachers have the transformative space to articulate their thinking. They can engage in dialogic feedback where they are positioned as experts in their own practice.

Social implications

– The teachers in this study are positioned within communities of practice as co-constructers of knowledge and co-learners. On the basis of the findings the authors suggest that this can support the development of high capacity leadership in schools. This stance contrasts with a technicist approach to teacher professional learning in which teachers are situated as absorbers or recipients of knowledge constructed elsewhere.

Originality/value

– The research reported in this paper addresses three key elements of leadership: individual development; collaboration or team development; and organisational development. It outlines a means by which teacher leadership can be strengthened to address these elements in schools.
A new sustainability model: engaging the entire firm
Authors: McPhee Wayne
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The sustainable activity model re-envisions Porter's value chain to reflect the emerging impact of sustainability on firm strategy. The model helps to convert high level sustainability vision statements into a new set of actions that can create value from emerging issues like climate change, resource constraints, and a smaller, more connected world.

Design/methodology/approach

– The emergence and growth of sustainability, provides an opportunity to rethink traditional business models to better reflect current and emerging market conditions. Porter's value chain was adapted to reflect that: the value of a firm is based on more than just the profit margin and includes reputation, brand value and license to operate; sustainability can generate value by improving both internal and external engagement and collaboration; and the impact that the firm has on the outside world need to be included in firm strategy and decision making.

Findings

– The sustainable activity model is useful for focusing strategy on the material impacts of the firm rather than focusing on the issues that are most prevalent in the media or where managers have a particular interest. The model allows the firm to clearly set out new actions and new behaviors that change how the firm interacts with the world and how value is created.

Originality/value

– The sustainable activity model adapts the traditional value chain model to better fit the business issues that have emerged over the last 25 years and to prepare for a future that will continue to change at an ever increasing rate. Applying the model to strategy and business decisions will encourage new ways of thinking about value and generate new activities for creating value and enhancing the resilience of the firm against future changes as the sustainability trend continues to evolve.
A charter for trainers in the prevention and management of workplace violence in mental health settings
Authors: Paterson Brodie , McKenna Kevin , Bowie Vaughan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a Delphi study of trainers in the prevention and safer management of violence in mental health settings that sought to identify and clarify what represents best practice at a European level.

Design/methodology/approach

– A Delphi method was used to garner the views of a sample of 54 trainers involved in the training of managing violence and aggression on a draft charter of best practice.

Findings

– A high level of agreement was found with the suggested indicators of best practice but the levels of agreement varied in some key areas and respondents identified a series of omissions from the charter and a number of potential challenges to its implementation.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was restricted to Europe and further research is planned to seek the views of a wider sample.

Practical implications

– The charter will provide a reference document for best practice in the interim.

Social implications

– Its implementation will require trainers to consciously identify the ethical implications not just of the content of their training buts its overall approach.

Originality/value

– The study is presently unique in its focus and context but further research in this area is underway designed to complement this study.
Australian overseas trained psychiatrists’ perspective of up-skilling programme
Authors: McGrath Pam , Henderson Saras , Cabral Sidney , Crompton David
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report research findings on the perspectives of overseas trained psychiatrists (OTPs) on the “The Overseas Trained Specialist Up-Skilling Programme” (OTSUP), initiated in Queensland, Australia to assist OTP's to prepare for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist (RANZCP) Fellowship examination. Ascertaining and utilisation of OTP's views about the programme will enable improvements to be made to the programme and better implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploratory qualitative design was utilised for the study in order to provide insights on the quality and effectiveness of the OTSUP.

Findings

– Centred around two main themes. The first theme included participant's knowledge about the up-skilling programme with its subthemes of “finding out about the programme”; “perceived aims of the programme”; and “educational events supporting the programme”. The second theme revolved around participants’ perceived benefits of the up-skilling programme with its four subthemes such as, first, individualised support, second, the opportunity to improve practical and communication skills through OTSUP educational events, third, access to peer support and fourth, provision of specific information on the RANZCP examination process.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations as this was a qualitative study, the findings can only be applicable to a similar context. Nevertheless, the findings do provide support for an educational initiative that assisted the OTS to better prepare for the RANZCP examination. To gain further insight into challenges faced by OTS with successfully passing the examination in less frequent attempts, programmes such as the OTSUP need to be improved and sustained.

Originality/value

– The findings provide valuable insight into how OTPs view the up-skilling programme. Moreover, the findings pave the way forward in how the programme can be improved in the future to assist OTPs prepare for the RANZCP examination.
A lifestyle analysis of young consumers: a study in Italian context
Authors: Santisi Giuseppe , Platania Silvia , Hichy Zira
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to identify the life styles of adolescents through a reading of the dimensions which are seen in purchasing behavior. The dimensions investigated were: cognitive associations that adolescents attribute to known and established brands, and the evaluative and emotional attitudes towards the brand, and intentional purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted in south of Italy (Sicily). The sample consisted in 150 participants aged between 15 and 17 (47 Male, 103 Female). The questionnaire was based on established scales. Regression linear stepwise, Chi-Squared and T test analysis was undertaken to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The results showed that there is a good degree of satisfaction towards the use of cash. Therefore, the youths interviewed were able to develop a model on spending and consumption which combined personal needs to the financial sphere. The adolescents' desire to repurchase known and established brands is determined by a process of identification the adolescents have with the brand.

Practical implications

– The analysis of consumption practices among adolescents can be considered one of the landmarks aimed at analyzing contemporary society and the universe of youth so as to understand and learn how to construct identity, define lifestyles and develop intra and intergenerational relations. Consumption, therefore, has become outstandingly striking and obvious in contemporary culture, as it defines the vision of the world constellated with specific value orientations, behavior, identities, languages and social meanings that emerge through action.

Originality/value

– Research proposals are presented which outline theoretical relationships between the socialization and social structural agents and the development of consumption symbolism with adolescents.
Strategies of children and parents during shopping for groceries
Authors: Haselhoff Vanessa , Faupel Ulya , H. Holzmüller Hartmut
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Only a limited number of studies have examined the behaviour and the strategies of children and parents during shopping. This ethnographical study aims at thoroughly understanding family decision-making when shopping for groceries, especially children's and parents' negotiation strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a qualitative ethnographical approach, seven known families were accompanied on 19 grocery shopping trips. Their behaviour, their interactions and their strategies during shopping were observed. Analysis was conducted by coding relevant information, defining categories, comparing data and identifying patterns.

Findings

– The results show that children constantly influence their parents, directly and indirectly. They do this by displaying various behaviours in the grocery store. Their negotiation tactics are diverse, as are parents' reactions to their children's negotiation strategies. Children aim at fulfilling spontaneous desires while parents want to restrain their children's requests.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations of the study can be found in their qualitative methodology.

Practical implications

– This study has several implications for marketers. By learning about the joint decision-making process, companies as well as public policy makers will be able to address families more successfully and market healthy food more effectively.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to existing research on family decision-making by presenting different ways of children and parents behaviour during shopping trips. It applied an unusual technique of observing well-known families on their shopping trips.
Fuel, fire and cattle in African highlands: traditional management maintains a mosaic heathland landscape
Authors: Johansson Maria U. , Granström Anders
Published: May 2014

Shrubland ecosystems are often inherently flammable due to a canopy structure favourable for fire propagation. At the same time, the fuel bed is not spatially uniform, but a complex mix of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation that will change with time since fire. These patterns are further influenced by megaherbivores capable of consuming large quantities of biomass that otherwise would enter the fuel bed, but the net effects for temporal thresholds of flammability are poorly known.

We quantified post‐fire fuel succession and effects of free‐ranging cattle in high‐elevation Erica shrublands in Ethiopia where traditional fire management is still practised above the treeline at 3500 m, despite being challenged by authorities.

We found a near‐linear accumulation of canopy fuel at 2·6 Mg ha−1 year−1, but stands <5 years old did not burn due to spatial separation of individual Erica shrubs before canopy closure and lack of fine dead fuels.

Inside cattle exclosures, Erica height growth was nearly three times faster and reached the assumed flammability threshold c. 3 years earlier than in browsed/grazed stands, where cattle also kept herbaceous vegetation between shrubs short, thus eliminating litter that could otherwise bridge the discontinuous fuel bed in early succession.

Modelling of fire behaviour indicated progressively higher fire intensity and rate of spread for stands >5 years. But if stands escape fire for several decades, flammability again decreases as canopy fuels become increasingly separated from the ground. This may be the ultimate reason for sharp treelines on many tropical mountains where fire is confined mainly to higher elevations.

Synthesis and applications. In shrublands where dominant plants can outgrow consumption by large herbivores, provision of good cattle habitat typically requires fire. We found that fire and cattle interact to maintain a relatively stable system, where fuel limitation in early succession creates fire breaks that prevent landscape‐wide wildfires. The same negative feedback protects the Erica from degradation by too frequent fires. As shrublands can have widely different compositions, the response to variation in fire frequency and herbivore pressure is likely to differ, but for sustainable management fire and grazing have to be treated in consort.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Ruscus aculeatus
Authors: Thomas Peter A. , Mukassabi Tarek A.
Published: May 2014

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Ruscus aculeatus L. (Butcher's broom) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.

Ruscus aculeatus is a multistemmed monocotyledonous shrub with leaves functionally replaced by cladodes and photosynthetic stems. It is native to southern England primarily in dry shaded woodland and hedgerows (but widely planted elsewhere) often, but not exclusively, on base‐rich soil. It is rarely abundant in any habitat, usually forming widely spread discrete clumps.

Ruscus aculeatus is remarkably shade tolerant and drought resistant with low water conductance and transpiration, and water storage in the cladodes. Yet unusually for a drought‐tolerant stem‐photosynthetic plant, it prefers shady environments.

The flowers have few if any pollinating mechanisms, low seed production and fruit/seed dispersal are largely ineffective, which may be a relict of its evolution in a tropical Tertiary climate. Population survival primarily depends upon vegetative spread from stout rhizomes, aided by the plant's general unpalatability.

Over‐collecting for medicinal steroidal saponins has caused some population declines, particularly in eastern Europe, but it is otherwise facing few conservation problems.
Predictive factors for acute radiation pneumonitis in postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy of esophageal cancer
Authors: Zhao Yaqin , Chen Lu , Zhang Shu , Wu Qiang , Jiang Xiaoqin , Zhu Hong , Wang Jin , Li Zhiping , Xu Yong , Zhang Ying Jie , Bai Sen , Xu Feng
Published: May 2014

Background

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a common side reaction in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. There are few reports about RP in esophageal cancer patients receiving postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). This study aims to analyze clinical or dosimetric factors associated with RP, and provides data for radiotherapy planning.

Methods

We reviewed 68 postoperative esophageal cancer patients who were treated with radiotherapy at the West China Hospital from October 2010 to November 2012 to identify any correlation between the clinical or dosimetric parameters and acute radiation pneumonitis (ARP) or severe acute radiation pneumonitis (SARP) by t‐test, chi‐square test, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 68 patients, 33 patients (48.5%) developed ARP, 13 of which (19.1%) developed SARP. Of these 33 patients, 8 (11.8%), 12 (17.6%), 11 (16.2%), and 2 (2.9%) patients were grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 ARP, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that lung infection during radiotherapy, use of VMAT, mean lung dose (MLD), and dosimetric parameters (e.g. V20, V30) are significantly correlated with RP. Multivariate analysis found that lung infection during radiotherapy, MLD ≥ 12 Gy, and V30 ≥ 13% are significantly correlated with an increased risk of RP.

Conclusion

Lung infection during radiotherapy and low radiation dose volume distribution were predictive factors associated with RP and should be accounted for during radiation planning.
Establishment and management of a lung cancer biobank in Eastern China
Authors: Yu Keke , Zhang Jie , Li Xin , Xu Lei , Zhang Ye , Xing Jie , Shao Jinchen , Zhu Lei , Liu Jinguo , Zhao Lanxiang , Han Baohui
Published: May 2014

Background

The prevalence of lung cancer, a highly complex neoplasm, increases annually. Thus, a lung cancer biobank, which stores lung cancer tissue and blood matched according to standard methods, is needed to advance lung cancer research and develop promising therapies.

Methods

To accomplish this aim, we implemented standardized procedures for tissue samples and patient information acquired from consenting donors. The banked tissue includes blood, pleural effusions, and surgical resection samples. An independent information management system was used to match samples and collect data, including clinical cancer manifestation, laboratory tests, and de‐identified data about cancer patients.

Results

From 2009 to 2013, more than 2000 lung cancer cases were collected. At this time, we have more than 10 000 biological samples stored in our biobank. DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein quality were confirmed to be appropriate for clinical and basic research.

Conclusion

Our standardized, large‐scale lung cancer biobank offers high quality cancer research samples for China and the world.
Risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in bipolar disorder: a systematic review and exploratory meta‐analysis
Authors: Prieto M. L. , Cuéllar‐Barboza A. B. , Bobo W. V. , Roger V. L. , Bellivier F. , Leboyer M. , West C. P. , Frye M. A.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To review the evidence on and estimate the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in bipolar disorder.

Method

A systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and bibliographies (1946 – May, 2013) was conducted. Case‐control and cohort studies of bipolar disorder patients age 15 or older with myocardial infarction or stroke as outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed quality. Estimates of effect were summarized using random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Five cohort studies including 13 115 911 participants (27 092 bipolar) were included. Due to the use of registers, different statistical methods, and inconsistent adjustment for confounders, there was significant methodological heterogeneity among studies. The exploratory meta‐analysis yielded no evidence for a significant increase in the risk of myocardial infarction: [relative risk (RR): 1.09, 95% CI 0.96–1.24, P = 0.20; I2 = 6%]. While there was evidence of significant study heterogeneity, the risk of stroke in bipolar disorder was significantly increased (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.29–2.35; P = 0.0003; I2 = 83%).

Conclusion

There may be a differential risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with bipolar disorder. Confidence in these pooled estimates was limited by the small number of studies, significant heterogeneity and dissimilar methodological features.
A novel method for direct measurement of complement convertases activity in human serum
Authors: Blom A M , Volokhina E B , Fransson V , Strömberg P , Berghard L , Viktorelius M , Mollnes T E , López-Trascasa M , van den Heuvel L P , Goodship T H , Marchbank K J , Okroj M
Published: May 2014

Complement convertases are enzymatic complexes that play a central role in sustaining and amplification of the complement cascade. Impairment of complement function leads directly or indirectly to pathological conditions, including higher infection rate, kidney diseases, autoimmune- or neurodegenerative diseases and ischaemia–reperfusion injury. An assay for direct measurement of activity of the convertases in patient sera is not available. Existing assays testing convertase function are based on purified complement components and, thus, convertase formation occurs under non-physiological conditions. We designed a new assay, in which C5 blocking compounds enabled separation of the complement cascade into two phases: the first ending at the stage of C5 convertases and the second ending with membrane attack complex formation. The use of rabbit erythrocytes or antibody-sensitized sheep erythrocytes as the platforms for convertase formation enabled easy readout based on measurement of haemolysis. Thus, properties of patient sera could be studied directly regarding convertase activity and membrane attack complex formation. Another advantage of this assay was the possibility to screen for host factors such as C3 nephritic factor and other anti-complement autoantibodies, or gain-of-function mutations, which prolong the half-life of complement convertases. Herein, we present proof of concept, detailed description and validation of this novel assay.
Clinical utility of an array comparative genomic hybridization analysis for Williams syndrome
Authors: Yagihashi Tatsuhiko , Torii Chiharu , Takahashi Reiko , Omori Mikimasa , Kosaki Rika , Yoshihashi Hiroshi , Ihara Masahiro , Minagawa‐Kawai Yasuyo , Yamamoto Junichi , Takahashi Takao , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: May 2014

To reveal the relation between intellectual disability and the deleted intervals in Williams syndrome, we performed an array comparative genomic hybridization analysis and standardized developmental testing for 11 patients diagnosed as having Williams syndrome based on fluorescent in situ hybridization testing. One patient had a large 4.2‐Mb deletion spanning distally beyond the common 1.5‐Mb intervals observed in 10/11 patients. We formulated a linear equation describing the developmental age of the 10 patients with the common deletion; the developmental age of the patient with the 4.2‐Mb deletion was significantly below the expectation (developmental age = 0.51 × chronological age). The large deletion may account for the severe intellectual disability; therefore, the use of array comparative genomic hybridization may provide practical information regarding individuals with Williams syndrome.
Insulin‐Like Growth Factor I Inhibits Alveolar Bone Loss Following Tooth Extraction in Rats
Authors: Kumasaka Akira , Iikubo Masahiro , Nishioka Takashi , Kojima Ikuho , Shoji Noriaki , Sakamoto Maya , Sasano Takashi
Published: May 2014

Background

Alveolar bone is often lost after tooth extraction. Few studies have assessed the longitudinal changes in bone volume that occur within these extraction sites.

Purpose

To investigate the longitudinal morphological changes in extraction sockets following sustained continuous subcutaneous infusion of human recombinant insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I).

Materials and Methods

Fourteen rats were subjected to right mandibular first molar extraction. Experimental rats (n = 7) received a continuous subcutaneous infusion of human recombinant IGF‐I (320 mg/day) for 3 weeks by osmotic minipump. Control animals were treated with saline via the same method (n = 7). All rats were then housed for an additional 3 weeks. Micro‐CT scanning was performed immediately after tooth extraction and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after extraction.

Results

New bone formation was markedly higher in the IGF‐I‐treated group as compared with the control group. The loss in alveolar ridge height in the IGF‐I group was significantly lower than that in the control group at each time point after extraction on the buccal side and at 2, 3, and 6 weeks on the lingual side.

Conclusions

IGF‐I treatment increases the volume of newly formed bone and reduces the loss in alveolar ridge height following tooth extraction.
Transient myeloproliferative disorder in neonates without Down syndrome: case report and review
Authors: Schifferli Alexandra , Hitzler Johann , Bartholdi Deborah , Heinimann Karl , Hoeller Sylvia , Diesch Tamara , Kühne Thomas
Published: May 2014

Transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) is a clonal proliferation of megakaryoblasts, typically occurring in newborns with Down syndrome. It is believed that TMD occurs in the presence of GATA1 mutation together with trisomy 21. However, a limited number of patients with TMD but without Down syndrome have been reported, all with a blast population with numeric or rarely structural chromosome 21 abnormalities. We present the first case of a newborn boy with a TMD without trisomy 21 and without any of the mentioned molecular or cytogenetic abnormalities. This case report suggests that unknown disease mechanisms may provoke or mimic TMD. This case report is followed by a concise review of the literature discussing the different entities and pathomechanisms of TMD and acute megakaryocytic leukaemia in patients with or without Down syndrome.
Individuals' diet diversity influences gut microbial diversity in two freshwater fish (threespine stickleback and Eurasian perch)
Authors: Bolnick Daniel I. , Snowberg Lisa K. , Hirsch Philipp E. , Lauber Christian L. , Knight Rob , Caporaso J. Gregory , Svanbäck Richard
Published: May 2014

Vertebrates' diets profoundly influence the composition of symbiotic gut microbial communities. Studies documenting diet‐microbiota associations typically focus on univariate or categorical diet variables. However, in nature individuals often consume diverse combinations of foods. If diet components act independently, each providing distinct microbial colonists or nutrients, we expect a positive relationship between diet diversity and microbial diversity. We tested this prediction within each of two fish species (stickleback and perch), in which individuals vary in their propensity to eat littoral or pelagic invertebrates or mixtures of both prey. Unexpectedly, in most cases individuals with more generalised diets had less diverse microbiota than dietary specialists, in both natural and laboratory populations. This negative association between diet diversity and microbial diversity was small but significant, and most apparent after accounting for complex interactions between sex, size and diet. Our results suggest that multiple diet components can interact non‐additively to influence gut microbial diversity.
Relationship between apathy and cognitive dysfunctions in de novo untreated Parkinson's disease: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Santangelo G. , Vitale C. , Trojano L. , Picillo M. , Moccia M. , Pisano G. , Pezzella D. , Cuoco S. , Erro R. , Longo K. , Pellecchia M. T. , Amboni M. , De Rosa A. , De Michele G. , Barone P.
Published: May 2014

Background and purpose

Apathy may be either a symptom of major depression or a behavioral disturbance occurring in concomitance with depression or alone in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the present study was to determine the progression of cognitive impairment in drug‐naïve untreated PD patients with or without clinically significant apathy.

Methods

Sixty‐two PD patients with a disease duration <2 years and without history of present or past therapy with pro‐dopaminergic agents were included and underwent the Apathy Evaluation Scale (S‐AES), a clinical interview based on diagnostic criteria for apathy and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to assess memory, frontal functions and visuospatial functions. Two years after the first assessment, all patients were re‐evaluated on the S‐AES, a clinical interview and neuropsychological tests.

Results

According to the cut‐off value of the S‐AES and diagnostic criteria for apathy, eight patients experienced apathy at both baseline and follow‐up (A+A+), nine patients had apathy only at follow‐up (A−A+), 37 patients never experienced apathy (A−A−) and eight patients showed apathy at the baseline only (A+A−). Cognitive performance significantly declined in all four groups. At both baseline and follow‐up A+A+ performed worse than A−A− on visuospatial and frontal tests; A−A+ had lower scores than A−A− on the interference task of the Stroop test (IT‐ST). Regression analysis showed that poor performance on the IT‐ST at baseline was the only independent predictor of onset of apathy at follow‐up.

Conclusions

The results indicated a relationship between apathy and dysexecutive syndrome in early PD. Reduced scores on the IT‐ST may predict development of apathy in PD patients.
A review of swellings of the frontal region of the equine head
Authors: Dixon P. M.
Published: May 2014

Gross swellings of the equine frontal area are most commonly caused by the poorly understood disorder of nasofrontal suture line periostitis that is usually self‐resolving, sinus cysts that are highly amenable to treatment, sinus tumours that in contrast usually respond poorly to treatment and facial trauma that may later lead to nasofrontal suture line periostitis. Other causes of conchofrontal sinus disease such as intrasinus progressive ethmoid haematoma, primary sinusitis and dental sinusitis seldom cause gross swellings of the overlying bones.
Understanding cyanobacteria‐zooplankton interactions in a more eutrophic world
Authors: Ger Kemal A. , Hansson Lars‐Anders , Lürling Miquel
Published: May 2014

We review and update recent observations of cyanobacteria–zooplankton interactions, identify theoretical and methodological limitations and evaluate approaches necessary for understanding the effects of increasing cyanobacterial blooms on plankton dynamics.

The emphasis on oversimplified studies using large‐bodiedDaphniaspecies, not previously exposed to cyanobacteria, has limited our understanding of how the plankton responds to proliferating blooms. This overlooks the great diversity in zooplankton traits, and the adaptability of planktonic grazers, that enables them to deal with toxic prey.

Under increasing temperature and nutrient loading, the zooplankton will be subjected to increasingly intense selection pressure to tolerate cyanobacteria. Short zooplankton generation times suggest that increased blooms may select for the rapid evolution of behavioural and physiological traits that improve tolerance.

As eutrophication intensifies, should we expect physiologically tolerant zooplankton that may be able to control blooms, or be concerned with the effects of selective grazers in stabilising blooms?

We conclude that the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of blooms will select for better adapted zooplankton that coexist with, rather than control, cyanobacteria. Future evaluations of cyanobacteria–zooplankton interactions should consider that increasing exposure to blooms induces phenotypic and genotypic traits improving zooplankton tolerance. Equally important will be studies of the ecophysiology of zooplankton species that coexist with prolonged blooms, rather than those of a few large‐bodied generalist cladocerans.

Since cyanobacteria produce more than one toxic or inhibitory metabolite, the unsystematic designation of toxicity based on single well‐identified compounds (e.g. microcystin) should be revised.

Overall, the coevolutionary interaction between cyanobacterial defences and zooplankton grazer responses emerges as a critical but understudied regulator of bloom dynamics.
Marine reserves help coastal ecosystems cope with extreme weather
Authors: Olds Andrew D. , Pitt Kylie A. , Maxwell Paul S. , Babcock Russell C. , Rissik David , Connolly Rod M.
Published: May 2014

Natural ecosystems have experienced widespread degradation due to human activities. Consequently, enhancing resilience has become a primary objective for conservation. Nature reserves are a favored management tool, but we need clearer empirical tests of whether they can impart resilience. Catastrophic flooding in early 2011 impacted coastal ecosystems across eastern Australia. We demonstrate that marine reserves enhanced the capacity of coral reefs to withstand flood impacts. Reserve reefs resisted the impact of perturbation, whilst fished reefs did not. Changes on fished reefs were correlated with the magnitude of flood impact, whereas variation on reserve reefs was related to ecological variables. Herbivory and coral recruitment are critical ecological processes that underpin reef resilience, and were greater in reserves and further enhanced on reserve reefs near mangroves. The capacity of reserves to mitigate external disturbances and promote ecological resilience will be critical to resisting an increased frequency of climate‐related disturbance.
Simple Hydraulic Conductivity Estimation by the Kalman Filtered Double Constraint Method
Authors: El‐Rawy M.A. , Batelaan O. , Zijl W.
Published: May 2014

This paper presents the Kalman Filtered Double Constraint Method (DCM‐KF) as a technique to estimate the hydraulic conductivities in the grid blocks of a groundwater flow model. The DCM is based on two forward runs with the same initial grid block conductivities, but with alternating flux‐head conditions specified on parts of the boundary and the wells. These two runs are defined as: (1) the flux run, with specified fluxes (recharge and well abstractions), and (2) the head run, with specified heads (measured in piezometers). Conductivities are then estimated as the initial conductivities multiplied by the fluxes obtained from the flux run and divided by the fluxes obtained from the head run. The DCM is easy to implement in combination with existing models (e.g., MODFLOW). Sufficiently accurate conductivities are obtained after a few iterations. Because of errors in the specified head‐flux couples, repeated estimation under varying hydrological conditions results in different conductivities. A time‐independent estimate of the conductivities and their inaccuracy can be obtained by a simple linear KF with modest computational requirements. For the Kleine Nete catchment, Belgium, the DCM‐KF yields sufficiently accurate calibrated conductivities. The method also results in distinguishing regions where the head‐flux observations influence the calibration from areas where it is not able to influence the hydraulic conductivity.
Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes in cold‐smoked salmon by bacteriophage P100, nisin and lauric arginate, singly or in combinations
Authors: Soni Kamlesh A. , Shen Qian , Nannapaneni Ramakrishna
Published: May 2014

Three GRAS antimicrobials including, lauric arginate (LAE), bacteriophage P100 (phage P100) and bacteriocin nisin, were evaluated either singly or in combinations for the reduction of initial load of Listeria monocytogenes in cold‐smoked salmon (CSS). The stability of phage P100 in the presence of LAE (200 ppm) and nisin (500 ppm) or at 10× and 100× of these concentrations was determined at 4 °C or 30 °C for 24 h in a broth model. Phage P100 was found to be highly stable in the presence of these antimicrobial agents as plaque‐forming units (PFU) did not vary between control and antimicrobial‐treated phage. The survival of L. monocytogenes in the presence of phage P100, nisin and LAE showed remarkable reduction within 24 h both at 4 °C or 30 °C in broth. Treatment of CSS containing 3.5 log CFU cm−2 L. monocytogenes with phage P100 (108 PFU mL−1), nisin (500 ppm) and LAE (200 ppm) showed strong listericidal action and reduced the L. monocytogenes by 2–3 log CFU cm−2 after 24 h. Among the combined treatments, phage P100 + LAE or nisin + LAE exhibited the most listericidal action in which L. monocytogenes cells were reduced to undetectable level within 24 h in CSS.
Work experiences of internationally trained pharmacists in Great Britain
Authors: Ziaei Zainab , Hassell Karen , Schafheutle Ellen I
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Internationally trained health professionals are an important part of the domestic workforce, but little is known about the working experiences of internationally trained pharmacists (ITPs) in Great Britain (GB). The purpose of this study is to explore the work experiences of ITPs practising in the community or hospital sector in GB.

Methods

Twenty-five semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sample of European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EEA pharmacists who, at the time of the study, practised in the community (n = 20) or hospital sector (n = 5) in the North West England from March to May 2009.

Key findings

In general, ITPs complained about their heavy workload, long working hours and lack of support from their employers. Specifically, EEA pharmacists in most cases felt excluded from the professional network and sensed colleagues saw them as ‘foreigners’ while some non-EEA pharmacists had to deal with a level of hostility from patients.

Conclusions

This novel research provides a foundation for future work on ITPs in GB and could assist employers to better target their efforts in development of standards to support the working experiences of ITPs in GB.
From Multiracial Subjects to Multicultural Citizens: Social Stratification and Ethnic and Racial Classification among Children of Immigrants in the United Kingdom
Authors: Kesler Christel , Schwartzman Luisa Farah
Published: May 2014

This study examines how immigrant parents’ geographic origins correspond to their adult children's ethnic and racial self-classification; whether discrepancies are associated with socioeconomic status; and the implications of these patterns for assessing socioeconomic inequality. Using linked British census data, we identify immigrants’ children in 1971 and examine how they ethnically/racially self-classify in 2001. We find that fluidity in classification varies across groups, but higher educational attainment is consistently associated with less white British classification. Therefore, grouping immigrants’ children by ethnic/racial self-classification underestimates socioeconomic disadvantage for these groups. However, grouping by parental birthplace overlooks variation in racialization and disadvantage among children of immigrants from the same country of origin.