bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived consumption vulnerability of elderly citizens
Authors: Roy Subhadip , Sanyal Shamindra Nath
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the dimensions of perceived consumption vulnerability (PCV) for the elderly citizens (EC) in India and its consequences. Consumer vulnerability is a recent and important construct for marketers and policymakers to understand the consumption behavior of the EC.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study objectives, the authors conducted 50 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions of ECs in two large cities in India. The authors used grounded theory methodology to understand the PCV construct.

Findings

The findings suggest a five-dimensional formative PCV construct with the dimensions being Physical, Financial, Social, Technological and Service Vulnerability contributing to PCV. The findings also suggest a relationship between PCV and consumption variables such as search cost, choice evaluation, consumption and overall satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The major contribution of the present study is the exploration of the PCV construct for the EC and its dimensions. The propositions developed in the study could be tested in future studies using a quantitative approach.

Practical implications

The findings call for compassion from the marketers while dealing with the ECs and a separate service strategy that addresses the specific needs of the ECs.

Social implications

The findings call for public policy action to protect the consumption rights of the ECs to reduce their consumption vulnerability.

Originality/value

The present study is a novel attempt to explore the PCV construct and its role in defining consumer behavior of the ECs.
A preliminary study of the use of a Raman laser sensor to monitor coagulation and syneresis for the online control of cheesemaking
Authors: Puerta Fernando , Wessel Winja , García Victor , López Eva , Rovira Silvia , Alvarez Daniel , Roa Isidro , López Maria Belen
Published: August 2017

The objective of this article was to apply a novel laser Raman sensor for the control of on line cheesemaking, mainly focusing on coagulation but with an initial test of syneresis. By means of a novel Raman laser sensor, the spectrum of cheese curd was seen to be slightly higher than that of milk in the 800–1200 cm−1 Raman shift range, with a sigmoid increase in intensity until a constant value was reached. As regards syneresis, the response of the Raman laser sensor and the moisture content both followed first‐order kinetics. These initial results confirm that the laser sensor is able to determine the changes that take place in the cheesemaking process, during the coagulation and whey drainage steps, and point to the potential usefulness of this sensor for the online control of cheesemaking.
Unplanned Complex Suicide—A Consideration of Multiple Methods
Authors: Ateriya Navneet , Kanchan Tanuj , Shekhawat Raghvendra Singh , Setia Puneet , Saraf Ashish
Published: August 2017

Detailed death investigations are mandatory to find out the exact cause and manner in non‐natural deaths. In this reference, use of multiple methods in suicide poses a challenge for the investigators especially when the choice of methods to cause death is unplanned. There is an increased likelihood that doubts of homicide are raised in cases of unplanned complex suicides. A case of complex suicide is reported where the victim resorted to multiple methods to end his life, and what appeared to be an unplanned variant based on the death scene investigations. A meticulous crime scene examination, interviews of the victim's relatives and other witnesses, and a thorough autopsy are warranted to conclude on the cause and manner of death in all such cases.
Munchausen by Proxy: A Qualitative Investigation into Online Perceptions of Medical Child Abuse
Authors: Anderson Anoushka P. A. , Feldman Marc D. , Bryce Joanne
Published: August 2017

In Munchausen by proxy (MBP) maltreatment, increasingly termed “medical child abuse” (MCA), a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in another. The perpetrator's goal for the behavior is to meet personal emotional needs by forcing unnecessary or misguided medical or psychological treatment. Generally, a mother is the perpetrator and her child is the victim. There is a serious lack of research into most aspects of MCA, and this study is the first to utilize the anonymity of an Internet forum to investigate victims' first‐hand experiences of, and the public's opinions about, suspected and confirmed MCA. Three‐hundred and fifty‐six posts by 348 members were explored and coded using formal qualitative content analysis. By accessing an open‐thought online forum, this paper acquired information regarding social perceptions about the nonperpetrating partners who are unaware of the maltreatment; the disturbing and counterintuitive phenomenon of MCA itself; and the resistance often faced by those who attempt to report it.
Business Motives in Global Multi‐Stakeholder Initiatives: Exploring Corporate Participation in Sustainable Energy for All
Authors: Lundsgaarde Erik
Published: August 2017

Public sector actors express rising interest in multi‐stakeholder initiatives as a means of expanding private sector contributions to address sustainable development goals. Private sector interests in participating in such initiatives have however received limited attention. This article examines business motives for associating with global multi‐stakeholder initiatives by analyzing corporate engagement with the Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform of the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative. The analysis of the characteristics of participating firms highlights that the platform has mainly attracted companies based in Europe and those with a broad geographical reach. The article identifies clear economic rationales for companies to participate. The analysis emphasizes that indirect gains to firms through activities designed to shape the market for the uptake of energy efficient technologies and direct gains related to connecting with potential customers through networking activities are key motives for business participation. This case indicates that multi‐stakeholder initiatives can provide a platform for transforming markets by facilitating interactions between private sector actors and national and subnational governments.
Risk factors for peripheral nerve injuries following neuraxial labour analgesia: a nested case–control study
Authors: Haller G. , Pichon I. , Gay F.‐O. , Savoldelli G.
Published: August 2017

Background

Post‐partum lower extremity motor and sensory dysfunctions occur in 0.1–9.2‰ of deliveries. While macrosomia, lithotomy position and forceps use are well‐identified causes of peripheral nerve injuries, additional contributors such as patient condition and anaesthesia care may also have to be considered.

Methods

We performed a case–control study nested in a cohort of 19,840 patients having neuraxial anaesthesia for childbirth. Cases were all patients who developed motor or sensory dysfunction of lower extremities in the post‐partum period. These were compared, using Chi‐square, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression and time series, to a random sample of controls without any neurological symptoms or injury.

Results

We identified 19 (0.96‰) patients with peripheral nerve injuries of which 15 (0.76‰) were likely associated with obstetrical care. In four additional cases (0.20‰), a nerve root injury due to the Tuohy needle was suspected. Univariate risk factors were: a gestational age ≥ 41 weeks, Odds Ratio (OR) 3.8; 95% CI: 1.1–13.1, late initiation of neuraxial anaesthesia OR 8.2; 95% CI: 1.8–37.9, a repeated anaesthetic procedure OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.0–7.8, assisted delivery with forceps OR 9.8; 95% CI: 1.2–114.1 and newborn birth weight > 3.5 kg with an OR 6.8; 95% CI: 2.0–22.5.

Conclusion

Obstetrical related factors are the most prominent risk associated with peripheral nerve injuries. This study highlights however that patient and anaesthesia‐related factors may also contribute to peripheral nerve injuries.
Social functioning in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders
Authors: Saris I. M. J. , Aghajani M. , van der Werff S. J. A. , van der Wee N. J. A. , Penninx B. W. J. H.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Adaptive social functioning is severely impeded in depressive and anxiety disorders, even after remission. However, a comprehensive overview is still lacking.

Method

Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), behavioural (network size, social activities, social support) and affective (loneliness, affiliation, perceived social disability) indicators of social functioning were analyzed in patients with anxiety (N = 540), depressive (N = 393), comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders (‘comorbid’, N = 748), remitted participants (N = 621), and healthy control subjects (N = 650).

Results

Analyses revealed an increasing trend of social dysfunction among patient groups, in patients with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders, showing the most severe impairments, followed by depressed and anxious patients (P's < 0.001 for all social functioning indicators). Affective indicators showed the largest effect sizes (Cohen's d range from 0.13 to 1.76). We also found impairments in social functioning among remitted patients. Furthermore, perceived social disability among patients was predictive of still having a depressive and/or anxiety diagnosis 2 years later (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Behavioural but especially affective indicators of social functioning are impaired in patients with anxiety or depressive disorders and most in patients with comorbid disorders. After remission of affective psychopathology, residual impairments tend to remain, while social dysfunction in patients seems predictive of future psychopathology.
Importance of preoperative diagnosis for management of patients with suspected retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Gyorki David E. , Choong Peter F. M. , Slavin John , Henderson Michael A.
Published: August 2017

Soft tissue sarcoma is an umbrella term which encompasses over 60 histological tumour types. Approximately 15% of soft tissue sarcomas arise in the retroperitoneum. This complex group of tumours poses unique management challenges due to their often large size, histological heterogeneity and complexity of anatomical relationships. This review discusses the management of retroperitoneal tumours including the need for preoperative diagnosis, the evidence for neoadjuvant radiotherapy, the role of multivisceral resection and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach.
Semi‐Automatic Electronic Stent Register: a novel approach to preventing ureteric stents lost to follow up
Authors: Macneil James W. H. , Michail Peter , Patel Manish I. , Ashbourne Julie , Bariol Simon V. , Ende David A. , Hossack Tania A. , Lau Howard , Wang Audrey C. , Brooks Andrew J.
Published: August 2017

Background

Ureteric stents are indispensable tools in modern urology; however, the risk of them not being followed‐up once inserted poses medical and medico‐legal risks. Stent registers are a common solution to mitigate this risk; however, manual registers are logistically challenging, especially for busy units.

Methods

Western Sydney Local Health District developed a novel Semi‐Automatic Electronic Stent Register (SAESR) utilizing billing information to track stent insertions. To determine the utility of this system, an audit was conducted comparing the 6 months before the introduction of the register to the first 6 months of the register.

Results

In the first 6 months of the register, 457 stents were inserted. At the time of writing, two of these are severely delayed for removal, representing a rate of 0.4%. In the 6 months immediately preceding the introduction of the register, 497 stents were inserted, and six were either missed completely or severely delayed in their removal, representing a rate of 1.2%. A non‐inferiority analysis found this to be no worse than the results achieved before the introduction of the register.

Conclusion

The SAESR allowed us to improve upon our better than expected rate of stents lost to follow up or severely delayed. We demonstrated non‐inferiority in the rate of lost or severely delayed stents, and a number of other advantages including savings in personnel costs. The semi‐automatic register represents an effective way of reducing the risk associated with a common urological procedure. We believe that this methodology could be implemented elsewhere.
Ethnic disparities in progression to advanced liver disease and overall survival in patients with chronic hepatitis C: impact of a sustained virological response
Authors: Le A. K. , Zhao C. , Hoang J. K. , Tran S. A. , Chang C. Y. , Jin M. , Nguyen N. H. , Yasukawa L. A. , Zhang J. Q. , Weber S. C. , Garcia G. , Nguyen M. H.
Published: August 2017

Background

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A sustained virological response (SVR) is associated with improved outcomes, however, its impact on different ethnic groups is unknown.

Aim

To evaluate ethnic differences in the natural history of CHC and the impact of SVR.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 8039 consecutive adult CHC patients seen at two medical centres in California between January 1997 and June 2016. Individual chart review confirmed CHC diagnosis.

Results

Asian and Hispanic but not African American patients had significantly higher cirrhosis and HCC incidence than Caucasians. On multivariate analysis, Hispanic ethnicity was independently associated with increased cirrhosis (adjusted HR 1.37, CI, confidence interval 1.10‐1.71, P=.006) and HCC risk (adjusted HR 1.47, CI 1.13‐1.92, P=.004) compared to Caucasian. Asian ethnicity had a significant association with cirrhosis (adjusted HR 1.28, CI 1.02‐1.61, P=.034) and HCC risk (adjusted HR 1.29, CI 0.94‐1.77, P=.025). In patients who achieved SVR, Hispanic ethnicity was no longer independently associated with cirrhosis (adjusted HR 1.76, CI 0.66‐4.71, P=.26) or HCC (adjusted HR 1.05, CI 0.27‐4.08, P=.94); nor was Asian ethnicity (adjusted HR 0.62, CI 0.21‐1.82, P=.38 for cirrhosis; 2.01, CI 0.63‐6.36, P=.24 for HCC). Similar findings were observed with overall survival among the ethnicities by SVR status.

Conclusion

Hispanic and Asian ethnicity was independently associated with increased cirrhosis and HCC risk. Achieving an SVR eliminates the ethnic disparity in liver disease progression and overall survival between Hispanic and Asian vs Caucasian CHC patients.
Investigating critical organizational factors toward sustainability index: Insights from the Taiwanese electronics industry
Authors: Hsu Chia‐Wei , Chang Dong‐Shang
Published: August 2017

To improve sustainable practices and attract investors, companies in emerging markets have increasingly embraced strategies for inclusion in rapidly expanding sustainability indices. However, most early studies on socially responsible investment or sustainability investment have only focused on exploring the relationship between corporate sustainability and firm value. Moreover, little has been done to explore the practices of emerging market companies for engaging with a sustainability index. To address this research gap, we employed the decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to identify critical factors that influence the inclusion of emerging market companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). Five critical factors and best practices were identified based on the analysis of seven Taiwanese electronics companies that have been listed in the DJSI for several consecutive years. Our results provide insights on the critical factors and best practices that reinforce the sustainable practices of emerging market companies for inclusion in the DJSI. This study also contributes to the literature by investigating the engagement of emerging market companies with the DJSI.
Blocked and New Frontiers for Trade Unions: Contesting ‘the Meaning of Work’ in the Creative and Caring Sectors
Authors: Umney Charles , Coderre‐LaPalme Genevieve
Published: August 2017

Many jobs feature tensions between workers’ own motivations, and the objectives imposed on them by management or economic imperatives. We call these tensions ‘meaning of work conflicts’. We ask whether trade unions can intervene in them, or whether they are simply too subjective to be a credible campaigning focus. We examine two professional groups in Britain and France, musicians and healthcare staff. Among musicians, workers tend to negotiate meaning of work conflicts themselves, seeing little role for unions in this process. This engenders legitimacy problems that unions have had to find ways around. By contrast, in the hospitals sector, there is more scope for unions to campaign over the meaning of work, thus potentially increasing legitimacy among staff and the public. The difference is explained by the more diffuse and fragmented nature of employer structures in music, and the more chaotic set of motivations found among music workers.
Positive Action Towards Gender Equality: Evidence from the Athena SWAN Charter in UK Medical Schools
Authors: Gregory‐Smith Ian
Published: August 2017

This article provides evidence on the effectiveness of voluntary positive action in addressing inequality between female and male careers. The setting is UK medical schools where two natural experiments are exploited. The first is the introduction of the Athena SWAN charter in 2005, whereby 12 UK universities signed up to the principles of the charter. The second is the announcement in 2011 by the National Institute for Health Research to only shortlist medical schools with a ‘silver’ Athena SWAN award for certain research grants. This second change potentially impacts schools that are further away from silver status more than those that were already close in 2011. While there is a marked improvement of women succeeding in medical schools between 2004 and 2013, early Athena SWAN adopters have not increased female participation by more than other schools whose institution signed up later. In addition, tying funding to Athena SWAN silver status has yet to have an impact on female careers, although medical schools have invested in efforts to achieve silver status. Together, these results emphasize the challenges associated with addressing gender equality through voluntary self‐regulation.
Temperamental Anger and Effortful Control, Teacher–Child Conflict, and Externalizing Behavior Across the Elementary School Years
Authors: Crockett Lisa J. , Wasserman Alexander Michael , Rudasill Kathleen Moritz , Hoffman Lesa , Kalutskaya Irina
Published: August 2017

This study examined teacher–child conflict as a possible mediator of the effects of temperamental anger and effortful control on subsequent externalizing behavior. Reciprocal influences between teacher–child conflict and externalizing behavior were also examined. Participants were 1,152 children (49% female; 81.6% non‐Hispanic White) from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Multivariate growth curve modeling revealed that greater effortful control at age 54 months indirectly predicted lower levels of, and subsequent changes in, externalizing behavior from kindergarten to Grade 6 through reduced teacher–child conflict. An alternative model, in which greater effortful control predicted lower teacher–child conflict through lower externalizing behavior, received less support. Within persons, greater‐than‐expected teacher–child conflict predicted greater‐than‐expected teacher‐reported externalizing behavior concurrently and over time.
Paradoxes of Transnational Labour Rights Campaigns: The Case of Play Fair in Indonesia
Authors: Hauf Felix
Published: August 2017

Neoliberal globalization has moved industrial production to low‐wage countries such as China or Indonesia, fuelling rapid economic growth and rising national income. New employment opportunities, however, have been under‐pinned by poverty wages and inhumane working conditions as states ‘race to the bottom’ in terms of labour rights and regulations in order to be competitive and attract capital investment. Labour agency at the bottom of transnational supply chains is often said to be structurally powerless because of the international mobility of capital. The ‘boomerang effect’ has often been presented as a remedy that increases local bargaining power in the global South by mobilizing consumer pressure in the global North through multi‐stakeholder initiatives or transnational advocacy networks. The problem with this perspective is that it overstates the Northern dimension of this transnational politics and underestimates the local power base of Southern trade unions and labour movements. The incipient debate about Networks of Labour Activism (NOLA) aims to overcome this Northern bias. This article contributes to this debate by highlighting some of the limitations and unintended effects of multi‐stakeholder initiatives and taking a closer look at the Play Fair alliance and the ‘Freedom of Association Protocol’ in Indonesia's athletic footwear industry.
Inactivation of Beclin‐1‐dependent autophagy promotes ursolic acid‐induced apoptosis in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts
Authors: Cao Chuan , Wang Wenping , Lu Lele , Wang Liang , Chen XiaoSong , Guo Rui , Li Shirong , Jiang Junzi
Published: August 2017

A hypertrophic scar (HS) is caused by abnormal proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. Thus, promoting hypertrophic scar fibroblast (HSFB) apoptosis is an effective strategy for HS therapy. Ursolic acid (UA) has been widely used as an inducer of apoptosis in diverse cancers. However, whether UA plays an inhibitory role in HS formation is still unknown. In our study, UA was used to treat HSFBs and the cell viability, apoptosis, and collagen synthesis were determined by a Cell Counting Kit 8 assay, flow cytometry, and an H3‐proline incorporation assay, respectively. Autophagy activity was detected by LC3 immunoblotting and electron microscopy, and siRNAs targeting Beclin‐1 were used to inhibit autophagy. Western blotting was performed to investigate the molecular changes in HSFBs after various treatments. We found that UA inhibited collagen synthesis and induced cell apoptosis in HSFBs, evidenced by the deregulated expression of Bim, Bcl‐2 and Cyto C. Furthermore, we demonstrated that UA induced autophagy and inactivation of autophagy promoted UA‐induced apoptosis and collagen synthesis inhibition in HSFBs. Molecular investigation indicated that UA‐induced autophagy through upregulation of Beclin‐1 and knockdown of Beclin‐1 prevent UA‐induced autophagy. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 prevents UA‐induced autophagy, Beclin‐1 upregulation, apoptosis and collagen synthesis inhibition in HSFBs. Collectively, our study demonstrated that UA is a novel agent for inhibiting HS formation by promoting apoptosis, especially in combination with an autophagy inhibitor. Our results provide strong evidence of the application of UA in clinical HS treatment.
What about physical contacts between epidermal keratinocytes and sensory neurons?
Authors: Talagas Matthieu , Lebonvallet Nicolas , Leschiera Raphael , Marcorelles Pascale , Misery Laurent
Published: August 2017

Recent studies have demonstrated that keratinocytes closely participate in sensory transduction, and therefore, intra‐epidermal free nerve endings are not exclusive transducers of pain. This discovery implies the existence of close afferent communication from keratinocytes to sensory neurons. Although reciprocal interactions between keratinocytes and intra‐epidermal free nerve endings via soluble mediators are well established, little attention has been paid to physical contacts between keratinocytes and intra‐epidermal free nerve endings. This review proposes to consider the ultrastructural and functional knowledge of these contacts, in both human skin biopsies and keratinocyte‐sensory neuron cocultures to speculate on the possible existence of synaptic contacts.
Georg Trakl's Ghosts: Haunted Poems at the End of History
Authors: Millington Richard
Published: August 2017

Georg Trakl has been described by Bernhard Böschenstein as a “poet of post‐history.” In his rich but enigmatic poems, the perspective is imagined near the end‐point of the arc of history, where the speaker observes signs of advancing natural and cultural decay. One characteristic of Trakl's historical end stage is the encroachment of the supernatural sphere upon the natural, as boundaries are loosened between past and present, life and death, real and spectral. A clear development can be detected in Trakl's treatment of the supernatural theme. The earlier poems have naturalistic settings whose familiarity is progressively undermined by ghostly apparitions. In the later ones, the supernatural element becomes more pervasive, as historical and mythical relations become manifest spatially and climactic events from the speaker's life history and cultural tradition are re‐enacted in abject form. This essay plots the historical and supernatural themes through Trakl's work via discussion of specific poems.
14 December 1930: Robert Musil Meets Carl Schmitt
Authors: Lambrow Alexander
Published: August 2017

This article takes a concrete event as its starting point: on 14 December 1930, Robert Musil met Carl Schmitt when Musil visited Schmitt at his home in Berlin after having expressed interest in his work to a mutual acquaintance. In this article, I explore Musil and Schmitt's elective affinities by examining the critique of historical idealism to be found in Musil's Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften as well as in Schmitt's short satire “Die Buribunken,” which ironize the universal pretensions of the world spirit. I argue that Musil and Schmitt were both aware of the act of exception at work in the order of the law, the leap of faith that demands the suspension of one sphere for the priority of another. What ultimately distinguished Musil from Schmitt was his unwillingness to embrace the totalitarian vision of political existentialism, or what Musil called “das Positive.”
Acute exacerbation of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm after tooth extraction
Authors: Hino Shunsuke , Takeda Akio , Kaneko Takahiro , Horie Norio , Shimoyama Tetsuo
Published: August 2017

Objective

To present a rare case of persistent bleeding from the tooth extraction socket in a patient with chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Background

Acute exacerbation of chronic DIC occurs by various trigger factors.

Clinical report

The patient's chronic DIC in association with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was activated by tooth extraction, resulting in persistent bleeding from the socket.

Conclusion

Patients with chronic DIC may have persistent bleeding following tooth extraction.
Effects of substituting alfalfa hay for concentrate on energy utilization and feeding cost of crossbred Simmental male calves in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Hou Fujiang , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Chen Xianjiang , Yan Tianhai , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi
Published: August 2017

From August to September 2015 (trial 1 [T1]) and September to November 2015 (trial 2 [T2]), the effects of replacing concentrate feed (C) with alfalfa hay (AH) on the daily gain (DG), dietary energy utilization status and the economic advantage of AH feeding for growing beef cattle were studied in crossbred male Simmental calves (n = 18) in Gansu Province, China. The target DG was set as 1 kg for both trials. Animals in each trial were allocated to a conventional feeding group (CTRL), a low‐level AH feeding group (LA), and a high‐level AH feeding group (HA). In a one‐way‐layout design, they were fed iso‐energetic experimental diets comprising harvested corn stover (CS) and C (T1‐CTRL, T2‐CTRL), diets replacing 22% (T1‐LA) or 44% (T1‐HA) of the quantity of C for T1‐CTRL with AH, and diets replacing 13% (T2‐LA) or 25% (T2‐HA) of the quantity of C for T2‐CTRL with AH. Measurements of feed intake and DG, respiration and metabolism trials were performed for 49 and 41 days in T1 and T2, respectively. Average DG did not reach the target value for HA in T1 and CTRL in T2. Energy metabolizability was slightly greater for CTRL than for LA and HA in T1 and significantly greater for CTRL than for the other groups in T2. There was no marked difference in energy metabolizability between LA and HA in both trials. Dietary substituting AH for C did not impair the feed intake of the animals, but it did not improve feed efficiency. In terms of economic feasibility, low‐level AH inclusion in the diets of growing beef cattle appeared more profitable at the 1‐kg DG level as compared with CTRL and high‐level AH inclusion, and should be practiced in the drylands of Gansu Province, China.
Improving adherence to multiple medications in older people in primary care: Selecting intervention components to address patient‐reported barriers and facilitators
Authors: Patton Deborah E. , Cadogan Cathal A. , Ryan Cristín , Francis Jill J. , Gormley Gerard J. , Passmore Peter , Kerse Ngaire , Hughes Carmel M.
Published: August 2017

Background

Medication adherence is vital to ensuring optimal patient outcomes, particularly amongst multimorbid older people prescribed multiple medications. Interventions targeting adherence often lack a theoretical underpinning and this may impact on effectiveness. The theoretical domains framework (TDF) of behaviour can aid intervention development by systematically identifying key determinants of medication adherence.

Objectives

This study aimed to (i) identify determinants (barriers, facilitators) of adherence to multiple medications from older people's perspectives; (ii) identify key domains to target for behaviour change; and (iii) map key domains to intervention components [behaviour change techniques (BCTs)] that could be delivered in an intervention by community pharmacists.

Method

Focus groups were conducted with older people (>65 years) receiving ≥4 medications. Questions explored the 12 domains of the TDF (eg “Knowledge,” “Emotion”). Data were analysed using the framework method and content analysis. Identification of key domains and mapping to intervention components (BCTs) followed established methods.

Results

Seven focus groups were convened (50 participants). A wide range of determinants were identified as barriers (eg forgetfulness, prioritization of medications) and facilitators (eg social support, personalized routines) of adherence to multiple medications. Eight domains were identified as key targets for behaviour change (eg “Social influences,” “Memory, attention and decision processes,” “Motivation and goals”) and mapped to 11 intervention components (BCTs) to include in an intervention [eg “Social support or encouragement (general),” “Self‐monitoring of the behaviour,” “Goal‐setting (behaviour)”].

Conclusion

This study used a theoretical underpinning to identify potential intervention components (BCTs). Future work will incorporate the selected BCTs into an intervention that will undergo feasibility testing in community pharmacies.
Above all, garnish and presentation: An evaluation of Fanny Cradock's contribution to home cooking in Britain
Authors: Geddes Kevin
Published: August 2017

The development of cooking on television, and the associated rise in ‘celebrity chefs’ is often seen as a modern phenomenon involving cooks like Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson in Britain. Fanny Cradock (1909–1994) is from time to time credited as a pioneer in television cooking and Britain's ‘first celebrity chef’. However little detail of her career has been documented, despite working as a journalist, radio and television presenter, food demonstrator, writer of fiction, children's books and cookbooks spanning from 1942 until 1986. Cradock was prominent on television between 1955 and 1975, with her final appearance in 1985. Cradock is as often remembered for her colourful character as for the colourful food she presented and her name remains synonymous with elaborate cooking in ball gowns, using copious amounts of food colouring and aspic, and for berating her husband who assisted her on stage, on television, and in print. However, from Cradock's personal archive a far more substantive contribution to home cooking through the development of television cooking and cookbooks, looking at her undocumented ideas and innovations. Additional archive materials and collections of newspaper clippings collected between 1942 and 1982 by Cradock herself shed light on how she was perceived at the time, her role as an entrepreneur and her own ‘brand’ identity. From this documentary evidence, it is argued that Cradock deserves to be much better remembered for her contribution to British food culture.
Other‐regarding principal and moral hazard: The single‐agent case
Authors: Banerjee Swapnendu , Sarkar Mainak
Published: August 2017

Using the classic moral hazard problem with limited liability, we characterize the optimal incentive contracts when first an other‐regarding principal interacts with a self‐regarding agent. The optimal contract differs considerably when the principal is “inequity averse” vis‐à‐vis the self‐regarding case. Also the agent is generally (weakly) better‐off under an “inequity averse” principal compared to a “status seeking” principal. Then we extend our analysis and characterize the optimal contracts when both other‐regarding principal and other‐regarding agent interact.
Identification of glutathione S‐transferases in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and evidence that GSTd7 helps explain the difference in insecticide susceptibility between B. tabaci Middle East‐Minor Asia 1 and Mediterranean
Authors: He C. , Xie W. , Yang X. , Wang S.‐L. , Wu Q.‐J. , Zhang Y.‐J.
Published: August 2017

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae) species complex includes invasive and destructive pests of field crops, and the sibling species MEAM1 and MED are its two most damaging members. Previous research indicated that the replacement of Middle East‐Minor Asia 1 (MEAM1) by Mediterranean (MED) as the dominant B. tabaci species in China can be mainly attributed to MED's greater tolerance to insecticides. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) play important roles in the detoxification of hydrophobic toxic compounds. To increase our understanding of differences in insecticide resistance between B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED, we searched the genomic and transcriptomic databases and identified 23 putative GSTs in both B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED. Through measuring mRNA levels of 18 of the GSTs after B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED adults were exposed to the insecticide imidacloprid, we found that the expression levels were increased more in B. tabaci MED than in MEAM1 (in particular, the expression level of GST‐d7 was increased by 4.39‐fold relative to the control). Knockdown of GST‐d7 in B. tabaci MED but not in B. tabaci MEAM1 resulted in a substantial increase in the mortality of imidacloprid‐treated adults. These results indicate that differences in GST‐d7 may help explain why insecticide tolerance is greater in B. tabaci MED than in B. tabaci MEAM1.
“It's Time to be Concerned. It's not time to Panic”
Authors: Tarran Brian
Published: August 2017

John Thompson, the former director of the US Census Bureau, reflects on the ambitions – and challenges – of the 2020 Census. Interview by Brian Tarran
Help! Is my Sample Big Enough?
Authors: Toher Deirdre
Published: August 2017

Anne Beeston writes: I am planning a study to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment to reduce the microbial load in dried flowers, and need some advice on sample size to allow the determination of statistically significant differences in two groups

Help! Is my sample big enough?
Are New York City Drivers more Likely to get a Ticket at the End of the Month?
Authors: Auerbach Jonathan
Published: August 2017

Drivers in New York City often claim that police hand out more tickets later in the month in order to meet quotas. Quota setting is illegal, but do the data support such a claim? Jonathan Auerbach investigates
Measuring the “Poverty Penalty” in the UK
Authors: Purdam Kingsley , Royston Sam , Whitham Graham
Published: August 2017

People with limited financial resources can face additional costs for essential goods and services. This is a challenge for the new British government to address, and a problem that must be reflected in government statistics, say Kingsley Purdam, Sam Royston and Graham Whitham
Saponin seed priming improves salt tolerance in quinoa
Authors: Yang A. , Akhtar S. S. , Iqbal S. , Qi Z. , Alandia G. , Saddiq M. S. , Jacobsen S.‐E.
Published: August 2017

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a facultative halophyte of great value, and World Health Organization has selected this crop, which may assure future food and nutritional security under changing climate scenarios. However, germination is the main critical stage of quinoa plant phenology affected by salinity. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to improve its performance under salinity by use of saponin seed priming. Seeds of cv. Titicaca were primed in seven different solutions with varying saponin concentrations (i.e. 0%, 0.5%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25% and 35%), and then, performances of primed seeds were evaluated based on mean germination time and final germination percentage in germination assays (0 and 400 mM NaCl stress). Saponin solutions of 10%, 15% and 25% concentration were found most effective priming tools for alleviating adverse effects of salt stress during seed germination. Performances of these primed seeds were further evaluated in pot study. At six‐leaf stage, plants were irrigated with saline water having either 0 or 400 mM NaCl. The results indicated that saline irrigation significantly decreased the growth, physiology and yield of quinoa, whereas saponin priming found operative in mitigating the negative effects of salt stress. Improved growth, physiology and yield performance were linked with low ABA concentration, better plant water (osmotic and water potential) and gas relations (leaf photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance), low Na+ and high K+ contents in leaves. Our results suggest that saponin priming could be used as an easy‐operated and cost‐effective technology for sustaining quinoa crop growth on salt‐affected soils.
Antithrombin III prevents progression of chronic kidney disease following experimental ischaemic‐reperfusion injury
Authors: Yin Jianyong , Wang Feng , Kong Yiwei , Wu Rui , Zhang Guangyuan , Wang Niansong , Wang Ling , Lu Zeyuan , Liang Mingyu
Published: August 2017

Acute kidney disease (AKI) leads to increased risk of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Antithrombin III (ATIII) is a potent anticoagulant with anti‐inflammatory properties, and we previously reported that insufficiencies of ATIII exacerbated renal ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. In this study, we examined the characteristic of AKI‐CKD transition in rats with two distinct AKI models. Based on our observation, left IRI plus right nephrectomy (NX‐IRI) was used to determine whether ATIII had therapeutic effects in preventing CKD progression after AKI. It was observed that NX‐IRI resulted in significant functional and histological damage at 5 weeks after NX‐IRI compared with sham rats, which was mitigated by ATIII administration. Besides, we noticed that ATIII administration significantly reduced NX‐IRI‐induced interstitial fibrosis. Consistently, renal expression of collagen‐1, α‐smooth muscle actin and fibronectin were substantial diminished in ATIII‐administered rats compared with un‐treated NX‐IRI rats. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of ATIII were accompanied with decreased M1‐like macrophage recruitment and down‐regulation of M1‐like macrophage‐dependent pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor α, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin‐1β, indicating that ATIII prevented AKI‐CKD transition via inhibiting inflammation. Overall, ATIII shows potential as a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of CKD progression after AKI.
MMP‐2 and MMP‐13 affect vasculogenic mimicry formation in large cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Yanlei , Sun Baocun , Zhao Xiulan , Wang Xudong , Zhang Danfang , Gu Qiang , Liu Tieju
Published: August 2017

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have critical functions in tumour vasculogenic mimicry (VM). This study explored the mechanisms underlying MMP‐13 and MMP‐2 regulation of tumour VM formation in large cell lung cancer (LCLC). In our study, laminin5 (Ln‐5) fragments cleaved by MMP‐2 promoted tubular structure formation by the LCLC cell lines H460 and H661 in three‐dimensional (3D) cultures. Transient up‐regulation of MMP‐13 or treatment with recombinant MMP‐13 protein abrogated tubular structure formation of H460 cells in 3D culture. Treated cells with Ln‐5 fragments cleaved by MMP‐2 stimulated EGFR and F‐actin expression. Ln‐5 fragments cleaved by MMP‐13 decreased EGFR/F‐actin expression and disrupted VM formation. MMP‐13 expression was negatively correlated with VM, Ln‐5 and EGFR in LCLC tissues and xenograft. In vivo experiments revealed that VM was decreased when the number of endothelium‐dependent vessels (EDVs) increased during xenograft tumour growth, whereas MMP‐13 expression was progressively increased. In conclusion, MMP‐2 promoted and MMP‐13 disrupted VM formation in LCLC by cleaving Ln‐5 to influence EGFR signal activation. MMP‐13 may regulate VM and EDV formation.
Exploring the microbiome of healthy and diseased peri‐implant sites using Illumina sequencing
Authors: Sanz‐Martin Ignacio , Doolittle‐Hall Janet , Teles Ricardo P. , Patel Michele , Belibasakis Georgios N. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Jung Ronald E. , Teles Flavia R. F.
Published: August 2017

Aim

To compare the microbiome of healthy (H) and diseased (P) peri‐implant sites and determine the core peri‐implant microbiome.

Materials and Methods

Submucosal biofilms from 32 H and 35 P sites were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing (MiSeq, Illumina), QIIME and HOMINGS. Differences between groups were determined using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), t tests and Wilcoxon rank sum test and FDR‐adjusted. The peri‐implant core microbiome was determined.

Results

PCoA showed partitioning between H and P at all taxonomic levels. Bacteroidetes, Spirochetes and Synergistetes were higher in P, while Actinobacteria prevailed in H (p < .05). Porphyromonas and Treponema were more abundant in P while Rothia and Neisseria were higher in H (p < .05). The core peri‐implant microbiome contained Fusobacterium, Parvimonas and Campylobacter sp. T. denticola, and P. gingivalis levels were higher in P, as well as F. alocis, F. fastidiosum and T. maltophilum (p < .05).

Conclusion

The peri‐implantitis microbiome is commensal‐depleted and pathogen‐enriched, harbouring traditional and new pathogens. The core peri‐implant microbiome harbours taxa from genera often associated with periodontal inflammation.
“Being a Therapist Doesn't Exclude You From Real Life”: Family Therapists’ Beliefs and Barriers to Political Action
Authors: Jordan Lorien S. , Seponski Desiree M.
Published: August 2017

A crucial and overlooked facet of social justice in family therapy is political and policy advocacy. Family therapists have unique insight into how social policies and political discourse shapes clients’ lives and the life of our profession. Such knowledge can inform policymakers and political debate, yet few family therapists are trained to engage in political action. In this randomized, national survey of licensed family therapists’ (N = 174), we explore beliefs about and barriers to engagement in political and policy processes. The findings suggest that there are significant barriers and uncertainties surrounding family therapists’ engagement, including time, feelings of efficacy, and interest. Given these barriers we discuss practical suggestions for clinicians and family therapy training programs.
Textural pattern classification for oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: RAHMAN T.Y. , MAHANTA L.B. , CHAKRABORTY C. , DAS A.K. , SARMA J.D.
Published: August 2017

Despite being an area of cancer with highest worldwide incidence, oral cancer yet remains to be widely researched. Studies on computer‐aided analysis of pathological slides of oral cancer contribute a lot to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Some researches in this direction have been carried out on oral submucous fibrosis. In this work an approach for analysing abnormality based on textural features present in squamous cell carcinoma histological slides have been considered. Histogram and grey‐level co‐occurrence matrix approaches for extraction of textural features from biopsy images with normal and malignant cells are used here. Further, we have used linear support vector machine classifier for automated diagnosis of the oral cancer, which gives 100% accuracy.
Teen Dating Violence Victimization Among High School Students: A Multilevel Analysis of School‐Level Risk Factors
Authors: Parker Elizabeth M. , Johnson Sarah Lindstrom , Debnam Katrina J. , Milam Adam J. , Bradshaw Catherine P.
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Much etiologic research has focused on individual‐level risk factors for teen dating violence (TDV); therefore, less is known about school‐level and neighborhood‐level risk factors. We examined the association between alcohol outlet density around high schools and TDV victimization and the association between markers of physical disorder around schools and TDV victimization among adolescents.

METHODS

Data come from high school students participating in the Maryland Safe and Supportive Schools Initiative. Alcohol outlet density was calculated using walking distance buffers around schools. An observational tool was used to assess indicators of physical disorder on school property (eg, alcohol and drug paraphernalia). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to identify student‐ and school‐level predictors associated with TDV victimization.

RESULTS

Overall, 11% of students reported experiencing physical TDV and 11% reported experiencing psychological TDV over the past year. Recent alcohol use was a risk factor for TDV victimization for both sexes, whereas feeling safe at school was protective against TDV victimization for both sexes. Greater alcohol outlet density was associated with decreased TDV victimization for males, however, it was nonsignificant for females. Physical disorder around schools was not associated with TDV victimization for either sex.

CONCLUSION

Although the school‐level predictors were not associated with TDV victimization, alcohol use and perceptions of safety at school were significantly associated with TDV victimization. Prevention efforts to address alcohol use may affect TDV victimization.
School‐Based Outcomes Among Youth With Incarcerated Parents: Differences by School Setting
Authors: Shlafer Rebecca J. , Reedy Tyler , Davis Laurel
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Parental incarceration impacts millions of children in the United States and has important consequences for youths' adjustment and school‐based outcomes.

METHODS

Using data from a survey of youth behavior in one large Midwestern state, we examined the effect of both present and past parental incarceration on school‐based outcomes, across 3 school settings (public schools, alternative learning centers, and juvenile correctional facilities).

RESULTS

Parental incarceration was significantly associated with students' poor school‐based outcomes; however, these effects varied markedly by school setting. Among youth in public schools, parental incarceration was consistently associated with poor school outcomes. There were mixed effects among youth in alternative learning centers and no significant effects among youth in juvenile correctional facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The study adds to a body of literature demonstrating the negative effects of parental incarceration on youth's school‐based outcomes for youth in public schools; however, findings were mixed for youth in alternative learning centers and juvenile correctional facilities. Implications for future research and school practitioners are discussed.