bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of the organic green peppers
Authors: Chang Min-Sun , Jeong Moon-Cheol , Kim Gun-Hee
Published: October 2015

As consumers are aware of their health and are more conscious of environmental conditions, there is an increasing demand for organic agri-foods. The present study aims to investigate the physicochemical quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of organic green peppers. The weight, length, moisture content, color (Hunter L, a, b) and hardness were measured for the quality characteristics. In addition, the DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities and total phenolic contents were analyzed for the comparison of antioxidant activities between organically and conventionally grown green peppers. The weight and length of the organically grown green peppers were lower than those of the conventionally grown ones. The moisture content of the organically and conventionally grown green peppers was similar. The L and b values of the organically grown green peppers were higher than those of the conventionally grown ones. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the organically grown green peppers (62.86%) was higher than that of the conventionally grown ones (51.06%). The total phenolic content of the organically grown green peppers was higher than that of the conventionally grown ones, however, there was no significant differences between organically and conventionally grown green peppers (p<0.05). Further studies would be recommended for the evaluation of other characteristics such as flavor, taste, and bioactivity compounds between organically and conventionally grown green peppers.
Efficient Generation and Selection of Virtual Populations in Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Models
Authors: Allen R.J. , Rieger T.R. , Musante C.J.
Published: October 2015

Quantitative systems pharmacology models mechanistically describe a biological system and the effect of drug treatment on system behavior. Because these models rarely are identifiable from the available data, the uncertainty in physiological parameters may be sampled to create alternative parameterizations of the model, sometimes termed ‘Virtual Patients.’ In order to reproduce the statistics of a clinical population, Virtual Patients are often weighted to form a Virtual Population that reflects the baseline characteristics of the clinical cohort. Here we introduce a novel technique to efficiently generate Virtual Patients and, from this ensemble, demonstrate how to select a Virtual Population that matches the observed data without the need for weighting. This approach improves confidence in model predictions by mitigating the risk that spurious Virtual Patients become over-represented in Virtual Populations.
“We don’t get taught enough”: an assessment of drug education provision in schools in England
Authors: Thurman Ben , Boughelaf Jamila
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the provision of drug education in schools in England by exploring the views of young people and teachers. The study synthesises the commonalities between experiences of teaching and learning and, in doing so, offers insight on policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper incorporates two pieces of research: a survey of 590 secondary school pupils in London that generated insight on the collective experience of drug education; and a survey of 288 teachers in primary and secondary schools throughout England, supplemented by 20 in-depth interviews. The paper also draws on learning from the practical implementation of the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Information Service (ADEPIS).

Findings

– The research provides insight into the current status of drug education provision and outlines key constraints to effective delivery. The paper also presents ADEPIS as a potential framework for supporting schools.

Research limitations/implications

– The research incorporated a relatively small number of schools and only accessed the views of young people in London; the results therefore require further substantiation. There is also a need for further evaluation of ADEPIS, including comparison with schools that develop drug education practice independent of external guidance.

Practical implications

– The paper highlights the need for improvement in drug education, with implications for national policy, particularly in relation to subject-specific teacher training, increased central guidance, and the statutory status of PSHE.

Originality/value

– The research fulfils the need to represent the voices of young people in discussions on drug education, as well as contributing to wider debates around improving the quality of drug education.
The perceived effectiveness of the school based support program
Authors: Abu-Tineh Abdullah M.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the school-based support program (SBSP) as perceived by teachers who participated in this program. SBSP was designed to collectively build the capacity and promote the overall quality of teaching and learning in identified independent schools in the State of Qatar.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is quantitative in nature and was conducted using a survey methodology as its research design. A variety of statistical techniques were utilized in this research. Means, standard deviations,t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to analyze gained data.

Findings

– The findings indicated that teachers perceived the effectiveness of SBSP to be moderate-to- high. Further, there was a significant difference between male and female teachers in their perceptions of the effectiveness of SBSP overall. Male participant teachers perceived SBSP overall to be more effective than female participant teachers did. However, there were no significant differences among participant teachers in perceiving the effectiveness of SBSP that is attributed to their teaching experience or academic qualifications.

Originality/value

– This study suggests a common level of satisfaction of the SBSP program that was launched just two years ago. At the same time, however, many recommendations and implications were discussed and suggested to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
Sensors for robotic perception. Part two: positional and environmental awareness
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to illustrate how sensors impart perceptive capabilities to robots. This is the second part of a two-part article. This second part considers positional awareness and sensing in the external environment, notably but not exclusively by autonomous, mobile robots.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following a short introduction, this article first discusses positional sensing and navigation by mobile robots, including self-driving cars, automated guided vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It then considers sensing with UAVs and AUVs, and finally discusses robots for hazard detection. Brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

– This shows that sensors based on a multitude of techniques confer navigational capabilities to mobile robots, including LIDARs, radar, sonar, imaging and inertial sensing devices. UAVs, AUVs and mobile terrestrial robots can be equipped with all manner of sensors to create detailed terrestrial and underwater maps, monitor air and water quality, locate pollution and detect hazards. While existing sensors are used widely, many new devices are now being developed to meet specific requirements and to comply with size, weight and cost restraints.

Originality/value

– The use of mobile robots is growing rapidly, and this article provides a timely account of how sensors confer them with positional awareness and allow them to act as mobile sensing platforms.
Supplier selection using grey theory: a case study from Indian banking industry
Authors: Thakur Vikas , Anbanandam Ramesh
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– As the suppliers of any organization are considered as the strategic partners and taken as the integral part of the supply chain network, hence it is very crucial decision to select the suppliers in order to get the competitive edge. Whenever, any organization select its suppliers then organization evaluates every supplier with respect to certain criteria, which are already listed in the organization’s policies. Since supplier selection is based on the evaluation of various attributes of each alternative; therefore this problem is a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) problem. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for selecting the best supplier.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reports the implementation of grey theory to choose the appropriate supplier with uncertain information. Grey values have been used to give the ratings and weightage to various criteria which are being used to evaluate the different supplier alternatives. And finally the grey possibility degree has been calculated to rate the various alternatives.

Findings

– This paper proposed a MADM model based on grey theory to select the optimal supplier and finally, the proposed model has been applied to select the best supplier for “optimizing digital banking” in the Indian context.

Research limitations/implications

– The selection criteria selected here through literature review may not fit the whole industry and moreover this paper can be extended into the field where multiple-supplier selection is required, like in manufacturing sector where the authors cannot rely always on single supplier. So, in that case the authors need to pick more than one best alternatives.

Practical implications

– The grey theory approach can be applied almost all the services industries, where the exact information about the suppliers in quantitative terms is very difficult to find. So the authors can use the grey numbers to rate the suppliers.

Social implications

– Since, the coming generation is more dependent on the internet banking, so it becomes very much necessary for the banking sector to update the existing system. Due to lack in technical skills, outsourcing the information technology and software development is the best option. Hence, Grey theory based model can be used in selecting the best supplier under uncertain information.

Originality/value

– Very few studies have been done in India using grey theory approach for supplier selection and moreover, to the best knowledge of the authors’ this is the first study which employs grey theory for selecting the best supplier in banking industry. Moreover the digital banking system is the future of banking industry, so every player should provide the digital banking structure in order to survive in the market.
Understanding the integration mechanisms practiced during organizational change
Authors: Bansal Anjali
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report a study of post-integration mechanisms carried out by five multinational mergers and acquisitions (M & A) transactions taken place in Indian context. This study has been woven around the concept of human integration and task integration as separate objectives of acquiring organizations to be achieved.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on descriptive research design. Qualitative data were collected, where the managers from the acquiring organizations and employees from the acquired firms have taken part in the data collection process through interviews. Interview schedule was developed for managers consisting questions on organizations’ strategy to achieve success post-M & A integration (PMI), while interview schedule developed for employees investigated their reactions after organizational change.

Findings

– Results revealed that the organizations where human integration mechanisms were given due credence also harbored highly committed employees from their organizational counterparts, whereas the transactions where task integration objective was given preference while ignoring human integration, employees developed the negative emotions of anger and insecurity for their newly merged firm.

Research limitations/implications

– The M & A literature observes a huge gap in the field of M & As in India, especially in PMI mechanisms worldwide, as the emphasis has always been on financial and operational aspects of M & As. Thus, this study addresses this gap in research and opens the avenues for M & A researchers to consider HR as the strategic partner during M & As.

Practical implications

– The study has important implications for MNCs operating in India and for those which want to excel the Indian market through M & A.

Originality/value

– This paper is based on the original field work and every information given is authentic.
A discursive textscape of workplace spirituality
Authors: Long Brad S. , Driscoll Cathy
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Based on themes the authors observed in workplace spirituality texts, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the historicity of these texts and induce a model to help them understand how this discourse of workplace spirituality came into being.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors perform intertextual analysis to show how authors draw upon concepts available in the broader discursive context, from which the authors produced a textscape of the workplace spirituality discourse to depict these layers of discursive interconnections.

Findings

– The expressed novelty and recency of workplace spirituality as a form of management knowledge, the authors argue, is made ambiguous by its heavy borrowing from other discourses. The authors show how existent spiritual, organizational and societal-level discourses create the conditions of possibility for the discourse of workplace spirituality to emerge. Most of the authors within the corpus engaged the same theories in organizational studies that created the kind of workplaces they now seek to change.

Practical implications

– The power of the workplace spirituality discourse to improve the state of workers and work and achieve the expressed desire for change may be diminished through the discursive practices of its authors.

Originality/value

– The authors offer a visual “textscape” in which the findings are framed and hence operationalize this idea in a novel manner that contributes to the methods of discourse analysis. The findings also call for more critical reflection into whether workplace spirituality represents a solution to organizational problems when neither the workers nor work it constructs are particularly new.
On the Cournot–Bertrand Profit Differential and the Structure of Unionisation in a Managerial Duopoly
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Meccheri Nicola
Published: October 2015

This paper deals with the issue of the Cournot–Bertrand profit differential by bringing together two different strands of the industrial organisation literature: managerial delegation and unionised oligopolies. Relative to unionisation, two alternative regimes are analysed and compared: ‘decentralised unionisation’, involving firm‐specific unions, and ‘centralised unionisation’, in which an industry‐wide union sets a uniform wage for the entire industry. The ‘reversal result’ – that is, profits are higher under Bertrand than under Cournot – applies irrespective of the unionisation regime and for a very wide range of product differentiation. Moreover, it is more likely to occur when unionisation is decentralised than centralised and, especially when products are not too much differentiated, the profit differential in favour of price competition is also larger in the presence of firm‐specific unions. However, if firm owners not only delegate the choice of the strategic variable but also that of the competition regime, managers always opt to compete in quantities, thus generating an inefficient choice for owners.
What is the Impact of Political Theory?
Authors: Brooks Thom
Published: October 2015

I am very grateful for the contributions by Andrew Vincent, James Alexander and John Dunn to this symposium on ‘impact’ and political theory. Their papers provide insightful perspectives and different critical engagements with my recent piece for this journal. Their reflections force me to revisit my central argument that the impact agenda unveiled in the United Kingdom's new Research Excellence Framework (REF) need not be the negative development for political theorists that many fear – and perhaps even that it should be embraced.
The Ideological Context of Impact
Authors: Vincent Andrew
Published: October 2015

This article sketches the ideological backdrop to deliberations on higher education over the last century; it then situates the concept of ‘impact’ within contemporary ideological debate. It argues, in the final analysis, that impact is an aspect of an anomalous ideological hybrid, still emerging in 2015, which remains worryingly capricious in terms of the way in which it is trying to reconfigure the character of university life. The article argues that political theorists should be critically alert to this reconfiguration.
Development of Active Films From Pectin and Fruit Extracts: Light Protection, Antioxidant Capacity, and Compounds Stability
Authors: Eça Kaliana S. , Machado Mariana T. C. , Hubinger Miriam D. , Menegalli Florencia C.
Published: October 2015

Pectin films containing fruit extracts were developed and tested in relation to ultraviolet light transmission, phytochemical contents, and antioxidant capacity during 90 d shelf life storage. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from 5 different fruits (acerola, cashew apple, papaya, pequi, and strawberry) were obtained. Because the alcoholic extracts from acerola, cashew apple, and strawberry presented the highest phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity, they were incorporated into pectin films individually or as a mixture. Incorporation of these extracts into pectin films provided antioxidant capacity while retaining the physical properties. The pectin films containing fruit extract acted as adequate light barrier and prevented photooxidation. Among the prepared films, the pectin film containing acerola extract afforded the highest antioxidant capacity, with a half‐life of 99 d. Overall, the results revealed that incorporation of fruit extracts into pectin films potentially produces antioxidant films and coatings for different food applications.
Continuously Ingesting Fructooligosaccharide Can't Maintain Rats’ Gut Bifidobacterium at a High Level
Authors: Li Shaoting , Gao Lijuan , Chen Long , Ou Shiyi , Y Wang , Peng Xichun
Published: October 2015

Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) has been reported to increase Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations in animal and human gut. Hence, it has been utilized to regulate the balance of gut microbiota. In this study, we compared the effects of high‐FOS (HFOS) diet on normal and obese rats’ gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, with high‐soybean‐fibers (HSF) diet as control. The results showed that the level of Bifidobacterium population substantially increased at week 4 in groups of rats fed the HFOS diet (P < 0.05), but significantly reduced to a small level at week 8 (P < 0.05); the abundance of Lactobacillus was increased in normal rats (P < 0.05), but decreased in obese rats (P < 0.05). The HSF diet did not promote the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in rats’ gut. The findings suggested that Bifidobacterium population could not be maintained at a high level when the rats continuously ingested the HFOS diet for 8 wk; additionally, Lactobacillus population could adapt to a relatively stable level with the consumption of HFOS diet.
A Metacognitive Strategy for Reducing Disruptive Behavior in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: GoFAR Pilot
Authors: Coles Claire D. , Kable Julie A. , Taddeo Elles , Strickland Dorothy C.
Published: October 2015

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are often characterized by disruptive behavior problems and there are few effective interventions available. GoFAR is a novel, 3‐part intervention designed to improve self‐regulation and adaptive living skills of children with FASD by improving metacognitive control of emotions and arousal.

Methods

The intervention has 3 components: (i) GoFAR: a “serious game” designed to teach a metacognitive control strategy in a computer game environment; (ii) parent training on child behavioral regulation; and (iii) Behavior Analog Therapy (BAT) sessions, a practical application of the metacognitive learning methodology by parent and child in the context of learning adaptive skills. The learning strategy (FAR) teaches the child to Focus and make a plan, Act out the plan, and Reflect back on the plan. Thirty families were randomized to 3 groups: (i) GoFAR (n = 10); (ii) FACELAND (n = 10); or (iii) CONTROL (n = 10). The 2 intervention groups, GoFAR and FACELAND, used computer games to instruct children. Both groups also received 5 sessions of parent training followed by 5 sessions of joint parent/child therapy (BAT). Assessment of disruptive behavior, including frequency of temper tantrums, frustration tolerance, impulsivity, destructiveness, aggression, and maintaining attention were carried out before enrollment at Mid‐Treatment, when game play and parent training were completed, and finally, after completing the BAT sessions.

Results

Parental report of disruptive behavior overall was significantly reduced in the GoFAR group after the first components, game play and parent training, and after the BAT sessions in the FACELAND group with no changes in the CONTROL group over time.

Conclusions

The GoFAR® game was well received by children and effective in teaching the required skills. Mastering the FAR metacognitive strategy was associated with a reduction in disruptive behaviors in children with FASD suggesting that effective interventions can improve outcomes for this high‐risk group.
Brain substrates of social decision‐making in dual diagnosis: cocaine dependence and personality disorders
Authors: Verdejo‐Garcia Antonio , Verdejo‐Román Juan , Albein‐Urios Natalia , Martínez‐González José M. , Soriano‐Mas Carles
Published: October 2015

Cocaine dependence frequently co‐occurs with personality disorders, leading to increased interpersonal problems and greater burden of disease. Personality disorders are characterised by patterns of thinking and feeling that divert from social expectations. However, the comorbidity between cocaine dependence and personality disorders has not been substantiated by measures of brain activation during social decision‐making. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activations evoked by a social decision‐making task—the Ultimatum Game—in 24 cocaine dependents with personality disorders (CDPD), 19 cocaine dependents without comorbidities and 19 healthy controls. In the Ultimatum Game participants had to accept or reject bids made by another player to split monetary stakes. Offers varied in fairness (in fair offers the proposer shares ~50 percent of the money; in unfair offers the proposer shares <30 percent of the money), and participants were told that if they accept both players get the money, and if they reject both players lose it. We contrasted brain activations during unfair versus fair offers and accept versus reject choices. During evaluation of unfair offers CDPD displayed lower activation in the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex and higher activation in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and superior frontal and temporal gyri. Frontal activations negatively correlated with emotion recognition. During rejection of offers CDPD displayed lower activation in the anterior cingulate cortex, striatum and midbrain. Dual diagnosis is linked to hypo‐activation of the insula and anterior cingulate cortex and hyper‐activation of frontal–temporal regions during social decision‐making, which associates with poorer emotion recognition.
Update on food allergy
Authors: Carrard A. , Rizzuti D. , Sokollik C.
Published: October 2015

Food allergies are a global health issue with increasing prevalence. Allergic reactions can range from mild local symptoms to severe anaphylactic reactions. Significant progress has been made in diagnostic tools such as component‐resolved diagnostics and its impact on risk stratification as well as in therapeutic approaches including biologicals. However, a cure for food allergy has not yet been achieved and patients and their families are forced to alter eating habits and social engagements, impacting their quality of life. New technologies and improved in vitro and in vivo models will advance our knowledge of the pathogenesis of food allergies and multicenter‐multinational cohort studies will elucidate interactions between genetic background, lifestyle, and environmental factors. This review focuses on new insights and developments in the field of food allergy and summarizes recently published articles.
Latest developments in allergic rhinitis in Allergy for clinicians and researchers
Authors: Ng C. L. , Wang D. Y.
Published: October 2015

Research efforts in allergic rhinitis have always been intense. Over the past 3 years, numerous breakthroughs in basic science and clinical research have been made, augmenting our understanding of this condition that afflicts a significant proportion of the global population. New epidemiological findings, novel insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of allergy, enhancement of current developmental theories, new concepts of the goals and endpoints of management, and latest therapeutic modalities that includes the harnessing of information technology and big data are some areas where important advances were made. We attempt to bring you a summary of the key research advances made in the field of allergic rhinitis from 2013 to 2015.
Environmental Heterogeneity Influences Successional Trajectories in Colombian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests
Authors: Castellanos‐Castro Carolina , Newton Adrian C.
Published: October 2015

Environmental characteristics have a major effect on the species composition of seasonally dry tropical forest. However, this effect has been little considered when describing secondary succession of this ecosystem. We tested the hypothesis that local environmental heterogeneity influences successional trajectories when high species richness is available. Changes in species composition and structure were described in 126 vegetation plots differing in successional stage and located along a topographical and soil nutrient gradient. Variation in community composition was partitioned between successional stage, environmental characteristics, and spatial structure using redundancy analyses. In addition, relationships between plot distance matrices for these factors were analysed by means of Mantel tests. High species turnover was observed during succession and species composition similarity was higher among late successional forest than among early and intermediate forests. A higher portion of variation in species composition was explained by environmental characteristics compared to successional stage, whereas the spatial structure of the data was weak. Our results suggest that in the region of study, variation in the successional trajectories is occurring owing to environmental heterogeneity, as well as to human disturbance and other unmeasured processes.
Scale‐Dependent Spatial Match between Fruits and Fruit‐eating Birds during the Breeding Season in Yungas Andean Forests
Authors: Blendinger Pedro G. , Jiménez Julieta , Macchi Leandro , Martín Eduardo , Sánchez Mariano S. , Ayup María Marta
Published: October 2015

The multi‐scale spatial match between bird and food abundances is a main driver of the structure of fruit‐eating bird assemblages. We explored how the activity of fruit‐eating birds was influenced by the abundance of fruits at the local and landscape scales in Andean mountain forests during the breeding season, when most birds forage close to their nest. We measured: (1) the spatial scale of variation in the abundance of fruits, (2) the spatial scale of variation in the activity of fruit‐eating birds, and (3) the spatial match between both variables. The sampling design consisted of eleven 1.2‐ha sites, each subdivided into 30 cells of 20 × 20 m, where we sampled fruits and fruit‐eating birds. We found that fruit consumption, and to a lesser extent bird abundance, were associated with local spatial variation in abundance of selected fruit species. However, fruit‐eating birds did not modify their spatial distribution in the landscape following changes in availability of these fruits. Our study shows that fruit‐eating birds detect local spatial variation in fruit availability in their home breeding ranges, and exploit patches with large clusters of selected fruits. However, it may be unprofitable for breeding birds to stray too far from their nests to exploit fruit‐rich patches, accounting for the absence of fruit tracking at larger spatial scales.
Spatial Patterns of Haplotype Variation in the Epiphytic Bromeliad Catopsis nutans
Authors: Kartzinel Tyler R. , Campbell Dakotah A. , Trapnell Dorset W.
Published: October 2015

Identifying factors governing the origin, distribution, and maintenance of Neotropical plant diversity is an enduring challenge. To explore the complex and dynamic historical processes that shaped contemporary genetic patterns for a Central American plant species, we investigated the spatial distribution of chloroplast haplotypes of a geographically and environmentally widespread epiphytic bromeliad with wind‐dispersed seeds, Catopsis nutans, in Costa Rica. We hypothesized that genetic discontinuities occur between northwestern and southwestern Pacific slope populations, resembling patterns reported for other plant taxa in the region. Using non‐coding chloroplast DNA from 469 individuals and 23 populations, we assessed the influences of geographic and environmental distance as well as historical climatic variation on the genetic structure of populations spanning >1200 m in elevation. Catopsis nutans revealed seven haplotypes with low within‐population diversity (mean haplotype richness = 1.2) and moderate genetic structure (FST = 0.699). Pairwise FST was significantly correlated with both geographic and environmental distance. The frequency of dominant haplotypes was significantly correlated with elevation. A cluster of nine Pacific lowland populations exhibited a distinct haplotype profile and contained five of the seven haplotypes, suggesting historical isolation and limited seed‐mediated gene flow with other populations. Paleodistribution models indicated lowland and upland habitats in this region were contiguous through past climatic oscillations. Based on our paleodistribution analysis and comparable prior phylogeographic studies, the genetic signature of recent climatic oscillations are likely superimposed upon the distribution of anciently divergent lineages. Our study highlights the unique phylogeographic history of a Neotropical plant species spanning an elevation gradient.
Increased leptin levels correlate with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males
Authors: MacIver Nancie J. , Thomas Steven M. , Green Cynthia L. , Worley Gordon
Published: October 2015

Objective

Leptin is an adipokine that regulates body weight and appetite. It is also an inflammatory cytokine that influences immune reactivity and autoimmunity. Leptin levels are increased in obesity and are higher in women than in men. We aimed to determine whether leptin levels, independent of sex and body mass index (BMI), are associated with thyroid autoimmunity.

Design

This study uses data from The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to test the association of leptin and thyroid autoimmunity, independent of BMI.

Measurements

Thyroid‐stimulating hormone, thyroxine, antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and leptin levels were measured in 2902 men and 3280 women within the NHANES III population. BMI was calculated from height and weight.

Results

Women had significantly higher leptin levels and anti‐TPO antibody titres than men. Correlation analyses demonstrated that leptin levels were associated with anti‐TPO antibody levels in the total population, but when men and women were analysed separately, this association was lost. We then stratified men and women into obese (BMI > 30) or nonobese (BMI ≤ 30) subgroups and determined the association between leptin levels and anti‐TPO antibody titres for each subgroup. Using regression analysis, we found that increased leptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males, but not in obese males or in females.

Conclusions

Leptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibody titres in nonobese males. This association was not found in females. Sex and body habitus should therefore be considered in studying the role of leptin in other autoimmune conditions.
Line‐Drawing Video Stylization
Authors: Ben‐Zvi N. , Bento J. , Mahler M. , Hodgins J. , Shamir A.
Published: October 2015

We present a method to automatically convert videos and CG animations to stylized animated line drawings. Using a data‐driven approach, the animated drawings can follow the sketching style of a specific artist. Given an input video, we first extract edges from the video frames and vectorize them to curves. The curves are matched to strokes from an artist's library, while following the artist's stroke distribution and characteristics. The key challenge in this process is to match the large number of curves in the frames over time, despite topological and geometric changes, allowing to maintain temporal coherence in the output animation. We solve this problem using constrained optimization to build correspondences between tracked points and create smooth sheets over time. These sheets are then replaced with strokes from the artist's database to render the final animation. We evaluate our tracking algorithm on various examples and show stylized animation results based on various artists.
State Control and Corporate Governance in Transition Economies: 25 Years on from 1989
Authors: Grosman Anna , Okhmatovskiy Ilya , Wright Mike
Published: October 2015

Manuscript type

Review

Research Question/Issue

Which forms of state control over corporations have emerged in countries that made a transition from centrally‐planned to marked‐based economies and what are their implications for corporate governance? We assess the literature on variation and evolution of state control in transition economies, focusing on corporate governance of state‐controlled firms. We highlight emerging trends and identify future research avenues.

Research Findings/Insights

Based on our analysis of more than 100 articles in leading management, finance, and economics journals since 1989, we demonstrate how research on state control evolved from a polarized approach of public–private equity ownership comparison to studying a variety of constellations of state capitalism.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We identify theoretical perspectives that help us better understand benefits and costs associated with various forms of state control over firms. We encourage future studies to examine how context‐specific factors determine the effect of state control on corporate governance.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Investors and policymakers should consider under which conditions investing in state‐affiliated firms generates superior returns.
Stiffness characteristics of splints for fixation of traumatized teeth
Authors: Ben Hassan Meshari W. , Andersson Lars , Lucas Peter W.
Published: October 2015

Background/Aim

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) are treated by repositioning and splinting. Ideally, injured teeth should possess some mobility for optimal periodontal and pulp healing. Splints should be easy to apply in emergencies, affordable, and esthetically acceptable. The aims were to compare some clinically used splints with regard to stiffness (measured in Nm−1), esthetics, cost, and ease of application.

Materials and Methods

Six splints were applied to dental models using an acid‐etched bonding technique. One central incisor was adjusted to give 1 mm of horizontal movement at the incisal edge. The mobilized tooth was then connected to adjacent teeth with either twistflex wire (TF), titanium trauma splint (TTS), single (SFG) and double fiberglass (DFG), nylon (fishing) line (FL), or power chain (PC). A horizontal force was then gradually applied to the incisor in a standardized manner with a spherical probe (1.65 mm radius), monitoring force with a 50N load cell and displacement with a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). Signals were amplified, converted digitally (14‐bit analog‐to‐digital converter), and displayed in real time to show the splint stiffness. Splints were also ranked with regard to esthetics, application time needed, and ease of application cost.

Results

FL and PC were the least stiff, averaging 5.7 and 6.3 Nm−1, respectively. TTS averaged 6.9 Nm−1, while SFG and TF averaged 18.5 and 18.4 Nm−1, respectively. DFG was the stiffest, averaging 24.3 Nm−1. PC and SFG were the fastest to apply. FL showed the best esthetic score, followed by TTS and PC. TTS was the most expensive splint, while FL, PC, SFG, DFG, and TF showed similar costs.

Conclusions

Of these TDI splints, DFG should be avoided for flexible splinting because it is too stiff. PC may be an interesting novel alternative, affording sufficient mobility due to its low stiffness.
Regulation of Met1‐linked polyubiquitin signalling by the deubiquitinase OTULIN
Authors: Elliott Paul R. , Komander David
Published: October 2015

Modification of proteins with Met1‐linked ‘linear’ ubiquitin chains has emerged as a key regulatory signal to control inflammatory signalling via the master regulator, the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB). While the assembly machinery, the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), and receptors for this ubiquitin chain type have been known for years, it was less clear which deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) hydrolyse Met1 linkages specifically. In 2013, two labs reported the previously unannotated protein FAM105B/OTULIN to be this missing Met1 linkage‐specific DUB. Structural studies have revealed how OTULIN achieves its remarkable specificity, employing a mechanism of ubiquitin‐assisted catalysis in which a glutamate residue on the substrate complements the active site of the enzyme. The specificity of OTULIN enables it to regulate global levels of Met1‐linked polyubiquitin in cells. This ability led to investigations of NF‐κB activation from new angles, and also revealed involvement of Met1‐polyubiquitin in Wnt signalling. Interestingly, OTULIN directly interacts with LUBAC, and this interaction is dynamic and can be regulated by OTULIN phosphorylation. This provides a new paradigm for how individual linkage types can be regulated by dedicated enzyme complexes mediating assembly and removal. Here we review what has been learned about OTULIN's mechanism, regulation and function, discuss the open questions in the field, and discuss how DUBs regulate the NF‐κB response.
The salt chimney effect: delay of thermal evolution of deep hydrocarbon source rocks due to high thermal conductivity of evaporites
Authors: Zhuo Q. G. , Meng F. W. , Zhao M. J. , Li Y. , Lu X. S. , Ni P.
Published: October 2015

Half of the topseals to the world's largest oilfields are evaporites. Rock salt has a thermal conductivity two to four times greater than that of other sedimentary rocks found in oil‐ and gas‐bearing basins. Strong heat conduction through evaporites can increase the geothermal gradient above evaporite deposits, resulting in a positive thermal anomaly and above‐average temperature while simultaneously decreasing the geothermal gradient below evaporites, resulting in a negative thermal anomaly. Most Triassic–Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks in the Kuqa Basin, western China, are overlain by ~1500‐m‐thick Tertiary evaporites with underlying Cretaceous sandstones and mudstones. Directly measured strata temperatures indicate an obvious break in the steepness of the geothermal gradient above and below Paleogene evaporites, with a significantly steeper geothermal gradient above the evaporites. Simulations of the thermal evolution of source rocks based on data collected from well Kela‐2 indicate that if the thickness of evaporites (mainly rock salt and anhydrite rock) in overlying rocks above source rocks increases compared with the thickness of siliciclastic rocks in the overlying rocks, then strata temperatures and vitrinite reflectance in Jurassic source rocks will decrease accordingly. Our thermal simulations based on the thickness and thermal conductivity of evaporites accurately coincide with previous studies based on homogenization temperatures, hydrocarbon–water contact retrospection, and carbon isotope results from natural gases. The gas generation center located in the Kalasu Tectonic Belt today is also sealed in an evaporite‐related structural trap that formed at this time. Therefore, the speculated natural gas generation times not only correlate with the evaporite‐related structural trap formation, but the calculated maturity of deep source rocks below the evaporites also coincides with current gas reserves. And our studies can help to find the deep oils and gases under thick evaporites.
Prevention for Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine
Authors: Hickman Carolyn , Lewis Kara Stuart , Little Robert , Rastogi Reena Gogia , Yonker Marcy
Published: October 2015

Children and adolescents can experience significant disability from frequent migraine. A number of tools have been developed to help quantify the impact of migraine in this population. Many preventative medications used in adults are routinely used to prevent migraines in children, although there has been less rigorous study. This article reviews the indications and evidence for the use of migraine preventatives, such as antidepressants, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and botulinum toxin, in this population.
Local outbreak of hepatitis E: a rare cause of viral hepatitis in Australia
Authors: Pokorny A. M. J. , Pokorny C. S.
Published: October 2015

Hepatitis E is a not uncommon cause of viral hepatitis globally but is relatively rare in Australia. Here, we report a case of acute hepatitis E that was acquired in Sydney and was part of a cluster believed to be infected locally. This is to our knowledge the first known outbreak of locally acquired hepatitis E in Australia. We discuss pathogenesis, clinical features and means by which further spread of infection can be limited.
Intergenerational Risk Sharing, Pensions, and Endogenous Labour Supply in General Equilibrium*
Authors: Beetsma Roel M. W. J. , Romp Ward E. , Vos Siert J.
Published: October 2015

We show that a two‐tier pension system, with a pay‐as‐you‐go first tier and a fully funded, defined wage‐indexed second tier, can provide for optimal intergenerational risk‐sharing without distorting the labour supply, thereby achieving the first best. Other arrangements with a fully‐funded second tier fail to achieve the first best.
Temporary Disability Insurance and Labor Supply: Evidence from a Natural Experiment*
Authors: Pettersson‐Lidbom Per , Thoursie Peter Skogman
Published: October 2015

Most developed countries have compulsory insurance programs for temporary disability, that is, cash benefits for non‐work‐related sickness. Despite the economic significance of these programs, little is known about their effects on work absenteeism or labor supply. We exploit a policy reform that consisted of the abolishment of a waiting day together with an increase of cash benefits for short sick leaves. We find that the total number of days of sickness absence was reduced by the reform, which is likely due to the fact that the abolishment of the waiting period made it less costly for workers to be absent for short periods.
Statistical Graphics
Authors: Niemi Jarad , Gelman Andrew
Published: October 2015

The obvious way to present information is in a graph. But not all graphs are created equal. A well-designed graph can make clear what an ill-thought-out one conceals. Jarad Niemi and Andrew Gelman present visualisations of a measles epidemic.
Caregiver resilience in palliative care: a research protocol
Authors: Limardi Stefano , Stievano Alessandro , Rocco Gennaro , Vellone Ercole , Alvaro Rosaria
Published: October 2015

Aim

To describe a research protocol designed to formulate a conceptual framework of informal caregiver resilience in palliative care.

Background

Resilience is the ability to adapt or to improve one's own conditions following experiences of adversity. The end‐of‐life care provided by informal caregivers is a form of adversity because it entails objective difficulties, emotional involvement and deep levels of introspection that have been stimulated by the death event. Resilience has not yet been addressed in association with end‐of‐life care.

Design

This is a multicentre cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We will administer a questionnaire to a sample of informal end‐of‐life caregivers to collect data about the main psychological, behavioural and healthcare factors that impact resilience. Data analysis will include descriptive and correlational statistical techniques, multiple linear regressions and structural equation modelling. Data will be collected in multiple palliative care centres and statistical analysis will be carried out using software: SPSS version 19.0 and MPlus version 7.3. The study is supported by a grant from the Centre of Excellence for Nursing Scholarship in Italy (Research Grant number 2.13.10) that was awarded in March 2013.

Discussion

The study seeks to identify the predictive, mediating and moderating roles of select variables: caregivers’ self‐efficacy, burdens of caregiving, depression and resilience. The results of this analysis will impact the theoretical study of resilience in palliative care and will have practical implications for interventions aimed at supporting caregivers through healthcare teams.
The Impact of Age on 5‐Year Outcomes After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation
Authors: BUNCH T. JARED , MAY HEIDI T. , BAIR TAMI L. , JACOBS VICTORIA , CRANDALL BRIAN G. , CUTLER MICHAEL , WEISS J. PETER , MALLENDER CHARLES , OSBORN JEFFREY S. , ANDERSON JEFFREY L. , DAY JOHN D.
Published: October 2015

Impact of Age After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation

Background

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapeutic rhythm approach in symptomatic patients. Many studies have shown that age has little to no impact on outcomes during the first year after ablation. However, AF is a disease of aging and age‐based substrate for arrhythmia is likely to progress. To this regard, we examined patients with 5‐year outcome data following an index AF ablation procedure to define the impact of age on long‐term outcomes.

Methods

A total of 923 patients that underwent their index AF ablation and had 5 years of follow‐up were studied. Patients were followed up for atrial flutter/AF recurrence, heart failure, stroke, death, and cardiac function. Patients were separated and compared in 5 age‐based groups (<50, 51–60, 61–70, 71–80, >80).

Results

The average age of the population was 66 ± 11 years and 59% were male. The AF was paroxysmal in 55%, persistent in 27%, and longstanding persistent in 18%. Older patients were more likely female and had higher rates of cardiovascular diseases. For every 10‐year increase in age there was a higher multivariate‐adjusted risk of atrial flutter/AF recurrence (HR: 1.13, P = 0.01), death (HR:1.91, P < 0.0001), and major adverse cardiac events (HR: 1.09, P = 0.07). Although atrial flutter/AF recurrence rates by age were similar at 1 year, at 5 years, younger patients had significantly lower rates of recurrences.

Conclusion

Age significantly impacts outcomes after AF ablation when analyzed with long‐term follow‐up. These data highlight the progressive nature of AF and the need to consider interventions early.