bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing effects of external integration on innovations outcomes in large and non-large Brazilian food companies
Authors: Nogueira Tomas Robson , Pini Rosales Fabrício , Otávio Batalha Mario , Lúcia Chicarelli Alcantara Rosane
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between external integration and innovation outcomes in the Brazilian food companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a survey questionnaire with 84 participants from large and non-large food companies of Brazil, the paper has used linear regression to examine the relationship between external integration and innovation outcomes. Next, the paper used the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test to compare the two sets of companies, i.e. large companies (annual sales >US$5 million), and non-large companies (annual sales US$1-5 million).

Findings

– The paper found that external integration with suppliers and customers is positively related to innovation outcomes in food companies. Besides, radical innovation is directly related to large companies rather than non-large food companies. Furthermore, customer integration is perceived in large food companies rather than non-large. To the best of the knowledge, this is pioneering information in food companies.

Research limitations/implications

– This research has been tested based only on participants’ perceptions. Therefore, the findings should also be verified through of a longitudinal fashion or in deep study.

Practical implications

– The main practical implication lies with the embedding of these concepts in a research from the perspective of a developing economy. Seen in this light it is noteworthy that such findings may contribute to the understanding of innovation outcomes in other developing countries.

Originality/value

– There are few empirical studies that explore the relationship between external integration and innovation outcomes in food companies. Besides, there is little knowledge about differences between large and non-large food companies regarding to incremental and radical innovation. Our research is the first study analyzing these issues in large and non-large food companies in the Brazil.
Developing successful entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Kshetri Nir
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– There are strong similarities and striking differences in Estonia's and South Korea's entrepreneurial ecosystems. The purpose of this paper is to seek to compare and contrast these two economies in terms of key indicators related to impacts, performance measures and determinants of entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach of this study can be described as theory building from multiple case studies. The analysis is based on secondary data from a number of sources related to impacts, performance measures and determinants of entrepreneurship.

Findings

– Among the major findings is that in order to shift to a higher gear, South Korea's entrepreneurial weakness must be addressed through broad institutional reforms that include the corporate governance, and policies and attitudes toward immigrants and immigration. In Estonia's case, while continuing attention must be paid to institutional reforms, immediate action is needed to improve policies that affect basic economic, technological and infrastructural conditions.

Research limitations/implications

– A crucial lesson from a comparison of these two economies is that multiple paths of entrepreneurial success exist.

Practical implications

– The lessons each can learn from the other to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem are suggested. Other emerging, developing and less developed economies also have much to learn from the success paths of these two economies.

Originality/value

– This paper provides unique insights into alternative ways that emerging economies can follow to develop successful entrepreneurial ecosystems and achieve entrepreneurial success as well as advantages and limitations of the alternatives.
Hybrid entrepreneurship: the importance of passion
Authors: Thorgren Sara , Nordström Carin , Wincent Joakim
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motives behind individuals’ choice to have parallel business-employment careers (hybrid entrepreneurship) with a particular focus on passion (i.e. to work with something one is passionate about) as the main motive.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was administered to 262 Swedish hybrid entrepreneurs. Hypotheses proposed associations of the individual's age at business start-up and weekly hours spent on the business with passion as the main motive for the hybrid form. Logistic regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The results indicated that first, the ability to work with something one is passionate about is the top motive for combining employment with a side business; second, passion is more likely to be the main motive behind the hybrid form among individuals who are older at business start-up; third, passion is less likely to be the main motive behind the hybrid form among individuals who spend more time on the business.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focusses on passion as motive for hybrid entrepreneurship, and in doing so, it does not test the extent to which hybrid entrepreneurs experience passion.

Practical implications

– The results support the popular notion that passion drives people to have parallel business-employment careers. Findings indicating that passion as a motive is more common among those who are older at start-up and less common among those who spend more time on the business suggest the importance of acknowledging hybrid entrepreneurs’ various profiles when approaching them in research and practice.

Originality/value

– This is the first study on motives behind hybrid entrepreneurship.
Institutional influence, cognition and competence of top managers and innovative firms
Authors: Feng Kaidong , Shen Qunhong , Zhao Shuming
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the relationship between the role of entrepreneurs and the innovation investment propensity of Chinese firms. This study is expected to enhance our understanding about the competence building of top management team for innovative development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analytical framework draws upon the recent theoretical progress about innovative firms, cognition and competence building of top managers. A horizontal data comparison and four longitudinal case studies of representative firms in the Chinese power equipment industry are implemented.

Findings

– The cognitive backgrounds of top managers, which have a significant role in directing strategic resource allocation, are found to be influenced by institutional environments. Because the institutional environments which are under the Chinese transition impact different groups of firms in different ways, the relevant practices of these firms lead to dissimilar competence building of top managers.

Originality/value

– This paper establishes a nexus of “institutional influence–cognition–resource allocation”. Such a nexus highlights the role of cognition of top managers in influencing the strategy-making of firms. So it helps in explaining the conditions for competence building in firms.
Occupational commitment, industrial relations and turnover intention
Authors: Yuan Ling , Yu Yue , Li Jian , Ning Lutao
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this research is to study the relationships between occupational commitment, industrial relations and turnover intention, as well as the moderating role of turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical data for this study were collected using a questionnaire survey method. A total of 600 copies of the questionnaire were sent out by post or email to firms and 429 valid responses were finally obtained, yielding a response rate of approximately 71.5 per cent.

Findings

– Except for the limited choices commitment, affective commitment, normative commitment and cumulative costs commitment are found to be significantly and positively related to industrial relations. Employees’ turnover intention may be detrimental to industrial relations, as our results show that it has a negative correlation with industrial relations. We also find that it negatively moderates the relationship between occupational commitment and industrial relations.

Practical implications

– Our results shed light on human resource management practices in Chinese firms, and managerial implications are made to enhance Chinese employees’ occupational commitment.

Originality/value

– This study extends the current literature and provides new insights into the relationship between the four dimensions of occupational commitment and industrial relations in the Chinese context. It also provides an understanding that this relationship is conditioned on employees’ turnover intention.
Simple and efficient numerical tools for the analysis of parachutes
Authors: Flores Roberto , Ortega Enrique , Onate Eugenio
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a set of simple yet effective, numerical method for the design and evaluation of parachute-payload system. The developments include a coupled fluid-structural solver for unsteady simulations of ram-air type parachutes. The main features of the computational tools are described and several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the performance and capabilities of the technique.

Design/methodology/approach

– For an efficient solution of the aerodynamic problem, an unsteady panel method has been chosen exploiting the fact that large areas of separated flow are not expected under nominal flight conditions of ram-air parachutes. A dynamic explicit finite element solver is used for the structure. This approach yields a robust solution even when highly nonlinear effects due to large displacements and material response are present. The numerical results show considerable accuracy and robustness.

Findings

– A simple and effective numerical tool for the analysis of parachutes has been developed.

Originality/value

– An analysis code has been developed which addresses the needs of ram-air parachute designers. The software delivers reasonably accurate results in a short time using modest hardware. It can therefore assist the design process, which nowadays relies on empirical methods.
How can mega events and ecological orientation improve city brand attitudes?
Authors: T. Marin-Aguilar Jose , Vila-López Natalia
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine to what extent emotional experiences lived in mega-events and ecological orientation of citizens could act as direct antecedents of city brand attitude improvements. In addition, it addresses the effect in terms of a perceived quality of life that a city brand consolidation would be able to bring the citizens of a particular place. Cities must manage and administer their geographical territories as if they were brands, seeking to increase the benefits to society.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical study was performed by collecting information from 398 residents of Aguascalientes (Mexico) during the National Fair of San Marcos in 2011.

Findings

– Results show how in order to increase city brand attitudes, both the focus on mega-events and the ecological orientation are two successful ways. Moreover, improvements in city brand attitudes can bring significant benefits on the positive perception of quality of life among citizens.

Originality/value

– This investigation has made progress in implementing the experiential marketing channeled through emotional experiences in mega-events and, particularly, in environmentally oriented mega-events, which is able to improve ecological orientation of citizens. To date, no evidence of empirical research referenced in mega-events of the features of the National Fair of San Marcos, Mexico, exists.
Triggers and inhibitors of illegitimate customer complaining behavior
Authors: (Joy) Huang Zhuowei , Zhao Chen , Miao Li , Fu Xiaoxiao
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The study aims to investigate the illegitimate customer complaining behavior (ICCB) in the hospitality industry from the perspective of frontline employees. In particular, this study identified ICCB incidents, ICCB triggering factors and inhibitors in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study by using in-depth personal interviews. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted with frontline employees who had first-hand experiences with ICCB in the hospitality industry. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed following the procedures of open coding, axial coding and selective coding.

Findings

– Analysis of the qualitative data has revealed 7 types of ICCB incidents, 11 ICCB triggering factors and 3 ICCB inhibitors in the hospitality industry, as perceived by frontline employees. The study also proposed a multiple-layer model of ICCB triggers and inhibitors based on the results. Four propositions are developed delineating three layers of driving forces and the dynamics between ICCB triggers and inhibitors that exert joint effects on ICCB.

Research limitations/implications

– Impacts of various cultural settings, different hospitality business settings (hotels vs restaurants) and profile information of frontline employees on ICCB need to be examined in future research.

Originality/value

– Findings of this study contribute to the customer complaining literature and the hospitality service management literature by offering the frontline employees’ perspective of ICCB. Hospitality businesses can benefit from this study by using the research findings to develop more effective company policies and training programs to recognize, monitor and resolve ICCB incidents.
Stakeholder management in disaster restoration projects
Authors: Baroudi Bassam , R. Rapp Randy
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to identify stakeholder issues on disaster restoration projects from a contractor perspective. Disaster occurrences normally warrant substantial restoration and reconstruction efforts. These projects involve the mitigation and repair of disaster-affected buildings and structures.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is essentially exploratory in nature. It reviews relevant literature and then presents empirical research findings garnered from disaster restoration practitioners. A survey using the Likert rating scale method was used. The data were collected via an online questionnaire survey.

Findings

– The results confirm that disaster restoration projects contain significant stakeholder issues and challenges. Furthermore, these can differ from conventional construction and the work of “first responders” to disaster situations. Hence, disaster restoration projects are seen as having their own unique identity.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has only set out to uncover stakeholder issues on disaster restoration projects. Future research that delves into the issues in greater depth would be useful.

Practical implications

– Disaster restoration practitioners need to be aware of conflicting stakeholder interests. These need careful management so that stakeholder issues do not impact successful project outcomes. Hence, informing industry (and academia) on these issues carries significant importance.

Originality/value

– Past research has tended to adopt macro perspectives on disaster preparedness, response and management. This research focuses on repairing and restoring disaster-affected buildings and structures from a restoration industry standpoint. The findings should be useful to the global disaster restoration community and those in associated fields.
A security education Q&A
Authors: Kaspersky Eugene , Furnell Steven
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of cyber security education as a means of enabling skilled professionals and ensuring adequate awareness amongst end users.

Design/methodology/approach

– The discussion examines the contribution made by the Kaspersky Academy student conference series, and then proceeds to consider some related questions posed to Eugene Kaspersky as the founder of the programme.

Findings

– The question and answer segment of the discussion identifies the ways in which academic qualifications and professional certifications can align to support a rounded security education for those aiming to become practitioners.

Originality/value

– The discussion provides a clear insight into the importance of security education and how it is being actively supported by one of the leading companies in the industry.
Combining qualitative methods in practice
Authors: Carù Antonella , Cova Bernard , Pace Stefano
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss within a corporate context the advantages and limitations of combining different qualitative methods (namely consumers’ introspection and observation) to grasp consumer experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reflexively examines the evolution of a research process through which a team of researchers and a company tried to understand how the online consumer experience unfolds. The paper discusses the research process, the problems addressed and the way results were shared and acted upon within the company.

Findings

– The findings show how the search for and implementation of the combination of observation and introspection is rooted in the kinds of organizational change processes that allow companies to appropriate new methodological approaches and modify the conduct of their service innovation processes.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a single research project, analysed only retrospectively and reflexively. As to its implications, the proposed qualitative methods help mediate the collaborative interaction between researchers and the company during a research project.

Practical implications

– The research findings already have been appropriated and used by a multidisciplinary working group, operating within a corporate environment. Similarly, other companies can manage this type of research process following three major guidelines: prepare the cultural background, be iterative and maintain a conversation.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a unique account of the process of using combined qualitative methods within a company to understand consumer experiences.
Intuition's value for organizational innovativeness and why managers still refrain from using it
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Uzelac Borislav , Bauer Florian
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to expand the knowledge about the value of intuition for organizational innovativeness and organizational factors inhibiting intuitive decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study develops and tests a theoretical model that relates intuitive and deliberate decision-making styles to organizational innovativeness, and the application of either decision-making style to organizational size and decision maker's power position in an organization. Based on a survey conducted in 2011, data from 281 organizations was analyzed applying linear regression analysis.

Findings

– Intuitive and deliberate processing both relate positively to organizational innovativeness. Organizational size relates negatively to the application of an intuitive decision-making style, while power position relates positively to the application of an intuitive decision-making style.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings suggest that intuitive decision making is valuable for organizational innovativeness. Still, its application is suppressed if decision makers are in lower power positions or part of larger organizations.

Originality/value

– High demands on managers’ and entrepreneurs’ information processing capabilities require them to apply their full range of cognitive capabilities (i.e. deliberative and intuitive processing). Intuitive decision making, however, still seems to be confined to those who have least reason to fear critique from others.
Big data and competitive advantage at Nielsen
Authors: E. Prescott Michael
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how an international company, Nielsen Holdings, reacted to changes in their highly competitive industry brought about by advances in technology. This case presents the strategic management decisions that enabled Nielsen to regain its competitive advantage. This case further describes the functioning of the resource-based view (RBV) of strategy, dynamic capabilities framework, and digital data genesis (DDG), in a turbulent business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study is based primarily upon secondary data to include annual reports, press releases, company web site, as well as articles.

Findings

– The case study provides an example of the functioning of a once durable competitive advantage that was eroded due to advances in technology, and the steps the company took to regain that advantage. The paper illustrates the functioning of a capability and a dynamic capability in DDG.

Practical implications

– This case can be used for the teaching of decision making, business strategy, the RBV of strategy, dynamics capabilities, and DDG.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an example of the functioning of the capability and dynamic capability of DDG.
Untangling self-reinforcing processes in managerial decision making. Co-evolving heuristics?
Authors: Abatecola Gianpaolo
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Over the last 30 years, specific investigations into self-reinforcing processes in managerial decision making have been gaining momentum within the mainstream literature of management. However, to date, it is claimed that understanding these processes properly still requires additional research efforts. Thus, the purpose of this conceptual paper is to follow this claim.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper tries to inform the conversation about self-reinforcing processes in managerial decision making through adopting lenses drawing from the biological philosophy of organizational change. In particular, the co-evolutionary approach to organizational change, with a focus on CEOs, and/or top management teams (TMT), is adopted.

Findings

– As its core contribution, the paper proposes that self-reinforcing processes in the CEOs/TMTs’ decision making can occur because of the emergence (and subsequent consolidation) of co-evolving heuristics. On this basis, the paper also prospect potential avenues for future integrations in this field.

Originality/value

– As the paper concludes, advancing the general understanding of self-reinforcing processes in managerial decision making can represent an important opportunity for the research and practice of management in general, but also for some management sub-domains, such as that of behavioural strategy, in particular.
Regulatory B cells correlate with HIV disease progression
Authors: Jiao Yanmei , Wang Xi , Zhang Tong , Lijun Sun , Wang Rui , Li Wei , Ji Yunxia , Wu Hao , Liu Cuie
Published: June 2014

A rare subset of IL‐10‐producing B cells, named Breg, was recently identified in mice and humans. Currently, there are no unified cell surface markers to identify Breg, and the relationship between the frequency of Breg and HIV disease progression in chronic HIV infection is unclear. In the present study, we determined whether the cell surface markers of Breg reported for other diseases are suitable for identifying Breg in HIV‐infected patients. In addition, we examined the relationship between Breg and HIV disease progression. We found that Breg frequency correlated positively with viral load and negatively with CD4 count in chronic HIV infection. Following antiretroviral treatment, the CD4 count increased and the frequency of Breg decreased stepwise. There was no difference in IL‐10 expression of CD1dhi or CD1dlo cells isolated from HIV‐infected patients. Therefore, CD1d may not be a marker of Breg in HIV‐infected patients.
Management of women with low grade cytology: how reassuring is a normal colposcopy examination?
Authors: Cruickshank ME , Cotton SC , Sharp L , Smart L , Walker LG , Little J ,   the TOMBOLA Group
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To determine the rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2+) in women with low grade cervical cytology and a normal colposcopy examination over 3 years of follow‐up.

Design

Cohort study within a randomised controlled trial.

Setting

NHS Cervical Screening Programmes in Grampian, Tayside and Nottingham.

Population

Eight hundred and eighty‐four women aged 20–59 years with borderline nuclear abnormalities (BNA) or mild dyskaryosis with a normal and adequate colposcopy examination.

Methods

Samples at baseline were tested for 14 high‐risk (Hr) types using GP5+6+ methodology and for HPV 16 and 18 using type‐specific primers. Women were followed up post‐colposcopy by cervical cytology at 6‐month intervals in primary care. After 3 years, women were invited for an exit colposcopy examination and underwent LLETZ if any colposcopic abnormality was identified.

Main outcome measures

Absolute and relative risks of CIN2+ during follow‐up and/or at exit colposcopy.

Results

The median age was 36 years. The absolute risk of developing CIN2+ within 3 years was 1.86 per 100 woman years and for CIN3+, 0.64 per 100 woman years. One microinvasive cancer was identified. The relative risk (RR) was highest for women with initial mild dyskaryosis who were HrHPV‐positive (RR 5.86, 95% confidence interval 2.53–13.56) compared with women with BNA who were HrHPV‐negative.

Conclusion

For women with low grade cervical cytology, the risk of a high grade CIN within 3 years of a normal colposcopy examination is low. Women can be reassured that, even with a positive HPV test, the risk of developing CIN2 or worse is sufficiently low to return to the routine 3‐year recall.
Constructing predictive models for vaginal surgery in patients with noninvasive gynecological conditions
Authors: Yuan Lei , Zhou Hong , Zhang Hao , Tang Haosha , Chen Mo , Liu Xishi , Xu Congjian , Yao Liangqing
Published: June 2014

Objective

To develop predictive models for vaginal operative route selection based on clinical variables that can be easily assessed preoperatively in patients with noninvasive gynecological conditions.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

University Hospital.

Population

Women with routine gynecological surgeries via different approaches.

Methods

The medical records of 315 women without prolapse and undergoing hysterectomy, adnexal cystectomy or myomectomy were reviewed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the vaginal approach for each procedure. Predictive models were generated and optimal cut‐off points were identified using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Main outcome measures

Predictive models for different vaginal surgical procedures.

Results

For hysterectomy, the patient's body mass index, dysmenorrheal complaints and uterine size were identified as negative predictors for vaginal hysterectomy, whereas previous vaginal delivery was positive. For adnexal cystectomy, adnexal pathology was a negative predictor, whereas previous vaginal delivery and ovarian cyst size were positive. For myomectomy, the body mass index and number of fibroids were negative predictors while previous vaginal delivery was positive. All three models were able to predict the vaginal procedures undergone by women and the areas under the curve were 0.88, 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. Each optimal model cut‐off value (logit(p) = 0.53, 0.36, 0.73) resulted in good sensitivity (92.3%, 100% and 87.5%, respectively) and specificity (77.8%, 88.6% and 90.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

These predictive models, which used clinical variables that can be easily assessed preoperatively, may help surgeons to select candidates for different vaginal procedures.
Even mild cases of paediatric Henoch‐Schönlein purpura nephritis show significant long‐term proteinuria
Authors: Tudorache Elena , Azema Christine , Hogan Julien , Wannous Hala , Aoun Bilal , Decramer Stéphane , Deschênes Georges , Ulinski Tim
Published: June 2014

Aim

Henoch‐Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a common cause of paediatric renal disease in children, representing 10–15% of paediatric glomerulonephritis. This study examined the long‐term outcome of biopsy‐proven HSP nephritis to identify correlations between disease development and treatment.

Methods

Patients from three French centres were retrospectively analysed.

Results

We followed up 142 patients aged from 2 to 10.5 years with HSP nephritis, graded according to the International Study Group of Kidney Disease in Childhood classification. Mean (±SD) age at presentation was 7.6 ± 2.8 years. Nephrotic range proteinuria was present in 28% of patients with Grade II lesions, 60% with Grade III and 90% with Grade IV. Significant proteinuria (>0.5 g/L) was found in nine of 48 patients 3 years after renal biopsy, eight of 25 patients after 5 years and three of 14 patients after 10 years. There was no correlation between the proteinuria risk at 3, 5 or 10 years and the initial histological lesion or treatment modality. Treatment with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB) was linked to lower proteinuria, especially if it was started precociously.

Conclusion

Even mild forms of HSP nephritis risk significant long‐term proteinuria. Very early introduction of ACEi/ARB may improve the long‐term outcome independent of histological lesions.
A quantitative analysis of authors, schools and themes in virtue ethics articles in business ethics and management journals (1980–2011)
Authors: Ferrero Ignacio , Sison Alejo José G.
Published: June 2014

Virtue ethics is generally recognized as one of the three major schools of ethics, but is often waylaid by utilitarianism and deontology in business and management literature. EBSCO and ABI databases were used to look for articles in the Journal of Citation Reports publications between 1980 and 2011 containing the keywords ‘virtue ethics’, ‘virtue theory’, or ‘virtuousness’ in the abstract and ‘business’ or ‘management’ in the text. The search was refined to draw lists of the most prolific authors, the most cited authors, the most cited articles, and the journals with the most virtue ethics publications. This information allows one to chart how virtue ethics articles have evolved through the decades and to establish ‘schools’ or clusters of authors as well as clusters of themes. The results of this quantitative analysis of authors, ‘schools’, themes, and publications provide a foundation for the future study of virtue ethics in business and management, identifying its achievements and potentials.
Satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction: Experiences in the early post‐operative stage
Authors: Murray Craig D. , Turner Alexandra , Rehan Claire , Kovacs Tibor
Published: June 2014

Objectives

This qualitative study aimed to achieve an understanding of women's experiences of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy, to better understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction.

Design

Nine women were recruited from a breast unit in the North West of England. Participants were 3–9 months post‐reconstruction, had received either an implant‐based or Latissimus Dorsi‐based immediate reconstruction and were not receiving any adjuvant therapies. An inductive qualitative and phenomenological approach was adopted to data collection and analysis.

Methods

Women took part in semi‐structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes were generated: Seeking and receiving information; coping with the outcome of reconstruction; the need for on‐going support and a new life after surgery.

Conclusion

The study highlights difficulties surrounding receiving information and decision‐making, how women make sense of recovery, how they solicit and receive support, and the process by which they begin to make sense of their futures. More focus on these areas in service provision may aid positive psychological outcomes in the recovery process following immediate breast reconstruction.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Removal of a breast often results in a loss of body integrity and femininity for women.

More women having immediate breast reconstruction are satisfied than women who have delayed reconstruction.

There is a lack of qualitative research on experiences of immediate reconstruction.

What does this study add?

The study identifies psychological difficulties around immediate breast reconstruction.

Findings indicate informational and support needs which are important for optimal service provision.
Clinical significance of prognosis using the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Sung Hyun Hwan , Gyun Jeon Hwang , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Choi Han‐Yong , Lee Hyun Moo
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical significance of preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Patients and Methods

A total of 410 patients were retrospectively reviewed. An elevated NLR was defined as ≥2.5 and a normal ESR was considered to be in the range of 0–22 mm/h in men and 0–27 mm/h in women. Patients were divided into three groups: those with ESR and NLR in the normal range (group 0, n = 168), those with either elevated ESR or elevated NLR (group I, n = 169), and those with both elevated ESR and elevated NLR (group II, n = 73).

Results

The median patient age was 64 years and the median follow‐up duration was 40.2 months. In all, 35.6 and 41.2% of patients had elevated NLRs and ESRs, respectively. Group II was associated with advanced tumour status in terms of size, grade, stage, lymph node and margin status (P < 0.05). Preoperative ESR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.784, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.173–2.712), NLR (HR 1.704, 95% CI 1.136–2.556), and prognostic grouping (HR 2.285, 95% CI 1.397–3.737 for group I; HR 2.962, 95% CI 1.719–5.102 for group II) were independent predictors of progression‐free survival (PFS) in the multivariate model (P < 0.05). Prognostic grouping was also an independent prognostic factor for cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Time‐dependent area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves showed that NLR plus ESR had a greater diagnostic value than NLR alone regarding oncological outcomes (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Prognostic grouping using ESR and NLR was identified as an independent prognostic marker in patients with UTUC. The addition of ESR improved the prognostic value of NLR alone in predicting oncological outcomes. The combination of preoperative ESR and NLR might be a new prediction tool in patients with UTUC after radical nephroureterectomy.
Precipitation Regime and Nitrogen Addition Effects on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Tropical Dry Forests
Authors: Bejarano Marylin , Crosby María M. , Parra Víctor , Etchevers Jorge D. , Campo Julio
Published: June 2014

We conducted a year‐long field experiment to investigate how nitrogen addition affected decomposition of Piscidia piscipula and Gymnopodium floribundum along a precipitation gradient in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Nitrogen addition did not affect decomposition rates at the drier sites. However, fertilization at the wettest site increased the decomposition of Gymnopodium litter and decreased the decomposition of Piscidia litter. Water‐soluble carbon and lignin, and water‐soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations were the best predictors of decomposition for Gymnopodium and Piscidia litters, respectively. We conclude that the effects of nitrogen addition on decomposition will vary from site to site as a function of mean annual precipitation, inherent soil fertility, and species identity.
Discovery, Optimization, and Pharmacophore Modeling of Oleanolic Acid and Analogues as Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion Inhibitors Through Targeting Brk/Paxillin/Rac1 Axis
Authors: Elsayed Heba E. , Akl Mohamed R. , Ebrahim Hassan Y. , Sallam Asmaa A. , Haggag Eman G. , Kamal Amel M. , El Sayed Khalid A.
Published: June 2014

Bioassay‐guided fractionation of Terminalia bentzoe L. leaves methanol extract identified the known triterpene oleanolic acid (1) as its major breast cancer cell migration inhibitor. Further chemical optimization afforded five new (9–12 and 15) and seven known (4–8, 13, and 14) semisynthetic analogues. All compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells migration, proliferation, and invasion. The results revealed that 3‐O‐[N‐(3′‐chlorobenzenesulfonyl)‐carbamoyl]‐oleanolic acid (11) and 3‐O‐[N‐(5′‐fluorobenzenesulfonyl)‐carbamoyl]‐oleanolic acid (12) were the most active hits at low μm concentration. Western blot analysis indicated the activity of 1, 11, and 12 might be related, at least in part, to the suppression of Brk/Paxillin/Rac1 signaling pathway. Pharmacophore modeling study was conducted to better understand the common structural binding epitopes important for the antimigratory activity. The sulfonyl carbamoyl moiety with an optimal bulkiness electron‐deficient phenyl ring is associated with improved activity. This study is the first to discover the antimigratory and anti‐invasive activities of oleanolic acid and analogues through targeting the Brk/Paxillin/Rac1 axis.
Computer‐Aided Drug Discovery Approach Finds Calcium Sensitizer of Cardiac Troponin
Authors: Lindert Steffen , Li Monica X. , Sykes Brian D. , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: June 2014

In the fight against heart failure, therapeutics that have the ability to increase the contractile power of the heart are urgently needed. One possible route of action to improve heart contractile power is increasing the calcium sensitivity of the thin filament. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, calcium sensitizers have the distinct advantage of not altering cardiomyocyte calcium levels and thus have lower potential for side‐effects. Small chemical molecules have been shown to bind to the interface between cTnC and the cTnI switch peptide and exhibit calcium‐sensitizing properties, possibly by stabilizing cTnC in an open conformation. Building on existing structural data of a known calcium sensitizer bound to cardiac troponin, we combined computational structure‐based virtual screening drug discovery methods and solution NMR titration assays to identify a novel calcium sensitizer 4‐(4‐(2,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐1‐piperazinyl)‐3‐pyridinamine (NSC147866) which binds to cTnC and the cTnC‐cTnI147–163 complex. Its presence increases the affinity of switch peptide to cTnC by approximately a factor of two. This action is comparable to that of known levosimendan analogues.
Testing for germline mutations in sporadic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: a systematic review
Authors: Brito Juan P. , Asi Noor , Bancos Irina , Gionfriddo Michael R. , Zeballos‐Palacios Claudia L. , Leppin Aaron L. , Undavalli Chaitanya , Wang Zhen , Domecq Juan P. , Prustsky Gabriela , Elraiyah Tarig A. , Prokop Larry J. , Montori Victor M. , Murad Mohammad H.
Published: June 2014

Background

The presence of germline mutations in sporadic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (SPPs) may change the clinical management of both index patients and their family members. However, the frequency of germline mutations in SPPs is unknown.

Objective

To describe the frequency of germline mutations in SPPs and to determine the value of testing index patients and their family members for these mutations.

Methods

We searched databases through June 2012 for observational studies of patients with SPPs who underwent germline genetic testing. The criteria used to define sporadic tumours were (i) the absence of a family history of PCC/PG, (ii) the absence of syndromic features, (iii) the absence of bilateral disease and (iv) the absence of metastatic disease.

Results

We included 31 studies including 5031 patients (mean age 44). These patients received tests for any of these ten mutations: SDHAF2, RET, SDHD, SDHB, SDHC, VHL, TMEM127, MAX, Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutation (IDH) and NF1. The overall frequency of germline mutation in SPP was 551 of 5031 or 11%; when studies with patients fulfilling four criteria for sporadic tumours were used, the frequency was 171 of 1332 or 13%. The most common germline mutation was SDHB 167 of 3611 (4·6%). Little outcome data were available to assess the benefits of genetic testing in index cases and family members.

Conclusions

The frequency of germline mutations in SPPs is approximately 11–13% and the most common mutations affect less than 1 in 20 patients. The value of testing for germline mutations in patients with SPPs and their family members is unknown, as the balance of potential benefits and harms remains unclear.
A Projective Framework for Polyhedral Mesh Modelling
Authors: Vaxman Amir
Published: June 2014

We present a novel framework for polyhedral mesh editing with face‐based projective maps that preserves planarity by definition. Such meshes are essential in the field of architectural design and rationalization. By using homogeneous coordinates to describe vertices, we can parametrize the entire shape space of planar‐preserving deformations with bilinear equations. The generality of this space allows for polyhedral geometric processing methods to be conducted with ease. We demonstrate its usefulness in planar‐quadrilateral mesh subdivision, a resulting multi‐resolution editing algorithm, and novel shape‐space exploration with prescribed transformations. Furthermore, we show that our shape space is a discretization of a continuous space of conjugate‐preserving projective transformation fields on surfaces. Our shape space directly addresses planar‐quad meshes, on which we put a focus, and we further show that our framework naturally extends to meshes with faces of more than four vertices as well.
Managing Spatial Selections With Contextual Snapshots
Authors: Mindek P. , Gröller M. E. , Bruckner S.
Published: June 2014

Spatial selections are a ubiquitous concept in visualization. By localizing particular features, they can be analysed and compared in different views. However, the semantics of such selections often depend on specific parameter settings and it can be difficult to reconstruct them without additional information. In this paper, we present the concept of contextual snapshots as an effective means for managing spatial selections in visualized data. The selections are automatically associated with the context in which they have been created. Contextual snapshots can also be used as the basis for interactive integrated and linked views, which enable in‐place investigation and comparison of multiple visual representations of data. Our approach is implemented as a flexible toolkit with well‐defined interfaces for integration into existing systems. We demonstrate the power and generality of our techniques by applying them to several distinct scenarios such as the visualization of simulation data, the analysis of historical documents and the display of anatomical data.
Epilepsy following neonatal hypoglycaemia – a spectrum of severity
Authors: Chan Samantha
Published: June 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Fong and Harvey on pages 1093–1099 of this issue.
Neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy: what lies ahead?
Authors: Colditz Paul
Published: June 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Natarajan et al. on pages 1052–1058 of this issue.
Computer‐based analysis of general movements reveals stereotypies predicting cerebral palsy
Authors: Pierrat Véronique
Published: June 2014

This commentary is on the original article of Philippi et al. on pages 960–967 of this issue.
Correlation between interaction strengths drives stability in large ecological networks
Authors: Tang Si , Pawar Samraat , Allesina Stefano
Published: June 2014

Food webs have markedly non‐random network structure. Ecologists maintain that this non‐random structure is key for stability, since large random ecological networks would invariably be unstable and thus should not be observed empirically. Here we show that a simple yet overlooked feature of natural food webs, the correlation between the effects of consumers on resources and those of resources on consumers, substantially accounts for their stability. Remarkably, random food webs built by preserving just the distribution and correlation of interaction strengths have stability properties similar to those of the corresponding empirical systems. Surprisingly, we find that the effect of topological network structure on stability, which has been the focus of countless studies, is small compared to that of correlation. Hence, any study of the effects of network structure on stability must first take into account the distribution and correlation of interaction strengths.
Mother Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Alter Their Antipredator Behavior in the Presence of Neonates
Authors: Hoss Shannon K. , Clark Rulon W.
Published: June 2014

Neonate‐directed care is rare in non‐avian reptiles, but female pitvipers attend their young for a period of time after birth. One of the primary functions of parental care is the protection of offspring from predators, and parents of diverse taxa are able to modulate their antipredator behavior in the presence of offspring. To test the hypothesis that the antipredator behavior of post‐parturient pitvipers is altered during neonate attendance, we conducted behavioral trials on female cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in which we measured female response to a simulated predator encounter. Cottonmouths were divided into three treatment groups: (1) post‐parturient, attending neonates; (2) post‐parturient, not attending neonates; and (3) non‐reproductive. All females were subjected to a second trial approximately 3 wk later, when females in Group 1 were no longer attending neonates. When mothers were attending offspring, they were more hesitant to engage the predator and exhibited more warning than aggressive behaviors once they did, relative to non‐attending and non‐reproductive females. When these same mothers were no longer attending offspring, they significantly increased their antipredator behavior by engaging the predator quickly and displaying more aggressive than warning behaviors. This change in behavior was not observed in post‐parturient females who did not have neonates present during either trial, nor was it observed in non‐reproductive females, indicating that the presence of neonates directly affected the antipredator behavior of attending females. We discuss hypotheses concerning the possible adaptive value of reduced antipredator behavior in female pitvipers attending neonates.
Putting the “Family” Back Into Family Therapy
Authors: Breunlin Douglas C. , Jacobsen Elizabeth
Published: June 2014

In this article, we examine the field of family therapy by drawing a distinction between two forms of practice: Whole Family Therapy (WFT), defined as treating the whole family, and Relational Family Therapy (RFT), defined as working with a subsystem of the family or an individual while retaining a systemic lens. Our thesis is that the practice of WFT has been in decline for some time and steps must be taken to keep it from becoming a defunct practice. We consider the trajectory of WFT and RFT throughout the development of family therapy through reference to the people, the literature, training, and practice patterns associated with family therapy. We remind the reader of the many benefits of WFT and suggest that today WFT is likely to be practiced in conjunction with RFT and individual therapy. Since training of family therapists today is largely located in degree‐granting programs, we identify constraints to including WFT in such programs. We conclude by offering suggestions that can enhance a program's ability to train students in WFT.