bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding women's collegiate volleyball spectators from the perspectives of sociodemographics, market demand and consumption level
Authors: Zapalac Ryan K , Zhang James J , Pease Dale G
Published: February 2016

There are few studies examining the marketing characteristics of intercollegiate women's volleyball spectators. The purpose of this paper is to examine intercollegiate women's volleyball spectators from the perspectives of sociodemographics, market demand and consumption. Spectators (N=265) from seven intercollegiate women's volleyball games at three National Collegiate Athlete Association Division-I universities participated in the study. The findings indicate that there is a need to emphasise the market demand factors when marketing intercollegiate women's volleyball games.
The role of gratitude in sponsorship: the case of participant sports
Authors: Kim Yu Kyoum , Smith Robert , James Jeffrey D
Published: February 2016

This paper proposes a framework that focuses on instilling feelings of gratitude within consumers. Participant sports events are often funded largely by sponsorship revenues, and their consumer base is considered to represent an identifiably unique market. These conditions are argued to be favourable for integrating a gratitude framework. A model is presented that depicts gratitude as a mediating mechanism within a reciprocal relationship between the sponsor and the consumers. It includes purchase intentions as the behavioural outcome of gratitude. The findings suggest
that incorporating feelings of gratitude may prove to be advantageous for potential sponsors within the participant sports industry.
Sponsorship: associating image attributes with specific sports and particular teams
Authors: Tribou Gary
Published: February 2016

This paper examines different means of associating image attributes in sport. The findings reveal that an attribute strongly associated with a specific sport can have almost no association with the sponsor, and vice-versa. Conversely, a low profile attribute can have a strong reference to the sponsor.
Acceptance of sports websites: a conceptual model
Authors: Hur Youngjin , Ko Yong Jae , Claussen Cathryn L
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study is to develop a Sport Website Acceptance Model (SWAM) based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM; Davis, 1989). To better explain sports fans' decision-making processes in using sports websites, we incorporated salient consumer variables as sports involvement and psychological commitment and added trustworthiness and enjoyment to the TAM. The paper concludes with implications for future research and for application to online sports business.
Creative strategies of Super Bowl commercials 2001-2009: an analysis of message strategies
Authors: Kim Kihan , Cheong Yunjae
Published: February 2016

This study employs creative strategies to contentanalyse Super Bowl commercials from 2001 to 2009, focusing specifically on message strategies. The findings aim to answer four research questions. What are the message strategies commonly employed in Super Bowl commercials? What are the trends of the message strategies employed in Super Bowl commercials over time? What are the relationships between the message strategies and the commercial likeability? What are the specific roles played by the high- vs. low-involvement product categories?
The influences of perceived brand quality and ethnocentrism on consumption patterns of a global sports brand: the case of Korean college students
Authors: Pyun Do Young , Kwon Hyungil H , Lee Chul-Won
Published: February 2016

This study assessed the mediation effect of perceived brand quality and the moderation effect of consumer ethnocentric tendency in the proposed consumption model of a global sports brand. The English Premier League was selected as a global sports brand and four hypotheses were established to explain how consumers' perceived brand globalness affected their watching intention. Data were collected from 302 collegians in Republic of Korea. Results showed that perceived brand quality partially mediated the relationship between perceived brand globalness and watching intention, and ethnocentrism played a moderating role. The findings contribute to our understanding of consumption activities of global sport brands.
Road cycling event preferences for racing cyclists
Authors: Larson Daniel J. , Won Doyeon
Published: February 2016

Despite persistent levels of participation in cycling, little research has been undertaken in the context of competitive cycling event management and marketing. This study explored participant preferences using conjoint measurement and plausible market segmentations. Results of the survey conducted at three southeastern US cycling events (N=199) suggest that travel distance has primacy across nearly all segment groups and differences in recreational specialisation in cycling are reflected among other preferred event attributes.
Chinese fandom and potential marketing strategies for expanding the market for American professional sports into China
Authors: Kaplan Sam , Langdon Su
Published: February 2016

As the global economy expands, it would seem to be in the interests of the major professional sport leagues of the US to move into new markets, especially China, one of the fastest growing and largest in the world. In order to sell effectively in this market, it is vital to gain an understanding of the potential fan base. To explore national differences in fandom, a survey was completed by sports fans in both China and the US to assess which sports participants followed and which media they used, to identify fan motives and their feelings about expansion. This study determined that there are clear differences between Chinese and Americans. While many of the Chinese were fans of American sports, they tended to follow individual athletes rather than teams and had relatively low fan identity but high levels of fan motivation. Motives also varied by country, with aesthetics and affiliation the primary motives among the Chinese sample. These distinctions can be utilised to create marketing strategies.
Fan participation behaviour in baseball: an application of the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Cheng Chih-Fu , Chen Lung Hung , Chen Mei-Yen , Lu Wan-Chen
Published: February 2016

Watching sporting events is a popular leisure activity. However, in the context of sports marketing, little is known about the mechanism that determines fans' game-attending behaviour. This study aims to investigate fan participation in the context of baseball, using the theory of planned behaviour. The 623 subjects of this study were recruited from the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. The structural equation indicates that attitude and perceived behavioural control will have an influence on gameattending behaviour through behavioural intention. However, subjective norms do not significantly predict behavioural intention, nor do perceived behavioural
controls significantly predict game-attending behaviour. The results are discussed in terms of their applicability
to fan behaviour.
Value creation: assessing the relationships between quality, consumption value and behavioural intentions at sporting events
Authors: Yoshida Masayuki , James Jeffrey D , Cronin J. Joseph
Published: February 2016

Throughout this study, the authors sought to identify the antecedents and consequences of a multi-dimensional consumption-value construct. Data were collected from sports spectators in Japan (n=372) and the United States (n=396). The results indicate that three quality dimensions (functional, technical and aesthetic quality) have a significant impact on their respective value dimensions in the context of sporting events. Moreover, the constructs of entertainment and community prestige have positive effects on customers' behavioural
intentions.
How fit connects service brand sponsors with consumers' passions for sponsored events
Authors: Lacey Russell , Close Angeline G
Published: February 2016

Given the strong interest among services marketing practitioners in sponsoring events, this study illustrates how events and sponsorships synergistically facilitate and deepen consumer relationships by connecting service brands with consumers' passions. Structural equation modeling is used to test a congruity theory-based
framework via a field study conducted at a professional cycling event. The tested model holds for two service
brands operating at different levels of sponsorship. The results demonstrate how the combination of consumers' attitudes toward the event, knowledge of the sponsor brand and their level of activity in the event domain
influence their assessments of event-sponsor fit. Interestingly, the findings indicate that, in the context of a
community-based sports event, the title sponsor did not experience any discernable advantage of sponsorship,
despite its elevated position as a sponsor and higher brand equity.
Examining the effects of team identification, e-service quality (e-SQ) and satisfaction on intention to revisit sports websites
Authors: Suh Young Ik , Ahn Taesoo , Pedersen Paul M
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual model for identifying the factors of e-service quality (e-SQ) and for investigating the impact of team identification, e-SQ and satisfaction on behavioural intention
to revisit sports websites. The proposed conceptual framework includes five service quality factors of sports websites (usability, privacy, reliability, information, appearance). Based on the previous literature in
the areas of e-SQ and team identification, this study attempts to develop a model to better understand the relationships between each construct. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) results with a convenience
sample of 409 college students reveal that team identification has a positive and significant effect on e-SQ,
satisfaction and revisitation. In addition, satisfaction is found to be a mediator between e-SQ and revisitation.
The role of sports brands in niche sports subcultures
Authors: Schwarzenberger Veronika , Hyde Kenneth
Published: February 2016

This study investigates the role that sports brands play in building group identity within a niche sports subculture, via research from two different trail running events. Participants exhibit some of the characteristics of an activity-based subculture of consumption, and brands play a role in building group identity. A key factor that drives a serious leisure pursuit to become an activity-based subculture of consumption is identified as
high levels of socialising among participants.
The impact of acculturation and ethnic identity on American football identification and consumption among Asians in the United States
Authors: Ha Jae-Pil , Hums Mary A , Greenwell Chris T
Published: February 2016

This study examines the effect of four acculturation strategies (integration, assimilation, separation and marginalisation) on identification with and
consumption of American football for the Asian population in the United States. Using Berry's (1990, 1997) bi-dimensional model of acculturation as a theoretical framework, significant differences (based on the four acculturation strategies) between football identification and consumption were found. In addition, this study examines the relationships between acculturation, ethnic identity, identification with, and consumption of, the sport among the Asian population. The results indicate that acculturation plays a significant role in explaining participants' identification with, and consumption of, the sport, whereas ethnic identity does not.
Self-congruence theory: towards a greater understanding of the global and malleable selves in a sports specific consumption context
Authors: Plewa Carolin , Palmer Karen
Published: February 2016

This paper proposes - through the integration of self-congruence, brand personality, sponsorship and sports spectator behaviour literatures - a conceptual framework to extend our current understanding of self-congruence in specific consumption situations. Initial empirical results support the proposed framework which shows that self-congruence based consumers' orientation towards sports and brand personality is positively associated with sponsorship outcomes.
Cost performance of Italian football clubs: analysing the role of marketing and sponsorship
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana , Scafarto Vincenzo , Samagaio António
Published: February 2016

This paper analyses the cost efficiency of Italian football clubs using a stochastic frontier model. The frontier estimation confirmed that the model fits the data well with all coefficients correctly signed and in line with the theoretical requirements. Marketing and Sponsorship is taken into account as an explanatory variable and the factors which contributed to these findings, as well as other policy implications, are provided.
Customer productivity in technology-based self-service of virtual golf simulators
Authors: Kim Taehee , Seo Hyomin , Cheol Kim Min , Chang Kyungro
Published: February 2016

Boosting productivity in the service sector is a key priority for promoting long-term growth. To have customers perform certain tasks normally undertaken by employees is an important means to improving productivity. Technological innovation has influenced business practices for several decades and many service firms, including sports service firms, are now utilising technology extensively to reduce the use of labour. This study investigates how the user's perception of technology-based self-service (TBSS)affects customer productivity and how the customer productivity evaluated by TBSS influences the customer's intentions to reuse in relation to a virtual golf simulator - a successful and seriously played game in Korea.
Young consumers' exposure to alcohol sponsorship in sport
Authors: Kelly Sarah , Ireland Michael , Alpert Frank , Mangan John
Published: February 2016

Two studies were undertaken with the aim of determining the nature and prevalence of exposure to alcohol sponsorship communications associated with sport. Study 1 reports a content analysis of alcohol sponsors' leveraging across popular sporting events. Study 2 examines alcohol sponsors' activation in social media. A high proportion of alcohol sponsorship messages containing content appealing to young adult drinkers are revealed across multiple media. Events and policy implications are addressed.
The influence of title sponsorships in sports events on stock price returns
Authors: Kudo Masaki , Jae Ko Yong , Walker Matthew , Connaughton Daniel P
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine stock price abnormal returns following title sponsorship announcement and event date of NASCAR, the PGA Tour, and the LPGA Tour. For this purpose, the authors used event study analysis where the analysis measures the impact that a specific event has on stock prices by comparing actual stock returns to estimated returns (Spais & Filis, 2008). An event study analysis demonstrated that title sponsors for the LPGA Tour and NASCAR garnered significant stock price increases on both the announcement date and the event date. The moderator tests suggested that high image congruence and high-technology related sponsorships assumed a key role in stock price increases.
How price bundling affects football ticket purchases and consumption behaviour
Authors: Sampaio Claudio Hoffmann , Sordi Jefferson Dobner , Perin Marcelo Gattermann
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the transaction decoupling phenomenon in purchase and consumption of football match tickets. The theoretical approach describes several economical constructs behind individual decision-making behaviour, including sunk costs, mental accounting and coupling. Results indicate that people who buy bundled tickets are less likely to use their tickets than those who purchase individual ones. Furthermore, the phenomenon proved to be a valid theory in an actual Brazilian football ticket purchase and consumption scenario, confirming that rational elements can also be part of sports consumption. Thus, it can be stated that the type of purchase (bundle or single tickets) influences consumer decision-making.
Is violence used to promote Mixed Martial Arts?
Authors: Greenwell T. Christopher , Thorn Dustin , Simmons Jason
Published: February 2016

This study examines how Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events are marketed in order to understand the role of violence in promoting events. Researchers examined 134 pieces of promotional artwork and 57 promotional news releases by MMA organisations across North America, Asia and Europe and found that 18 (13.4%) pieces of promotional artwork used violent text or imagery. Violent text was found in 12 (21%) of the 57 news releases. Violence was typically limited to smaller or European organisations. Results illustrate an evolution of the sport, suggesting violence may no longer be necessary to promote events.
Segmenting the spectators of national team sports: the case of a pre-competition match
Authors: Hautbois Christopher , Bouchet Patrick
Published: February 2016

It has become common for academics and sports marketing professionals to study and explain the heterogeneity and complexity of sports spectators' behaviours and attitudes, with numerous works addressing this topic But these surveys are more about fans of professional sports clubs (soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, etc) who attend regular season games in their favourite teams' home stadium or arena. To our knowledge, very few studies have been conducted into spectators of national teams. It is these spectators who are of the focus of this paper.
Event-specific ambush marketing legislation for mega-sporting events: an economics perspective
Authors: McKelvey Steve , Longley Neil
Published: February 2016

The bid process for hosting mega global sporting events mandates the enactment of event-specific
ambush marketing legislation that provides extraordinary trademark law protections for private
sports organisations and their official sponsors. Such event-specific ambush marketing legislation, or ESAML,
has come under increasing scrutiny by academics and practitioners who question, among other things, the
need for such legislation. One of the major areas of concern has become the potential social cost of such
legislation that includes restrictions on free speech and curbs on marketplace competition. We apply economic
theory as a means to explain why governments have been so willing to enact such legislation.
Diel movement patterns influence daily variation in wolf kill rates on moose
Authors: Vander Vennen Lucas M. , Patterson Brent R. , Rodgers Arthur R. , Moffatt Scott , Anderson Morgan L. , Fryxell John M.
Published: February 2016

Variation in predation can have important consequences for predators and prey, but little is known about associated mechanisms. Diel interactions between predators and prey are commonly assumed to be influenced by movement speeds of both predators and prey individuals,sensuthe ideal gas model, but the influencing factors of diel predation dynamics have yet to be empirically examined.

In this study, we apply principles of the ideal gas model to predict diel variation in kill frequency of moose (Alces alces) by wolves (Canis lupus) in northern Ontario, Canada based onGPSradio‐telemetry data combined with field verification of kills.

We usedGPStelemetry data from wolves and moose combined with a unique data set on the diel pattern of wolf kills to test whether predator movement rate, prey movement rate, and ambient light condition influence diel variation in kill rates of wolves on moose.

Our results indicate that the kill rate between wolves and moose was principally related to the effective movement rate of predators and prey, as predicted by the ideal gas model. We found little evidence that light conditions had any effect on kill rates, but rather the majority of kill rate variation corresponded to wolf movement rate, which was over an order of magnitude higher than that of moose.
High‐Deductible Health Plans: Implications for Substance Use Treatment
Authors: Parthasarathy Sujaya , Campbell Cynthia I.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To examine whether high‐deductible health plans are related to patient complexity, health services use, and medical care costs among substance use treatment patients.

Data Source/Study Setting

Electronic health record data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California; 2007–2011.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of electronic health record data of substance use treatment patients (N = 31,001). We examined relationship of patient demographics, health comorbidities, and services use and cost to deductible level: none, low ($1–$999), and high (≥$1,000).

Methods

Demographic, membership, diagnostic, and utilization data were merged with cost data. Utilization and costs were summarized into 6‐month intervals. Generalized estimation methods for repeated measures with logistic, Poisson, and linear regression were used.

Principal Findings

Substance use patients with deductible plans were younger and had less comorbidity than those without deductibles. Patients with high deductibles had lower emergency room and hospital use 12‐ to 6‐month pretreatment, but rates became similar to other groups in the 6 months immediately prior to treatment; treatment costs were similar.

Conclusion

Immediately prior to entering treatment, substance use patients with and without high deductibles have similar patterns of health services utilization. We discuss implications for health policy and treatment, particularly in an era of health reform.
Economic and Sociological Correlates of Suicides: Multilevel Analysis of the Time Series Data in the United Kingdom
Authors: Sun Bruce Qiang , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2016

For the effects of social integration on suicides, there have been different and even contradictive conclusions. In this study, the selected economic and social risks of suicide for different age groups and genders in the United Kingdom were identified and the effects were estimated by the multilevel time series analyses. To our knowledge, there exist no previous studies that estimated a dynamic model of suicides on the time series data together with multilevel analysis and autoregressive distributed lags. The investigation indicated that unemployment rate, inflation rate, and divorce rate are all significantly and positively related to the national suicide rates in the United Kingdom from 1981 to 2011. Furthermore, the suicide rates of almost all groups above 40 years are significantly associated with the risk factors of unemployment and inflation rate, in comparison with the younger groups.
Improved control of childhood asthma with low‐dose, short‐term vitamin D supplementation: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Tachimoto H. , Mezawa H. , Segawa T. , Akiyama N. , Ida H. , Urashima M.
Published: February 2016

Background

In our prior randomized trial on preventing influenza, asthma attacks as a secondary outcome occurred less often in the vitamin D group than in the placebo group. We aimed to clarify whether low‐dose, short‐term vitamin D supplementation, in addition to standard treatments, improves control of childhood asthma.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial comparing vitamin D3 supplements (800 IU/day) with placebo for 2 months in schoolchildren with asthma. The primary outcomes were frequency and severity of asthma judging from changes in asthma control levels defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) by collaborating doctors at 2 and 6 months.

Results

Japanese schoolchildren with asthma (n = 89) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D (n = 54) or placebo (n = 35). At 2 months, GINA asthma control was significantly more improved in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.015). Childhood asthma control test (CACT) scores, a secondary outcome, were also significantly (P = 0.004) improved in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group at 2 months, and differences remained significant (P = 0.012) at 6 months. The proportion of patients with a peak expiratory flow rate <80% predicted was significantly less in the vitamin D group (8/54: 15%) than in the placebo group (12/35: 34%) at 6 months (P = 0.032).

Conclusions

Low‐dose, short‐term vitamin D supplementation in addition to standard treatment may improve levels of asthma control in schoolchildren.
Evidence of quaternary transtensional tectonics in the Nekor basin (NE Morocco)
Authors: Lafosse Manfred , d'Acremont Elia , Rabaute Alain , Mercier de Lépinay Bernard , Tahayt Abdelilah , Ammar Abdellah , Gorini Christian
Published: February 2016

The geodynamic processes in the western Mediterranean are driven by both deep (mantle) processes such as slab‐rollback or delamination, oblique plate convergence and inherited structures. The present‐day deformation of the Alboran Sea and in particular the Nekor basin area is linked to these coeval effects. The seismically active Nekor basin is an extensional basin formed in a convergent setting at the eastern part of the Rif Chain whose boundaries extend both onshore and offshore Morocco. We propose a new structural model of the Nekor basin based on high‐resolution offshore data compiled from recent seismic reflection profiles, swath bathymetry acquisitions and industrial seismic reflection profiles. The new data set shows that the northern limit of the basin is oriented N49° with right‐stepping faults from the Bousekkour–Aghbal fault to the sinistral Bokkoya fault zone. This pattern indicates the presence of an inherited left‐lateral basement fault parallel to the major inherited Nekor fault. This fault has been interpreted as a Quaternary active left‐lateral transfer fault localized on weak structural discontinuities inherited from the orogenic period. Onshore and offshore active faults enclose a rhombohedral tectonic Nekor Basin. Normal faults oriented N155° offset the most recent Quaternary deposits in the Nekor basin, and indicate the transtensional behaviour of this basin. The geometry of these faults suggests a likely rollover structure and the presence at depth of a crustal detachment. Inactive Plio‐Quaternary normal faults to the east of the Ras Tarf promontory and geometries of depocentres seem to indicate the migration of deformation from east to west. The local orientations of horizontal stress directions deduced from normal fault orientations are compatible with the extrusion of the Rifian units and coherent with the westward rollback of the Tethyan slab and the localization of the present‐day slab detachment or delamination.
Movement Behavior of Native and Invasive Small Mammals Shows Logging May Facilitate Invasion in a Tropical Rain Forest
Authors: Loveridge Robin , Wearn Oliver R. , Vieira Marcus , Bernard Henry , Ewers Robert M.
Published: February 2016

Invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. This study investigates the extent to which human disturbance to natural ecosystems facilitates the spread of non‐native species, focusing on a small mammal community in selectively logged rain forest, Sabah, Borneo. The microhabitat preferences of the invasive Rattus rattus and three native species of small mammal were examined in three‐dimensional space by combining the spool‐and‐line technique with a novel method for quantifying fine‐scale habitat selection. These methods allowed the detection of significant differences for each species between the microhabitats used compared with alternative, available microhabitats that were avoided. Rattus rattus showed the greatest preference for heavily disturbed habitats, and in contrast to two native small mammals of the genus Maxomys, R. rattus showed high levels of arboreal behavior, frequently leaving the forest floor and traveling through the understory and midstory forest strata. This behavior may enable R. rattus to effectively utilize the complex three‐dimensional space of the lower strata in degraded forests, which is characterized by dense vegetation. The behavioral flexibility of R. rattus to operate in both terrestrial and arboreal space may facilitate its invasion into degraded forests. Human activities that generate heavily disturbed habitats preferred by R. rattus may promote the establishment of this invasive species in tropical forests in Borneo, and possibly elsewhere. We present this as an example of a synergistic effect, whereby forest disturbance directly threatens biodiversity and indirectly increases the threat posed by invasive species, creating habitat conditions that facilitate the establishment of non‐native fauna.
Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor Ligands and Their Role in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Yousefi Bahman , Samadi Nasser , Baradaran Behzad , Shafiei‐Irannejad Vahid , Zarghami Nosratollah
Published: February 2016

Imatinib therapy remains the gold standard for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia; however, the acquired resistance to this therapeutic agent in patients has urged the scientists to devise modalities for overcoming this chemoresistance. For this purpose, initially therapeutic agents with higher tyrosine kinase activity were introduced, which had the potential for inhibiting even mutant forms of Bcr‐Abl. Furthermore, coupling imatinib with peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor ligands also showed beneficial effects in chronic myeloid leukemia cell proliferation. These combination protocols inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis as well as differentiation in chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines. In addition, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors ligands increased imatinib uptake by upregulating the expression of human organic cation transporter 1. Taken together, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors ligands are currently being considered as novel promising therapeutic candidates for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment, because they can synergistically enhance the efficacy of imatinib. In this article, we reviewed the potential of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors ligands for use in chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. The mechanism of action of these therapeutics modalities are also presented in detail.
Children Increase Their Sensitivity to a Speaker's Nonlinguistic Cues Following a Communicative Breakdown
Authors: Yow W. Quin , Markman Ellen M.
Published: February 2016

Bilingual children regularly face communicative challenges when speakers switch languages. To cope with such challenges, children may attempt to discern a speaker's communicative intent, thereby heightening their sensitivity to nonverbal communicative cues. Two studies examined whether such communication breakdowns increase sensitivity to nonverbal cues. English‐speaking monolingual (n = 64) and bilingual (n = 54) 3‐ to 4‐year‐olds heard instructions in either English only or English mixed with a foreign language. Later, children played a hiding game that relied on nonverbal cues. Hearing a foreign language switch improved both monolingual and bilingual children's use of these cues. Moreover, bilinguals with more prior code‐switching exposure outperformed those with less prior code‐switching exposure. Children's short‐term strategies to repair communication breakdowns may evolve into a more generalizable set of skills.
Contemporary retinal imaging techniques in diabetic retinopathy: a review
Authors: Cole Emily Dawn , Novais Eduardo Amorim , Louzada Ricardo Noguera , Waheed Nadia K
Published: February 2016

Over the last decade, there has been an expansion of imaging modalities available to clinicians to diagnose and monitor the treatment and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Recently, advances in image technologies related to OCT and OCT angiography have enabled improved visualization and understanding of this disease. In this review, we will describe the use of imaging techniques such as colour fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, infrared reflectance imaging, OCT, OCT‐Angiography and techniques in adaptive optics and hyperspectral imaging in the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy.
Consistent Partial Matching of Shape Collections via Sparse Modeling
Authors: Cosmo L. , Rodolà E. , Albarelli A. , Mémoli F. , Cremers D.
Published: February 2016

Recent efforts in the area of joint object matching approach the problem by taking as input a set of pairwise maps, which are then jointly optimized across the whole collection so that certain accuracy and consistency criteria are satisfied. One natural requirement is cycle‐consistency—namely the fact that map composition should give the same result regardless of the path taken in the shape collection. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to obtain consistent matches without requiring initial pairwise solutions to be given as input. We do so by optimizing a joint measure of metric distortion directly over the space of cycle‐consistent maps; in order to allow for partially similar and extra‐class shapes, we formulate the problem as a series of quadratic programs with sparsity‐inducing constraints, making our technique a natural candidate for analysing collections with a large presence of outliers. The particular form of the problem allows us to leverage results and tools from the field of evolutionary game theory. This enables a highly efficient optimization procedure which assures accurate and provably consistent solutions in a matter of minutes in collections with hundreds of shapes.
microRNA‐497 inhibits invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor‐A
Authors: Qiu Yanyan , Yu Hui , Shi Xiaojing , Xu Ke , Tang Qingfeng , Liang Bo , Hu Songjiao , Bao Yijie , Xu Jianhua , Cai Jie , Peng Wen , Cao Qin , Yin Peihao
Published: February 2016

Objectives

microRNAs (miRNAs), are non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, and are involved in tumour development. The aim of this study was to investigate microRNA‐497 (miR‐497) expression and its role in development of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials and methods

RT‐PCR was performed to detect expression of miR‐497 in CRC cell lines (HCT8, LOVO, Ls‐174, HCT116 and HT29) and in clinical cancer specimens. To further understand its role, we restored expression of miR‐497 in the HCT116 cell line by transfection with miR‐497 mimics or inhibitors. Effects of miR‐497 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion of targets were also determined both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

miR‐497 expression decreased in 34 CRC tissues compared to non‐tumour tissues and in tumour cell lines. Overexpression of miR‐497 did not inhibit cancer cell growth but suppressed metastasis and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) was confirmed to be a target of miR‐497. Furthermore, we found overexpression of miR‐497 altered expression of key molecules of the VEGF‐A/ERK/MMP‐9 signalling pathway.

Conclusions

Thus our results provide evidence that miR‐497 might function as a metastasis suppressor in CRC. Targeting miR‐497 may provide a strategy for blocking its metastasis.
Inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion by a glioma‐targeted fusion protein combining the p53 C terminus and MDM2‐binding domain
Authors: Yu Jiawen , Guo Meihua , Wang Ting , Li Xiang , Wang Dan , Wang Xinying , Zhang Qian , Wang Liang , Zhang Yang , Zhao Chunhui , Feng Bin
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop multifunctional fusion proteins for targeting and delivering therapy elements into glioma cells.

Materials and methods

Multifunctional fusion proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using Ni‐NTA resin affinity chromatography. Human glioma cells and primary astrocytes were used to analyse their functions. Targeting proteins location to glioma cells was observed by confocal microscopy. Effects of cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8 and colony formation assays. Glioma cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell assays, and apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry. In addition, changes in expression of proteins related to the cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by Western blotting.

Results

The protein with highest bioactivity was GL1‐riHA2‐p53c+m‐TAT (GHPc+mT), which combines glioma‐targeting peptide GL1 (G), and C terminus (Pc) and mouse double minute domains (Pm) of p53, with the destabilizing lipid membrane peptide riHA2 (H) and cell‐penetrating peptide TAT (T). The purified fusion protein was stable in cell culture medium and specifically targeted, and was internalized by, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐overexpressing glioma cells (U87ΔEGFR). It inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while flow cytometric analysis showed increased apoptosis. In addition, GHPc+mT caused significant changes in expression of proteins related to the cell cycle and apoptosis.

Conclusion

GHPc+mT is a multifunctional protein combining targeting, inhibition of glioma cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, providing some potential to be developed into an effective protein drug delivery system for glioma therapy.
Donor positive blood culture is associated with delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients: a propensity score analysis of the UNOS database
Authors: Huaman Moises A. , Vilchez Valery , Mei Xiaonan , Davenport Daniel , Gedaly Roberto
Published: February 2016

Background

The effect of blood culture positive donor (BCPD) on delayed graft function (DGF) in kidney transplant recipients has not been well established.

Methods

We retrieved data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry on all adults who underwent primary, single organ deceased‐donor kidney transplantation in US between 2008 and 2013. Patients were classified in two cohorts: the BCPD cohort and the non‐BCPD cohort. We used propensity scores for 1:1 matching of BCPD and non‐BCPD cohorts. DGF, graft and patient survival at one yr were compared between cohorts using multivariable logistic and Cox regression models. DGF was defined as requiring dialysis within the first week post‐transplant.

Results

There were 4126 (8.1%) recipients of BCPD during the study period. DGF was associated with BCPD (aOR; 1.15, 95% CI 1.07–1.24). This association was maintained in the propensity‐score matched analysis (p < 0.01). No association was found between BCPD and graft survival (aHR; 1.01, 95% CI, 0.92–1.09) or patient survival (aHR; 0.92, 95% CI, 0.82–1.04).

Conclusion

Blood culture positive donor was associated with DGF but did not impact graft or patient survival in deceased‐donor kidney transplants. This suggests a transient negative effect of BCPD that does not appear to translate into a more persistent deleterious outcome.
Pulmonary Edema Assessed by Ultrasound: Impact in Cardiology and Intensive Care Practice
Authors: Blanco Pablo A. , Cianciulli Tomás F.
Published: February 2016

Pulmonary edema is a frequent condition found in adult patients hospitalized in cardiology wards and intensive care units. Ultrasonography is a diagnostic modality with a high sensitivity for the detection of extravascular lung water, visualized as B lines, and usually caused by cardiogenic or noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. This paper highlights a simple method for the assessment of patients with pulmonary edema, which allows for a differential diagnosis of its possible mechanism and contributes to therapeutic intervention guiding and monitoring.
International recommendation for a comprehensive neuropathologic workup of epilepsy surgery brain tissue: A consensus Task Force report from the ILAE Commission on Diagnostic Methods
Authors: Blümcke Ingmar , Aronica Eleonora , Miyata Hajime , Sarnat Harvey B. , Thom Maria , Roessler Karl , Rydenhag Bertil , Jehi Lara , Krsek Pavel , Wiebe Samuel , Spreafico Roberto
Published: February 2016

Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment in many patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsies. An early decision for surgical therapy is facilitated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—visible brain lesion congruent with the electrophysiologically abnormal brain region. Recent advances in the pathologic diagnosis and classification of epileptogenic brain lesions are helpful for clinical correlation, outcome stratification, and patient management. However, application of international consensus classification systems to common epileptic pathologies (e.g., focal cortical dysplasia [FCD] and hippocampal sclerosis [HS]) necessitates standardized protocols for neuropathologic workup of epilepsy surgery specimens. To this end, the Task Force of Neuropathology from the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Commission on Diagnostic Methods developed a consensus standard operational procedure for tissue inspection, distribution, and processing. The aims are to provide a systematic framework for histopathologic workup, meeting minimal standards and maximizing current and future opportunities for morphofunctional correlations and molecular studies for both clinical care and research. Whenever feasible, anatomically intact surgical specimens are desirable to enable systematic analysis in selective hippocampectomies, temporal lobe resections, and lesional or nonlesional neocortical samples. Correct orientation of sample and the sample's relation to neurophysiologically aberrant sites requires good communication between pathology and neurosurgical teams. Systematic tissue sampling of 5‐mm slabs along a defined anatomic axis and application of a limited immunohistochemical panel will ensure a reliable differential diagnosis of main pathologies encountered in epilepsy surgery.
Experimental Tests of the Function and Flexibility of Song Consistency in a Wild Bird
Authors: Taff Conor C. , Freeman‐Gallant Corey R.
Published: February 2016

Measures of bird song that capture aspects of motor performance, such as consistency, have become a major focus in understanding sexual selection on song. Despite accumulating evidence that consistency is related to reproductive success in many species, the relative importance of male–male interactions and female–male interactions is still unclear. We studied the function and flexibility of song consistency and song rate in common yellowthroat warblers (Geothlypis trichas). A previous study of this population found that song consistency—measured as the amount of variability within a bout of songs—was positively correlated with the likelihood of siring extrapair young. In this study, we conducted two experiments aimed at testing (1) the role of song consistency and rate in mediating male–male and male–female interactions and (2) whether song effort is flexibly adjusted to changes in social context. In the first experiment, we simulated a male territorial intrusion with song playbacks that varied in consistency and rate; focal males responded aggressively to playbacks, but their response did not differ with playback consistency or rate. In the second experiment, we presented focal males with a taxidermic female mount and female vocalizations; focal males approached the speaker, but continued to sing and did not perform the aggressive rattle vocalization observed during male encounters. Immediately after the simulated female encounter, focal males increased in song consistency. Taken together, our results are most consistent with the hypothesis that song consistency in common yellowthroats is primarily a female‐directed signal that is actively adjusted in response to rapidly changing social conditions.
Influence of the build orientation on the fatigue strength of EOS maraging steel produced by additive metal machine
Authors: Croccolo D. , De Agostinis M. , Fini S. , Olmi G. , Vranic A. , Ciric‐Kostic S.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a research dealing with the dependence of the fatigue strength of maraging steel parts, manufactured by direct selective laser sintering, on the production build orientation. Three sets of specimens have been manufactured according to the ISO 1143 Standard (2010) by EOSINT M280 additive manufacturing machine, with the following heat and mechanical treatments, in agreement with the recommendations by the material manufacturer and current literature. The expected outcomes are the Fatigue Limit values of the material and the maximum number of cycles observed at different stress levels for three different build orientations (three different angles, 0°, 45° and 90°, between the build direction and the longitudinal axis of the samples). The results have been processed and compared by statistical methods in order to determine the fatigue curves in the finite life domain and the fatigue limits, along with their confidence bands and intervals, and to investigate the significance of the build orientation factor.
Change, Choice, and Commercialization: Backpacker Routes in Southeast Asia
Authors: Hampton Mark P. , Hamzah Amran
Published: February 2016

Southeast Asia has the world's oldest and largest backpacker trails. This paper examines the geographies of such flows, drawing upon the largest survey to date of backpackers in Asia using qualitative research to survey the key changes from the 1970s to the 2000s. Backpacker trails have changed significantly and new routes have emerged including the “northern trail” (Bangkok–Cambodia–Vietnam–Laos). It is to be expected that routes change as backpackers constantly seek new places, pioneering for later mass tourism. However, this paper suggests that using institutionalization as a framework, these changing trails and backpacker “choices” can be seen as driven by growing commercialization and institutionalization. This then operates in combination with external variables (travel innovations—low cost airlines, and new transport networks); exogenous shock (political instability, terrorism); and growing regional competition from emerging destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
Dog ownership status and self‐assessed health, life‐style and habitual physical activity in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Kuban Magdalena , Królikowski Jerzy , Nowicki Michał
Published: February 2016

Introduction The Statement from the American Heart Association has emphasized a need for novel strategies that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Taking a dog for a walk forces its owner to take physical activity. Several studies have explored the relationship between pet ownership and CVD and most reported benefits. This issue has not been investigated in dialysis patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of pet ownership on health and physical activity in hemodialysis patients. Methods 270 chronic hemodialysis patients (172 male, 98 female, mean age 62.7 ± 14.0 years, hemodialysis vintage 4 ± 5 years) took part in the survey focused on their general health and physical activity. Findings Two hundred nineteen (81%) patients were mobile. One hundred sixteen participants had dog at home (43%). An additional physical activity was reported by 46 dog owners (40%) compared with 34 (23%) of nonowners (P = 0.002). Patients who often go for a walk were more often pet owners 49 (57%) than nonowners (n = 37, 43%; P = 0.004). Pet owners were younger (58.3 ± 13.6 vs. 66 ± 13.5 years). Body mass index (BMI) was similar. Patients with BMI from upper tertile (>27.5 kg/m2) and from lower (<23.9) were more often dog owners than from the middle (52.9%, 43.7%, and 31.4%). Dog owners were on dialysis for longer time (5.0 ± 6.5 vs. 3.5 ± 3.7 years; P = 0.02). Discussion Dog ownership appears to positively influence the level of physical activity. Age but not time on dialysis seems to be the most important factor that influences a decision to own a pet and undertake physical activity.