bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family of origin influences on the parenting of men with co‐occurring substance abuse and intimate partner violence
Authors: Smith Stover Carla , Kahn Marissa
Published: July 2013

Purpose – Research indicates significant associations between intimate partner violence (IPV), substance abuse (SA) and childhood experiences of abuse. Yet few studies have interviewed fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA about their experiences in their own families and how that impacts their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to fill that gap and explore the ways in which fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA describe the parenting of their own parents and how it is related to the ways they parent. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 40 fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA were interviewed about their experiences of childhood abuse and the ways they are like and unlike their parents for this qualitative study using thematic analysis. Findings – A large percentage of the fathers experienced childhood abuse and reported negative images of their fathers and mothers most commonly due to father absence and abusive/harsh parenting by both parents. Most fathers indicated a wish to be more present, available and warm with their children. Fathers did not draw associations between their childhood histories and their own behaviors. Practical implications – Multigenerational transmission of IPV, SA, and child maltreatment may be important areas to focus on in interventions with fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA issues. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to specifically interview fathers with co‐occurring IPV and SA about their experiences of being parented and how that is related to their own parenting.
Impact of female legislators on support for honest government
Authors: Chen Li‐Ju
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Given that female candidates benefit more from an election based on a proportional representation system as opposed to a plurality system and the extent of corruption may not change much across a crude classification of electoral systems, this study attempts to connect the level of corruption to the proportion of female legislators by introducing the electoral rules as an instrument for the latter variable.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses electoral rules as an instrument for the elected women to clarify the causality of women on corruption since a country with a high number of female legislators may simply have superior economic performance, which may reveal a simultaneous preference for gender equality and clean government. Section 2 describes the relationships between corruption and women. Section 3 provides the empirical specification by first building a channel from the electoral rules to elected women and then investigating the influence of female legislators on the level of corruption. This section also provides a description of the data. Section 4 presents the results of the analysis. Section 5 concludes.

Findings

The results show that having more women in parliament results in more honest government, which is very likely to be causally evident.

Originality/value

This study investigates whether more seats taken by female parliamentarians results in a less corrupt government. While a large and growing body of research on this issue claims that there is a link between a higher level of female representation in government and lower levels of corruption, it is uncertain if a causal relationship can be established. This study attempts to provide evidence by building a channel from electoral rules and gender quotas to the fraction of female legislators, while consequently investigating the impact of female legislators on corruption. Based on the countries contained in this study, the results suggest that the presence of female parliamentarians apparently has a significantly negative effect on the level of corruption, which is very likely to be causally evident.
The critical role of marketer's information provision in temporal changes of expectations and attitudes
Authors: Ha Hong‐Youl , Denise John J. , John Joby , Kim Nam‐Yun
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the changes in expectations and attitudes toward a brand over time. Furthermore, since consumers are able to change their previous judgments with information provided by a firm or dealer, the study seeks to examine moderator effects of such new information on an expectations‐attitude model.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal study of automobile consumers, the study demonstrates significant carryover, and moderating effects of information provision on temporal changes in expectations and attitude.

Findings

The findings contribute to understanding the time dependency and the dynamic nature of consumer expectations and attitudes. New information provided during direct contact by the marketer updates consumers' (previous) expectations and, consequently, such new information updates consumer attitudes toward the brand.

Practical implications

As consumers' attitudes change over time, marketers should focus on reinforcing attitude toward the product. It would be desirable to design information for consumers to improve a favorable attitude toward the product. In the current example, as sports utility vehicle markets get more competitive, it is critical to create consumer‐focused information.

Originality/value

This study provides two important contributions to the understanding of the time dependency of consumers' expectations, evaluations and attitudes.
Clusters, networks and firms' product success: an empirical study
Authors: Giuliani Elisa
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between different kinds of networking and the performance of firms in industry clusters. In particular, it studies the importance of local embeddedness and external openness for product success in two wine clusters in Chile and Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on original firm‐level data. A case‐study methodology is combined with econometric analysis.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that local embeddedness positively influences the development of successful products, but with decreasing returns. More importantly, however, the author finds that external openness is more significant than local embeddedness for explaining firm success.

Practical implications

The paper has implications for managers not working in current “hot spots” who are keen to transform their environments into thriving economies. The author recommends that managers look beyond the local context and establish extra‐cluster linkages with relevant knowledge sources, which may vary from sector to sector. Managers should tap into local knowledge but avoid local over‐embeddedness.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of how and whether networks influence the performance of cluster firms.
Public policy innovations: the case of undeclared work
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Windebank Jan , Baric Marijana , Nadin Sara
Published: July 2013

Purpose

For many decades, European national governments sought to stamp out undeclared work using a repressive approach. In the changing economic context of declining employment participation rates, however, the European Commission has called for a new approach to transform undeclared work into declared work. This necessitates public policy innovations. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the degree to which this European Commission call for policy innovation has been adopted by European national governments.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate this, the results are reported of an e‐survey conducted in 2010 of 104 senior stakeholders from government departments, trade unions and employer organisations in 31 European countries, and 24 follow‐up in‐depth interviews.

Findings

The finding is that although European nations have responded to the changing economic context and the resultant call by the European Commission for a new approach by adopting an array of innovative new policy measures to facilitate the declaration of undeclared work, stamping out such endeavour through repression measures remains the principal approach in most nations.

Research limitations/implications

Until now, few studies have evaluated critically the different policy approaches adopted by European national governments to tackle undeclared work. This paper fills that gap.

Practical implications

This paper reveals that if undeclared jobs are to be transformed into declared jobs and economic inclusion promoted, national governments will need to accord more priority to innovative new policy measures to legitimise declared work than is currently the case.

Originality/value

This is the first critical evaluation of whether the European Commission call for innovative new policy measures when tackling undeclared work has been implemented.
Linking the unlinked: knowledge‐based perspective on non‐routine change
Authors: Ritala Paavo
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Firms operating in contemporary hypercompetitive environments have to seek series of temporary advantages, sometimes requiring them to move beyond their current knowledge domains. The existing knowledge‐ and capability‐based views have certain shortcomings in terms of explaining firm competitiveness in such situations. In order to narrow this gap, this study aims to put forward a “knowledge‐based perspective on non‐routine change” to explain how firms can generate innovative processes and outcomes that are disconnected from their current knowledge and capability base.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a conceptual theory‐development paper, which is based on the recent knowledge‐based and capability approaches, and on other relevant literature related to non‐routine change in organizations.

Findings

Non‐routine change is defined here as a process and an outcome that is disconnected from the firm's current knowledge and capability base. The process involves the detachment from the firm's current knowledge and capability base, the identification of certain types of disconnected knowledge (slack, unrelated, unused, or unknown), and the leverage and combination of such knowledge in the search for novel, non‐routine change outcomes.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in its view on firm‐level competitiveness in situations in which the existing knowledge and capability bases are of little value. The study proposes a categorization that explains what types of disconnected knowledge assets are particularly useful in such a process, and identifies where they are likely to be located. Thus, the study provides new insights into the management of knowledge related to non‐routine change in organizations.
Innovation in industrial districts: evidence from Italy
Authors: Capasso Marco , Morrison Andrea
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The recent transformations brought about by the globalisation of markets have increased the competitive pressure for firms operating in traditional sectors, and in particular for those in industrial districts. The authors' aim is to understand the extent to which firms responded to these new challenges. More particularly, they investigate the determinants of innovation at firm level focusing on the role of firm's outsourcing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on an original firm‐level dataset, the authors analyse the determinants of innovation in a typical Italian industrial district, i.e. the hosiery district of Castel Goffredo in the Third Italy. They apply econometric techniques, in particular OLS and Tobit models.

Findings

The authors' findings suggest that industrial districts are evolving towards a differentiated organisational structure in which innovation is driven by firms, which are focused on core competences and high valued added activities.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' results should be interpreted with some caution, since the cross‐sectional design of their data does not allow them to fully control for potential reverse causation effects, which might be relevant for some of the explanatory variables. Their data do not allow them to include additional instrumental variables, thus they cannot control for endogeneity. Therefore, their interpretation is limited to comment the extent and regularity of the relation between dependent and explanatory variables.

Practical implications

The evidence presented in this study corroborates some arguments highlighted in the current debate about the evolution of industrial districts. A network‐based organisation is the dominant organisational structure. The authors have some evidence on the importance of size as driver of innovation.

Originality/value

The authors find original evidence at firm level on the relation between organisational change, in the form of outsourcing, and innovation in the context of an industrial district. They also find empirical support to arguments debated in the recent policy debates on whether small firms can be regarded as engines of innovation in industrial districts.
Analysis of the determinants of consumers' m‐commerce usage activities
Authors: Chan Felix T.S. , Yee‐Loong Chong Alain
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors examining the determinants of users' mobile commerce (m‐commerce) usage activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 402 users in Malaysia, and structural equation modelling analysis was employed to test the research model.

Findings

The results showed that different demographic, motivation and security perceptions variables have different relationships with the types of m‐commerce usage activities.

Practical implications

The results from this study will be useful for m‐commerce companies in formulating appropriate marketing strategies, as well as developing appropriate applications that will attract more consumers.

Originality/value

Although past literatures have focused on technological aspects of m‐commerce, few studies have examined the applications and strategies of m‐commerce. Furthermore, most studies on m‐commerce adoptions have focused on the relationships between technology adoption factors and behavioural intentions of users. There are few studies which have investigated the actual m‐commerce usage activities of users.
“Gone too soon”: did Twitter grieve for Michael Jackson?
Authors: Sian Lee Chei , Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Grieving resulting from death is a painful process and individuals invariably seek support to help them through this difficult period. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role microblogs play in providing social support following the death of a public figure, Michael Jackson, “the King of Pop”.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 50,000 tweets from the first 12 days after Jackson's death were harvested from Twitter. A content analysis using a coding instrument characterizing a set of social support categories was conducted. Categories not related to social support were also inductively constructed and applied to the tweets.

Findings

Twitter was primarily used for providing informational support, followed by emotional support. Surprisingly, categories not normally associated with grieving, such as spreading of rumours, expressions of hatred, and spam, also occupied a large proportion of tweets.

Practical implications

Results suggest that microblogging has the potential to facilitate the grieving process and in some aspects of social support. However, information quality could be an issue that calls for better information management tools.

Originality/value

There has been little work done in examining microblogs as platforms for grieving in general, and more specifically, for providing social support during bereavement. The present research is timely, as we seek to understand the role microblogs play in the grieving process.
Integrating student projects with real‐world problems: the case of managing commodity price risk
Authors: Zsidisin George A. , Hartley Janet L. , Collins Wesley A.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In this article, the authors aim to describe an approach used in a purchasing/supply management course at their university that provides students with a realistic, problem‐based learning experience with client involvement while maintaining consistent learning outcomes and a manageable faculty workload term after term. Students use a standardized approach to assess commodity price risk and decide upon an effective risk management strategy. The specific commodity that students analyze is selected by client companies who then actively participate in the course.

Design/methodology/approach

An illustrative case is presented describing how universities can partner with companies to integrate student projects into the curriculum using a standardized, repeatable process.

Findings

There are numerous benefits obtained for students, faculty, universities, and companies when engaging in commodity price analysis and risk management projects. These include the applied learning for students, providing new insights to companies, networking opportunities for students and companies that may lead to hiring, fostering closer relationships between universities and companies, providing research contacts and opportunities, and ensuring that the course is repeatable each semester.

Originality/value

The authors' approach capitalizes on the realism of client involvement while reducing the variation in learning outcomes and increased workload introduced by doing different types of client‐based company projects each term.
An analysis of supply chain related graduate programmes in Europe
Authors: Cevik Onar Sezi , Aktas Emel , Ilker Topcu Y. , Doran Des
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Motivated by a lack of studies in graduate level supply chain education, this research aims to explore trends in supply chain‐related graduate programmes in Europe and to propose a framework for designing such programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors determine “knowledge” and “skills” areas applicable to supply chain management (SCM) education and analyse supply chain‐related graduate programmes published by the European Logistics Association in 2004. They revisit the same programmes in 2011 to determine the recent situation and the trends. The authors use cluster analysis to reveal the similarities and differences among these programmes.

Findings

The authors find two distinct clusters: focused and diversified. Focused programmes offer modules in knowledge and skills areas apart from SCM at a negligible level and place more emphasis on SCM in 2011 when compared to 2004. Diversified programmes show a similar increase in the emphasis on SCM with more variety in the knowledge and skills areas.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' findings are based on SCM programmes delivered in Europe and over two discrete time periods. Future research should seek to extend this analysis to other continents with larger samples and incorporate the industry perspective to determine the potential gap between what programmes offer and what industry requires.

Practical implications

SCM‐related graduate programmes continue to redefine themselves. Clustering predominantly serves the universities in re‐assessing and re‐engineering their programmes, helps prospective graduates in their selection process and assists managers in their recruitment practices.

Originality/value

This paper establishes a baseline for assessing SCM‐related graduate programmes with respect to the knowledge and skills they offer and introduces a framework that may serve as a starting point for the design and positioning of such programmes.
The evolution of customised executive education in supply chain management
Authors: Bernon Mike , Mena Carlos
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolving nature of supply chain management customised executive education over the past decade and present a conceptual framework for curriculum development and design.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a combination of methods utilising both in‐depth interviews with academics and practitioners and a single longitudinal case study based on records of 197 customised executive education programmes delivered since 2000.

Findings

The findings show that the needs of practitioners have evolved from acquiring competency‐based training to obtaining support for wider strategy deployment and change management programmes within organisations. Moreover, the design and delivery of programmes have developed over the period considering the requirements for experiential learning, project work involving deeper faculty engagement, pre‐ and post‐course project activity, supported by internet‐based learning portals.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' research provides evidence that the nature of supply chain executive education has changed and that further research is needed to explore the implications for the delivery of programmes.

Practical implications

The adoption of the framework will provide course directors and programme managers involved in supply chain management executive education with insights for successful design and execution of programmes. Similarly, the framework can support decision‐making processes conducted by organisations commissioning customised executive education programs.

Originality/value

Although there is a body of research relating to curriculum development and design generally, there is little empirical research focusing on supply chain management executive education.
Multiple stressors in periphyton – comparison of observed and predicted tolerance responses to high ionic loads and herbicide exposure
Authors: Rotter Stefanie , Heilmeier Hermann , Altenburger Rolf , Schmitt‐Jansen Mechthild
Published: July 2013

As a result of the increasing human impact on aquatic ecosystems, freshwater organisms are often exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously. The joint actions between stressors can result in combined effects and unexpected ecological effects. Therefore, a better understanding of the interactive effects on ecosystems is required.

This study aimed to identify potential interactions between high ionic loads and herbicides. A microcosm study, using periphyton as model community, was conducted with a factorial design. Two levels of ionic loads were used as single stressor and in combination with prometryn. Structural (biomass, algal class and diatom composition) and functional parameters (tolerance development) were determined over a growth period of 6 weeks. The concept of pollution‐induced community tolerance (PICT) was applied to quantify integrated community responses. Long‐term community responses to the combined exposure were predicted using the model of independent action.

No co‐tolerance of high ionic loads and prometryn or vice versa was found. Stress‐induced succession resulted in a distinct community structure for each stressor and combination of stressors. Multiple stressors led to the selection of opportunistic species and higher tolerances to prometryn than predicted by the model of independent action. However, joint effects for high ionic loads and prometryn were concentration and time‐dependent. ThePICTconcept enabled the quantification of community‐level effects in systems receiving multiple stresses.

Synthesis and applications. Multiple stressors might explain the failure to achieve good ecological status for many European water bodies within the context of theEU‐Water Framework Directive (WFD). We proposePICTas a diagnostic tool for investigative monitoring to clarify stressor conditions by testing the tolerances of local communities to preselected site‐specific compounds.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Protective and Risk Factors in 18 Survivors of a Plane Crash
Authors: Catanesi Roberto , Martino Vito , Candelli Chiara , Troccoli Giuseppe , Grattagliano Ignazio , Vella Giancarlo Di , Carabellese Felice
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study is to identify protective and risk factors related to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on a sample of survivors from a single plane crash. Eighteen survivors were examined 6 months following the event. The subjects all underwent psychiatric interviews, Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale structured interviews, personality and cognitive tests. Only 38.9% of them presented with all of the symptoms of PTSD; 22.2% showed no symptoms for PTSD; remaining survivors exhibited emotional/affective symptoms related to the event. In addition to the severity of the traumatic event itself, other risk factors identified were the loss of a relative, the manifestation of depressive symptoms, and the severity of physical injuries sustained. Low levels of hostility and high levels of self‐efficacy represented protective factors against developing PTSD.
Possible Fatal Acetaminophen Intoxication with Atypical Clinical Presentation
Authors: De‐Giorgio Fabio , Lodise Maria , Chiarotti Marcello , d'Aloja Ernesto , Carbone Arnaldo , Valerio Luca
Published: July 2013

Acetaminophen or paracetamol, a commonly used over‐the‐counter analgesic, is known to elicit severe adverse reactions when taken in overdose, chronically at therapeutic dosage or, sporadically, following single assumptions of a therapeutic dose. Damage patterns including liver damage and, rarely, acute tubular necrosis or a fixed drug exanthema. We present a case of fatal acetaminophen toxicity with postmortem blood concentration 78 μg/mL and unusual clinical features, including a visually striking and massive epidermolysis and rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and myocardial ischemia. This case is compared with the most similar previous reports in terms of organ damage, clinical presentation, and cause of death. We conclude that a number of severe patterns of adverse effects to acetaminophen are emerging that were previously greatly underestimated, thus questioning the adequacy of the clinical spectrum traditionally associated with acetaminophen intoxication and leading to the need to review this spectrum and the associated diagnostic criteria.
K2 Toxicity: Fatal Case of Psychiatric Complications Following AM2201 Exposure
Authors: Patton Amy L. , Chimalakonda Krishna C. , Moran Cindy L. , McCain Keith R. , Radominska‐Pandya Anna , James Laura P. , Kokes Charles , Moran Jeffery H.
Published: July 2013

Limited forensic and clinical experience and the lack of confirmatory testing strategies for synthetic cannabinoids (SC) prevent adequate characterization of SC toxicity and the potential impact on public health. A statewide surveillance system identified a fatality involving a 23‐year‐old man found with a large stab wound to the neck following use of a SC product suspected of containing AM2201. Analytical testing for common SCs, SC metabolites, routine drugs of abuse, and over‐the‐counter medications was performed on heart blood obtained at autopsy. Additionally, assays were performed on the SC raw material and drug paraphernalia found on the decedent. High concentrations of AM2201 were detected in all samples. AM2201 metabolites were detected in postmortem blood. Other than a trace amount of JWH‐073 found in smoke residue, no other substances were detected. Psychiatric complications including self‐induced, lethal trauma can occur after the use of SC products.
PTEN controls β‐cell regeneration in aged mice by regulating cell cycle inhibitor p16ink4a
Authors: Zeng Ni , Yang Kai‐Ting , Bayan Jennifer‐Ann , He Lina , Aggarwal Richa , Stiles Joseph W. , Hou Xiaogang , Medina Vivian , Abad Danny , Palian Beth M. , Al‐Abdullah Ismail , Kandeel Fouad , Johnson Deborah L. , Stiles Bangyan L.
Published: July 2013

Tissue regeneration diminishes with age, concurrent with declining hormone levels including growth factors such as insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). We investigated the molecular basis for such decline in pancreatic β‐cells where loss of proliferation occurs early in age and is proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. We studied the regeneration capacity of β‐cells in mouse model where PI3K/AKT pathway downstream of insulin/IGF‐1 signaling is upregulated by genetic deletion of Pten (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) specifically in insulin‐producing cells. In this model, PTEN loss prevents the decline in proliferation capacity in aged β‐cells and restores the ability of aged β‐cells to respond to injury‐induced regeneration. Using several animal and cell models where we can manipulate PTEN expression, we found that PTEN blocks cell cycle re‐entry through a novel pathway leading to an increase in p16ink4a, a cell cycle inhibitor characterized for its role in cellular senescence/aging. A downregulation in p16ink4a occurs when PTEN is lost as a result of cyclin D1 induction and the activation of E2F transcription factors. The activation of E2F transcriptional factors leads to methylation of p16ink4a promoter, an event that is mediated by the upregulation of polycomb protein, Ezh2. These analyses establish a novel PTEN/cyclin D1/E2F/Ezh2/p16ink4a signaling network responsible for the aging process and provide specific evidence for a molecular paradigm that explain how decline in growth factor signals such as IGF‐1 (through PTEN/PI3K signaling) may control regeneration and the lack thereof in aging cells.
Functional imaging of an alcohol‐Implicit Association Test (IAT)
Authors: Ames Susan L. , Grenard Jerry L. , He Qinghua , Stacy Alan W. , Wong Savio W. , Xiao Lin , Xue Gui , Bechara Antoine
Published: July 2013

This research assessed activation in neural substrates involved in implicit associative processes through functional magnetic resonance imaging of an alcohol‐Implicit Association Test (IAT) focused on positive outcomes of alcohol use. Comparisons involved 17 heavy and 19 light drinkers, ranging in age from 18 to 22, during compatible and incompatible association task trials. Behaviorally, a significant IAT effect was found with heavy drinkers showing stronger positive implicit associations toward alcohol use than light drinkers. Imaging data revealed heavy drinkers showed greater activity during compatible trials relative to incompatible trials in the left putamen and insula while no significant difference in activity between conditions was found in the light drinkers. Light drinkers showed significantly more activity in the left orbital frontal cortex during both compatible and incompatible trials than heavy drinkers, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was engaged more in both light and heavy drinkers during incompatible trials relative to compatible trials. Further, within‐group analyses showed significant amygdala activity along with the putamen and insula among heavy drinkers during compatible trials relative to incompatible trials. These results are consistent with a dual process framework of appetitive behaviors proposing that (1) implicit associations underlying habit are mediated through neural circuitry dependent on the striatum, and (2) controlled behaviors are mediated through neural circuitry more dependent on the prefrontal cortex. This is the first study to evaluate the neural mechanisms elicited by an alcohol‐IAT, providing an additional step toward increasing understanding of associative habit processes and their regulatory influence over addictive behaviors.
The influence of lunar cycles on crop‐raiding elephants; evidence for risk avoidance
Authors: Gunn Jody , Hawkins Dawn , Barnes Richard F. W. , Mofulu Fredrick , Grant Rachel A. , Norton Guy W.
Published: July 2013

Long‐term solutions to crop raiding by elephants (Loxodonta africana) should be based on an understanding of their behaviour and ecology. The real and perceived risks from humans have been shown to affect elephant behaviour. This is evidenced by elephants predominantly raiding crops at night, avoiding the height of human activity. If such human avoidance behaviours are apparent, it might also be expected that elephants avoid risks associated with higher visibility and increased human activity as may occur during the full moon. However, elephant nocturnal crop‐raiding behaviour in relation to lunar cycles has largely been a neglected factor in studies of human–elephant interactions. In this study around Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, we apply circular statistics in this context for the first time to show a significant decrease in crop raiding during the full moon and apply this method retrospectively to data from another site in West Africa with similar results. Additionally, a greater proportion of farms raided was guarded during the full moon than any other moon phase. Our results indicate that variations in crop raiding with lunar phase could be a general feature of elephant behaviour and thus could be used to design and time mitigation efforts.
Relationships between the density of two potential restoration tree species and plant species abundance and richness in a degradedAfromontane forest ofKenya
Authors: Mullah Collins Jared Amwatta , Klanderud Kari , Totland Ørjan , Kigomo Bernard
Published: July 2013

In recent years, there have been considerable efforts to restore degraded tropical montane forests through active restoration using indigenous tree species. However, little is known about how these species used for restoration influence other species. In this study, two potential restoration species,Albizia gummiferaandNeoboutonia macrocalyx, are investigated with regard to the relationship between their density and the abundance and richness of other plant species. The study was conducted in a degraded forest consisting of disturbed transition zones and secondary forest. Our results show positive relationships between the density ofA. gummiferaand the abundance of tree seedling and sapling richness in the transition zones and in the secondary forest. Shrub richness was negatively related to the density ofA. gummifera. Abundance and richness of tree saplings and shrubs were positively related toN. macrocalyxdensity both in the transition zones and in the secondary forest. Herb species richness declined withN. macrocalyxdensity in the transition zones but increased withN. macrocalyxdensity in the secondary forest. The positive relationships between the density of the two tree species and species richness of other woody species suggest that bothA. gummiferaandN. macrocalyxcan be suitable for active restoration of degraded mountain forests within their natural range.
Two‐Dimensional Computational Analysis of Microbubbles in Hemodialysis
Authors: Keshavarzi Gholamreza , Barber Tracie J. , Yeoh Guan , Simmons Anne , Reizes John A.
Published: July 2013

On average, an end‐stage renal disease patient will undergo hemodialysis (HD) three or four times a week for 4–5 h per session. Any minor imperfection in the extracorporeal system may become significant in the treatment of these patients due to the cumulative exposure time. Recently, air traps (a safety feature of dialysis systems) have been reported to be inadequate in detecting microbubbles and may even create them. Microbubbles have been linked to lung injuries and damage to the brain in chronic HD patients; therefore the significance of microbubbles has been revisited. Bubbles may originate at the vascular access sites, sites of local turbulent blood flow, the air trap, or in the bloodlines after priming with saline prior to use. In this paper, computational fluid dynamics is used to model blood flow in the air trap to determine the likely mechanisms of microbubble dynamics. The results indicate that almost all bubbles with diameters less than 50 μm and most of the bubbles of 50–200 μm pass through the air trap. Consequently, the common air traps are not effective in removing bubbles less than 200 μm in diameter.
Impact of Pulsatile Flow on Hemodynamic Energy in a Medos Deltastream DP3 Pediatric Extracorporeal Life Support System
Authors: Krawiec Conrad , Wang Shigang , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: July 2013

The Medos Deltastream DP3 system is made up of a novel diagonal pump and hollow‐membrane oxygenator that provides nonpulsatile and pulsatile flows for extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The objectives of this study are to (i) evaluate the efficacy of the hemodynamic energy provided by Medos Deltastream DP3 system in nonpulsatile and pulsatile mode and (ii) to evaluate the pulsatile mode under different frequencies. The experimental ECLS circuit was used in this study, primed with Ringer's lactate and packed red blood cells (hematocrit 35%). All trials were conducted at flow rates of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mL/min with modified pulsatile frequencies of 60, 70, 80, and 90 bpm at 36°C. Simultaneous blood flow and pressures at the pre/postoxygenator and pre/postcannula sites were recorded for quantification of the pulsatile perfusion‐generated energy‐equivalent pressure (EEP), surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE), and total hemodynamic energy (THE). The experiments showed that under pulsatile flow conditions, at all flow rates and frequencies, (i) the EEP, SHE, and THE were significantly higher when compared with the nonpulsatile group and (ii) the pressure drop was minimal at lower flow rates and lower pulsatile frequencies but was significant when either the flow rate or the pulsatile frequency was increased. The Medos Deltastream DP3 System can provide nonpulsatile flow and physiologic quality pulsatile flow for pediatric ECLS. When the Medos DP3 pediatric ECLS system is used with pulsatile flow, there is more surplus hemodynamic energy and total hemodynamic energy than nonpulsatile flow.
Comparison of VEP with contrast sensitivity and other measurements of central visual function
Authors: Kromer Robert , Serbecic Nermin , Krastel Hermann , Beutelspacher Sven C.
Published: July 2013

Purpose:  In order to evaluate alternative visual acuity testing techniques, especially to discriminate between small changes and for high visual acuity, we conducted a study covering several state‐of‐the‐art techniques.

Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, a homogeneous cohort of healthy and young patients (n = 33; 66 eyes) underwent ETDRS vision acuity (VA) testing, testing for contrast sensitivity (CS), VA determination with spatial frequency sweep visual evoked potentials (VEP) and a series of examinations of perifoveal retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) using Spectralis SD‐OCT. To simulate the effect of artificial media opacity, CS, and VEP were repeated with Bangerter foils.

Results:  We found that Bangerter foils can be used to reduce VA effectively measured by VA testing and VEP VA. CS correlated significantly with VA (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.54 to 0.77). VEP may be used to estimate VA; nevertheless, we found no significant correlation. RNFLT did not correlate significantly with VA.

Conclusion:  CS seems to correlate well with VA when used for high VA. All other used examinations seem to have difficulties distinguishing between small differences in VA or when the VA is high.
Gain of palps within a lineage of ancestrally burrowing annelids (Scalibregmatidae)
Authors: Martínez Alejandro , Di Domenico Maikon , Worsaae Katrine
Published: July 2013

Scalibregmatidae is a small annelid family of subsurface deposit feeders in sand or mud, which are generally well adapted to infaunal burrowing. The overall morphology of Scalibregmatidae is very similar, with thick bodies, small parapodia, and no prostomial appendages or short horns. The only exception is members of the generaAxiokebuitaandSpeleobregmathat most frequently inhabit crevices or gravel and possess extensive ventral ciliated palps and globular adhesive pygidium. Character reconstruction using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods show that ciliated palps and adhesive pygidium are synapomorphies of theAxiokebuita–Speleobregmaclade. The most likely transformation series is from horns to ciliated palps, the origin of which correlates with the occurrence ofAxiokebuitaandSpeleobregmain crevices or gravel. The wide spaces among rocks or granules yield high permeability and inertial water flow, preventing deposition of organic matter. Under these flow conditions that differ significantly from those of sand or mud bottom, ciliated palps aid to the collection of suspended particles and an adhesive pygidium provides attachment. With palps being a highly debated character in annelid evolution, it is remarkable that prominent ciliated palps are gained within a lineage of ancestrally nonpalpate annelids, most likely increasing their fitness when colonizing a new environment.
Is there an empirical link between impulsivity and suicidality in bipolar disorders? A review of the current literature and the potential psychological implications of the relationship
Authors: Watkins Hannah B , Meyer Thomas D
Published: July 2013

Objectives

Suicide is highly prevalent among individuals with bipolar disorder and understanding the factors that increase risk for suicide may help to develop targeted interventions to prevent attempts. Impulsivity is thought to be an influential factor associated with suicidality and is also discussed as a key construct of bipolar disorder. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the current evidence to examine the association between impulsivity and suicidality in bipolar disorder.

Methods

PsycInfo, Medline, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for articles published up until March 2012. Papers were included if they assessed an adult sample of individuals with bipolar disorders, focused on suicidality (ideation with intent to die, suicide attempts, or completion), and used a validated measure to determine impulsivity.

Result

Sixteen papers were identified. Contrary to widespread belief, we found (i) a very inconsistent picture of results including positive, negative, and insignificant associations between impulsivity and suicidality; and (ii) some studies do not take into account important aspects such as state‐trait or measurement issues.

Conclusions

The link between suicidality and impulsivity is less straightforward than often assumed. Drawing clear conclusions about the association is hampered by factors such as inconsistencies in defining suicidality, measuring impulsivity, and differentiating between impulsivity as a personality trait and impulsivity as a state (e.g., a consequence of substance use or premeditation of the attempt). We suggest that the association is less direct and that psychological models (e.g., Joiner's theory of suicidality) can help foster a more in‐depth understanding regarding the relationship.
Estimating the Transmission Dynamics ofStreptococcus pneumoniaefrom Strain Prevalence Data
Authors: Numminen Elina , Cheng Lu , Gyllenberg Mats , Corander Jukka
Published: July 2013

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a typical commensal bacterium causing severe diseases. Its prevalence is high among young children attending day care units, due to lower levels of acquired immunity and a high rate of infectious contacts between the attendees. Understanding the population dynamics of different strains ofS.pneumoniaeis necessary, for example, for making successful predictions of changes in the composition of the strain community under intervention policies. Here we analyze data on the strains ofS. pneumoniaecarried in attendees of day care units in the metropolitan area of Oslo, Norway. We introduce a variant of approximate Bayesian computation methods, which is suitable for estimating the parameters governing the transmission dynamics in a setting where small local populations of hosts are subject to epidemics of different pathogenic strains due to infections independently acquired from the community. We find evidence for strong between‐strain competition, as the acquisition of other strains in the already colonized hosts is estimated to have a relative rate of 0.09 (95% credibility interval [0.06, 0.14]). We also predict the frequency and size distributions for epidemics within the day care unit, as well as other epidemiologically relevant features. The assumption of ecological neutrality between the strains is observed to be compatible with the data. Model validation checks and the consistency of our results with previous research support the validity of our conclusions.
The utility of prostate‐specific antigen in the management of advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Crawford E. David , Bennett Charles L. , Andriole Gerald L. , Garnick Marc B. , Petrylak Daniel P.
Published: July 2013

To review current prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) metrics used in monitoring treatment of advanced prostate cancer, with a specific focus on castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) therapies.

Explore what is known about the correlation between PSA and androgen levels as well as underlying reasons for persistent PSA expression and serum elevation in CRPC, and outline suggestions for use of PSA in managing patients with advanced prostate cancer.

A comprehensive search of the PubMed database for English language articles through April 2012 was performed using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords or terms, alone or in combination: ‘prostate cancer’; ‘prostate cancer treatment’; ‘prostate cancer outcomes’; ‘prostate‐specific antigen’; ‘androgen receptor’; ‘advanced prostate cancer’; ‘castration‐resistant prostate cancer’; ‘biomarkers’.

Bibliographies of relevant articles were searched for additional references.

Relevant medical society and regulatory agency web sites from the USA and Europe were accessed for issued guidance on PSA use.

PSA doubling time (PSADT) is a useful metric for determining which patients should be considered for androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) after failing local treatment or for second‐line therapies after failing ADT. However, it is not a validated surrogate for survival and no therapy has received regulatory approval based upon PSADT characteristics.

PSA nadir and time‐to‐nadir have been identified as possible prognostic markers for patients receiving ADT.

There is no universally accepted definition for PSA progression, nor is PSA progression a regulatory‐approved surrogate for clinical progression in drug approval trials.

PSA responses to second‐line therapies can vary and are not considered by regulatory agencies as valid surrogates for clinical endpoints, so they must be assessed in the context of each individual therapy and trial design.

PSA expression in CRPC is often a reflection of persistent androgen receptor activity.

While we can provide guidance for use of PSA monitoring in managing patients with advanced prostate cancer based on the data at hand, there is an urgent need for prospective analyses of refined PSA metrics in conjunction with newer prostate cancer biomarkers in clinical trials to provide stronger evidence for their roles as surrogate endpoints.