bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participatory management of an urban world heritage site
Authors: Dormaels Mathieu
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Within the general context of the Historic Urban Landscape approach and the promotion of community involvement in heritage site management, the purpose of this paper is to describe and to understand the case of Old Québec in order to analyse the management tools put in place, so as not only to grasp the issues and challenges, but also to find out how these tools are perceived by the local actors directly involved.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual approach of this study is twofold. On the one hand, the author has adopted a phenomenological perspective of heritage, where heritage is understood as a social construction. On the other hand, because the goal of this study is to understand an initiative produced by local actors, the author chose an empirical approach that fosters first a descriptive and then an interpretive analysis of a phenomenon with potentially complex dynamics. To do so, the author chose to conduct the research by carrying out a case study, by using three methods of data collection: non-participating observation, semi-structured interviews and document analysis.

Findings

– By analysing this case in its context, this research gives a better understanding of this community based initiative of participatory management in the world heritage site of the historic district of Old Québec. It demonstrate how these processes involves issues and challenges, even in a 20 years old inscribed site. It also highlights key elements for this type of initiative that, beyond this case, may be useful to be considered by site managers.

Research limitations/implications

– As with any case study, this research is highly dependent on the context, and that constitutes the main limitation. Consequently, the findings of this analysis can only be generalized as recommendations. Other case studies should be conducted to better understand the influence of context, and to bring out similarities between various initiatives.

Originality/value

– More than “best practices”, whose relevance may be questionable for their lack of consideration of the context, this paper aims to provide an example of participatory management and to indicate some key elements that seem to be useful for this kind of initiatives. It also raises important questions on the relevance of such management tools in context less experienced or without previous involvement of local communities. Finally, it proposes a conceptual framework and a methodological approach for the study of such cases.
Intellectual capital and organizational ambidexterity in Chinese and Irish professional service firms
Authors: Fu Na , Ma Qinhai , Bosak Janine , Flood Patrick
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Organizational ambidexterity enables firm to simultaneously exploit existing resources and explore new resources. It is associated with high levels of organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify key internal management resources which contribute to building organizational ambidexterity. In particular, this study examines the impact of intellectual capital, i.e. human, social, and organizational capital, on organizational ambidexterity which in turn influences firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was conducted within the context of professional service firms due to the importance of intellectual capital and organizational ambidexterity. Data were collected from 112 Chinese (cross-sectional design) and 93 Irish accounting firms (time-lagged design).

Findings

– Results provide support for the linkage of intellectual capital to organizational ambidexterity and firm performance. Interestingly, findings are mixed regarding the impact of the three types of capital resources on organizational ambidexterity across both countries.

Practical implications

– This study finds that various components of intellectual capital facilitate organizational ambidexterity which in turn improves firm performance. Therefore the authors provide managers with evidential support for the salience of intellectual capital in enabling organizations to simultaneously engage in exploiting existing resources while also exploring new ideas and opportunities.

Originality/value

– This study is unique in that it highlights the importance of internal management resources in building up organization’s ambidexterity capability. The link between intellectual capital and organizational ambidexterity was established using a rigorous research design which has not been done before. It also emphasizes the role of people in leading to organizational effectiveness via developing organizational ambidexterity. Furthermore the evidence is gathered in two countries.
SEC enforcement actions getting up close and personal
Authors: Kaplan Matthew E. , Paley Alan H. , Tuttle Jonathan R.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To alert public company management and directors to several recent SEC enforcement actions involving executives and other senior personnel arising out of securities law violations.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews a series of enforcement actions against four chief executive officers, four chief financial officers, an audit committee chair, and one outside auditor (BDO USA LLC) and five of its partners arising out of securities law violations by four different corporations (MusclePharm Corporation, Bankrate, Inc., KIT Digital, Inc. and General Employment Enterprises, Inc.). Each of the actions involved financial reporting and disclosure violations. Also highlights the need for directors and senior management to maintain a sharp focus on their company’s controls and disclosure practices.

Findings

The SEC’S actions may portend renewed determination by the agency to hold executives and directors, as well as outside professionals, accountable for securities fraud and disclosure violations committed by corporations.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced securities lawyers.
SEC proposes sweeping new liquidity risk management rules for mutual funds and ETFs
Authors: Rosella Michael , Belitsky Bill , Marghella Alexandra
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To discuss a September 22, 2015 Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) proposal for a set of broad and sweeping rules mandating that open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) develop and implement formalized and written liquidity risk management programs (“LRMPs”).

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the purpose of an LRMP, the six “liquidity buckets,” the nine factors that must be considered in determining an instrument’s liquidity, the need to continuously monitor the liquidity of each position, the set of eight mandated factors used to assess a fund’s liquidity risk, the requirement for a fund to define a three-day liquid asset minimum, the role of the fund’s board of directors, a separate rule permitting “swing pricing” to adjust net asset value to take into account the costs of unexpected redemptions or cash infusions, disclosure requirements, and proposed compliance dates.

Findings

In proposing this new program, the SEC stated that its goal was to enhance effective liquidity risk management practices by funds and thereby reduce the risk that funds will be unable to meet redemptions under reasonably foreseeable stressed market conditions.

Originality/value

Expert guidance by experienced financial services lawyers.
Communicating to culture audiences
Authors: Le Huong , Jones Bridget , Williams Tandi , Dolnicar Sara
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide novel insights into arts consumption behaviour and patterns of communication displayed by arts consumers using Peterson’s theoretical framework, and to identify differences in the use of communication channels across arts segments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted an a priori market segmentation study, with two variables serving as segmentation criteria, namely, the frequency of and the variety of arts events attended. The authors tested for differences in communication patterns.

Findings

– Four segments were created: low-frequency univores, low-frequency multivores, high-frequency multivores and high-frequency omnivores. They differ in their communication patterns and online behaviours, including their online activities before and after attending arts events. Printed materials and e-mail newsletters were the most effective communication channel for raising awareness of all arts consumers.

Research limitations/implications

– Understanding these communication patterns can help arts marketers to increase the attendance of low-frequency segments and broaden the variety of arts events attended by the univore and multivore segments. The generalisability of the findings is limited as the survey was conducted among online Australian arts consumers only.

Originality/value

– The paper adds the dimension of arts consumption frequency to the taxonomy of omnivores and univores proposed by Peterson, which is based on the variety of consumed arts only. The paper contributes to communication and arts marketing literature by identifying key differences in communication patterns across segments of arts consumers and the most promising communication channels to engage them.
Linking prestige perception with consumption experience, loyalty, and WOM
Authors: Casidy Riza , Wymer Walter
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived external prestige (PEP), the student experience, attitude, and behaviour in the context of higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A comparison of the relationships between prestige perception, the student experience, WOM, and loyalty is examined within a one highly prestigious institution and one mid-ranked institution. Multigroup structural equation modelling was employed to examine data obtained from 948 respondents at the two institutions.

Findings

– While respondents from the top-ranked institution exhibit a significantly higher perception of university prestige than mid-ranked university respondents, no significant differences were found between the two groups of respondents in terms of the strengths of relationships between constructs. The analysis revealed that students’ perception of their university experience performed a full mediating effect on the relationship between PEP and WOM, as well as a partial mediating effect on the relationship between PEP and loyalty.

Practical implications

– Student perceptions of the university experience is a strong indicator of attitude and behaviour. For university administrators, enhancing the student experience is just as important as managing a university’s reputation with respect to engendering loyalty and positive WOM.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to link PEP with student attitude and behaviour. The findings provide interesting theoretical insights as well as useful managerial implications to enhance consumer experience which in turns affect their attitude and behaviour towards the organisation.
Playing games, receiving gifts, creating experiences and building brands
Authors: Pratap Sankalp , Gupta Agam , Mateen Arqum , Mahto Kavita
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding the role of consumer experiences, instantiated through gift giving and game play, in communication of brand values.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on in-depth phenomenological interviews of marketing managers and various channel intermediaries involved in the execution of a mass brand promotion program in rural India.

Findings

– The study reveals the employment of innovative game designs and gift choices, their design rooted deep in the village populace’s context and life experiences. It shows how the consumer’s experience created through games and gifts shapes their perceptions about the brand leading to favorable consideration and purchase outcomes for it.

Research limitations/implications

– This work is derived primarily from practice. It is hoped that industry practitioners will benefit from this stream of research and will use games and gifts in innovative ways to engage customers and create brand experiences.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first works to highlight the importance of games and gifts in experiential marketing literature. It brings into focus one of the largely unexplored facets of customer engagement in rural India.
A review of occupational therapy's contribution to and involvement in the work‐to‐retirement transition process: An Australian perspective
Authors: Eagers Jackie , Franklin Richard C. , Broome Kieran , Yau Matthew K.
Published: May 2016

Background

Retirement from paid work is an occupational transition, which can have a profound impact on a person's life. This review explored occupational therapy's contribution to and involvement in the work‐to‐retirement transition process in Australia.

Methods

An integrative literature review was undertaken using seven article repository databases. PRISMA guidelines informed searches. Articles were included if participants were Australian; researchers' discussed retirement from an occupational perspective or the scope of practice of occupational therapists; and publication was from 1994 to June 2015 in a peer‐reviewed journal. Articles were critically appraised and thematic analysis explored: (i) occupational perspective, (ii) occupational therapy scope of practice, (iii) theory and (iv) retirement definitions.

Results

Eight articles met the review criteria. Three occupational perspective themes were identified: retirement intention influences, retirement preparation and retirement roles and activities. No articles on the current scope of practice of occupational therapy were found. Three articles discussed potential occupational therapy approaches. Three themes on what retirement is were identified: complete cessation, gradual transition and intermittent worker. Four theory themes were identified: occupational therapy, ageing, identity and work.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy has the potential to be involved in improving health and well‐being for people in the work‐to‐retirement transition process. It is suggested that future research explore not only people's experiences but also the approaches of occupational therapy in assisting people through this occupational transition. The use of theory to guide Australian occupational therapy practice on retirement should also be explored. The use of consistent retirement definitions will assist in understanding research.
The Impact of EU Membership on UK Economic Performance
Authors: Crafts Nicholas
Published: May 2016

The relatively deep level of economic integration achieved by the European Union (EU) has been highly successful in increasing trade for its members. Larger trade volumes have had positive effects on productivity levels. In the case of the United Kingdom the gain from joining the EU was probably around 10 per cent of GDP and this far exceeded any costs of membership, possibly by a ratio of seven to one. A major reason for this outcome was a significant increase in competition as protectionism was abandoned. The economic implications of Brexit are much less clear because there are many permutations of what it would entail. Future trade barriers rather than budgetary transfers are the main issue. Brexit could be quite costly if the UK left the single market and used its new policy space badly. Ironically, while Brexit clearly appeals to free traders, it could end up empowering protectionists.
Ossian by Werther; or, the ‘respect for this author’
Authors: Bär Gerald
Published: May 2016

Despite Goethe's unfavourable affirmations concerning Ossian in his old age, he had set the fashion for Macpherson's publications with The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774). Even after the German ‘Ossianomanie’ had subsided, the bard's intoxicating influence on Werther kept arousing the interest of an international readership in other countries. This contribution will shed more light on Werther translations that partly omitted or expurgated the inserted Ossianic passages, thus ignoring their function as a factor of composition, obscuring the alterations in the protagonist's character and distorting Goethe's deliberate build‐up of the sensual climax.
Splenic scintigraphy for further differentiation of unclear 68Ga‐DOTATOC‐PET/CT findings: Strengths and limitations
Authors: Werner Christoph , Winkens Thomas , Freesmeyer Martin
Published: May 2016

Splenic scintigraphy has been described to be a powerful tool in unclear 68 Ga‐DOTATOC‐PET/CT findings, allowing differentiation between somatostatin receptor (Sst)‐positive tissue deriving from neuroendocrine tumour (NET) and functioning splenic tissue. However, our own experiences sometimes show a lack of identification on splenic scintigraphy, especially in small lesions, leading to uncertainties regarding the safe identification of NET or splenic tissue. Here, we report on 10 cases with 68Ga‐DOTATOC‐PET/CT and 99mTc‐heat‐denaturated red blood cell (HDRBC) scintigraphy and we illustrate the strengths and limitations of 99mTc‐HDRBC scintigraphy in this context.
The HPA axis and ethanol: a synthesis of mathematical modelling and experimental observations
Authors: Čupić Željko , Stanojević Ana , Marković Vladimir M. , Kolar‐Anić Ljiljana , Terenius Lars , Vukojević Vladana
Published: May 2016

Stress and alcohol use are interrelated—stress contributes to the initiation and upholding of alcohol use and alcohol use alters the way we perceive and respond to stress. Intricate mechanisms through which ethanol alters the organism's response to stress remain elusive. We have developed a stoichiometric network model to succinctly describe neurochemical transformations underlying the stress response axis and use numerical simulations to model ethanol effects on complex daily changes of blood levels of cholesterol, 6 peptide and 8 steroid hormones. Modelling suggests that ethanol alters the dynamical regulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity by affecting the amplitude of ultradian oscillations of HPA axis hormones, which defines the threshold with respect to which the response to stress is being set. These effects are complex—low/moderate acute ethanol challenge (<8 mM) may reduce, leave unaltered or increase the amplitude of ultradian cortisol (CORT) oscillations, giving rise to an intricate response at the organism level, offering also a potential explanation as to why apparently discordant results were observed in experimental studies. In contrast, high‐dose acute ethanol challenge (>8 mM) increases instantaneous CORT levels and the amplitude of ultradian CORT oscillations in a dose‐dependent manner, affecting the HPA axis activity also during the following day(s). Chronic exposure to ethanol qualitatively changes the HPA axis dynamics, whereas ethanol at intoxicating levels shuts down this dynamic regulation mechanism. Mathematical modelling gives a quantitative biology‐based framework that can be used for predicting how the integral HPA axis response is perturbed by alcohol.
France's Évin Law on the control of alcohol advertising: content, effectiveness and limitations
Authors: Gallopel‐Morvan Karine , Spilka Stanislas , Mutatayi Carine , Rigaud Alain , Lecas Franck , Beck François
Published: May 2016

Aims

To assess the effectiveness of the 2015 version of the French Évin Law that was implemented in 1991 with the objective of protecting young people from alcohol advertising.

Design

Data were obtained from survey questions measuring exposure and receptivity to alcohol advertisements that were introduced for the first time in the 2015 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

Participants and setting

A representative sample of 6642 10th–12th grade students (mean age 17.3 years) were interviewed in 198 schools in France by a self‐administered questionnaire.

Measurements

Information was collected on alcohol advertising exposure in different media (outside billboards, internet, etc.) and receptivity to recent advertisements (attractiveness, incentive to drink, etc.).

Findings

The majority of students declared that they had been exposed at least once a month to alcohol advertisements in supermarkets (73.2%), in movies (66.1%), magazines and newspapers (59.1%), on billboards in streets (54.5%), and on the internet (54.1%). Concerning the last recalled advertisements, 27.8% remembered the beverage type, 18.2% the brand, 13% felt like having a drink after having seen the advertisement and 19.6% found the advertisement attractive (boys ranked significantly higher than girls for all these indicators; P‐value < 0.05).

Conclusion

The 2015 version of the French Évin law does not appear to protect young people effectively from exposure to alcohol advertising in France.
Alcohol industry self‐regulation: who is it really protecting?
Authors: Noel Jonathan , Lazzarini Zita , Robaina Katherine , Vendrame Alan
Published: May 2016

Self‐regulation has been promoted by the alcohol industry as a sufficient means of regulating alcohol marketing activities. However, evidence suggests that the guidelines of self‐regulated alcohol marketing codes are violated routinely, resulting in excessive alcohol marketing exposure to youth and the use of content that is potentially harmful to youth and other vulnerable populations. If the alcohol industry does not adhere to its own regulations the purpose and design of these codes should be questioned. Indeed, implementation of alcohol marketing self‐regulation in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States was likely to delay statutory regulation rather than to promote public health. Moreover, current self‐regulation codes suffer from vague language that may allow the industry to circumvent the guidelines, loopholes that may obstruct the implementation of the codes, lax exposure guidelines that can allow excessive youth exposure, even if properly followed, and a standard of review that may be inappropriate for protecting vulnerable populations. Greater public health benefits may be realized if legislative restrictions were applied to alcohol marketing, and strict statutory alcohol marketing regulations have been implemented and defended successfully in the European Union, with European courts declaring that restrictions on alcohol marketing are proportional to the benefits to public health. In contrast, attempts to restrict alcohol marketing activities in the United States have occurred through private litigation and have been unsuccessful. None the less, repeated violations of industry codes may provide legislators with sufficient justification to pass new legislation and for such legislation to withstand constitutional review in the United States and elsewhere.
Urinary metabolomic profiling of asthmatics can be related to clinical characteristics
Authors: Loureiro C. C. , Oliveira A. S. , Santos M. , Rudnitskaya A. , Todo‐Bom A. , Bousquet J. , Rocha S. M.
Published: May 2016

Metabolomics has been increasingly explored to achieve an improved understanding of asthma. In the current observational and exploratory study, the first to have examined the relationship between oxidative stress extension, eosinophilic inflammation, and disease severity in asthmatic patients, metabolomics (using target aliphatic aldehydes and alkanes) was carried out using solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) followed by a comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with a high‐resolution time‐of‐flight analyzer (GC×GC‐ToFMS). We were able to demonstrate that metabolomics can give valuable insights into asthma mechanisms once lipidic peroxidation assessed by urinary metabolomics is related to the clinical characteristics of nonobese asthmatics, such as disease severity, lung function, and eosinophilic inflammation. Nevertheless, considering our sample size, the obtained results require further validation using a much larger sample cohort.
Liver‐related mortality in countries of the developed world: an ecological study approach to explain the variability
Authors: von Wulffen M. , Clark P. J. , Macdonald G. A. , Raj A. S. , Kendall B. J. , Powell E. E. , Jones M. P. , Holtmann G.
Published: May 2016

Background

Liver‐related mortality varies across developed nations.

Aim

To assess the relative role of various risk factors in relation to liver‐related mortality in an ecological study approach.

Methods

Data for liver‐related mortality, prevalence data for hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), alcohol consumption per capita, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), overweight and obesity were extracted from peer‐reviewed publications or WHO databases for different developed countries. As potential other risk‐modifying factors, purchase power parity (PPP)‐adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and health expenditure per capita were assessed. As an environmental ‘hygiene factor’, we also assessed the effect of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori. Only countries with a PPP‐adjusted GDP greater than $20 000 and valid information for at least 8 risk modifiers were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilised to quantify the contribution to the variability in liver‐related mortality.

Results

The proportion of chronic liver diseases (CLD)‐related mortality ranged from 0.73–2.40% [mean 1.56%, 95% CI (1.43–1.69)] of all deaths. Univariately, CLD‐related mortality was significantly associated with Hepatitis B prevalence, alcohol consumption, PPP‐adjusted GDP (all P < 0.05) and potentially H. pylori prevalence (P = 0.055). Other investigated factors, including hepatitis C, did not yield significance. Backward elimination suggested hepatitis B, alcohol consumption and PPP‐adjusted GDP as risk factors (explaining 66.3% of the variability).

Conclusion

Hepatitis B infection, alcohol consumption and GDP, but not hepatitis C or other factors, explain most of the variance of liver‐related mortality.
Single‐incision totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair is safe and feasible in elderly patients: A single‐center experience of 365 procedures
Authors: Wakasugi Masaki , Tei Mitsuyoshi , Anno Kana , Mikami Tsubasa , Tsukada Ryo , Koh Masahiro , Furukawa Kenta , Suzuki Yozo , Masuzawa Toru , Kishi Kentaro , Tanemura Masahiro , Akamatsu Hiroki
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of SILS for totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in elderly patients. A retrospective analysis of 365 patients who underwent of SILS for totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair from January 2012 to November 2015 at Osaka Police Hospital was performed, and the outcomes of patients aged <80 years and those aged ≥80 years were compared. There was a greater proportion of patients with an ASA score ≥3 among those ≥80 years than among those <80 years. The mean operative time for unilateral inguinal hernia was 94 min in patients <80 years and 98 min in patients ≥80 years. The mean operative time for bilateral inguinal hernia was 133 min in patients <80 years and 130 min in patients ≥80. Intraoperative bleeding was minimal in all patients. Conversion to a different operative procedure occurred in 3% (10/322) of patients <80 years and in 5% (2/43) of patients ≥80 years (P = 0.6). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.2 days for patients <80 years and 2.2 days for patients ≥80 years. The mean follow‐up period 21 ± 14 months (range, 3–50 months) for patients <80 years and 17 ± 14 months (range, 3–50 months) for patients ≥80 years (P = 0.3). Postoperative complications were seen in 12% (38/322) of patients <80 years and in 14% (6/43) of patients ≥80 years (P = 0.7). A seroma was seen in 9% (28/322) of patients <80 years and in 12% (5/43) of patients ≥80 years (P = 0.6). A wound infection occurred in 2% (8/322) of patients <80 years. These seromas and wound infections were managed conservatively. Pulmonary embolism was seen in one patient <80 years (0.3%). There was no mortality or recurrence in either group. SILS for totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair has good cosmesis and can be performed in elderly patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
Effects of dietary protein and energy levels on digestive enzyme activities and electrolyte composition in the small intestinal fluid of geese
Authors: Yang Jing , Yang Lin , Wang Yongchang , Zhai Shuangshuang , Wang Shenshen , Yang Zhipeng , Wang Wence
Published: May 2016

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and energy levels on digestive enzymes and electrolyte composition in jejunum of geese. A 3×3 factorial and completely randomized design was adopted with three protein levels and three energy levels. The experiment included four replicates for each treatment, and three geese for each replicate. Isovolumetric supernate from centrifugal jejuna fluid were mixed in each replicate. Activities of digestive enzymes and ions were analyzed. The results showed trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were significantly increased with increasing of dietary protein and energy levels (P<0.05). The concentrations of Ca2+ and pH value were significantly decreased by increased dietary protein and energy levels. However, no significant differences were found for the activities of amylase and cellulase, as well as the concentration of Na+ among groups with different protein and energy levels. In conclusion, digesta enzymes and electrolytes in the small intestine adapted to the protein and energy levels. The activities of protease, rather than amylase and cellulase were induced with increasing of protein and energy levels. The imbalance of positive and negative ions was possibly adjusted by the fluctuant concentrations of K+, Cl‐ and Ca2+ for maintaining normal physiological function.
Use of controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) devices to control reproduction in goats: A review
Authors: Knights Marlon , Singh‐Knights Doolarie
Published: May 2016

High reproductive rates are necessary in order to increase the productivity of goat operations. Progesterone and its analogues are widely used in other species to control the reproductive system to facilitate synchronized births, induce fertile estrus or to facilitate the use of assisted reproductive techniques with the goal of increasing productivity of livestock. Progesterone impregnated controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) devices are approved for delivery of the natural hormone progesterone to synchronize and induce fertile estrus in sheep. A few studies have reported a high estrous response and pregnancy rates when CIDRs are used to induce estrus in goats. However, significant variation exists in the duration of treatment (5‐16 days) and in the use of exogenous gonadotropins as part of the treatment protocol. As gonadotropins are not currently approved for commercial use in small ruminants in the USA, studies are needed to determine the necessity for exogenous gonadotropins and whether they can be replaced by enhancing endogenous secretion through photoperiodic manipulation of the doe and \ or increase stimulation through the ‘buck‐effect’. Future studies must not only evaluate efficacy, but should consider the economic feasibility of using CIDRs in commercial production systems.
Estimating the Average Treatment Effect on Survival Based on Observational Data and Using Partly Conditional Modeling
Authors: Gong Qi , Schaubel Douglas E.
Published: May 2016

Treatments are frequently evaluated in terms of their effect on patient survival. In settings where randomization of treatment is not feasible, observational data are employed, necessitating correction for covariate imbalances. Treatments are usually compared using a hazard ratio. Most existing methods which quantify the treatment effect through the survival function are applicable to treatments assigned at time 0. In the data structure of our interest, subjects typically begin follow-up untreated; time-until-treatment, and the pretreatment death hazard are both heavily influenced by longitudinal covariates; and subjects may experience periods of treatment ineligibility. We propose semiparametric methods for estimating the average difference in restricted mean survival time attributable to a time-dependent treatment, the average effect of treatment among the treated, under current treatment assignment patterns. The pre- and posttreatment models are partly conditional, in that they use the covariate history up to the time of treatment. The pre-treatment model is estimated through recently developed landmark analysis methods. For each treated patient, fitted pre- and posttreatment survival curves are projected out, then averaged in a manner which accounts for the censoring of treatment times. Asymptotic properties are derived and evaluated through simulation. The proposed methods are applied to liver transplant data in order to estimate the effect of liver transplantation on survival among transplant recipients under current practice patterns.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in inflammatory responses and cellular senescence: pathogenesis and pharmacological targets for chronic lung diseases
Authors: Yue Li , Yao Hongwei
Published: May 2016

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles, which couple the various cellular processes that regulate metabolism, cell proliferation and survival. Environmental stress can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and dynamic changes including reduced mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production, as well as mitophagy impairment, which leads to increased ROS, inflammatory responses and cellular senescence. Oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular senescence all have important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In this review, we discuss the current state on how mitochondrial dysfunction affects inflammatory responses and cellular senescence, the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction underlying the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases and the potential of mitochondrial transfer and replacement as treatments for these diseases.
Learning to Be Unsung Heroes: Development of Reputation Management in Two Cultures
Authors: Fu Genyue , Heyman Gail D. , Cameron Catherine Ann , Lee Kang
Published: May 2016

The effective management of one's reputation is an important social skill, but little is known about how it develops. This study seeks to bridge the gap by examining how children communicate about their own good deeds, among 7‐ to 11‐year‐olds in both China and Canada (total N = 378). Participants cleaned a teacher's messy office in her absence, and their responses were observed when the teacher returned. Only the Chinese children showed an age‐related increase in modesty by choosing to falsely deny their own good deeds. This modest behavior was uniquely predicted by Chinese children's evaluations of modesty‐related lies. The results suggest that culture‐specific socialization processes influence the way children communicate with authority figures about prosocial deeds.
Cultural Learning Redux
Authors: Tomasello Michael
Published: May 2016

M. Tomasello, A. Kruger, and H. Ratner (1993) proposed a theory of cultural learning comprising imitative learning, instructed learning, and collaborative learning. Empirical and theoretical advances in the past 20 years suggest modifications to the theory; for example, children do not just imitate but overimitate in order to identify and affiliate with others in their cultural group, children learn from pedagogy not just episodic facts but the generic structure of their cultural worlds, and children collaboratively co‐construct with those in their culture normative rules for doing things. In all, human children do not just culturally learn useful instrumental activities and information, they conform to the normative expectations of the cultural group and even contribute themselves to the creation of such normative expectations.
Children's Faithfulness in Imitating Language Use Varies Cross‐Culturally, Contingent on Prior Experience
Authors: Klinger Jörn , Mayor Julien , Bannard Colin
Published: May 2016

Despite its recognized importance for cultural transmission, little is known about the role imitation plays in language learning. Three experiments examine how rates of imitation vary as a function of qualitative differences in the way language is used in a small indigenous community in Oaxaca, Mexico and three Western comparison groups. Data from one hundred thirty‐eight 3‐ to 10‐year‐olds suggests that children selectively imitate when they understand the function of a given linguistic element because their culture makes frequent use of that function. When function is opaque, however, children imitate faithfully. This has implications for how children manage the imitation–innovation trade‐off, and offers insight into why children imitate in language learning across development.
Taking Turns or Not? Children's Approach to Limited Resource Problems in Three Different Cultures
Authors: Zeidler Henriette , Herrmann Esther , B. M. Haun Daniel , Tomasello Michael
Published: May 2016

Some problems of resource distribution can be solved on equal terms only by taking turns. We presented such a problem to 168 pairs of 5‐ to 10‐year‐old children from one Western and two non‐Western societies (German, Samburu, Kikuyu). Almost all German pairs solved the problem by taking turns immediately, resulting in an equal distribution of resources throughout the game. In the other groups, one child usually monopolized the resource in Trial 1 and sometimes let the partner monopolize it in Trial 2, resulting in an equal distribution in only half the dyads. These results suggest that turn‐taking is not a natural strategy uniformly across human cultures, but rather that different cultures use it to different degrees and in different contexts.
Interactive Lenses for Visualization: An Extended Survey
Authors: Tominski C. , Gladisch S. , Kister U. , Dachselt R. , Schumann H.
Published: May 2016

The elegance of using virtual interactive lenses to provide alternative visual representations for selected regions of interest is highly valued, especially in the realm of visualization. Today, more than 50 lens techniques are known in the closer context of visualization, far more in related fields. In this paper, we extend our previous survey on interactive lenses for visualization. We propose a definition and a conceptual model of lenses as extensions of the classic visualization pipeline. An extensive review of the literature covers lens techniques for different types of data and different user tasks and also includes the technologies employed to display lenses and to interact with them. We introduce a taxonomy of lenses for visualization and illustrate its utility by dissecting in detail a multi‐touch lens for exploring large graph layouts. As a conclusion of our review, we identify challenges and unsolved problems to be addressed in future research.
Incidence of undetected cement on CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns and customized CAD/CAM implant abutments. A prospective case series
Authors: Wasiluk Grzegorz , Chomik Ewa , Gehrke Peter , Pietruska Małgorzata , Skurska Anna , Pietruski Jan
Published: May 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of cement residues after cementation of CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns on customized CAD/CAM titanium abutments.

Materials and methods

Sixty premolars and molars were restored on Astra Tech Osseospeed TX™ implants using single monolithic zirconia crowns fixed on two types of custom‐made abutments: Atlantis™ titanium or Atlantis™ Gold Hue. Occlusal openings providing access to the abutment screws were designed for retrievability of the crown/abutment connection. After fixation with glass ionomer cement, the crown/abutment units were unscrewed to evaluate the presence of residual cement. Dichotomous assessment of the presence or absence of cement at the crown/abutment unit and peri‐implant tissues was performed.

Results

Clinically undetected cement excess was visible on 44 of 60 restorations (73.3%). There was no interdependency between residual cement presence and implant location or diameter. However, a dependency between the presence of residual cement and the aspect of the abutment/crown connection could be noted. The majority of the residues were observed on the distal (17.9%) and mesial (15%) aspects. While on the palatal/lingual aspect, the cement was visible in 8.8%; only 3.4% of all surfaces displayed cement residues.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that the use of customized CAD/CAM abutments do not guarantee avoidance of subgingival cement residues after crown cementation.
Adenosine Triphosphate stimulates differentiation and mineralization in human osteoblast‐like Saos‐2 cells
Authors: Cutarelli Alessandro , Marini Mario , Tancredi Virginia , D'Arcangelo Giovanna , Murdocca Michela , Frank Claudio , Tarantino Umberto
Published: May 2016

In the last years adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and subsequent purinergic system activation through P2 receptors were investigated highlighting their pivotal role in bone tissue biology. In osteoblasts ATP can regulate several activities like cell proliferation, cell death, cell differentiation and matrix mineralization. Since controversial results exist, in this study we analyzed the ATP effects on differentiation and mineralization in human osteoblast‐like Saos‐2 cells. We showed for the first time the altered functional activity of ATP receptors. Despite that, we found that ATP can reduce cell proliferation and stimulate osteogenic differentiation mainly in the early stages of in vitro maturation as evidenced by the enhanced expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Osteocalcin (OC) genes and by the increased ALP activity. Moreover, we found that ATP can affect mineralization in a biphasic manner, at low concentrations ATP always increases mineral deposition while at high concentrations it always reduces mineral deposition. In conclusion, we show the osteogenic effect of ATP on both early and late stage activities like differentiation and mineralization, for the first time in human osteoblastic cells.
Ultrasonography for diagnosis and follow‐up of carpal tunnel syndrome in mucopolysaccharidosis
Authors: Jester Andrea A M
Published: May 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Bäumer et al. on pages 1172–1179 of this issue.
Developing a classification system of social communication functioning of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Di Rezze Briano , Rosenbaum Peter , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Hidecker Mary Jo Cooley , Stratford Paul , Cousins Martha , Camden Chantal , Law Mary
Published: May 2016

Aim

Impairments in social communication are the hallmark of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Operationalizing ‘severity’ in ASD has been challenging; thus, stratifying by functioning has not been possible. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF:SC) and to evaluate its consistency within and between parent and professional ratings.

Method

(1) ACSF:SC development based on focus groups and surveys involving parents, educators, and clinicians familiar with preschoolers with ASD; and (2) evaluation of the intra‐ and interrater agreement of the ACSF:SC using weighted kappa (кw).

Results

Seventy‐six participants were involved in the development process. Core characteristics of social communication were ascertained: communicative intent; communicative skills and reciprocity; and impact of environment. Five ACSF:SC levels were created and content‐validated across participants. Best capacity and typical performance agreement ratings varied as follows: intrarater agreement on 41 children was кw=0.61 to 0.69 for parents, and кw=0.71 to 0.95 for professionals; interrater agreement between professionals was кw=0.47 to 0.61, and between parents and professionals was кw=0.33 to 0.53.

Interpretation

Perspectives from parents and professionals informed ACSF:SC development, providing common descriptions of the levels of everyday communicative abilities of children with ASD to complement the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Rater agreement demonstrates that the ACSF:SC can be used with acceptable consistency compared with other functional classification systems.
Restoration journey of the Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands, South Australia
Authors: Bachmann Mark R.
Published: May 2016

A restoration programme to reverse degradation of this important wetland ecosystem was first proposed in the 1980s but only became a reality a decade ago. Recovery of key functional groups of fauna, such as birds and fish, illustrates the value of wetland restoration, providing particularly useful insights for threatened species management and recovery.
Mitigating impacts of weeds and kangaroo grazing following prescribed fire in a Banksia woodland
Authors: Brown Kate , Paczkowska Grazyna , Gibson Neil
Published: May 2016

Banksia woodlands are renowned for their flammability and prescribed fire is increasingly employed to reduce the risk of wildfire and to protect life and property, particularly where these woodlands occur on the urban interface. Prescribed fire is also employed as a tool for protecting biodiversity assets but can have adverse impacts on native plant communities. We investigated changes in species richness and cover in native and introduced flora following autumn prescribed fire in a 700‐hectare Banksia/Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) woodland that had not burnt for more than 30 years. Effectiveness of management techniques at reducing weed cover and the impacts of grazing by Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)postfire were also investigated. Thirty plots were established across a designated burn boundary immediately before a prescribed fire in May 2011, and species richness and cover were measured 3 years after the fire, in spring of 2013. Fencing treatments were established immediately following the fire, and weed management treatments were applied annually in winter over the subsequent 3 years. Our results indicate that autumn prescribed fire can facilitate increases in weed cover, but management techniques can limit the establishment of targeted weeds postfire. Postfire grazing was found to have significant adverse impacts on native species cover and vegetation structure, but it also limited establishment of some serious weeds including Pigface (Carpobrotus edulis). Manipulating herbivores in time and space following prescribed fire could be an important and cost‐effective way of maintaining biodiversity values.
Propagation by partial tissue culture of Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum) for revegetation
Authors: Kodym Andrea , Lang Mirini , Delpratt John
Published: May 2016

Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum) is a native fern common in many Australian ecosystems and is needed in large numbers for revegetation projects. The main limiting factor for the propagation of locally sourced material is spore availability. A mass propagation system was developed by combining tissue culture and nursery‐based systems. Spores collected over the summer months from wild populations were germinated in vitro on ½ MS medium containing 0.15% w/v activated charcoal. Gametophytes were rapidly multiplied on the same medium. In vitro sporophyte development was unreliable although sometimes prolific. However, gametophytes transferred to a pine bark potting medium with added coir, on a capillary bed in a fog house, produced sporophytes reliably. Across different seasons and populations, 75–100% of the gametophyte explants developed sporophytes within about 9 weeks. Three hundred propagated ferns planted into two field sites within their provenance origins had a survival of 92 and 95% respectively, 3 or 4 months after planting. This report delivers a ready‐to‐use and reliable protocol for the mass propagation of bracken fern of local origin to the revegetation industry.