bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using attitudes, age and gender to estimate an adolescent’s substance use risk
Authors: Hansen William B. , Hansen Jared L.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a strategy for estimating an individual’s risk of alcohol, cigarette and cannabis use that relies on an assessment of an adolescent’s age, gender and attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assembled surveys from 35,987 11-17 year-olds from 36 databases to examine the relationship between attitude and behaviour.

Findings

Attitudes were strongly correlated with concurrent use of alcohol, drunkenness, smoking and cannabis, with correlations of −0.555, −0.517, −0.552 and −0.476, respectively. Logistic regression provided a means for using age, gender and attitudes to estimate an individual’s risk of engaging in substance use behaviour. Developmental changes in attitudes were estimated by analysing changes in scores associated with percentile rankings for each age and gender group. Projected year-to-year changes in attitude were used as a heuristic for estimating future risk.

Research limitations/implications

Analyses relied on cross-sectional panel data. Analyses would benefit from longitudinal data in which age-related changes in attitudes could be more precisely modelled.

Practical implications

Information about estimated current and future risk may prove useful for motivating the adoption and implementation of effective prevention approaches by parents and care providers.

Originality/value

The authors present a novel method for estimating an individual’s risk of substance use knowing attitude, age and gender.
Constructing a historical case for the teaching of business and management subjects
Authors: Cheung Cherry Wun Mei , Kwong Caleb
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Our study explores the use of historical cases in assisting students to understand some of the managerial issues faced by entrepreneurial multinational organisations. We argue that historical cases can be an effective tool to acquire management skills, with its main advantage being its ability to induce critical thinking which allows strategic decisions to be made in a variety of contexts. Of course there is the question of relevancy of using past behaviour to guide the future.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer this main criticism, we review the use of history in the study of business and management disciplines, before examining the way in which a historical case related to the entrepreneurial history of colonial Hong Kong can be constructed for the teaching of an international management subject. We then examine the impact of the use of such a historical case in the understanding and satisfaction of teaching.

Findings

We discuss the ways in which a historical case can be constructed. We found that overall students enjoy learning through a historical case.

Originality/value

This is the first paper examining how a historical case of multinational enterprises can be constructed for the teaching of international management.
Discovering perceptions of Muslim consumers toward the ICRIC Halal logo
Authors: Borzooei Mahdi , Asgari Maryam
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of Muslim consumers on the Islamic Chamber Research & Information Center (ICRIC) Halal logo. In particular, the paper evaluates the main messages of the logo and describes the organization’s characteristics behind this logo.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research conducts a semi-structured interview with visual aids method to identify the Malay Muslim’s perceptions toward the ICRIC Halal logo.

Findings

Results of the study indicate that the word “Halal” in Arabic characters is a very strong visual and emotional element of the logo because it is eye-catching and projects a strong image of credibility and trustworthiness. Using Islamic graphical design in a Halal logo can assist businesses to succeed in the marketplace. Simplicity, appropriate font type and size, suitable colors and total harmony of all elements make a Halal logo attractive and meaningful; the logo signals trust and mirrors the values of the organization.

Research limitations/implications

This research used a qualitative research approach to analyze the perceptions of 25 Malay Muslim students.

Practical implications

Practical implications of this study provide a new window for all Halal certification bodies to realize the importance of the different elements of the Halal logo.

Social implications

This research attempts to introduce a unique Halal logo that is approved by 57 Muslim countries. This unity assists religious consumers with various mathahib to purchase Halal products with confidence.

Originality/value

This pioneer study explores the Muslim consumers’ perceptions of a specific Halal logo in the marketplace.
Developing cash waqf model as an alternative source of financing for micro enterprises in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Thas Thaker Mohamed Asmy Bin , Mohammed Mustafa Omar , Duasa Jarita , Abdullah Moha Asri
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to attempt to offer a viable alternative model of source of financing which is known as integrated cash waqf micro enterprises investment (ICWME-I) model for micro enterprises in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature on the issues of accessing to finance faced by micro enterprises and cash waqf are reviewed critically and used in the attempt of proposing an alternative model.

Findings

The paper has developed ICWME-I model as a source of financing for micro enterprises. This model is expected to provide financial services by using cash waqf fund and involved the participatory contract between non-profit organization and micro enterprises. In addition, with the proposed model, there will be no collateral requirement, interest rate and other stringent requirements which usually imposed by existing conventional financial institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on conceptual explorations of literature in the area of micro enterprises and cash waqf. This is a conceptual paper, so it did not use any empirical analysis.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper will provide micro enterprises with an alternative source of financing to start-up or expand their business by using cash waqf fund. The present study also has implications for government and policy makers. With the involvement of non-profit organization that is proposed in this model, it helps the government to reduce its expenses for the development of micro enterprises.

Originality/value

This paper offers an additional literature on cash waqf especially from the Malaysian context. Furthermore, this paper adds to the literature on waqf and cash waqf. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for micro enterprises as a source of financing by using cash waqf fund. This model incorporates Musharakah Mutanaqisah (diminishing partnership) as a financial arrangement between non-profit organization and micro enterprises.
The relative impacts of experiential and transformational benefits on consumer-brand relationship
Authors: Trudeau H. Sabrina , Shobeiri Saeed
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore and compare the roles of brand’s experiential and transformational benefits in formation of consumer-brand relationships. Focusing on cosmetics consumption, the study investigates how brand’s experiential benefits (brand experience) and transformational benefits (self-esteem and self-expression) could impact the strength of consumer-brand relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling technique. The sample consisted of 373 university students, who completed self-administered questionnaires.

Findings

Results show that brand experience and self-expression have significant positive impacts on consumer-brand relationships. Brand experience plays a more important role, compared with transformational benefits, in this process. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could study possible transformative experiences across various industries. It could also use a more divergent sample that better represents general population.

Originality/value

This study is among the first in the literature to investigate the impacts of emerging sources of brand value, i.e. experiential and transformational benefits, in formation of strong consumer-brand relationships. It is also among the first to compare the predictive power of those two types of benefits in shaping brand-related outcomes.
Adopting generalized audit software: an Indonesian perspective
Authors: Widuri Rindang , O’Connell Brendan , Yapa Prem W.S.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify key factors driving auditors’ adoption of Generalized Audit Software (GAS) in a large developing country, Indonesia, through the lens of the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Results of this study are based on semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in Indonesia with audit firms of varying sizes.

Findings

Key study findings included the identification of highly influential adoption factors, especially environmental factors, such as availability of information technology-skilled auditors in the local market, client needs and expectations and client size. This study has also identified factors, not identified in previous research, as being influential including the importance of GAS availability in a range of languages and the necessity of a supportive professional and regulatory environment.

Originality/value

This study makes several contributions to the literature including that it identifies new influential factors in the TOE framework. This framework has not been widely applied in auditing research and looks beyond the individual perspective to that of the organization as a whole. Moreover, the present study takes a developing country perspective and examines a range of audit firms. In contrast, most studies to date in the area have taken a Western focus and have concentrated on large audit firms. Additionally, this study provides an in-depth analysis through the use of semi-structured interviews, whereas prior studies have relied on surveys.
A sentiment analysis of who participates, how and why, at social media sport websites
Authors: Bagić Babac Marina , Podobnik Vedran
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Due to an immense rise of social media in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to investigate who, how and why participates in creating content at football websites. Specifically, it provides a sentiment analysis of user comments from gender perspective, i.e. how differently men and women write about football. The analysis is based on user comments published on Facebook pages of the top five 2015-2016 Premier League football clubs during the 1st and the 19th week of the season.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis uses a data collection via social media website and a sentiment analysis of the collected data.

Findings

Results show certain unexpected similarities in social media activities between male and female football fans. A comparison of the user comments from Facebook pages of the top five 2015-2016 Premier League football clubs revealed that men and women similarly express hard emotions such as anger or fear, while there is a significant difference in expressing soft emotions such as joy or sadness.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original insight into qualitative content analysis of male and female comments published at social media websites of the top five Premier League football clubs during the 1st and the 19th week of the 2015-2016 season.
Design and colour preferences for older individuals in residential care
Authors: Stevens Katy , Fröis Thomas , Masal Sabrina , Winder Andrea , Bechtold Thomas
Published: September 2016

Purpose

On a global level, the ageing population is increasing which will undoubtedly result in an increased demand for care facilities and more complex care requirements. Individuals living in permanent residential care facilities can often be subjected to a number of unnecessary stresses due to feelings of institutionalisation, with a change of surrounding and loss of possessions leading to confusion and exacerbation of pre-existing dementia problems. It is believed that creating environments that are as comfortable and homely as possible can help to relieve negative emotions and improve the quality of life of the individuals. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study brought together care home residents, interior designers and textile manufacturers to research pattern design and colour preferences for bedding for residents in a care home. Results were implemented in the design and building of a new care home in Dornbirn, Austria, with the intention that residents will feel happier in surroundings they prefer.

Findings

Following collection and analysis of results, it was seen that both residents and non-residents tended to prefer patterns that were representative of the era when they were young, perhaps because of the positive feelings they experienced during these times, and the positive memories the familiar patterns evoked of these times. Respondents preferred colour schemes that were bright and vibrant and linked these colours to feelings of happiness. Respondents did not like the muted colour schemes, which could have been related to reduced colour sensitivity with age, rendering the paler schemes dull and drab.

Originality/value

While the authors acknowledge that case study was carried out in Austria and reflected the thoughts and opinions of Austrian citizens, the research methodology is easily transferrable to other countries and areas of research.
How to win a takeover battle: the case of Fosun’s purchase of Club Med. The difficulties faced by Chinese companies in overseas M&As
Authors: Wang Ruohan , Wu Yizhou
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

In an international merger and acquisition, the merged company often faces many difficulties. If we look into this case, China’s Fosun took many measures to conquer barriers and set a solid foundation: aligning the strategy of the company, choosing the allies, understanding local legal system as well as taking special measures concerning the real conditions. These together raise the possibility for Chinese companies to overcome international challenges.

Practical Implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Lenovo’s successful acquisition of the IBM PC Division
Authors: Thomas Mark
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze Lenovo’s successful acquisition of IBM’s PC division using Ghemawat’s (2001) CAGE framework. It was an acquisition that was so full of symbols that it is difficult to know where to begin. Lenovo’s purchase of IBM in 2005 was first seen as a sign of the rapid growth and expansion of the Chinese economy and its transformation away from the traditional manufacturing base to more high-tech areas. For doomsday merchants in the land of Uncle Sam, it foretold the end of the world domination of the US economy. Despite a considerable number of skeptics at the time, Lenovo was clearly up to the task. Such was the success of the acquisition that by 2015, Lenovo could claim to have grown into the world’s number 1 PC maker, number 3 smartphone manufacturer and number 3 in the production of tablet computers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a case study.

Findings

Despite a considerable number of skeptics at the time, Lenovo was clearly up to the task. Such was the success of the acquisition that by 2015, Lenovo could claim to have grown into the world’s number 1 PC maker, number 3 smartphone manufacturer and number 3 in the production of tablet computers. Indeed, by 2014, the firm had enough confidence to add the IBM server business to its portfolio.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Carnosic acid as a component of rosemary extract stimulates skeletal muscle cell glucose uptake via AMPK activation
Authors: Naimi Madina , Vlavcheski Filip , Murphy Brennan , Hudlicky Tomas , Tsiani Evangelia
Published: September 2016

Compounds that increase the activity of the energy sensor AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) have the potential to regulate blood glucose levels. Although rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to activate AMPK and reduce blood glucose levels in vivo, the chemical components responsible for these effects are not known. In the present study, we measured the levels of the polyphenol carnosic acid (CA) in RE and examined the effects and the mechanism of action of CA on glucose transport system in muscle cells. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the levels of CA in RE. Parental and GLUT4myc or GLUT1myc overexpressing L6 rat myotubes were used. Glucose uptake was assessed using [3H]‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose. Total and phosphorylated levels of Akt and AMPK were measured by immunoblotting. Plasma membrane GLUT4myc and GLUT1myc levels were examined using a GLUT translocation assay. Statistics included analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post‐hoc test. At concentrations found in rosemary extract, CA stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. At 2.0 μmol/L CA a response (226 ± 9.62% of control, P=.001), similar to maximum insulin (201 ± 7.86% of control, P=.001) and metformin (213 ± 10.74% of control, P=.001) was seen. Akt phosphorylation was not affected by CA while AMPK and ACC phosphorylation was increased and the CA‐stimulated glucose uptake was significantly reduced by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. Plasma membrane GLUT4 or GLUT1 glucose transporter levels were not affected by CA. Our study shows increased muscle cell glucose uptake and AMPK activation by low CA concentrations, found in rosemary extract, indicating that CA may be responsible for the antihyperglycemic properties of rosemary extract seen in vivo.
Land, Labour and Ambivalence: Lutheran Missionaries Managing Land Disputes at Cape Bedford Mission
Authors: Close‐Barry Kirstie
Published: September 2016

This article provides a close reading of a land dispute between Lutheran missionaries at Cape Bedford mission during the 1920s and 1930s in order to extrapolate understandings of missionary ambivalence, power, and privilege within colonial processes of dispossession. The main contention is that missionaries felt compelled to promote Aboriginal engagement in agricultural labour in order to ensure that they could visibly demonstrate the land's productivity, and then maintain access to it. It also contributes to understandings about missionary power and privilege within the colonial context and how at times the authority of missionaries was undermined by bureaucracy. It points to the discrepancies between settler and humanitarian discourses around Indigenous land use in Queensland's north during this period, and the relationships between missions and the state.
Finger counting method is more accurate than age‐based weight estimation formulae in estimating the weight of Hong Kong children presenting to the emergency department
Authors: So Jerome LT , Chow Eric PF , Cattermole Giles N , Graham Colin A , Rainer Timothy H
Published: September 2016

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the finger counting method and compare its performance with four commonly used age‐based weight estimation formulae in children aged 1–9 years presenting to the ED in Hong Kong.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, observational study of children aged 1–9 years who presented to the ED of a tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong over a 6 month period was conducted. Actual weight was compared with estimated weight using the finger counting method and four commonly used age‐based weight estimation formulae. Bland–Altman analysis was performed to evaluate the degree of agreement in which the mean percentage difference (MPD) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated. Root mean squared error (RMSE) and proportions of weight estimates within 10%, 15% and 20% of actual weight were determined.

Results

A total of 4178 children were included. The finger counting method was the most accurate method (MPD 0.1%; 95% LOA −34.0% to 34.2%). The original Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) formula (MPD −7.0%; 95% LOA −38.4% to 24.3%) and the updated APLS formula (MPD −0.4%; 95% LOA −38.5% to 37.8%) underestimated weight whereas the Luscombe formula (MPD 7.2%; 95% LOA −31.8% to 46.2%) and the Best Guess formula (MPD 10.6%; 95% LOA −27.3% to 48.4%) overestimated weight. The finger counting method had smallest RMSE of 4.06 kg and estimated the largest proportion of children within 10%, 15% and 20% of actual weight.

Conclusion

The finger counting method outperforms the commonly used age‐based weight estimation formulae in children aged 1–9 years presenting to the ED in Hong Kong.
Emotional, physical and sexual abuse are associated with a heightened limbic response to cocaine cues
Authors: Regier Paul S. , Monge Zachary A. , Franklin Teresa R. , Wetherill Reagan R. , Teitelman Anne , Jagannathan Kanchana , Suh Jesse J. , Wang Ze , Young Kimberly A. , Gawrysiak Michael , Langleben Daniel D. , Kampman Kyle M. , O'Brien Charles P. , Childress Anna Rose
Published: September 2016

Drug‐reward cues trigger motivational circuitry, a response linked to drug‐seeking in animals and in humans. Adverse life events have been reported to increase sensitivity to drug rewards and to bolster drug reward signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that cocaine‐dependent individuals with prior emotional, physical and sexual abuse might have a heightened mesolimbic brain response to cues for drug reward in a new brief‐cue probe. Cocaine‐dependent human individuals (N = 68) were stabilized in an inpatient setting and then completed an event‐related blood‐oxygen‐level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging task featuring 500‐ms evocative (cocaine, sexual, aversive) and comparator (neutral) cues. Responses to three questions about emotional, physical and sexual abuse from the Addiction Severity Index were used to divide the patients into subgroups (history of Abuse [n = 40] versus No Abuse [n = 28]). When subjects were grouped by the historical presence or absence of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, the Abuse group showed a heightened midbrain, thalamic, caudate, and caudal orbitofrontal cortex response to cocaine cues; a similar result was found in other evocative cues, as well. These findings are the first reported for a 500‐ms cocaine‐cue probe, and they highlight the ability of very brief evocative cues to activate the brain's motivational circuitry. Although all participants had severe cocaine use disorders, individuals reporting prior abuse had a heightened mesolimbic response to evocative cues. To our knowledge, this is the first study in humans linking a history of abuse to a brain vulnerability (heightened mesolimbic response to drug cues) previously shown to contribute to drug‐seeking.
Knowledge of Kidney Donation Among Care Givers in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adejumo Oluseyi A. , Solarin Adaobi U. , Abiodun Moses T. , Akinbodewa Ayodeji A.
Published: September 2016

One of the major challenges of kidney transplantation is shortage of kidney donors. Care givers (CGs) are potential kidney donors, but the majority of them are unwilling to donate due to inadequate knowledge on kidney donation. This study evaluated the knowledge of kidney donation and its determinants among CGs in two tertiary hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. This was a cross‐sectional study that was carried out in the Kidney Care Centre (KCC), Ondo and Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilishan‐Remo using a self‐administered pretested questionnaire that assessed knowledge of kidney donation and its determinants.Pvalue of <0.05 was taken as significant. A total of 244 respondents participated in the study. The majority were below 40 years, married, and female. The proportion of respondents with adequate knowledge of kidney donation was 63.4%. More respondents from BUTH compared to KCC had adequate knowledge of kidney donation (80% vs. 46.7%,P ≤ 0.001). Similarly, the mean knowledge score was higher in respondents from BUTH (P ≤ 0.001). Factors that determined knowledge of kidney donation were female gender (AOR: 3.43, 95% CI: 1.25–9.40,P = 0.02) and social class (AOR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.50–2.95,P ≤ 0.001). There was positive correlation between knowledge of kidney donation among the respondents from both hospitals and their willingness to donate kidneys (r = 0.439,P ≤ 0.001). Knowledge of kidney donation was better among BUTH's respondents. Gender and social class were predictors of knowledge of kidney donation. Improving knowledge of kidney donation may improve willingness to donate among the public.
Detection of Thrombosis in the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuit by Infrasound: Proof of Concept
Authors: Fuchs Gabriel , Berg Niclas , Eriksson Anders , Prahl Wittberg Lisa
Published: September 2016

As of today, there exist no reliable, objective methods for early detection of thrombi in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMO) system. Within the ECMO system, thrombi are not always fixed to a certain component or location in the circuit. Thus, clot fragments of different shapes and consistencies may circulate and give rise to vibrations and sound generation. By bedside sound measurements and additional laboratory experiments (although not detailed herein), we found that the presence of particles (clots or aggregates and fragments of clots) can be detected by analyzing the strength of infra‐sound (< 20 Hz) modes of the spectrum near the inlet and outlet of the centrifugal pump in the ECMO circuit. For the few patients that were considered in this study, no clear false positive or negative examples were found when comparing the spectral approach with clinical observations. A laboratory setup provided insight to the flow in and out of the pump, confirming that in the presence of particles a low‐amplitude low‐frequency signal is strongly amplified, enabling the identification of a clot.
From imitation to implementation: How two‐ and three‐year‐old children learn to enforce social norms
Authors: Hardecker Susanne , Tomasello Michael
Published: September 2016

Young children enforce social norms from early on, but little research has examined how this enforcement behaviour emerges. This study investigated whether observing an adult's norm enforcement influences children's own enforcement of that norm compared with observing an action demonstration without enforcement. Additionally, children experienced enforcement either following their own (second‐party) or a third‐party's transgression (N = 120). Results revealed that observing enforcement increased two‐ and three‐year‐old children's protest against the sanctioned action regardless of second‐ or third‐party context. However, only three‐year‐olds generalized their enforcement to a novel action not matching the norm, whereas two‐year‐olds only protested against the previously sanctioned action. Importantly, without any enforcement demonstration, two‐year‐olds rarely protested at all while three‐year‐olds did so quite frequently. Thus, providing an opportunity to imitate enforcement seems to give rise to enforcement behaviour in two‐year‐olds while three‐year‐olds already understand normative implications following a variety of cues and even apply norm enforcement without any demonstration of how to do it.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Children conform to social norms from early in development.

Young children from 2 to 3 years of age also enforce social norms on third parties.

What does this study add?

Observing enforcement by an adult increases two‐ and three‐year‐olds’ protest against the sanctioned action.

It does not matter whether children experienced enforcement on their own or a third party's action.

Three‐, but not two‐year‐olds, generalize their enforcement to novel actions that do not match the norm.
Blockade of high mobility group box 1 augments antitumor T‐cell response induced by peptide vaccination as a co‐adjuvant
Authors: Waki Kayoko , Yamada Akira
Published: September 2016

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a member of the family of damage‐associated molecular patterns, which cause inflammation and trigger innate immunity through Toll‐like receptors 2/4 and the receptor for advanced glycation end products. We examined the effect of glycyrrhizin, a selective inhibitor of HMGB1, on the induction of CTLs in mice. B6 mice, either OT‐1 spleen cell‐transferred or untransferred, were immunized with an s.c. injection of OVA257–264 peptide with topical imiquimod, and glycyrrhizin was mixed with the antigen peptide. Proliferation of OT‐1 cells after immunization was enhanced by glycyrrhizin. The effect of glycyrrhizin was confirmed in other adjuvant systems, such as CpG oligonucleotide and monophosphoryl lipid A, but glycyrrhizin was not effective in Freund's incomplete adjuvant system. The augmenting effects of glycyrrhizin were also observed in other synthetic HMGB1 inhibitors, gabexate mesilate, nafamostat, and sivelestat. Thus, the effects are common to the HMGB1 inhibitors. Induction of CTLs detected by γ‐interferon enzyme‐linked immunospot assay was similarly augmented by glycyrrhizin. In a therapeutic vaccine model, glycyrrhizin inhibited the growth of s.c. transplanted EG.7 tumors. Expression of inflammatory cytokines in the skin inoculation site was downregulated by glycyrrhizin. These results suggest that HMGB1 inhibitors might be useful as a co‐adjuvant for peptide vaccination with an innate immunity receptor‐related adjuvant.
Choroidal abnormalities in café‐au‐lait syndromes: a new differential diagnostic tool?
Authors: Cassiman C. , Casteels I. , Jacob J. , Plasschaert E. , Brems H. , Dubron K. , Keer K.V. , Legius E.
Published: September 2016

The best known café‐au‐lait syndrome is neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Legius syndrome (LS) is another, rarer syndrome with café‐au‐lait macules (CALMs). In young patients their clinical picture is often indistinguishable. We investigated the presence of choroidal abnormalities in syndromes with CALMs as a candidate tool for a more efficient diagnosis.

Thirty‐four patients with NF1 (14 with a truncating mutation, 14 with a non‐truncating mutation and 6 with unknown mutation) and 11 patients with LS. All patients underwent an ophthalmological examination. Infrared images were performed.

Choroidal nodules were diagnosed in 65% of the NF1 group. About 71% of NF1 patients with a truncating mutation and 50% of patients with a non‐truncating mutation were found to have nodules. Choroidal nodules were seen in 18% of the LS patients, never more than one nodule/eye was detected in this group.

Choroidal nodules are more abundantly present in NF1 genotypes with truncating mutations. In contrast, the number of choroidal nodules in LS is comparable with their presence in healthy individuals. Especially at an early age, when the clinical picture is incomplete, the detection of choroidal nodules is of diagnostic value, and helps in an appropriate genetic counselling and follow‐up. These results support the suggestion to include choroidal nodules to the diagnostic criteria for NF1.
Investigating the key indicators for evaluating post‐disaster shelter
Authors: Nath Ronita , Shannon Harry , Kabali Conrad , Oremus Mark
Published: September 2016

This study sought to identify the primary indicators for evaluating shelter assistance following natural disasters and then to develop a shelter evaluation instrument based on these indicators. Electronic databases and the ‘grey’ literature were scoured for publications with a relation to post‐disaster shelter assistance. Indicators for evaluating such assistance were extracted from these publications. In total, 1,525 indicators were extracted from 181 publications. A preliminary evaluation instrument was designed from these 1,525 indicators. Shelter experts checked the instrument for face and content validity, and it was revised subsequently based on their input. The revised instrument comprises a version for use by shelter agencies (48 questions that assess 23 indicators) and a version for use by beneficiaries (52 questions that assess 22 indicators). The instrument can serve as a standardised tool to enable groups to gauge whether or not the shelter assistance that they supply meets the needs of disaster‐affected populations.
Trust, but verify: social media models for disaster management
Authors: Mehta Amisha M. , Bruns Axel , Newton Judith
Published: September 2016

A lack of trust in the information exchanged via social media may significantly hinder decisionmaking by community members and emergency services during disasters. The need for timely information at such times, though, challenges traditional ways of establishing trust. This paper, building on a multi‐year research project that combined social media data analysis and participant observation within an emergency management organisation and in‐depth engagement with stakeholders across the sector, pinpoints and examines assumptions governing trust and trusting relationships in social media disaster management. It assesses three models for using social media in disaster management—information gathering, quasi‐journalistic verification, and crowdsourcing—in relation to the guardianship of trust to highlight the verification process for content and source and to identify the role of power and responsibilities. The conclusions contain important implications for emergency management organisations seeking to enhance their mechanisms for incorporating user‐generated information from social media sources in their disaster response efforts.
Global Salmonidae introductions reveal stronger ecological effects of changing intraspecific compared to interspecific diversity
Authors: Buoro Mathieu , Olden Julian D. , Cucherousset Julien
Published: September 2016

The introduction of organisms within the native range of wild conspecifics is a widespread phenomenon and locally modifies patterns in intraspecific diversity. However, our knowledge of the resulting ecological effects, as opposed to those caused by invasion‐induced changes in interspecific diversity, is still limited. Here, we investigated the ecological effects of native and non‐native invaders across levels of biological organisations and recipient organisms using the global and long history introductions of salmonids. Our meta‐analysis demonstrated that the global effects of native species introductions exceeded those induced by non‐native invaders. The impacts of native invaders were primarily manifested at the individual level on wild conspecifics, but remained largely unexplored on other native organisms and at the community and ecosystem levels. Overlooked and poorly appreciated, quantifying the impacts of native invaders has important implications because human‐assisted introductions of domesticated organisms are ubiquitous and likely to proliferate in the future.
Parasite infection alters host stable‐isotope composition under controlled feeding
Authors: Pulkkinen Katja , Aalto Sanni L. , Nykänen Hannu
Published: September 2016

Stable isotopes are widely used for studying trophic relationships, but variation driven by environmental conditions or food availability complicates the interpretation of trophic dynamics. Parasites are ubiquitous and known to affect physiological functions of their hosts, but only few studies have assessed the effects of parasites on isotope composition of hosts.

We measured the changes in two of the most commonly used stable isotopes in food‐web studies, nitrogen (i.e. 15N:14N ratio; denoted as δ15N) and carbon (13C:12C; δ13C) in Daphnia hosts exposed to infection by a parasitic micosporidian in the laboratory. Isotopic signatures of hosts fed a standardised controlled diet were compared with uninfected animals under conditions of high food availability and under food limitation.

Parasite infection led to enriched δ15N and δ13C values that were associated with decreased growth and decreased lipid content, indicating energy limitation comparable to that in food‐limited animals. However, enrichment in 13C values was apparent sooner in infected well‐fed animals than in the food‐limited animals, suggesting strong parasite‐induced effects on host C‐metabolism.

By using experimental exposure to parasite infection and a standardised diet, our study excluded the effects of changes in food sources via parasite‐induced altered habitat or feeding behaviour on host isotope composition and demonstrated for the first time that parasite infection directly alters the isotopic values of the host.

Our study demonstrates that parasite‐induced changes in isotope values may add to the variability in the estimates of the contribution of each food type assimilated by consumers, and thus should be taken into account during investigations of trophic relationships and food webs.
Terminal differentiation of cortical neurons rapidly remodels RanGAP‐mediated nuclear transport system
Authors: Fujiwara Kazushiro , Hasegawa Koichi , Oka Masahiro , Yoneda Yoshihiro , Yoshikawa Kazuaki
Published: September 2016

Terminal differentiation of neurons is accompanied by irreversible exit from the cell cycle and expression of neuronal phenotypes. The molecular mechanism whereby committed neuronal progenitors lose their ability to reenter the cell cycle is largely unknown. Here, we report that the nuclear transport system is rapidly remodeled in primary cortical progenitor cells (CPCs) at the very beginning of neuronal terminal differentiation. High levels of Ran GTPase‐activating protein 1 (RanGAP), a key regulator of the Ran GTP‐GDP cycle, in primary CPCs are drastically reduced upon neuronal induction. Small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO)‐2/3‐conjugated RanGAP undergoes desumoylation and degradation in neuronally committed CPCs, where reduced RanGAP levels impede the nuclear import of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling proteins including the DNA replication initiation factor Cdc6. Furthermore, RNAi‐mediated down‐regulation of RanGAP expression in undifferentiated CPCs induces neuronal phenotypes including cell cycle exit. Our data suggest that remodeling of the RanGAP‐mediated nuclear transport system plays a key role in cell cycle exit for terminal differentiation of cortical neurons.
Loss of expression of SMARCA4 (BRG1), SMARCA2 (BRM) and SMARCB1 (INI1) in undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium is not uncommon and is not always associated with rhabdoid morphology
Authors: Ramalingam Preetha , Croce Sabrina , McCluggage W Glenn
Published: September 2016

Aim

Abnormalities of SMARCB1 (INI1), which encodes a member of the SWI/SNF pathway, are found in neoplasms with rhabdoid morphology, such as malignant rhabdoid tumour of the kidney and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour of the central nervous system. SMARCA4 (BRG1), which encodes another member of the SWI/SNF pathway, and which is mutated in almost all small‐cell carcinomas of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type, has been investigated in endometrial carcinomas, and mutations with resultant loss of immunohistochemical staining have been demonstrated in some endometrial undifferentiated carcinomas/dedifferentiated carcinomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of SMARCA4, SMARCB1 and SMARCA2 in a cohort of undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas, and to correlate expression of these markers with rhabdoid morphology and clinical outcome.

Methods and results

Forty undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas (18 pure and 22 dedifferentiated carcinomas) were stained with SMARCA4 (n = 40), SMARCB1 (n = 27), and SMARCA2 (n = 37). SMARCA4 expression was intact in 26 of 40 (65%) cases, lost in 13 of 40 (32.5%) cases, and unassessable in one case (2.5%). SMARCB1 expression was intact in 26 of 27 (96%) cases and lost in one of 27 (4%) cases. SMARCA2 expression was intact in 23 of 37 (62%) cases, lost in 10 of 37 (27%) cases, and unassessable in four cases. SMARCA2 expression showed corresponding loss in nine of the 13 (69%) SMARCA4‐deficient cases. Rhabdoid morphology was present in three of 13 (23%) SMARCA4‐deficient cases, in two of 10 (20%) SMARCA2‐deficient cases, in four of 26 (15%) SMARCA4‐intact cases, and in four of 23 (17%) SMARCA2‐intact cases. There was no correlation between SMARCA4 or SMARCA2 expression and clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that almost one‐third of endometrial undifferentiated carcinomas show loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 expression, and that a subset show rhabdoid morphology. The majority of the SMARCA4‐deficient cases show concomitant loss of SMARCA2 expression. There is no correlation between SMARCA4 or SMARCA2 expression and outcome. Our results confirm that the SWI/SNF chromatin‐remodelling complex is involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial undifferentiated carcinomas.
My choice, your problem? Mandating IT use in large organisational networks
Authors: Carugati Andrea , Fernández Walter , Mola Lapo , Rossignoli Cecilia
Published: September 2016

On the basis of a four‐year exploratory study of a mandatory information systems implementation by an Italian, multibillion‐dollar dairy cooperative with 2200 members, this paper describes how key stakeholders engage in dynamic transformation processes that shape the technology, the users' practices and the organisation itself. In doing so, this study responds to calls for process‐oriented longitudinal explorations and suggests an alternative path of adoption in which the technology becomes the reification of a bi‐directional discourse about the transformation of practices for the entire network of organisations. In presenting this alternative path, this study unveils a five‐phase change process that both altered perceptions of the technology and its possibilities at the same time resolving tensions among the drivers and users of the mandated system. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Peroxiredoxin 1 – an antioxidant enzyme in cancer
Authors: Ding Chenbo , Fan Xiaobo , Wu Guoqiu
Published: September 2016

Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs), a ubiquitous family of redox‐regulating proteins, are reported of potential to eliminate various reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a major member of the antioxidant enzymes, PRDX1 can become easily over‐oxidized on its catalytically active cysteine induced by a variety of stimuli in vitro and in vivo. In nucleus, oligomeric PRDX1 directly associates with p53 or transcription factors such as c‐Myc, NF‐κB and AR, and thus affects their bioactivities upon gene regulation, which in turn induces or suppresses cell death. Additionally, PRDX1 in cytoplasm has anti‐apoptotic potential through direct or indirect interactions with several ROS‐dependent (redox regulation) effectors, including ASK1, p66Shc, GSTpi/JNK and c‐Abl kinase. PRDX1 is proven to be a versatile molecule regulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Recent studies have found that PRDX1 and/or PRDX1‐regulated ROS‐dependent signalling pathways play an important role in the progression and metastasis of human tumours, particularly in breast, oesophageal and lung cancers. In this paper, we review the structure, effector functions of PRDX1, its role in cancer and the pivotal role of ROS in anticancer treatment.
Rare Earths from Mines to Metals: Comparing Environmental Impacts from China's Main Production Pathways
Authors: Lee Jason C.K. , Wen Zongguo
Published: September 2016

Over the past decade, China has supplied over 90% of global rare earths, and in doing so bore significant environmental burdens from processing its complex ores. In this study, we used life cycle assessment to quantify environmental impacts for producing 1 kilogram (kg) of 15 rare earth elements from each major production pathway. The scope of assessment included the largest rare earth oxide (REO) production chain in Bayan Obo, as well as lesser known production chains for bastnäsite in Sichuan and in‐situ leaching of kaolin clays in the Seven Southern Provinces of China. This was followed by assessing impacts from the three major metal refining processes: molten salt electrolysis, calciothermic reduction, and lanthanothermic reduction. Among 11 impact categories assessed, results were highest for human toxicity that ranged between 13.1 and 50.4 kg 1,4‐dichlorobenzene‐eq (equivalent)/kg of rare earth metal−1, followed by eutrophication (0.04 to 1.26 kg phosphate‐eq/kg of rare earth metal−1), abiotic depletion potential of fossil fuels (592 to 1,857 megajoules per kg of rare earth metal−1), acidification (0.25 to 0.87 kg sulfur dioxide‐eq/kg of rare earth metal−1), and global warming (39.1 to 109.6 kg carbon dioxide‐eq/kg of rare earth metal−1) potentials. Regionally, impacts in Sichuan were lower across all key impact categories than in Bayan Obo: 32% lower for human toxicity, 67% lower for eutrophication, 58% lower for acidification, and 45% lower for global warming. A scenario analysis between the industry average and best available technologies revealed considerable potential to mitigate impacts across all production chains, particularly by improving waste treatment practices.
The Zones of Fragility: Outlaws and the Forms of Violence in the Ottoman Empire
Authors: Cayli Baris
Published: September 2016

This study explores the relationship between violence and power through examining the archival documents about the outlaws in the Ottoman Empire from 1852 to 1876. I argue that the outlaws and the use of violence in the public sphere defied the power of the Ottoman Empire. Thereof, the present study agrees with the main thesis of Hannah Arendt about the destructive influence of violence on power. However, I take Hannah Arendt's argument on violence one step further by claiming that the form of violence ‐whether political or non‐political‐ loses its significance when both public safety and state sovereignty are under great threats at the same time in the zones of fragility.