bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to run successful e-internships: a case for organizational learning
Authors: Jeske Debora , Axtell Carolyn M.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline unique learning experience that virtual/e-internships can offer small and medium-sized enterprises and start-up organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 18 experts on e-internships (interns and managers of internships) across several countries to learn more about the learning experiences for both organizations and interns. The information from these interviews was also used to formulate a number of recommendations.

Findings

The interviews outlined the various development opportunities that e-internships may produce for interns, managers and staff within these organizations. One important benefit pertains to the skill development of both interns and managers. The interns get unique working experiences that also benefit the organizations in terms of their creativity, input and feedback. In return, managers get a unique learning experience that helps them expand their project management skills, interpersonal skills and mentoring.

Practical implications

The authors outline a number of recommendations that consider skill development, the benefit of diversity in numerous forms as well as mutual benefits for enterprises and start-ups.

Originality/value

The discussion of the various benefits and conditions under which virtual internships will succeed in organizations provides practitioners an insight into the organizational opportunities available to them given the right investment into e-interns and internship schemes.
In touch with the softer side of MBAs
Authors: Beal Brian
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Considering that Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have been the focus of many evaluations and much criticism in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the objective and subjective effects on careers experienced by part-time MBA students and graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an empirical research, involving more than 700 students and graduates of three part-time MBA programs in Brazil.

Findings

The authors found that students and graduates experience more subjective than objective effects of such programs in their careers, and that the subjective effects are primarily related to self-confidence, employability, expansion of business view and ability to “play the game”.

Originality/value

This study makes three contributions to the knowledge of the effects of MBAs. First, it provides insight into students’ perspectives. Second, it increases the knowledge of the subjective effects of MBAs on the careers of students. And third, it focuses on part-time programs in a developing nation rather than on full-time programs in a developed nation such as the USA, as is often the case.
Cultural values and consumers’ expectations and perceptions of service encounter quality
Authors: Karami Masoud , Maleki Mohamad Mehdi , Dubinsky Alan J.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the impact of cultural values on perceptions of service encounter quality by examining the potentially mediating role of service encounter expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 30 cosmetic clinic patients in Tehran, Iran. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the convergent and discriminant validity of the scales. Moreover, path modeling and bootstrapping were implemented using Smartpls 2.0 (M3) software to analyze the collected data and to assess the research model (Figure 1).

Findings

Cultural values have a significant impact on both expectations and perceptions of service encounter quality. Moreover, findings show that expectations of service encounter quality have an impact on perceptions of service encounter quality. The mediating role of service encounter expectations was confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

There are additional issues that should be addressed about different aspects of service encounters in developing countries. Moreover, subcultures provide attractive context for service quality perception research; subcultures comprise a large consumer market having its own cultural values that future research could examine.

Practical implications

Healthcare service providers should understand the cultural values of patients that may differ by social demographic characteristics. Providing a service that enhances patient cultural values might enhance success in the plastic surgery market, because such surgery may assist one in gaining recognition and improving their relationships with others. Clinic managers should consider Iran as a developing country, with its considerable young population having modern self-oriented demands, should be a desirable market for cosmetics and beauty care products.

Originality/value

Using the concept of Schwartz’s basic human values model to assess consumers’ cultural values and its impact on service encounter quality was the study’s main contribution. Moreover, it is among few studies conducted in the cosmetic surgery industry in a developing country’s context.
Time preference and the process of civilization
Authors: Howden David , Kampe Joakim
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The authors begin with an admittedly simplistic statement: “civilization” is best represented by the increased availability of utility providing goods and services. In other words, civilization is synonymous with economic development. The purpose of this paper is to concern three questions. First, how does civilization develop? Second, what is time preference and how does it affect the development of civilization, or what the authors call the “process of civilization.” Third, what factors affect time preference, and how do changes in time preference affect this civilizing process? Through these three questions, the authors provide the theoretical answer to why civilization developed, instead of the more common historical how civilization actually developed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors survey a variety of theories of civilization, and then develop an alternative that answers the question of “how civilization develops” rather than the more common “how did civilization develop.”

Findings

– Endogenous reductions in time preference are determined to be the best explanation of the spark that instigates the process of civilization. It also allows for other approaches to fall under its umbrella, thus providing one general theory in place of the current-specific theories.

Originality/value

– The value lies in the creation of a general theory of civilization, against which other theories looking at specific factors can be gauged.
Dynamic modeling and sensitivity analysis of dual-robot pneumatic riveting system for fuselage panel assembly
Authors: Huan Honglun , Cheng Liang , Ke Yinglin
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a dual-robot pneumatic riveting system for fuselage panel assembly, including the system design, dynamic analysis and sensitivity analysis. The dual-robot pneumatic riveting system is designed to improve riveting efficiency and quality, thus finally replace the traditional two-man riveting mode where possible.

Design/methodology/approach

– The dual-robot pneumatic riveting system has been designed by considering vibration reduction for the tools and isolation for robots. Nonlinear multi-body dynamic model including clearance and collision is established for investigating the dynamic performance and analyzing the systemic sensitivities with respect to the key variations. Semi-implicit Runge–Kuta algorithm is used for solving the dynamic equations and shop experiments are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the numerical simulations.

Findings

– The simulation results show the tools can be held stably enough for riveting operation and the system sensitivity with respect to robot gesture can achieve the expected level. The experiment validates the proposed system with a good performance, and the riveting quality could adequately meet the requirements. The system is capable of installing an aluminum alloy countersunk 5 mm diameter rivet in 5 s.

Practical implications

– The dual robot pneumatic riveting system is successfully developed and test. It has been applied in a project of fuselage panel assembly in the aircraft manufacturing industry in China.

Originality/value

– To replace the traditional manual rivet installation, this paper presents a dual robot pneumatic riveting system and includes both the system design and dynamic analysis.
Intelligent method for tuning H2 PID controller of water hydraulic manipulator of CFETR blanket maintenances
Authors: Han Manfen , Wu Huapeng , Song Yuntao , Cheng Yong , Handroos Heikki
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate an intelligent control for water hydraulic position servo system which is intent to be used in remote control robot for fusion reactor. The dynamic model of water hydraulic servo control system is built and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller is used.

Design/methodology/approach

– PID control is the most common control algorithm used in industry and has been a conventional tool used to operate closed-loop control system; however, it is very difficult to achieve high accuracy and fast response by using the traditional way to tune its perimeters. To improve the control performance, optimization algorithm can be applied to search the best parameters of PID. This paper presents a search algorithm using particle swarm with H2 control standards objective function to optimize PID parameters.

Findings

– By comparing simulation and mock-up experiments’ results from different control methods, the particle swarm optimization algorithm presents better performance and is more effective for tuning PID parameters.

Originality/value

– This paper presents an effective way to ensure safety and efficiency for remote handling maintenances of China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor.
Design of cooling system for inspection manipulator and analysis based on experiment
Authors: Chen Tan , Zhang Wei-jun , Yuan Jian-jun , Du Liang , Zhou Ze-yu
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a different cooling method (water cooling) to protect all the mechanical/electrical components for Tokamak in-vessel inspection manipulator. The method is demonstrated effective through high temperature experiment, which provides an economical and robust approach for manipulators to work normally under high temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The design of cooling system uses spiral copper tube structure, which is versatile for all types of key components of manipulator, including motors, encoders, drives and vision systems. Besides, temperature sensors are set at different positions of the manipulator to display temperature data to construct a close-loop feedback control system with cooling components.

Findings

– The cooling system for the whole inspection manipulator working under high temperature is effective. Using insulation material such as rubber foam as component coating can significantly reduce the environmental heat transferred to cooling system.

Originality/value

– Compared with nitrogen gas cooling applied in robotic protection design, although it is of less interest in prior research, water cooling method proves to be effective and economical through our high temperature experiment. This paper also presents an energetic analysis method to probe into the global process of water cooling and to evaluate the cooling system.
Motion planning for humanoid robot dynamically stepping over consecutive large obstacles
Authors: Guo Fayong , Mei Tao , Luo Minzhou , Ceccarelli Marco , Zhao Ziyi , Li Tao , Zhao Jianghai
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Humanoid robots should have the ability of walking in complex environment and overcoming large obstacles in rescue mission. Previous research mainly discusses the problem of humanoid robots stepping over or on/off one obstacle statically or dynamically. As an extreme case, this paper aims to demonstrate how the robots can step over two large obstacles continuously.

Design/methodology/approach

– The robot model uses linear inverted pendulum (LIP) model. The motion planning procedure includes feasibility analysis with constraints, footprints planning, legs trajectory planning with collision-free constraint, foot trajectory adapter and upper body motion planning.

Findings

– The motion planning with the motion constraints is a key problem, which can be considered as global optimization issue with collision-free constraint, kinematic limits and balance constraint. With the given obstacles, the robot first needs to determine whether it can achieve stepping over, if feasible, and then the robot gets the motion trajectory for the legs, waist and upper body using consecutive obstacles stepping over planning algorithm which is presented in this paper.

Originality/value

– The consecutive stepping over problem is proposed in this paper. First, the paper defines two consecutive stepping over conditions, sparse stepping over (SSO) and tight stepping over (TSO). Then, a novel feasibility analysis method with condition (SSO/TSO) decision criterion is proposed for consecutive obstacles stepping over. The feasibility analysis method’s output is walking parameters with obstacles’ information. Furthermore, a modified legs trajectory planning method with center of mass trajectory compensation using upper body motion is proposed. Finally, simulations and experiments for SSO and TSO are carried out by using the XT-I humanoid robot platform with the aim to verify the validity and feasibility of the novel methods proposed in this paper.
The feasibility of introducing an adult safeguarding measure (survey) for inclusion in the adult social care outcomes framework (ASCOF): projecting costs
Authors: Norrie Caroline , Manthorpe Jill , Cartwright Cher , Rayat Pritpal , Petrie David
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The Health and Social Care Information Centre undertook the development and piloting of a new adult safeguarding outcome measure (a face-to-face survey) for local authorities (LAs) that could be added to the adult social care outcomes framework (ASCOF). The ASCOF is a national collection of social care outcomes performance indicators collected from the perspective of people receiving partial or total funding from a LA for care services. The projected costs of introducing the survey as a new statutory measure in England were assessed. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– An outcome measure (a face-to-face interview based survey consisting of seven questions) was piloted during 2014 in 40 LAs with 20 adults at risk (or other informant) in each site who had been the subject of a safeguarding investigation (n=382). LAs were asked to estimate the cost to their LA of conducting the survey for two years, interviewing at least 15 per cent of their completed safeguarding cases each year.

Findings

– Extrapolating cost findings to the full 152 LAs in England would give an estimated total cost of implementing the survey of approximately £3 million in Year 1 and £2.1 million in Year 2. Set-up costs for the survey can therefore be estimated at around £900,000. Wide variations were identified in the costs per interview between LAs and reasons for this are discussed.

Originality/value

– The benefits of this unique survey are it enables LAs to measure how they are undertaking their adult safeguarding work from the perspective of adults at risk and others with a close interest. It also enables LAs to meet their new obligations under the Care Act 2014 Guidance to “understand what adults at risk think of adult safeguarding”.
Ranking of institutions and academic journals
Authors: Chan Kam C. , Fung Anna , Fung Hung-Gay , Yau Jot
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a selective review of literature and presents a conceptual framework in journal and institution rankings. Several streams of ranking literature are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors provide a conceptual framework to analyze the literature of journal and school ranking. Thus, several streams of ranking literature are analyzed to support the conceptual framework.

Findings

– Through the lens of a context-driven framework, the authors point to originality, utility, and timeliness as aspects that contribute to the recent increase of the ranking literature. Finally, the authors discuss other issues that arise within ranking due to subjective biases, institutional preferences and difficulties establishing weighting measurements, as well as the future direction of ranking.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors propose a context-based ranking framework to analyze rankings as factors that influence the environment may ultimately affect the usefulness of these rankings. It also implies that ranking of a journal or institution is a relative measure, as the context in which rankings are derived may change over time. Ultimately, the relative benchmarks used in the ranking will change as newer, more relevant metrics are developed.

Originality/value

– The conceptual framework is new and provides a useful benchmark to understand ranking of journals and school.
Does radiation dose matter in thyroid cancer?: Patterns of local‐regional failure in recurrent and metastatic well‐differentiated thyroid cancers treated with dose‐painted intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: Shugard Erin , Chen Josephine , Quivey Jeanne M , Glastonbury Christine M , Khanafshar Elham , Garsa Adam A , George Jonathan R , Yom Sue S
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Due to complex multimodal treatments and a lengthy natural history of disease, the impact of radiation therapy for well‐differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is challenging to evaluate. We analysed the effect of dose escalation, as enabled by intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), on preventing local‐regional failure (LRF) of microscopic and macroscopic WDTC.

Method

We performed a retrospective review of WDTC patients treated with IMRT from 1998–2011. Diagnostic imaging demonstrating first LRF was registered to the simulation CT containing the treated radiation isodose volumes. Areas of disease progression were contoured and the relationships of LRFs with isodose volumes were recorded.

Results

Thirty patients had a median follow‐up of 56 months (range = 1–139). Seventeen (57%) had gross residual, five (17%) had microscopic residual and eight (27%) had clear margins at the time of IMRT. Nine patients (30%) developed LRF, at a median time of 44 months (range = 0–116). Of these, six (67%) had been radiated to gross disease and one (11%) had microscopic residual. In the seven analysable cases, only one (14%) LRF occurred within the 70 Gy isodose volume. Marginal LRFs were: four (57%) outside 70 Gy, one (14%) outside 60 Gy and one (14%) outside 50 Gy. All but one recurrence (86%) occurred in the perioesophageal region.

Conclusions

Local‐regional failure was seen most in patients who had gross disease at the time of IMRT, almost always occurred outside of the 70 Gy volume and was frequently in the area of oesophageal sparing. Meticulous surgical dissection, especially in the perioesophageal region, should be prioritised to prevent long‐term LRF.
Ten‐year outcomes using low dose rate brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer: An update to the first Australian experience
Authors: Wilson Craig , Waterhouse David , Lane Stephen E , Haworth Annette , Stanley John , Shannon Tom , Joseph David
Published: March 2016

Introduction

To report long‐term prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and toxicity outcomes for patients with localised prostate cancer treated with Iodine‐125 permanent implantation at a single Australian centre.

Methods

Between September 1994 and November 2007, 207 patients at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with localised prostate cancer were consecutively treated with Iodine‐125 permanent interstitial implantation. Post‐therapy assessment was performed three times a month and included clinical review and biochemical (PSA) evaluation. PSA progression was evaluated using the Phoenix (nadir + 2.0) definition. Treatment‐related morbidity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0 guidelines. The rate of biochemical failure was calculated by Kaplan–Meier plots. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate outcomes by pre‐treatment clinical prognostic factors and radiation dosimetry.

Results

Median follow‐up was 7.8 years. The 10‐year biochemical disease‐free survival (bDFS) for the entire cohort was 89%. Ten‐year bDFS estimates by pre‐treatment risk group were 96% for low‐risk, 83% for intermediate‐risk and 50% for high‐risk disease. On multivariate analysis, pre‐treatment PSA was an independent predictor of bDFS. D90 dose did not show a statistically significant effect on bDFS. The peak incidences of late grade 3 or higher urinary and rectal toxicities were 10.7% and 1.1% respectively.

Conclusion

Excellent long‐term biochemical control was demonstrated with Iodine‐125 permanent interstitial implantation in appropriately selected patients with prostate cancer. The results of our single centre experience are comparable with those of other single institutions.
Reliability of Clinical Assessments in Older Adults With Syncope or Near Syncope
Authors: Nishijima Daniel K. , Laurie Amber L. , Weiss Robert E. , Yagapen Annick N. , Malveau Susan E. , Adler David H. , Bastani Aveh , Baugh Christopher W. , Caterino Jeffrey M. , Clark Carol L. , Diercks Deborah B. , Hollander Judd E. , Nicks Bret A. , Shah Manish N. , Stiffler Kirk A. , Storrow Alan B. , Wilber Scott T. , Sun Benjamin C.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Clinical prediction models for risk stratification of older adults with syncope or near syncope may improve resource utilization and management. Predictors considered for inclusion into such models must be reliable. Our primary objective was to evaluate the inter‐rater agreement of historical, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in older adults undergoing emergency department (ED) evaluation for syncope or near syncope. Our secondary objective was to assess the level of agreement between clinicians on the patient's overall risk for death or serious cardiac outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study at 11 EDs in adults 60 years of age or older who presented with unexplained syncope or near syncope. We excluded patients with a presumptive cause of syncope (e.g., seizure) or if they were unable or unwilling to follow‐up. Evaluations of the patient's past medical history and current medication use were completed by treating provider and trained research associate pairs. Evaluations of the patient's physical examination and ECG interpretation were completed by attending/resident, attending/advanced practice provider, or attending/attending pairs. All evaluations were blinded to the responses from the other rater. We calculated the percent agreement and kappa statistic for binary variables. Inter‐rater agreement was considered acceptable if the kappa statistic was 0.6 or higher.

Results

We obtained paired observations from 255 patients; mean (±SD) age was 73 (±9) years, 137 (54%) were male, and 204 (80%) were admitted to the hospital. Acceptable agreement was achieved in 18 of the 21 (86%) past medical history and current medication findings, none of the 10 physical examination variables, and three of the 13 (23%) ECG interpretation variables. There was moderate agreement (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = 0.40) between clinicians on the patient's probability of 30‐day death or serious cardiac outcome, although as the probability increased, there was less agreement.

Conclusions

Acceptable agreement between raters was more commonly achieved with historical rather than physical examination or ECG interpretation variables. Clinicians had moderate agreement in assessing the patient's overall risk for a serious outcome at 30 days. Future development of clinical prediction models in older adults with syncope should account for variability of assessments between raters and consider the use of objective clinical variables.
Species’ traits affect the occurrence of birds in a native timber plantation landscape
Authors: Pryde E. C. , Nimmo D. G. , Holland G. J. , Watson S. J.
Published: March 2016

Many of the world's terrestrial environments are dominated by production land‐uses, making the incorporation of production landscapes into conservation strategies critical for halting global biodiversity declines. Two challenges for developing such strategies are: (1) determining species’ capacity to survive in production land‐uses; and (2) understanding why some species can survive, while others cannot. The interaction between biological traits of organisms and their response to disturbances may assist in resolving these challenges. We compared species and trait composition of 41 lowland rainforest birds among unlogged and forestry production land‐uses on New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea. At least 92% of forest species occurred in mature, nativeEucalyptusplantation and regrown logged forest. However, composition changes demonstrated successive loss of some species (medium‐ and large‐bodied frugivores, forest specialists) with increasing intensity of disturbance, indicating that forestry management practices can affect the functional composition of forest birds. In contrast to many continental studies where endemism confers susceptibility to disturbance, we found endemic island species widely distributed across all land‐uses, reflecting their capacity for colonizing new environments. Ecological traits can help to explain species’ responses to landscape management, however, the type and intensity of disturbance and biogeography of the region affect the traits–disturbance interaction. Our study indicates that native plantations may be able to assist with biodiversity conservation while providing production values, but only if they are judiciously managed in concert with unlogged and regrown logged forest reserves.
Are they nomads, travellers or Roma? An analysis of the multiple effects of naming assemblages
Authors: Maestri Gaja
Published: March 2016

What is the difference between the terms ‘Roma’, ‘gypsies’, ‘nomads’ and ‘Travellers’? These are a few of the names that are used to refer to the Roma minority in scholarly research, political speeches and the media. Most of the Romani studies literature on Roma labels and the state's categorisation underscores how these often derogatory denominations reflect the widespread stigmatisation of these people and, in turn, perpetuate regimes of exclusion and segregation. However, this literature implicitly conceives of language as purely functional to exclusion, overlooking the ways in which the construction and use of these labels have also created the conditions for the emergence of practices of resistance. This limitation is mainly due to the fact that these works follow a Foucauldian approach, which tends to overemphasise the importance of dominant discourses subjecting the individual, and to downplay the presence of generative and creative practices. I suggest integrating this approach with the notion of ‘assemblage’ as developed by Deleuze and Guattari, which entails both ordering and territorialising dynamics together with destabilising moves. By adopting this lens, the paper discusses the effects of two different Roma naming assemblages: on the one hand, the glossary published by the Council of Europe (CoE) that carefully defines and differentiates all the terms used for the Roma, and, on the other, the French and Italian governments' discourses that ambiguously lump together all these different denominations. Although at first sight it may appear that the latter bolsters discriminatory and segregating policies, while the former supports more inclusionary measures, by drawing on policy‐documents analysis and in‐depth interviews with pro‐Roma advocacy group members, I show that both these naming assemblages actually produce exclusionary as well as resisting effects.
Views on equine‐related research in Australia from the Australian equestrian community: perceived outputs and benefits
Authors: Thompson K , Clarkson L
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The extension of research into public practice is enhanced by communication and behaviour change strategies that are consistent with consumer needs and perspectives. To gain support for equine research (or to appreciate the perspectives contributing to disagreement), it is necessary to determine how aware consumers are of research, what research means to them, how they perceive its benefits (if at all) and how they engage with (or resist) it. Because of a surprising dearth of research evaluating consumer perceptions of research in any sector, our aim was to identify the perceived outputs and benefits of research from the perspective of the Australian horse owner.

Methods

We analysed the data for 930 participants in an online survey.

Results

Participants’ understanding of research was associated with a broad terminology. Slightly more than half were aware of equine research that had taken place in Australia, with almost half reporting gaining some benefit, notably in relation to equine health. Although comments demonstrated an awareness of the collective benefit of research, research was made meaningful in relation to local conditions and participants’ own equestrian disciplines.

Conclusion

There is a significant opportunity for increasing awareness of Australia‐based equine research and its value to owners of horses. The critical engagement with research by some owners suggests the need for communicators to present research in terms suitable for an intelligent lay audience, with clear identification of the personal and collective benefits for owners, horses and the equestrian community.
Lissencephaly in an adult Australian Kelpie
Authors: Fraser AR , le Chevoir MA , Long SN
Published: March 2016

Case report

A 6‐year‐old neutered male Australian Kelpie presented with a 2‐year history of seizures. Neurological examination was consistent with a generalised prosencephalic lesion. Serum biochemical testing was performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in the number of sulci and gyri in addition to cortical thickening, resulting in a diagnosis of lissencephaly. The dog was treated with anticonvulsants and follow‐up information obtained from the referring veterinarian 11 months after diagnosis indicated that the dog had good seizure control.

Conclusion

This is the first report of lissencephaly in the Australian Kelpie and would suggest that some dogs with the condition can be managed with long‐term anticonvulsant medication.
Testing for negligible interaction: A coherent and robust approach
Authors: Cribbie Robert A. , Ragoonanan Chantal , Counsell Alyssa
Published: March 2016

Researchers often want to demonstrate a lack of interaction between two categorical predictors on an outcome. To justify a lack of interaction, researchers typically accept the null hypothesis of no interaction from a conventional analysis of variance (ANOVA). This method is inappropriate as failure to reject the null hypothesis does not provide statistical evidence to support a lack of interaction. This study proposes a bootstrap‐based intersection–union test for negligible interaction that provides coherent decisions between the omnibus test and post hoc interaction contrast tests and is robust to violations of the normality and variance homogeneity assumptions. Further, a multiple comparison strategy for testing interaction contrasts following a non‐significant omnibus test is proposed. Our simulation study compared the Type I error control, omnibus power and per‐contrast power of the proposed approach to the non‐centrality‐based negligible interaction test of Cheng and Shao (2007, Statistica Sinica, 17, 1441). For 2 × 2 designs, the empirical Type I error rates of the Cheng and Shao test were very close to the nominal α level when the normality and variance homogeneity assumptions were satisfied; however, only our proposed bootstrapping approach was satisfactory under non‐normality and/or variance heterogeneity. In general a × b designs, although the omnibus Cheng and Shao test, as expected, is the most powerful, it is not robust to assumption violation and results in incoherent omnibus and interaction contrast decisions that are not possible with the intersection–union approach.
How to diagnose mould allergy? Comparison of skin prick tests with specific IgE results
Authors: Kespohl S. , Maryska S. , Bünger J. , Hagemeyer O. , Jakob T. , Joest M. , Knecht R. , Koschel D. , Kotschy‐Lang N. , Merget R. , Mülleneisen N. K. , Rabe U. , Röseler S. , Sander I. , Stollewerk D. , Straube H. , Ulmer H. M. , van Kampen V. , Walusiak‐Skorupa J. , Wiszniewska M. , Wurpts G. , Brüning T. , Raulf M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Diagnosis of mould allergy is complicated due to the heterogeneity of the test material and the decrease in the number of commercial mould skin test solutions that are currently available.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare skin prick tests (SPT) from different manufacturers to one another and concurrently with sIgE tests for Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp f), Cladosporium herbarum (Cla h), Penicillium chrysogenum (Pen ch), Alternaria alternata (Alt a) and Aspergillus versicolor (Asp v) to ascertain a feasible diagnostic procedure for mould sensitization.

Methods

In this multi‐centre study, 168 patients with mould exposure and/or mould‐induced respiratory symptoms were included. Mould SPT solutions were analysed biochemically and tested in duplicate on patients’ arms. Specific IgE (sIgE) concentrations to corresponding mould species and mould mix (mx1) were measured by ImmunoCAP. SPTs in accordance with one another and with sIgE were further considered. The test efficiency was calculated using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Mould sensitization was more frequently detected by the SPT (90 of 168) than by the sIgE tests (56 of 168). Concordances of double SPT positives were only sufficient (≥ 80%) for environmental allergens, two Asp f and three Alt a SPT solutions, whereas all other mould solutions revealed concordances < 80%. The antigen content of SPT solutions was positively associated with concordant SPT double values as well as with sIgE. Taking sIgE as the ‘positive standard’, all mould SPT solutions revealed test efficiencies > 80%, but varied up to 20% in sensitivity and positive predictive value with the exception of Alt a.

Conclusions

SPT solutions are sensitive and essential diagnostic tools for the detection of mould sensitization. Our recommendation for diagnosis would be to test at least Alt a, Asp f and Pen ch using SPT and additional sIgE test to mx1.
Low positive predictive value of midnight salivary cortisol measurement to detect hypercortisolism in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Steffensen Charlotte , Thomsen Henrik H. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Christiansen Jens S. , Rungby Jørgen , Jørgensen Jens Otto L.
Published: March 2016

Background

Hypercortisolism is prevalent in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but analytical and functional uncertainties prevail. Measurement of salivary cortisol is considered an expedient screening method for hypercortisolism, but its usefulness in the context of T2D is uncertain.

Aim

To compare late‐night salivary cortisol (LNSC) with the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST), which was considered ‘reference standard’, in T2D.

Patients and methods

A total of 382 unselected and recently diagnosed patients with T2D underwent assessment ofLNSCandDST, and the test outcome was related to age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin A1c levels. We used the following cut‐off values:LNSC≤ 3·6 nmol/l andDST≤ 50 nmol/l.

Results

The median (range) levels ofLNSCandDSTwere 6·1 (0·3–46·2) nmol/l and 34 (11–547) nmol/l, respectively. Hypercortisolism was present in 86% based onLNSCvalues and 22% based onDST.LNSC, as compared toDST, had the following test characteristics: sensitivity: 85% (95%CI: 7–92%), specificity: 14% (95%CI: 10–19%), positive predictive value: 22% (95%CI: 17–27%), negative predictive value: 76% (95%CI: 63–87%), and overall accuracy: 30% (95%CI: 25–34%).LNSCandDSTvalues were not associated with haemoglobin A1c,BMIand age in this cohort of patients with T2D.

Conclusion

TheLNSCis characterized by very low specificity and poor positive predictive value as compared to theDST, resulting in an overall low accuracy. Further methodological and clinical studies are needed to substantiate the relevance of cortisol status in T2D.
Energy intake highs and lows: how much does consistency matter in weight control?
Authors: Rosenbaum Diane L. , Schumacher Leah M. , Schaumberg Katherine , Piers Amani D. , Gaspar Monika E. , Lowe Michael R. , Forman Evan M. , Butryn Meghan L.
Published: March 2016

Behavioural weight control programmes recommend adherence to daily energy intake goals, yet also allow for flexibility in intake across days. Evidence is lacking as to whether intake consistency is important for weight control. The current study explored the relation between day‐to‐day intake consistency and weight loss in the context of behavioural weight loss treatment and examined the relationship between variability in intake and several factors known to be associated with weight control success. Participants (N =  283) enrolled in a 12‐month behavioural weight loss programme completed 24‐h recalls of dietary intake and psychological measures. At the end of treatment, low intake variability and greater weight loss were associated, but variability was not predictive of weight loss independent of mean intake in continuous analyses. Interestingly, participants who met the programme goal of ≥10% weight loss had less intake variability compared to those who lost <10%, although groups did not differ significantly on mean intake. Results suggest that daily intake consistency may facilitate successful weight loss for some. Additionally, autonomous motivation for weight management and cognitive dietary restraint were inversely related to end‐of‐treatment intake variability. Additional research is needed to examine whether recommendations to limit intake variability during behavioural weight loss treatment improve long‐term weight control.
Glucagon orchestrates stress‐induced hyperglycaemia
Authors: Harp J. B. , Yancopoulos G. D. , Gromada J.
Published: March 2016

Hyperglycaemia is commonly observed on admission and during hospitalization for medical illness, traumatic injury, burn and surgical intervention. This transient hyperglycaemia is referred to as stress‐induced hyperglycaemia (SIH) and frequently occurs in individuals without a history of diabetes. SIH has many of the same underlying hormonal disturbances as diabetes mellitus, specifically absolute or relative insulin deficiency and glucagon excess. SIH has the added features of elevated blood levels of catecholamines and cortisol, which are not typically present in people with diabetes who are not acutely ill. The seriousness of SIH is highlighted by its greater morbidity and mortality rates compared with those of hospitalized patients with normal glucose levels, and this increased risk is particularly high in those without pre‐existing diabetes. Insulin is the treatment standard for SIH, but new therapies that reduce glucose variability and hypoglycaemia are desired. In the present review, we focus on the key role of glucagon in SIH and discuss the potential use of glucagon receptor blockers and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists in SIH to achieve target glucose control.
Outcome of allogeneic transplantation in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: long‐term follow‐up in a single institution
Authors: Franssen Laurens E. , Raymakers Reinier A. P. , Buijs Arjan , Schmitz Marian F. , van Dorp Suzanne , Mutis Tuna , Lokhorst Henk M. , van de Donk Niels W. C. J.
Published: March 2016

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) has the potential to induce long‐term remission in multiple myeloma (MM), but the role of allo‐SCT in MM is controversial due to the high rate of treatment‐related mortality (TRM). However, although proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs have improved the outcome of patients with MM, high‐risk patients still have a very poor prognosis. This indicates the need for new treatment strategies and identification of patients who might benefit from allo‐SCT. We therefore analyzed the outcome of one hundred and forty‐seven patients with MM who received an allo‐SCT at our institution (58 in first line, 89 in relapsed/refractory setting) after a median follow‐up of 88.8 months. For the first‐line setting, median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were remarkably good, with a CR rate of 48.3%, median PFS of 30.2 months, and 10‐yr OS of 51%. We found no difference in outcome for patients with high‐risk metaphase cytogenetics or FISH del(13q14), but efficacy in current standard high‐risk patients could not be determined. The outcome in the relapsed/refractory setting was poor, especially in the subgroup of patients relapsing within 18 months after auto‐SCT. Therefore, if applied at all in these patients, improvement of allo‐SCT is needed, focusing on reduction of TRM and more effective immunotherapy.
Experimental febrile seizures increase dendritic complexity of newborn dentate granule cells
Authors: Raijmakers Marjolein , Clynen Elke , Smisdom Nick , Nelissen Sofie , Brône Bert , Rigo Jean‐Michel , Hoogland Govert , Swijsen Ann
Published: March 2016

Objective

Febrile seizures (FS) are fever‐associated convulsions, being the most common seizure disorder in early childhood. A subgroup of these children later develops epilepsy characterized by a hyperexcitable neuronal network in the hippocampus. Hippocampal excitability is regulated by the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) where postnatal neurogenesis occurs. Experimental FS increase the survival of newborn hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs), yet the significance of this neuronal subpopulation to the hippocampal network remains unclear. In the current study, we characterized the temporal maturation and structural integration of these post‐FS born DGCs in the DG.

Methods

Experimental FS were induced in 10‐day‐old rat pups. The next day, retroviral particles coding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were stereotactically injected in the DG to label newborn cells. Histochemical analyses of eGFP expressing DGCs were performed one, 4, and 8 weeks later and consisted of the following: (1) colocalization with neurodevelopmental markers doublecortin, calretinin, and the mature neuronal marker NeuN; (2) quantification of dendritic complexity; and (3) quantification of spine density and morphology.

Results

At neither time point were neurodevelopmental markers differently expressed between FS animals and normothermia (NT) controls. One week after treatment, DGCs from FS animals showed dendrites that were 66% longer than those from NT controls. At 4 and 8 weeks, Sholl analysis of the outer 83% of the molecular layer showed 20–25% more intersections in FS animals than in NT controls (p < 0.01). Although overall spine density was not affected, an increase in mushroom‐type spines was observed after 8 weeks.

Significance

Experimental FS increase dendritic complexity and the number of mushroom‐type spines in post‐FS born DGCs, demonstrating a more mature phenotype and suggesting increased incoming excitatory information. The consequences of this hyperconnectivity to signal processing in the DG and the output of the hippocampus remain to be studied.
Socioeconomic indicators for sustainable design and commercial development of algal biofuel systems
Authors: Efroymson Rebecca A. , Dale Virginia H. , Langholtz Matthew H.
Published: March 2016

Social and economic indicators can be used to support design of sustainable energy systems. Indicators representing categories of social well‐being, energy security, external trade, profitability, resource conservation, and social acceptability have not yet been measured in published sustainability assessments for commercial algal biofuel facilities. We review socioeconomic indicators that have been modeled at the commercial scale or measured at the pilot or laboratory scale, as well as factors that affect them, and discuss additional indicators that should be measured during commercialization to form a more complete picture of socioeconomic sustainability of algal biofuels. Indicators estimated in the scientific literature include the profitability indicators, return on investment (ROI) and net present value (NPV), and the resource conservation indicator, fossil energy return on investment (EROI). These modeled indicators have clear sustainability targets and have been used to design sustainable algal biofuel systems. Factors affecting ROI, NPV, and EROI include infrastructure, process choices, and financial assumptions. The food security indicator, percent change in food price volatility, is probably zero where agricultural lands are not used for production of algae‐based biofuels; however, food‐related coproducts from algae could enhance food security. The energy security indicators energy security premium and fuel price volatility and external trade indicators terms of trade and trade volume cannot be projected into the future with accuracy prior to commercialization. Together with environmental sustainability indicators, the use of a suite of socioeconomic sustainability indicators should contribute to progress toward sustainability of algal biofuels.
Serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive human Mac‐2 binding protein may predict liver fibrosis and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Ichikawa Yuki , Joshita Satoru , Umemura Takeji , Shobugawa Yugo , Usami Yoko , Shibata Soichiro , Yamazaki Tomoo , Fujimori Naoyuki , Komatsu Michiharu , Matsumoto Akihiro , Tanaka Eiji
Published: March 2016

Aim

Serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) is a reliable, non‐invasive marker of liver fibrosis. This study assessed the ability of WFA+‐M2BP to diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and evaluated WFA+‐M2BP as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.

Methods

Serum WFA+‐M2BP values were retrospectively evaluated in 112 treatment‐naïve patients with HBV‐related chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis who had undergone liver biopsy at our hospital.

Results

Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels were significantly related with liver fibrosis (r = 0.3725, P = 0.001). Fibrosis stage F2, F3, and F4 had a cut‐off index of 0.94, 1.26, and 1.26, respectively. For diagnosing F ≥ 2 fibrosis, the area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve for WFA+‐M2BP was 0.713 and comparable with those of other non‐invasive fibrosis markers, such as hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen 7S, aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, fibrosis‐4 index, serum albumin, and platelet count. Multivariate analysis identified male, WFA+‐M2BP ≥0.71, alanine aminotransferase ≥80 IU/L, and platelet count <14.5 × 109/L as independent risk factors for the development of HCC in patients with HBV infection.

Conclusions

Serum WFA+‐M2BP values appear to be useful for assessing liver fibrosis stage and are independently associated with HCC development in patients with chronic HBV infection.