bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children left behind by migration: training their caretakers
Authors: Givaudan Martha , Barriga Marco , Kercheval Jacquelyn , Pick Susan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a sustainable, community-based action model to improve the care and protection of children between the ages of zero and eight years who have been left behind due to migration. One facet of the program is to train community leaders to teach an experiential program to facilitate and increase the likelihood of the development of life habits in children, caretakers, teachers, mothers, and fathers that will improve the caretaker-infant relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Community leaders were evaluated via a pre-training questionnaire and a post-training questionnaire.

Findings

The evaluation of the training of the community leaders revealed the following statistically significant results: an increase in the level of a number of life habits, which include self-awareness, management of emotions, empathy, assertive communication, decision-making, critical thinking, conflict negotiation and resolution, and teamwork; a reduction in the degree to which psychosocial barriers hinder personal development; an increase in the level of autonomy and self-efficacy; an increase in the level of knowledge that participants have about the topics of the workshops: child development, child-rearing and academic potential, as well as migration; and positive changes in the attitudes that they have regarding certain topics related to child development.

Originality/value

The program was conducted in Hidalgo, Mexico, a state whose high rates of migration put the children at greater risk for developmental delays if they lack adult support.
Trajectory planning for a planar macro-micro manipulator of a laser-cutting machine
Authors: Uzunoglu Emre , Dede Mehmet Ismet Can , Kiper Gökhan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

In the industry, there is always a demand to shorten the task completion durations to maximize the efficiency of the operation. This work focuses on making use of a special type of kinematic redundancy, macro–micro manipulation, to minimize the task completion duration. The purpose of this paper is to develop the most convenient trajectory planner to be integrated with industrial computerized numerical control (CNC) systems to resolve kinematic redundancy for task duration minimization.

Design/methodology/approach

A special type of kinematic redundancy is devised by using two kinematically different mechanisms that have different advantages, which are named as macro and micro mechanisms. In this case, the control design including the trajectory planning should be devised taking into account the distinct advantages of both mechanisms. A new trajectory planning algorithm is designed and used for the constructed planar laser-cutting machine, and some benchmark pieces are cut.

Findings

Offline method has practical limitations for employment in a real case scenario such as assuming infinite jerk limits for each axis motion. This limitation was removed by using an online trajectory generation technique. Experimental test results indicate that the online trajectory planning technique developed for the macro–micro mechanism to shorten the task duration was successful.

Practical implications

Although the new trajectory planning algorithm is implemented for a laser-cutting machine, it can also be used for other manufacturing systems that require higher acceleration and accuracy levels than the conventional machines. The new algorithm is compatible with the commercially available CNC systems.

Originality/value

In this work, a new approach to reducing the task duration for planar machining operations was introduced by making use of macro–micro manipulation concept. The core novelty of the work is devising trajectory planning algorithms to get the most efficiency in terms of acceleration limits from a macro–micro manipulation while making these algorithms deployable to most of the CNC systems.
A review on the evolvement trend of robotic interaction control
Authors: Leylavi Shoushtari Ali , Dario Paolo , Mazzoleni Stefano
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Interaction plays a significant role in robotics and it is considered in all levels of hardware and software control design. Several models have been introduced and developed for controlling robotic interaction. This study aims to address and analyze the state-of-the-art on robotic interaction control by which it is revealed that both practical and theoretical issues have to be faced when designing a controller.

Design/methodology/approach

In this review, a critical analysis of the control algorithms developed for robotic interaction tasks is presented. A hierarchical classification of distributed control levels from general aspects to specific control algorithms is also illustrated. Hence, two main control paradigms are discussed together with control approaches and architectures. The challenges of each control approach are discussed and the relevant solutions are presented.

Findings

This review presents an evolvement trend of interaction control theories and technologies over time. In addition, it highlights the pros and cons of each control approaches with addressing how the flaws of one control approach were compensated by emerging another control methods.

Originality/value

This review provides the robotic controller designers to select the right architecture and accordingly design the appropriate control algorithm for any given interactive task and with respect to the technology implemented in robotic manipulator.
Collaborative robots are rapidly providing major improvements in productivity, safety, programing ease, portability and cost while addressing many new applications
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of collaborative robotics into applications. It also examines the current state of the art for collaborative robotics, factors driving their entry and their outlook for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes discussions with key managers of robot companies. Attendance at the International Federation for Robotics round table discussion on collaboration and another industry round table meeting on collaborative robotics. Attendance at the CIRP technical conference on automation. Attendance at the Robotics Industry Association International Collaborative Robots Workshop.

Findings

Collaborative robotics are addressing many previously unmet applications while saving money, improving productivity, simplifying programming and speeding the time to return investment. It is forecast that collaborative robotics systems can address almost 100 million assembly and logistics tasks not previously addressable with traditional robotics technology.

Practical implications

The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available.

Originality/value

The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available.
STEM faculty response to proposed workspace changes
Authors: Wilhoit Elizabeth D. , Gettings Patricia , Malik Parul , Hearit Lauren B. , Buzzanell Patrice M. , Ludwig Brad
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use an affordance approach to understand how university faculty use and value their workspace and respond to proposed spatial changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method survey was given to faculty in the college of engineering at a large public American university. Data were analyzed using an affordance lens.

Findings

The analysis indicates that the majority of engineering faculty highly value private offices and appears resistant to non-traditional workspace arrangements.

Research limitations/implications

The authors performed the analysis with a relatively small sample (n=46).

Practical implications

University administrators need to communicate with faculty and take their opinions on spatial changes seriously. Changes to space may affect STEM faculty retention.

Social implications

This paper could affect the quality of work life for university faculty.

Originality/value

The paper provide needed research on how faculty use and value their workspace while discussing the implications of alternative workspaces within the academy. Theoretically, the authors contribute to ongoing research on relationship between material and social aspects of organizational spaces.
The role of mindfulness on employee psychological reactions to mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Charoensukmongkol Peerayuth
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the contribution of mindfulness to employee psychological reactions to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and its consequence on behavioral resistance to M&A.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire data were collected from 114 employees of a Japanese bank that acquired a local financial institution in Thailand. Data were collected a week before the official integration began. Data were analyzed using partial least squares regression.

Findings

Employees who exhibited a higher level of mindfulness tended to report a lower cognitive evaluation of M&A and affective reaction to M&A. A lower cognitive evaluation and affective reaction were found to associate with lower behavioral resistance to M&A.

Research limitations/implications

First, the findings were based on cross-sectional data. Second, other organizational and leadership factors that might influence the employee reaction to M&A are not considered in the analysis. Third, self-reported measures can be susceptible to respondent bias. Fourth, small sample size can limit the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Mindfulness training could be considered as one alternative approach in the intervention to help employees cope effectively with anxiety toward M&A.

Originality/value

This research is the first that provides empirical evidence for the role of mindfulness on employee psychological reactions to M&A.
Exploring the perceived value of social practice theories for business-to-business marketing managers
Authors: Lowe Sid , Rod Michel , Kainzbauer Astrid , Hwang Ki-Soon
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Drawing on sociological theories of Giddens, Bourdieu and Goffman, the purpose of this paper is to explore how different relationships are characterized between actors in interaction and determine whether social theories of practice resonate as being practical to managers.

Design/methodology/approach

In the empirical investigations, the authors employ the Delphi method whereby the authors “elevate” six highly experienced marketing practitioners in Dubai and Bangkok, each in different industries and from different cultural backgrounds, to designated “expert” positions in exploring the practical relevance of the practice-based theories of Bourdieu, the dramaturgy of Goffman and the structuration theory of Giddens in understanding practical experiences of managing in business-to-business networks.

Findings

The results show that aspects of these theories are consistent with practitioners’ experiences in many ways but the theories themselves do not appear to resonate with the modernist practical consciousness of the participants as being particularly pragmatic or practically useful except as resources they could selectively borrow from as bricoleurs of changing action.

Originality/value

Social practice theories appear rather too abstract and complex to practical actors. It is therefore paradoxical that social practice theories do not appear as sufficiently “handy” or “ready to hand” in Heidegger’s (1962) terms; being in need of translation into practical usefulness. It would appear that social practice theories can be a useful analytical vehicle for the academic analyst but cannot resonate with the modernist consciousness of the practical actor.
Can the staff recognition ensure planned process of organizational change?
Authors: Sghari Amira
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Employee recognition is presented in the literature as a mean to achieve change according to a schedule already established by the management of the enterprise (planning process). Such an approach overlooks the fact that organizational change can be explained by other processes such as the political process, the interpretive process, the incremental process and the complex process. Each of these processes offers specific characteristics of change. Through this research, the author tries to answer the following question, while driving an organizational change project does employee recognition favour a change according to the planned process? The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the research question, a qualitative research case study is conducted within Basic Bank, a banking leader institution on the Tunisian market. The author analysed a proposed change induced by the implementation of a Global Banking System.

Findings

The results show that monetary recognition helps develop employee motivation to change, thus, ensuring a planned change. However, its variability has encouraged the emergence of conflicts between the actors resulting in an increase of change according to the political process.

Originality/value

Found results enrich the previous work on the role of the staff recognition in the change process. Its originality lies in the study of the relationship between employee recognition and explanatory process of change in a dynamic perspective which enables having an overall view on the evolution of this relationship throughout the implementation of the change.
Higher order change: a transorganizational system diagnostic model
Authors: Ainsworth Dale , E. Feyerherm Ann
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Transorganizational systems (TSs) are a collection of organizations that have agreed to work interdependently to accomplish a task too large in scope for a single organization. TS are organizational structures capable of addressing large-scale problems, and are vitally important. However, relative to the stand-alone organization, TS theory is under-developed and currently no comprehensive diagnostic model exits for managing TS change. Theoretically constructed diagnostic models are essential ingredients of any planned change effort. The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive model for diagnosing TS.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a comprehensive model for diagnosing TS is proposed. In constructing the model existing literature is integrated with the enduring organization development work of Cummings and Worley (2015). These authors developed a comprehensive model to diagnose organizations at three levels: individual, group, and organization. This paper proposes adding a fourth, higher order level – the TS level.

Findings

The resulting diagnostic model offers theorists and practitioners a comprehensive framework for use in diagnosing TS functionality and performance.

Practical implications

The results of quality diagnosis are essential in managing change leading to improved TS effectiveness.

Originality/value

Currently no comprehensive diagnostic model is available for managing higher order change in TS. This paper aims to fill this void.
Driving change: the role of “emotional connectedness” – a case study
Authors: Lacoste Sylvie M. , Dekker Janet
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand which change process the supplying organization should define for its customer-facing organization in order to successfully increase customer orientation and to be on the short list of their customers’ key suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research was used to carry out this research. Researchers were involved in the change management process of a medium-sized company that wanted to re-design their customer selection and interaction processes: one researcher was a top manager of the participating company, whereas the other researcher worked alongside the organization in a collaborative effort to introduce and roll out sales force training seminars.

Findings

Researchers’ main finding shows how the company’s top-management willingness to apply a “soft” approach to change leverages a concept called “emotional connectedness”.

Originality/value

The authors bridge a gap between the literature on change management and the “emotional connectedness” concept related to social psychology. The authors add to existing theories on change management a new perspective based on interpersonal relationships.
The Big End of Town Meets the Local Council: The Investment Habitus of Four Sets of Australian Councils during the GFC
Authors: Jones Greg , Beattie Claire , Bowrey Graham , Smark Ciorstan
Published: September 2016

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 led to a substantial write‐down in the value of investments such as collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) with one class of investors being NSW Local councils.  This article analyses interviews with four different investor types (or sets) of local councils, each of which took a substantially different approach to CDO investment. This categorisation into sets was based on interviews of 28 individuals working within 14 local councils as well as commentaries on legal cases involving a class action of local councils suing Lehman Brothers Australia as well as Grange Securities over losses in their investments. This article adopts Bourdieu's Theory of Practice to describe and explain behaviour regarding decisions to invest (or not) in CDOs. Interesting themes arise regarding differing views on the appropriate role of local councils, and on the degree and form of ‘capital’ (which includes knowledge, competencies, skills, and economic resources) that a council should have before investing in sophisticated financial products. This article explores the role that field, habitus, and capital played in moderating and influencing council investment making decisions. The analysis shows that these Bourdieuian concepts can be utilised to help explain individual behaviour. This case study shows that excessive capital left in the hands of individuals may result in suboptimal decision making. Local councils may need to consider ways of implementing policies and procedures that can be used to moderate individual action.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of resected cases of carcinoid tumors of the lung
Authors: Yang Zhi , Wang Zitong , Duan Yong , Xu Shaofa
Published: September 2016

Background

Lung carcinoid tumors are rare, low‐grade, malignant neoplasms with some unclear features. The aim of this study was to analyze clinicopathological features and long‐term survival in patients with primary lung carcinoid tumors.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery in our clinic and were diagnosed with carcinoid tumors, between August 1997 and July 2012, were included in the study. Patient characteristics and clinicopathological factors were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Bronchial carcinoids comprised only 1.0% of lung cancer cases treated by resection. They are classified into two distinct categories: typical carcinoid (TC) and atypical carcinoid (AC) tumors. AC tumors occurred more frequently in younger patients and in smokers, and had a poorer prognosis than TC tumors. Overall three and five‐year survival rates for TC and AC were 92.6% and 81.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size (
P
 = 0.012) and histological type (
P
 = 0.013) are prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that only tumor size (
P
 = 0.044) was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

The prognosis for bronchial carcinoid tumors was better than other types of lung cancer and TC was significantly better than AC. Radical lymph node dissection was the best treatment, with complete removal of the tumor. Tumor size was an independent prognostic factor for bronchial carcinoid tumors.
Do Financial Analysts Perform a Monitoring Role in China? Evidence from Modified Audit Opinions
Authors: Chen Jiandong , Ding Rong , Hou Wenxuan , Johan Sofia
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the impact of analyst coverage on the financial reporting quality of firms as reflected by modified audit opinions (MAOs). Using a sample of Chinese listed firms between 2003 and 2009, we find that analyst coverage, which serves as an external governance mechanism, helps to enhance the financial reporting quality of Chinese listed firms. The effect is more pronounced for non‐state‐owned enterprises (i.e., private firms), in that they are more dependent on external equity capital and, therefore, under greater pressure from analysts to provide high‐quality accounting information. Furthermore, analysts play a more effective role for firms with stronger incentives to manipulate financial reports. Our findings are robust to the control of endogeneity issue.
Impact of surgical experience on outcomes in total joint arthroplasties
Authors: Wilson Mathew D. , Dowsey Michelle M. , Spelman Tim , Choong Peter F. M.
Published: September 2016

Background

Outcomes of primary total hip and knee arthroplasties performed by consultant surgeons were compared with those performed by orthopaedic trainees. Furthermore, outcomes of these procedures performed by senior trainees were compared with those performed by junior trainees.

Methods

Data from the St Vincent's Melbourne Arthroplasty Outcomes Registry and the surgical log kept by trainees were reviewed to investigate if an association exists between surgical experience and clinical outcomes following primary total hip and knee arthroplasties. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to produce odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to assess these relationships.

Results

Arthroplasties performed by trainees were not significantly different from those performed by consultant surgeons in regards to medical, surgical and wound complications. Trainee‐performed primary total hip arthroplasties were associated with a 30% increase in the risk of requiring a transfusion compared with consultant cases. Primary total knee arthroplasties performed by junior trainees were associated with a 50% increase in the risk of developing a wound complication compared with those performed by senior trainees.

Conclusions

Overall, senior orthopaedic trainees working independently and junior orthopaedic trainees under supervision as the primary surgeon have the ability to achieve a level of clinical outcomes similar to a consultant surgeon. Junior trainees with supervision have the ability to achieve a level of clinical outcomes similar to senior trainees. These findings can be used to further improve orthopaedic training to reduce adverse events during supervised surgery.
Outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a series from a provincial New Zealand hospital
Authors: Richards Simon , Kyle Stephen , White Campbell , El‐Haddawi Falah , Farrant Glenn , Henderson Nigel , Fancourt Michael , Gilkison William
Published: September 2016

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential tool in the management of pancreaticobiliary pathology. It is technically demanding and has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Several trials have identified small centres and lower hospital volume as risk factors for lower success rates and higher complication rates. Taranaki Base Hospital (TBH) is a provincial hospital with a catchment of 100 000, providing its population with an on‐site ERCP service. Transporting patients to the nearest tertiary centre would incur significant costs to both the patient and district health board.

Aims

To determine the outcomes of performing ERCP at TBH and compare these with published figures. To determine if it is a safe and effective option for patients in this region.

Methods

An ambi‐directional study of all ERCP procedures at TBH between January 2011 and December 2015 was conducted. Patient demographics, procedure indication and procedural details were captured via ProVation® MD and endoscopist's notes. Complications were identified through patient's notes and recorded if occurring within 30 days of the procedure. All complications were graded mild, moderate or severe based on a grading system described by Cotton et al.

Results

A total of 445 procedures were performed. Bile duct cannulation rate was 92.3% and therapeutic success rate was 89.9%. Complications occurred in 8.99% of patients and ERCP‐specific mortality was 0.22%. Haemorrhage occurred in 1.35% of patients, pancreatitis in 5.2% and perforation in 0.45%. Success and complication rates are similar to other published studies.

Conclusion

ERCP can be safely and successfully performed in a provincial centre.
Laparoscopic or open appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis in pregnancy and evaluation of foetal outcome in Australia
Authors: Winter Nicole N. , Guest Glenn D. , Bozin Michael , Thomson Benjamin N. , Mann G. Bruce , Tan Stephanie B. M. , Clark David A. , Daruwalla Jurstine , Muralidharan Vijayaragavan , Najan Neeha , Pitcher Meron E. , Vilhelm Karina , Cox Michael R. , Lane Steven E. , Watters David A.
Published: September 2016

Background

Recent data suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of foetal loss when compared to open appendicectomy (OA). However, the influence of gestational age and maternal age, both recognized risk factors for foetal loss, was not assessed.

Method

This was a multicentre retrospective review of all pregnant patients who underwent appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis from 2000 to 2012 across seven hospitals in Australia. Perioperative data and foetal outcome were evaluated.

Results

Data on 218 patients from the seven hospitals were included in the analysis. A total of 125 underwent LA and 93 OA. There were seven (5.6%) foetal losses in the LA group, six of which occurred in the first trimester, and none in the OA group. After matching using propensity scores, the estimated risk difference was 5.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4%, 9.8%). First trimester patients were more likely to undergo LA (84%), while those in the third were more likely to undergo OA (85%). Preterm delivery rates (6.8% LA versus 8.6% OA; CI: −12.6%, 5.3%) and hospital length of stay (3.7 days LA versus 4.5 days OA; CI: −1.3, 0.2 days) were similar.

Conclusion

This is the largest published dataset investigating the outcome after LA versus OA while adjusting for gestational and maternal age. OA appears to be a safer approach for pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis.
Prognostic impact of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ahn Chul‐Soo , Hwang Shin , Lee Young‐Joo , Kim Ki‐Hun , Moon Deok‐Bog , Ha Tae‐Yong , Song Gi‐Won , Lee Sung‐Gyu
Published: September 2016

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) was reported to have a favourable prognosis. We investigated the clinicopathological features of patients with HBV‐associated ICC and compared post‐resection survival outcomes of ICC patients with and without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to assess the prognostic impact of HBV infection.

Methods

A single‐institution cohort of 292 patients who underwent macroscopic curative resection for ICC were divided into HBV (n = 37) and non‐HBV (n = 255) groups. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

In comparison with the clinicopathological features, patient age, proportion of anatomical resection, perineural invasion and lymph node (LN) metastasis were different between the two groups. Antiviral therapy was administered to 15 (40.5%) and 27 (73.0%) patients before and after surgery, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that risk factors were tumour size >5 cm, anatomical resection, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion and LN metastasis for tumour recurrence and HBV infection, tumour size >5 cm, anatomical resection, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion and LN metastasis for patient survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that independent risk factors were tumour size >5 cm, perineural invasion and LN metastasis for both tumour recurrence and patient survival. HBV infection showed statistically marginal significances only in univariate analysis, thus not being an independent risk factor.

Conclusions

We observed that ICC patients with HBV infection often showed favourable tumour features probably due to early diagnosis, but their post‐resection outcomes were not significantly different from those of patients without HBV infection. Therefore, the same treatment and surveillance policies should be applied regardless of HBV serology.
Elevated intraocular pressure increases melatonin levels in the aqueous humour
Authors: Alkozi Hanan , Sánchez‐Naves Juan , de Lara Maria Jesús Perez , Carracedo Gonzalo , Fonseca Begoña , Martinez‐Aguila Alejandro , Pintor Jesús
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To study the levels of melatonin in the aqueous humour of normotensive and hypertensive intraocular pressure (IOP) patients and to compare them to an animal model of glaucoma.

Methods

A total of 37 eyes of 37 patients who underwent cataract surgery were included in the study and were divided into normotensive patients, withIOPbelow 21 mmHg (n = 23), and hypertensive patients, withIOP > 21 mmHg (n = 14). GlaucomatousDBA/2J (n = 6) and control C57BL/6J (n = 6) mice presenting 3 and 12 months of age for each strain were also used. Human and mice aqueous humours were aspirated using a 30‐gauge Rycroft cannula on a tuberculin syringe and further processed to quantify melatonin by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis.

Results

Melatonin levels in normotensive patients (IOPbelow 21 mmHg) presented values as medians (first quartile; third quartile) of 14.62 (5.38;37.99) ng/ml (n = 23), while hypertensive patients (IOPabove 21 mmHg) showed melatonin concentrations of 46.63 (10.28; 167.28) ng/ml (n = 14; p < 0.039). Glaucoma mice presented melatonin values of 0.37 (0.34; 0.59) ng/ml (at 3 months of age, before the pathology starts), which increased to 1.55 (0.94; 1.88) ng/ml (at 12 months of age, when the pathology is fully developed andIOPis maximum;n = 6, p < 0.001). Control mice did not significantly modified melatonin concentrations between 3 and 12 months of age.

Conclusion

Patients with highIOPpresent increased concentrations of melatonin in their aqueous humour compared to normotensive patients. This has been confirmed in a glaucomatous animal model in which it has been possible to see a correlation between the development of the pathology, with an increase inIOP, and a concomitant elevation of melatonin in the aqueous humour.
Spontaneous adverse drug reaction reports for neonates and infants in the UK 2001–2010: content and utility analysis
Authors: Hawcutt Daniel B. , Russell Nicki‐Jayne , Maqsood Hannah , Kouranloo Koushan , Gomberg Simon , Waitt Catriona , Sharp Andrew , Riordan Andrew , Turner Mark A.
Published: September 2016

Aims

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) runs a national spontaneous reporting system (Yellow Card [YC] Scheme) to collect ‘suspected’ adverse drug reaction (ADR) data. We aim to describe the content and utility of YC reports received for patients aged <2 years.

Methods

Data on all ADRs reported using YC in infants aged <2 years from the years 2001–10 were supplied by the MHRA.

Results

For infants age <2 years, 3496 suspected ADRs were reported using YC (paternal medication pre‐conception n = 3, transplacental n = 246, transmammary n = 30, neonates n = 97, infant n = 477, and vaccinations n = 2673), averaging 0.96 YC per day. There was a male preponderance (male 49.1%, female 44.4%, unknown 6.5%), and only 34 (1.0%) of YC reports stated a gestational age. The medications most frequently reported were: transplacental and transmammary (fluoxetine, n = 21 and n = 4 respectively), neonate (swine flu vaccine, n = 8) infant (oseltamivir, n = 37) and vaccines (meningococcal vaccine, n = 693). Paternal, transmammary, neonatal and infant YC did not reflect clinical concerns raised by the UK regulator. Transplacental and vaccination reports did correlate with some of the changes in practice and clinical alerts received.

Conclusions

The frequency of YC reports for those <2 years is low, neonates are poorly represented, and recording of gestational age is poor. With the exception of vaccinations, spontaneous reports alone are not currently generating the data required, and important safety messages from the regulator do not match reporting patterns. Additional reporting strategies are required to improve the quantity and quality of suspected ADR data in young children.
Multiple Testing with Heterogeneous Multinomial Distributions
Authors: Habiger Joshua , Watts David , Anderson Michael
Published: September 2016

Standard false discovery rate (FDR) procedures can provide misleading inference when testing multiple null hypotheses with heterogeneous multinomial data. For example, in the motivating study the goal is to identify species of bacteria near the roots of wheat plants (rhizobacteria) that are moderately or strongly associated with productivity. However, standard procedures discover the most abundant species even when their association is weak and fail to discover many moderate and strong associations when the species are not abundant. This article provides a new FDR-controlling method based on a finite mixture of multinomial distributions and shows that it tends to discover more moderate and strong associations and fewer weak associations when the data are heterogeneous across tests. The new method is applied to the rhizobacteria data and performs favorably over competing methods.
Relaxin’ the brain: a case for targeting the nucleus incertus network and relaxin‐3/RXFP3 system in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Kumar Jigna Rajesh , Rajkumar Ramamoorthy , Jayakody Tharindunee , Marwari Subhi , Hong Jia Mei , Ma Sherie , Gundlach Andrew L , Lai Mitchell K P , Dawe Gavin S
Published: September 2016

Relaxin‐3 has been proposed to modulate emotional–behavioural functions such as arousal and behavioural activation, appetite regulation, stress responses, anxiety, memory, sleep and circadian rhythm. The nucleus incertus (NI), in the midline tegmentum close to the fourth ventricle, projects widely throughout the brain and is the primary site of relaxin‐3 neurons. Over recent years, a number of preclinical studies have explored the function of the NI and relaxin‐3 signalling, including reports of mRNA or peptide expression changes in the NI in response to behavioural or pharmacological manipulations, effects of lesions or electrical or pharmacological manipulations of the NI, effects of central microinfusions of relaxin‐3 or related agonist or antagonist ligands on physiology and behaviour, and the impact of relaxin‐3 gene deletion or knockdown. Although these individual studies reveal facets of the likely functional relevance of the NI and relaxin‐3 systems for human physiology and behaviour, the differences observed in responses between species (e.g. rat vs. mouse), the clearly identified heterogeneity of NI neurons and procedural differences between laboratories are some of the factors that have prevented a precise understanding of their function. This review aims to draw attention to the current preclinical evidence available that suggests the relevance of the NI/relaxin‐3 system to the pathology and/or symptoms of certain neuropsychiatric disorders and to provide cognizant directions for future research to effectively and efficiently uncover its therapeutic potential.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc
Crestal bone loss around submerged and non‐submerged implants during the osseointegration phase with different healing abutment designs: a randomized prospective clinical study
Authors: Sánchez‐Siles Mariano , Muñoz‐Cámara Daniel , Salazar‐Sánchez Noemi , Camacho‐Alonso Fabio , Calvo‐Guirado Josè Luis
Published: September 2016

Objective

To evaluate peri‐implant crestal bone loss during the osseointegration period, comparing submerged and non‐submerged implants with healing abutments of different design.

Materials and methods

A total of 90 Avinent® dental implants (Avinent Implant System, Barcelona, Spain) were placed in 90 patients. All were sited in the posterior mandibular zone to replace teeth 3.6 or 4.6. Patients were divided randomly into three groups: submerged (n = 30), non‐submerged with anatomical healing abutment (n = 30), and non‐submerged with esthetic healing abutment (n = 30). Peri‐implant crestal bone loss was evaluated in intraoral radiographs taken at baseline, 1, and 3 months after implant placement.

Results

Peri‐implant crestal bone loss at the end of the (3‐month) osseointegration period was lowest in the submerged group (0.11 ± 0.14 mm), followed by the esthetic non‐submerged group (0.15 ± 0.06 mm), but without statistically significant difference between these groups (P = 0.234). The greatest bone loss was produced in the non‐submerged group with anatomical healing abutments (0.37 ± 0.12 mm), with significant differences between this group and the other two (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

On the basis of these findings, bone resorption during the osseointegration period using the non‐submerged technique varied significantly depending on the morphology of the healing abutment used. The non‐submerged technique with an esthetic healing post‐produced an equally predictable outcome compared with the submerged technique.
Multiple angiomatous nodules: a novel skin tumor in Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome
Authors: Nikolaidou C. , Moscarella E. , Longo C. , Rosato S. , Cavazza A. , Piana S.
Published: September 2016

Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome (BHDS), first described in 1977, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, linked to germline mutations in the FLCN (folliculin) gene. Patients may present with different skin tumors, pulmonary cysts with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal cancers, but it has also been estimated that about 25% of carriers older than 20 years do not show skin involvement. So far, besides the triad of skin lesions of the original description (fibrofolliculomas, trichodischomas and acrochordons), a wide range of neoplastic and non‐neoplastic skin conditions have been reported, i.e. melanomas, trichoblastoma, neural‐ and connective tissue tumors, lipomas, angiolipomas and focal cutaneous mucinosis.

We describe a patient with BHDS developing multiple skin angiomatous lesions with prominent signet‐ring features, an association never reported so far. As renal carcinomas represent the most threatening complication in BHDS and the identification of the patients with BHDS is mainly based on the clinical and histopathologic identification of the diagnostic skin lesions, the role of the dermatologist can be crucial in the prevention and early detection of a potentially aggressive renal cancer.
Seizure burden and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Kharoshankaya Liudmila , Stevenson Nathan J , Livingstone Vicki , Murray Deirdre M , Murphy Brendan P , Ahearne Caroline E , Boylan Geraldine B
Published: September 2016

Aim

To examine the relationship between electrographic seizures and long‐term outcome in neonates with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Method

Full‐term neonates with HIE born in Cork University Maternity Hospital from 2003 to 2006 (pre‐hypothermia era) and 2009 to 2012 (hypothermia era) were included in this observational study. All had early continuous electroencephalography monitoring. All electrographic seizures were annotated. The total seizure burden and hourly seizure burden were calculated. Outcome (normal/abnormal) was assessed at 24 to 48 months in surviving neonates using either the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition or the Griffiths Mental Development Scales; a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or epilepsy was also considered an abnormal outcome.

Results

Continuous electroencephalography was recorded for a median of 57.1 hours (interquartile range 33.5–80.5h) in 47 neonates (31 males, 16 females); 29 out of 47 (62%) had electrographic seizures and 25 out of 47 (53%) had an abnormal outcome. The presence of seizures per se was not associated with abnormal outcome (p=0.126); however, the odds of an abnormal outcome increased over ninefold (odds ratio [OR] 9.56; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.43–37.67) if a neonate had a total seizure burden of more than 40 minutes (p=0.001), and eightfold (OR: 8.00; 95% CI: 2.06–31.07) if a neonate had a maximum hourly seizure burden of more than 13 minutes per hour (p=0.003). Controlling for electrographic HIE grade or treatment with hypothermia did not change the direction of the relationship between seizure burden and outcome.

Interpretation

In HIE, a high electrographic seizure burden is significantly associated with abnormal outcome, independent of HIE severity or treatment with hypothermia.
NUDGING LIFE INSURANCE HOLDINGS IN THE WORKPLACE
Authors: Harris Timothy F. , Yelowitz Aaron
Published: September 2016

Using data from a university, we analyze a policy designed to increase employer‐sponsored life insurance. The university increased basic life insurance holdings, which nudged employees with supplemental coverage to have more life insurance. In large part due to inertia, the nudge increased life insurance holdings one‐for‐one for those who could have undone it. Additionally, we find that expanding coverage options significantly increased total life insurance holdings for new hires who were not subject to inertia. These policy changes reduced uninsured vulnerabilities for two‐thirds of employees. Our findings have important policy implications for addressing widespread disparities in life insurance coverage. (JEL D31, G22, D03, J32, J33, J38, H20)
Pathways of Risk and Resilience: Impact of a Family Resilience Program on Active‐Duty Military Parents
Authors: Saltzman William R. , Lester Patricia , Milburn Norweeta , Woodward Kirsten , Stein Judith
Published: September 2016

Over the past decade, studies into the impact of wartime deployment and related adversities on service members and their families have offered empirical support for systemic models of family functioning and a more nuanced understanding of the mechanisms by which stress and trauma reverberate across family and partner relationships. They have also advanced our understanding of the ways in which families may contribute to the resilience of children and parents contending with the stressors of serial deployments and parental physical and psychological injuries. This study is the latest in a series designed to further clarify the systemic functioning of military families and to explicate the role of resilient family processes in reducing symptoms of distress and poor adaptation among family members. Drawing upon the implementation of the Families Overcoming Under Stress (FOCUS) Family Resilience Program at 14 active‐duty military installations across the United States, structural equation modeling was conducted with data from 434 marine and navy active‐duty families who participated in the FOCUS program. The goal was to better understand the ways in which parental distress reverberates across military family systems and, through longitudinal path analytic modeling, determine the pathways of program impact on parental distress. The findings indicated significant cross‐influence of distress between the military and civilian parents within families, families with more distressed military parents were more likely to sustain participation in the program, and reductions in distress among both military and civilian parents were significantly mediated by improvements in resilient family processes. These results are consistent with family systemic and resilient models that support preventive interventions designed to enhance family resilient processes as an important part of comprehensive services for distressed military families.
Effect of loading type on the fatigue strength of asymmetric and symmetric transverse non‐load carrying attachments
Authors: Ahola A. , Nykänen T. , Björk T.
Published: September 2016

This study considers the effect of bending loading and the symmetry of joints on the fatigue strength of transverse non‐load carrying attachments. Conventionally, the fatigue strength of a welded joint has been determined without taking these factors into account. Experimental and finite element analyses were carried out and both methods showed that both loading type and symmetry have an influence on the fatigue resistance of a welded joint. Under tensile loading, the fatigue strength of asymmetric T‐joints was higher than that of symmetric X‐joints. Respectively, the fatigue resistance of tested joints improved explicitly when the external loading was bending. The finite element analysis was in good agreement with the test results in the joints subjected to tension but gave very conservative results in the joints subjected to bending.
Screening for ROS1 gene rearrangements in non‐small‐cell lung cancers using immunohistochemistry with FISH confirmation is an effective method to identify this rare target
Authors: Selinger Christina I , Li Bob T , Pavlakis Nick , Links Matthew , Gill Anthony J , Lee Adrian , Clarke Stephen , Tran Thang N , Lum Trina , Yip Po Y , Horvath Lisa , Yu Bing , Kohonen‐Corish Maija R J , O'Toole Sandra A , Cooper Wendy A
Published: September 2016

Aims

To assess the prevalence of ROS1 rearrangements in a retrospective and prospective diagnostic Australian cohort and evaluate the effectiveness of immunohistochemical screening.

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort of 278 early stage lung adenocarcinomas and an additional 104 prospective non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases referred for routine molecular testing were evaluated. ROS1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed (D4D6 clone, Cell Signaling Technology) on all cases as well as fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) using the ZytoVision and Abbott Molecular ROS1 FISH probes, with ≥15% of cells with split signals considered positive for rearrangement. Eighty‐eight cases (32%) from the retrospective cohort showed staining by ROS1 IHC, and one case (0.4%) showed ROS1 rearrangement by FISH. Nineteen of the prospective diagnostic cases showed ROS1 IHC staining, 12 (12%) cases of which were confirmed as ROS1 rearranged by FISH. There were no ROS1 rearranged cases that showed no expression of ROS1 with IHC. The ROS1 rearranged cases in the prospective cohort were all EGFR wild‐type and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement‐negative. The sensitivity of ROS1 IHC in the retrospective cohort was 100% and specificity was 76%.

Conclusions

ROS1 rearrangements are rare events in lung adenocarcinomas. Selection of cases for ROS1 FISH testing, by excluding EGFR/ALK‐positive cases and use of IHC to screen for potentially positive cases, can be used to enrich for the likelihood of identifying a ROS1 rearranged lung cancer and prevent the need to undertake expensive and time‐consuming FISH testing in all cases.