bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Luminance Contrast on the Motion Aftereffect
Authors: Ishihara M
Published: December 2015

The effects of luminance contrast and spatial frequency in the transient channel were investigated by making use of the motion aftereffect (MAE) caused by adaptation to a drifting sinusoidal grating. Two experiments were performed. The PSE of the velocity was measured as an index of the MAE. The adapting grating was made to drift at a velocity of 2.28 deg s−1 and its spatial frequency was 0.8, 1.6, or 3.2 cycles deg−1. In the first experiment, the MAE caused by a luminance contrast grating or an equiluminous chromatic grating was measured. In the second experiment, luminance contrast gratings were used to measure the effect of the contrast differences between adapting and test gratings. The largest MAE was observed when a low-luminance-contrast grating or an equiluminous chromatic grating was presented as test stimulus after adaptation to a high-luminance-contrast grating in the low-spatial-frequency condition. Generally, the MAE increased with increasing adapting contrast and with decreasing test contrast or spatial frequency. Little MAE was observed at high test contrasts. The results may be explained by assuming that activity in the sustained channel (or parvocellular pathway) inhibits activity in the transient channel (or magnocellular pathway) owing to the domination of sustained channel activity when the test is a static high-luminance-contrast grating providing much information about position and form.
An Illuminated Surface May be Perceived as a Shining Surface
Authors: Menshikova G , Lunyakova E
Published: December 2015

The relationship between the whiteness of a surface ( W) and its perceived illumination ( E) has been described by the equation: W + kE = Y, where Y is brightness and k is a constant. When brightness remains constant and perceived illumination decreases, whiteness increases from black to white. If, starting from a pair of values W = W0, E = E0 (where E0 is a low value of perceived illumination) at which the surface is seen as white (state A), E is further decreased while brightness remains constant, the surface may be perceived as shining (state B).

We investigated the conditions under which the perceptual transition from state A to state B occurred. The subject looked at an illuminated white paper screen on which objects cast shadows. Two test patches were presented: one on a well-illuminated area, the other on a shaded area. The scene and the patches were illuminated by two separate light sources. The brightness of the patches was held constant. The subject was instructed to set the ‘scene’ illumination so that a test patch was perceived as shining, separately for each patch. The results showed that the ‘scene’ illumination where the transition occurred was different for the shaded and the well-illuminated patches. We conclude that the perception of a surface as shining depends on local illumination.
Genetic Studies of Macular Pigment
Authors: Alexander E C , Moreland J D
Published: December 2015

One of the major functions suggested for macular pigment is to protect the retina. However, a tenfold variation in pigment level is observed in the general population, which cannot be explained by other factors, such as age, sex, race, eye or skin colour (Bone and Sparrock, 1971 Vision Research11 1057 – 1064). We aim to examine the role of genetic factors in this variation. In our first experiments (Alexander and Moreland, 1996 Perception25 Supplement, 105) we used colour matching to examine pigment levels in 23 local families. The highest correlation was seen for the father/child relationship where a linear regression accounted for 25% of the variance ( p<0.01); no significant relationship was observed for mother/child, grandparent/grandchild, or, as expected, for the control parent/parent plot.

These families, and a few new ones, have been retested by a motion photometry paradigm, with a foveal 2 deg field and an extrafoveal annular field at 5 deg eccentricity. In the tests, a grating of alternating bars (460 nm and 580 nm) moves horizontally across the field at 14 Hz. The subject adjusts the luminance of the 580 nm bars for minimum perceived motion. The difference in setting between the two fields is used to measure the subject's pigment level. Analysis of preliminary data shows no significant correlation for any of the relationships but further analysis is in progress.
Visual Motion Perception and Field Dependence
Authors: Baumberger B , Martin R , Flückiger M
Published: December 2015

The aim of this research was to throw light on the relationship between the visual field dependence, as measured by a rod-and-frame test (RFT), and the amount of recorded postural sway subsequent to a visual motion of the environment. Two groups of fifteen adult participants were split according to their results in an RFT test. They were asked to maintain an upright stance within a large-scale scenery animated by a texture flow generator. The flow consisted of either an approaching (AP) or a receding (RE) texture with respect to the observer. An ELITE system recorded antero - posterior body sway after onset and offset of stimulus motion.

Both field-dependent (FD) and field-independent (FI) participants showed little reaction to AP whereas only FD participants presented a forward shift in the direction of RE at the onset. Postural responses opposite to AP and RE were marked for both groups at the offset. In conclusion we may assume an interaction between the direction specificity of the sways and a greater field dependence.
A Method for Measuring Apparent Illumination
Authors: Petrov A P , Maximov V V , Maximov P V , Orlov O Y , Kim C Y , Seo Y S
Published: December 2015

Knowledge of perceived illumination is very important for almost all experimental investigations in colour science. We consider here a method for measuring apparent illumination based on the perceptual phenomenon of fluorescence. The underlying hypothesis is that the minimal illumination level at which a patch begins to look fluorescent exactly corresponds to the respective chromatic component of the apparent illumination in the scene. We report results of three experimental studies: (1) measurements of apparent illumination for a flat mondrian presented on a screen and mondrians made of paper presented in a specially designed box with controlled illumination observed monocularly; (2) measurements of apparent illumination in a ‘rich’ 3-D scene; (3) measurements to test the linearity of the subjective illumination space.

The results confirm the basic hypothesis of the relation between fluorescence phenomena and perceived illumination and demonstrate that the proposed method gives reliable and accurate values for each of its chromatic components (errors were in the range 4% – 10%), eg for paper mondrians there was a strong correlation between the level and colour of illumination and the fluorescence. In the case of mondrians presented on a screen in darkness the measured apparent illumination was found unstable, however, as would be expected given that the context of such a scene is insufficient for a unique solution of the photometric problem. In the second experiment we found that the measurement results remain constant when the context of a ‘rich’ 3-D scene is changed and that they follow the changes in illumination conditions. In the third experiment we found that the linear relation f = f1+ f2 holds for the measured apparent illumination ( f) produced by combining of two other apparent illuminations ( f1, f2).
Accurate Recovery of Structure from Motion under Perspective Projection
Authors: Hogervorst M A , Eagle R A
Published: December 2015

For small objects rotating over a small angle, the 3-D structure and motion are inseparable. Increasing the angle of rotation helps to define image accelerations while increasing the angular size of the object produces greater perspective effects. Both of these cues could be used by the visual system to disambiguate the structure and motion.

In a 2 × 2 design we tested the influence of angular size (8 deg ‘S’ or 32 deg ‘L’) and projection type (perspective ‘P’ or orthographic ‘O’) on the perceived dihedral angle of vertically hinged planes (‘open books’). Stimuli depicted hinged planes with dihedral angles ranging from 35° to 169° rotating over angles ranging from 2° to 58°. The task of the subjects was to match the perceived dihedral angle to that of a probe defined by motion, texture, and binocular disparities. Spearman rank order correlations of subjects' settings with the simulated dihedral angles were high in condition LP ( r=0.93) and decreased in the order LP>=SP>=SO>=LO. In the same order, correlations with the total displacement of the projected points increased, up to r=−0.94 in condition LO, indicating that structure and motion become more and more confounded.

While for small rotations and small dihedral angles, the settings are heavily influenced by the amount of rotation, for larger rotations and larger dihedral angles settings are more constant over rotation. These results show that both image acceleration and perspective effects play an important role in increasing the veridicality of perceived structure from motion.
Interocular Grouping of Visual Attributes during Binocular Rivalry
Authors: Papathomas T V , Kovács I , Feher A
Published: December 2015

The need to revise the eye competition hypothesis of binocular rivalry, and to include the role of stimulus competition has been demonstrated recently by Kovács, Papathomas, Feher, and Yang (1996 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA93 15508 – 15511) and Logothetis, Leopold, and Sheinberg [1996 Nature (London)380 621 – 624]. Kovács et al showed that observers can obtain one-colour percepts when presented with chromatically rivalrous stimuli, even when there are targets of two different colours in each eye. In this study we investigate whether other attributes, in addition to colour, can drive interocular grouping, and how they interact.

We extended the ‘patchwork’ rivalrous stimuli (Kovács et al) to study how colour, orientation, spatial frequency, and motion can group interocularly, and how they interact in grouping. Gabor patches are used, because they allow conjunctions of attributes to be formed systematically. To study the ability of an attribute (or a combination of attributes) to group interocularly, we induce rivalry by virtue of interocular differences in that attribute (or combination), and keep the other attributes fixed in both eyes' images. The main advantage of these stimuli is that they enable us to decorrelate the effects of eye competition and percept competition in binocular rivalry. The data show that colour is the most powerful attribute in grouping, and that combinations are stronger than single attributes. Overall, the results indicate that similarity in low-level attributes can drive interocular grouping, and that binocular rivalry follows complex rules of perceptual organisation that cannot be accounted for by eye suppression alone.
Community service contracting for older people in urban China: a case study in Guangdong Province
Authors: Lin Wenyi
Published: December 2015

Contracting of community services to non-governmental service-providing organisations – mainly social work agencies – is an emerging phenomenon and a social innovation with regard to delivering community services in urban China. Contracting of community services for the older person, which is the focus of this study, is embedded in the macro context of the development of social service contracting in China. Qualitative research techniques, including document analysis, case study, participant observation and in-depth interviews, were adopted for this study. Nine government officials, three staff working in Community Residents’ Committees, 15 staff working in social work agencies and 41 older people were interviewed in an effort to understand the impact and challenges of community service contracting in urban China. The findings showed that the involvement of social work agencies in the community service provision system results in integration of community resources, expansion of service coverage and enhancement of older people’s access to community services. However, several problems may impede the development of community service provision in the context of contracting in China. These include purchaser-oriented rather than user-oriented service provision, older people’s negative attitude towards social work services, inappropriate performance measurement, reliance of non-government organisations on government funding and ambiguous definition of community services.
Vegetius' Epitoma rei militarisin Tirant lo Blanch
Authors: Cruz Vergari Elena de la
Published: December 2015

This study proposes reading of Tirant lo Blanch in the light of Vegetius’ Epitoma rei militaris, the military manual par excellence of the Middle Ages. Indeed, in the prologue to what we now consider a chivalric novel, Joanot Martorell describes his book as a manual, in which military practice, beyond mere exercise and sport, is primarily an art that offers the hero a means of social advancement and the chance to command an empire.
La scrittura nel Tirant lo Blanch
Authors: Escartí Vicent Josep
Published: December 2015

In Tirant lo Blanc, as in other contemporary texts, the characters reveal their relations with writing, thus reflecting everyday’s uses of this intellectual tool. The script interacts as a way of communication between individuals and institutions, and makes the task of ensuring the reliability of communication and legal relations, since society has posted the fides publica in it. In Tirant we can note that the mentioned or reported writings give us qualitative data about informative functions, legislative, administrative, fictional and other kind of functions that were granted in different social strata, so they give us a lively picture of communicative situations – from public to private uses – in the world of
Joanot Martorell.
The reception of Tirant lo Blancin Valencia in the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century
Authors: Roca Ricart Rafael
Published: December 2015

During the second half of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century Valencian intellectuals showed a remarkable interest in the major works of the 15th century among which we find Tirant lo Blanch, a novel which was not published in Catalan during the Modern Age until 1873, and therefore was only accessible to librarians and scholars. This article reviews the efforts made by Valencian writers between 1866 and 1928 to approach, reveal and study the matter. These authors’ aim, related to the Renaixença movement, was to value and demand a reappraisal of Joanot’s Martorell work, and so, they took the first step in a long process of cultural recovery which stretched on for the whole of the 20th century.
Tirant e il paradosso del Cavaliere inesistente
Authors: Capelli Roberta
Published: December 2015

In her contribution “Tirant e il paradosso del Cavaliere inesistente” Roberta Capelli analyzes the third chapter of Italo Calvino’s heraldic trilogy Our Ancestors, The Nonexistent Knight (1959), from the perspective of the book profile Calvino drew of the late-15th-century Catalan novel written by Joanot Martorell, Tirant lo Blanch, published in the catalogue of the exhibition Tesoros de España. Ten Centuries of Spanish Books, held at the New York Public Library in 1985, and later gathered in his posthumous collection of essays Perché leggere i classici (1991). Capelli postulates that Calvino’s catalogue record raises some interesting issues of literary criticism with respect to the ideology of the libros de caballerías and the critique of Martorell’s novel that Cervantes invokes at the beginning of his Quijote.
The imagined nation-state in Soviet literature: The case ofKoshpendiler
Authors: Dadabayeva Gulnara , Sharipova Dina
Published: December 2015

This article focuses on the famous novelKoshpendiler(1976) by Ilyas Esenberlin. This literary work occupies a special place in Soviet Kazakh literature because it raises important problems such as the foundation of the state and nation, the sense of territoriality, and the struggle against Russian colonizers. The authors argue that this historical novel can be considered as an example of post-colonial discourse. The novel itself is an extrapolation of the 1970s’ Soviet reality when national Union republics, including Kazakhstan, were seeking greater independence. Kazakh cultural elites and the intelligentsia turned to the past history of nation-building to address the problems of the present day. Not having an opportunity to openly express their views, the Kazakh establishment preferred to express their national sentiments through the historical genre. In this work, the authors suggest their own vision of Soviet national literature from political science and historical perspectives.
The RpfB-Dependent Quorum Sensing Signal Turnover System Is Required for Adaptation and Virulence in Rice Bacterial Blight Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Wang Xing-Yu , Zhou Lian , Yang Jun , Ji Guang-Hai , He Ya-Wen
Published: December 2015

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice, produces diffusible signal factor (DSF) family quorum sensing signals to regulate virulence. The biosynthesis and perception of DSF family signals require components of the rpf (regulation of pathogenicity factors) cluster. In this study, we report that RpfB plays an essential role in DSF family signal turnover in X. oryzae pv. oryzae PXO99A. The production of DSF family signals was boosted by deletion of the rpfB gene and was abolished by its overexpression. The RpfC/RpfG-mediated DSF signaling system negatively regulates rpfB expression via the global transcription regulator Clp, whose activity is reversible in the presence of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate. These findings indicate that the DSF family signal turnover system in PXO99A is generally consistent with that in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Moreover, this study has revealed several specific roles of RpfB in PXO99A. First, the rpfB deletion mutant produced high levels of DSF family signals but reduced extracellular polysaccharide production, extracellular amylase activity, and attenuated pathogenicity. Second, the rpfB/rpfC double-deletion mutant was partially deficient in xanthomonadin production. Taken together, the RpfB-dependent DSF family signal turnover system is a conserved and naturally presenting signal turnover system in Xanthomonas spp., which plays unique roles in X. oryzae pv. oryzae adaptation and pathogenesis.
Data-driven hypothesis weighting increases detection power in multiple testing
Authors: Ignatiadis Nikolaos , Klaus Bernd , Zaugg Judith , Huber Wolfgang
Published: December 2015

Hypothesis weighting is a powerful approach for improving the power of data analyses that employ multiple testing. However, in general it is not evident how to choose the weights in a data-dependent manner. We describe independent hypothesis weighting (IHW), a method for making use of informative covariates that are independent of the test statistic under the null, but informative of each test’s power or prior probability of the null hypothesis. Covariates can be continuous or categorical and need not fulfill any particular assumptions. The method increases statistical power in applications while controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) and produces additional insight by revealing the covariate-weight relationship. Independent hypothesis weighting is a practical approach to discovery of associations in large datasets.
Liberal Studies’ role in civic education: an exploratory study
Authors: Yuen Timothy Wai Wa , Leung Yan Wing , Lu Sally Jie Qing
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Liberal Studies (LS), as a compulsory subject for senior secondary students (S4-6) who sit for the Diploma of Secondary Education, was introduced in 2007. There has been increased discussion about merits of the subject. This paper was written based on a study the researchers conducted with LS teachers and students to probe the role LS may play in relation to civic education. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study employed a qualitative methodology and a series of in-depth interviews were carried out with real LS teachers and students to tap their views about LS from their lived experience.

Findings

– Findings suggest that LS, if conducted appropriately, can be one of vehicles of civic education particularly in such matters related to enhancing social awareness and the ability to partake in public affair debates. It can also be of potential use to nurturing civic virtues in support of democratic discussion. On the other hand, its relationship with real social and political participation by students was not confirmed.

Originality/value

– This paper represents one of the first to explore about LS’s possible role in civic education with real grounded data. The paper will be of reference value to readers interested in civic education and teachers, students and policy planners of the subject.
Addressing gender inequities: the role of an NGO school in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Roberts Jennifer L. , Chittooran Mary M.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– There has been an increase in the number of non-government organization (NGO) schools in India’s disadvantaged communities. Since these schools often serve the most marginalized populations, it is important to understand their role in addressing educational inequities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of an NGO school in Uttar Pradesh, India in improving girls’ education.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study methodology was utilized to identify barriers to girls’ education and ways in which the NGO school is working to minimize educational inequities.

Findings

– The barriers to girls’ education in this study are traditional values, lack of economic opportunities, and safety concerns. The school works to minimize these inequities by providing a rigorous curriculum, teaching the students how to be good citizens, improving school facilities, and providing free school supplies. Implications – it is through better understanding the role of the NGO sector that a more complete understanding of the status of girls’ education will develop.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the literature on girls’ education, but expands the conversation to include NGO schools.
Culture, health, gender and coffee drinking: a Costa Rican perspective
Authors: Aguirre Juan
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of culture, gender and perceived health benefits on coffee drinking in Costa Rica.

Design/methodology/approach

– A telephone survey (n=1,328) was conducted in the province of San Jose, where the capital city is located. This location has a population of 845,000, with a 99 per cent, confidence, 1 per cent error and 50 per cent response distribution, the total usable surveys were 1,199. The analytical procedure, consisted of three steps; instrument validation, consumer profile development and developing ordinal logistic modelling.

Findings

– The total α was estimated at 0.71. The coffee consumer profile is described but consisted of 52 per cent female and 48 per cent male with 77 per cent receiving a secondary education. The factors influencing coffee drinking by Costa Ricans, are in order of importance: first gender followed by family as a source of information, health, amount spent, aroma, anti-migraine effect, family tradition, flavour and energizing effect. H1 – health, culture and gender influence the frequency of coffee consumption in Costa Rica is accepted; H2 – the importance of the health factor varies with gender is accepted and H3 – culture is an important factor in determining coffee consumption is also accepted.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was only conducted in the province of San Jose. This is considered the urban heart of the country urban but its finding should not be extrapolated to the entire country. A rural/urban comparison may be needed.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that a country wide survey may be useful in providing information for differential coffee marketing strategies.

Originality/value

– The material is the first of its kind in the Central American region and may help orient other countries of the area.
A review on visual criteria of pure milk packaging for parents and their children (case study: Tehran, Iran)
Authors: Rasouli Valajoozi Mohsen , Zangi Nosrat Ollah
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare and find the significance of aesthetic standards related to the packaging design of pure milk among two groups of parents and children in order to help the designers and marketers to identify these two groups of consumers well.

Design/methodology/approach

– The results of questionnaire were used to get the required data. The selected samples were divided into two groups of 110 parents and children aged between seven and 14 years old who responded to the questions. The subjects were compared and evaluated within the convenience stores in the cosmopolitan city of Tehran based on four independent variables as the influential factors in packaging attractiveness. Data were analyzed through the statistical analysis software using the Independent t-test analysis.

Findings

– The results of analysis showed that all the variables vary significantly among these two groups. Besides, the importance and priority of variables were determined for each group based on the mean score of each variable.

Originality/value

– According to the results of this study, it could be concluded that the selection criteria and packaging attractiveness varies among children and parents, and the aesthetic factors of packaging could be used with different priorities for these two groups. And also at the end of research some practical recommendations are presented in order of importance based on parents’ preferences.
In between smorgasbord and table d’hôte: à la carte learning organization
Authors: Örtenblad Anders
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– To suggest how the idea of the learning organization can be adapted to fit organizations in different contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on many years of work on the idea of the learning organization and how it can be made to fit in different contexts.

Findings

– Any organization that has an interest in becoming (or continuing to be) a learning organization is recommended to critically examine the relevance of each and every element of the idea of the learning organization, and thereafter construct a model of the learning organization that fits the particular organization.

Practical implications

– Organizations that aim to become (or continue to be) learning organizations are offered some concrete advice as to how to examine the relevance for their particular organization of the elements that the idea of the learning organization consists of.

Originality/value

– In contrast to all those who claim that the idea of the learning organization is relevant as is, without first going through any changes, to all organizations, this paper suggests that not all elements of the idea are relevant to all organizations. In contrast to those who merely suggest that each organization needs to find and adopt its own version of the learning organization, this paper offers concrete insights as to how such a process of customization actually can be conducted.
Behavioral validation of the rudeness scale: evidence from retrospective and prospective research
Authors: Park Anna , Robinson Rebecca L. , Babcock Meghan J , Ickes William
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to behaviorally validate the Rudeness Scale (RS), a self-report measure of the propensity to verbally abuse strangers, using both a retrospective design (Study 1) and a prospective design (Study 2).

Design/methodology/approach

– In Study 1, participants (n=280) completed an online survey that contained the RS and a retrospective checklist measure that assessed how often they had engaged in specific confrontational behaviors during the past year. In Study 2 (n=109), participants first completed an online survey that contained the RS and then later completed an experimental session in which they received, and immediately responded to, rude instant messages sent by another “participant.”

Findings

– In Study 1, a multiple regression analysis revealed that scores on the RS were positively associated (β=0.39) with scores on the retrospective checklist measure of ugly confrontational behaviors. In Study 2, a multiple regression analysis revealed that scores on the RS were positively associated (β=0.30) with the level of “retaliatory” rude behavior the participants displayed in their instant messaging conversation. Together, these findings reveal that people with high RS scores are more likely, first, to have acted in offensive and confrontational ways in the past (Study 1), and second, to act this way in the present (Study 2).

Originality/value

– Although previous studies have provided evidence for the convergent validity of the RS and established a preliminary personality profile of rude individuals, the present studies are the first to explore the behavioral validity of the scale.
Evaluation of an Australian domestic abuse program for offending males
Authors: Blatch Chris , O'Sullivan Kevin , Delaney Jordan J , van Doorn Gerard , Sweller Tamara
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine recidivism outcomes for 953 offending men with domestic violence histories, serving community-based sentences and enroled in the domestic abuse program (DAP), provided by Corrective Services New South Wales in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– An intention to treat definition of DAP participation and a quasi-experimental and pseudo-prospective research design compared recidivism outcomes of the treatment group to a propensity score matched control group. Cox and Poisson regression techniques determined survival time to first reconviction and rates of reconvictions adjusted for time at risk.

Findings

– DAP enrolment was associated with significant improvements in odds of time to first general reconviction (15 per cent) and first violent reconviction (by 27 per cent) compared to controls. Reconviction rates were significantly lower (by 15 per cent) for DAP enrolees. Programme completion was necessary for significant therapeutic effect; 62 per cent completed the programme.

Practical implications

– This evaluation suggests the 20 session DAP is an effective intervention which could be adopted by other jurisdictions to modify criminal behaviours of domestically abusive men; potentially lessening the physical, emotional and financial impacts on victims and providing savings to government and criminal justice systems. The methodology, with refinements, could be adopted by other service providers to evaluate similar community-based therapeutic interventions in forensic settings.

Originality/value

– First peer reviewed evaluation of the DAP. The programme contributes to evidence-based best practice interventions for domestically violent men.
Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities who have been raped: co-production in action
Authors: Olsen Angela , Carter Catherine
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss a project that explored why mainstream rape support services are still failing to meet the needs of women with learning disabilities. Principles of co-production and action learning enabled a group of women, including women with learning disabilities, to share knowledge and skills and develop easy-read information leaflets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The project included representatives from a university, a third sector organisation and a rape crisis centre. Action learning methods were used to bring together a broad range of experience and expertise. The project was co-led by a woman with a learning disability and a lecturer in social work with people with learning disabilities.

Findings

– Three organisations had been toiling with a similar issue, that of responses to women with learning disabilities who had been raped. All had previously examined the problem from their own perspectives. An action learning process enabled them to explore the issues from a range of experiences, sharing knowledge and expertise and enabling them to begin to develop better service responses. While co-production may highlight competing priorities in and between organisations, it can also provide the means of managing these tensions.

Social implications

– The project demonstrated the importance of co-production. Working together led to a shared understanding of the barriers experienced by women with learning disabilities who experience rape and of the challenges faced by workers who aim to support them. This shared understanding enabled the action learning set to develop bespoke training and literature.

Originality/value

– The project demonstrates the importance of working with people with learning disabilities in order to develop services that truly meet their needs.
General hospital care for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Glover Gyles , Fox Sebastian , Hatton Chris
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of compliance of commissioners and providers of hospital services in England with their duty under equalities legislation to be aware of patients with intellectual disabilities as a first step to making appropriate provision for their consequent specific needs.

Design/methodology/approach

– National survey of healthcare commissioners undertaken as part of an annual learning disabilities services audit.

Findings

– In total, 41.4 per cent of local areas were unable to supply information about numbers of people with intellectual disabilities among those admitted to hospital, 46.7 and 48 per cent, respectively, could not supply this information about out-patient and accident and emergency department attenders. Figures supplied by those able to provide data varied very substantially and overall were so low as to suggest considerable numbers had been missed.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is testing what local health commissioners are able to find out from hospitals. The authors do not know the accuracy of the data they reported.

Practical implications

– The study suggests approaching half of healthcare commissioners in England have little or no information about the extent of proper adjustment of hospital care for people with intellectual disability in their area. Their responsibility to assure this has been repeatedly asserted by government.

Social implications

– The study indicates a need for more work to improve hospital care for people with intellectual disabilities.

Originality/value

– This was a government sponsored national study to which local healthcare commissioners were expected to contribute.
An investigation of the delivery of health-related accessible information for adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Mander Clare
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– People with learning disabilities often require support to fully understand information produced in an accessible format. What happens during the delivery of accessible information (AI) is largely unknown. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation stage of the AI process.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two community-based learning disability nurses and two people with learning disabilities took part in a non-participant observational study of the naturally occurring conversations that took place during the delivery of health-related AI. Conversation analysis was used to explore both vocal and non-vocal behaviours.

Findings

– Three clusters of episodes were identified: providing the AI, topic development, and consent. The use of AI appeared to provide a script for the delivery of the information; however, practical considerations of topic development and tailoring resources to the individual were evident. For sensitive conversations the use of shared experience and challenges in judging comprehension were apparent. Contradictory goals in the decision-making process were highlighted, presenting potential ethical dilemmas.

Originality/value

– The delivery of AI allowed for personalisation and appeared to support understanding; however, this was partly reliant on mutual empathy between the nurse and their client.
Response Rates in Business and Management Research: An Overview of Current Practice and Suggestions for Future Direction
Authors: Mellahi Kamel , Harris Lloyd C.
Published: December 2015

This paper examines response rates (RR) in published research in business and management journals. Its aim is to evaluate the efficacy of RR‐enhancing strategies, explore differences in RR between sub‐disciplines and geographical regions, provide a critical appraisal of RR in business and management research, and offer guidelines for assessing and improving RR in business and management research. Data are analysed from 1093 survey‐based papers published between 2009 and 2013 in a representative sample of business and management journals. The results of the study are discussed, and their implications for RR in business and management research are provided.
Implementing Student‐Centered Learning Practices in a Large Enrollment, Introductory Food Science and Human Nutrition Course
Authors: Korte Debra , Reitz Nicholas , Schmidt Shelly J.
Published: December 2015

Informed by the latest research on how people learn, effective teachers address both aspects of the teaching–learning equation—they engage students in the course material by implementing best teaching practices and they prepare students for learning by sharing best learning practices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of student‐centered learning practices on students’ perceptions of their ability to learn, specifically in a large enrollment, introductory food science and human nutrition course. Featured student‐centered learning practices included required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources. A mixed method survey instrument with 5‐point Likert scales and qualitative, open‐ended questions was used to determine students’ (1) use of optional study tools and supplemental learning resources; (2) perceptions as to the quality and impact of required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources to enhance their ability to learn; (3) perceptions as to the usefulness of required assignments, optional study tools, and supplemental learning resources to help them perform better in this course; and (4) overall satisfaction, as a learner, in this course. Overall, students identified study guides (developed using Bloom's taxonomy action verbs) (Mean = 4.34), microthemes (Mean = 4.27), and quizzes (Mean = 4.11) as the most beneficial resources to enhance their learning of the course material. Overall, 85% of students said they were extremely or very satisfied as learners in the course and nearly 75% of the students said the student‐centered learning practices should be offered to future FSHN 101 students.
Detection of Virulence Genes and Growth Potential in Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Ricotta Salata Cheese
Authors: Coroneo Valentina , Carraro Valentina , Aissani Nadhem , Sanna Adriana , Ruggeri Alessandra , Succa Sara , Meloni Barbara , Pinna Antonella , Sanna Clara
Published: December 2015

Ricotta Salata is a traditional ripened and salted whey cheese made in Sardinia (Italy) from sheep's milk. This product is catalogued as ready‐to‐eat food (RTE) since it is not submitted to any further treatment before consumption. Thus, foodborne pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes, can represent a health risk for consumers. In September 2012, the FDA ordered the recall of several batches of Ricotta Salata imported from Italy linked to 22 cases of Listeriosis in the United States. This study was aimed at evaluating the presence and virulence properties of L. monocytogenes in 87 samples of Ricotta Salata produced in Sardinia. The ability of this product to support its growth under foreseen packing and storing conditions was also evaluated in 252 samples. Of the 87 samples 17.2% were positive for the presence of L. monocytogenes with an average concentration of 2.2 log10 cfu/g. All virulence‐associated genes (prfA, rrn, hlyA, actA, inlA, inlB, iap, plcA, and plcB) were detected in only one isolated strain. The Ricotta Salata samples were artificially inoculated and growth potential (δ) was assessed over a period of 3 mo. The value of the growth potential was always >0.5 log10 cfu/g under foreseen packing and storing conditions. This study indicates that Ricotta Salata supports the L. monocytogenes growth to levels that may present a serious risk to public health, even while stored at refrigeration temperatures.
Postoperative hyperalgesia does not predict persistent post‐sternotomy pain; observational study based on clinical examination
Authors: Setälä P. , Kalliomäki M.‐L. , Järvelä K. , Huhtala H. , Sisto T. , Puolakka P.
Published: December 2015

Background

Persistent post‐sternotomy pain is a common problem, but the risk of developing it varies among patients. We sought to find out whether the risk of persistent post‐sternotomy pain could be predicted by measuring the area of acute sensory dysfunction around the sternotomy wound. The secondary aim was to determine risk factors for persistent post‐sternotomy pain.

Patients and methods

Hundred patients who were scheduled to undergo elective coronary artery bypass surgery were recruited to the study. Patients were excluded if they had undergone previous cardiac surgery or if they lacked co‐operation. Preoperative pain scores were determined and the patients filled in questionnaires about depression, anxiety, and pain. The area of sensory dysfunction around the sternotomy wound was assessed by pin prick on postoperative day 4. The presence of persistent post‐sternotomy pain was determined at a follow‐up evaluation at 4–6 months after surgery.

Results

The sizes of the area of hyperalgesia or overall sensory dysfunction were not associated with persistent post‐sternotomy pain. Independent risk factors for persistent post‐sternotomy pain were found to be smoking and high pain score on postoperative day 1. The prevalence of persistent post‐sternotomy pain in our study population was 38% analyzed by only the questionnaire and 15% according to the clinical examination.

Conclusion

Measuring the area of hyperalgesia in the acute phase does not give any additional information on the risk of developing a persistent post‐sternotomy pain. We do thus not recommend measuring the area in this particular group of patients. Evaluation of pain by only a questionnaire risks to overestimate the presence of persistent post‐sternotomy pain as compared to clinical examination.
Methylene blue alleviates nuclear and mitochondrial abnormalities in progeria
Authors: Xiong Zheng‐Mei , Choi Ji Young , Wang Kun , Zhang Haoyue , Tariq Zeshan , Wu Di , Ko Eunae , LaDana Christina , Sesaki Hiromi , Cao Kan
Published: December 2015

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a fatal premature aging disease, is caused by a single‐nucleotide mutation in the LMNA gene. Previous reports have focused on nuclear phenotypes in HGPS cells, yet the potential contribution of the mitochondria, a key player in normal aging, remains unclear. Using high‐resolution microscopy analysis, we demonstrated a significantly increased fraction of swollen and fragmented mitochondria and a marked reduction in mitochondrial mobility in HGPS fibroblast cells. Notably, the expression of PGC‐1α, a central regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, was inhibited by progerin. To rescue mitochondrial defects, we treated HGPS cells with a mitochondrial‐targeting antioxidant methylene blue (MB). Our analysis indicated that MB treatment not only alleviated the mitochondrial defects but also rescued the hallmark nuclear abnormalities in HGPS cells. Additional analysis suggested that MB treatment released progerin from the nuclear membrane, rescued perinuclear heterochromatin loss and corrected misregulated gene expression in HGPS cells. Together, these results demonstrate a role of mitochondrial dysfunction in developing the premature aging phenotypes in HGPS cells and suggest MB as a promising therapeutic approach for HGPS.
Estrogen‐Initiated Protein Interactomes During Embryo Implantation
Authors: Padmanabhan Renjini A. , Laloraya Malini
Published: December 2015

Failed implantation is the major restraining factor in assisted reproduction and is defined as the ‘black‐box of assisted reproduction’. Although work on understanding the complex process of implantation has substantially advanced, it has been limited to studies on mechanism of steroid hormone‐mediated signaling during embryo implantation and knocking out single molecules and assessing their impact on embryo implantation. It is important to realize that most proteins exert their function via interaction with other proteins in order to relay downstream signals and/or regulate gene expression via interactions within promoter complexes. Such networks of biomolecular interactions constitute the basis for life as protein interactions are obligatory for cellular functioning. Thus, this review will focus on highlighting protein interactions during the complex process of embryo implantation as they attain a larger significance as pregnancy is fundamental to childbirth and the continuity of life per se.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial infection with concurrent IgG4‐related lymphadenopathy
Authors: Liu Ting‐Ting , Weng Shao‐Wen , Wang Ming‐Chung , Huang Wan‐Ting
Published: December 2015

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection with concurrent IgG4‐related lymphadenopathy has not been reported. We described a patient with neutralizing autoantibodies to interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and elevated levels of serum IgG4 presenting with generalized lymphadenopathy and reactive dermatosis. Histologically, lymph nodes (LNs) showed effaced nodal architecture with polymorphic infiltrates, mimicking angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma. Both the absolute number and the ratio of IgG4+ plasma cells to IgG+ plasma cells were increased.Mycobacterium abscessuswas isolated from cultures ofLNs, and demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. The skin biopsy showed neutrophilic dermatosis, consistent with Sweet syndrome. The patient met the criteria of both adult‐onset immunodeficiency syndrome and IgG4‐related lymphadenopathy. This case provides evidence of disseminatedNTMinfection with concurrent typeIIIIgG4‐related lymphadenopathy in the patient with anti‐IFN‐γ autoantibodies.