bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating PDF interface into Java application
Authors: Lu Quan , Liu Gao , Chen Jing
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel approach to integrate portable document format (PDF) interface into Java-based digital library application. It bridges the gap between conducting content operation and viewing on PDF document asynchronously.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the authors first review some related research and discuss PDF and its drawbacks. Next, the authors propose the design steps and implementation of three modes of displaying PDF document: PDF display, image display and extensible markup language (XML) display. A comparison of these three modes has been carried out.

Findings

– The authors find that the PDF display is able to completely present the original PDF document contents and thus obviously superior to the other two displays. In addition, the format specification of PDF-based e-book does not perform well; lack of standardization and complex structure is exposed to the publication.

Practical implications

– The proposed approach makes viewing the PDF documents more convenient and effective, and can be used to retrieve and visualize the PDF documents and to support the personalized function customization of PDF in the digital library applications.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a novel approach to solve the problem between content operation and the view of PDF synchronously, providing users a new tool to retrieve and reuse the PDF documents. It contributes to improve the service specification and policy of viewing the PDF for digital library. Besides, the personalized interface and public index make further development and application more feasible.
Institutional distance and entry mode choice by Brazilian firms
Authors: Vouga Chueke Gabriel , Mendes Borini Felipe
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of institutional distance, firm and industry characteristics on the establishment mode strategy of Brazilian multinationals – the choice between an acquisition and a greenfield investment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors build upon the recently developed of Institutional Theory an analytical framework, decomposing the institutional distance between formal institutions (economic, financial, political, administrative, demographic, geographic and knowledge distance) and informal institution (cultural distance), and we used control variables related to firm and industry levels.

Findings

– The results suggest a possible association between entry by acquisition and factors related to the firm-level and formal institution (financial, political and demographic distance). Findings also suggest a strong relationship between greenfield investments and informal institution (cultural distance) and industry-level factors.

Praticallimitations

– The authors believe that the managers of Brazilian companies should use the variables adopted in this study as criteria to identify the factors that influence entry strategy abroad.

Socialimplications

– Another possible contribution concerns the scope of the government because results demonstrated the weight that formal institutions place on the entry process into foreign countries.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the ongoing academic discussion regarding entry modes in different ways. First, this study contributes, given the novelty of its proposal: no quantitative studies were found to have analyzed establishment mode choice in Brazil. Another contribution is the finding related to the association between entry mode and institutional distance between countries.
The role of pets in the lives of older people: a review
Authors: McNicholas June
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to summarise some of the major scientific research projects that identify the value of pet ownership and pet interaction to older people with a view to disseminating such findings to health professionals and care workers engaged in the welfare of older people.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of findings from major international studies across a number of health related disciplines.

Findings

– Pets may serve significant functions that enhance the physical, emotional and social well-being of older people. With recognition from health professionals, pet ownership may rank highly amongst those elements which should be preserved wherever possible.

Originality/value

– The dissemination of the importance of pet ownership to the health and well-being of older people, with special implications for policy development amongst care providers.
Sentence repetition: what does the task measure?
Authors: Polišenská Kamila , Chiat Shula , Roy Penny
Published: September 2014

Background

Sentence repetition is gaining increasing attention as a source of information about children's sentence‐level abilities in clinical assessment, and as a clinical marker of specific language impairment. However, it is widely debated what the task is testing and therefore how informative it is.

Aims

(1) To evaluate the effects of different types of long‐term linguistic knowledge on immediate recall, (2) to assess age sensitivity of repetition tasks designed to evaluate these effects, and (3) to establish if the effects are similar across typologically different languages. The study also considers the implications of the findings for the use of sentence repetition as a research and clinical assessment tool.

Methods & Procedures

Participants were 50 English‐speaking and 50 Czech‐speaking typically developing 4–5‐year‐olds. Children's ability to recall sequences of items was compared in seven linguistic conditions ranging from fully well‐formed sentences to sequences of non‐words. In each condition, children repeated blocks of successively longer stimuli to establish their span.

Outcomes & Results

Results showed significant but differential effects of all linguistic factors in both languages. While syntactic violations and presence of non‐words dramatically reduced children's span, semantic implausibility and the removal of sentence prosody played a significant but much smaller role. Familiarity of function words was more important than familiarity of content words. The effects of different linguistic factors on spans were the same for both languages and did not change between 4 and 5 years, although average spans increased over this age range.

Conclusions & Implications

Children's ability to repeat sentences is more dependent on their familiarity with morphosyntax and lexical phonology than semantics or prosody, with function words of particular importance. Findings have implications for the use of recall in clinical assessment and as a research tool.
Verbal competence in narrative retelling in 5‐year‐olds with unilateral cleft lip and palate
Authors: Klintö Kristina , Salameh Eva‐Kristina , Lohmander Anette
Published: September 2014

Background

Research regarding expressive language performance in children born with cleft palate is sparse. The relationship between articulation/phonology and expressive language skills also needs to be further explored.

Aims

To investigate verbal competence in narrative retelling in 5‐year‐old children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and its possible relationship with articulation/phonology at 3 and 5 years of age.

Methods & Procedures

A total of 49 children, 29 with UCLP treated according to three different procedures for primary palatal surgery and a comparison group of 20 children (COMP), were included. Longitudinally recorded audio files were used for analysis. At ages 3 and 5, the children were presented with a single‐word test of word naming and at age 5 also the Bus Story Test (BST). The BST was assessed according to a test manual. The single‐word test was phonetically transcribed and the percentage of consonants correct adjusted for age (PCC‐A) was calculated. Differences regarding the BST results within the UCLP group were analysed. The results were compared with the results of the COMP group, and also with norm values. In addition, the relationship between the results of the BST and the PCC‐A scores at ages 3 and 5 years was analysed.

Outcomes & Results

No significant group differences or correlations were found. However, 65.5% of the children in the UCLP group had an information score below 1 standard deviation from the norm value compared with 30% in the COMP group.

Conclusions

A larger proportion of children in the UCLP group than in the COMP group displayed problems with retelling but the differences between the two groups were not significant. There was no association between the BST results in the children with UCLP and previous or present articulatory/phonological competence. Since group size was small in both groups, the findings need to be verified in a larger study.
Maternal responsiveness predicts child language at ages 3 and 4 in a community‐based sample of slow‐to‐talk toddlers
Authors: Hudson Sophie , Levickis Penny , Down Kate , Nicholls Ruth , Wake Melissa
Published: September 2014

Background

Maternal responsiveness has been shown to predict child language outcomes in clinical samples of children with language delay and non‐representative samples of typically developing children. An effective and timely measure of maternal responsiveness for use at the population level has not yet been established.

Aims

To determine whether a global rating of maternal responsiveness at age 2 years predicts language outcomes at ages 3 and 4 in a community sample of slow‐to‐talk toddlers.

Methods & Procedures

In an Australian population‐based study, at child age 1:6 years, 301 slow‐to‐talk toddlers (scoring ≤20th percentile on a parent‐reported expressive vocabulary checklist) were invited to take part in a 15‐min free‐play video of mother‐child interaction at 2:0 years. Each free‐play video was rated for maternal responsiveness using a five‐point global rating scale, where 1 is ‘very low’ responsiveness and 5 is ‘very high’ responsiveness. Language skills were measured at 3:0 years using PLS‐4 and at 4:0 years using the CELF‐P2.

Outcomes & Results

In adjusted linear regression models (potential confounders: gender, maternal education, socioeconomic status) maternal responsiveness strongly predicted receptive, expressive and total language standard scores at ages 3 (coefficient = 5.9, p < 0.001; coefficient = 5.4, p < 0.001; coefficient = 6.2, p < 0.001, respectively) and 4 years (coefficient = 4.6, p < 0.001; coefficient = 3.1, p = 0.004; coefficient = 4.0, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions & Implications

Slow‐to‐talk toddlers of mothers with higher global ratings of responsiveness have higher language scores at 3 and 4 years of age. This global measure of maternal responsiveness could be further developed as a clinical tool for identifying which slow‐to‐talk toddlers are most in need of early intervention.
Prevention of preterm delivery with vaginal progesterone in women with preterm labour (4P): randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Martinez de Tejada B , Karolinski A , Ocampo MC , Laterra C , Hösli I , Fernández D , Surbek D , Huespe M , Drack G , Bunader A , Rouillier S , López de Degani G , Seidenstein E , Prentl E , Antón J , Krähenmann F , Nowacki D , Poncelas M , Nassif JC , Papera R , Tuma C , Espoile R , Tiberio O , Breccia G , Messina A , Peker B , Schinner E , Mol BW , Kanterewicz L , Wainer V , Boulvain M , Othenin‐Girard V , Bertolino MV , Irion O ,   the 4P trial group
Published: September 2014

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of 200 mg of daily vaginal natural progesterone to prevent preterm birth in women with preterm labour.

Design

Multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

Twenty‐nine centres in Switzerland and Argentina.

Population

A total of 385 women with preterm labour (240/7to 336/7 weeks of gestation) treated with acute tocolysis.

Methods

Participants were randomly allocated to either 200 mg daily of self‐administered vaginal progesterone or placebo within 48 hours of starting acute tocolysis.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes were delivery before 32 and 34 weeks, adverse effects, duration of tocolysis, re‐admissions for preterm labour, length of hospital stay, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study was ended prematurely based on results of the intermediate analysis.

Results

Preterm birth occurred in 42.5% of women in the progesterone group versus 35.5% in the placebo group (relative risk [RR] 1.2; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.93–1.5). Delivery at <32 and <34 weeks did not differ between the two groups (12.9 versus 9.7%; [RR1.3; 95%CI0.7–2.5] and 19.7 versus 12.9% [RR1.5; 95%CI0.9–2.4], respectively). The duration of tocolysis, hospitalisation, and recurrence of preterm labour were comparable between groups. Neonatal morbidity occurred in 44 (22.8%) cases on progesterone versus 35 (18.8%) cases on placebo (RR: 1.2; 95%CI0.82–1.8), whereas there were 4 (2%) neonatal deaths in each study group.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that the daily administration of 200 mg vaginal progesterone decreases preterm birth or improves neonatal outcome in women with preterm labour.
Associations of maternal circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration with pregnancy and birth outcomes
Authors: Rodriguez A , García‐Esteban R , Basterretxea M , Lertxundi A , Rodríguez‐Bernal C , Iñiguez C , Rodriguez‐Dehli C , Tardón A , Espada M , Sunyer J , Morales E
Published: September 2014

Objective

To investigate the association of maternal circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentration with pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Four geographical areas of Spain, 2003–2008.

Population

Of 2382 mother–child pairs participating in the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) Project.

Methods

Maternal circulating 25(OH)D3 concentration was measured in pregnancy (mean [SD] 13.5 [2.2] weeks of gestation). We tested associations of maternal 25(OH)D3 concentration with pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm delivery, caesarean section, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small‐for‐gestational age (SGA), anthropometric birth outcomes including weight, length and head circumference (HC).

Results

Overall, 31.8% and 19.7% of women had vitamin D insufficiency [25(OH)D3 20–29.99 ng/ml] and deficiency [25(OH)D3 < 20 ng/ml], respectively. After adjustment, there was no association between maternal 25(OH)D3 concentration and risk of GDM or preterm delivery. Women with sufficient vitamin D [25(OH)D3 ≥ 30 ng/ml] had a decreased risk of caesarean section by obstructed labour compared with women with vitamin D deficiency [relative risk (RR) = 0.60, 95% CI 0.37, 0.97). Offspring of mothers with higher circulating 25(OH)D3 concentration tended to have smaller HC [coefficient (SE) per doubling concentration of 25(OH)D3, −0.10 (0.05), P = 0.038]. No significant associations were found for other birth outcomes.

Conclusion

This study did not find any evidence of an association between vitamin D status in pregnancy and GDM, preterm delivery, FGR, SGA and anthropometric birth outcomes. Results suggest that sufficient circulating vitamin D concentration [25(OH)D3 ≥ 30 ng/ml] in pregnancy may reduce the risk of caesarean section by obstructed labour.
A systematic review of p16/Ki‐67 immuno‐testing for triage of low grade cervical cytology
Authors: Kisser A , Zechmeister‐Koss I
Published: September 2014

Background

Screening for cervical cancer precursors by Papanicolaou cytology is a public health success story; however, its low sensitivity entails unnecessary referrals to colposcopy of healthy women with equivocal (ASCUS) or mild dysplasia (LSIL) cytology.

Objective

We assessed the accuracy of p16/Ki‐67 immuno‐testing for triage of low grade cervical cytology.

Search strategy

We systematically searched Medline, Embase, CRD and Cochrane databases, and handsearched key references.

Selection criteria

Eligible studies included women with ASCUS or LSIL cervical cytology who had undergone p16/Ki‐67 testing and subsequent verification by colposcopy‐directed biopsies and histologic analysis.

Data collection and analysis

We extracted data on patient characteristics and test conduct, diagnostic accuracy measures and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. R software was used to perform a bivariate analysis of test performance data.

Main results

Five eligible studies were identified. Four of the studies had high risk of bias. In the LSIL subgroup, the sensitivity of p16/Ki‐67 testing ranged from 0.86 to 0.98, compared with 0.92–0.96 of high‐risk HPV testing (hrHPV); specificity ranged from 0.43 to 0.68 versus 0.19 to 0.37, respectively. In the ASCUS subgroup, sensitivity ranged from 0.64 to 0.92 (p16/Ki67 test) versus 0.91 to 0.97 (hrHPV); specificity ranged from 0.53 to 0.81 versus 0.26 to 0.44, respectively.

Authors' conclusions

p16/Ki‐67 testing cannot be recommended for triage women with ASCUS or LSIL cytology due to insufficient high‐quality evidence. Further studies on test performance and the impact of p16/Ki‐67‐based triage on health outcomes are needed for a definitive evaluation of its clinical utility.
Are Auditors Professionally Skeptical? Evidence from Auditors’ Going‐Concern Opinions and Management Earnings Forecasts
Authors: FENG MEI , LI CHAN
Published: September 2014

We examine whether auditors exercise professional skepticism about management earnings forecasts when making going‐concern decisions. Using publicly issued management earnings forecasts as a proxy for earnings forecasts provided by managers to auditors, we find that management earnings forecasts are negatively associated with both auditors’ going‐concern opinions and subsequent bankruptcy. The weight auditors put on management forecasts in the going‐concern decision is not significantly different from the weight implied in the bankruptcy prediction model. Moreover, compared with the bankruptcy model, auditors assign a lower weight to management forecasts they perceive as being less credible, including those (1) issued by managers who issued optimistic forecasts in the previous two years, and (2) predicting high earnings increases or high earnings. Taken together, our evidence is consistent with auditors being professionally skeptical about management earnings forecasts when making going‐concern decisions.
Emergency weight estimation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory: Are the current methods accurate?
Authors: Allison Nicola , Norton Ian
Published: September 2014

Objective

During a paediatric emergency, it is often impractical to weigh a child. Many resuscitative measures require a child's weight; therefore, estimation is often used. Different methods are available to do this, usually based on a child's age or length. The accuracy of these methods has not been validated in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from remote communities. The objective of this study was to determine how well these paediatric emergency weight estimation methods predict weight for this group of children.

Method

A retrospective descriptive study using the measured weights and heights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from remote locations across the Northern Territory (NT) was used. The weight estimation methods chosen to evaluate were the APLS, ‘Best Guess’, Luscombe and Nelson's formulae, Argall's modification, the Broselow® and Sandell® tapes, and the World Health Organization standard reference growth charts. Adjusted R‐squared values for each method are reported, and agreement was measured in terms of mean percentage error (MPE).

Results

A total of 2102 children were included. The length‐based methods performed the best. The Broselow Tape had the highest adjusted R‐squared value at 0.8886 in all age groups. The APLS, Luscombe and Argall's methods were the worst performing methods. The Broselow® Tape was also the best performing in terms of accuracy and precision, with an MPE of −0.35% (95% CI −0.82–0.1).

Conclusion

Our data support the use of the Broselow® Tape as the recommended method when estimating weight in an emergency for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the NT for the 0–5 year age group.
Strategic HRM and devolving HR to the line: Cochlear during the shift to lean manufacturing
Authors: Gollan Paul J , Kalfa Senia , Xu Ying
Published: September 2014

Our case study at Cochlear, a medical device manufacturer, highlights how devolving HR to the line can facilitate organisational change to lean manufacturing. Drawing on interviews and focus groups conducted with management and employees, it sheds light into the HR practices in one of the very few Australian manufacturers that are successful on an international scale. This study contributes to the debate on strategic human resource management and in particular on the role of line managers and the process and outcomes of devolving HR responsibilities to the line during an organisational‐wide transformation to lean management (a form of high‐performance work systems). Furthermore, we add to the increasing and significant research stream which argues that HR affects organisational performance indirectly rather than directly; hence, the focus of HR professionals should be on developing systems of support for line managers so as to ensure the consistent and equitable enactment of intended HRM practices.
Simultaneous Purification of Limonin, Nomilin and Isoobacunoic Acid from Pomelo Fruit (Citrus grandis) Segment Membrane
Authors: Xiang Yu , Cao Jinping , Luo Fenglei , Wang Dengliang , Chen Wei , Li Xian , Sun Chongde , Chen Kunsong
Published: September 2014

A method was established for purification of limonin, nomilin, and isoobacunoic acid simultaneously from segment membranes of pomelo (Citrus Grandis). This method includes 3 steps, removing most impurities by macroporous resin HZ‐816, isolating limonin by High Speed Counter Current Chromatography (HSCCC), and isolating nomilin and isoobacunoic acid by semi‐preparative HPLC. Naringin was partially purified as a by‐product of this process using Sephadex LH‐20. All limonoids purified through this method reached 95% purity. The purified limonin, nomilin and isoobacunoic acid were identified according to the retention time of the standard substances using HPLC and characteristic fragment ions of LC‐MS/MS.
Preparation of Margarines from Organogels of Sunflower Wax and Vegetable Oils
Authors: Hwang Hong‐Sik , Singh Mukti , Winkler‐Moser Jill K. , Bakota Erica L. , Liu Sean X.
Published: September 2014

It was previously reported that sunflower wax (SW) had high potential as an organogelator for soybean oil–based margarine and spread products. In this study, 12 other vegetable oils were evaluated in a margarine formulation to test feasibility of utilization of SW as an alternative to solid fats in margarine and spread products containing these oils. The minimum quantity of SW required to form a gel with these oils ranged from 0.3% to 1.0% (wt.). Organogels were prepared from the vegetable oils with 3%, 5% and 7% SW and were tested for firmness as well as melting behaviors using differential scanning calorimetry. These organogels were also incorporated into a margarine formulation. All of the vegetable oil organogels produced relatively firm margarines. The margarines prepared from organogels containing 3% (wt.) SW had greater firmness than commercial spreads, whereas margarines made from 7% SW were softer than commercial stick margarines. However, dropping points of the margarine samples were higher than those of commercial spread and margarine products. Margarine firmness was modestly inversely correlated with the amount of polar compounds in the oils and did not correlate with fatty acid compositions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a number of healthy vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids to make healthy margarine and spread products by utilizing SW as an organogelator.
Meta‐barcoded evaluation of the ISO standard 11063 DNA extraction procedure to characterize soil bacterial and fungal community diversity and composition
Authors: Terrat Sebastien , Plassart Pierre , Bourgeois Emilie , Ferreira Stéphanie , Dequiedt Samuel , Adele‐Dit‐De‐Renseville Nathalie , Lemanceau Philippe , Bispo Antonio , Chabbi Abad , Maron Pierre‐Alain , Ranjard Lionel
Published: September 2014

This study was designed to assess the influence of three soil DNA extraction procedures, namely the International Organization for Standardization (ISO‐11063, GnS‐GII and modified ISO procedure (ISOm), on the taxonomic diversity and composition of soil bacterial and fungal communities. The efficacy of each soil DNA extraction method was assessed on five soils, differing in their physico‐chemical characteristics and land use. A meta‐barcoded pyrosequencing approach targeting 16S and 18S rRNA genes was applied to characterize soil microbial communities. We first observed that the GnS‐GII introduced some heterogeneity in bacterial composition between replicates. Then, although no major difference was observed between extraction procedures for soil bacterial diversity, we saw that the number of fungal genera could be underestimated by the ISO‐11063. In particular, this procedure underestimated the detection in several soils of the genera Cryptococcus, Pseudallescheria, Hypocrea and Plectosphaerella, which are of ecological interest. Based on these results, we recommend using the ISOm method for studies focusing on both the bacterial and fungal communities. Indeed, the ISOm procedure provides a better evaluation of bacterial and fungal communities and is limited to the modification of the mechanical lysis step of the existing ISO‐11063 standard.
The State of Human Rights
Authors: Gearty Conor
Published: September 2014

The term ‘human rights’ succeeds by the breadth of its application: across law, politics and culture. It functions effectively in the fields of international, regional and domestic law, while also being an important player in the world of international relations. And while doing all this, it finds time too to stand for something above politics and law, the force of goodness in the world, the importance of each individual (no matter how weak) within every polity (no matter how strong). How has the idea of human rights achieved this level of influence? What are its main challenges today? What sort of future lies in store for such universal entitlements? This article offers a broad review of the origins of human rights, their current effectiveness and the likely directions open to the subject in the years ahead. Its themes are drawn from the range of disciplines that make human rights possible. Against the odds the author finds in the resilience of human rights reasons for hope for a better future, one in which the good work done by the term greatly exceeds the damage of which – as history and current practice well shows – it is also immensely capable.
Maxent is not a presence–absence method: a comment on Thibaud et al.
Authors: Guillera‐Arroita Gurutzeta , Lahoz‐Monfort José J. , Elith Jane
Published: September 2014

Thibaud et al. (Methods in Ecology and Evolution 2014) present a framework for simulating species and evaluating the relative effects of factors affecting the predictions from species distribution models (SDMs). They demonstrate their approach by generating presence–absence data sets for different simulated species and analysing them using four modelling methods: three presence–absence methods and Maxent, which is a presence‐background modelling tool. One of their results is striking: that their use of Maxent performs well in estimating occupancy probabilities and even outperforms the other methods on small sample sizes. This result is of concern to us, because it suggests that Maxent directly offers a useful alternative for modelling presence–absence data, which may prompt widespread adoption of this use of Maxent. In this paper, we explore why this would be a mistake.

We draw on the theory underlying how the Maxent model operates and on simulations to discover: (i) why Maxent appears to fare as well as it does in their evaluation and (ii) why the best‐suited presence–absence method for data analysis (the generating model; a GLM) does not perform as well as we would expect.

We demonstrate that (i) the good performance observed for Maxent is largely a coincidence; the simulated species match well the arbitrary default parameter that Maxent applies to map its relative output into a 0–1 scale, but errors are much larger for other species we simulate; (ii) the performance of the GLM is poorer than expected because Thibaud et al. do not use model selection and fit a model that is too complex for the amount of data available.

Maxent is a presence‐background method and only provides estimates of relative suitability regardless of how the background sample is specified. When presence–absence data are available, one can transform Maxent's relative estimates into estimates of occupancy probability, and we provide methods to do so. However, this requires the user to post‐process Maxent's output. Proper PA methods such as GLMs can perform well under small sample sizes, provided care is taken during modelling to avoid overfitting. We demonstrate an effective method using regularisation with the R package glmnet.
PyRate: a new program to estimate speciation and extinction rates from incomplete fossil data
Authors: Silvestro Daniele , Salamin Nicolas , Schnitzler Jan
Published: September 2014

Despite the advancement of phylogenetic methods to estimate speciation and extinction rates, their power can be limited under variable rates, in particular for clades with high extinction rates and small number of extant species. Fossil data can provide a powerful alternative source of information to investigate diversification processes.

Here, we present PyRate, a computer program to estimate speciation and extinction rates and their temporal dynamics from fossil occurrence data. The rates are inferred in a Bayesian framework and are comparable to those estimated from phylogenetic trees.

We describe how PyRate can be used to explore different models of diversification. In addition to the diversification rates, it provides estimates of the parameters of the preservation process (fossilization and sampling) and the times of speciation and extinction of each species in the data set. Moreover, we develop a new birth–death model to correlate the variation of speciation/extinction rates with changes of a continuous trait.

Finally, we demonstrate the use of Bayes factors for model selection and show how the posterior estimates of a PyRate analysis can be used to generate calibration densities for Bayesian molecular clock analysis. PyRate is an open‐source command‐line Python program available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/pyrate/.
Maximizing the value of systematic reviews in ecology when data or resources are limited
Authors: Doerr Erik D. , Dorrough Josh , Davies Micah J. , Doerr Veronica A. J. , McIntyre Sue
Published: September 2014

Systematic reviews provide a rigorous, repeatable and quantitative method for assessing and synthesizing all available empirical evidence to evaluate a specific research, management, or policy question. They are particularly well suited for evaluating the effectiveness of environmental management actions, and thus for underpinning evidence‐based adaptive natural resource management. However, their current utility may be limited in countries like Australia, where both the amount of research relative to land area and of well‐monitored, active land management for environmental purposes are relatively low. Based on our experience conducting two of the first ecological systematic reviews in Australia, we have developed a number of recommendations for conducting systematic reviews in situations where resources and/or primary research data are limited. We discuss potential modification or augmentation of most aspects of the systematic review process including selection of a review team, question formulation, search strategy, data analysis, and the communication of results, as well as the inherent tradeoffs between systematic thoroughness and available resources that are involved in these changes. We hope that our recommendations will encourage more ecologists to undertake systematic reviews even if primary research and resources to conduct the review appear to be limited, as even a modified systematic review can provide more defensible evidence‐based guidelines for management of natural resources.
Using Bayesian Aldrich‐McKelvey Scaling to Study Citizens' Ideological Preferences and Perceptions
Authors: Hare Christopher , Armstrong David A. , Bakker Ryan , Carroll Royce , Poole Keith T.
Published: September 2014

Aldrich‐McKelvey scaling is a powerful method that corrects for differential‐item functioning (DIF) in estimating the positions of political stimuli (e.g., parties and candidates) and survey respondents along a latent policy dimension from issue scale data. DIF arises when respondents interpret issue scales (e.g., the standard liberal‐conservative scale) differently and distort their placements of the stimuli and themselves. We develop a Bayesian implementation of the classical maximum likelihood Aldrich‐McKelvey scaling method that overcomes some important shortcomings in the classical procedure. We then apply this method to study citizens' ideological preferences and perceptions using data from the 2004–2012 American National Election Studies and the 2010 Cooperative Congressional Election Study. Our findings indicate that DIF biases self‐placements on the liberal‐conservative scale in a way that understates the extent of polarization in the contemporary American electorate and that citizens have remarkably accurate perceptions of the ideological positions of senators and Senate candidates.
Gender‐role egalitarianism predicts desirable traits of potential marriage partners: A cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Rempala Daniel M. , Tolman Ryan T. , Okdie Bradley M. , Ahn Dohyun
Published: September 2014

We examined whether gender‐role egalitarianism predicted participants' rank‐order preferences for traits in potential marriage partners of the opposite sex, and whether gender‐role egalitarianism mediated cultural differences between participants from North America, Polynesia and East Asia. Participants completed the Sex‐Role Egalitarianism Scale and ranked the following traits in terms of their importance in choosing a potential marriage partner: kindness, physical attractiveness, social level, athleticism, creativity and liveliness. Parallel analyses for male and female participants reveal that traditional males value physical attractiveness more than egalitarian males, and that traditional females value social level more and kindness less than egalitarian females. Gender‐role egalitarianism fully mediated the effect of culture on kindness rankings, but no others. These results expand upon previous findings by accounting for individual differences regarding beliefs about traditional gender roles.
Differential Trajectories of Well‐Being in Older Adult Women: The Role of Optimism
Authors: Olson Erin A. , Fanning Jason T. , Awick Elizabeth A. , Chung Hyondo D. , McAuley Edward
Published: September 2014

Background: Well‐being is important to healthy aging. The present study examined the trajectories and determinants of well‐being in older women (n = 248) over a 39‐month period. Methods: Participants completed measures of optimism, pessimism, functional limitations, physical activity, and self‐efficacy. Well‐being, operationalised as life satisfaction, was assessed at baseline, 12, 24, and 39 months. Latent growth and class analyses examined trajectories of well‐being and antecedents of change. Results: The overall model testing a linear growth pattern fit the data well [χ2(df = 5) = 7.77, p = .17, CFI = .98, RMSEA = .05], revealing an overall significant, but modest decline in well‐being. Three latent classes were further revealed; one class (n = 34, 13.3%) began with moderate levels of well‐being (Mi = 25.4, p < .001), which decreased across time (Ms = −3.12, p < .001). A second class (n = 54, 21.8%) began with lower well‐being (Mi = 17.1, p < .001) that remained low (Ms = .702, p = .378). The third class (n = 161, 64.9%) started with high levels of well‐being (Mi = 28.4, p < .001) which were maintained (Ms = −.027, p = .841). Higher optimism and lower pessimism differentiated between declining well‐being and maintaining well‐being across time. Conclusions: Optimism and pessimism appear to differentiate patterns of well‐being in community‐dwelling older women. Promoting optimism‐inducing strategies may be useful for maintaining well‐being in older adulthood.
Long‐acting recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) for perioperative management of subjects with haemophilia B in the phase 3 B‐LONG study
Authors: Powell Jerry S. , Apte Shashikant , Chambost Hervé , Hermans Cedric , Jackson Shannon , Josephson Neil C. , Mahlangu Johnny N. , Ozelo Margareth C. , Peerlinck Kathelijne , Pasi John , Perry David , Ragni Margaret V. , Wang Xuefeng , Jiang Haiyan , Li Shuanglian , Cristiano Lynda M. , Innes Alison , Nugent Karen , Brennan Aoife , Luk Alvin , Allen Geoffrey , Pierce Glenn F. , Robinson Brian
Published: September 2014

In the phase 3 B‐LONG (Recombinant Factor IX Fc Fusion Protein [rFIXFc] in Subjects With Haemophilia B) study, rFIXFc demonstrated a prolonged half‐life compared with recombinant factor IX (rFIX), and safety and efficacy for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in subjects with moderately‐severe to severe haemophilia B. In this B‐LONG sub‐analysis, rFIXFc was evaluated for efficacy in subjects requiring major surgery. Dosing was investigator‐determined. Assessments included dosing, consumption, bleeding, transfusions and haemostatic response. A population pharmacokinetics model of rFIXFc was used to predict FIX activity. Twelve subjects underwent 14 major surgeries (including 11 orthopaedic surgeries); most subjects (11/12) received rFIXFc prophylaxis before surgery (range, ~2 weeks–12 months). Investigators/surgeons rated haemostatic responses as excellent (n = 13) or good (n = 1). In most surgeries (85·7%), haemostasis from the pre‐surgical dose until the end of surgery was maintained with a single rFIXFc infusion. Blood loss was consistent with similar surgeries in subjects without haemophilia. The strong correlation (R2 = 0·9586, P < 0·001) between observed and population pharmacokinetic model‐predicted FIX activity suggests surgery did not impact rFIXFc pharmacokinetics. No unique safety concerns or inhibitors were observed. In conclusion, rFIXFc was safe and efficacious, with prolonged dosing intervals and low consumption, when used perioperatively in haemophilia B. Surgery did not appear to alter rFIXFc pharmacokinetics.
Aberrant expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) subfamily genes in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a common feature of T‐lineage tumours
Authors: Longville Brooke A. C. , Anderson Denise , Welch Mathew D. , Kees Ursula R. , Greene Wayne K.
Published: September 2014

The class 1A aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1A) subfamily of genes encode enzymes that function at the apex of the retinoic acid (RA) signalling pathway. We detected aberrant expression of ALDH1A genes, particularly ALDH1A2, in a majority (72%) of primary paediatric T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T‐ALL) specimens. ALDH1A expression was almost exclusive to T‐lineage, but not B‐lineage, ALL. To determine whether ALDH1A expression may have relevance to T‐ALL cell growth and survival, the effect of inhibiting ALDH1A function was measured on a panel of human ALL cell lines. This revealed that T‐ALL proliferation had a higher sensitivity to modulation of ALDH1A activity and RA signalling as compared to ALL cell lines of B‐lineage. Consistent with these findings, the genes most highly correlated with ALDH1A2 expression were involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Evidence that such genes may be targets of regulation via RA signalling initiated by ALDH1A activity was provided by the TNFRSF10B gene, encoding the apoptotic death receptor TNFRSF10B (also termed TRAIL‐R2), which negatively correlated with ALDH1A2 and showed elevated transcription following treatment of T‐ALL cell lines with the ALDH1A inhibitor citral (3,7‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadienal). These data indicate that ALDH1A expression is a common event in T‐ALL and supports a role for these enzymes in the pathobiology of this disease.
Interaction effects in the theory of planned behaviour: Predicting fruit and vegetable consumption in three prospective cohorts
Authors: Kothe Emily J. , Mullan Barbara A.
Published: September 2014

Objective

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been criticized for not including interactions between major constructs thought to underlie behaviour. This study investigated the application of the TPB to the prediction of fruit and vegetable consumption across three prospective cohorts. The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether interactions between major constructs in the theory would increase the ability of the model to predict intention to consume fruit and vegetables (i.e., attitude × perceived behavioural control [PBC], subjective norm × PBC, subjective norm × attitude) and self‐reported fruit and vegetable intake (i.e., PBC × intention).

Design

Secondary data analysis from three cohorts: One predictive study (cohort 1) and two intervention studies (cohorts 2 and 3).

Method

Participants completed a TPB measure at baseline and a measure of fruit and vegetable intake at 1 week (cohort 1; n = 90) or 1 month (cohorts 2 and 3; n = 296).

Results

Attitude moderated the impact of PBC on intention. PBC moderated the impact of intention on behaviour at 1 week but not 1 month.

Conclusion

The variance accounted for by the interactions was small. However, the presence of interactions between constructs within the TPB demonstrates a need to consider interactions between variables within the TPB in both theoretical and applied research using the model.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Previous studies have shown significant interactions between theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs.

Interactions with the TPB have not been studied in food choice behaviour.

What does this study add?

The study revealed significant interactions between TPB variables.

Attitude moderates the relationship between perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention.

Intention moderates the relationship between PBC and behaviour at 1 week but not 1 month.
Which infants with eczema are at risk of food allergy? Results from a population‐based cohort
Authors: Martin P. E. , Eckert J. K. , Koplin J. J. , Lowe A. J. , Gurrin L. C. , Dharmage S. C. , Vuillermin P. , Tang M. L. K. , Ponsonby A.‐L. , Matheson M. , Hill D. J. , Allen K. J. ,   for the HealthNuts Study Investigators
Published: September 2014

Background

The relationship between early onset eczema and food allergy among infants has never been examined in a population‐based sample using the gold standard for diagnosis, oral food challenge.

Objective

We characterised the risk of challenge‐proven food allergy among infants with eczema in the general population.

Methods

One‐year‐old infants (n = 4453 meeting criteria for this analysis) were assessed for history of eczema, received a nurse‐administered eczema examination and underwent skin prick testing to peanut, egg and sesame. Those with a detectable wheal to one of the test foods underwent an oral food challenge irrespective of wheal size. The risk of food allergy, stratified by eczema severity and age of onset, was estimated using multivariate logistic regression with population sampling weights.

Results

One in five infants with eczema were allergic to peanut, egg white or sesame, compared to one in twenty‐five infants without eczema (OR 6.2, 95% CI 4.9, 7.9, P < 0.001). The prevalence of peanut allergy was low in the absence of eczema (0.7% 95% CI 0.4, 1.1). Infants with eczema were 11.0 times more likely to develop peanut allergy (95% CI 6.6, 18.6) and 5.8 times more likely to develop egg allergy (95% CI 4.6, 7.4) by 12 months than infants without eczema. 50.8% of infants (95% CI 42.8, 58.9) with early eczema onset (<3 months) who required doctor‐prescribed topical corticosteroid treatment developed challenge‐proven food allergy.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Eczema, across the clinical severity spectrum in infancy, is a strong risk factor for IgE‐mediated food allergy. Infants with eczema were six times more likely to have egg allergy and 11 times more likely to have peanut allergy by 12 months than infants without eczema. Our data suggest that a heightened awareness of food allergy risk among healthcare practitioners treating infants with eczema, especially if early onset and severe, is warranted.
Severe intraocular pressure response to periocular or intravitreal steroid treatment in Australia and New Zealand: data from the Australian and New Zealand Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit
Authors: Fitzgerald Jude T , Saunders Lynda , Ridge Bronwyn , White Andrew JR , Goldberg Ivan , Clark Ben , Mills Richard AD , Craig Jamie E
Published: September 2014

Background

Increase in intraocular pressure is a recognized complication of corticosteroid treatment via intravitreal or periocular injections for treatment of a range of conditions including macular oedema and retinal neovascularization.

Design

This surveillance study was designed to determine the incidence and nature of severe intraocular pressure elevation as a complication of intravitreal or periocular corticosteroid injections in Australia and New Zealand.

Participants

Seventeen cases meeting the defined criteria of severe intraocular pressure elevation, above 35 mmHg, following an intravitreal or periocular corticosteroid injection were included in the study.

Methods

Over an 18‐month period, ophthalmologists were invited to report cases to the Australian and New Zealand Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. After reporting, further demographic and clinical information was sought via a follow‐up questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures

Intraocular pressure elevation above 35 mmHg.

Results

Follow‐up questionnaires were received for 20 cases of 34 initially reported to the unit. Seventeen met the defined criteria. Triamcinolone acetonide was used in all 17 cases, with 16 delivered as a 4‐mg intravitreal injection. There was an absence of identified underlying risk factors in the majority of cases with personal history of glaucoma in 2 of 17 cases. No cases reported a positive family history of glaucoma. Trabeculectomy was performed in 8 of 17 patients (47%) for intraocular pressure management.

Conclusions

Severe intraocular pressure elevation following intravitreal or periocular corticosteroid injection can occur in the absence of risk factors such as personal and family history of glaucoma. The severe intraocular pressure elevation may ultimately require trabeculectomy.