bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate tissue characterization in low‐dose CT imaging with pure iterative reconstruction
Authors: Murphy Kevin P , McLaughlin Patrick D , Twomey ‎Maria , Chan Vincent E , Moloney Fiachra , Fung Adrian J , Chan Faimee E , Kao Tafline , O'Neill Siobhan B , Watson Benjamin , O'Connor Owen J , Maher Michael M
Published: October 2016

Introduction

We assess the ability of low‐dose hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) and ‘pure’ model‐based IR (MBIR) images to maintain accurate Hounsfield unit (HU)‐determined tissue characterization.

Methods

Standard‐protocol (SP) and low‐dose modified‐protocol (MP) CTs were contemporaneously acquired in 34 Crohn's disease patients referred for CT. SP image reconstruction was via the manufacturer's recommendations (60% FBP, filtered back projection; 40% ASiR, Adaptive Statistical iterative Reconstruction; SP‐ASiR40). MP data sets underwent four reconstructions (100% FBP; 40% ASiR; 70% ASiR; MBIR). Three observers measured tissue volumes using HU thresholds for fat, soft tissue and bone/contrast on each data set. Analysis was via SPSS.

Results

Inter‐observer agreement was strong for 1530 datapoints (rs > 0.9). MP‐MBIR tissue volume measurement was superior to other MP reconstructions and closely correlated with the reference SP‐ASiR40 images for all tissue types. MP‐MBIR superiority was most marked for fat volume calculation – close SP‐ASiR40 and MP‐MBIR Bland–Altman plot correlation was seen with the lowest average difference (336 cm3) when compared with other MP reconstructions.

Conclusions

Hounsfield unit‐determined tissue volume calculations from MP‐MBIR images resulted in values comparable to SP‐ASiR40 calculations and values that are superior to MP‐ASiR images. Accuracy of estimation of volume of tissues (e.g. fat) using segmentation software on low‐dose CT images appears optimal when reconstructed with pure IR.
BarcodingR: an integrated r package for species identification using DNA barcodes
Authors: Zhang Ai‐bing , Hao Meng‐di , Yang Cai‐qing , Shi Zhi‐yong
Published: October 2016

Species identification via DNA barcodes has recently become an important and routine task in many biodiversity projects using DNA sequence data.

Here, we present BarcodingR, an integrated software package that provides a comprehensive implementation of species identification methods, including artificial intelligence, fuzzy‐set, Bayesian and kmer‐based methods, that are not readily available in other packages.

BarcodingR additionally provides new functions for barcode evaluation, barcoding gap analysis, delimitation comparison analysis, species membership analysis and consensus identification.

Comparison with other barcoding methods using 11 empirical data sets indicates that on average, FZKMER (implemented in BarcodingR) and one extant barcoding method BRONX outperform all other methods examined in this study. Two other methods, BP and FZ (both implemented in BarcodingR), present similar performance as SVM and BLOG, respectively, and all display better performance than that of Jrip.

The software of BarcodingR is open source under GNU General Public License and freely available for all major operating systems.
Genetic Loss of Immunoglobulin A Does Not Influence Development of Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice
Authors: Inamine Tatsuo , Yang An‐Ming , Wang Lirui , Lee Kuei‐Chuan , Llorente Cristina , Schnabl Bernd
Published: October 2016

Background

Chronic alcohol abuse is associated with intestinal dysbiosis and bacterial translocation. Translocated commensal bacteria contribute to alcoholic liver disease. Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the intestine binds bacteria and prevents bacterial translocation.

Methods

To investigate the functional role of IgA in ethanol (EtOH)‐induced liver disease in mice, we subjected wild type (WT) and IgA‐deficient littermate mice to Lieber–DeCarli models of chronic EtOH administration and the model of chronic and binge EtOH feeding (the NIAAA model).

Results

Chronic EtOH feeding increased systemic levels of IgA, while fecal IgA was reduced in C57BL/6 WT mice. WT and Iga−/− littermate mice showed similar liver injury, steatosis, and inflammation following 4 weeks of EtOH feeding or chronic and binge EtOH feeding. IgA deficiency did not affect intestinal absorption or hepatic metabolism of EtOH. Pretreatment with ampicillin elevated intestinal IgA in WT littermate mice. Despite increased intestinal IgA, WT littermate mice exhibited a similar degree of liver disease compared with Iga−/− mice after 7 weeks of EtOH feeding. Interestingly, bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes was increased in Iga−/− mice fed an isocaloric diet, but was the same after EtOH feeding relative to WT littermate mice. The absence of intestinal IgA was associated with increased intestinal and plasma IgM in Iga−/− mice after EtOH feeding.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that absence of IgA does not affect the development of alcoholic liver disease in mice. Loss of intestinal IgA is compensated by increased levels of intestinal IgM, which likely limits bacterial translocation after chronic EtOH administration.
Impact of smoking reduced nicotine content cigarettes on sensitivity to cigarette price: further results from a multi‐site clinical trial
Authors: Smith Tracy T. , Cassidy Rachel N. , Tidey Jennifer W. , Luo Xianghua , Le Chap T. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Donny Eric C.
Published: October 2016

Aims

To assess the impact of a reduction in the nicotine content of cigarettes on estimated consumption of reduced nicotine cigarettes and usual brand cigarettes at a variety of hypothetical prices.

Design

Double‐blind study with participants assigned randomly to receive cigarettes for 6 weeks that were either usual brand or an investigational cigarette with one of five nicotine contents.

Setting

Ten sites across the United States.

Participants

A total of 839 eligible adult smokers randomized from 2013 to 2014.

Intervention and comparator

Participants received their usual brand or an investigational cigarette with one of five nicotine contents: 15.8 (primary control), 5.2, 2.4, 1.3, or 0.4 mg/g.

Measurements

The Cigarette Purchase Task was completed at baseline and at the week 6 post‐randomization visit.

Findings

Compared with normal nicotine content controls, the lowest nicotine content (0.4 mg/g) reduced the number of study cigarettes participants estimated they would smoke at a range of prices [mean reduction relative to 15.8 mg/g at a price of $4.00/pack: 9.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.81,12.19]. The lowest nicotine content also reduced the maximum amount of money allocated to study cigarettes and the price at which participants reported they would stop buying study cigarettes [median reduction relative to 15.8 mg/g, 95% CI = $8.21 (4.27,12.15) per day and $0.44 (0.17,0.71) per cigarette, respectively]. A reduction in nicotine content to the lowest level also reduced the maximum amount of money allocated to usual brand cigarettes (median reduction relative to 15.8 mg/g: $4.39 per day, 95% CI = 1.88,6.90).

Conclusions

In current smokers, a reduction in nicotine content may reduce cigarette consumption, reduce the reinforcement value of cigarettes and increase cessation if reduced nicotine content cigarettes were the only cigarette available for purchase.
Squatting Social Centres in a Sicilian City: Liberated Spaces and Urban Protest Actors
Authors: Piazza Gianni
Published: October 2016

The Social Centres in Italy are simultaneously “liberated spaces”, empty and unused large buildings squatted by groups of radical left/antagonist activists to self‐manage social and countercultural activities, and “political contentious places”. They are indeed urban but not only local protest actors, denouncing the scarcity of spaces of sociability outside of commercial circuits, campaigning against market‐oriented urban renewal, property speculation, and on other anti‐capitalistic issues addressed outside the occupied spaces. The long history of Social Centres in Catania, the second largest city of Sicily, is reconstructed and explained through the choices and actions made by the squatters/activists, depending on their political‐ideological orientation, on the one hand; and by the opportunities and constraints of the specific political and socio‐spatial structure, which they had to face, on the other. The Social Centres, CPO Experia, CSOA Guernica, CSA Auro, and more recently CSO Liotru, are the main analysed empirical cases.
Estimation of fetal weight in pregnancies past term
Authors: Eggebø Torbjørn M. , Klefstad Olav A. , Økland Inger , Lindtjørn Elsa , Eik‐Nes Sturla H. , Gjessing Håkon K.
Published: October 2016

Introduction

The aim of the study was to investigate the accuracy of estimating fetal weight with ultrasound in pregnancies past term, using the eSnurra algorithm.

Material and methods

In all, 419 women with pregnancy length of 290 days, attending a specialist consultation at Stavanger University Hospital, Norway, were included in a prospective observational study. Fetal weight was estimated using biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal circumference (AC). The algorithm implemented in an electronic calculation (eSnurra) was used to compute estimated fetal weight (EFW). Results were compared with birthweight (BW).

Results

The mean interval between the ultrasound examination and birth was 2 days (SD 1.4). The median difference between BW and EFW was −6 g (CI −40 to +25 g) and the median percentage error was –0.1% (95% CI −1.0 to 0.6%). The median absolute difference was 190 g (95% CI 170–207 g). The BW was within 10% of EFW in 83% (95% CI 79–87%) of cases and within 15% of EFW in 94% (95% CI 92–96%) of cases. Limits of agreement (95%) were from −553 g to +556 g. Using 5% false‐positive rates, the sensitivity in detecting macrosomic and small for gestational age fetuses was 54% (95% CI 35–72%) and 49% (95% CI 35–63%), respectively.

Conclusion

The accuracy of fetal weight estimation was good. Clinicians should be aware of limitations related to prediction at the upper and lower end, and the importance of choosing appropriate cut‐off levels.
Spironolactone use and risk of incident cancers: a retrospective, matched cohort study
Authors: Mackenzie Isla S. , Morant Steven V. , Wei Li , Thompson Alastair M. , MacDonald Thomas M.
Published: October 2016

Aims

Spironolactone is widely used to treat heart failure, hypertension and liver disease with increased usage in recent years. Spironolactone has endocrine effects that could influence cancer risks and historical reports suggest possible links with increased risk of certain types of cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of spironolactone exposure on cancer incidence.

Methods

A pharmacoepidemiological propensity score‐matched cohort study was performed to assess the effect of spironolactone exposure on cancer incidence. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse time to first diagnosis of each prespecified cancer and hazard ratios for spironolactone exposure are presented. The setting for the study was UK primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. The participants were 74 272 patients exposed to spironolactone between 1986 and 2013, matched 1:2 with unexposed controls. The prespecified primary outcomes were the first incidence of ovarian, endometrial, pancreatic, colorectal, prostate, renal cell, pharyngeal and thyroid cancers, and myelomonoblastic/‐cytic leukaemias. Secondary outcomes were the remaining 27 types of cancer.

Results

There was no evidence of an increased risk of any cancer associated with spironolactone use. Spironolactone use was associated with a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer (hazard ratio 0.69; 95% confidence interval 0.60–0.80, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this study, spironolactone use was associated with a lower incidence of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK. The possible mechanisms and clinical implications merit further investigation.
Patient reported outcome measures in child and adolescent mental health services: associations between clinician demographic characteristics, attitudes and efficacy
Authors: Edbrooke‐Childs Julian , Barry David , Rodriguez Irene Mateos , Papageorgiou Danae , Wolpert Miranda , Schulz Joerg
Published: October 2016

Background

Policy recommends using patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), yet their use is persistently low. Our aim was to examine the association between PROM use and clinician demographic characteristics, attitudes and efficacy.

Method

A sample of N = 109 clinicians completed an online survey.

Results

Clinicians who reported higher levels of use of cognitive behaviour or humanistic approaches had higher levels of PROM use than clinicians who reported lower levels of use of these approaches. Clinicians who reported having received training had higher levels of self‐efficacy regarding PROMs than clinicians who reported not having received training, but the effects of training on PROM attitudes and use were not significant. Still, clinicians with more positive attitudes or self‐efficacy regarding PROMs had higher levels of PROM use than clinicians with less positive attitudes or self‐efficacy regarding PROMs.

Conclusion

Clinicians should be supported to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively use PROMs in their clinical practice.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing in Cyprus; a population based study
Authors: Loizidou M.A. , Hadjisavvas A. , Pirpa P. , Spanou E. , Delikurt T. , Tanteles G.A. , Daniel M. , Kountourakis P. , Malas S. , Ioannidis G. , Zouvani I. , Kakouri E. , Papamichael D. , Marcou Y. , Anastasiadou V. , Kyriacou K.
Published: October 2016

This paper presents the largest study in Cyprus evaluating the frequency and distribution of BRCA1/2 mutations in a high risk patient cohort. Deleterious mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes were identified in 68 of the 527 patients tested (13%). It is of interest that a quarter of those tested positive, did not have an extensive family history of breast/ovarian cancer but were diagnosed with early onset breast cancer, ovarian cancer under the age of 60 or triple negative breast cancer. The spectrum of mutations identified in our patient cohort is different compared to other Mediterranean countries. Furthermore, several of the mutations detected are novel and have not been identified in other ethnic populations. This highlights the importance of operating a national reference center for cancer genetic diagnosis which offers services tailored to the needs of the Cypriot population.
Factors related to genetic testing in adults at risk for Huntington disease: the prospective Huntington at‐risk observational study (PHAROS)
Authors: Quaid K.A. , Eberly S.W. , Kayson‐Rubin E. , Oakes D. , Shoulson I. ,   on behalf of the Huntington Study Group PHAROS Investigators and Coordinators
Published: October 2016

Huntington disease (HD) is a late onset ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a cytosine–adenine–guanine ( CAG) triplet repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene which was discovered in 1993. The PHAROS study is a unique observational study of 1001 individuals at risk for HD who had not been previously tested for HD and who had no plans to do so. In this cohort, 104 (10%) individuals changed their minds and chose to be tested during the course of the study but outside of the study protocol.

Baseline behavioral scores, especially apathy, were more strongly associated with later genetic testing than motor and chorea scores, particularly among subjects with expanded CAG repeat length. In the CAG expanded group, those choosing to be tested were older and had more chorea and higher scores on the behavioral section of the unified Huntington's disease rating scale at baseline than those not choosing to be tested. Following genetic testing, 56% of subjects with CAG < 37 had less depression when compared to prior to testing, but depression generally stayed the same or increased for 64% of subjects in the expanded group. This finding suggests that approaches to testing must continue to be cautious, with appropriate medical, psychological and social support.
Long‐term outcomes of heart transplant recipients with hepatitis C positivity: the data from the U.S. transplant registry
Authors: Stepanova Maria , Locklear Trevor , Rafiq Nila , Mishra Alita , Venkatesan Chapy , Younossi Zobair M.
Published: October 2016

Background

Chronic HCV infection is often considered a contraindication for receiving a heart transplantation.

Methods

From the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we selected all adults with and without HCV infection who underwent a single‐organ heart transplantation in 1995‐2013; the mortality status was updated in September 2015.

Results

A total of 32 812 heart transplant recipients were included; N=756 (2.30%) HCV positive. Post‐transplant patients were discharged alive at similar rates regardless of their HCV status (P=.10). Despite this, mortality in HCV+ heart transplant recipients was consistently higher throughout post‐discharge follow‐up (P<.002). In multivariate survival analysis, being HCV+ was independently associated with a higher post‐transplant mortality: adjusted hazard ratio 1.35 (1.16‐1.56), P<.0001. Other predictors of lower post‐transplant survival included being obese at transplant and pre‐transplant history of comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, COPD, hypertension) (all P<.05). No association of HCV infection with graft loss rates or time to graft loss was found (all P>.23).

Conclusion

Chronic hepatitis C infection is associated with a significantly increased post‐transplant mortality in heart transplant recipients. The introduction of new direct‐acting antiviral agents may provide a treatment option for HCV pre‐ or post‐heart transplantation which could have a positive impact on patients' survival.
Rapidly growing cardiac mass: a rare case of left atrial intramural hematoma complicating coronary artery stenting
Authors: Varshney Ravi , Chamberlain Matthew , Rayner‐Hartley Erin , Kelliher Edel , Lee Arthur , Cook Richard , Fung Anthony , Gin Kenneth , Nair Parvathy , Tsang Teresa S. M.
Published: October 2016

Formation of an intramural left atrial hematoma (ILAH) is a rare complication of coronary artery stenting. Rapid diagnosis with noninvasive multimodality imaging can potentially be lifesaving. We report a case of ILAH that resulted in left ventricular inflow obstruction and pericardial tamponade in a 55‐year‐old male who presented with hemodynamic instability and worsening dyspnea three weeks after seemingly uncomplicated left circumflex artery stenting. We demonstrate features on transthoracic echocardiography with contrast and cardiac computed tomography that were used for diagnosis and management.
Open‐Mindedness: An Intellectual Virtue in the Pursuit of Knowledge and Understanding
Authors: Taylor Rebecca M.
Published: October 2016

Open‐mindedness is widely valued as an important intellectual virtue. Definitional debates about open‐mindedness have focused on whether open‐minded believers must possess a particular first‐order attitude toward their beliefs or a second‐order attitude toward themselves as believers, taking it for granted that open‐mindedness is motivated by the pursuit of propositional knowledge. In this article, Rebecca Taylor develops an alternative to knowledge‐centered accounts of open‐mindedness. Drawing on recent work in epistemology that reclaims understanding as a primary epistemic good, Taylor argues for an expanded account of open‐mindedness as an intellectual virtue motivated by the pursuit of both knowledge and understanding. Incorporating understanding allows for a more robust account of open‐mindedness that better accommodates common usage, avoids common criticisms, and better explains the widespread acceptance of open‐mindedness as an important intellectual virtue. Taylor also identifies the connections between open‐mindedness and several other intellectual virtues, including intellectual humility, intellectual courage, and intellectual diligence.
Optogenetic excitation in the ventral tegmental area of glutamatergic or cholinergic inputs from the laterodorsal tegmental area drives reward
Authors: Steidl Stephan , Wang Huiling , Ordonez Marco , Zhang Shiliang , Morales Marisela
Published: October 2016

Converging evidence shows that ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons receive laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg) cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs. To test the behavioral consequences of selectively driving the two sources of excitatory LDTg input to the VTA, channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2) was expressed in LDTg cholinergic neurons of ChAT::Cre mice (ChAT‐ChR2 mice) or in LDTg glutamatergic neurons of VGluT2::Cre mice (VGluT2‐ChR2 mice). Mice were tested in a 3‐chamber place preference apparatus where entry into a light‐paired chamber resulted in VTA light stimulation of LDTg‐cholinergic or LDTg‐glutamatergic axons for the duration of a chamber stay. ChAT‐ChR2 mice spent more time in the light‐paired chamber and subsequently showed conditioned place preference for the light‐paired chamber in the absence of light. VGluT2‐ChR2 mice, entered the light‐paired chamber significantly more times than a light‐unpaired chamber, but remained in the light‐paired chamber for short time periods and did not show a conditioned place preference. When each entry into the light‐paired chamber resulted in a single train of VTA light stimulation, VGluT2‐ChR2 mice entered the light‐paired chamber significantly more times than the light‐unpaired chamber, but spent approximately equal amounts of time in the two chambers. VTA excitation of LDTg‐glutamatergic inputs may be more important for reinforcement of initial chamber entry while VTA excitation of LDTg‐cholinergic inputs may be more important for the rewarding effects of chamber stays. We suggest that LDTg‐cholinergic and LDTg‐glutamatergic inputs to the VTA each contribute to the net rewarding effects of exciting LDTg axons in the VTA.
Overweight in epilepsy as a risk factor for pregnancy and delivery complications
Authors: Kolstad Eivind , Veiby Gyri , Gilhus Nils Erik , Bjørk Marte
Published: October 2016

Objective

To investigate whether prepregnancy overweight in women with epilepsy increases their risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Methods

This study is based on The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. A diagnosis of epilepsy was reported in 706 pregnancies. Overweight was defined as body mass index ≥ 25 prepregnancy. Overweight women with epilepsy (n = 259) were compared to normal‐weight women with epilepsy (n = 416), and to women without epilepsy with and without overweight (n = 30,516 and n = 67,977, respectively). The risks of pregnancy and delivery complications were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for adverse socioeconomic factors, age, parity, and smoking.

Results

Women with epilepsy were more often overweight than women without epilepsy (38.4% vs. 31.3%, p < 0.001). The majority of pregnancy and delivery complications were more frequent in overweight women with epilepsy. Compared to overweight women without epilepsy, the risk was increased for cesarean section (OR 1.6, CI 1.2–2.2, p < 0.001), excessive bleeding (OR 1.4, CI 1.0–1.8, p = 0.04), peripartum anxiety and depressive symptoms (OR 1.9, CI 1.3–2.8, p < 0.001), small for gestational age children (OR 2.4, CI 1.2–4.8, p = 0.02), and transfer of the infant to a neonatal ward (OR 1.5, CI 1.1–2.2, p = 0.02). Compared to normal‐weight women with epilepsy, the risk of cesarean section (OR 1.6, CI 1.1–2.3, p < 0.05), gestational hypertension (OR 2.0, CI 1.1–3.5, p < 0.05), preeclampsia (OR 2.3, CI 1.2–4.5, p < 0.05), and transfer of the infant to a neonatal ward (OR 2.2, CI 1.3–3.6, p < 0.01) was increased.

Significance

Prepregnancy overweight in combination with epilepsy entails a strong negative effect on risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. In women with epilepsy and overweight referral to a nutritionist should be considered when an antiepileptic drug is started as well as when pregnancy is planned. These women should be regarded as a high‐risk group.
Tuberculosis caused byMycobacterium bovisinfection in a donkey
Authors: Bryan J. , den Boon P. , McGuirk J. , Madigan G. , Skuce R. , Fogarty U.
Published: October 2016

Mycobacterial infections are rare in equines.Mycobacterium bovis(M. bovis) is an important zoonotic bacterial pathogen causing disease in a wide range of animal species and sporadically causes severe disseminated disease in horses. This report describes the clinical, gross post‐mortem examination and histopathological findings in a case of disseminatedM. bovisinfection in a donkey which to the authors’ knowledge has not been previously documented in the scientific literature.
2D modelling of inclined intergranular stress corrosion crack paths
Authors: Griggs J , Gamboa E , Lavigne O
Published: October 2016

Inclined high pH stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a type of intergranular environmental cracking in gas pipelines, which differs from typical SCC by propagating at an angle from the wall direction. Investigations of Australian and Canadian inclined SCC colonies have not provided a clear indicator of a cause for the abnormal crack growth direction. This paper addresses the possibility of crack tip strain enhanced electrochemistry causing the inclination. Potentiodynamic tests were conducted to quantify the influence of strain on the electrochemistry, and strain was found to increase current density up to 300% in the SCC region. A model was developed that incorporates crack tip strain driven SCC growth, which showed good agreement with field grown cracks, and the aspect ratio of the grains was shown to have an effect on the inclination angle. The results indicate that crack tip strain enhanced electrochemistry is a plausible cause for inclined SCC.
Fracture mechanics modelling of constant and variable amplitude fatigue behaviour of field corroded 7075‐T6511 aluminium
Authors: McMurtrey M.D. , Bae D. , Burns J.T.
Published: October 2016

For ageing airframe structures, a critical challenge for next generation linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) modelling is to predict the effect of corrosion damage on the remaining fatigue life and structural integrity of components. This effort aims to extend a previously developed LEFM modelling approach to field corroded specimens and variable amplitude loading. Iterations of LEFM modelling were performed with different initial flaw sizes and crack growth rate laws and compared to detailed experimental measurements of crack formation and small crack growth. Conservative LEFM‐based lifetime predictions of corroded components were achieved using a corrosion modified‐equivalent initial flaw size along with crack growth rates from a constant Kmax‐decreasing ΔK protocol. The source of the error in each of the LEFM iterations is critiqued to identify the bounds for engineering application.
Divisional Informativeness Gap and Value Creation from Asset Sales
Authors: Desai Chintal A. , Gupta Manu
Published: October 2016

Nanda and Narayanan (1999) show that the information asymmetry between the managers and market participants regarding divisional cash flows helps explain the value creation on asset sales. Based on their theoretical framework, the divisional informativeness gap hypothesis predicts that the announcement‐period return increases with the difference in cash‐flow informativeness of retained and divested divisions prior to the divestiture. Our results, using industry‐average earnings response coefficient as a proxy for cash‐flow informativeness of a division, support this prediction. The effect is stronger when a conglomerate retains the division with relatively greater growth opportunities.
Selecting predictors to maximize the transferability of species distribution models: lessons from cross‐continental plant invasions
Authors: Petitpierre Blaise , Broennimann Olivier , Kueffer Christoph , Daehler Curtis , Guisan Antoine
Published: October 2016

Aim

Niche‐based species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to predict impacts of global change on biodiversity, but the reliability of these predictions in space and time depends on their transferability. We tested how the strategy used to choose predictors impacts the transferability of SDMs at a cross‐continental scale.

Location

North America, Eurasia and Australia.

Method

We used a systematic approach including 50 Holarctic plant invaders and 27 initial predictor variables, considering 10 different strategies for variable selection, accounting for the proximality, multicollinearity and climate analogy of predictors. We compared the average performance of each strategy, some of which used a large number of predictor combinations. Next, we looked for the single best model for each species across all the predictor combinations retained in the analysis. Transferability was considered as the predictive success of SDMs calibrated in the native range and projected onto the invaded range.

Results

Two strategies showed better SDM transferability on average: a set of predictors known for their ecologically meaningful effects on plant distribution, and the two first axes of a principal component analysis calibrated on all predictor variables (Spc2). From the more than 2000 combinations of predictors per species across strategies, the best set of predictors yielded SDMs with good transferability for 45 species (90%). These best combinations consisted of eight randomly assembled (39 species) or uncorrelated predictors (6 species) and Spc2 (5 species). We also found that internal cross‐validation was not sufficient to give full information about the transferability of a SDM to a distinct range.

Main conclusion

Transferring SDMs at the macroclimatic scale, and thus anticipating invasions, is possible for the large majority of invasive plants considered in this study, but the accuracy of the predictions relies strongly on the choice of predictors. From our results, we recommend including either proximal and state‐of‐the‐art variables or a reduced and orthogonalized set to obtain robust SDM projections.
Building relationships and negotiating difference in international development volunteerism
Authors: Schech Susanne , Skelton Tracey , Mundkur Anuradha
Published: October 2016

There is growing recognition that building relationships is central to creating sustainable partnerships to achieve meaningful development outcomes. International development volunteers, embedded in the community where they are volunteering, are seen as being ideally placed to build and facilitate these relationships. The nature of international development volunteerism requires both volunteers and host organisations to negotiate through and across cultural difference in order to build mutually beneficial relationships. Three discourses – partnership, globalisation, and everyday encounters with a different culture – frame our analysis of the effort required for effective relationship building. We explore how host organisations and volunteers negotiate difference to build trust and mutual respect as they navigate everyday exchanges and reconcile different expectations and outcomes of volunteerism.
Stepfamilies in Early Modern Europe: Paths of Historical Inquiry
Authors: Warner Lyndan
Published: October 2016

Many of the circumstances of the early modern stepfamily after remarriage by a widowed parent elude us. In historiography on the early modern family, widowhood, mothers' roles as guardians and the opportunities to remain widowed or to remarry have been well studied, but the consequences of a remarriage have not. When historical information emerges on the stepfamily in the European past, it is often more by accident through the study of widowhood, remarriage or inheritance practices than by design. But the stepfamily was a common family form experienced by many in early modern Europe and precisely because stepfamilies were ever‐present they feature intermittently in the works of leading historians. These complex families of stepbrothers and stepsisters, half‐brothers or half‐sisters deserve to be the focus of attention. This article suggests paths of inquiry into stepfamilies and blended families in Europe from the 1400s to 1700s, from considering the famously wicked reputation of the stepmother to seeking out the little known stepfather. The essay also explores questions about the residence of children of the first marriage and subsequent unions as well as the relationships between stepsiblings and half‐siblings.
Transatlantic Indians in the Early Modern Era
Authors: Holly Nathaniel F.
Published: October 2016

Many American Indians – as captives and of their own free will – crossed the Atlantic during the early modern period. Far too frequently, however, historians have been caught up in cataloging experiences – answering questions about what these indigenous travelers did when they were abroad. More penetrating questions about why transatlantic Indians embarked on these crossings or how these journeys affected their subsequent lives remain largely unasked. This essay will not only outline the chronologically long, but substantively limited historiography of transatlantic Indians, it will also argue for a more focused, contextually thorough, and ethnohistory‐centric approach to the examination of these voyagers. Such a shift in methodology, moreover, will help the “Red Atlantic” congeal as a legitimate means of historical analysis.
Dataset for reporting of thymic epithelial tumours: recommendations from the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR)
Authors: Nicholson Andrew G , Detterbeck Frank , Marx Alexander , Roden Anja C , Marchevsky Alberto M , Mukai Kiyoshi , Chen Gang , Marino Mirella , den Bakker Michael A , Yang Woo‐Ick , Judge Meagan , Hirschowitz Lynn
Published: October 2016

Aims

The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) is a not‐for‐profit organization formed by the Royal Colleges of Pathologists of Australasia and the United Kingdom, the College of American Pathologists, the Canadian Association of Pathologists–Association Canadienne des Pathologists in association with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and the European Society of Pathology. Its goal is to produce standardized, internationally agreed, evidence‐based datasets for use throughout the world.

Methods and results

This article describes the development of a cancer dataset by the multidisciplinary ICCR expert panel for the reporting of thymic epithelial tumours. The dataset includes ‘required’ (mandatory) and ‘recommended’ (non‐mandatory) elements, which are validated by a review of current evidence and supported by explanatory text. Seven required elements and 12 recommended elements were agreed by the international dataset authoring committee to represent the essential information for the reporting of thymic epithelial tumours.

Conclusions

The use of an internationally agreed, structured pathology dataset for reporting thymic tumours provides all of the necessary information for optimal patient management, facilitates consistent and accurate data collection, and provides valuable data for research and international benchmarking. The dataset also provides a valuable resource for those countries and institutions that are not in a position to develop their own datasets.
Comparative evaluation of microwave‐assisted extraction and preheated solvent extraction of bioactive compounds from a plant material: a case study with cabbages
Authors: Sookjitsumran Watsapol , Devahastin Sakamon , Mujumdar Arun S. , Chiewchan Naphaporn
Published: October 2016

Preheated solvent extraction (PSE) was evaluated via the analysis of the extraction kinetics, microstructure of extracted samples and energy consumption as alternative to microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE). Cabbage outer leaves and ethanol were used as test material and extraction solvent, respectively. MAE was first optimised in terms of glucosinolates and phenolics yields; total antioxidant activity of the extracts was also assessed. MAE at a specific absorbed power of 0.37 W g−1 for 9 min was selected as optimum condition to extract glucosinolates and phenolics, while PSE was optimised at 6 min of the extraction. The highest normalised total glucosinolates and phenolic contents as well as antioxidant activities of the extracts obtained via MAE were not significantly different from those obtained via PSE. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed no significant differences in cabbage cell damages rendered by MAE and PSE. PSE nevertheless exhibited slightly higher specific energy consumption than MAE.
Cold Sintering Process: A Novel Technique for Low‐Temperature Ceramic Processing of Ferroelectrics
Authors: Guo Hanzheng , Baker Amanda , Guo Jing , Randall Clive A.
Published: October 2016

Research on sintering of dense ceramic materials has been very active in the past decades and still keeps gaining in popularity. Although a number of new techniques have been developed, the sintering process is still performed at high temperatures. Very recently we established a novel protocol, the “Cold Sintering Process (CSP)”, to achieve dense ceramic solids at extraordinarily low temperatures of <300°C. A wide variety of chemistries and composites were successfully densified using this technique. In this article, a comprehensive CSP tutorial will be delivered by employing three classic ferroelectric materials (KH2PO4, NaNO2, and BaTiO3) as examples. Together with detailed experimental demonstrations, fundamental mechanisms, as well as the underlying physics from a thermodynamics perspective, are collaboratively outlined. Such an impactful technique opens up a new way for cost‐effective and energy‐saving ceramic processing. We hope that this article will provide a promising route to guide future studies on ultralow temperature ceramic sintering or ceramic materials related integration.
Using an Outdoor Learning Space to Teach Sustainability and Material Processes in HE Product Design
Authors: Firth Richard , Stoltenberg Einar , Jennings Trent
Published: October 2016

This ‘case study’ of two jewellery workshops, used outdoor learning spaces to explore both its impact on learning outcomes and to introduce some key principles of sustainable working methodologies and practices. Using the beach as the classroom, academics and students from a Norwegian and Scottish (HE) product design exchange programme collaborated on this international research project. Participants made models from disposable packaging materials, which were cast in pewter, directly into the sand, using found timber to create a heat source for melting the metal. Practical ‘learning by making skills’ created a hands on learning experience that also aimed to contribute to the debate around the concern of the loss of workshop facilities in HE education, and as a consequence a demise in teaching traditional object‐making skills and material experimentation.
An Artist's Anthropological Approach to Sustainability
Authors: Mackinnon‐Day Patricia
Published: October 2016

Recent studies of sustainability draw attention to the impact art and culture have on communities. The Earth Charter, which originated in 1968, fostered the idea of ‘a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace’. This article supports the idea that art can make a difference to society and examines four case studies which explore the infra‐ordinary within the immensity of social, political, historical and physical non‐art places. The stance adopted is that of an artist, anthropologist and storyteller casting light onto a cultural landscape that is so ordinary as to be not noticed at all. Whilst the methodology is slow and often undramatic, this meticulous approach is essential in that it allows the artist to develop a respect for both people and place or, as explained by Kuspit : ‘to recover a sense of human purpose in art making, engaging with the realities of life as it is actually lived’. Whereas All in the Mind was an investigation into the internal and external conflicts and structures within mental institutions and their impact on individual patients’ lives, High Riser questioned central government's approach to housing asylum seekers in Sighthill flats in Glasgow which depersonalised the individuals involved. Sojourn and Inland Waters illuminated the social demographics of a working shipyard environment. Making Visible the Invisible explores the role as a lead artist, involved in the planning stages of an urban development project, as a creative thinker rather than object maker.
Does Branch Religiosity Influence Bank Risk‐Taking?
Authors: Chircop Justin , Fabrizi Michele , Ipino Elisabetta , Parbonetti Antonio
Published: October 2016

Using branch‐level data on public and private US banking institutions, we investigate the importance of branch religiosity in shaping bank risk‐taking behavior. Our results show robust evidence that branch religiosity is negatively related to bank risk‐taking. This effect persists after controlling for several bank‐level and county‐level variables that might correlate with religiosity. Moreover, this result is robust to controlling for headquarter religiosity, suggesting that the effect of branch religiosity is additive and not washed out by headquarter religiosity. Overall, our findings document that headquarter religiosity does not capture the full effect of religiosity on bank behavior, as claimed by previous research, but that the religiosity of the geographic area in which the bank operates significantly influences bank behavior.
Differentiation in the marbled white butterfly species complex driven by multiple evolutionary forces
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Vila Roger , Vodă Raluca , Husemann Martin , Schmitt Thomas , Dapporto Leonardo
Published: October 2016

Aim

Genetic and phenotypic data may show convergent or contrasting spatial patterns. Discrepancies between markers may develop in response to different evolutionary forces. In this study we analyse inter‐ and intraspecific differentiation of closely related taxa in the marbled white butterfly species group. Based on genetic and phenotypic characters we test for potential evolutionary drivers and propose a taxonomic revision.

Location

Western Palaearctic (including north‐western Africa).

Methods

We compared distributions of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences, of several allozyme loci, and of the shape of wings and genitalia obtained by applying landmark‐based techniques for the three butterfly species Melanargia galathea (central and eastern Europe), M. lachesis (Iberia) and M. lucasi (North Africa).

Results

All studied markers showed a strong spatial structure, although discordance among their patterns was detected. COI sequences, wing shape and genitalia indicated a main split between M. galathea and M. lucasi. A lower differentiation between M. galathea and M. lachesis was found in wing shape and reflected in two mutations of the COI gene, while allozymes indicated a strong divergence. Within M. galathea, allozyme data and COI, but not morphology, revealed the existence of a slightly differentiated lineage in the Italian Peninsula, France and Switzerland. Based on COI, Melanargia lucasi was split into two subgroups, a western and an eastern Maghreb lineage.

Main conclusions

Long‐term isolation of Melanargia populations between North Africa and Europe led to divergence between M. galathea and M. lucasi. This was followed by a recent differentiation among populations isolated during the cold periods of the Pleistocene, such as M. lachesis in Iberia. These lineages are characterized by a tendency not to overlap in secondary sympatry. The different patterns of the four markers may arise from divergent evolutionary processes and pressures: wings may be mainly affected by natural selection, genital structures by sexual selection, whereas long‐term isolation and drift may have driven divergence of mitochondrial DNA and allozymes.
No evidence for larger leaf trait plasticity in ecological generalists compared to specialists
Authors: Dostál Petr , Fischer Markus , Chytrý Milan , Prati Daniel
Published: October 2016

Aim

Phenotypic plasticity is hypothesized to contribute to a species’ capacity to occupy broader ranges of conditions and to optimally exploit resource‐rich environments. Although this is supported by case studies of individual species, we do not know whether larger plasticity in functional traits is generally associated with ecological characteristics of species such as their niche breadth or niche position. Here, we test whether there is such a relationship for plasticity in leaf functional traits.

Location

Central Europe.

Methods

We surveyed 110–132 grassland plant species for plasticity in five leaf traits [leaf thickness, leaf greenness, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and plant height] and for biomass changes in response to experimental fertilization, shading and waterlogging. Trait plasticity and changes in biomass were compared with species niche characteristics along three environmental axes (light, nutrient and soil moisture) derived from a vegetation‐plot database.

Results

Although response of several traits to experimental treatments correlated with niche position and breadth (change in leaf thickness, greenness and biomass in response to fertilization; change in LDMC due to shading; and change in plant height and biomass due to waterlogging), we did not find evidence that species with broader niches or species from resource‐rich environments are more plastic. Ecological generalists even turned out to be less plastic in some traits, including leaf thickness after fertilization and waterlogging. Generalists also displayed smaller plastic response averaged across all five traits (‘composite plasticity’), though the relationship was not statistically significant. This composite plasticity was positively related to absolute change in biomass in all experimental treatments.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that larger species‐level plasticity in leaf traits is not necessarily associated with a capacity to occupy a broader range of environments or with growth in resource‐rich habitats; rather, it may indicate species’ sensitivity to environmental changes.