bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of rewarded social media engagement in loyalty programs
Authors: Rehnen Lena-Marie , Bartsch Silke , Kull Marina , Meyer Anton
Published: April 2017

Purpose

New approaches in loyalty programs try to activate membership by rewarding not just financial transactions but also customer engagement. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of rewarded customer engagement on loyalty intentions and behavior by applying a social media context.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study in the mobility service industry (focus groups (n=18) and questionnaire (n=1,246)) and a laboratory experiment (n=141, 2 (rewarded engagement and transaction/rewarded transaction)×2 (low/high reward) between subjects design) were conducted to determine the effect of rewarded engagement on loyalty.

Findings

In the field study, the participants could gather loyalty points through their social media engagement. Their attitudinal loyalty to the loyalty program and the company was significantly higher than that of the loyalty members who collected points solely through transactions. This effect is especially prevalent with respect to engagements rewarded with monetary incentives and is underlined by behavioral data. The results of the laboratory experiment show that rewarded engagement positively moderates the impact of intrinsic motivation on loyalty intentions. Offering rewarded engagement in loyalty programs offsets the undermining effect of rewards.

Practical implications

Rewarding customers for social media engagement can be a beneficial way of boosting active participation in loyalty programs, but this experience should be enjoyable and self-determined.

Originality/value

The study is the first to show the impact of rewarded customer engagement on the attitudinal and behavioral loyalty of members of a loyalty program.
Providing feedback to service customers
Authors: Kim Shinyoung , Choi Sunmee , Verma Rohit
Published: April 2017

Purpose

In services, customers’ successful performance of expected roles is critical to ensuring successful service outcomes. To help customers perform their roles better, service providers offer them feedback on their performance. To improve the design of customer feedback that contains both positive and negative messages, the purpose of this paper is to examine the order and the repetition effect of feedback message types on customer feedback satisfaction, motivation, and compliance intention, focusing on the moderating effect of customer involvement level. This paper also examines whether feedback satisfaction and motivation mediate the moderation effect of the order or repetition of feedback message type and customer involvement level on compliance intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs two between-subject quasi-experimental designs: 2 (feedback message order: positive message first vs negative message first) × 2 (involvement level: high vs low) and a 2 (repeated feedback type: positive vs negative) × 2 (involvement level: high vs low). Data collection occurred through an online survey using eight health checkup scenarios. Hypotheses were tested by using MANOVA and PROCESS.

Findings

The customer involvement level moderated the effect of the presentation order of feedback message type on customer responses. With highly involved customers, offering positive feedback initially produced responses that were more favorable. With customers with low involvement, the order did not matter. The effects of feedback satisfaction and motivation as mediators in the effect of order on compliance intention were significant only with highly involved customers. The mediation effect of motivation was much stronger than that of feedback satisfaction. The repetition of a particular feedback type took effect only with customers with low-involvement level. Compared to the no-repetition condition (positive-negative), when positive feedback was repeated (positive-negative-positive), motivation increased. Compared to the no-repetition condition (negative-positive), when negative feedback was repeated (negative-positive-negative), feedback satisfaction and compliance intention decreased. In terms of mediating effect, only feedback satisfaction was a meaningful mediator and only when negative feedback was repeated to low-involvement customers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to research by extending feedback studies in services to include a consideration of the order and repetition of feedback message types as design variables; it contributes practically by suggesting how to design feedback for better customer responses such as feedback satisfaction, motivation, and compliance intention.
Does one size fit all? New service development across different types of services
Authors: Jaakkola Elina , Meiren Thomas , Witell Lars , Edvardsson Bo , Schäfer Adrienne , Reynoso Javier , Sebastiani Roberta , Weitlaner Doris
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The extant new service development (NSD) literature tends to assume that the key practices for NSD identified in one context apply for all services, and has failed to sufficiently consider differences in NSD between service types. The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of NSD across different service types.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive, cross-sectoral survey was conducted in seven countries. Data from 1,333 NSD projects were analyzed to empirically derive a service typology and examine if and how different types of services vary in terms of NSD resources, practices, methods, and results.

Findings

Based on six service characteristics, the study identifies four service types: routine-intensive, technology-intensive, contact-intensive, and knowledge-intensive services. The study also identifies specific NSD resources, practices, methods, and results that are prevalent across the service typology. The evidence indicates that the use of advanced practices and methods differs dramatically between service types.

Practical implications

The paper enables practitioners to expand their current understanding on NSD by providing insights into the variability of NSD across service types. The results suggest that either service-type-specific models or a configurable model for NSD should be developed.

Originality/value

This study provides one of the first empirically derived service typologies for NSD. The study demonstrates that NSD resources, practices, methods, and results differ across service types, thereby challenging the “one size fits all” assumption evident in current NSD research.
Effects of deer on woodland structure revealed through terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Eichhorn Markus P. , Ryding Joseph , Smith Martin J. , Gill Robin M. A. , Siriwardena Gavin M. , Fuller Robert J.
Published: April 2017

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) captures the three‐dimensional structure of habitats. Compared to traditional methods of forest mensuration, it allows quantification of structure at increased resolution, and the derivation of novel metrics with which to inform ecological studies and habitat management.

Lowland woodlands in the UK have altered in structure over the last century due to increased abundance of deer and a decline in management. We compared whole‐canopy profiles between woodlands with high (>10 deer km−2) and low deer density (c. 1 deer km−2), and in stands with and without records of management interventions in the last 20 years, providing a test case for the application of TLS in habitat assessment for conservation and management.

Forty closed‐canopy lowland woodlands (height range 16·5–29·4 m) were surveyed using TLS in two regions of the UK, divided into areas of high‐ and low‐deer abundance, and between plots which had been recently managed or were unmanaged. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the woodlands were created to document the density of foliage and stem material across the entire vertical span of the canopy.

There was a 68% lower density of understorey foliage (0·5–2 m above‐ground) in high‐deer woodlands, consistent in both regions. Despite this, total amounts of foliage detected across the full canopy did not differ between deer density levels. High‐deer sites were 5 m taller overall and differed in the distribution of foliage across their vertical profile. Managed woodlands, in contrast, exhibited relatively minor differences from controls, including a lower quantity of stem material at heights from 2 to 5 m, but no difference in foliage density. All main effects were replicated equally in both regions despite notable differences in stand structures between them.

Synthesis and applications. Terrestrial laser scanning allows ecologists to move beyond two‐dimensional measures of vegetation structure and quantify patterns across complex, heterogeneous, three‐dimensional habitats. Our findings suggest that reduction of deer populations is likely to have a strong impact on woodland structures and aid in restoring the complex understorey habitats required by many birds, whereas management interventions as currently practiced have limited and inconsistent effects.
Ontogenetic plasticity of anatomical and ecophysiological traits and their correlations inIris pumilaplants grown in contrasting light conditions
Authors: Avramov Stevan , Miljković Danijela , Klisarić Nataša Barišić , Živković Uroš , Tarasjev Aleksej
Published: April 2017

To better understand what directs and limits the evolution of phenotype, constraints in the realization of the optimal phenotype need to be addressed. That includes estimations of variability of adaptively important traits as well as their correlation structures, but also evaluation of how they are affected by relevant environmental conditions and development phases. The aims of this study were to analyze phenotypic plasticity, genetic variability and correlation structures of importantIris pumilaleaf traits in different light environments and ontogenetic phases, and estimate its evolutionary potential. Stomatal density, specific leaf area, total chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll a/b ratio were analyzed onI. pumilafull‐sib families in the seedling phase and on the same plants after 3 years of growth in contrasting light conditions typical for ontogenetic stage in question. There was a significant phenotypic plasticity in both ontogenetic stages, but significant genetic variability was detected only for chlorophyll concentrations. Correlations of the same trait between different stages were weak due to changes in environmental conditions and difference in ontogenetic reaction norms of different genotypes. Ontogenetic variability of correlation structures was detected, where correlations and integration were higher in seedlings compared with adult plants 3 years later. Correlations were affected by environmental conditions, with integration being higher in the lower light conditions, but correlations between phases being stronger in the higher light treatment. These findings demonstrated that the analyzed traits can be selected and can mostly evolve independently in different environments and ontogenetic stages, with low genetic variability as a potentially main constraint.
Analyzing Data Remnant Remains on User Devices to Determine Probative Artifacts in Cloud Environment
Authors: Ahmed Abdulghani Ali , Xue Li Chua
Published: April 2017

Cloud storage service allows users to store their data online, so that they can remotely access, maintain, manage, and back up data from anywhere via the Internet. Although helpful, this storage creates a challenge to digital forensic investigators and practitioners in collecting, identifying, acquiring, and preserving evidential data. This study proposes an investigation scheme for analyzing data remnants and determining probative artifacts in a cloud environment. Using pCloud as a case study, this research collected the data remnants available on end‐user device storage following the storing, uploading, and accessing of data in the cloud storage. Data remnants are collected from several sources, including client software files, directory listing, prefetch, registry, network PCAP, browser, and memory and link files. Results demonstrate that the collected remnants data are beneficial in determining a sufficient number of artifacts about the investigated cybercrime.
Novel Creation of a Rum Flavor Lexicon Through the Use of Web‐Based Material
Authors: Ickes Chelsea M. , Lee Soo‐Yeun , Cadwallader Keith R.
Published: April 2017

Flavor lexicons help both manufacturers and consumers communicate the intricacies of flavor nuances they experience within a product. Lexicon development typically requires the use of a trained sensory panel to evaluate a representative sample set of the product category to generate terms that describe certain product attributes. In the case of rum, there is considerable variation in terms of style, flavor characteristics, and the sheer number of rums produced making it difficult to create a lexicon in this manner. Furthermore, sensory fatigue from the high alcohol content can also hinder lexicon development. This is the first study to create a rum flavor lexicon using web‐based material (comprising blogs, company descriptions, and review websites) to minimize the time and cost and to allow for the inclusion of a greater number of rum products. Reviews for over 1000 different rums were utilized, comprising evaluations that described an array of rums, including white, gold, aged, and agricole. Each evaluation was coded for aroma, aroma‐by‐mouth, and taste attributes using NVivoTM software to amass the sensory terms. Word frequency analysis was conducted on coded attributes. The analysis yielded 147 terms, sorted into 22 different categories. The most prominent terms included vanilla, oak, caramel, fruity, molasses, and baking spices.
Celiac disease prevalence in a large series of patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Koçak Erdem , Akbal Erdem , Beyazit Yavuz , Ergül Bilal , Karataş Arzu , Köklü Seyfettin , Ekşioğlu H. Meral
Published: April 2017

Aim

There are common findings between Behçet's disease (BD) and celiac disease (CD) based on similar immunological pathogenesis and there is only limited data available investigating the link between these two diseases. Furthermore, documented gastrointestinal (GI) involvement with marked upper GI symptoms in BD has been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CD and to evaluate endoscopic findings in Turkish BD patients.

Methods

A total of 210 BD patients were included in the study. All patients underwent serological testing for anti‐gliadin and tissue transglutaminase antibodies. Endoscopic examinations were performed in 190 patients who accepted upper GI system endoscopy. Multiple biopsies were taken from the second portion of the duodenum in patients with positive serological assessment for CD.

Results

A total of 4.2% of patients with BD had positive anti‐gliadin and tissue transglutaminase antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibodies. The prevalence of biopsy‐confirmed CD was 1.05% in Turkish BD patients. The most common endoscopic findings of patients with BD were found to be antral gastritis, duodenitis and esophagitis.

Conclusion

Although BD and CD share many similar clinical manifestations, our results did not support a possible association between these two diseases.
Characterization of immune cells and infection by HIV in human ovarian tissues
Authors: Shen Zheng , Rodriguez‐Garcia Marta , Ochsenbauer Christina , Wira Charles R.
Published: April 2017

Problem

New HIV infections in women are predominantly spread through sexual intercourse. Recent non‐human primate studies demonstrated that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) deposited in the vagina infected immune cells in the ovary. Whether immune cells in the human ovary are susceptible to HIV infection is unknown.

Method of study

Immune cells were isolated from ovaries and characterized by flow cytometry. Cells were exposed to HIV for 2 hours. HIV infection was measured by flow cytometry and p24 secretion following 6 days in culture.

Results

CD4+ T cells and CD14+ cells are present in the ovary and susceptible to infection by HIV‐BaL. Among the CD45+ cells present, 30% were CD3+ T cells (with similar proportions of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells), and 7%‐10% were CD14+ cells. Both CD4+ T cells and CD14+ cells were productively infected and supported replication.

Conclusion

Immune cells in the ovary are potential targets for HIV infection.
Wittgenstein's ‘Lighting up of an Aspect’ and the Possibility of Change in Psychoanalytic Therapy
Authors: Lemberger Dorit
Published: April 2017

The centrality of language in the psychoanalytic process has been recognized since Freud's time and is common to all schools of psychoanalysis. But despite the use of linguistic and literary terms such as ‘metaphor’ and ‘narrative’, the relationship between the role played by language in the constitution of the subject and how it functions in the process of communication between therapist and patient, in general and as a key to change, remains to be elucidated. Psychoanalysts such as Klein and Segal highlighted the importance of symbols in the constitution of the subject. However, they did not examine what actually takes place in linguistic acts, but their outcomes. I argue that in order to better understand the language‐based processes we need to examine them from a linguistic perspective as this would demonstrate the neutrality of language and its diverse mechanisms. As a case study of the therapeutic process from the perspective of philology, this article examines the possibility of a change in treatment, inspired by variations on Wittgenstein's term ‘aspect’. Building on Wittgenstein's criticism of The Interpretation of Dreams, I propose expanding the use of this linguistic mechanism to include its function in the process of communication during therapy.
Willing to Think Hard? The Subjective Value of Cognitive Effort in Children
Authors: Chevalier Nicolas
Published: April 2017

Cognitive effort is costly and this cost likely influences the activities in which children engage. Yet, little is known about how school‐age children perceive cognitive effort. The subjective value of cognitive effort, that is, how valuable or costly effort is perceived, was investigated in seventy‐three 7‐ to 12‐year‐olds using an effort discounting paradigm. In two studies, it varied with task difficulty but not age, was predicted by actual effort engagement but not actual success and related to trait interest in effortful activities and proactive control engagement. Children are sensitive to cognitive effort and use it to guide behaviors, suggesting that poor performance may often reflect reluctance to engage cognitive effort rather than low ability.
B‐FAHF‐2 plus oral immunotherapy (OIT) is safer and more effective than OIT alone in a murine model of concurrent peanut/tree nut allergy
Authors: Srivastava K. D. , Song Y. , Yang N. , Liu C. , Goldberg I. E. , Nowak‐Węgrzyn A. , Sampson H. A. , Li X.‐M.
Published: April 2017

Background

Concurrent sensitization to peanut (PN) and tree nuts (TN), the most dangerous food allergies, is common. Current oral immunotherapy (OIT) is not fully satisfactory.

Objective

To determine whether the herbal formula B‐FAHF‐2 (BF2) ameliorates PN/TN OIT adverse reactions and enhances persistence of a tolerant state.

Methods

Concurrently sensitized PN‐, walnut‐ (WN) and cashew (CSH)‐allergic mice received 1‐day PN/WN/CSH rush OIT plus 3 weeks of maintenance dosing, with or without 3 weeks prior and 3 weeks BF2 co‐treatment. Anaphylactic symptom scores, core body temperatures, plasma histamine levels, basophil numbers, antigen‐specific IgE, cytokine levels, and IL‐4, INF‐γ and Foxp3 gene promoter DNA methylation status, and their correlation with final challenge symptom scores were determined.

Results

BF2+OIT‐treated mice experienced significantly fewer and less severe adverse reactions than OIT‐only‐treated mice (P<.01) during the 1‐day rush OIT build‐up dose phase. Both OIT‐only and BF2+OIT mice showed significant desensitization (P<.01 and .001, respectively) at 1 week post‐therapy challenge, being greater in BF2+OIT mice. All sham‐treated and 91% of OIT‐treated mice experienced anaphylaxis whereas only 21% of BF2+OIT‐treated mice exhibited reactions during 5‐6 weeks of dose escalation single PN and TN challenges. Greater and more persistent protection in BF2+OIT mice was associated with significantly lower plasma histamine and IgE levels, increased IFN‐γ/IL‐4 and IL‐10/IL‐4 ratios, DNA remethylation at the IL‐4 promoter and demethylation at IFN‐γ and Foxp3 promoters. Final challenge symptom scores were inversely correlated with IL‐4 DNA methylation levels (P<.0002) and positively correlated with IFN‐γ and Foxp3 gene promoter methylation levels (P<.0011) (P<.0165).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Combined BF2/OIT therapy was safer and produced longer post‐treatment protection and more tolerance‐prone immunological and epigenetic modifications than OIT alone. BF2/OIT may provide an additional OIT option for patients with concurrent PN/TN and other food allergies.
Submaximal doses of ghrelin do not inhibit gonadotrophin levels but stimulate prolactin secretion in postmenopausal women
Authors: Messini Christina I. , Malandri Maria , Anifandis George , Dafopoulos Konstantinos , Georgoulias Panagiotis , Sveronis Georgios , Garas Antonios , Daponte Alexandros , Messinis Ioannis E.
Published: April 2017

Objective

An inhibitory effect of ghrelin on gonadotrophin secretion has been reported in normally menstruating women possibly modulated by endogenous oestrogen. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ghrelin on gonadotrophin and prolactin (PRL) secretion in oestrogen‐deprived postmenopausal women.

Design

Prospective intervention study.

Patients and Measurements

Ten healthy postmenopausal volunteer women were studied during two 15‐days periods of oestrogen treatment (A and B) a month apart. Four experiments (Exp) were performed in total, two on day 1 (Exp 1A and Exp 1B) and two on day 15 (Exp 15A and Exp 15B) of the two periods. The women received in Exp 1A and in Exp 15A two iv injections of ghrelin (0.15 μg/kg at time 0 minute and 0.30 μg/kg at time 90 minutes) and in Exp1B and in Exp 15B normal saline (2 mL), respectively. Blood samples were taken at −15, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes.

Results

After oestrogen treatment, late follicular phase serum oestradiol levels were attained on day 15 of periods A and B. Ghrelin administration did not affect serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), whereas it increased significantly those of growth hormone (GH) and PRL. In Exp 15A, serum PRL increment in response to ghrelin (area under the curve, net increment) was significantly greater than in Exp 1A (P<.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates for the first time that in oestrogen‐deprived postmenopausal women, ghrelin administration affects neither FSH nor LH levels but stimulates PRL secretion, that is amplified by exogenous oestrogen administration.
Patient understanding of genetic information influences reproductive decision making in retinoblastoma
Authors: Foster A. , Boyes L. , Burgess L. , Carless S. , Bowyer V. , Jenkinson H. , Parulekar M. , Ainsworth J. , Hungerford J. , Onadim Z. , Sagoo M. , Rosser E. , Reddy M.A. , Cole T.
Published: April 2017

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant tumour of the eye in childhood, with nearly all bilateral tumours and around 17% to 18% of unilateral tumours due to an oncogenic mutation in the RB1 gene in the germline. Genetic testing enables accurate risk assessment and optimal clinical management for the affected individual, siblings, and future offspring.

Material and Methods: We carried out the first UK‐wide audit of understanding of genetic testing in individuals with retinoblastoma. A total of 292 individuals aged 16 to 45 years were included.

Results: Patients with bilateral disease were significantly more likely to understand the implications of retinoblastoma for siblings and children. There was a significant association between not knowing the results of genetic testing or not understanding the implications and not having children, particularly in women. Surprisingly, this was also true for individuals treated for unilateral disease with a low risk of retinoblastoma for their offspring.

Conclusion: We are concerned that individuals may be making life choices based on insufficient information regarding risks of retinoblastoma and reproductive options. We suggest that improvement in transition care is needed to enable individuals to make informed reproductive decisions and to ensure optimal care for children born at risk of retinoblastoma.
Elevation of circulating microRNA levels in obese children compared to healthy controls
Authors: Thompson M. D. , Cismowski M. J. , Serpico M. , Pusateri A. , Brigstock D. R.
Published: April 2017

As childhood obesity increases, it is becoming important to understand the complications of obesity in children and develop novel biomarkers. Evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNA) are dys‐regulated in obesity and may serve as sensitive and specific circulating biomarkers. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complication of obesity that ultimately requires a liver biopsy to determine disease severity. While studies have been conducted in adults, no study to date has examined circulating miRNAs in children with obesity and NAFLD. The goal of this study was to evaluate a panel of selected circulating miRNAs in obese children compared to healthy controls. We present here an analysis of a pre‐selected panel of 20 candidate miRNAs in obese children compared to healthy controls. The miRNAs were chosen based on having been previously reported to be involved in NAFLD. We found that 16 out of 20 miRNAs tested were elevated at least twofold in children with obesity compared to controls. miR‐122 and miR‐199a showed the greatest increase in children with obesity versus controls. Both also had a high area under the curve when receiver–operator curves were plotted. Several circulating miRNAs correlated with body mass index (BMI) or serum transaminases. This study provides initial evidence that circulating miRNAs can be measured in the paediatric population and provides several diagnostic candidates increased in children with obesity that may be relevant to NAFLD.
The Semantic Drift of Quotations in Blogspace: A Case Study in Short‐Term Cultural Evolution
Authors: Lerique Sébastien , Roth Camille
Published: April 2017

We present an empirical case study that connects psycholinguistics with the field of cultural evolution, in order to test for the existence of cultural attractors in the evolution of quotations. Such attractors have been proposed as a useful concept for understanding cultural evolution in relation with individual cognition, but their existence has been hard to test. We focus on the transformation of quotations when they are copied from blog to blog or media website: by coding words with a number of well‐studied lexical features, we show that the way words are substituted in quotations is consistent (a) with the hypothesis of cultural attractors and (b) with known effects of the word features. In particular, words known to be harder to recall in lists have a higher tendency to be substituted, and words easier to recall are produced instead. Our results support the hypothesis that cultural attractors can result from the combination of individual cognitive biases in the interpretation and reproduction of representations.
Prognostic significance of ACP5 expression in patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gao Ya‐Li , Liu Mei‐Rong , Yang Shu‐Xiang , Dong Yu‐Jin , Tan Xiao‐Feng
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5 (ACP5), which is essential for bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation, promotes cell motility through the modulation of focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. This study seeks to elucidate the association of ACP5 expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (AD).

Methods

The expression of ACP5 was measured by Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in lung AD and matched tumor‐adjacent tissues, and the χ2 test was applied to analyze the correlation between ACP5 expression and clinicopathologic features. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, univariate and multivariate regression analysis was to explore the correlation between ACP5 expression and overall survival (OS).

Results

We found that ACP5 was frequently upregulated in lung AD tissues. The high expression of ACP5 was significantly related to lymph node status, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage, and differentiation. From the results of univariate survival analysis, it indicated that the patients with high expression of ACP5 expression had a significantly lower OS than the patients with low expression of ACP5 expression. As it showed in Multivariate Cox regression analysis, the high expression of ACP5 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that high expression of ACP5 correlates with tumor progression and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in lung AD.
Scotland's national naloxone program: The prison experience
Authors: Horsburgh Kirsten , McAuley Andrew
Published: April 2017

Launched in 2011, the Scottish national naloxone program marked an important development in public health policy. Central to its design were strategies to engage prisoners given their elevated risk of drug‐related death in the weeks following liberation. Implementation across Scottish prisons has posed particular challenges linked to both operational issues within prison establishments and individual factors affecting staff delivering, and prisoners engaging, with the program. Barriers have been overcome through innovation and partnership working. This commentary has described how the development of the program in prisons has adapted to these challenges to a point where a largely consistent model is in place and where prisoners‐on‐release are reaping the benefits in terms of reduced opioid‐related mortality.
Clinical and metabolic correlates of cerebral calcifications in Sturge–Weber syndrome
Authors: Pilli Vinod K , Behen Michael E , Hu Jiani , Xuan Yang , Janisse James , Chugani Harry T , Juhász Csaba
Published: April 2017

Aim

To evaluate clinical and metabolic correlates of cerebral calcifications in children with Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS).

Method

Fifteen children (11 females, four males; age range 7mo–9y, mean 4y 1mo) with unilateral SWS underwent baseline and follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), glucose metabolism positron emission tomography (PET), and neurocognitive assessment (mean follow‐up 1y 8mo). Calcified brain volumes measured on SWI were correlated with areas of abnormal glucose metabolism, seizure variables, and cognitive function (IQ).

Results

Ten children had brain calcification at baseline and 11 at follow‐up. Mean calcified brain volume increased from 1.69 to 2.47cm3 (p=0.003) in these children; the rate of interval calcified volume increase was associated with early onset of epilepsy (Spearman's rho [rs]=−0.63, p=0.036). Calcified brain regions showed a variable degree of glucose hypometabolism with the metabolic abnormalities often extending to non‐calcified cerebral lobes. Larger calcified brain volumes at baseline were associated with longer duration of epilepsy (rs=0.69, p=0.004) and lower outcome IQ (rs=−0.53, p=0.042).

Interpretation

Brain calcifications are common and progress faster in children with SWS with early epilepsy onset, and are associated with a variable degree of hypometabolism, which is typically more extensive than the calcified area. Higher calcified brain volumes may indicate a risk for poorer neurocognitive outcome.
Cost‐effectiveness of web‐based therapy: what's it worth?
Authors: Kerr Claire
Published: April 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Comans et al. on pages 756–761 of this issue.
Beyond educational attainment: The importance of skills and lifelong learning for social outcomes. Evidence for Europe from PIAAC
Authors: Vera‐Toscano Esperanza , Rodrigues Margarida , Costa Patricia
Published: April 2017

Empirical evidence suggests that educational attainment nurtures people's social outcomes and promotes active participation in society and stability. However, it is unclear to what extent other types of human capital also correlate with social outcomes. Hence, we explored the opportunity offered by the PIAAC survey through its provision of information on educational attainment, observed individual key skills proficiency, and participation in adult education and training (adult lifelong learning). We therefore studied the association between these human capital variables and social outcomes, and more specifically interpersonal trust and participation in volunteering activities. Results revealed that these social outcomes were affected not only by the formal qualification obtained, determined by the education variable, but also throughout the life‐cycle. Indeed, education and training when undertaken during adult life have a significant impact, especially on volunteering. The fact that the skill proficiency also plays a significant role is extremely relevant, as skills are more likely to change over the life‐cycle, either in a positive or negative way. Whilst the formal education received is constant after exiting the educational system, skills reflect competences more accurately: first, because those with the same level of education may have different skill levels because of differences in the quality of education or ability; second, because skills can vary over time. For example, they may increase with work experience or informal education, or decrease as a result of depreciation and ageing. These findings suggest that social outcomes are prone to be affected by many factors other than formal education, suggesting that policy makers can implement recommendations even after formal education has been completed.
Scalp EEG Ictal gamma and beta activity during infantile spasms: Evidence of focality
Authors: Nariai Hiroki , Beal Jules , Galanopoulou Aristea S. , Mowrey Wenzhu B. , Bickel Stephan , Sogawa Yoshimi , Jehle Rana , Shinnar Shlomo , Moshé Solomon L.
Published: April 2017

Objective

We investigated temporal and spatial characteristics of ictal gamma and beta activity on scalp EEG during spasms in patients with West syndrome (WS) to evaluate potential focal cortical onset.

Methods

A total of 1,033 spasms from 34 patients with WS of various etiologies were analyzed on video‐electroencephalography (EEG) using time‐frequency analysis. Ictal gamma (35–90 Hz) and beta (15–30 Hz) activities were correlated with visual symmetry of spasms, objective EMG (electromyography) analysis, and etiology of WS.

Results

Prior to the ictal motor manifestation, focal ictal gamma activity emerged from one hemisphere (71%, 24/34) or from midline (26%, 9/34), and was rarely simultaneously bilateral (3%, 1/34). Focal ictal beta activity emerged from either one hemisphere (68%, 23/34) or from midline (32%, 11/34). Onsets of focal ictal gamma and beta activity were most commonly observed around the parietal areas. Focal ictal gamma activity propagated faster than ictal beta activity to adjacent electrodes (median: 65 vs. 170 msec, p < 0.01), and to contralateral hemisphere (median: 100 vs. 170 msec, p = 0.01). Asymmetric peak amplitude of ictal gamma activity in the centroparietal areas (C3‐P3 vs. C4‐P4) correlated with asymmetric semiology. On the other hand, most of the visually symmetric spasms showed asymmetry in peak amplitude and interhemispheric onset latency difference in both ictal gamma and beta activity.

Significance

Spasms may be a seizure with focal electrographic onset regardless of visual symmetry. Asymmetric involvement of ictal gamma activity to the centroparietal areas may determine the motor manifestations in WS. Scalp EEG ictal gamma and beta activity may be useful to demonstrate localized seizure onset in infants with WS.
Brain‐responsive neurostimulation in patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Geller Eric B. , Skarpaas Tara L. , Gross Robert E. , Goodman Robert R. , Barkley Gregory L. , Bazil Carl W. , Berg Michael J. , Bergey Gregory K. , Cash Sydney S. , Cole Andrew J. , Duckrow Robert B. , Edwards Jonathan C. , Eisenschenk Stephan , Fessler James , Fountain Nathan B. , Goldman Alicia M. , Gwinn Ryder P. , Heck Christianne , Herekar Aamar , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Jobst Barbara C. , King‐Stephens David , Labar Douglas R. , Leiphart James W. , Marsh W. Richard , Meador Kimford J. , Mizrahi Eli M. , Murro Anthony M. , Nair Dileep R. , Noe Katherine H. , Park Yong D. , Rutecki Paul A. , Salanova Vicenta , Sheth Raj D. , Shields Donald C. , Skidmore Christopher , Smith Michael C. , Spencer David C. , Srinivasan Shraddha , Tatum William , Van Ness Paul C. , Vossler David G. , Wharen Robert E. , Worrell Gregory A. , Yoshor Daniel , Zimmerman Richard S. , Cicora Kathy , Sun Felice T. , Morrell Martha J.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Evaluate the seizure‐reduction response and safety of mesial temporal lobe (MTL) brain‐responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial‐onset seizures of mesial temporal lobe origin.

Methods

Subjects with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain‐responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2–6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events.

Results

There were 111 subjects with MTLE; 72% of subjects had bilateral MTL onsets and 28% had unilateral onsets. Subjects had one to four leads placed; only two leads could be connected to the device. Seventy‐six subjects had depth leads only, 29 had both depth and strip leads, and 6 had only strip leads. The mean follow‐up was 6.1 ± (standard deviation) 2.2 years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% (last observation carried forward). Twenty‐nine percent of subjects experienced at least one seizure‐free period of 6 months or longer, and 15% experienced at least one seizure‐free period of 1 year or longer. There was no difference in seizure reduction in subjects with and without mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), bilateral MTL onsets, prior resection, prior intracranial monitoring, and prior vagus nerve stimulation. In addition, seizure reduction was not dependent on the location of depth leads relative to the hippocampus. The most frequent serious device‐related adverse event was soft tissue implant‐site infection (overall rate, including events categorized as device‐related, uncertain, or not device‐related: 0.03 per implant year, which is not greater than with other neurostimulation devices).

Significance

Brain‐responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including patients with unilateral or bilateral MTLE who are not candidates for temporal lobectomy or who have failed a prior MTL resection.
Source localization of ictal epileptic activity based on high‐density scalp EEG data
Authors: Nemtsas Petros , Birot Gwenael , Pittau Francesca , Michel Christoph M. , Schaller Karl , Vulliemoz Serge , Kimiskidis Vasilios K. , Seeck Margitta
Published: April 2017

Objective

Electrical source imaging (ESI) is a well‐established approach to localizing the epileptic focus in drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. So far, ESI has been used primarily on interictal events. Emerging evidence suggests that ictal ESI is also feasible and potentially useful. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of ESI on ictal events using high‐density electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods

We performed ictal ESI on 14 patients (9 with temporal lobe epilepsy) admitted for presurgical evaluation who presented seizures during a long‐term (≥18 h) high‐density EEG recording (13 with 256 electrodes and one with 128 electrodes), and subsequently 8 of them underwent epilepsy surgery (postoperative follow‐up >1 year). Artifact‐free EEG epochs at ictal οnset were selected for further analysis. The predominant ictal rhythm was identified and filtered (±1 Hz around the main frequency). ESI was computed for each time point using an individual head model and a distributed linear inverse solution, and the average across source localizations was localized. For validation, results were compared with the resection area and postoperative outcome.

Results

Ictal ESI correctly localized the epileptic seizure‐onset zone in the resection area in five of six postoperatively seizure‐free patients. Interictal and ictal ESI were concordant in 9 of 14 patients and partially concordant in additional 4 of 14 patients (93%). Divergent solutions were found in only one of the 14 patients (7%).

Significance

Ictal ESI is a promising localization technique in focal epilepsy.
Strategic mate‐guarding behaviour in ladybirds
Authors: Chaudhary Desh D. , Mishra Geetanjali , Omkar  
Published: April 2017

Mate‐guarding behaviour is regarded as a means of increasing paternity share by reducing sperm competition. It is known to be a plastic response which varies with operational sex ratios and competitor presence in the vicinity. In a recent study, prolonged mating duration in Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has been found to incorporate mate‐guarding behaviour. The present investigation was conducted to assess its plasticity in the presence of competitors. The physical and chemical presence of competitors of both sexes at varying densities was provided to a pair of ladybirds, and their time to commence mating, latent period and mate‐guarding duration was observed. These were compared to a control treatment where other partners were absent. All treatments were conducted with sibling as well as non‐sibling competitors. It was our hypothesis that mate guarding would be increased in the presence of male competitors and would be reduced by female presence. The results revealed that while mate‐guarding duration was increased by the chemical presence of males it was decreased by their physical presence. The latter result was attributed to interference by other males who dislodge the mating male in order to access the female. Female chemical presence had no effect on mate guarding, while physical presence increased the duration of mate guarding. The reasons for the latter behaviour require further investigation. Responses were not significantly affected by the relationship between the focal pair and the competitor. The authenticity of the mate guarding in this ladybird is strongly affirmed by our results.
Severe consequences of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity of an endangered Australian freshwater fish: A call for assisted gene flow
Authors: Pavlova Alexandra , Beheregaray Luciano B. , Coleman Rhys , Gilligan Dean , Harrisson Katherine A. , Ingram Brett A. , Kearns Joanne , Lamb Annika M. , Lintermans Mark , Lyon Jarod , Nguyen Thuy T. T. , Sasaki Minami , Tonkin Zeb , Yen Jian D. L. , Sunnucks Paul
Published: April 2017

Genetic diversity underpins the ability of populations to persist and adapt to environmental changes. Substantial empirical data show that genetic diversity rapidly deteriorates in small and isolated populations due to genetic drift, leading to reduction in adaptive potential and fitness and increase in inbreeding. Assisted gene flow (e.g. via translocations) can reverse these trends, but lack of data on fitness loss and fear of impairing population “uniqueness” often prevents managers from acting. Here, we use population genetic and riverscape genetic analyses and simulations to explore the consequences of extensive habitat loss and fragmentation on population genetic diversity and future population trajectories of an endangered Australian freshwater fish, Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica. Using guidelines to assess the risk of outbreeding depression under admixture, we develop recommendations for population management, identify populations requiring genetic rescue and/or genetic restoration and potential donor sources. We found that most remaining populations of Macquarie perch have low genetic diversity, and effective population sizes below the threshold required to retain adaptive potential. Our simulations showed that under management inaction, smaller populations of Macquarie perch will face inbreeding depression within a few decades, but regular small‐scale translocations will rapidly rescue populations from inbreeding depression and increase adaptive potential through genetic restoration. Despite the lack of data on fitness loss, based on our genetic data for Macquarie perch populations, simulations and empirical results from other systems, we recommend regular and frequent translocations among remnant populations within catchments. These translocations will emulate the effect of historical gene flow and improve population persistence through decrease in demographic and genetic stochasticity. Increasing population genetic connectivity within each catchment will help to maintain large effective population sizes and maximize species adaptive potential. The approach proposed here could be readily applicable to genetic management of other threatened species to improve their adaptive potential.
Pasture‐associated stringhalt: Contemporary appraisal of an enigmatic syndrome
Authors: El‐Hage C. M. , Huntington P. J. , Mayhew I. G. , Slocombe R. F. , Tennent‐Brown B. S.
Published: April 2017

Although described clinically for several centuries, stringhalt remains an intriguing and enigmatic condition. In pasture‐associated stringhalt (PSH), the clinical sign of exaggerated, prolonged hindlimb flexion is associated with a peripheral neuropathy affecting the larger myelinated axons that is thought to be the result of exposure to a plant‐derived neurotoxin. It is likely that multiple host and environmental risk factors interact to producePSHand the precise aetiology has not yet been elucidated. Drought‐affected, poor‐quality pasture and the presence ofHypochoeris radicata(commonly referred to as Catsear, Flatweed and False Dandelion) are recognised risk factors. Affected horses are typically mature and taller animals are considered more susceptible. Most horses withPSHrecover spontaneously if removed from the presumptive source of toxin; however, recovery can be prolonged, taking several years for some horses, and might be incomplete in occasional cases. A wide range of therapies have been attempted in horses withPSHincluding phenytoin, thiamine, taurine, infiltration of digital extensors with botulinum toxin and lateral digital extensor myotenectomy procedure. The efficacy of these treatments is uncertain since controlled trials have not been performed and the spontaneous recovery of most horses makes any response to treatment difficult to interpret.
Transforming social sector auditing – they audited more, but scrutinized less
Authors: Kastberg Gustaf , Ek Österberg Emma
Published: April 2017

The legitimacy of audit technologies is inevitably linked to a knowledge base. Even though it has been pointed out that the agreements on how to measure and verify certain operations are only temporal, empirical studies on change in audit are rare. This paper reports a detailed empirical study of change in performance audit within social services in Sweden. The paper complements previous research since this paper is not about makingnewthings auditable but about challenging existing technologies within a field. We observe how the new ‘sharp’ control‐based model – realized through measures of prioritizing, focusing and standardizing – was related to new demands on ‘facts’ about the audit object. The effect was that many things in this new situation became unauditable; they audited more, but actually scrutinized less. The paper also contributes to existing literature on the role of ‘sharp’ control‐based audit in the social sector. With a ‘soft’ and ‘fuzzy’ object, as is often the case in many parts of the public sector, it is difficult to produce hard, convincing evidence that holds true in different settings.