bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negotiating with modern Chinese professionals
Authors: G. Mujtaba Bahaudin
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of proper planning when negotiating with Chinese business professionals. The paper emphasizes face-to-face interaction more so than internet negotiations since relationship building is very important for Chinese negotiators.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used academic literature and book publications to glean the best practices for Chinese negotiation practices. Both face-to-face and cyberspace negotiation strategies are explored.

Findings

– It appears that these Chinese professionals initially focus on relationship and trust building before making any major deals. As such, traditional means of negotiations are preferred. Also, it should be noted that renegotiations are fairly common, even after a contract has been signed. A four-step negotiation model is recommended for negotiating with Chinese professionals.

Research limitations/implications

– Foreigners doing business in China must understand the local norms prior to undertaking any major negotiations. It is best to negotiate through face-to-face format with one's Chinese partners rather than relying on cyberspace technologies.

Social implications

– This paper is a review of practical literature to help international managers when they are negotiating with their Chinese counterparts.

Originality/value

– This is an original technical paper to help expatriates properly negotiate with Chinese negotiators.
The second generation in a family business: an agent of change or continuator of family tradition?
Authors: Koładkiewicz Izabela
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of the first and second generations in the process of internationalization of a family business active in the SME sector in Poland.

Design/methodology/approach

– Conducted research was qualitative in character. The research method used was the case study. A total of six case studies were developed that demonstrate the experiences of Polish exporters – family companies in the SME sector. The primary research tool was the unstructured questionnaire-based interview. Interviews were conducted over the years 2008-2009. The group of examined respondents included both the first and second generation.

Findings

– Analysis of the developed case studies indicates that it was the first generation that was responsible for making decision and undertaking operations in the first phase. With time, that generation kept only decision-related responsibilities. The second generation tends to continue tradition rather than being an agent of change.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of this paper has been to make a characterization of the process of internationalization of family businesses in the SME sector in Poland – a country undergoing radical systemic transition. Its large-scale effect is the commencement of the process of creating companies, including family businesses. On the other hand, it makes possible the defining of the role of the second generation in the process of internationalization of family businesses, regardless of whether that generation is a continuator of the initiative of the first generation or is itself the initiator of changes.
E-learning programmes in library and information science: worldwide initiatives and challenges for India
Authors: Ramdas Lihitkar Shalini , Anilkumar Naidu Shraddh , S. Lihitkar Ramdas
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The present study was carried out to explore the concept of e-learning and to study the e-learning courses run by institutions/universities at the national and international level. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey method of research has been adopted for the present study. A total 23 universities that are running 89 LIS courses through e-learning methods have been examined for the current study.

Findings

– It is observed that a total of 23 universities are running e-learning programmes for LISc at Master's degree level, certificate level and bachelor's degree level. Most of the universities run short-term e-learning courses for LIS education and are using Moodle software. All the 23 universities are using Web 2.0 tools for information communication and dissemination.

Research limitations/implications

– This study will be a help to the students as well as faculty of library and information science to develop the e-learning model in their respective departments. Students will learn what e-learning courses are being run by various institutions in view of the technology, content and facilities provided by particular institutions.

Practical implications

– Those institutions that have not developed any e-learning programmes, after viewing this paper, will be able to understand the e-learning courses of LIS education.

Originality/value

– No similar studies have been carried out before.
5th Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference (QQML 2013), Rome, Italy, June 4 to 7, 2013: a report of the conference
Authors: Bowering Mullen Laura
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to report on sessions presented at QQML 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is an informal review of sessions attended.

Findings

– This conference report includes the author's brief notes after attending various sessions.

Originality/value

– This is an original conference report written after attendance at QQML.
Drivers and motivators in consumer handwashing behavior
Authors: Burusnukul Pattarapong , Christopher Broz Charles
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– A study was conducted at a small university in the American Southwest. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of a four-year campaign implemented by the university's health services department. The campaign consisted of posting signs in lavatories across campus, reminding students, faculty, and staff to wash their hands after using the facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

– In 2012, researchers conducted a traditional online survey embedded in a university-wide weekly electronic newsletter. Both students and employees at the participating university were recruited for the study. The sample represented members of the community with potential exposure to the handwashing promotion campaign as described above, as well as to the health risks associated with varying practices of sanitation behaviors among members of a public institution.

Findings

– Results indicated participants generally believed in the positive outcomes of handwashing practices. Further, they did not agree that handwashing practices would result in negative outcomes. As for self-reported hand sanitization practices, participants relied more on handwashing than using alcohol-based sanitizer to sanitize hands in all instances.

Originality/value

– Members of the institution reported having positive beliefs and attitude toward handwashing provide a strong basis for an effective handwashing promotion campaign. The emphasis on positive outcomes of adequate and proper handwashing, however, still needs to continue. Therefore, continuing education for the institution's members on the positive outcomes of handwashing can further enhance their attitude and the sense of responsibility to wash their hands as frequently as needed.
A qualitative study of Brazilian children's habits
Authors: Nascimento Amanda , Fiates Giovanna
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate television viewing habits of children from low-income families, their consumption of fruits, vegetables and snacks, as well as their spending habits.

Design/methodology/approach

– 11 focus groups were conducted with 54 public school students aged seven to ten years, divided by sex and age. Transcription of the discussions was processed by content analysis. Family income was indirectly assessed through classification of parents' occupations.

Findings

– The habit of watching television was very present in the students' routines, as was eating in front of the television set. Eating fruits and vegetables was a habit, but frequent consumption of snack foods was also reported. Students had money of their own to spend independently and did it mostly on snacks. Parental interference over their habits was not perceived by the students. Television watching was a regular activity not only for the children, but also for their families. Even though research design could not establish a causal relationship, consumption and acquisition of unhealthy food items was routine, as well as watching television.

Research limitations/implications

– Results are of local nature and findings may differ from those of other regions or countries. Also, students were conveniently selected, and as volunteers they may have been more likely to have an interest in matters related to nutrition, or could have misreported their eating behaviours to be more socially desirable than they actually were.

Originality/value

– Qualitative investigation regarding television viewing habits, food choices and purchases of Brazilian low-income children.
Association of college entrance exam with changes in some lifestyle factors among adolescents
Authors: F. Tayyem Reema , Bayadoo Faten , Kassab Manal , M. Khriesat Wadah , R. Al-Haifi Ahmad , D. Banks Angela , A. Bawadi Hiba
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The study was conducted to investigate the impact of competitive entrance exams on some lifestyle factors that may lead to body weight gain. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students (n=660), aged 16-20 years, to assess changes in body weight and fat percentage, dietary habits and physical activity practicing before and after the examination.

Findings

– During the examination period, both males and females experienced weight gain, but the mean change of body weight for males was higher compared to the mean change of body weight observed in females (3.6 vs 0.6 kg). Body fat percentage increased in males and females in approximately 2 and 0.3 percent, respectively. In addition, males were found to skip breakfast (p=0.003) during the examination period as compared to females (p=1.00). Both males and females reported an increased consumption of milk (p=0.007 and 0.001), junk food (p=0.0001 and 0.001), caffeinated beverages (p<0.001) and carbonated drinks (p=0.001). A significant proportion from each gender reported that they quit recreational physical activity during the examination period (p=0.0001).

Originality/value

– Several studies were conducted to investigate the impact of academic exams on stress among this vulnerable group; however, the relationship of body weight and obesity is still lacking in this population. Therefore, this study aims to investigate impact of competitive entrance exams on some lifestyle behaviours that may lead to body weight gain.
Putting QR codes to the test
Authors: Lo Leo , Coleman Jason , Theiss Danielle
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into patrons' preferences for quick response code (QR code) design as well as data about their potential benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was used to learn whether patrons find it easy to use a QR code, to gather patrons' opinions about several possible library uses for QR codes, and to solicit additional ideas for using QR codes in libraries. A small-scale pilot project was implemented to learn whether the Libraries' patrons would make use of QR codes. To augment the data gained from the first two studies, five focus groups were facilitated.

Findings

– The authors found that patrons generally find QR codes easy to use and would welcome a variety of library services on their mobile devices.

Research limitations/implications

– Further studies on a variety of mobile devices would be a useful way to gain more insight into how libraries can take advantage of mobile communication to provide services to patrons.

Originality/value

– This paper would appeal to academic libraries considering implementing QR codes projects as there are only a very limited number of studies on library users' preferences of QR codes.
Data sharing and its implications for academic libraries
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– As an important aspect of the scientific process, research data sharing is the practice of making data used for scholarly research publicly available for use by other researchers. This paper seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the data-sharing challenges and opportunities posed by the data deluge in academics. An attempt is made to discuss implications for the changing role and functioning of academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– An extensive review of literature on current trends and the impact of data sharing is performed.

Findings

– The context in which the increasing demands for data sharing have arisen is presented. Some of the practices, trends, and issues central to data sharing among academics are presented. Emerging implications for academic libraries that are expected to provide a data service are discussed.

Originality/value

– An insightful review and synthesis of context, issues, and trends in data sharing will help academic libraries to plan and develop programs and policies for their data services.
Shaping a profession?
Authors: Kallberg Maria
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– In order to work more efficiently with internal and external processes, public organisations are working with reorganisation and centralisation of documentation practices as part of a holistic approach to manage and control information flows. The registry function has a long tradition built on legislative requirements concerning registration of official documents in order to fulfil the citizens' rights to access information. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate challenges related to recordkeeping legislative awareness within a public organisation and how a changing context may impact on the registrars' status.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data presented and analysed are based on a longitudinal case study of a centralised registry function project undertaken by a Swedish local government body (a municipality). Interviews have been used as the primary data collection method.

Findings

– The findings identify challenges that result from a lack of recordkeeping skills and recordkeeping legislative awareness that needs to be solved in order to reach a successful implementation. Even though the registry function is identified as strategically important, the registrars have not reached the status “expert”. Changing context does not necessarily lead to a change in status. It is a more complex process, which includes attitudes, knowledge and skills.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited by being a case study in a single organisation in the Swedish public sector context.

Practical implications

– The findings could be useful for public organisations that intend to reorganise and centralise documentation practices. Furthermore, the findings contribute to record keeping practitioners and also to stakeholders within public organisations.

Originality/value

– Registrars as an occupational group in Sweden have not been the focus of any extensive academic research. In view of its new strategic importance the registry function has benefitted from organisational restructuring; research is needed on registrars as a possible future “records management profession”, which does not currently exist in Sweden.
Enterprise Content Management and the Records Continuum Model as strategies for long-term preservation of digital information
Authors: Svärd Proscovia
Published: November 2013

Purpose

–The purpose of the paper is to establish whether Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Records Continuum Model (RCM) frameworks could be used to mitigate long-term preservation challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

–Qualitative research was undertaken using two case studies and interviews were conducted with the different categories of the municipal personnel to solicit answers to the research questions. The questions were designed using the lens of the RCM and its four dimensions that cover the creation, capture, organization and pluralization of records and prescribed factors of ECM which include business process management, enterprise architecture, collaboration, system integration, re-purposing of information, change management, knowledge management and the life cycle management of information. Not all the ECM factors are dealt with in this paper: the remainder have been dealt with in the author's earlier works.

Findings

–Challenges of long-term preservation of information still persist despite the enormous research that has been generated over the years. The municipalities that were subjects of this research are still grappling with issues of lack of long-term information management policies, enterprise architecture, disparate information systems, collaboration and system integration. This is likely to work against the investments that are being ploughed into e-Government developments should the municipalities fail to espouse strong information and records management regimes. Embracing the ECM prescribed factors and the RCM thinking might mitigate these challenges.

Originality/value

–The author's licentiate research proved that there was no discourse between records managers/archivists and ECM proponents. Therefore, the originality of this article lies in the application of the two frameworks of ECM and RCM. The findings confirmed that even within the records management framework the municipalities were addressing factors similar to ECM prescribed factors. Embracing both the RCM model and the ECM prescribed factors might mitigate the challenges of long-term preservation and hence the re-use of information and enhancement of the societal memory.
Producing and Governing Community (through) Resilience
Authors: Bulley Dan
Published: November 2013

This article argues that the UK government's Community Resilience Programme is less about responding to disasters and more a matter of producing community and governing its behaviour. The passing over of responsibility to local volunteers and organisations is not only about empowerment, but also about forming identities and relationships that can be more efficiently managed and directed. However, this attempt is hamstrung by its basis in a nostalgic, romantic view of community and the effacement of poverty and inequality as central to the vulnerability/resilience binary. The effect may be a more intense government of communities rather than their empowerment through resilience.
The Symbiosis of Property and English Environmental Law – Property Rights in a Public Law Context
Authors: Scotford Eloise , Walsh Rachael
Published: November 2013

This article argues that environmental regimes entailing considerable administrative discretion are now serving to contextualise and partly to constitute property rights in English law. In particular, rights to use land are ‘democratised’ to varying degrees through the administration of environmental regulation, and are adapted to land‐use problems on an evolving basis. In return, property rights affect environmental regulation, through legal protections for property interests, although the nature of the discretion exercised within environmental regimes seems to determine the kind and extent of this symbiotic influence. As a result, environmental law challenges property scholars to reflect on the impact of administrative decision‐making on property rights, conceptually, doctrinally and in terms of its legitimacy. At the same time, environmental lawyers need to take seriously the nature and legal treatment of property rights in the application and analysis of modern environmental law.
Constitutional Conventions and the Prince of Wales
Authors: Perry Adam
Published: November 2013

The Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) held in Evans v Information Commissioner that certain correspondence between Prince Charles and government officials must be disclosed under freedom of information legislation. Much of the judgment was devoted to a discussion of the constitutional conventions applicable to Prince Charles, and the case provides a useful example of how conventions and laws can interact. In this note, I argue that the Upper Tribunal misunderstood how conventions are distinguished from one another, and misapplied the test for the identification of conventions.
Design of Mini‐barcode for Catfishes for assessment of archival biodiversity
Authors: Bhattacharjee Maloyjo J. , Ghosh Sankar K.
Published: November 2013

Recovery of DNA barcode sequences is often challenging from the archived specimens. However, short fragments of DNA may be recovered, which would significantly improve many unresolved taxonomic conflicts. Here, we designed a mini‐barcode for catfishes comprising several species and many cryptic taxa. We analysed a data set of 3048 publicly available COI barcode sequences representing 547 worldwide catfish species and performed 152 628 interspecies comparisons. A significantly more positively correlated interspecies distance was detected with transversion (0.78, P < 0.001) than with transition (0.70, P < 0.001). This suggested that transversions were better diagnostics for species identification. In the aligned data set, two transversion‐rich fragments (53 bp and 119 bp) were identified. Transition/transversion bias value was 1.04 in 53‐bp fragment, 1.23 in 119‐bp fragment and 1.50 in full‐length barcode. The interspecies distance with full‐length barcode was 0.212 ± 0.037, while that with 53‐bp and 119‐bp fragments was 0.325 ± 0.039 and 0.218 ± 0.045, respectively. Survey of 53‐bp fragment showed a possibility of only 1144 barcodes, while that of 119‐bp fragment showed >4 million barcodes. Thus, the 119‐bp fragment is a viable mini‐barcode for catfishes comprising >3000 extant species. Experiment with 82 archived catfishes showed successful recovery of this mini‐barcode using the designed primer. The mini‐barcode sequences showed species‐specific similarity in the range of 98‐100% with the global database. Therefore, survey of a transversion‐rich fragment within the full‐length barcode would be an ideal approach of mini‐barcode design for biodiversity assessment.
Prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with preoperative radiotherapy: Comparison of different cancer staging systems
Authors: Wang Qifeng , Zhang Wencheng , Liu Xiao , Zhang Xun , He Jie , Feng Qinfu , Zhou Zongmei , Wang Lvhua , Yin Weibo , Xiao Zefen
Published: November 2013

Background

The 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor‐node‐metastasis (AJCC TNM) staging system was published in 2010. Here we evaluate its predictive ability and compare the 6th and 7th editions of the AJCC TNM staging systems in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) with preoperative radiotherapy.

Methods

A total of 296 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy between 1980 and 2007 were included. Patients were staged using the 6th and 7th edition staging systems. Survival analyses were performed using Cox regression models. The homogeneity, discriminatory ability, and monotonicity of gradients of the two staging systems were compared using linear trend χ2, likelihood ratio statistics, and Akaike information criterion calculation.

Results

The overall five‐year survival rate for the entire cohort was 27.1%. Female gender, length, “T,” and “N,” classifications according to the 7th edition staging system were the prognostic factors in univariate analyses. However, tumor histological grade and cancer location did not significantly influence patient survival. The 7th edition staging system has the highest linear trend χ2 and likelihood ratio χ2 scores. Compared to the 6th edition, the 7th edition staging system also has a smaller Akaike information criterion value, which represents the optimum prognostic stratification.

Conclusions

The strength of the 7th edition AJCC TNM staging system lies in the new descriptors for “T” and “N” classifications. However, we did not find cancer location to be a significant prognostic factor in our cohort. Overall, the 7th edition AJCC TNM staging system performed better than the previous edition.
Neoadjuvant intra‐arterial chemotherapy in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Gupta Pankaj , Bhalla Ashu Seith , Thulkar Sanjay , Kumar Atin , Mohanti Bidhu Kalyan , Thakar Alok , Sharma Atul , Vishnubhatla Sreenivas
Published: November 2013

Aim

To investigate whether neoadjuvant intra‐arterial chemotherapy down‐stages the tumors and predicts ultimate outcome in patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods

Fifteen patients with stage III and IV cancers received two cycles of intra‐arterial cisplatin (40 mg/m2) at days 1 and 15, infused super‐selectively into superior thyroid artery. Interim evaluation using RECIST 1.1 and volumetry was done in all patients at day 25. Subsequently, the patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery with radiotherapy. Final evaluation was done in 10 patients.

Results

At interim evaluation, five patients qualified as responders. Partial response, stable disease and progressive disease rates were 40, 33 and 27%, respectively. At final evaluation, complete response was noted in all patients.

Conclusions

At interim evaluation, the response rates were lower compared to intravenous neoadjuvant chemotherapy and response to intra‐arterial chemotherapy did not predict the ultimate outcome. Thus neoadjuvant intra‐arterial chemotherapy offers no advantage over concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Pretreatment maximum standardized uptake value on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is a predictor of outcome for stage I non‐small cell lung cancer after stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Tanaka Hidekazu , Hayashi Shinya , Hoshi Hiroaki
Published: November 2013

Aims

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is commonly considered an important treatment option for patients with stage I non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have contraindications for surgery or refuse surgery. Many studies have reported that the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) of the primary tumor has prognostic value for resected NSCLC. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SUVmax is a predictor of disease‐free survival (DFS) in patients with stage I NSCLC after SBRT.

Methods

In all patients, the diagnosis was pathologically or cytologically confirmed. The prescription dose was 48 Gy in four fractions at the isocenter. FDG‐PET was performed before SBRT.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients were enrolled in this study. The median follow‐up period was 14 months (range, 2–56 months). Regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were observed in 5 (17%) and 2 (7%), respectively. The median SUVmax was 5.6 (range, 2.2–22.0). DFS at 2 years was significantly different between the low SUVmax (<8.0) and high SUVmax (≥8.0) groups (85 versus 17%). In univariate analysis, SUVmax and gross tumor volume were significantly correlated with DFS. Multivariate analysis included variables with P‐values <0.20 and showed that only SUVmax was significantly correlated with DFS.

Conclusion

Pretreatment SUVmax on FDG‐PET predicted the DFS in patients with stage I NSCLC after SBRT.
Individual Differences in Responses to Global Inequality
Authors: Reese Gerhard , Proch Jutta , Cohrs J. Christopher
Published: November 2013

One of humanity's most pressing problems is the inequality between people from “developed” and “developing” countries, which counteracts joint efforts to combat other large scale problems. Little is known about the psychological antecedents that affect the perception of and behavioral responses to global inequality. Based on, and extending, Duckitt's dual‐process model, the current research examines psychological antecedents that may explain how people in an industrialized Western country respond to global inequality. In two studies (N1 = 116, N2 = 117), we analyzed the relationship between the Big Five and justice constructs, right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO), and behavioral intentions to reduce global inequality. Two‐group path analysis revealed support for the dual‐process model in that RWA and SDO were important predictors of behavioral intentions and partially acted as mediators between personality and such intentions. Moreover, justice sensitivity explained variance beyond the “classic” DPM variables. In Study 2, we additionally assessed individuals’ global social identification and perceived injustice of global inequality that explained additional variance. Extending previous work on the dual‐process model, these findings demonstrate that individual and group‐based processes predict people's responses to global inequality and uncover potentials to promote behavior in the interest of global justice.
Metabolic atrophy and 3‐T 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy correlation after radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Panebianco Valeria , Barchetti Flavio , Musio Daniela , Forte Valerio , Pace Alberto , De Felice Francesca , Barchetti Giovanni , Tombolini Vincenzo , Catalano Carlo
Published: November 2013

Objective

To correlate 3‐T magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy to assess the potential advantages of MRSI.

Materials and Methods

A total of 50 patients (age range 65–83 years) underwent PSA and MRSI surveillance before and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after radiotherapy.

Results

Of the 50 patients examined, 13 patients completely responded to therapy showing metabolic atrophy (MA), defined as a choline‐plus‐creatine/citrate (CC/C) ratio <0.2, at 3 months; in this group none had biochemical relapse (PSA nadir + 2 ng/mL) by the end of the follow‐up.

Of the 50 patients, 35 showed a partial response to therapy (CC/C ratio between 0.2 and 0.8) at 3 and 6 months and, of these 35 patients, 30 reached MA at 12 months, while five developed a recurrence (CC/C ratio >0.8).

Three of those patients with recurrence had a biochemical relapse at 18 months and the other two at 24 months.

Two of the 50 patients did not respond to the treatment, showing persistent disease from the 3rd month (CC/C ratio >0.8); one patient had biochemical relapse at 6 and the other at 12 months.

Conclusions

MRSI was shown to have a greater potential than PSA level in monitoring patients after radiotherapy, because it anticipates PSA nadir, and biochemical relapse in particular.
A recurrent mutation in DEPDC5 predisposes to focal epilepsies in the French‐Canadian population
Authors: Martin C. , Meloche C. , Rioux M.‐F. , Nguyen D.K. , Carmant L. , Andermann E. , Gravel M. , Cossette P.
Published: November 2013

Familial focal epilepsy with variable foci (FFEVF) is a heterogeneous epilepsy syndrome originally described in the French‐Canadian (FC) population. Mutations in DEPDC5 have recently been identified in multiple cases of FFEVF as well as in a wide spectrum of other familial focal epilepsies. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of mutation of this gene in our large cohort of FC individuals with FFEVF, as well as familial and sporadic cases with focal epilepsy. We report a recurrent p.R843X protein‐truncating mutation segregating in one large FFEVF and two small focal epilepsy FC families. Fine genotyping suggests an ancestral allele. A new p.T864M variant, predicted to be disease‐causing, was also identified in a small FC family. Overall, we identified DEPDC5 mutations in 5% of our familial and sporadic focal epilepsy cases (4/79). Our results support the view that mutations in the DEPDC5 gene are an important cause of autosomal dominant focal epilepsies in the FC population, including a founder mutation that is specific to this population. These findings may facilitate molecular diagnosis in clinical practice.
Alveolar ridge preservation techniques: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of histological and histomorphometrical data
Authors: De Risi Valeria , Clementini Marco , Vittorini Gianluca , Mannocci Alice , De Sanctis Massimo
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this article was to systematically review histological and histomorphometrical data from literature that provide information regarding the effect of alveolar ridge preservation procedures on healing after tooth extraction in humans.

Materials and methods

The MEDLINE‐PubMed and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched up to September 2012; 38 papers were selected from 646 founded. A meta‐analysis was performed regarding the variations in the mean percentage of Bone, Connective Tissue and Residual Graft Material between three different types of Procedures.

Results

The highest value regarding bone percentages is produced at 3 months by Procedures with Allografts (54.4%), while the lowest is obtained, at 5 months, by those using Xenografts (23.6%). Referring to connective tissue, the highest and lowest values are shown at 7 months, with Allografts (67%) and Alloplasts (27.1%), respectively. Regarding residual graft material, the lowest rates are displayed by Procedures with Allografts (12.4–21.11%), while those using Xenografts and Alloplasts showed the best results at 7 months (37.14 and 37.23%). No statistical difference was found.

Conclusions

With the limitations due to the features of the selected papers, no major histological and histomorphometrical differences arose among different procedures or when compared to spontaneous healing. Thus, it might be argued that in preserved sites it is unnecessary to wait over 3 to 4 months prior to implant insertion.
Glucose control in non‐critically ill inpatients with diabetes: towards closed‐loop
Authors: Thabit H. , Hovorka R.
Published: November 2013

Inpatient glycaemic control remains an important issue due to the increasing number of patients with diabetes admitted to hospital. Morbidity and mortality in hospital are associated with poor glucose control, and cost of hospitalization is higher compared to non‐diabetes patients. Guidelines for inpatient glycaemic control in the non‐critical care setting have been published. Current recommendations include basal‐bolus insulin therapy, regular glucose monitoring, as well as enhancing healthcare provider's role and knowledge. In spite of growing focus, implementation in practice is limited, mainly due to increasing workload burden on staff and fear of hypoglycaemia. Advances in healthcare technology may contribute to an improvement of inpatient diabetes care. Integration of glucose measurements with healthcare records and computerized glycaemic control protocols are currently being used in some institutions. Recent interests in continuous glucose monitoring have led to studies assessing its utilization in inpatients. Automation of glucose monitoring and insulin delivery may provide a safe and efficacious tool for hospital staff to manage inpatient hyperglycaemia, whilst reducing staff workload. This review summarizes the evidence on current approaches to managing inpatient glycaemic control; its utility and limitations. We conclude by discussing the evidence from feasibility studies to date, on the potential use of closed loop in the non‐critical care setting and its implication for future studies.
Interferon‐induced programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1/B7‐H1) expression increases on human acute myeloid leukemia blast cells during treatment
Authors: Krönig Holger , Kremmler Lukas , Haller Bernhard , Englert Carsten , Peschel Christian , Andreesen Reinhard , Blank Christian U.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

While current treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by high response rates, patients' long‐term outcome is still disappointing, due to frequent relapse and ineligibility of the often elderly patients for stem cell transplantation approaches. Considerable efforts have, thus, been made to incorporate immunotherapeutic approaches in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) consolidation, with so far disappointing clinical benefit. The B7 family ligand programmed‐death receptor‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1, B7‐H1, CD274) has been recently described (with conflicting results) to be expressed on AML blast cells, and interaction with its receptor on T cells, programmed death receptor‐1 (PD‐1, CD279), has been shown to suppress T‐cell functions and to allow survival of dormant AML cells in animal models.

Design and Methods

In this work, we analyzed freshly isolated myeloid precursor cells from healthy donors and from AML patients for PD‐L1 expression with or without interferon‐γ exposure at different time points during their treatment.

Results

While without IFN exposure, only minor differences were observed, we found IFN‐γ‐induced PD‐L1 expression most prominent after initial treatment and independent of treatment outcome.

Conclusions

Our observations support the recently suggested PD‐L1‐mediated adaptive immune resistance and argue for a targeting of the PD‐L1/PD‐1 pathway during the consolidation phase of AML treatment.
Identifying global zoogeographical regions: lessons from Wallace
Authors: Rueda Marta , Rodríguez Miguel Á. , Hawkins Bradford A.
Published: November 2013

Aim

When dividing the world into zoogeographical regions, Alfred Russel Wallace stipulated a set of criteria by which regions should be determined, foremost the use of generic rather than species distributions. Yet, recent updates of Wallace's scheme have not followed his reasoning, probably explaining in part the discrepancies found. Using a recently developed quantitative method, we evaluated the world's zoogeographical regions following his criteria as closely as possible.

Location

Global.

Methods

We subjected presence–absence data from range maps of birds, mammals and amphibians to an innovative clustering algorithm, affinity propagation. We used genera as our taxonomic rank, although species and familial ranks were also assessed, to evaluate how divergence from Wallace's criteria influences the results. We also accepted Wallace's argument that bats and migratory birds should be excluded (although he was contradictory about the birds) and devised a procedure to determine the optimal number of regions to eliminate subjectivity in delimiting the number of regions.

Results

Regions attained using genera (eight for mammals and birds and six for amphibians) strongly coincided with the regions proposed by Wallace. The regions for amphibians were nearly identical to Wallace's scheme, whereas we obtained two new ‘regions’ for mammals and two for birds that largely coincide with Wallace's subregions. As argued by Wallace, there are strong reasons not to consider these as being equivalent to the six main regions. Species distributions generated many small regions related to contemporary climate and vegetation patterns, whereas at the familial rank regions were very broad. The differences between our generic maps and Wallace's all involve areas which he identified as being uncertain in his regionalization.

Main conclusions

Despite more than 135 years of additional knowledge of distributions, the shuffling of generic concepts, and the development of computers and complex analytical techniques, Wallace's zoogeographical regions appear to be no less valid than they were when he proposed them. Recent studies re‐evaluating Wallace's scheme should not be considered updates as such because they have not followed Wallace's reasoning, and all computer‐based analyses, including this one, are subject to the vagaries of the particular methods used.
Cooperative role of endogenous leucotrienes and platelet‐activating factor in ischaemia–reperfusion‐mediated tissue injury
Authors: Bitencourt Claudia S. , Bessi Valérie L. , Huynh David N. , Ménard Liliane , Lefebvre Julie S. , Lévesque Tania , Hamdan Leila , Sohouhenou Fanny , Faccioli Lucia H. , Borgeat Pierre , Marleau Sylvie
Published: November 2013

Insufficient oxygen delivery to organs leads to tissue dysfunction and cell death. Reperfusion, although vital to organ survival, initiates an inflammatory response that may both aggravate local tissue injury and elicit remote organ damage. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) trafficking to remote organs following ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with the release of lipid mediators, including leucotriene (LT) B4, cysteinyl‐LTs (CysLTs) and platelet‐activating factor (PAF). Yet, their potentially cooperative role in regulating I/R‐mediated inflammation has not been thoroughly assessed. The present study aimed to determine the cooperative role of lipid mediators in regulating PMN migration, tissue oedema and injury using selective receptor antagonists in selected models of I/R and dermal inflammation. Our results show that rabbits, pre‐treated orally with BIIL 284 and/or WEB 2086 and MK‐0571, were protected from remote tissue injury following I/R or dermal inflammation in an additive or synergistic manner when the animals were pre‐treated with two drugs concomitantly. The functional selectivity of the antagonists towards their respective agonists was assessed in vitro, showing that neither BIIL 284 nor WEB 2086 prevented the inflammatory response to IL‐8, C5a and zymosan‐activated plasma stimulation. However, these agonists elicited LTB4 biosynthesis in isolated rabbit PMNs. Similarly, a cardioprotective effect of PAF and LTB4 receptor antagonists was shown following myocardial I/R in mice. Taken together, these results underscore the intricate involvement of LTB4 and PAF in each other's responses and provide further evidence that targeting both LTs and PAF receptors provides a much stronger anti‐inflammatory effect, regulating PMN migration and oedema formation.
The Mediating Effect of Chronic Pain on the Relationship Between Obesity and Physical Function and Disability in Older Adults
Authors: Fowler‐Brown Angela , Wee Christina C. , Marcantonio Edward , Ngo Long , Leveille Suzanne
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To determine the extent to which bodily pain mediates the effect of obesity on disability and physical function.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

Population‐based sample of residents in the greater Boston area.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults aged 70 and older (N = 736).

Measurements

Body mass index (BMI), obtained from measured height and weight, was categorized as normal weight (19.0–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), or obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Main outcome measures were the Physical Component Summary of the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐item Short‐Form Survey (PCS), activity of daily living (ADL) disability, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Chronic pain was assessed according to the number of weight‐bearing joint sites that had pain (hips, knees, feet and pain all over).

Results

Older obese adults had greater ADL disability and lower SPPB and PCS scores than their nonobese counterparts, although in sex‐stratified adjusted analyses, obesity was adversely associated with outcomes only in women. Obesity was associated with greater number of pain sites; and more pain sites were associated with greater odds of disability. Mediation analysis suggests that pain is a significant mediator (22–44%) of the adverse effect of obesity on disability and physical function in women.

Conclusion

Bodily pain may be an important treatable mediator of the adverse effect of obesity on disability and physical function in women.
“You're Being Paged!” Outcomes of a Nursing Home On‐Call Role‐Playing and Longitudinal Curriculum
Authors: Yuasa Misuzu , Bell Christina L. , Inaba Michiko , Tamura Bruce K. , Ahsan Samina , Saunders Valisa , Masaki Kamal
Published: November 2013

Effectively handling telephone calls about nursing home (NH) residents is an important skill for healthcare professionals, but little formal training is typically provided. The objective of the current study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel structured role‐playing didactic session followed by an on‐call NH longitudinal clinical experience. The effectiveness of the structured role‐playing didactic session was compared in different learners, including geriatric medicine fellows (n = 10), family medicine residents and faculty (n = 14), nurse practitioner students (n = 31), and other learners (n = 7). The curriculum focused on common problems encountered while caring for NH residents during on‐call periods. Learners rated themselves using an 18‐item pre/post questionnaire including five attitude and 13 skills questions, using a 1‐to‐5 Likert scale. T‐tests were used to compare means before and after sessions. Significant improvements were found in overall mean attitudes and skills scores. For all learners, the greatest improvements were seen in “comfort in managing residents at the NH,” “managing feeding or gastrostomy tube dislodgement,” “identifying different availability of medications, laboratory studies, and procedures in NH,” and “describing steps to send NH residents to the emergency department.” Geriatric medicine fellows' attitudes and skills improved significantly after the longitudinal clinical experience. The faculty survey demonstrated improved documentation, communication, and fellows' management of on‐call problems after curriculum implementation. This novel curriculum used role‐playing to provide training for on‐call management of NH residents. This curriculum has been successfully disseminated on a national geriatrics educational resource website (POGOe) and is applicable to geriatric medicine fellowships, internal medicine and family medicine residency programs, and other training programs.
Preliminary Data from an Advanced Dementia Consult Service: Integrating Research, Education, and Clinical Expertise
Authors: Catic Angela G. , Berg Andrea I. , Moran Julie A. , Knopp Julie R. , Givens Jane L. , Kiely Dan K. , Quinlan Nicky , Mitchell Susan L.
Published: November 2013

Hospitalized individuals with advanced dementia often receive care that is of limited clinical benefit and inconsistent with preferences. An advanced dementia consultation service was designed, and a pre and post pilot study was conducted in a Boston hospital to evaluate it. Geriatricians and a palliative care nurse practitioner conducted consultations, which consisted of structured consultation, counseling and provision of an information booklet to the family, and postdischarge follow‐up with the family and primary care providers. Individuals aged 65 and older with advanced dementia who were admitted were identified, and consultations were solicited using pop‐ups programmed into the computerized provider order entry (POE) system. In the initial 3‐month period, 24 subjects received usual care. In the subsequent 3‐month period, consultations were provided to five subjects for whom they were requested. Data were obtained from the electronic medical record and proxy interviews (admission, 1 month after discharge). Mean age of the combined sample (N = 29) was 85.4, 58.6% were from nursing homes, and 86.2% of their proxies stated that comfort was the goal of care. Nonetheless, their hospitalizations were characterized by high rates of intravenous antibiotics (86.2%), more than five venipunctures (44.8%), and radiological examinations (96.6%). Acknowledging the small sample size, there were trends toward better outcomes in the intervention group, including greater proxy knowledge of the disease, better communication between proxies and providers, more advance care planning, lower rehospitalization rates, and fewer feeding tube insertions after discharge. Targeted consultation for advanced dementia is feasible and may promote greater engagement of proxies and goal‐directed care after discharge.