bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astrophysicists on Twitter
Authors: Haustein Stefanie , Bowman Timothy D. , Holmberg Kim , Peters Isabella , Larivière Vincent
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the tweeting behavior of 37 astrophysicists on Twitter and compares their tweeting behavior with their publication behavior and citation impact to show whether they tweet research-related topics or not.

Design/methodology/approach

– Astrophysicists on Twitter are selected to compare their tweets with their publications from Web of Science. Different user groups are identified based on tweeting and publication frequency.

Findings

– A moderate negative correlation (ρ=−0.339) is found between the number of publications and tweets per day, while retweet and citation rates do not correlate. The similarity between tweets and abstracts is very low (cos=0.081). User groups show different tweeting behavior such as retweeting and including hashtags, usernames and URLs.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited in terms of the small set of astrophysicists. Results are not necessarily representative of the entire astrophysicist community on Twitter and they most certainly do not apply to scientists in general. Future research should apply the methods to a larger set of researchers and other scientific disciplines.

Practical implications

– To a certain extent, this study helps to understand how researchers use Twitter. The results hint at the fact that impact on Twitter can neither be equated with nor replace traditional research impact metrics. However, tweets and other so-called altmetrics might be able to reflect other impact of scientists such as public outreach and science communication.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge, this is the first in-depth study comparing researchers’ tweeting activity and behavior with scientific publication output in terms of quantity, content and impact.
Gain adaptive sliding mode controller based on interval type-II fuzzy neural network designed for attitude control for micro aircraft vehicle
Authors: Chen Xiangjian , Li Di , Xu Zhijun , Bai Yue
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Micro aerial vehicle is nonlinear plant; it is difficult to obtain stable control for MAV attitude due to uncertainties. The purpose of this paper is to propose one robust stable control strategy for MAV to accommodate system uncertainties, variations, and external disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, by employing interval type-II fuzzy neural network (ITIIFNN) to approximate the nonlinearity function and uncertainty functions in the attitude angle dynamic model of micro aircraft vehicle (MAV). Then, the Lyapunov stability theorem is used to testify the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system, the parameters of the ITIIFNN and gain of sliding mode control can be tuned on-line by adaptive laws based on Lyapunov synthesis approach, and the Lyapunov stability theorem has been used to testify the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system.

Findings

– The validity of the proposed control method has been verified through real-time experiments. The experimental results show that the performance of interval type-II fuzzy neural network based gain adaptive sliding mode controller (GASMC-ITIIFNN) is significantly improved compared with conventional adaptive sliding mode controller (CASMC), type-I fuzzy neural network based sliding mode controller (GASMC-TIFNN).

Practical implications

– This approach has been used in one MAV, the controller works well, and which could guarantee the MAV control system with good performances under uncertainties, variations, and external disturbances.

Originality/value

– The main original contributions of this paper are: the proposed control scheme makes full use of the nominal model of the MAV attitude control model; the overall closed-loop control system is globally stable demonstrated by Lyapunov stable theory; the tracking error can be asymptotically attenuated to a desired small level around zero by appropriate chosen parameters and learning rates; and the MAV attitude control system based on GASMC-ITIIFNN controller can achieve favourable tracking performance than GASMC-TIFNN and CASMC.
Wider applications for Lean
Authors: Bateman Nicola , Hines Peter , Davidson Peter
Published: June 2014

Purpose –

The lean enterprise model has been adopted in a wide range of industries beyond its origins in the motor industry. To achieve this there has been a considerable extension of the lean concept outside high-volume repetitive manufacture. The purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth study of the application of lean within the British Royal Air Force. It offers a number of new insights which have implications for the future development and adoption of lean in service contexts, and the public sector in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

– To illustrate the issues of application of lean outside automotive, this paper considers the adoption of the lean concept by the Tornado joint integrated project team within the UK Ministry of Defence. A review of methods of application of lean used within Tornado are studied. The paper considers how the fundamental principles of lean apply in this environment and how, considering these principles, methods of implementation should be modified.

Findings

– This paper finds that the five lean fundamental principles apply in Tornado but they need to considered specifically within the public service context particularly the pull principle. Hence the authors offer three propositions relating to the use of the lean principles of value, waste, flow and pull in the public sector, and one for perfection only relating to military organisations.

Originality/value

– This paper makes an important contribution by demonstrating that lean can be successfully applied, in a public service context, with only modest modifications to its core principles, principally about how customer demand (pull) is managed. The implication of this finding demonstrates that to be adopted successfully, lean must be adapted to its context and the lean principles need to be reviewed too.
Centrally sponsored schemes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: a governance paradox
Authors: Goyal Jaya
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) as a case to delineate contextual and often paradoxical challenges in implementing centrally sponsored schemes in a small island economy. Government reports cite ANI's record on health outcomes to be impressive when comparing it with other Union Territories (UTs). However, using examples of two public health and nutrition schemes, the paper argues that unless ANI's development indicators are compared over few years, public policy may fail to identity its development challenges and continue its rhetoric while in reality, health outcomes may be regressing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper used case study research design involving mixed method approach. Quantitative data were secondary in nature, collected from local government departments. Two of the three districts of ANI formed the sample of the study. Main tools used for qualitative analysis were observation and informal interviews with government functionaries and other stakeholders.

Findings

– The findings point to the paradox of superior public spending and infrastructure in ANI in midst of deteriorating public health and child nutrition outcomes. The paper concluded that any policy making on island's trajectory of development is not only incomplete, but also faulty unless its special context is considered as a starting point.

Research limitations/implications

– Ethnographic studies on the health-seeking behaviour of ANI communities can reveal trends in access to health services and its reasons, but that was beyond the scope of the paper.

Originality/value

– The paper is arguably the first to identify development paradoxes in implementation of government health and nutrition programmes in ANI. The paper poses further questions on unpacking the paradox of development in the islands. It urges policy makers and administrators to reconsider the efficacy of centrally sponsored schemes that are implemented without being contextualised for a small island economy like ANI.
Virtual reality as orientation and mobility aid for blind people
Authors: Lahav Orly
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the past 15 years of research and development (R&D) on the role of virtual environments (VEs) as an orientation and mobility (O&M) aid to enhance skills and to train people who are blind or newly blind.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper describes and examines studies of 21 VE systems developed specifically to help people who are blind improve their O&M skills. These VE systems, equipped to supply appropriate perceptual and conceptual spatial information through haptic and auditory sensorial channels, are mainly focussed on two goals: helping congenitally blind or late blind persons to collect spatial information in advance and supporting people who are newly blind in practicing their O&M skills during rehabilitation. The R&D studies represented in these 21 studies were examined along three dimensions: descriptive information, system, and research.

Findings

– This paper highlights weaknesses and strengths of VE systems that have been developed in the past 15 years as O&M aids for people who are blind. These results have the potential to influence future R&D in this field.

Originality/value

– The author hopes that this paper will influence future R&D in this field and lead to accessible O&M VEs in practice and research.
Ethnic minority businesses and targeted assistance programs in the US and the UK
Authors: C. Sonfield Matthew
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on the current status and the development of ethnic minority businesses in the USA and in the UK. Comparing the two countries’ past, current, and likely future situations and recognizing that each situation offers some lessons to the other, implications for minority business owners and for those who assist or study such businesses in each country are presented.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents descriptive research and analysis, developed from a thorough study of governmental and non-governmental minority business assistance programs, and of corporate procurement programs, utilizing both primary and secondary sources; governmental, non-governmental organization and corporate publications; and the existing academic and practitioner literature.

Findings

– Practitioners, consultants, and researchers in both the USA and the UK face considerable regulatory, demographic and other challenges and opportunities over the coming years with regard to the status and progress of minority-owned businesses and the appropriate nature of public and private policies and programs to foster and assist such businesses. Each country can benefit from the other's experience, as discussed and explained in this paper.

Practical implications

– Specific recommendations are provided for those involved with targeted assistance programs in each country – for practitioners, governmental, and non-governmental program administrators, consultants to such businesses, and those who conduct research with this focus.

Originality/value

– A search of the existing literature indicates that research with this focus has not been previously published.
Understanding small-firm reactions to free trade agreements
Authors: Battisti Martina , Jurado Tanya , Perry Martin
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Despite the proliferation of free trade agreements (FTAs) internationally, the limited research available on the subject indicates that few SMEs consider the existence of these agreements as a reason to engage in international markets or expand their existing international engagement. The purpose of this paper is to identify and augment SME international marketing models building on Merrilees and Tiessen's (1999) work; and to explain how these marketing models condition the reaction of small firm exporters to FTAs.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study comprised in-depth interviews with 51 SME exporters in New Zealand. Participants were selected purposefully and were interviewed in a face-to-face, semi-structured format.

Findings

– Five international marketing strategies were identified drawing on prior models of international marketing: sales-driven, relationship-driven, international boutique, arbitrager and market seeder. These models are characterised by different relationships to markets and to buyers served, and by the extent of customisation in the export offering. By using these models the authors analyse why SMEs have yet to significantly capitalise on the opportunities provided by New Zealand's recent wave of trade agreements.

Research limitations/implications

– This study acknowledges the diversity of international marketing strategies between seemingly similar firms by recognising that approaches generally viewed as unlikely to bring success in international markets can work when applied in a particular way and in a particular context. As such the results may offer a useful starting point for the customisation of policy advice on exporting in terms of the context in which SMEs operate.

Originality/value

– As well as advancing theoretical perspectives on SME international marketing strategies, the findings are presented as a contribution to the as yet limited evaluation of how SMEs in New Zealand have responded to the emerging opportunities created by FTAs. The interest in filling this gap is part of a growing recognition that factors related to the firm's trading environment have been largely neglected in policy considerations.
Translating science and technology policies and programs into grassroots innovations in China
Authors: Zhang Liyan , Mahadevia Darshini
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– Grassroots innovations (GRIs) can contribute greatly to inclusive development and reach out populations and areas not reached by or ignored by the formal sector. The purpose of the paper is to study how China's science and technology (S&T) policies and programs are translated into GRIs.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study of the grassroots organizations of farmer Chen Guangxing, of Baodi County, Tianjin City, is applied.

Findings

– Government S&T policies and programs do transfer to the grassroots innovators; the government support is continuous and all-round; the grassroots innovators' leadership is important to get the support; the research and diffusion projects that grassroots innovators received are integrated in some cases; and the S&T training contributes to farmers' research and project application.

Practical implications

– There is a need to increase financial support to the grassroots innovators, provide guidance to them and set up a GRI reporting mechanism.

Originality/value

– The paper gives an insight into the synergies and illustrates how and why the grassroots innovators benefit from the laws, policies and ensuing programs that are not directly meant for them.
Rheological behaviour and applicability of viscoelastic model for wave propagation in non-homogeneous polymer rods
Authors: Kakar Rajneesh , Kakar Shikha , Kaur Kanwaljeet
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This purpose of this paper is to discuss certain aspects of five-parameter viscoelastic models to study harmonic waves in the non-homogeneous polymer rods of varying density. There are two sections of this paper, in first section, the rheological behaviour of the model is discussed numerically and then it is solved analytically with the help of Friedlander Series using Eikonal equation of optics. In another section, the applicability of the developed model is studied through harmonic wave propagation in polymer non-homogeneous rods. The authors have used linear partial differential equations for finding the dispersion equation of harmonic waves in the polymers. All the cases taken in this study are discussed analytically and numerically with MATLAB.

Design/methodology/approach

– A five-parameter viscoelastic model constituting of three dash-pots D
2(η
2), D
2′(η
2′), D
3(η
3) and two springs S
1(G
1), S
2(G
2) is considered. Where, G
1, G
2 are the modulli of elasticity and η
2, η
2′, η
3 are the Newtonian viscosity coefficients of the considered model, respectively. The parameters of the model are non-homogeneous in nature, i.e. module of elasticity and viscosity coefficients are space dependent. 1D problem is formed by taking the material in the form of rod of inhomogeneous polymer material by taking one end at x=0. The co-ordinate x is measured positive in the direction of the axis of the filament.

Findings

– When the density, rigidity and viscosity all are equal for the first material specimen, the sound speed is constant, i.e. non-homogeneous has no effect on speed and phase of the wave is given. So it becomes the case of semi non-homogeneous medium (a medium when characteristics are space dependent while the speed is independent of space variable). The use of five-parameter models is mostly restricted in the field of rock mechanics. Thus, these models can be used in determining the time-dependent behaviour of a polymer medium.

Originality/value

– The paper is original and it is not published elsewhere.
Accountability and governance in social care: the impact of personalisation
Authors: Bracci Enrico
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the paper is to illustrate the changing structure of accountability under a new public governance agenda introduced in England to deliver social care through personal budgets.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on accountability and public governance literature, in particular, the accountability framework proposed by Hupe and Hill. The evidence was gathered from exploratory case studies conducted in two English County Councils.

Findings

– The introduction of personal budgets has modified the roles of the different actors involved in the co-production of social services. The case studies evidence changes in the accountability and governance process, particularly with respect to the personal budget regime that has devolved responsibility and accountability to the customer. Specifically, the customer's role has shifted and expanded in the accountability chain and thus developed into a partnership.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first to analyse the relationship between the personalisation agenda in English social services and the relevant accountability mechanisms involved. Moreover, the paper refines the theoretical framework proposed by Hupe and Hill according to the different role the public now plays.
Accounting, transparency and governance: the heritage assets problem
Authors: Biondi Lucia , Lapsley Irvine
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims at offering a contribution which addresses one particular issue – heritage assets – as an exemplar of the challenges facing accounting practices in achieving transparency in government and public services.

Design/methodology/approach

– After having identified three levels of transparency, a documentary analysis is used as the primary research method.

Findings

– The investigation carried out reveals that the first level, or minimal level, of transparency is unlikely to be achieved for public organizations with heritage assets, mainly due to deep seated, pernicious problems of asset recognition and valuation.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the debate on what constitutes “good public governance” by examining whether accounting can foster or enhance “good governance” through the lens of transparency.
Exploring identity: a figurative character image-elicitation approach
Authors: Butler Clare , Finniear Jocelyn , Marie Doherty Anne , Hill Steve
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of incorporating visual methods in the study of identity and identity work.

Design/methodology/approach

– Scholars have proposed a range of approaches to the study of identity. However, studies have typically relied on interviews or surveys with little exploration of the dynamic narrating of self-in-situinherent to identity and identity work. The paper reviews the aforementioned methods, builds on the power of visual approaches, and proposes a method involving figurative character image-elicitation (FCI). FCI uses personal, contextual cartoon-style images to mobilize and encourage the narration of identity. The paper details the development of the approach, drawing on a pilot study, and reports its use in an exploratory study of employee identity.

Findings

– The results suggest that the use of FCI provides a situated focus for the narration of identity with the signifying – self-insitu– nature of the images providing room for participants to position themselves as subject. These features are also suggested to provide a safe distance for a more in-depth and expressive discussion which transcends impression management.

Originality/value

– The use of FCI has highlighted the power of visual methods in the exploration of identity and identity work. The approach is personally engaging and contextually adaptable providing methodological opportunities for a range of organizational and societal studies.
Preparation of paraoxonase‐1 liposomes and studies on theirin vivopharmacokinetics in rats
Authors: Han Zhen‐Kun , Liu Zhen‐Ning , Yuan Li , Zhang Peng‐Si , Zhao Min
Published: June 2014

A liposome formulation of the enzyme paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) was prepared for purposes of prolonging and maintaining its activityin vivo. Following purification ofPON1 from rabbit serum, liposomes containingPON1 (L‐PON1) were prepared using a film‐dispersion method with a soybean phospholipid–cholesterol mixture (5 : 1, w/w). The pharmacokinetic behaviour of conventional injectablePON1 and L‐PON1 was compared following a single intravenous injection in rats. The enzyme activity ofPON1 and its pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on a two‐compartment model following conventional injection. The level ofPON1 encapsulation in L‐PON1 was 86.20 ± 3.12%. The particle size distribution of L‐PON1 was a narrow unimodal form, with an average diameter of 126 nm. The results suggest that compared with conventional injectablePON1, L‐PON1 has an improved half‐life and enhanced enzyme activity in rats. In conclusion,PON1 can be encapsulated into a lipid bilayer for enhanced stability.
Crisis Management and Strategic Orientation in Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Peru, Mexico and the United States
Authors: Parnell John A.
Published: June 2014

This study addresses the link between management concern for organizational crises and competitive strategy in small and medium‐sized enterprises in Peru, Mexico and the United States. Surveys were completed by 270 Peruvian, 218 Mexican and 256 American managers. Strategic orientation in Peru did not mirror the broad pattern found in Mexico and in the United States. Levels of concern for crises were significantly higher in both Mexico and Peru than in the United States for 12 of 21 crises. The level of concern for crises tended to increase with management level more in Mexico and Peru than in the United States. Correlations between competitive strategy and crisis concern were significant in 26 of 126 instances.
On the latent structure of problem gambling: a taxometric analysis
Authors: James Richard J. E. , O'Malley Claire , Tunney Richard J.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To test whether problem gambling is a categorical or dimensional disorder on the basis of two problem gambling assessments. This distinction discriminates between two different conceptualizations of problem gambling: one that problem gambling is defined by its addictive properties, the other that it is a continuum of harm.

Method

Using The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010, a nationally representative sample of the United Kingdom conducted by the National Centre for Social Research, five different taxometric analyses were carried out on cases from two problem gambling screens: the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and a measure derived from the DSM‐IV Pathological Gambling criteria. Two further analyses were conducted on the total scores for these measures.

Results

There was strong evidence that both scales were measuring a categorical construct. Fit indices consistently supported a categorical interpretation [comparison curve fit index (CCFI) > 0.6]. The PGSI analysis indicated the presence of a taxon (CCFIs = 0.633, 0.756). The analysis conducted on the adapted DSM‐IV criteria indicated stronger quantitative support for a taxon (CCFIs = 0.717, 0.811 and 0.756) but items probing a loss of control were inconsistent. The taxometric analyses of both scales support a categorical interpretation (CCFIs = 0.628, 0.567), but extreme caution should be used due to high nuisance covariance.

Conclusions

Two problem gambling screens (the Problem Gambling Severity Index and a measure derived from the DSM‐IV Pathological Gambling criteria) appear to measure a categorical construct that taps into a categorical, loss of control model of problem gambling. There is some evidence that the two screens measure different aspects of an addiction construct.
Gaining Greater Access to Western European Decision‐Makers: a Motive for Australian Membership of the OECD
Authors: Carroll Peter
Published: June 2014

In weighing Britain's decision to seek membership of the European Economic Community Australian scholars have focussed attention on its adverse impact on Anglo‐Australian and EU‐Australian relations, and the emphasis that Australia thereafter placed upon economic relations with Asia. This article identifies a consequence of Britain's decision which has largely escaped attention: the part it played in stimulating Australia's successful 1969 application for membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Although Australia's interest in the increased access to West European decision‐makers that the OECD would provide dates to the latter 1940s and 1950s, the British application for membership of the EEC added particular weight to those arguing that Australia should seek OECD membership. It led to an extension of Australian activities in Western Europe which was not extinguished by the growing emphasis on relations with the Asian region.
“The Politics of Political Advertising” in Australia and Britain, 1970–1989
Authors: Dickenson Jackie
Published: June 2014

The role of advertising in the production of political campaigns deserves more consideration than it has previously received. My study examines advertising agencies associated with election campaigns in the 1970s and 1980s, investigating their decisions to accept or reject political accounts. Focusing on Britain and Australia, and using a range of primary sources including the industry press, interviews and memoirs, I demonstrate that an agency's decision to accept a political account is always complex, contested and highly contingent. Accepting a political account may alienate clients and agency staff who support another party. Campaigns are labour‐intensive and may detract from an agency's core business. Involvement in a losing campaign can damage an agency's reputation, just as association with a successful one may attract clients. Agencies are often unsure how to approach political advertising where traditional techniques may not be suitable. Such concerns about accepting a political account will likely be put aside where an agency principal has close personal ties to a party or leader.
Addressing phenoconversion: the Achilles' heel of personalized medicine
Authors: Shah Rashmi R. , Smith Robert L.
Published: June 2014

Phenoconversion is a phenomenon that converts genotypic extensive metabolizers (EMs) into phenotypic poor metabolizers (PMs) of drugs, thereby modifying their clinical response to that of genotypic PMs. Phenoconversion, usually resulting from nongenetic extrinsic factors, has a significant impact on the analysis and interpretation of genotype‐focused clinical outcome association studies and personalizing therapy in routine clinical practice. The high phenotypic variability or genotype–phenotype mismatch, frequently observed due to phenoconversion within the genotypic EM population, means that the real number of phenotypic PM subjects may be greater than predicted from their genotype alone, because many genotypic EMs would be phenotypically PMs. If the phenoconverted population with genotype–phenotype mismatch, most extensively studied for CYP2D6, is as large as the evidence suggests, there is a real risk that genotype‐focused association studies, typically correlating only the genotype with clinical outcomes, may miss clinically strong pharmacogenetic associations, thus compromising any potential for advancing the prospects of personalized medicine. This review focuses primarily on co‐medication‐induced phenoconversion and discusses potential approaches to rectify some of the current shortcomings. It advocates routine phenotyping of subjects in genotype‐focused association studies and proposes a new nomenclature to categorize study populations. Even with strong and reliable data associating patients' genotypes with clinical outcome(s), there are problems clinically in applying this knowledge into routine pharmacotherapy because of potential genotype–phenotype mismatch. Drug‐induced phenoconversion during routine clinical practice remains a major public health issue. Therefore, the principal challenges facing personalized medicine, which need to be addressed, include identification of the following factors: (i) drugs that are susceptible to phenoconversion; (ii) co‐medications that can cause phenoconversion; and (iii) dosage amendments that need to be applied during and following phenoconversion.
Preventable mortality after common urological surgery: failing to rescue?
Authors: Sammon Jesse D. , Pucheril Daniel , Abdollah Firas , Varda Briony , Sood Akshay , Bhojani Naeem , Chang Steven L. , Kim Simon P. , Ruhotina Nedim , Schmid Marianne , Sun Maxine , Kibel Adam S. , Menon Mani , Semel Marcus E. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess in‐hospital mortality in patients undergoing many commonly performed urological surgeries in light of decreasing nationwide perioperative mortality over the past decade. This phenomenon has been attributed in part to a decline in ‘failure to rescue’ (FTR) rates, e.g. death after a complication that was potentially recognisable/preventable.

Patients and Methods

Discharges of all patients undergoing urological surgery between 1998 and 2010 were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and assessed for overall and FTR mortality. Admission trends were assessed with linear regression. Logistic regression models fitted with generalised estimating equations were used to estimate the impact of primary predictors on over‐all and FTR mortality and changes in mortality rates.

Results

Between 1998 and 2010, an estimated 7 725 736 urological surgeries requiring hospitalisation were performed in the USA; admissions for urological surgery decreased 0.63% per year (P = 0.008). Odds of overall mortality decreased slightly (odds ratio [OR] 0.990, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.988–0.993), yet the odds of mortality attributable to FTR increased 5% every year (OR 1.050, 95% CI 1.038–1.062). Patient age, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index, public insurance status, as well as urban hospital location were independent predictors of FTR mortality (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A shift from inpatient to outpatient surgery for commonly performed urological procedures has coincided with increasing rates of FTR mortality. Older, sicker, minority group patients and those with public insurance were more likely to die after a potentially recognisable/preventable complication. These strata of high‐risk individuals represent ideal targets for process improvement initiatives.
Revolution in GPCR signalling: opioid receptor heteromers as novel therapeutic targets: IUPHAR Review 10
Authors: Fujita Wakako , Gomes Ivone , Devi Lakshmi A
Published: June 2014

GPCRs can interact with each other to form homomers or heteromers. Homomers involve interactions with the same receptor type while heteromers involve interactions between two different GPCRs. These receptor–receptor interactions modulate not only the binding but also the signalling and trafficking properties of individual receptors. Opioid receptor heteromerization has been extensively investigated with the objective of identifying novel therapeutic targets that are as potent as morphine but without the side effects associated with chronic morphine use. In this context, studies have described heteromerization between the different types of opioid receptors and between opioid receptors and a wide range of GPCRs including adrenoceptors, cannabinoid, 5‐HT, metabotropic glutamate and sensory neuron‐specific receptors. Recent advances in the field involving the generation of heteromer‐specific reagents (antibodies or ligands) or of membrane‐permeable peptides that disrupt the heteromer interaction are helping to elucidate the physiological role of opioid receptor heteromers and the contribution of the partner receptor to the side effects associated with opioid use. For example, studies using membrane‐permeable peptides targeting the heteromer interface have implicated μ and δ receptor heteromers in the development of tolerance to morphine, and heteromers of μ and gastrin‐releasing peptide receptors in morphine‐induced itch. In addition, a number of ligands that selectively target opioid receptor heteromers exhibit potent antinociception with a decrease in the side effects commonly associated with morphine use. In this review, we summarize the latest findings regarding the biological and functional characteristics of opioid receptor heteromers both in vitro and in vivo.
Services and supports for young children with Down syndrome: parent and provider perspectives
Authors: Marshall J. , Tanner J. P. , Kozyr Y. A. , Kirby R. S.
Published: June 2014

Background

As individuals with Down syndrome are living longer and more socially connected lives, early access to supports and services for their parents will ensure an optimal start and improved outcomes. The family's journey begins at the child's diagnosis, and cumulative experiences throughout infancy and childhood set the tone for a lifetime of decisions made by the family regarding services, supports and activities.

Methods

This study utilized focus groups and interviews with seven nurses, five therapists, 25 service co‐ordinators, and 10 English‐ and three Spanish‐speaking parents to better understand family experiences and perceptions on accessing Down syndrome‐related perinatal, infant and childhood services and supports.

Results

Parents and providers reflected on key early life issues for children with Down syndrome and their families in five areas: prenatal diagnosis; perinatal care; medical and developmental services; care co‐ordination and services; and social and community support.

Conclusions

Systems of care are not consistently prepared to provide appropriate family‐centred services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Individuals with disabilities require formal and informal supports from birth to achieve and maintain a high quality of life.
Discourses about children's mental health and developmental disorders in North American women's magazines 1990–2012
Authors: Clarke Juanne , Mosleh Donya , Janketic Natasa
Published: June 2014

This paper describes and analyses the portrayal of children's mental health and developmental issues (CMHI) in articles located in a random sample of a selection of available high‐circulating English language North American ‘women's magazines’ indexed in the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature from 1990 to 2012. It is based upon a qualitative discourse analysis. CMHI are portrayed as materially, biologically real, prevalent and growing in incidence, and severity. They are also portrayed as located in the ‘non‐normal’, ‘non‐nice’, ‘disliked’ and ‘non‐successful’ individual child. Neither the facticity nor the biomedicalization of CMHI is questioned. The psy‐scientists and practitioners cited as experts for the ‘disorders’ offer contradictory and confusing information and advice. The possible theoretical and pragmatic explanations and consequences of this portrayal are discussed.
Ossifying fibroma in Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome
Authors: Dawson Annelise L. , Schulman Joshua M. , Jordan Richard C. , North Jeffrey P.
Published: June 2014

Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome represents an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by connective tissue nevi and osteopoikilosis. Cutaneous lesions may contain either predominantly elastic fibers or predominantly collagen fibers or may show both connective tissue components. The disease results from mutations in LEMD3 (MAN1), which lead to enhanced transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling and resultant changes in fibroblast function. TGF‐β alterations have been implicated in a number of fibrotic disorders, and it is therefore not surprising that a range of cutaneous and skeletal abnormalities have been associated with Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome. Herein, we report a novel association between ossifying fibroma and Buschke–Ollendorff syndrome and discuss how these conditions are likely to be mechanistically linked.
How to measure competition in an economy in transition
Authors: Kılınç Umut
Published: June 2014

This paper attempts to find a robust method of measuring competition when firms' operational activities are subject to frictions. The first part theoretically tests the indicative quality of two competition measures, the price‐cost margin (PCM) and the profit elasticity, in a model of monopolistic competition. The second part studies the empirical performance of the indices for a panel of Ukrainian manufacturing firms. This study offers a new approach to measuring profit elasticity that relies on structural estimation of a production function. The estimation methodology retrieves a productivity index that is adjusted to imperfect competition. The proposed method of measuring profit elasticity is found to be robust to frictions, but the PCM and traditional profit elasticity are biased, especially when the intensity of competition is low. Empirical findings show that competition exhibits a significantly positive correlation with aggregate productivity performance, while its impact on firm productivity is nonlinear.
Severity of manifestations in tuberous sclerosis complex in relation to genotype
Authors: Kothare Sanjeev V. , Singh Kanwaljit , Chalifoux Jason R. , Staley Brigid A. , Weiner Howard L. , Menzer Kimberly , Devinsky Orrin
Published: June 2014

Objective

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) commonly present with significant neurologic deficits, including seizures, autism, and intellectual disability. Previous evidence suggests that the TSC2 mutation genotype may be associated with a more severe disease phenotype. This study evaluates the association of the TSC1 and TSC2 genotype with patient and disease characteristics in a retrospective review of a large TSC Natural History Database consisting of 919 patients with TSC.

Methods

Univariate logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association of the TSC1 and TSC2 gene mutations with patient and disease characteristics.

Results

As compared to patients with the TSC1 mutation, patients with the TSC2 mutation were younger (p = 0.02), more likely to have partial epilepsy (odds ratio (OR) 1.74, p = 0.0015), complex partial seizures (OR 2.03, p = 0.02), infantile spasms (IS) (OR 1.67, p = 0.01), subependymal giant‐cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) (OR 1.64, p = 0.01), and intellectual disability (OR 2.90, p = 0.0002).

Significance

The clinical presentation of TSC is highly variable and not well understood. Our findings confirm and supplement existing literature that TSC2 mutation is likely to be associated with a more severe, earlier presenting TSC phenotype, including infantile spasms.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Characterisation of nasal Staphylococcus delphini and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from healthy donkeys in Tunisia
Authors: Gharsa H. , Slama K. Ben , Gómez‐Sanz E. , Gómez P. , Klibi N. , Zarazaga M. , Boudabous A. , Torres C.
Published: June 2014

Reasons for performing study

Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) bacteria can colonise the nares of some animals but are also emerging pathogens in humans and animals.

Objectives

To analyse SIG nasal carriage in healthy donkeys destined for food consumption in Tunisia and to characterise recovered isolates.

Methods

Nasal swabs from 100 healthy donkeys were tested for SIG recovery, and isolates were identified by biochemical and molecular methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was tested and detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes was performed. Isolates were typed at the clonal level by multilocus sequence typing and SmaI pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis.

Results

Staphylococcus delphini and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (included in SIG) were obtained in 19% and 2% of the tested samples, respectively, and one isolate per sample was characterised. All isolates were meticillin susceptible and mecA negative. Most S. delphini and S. pseudintermedius isolates showed susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested, with the exception of 2 isolates resistant to tetracycline (tet(M) gene) or fusidic acid. The following toxin genes were identified (percentage of isolates): lukS‐I (100%), lukF‐I (9.5%), siet (100%), se‐int (90%), seccanine (19%) and expA (9.5%). Thirteen different pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis profiles were identified among the 21 SIG isolates. Additionally, the following 9 different sequence types (STs) were detected by multilocus sequence typing, 6 of them new: ST219 (6 isolates), ST12 (5 isolates), ST220 (3 isolates), ST13, ST50, ST193, ST196, ST218 and ST221 (one isolate each).

Conclusions

Staphylococcus delphini and S. pseudintermedius are common nasal colonisers of donkeys, generally susceptible to the antimicrobials tested; nevertheless, these SIG isolates contain virulence genes, including the recently described exfoliative gene (expA) and several enterotoxin genes, with potential implications for public health. This is the first description of S. delphini in Tunisia.

The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
Aldo‐keto reductase 1C3 is overexpressed in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and affects SCC growth via prostaglandin metabolism
Authors: Mantel Alon , Carpenter‐Mendini Amanda , VanBuskirk JoAnne , Pentland Alice P.
Published: June 2014

Aldo‐keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is an enzyme involved in metabolizing prostaglandins (PGs) and sex hormones. It metabolizes PGD2 to 9α11β‐PGF2, diverting the spontaneous conversion of PGD2 to the PPARγ agonist, 15‐Deoxy‐Delta‐12, 14‐prostaglandin J2 (15d‐PGJ2). AKR1C3 is overexpressed in various malignancies, suggesting a tumor promoting function. This work investigates AKR1C3 expression in human non‐melanoma skin cancers, revealing overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Effects of AKR1C3 overexpression were then evaluated using three SCC cell lines. AKR1C3 was detected in all SCC cell lines and its expression was upregulated in response to its substrate, PGD2. Although attenuating AKR1C3 expression in SCC cells by siRNA did not affect growth, treatment with PGD2 and its dehydration metabolite, 15d‐PGJ2, decreased SCC proliferation in a PPARγ‐dependent manner. In addition, treatment with the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone profoundly inhibited SCC proliferation. Finally, we generated an SCC cell line that stably overexpressed AKR1C3 (SCC‐AKR1C3). SCC‐AKR1C3 metabolized PGD2 to 9α11β‐PGF2 12‐fold faster than the parent cell line and was protected from the antiproliferative effect mediated by PGD2. This work suggests that PGD2 and its metabolite 15d‐PGJ2 attenuate SCC proliferation in a PPARγ‐dependent manner, therefore activation of PPARγ by agonists such as pioglitazone may benefit those at high risk of SCC.
Digital panoramic radiographs are useful for diagnosis of osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women
Authors: Kim Ok‐Su , Shin Min‐Ho , Song In‐Hwa , Lim Il‐Gu , Yoon Suk‐Ja , Kim Ok‐Joon , Lee Young‐Hoon , Kim Young‐Joon , Chung Hyun‐Ju
Published: June 2014

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether digital panoramic radiographs could be used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis through evaluation of the radiographs based on the correlation with bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods

One hundred and ninety‐four post‐menopausal women were selected from participants who had participated in the Dong‐gu study. Panoramic radiographic indices measured are mental index (MI), mandibular cortical index (MCI) and simple visual estimation (SVE). BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). The Pearson's correlation test was performed to analyse the correlation between MI and age and BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyse the association of MI, MCI and SVE with BMD after adjusting for age, height and weight. To determine the optimal cut‐off point of MI for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

Results

The MI was positively correlated with BMDs: lumbar spine: r = 0.36, femoral neck: r = 0.59 and total hip: r = 0.58 (p < 0.001). As age increased, MI decreased (r = −0.46). BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip were significantly lower in participants with reduction of mandibular width, thinning and resorption of mandibular cortex by the MI, SVE and MCI, respectively. The optimal cut‐off value of MI for the diagnosis of spinal osteoporosis was 2.22 mm.

Conclusion

Thickness and morphological changes of mandibular inferior cortical bone are associated with BMD, independent of age, height and weight. These results suggest that MI, MCI and SVE may be useful indices for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in a Korean population.
Low concordance and resistance mutation emergence in theHIVprotease gene among circulating and cell‐associated viruses at viral replication episodes during darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy
Authors: Torres‐Cornejo A , Benmarzouk‐Hidalgo OJ , Gutierrez‐Valencia A , Ruiz‐Valderas R , Viciana P , López‐Cortés LF
Published: June 2014

Objective

To assess the changes on theHIVprotease gene in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) compartments during viral replication episodes in patients on boosted‐darunavir monotherapy (mtDRV/rtv).

Methods

A prospective study was carried out in which adultHIV‐1‐infected patients who startedmtDRV/rtv after viral suppression for ≥6 months with no major darunavir‐related resistance mutations were enrolled. Patients with two consecutive plasmaHIV RNAmeasurements > 200HIV‐1RNAcopies/mL were considered as having virological failure (VF), while patients with two consecutive plasmaHIV RNAmeasurements > 50 copies/mL without meeting theVFcriteria were considered to have virological rebound (VR).HIVprotease genotypic profiles from plasma andPBMCswere performed at baseline and atVFandVRepisodes.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients were included in the study, with overallVFandVRrates of 14% (n = 21) and 14.7% (n = 22), respectively. No major darunavir resistance mutations were observed in the plasma orPBMCsamples. Circulating and cell‐associated viruses showed a wild‐type protease gene sequence in 54% and 23% of patients, respectively while the remainder patients only harboured minor protease inhibitor‐associated mutations. Full concordance between plasmaRNAandPBMC DNAprotease genotypes was found in 23% of the sequences.

Conclusions

No darunavir‐related mutations were found in patients withVForVR, either in plasma or inPBMCs; thus, simplification tomtDRV/rtv does not comprise future antiretroviral treatment options.