bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When children express their preferences regarding sales channels
Authors: Boulay Jacques , de Faultrier Brigitte , Feenstra Florence , Muzellec Laurent
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the preferences of children under the age of 12 regarding sales channels: how young consumers perceive online vs offline shopping in terms of advantages and disadvantages. Within a cross channel perspective, it also analyses the connections they make between brick-and-mortar and online stores.

Design/methodology/approach

– Results are drawn from an exploratory and qualitative study based on a multi-category approach. In all, 62 children (34 girls and 28 boys) aged six to 12 years were interviewed about the advantages and disadvantages of each channel for shopping; how/where they would prefer to shop and why; and the links they make between a brand’s physical store and an online store.

Findings

– Traditional sales outlets are more popular with six to 12 year olds than online shopping. Physical stores offer variety and instant gratification. Products can be tried out and tested on-site, making the offline retail experience a fun activity. Conversely, children express a very negative perception of e-retailing, which they often consider to be dishonest, offering limited choice at higher prices. When shopping online, delivery time can be a deterrent. Last but not least, no cross-channel shopping perceptions were found.

Practical implications

– Several results from this study can inform marketing practices at retailers’ headquarters. Store assortment, product availability and store atmospherics are central to the success of offline shopping among six- to 12-year-old children. Retailers should find ways to transfer this relational approach to their online strategy. In the meantime, they must deliver the same basic promises as in stores: a wide choice and competitive prices, no shortage of products and no late delivery.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on children’s consumer behaviour in three ways. First, it provides new insight into how children perceive not the internetper sebut online shopping. Second, it confirms that stores still play a dominant role in shaping the image of a retail brand, from an early age. Third, it suggests that the cross-channel perspective may not apply to very young consumers.
The shopscapes: a tool and a methodology to better grasp kid’s experiences of retailing
Authors: Nicol Nathalie
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of “shopscapes” the authors define as the imaginary geography each person or group of people builds based on his daily experiences and practices in reference to retail environments and activities and to apply it to children.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors develop an original and child-centred methodology, by combining drawings and interviews and the authors focus the approach, not on the final drawings but on the drawing activityper sewhere children work in pairs and collaborate.

Findings

– The authors demonstrate the validity of the approach by proposing that a drawing can only be validly interpreted through the content of an open verbal exchange with its author/s. The activity of drawing, and of mapping when “shopscapes” are questioned, is interestingly richer and more fruitful than just the final result.

Originality/value

– The originality of the work lies in the concept of shopscapes and in the methodology used in order to reveal them. The authors intend to reveal the nature and range of children’s “shopscapes” with the objective of providing reliable information about on how children perceive the retailing experience.
Consumption experience outcomes: satisfaction, nostalgia intensity, word-of-mouth communication and behavioural intentions
Authors: Triantafillidou Amalia , Siomkos George
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of the different aspects of consumption experience on various post-consumption variables (i.e. satisfaction, nostalgia intensity, word-of-mouth (WOM) communication and behavioural intentions).

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. The sample comprised of 645 respondents and the snowball sampling technique was used. Consumption experience was measured using a seven-dimensional scale (dimensions: hedonic, flow, escapism, socialisation, personal challenge, learning and communitas).

Findings

– Not all experience dimensions affect consumers equally in the post-consumption stage. Hedonism was an important experiential dimension affecting positively most of the post-consumption variables. Other boosters of consumers’ nostalgia, WOM communication and behavioural intentions were the feelings of escapism, knowledge and communitas. On the contrary, flow and personal challenge were negative predictors of consumers’ evaluations.

Practical implications

– Marketers should co-create the experience with consumers by carefully managing their experiential offering. Companies should focus on designing pleasurable, social, educational and fantasy experiences while minimizing the feelings of immersion and risk that arise from intense activities.

Originality/value

– A holistic conceptual model on the consequences of the different consumption experience dimensions is tested. Until now, most of the relevant studies on experiences have treated experience as a higher order construct without taking into consideration the different effects of the various experience dimensions. Hence, the present study contributes to research by identifying the most pertinent experience dimensions on post-consumption evaluations, behaviour and intentions of consumers.
Consumers’ attitude and behavior towards online music piracy and subscription-based services
Authors: Cesareo Ludovica , Pastore Alberto
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper analyzes consumers’ attitudes and behaviors towards online piracy and their willingness to try subscription-based music services. The objective is to develop and test an attitude-intention model which includes ethical considerations in consumers’ decision making process regarding music consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study analyzes 505 consumer questionnaires using a structural equations model.

Findings

– Attitude toward online piracy is positively determined by economic and hedonic benefits and negatively by moral judgment. A favorable attitude toward online piracy, in turn, negatively influences consumers’ willingness to try subscription-based music services, which is also directly determined by their interest and involvement with the services themselves.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitations of the paper are linked mainly to the adapted scales, to the analysis of just two subscription-based music services (Napster and Spotify) and to the fact that all respondents came from one country.

Practical implications

– The results call for a greater commitment by music industry actors to educate consumers about the consequences and implications of online music piracy, while also stressing the value added and hedonic benefits offered by subscription-based music services.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to focus on consumers’ propensity toward online piracy and their willingness to try subscription-based music services as a possible alternative to the phenomenon, through the development and test of an attitude-intention model that includes ethical considerations.
A critical review of qualitative research into the experiences of young adults leaving foster care services
Authors: Parry Sarah , Weatherhead Stephen
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Due to the emergence of rich personal narratives within recent research, the purpose of this paper is to review and to explore the experience of transition from care and consider how these accounts can inform care services.

Design/methodology/approach

– This meta-synthesis follows from several quantitative and mixed method reviews examining how young people experience aging out of the care system.

Findings

– Three themes emerged from an inductive analysis: navigation and resilience – an interrelated process; the psychological impact of survival; and complex relationship.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings of a meta-synthesis should not be over generalised and are at least partially influenced by the author's epistemological assumptions (Dixon-Woods et al., 2006). However, a synthesis of this topic has the potential to provide greater insight into how transition can be experienced through the reconceptualising of the personal experiences across the studies reviewed (Erwin et al., 2011).

Practical implications

– This synthesis discusses the themes; their relationship to existing research and policies, and suggestions for further exploration. The experience of transition is considered critically in terms of its often traumatic nature for the young person aging out of care but also the ways in which the experience itself can build essential resiliencies.

Social implications

– Reflections for clinical practice are discussed with importance placed upon systemic working, accommodating likely challenges and considering appropriate therapeutic approaches for the client group and their systems.

Originality/value

– No review thus far has qualitatively examined the narratives told by the young people emerging from care and how these narratives have been interpreted by the researchers who sought them (Hyde and Kammerer, 2009).
New approaches on repatriation research
Authors: Arnaez Naiara , Arizkuren Amaia , Muñiz Marta , Sánchez María Eugenia
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze repatriation as an active actor on his/her return and not just as a passive receiver of organizational human resource management practices. Traditionally, literature has been focused on investigating the impact of organizational practices and support on repatriation, but new studies suggest that this approach is insufficient. According to these studies, individual and contextual influences are also important on repatriation and new studies are needed to measure its impact.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article is the base of future studies to analyze the impact of both approaches at once.

Findings

– The paper departs from recent literature in the field, to develop a series of research propositions.

Research limitations/implications

– The implications of this study include to contribute to the knowledge and future research on the expatriation process, studying the adaptation, performance, etc. of the expatriate during the international mission and particularly the last part of the process, repatriation, which has not received so much attention.

Practical implications

– This paper highlights that mismanagement of repatriation could lead to turnover of these valuable professionals or to a non-satisfactory reinstatement or even to inefficiency. On the other hand, the perception that repatriation is not well managed and that it does not lead to an advance for the employee could discourage future expatriates to accept international missions, which could even slow down the international progress of the company.

Originality/value

– The integration of the traditional and the emerging perspectives of repatriation process.
Different stages of business sustainability: a visual metaphor
Authors: Eswarlal Vimal Kumar , Vallesi Martina
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain the different stages of business sustainability through a visual metaphor. This metaphor compares the interaction between the different variables of sustainability to the interaction between the colour wheels in the Interconnected Spinning colour wheel. As a result of this comparison, we propose the different stages of business sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Domains-interaction model approach is used to develop the metaphor.

Findings

– The four stages of the business sustainability system resulting from this metaphor are: designable, feasible, endurable and responsible.

Research limitations

– We recognize that a visual metaphor provides only a limited insight, which is a general drawback of a metaphor.

Practical implications

– This visual metaphor as a tool will help practitioners, students and academics to easily understand the concept of business sustainability and the various stages of the system. This new perspective can support the practitioners in making effective decisions for sustainability.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes in the field of corporate sustainability through the novel visual metaphor proposed. This metaphor can enhance the theoretical development in this field by approaching the concept of corporate sustainability from a different perspective.
New Zealand venture capital funds and access to new financing: an exploratory study
Authors: Kalidas Sujit , Kelly Andrew , Marsden Alastair
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the challenges the Venture Capital (VC) funds industry in New Zealand (NZ) faces when sourcing new capital. In NZ, there is a significant gap currently for companies seeking VC funding of between $2 and $10 million to commercialise new products and ideas. Also, the estimated financing needs of the next generation of early stage NZ enterprises are around $2 billion of investment over the next 10 years (NZVIF, 2011).

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research design is applied, given the exploratory nature of this research. In this study, 15 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with VC fund managers, investors and intermediaries were undertaken.

Findings

– The findings suggest that the lack of observable proven historical returns from NZ domiciled VC funds is a significant impediment to raising new equity capital. Fund managers and intermediaries also note that there is a lack of domestic entities in NZ that have the capacity and current appetite to invest in VC. In part, this may indicate that VC investors are unwilling to invest further capital in NZ VC funds until the current funds realise their existing investments.

Originality/value

– Overall our findings support recent initiatives by the NZ VC funds industry to track and monitor the performance of NZ VC funds.
Writing an article for a refereed accounting journal
Authors: de Villiers Charl , Dumay John
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to focus on areas that can potentially improve a manuscript’s chances of success, i.e. acceptance for publication. In particular, we deal with topic selection, as well as aspects that can improve the manuscript during the writing phase, including the style of prose and citations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Recommendations are based on a review of the literature and our own experience. To demonstrate the practical application of the issues that need to be dealt with, examples have been provided from research articles published during 2010 in Accounting, Organizations and Society (AOS) and Accounting, Auditing
&
Accountability Journal (AAAJ).

Findings

– There are some common reasons for rejection that can be avoided, but one of the most important issues is to ensure that the research question is novel and that this novelty is made explicit in the introduction to the manuscript. The novelty–rigour curve (or NR curve) is introduced and the relationship between novelty and rigour, as it relates to a manuscript’s likelihood of acceptance for publication, is explained. The assessment of the prose used in published articles reveals that there are no set rules.

Research limitations/implications

– This article does not reveal guaranteed recipes for success, except that careful consideration and motivation of the novelty and rigour of the research undertaken are important. The authors suggest research into reviewer behavioural aspects as a possible avenue for future research.

Originality/value

– The novelty-rigour curve that depicts and explains the requirements of, and relationship between, these two research attributes is introduced. This article is novel because the prose of research articles published in AOS and AAAJ is critically examine in an attempt to assist both early career researchers to break into the top tier of accounting journals and established academics to enhance their chances of success. As such, the article has practical value for accounting academics and may also stimulate discussion among reviewers, editorial board members and editors, thereby playing a role in developing the field of accounting academic publishing.
Choice and control for older people using home care services: how far have council-managed personal budgets helped?
Authors: Rabiee Parvaneh , Glendinning Caroline
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the experiences of older people who use council-managed personal budgets (PBs) to fund home care services and their satisfaction with the level of choice and control they are able to exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 18 older people from eight home care agencies across three councils in England. All interviews were semi-structured and face-to-face.

Findings

– Despite some optimism about improvements in choice and flexibility experienced by older people using home care services, the findings from this small study suggest that the gap between the “ideal” of user choice and the “reality” of practice continues to be significant. The level of choice and control older people felt able to exercise to tailor home care services to their personal needs and preferences was restricted to low level choices. Other choices were constrained by the low levels of older people's PBs and council restrictions on what PBs can be spent on. Older people's understanding of limitations in public funding/pressures on agencies and their reluctance to play an active consumer role including willingness to “exit” from unsatisfactory care arrangements appeared to further challenge the potential for achieving greater choice and control through council-managed PBs.

Originality/value

– The English government's policy emphasis on personalisation of care and support and new organisational arrangements for managed PBs aim to promote user choice and control. This is the first study to report the experiences of older people using managed PBs under these new arrangements. The paper highlights areas of interests and concerns that social care staff, support planners and commissioners may need to consider.
Neoliberalism, crises and accusations of fraud: a vicious circle of reinforcing influences?
Authors: Guénin-Paracini Henri , Gendron Yves , Morales Jérémy
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to better understand why neoliberal governance is so resilient to the crises that frequently affect all or part of the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The argument of this paper relies on a macroanalysis of discourses surrounding the Global Financial Crisis.

Findings

– Drawing on Girard and Foucault’s work, this paper argues that the resilience of neoliberalism partly ensues from the proclivity of this mode of governing to foster, for reasons that this paper seeks to highlight, spontaneous and widespread processes of scapegoating in times of turmoil. As a consequence of these processes, crises often are collectively construed as resulting from frauds: the blame is focused on specific actors whose lack of morality is denounced, and this individualizing line of interpretation protects the regime from systemic questioning.

Practical, social and political implications

– Particular actors, rather than the system itself, are made accountable when things go wrong. Consequences are paramount. Today’s political economy is characterized with a proclivity toward social reproduction. While substantive change is possible in theory, considerable challenges are involved in practice in overcoming the dominance of neoliberalism in society.

Originality/value

– Although Girard’s work has exerted significant influence over a number of disciplines in the social sciences, his ideas have not yet been widely used in governance and accountability-related research. Anthropological theorizations – such as those proposed by Girard – are valuable in providing us with a sense of how power develops in the economy.
Qualitative research in accounting: the North American perspective
Authors: Baker Richard
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this Special Issue of Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management is to focus on qualitative research in accounting from a North American perspective. The goal is to highlight the possibility of greater contributions to qualitative research in accounting from researchers based in North America and to highlight some significant contributions produced by authors in North American universities in the qualitative domain.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is conceptual in nature.

Findings

– This sample of North American qualitative research in accounting provides an example of some of the different types of qualitative work being done. In most respects the articles are similar to qualitative research being done in other parts of the world. Perhaps the key difference is that the research has been undertaken for the most part by senior researchers who have been able to take some risks with a research paradigm that may not be widely accepted at their universities or they may be fortunate to be located at universities which value such research.

Originality/value

– The paper broadens the view of qualitative research to North America where it appears that qualitative research has been relatively undervalued in recent years.
Engaging the multi-generational workforce in tourism and hospitality
Authors: Barron Paul , Leask Anna , Fyall Alan
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present strategies that hospitality and tourism organisations might adopt as a means of encouraging employee engagement, thus enabling the more effective management of an increasingly multi-generational workforce. This paper evaluates current strategies being adopted that might encourage employee engagement by a selection of hospitality and tourism organisations and develop recommendations for organisations wishing to more effectively engage the multi-generational workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adopts a mixed methods approach and presents findings based on a series of semi-structured interviews with management and self-completion questionnaires aimed at employees.

Findings

– The relationship between the supervisor and the employee remains a key enhancer regarding engagement and employees are increasingly demanding more contemporary methods of communication. Employers should take note of generational characteristics and adopt flexible policies attractive to all employees.

Practical implications

– This paper contributes no t only to the debate regarding generational differences in the workplace but it also identifies that the various generations evident in tourism organisations are desirous of similar working conditions and benefits. Organisations should consider the development of a range of packages that focus on linking employees with their purpose, their colleagues and their resources as a means of encouraging employee engagement.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the debate regarding employee engagement and compares and contrasts initiatives that various tourism and hospitality organisations are adopting as a means of encouraging employee engagement. The study also elicits the views of the organisations employees to understand the extent of the effectiveness of such initiatives and makes recommendations regarding the most effective initiatives from both a management and employee perspective.
Application of chimeric glucanase comprising mutanase and dextranase for prevention of dental biofilm formation
Authors: Otsuka Ryoko , Imai Susumu , Murata Takatoshi , Nomura Yoshiaki , Okamoto Masaaki , Tsumori Hideaki , Kakuta Erika , Hanada Nobuhiro , Momoi Yasuko
Published: November 2014

Water‐insoluble glucan (WIG) produced by mutans streptococci, an important cariogenic pathogen, plays an important role in the formation of dental biofilm and adhesion of biofilm to tooth surfaces. Glucanohydrolases, such as mutanase (α‐1,3‐glucanase) and dextranase (α‐1,6‐glucanase), are able to hydrolyze WIG. The purposes of this study were to construct bi‐functional chimeric glucanase, composed of mutanase and dextranase, and to examine the effects of this chimeric glucanase on the formation and decomposition of biofilm. The mutanase gene from Paenibacillus humicus NA1123 and the dextranase gene from Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 were cloned and ligated into a pE‐SUMOstar Amp plasmid vector. The resultant his‐tagged fusion chimeric glucanase was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and partially purified. The effects of chimeric glucanase on the formation and decomposition of biofilm formed on a glass surface by Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 glucosyltransferases were then examined. This biofilm was fractionated into firmly adherent, loosely adherent, and non‐adherent WIG fractions. Amounts of WIG in each fraction were determined by a phenol‐sulfuric acid method, and reducing sugars were quantified by the Somogyi–Nelson method. Chimeric glucanase reduced the formation of the total amount of WIG in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant reductions of WIG in the adherent fraction were observed. Moreover, the chimeric glucanase was able to decompose biofilm, being 4.1 times more effective at glucan inhibition of biofilm formation than a mixture of dextranase and mutanase. These results suggest that the chimeric glucanase is useful for prevention of dental biofilm formation.
The water vulnerability of metro and megacities: An investigation of structural determinants
Authors: Bolognesi Thomas
Published: November 2014

Urban areas are becoming increasingly subject to and vulnerable to water‐related natural disasters. Urban areas are a kind of socio‐ecological system wherein the human development dynamics co‐evolve with the natural dynamics. Most of the literature is focused on the impact of natural disasters on human development; we evaluate the impacts of human development on natural disasters and present an analysis of this phenomenon in the context of megacities. The approach is exploratory and begins with the construction of a database on the 595 existing megacities in the world. Multifactor analysis is then used to determine the main characteristics of these megacities. Finally, three structural components (maturity, anthropization and centrality) are identified and then correlated with data on water‐related hazards, distinguishing groups of cities according to their structure and factors of vulnerability to water‐related risks.
BmPLA2 containing conserved domain WD40 affects the metabolic functions of fat body tissue in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Orville Singh Chabungbam , Xin Hu‐Hu , Chen Rui‐Ting , Wang Mei‐Xian , Liang Shuang , Lu Yan , Cai Zi‐Zheng , Miao Yun‐Gen
Published: November 2014

PLA2 enzyme hydrolyzes arachidonic acid, and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, from the sn‐2 position to release free arachidonic acid and a lysophospholipid. Previous studies reported that the PLA2 in invertebrate organisms participates in lipid signaling molecules like arachidonic acid release in immune‐associated tissues like hemocytes and fat bodies. In the present study, we cloned the BmPLA2 gene from fat body tissue of silkworm Bombyx mori, which has a total sequence of 1.031 kb with a 31.90 kDa protein. In silico results of BmPLA2 indicated that the protein has a putative WD40 conserved domain and its phylogeny tree clustered with Danaus plexippus species. We investigated the transcriptional expression in development stages and tissues. The highest expression of BmPLA2 was screened in fat body among the studied tissues of third day fifth instar larva, with a high expression on third day fifth instar larva followed by a depression of expression in the wandering stage of the fifth instar larva. The expression of BmPLA2 in female pupa was higher than that of male pupa. Our RNAi‐mediated gene silencing results showed highest reduction of BmPLA2 expression in post‐24 h followed by post‐48 and post‐72 h. The BmPLA2‐RNAi larvae and pupa could be characterized by pharate adult lethality and underdevelopment. The phenotypic characters of fat body cells in RNAi‐induced larva implied that BmPLA2 affects the metabolic functions of fat body tissue in silkworm Bombyx mori.
THE EDGE OF STIGMA: AN EXPERIMENTAL AUDIT OF THE EFFECTS OF LOW‐LEVEL CRIMINAL RECORDS ON EMPLOYMENT
Authors: UGGEN CHRISTOPHER , VUOLO MIKE , LAGESON SARAH , RUHLAND EBONY , K. WHITHAM HILARY
Published: November 2014

Ample experimental evidence shows that the stigma of a prison record reduces employment opportunities (Pager, 2007). Yet background checks today uncover a much broader range of impropriety, including arrests for minor crimes never resulting in formal charges. This article probes the lesser boundaries of stigma, asking whether and how employers consider low‐level arrests in hiring decisions. Matched pairs of young African American and White men were sent to apply for 300 entry‐level jobs, with one member of each pair reporting a disorderly conduct arrest that did not lead to conviction. We find a modest but nontrivial effect, with employer callback rates about 4 percentage points lower for the experimental group than for the matched control group. Interviews with the audited employers suggest three mechanisms to account for the lesser stigma of misdemeanor arrests relative to felony convictions: 1) greater employer discretion and authority in the former case; 2) calibration of the severity, nature, and timing of the offense; and 3) a deeply held presumption of innocence, which contrasts the uncertainty of arrest with the greater certainty represented by convictions. In addition, personal contact and workplace diversity play important roles in the hiring process.
Single‐centre experience of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for prolactinomas with the linear accelerator
Authors: Wilson Peter J , Williams Janet Rosemary , Smee Robert Ian
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Primary management of prolactinomas is usually medical, with surgery a secondary option where necessary. This study is a review of a single centre's experience with focused radiotherapy where benefit was not gained by medical or surgical approaches.

Methods

Radiotherapy as an alternative and adjuvant treatment for prolactinomas has been performed at our institution with the linear accelerator since 1990. We present a retrospective review of 13 patients managed with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and 5 managed with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), as well as 5 managed with conventional radiotherapy, at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Patients with a histopathologically diagnosed prolactinoma were eligible. Those patients who had a confirmed pathological diagnosis of prolactinoma following surgical intervention, a prolactin level elevated above 500 μg/L, or a prolactin level persistently elevated above 200 μg/L with exclusion of other causes were represented in this review.

Results

At the end of documented follow‐up (SRS median 6 years, FSRT median 2 years), no SRS patients showed an increase in tumour volume. After FSRT, 1 patient showed an increase in size, 2 showed a decrease in size and 2 patients showed no change. Prolactin levels trended towards improvement after SRS and FSRT, but no patients achieved the remission level of <20 μg/L. Seven of 13 patients in the SRS group achieved a level of <500 μg/L, whereas no patients reached this target after FSRT.

Conclusions

A reduction in prolactin level is frequent after SRS and FSRT for prolactinomas; however, true biochemical remission is uncommon. Tumour volume control in this series was excellent, but this may be related to the natural history of the disease. Morbidity and mortality after stereotactic radiation were very low in this series.
Four‐dimensional computed tomography and detection of dynamic capitate subluxation
Authors: Repse Stephen E , Amis Benjamin , Troupis John M
Published: November 2014

Midcarpal instability syndrome is often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed recognition, treatment and possibly poor clinical outcome. Four‐dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) has previously proved useful in assessment of the acromioclavicular joint and wrist motion, allowing clinicians and radiologists to gain an understanding of abnormalities in function as well as morphology, which often contribute to patient symptoms. We present the case of a 25‐year‐old male with no history of trauma who presents with several months of a right wrist clunk on both passive and active (load bearing) motion. Plain film and 1.5 Tesla MRI with intra‐articular contrast demonstrates a normal appearance, without joint space, tendon or ligament disturbance. We further investigated this condition using a wide volume detector CT scanning technique (4D CT). Data from the patient's asymptomatic wrist was utilized as a comparison for this study. Assessment of cine movie files from the symptomatic wrist revealed abnormal subluxation of the capitate from the lunate when compared with the normal wrist, in which the capitate did not deviate from the concavity of the lunate and did not cross the perpendicular line from the superior pole of the lunate in any phase of motion, which we defined as capitate subluxation. 4D CT allows for detection of capitate subluxation in an earlier stage of disease progression, constituting earlier recognition and providing the opportunity for earlier treatment of the disease, potentially mitigating significant patient morbidity. We have been able to confidently identify capitate subluxation both visually (assessment of the sagittal RLC axis) and objectively (documentation of percent subluxation of the capitate beyond the superior pole of the lunate). We propose that 4D CT investigation of all functional carpal instability syndromes may be beneficial as this technique has the potential to significantly increase our knowledge of dynamic carpal bone abnormalities.
Evidence for annexin A6‐dependent plasma membrane remodelling of lipid domains
Authors: Alvarez‐Guaita Anna , Vilà de Muga Sandra , Owen Dylan M , Williamson David , Magenau Astrid , García‐Melero Ana , Reverter Meritxell , Hoque Monira , Cairns Rose , Cornely Rhea , Tebar Francesc , Grewal Thomas , Gaus Katharina , Ayala‐Sanmartín Jesús , Enrich Carlos , Rentero Carles
Published: November 2014

Background and Purpose

Annexin A6 (AnxA6) is a calcium‐dependent phospholipid‐binding protein that can be recruited to the plasma membrane to function as a scaffolding protein to regulate signal complex formation, endo‐ and exocytic pathways as well as distribution of cellular cholesterol. Here, we have investigated how AnxA6 influences the membrane order.

Experimental Approach

We used Laurdan and di‐4‐ANEPPDHQ staining in (i) artificial membranes; (ii) live cells to investigate membrane packing and ordered lipid phases; and (iii) a super‐resolution imaging (photoactivated localization microscopy, PALM) and Ripley's K second‐order point pattern analysis approach to assess how AnxA6 regulates plasma membrane order domains and protein clustering.

Key Results

In artificial membranes, purified AnxA6 induced a global increase in membrane order. However, confocal microscopy using di‐4‐ANEPPDHQ in live cells showed that cells expressing AnxA6, which reduces plasma membrane cholesterol levels and modifies the actin cytoskeleton meshwork, displayed a decrease in membrane order (∼15 and 30% in A431 and MEF cells respectively). PALM data from Lck10 and Src15 membrane raft/non‐raft markers revealed that AnxA6 expression induced clustering of both raft and non‐raft markers. Altered clustering of Lck10 and Src15 in cells expressing AnxA6 was also observed after cholesterol extraction with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin or actin cytoskeleton disruption with latrunculin B.

Conclusions and Implications

AnxA6‐induced plasma membrane remodelling indicated that elevated AnxA6 expression decreased membrane order through the regulation of cellular cholesterol homeostasis and the actin cytoskeleton. This study provides the first evidence from live cells that support current models of annexins as membrane organizers.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Annexins VII Programme. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue‐7
Relay zone evolution: a history of repeated fault propagation and linkage, central Corinth rift, Greece
Authors: Hemelsdaël Romain , Ford Mary
Published: November 2014

Established models indicate that, before being breached, relay zones along rift borders can evolve either by lengthening and rotating during progressive overlap of growing fault segments (isolated fault model), or, by simply rotating without lengthening before breaching (coherent fault model). The spatio‐temporal distribution of vertical motions in a relay zone can thus be used to distinguish fault growth mechanisms. Depositional relay zones that develop at sea level and accommodate both deposition on the ramp itself as well as transfer of sediments from the uplifting footwall into the hangingwall depocentres and provide the most complete record of vertical motions. We examine the development of a depositional relay ramp on the border of the active Corinth rift, Greece to reconstruct fault interaction in time and space using both onshore and offshore (2D seismic lines) data. The Akrata relay zone developed over a period of ca. 0.5 Myr since the Middle Pleistocene between the newly forming East Helike Fault (EHF) that propagated towards the older, more established Derveni Fault (DF). The relay zone captured the Krathis River, which deposited prograding Gilbert‐type deltas on the sub‐horizontal ramp. Successive oblique faults record progressive linkage and basinward migration of accommodation along the ramp axis, whereas marine terraces record diachronous uplift in their footwalls. Although early linkage of the relay zone occurs, continuous propagation and linkage of the EHF onto the static DF is recorded before final beaching. Rotation on forced folds above the upward and laterally propagating normal faults at the borders of the relay zone represents the ramp hinges. The Akrata relay zone cannot be compared directly to a simple fault growth model because (1) the relay zone connects two fault segments of different generations; (2) multiple linkages during propagation was facilitated by the presence of pre‐existing crustal structures, inherited from the Hellenide fold and thrust belt. The linkage of the EHF to the DF contributed to the westward and northward propagation of the southern rift border.
Respiratory tract dendritic cells in paediatric asthma
Authors: Brugha R. , Mushtaq N. , McCarthy N. E. , Stagg A. J. , Grigg J.
Published: November 2014

Background

Airway dendritic cells (DC) are critical mediators of lung inflammation in asthma, but the characteristics of DC in the airways of healthy children, and children with asthma, are currently unknown.

Objective

We sought to identify changes in DC subset distribution and activation profile in paediatric asthma using flow cytometry to analyse induced sputum samples obtained from healthy and asthmatic children.

Methods

Lung function and atopic status were determined by spirometry and skin prick testing. Induced sputum samples were analysed using 7‐colour flow cytometry to identify airway DC populations (lineage− HLA‐DR+ sputum cells expressing either CD11c as conventional DC or CD123 as plasmacytoid DC).

Results

Sputum samples containing lower airway plugs were obtained from 10 healthy children and 8 children with asthma. Lineage− HLA‐DR+ DC were successfully identified in all samples, and DC comprised a significantly higher proportion of sputum cells in children with asthma compared with age‐matched healthy controls (1.29% vs. 0.67%, P = 0.02). DC expression of the costimulatory marker CD86 was significantly reduced in asthmatic children (73.4% vs. 59.7%, P = 0.04). Sputum DC also included numerous CD1c+ cells (mean 57% of the total DC population) and low frequencies of cells expressing the subset markers CD141 or CD123, although the proportions of these did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

Airway DC can be identified and characterized non‐invasively using flow cytometry to analyse paediatric sputum samples. Our data reveal that children with steroid‐treated asthma exhibit increased frequency of airway DC with reduced expression of the costimulatory marker CD86, suggesting altered trafficking and/or maturation of these cells either due to asthma or steroid therapies.
New insights into factors influencing adult height in short SGA children: Results of a large multicentre growth hormone trial
Authors: Renes J.S. , Willemsen R.H. , Mulder J.C. , Bakker‐van Waarde W.M. , Rotteveel J. , Oostdijk W. , Houdijk E.C.A.M. , Westerlaken C. , Noordam C. , Verrijn Stuart A.A. , Odink R.J. , de Ridder M.A.J. , Hokken‐Koelega A.C.S.
Published: November 2014

Background

Growth hormone (GH) treatment is effective in improving adult height (AH) in short children born SGA. However, there is a wide variation in height gain, even after adjustment for predictive variables. It is therefore important to investigate new factors which can influence the response to GH.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of GH treatment (1 mg/m2/day) in short SGA children on AH. To assess the relation between spontaneous catch‐up growth after birth and growth during puberty on the total height gain SDS to AH.

Patients

Longitudinal GH trial in 170 children.

Results

Median age at start of GH was 7·1 years and height −3·0 SDS. AH was −1·8 SDS (TH‐corrected AH −1·1 SDS) in boys and −1·9 SDS (TH‐corrected AH −1·3 SDS) in girls. Spontaneous catch‐up growth after birth was ≥0·5 SDS in 42% of children. In contrast to expectation, spontaneous catch‐up growth was negatively correlated with total height gain SDS during GH (P = 0·009). During puberty, height SDS declined (−0·4 SDS in boys and −0·5 SDS in girls) resulting in a lower total height gain SDS than expected. Pubertal height gain was 25·5 cm in boys and 15·3 cm in girls, significantly lower compared to AGA children (P < 0·001). At onset of puberty, BA for boys and girls was moderately advanced (P = 0·02 and P < 0·001, respectively). Growth velocity was comparable to AGA children during the first two years of puberty, but thereafter significantly lower until reaching AH (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

In contrast to our hypothesis, children with greater spontaneous catch‐up growth after birth show a lower total height gain SDS during GH. Height SDS declines from mid‐puberty, due to a marked early deceleration of growth velocity.
Role of operative airway evaluation in children with recurrent croup: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Duval M. , Tarasidis G. , Grimmer J.F. , Muntz H.R. , Park A.H. , Smith M. , Asfour F. , Meier J.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Determine which risk factors in children with recurrent croup warrant bronchoscopic evaluation.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary paediatric hospital.

Participants

Children with recurrent croup who underwent a rigid bronchoscopy between 2001 and 2013.

Main outcome measures

Bronchoscopy findings, classified as normal, mildly abnormal or significantly abnormal.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐five children underwent a rigid bronchoscopy and 110 underwent a flexible oesophagoscopy. One hundred and forty‐five children (61.7%) had a mildly abnormal exam, and 27 children (11.5%) had significant findings that required a surgical intervention or grade 2 or greater subglottic stenosis. The significantly abnormal group included 4 children with laryngomalacia, 2 with a subglottic cyst, 8 with grade 2 or 3 subglottic stenosis and 13 children who underwent a surgical procedure for subglottic stenosis. Sixty‐seven children had a preoperative diagnosis of asthma, 62 were atopic and 78 had symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux. Oesophagoscopy was diagnostic of gastro‐oesophageal reflux in 19 of 110 cases, and 106 children (45.1%) had bronchoscopic findings suggestive of GERD. Eight children had eosinophilic oesophagitis. After multivariate analysis, significantly abnormal bronchoscopy was significantly associated with chronic cough (P = 0.02), have a previous intubation (P = 0.002) or be younger than 3 years old (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Significant findings on bronchoscopy that warranted further surgical intervention were uncommon in this cohort. Nearly half of the patients had evidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux. In patients without risk factors for significant abnormalities, empiric medical management may be beneficial prior to endoscopy.
A meta‐analysis of studies on attitudes toward bears and wolves across Europe 1976–2012
Authors: Dressel S. , Sandström C. , Ericsson G.
Published: November 2014

The ranges of wolves (Canis lupus) and bears (Ursus arctos) across Europe have expanded recently, and it is important to assess public attitudes toward this expansion because responses toward these species vary widely. General attitudes toward an object are good predictors of broad behavioral patterns; thus, attitudes toward wolves and bears can be used as indicators to assess the social foundation for future conservation efforts. However, most attitude surveys toward bears and wolves are limited in scope, both temporally and spatially, and provide only a snapshot of attitudes. To extend the results of individual surveys over a much larger temporal and geographical range so as to identify transnational patterns and changes in attitudes toward bears and wolves over time, we conducted a meta‐analysis. Our analysis included 105 quantitative surveys conducted in 24 countries from 1976 to 2012. Across Europe, people's attitudes were more positive toward bears than wolves. Attitudes toward bears became more positive over time, but attitudes toward wolves seemed to become less favorable the longer people coexisted with them. Younger and more educated people had more positive attitudes toward wolves and bears than people who had experienced damage from these species, and farmers and hunters had less positive attitudes toward wolves than the general public. For bears attitudes among social groups did not differ. To inform conservation of large carnivores, we recommend that standardized longitudinal surveys be established to monitor changes in attitudes over time relative to carnivore population development. Our results emphasize the need for interdisciplinary research in this field and more advanced explanatory models capable of capturing individual and societal responses to changes in large carnivore policy and management.