bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the continued use of e-government websites by citizens
Authors: Nawafleh Sahem
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The concept of eGovernment has received much focus and emphasis across the public administrative sector, with interest centred on its public performance in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Accordingly, this paper aims to consider those factors affecting the continuous adoption of eGovernment websites by citizens in the context of Jordan, through the design and development of a conceptual model, five factors included, notably digital literacy, e-service marketing efficiency, e-service quality, compulsory e-service utilisation and public staff assistance in regards the transformation of e-service.

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct this paper, a quantitative approach was used, after operationalising variables into indicators; data were gathered through the application and completion of a questionnaire survey, by public-sector subjects making up a sample of 237 individuals purposively sampled, wit structural equation modelling was applied to analyse data.

Findings

The results garnered emphasise digital literacy and e-service quality as important factors amongst citizens in Jordan in regards their intention to use, on a continuous basis, eGovernment websites, providing an explanation across 42 per cent of the variance in this regard. On the other hand, the other three factors of e-service marketing efficiency, compulsory e-service use and public staff assistance in regards the transformation of e-service were not identified as significant in terms of their influence on the intention to adopt the ongoing use of eGovernment websites among citizens in the Jordanian context indicating some issues that challenge the eGovernment success.

Research limitations/implications

This work’s findings are survey-based, subsequent studies could make use of qualitative methods in mind of achieving more detailed and comprehensive understanding of the links between the factors outlined in this study, further, there is the suggestion that other longitudinal and experimental works be completed to establish the links outlined in this study.

Practical implications

For eGovernment websites continued usage to be efficacious, several facilitating and supporting conditions are vital, including technical and managerial sustenance, as well as supporting policies and regulations that put eGovernment websites into the compulsory utilisation, which requires all the other affecting factors to be in line with facilitating such compulsory orientation.

Originality/value

Many studies have been done on exploring the factors that affect the initial adoption of eGovernment websites; however –and up to the author knowledge – this is the first study that explore the second stage of the adoption process, namely, continued use in the context of a developing country such as Jordan. This work will therefore provide a contribution to the eGovernment literature in specific relation to continued use. This will be done through taking into account all five of these factors.
The dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ)
Authors: Chai Dae Seok , Dirani Khalil
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to address the reliability and validity of the shortened versions of the Arabic dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ) to provide evidence on the learning organization (LO) concept in Lebanon and to draw attention to the applicability of the LO concept to facilitate the development and operationalization of the LO in the Lebanese context.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 298 cases from five Lebanese firms were analyzed. Rigorous translation procedures have been applied to ensure the relevance of this instrument in the Arabic context. Confirmatory factor analysis, item-internal consistency estimates and item intercorrelation analysis showed that the 21- and the seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ have produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity adequate to measure the LO culture in the Lebanese context.

Findings

The results of the current study confirmed that the shortened 21- and seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ are reliable, validated and applicable in the Lebanese context. This study also added to the stability of this foundation and pointed out weak areas that can be addressed by refining and developing the research, theory and practice of the LO.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study based on the shortened versions contributed to operationalizing a conceptually developed LO theory, which is an appropriate example of theory building in an applied discipline. The results also suggest that the LO comprised interdependent building blocks that need to be integrated at the individual, team and organizational levels to promote change and development in a system.

Practical implications

This study provides managers and HR practitioners, especially in the Lebanese context, with a sound model of the LO theory to be applied in their organizations.

Originality/value

This study provides scholars with an understanding of the potential value of the LO in the Lebanese context. The results present evidence of the cultural impact on the perceptions of the LO in the Lebanese context, confirm the applicability of the shortened Arabic DLOQ and provide HR practitioners in Lebanon with a tool to diagnose LO characteristics accurately and consistently and to determine if there is a link between the LO and organizational performance.
(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate induces cell apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia by regulating Bcr/Abl‐mediated p38‐MAPK/JNK and JAK2/STAT3/AKT signalling pathways
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Jiang Kaiming , Xu Yunxiao , Peng Hongling , Wang Zhihua , Liu Sufang , Zhang Guangsen
Published: September 2018

Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea, possesses remarkable chemopreventive and therapeutic potential against various types of cancer, including leukaemia. However, the molecular mechanism involved in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), especially imatinib‐resistant CML cells, is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on the growth of Bcr/Abl+ CML cell lines, including imatinib‐resistant cell lines and primary CML cells. The results revealed that EGCG could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in CML cells. The mechanisms involved inhibition of the Bcr/Abl oncoprotein and regulation of its downstream p38‐MAPK/JNK and JAK2/STAT3/AKT pathways. In conclusion, we documented the anti‐CML effects of EGCG in imatinib‐sensitive and imatinib‐resistant Bcr/Abl+ cells, especially T315I‐mutated cells.
Control of pellicle biogenesis involves the diguanylate cyclases PdgA and PdgB, the c‐di‐GMP binding protein MxdA and the chemotaxis response regulator CheY3 in Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Gambari Cyril , Boyeldieu Anne , Armitano Joshua , Méjean Vincent , Jourlin‐Castelli Cécile
Published: September 2018

Shewanella oneidensis is an aquatic proteobacterium with remarkable respiratory and chemotactic abilities. It is also capable of forming biofilms either associated to surfaces (SSA‐biofilm) or at the air–liquid interface (pellicle). We have previously shown that pellicle biogenesis in S. oneidensis requires the flagellum and the chemotaxis regulatory system including CheA3 kinase and CheY3 response regulator. Here we searched for additional factors involved in pellicle development. Using a multicopy library of S. oneidensis chromosomal fragments, we identified two genes encoding putative diguanylate cyclases (pdgA and pdgB) and allowing pellicle formation in the non‐pellicle‐forming cheY3‐deleted mutant. A mutant deleted of both pdgA and pdgB is affected during pellicle development. By overexpressing phosphodiesterase encoding genes, we confirmed the key role of c‐di‐GMP in pellicle biogenesis. The mxd operon, previously proposed to encode proteins involved in exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, is also essential for pellicle formation. In addition, we showed that the MxdA protein, containing a degenerate GGDEF motif, binds c‐di‐GMP and interacts with both CheY3 and PdgA. Therefore, we propose that pellicle biogenesis in S. oneidensis is controlled by a complex pathway that involves the chemotaxis response regulator CheY3, the two putative diguanylate cyclases PdgA and PdgB, and the c‐di‐GMP binding protein MxdA.
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii Virus and host: genomic characterization and ecological relevance
Authors: Martin Robbie M. , Moniruzzaman Mohammad , Mucci Nicholas C. , Willis Anusuya , Woodhouse Jason N. , Xian Yuejiao , Xiao Chuan , Brussaard Corina P. D. , Wilhelm Steven W.
Published: September 2018

Cylindrospermopsis (Raphidiopsis) raciborskii is an invasive, filamentous, nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium that forms frequent blooms in freshwater habitats. While viruses play key roles in regulating the abundance, production and diversity of their hosts in aquatic ecosystems, the role(s) of viruses in the ecology of C. raciborskii is almost unexplored. Progress in this field has been hindered by the absence of a characterized virus–host system in C. raciborskii. To bridge this gap, we sequenced the genome of CrV‐01T, a previously isolated cyanosiphovirus, and its host, C. raciborskii strain Cr2010. Analyses suggest that CrV‐01T represents a distinct clade of siphoviruses infecting, and perhaps lysogenizing, filamentous cyanobacteria. Its genome contains unique features that include an intact CRISPR array and a 12 kb inverted duplication. Evidence suggests CrV‐01T recently gained the ability to infect Cr2010 and recently lost the ability to form lysogens. The cyanobacterial host contains a CRISPR‐Cas system with CRISPR spacers matching protospacers within the inverted duplication of the CrV‐01T genome. Examination of metagenomes demonstrates that viruses with high genetic identity to CrV‐01T, but lacking the inverted duplication, are present in C. raciborskii blooms in Australia. The unique genomic features of the CrV/Cr2010 system offers opportunities to investigate in more detail virus–host interactions in an ecologically important bloom‐forming cyanobacterium.
Sowing Seeds of Displacement: Gentrification and Food Justice in Oakland, CA
Authors: Alkon Alison Hope , Cadji Josh
Published: September 2018

Green gentrification is the process through which the elimination of hazardous conditions or the development of green spaces is mobilized as a strategy to draw in affluent new residents and capital projects. Based on observations and interviews in Oakland, California, we argue that food justice organizations seeking to promote access to healthy food in low‐income communities can unwittingly create spaces that foster this process. Despite a desire to serve long‐term residents, activists embody a hip green aesthetic that is palatable to affluent whites and can be appropriated by urban boosters to promote the neighborhood. We use this process as a lens to theorize links between food and green gentrification, highlighting the importance of food to cities’ efforts to brand themselves as ripe for redevelopment, and understand green gentrification as a racialized process tied to cultural foodways. We also attend to the practical stakes for food justice activism, arguing that a clear understanding of green gentrification and food justice activists’ unwitting role in it can help the latter to attempt to mitigate their culpability and seek to develop broad inclusive strategies for locally led development without displacement.
When Diverse Norms Meet Weak Plans: The Organizational Dynamics of Urban Rubble Clearance in Post‐Earthquake Haiti
Authors: Hooper Michael
Published: September 2018

In the face of rapid global urbanization, cities are increasingly at risk from major disasters. While considerable attention has been given to other aspects of urban post‐disaster recovery, less has been dedicated to rubble clearance. This article examines the dynamics of rubble clearance through a study of how the diverse organizations responding to the 2010 Haiti earthquake addressed this issue in Port‐au‐Prince. It draws on interviews with 52 organizations spanning the range of organizational types engaged in recovery efforts. Building on an evaluation of rubble clearance plans developed for other seismically at‐risk cities, the results indicate that organizations in Port‐au‐Prince lacked a shared understanding of who should coordinate, and engage in, this vital activity. The diverse organizations involved in recovery brought widely diverging norms concerning rubble clearance to a context with weak plans in place for this task. The outcome was uncoordinated action and slow progress. The article draws on the literature on interorganizational norms to contextualize its findings from Port‐au‐Prince. It concludes by arguing for efforts to generate new, shared norms concerning who should lead urban rubble clearance and, in particular, for greater support for, and deference to, local plans around this issue. Such plans would enable governments to establish robust protocols to coordinate action on this increasingly important challenge for cities.
Why implantation of bio‐loggers may improve our understanding of how animals cope within their natural environment
Authors: FORIN‐WIART Marie‐Amélie , ENSTIPP Manfred R. , LE MAHO Yvon , HANDRICH Yves
Published: September 2018

Bio‐loggers are miniaturized autonomous devices that record quantitative data on the state of free‐ranging animals (e.g. behavior, position and physiology) and their natural environment. This is especially relevant for species where direct visual observation is difficult or impossible. Today, ongoing technical development allows the monitoring of numerous parameters in an increasing range of species over extended periods. However, the external attachment of devices might affect various aspects of animal performance (energetics, thermoregulation, foraging as well as social and reproductive behavior), which ultimately affect fitness. External attachment might also increase entanglement risk and the conspicuousness of animals, leaving them more vulnerable to predation. By contrast, implantation of devices can mitigate many of these undesirable effects and might be preferable, especially for long‐term studies, provided that the many challenges associated with surgical procedures can be mastered. Implantation may then allow us to gather data that would be impossible to obtain otherwise and thereby may provide new and ecologically relevant insights into the life of wild animals. Here, we: (i) discuss the pros and cons of attachment methods; (ii) highlight recent field studies that used implanted bio‐loggers to address eco‐physiological questions in a wide range of species; and (iii) discuss logger implantation in light of ethical considerations.
Volatile Profile of Grilled Lamb as Affected by Castration and Age at Slaughter in Two Breeds
Authors: Gkarane Vasiliki , Brunton Nigel P. , Harrison Sabine M. , Gravador Rufielyn S. , Allen Paul , Claffey Noel A. , Diskin Michael G. , Fahey Alan G. , Farmer Linda J. , Moloney Aidan P. , Monahan Frank J.
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of castration and slaughter age on the volatile profile of cooked meat from Scottish Blackface (SB) and Texel × Scottish Blackface (T × SB) lambs. M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum was sampled at slaughter and subjected to volatile analysis by SPME‐GC‐MS. Rams had higher relative proportions, expressed as relative abundance (RA), in lipid oxidation products while castrates had higher RA in pyrazines and benzenoid compounds. There was no consistent age effect on the RA of volatiles, although rams in November and January had a different volatile profile to castrates. There were higher proportions of free branched‐chain fatty acids in muscle from SB compared to T × SB lambs. Overall, the results showed that production factors affected the volatile profile of cooked lamb meat which may explain differences in lamb flavor.

Practical Application

Lamb meat has a characteristic flavor which, according to the evidence to date, may be influenced by farm production factors like gender or slaughter age. Our results showed variations in the proportions of some flavor compounds in cooked lamb between rams and castrated lambs while an increase in slaughter age did not have a consistent effect on proportions of compounds.
The Effects of Biasing Performance Measurement Systems on Incentives and Retention Decisions
Authors: Balakrishnan Ramji , Drymiotes George , Sivaramakrishnan Konduru
Published: September 2018

We examine a principal–agent setting in which the principal uses a performance measurement system for multiple purposes—to provide incentives and for retention decisions. The principal chooses the nature and extent of bias in the system, which determines whether the performance report is stringent, neutral, or lenient relative to the unobservable actual outcome. We show that when the report is used only for incentive purposes (an incentive role), stringency alleviates moral hazard. On the other hand, when the principal's objective is to minimize the cost from incorrect retention and firing decisions (a fit evaluation role), there is a demand for leniency. Surprisingly, however, we show that adding a fit evaluation role to a system serving an incentive role can accentuate the demand for stringency because stronger incentives can also indirectly improve retention decisions.
Disruption of financial intermediation by FinTech: a review on crowdfunding and blockchain
Authors: Cai Cynthia Weiyi
Published: September 2018

Based on a systematic review of influential publications among 402 papers published between 2010 and 2018, this paper identifies gaps in Economics and Finance research regarding two applications of FinTech: crowdfunding and blockchain. Analysing these records shows that (i) current research on FinTech is fragmented with limited theoretical grounding; (ii) crowdfunding and blockchain can be regarded as two innovations that may disrupt traditional financial intermediation but in different ways; (iii) crowdfunding platforms substitute for traditional financial intermediaries and serve as a new intermediary, without eliminating the need for intermediation; (iv) similar to crowdfunding, blockchain also creates new intermediaries; and (v) the trust element inherent in blockchain enables blockchain to eliminate the need for intermediaries in some financial areas but not all.
Cruel Optimism: Migration and Schooling for Dominican Newcomer Immigrant Youth
Authors: Bartlett Lesley , Oliveira Gabrielle , Ungemah Lori
Published: September 2018

What is the relationship among migration, education, and socio‐emotional well‐being? This article draws on ethnographic research with Dominican youth to examine the impact of maternal migration on young immigrants and their educational aspirations. We detail how the youth come to conflate mother love, the sacrifices of migration, and educational investment. We argue that this conflation represents a “cruel optimism” (Berlant ), wherein the impossible object of desire—social mobility through schooling—impedes well‐being.
Performing the Nation, Performing the Market: Hybrid Practices and Negotiated Meanings of Chinese Rural Teachers
Authors: Wu Jinting
Published: September 2018

Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork in two ethnic villages in Southwest China, this article examines rural teachers’ performative engagement with education reform, audit culture, and neoliberal market mandates in their daily practices. Teachers are at once pedagogical agents, street‐level bureaucrats, and tourism entrepreneurs who both perform to and resist the dominant state and market ideologies. Teachers’ creative tactics and hybrid subjectivities challenge the resistance–compliance dichotomy and illuminate the persistent educational inequality in China’s rural ethnic margins.
A Mamá No la Vas a Llevar en la Maleta: Undocumented Mothers Crossing and Contesting Borders for Their Children’s Education
Authors: Alexander Rebecca
Published: September 2018

This paper illuminates the border‐crossing and border‐contesting work of undocumented mothers seeking opportunities for their children. Mothers navigate dual threats of deportability and poverty‐induced mobility, preparing children for, and utilizing schools to stave off, these possibilities. Examining border crossing as parent involvement, I introduce “bordermothering” to elucidate the paradoxical ways in which mothers defy gendered norms of embodied parenting to provide for their children and invoke these norms to contest the conditions that compel their defiance.
Assessment of Thrombelastography and Platelet Life Span in Ovines
Authors: Johnson Carl A. , Woolley Joshua R. , Snyder Trevor A. , Shankarraman Venkat , Haney Elaine I. , Wagner William R.
Published: September 2018

Ovines are a common animal model for the study of cardiovascular devices, where consideration of blood biocompatibility is an essential design criterion. In the ovine model, tools to assess blood biocompatibility are limited and continued investigation to identify and apply additional assays is merited. Toward this end, the thrombelastograph, clinically utilized to assess hemostasis, was used to characterize normal ovine parameters. In addition, platelet labeling with biotin was evaluated for its potential applicability to quantify ovine platelet life span. Mean ovine thrombelastograph values were reaction‐time: 4.9 min, K‐time: 2 min, angle: 64.1°, maximum amplitude: 68.6mm, actual clot strength: 11.9 kd/s, and coagulation index: 1.5. Reaction time was significantly shorter and maximum amplitude, actual clot strength, and coagulation index were all significantly higher when compared to normal human thrombelastograph values suggesting some hypercoagulability of sheep blood. Biotinylation and reinfusion of ovine platelets allowed temporal tracking of the labeled platelet cohort with flow cytometry. These data indicated a mean ovine platelet life span of 188h with a half‐life of 84h. The collection of these parameters for normal ovines demonstrates the applicability of these techniques for subsequent studies where cardiovascular devices may be evaluated and provides an indication of normal ovine values for comparison purposes.
The impact and understanding of childhood drowning by a community in West Bengal, India, and the suggested preventive measures
Authors: Lukaszyk Caroline , Mittal Srabani , Gupta Medhavi , Das Rumeli , Ivers Rebecca , Jagnoor Jagnoor
Published: September 2018

Aim

Our aim was to improve our understanding of the contextual factors contributing to child drowning in rural West Bengal, India.

Methods

This 2017 study used interviews, focus groups and observations and the participants included community leaders, household heads, parents and children aged 7–17 years from three remote villages. They included adults and children who had been directly affected by the loss of family members or friends.

Results

We conducted 19 in‐depth interviews, six focus groups and three informal observations in public locations where people were exposed to water. The area contained a high number of natural open areas of water, which increased the drowning risk. Participants reported that children frequently played unsupervised near potentially hazardous water, as their parents worked long hours and there was a lack of safe recreational spaces. Suggested approaches to reducing the drowning risk included parental education to improve child supervision and establishing village committees to effectively communicate the drowning risks to local government. Low‐cost, community‐based approaches to improving child water safety need to be developed.

Conclusion

Drowning was clearly a complex issue in rural West Bengal, with a significant impact on children and their families. Community‐based approaches are clearly needed.
Political extraction and corporate cash holdings in China
Authors: Li Yaoqin , Xu Xixiong , Gan Weiyu
Published: September 2018

This study investigates how political extraction influences corporate cash holdings in China. Using data for Chinese listed firms between 2003 and 2013, we find that firms headquartered in regions with higher levels of political extraction hold less cash, and the negative effect of political extraction is more significant in more corrupt regions. We also find that the negative relationship between political extraction and cash holdings is more prominent in firms without political ties than those with political ties. Further analysis shows that firms reduce cash holdings by channelling cash into hard assets such as property, plant and equipment. Overall, our study indicates that firms can protect themselves from political extraction by sheltering cash or building political ties. This study also identifies the importance of the anti‐corruption campaign in China.
Ectogenesis and a right to the death of the prenatal human being: A reply to Räsänen
Authors: Kaczor Christopher
Published: September 2018

Both many critics of abortion and many defenders of abortion have suggested that artificial wombs could end the abortion debate. If the fetus is removed from the uterus, women have an end to an unwanted pregnancy. If the living fetus is then put in an artificial uterus for ectogenesis, there is no termination of the life of the fetus. Joona Räsänen challenges this view in his article, Ectogenesis, abortion and a right to the death of the fetus. Räsänen provides three arguments for a right to secure the death of the human being in utero, namely the ‘right not to become a biological parent argument’, the ‘right to genetic privacy argument’, and the ‘right to property argument’. This article critiques these three arguments for a right to the death of the fetus.
Efficacy and safety of polydimethylsiloxane injection (Macroplastique®) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: results of a series of 85 patients with ≥3 years of follow‐up
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Soligo Marco , Braga Andrea , Cantaluppi Simona , Coluccia Anna C. , Di Dedda Maria C. , Salvatore Stefano , Cetin Irene , Ghezzi Fabio ,   Publication Committee of the Italian Society of Urodynamics
Published: September 2018

Objective

To assess the long‐term efficacy and safety of polydimethylsiloxane injection (Macroplastique®, Cogentix Medical, Orangeburg, New York, USA) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with a minimum follow‐up of 3 years.

Patients and Methods

This is an observational analytical prospective cohort study conducted in a single uro‐gynaecological unit. All consecutive women with urodynamically confirmed pure SUI treated with the Macroplastique procedure, were included. Data regarding patient outcomes (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and patient satisfaction scores), objective cure rates, and adverse events were collected during follow‐up. Uni‐ and multivariable analyses were performed to investigate outcomes. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors involved in the risk of failure of the procedures or recurrence of SUI.

Results

In all, 85 women had the Macroplastique procedure. At the 3‐year follow‐up, all 85 (100%) patients were available for the evaluation. We did not find any significant change in the surgical outcomes during this time. At 3 years after surgery, 42 of 85 patients (49%) declared themselves cured (P = 0.67). Similarly, at the 3‐year evaluation, 40 of 85 patients (47%) were objectively cured. There was no significant deterioration of objective cure rates over time (P = 0.3). A history of radical pelvic surgery and a low surgeon's skill were significantly associated with the risk of failure of Macroplastique. The multivariate analysis confirmed these findings; a previous history of radical pelvic surgery and a low surgeon's skill independently predicted the subjective and objective failure of Macroplastique.

Conclusions

The 3‐year results of this study showed that Macroplastique could be an acceptable alternative for the treatment of SUI with stable results over time and a negligible complication rate.
Outcomes of long‐term follow‐up of asymptomatic renal stones and prediction of stone‐related events
Authors: Li Xiaohang , Zhu Wei , Lam Wayne , Yue Youwei , Duan Haifeng , Zeng Guohua
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing observation of asymptomatic renal calculi and identify factors associated with stone‐related events.

Patients and Methods

Patients with asymptomatic renal calculi electing active surveillance of their stones were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent annual ultrasonography and clinical visits with standardised questions regarding the development of symptoms or complications from calculi. Spontaneous stone passage, stone growth, development of stone‐related symptoms, and requirement for intervention during follow‐up were deemed as stone‐related events.

Results

Between 2007 and 2017, 293 patients were reviewed to evaluate the natural history of asymptomatic renal calculi. The mean follow‐up was 4.2 years. Overall incidences of spontaneous passage, stone growth, development of stone‐related symptoms, and requirement of intervention were 32.1%, 16.7%, 28.3% and 12.3%, respectively. Stones >5 mm and lower pole stones were significantly less likely to pass spontaneously. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperuricaemia or non‐lower calyceal stone were more likely to experience stone growth. Stones >5 mm or non‐lower pole stones were more likely to become symptomatic. Significant predictors of surgical intervention were stone size (>5 mm) and patients' age (>60 years). Primary therapy was extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in 33 patients and flexible ureteroscopy in three.

Conclusion

The natural history of asymptomatic renal stones rarely requires intervention, although they do have a slightly higher rate of symptomatic events and growth over the intermediate term. In particular, patients with stones >5 mm, DM, hyperuricaemia, or non‐lower calyceal stones are at higher risk of developing stone‐related events, and should therefore be recommended for regular follow‐up.
Patient pad count is a poor measure of urinary incontinence compared with 48‐h pad test: results of a large‐scale multicentre study
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Bientinesi Riccardo , Gandi Carlo , Di Gianfrancesco Luca , Pierconti Francesco , Racioppi Marco , Bassi Pierfrancesco
Published: September 2018

Objective

To determine in a large population of community‐dwelling incontinent patients the accuracy and determinants of pad count as a measure of urinary incontinence (UI), using data from a multicentre 48‐h pad test study.

Materials and Methods

Incontinent patients, who were provided with absorbent products for the period January 2012 to March 2016, volunteered to perform a 48‐h home‐based pad test and to fill in a diary with information on pad usage. Correlations between UI measures (48‐h pad count and pad weight gain, mean pad weight gain per pad) were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate patient‐related and pad usage‐related factors influencing pad count.

Results

A total of 14 493 patients (median age 81 years) were included, with a total of 98 362 continence products used overall during the study period. The 48‐h pad count showed a weak correlation with 48‐h pad weight gain (R2 = 0.12; 0.19 for men and 0.11 for women) and mean pad weight gain per pad (R2 = −0.03). The weakest correlation was observed among patients using >6 pads/48 h (R2 = 0.02). A statistically significant negative association between pad absorption capacity and pad count was observed. Patients using products with a shaped and rectangular design had 34% and 40% higher propensity to use more pads than those using briefs (P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

The results of this very large observational study confirmed that pad count is a poor measure of UI severity. Pad count only measured 12% of the variability of UI volume and was affected by several patient‐related and pad usage‐related factors. Consequently, pad count should not be used instead of the pad test as an objective measure of UI when an accurate evaluation is required for research or clinical purposes.
Symptomatic overlap in overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: development of a new algorithm
Authors: Ackerman A. Lenore , Lai H. Henry , Parameshwar Pooja S. , Eilber Karyn S. , Anger Jennifer T.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To address challenges in the diagnosis and classification of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we sought to define the fundamental features of overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), two conditions with considerable symptomatic overlap. Through retrospective comparison of self‐reported symptoms in women with a range of clinical presentations and symptom severities, we have attempted to refine the diagnostic features of OAB and IC/BPS and to develop a novel clinical nomogram to improve patient screening and classification.

Materials and Methods

We performed a univariate analysis comparing responses to the female Genitourinary Pain Index (fGUPI), the OAB Questionnaire and O'Leary–Sant Indices (the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index) in an initial cohort of 50 patients with OAB, patients with IC/BPS and control subjects. Only eight questions differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups; we used five unique questions and three measuring bother to generate a novel composite scoring system and nomogram that included urgency incontinence, bladder pain and symptomatic bother domains to differentiate these populations, which was validated in a second cohort of 150 patients. The addition of a self‐reported bother index resulted in the creation of a diagnostic algorithm to identify and classify LUTS clusters across the total population.

Results

While all validated questionnaires could distinguish between controls and patients with storage LUTS, no combined symptom scores differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups. These results are reflective of the prevalence of significant bladder pain (35%) in patients with OAB and the presence of urge incontinence (25%) in patients with IC/BPS. Only the fGUPI pain domain scores differed between patients in the OAB and IC/BPS groups, but it was not accurate enough for diagnostic evaluation (68% accuracy). Our composite scores and nomogram gave a much‐improved diagnostic accuracy (94%) and demonstrated utility as a screening tool to identify storage LUTS in patients presenting for unrelated complaints, e.g. microhaematuria.

Conclusions

There is significant overlap of urinary tract symptoms between OAB and IC/BPS. We present a novel algorithm that provides a binary output capable of guiding clinical diagnosis. Future studies aimed at assessing the diagnostic value of novel classification schemes that address symptoms rather than specific diagnoses may improve patient prognosis.
Resilience and restoration of tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and grassy woodlands
Authors: Buisson Elise , Le Stradic Soizig , Silveira Fernando A. O. , Durigan Giselda , Overbeck Gerhard E. , Fidelis Alessandra , Fernandes G. Wilson , Bond William J. , Hermann Julia‐Maria , Mahy Gregory , Alvarado Swanni T. , Zaloumis Nicholas P. , Veldman Joseph W.
Published: September 2018

Despite growing recognition of the conservation values of grassy biomes, our understanding of how to maintain and restore biodiverse tropical grasslands (including savannas and open‐canopy grassy woodlands) remains limited. To incorporate grasslands into large‐scale restoration efforts, we synthesised existing ecological knowledge of tropical grassland resilience and approaches to plant community restoration. Tropical grassland plant communities are resilient to, and often dependent on, the endogenous disturbances with which they evolved – frequent fires and native megafaunal herbivory. In stark contrast, tropical grasslands are extremely vulnerable to human‐caused exogenous disturbances, particularly those that alter soils and destroy belowground biomass (e.g. tillage agriculture, surface mining); tropical grassland restoration after severe soil disturbances is expensive and rarely achieves management targets. Where grasslands have been degraded by altered disturbance regimes (e.g. fire exclusion), exotic plant invasions, or afforestation, restoration efforts can recreate vegetation structure (i.e. historical tree density and herbaceous ground cover), but species‐diverse plant communities, including endemic species, are slow to recover. Complicating plant‐community restoration efforts, many tropical grassland species, particularly those that invest in underground storage organs, are difficult to propagate and re‐establish. To guide restoration decisions, we draw on the old‐growth grassland concept, the novel ecosystem concept, and theory regarding tree cover along resource gradients in savannas to propose a conceptual framework that classifies tropical grasslands into three broad ecosystem states. These states are: (1) old‐growth grasslands (i.e. ancient, biodiverse grassy ecosystems), where management should focus on the maintenance of disturbance regimes; (2) hybrid grasslands, where restoration should emphasise a return towards the old‐growth state; and (3) novel ecosystems, where the magnitude of environmental change (i.e. a shift to an alternative ecosystem state) or the socioecological context preclude a return to historical conditions.
Oestrogenic activity of mimosine on MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line through the ERα‐mediated pathway
Authors: Huq AKM Moyeenul , Wai Lam Kok , Rullah Kamal , Mohd Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi , Stanslas Johnson , Jamal Jamia Azdina
Published: September 2018

Hormone replacement therapy has been a conventional treatment for postmenopausal symptoms in women. However, it has potential risks of breast and endometrial cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oestrogenicity of a plant‐based compound, mimosine, in MCF‐7 cells by in silico model. Cell viability and proliferation, ERα‐SRC1 coactivator activity and expression of specific ERα‐dependent marker TFF1 and PGR genes were evaluated. Binding modes of 17β‐oestradiol and mimosine at the ERα ligand binding domain were compared using docking and molecular dynamics simulation experiments followed by binding interaction free energy calculation with molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area. Mimosine showed increased cellular viability (64,450 cells/ml) at 0.1 μM with significant cell proliferation (120.5%) compared to 17β‐oestradiol (135.2%). ER antagonist tamoxifen significantly reduced proliferative activity mediated by mimosine (49.9%). Mimosine at 1 μM showed the highest ERα binding activity through increased SRC1 recruitment at 186.9%. It expressed TFF1 (11.1‐fold at 0.1 μM) and PGR (13.9‐fold at 0.01 μM) genes. ERα‐mimosine binding energy was −49.9 kJ/mol, and it interacted with Thr347, Gly521 and His524 of ERα‐LBD. The results suggested that mimosine has oestrogenic activity.
Lymphocytes are a major source of circulating soluble dipeptidyl peptidase 4
Authors: Casrouge A , Sauer A V , Barreira da Silva R , Tejera-Alhambra M , Sánchez-Ramón S ,   ICAReB, Cancrini C , Ingersoll M A , Aiuti A , Albert M L
Published: September 2018

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4, CD26) is a serine protease that is expressed constitutively by many haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic tissues. It exists as a membrane-associated protein, as well as in an active, soluble form (herein called sDPP4), present at high concentrations in bodily fluids. Despite the proposed use of sDPP4 as a biomarker for multiple diseases, its cellular sources are not well defined. Here, we report that individuals with congenital lymphocyte immunodeficiency had markedly lower serum concentrations of sDPP4, which were restored upon successful treatment and restoration of lymphocyte haematopoiesis. Using irradiated lymphopenic mice and wild-type to Dpp4–/– reciprocal bone marrow chimeric animals, we found that haematopoietic cells were a major source of circulating sDPP4. Furthermore, activation of human and mouse T lymphocytes resulted in increased sDPP4, providing a mechanistic link between immune system activation and sDPP4 concentration. Finally, we observed that acute viral infection induced a transient increase in sDPP4, which correlated with the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Our study demonstrates that sDPP4 concentrations are determined by the frequency and activation state of lymphocyte populations. Insights from these studies will support the use of sDPP4 concentration as a biomarker for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Restoring islands and identifying source populations for introductions
Authors: Wauchope Hannah S. , Fuller Richard A. , Shanahan Danielle F. , Shaw Justine D.
Published: September 2018

Article impact statement: Structured decision making can be used to identify an optimal source population for conservation introductions.
Post‐radiation vascular lesions of the breast
Authors: Ronen Shira , Ivan Doina , Torres‐Cabala Carlos A. , Curry Jonathan L. , Tetzlaff Michael T. , Aung Phyu P. , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Suster Saul , Prieto Victor G.
Published: September 2018

Post‐radiation vascular lesions are a rare complication most commonly seen in patients previously treated for breast cancer. The main two entities include angiosarcoma (AS), which are malignant tumors that have a poor prognosis, and atypical vascular lesions (AVL), which typically behave in a benign manner and only rarely progress to angiosarcoma. The overall incidence of these lesions is low, but it appears to be increasing. Histopathologic distinction of AVL and AS is essential due to different clinical outcomes and treatment. However, due to the occasional existence of overlapping clinical and histopathologic features, it may be sometimes difficult to render a definite diagnosis, particularly in small biopsies. Ancillary techniques are, in general, of little help for separating the borderland cases but, in some instances, immunohistochemical study (IHC) for Ki67 and IHC or fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for MYC may help in the diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Herein we discuss the clinical characteristics, histopathologic features, management strategies, and outcome of these lesions, with special emphasis on their differential diagnosis.
On the nature and systematic role of evidence: Husserl as a proponent of mentalist evidentialism?
Authors: Berghofer Philipp
Published: September 2018

In this paper, I shall show that for Husserl, (a) evidence determines epistemic justification and (b) evidence is linked to originary givenness in the sense that one's ultimate evidence consists of one's originary presentive intuitions. This means that in contemporary analytic terminology, Husserl is a proponent of evidentialism and mentalism. Evidentialism and mentalism have been introduced into current debates by Earl Conee and Richard Feldman. Finally, I shall highlight that there is one significant difference between Husserl and Earl Conee and Richard Feldman. Although Conee and Feldman argue that the fundamental principles of epistemology are principles of best explanation, Husserl opts for phenomenological principles as the most fundamental epistemic principles. The main difference is that for Husserl, experiences gain their justificatory force by virtue of their phenomenal character, namely, their originary givenness.
A rare fatal complication of bleeding immediately following polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafting in a lady with Goodpasture syndrome
Authors: Kavalam George Joseph , Safreen Siddiqua , Abraham Georgi , Sundararajan Saravanan , Mathew Milly , Murugan Senthil , George Deepu S
Published: September 2018

We report a 28‐year‐old female with no history of allergies and recent onset of Goodpasture syndrome who developed life‐threatening bleeding immediately after placement of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft as an access for hemodialysis in the left upper limb by an experienced vascular surgeon. In spite of transfusing fresh frozen plasma, packed cells and cryoprecipitate, her prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio became progressively worse which were normal at the beginning of the surgery. She had profound hypotension and succumbed within 8 hours. We suspect a rare phenomenon of the interaction of her blood with the PTFE graft causing activation of bleeding and coagulation factors leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Reply: Does Helicobacter pylori infection increase the risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma?
Authors: Erőss Bálint , Tinusz Benedek , Farkas Nelli , Hegyi Péter
Published: September 2018

Click here to view the Letter from Doulberis et al.
Mothers’ perception of maternal and child health information disseminated via different modes of ICT in Nigeria
Authors: Obasola Oluwaseun I. , Mabawonku Iyabo M.
Published: September 2018

Background

A few studies have examined mothers’ perception of ICT and maternal and child health (MCH) information promoted using ICT. The effectiveness of different modes of delivery of such information is unclear.

Objective

To investigate mothers’ perceived usefulness of ICT and MCH information disseminated through e‐health projects in Nigeria.

Methods

The study was a descriptive survey that was based on the mixed method paradigm. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 1001 mothers involved in ongoing ICT based projects in Nigeria. The mothers were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Four focus group discussion sessions were also organised for thirty mothers.

Results

Mobile phones were viewed as useful (35.0%) or very useful (42.2%) and radio as useful (34.8%) or very useful (57.5%%). But they expressed a negative perception towards the use of DVD/TV (Not useful, 66.5%) and the Internet/computer (Not useful 67.7%). Mothers’ perception of MCH information disseminated was also positive. They reported the need for more MCH information products in local languages using acceptable ICT.

Conclusion

Mothers’ perception of preferred modes of delivery of maternal and child health information varies according to location.
Dynamic mechanical properties and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite produced by high moisture extrusion
Authors: Wu Min , Huang Xin , Gao Fei , Sun Yang , Duan Hao , Li Dong
Published: September 2018

Texturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten were prepared at high moisture using a twin‐screw extruder. Effects of feed moisture content, extrusion temperature and wheat gluten content on the dynamic mechanical properties, microstructures and fractal analysis of texturized soybean protein/wheat gluten composite were investigated. All extruded samples were well fitted with Burger's model in creep‐recovery tests (R2 ≥ 0.978). The creep‐recovery rate decreased with an increasing extrusion temperature. The addition of wheat gluten increased the resistance to creep and the unrecoverable deformation of TSP samples. The extrusion parameters affected the microstructure and morphology of extruded products. The fractal dimension of TSP products decreased with an increase in moisture content and wheat gluten content. Texturized soybean protein (TSP) and wheat gluten composite could form well‐structure products.