bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Effect of Nisin, Carvacrol and Thymol on the Viability of Bacillus Cereus Heat-Treated Vegetative Cells
Authors: Periago P. M. , Palop A. , Fernandez P. S.
Published: January 2019

The influence of mild heat pretreatment on the bactericidal action of nisin, carvacrol and thymol on stationary and exponential phase cells of two Bacillus cereus strains was studied. Carvacrol or thymol concentrations of 0.3 mmol/L had no bactericidal effect on unheated, and a minor effect on heated B. cereus cells either in stationary or exponential growth phases. Nisin (0.15 mg/mL) alone decreased the viable counts in all cases (unheated and heated cells in stationary and exponential phase) although the two strains tested showed different sensitivity to this natural antimicrobial between them. When carvacrol or thymol were combined with nisin, it resulted in a greater loss of viability of heated cells than when nisin was applied alone. There was a synergistic effect of nisin and both essential oils with a mild heat pretreatment on the viability of B. cereus cells. This study pointed out the potential use of nisin alone and in combination with carvacrol or thymol applied after a mild heat pretreatment for preservation of minimally processed foods.
Energy-dispersive Laue experiments with X-ray tube and PILATUS detector: precise determination of lattice constants
Authors: Kurdzesau Fiodar
Published: January 2019

A PILATUS detector in combination with a conventional sealed X-ray tube was used for the development of the energy-dispersive Laue diffraction technique, which can be applied for precise measurements of single-crystal lattice constants in transmission and reflection modes without moving the sample. Exploiting the ability of PILATUS detectors to suppress counting of X-ray photons below a certain energy threshold allows one to recover the wavelength of diffracted Bragg reflections, reconstruct the three-dimensional reciprocal-space pattern, index X-ray diffraction peaks, and find the orientation and lattice parameters of the crystal without any a priori information about the sample. By making some geometrical assumptions and using a set of fast in situ calibration procedures, it is possible to simultaneously refine lattice constants and hardware correction factors, which simplifies the sample preparation and measurement strategies. Several samples [silicon, quartz, fluorite (CaF2), o′-Al13Co4 quasicrystal approximant, Laves (MgZn2) and Bergman (Mg32(Al,Zn)49) phases] were studied with the developed technique, and 0.01 Å and 0.1° precisions were routinely reached for lattice vector lengths and angles, respectively. The use of the developed methods is only limited by the energy resolution of the PILATUS detector, where lattice vectors with >27 Å length cannot be reliably resolved.
Performance and characteristics of the BILBY time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering instrument
Authors: Sokolova Anna , Whitten Andrew E. , de Campo Liliana , Christoforidis Jason , Eltobaji Andrew , Barnes John , Darmann Frank , Berry Andrew
Published: January 2019

BILBY is a recently constructed and commissioned time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering instrument, operated by the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). BILBY provides a wide accessible q range (q ≃ 1.0 × 10−3 Å−1 to ∼1.8 Å−1) and variable wavelength resolution (Δλ/λ ≃ 3–30%) to complement the other small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering capabilities available at ANSTO. Since its construction, BILBY has been used to study samples from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics and materials science. This article describes the BILBY design and components, and shows data collected from a number of reference samples.
Development of a crystal collimation system for high-resolution ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering applications
Authors: Sztucki Michael , Leonardon Joachim , Van Vaerenbergh Pierre , Gorini Jacques , Boesecke Peter , Narayanan Theyencheri
Published: January 2019

Crystal collimation offers a viable alternative to the commonly used pinhole collimation in small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for specific applications requiring highest angular resolution. This scheme is not affected by the parasitic scattering and diffraction-limited beam broadening. The Darwin width of the rocking curve of the crystals mainly defines the ultimate beam divergence. For this purpose, a dispersive Si-111 crystal collimation set-up based on two well conditioned pseudo channel-cut crystals (pairs of well polished, independent parallel crystals) using a higher-order reflection (Si-333) has been developed. The gain in resolution is obtained at the expense of flux. The system has been installed at the TRUSAXS beamline ID02 (ESRF) for reducing the horizontal beam divergence in high-resolution mesurements. The precise mechanics of the system allows reproducible alignment of the Bragg condition. The high resolution achieved at a sample–detector distance of 31 m is demonstrated by ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering measurements on a model system consisting of micrometre-sized polystyrene latex particles with low polydispersity.
In situ synchrotron research of phase formation in mechanically activated 3Ti + Al powder composition during high-temperature synthesis under the condition of heating with high-frequency electromagnetic fields
Authors: Loginova Marina , Sobachkin Alexey , Sitnikov Alexander , Yakovlev Vladimir , Filimonov Valeriy , Myasnikov Andrey , Sharafutdinov Marat , Tolochko Boris
Published: January 2019

An in situ synchrotron study of the specific features of the phase formation dynamics in mechanically activated 16 wt% Al + Ti powder composition is described, the high-temperature synthesis being carried out under the condition of high volume inflammation by means of inductive heating. The kinetics of the phase formation were registered with an experimental complex, especially designed, constructed and adjusted for the method of dynamic diffraction analysis in synchrotron radiation beams. It has been experimentally in situ shown that increasing the time of mechanical activation of the initial powder mixture reduces the temperature at which components start to react and the time of realization of the high-temperature synthesis. With the latter set at 1 min of mechanical activation, the temperature of the reaction in the mixture is T = 603°C; at 3 min of mechanical activation, T = 442°C; and at 7 min, T = 359°C. The maximum burning temperatures are: for 1 min of mechanical activation, T
max = 1080°C; for 3 min, T
max = 1003°C; and for 7 min, T
max = 820°C. It was found that formation of both stable compounds Ti3Al, TiAl3, TiAl2, TiAl and metastable phases Ti9Al23, Ti5Al11, Ti2Al5, Ti3Al5 occurs at the stage of primary structure formation, before the system goes to thermal explosion. High-temperature synthesis of a mixture of the studied composition takes place without formation of a liquid phase, in the solid-phase combustion mode. It was found that the increase in the time of mechanical activation of the initial powder mixture contributes to the formation of a product with a dominant content of intermetallic compound Ti3Al. By synthesis of the powder mixture of composition 16 wt% Al + Ti, mechanically activated for 7 min, the content of Ti3Al in the final product was found to be 68%.
A concise and versatile route to tetrahydro-1-benzazepines carrying [a]-fused heterocyclic units: synthetic sequence and spectroscopic characterization, and the molecular and supramolecular structures of one intermediate and two products
Authors: Guerrero Sergio A. , Ramírez Juan E. , Palma Alirio , Cobo Justo , Glidewell Christopher
Published: January 2019

A concise, efficient and versatile route from simple starting materials to tricyclic tetrahydro-1-benzazepines carrying [a]-fused heterocyclic units is reported. Thus, the easily accessible methyl 2-[(2-allyl-4-chlorophenyl)amino]acetate, (I), was converted, via (2RS,4SR)-7-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxy-1-benzo[b]azepine-2-carboxylate, (II), to the key intermediate methyl (2RS,4SR)-7-chloro-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-2-carboxylate, (III). Chloroacetylation of (III) provided the two regioisomers methyl (2RS,4SR)-7-chloro-1-(2-chloroacetyl)-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-2-carboxylate, (IVa), and methyl (2RS,4SR)-7-chloro-4-(2-chloroacetoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepine-2-carboxylate, C14H15Cl2NO4, (IVb), as the major and minor products, respectively, and further reaction of (IVa) with aminoethanol gave the tricyclic target compound (4aRS,6SR)-9-chloro-6-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,3,4a,5,6,7-hexahydrobenzo[f]pyrazino[1,2-a]azepine-1,4-dione, C15H17ClN2O4, (V). Reaction of ester (III) with hydrazine hydrate gave the corresponding carbohydrazide (VI), which, with trimethoxymethane, gave a second tricyclic target product, (4aRS,6SR)-9-chloro-6-hydroxy-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[f][1,2,4]triazino[4,5-a]azepin-4(3H)-one, C12H12ClN3O2, (VII). Full spectroscopic characterization (IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry) is reported for each of compounds (I)–(III), (IVa), (IVb) and (V)–(VII), along with the molecular and supramolecular structures of (IVb), (V) and (VII). In each of (IVb), (V) and (VII), the azepine ring adopts a chair conformation and the six-membered heterocyclic rings in (V) and (VII) adopt approximate boat forms. The molecules in (IVb), (V) and (VII) are linked, in each case, into complex hydrogen-bonded sheets, but these sheets all contain a different range of hydrogen-bond types: N—H...O, C—H...O, C—H...N and C—H...π(arene) in (IVb), multiple C—H...O hydrogen bonds in (V), and N—H...N, O—H...O, C—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) in (VII).
Changing agents of change in neoliberally framed organizations
Authors: Asirvatham Sheeba , Humphries Maria
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to invite reflection and action among scholars of gender in management to the shaping and meeting of commitments to universal justice.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 12 women employed as senior scholars in public universities in Aotearoa New Zealand were invited to discuss their career experiences. An observed disjuncture between radical feminist analyses of their career experiences and their liberal feminist responses to issues arising for them prompted reflection on a wider disjuncture in the shaping of justice wherever neoliberal directives prevail, generating this paper’s activist call to integrity between analyses and practice among scholars as agents of change.

Findings

Implications drawn from the conversations with participants vindicated earlier critiques of diversity management under the conditions of neoliberalism when accommodating damaging social outcomes and systemic compliance is morally compromising.

Originality/value

Exploring accommodation of system preserving career strategies of scholars claiming commitment to justice is an evocative and original call to scholarly activism.
A cold call on work-based learning: a “live” group project for the strategic selling classroom
Authors: Lloyd Robert , Martin Michael J. , Hyatt James , Tritt Addison
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a case study used in a strategic sales class that employs the use of work-based learning pedagogy to expose students to real-life cold calling experiences. This real-life cold calling experience involves students within the course building a target list of prospective students for a small liberal arts college. The students must then construct pre-call strategies, build rapport with prospective students and finally “close the deal” by having the prospective student visit campus.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins by describing work-based learning as a unique pedagogical method and the importance of cold-calling skills in the context of workplace skills in demand. Theoretical foundations in Lichtenstein and Lyon’s (1996) entrepreneurial skillset is analyzed, as is the application of “live” group projects. The case is then described in detail and focuses on the project itself, the personal and group incentives used in the course of the project, and finally, a review of the learning outcomes and desired skillset outcomes for the class.

Findings

The case shows that students can learn and implement the behaviors, attitudes and practices that make professional cold-callers successful. The impact on the university can also be seen since real contributions were made to the recruiting efforts of the collegevis-à-vishigher matriculation numbers. The entrepreneurial skillsets and “live” group project literature is contextualized in light of the findings of the project. This research found that students engaged in varying levels of progress in their managerial, entrepreneurial, technical skillsets as well as levels of personal maturity. Finally, the authors provide guidance for future research to expound the findings of this project by testing the variables using quantitative methodologies.

Originality/value

The paper showcases an innovative pedagogic approach to exposing students to the best practices of cold-calling and allows them to exercise these tools real time as they make actual cold calls and work toward sales incentives. The focus on recruiting new students as customers of the college serves is not only active classroom learning, but it also serves mission-based outcomes to help the college achieve desired recruiting goals. This case study will provide a tool for small, liberal arts colleges to use which mobilizes faculty and students in the effort to recruit new students, in an environment where enrollment numbers are falling for this market sector in higher education.
Access and utilization of health services by migrant domestic helpers in Cyprus: the role of the employer
Authors: Kantaris Marios , Theodorou Mamas , Kaitelidou Daphne
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The dominant role of the employer regarding the access and use of healthcare services by migrant domestic helpers (MDH) often has a negative impact on healthcare provision for migrants in Cyprus. Research relating to the perceptions of MDH employers remains scarce. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of employers on the access and use of healthcare services by their MDH.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies were carried out using semi-structured interviews with MDH (n=13) and employers of MDH (n=12) and structured questionnaires with MDH (n=625). Content analysis for qualitative findings was carried out using QSR Nvivo 10 and for quantitative using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.

Findings

Findings provide information about migrant health needs from different views leading to improved documentation via multiple triangulation. Employers play a key gatekeeping role but are not in position to provide sufficient information and guidance to their MDH. MDH reported a need for health services which was not met (18 percent), attributing this to their employers not granting them permission.

Originality/value

The role of the employer is critical and has an impact on the quality of care provided to this migrant group. The involvement of the employer in MDH health matters functions as a barrier. A significant gap exists between employers and MDH regarding the health needs of the latter.
Fatigue damage analysis of steel components subjected to earthquake loadings
Authors: Hou Chien-Yuan , Lee Yung-Feng , Peng Yen-Hao
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Examination of steel moment resisting frames after the 1994 Northridge earthquake showed fatigue cracks presented in the beam–column connections of the frames. These observations indicate that fatigue failure may occur in the steel components of building structures in an earthquake event. To apply the fatigue design approach using the Palmgren–Miner’s rule for steel components of the moment resisting frames requires the knowledge regarding the damage index value at fatigue failure. The purpose of this paper is to perform fatigue tests to give the first damage values of steel components subjected to real earthquake-induced loadings.

Design/methodology/approach

The added-damping-and-stiffness steel plates which are used in building structures for earthquake mitigation were fabricated and tested by constant amplitude, SAC block and earthquake-induced loadings to failure. The earthquake loadings were obtained from the dynamic analysis of a steel frame with the mentioned plates. The load cycles of the SAC block and the calculated earthquake loadings were counted using the rainflow-counting method, and the damage index value of each specimen were calculated using the Palmgren–Miner’s rule.

Findings

Reverse stiffness obtained from cyclic load-displacement loops is a robust and consistent parameter that can be used for determining fatigue failure of tested components. The Palmgren–Miner’s damage values at failure, caused by earthquake loadings, are smaller than 1, and in addition, are also smaller than those obtained from the tests of the SAC block loading. The large-amplitude cycles in the earthquake loading produce large damage on the specimens, and intermediate range cycles also produce damage that should not be neglected in the fatigue analysis.

Originality/value

Today’s building design code allows large plastic deformation to occur in steel frames during an earthquake. However, the pre-Northridge earthquake steel frames showed fatigue cracks without the expected substantial plastic deformation at beam flanges. Proposed solutions to this problem were the reduced beam section neglecting the existence of the cracks at beam–column connections. This study considered the fatigue phenomenon in steel frames and provided the first set of tested fatigue damage values for steel components subjected to realistic earthquake loadings, which offered a possible method of dealing with fatigue cracks in the steel components of a building structure.
Adoption of social networking sites for educational use
Authors: Owusu Godfred Matthew Yaw , Bekoe Rita Amoah , Otoo Dorothea Sekyiwa , Koli Akua Pokuaa Essah
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of university students on social networking sites (SNSs) adoption for educational purposes and investigate the factors that motivate students to use SNSs for academic purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method of research was adopted and questionnaires were administered to the respondent group. A total of 522 valid responses from the University of Ghana Business School Students were used in the empirical analysis. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship among the key constructs of the study.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, the existence of facilitating conditions and the purposes of SNSs are the key factors that motivate students to adopt SNSs for academic purposes. However, the influence of other people in society and the desire to be identified with social groups were found not to be important predictors of SNSs use by students for educational purposes.

Research limitations/implications

The data examined in this study are based on sample responses from only one university, which may limit the extent of generalization of the findings.

Originality/value

This paper provides some useful insights into the key predictors of SNSs adoption for educational use by university students from the perspective of a developing country.
Examining attitudes on pay for low level workers: do consumers care?
Authors: Moran Nora
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper examines whether decisions to improve pay for low-level employees lead to more positive attitudes toward firms, depending on firm’s service reputation.

Design/methodology

Four experiments examine whether information on compensation decisions for employees affects consumer attitudes toward firms.

Findings

Results show attitudes toward firms providing raises are more positive when firms are known for high quality (vs average) service. This occurs because individuals use information about firm reputation as a cue to make inferences about employees, and fairness of firm pay procedures. Moderators are introduced to show how these effects can be altered.

Research limitations/implications

Drawing from research on the representativeness bias, this work extends theories on justice and equity and contributes to the literature on corporate social responsibility.

Practical implications

This research provides firms with insight on how to promote their efforts to improve employees’ financial welfare.

Social implications

Findings provide guidance on how to increase public support of initiatives to improve financial well-being for low-wage workers.

Originality/value

This research is the first to examine how specific firm factors affect reception of initiatives to improve employee financial welfare and to delineate the process.
Devolving healthcare services redesign to local clinical leaders: does it work in practice?
Authors: Storey John , Holti Richard , Hartley Jean , Marshall Martin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings arising from a three year research project which investigated a major system-wide change in the design of the NHS in England. The radical policy change was enshrined in statute in 2012 and it dismantled existing health authorities in favour of new local commissioning groups built around GP Practices. The idea was that local clinical leaders would “step-up” to the challenge and opportunity to transform health services through exercising local leadership. This was the most radical change in the NHS since its inception in 1948.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methods included two national postal surveys to all members of the boards of the local groups supplemented with 15 scoping case studies followed by six in-depth case studies. These case studies focused on close examination of instances where significant changes to service design had been attempted.

Findings

The authors found that many local groups struggled to bring about any significant changes in the design of care systems. But the authors also found interesting examples of situations where pioneering clinical leaders were able to collaborate in order to design and deliver new models of care bridging both primary and secondary settings. The potential to use competition and market forces by fully utilising the new commissioning powers was more rarely pursued.

Practical implications

The findings carry practical implications stemming from positive lessons about securing change even under difficult circumstances.

Originality/value

The paper offers novel insights into the processes required to introduce new systems of care in contexts where existing institutions tend to revert to the status quo. The national survey allows accurate assessment of the generalisability of the findings about the nature and scale of change.
Knowledge management competences, exporting and productivity: uncovering African paradoxes
Authors: Vendrell-Herrero Ferran , Darko Christian K. , Ghauri Pervez
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the importance of relational and conditional knowledge by assessing how service and signaling competences affect manufacturing firms’ productivity. These relationships are explored in the context of Africa, where, paradoxically, firms selling abroad must satisfy different market demands than firms that serve only domestic markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the World Bank Enterprise Survey to perform a cross-sectional analysis of 4,683 manufacturing firms. These surveys cover the period 2009-2017 and 35 different African countries. The authors define service competence development as co-location with knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) firms, measured through KIBS density at city level. Signaling is measured through outward-looking competences.

Findings

This paper shows that African exporters differ significantly from their non-exporting counterparts in terms of productivity and competences. External service competence generates productivity gains for exporters but has the opposite effect for non-exporters. Results consistent with previous research also show that signaling competences generate productivity gains, but the effect for firms serving domestic markets is stronger than the effect for exporting firms. The authors use paradoxes of learning to interpret these results.

Research limitations/implications

This study detects nuances of the African context that increase the understanding of knowledge management in emerging markets. The findings would benefit from confirmation in a longitudinal and causal setting.

Practical implications

African exporting firms should establish mechanisms to develop joint knowledge with external partners (know-with) to enhance their competitiveness, whereas African non-exporters should prioritize building knowledge credibility.

Originality/value

The study develops a novel empirical approach to analyzing firm competences in Africa. It also shows that contextualization of existing knowledge management theories matters, opening a research avenue to test further existing theories in emerging economies.
Impact of IS agility and HR systems on job satisfaction: an organizational information processing theory perspective
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Kumar Sameer , Kamboj Shampy , Bhushan Bharat , Luo Zongwei
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the link between information systems (IS) agility, HR performance management systems and job satisfaction using organizational information processing theory. The objective of this study answers the following questions: How does use of different IS agility impact HR systems and job satisfaction? What are the connecting pathways by which IS agility affects HR systems and job satisfaction?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a theoretical framework based on the organizational information processing theory and collected primary data through an online-based questionnaire. Following these procedures, the authors analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

SEM analysis of the data from 150 respondents supports the organizational information processing theory. The authors proposed eight hypotheses, and only one was rejected.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from South Africa only, which is an emerging economy, and these cross-sectional data were gathered from the perspectives of the respondents.

Originality/value

The present paper empirically tests the conceptual model through the lens of organizational information processing theory.
Innovating through digital revolution
Authors: Caputo Francesco , Cillo Valentina , Candelo Elena , Liu Yipeng
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relations among soft skill, information technologies and Big Data for building a possible bridge able to link human and technology dimensions for increasing firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Business-focused Inventory of Personality , work personality of 4,758 human resources engaged in 72 high-tech European firms has been analyzed and its relations with firms’ investment in Big Data and firms’ economic performance have been tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The research shows the existence of strong relations between some elements of human resources’ personality such as the work motivation and the social competencies and the firms’ economic performance. At the same time, the research clarifies the mediated effect of firms’ investment in Big Data in the relations between human resources’ organizational behavior and the firms’ economic performance.

Originality/value

The paper extends previous managerial contributions about Big Data management and human resource management providing evidence on which build more effective managerial models in the era of digital transformation.
Conservation-based intelligence-led policing
Authors: Cowan Devin , Burton Christina , Moreto William
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of interpersonal relations on the implementation of an intelligence-led initiative within a rural, conservation setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study are gathered from semi-structured interviews (n = 79) and field observations within five study sites that are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Findings

The findings suggest that while law enforcement and community conservation rangers viewed intelligence operations to be necessary, there was general discontent and distrust toward intelligence rangers. This was largely due to the actuarial and perceived activities, roles and responsibilities of intelligence rangers and the belief that intelligence rangers reflected more of an internal affairs unit rather than one focused on intelligence gathering.

Research limitations/implications

The credibility of the data provided by respondents can be called into question; however, extensive efforts were made to establish rapport to help alleviate these hazards.

Practical implications

Findings from the current study highlight the importance of considering and managing interpersonal relations when implementing intelligence-led initiatives.

Originality/value

The current study is unique in that it examines crime in a non-traditional setting (a developing country, Uganda), with a non-traditional crime type (wildlife crime). Additionally, literature examining the impact of interpersonal relations on intelligence-led policing is limited.
Understanding public satisfaction with the police
Authors: Dai Mengyan , Hu Xiaochen , Time Victoria
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Building upon prior research, the purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of public satisfaction with the police by examining the effects of one’s military background and the interactions between one’s education and perceptions about prior contact with the police.

Design/methodology/approach

This study statistically analyzes the 2012 citizen survey data collected in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA, and the theoretical framework includes the major models of citizen satisfaction with the police (i.e. demographic, prior contact with the police and neighborhood conditions).

Findings

Findings show that being a military family member is significantly positively related to satisfaction with the police. In addition, there are significant interactions between higher education and prior contact with the police, suggesting that people with different educational backgrounds tend to consider their prior experiences (either positive or negative) differently in their general evaluations of the police.

Originality/value

The study expands the literature by empirically assessing two often omitted factors that could have significant impacts on how the public evaluate the police.
Metabolic reconstruction of the genome of candidate Desulfatiglans TRIP_1 and identification of key candidate enzymes for anaerobic phenanthrene degradation
Authors: Kraiselburd Ivana , Brüls Thomas , Heilmann Geronimo , Kaschani Farnusch , Kaiser Markus , Meckenstock Rainer U.
Published: January 2019

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed pollutants. As oxygen is rapidly depleted in water‐saturated PAH‐contaminated sites, anaerobic microorganisms are crucial for their consumption. Here, we report the metabolic pathway for anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a sulfate‐reducing enrichment culture (TRIP) obtained from a natural asphalt lake. The dominant organism of this culture belongs to the Desulfobacteraceae family of Deltaproteobacteria and genome‐resolved metagenomics led to the reconstruction of its genome along with a handful of genomes from lower abundance bacteria. Proteogenomic analyses confirmed metabolic capabilities for dissimilatory sulfate reduction and indicated the presence of the Embden‐Meyerhof‐Parnas pathway, a complete tricarboxylic acid cycle as well as a complete Wood‐Ljungdahl pathway. Genes encoding enzymes putatively involved in the degradation of phenanthrene were identified. This includes two gene clusters encoding a multisubunit carboxylase complex likely involved in the activation of phenanthrene, as well as genes encoding reductases potentially involved in subsequent ring dearomatization and reduction steps. The predicted metabolic pathways were corroborated by transcriptome and proteome analyses, and provide the first insights into the metabolic pathway responsible for the anaerobic degradation of three‐ringed PAHs.
Evaluation of the impact of a post‐hospital discharge Transitional Aged Care Service on frailty, malnutrition and functional ability
Authors: Vearing Rebecca , Casey Shelly , Zaremba Carly , Bowden Steven , Ferguson Allison , Goodisson Christie , Potter Jan , Evry Narelle , Charlton Karen
Published: January 2019

Aim

To investigate the relationship between nutritional status, functional ability and frailty in older adults participating in a 12‐week Transitional Aged Care Service program.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a clinical cohort of older adults aged 65+ years after hospital discharge. At entry into the program and at completion, nutritional status was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), frailty status was measured using the Groningen Frailty Indicator and functional ability was measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Demographic data were obtained from electronic medical records.

Results

Baseline data were available for 115 participants (mean age = 81.7 (SD =7.9) years; 20.9% classified as malnourished and 89.6% as frail). A positive association was found between nutritional status and frailty (r = 0.298; P = 0.001), and frailty and functional ability (r = 0.204; P = 0.029). Multiple regression analysis, accounting for the cofounders of baseline MNA, MBI, age, gender, length of hospital stay and living situation, found that nutritional status and functional ability were able to indicate the presence of frailty on admission to the program (P = 0.002, P = 0.007, respectively). In those program completers (n = 79), significant improvements were found in nutritional status, frailty and functional ability (P < 0.0005).

Conclusions

Nutrition status, frailty and functional ability are closely and positively related, and should therefore be considered simultaneously in rehabilitation for older adults. A post‐hospital transitional program with a multidisciplinary approach significantly improved all three outcomes, suggesting its value in enabling frail older people to remain independent for as long as possible.
The bidder exclusion effect
Authors: Coey Dominic , Larsen Bradley , Sweeney Kane
Published: January 2019

We introduce a new, simple‐to‐compute test of independence of valuations and the number of bidders for ascending button auctions with symmetric, conditionally independent private values. The test involves estimating the expected revenue drop from excluding a bidder at random, which can be computed as a scaled sample average of a difference of order statistics. This object also provides a bound on counterfactual revenue changes from optimal reserve pricing or bidder mergers. We illustrate the approach using data from timber auctions, where we find some evidence that bidder valuations and the number of participants are not independent.
Clinical evaluation of a first trimester pregnancy algorithm predicting the risk of small for gestational age neonates
Authors: Graham Kathryn , Park Felicity , McLennan Andrew , Pelosi Marilena , Williams Paul , Poon Liona C. , Hyett Jon
Published: January 2019

Background

The Fetal Medicine Foundation developed a multiple logistic regression algorithm for risk prediction of delivering a small for gestational age neonate.

Aim

To validate this algorithm in an Australian population.

Methods

At the combined first trimester screen participants’ medical histories, demographic data, mean arterial pressure, uterine artery pulsatility index and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A were assessed. After delivery, risk of delivering a small for gestational age neonate at <37 or ≥37 weeks gestation was retrospectively calculated using the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm.

Results

Three thousand and eight women underwent prediction of risk for delivering a small for gestational age neonate. The algorithm detected 15.0% (95% CI: 3.2–37.9) of small for gestational age neonates delivered <37 weeks gestation at a fixed 10% false positive rate (or 35.0% (95% CI: 15.4–59.2) at a fixed 20% false positive rate). It detected 23.4% (95% CI: 16.1–30.7) of small for gestational age neonates delivered ≥37 weeks gestation at a fixed 10% false positive rate (or 39.1% (95% CI: 30.7–47.5) at a fixed 20% false positive rate). The algorithm performed significantly better than individual parameters (P < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.56–0.80) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.65–0.74) for small for gestational age neonates at <37 and ≥37 weeks gestation, respectively.

Conclusions

The Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm for first trimester prediction of small for gestational age neonates does not perform as well in an Australian population as in the original United Kingdom cohort. However, it performs significantly better than any individual test parameter in both preterm and term neonates. Incorporation of further variables may help improve screening efficacy.
Performing Alterity of Desire: Bodiliness and Sexuality in Spirit Mediumship in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Pinthongvijayakul Visisya
Published: January 2019

This article questions the way sexuality has been conceived as constructionism by previous studies of mediumship. I focus on female practitioners in northeast Thailand, seeing in their bodies the potential for the enactment of heterogeneous modes of desire that exceeds the bounds of inquiry set by representationalist frames. This perspective demands a new set of tools that will better resonate with the expressions of the practitioners’ bodies. Engaging with affect theory in the tradition of Brian Massumi, the article proposes an important shift from discourse‐based critique of Thai spirit possession to an approach that accounts for bodily sex and desire, beyond constructions and categories. I argue that spirit mediumship gives rein to a localized register of desire and sexuality that eludes discursive normalization. Ritual performance by spirit mediums materially vocalizes an expanded and more diverse repertoire of desire. Moreover, I take a view of the body as an undifferentiated object to argue, against the hierarchical dichotomy between the sacred and the profane, that the spatiality of the full body is a plane on whose flows the sacred and erotic intensities commingle. In mediumistic ritual, religious and sexual ontologies melt into the same bodily organs and zones of skin. [spirit mediumship, female body, desire, sexuality, affect theory, Northeast Thailand]
A comparable rate of levator ani muscle injury in operative vaginal delivery (forceps and vacuum) according to the characteristics of the instrumentation
Authors: García‐Mejido José A. , Fernández‐Palacín Ana , Bonomi Barby María J. , Castro Laura , Aquise Adriana , Sainz José A.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Forceps delivery is associated with a high rate of levator ani muscle (LAM) trauma (avulsion) at 35%‐65% whereas data on avulsion rates after vacuum delivery vary greatly. Nevertheless, a common characteristic of all previous studies carried out to evaluate the association between instrumental deliveries (forceps and vacuum) and LAM avulsion, is the fact that characteristics of the instrumentation have not been described or evaluated. The objective of this study is to compare the rate of LAM avulsion between forceps and vacuum deliveries according to the characteristics of the instrumentation.

Material and methods

Prospective, observational study, including 263 nulliparous women, who underwent an instrumental delivery with either Malmström vacuum or Kielland forceps. The characteristics of the instrumentation, position (anterior position and other position) and height of the fetal head at the moment of instrumentation (low instrumentation [vertex at +2 station] and mid‐instrumentation [head is involved but leading part above +2 station]) were assessed. Evaluation of LAM avulsion was performed at 6 months postpartum by three‐/four‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound. Using the multi‐view mode, a complete avulsion was diagnosed when the abnormal muscle insertion was identified in all three central slices, that is, in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions and the 2.5‐mm and 5.0‐mm slices cranial to this one. To detect a 30% or 15% difference in the LAM injury rate, with 80% power and 5% α‐error, we needed, respectively 42 and 99 women per study group.

Results

In all, 263 nulliparous individuals have been evaluated (162 vacuum deliveries, 101 forceps deliveries). Instrumentation in an occipito‐anterior position was more frequent in vacuum deliveries (75.3% vs 56.4%, P = .002), whereas other positions were more frequent in the forceps deliveries group (24.7% vs 43.6%). No statistically significant differences were noted regarding the height of the fetal head at the moment of instrumentation. No statistically significant differences were found in the presence of LAM avulsion (41.4% vs 38.6%) between vacuum and forceps deliveries. The univariate analysis of the crude odds ratio was 1.17, 95% CI 0.67‐1.98, P = .70 for the avulsion of the LAM and the multivariate of the adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI; 0.53‐1.55, P = .71.

Conclusions

We consider that, in our population, LAM avulsion rate should not be a factor taken into account when choosing the type of instrumentation (Malmström vacuum or Kielland forceps) in an operative delivery.
Transmediastinal approach for esophageal cancer: A new trend toward radical surgery
Authors: Fujiwara Hitoshi , Shiozaki Atsushi , Konishi Hirotaka , Otsuji Eigo
Published: January 2019

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the most common histology of esophageal cancer in Japan and Asia, shows extensive mediastinal spread from an early stage. Therefore, transthoracic esophagectomy with extensive mediastinal lymphadenectomy, including in the upper mediastinum along the recurrent laryngeal nerves, is the gold standard of radical surgery for ESCC. Minimally invasive thoracoscopic esophagectomy has now become a standard option for ESCC. However, transhiatal esophagectomy is regarded as less invasive because it avoids thoracotomy. Yet, it is also considered less curative because it offers a limited surgical view and insufficient mediastinal lymphadenectomy even when conventional specialized mediastinoscopy is used. Recent clinical studies on radical esophagectomy without thoracotomy for ESCC have been reported from Japan. The introduction of novel minimally invasive techniques for the transcervical or transhiatal approach, such as single‐port or robotic surgical devices, have enabled transmediastinal radical esophagectomy for ESCC. This review focuses on the transmediastinal approach for esophageal cancer surgery, which employs minimally invasive techniques to reduce morbidity, and its application to radical surgery for ESCC.
Under‐representation of elderly in clinical trials: An analysis of the initial approval documents in the Food and Drug Administration database
Authors: Ruiter Rikje , Burggraaf Jacobus , Rissmann Robert
Published: January 2019

Aims

To evaluate the availability of pharmacokinetic, safety and efficacy analyses specifically targeted at elderly, prior to the authorization of drugs.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, structured review of publicly available initial approval documents of Food and Drug Administration‐approved drugs was performed. The 10 most frequently on‐label prescribed drug classes, drugs with known pharmacokinetic differences in the elderly or drugs that are relatively contraindicated in elderly (e.g. anticholinergics or benzodiazepines) were included in the analyses.

Results

In total, 1129 unique active pharmaceutical ingredients were found eligible for the analyses, of these, 506 were found in the Food and Drug Administration database (45%). The initial approval documents were available for 182 drugs. For the majority of the drugs, the initial approval documents in the database showed information on pharmacokinetics in elderly (n = 113; 62%). Furthermore, over time, the availability of information with regard to elderly increased statistically significantly from 0% in the period 1970–1979 to 76% for the period 2010–2018. Information on safety and efficacy was less frequently present, i.e. 42% and 45%, respectively and, moreover, the availability of information did not improve over time.

Conclusion

The under‐representation of elderly in clinical trials thereby challenging the external validity of benefit/risk assessments of launched drugs was confirmed. Priority should be given to a study population that is representative for the target population.
From bench to bedside: the past, present and future of therapy for systemic paediatric ALCL, ALK+
Authors: Larose Hugo , Burke G. A. Amos , Lowe Eric J. , Turner Suzanne D.
Published: January 2019

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a T cell Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma that mainly presents in paediatric and young adult patients. The majority of cases express a chimeric fusion protein resulting in hyperactivation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as the consequence of a chromosomal translocation. Rarer cases lack expression of ALK fusion proteins and are categorised as ALCL, ALK−. An adapted regimen of an historic chemotherapy backbone is still used to this day, yielding overall survival (OS) of over 90% but with event‐free survival (EFS) at an unacceptable 70%, improving little over the past 30 years. It is clear that continued adaption of current therapies will probably not improve these statistics and, for progress to be made, integration of biology with the design and implementation of future clinical trials is required. Indeed, advances in our understanding of the biology of ALCL are outstripping our ability to clinically translate them; laboratory‐based research has highlighted a plethora of potential therapeutic targets but, with high survival rates combined with a scarcity of funding and patients to implement paediatric trials of novel agents, progress is slow. However, advances must be made to reduce the side‐effects of intensive chemotherapy regimens whilst maintaining, if not improving, OS and EFS.