bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylomonas lenta sp. nov., a methanotroph isolated from manure and a denitrification tank
Authors: Hoefman Sven , Heylen Kim , De Vos Paul
Published: January 2014

Two methanotrophic bacteria, strains R-45377T and R-45370, were respectively isolated from a slurry pit of a cow stable and from a denitrification tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Belgium. The strains showed 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Cells were Gram-negative, motile rods containing type I methanotroph intracytoplasmic membranes. Colonies and liquid cultures appeared white to pale pink. The pmoA gene encoding particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) and the nifH gene encoding nitrogenase were present. Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) activity, the presence of the mmoX gene encoding sMMO and the presence of the pxmA gene encoding a sequence-divergent pMMO were not detected. Methane and methanol were utilized as sole carbon sources. The strains grew optimally at 20 °C (range 15–28 °C) and at pH 6.8–7.3 (range pH 6.3–7.8). The strains grew in media supplemented with up to 1.2 % NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω8c, C16 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω7c, C14 : 0, C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 and the DNA G+C content was 47 mol%. 16S rRNA gene- and pmoA-based phylogenetic analyses showed that the isolates cluster among members of the genus

Methylomonas

within the class

Gammaproteobacteria

, with pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.5 and 97.2 % between R-45377T and the closest related type strains,

Methylomonas scandinavica

SR5T and

Methylomonas paludis

MG30T, respectively. Based on phenotypic characterization of strains R-45377T and R-45370, their low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and the formation of a separate phylogenetic lineage compared with existing species of the genus

Methylomonas

, we propose to classify these strains in a novel species, Methylomonas lenta sp. nov., with R-45377T ( = LMG 26260T = JCM 19378T) as the type strain.
A biochemical landscape of A-to-I RNA editing in the human brain transcriptome
Authors: Sakurai Masayuki , Ueda Hiroki , Yano Takanori , Okada Shunpei , Terajima Hideki , Mitsuyama Toutai , Toyoda Atsushi , Fujiyama Asao , Kawabata Hitomi , Suzuki Tsutomu
Published: January 2014

Inosine is an abundant RNA modification in the human transcriptome and is essential for many biological processes in modulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of adenosines to inosines (A-to-I editing) in double-stranded regions. We previously established a biochemical method called “inosine chemical erasing” (ICE) to directly identify inosines on RNA strands with high reliability. Here, we have applied the ICE method combined with deep sequencing (ICE-seq) to conduct an unbiased genome-wide screening of A-to-I editing sites in the transcriptome of human adult brain. Taken together with the sites identified by the conventional ICE method, we mapped 19,791 novel sites and newly found 1258 edited mRNAs, including 66 novel sites in coding regions, 41 of which cause altered amino acid assignment. ICE-seq detected novel editing sites in various repeat elements as well as in short hairpins. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these edited mRNAs are associated with transcription, energy metabolism, and neurological disorders, providing new insights into various aspects of human brain functions.
1,3,5-Tri-p-tolylpentane-1,5-diol
Authors: Thiruvalluvar A. , Chithiravel R. , Muthusubramanian S. , Butcher R. J.
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C26H30O2, the central benzene ring forms dihedral angles of 14.85 (15) and 28.17 (14)° with the terminal benzene rings. The dihedral angle between the terminal benzene rings is 32.14 (13)°. The crystal packing exhibits two strong intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming directed four-membered co-operative rings. A region of disordered electron density, most probably disordered ethyl acetate solvent molecules, occupying voids ofca519 Å3for an electron count of 59, was treated using the SQUEEZE routine inPLATON[Spek (2009).Acta Cryst.D65, 148–155]. Their formula mass and unit-cell characteristics were not taken into account during refinement. The structure was refined as an inversion twin [absolute structure parameter = −0.3 (4)].
1-Fluoro-4-[(E)-2-nitrovinyl]benzene
Authors: Sreenivasa S. , Nanjundaswamy M. S. , Manojkumar K. E. , Madankumar S. , Lokanath N. K. , Suchetan P. A.
Published: January 2014

The title compound, C8H6FNO2, is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation for the non-H atoms = 0.019 Å) and the conformation across the C=C bond istrans. The C and H atoms of the side chain are disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.56 (3):0.44 (3) ratio. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O interactions, thus formingC(5) chains propagating in [001].
2,3-Bis{[2,3-dimethyl-6-(phenylvinyl)phenyl]imino}butane
Authors: Zhao Jie , Yuan Jianchao , Xu Weibing , Chen Jingjing , Mu Yanqiong
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C36H36N2, a product of the condensation reaction of 2,3-dimethyl-6-phenylvinylbenzenamine and 2,3-butanedione, the complete molecule is generated by the application of an inversion centre. The central C—C bond in the 1,4-diazabutadiene fragment istrans-configured and situated about the inversion center. The dihedral angle between the ring attached to N and the 1,4-diazabutadiene plane is 78.24 (36)°, while the 1,4-diazabutadiene plane makes an angle of 30.71 (26)° with the phenyl ring.
Diethylammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate
Authors: Held Peter
Published: January 2014

In the title molecular salt, [NH2(CH2CH3)2][H2PO4], two unique types of cations and anions, which are configurationally very similar, are present in the asymmetric unit. Both ions form sheets approximately parallel to (-1-1) linked by weak hydrogen bonds. The interconnection within and between the sheets is reinforced by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the tetrahedral H2PO4anions and the ammonium groups.
Comparison ofN-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)naphthalen-1-amine and its reduction productN-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)naphthalen-1-amine
Authors: Garay Alexander , Abonía Rodrigo , Cobo Justo , Glidewell Christopher
Published: January 2014

The molecules in (E)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)naphthalen-1-amine, C20H19NO3, (I), and its reduction productN-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)naphthalen-1-amine, C20H21NO3, (II), are both conformationally chiral, but (I) crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group, while (II) crystallizes with just one conformational enantiomer in each crystal. A combination of two C—H...O hydrogen bonds links the molecules of (I) into sheets containing a single type ofR66(44) ring, and these sheets are linked into a continuous three-dimensional array by a single π–π stacking interaction. The molecules of (II) are linked into complex sheets by a combination of N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds.
Predictors to employees with disabilities’ organisational behaviour and involvement in employment
Authors: Hashim Junaidah , Wok Saodah
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the work challenges of employees with disabilities and predict the organisational behaviours of employees and their involvement in employment.

Design/methodology/approach

– A self-developed questionnaire was used to gather relevant information from employers, employees with disabilities and their co-workers. The questionnaires were distributed and administered by a number of trained enumerators.

Findings

– Both employers and co-workers perceived that their organisations have provided conducive organisation climate, comfortable work environment and reasonable adjustment for their employees with disabilities. Employees with disabilities are found loyal and committed. They are satisfied with the job. Organisational loyalty and commitment are predicted by the organisations’ ability to restructure their job design to suit to the needs of employees with disabilities.

Research limitations/implications

– Initially, this study planned to use purposive sampling; however, due to poor database maintained by the relevant agency of employees with disability employment in the country, the paper was unable to identify which employers employ how many employees with disabilities. The sampling then was based on convenient sampling.

Practical implications

– Job design, organisational climate and comfortable work environment have long been recognised for motivating employees’ performance (Hackman et al., 1975; Garg and Rastogi, 2006). The paper's findings show that these factors also motivate employees with disabilities. This is added value to the existing body of knowledge as limited is known about the motivation of employees with disabilities.

Originality/value

– This study is unique because it gathers data from several parties: employees with disabilities, the co-workers and the employers.
Knowledge productivity for sustainable innovation: social capital as HRD target
Authors: Ehlen Corry , van der Klink Marcel , Roentgen Uta , Curfs Emile , Boshuizen Henny
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the feasibility of a conceptual model on relations between organisational innovation, knowledge productivity and social capital. It explores processes of knowledge productivity for sustainable innovation and associated HRD implications in knowledge intensive organisations, taking the perspective that social capital is a key influencing condition.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative case-study concerned a large-scale innovation project between knowledge-intensive organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from six innovation groups as well as with the project management.

Findings

– Findings showed that four dimensions of social capital influence knowledge productivity, each requiring a minimum quality to create a rich innovation environment for sustainable results. The relational and cognitive dimensions seem most important, while the action dimension makes them productive. Knowledge productivity appears twofold, i.e. organisational innovation, and professional ability for future innovation. Found are 18 new indicators.

Research limitations/implications

– Only one large-scale inter-organisational case was conducted.

Practical implications

– It is suggested that project management, group leaders and HRD officers target social capital as condition for knowledge productivity that should be stimulated, not just by planned interventions, but by “being” there as supporter, coach and mediator.

Originality/value

– The article contributes to our knowledge about innovations in knowledge-rich organisations, broadens the concept of knowledge productivity, and provides a new framework of social capital as intervention model for HRD. In addition, not often dealt with in literature, the dynamic of innovation is shown.
The effects of career plateaued workers on in-group members’ perceptions of P-O fit
Authors: Conner Deondra
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects on in-group members of an influential worker's response to being in a state of career plateau.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the concepts of the career plateau, person-organization fit, and organizational climate, a set of propositions is presented and discussed relative to the influential worker's response. A model is presented to illustrate the effects and the components involved.

Findings

– An influential career plateaued worker can affect the in-group he or she is associated with. An ineffectively plateaued worker is not only low in productivity, but also resorts to such negative behavior as absenteeism, withdrawal, and frequent job changes. When noticed by other in-group members, such behavior can affect their attitudes and behaviors.

Practical implications

– The organizational socialization process can counter the effects of the otherwise influential ineffectively career plateaued person's response. This is possible if the socialization process is strong enough to overcome (or complement) certain personal characteristics of the in-group members and their association with the career plateaued person by creating an environment where career progress, performance expectations, and role expectations are clear.

Originality/value

– The paper develops an original model based on a set of theory-based propositions that is of value to both academicians and practitioners.
Interest on equity and capital structure in the Brazilian context
Authors: Zani João , Tomedi Leites Eduardo , Beatriz Macagnan Clea , Telles Portal Márcio
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The interest paid on own capital can benefit companies in the Brazilian capital market as it can be considered a business expense and is, therefore, deductible as a corporate tax. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of interest on equity (IOE) on capital structure decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The initial sample consisted of 524 publicly traded companies from different industries in the Brazilian capital market that were listed on Bovespa. Companies in the finance, insurance and funds industries were excluded from the sample due to the unique features of these financial intermediaries. Some companies in the initial sample were excluded due to a lack of published data, inactivity during the sample period, etc. Thus, the paper excluded those companies that did not have valid observations or failed to publish them. The final sample included 370 companies and covered the nine-year period from 1998 through 2006.

Findings

– To this end, the authors identified the main determinants of capital structure and analyzed, through panel data, the relationship of IOE in addition to other determinants of capital structure, such as size, profitability, investment opportunities, risk, sales growth, real interest rate and real exchange rate, in corporate debt. The novel contribution of this study is the inclusion and analysis of the IOE in studies on the determination of capital structure of Brazilian companies. A new capital structure scenario was created when Law No. 9.249/95 required changes in legislation, ceasing the restatement of balance sheets and allowing companies to compensate their stockholders through IOE. Before this change, companies could only benefit from the tax benefits of debt, using debt capital. Now, they can also benefit from the use of equity because, by requiting equity through the IOE, deductions of income tax and social contributions on net income are allowed by tax law because the IOE may be considered a financial expense.

Originality/value

: The authors were not able to find any other publication of a similar study in a review of the extant empirical literature.
From ad-man to digital manager
Authors: Ellinor Rosén Maria
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze changes in the descriptions and requirements of professional communicators in Swedish job advertisements between 1960 and 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through a quantitative content analysis, this study approaches organizational requirement information in order to better understand changes in the description of the ideal candidate and professionalization.

Findings

– The results show that job titles have gradually become more specified and strategically orientated. Tactical qualifications dominated the first decades but operational and strategic skills were increasingly required in the material over the last two decades.

Research limitations/implications

– Even if job advertisements could expose the historical changes in expectations and demands on communicational professional practitioners, further studies could entail complementary material such as interviews with senior communications managers and headhunters.

Practical implications

– In order to be legitimized as a field of profession, scholars, teachers and practitioners need to create ideals and ideologies that can justify and defend business and education. This paper stimulates practitioners to reflect critically on such issues.

Originality/value

– The key contribution of this paper is to explicate how the image of communication practice and the demands on communication practitioners have changed during the last 50 years.
Teachers’ individual citizenship behavior (ICB): the role of optimism and trust
Authors: Schwabsky Nitza
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of teachers’ optimism and trust in their individual citizenship behavior (ICB), and the extent to which teachers’ optimism is related to teachers’ ICB, and mediated by teachers’ trust. ICB is a concept coined by Hoy et al. (2008). The concept refers to teachers’ voluntary and discretionary behavior directed toward colleagues, students, and the students’ parents, that exceeds the formal job expectations. The primary aim of ICB is to enhance students’ academic success.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 370 teachers from public elementary schools in northern Israel completed questionnaires, assessing teachers’ optimism, trust, and ICB; the category was examined both by direct and projective measures. Factor and reliability analyses; a bi-variate correlation Pearson test; a hierarchical regression analysis; and a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis were conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

– The research hypotheses were partially supported: teachers’ optimism, trust, and ICB were positively correlated; teachers’ optimism and trust predicted ICB; trust in students and their parents mediated the association between optimism and ICB, whereas trust in teachers mediated the association between optimism and the projective measure of ICB.

Originality/value

– The study results confirm that optimism and trust in students and their parents, and in other teachers have a significant presence in teachers’ ICB; emphasize the importance of a positive school environment; emphasize the importance of teachers’ ICB toward students’ and their parents; indicate the potential benefit of using direct and projective measures; and show support for the mediating model.
Facilities management: the strategic selection of a maintenance system
Authors: Fraser Kym
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– A major role of facilities management is ensuring the useability, reliability, and safety of the asset being managed. To achieve this management must use a system to control the maintenance function. The purpose of the paper is to identify and describe the various maintenance management models and systems available for facilities managers to consider.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two comprehensive reviews of the literature were undertaken to categorise the various maintenance management models and identify popular models in practice.

Findings

– The review identified 37 maintenance management models. From these, four were found to be popular: total productive maintenance (TPM), condition-based maintenance (CBM), reliability-centred maintenance (RCM), and condition monitoring (CM). While many thousands of papers can be found of these four models, the support in the literature for the remaining 33 models is very limited.

Research limitations/implications

– While providing a sound foundation for future research, the papers findings are based solely on reviewing literature.

Practical implications

– For facilities managers seeking to expand their knowledge of a particular model or maintenance management systems in general, the paper provides a practical understanding.

Originality/value

– Papers focused solely on identifying and describing maintenance management models are scarce and this paper makes a concerted attempt to link academic research with management practitioners.
Remote energy management benefits in retail building portfolios
Authors: Määttänen Eeva , Kyrö Riikka , Aaltonen Anna , Sarasoja Anna-Liisa , Junnila Seppo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The study aims to investigate the effects of a remote energy management service to the energy consumption of retail buildings. The study focuses on analysing the changes in energy consumption after the implementation of a facility service concept where building processes are optimized with a remote energy management system. The paper seeks to demonstrate that remotely operated building management practices, which allow high competence service for all facilities, have a positive impact, beyond traditional facility services, on energy and environmental performance of buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research analyses the metered energy consumption of two retail building portfolios comprising altogether 44 properties. Additionally, secondary data are collected from archive reviews, observation and interviews.

Findings

– The research shows that remote energy management service reduced the total energy consumption during the two-year service period by 12 and 6 per cent depending on the portfolio. Electricity consumption was found to decrease by 7 per cent and heating energy by 26 per cent on the average in the first portfolio, and 7 and 4 per cent in the second one, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

– Variation between buildings was found to be relatively high as the individual characteristics and history of the different buildings inevitably affect the achieved results.

Practical implications

– The study indicates that remote energy management offers an effective means to reduce the energy consumption and costs, and ultimately climate impacts derived from buildings.

Originality/value

– The study adds to the knowledge of facilities management in context to energy management and environmental performance of buildings.
Servitization and remote monitoring technology
Authors: Grubic Tonci
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Servitization centres on the transfer of risks from the customer to manufacturer. By providing real-time information about current and predicted health of a product in the field, remote monitoring technology can mitigate some of those risks. Although recognised as one of the key enablers of servitization, the mainstream servitization research community has shown very little interest in this topic. The aim is to identify and critically analyse relevant research addressing the topic of remote monitoring technology and servitization and, based on this analysis, propose an agenda to guide future research in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology adopted is literature review consisting of three steps: define purpose and research questions, select keywords and databases, and identify and analyse relevant papers.

Findings

– Ten findings have been made, which characterise current state of research under categories of examples, benefits, and challenges of using remote monitoring technology to support servitized strategies. Several areas that call for further research are suggested, but general impression is that the understanding about the role and contribution of remote monitoring technology in service delivery and strategy is still in its infancy and much greater effort will have to be invested to change this. It is also suggested that this technology holds a great potential for service and business model innovation; hence, more research is needed to further the knowledge about these topics.

Originality/value

– This paper qualifies as the first attempt to consolidate and analyse relevant research at the intersection of servitization and remote monitoring technology.
Streamlining humanitarian and peacekeeping supply chains
Authors: Merminod Nathalie , Nollet Jean , Pache Gilles
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Over the last decade, temporary supply chains (TSCs) have become a well-recognized logistics model. In TSCs, supply chain members are organized for anad hocproject; they pool resources in order to make the project successful. Although it might be perceived that TSCs are unstable due to their temporary nature, this paper aims to discuss how TSCs can be managed so as to be both stable and agile, while achieving the stated objectives; since the stability-agility context could be really challenging in humanitarian and peacekeeping supply chains, this is the one that has been selected.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors reviewed the literature, research reports and electronic documents on humanitarian and peacekeeping supply chains, to understand the main challenges in terms of managerial and social impacts of logistical operations in a disaster context.

Findings

– The disaster context is very peculiar, since it requires tremendous agility when a natural or man-made catastrophe hits, so that as many lives as possible can be saved and that the situation could get back rapidly to a relatively normal level. The paper shows that TSCs require an advanced level of time and organizational stability of the human and material resources involved in order to be highly flexible. In other words, an efficient TSC relies on “anticipated responsiveness”, a major managerial challenge in the years to come.

Originality/value

– The paper clarifies the management of humanitarian and peacekeeping supply chains and identifies the importance of anticipation capability to improve logistical responsiveness.
What can the corporate world learn from the cellarer?
Authors: R.W. Hiebl Martin , Feldbauer-Durstmüller Birgit
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Benedictine abbeys are highly stable organisations that have existed for almost 1,500 years. The extant literature ascribes this stability in part to the notion of Benedictine governance, which centres on the Rule of St Benedict (RB). An integral part of Benedictine governance is the cellarer, who plays a role comparable to that of a chief financial officer (CFO) in a traditional corporation. Unlike corporations, however, in which the CFO has emerged into a more important role over the past few decades, the cellarer has been an official position in Benedictine abbeys since the introduction of the RB in the sixth century. The present paper aims to explore the cellarer's role and assesses which parts of it could be reasonably transferred to the corporate world.

Design/methodology/approach

– Informed by organisational role theory, the authors conducted a single case study in an Austrian Benedictine abbey. The authors used group discussions and semi-structured interviews as the main research instruments.

Findings

– The authors find that the cellarer's behaviour shows strong signs of stewardship, which could serve as a role model for corporate CFOs. However, because of the studied abbey's situation of financial distress, the cellarer also experienced severe role conflicts rooted in his obedience to the abbot, the high involvement of the abbey in the local economy, and the cellarer's conscience as a Christian monk. From these findings, the authors describe those aspects of the cellarer's role that should thus be avoided for corporate CFOs.

Research limitations/implications

– The presented findings are based on a single case study. Therefore, because of the contextual factors idiosyncratic to the abbey under investigation, the results must be interpreted with care. Nevertheless, the findings explain the cellarer's role and depict its potential benefits for the corporate world, which should induce further research.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to explore in-depth the cellarer's role as well as one of the first to transfer the potential benefits of single roles rooted in Benedictine governance to the corporate world.
Three‐dimensional inversion of towed streamer electromagnetic data
Authors: Zhdanov Michael S. , Endo Masashi , Cox Leif H. , Čuma Martin , Linfoot Johnathan , Anderson Chris , Black Noel , Gribenko Alexander V.
Published: January 2014

A towed streamer electromagnetic system capable of simultaneous seismic and electromagnetic data acquisition has recently been developed and tested in the North Sea. We introduce a 3D inversion methodology for towed streamer electromagnetic data that includes a moving sensitivity domain. Our implementation is based on the 3D integral equation method for computing responses and Fréchet derivatives and uses the re‐weighted regularized conjugate gradient method for minimizing the objective functional with focusing regularization. We present two model studies relevant to hydrocarbon exploration in the North Sea. First, we demonstrate the ability of a towed electromagnetic system to detect and characterize the Harding field, a medium‐sized North Sea hydrocarbon target. We compare our 3D inversion of towed streamer electromagnetic data with 3D inversion of conventional marine controlled‐source electromagnetic data and observe few differences between the recovered models. Second, we demonstrate the ability of a towed streamer electromagnetic system to detect and characterize the Peon discovery, which is representative of an infrastructure‐led shallow gas play in the North Sea. We also present an actual case study for the 3D inversion of towed streamer electromagnetic data from the Troll field in the North Sea and demonstrate our ability to image all the Troll West Oil and Gas Provinces and the Troll East Gas Province. We conclude that 3D inversion of data from the current generation of towed streamer electromagnetic systems can adequately recover hydrocarbon‐bearing formations to depths of approximately 2 km. We note that by obviating the need for ocean‐bottom receivers, the towed streamer electromagnetic system enables electromagnetic data to be acquired over very large areas in frontier and mature basins for higher acquisition rates and relatively lower cost than conventional marine controlled‐source electromagnetic methods.
Transfusion policy after severe postpartum haemorrhage: a randomised non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Prick BW , Jansen AJG , Steegers EAP , Hop WCJ , Essink‐Bot ML , Uyl‐de Groot CA , Akerboom BMC , van Alphen M , Bloemenkamp KWM , Boers KE , Bremer HA , Kwee A , van Loon AJ , Metz GCH , Papatsonis DNM , van der Post JAM , Porath MM , Rijnders RJP , Roumen FJME , Scheepers HCJ , Schippers DH , Schuitemaker NWE , Stigter RH , Woiski MD , Mol BWJ , van Rhenen DJ , Duvekot JJ
Published: January 2014

Objective

To assess the effect of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on quality of life in acutely anaemic women after postpartum haemorrhage.

Design

Randomised non‐inferiority trial.

Setting

Thirty‐seven Dutch university and general hospitals.

Population

Women with acute anaemia (haemoglobin 4.8–7.9 g/dl [3.0–4.9 mmol/l] 12–24 hours postpartum) without severe anaemic symptoms or severe comorbidities.

Methods

Women were allocated to RBC transfusion or non‐intervention.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was physical fatigue 3 days postpartum (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, scale 4–20; 20 represents maximal fatigue). Non‐inferiority was demonstrated if the physical fatigue difference between study arms was maximal 1.3. Secondary outcomes were health‐related quality of life and physical complications. Health‐related quality of life questionnaires were completed at five time‐points until 6 weeks postpartum.

Results

In all, 521 women were randomised to non‐intervention (n = 262) or RBC transfusion (n = 259). Mean physical fatigue score at day 3 postpartum, adjusted for baseline and mode of delivery, was 0.8 lower in the RBC transfusion arm (95% confidence interval: 0.1–1.5, P = 0.02) and at 1 week postpartum was 1.06 lower (95% confidence interval: 0.3–1.8, P = 0.01). A median of two RBC units was transfused in the RBC transfusion arm. In the non‐intervention arm, 33 women received RBC transfusion, mainly because of anaemic symptoms. Physical complications were comparable.

Conclusions

Statistically, non‐inferiority could not be demonstrated as the confidence interval crossed the non‐inferiority boundary. Nevertheless, with only a small difference in physical fatigue and no differences in secondary outcomes, implementation of restrictive management seems clinically justified.
Identification of Core Competencies for an Undergraduate Food Safety Curriculum Using a Modified Delphi Approach
Authors: Johnston Lynette M. , Wiedmann Martin , Orta‐Ramirez Alicia , Oliver Haley F. , Nightingale Kendra K. , Moore Christina M. , Stevenson Clinton D. , Jaykus Lee‐Ann
Published: January 2014

Identification of core competencies for undergraduates in food safety is critical to assure courses and curricula are appropriate in maintaining a well‐qualified food safety workforce. The purpose of this study was to identify and refine core competencies relevant to postsecondary food safety education using a modified Delphi method. Twenty‐nine experts representing food safety professionals in academia, government, and industry were given 2 rounds of questionnaires that specified initial food safety competencies, core domains, and subdomains. Competencies were defined as a set of skills, knowledge, and abilities that correlate to success of a trainee. The framework for which competencies were classified consisted of (1) core domains, defined as broad food safety subjects; and (2) subdomains, or more specific food safety subjects. The expert panel used a 5‐point Likert scale with an acceptance criterion, or consensus, of 75%, with a rating of “4” or greater. After 2 rounds of questionnaires and revisions from the expert panel, 5 core domains were established: (1) Food Production, Manufacturing, Retail, and Consumer; (2) Foodborne Hazards; (3) Public Health; (4) Legislation and Policy; and (5) Communication and Education. Specific responses from the experts highlighted areas in which further curriculum revision would be beneficial. This study provides a framework for the development of a vetted, standardized undergraduate food safety curriculum. The Delphi method, with its inclusion of professionals representing various sectors of food safety, provided relevant perspectives for curriculum design, and also allowed participants the opportunity to contribute to the education of future food safety professionals.
All‐Trans‐Retinoic Acid Ameliorates the Inflammation by Inducing Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 and Interleukin 10 in Mouse Epididymitis
Authors: Cao Wei , Chen Weigan , Liang Xiaoxuan , Zhou Jinlian , Wei Chao , Cui Sheng , Liu Jiali
Published: January 2014

Problem

Epididymitis, one of the most common urological diseases, can lead to the destruction of the epididymal duct and cause transient or permanent sterility. The aim of this study was to investigate the functions and related mechanisms of all trans retinoic acid (atRA) in alleviating the acute inflammation of epididymitis.

Method of study

The mouse model of the epididymitis was induced by injecting Escherichia coli into the cauda epididymis. atRA was administrated for five consecutive days through intraperitoneal injection. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by real‐time PCR and Western blot. In addition, cultured primary mouse epididymal epithelial cells were treated with different concentrations of atRA and RAR antagonists to identify whether the effect of atRA was mediated through RAR.

Results

Our results demonstrate that atRA ameliorates the inflammation in mouse epididymitis by decreasing the expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increasing the expression of anti‐inflammatory factors including TGF‐β1 and IL‐10. Our results show that the upregulating effect of atRA on TGF‐β1 was mediated by RARα, and the enhancing effect of atRA on IL‐10 expression was mediated via RARβ.

Conclusion

These new results suggest that atRA is involved in regulating the inflammatory response of epididymis.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring in the Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Authors: Tanidir Ibrahim Cansaran , Ozturk Erkut , Ozyilmaz Isa , Saygi Murat , Kiplapinar Neslihan , Haydin Sertac , Guzeltas Alper , Odemis Ender
Published: January 2014

Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive method used to evaluate tissue oxygenation. We evaluated the relationship between cerebral and renal NIRS parameters during transcatheter intervention and adverse events in the catheterization room. Between January 1 and May 31, 2012, 123 of 163 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were followed by NIRS. All were monitored by electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure measurement, pulse oxymetry, initial and final blood lactate level measurement. The number of interventional procedures was 73 (59%). During the procedures, 39 patients experienced a total of 41 adverse events: 18 (19.5%) had desaturation, 10 (8.1%) arrhythmia, three (2.4%) had respiratory difficulty, six (4.8%) had a situation calling for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, three (2.4%) had anemia necessitating transfusion, and one (0.8%) had a cyanotic spell. Cranial NIRS values worsened in 12 (9.8%) and renal measurements worsened in 13 (12.5%) patients. The sensitivity and specificity of a 9% impairment of cranial values were 90 and 61%, respectively, while the corresponding calculations for a 21% fall in renal measurements were 54% sensitivity and 90% specificity. When arrhythmia developed, NIRS values fell simultaneously, while the development of a desaturation problem was heralded by NIRS falling 10–15 s earlier than changes in pulse oxymetry; on improving saturation, NIRS returned to earlier values 10–15 s before pulse oxymetry readings. NIRS monitoring may provide an early warning with regard to complications likely to develop during a procedure. A fall of 9% in cranial NIRS values, or of 21% in renal measurements, should raise clinician awareness.
Hemiarthroplasty of the Shoulder Joint Using a Custom‐Designed High‐Density Nano‐Hydroxyapatite/Polyamide Prosthesis With a Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Humeral Head Surface in Rabbits
Authors: Guo Yongwen , Guo Jun , Bai Ding , Wang Hang , Zheng Xiaohui , Guo Weihua , Tian Weidong
Published: January 2014

In this study, a novel custom‐designed high‐density nano‐hydroxyapatite/polyamide (n‐HA/PA) prosthesis with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel humeral head surface was employed to repair the shoulder joint head for hemiarthroplasty in rabbits. The prosthesis was fabricated using three‐dimensional computed tomography and computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing systems for perfect fitting. Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent humeral head excision, and received the composite prostheses for hemiarthroplasty. The implant sites were free from suppuration and necrosis at all periods. The X‐ray results showed that there was a clear space between the prosthesis head and the glenoid surface, and the joint capsules and surfaces of the glenoid and PVA were well preserved without any damage during the whole inspection period. A high density of bone was observed around the firmware part of the prosthesis. Histological results revealed that significant osteogenesis was surrounding the firmware part, and the joint space was clear and the cartilage of the upper joint surface was basically intact. There was no visible absorption of the joint surfaces even after 3 months of continuous functional motions. The maximum tensile strength between the prosthesis and host bone reached 2.63 MPa at the 12th week postimplantation. In conclusion, the customized prosthesis by combination of PVA and high‐density n‐HA/PA has excellent biocompatibility and biological fixation, and offers a promising substitute for both the cartilage and the bone of the humeral head in a rabbit model as level V evidence.
Memorializing Comfort Women: Memory and Human Rights in Korea‐Japan Relations
Authors: Kim Mikyoung
Published: January 2014

Current paradigms of human rights and reconciliation call for democratization of memories, with former victims interjecting their interpretations of the past, challenging the versions recollected by the powerful. The trajectory of comfort women issues has implications not only for the Japanese democracy, but also for Korea. The shifts in memory are about respect for human rights and the beginning of a reconciliatory journey between former adversaries. Reconciliation involves multiple stages of self‐reflexivity, acknowledgement, redistributive justice, corrective mechanisms, and a final movement of forgiving. In order to transcend the counterproductive blame games, memory, human rights, and reconciliation need to be interwoven. The rising global awareness of human rights helps to highlight the accountability of the individual, once largely overshadowed by groups, with political leaders, and nation‐states. Memories are no longer confined within national borders. As the comfort women monuments in Korea and the United States suggest, they become increasingly transnational and even global.
Relationship between parenchymal involvement and obstructive sleep apnea in subjects with sarcoidosis
Authors: Bingol Zuleyha , Pihtili Aylin , Gulbaran Ziya , Kiyan Esen
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Increased obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) incidence has been reported in sarcoidosis. However, no research has been conducted to determine the relation between OSA and pulmonary parenchymal involvement in sarcoidosis.

Objectives

We investigated OSA frequency and association between pulmonary parenchymal involvement and OSA in sarcoidosis. Additionally, relationship between lung functions and polysomnography data was assessed.

Methods

The study enrolled sarcoidosis subjects with or without pulmonary parenchymal involvement. Spirometry, diffusion capacity, 6‐min walking test, arterial blood gases, chest X‐ray, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and polysomnography were performed. Subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 or significant upper airway pathologies that might cause OSA were excluded.

Results

A total of 29 sarcoidosis subjects (15 with, 14 without parenchymal involvement) with mean age 43.8 ± 9.4 years were analyzed. Twenty‐seven of them were female. BMI was 26.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2. Mean forced expiratory volume 1 s (FEV1) was 97.89% ± 20.21%, and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 102.86 ± 18.14%. ESS score was 4 ± 1.6. OSA was identified in 51.7% (n = 15) of subjects. Apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) was 16.16 ± 19/h and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was 22.3 ± 25.99 among subjects with OSA. Sleep apnea related with rapid eye movement was present in 40% of OSA subjects. AHI and ODI were higher among sarcoidosis subjects with parenchymal involvement (P = 0.019, P = 0.026). OSA frequency was higher in the group with parenchymal involvement, but the difference was not statistically significant (n = 10/15, %66 vs n = 5/14, %35). FEV1 and FVC were not related with AHI and ODI.

Conclusion

We found a high rate of OSA in sarcoidosis. There was a trend of high OSA frequency in sarcoidosis subjects with parenchymal involvement.
Retrospective study of technical aspects and complications of endoscopic submucosal dissection for large superficial colorectal tumors
Authors: Nawata Yoshitaka , Homma Kiyoaki , Suzuki Yoshihiro
Published: January 2014

Background and Aim

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely carried out, but is still considered difficult. In 2010, a tumor size of ≥50 mm and less experience in colorectal ESD were reported as independent risk factors for complications such as perforation, delayed perforation and postoperative bleeding. In order to overcome such difficulties, we developed a scissors‐type grasping device and reported the treatment results of a multicenter study. The aim of the present study was to investigate therapeutic outcomes of colorectal ESD of different tumor sizes.

Methods

Group A (134 tumors): tumor size <50 mm, and Group B (16 tumors): tumors ≥50 mm. All tumors were removed by ESD. We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathological features of the tumors and the treatment results.

Results

Age, sex, tumor location and histopathological diagnosis were not different between the two groups. Laterally spreading tumor non‐granular type was more often observed in Group A (64/134, 47.8%) than in Group B (0/16, 0%). Procedure time was significantly longer in Group B (Group A: 38 min; Group B: 86 min, P < 0.01). However, procedure speed was significantly faster in Group B (Group A: 0.21 cm2/min; Group B: 0.37 cm2/min, P < 0.01). No complications were observed in either group. The en bloc resection rate, en bloc R0 resection rate, and en bloc curative resection rate were similar between the groups with no significant differences.

Conclusions

Procedure speed for Group B was faster than that for Group A. Group B was treated as safely as Group A.
Intraductal radiofrequency ablation for refractory benign biliary stricture: Pilot feasibility study
Authors: Hu Bing , Gao Dao‐Jian , Wu Jun , Wang Tian‐Tian , Yang Xiao‐Ming , Ye Xin
Published: January 2014

Background and Aim

Endoscopic management of benign biliary stricture (BBS) remains challenging. There is no reported method for the amelioration of biliary fibroplasia endoscopically. We report our initial experience of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the management of BBS.

Methods

Nine patients with BBS (postoperation stricture four, liver transplant three, and chronic inflammation two), seven of whom had previously unsuccessful endoscopic or percutaneous interventions, were enrolled. Intraductal bipolar RFA was delivered at power of 10 W for 90 s per stricture segment, followed by balloon dilatation with/without stent placement.

Results

All patients had immediate stricture improvements after RFA. No severe adverse event occurred except for one patient with mild post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis. During median (SD) follow‐up duration of 12.6 (3.9) months, BBS resolution without the need for further stenting was achieved in four patients whereas two patients had stent(s) in situ waiting scheduled removal. However, one patient had stricture relapse after initial resolution, one underwent surgery, and another patient died of other cause.

Conclusions

Endobiliary RFA appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of BBS, especially for refractory cases. Further studies are warranted.
How many people inject insulin? UK estimates from 1991 to 2010
Authors: Holden S. E. , Gale E. A. M. , Jenkins‐Jones S. , Currie C. J.
Published: January 2014

Aims

We set out to estimate the prevalence rate of insulin use in the UK population, the total number of people in the UK who use insulin, the proportion of users with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and changes between 1991 and 2010.

Methods

Patients receiving prescriptions for insulin were identified in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and attributed a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The annual prevalence of insulin use was calculated and applied to population data.

Results

The crude prevalence rate of insulin use increased from 2.43 (95% CI 2.38–2.49) per 1000 population in 1991 to 6.71 (6.64–6.77) per 1000 in 2010. The largest change was an increase in the prevalence of insulin users with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes from 0.67 (0.64–0.70) to 4.34 (4.29–4.39) per 1000 population. The absolute number using insulin increased from 137 000 people (121 000–155 000) in 1991 to 421 000 (400 000–444 000) in 2010. The proportion taking insulin alone (as against combination with oral agents) decreased from 97% in the first decade to 37% in the second.

Conclusion

The number of people using insulin trebled between 1991 and 2010, largely due to a considerable increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes using insulin.