bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Laboratory Domestication of Natural Yeast Strains
Authors: Liti Gianni , Warringer Jonas , Blomberg Anders
Published: August 2017

The process from yeast isolation to their use in laboratory experiments is lengthy. Historically, Saccharomyces strains were easily obtained by sampling alcoholic fermentation processes or other substrates associated with human activity in which Saccharomyces was heavily enriched. In contrast, wild Saccharomyces yeasts are found in complex microbial communities and small population sizes, making isolation challenging. We have overcome this problem by enriching yeast on media favoring the growth of Saccharomyces over other microorganisms. The isolation process is usually followed by molecular characterization that allows the strain identification. Finally, yeast isolated from domestic or wild environments need to be genetically manipulated before they can be used in laboratory experiments.
4-Methoxybenzylammonium nitrate
Authors: Umarani P. , Thiruvalluvar A. , Ramachandra Raja C.
Published: August 2017

In the title salt, C8H12NO+·NO3−, the 4-methoxybenzylammonium cation lies in the mirror planemof space groupPnmaand is thus planar by symmetry. The nitrate anion is also planar by symmetry, with an N...;O group in the mirror plane and one O atom in a general position. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the planar nitrate anion is constrained to be exactly 90°, because of the relative special positions for both ions. In the crystal, the cations are connected to the anions by C—H...O, C—H...N, N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. Further, the crystal structure also features two C—H...π interactions involving the benzene ring of the cation, forming a three-dimensional network.
Dainik Bhaskar: live no negative
Authors: Parsad Chandan , Prashar Sanjeev , Sahay Vinita
Published: August 2017

Subject area

Strategic Marketing Management. This case is also relevant for discussion in other courses like brand management.

Study level/applicability

Postgraduate Management students.

Case overview

Just before the official launch of “no-negative” news edition by Dainik Bhaskar Corp. Ltd, there was widespread speculation that the group was risking too much by going against the set convention of the newspaper industry. The common belief in the industry was “If it bleeds, it leads” and “good news is no news”. While endeavoring to do away with this perception, the management needed answers to questions like “Would it really be an attractive proposition for the readers?”, “Was the group compromising the role and responsibilities of press in presenting the truth to the world?” and “How would it add value to the brand?” The entire debate was pivoted around the sustainability of positive marketing strategy and “Is it a good idea to go forward with No Negative?” For decades, Dainik Bhaskar was known for its strategy of capturing untapped markets or denting into monopolistic markets and become a leader. This case is an odyssey of moving away from the “me-too” to category (positive newspaper) positioning. The main objective of this case is to build the concept and rudiments of positive marketing in practical perspectives using the backdrop of the Hindi newspaper industry and its largest player breaking the myth “only negative news sell”. Besides this, the case also evolves the process of institutionalizing positive marketing in organizations.

Expected learning outcomes

The primary objective of teaching through this case is to make students aware and understand the emerging strategy of positive marketing and its ability to break through the present clutter in the market. It also elaborates on how companies can use this tool for differentiating themselves from others.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Russian S&T Foresight 2030: identifying new drivers of growth
Authors: Gokhberg Leonid , Sokolov Alexander , Chulok Alexander
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the recent Russian Science and Technology Foresight – a full-fledged study targeted at the identification of the most promising areas of science and technology (S&T) development in Russia towards 2030 to ensure the realisation of the nation’s competitive advantages. It was organised as a complex project involving dozens of organizations performing particular tasks under the overall coordination by the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and more than 2,000 experts in various S&T fields.

Design/methodology/approach

Its methodology embraced a set of qualitative and quantitative methods and combined technology push and market pool approaches. For seven S&T areas (information and communication technologies, biotechnologies, medicine and health, new materials and nanotechnologies, rational use of nature, transportation and space systems, energy efficiency and energy saving), the following types of results have been obtained: global trends, national challenges and windows of opportunities; new markets and niches; innovation products and services; prospective technologies and R&D fields (50 thematic groups, over 1,000 items for all areas); assessment of the country’s positions vis-à-vis global leaders; recommendations for S&T and innovation policies.

Findings

The paper covers prospective drivers of economic growth and relevant implications for anticipatory evidence-based policy; discussions of national challenges and building a common vision of the future among key stakeholders; the role of Foresight in particular as a communication platform that helps integrating stakeholder interests; strengthening existing and developing new capacities to increase national competitiveness; and to move up along existing and emerging global value chains.

Originality/value

The Russian S&T Foresight, being deeply integrated in the national policy, can be considered as an exemplar tool for “wiring up” the national innovation system (NIS) of an emerging economy with its specific features and problems facing large-scale challenges.
Numerical analysis of radiative heat transfer in an inhomogeneous and non-isothermal combustion system considering H2O/CO2/CO and soot
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Dong Shikui , He Zhihong , Wang Lei , Yang Weihua , Sunden Bengt Ake
Published: July 2017

Purpose

H2O, CO2 and CO are three main species in combustion systems which have high volume fractions. In addition, soot has strong absorption in the infrared band. Thus, H2O, CO2, CO and soot may take important roles in radiative heat transfer. To provide calculations with high accuracy, all of the participating media should be considered non-gray media. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to study the effect of non-gray participating gases and soot on radiative heat transfer in an inhomogeneous and non-isothermal system.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve the radiative heat transfer, the fluid flow as well as the pressure, temperature and species distributions were first computed by FLUENT. The radiative properties of the participating media are calculated by the Statistical Narrow Band correlated K-distribution (SNBCK), which is based on the database of EM2C. The calculation of soot properties is based on the Mie scattering theory and Rayleigh theory. The radiative heat transfer is calculated by the discrete ordinate method (DOM).

Findings

Using SNBCK to calculate the radiative properties and DOM to calculate the radiative heat transfer, the influence of H2O, CO2, CO and soot on radiation heat flux to the wall in combustion system was studied. The results show that the global contribution of CO to the radiation heat flux on the wall in the kerosene furnace was about 2 per cent, but that it can reach up to 15 per cent in a solid fuel gasifier. The global contribution of soot to the radiation heat flux on the wall was 32 per cent. However, the scattering of soot has a tiny influence on radiation heat flux to the wall.

Originality/value

This is the first time H2O, CO2, CO and the scattering of soot were all considered simultaneously to study the radiation heat flux in combustion systems.
Patient navigators effectively support HIV-infected individuals returning to the community from jail settings
Authors: Myers Janet J. , Koester Kimberly A. , Kang Dufour Mi-Suk , Jordan Alison O. , Cruzado-Quinone Jacqueline , Riker Alissa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Patient navigation is an evidence-based approach for enhancing medical and support service co-ordination and ensuring linkage to medical care for people living with HIV released from jail. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This brief describes the benefits of patient navigation and issues to consider when implementing a navigator program. The authors use process data to describe the type and amount of navigation services delivered as part of a randomized study, the “The San Francisco Navigator Project.”

Findings

Navigation programs are able to accommodate a range of service needs; most clients required multiple types of services, particularly during the first two months after release.

Originality/value

Navigation programs should be prioritized because they provide unique and essential support for people leaving jail during the particularly vulnerable time immediately after release navigation plays a crucial role in retaining individuals in care and preventing onward transmission of HIV.
Improving health in prisons – from evidence to policy to implementation – experiences from the UK
Authors: Leaman Jane , Richards Anna Amelia , Emslie Lynn , O’Moore Eamonn Joseph
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the components of a high-quality prison healthcare system and the impact, ten-years on, of the transfer of accountability in England, from a justice ministry to a health ministry.

Design/methodology/approach

A rapid evidence review was undertaken, which included a review of 82 papers and qualitative interviews with key informants. The concepts and themes identified were summarised and analysed through a framework analysis, designed to improve population outcomes and address health inequalities. The use of a rapid evidence assessment, rather than a systematic review methodology, the use of abstracts (rather than full-text articles) to extract the data, and limiting the search strategy to articles published in the English language only might mean that some relevant research papers and themes were not identified. The need for the evidence to be produced within a limited time frame and with limited resources determined these pragmatic approaches.

Findings

The review found that English prison healthcare has undergone “transformation” during this period, leading to increased quality of care through organisational engagement, professionalisation of the healthcare workforce, transparency, use of evidence-based guidance and responsiveness of services. The review also highlighted that there is still room for improvement, for example, relating to the prison regime and the lack of focus on early/preventive interventions, as well as specific challenges from limited resources.

Research limitations/implications

Time and resource constraints meant a rapid evidence review of papers in the English language was undertaken, rather than a systematic review. This might mean relevant papers have been missed. The review also only covered a small number of countries, which may limit the transferability of findings. The lack of quantitative data necessitated the use of qualitative data gathered from key informants. However, this enabled a good understanding of current practice.

Practical implications

The review findings support the World Health Organisation position on the value of integrated prison and public health systems in improving quality of healthcare. It also recommends future policy needs to take account of the “whole prison approach” recognising that healthcare in prisons cannot operate in isolation from the prison regime or the community.

Originality/value

This is unique research which has great value in supporting prison reform in England. It will also be of interest internationally due to the paucity of data in the published peer-reviewed literature on the impact of commissioning models on healthcare or health outcomes.
International tourism in North Korea: how, where and when does political ideology enter?
Authors: Wang Yukang , Van Broeck Anne Marie , Vanneste Dominique
Published: August 2017

Purpose

In the recent decades, an increasing trend has been observed in the steps North Korea has taken to open up to tourism. The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the influence the North Korean political ideology has on different aspects of international tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Apart from the scarce academic literature, news media and internet resources, fieldwork that includes interviews with two international travel companies and a trip to North Korea contributed to gathering information from different perspectives.

Findings

It is not surprising that North Korean tourism cannot be divorced from its political context. By looking at the political influence exerted by the North Korean Government on the structure of the industry, tourism policies applied to the organization of tours and the content of tourism and marketing, this paper shows the existence of elements that remained unchanged in the last three decades, as well as new liberal elements that transform North Korea into a more open and versatile tourism destination.

Originality/value

Based on an analysis of primary and secondary data, this paper makes original contributions to North Korea tourism studies by investigating the influence of the political ideology on different aspects of tourism industry and on tourist experience.
China’s red tourism: communist heritage, politics and identity in a party-state
Authors: Wall Geoffrey , Zhao Ning Ryan
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate red tourism in China and, in doing so, shed light on the complex relationships between tourism, heritage and identity politics.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods – literature review, document analysis, interviews with government officials, travel agents and tourists.

Findings

Red tourism is an initiative to preserve, promote and pass down China’s communist past that is underpinned by political purposes. It has resulted in an imbalance between the government’s designation of communist heritage sites all over the country and the concentration of visitors in a small number of popular destinations. Red tourism fosters allegiance to the Communist Party of China. At the same time, it is expected to bring economic opportunities to remote locations through tourism spending and the branding opportunities that it provides. However, a different emphasis can be discerned at the national and local levels, whereby the former emphasizes political cohesion and the latter stresses local economic development.

Research limitations/implications

Four sites are investigated in detail out of the hundreds that might have been explored.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made to: diversify the product, increase stakeholder involvement, enhance heritage conservation plans, improve interpretation.

Social implications

Many implications for relationships between governments at all levels and the Chinese population. Also implications for the economic well-being of places and people adjacent to red tourism sites.

Originality/value

One of very few papers in either English or Chinese that addresses the red tourism policy in detail and with substantial empirical materials.
Cultural change through the implementation of an enterprise system
Authors: Skoumpopoulou Dimitra , Waring Teresa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Organisations spend a lot of money, time and resources on enterprise system (ES) implementation and often they do not realise the expected benefits from these complex systems. There is a gap in the literature in providing sufficient insight into the implementation process or how an ES might influence or contribute to a culture change. The purpose of this paper is to address the gap in the ES literature around culture by exploring the implementation that was undertaken within a large UK university.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contributes to the higher education (HE) and ES literature through an in-depth study of an ES, Strategic Information Technology Services (SITS) implementation within a university in the UK. The study was undertaken over a three-year period where one of the authors was embedded within the organisation.

Findings

Using a cultural analysis framework, the extensive rich data were analysed and the outcomes indicate that SITS has had a huge influence on the culture of the university; the technology’s rigid structure has imposed many changes that had not been anticipated.

Originality/value

ES have recently emerged in the HE sector where they are intended to support the management of student data and provide strategic management information. Although there are many studies which have explored important aspects of the implementation of ES, one area that appears to have been under-researched is how these systems are implicated in culture change within organisations. The results of this study will enable managers as well as IT specialists to gain rich insights into an ES implementation in the HE sector and to use this knowledge for future implementations.
Entrepreneurship education in Ghana – the case of the KNUST entrepreneurship clinic
Authors: Nyadu-Addo Ralph , Mensah Mavis Serwah Benneh
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Entrepreneurship education thrives on the pillars of experiential education. Using the case of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, the purpose of this paper is to examine the entrepreneurship clinic (EC) as a viable pedagogy for the promotion of experiential education in entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on insider action research to analyse, within Joplin’s five-step model, the case of the EC at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana.

Findings

The analysis showed that the KNUST clinic comprises five main activities including preparation, orientation, selection and matching, coaching and monitoring and evaluation. In relation to Joplin’s five-step model, the first three stages of the clinic provide focus for the clinic while the remaining two stages – coaching and monitoring and evaluation – entail activities that are geared towards action, support, feedback and debrief. Through the clinic, thousands of tertiary students have been trained in entrepreneurship and new venture creation; some selected participants have been coached while others have had the opportunity to qualify for business incubation.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper discusses some achievements of the clinic in relation to enrolment and fundraising, it does not assess the impact of the clinic on the entrepreneurial competencies, intentions and initiatives of participants, hence, these issues are recommended for future research.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates that it is feasible to implement the EC methodology, irrespective of the cost and time implications that are often associated with experiential educational methodologies. However, support from university management, funding raising from internal and external sources and technical support from industry and government agencies are key to the sustainability of clinics.

Originality/value

The paper adds novelty to the entrepreneurship education literature by bringing to the fore how a university in an emerging African economy is implementing and managing the EC pedagogy.
New public management and libraries: a success story or just an excuse for cost reduction
Authors: Düren Petra , Landøy Ane , Saarti Jarmo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

From the 1980s – in some parts of Europe from the 1990s – onward, the new public management (NPM) has been emerging in public organizations including libraries. Since then, there has been a need to develop strategies, to plan budgets and to implement cost and activity accounting as well as benchmarking to compare the library’s processes, costs and activities with those of other libraries. One basic idea of the NPM was to make a transition from focusing on how institutions function to product orientation, to improve the quality of library services, to develop output orientation and to act market and consumer oriented. There also was a need to change from bureaucratic and hierarchically acting organizations to a more modern flexible and lean form of management. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this paper is in the first part to describe the basic ideas of NPM, their realization in libraries and how libraries have to handle constantly reduced budgets and the risk of being closed down (especially in the “age of austerity”); the second part will show how the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Library has managed to improve its services with the NPM approach.

Findings

Many libraries are faced with serious financial cutbacks on the one hand and with emergent needs to (re)invest in neglected public infrastructure on the other hand. At the same time, they have to develop modern digital library services. Thus there is a need for efficiency, which is put in action via major budget cutbacks. Also many libraries have been closed down since the implementation of NPM ideas.

Originality/value

In this paper, the NPM tools used in the restructuring of the UEF are described and the outcome of this modern management is shown.
An inland-depots-for-empty-containers-model for the hinterland
Authors: Finke Stephanie , Kotzab Herbert
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to figure out in which way a hinterland-based inland depot model can help a shipping company in solving the empty container problem at a regional level. The repositioning of empty containers is a very expensive operation that does not generate profits. Consequently, it is very important to provide an efficient empty container management.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the empty container problem is discussed at a regional repositioning level. For solving this problem, a mixed-integer linear optimization model is developed and validated by using the German hinterland as a case.

Findings

The findings show that the hinterland-based solution is able to reduce the total system costs by 40 per cent. In addition, total of truck kilometres could be reduced by more than 30 per cent too.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on German data only.

Originality/value

This paper closes the gap in empty container repositioning research by looking at the hinterland dimension from a single shipping company point of view.
The impact of shipyard and shipowner heterogeneity on contracting prices in the newbuilding market
Authors: Adland Roar , Norland Kristian , Sætrevik Even
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of shipyard and shipowner heterogeneity on the price formation for individual newbuilding contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

The model controls for the shipbuilding market cycle, input costs, firm size, yard experience and contract-specific variables and captures the impact of yard and owner heterogeneity in fixed-effects regressions. The data sample contains contract information on 3,759 tankers, bulkers and container vessels constructed at 77 shipyards between 1990 and 2014.

Findings

Although the newbuilding price benchmarks (market conditions) and gross domestic product per capita (salary costs) are influential covariates, the main conclusion is that shipyards and, particularly, shipowners play an influential role on the US$ per Compensated Gross Tonnage price level in individual contracts.

Originality/value

The paper represents the first study of the impact of buyer and seller heterogeneity at the micro level in the shipbuilding market.
Social networking for scientists: an analysis on how and why academics use ResearchGate
Authors: Muscanell Nicole , Utz Sonja
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the usage and utility of ResearchGate (RG), which is a social networking site where scientists disseminate their work and build their reputations. In a sample consisting largely of American and European academics, the authors analyzed the ways they use the site, what they thought about the site’s utility, and the effects of usage on career outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed an online survey approach to target scientists who have an active RG account. Scientists who were not users were also recruited in order to get a better idea of the reasons for their nonuse.

Findings

Most academics who have an RG account did not use it very heavily. Users did not perceive many benefits from using the site, and RG use was not related to career satisfaction or informational benefits, but was related to productivity and stress.

Research limitations/implications

Systematic research is needed to explore positive and negative consequences of using professional social media in academia, especially productivity and stress. Findings also suggest that RG needs to increase user engagement.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to closely examine how and why people in academia use professional social media sites and whether usage leads to perceived benefits and effects on more general career outcomes.
Dynamic niche partitioning in root water uptake facilitates efficient water use in more diverse grassland plant communities
Authors: Guderle Marcus , Bachmann Dörte , Milcu Alexandru , Gockele Annette , Bechmann Marcel , Fischer Christine , Roscher Christiane , Landais Damien , Ravel Olivier , Devidal Sébastien , Roy Jacques , Gessler Arthur , Buchmann Nina , Weigelt Alexandra , Hildebrandt Anke
Published: August 2017

Efficient extraction of soil water is essential for the productivity of plant communities. However, research on the complementary use of resources in mixed plant communities, and especially the impact of plant species richness on root water uptake, is limited. So far, these investigations have been hindered by a lack of methods allowing for the estimation of root water uptake profiles.

The overarching aim of our study was to determine whether diverse grassland plant communities in general exploit soil water more deeply and whether this shift occurs all the time or only during times of enhanced water demand.

Root water uptake was derived by analysing the diurnal decrease in soil water content separately at each measurement depth, thus yielding root water uptake profiles for 12 experimental grasslands communities with two different levels of species richness (4 and 16 sown species). Additional measurements of leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, and root traits were used to identify differences in water relations between plant functional groups.

Although the vertical root distribution did not differ between diversity levels, root water uptake shifted towards deeper layers (30 and 60 cm) in more diverse plots during periods of high vapour pressure deficit. Our results indicate that the more diverse communities were able to adjust their root water uptake, resulting in increased water uptake per root area compared to less diverse communities (52% at 20 cm, 118% at 30 cm, and 570% at 60 cm depth) and a more even distribution of water uptake over depth. Tall herbs, which had lower leaf water potential and higher stomatal conductance in more diverse mixtures, contributed disproportionately to dynamic niche partitioning in root water uptake.

This study underpins the role of diversity in stabilizing ecosystem function and mitigating drought stress effects during future climate change scenarios. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that root water uptake is not solely controlled by root length density distribution in communities with high plant diversity but also by spatial shifts in water acquisition.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
The Evolution of Public Service Provision by the Third Sector in France
Authors: Archambault Edith
Published: July 2017

Public services have been externalised, in part, to the non‐profit sector in France and in the United Kingdom. This article begins by reviewing relations between the public and non‐profit sector in France before 2008, and its evolution since. This has been characterised by the slow reduction of public funding, the adaptation of non‐profit associations and organisations, and their clearer positioning within a wider ‘social and solidarity economy’, which was consolidated by a framework Law in 2014. The article then examines the current sharing of responsibilities between the public and non‐profit sectors in education, health and social services, pointing to the diverse historical and political conditions which have led to this shared organisation.
Residential Bacteria on Surfaces in the Food Industry and Their Implications for Food Safety and Quality
Authors: Møretrø Trond , Langsrud Solveig
Published: August 2017

Surface hygiene is commonly measured as a part of the quality system of food processing plants, but as the bacteria present are commonly not identified, their roles for food quality and safety are not known. Here, we review the identity of residential bacteria and characteristics relevant for survival and growth in the food industry along with potential implications for food safety and quality. Sampling after cleaning and disinfection increases the likelihood of targeting residential bacteria. The increasing use of sequencing technologies to identify bacteria has improved knowledge about the bacteria present in food premises. Overall, nonpathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas spp., followed by Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter spp. dominate on food processing surfaces. Pseudomonas spp. persistence is likely due to growth at low temperatures, biofilm formation, tolerance to biocides, and low growth requirements. Gram‐positive bacteria are most frequently found in dairies and in dry production environments. The residential bacteria may end up in the final products through cross‐contamination and may affect food quality. Such effects can be negative and lead to spoilage, but the bacteria may also contribute positively, as through spontaneous fermentation. Pathogenic bacteria present in food processing environments may interact with residential bacteria, resulting in both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on pathogens in multispecies biofilms. The residential bacterial population, or bacteriota, does not seem to be an important source for the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to humans, but more knowledge is needed to verify this. If residential bacteria occur in high numbers, they may influence processes such as membrane filtration and corrosion.
Diversity of progesterone action on lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression changes in cultured human cervical fibroblasts according to inflammation and treatment timing
Authors: Kuwabara Yoshimitsu , Katayama Akira , Kurihara Sachiko , Ito Marie , Yonezawa Mirei , Ouchi Nozomi , Kurashina Ryuhei , Ichikawa Tomoko , Sawa Rintaro , Nakai Akihito , Orimo Hideo , Takeshita Toshiyuki
Published: August 2017

Problem

The effectiveness of progesterone (P4) treatment for preventing preterm births is unclear. Its effects on the uterine cervix were tested using cultured human uterine cervical fibroblasts (UCFs).

Method of study

UCFs were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of P4 under various conditions. mRNA was subjected to PCR arrays and real‐time RT‐PCR to assess IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1beta, PTGS2, MMP‐1, and CXCL10 expression.

Results

When exposed to a high‐LPS concentration (2.0 μg/mL), expression of these genes was not suppressed by simultaneous P4 (1.0 μmol/L) treatment, but it was significantly inhibited when P4 was administered 1 hour prior to LPS, with the exception of the chemokines IL‐8 and CXCL10. Expression of all genes was restricted by P4 under low‐level LPS (0.2 μg/mL) stimulation, especially when administered prior to LPS treatment.

Conclusion

These data suggest that early or prophylactic P4 administration is an effective and important measure for reducing preterm birth risk.
Mycoplasma genitalium, an agent of reemerging sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Edouard Sophie , Tissot‐Dupont Hervé , Dubourg Grégory , Bernard Annick , Fournier Pierre‐Edouard , Ravaux Isabelle , Stein Andreas , Raoult Didier
Published: August 2017

M. genitalium is a reemerging microorganism, responsible for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), with prevalence which varies depending on the country and population group studied. We report here M. genitalium prevalence among the specimens received for STI diagnosis in our routine microbiological laboratory in the university hospital in Marseille, France. We tested 4 624 samples from 3 793 patients using qPCR for M. genitalium, C. trachomatis, N. gonorrheae, T. pallidum. Of these samples, 528 (13.6%) patients were tested positive for at least one pathogen and 126 (3.3%) were positive for M. genitalium. M. genitalium is the second most prevalent micro‐organism detected in women after C. trachomatis (10.4%) and the third most prevalent in men after C. trachomatis (5.1%) and N. gonorrhoeae (4.4%). We observed no significant differences between the prevalence of M. genitalium in vaginal, urethral and urine specimens (p = 0.9). Prevalence of M. genitalium is significantly higher in patients aged between 10–30 years (4.1%) compared to those aged between 30 and 50 years (2.7%) (p = 0.02, RR = 1.54 [1.06–2.24]) and patients over 50 years of age (1.1%) (p = 0.003, RR= 3.98 [1.47–10.8]). M. genitalium is a common agent of STI, therefore we suggest that this micro‐organism should be systematically tested during chronic, recurrent, or antibiotic resistant genital infections and in populations at high‐risk of STIs.
DOES SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH REDUCE MACROECONOMIC VOLATILITY?
Authors: Tang Sam Hak Kan
Published: July 2017

This paper explores whether conducting scientific and technical (S&T) research reduces the volatility of output growth. The paper finds robust evidence that output volatility is significantly lowered by a country's production of S&T publications. The results show that the effect of S&T publications on output volatility is particularly strong in middle‐income, OECD and other high‐income countries. However, for East‐Asian, low‐income and sub‐Saharan African countries the effect is either weak or absent. These results provide strong evidence that not only OECD and other high‐income countries are actively engaged in S&T research, emerging developing countries are also conducting S&T research, which is effective in reducing output volatility. The results are robust to adding a host of control variables, various subsamples and different estimation techniques.
Redefining the stress cortisol response to surgery
Authors: Khoo Bernard , Boshier Piers R. , Freethy Alexander , Tharakan George , Saeed Samerah , Hill Neil , Williams Emma L. , Moorthy Krishna , Tolley Neil , Jiao Long R. , Spalding Duncan , Palazzo Fausto , Meeran Karim , Tan Tricia
Published: July 2017

Background

Cortisol levels rise with the physiological stress of surgery. Previous studies have used older, less‐specific assays, have not differentiated by severity or only studied procedures of a defined type. The aim of this study was to examine this phenomenon in surgeries of varying severity using a widely used cortisol immunoassay.

Methods

Euadrenal patients undergoing elective surgery were enrolled prospectively. Serum samples were taken at 8 am on surgical day, induction and 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour and 8 hour after. Subsequent samples were taken daily at 8 am until postoperative day 5 or hospital discharge. Total cortisol was measured using an Abbott Architect immunoassay, and cortisol‐binding globulin (CBG) using a radioimmunoassay. Surgical severity was classified by POSSUM operative severity score.

Results

Ninety‐three patients underwent surgery: Major/Major+ (n = 37), Moderate (n = 33) and Minor (n = 23). Peak cortisol positively correlated to severity: Major/Major+ median 680 [range 375‐1452], Moderate 581 [270‐1009] and Minor 574 [272‐1066] nmol/L (Kruskal‐Wallis test, P = .0031). CBG fell by 23%; the magnitude of the drop positively correlated to severity.

Conclusions

The range in baseline and peak cortisol response to surgery is wide, and peak cortisol levels are lower than previously appreciated. Improvements in surgery, anaesthetic techniques and cortisol assays might explain our observed lower peak cortisols. The criteria for the dynamic testing of cortisol response may need to be reduced to take account of these factors. Our data also support a lower‐dose, stratified approach to dosing of steroid replacement in hypoadrenal patients, to minimize the deleterious effects of over‐replacement.
S2k Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus – update – short version
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Zeidler Claudia , Augustin Matthias , Bayer Gudrun , Kremer Andreas E. , Legat Franz J. , Maisel Peter , Mettang Thomas , Metz Martin , Nast Alexander , Niemeier Volker , Raap Ulrike , Schneider Gudrun , Ständer Hartmut F. , Staubach Petra , Streit Markus , Weisshaar Elke
Published: August 2017

Associated with a host of different diseases, pruritus is a cardinal symptom that poses an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Over time, that symptom may progress independently of the initial cause, thus losing its function as a warning sign and turning into a clinically relevant disease of its own. In Germany, approximately 13.5 % of the general population are affected by chronic pruritus, with an incidence of 7 %. All forms of chronic pruritus require targeted treatment consisting of (a) diagnosis and management of the underlying disease, (b) dermatological treatment of primary or secondary (for example, dry skin, scratch lesions) symptoms, (c) symptomatic antipruritic treatment, and (d) psychological/psychotherapeutic treatment in case of an underlying or associated psychological or psychosomatic condition. Medical care of patients with chronic pruritus should therefore include an interdisciplinary approach, in particular with respect to diagnosis and therapy of the underlying disease as well as in terms of the management of treatment and adverse events. The objective of the present interdisciplinary guidelines is to define and standardize diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients with chronic pruritus. This is a short version of the current S2 guidelines on chronic pruritus. The long version may be found at www.awmf.org.
State–Society Relations, Institutional Transformation and Economic Development in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Kalu Kenneth
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the nature and origins of state–society relations in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). It traces the region's predatory state–society relations to slavery and colonialism and the concomitant extractive institutions, which are not conducive to sustainable economic development. Consequently, attempts to achieve sustainable development have been largely futile. The paper proposes a strategy for transforming the region's economic and governance institutions for inclusive and enduring growth and development. This strategy includes the promulgation and enforcement of coherent international codes and guidelines for state–society relations.
Validating Automated Measures of Text Complexity
Authors: Sheehan Kathleen M.
Published: August 2017

Automated text complexity measurement tools (also called readability metrics) have been proposed as a way to help teachers, textbook publishers, and assessment developers select texts that are closely aligned with the new, more demanding text complexity expectations specified in the Common Core State Standards. This article examines a critical element of the validity arguments presented in support of proposed metrics: the claim that criterion text complexity scores developed from students’ responses to reading comprehension test items are reflective of the difficulties actually experienced by students while reading. Evidence that fails to support this assertion is examined, and implications relative to the goal of obtaining valid, unbiased evidence about the measurement properties of proposed readability metrics are discussed.
Multivitamin use and risk of stroke incidence and mortality amongst women
Authors: Adebamowo S. N. , Feskanich D. , Stampfer M. , Rexrode K. , Willett W. C.
Published: July 2017

Background and purpose

Few studies have examined the association between multivitamin use and the risk of stroke incidence and mortality, and the results remain inconclusive as to whether multivitamins are beneficial.

Methods

The associations between multivitamin use and the risk of incident stroke and stroke mortality were prospectively examined in 86 142 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, aged 34–59 years and free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at baseline. Multivitamin use and covariates were updated every 2 years and strokes were documented by review of medical records. Hazard ratios of total, ischaemic and hemorrhagic strokes were calculated across categories of multivitamin use (non‐user, past, current user) and duration (years), using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

During 32 years of follow‐up from 1980 to 2012, 3615 incident strokes were documented, including 758 deaths from stroke. In multivariate analyses, women who were current multivitamin users did not have a lower risk of incident total stroke compared to non‐users [relative risk (RR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–1.11], even those with longer durations of 15 or more years of use (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.97–1.20) or those with a lower quality diet (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.80–1.15). There was also no indication of benefit from multivitamin use for incident ischaemic or hemorrhagic strokes or for total stroke mortality.

Conclusions

Long‐term multivitamin use was not associated with reduced risk of stroke incidence or mortality amongst women in the study population, even amongst those with a lower diet quality. An effect in a less well‐nourished population cannot be ruled out.
Protected areas offer refuge from invasive species spreading under climate change
Authors: Gallardo Belinda , Aldridge David C. , González‐Moreno Pablo , Pergl Jan , Pizarro Manuel , Pyšek Petr , Thuiller Wilfried , Yesson Christopher , Vilà Montserrat
Published: July 2017

Protected areas (PAs) are intended to provide native biodiversity and habitats with a refuge against the impacts of global change, particularly acting as natural filters against biological invasions. In practice, however, it is unknown how effective PAs will be in shielding native species from invasions under projected climate change. Here, we investigate the current and future potential distributions of 100 of the most invasive terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species in Europe. We use this information to evaluate the combined threat posed by climate change and invasions to existing PAs and the most susceptible species they shelter. We found that only a quarter of Europe's marine and terrestrial areas protected over the last 100 years have been colonized by any of the invaders investigated, despite offering climatically suitable conditions for invasion. In addition, hotspots of invasive species and the most susceptible native species to their establishment do not match at large continental scales. Furthermore, the predicted richness of invaders is 11%–18% significantly lower inside PAs than outside them. Invasive species are rare in long‐established national parks and nature reserves, which are actively protected and often located in remote and pristine regions with very low human density. In contrast, the richness of invasive species is high in the more recently designated Natura 2000 sites, which are subject to high human accessibility. This situation may change in the future, since our models anticipate important shifts in species ranges toward the north and east of Europe at unprecedented rates of 14–55 km/decade, depending on taxonomic group and scenario. This may seriously compromise the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study is the first comprehensive assessment of the resistance that PAs provide against biological invasions and climate change on a continental scale and illustrates their strategic value in safeguarding native biodiversity.
Prognostic value of physical function tests and muscle mass in elderly hospitalized patients. A prospective observational study
Authors: Hernández‐Luis Rubén , Martín‐Ponce Esther , Monereo‐Muñoz María , Quintero‐Platt Geraldine , Odeh‐Santana Silvia , González‐Reimers Emilio , Santolaria Francisco
Published: August 2017

Aim

To determine the prognostic value for mortality of physical function tests, muscle mass loss, disability and frailty in elderly hospitalized patients.

Methods

We prospectively included 298 hospitalized patients aged >60 years (152 men and 146 women). We assessed comorbidity using the Charlson Comorbidity Index; nutrition by body mass index, midarm muscle area and subjective nutritional score; physical muscle function by handgrip strength, gait speed, standing balance and stand up test; disability using the Barthel test and activities of daily living; frailty by the clinical frailty scale and Fried frailty index; and cognitive impairment by the Pfeiffer test. We assessed 100‐day and long‐term mortality.

Results

We found a high prevalence of malnutrition, comorbidity, cognitive impairment, physical function impairment, disability and frailty. Mortality at 100 days was 15.1%, with a long‐term median survival of 989 days. Mortality was significantly related to age, comorbidity, nutritional status, physical function, disability and frailty. Serum vitamin D3 levels were not related to mortality. Independent prognostic value for long‐term mortality was shown by: (i) incapacity to carry out any of the walking, stand up and standing balance tests; (ii) male sex; (iii) aged >80 years; (iv) impaired handgrip strength or gait speed; (v) Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥1; and (6) impaired muscle mass of subjective nutritional score.

Conclusions

In elderly hospitalized patients, there is an important role of muscle regarding prognosis, mainly related to physical function, but also and independently regarding muscle mass. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 57–64.
Iron and Manganese in Groundwater: Using Kriging and GIS to Locate High Concentrations in Buncombe County, North Carolina
Authors: Johnson Crystal D. , Nandi Arpita , Joyner T. Andrew , Luffman Ingrid
Published: August 2017

For health, economic, and aesthetic reasons, allowable concentrations (as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency) of the secondary contaminants iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) found present in drinking water are 0.3 and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. Water samples taken from private drinking wells in rural communities within Buncombe County, North Carolina contain concentrations of these metals that exceed secondary water quality criteria. This study predicted the spatial distribution of Fe and Mn in the county, and evaluated the effect of site environmental factors (bedrock geology, ground elevation, saprolite thickness, and drinking water well depth) in controlling the variability of Fe and Mn in groundwater. A statistically significant correlation between Fe and Mn concentrations, attributable to bedrock geology, was identified. Prediction models were created using ordinary kriging and cokriging interpolation techniques to estimate the presence of Fe and Mn in groundwater where direct measurements are not possible. This same procedure can be used to estimate the trend of other contaminants in the groundwater in different areas with similar hydrogeological settings.