bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert students in social learning management systems
Authors: Avogadro Paolo , Calegari Silvia , Dominoni Matteo Alessandro
Published: October 2016

Purpose

A social learning management system (social LMS) is a tool which favors social interactions and allows scholastic institutions to supervise and guide the learning process. The inclusion of the social feature to a “normal” LMS leads to the creation of educational social networks (EduSN), where the students interact and learn. The advantages derived from an augmented student-student interaction are counterbalanced by the difficulty to control the quality of the information. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to understand who is a source of reliable and high quality knowledge among the students.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors suggest to categorize the actions of the students within roles where the most natural formal role regards the academic performance of a student. Within the EduSN, a student can produce information − social contribution role − and evaluate the contents provided by other peers − social judge role. Aside from the free production, it provides a publication workflow which allows to certify and improve the quality of the material created by the peers. The publication workflow naturally leads to the definition of two additional roles – the editorial and leader roles.

Findings

The paper provides a new definition of expertise within a social LMS, where the key feature of an expert in an EduSN is to improve the quality and quantity of the knowledge flow in the network. The indicators which stem from the roles naturally lead to the definition of the figure of the anti-expert.

Originality/value

At variance with the spectrum of values usually associated with expertise (which ranges from novice to expert), in a social LMS, it becomes clear the need of the definition of a new figure – the anti-expert, who has a negative impact on the overall knowledge flow of the EduSN.
Perceptions of government actions and entrepreneurship performance
Authors: Ostapenko Nataliia
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the way of influence of national culture on the performance of entrepreneurship. As a possible channel of this influence, the perceptions of public policy by entrepreneurs have been analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from a survey conducted in 2014-2015, which consist of 207 surveyed entrepreneurs from Slovakia and 197 from Ukraine. The author analyses the perception of government policy in the field of entrepreneurship, institutional and personal trust and personal characteristics of respondents.

Findings

The main finding is that the coherence of formal and informal institutions in the representations of entrepreneurs affects the performance of their business. Perceptions of government actions seems to be endogenous to unobservable national culture. Entrepreneurs’ trust was found to be important in countries with different institutional environment.

Practical implications

Based on these findings, it would be possible to improve the stimulation of government policies for business by taking into account the most important types of policies for business performance in the definite institutional environment.

Originality/value

This is the first study in examining the exact mechanisms of the national culture’s influence on business development through entrepreneurs’ perceptions.
Gendered time in Swedish family farming
Authors: Andersson Elias , Lundqvist Peter
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The agricultural sector has undergone extensive changes in the 20-30 years since the peak academic debate on family farming. Still today, the understanding and concept of family farming has political implications in the processes of rural and agricultural policy. The purpose of this paper is to study the development of agrarian structure by analysing the gendered and family relations of family farming.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the concept of the family farm and its utilisation and diversity in the current Swedish agricultural sector from a gender perspective, using empirical data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network. The paper operationalises a situated agrarian typology and examines the gendered position and temporalities of family farms in Sweden, based on patterns of labour use.

Findings

A workable, fruitful typology of the agrarian structure suitable for future comparative studies is revealed. It also demonstrates the gendered time in the farm labour process, the different temporalities involved and their interconnection between gender, family and various spheres. The spatial and geographical implications, as well as the increased dependence on family and hired labour in different farm types, are emphasised.

Originality/value

The focus of this study contributes to the understanding of spatial-temporal relations of family farm business and organisation in general and in Sweden particularly. It also provides empirical basis for developing and gender mainstreaming rural and agricultural policies.
“He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich”
Authors: Contois Emily J.H.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Through a case study of J. Walter Thompson and Kraft’s efforts to market Vegemite in the USA in the late 1960s, this paper aims to explore transnational systems of cultural production and consumption, the US’s changing perception of Australia and the influence of culture on whether advertising fails or succeeds.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from archival primary sources, including advertisements and newspapers, as well as secondary literatures from the fields of advertising history, food studies and transnational studies of popular culture.

Findings

Although J. Walter Thompson’s advertising contributed to Vegemite’s icon status in Australia, it failed to capture the American market in the late 1960s. In the 1980s, however, Vegemite did capture American interest when it was central to a wave of Australian popular culture that included films, sport and music, particularly Men at Work’s hit song, “Down Under”, whose lyrics mentioned Vegemite. As such, Vegemite’s moment of success stateside occurred without a national advertising campaign. Even when popular, however, Americans failed to like Vegemite’s taste, confirming it as a uniquely culturally specific product.

Originality/value

This paper analyzes a little-studied advertising campaign. The case study’s interdisciplinary findings will be of interest to scholars of advertising history, twentieth century USA and Australian history and food studies.
The implementation of problem-based learning in health service management training programs
Authors: Stankunas Mindaugas , Czabanowska Katarzyna , Avery Mark , Kalediene Ramune , Babich Suzanne Marie
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Strengthening management capacity within the health care sector could have a significant impact on population health. However, many training programs in this area are still delivered using a classic lecture-based approach. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and better understand the feasibility of using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach in health services management training programs.

Design/methodology/approach

A PBL teaching approach (based on the Maastricht University model) was tested with second-year postgraduate students from the Master in Public Health Management program at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Students’ opinions about PBL were investigated using a questionnaire with eight open-ended questions. Thematic content analysis was chosen to reflect the search for patterns across the data.

Findings

Respondents stated that the main advantage of PBL was that it was a more interesting and effective way of learning: “It is easier to remember, when you study by yourself and discuss with all peers”. In addition, it was mentioned that PBL initiated a rapid exchange of ideas and sharing of personal experience. Students stressed that PBL was a good tool for developing other skills as well, such as “public speaking, communication, logic thinking”. All students recommended delivering all other courses in the health services management program using PBL methodologies.

Originality/value

Findings from our study suggest that PBL may be an effective approach to teaching health services management. Potential problems in implementation are noted.
The impact of knowledge management on innovation
Authors: Obeidat Bader Yousef , Al-Suradi Mai Maher , Masa’deh Ra’ed , Tarhini Ali
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effect of knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization) and knowledge management approaches (social network, codification and personalization) on innovation in Jordanian consultancy firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire that targets 266 respondents resulted in 216 usable ones with a response rate of 81.2 per cent. To test the research hypotheses, a multiple regression analysis was conducted, in addition to descriptive statistics that provide a background about the respondents.

Findings

The analysis showed that there is a significant and positive impact of knowledge management processes on innovation in Jordanian consulting firms, as well as a significant and positive effect of codification and personalization approaches on innovation, while the social network approach has a significant negative impact with innovation.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines the effect of knowledge management processes (knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization) and knowledge management approaches (social network, codification and personalization) on innovation in Jordanian consultancy firms.
Why is insider trading law ineffective? Three antitrust suggestions
Authors: Dalko Viktoria , Wang Michael H.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover the essence of insider trading, explain why insider trading law is ineffective and provide implications of the effectiveness of the law.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper offers three propositions. The first two are based on a literature review of 62 articles in empirical research to develop an understanding of the essence of insider trading and identify the areas in which insider trading is ineffective. This analysis is used in the third proposition to provide a direction in suggesting effective measures to improve insider trading law.

Findings

The essence of insider trading is that corporate insiders exercise informational monopoly power over their trades. This understanding explains why insider trading law is ineffective because it has not taken away the monopoly power that corporate insiders possess and exercise. This understanding also leads to three antitrust suggestions aimed at improving insider trading law.

Practical implications

The findings may provide assistance to the lawmakers and regulators to make insider trading law more effective and enforcement more simplified.

Originality/value

This paper is of value to other researchers attempting to understand the essence of insider trading and to policymakers concerned about the existence of monopolistic behavior in the equity market and income inequality due to corporate insiders’ trading profit.
Market participation in a two-sector Diamond-Dybvig economy
Authors: Panetti Ettore
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to reconsider the role of asset-market participation in Diamond-Dybvig economies, to reconcile the existence of asset markets as a channel for financial integration with the distortions that they might impose on the banking system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a two-sector Diamond-Dybvig model of financial intermediation, with comparative advantages in the investment technologies, and introduces the possibility for the depositors to participate in an economy-wide asset market, when they can trade a bond without being observed by their banks.

Findings

The two-sector competitive banking equilibrium with hidden trades is not equivalent to autarky, is the unique Nash equilibrium of a “participation game” and is a constrained efficient.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to characterize the equilibrium of a two-sector Diamond-Dybvig economy with hidden trading in the asset market, and produces novel results, in contrast to the existing literature, with respect to the rationale for the existence of a financial system, its coexistence with asset markets and its efficiency. These conclusions also have important implications in terms of policy, in particular, regarding the case for the introduction of financial regulation.
Five ways to lead with inclusion
Authors: Humphreys Brynne
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide parallels and actions between leading inclusive teams and the fundamentals of improvisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the skills that successful improvisers possess and translates those into a leadership application.

Findings

Leaders can practice to improve methods to build more inclusive cultures in the workplace.

Originality/value

To complement diversity information, leaders must also take actions and practice. This approach offers tangible practice that puts ideas into action.
Working with difference: is it a business imperative?
Authors: Kalman Danny , Frost Steve
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight why organisations need to shift from homogenous talent management to inclusive talent management. The authors argue that having a diverse workforce and inclusive culture is a business imperative and not just “a nice thing to do”.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors share their experiences of both interviewing directly and the results of their research into organisations that have taken steps to be more inclusive.

Findings

The paper explains that there is no “silver bullet” that will result in any organisation becoming more diverse and inclusive. However, there are a number of steps and “nudges” that can be taken to move towards inclusive talent management.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have made every effort to select organisations from different sectors and regions but recognise that there will be many other examples of good practice elsewhere.

Practical implications

The authors believe that the examples described in the article can be applied in all organisations but will depend on the active support of its leaders and the extent to which they live the values of the company.

Originality/value

The relevance of the themes of diversity and inclusion has become a strategic business priority as organisations recognise the value that having a diverse workforce contributes to achieving their objectives.
Trophic sensitivity of invasive predator and native prey interactions: integrating environmental context and climate change
Authors: Cheng Brian S. , Komoroske Lisa M. , Grosholz Edwin D.
Published: October 2016

Climate change is predicted to intensify the impacts of invasive species by enhancing their performance relative to their native counterparts. However, few studies have compared the performance of invasive predators and native prey, despite the fact that non‐native predators are well known to disrupt native communities.

The ‘trophic sensitivity hypothesis’ suggests that predators are less tolerant of increasing environmental stress than their prey, whereas the ‘tolerant invaders hypothesis’ suggests that invaders are more tolerant than native species due to selection during the introduction process. It is therefore unclear how invasive predators will respond to increasing climate stressors.

We coupled physiological measurements (thermal tolerance, thermal optima, salinity tolerance, predation rate) with environmental time‐series data to assess the effects of warming and extreme low salinity events on non‐native predators (gastropods) and native prey (oysters) from a coastal ecosystem.

In general support of the trophic sensitivity hypothesis, we found that both non‐native predators exhibited lower thermal optima relative to native prey, lower salinity tolerance and one predator was less tolerant of warming. However, because warming tolerance was extremely high (i.e. habitat temperature is 7·9–21 °C below thermal tolerance), near‐term warming may first increase predator performance (consumption and growth rates), with negative effects on prey. Low salinity will likely produce heterogeneous effects on predator–prey interactions due to varying watershed sizes among estuaries that control the duration of low salinity events.

The trophic sensitivity hypothesis may be a useful framework for understanding community responses to extreme climate change, which portends a decoupling of predator–prey interactions. However, we conclude that this hypothesis must be evaluated in environmental context and that coupling physiological metrics with in situ environmental data offers the best predictive power of near‐term climate change impacts on invaded communities. Within our study system, warming is likely to intensify the impacts of both invasive predators, which may greatly reduce the abundance of the native oyster, a species of conservation and restoration focus.
Seed predation has the potential to drive a rare plant to extinction
Authors: Kurkjian Helen M. , Carothers Sydney K. , Jules Erik S.
Published: October 2016

Pre‐dispersal seed predation is sometimes considered unlikely to dramatically affect plant population growth because plants are generally expected to produce more seeds than there are safe sites for germination. Lupinus constancei is a rare herb of limited distribution, with fewer than 400 reproductive individuals restricted to a single square kilometre of north‐western California, USA. In addition to the vulnerability resulting from its extremely small population size, L. constancei faces heavy seed predation by small mammals.

As a stop‐gap measure to prevent population decline, managers began covering a large number of the reproductive plants with herbivory exclosures in 2003, but the population‐level effects of seed predation and the effectiveness of this caging treatment were unknown. We used 10 years of demographic data to compare the population dynamics of plants inside herbivory exclosures with those sustaining ambient rodent seed predation.

We found that the stochastic population growth rate would be robust without seed predation (λs = 1·17), but without continued human intervention (i.e. use of exclosures), the current rate of predation would result in a decline towards extinction (λs = 0·92).

After our study concluded, high mortality due to two extreme winter droughts followed by a wildland fire reduced the number of reproductive plants to ∼103, making extinction of L. constancei more likely.

Synthesis and applications. The prevalence of consumer‐driven population decline is largely unknown, but this study demonstrates that pre‐dispersal seed predation by rodents can have powerful population‐level effects, and represents one set of conditions under which consumer pressure has the potential to drive plant extinction. However, with continued management to limit the effects of seed predation in the short‐term and investigation into the ultimate drivers of this high seed predation rate in the long term, the Lassics lupine population could be restored to a robust rate of growth.
‘Are 3 °C too much?’: thermal niche breadth in Bromeliaceae and global warming
Authors: Müller Lilian‐Lee B. , Albach Dirk C. , Zotz Gerhard
Published: October 2016

By the end of this century, temperature is predicted to increase by about 6 °C at higher latitudes and about 3 °C in the tropics. Although values predicted for tropical latitudes are lower, rising temperatures in the tropics are likely to have more severe consequences for tropical species that are generally assumed to have narrower climatic niches due to a higher degree of climatic stability and higher niche specialization.

Even though temperature affects all ontogenetic stages, the regeneration niche of a species is fundamental for overall niche breadth and hence represents a potential major bottleneck for its distribution.

We conducted germination experiments along a range of temperatures with 41 epiphytic bromeliad species to determine thermal germination traits (thermal niche breadth, lower and upper thermal limit, thermal optimum). Based on these traits, we asked whether the thermal germination niche breadth of these species is wide enough to cope with the predicted increase in temperature. Furthermore, we conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses to detect possible niche conservatism of these traits in Bromeliaceae.

For 93% of all tested bromeliad species, the predicted mean annual temperature range does not exceed the thermal niche breadth. Moreover, for 85% of all tested species, the current mean annual temperature across the distribution range is well below our estimates of their thermal optima. Furthermore, we found evidence for phylogenetic niche conservatism in most assessed traits.

Synthesis. Our report represents an important first step to understand and predict present and future responses of epiphytic bromeliads to global warming. At least with regard to seed germination, epiphytic bromeliads should not be negatively affected by the predicted temperature rise of 3 °C. To the contrary, future temperatures are closer to the thermal optima of most species, potentially leading to an increase in performance. However, since niche conservatism in Bromeliaceae may limit their adaptability to novel climatic conditions, a negative effect of increasing temperatures cannot be completely rejected when considering ontogenetic niche shifts.
Consumer acceptance of milk from goats fed a diet supplemented with aromatic plants
Authors: Boutoial Khalid , García Víctor , Rovira Silvia , Ferrandini Eduardo , López María Belén
Published: October 2016

Although Spain is an important producer of goat milk, less than 2% of this milk is used for direct consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumer acceptance of milk obtained from goats fed a diet supplemented with aromatic plants as a source of natural antioxidants, in this case distilled thyme and rosemary leaves and nondistilled thyme leaves. A paired comparison test identified significant differences between the control milk and all those obtained from goats receiving supplemented diets.
Transfer Frequency as a Measure of Hospital Capability and Regionalization
Authors: França Urbano L. , McManus Michael L.
Published: October 2016

Objective

To provide metrics for quantifying the capability of hospitals and the degree of care regionalization.

Data Source

Administrative database covering more than 10 million hospital encounters during a 3‐year period (2012–2014) in Massachusetts.

Principal Findings

We calculated the condition‐specific probabilities of transfer for all acute care hospitals in Massachusetts and devised two new metrics, the Hospital Capability Index (HCI) and the Regionalization Index (RI), for analyzing hospital systems. The HCI had face validity, accurately differentiating academic, teaching, and community hospitals of varying size. Individual hospital capabilities were clearly revealed in “fingerprints” of their condition‐specific transfer behavior. The RI also performed well, with those of specific conditions successfully quantifying the concentration of care arising from regulatory and public health activity. The median RI of all conditions within the Massachusetts health care system was 0.21 (IQR, 0.13–0.36), with a long tail of conditions that were very highly regionalized. Application of the HCI and RI metrics together across the entire state identified the degree of interdependence among its hospitals.

Conclusions

Condition‐specific transfer activity, as captured in the HCI and RI, provides quantitative measures of hospital capability and regionalization of care.
Blunt Craniofacial Trauma as a Manifestation of Excited Delirium Caused by New Psychoactive Substances
Authors: Byard Roger W. , Cox Matthew , Stockham Peter
Published: October 2016

The body of a 19‐year‐old male was found apparently concealed underneath bushes with recent head and facial trauma, and multiple superficial abrasions. Subsequently, it was discovered that the decedent had been running into objects and buildings following the ingestion the evening before of what was thought to be lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Blood staining of a nearby wall close to where the body was lying was in keeping with the described behavior. Toxicology revealed 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy), in addition to two only recently available drugs 2‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐N‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine, (25B‐NBOMe), and 1‐(3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl)‐2‐(1‐pyrrolidinyl)‐1‐butanone, (MDPBP). At autopsy, the skull was fractured with cerebral swelling, contusions, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Death was due to blunt cranial trauma against a background of mixed drug toxicity. The case demonstrates a rare cause of death in a drug‐induced acute delirium, as well as highlighting two new designer street drugs that may result in significant aberrant behavior.
Symptom‐to‐door delay among patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction in Singapore
Authors: Wah Win , Pek Pin Pin , Ho Andrew Fu Wah , Fook-Chong Stephanie , Zheng Huili , Loy En Yun , Chua Terrance Siang Jin , Koh Tian Hai , Chow Khuan Yew , Earnest Arul , Pang Junxiong , Ong Marcus Eng Hock
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Symptom‐to‐door time (S2D) is one of the important components of ischaemic time, which might affect the infarct size and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the present study was to identify patients’ characteristics associated with delayed symptom‐onset‐to‐arrival at EDs in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in Singapore.

Methods

Retrospective data of STEMI patients presenting to the ED of all public hospitals with onsite primary percutaneous coronary intervention facilities between 2010 and 2012 were obtained from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry. Based on the S2D of 120 min, characteristics of patients were compared between short S2D (≤120 min) and long S2D (>120 min). Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

Out of 3848 patients, 1682 patients had an S2D of ≤120 min, and 2166 had an S2D >120 min. In the multivariate analyses, older age, Malay ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, presenting symptoms of back and epigastric pain were independently associated with long S2D. Patients who utilised the emergency medical services, presented after office hours and with symptoms of chest pain, breathlessness, diaphoresis and past history of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/primary percutaneous coronary intervention, were independently associated with short S2D. Patients with long S2D had lower probability of receiving reperfusion treatment with delayed symptom‐to‐balloon and door‐to‐balloon time and higher probabilities of complications and mortality.

Conclusion

The present study shows that longer S2D was associated with older age, ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, delay in receiving early reperfusion treatment and poorer prognosis.
Ecological role of the giant root‐rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus) in the Afroalpine ecosystem
Authors: ŠKLÍBA Jan , VLASATÁ Tereza , LÖVY Matěj , HROUZKOVÁ Ema , MEHERETU Yonas , SILLERO‐ZUBIRI Claudio , ŠUMBERA Radim
Published: October 2016

Rodents with prevailing subterranean activity usually play an important role in the ecosystems of which they are a part due to the combined effect of herbivory and soil perturbation. This is the case for the giant root‐rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus endemic to the Afroalpine ecosystem of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia. We studied the impact of root‐rats on various ecosystem features within a 3.5‐ha study locality dominated by Alchemilla pasture, which represents an optimal habitat for this species, in 2 periods of a year. The root‐rats altered plant species composition, reducing the dominant forb, Alchemilla abyssinica, while enhancing Salvia merjame and a few other species, and reduced vegetation cover, but not the fresh plant biomass. Where burrows were abandoned by root‐rats, other rodents took them over and A. abyssinica increased again. Root‐rat burrowing created small‐scale heterogeneity in soil compactness due to the backfilling of some unused burrow segments. Less compacted soil tended to be rich in nutrients, including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which likely affected the plant growth on sites where the vegetation has been reduced as a result of root‐rat foraging and burrowing.
Influence of the Isolation Method on the Technofunctional Properties of Protein Isolates from Lupinus angustifolius L
Authors: Muranyi Isabel S. , Otto Clemens , Pickardt Claudia , Osen Raffael , Koehler Peter , Schweiggert‐Weisz Ute
Published: October 2016

The technofunctional properties of 2 protein isolates from Lupinus angustifolius L. Vitabor isolated by different procedures were investigated. The lupin protein isolate prepared by aqueous alkaline extraction with subsequent isoelectric precipitation (ILP) showed a significantly higher degree of protein denaturation and lower denaturation temperatures than the one obtained by aqueous salt‐induced extraction followed by dilutive precipitation (MLP) as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Rheological investigations revealed higher firmness and a viscoelastic solid‐like behavior of ILP, in contrast to MLP that showed viscoelastic, liquid‐like properties. Protein solubility of MLP was higher compared to ILP and solubility minima were slightly different for both lupin protein isolates. The protein isolates exhibited different technofunctional properties with ILP showing higher water binding capacity, lower oil binding capacity and lower emulsifying capacity than MLP. This reflects the different putative application of both lupin protein isolates as food ingredients, for example for ILP as a moisture enhancer and for MLP as a “natural” emulsifier in mixed food systems.
Ochratoxin A Removal by Yeasts after Exposure to Simulated Human Gastrointestinal Conditions
Authors: Petruzzi Leonardo , Corbo Maria Rosaria , Sinigaglia Milena , Bevilacqua Antonio
Published: October 2016

Yeasts can remove ochratoxin A (OTA) in foods; however, we do not know if they can experience this ability in the gut. Thus, the aim of this paper was to study OTA binding by 3 wine strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (W13, W28, and the commercial isolate BM45) and S. cerevisiae var. boulardii ATCC MYA‐796 (a probiotic yeast) after exposure to conditions simulating the passage through human gastrointestinal tract. Yeasts removed OTA by up to 44%, with a better ability found after gastrointestinal and sequential assays. However, the phenomenon was reversible, because ca. 18% to 28% of toxin was not stably bound. After the evaluation of the net amount of OTA bound by yeasts (that is, after toxin release), S. cerevisiae W13 and S. cerevisiae var. boulardii ATCC MYA‐796 were selected as the most promising strains for further studies (for example, clinical trials) due to their ability to remove 21% of OTA.
Microbial alkane production for jet fuel industry: motivation, state of the art and perspectives
Authors: Jiménez‐Díaz Lorena , Caballero Antonio , Pérez‐Hernández Natalia , Segura Ana
Published: October 2016

Bio‐jet fuel has attracted a lot of interest in recent years and has become a focus for aircraft and engine manufacturers, oil companies, governments and researchers. Given the global concern about environmental issues and the instability of oil market, bio‐jet fuel has been identified as a promising way to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry, while also promoting energy security. Although a number of bio‐jet fuel sources have been approved for manufacture, their commercialization and entry into the market is still a far way away. In this review, we provide an overview of the drivers for intensified research into bio‐jet fuel technologies, the type of chemical compounds found in bio‐jet fuel preparations and the current state of related pre‐commercial technologies. The biosynthesis of hydrocarbons is one of the most promising approaches for bio‐jet fuel production, and thus we provide a detailed analysis of recent advances in the microbial biosynthesis of hydrocarbons (with a focus on alkanes). Finally, we explore the latest developments and their implications for the future of research into bio‐jet fuel technologies.
Development of genomic tools in a widespread tropical tree, Symphonia globulifera L.f.: a new low‐coverage draft genome, SNP and SSR markers
Authors: Olsson Sanna , Seoane‐Zonjic Pedro , Bautista Rocío , Claros M. Gonzalo , González‐Martínez Santiago C. , Scotti Ivan , Scotti‐Saintagne Caroline , Hardy Olivier J. , Heuertz Myriam
Published: October 2016

Population genetic studies in tropical plants are often challenging because of limited information on taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships and distribution ranges, scarce genomic information and logistic challenges in sampling. We describe a strategy to develop robust and widely applicable genetic markers based on a modest development of genomic resources in the ancient tropical tree species Symphonia globulifera L.f. (Clusiaceae), a keystone species in African and Neotropical rainforests. We provide the first low‐coverage (11X) fragmented draft genome sequenced on an individual from Cameroon, covering 1.027 Gbp or 67.5% of the estimated genome size. Annotation of 565 scaffolds (7.57 Mbp) resulted in the prediction of 1046 putative genes (231 of them containing a complete open reading frame) and 1523 exact simple sequence repeats (SSRs, microsatellites). Aligning a published transcriptome of a French Guiana population against this draft genome produced 923 high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms. We also preselected genic SSRs in silico that were conserved and polymorphic across a wide geographical range, thus reducing marker development tests on rare DNA samples. Of 23 SSRs tested, 19 amplified and 18 were successfully genotyped in four S. globulifera populations from South America (Brazil and French Guiana) and Africa (Cameroon and São Tomé island, FST = 0.34). Most loci showed only population‐specific deviations from Hardy–Weinberg proportions, pointing to local population effects (e.g. null alleles). The described genomic resources are valuable for evolutionary studies in Symphonia and for comparative studies in plants. The methods are especially interesting for widespread tropical or endangered taxa with limited DNA availability.
Improving the effectiveness and delivery of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people who inject drugs
Authors: Marshall Brandon D. L. , Milloy M.‐J.
Published: October 2016

Commentary to: ‘PrEP is not ready for our community, and our community is not ready for PrEP’: pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV for people who inject drugs and limits to the HIV prevention response
An evaluation of extension services in Sweden
Authors: Nordin Martin , Höjgård Sören
Published: October 2016

This article analyzes the effects of extension services regarding the use of nutrients in Swedish agriculture on nutrient balances and farms’ finances. The key to our research design is that extension visits vary between agents (some agents give more consultation than others), which leads to random variation in “treatment.” We find that the service affects nutrient utilization, which possibly reduces leakages and eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. A large and positive impact on farms value added implies that the net benefit from the extension services is positive. The improvements are mainly due to better land management practices so that more efficient use of fertilizers increases crop production and thereby decreases the nitrogen balance.
Self‐protection from weather risk using improved maize varieties or off‐farm income and the propensity for insurance
Authors: Awondo Sebastain N. , Ramirez Octavio A. , Colson Gregory J. , Fonsah Esendugue G. , Kostandini Genti
Published: October 2016

We investigate how self‐protection from the adoption of Improved Maize Varieties (IMV) and off‐farm income affects risk premiums for smallholder maize producers in Uganda. To unbundle these effects, we specify the cost of risk to explicitly capture four risk components—mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Using unique plot‐level panel data for Uganda, we estimate and test moments of a flexible production function based on an expanded form of the Johnson SU family distribution and proceed to simulate the degree of responsiveness of risk premiums and welfare estimates to marginal changes in the share of land under IMV and off‐farm income. Scenarios of joint adoption of IMV accompanied with low and high application of inorganic fertilizer, and the effect of off‐farm income when there is high and low supply of farm labor are examined. Results show that the use of IMV and off‐farm income substantially reduces risk premiums and the individual effect is much higher under low fertilizer application and high supply of farm labor, respectively. Thus implying that self‐protection is likely to reduce the propensity for index insurance especially if its design fails to consider the reduction in downside risk.
Adding self‐management of chronic conditions to fall prevention: A feasibility study
Authors: Wurzer Birgit Maria , Waters Debra Lynn , Robertson Linda , Hale Beatrice , Hale Leigh Anne
Published: October 2016

Objective

Assess feasibility and impact of adding a long‐term condition self‐management program (Living a Healthy Life, LHL) into Steady as You Go (SAYGO) fall prevention exercise classes.

Methods

Four‐day LHL leader training workshop to deliver six weekly program. Focus groups explored feasibility and acceptability. Chronic disease self‐efficacy, balance confidence, health behaviours and status were measured at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

Four leaders and 17 participants volunteered. Focus groups revealed that becoming a leader was considered stressful. Participants valued discussions about managing health, strategies for better communication with doctors, keeping track of medications, action plans and nutrition labels. Between 6‐week and 12‐month follow‐up, self‐rated health increased.

Conclusion

Although participants valued LHL information, the low participation rates, time commitment and stress of becoming a leader and leading classes suggest that adding LHL to other fall prevention programs will need further consideration around integration of the programs.
Preference of cattle grazing conterminous monocultures of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) with contrasting regrowth durations
Authors: Hirata Masahiko , Kunieda Eri , Tobisa Manabu
Published: October 2016

This study conducted four experiments to assess preference of cattle between centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides; CG) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum; BG) under manipulated vegetation conditions. In each experiment, three Japanese Black cows (Bos taurus) were individually allowed to graze four plots of conterminous monocultures of CG and BG (30 min for each 10 × 10 m plot). Vegetation of the plots was the combinations of two patch sizes (coarse and fine; 5 × 10 m and 5 × 5 m, respectively) × two relative availabilities of the grasses (CGtall/BGshort and CGshort/BGtall). Tall and short patches were created by varying regrowth durations after cutting, and almost always offered a clear CG–BG contrast in availability (height and mass) and quality (digestibility and protein) with the trade‐off relationship. Cows always preferred or equally selected CG to BG, with the preference being affected by the relative availability of grasses in three of the four experiments but not by the patch size at all. Test of intake rate maximization on both short‐term and daily bases indicated that cows chose between the grasses to simultaneously enhance daily potential intake of dry matter, digestible energy and protein. The results strengthen the value of CG as a forage.
Combined burning and mowing for restoration of abandoned semi‐natural grasslands
Authors: Koyama Asuka , Koyanagi Tomoyo F. , Akasaka Munemitsu , Takada Masayuki , Okabe Kimiko
Published: October 2016

Questions

Does reintroducing grassland management aid in the recovery of vegetation with high grassland species diversity in abandoned semi‐natural grasslands? How do management tools and local topographic factors influence the magnitude of recovery? Do effective restoration tools and sites differ depending on measurement indices (community‐ and species‐level responses)?

Location

Semi‐natural grasslands surrounding Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

Methods

We conducted vegetation surveys in grassland sites with two land‐use forms (continuously managed/restored after abandonment) and two management types (burning only/burning and mowing). We assessed restoration success by examining plant species composition using the similarity index. We also examined the community‐level (i.e. species richness) and species‐level (i.e. species occurrence) responses to land‐use form, management type and local topographic factors (elevation and slope aspect).

Results

Reintroduction of grassland management can recover the plant species composition of restored sites. Combined burning and mowing management was a principal determinant of the species richness and occurrence of most grassland species. A north‐facing slope was a clear topographic determinant of higher species richness. However, we also found that the presence of some of the grassland's endangered species (i.e. Achillea alpina subsp. subcartilaginea, Artemisia stolonifera and Viola orientalis) was limited in continuously managed sites and that the response to topographic factors was species‐specific.

Conclusions

The reintroduction of combined burning and mowing management in various topographic areas is essential for both plant diversity recovery and local endangered species conservation for the restoration of abandoned semi‐natural grasslands. Our results also suggest that selecting restoration sites on northern slopes can enhance the recovery of plant species diversity.
Mammalian‐target of rapamycin inhibition with temsirolimus in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients is associated with considerable toxicity: results of the temsirolimus pilot trial by the German MDS Study Group (D‐MDS)
Authors: Wermke Martin , Schuster Claudia , Nolte Florian , Al‐Ali Haifa‐Kathrin , Kiewe Philipp , Schönefeldt Claudia , Jakob Christiane , von Bonin Malte , Hentschel Leopold , Klut Ina‐Maria , Ehninger Gerhard , Bornhäuser Martin , Baretton Gustavo , Germing Ulrich , Herbst Regina , Haase Detelef , Hofmann Wolf K. , Platzbecker Uwe
Published: October 2016

The mammalian‐target of rapamycin (also termed mechanistic target of rapamycin, mTOR) pathway integrates various pro‐proliferative and anti‐apoptotic stimuli and is involved in regulatory T‐cell (TREG) development. As these processes contribute to the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), we hypothesized that mTOR modulation with temsirolimus (TEM) might show activity in MDS. This prospective multicentre trial enrolled lower and higher risk MDS patients, provided that they were transfusion‐dependent/neutropenic or relapsed/refractory to 5‐azacitidine, respectively. All patients received TEM at a weekly dose of 25 mg. Of the 9 lower‐ and 11 higher‐risk patients included, only 4 (20%) reached the response assessment after 4 months of treatment and showed stable disease without haematological improvement. The remaining patients discontinued TEM prematurely due to adverse events. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in the lower‐risk group and 296 days in the higher‐risk group. We observed a significant decline of bone marrow (BM) vascularisation (P = 0·006) but were unable to demonstrate a significant impact of TEM on the balance between TREG and pro‐inflammatory T‐helper‐cell subsets within the peripheral blood or BM. We conclude that mTOR‐modulation with TEM at a dose of 25 mg per week is accompanied by considerable toxicity and has no beneficial effects in elderly MDS patients.
What emotional tears convey: Tearful individuals are seen as warmer, but also as less competent
Authors: van de Ven Niels , Meijs Maartje H. J. , Vingerhoets Ad
Published: October 2016

Earlier research found that the mere sight of tears promotes the willingness to provide support to the person shedding the tears. Other research, however, found that deliberate responses towards tearful persons could be more negative as well. We think this is because tears have ambivalent effects on person perception: We predicted that tearful people are seen as warmer, but also as less competent. In three studies, we asked participants (total N = 1,042) to form their impression of someone based on a picture. The depicted person either displayed visible tears, or the tears had been digitally removed. Tearful individuals were perceived as being warmer, but also as less competent. In Study 2, we also added a measure of perceived sadness. Seeing a tearful face increased perceived sadness, and this (partially) explained the reduction in perceived competence of the target person. There was no such indirect effect of the tear on perceived warmth via perceived sadness. Study 3 found that people would be more likely to approach a tearful person to offer help than a tearless individual. At the same time, tearful individuals would be more likely to be avoided in situations in which the observer needs assistance for an important task.
Amiselimod, a novel sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor‐1 modulator, has potent therapeutic efficacy for autoimmune diseases, with low bradycardia risk
Authors: Sugahara Kunio , Maeda Yasuhiro , Shimano Kyoko , Mogami Akira , Kataoka Hirotoshi , Ogawa Kei , Hikida Kumiko , Kumagai Hiroshi , Asayama Mahoko , Yamamoto Toshinobu , Harada Tomohiko , Ni Pingping , Inoue Shinsuke , Kawaguchi Atsuhiro
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose

We conducted preclinical and clinical studies to examine the pharmacological, particularly cardiac, effects of amiselimod (MT‐1303), a second‐generation sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, designed to reduce the bradycardia associated with fingolimod and other S1P receptor modulators.

Experimental Approach

The selectivity of the active metabolite amiselimod phosphate (amiselimod‐P) for human S1P receptors and activation of G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels in human atrial myocytes were assessed. Its cardiac distribution was determined in rats, and cardiovascular telemetry was assessed in monkeys. We also examined the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of amiselimod in healthy humans.

Key Results

Amiselimod‐P showed potent selectivity for S1P1 and high selectivity for S1P5 receptors, with minimal agonist activity for S1P4 and no distinct agonist activity for S1P2 or S1P3 receptors and approximately five‐fold weaker GIRK activation than fingolimod‐P. After oral administration of amiselimod or fingolimod at 1 mg·kg−1, the concentration of amiselimod‐P in rat heart tissue was lower than that of fingolimod‐P, potentially contributing to the minimal cardiac effects of amiselimod. A telemetry study in monkeys confirmed that amiselimod did not affect heart rate or ECG parameters. In healthy human subjects, peripheral blood lymphocyte counts gradually reduced over the 21 day dosing period, with similar lymphocyte count profiles with the highest doses by day 21, and no clinically significant bradycardia observed on day 1 or during the study.

Conclusions and Implications

Amiselimod exhibited potent therapeutic efficacy with minimal cardiac effects at the anticipated clinical dose and is unlikely to require dose titration.