bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiographic Evaluation of Valvular Heart Disease With Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Correlation
Authors: Lempel Jason K. , Bolen Michael A. , Renapurkar Rahul D. , Azok Joseph T. , White Charles S.
Published: August 2016

Valvular heart disease is a group of complex entities with varying etiologies and clinical presentations. There are a number of imaging tools available to supplement clinical evaluation of suspected valvular heart disease, with echocardiography being the most common and clinically established, and more recent emergence of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as additional supportive techniques. Yet even with these newer and more sophisticated modalities, chest radiography remains one of the earliest and most common diagnostic examinations performed during the triage of patients with suspected cardiac dysfunction. Recognizing the anatomic and pathologic features of cardiac radiography including the heart’s adaptation to varying hemodynamic changes can provide clues to the radiologist regarding the underlying etiology. In this article, we will elucidate several principles relating to chamber modifications in response to pressure and volume overload as well as radiographic appearances associated with pulmonary fluid status and cardiac dysfunction. We will also present a pattern approach to optimize analysis of the chest radiograph for valvular heart disease, which will help guide the radiologist down a differential diagnostic pathway and create a more meaningful clinical report.
Comparison of cell migration mechanical strategies in three-dimensional matrices: a computational study
Authors: Zhu Jie , Mogilner Alex
Published: August 2016

Cell migration on a two-dimensional flat surface has been extensively studied and is generally characterized by a front-protrusion–rear-contraction process. In a three-dimensional (3D) environment, on the other hand, cells adopt multiple migration strategies depending on the cell type and the properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). By using computer simulations, we find that these migration strategies can be classified by various spatial–temporal dynamics of actin protrusion, actin–myosin contraction and actin–ECM adhesion. We demonstrate that if we include or exclude proteolysis of ECM, and vary adhesion dynamics and spatial distributions of protrusion, contraction and adhesion, our model can reproduce six experimentally observed motility modes: mesenchymal, chimneying, amoeboid, blebbing, finger-like protrusion and rear-squeezing cell locomotory behaviours. We further find that the mode of the cell motility evolves in response to the ECM density and adhesion detachment rate. The model makes non-trivial predictions about cell speed as a function of the adhesion strength, and ECM elasticity and mesh size.
Hybrid vertex-midline modelling of elongated plant organs
Authors: Fozard John A. , Bennett Malcolm J. , King John R. , Jensen Oliver E.
Published: August 2016

We describe a method for the simulation of the growth of elongated plant organs, such as seedling roots. By combining a midline representation of the organ on a tissue scale and a vertex-based representation on the cell scale, we obtain a multiscale method, which is able to both simulate organ growth and incorporate cell-scale processes. Equations for the evolution of the midline are obtained, which depend on the cell-wall properties of individual cells through appropriate averages over the vertex-based representation. The evolution of the organ midline is used to deform the cellular-scale representation. This permits the investigation of the regulation of organ growth through the cell-scale transport of the plant hormone auxin. The utility of this method is demonstrated in simulating the early stages of the response of a root to gravity, using a vertex-based template acquired from confocal imaging. Asymmetries in the concentrations of auxin between the upper and lower sides of the root lead to bending of the root midline, reflecting a gravitropic response.
Gene mapping of nine agronomic traits and genome assembly by resequencing a foxtail millet RIL population
Authors: Ni Xuemei , Xia Qiuju , Zhang Houbao , Cheng Shu , Li Hui , Fan Guangyu , Guo Tao , Huang Ping , Xiang Haitao , Chen Qingchun , Li Ning , Zou Hongfeng , Cai Xuemei , Lei Xuejing , Wang Xiaoming , Zhou Chengshu , Zhao Zhihai , Zhang Gengyun , Quan Zhiwu
Published: August 2016

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) provides food and fodder in semi-arid regions and infertile land. Resequencing of 184 foxtail millet recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was carried out to aid essential research on foxtail millet improvement. Bin map were constructed based on the RILs’ recombination data. By anchoring some unseated scaffolds and filling gaps, we update two original millet reference genomes Zhanggu and Yugu to produce second editions. Gene mapping of nine agronomic traits were done based on this RIL population. The genome resequencing and QTL mapping provided important tools for foxtail millet research and breeding. Resequencing of the RILs could also provide an effective way for high quantity genome assembly and gene identification.
One-cell Doubling Evaluation by Living Arrays of Yeast, ODELAY!
Authors: Herricks Thurston , Dilworth David J. , Mast Fred D. , Li Song , Smith Jennifer J. , Ratushny Alexander V. , Aitchison John D.
Published: August 2016

Cell growth is a complex phenotype widely used in systems biology to gauge the impact of genetic and environmental perturbations. Due to the magnitude of genome-wide studies, resolution is often sacrificed in favor of throughput, creating a demand for scalable, time-resolved, quantitative methods of growth assessment. We present ODELAY (One-cell Doubling Evaluation by Living Arrays of Yeast), an automated and scalable growth analysis platform. High measurement density and single cell resolution provide a powerful tool for large-scale multiparameter growth analysis based on the modeling of microcolony expansion on solid media. Pioneered in yeast but applicable to other colony forming organisms, ODELAY extracts the three key growth parameters (lag time, doubling time, and carrying capacity) that define microcolony expansion from single cells, simultaneously permitting the assessment of population heterogeneity. The utility of ODELAY is illustrated using yeast mutants, revealing a spectrum of phenotypes arising from single and combinatorial growth parameter perturbations.
Analysis of infection biomarkers within a Bayesian framework reveals their role in pneumococcal pneumonia diagnosis in HIV patients
Authors: Meyer Austin G.
Published: August 2016

Background

HIV patients are more likely to contract bacterial pneumonia and more likely to die from the infection. Unfortunately, there are few tests to quickly diagnosis the etiology of these dangerous infections. Several biomarkers may be useful for diagnosing the most common pneumonia-causing organism,S. pneumoniae,but studies utilizing the standard statistical approach provide little concrete guidance for the HIV-infected population.

Methodology and Findings

Using a Bayesian approach, I analyze data from a cohort of 280 HIV patients with x-ray confirmed community acquired pneumonia. First, I use a variety of techniques to establish predictor significance and to identify their optimal cutoffs. Next, in lieu of cutoffs, I find the continuous and combined likelihood ratios for every value of each biomarker, and I compute the associated posttest probabilities. As expected, I find the three biomarkers with good clinical yield and a statistically significant association withS. pneumoniaeare C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), andlytAgene PCR (lytA). Based on Bayesian clinical yield, optimal cutoffs are largely equivocal. The optimal dichotomous cutoff for CRP is essentially any value between 10mg/dLand 30mg/dL(△pPosttest≈ 0.49). The optimal cutoff for PCT is any value between 2ng/mLand 40ng/mL(△pposttest≈ 0.35). The optimal cutoff for lytA is any value less than 6log10copies/mL(△pposttest≈ 0.45). Further, I find that continuous likelihood ratios provide much more accurate posttest probabilities than dichotomous cutoffs. For example, starting with the empirical pretest probability, a lytA approaching 0copies/mLlowers the probability of S.pneumoniaeinfection to less than 15%, while a result of 10copies/mLraises the probability to greater than 65%. However, a lytA value just above or below the suggested cutoff of 8000copies/mLor my new optimal cutoff of 30,000copies/mLleaves the posttest probability of infection essentially unchanged from the pretest probability.

Conclusion

CRP, PCT, and lytA all provide significant value in diagnosing the etiology of pneumonia in HIV patients. The optimal dichotomous cutoffs for lytA, CRP, and PCT need to be adjusted for pneumococcal diagnosis in this population. However, continuous and combined likelihood ratios avoid discarding valuable quantitative information, and a combined likelihood ratio can be easily computed without the need for prior logistic regression. Importantly, there is significant overlap between these biomarkers such that only one of the three biomarkers at a time should be used to update clinical probabilities. Thus, it is ill-advised to combine the likelihood ratios of different biomarkers to produce a posttest probability. Finally, I provide a simple web application to quantitatively calculate the posttest probability ofS. pneumoniaeinfection in HIV patients with x-ray confirmed pneumonia:http://meyerapps.org/pneumococcal_etiology_hiv.
Multidimensionality of plant defenses and herbivore niches: implications for eco-evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Loeuille Nicolas , Hauzy Céline
Published: August 2016

Plant defenses are very diverse and often involve contrasted costs and benefits. Quantitative defenses, whose protective effect is dependent on the dose, are effective against a wide range of herbivores, but often divert energy from growth and reproduction. Qualitative defenses often have little allocation costs. However, while deterrent to some herbivores, they often incur costs through other interactions within the community (eg, decrease in pollination or attraction of other enemies). In the present work, we model the evolutionary dynamics of these two types of defenses, as well and the evolutionary dynamics of the herbivore niche. We assess the effects of such evolutionary dynamics for the maintenance of diversity within the plant-herbivore system, and for the functioning of such systems under various levels of resource availability. We show that the two types of defenses have different implications. Evolution of quantitative defenses often helps to maintain or even increase diversity, while evolution of qualitative defenses most often has a detrimental effect on species coexistence. From a functional point of view, increased resource availability selects for higher levels of quantitative defenses, which reduces top-down controls exerted by herbivores. Resource availability does not affect qualitative defenses, nor the evolution of the herbivore niche. The growing evidence that plant defenses are diverse in types, benefits and costs has large implications not only for the evolution of these traits, but also for their impacts on community diversity and ecosystem functioning.
Patient-dependent epilepsy seizure detection using random forest classification over one-dimension transformed EEG data
Authors: Pinto-Orellana Marco A. , Cerqueira Fábio R.
Published: August 2016

This work presents a computational method for improving seizure detection for epilepsy diagnosis. Epilepsy isthe second most common neurological disease impacting between 40 and 50 million of patients in the world and it proper diagnosis using electroencephalographic signals implies a long and expensive process which involves medical specialists. The proposed system is a patient-dependent offline system which performs an automatic detection of seizures in brainwaves applying a random forest classifier. Features are extracted using one-dimension reduced information from a spectro-temporal transformation of the biosignals which pass through an envelope detector. The performance of this method reached 97.12% of specificity, 99.29% of sensitivity, and a 0.77h−1false positive rate. Thus, the method hereby proposed has great potential for diagnosis support in clinical environments.
Codon usage affects the structure and function of the Drosophila circadian clock protein PERIOD
Authors: Fu Jingjing , Murphy Katherine A. , Zhou Mian , Li Ying H. , Lam Vu H. , Tabuloc Christine A. , Chiu Joanna C. , Liu Yi
Published: August 2016

Codon usage bias is a universal feature of all genomes, but its in vivo biological functions in animal systems are not clear. To investigate the in vivo role of codon usage in animals, we took advantage of the sensitivity and robustness of the Drosophila circadian system. By codon-optimizing parts of Drosophila period (dper), a core clock gene that encodes a critical component of the circadian oscillator, we showed that dper codon usage is important for circadian clock function. Codon optimization of dper resulted in conformational changes of the dPER protein, altered dPER phosphorylation profile and stability, and impaired dPER function in the circadian negative feedback loop, which manifests into changes in molecular rhythmicity and abnormal circadian behavioral output. This study provides an in vivo example that demonstrates the role of codon usage in determining protein structure and function in an animal system. These results suggest a universal mechanism in eukaryotes that uses a codon usage “code” within genetic codons to regulate cotranslational protein folding.
The SwissFEL Experimental Laser facility
Authors: Erny Christian , Hauri Christoph Peter
Published: August 2016

The hard X-ray laser SwissFEL at the Paul Scherrer Institute is currently being commissioned and will soon become available for users. In the current article the laser facility is presented, an integral part of the user facility, as most time-resolved experiments will require a versatile optical laser infrastructure and precise information about the relative delay between the X-ray and optical pulse. The important key parameters are a high availability and long-term stability while providing advanced laser performance in the wavelength range from ultraviolet to terahertz. The concept of integrating a Ti:sapphire laser amplifier system with subsequent frequency conversion stages and drift compensation into the SwissFEL facility environment for successful 24 h/7 d user operation is described.
Crystal structure of 6-(p-tolyl)benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene and of an orthorhombic polymorph of 7-phenylanthra[2,3-b]benzo[d]thiophene
Authors: Gopinath S. , Sethusankar K. , Stoeckli-Evans Helen , Rafiq Muhamad , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K.
Published: August 2016

The title compounds, C23H16S, (I), and C26H16S, (II), are benzothiophene derivatives in which the benzothiophene moiety is fused with a naphthalene ring system in (I), and with an anthracene ring system in (II). In (I), the mean plane of the benzothiophene ring system makes a dihedral angle of 2.28 (6)° with the naphthalene ring system, and a dihedral angle of 1.28 (6)° with the anthracene ring system in (II), showing that the fused units are essentially planar. In (I), the 4-methylbenzene ring substituent makes a dihedral angle of 71.40 (9)° with the naphthalene ring system, while the phenyl ring substituent in (II) makes a dihedral angle of 67.08 (12)° with the anthracene ring system. In the crystals of both compounds, molecules are linked by C—H...π interactions, leading to the formation of slabs parallel to (001) in (I) and to zigzag chains along [001] in (II). There are also offset π–π interactions present within the slabs in (I). In the crystal of (II), they link the chains, forming sheets parallel to (010). The triclinic polymorph of compound (II) has been reported [Sivasakthikumaran et al., (2012). J. Org. Chem.
77, 9053–9071].
(E)-3-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Santos de Barros Leonardo , Ramalho Freitas Maria Clara , Rangel Campos Vinícius , Assis da Silva Francisco , Netto-Ferreira José Carlos , Cesarin-Sobrinho Darí
Published: August 2016

The title chalcone derivative, C15H10F2O, is almost planar, with the benzene ring being inclined to the phenyl ring by 7.45 (9)°. The conformation about the C=C bond isE. In the crystal, molecules are linked by two pairs of C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers enclosingR22(8) andR21(10) ring motifs. The dimers stack along theaaxis with the separation of the C=C bonds being 4.2926 (4) Å.
Climate justice: between Mammon and Mother Earth
Authors: Meikle Mandy , Wilson Jake , Jafry Tahseen
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the ethical debate over roles and responsibilities to address the injustices of climate change and its impacts. The current impasse over taking action may lie in the very different ways people view the world and their place in it. The aim is to explore some profound contradictions within differing strands of knowledge feeding into common understandings of climate justice.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of appropriate peer-reviewed and “grey” literature was conducted with a view to defining the term “climate justice”.

Findings

In addition to there being no single, clear definition of climate justice, a fundamental schism was found between what indigenous peoples want to see happen and what industrialised nations can do with respect to both the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation to defining climate justice, and reason for publishing, is the lack of peer-reviewed work on this topic.

Practical implications

This paper has many practical implications, the most fundamental of which is the need to reach a consensus over rights to the Earth’s resources. If humanity, within which there are many societies, chooses to follow a truly equitable path post 2015, industrialised countries and corporations will need to move away from “endless growth economics”. The ways in which climate justice might be operationalised in future are considered, including the concept of a “climate-justice” checklist.

Originality/value

While the reconciliation proposed in this paper might be considered idealistic, unless it is acknowledged the Earth’s resources are limited, over-exploited and for all people to use sustainably, thus requiring a reduction in consumption by individuals relatively affluent in global terms, climate negotiators will continue talking about the same issues without achieving meaningful change.
Climate justice from a club good perspective
Authors: Platje Johannes (Joost) , Kampen Remko
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply club good theory to challenges in climate justice and to identify the opportunities for creating a club of countries or regions to support climate justice and/or mitigate climate change, as well as the threats that such clubs could lead to the real exclusion of large parts of the world from climate justice.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical analysis is provided regarding the conditions for creating a club for climate change mitigation. Indicators of good governance and trust, as well as the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index (ND-GAIN), are used to assess the capacity for creating such a club.

Findings

While opportunities for achieving climate justice are identified, climate change mitigation is likely to be at most a club good at the global level, thus excluding the most vulnerable countries, regions and groups of people. Although the threats of climate change may be acknowledged, they are easily neglected. Economic growth is likely to be a condition for economic sustainability, which in turn tends to be a condition for environmental sustainability. Decision makers should be conscious of the potential danger of creating a club for climate change mitigation based on the belief that economic growth and technology will solve these problems, as such a club is likely to be either unsustainable, or very small, while deepening existing injustice.

Originality/value

The authors provide an overview of the complexity of issues involved, to gain an appreciation of the vast, perhaps insurmountable, challenges facing climate justice. A club good approach is applied to issues of climate justice, emphasizing the limitations of the all-inclusiveness of climate justice and sustainable development.
Effectiveness of a communication model in city branding using events
Authors: Lee Tain-Shyug , Huh Chung Ling , Yeh Hung-Ming , Tsaur Wei-Guang
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: developing an effectiveness communication model for a city rotary event. Empirical validation of the new effectiveness model based on a city cultural festival event to explore the similarity and difference of perception change on event attendance. Providing a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of communication model for both professional event organizers and PCO guidelines when determining an event’s marketing strategy priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use SEM to verify the relationship between variables, and path coefficient comparison analysis which was adapted for model verification and hypothesis testing. Analytical methods included reliability analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, Hotelling T
2-test, SEM analysis.

Findings

This result demonstrates that attendee increased their emotion, attitude, city brand image as result of the event activities, and positive event emotions have the highest influence toward to a positive city’s brand emotion. A positive city brand emotion especially has the second highest influence on attendee next event retentions. A positive city brand emotion will lead to a positive city brand attitude, but city brand attitudes will not have a positive impact on retentions.

Originality/value

The contribution and value of this study is that the authors established a new effectiveness communication model which introduce the city branding concept into the research. The study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness illustrations of the application in the communication model. The research meets the objective in this effectiveness communication model. It illustrates the directions for how an event should be designed in order to create a positive city brand attitude for retention.
Principal’s perceptions of effective professional development in schools
Authors: Brown Crystal , Militello Matthew
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Principals play a pivotal role in teachers’ professional growth, which impacts student outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to understand the perceptions principals have about effective elements of professional development (PD) and the role they play in facilitating the growth of teachers, and how this affects student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Q methodology was utilized to investigate the subjective views of public school administrators about PD. A post sort survey was used to interpret demographic and perceptual data. The Q sorts were factor analyzed to reveal statistical correlations among the administrators. Focus group interviews representative of each emergent factor were then conducted with eight of the 34 principals who sorted the statements.

Findings

In total, 31 of the participants loaded on one of three factors. Though there were perceptional differences about which PD elements are effective, all of the principals expressed a desire to take an active role in teachers’ professional growth. These distinct viewpoints of PD included the themes of sustainability and collaboration.

Originality/value

School leaders are commonly named as the most important influence on teachers and their practices. PD is among the significant strategies that principals employ to impact teachers. Thus, studies that provide insights into how school leaders perceive PD are crucial to the in-service development of school teachers.
Ethical leadership in education and its relation to ethical decision-making
Authors: Arar Khalid , Haj Ibrahim , Abramovitz Ruth , Oplatka Izhar
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate ethical leadership in the context of the Arab educational system in Israel. It questions the relations of ethical leadership dimensions with decision making as well as background characteristics of the educational leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Arab educational leaders (n=150) from diverse Arab schools responded to valid research tool of 40 items constructed of six subscales: three ethical leadership dimensions (critique, justice and care) and three leadership work aspects (ethical sensitivity, climate and decision making). Averages were calculated for each subscale.

Findings

Significant relations were found among ethical leadership dimensions and decision making, the leaders’ school type and their seniority.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on research in diverse countries, using a common conceptual frame. Its limitation is the sample’s narrow scope.

Practical implications

The study results may inform the developing ethical qualities in educational leadership.

Originality/value

The authors recommend widening the scope of the sample examined to further clarify the concept of ethical leadership and its implications to the practice of educational leadership.
Learning and change in the redesign of a primary health care initiative
Authors: Rule John , Dunston Roger , Solomon Nicky
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an account of learning and change in the redesign of a primary health-care initiative in a large metropolitan city in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on research exploring the place and role of learning in the re-making of health professional practices in a major New South Wales Government health reform called HealthOne. The analysis and findings presented here make reference to data drawn from a longitudinal ethnographic study (2011-2014) conducted by an inter-disciplinary team of researchers from the University of Technology Sydney. Socio-material and practice-based approaches for understanding learning are used in working with the data.

Findings

There were substantial changes in professional practice, especially in the role of the General Practice Liaison Nurse. Changes, and the learning connected to the changes, were dynamically influenced by the macro-context. HealthOne was a reform initiative with a strong focus on achieving health service redesign and a consistent focus on staff developing new ways of thinking and operating. Although learning was often discussed, it was, for the most part, expressed in general terms, and there was a lack of a formal and well-developed approach to learning collectively and individually.

Originality/value

This research paper will inform future attempts at service redesign in community and primary health contexts and provides a site-specific examination of workplace learning in a context of rapid change.
Using case studies to transfer soft skills (also known as pervasive skills)
Authors: Keevy Monique
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which South African accounting academics use case studies in their teaching and to establish their views on whether this method can be used to transfer soft skills (also known as pervasive skills) to students.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronically administered questionnaire was sent to South African accounting academics.

Findings

Prior research provides evidence of the value of case studies in the transfer of soft/pervasive skills to students. The findings reveal that case studies are used less frequently by South African accounting academics than their international counterparts, because of a lack of awareness by South African accounting academics of the competencies that can be transferred using case studies, and the application of alternative teaching methods.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into the use of case studies by academics in a developing country whose traditional strengths were in technical teaching, and the reluctance of the majority of South African accounting academics to embrace case studies into their academic programmes.
The use of social media platforms in a first year accounting course
Authors: Stainbank Lesley , Gurr Kerry-Lee
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe the use of social media platforms in a first-year accounting course at a South African university and provide evidence on whether students found these social networking sites useful.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses survey research to determine students’ usage of two social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) and their perceptions of these platforms’ usefulness in a first-year accounting course.

Findings

The study found that the time spent on the two social media platforms does not detract from the time spent on preparation for the first-year accounting course. Students’ perceptions on the usefulness of these platforms showed support by all students for using social media to provide career information, but not all students perceived the platforms to be useful for communication and teaching and learning. While no statistically significant differences were found in the students’ responses based on gender, a number of statistically significant differences were found when the results were analysed according to language. Students whose home language was not English found the two social media platforms more useful for some aspects of communication, teaching and learning and for career guidance than English-speaking students.

Research limitations/implications

The questionnaire was only administered to students on one campus who had actually accessed the social media platforms. Therefore, the results are not generalisable beyond this study.

Practical implications

The study shows that students whose home language is not English perceived the platforms more useful for communication, some teaching and learning aspects and for career guidance in a first-year accounting course. This may be helpful to other accounting teachers faced with student disruptions, large classes or high numbers of international students whose first language is not English, and who need to communicate with all their students.

Originality/value

The study adds to the discourse on the usefulness of social media platforms in a tertiary education setting, and more particularly, in a first-year accounting course in South Africa.
Social enterprise and wellbeing in community life
Authors: Farmer Jane , De Cotta Tracy , McKinnon Katharine , Barraket Jo , Munoz Sarah-Anne , Douglas Heather , Roy Michael J.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the well-being impacts of social enterprise, beyond a social enterpriseper se, in everyday community life.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory case study was used. The study’s underpinning theory is from relational geography, including Spaces of Wellbeing Theory and therapeutic assemblage. These theories underpin data collection methods. Nine social enterprise participants were engaged in mental mapping and walking interviews. Four other informants with “boundary-spanning” roles involving knowledge of the social enterprise and the community were interviewed. Data were managed using NVivo, and analysed thematically.

Findings

Well-being realised from “being inside” a social enterprise organisation was further developed for participants, in the community, through positive interactions with people, material objects, stories and performances of well-being that occurred in everyday community life. Boundary spanning community members had roles in referring participants to social enterprise, mediating between participants and structures of community life and normalising social enterprise in the community. They also gained benefit from social enterprise involvement.

Originality/value

This paper uses relational geography and aligned methods to reveal the intricate connections between social enterprise and well-being realisation in community life. There is potential to pursue this research on a larger scale to provide needed evidence about how well-being is realised in social enterprises and then extends into communities.
Threat or Opportunity? The Politicization of Focusing Events in the Parliamentary Arena
Authors: Lindholm Jenny
Published: August 2016

Focusing events, that is, crises and catastrophes, provide an opportunity for political change, learning and evaluation of governmental performance. The aim of this study was to analyse the politicization of four focusing events in the parliamentary arena, concerning framing, blame attribution, emotional appeal and solutions presented. Are there any differences between events with a varying degree of strength (stronger vs. weaker) and origin (human‐made vs. natural disasters) concerning the debate in the plenary sessions? The findings show that a stronger degree of focus results in more tendencies to portray the event as an opportunity for change. Moreover, concerning origin, natural disasters are more often discussed in terms of anger, with debate contributions posed by the opposition parties.
Optimising the International Classification of Diseases to identify the maternal condition in the case of perinatal death
Authors: Allanson ER , Tunçalp Ӧ , Gardosi J , Pattinson RC , Francis A , Vogel JP , Erwich JJHM , Flenady VJ , Frøen JF , Neilson J , Quach A , Chou D , Mathai M , Say L , Gülmezoglu AM
Published: August 2016

Objective

The WHO application of the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) to deaths during the perinatal period (ICD Perinatal Mortality, ICD‐PM) captures the essential characteristics of the mother–baby dyad that contribute to perinatal deaths. We compare the capture of maternal conditions in the existing ICD‐PM with the maternal codes from the WHO application of ICD‐10 to deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (ICD Maternal Mortality, ICD‐MM) to explore potential benefits in the quality of data received.

Design

Retrospective application of ICD‐PM.

Setting

South Africa and the UK.

Population

Perinatal death databases.

Methods

The maternal conditions were classified using the ICD‐PM groupings for maternal condition in perinatal death, and then mapped to the ICD‐MM groupings of maternal conditions.

Main outcome measures

Main maternal conditions in perinatal deaths.

Results

We reviewed 9661 perinatal deaths. The largest group (4766 cases, 49.3%) in both classifications captures deaths where there was no contributing maternal condition. Each of the other ICD‐PM groups map to between three and six ICD‐MM groups. If the cases in each ICD‐PM group are re‐coded using ICD‐MM, each group becomes multiple, more specific groups. For example, the 712 cases in group M4 in ICD‐PM become 14 different and more specific main disease categories when the ICD‐MM is applied instead.

Conclusions

As we move towards ICD‐11, the use of the more specific, applicable, and relevant codes outlined in ICD‐MM for both maternal deaths and the maternal condition at the time of a perinatal death would be preferable, and would provide important additional information about perinatal deaths.

Tweetable abstract

Improving the capture of maternal conditions in perinatal deaths provides important actionable information.
R‐Index Measure of Microencapsulated Tributyrin in Gamma‐Cyclodextrin Influenced by Drying Method
Authors: Donovan Joseph D. , Lee Soo‐Yeun , Lee Youngsoo
Published: August 2016

Microencapsulation is commonly used in the food industry for a variety of purposes including added ingredient functionally and taste‐masking for those ingredients with negative sensory qualities. Tributyrin (TB), a source intestinally‐essential butyric acid, possesses negative aroma (cheesy, fecal) and taste (bitter) qualities. This has significantly limited its use in food applications for the potential improvement of intestinal health. Utilizing spray drying and low‐temperature oven drying, microcapsules containing TB were produced using whey (WPI), WPI and inulin, and gamma‐cyclodextrin (GCD). To determine how microcapsule formulation and drying method affected the perception of TB relative to a control, microencapsulated and free TB were added to an infant formula system and evaluated using the rating method to determine R‐index measures. Pooled R‐index measures (α = 0.01, 2‐tailed, and n = 170) indicated that the only microcapsule not significantly different from the control (R‐index below 57.95%) was the GCD and TB oven dried (GCT OD) microcapsule. All other WPI, WPI–inulin, and GCD and TB spray‐dried (GCT SD) microcapsules were all significantly different from the control. Average individual R‐index results indicated that all microcapsules in infant formula, except for GCT OD, were significantly different (P < 0.01) from the control formula but not from free TB. Spray drying may create microcapsules with surface TB and disturb the GCD–TB complex, allowing free, and surface TB to be perceived by the panelists. The GCT OD microcapsule has the potential to be used for the potential oral treatment of intestinal disorders in functional food applications without the negative sensory qualities of TB.
Utility of ultrasonography in guiding modification of disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs and steroid therapy for inflammatory arthritis in routine clinical practice
Authors: Tan York Kiat , Chew Li‐Ching , Allen John C , Lye Weng Kit , Htay Lei Lei , Hassan Ali , Conaghan Philip G , Thumboo Julian
Published: August 2016

Objective

To determine the utility of ultrasonography in guiding modification of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug (DMARD) and steroid therapy for inflammatory arthritis (IA) in routine clinical practice.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analyzed DMARD and steroid use in IA patients referred to a rheumatologist‐led ultrasound clinic. Power Doppler (PD) vascularity and greyscale (GS) synovial hypertrophy joint findings were categorized as positive/negative for each patient. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was used as a measure of disease activity.

Results

We assessed single visit data for 46 adult IA patients: 67.4% (n = 31) rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 15.2% (n = 7) psoriatic arthritis, 10.9% (n = 5) spondyloarthritis, and 6.5% (n = 3) undifferentiated IA. The mean ESR was 28.8 mm/h. Thirty‐seven patients with both GS and PD ultrasound results were subsequently analyzed. All patients (n = 10) escalated and/or initiated on DMARD and 9/10 patients escalated or initiated on steroids were PD and GS positive. Six of seven patients with dose reduction and/or cessation of DMARDs and five of seven patients with dose reduction or cessation of steroids were PD negative. Of six patients who were GS positive and PD negative, three had dose reduction and/or cessation of DMARDs, while four had dose reduction of steroids; none of the six patients had DMARD/steroid escalation.

Conclusion

By clarifying joint inflammation in an IA cohort with overall low ESR, ultrasonography of physician‐selected joints can improve clinical assessment, resulting in treatment modification. Positive PD findings were particularly influential, while the clinical significance of GS positivity alone requires further investigation.
Disentangling evolutionary, plastic and demographic processes underlying trait dynamics: a review of four frameworks
Authors: van Benthem Koen J. , Bruijning Marjolein , Bonnet Timothée , Jongejans Eelke , Postma Erik , Ozgul Arpat
Published: August 2016

Biologists are increasingly interested in decomposing trait dynamics into underlying processes, such as evolution, plasticity and demography. Four important frameworks that allow for such a decomposition are the quantitative genetic animal model (AM), the ‘Geber’ method (GM), the age‐structured Price equation (APE) and the integral projection model (IPM). However, as these frameworks have largely been developed independently, they differ in the assumptions they make, the data they require, as well as their outcomes and interpretation.

Here, we evaluate how each framework decomposes trait dynamics into underlying processes. To do so, we apply them to simulated data for a hypothetical animal population. Individual body size was affected by, among others, genes, maternal effects and food intake. We simulated scenarios with and without selection on body size and with high and low heritability.

The APE and IPM provided similar results, as did the AM and GM, with important differences between the former and the latter. All frameworks detected positive contributions of selection in the high but not in the low selection scenarios. However, only the AM and GM distinguished between the high and low heritability scenarios. Furthermore, the AM and GM revealed a high contribution of plasticity. The APE and IPM attributed most of the change in body size to ontogenetic growth and inheritance, where the latter captures the combined effects of plasticity, maternal effects and heritability. We show how these apparent discrepancies are mostly due to differences in aims and definitions. For example, the APE and IPM capture selection, whereas the AM and GM focus on the response to selection. Furthermore, the frameworks differ in the processes that are ascribed to plasticity and in how they take into account demography.

We conclude that no single framework provides the ‘true’ contributions of evolution, plasticity and demography. Instead, different research questions require different frameworks. A thorough understanding of the different definitions of their components is necessary for selecting the most appropriate framework for the question at hand and for making biologically meaningful inferences. This work thus supports both future analysis and the careful interpretation of existing work.
The use of the soluble adhesion molecules sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sPECAM‐1 and their ligands CD11a and CD49d as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in septic and critically ill non‐septic ICU patients
Authors: Kjærgaard Anders G. , Dige Anders , Nielsen Jeppe S. , Tønnesen Else , Krog Jan
Published: August 2016

Endothelial activation is pivotal in the development and escalation of sepsis. Central to endothelial activation is the endothelial up‐regulation of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) including E‐selectin, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and PECAM‐1. Shed CAMs are also found in circulating soluble forms (sCAMs). We investigated whether sCAMs can be used as biomarkers for the differentiation between septic and non‐septic patients. Furthermore, we investigated lymphocyte and monocyte expression of LFA‐1 (CD11a/CD18) and VLA‐4 (CD49d/CD29) ligands for ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, respectively. Twenty‐one septic and 15 critically ill non‐septic patients were included. All patients had an APACHE II score above 13 at ICU admission. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as controls. Flow cytometry was used to estimate levels of sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sPECAM‐1, and the cellular expression of CD11a and CD49d. Levels of sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1 and sPECAM‐1 were higher in the septic patients compared with the non‐septic patients and controls at admission and during the observation period. Lymphocyte and monocyte expression of CD11a and CD49d was suppressed or unaltered in the septic patients compared with the non‐septic patients and controls. Levels of sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1, and sPECAM‐1 were able to discriminate between septic and non‐septic patients, indicating that sCAMs may be potential diagnostic biomarkers of sepsis.
Modulation of Dopaminergic Pathways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Simonsen Ulf , Comerma‐Steffensen Simon , Andersson Karl‐Erik
Published: August 2016

The currently recommended first‐line treatments of erectile dysfunction (ED), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), for example sildenafil, are efficacious in many patients with ED of vascular origin, but this therapy is insufficient in approximately 30–40% of men with ED where there is also a neuronal affection. There is a demand of novel approaches to treat the condition. We review the possibility of modulating the dopaminergic pathways to improve erectile function. Dopamine D1 (D1, D5)‐ and D2 (D2–D4)‐like receptors in the paraventricular area, the medial pre‐optic area, the spinal cord, and in the erectile tissue are involved in erection, and several agonists developed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease are associated with increased libido. A therapeutic window for the treatment of ED was found by sublingual administration of the general dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine, but it failed mainly due to less efficacy on erectile function compared with PDE5i. To avoid the dose‐limiting side effects mediated by D2 receptors, nausea and emesis, dopamine D4 receptor agonists were developed, and they induce erection in rodents, but these drugs were never introduced clinically. The β‐lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid increases dopamine and serotonin and was found to increase sexual arousal and erections, but the dose–response curve is bell‐shaped. Bupropion has selectivity for inhibition of the dopamine reuptake transporter and can be used to alleviate sexual symptoms caused by other antidepressant medication, hence providing an interesting approach to treat ED. In summary, modulation of the dopaminergic pathways provides a possibility to improve the treatment of ED.
Safety, reliability and accuracy of small renal tumour biopsies: results from a multi‐institution registry
Authors: Richard Patrick O. , Jewett Michael A. S. , Tanguay Simon , Saarela Olli , Liu Zhihui Amy , Pouliot Frédéric , Kapoor Anil , Rendon Ricardo , Finelli Antonio
Published: August 2016

Objective

To validate, in a multi‐institution review, the safety, accuracy and reliability of renal tumour biopsy (RTB) and its role in decreasing unnecessary treatment.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a multi‐institution retrospective study of patients who underwent RTB to characterize a small renal mass (SRM) between 2011 and May 2015. Patients were identified using the prospectively maintained Canadian Kidney Cancer information system. Diagnostic and concordance rates were presented using proportions, whereas factors associated with a diagnostic RTB were identified using a logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 373 biopsied SRMs, the initial biopsy was diagnostic in 87% of cases. Of the 47 non‐diagnostic biopsies, 15 had a repeat biopsy of which, 80% were diagnostic. When both were combined, therefore, a diagnosis was obtained in 91% of SRMs. Of these, 18% were benign. Size was the only factor found to be associated with achieving a diagnostic biopsy. RTB histology and nuclear grade (high or low) were found to be highly concordant with surgical pathology (86 and 81%, respectively). Of the discordant tumours (n = 16), all were upgraded from low to high grade on surgical pathology. Adverse events were rare (<1% of cases).

Conclusion

The present multi‐institution study confirms that RTB of SRMs is safe, accurate and reliable across institutions, while decreasing unnecessary treatment. Given our findings, RTBs may be a helpful tool with which to triage SRMs and guide appropriate management.