bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Characterization ofDidymella bryoniaeIsolates Infecting Watermelon and Other Cucurbits in Florida and Georgia
Authors: Babu Binoy , Kefialew Yonas W. , Li Ping-Fang , Yang Xing-Ping , George Sheeja , Newberry Eric , Dufault Nicholas , Abate Dawit , Ayalew Amare , Marois Jim , Paret Mathews L.
Published: March 2015

Gummy stem blight caused by Didymella bryoniae (anamorph Phoma cucurbitacearum) is a major fungal disease of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and other cucurbits. Thirty-five isolates of Didymella and Phoma spp. associated with symptoms of gummy stem blight on watermelon, Canary melon (Cucumis melo), muskmelon (C. melo), and winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) from Florida and Georgia were characterized based on morphology on agar media, pathogenicity on ‘Melody’ watermelon, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of ribosomal DNA (rDNA), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. All of the isolates were pathogenic on watermelon but differed in virulence. RAPD and ITS sequence analysis indicated genetic variability among the isolates but PCR-RFLP analysis did not show any variability. ITS sequence phylogenetic analysis identified two isolates, DB-05 and DB-33, which had a greater identity to that of D. bryoniae isolates from China (98 to 100% sequence homology) than other isolates from Florida and Georgia (95 to 98%). These two isolates possessed a single nucleotide substitution of A to G at position 131 of the ITS1 region. The study characterized the genetic profile of a collection of D. bryoniae isolates from Florida and Georgia in relation to isolates from other U.S. states and countries.
Genome-wide Association Study for Number of Vertebrae in an F2 Large White × Minzhu Population of Pigs
Authors: Zhang Longchao , Liu Xin , Liang Jing , Zhao Kebin , Yan Hua , Li Na , Pu Lei , Zhang Yuebo , Shi Huibi , Wang Ligang , Wang Lixian
Published: March 2015

Porcine carcass that is approximately 800 mm long may be expected to have one additional vertebra. Therefore, the number of vertebrae in pigs is an economically important trait. To examine the genetic basis of this trait, we genotyped 593 F2 Large White × Minzhu pigs using the Porcine SNP60K BeadChip. A genome-wide association study identified 39 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the chromosomes SSC1 and SSC7. An 8.82-Mb region that contained all 21 significant SNPs on SSC1 harbored the geneNR6A1, previously reported to influence the number of vertebrae in pigs. The remaining 18 significant SNPs on SSC7 were concentrated in a 4.56-Mb region, which was within the quantitative trait loci interval for number of vertebrae. A haplotype sharing analysis refined the locus to a segment of ∼637 Kb. The most significant SNP, SIRI0001067, was contained in this refined region on SSC7 and located in one of the introns ofTGFB3. AsTGFB3influences the development of vertebrae in mammalian embryos, the gene may be another strong candidate for the number of vertebrae in pigs.
Radiation decay of thaumatin crystals at three X-ray energies
Authors: Liebschner Dorothee , Rosenbaum Gerold , Dauter Miroslawa , Dauter Zbigniew
Published: March 2015

Radiation damage is an unavoidable obstacle in X-ray crystallographic data collection for macromolecular structure determination, so it is important to know how much radiation a sample can endure before being degraded beyond an acceptable limit. In the literature, the threshold at which the average intensity of all recorded reflections decreases to a certain fraction of the initial value is called the `dose limit'. The first estimatedD50dose-limit value, at which the average diffracted intensity was reduced to 50%, was 20 MGy and was derived from observing sample decay in electron-diffraction experiments. A later X-ray study carried out at 100 K on ferritin protein crystals arrived at aD50of 43 MGy, and recommended an intensity reduction of protein reflections to 70%,D70, corresponding to an absorbed dose of 30 MGy, as a more appropriate limit for macromolecular crystallography. In the macromolecular crystallography community, the rate of intensity decay with dose was then assumed to be similar for all protein crystals. A series of diffraction images of cryocooled (100 K) thaumatin crystals at identical small, 2° rotation intervals were recorded at X-ray energies of 6.33 , 12.66 and 19.00 keV. Five crystals were used for each wavelength. The decay in the average diffraction intensity to 70% of the initial value, for data extending to 2.45 Å resolution, was determined to be about 7.5 MGy at 6.33 keV and about 11 MGy at the two higher energies.
Structure of a double-domain phosphagen kinase reveals an asymmetric arrangement of the tandem domains
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Qiao Zhu , Ye Sheng , Zhang Rongguang
Published: March 2015

Tandem duplications and fusions of single genes have led to magnificent expansions in the divergence of protein structures and functions over evolutionary timescales. One of the possible results is polydomain enzymes with interdomain cooperativities, few examples of which have been structurally characterized at the full-length level to explore their innate synergistic mechanisms. This work reports the crystal structures of a double-domain phosphagen kinase in both apo and ligand-bound states, revealing a novel asymmetric L-shaped arrangement of the two domains. Unexpectedly, the interdomain connections are not based on a flexible hinge linker but on a rigid secondary-structure element: a long α-helix that tethers the tandem domains in relatively fixed positions. Besides the connective helix, the two domains also contact each other directly and form an interdomain interface in which hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions further stabilize the L-shaped domain arrangement. Molecular-dynamics simulations show that the interface is generally stable, suggesting that the asymmetric domain arrangement crystallographically observed in the present study is not a conformational state simply restrained by crystal-packing forces. It is possible that the asymmetrically arranged tandem domains could provide a structural basis for further studies of the interdomain synergy.
Axial point groups: rank 1, 2, 3 and 4 property tensor tables
Authors: Litvin Daniel B.
Published: March 2015

The form of a physical property tensor of a quasi-one-dimensional material such as a nanotube or a polymer is determined from the material's axial point group. Tables of the form of rank 1, 2, 3 and 4 property tensors are presented for a wide variety of magnetic and non-magnetic tensor types invariant under each point group in all 31 infinite series of axial point groups. An application of these tables is given in the prediction of the net polarization and magnetic-field-induced polarization in a one-dimensional longitudinal conical magnetic structure in multiferroic hexaferrites.
Unravelling causes of defects in construction
Authors: Jingmond Monika , Ågren Robert
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to identify the primary root causes of defects in terms of why they persist in construction, despite the increasing implementation of quality systems. Defects in construction continue to be a source of concern in the construction industry. There have been studies that have tried to identify causes of defects. Although concepts are usually related to organisational factors, previous studies have been carried out on an operational level. There is a well-trodden area within the literature relating to the operational level, but little is known about the causes of defects on a higher, organisational level within construction.

Design/methodology/approach

– A new approach based on the notion of process causality and the use of cognitive mapping has been adopted. The aim was to take a step back and unravel causes of defects in the execution of construction projects. From workshops with representatives drawn from different parts of the industry, themes have been identified and investigated from a causation perspective.

Findings

– It was found that the causes of defects mainly reside in endogenous factors within organisations as opposed to execution failure or exogenous factors related to market, material or equipment behaviour.

Originality/value

– More specifically, it was found that the dominant cause of defects lies within organisational shortcomings, suggesting that improvements can be found on the management and strategic levels within projects instead of on the operational level.
A hybrid SD–DES simulation approach to model construction projects
Authors: Moradi Saeed , Nasirzadeh Farnad , Golkhoo Farzaneh
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to propose a hybrid simulation framework which can take into account both the continuous and operational variables affecting the performance of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– System dynamics (SD) simulation paradigm is implemented for the modelling of the complex inter-related structure of continuous variables and discrete event simulation (DES) is implemented for the modelling of operational influencing factors. A hybrid modelling framework is then proposed through combination of SD and DES to simulate the construction projects.

Findings

– This paper discusses the deficiencies of two traditional simulation methods – SD and DES – for simulation of construction projects which can be compensated by implementing hybrid SD–DES model. Different types of basic hybrid structures and synchronisation methods of SD and DES models are introduced.

Practical implications

– The proposed hybrid framework discussed in this research will be beneficial to modellers to simulate construction projects.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces a theoretical framework for a hybrid continuous- discrete simulation approach which can take into account the dynamics of project environment arising from the complex inter-related structure of various continuous influencing factors as well as the construction operations. Different steps required to develop the hybrid SD–DES model and synchronisation of SD and DES simulation methods are illustrated.
Adopting global virtual engineering teams in AEC Projects
Authors: Hosseini M.Reza , Chileshe Nicholas , Zuo Jian , Baroudi Bassam
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to present an integrated conceptual model in order to highlight the major aspects of diffusion of innovations in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) context. To this end, a critical review of literature is conducted, accompanied by synthesising the findings of previous studies. The driving force behind this study is stemmed from the fragmentation of literature on innovation diffusion, and paucity of research on diffusion of Global Virtual Engineering Teams (GVETs) as the platform for many technological innovations in relevant literature. Thus, the present study is intended to facilitate filling the gap in GVETs literature. That is, the proposed model will offer a foundation for academia for grounding studies on any innovation including GVETs in the literature on innovation diffusion in the AEC context.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws upon the qualitative meta-analysis approach encompassing a critical review of the relevant literature. To this end, the review builds upon studies found within 15 prestigious journals in AEC. The domain of this review was confined to areas described as “innovation”, “innovation diffusion” and “innovation adoption”, along with keywords used within a broad review of recently published GVETs literature. The rigour of review is augmented by incorporating 35 authoritative works from other disciplines published in 21 well-known journals in the manufacturing, business and management fields. Moreover, the study deploys the peer-debriefing approach through conducting unstructured interviews with five Australian scholars to verify a model presenting an aggregated summary of previous studies.

Findings

– The key findings of the study include the following items: synthesising the fragmented studies on innovation diffusion in the AEC context. In doing so, a model capturing the major aspects affecting diffusion of an innovation in AEC projects is presented; providing a foundation to address the drawbacks of previous studies within the sphere of GVETs, based on the developed model.

Research limitations/implications

– The developed model was only enhanced using a small sample size of academics, as such not empirically validated.

Originality/value

– As possibly, the first literature review of innovation in the AEC context, this paper contributes to the sphere by sensitising the AEC body of knowledge on innovation diffusion as a concise conceptual model, albeit verified through the peer-debriefing approach. This study will also further establish the research field in AEC on GVETs along with other methods reliant on virtual working such as building information modelling (BIM) through providing an expanded foundation for future inquiries and creation of knowledge.
Trends: cyborg games
Authors: Yeoman Ian , McMahon‐Beattie Una
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Wearable technologies are a near future concept and cyborgs are in fact reality. The authors’ proposition is how cyborgisation could and will occur. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used by this paper is a general review.

Findings

The authors explain how the line between humans and technology is becoming more and more blurred as this trends paper explores the concepts of singularity and cyborgs as a future state highlighting the world's first cyborg games.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to our understanding that science fiction is fiction to some but reality to others depending on a person's cognition and insight.
Investigating scenario planning – a European tourism perspective
Authors: Postma Albert
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the scenario planning approach developed and used by the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contains the following sections: mission and aims of the research group; epistemological and methodological positioning, conceptual framework and research lines for an applied scenario planning approach.

Findings

This paper highlights the research methodology of the scenario planning group of the European Tourism Research Institute. It provides insight in the research foundations of the scenario planning approach in a tourism context and ETFI's conceptual framework for scenario planning.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight to how Europe's first tourism futures research centre developed and uses a conceptual framework for scenario planning thus demonstrating best practice success.
The future of hotel rating
Authors: Hensens Wouter
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight in the future of hotel rating. It reviews the impact of social media, technology that provides integration of data for the consumer and the hotels, and the way that rating bodies may respond to the changing environment on how hotels are selected and reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

By reviewing current trends, practices and technological possibilities, the impact of online reviews on conventional hotel rating systems is projected into the future.

Findings

The paper predicts a full integration of conventional rating systems with online guest reviews from the different guest review platforms leading to greater transparency for the consumer and better positioning opportunities for innovative hotels. It is further predicted that those conventional rating systems that do not seek integration and alignment will see a continued drop in hotel participation and will cease to exist.

Originality/value

Little research has been done on the relation between online guest reviews and conventional hotel rating systems. The paper presents new insights into how current and future trends influence the way in which consumers select hotels and how this influences the way that hotels are rated.
An approach to task-oriented knowledge recommendation based on multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method
Authors: Li Ming , Yuan Mengyue , Xu Yingcheng
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– In organizations, knowledge intensive activities are mainly task oriented. Finding relevant completed tasks to the new task and providing task-related knowledge to workers facilitate the knowledge reuse. However, relevant tasks are not easily found in the huge amount of completed tasks. The purpose of this paper is to assist the worker to find the required knowledge for the task at hand by reusing the knowledge related to relevant competed tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the task profile is constructed. Relevant degrees to categories which tasks to are derived by multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method. The stages of completed tasks are identified by the modified KNN method. Second, similar completed tasks on categories are retrieved and then the relevant tasks are selected from the retrieved similar tasks by multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method. Third, the worker’s current task stage is derived by calculating the similarity between the rated knowledge and the knowledge in the stage of completed tasks. Finally, the knowledge is recommend based on stage relevance, relevance of the completed tasks and importance of the knowledge.

Findings

– The proposed method helps the worker find the knowledge related to the task at hand by finding and reusing the completed tasks. The experimental results show that the proposed method performs well and can fulfill the worker’s’ knowledge needs. The use of the linguistic term set with preferred granularities instead of precise numbers facilitates the expression of the opinions. The recommendation stage by stage makes the knowledge recommended more precisely. The obtained linguistic weight of the knowledge makes the recommended results understood more easily than the numerical values.

Research limitations/implications

– In the study, the authors just focus on the codified knowledge recommendation. However, there is another kind of knowledge named tacit knowledge, which exists in the mind of the experts. The constructing and updating of the expert profile can be investigated. Meanwhile, the new recommendation method which considers more factors also needs to be studied further.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for the development of the knowledge management system. The proposed approach can be applied as a tool of knowledge sharing. It facilitates the finding of the knowledge that is related to the task at hand.

Originality/value

– The paper provides new ways to find the relevant tasks and the related knowledge to the task at hand. Meanwhile, the new method to recommend the knowledge stage by stage is also proposed. It expands the research in the knowledge sharing and knowledge recommendation.
New information in continuous disclosure
Authors: Russell Mark
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the price-sensitivity of information under capital market disclosure regulation, the Australian continuous disclosure regulation (CDR).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study tests the information content of continuous disclosures and identifies the firm characteristics that condition the price-sensitivity of information under CDR.

Findings

– The study provides evidence that continuous firm disclosures are significantly associated with stock price adjustment to information. Further results are consistent with firm disclosure and its information content being determined by the economics of the firm.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study support the introduction of ongoing and continuous disclosure regimes in a number of capital markets, and assist firms and regulators model the price-sensitivity of information under CDR.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the sources of an informed market, and contributes to our understanding of the conditions under which the CDR reveals unexpected information. The results provide evidence of an association between firm disclosure and stock price synchronicity, consistent with managerial incentives to disclose information.
Health science students’ perception about research training programs offered in Saudi universities
Authors: Al Kuwaiti Ahmed , Subbarayalu Arun Vijay
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the perceptions of students of health sciences on research training programs offered at Saudi universities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional survey design was adopted to capture the perceptions of health science students about research training programs offered at selected Saudi universities. A criterion-based sampling technique was adopted, and accordingly, 630 students were selected to participate in the study. A pre-tested questionnaire tool titled, “Students Attitude towards Research (SAR) questionnaire ”, was used to capture student responses on a five-point Likert scale with respect to three dimensions, namely, extent of research activities offered in their college, involvement of faculty in research and the infrastructural facilities offered by the college for research. The students’ attitudes with respect to various components of research training programs were analyzed using mean and cumulative percentage of students satisfied with the training. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to study whether there is any significant difference in attitudes among the students belonging to four health science programs of the seven selected universities.

Findings

– The results of this study demonstrate that only less than 50 per cent of the students from the selected health science colleges are satisfied with the existing research training programs. There are significant differences in the students’ attitude toward research training programs offered in seven selected Saudi universities.

Originality/value

– This is the first Saudi Arabia-based study that provides an alarming signal to educational-policy planners on students’ perceptions and attitudes toward research training programs offered in Saudi higher education institutions.
Dissolution kinetics of copper in lead-free liquid solders
Authors: Faizan Mohammad
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to develop a physics-based mathematical model to estimate the amount of substrate metal lost during the wet soldering process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mathematically rigorous model depicting the actual physics of the substrate/solder interaction and dissolution has been proposed to simulate the dissolution of the substrate metal in the liquid lead-free solder. The basic mass diffusion equation with the implementation of interface reaction kinetics was solved numerically using the finite volume approach. The moving interface was tracked by utilizing the coordinate transformation technique.

Findings

– It was observed that the process of metal dissolution in the liquid solder was governed by two important parameters, viz., interface kinetics and long-range diffusion in the liquid solder. Non-equilibrium behavior was observed in the early stage of the process. The early stage of the dissolution process was seen as governed by interface kinetics, while diffusion became the rate-controlling mechanism at the later phase of soldering.

Practical implications

– Substrate dissolution can be accurately estimated for a particular substrate–solder combination and for the given process conditions. This early estimation will help in ensuring the reliability and health of the solder joint.

Originality/value

– A model based on actual physics is proposed, and interface reaction kinetics has been introduced to capture the actual behavior of the process. The model will serve as the basis for two- and three-dimensional analysis, including the formation of an intermetallic compound in the solder joint.
Advancement in microstructure and mechanical properties of lanthanum-doped tin-silver-copper lead free solders by optimizing the lanthanum doping concentration
Authors: Ali Bakhtiar
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of lanthanum (La) doping on the microstructure and mechanical properties of tin-silver-copper (SAC) alloys and to find out an optimum La doping concentration upon which the best set of the desirable properties can be possible. SAC tertiary Pb-free solders are thought to be the best substitutes for Pb-based solders but have limitations due to their coarse microstructure.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three samples with varied La concentrations were synthesized from pure metals. SAC with various concentrations of doped La were studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy images were studied and were further analyzed by the ImageJ software to measure the average intermetallic compounds (IMCs) size. Optical microscopy was used to study the grains. MTS tensile machine was used determine out the mechanical properties. All the analysis was done before and after thermal aging. Finally, an optimum La doping concentration was found.

Findings

– By doping a suitable concentration of La in SAC, the average IMCs size as well as grain size was greatly reduced. Yield stress and tensile strength were quite improved as a result. Unlike previous studies, ductility was not lowered. Impact toughness was seen to be significantly improved. Finally, an optimum La doping concentration was found to be 0.3 per cent by weight, as beyond this, ductility drops rapidly.

Originality/value

– The optimum La doping concentration in SAC resulted in a much refined microstructure and a very good set of the desirable properties, including yield stress, tensile strength, ductility, impact toughness and expectedly creep and fatigue resistances, for the first time.
Habitat context influences nitrogen removal by restored oyster reefs
Authors: Smyth Ashley R. , Piehler Michael F. , Grabowski Jonathan H.
Published: March 2015

Like many ecosystem functions in marine and terrestrial environments, nutrient processing varies dramatically over small spatial scales, making efforts to apply findings within and across ecosystems challenging. In estuaries, information on the influence of habitat context on sediment nutrient cycling is lacking even though this is an important estuarine function with high societal value.

We collected triplicate intact sediment cores from restored oyster reefs located in different habitat contexts (adjacent to salt marshes, seagrass beds and mudflats), as well as salt marshes, seagrass beds and mudflats without reefs (controls). Sediment denitrification and fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen were measured under ambient and experimentally elevated water column nitrate levels.

Under ambient nitrate, oyster reefs enhanced sediment denitrification by 18–275% over the controls, with highest rates of denitrification in the mudflat context. With experimentally elevated nitrate, the rate of denitrification was higher for oyster reefs compared to the controls in all contexts. This suggests that oyster reefs prime sediments to denitrify nitrate pulses by providing a labile carbon source for denitrifying bacteria.

There was a weak positive relationship between oyster density and denitrification under ambient nitrate concentrations and a positive relationship with denitrification that became negative beyond ∼2400 individuals m−2 with elevated nitrate concentrations. The effect of the oyster reef on sediment denitrification was most pronounced in the mudflat context, due to the absence of other structured habitats and higher oyster density, compared to the other two habitat contexts investigated.

The consistency of denitrification efficiency across the habitats and lack of difference between habitats with reefs and those without (controls) suggest oyster‐mediated denitrification is an effective sink for nitrogen in coastal systems.

Synthesis and applications. Our study indicates that oyster‐mediated denitrification is dependent on the habitat context of the oyster reef, and variation in oyster density and the relative functional redundancy of oyster reefs where other structured habitats exist (e.g. seagrass and salt marshes) may explain this pattern. Efforts to model and predict ecosystem services provided through oyster reef restoration such as the removal of anthropogenically derived nitrogen should incorporate how habitat context influences ecosystem functions.
Estimating Loan‐to‐Value Distributions
Authors: Korteweg Arthur , Sorensen Morten
Published: March 2015

We estimate a model of house prices, combined loan‐to‐value ratios (CLTVs) and trade and foreclosure behavior. House prices are only observed for traded properties and trades are endogenous, creating sample‐selection problems for existing approaches to estimating CLTVs. We use a Bayesian filtering procedure to recover the price path for individual properties and produce selection‐corrected estimates of historical CLTV distributions. Estimating our model with transactions of residential properties in Alameda, California, we find that 35% of single‐family homes are underwater, compared to 19% estimated by existing approaches. Our results reduce the index revision problem and have applications for pricing mortgage‐backed securities.
Prediction of Development of Critical Limb Ischemia in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Yoshikawa Hisao , Iijima Raisuke , Hashimoto Go , Hara Hidehiko , Omae Kiyotsugu , Yoshikawa Yumiko , Suzuki Makoto , Nakamura Masato , Sugi Kaoru , Yoshikawa Masao
Published: March 2015

Hemodialysis (HD) patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) suffer chronic inflammation and repeated infection, require intervention, and may have a protracted hospital stay. Therefore, early prediction is particularly important for management of CLI in patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. The purpose of this study is to develop a simple score for predicting the incidence of CLI in HD patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. The subjects were 139 asymptomatic patients receiving maintenance HD and with ABI <1.0. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with development of CLI. These factors were subsequently weighted and integrated into a scoring system for the prediction of onset of CLI. Twenty‐five patients had onset of CLI. Five factors selected from the multivariate model were weighted proportionally using their respective odds ratio (OR) for incidence of CLI (history of cerebral vascular disease, OR 6.42 [3 points]; diabetes, OR 3.92 [2 points]; hypoesthesia, OR 4.21 [2 points]; left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, OR 3.89 [2 points]; serum albumin <3.5 g/dL, OR 4.39 [2 points]). Three strata of risk were defined (low risk, 0 to 3 points; intermediate risk, 4 to 6 points; and high risk 7 to 11 points) with excellent prognostic accuracy for progression to CLI using the Kaplan–Meier method. Five factors were identified that increased the risk of progression to CLI in HD patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. A combination of those factors permitted establishment of three risk strata for accurate prediction of onset of CLI.
High infection intensities, but negligible fitness costs, suggest tolerance of gastrointestinal nematodes in a tropical snake
Authors: Mayer Martin , Brown Gregory P. , Zimmermann Barbara , Shine Richard
Published: March 2015

We investigated patterns of prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infections in a tropical natricine snake, the keelback (Tropidonophis mairii). Ninety‐eight per cent of keelbacks were infected with Tanqua anomala (Gnathostomidae), with infection intensities of up to 243 worms per snake. Infection with T. anomala caused severe inflammation of stomach mucosa and submucosa at the sites of parasite attachment and encystment. Nonetheless, we did not detect detrimental effects of nematode infection on measures of fitness among wild or captive snakes. Snakes with heavier nematode infections had higher body condition scores than less‐infected individuals. Deworming captive snakes had no measurable effect on their growth rate, body condition or locomotor performance. In combination with an earlier study on blood‐dwelling hepatozoons, our work suggests that keelbacks have a high tolerance to parasites. The ‘fast‐pace’ life history and short lifespan of these snakes may make it beneficial for them to tolerate infection, rather than expend energy on resisting parasite attack.
Ownership and Performance in a Lightly Regulated Environment
Authors: Bradbury Michael E. , Hooks Jill
Published: March 2015

This article examines the relation between ownership and performance for New Zealand electricity lines firms over the period 1998 to 2006. The sample is of interest because it represents all firms within a single product industry (local electricity distribution), which is a natural monopoly subject to a light‐handed regulatory regime. Thus we are able to examine the theories of ownership on performance, while controlling for regulation, industry, product market competition, accounting methods and other factors that might impact profitability, such as network reliability and network density. The results suggest that listed firms have similar profitability to council‐owned firms and both listed and council‐owned firms outperform trust‐owned firms. The likely reason for the poorer performance of trust‐owned firms is that they have different agency costs than listed and council‐owned firms and the trustees have lower responsibility than directors. Hence, they have lower incentives to be profitable.
Risk Management in Public–Private Partnerships
Authors: Chung Demi , Hensher David
Published: March 2015

This study investigates the risk management in long‐term concession contracts known as public–private partnerships (PPPs). The M4 is the first Australian PPP road concession to reach the end of its concession cycle. It provides a unique and timely opportunity to examine the risk management process over its contract term and the efficacy of PPP contractual structures in managing uncertainties. Our specific research interests focus on two questions. First, what risk management approach was implemented? Second, has the risk‐allocation strategy defined in the contract facilitated or hindered the risk management process? The findings of the study suggest that under the incomplete contract approach, the risk management practices rooted in a strong contractual framework, allied with good relationship skills, has contributed to a positive outcome for the M4 PPP. The study provides generalisable insights into risk management in inter‐organisational long‐term contracts.
Statins are associated with a reduced risk of cholangiocarcinoma: a population‐based case–control study
Authors: Peng Yen‐Chun , Lin Cheng‐Li , Hsu Wan‐Yun , Chang Chi‐Sen , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Tung Chun‐Fang , Wu Yuh‐Lin , Sung Fung‐Chang , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: March 2015

Aims

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. Due to the lack of effective treatments, the survival rate of CCA is low and it is usually considered difficult to diagnose early. To date, no effective strategies for the prevention of CCA have been developed. Statins are cholesterol‐lowering agents which possess pleiotropic properties and the use of statins may reduce cancer risk. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of statin use on the risk of CCA.

Methods

We used nationwide insurance data to perform a case–control study including 3174 CCA patients diagnosed in 2002–2011 and 3174 propensity score matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the association between CCA risk and statin use by type of statin and dose.

Results

Patients with CCA were slightly younger than controls with mean ages of 67.4 (SD 12.3) and 68.5 (SD 13.2) years (P = 0.001), respectively, and had less users of statins (22.7 vs. 26.5%, P < 0.001). The overall adjusted OR of statin use associated CCA was 0.80 (95% CI 0.71, 0.90) and lowered for those with longer medications. The OR ranged from 0.65 to 0.77. Stronger dose–response association was seen when using lovastatin.

Conclusions

Statin use is associated with reduced risk of CCA and there is a dose–response relationship between the use of statins and risk of CCA.
Pregnancy outcome after TNF‐α inhibitor therapy during the first trimester: a prospective multicentre cohort study
Authors: Weber‐Schoendorfer Corinna , Oppermann Marc , Wacker Evelin , Bernard Nathalie ,   on behalf of the network of French pharmacovigilance centres, Beghin Delphine , Cuppers‐Maarschalkerweerd Benedikte , Richardson Jonathan L. , Rothuizen Laura E. , Pistelli Alessandra , Malm Heli , Eleftheriou Georgios , Kennedy Debra , Kadioglu Duman Mine , Meister Reinhard , Schaefer Christof
Published: March 2015

Aims

TNF‐α inhibitors are considered relatively safe in pregnancy but experience is still limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth and reduced birth weight after first trimester exposure to TNF‐α inhibitors.

Methods

Pregnancy outcomes of women on adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol or golimumab were evaluated in a prospective observational cohort study and compared with outcomes of a non‐exposed random sample. The samples were drawn from pregnancies identified by institutes collaborating in the European Network of Teratology Information Services.

Results

In total, 495 exposed and 1532 comparison pregnancies were contributed from nine countries. The risk of major birth defects was increased in the exposed (5.0%) compared with the non‐exposed group (1.5%; adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) 2.2, 95% CI 1.0, 4.8). The risk of preterm birth was increased (17.6%; ORadj 1.69, 95% CI 1.1, 2.5), but not the risk of spontaneous abortion (16.2%; adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj] 1.06, 95% CI 0.7, 1.7). Birth weights adjusted for gestational age and sex were significantly lower in the exposed group compared to the non‐exposed cohort (P = 0.02). As a diseased comparison group was not possible to ascertain, the influence of disease and treatment on birth weight and preterm birth could not be differentiated.

Conclusions

TNF‐α inhibitors may carry a risk of adverse pregnancy outcome of moderate clinical relevance. Considering the impact of insufficiently controlled autoimmune disease on the mother and the unborn child, TNF‐α inhibitors may nevertheless be a treatment option in women with severe disease refractory to established immunomodulatory drugs.
Voice outcomes following endolaryngeal surgery; are we achieving our aims?
Authors: Ansari S. , MacKenzie K.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To determine voice outcomes in endolaryngeal surgery.

Methods

Prospective assessment of patients undergoing endolaryngeal surgery in one head and neck team in North Glasgow from 2007 to 2014. Each patient completed a VoiSS (the Voice Symptom Scale) questionnaire at pre‐assessment and post‐endolaryngeal surgery. Per‐operatively, the aim of the procedure was recorded from a choice of seven options in addition to the clinical conditions and the procedure.

Results

One thousand and sixty‐six patient episodes were recorded. Thirty‐two had incomplete data at pre‐assessment and were excluded. Of the remainder, 703 (68%) had complete paired data sets. ‘To improve voice’ (n = 169, 24%) and ‘to achieve a biopsy with no deterioration in voice’ (n = 185, 26%) categories had significant outcomes in keeping with the operative aims.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that it is possible to assess patient reported voice outcomes in universal heterogeneous endolaryngeal surgery cohort over a prolonged period. The voice outcomes were in keeping with the stated aims of the endolaryngeal surgical procedures.
Day‐case closure of ileostomy: feasible, safe and efficient
Authors: Bhalla A. , Peacock O. , Tierney G. M. , Tou S. , Hurst N. G. , Speake W. J. , Williams J. P. , Lund J. N.
Published: March 2015

Aim

Over 5000 loop ileostomy closures were performed in the UK in 2013 with a median inpatient stay of 5 days. Previously we have successfully implemented a 23‐h protocol for loop ileostomy closure which was modified for same‐day discharge. We present our early experience of day‐case loop ileostomy closure.

Method

A specific patient pathway for day‐case discharge following loop ileostomy closure was implemented with inclusion criteria to conform with British Association of Day Surgery guidelines. Exclusion criteria included postoperative chemoradiotherapy, multiple comorbidities and social care needs. Follow‐up consisted of telephone contact (24 and 72 h after discharge) and a routine outpatient appointment. Patients were provided with a 24‐h contact point in case of emergency.

Results

Fifteen (12 male) patients were enrolled of median age 67 (39–80) years. The median operating time was 41 (23–80) min. The indication for ileostomy formation was to cover a low anterior resection for adenocarcinoma (13), reversal of Hartmann's procedure (1) and functional bowel disorder (1). The median interval from the primary procedure to day‐case loop ileostomy closure was 8 (3–14) months. Every patient was discharged on the day of surgery. There were no complications related to the surgery and there was one readmission due to a urinary tract infection. The median length of follow‐up was 4 (2–16) months.

Conclusion

Our early experience shows that day‐case loop ileostomy closure is feasible, safe and efficient. This protocol will become standard within our institution for suitable patients, saving on average five inpatient bed days per patient.
Industrial Structural Change and Economic Growth in China, 1987–2008
Authors: Zhao Jingfeng , Tang Jianmin
Published: March 2015

The present paper studies the sources of economic growth and the nature of structural change in the Chinese economy from 1987 to 2008. Using a methodology that evaluates the contribution of an industry to economic growth, the present paper shows that the post‐2000 subperiod marked an increased reliance on the services sector as a source of growth in the Chinese economy. Much of the acceleration in real GDP or aggregate labor productivity growth in China in the post‐2000 subperiod compared to the pre‐2000 period can be traced to an increased contribution from service‐producing and high‐technology exporting manufacturing industries. The evidence indicates that the Chinese economy has been rebalancing toward domestic consumption and shifting its export sector toward high‐technology manufacturing industries.
Business Life Cycle and Capital Structure: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Tian Lin , Han Liang , Zhang Song
Published: March 2015

This paper uses a panel data‐fixed effect approach and data collected from Chinese public manufacturing firms between 1999 and 2011 to investigate the impacts of business life cycle stages on capital structure. We find that cash flow patterns capture more information on business life cycle stages than firm age and have a stronger impact on capital structure decision‐making. We also find that the adjustment speed of capital structure varies significantly across life cycle stages and that non‐sequential transitions over life cycle stages play an important role in the determination of capital structure. Our study indicates that it is important for policy‐makers to ensure that products and financial markets are well‐balanced.
What Drives Cost Efficiency of Banks in China?
Authors: Ding Ning , Fung Hung‐Gay , Jia Jingyi
Published: March 2015

This study uses stochastic frontier analysis to examine the factors that influenced cost efficiency of banks in China from 2005 to 2013. The results indicate that policy variables, such as the reserve requirement ratio, the interest rate spread and open market operations by the People's Bank of China, are effective in improving the cost efficiency of banks, but shadow banking variables may reduce cost efficiency. Among the various bank types, city commercial banks appear to be the most efficient and foreign banks are the least efficient. The present study suggests that policy‐makers can have a positive influence on bank cost efficiency by adjusting macro policy variables on different types of banks and by requiring more information on the shadow banking activities to improve monitoring.
S3 guidelines for the management of anticoagulation in cutaneous surgery
Authors: Sporbeck Birte , Bechara Falk Georges , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Koenen Wolfgang , Kolk Andreas , Koscielny Jürgen , Meissner Markus , Pokrywka Anna , Schirmer Steffen , Strömer Klaus , Löser Christoph , Nast Alexander
Published: March 2015

Background

An increasing number of patients are being treated with anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors. Whenever surgical procedures of the skin are required, questions arise regarding the perioperative management of anticoagulation.

Methods

Development of S3 guidelines following the requirements of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies, systematic literature search and analysis, use of GRADE methodology, structured consensus conference using a nominal group process.

Results

During cutaneous surgery, treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) should be continued if medically necessary. In procedures with a higher risk of bleeding and a positive bleeding history, INR should be determined preoperatively. Surgical procedures of the skin with a higher risk of bleeding should not be performed if the INR is above therapeutic range. Bridging from vitamin K antagonists (VKA) to heparin should not be performed just because of the surgery of the skin. As to direct‐acting oral anticoagulants, the last dose should be taken 24 h preoperatively.

Conclusions

The recommendations issued by the German guidelines group are mostly in line with recommendations provided by other guidelines. The American ìChest‐Guidelineì recommends continuing VKAs and acetylsalicylic acid during minor dermatologic procedures. In their guidelines, the German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians considers an INR of 2 to be adequate in surgical procedures on the skin.