bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global dynamics of immigrant entrepreneurship
Authors: Nazareno Jennifer , Zhou Min , You Tianlong
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on immigrant entrepreneurship since the mid-2000s to examine the changing trends, variations and theoretical advances in immigrant entrepreneurship in Western societies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the SocIndex and Proquest Business Premium databases, the authors conducted a literature review of about 100 peer-reviewed articles published since the mid-2000s. The authors critically assess the main research findings, identify key concepts and models that have been developed over the past decade, and offer new theoretical insight into the ever-changing global dynamics of immigrant entrepreneurship. Although the focus is on the USA, the authors also include some seminal research based in other Western countries of immigrant reception.

Findings

Based on a critical review of existing research that has been published between 2004 and the present, the authors highlight main trends and variations of the entrepreneurial endeavors among diasporic migrants, address the emerging forces shaping immigrant entrepreneurship, highlight theoretical advances in the field of entrepreneurship studies, and suggest new directions for future research. The authors note that the changing trends and ethnonational variations are caused not only by unequal access to human capital, social capital, financial capital, and cross-border venture capital on the part of individual entrepreneurs, but also by differences in broader structural circumstances in the home country and/or host country and interaction between national/local and transnational/global forces. The authors discuss new theoretical advances, identify gaps and raise questions for future research.

Originality/value

The review offers important insight into the ever-changing local and global dynamics of immigrant entrepreneurship and broadens the established conceptual and theoretical models in the sociology of immigrant/ethnic entrepreneurship.
The influence of big data analytics management capabilities on supply chain preparedness, alertness and agility
Authors: Mandal Santanu
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The importance of big data analytics (BDA) on the development of supply chain (SC) resilience is not clearly understood. To address this, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of BDA management capabilities, namely, BDA planning, BDA investment decision making, BDA coordination and BDA control on SC resilience dimensions, namely, SC preparedness, SC alertness and SC agility.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relied on perceptual measures to test the proposed associations. Using extant measures, the scales for all the constructs were contextualized based on expert feedback. Using online survey, 249 complete responses were collected and were analyzed using partial least squares in SmartPLS 2.0.M3. The study targeted professionals with sufficient experience in analytics in different industry sectors for survey participation.

Findings

Results indicate BDA planning, BDA coordination and BDA control are critical enablers of SC preparedness, SC alertness and SC agility. BDA investment decision making did not have any prominent influence on any of the SC resilience dimensions.

Originality/value

The study is important as it addresses the contribution of BDA capabilities on the development of SC resilience, an important gap in the extant literature.
Perception, usage and barriers towards the utilisation of the Telecentre among rural women in Tanzania
Authors: Lwoga Edda Tandi , Chigona Wallace
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the usage pattern of telecentres, how rural women frame telecentres and barriers that limit use of telecentres. Further, the study examined the effects of demographic characteristics and location on telecentre usage.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sequential mixed research design in three rural districts surrounding telecentres: Kongwa, Sengerema and Kilosa districts. The study population comprised rural women who were users and non-users of telecentres. The study conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 37 users and six FGDs with 36 non-users in the first phase of the study in 2014; questionnaires were administered to 90 users and 90 non-users in the second phase of the study in 2015.

Findings

The primary use of telecentres among users was to access internet (71.4 per cent, n = 60), followed by information and communication technology (ICT) training courses (63.1 per cent, n = 53) and secretarial purposes (63.1 per cent, n = 53). Rural women used internet for educational purposes, followed by news, information on health issues, job opportunities, social and entertainment issues. Rural women currently using internet were more likely to be better educated (ß = 1.926, p = 0.001) and have higher incomes (ß = 5.318, p = 0.021) at both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Users indicated that they faced the following barriers towards using telecentre: short duration of ICT training, frequent power outages, low speed of internet and few computers at the telecentres. Non-users were not using telecentres because of lack of ICT skills and language barriers.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence to telecentres, libraries and other rural ICT initiatives to design rural ICT services that are gender-sensitive and demand-driven.
Residential mortgages, the real estate market, and economic growth: evidence from Europe
Authors: Filotto Umberto , Giannotti Claudio , Mattarocci Gianluca , Scimone Xenia
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of macroeconomic condition and real estate price trend on the amount of residential loan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper using a sample of 16 European Countries for the time period 2007–2015 evaluates the impact of change in the gross domestic product (GDP) growth and the inflation rate on the amount of residential loans. The analysis is performed by using a vector autoregressive (VAR) and generalized VAR approach for the full sample and for each country considered.

Findings

For a short-term horizon, shocks to mortgages, the house price index (HPI) and the GDP have a positive effect on the GDP, a shock to the amount of mortgages has a positive effect on the mortgage supply and a shock to the GDP has a negative effect on HPI. The main results for the long-term horizon are that a GDP shock has a positive and persistent effect on the amount of mortgages, a shock to HPI has a negative and persistent effect on mortgages and a shock to the amount of mortgages seems to have no persistent effect on the GDP or the HPI. Moreover, the analysis shows that a spillover risk among countries exists and a GDP shock in a European area has an effect on the GDP, real estate prices and residential mortgages in almost all European countries.

Practical implications

Results obtained show that both macroeconomic and housing prices shocks matter for the real estate lending and the effect are different in the short- and in the medium–long-term horizon. Results are also different country by country and they are affected by the level of financial development of the country.

Originality/value

The paper studies a lending crisis period and evaluates for the European market the impact of shock on macro-variables for mortgages focusing the attention for the first time only on residential mortgages.
Mitochondrial genome, comparative analysis and evolutionary insights into the entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella thompsonii
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhang Shu , Li Jian‐Hui , Zhang Yong‐Jie
Published: August 2018

Nuclear genomes of two isolates of Hirsutella thompsonii, a pathogen causing epizootics among mites, have been reported; in contrast, its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has remained unknown, limiting our understanding of its evolution. Herein, we annotated the first complete mitogenome of H. thompsonii, which encoded all standard fungal mitochondrial genes plus three free‐standing ORFs. Transcriptional analyses validated the expression of most conserved genes and revealed some interesting transcription patterns of mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed its placement in Ophiocordycipitaceae. Comparison of five different isolates originally collected from different locations revealed mitogenome size variations (60.3–66.4 kb) mainly due to different numbers of introns. A total of 15 intron loci were identified, with 11 existing in all 5 isolates and 4 showing presence/absence dynamics. These introns were most likely obtained through horizontal transfer from other fungal organisms. Those common introns might have been in H. thompsonii mitogenomes since the divergence of the fungus from its putative sister species H. minnesotensis, whereas those dynamic introns might have experienced 1–2 gain or loss events. We also detected evidence of degeneration for some introns. Overall, our study shed new insights into the mitochondrial evolution of the acaropathogenic fungus H. thompsonii.
Desulfitobacterium contributes to the microbial transformation of 2,4,5‐T by methanogenic enrichment cultures from a Vietnamese active landfill
Authors: Lechner Ute , Türkowsky Dominique , Dinh Thi Thu Hang , Al‐Fathi Hassan , Schwoch Stefan , Franke Stefan , Gerlach Michelle‐Sophie , Koch Mandy , von Bergen Martin , Jehmlich Nico , Dang Thi Cam Ha
Published: August 2018

The herbicide 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5‐T) was a major component of Agent Orange, which was used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War. Little is known about its degradation under anoxic conditions. Established enrichment cultures using soil from an Agent Orange bioremediation plant in southern Vietnam with pyruvate as potential electron donor and carbon source were shown to degrade 2,4,5‐T via ether cleavage to 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol (2,4,5‐TCP), which was further dechlorinated to 3,4‐dichlorophenol. Pyruvate was initially fermented to hydrogen, acetate and propionate. Hydrogen was then used as the direct electron donor for ether cleavage of 2,4,5‐T and subsequent dechlorination of 2,4,5‐TCP. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated the presence of bacteria and archaea mainly belonging to the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes, Chloroflexi and Euryarchaeota. Desulfitobacterium hafniense was identified as the dechlorinating bacterium. Metaproteomics of the enrichment culture indicated higher protein abundances of 60 protein groups in the presence of 2,4,5‐T. A reductive dehalogenase related to RdhA3 of D. hafniense showed the highest fold change, supporting its function in reductive dehalogenation of 2,4,5‐TCP. Despite an ether‐cleaving enzyme not being detected, the inhibition of ether cleavage but not of dechlorination, by 2‐bromoethane sulphonate, suggested that the two reactions are catalysed by different organisms.
Streamflow Alteration from Impervious Cover: Are All Watersheds Created Equal?
Authors: Moltz Heidi L.N. , Palmer James B. , Smith Zachary M.
Published: August 2018

Very small amounts of impervious cover can impact streamflows. In the Potomac basin, for example, significant streamflow alteration associated with watershed impervious cover >0.5%–2.0% have been found. Since these impacts were found with considerably lower amounts of impervious cover than previously documented in the literature, typically 10%–20%, this study evaluated whether certain watershed characteristics (e.g., watershed area, karst geology, precipitation, soil characteristics, physiographic province, and slope) make a stream reach more susceptible to the impacts of impervious cover than others. The results of this study indicate there are differences in streamflow sensitivity to impervious cover given certain landscape characteristics. The relationships of watershed characteristics with streamflow alteration in flashiness, high flow duration, and low pulse duration were evaluated. Flashiness alteration was positively correlated with impervious cover and influenced by watershed slope and area. High flow duration alteration was negatively correlated with impervious cover and influenced by mean annual precipitation and slope. Low pulse duration was poorly correlated with the watershed characteristics under consideration. These differences may assist in land management efforts and heighten awareness of the environmental impacts of impervious cover.
Multiple myocardial bridges associated with left‐ventricular dysfunction, intermittent left bundle branch block, and cardiac memory: A case report
Authors: Ibarrola Martin
Published: August 2018

Myocardial bridges are a congenital anomaly in which a segment of the coronary artery takes a “tunneled” intramuscular course. Few reports have associated myocardial bridges with left‐ventricular dysfunction in patients with ischemia. Intermittent left bundle branch block is a conduction disturbance that has been described to be associated with myocardial bridges and cardiac memory. This study reports unusual associations of multiple myocardial bridges, angina, left‐ventricular dysfunction, intermittent left bundle branch block, and cardiac memory.
General Surgery Prioritization Tool: a pilot study
Authors: Hunter Rachel J. , Buckley Nicholas , Fitzgerald Eve L. , MacCormick Andrew D. , Eglinton Tim W.
Published: August 2018

Background

The prioritization of elective surgical wait‐lists remains a contentious issue. Multiple new tools and systems have been developed to attempt to reliably prioritize patients. This study pilots one such system, the General Surgery Prioritization Tool and compares it to the existing triage system of clinical judgement. The aim was to determine if the new tool reflects clinical judgement. Secondary aims were to assess for any bias in its application to different patient groups or its application by different scorers.

Method

A cohort of 392 patients was identified who were wait‐listed for non‐cancer elective surgery between July 2015 and February 2016. The General Surgery Prioritization Tool was applied after traditional prioritization using clinical judgement. The scores produced by the new tool were compared to the clinical judgement categories. Differences in scores based on gender, ethnicity, age, surgical condition and surgeon were then analysed.

Results

There was statistically significant correlation in the new tool scores with traditional triage groups (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in mean scores attributable to gender, age or ethnicity. There were minimal differences in mean scores between common surgical conditions. Except for one outlier the mean scores were consistent across 17 surgeons.

Conclusion

This pilot study has found the General Surgery Prioritization Tool to reflect clinical judgement and to be generalizable by age, gender, ethnicity and prioritizing surgeon. The tool is at least as clinically reliable as traditional methods in the triage for elective general surgery with the advantage of being a more explicit process.
Caffeine and supplemental oxygen effectively suppress periodic breathing with only minor effects during long episodes of apnoea in preterm infants
Authors: Seppä‐Moilanen Maija , Andersson Sture , Rantakari Krista , Mikkola Kaija , Kirjavainen Turkka
Published: August 2018

Aim

We investigated the characteristics and effects of sleep stage, supplemental oxygen and caffeine on periodic breathing (PB) and apnoea of prematurity (AOP) in preterm infants.

Methods

This 2013‐2015 study recruited 21 preterm infants on neonatal wards in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, Finland, at a median corrected gestational age of 35.7 weeks and performed polysomnography at baseline, during supplemental oxygen and during caffeine treatment.

Results

All infants demonstrated PB, during a median of 11% of sleep time and 85% of PB occurred during non‐rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Apnoea episodes were brief during PB, but 66% were associated with oxygen desaturation. Supplemental oxygen substantially reduced PB time by 99% and caffeine by 91%. Oxygen desaturation decreased from 38 per hour at baseline to 8.5 with oxygen and 24 with caffeine (all p < 0.001). AOPs decreased from 1.4 per hour at baseline to 0.4 with oxygen (p = 0.03) and 0.3 with caffeine (p = 0.07). Most (84%) apnoea episodes over 15 seconds were mixed episodes during REM sleep.

Conclusion

PB occurred predominantly during NREM sleep, caused intermittent hypoxia, and was suppressed by supplemental oxygen and caffeine. In contrast, long apnoea episodes representing AOP were only modestly decreased.
Cardiometabolic risk factors differ among adolescents with obesity in three European countries – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Benestad Beate , Júlíusson Pétur B. , Siegfried Wolfgang , Lekhal Samira , Småstuen Milada Cvancarova , Hertel Jens Kristoffer , Agosti Fiorenza , Marazzi Nicoletta , Hjelmesæth Jøran , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: August 2018

Aim

We aimed to compare modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors among treatment‐seeking adolescents with obesity in Italy, Germany and Norway.

Methods

This retrospective, registry‐based, cross‐sectional cohort study included 2,327 (59% girls) 12–18 year‐old adolescents with obesity from three tertiary care outpatient clinics in Europe, between 1999 and 2015. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors was compared between clinics, and multivariate logistic regression models including gender, age, waist circumference and body mass index were used to assess the associations between population and cardiometabolic risk.

Results

In total, 1,396 adolescents (60% girls) from Italy, 654 (58% girls) from Germany and 277 (51% girls) from Norway were included. The mean ± SD age was 15.2 ± 1.6 years, body mass index 38.8 ± 6.5 kg/m2 and body mass index standard deviation score 3.21 ± 0.43. The prevalence of elevated nonhigh‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in Norway, Germany and Italy was 60%, 54% and 45%, while the prevalence of high systolic or diastolic blood pressure (≥130 or ≥85 mmHg) were 15%, 46% and 66%, respectively.

Conclusion

Cardiometabolic risk factors among treatment‐seeking adolescents with obesity from Italy, Germany and Norway differed across the populations in this study, which might imply that preventive clinical work should reflect such differences.
Combinations of four or more CpGs methylation present equivalent predictive value for MGMT expression and temozolomide therapeutic prognosis in gliomas
Authors: Chai Rui‐Chao , Zhang Ke‐Nan , Liu Yu‐Qing , Wu Fan , Zhao Zheng , Wang Kuan‐Yu , Jiang Tao , Wang Yong‐Zhi
Published: August 2018

Aims

The pyrosequencing (PSQ) has been regarded as the gold standard for MGMT promoter methylation testing in gliomas. However, various CpG combinations are currently used in clinical practice. We aimed to clarify how and how many CpGs combined is robust enough to predict MGMT mRNA expression and therapeutic prognosis of patients.

Methods

Total 223 patients with WHO III/IV gliomas were enrolled from Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, including two independent cohorts, the eight‐site cohort (with CpGs 75‐82 tested) and the seven‐site cohort (with CpGs 72‐78 tested). Spearman’s correlation and ROC curves were employed to investigate the value of different CpG combinations on predicting MGMT mRNA expression. The ROC curves and Kaplan‐Meier steps were performed to compare the TMZ therapeutic prognostic values of different CpG combinations.

Results

The methylation level of all individual CpG and CpG combinations for the eleven CpGs (CpGs 72‐82), significantly correlated to MGMT mRNA expression (Spearman, all P < 0.0001), could effectively predict the mRNA expression (AUC, 0.86‐0.91 in the eight‐site cohort, 0.83‐0.90 in the seven‐site cohort). Moreover, the correlation coefficients and the predictive values presented equivalent when four or more CpGs combinedly used (AUC, 0.88‐0.90 in the eight‐site cohort, 0.87‐0.88 in the seven‐site cohort). Finally, similar results were also observed when using selected CpG combinations to predict therapeutic prognosis of patients.

Conclusions

Four‐CpG combinations of pyrosequencing are sufficient for evaluating the methylation status of MGMT and predicting therapeutic prognosis in gliomas.
Evaluation of the Cardiac Safety of Long‐Acting Endectocide Moxidectin in a Randomized Concentration‐QT Study
Authors: Kinrade Sally A. , Mason Jay W. , Sanabria Carlos R. , Rayner Craig R. , Bullock Julie M. , Stanworth Stephanie H. , Sullivan Mark T.
Published: August 2018

Potential effects on cardiac repolarization of single doses of moxidectin, a potent long‐acting macrocyclic lactone endectocide, were assessed in a concentration‐QT (c‐QT; exposure‐response) study. This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study in healthy male volunteers (n = 60) randomized subjects to a single oral dose of moxidectin (4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, or 36 mg) or matching placebo. Serial plasma samples for pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis and concurrent triplicate electrocardiogram measurements were taken at baseline and 14 prespecified time points over 72 hours, yielding 900 QT interval‐plasma concentration time‐matched pairs. Moxidectin had no statistically significant or clinically relevant impact on QT interval at any dose level. The primary mixed effects model analysis revealed no treatment‐related impact on the Fridericia‐corrected QT interval‐plasma concentration gradient (−0.0077, 90% confidence interval (CI) −0.0255 to +0.0101).
Prediction‐Oriented Model Selection in Partial Least Squares Path Modeling
Authors: Sharma Pratyush Nidhi , Shmueli Galit , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas , Ray Soumya
Published: August 2018

Partial least squares path modeling (PLS‐PM) has become popular in various disciplines to model structural relationships among latent variables measured by manifest variables. To fully benefit from the predictive capabilities of PLS‐PM, researchers must understand the efficacy of predictive metrics used. In this research, we compare the performance of standard PLS‐PM criteria and model selection criteria derived from Information Theory, in terms of selecting the best predictive model among a cohort of competing models. We use Monte Carlo simulation to study this question under various sample sizes, effect sizes, item loadings, and model setups. Specifically, we explore whether, and when, the in‐sample measures such as the model selection criteria can substitute for out‐of‐sample criteria that require a holdout sample. Such a substitution is advantageous when creating a holdout causes considerable loss of statistical and predictive power due to an overall small sample. We find that when the researcher does not have the luxury of a holdout sample, and the goal is selecting correctly specified models with low prediction error, the in‐sample model selection criteria, in particular the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and Geweke–Meese Criterion (GM), are useful substitutes for out‐of‐sample criteria. When a holdout sample is available, the best performing out‐of‐sample criteria include the root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute deviation (MAD). We recommend against using standard the PLS‐PM criteria (R2, AdjustedR2, andQ2), and specifically the out‐of‐sample mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for prediction‐oriented model selection purposes. Finally, we illustrate the model selection criteria's practical utility using a well‐known corporate reputation model.
“Yet the Root of the Matter is Not in Them”: Reclaiming the Lost Soul of Inspirational Teaching
Authors: Roosevelt Dirck , Garrison Jim
Published: August 2018

This essay by Dirck Roosevelt and Jim Garrison seeks to reclaim the lost soul of teaching by examining distortions wrought upon or threatening it by practice‐based teacher education (PBTE) and like developments. The notion that teaching centers upon mastery of “core” practices understood as routinely skilled performance is inadequate to the almost intractable complexity of teaching. After critiquing PBTE and associated forces, especially the performance assessment edTPA™, Roosevelt and Garrison turn to John Dewey's notion of the teacher as “inspirer and director of soul‐life.” Among other important attributes involved in forming the soul of inspirational teaching, the authors discuss moral perception of the needs, desires, and interests of unique individuals participating in specific situations, and also moral imagination, which allows teachers to see beyond the actual to conceive better possibilities. Roosevelt and Garrison conclude with depictions of two student‐teachers, one troubled by her inability to hear the souls of students and another experiencing the loss of his teaching soul.
Beyond the European void? Reflections on Peter Mair's legacy
Authors: Bickerton Christopher
Published: August 2018

Peter Mair was one of the world's leading scholars of party politics. Though he wrote at some length about the European Union, there has been no systematic exploration of the implications of his comparative work on political parties for European integration. His writings on the EU have generally been studied in isolation from his wider oeuvre, with the result that we have missed the important analytical and logical connections between Mair's work on parties and his writings on the EU. This article argues that Mair's path‐breaking middle‐range theoretical and empirical work on the decline of party democracy can form the basis of a radical reappraisal of the project of ‘ever closer union’. The article studies Mair's arguments against the backdrop of more recent empirical evidence and evaluates the normative implications of his work for the future of the European project.
Regional inequalities in comprehensive development in China from 1992 to 2013: Comparative estimation based on statistical and DMSP/OLS data
Authors: Peng Jie , Peng Li , Chen Tiantian , Xia Haoming
Published: August 2018

Regional inequality has attracted considerable interest among academics and policy makers. However, few studies have focused on regional inequality in comprehensive development. This study quantitatively estimated the regional inequalities and imbalances in China at multiple scales using gross domestic product (GDP), population, and the inter‐calibrated Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Line‐Scan System (DMSP/OLS) nighttime stable light (NSL) data for 1992–2013. The results are as follows. First, the GDP‐derived inequalities exhibited an inverted U‐shaped pattern, while the NSL‐derived continued to decline. Second, for both GDP and NSL data, the inequality within the western region contributed most to the within‐region inequalities, while the eastern region contributed least. Third, the highest inter‐provincial inequality was observed in the developed area, while disparity within the underdeveloped area was the lowest. Finally, at the provincial level, the imbalances in comprehensive development generally decreased from 1992 to 2013. Moreover, a correlation analysis between the GDP‐ and NSL‐derived inequalities showed that there were some similarities in inequalities during 1992–2013, especially in the eastern region. These findings highlight that the regional inequalities in economic development and comprehensive development exhibit different tendencies, and hence it is crucial for both scholars and government to focus on this issue.
Critical corridor talk: Just gossip or stoic resistance? Unrecognised informal Higher Education leadership
Authors: Jameson Jill
Published: August 2018

This mixed methods paper considers whether or not invisible forms of morally resistant collegial leadership are progressively challenging policy and managerial quasi‐market instrumentalism in a minority of low trust dysfunctional situations in a stratified United Kingdom (UK) Higher Education system. A theoretical model of stoical critical corridor talk (CCT) is proposed, arising from selected empirical data and reflective observations in 2005–2017. The data demonstrated that resistant academic critique is increasingly questioning economically driven command and control authoritarianism. The model builds on the concept of critical being to consider whether or not CCT amongst academics provides informal stoical leadership to alleviate stresses exacerbated by poor management. The highly functioning criticality of negative capability facilitates self‐reflexive resistance against the false necessity of supposedly deterministic imperatives to validate policy‐driven audit‐based managerialism. Yet to foster trust, informal leadership needs to practise correct moral principles itself when resisting performativity in dysfunctional environments in which some overstep the acceptable roles of good management.
Synthesis and adsorption properties of nanocrystalline ferrites for kinetic modeling development
Authors: Roman Tiberiu , Asavei Ramona‐Laura , Karkalos Nikolaos E. , Roman Claudiu , Virlan Constantin , Cimpoesu Nicanor , Istrate Bogdan , Zaharia Marius , Markopoulos Angelos P. , Kordatos Konstantinos , Stanciu Sergiu , Pui Aurel
Published: August 2018

Nanocrystalline ferrites are known to be used in different applications, including industrial wastewater management. For environmental water issues, one of the most widely applied techniques is the adsorption of pollutants. The adsorption capacity of Congo red (CR) dye on different MFe2O4 (M = Co2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+) ferrites, synthesized by coprecipitation method, was determined. Specific isotherms and kinetic models were used to characterize the adsorption process. Interesting results were obtained for MgFe2O4 with adsorption capacity ranging from 39% up to 70% dependent on the initial dye concentration. Furthermore, an artificial intelligence model based on neural network was developed in order to model the adsorption rates followed by the generation of 3D adsorption rate models for each type of synthesized ferrite. These models were obtained in order to provide information about the particle‐dye system`s kinetics at various initial CR concentration. Specific techniques were used to characterize the functionalized magnetic particles.
Realizable recycling of coal fly ash from solid waste for the fabrication of porous Al2TiO5‐Mullite composite ceramic
Authors: Chen Zhiwei , Xu Guogang , Du Huihui , Cui Hongzhi , Zhang Xueying , Zhan Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2018

As the environment deteriorates, recycling of solid waste has become increasingly important. This study aimed to optimize the use of the Fe2O3, SiO2, and CaO components in coal fly ash and to convert coal fly ash into stable porous Al2TiO5‐mullite (AT–M) composite ceramic by sintering with AlOOH and TiO2 additives at high temperatures. The phase composition, microstructure, apparent porosity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties of porous AT–M composite ceramics were systematically investigated. Results indicated that the sintered samples exhibited pore size distributions within the 0.16‐2.9 μm, apparent porosities of approximately 52.8%, and flexural strength of 29.6 MPa. Corrosion resistance data revealed quality losses in the aqueous NaOH and H2SO4 solutions for 10 hours at 0.42% and 2.19%, respectively. After corrosion for 8 hours, the average flexural strength of the samples remained at 21.6 ± 0.53 and 20.84 ± 0.6 MPa, respectively. These findings show that these porous AT–M ceramics may provide enhanced corrosion resistance under alkaline conditions. The porous AT–M composite ceramics may fabricate high‐performance composite membrane supports for the high temperature flue gas filtration.
Evaluation of an immunochromatographic strip test for alpha‐thalassaemia screening
Authors: Bunkall Carolyn , Ghallyan Nikhil , Elliott Catherine , Van de Water Neil , Chan George
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Hb H inclusion test (HbH‐i) commonly used for α‐thalassaemia screening is not standardised and is labour‐intensive. This study evaluated a strip test based on immunochromatographic detection of Hb Bart's (ICT) for use as a routine screening test for α‐thalassaemia screening in the clinical laboratory setting.

Methods

The performance characteristics of the ICT was determined by comparing the results of ICT and HbH‐i on 67 patients, and the α‐globin genotype on 47 of these patients who also had the molecular analysis. Specimen stability was tested on 16 specimens with the ICT repeated after 7 days of storage. The age of babies from which the ICT result becomes valid was determined on 49 samples with patient age ranged from 4 weeks to 12 months.

Results

The ICT had higher overall sensitivity of 76% compared to 24% for HbH‐i in detecting carriers of α‐thalassaemia mutations, and this is seen in all α‐thalassaemia genotypes. The test could be carried out on specimens stored at 4°C for 7 days and gave valid results with no false positive from the age of 6 months onwards. It required no special technical expertise or equipment and gave the result in less than 5 minutes.

Conclusion

The ICT is simple to perform, with higher sensitivity than HbH‐i, and gives the result in a short time and at a lower cost. This can be used by clinical laboratories to replace HbH‐i for α‐thalassaemia detection.
Relationship of BMI z score to fat percent and fat mass in multiethnic prepubertal children
Authors: Wilkes M. , Thornton J. , Horlick M. , Sopher A. , Wang J. , Widen E. M. , Pierson R. , Gallagher D.
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objective of the study is to examine the validity of body mass index z score (zBMI) as a measure of percent body fat in prepubertal children.

Methods

One hundred eleven multiethnic, healthy, Tanner 1 children aged 6–12 years had fat percent and fat mass measured by the four‐compartment method as part of the Paediatric Rosetta Body Composition Cohort. Multiple regression models were developed with fat percent as the dependent variable and zBMI, age, sex and ethnicity as independent variables.

Results

Body mass index z score predicted fat percent, adjusted for age in both girls (P < 0.001, RMSE 5.67 and R2 0.54) and boys (P < 0.001, RMSE 4.71, R2 0.69). The average model percent error was 20.3% in girls and 21.6% in boys. zBMI2 predicted fat mass when adjusted for age and zBMI in both girls (P < 0.001, RMSE 2.27 and R2 0.82) and boys (P < 0.001, RMSE 2.08 and R2 0.81). The average percent error was 7.2% in girls and 8.7% in boys. Age was associated with percentage body fat (P < 0.01), while ethnicity was not (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Given the relatively large error in the models, zBMI are not a useful indicator of fat mass in healthy, Tanner 1 children. zBMI2 scores are associated with significantly lower absolute percent errors in girls and boys.
Internally Displaced Persons in Pursuit for Access to Justice: Ukraine
Authors: Krakhmalova Kateryna
Published: August 2018

The article focuses on Eastern European region and, specifically, access to justice for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, who currently form ninth largest group of such forced migrants in the world. It explains the roots and causes of the Ukrainian internal displacement; institutional and legal framework, Ukrainian IDPs operate in; their internal structure, needs and vulnerabilities. Examining access to justice, its dimensions and key components in universal and regional context, it then applies this framework to Ukrainian IDPs’ situation. Facing challenges starting from legal recognition of their IDP status to discrimination in social‐economic sphere, having a limited right to vote and no legal responsibility for violation of their specific rights and freedoms, Ukrainian IDPs have no other recourse but to pursue justice in the national courts. However, justice as result is not often achievable due to a barrier, which arguably, as a matter of policy, has been overlooked.
Telocytes are the physiological counterpart of inflammatory fibroid polyps and PDGFRA‐mutant GISTs
Authors: Ricci Riccardo , Giustiniani Maria Cristina , Gessi Marco , Lanza Paola , Castri Federica , Biondi Alberto , Persiani Roberto , Vecchio Fabio M. , Risio Mauro
Published: August 2018

PDGFRA mutations in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can cause GI stromal tumour (GIST) and inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP). Hitherto no cell type has been identified as a physiological counterpart of the latter, while interstitial Cajal cells (ICC) are considered the precursor of the former. However, ICC hyperplasia (ICCH), which strongly supports the ICC role in GIST pathogenesis, has been identified in germline KIT‐mutant settings but not in PDGFRA‐mutant ones, challenging the precursor role of ICC for PDGFRA‐driven GISTs. Telocytes are a recently described interstitial cell type, CD34+/PDGFRA+. Formerly considered fibroblasts, they are found in many organs, including the GI tract where they are thought to be involved in neurotransmission. Alongside IFPs and gastric GISTs, GI wall “fibrosis” has been reported in germline PDGFRA‐mutants. Taking the opportunity offered by its presence in a germline PDGFRA‐mutant individual, we demonstrate that this lesion is sustained by hyperplastic telocytes, constituting the PDGFRA‐mutant counterpart of germline KIT mutation‐associated ICCH. Moreover, our findings support a pathogenetic relationship between telocyte hyperplasia and both IFPs and PDGFRA‐mutant GISTs. We propose the term “telocytoma” for defining IFP, as it conveys both the pathogenetic (neoplastic) and histotypic (“telocytary”) essence of this tumour, unlike IFP, which rather evokes an inflammatory‐hyperplastic lesion.
Long non‐coding RNAs in brain tumours: Focus on recent epigenetic findings in glioma
Authors: Pop Sevinci , Enciu Ana‐Maria , Necula Laura G. , Tanase Cristiana
Published: August 2018

Glioma biology is a major focus in tumour research, primarily due to the aggressiveness and high mortality rate of its most aggressive form, glioblastoma. Progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind poor prognosis of glioblastoma, regardless of treatment approaches, has changed the classification of brain tumours after nearly 100 years of relying on anatomopathological criteria. Expanding knowledge in genetic, epigenetic and translational medicine is also beginning to contribute to further elucidating molecular dysregulation in glioma. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their main representatives, large intergenic non‐coding RNAs (lincRNAs), have recently been under scrutiny in glioma research, revealing novel mechanisms of pathogenesis and reinforcing others. Among those confirmed was the reactivation of events significant for foetal brain development and neuronal commitment. Novel mechanisms of tumour suppression and activation of stem‐like behaviour in tumour cells have also been examined. Interestingly, these processes involve lncRNAs that are present both during normal brain development and in brain malignancies and their reactivation might be explained by epigenetic mechanisms, which we discuss in detail in the present review. In addition, the review discusses the lncRNAs‐induced changes, as well as epigenetic changes that are consequential for tumour formation, affecting, in turn, the expression of various types of lncRNAs.
Effects of leuprorelin for the treatment of recurrent gynecological cancer by assessment including self‐administered quality‐of‐life questionnaire
Authors: Tsubamoto Hiroshi , Ueda Tomoko , Inoue Kayo , Isono‐Nakata Roze , Saeki Shinichiro , Kato Yu , Shibahara Hiroaki
Published: August 2018

Aim

To investigate the effects of leuprorelin using a self‐administered quality‐of‐life (QOL) questionnaire in patients with recurrent gynecological cancer.

Methods

Records of patients who received 3.75 mg leuprorelin every 4 weeks for the treatment of recurrent gynecological cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The physical domain of the QOL questionnaire, Care Notebook, was used to assess physical symptoms. Symptom deterioration was defined as a ≥10‐point increase in baseline score; otherwise, symptoms were defined as controlled. Radiological and serological responses were evaluated according to the 2011 Gynecological Cancer Intergroup criteria.

Results

From 2007 to 2015, 25 patients were administered leuprorelin for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer, granulosa cell tumor, endometrial cancer, endometrial stromal sarcoma and clear cell cervical cancer (in 13, 3, 6, 2 and 1 patients, respectively). Twenty patients had received a median of three lines (range 1–12 lines) of chemotherapy. Ten patients had progressive disease during their previous round of chemotherapy. Twenty patients completed the questionnaire every 4 weeks. Following leuprorelin treatment for 8 weeks, the symptom and disease control rates were 65% (13/20) and 44% (11/25), respectively. Two patients, one each with granulosa cell tumor and endometrial cancer, had stable disease at 6 months. Among the 20 patients who completed the QOL questionnaire, symptom control and disease control at 8 weeks showed a significant correlation (P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Leuprorelin had minimal anticancer activity. The physical domain of the QOL questionnaire could be used to assess effects of hormonal treatment.
Risk of nutritional deficiencies for dogs on a weight loss plan
Authors: Gaylord L. , Remillard R. , Saker K.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To determine how general practice veterinarians make weight loss recommendations for dogs and if nutrients become deficient when following these recommendations.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire of general practice veterinarians was conducted to characterise weight loss recommendations made to clients. Using this data, progressive levels of caloric restriction were applied to top‐selling commercial non‐therapeutic adult maintenance diets and non‐therapeutic weight management diets. Nutrient intakes were compared to the National Research Council's Recommended Allowances for metabolic body weight using a theoretical current weight and ideal body weight for an obese dog. Nutrient intakes were also compared to recommendations from the Association of American Feed Control Officials using current body weight.

Results

Several nutrients were found at risk of deficiency, including choline, methionine, cysteine, selenium, eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexanoic acid, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and cobalamin in both non‐therapeutic adult maintenance diets and non‐therapeutic weight management diets.

Clinical Significance

Caution is warranted when making weight loss recommendations using commercial diets until further research on the nutrient needs of obese dogs undergoing weight loss is undertaken. Restriction of commercial diets to achieve weight loss in dogs may result in nutrient deficiencies.
Optimization of Temporary Debris Management Site Selection and Site Service Regions for Enhancing Postdisaster Debris Removal Operations
Authors: Wang Zhaojing , Hu Hao , Guo Mengyang , Gong Jie
Published: August 2018

Temporary debris management sites (TDMSs) are often established after large‐scale natural disaster to expedite waste removal. However, uses of these sites inevitably increase debris removal cost due to double handling of waste. How to select the quantity of TDMSs to optimize the trade‐off between the recycling benefits and debris removal cost is a critical issue in debris management. Previous studies focused primarily on initial geographical analyses of TDMSs or the debris removal optimization given known TDMS locations and quantities. This article proposes a multiobjective mixed integer linear optimization method to optimize debris removal with a particular focus on TDMS selection and to pursue the minimum debris removal cost, total processing time, and environmental influence. A case study with four scenarios was conducted to test the validity of the proposed approach. Numerical results indicate that a maximum reduction of 33.27% in removal time, a maximum reduction of 37.07% in cost, and a maximum increase of 33.60% in recycle profits can be achieved when the time, cost, and recycle profit objective are solely pursued compared to other studied scenarios, respectively. The findings of this study contribute to better decision making in debris removal operations after major natural disasters.
Three Rival Versions of Monetary Enquiry: Symbol, Treasure, Token
Authors: Hadas Edward
Published: August 2018

In the human imagination, money is a symbol of many things, from base and alienated labour to individual freedom and social power. In the organisation of society, money is a treasure that breaks the limits of time. In the economy of labour and consumption, money is no more than a functional token. The move from symbol through treasure to token is a typically modern story of ever greater cultural disenchantment and every greater functional success. Fortunately, the conflicting narratives of money do not lead to the interminable mutual incomprehension of conflicting approaches to morality. If anything, the de-mystification of money has helped create spiritual opportunities.
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and tramadol analgesic interactions after adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Hannam Jacqueline A. , Anderson Brian J. , Potts Amanda
Published: August 2018

Background

The impact of tramadol in children given acetaminophen‐ibuprofen combination therapy is uncertain in acute pediatric pain management. A model describing the interaction between these three drugs would be useful to understand the role of supplemental analgesic therapy.

Methods

Children undergoing tonsillectomy were given oral paracetamol and ibuprofen perioperatively. Blood was taken for paracetamol and ibuprofen drug assay on up to six occasions over 6 h after the initial dose. Tramadol was administered by caregivers for unacceptable postoperative pain. Pain was measured using the Parent's Postoperative Pain Measurement rating two hourly on the first postoperative day. A first‐order absorption, one‐compartment linear model with first‐order elimination was used to describe acetaminophen and ibuprofen disposition. Analgesia was described using an EMAX model extended for three drugs, assuming additive effects. Curve fitting was performed using nonlinear mixed effects models.

Results

Pharmacodynamic parameter estimates, expressed using fractional Hill equation, were maximum effect (EMAX) 0.65 (95%CI 0.54, 0.74), the concentration of acetaminophen associated with 50% of the maximal drug effect (C50,ACET) 7.06 (95%CI 7.03, 7.72) mg/L, and the ibuprofen C50 (C50,IBU) 3.95 (95%CI 2.57, 7.53) mg/L. The Hill coefficient was 1.48 (95%CI 0.92, 2.62) and an interaction term was fixed at zero (additivity). The half‐time (t1/2keo) for equilibration between the plasma and effect site was 0.34 hour (95%CI 0.23, 1.98) for acetaminophen and 1.04 hour (95%CI 0.75, 1.77) for ibuprofen. Tramadol had a C50,TRAM of 0.07 (95%CI 0.048, 1.07) mg/L with a t1/2keo,TRAM 1.78 hour (95%CI 1.06, 1.96).

Conclusion

Ibuprofen has an EC50 for analgesia in children similar to that of adults (3.95 mg/L; 95%CI 2.57‐7.53, vs 5‐10 mg/L adults). The maximum effect from combination therapy (ie, 65% reduction in pain score) achieves satisfactory analgesia with commonly used doses but increased dose adds little additional benefit. The addition of tramadol to this analgesic mixture prolongs analgesia duration.