bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding the tipping point for a CEO to say yes to an ERP: a case study
Authors: Kosalge Parag Uma , Ritz Elizabeth
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Most small- and medium-sized enterprises use some business management software to manage day-to-day operations. Eventually they consider transitioning to an enterprise resources planning (ERP) system. The purpose of this paper is to find what motivates the top management to consider a transition from an existing system to an ERP especially as such a transition can be painful, expensive, and involve considerable business risk. The research posits a decision model that top management may use to aid their decision.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research question is about examining the organizational phenomenon of transition to an ERP system and so a case study research methodology is followed to understand the phenomenon.

Findings

– The research concludes it is usually a change in scale of operations that drives the transition. The motivators are abstracted as: scalability – increased hierarchical controls and systems scalability driven by increasing number of employees; complexity – more business functions need systems support to address increased operational complexity; and integration – systems and process integration for seamless operations.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a need to check if the same fundamental issue of change in scale of operations is true across industries and across geographies. Also it creates a need for a statistical validation of the motivators and their importance across organizations and industries.

Practical implications

– ERP considerations are of strategic importance because of the high risk and the high expense. The research presents a decision model to aid top management to find if ERP systems make sense for their organization.

Originality/value

– The research provides new directions for academicians as there are few empirical studies on the true motivators that drive ERP adoption.
Corporate social performance and portfolio management
Authors: Teti Emanuele , Dell'Acqua Alberto , Etro Leonardo L. , Andreoletti Linda Benedetta
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the existence of a relationship between socially responsible behavior of companies and price trends of their stocks.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis is conducted by empirically testing data of environmental, social and governance ratings of a sample of European firms between December 2005 and December 2010. A disaggregate analysis is also performed to infer whether a specific contribution of all the different factors that make a business socially responsible can be observed in the value generation process.

Findings

– The results show that the application of a sustainable approach are successful in creating value, both to the investor and the issuer companies.

Research limitations/implications

– Findings of this work are significant with respect to portfolio management, because they suggest, on one hand, the myopia of a short-term approach (short-termism), and on the other hand, the importance of sustainable investing.

Originality/value

– This paper focusses on the integration that has led many international groups to explicitly include extra-financial risk factors in their decision-making processes, by applying the by the four-factor model on a brand new data set.
Perceived brand portfolios: how individual views hamper efficiency
Authors: Åsberg Per
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived content and structure of a brand portfolio, which may differ between individuals, by mapping the brand portfolio of two multi-national companies from the perspective of the marketing team. The discrepant views between individuals are analyzed and an aggregated brand portfolio is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews with nine marketing professionals were used to map their individual perceived brand portfolios and structure, based on the Brand Concept Map methodology.

Findings

– The study finds that there is a consistent difference in the individual perceived brand portfolio between marketing professionals. Brands that are not supported by all stakeholders may be suffering from an unclear positioning or undesired associations, and should receive management attention.

Research limitations/implications

– Explanations for the results are offered and future research is suggested to determine the generalizability of the findings and the economic implications of discrepant views on the company’s brand portfolio.

Practical implications

– Marketing practitioners should consider the possible effects of conflicting views within their marketing teams on business performance. Identifying brands that are not supported by all stakeholders could be a way to discover under-performing brands with problematic brand positions in need of immediate attention.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to compare and fully map the differences in perception of a company’s brand portfolio among internal stakeholders and the possible implications of this discrepancy.
Government-driven university-industry linkages in an emerging country: the case of China
Authors: Su Dejin , Zhou Dayong , Liu Chunlin , Kong Lanlan
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze and summarize the development of science and technology (S
&
T) policies in China from a government-driven perspective in chronological order. To develop knowledge-based economy, China enacts a range of S
&
T policies since “Reform and Open Policy” started in 1978. Furthermore, it investigates the overall effects of these S
&
T policies on university-industry linkages (UILs).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper conducts an analysis framework of S
&
T policies in historical sequence to explain how government drives UILs to stimulate technological progress and economic growth in China.

Findings

– More than a site for high-quality workforce education and knowledge spread, universities as an important part of national innovation are required to participate in economic activities. Considering that most Chinese universities are national, S
&
T policies with particular regard to university technology transfer would be more important and essential. This research finds that S
&
T policies enacted by government have made critical contributions to UILs in economic transition period, such as improving academic faculty, enhancing university–industry collaborations and supporting university spin-off formation. The experiences of China suggest that government should enact more effective S
&
T policies in the knowledge-based economy era.

Practical implications

– First, universities need to educate high-level human resources that are important for economic growth and social development. Second, universities need to engage in R
&
D activities and enhance their collaboration with industries, such as consulting services, research contracts with industry, patent licensing and other general knowledge commercial mechanisms. Third, universities also can directly transfer commercial knowledge to start up new businesses by itself or in partnership with industrial sectors. Without doubt, a series of S
&
T policies or programs enacted by China’s government to drive entrepreneurship continuously played critical role in the UILs over the past 26 years.

Originality/value

– This paper is a pioneering work on how S
&
T policies enacted by government drive UILs to stimulate technological progress in transitional China.
Deployment of open source electronic content management software in national government departments in South Africa
Authors: Ngoepe Mpho
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to report the deployment of open source electronic content management software in national government departments in South Africa, with the view to raise awareness of the free and open source software (FOSS) policy. Many countries including South Africa have developed policies that encourage the deployment of free and open source software (FOSS).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper opted for qualitative data collected through interviews with four chief information officers, five information technology (IT) officials, two records managers from government departments, one archivist from the National Archives of South Africa and one IT official from the State Information Technology Agency; these were selected purposively from national government departments. Furthermore, a free test trial of open source software, Alfresco Community Edition, was conducted for a 30-day period during September 2013. Alfresco was chosen as it is the preferred FOSS in government departments in South Africa.

Findings

– The key finding reveals that, in contrast with the FOSS policy, governmental bodies in South Africa preferred proprietary software over FOSS, as only one government department has migrated to FOSS. The reasons cited for the low uptake of open source electronic content management include the perceived lack of support for FOSS or short lifespan support which was confirmed through the trial test, as well as a lack of IT skills by records management practitioners who are responsible for implementation of electronic content management and hidden costs as the internal staff would spend time supporting, tailoring and enhancing the software. It is observed that failure to raise awareness and benefits of the FOSS policy in South Africa will curtail the document into a dull epistle.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the chosen research approach and sampling method, the results were not generalised to the population. It is hoped that the study will stimulate further research interest and raise awareness in government departments with regard to FOSS policy implementation, especially in the area of electronic content management.

Practical implications

– The paper shows the difficulty in implementing a policy and putting it into practice without looking into its practical feasibility.

Originality/value

– This research attempts to bridge the gap and bring new elements by assessing the level of FOSS adoption in the area of electronic content management which is often ignored by the government and also less researched by scholars.
The role of audit committee attributes in intellectual capital disclosures
Authors: Ahmed Haji Abdifatah
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the role of audit committee attributes in non-financial information releases, with a focus on intellectual capital (IC) disclosures, following significant policy changes, mandating the audit committee function in Malaysia. The study argues that, given the changing informational needs of stakeholders and the ongoing discussion on integrated reporting, the role of the audit committee should extend to ensuring the overall quality of corporate reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws evidence from a sample of leading Malaysian companies based on their market capitalisation over a three-year period (2008-2010), a period subsequent to the recent policy changes. The extent and quality of IC information, as a surrogate of non-financial information, was measured and regressed against several audit committee attributes, such as audit committee size, independence, financial expertise and meetings, controlling the overall governance and firm-specific variables.

Findings

– The findings show a strong positive role of the audit committee function in the overall amount of IC information as well as all three subcomponents of IC information (internal, external and human capital). The results are robust to controls for the overall governance and firm-specific attributes as well as different measures of IC information.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that the role of the audit committee function extends to non-financial information communication such as IC. Policymakers in Malaysia should, therefore, build on the recent regulatory changes and encourage audit committees to ensure that the overall quality of corporate reporting processes include social, environmental, intellectual as well as financial capital of a firm.

Originality/value

– This study considers the role of the audit committee in the wider corporate reporting process – drawing attention to its potential role in the espoused integrated business reporting. It also challenges the taken-for-granted assumption that restricts the role of the audit committee function to the traditional financial reporting process.
The quandary between communication and certification
Authors: Ren Xiang
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand individual academics’ perception, attitudes and participation in Open Access Publishing and open scholarship and revisit some principles and designs of openness in academic publishing from the perspective of creative end-users, which helps to increase the sustainability and efficiency of open models.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on a case study of China and empirical data collected through semi-structured interviews with a wide range of academics and stakeholders.

Findings

– A separation between the communication and certification functions of publishing is identified: open initiatives are valued for efficient and interactive communication while traditional publishing still dominates the legitimacy of research publications, which leads to the quandary of individual academics operating within the transitional landscape of scholarly communication.

Practical implications

– Practical recommendations for sustainable and efficient openness are derived from discussions on the difficulties associated open/social certification and the shifting maxims that govern academics from “publish or perish” to “be visible or vanish”.

Originality/value

– “Openness” is defined in broad sense integrating Open Access and open scholarship to comprehensively reflect individual academics’ views in the transitional landscape of academic publishing. The research findings suggest that new open approaches are needed to address the evolving tension and conflicts between communication and certification.
Does morphology matter? An explicit assessment of floral morphology in sexual deception
Authors: de Jager Marinus L. , Peakall Rod
Published: September 2015

Sexually deceptive orchids are renowned for their olfactory mimicry of female insect sex pheromones to lure male pollinators, but the role of floral morphology remains unknown.

Here, we reveal compelling new experimental evidence that morphology also matters in sexual deception. Our study exploited two morphologically distinct Chiloglottis orchids that both employ the same semiochemical (chiloglottone 1) to attract their respective primary pollinator. In these experiments, we monitored attempted copulation of pollinators with orchid labella as this likely impacts plant fitness.

Reciprocal pollinator choice tests revealed significant reductions in the frequency and duration of attempted copulation when pollinators were presented with alternate orchid species that differ in floral morphology, but nevertheless exhibit identical semiochemicals. Experimentally shortening the labellum also reduced the duration of attempted copulation in one of the species.

Pollinators exhibited contrasting orientations during attempted copulation and pollination, which seem to be correlated with fundamental differences in the morphological adaptations for both mechanical fit and female mimicry in these orchids.

Our findings confirm the overlooked importance of floral morphology for sexually deceptive orchid pollination and indicate that pollinator behaviour could impose strong selection on specific floral traits.
Effect of common polymorphisms of the farnesoid X receptor and bile acid transporters on the pharmacokinetics of ursodeoxycholic acid
Authors: Hu Miao , Fok Benny SP , Wo Siu‐Kwan , Lee Vincent HL , Zuo Zhong , Tomlinson Brian
Published: September 2015

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a natural, dihydroxy bile acid, promotes gallstone dissolution and has been attributed with several other beneficial effects. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) may influence the pharmacokinetics of UDCA by modulating the expression of bile acid transporters. This exploratory study examined whether common functional polymorphisms in FXR and in bile acid transporter genes affect the pharmacokinetics of exogenous UDCA. Polymorphisms in genes for transporters involved in bile acid transport, solute carrier organic anion 1B1 (SLCO1B1) 388A>G and 521T>C, solute carrier 10A1 (SLC10A1) 800 C>T and ATP‐binding cassette B11 (ABCB11) 1331T>C, and the FXR ‐1G>T polymorphism were genotyped in 26 male Chinese subjects who ingested single oral 500‐mg doses of UDCA. Plasma concentrations of UDCA and its major conjugate metabolite glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) were determined. The mean systemic exposure of UDCA was higher in the five subjects with one copy of the FXR ‐1G>T variant allele than in those homozygous for the wild‐type allele (n = 21) (AUC0–24 h: 38.5 ± 28.2 vs. 20.9 ± 8.0 μg h/mL, P = 0.021), but this difference appeared mainly due to one outlier with the ‐1GT genotype and elevated baseline and post‐treatment UDCA concentrations. After excluding the outlier, body weight was the only factor associated with plasma concentrations of UDCA and there were no significant associations with the other polymorphisms examined. None of the polymorphisms affected the pharmacokinetics of GUDCA. This study showed that the common polymorphisms in bile acid transporters had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of exogenous UDCA but an effect of the FXR polymorphism cannot be excluded.
The RNA chaperone Hfq enables the environmental stress tolerance super‐phenotype of Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Arce‐Rodríguez Alejandro , Calles Belén , Nikel Pablo I. , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: September 2015

The natural physiological regime of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida involves incessant exposure to endogenous metabolic conflicts and environmental physicochemical insults. Yet, the role of assisted small RNA–mRNA pairing in the stress tolerance super‐phenotype that is the trademark of this bacterium has not been accredited. We have thoroughly explored the physiological consequences –in particular those related to exogenous stress – of deleting the hfq gene of P. putida, which encodes the major RNA chaperone that promotes sRNA–target mRNA interactions. While the overall trend was a general weakening of every robustness descriptor of the Δhfq strain, growth parameters and production of central metabolic enzymes were comparatively less affected than other qualities that depend directly on energy status (e.g. motility, DNA repair). The overall catalytic vigour of the mutant decreased to < 20% than the wild‐type strain, as estimated from the specific growth rate of cells carrying the catabolic TOL plasmid pWW0 for m‐xylene biodegradation. Several loss‐of‐function phenotypes could be traced to the effect of the Δhfq deletion on the intracellular contents of the stationary sigma factor RpoS. It thus seems that Hfq, while not indispensable for any essential function, contributes to shape the environmental lifestyle of P. putida.
Free Shiga toxin 1‐encoding bacteriophages are less prevalent than Shiga toxin 2 phages in extraintestinal environments
Authors: Grau‐Leal Ferran , Quirós Pablo , Martínez‐Castillo Alexandre , Muniesa Maite
Published: September 2015

Stx bacteriophages are involved in the pathogenicity of Stx‐producing Escherichia coli. Induction of the Stx phage lytic cycle increases Stx expression and releases Stx phages that reach extracellular environments. Stx phage family comprises different phages that harbour any stx subtype. Stx2 is closely related with severe disease and therefore previous studies focused on free Stx2 phages in extraintestinal environments. To provide similar information regarding Stx1 phages, we evaluate free Stx1 phages in 357 samples of human and animal wastewater, faeces, river water, soil, sludge and food. Our method, based on quantification of stx1 in the DNA from the viral fraction, was validated using electron microscopy counting of phages and infectivity. The overall prevalence of Stx1 phages was very low: 7.6% of positive samples and values below 3 × 103 GC (gene copies) ml−1. These results contrast starkly with the abundance of Stx2 phages in the samples (68.4%). This environmental scarcity of free Stx1 phages is attributed to their lower rates of induction and the fact that Stx1 does not require phage induction to be expressed because it possesses an independent promoter. The implications of the low prevalence of free Stx1 phages for the emergence of new pathogenic strains in the environment are discussed.
Antiretroviral therapy and changing patterns of HIV stigmatisation in Entebbe, Uganda
Authors: Russell Steve , Zalwango Flavia , Namukwaya Stella , Katongole Joseph , Muhumuza Richard , Nalugya Ruth , Seeley Janet
Published: September 2015

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has the potential to change processes of HIV stigmatisation. In this article, changing processes of stigmatisation among a group of people living with HIV (PLWH) on ART in Wakiso District, Uganda, are analysed using qualitative data from a study of PLWH's self‐management of HIV on ART. There were 38 respondents (20 women, 18 men) who had been taking ART for at least 1 year. They were purposefully selected from government and non‐government ART providers. Two in‐depth interviews were held with each participant. Processes of reduced self‐stigmatisation were clearly evident, caused by the recovery of their physical appearance and support from health workers. However most participants continued to conceal their status because they anticipated stigma; for example, they feared gossip, rejection and their status being used against them. Anticipated stigma was gendered: women expressed greater fear of enacted forms of stigma such as rejection by their partner; in contrast men's fears focused on gossip, loss of dignity and self‐stigmatisation. The evidence indicates that ART has not reduced underlying structural drivers of stigmatisation, notably gender identities and inequalities, and that interventions are still required to mitigate and tackle stigmatisation, such as counselling, peer‐led education and support groups that can help PLWH reconstruct alternative and more positive identities.

A video abstract of this article can be found at: https://youtu.be/WtIaZJQ3Y_8
HIV stigma and the experiences of young men with voluntary and routine HIV testing
Authors: Knight Rod , Small Will , Shoveller Jean A.
Published: September 2015

As routine HIV testing approaches are implemented to enhance participation rates in HIV testing, it is often widely believed that these approaches are socially and ethically justifiable given the underlying assumption that these practices will result in the widespread reduction of HIV‐related stigma. Nonetheless, a variety of empirical and theoretical gaps on how HIV testing practices may impact on HIV stigma remain, raising questions about the social underpinnings of the public health rationale. We draw on 50 interviews with 18–24 year‐old men to determine how HIV‐related stigma is experienced differentially across subgroups of young men in relation to both voluntary and routine testing practices. The men's experiences with routine testing highlight how (mis)interpretations of universal, routine testing practices may serve to (unintentionally) burden disadvantaged subgroups of men; however, when these practices are adequately explicated, the universal dimension of a routine offer greatly diminished these concerns. These findings also show that, under the right conditions, a routine offer can provide transformative opportunities for individuals to reconceptualise their expectations over HIV and HIV‐related stigma.
Molecular Modification of Polysaccharides and Resulting Bioactivities
Authors: Li Shijie , Xiong Qingping , Lai Xiaoping , Li Xia , Wan Mianjie , Zhang Jingnian , Yan Yajuan , Cao Man , Lu Lun , Guan Jiemin , Zhang Danyan , Lin Ying
Published: September 2015

Polysaccharides are ideal natural resources for supplements and pharmaceuticals that have received more and more attention over the years. Natural polysaccharides have been shown to have fewer side effects, but because of their inherently physicochemical properties, their bioactivities were difficult to compare with those of synthetic drugs. Thus, researchers have modified the structures and properties of natural polysaccharides based on structure–activity relationships and have obtained better functionally improved polysaccharides. This review focuses on the major modification methods of polysaccharides, and discusses the effect of molecular modification on their physicochemical properties and bioactivities. Molecular modification methods mainly include chemical, physical, and biological changes. Chemical modification is the most widely used method; it can significantly increase the water solubility and bioactivities of polysaccharides by grafting onto other groups. Physical and biological modifications only change the molecular weight of a polysaccharide, and thereby change its physicochemical properties and bioactivities. Most of the molecular modifications bring about an increase in the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides, and among these, sulfated and acetylated modifications are very common. Furthermore, phosphorylation modification is the most common application to increase antitumor activity, and modified polysaccharides have been shown to have anti‐HIV activity as the result of sulfated modification.
Calcium and Phosphorus Detection Using Benchtop Versus Handheld X‐ray Fluorescence Spectrometers
Authors: Kuzel Aaron R. , Christensen Angi M. , Marvin Susan M.
Published: September 2015

Elemental analysis of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) has been shown to be useful in differentiating skeletal and nonskeletal material. X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is an attractive, nondestructive technique for forensic anthropologists, and the development of portable XRF instrumentation is promising for field applications. This study examines the performance of handheld XRF instrumentation operated in air compared to a traditional benchtop XRF device that has the ability to control the analysis atmosphere. Both instruments can be used to effectively distinguish skeletal from nonskeletal remains. However, as the measurement atmosphere affects detection levels for calcium and phosphorus, Ca/P ratios obtained from the instruments and analysis conditions were found to differ significantly, with analyses conducted in air showing significantly lower phosphorus detection. Consequently, comparison of Ca/P ratios to conclude skeletal versus nonskeletal origin must be based on data collected under similar analysis conditions.
Agreement between Pleth Variability Index and oesophageal Doppler to predict fluid responsiveness
Authors: Bahlmann H. , Hahn R. G. , Nilsson L.
Published: September 2015

Background

Optimisation of stroke volume using oesophageal Doppler is an established technique to guide intraoperative fluid therapy. The method has practical limitations and therefore alternative indices of fluid responsiveness, such as ventilator‐induced variation in the pulse oximetric signal (Pleth Variability Index (PVI)) could be considered. We hypothesised that both methods predict fluid responsiveness in a similar way.

Methods

Seventy‐five patients scheduled for open major abdominal surgery were randomised to fluid optimisation using fluid bolus algorithms based on either PVI (n = 35) or Doppler (n = 39). All patients were monitored with both methods; the non‐guiding method was blind. Primary endpoint was the concordance between the methods to predict fluid responsiveness. We also analysed the ability of each method to predict a stroke volume increase ≥ 10% after a fluid bolus, as well as the accumulated intraoperative bolus fluid volume.

Results

PVI indicated a need for fluid in one‐third of the situations when Doppler did so, Cohen's kappa = 0.03. A fluid bolus indicated by the PVI algorithm increased stroke volume by ≥ 10% in half the situations. The same was found for the Doppler algorithm. The mean total bolus volume given was 878 ml when the fluid management was governed by PVI compared to 826 ml with Doppler (P = 0.71).

Conclusion

PVI‐ and Doppler‐based stroke volume optimisations agreed poorly, which did not affect the amount of fluid administered. None of the algorithms showed a good ability to predict fluid responsiveness. Our results do not support the fluid responsiveness concept.
Effects of repeated social defeat on adolescent mice on cocaine‐induced CPP and self‐administration in adulthood: integrity of the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Rodríguez‐Arias Marta , Montagud‐Romero Sandra , Rubio‐Araiz Ana , Aguilar María A. , Martín‐García Elena , Cabrera Roberto , Maldonado Rafael , Porcu Francesca , Colado María Isabel , Miñarro José
Published: September 2015

Social stress in adulthood enhances cocaine self‐administration, an effect that has been related with an increase in extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and p38α mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation. A detrimental effect of cocaine on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity has also been reported. This study evaluates the effects of repeated social defeat (RSD) during adolescence on the reinforcing and motivational effects of cocaine in adult mice and the changes induced by RSD on BBB permeability. Cocaine self‐administration, conditioned place preference and quantitative analysis of claudin‐5, laminin, collagen‐IV and IgG immunoreactivity took place 3 weeks after RSD. Mice socially defeated during adolescence developed conditioned place preference and exhibited reinstated preference with a non‐effective dose of cocaine (1 mg/kg). RSD mice needed significantly more sessions than control animals for the preference induced by 25 mg/kg of cocaine to be extinguished. However, acquisition of cocaine self‐administration (0.5 mg/kg per injection) was delayed in the RSD group. Mice exposed to RSD displayed significant changes in BBB structure in adulthood, with a marked reduction in expression of the tight junction protein claudin‐5 and an increase in basal laminin degradation (reflected by a decrease in laminin and collagen‐IV expression) in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus. The detrimental effect induced by cocaine (25 mg/kg) on collagen‐IV expression in the hippocampus was more pronounced in RSD mice. In summary, our findings suggest that stress and cocaine can increase the long‐term vulnerability of the brain to subsequent environmental insults as a consequence of a sustained disruption of the BBB.
COLQ variant associated with Devon Rex and Sphynx feline hereditary myopathy
Authors: Gandolfi Barbara , Grahn Robert A. , Creighton Erica K. , Williams D. Colette , Dickinson Peter J. , Sturges Beverly K. , Guo Ling T. , Shelton G. Diane , Leegwater Peter A. J. , Longeri Maria , Malik Richard , Lyons Leslie A.
Published: September 2015

Some Devon Rex and Sphynx cats have a variably progressive myopathy characterized by appendicular and axial muscle weakness, megaesophagus, pharyngeal weakness and fatigability with exercise. Muscle biopsies from affected cats demonstrated variable pathological changes ranging from dystrophic features to minimal abnormalities. Affected cats have exacerbation of weakness following anticholinesterase dosing, a clue that there is an underlying congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). A genome‐wide association study and whole‐genome sequencing suggested a causal variant for this entity was a c.1190G>A variant causing a cysteine to tyrosine substitution (p.Cys397Tyr) within the C‐terminal domain of collagen‐like tail subunit (single strand of homotrimer) of asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (COLQ). Alpha‐dystroglycan expression, which is associated with COLQ anchorage at the motor end‐plate, has been shown to be deficient in affected cats. Eighteen affected cats were identified by genotyping, including cats from the original clinical descriptions in 1993 and subsequent publications. Eight Devon Rex and one Sphynx not associated with the study were identified as carriers, suggesting an allele frequency of ~2.0% in Devon Rex. Over 350 tested cats from other breeds did not have the variant. Characteristic clinical features and variant presence in all affected cats suggest a model for COLQ CMS. The association between the COLQ variant and this CMS affords clinicians the opportunity to confirm diagnosis via genetic testing and permits owners and breeders to identify carriers in the population. Moreover, accurate diagnosis increases available therapeutic options for affected cats based on an understanding of the pathophysiology and experience from human CMS associated with COLQ variants.
Visual impairment and vision‐related quality of life in the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial after 20 years of follow‐up
Authors: Peters Dorothea , Heijl Anders , Brenner Lena , Bengtsson Boel
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To determine the association between vision‐related quality of life (VRQOL) and levels of visual function loss in the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial (EMGT).

Methods

Two hundred and fifty‐five patients were included in the EMGT between 1993 and 1997 and followed regularly by ophthalmic examinations. A Swedish translation of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ‐25) was self‐administered at several follow‐up visits until 2014. We analysed the association between Rasch‐calibrated NEI VFQ‐25 scores and visual function in the best eye at the final follow‐up visit.

Results

Ninety‐one per cent (233/255) of all participants completed the NEI VFQ‐25 at least once. In univariate logistic regression analysis, NEI VFQ‐25 scores were modestly associated with visual acuity (VA) (r2 = 0.330, p < 0.001), visual field index (VFI) (r2 = 0.200, p < 0.001) and perimetric mean deviation (MD) (r2 = 0.193, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, VA and VFI together accounted for approximately 40% (r2 = 0.380) of the NEI VFQ‐25 scores. NEI VFQ‐25 scores were significantly higher for patients with no visual impairment (mean 73 ± 22) than for visually impaired patients (mean 31 ± 15, p < 0.001). VFI worse than 50% or MD worse than −18 dB was significantly associated with low VRQOL scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results support the widespread, albeit arbitrary, use of a better‐eye visual field of <50% as an important threshold for a significant reduction in VRQOL.
Maternal pain influences her evaluation of recurrent pain in 6‐ to 11‐year‐old healthy children
Authors: Graungaard Anette Hauskov , Siersma Volkert , Lykke Kirsten , Ertmann Ruth Kirk , Knudsen Lisbeth E. , Mäkelä Marjukka
Published: September 2015

Aim

Children with recurrent pain rely on their parents to acknowledge it. We compared pain reported by healthy children and their mothers, to evaluate their agreement, and also looked at the effect of maternal health on children's pain.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based survey in Danish public schools. The participants were 131 healthy children aged 6–11 years and their mothers. The main outcome measures were the prevalence of recurrent pain reported by the mother and child, agreements between their reports and any associations between the child's pain, socio‐demographic characteristics and maternal health factors.

Results

Recurrent pain was reported by nearly one‐third (31%) of the children and their mothers. A quarter (25%) of the mother–child pairs disagreed on the existence of pain in the child, and a third (33%) disagreed on the frequency and duration. When the data were adjusted for child characteristics and socio‐demographic parameters, mothers who had chronic pain were five times more likely to report frequent pain in their children than mothers without pain. This is a new finding.

Conclusion

Maternal health factors may influence her evaluation of her child's pain. Family health and pain behaviour should be considered when recurrent pain is suspected in a child.
Impact of International Remittances on Schooling in the Philippines: Does the Relationship to the Household Head Matter?
Authors: Fujii Tomoki
Published: September 2015

We study the impact of international remittances on schooling in the Philippines, taking into account the school‐age individual's relationship to the household head. This consideration is important because employment opportunities abroad may be taken at the expense of the quality of child rearing. Our estimation results indicate that there are, indeed, significant negative guardian effects on school attendance and education expenditures when children with overseas parents are looked after by a relative other than a parent or grandparent. However, these negative effects tend to be outweighed by the positive impact of remittance flows from overseas.
Ceftriaxone attenuates acute cocaine‐evoked dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of the rat
Authors: Barr J L , Rasmussen B A , Tallarida C S , Scholl J L , Forster G L , Unterwald E M , Rawls S M
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose

Ceftriaxone is a β‐lactam antibiotic and glutamate transporter activator that reduces the reinforcing effects of psychostimulants. Ceftriaxone also reduces locomotor activation following acute psychostimulant exposure, suggesting that alterations in dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens contribute to its mechanism of action. In the present studies we tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with ceftriaxone disrupts acute cocaine‐evoked dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens.

Experimental Approach

Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were pretreated with saline or ceftriaxone (200 mg kg−1, i.p. × 10 days) and then challenged with cocaine (15 mg kg−1, i.p.). Motor activity, dopamine efflux (via in vivo microdialysis) and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the dopamine transporter and organic cation transporter as well as α‐synuclein, Akt and GSK3β were analysed in the nucleus accumbens.

Key Results

Ceftriaxone‐pretreated rats challenged with cocaine displayed reduced locomotor activity and accumbal dopamine efflux compared with saline‐pretreated controls challenged with cocaine. The reduction in cocaine‐evoked dopamine levels was not counteracted by excitatory amino acid transporter 2 blockade in the nucleus accumbens. Pretreatment with ceftriaxone increased Akt/GSK3β signalling in the nucleus accumbens and reduced levels of dopamine transporter, TH and phosphorylated α‐synuclein, indicating that ceftriaxone affects numerous proteins involved in dopaminergic transmission.

Conclusions and Implications

These results are the first evidence that ceftriaxone affects cocaine‐evoked dopaminergic transmission, in addition to its well‐described effects on glutamate, and suggest that its ability to attenuate cocaine‐induced behaviours, such as psychomotor activity, is due in part to reduced dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens.
The Runaway Production Complex? The Film Industry as a Driver of Urban Economic Revitalization in the United States
Authors: Gautney Heather , Rhomberg Chris
Published: September 2015

Cities and states across the United States have turned to cultural industries to revitalize their economies, but we argue that the dynamics of agglomeration and labor market governance are crucial to the prospects for local economic growth from these sectors. This paper analyzes recent changes in the American film industry, traditionally a “high road” model of flexible production and employment. We examine the rapid rise of state tax incentives and spatial dispersal of production within the United States, the destabilization of traditional industrial complexes in California and New York, and the development of new centers in states like Louisiana and New Mexico. Our findings suggest that the spatial fragmentation of the industry is undermining established forms of regulation, introducing a new volatility in the labor market, and challenging the ability of localities to benefit from growth in the industry.
Reproducibility of incremental maximal cycle ergometer tests in healthy recreationally active subjects
Authors: Dideriksen Kasper , Mikkelsen Ulla Ramer
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Testing of the ventilatory threshold (VT) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is relevant for the evaluation of a range of training studies, clinical trials and cross‐sectional studies. Due to a possible learning effect, a familiarization test is often performed to increase test reproducibility. However, limited research has investigated this learning effect and reproducibility of maximal exercise testing. The most appropriate ways to determine VT and VO2peak are not clear, and this study evaluated two approaches (V‐slope and a combined method) for the determination of VT and five time‐averaging intervals (60, 30, 15, 10 and 5 s) for the determination of VO2peak to compare test results and reproducibility.

Methods

Thirteen recreational triathletes completed three identical incremental maximal cycle ergometer tests. The initial workload was 75 and 100 watt (W) for women and men, respectively, and the workload was increased by 4 W/10 s thereafter. No familiarization test was performed.

Results

VO2peak increased significantly as the time‐averaging interval became shorter (e.g. 5‐s interval 48·7 versus 60‐s interval 44·8 ml O2 kg−1 min−1; overall P<0·001). All test results were similar for the three test rounds, indicating that repeated testing was not associated with any learning effect. The different VT measuring methods (CV 7·6 versus 7·7%, P = 0·58) and VO2peak time‐averaging intervals (CV 3·7–4·4%, P = 0·99) did not influence test reliability.

Conclusions

The reproducibility of VT and VO2peak was not affected by measuring methods and time‐averaging intervals. However, the time‐averaging intervals significantly affect the absolute VO2peak values. Furthermore, no learning effect of maximal cycle ergometer testing was observed.
Body composition, maximal aerobic performance and inflammatory biomarkers in endurance‐trained athletes
Authors: Jürimäe Jaak , Tillmann Vallo , Purge Priit , Jürimäe Toivo
Published: September 2015

This study was designed to examine the relationships between body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and simultaneously measured inflammatory parameters in endurance‐trained athletes. In 20 well‐trained rowers (19·0 ± 2·9 years; 185·6 ± 4·8 cm; 85·7 ± 10·8 kg; 17·1 ± 5·1% body fat; maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max]: 63·9 ± 8·5 ml min−1 kg−1), body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and cardiorespiratory fitness by direct VO2max test. Twelve inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, vascular endothelial growth factor, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, IL‐1α, IL‐1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), epidermal growth factor (EGF)] were analysed from serum samples. Serum IFN‐γ was related (P<0·05) to fat‐free mass (FFM) (r = −0·56) and muscle mass (r = −0·50). The stepwise regression analysis showed that IFN‐γ explained 27·5%, and IFN‐γ and IL‐6 together explained 39·8% of the variability of FFM, while IFN‐γ explained 21·1%, and IFN‐γ together with EGF explained 36·6% of the variability of muscle mass in male rowers. Serum IL‐8 (r = −0·65) and VEGF (r = −0·48) correlated (P<0·05) with VO2max kg−1. Serum IL‐8 explained 38·5% of the variability of VO2max kg−1. Significant correlations were also found among several inflammatory parameters, indicating that various inflammatory cytokines act on the body as an ensemble. In conclusion, this cross‐sectional study in endurance‐trained male rowers showed that FFM and muscle mass were negatively correlated with serum IFN‐γ level, whereas cardiorespiratory fitness was negatively related to serum IL‐8 level.
Comparing 10‐yr renal outcomes in deceased donor and living donor liver transplants
Authors: Sandal Shaifali , Almudevar Anthony , Parajuli Sandesh , Bose Anirban
Published: September 2015

Few studies have explored whether the type of LT, deceased donor LT (DDLT) or living donor LT (LDLT), impacts long‐term renal outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of 220 LT recipients at our institution to study their renal outcomes at 10 yr. Exclusion criteria were age ≤ 18 yr, graft survival ≤6 months, and multiorgan transplants; 108 DDLTs and 62 LDLTs were eligible. At baseline, DDLTs had a lower eGFR than LDLTs and 10.2% of DDLTs were on dialysis as compared to 0% of LDLTs. At 10 yr, seven DDLT and three LDLT recipients required dialysis or renal transplant (p = 0.75). In recipients with graft survival >6 months, DDLTs had a slower decline in eGFR as compared to LDLTs (p < 0.01). Among LDLTs, the decline in eGFR continued over the entire 10‐yr period, whereas among DDLTs, the decline in eGFR slowed significantly after six months (p = 0.01). This difference between the two groups was not seen among patients in the highest quartile of baseline eGFR. Patient survival and graft survival were similar. In conclusion, the incidence of end‐stage renal disease was similar in both DDLT and LDLT patients, but LDLT recipients seem to have a more sustained decline in eGFR when compared with DDLT recipients.
Addressing the overdose epidemic requires timely access to data to guide interventions
Authors: Davis Corey S. , Green Traci C. , Zaller Nickolas D.
Published: September 2015

Fatal opioid overdose, the leading cause of injury death in the USA, is regularly described as an epidemic. The response to the overdose crisis, however, has largely failed to utilise many of the public health tools that have proven effective in combating epidemics. Chief among these is the systematic and timely use of data by public health officials to track outbreaks and effectively target interventions. This failure is particularly acute regarding data from prescription monitoring programmes, which are routinely used by clinicians and law enforcement agents, but often unavailable to health officials. We argue for a shift in emphasis and resources towards an evidence‐based public health approach to data use for overdose prevention. [Davis CS, Green TC, Zaller ND. Addressing the overdose epidemic requires timely access to data to guide interventions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:383–386]