bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conflict and cooperation in eukaryogenesis: implications for the timing of endosymbiosis and the evolution of sex
Authors: Radzvilavicius Arunas L. , Blackstone Neil W.
Published: July 2015

The complex eukaryotic cell is a result of an ancient endosymbiosis and one of the major evolutionary transitions. The timing of key eukaryotic innovations relative to the acquisition of mitochondria remains subject to considerable debate, yet the evolutionary process itself might constrain the order of these events. Endosymbiosis entailed levels-of-selection conflicts, and mechanisms of conflict mediation had to evolve for eukaryogenesis to proceed. The initial mechanisms of conflict mediation were based on the pathways inherited from prokaryotic symbionts and led to metabolic homeostasis in the eukaryotic cell, while later mechanisms (e.g., mitochondrial gene transfer) contributed to the expansion of the eukaryotic genome. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for conflict arose with the emergence of sex involving whole-cell fusion. While early evolution of cell fusion may have affected symbiont acquisition, sex together with the competitive symbiont behaviour would have destabilized the emerging higher-level unit. Cytoplasmic mixing, on the other hand, would have been beneficial for selfish endosymbionts, capable of using their own metabolism to manipulate the life history of the host. Given the results of our mathematical modelling, we argue that sex represents a rather late proto-eukaryotic innovation, allowing for the growth of the chimeric nucleus and contributing to the successful completion of the evolutionary transition.
Ancestral gene synteny reconstruction improves extant species scaffolding
Authors: Anselmetti Yoann , Berry Vincent , Chauve Cedric , Chateau Annie , Tannier Eric , Bérard Sèverine
Published: July 2015

We exploit the methodological similarity between ancestral genome reconstruction and extant genome scaffolding. We present a method, called ART-DECOthat constructs neighborhood relationships between genes or contigs, in both ancestral and extant genomes, in a phylogenetic context. It is able to handle dozens of complete genomes, including genes with complex histories, by using gene phylogenies reconciled with a species tree, that is, annotated with speciation, duplication and loss events. Reconstructed ancestral or extant synteny comes with a support computed from an exhaustive exploration of the solution space. We compare our method with a previously published one that follows the same goal on a small number of genomes with universal unicopy genes. Then we test it on the whole Ensembl database, by proposing partial ancestral genome structures, as well as a more complete scaffolding for many partially assembled genomes on 69 eukaryote species. We carefully analyze a couple of extant adjacencies proposed by our method, and show that they are indeed real links in the extant genomes, that were missing in the current assembly. On a reduced data set of 39 eutherian mammals, we estimate the precision and sensitivity of ART-DECOby simulating a fragmentation in some well assembled genomes, and measure how many adjacencies are recovered. We find a very high precision, while the sensitivity depends on the quality of the data and on the proximity of closely related genomes.
Exploration and exploitation of homologous series of bis(acrylamido)alkanes containing pyridyl and phenyl groups: β-sheetversustwo-dimensional layers in solid-state photochemical [2 + 2] reactions
Authors: Garai Mousumi , Biradha Kumar
Published: July 2015

The homologous series of phenyl and pyridyl substituted bis(acrylamido)alkanes have been synthesized with the aim of systematic analysis of their crystal structures and their solid-state [2 + 2] reactivities. The changes in the crystal structures with respect to a small change in the molecular structure, that is by varying alkyl spacers between acrylamides and/or by varying the end groups (phenyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl) on the C-terminal of the amide, were analyzed in terms of hydrogen-bonding interference (N—H...NpyversusN—H...O=C) and network geometries. In this series, a greater tendency towards the formation of N—H...O hydrogen bonds (β-sheets and two-dimensional networks) over N—H...N hydrogen bonds was observed. Among all the structures seven structures were found to have the required alignments of double bonds for the [2 + 2] reaction such that the formations of single dimer, double dimer and polymer are facilitated. However, only four structures were found to exhibit such a solid-state [2 + 2] reaction to form a single dimer and polymers. The two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding layerviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds was found to promote solid-state [2 + 2] photo-polymerization in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal manner. Such two-dimensional layers were encountered only when the spacer between acryl amide moieties is butyl. Only four out of the 16 derivatives were found to form hydrates, two each from 2-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl derivatives. The water molecules in these structures govern the hydrogen-bonding networks by the formation of an octameric water cluster and one-dimensional zigzag water chains. The trends in the melting points and densities were also analyzed.
Percolating hierarchical defect structures drive phase transformation in Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2: a total scattering study
Authors: Scavini Marco , Coduri Mauro , Allieta Mattia , Masala Paolo , Cappelli Serena , Oliva Cesare , Brunelli Michela , Orsini Francesco , Ferrero Claudio
Published: July 2015

A new hierarchical approach is presented for elucidating the structural disorder in Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2solid solutions on different scale lengths. The primary goal of this investigation is to shed light on the relations between the short-range and the average structure of these materialsviaan analysis of disorder on the mesocopic scale. Real-space (pair distribution function) and reciprocal-space (Rietveld refinement and microstructure probing) analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data and electron spin resonance (ESR) investigations were carried out following this approach. On the local scale, Gd- and Ce-richdroplets(i.e.small regions a few ångströms wide) form, exhibiting either a distorted fluorite (CeO2) or a C-type (Gd2O3) structure in the whole compositional range. These droplets can then form C-type nanodomains which, for Gd concentrationsxGd≤ 0.25, are embedded in the fluorite matrix. At the site percolation thresholdpCfor a cubic lattice (xGd=pC≃ 0.311), C-type nanodomains percolate inside each crystallite and a structural phase transformation is observed. When this occurs, the peak-to-peak ESR line width ΔHppshows a step-like behaviour, which can be associated with the increase in Gd–Gd dipolar interactions. A general crystallographic rationale is presented to explain the fluorite-to-C-type phase transformation. The approach shown here could be adopted more generally in the analysis of disorder in other highly doped materials.
Crystal structure of 3-bromoacetyl-6-chloro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one
Authors: Chennuru Ramanaiah , Maddimsetti Balaji , Gundlapalli Suman , Babu R. Ravi Chandra , Mahapatra Sudarshan
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C11H6BrClO3, the benzopyran ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.036 (2) Å for the O atom. The Cl and Br atoms are displaced by −0.0526 (8) and 0.6698 (3) Å, respectively, from the mean plane of this ring system. In the crystal, two pairs of weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds to the same acceptor O atom link molecules into inversion dimers.
Crystal structure oftrans-1-{2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethyl}-4-[2-(pyren-1-yl)ethyl]cyclohexane
Authors: Thekku Veedu Sreevidya , Techert Simone
Published: July 2015

The title compound, C34H37N, is a pyrene derivative in which the pyrene ring system is linked to an ethylcyclohexane unit which, in turn, carries a [4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethyl substituent in theparaposition. The central cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation, with the exocyclic C—C bonds in equatorial orientations. The benzene ring is inclined to the mean plane of the pyrene ring system [maximum deviation = 0.038 (4) Å] by 14.84 (15)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming chains propagating along [010]. The crystal was refined as a non-merohedral twin [domain ratio = 0.9989 (4):0.0011 (4)].
Crystal structure of 2-cyano-N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)acetamide. Corrigendum
Authors: Subhadramma Shivanna , Siddaraju Budanur Papaiah , Naveen Chandra , Saravanan Janardhanan , Gayathri Dasararaju
Published: July 2015

The address of one of the authors in the paper by Subhadrammaet al.[Acta Cryst.(2015), E71, o455–o456] is corrected.
Crystal structure of 7,8-benzocoumarin-4-acetic acid
Authors: Swamy R. Ranga , Gowda Ramakrishna , Gowda K. V. Arjuna , Basanagouda Mahantesha
Published: July 2015

The fused-ring system in the title compound [systematic name: 2-(2-oxo-2H-benzo[h]chromen-4-yl)acetic acid], C15H10O4, is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.031 Å) and the Car—C—C=O (ar = aromatic) torsion angle for the side chain is −134.4 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating [100]C(8) chains, where the acceptor atom is the exocyclic O atom of the fused-ring system. The packing is consolidated by a very weak C—H...O hydrogen bond to the same acceptor atom. Together, these interactions lead to undulating (001) layers in the crystal.
Crystal structure of cyclosulfamuron
Authors: Kang Gihaeng , Kim Jineun , Kwon Eunjin , Kim Tae Ho
Published: July 2015

The title compound (systematic name: 1-{[2-(cyclopropylcarbonyl)anilino]sulfonyl}-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea), C17H19N5O6S, is a pyrimidinylsulfonylurea herbicide. The dihedral angles between the mean planes of the central benzene ring and the cyclopropyl and pyrimidinyl rings are 75.32 (9) and 88.79 (4)°, respectively. The C atoms of the methoxy groups lie almost in the plane of the pyrimidine ring [deviations = 0.043 (2) and 0.028 (2) Å] and intramolecular N—H...N, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds all closeS(6) rings. In the crystal, N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.6175 (9) and 3.7068 (9) Å] link adjacent molecules, forming a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of potassium (1S)-D-lyxit-1-ylsulfonate monohydrate
Authors: Haines Alan H. , Hughes David L.
Published: July 2015

The title compound, K+·C5H11O8S−·H2O [systematic name: potassium (1S,2S,3S,4R)-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentane-1-sulfonate monohydrate], formed by reaction of D-lyxose with potassium hydrogen sulfite in water, crystallizes as colourless square prisms. The anion has an open-chain structure in which the S atom, the C atoms of the sugar chain and the oxygen atom of the hydroxymethyl group form an essentially all-transchain with the corresponding torsion angles lying between 178.61 (12) and 157.75 (10)°. A three-dimensional bonding network exists in the crystal structure involving coordination of two crystallographically independent potassium ions by O atoms (one cation being hexa- and the other octa-coordinate, with each lying on a twofold rotation axis), and extensive intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonding.
Crystal structure of undecapotassium bis[α-hemipentahydrogen hexamolybdoplatinate(IV)] dodecahydrate
Authors: Joo Hea-Chung , Park Ki-Min , Lee Uk
Published: July 2015

The title compound, K11[α-Pt(μ3-OH)2(μ3-OH0.5)Mo6(μ3-O)3(μ2-O)6O12]2·12H2O (simplified chemical formula K11[H2.5PtMo6O24]2·12H2O), containing the well-known Anderson-type heteropolyoxomolybdate anion, was obtained by hydrothermal reaction at pH =ca6.0. The complete polyanion dimer has 2/msymmetry. The locations of the H atoms with respect to protonated O atoms were obtained from difference Fourier maps, and confirmed by the interpolyanion hydrogen bonds, bond-length elongation and bond-valence sums (BVSs). The title heteropolyanion has two types of protonated O atomsviz.μ3-OH, {Mo2–O(H)–Pt} and μ3-OH0.5(disordered H atom). The [H2.5α-PtMo6O24]5.5−polyanion forms a dimer, [(H2.5α-PtMo6O24)2]11−, held together by two pairs of μ3-O—H...μ1-O and of one disordered μ3-O...H...μ3-O hydrogen bonds. Three K+ions are located on special positions (two on twofold rotation axes, one on a mirror plane), and two K+ions are located on general positions with a reduced occupancy of 0.5. The remaining K+ion has a reduced occupancy of 0.25 for charge balance and reasonable displacement parameters. As a result, the numbers of K+and H+ions in the title compound are 5.5 and 2.5, respectively.
Does Islamic bank financing contribute to economic growth? The Malaysian case
Authors: Hachicha Nejib , Ben Amar Amine
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the impact of the Islamic Bank Financing on Malaysia’s economic growth over the period 2000Q1-2011Q4.

Design/methodology/approach

– A neoclassical production function augmented by some indicators of Islamic bank finance has been the theoretical framework for this paper’s empirical investigation. The unit root tests show that all the variables are integrated of order 1. The test of Johansen and Juselius (1990) has shown the existence of a single cointegrating relationship between the gross domestic product (GDP), the investment, the labor force and the indicator of Islamic bank finance. Hence, an error correction model has been constructed to estimate the economic growth elasticity with respect to the different Islamic bank finance indicators.

Findings

– The estimated elasticities show that, in the long run, the GDP in Malaysia is not sensitive to the Islamic financing. The estimation of an error correction model shows that the elasticity of the Malaysian output with respect to the different Islamic financing indicators in the short run turn around 0.35. Thus, the effect of the different Islamic finance indicators on the economic growth in the long run is less important than their effect in the short run. This economic result can be explained by the structure of the Islamic bank financing that marginalizes the profit-and-loss sharing (PLS)-based instruments. This turns out to be consistent with the economic reality in Malaysia, as the Islamic banks engage much more in non-participatory activities whose impact is, generally, of short term.

Social implications

– To improve the efficiency of the Malaysian Islamic banks as financial inter-mediaries that facilitate the capital accumulation and the economic growth, the paper suggests to strengthen the weight of the PLS-based instruments in the loan portfolios of the Malaysian Islamic banks. This may reduce inequalities and improve economic opportunities for people who have a high potential to contribute to the capital accumulation and the creation of the value-added.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper is two-fold. On the one hand, it provides a further contribution to the rare empirical literature relative to the impact of the Islamic finance on growth by determining the elasticity of economic growth with respect to Islamic bank financing in Malaysia. On the other hand, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper remains the first to correctly resort to the error correction model in determining this elasticity.
Gender differences in information processing and transparency: cases of apparel brands’ social responsibility claims
Authors: Bhaduri Gargi , Ha-Brookshire Jung
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to understand how male and female consumers differently evaluate sustainability claims from brands and how brands’ sustainability efforts and the presence/absence of information transparency in the claims affect their brand schemas differently.

Design/methodology/approach

– Five hundred participants were recruited for an online experiment implementing both treatment and message variance. PROCESS, a recently developed regression-based bootstrapping technique was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Males were more likely than females to rely on their existing schemas for judgment in case of Made in USA but not Fair Labor claims. The presence of information transparency in claims reduced participants’ reliance on their schemas.

Practical implications

– The findings might be helpful for brands to design marketing claims with specific customer segments to stand out amidst advertisement clutter. Especially, brands targeting male consumers might try to build strong brand schemas starting the early stages of brand image building as males tend to consistently rely on their schemas for judgment. On the other hand, brands might benefit from providing transparent information about their sustainability efforts in their claims (especially those related to Made in USA) while targeting female consumers. However, irrespective of gender, brands might benefit from making claims with information transparency.

Originality/value

– This study investigated the influence of gender in evaluation of brands’ sustainability claims and the role of information transparency in the process, thereby filling a gap in literature. It is one of the very few studies to empirically investigate not only whether males and females are different in their information processing styles but also how such differences arise.
Speaking candidly: how managers’ political stances affect consumers’ brand attitudes
Authors: Leak Roland L , Woodham Omar P , McNeil Kimberly R
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate how consumers react to corporate managers publicly espousing an ideological belief regarding a social issue. In particular, this paper investigates anger derived by consumers as a mediator explaining why consumer attitudes change.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experiment was used to present respondents with a scenario about managers espousing specific ideological beliefs. All independent and dependent variables were measured. Variable relationships were analyzed utilizing general linear models to understand direct effects and bootstrapping to understand mediation.

Findings

– When made public, managers’ stances can make multiple, possibly competing, ideologies salient to consumers. Consumer reaction to a stance is most positive when held ideological beliefs are competing and consumers anchor on one ideology in agreement with the manager’s stance, leading to less anger and enhanced brand attitudes. When competing beliefs exist, consumers minimize the importance of dissonant beliefs. Further, preexisting brand attitudes provide a halo effect which helps to determine the amount of anger derived and any potential shift in brand attitude.

Practical implications

– This paper offers insights into when a reparative brand strategy may need to be structured after a manager’s ideological stance is made public. Not all of a company’s targeted demographic will take offense, and any reparative communications may need to focus on the consumer relationship with the brand rather than an outright apology.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the literature investigating the intersection of ideology and marketing. This paper shows that there is an opportunity for managers to strategically shape marketing messages to capitalize on situations where consumers hold multiple, possibly competing ideological beliefs. Thus, this paper highlights that understanding consumers’ brand attitude shifts requires a more encompassing view of ideologies, as opposed to viewing them in isolation.
Customer responses to the CSR of banking companies
Authors: Pérez Andrea , Rodríguez del Bosque Ignacio
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply a thoroughly tested model to the study of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions impact customers’ affective and behavioural responses in the banking industry. As a contribution to the previous literature, the moderating role of the type of company (savings banks vs. commercial banks) in the conceptual model is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structural equation model is tested with information collected from 648 customers of savings banks and 476 customers of commercial banks.

Findings

– The findings demonstrate that CSR perceptions positively impact customer identification with the banking company, emotions, satisfaction, recommendation and repurchase behaviours in both samples. However, CSR is perceived differently by customers depending on the type of banking company that implements it. Thus, its effects on customers’ affective and behavioural responses are different.

Practical implications

– Practitioners should not try to promote the best CSR approach for a standardised organisation, regardless of its special industry characteristics. They should be aware of the differences customers perceive in companies to adapt their CSR initiatives to the expectations of their targets.

Originality/value

– The contributions of the paper are two-fold. On the one hand, the banking industry has been scarcely explored by previous scholars. On the other hand, the authors explain the role that the type of banking company plays in the conceptual model proposed in the paper because significant differences are observed among savings bank customers and commercial bank customers concerning their affective and behavioural responses to CSR perceptions.
The business model canvas as a platform for business information literacy instruction
Authors: O'Neill Terence William
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe how the graphic organizer the Business Model Canvas can be used as a platform for business information literacy instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is a case study of the application of the Business Model Canvas in business information literacy instruction in an academic setting.

Findings

– Entrepreneurship students can struggle to differentiate between the purposes of databases and to integrate research findings into the planning of their business. The Business Model Canvas (BMC) provides a common framework for entrepreneurship students to understand the different purposes of the many information sources available and imposes the iterative process of making and testing assumptions against research.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings discussed here are used in business and entrepreneurship classes, and thus far this process has been used with that group in mind. This case study also discusses relatively new processes; the teaching described has not yet been rigorously assessed.

Practical implications

– This process gives students practice integrating library resources into their work and understanding the use of specific resources. This model for instruction could be applied to business information literacy in entrepreneurship classes and courses in other disciplines which also incorporate project planning.

Social implications

– This process has the potential to improve the opportunity assessment process for student entrepreneurs and to enrich information-seeking practices for entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

– Little has been written about the use of graphic organizers to differentiate between information resources. This research helps address this gap, while also helping to further explore how entrepreneurship students can best use library resources while developing their business plans.
FYI for FYE: 20-minute instruction for library orientation
Authors: Hottinger Paul R , Zagami-Lopez Natalie M , Bryndzia Alexandra S
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide an understanding of the experience of developing instruction to first-year-experience (FYE) students by introducing multiple library resources in 20 minutes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Introduce FYE students to library resources using activity-based learning models. Using activity-based learning models, FYE students at Cal Poly Pomona, in Pomona, California, were introduced to multiple library resources that were woven into major library resources that fulfilled FYE competencies.

Findings

– This paper demonstrates that librarians can effectively conduct library instruction to introduce FYE students to the core library resources in a 20-minute breakout session without the use of written assessments.

Originality/value

– This paper would be beneficial for academic librarians developing library instruction for FYE students. The instruction designed within this paper provides useful examples for teaching information literacy for limited time, one-shot sessions and semester-long library instruction courses, using active teaching and learning methods that call for student participation and engagement.
Using a “virtual joint venture” to facilitate the adoption of intermodal transport
Authors: Monios Jason , Bergqvist Rickard
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine a strategic alliance between a large shipper and a freight forwarder to provide an intermodal service to and from the port of Gothenburg. The supply chain literature discusses various models of supply chain collaboration and integration. When applied to logistics, each has been shown to exhibit different levels of success depending on particular factors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is a single in-depth case paper based on action research, interviews and document analysis.

Findings

– According to this innovative model, a new entity is not set up but an open-book basis is established, long-term contracts with other parties are signed, risks and profits are shared and the shipper makes several investments specific to the service. Thus, the benefits of a joint venture are obtained without needing to establish a new organisation, thereby sacrificing flexibility and independence.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of this study is that it is based on a single case of best practice; it may be difficult to replicate the high levels of trust in other situations. Nevertheless, the evident success of this “virtual joint venture” suggests that some elements are transferable to other cases, and the model may be refined through additional case analysis.

Practical implications

– Results indicate several advantages of this “virtual joint venture” model, including risk sharing, knowledge development, long-term service stability and diversification of activities, which all contribute to facilitating the shift of a large customer from road haulage to intermodal transport. Potential challenges mainly relate to contractual complexity.

Originality/value

– This paper identifies an innovative business model for logistics integration that can be used in future in other cases to make modal shift more attractive and successful, which is a key aim of government policy in many countries.
Communicating across age-groups: variance in consumer attitudes from tweenagers to adults
Authors: Sharma Ruppal Walia
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study whether age impacts the responses to different communication cues in terms of brand recall, attitude toward advertisement, attitude toward brand and purchase intention, and which age groups respond more favorably to a given cue.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experimental research was conducted across a sample of 1,050 respondents in Delhi to test variance in consumer attitudes across “tweenagers”, teenagers, youth, young adults and adults, when exposed to different communication cues for dummy brands of biscuits and mobile handsets.

Findings

– Significant variances were observed in consumer attitudes across the five age groups. However, the variation pattern differs across the two product categories. The caricature cue worked well for biscuits across most age groups. For mobile handsets, the picture cue was very effective for the two younger age groups but not as much for others. The product information cue was highly effective for adults.

Practical implications

– The study provides insights on making communication for brands targeted at more than one age group. If adults are a part of the marketers’ age group, some amount of product information is highly desirable, just as bright pictures/caricatures are necessary for tweenagers. For teenagers, who exhibit high variance vis-a-vis other age groups, communication needs to be customized. For brands where both children and adults are part of the target audience, common appeals can easily be identified, as they had similar responses in all but one case.

Originality/value

– The framework proposed in this research fills a gap in the existing literature by establishing that age impacts attitude formation in response to communication cues and gives insights for marketing communication.
Characterization of IS26‐composite transposons and multidrug resistance in conjugative plasmids from Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ming , Yu Wen‐Liang , Huang Mei , Liu Jau‐Jin , Chen I‐Chien , Chen Huei‐Fen , Wu Lii‐Tzu
Published: July 2015

SHV‐12 is the most widespread resistance determinant of Enterobacter cloacae in Taiwan; however, blaSHV‐12 has rarely been mobilized. Six multidrug‐resistant E. cloacae isolates were collected. After conjugal transfer, plasmid profiling and analysis of incompatibility groups was performed to characterize the genetic context of blaSHV‐12‐containing fragments. The presence of mobile genetic elements was demonstrated by PCR, cloning, sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Four different β‐lactamase genes (blaTEM‐1, blaSHV‐12, blaCTX‐M‐3 and/or blaCTX‐M‐14) were observed in the conjugative plasmids belonging to the IncHI2 (n = 4), IncI1 or IncP incompatibility groups. The IS26‐blaSHV‐12‐IS26 locus was located in five different genetic environments. A novel structural organization of a class 1 integron with the aac(6')‐IIc cassette truncated by IS26 was identified in one isolate. Thus, blaSHV‐12 was obtained from different plasmids through IS26‐mediated homologous recombination. IS26 plays a vital role in the distribution of mobile resistance elements between different plasmids found in multidrug‐resistant E. cloacae isolates.
A postpartum haemorrhage package with condom uterine balloon tamponade: a prospective multi‐centre case series in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nepal
Authors: Burke TF , Ahn R , Nelson BD , Hines R , Kamara J , Oguttu M , Dulo L , Achieng E , Achieng B , Natarajan A , Maua J , Kargbo SAS , Altawil Z , Tester K , de Redon E , Niang M , Abdalla K , Eckardt MJ
Published: July 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an ultra‐low‐cost uterine balloon tamponade package (ESM‐UBT™) for facility‐based management of uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nepal.

Design

Prospective multi‐centre case series.

Setting

Facilities in resource‐scarce areas of Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nepal, and Senegal.

Population

Women with uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage in 307 facilities across the four countries.

Methods

A standardised ESM‐UBT package was implemented in 307 facilities over 29 months (1 September 2012 to 1 February 2015). Data were collected via a multi‐pronged approach including data card completion, chart reviews, and provider interviews. Beginning in August 2014, women who had previously undergone UBT placement were sought and queried regarding potential complications associated with UBT use.

Main outcome measures

All‐cause survival, survival from PPH, and post‐UBT use complications (surgery, hospitalisation, antibiotics for pelvic infection) associated with UBT use.

Results

201 UBTs were placed for uncontrolled vaginal haemorrhage refractory to all other interventions. In all, 38% (71/188) of women were either unconscious or confused at the time of UBT insertion. All‐cause survival was 95% (190/201). However, 98% (160/163) of women survived uncontrolled PPH if delivery occurred at an ESM‐UBT online facility. One (1/151) potential UBT‐associated complication (postpartum endometritis) was identified and two improvised UBTs were placed in women with a ruptured uterus.

Conclusions

These pilot data suggest that the ESM‐UBT package is a clinically promising and safe method to arrest uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage and save women's lives. The UBT was successfully placed by all levels of facility‐based providers. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of ESM‐UBT in low‐resource settings.

Tweetable abstract

Evidence for ESM‐UBT as a clinically promising and safe method to arrest uncontrolled PPH and save women's lives.
Recruitment source practices in foreign and local firms: a comparative study in Japan
Authors: Peltokorpi Vesa , Jintae Froese Fabian
Published: July 2015

While an important human resource management (HRM) function, little is known about the differences in recruitment source practices in foreign and local firms. Research on recruitment source practices is also important due to the potential HRM differences between foreign and local firms. To partially bridge this research gap, we conducted two studies to examine differences in recruitment source practices in foreign and local firms in Japan and the reasons that explain these differences. First, we conducted a qualitative, interview‐based study with 110 employees and recruitment consultants and found that not only firm ownership (foreign firm versus local firm) but also firm age, size, and industry explain differences in recruiting source practices. Second, we conducted a quantitative, survey‐based study with 800 employees in foreign and local firms to further examine contingencies in recruitment source practices. We found that foreign firms rely more on recruitment consultants but less on college recruiting, and that firm size and industry moderate the relationship between firm ownership and recruiting source practices. Taken together, our findings contribute to international HRM research by suggesting that not only firm ownership, but also firm size and industry influence recruiting source practices in foreign and local firms.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Associations Between Shyness, Drinking Motives, Alcohol Use, and Alcohol‐Related Problems
Authors: Young Chelsie M. , DiBello Angelo M. , Traylor Zachary K. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Neighbors Clayton
Published: July 2015

Background

The current study evaluated the roles of drinking motives and shyness in predicting problem alcohol use over 2 years.

Methods

First‐year college student drinkers (n = 818) completed assessments of alcohol use and related problems, shyness, and drinking motives every 6 months over a 2‐year period.

Results

Generalized linear mixed models indicated that shyness was associated with less drinking, but more alcohol‐related problems. Further, shyness was associated with coping, conformity, and enhancement drinking motives, but was not associated with social drinking motives. However, when examining coping motives, moderation analyses revealed that social drinking motives were more strongly associated with coping motives among individuals higher in shyness. In addition, coping, conformity, and enhancement motives, but not social motives, mediated associations between shyness and alcohol‐related problems over time. Finally, coping motives mediated the association between the interaction of shyness and social motives and alcohol‐related problems.

Conclusions

Together, the results suggest that shy individuals may drink to reduce negative affect, increase positive affect, and fit in with others in social situations, which may then contribute to greater risk for subsequent alcohol‐related problems.
Adolescent Drinking Risks Associated with Specific Drinking Contexts
Authors: Mair Christina , Lipperman‐Kreda Sharon , Gruenewald Paul J. , Bersamin Melina , Grube Joel W.
Published: July 2015

Background

To identify drinking contexts toward which prevention efforts should be directed, associations of context‐specific alcohol use (past‐year frequency of drinking and heavier drinking in the context) with a range of alcohol‐related problems were examined in a population sample of adolescents.

Methods

A sample of youths (ages 15 to 18) residing in 50 medium‐to‐large California cities (n = 473 drinkers) was obtained. Respondents provided information about 7 past‐year alcohol‐related problems in 3 domains (physiological consequences, alcohol‐related violence, and conflict/trouble) and the number of times in the past year they used 6 distinct drinking contexts (parties, restaurants/bars, parking lots/street corners, beaches/parks, respondent's home without parents, and someone else's home without parents). Context‐specific dose–response model was estimated for each context using censored Tobit models with heteroskedasticity corrections.

Results

Physiological problems were associated with more frequent drinking in 5 of 6 contexts. Heavier drinking in restaurants/bars/nightclubs (b = 0.22, SE = 0.10) and someone else's home without parents (b = 0.14, SE = 0.06) was associated with greater risk of violence. Conflict/trouble was associated with more frequent drinking in parking lots/street corners, declining at higher levels of drinking.

Conclusions

Certain drinking contexts are related to problems among youths, some because they are associated with frequent alcohol consumption and others because they are associated with heavier drinking. Identifying which drinking contexts are related to specific alcohol‐related problems and why is an essential component of developing effective preventive interventions.
Effect of Functionally Significant Deiodinase Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Drinking Behavior in Alcohol Dependence: An Exploratory Investigation
Authors: Lee Mary R. , Schwandt Melanie L. , Bollinger Jared W. , Dias Alexandra A. , Oot Emily N. , Goldman David , Hodgkinson Colin A. , Leggio Lorenzo
Published: July 2015

Background

Abnormalities of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid (HPT) axis have been reported in alcoholism; however, there is no definitive agreement on the specific thyroid abnormalities and their underlying mechanisms in alcohol dependence. The biological activity of thyroid hormones or the availability of T3 is regulated by the three deiodinase enzymes: D1, D2, and D3. In the context of alcohol use, functionally significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these deiodinase genes may play a role in HPT dysfunction.

Methods

This study explored the effect of three functionally significant SNPs (D1: rs2235544, D2: rs225014, and rs12885300) of deiodinase genes on drinking behavior and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in alcohol‐dependent (N = 521) and control subjects (N = 288).

Results

Rs225014 was associated with significant differences in the amount of naturalistic alcohol drinking assessed by Timeline Follow Back. Alcohol‐dependent subjects had significantly higher TSH levels compared to controls; however, there was no effect of genotype on TSH levels for either group.

Conclusions

These findings extend previous studies on thyroid dysfunction in alcoholism and provide novel, albeit preliminary, information by linking functionally significant genetic polymorphisms of the deiodinase enzymes with alcohol‐drinking behavior.
Risk Factors for Sudden Cardiac Death Among Patients with Alcohol Dependence: A Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Wu Shu‐I , Tsai Shang‐Ying , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Stewart Robert , Kuo Chian‐Jue , Chen Chiao‐Chicy
Published: July 2015

Background

Excessive alcohol consumption causes a broad range of health problems, including premature mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD). We identified potential clinical characteristics and laboratory indices associated with SCD among patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods

Patients with alcohol dependence (n = 2,793) admitted to a psychiatric center in northern Taiwan between 1985 and 2008 were linked with a national mortality database for causes of death. Of the 2,793 patients in the cohort, 67 cases died of SCD. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of SCD relative to the general population was calculated. Based on a nested case–control design, we selected a set of sex‐, age‐, and year‐of‐admission‐matched two control subjects for each case derived from the cohort. We collated the clinical information through a standardized review of patients' medical records. Conditional logistic regressions were then conducted to explore potential exposures associated with SCD.

Results

The sample had substantially higher SCD mortality (SMR 12.8) compared to the general population. After adjustments in the multivariate analyses for the clinical profiles at the index (earliest) admission, both abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) (adjusted risk ratio = 16.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60 to 179.58, p = 0.019) and elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels (adjusted risk ratio = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02, p = 0.046) were significantly associated with SCD.

Conclusions

This study raises the question of whether intensive follow‐up of patients with elevated AST and abnormal ECG findings should be evaluated as a strategy to prevent SCD in patients with alcohol dependence.
Evaluation of instant desensitization after a single topical application over 30 days: a randomized trial
Authors: Samuel SR , Khatri SG , Acharya S , Patil ST
Published: July 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ProArgin™ (8% arginine), Gluma® and NovaMin® (5% calcium phosphosilicate) in relieving dentinal hypersensitivity immediately and over 30 days following a single topical application.

Methods

A three‐cell, parallel group randomized trial was conducted among 56 patients exhibiting dentinal hypersensitivity with tooth as the unit of study. ProArgin™ paste, Gluma® Desensitizer and NovaMin® paste were applied on randomly assigned teeth in each participant. Three stimuli were tested: tactile stimulated by running an explorer and measured using VAS (1–10 scale); air blast and cold water stimulated hypersensitivity measured using the Schiff Sensitivity Scale at baseline, immediately, 15 days and 30 days after application. Friedman test and Wilcoxon test were used for within group comparisons. Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test were used for between group comparisons.

Results

All three groups showed significant reductions in hypersensitivity from baseline at all time points (p < 0.05). ProArgin™ paste elicited a significantly higher reduction in hypersensitivity (p < 0.016) compared to Gluma® and NovaMin® for all stimuli at the end of 30 days.

Conclusions

A single topical application of ProArgin™ paste is significantly more effective than both a single topical application of Gluma® and NovaMin® paste in relieving dentinal hypersensitivity immediately and over 30 days.
Pathways to rearrest among court mandated female substance use treatment patients
Authors: Kopak Albert M. , Proctor Steven L. , Hoffmann Norman G.
Published: July 2015

Background and objectives

Many women who experience substance dependence come into contact with the criminal justice system and are mandated by the court to enter treatment. Treatment is a viable option and can have many positive outcomes, but there remains significant room for improvement. This study was designed to identify key risk factors that can be addressed to improve substance use treatment outcomes for this population.

Methods

The study sample consisted of (n) 381 women who were court mandated to enter substance use treatment. Multivariate path analyses were conducted to assess the associations between correlates of substance use treatment outcomes, risk for relapse, and rearrest.

Results

Women who displayed certain demographic risk factors (ie, less educated and unmarried) and had greater levels of substance use severity prior to entering treatment experienced elevated risk for relapse. Consequently, women who relapsed were nearly three times (OR = 2.50, 95%CI = 1.26–4.93) as likely to be rearrested within 12 months of discharge from treatment compared to those who did not relapse.

Discussion and Conclusions

Certain risk factors contribute to relapse, which increases risk for rearrest.

Scientific Significance

Services specifically tailored to women who were court mandated to enter treatment need to consider certain demographic risk factors, clinical substance use severity, and relapse prevention as key elements to minimize subsequent criminal offending. (Am J Addict 2015;24:495–498)
Refractory acne keloidalis nuchae treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Millán‐Cayetano José Francisco , Repiso‐Jiménez Juan Bosco , del Boz Javier , de Troya‐Martín Magdalena
Published: July 2015

Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is difficult to treat, and the clinical response is usually poor. Few reports have been published about scarring alopecia treated with radiotherapy (RT). We report a case of AKN that had been refractory to various other treatments but which responded to RT with excellent clinical and cosmetic results.
Regional gastrointestinal transit and pH studied in 215 healthy volunteers using the wireless motility capsule: influence of age, gender, study country and testing protocol
Authors: Wang Y. T. , Mohammed S. D. , Farmer A. D. , Wang D. , Zarate N. , Hobson A. R. , Hellström P. M. , Semler J. R. , Kuo B. , Rao S. S. , Hasler W. L. , Camilleri M. , Scott S. M.
Published: July 2015

Background

The wireless motility capsule (WMC) offers the ability to investigate luminal gastrointestinal (GI) physiology in a minimally invasive manner.

Aim

To investigate the effect of testing protocol, gender, age and study country on regional GI transit times and associated pH values using the WMC.

Methods

Regional GI transit times and pH values were determined in 215 healthy volunteers from USA and Sweden studied using the WMC over a 6.5‐year period. The effects of test protocol, gender, age and study country were examined.

Results

For GI transit times, testing protocol was associated with differences in gastric emptying time (GET; shorter with protocol 2 (motility capsule ingested immediately after meal) vs. protocol 1 (motility capsule immediately before): median difference: 52 min, P = 0.0063) and colonic transit time (CTT; longer with protocol 2: median 140 min, P = 0.0189), but had no overall effect on whole gut transit time. Females had longer GET (by median 17 min, P = 0.0307), and also longer CTT by (104 min, P = 0.0285) and whole gut transit time by (263 min, P = 0.0077). Increasing age was associated with shorter small bowel transit time (P = 0.002), and study country also influenced small bowel and CTTs. Whole gut and CTTs showed clustering of data at values separated by 24 h, suggesting that describing these measures as continuous variables is invalid. Testing protocol, gender and study country also significantly influenced pH values.

Conclusions

Regional GI transit times and pH values, delineated using the wireless motility capsule (WMC), vary based on testing protocol, gender, age and country. Standardisation of testing is crucial for cross‐referencing in clinical practice and future research.
Application and optimization of the tenderization of pig Longissimus dorsi muscle by adenosine 5'‐monophosphate (AMP) using the response surface methodology
Authors: Deng Shaoying , Wang Daoying , Zhang Muhan , Geng Zhiming , Sun Chong , Bian Huan , Xu Weimin , Zhu Yongzhi , Liu Fang , Wu Haihong
Published: July 2015

Based on single factor experiments, NaCl concentration, adenosine 5'‐monophosphate (AMP) concentration and temperature were selected as independent variables for a three‐level Box‐Behnken experimental design, and the shear force and cooking loss were response values for regression analysis. According to the statistical models, it showed that all independent variables had significant effects on shear force and cooking loss, and optimal values were at the NaCl concentration of 4.15%, AMP concentration of 22.27 mmol/L and temperature of 16.70°C, which was determined with three‐dimensional response surface diagrams and contour plots. Under this condition, the observed shear force and cooking loss were 0.625 kg and 8.07%, respectively, exhibiting a good agreement with their predicted values, showing the good applicability and feasibility of response surface methodology (RSM) for improving pork tenderness. Compared with control pig muscles, AMP combined with NaCl treatment demonstrated significant effects on improvement of meat tenderness and reduction of cooking loss. Therefore, AMP could be regarded as an effective tenderization agent for pork.