bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biparental care is more than the sum of its parts: experimental evidence for synergistic effects on offspring fitness
Authors: Pilakouta Natalie , Hanlon Elizabeth J. H. , Smiseth Per T.
Published: August 2018

Despite an extensive body of theoretical and empirical literature on biparental cooperation, it is still unclear whether offspring fare equally, better or worse when receiving care by two parents versus a single parent. Some models predict that parents should withhold the amount of care they provide due to sexual conflict, thereby shifting as much of the workload as possible to their partner. This conflict should lead to offspring faring worse with two parents. Yet, other models predict that when parents care for their offspring together, their individual contributions can have synergistic (more than additive) effects on offspring fitness. Under this scenario, biparental cooperation should lead to offspring faring better with two parents. We address this fundamental question using a unique experimental design where we compared offspring fitness when the two parents worked together (biparental treatment) and when they worked separately (uniparental treatment), while keeping constant the amount of resources and number of offspring per parent across treatments. This made it possible to directly compare the biparental treatment to the sum of the male and female contributions in the uniparental treatment. Our main finding was that offspring grew larger and were more likely to survive to adulthood when reared by both parents than a single parent. This is the first empirical evidence for a synergistic effect of biparental cooperation on offspring fitness and could provide novel insights into the conditions favouring the evolution of biparental cooperation.
An alternative water transport system in land plants
Authors: Biddick M. , Hutton I. , Burns K. C.
Published: August 2018

The evolution of vascular tissue is a key innovation enabling plants to inhabit terrestrial environments. Here, we demonstrate extra-vascular water transport in a giant, prop-rooted monocot from Lord Howe Island.
Pandanus forsteri
(Pandanaceae) produces gutter-like leaves that capture rainwater, which is then couriered along a network of channels to the tips of aerial roots, where it is stored by absorptive tissue. This passive mechanism of water acquisition, transport and storage is critical to the growth of aerial prop roots that cannot yet attain water via vascular conduction. This species therefore sheds light on the elaborate means by which plants have evolved to attain water.
Unlocking a high bacterial diversity in the coralloid root microbiome from the cycad genusDioon
Authors: Jesús Suárez-Moo Pablo de , Vovides Andrew P. , Griffith M. Patrick , Barona-Gómez Francisco , Cibrián-Jaramillo Angélica
Published: August 2018

Cycads are among the few plants that have developed specialized roots to host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. We describe the bacterial diversity of the coralloid roots from sevenDioonspecies and their surrounding rhizosphere and soil. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we found that all coralloid roots are inhabited by a broad diversity of bacterial groups, including cyanobacteria and Rhizobiales among the most abundant groups. The diversity and composition of the endophytes are similar in the six Mexican species ofDioonthat we evaluated, suggesting a recent divergence ofDioonpopulations and/or similar plant-driven restrictions in maintaining the coralloid root microbiome. Botanical garden samples and natural populations have a similar taxonomic composition, although the beta diversity differed between these populations. The rhizosphere surrounding the coralloid root serves as a reservoir and source of mostly diazotroph and plant growth-promoting groups that colonize the coralloid endosphere. In the case of cyanobacteria, the endosphere is enriched withNostocspp andCalothrixspp that are closely related to previously reported symbiont genera in cycads and other early divergent plants. The data reported here provide an in-depth taxonomic characterization of the bacterial community associated with coralloid root microbiome. The functional aspects of the endophytes, their biological interactions, and their evolutionary history are the next research step in this recently discovered diversity within the cycad coralloid root microbiome.
Structure of a hibernating 100S ribosome reveals an inactive conformation of the ribosomal protein S1
Authors: Beckert ertrand , Turk Martin , Czech Andreas , Berninghausen Otto , Beckmann Roland , Ignatova Zoya , Plitzko Jürgen M. , Wilson Daniel N.
Published: August 2018

To survive under conditions of stress, such as nutrient deprivation, bacterial 70S ribosomes dimerize to form hibernating 100S particles1. In γ-proteobacteria, such asEscherichia coli,100S formation requires the ribosome modulation factor (RMF) and the hibernation promoting factor (HPF)2-4. Although structures ofE. coli100S particles have been reported5,6, the low resolution (18-38 Å) prevented the mechanism of ribosome inactivation and dimerization to be fully elucidated. Here we present single particle cryo-electron microscopy structures of hibernating 70S and 100S particles isolated from stationary phaseE. colicells at 3.0-7.9 Å resolution, respectively. Preferred orientation bias for the complete 100S particle was overcome using tilting during data collection. The structures reveal the binding sites for HPF and RMF as well as the unexpected presence of deacylated E-site tRNA and ribosomal protein S1 in the 100S particle. HPF interacts with the anticodon-stem-loop of the E-tRNA and occludes the binding site for the mRNA as well as A- and P-site tRNAs. RMF stabilizes a compact conformation of S1, which together sequester the anti-Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), thereby inhibiting translation initiation. At the dimerization interface, S1 and S2 form intersubunit bridges with S3 and S4 and the C-terminus of S2 probes the mRNA entrance channel of the symmetry related particle, thus suggesting that only translationally inactive ribosomes are prone to dimerization. The back-to-back 100S dimerization mediated by HPF and RMF is distinct from that observed previously in Gram-positive bacteria7-10and reveals a unique function for S1 in ribosome dimerization and inactivation, rather than its canonical role in facilitating translation initiation.
Brood-holding causes workers to pay attention to the queen in the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus
Authors: Hara Kenji
Published: August 2018

[Abstract]

Brood accumulation, a fundamental behavior of offspring care in the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus, is driven by alternation of ‘holding run’ and ‘empty-handed run’ behaviors. In the holding run, a worker holds a brood with her mandibles and carries it to the queen (holding run). After releasing it beside the queen, she hurries back to another brood (empty-handed run). To address the motivation for the brood-accumulation task, in this study, I observed these behaviors under experimental conditions. When workers performed the task in a situation that involved selection between their own and unfamiliar queens, they ran in significantly more restrictive ways during the holding run than during the empty-handed run. Hence, ‘holding’ represents a different motivational state than ‘empty-handed’. In a second experiment, the workers were suddenly presented with an unfamiliar floor during the task. Regardless of whether they were holding or empty-handed, their running traces on the familiar floor were simple, whereas on the unfamiliar floor they were more complex. These results show that holding workers would pay attention to the queen, exploiting cues on the floor to restrict their responses to the queen.
PconsC4: fast, free, easy, and accurate contact predictions
Authors: Michel Mirco , Hurtado David Menéndez , Elofsson Arne
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Residue contact prediction was revolutionized recently by the introduction of direct coupling analysis (DCA). Further improvements, in particular for small families, have been obtained by the combination of DCA and deep learning methods. However, existing deep learning contact prediction methods often rely on a number of external programs and are therefore computationally expensive.

Results

Here, we introduce a novel contact predictor, PconsC4, which performs on par with state of the art methods. PconsC4 is heavily optimized, does not use any external programs and therefore is significantly faster and easier to use than other methods.

Availability

PconsC4 is freely available under the GPL license from https://github.com/ElofssonLab/PconsC4. Installation is easy using the pip command and works on any system with Python 3.5 or later and a modern GCC compiler.

Contact

arne@bioinfo.se
A galling insect activates plant reproductive programs during gall development
Authors: Schultz Jack C. , Edger Patrick P. , J.A. Body Mélanie , Appel Heidi M.
Published: August 2018

Some insects can redirect plant development to form unique organs called galls, which provide these insects with unique, enhanced food and protection from enemies and the elements. Many galls resemble flowers or fruits, suggesting that elements of reproductive development may be involved. We tested this hypothesis using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to quantify the transcriptional responses of wild grapevine (Vitis ripariaMichx.) leaves to a galling parasite, phylloxera(Daktulosphaira vitifolia(Fitch 1855)). If development of reproductive structures is part of gall formation, we expected to find significantly elevated expression of genes involved in flower and/or fruit development in developing galls as opposed to ungalled leaves. We found that reproductive gene ontology (GO) categories were significantly enriched in developing galls, and that expression of many candidate genes involved in floral development were significantly increased, particularly in later gall stages. The patterns of gene expression found in galls suggest that phylloxera exploits vascular cambium to provide meristematic tissue and redirects leaf development towards formation of carpels. The phylloxera leaf gall appears to be phenotypically and transcriptionally similar to the carpel, due to the parasite hijacking underlying genetic machinery in the host plant.
The genome ofDrosophila innubilareveals lineage-specific patterns of selection in immune genes
Authors: Hill Tom , Koseva Boryana S. , Unckless Robert L.
Published: August 2018

Pathogenic microbes can exert extraordinary evolutionary pressure on their hosts. They can spread rapidly and sicken or even kill their host to promote their own proliferation. Because of this strong selective pressure, immune genes are some of the fastest evolving genes across metazoans, as highlighted in mammals and insects.Drosophila melanogasterserves as a powerful model for studying host/pathogen evolution. WhileDrosophila melanogasterare frequently exposed to various pathogens, little is known aboutD. melanogaster’s ecology, or if they are representative of otherDrosophilaspecies in terms of pathogen pressure. Here, we characterize the genome ofDrosophila innubila, a mushroom-feeding species highly diverged fromD. melanogasterand investigate the evolution of the immune system. We find substantial differences in the rates of evolution of immune pathways betweenD. innubilaandD. melanogaster. Contrasting what was previously found forD. melanogaster, we find little evidence of rapid evolution of the antiviral RNAi genes and high rates of evolution in the Toll pathway. This suggests that, while immune genes tend to be rapidly evolving in most species, the specific genes that are fastest evolving may depend either on the pathogens faced by the host and/or divergence in the basic architecture of the host’s immune system.
Defect engineering by synchrotron radiation X-rays in CeO2 nanocrystals
Authors: Wu Tai-Sing , Syu Leng-You , Weng Shih-Chang , Jeng Horng-Tay , Chang Shih-Lin , Soo Yun-Liang
Published: August 2018

This work reports an unconventional defect engineering approach using synchrotron-radiation-based X-rays on ceria nanocrystal catalysts of particle sizes 4.4–10.6 nm. The generation of a large number of oxygen-vacancy defects (OVDs), and therefore an effective reduction of cations, has been found in CeO2 catalytic materials bombarded by high-intensity synchrotron X-ray beams of beam size 1.5 mm × 0.5 mm, photon energies of 5.5–7.8 keV and photon fluxes up to 1.53 × 1012 photons s−1. The experimentally observed cation reduction was theoretically explained by a first-principles formation-energy calculation for oxygen vacancy defects. The results clearly indicate that OVD formation is mainly a result of X-ray-excited core holes that give rise to valence holes through electron down conversion in the material. Thermal annealing and subvalent Y-doping were also employed to modulate the efficiency of oxygen escape, providing extra control on the X-ray-induced OVD generating process. Both the core-hole-dominated bond breaking and oxygen escape mechanisms play pivotal roles for efficient OVD formation. This X-ray irradiation approach, as an alternative defect engineering method, can be applied to a wide variety of nanostructured materials for physical-property modification.
High-power-load DCLM monochromator for a computed tomography program at BMIT at energies of 25–150 keV
Authors: Wysokinski Tomasz W. , Renier Michel , Suortti Pekka , Belev George , Rousset Léo , Adam Madison , Miller Denise , Huber Norman , Chapman L. Dean
Published: August 2018

The research program at the biomedical imaging facility requires a high-flux hard-X-ray monochromator that can also provide a wide beam. A wide energy range is needed for standard radiography, phase-contrast imaging, K-edge subtraction imaging and monochromatic beam therapy modalities. The double-crystal Laue monochromator, developed for the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy facility, is optimized for the imaging of medium- and large-scale samples at high energies with the resolution reaching 4 µm. A pair of 2 mm-thick Si(111) bent Laue-type crystals were used in fixed-exit beam mode with a 16 mm vertical beam offset and the first crystal water-cooled. The monochromator operates at energies from 25 to 150 keV, and the measured size of the beam is 189 mm (H) × 8.6 mm (V) at 55 m from the source. This paper presents our approach in developing a complete focusing model of the monochromator. The model uses mechanical properties of crystals and benders to obtain a finite-element analysis of the complete assembly. The modeling results are compared and calibrated with experimental measurements. Using the developed analysis, a rough estimate of the bending radius and virtual focus (image) position of the first crystal can be made, which is also the real source for the second crystal. On the other hand, by measuring the beam height in several points in the SOE-1 hutch, the virtual focus of the second crystal can be estimated. The focusing model was then calibrated with measured mechanical properties, the values for the force and torque applied to the crystals were corrected, and the actual operating parameters of the monochromator for fine-tuning were provided.
Sub-microsecond-resolved multi-speckle X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy with a pixel array detector
Authors: Zhang Qingteng , Dufresne Eric M. , Narayanan Suresh , Maj Piotr , Koziol Anna , Szczygiel Robert , Grybos Pawel , Sutton Mark , Sandy Alec R.
Published: August 2018

Small-angle X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) measurements spanning delay times from 826 ns to 52.8 s were performed using a photon-counting pixel array detector with a dynamic range of 0–3 (2 bits). Fine resolution and a wide dynamic range of time scales was achieved by combining two modes of operation of the detector: (i) continuous mode, where data acquisition and data readout are performed in parallel with a frame acquisition time of 19.36 µs, and (ii) burst mode, where 12 frames are acquired with frame integration times of either 2.56 µs frame−1or 826 ns frame−1followed by 3.49 ms or 1.16 ms, respectively, for readout. The applicability of the detector for performing multi-speckle XPCS was demonstrated by measuring the Brownian dynamics of 10 nm-radius gold and 57 nm-radius silica colloids in water at room temperature. In addition, the capability of the detector to faithfully record one- and two-photon counts was examined by comparing the statistical distribution of photon counts with expected probabilities from the negative binomial distribution. It was found that in burst mode the ratio of 2 s to 1 s is markedly smaller than predicted and that this is attributable to pixel-response dead-time.
Implications of transforming climate change risks into security risks
Authors: Chmutina Ksenia , Fussey Peter , Dainty Andrew , Bosher Lee
Published: August 2018

Purpose

A number of severe weather events have influenced a shift in UK policy concerning how climate-induced hazards are managed. Whist this shift has encouraged improvements in emergency management and preparedness, the risk of climate change is increasingly becoming securitised within policy discourses, and enmeshed with broader agendas traditionally associated with human-induced threats. Climate change is seen as a security risk because it can impede development of a nation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of the securitisation of climate change, and interrogates how such framings influence a range of conceptual and policy focused approaches towards both security and climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the UK context, the paper uses a novel methodological approach combining critical discourse analysis and focus groups with security experts and policymakers.

Findings

The resulting policy landscape appears inexorably skewed towards short-term decision cycles that do little to mitigate longer-term threats to the nation’s assets. Whilst a prominent political action on a global level is required in order to mitigate the root causes (i.e. GHG emissions), national level efforts focus on adaptation (preparedness to the impacts of climate-induced hazards), and are forming part of the security agenda.

Originality/value

These issues are not restricted to the UK: understanding the role of security and its relationship to climate change becomes more pressing and urgent, as it informs the consequences of securitising climate change risks for development-disaster risk system.
Performance and environmental sustainability orientations in the informal economy of a least developed country
Authors: Eijdenberg Emiel L. , Sabokwigina Deo , Masurel Enno
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which performance and environmental sustainability orientations (ESOs) are developed, as well as their association, in a typical impoverished community: the informal economy of an African least developed country (LDC).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review and a pre-study on the spot, a questionnaire was developed before being completed by 140 informal food vendors – that is, “subsistence entrepreneurs” – in Tanzania. t-Tests, correlation analyses and regression analyses were carried out to approach the formulated hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that a significant distinction can be made between basic and advanced performance. In addition, the respondents showed significantly higher levels of awareness of ESO practices that are intangible and are not fully within their control than the so-called personal tangible ESO practices. However, performance was minimally affected by ESOs.

Originality/value

While firm performance and environmental sustainability have been shortlisted on agendas outside academia (e.g. international development organisations) as a means to develop LDCs, the scientific community is lagging behind with regard to these two. This paper is one step forward in unravelling how performance and ESOs occur in LDCs.
Pattern versus level: a new look at the personality-entrepreneurship relationship
Authors: Zhou Wencang , Yang Xi , Li Yuanqing , Zhang Yanli
Published: August 2018

Purpose

By using a nontraditional configuration approach, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of personality on entrepreneurial intention and success. Previous research has focused on why individuals become entrepreneurs and why some are more successful than others. However, most studies have investigated only single factors or primary personality traits. The current study investigates not only the strength of the personality-entrepreneurship link, but also clarifies the nature of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two independent samples and an innovative regression-based pattern recognition procedure, the study investigates whether the nature of the personality-entrepreneurship relationship is driven by individuals’ absolute trait levels or by their idiosyncratic configuration of personality traits. The non-entrepreneur sample consisted of 225 business students in Eastern China, specializing in a variety of business subjects. The entrepreneur sample consisted of 120 business owners in a university entrepreneurial park in Eastern China.

Findings

Results support hypotheses that the two different types of entrepreneurship criteria are predicted by different personality profile effects. Entrepreneurial intentions are driven by individuals’ personality patterns (peaks and valleys in profiles). In contrast, entrepreneurial success is driven by personality levels (individuals’ relative standing on personality traits compared to other entrepreneurs).

Research limitations/implications

The findings enrich the understanding of entrepreneurial personality. The more significant contribution of the present study was that it differentiated between personality profile pattern and level effects and investigated whether the nature of the personality-entrepreneurship relationship is driven by individuals’ absolute trait levels (i.e. how high or low they score compared to others), or by their idiosyncratic configuration of personality traits (i.e. their strengths and weaknesses).

Practical implications

The findings of this study may help entrepreneurs to figure out how to be successful running their own businesses, if they are not graced with a personality pattern that is not favorable to entrepreneurship. In addition, these findings can help entrepreneurship educators to understand how best to train entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The adoption of both person-centered approach and process perspective of entrepreneurship allowed this study to make major contributions to entrepreneurial personality research.
Institutional influence and the role of family in poor women’s micropreneurship
Authors: Xiong Lin , Ukanwa Irene , Anderson Alistair R.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of how the institutions of family and culture play out in shaping family business practices. This study focusses on family business led by poor entrepreneurial women in a context of extreme poverty.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods included participant observation, focus groups and interviews in two poor villages in South-East Nigeria. Thematic analysis was used to develop insight about how the institutions of family and culture shape family business practices.

Findings

The analysis demonstrated that the family, with associated responsibilities and norms, is a powerful institution that determines women’s role and business behaviours. Poor entrepreneurial women depend on the family to run their business, but also use the business to sustain the family. They make use of their limited resources (e.g. time, money, skills) to meet families’ basic needs and pay for necessities such as children’s education. These are family priorities, rather than maximising profits.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to rural Africa, in particular to a small sample of rural women entrepreneurs in South-East Nigeria, and as such, the findings are not necessarily generalisable, but may be at a conceptual level.

Practical implications

The study has highlighted the need to tailor micro-enterprise development programmes that facilitate change, add values to entrepreneurial activities and support women to fulfil their roles and ease institutional pressures affecting rural women economic activities. In short, such programmes need to account for cultural institutions.

Social implications

This study presents insights of the influence of institutions (family and culture) in business led by rural Nigerian women.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap in the family business literature by offering conceptual insights about how the institutional obligations of family mean that micro-enterprising should be conceptualised as an entity, rather than as a family in business or the family business.
Shaping service ecosystems: exploring the dark side of agency
Authors: Mele Cristina , Nenonen Suvi , Pels Jaqueline , Storbacka Kaj , Nariswari Angeline , Kaartemo Valtteri
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The extant service ecosystem literature rarely addresses the dark side of actors’ agency, which hinders further development of the service-dominant (S-D) logic, particularly with regard to understanding service ecosystem dynamics. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to delineate the dark-side facets of actors’ agency that adversely affect actor-to-actor relationships and resource integration, in the context of shaping service ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

With abductive reasoning, this study seeks to reorient results from prior literature in accordance with empirical findings. The empirical data pertain to 21 firms in Finland, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden, representing various industries, sizes, international reach, technologies, ownership forms and histories.

Findings

The dark side of agency emerges as an actor’s deliberate attempts to influence a service ecosystem to achieve self-interested benefits, despite understanding that these actions inhibit other actors from providing service and can be detrimental to other actors and the ecosystem. The findings also reveal three facets of the dark side: conflict, ambiguity and opportunism. The process of shaping service ecosystems is prone to systematic conflict, ambiguous and opportunistic behaviours occurring between the focal actors’ ecosystem and other ecosystems vying for the same set of resources.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances the S-D logic by addressing the crucial role of agency in a dialectical relationship with institutions and structures. Service-for-service exchanges can take place in asymmetric, ambiguous, opportunistic situations driven by self-interested motives.

Practical implications

Processes aimed at shaping service ecosystems can demonstrate the dark sides of actors’ agency, related to conflict, ambiguity or opportunism. Managers interested in shaping strategies should be prepared for this outcome.

Social implications

A service ecosystem perspective requires policy makers and regulators to reconsider their role in shaping processes. No “invisible hand” guides markets to equilibrium, so they should be more proactive in shaping ecosystems, rather than merely fixing market failures.

Originality/value

This research offers the first S-D logic-based investigation into the dark side of actors’ agency in shaping service ecosystems.
Making omnichannel an augmented reality: the current and future state of the art
Authors: Hilken Tim , Heller Jonas , Chylinski Mathew , Keeling Debbie Isobel , Mahr Dominik , de Ruyter Ko
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the current and future roles of augmented reality (AR) as an enabler of omnichannel experiences across the customer journey. To advance the conceptual understanding and managerial exploitation of AR, the paper aims to synthesise current research, illustrating how a variety of current applications merge online and offline experiences, and provides a future research agenda to help advance the state of the art in AR.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on situated cognition theorising as a guiding framework, the paper reviews previously published research and currently deployed applications to provide a roadmap for future research efforts on AR-enabled omnichannel experiences across the customer journey.

Findings

AR offers myriad opportunities to provide customers with a seamless omnichannel journey, smoothing current obstacles, through a unique combination of embedded, embodied and extended customer experiences. These three principles constitute the overarching value drivers of AR and offer coherent, theory-driven organising principles for managers and researchers alike.

Originality/value

Current research has yet to provide a relevant, conceptually robust understanding of AR-enabled customer experiences. In light of the rapid development and widespread deployment of the technology, this paper provides an urgently needed framework for guiding the development of AR in an omnichannel context.
Ranking products with IF-based sentiment word framework and TODIM method
Authors: Wu Chong , Zhang Dong
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to rank products by combining sentiment analysis (SA) and multiple attribute decision-making (MADM).

Design/methodology/approach

This research constructs intuitionistic fuzzy (IF)-based sentiment word framework and corresponding computation rules, which aim to calculate the sentiment score of each sentiment phase. Based on intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging operator, the authors aggregate the overall performance of each feature for different products. Then, the MADM method can be used, TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multi-criteria decision making) in this paper, to rank product through online reviews.

Findings

The results of the research show the superiority and applicability of proposed method in ranking products with online reviews.

Originality/value

This paper proposes IF-based sentiment word framework and corresponding computation rules, which is a novel idea to express both the sentiment orientations (positive, negative and neutral) and emotional intensities. In addition, this research makes full use of knowledge from both experts and online reviewers. Further, attention degree of each feature is considered in the process of calculating weight of different features, which is rarely seen in current studies. This paper makes full use of SA, fuzzy control theory and MADM theory to handle vague information (online comments) and rank alternative products, which can promote future perspectives and developments.
An innovative procedure for introducing the lean concept into the internal drug supply chain of a hospital
Authors: Regattieri Alberto , Bartolini Alessandro , Cima Maddalena , Fanti Maria Giulia , Lauritano Diego
Published: August 2018

Purpose

In a hospital, the management of different materials (i.e. waste, drugs, equipment, etc.) is fundamental from an economical point of view and also when considering its impact on patient treatment. The purpose of this paper is to introduce by an innovative approach lean principles in the management of this supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

After the contextualization of the importance of the drug management in hospitals, authors analyze the literature in particular discussing the points of weakness. They propose an innovative methodology to implement a lean principle in this particular supply chain. After a general discussion authors discuss the application of the proposed methodology in the largest Italian hospital, the Policlinico Sant’Orsola – Malpighi in Bologna.

Findings

The results are very encouraging, confirm the value of the methods and motivate the authors to do further research. The proposed methodology takes into account both a technical approach and the real behavior of a hospital including logistics knowledge and motivation for material management in ward personnel. Real results are interesting both in term of economic impact and in term of effect on patient care.

Originality/value

Maximizing patient care is the mission of the healthcare system; however, poor management of drugs and materials can have serious effects on the quality of service. In the last years, several excellent technological solutions have been developed, but often their application in the field was limited and ineffective due to the gap in knowledge and commitment required and available in the ward’s personnel. The new methodology developed is focused to solve this gap and was tested in an important case study.
The temporary as the future: Ready‐to‐use therapeutic food and nutraceuticals in South Africa
Authors: PENTECOST MICHELLE , COUSINS THOMAS
Published: August 2018

The reconfiguration of food as a pharmaceutical in biomedical regimes has been considered by scholars along two axes: (1) food supplementation as humanitarian intervention, based on a specific value of life and delivered in ‘crisis’ situations with a short temporal horizon; (2) food supplementation as commodity, marketed as enhancing ‘wellness’ or potential, based on notions of risk in broad temporal frames. We consider nutraceuticals and ready‐to‐use‐therapeutic foods as they are deployed by state and commercial actors in South Africa in relation to two key figures: the pregnant woman and the HIV‐positive population. These biopolitical expressions of post‐apartheid regimes of knowledge, care and governance reveal how state distribution and the corporate marketing of supplements employ a future‐oriented logic that appeals to notions of power, energy and potential. Therapeutic foods in this context are thus not merely humanitarian technologies that reconfigure crisis as a chronic condition – the temporary becoming permanent – but are premised on new potentialities, in which the temporary may (re)shape the future.
Are Risk Factor Disclosures Still Relevant? Evidence from Market Reactions to Risk Factor Disclosures Before and After the Financial Crisis
Authors: Beatty Anne , Cheng Lin , Zhang Haiwen
Published: August 2018

The SEC's Disclosure Effectiveness Initiative (December 2013) highlights a difference between accounting regulators and academics in their perceptions of Item 1A risk factor disclosure effectiveness. Because most academic evidence relies on pre‐financial crisis data, we compare changes in risk factor disclosure informativeness before and after the crisis as a possible explanation for this disconnect. We further explore this discrepancy by considering (i) three classes of market participants, (ii) new, discontinued, and repeated disclosures, and (iii) nonmarket outcomes. Our results confirm previous findings but indicate that those results no longer hold in the subsequent period. Specifically, we find that although equity, option, and bond markets react to unexpected risk factor disclosures in the period leading up to the financial crisis (2006–2008), the market reactions decline significantly in the post‐crisis period (2009–2014). Perhaps surprisingly, the documented changes in informativeness are not driven by disclosures repeated from one year to the next but instead result from new disclosures initiated in the current year and, in the option and debt markets, also from disclosures discontinued from the previous year. Finally, using the Altman Z‐score as an objective bankruptcy risk measure, we find that the association between risk factor disclosures and companies’ future bankruptcy risk declines significantly in the post financial crisis period. Taken together, these findings contribute to the current disclosure effectiveness debate by highlighting that risk factor disclosures, which were informative in the preceding period, become less reflective of the underlying economic risks and thus less informative to investors in the post‐crisis period.

La déclaration des facteurs de risque est‐elle toujours pertinente ? Données tirées des réactions du marché à la déclaration des facteurs de risque avant et après la crise financière
Activation of central/effector memory T cells and T‐helper 1 polarization in malignant melanoma patients treated with anti‐programmed death‐1 antibody
Authors: Yamaguchi Kyoko , Mishima Koji , Ohmura Hirofumi , Hanamura Fumiyasu , Ito Mamoru , Nakano Michitaka , Tsuchihashi Kenji , Ota Shun‐Ichiro , Wada Naoko , Uchi Hiroshi , Ariyama Hiroshi , Kusaba Hitoshi , Niiro Hiroaki , Akashi Koichi , Baba Eishi
Published: August 2018

Human anti‐programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) antibody possesses the capability to revitalize host T cells and has been an effective therapy for metastatic malignant melanoma (MM). The precise subsets of T cells predominantly activated by anti‐PD‐1, however, have not yet been clarified. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from MM patients scheduled to receive anti‐PD‐1 (nivolumab) therapy, and healthy subjects (HS), were systematically examined on flow cytometry to identify changes in the proportion of immune cell subsets. Compared with HS, MM patients prior to therapy had an increased proportion of activated CD8+ T cells with effector memory phenotypes (Tem), and PD‐1 positive subsets of CD4+ central memory T cells (Tcm) and T‐helper (Th)17 cells. After a single course of anti‐PD‐1 therapy, MM patients had an increase in activated Tem and Tcm subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and activated Th1 plus T‐helper follicular 1 cells. There was no consistent change in the proportion of Tfh cells, B cells, natural killer cells, or dendritic cells. The observed activated phenotypes were attenuated during the course of therapy, but regulatory T cells belonging to the CD3+CD4+CD45RO+CD25high fraction increased at disease progression. Taken together, anti‐PD‐1 therapy modulates systemic immune reactions and exerts anti‐tumor effects, not only by revitalizing Tem and Tcm of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but also via a shift to a Th1 phenotype.
Beyond killing: intra‐ and interspecific nonconsumptive effects among aphidophagous competitors
Authors: Bayoumy Mohamed H. , Awadalla Hagar S. , Fathy Dina M. , Majerus Tamsin M. O.
Published: August 2018

1. Beyond killing, predators have nonlethal effects on their potential prey. Because aphids are highly aggregated, their predators aggregate as well, creating conditions optimal for nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) among competing larvae. Although intraguild predator (IGP) density can alter the balance between conflicting forces, little is known about its effect on competing prey.

2. A partitioned Petri‐dish that permitted the passage of signals was used to examine the NCEs between competing stages of similar‐ or different‐sized, conspecific or heterospecific, individuals, on development, survival and reproduction of competing prey.

3. Coccinella undecimpunctata L. larvae suffered developmental and reproductive costs resulting from the presence of conspecific and heterospecific larvae, but showed no impact on their survival. In contrast, larvae of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) gained developmental benefits, without reproductive costs. Faster development can be construed as adaptive, as it reduces immature mortality.

4. Interestingly, threat‐sensitive prey responses appear to be species‐specific, regardless of predator density. In a C. carnea larva–H. variegata adult competing system, larvae responded to the threat posed by heterospecific adults, with accelerated development, but suffered reproductive costs. In a C. carnea larva–C. undecimpunctata adult system, no overall development costs in response to heterospecific adults were evident. The only cost was on survival at higher IGP density. Thus, the phenotype induced under H. variegata stress was adaptive for development in aphid colonies, whereas that under C. undecimpunctata stress was not.

5. NCEs are not simple vertical forces affecting prey, but can affect guilds on the same trophic level. Co‐release of more than one species and density of these species may adversely increase the aphid populations.
How Robust Are Cross‐Country Comparisons of PISA Scores to the Scaling Model Used?
Authors: Jerrim John , Parker Philip , Choi Alvaro , Chmielewski Anna Katyn , Sälzer Christine , Shure Nikki
Published: August 2018

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an important international study of 15‐olds' knowledge and skills. New results are released every 3 years, and have a substantial impact upon education policy. Yet, despite its influence, the methodology underpinning PISA has received significant criticism. Much of this criticism has focused upon the psychometric scaling model used to create the proficiency scores. The aim of this article is to therefore investigate the robustness of cross‐country comparisons of PISA scores to subtle changes to the underlying scaling model used. This includes the specification of the item‐response model, whether the difficulty and discrimination of items are allowed to vary across countries (item‐by‐country interactions) and how test questions not reached by pupils are treated. Our key finding is that these technical choices make little substantive difference to the overall country‐level results.
Silodosin as second‐line α‐blocker monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective observational study
Authors: Ichihara Koji , Masumori Naoya , Iwasawa Akihiko , Taguchi Keisuke , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro , Nishimura Masahiro , Sasamura Hiroto , Suzuki Nobukazu , Haga Kazunori , Miyao Noriomi , Hirose Takaoki
Published: August 2018

Objective

To assess the efficacy of silodosin as second‐line α‐blocker monotherapy in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods

Men who were given an α‐blocker other than silodosin for ≥8 weeks, aged ≥50 years, had a total International Prostate Symptom Score ≥13 and quality of life index ≥4 were enrolled. After treatment with 8 mg/day silodosin for 8 weeks, symptoms and treatment satisfaction were assessed. If the patients still complained and hoped for readministration of the first‐line α‐blocker, the previous medication was administered again for 8 weeks in the case of persisting symptoms, and efficacy was again evaluated.

Results

A total of 73 patients were enrolled and analyzed at 8 weeks. Silodosin administration significantly improved the International Prostate Symptom Score and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score. The quality of life index was improved by at least 1 point in 49.3% patients, and its mean change was significantly greater in the group with previous naftopidil treatment than in those with tamsulosin. A total of 59 patients hoped to continue silodosin, and 13 requested administration of the first‐line α‐blocker. Previously taking naftopidil and having a shorter duration of prior α‐blocker treatment at baseline were associated with silodosin continuation. Although prior α‐blocker readministration in the 13 patients did not show significant efficacy, six preferred to continue the previous α‐blocker.

Conclusions

Silodosin represents an effective second‐line α‐blocker monotherapy, even in those who still have moderate lower urinary tract symptoms.
Clinical utility of double‐balloon enteroscopy in children: A single‐centre experience in South China
Authors: Chen Honglei , Liu Yanan , Fu Liping , Lin Xutao , Fan Dejun , Li Chujun
Published: August 2018

Aim

Double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a useful tool for the evaluation and treatment of small bowel disease. Limited clinical data are available regarding the indications, clinical findings and safety associated with the use of DBE in children. The aim of this study is to investigate the utility and safety of DBE in children.

Methods

A total of 72 DBE procedures were performed on 61 children at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University, between 1 April 2013 and 31 December 2017. The clinical data were analysed retrospectively.

Results

DBE was attempted 72 times in 61 children (45 boys and 16 girls) of an age range between 6 and 14 years (mean age: 11.9 years). The most common indication for DBE was occult gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. The positive rate of abnormal findings was 77.5% (55/72). Most children showed non‐specific enteritis and Crohn's disease. Eight children underwent successful therapeutic enteroscopy. No serious complication was observed in any child in this case series.

Conclusion

DBE can be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for small bowel disorders in children.
An exploration of the practice, policy and legislative issues of the specialist area of nursing people with intellectual disability: A scoping review
Authors: O'Reilly Kate , Lewis Peter , Wiese Michele , Goddard Linda , Trip Henrietta , Conder Jenny , Charnock David , Lin Zhen , Jaques Hayden , Wilson Nathan J.
Published: August 2018

The specialist field of intellectual disability nursing has been subjected to a number of changes since the move towards deinstitutionalisation from the 1970s. Government policies sought to change the nature of the disability workforce from what was labelled as a medicalised approach, towards a more socially oriented model of support. Decades on however, many nurses who specialise in the care of people with intellectual disability are still employed. In Australia, the advent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme offers an apt moment to reflect upon these decades of specialised nursing care as the context of this nursing care will continue to evolve. A review of the published literature was conducted to explore what has shaped the field in the past and how this might inform the future of this speciality area under new policy and service contexts. People with intellectual disability have specific health and support needs that require a specialised workforce. Specialist nurses continue to be needed for people with intellectual disability.
PHYTOREMEDIATION OF ABANDONED MINING LAKE BY WATER HYACINTH AND WATER LETTUCES IN CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS
Authors: Mohd Sidek Norhaslina , Sheikh Abdullah Siti Rozaimah , Ahmad Nurul 'Uyun , Syed Draman Sarifah Fauziah , Mohd Rosli Muhammad Muzakkir , Sanusi Mohamad Fahmey
Published: August 2018

Tasik Puteri is a recreational lake for few activities such as scuba diving, kayaking and swimming during the dry season. However, this lake was an iron ore mining site and the remaining contaminants and heavy metal of the lake can harm the people that directly get into contact with the lake water. The present study focused on investigating the phytoremediation potential of locally available floating aquatic plants in the treatment process of water from Tasik Puteri, which was contaminated with mining effluent. The effluent was treated with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuces (Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes) in a constructed wetland for a period of 28 days. The effluent treatment efficiency was estimated by measuring the effluent quality over the experimental period. Five water parameters such as the total iron (TI), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC) and turbidity were examined using standard laboratory procedures, which include. The results indicated that the three plants were able to remove the contaminants. After 28 days, the physical observation shows that the water hyacinth was healthier than the water lettuces. Considerable decrements in concentration were recorded in TI, TP and EC, but fluctuation in COD and turbidity value were observed. Comparison results by the plants indicat that after 28 days, water hyacinth was the most effective plant in removing phosporus, COD and EC of the mining lake with 97.3%, 70.5% and 22.2% removal, respectively. Furthermore, water lettuce (P. stratiotes) was the most effective plant in removing Iron (96.0%) and the turbidity (50.0%) of the mining lake. S. molesta showed the lowest removal capability for all experimental parameters. In conclusion, water hyacinth and water lettuces had shown better capability in removing heavy metals and other contaminants with E. crassipes has the highest survivability in the lake water.