bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foster carers influence brood pathogen resistance in ants
Authors: Purcell Jessica , Chapuisat Michel
Published: August 2014

Social organisms face a high risk of epidemics, and respond to this threat by combining efficient individual and collective defences against pathogens. An intriguing and little studied feature of social animals is that individual pathogen resistance may depend not only on genetic or maternal factors, but also on the social environment during development. Here, we used a cross-fostering experiment to investigate whether the pathogen resistance of individual ant workers was shaped by their own colony of origin or by the colony of origin of their carers. The origin of care-giving workers significantly influenced the ability of newly eclosed cross-fostered
Formica selysi
workers to resist the fungal entomopathogen
Beauveria bassiana
. In particular, carers that were more resistant to the fungal entomopathogen reared more resistant workers. This effect occurred in the absence of post-infection social interactions, such as trophallaxis and allogrooming. The colony of origin of eggs significantly influenced the survival of the resulting individuals in both control and pathogen treatments. There was no significant effect of the social organization (i.e. whether colonies contain a single or multiple queens) of the colony of origin of either carers or eggs. Our experiment reveals that social interactions during development play a central role in moulding the resistance of emerging workers.
Streptococcus
oriloxodontae sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavities of elephants
Authors: Shinozaki-Kuwahara Noriko , Saito Masanori , Hirasawa Masatomo , Takada Kazuko
Published: August 2014

Two strains were isolated from oral cavity samples of healthy elephants. The isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organisms that were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested classification of these organisms in the genus

Streptococcus

with

Streptococcus criceti

ATCC 19642T and

Streptococcus orisuis

NUM 1001T as their closest phylogenetic neighbours with 98.2 and 96.9 % gene sequence similarity, respectively. When multi-locus sequence analysis using four housekeeping genes, groEL, rpoB, gyrB and sodA, was carried out, similarity of concatenated sequences of the four housekeeping genes from the new isolates and

Streptococcus mutans

was 89.7 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments suggested that the new isolates were distinct from

S. criceti

and other species of the genus

Streptococcus

. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic differences, it is proposed that the novel isolates are classified in the genus

Streptococcus

as representatives of Streptococcus oriloxodontae sp. nov. The type strain of S. oriloxodontae is NUM 2101T ( = JCM 19285T = DSM 27377T).
Deletion of the Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 kaiAB1C1 gene cluster causes impaired cell growth under light–dark conditions
Authors: Dörrich Anja K. , Mitschke Jan , Siadat Olga , Wilde Annegret
Published: August 2014

In contrast to Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, few data exist on the timing mechanism of the widely used cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The standard kaiAB1C1 operon present in this organism was shown to encode a functional KaiC protein that interacted with KaiA, similar to the S. elongatus PCC 7942 clock. Inactivation of this operon in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 resulted in a mutant with a strong growth defect when grown under light–dark cycles, which was even more pronounced when glucose was added to the growth medium. In addition, mutants showed a bleaching phenotype. No effects were detected in mutant cells grown under constant light. Microarray experiments performed with cells grown for 1 day under a light–dark cycle revealed many differentially regulated genes with known functions in the ΔkaiABC mutant in comparison with the WT. We identified the genes encoding the cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1 and the light-repressed protein LrtA as well as several hypothetical ORFs with a complete inverse behaviour in the light cycle. These transcripts showed a stronger accumulation in the light but a weaker accumulation in the dark in ΔkaiABC cells in comparison with the WT. In general, we found a considerable overlap with microarray data obtained for hik31 and sigE mutants. These genes are known to be important regulators of cell metabolism in the dark. Strikingly, deletion of the ΔkaiABC operon led to a much stronger phenotype under light–dark cycles in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 than in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942.
A Secreted Protein with Plant-Specific Cysteine-Rich Motif Functions as a Mannose-Binding Lectin That Exhibits Antifungal Activity
Authors: Miyakawa Takuya , Hatano Ken-ichi , Miyauchi Yumiko , Suwa You-ichi , Sawano Yoriko , Tanokura Masaru
Published: August 2014

Plants have a variety of mechanisms for defending against plant pathogens and tolerating environmental stresses such as drought and high salinity. Ginkbilobin2 (Gnk2) is a seed storage protein in gymnosperm that possesses antifungal activity and a plant-specific cysteine-rich motif (domain of unknown function26 [DUF26]). The Gnk2-homologous sequence is also observed in an extracellular region of cysteine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases that function in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we report the lectin-like molecular function of Gnk2 and the structural basis of its monosaccharide recognition. Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed that mannan was the only yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell wall polysaccharide that interacted with Gnk2. Gnk2 also interacted with mannose, a building block of mannan, with a specificity that was similar to those of mannose-binding legume lectins, by strictly recognizing the configuration of the hydroxy group at the C4 position of the monosaccharide. The crystal structure of Gnk2 in complex with mannose revealed that three residues (asparagine-11, arginine-93, and glutamate-104) recognized mannose by hydrogen bonds, which defined the carbohydrate-binding specificity. These interactions were directly related to the ability of Gnk2 to inhibit the growth of fungi, including the plant pathogenic Fusarium spp., which were disrupted by mutation of arginine-93 or the presence of yeast mannan in the assay system. In addition, Gnk2 did not inhibit the growth of a yeast mutant strain lacking the α1,2-linked mannose moiety. These results provide insights into the molecular basis of the DUF26 protein family.
Understanding the rise of African business
Authors: Tvedten Kaja , Wendelboe Hansen Michael , Jeppesen Søren
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– In light of recent enthusiasm over African private sector development, the purpose of this paper is to review the business literature on African enterprise development with a view of identifying lacunas in the literature and of developing an analytical framework that may guide future research on this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides a review of the extant literature on African enterprise development by juxtaposing the traditional pessimistic view of African business performance with more recent, optimistic accounts. Based on the literature review, lacunas in the literature are identified and an integrative framework for analysing African enterprise development is developed. The framework is used to provide an overview of the received literature on African enterprise development, to identify voids and lacunas and to identify new research agendas.

Findings

– While a growing number of studies suggest profound improvements in the performance of African enterprises, data limitations, conceptual ambiguities and absence of comprehensive studies still cautions against sweeping generalizations. The paper reviews the literature on factors shaping the performance of African enterprises, observing that while much research is focusing on the role of the African business environments for enterprise development, much less attention has been devoted to the role of firm-specific capabilities, strategies and management. The paper concludes by advocating a contingency approach to research on African enterprise development that emphasizes the interplay between firm-specific factors and the specificities of the African business environment.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a comprehensive literature review on African enterprise development and presents a novel framework for understanding African enterprise development from a business perspective.
The impact of the GST on mortgage pricing of Australian credit unions
Authors: Liu Benjamin , Huang Allen , Freudenberg Brett
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on mortgage pricing and to measure the GST shifting ratio of Australian credit unions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the proprietary data from 79 credit unions in Australia, we perform multivariate regression analysis on the effect of the GST on mortgage effective yield spreads and interest margins, respectively. We also introduce a model that is used to measure the GST shifting ratio.

Findings

– We document that the introduction of the GST in July 2000 led to the substantial rise in mortgage costs charged by credit unions in the post-GST periods. Overall, the GST alone contributed to the increase of effective yield spreads and interest margin by 65.3 and 70.1 basis points, respectively. As measured by the GST-shifting ratio, credit unions passed more than twice of the GST rate. This suggests GST over-shifting, and it is generally consistent with tax over-shifting literature.

Originality/value

– This is the first time the GST shifting ratio has been robustly measured with the use of multivariate models on mortgage costs.
Assessing the risk of non-compliance in UK organic agriculture
Authors: Zanoli Raffaele , Gambelli Danilo , Solfanelli Francesco , Padel Susanne
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the risk factors influencing non-compliance in UK organic farming.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a formal econometric model of risk analysis to provide empirical evidence on the determinants of non-compliance in organic farming. A panel of data from the archives of the largest control body in the UK for 2007-2009 is used, and specific analyses are performed for two types of non-compliances. A zero inflated count data model is used for the estimation, taking into account the fact that the occurrences of non-compliance are very sparse.

Findings

– Results show the existence of strong co-dependence of non-compliant behaviours (i.e. the occurrence of major and critical non-compliance increases the probability of occurrence of the minor one; similarly the probability of occurrence of major non-compliance increases when minor non-compliance occur). Besides, livestock production and farm size are relevant risk factors.

Research limitations/implications

– Albeit highly representative, the findings are based on Soil Association data only and not on all UK organic farms.

Practical implications

– The paper provides practical indications for control bodies, concerning aspects that could be strengthened for more efficient risk-based inspections. The paper advocates the use of financial information like turnover or capital stock, and of data concerning the characteristics of the farmers, that could substantially improve the probability of detecting the most severe non-compliances.

Social implications

– Certification is essential for organic farming, and an improvement of inspection procedures through a risk-based approach could add efficiency and effectiveness to the whole organic food system, with obvious advantages for consumers and the society as a whole.

Originality/value

– This paper provides for the first time empirical evidence concerning the implementation of the organic certification system in the UK.
Creating the library experience
Authors: Howard Kieserman Robert
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the elements of a library’s daily operations that contribute to the overall experience visitors to the library hopefully enjoy. Beyond the much discussed element of customer service, there are many other factors that either enhance the experience or detract from it.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used the author’s personal experience as an observer of library organizations from his perspective of a consultant and a workshop presenter.

Findings

– This paper focuses on the importance of ensuring that every aspect of the library operation functions properly to guarantee pleasant experiences for all visitors.

Originality/value

– The paper helps the library director, the department manager and the staff librarian to better appreciate the importance of being aware of how the visitor perceives the library experience.
To E or not to E …
Authors: McMullen Anthony
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide insights and commentary into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic resources on a limited budget and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

– Uses real-world experiences and data to report on collection development decisions as they relate to e-books, specifically demand-driven acquisition (DDA) models, in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations.

Findings

– Efficient and ubiquitous access to information has altered user expectations and needs. Many libraries have greatly expanded their holdings of e-books in an effort to address these changes. Some have investigated DDA models to place more control in the hands of the library users, despite an aversion on the part of some librarians.

Originality/value

– This paper examines the changing nature of study habits among college students and intimates that some of the decreases in average time spent studying outside of the classroom can be attributed to increased efficiencies in locating and acquiring information and knowledge. The paper suggests DDA as a logical next step in the continued evolution of the modern library.
Is more always better? Risk trade-offs among internationalizing new ventures
Authors: A. Fernhaber Stephanie , P. McDougall-Covin Patricia
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how ventures manage the negative returns associated with higher levels of internationalization. Many new ventures are internationalizing to fully exploit new innovations and/or gain access to larger markets. Yet at some point the rising costs associated with internationalization outweigh any benefits, resulting in an inverted U-shaped relationship between internationalization and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– New ventures are theorized to better manage high levels of internationalization by limiting exposure to other sources of risk. This can be achieved by leveraging greater size and/or limiting simultaneous diversification efforts on product innovation. To test the hypotheses, a regression using Heckman selection was run using a sample of 210 US-based, publicly held ventures in high-technology industries.

Findings

– The results confirm that when higher levels of internationalization are coupled with either a low emphasis on product innovation or larger size, the negative returns are mitigated and actually become positive.

Research limitations/implications

– A key implication lies in recognizing the role of risk management for internationalizing ventures. Future research could benefit by testing for generalizability in other countries as well as among privately held ventures.

Practical implications

– To manage the trade-offs associated at higher levels of internationalization, ventures need to maintain a low emphasis on product innovation or meet a threshold in terms of size.

Originality/value

– The value of this research lies in better understanding how ventures are able to overcome rising costs at higher levels of internationalization.
Consumer behavior on Facebook
Authors: Ho Ching-Wei
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate consumers’ voluntary behaviors on Facebook through exploring how members’ community participation affects consumer citizenship behaviors toward the brand. The study also provided further insight into the mediating effect by considering brand trust and community identification.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research begins by developing a framework to describe and examine the relationship among Facebook participants, brand trust, community identification, and consumer citizenship behaviors. Furthermore, it tests the mediating effects of brand trust and community identification on the relationship between Facebook participation and consumer citizenship behaviors. The model and hypotheses in this study employ structural equation modeling with survey data.

Findings

– First, this study reveals consumers’ community participation on Facebook has directly positive and significant effects on brand trust and community identification. Second, this research confirms that brand trust has directly positive and significant effects on community identification. Third, this study found that brand trust and community identification play a mediating role between Facebook participation and consumer citizenship behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample comprised primarily young adults, which may not be completely generalizable to the population at large. This study examined a specific form of virtual community, Facebook, so the results cannot be ascribed to other formats of brand community.

Originality/value

– The issue of consumer’ voluntary behavior on social networking sites has become more and more important. This study proposed an exclusive model of the process by which the paper can consider consumers’ voluntary behaviors on Facebook from participation to consumer citizenship behavior toward the brand. This finding can be viewed as pioneering, setting a benchmark for further research.
The tourism life cycle: an overview of Langkawi Island, Malaysia
Authors: Irwana Omar Shida , Ghapar Othman Abdul , Mohamed Badaruddin
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the tourism life cycle of Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The paper seeks to investigate the stages of life cycle that the island has passed through and at what stage the island is in today.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle model as the research framework to describe the characteristics of each stage of the island’s tourism life cycle and determine the time scale of the stages. The evidence presented in the stages is derived from secondary sources dating from 1642 to present.

Findings

– The findings indicate that the tourism life cycle in Langkawi Island has undergone four stages of development and that it is currently in the consolidation stage. Numerous characteristics suggested by Butler’s model for each stage are clearly discernible in the island’s tourism growth. The government serves as the major player and catalyst for tourism expansion in the island from one stage to the next.

Practical implications

– It is hoped that the paper will contribute to a better understanding of how tourism and its market have evolved in Langkawi Island. The paper also provides insights on how future planning should be directed in more sustainable and responsible ways to position the island.

Originality/value

– The paper delivers a comprehensive understanding on the tourism developmental process of Langkawi Island, besides facilitating the understanding of major fundamental causes and conditions and the accompanying transition in the stages. The paper also bridges the gaps in knowledge addressed in similar previous studies.
RestoringPhronesisand practice: marketing’s forgotten P’s
Authors: Kavanagh Donncha
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of marketing’s philosophical conversation over the past 120 years, focusing on the emergent meaning of the notion that marketing should become more “scientific”.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper focuses on the US academic marketing literature, primarily journal articles and books published in the first half of the 20th century.

Findings

– The Aristotelian distinction betweentechné,episteméandphronesisprovides a rich basis for framing philosophical discussion in marketing, and should supplant the art-science debate and Anderson’s distinction between science1and science2. Prior to 1959, the marketing journals provided a forum forphronesis, though this diminished as the academic marketing community largely abandoned the inductive, contextual approach in favour of a deductive, “scientific” methodology. The Ford Foundation played an important role in effecting this change.

Practical implications

– The paper highlights the importance of forums where practitioners can reflect on the ethical and social implications of their practices and then work to enhance these practices for the greater social good.

Social implications

– Questions the value of distinctions between marketing theorists and practitioners and the consequential focus of marketing journals.

Originality/value

– Advances the concept of phronesis in the marketing literature and distinguishes it fromepistemé, which has dominated academic marketing discourse over the past 60 years.
The Marketing Institution by Ralph F. Breyer (1934)
Authors: Shaw Eric
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this review is to examine an early marketing textbook for its insights into concepts and theory that may have relevance today.

Design/methodology/approach

– To examine the book in light of the commentary provided by numerous scholars over the decades since its publication.

Findings

– The latter half of the book, about the marketing implications of the “New Deal” response to the “Great Recession” of the 1930s, is out of date; however, the first half offers an insightful analysis of the marketing system and the rudiments of a general theory of marketing.

Research limitations/implications

– Providing a rationale for marketing systems and core concepts for building a general theory of marketing, the book therefore has much to recommend it to students of marketing thought and theory.

Originality/value

– This book was first reviewed some 80 years ago. With a longer time horizon, and the additional comments by numerous scholars in the historical literature, a more meaningful appraisal of the influence of this work can now be made.
Between Sociology and the Business School: Critical Studies of Work, Employment and Organization in the UK
Authors: Parker Martin
Published: August 2014

This is a paper about what happens when a form of knowledge moves to another part of the university. The author, identifying himself as an ‘ex-sociologist’, investigates the relationship between the sociology of work, employment and organization and various ‘critical’ traditions within the business school. I argue that the contemporary divide between sociologies of work and employment, and Critical Management Studies (CMS) within the business school rests in part on developments in UK sociology in the 1960s and 70s. This means that divergent understandings of the role of sociology and its relevant theoretical resources provided the deep structure for the current tension between CMS on the one hand and research on work and employment on the other. The movement of sociologists and industrial relations academics to the business school provided the preconditions for two very different critical traditions. The paper concludes with thoughts on what it means to be an outsider inside an institution, and on the future prospects for Burawoy's ‘critical’ or ‘public’ sociologies in UK business schools.
Food fight! Immigrant Street Vendors, Gourmet Food Trucks and the Differential Valuation of Creative Producers inChicago
Authors: Martin Nina
Published: August 2014

Immigrant street vendors inChicago have fought for decades without success to change the restrictive and punitive city ordinance governing their work. The failure of the immigrant street vendors stands in marked contrast to the successful efforts of gourmet food truck entrepreneurs, who within only two years convinced theChicagoCityCouncil to pass an ordinance permitting their work. The differential regulation of street vending reveals how local politicians use the rhetoric of the ‘creative’ city to justify building a city that appeals to young urban professionals, while simultaneously marginalizing the possibilities of working‐class immigrants to shape the city to their desires. This article aims to add to the literature on the politics of the creative class by demonstrating how discourses of creativity and entrepreneurialism get mobilized by competing interests, and how racial‐ethnic attitudes become integral to these discourses. The contrasting experiences of the vendors force us to ask: Why is the creativity of food truck entrepreneurs valued over the creativity of street vendors when, according to Richard Florida, creative class cities are supposed to be tolerant and immigrant‐friendly? Whose ‘creativity’ gets to be part of the ‘creative’ city? I draw on interviews with street vendors and a discourse analysis of media coverage of vending debates.
Reconstructing Urban Politics with a Bourdieusian Framework: The Case of Local Low‐Income Housing Policy
Authors: Shin Yongjun
Published: August 2014

This research aimed to reconstruct a local urban politics and develop a meso–micro‐level model of urban politics through a case study, drawing on a Bourdieusian relational framework. To this end, it investigated the case of local low‐income housing policy — inclusionary zoning — in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It historicized the path of the local low‐income policy issue through document analysis and qualitative media content analysis. Through multiple analyses, the study revealed that urban politics consists of complex interlinkages among stakeholders with shared values or interests from different social domains, created in order to dominate the policy issue. The study further investigated, on the basis of Bourdieu's concepts of capital and habitus, what elicited different political strategies from key community leaders.
African Agricultural Development: Lessons and Challenges
Authors: Wiggins Steve
Published: August 2014

This paper reviews what has been learned from experiences of African agriculture and hence what policy lessons may be. Views of African agriculture over the last 130 years have changed from optimism to pessimism and at least halfway back again as the performance of the sector has fluctuated. Fortunately it seems the deep pessimism about agricultural prospects expressed in the 1980s and 1990s has receded. The performance of African agriculture since 1990 suggests that neither those who doubt that any significant advances are taking place, nor those who see advances in some remarkable but perhaps isolated cases of rapid transformation of farming and agricultural supply chains, have sufficient evidence – either from national data or small‐scale studies – to support their positions. Hence policy has to rely largely on general principles and historic lessons, rather than more clearly proven propositions. Policy debates over African agricultural development may sharply divide on some topics, but there is little debate over the importance of basic conditions for agricultural development of an enabling investment climate and the provision of rural public goods. Beyond these basics, the challenge is to remedy the failings of markets that deny most smallholders access to inputs, financial services and insurance. Here opinion divides between whether to return to public provision, as with fertiliser subsidies, or whether private and collective institutional innovations will be sufficient. Recent initiatives to test and scale up the latter look promising, but most have yet to be evaluated. If agricultural development is first and foremost about establishing the basic conditions for growth, then most countries in Africa may be better placed than they have been in the past. Given the many examples that show African smallholders investing and innovating when they have the chance, then there are reasons to hope that the modest growth of production and productivity seen in the last two decades may accelerate in the future – thereby allowing African countries to make the transition from agrarian to urban economies.
A review of methotrexate‐associated hepatotoxicity
Authors: Bath Roopjeet K. , Brar Navkiran K. , Forouhar Faripour A. , Wu George Y.
Published: August 2014

Methotrexate is effective not only in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis but also various other disorders. The use of methotrexate has been somewhat limited by concerns regarding its adverse effects, including its potential for hepatotoxicity. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of methotrexate‐associated hepatotoxicity, including risk factors, pathogenesis and recommendations for monitoring it by US, UK and European guidelines, as well as providing a brief overview of its mechanism of action and of high‐dose methotrexate.
Monitoring a population of translocatedGrandCayman blue iguanas: assessing the accuracy and precision of distance sampling and repeated counts
Authors: Burton F. J. , Rivera‐Milán F. F.
Published: August 2014

In wildlife translocations, it is important to identify reliable monitoring methods that can provide accurate population estimates for post‐release management. We compared density and abundance estimates of distance sampling and repeated counts with complete counts (census data) to determine accuracy (percentage relative bias) and precision (coefficient of variation) for monitoring populations of blue iguanas restored to protected areas onGrandCayman. We conducted incomplete counts (survey data) of blue iguanas at 12 transects of unequal length (range = 322.1 to 431.7 m) visited 36 times per year, yielding 405 detections inMarch 2010 and 443 detections inMarch 2013. Distance sampling and repeated counts provided accurate (range of percentage relative bias = −9.52% to 0.00%) and precise (range of coefficient of variation = 0.10 to 0.15) estimates of iguana density and abundance, and yielded an estimate of the proportion of individuals that were available for detection in the study area during the surveys (,se = 0.03). The use of distance sampling and repeated count methods, in carefully designed surveys with representative coverage and adequate replication, can lead to more reliable monitoring of extant wild and translocated rock iguana populations on otherCaribbean islands, where individual marking may not be practical, and the proportion of individuals that is available for detection is unknown.
Timely access to specialist medical oncology services closer to home for rural patients: Experience from the Townsville Teleoncology Model
Authors: Sabesan Sabe , Roberts Lynden J. , Aiken Peter , Joshi Abhishek , Larkins Sarah
Published: August 2014

Problem

Prior to 2009, the teleoncology model of the Townsville Cancer Centre (TCC) did not achieve its aims of equal waiting times for rural and urban patients and the provision of reliable, local acute cancer care. From 2007–2009, 60 new patients from Mt Isa travelled to TCC for their first consultation and their first dose of chemotherapy. Six of these patients required inter‐hospital transfers and eight required urgent flights to attend outpatient clinics. Only 50% these rural patients (n = 30) were reviewed within one week of their referral, compared with 90% of Townsville patients.

Design

A descriptive study.

Setting

TCC provides teleoncology services to 21 rural towns; the largest is Mt Isa, Qld.

Key measures for improvement

Specialist review of 90% of urgent cases within 24 hours, and 90% of non‐urgent cases within one week of referral via videoconferencing. A 50% reduction in inpatient inter‐hospital transfers from Mt Isa to Townsville.

Strategies for change

Employment of a half‐time medical officer and a half‐time cancer care coordinator, and implementation of new policies.

Effects of change

Between 2009 and 2011, TCC provided cancer care to 70 new patients from Mt Isa. Of these new patients, 93% (65/70) were seen within one week of referral. All 17 patients requiring urgent reviews were seen within 24 hours of referral and managed locally thus eliminating the need for inpatient inter‐hospital transfers.

Lessons learnt

Provision of timely acute cancer care closer to home requires an increase in the rural case complexity and human resources.
Scripting and monitoring meet each other: Aligning learning analytics and learning design to support teachers in orchestrating CSCL situations
Authors: Rodríguez‐Triana María Jesús , Martínez‐Monés Alejandra , Asensio‐Pérez Juan I. , Dimitriadis Yannis
Published: August 2014

From the conceptualization to the evaluation of computer‐supported collaborative learning (CSCL) scenarios, teachers address multiple tasks, sometimes being overwhelmed on account of the required time and associated burden. To support teachers in this endeavor, we propose to connect the pedagogical decisions made at design time with the analysis of the participants' interactions. Thus, teachers would be provided with relevant and coarse‐grained information that could help them manage their CSCL scenarios. This paper synthesizes the main contributions obtained from a 3‐year design‐based research process, and presents the findings obtained from the evaluation of the current proposal in two authentic CSCL scenarios. The participant teachers valued the proposal positively and stated that it was helpful for their orchestration of CSCL scenarios.
The Effects of the EU Equal‐Treatment Directive for Fixed‐Term Workers: Evidence From the UK
Authors: Salvatori Andrea
Published: August 2014

In 2002, the UK implemented the EU Directive mandating equal treatment of fixed‐term and permanent workers. This article uses 11 years of data from the Labour Force Survey to assess whether the new legislation has led to a decrease in the average wage gap between fixed‐term and permanent workers. For women, there is no evidence of that. For men, the wage gap appears to have closed after 2002. However, this gap was falling even before 2002, and some evidence of changes in the selection of workers after the implementation of the Directive casts doubts on the extent to which the closing of the gap can be ascribed to the new legislation.
Anticancer Activity and DNA‐Binding Investigations of the Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes with Coumarin Derivative
Authors: Zhu Taofeng , Wang Yuan , Ding Weiliang , Xu Jun , Chen Ruhua , Xie Jing , Zhu Wenjiao , Jia Lei , Ma Tieliang
Published: August 2014

Two new copper(II) (2) and nickel(II) (3) complexes with a new coumarin derivative have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The DNA‐binding activities of the two complexes have been investigated by spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, CD (circular dichroism) spectral analysis, and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the two complexes, especially the complex 2, can strongly bind to calf‐thymus DNA (CT‐–DNA). The intrinsic binding constants Kb of the complexes with CT‐DNA are 2.99 × 105 and 0.61 × 105 for 2 and 3, respectively. Comparative cytotoxic activities of the two complexes are also determined by MTT assay. The results show that the drugs designed here have significant cytotoxic activity against the human hepatic (HepG2), human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60), and human prostate (PC3) cell lines. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and the results show that the two copper complexes can induce apoptosis of the three human tumor cells. In conclusions, the two complexes show considerable cytotoxic activity against the three human cancer and induce apoptosis of the threes.
Dead Money: Inheritance Law and the Longevity of Family Firms
Authors: Carney Michael , Gedajlovic Eric , Strike Vanessa M.
Published: August 2014

“Dead money” refers to the potential for the division, reduction, and misallocation of family firm assets during intergenerational wealth transfers. We consider the effects of inheritance law provisions on property transfers and the potential impact on family firm vitality in four jurisdictions: Germany, France, Hong Kong SAR, and the United States. These jurisdictions have divergent legal origins and inheritance law regimes that generate distinct patterns of transformation and continuity in family firms. The contribution of the paper is to identify external institutional factors that determine the central tendencies on family firm longevity in a literature that has hitherto focused on internal factors such as the efficacy of adopting professional management and succession planning.
Collapse of the native structure caused by a single amino acid exchange in human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1
Authors: Lienhart Wolf‐Dieter , Gudipati Venugopal , Uhl Michael K. , Binter Alexandra , Pulido Sergio A. , Saf Robert , Zangger Klaus , Gruber Karl , Macheroux Peter
Published: August 2014

Human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is essential for the antioxidant defense system, stabilization of tumor suppressors (e.g. p53, p33, and p73), and activation of quinone‐based chemotherapeutics. Overexpression of NQO1 in many solid tumors, coupled with its ability to convert quinone‐based chemotherapeutics into potent cytotoxic compounds, have made it a very attractive target for anticancer drugs. A naturally occurring single‐nucleotide polymorphism (C609T) leading to an amino acid exchange (P187S) has been implicated in the development of various cancers and poor survival rates following anthracyclin‐based adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite its importance for cancer prediction and therapy, the exact molecular basis for the loss of function in NQO1 P187S is currently unknown. Therefore, we solved the crystal structure of NQO1 P187S. Surprisingly, this structure is almost identical to NQO1. Employing a combination of NMR spectroscopy and limited proteolysis experiments, we demonstrated that the single amino acid exchange destabilized interactions between the core and C‐terminus, leading to depopulation of the native structure in solution. This collapse of the native structure diminished cofactor affinity and led to a less competent FAD‐binding pocket, thus severely compromising the catalytic capacity of the variant protein. Hence, our findings provide a rationale for the loss of function in NQO1 P187S with a frequently occurring single‐nucleotide polymorphism.

Database

Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4cet (P187S variant with dicoumarol) and 4cf6 (P187S variant with Cibacron blue).

Structured digital abstract

NQO1 P187S and NQO1 P187S bind by nuclear magnetic resonance (View interaction)

NQO1 P187S and NQO1 P187S bind by x-ray crystallography (1, 2)

NQO1 and NQO1 bind by molecular sieving (1, 2)
Regional media coverage influences the public's negative attitudes to policy implementation success in Sweden
Authors: Fredriksson Mio , Tiainen Anne , Hanning Marianne
Published: August 2014

Background

One central aspect of health literacy is knowledge of patients' rights. Being an important source of information about health and health care, the media may influence health literacy and act as a policy implementer.

Objective

To investigate whether regional news media coverage in Sweden is linked to (i) the public's awareness and knowledge of a patient's rights policy, the waiting‐time guarantee and (ii) the public's attitudes to how the guarantee's time limits are met, that is, implementation success.

Design and data

Three types of data are used. First, a national telephone survey of the public's awareness, knowledge and attitudes; second, media coverage information from digital media monitoring; and third, official waiting‐time statistics. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses are performed with the 21 Swedish county councils/regions as a base.

Results

In the county councils/regions, non‐awareness ranged from 1 to 15% and knowledge from 47 to 67%. There are relatively large differences between population groups. The amount of regional media coverage shows no significant correlation to the level of awareness and knowledge. There is, however, a significant correlation to both positive and negative attitudes; the latter remains after controlling for actual waiting times.

Discussion and conclusions

At the national level, the media function as a policy implementer, being the primary source of information. At the regional level, the media are part of the political communication, reporting more extensively in county councils/regions where the population holds negative views towards the achievement in implementing the guarantee. We conclude that Swedish authorities should develop its communication strategies to bridge health literacy inequalities.
α1‐Blockers for the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections in women with dysfunctional voiding: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Minardi Daniele , Pellegrinelli Francesco , Conti Alessandro , Fontana Donatella , Mattia Michela , Milanese Giulio , Muzzonigro Giovanni
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of tamsulosin on recurrent urinary tract infections in women with dysfunctional voiding.

Methods

A total of 155 women with recurrent urinary tract infections and dysfunctional voiding were included and randomly assigned to the following groups: uroflowmetry biofeedback (group 1), α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists (group 2), uroflowmetry biofeedback combined with α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists (group 3) and no treatment (group 4). Patients were evaluated by the American Urological Association Symptom Index at 3, 6 and 12 months. Urodynamics was carried out in patients of groups 1, 2, and 3 at 3, 6 and 12 months, whereas urodynamics was only carried out at 12 months in group 4. All patients were followed up for 1 year with monthly urine cultures.

Results

The incidence of storage and emptying symptoms decreased significantly at 3, 6 and 12 months. Mean flow rate, flow time and voiding volume increased significantly (with a better outcome in patients of group 3), whereas post‐void residual urine decreased. Mean opening detrusor pressure and detrusor pressure at maximum flow decreased significantly (with a better outcome in patients of group 3). Mean urethral closure pressure and maximum urethral closure pressure decreased significantly with a more significant decrease for patients in group 3. The prevalence of urinary tract infection decreased significantly in all groups after treatment, and this decrease remained stable during the follow up.

Conclusions

In women with dysfunctional voiding and recurrent urinary tract infection, tamsulosin associated with uroflowmetry biofeedback might be an effective and safe treatment option for improving urinary symptoms and quality of life.
Pathophysiology of uveitis
Authors: DICK A
Published: August 2014

This talk will overview the pathophysiology of non‐infectious uveitis in relation to recent SUN (standardised uveitis nomenclature) disease classification. The experimental and translational human evidence of autoimmunity and activation of immunity will be discussed. In addition the talk will highlight the pathways and mechanisms of tissue damage that results in sight‐threatening disease.Traditionally, despite active immune regulatory mechanisms operative within the ocular environment, inflammation still occurs. Activated antigen and non‐antigen specific T cells are generated in uveitis. The interplay with innate immunity and in particular cells of myeloid lineage both systemically and within the local environment dictate the severity and extent of pathology we observe. The understanding of immune responses during the uveitis open many avenues to potential novel immunotherapies that not only suppress inflammation but attempt to redress immune balance, tolerance and local homeostasis within ocular tissues.
Does foveal anatomy influence macular pigment and its spatial profile? A bi‐racial study
Authors: CTORI I , HUNTJENS B
Published: August 2014

Purpose To investigate the relationship of foveal architecture with macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and its spatial profile in south Asian and white females.

Methods Foveal anatomy measurements, obtained using optical coherence tomography (Spectralis OCT; Heidelberg), were collected from 46 south Asian (age 21 ± 3 years) and 38 white healthy females (age 26 ± 5 years). Spatial distribution of MPOD, measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry, was classified as a typical exponential or an atypical profile.

Results South Asian compared to white females had thinner central retinas (220 ± 14μm vs. 228 ± 19μm; P = 0.02), wider foveas (2526 ± 247μm vs. 2296 ± 228μm; P < 0.0005) and higher central MPOD (0.56 ± 0.18 vs. 0.44 ± 0.23; P = 0.001), after controlling for age. Central MPOD was greater in those with an atypical (0.61 ± 0.21) compared to a typical MPOD profile (0.47 ± 0.17, P < 0.005). Only white females presenting a typical MPOD profile showed a significant correlation between central MPOD and central retinal thickness (ρ = 0.403, P = 0.03) and between the foveal pit and MPOD profile slope gradients from 0 to 0.8° (r = ‐0.522, P = 0.004). We found no association between foveal width and central MPOD in either ethnicity regardless of MPOD profile type (P = 0.90).

Conclusion Our findings show that there are significant differences in retinal morphology and central MPOD between south Asian and white females. However, foveal anatomy seems to correlate with central MPOD only in white females with typical MPOD profiles. We hypothesize that higher central MPOD associated with atypical MPOD profiles and south Asian ethnicity is not related to central foveal anatomy, but a feature of an individual’s congenital constitution.
Relation between the retinal reflectivity on SD‐OCT and the cone density measured using adaptive optics
Authors: FLORES M , DEBELLEMANIERE G , TUMAHAI P , KOEHL A , MEILLAT M , SCHWARTZ C , DELBOSC B , SALEH M
Published: August 2014

Purpose To assess the relation between the relative reflectivity of the inner segment ellipsoid (ISe) band on Spectral domain (SD)‐OCT and the cone density measured using adaptive optics.

Methods Twenty eyes of 10 subjects were studied. Two subjects were healthy and the others were randomly chosen from a pool of patients presenting retinal diseases impairing bilaterally the ISe layer. Horizontal B‐scans were acquired using SD‐OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany). The relative reflectivity, defined as the ratio between the reflectivity of the ISe layer and the reflectivity of the full retinal thickness was measured, together with ISe thickness, using ImageJ. Cone counts were performed at 2° eccentricity from the fovea (nasal, temporal, superior and inferior areas) using an Adaptive Optics retinal camera (RTX1, Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) and its dedicated software (AOdetect v0.1™ ,Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France). Correlation coefficients (Pearson r) between the cone density and the others parameters were calculated for each area.

Results Cone densities were significantly correlated with the ISe relative reflectivity (r = 0,70 [0,59 ; 0,79] p<0,01), and to a lesser extent with the ISe thickness (r = 0,32 [0,04 ; 0,56] p<0,01) and with BCVA (logMAR) (r = ‐0,38 [‐0,55;‐0,21] p<0,01).

Conclusion The reflectivity on SD‐OCT of the outer retina brings valuable information on photoreceptor density in absence of adaptive optics camera. Further developments in OCT software enabling it uses in a clinical setting would be a useful advance.
The (new) place of laser treatment in RVO
Authors: PUCHE N
Published: August 2014

The appearance of injections in the treatment of macular edema has upsets the management of RVO. Now, What is the place of laser ? We will present the place of focal laser treatment of macular edema and remember the importance of panretinalphotocoagulation in the treatment of ischemic forms. The injection delay anti VEGF ischemic CRVO conversion.