bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis and Intertriginous Dermatitis (Intertrigo) in an Acute Care Facility
Authors: Arnold-Long Mary , Johnson Emily
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and intertriginous dermatitis (ITD) upon admission, and the incidence of hospital-acquired IAD and ITD in a sample of acutely ill adults.

DESIGN:

This was a descriptive, retrospective-cohort observational study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 417 adults admitted to an urban community hospital licensed for 249 acute and 52 acute rehabilitation beds in Charleston, South Carolina, and referred to WOC nurses for evaluation and treatment.

METHODS:

Prevalence and incidence rates were calculated from data previously collected for quality improvement purposes from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016, by the WOC nurses and documented in a secure, password-protected electronic spreadsheet. The prevalence of IAD/ITD was calculated as the proportion of patients diagnosed with IAD/ITD on admission to our facility. The incidence of IAD and ITD was calculated as percentage of patients who developed IAD/ITD during the course of their hospital stay. All units in the hospital were included.

RESULTS:

The mean prevalence of IAD present on admission was 16%; the prevalence decreased over the data collection period; it was 21% in 2014, 15% in 2015, and 13% in 2016. The mean incidence of hospital-acquired IAD during the data collection period was 23%; the highest rate (26%) occurred in 2016. Patients classified as normal weight from their body mass index and patients 60 years and older had the highest incidence of hospital-acquired IAD. The mean prevalence of ITD for patients admitted to the hospital was 40% for the 3-year time; annual rates varied from a low of 36% in 2015 to a high of 42% in 2016. The mean incidence of hospital-acquired ITD was 33% over the data collection period; mean incidence rates were 32% in 2014, 39% in 2015, and 29% in 2016. The incidence of ITD was higher in patients classified as obese based on body mass index in patients 60 years and older. The most common location was the gluteal cleft.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of IAD fell within the range of prior epidemiologic studies, but the facility-acquired IAD incidence rates were higher than other studies based in the acute care setting. The prevalence of ITD was higher than rates reported in prior studies; we searched the literature and found no previous reports of ITD occurrences over the course of a hospital stay. Additional research regarding IAD prevention and ITD in the gluteal cleft is needed. Data collection regarding IAD and ITD prevalence and incidence could be incorporated into the data collection tool used for pressure injury data collection for the National Database of Nursing Sensitive Indicators.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial and Nocardia infections mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis: a retrospective study of a general hospital patient population in China
Authors: Dong Guowei , Chu Ping , Guo Jie , Xie Yuduan , Lu Jie
Published: April 2019

Purpose. In this study, we differentiated between tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) or

Nocardia

in a tertiary general hospital in China. Differences in clinical manifestations and factors between respiratory infections associated with these organisms were also investigated.

Methodology. A retrospective analysis was conducted for suspected pulmonary TB patients with positive bacterial culture results under treatment at Wangjing Hospital, a tertiary general hospital, between January 2014 and June 2017. Sputum samples were submitted for liquid culture and species identification by mass spectrometry.

Results. Between January 2014 and June 2017, a total of 3981 suspected TB cases were analysed, of which 151 (3.8 %) exhibited positive mycobacterial culture results. Using mass spectrometry, the 151 isolates were classified into three groups:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

(MTB) (n=112; 74.2 %), NTM (n=21 13.9 %) and

Nocardia

(n=18; 11.9 %). The NTM and

Nocardia

prevalence rates were significantly higher amongst elderly patients [aged ≥65 years; odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 3.89 (1.05–14.38) for NTM; odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 5.10 (1.09–23.91) for

Nocardia

]. In addition, treatment with immunosuppressive therapy [odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 3.92 (1.16–13.27)] was identified as a risk factor for

Nocardia

infection in these patients.

Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that a quarter of culture-positive ‘suspected TB patients’ harboured NTM or

Nocardia

infections. Notably, nearly all patients with non-TB infections presented with clinical syndromes mimicking pulmonary TB. Individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy were at greater risk of acquiring

Nocardia

infections.
Targeting the trypanosome kinetochore with CLK1 protein kinase inhibitors
Authors: Saldivia Manuel , Rao Srinivasa P.S. , Fang Eric , Myburgh Elmarie , Brown Elaine , Wollman Adam J. M. , Ritchie Ryan , Lakhsminarayana Suresh B , Chen Yen Liang , Patra Debjani , Koh Hazel X. Y. , Williams Sarah , Supek Frantisek , Paape Daniel , Bower-Lepts Christopher , Leake Mark C. , McCulloch Richard , Kaiser Marcel , Barrett Michael P. , Jiricek Jan , Diagana Thierry T. , Mottram Jeremy C.
Published: April 2019

The kinetochore is a macromolecular structure that assembles on the centromeres of chromosomes and provides the major attachment point for spindle microtubules during mitosis. In Trypanosoma brucei the proteins that make up the kinetochore are highly divergent, with the inner kinetochore comprising at least 20 distinct and essential proteins (KKT1-20) that include four protein kinases, CLK1 (KKT10), CLK2 (KKT19), KKT2 and KKT3. We performed a phenotypic screen of T. brucei bloodstream forms with a Novartis kinase-focused inhibitor library, which identified a number of selective inhibitors with potent pan-kinetoplastid activity. Deconvolution of an amidobenzimidazole series using a selection of 37 T. brucei mutants that over-express known essential protein kinases identified CLK1 as the primary target. Biochemical studies show that the irreversible competitive inhibition of CLK1 is dependent on a Michael acceptor forming an irreversible bond with C215 in the ATP binding pocket, a residue that is not present in human CLK1, thereby providing selectivity. Chemical inhibition of CLK1 impairs inner kinetochore recruitment and compromises cell cycle progression, leading to cell death. We show that KKT2 is a substrate for CLK1 and identify phosphorylation of S508 to be essential for KKT2 function and for kinetochore assembly. We propose that CLK1 is part of a novel signalling cascade that controls kinetochore function via phosphorylation of the inner kinetochore protein kinase KKT2. This work highlights a novel drug target for trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa and a new chemical tool for investigating the function of their divergent kinetochores.
ELIMÄKI locus is required for mechanosensing and proprioception in birch trees
Authors: Alonso-Serra Juan , Shi Xueping , Peaucelle Alexis , Rastas Pasi , Bourdon Matthieu , Immanen Juha , Takahashi Junko , Koivula Hanna , Eswaran Gugan , Muranen Sampo , Help-Rinta-Rahko Hanna , Smolander Olli-Pekka , Su Chang , Safronov Omid , Gerber Lorenz , Salojärvi Jarkko , Hagqvist Risto , Mähonen Ari-Pekka , Nieminen Kaisa , Helariutta Ykä
Published: April 2019

The remarkable vertical and radial growth observed in tree species, encompasses a major physical challenge for wood forming tissues. To compensate with increasing size and weight, cambium-derived radial growth increases the stem width, thereby supporting the aerial body of trees. This feedback appears to be part of a so-called “proprioception” (1, 2) mechanism that controls plant size and biomass allocation. Yet, how trees experience or respond to mechanical stress derived from their own vertical loading, remains unknown. Here, we combined two strategies to dissect the proprioceptive response in birch. First, we show that in response to physical loading, trees promote radial growth with different magnitudes along the stem. Next, we identified a mutant cultivar (B. pubescens cv. Elimäki) in which the main stem shows normal vertical development, but collapses after three months. By inducing precocious flowering, we generated a backcrossed population (BC1) by producing two generations in 4 years. In his scheme, we uncovered a recessive trait (eki) that segregates and genetically maps with a Mendelian monogenic pattern. Unlike WT,ekiis resistant to vertical mechanical stimulation. However,ekiresponds normally to the gravitropic stimulus by making tension wood. Before the collapse, cell size inekiis compromised resulting in radial growth defects, depending on stem height. Cell walls of developing xylem and phloem tissues have delayed differentiation ineki, and its tissues are softer compared to WT as indicated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The transcriptomic profile ofekihighlighted the overlap with that of theArabidopsisresponse to touch. Taken together, our results suggest that the mechanical environment and cell wall properties of developing woody tissues, can significantly affect the growth responses to vertical loading thereby compromising their proprioceptive capacity. Additionally, we introduce a fast forward genetics strategy to dissect complex phenotypes in trees.
The RhoGEF Cysts couples apical polarity proteins to Rho and myosin activity at adherens junctions
Authors: Silver Jordan T. , Wirtz-Peitz Frederik , Simões Sérgio , Pellikka Milena , Yan Dong , Binari Richard , Nishimura Takashi , Li Yan , Harris Tony J. C. , Perrimon Norbert , Tepass Ulrich
Published: April 2019

The spatio-temporal regulation of small Rho GTPases is crucial for the dynamic stability of epithelial tissues. However, how RhoGTPase activity is controlled during development remains largely unknown. To explore the regulation of Rho GTPases in vivo we analyzed the Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) Cysts, the Drosophila orthologue of mammalian p114RhoGEF, GEF-H1, p190RhoGEF, and AKAP-13. Loss of Cysts causes a phenotype that closely resemble the mutant phenotype of the apical polarity regulator Crumbs. This phenotype can be suppressed by the loss of basolateral polarity proteins suggesting that Cysts in an integral component of the apical polarity protein network. Cysts activates Rho at adherens junctions to promote junctional enrichment of myosin II, which requires the RhoGEF domain and the coiled-coil domain containing C-terminal region of Cysts. Cysts recruitment to the apico-lateral cortex depends on Crumbs and Bazooka/Par3 and requires multiple domains within Cysts including the C-terminal region. Together, our findings indicate that Cysts links apical polarity proteins to Rho1 and myosin activation at adherens junctions to support junctional and epithelial integrity in the Drosophila ectoderm.
Effect of PEI-coated MNPs on the Regulation of Cellular Focal Adhesions and Actin Stress Fibres
Authors: Narayanasamy Kaarjel K. , Price Joshua C. , Merkhan Marwan , Elttayef Ajile , Dobson Jon , Telling Neil D.
Published: April 2019

The biocompatibility of surface coated/functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is key to their successful incorporation and application in biological systems. Polyethylene imine (PEI) -coated MNPs provide improvedin vitrotransfection efficiency compared to conventional chemical methods such as Lipofectamine and cationic polymers, and are also safer than viral transduction. Commercial cell toxicity assays are useful for end-point and high-throughput screening, providing fast results and an overview of cell health. However these assays only take into account cells that have undergone an extreme toxic response leading to cell death. Cell toxicity is a complex process which can be expressed in many forms, through morphological, metabolic, and epigenetic changes. A common indicator of cell stress and toxic response is increased cell adhesion and stress fibre formation. It is important to identify these changes in cells as it may affect downstream results and applications in biomedicine. This study explores the effect of the nanomagnetic transfection agent PEI-coated MNPs (MNP-PEIs) and an external magnetic field on cell behaviour, by studying particle internalization, changes in cellular morphology, and cell adhesion. We found that MNP-PEIs induced cell stress through a dose-dependent increase in cell adhesion via the overexpression of vinculin and formation of actin stress fibres. While the presence of PEI was the main contributor to increased cell stress, free PEI polyplexes induced higher toxicity compared to PEI bound to MNPs. MNPs without PEI coating however did not adversely affect cells suggesting a chemical effect instead of a mechanical one. In addition, genes identified as being associated with actin fibre regulation and cell adhesion, showed significant increases in expression due to the internalization of the MNP-PEI complex. From these results, we identify anomalous cell behaviour, morphology, and gene expression after interaction with MNP-PEIs, as well as a safe dosage to reduce acute cell toxicity.
White matter microstructure and its relation to longitudinal measures of depressive symptoms in mid-late life
Authors: Shen Xueyi , Adams Mark J , Ritakari Tuula E , Cox Simon R , McIntosh Andrew M , Whalley Heather C
Published: April 2019

Background

Studies of white matter microstructure in depression typically show alterations in depressed individuals, but they are frequently limited by small sample sizes and the absence of longitudinal measures of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms are however dynamic, and understanding the neurobiology of different trajectories could have important clinical implications.

Methods

We examined associations between current and longitudinal measures of depressive symptoms and white matter microstructure (Fractional Anisotropy, FA; Mean Diffusivity; MD) in the UK Biobank Imaging study. Depressive symptoms were assessed on 2-4 occasions over 5.9 to 10.7 years (on N=18,959 individuals on at least two occasions, N=4,444 on four occasions) from which we derived four measures of depressive symptomatology; (i) cross-sectional measure at the time of scan (imaging was conducted at a single time point), and three longitudinal measures, (ii) trajectory (iii) mean and (iv) intra-subject variance over time.

Results

Decreased white matter microstructure in the anterior thalamic radiation demonstrated significant associations across all four measures of depressive symptoms (for MD: β=0.020 to 0.029, pcorr<0.030). The greatest effect sizes were however seen between decreasing white matter integrity and increasing longitudinal progression of symptoms (for MD: β=0.030 to 0.040, pcorr<0.049). Cross-sectional symptom severity was particularly associated with decreased white matter integrity in association fibres and thalamic radiations (MD: β=0.015 to 0.039, pcorr<0.041). While greater mean and within subject variance of depressive symptoms were mainly associated with decreased white matter microstructure within projection fibres (MD: β=0.019 to 0.029, pcorr<0.044).

Conclusions

These findings indicate shared and differential neurobiological associations with severity, course and intra-subject variability of depressive symptoms. This enriches our understanding of the neurobiology underlying dynamic features of the disorder.
Trophic plasticity of the highly invasive topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) inferred from stable isotope analysis
Authors: Rolla Matteo , Consuegra Sofia , de Leaniz Carlos Garcia
Published: April 2019

A wide trophic niche and high trophic plasticity are often invoked to explain the successful establishment of many aquatic invaders, but there is little information regarding the diet of most invasive fish in European waters. We combined stomach content and stable isotope analysis (SIA) of13C and15N to examine the trophic niche of the highly invasive topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) in four contrasting ponds and reservoirs in South Wales. Marked differences in diet and trophic position were found among neighbouring systems only a few kilometres apart. The most diverse diet was found in ponds with the fewest number of inter-specific competitors, and resulted in topmouth gudgeon having the highest condition factor, the widest variation in δ13C and δ15N values, and the highest carbon content, typical of generalist feeders. In contrast, topmouth gudgeon that coexisted with other cyprinids, were much more likely to have empty stomachs and relied almost exclusively on plant seeds, resulting in fish having a poor condition factor and low trophic position. Comparisons with other trophic studies indicate that variation in isotope values among neighbouring sites can exceed variation across continents, making it difficult to predict the diet or trophic impacts of the invasive topmouth gudgeon. Given the importance of obtaining reliable data on trophic position for risk assessment, our study shows that the use of SIA could be used to prioritize control and eradication measures that take into account trophic plasticity.
STXBP5/tomosyn regulates the small RhoA GTPase to control the dendritic stability of neurons and the surface expression of AMPA receptors
Authors: Shen Wenjuan , Kilander Michaela B.C. , Bridi Morgan S. , Frei Jeannine A. , Niescier Robert F. , Huang Shiyong , Lin Yu-Chih
Published: April 2019

Tomosyn, a protein encoded by syntaxin-1-binding protein 5 (STXBP5) gene, has a well-established presynaptic role in the inhibition of neurotransmitter release and the reduction of synaptic transmission by its conical interaction with the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) machinery. The postsynaptic role of tomosyn in dendritic arborization, spine stability, and trafficking of ionotropic glutamate receptors remains to be elucidated. We used short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down tomosyn in mouse primary neurons to evaluate the postsynaptic cellular function and molecular signaling regulated by tomosyn. Knockdown of tomosyn led to an increase of RhoA GTPase activity accompanied by compromised dendritic arborization, loss of dendritic spines, decreased surface expression of AMPA receptors, and reduced miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency. Inhibiting RhoA signaling was sufficient to rescue the abnormal dendritic morphology and the surface expression of AMPA receptors. The function of tomosyn regulating RhoA is mediated through the N-terminal WD40 motif, where two variants each carrying a single nucleotide mutation in this region, were found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We demonstrated that these variants displayed loss-of-function phenotypes. Unlike the wild-type tomosyn, these two variants failed to restore the reduced dendritic complexity, spine density, as well as decreased surface expression of AMPA receptors in tomosyn knockdown neurons. This study uncovers a critical role of tomosyn, independent of its interaction with the SNARE machinery, in maintaining neuronal function by inhibiting RhoA activity. Further analysis of tomosyn variants also provides a potential mechanism for explaining cellular pathology in ASD.

Significance Statement

This study unveils a vital role of tomosyn in the maintenance of neuronal morphology, basal synaptic transmission, and AMPA receptor surface expression that is distinct from its presynaptic role. Tomosyn affects dendritic stability and glutamate receptor trafficking via the regulation of the Rho signaling pathway and this interaction is likely independent of the interaction with the dendritic SNARE complex, such as syntaxin-4. The WD40 domain of tomosyn is necessary to conduct the Rho regulation and two autism-associated variants localized at the WD40 domain perturb this function. The current study reveals a novel molecular link between dendritic stability and synaptic function, which could advance a greater understanding of the cellular pathologies involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD.
Deep learning enables therapeutic antibody optimization in mammalian cells by deciphering high-dimensional protein sequence space
Authors: Mason Derek M , Friedensohn Simon , Weber Cédric R , Jordi Christian , Wagner Bastian , Meng Simon , Gainza Pablo , Correia Bruno E , Reddy Sai T
Published: April 2019

Therapeutic antibody optimization is time and resource intensive, largely because it requires low-throughput screening (103 variants) of full-length IgG in mammalian cells, typically resulting in only a few optimized leads. Here, we use deep learning to interrogate and predict antigen-specificity from a massively diverse sequence space to identify globally optimized antibody variants. Using a mammalian display platform and the therapeutic antibody trastuzumab, rationally designed site-directed mutagenesis libraries are introduced by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR). Screening and deep sequencing of relatively small libraries (104) produced high quality data capable of training deep neural networks that accurately predict antigen-binding based on antibody sequence. Deep learning is then used to predict millions of antigen binders from an in silico library of ~108 variants, where experimental testing of 30 randomly selected variants showed all 30 retained antigen specificity. The full set of in silico predicted binders is then subjected to multiple developability filters, resulting in thousands of highly-optimized lead candidates. With its scalability and capacity to interrogate high-dimensional protein sequence space, deep learning offers great potential for antibody engineering and optimization.
Evaluating chromatin accessibility differences across multiple primate species using a joint modelling approach
Authors: Edsall Lee E. , Berrio Alejandro , Majoros William H. , Swain-Lenz Devjanee , Morrow Shauna , Shibata Yoichiro , Safi Alexias , Wray Gregory A. , Crawford Gregory E. , Allen Andrew S.
Published: April 2019

Changes in transcriptional regulation are thought to be a major contributor to the evolution of phenotypic traits, but the contribution of changes in chromatin accessibility to the evolution of gene expression remains almost entirely unknown. To address this important gap in knowledge, we developed a new method to identify DNase I Hypersensitive (DHS) sites with differential chromatin accessibility between species using a joint modeling approach. Our method overcomes several limitations inherent to conventional threshold-based pairwise comparisons that become increasingly apparent as the number of species analyzed rises. Our approach employs a single quantitative test which is more sensitive than existing pairwise methods. To illustrate, we applied our joint approach to DHS sites in fibroblast cells from five primates (human, chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, and rhesus macaque). We identified 89,744 DHS sites, of which 41% are identified as differential between species using the joint model compared with 33% using the conventional pairwise approach. The joint model provides a principled approach to distinguishing single from multiple chromatin accessibility changes among species. We found that non differential DHS sites are enriched for nucleotide conservation. Differential DHS sites with decreased chromatin accessibility relative to rhesus macaque occur more commonly near transcription start sites (TSS), while those with increased chromatin accessibility occur more commonly distal to TSS. Further, differential DHS sites near TSS are less cell type-specific than more distal regulatory elements. Taken together, these results point to distinct classes of DHS sites, each with distinct characteristics of selection, genomic location, and cell type specificity.
The temporal dynamics of background selection in non-equilibrium populations
Authors: Torres Raul , Stetter Markus G , Hernandez Ryan D , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: April 2019

Neutral genetic diversity across the genome is determined by the complex interplay of mutation, demographic history, and natural selection. While the direct action of natural selection is limited to functional loci across the genome, its impact can have effects on nearby neutral loci due to genetic linkage. These effects of selection at linked sites, referred to as genetic hitchhiking and background selection (BGS), are pervasive across natural populations. However, only recently has there been a focus on the joint consequences of demography and selection at linked sites, and empirical studies have sometimes come to apparently contradictory conclusions as to their combined effects. In order to understand the relationship between demography and selection at linked sites, we conducted an extensive forward simulation study of BGS under a range of demographic models. We found that the relative levels of diversity in BGS and neutral regions vary over time and that the initial dynamics after a population size change are often in the opposite direction of the long-term expected trajectory. Our detailed observations of the temporal dynamics of neutral diversity in the context of selection at linked sites in non-equilibrium populations provides new intuition about why patterns of diversity under BGS vary through time in natural populations and help reconcile previously contradictory observations. Most notably, our results highlight that classical models of BGS are poorly suited for predicting diversity in non-equilibrium populations.
Transcriptomics of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) reveals strong differential gene expression in response to host plant toxicity, but weak response to parasite infection
Authors: Tan Wen-Hao , Acevedo Tarik , Harris Erica V. , Alcaide Tiffanie Y. , Walters James R. , Hunter Mark D. , Gerardo Nicole M. , de Roode Jacobus C.
Published: April 2019

Herbivorous insects have evolved many mechanisms to overcome plant chemical defenses, including detoxification and sequestration. Herbivores may also use toxic plants to reduce parasite infection. Plant toxins could directly interfere with parasites or could enhance endogenous immunity. Alternatively, plant toxins could favor down-regulation of endogenous immunity by providing an alternative (exogenous) defense against parasitism. However, studies on genome-wide transcriptomic responses to plant defenses and the interplay between host plant toxicity and parasite infection remain rare. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are specialist herbivores that feed on milkweeds (Asclepiasspp.), which contain toxic cardenolides. Monarchs have adapted to cardenolides through multiple resistance mechanisms and can sequester cardenolides to defend against bird predators. In addition, high-cardenolide milkweeds confer medicinal effects to monarchs against a specialist protozoan parasite (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha). We used this system to study the interplay between the effects of plant toxicity and parasite infection on global gene expression. Our results demonstrate that monarch larvae differentially express several hundred genes when feeding onA. curassavicaandA. incarnata, two species that are similar in nutritional content but differ substantially in cardenolide concentrations. These differentially expressed genes include genes within multiple families of canonical insect detoxification genes, suggesting that they play a role in monarch toxin resistance and sequestration. Interestingly, we found little transcriptional response to infection. However, parasite growth was reduced in monarchs reared onA. curassavica, and in these monarchs, a small number of immune genes were down-regulated, consistent with the hypothesis that medicinal plants can reduce reliance on endogenous immunity.
Application of grey entropy weight cluster in clinical department sorting
Authors: Zheng Jiachun , Chen Xiao-Jun , Qiu Suihong , Liu Sifeng , Chen Shaoxing
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the method of clinical department classification in comprehensive hospital to provide a scientific management reference in performance evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to perform the classification of clinical departments, a grey cluster model was constructed. In this model, the benefit index of each clinical department was analyzed using grey associative analysis, and a superior index was chosen to incorporate in this model. Through the relevancy degree of superior index, the authors confirmed the weight of index, and the quintile threshold was calculated by a quintile method and whitening weight functions were constructed.

Findings

This model, based on grey entropy weight cluster, can reasonably distinguish the merits of clinical departments. From the case we study, neurology?/Cardiovasology?/Integrated disease and Emergency were the optimum assessing department.

Originality/value

The results demonstrated that the index selection, weight determination, whitening weight functions and model construction in this study could provide technique’s reference and application for hospital administrators. It avoids the subjective discrimination and reduces the influence of sample noise, and it is easy to perform while conducting performance evaluation in a comprehensive hospital.
Barriers to the use of property taxation in municipal finance
Authors: Grover Richard , Walacik Marek , Buzu Olga , Gunes Tugba , Raskovic Marija , Yildiz Umit
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to present the findings from a series of case studies that examine the problems faced by countries seeking to introduce value-based recurrent property taxes to replace the ones levied on the basis of area or inventory value. It identifies that two of the most significant barriers are the absence of comprehensive list of taxable properties and inadequate data on transaction prices. Both of these can be overcome with sufficient resources, but this raises the question as to why governments are reluctant to do so, in spite of the advantages of such a change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper makes particular use of case studies of Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Turkey, which have explored the potential of introducing value-based recurrent property taxes and the issues they have faced. The case studies have been produced by participant observers who have had the opportunity to examine developments over long periods of time. The case studies are set against a wider statistical analysis of the role of recurrent property taxes in tax systems.

Findings

Putting in place comprehensive systems for registering properties and recording their characteristics and systematically collecting data on transaction prices require significant investment over a long period of time. This requires commitment on behalf of governments. Governments may be reluctant to support this because of the opposition such reforms can face unless confronted with compelling fiscal or external pressures to act.

Research limitations/implications

The issues identified are the ones that many countries seeking to introduce value-based recurrent property taxes will face and puts forward how they can be tackled. The case study countries are middle-income ones with relatively well-developed infrastructure, which low-income countries may lack.

Practical implications

The solutions to overcoming the barriers to value-based recurrent property taxes encountered in the case study countries are the ones that are applicable to many other countries, who can learn from their experience.

Originality/value

The paper provides a perspective on overcoming the issues encountered in introducing value-based property taxes from the viewpoint of those who have been involved in working out ways of overcoming them and so provides insight that is a useful addition to the literature.
Rethinking the internal mechanism of the EGMONT group in financial crime control
Authors: Adetunji Johnson Adeoye
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the use of Intelligence gathering, especially the exercise of customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), know your customer (KYC) and recordkeeping as effective anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) measures. It re-appraises the risk of breach of privacy associated with recordkeeping of clients’ information in countries where there are no data protection laws and the role of the EGMONT group against the backdrop of the recent suspension of Nigeria from the group; it argues that, in view of other existing liberal punitive measures, suspending a developing nation like Nigeria by the EGMONT group (arising from a rigid demand for an autonomous financial intelligence unit (FIU)) is draconian and counterproductive. Finally, it argues that the fundamental needs and challenges of developing member states of the EGMONT group, particularly members that are battling with weak and non-transparent investigation process and terrorism require, inter alia, technical and manpower assistance to disrupt financial crime and financing of terrorism.

Design/methodology/approach

A doctrinal approach is utilised to analyse AML and CTF from the social and historical perspectives. A comparative analysis of international control of money laundering and terrorist financing, appraising the challenges of developing member states in complying with the Financial Action Task Force regulations and the principles of the Egmont group.

Findings

There are liberal punitive measures than suspension which the EGMONT group could apply when dealing with developing members of the group, especially on the issue of rigid demand for an autonomy of a national FIU. The fundamental needs and challenges of developing member states of the Egmont group, particularly members that are battling with weak and non-transparent investigation process and terrorism require, inter alia, technical and manpower assistance to disrupt financial crime and financing of terrorism.

Originality/value

The paper queries the appropriateness of the decision to suspend Nigeria by the Egmont group for failure to comply with its policy autonomy of its FIU when there are other liberal disciplinary measures that could have been applied. And, it suggests the need to lay more emphasis on technical assistance for member states to achieve the objectives of the group.
From digital citizen to digital professional
Authors: Marino Olga , Gutierrez Jaime Andres , Aguirre Sandra
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose and evaluate a pedagogically sound and innovative strategy to teach a higher education course that prepares future professionals to intelligently use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their personal and professional lives.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework used for the design of the course was the socio-constructivism and activity theories. The implementation of the course was evaluated using the intrinsic case study methodology by including several instruments.

Findings

The pedagogical strategy proposed proved to be sound, as the evaluation showed that students were able to describe, use and propose innovative uses of a wide range of cutting-edge technologies in their both everyday lives and professional settings; they also had the skills to analyse the opportunities and challenges that these presented. Moreover, students liked this innovative way of learning and ended with a positive attitude towards ICT.

Originality/value

Although several courses prepare students to be digital citizens or use ICT to enhance the teaching-learning process, millennials are ill prepared to use cutting-edge technologies in an innovative, responsible and critical way in their future professions. The course that was designed is original in that it goes beyond preparing digital citizens to prepare professionals in any domain to use ICT in an informed and responsible way. Moreover, it is a documented, successful example of an undergraduate universal course in a highly important current society dimension. The authors believe that its pedagogical proposal could be transferred to courses dealing with other global issues such as the environment, economy and peace.
Investigating active users’ sustained participation in brand communities
Authors: Liang Ruoyu , Zhang Linghao , Guo Wei
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Members’ sustained participation positively influences success of brand community. Although scholars have confirmed the effects of social capital on continuance intention in third-party hosted communities, little work has been done to explore these relationships in context of enterprise-sponsored brand communities, especially, the precursors of active members’ sustained participation in such context is still unclear. Besides, how to recognize active users with high precision and coverage remains an open question. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a novel method to identify active users effectively and investigate the antecedents of their continuance intention from perspective of social capital in enterprise-sponsored brand community.

Design/methodology/approach

This work established several social networks based on the information of Xiaomi smartphone forum users’ posts and feedbacks. Node centrality (out-degree) analysis was adopted to identify the users with high degree of active in these networks, and then behaviour analysis was performed to exclude the community managers from the group of active users. Finally, a research model was proposed based on the theory of social capital. It was tested by applying partial least squares technique, and the data were collected from a survey of members (n= 327) of Xiaomi forum.

Findings

The empirical results showed that the proposed method can recognize the active users effectively. Additionally, social tie, identification, trust and shared vision were proved to be significant predictors of active users’ continuance intention in the context of enterprise-sponsored brand community.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the information system usage literature and provides opinions regarding how social capital influence active users’ sustained participation in enterprise-sponsored brand community. Besides, this work proposed a novel method to identify active users, which will be useful to assist enterprises to improve their community management.
Unimodal productivity–diversity relationships among bacterial communities in a simple polar soil ecosystem
Authors: Geyer Kevin M. , Barrett John E.
Published: April 2019

Unlike other macroecological principles, relationships between productivity and diversity have not been effectively tested for microbial communities. Here we describe an experiment in which the availability of resources to soil bacterial communities was manipulated in a model system, the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Mannitol additions were used to simulate a productivity gradient such that a response in bacterial biomass production, taxonomic diversity and functioning (e.g., enzyme activity) were induced. Resource amendment induced a positive linear response in microbial productivity (P < 0.001) but a unimodal (hump‐shaped) response in microbial diversity at multiple taxonomic scales (P = 0.035). Putative oligotrophic (e.g., phyla Nitrospirae and Cyanobacteria) and copiotrophic (e.g., phylum Proteobacteria) taxa were apparent through substantial community turnover along the resource gradient. Soil enzyme activity was inversely related to bacterial biomass but positively related to diversity, suggesting the latter may be a stronger control over enzyme‐mediated decomposition. The mechanisms behind this pattern are consistent with macroecological theory of a shift from environmental (e.g., stress tolerance) to biotic (e.g., competition) drivers with increasing resource availability. This evidence is among the first of its kind to document a significant unimodal productivity–diversity relationship for soil bacteria.
Incidence, risk factors, and a predictive model for lymph node metastasis of submucosal (T1) colon cancer: A population‐based study
Authors: Hu Dong Ya , Cao Bin , Li Shi Han , Li Peng , Zhang Shu Tian
Published: April 2019

Objective

This study aimed to assess the incidence, identify independent factors, and develop a lymph node metastasis (LNM) prediction model for patients with T1 colon cancer.

Methods

Statistics were drawn from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2014. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of LNM. A nomogram for predicting the possibility of LNM was developed based on those factors.

Results

A total of 5397 patients with T1 colon cancer were identified. The overall LNM rate was 15.0% (808/5397). A multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, P < 0.001), tumor size (OR 1.01, P < 0.001), moderate (OR 1.77, P = 0.001) or poorly differentiated/undifferentiated tumor (OR 5.60, P < 0.001), right colon cancer (OR 1.39, P = 0.008), and a positive carcinoembryonic antigen level (OR 1.51, P = 0.004) were independent predictive factors for LNM. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65‐0.71) in the training set and 0.65 (95% CI 0.61‐0.67) in the validation set. A calibration plot showed good consistency between the bias‐corrected prediction and the ideal reference line with 1000 additional bootstraps (mean absolute error = 0.007).

Conclusions

The incidence of LNM was high in patients with T1 colon cancer. A nomogram for predicting the probability of LNM for T1 colon cancer may be used to help determine the optimal treatment for these patients.
Turbulent flow artefact mimicking central pulmonary emboli in pulmonary hypertension: A report of two cases
Authors: Pascoe Heather M , Pascoe Diane , McCusker Mark W , Heinze Stefan B
Published: April 2019

Many artefacts can mimic pulmonary emboli (PE) on CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), most commonly in the peripheral pulmonary arteries (PA's). We describe flow‐related artefact mimicking PE in the central PA's of two patients, both with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). To our knowledge, this is the first report of this PE mimic in the central PA's.
Changes in the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in western Sweden between 2008 and 2016
Authors: Borna Eivind , Nwaru Bright I. , Bjerg Anders , Mincheva Roxana , Rådinger Madeleine , Lundbäck Bo , Ekerljung Linda
Published: April 2019

Background

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, with a noticeable increase in prevalence during the second half of the 20th century. Recent studies assessing the prevalence trends among adults have been inconsistent. We investigated the changes in the prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms, and risk factors between 2008 and 2016 in western Sweden.

Methods

The West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) is a population‐based study which started in 2008 (WSAS I) and then repeated in 2016 (WSAS II) in western Sweden. Randomly selected individuals aged 16‐75 years (N = 18 087 in 2008 and N = 24 534 in 2016) completed a questionnaire regarding obstructive lung diseases, respiratory symptoms, potential risk factors, and also questions from the GA2LEN survey.

Results

The prevalence of reported ever asthma, physician‐diagnosed asthma, use of asthma medication, and current asthma increased significantly from 9.6% to 11%, 8.3% to 10%, 8.6% to 9.8%, and 8.1% to 9.1%, respectively, between 2008 and 2016. There were also increases in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms during the same period. The greatest increase occurred in young adults aged 16‐25 years. Female gender, allergic rhinitis, obesity, and family history of asthma remained the strongest risk factors for asthma in 2016 as it was in 2008.

Conclusion

There were moderate increases in asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults in western Sweden between 2008 and 2016, the greatest increase occurring in younger adults. The potential risk factors for asthma remained the same during the study period.
Meibography and corneal volume optical coherence tomography to quantify damage to ocular structures in children with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Al‐Hayouti Huda , Daniel Moritz , Hingorani Melanie , Calder Virginia , Dahlmann‐Noor Annegret
Published: April 2019

Purpose

To evaluate non‐contact infrared meibography and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) to detect meibomian gland (MG) and corneal changes in children with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC).

Methods

We acquired infrared meibography images of upper and lower lids and AS‐OCT corneal scans. One masked observer graded meiboscore, full/partial MG dropout, and measured total corneal volume and differential corneal volume per quadrant and central corneal thickness (CCT).

Results

We enrolled 63 children, 31 with BKC and 32 without ocular surface inflammation; median (interquartile range) age BKC 10.6 (7.2‐13.9) years, healthy volunteers (HV) 11.4 (9.5‐13.8) years. Likert scale scores for meibography and OCT indicate no to low discomfort. Meiboscores for upper and lower lids as well as the total meiboscore were significantly higher in children with BKC than in HV. Subscores for full and partial MG dropout were also significantly higher in children with BKC than in healthy volunteers. There was no statistically significant difference between upper and lower lid for meiboscore nor full/partial MG dropout scores. The corneal volume in the superior quadrant was significantly higher in children with BKC than in HV, whereas the corneal volume in the nasal and inferior quadrants was significantly lower.

Conclusions

Non‐contact imaging technologies objectively demonstrate damage to meibomian glands and changes in corneal volume secondary to BKC. The tests are well tolerated by children with mild/moderate ocular surface inflammation and can detect changes without the requirement for routine eversion of the upper lid. These parameters may be useful both for clinical follow‐up and clinical trials.
Testing the divergent adaptation of two congeneric tree species on a rainfall gradient using eco‐physio‐morphological traits
Authors: Gorel Anaïs‐Pasiphaé , Steppe Kathy , Beeckman Hans , De Baerdemaeker Niels J. F. , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Ligot Gauthier , Daïnou Kasso , Fayolle Adeline
Published: April 2019

In tropical Africa, evidence of widely distributed genera transcending biomes or habitat boundaries has been reported. The evolutionary processes that allowed these lineages to disperse and adapt into new environments are far from being resolved. To better understand these processes, we propose an integrated approach, based on the eco‐physio‐morphological traits of two sister species with adjacent distributions along a rainfall gradient. We used wood anatomical traits, plant hydraulics (vulnerability to cavitation, wood volumetric water content, and hydraulic capacitance), and growth data from the natural habitat, in a common garden, to compare species with known phylogeny, very similar morphologically, but occupying contrasting habitats: Erythrophleum ivorense (wet forest) and Erythrophleum suaveolens (moist forest and forest gallery). We identified some slight differences in wood anatomical traits between the two species associated with strong differences in hydraulics, growth, and overall species distribution. The moist forest species, E. suaveolens, had narrower vessels and intervessel pits, and higher vessel cell‐wall reinforcement than E. ivorense. These traits allow a high resistance to cavitation and a continuous internal water supply of the xylem during water shortage, allowing a higher fitness during drought periods, but limiting growth. Our results confirm a trade‐off between drought tolerance and growth, controlled by subtle adaptations in wood traits, as a key mechanism leading to the niche partitioning between the two Erythrophleum species. The generality of this trade‐off and its importance in the diversification of the African tree flora remains to be tested. Our integrated eco‐physio‐morpho approach could be the way forward.