bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing the practice of performance measurement in public organizations: Observations from the tennessee municipal benchmarking project
Authors: Shults Christopher
Published: December 2017

David Farmer suggests that there are multiple ways of looking at social science concepts. No one perspective, or lens, is superior, but taken together, multiple lenses can be enriching and yield a clearer picture of complex ideas. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate Farmerʼs multiple lenses approach by looking at performance measurement in the public organizations that participate in the Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project (TMBP). Observations from the TMBP suggests that utilizing only one lens can be detrimental to the decision-making process, while employing multiple lenses acknowledges multiple factors in the decision-making process and aides decision makers in reaching a consensus.
Social media responsiveness in the public sector: A study of social media adoption in three functional areas of local government
Authors: Seigler Daniel J.
Published: December 2017

Based on the importance of citizen participation and the collaborative potential of online social media tools, this study tests four proposed influences on administrators who are deciding whether or not to adopt these tools to engage citizens. A survey of 157 department managers from large U.S. cities shows that 82% report using some form of social media to engage citizens and that perceived organizational influences and administrator preconceptions have the strongest impact on the respondentsʼ decision to adopt social media. Possible explanations for the results are that the use of online social media in the public sector may be following a similar path of adoption as earlier forms of e-government or managers may be operating in a rational environment when deciding whether or not to adopt online social media tools.
Public expenditure policies in spain for the 1990s: structural changes, social demands and the budgetary process
Authors: Ruiz-Huerta J. , Giménez-Montero A.
Published: December 2017

Over the last fifteen years, Spain has undergone a profound transformation in almost all aspects of its social organization. This change has been sharply reflected in the level and composition of public expenditure, which have not always been adjusted perfectly to new social demands. This has created tension which, among other consequences, has encouraged the revision of the methods of allocation, management and control of public resources. This article describes and explores some characteristics of this process, and sets out the principal guidelines which may shape the future reform of these methods.
Windows of opportunity: the "loose" mandate as a mechanism for state-local negotiation
Authors: Marando Vincent L. , Melchior Alan C.
Published: December 2017

Contrary to the popular view of mandates as rigid and dictatorial mechanisms, this article advances a view of mandates as mechanisms for cooperation and negotiation. The relationship between several state and local actors is investigated in Maryland, particularly within the context of the development of a "loosely" mandated public health program, the Targeted Funding Program (TFP). An analysis of the TFP and the actors involved in the program's development demonstrates how this program is designed to achieve much more than increased fiscal responsibility. The TFP is designed, and continues to be redesigned, to meet the political and professional objectives of various elected and appointed officials at the state and local levels.
What kind of a federal mandate is the endangered species act?
Authors: Nelson Lisa
Published: December 2017

This article examines the mandate reputation of the Endangered Species Act in its implementation context. Federal wildlife funding programs and laws are treated as messages to state wildlife agencies, and variety among state environmental conditions and agency management decisions shape the interpretation of federal messages. Innovations in planning for habitat protection in state, coastal zone, and county land use are treated as adaptations to the difficulties of conventional implementation. The Endangered Species Act's significance as a federal mandate is found to be questionable. The federal role as a regulator of endangered species protection is argued to be legitimate, but flexibility and collaboration with state and local interests in wildlife planning are also called for.
Media coverage and school budgeting processes
Authors: Rubin Marc A. , Staples Catherine L.
Published: December 2017

The intent of this research study is to explore the following three questions: (1) How do local newspapers cover school district budgeting processes? (2) Does newspaper coverage of the budgeting process relate to budgeting decisions? (3) What characteristics of a school district relate to the amount of newspaper coverage it receives? A survey questionnaire was sent to officials in all Virginia public school districts. Other data needed for this study were obtained from school financial reports and from in-depth analyses of newspaper articles concerning Virginia public school budgeting processes. Approximately 100 newspapers were examined covering 123 of the 133 school districts in Virginia.
Revenue effort of local governments:determinants, impacts, and policy implications
Authors: Luo Huaping , Douglas James W.
Published: December 2017

The literature on the revenue effort of local governments in the U.S. is deficient in that most studies focus only on identifying the general patterns of revenue effort. This study remedies the deficiency by exploring the determinants and impacts of local government revenue effort. It finds that both high personal income and adverse socioeconomic conditions contribute to high revenue effort. It also finds that jurisdictions with high revenue effort tend to obtain high grant revenues. In addition, contrary to the predictions of previous studies, it finds that the number of business firms located in a jurisdiction tends to rise as revenue effort increases. Finally, the policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Government procurement: past and current developments
Authors: Thai Khi V. , Grimm Rick
Published: December 2017

Government procurement has been a neglected area of study in higher education and research. This symposium is one of the first efforts in examining government procurement. This article will provide a brief overview of government procurement developments and summarize major themes of manuscripts included in the symposium.
Detection and evaluation of heating load of building by machine learning
Authors: Swhli Khaled Mohamed Himair , Jovic Srdjan , Arsic Nebojša , Spalevic Petar
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore detection of heating load of building by machine learning. Detection of heating load of building is very important in design of buildings due to efficient energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, detection of heating load of building based on effects of dry-bulb temperature, dew-point temperature, radiation, diffuse radiation and wind speed was analyzed. Machine learning approach was implemented for such a purpose.

Findings

The obtained results could be useful for future planning of heating load of buildings. Because the heating load of building is a very nonlinear phenomenon, it is suitable to use machine learning approach to avoid the nonlinearity of the system.

Originality/value

The obtained results could be used effectively in detection of heating load of buildings.
Regulation of Nod factor biosynthesis by alternative NodD proteins at distinct stages of symbiosis provides additional compatibility scrutiny
Authors: Kelly Simon , Sullivan John T. , Kawaharada Yasuyuki , Radutoiu Simona , Ronson Clive W. , Stougaard Jens
Published: December 2017

The Lotus japonicus symbiont Mesorhizobium loti R7A encodes two copies of nodD and here we identify striking differences in Nod factor biosynthesis gene induction by NodD1 and NodD2 both in vitro and in planta. We demonstrate that induction of Nod factor biosynthesis genes is preferentially controlled by NodD1 and NodD2 at specific stages of symbiotic infection. NodD2 is primarily responsible for induction in the rhizosphere and within nodules, while NodD1 is primarily responsible for induction within root hair infection threads. nodD1 and nodD2 mutants showed significant symbiotic phenotypes and competition studies establish that nodD1 and nodD2 mutants were severely outcompeted by wild‐type R7A, indicating that both proteins are required for proficient symbiotic infection. These results suggest preferential activation of NodD1 and NodD2 by different inducing compounds produced at defined stages of symbiotic infection. We identified Lotus chalcone isomerase CHI4 as a root hair induced candidate involved in the biosynthesis of an inducer compound that may be preferentially recognized by NodD1 within root hair infection threads. We propose an alternative explanation for the function of multiple copies of nodD that provides the host plant with another level of compatibility scrutiny at the stage of infection thread development.
Antibiotic resistome in a large‐scale healthy human gut microbiota deciphered by metagenomic and network analyses
Authors: Feng Jie , Li Bing , Jiang Xiaotao , Yang Ying , Wells George F. , Zhang Tong , Li Xiaoyan
Published: December 2017

The human gut microbiota is an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). A metagenomic approach and network analysis were used to establish a comprehensive antibiotic resistome catalog and to obtain co‐occurrence patterns between ARGs and microbial taxa in fecal samples from 180 healthy individuals from 11 different countries. In total, 507 ARG subtypes belonging to 20 ARG types were detected with abundances ranging from 7.12 × 10−7 to 2.72 × 10−1 copy of ARG/copy of 16S‐rRNA gene. Tetracycline, multidrug, macrolide‐lincosamide‐streptogramin, bacitracin, vancomycin, beta‐lactam and aminoglycoside resistance genes were the top seven most abundant ARG types. The multidrug ABC transporter, aadE, bacA, acrB, tetM, tetW, vanR and vanS were shared by all 180 individuals, suggesting their common occurrence in the human gut. Compared to populations from the other 10 countries, the Chinese population harboured the most abundant ARGs. Moreover, LEfSe analysis suggested that the MLS resistance type and its subtype ‘ermF’ were representative ARGs of the Chinese population. Antibiotic inactivation, antibiotic target alteration and antibiotic efflux were the dominant resistance mechanism categories in all populations. Procrustes analysis revealed that microbial phylogeny structured the antibiotic resistome. Co‐occurrence patterns obtained via network analysis implied that 12 species might be potential hosts of 58 ARG subtypes.
The Rohingya crisis
Authors: Prasse‐Freeman Elliott
Published: December 2017

Myanmar's recent ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya people, in which more than 600,000 people have been forced into Bangladesh, has shocked the world. This guest editorial considers some potential root causes driving the violence, principally the combination of economic precarity felt by average Burmese people, affective and participatory deficits within Burma's current democratic experience, ethno‐nationalist mobilizations, and Islamophobia. These factors are combining to produce the Rohingya not only as foreign ‐ not a part of the fabric of the Myanmar nation ‐ but as a threat to that nation worthy of expulsion.
Are Robots Taking Our Jobs?
Authors: Borland Jeff , Coelli Michael
Published: December 2017

This article assesses the effect of computer‐based technologies on employment in Australia. We find that: (i) the total amount of work available has not decreased following the introduction of computer‐based technologies; and (ii) the pace of structural change and job turnover in the labour market has not accelerated with the increasing application of computer‐based technologies. A review of recent studies that claim computer‐based technologies may be about to cause widespread job destruction establishes several major flaws with these predictions. Our suggested explanation for why techno‐phobia has such a grip on popular imagination is a human bias to believe that ‘we live in special times’.
Estimating the Cost Savings of Preventive Dental Services Delivered to Medicaid‐Enrolled Children in Six Southeastern States
Authors: Lee Ilbin , Monahan Sean , Serban Nicoleta , Griffin Paul M. , Tomar Scott L.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To quantify the impact of multiyear utilization of preventive dental services on downstream dental care utilization and expenditures for children.

Data Sources/Study Setting

We followed 0.93 million Medicaid‐enrolled children who were 3–6 years old in 2005 from 2005 to 2011. We used Medicaid claims data of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

Study Design

We clustered each state's study population into four groups based on utilization of topical fluoride and dental sealants before caries‐related treatment using machine learning algorithms. We evaluated utilization rates and expenditures across the four groups and quantified cost savings of preventive care for different levels of penetration.

Data Extraction Method

We extracted all dental‐related claims using CDT codes.

Principal Findings

In all states, Medicaid expenditures were much lower for children who received topical fluoride and dental sealants before caries development than for all other children, with a per‐member per‐year difference ranging from $88 for Alabama to $156 for Mississippi.

Conclusions

The cost savings from topical fluoride and sealants across the six states ranged from $1.1M/year in Mississippi to $12.9M/year in Texas at a 10 percent penetration level. Preventive dental care for children not only improves oral health outcomes but is also cost saving.
STREET NETWORK STRUCTURE AND CRIME RISK: AN AGENT‐BASED INVESTIGATION OF THE ENCOUNTER AND ENCLOSURE HYPOTHESES
Authors: BIRKS DANIEL , DAVIES TOBY
Published: December 2017

Street networks shape day‐to‐day activities in complex ways, dictating where, when, and in what contexts potential victims, offenders, and crime preventers interact with one another. Identifying generalizable principles of such influence offers considerable utility to theorists, policy makers, and practitioners. Unfortunately, key difficulties associated with the observation of these interactions, and control of the settings within which they take place, limit traditional empirical approaches that aim to uncover mechanisms linking street network structure with crime risk. By drawing on parallel advances in the formal analyses of street networks and the computational modeling of crime events interactions, we present a theoretically informed and empirically validated agent‐based model of residential burglary that permits investigation of the relationship between street network structure and crime commission and prevention through guardianship. Through the use of this model, we explore the validity of competing theoretical accounts of street network permeability and crime risk—the encounter (eyes on the street) and enclosure (defensible space) hypotheses. The results of our analyses provide support for both hypotheses, but in doing so, they reveal that the relationship between street network permeability and crime is likely nonlinear. We discuss the ramifications of these findings for both criminological theory and crime prevention practice.
Biofilm recruitment under nanofiltration conditions: the influence of resident biofilm structural parameters on planktonic cell invasion
Authors: Habimana Olivier , Casey Eoin
Published: December 2017

It is now generally accepted that biofouling is inevitable in pressure‐driven membrane processes for water purification. A large number of published articles describe the development of novel membranes in an effort to address biofouling in such systems. It is reasonable to assume that such membranes, even those with antimicrobial properties, when applied in industrial‐scale systems will experience some degree of biofouling. In such a scenario, an understanding of the fate of planktonic cells, such as those entering with the feed water, has important implications with respect to contact killing particularly for membranes with antimicrobial properties. This study thus sought to investigate the fate of planktonic cells in a model nanofiltration biofouling system. Here, the interaction between auto‐fluorescent Pseudomonas putida planktonic cells and 7‐day‐old Pseudomonas fluorescens resident biofilms was studied under permeate flux conditions in a nanofiltration cross flow system. We demonstrate that biofilm cell recruitment during nanofiltration is affected by distinctive biofilm structural parameters such as biofilm depth.
ddrage: A data set generator to evaluate ddRADseq analysis software
Authors: Timm Henning , Weigand Hannah , Weiss Martina , Leese Florian , Rahmann Sven
Published: December 2017

High‐throughput sequencing makes it possible to evaluate thousands of genetic markers across genomes and populations. Reduced‐representation sequencing approaches, like double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq), are frequently applied to screen for genetic variation. In particular in nonmodel organisms where whole‐genome sequencing is not yet feasible, ddRADseq has become popular as it allows genomewide assessment of variation patterns even in the absence of other genomic resources. However, while many tools are available for the analysis of ddRADseq data, few options exist to simulate ddRADseq data in order to evaluate the accuracy of downstream tools. The available tools either focus on the optimization of ddRAD experiment design or do not provide the information necessary for a detailed evaluation of different ddRAD analysis tools. For this task, a ground truth, that is, the underlying information of all effects in the data set, is required. Therefore, we here present ddrage, the ddRAD Data Set Generator, that allows both developers and users to evaluate their ddRAD analysis software. ddrage allows the user to adjust many parameters such as coverage and rates of mutations, sequencing errors or allelic dropouts, in order to generate a realistic simulated ddRADseq data set for given experimental scenarios and organisms. The simulated reads can be easily processed with available analysis software such as stacks or pyrad and evaluated against the underlying parameters used to generate the data to gauge the impact of different parameter values used during downstream data processing.
A gene encoding a DUF523 domain protein is involved in the conversion of 2‐thiouracil into uracil
Authors: Aučynaitė Agota , Rutkienė Rasa , Gasparavičiūtė Renata , Meškys Rolandas , Urbonavičius Jaunius
Published: December 2017

Modified nucleotides are present in many RNA species in all Domains of Life. While the biosynthetic pathways of such nucleotides are well studied, much less is known about the degradation of RNAs and the return to the metabolism of modified nucleotides, their respective nucleosides or heterocyclic bases. Using an E. coli uracil auxotroph, we screened the metagenomic libraries for genes, which would allow the conversion of 2‐thiouracil to uracil and thereby lead to the growth on a defined synthetic medium. We show that a gene encoding a protein consisting of previously uncharacterized Domain of Unknown Function 523 (DUF523) is responsible for such phenotype. We have purified this recombinant protein and demonstrated that it contains a FeS cluster. The substitution of cysteines, which have been predicted to form such clusters, with alanines abolished the growth phenotype. We conclude that DUF523 is involved in the conversion of 2‐thiouracil into uracil in vivo.
Optimized fluorescent proteins for the rhizosphere‐associated bacterium Bacillus mycoides with endophytic and biocontrol agent potential
Authors: Yi Yanglei , Frenzel Elrike , Spoelder Jan , Elzenga J. Theo M. , van Elsas Jan Dirk , Kuipers Oscar P.
Published: December 2017

Tracking of fluorescent protein (FP)‐labelled rhizobacteria is a key prerequisite to gain insights into plant‐bacteria interaction mechanisms. However, the performance of FPs mostly has to be optimized for the bacterial host and for the environment of intended application. We report on the construction of mutational libraries of the superfolder green fluorescent protein sfGFP and the red fluorescent protein mKate2 in the bacterium B. mycoides, which next to its potential as plant‐biocontrol agent occasionally enters an endophytic lifestyle. By fluorescence‐activated cell sorting and comparison of signal intensities at the colony and single‐cell level, the variants sfGFP(SPS6) and mKate (KPS12) with significantly increased brightness were isolated. Their high applicability for plant‐bacteria interaction studies was shown by confocal laser scanning microscopy tracking of FP‐tagged B. mycoides strains after inoculation to Chinese cabbage plants in a hydroponic system. During the process of colonization, strain EC18 rapidly attached to plant roots and formed a multicellular matrix, especially at the branching regions of the root hair, which probably constitute entrance sites to establish an endophytic lifestyle. The universal applicability of the novels FPs was proven by expression from a weak promoter, dual‐labelling of B. mycoides, and by excellent expression and detectability in additional soil‐ and rhizosphere‐associated Bacillus species.
Coexistence of poribacterial phylotypes among geographically widespread and phylogenetically divergent sponge hosts
Authors: Steinert Georg , Gutleben Johanna , Atikana Akhirta , Wijffels Rene H. , Smidt Hauke , Sipkema Detmer
Published: December 2017

Marine sponges are benthic ‘filter‐feeding’ invertebrates that can host dense and diverse bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic communities. Due to the finding of several genes encoding symbiosis factors, such as adhesins, ankyrin repeats and tetratricopeptide repeats, the candidate phylum ‘Poribacteria’ is considered as a promising model microorganism for studying the origin of host‐symbiont interactions in sponges. However, relatively little is known about its global diversity and phylogenetic distribution among different sponge hosts. Therefore, in this study we investigated phylogenetic relationships among poribacterial phylotypes and generated a phylogenetic network to examine the distribution and intraspecific diversity of the phylotypes between phylogenetically divergent host‐sponges at a global scale. For this study 361 poribacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained by Sanger sequencing from 15 different countries and 8 marine regions were gathered. We could demonstrate that the candidate phylum ‘Poribacteria’ is composed of diverse phylotypes, which are distributed among a wide range of phylogenetically divergent sponge hosts. The current phylogenetic analyses found neither conclusive evidence for co‐speciation with its hosts, nor biogeographical correlation. Moreover, we identified a novel poribacterial clade, which might represent a link between the previously established four ‘Poribacteria’ clades.
Monitoring Forced Labour and Slavery in Global Supply Chains: The Case of the California Act on Transparency in Supply Chains
Authors: Koekkoek Marieke , Marx Axel , Wouters Jan
Published: December 2017

Supply chains have more and more become global supply chains, due to which it becomes increasingly more difficult for states to monitor whether the production process of goods entering the territory has been free of labour rights abuses. States are less able to hold corporate entities accountable that are knowingly or unknowingly benefiting from labour rights abuses. Transparency measures have been suggested as a way to close this accountability gap and circumvent traditional issues of enforcement when production and consumption of goods takes place in different jurisdictions. This paper discusses whether transparency measures live up to these expectations by assessing the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (California Act). We analyse whether the Act does indeed contribute to greater accountability by filling the existing information gap between companies and consumers. The workings of the Act, as well as its impact on primary stakeholders will be determined. The paper discusses action taken by companies, consumers and non‐governmental organizations by looking at the degree to which the new California Act generated differences in behaviour and practices of these affected parties. Based on this information the question is answered which possibilities and limitations are connected to the use of transparency measures in combatting the abuse of labour rights in the global supply chain. It is discussed which lessons can be learned from the California Act and which policy implications this could have for future transparency measures.
Khirbat al‐Mana‘iyya: an early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan
Authors: Jones Ian W.N. , Ben‐Yosef Erez , Lorentzen Brita , Najjar Mohammad , Levy Thomas E.
Published: December 2017

Recent excavations in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site known in the eastern side of the valley, which extends south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Five test pits were excavated in 2012 at Khirbat al–Mana‘iyya, a prominent copper‐smelting camp in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan. The results of these excavations demonstrate that the site was primarily active in the seventh–ninth centuryAD. Its distance from the copper sources of south‐west ‘Araba suggests that its location was chosen based on proximity to wood and water resources, rather than copper ore deposits. The discovery that the site dates to the early Islamic period has implications for previous and future work in south‐east ‘Araba. In particular, it challenges the common—until now—view of the region as virtually devoid of settlement during this period.
Metastatic prostate cancer incidence in Australia after amendment to prostate‐specific antigen screening guidelines
Authors: Smith Sabin , Wolanski Philippe
Published: December 2017

Background

To compare the incidence of newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer at an Australian facility pre‐ and post‐publication of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines and subsequent amendment of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Preventive Activities in General Practice guidelines.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was undertaken by patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer following transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy between 2009 and 2014. Patients were divided into two even groups based on whether they had undergone their transrectal ultrasound biopsy pre‐ (2009–2011) or post‐ (2013–2014) publication of USPSTF guidelines. Metastatic disease was determined by computed tomography chest, abdomen, pelvis as well as nuclear medicine bone scan. A comparison in the incidence of newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer was made.

Results

A total of 130 patients were allocated into each group. In the pre‐USPSTF group, 23 out of 130 patients had newly diagnosed metastatic prostatic cancer (17.7%). In the post‐USPSTF group, 41 out of 130 (31.5%) had newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer (P < 0.05). The mean and median prostate‐specific antigen was 15.9 and 9.4 (pre‐guideline group) and 33.0 and 9.8 (post‐guideline group), respectively (P = 0.02). The post‐guidelines group had a higher incidence of low‐grade disease (Gleason <7), a decreased incidence of intermediate grade disease (Gleason 7) and a relatively unchanged incidence in high‐risk disease (Gleason >7).

Conclusion

The incidence of newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer nearly doubled in patients referred to our Urology Department post‐release of the USPSTF guidelines.
Gestational diabetes in primiparous women–impact of age and adiposity: a register‐based cohort study
Authors: Laine Merja K. , Kautiainen Hannu , Gissler Mika , Raina Marko , Aahos Ilkka , Järvinen Kajsa , Pennanen Pirjo , Eriksson Johan G.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Data on risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in primiparous women is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GDM and simultaneously evaluate the impact of age and adiposity in primiparous women at risk of GDM risk.

Material and methods

This observational register‐based cohort study from the city of Vantaa, Finland, included all 7750 primiparous women giving birth between 2009 and 2015 without previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

Results

In primiparous women the prevalence of GDM was 16.5% and mean age was 28.2 years (5.2 SD). Primiparous women aged ≥35 years had a significantly higher risk for GDM than women aged <25 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.13–3.34]. Primiparous women with a pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥30.0 kg/m2 had a significantly higher risk for GDM than women with a pre‐pregnancy BMI <25 kg/m2 (OR 5.36, 95% CI 4.53–6.36). The risk of developing GDM showed an increasing trend with increasing age in all BMI categories except the category BMI ≥35 kg/m2. Normal weight women (BMI 20.0–24.9 kg/m2) aged 40 years had a significantly higher risk for GDM than normal weight women aged 28 years (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01–2.19).

Conclusions

The prevalence of GDM is high in primiparous women. Both age and degree of adiposity influenced the risk for GDM. To reduce GDM risk, adiposity should be prevented already in childhood and primiparity should be encouraged at a younger age.
Clinical and Subclinical Distress, Quality of Life, and Psychological Well‐Being after Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Gostoli Sara , Roncuzzi Renzo , Urbinati Stefano , Rafanelli Chiara
Published: December 2017

Background

The literature has outlined positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on clinical psychological distress (DSM depression and anxiety) and quality of life (QoL). In cardiac settings, subclinical distress (subthreshold depressive and anxious symptomatology) and psychological well‐being also showed relevant clinical implications. This research explored these psychological variables, their changes over time and cardiac course of CR patients.

Methods

Clinical and subclinical distress, QoL, and psychological well‐being were assessed in 108 consecutive patients undergoing CR, at baseline and up to 12 months after the program's completion.

Results

Of all patients, 25.9 per cent showed high distress with a DSM diagnosis, 31.5 per cent high distress without a DSM diagnosis, and 42.6 per cent low distress. Comparing these subgroups, worse QoL and psychological well‐being were significantly linked not only to clinical but also to subclinical distress. After CR completion, a significant reduction in DSM diagnoses was observed, whereas there were no positive effects on subclinical distress, QoL, and well‐being, or when they initially occurred, they were not long lasting. Moreover, only the subgroup with high distress without a DSM diagnosis was at greater risk for adverse cardiac outcomes, showing worse scores on items of contentment.

Conclusions

These findings confirm data on clinical distress reduction after CR completion. However, a large amount of relevant subclinical distress remains and predicts adverse cardiac events.
Third‐Person Self‐Talk Reduces Ebola Worry and Risk Perception by Enhancing Rational Thinking
Authors: Kross Ethan , Vickers Brian D. , Orvell Ariana , Gainsburg Izzy , Moran Tim P. , Boyer Margaret , Jonides John , Moser Jason , Ayduk Ozlem
Published: December 2017

Background

During the fall of 2014, the threat of an Ebola outbreak gripped the United States (Poll, 8–12 October 2014; see Harvard School of Public Health & SSRS, 2014), creating a unique opportunity to advance basic knowledge concerning how emotion regulation works in consequential contexts and translate existing research in this area to inform public health and policy.

Method

We addressed these issues by examining whether third‐person self‐talk, a simple technique that promotes emotion regulation, could nudge people into reasoning about Ebola more rationally. In all, 1,257 people from across the United States were asked to write about their feelings about Ebola using their name or I (i.e. third‐person self‐talk vs. first‐person self‐talk) as concerns about Ebola swelled (24 October 2014–26 October 2014).

Results

Third‐person self‐talk led participants who scored high on Ebola worry at baseline to generate more fact‐based reasons not to worry about Ebola, which predicted reductions in their Ebola worry and risk perception. These findings held when controlling for several theoretically relevant covariates, highlighting their robustness.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate how a simple linguistic technique can enhance rational thinking and quell worry about a pressing public health threat.
Cross‐sectional survey of health management and prevalence of vector‐borne diseases, endoparasites and ectoparasites in Samoan dogs
Authors: Carslake RJ , Hill KE , Sjölander K , Hii SF , Prattley D , Acke E
Published: December 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence of selected canine vector‐borne diseases (Leishmania infantum,Anaplasmaspp.,Ehrlichia canis,Borrelia burgdorferiandDirofilaria immitis) and endo‐ and ectoparasites in Samoan dogs presenting for surgical sterilisation and to report on the general health management of the dogs.

Methods

This study was a prospective serological cross‐sectional survey. Management data were obtained for 242 dogs by interview with their owners. Blood samples were collected from 237 dogs and screened for the canine vector‐borne diseases using point‐of‐care qualitative ELISA assays.Anaplasmaspp. positive samples were screened by PCR and sequenced for species identification. Rectal faecal samples were collected from 204 dogs for faecal flotation and immunofluorescent antibody tests were performed forGiardiaandCryptosporidiumspp. on a subset of 93 faecal samples. The skin and coat of 221 dogs were examined for presence of ectoparasites.

Results

TheD. immitisantigen was detected in 46.8% (111/237) of dogs. Seroprevalence ofAnaplasmaspp. was 8.4% (20/237);A. platyswas confirmed by PCR. Prevalence of hookworm was 92.6% (185/205) andGiardiawas 29.0% (27/93). Ectoparasites were detected on 210/221 (95.0%) of dogs examined and 228/242 dogs (94.2%) had previously never received any preventative medication.

Conclusions

There was a very high prevalence ofD. immitis, hookworm and external parasites in Samoan dogs, and prophylactic medication is rarely administered. This is the first report confirmingA. platysin Samoa and the South Pacific islands. The public health implications of poor management of the dogs should be considered and investigated further.
Evaluation of Australian surveillance for freedom from bovine tuberculosis
Authors: Sergeant ESG , Happold J , Langstaff I
Published: December 2017

Background

Australia declared freedom from bovine tuberculosis (TB) in accordance with international guidelines in 1997 and has since maintained ongoing surveillance for this disease, primarily through abattoir surveillance of cattle carcases (meat inspection) for TB‐like granulomas. The objectives of this study were to estimate the sensitivity of Australia’s surveillance system and quantify the probability that Australia is free from bovine TB at the specified design prevalence.

Methods

The analysis included approximately 80 million records of individual cattle slaughtered and meat inspected at Australian abattoirs between 2005 and 2015 calendar years. Animals were identified and aggregated by property of birth within year. Herd‐ and population‐level sensitivities and probability of freedom were estimated on an annual basis using a simulation model to account for uncertainty about the unit sensitivity of the meat inspection process.

Results

The estimated median population sensitivity of Australia’s TB surveillance system varied from a high of 80%, in years when traditional meat inspection was used, to as low as 50% after the introduction of visual‐only meat inspection, for a design prevalence of 0.01% (19 herds) of Australian breeding cattle herds and 0.5% of animals within infected herds. The level of confidence in Australia’s freedom from bovine TB was >95% after the first year of the analysis and >99.5% from 2007 through to the end of the analysis period in 2015. Reducing the animal‐level or herd‐level design prevalence, or the estimated sensitivity of meat inspection, reduced system sensitivity but confidence of disease freedom remained high.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated a very high level of confidence that Australia’s cattle herd is truly free from bovine TB. Meat inspection for granulomas in the head and thorax of slaughtered cattle underpins this result by providing surveillance data on an extremely large number of animals each year.
Regulation governance in the digital era: A new research agenda
Authors: Dutil Patrice , Williams Julie
Published: December 2017

The digital era presents governments with a triple regulatory challenge: monitoring new activities arising out of the digital revolution; adopting digital technologies to proactively detect and address risky behaviours; and responding to calls for a more agile regulation that abandons ineffective practices and standards and adopts new ones as circumstances change. Focusing on how the state governed regulation, either alone, through agencies or through networks or partnerships, this article sets out a research agenda that may lead to a greater understanding of how government can respond to and leverage the digital era in the area of regulation.
The adjuvant system AS01 up-regulates neutrophil CD14 expression and neutrophil-associated antigen transport in the local lymphatic network
Authors: Neeland M R , Shi W , Collignon C , Meeusen E N T , Didierlaurent A M , de Veer M J
Published: December 2017

The liposome-based adjuvant system AS01 is under evaluation for use in several vaccines in clinical development. We have shown previously that AS01 injected with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) induces a distinct cellular signature within the draining lymphatics that enhances local lymphocyte recruitment and antigen-specific humoral immunity. Here, we show that AS01-induced neutrophil recruitment is associated with increased expression of CD14 and enhanced antigen uptake capacity in neutrophils from both afferent and efferent lymphatic compartments during the first 48 h after vaccination. Significant and transient increases in CD14 expression on systemic neutrophils were also observed following primary and boost vaccination with HBsAg-AS01; however, they were not observed following additional encounter with HBsAg-alone or HBsAg-alum. These results show that following immunization with AS01, neutrophils expressing higher levels of CD14 are both more abundant and efficient at antigen uptake, warranting further investigation into the role of neutrophil-associated CD14 in the adjuvanticity of AS01.
Genetic association of molecular traits: A help to identify causative variants in complex diseases
Authors: Vandiedonck C.
Published: December 2017

In the past 15 years, major progresses have been made in the understanding of the genetic basis of regulation of gene expression. These new insights have revolutionized our approach to resolve the genetic variation underlying complex diseases. Gene transcript levels were the first expression phenotypes that were studied. They are heritable and therefore amenable to genome‐wide association studies. The genetic variants that modulate them are called expression quantitative trait loci. Their study has been extended to other molecular quantitative trait loci (molQTLs) that regulate gene expression at the various levels, from chromatin state to cellular responses. Altogether, these studies have generated a wealth of basic information on the genome‐wide patterns of gene expression and their inter‐individual variation. Most importantly, molQTLs have become an invaluable asset in the genetic study of complex diseases. Although the identification of the disease‐causing variants on the basis of their overlap with molQTLs requires caution, molQTLs can help to prioritize the relevant candidate gene(s) in the disease‐associated regions and bring a functional interpretation of the associated variants, therefore, bridging the gap between genotypes and clinical phenotypes.
A proposal to create an extension to the European baseline series
Authors: Wilkinson Mark , Gallo Rosella , Goossens An , Johansen Jeanne D. , Rustemeyer Thomas , Sánchez‐Pérez Javier , Schuttelaar Marie L. , Uter Wolfgang
Published: December 2017

Background

The current European baseline series consists of 30 allergens, and was last updated in 2015.

Objectives

To use data from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) to propose an extension to the European baseline series in response to changes in environmental exposures.

Methods

Data from departmental and national extensions to the baseline series, together with some temporary additions from departments contributing to the ESSCA, were collated during 2013–2014.

Results

In total, 31689 patients were patch tested in 46 European departments. Many departments and national groups already consider the current European baseline series to be a suboptimal screen, and use their own extensions to it. The haptens tested are heterogeneous, although there are some consistent themes. Potential haptens to include in an extension to the European baseline series comprise sodium metabisulfite, formaldehyde‐releasing preservatives, additional markers of fragrance allergy, propolis, Compositae mix, and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

Conclusion

In combination with other published work from the ESSCA, changes to the current European baseline series are proposed for discussion. As well as addition of the allergens listed above, it is suggested that primin and clioquinol should be deleted from the series, owing to reduced environmental exposure.
Finasteride accelerates prostate wound healing after thulium laser resection through DHT and AR signalling
Authors: Zhao Ruizhe , Wang Xingjie , Jiang Chenyi , Shi Fei , Zhu Yiping , Yang Boyu , Zhuo Jian , Jing Yifeng , Luo Guangheng , Xia Shujie , Han Bangmin
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, urgency, urodynia and haemorrhage are common post‐operative complications of thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP). Our study mainly focuses on the role of finasteride in prostate wound healing through AR signalling.

Materials and methods

TmLRP beagles were randomly distributed into different treatment groups. Serum and intra‐prostatic testosterone and DHT level were determined. Histological analysis was conducted to study the re‐epithelialization and inflammatory response of the prostatic urethra in each group. We investigated the role of androgen in proliferation and inflammatory response in prostate. In addition, the effects of TNF‐α on prostate epithelium and stromal cells were also investigated.

Results

Testosterone and DHT level increased in testosterone group and DHT decreased in finasteride group. Accelerated wound healing of prostatic urethra was observed in the finasteride group. DHT suppressed proliferation of prostate epithelium and enhanced inflammatory response in prostate. We confirmed that DHT enhanced macrophages TNF‐α secretion through AR signalling. TNF‐α suppressed proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and retarded cell migration. TNF‐α also played a pivotal role in suppressing fibroblasts activation and contraction.

Conclusion

Testosterone treatment repressed re‐epithelialization and wound healing of prostatic urethra. Finasteride treatment may be an effective way to promote prostate re‐epithelialization.
Utility of transthoracic needle biopsy after lung transplantation
Authors: Kavanagh John , Siemienowicz Miranda , Keshavjee Shaf , Rogalla Patrik , Singer Lianne , Kandel Sonja
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and complications of CT‐guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) after lung transplantation. A database search identified all TTNB performed in lung transplant patients over a 14‐year period. Forty‐two biopsies in transplant patients (transplant group) were identified and matched to the next biopsy performed in native lungs by the same operator (nontransplant group) as a control. Primary outcomes recorded were diagnosis, diagnostic yield, pneumothorax requiring intervention, and symptomatic pulmonary hemorrhage. Biopsy outcomes were classified as diagnostic, not specifically diagnostic, and nondiagnostic. Patients in the transplant group were younger (P < .002). Emphysema along the biopsy trajectory was more commonly seen in the nontransplant group (P < .0006). Needle gauge, size of lesion, pleural punctures, lesion depth, and number of passes were not significantly different. Diagnostic yield was 71% in the transplant group and 91% in the nontransplant group. There were 20 of 42 (48%) malignant nodules in the transplant group compared to 31 of 44 (70%) nodules in the nontransplant group (P = .05). There were no complications in the transplant group. The nontransplant group had two pneumothoraces requiring intervention. TTNB after lung transplant is safe with a moderate diagnostic yield. Nonmalignant lesions are more common after lung transplantation.
Metastatic laryngeal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A rare case of presentation and extreme tumor burden
Authors: Dunn Andrew , Broadfoot Brannon G. , Hunt Jennifer , Kaley Jennifer R. , Atiq Omar , Gutta Narendra B. , Wang Xiaofei , Gardner Jerad M. , Shalin Sara C.
Published: December 2017

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the larynx is an aggressive form of neuroendocrine carcinoma that affects smokers at an average age of 60 years. LCNEC is characterized by large cells with round to ovoid nuclei distributed in a trabecular or nested growth pattern. Previously, laryngeal LCNEC and atypical carcinoid tumors were considered identical; however, laryngeal LCNEC has been shown to have higher mitotic rates and worse prognosis, which has led to laryngeal LCNEC's being separated from atypical carcinoid and classified as a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in the most recent World Health Organization classification. We present a case of a 56‐year‐old female who presented with painful subcutaneous skin lesions that were diagnosed as metastatic carcinoma at an outside facility. Subsequent workup revealed a primary epiglottic lesion. Over the next 4 years, she continued to develop over 100 similar subcutaneous nodules. Additional workup confirmed neuroendocrine differentiation, thus clarifying the diagnosis of metastatic LCNEC. Review of literature has revealed only 1 reported case of LCNEC with skin metastasis. This is the first reported case in which skin metastasis was the initial presenting symptom; moreover, our case is unique with regard to the heavy metastatic burden to the skin.
Is there predictive value in early magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in infants born preterm?
Authors: Arulkumaran Sophie , Arichi Tomoki
Published: December 2017

This commentary is on the systematic review by George et al. on pages 134–146 of this issue.