bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
eLearning within the Community of Practice for sustainable development
Authors: Katernyak Ihor , Loboda Viktoriya , Kulya Maryana
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the use of two knowledge management tools – eLearning and Community of Practice (CoP) – promotes the culture of managing by projects in public organizations toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents three learning strategies for organizing eLearning in CoP, tailored e-course curriculum in Project Management for Local Development within the “4A” model (attention, actualization, attraction, action), with focus on learners’ feelings and emotions used for designing the eLearning process.

Findings

Every fourth learner was in the state of flow during the e-course, 70 percent of learners felt the state of arousal at certain moment of learning, and about 65 percent felt in control of knowledge they could apply.

Practical implications

This study bridges the gap between theory and practice by demonstrating synergistic effect of two knowledge management tools (e-learning and CoP) and proves the selection of learning strategies.

Social implications

Every year, about 1,000 public sector representatives and community leaders join the virtual CoP to study expertise, improve own practice, find new ideas and promote the culture of managing by projects for sustainable development.

Originality/value

The presented case shows eLearning implementation in the context of CoP, e-course curriculum “Project Management for Local Development,” and learning strategies aimed at constructing knowledge in competitive learning environment, applying new knowledge in practice in experiential learning environment and supporting affective and social learners’ behavior. The presented mental states are used as criteria for monitoring the learners’ emotional involvement in the e-course in different roles.
Where to direct research in lean six sigma?
Authors: da Silva Fabio Francisco , Filser Lukas Daniel , Juliani Fernando , de Oliveira Otávio José
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a continuous improvement methodology used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of processes. Although there are several articles published, only two have analyzed the literature from a bibliometrics perspective. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the LSS literature by bibliometrics, identifying its state of the art, scientific gaps and research trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles published up to 2016 in the database Scopus were investigated to identify the most significant articles, authors, journals, institutions and countries based on citation counting as well as the most frequent keywords and subject areas on LSS. Articles published in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were analyzed to point out scientific gaps and to identify eight main research trends on LSS.

Findings

The research trends are: “LSS implementation”, “Healthcare”, “LSS tools”, “Human factors”, “Expansion of results”, “SME”, “LSS combined with other methodologies” and “Education”. The research outcomes also point out the most significant articles, authors, journals, institutions and countries in LSS literature.

Practical implications

This research contributes to develop the state of the art of LSS and helps professionals as well as researchers to identify which issues new studies should address.

Originality/value

The performance of the literature is measured based on the number of citations and not on the number of published papers, and the bibliometric analysis covers the highest number of articles so far (319 articles). Besides, the identification of the main research trends on LSS is exclusively based on the most recent studies.
How to keep brand fan page followers? The lens of person-environment fit theory
Authors: Tang Zhenya , Chen Leida , L. Gillenson Mark
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Companies create brand fan pages (BFPs) on social media platforms to broadcast product information, increase brand awareness and engage customers. A common challenge facing BFPs is how to attract and retain followers effectively. Through the lens of the theory of person–environment fit (TPEF), the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a theoretical model to explain the role of multidimensional fit perceptions in cultivating BFP users’ continued following intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 193 active followers of BFPs on Sina Weibo, the most prevalent social media platform in China, were used to test the proposed model. The partial least squares method was employed to assess the relationships in the model.

Findings

The findings reveal that users will continue to follow the BFP if their needs align with what the BFP provides, and if they perceive their values and characteristics to match those of the brand and fellow followers.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to extend the research context of the TPEF from organizational behaviors to examining how perceived fit influences users’ continued intention to follow in the social media context. In addition to the theoretical contributions, the findings of this study have important implications for practitioners who undertake social media management or user behavior analysis.
Technological media and development
Authors: Abbaszadeh Mohammad , Alizadeh Aghdam Mohammad Bagher , Pourhosein Reza , Nasrolahi Vosta Leila
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize and identify the existing studies on the relationship between technological media and development

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a systematic mapping study to identify and analyze the related literature. The authors identified 196 primary studies, dated from 2000 to 2017 and categorized them with respect to research focus, types of research and research method.

Findings

A total of 97 studies were identified and mapped, synthesizing the available evidence on the relationship between technological media and development. “Social development” with 54 articles and “communication” with 34 articles were the dominant research focus. Regarding the research type, “Solution proposal” is the most frequently employed research type. “Case study,” “discussion paper” and “interview,” respectively were the most used research methods. However, “SNA,” “focus group” and “time series” were used less often. “Solution proposal” was the most common research type between 2015 and 2017, and after that “philosophical paper” was the dominant research paper type. Further, the number of publications has increased between 2006 and 2017.

Originality/value

This mapping study is the first systematic exploration of the state-of-art on technological media-development nexus. The existing body of knowledge is limited to a few high quality studies.
The use of the mental health treatment requirement (MHTR): clinical outcomes at one year of a collaboration
Authors: Long Clive G. , Dolley Olga , Hollin Clive
Published: July 2018

Purpose

In the UK, the mental health treatment requirement (MHTR) order for offenders on probation has been underused. A MHTR service was established to assess the effectiveness of a partnership between a probation service, a link worker charity and an independent mental healthcare provider. Short-term structured cognitive behavioural interventions were delivered by psychology graduates with relevant work experience and training. Training for the judiciary on the MHTR and the new service led to a significant increase in the use of MHTR orders. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 56 (of 76 MHTR offenders) completed treatment in the first 12 months. A single cohort pre-post follow-up design was used to evaluate change in the following domains: mental health and wellbeing; coping skills; social adjustment; and criminal justice outcomes. Mental health treatment interventions were delivered under supervision by two psychology graduates who had relevant work experience and who were trained in short term, structured, cognitive behavioural (CBT) interventions.

Findings

Clinically significant changes were obtained on measures of anxiety and depression, and on measures of social problem solving, emotional regulation and self-efficacy. Ratings of work and social adjustment and pre-post ratings of dynamic criminogenic risk factors also improved. This new initiative has addressed the moral argument for equality of access to mental health services for offenders given a community order.

Originality/value

While the current initiative represents one of a number of models designed to increase the collaboration between the criminal justice and the mental health systems, this is the first within the UK to deliver a therapeutic response at the point of sentencing for offenders with mental health problems. The significant increase in the provision of MHTR community orders in the first year of the project has been associated with a decrease in the number of psychiatric reports requested that are time consuming and do not lead to a rapid treatment.
Linking Network Learning Capacity (NLC) to professional community and organizational learning in an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Warangkana , Lee Moosung
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a concept that has been less examined in empirical research on school organization, namely Network Learning Capacity (NLC). It is proposed that teachers’ professional networks enhance teachers’ individual NLC. This process leads to a formation of professional community (PC) and therefore affects the level of organizational learning (OL).

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative study with multiple methods comprising social network analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was conducted. Data were collected from a school implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in Taiwan.

Findings

Findings suggest that certain network positions were crucial in forming NLC on instruction. In addition, reflective dialogue, shaped by NLC, is the key component in establishing learning in this case school.

Originality/value

As the first of its kind in an educational context, the study highlights the linkages between network position and the development of professional learning community, which is mediated through NLC. This study contributes to illuminating the process of how PC practices and OL can be promoted in schools.
The emergence of Spanish REITs
Authors: Marzuki Muhammad Jufri , Newell Graeme
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Spanish real estate investment trusts (REITs) emerged as an important and rapidly expanding property investment vehicle, against the backdrop of improving Spain macro-economic fundamentals and commercial property market. This sees Spanish REITs being the 3rd largest REIT market in Europe, offering access to important Iberian and European property assets, with the added benefits of transparency, governance and liquidity. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio over August 2014–February 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Using monthly total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification potential of Spanish REITs over August 2014–February 2018 are assessed. Asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio.

Findings

Spanish REITs delivered strong risk-adjusted returns compared to stocks over August 2014–February 2018, but with limited portfolio diversification benefits. Compared to bonds, Spanish REITs offered competitive risk-adjusted returns and excellent diversification benefits. Importantly, this sees Spanish REITs as strongly contributing to the Spanish mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum.

Practical implications

The 2012 Spanish REIT regulatory changes have been pivotal in providing a supportive environment for Spanish REITs’ growth. Spanish REITs are now a significant market in a European context. The results highlight the major role of Spanish REITs in a Spanish mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance of Spanish REITs compared to stocks sees Spanish REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as an increasing number of investors have utilised Spanish REITs to obtain their property exposure in a liquid format in recent years.

Originality/value

This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of Spanish REITs, and the role of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the strategic role of Spanish REITs in a portfolio.
Changing Corporate Governance in Response to Negative Media Reports
Authors: Okhmatovskiy Ilya , Shin Donghoon
Published: July 2018

We study how organizations change their corporate governance in response to negative publicity in the media. We build on insights from the literature on interpersonal trust to theorize how organizations respond to different types of trust‐damaging information. We suggest that organizations are likely to replace key individuals involved in the corporate governance process when trust‐damaging information provides evidence of low integrity. In contrast, organizations are likely to make changes in how the governance process is organized when trust‐damaging information provides evidence of low benevolence. We test our hypotheses by using data on publicly traded Korean firms from 2006 to 2013. Our results provide general support for our argument about corporate governance changes that organizations initiate in response to different types of trust‐damaging information. We also explore how foreign ownership and state ownership moderate organizational responses to trust‐damaging information.
Managerial Compensation and Stock Price Manipulation
Authors: SCHROTH JOSEF
Published: July 2018

This paper studies the role of optimal managerial compensation in reducing uncertainty about manager reporting objectives. It is shown that, paradoxically, firm owners allow managers with higher propensity to manipulate the short‐term stock price to push for higher powered and more short‐term‐focused equity incentives. Such managers also work harder, and manipulate more, but may not generate higher firm profits. The model is consistent with existing empirical findings about the relationship between manipulation and equity pay, suggesting that heterogeneity in manager manipulation propensities may be an important driver of heterogeneity in pay. Novel testable predictions are developed.
Heterogeneous responses and resistant mechanisms to crizotinib in ALK‐positive advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kang Jin , Chen Hua‐Jun , Zhang Xu‐Chao , Su Jian , Zhou Qing , Tu Hai‐Yan , Wang Zhen , Wang Bin‐Chao , Zhong Wen‐Zhao , Yang Xue‐Ning , Chen Zhi‐Hong , Ding Yan , Wu Xue , Wang Mei , Fu Jian‐Gang , Yang Zhenfan , Zhang Xian , Shao Yang W. , Wu Yi‐Long , Yang Jin‐Ji
Published: July 2018

Background

ALK‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been proven effective for treating ALK‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although patients present with variable responses and disease progression courses. The detailed underlying molecular mechanisms require further investigation to yield a better prognosis.

Methods

Targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) mutation profiling was performed on samples from 42 NSCLC patients confirmed positive for ALK rearrangements by fluorescence in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry who experienced disease progression after crizotinib treatment.

Results

ALK rearrangements were not confirmed in six patients (14%) with other potential oncogenic drivers identified by NGS, who therefore did not respond to crizotinib and had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) compared to NGS ALK ‐positive patients. Fifteen ALK activating mutations were detected in 8 out of 26 post‐treatment samples (31%), among which ALK L1196M and G1269A were the most common acquired mutations detected in half of the patients with ALK activating mutations. Dynamic monitoring of the genetic evolution in one patient revealed both spatial and temporal heterogeneity of resistant mechanisms during different ALK‐TKI treatment courses. Activation of ALK downstream or bypass pathways was detected in patients without ALK activating mutations, such as genetic alterations in PIK3CA, MET, and KRAS. Interestingly, we identified two patients with acquired mutations in the DNA mismatch repair gene POLE, which resulted in a dramatically increased tumor mutation burden, and might contribute to the poor response to crizotinib.

Conclusions

Heterogeneous resistant mechanisms have been identified and correlate to diverse responses to crizotinib. Comprehensive and dynamic mutation profiling is required to better predict clinical outcomes.
“We Didn't Have Courage”: Internalizing Racism and the Limits of Participatory Action Research
Authors: Lucko Jennifer
Published: July 2018

This article follows a group of Latino/a English language learners conducting Participatory Action Research in a segregated school. I examine how students’ perspectives on civic engagement shifted after they joined an after‐school initiative that brought them together with students from a private Jewish day school located directly across the street. Even as students formed new perspectives on civic engagement throughout the year, internalized racism framed how they understood their capacity for civic action.
Rural health club program focused on strengthening medical students’ intention towards a rural medicine career
Authors: Wyatt Janine E. , Lyons Chantel M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland rural health club's impact in strengthening the University of Queensland medical students’ interest in a rural career. It is hypothesised that the Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship program contributed to participants’ intention to practice medicine outside a metropolitan location upon graduation.

Design

A retrospective cohort study using a mixed‐methods approach. A self‐administered online survey was conducted to investigate participants’ Year 1 elective rural placement experience and career plans combined with the University of Queensland School of Medicine administrative data.

Participants

Sixty Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship participants from 2012–2015.

Main outcome measure

Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship respondents’ strengthened their desire to work outside metropolitan locations.

Results

Of the 60 Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship participants from 2012–2015, 40 (66.7%) responded. Overall, the Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship program strengthened 38 (95.0%) respondents' desire to work outside metropolitan locations. Seven respondents have graduated and five (71.4%) of these have chosen to work as an intern in a non‐metropolitan location. Qualitative data identified some key themes, including reaffirming of rural practice commitment, the many opportunities for hands‐on experience, patient interaction and community engagement.

Conclusion

Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland rural health club played a role in promoting interest in rural careers among University of Queensland medical students through the Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship program. These early findings show involvement in Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland Rural Elective Experience Scholarship has contributed to participants either intending to, or choosing, a rural medicine career.
Randomised clinical trial: 2% taurolidine versus 0.9% saline locking in patients on home parenteral nutrition
Authors: Wouters Y. , Theilla M. , Singer P. , Tribler S. , Jeppesen P. B. , Pironi L. , Vinter‐Jensen L. , Rasmussen H. H. , Rahman F. , Wanten G. J. A.
Published: July 2018

Background

The catheter lock solutions 2% taurolidine and 0.9% saline are both used to prevent catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in home parenteral nutrition patients.

Aims

To compare the effectiveness and safety of taurolidine and saline.

Methods

This multicentre double‐blinded trial randomly assigned home parenteral nutrition patients to use either 2% taurolidine or 0.9% saline for 1 year. Patients were stratified in a new catheter group and a pre‐existing catheter group. Primary outcome was the rate of CRBSIs/1000 catheter days in the new catheter group and pre‐existing catheter group, separately.

Results

We randomised 105 patients, of which 102 were analysed as modified intention‐to‐treat population. In the new catheter group, rates of CRBSIs/1000 catheter days were 0.29 and 1.49 in the taurolidine and saline arm respectively (relative risk, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04‐0.71; P = 0.009). In the pre‐existing catheter group, rates of CRBSIs/1000 catheter days were 0.39 and 1.32 in the taurolidine and saline arm respectively (relative risk, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.03‐1.82; P = 0.25). Excluding one outlier patient in the taurolidine arm, mean costs per patient were $1865 for taurolidine and $4454 for saline (P = 0.03). Drug‐related adverse events were rare and generally mild.

Conclusions

In the new catheter group, taurolidine showed a clear decrease in CRBSI rate. In the pre‐existing catheter group, no superiority of taurolidine could be demonstrated, most likely due to underpowering. Overall, taurolidine reduced the risk for CRBSIs by more than four times. Given its favourable safety and cost profile, taurolidine locking should be considered as an additional strategy to prevent CRBSIs.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT01826526.
Soil organic matter dynamics under irrigated perennial forage–annual crop rotations
Authors: Ghimire Rajan , Norton Jay B. , Norton Urszula
Published: July 2018

Reduced soil disturbance and increased organic matter inputs in forage production systems may improve soil quality and crop production through their effects on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and nutrient cycling. We evaluated the effects of conventional (CV), organic (OR) and reduced‐tillage (RT) management systems on SOM pools in perennial forage–annual crop rotations established on soils previously under long‐term monocropped corn (Zea mays L.) field. The SOM pools evaluated include potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC) and nitrogen (PMN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), inorganic nitrogen (inorganic‐N), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN). The crop rotation was 3 years of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–grass mixture (2009‐2011) followed by a fourth year of corn (2012) across all management systems. While soils under the RT system had the highest rate of labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) accrual, all management systems accumulated SOC and STN during 2009‐2011. The response of different C and N pools was not consistent in 2012 when the fields were transitioned from alfalfa‐grass mixture to corn production. Soil PMN and inorganic‐N contents were significantly greater under CV than other management systems, whereas PMC and MBC remained greater under RT than other management systems. This suggests CV may provide immediate benefits to crop production by increasing N availability, but RT has potential to increase SOC accumulation and improve soil quality in the long‐term under perennial forage–annual crop rotations.
Thermo‐structural characterization of (As2Se3)100‐x‐(As2Te3)x glasses for infrared optics
Authors: Brandová Daniela , Svoboda Roman
Published: July 2018

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study thermokinetic behavior of (As2Se3)100−x(As2Te3)x infrared glasses (seven compositions along the pseudo‐binary were investigated). Glass‐transition kinetics was described in terms of the Tool‐Narayanaswamy‐Moynihan model and the relaxation motions were interpreted using Raman spectroscopy data. The enthalpy relaxation kinetics was found to be absolutely uninfluenced by changing Se/Te ratio. On the other hand, DSC crystallization behavior changed significantly with increasing As2Te3 content: Te‐rich compositions show marked affinity toward crystallization, whereas in case of the compositions with 0‐34 mol.% As2Te3 crystal growth is significantly suppressed. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated presence of monoclinic As2Se3, As2Te3, and As2Se(Te)3 phases. The complex crystallization behavior occurring in case of the Te‐rich compositions was described by superposition of two autocatalytic kinetic signals. Based on the information from infrared microscopy the two overlapping crystallization processes can be attributed to the respective formations of spherulitic and needle‐shaped crystallites. Best glass stability was identified in case of the (As2Se3)66(As2Te3)34 composition, which appears to be a potential candidate for optic applications in the far‐infrared region of the spectrum.
Simple and low‐cost synthetic route for SiBCN ceramic powder from a boron‐modified cyclotrisilazane
Authors: Thiyagarajan Ganesh Babu , Devasia Renjith
Published: July 2018

This study reports a simple and low‐cost synthetic route for preparing SiBCN ceramic powder via pyrolysis of boron‐modified cyclotrisilazane (BCTS). BCTS resins were synthesized by reacting boric acid with 1, 3, 5‐trimethyl‐1′, 3′, 5′‐trivinylcyclotrisilazane (CTS) in the molar ratio of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5. The boron modification in CTS resin resulted in optimum properties for preceramic polymers such as solubility in common solvents, processable viscosity (<20 cps) and high ceramic yield (>80 wt. %). The polymer to ceramic conversion was carried out at 1450 and 1650°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The study demonstrated that the changes in CTS concentration and pyrolysis temperature significantly affected the evolution of ceramic phases, morphology, and elemental composition which were thoroughly investigated through XRD, SEM, and HRTEM techniques. The results revealed the formation of β‐SiC, β‐Si3N4, and oxide ceramic phases with BCTS in the molar ratio of 1:1 and 1:3; whereas, β‐SiC, β‐Si3N4, and turbostratic BN(C) ceramic phases were obtained with BCTS in the molar ratio of 1:5.
Reduced reward responsiveness moderates the effect of maternal depression on depressive symptoms in offspring: evidence across levels of analysis
Authors: Kujawa Autumn , Hajcak Greg , Klein Daniel N.
Published: July 2018

Background

Reduced reward responsiveness (RR) may contribute to depression vulnerability. At the neurophysiological level, RR is reliably and validly assessed using the reward positivity (RewP) event‐related potential component. We previously identified a blunted RewP in 9‐year‐old children at high risk for depression due to maternal depression, but the role of RR in pathways from parental history to the development of depressive symptoms has not been examined.

Methods

At age 9, never‐depressed children (N = 369) completed a task in which RewP was measured in response to monetary reward and loss feedback. Parental history of depression was assessed using semistructured interviews, and children reported on their depressive symptoms. At age 12, youth depressive symptoms were reassessed, along with a self‐report measure of RR. We tested RR as a moderator of the effects of parental depression on depressive symptoms at age 12, using both neurophysiological and self‐report measures and controlling for age 9 symptoms.

Results

Main effects of RR and interactions with maternal depression were significant. Maternal depression predicted greater depressive symptoms in youth with blunted and average RewP but was not a significant predictor in youth with an enhanced RewP. A similar pattern was observed for self‐reported RR. The two measures of RR were not correlated with each other and accounted for unique variance in symptoms. Interactions between RR and paternal depression were not significant.

Conclusions

Reduced RR, as measured by neurophysiology and self‐report, moderates the effects of maternal depression on depressive symptoms in offspring. Assessment of RR along with risk factors such as parental depression may aid in identifying children at greatest risk and enhancing RR could be a potential target for prevention. Results highlight the utility of multimethod approaches for advancing understanding of depression risk.
Environmental stress does not increase the mean strength of selection
Authors: Arbuthnott Devin , Whitlock Michael C.
Published: July 2018

A common intuition among evolutionary biologists and ecologists is that environmental stress will increase the strength of selection against deleterious alleles and among alternate genotypes. However, the strength of selection is determined by the relative fitness differences among genotypes, and there is no theoretical reason why these differences should be exaggerated as mean fitness decreases. We update a recent review of the empirical results pertaining to environmental stress and the strength of selection and find that there is no overall trend towards increased selection under stress, in agreement with other recent analyses of existing data. The majority of past studies measure the strength of selection by quantifying the decrease in fitness imposed by single or multiple mutations in different environments. However, selection rarely acts on one locus independently, and the strength of selection will be determined by variation across the whole genome. We used 20 inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster to make repeated fitness measurements of the same genotypes in four different environments. This framework allowed us to determine the variation in fitness attributable to genotype across stressful environments and to calculate the opportunity for selection among these genotypes in each stress. Although we found significant decreases in mean fitness in our stressful environments, we did not find any significant differences in the strength of selection among any of the four measured environments. Therefore, in agreement with our updated review, we find no evidence for the oft‐cited verbal model that stress increases the strength of selection.
The mode of action of remorin1 in regulating fruit ripening at transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels
Authors: Cai Jianghua , Qin Guozheng , Chen Tong , Tian Shiping
Published: July 2018

Remorins are plant‐specific and plasma membrane‐associated proteins that display a variety of functions in plant growth, development, biotic and abiotic stresses, and signal transduction. However, little information is available for understanding their role in fruit ripening.

Here, remorin 1 (SlREM1) is cloned from tomato and its localization is examined by co‐localization analysis and immunoblotting. Functions of SlREM1 in fruit ripening are characterized based on gene expression, co‐immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectroscopy and split luciferase complementation imaging assays in SlREM1 overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) lines.

The results indicate that SlREM1 is localized at the plasma membrane. Overexpression of SlREM1 in tomato stimulates fruit ripening with an increase in ethylene production and lycopene accumulation as compared to the wild‐type. Consistently, these genes involved in ethylene and lycopene biosynthesis and ripening regulators also are upregulated in SlREM1 overexpression lines. SlREM1 can interact with ethylene biosynthesis proteins SAM1, ACO1 and ACS2 and is degraded by ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis.

Our findings reveal that SlREM1 serves as a positive regulator of fruit ripening and provide novel cues for understanding of the molecular regulation network of fruit ripening.
Suicide Notes: Assessing Their Impact on the Bereaved
Authors: Feigelman William , Sanford Rebecca , Cerel Julie
Published: July 2018

Objective

Although suicidologists have devoted great interest toward the importance of suicide notes, scant attention has been paid to their impact upon the suicide bereaved.

Method

To address this issue we conducted on an online survey querying 146 mostly American suicide bereaved adults who indicated severe emotional distress after their losses, 80% of whom had lost first degree‐relatives.

Results

We found no significant differences in mental health outcomes between those who received suicide notes and those who had not; nor were differences noted between those whose notes contained helpful or unhelpful information and those who had not received such information.

Conclusion

We also observed poorer mental health outcomes among the suicide bereaved who expected to receive a suicide note after their loved one died—and did not receive any communication– indicating needs for clinical support among this vulnerable subgroup.
From the hidden welfare state to the hidden part of welfare state reform: Analyzing the uses and effects of fiscal welfare in France
Authors: Morel Nathalie , Touzet Chloé , Zemmour Michaël
Published: July 2018

This article argues that fiscal welfare in Europe not only forms part of the “hidden welfare state” (Howard, ), but also constitutes an important yet understudied—and therefore hidden—element of welfare state reform. Using the example of France, and relying both on available data and on an exhaustive database of social tax expenditures (STEs) compiled for 2014, the article begins by providing an overview of the structure of STEs in France (section 2). It then analyzes the specific uses and effects of STEs in the fields of employment, health care, and pensions. In particular, it shows, first of all, how STEs have constituted a privileged instrument for circumventing certain institutional features such as high levels of minimum wage and of social security contributions in the field of employment (section 3). Second, it also shows that STEs have been used to quietly divert resources away from the earmarked social security funds and into collective private insurance funds, thus fueling their development, in the case of health care and pensions (section 4). Lastly, the article engages with the notion of the “social division of welfare” (Titmuss, ) by considering some of the distributional effects of fiscal welfare in France (section 5), before concluding (section 6).
Practical inter‐sectoral linking: Tool to rabies One Health coordination to the grass‐roots level
Authors: Barroga Toni Rose , Gordoncillo Mary Joy , Lagayan Maria Glofezita , Bernales Rona , Caniban Mardi , Lopez Emelinda , Abila Ronello
Published: July 2018

Rabies is an endemic disease in the Philippines. Addressing the disease at source, massive efforts towards dog vaccination and public awareness on rabies have been pursued by various Local Government Units (LGUs) in the country. While marked improvements have been seen, rabies continues to persist where it exists, largely owing to poor surveillance of the disease in animals and weak coordination between the human and animal health sectors. To bridge these critical gaps, the BAI‐OIE STANDZ Rabies Project in the Philippines, together with the key rabies stakeholders in Bicol Region, developed the “Practical Inter‐sectoral Linking”—an operational protocol and practical network of local key players (human health, animal health and LGUs) involved in rabies detection, reporting and implementation of appropriate interventions. It is initiated by recognized triggers such as detection of confirmed or probable rabies cases and is closely linked with early detection in animals, case investigation, quarantine, diagnosis, reporting and post‐exposure prophylaxis. People down to the village level are informed about the routine, protocol and contact details of relevant people in responding to bite victims with the flowchart provided by the tool. This tool was initially rolled out in pilot provinces in the Bicol Region and to date has already documented success in initiating timely actions to 31 laboratory confirmed rabies cases being investigated, which actually saved 46 human lives upon further investigation. With this established at the LGU level, the goal to timely detect suspect or probable rabies cases and promptly implement appropriate interventions are expected to improve, while local officials are empowered with their roles as frontline workers in the prevention and control of rabies.
Effect of pond dye on the response of Southern Leopard Frog tadpoles (Lithobates sphenocephalus) to Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) cues
Authors: Bartson Sydney , Ogilvie Jessa , Petroff Anna Jean , Smith Geoffrey R. , Rettig Jessica E.
Published: July 2018

Pollutant exposure can affect tadpole activity or affect their ability to respond to predator cues. One commonly used chemical in aquatic ecosystems, particularly those in suburban or rural areas, are dyes used to color or tint pond water. Little is known about how such dyes impact amphibians. We examined the effects of Tetra Pond Water Shade pond dye on the activity and behavioural response of Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) tadpoles to cues from a potential predator, the Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Tadpoles of L. sphenocephalus reduced activity after exposure to cues from G. affinis. The pond dye did not affect the activity or response of L. sphenocephalus tadpoles to G. affinis cues. Our results suggest little impact of this dye on the behavior of L. sphenocephalus at concentrations up to twice the recommended usage.
Suppression of photo-oxidation of organic chromophores by strong coupling to plasmonic nanoantennas
Authors: Munkhbat Battulga , Wersäll Martin , Baranov Denis G. , Antosiewicz Tomasz J. , Shegai Timur
Published: July 2018

Strong coupling of organic chromophores to plasmonic nanoparticles was shown to markedly improve molecular photostability.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Efficacy of Short-Course Antibiotic Treatments for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults
Authors: Tansarli Giannoula S. , Mylonakis Eleftherios
Published: July 2018

The duration of therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains undefined. We sought to investigate whether short-course antibiotic treatment for CAP is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in adult patients.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Characterization of NOSO-502, a Novel Inhibitor of Bacterial Translation
Authors: Racine Emilie , Nordmann Patrice , Pantel Lucile , Sarciaux Matthieu , Serri Marine , Houard Jessica , Villain-Guillot Philippe , Demords Anthony , Vingsbo Lundberg Carina , Gualtieri Maxime
Published: July 2018

Antibacterial activity screening of a collection of
Xenorhabdus
strains led to the discovery of the odilorhabdins, a new antibiotic class with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Odilorhabdins inhibit bacterial translation by a new mechanism of action on ribosomes.
A Colicin M-Type Bacteriocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Targeting the HxuC Heme Receptor Requires a Novel Immunity Partner
Authors: Ghequire Maarten G. K. , Öztürk Başak
Published: July 2018

The antimicrobial armamentarium of a bacterium is a major asset for colonizing competitive environments. Bacteriocins comprise a subset of these compounds. Pyocins are an example of such antibacterial proteins produced by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, killing other
P. aeruginosa
strains. A large group of these molecules show a modular protein architecture that includes a receptor-binding domain for initial target cell attachment and a killer domain. In this study, we have shown that a novel modular pyocin (PaeM4) that kills target bacteria via interference with peptidoglycan assembly takes advantage of the HxuC heme receptor. Cells can protect themselves from killing by the presence of a dedicated immunity partner, an integral inner membrane protein that adopts a transmembrane topology distinct from that of proteins currently known to provide immunity against such toxin activity. Understanding the receptors with which pyocins interact and how immunity to pyocins is achieved is a pivotal step toward the rational design of bacteriocin cocktails for the treatment of
P. aeruginosa
infections.
Targeting the HIV-1 Spike and Coreceptor with Bi- and Trispecific Antibodies for Single-Component Broad Inhibition of Entry
Authors: Khan Salar N. , Sok Devin , Tran Karen , Movsesyan Arlette , Dubrovskaya Viktoriya , Burton Dennis R. , Wyatt Richard T.
Published: July 2018

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) prevent HIV infection in monkey challenge models and suppress HIV replication in infected humans. Combinations of bNAbs are more effective at suppression, and antibody-like molecules engineered to have two or three bNAb combining sites also inhibit HIV replication in monkeys and other animal models. To expand the available array of multispecific HIV inhibitors, we designed single-component molecules that incorporate two (bispecific) or three (trispecific) bNAb binding sites that recognize the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) or the HIV coreceptor (CCR5) or that cross-target both Env and CCR5. Several of the bi- and trispecific molecules neutralized most viruses in a diverse cross-clade panel, with greater breadth and potency than those of the individual parental bNAbs. The molecules described here provide additional options for preventing or suppressing HIV infection.
CD32
+
and PD-1
+
Lymph Node CD4 T Cells Support Persistent HIV-1 Transcription in Treated Aviremic Individuals
Authors: Noto Alessandra , Procopio Francesco A. , Banga Riddhima , Suffiotti Madeleine , Corpataux Jean-Marc , Cavassini Matthias , Riva Agostino , Fenwick Craig , Gottardo Raphael , Perreau Matthieu , Pantaleo Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

The existence of long-lived latently infected resting memory CD4 T cells represents a major obstacle to the eradication of HIV infection. Identifying cell markers defining latently infected cells containing replication-competent virus is important in order to determine the mechanisms of HIV persistence and to develop novel therapeutic strategies to cure HIV infection. We provide evidence that PD-1 and CD32 may have a complementary role in better defining CD4 T cell populations infected with HIV-1. Furthermore, CD4 T cells coexpressing CD32 and PD-1 identify a CD4 T cell population with high levels of persistent HIV-1 transcription.
DNA Polymerase Sequences of New World Monkey Cytomegaloviruses: Another Molecular Marker with Which To Infer Platyrrhini Systematics
Authors: James Samantha , Donato Damien , Pouliquen Jean-François , Ruiz-García Manuel , Lavergne Anne , Lacoste Vincent
Published: July 2018

Investigating evolutionary processes between viruses and nonhuman primates has led to the discovery of a large number of herpesviruses. No study published so far on primate cytomegaloviruses has extensively studied New World monkeys (NWMs) at the subspecies, species, genus, and family levels. The present study sought to identify cytomegalovirus homologues in NWMs and to decipher their evolutionary relationships. This led us to characterize novel viruses from 12 of the 20 primate species tested, which are representative of the three NWM families. The identification of distinct viruses in these primates not only significantly expands our knowledge of the host range of this viral genus but also sheds light on its evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses and molecular dating of the sequences obtained support a virus-host coevolution.
Impact of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation on outcomes of elderly patients who had out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: a single-centre retrospective analysis
Authors: Goto Tadahiro , Morita Sachiko , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Natsukawa Tomoaki , Sawano Hirotaka , Hayashi Yasuyuki , Kai Tatsuro
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Little is known about the effectiveness of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for elderly patients who had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of age on outcomes among patients who had OHCA treated with ECPR.

Design

Single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A critical care centre that covers a population of approximately 1 million residents.

Participants

Patients who had consecutive OHCA aged ≥18 years who underwent ECPR from 2005 to 2013.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were 1 month neurologically favourable outcomes and survival. To determine the association between advanced age and each outcome, we fitted multivariable logistic regression models using: (1) age as a continuous variable and (2) age as a categorical variable (<50 years, 50–59 years, 60–69 years and ≥70 years).

Results

Overall, 144 patients who had OHCA who underwent ECPR were eligible for our analyses. The proportion of neurologically favourable outcomes was 7%, while survival was 19% in patients who had OHCA. After the adjustment for potential confounders, while advanced age was non-significantly associated with neurologically favourable outcomes (adjusted OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.01), p=0.08), the association between advanced age and the poor survival rate was significant (adjusted OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.99), p=0.04). Additionally, compared with age <50 years, age ≥70 years was non-significantly associated with poor neurological outcomes (adjusted OR 0.08 (95% CI 0.01 to 1.00), p=0.051), whereas age ≥70 years was significantly associated with worse survival in the adjusted model (adjusted OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.80), p=0.03).

Conclusions

In our analysis of consecutive OHCA data from a critical care hospital in an urban area of Japan, we found that advanced age was associated with the lower rate of 1-month survival in patients who had OHCA who underwent ECPR. Although larger studies are required to confirm these results, our findings suggest that ECPR may not be beneficial for patients who had OHCA aged ≥70 years.