bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring tobacco hairy root metabolism for the production of stilbenes
Authors: Hidalgo Diego , Georgiev Milen , Marchev Andrey , Bru-Martínez Roque , Cusido Rosa M. , Corchete Purificación , Palazon Javier
Published: December 2017

Tobacco hairy root (HR) cultures, which have been widely used for the heterologous production of target compounds, have an innate capacity to bioconvert exogenoust-resveratrol (t-R) intot-piceatannol (t-Pn) andt-pterostilbene (t-Pt). We established genetically engineered HR carrying the gene encoding stilbene synthase (STS) fromVitis viniferaand/or the transcription factor (TF) AtMYB12 fromArabidopsis thaliana, in order to generate a holistic response in the phenylpropanoid pathway and coordinate the up-regulation of multiple metabolic steps. Additionally, an artificial microRNA for chalcone synthase (amiRNA CHS) was utilized to arrest the normal flux through the endogenous chalcone synthase (CHS) enzyme, which would otherwise compete for precursors with the STS enzyme imported for the flux deviation. The transgenic HR were able to biosynthesize the target stilbenes, achieving a production of 40 μg L−1oft-R, which was partially metabolized intot-Pn andt-Pt (up to 2.2 μg L−1and 86.4 μg L−1, respectively), as well as its glucoside piceid (up to 339.7 μg L−1). Major metabolic perturbations were caused by the TF AtMYB12, affecting both primary and secondary metabolism, which confirms the complexity of biotechnological systems based on seed plantin vitrocultures for the heterologous production of high-value molecules.
A model electronic Hamiltonian for the self-assembly of an octahedron-shaped coordination capsule
Authors: Matsumura Yoshihiro , Iuchi Satoru , Sato Hirofumi
Published: December 2017

A model electronic Hamiltonian to describe ligand exchange reactions of palladium(ii) complexes with pyridine (Py) and tridentate (L) ligands was developed.
Intermolecular configurations dominated by quadrupole–quadrupole electrostatic interactions: explicit correlation treatment of the five-dimensional potential energy surface and infrared spectra for the CO–N2 complex
Authors: Liu Jing-Min , Zhai Yu , Zhang Xiao-Long , Li Hui
Published: December 2017

Quantum mechanical average over rovibrational wavefunction based on new intermolecular potential energy surface has been done to get molecular alignment for CO–N2 complex, which is in good agreement with experimental results.
Correction: Dietary fucoidan modulates the gut microbiota in mice by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and Ruminococcaceae
Authors: Shang Qingsen , Shan Xindi , Cai Chao , Hao Jiejie , Li Guoyun , Yu Guangli
Published: December 2017

Correction for ‘Dietary fucoidan modulates the gut microbiota in mice by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and Ruminococcaceae’ by Qingsen Shang et al., Food Funct., 2016, 7, 3224–3232.
Field-dependent dynamic responses from dilute magnetic nanoparticle dispersions
Authors: Fock Jeppe , Balceris Christoph , Costo Rocio , Zeng Lunjie , Ludwig Frank , Hansen Mikkel Fougt
Published: December 2017

AC susceptibility (ACS) and optomagnetic (OM) measurements vs. field and frequency allow determination of the bivariate distribution in moment and size. The obtained correlation provides information on the morphology of the magnetic nanoparticles.
Therapeutic targeting of non-coding RNAs in cancer
Authors: Slaby Ondrej , Laga Richard , Sedlacek Ondrej
Published: December 2017

The majority of the human genome encodes RNAs that do not code for proteins. These non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) affect normal expression of the genes, including oncogenes and tumour suppressive genes, which make them a new class of targets for drug development in cancer. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most studied regulatory ncRNAs to date, and miRNA-targeted therapeutics have already reached clinical development, including the mimics of the tumour suppressive miRNAs miR-34 and miR-16, which reached phase I clinical trials for the treatment of liver cancer and mesothelioma, the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is increasingly being recognised. Here, we describe obstacles and advances in the development of ncRNA therapeutics and provide the comprehensive overview of the ncRNA chemistry and delivery technologies. Furthermore, we summarise recent knowledge on the biological functions of miRNAs and their involvement in carcinogenesis, and discuss the strategies of their therapeutic manipulation in cancer. We review also the emerging insights into the role of lncRNAs and their potential as targets for novel treatment paradigms. Finally, we provide the up-to-date summary of clinical trials involving miRNAs and future directions in the development of ncRNA therapeutics.
Engaging in Interprofessional Practice in Schools: A Case Example
Authors: Griffin Rosemarie
Published: December 2017

In this article, the author discusses how communication is impaired in learners with autism. In addition, evidence-based strategies to utilize when working to help increase a student's language level are also discussed. A case study of the implementation of these strategies in a collaborative and systematic model is discussed in depth.
Sulphur monoxide exposes a potential molecular disk wind from the planet-hosting disk around HD 100546
Authors: Booth Alice S. , Walsh Catherine , Kama Mihkel , Loomis Ryan A. , Maud Luke T. , Juhász Attila
Published: December 2017

Sulphur-bearing volatiles are observed to be significantly depleted in interstellar and circumstellar regions. This missing sulphur is postulated to be mostly locked up in refractory form. With ALMA we have detected sulphur monoxide (SO), a known shock tracer, in the HD 100546 protoplanetary disk. Two rotational transitions: J = 77–66 (301.286 GHz) and J = 78–67 (304.078 GHz) are detected in their respective integrated intensity maps. The stacking of these transitions results in a clear 5σ detection in the stacked line profile. The emission is compact but is spectrally resolved and the line profile has two components. One component peaks at the source velocity and the other is blue-shifted by 5 km s−1. The kinematics and spatial distribution of the SO emission are not consistent with that expected from a purely Keplerian disk. We detect additional blue-shifted emission that we attribute to a disk wind. The disk component was simulated using LIME and a physical disk structure. The disk emission is asymmetric and best fit by a wedge of emission in the north-east region of the disk coincident with a “hot-spot” observed in the CO J = 3–2 line. The favoured hypothesis is that a possible inner disk warp (seen in CO emission) directly exposes the north-east side of the disk to heating by the central star, creating locally the conditions to launch a disk wind. Chemical models of a disk wind will help to elucidate why the wind is particularly highlighted in SO emission and whether a refractory source of sulphur is needed. An alternative explanation is that the SO is tracing an accretion shock from a circumplanetary disk associated with the proposed protoplanet embedded in the disk at 50 au. We also report a non-detection of SO in the protoplanetary disk around HD 97048.
Gefährliche Gase
Authors: Tabori Ernst
Published: December 2017

Laser- und Elektrochirurgie Bei der operativen Behandlung mit dem CO2-Laser oder Elektrokauter speziell von HPV-haltigem
Material, zum Beispiel anogenitaler Condylomata acuminata, können gesundheitsschädliche Rauchgase entstehen. Wie Sie sich davor schützen,
erläutert unser Experte vom Deutschen Beratungszentrum für Hygiene.
Sind wir wirklich so glücklich, wie wir es glauben? Eine kritische Untersuchung der Arbeitszufriedenheit an einer Universitätskinderklinik
Authors: Hiemisch Andreas , Stöbel-Richter Yve , Grande Gesine , Brähler Elmar , Kiess Wieland
Published: December 2017

Ziel der Studie Trotz zahlreich berichteter Defizite und einem zunehmend angespannten Arbeitsumfeld in deutschen Krankenhäusern wird die Arbeitszufriedenheit von den Mitarbeitern regelmäßig als hoch bis sehr hoch einschätzt. Damit fehlen wichtige Argumente zur nachhaltigen Verbesserung von Arbeitsbedingungen gegenüber den Vorständen. Aus dieser Diskrepanz zwischen Arbeitsbedingungen und subjektiver Zufriedenheit ergab sich die Motivation für die vorliegende Arbeit.

Methodik Die Datenerhebung erfolgte mittels einer Mitarbeiterbefragung am Kinderzentrum des Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR. Unterteilt wurde nach ärztlichem, Pflege- und Funktionsdienst. Gemessen wurde die subjektive Arbeitszufriedenheit anhand der fast ausschließlich in Unternehmen verwendeten klassischen Globalurteile vs. qualitative Arbeitszufriedenheit nach dem weit moderneren kognitiv-emotionalen Konzept des „Schweizer Modells“. Darüber hinaus wurden Arbeitszeit, arbeitsbedingte psychische Belastungsfolgen, Kündigungsbereitschaft und reale Austritte in Relation gesetzt.

Ergebnisse Die Auswertung der klassischen Globalurteile zeigt hohe Arbeitszufriedenheitsquoten. Im Vergleich dazu ergibt die qualitative Analyse, dass nur jeder vierte Mitarbeiter und bei den Ärzten sogar nur jeder zehnte real mit seinem Job zufrieden ist. Insgesamt resultieren 4 Zufriedenheitsgruppen. Deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Berufsgruppen zeigen die altersstratifizierten Profile und die Auswertung der psychischen Belastungsfolgen. Konträr verhält sich die Kündigungsbereitschaft.

Schlussfolgerung Bei den vielfach publizierten Ergebnissen hoher Arbeitszufriedenheit in Krankenhäusern handelt es sich in der Mehrzahl um resignativ zufriedene Mitarbeiter. Dies resultiert psychodynamisch aus einer Spannungskompensation. Mit den klassischen Globalurteilen ist dies nicht messbar. Ebenso undetektiert bleiben in der Regel die konstruktiv unzufriedenen Mitarbeiter, welche für Unternehmen eine oftmals unterschätzte Ressource darstellen. Deren Spannungsreduktion resultiert dann meist in einem Jobwechsel.
Jewish Scribes and Christian Patrons: The Hebraica Collection of Johann Jakob Fugger
Authors: Steimann Ilona
Published: December 2017

Acquiring Hebrew books was a common practice among Christian humanists. More surprising, perhaps, is that a large group of Hebrew manuscripts was produced for a Christian library. A Jewish scribal workshop organized by Johann Jakob Fugger (1516–75) in Venice—here analyzed for the first time—is one of the rarest examples of this phenomenon that emerged out of Renaissance book culture. To understand Fugger’s extensive bibliophilic enterprise, this essay examines the circulation and dissemination of Hebrew texts from the Jewish bookshelf among Christians, the relationships between Christian patrons and Jewish scribes, and the role of manuscripts as agents of print and as objects of collecting.
The Summating Potential Is a Reliable Marker of Electrode Position in Electrocochleography: Cochlear Implant as a Theragnostic Probe
Authors: Helmstaedter Victor , Lenarz Thomas , Erfurt Peter , Kral Andrej , Baumhoff Peter
Published: December 2017

Objective:

For the increasing number of cochlear implantations in subjects with residual hearing, hearing preservation, and thus the prevention of implantation trauma, is crucial. A method for monitoring the intracochlear position of a cochlear implant (CI) and early indication of imminent cochlear trauma would help to assist the surgeon to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the different electric components recorded by an intracochlear electrocochleography (ECochG) as markers for the cochleotopic position of a CI. The measurements were made directly from the CI, combining intrasurgical diagnostics with the therapeutical use of the CI, thus, turning the CI into a “theragnostic probe.”

Design:

Intracochlear ECochGs were measured in 10 Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs of either sex, with normal auditory brainstem response thresholds. All subjects were fully implanted (4 to 5 mm) with a custom six contact CI. The ECochG was recorded simultaneously from all six contacts with monopolar configuration (retroauricular reference electrode). The gross ECochG signal was filtered off-line to separate three of its main components: compound action potential, cochlear microphonic, and summating potential (SP). Additionally, five cochleae were harvested and histologically processed to access the spatial position of the CI contacts. Both ECochG data and histological reconstructions of the electrode position were fitted with the Greenwood function to verify the reliability of the deduced cochleotopic position of the CI.

Results:

SPs could be used as suitable markers for the frequency position of the recording electrode with an accuracy of ±1/4 octave in the functioning cochlea, verified by histology. Cochlear microphonics showed a dependency on electrode position but were less reliable as positional markers. Compound action potentials were not suitable for CI position information but were sensitive to “cochlear health” (e.g., insertion trauma).

Conclusions:

SPs directly recorded from the contacts of a CI during surgery can be used to access the intracochlear frequency position of the CI. Using SP monitoring, implantation may be stopped before penetrating functioning cochlear regions. If the technique was similarly effective in humans, it could prevent implantation trauma and increase hearing preservation during CI surgery. Diagnostic hardware and software for recording biological signals with a CI without filter limitations might be a valuable add-on to the portfolios of CI manufacturers.
Existential distress and meaning-focused interventions in cancer survivorship
Authors: Vehling Sigrun , Philipp Rebecca
Published: December 2017

Purpose of review

Cancer can challenge fundamental assumptions about security, controllability and life priorities, which may lead to clinically relevant existential distress. We review recent studies on the prevalence of existential distress in cancer survivors, its distinctness from other distress concepts and interventions to address cancer-specific existential challenges. We further describe psychological mechanisms that may underlie change resulting from such interventions.

Recent findings

One-third to one-half of cancer survivors experienced existential fears and concerns related to reduced control, identity and uncertainty about the future. Clinically relevant levels of demoralization (a state comprising loss of meaning and a sense of poor coping) were found in one in four to five cancer patients in mixed samples. Existential interventions have shown positive effects in facilitating personal meaning and promoting psychological adaptation.

Existential distress can be understood as a distinct dimension of cancer-related distress requiring attention from healthcare professionals. Psychosocial interventions can facilitate dealing with existential challenges during and while transitioning to longer term survivorship. Such interventions can effectively support survivors to manage uncertainty, link cancer to their life story and engage in meaningful activity despite an uncertain and potentially foreshortened future.
Valproic acid induces prosurvival transcriptomic changes in swine subjected to traumatic injury and hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Georgoff Patrick E. , Nikolian Vahagn C. , Higgins Gerald , Chtraklin Kiril , Eidy Hassan , Ghandour Mohamed H. , Williams Aaron , Athey Brian , Alam Hasan B.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that improves outcomes in large animal models of trauma. However, its protective mechanism of action is not completely understood. We sought to characterize the genetic changes induced by VPA treatment following traumatic injuries.

METHODS

Six female Yorkshire swine were subjected to traumatic brain injury (controlled cortical impact), polytrauma (liver and splenic laceration, rib fracture, rectus crush), and hemorrhagic shock (HS, 40% total blood volume). Following 2 hours of HS, animals were randomized to resuscitation with normal saline (NS) or NS + 150 mg/kg of intravenous VPA (n = 3/cohort, 18 samples total). Blood samples were collected for isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells at three distinct time points: baseline, 6 hours following injuries, and on postinjury day 1. RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and sequenced. Differential expression analysis (false discovery rate < 0.001 and p value <0.001) and gene set enrichment (Panther Gene Ontology and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) was used to compare VPA to non–VPA-treated animals.

RESULTS

A total of 628 differentially expressed RNA transcripts were identified, 412 of which were used for analysis. There was no difference between treatment groups at baseline. The VPA-induced genetic changes were similar at 6 hours and on postinjury day 1. Upregulated genes were associated with gene expression (p 2.13E-34), cellular development (1.19E-33), cellular growth and proliferation (1.25E-30), and glucocorticoid receptor signaling (8.6E-21). Downregulated genes were associated with cell cycle checkpoint regulation (3.64E-22), apoptosis signaling (6.54E-21), acute phase response signaling (5.84E-23), and the inflammasome pathway (1.7E-19).

CONCLUSION

In injured swine, VPA increases the expression of genes associated with cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation and decreases those associated with cell death and inflammation. These genetic changes could explain the superior clinical outcomes in VPA-treated animals, including smaller brain lesion size and improved neurologic recovery.
GORAB, a Golgi protein required for centriole structure and duplication
Authors: Kovacs Levente , Chao-Chu Jennifer , Schneider Sandra , Gottardo Marco , Tzolovsky George , Dzhindzhev Nikola S. , Riparbelli Maria Giovanna , Callaini Giuliano , Glover David M.
Published: December 2017

Genome wide screens are widely believed to have identified the great majority of genes required for centriole duplication. However, seeking to clarify the partners of the Drosophila cartwheel protein Sas6, we identified Gorab, a known trans-Golgi associated protein that is mutated in the human wrinkly skin disease, gerodermia osteodysplastica. We now report that Gorab is present not only in the trans-Golgi but also in association with Sas6 at the core of the centriole. Flies lacking Gorab show defects in centriole duplication in many tissues and are also uncoordinated due to basal body defects in sensory cilia, which lose their 9-fold symmetry. We demonstrate the separation of centriole and Golgi functions of Drosophila Gorab in two ways: First, we have created Gorab variants that are unable to localize to trans-Golgi but can still rescue the centriole and cilia defects of gorab null flies. Secondly, we show that expression of C-terminally tagged Gorab disrupts Golgi functions in cytokinesis of male meiosis, a dominant phenotype overcome by a second mutation preventing Golgi targeting. We discuss the tissue specific requirement of Gorab for centriole duplication in the context of its split functions.
The Cell Cycle Browser: an interactive tool for visualizing, simulating, and perturbing cell cycle progression
Authors: Borland David , Yi Hong , Grant Gavin D , Kedziora Kasia M , Chao Hui Xiao , Haggerty Rachel A , Kumar Jayashree , Wolff Samuel C , Cook Jeanette G , Purvis Jeremy E
Published: December 2017

The cell cycle is driven by precise temporal coordination among many molecular activities. To understand and explore this process, we developed the Cell Cycle Browser (CCB), an interactive web interface based on real-time reporter data collected in proliferating human cells. This tool facilitates visualizing, simulating, and predicting the outcomes of perturbing cell cycle parameters. Time-series traces from individual cells can be combined to build a multi-layered timeline of molecular activities. Users can simulate the cell cycle using computational models that capture the dynamics of molecular activities and phase transitions. By adjusting individual expression levels and strengths of molecular relationships, users can predict effects on the cell cycle. Virtual assays, such as growth curves and flow cytometry, provide familiar outputs to compare cell cycle behaviors for data and simulations. The CCB serves to unify our understanding of cell cycle dynamics and provides a platform for generating hypotheses through virtual experiments.
Template-based prediction of vigilance fluctuations in resting-state fMRI
Authors: Falahpour Maryam , Chang Catie , Wong Chi Wah , Liu Thomas T.
Published: December 2017

Changes in vigilance or alertness during a typical resting state fMRI scan are inevitable and have been found to affect measures of functional brain connectivity. Since it is not often feasible to monitor vigilance with EEG during fMRI scans, it would be of great value to have methods for estimating vigilance levels from fMRI data alone. A recent study, conducted in macaque monkeys, proposed a template-based approach for fMRI-based estimation of vigilance fluctuations. Here, we use simultaneously acquired EEG/fMRI data to investigate whether the same template-based approach can be employed to estimate vigilance fluctuations of awake humans across different resting-state conditions. We first demonstrate that the spatial pattern of correlations between EEG-defined vigilance and fMRI in our data is consistent with the previous literature. Notably, however, we observed a significant difference between the eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open (EO) conditions finding stronger negative correlations with vigilance in regions forming the default mode network and higher positive correlations in thalamus and insula in the EC condition when compared to the EO condition. Taking these correlation maps as “templates” for vigilance estimation, we found that the template-based approach produced fMRI-based vigilance estimates that were significantly correlated with EEG-based vigilance measures, indicating its generalizability from macaques to humans. We also demonstrate that the performance of this method was related to the overall amount of variability in a subject’s vigilance state, and that the template-based approach outperformed the use of the global signal as a vigilance estimator. In addition, we show that the template-based approach can be used to estimate the variability across scans in the amplitude of the vigilance fluctuations. We discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of using the template-based approach in future fMRI studies.
A High Resolution Map of Meiotic Recombination in Cryptococcus Demonstrates Decreased Recombination in Unisexual Reproduction
Authors: Roth Cullen , Sun Sheng , Billmyre R. Blake , Heitman Joseph , Magwene Paul M.
Published: December 2017

Multiple species within the basidiomycete genus, Cryptococcus, cause cryptococcal disease. These species are estimated to affect nearly a quarter of a million people leading to approximately 180,000 mortalities, annually. Sexual repro-duction, which can occur between haploid yeasts of the same or opposite mating type, is a potentially important contributor to pathogenesis as recombination can generate novel genotypes and transgressive phenotypes. However, our quantitative understanding of recombination in this clinically important yeast is limited. Here we describe genome-wide estimates of recombination rates in Cryptococcus deneoformans and compare recombination between progeny from α-α unisexual and a-α bisexual crosses. We find that offspring from bisexual crosses have modestly higher average rates of recombination than those derived from unisexual crosses. Recombination hot and cold spots across the C. deneoformans genome are also identified and are associated with increased GC content. Finally, we observed regions genome-wide with allele frequencies deviating from the expected parental ratio. These findings and observations advance our quantitative understanding of the genetic events that occur during sexual reproduction in C. deneoformans, and the impact that different forms of sexual reproduction are likely to have on genetic diversity in this important fungal pathogen.
Corporate governance risk and the agency problem
Authors: ElKelish Walaa Wahid
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate governance risk and agency costs across different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate governance risk indicators were obtained from the Institutional Shareholder Services Europe (S.A.) for 4,135 firms across 27 countries. Agency costs and other control variables were derived from companies’ annual financial reports using the DataStream database. Ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis model was used to test the study hypothesis.

Findings

Agency costs have a significant negative impact on corporate governance risk across countries. The extent of corporate governance mechanisms used, however, varies across geographic regions and industry types. The relationship between corporate governance risk and agency costs is more obvious in the non-financial than financial sector. These results were robust after several statistical checks.

Practical implications

The findings will help stakeholders, including corporate management, regulators and investors to improve corporate governance mechanisms and capital allocation decisions across countries.

Originality/value

Evidence is provided on the role of agency costs in corporate governance risk across geographic regions for financial and non-financial companies. The paper also overcomes common problems in corporate governance research such as construct validity, limited data and endogeneity.
Characters-based sentiment identification method for short and informal Chinese text
Authors: Lan Qiujun , Ma Haojie , Li Gang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Sentiment identification of Chinese text faces many challenges, such as requiring complex preprocessing steps, preparing various word dictionaries carefully and dealing with a lot of informal expressions, which lead to high computational complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

A method based on Chinese characters instead of words is proposed. This method represents the text into a fixed length vector and introduces the chi-square statistic to measure the categorical sentiment score of a Chinese character. Based on these, the sentiment identification could be accomplished through four main steps.

Findings

Experiments on corpus with various themes indicate that the performance of proposed method is a little bit worse than existing Chinese words-based methods on most texts, but with improved performance on short and informal texts. Especially, the computation complexity of the proposed method is far better than words-based methods.

Originality/value

The proposed method exploits the property of Chinese characters being a linguistic unit with semantic information. Contrasting to word-based methods, the computational efficiency of this method is significantly improved at slight loss of accuracy. It is more sententious and cuts off the problems resulted from preparing predefined dictionaries and various data preprocessing.
Improving risk communication and public participation through mutual understanding
Authors: Umansky Dimitrij , Fuhrberg Reinhold
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Risk communication and public participation are often hampered by conflicts and mistrust between involved actors. The present paper argues that these problems can be addressed through better mutual understanding. This argument is founded on the conceptualisation of risk communication as a social interaction, which is based on mutual understanding. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the relationship between conflict, mistrust and mutual misunderstanding through a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study explores risk communication in relation to high-voltage grid extension in Germany. Conflicts and mutual understanding between involved actors are analysed with the help of the coorientation approach. In total, 16 semi-structured interviews are conducted with grid providers, local politicians and public authorities.

Findings

Misunderstandings are exposed between the analysed actors, which are related to mistrust and conflicts. The findings suggest that improved mutual understanding might foster more effective and mutually beneficial risk communication.

Originality/value

Current research fails to sufficiently explain and improve conflicts and mistrust between actors involved in risk communication and public participation. The present paper offers a novel solution by conceptualising risk communication as a social interaction and placing mutual understanding at the centre of the analysis. The paper also introduces the coorientation approach as an analytical tool. Practitioners are advised how to pursue mutual understanding. Future research is encouraged to advance the comprehension of risk communication.
Visualising the pedagogic frailty model as a frame for the scholarship of teaching and learning
Authors: Kinchin Ian M.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to offer exploration of pedagogic frailty as a framework to support professional development of university teachers in a personalised and discipline-sensitive way.

Design/methodology/approach

The method involves participants constructing a concept map for each dimension of the model. These maps must have high explanatory power to act as a frame for developing a personal narrative to support reflection on practice. This reflection starts from the academic’s current knowledge structure and provides a bespoke, individualised focus for further learning.

Findings

This conceptual paper is informed by case studies of academics’ interactions with the frailty model that have helped to refine it as a faculty development tool. This is clarified by providing explicit requirements of an “excellent” map, and places the reflective process within a learning theory that is aligned with the values that underpin the model.

Originality value

The type of rhizomatic learning that is supported by the model, in which there are no imposed learning outcomes or strictly delineated pathways to success, is particularly suited to support the professional development of more senior academics. This represents an innovative approach to faculty development.
“Honour”-based violence in a British South Asian community
Authors: Khan Roxanne , Saleem Shamam , Lowe Michelle
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore attitudes towards, and victimisation experiences of, “honour”-based violence (HBV) in a reportedly vulnerable population in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sample of 216 participants were recruited from a local community in England; the majority were young (mean age=21.93), Indian or Pakistani (85 per cent), Muslim (96 per cent), females (67 per cent).

Findings

Although gender differences were found for attitudes towards one aspect of HBV (namely, forced marriage), these were not significant. While HBV victimisation affected only a small proportion of this sample, when it was reported, the effects were serious and included anxiety, attempted suicides and running away from home. This highlights the need to identify and safeguard vulnerable groups without stigmatising whole communities.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to the scarce literature available on HBV in British communities, and highlight a need for culturally aware emergency and health service provision.
Black men, religiosity and desistance: exploring Islam, desistance and identity
Authors: Robinson-Edwards Shona , Pinkney Craig
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of Ibrahim, an ex-offender who has embraced Islam. Ibrahim professes Islam to be the influential element to his desistance process. This study explores Ibrahim’s journey, emphasising and reflecting upon youth; criminality and religiosity. Much of the current research relating to Black men and offending is limited to masculinity, father absence, gangs and criminality. The role of religiosity in the lives of offenders and/or ex-offenders is often overlooked. The authors suggest that identity, religiosity and desistance can raise a host of complexities while highlighting the unique challenges and benefits experienced by Ibrahim, following the practice of religion.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper took a qualitative, ethnographic approach, in the form of analysing and exploring Ibrahim’s personal lived experience. The analysis of semi-structured interviews, and reflective diaries, utilising grounded theory allowed the formation of the following three core themes: desistance, religion and identity.

Findings

The findings within this paper identify an interlink between desistance, religion and identity. The role of religiosity is becoming increasingly more important in academic social science research. This paper highlights the complexities of all three above intersections.

Research limitations/implications

This paper explores the complexities of religiosity in the desistance process of Ibrahim. Research in relation to former gang members in the UK and the role of religiosity in their lives is fairly under-researched. This paper seeks to build on existing research surrounding gang, further exploring religiosity from a UK context.

Practical implications

Time spent with Ibrahim had to be tightly scheduled, due to the work commitments of both Ibrahim and the researcher. Therefore, planning had to be done ahead in an efficient manner.

Social implications

Researching the way individuals experience the world is a “growing phenomenon”. This paper aimed to explore the lived experience of religiosity from the perspective of Ibrahim. However, it was important to not stereotype and label all Black males who have embraced Islam and desisted from crime. Therefore, this paper’s intention is not to stereotype Black men, but to raise awareness and encourage further discussion surrounding the role of religiosity in the lives of ex-offenders’.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, studies specifically focusing on the role of Islam in the life of an ex-offender are few and far between. Therefore, findings from this study are important to develop further understanding surrounding religiosity, offending and desistance. This study explores the lived experiences of Ibrahim, an former gang member and ex-offender who professes Islam to be a fundamental source to his desistance process.
A study on the role of science and technology parks in development of knowledge-based economy
Authors: Khanmirzaee Sama , Jafari Mostafa , Akhavan Peyman
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Science parks play an important role in development of technology and are able to stimulate economic growth of the countries. The purpose of this paper is to study the role that science and technology parks (STPs) play in growth of knowledge-based economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Key factors affecting the competitive advantages and the World Bank indicators resulting in knowledge-based economy were displayed in the form of a questionnaire which was examined by experts. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate main factors and sub-factors of competitive advantages of the institutions, including aspects of human resources, research and development and technology transfer, facilities, market development and to assess the main criteria of knowledge-based economy known as pillars of the overall economic performance, the institutional regime and economic incentives, innovation system, education and information technology and communications.

Findings

The obtained results from the study on competitive advantages were evaluated and analyzed by using SPSS software and the results of the review on development of knowledge-based economy were modeled by SmartPLS software with partial least squares method. Eventually, the obtained model was tested and analyzed.

Originality/value

This study is an original contribution to the theory of STPs and knowledge-based economy. It was initiated to examine the role of STPs in development of knowledge-based economy and presentation schematic model.
Customer retention and the mediating role of perceived value in retail industry
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to examine the effect of corporate social responsibility, social media marketing, sales promotion, and store environment on the perceived value and customer retention in the retail industry; and to provide a significant contribution to the existing literature by examining the mediating effect of the perceived value between the stated factors and customer retention.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was utilized, collecting data from customers of department stores in the east coast of Malaysia. In total, 278 valid questionnaires were used in the analysis of data using the structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings indicate that perceived value has a significant positive effect on customer retention. The outcomes also showed that social media marketing has an insignificant effect on the perceived value, whereas its effect on customer retention is positive and statistically significant. Additionally, the results confirmed that corporate social responsibility and store environment have significant positive effects on the perceived value and customer retention. Moreover, the findings showed that sales promotion has a significant positive effect on the perceived value, but its effect on customer retention is insignificant. Finally, the results revealed that the perceived value mediates the relationships between all of the independent variables and customer retention.

Originality/value

The results of this study improve our understanding of how these factors affect customer retention in the retail industry.
The Inverse Problem of Linear Lagrangian Dynamics
Authors: Goncalves Salsa Rubens , Kawano Daniel T. , Ma Fai , Leitmann George
Published: December 2017

A comprehensive study is reported herein for the evaluation of Lagrangian functions for linear systems possessing symmetric or nonsymmetric coefficient matrices. Contrary to popular beliefs, it is shown that many coupled linear systems do not admit Lagrangian functions. In addition, Lagrangian functions generally cannot be determined by system decoupling unless further restriction such as classical damping is assumed. However, a scalar function that plays the role of a Lagrangian function can be determined for any linear system by decoupling. This generalized Lagrangian function produces the equations of motion and it contains information on system properties, yet it satisfies a modified version of the Euler–Lagrange equations. Subject to this interpretation, a solution to the inverse problem of linear Lagrangian dynamics is provided.
Congenital scoliosis: an anomalous association with endosulfan
Authors: Narayana Kurup Jayakrishnan Kelamangalathu , Mohanty Simanchal P
Published: December 2017

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide that is used extensively across the world to kill insects. Incidence of acute and chronic toxicity with endosulfan poisoning has been reported, and nearly 80 countries have banned its use. However, it is still being used in many low-income/middle-income countries. One of the most severe tragedies because of endosulfan poisoning has taken place in the Indian state of Kerala due to persistent aerial spraying of endosulfan. Even though there are reports of skeletal and other congenital abnormalities in humans and experimental animals following exposure to endosulfan, very few have been documented. We report two cases of congenital scoliosis in siblings living in a community affected by high levels of endosulfan in the environment. High index of suspicion is essential during the screening of school children exposed to endosulfan. Congenital scoliosis is a progressive deformity that leads to severe disability, unless detected and corrected at an early stage.
Frequency of a diagnosis of glaucoma in individuals who consume coffee, tea and/or soft drinks
Authors: Wu Connie M , Wu Annie M , Tseng Victoria L , Yu Fei , Coleman Anne L
Published: December 2017

Aims

To evaluate the association between consumption of coffee, tea or soft drinks, and glaucoma in the participants of the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods

The exposures of interest of this retrospective cross-sectional study were caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, iced tea, hot tea and soft drinks. The outcome of interest was a clinical diagnosis of glaucoma based on the Rotterdam criteria. Analysis of the correlation between the frequency of consumption of each type of beverage and glaucoma was performed using logistic regression modelling while controlling for age, body mass index, gender, ethnicity, smoking status and diabetes. Data were weighted using the multistage NHANES sampling design.

Results

Among a total of 1678 survey participants, the overall prevalence of glaucoma was 5.1% (n=84). Most participants were non-Hispanic white (n=892; 53.2%). There were no statistically significant associations between consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, iced tea and soft drinks, and glaucoma. Participants who consumed at least one cup of hot tea daily had a 74% decreased odds of having glaucoma compared with those who did not consume hot tea (adjusted OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.72, P=0.004 for trend); however, no statistically significant association existed for decaffeinated hot tea and glaucoma.

Conclusion

In NHANES, participants who consumed hot tea daily were less likely to have glaucoma than those who did not consume hot tea. No significant associations were found between the consumption of coffee, iced tea, decaffeinated tea and soft drinks, and glaucoma risk. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and use of multiple statistical testing, and larger prospective studies are needed to investigate the proposed association between tea consumption and decreased glaucoma risk.
Risk of high-grade lesions after atypical glandular cells in cervical screening: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Norman Ingrid , Hjerpe Anders , Dillner Joakim
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To determine how human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity of atypical glandular cells (AGCs) affects the predictive values for the presence of high-grade cervical lesions.

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Setting

Stockholm-Gotland region, Sweden.

Participants

Between 17 February 2014 and 30 June 2016, there were 562 women with AGC detected in a cervical sample. Registry linkages up to 30 June 2016 identified 392 women with an associated HPV test and a histopathological follow-up.

Main outcome measure

Presence of a high-grade cervical lesion in the cervical biopsy taken after the AGC smear, in relation to the HPV status of the AGC-containing index smear.

Results

The proportion of HPV-positive AGC was 56% (n=222). In this group, there were six cases of invasive cervical adenocarcinoma, 33 cases of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ and 93 cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), giving a positive predictive value (PPV) for a cervical high-grade lesion of 60% (132/222). Among the 170 women with HPV-negative AGC, there was one invasive cervical squamous cell cancer and four HSIL, giving an PPV for a cervical high-grade lesion of 2.9% (5/170). This group also contained five endometrial cancers and one breast cancer.

Conclusions

HPV triaging of AGC will greatly increase the predictive ability for identifying cervical high-grade lesions (OR: 48.4 (95% CI 19.1 to122.6)) and the high sensitivity (96%; 132/137 women) implies safety of primary HPV screening strategies, with regard to this subset of patients. The measurable risk for endometrial cancer among women with HPV-negative AGC (2.9%) suggests that research on screening for endometrial cancer is needed.
Health inequity on access to services in the ethnic minority regions of Northeastern Myanmar: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tang Kun , Zhao Yingxi , Li Bolun , Zhang Siqiao , Lee Sung Hoon
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To evaluate health inequity on access to services in the ethnic regions of Northeastern Myanmar from three points of analysis: geographic barrier, gender-based disparity and financial burden of health services.

Setting

A multistage-stratified random cluster survey was conducted in Shan State Special Region 2 and Eastern Shan State Special Region 4 of Northeastern Myanmar in 2016, including a total number of 774 households.

Participants

A total number of 4235 participants were recruited during the survey.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Geographic distance, gender, household income and inpatient/outpatient service utilisation.

Results

The study results showed that residents living within 5 km of any form of healthcare facilities paid more outpatient visits (90.06 visits per thousand population) in the past 2 weeks, compared with those living 5–20 km and over 20 km (54.84 and 54.02 per thousand population, respectively) from healthcare facilities. A similar trend with little significant differences was found for inpatient service use. Regarding household income, adults with an annual household income of above US$720 were more likely to seek outpatient service (OR=1.43, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.10) compared with those with an annual income of <US$360. After adjusting for other covariates, female adults were less likely to seek inpatient treatment (OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.84) and outpatient services (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.15) than male adults.

Conclusions

Geographic barrier, gender-based disparity and financial burdens were identified as key causes that significantly restrict ethnic people’s access to healthcare facilities. The study concludes that tackling health inequity in Northeastern Myanmar ethnic regions requires an improved primary healthcare system, proper financial protection mechanisms and a special focus on women.