bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the characteristics, philosophies, operating practices and growth strategies of village entrepreneurs
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The literature of entrepreneurship has an urban focus and despite the emergence of the rural entrepreneurship literature, we know little about the characteristics, philosophies, operating practices and growth strategies of ordinary village entrepreneurs’ in a UK context. As a concept, the “village entrepreneur” is contentious as theoretically there should be little difference between urban and rural entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, there is! The concept is important because many villages are in decline and are marginal places in terms of entrepreneurial opportunity. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the fragmented literature is conducted to synthesise and develop greater understanding. Drawing on a “life-story” approach the empirical strand comprises of an analysis of five ethnographic interviews with village entrepreneurs.

Findings

The respondents did not consider themselves entrepreneurs whom they characterised as flash, rogues and even crooked. Their embedded village entrepreneur persona was constructed around tales-of-character, hard work and perseverance. They prided themselves in making “slow-money” which they retain over their lifetime. Embeddedness, self-efficacy, character and morality were key themes encountered.

Research limitations/implications

From a research perspective the findings are based on a limited sample and the study was not specifically designed to capture data on characteristics, philosophies and operating practices. Further research on a larger scale is necessary to validate the findings.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective policy makers require to consider the notions of embeddedness, self-efficacy, character and morality when considering implementing growth strategies in rural areas.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing literature of rural entrepreneurship by expanding the typology of rural entrepreneurs and by detailing philosophies, operating practices, and growth strategies suitable and appropriate for small village and rural businesses.
Performance-based service quality model in postgraduate education
Authors: Khalaf Magdy A. , Khourshed Nevien
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to promote and analytically verify an advanced assessment design to evaluate service quality (SQ) especially in postgraduate higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a quantitative approach through a survey method. A structured questionnaire was designed as a means for collecting data. Data were collected from 182 postgraduate students in an Egyptian higher education university. Data were examined by exploratory factor analysis to pinpoint the main irregularities explained by the extracted factors. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to filter the ratios and empirically test the assessment efficiency of the developed model.

Findings

The final model consists of 33 items loaded into eight dimensions for measuring performance-based SQ of the postgraduate higher education. The results are satisfactory in terms of unidimensionality, trustworthiness, and validity tests.

Research limitations/implications

Although the empirical results are significant, a comparative study can identify relative strengths and weaknesses of this model.

Practical implications

For improving postgraduate higher education institutions’ quality, this paper highlights some dimensions and attributes that should be considered.

Originality/value

The literature proposes that there is an opportunity to handle SQ from the point of view of postgraduate students covering different contexts to further build a more comprehensive structure specifically for postgraduate higher education SQ. This paper deals with this research gap with analytical confirmation within the context of postgraduate programs in an Egyptian university.
Quality management and customer results: the tourist accommodation sector in Spain
Authors: Álvarez-García José , del Río-Rama María de la Cruz , Simonetti Biagio
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the critical factors of quality and customer results and also investigate the structure of relationships between the critical factors of quality, in the context of the tourist accommodation sector in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is proposed together with the hypotheses to be tested and the data obtained in 186 tourist accommodation businesses certified under the “Q for Tourism Quality” are analyzed, with the technique of structural equations models.

Findings

The results show that the antecedents of customer results are continuous improvement and quality policy/planning.

Originality/value

The practical implications of this paper focus on providing managers of enterprises of tourist accommodation with variables on which to perform in order to improve customer satisfaction; their leadership and commitment to quality are fundamental in the process of implementing the quality management system, which helps ensure that the company provides a quality service that influences customer satisfaction.
The four Rs performance indicators of water distribution networks
Authors: Gunawan Indra , Schultmann Frank , Zarghami Seyed Ashkan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the different interpretations of four key performance indicators of water distribution networks (WDNs): reliability, resilience, redundancy and robustness. It then addresses a range of metrics which have been developed to assess the performance of critical infrastructures, in particular WDNs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a comprehensive review and categorization of performance indicators of WDNs. The main focus is on papers addressing performance indicators of water distribution systems, additionally papers on application of complex system approach to critical infrastructures are also included.

Findings

Due to this complexity, a wide range of interpretation of WDNs performance indicators exists in the literature. This represents a significant impediment toward universally accepted interpretation of these indicators Accurate assessment of WDNs’ performance depends on clear definition of system performance indicators as well as accurate quantifying of these indicators. The application of 18 metrics as a basis for assessing the system performance have been reviewed in this paper and none are particularly significant as standalone values. Combination of these indicators are required to accurately indicate the performance of WDNs.

Originality/value

The authors believe that this paper can be a valuable source of information for academic researchers and practitioners and suggests a roadmap for future works.
How do health information and sensory attributes influence consumer choice for dairy products? Evidence from a field experiment in Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Alemayehu Dekeba , Beuving Joost , Ruben Ruerd
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of health information and sensory attributes on consumer’s propensity to upgrade and their willingness to pay (WTP) for pasteurized milk in Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a framed market experiment with 160 participants in 14 central locations in urban Ethiopia. The authors used a double hurdle model to analyze consumer willingness to shift to pasteurized milk and their WTP for quality attributes in pasteurized milk.

Findings

Consumers are willing to pay a 4 percent premium for quality attributes in pasteurized milk. Male and employed participants are willing to shift and pay a premium for pasteurized milk. Conversely, consumers with more children, higher income, and higher raw milk consumption are less likely to shift to pasteurized milk. These results also show that taste is negatively related to consumer propensity to upgrade to pasteurized milk. Further, about half of the consumers who were provided with health information are willing to pay a premium of 11 percent for pasteurized milk, whereas others would pay only 6 percent. After providing the treatment group with health information, those consumers with higher income, old people and consumers with children are less likely to shift to pasteurized milk. Overall, consumer preference for raw milk is the result of taste, perceived nutrition and perceived health benefits. The study points at a segmented milk market and the consequent need for the provision of a targeted milk market promotion.

Research limitations/implications

The application of experimental auctions in developing countries requires an extensive learning exercise for participants.

Originality/value

The authors used a non-hypothetical valuation mechanism to unravel the effect of subjective and intrinsic milk attributes in fluid milk choice decisions and its variation across socio-economic groups in a developing country context.
Framing of issues across actors: exploring competing discourses in digital arenas
Authors: Ravazzani Silvia , Maier Carmen Daniela
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the strategic selection of discursive and interactive strategies generates specific framings of an issue to advocate opposite positions, embodying a struggle of power between parties with their own agendas.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on literature within framing, digital issue arenas and critical discourse, this study analyses qualitative hypermodal data retrieved from two websites: Protect Mauna Kea, and Maunakea and Thirty Meter Telescope. These two websites frame the internationally renowned telescope’s construction on Mauna Kea Mountain in Hawaii from alternative perspectives.

Findings

On each website, frame articulation attempts to connect the event to specific concerns, values and beliefs in order to construct alternative versions of reality which can possibly fit with those of supporters. Simultaneously, this is reinforced by frame amplification concretized in selected discursive and interactive strategies that highlight or downplay the issue from particular perspectives.

Originality/value

The study offers a deep insight into the complexity and dynamic nature of framing, in particular into how framing can vary and compete across actors. It also responds to “the need for critical awareness of discourse in contemporary society” (Fairclough, 2010, p. 554) by revealing how the power positions of “challengers and powerholders” (Steinberg, 1998, p. 846) are discursively reproduced and reinforced through distinctive discursive and interactive strategies. Finally, this study adopts a critical approach to hypermodal discourse.
Communication management 2.0
Authors: Ruehl Christopher Hendrik , Ingenhoff Diana
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and why individuals use corporate pages on Facebook with the aim of developing a usage-specific inventory of incentive factors which describe brand page utilization for consumption, participation and production behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined perspective of uses-and-gratifications (U&G) and social cognitive theory (SCT) was applied to develop three models of brand page behavior. Based on a literature review, an online survey (N=215) was conducted. Exploratory factor analyses identified motivational factors based on SCT incentive dimensions, which were cross-validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

Results indicate that consumption behavior can best be explained by activity, self-reactive-novel and monetary incentives. Status incentives, practical-novel and self-reactive-idealistic incentives drive participation. Production behavior is best explained by social, self-reactive and status incentives.

Practical implications

The models’ strategic implications for integrated communication management are discussed.

Originality/value

The results suggest interconnections of incentive dimensions unique to brand page usage, which have not yet been explored in any research.
Understanding and practicing crisis consulting
Authors: Johansen Winni
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on management and communication consulting in general, and crisis consulting in particular, by investigating how public relations and communications firms understand crises, crisis management, and crisis communication; how they see themselves practicing crisis consulting; and how they envisage the future of this field of expertise.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on 12 semi-structured in-depth expert interviews with CEOs, board members, senior consultants, and/or partners representing national and international public relations and communications firms operating in Denmark who offer crisis consulting as one of their areas of expertise.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that crisis consulting is a field in transition, moving away from the traditional focus on image crises in the media handled by former journalists, toward a new focus on issue crises involving other types of stakeholders. Findings also demonstrate that crisis consultants generate important insights into aspects of crisis management and crisis communication hitherto neglected by academic scholars.

Practical implications

The insights into the professional “world view” of crisis consultants will contribute to the professionalization of the field.

Originality/value

This is the first major study of crisis consulting as a specific field of expertise within the growing industry of management and communication consulting.
Electrode-width-weighted wavelet transform processor using SAW devices
Authors: Lu Wenke , Gao Lili , Liu Qinghong , Zhang Jingduan , Zhang Haoxin
Published: March 2017

Purpose

When designing the electrode widths of the electrode-width-weighted (EWW) input interdigital transducers (IDTs) according to the envelope amplitudes of the wavelet function, the EWW wavelet transform processor (WTP) using surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices can be fabricated. The electrode widths have influence on the frequency characteristic of the EWW WTP using SAW devices. The purpose of this research is to solve the influence of the electrode width accuracy on the frequency characteristic of the EWW WTP using SAW devices.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to solve the influence of the electrode width accuracy on the frequency characteristics of the EWW WTP using SAW devices, the function between the electrode widths and the −3 dB bandwidth is derived. That the −3 dB bandwidth varies as the electrode widths is known according to this function so that the exposure time and the etching are presented as the two key problems.

Findings

Solutions to these problems are achieved in this study. As long as there is accurate exposure time, the precision IDTs (i.e. the precision electrode widths) will be obtained. The accuracy of the exposure time for the EWW WTP using SAW devices is ±1 per cent. Because the dry etching is a type of etching technology in gas medium, it can etch nanometer lines, even more fine lines, so that the dry etching is used in EWW WTP using SAW devices.

Originality/value

Research highlights solving the influence of the electrode width accuracy on the frequency characteristic for the EWW WTP using SAW devices; deriving the function between the electrode widths and the −3 dB bandwidth (it is known from this function that the −3 dB bandwidth varies as the electrode widths); and presenting the exposure time and the etching as two key problems.
Interdigitated microelectrode geometry for simple electricalEscherichia coliO157:H7 DNA detection
Authors: Nadzirah Sharipah , Hashim Uda
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to fabricate a transducer-based TiO2interdigitated microelectrodes with various gap sizes. The most stable electrical properties have been selected forEscherichia. coliO157:H7 DNA detection.

Design/methodology/approach

Sol-gel was used to synthesize TiO2nanoparticles. Lift-off photolithography process was used for fabrication of interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) and dry-state DNA detection was done using a Picoammeter.

Findings

TiO2nanoparticles IDEs with 16-um gap size is able to detect DNA ofE. coliin a dry state.

Originality/value

This paper describes IDEs for dry-state detection ofE. coliO157:H7 DNA. The technique presented in this paper ensures the high uniformity of nanoparticle deposition on the finger electrode.
Efficacy of a Sonicating Swab for Removal and Capture of Listeria monocytogenes in Biofilms on Stainless Steel
Authors: Branck Tobyn A. , Hurley Matthew J. , Prata Gianna N. , Crivello Christina A. , Marek Patrick J.
Published: March 2017

Listeria monocytogenes
is of great concern in food processing facilities because it persists in biofilms, facilitating biotransfer. Stainless steel is commonly used for food contact surfaces and transport containers.
L. monocytogenes
biofilms on stainless steel served as a model system for surface sampling, to test the performance of a sonicating swab in comparison with a standard cotton swab. Swab performance and consistency were determined using total viable counts. Stainless steel coupons sampled with both types of swabs were examined using scanning electron microscopy, to visualize biofilms and surface structures (i.e., polishing grooves and scratches). Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to image and to quantitate the biofilms remaining after sampling with each swab type. The total viable counts were significantly higher (
P
≤ 0.05) with the sonicating swab than with the standard swab in each trial. The sonicating swab was more consistent in cell recovery than was the standard swab, with coefficients of variation ranging from 8.9% to 12.3% and from 7.1% to 37.6%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic imaging showed that biofilms remained in the polished grooves of the coupons sampled with the standard swab but were noticeably absent with the sonicating swab. Percent area measurements of biofilms remaining on the stainless steel coupons showed significantly (
P
≤ 0.05) less biofilm remaining when the sonicating swab was used (median, 1.1%), compared with the standard swab (median, 70.4%). The sonicating swab provided greater recovery of cells, with more consistency, than did the standard swab, and it is employs sonication, suction, and scrubbing.

IMPORTANCE
Inadequate surface sampling can result in foodborne illness outbreaks from biotransfer, since verification of sanitization protocols relies on surface sampling and recovery of microorganisms for detection and enumeration. Swabbing is a standard method for microbiological sampling of surfaces. Although swabbing offers portability and ease of use, there are limitations, such as high user variability and low recovery rates, which can be attributed to many different causes. This study demonstrates some benefits that a sonicating swab has over a standard swab for removal and collection of microbiological samples from a surface, to provide better verification of surface cleanliness and to help decrease the potential for biotransfer of pathogens into foods.
Adjunctive clindamycin for cellulitis: a clinical trial comparing flucloxacillin with or without clindamycin for the treatment of limb cellulitis
Authors: Brindle Richard , Williams O Martin , Davies Paul , Harris Tim , Jarman Heather , Hay Alastair D , Featherstone Peter
Published: March 2017

Objective

To compare flucloxacillin with clindamycin to flucloxacillin alone for the treatment of limb cellulitis.

Design

Parallel, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Emergency department attendances and general practice referrals within 20 hospitals in England.

Interventions

Flucloxacillin, at a minimum of 500 mg 4 times per day for 5 days, with clindamycin 300 mg 4 times per day for 2 days given orally versus flucloxacillin given alone.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was improvement at day 5. This was defined as being afebrile with either a reduction in affected skin surface temperature or a reduction in the circumference of the affected area. Secondary outcomes included resolution of systemic features, resolution of inflammatory markers, recovery of renal function, reduction in the affected area, decrease in pain, return to work or normal activities and the absence of increased side effects.

Results

410 patients were included in the trial. No significant difference was seen in improvement at day 5 for flucloxacillin with clindamycin (136/156, 87%) versus flucloxacillin alone (140/172, 81%)—OR 1.55 (95% CI 0.81 to 3.01), p=0.174. There was a significant difference in the number of patients with diarrhoea at day 5 in the flucloxacillin with clindamycin allocation (34/160, 22%) versus flucloxacillin alone (16/176, 9%)—OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.07), p=0.002. There was no clinically significant difference in any secondary outcome measures. There was no significant difference in the number of patients stating that they had returned to normal activities at the day 30 interview in the flucloxacillin with clindamycin allocation (99/121, 82%) versus flucloxacillin alone (104/129, 81%)—adjusted OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.44 to 1.84).

Conclusions

The addition of a short course of clindamycin to flucloxacillin early on in limb cellulitis does not improve outcome. The addition of clindamycin doubles the likelihood of diarrhoea within the first few days.

Trial registration number

NCT01876628, Results.
Protocol for a cluster randomised stepped wedge trial assessing the impact of a community-level hygiene intervention and a water intervention using riverbank filtration technology on diarrhoeal prevalence in India
Authors: McGuinness Sarah L , O'Toole Joanne E , Boving Thomas B , Forbes Andrew B , Sinclair Martha , Gautam Sumit K , Leder Karin
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death globally, mostly occurring as a result of insufficient or unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Our study aims to investigate the impact of a community-level hygiene education program and a water quality intervention using riverbank filtration (RBF) technology on diarrhoeal prevalence.

Methods and analysis

We have designed a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial to estimate the health impacts of our intervention in 4 rural villages in Karnataka, India. At baseline, surveys will be conducted in all villages, and householders will receive hygiene education. New pipelines, water storage tanks and taps will then be installed at accessible locations in each village and untreated piped river water will be supplied. A subsequent survey will evaluate the impact of hygiene education combined with improved access to greater water volumes for hygiene and drinking purposes (improved water quantity). Villages will then be randomly ordered and RBF-treated water (improved water quality) will be sequentially introduced into the 4 villages in a stepwise manner, with administration of surveys at each time point. The primary outcome is a 7-day period prevalence of self-reported diarrhoea. Secondary outcomes include self-reported respiratory and skin infections, and reported changes in hygiene practices, household water usage and water supply preference. River, tank and tap water from each village, and stored water from a subset of households, will be sampled to assess microbial and chemical quality.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee in Australia and The Energy and Resources Institute Institutional Ethics Committee in India. The results of the trial will be presented at conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. This study is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616001286437; pre-results.
Intratumorous heterogeneity for RAS mutations in a treatment-naïve colorectal tumour
Authors: Lunke Sebastian , Lee Belinda , Kranz Sevastjan , Gibbs Peter , Waring Paul , Christie Michael
Published: March 2017

Activating mutations inKRASandNRASgenes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with a lack of response to treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies. Mutations in these genes are thought to be mutually exclusive, however reports have described CRCs with two activating rat sarcoma (RAS) mutations. This has fuelled discussion about whether these mutations are the result of intratumorous heterogeneity, or if they are co-occurring in the same cancer cell clone. We present a case of a colorectal tumour with three RAS mutations detected during routine diagnostic testing. Further detailed analysis with laser capture microdissection and next generation sequencing excluded the possibility of all three mutations being present in the same clone, presenting the highest resolution evidence of intratumorous heterogeneity of RAS mutations to date.
Use of SLICC criteria in a large, diverse lupus registry enables SLE classification of a subset of ACR-designated subjects with incomplete lupus
Authors: Aberle Teresa , Bourn Rebecka L , Chen Hua , Roberts Virginia C , Guthridge Joel M , Bean Krista , Robertson Julie M , Sivils Kathy L , Rasmussen Astrid , Liles Meghan , Merrill Joan T , Harley John B , Olsen Nancy J , Karp David R , James Judith A
Published: March 2017

Objective

SLE is traditionally classified using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) recently validated an alternative system. This study examined large cohorts of subjects with SLE and incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE) to compare the impact of ACR and SLICC criteria.

Methods

Medical records of subjects in the Lupus Family Registry and Repository were reviewed for documentation of 1997 ACR classification criteria, SLICC classification criteria and medication usage. Autoantibodies were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence (ANA, antidouble-stranded DNA), precipitin (Sm) and ELISA (anticardiolipin). Other relevant autoantibodies were detected by precipitin and with a bead-based multiplex assay.

Results

Of 3575 subjects classified with SLE under at least one system, 3312 (92.6%) were classified as SLE by both systems (SLEboth), 85 only by ACR criteria (SLEACR-only) and 178 only by SLICC criteria (SLESLICC-only). Of 440 subjects meeting 3 ACR criteria, 33.9% (149/440) were SLESLICC-only, while 66.1% (n=291, designated ILE) did not meet the SLICC classification criteria. Under the SLICC system, the complement criterion and the individual autoantibody criteria enabled SLE classification of SLESLICC-onlysubjects, while SLEACR-onlysubjects failed to meet SLICC classification due to the combined acute/subacute cutaneous criterion. The SLICC criteria classified more African-American subjects by the leucopenia/lymphopenia criterion than did ACR criteria. Compared with SLEACR-onlysubjects, SLESLICC-onlysubjects exhibited similar numbers of affected organ systems, rates of major organ system involvement (∼30%: pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, neurological) and medication history.

Conclusions

The SLICC criteria classify more subjects with SLE than ACR criteria; however, individuals with incomplete lupus still exist under SLICC criteria. Subjects who gain SLE classification through SLICC criteria exhibit heterogeneous disease, including potential major organ involvement. These results provide supportive evidence that SLICC criteria may be more inclusive of SLE subjects for clinical studies.
ABCD2risk score does not predict the presence of cerebral microemboli in patients with hyper-acute symptomatic critical carotid artery stenosis
Authors: Saedon Mahmud , Hutchinson Charles E , Imray Christopher H E , Singer Donald R J
Published: March 2017

Introduction

ABCD2risk score and cerebral microemboli detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD) have been separately shown to the predict risk of recurrent acute stroke. We studied whether ABCD2risk score predicts cerebral microemboli in patients with hyper-acute symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Participants and methods

We studied 206 patients presenting within 2 weeks of transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke and found to have critical carotid artery stenosis (≥50%). 86 patients (age 70±1 (SEM: years), 58 men, 83 Caucasian) had evidence of microemboli; 72 (84%) of these underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). 120 patients (age 72±1 years, 91 men, 113 Caucasian) did not have microemboli detected; 102 (85%) of these underwent CEA. Data were analysed usingX2and Mann–Whitney U tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

140/206 (68%: 95% CI 61.63 to 74.37) patients with hyper-acute symptomatic critical carotid stenosis had an ABCD2risk score ≥4. There was no significant difference in the NICE red flag criterion for early assessment (ABCD2risk score ≥4) for patients with cerebral microemboli versus those without microemboli (59/86 vs 81/120 patients: OR 1.05 ABCD2risk score ≥4 (95% CI 0.58 to 1.90, p=0.867)). The ABCD2risk score was <4 in 27 of 86 (31%: 95% CI 21 to 41) embolising patients and in 39 of 120 (31%: 95% CI 23 to 39) without cerebral microemboli. After adjusting for pre-neurological event antiplatelet treatment (APT), area under the curve (AUC) of ROC for ABCD2risk score showed no prediction of cerebral microemboli (no pre-event APT, n=57: AUC 0.45 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.60, p=0.531); pre-event APT, n=147: AUC 0.51 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.60, p=0.804)).

Conclusions

The ABCD2score did not predict the presence of cerebral microemboli or carotid disease in over one-quarter of patients with symptomatic critical carotid artery stenosis. On the basis of NICE guidelines (refer early if ABCD2≥4), assessment of high stroke risk based on ABCD2scoring may lead to inappropriate delay in urgent treatment in many patients.
Can mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with platelet-rich plasma modulate tissue remodeling in a rat with burned skin?
Authors: Hosni Ahmed Hanan , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Mahfouz Sohair , Elsayed Hussein Rania , Alkaffas Marwa , Mostafa Shaimaa , Abusree Azza
Published: March 2017

Our aim was to study the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and to investigate their roles in the healing of experimental burn injury and the possible mechanism of action. Our work was divided into in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The in-vitro study included untreated MSCs and MSCs treated with PRP. Levels of TGF-β and cell proliferation were assessed. In the in-vivo study, 72 rats were distributed equally among 6 groups: control, burn, burn with MSCs, burn with PRP, burn with both MSCs and PRP, and burn with MSCs pretreated with PRP. On the 7th and 20th day after injury, the serum levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in skin tissue were measured by ELISA; histopathology and gene expression of MMP-1, TIMP-2, Ang-1, Ang-2, and vimentin by real-time PCR were performed in all groups. In vitro: proliferation of MSCs and TGF-β increased in the PRP-treated group compared with the control group. In vivo: Ang-1, Ang-2, and vimentin were upregulated, whereas MMP-1 and TIMP-2 were downregulated. TGF-β and IL-10 were increased, whereas TNF-α was decreased in all treated groups with more significance in MSCs and PRP on day 20. Histopathology of burn skin was improved in all treated groups, particularly in MSCs pretreated with PRP 20 days post-burn.
Generation of an extremely bent pyrene system using kinetic stabilization
Authors: Zhang Baozhong , Pascal Robert A. , Zhao Yuming , Bodwell Graham J.
Published: March 2017

A series of pyrenophanes was designed with the goal of providing kinetic stabilization to the bent pyrene system and, therefore, providing a means to generate more highly bent pyrene systems than ever before. Four members of this series were synthesized, isolated, and characterized. The lowest homologue was calculated to have a pyrene system that is just slightly less bent (θcalc = 106.8°) than the previous record holder for an isolated compound (θexpt = 109.2°). The next smaller member of the series was obtained as a minor component of a mixture with its direct synthetic precursor and a follow-on product after a 60 d reaction. Compelling MS and 1H NMR evidence was obtained for the formation of this compound; the pyrene system of which was calculated be extremely bent (θcalc = 130.4°).
Computational study of azole salts as high-energy materials
Authors: Meng Zhou-Yu , Zhao Feng-Qi , Xu Si-Yu , Ju Xue-Hai
Published: March 2017

The crystal densities, heats of formation (HOFs), detonation properties, and impact sensitivities of a series of azole salts were investigated by the density functional theory and volume-based thermodynamics calculations. The HOFs of cations and anions and lattice energies were obtained based on the Born–Haber energy cycles. The detonation parameters (Q, D, and P) of 18 energetic salts have been calculated by the Kamlet–Jacobs equations with the calculated density and HOFs. The outcomes reflected that the hydroxylammonium cation has greater impact on the density and detonation properties of the azole salts than the hydrazine cation. Among all of the series salts under investigation, 2-amino-3-nitroamino-4,5-dinitropyrazole and 3-nitroamino-4,5-dinitropyrazole anions have greater HOFs and better detonation performances than other anions. In summary, the incorporations of all the cations studied here with the 2-amino-3-nitroamino-4,5-dinitropyrazole or 3-nitroamino-4,5-dinitropyrazole anions can be considered as potential high-energy salts.
A replanning approach for maximizing woodland caribou habitat alongside timber production
Authors: Martin Andrew B. , Ruppert Jonathan L.W. , Gunn Eldon A. , Martell David L.
Published: March 2017

We present a forest harvest scheduling model that meets timber harvest targets while maximizing a proxy measure of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) habitat based on the configuration of preferred habitat on the landscape. Woodland caribou within the boreal forest region in Canada tend to prefer mature jack pine forest stands, which tend to be rich in their preferred resource, lichen, and also reduce predation pressure. This can create conflict with industrial wood supply needs. We designed a model that can be used to identify good harvest scheduling plans given these competing objectives. Our approach is to use a series of sequential linear programming models that are solved within a replanning framework. Specifically, each individual linear programming model seeks to produce a solution that will meet timber harvest targets while minimizing the harvest of high-quality woodland caribou habitat stands. Stands are assessed with respect to their suitability as woodland caribou habitat based on their contribution to the overall landscape equivalent connected area (ECA), a combined spatial measure of preferred habitat amount and its connectivity. We used our model for a case study of the Trout Lake Forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada, and found that our model creates approximately 10% more caribou habitat than an earlier heuristic procedure and 30% more caribou habitat than the prevailing woodland caribou habitat forest management plan in the Trout Lake Forest while meeting the same timber harvest targets.
Genome-wide identification and evolution of the PIN-FORMED (PIN) gene family in Glycine max
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wei Haichao
Published: March 2017

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crop plants. Wild and cultivated soybean varieties have significant differences worth further investigation, such as plant morphology, seed size, and seed coat development; these characters may be related to auxin biology. The PIN gene family encodes essential transport proteins in cell-to-cell auxin transport, but little research on soybean PIN genes (GmPIN genes) has been done, especially with respect to the evolution and differences between wild and cultivated soybean. In this study, we retrieved 23 GmPIN genes from the latest updated G. max genome database; six GmPIN protein sequences were changed compared with the previous database. Based on the Plant Genome Duplication Database, 18 GmPIN genes have been involved in segment duplication. Three pairs of GmPIN genes arose after the second soybean genome duplication, and six occurred after the first genome duplication. The duplicated GmPIN genes retained similar expression patterns. All the duplicated GmPIN genes experienced purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1) to prevent accumulation of non-synonymous mutations and thus remained more similar. In addition, we also focused on the artificial selection of the soybean PIN genes. Five artificially selected GmPIN genes were identified by comparing the genome sequence of 17 wild and 14 cultivated soybean varieties. Our research provides useful and comprehensive basic information for understanding GmPIN genes.
St2-80: a new FISH marker for St genome and genome analysis in Triticeae
Authors: Wang Long , Shi Qinghua , Su Handong , Wang Yi , Sha Lina , Fan Xing , Kang Houyang , Zhang Haiqin , Zhou Yonghong
Published: March 2017

The St genome is one of the most fundamental genomes in Triticeae. Repetitive sequences are widely used to distinguish different genomes or species. The primary objectives of this study were to (i) screen a new sequence that could easily distinguish the chromosome of the St genome from those of other genomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and (ii) investigate the genome constitution of some species that remain uncertain and controversial. We used degenerated oligonucleotide primer PCR (Dop-PCR), Dot-blot, and FISH to screen for a new marker of the St genome and to test the efficiency of this marker in the detection of the St chromosome at different ploidy levels. Signals produced by a new FISH marker (denoted St2-80) were present on the entire arm of chromosomes of the St genome, except in the centromeric region. On the contrary, St2-80 signals were present in the terminal region of chromosomes of the E, H, P, and Y genomes. No signal was detected in the A and B genomes, and only weak signals were detected in the terminal region of chromosomes of the D genome. St2-80 signals were obvious and stable in chromosomes of different genomes, whether diploid or polyploid. Therefore, St2-80 is a potential and useful FISH marker that can be used to distinguish the St genome from those of other genomes in Triticeae.
The 35/9-7 Skarfjell discovery: a genuine stratigraphic trap, NE North Sea, Norway
Authors: Koch Jens-Ole , Frischbutter Andreas , Øygard Kjell , Cater John
Published: March 2017

The Skarfjell oil and gas discovery, situated 50 km north of the Troll Field in the NE North Sea, was discovered by well 35/9-7 and was appraised by three additional wells operated by Wintershall, in the period 2012–14.

The Skarfjell discovery is an example of a combined structural/stratigraphic trap. The trap formed along the northern edge of a deep WNW–ESE-trending submarine canyon, which was created by Volgian erosion of intra-Heather, Oxfordian-aged sandstones and then infilled with Draupne Formation shales. This mud-filled canyon forms the top and side seal, with the bottom seal provided by Heather shales. The reservoir comprises mid-Oxfordian deep-water turbidites and sediment gravity flows, which formed in response to tectonic hinterland uplift and erosion of the basin margin, 10–20 km to the east.

The Skarfjell discovery contains light oil and gas, and may be subdivided into Skarfjell West, in which the main oil reservoir and gas cap have known contacts, and Skarfjell Southeast, which comprises thinner oil and gas reservoirs with slightly lower pressure and unknown hydrocarbon contacts.

The Upper Jurassic Draupne and Heather formations are excellent source rocks in the study area. They have generated large volumes of oil and gas reservoired in fields, and discoveries for which the dominant source rock and its maturity have been established by oil to source rock correlation and geochemical biomarker analysis. The Skarfjell fluids were expelled from mid-mature oil source rocks of mixed Heather and Draupne Formation origin.

The recoverable resources are estimated at between 9 and 16 million standard cubic metres (Sm
3
) of recoverable oil and condensate, and 4–6 billion Sm
3
of recoverable gas. The Skarfjell discovery is currently in the pre-development phase and is expected to come on stream in 2021.
Chemical relationships of ambers using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Cotton L. J. , Vollrath F. , Brasier M. D. , Dicko C.
Published: March 2017

Amber is known for its remarkably well-preserved fossils, but the chemical complexity of amber and its history are less well known. Amber is highly variable in both its physical and chemical properties, which are dependent on factors such as the source tree and the diagenetic history. Amber from a given locality therefore has a unique chemical composition. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is often used to determine the chemical composition of amber and to provide a fingerprint for amber samples. We used FTIR spectroscopy to analyse samples spanning the time period from the Early Cretaceous to the Oligo-Miocene from 17 localities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. We then used cluster analysis to examine the trends in amber chemistry and to increase our understanding of its formation through time. A detailed analysis of the clustering followed by modelling of the variables of importance suggested that the exocyclic methylene group content and conformation play a major part in explaining the clustering. Other variables, such as the ester and alkyl contents, contribute to identification. Placed in a broader perspective, our study indicates that the dominant factor in clustering is the age of the amber, followed by the locality.

Supplementary material:
Detailed sample list and combined spectra of all samples are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3704920
Body Size Indicators and Risk of Gallbladder Cancer: Pooled Analysis of Individual-Level Data from 19 Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Campbell Peter T. , Newton Christina C. , Kitahara Cari M. , Patel Alpa V. , Hartge Patricia , Koshiol Jill , McGlynn Katherine A. , Adami Hans-Olov , Berrington de González Amy , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Bernstein Leslie , Buring Julie E. , Freedman Neal D. , Gao Yu-Tang , Giles Graham G. , Gunter Marc J. , Jenab Mazda , Liao Linda M. , Milne Roger L. , Robien Kim , Sandler Dale P. , Schairer Catherine , Sesso Howard D. , Shu Xiao-Ou , Weiderpass Elisabete , Wolk Alicja , Xiang Yong-Bing , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Zheng Wei , Gapstur Susan M.
Published: March 2017

Background: There are few established risk factors for gallbladder cancer beyond gallstones. Recent studies suggest a higher risk with high body mass index (BMI), an indicator of general heaviness, but evidence from other body size measures is lacking.

Methods: Associations of adult BMI, young adult BMI, height, adult weight gain, waist circumference (WC), waist–height ratio (WHtR), hip circumference (HC), and waist–hip ratio (WHR) with gallbladder cancer risk were evaluated. Individual-level data from 1,878,801 participants in 19 prospective cohort studies (14 studies had circumference measures) were harmonized and included in this analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: After enrollment, 567 gallbladder cancer cases were identified during 20.1 million person-years of observation, including 361 cases with WC measures. Higher adult BMI (per 5 kg/m2, HR: 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13–1.35), young adult BMI (per 5 kg/m2, HR: 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00–1.26), adult weight gain (per 5 kg, HR: 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.12), height (per 5 cm, HR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.17), WC (per 5 cm, HR: 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.17), WHtR (per 0.1 unit, HR: 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00–1.54), and HC (per 5 cm, HR: 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04–1.22), but not WHR (per 0.1 unit, HR: 1.03; 95% CI, 0.87–1.22), were associated with higher risks of gallbladder cancer, and results did not differ meaningfully by sex or other demographic/lifestyle factors.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that measures of overall and central excess body weight are associated with higher gallbladder cancer risks.

Impact: Excess body weight is an important, and potentially preventable, gallbladder cancer risk factor. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(4); 597–606. ©2017 AACR.
Selinexor (KPT-330) Induces Tumor Suppression through Nuclear Sequestration of IκB and Downregulation of Survivin
Authors: Nair Jayasree S. , Musi Elgilda , Schwartz Gary K.
Published: March 2017

Purpose: Selinexor, a small molecule that inhibits nuclear export protein XPO1, has demonstrated efficacy in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies with the evidence of clinical activity in sarcoma as a single agent. Treatment options available are very few, and hence the need to identify novel targets and strategic therapies is of utmost importance.

Experimental Design: The mechanistic effects of selinexor in sarcomas as a monotherapy and in combination with proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, across a panel of cell lines in vitro and few in xenograft mouse models were investigated.

Results: Selinexor induced IκB nuclear localization as a single agent, and the effect was enhanced by stabilization of IκB when pretreated with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. This stabilization and retention of IκB in the nucleus resulted in inhibition of NFκB and transcriptional suppression of the critical antiapoptotic protein, survivin. Treatment of carfilzomib followed by selinexor caused selinexor-sensitive and selinexor-resistant cell lines to be more sensitive to selinexor as determined by an increase in apoptosis. This was successfully demonstrated in the MPNST xenograft model with enhanced tumor suppression.

Conclusions: The subcellular distributions of IκB and NFκB are indicative of carcinogenesis. Inhibition of XPO1 results in intranuclear retention of IκB, which inhibits NFκB and thereby provides a novel mechanism for drug therapy in sarcoma. This effect can be further enhanced in relatively selinexor-resistant sarcoma cell lines by pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. Because of these results, a human clinical trial with selinexor in combination with a proteasome inhibitor is planned for the treatment of sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(15); 4301–11. ©2017 AACR.