bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contact chains of cattle farms in Great Britain
Authors: Fielding Helen R. , McKinley Trevelyan J. , Silk Matthew J. , Delahay Richard J. , McDonald Robbie A.
Published: February 2019

Network analyses can assist in predicting the course of epidemics. Time-directed paths or ‘contact chains' provide a measure of host-connectedness across specified timeframes, and so represent potential pathways for spread of infections with different epidemiological characteristics. We analysed networks and contact chains of cattle farms in Great Britain using Cattle Tracing System data from 2001 to 2015. We focused on the potential for between-farm transmission of bovine tuberculosis, a chronic infection with potential for hidden spread through the network. Networks were characterized by scale-free type properties, where individual farms were found to be influential ‘hubs' in the network. We found a markedly bimodal distribution of farms with either small or very large ingoing and outgoing contact chains (ICCs and OCCs). As a result of their cattle purchases within 12-month periods, 47% of British farms were connected by ICCs to more than 1000 other farms and 16% were connected to more than 10 000 other farms. As a result of their cattle sales within 12-month periods, 66% of farms had OCCs that reached more than 1000 other farms and 15% reached more than 10 000 other farms. Over 19 000 farms had both ICCs and OCCs reaching more than 10 000 farms for two or more years. While farms with more contacts in their ICCs
or
OCCs might play an important role in disease spread, farms with extensive ICCs
and
OCCs might be particularly important by being at higher risk of both acquiring and disseminating infections.
Common noctules exploit low levels of the aerosphere
Authors: O'Mara M. Teague , Wikelski Martin , Kranstauber Bart , Dechmann Dina K. N.
Published: February 2019

Aerial habitats present a challenge to find food across a large potential search volume, particularly for insectivorous bats that rely on echolocation calls with limited detection range and may forage at heights over 1000 m. To understand how bats use vertical space, we tracked one to five foraging flights of eight common noctules (Nyctalus noctula). Bats were tracked for their full foraging session (87.27 ± 24 min) using high-resolution atmospheric pressure radio transmitters that allowed us to calculate height and wingbeat frequency. Bats used diverse flight strategies, but generally flew lower than 40 m, with scouting flights to 100 m and a maximum of 300 m. We found no influence of weather on height, and high-altitude ascents were not preceded by an increase in foraging effort. Wingbeat frequency was independent from climbing or descending flight, and bats skipped wingbeats or glided in 10% of all observations. Wingbeat frequency was positively related to capture mass, and wingbeat frequency was positively related to time of night, indicating an effect of load increase over a foraging bout. Overall, individuals used a wide range of airspace including altitudes that put them at increased risk from human-made structures. Further work is needed to test the context of these flight decisions, particularly as individuals migrate throughout Europe.
Inverse-square law between time and amplitude for crossing tipping thresholds
Authors: Ritchie Paul , Karabacak Özkan , Sieber Jan
Published: February 2019

A classical scenario for tipping is that a dynamical system experiences a slow parameter drift across a fold tipping point, caused by a run-away positive feedback loop. We study what happens if one turns around after one has crossed the threshold. We derive a simple criterion that relates how far the parameter exceeds the tipping threshold maximally and how long the parameter stays above the threshold to avoid tipping in an inverse-square law to observable properties of the dynamical system near the fold. For the case when the dynamical system is subject to stochastic forcing we give an approximation to the probability of tipping if a parameter changing in time reverses near the tipping point. The derived approximations are valid if the parameter change in time is sufficiently slow. We demonstrate for a higher-dimensional system, a model for the Indian summer monsoon, how numerically observed escape from the equilibrium converge to our asymptotic expressions. The inverse-square law between peak of the parameter forcing and the time the parameter spends above a given threshold is also visible in the level curves of equal probability when the system is subject to random disturbances.
A restatement of the natural science evidence base on the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on wildlife
Authors: Godfray H. Charles J. , Stephens Andrea E. A. , Jepson Paul D. , Jobling Susan , Johnson Andrew C. , Matthiessen Peter , Sumpter John P. , Tyler Charles R. , McLean Angela R.
Published: February 2019

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that alter the function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse effects to humans or wildlife. The release of particular EDCs into the environment has been shown to negatively affect certain wildlife populations and has led to restrictions on the use of some EDCs. Current chemical regulations aim to balance the industrial, agricultural and/or pharmaceutical benefits of using these substances with their demonstrated or potential harm to human health or the environment. A summary is provided of the natural science evidence base informing the regulation of chemicals released into the environment that may have endocrine disrupting effects on wildlife. This summary is in a format (a ‘restatement’) intended to be policy-neutral and accessible to informed, but not expert, policy-makers and stakeholders.
Plasticity-led evolution: evaluating the key prediction of frequency-dependent adaptation
Authors: Levis Nicholas A. , Pfennig David W.
Published: February 2019

Plasticity-led evolution occurs when a change in the environment triggers a change in phenotype via phenotypic plasticity, and this pre-existing plasticity is subsequently refined by selection into an adaptive phenotype. A critical, but largely untested prediction of plasticity-led evolution (and evolution by natural selection generally) is that the rate and magnitude of evolutionary change should be positively associated with a phenotype's frequency of expression in a population. Essentially, the more often a phenotype is expressed and exposed to selection, the greater its opportunity for adaptive refinement. We tested this prediction by competing against each other spadefoot toad tadpoles from different natural populations that vary in how frequently they express a novel, environmentally induced carnivore ecomorph. As expected, laboratory-reared tadpoles whose parents were derived from populations that express the carnivore ecomorph more frequently were superior competitors for the resource for which this ecomorph is specialized—fairy shrimp. These tadpoles were better at using this resource both because they were more efficient at capturing and consuming shrimp and because they produced more exaggerated carnivore traits. Moreover, they exhibited these more carnivore-like features even without experiencing the inducing cue, suggesting that this ecomorph has undergone an extreme form of plasticity-led evolution—genetic assimilation. Thus, our findings provide evidence that the frequency of trait expression drives the magnitude of adaptive refinement, thereby validating a key prediction of plasticity-led evolution specifically and adaptive evolution generally.
Annual environmental variation influences host tolerance to parasites
Authors: McNew Sabrina M. , Knutie Sarah A. , Goodman Graham B. , Theodosopoulos Angela , Saulsberry Ashley , Yépez R. Janai , Bush Sarah E. , Clayton Dale H.
Published: February 2019

When confronted with a parasite or pathogen, hosts can defend themselves by resisting or tolerating the attack. While resistance can be diminished when resources are limited, it is unclear how robust tolerance is to changes in environmental conditions. Here, we investigate the sensitivity of tolerance in a single host population living in a highly variable environment. We manipulated the abundance of an invasive parasitic fly,Philornis downsi, in nests of Galápagos mockingbirds (Mimus parvulus) over four field seasons and measured host fitness in response to parasitism. Mockingbird tolerance toP. downsivaried significantly among years and decreased when rainfall was limited. Video observations indicate that parental provisioning of nestlings appears key to tolerance: in drought years, mockingbirds likely do not have sufficient resources to compensate for the effects ofP. downsi. These results indicate that host tolerance is a labile trait and suggest that environmental variation plays a major role in mediating the consequences of host–parasite interactions.
Bacterial genome architecture shapes global transcriptional regulation by DNA supercoiling
Authors: Houdaigui Bilal El , Forquet Raphaël , Hindré Thomas , Schneider Dominique , Nasser William , Reverchon Sylvie , Meyer Sam
Published: February 2019

DNA supercoiling acts as a global transcriptional regulator in bacteria, that plays an important role in adapting their expression programme to environmental changes, but for which no quantitative or even qualitative regulatory model is available. Here, we focus on spatial supercoiling heterogeneities caused by the transcription process itself, which strongly contribute to this regulation mode. We propose a new mechanistic modeling of the transcription-supercoiling dynamical coupling along a genome, which allows simulating and quantitatively reproducing in vitro and in vivo transcription assays, and highlights the role of genes’ local orientation in their supercoiling sensitivity. Consistently with predictions, we show that chromosomal relaxation artificially induced by gyrase inhibitors selectively activates convergent genes in several enterobacteria, while conversely, an increase in DNA supercoiling naturally selected in a long-term evolution experiment with Escherichia coli favours divergent genes. Simulations show that these global expression responses to changes in DNA supercoiling result from fundamental mechanical constraints imposed by transcription, independently from more specific regulation of each promoter. These constraints underpin a significant and predictable contribution to the complex rules by which bacteria use DNA supercoiling as a global but fine-tuned transcriptional regulator.
Investigation of Goodreads’ reviews: Kakutanied, deceived or simply honest?
Authors: Hajibayova Lala
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of Goodreads’ user-generated book reviews from a linguistic perspective for insights into the psychological aspects of reviewers’ perceptions and behaviors. This examination of users’ language and perspectives may shed light on the role and value of user-generated reviews in complementing the traditional representation of resources and facilitating the discoverability of cultural objects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved a textual analysis of 474,803 unique reviews of Goodreads’ 2015 top-rated books generated by 9,335 Goodreads’ reviewers. In order to better understand the nuances of user-generated reviews, a content analysis was applied to 2,500 reviews of each of the five top-ranked titles in Goodreads’ Fiction Literature genre category.

Findings

The analysis of user-generated reviews demonstrates that language is a quite stable and reliable dimension across Goodreads’ users. The high rate of function words utilized, in particular I-words, coupled with positive emotion words, suggests that reviewers tended to convey their opinions in order to influence other individuals’ reading choices, or in Bourdieu’s (1985) terms, influence cultural production. In line with previous studies of user-generated reviews, the prevalence of positive reviews may also imply their unreliable nature. This study supports the importance of transparency regarding inclusion of user-generated reviews in traditional systems of knowledge representation, organization and discovery, such as WorldCat.

Originality/value

This study contributes to better understanding of linguistic characteristics of Goodreads’ reviews, including the role and value of user-generated reviews in complementing traditional representation of resources and facilitating discoverability of cultural objects.
Patterns of citations for the growth of knowledge: a Foucauldian perspective
Authors: Hassan Nik Rushdi , Serenko Alexander
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to sensitize researchers to qualitative citation patterns that characterize original research, contribute toward the growth of knowledge and, ultimately, promote scientific progress.

Design/methodology/approach

This study describes how ideas are intertextually inserted into citing works to create new concepts and theories, thereby contributing to the growth of knowledge. By combining existing perspectives and dimensions of citations with Foucauldian theory, this study develops a typology of qualitative citation patterns for the growth of knowledge and uses examples from two classic works to illustrate how these citation patterns can be identified and applied.

Findings

A clearer understanding of the motivations behind citations becomes possible by focusing on the qualitative patterns of citations rather than on their quantitative features. The proposed typology includes the following patterns: original, conceptual, organic, juxtapositional, peripheral, persuasive, acknowledgment, perfunctory, inconsistent and plagiaristic.

Originality/value

In contrast to quantitative evaluations of the role and value of citations, this study focuses on the qualitative characteristics of citations, in the form of specific patterns of citations that engender original and novel research and those that may not. By integrating Foucauldian analysis of discourse with existing theories of citations, this study offers a more nuanced and refined typology of citations that can be used by researchers to gain a deeper semantic understanding of citations.
Property valuation in the UK: market value and net of costs
Authors: French Nick
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comment upon the relatively straightforward but often contentious practice of allowing for costs on the capital value derived by the investment model of property valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

This education briefing is an explanation of the discounting process to allow for costs used in practice.

Findings

Although, the deduction of cost is a simple use of algebra, often valuers (and, in particular, students) fail to make the allowance correctly.

Practical implications

The process of allowing for cost is a simple heuristic based on market averages for various individual costs such as agents’ fees and legal fees (including VAT) and property taxation (stamp duty).

Originality/value

This is a review of existing models.
The Stability of Tax Elasticities over the Business Cycle in European Countries
Authors: Boschi Melisso , d'Addona Stefano
Published: February 2019

We estimate short‐ and long‐run tax elasticities that capture the relationship between changes in national income and tax revenue. We show that the short‐run tax elasticity changes according to the business cycle. We estimate a two‐state Markov‐switching regression on a novel data set of tax policy reforms in 15 European countries from 1980 to 2013, showing that the elasticities during booms and recessions are statistically (and often economically) different. The elasticities of personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, indirect taxes and social contributions tend to be larger during recessions. Estimates of long‐run elasticities are in line with existing literature.
Description and cost‐analysis of emergency department attendances for hand and wrist injuries
Authors: Robinson Luke S , O'Brien Lisa
Published: February 2019

Background

Injuries to the hand and wrist are estimated to account for between 10% and 30% of all ED presentations. The economic burden placed on the healthcare system can be extensive and rise sharply with increase in injury severity.

Objectives

This cost‐analysis was performed with the aim of estimating the economic implications of ED attendances for hand and wrist injuries from the perspective of one Australian public health network.

Methods

Data from two EDs were retrieved from the electronic billing records of one large health network across two financial year periods (2014–2015 and 2015–2016) using ICD‐10 codes. All costs that resulted from the treatment of any acute hand or wrist injury across the 2 year period were calculated and are presented by age, sex, injury type and mechanism of injury.

Results

A total of 10 024 individuals presented to the two EDs in the 2 year period, accounting for approximately 5.4% of all presentations. The most common presentations were males (62.2%), people aged 25–34 years (26.9%) and lacerations (31.2%). The total cost in the 2 year study period was $3 959 535.38 ($1 923 852.38 in 2014–2015; $2 035 683.00 in 2015–2016). The mean cost per presentation was $383 (95% CI [$373, $393]) in 2014–2015 and $407 (95% CI [$394, $421]) in 2015–2016.

Conclusions

Acute hand and wrist injuries contribute to a significant volume of ED presentations each year in one Australian public health network leading to significant expenditure and health resources. Further research into how to best utilise resources and reduce avoidable injuries should be priority areas to reduce the cost of these injuries to the healthcare system and society.
2018 update of the APLAR recommendations for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lau Chak Sing , Chia Faith , Dans Leonila , Harrison Andrew , Hsieh Tsu Yi , Jain Rahul , Jung Seung Min , Kishimoto Mitsumasa , Kumar Ashok , Leong Khai Pang , Li Zhanguo , Lichauco Juan Javier , Louthrenoo Worawit , Luo Shue Fen , Mu Rong , Nash Peter , Ng Chin Teck , Suryana Bagus , Wijaya Linda Kurniaty , Yeap Swan Sim
Published: February 2019

Aim

To update recommendations based on current best evidence concerning the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing particularly on the role of targeted therapies, to inform clinicians on new developments that will impact their current practice.

Materials and methods

A search of relevant literature from 2014 to 2016 concerning targeted therapies in RA was conducted. The RA Update Working Group evaluated the evidence and proposed updated recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach, to describe the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Recommendations were finalized through consensus using the Delphi technique.

Results

This update provides 16 RA treatment recommendations based on current best evidence and expert clinical opinion. Recommendations 1‐3 deal with the use of conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. The next three recommendations (4‐6) cover the need for screening and management of infections and comorbid conditions prior to starting targeted therapy, while the following seven recommendations focus on use of these agents. We address choice of targeted therapy, switch, tapering and discontinuation. The last three recommendations elaborate on targeted therapy for RA in special situations such as pregnancy, cancer, and major surgery.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis remains a significant health problem in the Asia‐Pacific region. Patients with RA can benefit from the availability of effective targeted therapies, and these updated recommendations provide clinicians with guidance on their use.
Paraneoplastic autoimmunity and small‐cell lung cancer: Neurological and serological accompaniments
Authors: Zekeridou Anastasia , Majed Masoud , Heliopoulos Ioannis , Lennon Vanda A.
Published: February 2019

Paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity is often associated with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC), a highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor. Paraneoplastic autoimmunity often correlates with longer survival. We describe the paraneoplastic neurological manifestations of patients with SCLC with and without SCLC‐predictive autoantibodies and the correlation between autoimmunity and survival. We reviewed the records of 116 patients (51% male) from the Mayo Clinic with histopathologically confirmed SCLC for whom stored serum was available for neural autoantibody testing. Cancer was limited stage in 41%; the median age at diagnosis was 64 years. Paraneoplastic neurological manifestations were recorded in 61% (decreasing frequency: peripheral neuropathy, dysautonomia, cognitive decline, cerebellar ataxia, neuromuscular junction disorder, seizures, cranial neuropathy, movement disorder, brainstem disorder, or myelopathy). Neural autoantibodies, some with pathogenic potential, were detected in the sera of SCLC patients with and without neurological autoimmunity. The most frequent among patients with neurological manifestations were: anti‐neuronal nuclear antibody‐type 1, voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC)‐N‐type, VGCC‐P/Q‐type, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), SOX1, and muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR); while the most common in patients without neurological manifestations were: GAD65, muscle‐AChR, and VGCC‐P/Q‐type. Neither cancer stage at diagnosis nor survival correlated with neurological manifestations or autoantibody‐positivity, except for shorter survival in patients with myelopathy. The only predictor of longer survival was limited‐stage disease at diagnosis.
Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration is promising for identifying EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hsu Li‐Han , Ko Jen‐Sheng , Liu Chia‐Chuan , Feng An‐Chen , Chu Nei‐Min
Published: February 2019

Background

Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is advantageous for the one‐step diagnosis and staging of lung adenocarcinoma under topical anesthesia and conscious sedation. We examined its efficacy for identifying EGFR mutations.

Methods

Forty‐seven patients with proven or suspected lung adenocarcinoma indicated for hilar‐mediastinal lymph node (LN) staging between June 2011 and December 2017 were enrolled. The cellblock was prepared using the plasma‐thrombin method. TaqMan PCR was used to detect mutations. Considering cost effectiveness, only the sample with the highest tumor cell fraction in the same patient was chosen for analysis.

Results

TBNA provided positive results of malignancy in 27 patients. Seventeen patients (63.0%) had cellblocks eligible for mutation testing. Bronchial biopsy (n = 6), neck LN fine needle aspiration (n = 1), and brushing (n = 1), provided higher tumor cell fractions for analysis in eight patients. TBNA was the exclusive method used in nine patients (19.1%). For patients with an inadequate TBNA cellblock, bronchial biopsy (n = 5), neck LN fine needle aspiration (n = 3), computed tomography‐guided transthoracic needle biopsy (n = 1), and brushing (n = 1) were used for analysis. Modification to specimen processing to prevent exhaustion by cytology after June 2016 improved the adequacy of cellblock samples (9/10, 90% vs. 8/17, 47.1%; P = 0.042).

Conclusions

These findings suggest the promising role of conventional TBNA and highlight the challenges of doing more with less in an era of precision medicine.
Management of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas: Established and emergent therapies
Authors: Wain Thevaki , Venning Victoria L , Consuegra Germana , Fernandez‐Peñas Pablo , Wells Jillian
Published: February 2019

Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma is an uncommon group of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma primarily affecting the skin. It is comprised of a variety of entities with different clinical behaviours and prognosis. Mycosis fungoides is the commonest subtype, and Sézary syndrome is a much rarer form of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. At this stage, control rather than cure is the goal of therapy, with particular emphasis placed on preserving quality of life. Our review of the efficacy, safety profile and accessibility of treatment modalities for mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome is a tailored guide for the clinician treating these rare conditions.
Are the changes in diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus reflected in perinatal outcomes? A retrospective assessment
Authors: Ehmann David M. T. , Hickman Peter E. , Potter Julia M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance first diagnosed during pregnancy not due to overt diabetes. Recent changes to the diagnostic guidelines have been shown to increase the apparent occurrence of GDM.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare retrospectively the neonatal outcomes between groups defined using the new and old criteria to assess the impact of guideline changes on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

The study was of singleton babies delivered of 641 women, who had oral glucose tolerance testing and pregnancy care at a single tertiary centre between 2011 and 2015.

Results

Compared to the population of women not now considered to have GDM by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria (two‐hour glucose concentration ≤8.4 mmol/L), neonates born to women with the new lower fasting criterion (5.1–5.4 mmol/L) and/or the new 60‐min group (glucose ≥10 mmol/L) combined were significantly more likely to have birthweight ≥90th percentile (22% vs 5%, P < 0.0001). In contradistinction, there was a significant excess number of small‐for‐dates babies (birthweight ≤10th percentile) in all subgroups previously diagnosed and treated for GDM by the Australian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society criteria (17% vs 7%, P = 0.001). Rates for lower uterine segment caesarean section, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit / special care nursery and Apgar scores at one and five minutes were not statistically different across all groups.

Conclusions

Outcomes support the lowering of the fasting criterion to extend management of GDM to limit growth of large birthweight neonates. An unexpected outcome was that in women previously treated for GDM, there were increased numbers of low‐birthweight neonates.
Diagnosing feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection: an update for clinicians
Authors: Westman ME , Malik R , Norris JM
Published: February 2019

With the commercial release in Australia in 2004 of a vaccine against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV; Fel‐O‐Vax FIV®), the landscape for FIV diagnostics shifted substantially. Point‐of‐care (PoC) antibody detection kits, which had been the mainstay for diagnosing FIV infection since the early 1990s, were no longer considered accurate to use in FIV‐vaccinated cats, because of the production of vaccine‐induced antibodies that were considered indistinguishable from those produced in natural FIV infections. Consequently, attention shifted to alternative diagnostic methods such as nucleic acid detection. However, over the past 5 years we have published a series of studies emphasising that FIV PoC test kits vary in their methodology, resulting in differing accuracy in FIV‐vaccinated cats. Importantly, we demonstrated that two commercially available FIV antibody test kits (Witness™ and Anigen Rapid™) were able to accurately distinguish between FIV‐vaccinated and FIV‐infected cats, concluding that testing with either kit offers an alternative to PCR testing. This review summarises pertinent findings from our work published in a variety of peer‐reviewed research journals to inform veterinarians (particularly veterinarians in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, where the FIV vaccine is currently commercially available) about how the approach to the diagnosis of FIV infection has shifted. Included in this review is our work investigating the performance of three commercially available FIV PoC test kits in FIV‐vaccinated cats and our recommendations for the diagnosis of FIV infection; the effect of primary FIV vaccination (three FIV vaccines, 4 weeks apart) on PoC test kit performance; our recommendations regarding annual testing of FIV‐vaccinated cats to detect ‘vaccine breakthroughs’; and the potential off‐label use of saliva for the diagnosis of FIV infection using some FIV PoC test kits. We also investigated the accuracy of the same three brands of test kits for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) diagnosis, using both blood and saliva as diagnostic specimens. Based on these results, we discuss our recommendations for confirmatory testing when veterinarians are presented with a positive FeLV PoC test kit result. Finally, we conclude with our results from the largest and most recent FIV and FeLV seroprevalence study conducted in Australia to date.
The Lastglacial and Holocene seismostratigraphy and sediment distribution of Lake Bolshoye Shchuchye, Polar Ural Mountains, Arctic Russia
Authors: Haflidason Haflidi , Zweidorff Julie L. , Baumer Marlene , Gyllencreutz Richard , Svendsen John Inge , Gladysh Vyacheslav , Logvina Elizaveta
Published: February 2019

Seismostratigraphical studies of the 11.8‐km2‐large and ~140‐m‐deep Lake Bolshoye Shchuchye, Polar Ural Mountains, reveal up to 160‐m‐thick acoustically laminated sediments in the lake basin. Using a dense grid of seismic lines, the spatial and temporal distributions of the sedimentary history have been reconstructed. Three regional seismic horizons have been identified and correlated with the well‐dated 24‐m‐long sediment core retrieved from the lake. Isopach maps constructed from the seismic data show four phases of sedimentation. A contour map of the deepest regional seismic reflector represents the earliest hemipelagic sedimentation in the lake. Three contour maps represent time intervals covering the last 23 cal. ka based on the well‐dated core stratigraphy from the lake. The detailed time constraints on the upper stratigraphical units in the lake allow calculation of the lake's development in terms of sediment fluxes and the denudation rates from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the present. The sedimentation in Lake Bolshoye Shchuchye has been dominated by hemipelagic processes during at least the last 24 cal. ka BP only locally interrupted by delta progradation and slope processes. A major shift in the sediment accumulation at c. 18.7 cal. ka BP is interpreted to mark the end of the local glacial maximum, greatly reduced denudation and the onset of the deglaciation period; this also demonstrates how fast the glaciers melted and possibly disappeared at the end of the LGM. The denudation rate during the Holocene is only a fifth of the LGM rate. The age of the oldest stratified sediments in Lake Bolshoye Shchuchye is not well constrained, but estimated as c. 50–60 ka.
The MRI assessment of SPECC (significant polyps and early colorectal cancer) lesions
Authors: Balyasnikova S. , Brown G.
Published: February 2019

The development of high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has resulted in the ability to clearly depict the finer details of rectal wall anatomy. Careful specialist assessment of images obtained in patients with significant polyps and early rectal cancer lesions enables the identification of lesions that are confined to the bowel wall and amenable to organ preserving local excision. Currently, one‐third of screen detected rectal cancers are limited to the bowel wall without nodal spread yet more than 90% undergo major excision surgery resulting in significant loss of bowel function, quality of life and at high economic cost. The SPECC initiative has highlighted the need for specialist training and accreditation of radiology specialists in precision assessment of significant polyps and early rectal cancer. The detailed assessment will enable provision of detailed roadmaps for surgeons and gastroenterologists to facilitate definitive excision of more lesions using minimally invasive endoscopic technique. Finally, the use of high resolution MRI in surveillance will enable the close monitoring of such patients where the preservation of the rectum has been achieved.
Chairperson collectivism and the compensation gap between managers and employees: Evidence from China
Authors: Jiang Wei , Lin Bingxuan , Liu Yunguo , Xu Yue
Published: February 2019

Research Question/Issue

Few studies have examined the determinants of the compensation gap between managers and workers, despite the significant public attention the issue has received. In particular, few studies have examined how nations' formal systems, such as their institutional and legal arrangements, and informal systems, such as their cultures and traditions, affect the compensation gap. We use the chairperson's native place of origin as a proxy for cultural differences within China and examine how chairperson collectivism affects compensation gaps between managers and average workers.

Research Findings/Insights

The results show that the compensation gap in a company run by a chairperson from a collectivistic culture tends to be smaller than that of a company run by a chairperson from an individualistic culture. This effect tends to be stronger if a chairperson has a longer tenure and works in a state‐owned enterprise or in a firm located in collectivistic regions.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The study provides new insights into the determinants of the compensation gap by incorporating the cultural traits of management. It also broadens the understanding of compensation gaps in emerging markets and shows that cultural differences play an important role in understanding the compensation gap in China.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Cultural characteristics should be taken into account when developing compensation contracts. Stakeholders need to consider alternative mechanisms, such as higher pay for performance, to counteract the higher compensation gap due to differences in cultural preferences.
Multiple keratin granulomata: A potential histologic clue to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma responding to programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor therapy
Authors: Kahn Benjamin J. , Parker Douglas , Yushak Melinda , Stoff Benjamin , Blalock Travis W.
Published: February 2019

We present histologic features of a locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) treated with the programmed cell death protein‐1 (PD‐1) antagonist, pembrolizumab, with a partial response. This contributes to a growing body of literature supporting the efficacy of pembrolizumab in treatment of surgically unresectable cSCC. We also provide a detailed description of the histologic features, particularly keratin granulomata with adjacent lymphocytic aggregates and fibrosis, observed in cSCC under treatment with a PD‐1 antagonist.
Tropidacris collaris (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) expands its damage in orchards of the dwarf cashew, Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)
Authors: Lhano Marcos G. , Serrano Luiz A. L. , Vidal‐Neto Francisco C. , Dias‐Pini Nívia S.
Published: February 2019

The giant grasshopper Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) is a Neotropical species that causes economic damage to diverse and unrelated crops. We report herein the occurrence of this grasshopper in orchards of dwarf cashew Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) located in the state of Ceará, one of the main cashew‐producing areas of Brazil. Nymphs and adults were observed feeding on cashew leaves during June and July 2016, causing partial or total defoliation of some plants. This report updates the feeding plants of T. collaris and its distribution in Brazil and serves as an early warning of possible future attacks by the pest on cashew orchards in the northeastern region of the country.
Does experimentally altered plumage ornamentation of female passerines influence nestling quality? A test in female tree swallows
Authors: Berzins Lisha L. , Dawson Russell D.
Published: February 2019

It is widely recognized that female animals in a variety of taxa display ornamental traits, such as elaborate plumage, but elucidating whether such traits evolve by selection or genetic correlation remains a challenge because more ornamented females are often found to produce low‐quality offspring. While resource trade‐offs between the production of ornaments and offspring may underlie this negative relationship, it is not an adequate explanation for species where the timing of production of ornaments and offspring does not overlap. Instead, costs associated with engaging in agonistic interactions with conspecifics, which maintains the honesty of signals of quality, may also reduce resources available to invest in offspring. In this study, we enhanced and reduced the plumage brightness of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) relative to controls to test whether social costs associated with displaying bright plumage is a potential mechanism underlying the observation that more ornamented females produce low‐quality nestlings. Our results showed that nestlings reared by females in the enhanced plumage brightness treatment were structurally smaller, having shorter lengths of the combined head and bill than nestlings in the reduced plumage brightness treatment, and tended to grow their head and bills more slowly than nestlings in the reduced and control plumage brightness treatments. Nestlings in the enhanced plumage brightness treatment also tended to gain mass more slowly than nestlings in control treatment. Overall, that females with enhanced plumage brightness produced structurally smaller nestlings provides evidence that social costs paid by females may lead to the production of low‐quality offspring and should be considered in future studies.
Misoprostol is superior to combined omeprazole‐sucralfate for the treatment of equine gastric glandular disease
Authors: Varley G. , Bowen I. M. , Habershon‐Butcher J. L. , Nicholls V. , Hallowell G. D.
Published: February 2019

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated a poor response to healing of gastric glandular lesions with oral omeprazole and other medications.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of two novel treatments (misoprostol [M] and combined omeprazole‐sucralfate [OS]) in horses for gastric glandular disease.

Study design

Prospective, clinical study.

Methods

Sixty‐three sports horses with grade >1/4 glandular disease were identified by gastroscopy. Horses received either 5 μg/kg of misoprostol per os BID 1 h prior to feeding or a combination of 4 mg/kg enteric coated omeprazole per os SID and 12 mg/kg sucralfate per os BID where drugs were given 1 h prior to feeding and sucralfate given 60 min after omeprazole; allocation was dependent upon centre. Gastroscopy was repeated at 28–35 days. Evaluators of the gastroscopy images were blinded to the treatments the horses received and images were reviewed independently.

Results

The most common presenting sign in both treatment groups was poor performance (Overall – 65.1%; M – 60.5% and OS – 75%). Overall healing (P<0.001; OR = 11 [2.8–45]) and improvement (P = 0.006; OR = 11 [1.9–59]) of lesions were associated with resolution of clinical signs. Misoprostol was shown to be superior to combined omeprazole‐sucralfate both for healing (M – 72% [95% CI 43–67] and OS – 20% [95% CI 7–41]; P<0.001) and improvement (M – 98% [95% CI 90–100] and OS – 65% [95% CI 43–83]; P<0.001).

Main limitations

Relatively small, clinical study, reliance on client questionnaire data, clients not blinded to the treatments the horse received, diet could have affected drug pharmacodynamics although mimics clinical practice and no validated scoring system available for glandular lesions.

Conclusions

These results suggest that gastric glandular disease does indeed result in clinical signs. In this population of horses, misoprostol was superior to omeprazole and sucralfate and warrants further evaluation in a large scale, multi‐centre trial.
Facing reality: A survey of methods instructors’ perspectives on world language teacher development
Authors: García Paul A. , Moser Kelly M. , Davis‐Wiley Patricia
Published: February 2019

This study reports the findings of a national survey on PreK–12 world language teacher development (WLTD), and was conducted in order to assist the profession as simultaneously it confronts the intersecting challenges of a nationwide world language (WL) teacher shortage, strives to meet new teacher preparation standards, and ensures the future of language teaching and learning in American schools. The 164 methods instructors (MIs) described the contexts in which they address pre‐service candidates' needs and aspirations, and shared their opinions on the current status of WLTD, the perceived impediments to promoting its well‐being, and the structures that are necessary to guarantee success in providing superior teachers for tomorrow's language learners. Implications for the profession are explored.
Hepatic gene expression in mouse models of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease after acute exercise
Authors: Piguet Anne‐Christine , Guarino Maria , Potaczek Daniel P. , Garn Holger , Dufour Jean‐François
Published: February 2019

Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients benefit from physical exercise. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acute exercise on hepatic gene expression in different mouse models of NAFLD.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice were fed with a control (CD) or a high fat (HFD) diet. AlbCrePtenflox/flox (Pten‐KO) and Fxr−/− mice, two genetic models of NAFLD with insulin hypersensitivity and resistance, respectively, were fed with CD. After 4 weeks, mice were randomly assigned to exercise or sedentariness. Mice were killed 15 min or 3 h after the running/sedentary period. Genome‐wide hepatic gene expression was evaluated with the Illumina Micro‐array platform. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed changes in gene expression.

Results

Acute exercise transiently affected the expression of genes involved in the immune response in C57BL/6 mice fed with CD and this effect normalized in the recovery phase. Acute exercise affected genes involved in gluconeogenesis in the insulin resistant Fxr−/− model. Genes involved in lipid metabolism were affected in C57BL/6 mice fed with CD, but not in mouse models of NAFLD. Genes involved in DNA damage response pathways were deregulated only in C57BL/6 mice fed with CD and not in mouse models of NAFLD.

Conclusion

The simultaneous analysis of different NAFLD models revealed that an acute exercise bout affects hepatic gene expression differentially according to animal models and that most of the differentially expressed genes are involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism, immune regulation, and DNA damage response.
10 year anniversary
Authors: Grant Maria J.
Published: February 2019

Maria Grant reflects on her ten years as Editor‐in‐Chief of the Health Information and Libraries Journal, her vision to enhance the quality and reach of the journal, and working with prospective authors in the health library sector to increase confidence in recognising and communicating the value of the work being undertaken.
A multimodal therapeutic approach improves the clinical outcome of auricular keloid patients
Authors: Hao Yong‐Hong , Xing Xiao‐Jing , Zhao Zi‐Gang , Xie Fang , Hao Tian , Yang Yi , Li Cheng‐Xin
Published: February 2019

Objective

We retrospectively studied the efficacy of personalized therapy with surgical resection plus prophylactic management of postsurgical auricular keloids by intralesional injection of betamethasone and local pressure therapy using magnets in patients with auricular keloids.

Methods

Surgical excision was performed in all patients, and surgical techniques including fusiform excision of the keloid scar, core excision of the keloid scar followed by flap repair, and scar graft were chosen.

Results

A total of 85 patients with 98 auricular keloids were eligible. Seventy‐two (74%) patients had primary auricular keloids, and 13 patients had recurrent keloids after surgical excision. Keloids, were located in the helix in 28 (32.9%) cases, in the earlobe in 45 (52.9%) cases, and in the entire auricle in 12 (14.1%) cases. The size of auricular keloids ranged from 10 to 35 mm. Surgical resection was uneventful in all cases. Twenty‐one (21.4%) patients received fusiform excision, 47 (47.9%) patients underwent core excision and flap repair, and 30 (30.6%) patients received skin grafts. The patients were followed up for median duration of 1 year (range: 12–24 months). The cure rate was 87.2%, and the recurrence rate was 12.8%.

Conclusion

A personalized surgical approach based on the characteristics of auricular keloids in each patient and a multimodal therapeutic regimen including surgical excision, glucocorticoid blockade, and intralesional injection of glucocorticoids and pressure therapy improve the cure rate and reduce the recurrence rate of auricular keloids.
Prevalence of high blood pressure and associated factors among adolescents and young people in Tanzania and Uganda
Authors: Nsanya Mussa K. , Kavishe Bazil B. , Katende David , Mosha Neema , Hansen Christian , Nsubuga Rebecca N. , Munderi Paula , Grosskurth Heiner , Kapiga Saidi
Published: February 2019

We conducted a cross‐sectional study among school/college students in Tanzania and Uganda to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and associated factors. Participants were classified to have high BP if they had pre‐hypertension or hypertension. Interviews were done using the WHO STEPS instrument. Using data from both countries (n = 1596), the overall prevalence of high BP was 40% (95% CI: 37‐42). The prevalence of pre‐hypertension was 29% (95% CI: 26‐31) and that of hypertension was 11% (95% CI: 10‐13). High BP was independently associated with obesity (aOR = 6.7, 95% CI: 2.2‐20.0), male sex (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.4‐4.4), and among males aged above 20 years (aOR = 5.5, 95% CI: 2.9−10.5). Consumption of fruits/vegetables was associated with decreased odds for high BP (aOR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.50‐0.98). The increasing burden of pre‐hypertension across age groups could explain the early onset of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among young African adults. There is a need for longitudinal studies to explore the drivers of pre‐hypertension in East African adolescents.
Actions taken by the European commission to address the safety of sunbeds
Authors: del Colombo L. , Vasile O.
Published: February 2019

The safety of sunbed, especially when it comes to protecting young and vulnerable consumers, is a key concern that the Directorate‐General for Health and Consumers has been trying to address in various ways. This document presents a brief overview of activities undertaken at European level to address the main concerns related to the use of this product.