bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Affibody-Auristatin E Conjugate With a Potent and Selective Activity Against HER2+ Cell Lines
Authors: Sochaj-Gregorczyk Alicja M. , Serwotka-Suszczak Anna M. , Otlewski Jacek
Published: May 2016

Targeted therapy is a new type of cancer treatment that most often uses biologically active drugs attached to a monoclonal antibody. This so called antibody-drug conjugate strategy allows the use of highly toxic substances that target tumor cells specifically, leaving healthy tissues largely unaffected. Over the last few years, antibody-drug conjugates have become a powerful tool in cancer treatment. We developed and characterized a novel cytotoxic conjugate against HER2+ tumors in which the antibody has been substituted with a much smaller molecule: the affibody. The conjugate is composed of the ZHER2:2891 affibody that recognizes HER2 and a highly potent cytotoxic drug auristatin E. The ZHER2:2891 molecule does not contain cysteine(s) in its amino acid sequence. We generated 3 variants of ZHER2:2891, each containing a single cysteine to allow conjugation through the maleimide group that is present in the cytotoxic component. In 2 variants, we introduced single S46C and D53C substitutions. In the third variant, a short Drug Conjugation Sequence (DCS) containing a single cysteine was introduced at the C-terminus of ZHER2:2891, resulting in ZHER2:2891-DCS. The latter variant exhibited a significantly higher conjugation yield, and therefore its cytotoxicity has been studied more thoroughly. The ZHER2:2891-DCS-MMAE conjugate killed the HER2-overexpressing SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB-453 cells efficiently (IC50 values of 5.2 and 24.8 nM, respectively). The T-47-D and MDA-MB-231 cells that express normal levels of HER2 were significantly less sensitive to the conjugate (IC50 values of 135.6 and 161.5 nM, respectively). Overall, we have demonstrated for the first time that proteins other than antibodies/antibody fragments can be successfully combined with a linker-drug module, resulting in conjugates that eliminate cancer cells selectively.
Immune-related Adverse Events of Dendritic Cell Vaccination Correlate With Immunologic and Clinical Outcome in Stage III and IV Melanoma Patients
Authors: Boudewijns Steve , Westdorp Harm , Koornstra Rutger H.T. , Aarntzen Erik H.J.G. , Schreibelt Gerty , Creemers Jeroen H.A. , Punt Cornelis J.A. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. , Gerritsen Winald R. , Bol Kalijn F.
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity profile of dendritic cell (DC) vaccination in stage III and IV melanoma patients, and to evaluate whether there is a correlation between side effects and immunologic and clinical outcome. This is a retrospective analysis of 82 stage III and 137 stage IV melanoma patients, vaccinated with monocyte-derived or naturally circulating autologous DCs loaded with tumor-associated antigens gp100 and tyrosinase. Median follow-up time was 54.3 months in stage III patients and 12.9 months in stage IV patients. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 84% of patients; grade 3 toxicity was present in 3% of patients. Most common adverse events were flu-like symptoms (67%) and injection site reactions (50%), and both correlated with the presence of tetramer-positive CD8+ T cells (both P<0.001). In stage III melanoma patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, median overall survival (OS) was not reached versus 32.3 months in patients without flu-like symptoms (P=0.009); median OS in patients with an injection site reaction was not reached versus 53.7 months in patients without an injection site reaction (P<0.05). In stage IV melanoma patients (primary uveal and mucosal melanomas excluded), median OS in patients with or without flu-like symptoms was 13.1 versus 8.9 months, respectively (P=0.03); median OS in patients with an injection site reaction was 15.7 months versus 9.8 months in patients without an injection site reaction (P=0.003). In conclusion, DC vaccination is safe and tolerable and the occurrence of the immune-related side effects, such as flu-like symptoms and injection site reactions, correlates with immunologic and clinical outcome.
Continuous Wave Potassium Titanyl Phosphate Laser Treatment is Safe and Effective for Xanthelasma Palpebrarum
Authors: Greijmans Ellen , Luiting-Welkenhuyzen Hedwig , Luijks Harriet , Bovenschen H. Jorn
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Although not an accepted standard treatment, the 532-nm continuous wave potassium titanyl phosphate (CW-KTP) laser might be a powerful device to treat xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the safety and efficacy of CW-KTP laser treatment for XP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2013 and January 2015, 30 consecutive patients with XP were treated with a 532-nm CW-KTP laser (spot size: 0.9 mm, power: 5.0 W, fluence: 36–38 J/cm2, pulse width: 46 milliseconds, frequency: 2.0 Hz, passes per session: 3). In a retrospective study design, safety and efficacy data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 29/30 (97%) of patients had an excellent cosmetical result. Downtime was 1 week with crusted lesions. Although slight hypopigmentation was common, only 1/30 (3%) patients had hypopigmentation that was more than expected. Recurrences (13/30; 43%) were frequent, so that yearly maintenance therapy was warranted. No major side effects were noticed.

CONCLUSION

Continuous wave KTP laser therapy is safe and highly effective for XP, although regular follow-up treatments are often necessary to maintain the achieved cosmetic results.
Impact of a Four-Session Physical Therapy Program Emphasizing Manual Therapy and Exercise on the Balance and Prosthetic Walking Ability of People with Lower-Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wong Christopher Kevin , Varca Matthew J. , Stevenson Catharine E. , Maroldi Nicholas J. , Ersing Jennifer C. , Ehrlich Julie E.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

No consensus exists regarding best practice for prosthetic rehabilitation programs after unilateral lower-limb amputation. A program integrating manual therapy with exercise for people using lower-limb prostheses has not been systematically investigated. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine whether a four-session physical therapy program of manual therapy, exercise, and functional training would (1) be feasible for people with lower-limb amputation and (2) produce medium to large effect size changes in balance and walking ability and self-reported prosthetic function.

Methods

Five subjects were recruited for this pretest-posttest design pilot study. Outcome measures included self-report scales (Houghton Scale, Prosthetics Evaluation Questionnaire, fear of falling, and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence) and clinical performance assessments: Berg Balance Scale, 2-minute walk test, and timed up and go test. One week after the four-session manual therapy, exercise, and functional training program concluded, measures were reassessed. Effect size d and Wilcoxon P values were calculated.

Results

Five subjects (average age, 54.0 years), with unilateral amputations of mixed etiology and level, completed the study without adverse event. Berg Balance Scale (d = 1.7, p < 0.05), timed up and go (d = 1.05, p > 0.05), and 2-minute walk test (d = 1.18, p < 0.05) had large effect size changes.

Conclusions

A four-session program of manual therapy, exercise, and functional training proved feasible and increased balance and walking ability in people with lower-limb amputation. Controlled research to determine the effects of manual therapy and exercise in this population appears warranted.
High variation in treatment strategies for gastrointestinal angiodysplasias
Authors: Grooteman Karina V. , van Geenen Erwin J.M. , Drenth Joost P.H.
Published: May 2016

Objective

Angiodysplasias (ADs) are the second leading cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. The impact extends from no symptoms to chronic anaemia. Treatment guidelines are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the current practice of gastrointestinal ADs and explore possible new research areas. On the basis of existing evidence, we would like to propose a treatment algorithm.

Methods

We administered a 19-item web-based survey to gastroenterologists in the Netherlands between February and April of 2015.

Results

A total of 111 (response rate 28%) gastroenterologists completed the survey (mean age=47 years; 24% women). The respondents identified Von Willebrand disease (17%), chronic kidney disease (21%) and aortic stenosis (77%) as risk factors for the development of ADs. Colonoscopy (54%) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (43%) were the preferred first tools to screen for ADs. The favoured (77%) first treatment option is endoscopic argon plasma coagulation, whereas 20% start iron supplementation or blood transfusions. Treatment strategy is mostly (65%) based on the location of the ADs. Small bowel ADs are considered the most difficult to treat, because of the need for balloon enteroscopy. Of the gastroenterologists, 13% would treat ADs as a coincident finding during endoscopy. Medical therapy is mostly started in refractory ADs, and thalidomide (40%) is preferred over octreotide (19%). Thalidomide is more preferred by gastroenterologists working in a teaching hospital.

Conclusion

Identification of risk factors and treatment of ADs vary widely between gastroenterologists in the Netherlands. Further research is needed to create an evidence-based guideline and thereby optimize the management of symptomatic ADs.
ApoE ε4 Is Associated With Cognition, Brain Integrity, and Atrophy in HIV Over Age 60
Authors: Wendelken Lauren A. , Jahanshad Neda , Rosen Howard J. , Busovaca Edgar , Allen Isabel , Coppola Giovanni , Adams Collin , Rankin Katherine P. , Milanini Benedetta , Clifford Katherine , Wojta Kevin , Nir Talia M. , Gutman Boris A. , Thompson Paul M. , Valcour Victor
Published: May 2016

Background:

There are contradicting reports on the associations between Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE ε4) and brain outcomes in HIV with some evidence that relationships may be greatest in older age groups.

Methods:

We assessed cognition in 76 clinically stable HIV-infected participants over age 60 and genotyped ApoE. Sixty-one of these subjects underwent structural brain magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging.

Results:

The median age of the participants was 64 years (range: 60–84) and the median estimated duration of HIV infection was 22 years. Apo ε4 carriers (n = 19) were similar to noncarriers (n = 57) in sex (95% vs. 96% male), and education (16.0 vs. 16.2 years) ApoE ε4 carriers demonstrated greater deficits in cognitive performance in the executive domain (P= 0.045) and had reduced fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity throughout large white matter tracts within the brain compared with noncarriers. Tensor-based morphometry analyses revealed ventricular expansion and atrophy in the posterior corpus callosum, thalamus, and brainstem among HIV-infected ApoE ε4 carriers compared with ε4 noncarriers.

Conclusions:

In this sample of older HIV-infected individuals, having at least 1 ApoE ε4 allele was associated with decreased cognitive performance in the executive functioning domain, reduced brain white matter integrity, and brain atrophy. Brain atrophy was most prominent in the posterior corpus callosum, thalamus, and brainstem. This pattern of cognitive deficit, atrophy, and damage to white matter integrity was similar to that described in HIV, suggesting an exacerbation of HIV-related pathology; although emergence of other age-associated neurodegenerative disorders cannot be excluded.
Quantitative MRI to understand Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology
Authors: Bozzali Marco , Serra Laura , Cercignani Mara
Published: May 2016

Purpose of review

The role of white matter damage in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and the associated cognitive symptoms is becoming increasingly clearer. This is partly because of the advent of diffusion tensor imaging, which, in combination with other quantitative MRI techniques, offers unique insights into the patholophysiology of Alzheimer's disease in vivo. The purpose of this review is to integrate the most recent imaging findings, with respect to understanding Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, and identifying potential biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic value.

Recent findings

Consistent with patterns of gray matter atrophy, white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease is localized within white matter tracts connecting the temporal lobe with the rest of the brain, including the cingulum, the uncinate fasciculus and the fornix. These abnormalities are often correlated with adjacent gray matter tissue loss, and with cognitive performance. The relationship between these findings and loss of functional connectivity supports the hypothesis of disconnection as a mechanism for the spread of Alzheimer's disease.

White matter abnormalities occur early in Alzheimer's disease, and might actively contribute to the progression of the disease. Functional and structural gray matter abnormalities parallel the white matter changes, and successful biomarkers are likely to be multiparametric.
Integrated computational prediction and experimental validation identifies promiscuous T cell epitopes in the proteome of Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Farrell Damien , Jones Gareth , Pirson Christopher , Malone Kerri , Rue-Albrecht Kevin , Chubb Anthony J. , Vordermeier Martin , Gordon Stephen V.
Published: May 2016

The discovery of novel antigens is an essential requirement in devising new diagnostics or vaccines for use in control programmes against human tuberculosis (TB) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Identification of potential epitopes recognised by CD4+ T cells requires prediction of peptide binding to MHC class-II, an obligatory prerequisite for T cell recognition. To comprehensively prioritise potential MHC-II-binding epitopes from Mycobacterium bovis, the agent of bTB and zoonotic TB in humans, we integrated three binding prediction methods with the M. bovisproteome using a subset of human HLA alleles to approximate the binding of epitope-containing peptides to the bovine MHC class II molecule BoLA-DRB3. Two parallel strategies were then applied to filter the resulting set of binders: identification of the top-scoring binders or clusters of binders. Our approach was tested experimentally by assessing the capacity of predicted promiscuous peptides to drive interferon-γ secretion from T cells of M. bovis infected cattle. Thus, 376 20-mer peptides, were synthesised (270 predicted epitopes, 94 random peptides with low predictive scores and 12 positive controls of known epitopes). The results of this validation demonstrated significant enrichment (>24 %) of promiscuously recognised peptides predicted in our selection strategies, compared with randomly selected peptides with low prediction scores. Our strategy offers a general approach to the identification of promiscuous epitopes tailored to target populations where there is limited knowledge of MHC allelic diversity.
Adaptation of mammalian myosin II sequences to body mass
Authors: McGreig Jake E , Jeanfavre Sarah T , Henson Charlotte , Coghlan Michael P , Walklate Jonathan , Ridout Martin , Baines Anthony J , Geeves Michael A , Wass Mark N
Published: May 2016

The speed of muscle contraction is related to body size; muscles in larger species contract at a slower rate. We investigated the evolution of twelve myosin II isoforms to identify any adapted to increasing body mass in mammals. We identified a correlation between body mass and sequence divergence for the motor domain of three adult myosin II isoforms (β, 2A, 2B) suggesting that these isoforms have adapted to increasing body mass. In contrast the non-muscle and developmental isoforms show no correlation of sequence divergence with body mass, while the sarcomeric myosin 7b, extraocular and 2X isoforms showed a divergence intermediate between these two groups. The 2B and β-myosin motor domain showed the greatest rate of sequence divergence (−0.84 and −0.69 % per ten-fold increase in mass respectively). β-myosin is abundant in cardiac ventricle and slow skeletal muscle. We propose that β-myosin has adapted to enable slower heart beating and contraction of slow skeletal muscle as body mass increased.
Accounting for tumor heterogeneity using a sample-specific error model improves sensitivity and specificity in mutation calling for sequencing data
Authors: Fan Yu , Liu Xi , Daniel S. T. Hughes , Zhang Jianjua , Zhang Jianhua , Futreal P. Andrew , Wheeler David A. , Wenyi Wang
Published: May 2016

Subclonal mutations reveal important features of the genetic architecture of tumors. However, accurate detection of mutations in genetically heterogeneous tumor cell populations using NGS remains challenging. We developed MuSE (http://bioinformatics.mdanderson.org/main/MuSE), mutation calling using a Markov substitution model for evolution, a novel approach modeling the evolution of the allelic composition of the tumor and normal tissue at each reference base. MuSE adopts a sample-specific error model that reflects the underlying tumor heterogeneity to greatly improve overall accuracy. We demonstrate the accuracy of MuSE in calling subclonal mutations in the context of large-scale tumor sequencing projects using whole exome and whole genome sequence.
Genome-wide analysis of chromatin packing in Arabidopsis thaliana at single-gene resolution
Authors: Liu Chang , Wang Congmao , Wang George , Becker Claude , Zaidem Maricris , Weigel Detlef
Published: May 2016

The three-dimensional packing of the genome plays an important role in regulating gene expression. We have used Hi-C, a genome-wide chromatin conformation capture (3C) method, to analyze Arabidopsis thaliana chromosomes dissected into subkilobase segments, which is required for gene-level resolution in this species with a gene-dense genome. We found that the repressive H3K27me3 histone mark is overrepresented in the promoter regions of genes that are in conformational linkage over long distances. In line with the globally dispersed distribution of RNA polymerase II in A. thaliana nuclear space, actively transcribed genes do not show a strong tendency to associate with each other. In general, there are often contacts between 5′ and 3′ ends of genes, forming local chromatin loops. Such self-loop structures of genes are more likely to occur in more highly expressed genes, although they can also be found in silent genes. Silent genes with local chromatin loops are highly enriched for the histone variant H3.3 at their 5′ and 3′ ends but depleted of repressive marks such as heterochromatic histone modifications and DNA methylation in flanking regions. Our results suggest that, different from animals, a major theme of genome folding in A. thaliana is the formation of structural units that correspond to gene bodies.
The effects of corporate brand symbolism on consumer satisfaction and loyalty
Authors: Anisimova Tatiana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of corporate brand symbolism on consumer satisfaction and loyalty on a sample of Australian automobile consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey research was employed to test the study hypotheses. The regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between an independent variable (corporate brand symbolism) and dependent variables (consumer satisfaction and loyalty).

Findings

– Support was found for all hypotheses formulated in this study. Regression results reveal consistent favourable and significant effects of corporate brand symbolism on both consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

– Although this paper makes contributions in international marketing, the cross-sectional nature of the data collection method limits the information gained to the single point in time. This research studied the impact of corporate brand symbolism on consumers of one original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Having a larger number of participating car manufacturers/OEMs would have provided a wider insight. However, time and resources limitation did not allow to study a larger sample. In the future, practitioners are recommended to further understand the relationship between self and social aspects of brand symbolism in order to formulate more targeted communication strategies.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study point to the strategic role of the brand in generating both satisfaction and loyalty. In the light of increasing advertising costs and decreasing consumer loyalty, strengthening corporate brand symbolism makes a lot of economic sense. The findings suggest that managers need to take into account consumer need for identity expression and consider this in their branding strategies.

Social implications

– Humans are social beings by nature. However, international brand research has paid relatively little attention to how products are used by consumers in everyday life, including their social life. Consumer behaviours increasingly depend on social meanings they imbue brands with beyond products’ functional utility. It is argued the focus of symbolic consumption needs to be broadened and integrated more with social science concepts.

Originality/value

– This study captures a construct of corporate brand symbolism by including self and social aspects of symbolism. The current study also comprehensively measures consumer loyalty, including cognitive, affective and behavioural types of loyalty.
Framework for valuing the utilization of the environment
Authors: Tan Seck
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to apply a methodology (drawn from the literature) to value the environment as a capital.

Design/methodology/approach

– The main analytic framework considered is a factor utilization function, which traditionally deals with labour and manufactured capital. The development of a three-factor function in terms of labour, manufactured capital and environmental capital enables the display of mistaken notions of economic performance.

Findings

– The purpose of this illustration is to identify the patterns of environmental capital utilization as an economy grows. Although there are some differences in the patterns of environment utilization between Australia and Canada, the patterns observed are in line with that of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC).

Practical implications

– This illustration is made with reference to two commodity-driven economies, namely, Australia and Canada. The findings could be used as a point of reference for resource rich economies.

Originality/value

– This paper illustrates an approach for valuing the environment as an economy grows. This approach is applied to two selected resource rich economies and the findings demonstrate traits similar to that of the EKC.
Influence of technological innovation capabilities on product competitiveness
Authors: Liu Lijun , Jiang Zuhua
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to shed light on how technological innovation capabilities (TICs) influence the product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing enterprises and identify the key technological innovation components.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative research setting was applied in Chinese Yangtze River Delta. Survey was carried out with 166 responses.

Findings

– The study reveals that the firm’s strategies capabilities, knowledge resources, fundamental research, application R & D, and manufacturing capabilities have significant influence on the new product development performance and product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Interestingly, firm’s organizational capabilities and human, finance, and material resource have no significant correlation with the product competitiveness.

Practical implications

– From a practical perspective, the relationships among TICs enablers, processes, and product competitiveness may provide a clue regarding how firms can promote technological innovation to sustain their competitive advantage. Moreover, the key factors of TICs found in the study are useful for policy makers and managers of Chinese firms to make decision.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first studies to apply the structure equation model method to measure the relationship between TICs and product competitiveness under the background of Chinese manufacturing. The results provide a new framework on the how technological innovation capability influence product competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing firms. From a managerial perspective, this study identifies several crucial TICs factors to support product competitiveness, and discusses the implications of these factors for developing organizational strategies that encourage technological innovation.
Value-oriented supply chain risk management: you get what you expect
Authors: Trkman Peter , Oliveira Marcos Paulo Valadares de , McCormack Kevin
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– With the globalisation of supply chains the importance of supply chain risk management (SCRM) has grown considerably. Still, although both researchers and practitioners fully agree on its importance, most companies pay very limited attention to SCRM. The purpose of this paper is to use expectation confirmation theory to investigate the reasons for that.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a combination of six mini case studies and a survey of 89 companies to show how a different attitude towards SCRM can lead to greater value from SCRM efforts.

Findings

– In line with the expectation confirmation theory the authors stipulate that the primary reason is in companies’ attitudes towards SCRM. Their main expectation is risk avoidance and not value generation. In such a case, even “successful” SCRM programmes merely confirm such an expectation (e.g. no risk materialised or with a limited impact) and the company continues to avoid risk while limiting the resources for SCRM. It is only when the expected benefit of SCRM is not solely risk avoidance but mainly value generation that increased attention can be expected over time.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is exploratory in nature. Some of the stipulations in the theoretical part were not fully investigated in the quantitative part. The survey had a relatively small sample and a low-response rate. The constructs used in the survey did not use previously validated questionnaires.

Practical implications

– Companies should focus on changing expectations of their managers and employees regarding SCRM and emphasise the value potentially generated by SCRM.

Originality/value

– Use of expectation confirmation theory to investigate the reasons for limited attention to SCRM, to improve the understanding of attitude towards SCRM and to open many important areas for further research.
The impact of family roles on employee’s attitudes and behaviors
Authors: Boyar Scott L , Wagner Teresa A. , Petzinger Amanda , McKinley Ronald B.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine two important family roles, financial and caregiver, and their impact on four relevant outcome variables: absenteeism, partial absences, employee performance, and life satisfaction; they also explore the intervening impact of core self-evaluations (CSE) among these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data are collected using a questionnaire and actual employee performance data. Hypotheses were assessed in a structural model using LISREL.

Findings

– The results demonstrate the impact of family roles on important outcomes, such as absenteeism and life satisfaction, as well as limited support of the moderating impact of CSE. Further, life satisfaction was significantly impacted by family roles and influenced job performance.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the measures were self-reported, actual job performance data were collected from company records; such a design should limit the risk of common method variance (Podsakoff et al., 2003).

Practical implications

– Two family roles were shown to impact life satisfaction and these were positively moderated by CSE. Therefore, organization can develop family-friendly programs and policies to support employee’s multiple family roles in an effort to increase employee’s levels of life satisfaction and job performance. Incorporating CSE in the hiring process or providing employees with the skills and abilities to enhance their level of CSE should impact job performance.

Originality/value

– The study contributes by assessing family roles using gender-neutral measures that assess level of role engagement. It also incorporates a dispositional variable, CSE, and its relation to family roles and job performance.
A discussion forum on managerial interpersonal skills
Authors: Beenen Gerard , Pichler Shaun
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Managerial interpersonal skills (MIPS) are widely considered important for management development, yet the nature of MIPS has eluded researchers. The purpose of this paper is to propose five MIPS core skills, giving attention to the role of context, the relationship of MIPS to traits, and implications for training design, assessment and evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors interweave a discussion forum of domain experts (Hillary Anger-Elfenbein, Timothy Baldwin, Paulo Lopes, Bronston T. Mayes, Ronald Riggio, Robert Rubin and David Whetten) with research commentary and implications for management development. The discussion focussed on: first, how do we define MIPS? Second, how important is context for defining, assessing or developing MIPS? Third, are MIPS traits, or skills that can be developed?

Findings

– The authors propose MIPS include five core skills that sequentially build upon one another: managing-self, communicating, supporting, motivating and managing conflict. Although context may impact the importance of each skill across cultures, situations and jobs, the authors offer these skills as a useful starting point for MIPS assessment, training design and evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed five core skill model for MIPS needs further research and psychometric validation.

Originality/value

– By proposing MIPS include five specific trainable skills that are relevant across contexts, this paper advances MIPS research, assessment and development.
Improving multidisciplinary clinical discussion on an inpatient mental health ward
Authors: Dallimore Sian , Christie Katharine , Loades Maria
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinical supervision is being used in many mental health services but at present has not received adequate attention by researchers in order to generate evidence-based approaches. The purpose of this paper is to explore the utility and staff perspectives of an MDT model of clinical supervision in the form of a “Clinical Discussion Group” (CDG) on an acute inpatient mental health ward within the context of the current literature on the components of effective supervision in order to make recommendations for practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 12 members of staff working on the ward were interviewed to gather their perspective on attendance, helpful aspects, outcomes, unhelpful aspects, and changes. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– In total, 11 themes were identified, three within “The Group and how it operates” (attendance, discussion topics and facilitation), five within “Impact and Usefulness” (valued by staff, understanding a case, emotional benefit, learning and working together as a team) and three within “Changes to the Group” (organisation, discussion topic and group outcomes).

Originality/value

– This paper explores the benefits and challenges of a CDG from the perspective of the staff who attend. It presents some recommendations for good practice which should be of use to managers and supervisors who wish to use team supervision to improve patient outcomes and also makes suggestions for future research in this field.
Collaborative writing with wikis: an empirical investigation
Authors: Du Helen S. , Chu Sam K.W. , Chan Randolph C.H. , He Wei
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process and interaction among group members using wikis to produce collaborative writing (CW) projects, and to compare their collaborative behavior among students at different levels of education.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study investigated the participation and collaboration of Hong Kong primary school, secondary school, and university students in the process of developing their wiki-based CW projects. Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from analyzing the revision histories and the content of wiki pages.

Findings

– Results indicated that the level of education significantly affected student CW actions, and their interaction and coordination behavior to co-construct the work. Also, the frequency of collaborative activities varied noticeably among the primary, secondary, and university students.

Practical implications

– The study enriches our understanding of the complex and dynamic process of CW using wikis. It has practical implications on why and how the pedagogy and technology should be implemented differentially for the students at three different levels of education to facilitate collaborative knowledge construction.

Originality/value

– Research to date is still lacking an in-depth knowledge about the processes and activities involved when students write collaboratively on wikis. Also, no study has yet compared the collaborative behavior among students at different levels of education. The results of this study contribute to the development of new and appropriate modes of group-based collaborative learning at all levels of the education system for the twenty-first century.
What makes people react to the posts on the brand pages of mobile social network games?
Authors: Jeon Hyesun , Ahn Hyung Jun , Yu Gun Jea
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Mobile social network games (mSNGs) are gaining increasing popularity recently. Many of the games are marketed using the brand pages on social network services including Facebook. The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of the posts on the brand pages that affect the reaction of users.

Design/methodology/approach

– Four independent variables were tested for their influence on user reaction: informativeness, structure, call for action, and the type of reward. In total, 439 posts on the brand pages of two mobile game companies on Facebook were manually collected. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

– The characteristics of the brand pages appeared to have significant impact on the users’ reaction. Overall, being informative, calling for action, and providing content-related (game-related) rewards have significant and positive impact on the reaction of users. Using only texts or embedding videos or hyperlinks in the posts has either negative or no significant impact on the reaction of users.

Originality/value

– The literature review shows that not many empirical studies have been conducted so far about the brand pages of mSNGs. Therefore, this study contributes to the understanding of users’ reaction on the brand pages for mSNGs, and how companies should manage their communication effort on the pages.
Ageing and changing patterns in familial structure for older persons in India: a decomposition analysis
Authors: Dhillon Preeti , Ladusingh Laishram , Agrawal Gopal
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– At the turn of twenty-first century, India is facing rapid population ageing coupled with consequential socio-economic development changes. Against the backdrop of such changes, its traditional familial support system of living arrangements for older persons is swiftly changing, undergoing rapid transition towards nuclear family systems. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper examined: first, the changing trends and patterns in joint family systems defined in terms of households with older persons and total households; and second, socio-economic and demographic determinants of changes in the proportion of nuclear households with older adults. The decomposition analysis segregated the contribution of determinants of the change in nuclear households with older persons in three different components: propensity, composition, and interaction. The study used data from three successive rounds of the National Family Health Survey.

Findings

– Results indicate that a lower proportion of households with older persons were nuclear compared to total households. However, for both types of households, nuclear households increased by nine percentage points during 1992-2006. Households with older persons that were headed by old aged persons, illiterates or females, situated in urban area, not owned agriculture land, lower affluent level, and from Southern India were at most risk of being nuclear than their counterparts.

Originality/value

– This study provided ample evidence of the increase in nuclear familial structure for older persons in the course of population ageing. Population ageing, urbanization and increase in education, primarily contributed to the increase in nuclear family households of older persons.
Intraguild predation and competitive displacement between Nesidiocoris tenuis and Dicyphus maroccanus, two biological control agents in tomato pests
Authors: Salas Gervassio Nadia G. , Pérez‐Hedo Meritxell , Luna María G. , Urbaneja Alberto
Published: May 2016

Dicyphus maroccanus Wagner and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) are 2 biological control agents in tomatoes. Through the crop seasons, a natural shift in the occurrence of both mirids in favor of N. tenuis has been observed at the end of the cropping cycle in eastern Spain. To better optimize their conservation, the reasons for the observed change, such as intraguild interactions (IGP) or the influence of environmental conditions, are worth elucidating. To do this, we first studied the IGP of adult females on heterospecific nymphs in the laboratory. We next studied exploitative competition between adults and nymphs of each species when feeding on Ephestia kueniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs in the laboratory. Finally, to analyze the competitive displacement between both mirids, we conducted a semifield experiment in which both predators were released together. All experiments were conducted at 2 temperature regimes (20 and 25°C). Adult‐to‐nymph intraguild interactions occurred only at 25 ºC at very low levels, showing that N. tenuis attacked and consumed a greater proportion of heterospecific nymphs. Nesidiocoris tenuis was a better competitor than D. maroccanus when feeding on the shared prey in the presence of its heterospecific nymph at 25 ºC. In semifield conditions, N. tenuis showed a competitive advantage over D. maroccanus at both temperatures. We conclude that there is not direct interference between both species, however, N. tenuis has a greater ability to outcompete, since it is best adapted to higher temperatures and it is able to remove food sources for D. maroccanus.
Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG by Transglutaminase Cross‐Linked Soy Protein Isolate to Improve Survival in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions and Yoghurt
Authors: Li Chun , Wang Chun‐Ling , Sun Yu , Li Ai‐Li , Liu Fei , Meng Xiang‐Chen
Published: May 2016

Microencapsulation is an effective way to improve the survival of probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and yoghurt. In this study, microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was prepared by first cross‐linking of soy protein isolate (SPI) using transglutaminase (TGase), followed by embedding the bacteria in cross‐linked SPI, and then freeze‐drying. The survival of microencapsulated LGG was evaluated in simulated GI conditions and yoghurt. The results showed that a high microencapsulation yield of 67.4% was obtained. The diameter of the microencapsulated LGG was in the range of 52.83 to 275.16 μm. Water activity did not differ between free and microencapsulated LGG after freeze‐drying. The survival of microencapsulated LGG under simulated gastric juice (pH 2.5 and 3.6), intestinal juice (0.3% and 2% bile salt) and storage at 4 °C were significantly higher than that of free cells. The survival of LGG in TGase cross‐linked SPI microcapsules was also improved to 14.5 ± 0.5% during storage in yoghurt. The microencapsulation of probiotics by TGase‐treated SPI can be a suitable alternative to polysaccharide gelation technologies.
Should students have to borrow?
Authors: Martin Christopher
Published: May 2016

Since autumn 2012, higher education institutions in England have been able to charge undergraduate students up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees. Full‐time students are expected to take out loans large enough to cover their tuition fees and living costs for the duration of their studies. They must start repaying these loans if and when their earnings reach £21,000 a year.

In this bold and timely pamphlet, Christopher Martin argues that forcing students to borrow is a serious mistake. He contends that higher education is a welfare good on a par with basic schooling and health care. To flourish in liberal democratic societies, citizens must be personally autonomous, and the educational demands of personal autonomy are too heavy to be met by compulsory schooling alone. To lead autonomous lives, adult citizens need ongoing educational support, support that the liberal democratic state has an obligation to provide. Higher education should therefore be a universal entitlement and free at the point of use.

The global debate about who should pay for higher education is by no means settled. As England shifted the financial burden from taxpayers to students, Germany moved in the opposite direction: all German universities have offered free tuition since 2014. Christopher Martin's distinctive contribution to the debate is to lay out a principled argument, based on a plausible assessment of the purpose of higher education, for the view that students should not have to pay for their education. His argument is controversial, to be sure, but it represents a serious and considered attempt to set the question of higher education funding on sure normative foundations.
Adoption of farm‐based irrigation water‐saving techniques in the Guanzhong Plain, China
Authors: Tang Jianjun , Folmer Henk , Xue Jianhong
Published: May 2016

This article analyses adoption of farm‐based irrigation water saving techniques, based on a cross‐sectional data set of 357 farmers in the Guanzhong Plain, China. Approximately 83% of the farmers use at least one farm‐based water‐saving technique. However, the traditional, inefficient techniques border and furrow irrigation are still prevalent whereas the use of advanced, more efficient techniques is still rather rare. We develop and estimate an adoption model consisting of two stages: awareness of water scarcity and intensity of adoption. We find that awareness of water scarcity and financial status enhance adoption of more advanced techniques whereas access to better community‐based irrigation infrastructure discourages it. We furthermore find both community‐based irrigation infrastructure and farm‐based irrigation water‐saving techniques have mitigating effects on production risk. From the results it follows that adoption can be stimulated via financial support and via extension aimed at enhancing awareness of water scarcity.
On the nature and magnitude of cost economies in hog production
Authors: Duvaleix‐Tréguer Sabine , Gaigné Carl
Published: May 2016

In this article, we assess the impact of farm size on production cost and evaluate the marginal costs and margins by considering that input prices may change with the scale of production. By using French hog farm data, we estimate a system of equations including a feed price function, input demand functions, and an output supply function based on a technology approximated by a combined generalized Leontief‐Quadratic form. Our results suggest that the marginal costs are over‐estimated when the adjustment of the feed unit prices to a change in farm size is not controlled for. More specifically, the cost economies for large farms (enjoying the highest profits) arise primarily from lower feed prices, with technological scale economies having little impact. In contrast, farms with no hired labor exhibit technological scale economies and reach higher price‐cost margins compared to larger farms.
Potential role of heat‐shock protein 70 and interleukin‐15 in the pathogenesis of threatened spontaneous abortions
Authors: Gulic Tamara , Laskarin Gordana , Dominovic Marin , Glavan Gacanin Lana , Babarovic Emina , Haller Herman , Rukavina Daniel
Published: May 2016

Problem

The role of HSP70 and both its constitutive (Hsc) and inducible (Hsp) forms in the pathogenesis of threatened spontaneous abortions was investigated.

Method of study

Immunohistology and/or immunofluorescence was used to analyze paraffin‐embedded tissue sections, and reverse transcriptase‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were used for analyses of decidual mononuclear cells (DMCs) and confocal microscopy for the detection of perforin, granulysin, and lysosome‐associated membrane protein‐1 (LAMP‐1) in decidual lymphocytes (DLs).

Results

The percentage of single Hsp70+, Hsc70+, and IL‐15+ cells and mRNA levels of HSP70, CD91, and TLR4 were lower in the decidua basalis in cases of threatened miscarriages compared to that in cases of normal pregnancy. In a suspension of normal DMCs, IL‐15 significantly decreased the HSP70 members and TLR4 in dendritic cells, T cells, and NK cells while increasing CD91 in NK cells alone.

Conclusion

Downregulation of Hsc70, Hsp70, and IL‐15 expression at gene and/or protein levels might support the retention of fertilization products in cases of missed abortion and blighted ovum.
Application of Heart Rate Variability in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review
Authors: França da Silva Anne Kastelianne , Penachini da Costa de Rezende Barbosa Marianne , Marques Vanderlei Franciele , Destro Christofaro Diego Giuliano , Marques Vanderlei Luiz Carlos
Published: May 2016

Background

The use of heart rate variability as a tool capable of discriminating individuals with diabetes mellitus is still little explored, as its use has been limited to comparing those with and without the disease. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the use of heart rate variability as a tool for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation in person with diabetes and to identify whether there are cutoff points generated from the use of this tool in these individuals.

Methods

A search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and LILACS starting from the oldest records until January 2015, by means of descriptors related to the target condition, evaluated tool, and evaluation method. All the studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the QUADAS‐2 instrument.

Results

Eight studies were selected. In general, the studies showed that the heart rate variability is useful to discriminate cardiac autonomic neuropathy in person with diabetes, and the sample entropy, SD1/SD2 indices, SDANN, HF, and slope of TFC have better discriminatory power to detect autonomic dysfunction, with sensitivity and specificity values ranging from 72% to 100% and 71% to 97%, respectively.

Conclusion

Although there are methodological differences in indices used, in general, this tool demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity and can be used as an additional and/or complementary tool to the conventional autonomic tests, in order to obtain safer and more effective diagnostic, collaborating for better risk stratification conditions of these patients.