bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of replacement of corn with potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber meal in broiler chicken diets
Authors: Adami Samira , Sadeghi Ghorbanali , Karimi Ahmad , Azizi Osman , Habibian Mahmood
Published: March 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of potato tuber meal (PTM) for broiler chickens during growing (22–42 days) and finishing (43–49 days) periods. A total of 360 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet until 21 days of age, then randomly assigned to six experimental diets, in which corn was replaced by PTM at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% levels by weight, respectively. Replacement of corn with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% PTM had no effect on feed intake, bodyweight gain, and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). However, replacing 50% of corn with PTM resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in bodyweight gains from 22 to 42, and 22 to 49 days of age. Moreover, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in feed conversion ratio when 50% of corn was replaced by PTM. Corn replacement with PTM did not affect (P > 0.05) carcass and organ weights of broilers at 42 days of age. However, compared with the Control group, the relative length of the ileum was increased (P < 0.05) by inclusion of PTM in the diets, and it was statistically different for broiler fed diets in which 20% or 50% of corn was replaced by PTM. The serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, and uric acid were not affected (P > 0.05) by diet inclusion of PTM. Replacing 50% of dietary corn with PTM significantly (P < 0.05) decreased apparent ileal digestibility of protein at 42 days of age. The excreta content of uric acid was not affected by diet inclusion of PTM. In conclusion, our results showed that PTM can replace dietary corn up to 40% during the growing and finishing periods with no adverse effects on growth performance of broiler chickens. Also, replacing up to 40% of corn with PTM in broiler diet had no adverse effect on carcass composition, blood constituents, and apparent ileal digestibility of protein at 42 days of age.
Empirical Formulae in Correlating Droplet Shape and Contact Angle
Authors: Wong Ten It , Wang Hao , Wang Fuke , Sin Sau Leng , Quan Cheng Gen , Wang Shi Jie , Zhou Xiaodong
Published: March 2016

In contact angle measurements, direct identification of the contact angles from images taken from a goniometer suffers from errors caused by optical scatterings. Contact angles can be more accurately identified by the height and width of the droplet. Spherical dome is a simple model used to correlate the contact angles to the droplet shape; however, it features intrinsic errors caused by gravity-induced shape deformation. This paper demonstrates a simple method of obtaining an empirical formula, determined from experiments, to correct the gravity-induced error in the spherical dome model for contact angle calculations. A series of contact angles, heights, and surface contact widths are simultaneously collected for a large amount of samples, and the contact angles are also calculated using the spherical dome model. The experimental data are compared with those obtained from the spherical dome model to acquire an empirical formula for contact angles. Compared with the spherical dome model, the empirical formula can reduce the average errors of the contact angle from –16.3 % to 0.18 %. Furthermore, the same method can be used to correct the gravity errors in the spherical dome for the volume (calculated by height and width), height (calculated by contact angle and volume), and width (calculated by contact angle and volume), and the spherical dome errors can be reduced from –20.9 %, 24.6 %, and –4.8 % to 2 %, –0.13 %, and –0.6 %, respectively. Our method is generic and applicable for all kinds of solvent and substrates, and the derived empirical formulae can be directly used for water droplets on any substrate.
Morphometric developmental pattern of bovine handmade cloned concepti in late pregnancy
Authors: Gerger R. P. C. , Zago F. C. , Ribeiro E. S. , Gaudencio Neto S. , Martins L. T. , Aguiar L. H. , Rodrigues V. H. V. , Furlan F. H. , Ortigari I. , Sainz R. D. , Ferrell C. L. , Miglino M. A. , Ambrósio C. E. , Rodrigues J. L. , Rossetto R. , Forell F. , Bertolini L. R. , Bertolini M.
Published: March 2016

Cloning procedures often interfere with conceptus growth and life ex utero, in a set of symptoms known as abnormal offspring syndrome (AOS). The aim of the present study was to compare the developmental pattern of in vivo-derived (IVD), IVF-derived and handmade cloning-derived (NT-HMC) Day 225 bovine concepti using established procedures. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on Day 30 following blastocyst transfer on Day 7. Conceptus morphometry was assessed by ultrasonography on Day 51, and on Day 225 pregnant cows were killed for morphological examination of concepti. Pregnancy outcome was similar between groups, with greater pregnancy losses in the first trimester (70.6%) and smaller fetuses on Day 51 in the NT-HMC group than in the IVD (14.3%) and IVF (20.0%) groups. However, NT-HMC-derived concepti were twofold larger on Day 225 of gestation than controls. A higher frequency (63.5%) of placentomes larger than the largest in the IVD group was observed in the NT-HMC group, which may be relevant to placental function. Conceptus traits in the IVF group were similar to the IVD controls, with only slight changes in placentome types. Morphological changes in cloned concepti likely affected placental function and metabolism, disrupting the placental constraining mechanism on fetal growth in mid- to late pregnancy.
Lower dietary n-6 : n-3 ratio and high-dose vitamin E supplementation improve sperm morphology and oxidative stress in boars
Authors: Liu Qing , Zhou Yuanfei , Duan Runjia , Wei Hongkui , Jiang Siwen , Peng Jian
Published: March 2016

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment (10 boars per treatment) was conducted for 16 weeks to evaluate the effects of the dietary n-6 : n-3 ratio (14 : 1 vs 6 : 1) and vitamin E (200 vs 400 mg kg–1) on boar sperm morphology and oxidative stress. Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine; 8-OHdG), seminal lipoperoxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) and antioxidant capacity in the serum, spermatozoa and seminal plasma were assessed as indicators of oxidative stress. Sperm production was similar among groups but increased (P < 0.05) throughout the 16 weeks of the study. Although sperm α-tocopherol content, ROS and seminal MDA did not differ between the two dietary n-6 : n-3 ratio treatments, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and MMP, but decreased 8-OHdG, were found in spermatozoa from boars consuming the 6 : 1 diet. The diet with the 6 : 1 ratio positively affected sperm morphology at Weeks 12 and 16 (P < 0.05). The α-tocopherol content and antioxidant capacity increased in boars with increasing levels of vitamin E supplementation. Compared with low-dose vitamin E, high-dose vitamin E supplementation improved sperm morphology. Overall, the results indicate that an n-6 : n-3 ratio of 6 : 1 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E have beneficial effects on sperm morphology by improving antioxidative stress.
LNA modification of single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides allows subtle gene modification in mismatch-repair-proficient cells
Authors: van Ravesteyn Thomas W. , Dekker Marleen , Fish Alexander , Sixma Titia K. , Wolters Astrid , Dekker Rob J. , te Riele Hein P. J.
Published: March 2016

Significance

With the spectacular advance of DNA-sequencing technology, a rapidly increasing number of subtle gene variants in the human population are being identified. One approach to understanding their impact on health and disease is to re-create these variants in appropriate cell lines that are accessible to functional analyses. We present a design principle for synthetic short single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs) that enables effective gene modification in DNA mismatch repair (MMR)-proficient cells. We report that the placement of locked nucleic acids at mismatching bases evades MMR. Its precision, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness makes ssODN-directed gene modification an attractive way of generating large numbers of sequence variants, in particular when they can be evaluated by scoring an easily detectable phenotype.
Spawning Site Fidelity, Catchment, and Dispersal of Common Snook along the East Coast of Florida
Authors: Young Joy M. , Yeiser Beau G. , Ault Erick R. , Whittington James A. , Dutka‐Gianelli Jynessa
Published: March 2016

A population's fidelity to spawning sites and variation in the strength of site fidelity among individuals are influential components of fish population dynamics. The literature on fidelity to aggregation sites is dominated by studies on marine species, whereas less is known about the fidelity of euryhaline species to spawning aggregation sites. We used passive acoustic telemetry to quantify intra‐annual and interannual site fidelity and resident habitat associated with spawning sites (inlets) for 280 sexually mature Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis through an array of more than 200 receivers deployed in rivers, estuaries, inlets, and nearshore waters along 320 km of Florida's Atlantic coast. Fish were detected four times as often at and made twice as many trips to a primary spawning inlet than to secondary inlet sites. Fish displayed interannual site fidelity, returning to the primary inlet for as many as five consecutive reproductive seasons. Overall, individuals returned to their primary inlet (return rate [RR] = 0.54) more often than they changed sites between years (straying rate [SR] = 0.29), but variation in RRs and SRs between inlets suggested a spatial effect on interannual site fidelity. During the nonspawning season, fish generally resided less than 40 km to the northwest of their primary inlet. The 95% kernel density estimates (KDEs) for catchment area and dispersal area averaged 220 km2 and overlapped greatly for five out of six inlets. The 50% KDE did not overlap between inlets, suggesting that each spawning site had a corresponding winter resident habitat supporting a group of fish that were primarily associated with that inlet. The inclusion of telemetry data in traditional measures of site fidelity allowed for the identification and accurate description of behavioral polymorphism and may be applied to other fish species when spatial substructuring is suspected.

Received June 9, 2015; accepted December 3, 2015
Biphasic and triphasic dose responses in zebrafish embryos to low-dose 150 kV X-rays with different levels of hardness
Authors: Kong Eva Yi , Cheng Shuk Han , Yu Kwan Ngok
Published: March 2016

The in vivo low-dose responses of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos to 150 kV X-rays with different levels of hardness were examined through the number of apoptotic events revealed at 24 h post fertilization by vital dye acridine orange staining. Our results suggested that a triphasic dose response was likely a common phenomenon in living organisms irradiated by X-rays, which comprised an ultra-low-dose inhibition, low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. Our results also suggested that the hormetic zone (or the stimulation zone) was shifted towards lower doses with application of filters. The non-detection of a triphasic dose response in previous experiments could likely be attributed to the use of hard X-rays, which shifted the hormetic zone into an unmonitored ultra-low-dose region. In such cases where the subhormetic zone was missed, a biphasic dose response would be reported instead.
No evidence for large-scale outflows in the extended ionized halo of ULIRG Mrk273
Authors: Spence R. A. W. , Zaurín J. Rodríguez , Tadhunter C. N. , Rose M. , Cabrera-Lavers A. , Spoon H. , Muñoz-Tuñón C.
Published: March 2016

We present deep new Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) narrow-band images and William Herschel Telescope (WHT) long-slit spectroscopy of the merging system Mrk273 that show a spectacular extended halo of warm ionized gas out to a radius of ∼45 kpc from the system nucleus. Outside of the immediate nuclear regions (r > 6 kpc), there is no evidence for kinematic disturbance in the ionized gas: in the extended regions covered by our spectroscopic slits the emission lines are relatively narrow (full width at half-maximum, FWHM ≲ 350 km s−1) and velocity shifts small (|ΔV| ≲ 250 km s−1). This is despite the presence of powerful near-nuclear outflows (FWHM > 1000 km s−1; |ΔV| > 400 km s−1; r < 6 kpc). Diagnostic ratio plots are fully consistent with Seyfert 2 photoionization to the NE of the nuclear region, however to the SW the plots are more consistent with low-velocity radiative shock models. The kinematics of the ionized gas, combined with the fact that the main structures are aligned with low-surface-brightness tidal continuum features, are consistent with the idea that the ionized halo represents tidal debris left over from a possible triple-merger event, rather than a reservoir of outflowing gas.
Detection of Bacteriuria by Canine Olfaction
Authors: Maurer Maureen , McCulloch Michael , Willey Angel M. , Hirsch Wendi , Dewey Danielle
Published: March 2016

Background.  Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant medical problem , particularly for patients with neurological conditions and the elderly. Detection is often difficult in these patients, resulting in delayed diagnoses and more serious infections such as pyelonephritis and life-threatening sepsis. Many patients have a higher risk of UTIs because of impaired bladder function, catheterization, and lack of symptoms. Urinary tract infections are the most common nosocomial infection; however, better strategies are needed to improve early detection of the disease.

Methods.  In this double-blinded, case-control, validation study, we obtained fresh urine samples daily in a consecutive case series over a period of 16 weeks. Dogs were trained to distinguish urine samples that were culture-positive for bacteriuria from those of culture-negative controls, using reward-based clicker and treat methods.

Results.  Samples were obtained from 687 individuals (from 3 months to 92 years of age; 86% female and 14% male; 34% culture-positive and 66% culture-negative controls). Dogs detected urine samples positive for 100 000 colony-forming units/mL Escherichia coli (N = 250 trials; sensitivity 99.6%, specificity 91.5%). Dilution of E coli urine with distilled water did not affect accuracy at 1% (sensitivity 100%, specificity 91.1%) or 0.1% (sensitivity 100%, specificity 93.6%) concentration. Diagnostic accuracy was similar to Enterococcus (n = 50; sensitivity 100%, specificity 93.9%), Klebsiella (n = 50; sensitivity 100%, specificity 95.1%), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 50; sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.3%). All dogs performed with similarly high accuracy: overall sensitivity was at or near 100%, and specificity was above 90%.

Conclusions.  Canine scent detection is an accurate and feasible method for detection of bacteriuria.
Systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus as predictors of malignancy among women with endometrial polyps: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Pergialiotis Vasilios , Prodromidou Anastasia , Siotos Charalampos , Frountzas Maximos , Perrea Despina , Vlachos Georgios D.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and systemic hypertension (SH) are frequent benign diseases which might coexist with endometrial polyps. We sought to evaluate whether women who suffer from these diseases have an increased incidence of premalignant and malignant lesions.

Methods:

We systematically searched the literature using the Medline (by using Pubmed) (1966-2015), Scopus (2004-2015), ClinicalTrials.gov (2008-2015), Cochrane Central Register (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar (2004-2015) databases along with the references of all articles which were retrieved in full text. We performed the meta-analysis with the RevMan 5.1 software.

Results:

Both DM and SH seem to be correlated with increased odds of developing premalignant and malignant endometrial polyps (odds ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.51, 3.91) and (odds ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval 1.16, 4.81). However, it remains unclear whether type I or type II DM exert a more pronounced effect and whether the severity of SH has an impact on these odds. Also, the potential relation of antidiabetic and antihypertensive treatment with these lesions cannot be excluded.

Conclusions:

Physicians should increase their awareness among women with endometrial polyps who suffer from DM and/or SH. Further studies are needed to corroborate our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this relation.
Pumping Rate Study of a Left Ventricular Assist Device in a Mock Circulatory System
Authors: Zhuang Xiaoqi , Yang Ming , Xu Liang , Ou Wenchu , Xu Zihao , Meng Fan , Huang Huan
Published: March 2016

The aim of this work was to investigate the hemodynamic influence of the change of pump rate on the cardiovascular system with consideration of heart rate and the resonant characteristics of the arterial system when a reliable synchronous triggering source is unavailable. Hemodynamic waveforms are recorded at baseline conditions and with the pump rate of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at 55, 60, 66, and 70 beats per minute for four test conditions in a mock circulatory system. The total input work (TIW) and energy equivalent pressure (EEP) are calculated as metrics for evaluating the hemodynamic performance within different test conditions. Experimental results show that TIW and EEP achieve their maximum values, where the pump rate is equal to the heart rate. In addition, it demonstrates that TIW and EEP are significantly affected by changing pump rate of LVAD, especially when the pump rate is closing to the natural frequency of the arterial system. When a reliable synchronous triggering source is not available for LVAD, it is suggested that selecting a pump rate equal to the resonant frequency of the arterial system could achieve better supporting effects.
Genomic islands 1 and 2 play key roles in the evolution of extensively drug-resistant ST235 isolates of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Piklu , Scott Martin , Worden Paul , Huntington Peter , Hudson Bernard , Karagiannis Thomas , Charles Ian G. , Djordjevic Steven P.
Published: March 2016

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
are noscomially acquired, opportunistic pathogens that pose a major threat to the health of burns patients and the immunocompromised. We sequenced the genomes of
P. aeruginosa
isolates RNS_PA1, RNS_PA46 and RNS_PAE05, which displayed resistance to almost all frontline antibiotics, including gentamicin, piperacillin, timentin, meropenem, ceftazidime and colistin. We provide evidence that the isolates are representatives of
P. aeruginosa
sequence type (ST) 235 and carry Tn
6162
and Tn
6163
in genomic islands 1 (GI1) and 2 (GI2), respectively. GI1 disrupts the
endA
gene at precisely the same chromosomal location as in
P. aeruginosa
strain VR-143/97, of unknown ST, creating an identical CA direct repeat. The class 1 integron associated with Tn
6163
in GI2 carries a
bla
GES-5
–
aacA4
–
gcuE15
–
aphA15
cassette array conferring resistance to carbapenems and aminoglycosides. GI2 is flanked by a 12 nt direct repeat motif, abuts a tRNA-gly gene, and encodes proteins with putative roles in integration, conjugative transfer as well as integrative conjugative element-specific proteins. This suggests that GI2 may have evolved from a novel integrative conjugative element. Our data provide further support to the hypothesis that genomic islands play an important role in de novo evolution of multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes in
P. aeruginosa
.
Scale-dependent intrinsic entropies of complex time series
Authors: Yeh Jia-Rong , Peng Chung-Kang , Huang Norden E.
Published: March 2016

Multi-scale entropy (MSE) was developed as a measure of complexity for complex time series, and it has been applied widely in recent years. The MSE algorithm is based on the assumption that biological systems possess the ability to adapt and function in an ever-changing environment, and these systems need to operate across multiple temporal and spatial scales, such that their complexity is also multi-scale and hierarchical. Here, we present a systematic approach to apply the empirical mode decomposition algorithm, which can detrend time series on various time scales, prior to analysing a signal’s complexity by measuring the irregularity of its dynamics on multiple time scales. Simulated time series of fractal Gaussian noise and human heartbeat time series were used to study the performance of this new approach. We show that our method can successfully quantify the fractal properties of the simulated time series and can accurately distinguish modulations in human heartbeat time series in health and disease.
Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) stranding on Qeshm Island, Iran: further evidence for a wide (sub)tropical distribution, including the Persian Gulf
Authors: Ranjbar Sharif , Dakhteh Mohammad Sayed , Van Waerebeek Koen
Published: March 2016

A small, juvenile rorqual live-stranded on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the northern Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf) in September 2007. Cause of stranding remains unknown but the whale (QE22.09.2007) showed no severe traumatic injuries nor was emaciated. Based on at least seven morphological features, considered diagnostic in combination, allowed a positive identification as Omura’s whaleBalaenoptera omurai. Features included diminutive body size (397 cm), a large number of ventral grooves (n=82) extending caudad of the umbilicus, a strongly falcate dorsal fin, asymmetric colouration of the head (especially lower jaws) reminiscent of fin whale, including three unilateral dark stripes, faint/incomplete lateral rostral ridges, record low number of short, broad baleen plates (204 in right jaw). The likelihood for the existence of a localB. omuraipopulation in the eastern Persian Gulf or northern Arabian Sea seems higher than the wandering of a very young animal or mother/calf pair from any of the known distant distribution areas in the eastern Indian Ocean or SW Indian Ocean (Madagascar). This is the first record ofB. omuraiin the NW Indian Ocean.
Crystal structure of bis{μ2-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-5-[(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1,2,4-triazolato}bis[aquanitratocopper(II)] dihydrate
Authors: Doroschuk Roman
Published: March 2016

The structure of the dinuclear title complex, [Cu2(C10H8N7)2(NO3)2(H2O)2]·2H2O, consists of centrosymmetric dimeric units with a copper–copper separation of 4.0408 (3) Å. The CuIIions in the dimer display a distorted octahedral coordination geometry and are bridged by two triazole rings, forming an approximately planar Cu2N4core (r.m.s. deviation = 0.049 Å). In the crystal, O—H...O, O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of (E,E)-2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone azine dimethylformamide disolvate
Authors: Li Wen-Juan , Han Hong-Fei
Published: March 2016

In the title compound {systematic name: 4,4′-[1,1′-(hydrazinediylidene)bis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene)]bis(benzene-1,3-diol)}, C16H16N2O4·2C3H7NO, the (E,E)-2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone azine molecule is centrosymmetric, the mid-point of the N—N bond being located on an inversion centre. All the non-H atoms of the azine molecule are approximately coplanar, the maximum deviation being 0.017 (2) Å. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond occurs between the azine N atom and the hydroxy group. In the crystal, azine and dimethylformamide solvent molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Comparison of the crystal structures of methyl 4-bromo-2-(methoxymethoxy)benzoate and 4-bromo-3-(methoxymethoxy)benzoic acid
Authors: Suchetan P. A. , Suneetha V. , Naveen S. , Lokanath N. K. , Krishna Murthy P.
Published: March 2016

The title compounds, C10H11BrO4, (I), and C9H9BrO4, (II), are derivatives of bromo–hydroxy–benzoic acids. Compound (II) crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. In both (I) and (II), the O—CH2—O—CH3side chain is not in its fully extended conformation; the O—C—O—C torsion angle is 67.3 (3) ° in (I), and −65.8 (3) and −74.1 (3)° in moleculesAandB, respectively, in compound (II). In the crystal of (I), molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, formingC(5) chains along [010]. The chains are linked by short Br...O contacts [3.047 (2) Å], forming sheets parallel to thebcplane. The sheets are linkedviaC—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional architecture. In the crystal of (II), moleculesAandBare linked to formR22(8) dimersviatwo strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds. These dimers are linked into ...A–B...A–B...A–B... [C22(15)] chains along [011] by C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The chains are linked by slipped parallel π–π interactions [inter-centroid distances = 3.6787 (18) and 3.8431 (17) Å], leading to the formation of slabs parallel to thebcplane.
1,3,7,9-Tetrakis[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-2,2,8,8-tetraphenyl-5,10-dithia-1,3,7,9-tetraaza-2,8-disila-4,6-digermadispiro[3.1.3.1]decane acetonitrile monosolvate
Authors: Guo Wenzhen , Ma Fengle , Zheng Wenjun
Published: March 2016

In the compound, [η2(N,N)-Ph2Si(NDipp)2Ge(μ-S)]2·CH3CN (Dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3), C72H88Ge2N4S2Si2·CH2CN, the dimeric germanethione complex lies about an inversion centre with the two GeIVatoms bridged by two sulfide ligands forming the central Ge2S2ring. Each GeIVatom is also coordinated by two N atoms from the bulky bis(amido)silane ligands in a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. An acetonitrile solvent molecule, disordered about an inversion centre, is also present.
5-Bromo-1-octylindoline-2,3-dione
Authors: Kharbach Yassine , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Capet Frédéric , Essassi El Mokhtar , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: March 2016

The title compound, C16H20BrNO2, crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The indoline ring system and the two ketone O atoms are nearly coplanar, with the largest deviations from the mean plane being 0.077 (2) and 0.055 (2) Å in the two molecules. In each molecule, the mean plane through the octyl chain is nearly perpendicular to the mean plane of the indoline ring system, as indicated by the dihedral angles between them of 86.6 (1) and 76.1 (1)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by week C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
4-Methylcyclohexylp-toluenesulfonate
Authors: Paquin Cyrenus T. , Boerth Donald W. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: March 2016

The title compound, C14H20O3S, demonstrates atransconformation. The cyclohexyl ring in the structure exhibits a flattening, with average C—C—C angles of 111.2° and average C—C—C—C torsion angles of 55.6°. No significant intermolecular interactions are noted in the solid state.
Tris(N,N,N′,N′,N′′,N′′-hexaethylguanidinium) dodecaiodidotribismuthate(III)
Authors: Tiritiris Ioannis , Knobloch Georg , Saur Stefan , Kantlehner Willi
Published: March 2016

The asymmetric unit of title compound, (C13H30N3)3[Bi3I12], comprises one cation and two independent (1/6) fragments of the [Bi3I12]3−ions. The C—N bond lengths in the guanidinium ion range from 1.340 (4) to 1.345 (4) Å, indicating partial double-bond character pointing towards charge delocalization within the NCN planes. The BiIIIions are distorted octahedrally coordinated by six iodide ions, with Bi—I bond lengths ranging from 2.9206 (3) to 3.3507 (3) Å. Three [BiI6]3−octahedra are fused together through face-sharing, forming a trinuclear [Bi3I12]3−unit.
The role of management accounting and control in making professional organizations horizontal
Authors: Kastberg Gustaf , Siverbo Sven
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– In the last decade, greater attention has been paid to the role of management accounting and control (MAC) in making professional organizations more horizontal. The authors argue that earlier research has not shown how the interrelatedness between professional identities and MAC influences attempts to make organizations more horizontal. In this paper the authors respond to the call for more research on the relationship between horizontalization and accounting and control. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the emerging literature on the relationship between accountability arrangements and professional identities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Theoretically the authors have an actor-network theory (ANT) approach. Empirically, the authors followed two episodes where actors at top management levels in two Swedish health care organizations introduced horizontalization.

Findings

– The two episodes support the view that the role of MAC when making professional organizations more horizontal is limited. Professionals dominate what happens at the operational level and they do not act on MAC rules and performance targets in opposition of their professional identity. However, in alliance with other interessement devices MAC may have a role in creating overflows, that is, pointing out imperfections in the existing frame. The authors noticed no signs that professionals developed hybrid identities as in previous research.

Originality/value

– The authors apply ANT to move beyond the commonly used contingency and new institutional sociology perspectives.
The big leap: a story of the public accounting firm that wanted to become a cooperative
Authors: Jaumier Stéphane
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– While a comparative study of the literature on accounting as a profession and on cooperatives reveals important differences in the values embodied by certified public accountants and by cooperators, the purpose of this study is to explore whether such differences lead to an insurmountable incompatibility or may possibly be mitigated and eventually overcome.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study focuses on a French public accounting firm’s project to become a worker cooperative. Drawing on methodological insights from actor–network theory (ANT), the study analyses a situation in which the certified public accountants try to convince some cooperators of the merits of their project.

Findings

– The case studied suggests that accounting as a profession and cooperatives are irreconcilable. It not only confirms that some of their contrasting features (identified in the literature) are indeed too difficult to overcome but also reveals a new, unforeseen source of tension between certified public accountants and cooperators.

Research limitations/implications

– The study calls for further research into the so-far-overlooked relationships between accounting as a profession and cooperatives. It also proposes to extend the usage of ANT in accounting research to the study of accounting as a profession.

Originality/value

– While ANT-inspired accounting research has to date shown a dominant interest in successful translation processes, the present study looks at an unsuccessful translation stage.
Criminal history of homicide offenders: a multi-dimensional analysis of criminal specialization
Authors: Trojan Carrie , Salfati Gabrielle
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine how offenses co-occur in the backgrounds of homicide offenders and if identified groups of offenses reflect an underlying theoretical construct or theme; and to determine if offenders specialize in thematically similar offenses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The previous convictions of 122 single-victim homicide offenders were examined using smallest space analysis to identify groups of co-occurring offenses across offenders’ criminal histories.

Findings

– The results showed a thematic distinction between violent vs instrumental offenses and 84 percent of offenders specialized in offenses within a single dominant theme, suggesting that the framework can differentiate the majority of offenders’ criminal backgrounds. Possible sub-themes were identified that could suggest further demarcation of the themes and provide a more refined framework that may be of even greater utility in differentiating offenders.

Research limitations/implications

– This study utilized data from a single American city that may affect generalizability of the findings. The exclusion of a timeline for prior offending precludes consideration of offending escalation.

Originality/value

– The current study uses an alternative approach to conceptualize specialization according to how offenses co-occur in the backgrounds of homicide offenders. This approach is less restrictive than considering the offenses in isolation to one another and may be of greater utility in empirically derived offender profiling models. The thematic framework developed herein can act as a foundation for future studies.
The dark figure of sexual offending: new evidence from federal sex offenders
Authors: DeLisi Matt , Caropreso Daniel E. , Drury Alan J. , Elbert Michael J. , Evans Jerry L. , Heinrichs Timothy , Tahja Katherine M.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the dark figure of crime among federal sex offenders from the USA to quantify crime victims and sex crime events among those with no official criminal record.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data on 119 offenders selected from a five-year census of sex offenders selected from a federal probation jurisdiction in the Midwestern United States, descriptive, partial correlations, and ROC-AUC models were conducted.

Findings

– In total, 69 percent of offenders self-reported a contact sexual offense during polygraph examination. In total, 34 offenders had zero official record of sexual abuse but non-zero self-reported history of sexual abuse. These 34 clients offended against 148 victims that potentially denoted a minimum number of 148 sex crime events, a median number of 1,480 sex crime events, a mean number of 32,101 sex crime events, and a maximum number of 827,552 sex crime events. Total paraphilias were not predictive of self-reported sexual offending but were strongly associated with prolific self-reported sexual offending.

Originality/value

– The dark figure of sexual offending is enormous and the revelation of this information is facilitated by polygraph examination of federal sex offenders. Ostensibly non-contact sex offenders such as those convicted of possession of child pornography are very likely to have a history of contact sexual offending. Consistent with the containment model, polygraph examinations of the sexual history of offenders convicted of sexual offenses should be required to facilitate public safety.
Individual difference predictors of perceived organizational change fairness
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Payne Stephanie C. , Horner Margaret T. , Alexander Allison L.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how individual differences influence employees’ attitude toward organizational change. Specifically, the present study examined how and why proactive personality, dispositional resistance to change, and change self-efficacy influence employees’ perceived fairness about the organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

– Structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the survey data obtained from a sample of 140 food service employees after some organizational changes in leadership, menu offerings, and facilities.

Findings

– The results revealed support for two micromediational chains predicting change fairness: first, change self-efficacy leads to less uncertainty and second, dispositional resistance to change leads to less communication regarding change resulting in employees perceiving they have fewer opportunities to voice concerns about the changes.

Research limitations/implications

– The cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences and the generalizability of the present findings beyond similar samples experiencing similar changes is unknown. However, the predictions were based on theories that apply to all employees regardless of the changes or the employees’ occupations or workplace.

Social implications

– Employees with particular personality traits are more receptive to change, suggesting that organizations should consider the impact of individual differences when facing large-scale change. To ensure the success of organizational change, organizations should communicate with employees and encourage employee input before implementing change which in turn improves the chances that employees will have favorable reactions to the change.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to examine how and why individual difference variables influence employees’ perceptions about organizational change fairness.
High-performance work systems and job satisfaction: a multilevel model
Authors: García-Chas Romina , Neira-Fontela Edelmira , Varela-Neira Concepción
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this investigation is to analyze the role of perceived organizational support (POS) and intrinsic motivation in the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample used in this study consists of 180 engineers from 25 companies. The model entails a cross-level moderated mediation process that was tested using multilevel structural equation modeling.

Findings

– This research shows that the effect of HPWS via POS on job satisfaction is stronger among engineers with low intrinsic motivation than engineers with high intrinsic motivation.

Practical implications

– Given the findings of this paper, organizations are advised to consider the importance of HPWS perceptions and intrinsic motivation to help strengthen engineer satisfaction.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to provide evidence for the mediating effect of POS in the relationship between employees’ shared perceptions of the HPWS implemented at their companies and their job satisfaction, and the moderating role of employee intrinsic motivation in the relationship between POS resulting from HPWS and job satisfaction.
The AMBIT approach: working with hard to reach youth
Authors: Fuggle Peter , Bevington Dickon , Duffy Fiona , Cracknell Liz
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– MBIT is a manualised mentalization-based approach to working with hard to reach young people at risk of a wide range of life adversities including severe mental illness, substance misuse, family breakdown, school exclusion, offending and homelessness. The on-line manual (www.tiddlymanuals.com) describes how Adolescent Mentalization-Based Integrative Therapy (AMBIT) is a systemic intervention requiring attention to four different domains of intervention simultaneously; much emphasis is placed on the support systems for workers to maintain this balance in what are often chaotic working conditions. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how these four main components of the AMBIT approach link together in actual clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors illustrate the core techniques of the AMBIT approach, namely, “working with your client”, “working with your team”, “ working with your network” and “learning as a team” with a series of case vignettes, demonstrating the inter-relationship of these components rather than seeing them as separate strands.

Findings

– A range of mentalization-based techniques such as “thinking together”, mentalized formulation, “disintegration grids” and web-based manualising are described and illustrated in relation to a series of case vignettes in order to address barriers to effective practice. The vignettes emphasise how these components must be linked together and held in balance, and how easily they become disconnected in working with young people’s ambivalent or even hostile relationships to help.

Practical implications

– First, developing a shared, mentalized formulation of a young person’s difficulties is an important aspect of working with highly troubled young people. Second, mentalizing is a relational process and is easily disrupted, for both workers and young people, by raised anxiety and affect, a common feature of working with this client group. AMBIT provides specific methods, for example, “thinking together” for supporting the mentalizing of individual workers in their team in an explicit way. Third, workers from different agencies may often find it difficult to make sense of each other’s behaviour and decision making. AMBIT proposes the use of a mentalizing approach to this difficulty using a technique called a disintegration grid. Finally, AMBIT proposes a new practitioner focused approach to manualising as a method by which a team can become more explicit about its methods of working in order to support systematic practice and evaluate outcomes.

Originality/value

– The innovative AMBIT approach proposes that clinicians need to attend to team and network relationships at least as much as their relationship with the client, in addition to adopting a stance of learning as a team from their casework. A high level of clinical skill is needed to support a team to achieve this balanced approach to casework. This work is of interest to all multi-disciplinary teams working with hard to reach young people.
Section 5(4) of the Mental Health Act 1983: a review of local policy and guidance in England and Wales
Authors: Ashmore Russell , Carver Neil
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review policy or guidance on the implementation of Section 5(4) written by NHS mental health trusts in England and health boards in Wales.

Design/methodology/approach

– A Freedom of Information request was submitted to all trusts in England (n=57) and health boards in Wales (n=7) asking them to provide a copy of any policy or guidance on the implementation of Section 5(4). Documents were analysed using content analysis. Specific attention was given to any deviations from the national Mental Health Act Codes of Practice.

Findings

– In total, 41 (67.2 per cent) organisations had a policy on the implementation of Section 5(4). There was a high level of consistency between local guidance and the Mental Health Act Codes of Practice. There were however; different interpretations of the guidance and errors that could lead to misuse of the section. Some policies contained useful guidance that could be adopted by future versions of the national Codes of Practice.

Research limitations/implications

– The research has demonstrated the value of examining the relationship between national and local guidance. Further research should be undertaken on the frequency and reasons for any reuse of the section.

Practical implications

– Greater attention should be given to considering the necessity of local policy, given the existence of national Codes of Practice.

Originality/value

– This is the only research examining the policy framework for the implementation of Section 5(4).
Estimating Surgical Procedure Times Using Anesthesia Billing Data and Operating Room Records
Authors: Burgette Lane F. , Mulcahy Andrew W. , Mehrotra Ateev , Ruder Teague , Wynn Barbara O.
Published: March 2016

Objective

The median time required to perform a surgical procedure is important in determining payment under Medicare's physician fee schedule. Prior studies have demonstrated that the current methodology of using physician surveys to determine surgical times results in overstated times. To measure surgical times more accurately, we developed and validated a methodology using available data from anesthesia billing data and operating room (OR) records.

Data Sources

We estimated surgical times using Medicare 2011 anesthesia claims and New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System 2011 OR times. Estimated times were validated using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. We compared our time estimates to those used by Medicare in the fee schedule.

Study Design

We estimate surgical times via piecewise linear median regression models.

Principal Findings

Using 3.0 million observations of anesthesia and OR times, we estimated surgical time for 921 procedures. Correlation between these time estimates and directly measured surgical time from the validation database was 0.98. Our estimates of surgical time were shorter than the Medicare fee schedule estimates for 78 percent of procedures.

Conclusions

Anesthesia and OR times can be used to measure surgical time and thereby improve the payment for surgical procedures in the Medicare fee schedule.
Rapamycin‐induced autophagy sensitizes A549 cells to radiation associated with DNA damage repair inhibition
Authors: Li Yong , Liu Fen , Wang Yong , Li Donghai , Guo Fei , Xu Liyao , Zeng Zhengguo , Zhong Xiaojun , Qian Kejian
Published: March 2016

Background

Autophagy has been reported to increase in cancer cells after radiation. However, it remains unknown whether increased autophagy as a result of radiation affects DNA damage repair and sensitizes cancer cells. In this study, the radiosensitization effect of rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor that induces autophagy, on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells was investigated.

Methods

A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of rapamycin. Cell viability was evaluated by methyl‐thiazolyl‐tetrazolium assay. Survival fraction values of A549 cells after radiotherapy were detected by colony formation assay. Autophagosome was observed by a transmission electron microscope. Furthermore, Western blot was employed to examine alterations in autophagy protein LC3 and p62, DNA damage protein γ–H2AX, and DNA damage repair proteins Rad51, Ku70, and Ku80. Rad51, Ku70, and Ku80 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Rapamycin suppressed A549 cell proliferation in dose and time‐dependent manners. An inhibitory concentration (IC)10 dose of rapamycin could induce autophagy in A549 cells. Rapamycin combined with radiation significantly decreased the colony forming ability of cells, compared with rapamycin or radiation alone. Rapamycin and radiation combined increased γ–H2AX expression levels and decreased Rad51 and Ku80 expression levels, compared with single regimens. However, rapamycin treatment did not induce any change in Rad51, Ku70, and Ku80 mRNA levels, regardless of radiation.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that increasing autophagy sensitizes lung cancer cells to radiation.