bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes of death among hospitalized adults with dengue fever in Tainan, 2015: emphasis on cardiac events and bacterial infections
Authors: Lee Jen-Chieh , Cia Cong-Tat , Lee Nan-Yao , Ko Nai-Ying , Chen Po-Lin , Ko Wen-Chien
Published: December 2018

Introduction. The 2015 dengue outbreak in southern Taiwan caused substantial mortality rates in the elderly. We analyzed here the causes of death among adults with dengue.
Methods. The retrospective study was conducted at a medical center in Tainan from the 1st of August to 31th of December in the year 2015. The detection of the dengue NS1 antigen IgM or viral RNA in patients' blood were used to diagnose dengue. Clinical courses and causes of death were retrieved from chart reviews by two intensivists.
Results. There were 4,488 cases of dengue diagnosed in the study hospital, and these cases had an in-hospital case fatality rate of 1.34% (60 cases). Of these, the mean age was 73 years and gender did not predict outcome. Twenty-eight (46.7%) cases died of severe dengue, and 29 (48.3%) deaths were possibly caused by dengue-related complications, which were mostly secondary infections (24 cases). Most of the families of fatal case (70%) signed do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders prior to the patients' death. When the dengue epidemic peaked, 13 cardiac arrest events, including out-of-hospital (5 events) and in-hospital (8) cardiac arrests at the emergency department, occurred within four weeks of the dengue epidemic. Notably, in half (7) of these cases, the patients did not search for medical aid prior to experiencing cardiac arrest. Of the 40 cases that had early death (occurring within one week after hospitalization), 60% died of severe dengue. In contrast, 50% of the 20 deaths that occurred later than one week after hospitalization were related to hospital-acquired infections, mainly pneumonia.
Conclusion. The elderly that experience dengue fever may die of severe dengue early or die of secondary infections later. Cardiac arrests can also occur unpredictably at the first aids, which highlight the need of professional and patient education regarding the danger signs that are related to severe dengue in an epidemic setting.
Variation of HbA1c affects cognition and white matter microstructure in healthy, young adults
Authors: Repple Jonathan , Karliczek Greta , Meinert Susanne , Foerster Katharina , Grotegerd Dominik , Goltermann Janik , Arolt Volker , Baune Bernhard , Dannlowski Udo , Opel Nils
Published: December 2018

The metabolic serum marker HbA1c has been associated with both impaired cognitive performance and altered white matter integrity in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. However, it remains unclear if higher levels of HbA1c might also affect brain structure and function in healthy subjects. With the present study we therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between HbA1c levels and cognitive performance as well as white matter microstructure in healthy, young adults. To address this question, associations between HbA1c and cognitive measures (NIH Cognition Toolbox) as well as DTI-derived imaging measures of white matter microstructure were investigated in a publicly available sample of healthy, young adults as part of the Humane Connectome Project (n= 1206, mean age= 28.8 years, 45.5 % male). We found that HbA1c levels (range 4.1-6.3%) were significantly inversely correlated with measures of cognitive performance. Higher HbA1c levels were associated with significant and wide-spread reductions in fractional anisotropy (FA) controlling for age, sex, body-mass index and education. FA reductions were furthermore found to covary with measures of cognitive performance. The same pattern of results could be observed in analyses restricted to participants with HBA1c levels below 5.7%. The present study demonstrates that low-grade HbA1c variation below diagnostic threshold for diabetes is related to both cognitive performance and white matter integrity in healthy, young adults. These findings highlight the detrimental impact of metabolic risk factors on brain physiology and underscore the importance of intensified preventive measures independent of the currently applied diagnostic HbA1c cut-off scores.
Enhancer Reprogramming Confers Dependence on Glycolysis and IGF signaling in KMT2D Mutant Melanoma
Authors: Maitituoheti Mayinuer , Keung Emily Z. , Tang Ming , Yan Liang , Alam Hunain , Han Guangchun , Raman Ayush T. , Terranova Christopher , Sarkar Sharmistha , Orouji Elias , Amin Samir B. , Sharma Sneha , Williams Maura , Samant Neha S. , Dhamdhere Mayura , Zheng Norman , Shah Tara , Shah Amiksha , Axelrad Jacob B. , Anvar Nazanin E. , Lin Yu-Hsi , Jiang Shan , Chang Edward Q. , Ingram Davis R. , Wang Wei-Lien , Lazar Alexander , Lee Min Gyu , Muller Florian , Wang Linghua , Ying Haoqiang , Rai Kunal
Published: December 2018

Epigenetic modifiers have emerged as important regulators of tumor progression. We identified histone methyltransferase KMT2D as a potent tumor-suppressor through an in vivo epigenome-focused pooled RNAi screen in melanoma. KMT2D harbors frequent somatic point mutations in multiple tumor types. How these events contribute to tumorigenesis and whether they impart therapeutic vulnerability are poorly understood. To address these questions, we generated a genetically engineered mouse model of melanoma based on conditional and melanocyte-specific deletion of KMT2D. We demonstrate KMT2D as a bona fide tumor suppressor which cooperates with activated BRAF. KMT2D-deficient tumors showed substantial reprogramming of key metabolic pathways including glycolysis. Glycolysis enzymes, intermediate metabolites and glucose consumption rate were aberrantly upregulated in KMT2D mutant cells. The pharmacological inhibition of glycolysis reduced proliferation and tumorigenesis preferentially in KMT2D mutant cells. Mechanistically, KMT2D loss caused drastic reduction of H3K4me1-marked active enhancer states. Loss of distal enhancer and subsequent reduction in expression of IGFBP5 activated IGF1R-AKT to increase glycolysis in KMT2D-deficient cells. We conclude that KMT2D loss promotes tumorigenesis by facilitating increased usage of glycolysis pathway for enhanced biomass needs via enhancer reprogramming. Our data imply that inhibition of glycolysis or IGFR pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy in KMT2D mutant tumors.
Structure and mechanism of TagA, a novel membrane-associated glycosyltransferase that produces wall teichoic acids in pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Kattke Michele D , Gosschalk Jason E , Martinez Orlando E , Kumar Garima , Gale Robert T , Cascio Duilio , Sawaya Michael R , Phillips Martin , Brown Eric , Clubb Robert T
Published: December 2018

Staphylococcus aureus and other bacterial pathogens affix wall teichoic acids (WTAs) to their surface. These highly abundant anionic glycopolymers have critical functions in bacterial physiology and their susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics. The membrane-associated TagA glycosyltranserase (GT) catalyzes the first-committed step in WTA biosynthesis and is a founding member of the WecB/TagA/CpsF GT family, more than 6,000 enzymes that synthesize a range of extracellular polysaccharides through a poorly understood mechanism. Crystal structures of TagA from T. italicus in its apo- and UDP-bound states reveal a novel GT fold, and coupled with biochemical and cellular data define the mechanism of catalysis. We propose that enzyme activity is regulated by interactions with the bilayer, which trigger a structural change that facilitates proper active site formation and recognition of the enzyme's lipid-linked substrate. These findings inform upon the molecular basis of WecB/TagA/CpsF activity and could guide the development of new anti-microbial drugs.
Disruption of ubiquitin mediated proteolysis is a widespread mechanism of tumorigenesis
Authors: Martinez-Jimenez Francisco , Muinos Ferran , Lopez-Arribillaga Erika , Lopez-Bigas Nuria , Gonzalez-Perez Abel
Published: December 2018

E3 ligases and degrons --the sequences they recognize in target proteins-- are key parts of the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis system. There are several examples of alterations of these two components of the system that play a role in cancer. Here, we uncovered the landscape of the contribution of such alterations to tumorigenesis across cancer types. We first systematically identified novel instances of degrons across the human proteome using a random forest classifier, and validated them exploiting somatic mutations across more than 7,000 tumors. We detected signals of positive selection across these novel degrons and revealed new instances involved in cancer development. Overall, we estimated that at least one in seven driver mutations across primary tumors affect either degrons or E3 ligases.
A quantitative medico-botanical expedition of Fairy Meadows National Park, Diamir, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Authors: Wali Rahmat , Rahman Khalid , Iqbal Raja Naveed , Qureshi Rahmatullah , Mashwani Ziaur-Rehman
Published: December 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the ethnobotanical knowledge of the population of the Fairy Meadow National Park, Diamir, Gilgit Baltistan. The study area was previously ignored due to physical barriers, remoteness and religious extremism. The use of medicinal plants for various maladies, known to the elders of the community and passed orally to the younger generation was documented. A total of 146 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The data was quantitatively analyzed employing frequency of citation (FC), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC) along with Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). A total of 90 plants species belonging to 77 genera and 49 different families have been documented. These medicinal plants were used against 55 diseases, especially stomach problems (23.3%), cough (17.7%), asthma and fever (16.6%). For 31 out of 90 plants species which had been reported either, new uses (28 plants) or new use-report (3 plants) were found. New reported medicinal plants includeAllium gilgitensis, Astragalus gilgitensisandPedicularia flava. The majority of the documented plants were wild collected (86%), herbs (60%), and leaves were the most widely used part (27%). The common method of preparation was powder (27%) mainly administered orally (81.7%). The highest use values were found forBerberis lyceum(5.47),Thymus lineari s(5.07) andRhododendron anthopogon(5.0), while the plants with greater relative frequency of citation wereBerberis lyceum(0.97),Thymus linearis(0.89) andRhododendron anthopogon(0.75). The Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.836 between RFC and UV showing high positive association. This study was an extension to the ethnobotanical work done in Pakistan previously. We documented a wealth of traditional knowledge, and could record the uses of various species for the first time from Pakistan. The new use reports and new plants reported supplement the foundation of pharmacology and new drug development for complex and challenging disease
Influence of season, tourist activities and camp management on body condition, testicular and adrenal steroids, lipid profiles, and metabolic status in captive bull elephants in Thailand
Authors: Khonmee Jaruwan , Norkaew Treepradab , Brown Janine L. , Bansiddhi Pakkanut , Somgird Chaleamchat , Thitaram Chatchote , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak , Punturee Khanittha , Vongchan Preeyanat , Somboon Nopphamas
Published: December 2018

We previously found relationships between body condition and physiological function affecting health and welfare of female tourist camp elephants in Thailand, and used that approach to conduct a similar study of bulls elephants in the same camps (n = 13). Elephants received a body condition score (BCS) every other month, and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations were measured in twice monthly samples for 1 year. Effects of season, camp management and tourist activity on lipid profiles [total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG)] and metabolic factors [insulin, glucose, fructosamine, glucose to insulin ratio (G:I)] were determined and correlated to measures of body condition, testosterone and adrenal function. Positive correlations were found between BCS and TG, between FGM and TG, HDL and glucose, and between testosterone and HDL (p<0.05), whereas BCS and testosterone were both negatively associated with the G:I (p<0.05). Elevated FGM concentrations were associated with altered lipid profiles and metabolic status and were higher in winter compared to summer and rainy seasons. Insulin and glucose levels were higher, while the G:I was lowest, in the winter season. Strong positive associations (p<0.001) were found between TC and HDL, LDL and HDL and glucose, and glucose and insulin. By contrast, negative relationships (p<0.001) were found between the G:I and HDL and glucose, and between insulin and G:I. Differences also were found between High and Low tourist season months for FGM, insulin, and G:I, which may be related to tourist activities. Last, there was notable variation among the camps in measured parameters, which together with the tourist season effect suggests camp management related to tourism may affect physiological function and welfare; some negatively like feeding high calorie treats, but others are positively, like exercise. Last, compared to females, bulls elephants appear to be in better physical health.
Nitrogen- and phosphorus-starved Triticum aestivum show distinct belowground microbiome profiles
Authors: Pagé Antoine P , Tremblay Julien , Masson Luke , Greer Charles W
Published: December 2018

Many plants have natural partnerships with microbes that can boost their nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) acquisition. To assess whether wheat may have undiscovered associations of these types, we tested if N/P-starved Triticum aestivum show microbiome profiles that are simultaneously different from those of N/P-amended plants and those of their own bulk soils. The bacterial and fungal communities of root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil samples from the Historical Dryland Plots (Lethbridge, Canada), which hold T. aestivum that is grown both under N/P fertilization and in conditions of extreme N/P-starvation, were taxonomically described and compared (bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal Internal Transcribed Spacers - ITS). As the list may include novel N- and/or P-providing wheat partners, we then identified all the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that were proportionally enriched in one or more of the nutrient starvation- and plant-specific communities. These analyses revealed: a) distinct N-starvation root and rhizosphere bacterial communities that were proportionally enriched, among others, in OTUs belonging to families Enterobacteriaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Comamonadaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Cytophagaceae, Streptomycetaceae, b) distinct N-starvation root fungal communities that were proportionally enriched in OTUs belonging to taxa Lulworthia, Sordariomycetes, Apodus, Conocybe, Ascomycota, Crocicreas, c) a distinct P-starvation rhizosphere bacterial community that was proportionally enriched in an OTU belonging to genus Agrobacterium, and d) a distinct P-starvation root fungal community that was proportionally enriched in OTUs belonging to genera Parastagonospora and Phaeosphaeriopsis. Our study might have exposed wheat-microbe connections that can form the basis of novel complementary yield-boosting tools.
On the Periodic Gain of the Ribosome Flow Model
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdiar , Ali Al-Radhawi Muhammad , Margaliot Michael , Sontag Eduardo
Published: December 2018

We consider a compartmental model for ribosome flow during RNA translation called the RFM. This model includes a set of positive transition rates that control the flow from every site to the consecutive site. It has been shown that when these rates are time-varying and jointly T-periodic every solution of the RFM converges to a unique periodic solution with period T. In other words, the RFM entrains to the periodic excitation. In particular, the protein production rate converges to a unique T-periodic pattern. From a biological point of view, one may argue that the average of the periodic production rate, and not the instantaneous rate, is the relevant quantity. Here, we study a problem that can be roughly stated as: can periodic rates yield a higher average production rate than constant rates? We rigorously formulate this question and show via simulations, and rigorous analysis in one simple case, that the answer is no.
Influence of nitrite on chemical composition of passivation film of steel bars under the coupling effects of carbonization and chloride
Authors: Liu Junzhe , Geng Jundi , Wang Hui , Ba Mingfang , He Zhiming
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of NaNO2 on the chemical composition of passivation film.

Design/methodology/approach

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were selected to determine the composition of passivation film of steel bars in mortar. The specimens were exposed to the chloride solution, carbonation environment and the coupling effects of chloride solution and carbonation. The chemical composition and micro structures at 0 and 5 nm from the outer surface of the passivation film of steel bars were analyzed.

Findings

Results showed that the nitrite inhibitor improved the forming rate of the passivation film and increased the mass ratio of Fe3O4 to FeOOH on the surface of steel bars. The component of Fe3O4 at 5 nm of the steel passivation film was more than that at 0 nm. Sodium ferrite in the pore solution was easily hydrolyzed and then FeOOH was formed. Therefore, due to the nitrite inhibitor, a “double layer structure” of the passivation film was formed to prevent steels bars from corrosion.

Originality/value

This is original work and may help the researchers further understand the mechanism of rust resistance by nitrite inhibitor.
China’s economic strategy in Asia
Authors: Song Guoyou
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study key economic strategies in Asia laid out by the Chinese Government since Xi Jinping became the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is composed of six parts. The first part analyzes China’s Asian trade strategy with a focus on the free-trade agreement. The second part elaborates the Asian finance and currency strategy with the core being the regionalization of RMB. The third part introduces China’s newly proposed Belt and Road Initiative (B&R). The fourth part deals with the China–USA economic relationship with a view to China’s economic strategy in Asia. The fifth part explains China’s domestic economic policy which forms the basis of the Asian Economic Strategy.

Findings

A marked change has taken place in China’s economic strategy in Asia, namely, giving more consideration to how to offer more public goods to the region. This is natural as China’s economic power is developed to a certain level and it is highly related to China’s attempt to growing its economic influence in this region. China believes that the B&R Initiative and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are both public goods China has provided to Asia. China’s economic strategy in Asia demonstrates that China, as a rising power, though faced with domination of established power and the original regional economic rule system, still promotes the cooperation, integration, participation and development of this region. In general, China’s economic strategy in Asia offers an alternative for countries in this region so that Asian countries can better safeguard their rights amid China–America competition, and a new Asian economic order can be better built.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the researched area of China’s economic strategy in Asia by comprehensively elaborating its trade, money, B&R Initiative and so on. This paper also shows the major challenges of China’s economic strategy in Asia and therefore is helpful to fully understand China’s economic statecraft.
Housing price and enterprise financing: does mortgage effect exist?
Authors: Li Shujing , Gao Nan
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of the rise in housing prices on enterprise financing and also the sustainability and heterogeneity of this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical test, panel data, fixed-effect model, IV and 2SLS were used in this paper.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that the mortgage effect does exist, and the authors further analyze the heterogeneity of this effect by dividing the sample based on the degree of financial development and property rights; the empirical results reveal that the mortgage effect is significantly higher in places with the high level of financial development. Besides, compared to the SOE enterprise, the mortgage effect has more influence on non-SOE companies.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that the mortgage effect should be considered when regulating housing market, and in order to improve the financing capability of company, its profitability and financial market efficiency should be emphasized.

Originality/value

This paper not only confirms the existence of the mortgage effect, but also explores its sustainability and heterogeneity, which reveals the risk and bubble in the effect of house market on enterprise financing, and enlightens how to promote financing ability of company.
Nonlinear behavior for periodically excited brushless motor
Authors: Huang Jianzhe , Xiong Xingzhong
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Due to the coupling between the direct-axis current, quadrature-axis current and rotor speed, the dynamic response could be strongly nonlinear. Besides, if the working condition is severe, the loading is no longer constant and multiple harmonics could be introduced. In this paper, the periodic motions for brushless motor will be solved, and accurate analytic solution will be obtained through the proposed method. The purpose of this study is to provide accurate analytic solution of periodic motions for brushless motor with fluctuated loading, which is a dynamic system with strong nonlinearity.

Design/methodology/approach

A newly developed semi-analytic algorithm called discrete implicit maps is used to give analytic solutions for both stable and unstable motions for such a motor.

Findings

The accurate analytic expressions for stable and unstable periodic motions have been obtained. For unstable motion, it can stay on the unstable orbit for many periods without any controller. Through bifurcation analysis, the parameter sensitivity has been obtained which can be a suggestion for design and operation.

Originality/value

This paper provides all possible analytical solutions for period-1 motion as well as the unstable motions in a range of system parameters. It offers a chance to control the unstable motion for such a motor.
Challenges, relationship and outcomes in low-threshold drug services
Authors: Morton Sarah , O’Reilly Laura
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper reports on the findings of an action research study that sought to explore the development and provision of community-based low-threshold services within a socially disadvantaged area. In the context of debates, in regard to both the nature and efficacy of low-threshold drugs services and increasingly neo-liberal policy approaches to drug service provision that prioritise outcomes and drug treatment interventions, the purpose of this paper is to report on practitioners’ understandings of challenges, relationship building and outcomes within community-based low-threshold service provision in Dublin, Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research method of co-operative inquiry groups was utilised, with nine practitioners from one community-based drug agency participating in a series of four sessions over a three-month period.

Findings

Three key themes emerged in relation to building and sustaining client–practitioner relationships: the mechanisms by which the practitioners engaged with their clients and sought to develop relationships; how safe spaces were created and maintained in order to address client needs; and practitioners’ understanding of challenges and outcomes in low-threshold intervention work.

Originality/value

Drawing on a co-operative inquiry method, this paper concludes that practitioner attention to relational distance evidenced in community-based low-threshold service provision, may provide an alternative to episodic, outcome driven drug treatment and intervention.
Leadership and organizational learning culture: a systematic literature review
Authors: Xie Lei
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the relationship between leadership and organizational learning culture (OLC)/learning organization (LO)/organizational learning (OL) is measured in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic literature review analyzes published peer-reviewed English articles that examine the relationship between leadership and OLC/LO/OL empirically. A total of 58 articles has been found in 42 journals.

Findings

This paper provides a holistic view of the types of leaderships that have been connected with OLC/LO/OL in various countries and industries. Research methods from the literature are also examined.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies to review the literature about the connection between leadership and OLC/LO/OL. This review offers constructive future research directions.
Impacts of family status and gender on the relationships between job demands, job control, and distress
Authors: Kim Sehoon , Kang Hyounju , Ju Boreum
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in the relationships between job demands, job control and distress with the moderation effects of family status (i.e. marriage and parenthood) in the patriarchal cultural context of Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors formulated hypotheses on the grounds of stress and role theories and tested them using a hierarchical regression analysis. A sample of 403 Korean employees (230 males; 173 females) was used for the analysis.

Findings

Family status moderated the relationship between job demands and distress for both males and females, whereas family status significantly moderated the effect of job control on distress for only males. Regardless of gender, marriage and parenthood were associated with distress affected by job demands, while only males exhibited significant distress in interactions between family status and job control.

Originality/value

This exploratory study is one of few that explicitly addresses the concepts of the job demands-control model dealing with the unique characteristics of demographic groups. By incorporating data from the single, the married and parents, this study identified applications of the conservation of resources and role theory for various family statuses in a non-Western culture. Particularly, this study is meaningful in that it highlighted the impacts of family roles on distress that can be observed in any culture, but is salient in a highly hierarchal, patriarchal and work-centered culture, like Korea.
What Erasmus students do expect from their abroad experience? A multidimensional scale tested for the case of Spain
Authors: Gallarza Martina G. , Fayos Teresa , Currás Rosa , Servera David , Arteaga Francisco
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Since universities adopted a “Student as Customer” approach, student consumer behavior is a field of study which has become crucial. In the European higher education area, more understanding is needed on International students, and more precisely on Erasmus students. The purpose of this paper is to validate a multidimensional scale to assess Erasmus students’ value expectations (i.e. expected value) on the basis of costs and benefits in their choices as consumers of an academic experience abroad.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey conducted on a sample of 192 students from 50 universities show the role of functional, social and emotional values along with costs of time and effort in the perceived value of an Erasmus experience.

Findings

After validating the five scales, the results show that social and emotional are the aspects were students’ expected value dimensions are the highest, as the Erasmus experience is expected to enrich their studies and enable them to boost their self-confidence, while functionally helping them to find a job in the future. Concerning the sacrifices, the Erasmus experience has a high cost with regard to effort, time and energy, but students are willing to go through it: an Erasmus stay is seen as a good investment, whose benefits will be reaped in the long run.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper comes from the scope and the target: a multidimensional trade-off approach to the expected value of the Erasmus experience. Other works have already depicted the educational experience through the value concept, but none, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has measured expected value on the pre-purchase phase for Erasmus students.
Balancing territorial identities
Authors: Stöttinger Barbara , Penz Elfriede
Published: December 2018

Purpose

In today’s globalized world, countries are becoming increasingly multiethnic. This raises questions about the different dimensions of consumers’ territorial identities, and how these dimensions are differentiated, interrelated and interlinked. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative interviews, this paper investigates how (40) respondents from two different ethnic minorities in a country that is not necessarily considered multiethnic perceive these dimensions of territorial identity (ethnic, regional and national) as a constituent element of their own person and of their behavior.

Findings

The authors highlight that these three dimensions of territorial identity co-exist as independent entities; they are distinct but interrelated and interconnected. Furthermore, idiosyncrasies in the ethnic sub-samples are investigated and described. These are related to the connection to the country of residence (being born there vs having immigrated there). Finally, avenues for future research, such as expanding the concept of territorial identities and its connection to consumer behavior, are suggested.

Originality/value

The authors extend the bipolarity commonly used in territorial identities (global vs local or ethnic vs national) to three conceptually independent dimensions. The authors explore the relationships between these dimensions of territorial identity and show that they may not conflict but, instead, co-exist.
Conflict prevention measures for public–private partnerships in developing countries
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Chan Albert P.C. , Yao Yu , Mazher Khwaja Mateen
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Conflict between project parties is among the major risk factors in public–private partnership (PPP) in developing countries that has, in extreme cases, led to the failure or distress of many PPP projects. This paper aims to explore conflict prevention measures for PPPs in developing countries using Ghana as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

From a comprehensive review of literature, a list of conflict prevention measures was derived; further, a questionnaire survey was conducted with PPP experts from Ghana. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance test, range normalization method and factor analysis were used for data analysis.

Findings

Results show four significant conflict prevention measures for PPPs in developing countries, they include extensive stakeholder consultation in decision makings, clear goals and mutual benefit objectives, clarity of roles and responsibilities of parties and transparent appeal procedures. Using the factor analysis technique, the prevention measures are grouped into three unrelated categories, they are efficient communication structure and risk assessments, transparency and openness and proficient service delivery.

Originality/value

The research findings inform policymakers and local practitioners of the strategic measures and procedures needed to minimize the occurrence of conflicts in PPPs in developing countries.
Moderating effects of service separation on customer relationships with service firms
Authors: Alhathal Faisal T. , Sharma Piyush , Kingshott Russel P.J.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of service separation on the ability of service firms to build and maintain customer relationships, by exploring the differences in the strength of interrelationships among key relational constructs between separated and unseparated service delivery modes.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey was conducted with retail banking customers in Saudi Arabia (n=592) using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of well-established scales. Data were analyzed using AMOS 24.

Findings

Service separation negatively moderates (weakens) the ability of the service firms to leverage their social benefits, relational trust and affective commitment to increase customer loyalty and to strengthen overall customer relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses retail banking customers in Saudi Arabia to test the impact of service separation in their relationship with the bank; hence, its findings may not be generalizable to other types of services and cultural settings.

Practical implications

Service firms using online and mobile technologies should be aware that trust and commitment remain key to building customer loyalty. Hence, the trade-off between the benefits of these technologies and their negative impact on customer relationship needs to be factored into managerial decision making.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of maintaining face-to-face interactions with service customers to create robust relationships that yield loyalty, despite the growing popularity of online and mobile technologies.
Commentary on “Specialist community teams for adults with learning disabilities: referrals to a countywide service in England”
Authors: Patterson Lawrence
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the paper “Specialist community teams for adults with learning disabilities: referrals to a countywide service in England” by Isabel Clare and colleagues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews some themes presented in this paper relating to the practice and management of community teams for adults with learning disability within the context of recent national service initiatives.

Findings

There is a limited literature on the practice, purpose and service caseload management of community teams. Taken in the context of recent national service initiatives, the paper by Clareet al.illustrates the gaps between the way community teams are currently processing demands and how these services will likely need to behave in future.

Originality/value

There is little recent literature examining the purpose of, and management approaches in, community teams and this addition should stimulate some further consideration of how community teams need to adjust to meet changing demands.
Speech, language and swallowing impairments in functional neurological disorder: a scoping review
Authors: Barnett Caroline , Armes Jean , Smith Christina
Published: December 2018

Background

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is common across healthcare settings. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states that speech and swallowing symptoms can be present in FND. Despite this, there is a dearth of guidelines for speech and language therapists (SLTs) for this client group.

Aims

To address the following question in order to identify gaps for further research: What is known about speech, language and swallowing symptoms in patients with FND?

Methods & Procedures

A scoping review was conducted. Six healthcare databases were searched for relevant literature: CINAHL PLUS, MEDLINE, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Science Citation Index, Scopus, and PsychINFO. The following symptoms were excluded from the review: dysphonia, globus pharyngeus, dysfluency, foreign accent syndrome and oesophageal dysphagia.

Main Contribution

A total of 63 papers were included in the final review; they ranged in date from 1953 to 2018. Case studies were the most frequent research method (n = 23, 37%). ‘Psychogenic’ was the term used most frequently (n = 24, 38%), followed by ‘functional’ (n = 21, 33%). Speech symptoms were reported most frequently (n = 41, 65%), followed by language impairments (n = 35, 56%) and dysphagia (n = 13, 21%). Only 11 publications comment on the involvement of SLTs. Eight papers report direct speech and language therapy input; however, none studied the effectiveness of speech and language therapy.

Conclusions & Implications

Speech, language and swallowing symptoms do occur in patients with FND, yet it is a highly under‐researched area. Further research is required to create a set of positive diagnostic criteria, gather accurate data on numbers of patients with FND and speech, language or swallowing symptoms, and to evaluate the effectiveness of direct speech and language therapy involvement.
Patient attitudes towards analgesia and their openness to non‐pharmacological methods such as acupuncture in the emergency department
Authors: Jan Andrew L , Aldridge Emogene S , Rogers Ian R , Visser Eric J , Bulsara Max K , Hince Dana A
Published: December 2018

Objective

To investigate patient attitudes to analgesia, opioids and non‐pharmacological analgesia, including acupuncture, in the ED.

Methods

ED patients with pain were surveyed regarding: pain scores, satisfaction, addiction concern, non‐pharmacological methods of pain relief and acupuncture. Data were analysed using logistic regression.

Results

Of 196 adult patients, 52.8% were ‘very satisfied’ with analgesia. Most patients (84.7%) would accept non‐pharmacological methods including acupuncture (68.9%) and 78.6% were not concerned about addiction. Satisfaction was associated with male gender, and ‘adequate analgesia’ but not with opioids.

Conclusion

Most patients were generally satisfied with ED analgesia and were open to non‐pharmacologic analgesia including acupuncture.
Seasons of the year affect critical stage and key mortality factors for Neoleucinodes elegantalis in open field tomatoes
Authors: da Silva Ézio M. , da Silva Ricardo S. , da Silva Laércio J. , da Costa Gontijo Pablo , da Silva Galdino Tarcísio V. , Picanço Marcelo C. , Bacci Leandro
Published: December 2018

Neoleucinodes elegantalis is a serious pest for tomato producers that generates significant economic losses. Its occurrence depends on biotic factors involved in natural control. The influence of seasonal climate on N. elegantalis population density, taking into account mortality factors, has not been studied. The ecological life table is considered a comprehensive and reliable method to determine agroecosystem factors involved in insect pest population dynamics. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify the critical stages and key mortality factors for N. elegantalis during spring, summer, autumn and winter in open field tomato cultivation. The most important key mortality factor in the spring was the bird, Zonotrichia sp. In the summer, Trichogramma pretiosum and Solenopsis sp. had the most impact on mortality. During autumn, T. pretiosum and Zonotrichia sp. were deemed most important. During winter, the most important mortality factors were physiological disturbances, T. pretiosum, and predation by arthropods, including Solenopsis sp. The results of the study suggest that key mortality factors based on these findings may be useful during the decision‐making processes.
Polysubstance addiction vulnerability in mental illness: Concurrent alcohol and nicotine self‐administration in the neurodevelopmental hippocampal lesion rat model of schizophrenia
Authors: Sentir Alena M. , Bell Richard L. , Engleman Eric A. , Chambers R. Andrew
Published: December 2018

Multiple addictions frequently occur in patients with mental illness. However, basic research on the brain‐based linkages between these comorbidities is extremely limited. Toward characterizing the first animal modeling of polysubstance use and addiction vulnerability in schizophrenia, adolescent rats with neonatal ventral hippocampal lesions (NVHLs) and controls had 19 weekdays of 1 hour/day free access to alcohol/sucrose solutions (fading from 10% sucrose to 10% alcohol/2% sucrose on day 10) during postnatal days (PD 35‐60). Starting in adulthood (PD 63), rats acquired lever pressing for concurrent oral alcohol (10% with 2% sucrose) and iv nicotine (0.015 mg/kg/injection) across 15 sessions. Subsequently, 10 operant extinction sessions and 3 reinstatement sessions examined drug seeking upon withholding of nicotine, then both nicotine and alcohol, then reintroduction. Adolescent alcohol consumption did not differ between NVHLs and controls. However, in adulthood, NVHLs showed increased lever pressing at alcohol and nicotine levers that progressed more strongly at the nicotine lever, even as most pressing by both groups was at the alcohol lever. In extinction, both groups showed expected declines in effort as drugs were withheld, but NVHLs persisted with greater pressing at both alcohol and nicotine levers. In reinstatement, alcohol reaccess increased pressing, with NVHLs showing greater nicotine lever activity overall. Developmental temporal‐limbic abnormalities that produce mental illness can thus generate adult polydrug addiction vulnerability as a mechanism independent from putative cross‐sensitization effects between addictive drugs. Further preclinical modeling of third‐order (and higher) addiction‐mental illness comorbidities may advance our understanding and treatment of these complex, yet common brain illnesses.
Subthalamic nucleus mediates the modulation on cocaine self‐administration induced by ultrasonic vocalization playback in rats
Authors: Montanari Christian , Giorla Elodie , Pelloux Yann , Baunez Christelle
Published: December 2018

Drug intake is known to be under the influence of social context. We have recently shown that presence of a peer influences drug intake in both rats and humans. Whether or not social acoustic communications between the peers play a role during cocaine or sucrose self‐administration (SA) was investigated here using playback of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) at 50 and 22 kHz, conveying, respectively, positive and negative internal affective states in adult rats. To assess the neurobiological substrate of a potential USV influence on drug and food intake, we tested the effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) lesions, given its role in emotional and motivational processes. In sham‐control rats, playback of USV associated with positive affective states induced long‐term decreased cocaine consumption, while USV associated with negative affective states induced short‐term increase. Interestingly, no effect of USV playback was observed on sucrose intake, whatever the frequency. STN lesions abolished the influence of USV on cocaine intake, highlighting the influence of STN in emotional processes induced by USV emitted by a peer. These results show how acoustic social communication is important to regulate drug intake in rats and how STN modulation could interfere with addiction processes.
Relative contribution of rainfall and coconut hybrids to the abundance and composition of the Auchenorrhyncha community as potential vectors of phytoplasmas in the state of Sergipe, Brazil
Authors: da Silva Flaviana G. , dos Passos Eliana M. , Diniz Leandro E. C. , Fernandes Marcelo F. , Bartlett Charles R. , Dollet Michel , Teodoro Adenir V.
Published: December 2018

The quarantine disease Lethal Yellowing (LY) is currently the main threat to coconut cultivation in Brazil. LY is caused by phytoplasmas and is transmitted by Haplaxius crudus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae), although other planthoppers/leafhoppers could be involved.

We assessed the Auchenorrhyncha community composition on various coconut hybrids, including association with parental and nonparental dwarf coconut accessions.

The Auchenorrhyncha were trapped in 2016 between the dry and rainy seasons (March and April), in the rainy season (July and August) and in the dry season (November and December).

Oecleus sergipensis (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) accounted for 73% of the individuals, with a predominance at the dry‐to‐rainy season transition. Curtara samera (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was the best‐represented species on the hybrids Brazilian Green Dwarf × Brazilian Tall – Praia do Forte, Brazilian Green Dwarf × Vanuatuan Tall and Malayan Yellow Dwarf × West African Tall. Oecleus sergipensis was the best‐represented species on the hybrids Malayan Red Dwarf × Tagnanan Tall, Malayan Red Dwarf × Vanuatuan Tall and Malayan Yellow Dwarf × Brazilian Tall – Praia do Forte.

Individuals of a species of Cenchreini and Omolicna nigripennis (Hemiptera: Derbidae) increase in the rainy season; Balclutha sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Cedusa sp. (Hemiptera: Derbidae) are prevalent in the transition period between the dry and rainy seasons. Knowledge about potential Auchenorrhyncha phytoplasma vectors on coconut hybrids could contribute to the development of strategies for use in breeding programmes for coconut LY prevention.
Reflectance confocal microscopy margin mapping and monitoring of an amelanotic melanoma in situ of the ear
Authors: Robinson Mitchell , Curchin Claudia , McMeniman Erin
Published: December 2018

In situ amelanotic melanoma represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Poor demarcation of these lesions often results in repeated therapeutic intervention until appropriate clearance has been achieved. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive bedside imaging modality which allows real‐time visualisation, to a near‐histological level, of the epidermis and reticular dermis. We present a case of an amelanotic melanoma in situ in which reflectance confocal microscopy margin mapping allowed for demarcation of the melanocytic proliferation and targeted therapeutic intervention with topical imiquimod. Reflectance confocal microscopy was further utilised for noninvasive assessment of therapeutic response.
The Unsociability of Commercial Seafaring: Language Practice and Ideology in Maritime Technocracy
Authors: Das Sonia Neela
Published: December 2018

This article explores the language practices and language ideologies of maritime technocracy and inquires into the imagined and real gaps involved in sustaining channels of sociable talk aboard cargo ships. Lacking knowledge of the routines, practices, and beliefs impacting seafarers’ productivity, shipping industry leaders turn to Christian ministries to identify infrastructural or logistical gaps in the operation of communications media networks and deficiencies in the language policies and interactional practices that animate them. These converging profit‐driven and ethical projects collectively support a technocratic language ideology. It locates risks to the supply chain in presumptions of miscommunications caused by the lack of English‐language use and unsociability caused by the lack of convivial talk among seafarers for channeling information about these risks. Actualized by strategies that affirm the value of face‐to‐face talk and online chatting rather than solitary reading, maritime technocracy standardizes the logistical coordination of media infrastructures and labor and language policies. This article draws on ethnographic research aboard cargo ships and at Christian centers to elucidate the logic of maritime technocracies in Newark and Montreal, two seaports with different governance structures highlighting the internal differences of a shipping industry facing crises due to automation, outsourcing, and neoliberal reform. [commercial seafaring, shipping industry, sociability, maritime technology, language ideology]