bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MutPrior:An Ensemble Method for Ranking Genes in Cancer
Authors: Patil Shailesh , Dey Sreya , Singh Randeep
Published: June 2016

Root cause analysis of cancer as well of design of personalized treatment depends on the ability to prioritize mutated genes in cancer. In this paper, we propose a novel approach 'MutPrior' to prioritize genes in a given caner. We hypothesize that a gene is important for cancer if it has high functional impact mutations, is strategically important for network stability and has high relevance to the disease. This approach integrates functional impact scores, centrality in gene-gene interaction network and disease relevance scores to prioritize the mutated genes. MutPrior outputs a prioritization of genes which is more actionable than any current approaches. In the process, we do away with the arbitrary cutoffs as well as confusion caused by notions of driver-passenger.
Exposing the Diversity of Multiple Infection Patterns
Authors: Sofonea Mircea T. , Alizon Samuel , Michalakis Yannis
Published: June 2016

Natural populations often have to cope with genetically distinct parasites that can coexist, or not, within the same hosts. Theoretical models addressing the evolution of virulence have considered two within host infection outcomes, namely superinfection and coinfection. The field somehow became limited by this dichotomy that does not correspond to an empirical reality, as other infection patterns, namely sets of within-host infection outcomes, are possible. We indeed formally prove there are 114 different infection patterns for the sole recoverable chronic infections caused by horizontally-transmitted microparasites. We afterwards highlight eight infection patterns using an explicit modelling of within-host dynamics that captures a large range of ecological interactions, five of which have been neglected so far. To clarify the terminology related to multiple infections, we introduce terms describing these new relevant patterns and illustrate them with existing biological systems. This characterisation of infection patterns opens new perspectives for understanding the epidemiology and the evolution of parasites.
Regulation of global transcription inE. coliby Rsd and 6S RNA
Authors: Lal Avantika , Krishna Sandeep , Sai Narain Seshasayee Aswin
Published: June 2016

InEscherichia coli, the sigma factor σ70directs RNA polymerase to transcribe growth-related genes, while σ38directs transcription of stress response genes during stationary phase. Two molecules hypothesized to regulate RNA polymerase are the protein Rsd, which binds to σ70, and the non-coding 6S RNA which binds to the RNA polymerase- σ70holoenzyme. Despite multiple studies, the functions of Rsd and 6S RNA remain controversial. Here we use RNA-Seq in five phases of growth to elucidate their function on a genome-wide scale. We show for the first time that Rsd and 6S RNA facilitate σ38activity throughout bacterial growth, while 6S RNA also regulates widely different genes depending upon growth phase. We discover novel interactions between 6S RNA and Rsd and show widespread expression changes in a strain lacking both regulators. Finally, we present a mathematical model of transcription which highlights the crosstalk between Rsd and 6S RNA as a crucial factor in controlling sigma factor competition and global gene expression.
Sgs1's roles in DNA end resection, HJ dissolution, and crossover suppression require a two-step SUMO regulation dependent on Smc5/6
Authors: Bermúdez-López Marcelino , Villoria María Teresa , Esteras Miguel , Jarmuz Adam , Torres-Rosell Jordi , Clemente-Blanco Andres , Aragon Luis
Published: June 2016

The RecQ helicase Sgs1 plays critical roles during DNA repair by homologous recombination, from end resection to Holliday junction (HJ) dissolution. Sgs1 has both pro- and anti-recombinogenic roles, and therefore its activity must be tightly regulated. However, the controls involved in recruitment and activation of Sgs1 at damaged sites are unknown. Here we show a two-step role for Smc5/6 in recruiting and activating Sgs1 through SUMOylation. First, auto-SUMOylation of Smc5/6 subunits leads to recruitment of Sgs1 as part of the STR (Sgs1–Top3–Rmi1) complex, mediated by two SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs) on Sgs1 that specifically recognize SUMOylated Smc5/6. Second, Smc5/6-dependent SUMOylation of Sgs1 and Top3 is required for the efficient function of STR. Sgs1 mutants impaired in recognition of SUMOylated Smc5/6 (sgs1-SIMΔ) or SUMO-dead alleles (sgs1-KR) exhibit unprocessed HJs at damaged replication forks, increased crossover frequencies during double-strand break repair, and severe impairment in DNA end resection. Smc5/6 is a key regulator of Sgs1's recombination functions.
Market orientation, learning orientation and business performance
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud Abdulai , Blankson Charles , Owusu-Frimpong Nana , Nwankwo Sonny , Trang Tran P.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between market orientation, learning orientation and innovation; and second, assesses the role of innovation, market orientation and learning orientation on firms’ business performance using a developing country (i.e. the Ghanaian banking domain) as a study context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following a nation-wide survey among senior managers of 28 banks in Ghana, five research propositions were tested using multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

– Results demonstrate that market orientation has significant association with innovation while learning orientation has significant impact on innovation. Moreover, innovation mediates the relationship between market orientation and business performance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study adopt the cross-sectional research design and as such acknowledge the same limitations as other cross-sectional studies.

Practical implications

– The research will help bank executives especially in Ghana and other developing countries to appreciate these marketing variables.

Social implications

– Banks innovation efforts, concurrently with the development of market orientation culture and improvement in organizational learning processes must benefit bank customers and stakeholders as a whole.

Originality/value

– The research will help banks in Ghana and other developing countries to appreciate that their innovation efforts should concurrently be in sync with the development of market orientation culture and improvement in organizational learning processes.
Financial attitude based segmentation of women in India: an exploratory study
Authors: Paluri Ratna Achuta , Mehra Saloni
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify factors influencing the financial attitudes of Indian women and then classifying Indian women based on these attitudes. These clusters are then studied for their characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature reviewed led to the identification of variables influencing financial attitude of women. Nine of these variables (anxiety, interest in financial issues, intuitive decisions, precautionary saving, free spending, materialistic and fatalistic attitude, propensity to plan for long and short-term financial goals) were put through confirmatory factor analysis. These factors were then used as a basis for cluster analysis. The study was conducted in the city of Nashik, India, in 2014-2015, using convenience sampling. A self-reported questionnaire was used for the survey.

Findings

– Results of the study showed that only a third of the respondents did not buy any financial products. The most preferred financial products of Indian women were fixed deposits and insurance policies. Four clusters of women were identified, based on their financial attitudes – judicious consumers, conservative consumers, acquisitive consumers, unsure consumers. An analysis of the dispersion of the clusters shows that interest in financial issues has the greatest influence in the formation of clusters followed by the propensity to plan and materialistic attitude. Fatalistic attitude had the least influence in the formation of clusters.

Research limitations/implications

– The current study uses convenience sampling which is non-probability-based sampling and hence, lack generalizability of results. The sample for the current study is small, given the resource availability of the researcher and the unwillingness of women to participate in the survey.

Practical implications

– The paper provides important insights for the marketers of financial services, in understanding the women consumers in the expanding Indian market.

Social implications

– An understanding of the women consumers would help marketers develop products and financial literacy programs that suit the requirements of each specific group. By doing so the programs and communcation would be more effective.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses the financial attitudes and behavior of Indian women and further clusters these women based on their financial attitudes.
Jordanian consumers’ adoption of telebanking
Authors: Alalwan Ali A , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Rana Nripendra P. , Simintiras Antonis C
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the main factors predicting the Jordanian customers’ intention and adoption of telebanking.

Design/methodology/approach

– Perceived usefulness, trust, and self-efficacy are all formulated over the proposed conceptual model as key factors determining behavioural intention while the adoption of telebanking is supposed to be predicted by both behavioural intention and perceived usefulness. A self-administered questionnaire was allocated to gather the empirical data from a convenience sample of Jordanian banking customers. Structural equation modelling was applied to validate the conceptual model and verify the research hypotheses.

Findings

– Statistical results largely support the predictive validity of the conceptual model which is able to account for 68 per cent of variance in behavioural intention. Additionally, perceived usefulness, trust, and self-efficacy (listed in order of their influence) are all found to be significant factors predicting behavioural intention. Behavioural intention and perceived usefulness were also confirmed to have significant influence on the adoption behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– The data for the current study were obtained by using a convenience sample of Jordanian banking customers; this could negatively reflect on the result generalisability. In addition, this study fully focused on the customers’ perspective; yet, it has not looked at this problem from the service providers’ perspective. Therefore, future studies should look at this challenge from the service providers’ perspective.

Originality/value

– This study was able to comprise a fundamental contribution by examining the telebanking as a more novel technology in Jordan, which has not been examined yet. Accordingly, the current study has successfully formulated a deep view regarding the most important aspects predicting the Jordanian customers’ intentions towards such an emerging system. This also helps to provide practical guidelines for banks to choose a suitable marketing strategy that could enhance the customers’ adoption of telebanking.
Social entrepreneurship in tourism: applying sustainable livelihoods approaches
Authors: Laeis Gabriel C.M. , Lemke Stefanie
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) enables an analysis of the complex interrelations and interdependencies between social entrepreneurs (SEs), destination communities’ livelihood assets and related transforming structures and processes. SEs in tourism are regarded as drivers for linking destination communities with enterprises, aiming to create economic benefits and livelihoods.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through participatory action research at a tourism lodge and its foundation, which facilitated agricultural training, and by conducting in-depth interviews with ten key stakeholders. The sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) served as the theoretical framework.

Findings

The SLA enables an analysis of interrelations and interdependencies between various stakeholders and to visualise the way SEs forge the impacts tourism has on livelihoods. The agricultural project did not reach its full potential because of, amongst other factors, competing aims between the profit and non-profit business, resulting in the lack of a clear vision and strategy. Additional challenges were dependency on external funding and a lack of reciprocal communication between the stakeholders involved.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on one case study, and findings cannot be generalised. Future studies should develop the SLF further, possibly through adaptation and integration of other tools.

Practical implications

The SLF enables researchers to integrate local knowledge and participatory research methods, thus facilitating engagement and learning between different stakeholders.

Originality/value

Through empirical research, this paper adds valuable insights into the applicability of the SLF in the context of social entrepreneurship in tourism.
Social entrepreneurs: innovating rural tourism through the activism of service science
Authors: Peng Kang-Lin , Lin Pearl M.C.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to construct an integrated social entrepreneur system in the rural area of Hengshan, Taiwan, that could benefit four stakeholders, namely, tourists, business, community and government. Two social entrepreneur cases demonstrate a mutually beneficial situation of lowering the structural unemployment rate, returning young human capital to villages and innovating rural tourism through the activism of service science.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative approach was applied to data obtained from 12 research projects spanning three years. Service experience engineering (SEE) methods were used to conduct a service design for social entrepreneurs in an integrated service system. The service system aimed to innovate rural tourism through the activism of service science.

Findings

SEE methods explain a series of service design processes that helped our research team start up two social entrepreneur projects as service prototypes to offer service innovation based on cultural creativity to innovate rural tourism. These two social entrepreneurs in rural tourism offer job opportunities to young people and senior citizens alike. In addition, an integrated service system of interdisciplinary knowledge, multi-stakeholders and local resources fulfills various requirements of stakeholders to promote sustainable rural tourism.

Research limitations/implications

Real action studies are limited in the research on social entrepreneurs. This case study provides research insights into service science and calls for action in practice to change the future of a local village. The results provide the philosophy and knowledge of service science that social entrepreneurs of rural tourism can use in the village. Designing service innovation for rural tourism has shaped its vision toward a sustainable tourism system.

Originality/value

Few studies have shown that social entrepreneurs could innovate rural tourism. The present study presents an action case through the activism of service science.
The Winterbourne View Hospital scandal “vanishing pact”
Authors: McKitterick Bill
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the discourse of the leadership of professional and public policy responses to the scandals of the care and treatment at the private Winterbourne View and NHS Calderstones Hospitals which demonstrates the lost learning from earlier attempts to provide humane care for the enduring numbers of people contained in similar settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– An analysis of the use of general management and managerialism through commissioning, rather than a focus on pro-active self-leadership within professional practice or through collaborative, collegiate or distributed leadership has arguably been responsible for the lack of progress.

Findings

– The emphasis on direction and action by government ministers, quangos, and managers across the NHS and local government has ignored and stifled the potential for initiative and self-leadership by professionals. This is notable for social work, aggravated by the absence of an engaged professional body for social workers.

Originality/value

– This case study addresses the limitations of leadership approaches which focus on policy direction, general management, managerialist and commissioning approaches to the reform and delivery, contrasted with the potential of professionals self-leadership by practitioners.
How communicative leadership influences co-workers’ health – a quality management perspective
Authors: Bäckström Ingela , Ingelsson Pernilla , Johansson Catrin
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe leaders’ views on how Communicative Leadership influences co-worker health by comparing their opinions with the health-related values within Quality Management.

Design/methodology/approach

A multinational manufacturing organization that has been working with Communicative Leadership for several years was investigated. Twenty-one managers trained in Communicative Leadership were interviewed and asked about their views on how their communication influences both the well-being of their co-workers and the working environment. Various communication behaviors and communication methodologies emerged from the interviews and were then analyzed versus the health-related Quality Management dimensions.

Findings

The result shows concrete communication behavior and methodologies that influence co-worker well-being and the working environment positively and negatively. Another result is a description of the prerequisites for managers to be able to communicate in a way that influences co-worker well-being and the working environment. The analysis of the communication behaviors and communication methodologies versus the health-related Quality Management values shows that several of the health-related Quality Management dimensions were present.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this research is that it is just managers’ view that has been investigated and analyzed.

Practical implications

Managers acting and behaving in accordance with the communicative behaviors and methodologies described in the results can influence co-worker health and the working environment in a positive way. The level of awareness of the prerequisites could help managers to influence co-worker well-being and create a good working environment.

Originality/value

The connection between Communicative Leadership and health-related Quality Management values is rarely made. This research can contribute to greater understanding in both areas.
Public trust in the aftermath of natural and na-technological disasters
Authors: Miller DeMond Shondell
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze public trust during the aftermath of technological and hybrid natural-technological/natech disasters – Hurricane Katrina (2005) and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown in Japan (2011). The work identifies common themes, actions and inactivity that can lead to citizens distrusting the government after disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

– News reports from the two areas leading newspapers formed the body of the Hurricane Katrina and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown case studies. Of key interest were emerging themes of trust and/or distrust during the immediate impact phase of the disaster in addition to government failures and social breakdowns resulting in a loss of trust in government institutions and individual leaders.

Findings

– The series of examples illustrate how specific action or in-action by local and federal governments served as a catalyst for a loss of trust in government institutions and individual leaders in government while proposing potential strategies to help public leaders reduce distrust during times of crisis.

Research limitations/implications

– The two limitations were the use of only newspapers and the passage of a new law in 2013, the “Specially Designated Secrets Protection Law,” designed to limit news reporting of the press in Japan on the issue of nuclear radiation exposure of the general public in Japan, some of the new data are not available.

Practical implications

– The research concludes by offering specific ways to regain trust after a perception of failure during pre- and post-disaster management in the age of mega disasters. The paper lists several recommendations that can be practically implemented to develop a culture of transparent communication, civic engagement in planning processes and inspire trust among stakeholders.

Originality/value

– While the paper identifies barriers to establishing trust among government agencies, the citizenry and private industry, it seeks to help inform policy frameworks regarding the importance of the government’s ability to sustain a strong sense of trust that engenders civic participation in preserving or regaining trust in the aftermath of disasters.
A comparison of parent reported outcome with experience of services
Authors: Norman Shelley Marie , Ford Tamsin , Henley William , Goodman Robert
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is currently seen as a key driver for service improvement at individual, team and service level. The purpose this paper is to explore the relationships between a patient (parent) reported outcome measure (PROM), a practitioner reported outcome measure, and a patient (parent) reported experience measure (PREM).

Design/methodology/approach

– A cohort of 302 primary school-age children was recruited and followed for one year from consecutively accepted referrals to three teams within two English Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (a PROM) and practitioners completed the Clinician Global Assessment Scale at baseline, six and 12 months; parents completed the Experience of Services Questionnaire (a PREM) at six and 12 months.

Findings

– PROM and practitioner reported outcome measure data suggested poor clinical outcome in terms of symptoms, impact and levels of functioning but were accompanied by PREM evidence of high levels of satisfaction. There was an unexpectedly low correlation (
<
0.2) between both measures of outcome and satisfaction.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils a need to explore the relationships between different outcome measures to contribute to the understanding of ROM its validity.
Unnecessary and disproportionate: the outcomes of remand for indigenous young people according to service providers
Authors: Mathieson Brenna , Dwyer Angela
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– While research often elaborates on outcomes of youth remand more broadly, the specific impact that remand has on indigenous young people can be overlooked, particularly in Australia. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper analyses interview data gathered from eight individual service providers from six community youth organisations in a city in Queensland, Australia.

Findings

– Participants reported the specific effects of remand for indigenous young people and their families, noting especially the negative impact on the young people’s emotional, social and psychological development.

Originality/value

– Results strongly suggest there is a blurring of the welfare and justice systems inherent within remand processes with indigenous young people, with remand employed so frequently that it has itself become a form of social support.
Newcomers’ learning and co-worker undermining: moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Topa Gabriela , Perez-Larrazabal Jose
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– In the last decade, researchers have suggested relationships between negative mentoring (NM) and undesirable work interactions, termed co-worker undermining. Existing evidence has shown that both NM and group identity positively influence this set of negative co-worker behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to expand the domain by including two additional influences, such as newcomer’s learning (T1) as a mediator between NM (T1) and co-worker undermining (T2), and (low and high) group identity moderation (T1).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors collected time-separated data, with a final sample of 303 employees of various Spanish organizations.

Findings

– As hypothesized, the results indicate that newcomer’s learning mediates the relationships between NM and co-worker undermining. The conditional effect of newcomer’s learning was strong and significant at lower levels of group identity, and it was weaker and non-significant when group identity was higher. Thus, the mediated moderation analyses performed support the study’s main hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the self-reported approach, the results can be affected by common method variance. But the design with time-separated data enables stronger confidence in the inferences drawn from the study than permitted by a cross-sectional study design.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implications for employee’s careers and for counseling practitioners.

Social implications

– This paper is relevant because it shows that group identification can protect newcomers from the consequences of negative events during the organizational entry phase. Additionally, practitioners could design more efficient intervention programs by taking novice employees’ affective experiences into account. Organizational and societal leaders may be well-served by knowledge about preventing both NM and co-worker undermining in order to protect newcomers from the destructive consequences linked to such relationships.

Originality/value

– This paper focusses on a dysfunctional personnel situation, as co-worker undermining, in order to clarify their links with organizational and group processes. The existing research has tended to address NM, organizational socialization, co-worker undermining and group identification as separate phenomena. In contrast, this study is intended as a first step toward integrating the results of these processes, which interact in a series of complex relations.
Two facets of pride and helping
Authors: Brosi Prisca , Spörrle Matthias , Welpe Isabell M. , Shaw Jason D.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the influence of two different facets of pride – authentic and hubristic – on helping.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypotheses were tested combining an experimental vignette study (n=75) with correlational field research (n=184).

Findings

– Results reveal that hubristic pride is associated with lower levels of intended helping compared with authentic pride when experimentally induced; further, trait hubristic pride is negatively related with helping, whereas trait authentic pride is positively related to helping, while controlling for alternative affective and cognitive explanations.

Research limitations/implications

– The use of vignettes and self-reports limits the ecological validity of the results. But when considered in combination, results provide important indications on how helping can be fostered in organizations: by emphasizing successes and the efforts that were necessary to achieve them.

Originality/value

– The results highlight the differential effects of discrete emotions in organizations.
An identification perspective of servant leadership’s effects
Authors: Zhao Chen , Liu Yonghong , Gao Zhonghua
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reveal the identification-based mechanisms through which servant leadership affects desired outcomes (organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) toward coworkers and turnover intention) in the service industry in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data of 293 pairs of valid subordinate-supervisor dyads were collected from the hospitality industry in China with a time lag of 30 days to reduce common method bias. Hypotheses were tested by a bootstrapping method and rival model comparisons.

Findings

– The authors demonstrate that both the subordinate’s identification with the supervisor and identification with the organization play crucial roles in translating servant leadership’s effects to subordinate’s coworker-oriented OCBs and turnover intention. However, the occurrence of the two identifications seems to be not parallel but in sequence (i.e. pointing from identification with the supervisor to identification with the organization). In addition, results show that servant leadership’s ability to reduce subordinate’s fear of being close to the immediate supervisor is an equally significant route through which subordinate’s identification with the organization can be established.

Originality/value

– The research has extended the literature and provided a nuanced explanation of the identification processes underlying servant leadership. The differentiation between relational identification with supervisor and collective identification with organization has shed light on a socialization mechanism through which subordinates come to demonstrate other-oriented service behavior and choose not to leave the organization. Additionally, the way that servant leadership helps eliminate subordinate’s fear in a supervisory relationship has proved to be in-negligible in enhancing organizational identification.
Exploring the Relationship between Hazard Adjustments and Risk Managers in Organizations
Authors: Sadiq Abdul‐Akeem , Graham John D.
Published: June 2016

There is little empirical evidence on the relationship between organizational risk managers and the adoption of hazard adjustments (measures taken to reduce risks from extreme events). Similarly, the risk perception literature is mixed on the relationship between risk perception and the adoption of hazard adjustments in organizations. This study empirically addresses these two gaps using data collected from 227 public, private and non‐profit organizations in the Memphis/Shelby County area, Tennessee, in 2006. This study finds a significant positive relationship between risk managers and the adoption of hazard adjustments. The results also indicate that organizational risk perception has a small positive influence on the adoption of hazard adjustments.
How Critical Infrastructure Orients International Relief in Cascading Disasters
Authors: Pescaroli Gianluca , Kelman Ilan
Published: June 2016

Critical infrastructure and facilities are central assets in modern societies, but their impact on international disaster relief remains mostly associated with logistics challenges. The emerging literature on cascading disasters suggests the need to integrate the nonlinearity of events in the analyses. This article investigates three case studies: the 2002 floods in the Czech Republic, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima meltdown in Japan. We explore how the failure of critical infrastructure can orient international disaster relief by shifting its priorities during the response. We argue that critical infrastructure can influence aid request and delivery, changing needs to address the cascades, and contain cascading technology‐based events. The conclusions propose remaining challenges with applying our findings.
Superior hypogastric plexus block as a new method of pain relief after abdominal hysterectomy: double‐blind, randomised clinical trial of efficacy
Authors: Rapp H , Ledin Eriksson S , Smith P
Published: June 2016

Objective

To determine whether superior hypogastric plexus block performed during abdominal hysterectomy decreases postoperative opioid consumption and pain.

Design

A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial.

Setting

A county hospital in Sweden.

Population

Sixty‐eight women scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy for a benign indication.

Methods

Twenty ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml or saline was injected retroperitoneally in the area of the superior hypogastric plexus during the hysterectomy. The participants were individually randomised to either intervention. The participants, caregivers, and those assessing the outcomes were blinded to group assignment.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcomes were postoperative opiate consumption and patients’ self‐assessment of pain (VAS scores). Secondary outcomes were mobilisation and side effects related to opiate consumption.

Results

The trial was completed with 38 women randomised to ropivacaine and 37 women randomised to saline. Analysis was performed on 35 women in the ropivaciane group and 33 women in the saline group. The postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group than in the placebo group (median 55.8 and 72.4 mg, respectively, P = 0.032). The proportion of women scoring VAS <4 at 2 hours after block was significantly higher in the ropivacaine group (63%) than in the placebo group (25%) (P = 0.015). No side effects or important adverse events occurred during the trial.

Conclusions

The superior hypogastric plexus block is a new method in this context and a promising contribution to postoperative pain treatment after abdominal hysterectomy.

Tweetable abstract

Superior hypogastric plexus block during abdominal hysterectomy lowers opioid consumption.
De novo assembly of a tadpole shrimp (Triops newberryi) transcriptome and preliminary differential gene expression analysis
Authors: Horn Rebekah L. , Ramaraj Thiruvarangan , Devitt Nicholas P. , Schilkey Faye D. , Cowley David E.
Published: June 2016

Next‐generation sequencing techniques, such as RNA sequencing, have provided a wealth of genomic information for nonmodel species. Transcriptomic information can be used to quantify the patterns of gene expression, which can identify how environmental differences invoke organismal stress responses and provide a gauge in predicting species adaptability. In our study, we used RNA sequencing to characterize the first transcriptome from a naupliar tadpole shrimp (Triops newberryi) to identify the genes expressed during the early life history stages and which could be important for future genomic studies. RNA was extracted from naupliar T. newberryi that were reared in a laboratory‐controlled setting and in two different water types, a native and a non‐native condition. A total of six replicates, three per condition, were sequenced with the Illumina Hi‐Seq 2000 achieving 365 M 50‐nt reads. High‐quality reads were produced and de novo assembly was used to construct a T. newberryi transcriptome that was approximately 24.8 M base pairs. More than 10 000 peptides were predicted from the assembly, and genes were sorted into gene ontology categories. The use of different water conditions allowed for a preliminary differential gene expression analysis in order to compare the changes in gene expression between conditions. There were 299 differentially expressed genes between water conditions that might serve as a focal point for future genomic studies of Triops acclimation to different environments. The Triops transcriptome could serve as vital genomic information for additional studies on Branchiopod crustaceans.
Retrospective study of adjuvant icotinib in postoperative lung cancer patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor mutations
Authors: Yao Shuyang , Zhi Xiuyi , Wang Ruotian , Qian Kun , Hu Mu , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2016

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations occur in about 50% of Asian patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations derive clinical benefit from treatment with EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of adjuvant icotinib without chemotherapy in EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients undergoing resection of stage IB–IIIA.

Methods

Our retrospective study enrolled 20 patients treated with icotinib as adjuvant therapy. Survival factors were evaluated by univariate and Cox regression analysis.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 30 months (range 24–41). At the data cut‐off, five patients (25%) had recurrence or metastasis and one patient had died of the disease. The two‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) rate was 85%. No recurrence occurred in the high‐risk stage IB subgroup during the follow‐up period. In univariate analysis, the micropapillary pattern had a statistically significant effect on DFS (
P
= 0.040). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was no independent predictor. Drug related adverse events (AEs) occurred in nine patients (45.0%). The most common AEs were skin‐related events and diarrhea, but were relatively mild. No grade 3 AEs or occurrences of intolerable toxicity were observed.

Conclusions

Icotinib as adjuvant therapy is effective in patients harboring EGFR mutations after complete resection, with an acceptable AE profile. Further trials with larger sample sizes might confirm the efficiency of adjuvant TKI in selected patients.
Environmental‐mechanistic modelling of the impact of global change on human zoonotic disease emergence: a case study of Lassa fever
Authors: Redding David W. , Moses Lina M. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Wood James , Jones Kate E.
Published: June 2016

Human infectious diseases are a significant threat to global human health and economies (e.g. Ebola, SARs), with the majority of infectious diseases having an animal source (zoonotic). Despite their importance, the lack of a quantitative predictive framework hampers our understanding of how spillovers of zoonotic infectious diseases into the human population will be impacted by global environmental stressors.

Here, we create an environmental‐mechanistic model for understanding the impact of global change on the probability of zoonotic disease reservoir host–human spillover events. As a case study, we focus on Lassa fever virus (LAS). We first quantify the spatial determinants of LAS outbreaks, including the phylogeographic distribution of its reservoir host Natal multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) (LAS host). Secondly, we use these determinants to inform our environmental‐mechanistic model to estimate present‐day LAS spillover events and the predicted impact of climate change, human population growth and land use by 2070.

We find phylogeographic evidence to suggest that LAS is confined to only one clade of LAS host (Western clade Mastomys natalensis) and that the probability of its occurrence was a major determinant of the spatial variation in LAS historical outbreaks (69·8%), along with human population density (20·4%). Our estimates for present‐day LAS spillover events from our environmental‐mechanistic model were consistent with observed patterns, and we predict an increase in events per year by 2070 from 195 125 to 406 725 within the LAS endemic western African region. Of the component drivers, climate change and human population growth are predicted to have the largest effects by increasing landscape suitability for the host and human–host contact rates, while land‐use change has only a weak impact on the number of future events.

LAS spillover events did not respond uniformly to global environmental stressors, and we suggest that understanding the impact of global change on zoonotic infectious disease emergence requires an understanding of how reservoir host species respond to environmental change. Our environmental‐mechanistic modelling methodology provides a novel generalizable framework to understand the impact of global change on the spillover of zoonotic diseases.
A protocol for conducting and presenting results of regression‐type analyses
Authors: Zuur Alain F. , Ieno Elena N.
Published: June 2016

Scientific investigation is of value only insofar as relevant results are obtained and communicated, a task that requires organizing, evaluating, analysing and unambiguously communicating the significance of data. In this context, working with ecological data, reflecting the complexities and interactions of the natural world, can be a challenge. Recent innovations for statistical analysis of multifaceted interrelated data make obtaining more accurate and meaningful results possible, but key decisions of the analyses to use, and which components to present in a scientific paper or report, may be overwhelming.

We offer a 10‐step protocol to streamline analysis of data that will enhance understanding of the data, the statistical models and the results, and optimize communication with the reader with respect to both the procedure and the outcomes. The protocol takes the investigator from study design and organization of data (formulating relevant questions, visualizing data collection, data exploration, identifying dependency), through conducting analysis (presenting, fitting and validating the model) and presenting output (numerically and visually), to extending the model via simulation. Each step includes procedures to clarify aspects of the data that affect statistical analysis, as well as guidelines for written presentation. Steps are illustrated with examples using data from the literature.

Following this protocol will reduce the organization, analysis and presentation of what may be an overwhelming information avalanche into sequential and, more to the point, manageable, steps. It provides guidelines for selecting optimal statistical tools to assess data relevance and significance, for choosing aspects of the analysis to include in a published report and for clearly communicating information.
Shock treatment in a cohort of Scandinavian intensive care units in 2014
Authors: Kollind M. , Wickbom F. , Wilkman E. , Snäckestrand M. S. C. , Holmén A. , Oldner A. , Perner A. , Åneman A. , Chew M. S. ,   for the Scandinavian Critical Care Trials Group
Published: June 2016

Background

Shock is common in intensive care units, and treatment includes fluids, vasopressor and/or inotropic drugs, guided by hemodynamic monitoring. The aim of this study was to identify current practice for treatment of shock in Scandinavian intensive care units.

Methods

Seven‐day inception cohort study in 43 intensive care units in Scandinavia. Patients ≥ 15 years old receiving more than 4 h of cardiovascular acting drug infusion were included. The use of fluids, vasopressor and inotropic drugs, type of monitoring, and target values were recorded.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐one patients were included. At inclusion, 136/168 (81%) had received vasopressor and/or inotropic drug therapy for less than 24 h, and 143/171 (84%) had received volume loading before the onset of vasoactive drug treatment. Ringer's solution was given to 129/143 (90%) of patients and starches in 3/143 (2%) patients. Noradrenaline was the most commonly used cardiovascular acting drug, given in 168/171 (98%) of cases while dopamine was rarely used. Mean arterial pressure was considered the most important variable for hemodynamic monitoring. Invasive arterial blood pressure was monitored in 166/171 (97%) of patients, arterial pulse wave analysis in 11/171 (7%), and echocardiography in 50/171 (29%).

Conclusion

In this survey, Ringer's solution and noradrenaline were the most common first‐line treatments in shock. The use of starches and dopamine were rare. Almost all patients were monitored with invasive arterial blood pressure, but comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring was used only in a minority of patients.
The Geography of Inventiveness in the Primary Sector: Some Initial Results for New Zealand, 1880–1895
Authors: Williams Rebecca , Oxley Les
Published: June 2016

At the turn of the twentieth century, New Zealand was one of the wealthiest nations in the world on a per capita basis. We examine the role of innovation in explaining New Zealand's economic performance. Using a new dataset on patent applications for the period 1880–95, we consider whether the geographical concentration of innovative activity influenced economic activity. We find relationships between agricultural and pastoral output indices and inventiveness and between different regions and related industries. The results, however, are relatively weak. We conclude that tests of agglomeration effects in New Zealand during this period deserve further attention.
The distribution and occurrence of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Tongatapu Island Group, Kingdom of Tonga
Authors: Swan Tom , Harding Jon
Published: June 2016

The global expansion of air, sea and land transport networks has greatly enhanced the spread of mosquitoes internationally. In the Pacific, the incidence of mosquito‐borne diseases has been increasing in recent years. The Kingdom of Tonga has had numerous disease outbreaks from dengue fever and chikungunya viruses over recent years. Previous research has catalogued mosquito species occurrences and distributions throughout Tonga. However, it is unknown whether new species have arrived in Tonga, and if distribution of previously found species has changed since the last comprehensive survey in 2006. Consequently, we conducted a mosquito larval survey between November and December 2013 at 84 sites across four islands (Tongatapu, Pangaimotu, 'Oneata and 'Eua) in the Tongatapu Island Group to record the distribution and occurrence of mosquito larvae. Larvae were more frequently collected in artificial (e.g. abandoned car tyres, 55‐gallon plastic drums and plastic containers) than natural (e.g. pools, ponds and tree holes) habitats. Larvae of nine mosquito species were collected in the Tongatapu Island Group: Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, A. tongae, A. horrescens, A. vexans nocturnus, Culex annulirostris, C. albinervis, C. quinquefasciatus and C. sitiens. Eight species were collected on Tongatapu Island (A. horrescens being absent), four species on 'Oneata Island (A. albopictus, A. horrescens, C. quinquefasciatus and C. annulirostris), four species on 'Eua Island (A. aegypti, A. albopictus, A. tongae and C. quinquefasciatus) and one on Pangaimotu Island (A. aegypti). Species collected from 'Eua and 'Oneata islands represent first‐time collections of these species on these islands. Aedes aegypti, A.albopictus and C. quinquefasciatus were the three most common species collected and have markedly increased their distribution since the 2006 survey. The collection of A. albopictus is the second time that this species has been recorded in Tonga; however, the spatial extent of this species throughout Tongatapu was far greater than previously recorded. Management should focus on reducing the number of artificial habitats by covering, emptying or infilling these habitats with soil to minimise mosquito oviposition. This should reduce the abundance of mosquitoes and help prevent disease outbreak in Tonga.
The interleukin‐6/Janus kinase/STAT3 pathway in pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland
Authors: Andreasen Simon , Heegaard Steffen , Grauslund Morten , Homøe Preben
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common tumour of the lacrimal gland, but very little is known about its biology. It has a tendency to recur and an ability to transform into the high‐grade malignancy carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (ca‐ex‐PA), which is also largely unexplored. In this study, we examine the expression of the interleukin‐6/Janus kinase/STAT3 (IL‐6/JAK/STAT3) pathway components in PA and ca‐ex‐PA.

Methods

Sixteen PAs and two ca‐ex‐PAs were examined with immunohistochemistry. Seven PAs were subjected to microdissection and subsequent qPCR.

Results

The IL‐6/JAK/STAT3 pathway was overexpressed in PA compared to normal lacrimal gland. Overexpression of phosphorylated JAK1 (p‐JAK1) and cyclin D1 was significantly overexpressed in ductal cells compared with myoepithelial cells in PA. A shift from p‐JAK1 to p‐JAK2 and p‐Tyk2 overexpression was seen between PA and ca‐ex‐PA, combined with a high p‐STAT3 expression in the latter.

Conclusion

The IL‐6/JAK/STAT3 pathway is overexpressed in PA, and this overexpression was even more pronounced in ca‐ex‐PA, with a shift in the JAKs mediating STAT3 phosphorylation. Future studies are needed to clarify whether PA and ca‐ex‐PA could be treated with targeted therapy directed against components of the IL‐6/JAK/STAT3 pathway.