bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcripts’ evolutionary history and structural dynamics give mechanistic insights into the functional diversity of the JNK family
Authors: Ait-hamlat Adel , Zea Diego Javier , Labeeuw Antoine , Polit Lélia , Richard Hugues , Laine Elodie
Published: March 2017

Alternative splicing and alternative initiation/termination transcription sites, have the potential to greatly expand the proteome in eukaryotes by producing several transcript isoforms from the same gene. Although these mechanisms are well described at the genomic level, little is known about their contribution to protein evolution and their impact at the protein structure level. Here, we address both issues by reconstructing the evolutionary history of transcripts and by modeling the tertiary structures of the corresponding protein isoforms. We reconstruct phylogenetic forests relating 60 transcripts from the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) family observed in 7 species. We identify two alternative splicing events of ancient origin and show that they induce subtle changes on the protein’s structural dynamics. We highlight a previously uncharacterized transcript whose predicted structure seems stable in solution. We further demonstrate that orphan transcripts, for which no phylogeny could be reconstructed, display peculiar sequence and structural properties. Our approach is implemented in PhyloSofS (Phylogenies of Splicing Isoforms Structures), a fully automated computational tool freely available athttps://github.com/PhyloSofS-Team/PhyloSofS.
The Rice XA21 Ectodomain Fused to the Arabidopsis EFR Cytoplasmic Domain Confers Resistance toXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae
Authors: Thomas Nicholas , Oksenberg Nir , Liu Furong , Caddell Daniel , Nalyvayko Alina , Nguyen Yen , Schwessinger Benjamin , Ronald Pamela
Published: March 2017

Rice (Oryza sativa) plants expressing the XA21 cell surface receptor kinase are resistant toXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae(Xoo) infection. We previously demonstrated that expressing a chimeric protein containing the EFR (ELONGATIONFACTOR TuRECEPTOR) ectodomain and the XA21 endodomain (EFR:XA21) in rice does not confer robust resistance toXoo.

To test if the XA21 ectodomain is required forXooresistance, we produced transgenic rice lines expressing a chimeric protein consisting of the XA21 ectodomain and EFR endodomain (XA21:EFR) and inoculated these lines withXoo. We also tested if the XA21:EFR rice plants respond to a synthetic sulfated 21 amino acid derivative (RaxX21-sY) derived from the activator of XA21-mediated immunity, RaxX.

We found that five independently transformed XA21:EFR rice lines displayed resistance toXooas measured by lesion length analysis, and showed that five lines express markers of the XA21 defense response (generation of reactive oxygen species and defense response gene expression) after treatment with RaxX21-sY.

Our results indicate that expression of the XA21:EFR chimeric receptor in rice confers resistance toXoo. These results suggest that the endodomain of the EFR and XA21 immune receptors are interchangeable and the XA21 ectodomain is the key determinant conferring robust resistance toXoo.
A two-enzyme adaptive unit within bacterial folate metabolism
Authors: Schober Andrew F. , Mathis Andrew D. , Ingle Christine , Park Junyoung O. , Chen Li , Rabinowitz Joshua D. , Junier Ivan , Rivoire Olivier , Reynolds Kimberly A.
Published: March 2017

Metabolic enzyme function and evolution is influenced by the larger context of a biochemical pathway – deleterious mutations or perturbations in one enzyme can often be compensated by mutations to others. To explore strategies for mapping adaptive dependencies between enzymes, we used a combination of comparative genomics and experiments to examine interactions with the model metabolic enzyme Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR). Biochemically, DHFR shares a metabolic intermediate with numerous folate metabolic enzymes. In contrast, comparative genomics analyses of synteny and gene co-occurrence indicate a sparse pattern of evolutionary couplings in which DHFR is coupled to the enzyme thymidylate synthase (TYMS), but is relatively independent from the rest of folate metabolism. To test this apparent modularity, we used quantitative growth rate measurements and forward evolution inE. colito demonstrate that the two enzymes are coupled to one another, and can adapt independently from the remainder of the genome. Mechanistically, the coupling between DHFR and TYMS is driven by a constraint wherein TYMS activity must not greatly exceed that of DHFR – both to avoid depletion of reduced folates and prevent accumulation of the metabolic intermediate dihydrofolate. Extending our comparative genomics analyses genome-wide reveals over 200 gene pairs with statistical signatures similar to DHFR/TYMS, suggesting the possibility that cellular pathways might be decomposed into small adaptive units.
Scattering intensity limit value at very small angles
Authors: Ciccariello Salvino
Published: March 2017

The existence of a limit of the sample scattering intensity, as the scattering vector approaches zero, requires and is ensured by the property that the mean value of the scattering density fluctuation over a volume V behaves asymptotically, at large V, as νV
−1/2, ν being an appropriate constant. The limit of the normalized scattering intensity is then equal to ν2. The implications of this result are also analysed in the case of samples made up of two homogeneous phases.
Investigation of the multiplet structures and crystal field effects of a TiO6 3d
1 cluster based on configuration interaction calculations
Authors: Wu Meng , Zheng Jin-Cheng , Wang Hui-Qiong
Published: March 2017

Configuration interaction cluster calculation can effectively reproduce the experimentally measured Ti L
23-edge absorption spectrum for the TiO6 cluster LaTiO3. A further investigation of the hybridization strength and charge-transfer energy effects on the multiplet structures suggests that LaTiO3 should be classified as an intermediate state between the charge-transfer and Mott–Hubbard regimes. Detailed temperature-dependent simulations of absorption spectra support the lifting of Ti t
2g
orbital degeneracy and crystal field splitting. The spin–orbit coupling scenario is ruled out, even though 3d spin–orbit coupling can reproduce the experimental spectrum without including temperature. A combined polarization- and crystal-field-splitting-dependent analysis indicates asymmetric ΔCF–orbital interactions for the TiO6 cluster [Ti3+:3d
1(t
2g

1)], different from the orbital–lattice interactions reported for the NiO6 cluster [Ni3+:3d
7(t
2g

6
eg

1)]. The orbital polarization is defined in terms of the normalized electron occupancies in orbitals with xy and xz(yz) symmetries, and nearly complete orbital polarization (more than 75%) is observed, indicating strongly reduced orbital fluctuations due to the correlation effects. This is consistent with the density of states for titanates based on local density approximation plus dynamical mean-field theory calculations.
SOLEIL shining on the solution-state structure of biomacromolecules by synchrotron X-ray footprinting at the Metrology beamline
Authors: Baud A. , Aymé L. , Gonnet F. , Salard I. , Gohon Y. , Jolivet P. , Brodolin K. , Da Silva P. , Giuliani A. , Sclavi B. , Chardot T. , Mercère P. , Roblin P. , Daniel R.
Published: March 2017

Synchrotron X-ray footprinting complements the techniques commonly used to define the structure of molecules such as crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance. It is remarkably useful in probing the structure and interactions of proteins with lipids, nucleic acids or with other proteins in solution, often better reflecting thein vivostate dynamics. To date, most X-ray footprinting studies have been carried out at the National Synchrotron Light Source, USA, and at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. This work presents X-ray footprinting of biomolecules performed for the first time at the X-ray Metrology beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation source. The installation at this beamline of a stopped-flow apparatus for sample delivery, an irradiation capillary and an automatic sample collector enabled the X-ray footprinting study of the structure of the soluble protein factor H (FH) from the human complement system as well as of the lipid-associated hydrophobic protein S3 oleosin from plant seed. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the structural integrity of both proteins was not affected by the short exposition to the oxygen radicals produced during the irradiation. Irradiated molecules were subsequently analysed using high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify and locate oxidized amino acids. Moreover, the analyses of FH in its free state and in complex with complement C3b protein have allowed us to create a map of reactive solvent-exposed residues on the surface of FH and to observe the changes in oxidation of FH residues upon C3b binding. Studies of the solvent accessibility of the S3 oleosin show that X-ray footprinting offers also a unique approach to studying the structure of proteins embedded within membranes or lipid bodies. All the biomolecular applications reported herein demonstrate that the Metrology beamline at SOLEIL can be successfully used for synchrotron X-ray footprinting of biomolecules.
tert-Butyl (2S,3R,4R)-7′-bromo-4-methyl-2′,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-3H-spiro[furan-2,3′-indoline]-3-carboxylate
Authors: Meng Chen-Hong , Xia Ai-Bao
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C17H18BrNO5, the furan ring has an envelope conformation with the carboxylate substituted C atom as the flap. The planar indoline ring is inclined to the mean plane of the furan ring by 87.5 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming chains propagating along the a-axis direction.
cis-[3-(2-Chloro-6-methylquinolin-3-yl)oxiran-2-yl](p-tolyl)methanone
Authors: Preveena Narasimhamurthy , Hosamani Amar A. , Praveen Managutti , Nagendrappa Gopalpur , Guru Row Tayur N.
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C20H16ClNO2, the dihedral angle between the quinolyl ring system and the p-tolyl ring is 65.80 (7)°. The rings are bridged by a functionalized epoxide system, with the exocyclic bonds in a cis configuration. In the crystal, weak C—H...O and C—H...Cl interactions link the molecules into [100] chains.
The impact of digital library resources usage on engineering research productivity: an empirical evidences from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Amjid , Ahmed Shamshad , Khan Asad , Khan Ghalib
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The role of digital library resources (DLRs) in accelerating academic and research productivity has been acknowledged worldwide. The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the use of DLRs as a predictor of satisfaction and research productivity in the context of Pakistan to examine its impact on engineering research productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the research objectives, the most suitable methodology for this study is survey. The tool used for gathering the research data on the frequency of usage, purpose, satisfaction level and impact of DLRs usage on research productivity was questionnaires.

Findings

The findings of this study showed that the frequency of use of DLRs and purposes of DLRs significantly contributed to the research students’ satisfaction and research productivity. In addition, a significant relationship was found between the predictors (DLRs purposes, DLRs frequency) and outcome variables (users’ satisfaction and research productivity). Thus, all five hypotheses are supported. The findings of this study further suggested the provision of information sources by university libraries to support research efforts and make a scientific knowledge-based society in the country. The findings are also significant for Higher Education Commission (HEC) authorities, university library administrators, Library and Information Science professionals/information providers to develop e-resources and formulate effective usage policies through which they could make effective use of DLRs.

Originality/value

The rationale of the present study is to fill the gap by empirically investigating the association of users’ satisfaction and research productivity with two dimensions of DLRs, namely, DLRs usage frequency and purposes of DLRs usage.
Impact of disaster on access to records of National Archives of South East, Nigeria
Authors: Onyeneke Cajetan Okechukwu
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of disaster and how it affects access to records of the National Archives of South East, Nigeria. However, the specific objectives are to: identify the types of disasters that occur in the archives of South East, Nigeria; ascertain the frequency with which the disasters occur in the archives; determine the relationship between disaster and access to records of the archives; find out the disaster prevention measures adopted by the archives; find out the disaster response and recovery plans available in the archives; and make recommendations for effective disaster prevention and control measures for the archives.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design adopted for this study is the survey method. Individuals constituted the respondents of the study. This design assisted in gathering accurate data of the given issues and also guided in discussing the findings of the study. The researcher adopted one technique in data collection. Questionnaire was used for primary data collection. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the staff of the National Archives.

Findings

The findings show that the most prevalent disaster experienced in the archives is power failure. There are occurrences of other man-made disasters in the archives such as stealing, vandalism, fire outbreak and water leakages. The only natural disaster they acknowledged that occurs in the archives is lightening strike. The effect of this disaster was found to be enormous as attested to by 90.9 and 75 per cent respondents in Enugu and Owerri, respectively. The respondents do not agree that natural phenomena such as earthquake/tsunami, volcanic eruption and landslides do constitute threat to records of the archives.

Originality/value

The events of disaster, in whatever shape or frequency, impede access to records of the National Archives of South East, Nigeria. Most of the disasters that affect the archives are man-made, but with the recent happenings around the globe – the global climate change – it becomes imperative to focus attention on eventual occurrence of natural disasters in the archives. In prevention, response and recovery plans, it is important that consideration is given to all areas likely to be affected by the disaster.
With your headphones on: go global or stay local?
Authors: Wójcik Piotr , Wasowska Aleksandra , Oblój Krzysztof , Ciszewska-Mlinaric Mariola
Published: March 2017

Subject area

International Business, Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

This case has been used previously in an international business strategy module on MA courses at Kozminski University, Poland.

Case overview

The case details Audioteka’s (a Polish audiobook company) history between 2007 and 2013, from the perspective of Marcin, one of the co-founders. The company was founded in 2008 by Marcin Beme and Blazej Kukla and internationalized soon after. Marcin was an experienced entrepreneur, while Blazej was a sound engineer. Both sought to combine their complementary skills and experience to start a business aimed at selling audio recordings. The case is divided into Parts (A) and (B) and is designed to teach international entrepreneurship, lying at the intersection of international business and entrepreneurship. Part (A) is set in 2011 and tracks the company’s evolution from the conception of an idea to establishing a start-up and developing a product. Part (B) is set in 2013 and covers early foreign expansion between 2011 and 2013. The case is focused on the challenges that Marcin faces when developing Audioteka and expanding abroad. It allows students to understand the decision-making logic of an international new venture (INV), choices made and execution while internationalizing. Students will be able to explore how a company adapts its product; how it enters foreign markets; how it overcomes the liabilities of foreignness, smallness, newness and outsidership through establishing partnerships with big companies (telecoms, automakers); and how it appreciates the risks involved in this process.

Expected learning outcomes

This case is the basis for a class discussion rather than for illustrating either effective or ineffective handling of a managerial situation. From this case, MA students will learn how an entrepreneurial firm makes strategic decisions and becomes international. The first learning outcome is to evaluate the concepts of liability of origin, foreignness, outsidership, smallness and newness, and to explore ways of overcoming them. Second, the expected learning outcome is to assess differences between the Uppsala model of internationalization and born-global/INV phenomenon. Third, students, by examining particular foreign market-entry modes, are expected to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, students are expected to understand the concept of “effectuation” and apply it to the decision-making process in early internationalization.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Predicting sustainability assessment at early facilities design phase
Authors: Zileska Pancovska Valentina , Petrusheva Silvana , Petrovski Aleksandar
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Integrating the aspects of sustainability into facilities design has become a designers’ challenge, and the early design phase is seen as the most important in implementing sustainability into facilities design. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the factors that influence sustainability assessment of preliminary design of facilities and predicts sustainability assessment depending on those factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by survey questionnaire distributed to project managers using a six-point Likert scale. Obtained data were modeled with general regression neural network (GRNN) using DTREG software. In total, 27 factors were chosen for determining the most accurate predictive model, and their importance was computed.

Findings

The six most important factors for sustainability assessment of facilities design are: work experience, work on several outline design proposals, resolving issues between stakeholders, prioritization of participants in the design phase, procurement management and defining projects’ program and goals. The predictive model that was used for prediction of the sustainability assessment was shown to be highly accurate, with MAPE (mean absolute percentage error) amounting to 2.58 per cent.

Practical implications

Using the same approach, assessment of every other factor for the preliminary design can be predicted and the factors that are most influential to its sustainability can be obtained.

Originality/value

The paper supports the sustainability improvement of the preliminary design of future facilities’ projects, as well as support during the decision-making process.
Albania vs Norway – FM at two university hospitals
Authors: Boge Knut , Aliaj Anjola
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Given the premise of de facto universal standards for FM, this paper aims to investigate development of facilities management (FM) at an Albanian and a Norwegian university hospital through examination of two hypotheses: the university hospital has recognised FM and established a designated FM organisation (H1) and the university hospital provides adequate food and catering services at ward kitchens and buffets (H2).

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory and descriptive comparative case study based on a diverse cases’ designs.

Findings

There is limited and strong support for H1 at the Albanian and Norwegian university hospitals, respectively. Both the Albanian and the Norwegian university hospitals rely on in-house production of facilities services, but the Albanian university hospital has outsourced food and catering services. FM and provision of facilities services are deeply integrated within the Norwegian university hospital’s core activities. There is also limited and strong support for H2 at the Albanian and Norwegian university hospitals, respectively. Hence, the Albanian Ministry of Health and the Albanian university hospital’s top management have a comprehensive, but not impossible, task, if the aim is to catch up with the Norwegian university hospital concerning FM.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory and descriptive comparative case study. Large N studies should be carried out both in Albania and Norway and preferably also in other countries to corroborate and develop the findings.

Originality/value

This is the first comparative study of FM at an Albanian and a Norwegian university hospital.
Effective social media marketing strategy: Facebook as an opportunity for universities
Authors: Assimakopoulos Costas , Antoniadis Ioannis , Kayas Oliver G. , Dvizac Dragana
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usage of university Facebook (FB) groups and sites by undergraduate students seeking information about their departments and the ways these pages could be used to acquire students. The factors that can intensify the FB group activities of a university are examined as well as how FB can be used as a marketing tool to improve marketing campaigns.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates and compares two universities: the University of Novi Sad of the Republic of Serbia and the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia, Greece. A structured questionnaire was used with samples of 343 and 300 students gathered in this survey.

Findings

An enhanced technology acceptance model oriented toward FB is presented and it is the conceptual background of the paper. Student demographics and behavioral characteristics of the FB group they enrolled on were determined. Common behavioral patterns of the usage tension of the FB group are also identified. Additionally, five factors were determined that can be used by university marketers to intensify engagement with the FB group.

Research limitations/implications

Larger samples should be used for future research.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a marketing strategy a higher education institution should follow to more effectively use social networking sites as a marketing tool.
Impact of electronic-wallet system on farmer’s welfare in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ifeyinwa Umeokeke Nneji , Olusegun Okoruwa Victor , Adenike Adeyemo Temitayo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of e-wallet on farmer’s welfare in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were used to collect information on 81 users and 123 non-users of e-wallet system. Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) analysis was used to profile farmer’s poverty status, while propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the impact of e-wallet on welfare using per capita expenditure as its proxy.

Findings

The FGT analysis shows that poverty incidence, depth, and severity were found to be higher among non-users of e-wallet than its users. The PSM analysis showed that e-wallet had a positive impact on welfare; Rosenbaum sensitivity analysis revealed that the findings are sensitive to hidden bias due to unobserved characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The relevance of matching method depends on data availability for the specific policy problem. Hence, the study is limited to the use of the PSM because of the limitation of household data availability to only a sample of farmers in Oyo State.

Originality/value

This paper examines the impact of the new system of input distribution (e-wallet) on farmer’s welfare.
Quality of life in Italian cities: a temporal comparison between before the crisis and after
Authors: Bonatti Guido , Ivaldi Enrico , Soliani Riccardo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the changes in well-being in the Italian reality, in particular, through the study of major cities. The study is based on a set of data provided by the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) with the aim to highlight the Italian urban situation and the comparison between the well-being situation assessed in a pre-crisis context and the one observed after it, in order to understand how events have influenced levels of well-being in the main Italian cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to examine the quality of life (QoL) levels in the metropolitan cities, using data from the URBES report (a report that provides data and information concerning the Italian urban situation), published in 2013, which investigates QoL and well-being in major Italian cities. It is based on the framework of the “Benessere Equo e Sostenibile” report that appraises well-being in Italian regions by a great deal of variables belonging to 12 different dimensions. Using this data source, the authors will proceed to the construction of a composite well-being index.

Findings

The paper intends to show how the well-being level in Italian cities has changed in recent years, taking into consideration ten different dimensions of well-being. The need to consider different dimensions of well-being for its comprehensive evaluation is widely discussed in the literature, and the framework provided by ISTAT is innovative in this sense.

Originality/value

The paper presents an aggregate measure of well-being in Italian cities on the basis of new theoretical concepts and complete and detailed data.
Comparing dimensions of national culture for secondary analysis of consumer behavior data of different countries
Authors: de Mooij Marieke
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find consumption-related similarities and differences between the three major dimensional models of national culture, to help researchers select specific models or dimensions for their cross-cultural studies.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a review of the theoretical background of cultural values and three models of national culture is provided: those by Hofstede, Schwartz and GLOBE. Then these models are compared through partial correlation analysis, controlling for GNP/capita of a set of 25 relevant consumer behavior-related data with country scores of 21 dimensions of the three dimensional models.

Findings

Of all models several dimensions explain differences in consumer behavior. Some dimensions explain values related to specific consumer behavior domains better than others. Only a few dimensions of different models do not show meaningful interesting relationships with consumer behavior issues. Dimensions with the same label do not explain similar differences.

Practical implications

Cross-cultural researchers can choose from the several cultural models, but selecting a model only based on descriptions of the contents of dimensions is difficult. The relationships of dimensions with concrete consumer behavior data found in this study facilitate choice. This analysis may help researchers who consider conducting cross-cultural analysis of consumer behavior data to select a specific model, or specific dimensions of different models that apply best to their research question.

Originality/value

This is the first study that compares the three major dimensional models with examples of consumer behavior-related items.
Big data analysis of public library operations and services by using the Chernoff face method
Authors: Kim Young-seok , Cooke Louise
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a big data analysis of public library operations and services of two cities in two countries by using the Chernoff face method.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is designed to evaluate library services by analyzing the Chernoff face. Big data on public libraries in London and Seoul were collected, respectively, from Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Korean government’s website for drawing a Chernoff face. The association of variables and human facial features was decided by survey. Although limited in its capacity to handle a large number of variables (eight were analyzed in this study) the Chernoff face method does readily allow for the comparison of a large number of instances of analysis. A total of 58 Chernoff faces were drawn from the formatted data by using the R programming language.

Findings

The study reveals that most of the local governments in London perform better than those of Seoul. This consequence is due to the fact that local governments in London operate more libraries, invest more budgets, allocate more staff and hold more collections than local governments in Seoul. This administration resulted in more use of libraries in London than Seoul. The study validates the benefit of using the Chernoff face method for big data analysis of library services.

Practical implications

The Chernoff face method for big data analysis offers a new evaluation technique for library services and provides insights that may not be as readily apparent and discernible using more traditional analytical methods.

Originality/value

This study is the first to use the Chernoff face method for big data analysis of library services in library and information research.
Business Cycle Asymmetries and Nonlinearity in UAE Macroeconomic Time Series
Authors: Osman Mohamed , Hoque Ariful , Hassan Kamrul
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the dynamic behaviour of macroeconomic time series variables of the United Arab Emirates. We first examined whether there are non‐Gaussian characteristics associated with the macroeconomic variables of the United Arab Emirates. Through application of the BDS nonlinearity test, our results indicated that there is a substantial nonlinear dependence in the data set for all the variables. We also assessed the asymmetric behaviour of these variables by exploring whether they exhibit two particular forms of asymmetry, which are deepness and steepness asymmetries. These results have shown that there is no empirical evidence of business cycle asymmetry in all the variables at any conventional level of significance in the sample period. Also, through application of further robust testing, our findings indicate the presence of pro‐cyclical asymmetry in some of the variables and at the same time indicate the presence of asymmetries in the volatility.
Contract care in dentistry: sense‐making of the concept and in practice when multiple institutional logics are at play
Authors: Ulfsdotter Eriksson Ylva , Berg Karin , Boman Ulla Wide , Hakeberg Magnus
Published: March 2017

In 2009 contract dental care was introduced into Sweden's Public Dental Service under a programme called Dental Care for Health (DCH). Previous research has revealed a possible dilemma whereby dental care professionals had the role of insurance agent foisted upon them, as they were assigned the task of ‘selling contracts’. Using qualitative interviews, this study explores how these professionals make sense of contract dental care today. Drawing on the concepts of occupational and organisational professionalism, in combination with the institutional logics perspective, we discern that dental care professionals are entangled in multiple rationalities when reasoning about and dealing withDCH. A professional logic comes into play over health issues and preventive care, while market and corporate logics are present in relation to selling contracts and taking responsibility for the financial aspects ofDCH, all of which creates tensions in these professionals. Overall, dental care professionals in the welfare sector respond both to an organisational and an occupational professionalism.
Double Emulsions Relevant to Food Systems: Preparation, Stability, and Applications
Authors: Muschiolik Gerald , Dickinson Eric
Published: March 2017

This review describes advances in the preparation of food‐relevant double emulsions (DEs) of the water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) and oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil (O/W/O) types with emphasis on research published within the last decade. The information is assembled and critically evaluated according to the following aspects: the food application area, the range of encapsulated components and emulsion composition, the emulsification preparation methods, the balancing of the osmotic pressure, the stabilization by increased viscosity or gelation, the role of protein–polysaccharide interactions, and the techniques used to estimate DE yield and emulsification efficiency. Particular focus is directed toward the control of encapsulation and release behavior, including strategies that have been employed to improve the retention ability of the inner phase droplets by modifying the outer oil–water interface through mixed ingredient interactions, Pickering stabilization by particles, and biopolymer gelation. We also briefly consider the incorporation of DEs into dried microcapsules and the stability of W/O/W emulsions during eating and digestion. It would appear that 2 outstanding issues are currently preventing full realization of the potential of DEs in food applications: (i) the lack of availability of large‐scale production equipment to ensure efficient nondestructive 2nd‐stage emulsification, and (ii) the limited range of food‐grade ingredients available to successfully replace polyglycerol polyricinoleate as the primary emulsifier in W/O/W formulations.
Farm‐level Economic and Water Quality Impacts of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Implementation in the Ohio River Basin
Authors: Osei Edward , Du Bing , Hauck Larry , Li Huijun , Tanter Alexander
Published: March 2017

In this article, we provide an assessment of comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs) as a tool for addressing nonpoint nutrient and sediment losses from the animal feeding operations (AFOs) in the Ohio River Basin. We employ a macro modeling system to determine the aggregate economic and water quality impacts of CNMP implementation on AFOs in the entire basin. Results of the study indicate that implementing CNMPs on AFOs will help reduce sediment and organic nutrient losses from their current levels at moderate cost. The flexibility inherent in CNMP designs means farmers may be able to achieve water quality and other conservation goals at less cost with CNMPs than with other less flexible policy options.
Risk of discontinuation of antipsychotic long‐acting injections vs. oral antipsychotics in real‐life prescribing practice: a community‐based study
Authors: Verdoux H. , Pambrun E. , Tournier M. , Bezin J. , Pariente A.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To compare the risk of discontinuation of ambulatory antipsychotic treatment in persons treated with antipsychotic long‐acting injections (LAIs) or by oral antipsychotics (OAPs).

Methods

The study was performed in a representative sample of persons newly treated with OAPs (n = 6904) affiliated to the French Insurance Healthcare system. The risk of all‐cause discontinuation was compared in patients prescribed OAPs (n = 246) vs. matched patients prescribed LAIs (n = 246) using multivariate survival analyses. Confounding by indication was minimized by matching on type of antipsychotic drug and by the high‐dimensional propensity score method.

Results

Discontinuation was more frequent with OAPs (69%) compared to LAIs (57%) [adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 1.6, 95% CI 1.23–2.07]. Risk of discontinuation was higher for first‐generation (FGA) OAPs vs. FGA LAIs (aRR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.22–3.08) as well as for second‐generation (SGA) OAPs vs. SGA LAIs (aRR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.15–2.17). Over the 6‐month period after discontinuation of LAIs, a new antipsychotic drug was dispensed in 58% of patients, the most frequent pattern being dispensing of the same LAI as that prescribed before discontinuation.

Conclusions

Although less frequent than with OAPs, the rate of ambulatory treatment discontinuation was high with LAIs. Prescription of LAIs should be associated with intervention strategies aimed at promoting medication adherence.
An alternative way to measure the degree of sprawl and development patterns in Austin, TX
Authors: Lee Hye Kyung , Kim Hwan Yong , Kang Sanghyeok
Published: March 2017

Sprawl has been named as one of the critical reasons for the latest social and urban problems in many parts of the world. This is particularly true in urban and regional planning as their main focus strategically interacts with the rise and decline of cities. A large number of studies have elaborated on the effects of sprawl and of those different perspectives on sprawl, this study focuses on a more detailed notion of the environmental aspect. The authors try to answer how to specifically estimate the ecological impact of sprawl using geographic information systems (GIS) and ecological valuation method. With different years of land cover datasets and an ecological estimation method, the authors examine the economic losses of the Austin–Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Based on the acreage information and median value estimates, the ecological opportunity costs are assessed to provide a comparative perspective on the amount of sprawl that occurred between 2001 and 2011. Austin's ecological stock in 2001 was $1709 million whereas in 2006 it was about $1683.6 million. In 2011, the entire ecological stock dropped to $1658.1 million making the difference approximately $25.5 million between 2011 and 2006. There can be other issues involved, such as inflated land prices or immerse influx of immigrations when explaining natural stock reduction. However, this could be regarded as one of the signs identifying the sprawl effect of a city's urban development and that should be provided as an alternative perspective on assessing plan evaluation.
Joint Modeling of Longitudinal, Recurrent Events and Failure Time Data for Survivor's Population
Authors: Cai Qing , Wang Mei-Cheng , Chan Kwun Chuen Gary
Published: March 2017

Recurrent events together with longitudinal measurements are commonly observed in follow-up studies where the observation is terminated by censoring or a primary failure event. In this article, we developed a joint model where the dependence of longitudinal measurements, recurrent event process and time to failure event is modeled through rescaling the time index. The general idea is that the trajectories of all biology processes of subjects in the survivors’ population are elongated or shortened by the rate identified from a model for the failure event. To avoid making disputing assumptions on recurrent events or biomarkers after the failure event (such as death), the model is constructed on the basis of survivors’ population. The model also possesses a specific feature that, by aligning failure events as time origins, the backward-in-time model of recurrent events and longitudinal measurements shares the same parameter values with the forward time model. The statistical properties, simulation studies and real data examples are conducted. The proposed method can be generalized to analyze left-truncated data.
The role of fault length, overlap and spacing in controlling extensional relay ramp fluvial system geometry
Authors: Hopkins Michael C. , Dawers Nancye H.
Published: March 2017

Relay ramps are integral components of normal fault systems that control sediment transport pathways in evolving rifts. We attribute differences in the geometry of fluvial systems that drain relay ramps to the scale of the ramp bounding fault segments, the spacing between segments and the amount of overlap between segments. Previous conceptual models for relay ramp geomorphological evolution have assumed that ramp fluvial catchments develop on the ramp surfaces and flow parallel to fault strike into the adjacent basin. Numerous examples exist in nature, however, that show that this is not ubiquitous. The fundamental question of what drives differences in fluvial geometry in these settings has, to date, not been fully addressed. We selected 27 relay ramps across the Basin and Range, western North America, and mapped, via GPS and remote sensing, the faults and ramp fluvial systems associated with each site. The sites represent a range of fault scales, which we define by the total outboard fault length, and a range of spacing and overlap values in order to better understand the structural controls on differences among ramp fluvial systems. Results show that the majority of a relay ramp surface drains parallel to fault strike when the outboard fault is less than about 15 km long. High overlap/spacing ratios are associated with relays along shorter (<15 km long) outboard faults, whereas lower overlap/spacing ratios are associated with relays along longer faults. Relays with lower overlap/spacing values may be more common along longer outboard faults because they survive for longer periods of time in the landscape. Our geomorphological observations can be used to predict synrift depocenter locations along segmented faults, but these observations only apply if the faults are short (<15 km long) and in early rifting stages. At longer fault lengths, ramp fluvial system geometry has no discernable relationship with any specific structural parameter.
Don't forget to look down – collaborative approaches to predator conservation
Authors: Redpath Steve M. , Linnell John D. C. , Festa‐Bianchet Marco , Boitani Luigi , Bunnefeld Nils , Dickman Amy , Gutiérrez R. J. , Irvine R. J. , Johansson Maria , Majić Aleksandra , McMahon Barry J. , Pooley Simon , Sandström Camilla , Sjölander‐Lindqvist Annelie , Skogen Ketil , Swenson Jon E. , Trouwborst Arie , Young Juliette , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Finding effective ways of conserving large carnivores is widely recognised as a priority in conservation. However, there is disagreement about the most effective way to do this, with some favouring top‐down ‘command and control’ approaches and others favouring collaboration. Arguments for coercive top‐down approaches have been presented elsewhere; here we present arguments for collaboration. In many parts of the developed world, flexibility of approach is built into the legislation, so that conservation objectives are balanced with other legitimate goals. In the developing world, limited resources, poverty and weak governance mean that collaborative approaches are likely to play a particularly important part in carnivore conservation. In general, coercive policies may lead to the deterioration of political legitimacy and potentially to non‐compliance issues such as illegal killing, whereas collaborative approaches may lead to psychological ownership, enhanced trust, learning, and better social outcomes. Sustainable hunting/trapping plays a crucial part in the conservation and management of many large carnivores. There are many different models for how to conserve carnivores effectively across the world, research is now required to reduce uncertainty and examine the effectiveness of these approaches in different contexts.
Grief, loss, and separation: Experiences of birth children of foster carers
Authors: Williams Dave
Published: March 2017

Previous research identifies the increased exposure of birth children of foster carers to experiences of separation, grief, and loss due to the transient nature of foster care, but little is known about how birth children manage this loss. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study that examined the retrospective experiences of 15 adult birth children of foster carers (aged between 18 and 28 years) in Ireland. Findings suggest that birth children experience grief and loss when foster children leave their families. They report experiencing a range of emotional responses such as guilt, blame, and sadness. A reluctance to discuss their emotional responses with either their parents or foster care professionals was also reported. Instead, birth children developed strategies to manage the loss, such as distancing themselves from the foster care process. The study highlights the importance of social workers and foster carers explaining to birth children why foster children are leaving and, where possible, maintaining contact between birth children and foster children. Additionally, findings indicate the need for birth children to have safe nonjudgmental spaces to discuss their emotional reactions to loss.
Tunable Robustness: An Artificial Contact Strategy with Virtual Actuator Control for Balance
Authors: da Silva D. B. , Nunes R. F. , Vidal C. A. , Cavalcante‐Neto J. B. , Kry P. G. , Zordan V. B.
Published: March 2017

Physically based characters have not yet received wide adoption in the entertainment industry because control remains both difficult and unreliable. Even with the incorporation of motion capture for reference, which adds believability, characters fail to be convincing in their appearance when the control is not robust. To address these issues, we propose a simple Jacobian transpose torque controller that employs virtual actuators to create a fast and reasonable tracking system for motion capture. We combine this controller with a novel approach we call the topple‐free foot strategy which conservatively applies artificial torques to the standing foot to produce a character that is capable of performing with arbitrary robustness. The system is both easy to implement and straightforward for the animator to adjust to the desired robustness, by considering the trade‐off between physical realism and stability. We showcase the benefit of our system with a wide variety of example simulations, including energetic motions with multiple support contact changes, such as capoeira, as well as an extension that highlights the approach coupled with a Simbicon controlled walker. With this work, we aim to advance the state‐of‐the‐art in the practical design for physically based characters that can employ unaltered reference motion (e.g. motion capture data) and directly adapt it to a simulated environment without the need for optimization or inverse dynamics.