bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating the flow: individual and continuum models for homing in flowing environments
Authors: Painter Kevin J. , Hillen Thomas
Published: November 2015

Navigation for aquatic and airborne species often takes place in the face of complicated flows, from persistent currents to highly unpredictable storms. Hydrodynamic models are capable of simulating flow dynamics and provide the impetus for much individual-based modelling, in which particle-sized individuals are immersed into a flowing medium. These models yield insights on the impact of currents on population distributions from fish eggs to large organisms, yet their computational demands and intractability reduce their capacity to generate the broader, less parameter-specific, insights allowed by traditional continuous approaches. In this paper, we formulate an individual-based model for navigation within a flowing field and apply scaling to derive its corresponding macroscopic and continuous model. We apply it to various movement classes, from drifters that simply go with the flow to navigators that respond to environmental orienteering cues. The utility of the model is demonstrated via its application to ‘homing’ problems and, in particular, the navigation of the marine green turtleChelonia mydasto Ascension Island.
A rhythm landscape approach to the developmental dynamics of birdsong
Authors: Sasahara Kazutoshi , Tchernichovski Ofer , Takahasi Miki , Suzuki Kenta , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: November 2015

Unlike simple biological rhythms, the rhythm of the oscine bird song is a learned time series of diverse sounds that change dynamically during vocal ontogeny. How to quantify rhythm development is one of the most important challenges in behavioural biology. Here, we propose a simple method, called ‘rhythm landscape’, to visualize and quantify how rhythm structure, which is measured as durational patterns of sounds and silences, emerges and changes over development. Applying this method to the development of Bengalese finch songs, we show that the rhythm structure begins with a broadband rhythm that develops into diverse rhythms largely through branching from precursors. Furthermore, an information-theoretic measure, the Jensen–Shannon divergence, was used to characterize the crystallization process of birdsong rhythm, which started with a high rate of rhythm change and progressed to a stage of slow refinement. This simple method provides a useful description of rhythm development, thereby helping to reveal key temporal constraints on complex biological rhythms.
Modelling stripe formation in zebrafish: an agent-based approach
Authors: Volkening Alexandria , Sandstede Björn
Published: November 2015

Zebrafish have distinctive black stripes and yellow interstripes that form owing to the interaction of different pigment cells. We present a two-population agent-based model for the development and regeneration of these stripes and interstripes informed by recent experimental results. Our model describes stripe pattern formation, laser ablation and mutations. We find that fish growth shortens the necessary scale for long-range interactions and that iridophores, a third type of pigment cell, help align stripes and interstripes.
The 20 item prosopagnosia index (PI20): relationship with the Glasgow face-matching test
Authors: Shah Punit , Sowden Sophie , Gaule Anne , Catmur Caroline , Bird Geoffrey
Published: November 2015

The 20 item prosopagnosia index (PI20) was recently developed to identify individuals with developmental prosopagnosia. While the PI20’s principal purpose is to aid researchers and clinicians, it was suggested that it may serve as a useful screening tool to identify people with face recognition difficulties in applied settings where face matching is a critical part of their occupation. Although the PI20 has been validated using behavioural measures of facerecognition, it has yet to be validated against a measure of face-matchingability that is more representative of applied settings. In this study, the PI20 was therefore administered with the Glasgow face-matching test (GFMT). A strong correlation was observed between PI20 and GFMT scores, providing further validation for the PI20, indicating that it is likely to be of value in applied settings.
Dental ontogeny and replacement in Pliosauridae
Authors: Sassoon Judyth , Foffa Davide , Marek Ryan
Published: November 2015

Dental morphology and patterns of tooth replacement in representatives of the clade Pliosauridae (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) are evaluated in detail. The jaws of one basal (
Thalassiodracon hawkinsii
) and two derived species (
Pliosaurus
carpenteri
,
Pliosaurus kevani
) were visualized by μCT scans, and the ontogenetic patterns, or ‘movement paths’, of replacement teeth could be mapped. Other specimens (
Peloneustes philarchus
and
Pliosaurus westbuyensis
) with well-preserved jaws containing functional and replacement teeth
in situ
were also examined directly, and waves of tooth replacement could be inferred from the degree of
in situ
tooth development and the fusion between functional and replacement alveoli. The analysis revealed symmetrical tooth eruption over the medial axis throughout the length of the jaw in the basal pliosaurid
Thalassiodracon
. By contrast, symmetrical tooth eruption patterns occur only along the anterior sections of the jaws of derived pliosaurids. In
Pliosaurus
, replacement schedules differ in the anterior and posterior portions of the jaws and appear to correlate with differences in tooth morphology and symmetrical replacement. The anterior teeth exhibit longer replacement cycle periods and symmetrical replacement, while shorter cycle periods and asymmetry are seen posteriorly. A longer period suggests slower replacement and is characteristic of large, specialized caniniform teeth in the longer snouted Late Jurassic taxa. Smaller posterior teeth have a shorter period and therefore a faster replacement cycle. The transition from long to short replacement period over the length of the jaw is thought to account for the loss of symmetry. This differentiation could relate to differential tooth function and a type of heterodonty. We therefore propose a new model of pliosaurid tooth replacement patterns and present it in a phylogenetic context.
Sex differences in risk-taking and associative learning in rats
Authors: Jolles Jolle Wolter , Boogert Neeltje J. , van den Bos Ruud
Published: November 2015

In many species, males tend to have lower parental investment than females and greater variance in their reproductive success. Males might therefore be expected to adopt more high-risk, high-return behaviours than females. Next to risk-taking behaviour itself, sexes might also differ in how they respond to information and learn new associations owing to the fundamental link of these cognitive processes with the risk–reward axis. Here we investigated sex differences in both risk-taking and learned responses to risk by measuring male and female rats’ (
Rattus norvegicus
) behaviour across three contexts in an open field test containing cover. We found that when the environment was novel, males spent more time out of cover than females. Males also hid less when exposed to the test arena containing predator odour. By contrast, females explored more than males when the predator odour was removed (associatively learned risk). These results suggest that males are more risk-prone but behave more in line with previous experiences, while females are more risk-averse and more responsive to changes in their current environment. Our results suggest that male and female rats differ in how they cope with risk and highlight that a general link may exist between risk-taking behaviour and learning style.
Estimating cranial musculoskeletal constraints in theropod dinosaurs
Authors: Lautenschlager Stephan
Published: November 2015

Many inferences on the biology, behaviour and ecology of extinct vertebrates are based on the reconstruction of the musculature and rely considerably on its accuracy. Although the advent of digital reconstruction techniques has facilitated the creation and testing of musculoskeletal hypotheses in recent years, muscle strain capabilities have rarely been considered. Here, a digital modelling approach using the freely available visualization and animation software Blenderis applied to estimate cranial muscle length changes and optimal and maximal possible gape in different theropod dinosaurs. Models of living archosaur taxa (Alligator mississippiensis,Buteo buteo) were used in an extant phylogenetically bracketed framework to validate the method. Results of this study demonstrate thatTyrannosaurus rex,Allosaurus fragilisandErlikosaurus andrewsishow distinct differences in the recruitment of the jaw adductor musculature and resulting gape, confirming previous dietary and ecological assumptions. While the carnivorous taxaT. rexandAllo. fragiliswere capable of a wide gape and sustained muscle force, the herbivorous therizinosaurianE. andrewsiwas constrained to small gape angles.
Equivalent variational approaches to biaxial liquid crystal dynamics
Authors: Close Alexander R. D. , Tronci Cesare
Published: November 2015

Within the framework of liquid crystal flows, the Qian and Sheng (QS) model (Qian and Sheng 1998
Phys. Rev. E.
58, 7475. (
doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.58.7475
)) for
Q
-tensor dynamics is compared with the Volovik and Kats (VK) theory (Volovik and Kats 1981
Sov. Phys.
54, 122–126) of biaxial nematics by using Hamilton’s variational principle. Under the assumption of rotational dynamics for the
Q
-tensor, the variational principles underling the two theories are equivalent and the conservative VK theory emerges as a specialization of the QS model. Also, after presenting a micropolar variant of the VK model, Rayleigh dissipation is included in the treatment. Finally, the treatment is extended to account for non-trivial eigenvalue dynamics in the VK model and this is done by considering the effect of scaling factors in the evolution of the
Q
-tensor.
The postulations
á la D’Alembert
and
á la Cauchy
for higher gradient continuum theories are equivalent: a review of existing results
Authors: dell’Isola F. , Seppecher P. , Corte A. Della
Published: November 2015

In order to found continuum mechanics, two different postulations have been used. The first, introduced by Lagrange and Piola, starts by postulating how the work expended by internal interactions in a body depends on the virtual velocity field and its gradients. Then, by using the divergence theorem, a representation theorem is found for the volume and contact interactions which can be exerted at the boundary of the considered body. This method assumes an
a priori
notion of internal work, regards stress tensors as dual of virtual displacements and their gradients, deduces the concept of contact interactions and produces their representation in terms of stresses using integration by parts. The second method, conceived by Cauchy and based on the celebrated tetrahedron argument, starts by postulating the type of contact interactions which can be exerted on the boundary of every (suitably) regular part of a body. Then it proceeds by proving the existence of stress tensors from a balance-type postulate. In this paper, we review some relevant literature on the subject, discussing how the two postulations can be reconciled in the case of higher gradient theories. Finally, we underline the importance of the concept of contact surface, edge and wedge
s
-order forces.
A thermodynamic theory of ecology: Helmholtz theorem for Lotka–Volterra equation, extended conservation law, and stochastic predator–prey dynamics
Authors: Ma Yi-An , Qian Hong
Published: November 2015

We carry out mathematical analyses, à la Helmholtz’s and Boltzmann’s 1884 studies of monocyclic Newtonian dynamics, for the Lotka–Volterra (LV) equation exhibiting predator–prey oscillations. In doing so, a novel ‘thermodynamic theory’ of ecology is introduced. An important feature, absent in the classical mechanics, of ecological systems is a natural stochastic population dynamic formulation of which the deterministic equation (e.g. the LV equation studied) is the infinite population limit. Invariant density for the stochastic dynamics plays a central role in the deterministic LV dynamics. We show how the conservation law along a single trajectory extends to incorporate both variations in a model parameter
α
and in initial conditions: Helmholtz’s theorem establishes a broadly valid conservation law in a class of ecological dynamics. We analyse the relationships among mean ecological activeness
θ
, quantities characterizing dynamic ranges of populations

A

and
α
, and the ecological force
F

α

. The analyses identify an entire orbit as a stationary ecology, and establish the notion of an ‘equation of ecological states’. Studies of the stochastic dynamics with finite populations show the LV equation as the robust, fast cyclic underlying behaviour. The mathematical narrative provides a novel way of capturing long-term dynamical behaviours with an emergent
conservative ecology
.
Economic inequality caused by feedbacks between poverty and the dynamics of a rare tropical disease: the case of Buruli ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Garchitorena Andrés , Ngonghala Calistus N. , Guegan Jean-Francois , Texier Gaëtan , Bellanger Martine , Bonds Matthew , Roche Benjamin
Published: November 2015

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have received increasing attention in recent years by the global heath community, as they cumulatively constitute substantial burdens of disease as well as barriers for economic development. A number of common tropical diseases such as malaria, hookworm or schistosomiasis have well-documented economic impacts. However, much less is known about the population-level impacts of diseases that are rare but associated with high disability burden, which represent a great number of tropical diseases. Using an individual-based model of Buruli ulcer (BU), we demonstrate that, through feedbacks between health and economic status, such NTDs can have a significant impact on the economic structure of human populations even at low incidence levels. While average wealth is only marginally affected by BU, the economic conditions of certain subpopulations are impacted sufficiently to create changes in measurable population-level inequality. A reduction of the disability burden caused by BU can thus maximize the economic growth of the poorest subpopulations and reduce significantly the economic inequalities introduced by the disease in endemic regions.
Ediacaran skeletal metazoan interpreted as a lophophorate
Authors: Zhuravlev A. Yu. , Wood R. A. , Penny A. M.
Published: November 2015

While many skeletal biomineralized genera are described from Ediacaran (635–541 million years ago, Ma) strata, none have been suggested to have an affinity above the Porifera–Cnidaria metazoan grade. Here, we reinterpret the widespread terminal Ediacaran (approx. 550–541 Ma) sessile goblet-shapedNamacalathusas a triploblastic eumetazoan.Namacalathushas a stalked cup with radially symmetrical cross section, multiple lateral lumens and a central opening. We show that the skeleton ofNamacalathusis composed of a calcareous foliated ultrastructure displaying regular concordant columnar inflections, with a possible inner organic-rich layer. These features point to an accretionary growth style of the skeleton and an affinity with the Lophotrochozoa, more specifically within the Lophophorata (Brachiopoda and Bryozoa). Additionally, we present evidence for asexual reproduction as expressed by regular budding in a bilateral pattern. The interpretation ofNamacalathusas an Ediacaran total group lophophorate is consistent with an early radiation of the Lophophorata, as known early Cambrian representatives were sessile, mostly stalked forms, and in addition, the oldest known calcareous Brachiopoda (early Cambrian Obolellida) and Bryozoa (Ordovician Stenolaemata) possessed foliated ultrastructures.
Cry-wolf signals emerging from coevolutionary feedbacks in a tritrophic system
Authors: Yamauchi Atsushi , van Baalen Minus , Kobayashi Yutaka , Takabayashi Junji , Shiojiri Kaori , Sabelis Maurice W.
Published: November 2015

For a communication system to be stable, senders should convey honest information. Providing dishonest information, however, can be advantageous to senders, which imposes a constraint on the evolution of communication systems. Beyond single populations and bitrophic systems, one may ask whether stable communication systems can evolve in multitrophic systems. Consider cross-species signalling where herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) attract predators to reduce the damage from arthropod herbivores. Such plant signals may be honest and help predators to identify profitable prey/plant types via HIPV composition and to assess prey density via the amount of HIPVs. There could be selection for dishonest signals that attract predators for protection from possible future herbivory. Recently, we described a case in which plants release a fixed, high amount of HIPVs independent of herbivore load, adopting what we labelled a ‘cry-wolf’ strategy. To understand when such signals evolve, we model coevolutionary interactions between plants, herbivores and predators, and show that both ‘honest’ and ‘cry-wolf’ types can emerge, depending on the assumed plant–herbivore encounter rates and herbivore population density. It is suggested that the ‘cry-wolf’ strategy may have evolved to reduce the risk of heavy damage in the future. Our model suggests that eco-evolutionary feedback loops involving a third species may have important consequences for the stability of this outcome.
Phage selection for bacterial cheats leads to population decline
Authors: Vasse Marie , Torres-Barceló Clara , Hochberg Michael E.
Published: November 2015

While predators and parasites are known for their effects on bacterial population biology, their impact on the dynamics of bacterial social evolution remains largely unclear. Siderophores are iron-chelating molecules that are key to the survival of certain bacterial species in iron-limited environments, but their production can be subject to cheating by non-producing genotypes. In a selection experiment conducted over approximately 20 bacterial generations and involving 140 populations of the pathogenic bacterium
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1, we assessed the impact of a lytic phage on competition between siderophore producers and non-producers. We show that the presence of lytic phages favours the non-producing genotype in competition, regardless of whether iron use relies on siderophores. Interestingly, phage pressure resulted in higher siderophore production, which constitutes a cost to the producers and may explain why they were outcompeted by non-producers. By the end of the experiment, however, cheating load reduced the fitness of mixed populations relative to producer monocultures, and only monocultures of producers managed to grow in the presence of phage in situations where siderophores were necessary to access iron. These results suggest that public goods production may be modulated in the presence of natural enemies with consequences for the evolution of social strategies.
Various localized epigenetic marks predict expression across 54 samples and reveal underlying chromatin state enrichments
Authors: Devadas Lalita , Yen Angela , Kellis Manolis
Published: November 2015

Here, we predict gene expression from epigenetic features based on public data available through the Epigenome Roadmap Project [1]. This rich new dataset includes samples from primary tissues, which to our knowledge have not previously been studied in this context. Specifically, we used computational machine learning algorithms on five histone modifications to predict gene expression in a variety of samples. Our models reveal a high predictive accuracy, especially in cell cultures, with predictive ability dependent on sample type and anatomy. The relative importance of each histone mark feature varied across samples. We localized each histone mark signal to its relevant region, revealing that chromatin state enrichment varies greatly between histone marks. Our results provide several novel insights into epigenetic regulation of transcription in new contexts.
Resources for the comprehensive discovery of functional RNA elements
Authors: Sundararaman Balaji , Zhan Lijun , Blue Steven , Stanton Rebecca , Elkins Keri , Olson Sara , Wei Xintao , Van Nostrand Eric L. , Huelga Stephanie C. , Smalec Brendan M. , Wang Xiaofeng , Hong Eurie L. , Davidson Jean M. , Lecuyer Eric , Graveley Brenton R. , Yeo Gene W.
Published: November 2015

Transcriptome-wide maps of RNA binding protein (RBP)-RNA interactions by immunoprecipitation (IP)-based methods such as RNA IP (RIP) and crosslinking and IP (CLIP) are key starting points for evaluating the molecular roles of the thousands of human RBPs. A significant bottleneck to the application of these methods in diverse cell-lines, tissues and developmental stages, is the availability of validated IP-quality antibodies. Using IP followed by immunoblot assays, we have developed a validated repository of 438 commercially available antibodies that interrogate 365 unique RBPs. In parallel, 362 short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs against 276 unique RBPs were also used to confirm specificity of these antibodies. These antibodies can characterize subcellular RBP localization. With the burgeoning interest in the roles of RBPs in cancer, neurobiology and development, these resources are invaluable to the broad scientific community. Detailed information about these resources is publicly available at the ENCODE portal (https://www.encodeproject.org/).

Highlights

Antibodies against 365 unique RBPs successfully immunoprecipitate the RBPs

Short-hairpin RNAs against 276 unique RBPs confirm the specificity of RBP antibodies

Antibodies characterize subcellular localization of RBPs

Antibody and hairpin RNA information are provided athttps://www.encodeproject.org/
4C-ker: A method to reproducibly identify genome-wide interactions captured by 4C-Seq experiments
Authors: Raviram Ramya , Rocha Pedro P. , Müller Christian L. , Miraldi Emily R. , Badri Sana , Fu Yi , Swanzey Emily , Proudhon Charlotte , Snetkova Valentina , Bonneau Richard , Skok Jane
Published: November 2015

4C-Seq has proven to be a powerful technique to identify genome-wide interactions with a single locus of interest (or “bait”) that can be important for gene regulation. However, analysis of 4C-Seq data is complicated by the many biases inherent to the technique. An important consideration when dealing with 4C-Seq data is the differences in resolution of signal across the genome that result from differences in 3D distance separation from the bait. This leads to the highest signal in the region immediately surrounding the bait and increasingly lower signals in far-cisandtrans. Another important aspect of 4C-Seq experiments is the resolution, which is greatly influenced by the choice of restriction enzyme and the frequency at which it can cut the genome. Thus, it is important that a 4C-Seq analysis method is flexible enough to analyze data generated using different enzymes and to identify interactions across the entire genome. Current methods for 4C-Seq analysis only identify interactions in regions near the bait or in regions located in far-cisandtrans, but no method comprehensively analyzes 4C signals of different length scales. In addition, some methods also fail in experiments where chromatin fragments are generated using frequent cutter restriction enzymes. Here, we describe 4C-ker, a Hidden-Markov Model based pipeline that identifies regions throughout the genome that interact with the 4C bait locus. In addition we incorporate methods for the identification of differential interactions in multiple 4C-seq datasets collected from different genotypes or experimental conditions. Adaptive window sizes are used to correct for differences in signal coverage in near-bait regions, far-cisandtranschromosomes. Using several datasets, we demonstrate that 4C-ker outperforms all existing 4C-Seq pipelines in its ability to reproducibly identify interaction domains at all genomic ranges with different resolution enzymes.

AUTHORS SUMMARY

Circularized chromosome conformation capture, or 4C-Seq is a technique developed to identify regions of the genome that are in close spatial proximity to a single locus of interest (‘bait’). This technique is used to detect regulatory interactions between promoters and enhancers and to characterize the nuclear environment of different regions within and across different cell types. So far, existing methods for 4C-Seq data analysis do not comprehensively identify interactions across the entire genome due to biases in the technique that are related to the decrease in 4C signal that results from increased 3D distance from the bait. To compensate for these weaknesses in existing methods we developed 4C-ker, a method that explicitly models these biases to improve the analysis of 4C-Seq to better understand the genome wide interaction profile of an individual locus.
Optimal derotation of shared acceleration time series by determining relative spatial alignment
Authors: Mayrhofer René , Hlavacs Helmut , Findling Rainhard Dieter
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to improve detection of common movement. Detecting if two or multiple devices are moved together is an interesting problem for different applications. However, these devices may be aligned arbitrarily with regards to each other, and the three dimensions sampled by their respective local accelerometers can therefore not be directly compared. The typical approach is to ignore all angular components and only compare overall acceleration magnitudes – with the obvious disadvantage of discarding potentially useful information.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper contributes a method to analytically determine relative spatial alignment of two devices based on their acceleration time series. The method uses quaternions to compute the optimal rotation with regards to minimizing the mean squared error.

Findings

– Based on real-world experimental data from smartphones and smartwatches shaken together, the paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the method with a magnitude squared coherence metric, for which an improved equal error rate (EER) of 0.16 (when using derotation) over an EER of 0.18 (when not using derotation) is shown.

Practical implications

– After derotation, the reference system of one device can be (locally and independently) aligned with the other, and thus all three dimensions can consequently be compared for more accurate classification.

Originality/value

– Without derotating time series, angular information cannot be used for deciding if devices have been moved together. To the best of the authors
'
knowledge, this is the first analytic approach to find the optimal derotation of the coordinate systems, given only the two 3D time acceleration series of devices (supposedly) moved together. It can be used as the basis for further research on improved classification toward acceleration-based device pairing.
Reducing isocyanate exposure and asthma risk in motor vehicle repair
Authors: Piney Mark , Llewellyn Diane , O'Hara Rachel , Saunders John , Cocker John , Jones Kate , Fishwick David
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Exposure to isocyanates was the leading cause of occupational asthma in the UK. Motor vehicle repair (MVR) bodyshop paint sprayers were at greatest risk, despite widespread use of air-fed breathing apparatus and ventilated booths. Most paint sprayers work in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) project, described in this paper, is to improve exposure control measures in at least 20 per cent of MVR bodyshops, and reduce the risk of occupational asthma. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– A three-stranded plan consisted of: Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs); workplace inspections; and third-party stakeholder communications. The impact of various parts of the project were evaluated.

Findings

– Approximately 18 per cent of bodyshops in the UK attended one of 32 SHADs, following which over 90 per cent of delegates expressed an “intention to act” to improve exposure control measures. A local assessment showed that at least 50 per cent of bodyshops improved exposure control measures. An evaluation of 109 inspections found that enforcement action was taken at 40 per cent of visits. Third-party engagement produced a joint HSE-industry designed poster, new agreed guidance on spray booths and dissemination of SHAD material. Knowledge of booth clearance time has become widespread, and 85 per cent of booths now have pressure gauges. Biological monitoring data show that, post-SHAD, exposures were lower.

Originality/value

– A sustained national project using clear, relevant, tested messages delivered via different routes, had a sector-wide impact in bodyshops. It is probable that the project has improved isocyanate exposure control in at least 20 per cent of bodyshops. The generic lessons could be applied to other widespread SME businesses.
Mystery shoppers: an evaluation of their use in monitoring performance
Authors: Douglas Jacqueline
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine what mystery shopping is, why it is used and how mystery customers are trained and how the information collected is fed back to the client organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach was to use an online survey of mystery shoppers compares the reality of the situation with the best practice identified from the extant literature.

Findings

– The main outcome was that results identify good and bad practices in all areas of the process and guidelines for the recruitment, training and monitoring of mystery shoppers are proposed including in-depth training in all aspects of the job.

Research limitations/implications

– A sample of 85 mystery shoppers was used and only in the UK. It would be interesting to widen this out internationally.

Practical implications

– Mystery shoppers are used worldwide by services to evaluate the performance of their front-line people and processes but are their evaluations valid and reliable? This research identifies good and bad practice which should help managers to design their training for mystery shoppers.

Originality/value

– The paper addresses a gap in the literature on the perceptions of mystery shoppers.
Achieving quality in printing: some determining factors in the printing industry in Ghana
Authors: Graham Nicholas Kingsley , Owusu Isaac
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Implementing quality programmes faces challenges and are not able to yield the needed results. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which three key variables referred to as employee development, empowerment and participation (EDEP) determine the success of a quality programme of printing firms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is purely quantitative and data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of workers from printing firms in Ghana. The questionnaire instrument assesses the practices of the firms on development, empowerment and participation of employees. Descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to ascertain the contribution and relationship of the variables to quality achievement.

Findings

– EDEP is directly and significantly related to print quality achievement. Among the three variables, participation has the greatest effect and contributes significantly to quality achievement. This is followed by empowerment, which has moderate effect on successful quality programme.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was unable to evaluate entire Total Quality Management dimensions. More extended research, preferably longitudinal study, is needed to establish how EDEP affect quality achievement in organisations.

Practical implications

– Achieving quality printing depends on the level of attention to EDEP. The study suggests that when employees participate fully in quality drive and self-manage their actions and duties, high-quality printing can be assured.

Social implications

– The study provides useful information on factors that have been overlooked or given less attention, yet affect quality programmes of the firms.

Originality/value

– The study empirically measure critical success factors of a quality in the printing firms.
Travel agencies’ perception of ISO 9001 certification
Authors: Mak Lui Ming
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness regarding the implementation of a quality management system in the travel agency sector by identifying similarities and differences in the perception of the ISO 9001 certification by travel agencies in China and Hong Kong as well as to provide potential recommendations to Kenya and to other countries developing tourism industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The comparative study approach is used to compare perceptions of the ISO 9001 certification by travel agencies in China and Hong Kong.

Findings

– Travel agencies in Kenya, China, and Hong Kong promote the benefits but address the shortcomings and challenges of implementing the ISO 9001 certification simultaneously. This certification certainly benefited travel agencies in terms of marketing, but sustaining these effects remains a challenge.

Research limitations/implications

– The comparative approach, while important, cannot be considered a “scientific” approach at present. The current research compared the findings of two studies; however, these works are limited in that they use different data collection methodologies. Consequently, the results may vary.

Originality/value

– More similarities than differences were determined in the terms of costs among travel agencies in China and Hong Kong. Various differences were identified with respect to the perceived benefits from the ISO 9001 certification. This finding can be regarded as both a challenge and an opportunity.
Characterization of the ecological role of genes mediating acid resistance in Lactobacillus reuteri during colonization of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Krumbeck Janina A. , Marsteller Nathan L. , Frese Steven A. , Peterson Daniel A. , Ramer‐Tait Amanda E. , Hutkins Robert W. , Walter Jens
Published: November 2015

Rodent‐derived strains of Lactobacillus reuteri densely colonize the forestomach of mice and possess several genes whose predicted functions constitute adaptations towards an acidic environment. The objective of this study was to systematically determine which genes of L. reuteri 100‐23 contribute to tolerance towards host gastric acid secretion. Genes predicted to be involved in acid resistance were inactivated, and their contribution to survival under acidic conditions was confirmed in model gastric juice. Fitness of five mutants that showed impaired in vitro acid resistance were then compared through competition experiments in ex‐germ‐free mice that were either treated with omeprazole, a proton‐pump inhibitor that suppresses acid secretion in the stomach, or left untreated. This analysis revealed that the urease cluster was the predominant factor in mediating resistance to gastric acid production. Population levels of the mutant, which were substantially decreased in untreated mice, were almost completely restored through omeprazole, demonstrating that urease production in L. reuteri is mainly devoted to overcome gastric acid. The findings provide novel information on the mechanisms by which L. reuteri colonizes its gastric niche and demonstrate that in silico gene predictions and in vitro tests have limitations for predicting the ecological functions of colonization factors in bacterial symbionts.
Quaker Dreaming: The “Lost” Cotton Archive and the Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land
Authors: Brodie Nicholas Dean
Published: November 2015

This article explores interactions between Tasmanian Aborigines and residents of a Quaker settler property in documented actuality and familial, regional, and scholarly memory. Debunking a recent suggestion that authentic Tasmanian Aboriginal religious rituals and mythologies were kept secret by these settlers for a century and a half, I argue that such “mythologies,” and stories of their transmission, are post‐colonial inventions that attempt to render this part of the narrative of Quaker colonialism in Van Diemen's Land as principally humanitarian, with Quakers acting as a benignly aberrant exception to the wider phenomenon of settlers dispossessing Indigenous peoples. Demonstrating that these settlers colluded in wider colonial practices and policies, and were active participants in networks of scientific study of the Tasmanian Aborigines, this article serves as a case study of the multi‐layered nature of colonial action and post‐colonial historicism, and also points to a self‐referential tendency in historiographies of colonial Tasmania. I suggest that the stories presented as an authentic body of Tasmanian mythology in Land of the Sleeping Gods (2013) unconvincingly attempts to reinscribe Quaker colonialism as pacifist and humanitarian, and I argue that in fact Quakers demonstrably contributed to the dispossessing of Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples from their traditional lands.
Effect of silymarin alcoholic extract on surgery‐induced intraperitoneal adhesion in rats
Authors: Karimi Mehrdad , Parsaei Pouya , Shafiei‐Alavijeh Soheil , Rafieian‐Kopaei Mahmoud , Asadi S. Yazdan
Published: November 2015

Aim

Adhesion formation is the greatest complication in abdominal surgery. Silybum marianum (S. marianum) extract contains phenolic compounds whit antioxidant activities, thus could reduce adhesion formation. The aim of the present study was to examine its effect on intraabdominal adhesion.

Patients and Methods

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. Groups A and B received 1 per cent and 5 per cent concentrations of the S. marianum extract, and group C (control group) received distilled water. After anaesthesia was administered, the abdominal wall was opened and three shallow, longitudinal and transverse incisions (2 cm in length) were made on the right wall of the abdomen. A 2 × 2 cm piece was removed from the peritoneal surface on the left side of the abdominal wall; 3 mL of S. marianum extract or distilled water was then administered into the abdominal cavity. Adhesion degrees were determined according to the Canbaz scale. Histopathological examination was also determined according to the severity of fibrosis and inflammation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version16.

Results

There was significant difference in the adhesion formation between the groups (P = 0.023). The adhesion degree in groups A and B were significantly lower than that of the control (P < 0.05). In the histopathological examination, significant differences were observed between the control and extract‐treated groups in term of fibrosis and inflammation (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

S. marianum extract has preventive effects on post‐laparotomy intraabdominal adhesion. Therefore, through further clinical studies, S. marianum extract and its derived compounds might be used in humans for the treatment of these complications.
Outcomes of duodenojejunostomy (the Grégoire procedure) for obstruction or perforation of the third and fourth portions of the duodenum
Authors: Sabbagh Charles , Dhahri Abdennaceur , Mariage Maxime , Ntouba Alexandre , Yzet Thierry , Regimbeau Jean‐Marc
Published: November 2015

Aim

Although obstruction and perforation of the third and fourth portions of the duodenum are rare, they are usually encountered in an emergency setting. The objective of the present study was to characterize the outcomes of duodenojejunostomy for the obstruction or perforation of the third and fourth portions of the duodenum.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐centre study (evidence level V). From January 2004 to March 2013, all patients having undergone a duodenojejunostomy for damage to the third or fourth portions of the duodenum were included in the study.

Results

The study population consisted of three women (33.3 per cent) and six men (66.7 men). The mean age was 52 years (range: 22–81). Three patients (33.3 per cent) had an obstruction, and the remaining six (66.7 per cent) had a perforation. The aetiology for all cases of obstruction was jejunal metastasis of lung cancer (n = 3). The mean operating time was 190.7 min (range: 100–275). All anastomoses were lateroterminal and were hand‐sewn between the genu inferius and the first jejunal loop. The mean time to refeeding was 6 days (range: 5–9), and the mean duration of postoperative gastroparesis was 8 days (range: 4–21). The mean length of hospital stay was 23 days (range: 15–50). The median Clavien score was 2 (0–5). The mortality rate was 11.2 per cent (n = 1).

Conclusion

Duodenojejunostomy protects patients from obstruction and enables rapid refeeding. It has an acceptable morbidity rate and can be easily performed in an emergency setting.
Early experience of transarterial chemoembolization and stereotactic body radiotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy in treating solitary right‐lobe hepatocellular carcinoma greater than 10 cm
Authors: Wong Wai‐Man , Cheung Chin‐Cheung , Mak Chak‐Fong
Published: November 2015

For good liver reserve patients with large (≥ 10 cm) right‐lobe solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), resection is technically difficult. Moreover, inadequate future liver remnant volume might preclude major surgical resection. In this case series, we report our early experience in managing a group of such patients using transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a downstaging neoadjuvant therapy before resection. From July 2012 to November 2013, we treated five patients with large right‐lobe, solitary HCC (10–24 cm) by this regime. Portal vein thrombosis was seen in two cases. The tumour showed significant reduction in size, and the left lobe showed significant enlargement. All tumours were successfully resected. Technical difficulty due to post‐TACE and ‐SBRT fibrosis and adhesion can be overcome by using the anterior approach and hanging technique with mild modification. There was one mortality reported in this series, but a post‐mortem study showed acute myocardial infarction without any surgical complications. Radiation‐induced myocardial injury was also excluded. TACE and SBRT are a safe option to downstage large, right‐lobe solitary HCC greater than 10 cm, with or without portal vein thrombosis. Surgical resection after this neoadjuvant therapy can be carried out safely with some modification of technique.
Creative ways of talking: a narrative literature review concerning emotional support for adults with mild or moderate learning difficulties
Authors: MacDonald Dee
Published: November 2015

Accessible summary

A group of adults with mild‐to‐moderate learning difficulties said they found it hard at times to find someone to talk to who understands them.

They said this was important because everybody should have someone to talk to and share their feelings with.

They wanted to know what had been written about this, and what research had been done.

A literature review was undertaken and found that the emotional lives of adults with learning difficulties have not been researched very much.

Often supporters do not realise that people with learning difficulties would like more opportunities to talk and share their feelings.

Adults with learning difficulties are good at supporting each other and more could be done to help this to happen.

Background: Adults with mild or moderate learning difficulties identified a need for more opportunities to access appropriate emotional support.

Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was undertaken. Factors associated with dealing with emotional unrest, such as self‐esteem/self‐awareness, a person's attitude to having learning difficulties, emotional competency and friendship issues are discussed.

Results: The review provides evidence that emotional unrest exists but receives little attention from supporters due to an emphasis on practical issues associated with an inclusion agenda. The review highlights a lack of research on emotional support for adults and explores reasons for this.

Conclusion: The value that people with learning difficulties place on support from others with learning difficulties, that is peer support, emerges as a theme and an argument is presented for further inclusive research in this area.
Detection of anal dysplasia is enhanced by narrow band imaging and acetic acid
Authors: Inkster M. D. , Wiland H. O. , Wu J. S.
Published: November 2015

Aim

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia precedes the development of anal squamous cell carcinoma. Detection of the lesion is essential to management. This paper describes a prospective study to detect and ablate anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) using white light narrow band imaging (NBI) and NBI with acetic acid (NBIA).

Method

Sixty patients with abnormal anal cytology and risk factors for anal dysplasia underwent examination of the anoderm with a high definition gastroscope and NBIA. Targeted biopsies were taken and the lesions were ablated and characterized histopathologically. Visualization of the anal transitional zone was facilitated by retroflexion and examination through a disposable anoscope.

Results

Targeted biopsies were taken from lesions in 58 patients. No lesion was seen in two patients. Histopathology showed SIL in 48 (80.0%) of 60 biopsies. One biopsy showed lymphoid aggregates. Biopsies in nine (15%) of the 60 patients showed normal mucosa. Lesions were seen in white light in 27 (45%) of the 60 cases, NBI in 39 (65%) and NBIA in 57 (95%). There was no major morbidity. Sensitivity analysis showed that all methods were significantly different from each other.

Conclusion

Anal SIL in the anal transitional zone and anal canal can be identified by NBIA. Patient selection influences findings. Limitations include small sample size and non‐randomization.
Optical Coherence Tomography of the Labial Salivary Glands Reveals Age‐Related Differences in Women
Authors: Nowak Jan Krzysztof , Grulkowski Ireneusz , Karnowski Karol , Wojtkowski Maciej , Walkowiak Jaroslaw
Published: November 2015

The labial minor salivary glands (LSGs) play a role in medical research and practice due to their superficial location and involvement in both systemic and localized diseases. Swept‐source optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive modality that enables in vivo, micrometer resolution, wide‐field three‐dimensional imaging in seconds. A purpose‐built swept‐source OCT instrument was employed to acquire three‐dimensional datasets covering the area of 2.43 cm2 of the mucosa of the lower lip to the depth of 3.4 mm in young (n = 14; mean age ± SD: 27 ± 3 years; body mass index [BMI] 20.4 ± 2.3 kg/m2) and middle‐aged women (n = 11; 54 ± 6 years; 25.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2). Glandular tissue reflectivity mode (range 0–255; 86 ± 17 vs. 68 ± 12, p = 0.005), average single LSG area in tissue sample (5.26 ± 2.62 mm2 vs. 2.87 ± 1.26 mm2, p = 0.011), and LSG surface filling factor (0.23 ± 0.13 vs. 0.11 ± 0.10, p = 0.027) had higher values in younger than in middle‐aged women. A correlation between BMI and glandular tissue reflectivity mode (Spearman's ρ = –0.60) was found (p = 0.002). The results highlight the potential value of LSGs’ OCT morphometry in research regarding ageing.