bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroconvulsive Therapy in Schizophrenia in China
Authors: Li Qian , Su Yun-Ai , Xiang Yu-Tao , Shu Liang , Yu Xin , Ungvari Gabor S. , Seiner Stephen J. , Chiu Helen F.K. , Ning Yu-Ping , Wang Gao-Hua , Zhang Ke-Rang , Li Tao , Sun Li-Zhong , Shi Jian-Guo , Chen Xian-Sheng , Mei Qi-Yi , Li Ke-Qing , Si Tian-Mei
Published: October 2016

Objective

Little is known about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use in the treatment of schizophrenia in China. This study examined the frequency of ECT use, its trend between 2006 and 2012, and its independent demographic and clinical correlates in a nationwide survey in China.

Methods

A total of 5162 inpatients in 45 Chinese psychiatric hospitals/centers were interviewed (2696 in 2006 and 2466 in 2012). Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure.

Results

Electroconvulsive therapy was used in 6.1% of the whole sample; 4.7% in 2006 and 7.7% in 2012 (P < 0.001) with wide interprovince variations. Multiple logistic regression analyses of the whole sample revealed that patients receiving ECT were more likely to be women, receive second-generation antipsychotics, treated in tertiary referral centers (level III hospitals), had a shorter illness duration, and more positive and depressive symptoms (R

2
= 0.181; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia has increased between 2006 and 2012 in China. Its percentage was higher than the figures reported in most other countries. Reasons for the substantial variations in the frequency of ECT across different provinces in China require further investigations.
Dissociable Roles of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate in Subjective Valuation of Prospective Effort
Authors: Hogan Patrick S. , Galaro Joseph K. , Chib Vikram S.
Published: October 2016

The perceived effort level of an action shapes everyday decisions. Despite the importance of these perceptions for decision-making, the behavioral and neural representations of the subjective cost of effort are not well understood. While a number of studies have implicated anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in decisions about effort/reward trade-offs, none have experimentally isolated effort valuation from reward and choice difficulty, a function that is commonly ascribed to this region. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor brain activity while human participants engaged in uncertain choices for prospective physical effort. Our task was designed to examine effort-based decision making in the absence of reward and separated from choice difficulty – allowing us to investigate the brain’s role in effort valuation, independent of these other factors. Participants exhibited subjectivity in their decision-making, displaying increased sensitivity to changes in subjective effort as objective effort levels increased. Analysis of blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activity revealed that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) encoded the subjective valuation of prospective effort and ACC encoded choice difficulty. These results provide insight into the processes responsible for decision-making regarding effort, dissociating the roles of vmPFC and ACC in prospective valuation of effort and choice difficulty.
Identification and molecular characterization of cellular factors required for glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Park Ok Hyun , Park Joori , Yu Mira , An Hyoung-Tae , Ko Jesang , Kim Yoon Ki
Published: October 2016

Glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) has been shown recently to bind a subset of mRNAs and elicit rapid mRNA degradation. However, the molecular details of GR-mediated mRNA decay (GMD) remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that GMD triggers rapid degradation of target mRNAs in a translation-independent and exon junction complex-independent manner, confirming that GMD is mechanistically distinct from nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Efficient GMD requires PNRC2 (proline-rich nuclear receptor coregulatory protein 2) binding, helicase ability, and ATM-mediated phosphorylation of UPF1 (upstream frameshift 1). We also identify two GMD-specific factors: an RNA-binding protein, YBX1 (Y-box-binding protein 1), and an endoribonuclease, HRSP12 (heat-responsive protein 12). In particular, using HRSP12 variants, which are known to disrupt trimerization of HRSP12, we show that HRSP12 plays an essential role in the formation of a functionally active GMD complex. Moreover, we determine the hierarchical recruitment of GMD factors to target mRNAs. Finally, our genome-wide analysis shows that GMD targets a variety of transcripts, implicating roles in a wide range of cellular processes, including immune responses.
Aerodynamic design of gas turbine engine intake duct
Authors: Soemarwoto Bambang I. , Boelens Okko J. , Kanakis Toni
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a design solution of an engine intake duct suitable for delivering air to the compressor of a gas turbine engine of a general aviation turboprop aircraft, where the initial duct shape suffers a problem of flow distortion due to flow separation at the compressor inlet.

Design/methodology/approach

Aerodynamic design uses a three-dimensional inverse-by-optimization approach where the deviation from a desirable target pressure distribution is minimized by means of the adjoint method.

Findings

By virtue of a minimization algorithm, the specified target pressure distribution does not necessarily have to be fully realizable to drive the initial pressure distribution towards one with a favourable pressure gradient. The resulting optimized engine intake duct features a deceleration region, in a diverging channel, followed by an acceleration region, in a contracting channel, inhibiting flow separation on the compressor inlet plane.

Practical implications

The flow separation at the compressor inlet has been eliminated allowing proper installation of the engine and flight testing of the aircraft.

Originality/value

Placement and shaping of the intake duct of a turboshaft and turboprop gas turbine engine is a common industrial problem which can be challenging when the available space is limited. The inverse-by-optimization approach based on a reduced flow model, i.e. inviscid flow based on the Euler equations, and a specification of a simple target pressure distribution constitutes an efficient method to overcome the challenge.
Model updating of finite element model using optimisation routine
Authors: Prananta Bimo , Kanakis Toni , Vankan Jos , van Houten Rien
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The present paper aims to describe the model updating of a small aircraft dynamic finite element model (FEM) to improve its agreement with ground vibration test (GVT) data.

Design/methodology/approach

An automatic updating method using an optimization procedure is carried out. Instead of using dedicated updating tools, the procedure is implemented using standard MSC/NASTRAN because of wide availability of the software in small aircraft industries. The objective function is defined to minimize the differences in the natural frequency and the differences in the mode shape between the analytical model and the GVT data. Provision has been made to include the quantification of confidence in both the GVT data and in the initial model. Parameter grouping is carried out to reduce the number of design parameters during the optimization process.

Findings

The optimization module of standard finite element (FE) software can be effectively used to reduce the differences between the GVT and the FEM in terms of frequency and mode shape satisfactorily. The strategy to define the objective function based on minimizing the mode shape error can reduce the improvement in the frequency error. The required user interference can be kept low.

Originality/value

The most important contribution of the present paper concerns the combination of strategies to define the objective function and selection of the parameters.
Implicit CFD methods for transitional shock wave – boundary layer interaction
Authors: Zografakis George , Barakos George
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the potential of transition prediction methods for modelling transitional shock wave/boundary layer interactions. The study is fuelled by the strong interest of researchers and airframe manufacturers in reducing the drag of vehicles flying at transonic speeds. The principle of drag reduction via flow laminarity is valid, provided there is no need for the flow to sustain large pressure gradients or shocks. This is true, as laminar boundary layers are less resistant to flow separation.

Design/methodology/approach

It is, therefore, worthwhile to assess the performance of CFD methods in modelling laminar boundary layers that can be tripped to turbulent just before an interaction with a shock. In this work, the CFD solver of Liverpool University is used. The method is strongly implicit, and, for this reason, the implementation of intermittency-based models requires special attention. The Navier–Stokes equations, the transport equations of the kinetic energy of turbulence and the turbulent frequency are inverted at the same time as the transport equations for the flow intermittency and the momentum thickness Reynolds number.

Findings

The result is stable and robust convergence even for complex three-dimensional flow cases. The method is demonstrated for the flow around the V2C section of the TFAST EU, F7 project. The results suggest that the intermittency-based model captures the fundamental physics of the interaction, but verification and validation are needed to ensure that accurate results can be obtained. For this reason, comparisons with the TFAST experiments is put forward as a means of establishing confidence in the transition prediction tools used for shock/boundary layer interaction simulation.

Research limitations/implications

At the moment, experimental data for transonic transitional buffet are not yet available, although this will change in the near future.

Practical implications

The required CPU time is neither insignificant not prohibitive for routine computations.

Social implications

Reducing aircraft drag without compromising on stall characteristics will result in lower fuel consumption and contribute to a greener and more economic flight for passengers.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that transitional buffet has been addressed.
“Don’t buy this jacket”
Authors: Hwang Chanmi , Lee Youngji , Diddi Sonali , Karpova Elena
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of anti-consumption advertisement on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions (PIs) of an apparel product.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted with a sample of college students (n=1,300) who were randomly assigned to view either a traditional advertisement for a Patagonia jacket or an anti-consumption advertisement of the same jacket. After that, consumer attitudes toward buying the jacket and PIs were measured employing online survey. In addition, consumer environmental concern (EC), perceived intrinsic brand motivation and extrinsic brand motivation (PIBM and PEBM) were measured to test a proposed research model.

Findings

Participants exposed to the anti-consumption advertisement reported less positive attitudes toward and lower PIs to buy the jacket than participants who viewed the traditional advertisement. Participants’ EC, PIBMs and PEBMs were found to be important predictors of the attitude and PI.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a foundation for future research on consumer attitudes and PIs in the context of anti-consumption behavior and the effects of anti-consumption advertisement. Limitations of the present study include convenience sampling.

Practical implications

Anti-consumption advertising might be used effectively to raise consumers’ awareness on their spending habits on clothing and reduce the clutter of consuming culture.

Originality/value

The research findings contribute to the corporate social responsibility literature in the apparel context, specifically socially responsible marketing, by focusing on the nascent topic of anti-consumption. This was the first study that examined how anti-consumption advertisement might affect consumer attitudes toward buying products displayed in this advertisement.
Antecedents to internet use to collaboratively consume apparel
Authors: Johnson Kim K.P. , Mun Jung Mee , Chae Yoori
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate attitude, subjective norm, perceived integrity of participants, materialism, and previous experience with collaborative consumption (CC) offline as antecedents to the CC of apparel facilitated by the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research with convenience sample of consumers from within the USA.

Findings

Attitude toward CC of apparel was significantly related to intention to collaboratively consume apparel online as was subjective norms. Previous experience with CC of apparel offline was significantly related to both attitude and behavioral intention. Perceived integrity of CC participants was related to previous experience with CC of apparel offline and attitude. Materialism was significantly and negatively related to previous experience with CC of apparel.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations include the use of a convenience sample of consumers and the research was limited to one form of CC.

Practical implications

As a means to foster sustainable consumption, for those interested in promoting CC, consideration should be given to having existing participants of CC invite other family members and friends to try it as this might be more effective than targeting random members of the consuming public.

Originality/value

An investigation of CC of a fashion item (apparel) that identifies predictors to participation.
The academic conceptualisation of ethical clothing
Authors: Reimers Vaughan , Magnuson Bryce , Chao Fred
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Despite supposed widespread consumer support for ethical clothing, it still often fails to translate into actual purchase. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the way in which academics have defined and measured ethical clothing could account for this.

Design/methodology/approach

An over reliance on convenience sampling and the use of student samples has also been touted as a possible reason for this attitude-behaviour gap. To address this, this study employed a consumer household sample. It also used a quantitative survey approach to collect its data and structural equation modelling to analyse it.

Findings

In contrast to the way in which academics have conceptualised the construct, consumer perceptions of ethical clothing were found to be influenced by four dimensions: environmental responsibility, employee welfare, animal welfare and slow fashion attributes.

Originality/value

Ethical clothing has typically been operationalised using just two of these four dimensions. Ironically, one of the two dimensions often overlooked by academics – animal welfare – had the strongest influence on consumer perceptions. Previous academic efforts had never employed more than three dimensions, and yet the results of this study suggest that all four must be present if an item of clothing is to be regarded as “ethical”.
Social networks in health care teams: evidence from the United States
Authors: Poghosyan Lusine , Lucero Robert J. , Knutson Ashley R. , W. Friedberg Mark , Poghosyan Hermine
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize existing evidence regarding health care team networks, including their formation and association with outcomes in various health care settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Network theory informed this review. A literature search was conducted in major databases for studies that used social network analysis methods to study health care teams in the USA between 2000 and 2014. Retrieved studies were reviewed against inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Findings

Overall, 25 studies were included in this review. Results demonstrated that health care team members form professional (e.g. consultation) and personal (e.g. friendship) networks. Network formation can be influenced by team member characteristics (i.e. demographics and professional affiliations) as well as by contextual factors (i.e. providers sharing patient populations and physical proximity to colleagues). These networks can affect team member practice such as adoption of a new medication. Network structures can also impact patient and organizational outcomes, including occurrence of adverse events and deficiencies in health care delivery.

Practical implications

Administrators and policy makers can use knowledge of health care networks to leverage relational structures in teams and tailor interventions that facilitate information exchange, promote collaboration, increase diffusion of evidence-based practices, and potentially improve individual and team performance as well as patient care and outcomes.

Originality/value

Most health services research studies have investigated health care team composition and functioning using traditional social science methodologies, which fail to capture relational structures within teams. Thus, this review is original in terms of focusing on dynamic relationships among team members.
“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” Drones
Authors: Fernandez Peter
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The word “drone” is the common term for an unmanned aerial vehicle – a robot that combines flight with sensors (usually cameras) to allow for unprecedented freedom in observing and interacting with the world.

Design/methodology/approach

This column will explore the technology that makes modern drones possible, what makes drones useful and the role of libraries in making drones accessible to their patrons, now and in the future.

Findings

Many of these applications are equally appealing to hobbyists and professionals. For some small-scale gardeners, drones can be used to scare away pests, such as deer, or take aerial photographs that provide a new perspective of their garden.

Originality/value

For the agriculture industry, drones already account for $864.4 million in spending per year and are expected to grow to account for over $4 billion by 2022, as they are used not only to monitor and plan crops but also to plant seeds and provide accurate pesticide control (Wood, 2016).
Linking transformational leadership, creativity, innovation, and innovation-supportive climate
Authors: Khalili Ashkan
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The significance of creativity and innovation within organisations has been shown on several occasions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity and innovation. Additionally, this study explored the moderating role of employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,172 employees who were working in various types of industries in Iran, a developing country.

Findings

The results of this study revealed positive and significant relationships between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity and innovation. Also, the findings indicated employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation moderated the transformational leadership‐employees’ creativity and transformational leadership‐employees’ innovation relationships.

Practical implications

Organisations should invest in transformational leadership training and in the selection of leaders with this leadership style if their aim is to foster and enhance employees’ creativity and innovation. They also should invest in organisational climate improvement in order to provide a dynamic platform for being creative and innovative in the workplace.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate the following relationships in a developing country, Iran: the associations between transformational leadership and employees’ sense of creativity and innovation and the moderating impact of employees’ perceptions of a supportive climate for innovation.
Integrating lean and green management
Authors: Hallam Cory , Contreras Carolina
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform a literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles investigating the relationship between Lean and Green management in light of developing an integrated management model.

Design/methodology/approach

After an extensive search, 60 articles from 1996 to 2016 were identified as relevant to this study.

Findings

The evidence of successful integration of Lean and Green management has largely been weak. The strongest positive evidence between the two management philosophies has been for Lean implementation pushing Green outcomes through operational waste reduction, thus improving environmental performance. The majority of studies suggest highly optimistic outcomes from integrating Lean and Green, however, an integrated operating model of the firm relating Lean and Green is lacking.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review suggests the necessary elements for proposing an integrated operating model of the firm.

Practical implications

The paper offers interesting implications for managers. While most Lean implementations have resulted in some positive environmental outcomes, both management philosophies tend to be implemented independently. Integrating the implementation of Lean and Green offers the potential for synergistic returns.

Originality/value

The findings are derived from a systematic literature review of articles that have studied the relation between Lean and Green management, resulting in a proposed integrated model of firm performance.
Modeling unpredictable failures of 304 construction material in seawater by pitting corrosion and simulate chloride ion distribution by finite element method
Authors: Paul Subir
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to predict the life of a corroding metallic structure in seawater so that uncertain and unpredictable failures of a structure, leading to accidents, can be prevented.

Design/methodology/approach

Pitting has been known to show a large scatter in the measurable parameters such as corrosion rate, maximum pit depth, time to perforation and so on. Scatter results from the influence on pit development on metal surface heterogeneity and from variations in the corrosive environment over time. All these facts suggest that randomness is an inherent and unavoidable characteristic of pitting corrosion over time, so that stochastic models have been developed to formulate pit depth as a function of parameters influencing the process. Since chloride penetrates the passive film of the metal surface, Cl ion distribution into the metal has been mapped by finite element method (FEM).

Findings

The maximum pit depth which decides the onset of perforation or leakage has been modeled by the following equation:d=36.31(ΔE)0.68×(Δt)0.35. Cl ion distribution within a pit and outside has been modeled for better understanding of pit initiation which till today is not fully understood.

Practical implications

Perforation and leakage of a tank, container, or pipeline occur when the depth of pitting reaches the section thickness of the material of which the metallic structures are made. The pitting corrosion is localized and occurs at any spot or site where electrochemical conditions (ΔE Equation (9)) are prone to pitting. This leads to unpredictable failures of the structures which may look polished and undamaged under naked eyes. In most metallic structures, pitting may be present at some spots, but failures occur only when the depth predicted by the model Equation (9) reaches the section thickness of the material. Thus, determining pipe to soil potential gives a guide to go for maintenance before pit depth reaches the material thickness, and thereby unpredictable failure can be prevented. Second, the map generated by FEM showing Cl distribution throws much information and light on movement of Cl ions from passive layer into the pit, which leads to its growth. This helps scientists and researchers to understand the mechanism and gives much insights on finding new methods for protection of structures.

Social implications

The work will guide the engineers and researchers to prevent unpredictable failures of structures leading to accidents and human and property loss and prevent environment pollution from spilling of oil from tank and pipeline.

Originality/value

This is an original work based on several laboratory-generated simulated experimental data.
Traditional forest management practices stop forest succession and bring back rare plant species
Authors: Douda Jan , Boublík Karel , Doudová Jana , Kyncl Michal
Published: October 2016

Past management practices may continue to influence ecosystem functions and processes for decades, centuries or even longer after they have been abandoned. Until now, few researchers have attempted experiments which test the effects of restoring some of these past management practices on long‐term community developmental trajectories.

Strong evidence indicates that the diversity of various taxonomic groups declined in European lowland forests in the second half of the 20th century, following the abandonment of some traditional forest management practices. We carried out a five‐year field trial in a lowland thermophilous oak forest to describe the effects of restoration of litter raking and grass cutting on the long‐term developmental trajectory of species composition and the diversity of understorey vegetation. We used target species groups, that is species specific to thermophilous forests and dry grassland vegetation and plant functional traits to evaluate the restoration success using both compositional and functional outcomes.

Dissimilarity in species composition between the managed plots and controls increased significantly during the 5 years of the trial. Litter raking increased the richness and cover of the thermophilous forest and dry grassland species, whereas grass cutting increased the richness and cover of only the dry grassland species. We did not record any overall trends in divergence of functional trait composition between managed and control plots. In the litter raking plots, we recorded increases in community‐weighted means of specific leaf area, in lateral spread and in Ellenberg indicator values for nutrients and soil reaction. In contrast, we found little evidence for predictability of species functional trait composition subjected to grass cutting.

Synthesis and applications. Following the restoration of traditional forest management practices, we were able to change the community's developmental trajectory towards higher richness and cover of target species. The evaluation of community developmental trajectories using species and functional trait composition supports the idea that restoration of traditional forest management practices should carefully distinguish among possible interventions.
Melatonin exacerbates acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by enhancing the serum levels of lactate: A potential biomarker of multiple sclerosis progression
Authors: Ghareghani Majid , Dokoohaki Shima , Ghanbari Amir , Farhadi Naser , Zibara Kazem , Khodadoust Saeid , Parishani Mohammad , Ghavamizadeh Mehdi , Sadeghi Heibatollah
Published: October 2016

Melatonin has a beneficial role in adult rat models of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, melatonin treatment (10 mg/kg/d) was investigated in young age (5‐6 weeks old) Lewis rat model of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) followed by assessing serum levels of lactate and melatonin. Results showed that clinical outcomes were exacerbated in melatonin‐ (neurological score = 6) vs PBS‐treated EAE rats (score = 5). Melatonin caused a significant increase in serum IFN‐γ, in comparison to PBS‐treated EAE rats whereas no considerable change in IL‐4 levels were found, although they were significantly lower than those of controls. The ratio of IFN‐γ/IL‐4, an indicator of Th‐1/Th‐2, was significantly higher in PBS‐ and melatonin‐ treated EAE rats, in comparison to controls. Moreover, results showed increased lymphocyte infiltration, activated astrocytes (GFAP+ cells) but also higher demyelinated plaques (MBP‐deficient areas) in the lumbar spinal cord of melatonin‐treated EAE rats. Finally, serum levels of lactate, but not melatonin, significantly increased in the melatonin group, compared to untreated EAE and normal rats. In conclusion, our results indicated a relationship between age and the development of EAE since a negative impact was found for melatonin on EAE recovery of young rats by enhancing IFN‐γ, the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells, and astrocyte activation, which seems to delay the remyelination process. While melatonin levels decline in MS patients, lactate might be a potential diagnostic biomarker for prediction of disease progression. Early administration of melatonin in the acute phase of MS might be harmful and needs further investigations.
Diet‐induced changes of redox potential underlie compositional shifts in the rumen archaeal community
Authors: Friedman Nir , Shriker Eran , Gold Ben , Durman Thomer , Zarecki Raphy , Ruppin Eytan , Mizrahi Itzhak
Published: October 2016

Dietary changes are known to affect gut community structure, but questions remain about the mechanisms by which diet induces shifts in microbiome membership. Here, we addressed these questions in the rumen microbiome ecosystem – a complex microbial community that resides in the upper digestive tract of ruminant animals and is responsible for the degradation of the ingested plant material. Our dietary intervention experiments revealed that diet affects the most abundant taxa within the microbiome and that a specific group of methanogenic archaea of the order Methanomicrobiales is highly sensitive to its changes. Using metabolomic analyses together with in vitro microbiology approaches and whole‐genome sequencing of Methanomicrobium mobile, a key species within this group, we identified that redox potential changes with diet and is the main factor that causes these dietary induced alternations in this taxa's abundance. Our genomic analysis suggests that the redox potential effect stems from a reduced number of anti‐reactive oxygen species proteins coded in this taxon's genome. Our study highlights redox potential as a pivotal factor that could serve as a sculpturing force of community assembly within anaerobic gut microbial communities.
Ecological and genetic determinants of plasmid distribution in Escherichia coli
Authors: Medaney Frances , Ellis Richard J. , Raymond Ben
Published: October 2016

Bacterial plasmids are important carriers of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Nevertheless, little is known of the determinants of plasmid distribution in bacterial populations. Here the factors affecting the diversity and distribution of the large plasmids of Escherichia coli were explored in cattle grazing on semi‐natural grassland, a set of populations with low frequencies of antibiotic resistance genes. Critically, the population genetic structure of bacterial hosts was chararacterized. This revealed structured E. coli populations with high diversity between sites and individuals but low diversity within cattle hosts. Plasmid profiles, however, varied considerably within the same E. coli genotype. Both ecological and genetic factors affected plasmid distribution: plasmid profiles were affected by site, E. coli diversity, E. coli genotype and the presence of other large plasmids. Notably 3/26 E. coli serotypes accounted for half the observed plasmid‐free isolates indicating that within species variation can substantially affect carriage of the major conjugative plasmids. The observed population structure suggest that most of the opportunities for within species plasmid transfer occur between different individuals of the same genotype and support recent experimental work indicating that plasmid–host coevolution, and epistatic interactions on fitness costs are likely to be important in determining occupancy.
Cell‐specific nitrogen‐ and carbon‐fixation of cyanobacteria in a temperate marine system (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Klawonn I. , Nahar N. , Walve J. , Andersson B. , Olofsson M. , Svedén J. B. , Littmann S. , Whitehouse M. J. , Kuypers M. M. M. , Ploug H
Published: October 2016

We analysed N2‐ and carbon (C) fixation in individual cells of Baltic Sea cyanobacteria by combining stable isotope incubations with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Specific growth rates based on N2‐ and C‐fixation were higher for cells of Dolichospermum spp. than for Aphanizomenon sp. and Nodularia spumigena. The cyanobacterial biomass, however, was dominated by Aphanizomenon sp., which contributed most to total N2‐fixation in surface waters of the Northern Baltic Proper. N2‐fixation by Pseudanabaena sp. and colonial picocyanobacteria was not detectable. N2‐fixation by Aphanizomenon sp., Dolichospermum spp. and N. spumigena populations summed up to total N2‐fixation, thus these genera appeared as sole diazotrophs within the Baltic Sea's euphotic zone, while their mean contribution to total C‐fixation was 21%. Intriguingly, cell‐specific N2‐fixation was eightfold higher at a coastal station compared to an offshore station, revealing coastal zones as habitats with substantial N2‐fixation. At the coastal station, the cell‐specific C‐ to N2‐fixation ratio was below the cellular C:N ratio, i.e. N2 was assimilated in excess to C‐fixation, whereas the C‐ to N2‐fixation ratio exceeded the C:N ratio in offshore sampled diazotrophs. Our findings highlight SIMS as a powerful tool not only for qualitative but also for quantitative N2‐fixation assays in aquatic environments.
Recommendations for best practice in response to parental alienation: findings from a systematic review
Authors: Templer Kate , Matthewson Mandy , Haines Janet , Cox Georgina
Published: October 2016

This study aimed to systematically review the literature pertaining to parental alienation to determine best practice for therapists and legal practitioners. Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO academic databases, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and conference abstracts were searched. Included articles were peer reviewed journal articles or books published in English pertaining to a psychological or legal intervention for parental alienation. Ten articles were included in the review. It was found that changes in custodial or residential arrangements in favour of the targeted parent are effective in ameliorating parental alienation. Specialized family therapy addressing the alienation is effective in restoring family relationships and family functioning. A coordinated approach from therapists and legal practitioners is important in resolving parental alienation.

Practitioner points

Parental alienation requires legal and therapeutic management to enhance family functioning

Awarding primary parental responsibility to the targeted parent and providing specialized family therapy is effective in ameliorating parental alienation

A specialized form of systemic family therapy for parental alienation can improve family functioning and prevent further parental alienation
The afterlives of Hugo Chávez as political symbol
Authors: Angosto‐Ferrández Luis Fernando
Published: October 2016

In January 2016, the first publicized decision made by the president of the newly installed Venezuelan parliament, Henry Ramos Allup, was the removal of pictures from the legislative premises. In what transpired as a calculated performance, this member of the old political guard was captured on video dismissively instructing removal workers to send pictures of Chávez away to Sabaneta (Chávez's birthplace), or into the rubbish bin. He also commanded the removal of recent representations of Simón Bolívar, disqualifying them as ‘an invention of that mister [Chávez], a crazy thing’. This episode signalled the intensification of an ongoing struggle over political symbols in Venezuela. This article discusses the background and implications of such a struggle, focusing in particular on the figure of Chávez as the epitome of a contested national symbol. The fate of Chávez's corpse, currently located in a mausoleum, is at stake, but also the configuration of the institutionally sanctioned symbolic order with which political actors aim to condition political manoeuvring in years to come.
James X: A reflection on rape, race, and redemption
Authors: Scheper‐Hughes Nancy
Published: October 2016

In this narrative, the author reflects on the circumstances surrounding a rape attempt on her during the civil rights struggle in 1968.
Anchoring Pontifical Authority: A Reconsideration of the Papal Employment of the Title Pontifex Maximus
Authors: Dijkstra Roald , Van Espelo Dorine
Published: October 2016

It is a common assumption that the title of supreme priesthood or pontifex maximus is included in the official papal titulature, and it has been supposed that the Roman bishop adopted it from the Roman emperor in late antiquity. In fact, however, it was probably not until the fifteenth century that the designation was first used by the papacy, and it has continued to be part of papal representation ever since. The title was deeply rooted in the Roman imperial past. At several stages in papal history the papal agency felt the need to draw back (again) on this ancient, traditional title and managed to successfully (re‐)introduce the title by anchoring it in the cultural biography of the papacy.
Blunt chest trauma in a non‐specialist centre: Right treatment, right place?
Authors: Maher Lesley , Jayathissa Sisira
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To compare patient characteristics, management and outcomes for patients admitted with isolated blunt chest trauma, managed by medical or surgical teams.

Methods

We reviewed adult patients admitted with blunt chest trauma between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2011 to a secondary hospital in New Zealand. Inclusion criteria were: blunt chest trauma, with at least one radiologically demonstrated rib fracture. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were development of pneumonia, and use of analgesia.

Results

Seventy‐two patients were included. Thirty‐three patients were managed by medical teams and 39 by surgical teams. In‐hospital mortality was greater amongst medical patients 5/33 (15%) versus surgical 0/39 (0%); P = 0.012. Pneumonia occurred in 15/33 (45%); medical patients versus surgical 2/39 (5%), P <0.001. Use of epidural, regional or patient‐controlled analgesia was greater in the group managed by surgical teams (12/39 [30.7%] vs 1/33 [3%] P = 0.002). Medically managed patients were older (median 73 vs 63 years; P = 0.02), had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (median 5 vs 3; P = 0.013). The mechanism of injury for medically managed patients was more likely to be low trauma fall compared to surgically managed patients (28/33 [85%] vs 9/39 [27%]; P <0.0001).

Conclusion

Amongst patients with isolated blunt chest trauma, those managed by medical teams were older, had more comorbidities and were more likely to have become injured with a low trauma fall than those managed by surgical teams. They had less access to analgesic options, developed pneumonia more often and had higher mortality.
Transcriptome analysis of sugar beet root maggot (Tetanops myopaeformis) genes modulated by the Beta vulgaris host
Authors: Li Haiyan , Smigocki Ann C.
Published: October 2016

Sugar beet root maggot (SBRM, Tetanops myopaeformis von Röder) is a major but poorly understood insect pest of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The molecular mechanisms underlying plant defense responses are well documented, however, little information is available about complementary mechanisms for insect adaptive responses to overcome host resistance. To date, no studies have been published on SBRM gene expression profiling. Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) generated more than 300 SBRM ESTs differentially expressed in the interaction of the pest with a moderately resistant (F1016) and a susceptible (F1010) sugar beet line. Blast2GO v. 3.2 search indicated that over 40% of the differentially expressed genes had known functions, primarily driven by fruit fly D. melanogaster genes. Expression patterns of 18 selected EST clones were confirmed by RT‐PCR analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis predicted a dominance of metabolic and catalytic genes involved in the interaction of SBRM with its host. SBRM genes functioning during development, regulation, cellular process, signaling and under stress conditions were annotated. SBRM genes that were common or unique in response to resistant or susceptible interactions with the host were identified and their possible roles in insect responses to the host are discussed.
Effects of sugammadex vs. pyridostigmine–glycopyrrolate on post‐operative nausea and vomiting: propensity score matching
Authors: Lee O. H. , Choi G. J. , Kang H. , Baek C. W. , Jung Y. H. , Woo Y. C. , Oh J. , Park Y. H.
Published: October 2016

Background

Sugammadex is a new agent that reverses neuromuscular blockade by aminosteroid neuromuscular blocker. This retrospective study compared the effects of sugammadex on post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) with those of a pyridostigmine–glycopyrrolate mixture.

Methods

We reviewed the electronic medical records of 7179 patients who had received fentanyl‐based, intravenous, patient‐controlled analgesia (IV‐PCA) at Chung‐Ang University Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. We categorized the patients into two groups on the basis of the type of reversal agent to neuromuscular blockade that was used: a traditional reversal agent (pyridostigmine–glycopyrrolate mixture; Group R; n = 7059) and sugammadex (Group S; n = 120). The propensity score matching method was then used to select 408 subjects in Group R and 115 subjects in Group S; on the basis of their covariates, these subjects were then matched with a counterpart in the other group.

Results

After propensity score matching, the two groups were well balanced with respect to all baseline covariates. In Group S, the numeric rating scale of nausea on day 0, as well as the number of patients who vomited on day 0, was lower than that in group R. Furthermore, Group S used fewer rescue antiemetics on day 0 and had a higher complete response on day 0.

Conclusion

Sugammadex might be more beneficial for PONV compared to pyridostigmine–glycopyrrolate mixture for patients who have received opioid‐based IV‐PCA.
Low degree of satisfactory individual pain relief in post‐operative pain trials
Authors: Geisler A. , Dahl J. B. , Karlsen A. P. H. , Persson E. , Mathiesen O.
Published: October 2016

Background

The majority of clinical trials regarding post‐operative pain treatment focuses on the average analgesic efficacy, rather than on efficacy in individual patients. It has been argued, that in acute pain trials, the underlying distributions are often skewed, which makes the average unfit as the only way to measure efficacy. Consequently, dichotomised, individual responder analyses using a predefined ‘favourable’ response, e.g. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores ≤ 30, have recently been suggested as a more clinical relevant outcome.

Methods

We re‐analysed data from 16 randomised controlled trials of post‐operative pain treatment and from meta‐analyses of a systematic review regarding hip arthroplasty. The predefined success criterion was that at least 80% of patients in active treatment groups should obtain VAS < 30 at 6 and 24 h post‐operatively.

Results

In the analysis of data from the randomised controlled trials, we found that at 6 h post‐operatively, 50% (95% CI: 31–69) of patients allocated to active treatment reached the success criterion for pain at rest and 14% (95% CI: 5–34) for pain during mobilisation. At 24 h post‐operatively, 60% (95% CI: 38–78) of patients allocated to active treatment reached the success criterion for pain at rest, and 15% (95% CI: 5–36) for pain during mobilisation. Similar results were found for trials from the meta‐analyses.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that for conventional, explanatory trials of post‐operative pain, individual patient's achievement of a favourable response to analgesic treatment is rather low. Future pragmatic clinical trials should focus on both average pain levels and individual responder analyses in order to promote effective pain treatment at the individually patient level.
Modulatory effects of vitamin D on peripheral cellular immunity in patients with recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Chen Xian , Yin Biao , Lian Ruo‐Chun , Zhang Tao , Zhang Hong‐Zhan , Diao Liang‐Hui , Li Yu‐Ye , Huang Chun‐Yu , Liang De‐Sheng , Zeng Yong
Published: October 2016

Problem

We aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of vitamin D on peripheral blood cellular immune response in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM).

Method of study

The effect of vitamin D on the number of peripheral blood cells, T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, and NK cytotoxicity was measured in 99 women with RM.

Results

The percentage of CD19+ B cells and NK cytotoxicity at an effector‐to‐target cell (E:T) ratio of 50:1, 25:1, and 12.5:1 were significantly higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group (VDI) than in the vitamin D normal group (VDN) (P<.05 each). The proportion of TNF‐α‐expressing Th cells was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (VDD) than in VDN (P<.05). However, there were no significant differences between VDI and VDD. This dysregulation was significantly reduced with 1,25(OH)2D supplementation.

Conclusion

The data suggest that the abnormalities of cellular immune response were observed in RM patients with a low vitamin D level, which could be regulated to some extent with 1,25(OH)2D supplementation.
A policy of routine umbilical cord blood gas analysis decreased missing samples from high‐risk births
Authors: Ahlberg M , Elvander C , Johansson S , Cnattingius S , Stephansson O
Published: October 2016

Aim

This study compared obstetric units practicing routine or selective umbilical cord blood gas analysis, with respect to the risk of missing samples in high‐risk deliveries and in infants with birth asphyxia.

Methods

This was a Swedish population‐based cohort study that used register data for 155 235 deliveries of live singleton infants between 2008 and 2014. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the association between routine and selective umbilical cord blood gas sampling strategies and the risk of missing samples.

Results

Selective sampling increased the risk ratios when routine sampling was used as the reference, with a value of 1.0, and these were significant in high‐risk deliveries and birth asphyxia. The risk ratios for selective sampling were large‐for‐gestational age (9.07), preterm delivery at up to 36 weeks of gestation (8.24), small‐for‐gestational age (7.94), two or more foetal scalp blood samples (5.96), an Apgar score of less than seven at one minute (2.36), emergency Caesarean section (1.67) and instrumental vaginal delivery (1.24).

Conclusion

Compared with routine sampling, selective umbilical cord blood gas sampling significantly increased the risks of missing samples in high‐risk deliveries and in infants with birth asphyxia.