bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Line-item budgeting and film-production
Authors: Friis Ivar , Hansen Allan
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the role of line-item budgeting in film production in an effort to illustrate the positive effects that budgetary constraints can have on creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Elster’s (2000) constraint theory as a basis for the research, this paper conducted a case study on the making of a Danish adventure film and analysed the role budgeting plays from the film director’s point of view.

Findings

– This paper suggests that the constraints of the line-item budget imposed on the director had positive effects in terms of the pre-commitments entailed, which aided in protecting the director against the negative aspects of passion (e.g. distorted thought processes, myopia and weakness of will) in the creative process and in terms of the ability of the constraints to channel creativity in certain directions, thus preventing the availability of too many options from hampering the creative process.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to management control research in two ways. By addressing calls to provide more insight into the positive effects management control constraints might have on creativity, this study explores somewhat ignored aspects of line-item budgeting, adding greater insight into the interrelations between creativity and control. By exploring the ways in which line-item budgeting might take on the role of pre-commitment advice and devices in the creative process, this paper further exposes the links between accounting constraints and self-control.
Paradoxical puzzles of control and circuits of power
Authors: Oliveira João , Clegg Stewart
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to clarify a paradox in an organisation: in the past, formally powerful “central” actors confronted important limitations in their relations with formally less powerful actors. However, three innovations – the financial accounting module of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, a corporate centre (CC) and a shared services centre (SSC) – substantially changed and re-centred network power relations. The authors adopt a critical discourse to explain this paradox, contributing to the emerging literature on SSCs and bridging the management control and power literatures.

Design/methodology/approach

– An in-depth, processual, actor-network theory-inspired three-year case study of a large Portuguese manufacturer.

Findings

– As the intertwined accounting-related innovations were (re)mobilised by actors, dynamically adjusting to unfolding repercussions, control and power effects emerged, enabling enhanced organisational steering.

Research limitations/implications

– Based on a single case, this paper highlights effects of managerial technologies, in particular ERPs and SSCs, on control and power relations, and refines Clegg’s model for future research.

Practical implications

– The transactional, low value-added activities typically performed by SSCs should not lead to underestimating their potentially profound organisational consequences. However, the surrounding socio-technical network is decisive for the emerging, inter-related repercussions.

Originality/value

– This paper explains the relative capacity of actors to influence the practices and configuration of the organisational network structurally, fixing power relations within the socio-technical network through innovations in the accounting area, in particular ERPs and SSCs. By revising Clegg’s circuits of power framework, this paper contributes to understanding possibilities and limits of accounting techniques in management control procedures.
Field testing of modular borehole monitoring with simultaneous distributed acoustic sensing and geophone vertical seismic profiles at Citronelle, Alabama
Authors: Daley T.M. , Miller D.E. , Dodds K. , Cook P. , Freifeld B.M.
Published: November 2015

A modular borehole monitoring concept has been implemented to provide a suite of well‐based monitoring tools that can be deployed cost effectively in a flexible and robust package. The initial modular borehole monitoring system was deployed as part of a CO2 injection test operated by the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership near Citronelle, Alabama. The Citronelle modular monitoring system transmits electrical power and signals, fibre‐optic light pulses, and fluids between the surface and a reservoir. Additionally, a separate multi‐conductor tubing‐encapsulated line was used for borehole geophones, including a specialized clamp for casing clamping with tubing deployment. The deployment of geophones and fibre‐optic cables allowed comparison testing of distributed acoustic sensing. We designed a large source effort (>64 sweeps per source point) to test fibre‐optic vertical seismic profile and acquired data in 2013. The native measurement in the specific distributed acoustic sensing unit used (an iDAS from Silixa Ltd) is described as a localized strain rate. Following a processing flow of adaptive noise reduction and rebalancing the signal to dimensionless strain, improvement from repeated stacking of the source was observed. Conversion of the rebalanced strain signal to equivalent velocity units, via a scaling by local apparent velocity, allows quantitative comparison of distributed acoustic sensing and geophone data in units of velocity. We see a very good match of uncorrelated time series in both amplitude and phase, demonstrating that velocity‐converted distributed acoustic sensing data can be analyzed equivalent to vertical geophones. We show that distributed acoustic sensing data, when averaged over an interval comparable to typical geophone spacing, can obtain signal‐to‐noise ratios of 18 dB to 24 dB below clamped geophones, a result that is variable with noise spectral amplitude because the noise characteristics are not identical. With vertical seismic profile processing, we demonstrate the effectiveness of downgoing deconvolution from the large spatial sampling of distributed acoustic sensing data, along with improved upgoing reflection quality. We conclude that the extra source effort currently needed for tubing‐deployed distributed acoustic sensing vertical seismic profile, as part of a modular monitoring system, is well compensated by the extra spatial sampling and lower deployment cost as compared with conventional borehole geophones.
Permeability dependence of streaming potential coefficient in porous media
Authors: Thanh Luong Duy , Sprik Rudolf
Published: November 2015

In theory, the streaming potential coefficient depends not only on the zeta potential but also on the permeability of the rocks that partially determines the surface conductivity of the rocks. However, in practice, it is hard to show the permeability dependence of streaming potential coefficients because of the variation of zeta potential from sample to sample. To study permeability dependence of streaming potential, including the effects of the variation of the zeta potential and surface conductance due to the difference in mineral compositions between samples, we perform measurements on 12 consolidated samples, including natural and artificial samples saturated with 7 different NaCl solutions to determine the streaming potential coefficients. The results have shown that the streaming potential coefficients strongly depend on the permeability of the samples for low fluid conductivity. When the fluid conductivity is larger than than 0.50 S/m for the natural samples or 0.25 S/m for the artificial ceramic samples, the streaming potential coefficient is independent of permeability. This behavior is quantitatively explained by a theoretical model.
Post‐Democratic Party Politics
Authors: Dommett Katharine
Published: November 2015

In recent years many scholars have diagnosed a crisis of party politics. This article considers recent changes in the UK and Europe that appear to challenge this idea. Exploring Colin Crouch's notion of ‘post‐democratic’ party politics and considering his diagnosis of shifts in parties' agenda setting, organisation and communication, the article considers evidence of post‐democratic politics and the possibility for future renewal.
Online interprofessional education in dietetic students
Authors: Evans Sherryn , Ward Catherine , Margerison Claire
Published: November 2015

Aim

The need for dietetic students to develop interprofessional collaborative practice capabilities is well recognised. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of an online interprofessional education (IPE) unit (using asynchronous and synchronous media) to improve dietetic students' confidence in understanding professional roles and attitudes associated with interprofessional practice along with exploring their experience in the unit.

Methods

Final year master of dietetic students undertaking a compulsory online unit in IPE were invited to complete a questionnaire examining their confidence in understanding professional roles and their interprofessional attitudes both pre‐ and post‐delivery of the unit, and to participate in semi‐structured telephone interviews to explore their experience in the unit.

Results

Thirty‐five dietetic students completed the questionnaire pre‐ and post‐unit, along with seven students undertaking a telephone interview. Their confidence in understanding the roles of other health professions (P = 0.000 to 0.014), self‐assessment of interprofessional communication and teamwork skills (P = 0.002) and attitudes towards interprofessional interaction (P = 0.001) and interprofessional relationships (P = 0.002) increased significantly from pre‐ to post‐unit. The students articulated positives about the experience (flexibility of the delivery, opportunity to reflect on personal factors related to teamwork, increasing their knowledge of other professions) and some challenges (lack of body language, some technological difficulties, the need for regular contribution to the teams' asynchronous discussion boards).

Conclusions

This study suggests that although there can be some challenges in online IPE, it can be a positive experience and can improve dietetic students' collaborative practice attitudes and confidence in understanding other professional roles.
Temporal succession in carbon incorporation from macromolecules by particle‐attached bacteria in marine microcosms
Authors: Mayali Xavier , Stewart Benjamin , Mabery Shalini , Weber Peter K.
Published: November 2015

We investigated bacterial carbon assimilation from stable isotope‐labelled macromolecular substrates (proteins; lipids; and two types of polysaccharides, starch and cellobiose) while attached to killed diatom detrital particles during laboratory microcosms incubated for 17 days. Using Chip‐SIP (secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of RNA microarrays), we identified generalist operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from the Gammaproteobacteria, belonging to the genera Colwellia, Glaciecola, Pseudoalteromonas and Rheinheimera, and from the Bacteroidetes, genera Owenweeksia and Maribacter, that incorporated the four tested substrates throughout the incubation period. Many of these OTUs exhibited the highest isotope incorporation relative to the others, indicating that they were likely the most active. Additional OTUs from the Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria exhibited generally (but not always) lower activity and did not incorporate all tested substrates at all times, showing species succession in organic carbon incorporation. We also found evidence to suggest that both generalist and specialist OTUs changed their relative substrate incorporation over time, presumably in response to changing substrate availability as the particles aged. This pattern was demonstrated by temporal succession from relatively higher starch incorporation early in the incubations, eventually switching to higher cellobiose incorporation after 2 weeks.
It is more than sex and clothes: Culturally safe services for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
Authors: Crameri Pauline , Barrett Catherine , Latham JR , Whyte Carolyn
Published: November 2015

This paper outlines the development of culturally safe services for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. It draws on a framework for cultural safety, developed in New Zealand which incorporates an understanding of how history, culture and power imbalances influence the relationship between service providers and Maori people. This has been adapted to the needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians.
Coming out narratives of older gay men living in New Zealand
Authors: Neville Stephen , Kushner Bernie , Adams Jeffery
Published: November 2015

Aim

Explore the coming out narratives in a group of older gay men.

Methods

A narrative gerontological approach was employed to explore the coming out narratives of older gay men. Semi‐structured digitally recorded individual interviews were undertaken with 12 gay men aged between 65 and 81 years who lived in the community. Data were analysed using a narrative data analytic process.

Results

Three collective narratives related to the coming out of older gay men were identified: ‘early gay experiences’, ‘trying not to be gay’ and ‘acceptance’.

Conclusion

Older gay men come from diverse socio‐cultural backgrounds. However, they all grew up in an era where same‐sex attraction was a criminal offence. The path to accepting being a gay man was individualised and stressful for these participants. Consequently health and social service providers need to support the ongoing development of resilience and provide a person‐centred approach to care that promotes wellbeing.
Saving in medical costs by achieving guideline‐based asthma symptom control: a population‐based study
Authors: Sadatsafavi M. , Chen W. , Tavakoli H. , Rolf J. D. , Rousseau R. , FitzGerald J. M. ,   the Economic Burden of Asthma Study Group
Published: November 2015

Background

Asthma control is increasingly used as an outcome measure in asthma trials. Economic evaluations of asthma interventions require converting the impact of interventions on control to impact on resource use. The purpose of this study was to estimate the savings in direct costs by achieving asthma symptom control as defined in the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2014 management strategy.

Methods

Adolescents and adults with asthma were recruited through random digit dialing. Asthma control per GINA and the use of healthcare resources were assessed at baseline and three‐monthly visits up to 1 year. We used regression models to associate costs, measured in 2012 Canadian dollars ($), with symptom control, adjusting for potential confounding variables.

Results

The final sample included 517 individuals (average age 48.9, 65.8% female) with mostly mild–moderate asthma contributing 2033 follow‐up visits. In 598 (29.4%), 809 (39.8%), and 626 (30.8%) of visits, asthma was symptomatically controlled, partially controlled, or uncontrolled, respectively. The average 3‐month costs of asthma were $134.5. Of these, 20.5% were attributable to inpatient care, 47.8% to outpatient care, and 31.5% to medication. Compared to controlled asthma, partially controlled asthma was associated with a nonsignificant increase of $9.5 (95% CI ‐$13.6 – $32.6) in adjusted 3‐month costs and uncontrolled asthma with a statistically significant increase of $81.7 (95% CI $48.5 – $114.9).

Conclusion

A substantial fraction of this population‐based sample of largely mild–moderate asthmatics was symptomatically uncontrolled. Achieving symptom control was associated with a reduction in direct costs. The adjusted values from this study can be used to inform cost‐effectiveness analyses of asthma treatments.
Effect of the Pulsatile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation on Hemodynamic Energy and Systemic Microcirculation in a Piglet Model of Acute Cardiac Failure
Authors: Itoh Hideshi , Ichiba Shingo , Ujike Yoshihito , Douguchi Takuma , Obata Hideaki , Inamori Syuji , Iwasaki Tatsuo , Kasahara Shingo , Sano Shunji , Ündar Akif
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on hemodynamic energy and systemic microcirculation in an acute cardiac failure model in piglets. Fourteen piglets with a mean body weight of 6.08 ± 0.86 kg were divided into pulsatile (N = 7) and nonpulsatile (N = 7) ECMO groups. The experimental ECMO circuit consisted of a centrifugal pump, a membrane oxygenator, and a pneumatic pulsatile flow generator system developed in‐house. Nonpulsatile ECMO was initiated at a flow rate of 140 mL/kg/min for the first 30 min with normal heart beating, with rectal temperature maintained at 36°C. Ventricular fibrillation was then induced with a 3.5‐V alternating current to generate a cardiac dysfunction model. Using this model, we collected the data on pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups. The piglets were weaned off ECMO at the end of the experiment (180 min after ECMO was initiated). The animals did not receive blood transfusions, inotropic drugs, or vasoactive drugs. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin, methemoglobin, blood gases, electrolytes, and lactic acid levels. Hemodynamic energy was calculated using the Shepard's energy equivalent pressure. Near‐infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor brain and kidney perfusion. The pulsatile ECMO group had a higher atrial pressure (systolic and mean), and significantly higher regional saturation at the brain level, than the nonpulsatile group (for both, P < 0.05). Additionally, the pulsatile ECMO group had higher methemoglobin levels within the normal range than the nonpulsatile group. Our study demonstrated that pulsatile ECMO produces significantly higher hemodynamic energy and improves systemic microcirculation, compared with nonpulsatile ECMO in acute cardiac failure.
Population‐based epidemiology of primary biliary cirrhosis in South Korea
Authors: Kim K.‐A. , Ki M. , Choi H. Y. , Kim B. H. , Jang E. S. , Jeong S.‐H.
Published: November 2015

Background

As a rare disease, only a few population‐based epidemiology studies of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have been reported.

Aims

To elucidate the nationwide prevalence, incidence, complications, fatality and direct medical costs of PBC in South Korea.

Methods

The nationwide Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims data and Rare Intractable Disease registration data on PBC, identified with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 code of K74.3, were obtained from 2009 to 2013. Age‐ and gender‐specific prevalence and incidence rates of PBC were calculated, and data on complications, comorbidities, prescribed drugs, therapeutic procedures and direct medical costs were analysed.

Results

A total of 2824 patients over 20 years old with PBC were identified in 2009–2013 (female‐to‐male ratio 6.2, median age 57 years old). The average age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence from 2011 to 2013 was 8.57 per million per year, and the average age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence from 2009 to 2013 was 47.50 per million population. About 10% of patients presented with complications such as ascites (10.3%), variceal bleeding (5.8%) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (1.3%). Liver transplantation was undertaken in 71 patients (2.5%) for 5 years. Case fatality was 2.2% and the transplantation‐free survival was 95.4% for 5 years.

Conclusions

This is the first report on the nationwide epidemiology of primary biliary cirrhosis in South Korea, demonstrating lower incidence and prevalence rates than those of Western countries, but a considerable disease burden, representing at least 10% were complicated with decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma requiring liver transplantation.
The safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in the treatment of refractory cholestatic pruritus: a multicentre European study
Authors: Hegade V. S. , Krawczyk M. , Kremer A. E. , Kuczka J. , Gaouar F. , Kuiper E. M. M. , van Buuren H. R. , Lammert F. , Corpechot C. , Jones D. E. J.
Published: November 2015

Background

Pruritus is a common symptom associated with cholestatic liver diseases. To date only small single centre case series have suggested efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in relieving cholestatic pruritus.

Aim

To perform a multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in cholestatic pruritus.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all patients treated with nasobiliary drainage for refractory cholestatic pruritus between 2006 and 2015 at five European centres. Pruritus was quantified using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and liver enzymes, serum bilirubin and total serum bile salts (TBS) were measured before (pre‐NBD) and after nasobiliary drainage (post‐NBD). We analysed the duration of treatment response and associated complications.

Results

In total, 27 patients (59% females) underwent 29 nasobiliary drainage procedures. The median duration of NBD was 7 days. NBD decreased pruritus in 89.6% of cases (VAS from 10.0 to 0.3, P < 0.0001). The median percentage decline in pruritus VAS was 94% and 33% of patients were free of pruritus within 24 h of starting drainage. The duration of treatment response was independent of duration of drainage (P = 0.12) and bile output. Significant improvements were seen in the median levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin (P = 0.03) but not in serum TBS (P = 0.07). Mild post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (31%) was the most frequent complication.

Conclusions

Nasobiliary drainage is effective in relieving cholestatic pruritus in most patients and has favourable effect on biomarkers of cholestasis. Nasobiliary drainage may be associated with high risk of adverse events, especially pancreatitis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
The ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor A4250 decreases serum bile acids by interrupting the enterohepatic circulation
Authors: Graffner H. , Gillberg P.‐G. , Rikner L. , Marschall H.‐U.
Published: November 2015

Background

Reabsorption of bile acids from the intestine by ileal bile acid transporter is pivotal for the enterohepatic circulation of BAs and sterol homoeostasis.

Aim

To assess tolerability and study, bile acid metabolism in a phase 1 trial with the selective ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor A4250.

Methods

A randomised double‐blind, single‐ascending dose (SAD) and multiple‐ascending‐dose study consisting of five cohorts comprising 40 individuals with a single administration of A4250 (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg) or placebo and three cohorts comprising 24 individuals with a 1‐week administration of A4250 (1 or 3 mg once daily or 1.5 mg twice daily) or placebo. For the multiple‐ascending‐dose study, bile acids were measured by HPLC‐MS in plasma and faeces, and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) and 7α‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one (C4) were measured in plasma.

Results

No serious adverse events occurred and all participants finished the trial per protocol. At the end of the multiple‐ascending‐dose study, plasma total bile acids and FGF19 decreased by 47% and 76%, respectively, at 3 mg/day (P < 0.01), and by 15% and 16%, respectively, at 1.5 mg twice daily (P < 0.05). Plasma C4 and faecal bile acids increased at all dose regimens, by 555%, 664%, 292% and 338%, 421%, 420%, respectively (P < 0.01–0.05). The primary bile acids cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids constituted the majority of faecal bile acids in the A4250‐treated groups.

Conclusions

A4250 is well tolerated. By blocking ileal bile acid transporter in the terminal ileum, it highly efficiently interrupts the enterohepatic circulation of BAs, and should be of benefit to patients with cholestatic liver diseases.

Clinical Trial registration EudraCT 2013‐001175‐21
First Investigations of In Situ Electrical Properties of Limestone Blocks of Ancient Monuments
Authors: Souffaché B. , Kessouri P. , Blanc P. , Thiesson J. , Tabbagh A.
Published: November 2015

In situ rapid electrostatic investigations on calcareous stones of monuments provide information that strongly correlates with the geological characteristics of the stone and proves to be efficient for provenance identification and successive restoration. With a portable device, it is now possible to scan several thousand blocks on a face of a monument in a few hours. The evolution of the religious building construction practices between the 13th and the 17th centuries is studied. From the petrophysics point of view, the results clearly indicate a marked linear correlation between electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity. This fact, which agrees with Maxwell–Wagner polarization modelling, confirms the part played by the clay content in the electric properties of the dry carbonate rocks constituting the monument stones. A first test using X‐ray scattering analysis shows the part played by the relative content of illite, which is correlated with a decrease of the resistivity.
The Structure and Chemical Composition of Wall Paintings From Islamic and Christian Times in the Seville Alcazar
Authors: Robador M. D. , De Viguerie L. , Pérez‐Rodríguez J. L. , Rousselière H. , Walter P. , Castaing J.
Published: November 2015

Wall paintings from the Islamic epoch (10th to 12th centuries) and the Christian monarchy (14th to 16th centuries) have been recovered in discarded materials and on walls after reconstruction works in the Seville Alcazar. These paintings have spent centuries underground or under a plaster coat. Portable X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and combined XRF/X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were employed in situ, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDX), grazing angle incidence XRD and micro‐Raman spectroscopy, on cross‐section samples to fully characterize the materials in the wall paintings. Using these methods, the fresco technique was demonstrated, and many kinds of pigments were identified in accordance with the various periods of the history of the Alcazar, thus assessing the authenticity of all the wall paintings studied here.
RememberingKearneytown: race, place and collective memory in collaborative filmmaking
Authors: Vasudevan Pavithra , Kearney William A
Published: November 2015

This paper reflects on a collaborative project by the co‐authors, investigating how filmmaking may intervene into the racialised politics of place and the practices of memory. Warren County, North Carolina is credited as the birthplace of theUSenvironmental justice movement for 1982 landmark protests linking environmental concerns with civil rights organising. Our 2012 short film,RememberingKearneytown, looks at this significant environmental history through the perspective of co‐author Rev. Kearney, assistant pastor at a church nearby Warren County's iconic former toxic landfill. In the film, Rev. Kearney calls for his community to reclaim their legacy of environmental justice and re‐imagine Warren County as a model of health rather than waste. This article proposes that collaborative filmmaking can serve as a technology of liberatory praxis, to intervene in dominant racial narratives. Our approach conceives of filmmaking geographically, using visual methodologies to engage with the meanings and transformative capacities of place.
The Role of Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Cancer Metabolism
Authors: Liu Vivian M. , Vander Heiden Matthew G.
Published: November 2015

The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase is expressed preferentially in cancer cells over other pyruvate kinase isoforms. PKM2 is unique in its ability to be regulated allosterically by nutrients and growth signaling pathways, allowing cells to adapt their metabolic program to match physiological needs in different environments. Here, we discuss the role of pyruvate kinase M2 in glioma and in cancer metabolism.
Accounting for underutilization of trade preference programs: The US generalized system of preferences
Authors: Hakobyan Shushanik
Published: November 2015

The US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) provides duty‐free market access to developing countries. Yet despite these preferences, about 40% of imports qualifying for GSP enter the US without claiming the benefits. This paper documents variations in GSP utilization rates and explains their determinants with a special emphasis on the production structure of beneficiary countries as captured by local content. The findings suggest that higher local content shares in output lead to higher utilization rates. In addition, the utilization rate rises with the preference margin, size of exports and regional cumulation, in general, and declines with degree ofprocessing.
Genetic and Environmental Parent–Child Transmission of Value Orientations: An Extended Twin Family Study
Authors: Kandler Christian , Gottschling Juliana , Spinath Frank M.
Published: November 2015

Despite cross‐cultural universality of core human values, individuals differ substantially in value priorities, whereas family members show similar priorities to some degree. The latter has often been attributed to intrafamilial socialization. The analysis of self‐ratings on eight core values from 399 twin pairs (ages 7–11) and their biological parents (388 mothers, 249 fathers; ages 26–65) allowed the disentanglement of environmental from genetic transmission accounting for family resemblance in value orientations. Results indicated that parent–child similarity is primarily due to shared genetic makeup. The primary source of variance in value priorities represented environmental influences that are not shared by family members. These findings do not provide evidence for parental influences beyond genetic influences contributing to intrafamilial similarity in value priorities.
Normal limits for serum thyrotropin vary greatly depending on method
Authors: Strich David , Karavani Gilad , Levin Shimon , Edri Shalom , Gillis David
Published: November 2015

Context

Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within populations do not follow Gaussian distribution, and normal limits are derived after mathematical normalization. The clinical relevance of these limits is unknown. The objective of this study was to compare upper and lower TSH limits by four data normalization methods with non‐normalized data and assess their clinical relevance.

Design, patients and measurements

Results of blood samples taken by community physicians and stored in a computerized database were analysed after removing samples from patients with evidence of thyroid illness. TSH values were normalized by the Hoffmann and Tukey methods and each method with natural log transformation. Non‐normalized data for TSH in the uppermost and lowermost percentile were also calculated. Clinical relevance was determined by alterations in thyroid hormone levels at, below and above the limits for each method.

Results

The maximal reduction from non‐normalized data for the upper normal limit (UNL) was by the Hoffman method 43% = 3·1 mIU/l). The maximal increase for the lower normal limit (LNL) was also by the Hoffman method (708% = 0·81 mIU/l). There was very limited difference in average FT3 and FT4 between patients with TSH within, below or above the normal range for all methods.

Conclusions

Different normalization methods alter the normal limits greatly. However, in individuals without thyroid illness, thyroid hormone values are stable over a wide range of TSH levels including beyond the UNL for all methods. Indeed, there may be no true universal upper TSH cut‐off level and clinical decision‐making cannot rely on these calculated limits.
The importance of waterbirds as an overlooked pathway of invasion for alien species
Authors: Green Andy J.
Published: November 2015

The importance of waterbirds as vectors of aliens has been recognized since Darwin's time, yet research by pioneers has been forgotten during the development of modern invasion biology, which tends to overlook this means of dispersal. Waterbirds are ignored in databases of alien species and invasion pathways, making management and prevention of invasions more difficult. I summarize 22 studies that provide empirical evidence for the dispersal of alien plants and invertebrates by waterbirds in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, complementing 14 studies recently identified by Reynolds et al. (2015, Diversity and Distributions, 21, 744–754). Together, these studies provide empirical evidence for the dispersal of 79 alien plant species and eight alien invertebrates by waterbirds, including some of the worst aquatic invaders and the most widely distributed alien terrestrial plant species. Waterbirds known to be vectors include ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, gulls, herons and rails. Aliens are usually dispersed after being ingested or becoming attached to plumage, bills or feet, but waterbirds also disperse alien species when making nests, when preying on other vectors such as fish, or even attached to leg rings. Whilst waterbirds may have a trivial role in explaining the arrival of alien species to new continents, they have a vital role in spreading aliens around once they get there. Greater focus on the role of waterbird vectors is essential if management of invasions is to be effective, and I make proposals for future research.
Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale: validation of a clinical assessment tool for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Wagner Lisa V , Davids Jon R , Hardin James W
Published: November 2015

Aim

The ability to determine the relationship between selective motor control and upper extremity function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP), and to measure the functional outcome and efficacy of interventions designed to improve selective motor control, has been limited by the lack of an objective, validated tool. The primary objective of this study is to describe the development of a clinical tool entitled Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), and present evidence of its validity and reliability.

Method

Content validity was established through an expert panel (eight clinicians, mean and median of 17y of clinical experience, range 2–30y). Intra‐ and interrater reliability was determined by six occupational therapists who scored 10 participant studies. Construct validity of the SCUES was established by comparison to the spontaneous functional analysis section of the Shriners Hospitals Upper Extremity Evaluation, the Manual Ability Classification System, and the Box and Block test for 25 children with unilateral CP.

Results

The content validity ratio values were greater than 0 (indicating >50% agreement) for 33 of the 34 items (97%), and equal or greater than 0.5 (indicating ≥75% agreement) for 26 of the 34 items (76%). Intrarater reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] >0.75) for all segments and joints of the affected extremity. Interrater reliability was excellent for all segments and joints of the affected extremity except the shoulder (ICC=0.72). The SCUES was strongly correlated with the SHUEE (Spearman's rho=0.69, p=0.003). The SCUES was not correlated with the Manual Ability Classification System (rho=−0.24, p=0.369) or the Box and Block test (rho=0.47, p=0.066).

Interpretation

Psychometric analysis of the SCUES revealed comparable validity to other accepted video‐based clinical assessment tools for the upper extremity in children with CP.
Suicidal ideation reported by adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES—Australia
Authors: Handley T. E. , Ventura A. D. , Browne J. L. , Rich J. , Attia J. R. , Reddy P. , Pouwer F. , Speight J.
Published: November 2015

Aims

To examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) in a community‐based sample of adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Participants were 3338 adults aged 18–70 years with Type 1 diabetes (n = 1376) or Type 2 diabetes (non‐insulin: n = 1238; insulin: n = 724) from a national survey administered to a random sample registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Depression and SI were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and diabetes‐specific distress with the Problem Areas In Diabetes scale. Separate logistic regression analyses by diabetes type/treatment were used to determine relative contribution to SI.

Results

Overall, we observed a SI rate of 14% in our sample. Participants with Type 2 diabetes using insulin reported more frequent depressive symptoms, and were more likely to report recent SI (19%) compared with those with either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes not using insulin (14 and 12%, respectively). After controlling for depression, there was little difference in the prevalence of SI between diabetes types/treatments, but higher diabetes‐specific distress significantly increased the odds of SI.

Conclusions

As SI is a significant risk factor for a suicide attempt, the findings have implications for healthcare professionals, pointing to the importance of adequate screening and action plans for appropriate follow‐up of those reporting depression. Our findings are also indicative of the psychological toll of diabetes more generally, and the need to integrate physical and mental healthcare for people with diabetes.
tRNA methyltransferase homologue gene TRMT10A mutation in young adult‐onset diabetes with intellectual disability, microcephaly and epilepsy
Authors: Yew T. W. , McCreight L. , Colclough K. , Ellard S. , Pearson E. R.
Published: November 2015

Background

A syndrome of young‐onset diabetes mellitus associated with microcephaly, epilepsy and intellectual disability caused by mutations in the tRNA methyltransferase 10 homologue A (TRMT10A) gene has recently been described.

Case report

We report two siblings from the fourth family reported to have diabetes mellitus as a result of a TRMT10A mutation. A homozygous nonsense mutation p.Glu27Ter in TRMT10A was identified using targeted next‐generation sequencing and confirmed by PCR/Sanger sequencing. Diabetes was diagnosed while the subjects were in their 20s and was characterized by insulin resistance. Epilepsy and intellectual disability were features in common. Mild microcephaly was present at birth but their final head circumferences were normal.

Conclusion

Our report provides independent confirmation of the role of TRMT10A mutations in this syndrome and expands its phenotypic description. TRMT10A sequencing should be considered in children or adults with young‐onset diabetes who have a history of intellectual disability, microcephaly and epilepsy. This report also shows the advantages of using a targeted panel to identify previously unsuspected monogenic diabetes among young‐onset non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes in the absence of obesity and autoimmunity.
Prevalence of oro‐dental pathology in a working horse population in Egypt and its relation to equine health
Authors: Salem S. E. , Townsend N. B. , Refaai W. , Gomaa M. , Archer D. C.
Published: November 2015

Reasons for performing study

Oro‐dental disease can have a significant impact on equine welfare.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of oro‐dental disease and to identify risk factors for oro‐dental disorders and poor body condition scores (BCS) in a working horse population in Egypt.

Study design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

Oro‐dental examination was performed on 450 working horses in 2 Egyptian provinces. Horse and management historical data were collected and horses were assigned to no/mild, moderate and severe dental disease categories based on findings on examination. Multivariable logistic regression and generalised additive models were used to identify risk factors for oral mucosal injuries and very poor/poor BCS, and to explore the relationship between age and different oro‐dental disorders.

Results

Oro‐dental disease was common, with 45.3% and 8.4% of horses considered to have moderate and severe oro‐dental disease, respectively. None of these horses had previously undergone any form of proper dental examination and treatment by trained personnel. Oral mucosal injuries (64.2%) and sharp enamel points (79.8%) were most common. Oral mucosal injuries were significantly associated with increasing age (odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.1, P = 0.03), focal dental overgrowths (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.0, P = 0.002) and sharp enamel points (OR 6.3, 95% CI 3.5–11.0, P<0.001). Very poor and poor BCS were significantly associated with severe dental disease (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.8, P = 0.02), horses aged 16–30 years (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.7–7.0, P = 0.001), height (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9–0.97, P = 0.001) and packed cell volume (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.85–0.95, P<0.001).

Conclusions

There is a need for education of working horse‐owners in Egypt about the importance of oro‐dental disease and for greater availability of veterinarians with suitable training and equipment to perform dental prophylaxis and treatment. Even simple dental prophylaxis could have a significant impact on the health and welfare of this population of working horses.
Ecosystem model parameterization and adaptation for sustainable cellulosic biofuel landscape design
Authors: Field John L. , Marx Ernie , Easter Mark , Adler Paul R. , Paustian Keith
Published: November 2015

Renewable fuel standards in the US and elsewhere mandate the production of large quantities of cellulosic biofuels with low greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints, a requirement which will likely entail extensive cultivation of dedicated bioenergy feedstock crops on marginal agricultural lands. Performance data for such systems is sparse, and non‐linear interactions between the feedstock species, agronomic management intensity, and underlying soil and land characteristics complicate the development of sustainable landscape design strategies for low‐impact commercial‐scale feedstock production. Process‐based ecosystem models are valuable for extrapolating field trial results and making predictions of productivity and associated environmental impacts that integrate the effects of spatially variable environmental factors across diverse production landscapes. However, there are few examples of ecosystem model parameterization against field trials on both prime and marginal lands or of conducting landscape‐scale analyses at sufficient resolution to capture interactions between soil type, land use, and management intensity. In this work we used a data‐diverse, multi‐criteria approach to parameterize and validate the DayCent biogeochemistry model for upland and lowland switchgrass using data on yields, soil carbon changes, and soil nitrous oxide emissions from US field trials spanning a range of climates, soil types, and management conditions. We then conducted a high‐resolution case study analysis of a real‐world cellulosic biofuel landscape in Kansas in order to estimate feedstock production potential and associated direct biogenic GHG emissions footprint. Our results suggest that switchgrass yields and emissions balance can vary greatly across a landscape large enough to supply a biorefinery in response to variations in soil type and land‐use history, but that within a given land base both of these performance factors can be widely modulated by changing management intensity. This in turn implies a large sustainable cellulosic biofuel landscape design space within which a system can be optimized to meet economic or environmental objectives.
Casein kinase 1γ acts as a molecular switch for cell polarization through phosphorylation of the polarity factor Tea1 in fission yeast
Authors: Koyano Takayuki , Barnouin Karin , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Kume Kazunori , Hirata Dai , Toda Takashi
Published: November 2015

Fission yeast undergoes growth polarity transition from monopolar to bipolar during G2 phase, designated NETO (New End Take Off). It is known that NETO onset involves two prerequisites, the completion of DNA replication and attainment of a certain cell size. However, the molecular mechanism remains unexplored. Here, we show that casein kinase 1γ, Cki3 is a critical determinant of NETO onset. Not only did cki3∆ cells undergo NETO during G1‐ or S‐phase, but they also displayed premature NETO under unperturbed conditions with a smaller cell size, leading to cell integrity defects. Cki3 interacted with the polarity factor Tea1, of which phosphorylation was dependent on Cki3 kinase activity. GFP nanotrap of Tea1 by Cki3 led to Tea1 hyperphosphorylation with monopolar growth, whereas the same entrapment by kinase‐dead Cki3 resulted in converse bipolar growth. Intriguingly, the Tea1 interactor Tea4 was dissociated from Tea1 by Cki3 entrapment. Mass spectrometry identified four phosphoserine residues within Tea1 that were hypophosphorylated in cki3∆ cells. Phosphomimetic Tea1 mutants showed compromised binding to Tea4 and NETO defects, indicating that these serine residues are critical for protein–protein interaction and NETO onset. Our findings provide significant insight into the mechanism by which cell polarization is regulated in a spatiotemporal manner.
Sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of grated Parmesan cheese
Authors: Freitas Mírian Luisa Faria , Polachini Tiago Carregari , de Souza Ana Cristina , Telis‐Romero Javier
Published: November 2015

This study focuses on isotherms, isosteric heat of sorption and enthalpy–entropy mechanism of water sorption of grated Parmesan cheese at simulating conditions of storage and drying processes. Isotherms were determined by gravimetric method using different saturated salt solutions. Samples were submitted to different temperatures, and several models were used to fit experimental data, GAB and modified GAB being those which best represented experimental data in all temperature ranges. The isosteric heat of sorption was calculated by Clausius–Clapeyron equation, and higher values of integral isosteric sorption heat were verified for storage temperatures. Besides it, both conditions showed higher values of sorption heat corresponding to low water content. This phenomenon was supported by the enthalpy–entropy compensation study, which demonstrated a higher spontaneity of water sorption for storage temperatures, confirming that the lower the water content of food products is, the stronger the intermolecular bonds of water are.
Influence of starter cultures on the generation of antioxidant nitrogen compounds in Iberian dry‐fermented sausages
Authors: Fernández Margarita , Martín Alberto , Benito María José , Casquete Rocio , Recio Isidra , Córdoba María De Guía
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of a starter culture on the generation of nitrogen compounds with antioxidant activity during the ripening of Iberian dry‐fermented sausages. Starters P200S34 (P. acidilactici M200 and S. vitulus RS34) and P198S34 (P. acidilactici MS198 and S. vitulus RS34) were used to make the Iberian dry‐fermented sausages ‘salchichón’ and chorizo; then, the physicochemical and microbial properties were determined during the ripening process. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay was employed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the nitrogen extracts obtained during ripening of the sausages. This activity was correlated with the most relevant compounds detected by HPLC‐ESI‐MS in the final ripened extracts. Although a relevant part of the antioxidant activity was attributed to the predominant natural nitrogen fraction, the microbial population found in fermented sausages and the fermentation conditions significantly influenced the low molecular weight nitrogen profile and antioxidant activities. Inoculation with the starter culture P200S34 increased free amino acids and amines, such as methionine and tyramine, but other nitrogen compounds also increased the antioxidant activity of the low molecular weight nitrogen extracts. Thus, these starter cultures in Iberian sausages can contribute to delaying oxidative changes during storage.