bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of audit quality on the pension risk – cost of equity relation
Authors: Houmes Robert , Wang Daphne , Ngo Thanh
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate how audit quality affects the cost of equity (COE) defined benefit pension risk relation. As an antecedent to these tests, this study first uses implied COE measures and their pension intensity risk predictors to examine the relation between a defined benefit plan (DBP) firm’s implied COE and pension intensity risk. Then, using these measures, the authors provide new evidence on how audit quality affects this relation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data over fiscal years 1999–2014, fixed effects models regress dependent variable, implied the COE on controls and proxies that measure pension intensity risk and pension intensity risk conditional on the quality of the audit.

Findings

This study documents that audit quality attenuates the positive relation between a sponsoring firm’s COE and pension risk. The authors rationalize these findings by asserting that the positive relation between a sponsoring firm’s COE and pension intensity risk reflects increased financial risk associated with higher pension obligations but the quality of the auditor attenuates this risk. This paper further documents that these findings are robust to a sponsoring firms’ level of financial distress.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this research is that the sample is limited to DBPs companies only. Although results of the tests show similar results for controls that are used in other COE-related studies that include DBP and non-DBP firms, the generalizability of the findings may be limited to the extent that the financial characteristics of firms without defined contribution plans differ from the sample.

Practical implications

Results of this study suggest that while pension intensity risk has COE implications, managers may be able to mitigate these effects by managing their plans and utilizing high-quality auditors.

Originality/value

Using implied COE and pension intensity risk measures, this study provides new information on the favorable effect that high-quality audits have on the COE – pension risk relation.
Using SERVQUAL to determine Generation Y’s satisfaction towards hoteling industry in Malaysia
Authors: Shafiq Ali , Mostafiz Md Imtiaz , Taniguchi Mutsumi
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use SERVQUAL to measure Generation Y’s (Gen Y) perceived service quality and its effects on their satisfaction toward the Malaysian hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The required data were collected through questionnaire, distributed to 200 respondents in four areas of Klang Valley. The collected data were put through multiple regression to identify the effect of SERVQUAL dimensions on service quality.

Findings

The results reveal that all the elements of SERVQUAL, except tangibility, had a significant and positive relationship with customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

It is a niche area research which is done on a small population in a specified geographical area within Malaysia, though its research implications are significant and add significantly to the tourism literature with respect to Gen Y.

Practical implications

This research holds importance in the growing service tourism and hoteling industry in Malaysia, where Gen Y holds a key economic position and is predicted to grow even further in the near future.

Originality/value

It is a niche area research done on very specific consumers in Malaysia. It, therefore, adds to the emerging field of tourism in relation to Gen Y.
Re-evaluating supply chain integration and firm performance: linking operations strategy to supply chain strategy
Authors: Wiengarten Frank , Li Huashan , Singh Prakash J. , Fynes Brian
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the performance implications of supply chain integration (SCI) taking a strategic perspective. Thus, this paper is set to provide answers to the following research questions: Does a higher degree of SCI always lead to greater firm performance improvements? As the answer to this question is likely to be no, the authors explore the performance implications from a strategic perspective: Is the SCI–performance relationship contingent on a company’s competitive priorities (i.e. operations strategy)?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore their questions through multiple quasi-independent data sets to test the impact of SCI on firm performance. Furthermore, the authors provide a more nuanced conceptual and empirical view to explore the previously uncovered contradictory results and contingent relationship challenging the “more integration equals higher firm performance” proposition.

Findings

The results only provide partial support for the proposition that more integration is always beneficial in the supply chain context. The authors also identified that the impact of SCI on financial performance is contingent on a company’s competitive priorities.

Originality/value

This study provides a much-needed comprehensive assessment of the SCI–performance relationship through critically re-evaluating one of the most popular propositions in the field of supply chain management. The results can be extrapolated beyond the dyad, as the authors conceptualise integration simultaneously from an upstream and downstream perspective.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of bexarotene for Japanese patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: The results of a phase 2 study (B‐1201)
Authors: Hamada Toshihisa , Tokura Yoshiki , Sugaya Makoto , Ohtsuka Mikio , Tsuboi Ryoji , Nagatani Tetsuo , Kiyohara Eiji , Tani Mamori , Setoyama Mitsuru , Matsushita Shigeto , Kawai Kazuhiro , Yonekura Kentaro , Saida Toshiaki , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: May 2019

The present study (B‐1201 clinical trial) was conducted as a multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm phase II study to evaluate the long‐term safety, tolerability and efficacy of bexarotene. This study enrolled 10 Japanese adults aged more than 20 years with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) who completed the 24‐week study period of the B‐1101 trial. The objective response rate (ORR) was 53.8% (95% confidence interval, 25.1–80.8). In the early stage (IB), the ORR was 60% (3/5 cases). In the advanced stage (IIB and IIIA), the ORR was 57.1% (4/7 cases). The median time to response was 58 days (range, 27–168). The median treatment duration was 380 days (range, 33–1674). The median duration of response (DOR) could not be reached during the study period. The longest DOR reached 1618 days at the end of the B‐1201 trial. Nine patients (56.3%) in the full analysis set (FAS) population experienced dose reduction of bexarotene. Common drug‐related adverse events in the FAS population included hypothyroidism (93.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (81.3%), hypercholesterolemia (81.3%), leukopenia (68.8%) and neutropenia (56.3%). Dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) was present in five (38.5%) of the 13 patients in the 300 mg/m2 cohort. Of the five patients, four developed grade 3 neutropenia and one developed grade 4 hypertriglyceridemia. All DLT cases recovered after the discontinuation of bexarotene. None of the five patients discontinued this trial because of DLT. The B‐1201 trial shows the long‐term safety of oral bexarotene for Japanese patients with CTCL, despite frequent dose reduction.
Resveratrol alleviates nuclear factor‐κB‐mediated neuroinflammation in vasculitic peripheral neuropathy induced by ischaemia–reperfusion via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Pan Po‐Ting , Lin Han‐Yu , Chuang Ching‐Wei , Wang Po‑Kai , Wan Hung‐Chieh , Lee Ming‐Cheng , Kao Ming‐Chang
Published: May 2019

Vasculitic peripheral neuropathy (VPN) arises from an inflammatory obstruction in the blood vessels supplying peripheral nerves and subsequent ischaemic insults, which exhibits the clinical features of neuropathic pain and impaired peripheral nerve function. VPN induced by ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) has been reported to involve nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated neuroinflammation. Recent studies have suggested that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the development of peripheral neuropathies. Resveratrol possesses a potent anti‐inflammatory capacity. We hypothesized that resveratrol may exert a protective effect against VPN through modulating the interrelated ER stress and NF‐κB pathways. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were allocated into five groups: sham, sham + resveratrol 40 mg/kg (R40), IR, IR + R20 and IR + R40. VPN was induced by occluding the right femoral artery for 4 hours followed by reperfusion. Our data have shown that VPN induced by IR led to hind paw mechanical allodynia, heat hyperalgaesia, and impaired motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV). With resveratrol intervention, the behavioural parameters were improved in a dose‐dependent manner and the MNCV levels were increased as well. The molecular data revealed that VPN induced by IR significantly increased the expression of NF‐κB as well as the ER stress sensor proteins, protein kinase RNA‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 and activating transcription factor 6 in the sciatic nerves. More importantly, resveratrol significantly attenuated the expression of NF‐κB and the ER stress sensor proteins after IR. In conclusion, resveratrol alleviates VPN induced by IR. The mechanisms may involve modulating NF‐κB‐mediated neuroinflammation via suppressing ER stress.
In silicoprediction of the secretome from the invasive neurotoxic marine dinoflagellateAlexandrium catenella
Authors: Chetouhi Cherif , Laabir Mohammed , Masseret Estelle , Jean Natacha
Published: May 2019

Alexandrium catenella, a marine dinoflagellate responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), proliferates with greater frequency, distribution and intensity, in disturbed marine coastal ecosystems. The proteins secreted into seawater may play a crucial role in maintaining this dinoflagellate in these ecosystems, but this possibility has never been investigated before. In this study, theA. catenellasecretome was predicted from its transcriptome by combining several bioinformatics tools. Our results predict a secretome of 2 779 proteins, among which 79% contain less than 500 amino acids, suggesting that most secreted proteins are short in length. The predicted secretome includes 963 proteins (35%) with Pfam domains: 773 proteins with one Pfam domain and 190 proteins with two or more Pfam domains. Their functional annotation showed that they are mainly involved in (i) proteolysis, (ii) stress responses and (iii) primary metabolism. In addition, 47% of the secreted proteins appear to be enzymes, primarily peptidases, known to be biologically active in the extracellular medium during stress responses. Finally, this study provides a wealth of candidates of proteins secreted byA. catenella, which may interact with the marine environment and help this dinoflagellate develop in various environmental conditions.
MS‐275 potentiates the effect of YM‐155 in lung adenocarcinoma via survivin downregulation induced by miR‐138 and miR‐195
Authors: Luo Bai‐Ling , Zhou Yan , Lv Hui , Sun Sheng‐Hua , Tang Wen‐Xiang
Published: May 2019

Background

YM‐155 has been proven to be an efficient antitumor suppressor in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, the suppressive effect of YM‐155 on the expression of survivin is not sufficient and has a short half‐life. MS‐275, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has significant antitumor capacity with a relatively long half‐life. Our study explored whether MS‐275 could enhance the inhibitory effect of YM‐155 on LUAD proliferation.

Methods

To investigate the synergistic effect of MS‐275 and YM‐155, we employed methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and colony formation assays to access the inhibition effect of MS‐275, YM‐155, or a combination in A549 and HCC827 cell lines. We then detected the effect of MS‐275 and YM‐155 on the expression of survivin and pro‐apoptotic proteins by Western blot and miR‐138 or miR‐195 expression by quantitative PCR. We also analyzed the methylation level of microRNAs (miRNAs) using methylation‐sensitive quantitative PCR. Finally, we investigated the interaction between miRNAs and survivin by luciferase reporter assay.

Results

MS‐275 facilitated an inhibitory effect of YM‐155 on lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation. MS‐275 can upregulate the level of acetylated H3, promote the degradation of DNA methyltransferases, and inhibit the methylation of miR‐138 and miR‐195 genes to elevate the expression of miR‐138 and miR‐195. Moreover, miR‐138 and miR‐195 showed a synergistic effect with YM‐155 by directly binding to the 3 untranslated region of survivin to attenuate its expression.

Conclusion

For the first time, we report the synergistic effective of MS‐275 and YM‐155 and suggest a new direction for the future application of YM‐155.
In vitro effect of autologous platelet‐rich plasma on H2O2‐induced oxidative stress in human spermatozoa
Authors: Bader R. , Ibrahim J. N. , Moussa M. , Mourad A. , Azoury J. , Azoury J. , Alaaeddine N.
Published: May 2019

Background

Among new therapies emerging in the medical field, the use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in human reproduction has not yet been explored.

Objectives

This study aimed at investigating the effect of autologous PRP on sperm parameters in the presence and absence of H2O2.

Materials and methods

Semen samples were collected from 30 healthy men in their fourth decade attending Azoury IVF clinic. Spermatozoa, cultured in the presence or absence of 10 μM H2O2, were left untreated or treated with increasing concentrations of PRP (2, 5, and 10%). After 24‐h incubation, ROS levels were assessed and sperm parameters were evaluated.

Results

Our results highlight the harmful effect of H2O2 on sperm parameters, showing an increase in the percentage of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐positive cells, vacuolization, and sperm DNA fragmentation, and a decrease in progressive and total motility in the H2O2‐treated group compared to non‐stressed spermatozoa. When samples were treated with PRP, an improvement of the studied parameters was noted mainly with 2% PRP, thus regarded as the best concentration to achieve a positive effect on sperm parameters. Indeed, non‐stressed and stressed spermatozoa treated with 2% PRP showed a significant increase in progressive and total motility, coupled with a decrease in ROS‐positive cells, DNA fragmentation, vacuolization, and dead cells compared to the untreated group. In contrast, no significant difference in cell morphology was found between the two groups. Moreover, 2% PRP treatment enhanced sperm parameters and prevented cell death in H2O2‐exposed spermatozoa as compared to freshly collected semen.

Discussion

We suggest that PRP because of its wide arrays of growth factors included in his alpha granules contributes to the inhibition of ROS through the antioxidant, anti‐apoptotic activity.

Conclusion

Autologous PRP improves the quality of the sperm, more so in the presence of an H2O2‐induced OS.
Autism needs to be considered in children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Wester Oxelgren Ulrika , Åberg Marie , Myrelid Åsa , Annerén Göran , Westerlund Joakim , Gustafsson Jan , Fernell Elisabeth
Published: May 2019

Aim

To analyse levels and profiles of autism symptoms in children with Down Syndrome (DS) with and without diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to specifically study the groups with severe Intellectual Disability (ID).

Methods

From a population‐based cohort of 60 children with DS (age 5–17 years) with 41 participating children, scores obtained from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Module‐1 algorithm were compared between those with and without diagnosed ASD. Children with DS and ASD were also compared to a cohort of children with idiopathic ASD, presented in the ADOS manual.

Results

Children with DS and ASD had significantly higher ADOS scores in all domains compared to those without ASD. When the groups with DS, with and without ASD, were restricted to those with severe ID, the difference remained. When the children with DS and ASD and the idiopathic autism group were compared, the ADOS profiles were similar.

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of children with DS has ASD, but there is also a group of children with DS and severe ID without autism. There is a need to increase awareness of the high prevalence of autism in children with DS to ensure that appropriate measures and care are provided.
Compartmentalization of Animals: Toward an Understanding of How We Create Cognitive Distinctions between Animals and Their Implications
Authors: Amiot Catherine E. , Lépine Olivier , Zaky Julie
Published: May 2019

The nature of our relationships with nonhuman animals is complex and varies greatly across different types and species of animals. The goal of the current research is to investigate the differences that exist in our perceptions of animals based on their type, specifically by focusing on the phenomenon of compartmentalization. Two studies investigated the compartmentalization of farm animals relative to other types of animals (e.g., pets, wild animals). In Study 1, a greater tendency to compartmentalize farm animals correlated negatively with the attribution of a higher status to these animals, with more differentiated perceptions between the standing of farm animals and pets, and with a lower inclusion of animals in the self. In Study 2, different justifying beliefs taping into human superiority, the endorsement of carnism, and feeling threatened by vegetarianism mediated the negative relation between compartmentalization of farm animals and the negative emotional outcomes felt when eating meat. Together, these findings confirm the relevance of applying the notion of compartmentalization to the specific realm of human–animal relations.
Children's reasoning about continuous causal processes: The role of verbal and non‐verbal ability
Authors: Dündar‐Coecke Selma , Tolmie Andrew , Schlottmann Anne
Published: May 2019

Background

Causes produce effects via underlying mechanisms that must be inferred from observable and unobservable structures. Preschoolers show sensitivity to mechanisms in machine‐like systems with perceptually distinct causes and effects, but little is known about how children extend causal reasoning to the natural continuous processes studied in elementary school science, or how other abilities impact on this.

Aims

We investigated the development of children's ability to predict, observe, and explain three causal processes, relevant to physics, biology, and chemistry, taking into account their verbal and non‐verbal ability.

Sample

Children aged 5–11 years (N = 107) from London and Oxford, with wide ethnic/linguistic variation, drawn from the middle/upper socioeconomic status (SES) range.

Methods

Children were tested individually on causal tasks focused on sinking, absorption, and dissolving, using a novel approach in which they observed contrasting instances of each, to promote attention to mechanism. Further tasks assessed verbal (expressive vocabulary) and non‐verbal (block design) ability.

Results

Reports improved with age, though with differences between tasks. Even young participants gave good descriptions of what they observed. Causal explanations were more strongly related to observation than to prediction from prior knowledge, but developed more slowly. Non‐verbal but not generic verbal ability predicted performance.

Conclusions

Reasoning about continuous processes is within the capacity of children from school entry, even using verbal reports, though they find it easier to address more rapid processes. Mechanism inference is uncommon, with non‐verbal ability an important influence on progress. Our research is the first to highlight this key factor in children's progress towards thinking about scientific phenomena.
Use of trypan blue as an aqueous tracer dye to investigate hypotony where cyclodialysis cleft is suspected
Authors: Khoo Ying J. , Abdullah Aulia A. H. , Yu Dao‐Yi , Morgan William H.
Published: May 2019

Importance

A new method to help diagnose suspected cyclodialysis clefts.

Background

To study the use of trypan blue stained aqueous flow patterns in diagnosing causes of hypotony where cyclodialysis clefts were suspected.

Design

A case series in a tertiary care centre.

Participants

Ten subjects presenting with persistent hypotony and retinal changes.

Methods

Trypan blue was injected into the anterior chamber.

Main Outcome Measures

The pattern of dye flow in the anterior chamber was categorized. Intraocular pressure prior to surgery was recorded.

Results

All seven subjects with cyclodialysis clefts had a preferential flow to the cleft region. Two hypotonous subjects post trabeculectomy had rapid (5 seconds) and extensive lymphatic staining (6 o'clock hours extent) without visible bleb formation.

Conclusions and Relevance

Preferential flow of dye to the limbus is a reliable sign of cyclodialysis cleft and helps localize cleft extent. A new cause of hypotony, “lymphatic overdrain,” is identified.
One‐year results of a nonsurgical treatment protocol for peri‐implantitis. A retrospective case series
Authors: Estefanía‐Fresco Ruth , García‐de‐la‐Fuente Ana M. , Egaña‐Fernández‐Valderrama Aitor , Bravo Manuel , Aguirre‐Zorzano Luis Antonio
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of a nonsurgical treatment protocol for peri‐implantitis and to evaluate the influence that some factors could have on the results of this treatment.

Material and methods

In this retrospective case series, patients with at least one implant with peri‐implantitis, treated with a nonsurgical protocol and with a one‐year follow‐up, were included. Clinical parameters (probing depth, recession, bleeding, and/or suppuration on probing) were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. Radiographic bone levels were assessed in periapical radiographs taken at baseline and 12 months. An analysis of the factors significantly associated with marginal bone level changes was performed. Descriptive and analytic statistics were carried out at the patient and at the implant level, as well as a multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

Data from 37 patients with 70 implants were analyzed. There was a general and consistent improvement from baseline compared to all follow‐up points in the clinical variables. A significant radiographic bone gain of 0.91 mm was observed. The factors significantly associated were baseline plaque index, sex, and age at patient level, and type of prosthesis and implant location at implant level.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, this nonsurgical treatment protocol might be considered as a first treatment option for peri‐implantitis. More studies are needed, with larger sample sizes and longer follow‐ups, to confirm these outcomes and their long‐term stability.
‘The capital market is dead’: the difficult birth of index‐linked gilts in the UK
Authors: Oliver Michael J. , Rutterford Janette
Published: May 2019

This article describes how and why the Thatcher government introduced index‐linked gilts in 1981. It outlines the earlier deliberations by the monetary authorities during the 1950s and 1960s on how an indexed government security might help or hinder the fight against inflation. Although these discussions came to nothing, rising inflation and increasing difficulties with managing the gilt‐edged market during the 1970s revived interest in the indexation of government securities. Both the Page Commission in 1974 and the Wilson Report in 1980 recommended the introduction of inflation‐indexed securities, but the election of the Conservative government in 1979 gave real momentum to their possible issuance. Although Margaret Thatcher was initially opposed to indexation, Nigel Lawson galvanized the Treasury and the Bank of England to work on a scheme to issue index‐linked gilts as a means of improving economic performance. The article traces the contentious series of discussions surrounding the possible effects of index‐linked gilts on government debt interest costs, on monetary policy and monetary targets, and on the possible ‘crowding out’ of corporate bonds and equities which could not offer a guaranteed real return. Despite teething problems, the introduction of inflation‐linked bonds in the UK was deemed a success.
Genome‐wide association studies of alcohol dependence, DSM‐IV criterion count and individual criteria
Authors: Lai Dongbing , Wetherill Leah , Bertelsen Sarah , Carey Caitlin E. , Kamarajan Chella , Kapoor Manav , Meyers Jacquelyn L. , Anokhin Andrey P. , Bennett David A. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Chang Katharine K. , De Jager Philip L. , Dick Danielle M. , Hesselbrock Victor , Kramer John , Kuperman Samuel , Nurnberger John I. , Raj Towfique , Schuckit Marc , Scott Denise M. , Taylor Robert E. , Tischfield Jay , Hariri Ahmad R. , Edenberg Howard J. , Agrawal Arpana , Bogdan Ryan , Porjesz Bernice , Goate Alison M. , Foroud Tatiana
Published: May 2019

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of alcohol dependence (AD) have reliably identified variation within alcohol metabolizing genes (eg, ADH1B) but have inconsistently located other signals, which may be partially attributable to symptom heterogeneity underlying the disorder. We conducted GWAS of DSM‐IV AD (primary analysis), DSM‐IV AD criterion count (secondary analysis), and individual dependence criteria (tertiary analysis) among 7418 (1121 families) European American (EA) individuals from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). Trans‐ancestral meta‐analyses combined these results with data from 3175 (585 families) African‐American (AA) individuals from COGA. In the EA GWAS, three loci were genome‐wide significant: rs1229984 in ADH1B for AD criterion count (P = 4.16E−11) and Desire to cut drinking (P = 1.21E−11); rs188227250 (chromosome 8, Drinking more than intended, P = 6.72E−09); rs1912461 (chromosome 15, Time spent drinking, P = 1.77E−08). In the trans‐ancestral meta‐analysis, rs1229984 was associated with multiple phenotypes and two additional loci were genome‐wide significant: rs61826952 (chromosome 1, DSM‐IV AD, P = 8.42E−11); rs7597960 (chromosome 2, Time spent drinking, P = 1.22E−08). Associations with rs1229984 and rs18822750 were replicated in independent datasets. Polygenic risk scores derived from the EA GWAS of AD predicted AD in two EA datasets (P < .01; 0.61%‐1.82% of variance). Identified novel variants (ie, rs1912461, rs61826952) were associated with differential central evoked theta power (loss − gain; P = .0037) and reward‐related ventral striatum reactivity (P = .008), respectively. This study suggests that studying individual criteria may unveil new insights into the genetic etiology of AD liability.
Evaluating user experiences of a clearing house for health policy and systems
Authors: Mutatina Boniface , Basaza Robert , Sewankambo Nelson K. , Lavis John N.
Published: May 2019

Background

Timely access to evidence increases the prospects for evidence informed decision making. We evaluated user experiences of a Clearing House for Health Policy with the aim of increasing access to evidence about the Uganda health system and interventions.

Methods

We conducted in‐depth interviews with 15 potential users including policymakers, health policy advisors, health managers and researchers to provide evidence on their experience with the clearinghouse. On average participants took 20 minutes to first navigate the site and 45 minutes to perform search tasks and complete the interview.

Results

Most respondents successfully searched for information with accuracy and completeness in a short time. Participants commended the performance and expressed high regard for the credibility of the clearinghouse. The majority felt that using the resource was worth their effort. The clearinghouse provided appropriate functionalities for information searching. Navigating and finding information from the site was achievable. However, inadequate background information about the site and lack of current information were widely reported.

Conclusion

Our paper provides insights on the issues that can be addressed to improve online resources for health policy and system information in a limited resource setting. Users’ experience of such resources can be improved by regularly appraising and appropriately indexing the contents, and optimising the capacity to customise information.
Ugandan health libraries in the 21st century: key initiatives and challenges
Authors: Kinengyere Alison Annet
Published: May 2019

This article is part of a series in this regular feature which looks at new directions in health science libraries. This paper highlights new initiatives aimed at ensuring health libraries can contribute to the development of Uganda in the 21st century and the challenges facing libraries. It stresses that for libraries to be successful they need to form networks and collaborations for resource sharing; take advantage of the benefits of information technology; computerise their library systems; as well as invest in the development of staff. The paper highlights the main challenge facing the library service as inadequate funding both from government for public‐funded health libraries and the private sector (for privately funded health libraries). The paper concludes that, despite the bottlenecks brought about by inadequate funding, Ugandan health libraries have taken positive steps to support health research and education, as well as patient care, not just for Uganda, but for the whole of the East African region.

J.M.
Modern approaches for modelling dystonia and Huntington's disease in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhunina Olga A. , Yabbarov Nikita G. , Orekhov Alexander N. , Deykin Alexey V.
Published: May 2019

Dystonia associated with Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative diseases substantially affects patients’ quality of life and is a major health problem worldwide. The above‐mentioned diseases are characterized by neurodegeneration accompanied by motor and cognitive impairment and often have complex aetiology. A frequent feature of these conditions is the abnormal accumulation of protein aggregates within specific neuronal populations in the affected brain regions. Familial neurodegenerative diseases are associated with a number of genetic mutations. Identification of these mutations allowed creation of modern model systems for studying neurodegeneration, either in cultured cells or in model animals. Animal models, especially mouse models, have contributed considerably to improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. These models have allowed study of the pathogenic mechanisms and development of new disease‐modifying strategies and therapeutic approaches. However, due to the complex nature of these pathologies and the irreversible damage that they cause to the neural tissue, effective therapies against neurodegeneration remain to be elaborated. In this review, we provide an overview of cellular and animal models developed for studying neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and dystonia of different origins.
Right‐to‐Carry Laws and Violent Crime: A Comprehensive Assessment Using Panel Data and a State‐Level Synthetic Control Analysis
Authors: Donohue John J. , Aneja Abhay , Weber Kyle D.
Published: May 2019

This article uses more complete state panel data (through 2014) and new statistical techniques to estimate the impact on violent crime when states adopt right‐to‐carry (RTC) concealed handgun laws. Our preferred panel data regression specification, unlike the statistical model of Lott and Mustard that had previously been offered as evidence of crime‐reducing RTC laws, both satisfies the parallel trends assumption and generates statistically significant estimates showing RTC laws increase overall violent crime. Our synthetic control approach also finds that RTC laws are associated with 13–15 percent higher aggregate violent crime rates 10 years after adoption. Using a consensus estimate of the elasticity of crime with respect to incarceration of 0.15, the average RTC state would need to roughly double its prison population to offset the increase in violent crime caused by RTC adoption.
MdWRKY15 improves resistance of apple to Botryosphaeria dothidea via the salicylic acid‐mediated pathway by directly binding the MdICS1 promoter
Authors: Zhao Xian‐Yan , Qi Chen‐Hui , Jiang Han , Zhong Ming‐Shuang , You Chun‐Xiang , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Hao Yu‐Jin
Published: May 2019

Isochorismate synthase (ICS) plays an essential role in the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and plant disease resistance. Diseases caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea affect apple yields. Thus, it is important to understand the role of ICS1 in disease resistance to B. dothidea in apple. In this study, SA treatment enhanced the resistance to B. dothidea. MdICS1 was induced by B. dothidea and enhanced the resistance to B. dothidea. MdICS1 promoter analysis indicated that the W‐box was vital for the response to B. dothidea treatment. MdWRKY15 was found to interact with the W‐box using yeast one‐hybrid screening. Subsequently, the interaction was confirmed by EMSA, yeast one‐hybrid, ChIP‐PCR, and quantitative PCR assays. Moreover, luciferase and GUS analysis further indicated that MdICS1 was transcriptionally activated by MdWRKY15. Finally, we found the function of MdWRKY15 in the resistance to B. dothidea was partially dependent on MdICS1 from the phenotype of transgenic apples and calli. In summary, we revealed that MdWRKY15 activated the transcription of MdICS1 by directly binding to its promoter to increase the accumulation of SA and the expression of disease‐related genes, thereby resulting in the enhanced resistance to B. dothidea in the SA biosynthesis pathway.
Exploring the Relationship between Financial Education and Financial Knowledge and Efficacy: Evidence from the Canadian Financial Capability Survey
Authors: Rothwell David W. , Wu Shiyou
Published: May 2019

Researchers and policymakers in many countries are interested in better understanding the relationship between financial education participation and cognitive outcomes such as financial knowledge and self‐efficacy. We used two waves of the nationally representative Canadian Financial Capability Survey along with propensity score matching (PSM) to compare outcomes between persons who had taken a financial education course to those who had not. After matching and adjusting for demographic and economic factors, financial education participants exhibited significantly higher objective and subjective financial knowledge and financial self‐efficacy scores. Post‐estimation analysis showed that higher overall objective financial knowledge scores were at least partially driven by higher scores of men. Financial education participants had higher subjective knowledge and financial self‐efficacy scores for both genders and across age. Future research into financial education ought to consider cognitive dimensions in addition to behavioral and financial outcomes.
Exploring nursing competence to care for older patients in municipal in‐patient acute care: A qualitative study
Authors: Vatnøy Torunn Kitty , Karlsen Tor‐Ivar , Dale Bjørg
Published: May 2019

Aim

To identify critical aspects of nursing competence to care for older patients in the context of municipal in‐patient acute care.

Background

An increasingly complex and advanced primary healthcare system requires attention to the extent of nursing competence in municipal services. However, competence in complex and advanced care settings must be explored using perspectives which acknowledge the complexity of nurses' performance.

Design

A phenomenological hermeneutic, qualitative approach with individual in‐depth interviews was used. COREQ reporting guidelines have been applied.

Methods

A sample of eight nurses and two physicians employed in municipal in‐patient acute care units (MAUs) were purposively recruited to participate. Data were collected between May and June of 2017. Analysis and interpretation were conducted systematically in three steps: naïve reading, structural analysis and comprehensive understanding.

Findings

Two main themes were revealed. The first was the following: “The meaning of the individual nursing competence” including the themes “Having competence in clinical assessments, decision‐making, and performing interventions”; “Having competence to collaborate, coordinate and facilitate”; and “Being committed.” The second was the following: “The meaning of environmental and systemic factors for nursing competence,” included the themes “Having professional leadership”; “Having a sufficiently qualified staff”; and “Working in an open, cooperative and professional work environment.”

Conclusion

Individual nursing competence in MAUs should include the capability to detect patient deterioration and to care for older patients in a holistic perspective. In addition, the professional environmental culture, supportive leadership and systemic factors seemed to be crucial to success.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study illustrates the nurses' responsibility for older patients' safety and quality of care in the MAUs. These findings can act as a foundation for the development and adaptation of educational programmes to accommodate requirements for nursing competence in MAUs. The broad perspective of nursing competence can give directions for quality improvements in MAUs.
To what extent is bruxism associated with musculoskeletal signs and symptoms? A systematic review
Authors: Baad‐Hansen Lene , Thymi Magdalini , Lobbezoo Frank , Svensson Peter
Published: May 2019

The aim of the present systematic review was to answer the overall research question: “To what extent is bruxism associated with musculoskeletal signs and symptoms?”. The review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A PubMed search of articles published until 23 November 2017 was conducted. The search string included both MeSH terms and text words. Results were presented in categories according to study design, study population (eg, adults, children), bruxism sub‐type (awake, sleep), assessment methods for bruxism and musculoskeletal symptoms (self‐report, validated test) and type of outcome (pain, non‐painful musculoskeletal symptoms). It could be concluded that bruxism is to some extent associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, even though the evidence is conflicting and seems to be dependent on many factors, such as age, whether the bruxism occurs during sleep or wakefulness, and also the quality of the diagnostic methodology regarding bruxism and musculoskeletal signs and symptoms. The literature does not support a direct linear causal relationship between bruxism and such symptoms, but points more in the direction of a multifaceted relationship dependent on the presence of other risk factors. Pain is by far the most commonly assessed symptom, whereas non‐painful musculoskeletal symptoms have generally not been systematically evaluated. In the light of recent findings indicating that non‐painful symptoms may precede TMD pain, it is suggested to increase the scientific focus on non‐painful musculoskeletal symptoms in future studies. Also, future studies should use validated methods for case definition and outcome assessments.
Recurrent oral ulceration: Etiology, classification, management, and diagnostic algorithm
Authors: Bilodeau Elizabeth A. , Lalla Rajesh V.
Published: May 2019

Recurrent oral ulcerations are manifestations of a heterogeneous set of both general and more‐or‐less specific oral diseases due to numerous potential etiologies, including, but not limited to, infections, medications, autoimmune disease, and other systemic disease. This review discusses the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of the common causes of recurrent oral ulceration. The following types/etiologies of recurrent oral ulceration are covered: traumatic ulceration, chemical ulceration, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, medication‐related ulceration, infectious ulceration, mucocutaneous disease, and autoimmune/systemic disease. A diagnostic algorithm for recurrent oral ulceration is also presented.
Economic and health burden of brucellosis in Kazakhstan
Authors: Charypkhan Duriya , Sultanov Akhmetzhan A. , Ivanov Nikolay. P. , Baramova Sholpan A. , Taitubayev Mereke. K. , Torgerson Paul R.
Published: May 2019

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease considered as an emerging and re‐emerging disease with a resulting threat of public health and animal health. Official reports document an animal incidence in Kazakhstan of about 0.6% per year, and the country still registers high number of human cases annually . The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the distribution and economic impact of brucellosis in Kazakhstan. We analysed human disease incidence data obtained from the Government Sanitary & Epidemiological Service with the aim to estimate the burden of disease in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs). We also estimated the economic impact in terms of monetary losses. Additionally, we mapped the geographical distribution of the disease throughout Kazakhstan. In total, 1,334 human cases of brucellosis were registered in 2015 in Kazakhstan that resulted in 713 DALYs. Around $21 million was spent on compensation for animals that had to be slaughtered due to brucellosis, and an additional $24 million was spent on testing animals. Animal brucellosis and human brucellosis occur throughout the whole country, some trends of which are reviewed in this paper. We estimated the burden of the disease and explored possible explanation for high human incidence rates. This paper is the first to estimate the human burden of disease and the economic costs in Kazakhstan. Both of these are substantial.
SOUL‐MAKING, THEOSIS, AND EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY: AN IRENAEAN APPROACH
Authors: Collin James Henry
Published: May 2019

In Romans 5, St. Paul claims that death came into the world through Adam's sin. Many have taken this to foist on us a fundamentalist reading of Genesis. If death is the result of human sin, then, apparently, there cannot have been death in the world prior to human sin. This, however, is inconsistent with contemporary evolutionary biology, which requires that death predates the existence of modern humans. Although the relationship between Romans 5, Genesis, and contemporary science has been much discussed—often with goal of dissipating the idea that the two are in conflict—the specific issue of death entering the world through sin has remained difficult to resolve. I argue that the Eastern Orthodox tradition has the resources to respect both Romans 5 and contemporary science. Appealing to a broadly Irenaean notion of soul‐making, and to the idea of theosis, opens up space for an understanding of these passages that is both scientifically informed and Orthodox.
Assessing salt-stress tolerance in barley
Authors: Somasundaram Rajeswari , Sood Neeru , Swarup Gokhale Trupti , Subramanian Ramachandran
Published: May 2019

Identifying naturally existing abiotic-stress tolerant accessions in cereal crops is central to understanding plant responses toward sstress. Salinity is an abiotic stressor that limits crop yields. Salt stress triggers major physiological changes in plants, but individual plants may perform differently under salt stress. In the present study, 112 barley accessions were grown under controlled salt stress conditions (1 Sm-1 salinity) until harvest. The accessions were then analyzed for set of agronomic and physiological traits. Under salt stress, less than 5 % of the assessed accessions (CIHO6969, PI63926, PI295960, and PI531867) displayed early flowering. Only two (< 2 %) of the accessions (PI327671 and PI383011) attained higher fresh and dry weight, and a better yield under salt stress. Higher K+/Na+ ratios were maintained by four accessions PI531999, PI356780, PI452343, and PI532041. These top-performing accessions constitute naturally existing variants within barley’s gene pool that will be instrumental to deepen our understanding of abiotic-stress tolerance in crops.
Influence of indentation test factors on the mechanical response of the skin
Authors: Isaza Jesica Andrea , Lacroix Damien , Ramírez Juan
Published: May 2019

This study proposes in vivo tests and design of experiments to determine the influence of experimental factors on the mechanical response of the soft tissue. The experimental factors considered are: room temperature (A), indentation velocity (B), indenter temperature (C), pump pressure (D) and muscle activation (E). An inverse method was developed to obtain the constants for constitutive equations of a multilayer biological model (skin, hypodermis, and muscle) through the use of indentation tests in combination with a finite element method. For each combination of the experimental factors, two groups of constants were established from the inverse method. Sixteen combinations of experimental conditions and their corresponding constants for the Mooney-Rivlin constitutive equations were obtained to be used in further numerical models. The factor D and factor interactions ADE, CDE, and ACDE were statistically significant with respect to skin mechanical response. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is not a current equation able to represent the mechanical properties of the skin under all the experimental conditions considered in this study.
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L., Solanaceae)
Authors: Osorio-Guarín Jaime Andrés , García-Arias Francy Liliana , Yockteng Roxana
Published: May 2019

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana, L.) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family that produces an edible berry appreciated for its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties. Its production is often limited by diseases and reproducible fruit quality. Recent studies have reported genes associated with fruit quality and resistance response to the root-infecting fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. physali (Foph,) which causes vascular wilt. In order to standardize a method to validate the biological function of candidate genes in the non-model species P. peruviana, we tested the robust approach in reverse genetics, virus induced gene silencing (VIGS). In this study, we validated and optimized VIGS using an insert of the phytoenedesaturase (PDS) gene in a silencing viral vector generated from tobacco rattlevirus (TRV). Leaves infiltrated with Agrobacterium (GV3101 strain) showed photo-bleached segments, which were distinctive for PDS suppression at 7 days post-infection (dpi). More than half of the treated plants showed photo bleaching, indicating an efficiency rate of 50 % of the VIGS protocol. The results of this study showed that VIGS can be used for future functional gene characterization implicated in the immune response, disease resistance and fruit quality in capegooseberry.
Studies of Air Pollution Control by Southern California Edison Company
Authors: Haagen-Smit A. J.
Published: May 2019

The relative contribution of various pollutants found in the Los Angeles area is discussed. Processes designed to curtail the emission of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are described, as well as some results of experiments at the Southern California Edison Company’s El Segundo Steam Station.
Pulverized-Coal Transport Through Pipes
Authors: Patterson R. C.
Published: May 2019

Some typical problems related to pulverized-coal transport for steam generators have been investigated in a long-term test program.

The investigation has provided information relative to the performance of a commercial-type exhauster handling air-coal mixtures, friction factors for 8 and 12-in-diam pipe handling air-coal mixtures, general information as to the flow characteristics of air-coal mixtures in various piping systems, and methods and means for control of coal drifting in horizontal pipe.

Friction factors in the range of 0.017 to 0.035 for 8 and 12-in. pipe are indicated for the usual operating range.