bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Labeling Antibodies Using N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-Fluorescein
Authors: Berg Eric A. , Fishman Jordan B.
Published: March 2019

N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)–ester derivatives are among the most commonly used reagents for labeling proteins. The method described here can be adapted to use practically any NHS fluorophore. Generally, a fluorophore is covalently bound to a macromolecule such as an antibody and acts as a reporter molecule used to measure the presence of the macromolecule. These fluorescently labeled bioactive reagents are suitable for use in immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and numerous other biological applications. There are several widely used dyes available in convenient formats. This protocol can be used with any amine-reactive (e.g., PFP, isothiocyanate) fluorophore derivative.
Random Priming: Labeling of Purified DNA Fragments by Extension of Random Oligonucleotides
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: March 2019

In this protocol, oligonucleotides that are heterogeneous in sequence serve as primers for the initiation of DNA synthesis on single-stranded templates. Labeled dNTPs ([α-32P]dNTPs or biotin-, DIG-, or fluorescein-labeled dUTPs) are incorporated into the new DNA by the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Pol I). The method can be adapted to radiolabel DNA in slices cut from gels cast with low-melting-temperature agarose.
Spun-Column Chromatography
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: March 2019

This protocol describes the setup and use of Sephadex G-50 or Bio-Gel columns for the purification of DNA.
A decision support system (DSS) for facilitating the scenario selection process of the renegotiation of PPP contracts
Authors: Shalaby Amira , Hassanein Amr
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Public private partnership contracts tend to have longer contract durations compared to other conventional procurement methods. A contract renegotiation becomes inevitable in most of the cases. The renegotiation process usually develops a number of scenarios in order to regain the contract equilibrium. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the renegotiation process by offering an automated system to select the optimum renegotiation scenario that preserves the rights and the interests of the project stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The common renegotiation scenarios used are: increasing the service charges, increasing the concession period or paying a lump sum amount to the party of concern in order to maintain a fixed rate of return and keep the return on equity constant. In this paper, a method of selecting the optimum scenario among the different scenarios is proposed. This is done using a weighted sum model to calculate the weights and ranks of a number of factors influencing the stakeholders’ decisions. A DSS is developed with the aid of Microsoft Excel, VBA programming language, and the Precision Tree 5.5 for Excel add-in.

Findings

The renegotiation process has been facilitated by using an automated system that maximizes the benefits of both the public sector and the private sector. The optimum renegotiation scenario has been selected for the case of the model.

Originality/value

The developed framework is of great benefit to project stakeholders, including the private sector, the public sector and the users of the service. It saves time and money invested in lengthy negotiations, and it enforces transparency and mutual trust between the different parties by providing a tool that significantly minimizes conflicts during the renegotiation process and defines clear steps to be followed in order to reach an agreement that will maximize the benefits for both the private and the public sectors.
Identification of space management problems in public hospitals
Authors: Prugsiganont Supuck , Jensen Per Anker
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In the past decades, public hospitals in Thailand have developed gradually and been characterized by an incremental development of hospital facilities. First, this study aims to investigate the factors that have caused the incremental development and how such development has affected the hospital’s architectural layout. Second, the paper assesses the functional quality of nonclinical areas in the Maharaj Hospital to identify space management problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the study is based on a literature review of the Thai health-care landscape. The second part includes the functional quality assessment of nonclinical areas, walk-through observations and documentation. Obtained data were synthesized using building quality method and measurement criteria and analytical drawing techniques for design assessment.

Findings

The first part identified three factors: the lack of local general practitioners, the limited number of public hospitals and the implementation of Thailand’s universal coverage scheme. These factors have resulted in a dramatically high number of patients in public hospitals. The second part identified problems regarding poor accessibility, a low level of spatial flexibility and poor spatial orientation. These problems are related to a lack of appropriate strategic space planning and lack of integration of the Thai culture into hospital design processes.

Practical implications

An identification of space management problems is a prerequisite to the improvement of hospital facilities.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first study of space management problems concerning nonclinical areas in Asian hospitals.
Recognition of prior learning as an access tool
Authors: Hlongwane Ike
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of recognition of prior learning (RPL) as an alternative tool for access into learning programmes in South African Library and Information Science (LIS) schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted quantitative methods, and utilised questionnaires and document analysis to collect data.

Findings

The study found that despite an institutional “will” among the LIS schools to open up access to learners who come from diverse backgrounds; there are still aspects that inhibit the use of RPL as an alternative route of access into higher education and training.

Research limitations/implications

In-depth interviews were not conducted to ascertain the veracity of the findings.

Practical implications

This study was valuable for institutions, policy makers, government and other stakeholders to assess the impact of RPL implementation in higher education and training.

Originality/value

Despite there been very little published concerning RPL implementation in higher education and training, use of RPL, as an alternative route to access into higher education and training is generally low. The paper seeks to highlight and promote RPL as an alternative route of access into higher education and training especially for non-matriculants from diverse backgrounds.
Developing a hierarchical model to enhance business excellence in hotel industry of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mahbubar , Islam Rafikul , Wan Husain Wan Rohaida , Ahmad Khaliq
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The study aims to develop a hierarchical model based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award to enable the ranking of quality dimensions required for achieving business excellence in the hotel industry of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a sequential mix method approach in which semi-structured interviews with 24 participants were initially conducted during the qualitative stage to identify the quality dimensions. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 40 industry experts to prioritise the identified elements using the relative measurement of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In total, 32 respondents were further surveyed to evaluate a selected number of hotels in Bangladesh using the absolute measurement of AHP.

Findings

The study uncovered eight criteria, together with 23 corresponding sub-criteria during the qualitative stage. Quality management emerged as the most crucial criterion, while health and safety-security measures were the most important sub-criteria in addressing the quality management criterion. In Bangladesh, five-star hotels were observed to be performing better than three-star and four-star hotels.

Originality/value

The developed model is unique and can be used by Bangladeshi practitioners to measure the performance of hotels. Moreover, it can also be applied to measure the performance of hotels in other countries just by incorporating minor modification to the model framework.
Characters’ persuasion effects in advergaming
Authors: Choi Yung Kyun
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore advergaming to identify how users respond to characters in terms of forming brand trust and purchase intentions. The study shows that users will tend to trust brands when characters are congruent with product type and trust propensity.

Design/methodology/approach

In a 2×2×2 factorial design, the character presence/absence condition and product type (high vs low involvement) are between-subject, manipulated and dichotomous variables. Trust propensity is a measured, continuous variable.

Findings

Findings indicate that character presence contributes to brand trust, leading to higher purchase intentions. Character presence is more effective for promoting products of low involvement; character absence is more effective for promoting products of high involvement. Moreover, in the low-involvement product condition, consumers who have low-trust propensity are more persuaded by characters. In the high-involvement product condition, consumers who have high or low-trust propensity respond similarly to both character presence and absence.

Originality/value

Although characters potentially affect how gamers react to online gaming, surprisingly few studies have attempted to identify how the characters and their interactions influence consumers’ emotions and behaviors in advergaming contexts. The current study fills the gap by focusing on the effects of characters and the interactions among other influences related to characters. This study makes new theoretical and practical contributions to the literature by showing that brand trust plays a mediating role and demonstrates that game characters can stimulate purchase intentions more persuasively depending on gamers’ trust propensity and involvement in the advertised products. The findings contribute to theory regarding congruency effects of game characters and the theory of brand trust.
Engineering manipulation at nanoscale: further functional specifications
Authors: Mekid Samir , Bashmal Salem
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Novel nanomaterials and nano-devices require further functional aspects that can be designed and supported using new nanomanipulation techniques allowing specific functions at the design phase. The nano-manipulator becomes a key instrument for technology bridging sub-nano to mesoscale. The integration of various operations in nano-devices requires sub-nanometer precision and highly stable manipulator. This paper aims to review various design concepts of recent nanomanipulators, their motion characteristics, basic functions, imagine and automation with control techniques for the sake of establishing new design features based on recent requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews various existing nanomanipulators, their motion characteristics, basic functions, imagine and automation with control techniques. This will support precision machine design methodology and robotics principles.

Findings

The availability of a nano-precision instrument with integrated functions has proved to be extremely helpful in addressing various fundamental problems in science and engineering such as exploring, understanding, modeling and testing nano-machining process; exact construction of nano-structure arrays; and inspection of devices with complex features.

Originality/value

New functional specifications have emerged from this review to support the design and make of new advanced nanomanipulators with more features availability to support manipulation within the same reference datum needed for research and education.
Healthcare scandals and the failings of doctors
Authors: Mannion Russell , Davies Huw , Powell Martin , Blenkinsopp John , Millar Ross , McHale Jean , Snowden Nick
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether official inquiries are an effective method for holding the medical profession to account for failings in the quality and safety of care.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a review of the theoretical literature on professions and documentary analysis of key public inquiry documents and reports in the UK National Health Service (NHS) the authors examine how the misconduct of doctors can be understood using the metaphor of professional wrongdoing as a product of bad apples, bad barrels or bad cellars.

Findings

The wrongdoing literature tends to present an uncritical assumption of increasing sophistication in analysis, as the focus moves from bad apples (individuals) to bad barrels (organisations) and more latterly to bad cellars (the wider system). This evolution in thinking about wrongdoing is also visible in public inquiries, as analysis and recommendations increasingly tend to emphasise cultural and systematic issues. Yet, while organisational and systemic factors are undoubtedly important, there is a need to keep in sight the role of individuals, for two key reasons. First, there is growing evidence that a small number of doctors may be disproportionately responsible for large numbers of complaints and concerns. Second, there is a risk that the role of individual professionals in drawing attention to wrongdoing is being neglected.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first theoretical and empirical study specifically exploring the role of NHS inquiries in holding the medical profession to account for failings in professional practice.
Barriers to growth of SMEs in Western Balkan countries
Authors: Ur Rehman Naqeeb , Çela Arjona , Morina Fatbardha , Sulçaj Gura Kriselda
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Western Balkans countries (WBCs) have a great potential for growth and among the main focuses of entrepreneurial activity is small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector. Moreover, SMEs are believed to contribute in the economy by stimulating employment, increasing production, transferring new technologies and so forth. Due to this crucial importance the purpose of this paper is to analyze the barriers that hinder labor productivity (LP) of SMEs in WBCs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method employed to discover solution to this research problem is quantitative analysis by using survey data of World Bank. Research methodology applied in this paper found it correctly to use cross-sectional data and conducts a factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression as the best procedure for this type of data.

Findings

The results show variability for different countries access to finance, tax rates, tax administration, corruption, inadequately educated labor force, competition in informal sector and political instability appear to be some of the main obstacles that are negatively affecting LP of SMEs in WBC.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis better results could be obtained with larger samples and panel data.

Practical implications

The policy implications of this study suggest that in order to boost productivity of these firms there must be a reduction of the barriers and improvement of business environment. Although, this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis and contributes as insight to policy makers, better results could be obtained with larger samples using panel data.

Originality/value

Differently from previous studies this work uses explanatory factor analysis and method OLS to estimate regressions for all barriers in each country of Western Balkan region.
“You call it a structure taboo!” Relating consultant experiences to changing dynamics in healthcare
Authors: van Nistelrooij Antonie , Homan Thijs
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive reflective perspective on the effects of an intervention in a healthcare organization, as experienced by a consultant. What does a consultant experience when things flounder?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a complex responsive process approach as a research perspective and autoethnography as a method to better understand the tensions of a consultant in interacting with members of a client-system.

Findings

Focusing on the experiences of the first author during his work as a consultant in a healthcare institution. This approach contributes to the literature by providing a witness, rather than an aboutness, perspective on the experiences of a consultant during a completely unexpected event.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited by looking at one case in the public sector. It should be considered as exploratory research.

Originality/value

The paper can be of value to consultants who are working as a facilitator, as well as to management scholars and practitioners in the field of change management.
Outsourcing of aviation technical services – a literature survey
Authors: Holkeri Jukka
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The outsourcing of maintenance and other technical services is a growing trend and phenomenon in both military and civil aviation. The purpose of this paper is to characterize and analyze this trend by summarizing the existing research concerning outsourcing and the related service provider selection processes in this industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts are identified and synthesized using a framework that articulates contexts, observed outcomes and generation mechanisms.

Findings

The expected growth trend of outsourcing was confirmed by the literature, and cost was also observed as a driver for the decision to outsource. However, one conclusion is that outsourcing of technical services is not solely cost-driven in aviation as clarity and partnership-type relations (working together for a common goal) appear to be the key success factors in the eventual working relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the published scientific material may be different compared to that of the actual industry. Empiric research is recommended to complement this literature survey.

Social implications

Improving the understanding of outsourcing activities may enable better efficiencies and even improve safety in aviation.

Originality/value

The concepts developed in this paper provide a suitable platform for further studies. In addition, the concepts serve as a concise introduction to the subject.
Strategic corporate real estate management practice in Ghana
Authors: Boakye-Agyeman Naana Amakie , Bugri John Tiah
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The success of every business depends to a large extent on its corporate real estate (CRE), given that, it is the physical assets that support its operations. To achieve this success, organizations must adopt a strategic approach to CRE management. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of adoption of strategic corporate real estate management (SCREM) practice in Ghana based on the views of CRE managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The embedded mixed method approach was adopted for the study. In total, 72 CRE managers were selected from 35 institutions in 5 sectors (tertiary education, health, banking, security and service industry) where real estate is a requirement for accreditation using a multi-stage sampling technique.

Findings

An analysis of the existing practices underpinning SCREM in Ghana showed that SCREM has not been adopted completely in Ghanaian institutions. No organization has a complete systematic structure in place for SCREM as the practice is evolving. This finding correlates the global trend that CRE is not strategically managed like other corporate resources.

Practical implications

Current SCREM practices in Ghana, as divulged by this research, provide useful insight into the current status quo of SCREM and what must be done to ensure that CRE achieves its attribute of value adding.

Originality/value

The paper outlines the elements of SCREM practice, adding to the limited literature on the practice in Ghana and worldwide. It also sets the stage for further research in SCREM practice and CRE performance.
The leptin sensitizer celastrol reduces age‐associated obesity and modulates behavioral rhythms
Authors: Chellappa Karthikeyani , Perron Isaac J. , Naidoo Nirinjini , Baur Joseph A.
Published: March 2019

The prevalence of obesity increases with age in humans and in rodents. Age‐related obesity is characterized by leptin resistance and associated with heightened risk of metabolic disorders. However, the effect of leptin resistance per se has been difficult to disentangle from other effects of aging. Here we demonstrate that celastrol, a natural phytochemical that was previously shown to act as a leptin sensitizer, induces weight loss in aged animals, but not in young controls. Celastrol reduces food intake and lowers fasting glucose without affecting energy expenditure. Unexpectedly, administration of celastrol just before the dark period disrupted circadian rhythms of sleep and activity. This regimen was also associated with loss of lean mass an outcome that would not be desirable in elderly patients. Adjusting the timing of celastrol administration by 12 hr, to the beginning of the light period, avoided interference with circadian rhythms while retaining the reductions in body weight and adiposity. Thus, targeting leptin signaling is an effective strategy to ameliorate age‐associated weight gain, and can profoundly impact circadian rhythms.
PKR knockout in the 5xFAD model of Alzheimer's disease reveals beneficial effects on spatial memory and brain lesions
Authors: Tible Marion , Mouton Liger François , Schmitt Julien , Giralt Albert , Farid Karim , Thomasseau Sylvie , Gourmaud Sarah , Paquet Claire , Rondi Reig Laure , Meurs Eliane , Girault Jean‐Antoine , Hugon Jacques
Published: March 2019

Brain lesions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) include amyloid plaques made of Aβ peptides and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein with synaptic and neuronal loss and neuroinflammation. Aβ oligomers can trigger tau phosphorylation and neuronal alterations through activation of neuronal kinases leading to progressive cognitive decline. PKR is a ubiquitous pro‐apoptotic serine/threonine kinase, and levels of activated PKR are increased in AD brains and AD CSF. In addition, PKR regulates negatively memory formation in mice. To assess the role of PKR in an AD in vivo model, we crossed 5xFAD transgenic mice with PKR knockout (PKRKO) mice and we explored the contribution of PKR on cognition and brain lesions in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD as well as in neuron–microglia co‐cultures exposed to the innate immunity activator lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nine‐month‐old double‐mutant mice revealed significantly improved memory consolidation with the new object location test, starmaze test, and elevated plus maze test as compared to 5xFAD mice. Brain amyloid accumulation and BACE1 levels were statistically decreased in double‐mutant mice. Apoptosis, neurodegeneration markers, and synaptic alterations were significantly reduced in double‐mutant mice as well as neuroinflammation markers such as microglial load and brain cytokine levels. Using cocultures, we found that PKR in neurons was essential for LPS microglia‐induced neuronal death. Our results demonstrate the clear involvement of PKR in abnormal spatial memory and brain lesions in the 5xFAD model and underline its interest as a target for neuroprotection in AD.
Risk factors and an early prediction model for persistent methamphetamine‐related psychiatric symptoms
Authors: Zhang Yang , Sun Yan , Yu Zhoulong , Sun Yankun , Chang Xiangwen , Lu Lin , Chang Suhua , Shi Jie
Published: March 2019

Methamphetamine (MA)‐related psychiatric symptoms (MAP) are serious comorbidities of MA use and result in many social problems such as violence and suicide. We investigated the sociodemographic and genetic risk factors for persistent MAP of MA users (MUs) and constructed an early MAP prediction model. Derivation and replication samples had 1734 and 905 MUs, respectively. Symptom Checklist 90, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale‐IV, and Social Support Rating Scale were used to assess the past‐year prevalence of general MAP and life events retrospectively. Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was used to analyze MAP‐related genetic factors. The prediction model was constructed by integrating the risk life events and clinical and genetic features using logistic regression. Of the 2639 MUs, 1293 (48.83%) had past‐year MAP. The severity of MA addiction (SMA), childhood trauma, childhood ADHD symptoms, and social support were reliable risk factors for persistent MAP. By integrating these risk factors and the polygenic risk score from GWAS from derivation samples, the area under the curve (AUC) of the predictive model for MAP was 0.754 (95% CI 0.717~0.771). The risk factors and prediction model were also verified in replication samples. In addition, SMA, ADHD, and social support were mediators for the effect of the risk genetic factor on persistent MAP. Our study identified several risk factors for persistent MAP and will be helpful for developing scalable tools for the prevention of persistent and general MAP.
The process of developing self‐report measures in intellectual disability: A case study of a complicated grief scale
Authors: O'Keeffe Lynsey , Guerin Suzanne , McEvoy John , Lockhart Karen , Dodd Philip
Published: March 2019

Accessible Summary

Developing ways of asking adults with intellectual disability about difficult topics such as death is important to our understanding.

This study explores how adults with intellectual disabilities can be supported to report difficult experiences using the example of understanding death and bereavement. The paper describes the way in which we worked with adults with intellectual disabilities to understand how they preferred to talk about death and bereavement.

This process showed us that it is possible to support adults with intellectual disabilities to talk about these difficult experiences. There are important lessons for researchers who want to talk with adults with intellectual disabilities about difficult topics and experiences.

Background

This paper considers the challenges regarding the development and use of self‐report tools for sensitive, personal topics, in this case experiences of death and bereavement for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). These challenges are represented through the experience of the development of a self‐report measure of complicated grief for use with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Materials and method

Focusing on the topic of bereavement, and using a case study format, this paper describes the development of a self‐report measure for complicated grief.

Results

Following three phases of questionnaire development, the Complicated Grief Questionnaire for People with Intellectual Disabilities (CGQ‐ID) was adapted for use as a self‐report measure with individuals with intellectual disabilities. The development process, informed by recommendations in the research literature, provides evidence that self‐report is possible with individuals with intellectual disabilities even when the topic is as sensitive as bereavement and when abstract concepts such as emotions are involved.

Conclusions

The adaptation process described here might provide a useful template for the development of other scales on sensitive topics.
Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents: a comparison of 16‐week and 24‐week programmes delivered in a public community setting
Authors: Gillespie Conall , Joyce Mary , Flynn Daniel , Corcoran Paul
Published: March 2019

Background

Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A) is an intervention with a growing evidence base for treating adolescents with emotional and behavioural dysregulation. Previous studies have reported on varying lengths of treatment, however, and optimal treatment duration has not yet been identified. While the treatment developers initially proposed a 16‐week programme, they have more recently recommended an extension to 24 weeks. This study compares outcomes for adolescents and parent/guardians who participated in 16‐ and 24‐week DBT‐A programmes in a community setting.

Methods

Eighty‐four adolescents and 100 parent/guardians participated in 16‐week DBT‐A, while 68 adolescents and 67 parent/guardians participated in the 24‐week programme. Outcome measures for adolescents included the presence and frequency of self‐harm, suicidal ideation and depression; and for parents were burden, grief and parental stress. Outcomes were assessed at pre‐ and postintervention. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to estimate the treatment duration effect (24‐week vs. 16‐week) utilising all available data at pre‐ and postintervention.

Results

Data analyses showed a reduction in the presence and frequency of self‐harm at postintervention for adolescents in both programmes. Both adolescent and parent participants in the 16‐ and 24‐week programmes also showed changes indicating significant improvement on all self‐report outcome measures (p < .05). A treatment duration effect was identified with adolescents in the 24‐week programme reporting greater gains on measures of suicidal ideation and depression (p < .05). However, drop‐out rates were higher for the 24‐week programme.

Conclusions

The findings of the current study indicate that 24‐week DBT‐A may have additional benefits in comparison to 16‐week DBT‐A in terms of further reductions in suicidal ideation and depression. Given the nature of this study, it was not possible to explore a potential time effect, however, so these results should be interpreted with caution. Further research will assist in determining an optimal programme duration of DBT‐A.
Marine protected areas enhance coral reef functioning by promoting fish biodiversity
Authors: Topor Zachary M. , Rasher Douglas B. , Duffy J. Emmett , Brandl Simon J.
Published: March 2019

Preserving biodiversity and ecosystem function in the Anthropocene is one of humanity's greatest challenges. Ecosystem‐based management and area closures are considered an effective way to maintain ecological processes, especially in marine systems. Although there is strong evidence that such measures positively affect community structure, their impact on the rate of key ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence that marine protected areas enhance herbivory rates on coral reefs via direct and indirect pathways. Using meta‐analysis and a path‐analytical framework, we demonstrate that, on average, protected areas increase the species richness of herbivorous fishes, which, in turn, enhances browsing rates on macroalgae. However, in all three regions studied (the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean), a small subset of the herbivore assemblage accounted for the majority of browsing. Our results therefore indicate that ecosystem functioning on coral reefs may respond positively to both area closures and the protection of key species.
Using an over‐the‐scope clip for colonic diverticular hemorrhage
Authors: Doi Hirosato , Sasajima Keita , Takahashi Masanori
Published: March 2019

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The Protection of Civilians and ethics of humanitarian governance: beyond intervention and resilience
Authors: Lidén Kristoffer
Published: March 2019

The principle of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in armed conflict has ethical repercussions in various actions undertaken by states and international organisations, from humanitarian relief, development aid, and peacekeeping, to warfare and military intervention. While the ethics of humanitarian intervention are instructive in this regard, most PoC practices should be conceived rather as modes of humanitarian governance across borders—from interventionist to resilience‐oriented kinds. The consequences of this for the ethics of PoC are explored in this paper, highlighting questions of power, culture, and complicity. By relating these questions to the ethical strands of solidarist and pluralist internationalism, it positions the ethics of PoC within the broader field of the ethics of world politics. Examples are drawn from recent scholarly debate on PoC efforts in war‐torn countries such as South Sudan. This analysis of the ethics of PoC reconfigures central positions in the debate on humanitarian intervention to an era of global humanitarian governance.
WILL GIRLS BE GIRLS? RISK TAKING AND COMPETITION IN AN ALL‐GIRLS' SCHOOL
Authors: Laury Susan K. , Lee Daniel J. , Schnier Kurt E.
Published: March 2019

We conduct an experiment that examines the relationship between girls only schooling and risk taking and competitive behavior. In it, we compare decisions made by students in an all‐girls' school to those made by students in a closely matched coeducational school. We further investigate the developmental nature of this behavior by comparing choices made by younger students (Grades 7 and 8) with those of older students (Grades 11 and 12). We focus on the differences between those who select into the all‐girls' school, and find that although girls educated in a single sex environment are the most risk averse, they are also among the most competitive. These results lend texture to the hypothesis that “nurture matters” in the gender differences debate. (JEL C93, J16, I21)
Isolation, marine transgression and translocation of the bare‐nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
Authors: Martin Alynn , Carver Scott , Proft Kirstin , Fraser Tamieka A. , Polkinghorne Adam , Banks Sam , Burridge Christopher P.
Published: March 2019

Island populations can represent genetically distinct and evolutionarily important lineages relative to mainland conspecifics. However, phenotypic divergence of island populations does not necessarily reflect genetic divergence, particularly for lineages inhabiting islands periodically connected during Pleistocene low sea stands. Marine barriers may also not be solely responsible for any divergence that is observed. Here, we investigated genetic divergence among and within the three phenotypically distinct subspecies of bare‐nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) in south‐east Australia that are presently—but were not historically—isolated by marine barriers. Using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, we identified three genetically distinct groups (mainland Australia, Bass Strait island, and Tasmania) corresponding to the recognized subspecies. However, isolation by distance was observed in the Tasmanian population, indicating additional constraints on gene flow can contribute to divergence in the absence of marine barriers, and may also explain genetic structuring among fragmented mainland populations. We additionally confirm origins and quantify the genetic divergence of an island population 46 years after the introduction of 21 individuals from the Vulnerable Bass Strait subspecies. In the light of our findings, we make recommendations for the maintenance of genetic variation and fitness across the species range.
Automatic hemodialysis prescriptions by urea kinetic modeling
Authors: Vartia Aarne
Published: March 2019

Introduction Guidelines on hemodialysis (HD) dosing are based on urea kinetics, which can be modeled mathematically. Different schedules can be compared by equivalent continuous clearance.

Methods A computer program generating HD prescriptions automatically was developed. In 200 actual HD urea kinetic modeling sessions involving 33 patients the urea distribution volume, generation rate, and concentration profile in the external space were computed using ionic dialysance as dialyzer clearance in the double pool ureakinetic model. Dialyzer in vivo mass area coefficient K0A was calculated from online data with the Michaels’ equation. Data from the modeling sessions were used for generating new prescriptions for the same patients.

Findings New prescriptions meeting 12 criteria—technical limits and guideline targets—were generated by the model. They showed a wide range of basic treatment parameters (time and frequency, blood and dialysate flow, and ultrafiltration). In five cases, the dialysis time or frequency should have been increased from the actual to achieve the targets, in 72 cases the frequency could have been decreased. Two methods to emphasize RRF were tested. Using a coefficient of 2.0 for renal urea clearance in computing adjusted equivalent continuous clearance (EKR/Va), as suggested by Casino and Basile, decreased further the required treatment frequency in incremental dialysis.

Discussion The model produced plausible individual prescriptions, but some unknown factors caused the determination of the dialyzer in vivo K0A to be inaccurate. The model must be tested with modern devices on patients before integration into dialysis machines and information systems.
Olympic Films and Public Memory
Authors: Nakaji Takeshi
Published: March 2019

How is our memory of mega‐events structured? This article investigates the relationship between cinema and the Olympic Games. To this end, it first unravels the historical origins of the strong link between the two, as both are symbolic products of the 20th century. The Olympics reaffirm the image of the modern nation‐state; the cinematic medium visually represents the Games as spectacle. Leni Riefenstahl's film, Olympia (1938), recorded at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, supplies the most enduring imagery of this type. In addition to Riefenstahl's thoughts and methods, this study delves into Kon Ichikawa's Tokyo Olympiad (1965), which was influenced by Olympia. Ichikawa's film, which reflects his artistry and showcases his various skills, won critical acclaim and, intriguingly, precipitated the “document or art” controversy that involved the Japanese state and the mass media. Whether document or work of art, this film has supplied the public with imagery for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games—various images that most of us recognize—and thereby played a key role in constituting our memory of them. Therefore, our experience of the Games is a mediated experience through the construction of our public memory. Our memory culture is composed of “prosthetic memories” that are technologically assembled through cinema and act as Freudian “screen memories.”
On the Olympic Games: An Afterword
Authors: Horne John
Published: March 2019

The article discusses some of the issues that sociologists research with respect to the Olympic Games.
The Effect that Structural and Investment Funds have on Voter Behaviour in European Parliamentary Elections
Authors: Henceroth Nathan , Oganesyan Rafael
Published: March 2019

Structural and Investment Funds (SIFs) have become the European Union's most robust redistribution programme. In this article, we demonstrate that SIFs have grown large enough in scope that they are now beginning to function similarly to more established macroeconomic determinants of the vote such as unemployment and GDP growth in European Parliamentary elections. Moreover, SIFs have an electoral effect in a type of election that was previously assumed to be merely a referendum on national government performance: second‐order, EP elections. SIFs serve as an example of how robust public spending can have an electoral effect even in a second‐order election environment.
Effectiveness and clinical performance of early implant placement for the replacement of single teeth in anterior areas: A systematic review
Authors: Graziani Filippo , Chappuis Vivianne , Molina Ana , Lazarin Rafael , Schmid Eric , Chen Stephen , Salvi Giovanni E.
Published: March 2019

Aim

To assess the effectiveness and clinical performance of early implant placement, 4–8 (Type 2) or 12–16 weeks (Type 3) after extraction, in single anterior sites.

Methods

Studies reporting on Type 2 and Type 3 implant placement were identified. Findings were summarized in evidence tables. Main outcome was implant survival. Peri‐implant soft and hard tissues changes, periodontal parameters, aesthetics and patient‐reported outcomes were also evaluated. Quality of reporting of the included studies was evaluated through Consort, Newcastle–Ottawa scale and IHE quality appraisal checklist.

Results

Nineteen eligible articles (seven from one RCT, three from two CCTs and nine from three case series) reporting on 140 patients and 140 implants were included. Type 3 implants showed comparable results to Type 4: 95% vs. 100% survival rates. Studies reported high values of implant survival, minimal technical and biological complications and high aesthetic scores in both short and long‐term follow‐ups for both Type 2 and Type 3 implant placement. Quality evaluation highlighted important weaknesses in the included trials.

Conclusions

Limited data on Type 2 and Type 3 implant placement appear to indicate that they can perform well both short and long term. However, the limited number of cases, the significant heterogeneity of the included studies and the high risk of biases importantly reduce the generalizability of the findings. CRD42018117363.
Impacts of skipping breakfast and late dinner on the incidence of being overweight: a 3‐year retrospective cohort study of men aged 20–49 years
Authors: Kito K. , Kuriyama A. , Takahashi Y. , Nakayama T.
Published: March 2019

Background

Most studies on the dietary habits and overweight status of men aged 20–49 years have been cross‐sectional, with longitudinal studies being scarce. One‐quarter of Japanese men aged 20–49 years skip breakfast or have dinner within 2 h of bedtime (late dinner); therefore, the effects of these eating habits on men's increasing body weight need to be determined.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using health check‐up data provided from several health insurance societies in Japan. Participants comprised 45 524 men employees aged 20–49 years who were followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome investigated was body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg m−2. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated the odds ratios for skipping breakfast and late dinner, as well as baseline age, body mass index, smoking status, eating speed, snack‐eating status, alcohol drinking frequency, physical activity, sleep habits, and the interaction between skipping breakfast and late dinner.

Results

Of the participants, 17 706 (38.8%) skipped breakfast and 25 987 (57.1%) had a late dinner. At the 3‐year follow‐up, 5093 (11.2%) had a BMI ≥25 kg m−2. The odds ratios of men skipping breakfast and having a late dinner were 1.18 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–1.33) and 0.92 (95% confidence interval = 0.84–1.01), respectively. The interaction between these factors was nonsignificant.

Conclusions

We suggest that skipping breakfast among men aged 20–49 years was one predictor of being overweight; however, having dinner within 2 h of bedtime was not a predictor.
Using the Family Self‐Sufficiency Program to Help Families with Housing Assistance Improve Earnings, Credit Score, and Debt Levels: A Quasi‐Experimental Analysis
Authors: Geyer Judy , Freiman Lesley , Lubell Jeffrey , Villarreal Micah
Published: March 2019

HUD's Family Self‐Sufficiency (FSS) program aims to help housing assistance recipients increase their earnings and build savings to make progress toward economic security. This study examines an asset‐building nonprofit's innovative financial coaching‐based approach to FSS that adds an additional focus on helping clients build assets and financial capability. We use a quasi‐experimental approach to estimate the program's impact on earnings and cash assistance receipt and analyze credit and debt outcomes against a benchmark group. The findings show substantial, significant gains in households' earnings and significant decreases in receipt of some cash benefits. Participants also saw increases in credit score, and success in paying down credit card and derogatory debt. Our results indicate that FSS can be an effective platform for helping participants in subsidized housing make real progress toward economic security and financial health.
Long‐term clinical outcomes in patients with autoimmune hepatitis according to treatment response in Asian country
Authors: Choi Jonggi , Choi Gwang Hyeon , Lee Danbi , Shim Ju Hyun , Lim Young‐Suk , Lee Han Chu , Chung Young‐Hwa , Lee Yung‐Sang , Kim Kang Mo
Published: March 2019

Background & Aims

As surrogate markers for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) are convenient to measure under immunosuppression. However, the long‐term prognosis of patients who achieve complete biochemical remission (CBR) in comparison with patients who achieve only biochemical remission (BR) is uncertain.

Methods

A total of 291 patients (89.7% female) diagnosed with AIH were retrospectively reviewed. CBR was defined as normal ALT and IgG levels with immunosuppression, while BR was defined as normal ALT levels. CBR was further divided into early CBR (<1year) and late CBR (≥1year) by the timing of remission. Liver‐related adverse outcomes including liver‐related death, liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated.

Results

With immunosuppressive treatment, 222 (76.3%) patients achieved CBR (early CBR: 168 and late CBR: 54). BR was achieved in 55 (18.9%) patients and 14 (4.8%) patients remained non‐remission. With a median follow‐up duration of 6.6 years, the risk of liver‐related mortality was the lowest in patients with CBR, followed by patients with late CBR, BR and non‐response. The cumulative risk of liver‐related adverse outcomes was the highest in patients with non‐response (8.51/100 person‐years [PYs]), followed by BR (1.95/100 PYs), late CBR (1.89/100 PYs) and early CBR (0.75/100 PYs). By multivariable analysis, age, cirrhosis and treatment responses were independently associated with liver‐related adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

Patients with CBR within 1 year after treatment initiation had the lowest risk of liver‐related adverse outcomes. Patients with late CBR and those with only BR had a comparable risk of long‐term outcomes.
Differential impact of severe familial hypercholesterolemia on regional skeletal muscle and organ blood flows during exercise: Effects of PDE5 inhibition
Authors: Aragonez Christian G. , de Beer Vincent J. , Tharp Darla L. , Bowles Douglas K. , Laughlin M. Harold , Merkus Daphne , Duncker Dirk J. , Bender Shawn B.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Swine with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) exhibit attenuated exercise‐induced systemic vasodilation that is restored by phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibition. Whether the impacts of FH and PDE5 inhibition to impair and restore exercise‐induced vasodilation, respectively, results from tissue‐specific or generalized effects remains unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that FH induces generalized impairment of skeletal muscle vasodilation that would be alleviated by PDE5 inhibition.

Methods

Systemic vascular responses to exercise were assessed in chronically instrumented normal and FH swine before and after PDE5 inhibition with EMD360527. Skeletal muscle and organ blood flows and conductances were determined via the microsphere technique.

Results

As previously reported, vs normal swine, FH swine have pronounced elevation of total cholesterol and impaired exercise‐induced vasodilation that is restored by PDE5 inhibition. Blood flows to several, not all, skeletal muscle vascular beds were severely impaired by FH associated with reduced blood flow to many visceral organs. PDE5 inhibition differentially impacted skeletal muscle and organ blood flows in normal and FH swine.

Conclusions

These data indicate that FH induces regional, not generalized, vasomotor dysfunction and that FH and normal swine exhibit unique tissue blood flow responses to PDE5 inhibition thereby adding to accumulating evidence of vascular bed‐specific dysfunction in co‐morbid conditions.