bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dependability-based maintenance optimization in healthcare domain
Authors: Mahfoud Hassana , Abdellah El Barkany , El Biyaali Ahmed
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review maintenance strategies within the healthcare domain and to discuss practical needs as gaps between research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper systematically categorizes the published literature on clinical maintenance optimization and then synthesizes it methodically.

Findings

This study highlights the significant issues relevant to the application of dependability analysis in healthcare maintenance, including the quantitative and qualitative criteria taken into account, data collection techniques and applied approaches to find the solution. Within each category, the gaps and further research needs have been discussed with respect to both an academic and industrial perspective.

Practical implications

It is worth mentioning that medical devices are becoming more and more numerous, various and complex. Although, they are often affected by environmental disturbances, sharp technological development, stochastic and uncertain nature of operations and degradation and the integrity and interoperability of the supportability system, the associated practices related to asset management and maintenance in healthcare are still lacking. Therefore, the literature review of applied based research on maintenance subject is necessary to reveal the holistic issues and interrelationships of what has been published as categorized specific topics.

Originality/value

The paper presents a comprehensive review that will be useful to understand the maintenance problem and solution space within the healthcare context.
Feasibility Analysis for the New Venture Nonprofit Enterprise
Authors: Berry Gregory R.
Published: March 2018

This article explores the value of feasibility analysis for the pre-launch nonprofit enterprise. Similarities and differences between for-profit entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit entrepreneurial ventures are outlined, and then the traditional format of feasibility analysis used by the entrepreneurial for-profit start-up is reviewed and analyzed. This four-stage analysis is then adapted to the needs of the nonprofit new venture enterprise. The benefits of doing a feasibility analysis for the nonprofit enterprise start-up are identified, and guidelines are suggested. An underpopulated research stream is identified and explained in this article for the start-up and early developmental phases of the nonprofit enterprise.
Reproductive ecology of three rareNorthAmericanPinguiculaspecies
Authors: Molano‐Flores Brenda , Primer Samantha , Annis Jenna , Feist Mary Ann , Coons Janice , Digges Roger
Published: March 2018

Pinguicula(Lentibulariaceae) is a genus of more than 100 carnivorous plant species. A handful of comprehensive studies have examined the reproductive ecology of these species, mostly in Europe and none in the USA. During 2013–2016 different aspects of the reproductive ecology ofP. ionantha,P. luteaandP. planifoliawere studied at multiple locations in the Florida Panhandle, USA. All three species are of conservation concern within the study region and some aspects of their reproductive ecology may be contributing to their rarity. For all species, we conducted breeding system studies investigating xenogamy vs. autogamy, self‐incompatibility vs. self‐compatibility, pollen:ovule ratios, flower phenology and longevity, and pollinator visitation, as well as fruit and seed set differences among populations. All threePinguiculaspecies were determined to be xenogamous and self‐compatible, although the pollen:ovule ratios were extremely low. In addition, these species have floral nastic movements and flower longevity that ranges from 2 to 3 weeks depending on the species. Hymenoptera was identified as the primary group of pollinators visiting all species, although observed visitation events were low. All threePinguiculaspecies had extremely high levels of fruit set and seed set. Worldwide,Pinguiculaspecies share similar breeding system and reproductive patterns. The rare status ofP. ionantha,P. luteaandP. planifoliais more likely due to their ecological requirements, demographics and/or patterns of genetic diversity, than reproduction. This work is among the first and most comprehensive associated with the reproductive ecology of North AmericanPinguicula.
What's in a name: are cultured red blood cells ‘natural’?
Authors: King Emma , Lyall Catherine
Published: March 2018

The case of cultured red blood cells (RBCs) currently being grown in a laboratory for future use in human transfusion raises questions about the ontological status of such products of modern biotechnology. This paper presents results from a six‐year ethnographic study involving interviews, focus groups and other forms of engagement with the scientific research team and other stakeholders, including public groups, which sought to understand respondents’ reactions to cultured RBCs. These cells, derived from stem cell technology, have the potential to address the global shortage of donated blood. How these blood cells are situated within the spectrum of ‘natural’ to ‘synthetic’ will shape expectations and acceptance of this product, both within the scientific community and by wider publics: these blood cells are both novel and yet, at the same time, very familiar. Drawing on discussions related to classification and ‘anchoring’, we examine the contrasting discourses offered by our respondents on whether these blood cells are ‘natural’ or not and consider the impact that naming might have on both their future regulation and the eventual uptake of cultured RBCs by society.
The market and shadow value of informal fish catch: a framework and application to Panama
Authors: Cisneros‐Montemayor Andrés M. , Harper Sarah , Tai Travis C.
Published: March 2018

Fisheries catches are known to be widely underreported, and much of their value flows in informal markets. Goods and services that are not directly sold in a market also have a corresponding economic value, here termed ‘shadow value’, which can apply to discarded fish—or those that are consumed but not sold (e.g., subsistence catches). Here, we estimate the monetary value of fisheries catches in Panama that are landed but not reported, or that are discarded at sea; this includes catches from artisanal and industrial fleets, as well as recreational and subsistence fisheries. Based on available data, we estimate that the market and shadow value of unreported catches in Panama in 2010 was around US$92 million, equal to approximately 43% of the total reported landed value. In the case of discarded fish, the shadow value represents the potential but entirely unrealized economic benefit of landing such fish; in the case of unreported landings, unreported market value represents only the first link in the potentially sophisticated informal seafood economy. One must be careful in considering these results for policy. It is possible that, rather than seeking to capture these ‘lost’ benefits, fish that are discarded or unreported should not have been caught at all, for example, if they are juveniles or of threatened species; conversely, unreported subsistence catches are crucial for food security throughout the world. These results help contextualize the scale of unreported fisheries in economic terms, and can inform subsequent policies and strategies to ensure social, ecological, and economic sustainability.
Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Outcomes of Patients With Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism With and Without Anticoagulation Treatment
Authors: Bariteau Adam , Stewart Lauren K. , Emmett Thomas W. , Kline Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2018

Background

This systematic review addresses the controversy over the decision to anticoagulate patients with subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE).

Methods

We searched Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar, and bibliographies in March 2017. Two authors reviewed and retained papers with symptomatic patients who underwent computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography and had sufficient information to determine SSPE; decision to treat (or not) with systemic anticoagulation; and outcomes of bleeding, venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, and death. Papers were assessed for selection and publication bias and heterogeneity, with Eggers and the inconsistency indexes (I2).

Results

From 1,512 papers screened, we included 14 studies comprising 15,563 patients for full‐length review and analysis. Pooled data demonstrated I2 = 99% with an Eggers p < 0.001, suggesting significant publication bias. The pooled prevalence of SSPE was 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8%–8.5%). The frequency of bleeding in SSPE patients treated with anticoagulation (n = 589) was 8.1% (95% CI = 2.8%–15.8%), with no available bleeding data in untreated patients (n = 126). The frequency of VTE recurrence within 90 days was 5.3% (95% CI = 1.6%–10.9%) for treated versus 3.9% (95% CI = 4.8%–13.4%) for untreated, while the frequency of death was 2.1% (95% CI = 3.4%–5.2%) for treated versus 3.0% (95% CI = 2.8%–8.6%) for untreated.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights the lack of any clinical trial to make a clear inference about harm or benefit of anticoagulation for SSPE. Comparison of pooled data from uncontrolled outcome studies shows no increase in VTE recurrence or death rates for patients who were not anticoagulated. These data suggest clinical equipoise for decision to anticoagulate or not anticoagulate patients with SSPE. However, this inference is limited by small numbers, imprecision, and the lack of a controlled clinical trial.
Assessing the Effect of a Medical Toxicologist in the Care of Rattlesnake‐envenomated Patients
Authors: Levine Michael , Offerman Steve , Vohra Rais , Wolk Brian , LaPoint Jeff , Quan Dan , Spyres Meghan , LoVecchio Frank , Thomas Stephen H.
Published: March 2018

Background

Rattlesnake envenomation is an important problem in the United States, and the management of these envenomations can be complex. Despite these complexities, however, the majority of such cases are managed without the involvement of a medical toxicologist. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a medical toxicology service (MTS) on the length of stay (LOS) of such patients.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective study at six centers in California. Patients were included if they were admitted in the 2 years before the establishment of a MTS (pre‐MTS) or in the 2 years after the creation of a MTS (post‐MTS).

Results

A total of 300 subjects were included (169 pre‐MTS, 131 post MTS). Baseline characteristics between the pre‐MTS and post‐MTS groups were very similar. The creation of a MTS was associated with a significant reduction in the mean (95% confidence interval) LOS (69.5 [59.1–79.9] hours vs. 48.1 [41.4–54.8] hours). This reduced LOS was not associated with any statistically significant change in readmission rates.

Conclusion

Rattlesnake bite patients treated by a medical toxicologist have a significantly reduced LOS compared to those without direct involvement of a medical toxicologist.
Preclinical evidence for combining the 5‐HT2C receptor agonist lorcaserin and varenicline as a treatment for nicotine dependence
Authors: Fletcher Paul J. , Li Zhaoxia , Silenieks Leo B. , MacMillan Cam , DeLannoy Ines , Higgins Guy A.
Published: March 2018

Varenicline, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, is used to treat nicotine dependence. Lorcaserin, a 5‐HT2C receptor agonist has been approved in some countries to treat obesity. Based on preclinical and preliminary clinical evidence, lorcaserin may have potential to treat nicotine dependence. These experiments examined in rats the effects of combining varenicline (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) and lorcaserin (0.3, 0.6 and 1 mg/kg) on nicotine self‐administration, reinstatement of nicotine seeking, responding for food and impulsive action. Both drugs alone reduced nicotine self‐administration. Combining varenicline and 0.6 mg/kg lorcaserin reduced responding to a greater extent than either drug alone. In a relapse model, extinguished nicotine seeking was reinstated by a priming injection of nicotine and nicotine‐associated cues. Reinstatement was reduced by varenicline (1 mg/kg) and by lorcaserin (0.3 mg/kg). Combining lorcaserin (0.3 mg/kg) with varenicline (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) reduced reinstatement to a greater degree than either drug alone. Both drugs had minimal effects on responding for food, alone or in combination. In the five‐choice serial reaction time test, varenicline (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) increased impulsivity, measured as increased premature responding. This effect was reduced by lorcaserin (0.3 mg/kg). Plasma levels of varenicline or lorcaserin were not altered by co‐administration of the other drug. Varenicline and lorcaserin have additive effects on nicotine self‐administration, and on nicotine seeking. Lorcaserin prevents impulsivity induced by varenicline. This pattern of effects suggests that co‐administration of varenicline and lorcaserin has potential as a treatment for nicotine dependence that may exceed the value of either drug alone.
Bankrolling Repression? Modeling Third‐Party Influence on Protests and Repression
Authors: Chyzh Olga V. , Labzina Elena
Published: March 2018

Ukraine's anti‐government protests in 2013–2014, and the ensuing removal of President Yanukovich, raised much speculation about Russia's role in the outcome of the crisis, as well as more general questions related to third‐party influence on domestic protests and repression. Does third‐party assistance to the government increase the level of government repression or deter protesters? Does the leader removal indicate that foreign involvement was a failure? Or can a third party gain from involvement, even if its protégé leader is removed from power? We model external influence on the onset of protests and repression as a game between the government, the protesters, and a third party that supports the government. The main finding is that a third party may “bankroll” repression against the protesters, even at the risk of the removal of their protégé leader, with the goal of deterring future protests within its sphere of interest.
Accuracy of digital radiography: regional scaling factors for trauma
Authors: Drynan David , McArthur Milford , Vohora Ashray , Hinton Darren , Menegon Grant , Wilkinson Matthew P. R.
Published: March 2018

Background

Surgical planning in trauma is essential for optimal patient care and best patient outcomes. Digital radiography has improved the availability, convenience and access to radiographs worldwide as used in every trauma centre in Australia. One shortcoming, however, is the variability in magnification error associated with different anatomic regions. Accurate assessment of radiographs is paramount to proper surgical planning.

Methods

A retrospective review of 513 post‐operative trauma radiographs of implants at a single centre, collected from January 2015 to August 2016, was measured by the four individual investigators. A comparison of the digital calliper reading with the known implant size, taken from operation reports and company implant data, was conducted. Magnification scales were created for different anatomic regions: femur, tibia, humerus, elbow, wrist and hand, foot and ankle.

Results

Precise regional scaling factors increase accuracy of digital radiography. Average magnification for hand, wrist, ankle and forearm is 5% (1–16%). Average magnification for foot, knee, tibia and elbow is 8% (3–11%). Humerus magnification is 10.3% (3–17%) and shoulder and femur approximately 15% (12–18%). Inter‐rater Pearson's R reliability testing is 0.985–0.995 and intra‐observer reliability is 0.998.

Discussion

Applying regional scaling factors improves accuracy of digital imaging, therefore improving clinical decision‐making regarding fractures, distance from bony landmarks, component sizing and reduction assessment. Femoral and tibial fracture measurements with appropriate scaling factors allow the accurate estimation of nail diameter required for fixation and screw diameter for fragment fixation.
The relationship between increased oxidative stress and visual field defect progression in glaucoma patients with sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Yamada Erika , Himori Noriko , Kunikata Hiroshi , Omodaka Kazuko , Ogawa Hiromasa , Ichinose Masakazu , Nakazawa Toru
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) is often associated with glaucoma, and intermittent hypoxia, present in SAS, can contribute to glaucoma pathogenesis. However, the relationships between SAS, high systemic oxidative stress and the speed of glaucoma progression are unclear. Thus, we investigated these relationships in glaucoma patients with and without SAS.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 166 eyes of 166 Japanese patients: 42 controls, 109 open‐angle glaucoma (OAG) patients without SAS and 15 OAG patients with SAS. Prognostic factors for visual field defect progression were determined with logistic regression. Diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured with a free radical analyser. Clinical parameters were also recorded. Intergroup comparisons used the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Multiple regression analysis showed that SAS was a statistically significant contributing factor to fast visual field defect progression, defined as mean deviation (MD) slope ≤−2.0 dB/Y (SAS: odds ratio (OR) = 14.48; p = 0.002). The non‐SAS and SAS groups had similar age, sex, intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length and antiglaucoma drug use. The SAS group had a significantly higher dROM level (p = 0.001), BAP level (p = 0.038) and steeper MD slope (p = 0.001) than the non‐SAS group.

Conclusion

Glaucoma patients with SAS have higher dROM, as well as steeper MD slope, than patients without SAS, suggesting that SAS may induce systemic oxidative stress and promote glaucomatous visual field defect progression.
Transformational Leadership and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour: A Moderated Mediation Model of Leader‐Member‐Exchange and Subordinates' Gender
Authors: Hackett Rick D. , Wang An‐Chih , Chen Zhijun , Cheng Bor‐Shiuan , Farh Jiing‐Lih
Published: March 2018

Transformational leadership (TL) enhances follower Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) as mediated by leader‐member exchange (LMX). However, the strength of the positive associations among TL, LMX and OCB is subject to significant variability. Accordingly, we draw on several theories (self‐identity, role congruency, self‐concept, and social exchange) to propose that followers' gender moderates the relationships between all three of these variables. We argue differences in societal expectations and/or underlying motivation combine to make leadership of lesser importance to OCB among females than males. Using 202 supervisor‐subordinate dyads from Taiwan, a moderated mediation model of TL‐LMX‐OCB, with subordinate gender as a moderator, was tested. As hypothesised, each of the positive associations among TL, LMX and OCB were weaker for females than for males, thus accounting for some of the variability in the strength of the associations typically observed. Relatedly, although LMX fully mediated the TL‐OCB relationship in the entire sample, this effect was not observed among female subordinates. Further research is required to assess the degree to which these findings apply beyond the Confucian Asian societal cluster.
Interaction of Sulfonylureas with Liver Uptake Transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3
Authors: Chen Yu , Chen Lin , Zhang Hong , Huang Shibo , Xiong Yuqing , Xia Chunhua
Published: March 2018

Sulfonylureas (SUs) such as glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide and gliquidone are one of the first oral medicines available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and are widely used for the treatment of hyperglycaemia. The hepatic transporters, organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3), play an important role in the disposition of a variety of drugs by mediating their uptake from blood into hepatocytes. Drug–drug interactions mediated by OATP1B1/1B3 may result in the hepatic transporting change for drug substrates. The inhibitory effects of glibenclamide and glimepiride on sulfobromophthalein (BSP) uptake have been previously studied, and glibenclamide has been reported as the substrate of OATP1B3, but it remains unclear whether other SUs such as gliclazide, glipizide and gliquidone are substrates of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Here, we investigated the relationship between the five most commonly applied SUs (glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone) and OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. We performed uptake and inhibition assays in HEK293T cells stably expressing OATP1B1 or OATP1B3, respectively, and established a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) method for the simultaneous measurement of five SUs. We demonstrated that gliclazide and glimepiride are substrates of OATP1B1 and glibenclamide and glipizide are substrates of OATP1B3. We also confirmed the interaction between these SUs and rosuvastatin. No transporting was observed for gliquidone, suggesting that it is not a substrate of either transporter.
The Usefulness of Sperm Kinematics in Drug‐Induced Toxicity Assessment
Authors: Vicente‐Carrillo Alejandro
Published: March 2018

In vitro drug‐induced toxicity assessment demands the usability and validation of suitable cell models, obtained non‐invasively and pain‐free. Sperm suspensions, painlessly and easily obtained from breeding boars, have been proven as suitable biosensors for pre‐clinical toxicology screening and ranking of lead compounds in the drug development processes on a kinematics‐based assay. Having a limited number of mitochondria and depending on these mitochondria and on cytoplasmic glycolysis for the energy needed for motility and for plasma membrane functionality, spermatozoa become a suitable model for capturing multiple modes of action of drugs and other chemicals acting via measurements of sperm motility. In this MiniReview, the usability of boar spermatozoa as detectors of cytotoxicity based on sperm motility measurements is discussed.
Yoda1 analogue (Dooku1) which antagonizes Yoda1‐evoked activation of Piezo1 and aortic relaxation
Authors: Evans Elizabeth L , Cuthbertson Kevin , Endesh Naima , Rode Baptiste , Blythe Nicola M , Hyman Adam J , Hall Sally J , Gaunt Hannah J , Ludlow Melanie J , Foster Richard , Beech David J
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose

The mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel has important roles in vascular physiology and disease. Yoda1 is a small‐molecule agonist, but the pharmacology of these channels is otherwise limited.

Experimental Approach

Yoda1 analogues were generated by synthetic chemistry. Intracellular Ca2+ and Tl+ measurements were made in HEK 293 or CHO cell lines overexpressing channel subunits and in HUVECs, which natively express Piezo1. Isometric tension recordings were made from rings of mouse thoracic aorta.

Key Results

Modification of the pyrazine ring of Yoda1 yielded an analogue, which lacked agonist activity but reversibly antagonized Yoda1. The analogue is referred to as Dooku1. Dooku1 inhibited 2 μM Yoda1‐induced Ca2+‐entry with IC50s of 1.3 μM (HEK 293 cells) and 1.5 μM (HUVECs) yet failed to inhibit constitutive Piezo1 channel activity. It had no effect on endogenous ATP‐evoked Ca2+ elevation or store‐operated Ca2+ entry in HEK 293 cells or Ca2+ entry through TRPV4 or TRPC4 channels overexpressed in CHO and HEK 293 cells. Yoda1 caused dose‐dependent relaxation of aortic rings, which was mediated by an endothelium‐ and NO‐dependent mechanism and which was antagonized by Dooku1 and analogues of Dooku1.

Conclusion and Implications

Chemical antagonism of Yoda1‐evoked Piezo1 channel activity is possible, and the existence of a specific chemical interaction site is suggested with distinct binding and efficacy domains.
A method for the quantification of biased signalling at constitutively active receptors
Authors: Hall David A , Giraldo Jesús
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose

Biased agonism, the ability of an agonist to differentially activate one of several signal transduction pathways when acting at a given receptor, is an increasingly recognized phenomenon at many receptors. The Black and Leff operational model lacks a way to describe constitutive receptor activity and hence inverse agonism. Thus, it is impossible to analyse the biased signalling of inverse agonists using this model. In this theoretical work, we develop and illustrate methods for the analysis of biased inverse agonism.

Experimental Approach

Methods were derived for quantifying biased signalling in systems that demonstrate constitutive activity using the modified operational model proposed by Slack and Hall. The methods were illustrated using Monte Carlo simulations.

Key Results

The Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that, with an appropriate experimental design, the model parameters are ‘identifiable’. The method is consistent with methods based on the measurement of intrinsic relative activity (RAi) (ΔΔlogR or ΔΔlog(τ/Ka)) proposed by Ehlert and Kenakin and their co‐workers but has some advantages. In particular, it allows the quantification of ligand bias independently of ‘system bias’ removing the requirement to normalize to a standard ligand.

Conclusions and Implications

In systems with constitutive activity, the Slack and Hall model provides methods for quantifying the absolute bias of agonists and inverse agonists. This provides an alternative to methods based on RAi and is complementary to the ΔΔlog(τ/Ka) method of Kenakin et al. in systems where use of that method is inappropriate due to the presence of constitutive activity.
Associations of insulin‐like growth factor‐I and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 with bone quality in the general adult population
Authors: Böker J. , Völzke H. , Nauck M. , Hannemann A. , Friedrich N.
Published: March 2018

Objective

Growth hormone (GH) and its main mediator, insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), play a significant role in bone metabolism. The relations betweenIGF‐I and bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis have been assessed in previous studies but whether the associations are sex‐specific remains uncertain. Moreover, only a few studies examined bone quality assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS). We aimed to investigate these associations in the general population of north‐east Germany.

Design and Measurements

Data from 1759 men and 1784 women who participated in the baseline examination of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)‐Trend were used.IGF‐I andIGF‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) concentrations were measured on theIDS‐iSYSmultidiscipline automated analyser (Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited).QUSmeasurements were performed at the heel (Achilles InSight,GEHealthcare). Sex‐specific linear and multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were calculated.

Results

Linear regression analyses revealed significant positive associations betweenIGF‐I andIGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 ratio, a marker for freeIGF‐I, with allQUSparameters in men. Among women, we found an inverse association betweenIGF‐I and theQUS‐based fracture risk but no association with any otherQUSparameter. There was no association betweenIGFBP‐3 and theQUS‐based fracture risk.

Conclusions

Our data suggest an important role ofIGF‐I on bone quality in men. The observed association ofIGF‐I with theQUS‐based stiffness index andQUS‐based fracture risk in this study might animate clinicians to refer patients with lowIGF‐I levels, particularly men, to a further evaluation of risk factors for osteoporosis and a detailed examination of the skeletal system.
WHAT DETERMINES TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND INDIA DURING THE RECESSION OF 2008–2012?
Authors: Zhang Jianhong , van Gorp Désirée , Ebbers Haico
Published: March 2018

Despite the international status of China and India rising dramatically in the previous decades, trade between the two countries did not grow accordingly. This paper investigates the determinants of the bilateral trade performance during the period of 2008–2012 from two perspectives: comparative advantage and trade protection. Two cases, Chinese exports to India, and Indian exports to China, are analyzed by using product‐level data. The results suggest that (1) the law of comparative advantage and trade protection explain the pattern of China–India trade, while (2) in a time of crisis, the adverse forces become prominent which explains the declining trend of the bilateral trade. (JEL F13, F14)
Evaluating the Theoretic Adequacy and Applied Potential of Computational Models of the Spacing Effect
Authors: Walsh Matthew M. , Gluck Kevin A. , Gunzelmann Glenn , Jastrzembski Tiffany , Krusmark Michael
Published: March 2018

The spacing effect is among the most widely replicated empirical phenomena in the learning sciences, and its relevance to education and training is readily apparent. Yet successful applications of spacing effect research to education and training is rare. Computational modeling can provide the crucial link between a century of accumulated experimental data on the spacing effect and the emerging interest in using that research to enable adaptive instruction. In this paper, we review relevant literature and identify 10 criteria for rigorously evaluating computational models of the spacing effect. Five relate to evaluating the theoretic adequacy of a model, and five relate to evaluating its application potential. We use these criteria to evaluate a novel computational model of the spacing effect called the Predictive Performance Equation (PPE). Predictive Performance Equation combines elements of earlier models of learning and memory including the General Performance Equation, Adaptive Control of Thought—Rational, and the New Theory of Disuse, giving rise to a novel computational account of the spacing effect that performs favorably across the complete sets of theoretic and applied criteria. We implemented two other previously published computational models of the spacing effect and compare them toPPEusing the theoretic and applied criteria as guides.
Social Media and Participatory Authorship in Giant Screen Films
Authors: Nucci Mary
Published: March 2018

Although the engagement with social media in the production of Hollywood films has been described in the literature, understanding whether social media has been adopted in the giant screen industry is unexamined. Giant screen film producers have an existing participatory relationship during film production with their “consumers”, which includes both the institutions that screen their films and the audiences who watch their films. Given that the advent of social media has created the opportunity for new ways for filmmakers to interact with consumers during film production, this research examined the role of social media in the production of these immersive films in light of the existing giant screen collaborative environment.
THE JOHN BRADBY BLAKE DRAWINGS IN THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON: JOSEPH BANKS PUTS THEM TO WORK
Authors: Goodman Jordan , Jarvis Charles
Published: March 2018

In the last quarter of the 18th century, Joseph Banks came into possession of a set of botanically accurate, western‐influenced, drawings of Chinese plants, executed in Canton by a Chinese artist and supervised by John Bradby Blake, an East India Company supercargo. Banks realized that these drawings, now in the Natural History Museum, London, would help his collectors in Canton accurately identify the Chinese species he sought as living plants for the Royal Gardens at Kew. Banks commissioned a collector's manual whose illustrations were based on the Blake drawings. In the early 19th century, William Kerr used this manual (now unfortunately lost) to continue the Blake practice – these drawings are at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. John Reeves, many of whose drawings are at the Royal Horticultural Society, used Kerr's commissions to produce the next generation of botanical art in Canton.
THE ‘ENGLISH EXPERIENCE’ AMONG THE HUMBLEST CHINESE IN THE CANTON TRADE ERA (1700s‐1842)
Authors: Ching May‐bo
Published: March 2018

This article puts into context the unusual experience of Whang at Tong, the Chinese boy who was brought by John Bradby Blake from Canton to England, against a wider background of 18th and 19th century Canton where a considerable number of Chinese made a living from foreign trade. Referencing various sources and circumstantial materials, I suggest that prior to his first departure for England, Whang at Tong had already been exposed to an English‐Chinese environment in which he was able to make a living by being an in‐between person, perhaps also picking up some English with a few English‐learning kits. He might have benefited from existing foreign knowledge circulated in Canton when he was young; he might also have contributed to the enhancement of this pool of knowledge after he returned home from England in the 1780s. The experiences of Whang at Tong thus open a window to reconsider how cultural encounters between East and West could have taken place, including especially among ordinary people on a daily basis.
TWO BOTANISTS, A FINANCIAL CRISIS AND BRITAIN'S FIRST EMBASSY TO CHINA
Authors: Hanser Jessica
Published: March 2018

This essay reveals a financial dimension to Captain John Blake and his son John Bradby Blake's involvement with China, namely, their participation in financing the Canton trade through predatory loans to Chinese Hong merchants. Widespread predatory lending in Canton led to a financial crisis during the late 1770s, which ruined several British and Chinese merchants. In an effort to recover the money they claimed was owed to them, many British traders, including John Blake, formed a lobby group in London and authorized Britain's first Ambassador to China to negotiate with the Emperor in Beijing on their behalf.
JOHN BRADBY BLAKE AND JAMES KERR: HYBRID BOTANICAL ART, CANTON AND BENGAL, c. 1770
Authors: Noltie Henry J.
Published: March 2018

The collection of botanical paintings commissioned by John Bradby Blake (1745–1773) from a Chinese artist in Canton c. 1770, is one of the star items in the outstanding collection of botanical books and paintings assembled by Rachel Lambert Mellon and now housed in the library of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. A remarkably similar collection, commissioned from several Indian artists by Dr. James Kerr (1737–1782) in Bengal and Bihar, is now scattered among the collections of the Natural History Museum London, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the New York Botanical Garden. Discussion of the Blake and Kerr collections is preceded by some introductory background to the creation of such art – its hybrid nature, its role in the visual documentation of useful plants in European, Asian and colonial contexts, and the botanical and artistic networks in which the two collections were created.
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE CAMELLIA IN CHINA AND DURING ITS EARLY CAREER IN THE WEST
Authors: Menzies Nicholas K.
Published: March 2018

The camellia first reached the West as trade with Japan and China gained momentum in the 17th and 18th centuries, quickly attracting the attention of botanists and horticulturists. Early representations of the camellia in the West were mostly illustrations in specialised publications with brief, written descriptions focused mainly on classification and identification, occasionally with the addition of some horticultural advice. In China, on the other hand, where camellias had been cultivated since at least the 5th century CE, artists and illustrators always showed camellias (and other plants) together with descriptive text, literary references, medicinal information and more. The camellia was embedded in a rich cultural context in China, in contrast to the West where it was an object of study or an ornamental specimen valued for its appearance rather than for meaningful associations with times, people or places familiar to the reader or viewer of the image.
Safety of non‐insulin glucose‐lowering drugs in pregnant women with pre‐gestational diabetes: A cohort study
Authors: Cea‐Soriano Lucía , García‐Rodríguez Luis A. , Brodovicz Kimberly G. , Masso Gonzalez Elvira , Bartels Dorothee B. , Hernández‐Díaz Sonia
Published: March 2018

Aims

To evaluate the association between use of non‐insulin antidiabetics in early pregnancy and the risk of miscarriages, stillbirths and major structural malformations.

Materials and Methods

A cohort of 1511 pregnant women with pre‐gestational diabetes linked to live births was identified using electronic medical records from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) for the period 1995 to 2012. Information on prescriptions, foetal outcomes and potential confounders was ascertained from both codes and free text in the THIN database. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of adverse foetal outcomes in women treated with non‐insulin antidiabetics during the first trimester compared to those on insulin were estimated using logistic regression to adjust for type of diabetes, glycaemic control and other maternal characteristics.

Results

Among 311 pregnant women on non‐insulin antidiabetics, 21.9% had a miscarriage and 1.6% a stillbirth; 1.9% of live births had major malformations. The corresponding frequencies for the 883 women on insulin were 13.3%, 1.7% and 9.6%. Insulin users more often had type 1 diabetes and poor glycaemic control. Compared to women with type 1 diabetes, those with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of miscarriages (20.5% vs 12.8%) but a lower prevalence of malformations (4.0% vs 9.2%). Compared to women with HbA1c ≤7%, those with HbA1c >7% had a higher prevalence of malformations (12.6% vs 2.7%). After adjustment for diabetes type and glycaemic control, compared to insulin, non‐insulin antidiabetic patients were associated with an OR for miscarriage of 1.19 (95% CI, 0.75‐1.89), for stillbirths of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.16‐2.58), and for major malformations of 0.25 (95% CI, 0.08‐0.84).

Conclusion

Among women with diabetes, use of non‐insulin antidiabetics early in pregnancy was not associated with greater risks of foetal losses or major malformations than was insulin.
A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF VIOLENCE AND HOUSING INSECURITY
Authors: Diette Timothy M. , Ribar David C.
Published: March 2018

This study uses national longitudinal data from the Journeys Home survey to examine how violence and housing insecurity in one period affect disadvantaged Australians' chances of experiencing violence and housing insecurity in subsequent periods. Men experience much higher rates of violence and housing insecurity than do women. Our analyses show that housing insecurity in one period increases men's and women's subsequent risks of housing insecurity and that violence in one period increases their subsequent risks of violence. However, the multivariate results provide no evidence of one‐period crossover effects for women and only limited effects for men. (JEL J1, R2)
Assessments of pain, functional impairment, anxiety, and depression in US adults with hemophilia across patient‐reported outcome instruments in the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P‐FiQ) study
Authors: Buckner Tyler W. , Batt Katharine , Quon Doris , Witkop Michelle , Recht Michael , Kessler Craig , Baumann Kimberly , Hernandez Grace , Wang Michael , Cooper David L. , Kempton Christine L.
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Pain, functional impairment, anxiety, and depression associated with joint disease may affect health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with hemophilia.

Objective

To report detailed patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) assessments related to HRQoL in participants in the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P‐FiQ) study.

Methods

Pain and HRQoL were assessed via PRO instruments in US adult males with hemophilia A or B and a history of joint pain or bleeding. PRO instruments included EQ‐5D‐5L with visual analog scale, Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form, SF‐36v2, and Hemophilia Activities List. Instrument domain and item responses were described.

Results

Responses were collected from 381 adult males with a median age of 34 years. Pain was observed across instruments and affected daily activities and quality of life. Respondents reported functional impairment that limited the kind of work and activities they participated in, with activities involving the lower extremities being most affected. A high prevalence of mental health disorders was identified across instruments.

Conclusions

Pain and HRQoL were evaluated using multiple PRO instruments, which vary in timescales of assessment and levels of detail. More consistent clinical assessments and patient dialog regarding pain and aspects of HRQoL may help drive improved outcomes.
Hurdles in the evolutionary epidemiology of Angiostrongylus cantonensis: Pseudogenes, incongruence between taxonomy and DNA sequence variants, and cryptic lineages
Authors: Dusitsittipon Sirilak , Criscione Charles D. , Morand Serge , Komalamisra Chalit , Thaenkham Urusa
Published: March 2018

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is a zoonotic pathogen that is one of the leading causes of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. This parasite is regarded as an emerging pathogen with a global range expansion out of southeastern Asia post‐WWII. To date, molecular systematic/phylogeographic studies on A. cantonensis have mainly used two mitochondrial (mtDNA) markers, cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) and cytochrome b (CYTB), where the focus has largely been descriptive in terms of reporting local patterns of haplotype variants. In order to look for more global evolutionary patterns, we herein provide a collective phylogenetic assessment using the six available whole mtDNA genome samples that have been tagged as A. cantonensis, A. malaysiensis, or A. mackerrasae along with all other GenBank CO1 and CYTB partial sequences that carry these species identifiers. The results reveal three important complications that researchers will need to be aware of, or will need to resolve, prior to conducting future molecular evolutionary studies on A. cantonensis. These three problems are (i) incongruence between taxonomic identifications and mtDNA variants (haplotypes or whole mtDNA genome samples), (ii) the presence of a CYTB mtDNA pseudogene, and (iii) the need to verify A. mackerrasae as a species along with other possible cryptic lineages, of which there is suggestive evidence (i.e., A. cantonensis could be a species complex). We provided a discussion of how these complications are hurdles to our understanding of the global epidemiology of angiostrongyliasis. We call for future studies to be more explicit in morphological traits used for identifications (e.g., provide measurements). Moreover, it will be necessary to repeat prior morphological and life‐history studies while simultaneously using sequence data in order to assess possible associations between critical epidemiological data (e.g., biogeography, virulence/pathology, host species use) and specific lineages.
Genetic risk factors for osteochondrosis in various horse breeds
Authors: Naccache F. , Metzger J. , Distl O.
Published: March 2018

Osteochondrosis (OC) is an injury to cartilage canals with a following necrosis in the growth cartilage, from there it can develop to osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). Due to its high impact in the equine industry, new insights into predisposing factors and potential high‐risk genetic variants are warranted. This article reviews advancements in quantitative and molecular genetics in refining estimation of genetic parameters and identifying predisposing genetic loci. Heritabilities were highest for hockOCwith estimates at 0.29–0.46 in Hanoverian warmblood and Norwegian trotters, whereas in Thoroughbreds only very low genetic variation seemed to be present in hockOClesions. Whole genome scans using the Illumina EquineSNP50 orSNP70 Beadchip were performed in Thoroughbred, Standardbred, French and Norwegian trotter, Hanoverian and Dutch warmblood. Validation studies in Spanish Purebred and Hanoverian warmblood horses corroboratedOCrisk loci onECA3, 14, 27 and 29. Particularly, a strong association with hock‐OCDwas found for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on horse chromosome (ECA) 3 upstream to theLCORLgene. Gene expression and microRNAanalyses may be helpful to understand pathophysiological processes in equineOCand to connectOCD‐associated genomic regions with potential candidate genes. Furthermore progress in elucidating the underlying genetic variants and pathophysiological changes inOCmay be expected from whole genomeDNAandRNAnext‐generation sequencing studies.
Structural basis of potassium activation in plant asparaginases
Authors: Ajewole Ebenezer , Santamaria‐Kisiel Liliana , Pajak Agnieszka , Jaskolski Mariusz , Marsolais Frédéric
Published: March 2018

l‐asparaginases (EC 3.5.1.1) play an important role in nitrogen mobilization in plants. Here, we investigated the biochemical and biophysical properties of potassium‐dependent (PvAspG1) and potassium‐independent (PvAspG‐T2) l‐asparaginases from Phaseolus vulgaris. Our previous studies revealed that PvAspG1 requires potassium for catalytic activation and its crystal structure suggested that Ser‐118 in the activation loop plays a critical role in coordinating the metal cation. This amino acid residue is replaced by isoleucine in PvAspG‐T2. Reciprocal mutants of the enzymes were produced and the effect of the amino acid substitution on the kinetic parameters, allosteric effector binding, secondary structure conformation, and pH profile were studied. Introduction of the serine residue conferred potassium activation in PvAspG‐T2. Conversely, the PvAspG1‐S118I mutant could no longer be activated by potassium. PvAspG1 and the PvAspG‐T2‐I117S mutant had a similar half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) value for potassium activation, between 0.1 and 0.3 mm. Potassium binding elicited a similar conformational change in PvAspG1 and PvAspG‐T2‐I117S, as studied by circular dichroism. However, no change in conformation was observed for PvAspG‐T2 and PvAspG1‐S118I. Analysis of kinetic parameters in function of pH indicated that potassium activation mediated by Ser‐118 influences the ionization of specific functional groups in the enzyme–substrate complex. Together, the results indicate that Ser‐118 of PvAspG1 is essential and sufficient for potassium activation in plant l‐asparaginases.

Enzyme

l‐Asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1).