bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Costs and Benefits of Bacterial Gene Expression
Authors: Price Morgan N. , Wetmore Kelly M. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: February 2016

To study how a bacterium allocates its resources, we compared the costs and benefits of most of the proteins inEscherichia coliK-12 during growth in minimal glucose medium. Proteins that are important for fitness are usually highly expressed, and 95% of these proteins are expressed at above 13 parts per million (ppm). Conversely, proteins that do not measurably benefit the host tend to be weakly expressed, with a median expression of 13 ppm. In aggregate, genes with no detectable benefit account for 31% of protein production, or about 22% if we correct for genetic redundancy. Although some of the apparently unnecessary expression could have subtle benefits in minimal glucose medium, the majority of the burden is due to genes that are important in other conditions. We propose that over 10% of the cell’s protein is “on standby” in case conditions change.
Combining Shigella Tn-seq data with Gold-standard E. coli Gene Deletion Data Suggests Rare Transitions between Essential and Non-essential Gene Functionality
Authors: Freed Nikki E , Bumann Dirk , Silander Olin K
Published: February 2016

Gene essentiality - whether or not a gene is necessary for cell growth - is a fundamental component of gene function. It is not well established how quickly gene essentiality can change, as few studies have compared empirical measures of essentiality between closely related organisms. Here we present the results of a Tn-seq experiment designed to detect essential protein coding genes in the bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri 2a 2457T on a genome-wide scale. Superficial analysis of this data suggested that 451 protein-coding genes in this Shigella strain are critical for robust cellular growth on rich media. Comparison of this set of genes with a gold-standard data set of essential genes in the closely related Escherichia coli K12 BW25113 suggested that an excessive number of genes appeared essential in Shigella but non-essential in E. coli. Importantly, and in converse to this comparison, we found no genes that were essential in E. coli and non-essential in Shigella, suggesting that many genes were artefactually inferred as essential in Shigella. Controlling for such artefacts resulted in a much smaller set of discrepant genes. Among these, we identified three sets of functionally related genes, two of which have previously been implicated as critical for Shigella growth, but which are dispensable for E. coli growth. The data presented here highlight the small number of protein coding genes for which we have strong evidence that their essentiality status differs between the closely related bacterial taxa E. coli and Shigella. A set of genes involved in acetate utilization provides a canonical example. These results leave open the possibility of developing strain-specific antibiotic treatments targeting such differentially essential genes, but suggest that such opportunities may be rare in closely related bacteria.
Viral coinfection is shaped by host ecology and virus-virus interactions across diverse microbial taxa and environments
Authors: Díaz Muñoz Samuel L.
Published: February 2016

Infection of more than one virus in a host, coinfection, is common across taxa and environments. Viral coinfection can enable genetic exchange, alter the dynamics of infections, and change the course of viral evolution. Yet, a systematic test of the factors explaining variation in viral coinfection across different taxa and environments awaits completion. Here I employ three microbial data sets of virus-host interactions covering cross-infectivity, culture coinfection, and single-cell coinfection (total: 6,564 microbial hosts, 13,103 viruses) to provide a broad, comprehensive picture of the ecological and biological factors shaping viral coinfection. I found evidence that ecology and virus-virus interactions are recurrent factors shaping coinfection patterns. Host ecology was a consistent and strong predictor of coinfection across all three datasets: cross-infectivity, culture coinfection, and single-cell coinfection. Host phylogeny or taxonomy was a less consistent predictor, being weak or absent in the cross-infectivity and single-cell coinfection models, yet it was the strongest predictor in the culture coinfection model. Virus-virus interactions strongly affected coinfection. In the largest test of superinfection exclusion to date, prophage sequences reduced culture coinfection by other prophages, with a weaker effect on extrachromosomal virus coinfection. At the single-cell level, prophage sequences eliminated coinfection. Virus-virus interactions alsoincreasedculture coinfection with ssDNA-dsDNA coinfections >2x more likely than ssDNA-only coinfections. The presence of CRISPR spacers was associated with a ~50% reduction in single-cell coinfection in a marine bacteria, despite the absence of exact spacer matches in any active infection. Collectively, these results suggest the environment bacteria inhabit and the interactions among surrounding viruses are two factors consistently shaping viral coinfection patterns. These findings highlight the role of virus-virus interactions in coinfection with implications for phage therapy, microbiome dynamics, and viral infection treatments.
Partial derivatives meta-analysis: pooled analyses when individual participant data cannot be shared
Authors: Adams Hieab HH , Adams Hadie , Launer Lenore J , Seshadri Sudha , Schmidt Reinhold , Bis Joshua C , Debette Stephanie , Nyquist Paul A , Van der Grond Jeroen , Mosley Thomas H , Yang Jingyun , Teumer Alexander , Hilal Saima , Roshchupkin Gennady V , Wardlaw Joanna M , Satizabal Claudia L , Hofer Edith , Chauhan Ganesh , Smith Albert , Yanek Lisa R , Van der Lee Sven J , Trompet Stella , Chouraki Vincent , Arfanakis Konstantinos A , Becker James T , Niessen Wiro J , de Craen Anton JM , Crivello Fabrice F , Lin Li An , Fleischman Debra A , Wong Tien Yin , Franco Oscar H , Wittfeld Katharina , Jukema J Wouter , De Jager Philip L , Hofman Albert , DeCarli Charles , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Longstreth WT , Mazoyer Bernard M , Gudnason Vilmundar , Bennett David A , Deary Ian J , Ikram M Kamran , Grabe Hans J , Fornage Myriam , Van Duijn Cornelia M , Vernooij Meike W , Ikram M Arfan ,   on behalf of the HD-READY Consortium
Published: February 2016

Joint analysis of data from multiple studies in collaborative efforts strengthens scientific evidence, with the gold standard approach being the pooling of individual participant data (IPD). However, sharing IPD often has legal, ethical, and logistic constraints for sensitive or high-dimensional data, such as in clinical trials, observational studies, and large-scale omics studies. Therefore, meta-analysis of study-level effect estimates is routinely done, but this compromises on statistical power, accuracy, and flexibility. Here we propose a novel meta-analytical approach, named partial derivatives meta-analysis, that is mathematically equivalent to using IPD, yet only requires the sharing of aggregate data. It not only yields identical results as pooled IPD analyses, but also allows post-hoc adjustments for covariates and stratification without the need for site-specific re-analysis. Thus, in case that IPD cannot be shared, partial derivatives meta-analysis still produces gold standard results, which can be used to better inform guidelines and policies on clinical practice.
Multiple goal pursuit – to kill two birds with one stone or to fall between two stools ?
Authors: Meilikhov E.Z. , Farzetdinova R.M.
Published: February 2016

We present the simple phenomenological (but - analytic) model allowing to formalize description of multitasking, i.e. simultaneous performing several tasks. That process requires distribution of attention, and for great number of goals do not lead to success. Our consideration shows that simultaneous performing more than two tasks is, most likely, impossible.
Genomic prediction and estimation of marker interaction effects
Authors: Rönnegård Lars , Shen Xia
Published: February 2016

The standard models for genomic prediction assume additive polygenic marker effects. For epistatic models including marker interaction effects, the number of effects to be fitted becomes large, which require computational tools tailored specifically for such models. Here, we extend the methods implemented in the R package bigRR so that marker interaction effects can be computed. Simulation results based on marker data fromArabidopsis thalianashow that the inclusion of interaction effects between markers can give a small but significant improvement in genomic predictions. The methods were implemented in the R package EPISbi-gRR available in the bigRR project on R-Forge. The package includes an introductory vignette to the functions available in EPISbigRR.

R package URL:https://r-forge.r-project.org/R/?group_id=1301
Bioanalyzer chips can be used interchangeably for many analyses of DNA or RNA
Authors: Davies Jessica , Denyer Tom , Hadfield James
Published: February 2016

The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, CA, USA) enables small-scale gel electrophoretic separation of nucleic acids on a microfluidic chip. Shortage of chips and excess reagents is a common issue. This report explored the compatibility of two commonly used Bioanalyzer reagents with three Bioanalyzer chip types. Microfluidic electrophoretic separation of DNA and RNA using DNA High Sensitivity and RNA 6000 Nano reagents, respectively, was successfully performed on multiple chip types, following the assay-specific protocol. For RNA quality and next-generation sequencing library size estimation, the Bioanalyzer chips tested can be used interchangeably. These findings will be valuable for any laboratory using the Agilent Bioanalyzer in a shared facility.
Cutting the Gordian knot [?]: a response to Lukka and Vinnari (2014)
Authors: Lowe Alan D. , De Loo Ivo , Nama Yesh
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to constructively discuss the meaning and nature of (theoretical) contribution in accounting research, as represented by Lukka and Vinnari (2014) (hereafter referred to as LV). The authors aim is to further encourage debate on what constitutes management accounting theory (or theories) and how to modestly clarify contributions to the extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach the authors take can be seen as (a)n interdisciplinary literature sourced analysis and critique of the movement’s positioning and trajectory” (Parker and Guthrie, 2014, p. 1218). The paper also draws upon and synthesizes the present authors and other’s contributions to accounting research using actor network theory.

Findings

– While a distinction between domain and methods theories … may appear analytically viable, it may be virtually impossible to separate them in practice. In line with Armstrong (2008), the authors cast a measure of doubt on the quest to significantly extend theoretical contributions from accounting research.

Research limitations/implications

– Rather than making (apparently) grandiose claims about (theoretical) contributions from individual studies, the authors suggest making more modest claims from the research. The authors try to provide a more appropriate and realistic approach to the appreciation of research contributions.

Originality/value

– The authors contribute to the debate on how theoretical contributions can be made in the accounting literature by constructively debating some views that have recently been outlined by LV. The aim is to provide some perspective on the usefulness of the criteria suggested by these authors. The authors also suggest and highlight (alternative) ways in which contributions might be discerned and clarified.
Shared perceptions of supervisor conflict management style
Authors: Way Kirsten A. , Jimmieson Nerina L , Bordia Prashant
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the extent to which employee outcomes (anxiety/depression, bullying and workers’ compensation claims thoughts) are affected by shared perceptions of supervisor conflict management style (CMS). Further, this study aims to assess cross-level moderating effects of supervisor CMS climate on the positive association between relationship conflict and these outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Multilevel modeling was conducted using a sample of 401 employees nested in 69 workgroups.

Findings

– High collaborating, low yielding and low forcing climates (positive supervisor climates) were associated with lower anxiety/depression, bullying and claim thoughts. Unexpectedly, the direction of moderation showed that the positive association between relationship conflict and anxiety/depression and bullying was stronger for positive supervisor CMS climates than for negative supervisor CMS climates (low collaborating, high yielding and high forcing). Nevertheless, these interactions revealed that positive supervisor climates were the most effective at reducing anxiety/depression and bullying when relationship conflict was low. For claim thoughts, positive supervisor CMS climates had the predicted stress-buffering effects.

Research limitations/implications

– Employees benefit from supervisors creating positive CMS climates when dealing with conflict as a third party, and intervening when conflict is low, when their intervention is more likely to minimize anxiety/depression and bullying.

Originality/value

– By considering the unique perspective of employees’ shared perceptions of supervisor CMS, important implications for the span of influence of supervisor behavior on employee well-being have been indicated.
A logic-based model for resolving conflicts
Authors: Lempp Frieder
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which formal logic can be applied to conflict analysis and resolution. It is motivated by the idea that conflicts can be understood as inconsistent sets of interests.

Design/methodology/approach

– A simple propositional model, based on propositional logic, which can be used to analyze conflicts, has been introduced and four algorithms have been presented to generate possible solutions to a conflict. The model is illustrated by applying it to the conflict between the Obama administration and the Syrian Government in September 2013 over the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.

Findings

– The author shows how different solutions, such as compromises, minimally invasive solutions or solutions compatible with certain pre-defined norms, can be generated by the model. It is shown how the model can operate in situations where the game-theoretic model fails due to a lack of information about the parties’ utility values.

Research limitations/implications

– The model can be used as a theoretical framework for future experimental research and/or to trace the course of particular conflict scenarios.

Practical implications

– The model can be used as the basis for building software applications for conflict resolution practitioners, such as negotiators or mediators.

Originality/value

– While the idea of using logic to analyse the structure of conflicts and generate possible solutions is not new to the field of conflict studies, the model presented in this paper provides a novel way of understanding conflicts for both researchers and practitioners.
Cultural technology
Authors: Chen Steven
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline a framework for marketing cultural goods (e.g. music) to global markets by examining modes of entry and positioning strategies used by media producers of the South Korean music industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– An historic analysis was implemented to investigate the modalities and structures through which cultural products are produced and disseminated. Data for this study came from 314 articles collected fromwww.allkpop.com, a leading English-language, South Korean popular culture news site.

Findings

– The cultural technology framework consists of the institutionalization of cultural technology, exportation of cultural content, collaborations with local talent, and joint ventures with local markets.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings emerge from an analysis of South Korean popular music industries, and further research is needed to generalize the results across cultural industries.

Practical implications

– The cultural technology framework can be applied to cultural industries such as music, film, comics, and art, where culture and language could be barriers to adoption.

Originality/value

– This study outlines a framework for the modes of entry and positioning strategies of cultural goods (e.g. music) in international markets. Extant literature has examined global marketing from the purview of durable consumer goods and brands, with limited insights into cultural products. More broadly, this paper addresses the call for more qualitative inquiry into international marketing topics.
Developing cross-cultural managerial skills through social media
Authors: Wankel Charles
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to familiarize managers with alternative social media applications of cross-cultural training approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper provides an overview of the current state of social media-based cross-cultural training and its trajectory.

Findings

– Social media is increasingly an integral part of contemporary communication. This paper shows how training technologies engaging to the born-digital generation have multiple advantages and unique deployment opportunities for cross-cultural know-how development.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a technological reframing of intercultural training that better aligns with the practices of the millennial generation, who are ready to embrace the accoutrements of international business and global networks. Readers will be sensitized to the advantages and disadvantages of new social media for intercultural training and education.
EnvironmentalDNA(eDNA) detects the invasive rusty crayfishOrconectes rusticusat low abundances
Authors: Dougherty Matthew M. , Larson Eric R. , Renshaw Mark A. , Gantz Crysta A. , Egan Scott P. , Erickson Daniel M. , Lodge David M.
Published: February 2016

Early detection is invaluable for the cost‐effective control and eradication of invasive species, yet many traditional sampling techniques are ineffective at the low population abundances found at the onset of the invasion process. EnvironmentalDNA(eDNA) is a promising and sensitive tool for early detection of some invasive species, but its efficacy has not yet been evaluated for many taxonomic groups and habitat types.

We evaluated the ability ofeDNAto detect the invasive rusty crayfishOrconectes rusticusand to reflect patterns of its relative abundance, in upper Midwest,USA, inland lakes. We paired conventional baited trapping as a measure of crayfish relative abundance with water samples foreDNA, which were analysed in the laboratory with aqPCRassay. We modelled detection probability forO. rusticuseDNAusing relative abundance and site characteristics as covariates and also tested the relationship betweeneDNAcopy number andO. rusticusrelative abundance.

We detectedO. rusticuseDNAin all lakes where this species was collected by trapping, down to low relative abundances, as well as in two lakes where trap catch was zero. Detection probability ofO. rusticuseDNAwas well predicted by relative abundance of this species and lake water clarity. However, there was poor correspondence betweeneDNAcopy number andO. rusticusrelative abundance estimated by trap catches.

Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates a field and laboratory protocol foreDNAmonitoring of crayfish invasions, with results of statistical models that provide guidance of sampling effort and detection probabilities for researchers in other regions and systems. We proposeeDNAbe included as a tool in surveillance for invasive or imperilled crayfishes and other benthic arthropods.
Mediterranean and temperate treelines are controlled by different environmental drivers
Authors: Piper Frida I. , Viñegla Benjamín , Linares Juan C. , Camarero J. Julio , Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Fajardo Alex
Published: February 2016

The growth limitation hypothesis (GLH) is the most accepted explanation for treeline formation, but it has been scarcely examined in Mediterranean regions, where treelines are located at lower elevations than in temperate regions. The GLH states that low temperature is the ultimate environmental driver for treeline formation, constraining C‐sinks (i.e. tissue formation) more than C‐sources. The GLH predicts similar or increasing (but not decreasing) non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations with elevation throughout the course of the growing season. We hypothesized that elevational trends in growth and NSC in Mediterranean regions are not determined by low temperature alone.

We tested the GLH by examining the mean annual basal area and NSC concentrations in developing (new twigs) and ripened tissues (branch, stem) of trees growing at three elevations in three Mediterranean and three temperate treelines in the Chilean southern Andes (33° S, Kageneckia angustifolia; 36, 40 and 46° S, Nothofagus pumilio) and in Spain (36° N, Pinus sylvestris; 42° N, Pinus uncinata). Samples for NSC were taken at the onset of summer and autumn, which represent periods of contrasting drought intensities in Mediterranean regions.

Tree growth decreased significantly with elevation in temperate treelines but not in Mediterranean treelines. In Mediterranean treelines, new twig NSC concentrations increased significantly with elevation in the early summer but not in the early autumn. In temperate treelines, in contrast, no elevational or seasonal variation (or interaction between them) was observed in new twig NSC concentrations. The NSC concentrations of the branches and stems from both climates showed no elevational trends. The soluble sugars' NSC fraction increased over the season in Mediterranean treelines and decreased in temperate treelines.

Synthesis. Although we found support for the growth limitation hypothesis (GLH) in temperate and Mediterranean treelines, our study shows that the tree growth and C balance in Mediterranean treelines are not controlled by low temperature alone. We suggest that environmental factors other than temperature explain the lower global elevation of Mediterranean treelines when compared to temperate treelines.
Response: Not So Fast: A Comment on Atkinson and Deeming's ‘Class and Cuisine in Contemporary Britain: The Social Space, the Space of Food and their Homology’
Authors: Flemmen Magne , Hjellbrekke Johannes
Published: February 2016

In a recent paper in The Sociological Review, Atkinson and Deeming argue that tastes in food are homologous to the social space, exactly as it was in Bourdieu's Distinction. This would involve differences in food tastes not only along the class hierarchy, but also a clear-cut divide by the relative weight of cultural and economic capital. However, Atkinson and Deeming base their claims on insufficient data analysis: They misinterpret their own correspondence analysis and the additional tables, which they in turn fail to subject to even the most basic statistical analysis. We show that the results they present are actually at odds with their own interpretations and main conclusions. It is not just that Atkinson and Deeming's arguments lack support; their proposition about a culinary division between cultural and economic class fractions is contradicted by their own data.
Comparison of methods for identifying small‐for‐gestational‐age infants at risk of perinatal mortality among obese mothers: a hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Hinkle SN , Sjaarda LA , Albert PS , Mendola P , Grantz KL
Published: February 2016

Objective

To assess differences in small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) classifications for the detection of neonates with increased perinatal mortality risk among obese women and subsequently assess the association between prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) status and SGA.

Design

Hospital‐based cohort.

Setting

Twelve US clinical centres (2002–08).

Population

A total of 114 626 singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies.

Methods

Data were collected using electronic medical record abstraction. Relative risks (RR) with 95% CI were estimated.

Main outcome measures

SGA trends (birthweight < 10th centile) classified using population‐based (SGAPOP), intrauterine (SGAIU) and customised (SGACUST) references were assessed. The SGA‐associated perinatal mortality risk was estimated among obese women. Using the SGA method most associated with perinatal mortality, the association between prepregnancy BMI and SGA was estimated.

Results

The overall perinatal mortality prevalence was 0.55% and this increased significantly with increasing BMI (P < 0.01). Among obese women, SGAIU detected the highest proportion of perinatal mortality cases (2.49%). Perinatal mortality was 5.32 times (95% CI 3.72–7.60) more likely among SGAIU neonates than non‐SGAIU neonates. This is in comparison with the 3.71‐fold (2.49–5.53) and 4.81‐fold (3.41–6.80) increased risk observed when SGAPOP and SGACUST were used, respectively. Compared with women of normal weight, overweight women (RR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.78–0.86) and obese women (RR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.75–0.83) had a lower risk for delivering an SGAIU neonate.

Conclusion

Among obese women, the intrauterine reference best identified neonates at risk of perinatal mortality. Based on SGAIU, SGA is less common among obese women but these SGA babies are at a high risk of death and remain an important group for surveillance.

Tweetable abstract

SGA is less common among obese women but these SGA babies are at a high risk of death.
Ripple effects: An exclusive host national context produces more perceived discrimination among immigrants
Authors: SIMONSEN KRISTINA BAKKÆR
Published: February 2016

This article examines the perceived discrimination of immigrants – a group for whom experiences of discrimination can be damaging for their long‐term commitment and identification with the national core group. Taking its point of departure in the literature on national identity, the article argues that perceived discrimination should be strongest among immigrants in host national societies with an exclusive self‐image. This hypothesis is examined by use of multilevel regressions on cross‐national survey data from 18 Western European countries. It is found that where exclusive attitudes are widespread in the host population, the percentage of immigrants who perceive themselves to be part of a group discriminated against is significantly greater, all else being equal. In addition, there is a cross‐level interaction effect of host national inclusivity and ethnic minority identity which suggests that individual‐level determinants of perceived discrimination do not ‘work’ in the same way in normatively different contexts. In terms of the implications of these findings, the article points to the importance of contextualising individual‐level accounts of perceived discrimination, with particular focus on the power of a society's attitudinal milieu to affect individual feelings of inclusion and exclusion.
Real Activity Forecasts Using Loan Portfolio Information
Authors: KHAN UROOJ , OZEL N. BUGRA
Published: February 2016

To extend and monitor loans, banks collect detailed and proprietary information about the financial prospects of their customers, many of whom are local businesses and households. Therefore, banks’ loan portfolios contain potentially useful information about local economic conditions. We investigate the association between information in loan portfolios and local economic conditions. Using a sample of U.S. commercial banks from 1990:Q1 to 2013:Q4, we document that information in loan portfolios aggregated to the state level is associated with current and future changes in statewide economic conditions. Furthermore, the provision for loan and lease losses contains information incremental to leading indicators of state‐level economic activity and recessions. Loan portfolio information also helps to improve predictions of economic conditions at more granular levels, such as at the commuting zone level. We discuss the relevance of these findings for economic analysis and forecasting, and the relation of our study to prior work on the informativeness of accounting information about the macroeconomy.
Discharge timeliness and its impact on hospital crowding and emergency department flow performance
Authors: Khanna Sankalp , Sier David , Boyle Justin , Zeitz Kathryn
Published: February 2016

Objective

The objective of this research is to identify optimal inpatient discharge time targets to help hospitals reduce crowding, improve patient flow through the ED and balance staff workload.

Methods

Fifteen months of emergency and inpatient records from a large quaternary teaching hospital were used to reconstruct patient pathways from hospital presentation to discharge. Discrete event simulation was used to assess operationally realistic discharge scenarios on flow performance. Main output measures included National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) performance (an ED performance metric), time spent waiting for a bed, hospital length of stay (LOS) and occupancy.

Results

Similar levels of improvement in NEAT performance (16%), and reductions in average bed occupancy (1.5%) and inpatient bed wait time (25%) were observed across the simulation that discharged 80% patients before 11 a.m. and one that spread the target between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Individual inpatient wards returned potential improvements in NEAT performance (median 10%, interquartile range (IQR) 7%), and reductions in hospital LOS (median 1%, IQR 1%) and average occupancy (median 1%, IQR 2%) across the discharge scenarios.

Conclusions

Conventional discharge targets like ‘80% by 11 a.m.’ and others that spread targets across the day to balance staff workload freed up the equivalent of nine available beds for incoming patient flow, significantly reducing time spent waiting for an inpatient bed, hospital LOS and occupancy, and delivering much needed improvements in NEAT performance. While different strategies and workload distributions may suit individual hospital services, the study makes a strong case for improving ‘early in the day’ discharge timeliness to deliver better ED flow.
Implement of Palatoplasty Enhanced Recovery (PER) pathway for cleft palate repair after the audit from the Surgical Outcomes Monitoring and Improvement Program (SOMIP)
Authors: Chan Edwin Kin‐Wai , Lee Kim‐Hung , Wong Vicky Hei‐Yi , Tsui Bess Siu‐Yan , Wong Sammi Yuen‐Shan , Pang Kristine Kit‐Yi , Mou Jennifer Wai‐Cheung , Tam Peter Yuk‐Him
Published: February 2016

Aim

Length of stay (LOS) is an important outcome measure of the Surgical Outcomes Monitoring and Improvement Program (SOMIP). After analyzing the outcomes of the first two SOMIP reports, we introduced the Palatoplasty Enhanced Recovery (PER) pathway for primary cleft palate repair in 2012. We aim to study if the implementation of PER pathway can decrease the LOS without increasing the complication rate.

Methods

All children who underwent primary cleft palate repair from January 2008 to April 2015 were studied. PER pathway was introduced in January 2012. Demographics data, postoperative outcomes including the LOS, readmission, morbidity and oro‐nasal fistula (ONF) were compared between patients operated before (pre‐PER) and after (PER) the implementation of the pathway.

Results

Eighty five children were recruited in the study (29 PER and 56 pre‐PER). There were no statistical differences in the age, sex, type of cleft palate and associated syndrome between the two groups. Incidence of ONF (PER 13.8% vs pre‐PER 8.9%, p = 0.490), morbidity (0% vs 5.4%, p = 0.204) and readmission (6.9% vs 3.6%, p = 0.493) were not statistically different. Median LOS (3 days vs 6 days, p < 0.0001) was significantly shorter in the PER group.

Conclusions

The implementation of the PER pathway for primary cleft palate repair significantly decreased the length of stay without an increase in morbidity and readmission. The SOMIP initiated the establishment of the PER pathway and the positive outcome can be reflected in subsequent SOMIP reports.
Water Supply Reliability Tradeoffs between Removing Reservoir Storage and Improving Water Conveyance in California
Authors: Null Sarah E.
Published: February 2016

Population growth, climate change, aging infrastructure, and changing societal values alter how water must be managed in the 21st Century. O'Shaughnessy Dam, located in Yosemite National Park, has been identified as a possible candidate for dam removal. It is a component of San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy System and is operated for water supply and hydropower. This article describes a spatially scaled approach to analyze water reliability without O'Shaughnessy Dam, but with improved water conveyance between the Hetch Hetchy System and existing reservoirs and aqueducts at the watershed, regional Bay Area, and statewide scales. It broadens previous research to highlight larger scale implications of removing O'Shaughnessy Dam and evaluates the role of improved water conveyance for water management. CALifornia Value Integrated Network, a large‐scale hydro‐economic model evaluates intertied water management using estimated urban and agricultural water demands for year 2050 with 72‐year historical and warm, dry hydrologic conditions. Results suggest that O'Shaughnessy Dam can be removed with additional conveyance at any spatial scale while maintaining water reliability. With a warm, dry climate, water reliability, and storage decline, indicating removing O'Shaughnessy Dam may have less effect on water management than climate change when conveyance is improved between the Hetch Hetchy System and nearby systems. Improving water conveyance can sometimes substitute for water storage in storage‐rich watersheds.
Targets' Tax Shelter Participation and Takeover Premiums
Authors: Chow Travis , Klassen Kenneth J. , Liu Yanju
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of targets' participation in tax shelters on takeover premiums in mergers and acquisitions. Using a novel data set in which targets disclose that they have not participated in tax shelters, we find that targets that make this statement in their merger filings are associated with 4.6 percent higher takeover premiums, on average. These findings suggest that acquirers are concerned about the potential future liabilities when targets have engaged in tax sheltering. Consistent with this interpretation, the results also indicate that the positive association between targets' nonsheltering disclosure and acquisition premiums is stronger for less tax‐aggressive acquirers. This paper demonstrates the importance of targets' aggressive tax positions in the determination of premiums offered to targets' shareholders.
Trace metal accumulation as complementary dietary information for the isotopic analysis of complex food webs
Authors: Soto David X. , Benito Josep , Gacia Esperança , García‐Berthou Emili , Catalan Jordi
Published: February 2016

Food web structure is a fundamental feature of ecosystems. Stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) are used to estimate the relative contribution of food sources to consumer's diets (e.g. mixing models).

In complex food webs, the use of δ15N and δ13C measurements cannot always solve trophic interactions and distinguish among aquatic organisms with different feeding habits if little intra‐ and interspecific isotopic differentiation occurs.

We have developed a method to characterize trophic relationships using Bayesian stable isotope mixing models in combination with trace metal data as prior information. Trace metal information is useful because of the high correspondence between trace metal profiles in consumers and their food sources, as we show here in an example of concentrations of fish and their expected dietary items.

Trace metal concentration allows a more accurate estimation of relative contributions of food sources to consumer species compared to estimates based only on stable isotope values. We show the improvement of the procedure using four freshwater fish species with well‐known feeding habits. The method provides a better estimation of the inter‐ and intraspecific dietary variability and correspondence with the feeding habits of these species.

The approach described shows a considerable potential as a tool to assess trophic links in situations in which stable isotope methods are not conclusive. The method can be applied using other compounds that bioaccumulate in consumers (e.g. persistent organic pollutants).
The Circadian Clock Mutation Promotes Intestinal Dysbiosis
Authors: Voigt Robin M. , Summa Keith C. , Forsyth Christopher B. , Green Stefan J. , Engen Phillip , Naqib Ankur , Vitaterna Martha H. , Turek Fred W. , Keshavarzian Ali
Published: February 2016

Background

Circadian rhythm disruption is a prevalent feature of modern day society that is associated with an increase in pro‐inflammatory diseases, and there is a clear need for a better understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon. We have previously demonstrated that both environmental and genetic circadian rhythm disruption causes intestinal hyperpermeability and exacerbates alcohol‐induced intestinal hyperpermeability and liver pathology. The intestinal microbiota can influence intestinal barrier integrity and impact immune system function; thus, in this study, we sought to determine whether genetic alteration of the core circadian clock gene, Clock, altered the intestinal microbiota community.

Methods

Male ClockΔ19‐mutant mice (mice homozygous for a dominant‐negative‐mutant allele) or littermate wild‐type mice were fed 1 of 3 experimental diets: (i) a standard chow diet, (ii) an alcohol‐containing diet, or (iii) an alcohol‐control diet in which the alcohol calories were replaced with dextrose. Stool microbiota was assessed with 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Results

The fecal microbial community of Clock‐mutant mice had lower taxonomic diversity, relative to wild‐type mice, and the ClockΔ19 mutation was associated with intestinal dysbiosis when mice were fed either the alcohol‐containing or the control diet. We found that alcohol consumption significantly altered the intestinal microbiota in both wild‐type and Clock‐mutant mice.

Conclusions

Our data support a model by which circadian rhythm disruption by the ClockΔ19 mutation perturbs normal intestinal microbial communities, and this trend was exacerbated in the context of a secondary dietary intestinal stressor.
Different Hypothalamic Nicotinic α7 Receptor Expression and Response to Low Nicotine Dose in Alcohol‐Preferring and Alcohol‐Avoiding Rats
Authors: Nuutinen Saara , Panula Pertti , Salminen Outi
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and responses in rats with genetic preference or avoidance for alcohol. This was done by using 2 rat lines with high alcohol preference (Alko Alcohol [AA]) or alcohol avoidance (Alko Non‐Alcohol [ANA]).

Methods

Locomotor activity was measured following nicotine and histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonist treatment. In situ hybridization and receptor ligand binding experiments were used in drug‐naïve animals to examine the expression of different α nicotinic receptor subunits.

Results

The AA rats were found to be more sensitive to the stimulatory effect of a low dose of nicotine than ANA rats, which were not significantly activated. Combination of histamine H3R antagonist, JNJ‐39220675, and nicotine resulted to similar locomotor activation as nicotine alone. To further understand the mechanism underlying the difference in nicotine response in AA and ANA rats, we studied the expression of α5, α6, and α7 nicotinic receptor subunits in specific brain areas of AA and ANA rats. We found no differences in the expression of α5 nicotinic receptor subunits in the medial habenula and hippocampus or in α6 subunit in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. However, the level of α7 nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA was significantly lower in the tuberomamillary nucleus of posterior hypothalamus of alcohol‐preferring AA rats than in alcohol‐avoiding ANA rats. Also the hypothalamic [125]I‐α‐bungarotoxin binding was lower in AA rats indicating lower levels of α7 nicotinic receptors.

Conclusions

The lower expression and receptor binding of α7 nicotinic receptors in the tuberomamillary nucleus of AA rats suggest a difference in the regulation of brain histamine neurons between the rat lines since the α7 nicotinic receptors are located in histaminergic neurons. Stronger nicotine‐induced locomotor response, mediated partially via α7 receptors, and previously described high alcohol consumption in AA rats could be explained by the found difference in tuberomamillary α7 receptor levels.
Cognitive Control Over Immediate Reward in Binge Alcohol Drinkers
Authors: Poulton Antoinette , Mackenzie Caitlyn , Harrington Kaitlyn , Borg Sarah , Hester Robert
Published: February 2016

Background

Cognitive control deficits, as captured by inhibitory control measures, are indicative of increased impulsivity and are considered a marker for substance use disorder vulnerability. While individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) typically exhibit inhibitory control dysfunction, evidence of impaired inhibitory control among harmful drinkers, who are at increased risk of developing an AUD, is mixed. This study examined the response inhibition of binge drinkers using a task that employed neutral, as well as both immediate and delayed reward contingencies, to determine whether reward induced heightened impulsivity in this population.

Methods

Binge alcohol users (n = 42) and controls (n = 42) were administered a Monetary Incentive Control Task that required participants to successfully inhibit a prepotent motor response to both neutral and immediately rewarding stimuli in order to secure a large delayed reward.

Results

Binge drinkers had significantly worse response inhibition than controls irrespective of trial condition and even after controlling for differences in weekly intake. Although both binge and control participants exhibited significantly worse inhibitory control in the presence of immediate reward, the control group showed a greater reduction in inhibition accuracy compared to the binge group in reward relative to neutral conditions. Both groups demonstrated significantly enhanced control when forewarned there was an increased chance response inhibition would be required. Control participants secured the delayed reward more often than binge participants.

Conclusions

Despite the variability in the literature, this study demonstrated consistent generalized impulse control deficits among binge‐drinking individuals that were unrelated to reward manipulations. These findings point to mechanisms that may confer vulnerability for transition from binge drinking to AUD.
Considering marijuana legalization carefully: insights for other jurisdictions from analysis for Vermont
Authors: Caulkins Jonathan P. , Kilmer Beau
Published: February 2016

Background and Aims

In 2014 the legislature of Vermont, USA passed a law requiring the Secretary of Administration to report on the consequences of legalizing marijuana. The RAND Corporation was commissioned to write that report. This paper summarizes insights from that analysis that are germane to other jurisdictions.

Method

Translation of key findings from the RAND Corporation report to the broader policy debate.

Results

Marijuana legalization encompasses a wide range of possible regimes, distinguished along at least four dimensions: which organizations are allowed to produce and supply the drug, the regulations under which they operate, the nature of the products that can be distributed and taxes and prices. Vermont's decriminalization had already cut its costs of enforcing marijuana prohibition against adults to about $1 per resident per year. That is probably less than the cost of regulating a legal market. Revenues from taxing residents’ purchases after legalization could be many times that amount, so the main fiscal cost of prohibition after decriminalization relative to outright legalization may be foregone tax revenues, not enforcement costs. Approximately 40 times as many users live within 200 miles of Vermont's borders as live within the state; drug tourism and associated tax revenues will be important considerations, as will be the response of other states. Indeed, if another state legalized with lower taxes, that could undermine the ability to collect taxes on even Vermont residents’ purchases.

Conclusions

Analysis of possible outcomes if Vermont, USA, legalized marijuana reveal that choices about how, and not just whether, to legalize a drug can have profound consequences for the effects on health and social wellbeing, and the choices of one jurisdiction can affect the options and incentives available to other jurisdictions.
The distribution of epidermolysis bullosa in Australia with a focus on rural and remote areas
Authors: Harris Adam G , Todes‐Taylor Nancy R , Petrović Nenad , Murrell Dedee F
Published: February 2016

Background/Objectives

Patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) require specialised medical care. In Australia this expertise is located in the major cities, with patients living in rural and remote areas having reduced access to these services. We aim to analyse the geographical distribution of patients with EB in Australia to determine the relevance of this potential geographical disadvantage for this population.

Methods

Using postal codes obtained from the Australian National Diagnostic Laboratory Database for EB and the Australasian EB Registry, living patients with EB in Australia were categorised using the Australian standard geographical classification, remoteness areas. An analysis of EB subtype, including severity was also performed.

Results

A total of 318 patients were categorised, of whom 221 lived in major cities, 65 in inner regional areas, 26 in outer regional areas, four in remote and two in very remote areas. Half the patients living in remote and very remote areas had severe forms of EB.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of patients with EB live outside the major cities in Australia. Half of the patients living in remote and very remote areas had severe forms of EB. Targeted strategies to improve access to EB‐specific medical care may be needed for patients living in rural and remote areas.
The effect of age and increasing head‐up tilt on pre‐oxygenation times in children: a randomised exploratory study
Authors: Oshan V. , Plant N. , Gopal P. , Rajai A. , Roberts S. A. , Walker R. W. M.
Published: February 2016

We conducted a randomised exploratory trial in children aged between one and sixteen years old to establish the time to achieve an end‐tidal oxygen fraction ≥ 0.9 in three different positions: supine, and 30 and 45° head up. We recruited 120 children analysed in two age groups: 1–8 years and 9–16 years. The median (IQR [range]) time to reach the end point was 80 (59–114 [41‐295]) s in the younger group and 150 (107‐211 [44‐405]) s in the older group, regardless of position (p = 0.0001). The end point was reached in 90% of children in approximately 160 s in the younger, and 271 s in the older, groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the three positions within each age group in the time to reach the endpoint (p = 0.59). Only two patients in the older age group could not reach the end point, due to poorly fitting facemasks. We conclude that pre‐oxygenation can therefore be achieved effectively in most children, and that tilting children head up by 30 or 45° does not significantly reduce the time taken to achieve an end‐tidal oxygen fraction of ≥ 0.9. The recommended period for pre‐oxygenation in both groups should remain at 3 min but it should be noted that this may be insufficient for many older patients.