bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dialkylsulfate formation in sulfuric acid-seeded secondary organic aerosol produced using an outdoor chamber under natural sunlight
Authors: Li Jiaying , Jang Myoseon , Beardsley Ross L.
Published: November 2015

Environmental context
Laboratory and field studies have both provided evidence for organosulfate formation by esterification of H2SO4 with organic compounds in aerosols. Using an outdoor chamber, the production of dialkylsufate was measured for organic aerosols produced by photooxidation of various hydrocarbons in the presence of H2SO4 aerosol and NOx. The formation of organosulfates influences the decrease of both aerosol acidity and aerosol hygroscopicity.

Abstract
Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) were produced by the photooxidation of the volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOCs) isoprene, α-pinene and toluene, in the presence of excess amounts of sulfuric acid seed aerosol with varying NOx concentrations using a large, outdoor smog chamber. Aerosol acidity ([H+], μmol m–3) was measured using colorimetry integrated with a reflectance UV-visible spectrometer (C-RUV). The C-RUV technique measures aerosol acidity changes through the neutralisation of sulfuric acid with ammonia and the formation of dialkylsulfate, a diester of sulfuric acid. The concentration (μmol m–3) of dialkylsulfate in aerosol was estimated using the difference in [H+] obtained from C-RUV and particle-into-liquid-sampler ion chromatography (PILS-IC). The yield of dialkylsulfate (YdiOS) was defined as the dialkylsulfate concentration normalised by the concentrations of both the ammonium-free sulfate ([SO42–]free=[SO42–] – 0.5 [NH4+]) and organic carbon. The highest YdiOS appeared in isoprene SOA and the lowest YdiOS in α-pinene SOA. Under our experimental conditions, more than 50% of the total sulfates in sulfuric acid-seeded isoprene SOA were dialkylsulfates. For all SOA, higher YdiOS was observed under higher NOx conditions (VOC (ppb C)/NO (ppb)<15). Among the major functional groups (–COOH, –CO–H, –CHO and –ONO2) predicted to be present using a simple absorptive partitioning model of organic products in the multiphase system (gas, organic aerosol and inorganic aerosol), the concentrations of –CO–H, –CHO and –ONO2 groups were found to be correlated with YdiOS. In particular, a strong correlation was observed between YdiOS and the concentration of alcohol functional groups.
Screening and Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnant Women on Opioid Maintenance Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Krans Elizabeth E. , Zickmund Susan L. , Rustgi Vinod K. , Park Seo Young , Dunn Shannon L. , Schwarz Eleanor B.
Published: November 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the delivery of prenatal care services to women with opioid use disorder (OUD) on opioid maintenance therapy at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort evaluation of 791 pregnant women with OUD from 2009 to 2012. HCV screening was defined as documentation of (a) an anti-HCV antibody test or (b) a provider discussion regarding a known HCV diagnosis during pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of HCV screening during pregnancy.

Results

Among 791 pregnant women with OUD, 611 (77.2%) were screened for HCV infection and 369/611 (60.4%) were HCV positive. In multivariable analysis, patients who were married (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29, 0.91), used buprenorphine (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.71), and were cared for by private practice providers (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.45) were significantly less likely to be screened. In contrast, patients who used benzodiazepines (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.02, 2.92), intravenous (IV) opioids (OR = 6.15; 95% CI = 3.96, 9.56), had legal problems (OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.12, 4.45), had children not in their custody (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.01, 3.24), and who had a partner with substance abuse history (OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.23, 4.59) were significantly more likely to be screened. Of 369 HCV-positive patients, a new diagnosis of HCV was made during pregnancy for 108 (29.3%) patients. Only 94 (25.5%) had HCV viral load testing, 61 (16.5%) had HCV genotype testing, and 38 (10.4%) received an immunization for hepatitis A. Although 285 (77.2%) patients were referred to hepatology, only 71 (24.9%) attended the consultation. Finally, only 6 (1.6%) patients received HCV treatment 1 year following delivery.

Conclusions

Prenatal care approaches to HCV infection remain inconsistent, and the majority of patients diagnosed with HCV infection during pregnancy do not receive treatment after delivery.
A shorter set reduces the loss of cardiac autonomic and baroreflex control after resistance exercise
Authors: Mayo Xián , Iglesias‐Soler Eliseo , Carballeira‐Fernández Eduardo , Fernández‐Del‐Olmo Miguel
Published: November 2015

Set configuration may affect the recovery pattern of cardiac vagal autonomic and reflex modulation after a resistance exercise, since it is closely associated with intensity and volume and determines the metabolic involvement of the session. We tested the hypothesis that longer set configurations have a higher impact on cardiac autonomic control and baroreflex sensitivity compared with shorter set configurations. We studied the effects of three set configurations with the same components of work on the cardiac autonomic control and baroreflex sensitivity. Seventeen subjects performed one control session and three experimental sessions of a leg‐press exercise with the same volume (40 repetitions), resting time (720 s) and intensity (10RM load): (a) 5 sets of 8 repetitions with 3 min of rest between sets (8S), (b) 10 sets of 4 repetitions with 80 s of rest between sets (4S) and (c) 40 sets of 1 repetition with 18.5 s of rest between each repetition (1S). Longer set configurations (8S and 4S) induced greater reductions of the vagal cardiac autonomic control and baroreflex sensitivity (p ≤ .001) compared with a shorter set configuration (1S). Also, 1S had non‐significant reductions versus the control session (p > .05). These findings suggest that a shorter set configuration can reduce the impact of resistance exercise on the post‐exercise cardiac vagal autonomic control and baroreflex sensitivity.
EXCITATION MECHANISMS FOR HCN(1–0) AND HCO+(1–0) IN GALAXIES FROM THE GREAT OBSERVATORIES ALL-SKY LIRG SURVEY*
Authors: Privon G. C. , Herrero-Illana R. , Evans A. S. , Iwasawa K. , Perez-Torres M. A. , Armus L. , Díaz-Santos T. , Murphy E. J. , Stierwalt S. , Aalto S. , Mazzarella J. M. , Barcos-Muñoz L. , Borish H. J. , Inami H. , Kim D.-C. , Treister E. , Surace J. A. , Lord S. , Conway J. , Frayer D. T. , Alberdi A.
Published: November 2015

We present new Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) 30 m spectroscopic observations of the ∼88 GHz band, including emission from the

multiplet, HCN (

,

, and

, for a sample of 58 local luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies from the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS). By combining our new IRAM data with literature data and Spitzer/IRS spectroscopy, we study the correspondence between these putative tracers of dense gas and the relative contribution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and star formation to the mid-infrared luminosity of each system. We find the HCN (1–0) emission to be enhanced in AGN-dominated systems (

/

), compared to composite and starburst-dominated systems (

/

and 0.88, respectively). However, some composite and starburst systems have

/

ratios comparable to those of AGNs, indicating that enhanced HCN emission is not uniquely associated with energetically dominant AGNs. After removing AGN-dominated systems from the sample, we find a linear relationship (within the uncertainties) between log10(

) and log10(L
IR), consistent with most previous findings.

/L
IR, typically interpreted as the dense-gas depletion time, appears to have no systematic trend with L
IR for our sample of luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies, and has significant scatter. The galaxy-integrated

and

emission do not appear to have a simple interpretation in terms of the AGN dominance or the star formation rate, and are likely determined by multiple processes, including density and radiative effects.
On methods for assessing water-resource risks and vulnerabilities
Authors: Gleick Peter H
Published: November 2015

Because of the critical role that freshwater plays in maintaining ecosystem health and supporting human development through agricultural and industrial production there have been numerous efforts over the past few decades to develop indicators and indices of water vulnerability. Each of these efforts has tried to identify key factors that both offer insights into water-related risks and strategies that might be useful for reducing those risks. These kinds of assessments have serious limitations associated with data, the complexity of water challenges, and the changing nature of climatic and hydrologic variables. This new letter by Padowski et al (2015 Environ. Res. Lett.

10 104014) adds to the field by broadening the kinds of measures that should be integrated into such tools, especially in the area of institutional characteristics, and analyzing them in a way that provides new insights into the similarities and differences in water risks facing different countries, but much more can and should be done with new data and methods to improve our understanding of water challenges.
On tightness of probability measures on Skorokhod spaces
Authors: Kouritzin Michael
Published: November 2015

The equivalences to and the connections between the modulus-of-continuity condition, compact containment and tightness onDE[a,b]D_{E}[a,b]witha>ba>bare studied. The results within are tools for establishing tightness for probability measures onDE[a,b]D_E[a,b]that generalize and simplify prevailing results in the cases thatEEis a metric space, nuclear space dual or, more generally, a completely regular topological space. Applications include establishing weak convergence to martingale problems, the long-time typical behavior of nonlinear filters and particle approximation of cadlag probability-measure-valued processes. This particle approximation is studied herein, where the distribution of the particles is the underlying measure-valued process at an arbitrarily fine discrete mesh of points.
Educative mentoring: a way forward
Authors: Langdon Frances , Ward Lorrae
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– In recent years mentoring has been promoted as an essential, yet complex, new teacher induction dynamic. Mentors generally develop their knowledge of this role in isolation and in situ, and despite extensive research in the field few studies investigate how mentors learn. Therefore it is important to continue to examine the complex aspects of learning to mentor. The purpose of this paper is to focus on understanding the knowledge, attitudes and skills required by mentors to simultaneously focus on their own learning, new teachers’ learning and student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this New Zealand study the authors examined a pilot programme aimed at shifting mentoring practices to an educative model. Through a two-year professional development intervention, 22 participant mentors inquired into, analysed and documented their practice. Data were gathered through learning conversations, action research documentation and reflections. They were analysed using qualitative methodology.

Findings

– Evident was a shift in mentoring practice from a focus on the transmission of knowledge-for-practice to inquiry into knowledge-of-practice. Change was observed after sustained and serious engagement with evidence about mentoring practices. However the shifts did not come easy, nor were they assured.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is not without limitations. Transferability is potentially problematic. The pilot study was well resourced, therefore expecting the implementation and outcomes to transfer to other contexts without similar resourcing maybe unrealistic.

Practical implications

– The findings contributed to the development of a mentoring curriculum and national guidelines for mentoring new teachers.

Originality/value

– While the findings emerged from a situated context, the theoretical and practice issues reported are matters for international attention, particularly the matter of transitioning from a well-practiced, efficient teacher mentor to an adaptive educative mentor.
Mentoring and coaching in education practitioners’ professional learning
Authors: Jones Marion
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Mentoring and coaching are key strategies employed in workplace learning and are perceived as effective ways to provide learner support. However, there is a paucity of evidence of how research outcomes may have influenced these practices and to what extent they have benefited those involved in this process. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that research on mentoring and coaching can in fact result in beneficial impacts on education professionals’ learning and development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper critically reflects on the process of developing an impact case study submitted to the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014. It seeks to make explicit the close relationship that exists between research and professional practice and how evidence of any resulting impact of research on user communities can be identified, collected and verified.

Findings

– In describing the process of developing such an impact case study the article focuses on three key aspects: identifying a suitable case; meeting the criteria of high quality research; and evidencing impact. It highlights the importance of a collective, cross-professional approach and draws attention to the nexus that needs to be established between user and research communities, between academics and professional practitioners, in order to generate evidence of research impact in the field.

Originality/value

– This paper brings to light the benefits research in mentoring and coaching can have on policy and practice, specifically in terms of education professionals’ workplace learning and continuing professional development in a local and international context.
Deadly migrant trafficking trade by sea and restrictive service trade by the WTO
Authors: Islam Rafiqul , Zaman Khorsed
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine one of the most pressing global challenges, the ongoing migrant trafficking across sea, from international trade law and policy perspective. It identifies global poverty as one of the underlying causes of such trafficking. It argues that restrictive trade in labour-intensive services of the World Trade Organization (WTO) contributes to and sustains poverty in many migrant producing countries. Chronic unemployment in poor countries with surplus manual workforce renders these workers bewildered to survive in a jobless and incomeless home markets. Non-liberalization of movements of natural persons under General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) Mode 4 prevents legal cross-border delivery of labours. Restrictive trade in agriculture has but aggravated their marginalized plight. It is this poverty trap that pushes workers, lured by smugglers, to take risky migration routes for better life in countries with labour shortages.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a blend approach of theoretical and applied aspects of international trade law and policy, which is interpreted and applied to a fact situation of contemporary challenge of migrant trafficking by sea.

Findings

– This paper establishes a nexus between restrictive Mode 4 trade and its implications for poverty-induced migration trafficking trade. It suggests a palatable trade law and policy-based reform response for the WTO to ameliorate poverty and migration trafficking trade concurrently through the creation of legal channels for the cross-border delivery of labours by liberalizing Mode 4 trade in a manner beneficial for developed countries as well.

Originality/value

– Its value lies in its contribution to maximize multi-lateral trade liberalization for the benefit of all countries, social inclusion and economic emancipation of the disadvantaged, which would minimize global poverty.
The impact of differentiation price and demand leakage on a firm’s profitability
Authors: Raza Syed Asif
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of differentiation price which has been utilized to segment demand, but results in imperfect segmentation. The use of a differentiation price is among the most widely used Revenue Management (RM) techniques to segment a firm’s demand to augment profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mathematical models are developed for a firm’s RM which use a differentiation price to categorize its market demand into two segments. Three distinct demand situations are considered: price-dependent deterministic demand, price-dependent stochastic demand whose distribution is known and price-dependent stochastic demand whose distribution is unknown. Models are analyzed to determine optimal joint control of a firm’s pricing and inventory decisions for each market segment.

Findings

– The analysis of the firm’s RM model has shown that revenue is jointly concave in pricing and order quantity. In most demand situations, closed-form mathematical expressions for optimal pricing and inventory are obtained.

Research limitations/implications

– In RM models developed in this paper, a firm only selects a differentiation price. Thus, an optimal selection of the differentiation price along with the pricing and inventory decisions may lead to an additional profitability which has not been explored in this research.

Practical implications

– The findings reported are relevant to RM managers and practitioners and help them to calibrate their optimal revenues by segmenting markets using a differentiation price.

Social implications

– This paper provides a quantitative perspective of a firm’s decision on the use of the differentiation price and the market response.

Originality/value

– The paper provides a firm’s optimal decision on pricing and inventory when it experiences demand leakage due to categorizing its market demand into two segments using a differentiation price.
Developing organizational creativity and innovation
Authors: Ghosh Koustab
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the impact of self leadership on employee creativity and workplace innovative orientation moderated by the creativity climate of the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study as a unique approach has explored the dimension of self-leadership in connection with employee creativity,creativity climate and workplace innovation preparedness.

Findings

– The results of structural equation modelling analysis based on the sample responses obtained from the research,design and development units of a select number of organizations across industries in the Indian context revealed the significant relationships among self-leadership,employee creativity,creativity climate and workplace innovative orientation. Further,the moderating effect of creativity climate was conducted using post hoc on employee creativity and workplace innovative orientation.

Research limitations/implications

– The major limitation of the study lies in relatively small sample size compared to large population group,inference of causality on cross-sectional data and absence of any qualitative analysis through the interaction with sample respondents.

Originality/value

– Although the findings from this study are limited to the scope of a small number of surveyed organizations compared to the large population,it brings out interesting insights in Indian context for future researches in this direction,especially for exploring the linkages among self-leadership,creativity and innovation.
Structuring a model for supplier selection
Authors: Borges de Araújo Maria Creuza , Hazin Alencar Luciana , Coelho Viana Joana
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to put forward a group multicriteria supplier selection model to select suppliers adequate to companies needs in food industries. Selecting the right suppliers has become a strategic problem for firms. This decision should take into account several factors,which involve both quantitative and qualitative considerations and,usually,includes many interested parties.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed model consists of two phases. Initially,a survey of food industries in Brazil was carried out so as to identify the factors that should be considered in the supplier selection decision process. In the second step,a selection model was developed,based on these findings and the factors identified,and an application of the model was conducted.

Findings

– This model uses criteria that are important for the food industries in Brazil and,considering this criteria,helps companies to select the adequate suppliers to their needs. Additionally,the model considers the preferences of the managers who actively participate in the process.

Originality/value

– The model helps the company in the selection of suppliers,as it is very important for the corporation to have partnerships with suppliers who can adequately meet its needs. Additionally,a group method was applied,which allows all the managers that will be affected by this decision to participate.
Are international economic and financial co-movements characterized by asymmetric co-integration?
Authors: Qadan Mahmoud , Yagil Joseph
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The recent economic crises have attracted attention to the issue of international equity co-movements and correlations. Using data from 1980 to 2010, the authors examine the international co-movements of both real economic activity, as reflected in industrial production and the gross domestic product (GDP), and financial activity, as reflected in equity market returns. While classic symmetric co-integration tests do not reject the hypothesis of no co-integration, the authors find evidence of asymmetric co-integration in these three variables between the USA and the rest of the Group of Seven (G7) countries. The momentum threshold autoregressive (M-TAR) model captures the nature of the asymmetry most effectively and is the most applicable model for adjustment to long-term equilibrium. This model suggests that the path of adjustment to long-run equilibrium is somewhat different when the price differential is decreasing than when it is increasing. These findings imply that the benefits of asset diversification for investors with a long horizon might be limited in scope.

Design/methodology/approach

– This work is based on the theory of integrated time series. The authors use symmetric and asymmetric co-integration tests to market indices, as well as to monthly industrial production statistics and quarterly data about the GDP. In line with the financial economic literature, the authors select the GDP as a proxy that reflects the real economy and share prices to mirror the financial sector of the economy. Because no monthly data exist about GDP, the authors use instead the industrial production. Both variables cover the period from January 1980 to June 2010.

Findings

– The overall findings demonstrate that the USA and the rest of the G7 countries are not symmetrically co-integrated with respect to the GDP. Indeed, they are asymmetrically co-integrated. These findings may explain the additional important result that the majority of equity markets are also asymmetrically co-integrated with the USA.

Research limitations/implications

– The co-movements of the equity markets and real economic activity imply that the benefits of asset diversification for investors with a long horizon might be limited in scope. In the short run, however, portfolio diversification can be more beneficial due to the short-term fluctuations that may derive from the asymmetric correction process.

Originality/value

– Prior research on co-movements has focused mainly on studying the correlations among international equity markets by analyzing conditional correlations or using symmetric co-integration methods; the authors test the existence of a long-term relationship between economic variables with respect to the USA and the rest of the G7 countries using a threshold co-integration model.
Wearable surveillance – a step too far?
Authors: Weston Mike
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to look at the benefits, risks and ethics behind introducing wearable sensors into the workplace. There are expected to be more than three billion wearable sensors worldwide by 2025 (Hayward and Chansin, 2015). The emergence of technology that has the capability to closely monitor employees has provoked widespread ethical debate (Joseph et al., 2015, p. 244).

Design/methodology/approach

– The author undertook a review of the current wearable devices on the market, the impact of previous technological innovations on workplaces and the possible impact of wearable devices on organisations.

Findings

– Wearable technology has the potential to increase productivity. Businesses that embrace these devices are likely to become leaders in their industries (Li, 2015, p. 4). However, any move to use wearable devices in the workplace must be undertaken with sensitivity, and it is recommended that employee participation in wearables programmes is initially voluntary. Businesses must also ensure employees understand how the data collected will be used, who has access to the data and how it is stored. Use of a third party to collect and analyse the information is recommended as an extra security and privacy measure.

Originality/value

– The work contained in this paper has not been replicated elsewhere.
Action on “legal highs” must form part of drive for drug-free workplaces
Authors: Kindred Philip
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The task of keeping Britain’s workplaces free from the risks associated with recreational drugs has been a long and challenging one for HR professionals and line managers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Expertise and research carried out by Synergy Health Laboratory Services.

Findings

– A no-tolerance approach to drug misuse within the workplace – even one enforced through random testing – should not be seen as draconian because, after all, the safety of colleagues, customers and others is as much at stake as the safety of the individual concerned or indeed the reputation of the company.

Originality/value

– With properly drafted policies and robust processes, employers can safeguard themselves and their employees straight away from the risks posed by illicit substances.
Collaborative design of Older Women
'
s CoHousing
Authors: Devlin Patrick , Douglas Rachel , Reynolds Tom
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– CoHousing provides a new approach in the UK to older people’s housing, and meets a clear demand for similarly minded groups of individuals who would like to grow old together. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a Collaborative Design Process (CDP) can work, as applied to a soon-to-be realised project in North London.

Design/methodology/approach

– Report by the architects with comment from an end user on a CDP including end users, architect, developer and housing association management.

Findings

– A group of individuals that has invested in building decision-making capacity can participate meaningfully in the design of their future homes.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was focused on one development, so work on a wider range of projects would help test its validity.

Social implications

– Older Women’s CoHousing (OWCH), and similar projects, demonstrate an appetite for: mutually supportive, intentional communities; planned downsizing and contemporary, sociable design for the third age of life.

Originality/value

– The CDP developed for OWCH was comprehensively documented. It has already been adapted for further cohousing developments, and is intended to continue to evolve with the demands made on it.
Making connections – reducing loneliness and encouraging well-being
Authors: Marshall OBE Shelagh , Crampton Janet
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to: first, report on a pilot; second, provide a further opportunity for a wider audience to be aware of the work carried out by the Age Action Alliance, Isolation and Loneliness Working Group to identify vulnerable people in the community. Third, to highlight the successful aspects of the project which could be used by other organisations seeking to reduce the effects of isolation and loneliness in the community. Links to the full report and the more detailed findings can be found at: www.ageactionalliance

Design/methodology/approach

– The main proposal was to test the most effective approach to identifying those at risk of loneliness, using pharmacists in two well-known “high street” pharmacies, through the use of a simple questionnaire that could be handed out to a target 100 customers at each pharmacy or health care team over a six-week period.

Findings

– A simple questionnaire proves to be successful and gets a good rate of return. The right partners are essential to bring effective results. Referrals were handled very professionally and people were helped to connect socially.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was small but the authors achieved a relatively high rate of returns and, in consequence, a number of people were directly helped access the support, information and advice to enable them to feel less lonely.

Practical implications

– The planning and preparation for this project proved that all needed to be actively and continuously involved in the planning from the beginning. Furthermore in this project involving local pharmacies, the manager or lead pharmacist at a store need to lead and actively engage their staff in the aims and objectives of the project.

Social implications

– This project aimed to identify people at risk of loneliness and the potential adverse effect on their health and well-being. Anyone helped to avoid social isolation and loneliness is a success, and sometimes with relatively low cost but high-impact intervention.

Originality/value

– This project was conceived amongst partners and reflected the particular involvement of a “household name” pharmacy and recognition of its key role in identifying and accessing people who may be at risk of loneliness.
Influence of the Crc regulator on the hierarchical use of carbon sources from a complete medium in Pseudomonas
Authors: La Rosa Ruggero , Behrends Volker , Williams Huw D. , Bundy Jacob G. , Rojo Fernando
Published: November 2015

The Crc protein, together with the Hfq protein, participates in catabolite repression in pseudomonads, helping to coordinate metabolism. Little is known about how Crc affects the hierarchy of metabolite assimilation from complex mixtures. Using proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we carried out comprehensive metabolite profiling of culture supernatants (metabolic footprinting) over the course of growth of both Pseudomonas putida and P. aeruginosa, and compared the wild‐type strains with deletion mutants for crc. A complex metabolite consumption hierarchy was observed, which was broadly similar between the two species, although with some important differences, for example in sugar utilization. The order of metabolite utilization changed upon inactivation of the crc gene, but even in the Crc‐null strains some compounds were completely consumed before late metabolites were taken up. This suggests the presence of additional regulatory elements that determine the time and order of consumption of compounds. Unexpectedly, the loss of Crc led both species to excrete acetate and pyruvate as a result of unbalanced growth during exponential phase, compounds that were later consumed in stationary phase. This loss of carbon during growth helps to explain the contribution of the Crc/Hfq regulatory system to evolutionary fitness of pseudomonads.
Homeostatic control of nitric oxide (NO) at nanomolar concentrations in denitrifying bacteria – modelling and experimental determination of NO reductase kinetics in vivo in Paracoccus denitrificans
Authors: Hassan Junaid , Bergaust Linda L. , Molstad Lars , de Vries Simon , Bakken Lars R.
Published: November 2015

Homeostatic control of nitric oxide (NO) at nanomolar concentrations appears common among denitrifying bacteria, often ascribed to synchronized expression of nitrite and nitric oxide reductase (Nir and Nor). We questioned whether this is sufficient: using the reported substrate affinities for cytochrome cd1 nitrite reductase (cNor), our model of batch cultures of Paracoccus denitrificans predicted NO concentrations orders of magnitude higher than measured. We rejected a hypothesis that the homeostatic control is due to a negative feedback by NO on the activity of NirS because the inclusion of such feedback resulted in too slow anaerobic growth and N2 production. We proceeded by determining the kinetic parameters for cNor in vivo by a carefully designed experiment, allowing the estimation of NO concentration at the cell surface while anoxic cultures depleted low headspace doses of NO. With the new parameters for cNor kinetics in vivo {v = vmax/[1 + K2/(NO) + K1 × K2/(NO)2]; vmax = 3.56 fmol NO cell−1 h−1, K1 < 1 nM, and K2 = 34 nM}, the model predicted NO concentrations close to that measured. Thus, enzyme kinetics alone can explain the observed NO homeostasis. Determinations of enzyme kinetic parameters in vivo are not trivial but evidently required to understand and model NO kinetics in denitrifying organisms in soils and aquatic environments.
Which patients benefit from post‐implant CT dosimetry after real‐time intraoperative planning for low dose rate prostate brachytherapy? Case series and systematic literature review
Authors: Mitina Natalia , Christie David , Hill Brendan , Middlebrook Nigel , Nadezhdin Nikita
Published: November 2015

Introduction

At present, post‐implant CT‐based dosimetry is a standard quality assurance practice following low dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy. However, it rarely influences management and involves radiation exposure, costs and inconvenience. The purpose of our study was to assess the need for post‐implant CT‐based dosimetry through correlation with pre‐implant and real‐time dosimetry and review its place in the management of patients treated with LDR brachytherapy, so that it could be undertaken more selectively.

Methods

The real‐time dosimetry parameters of 34 consecutive patients who underwent LDR brachytherapy were compared with day 30 post‐implant CT‐based dosimetry. To validate our results against the world practice, we performed a meta‐analysis of six relevant published studies, which combined data from 699 patients. The Student's t‐test was performed to verify whether our dosimetric parameters significantly differ from the results of the meta‐analysis.

Results

In our case series, the mean target volume on real‐time‐planned US and post‐implant CT was 33.9 and 32.7 cc, respectively (P > 0.05). The dose–volume histogram (DVH) parameters were significantly different between real‐time‐planned and post‐implant dosimetry, but re‐implantation was not needed for any patients. The literature review demonstrated that there is no consensus on measures being reported. Comparison showed that our cohort had significantly smaller prostate volumes, but the DVHs were similar to other series.

Conclusions

Post‐implant CT and dosimetry did not alter patients' management after real‐time intraoperative planning. However, we recommend that it still be employed for difficult cases or if there are any concerns identified in real‐time planned dosimetry.
The Importance of the Number of Leads with fQRS for Predicting In‐Hospital Mortality in Acute STEMI Patients Treated with Primary PCI
Authors: Tanriverdi Zulkif , Dursun Huseyin , Kaya Dayimi
Published: November 2015

Background

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been shown to be related to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, limited data are available for evaluating the relationship between the number of leads with fQRS and in‐hospital all‐cause mortality in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of our study is to investigate the prognostic importance of the number of leads with fQRS in acute STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Two hundred ten eligible patients with acute STEMI that underwent primary PCI were enrolled in this study. Each patient's 12‐lead electrocardiography (ECG) taken in the first 48 hours was analyzed and the number of leads with fQRS were recorded.

Results

The number derivations with fQRS were significantly higher in patients who developed in‐hospital mortality than the patients who did not develop in‐hospital mortality (2.6 ± 2.6 vs 0.9 ± 1.3; P = 0.002). Also, patients with ≥3 leads with fQRS had higher rate of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality (23.5% vs 7.4%, P = 0.009), higher frequency of Q wave (67.6% vs 36.9%, P = 0.001), and higher frequency of fQRS with Q wave (67.6% vs 15.9%, P < 0.001) than those patients with <3 leads with fQRS. By a multivariate regression analysis, the number of leads with fQRS was found to be an independent predictor of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality (odds ratio: 1.415, 95% confidence interval: 1.049–1.909, P = 0.023).

Conclusions

The number of leads with fQRS on 12‐lead ECG is an independent predictor of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality in patients with acute STEMI treated by primary PCI.
Tableware in the Hellenistic Tradition from the City of Kampyr Tepe in Ancient Bactria (Uzbekistan)
Authors: Martínez Ferreras V. , Gurt Esparraguera J. M. , Hein A. , Pidaev S. , Rtveladze E. V. , Bolelov S. B.
Published: November 2015

Slipped and unslipped wares from Kampyr Tepe dated to the Hellenistic–Seleucid and Greco‐Bactrian periods stylistically resemble tableware from the Greek tradition. Since two pottery workshops have been recovered at the site, the aim is to shed light on the provenance and the production and consumption patterns of the tableware, as well as on the degree of technological influence from Hellenistic–Mediterranean traditions. The archaeometric characterization, consisting of thin‐section petrography, XRF, XRD and SEM–EDS analysis, was performed on 44 wares and three unfired locally made pondera, which were used as reference local elemental patterns. The study demonstrated the local origin of most of the wares, which were produced using a similar clay paste, following standardized techniques in modelling and firing, while surface treatments appear to be more diversified.
ELANE mutant–specific activation of different UPR pathways in congenital neutropenia
Authors: Nustede Rainer , Klimiankou Maksim , Klimenkova Olga , Kuznetsova Inna , Zeidler Cornelia , Welte Karl , Skokowa Julia
Published: November 2015

A number of studies have demonstrated induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in patients with severe congenital neutropenia (CN) harbouring mutations of ELANE, encoding neutrophil elastase. Why UPR is not activated in patients with cyclic neutropenia (CyN) carrying the same ELANE mutations is unclear. We evaluated the effects of ELANE mutants on UPR induction in myeloid cells from CN and CyN patients, and analysed whether additional CN‐specific defects contribute to the differences in UPR induction between CN and CyN patients harbouring identical ELANE mutations. We investigated CN‐specific p.C71R and p.V174_C181del (NP_001963.1) and CN/CyN‐shared p.S126L (NP_001963.1) ELANE mutants. We found that transduction of haematopoietic cells with p.C71R, but not with p.V174_C181del or p.S126L ELANE mutants induced expression of ATF6, and the ATF6 target genes PPP1R15A, DDIT3 and HSPA5. Recently, we found that levels of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a natural ELANE inhibitor, are diminished in myeloid cells from CN patients, but not CyN patients. Combined knockdown of SLPI by shRNA and transduction of ELANE p.S126L in myeloid cells led to elevated levels of ATF6, PPP1R15A and HSPA5 RNA, suggesting that normal levels of SLPI in CyN patients might protect them from the UPR induced by mutant ELANE. In summary, different ELANE mutants have different effects on UPR activation, and SLPI regulates the extent of ELANE‐triggered UPR.
Role of metabolic phenotyping in understanding obesity and related conditions in Gulf Co‐operation Council countries
Authors: Ahmad M. S. , Ashrafian H. , Alsaleh M. , Holmes E.
Published: November 2015

Obesity is a major health concern in the Middle East and the incidence is rising in all sections of the population. Efforts to control obesity through diet and lifestyle interventions, and by surgical means, have had limited effect, and the gene–environment interactions underpinning the development of obesity and related pathologies such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers are poorly defined. Lifestyle, genetics, inflammation and the interaction between the intestinal bacteria and host metabolism have all been implicated in creating an obesogenic environment. We summarize the role of metabolic and microbial phenotyping in understanding the aetiopathogenesis of obesity and in characterizing the metabolic responses to surgical and non‐surgical interventions, and explore the potential for clinical translation of this approach.
What does a diagnostic label of ‘polycystic ovary syndrome’ really mean in adolescence? a review of current practice recommendations
Authors: Morris S. , Grover S. , Sabin M. A.
Published: November 2015

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, with many women initially presenting during adolescence. Diagnosis during this period is particularly challenging, yet many emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis given the long‐term metabolic and reproductive health consequences associated with the syndrome. The objective of this study was to review the current literature to determine whether the diagnostic label ‘PCOS’ is necessary to effectively manage adolescent girls presenting with features of the syndrome. A literature search was conducted (PubMed, Medline, Informit Health and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) identifying papers addressing the diagnosis and management of PCOS during adolescence. Articles were selected based on date of publication, relevance of material and the quality of evidence presented. A total of 427 papers were screened, with 40 of these selected from the initial search. A subsequent 154 were included from manual review of reference lists from key papers identified in the initial search. Current guidelines recommend treating the individual manifestations of PCOS. In doing so, there is good evidence identifying that this approach adequately targets the underlying metabolic and reproductive changes associated with the syndrome. This suggests that providing a diagnostic label of PCOS is not actually necessary to effectively manage adolescent girls with features of this syndrome.
Context‐based email classification model
Authors: Wasi Shaukat , Jami Syed Imran , Shaikh Zubair Ahmed
Published: November 2015

Context‐based email classification requires understanding of semantic and structural attributes of email. Most of the research has focused on generating semantic properties through structural components of email. By viewing emails as events (as a major subset of class of email), a rich contextual test‐bed representation for understanding of the semantic attributes of emails has been devised. The event‐ based emails have traditionally been studied based on simple structural properties. In this paper, we present a novel approach by first representing such class of emails as graphs, followed by heuristically applying graph mining and matching algorithm to pick templates representing contextual and semantic attributes that help classify emails. The classification templates used three key event classes: social, personal and professional. Results show that our graph mining and matching supported template‐based approach performs consistently well over event email data set with high accuracy.
Assessment of life insurance applications: an approach integrating neuro‐symbolic rule‐based with case‐based reasoning
Authors: Prentzas Jim , Hatzilygeroudis Ioannis
Published: November 2015

Assessment of applications for life insurance is an important task in the insurance sector that concerns estimation of potential risks underlying an application, if accepted. This task is accomplished by specialized personnel of insurance companies. Because of recent financial crises, this task is more demanding, and intelligent computer‐based methods could be employed to assist. In this paper, we present an intelligent approach to assessment of life insurance applications, which is based on an integration of neurule‐based with case‐based reasoning. Neurules are a type of neuro‐symbolic rules that combine a symbolic (production rules) and a connectionist (adaline unit) representation. A characteristic of neurules is that in contrast to other hybrid neuro‐symbolic approaches, they retain the naturalness and modularity of symbolic rules. Neurules are produced from available symbolic rules that represent general knowledge, which however do not completely cover the domain. We use health condition, age, gender, annual income, profession, insurance type and primary life insurance benefit as assessment parameters used in rule conditions. The integration of neurules and cases employs different types of indices for the cases according to different roles they play in neurule‐based reasoning. This results in its accuracy improvement. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
The Cultural Adaptation of a Community‐Based Child Maltreatment Prevention Initiative
Authors: McLeigh Jill D. , Katz Carmit , Davidson‐Arad Bilha , Ben‐Arieh Asher
Published: November 2015

A unique primary prevention effort, Strong Communities for Children (Strong Communities), focuses on changing attitudes and expectations regarding communities' collective responsibilities for the safety of children. Findings from a 6‐year pilot of the initiative in South Carolina have shown promise in reducing child maltreatment, but efforts to adapt the initiative to different cultural contexts have been lacking. No models exist for adapting an initiative that takes a community‐level approach to ensuring children's safety. Thus, this article addresses the gap by providing an overview of the original initiative, how the initiative was adapted to the Israeli context, and lessons learned from the experience. Building on conceptualizations of cultural adaptation by Castro et al. (Prevention Science, 5, 2004, 41) and Resnicow et al. (Ethnicity and Disease, 9, 1999, 11), sources of nonfit (i.e., sociodemographic traits, political conflict, government services, and the presence and role of community organizations) were identified and deep and surface structure modifications were made to the content and delivery. Ultimately, this article describes the adaption and dissemination of a community‐based child maltreatment prevention initiative in Tel Aviv, Israel, and addresses researchers' calls for more publications describing the adaptation of interventions and the procedures that need to be implemented to achieve cultural relevance.