bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(E)-3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Alotaibi Mohammad Hayal , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: January 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H13F2N3O, comprises two molecules with similar conformations. In the crystal, weak C—H...F interactions form chains of molecules and the chains are stacked to form layers parallel to (101).
2-Chloro-4-nitropyridine N-oxide
Authors: Shafer Sarah K , Lynch Will E , Padgett Clifford W
Published: January 2018

In the title compound, C5H3ClN2O3 (systematic name: 2-chloro-4-nitropyridin-1-ium-1-olate), the nitro group is essentially coplanar with the aromatic ring, with a twist angle of 6.48 (8)°. The molecular packing exhibits a herringbone pattern with the zigzag running along the b axis; here, there are no short contacts, hydrogen bonds, or π–π interactions.
Prickle discomfort assessment of commercial knitted wool garments
Authors: Naebe Maryam , McGregor Bruce , Dowling Melanie , Tester David
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the significant factors important for prickle discomfort properties of commercial wool knitwear and to analyse information on variability of garments manufactured over two decades, a total of 177 purchased garments were tested.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between the attributes of the reversed engineered garments and garment comfort, as assessed by Wool ComfortMeter, was determined.

Findings

The results indicate that: mean fibre diameter had the most significant effect on prickle assessment; the coefficient of variation of fibre diameter interacted with fabric thickness in affecting prickle discomfort; and rib knit structures were pricklier than single jersey structures.

Originality/value

The results provide objective evidence that the consumer surveys reporting dissatisfaction with the prickle discomfort of wool are based on real consumer experiences of prickle discomfort and are not based on “prejudice” against wool garments.
Sustainability in higher education’s annual reports
Authors: Schaffhauser-Linzatti Michaela Maria , Ossmann Stefan F.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Higher education institutions are regarded as forerunners and pioneers of sustainability. However, it is to question whether they actually fulfill their role model function. This paper aims to reveal whether selected universities in Australia and Austria meet the reporting expectations about their activities on sustainability in very heterogeneous environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Annual reports of selected universities in Australia and Austria are screened by the qualitative text analysis suggested by Mayring to identify their information policy on sustainability. Following the standard definitions, sustainability comprises economic, environmental and social aspects as main categories, which are supplemented further by specifically adapted eight subcategories.

Findings

The results reveal that the universities concentrate on economic information, preferably on accounting, whereas social aspects are of second importance. Environmental activities that essentially shape the image of sustainability for the majority of the stakeholders are mostly unattended.

Research limitations/implications

For further research, the authors suggest analyzing the reports of additional countries to get a bigger picture on the role of sustainability information in university reporting. Possible limitations are because of language use and time requirements, as each report must be encoded manually.

Practical implications

The results reveal the gaps that standard setters should fill by enforcing sustainability content in universities’ reports.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to analyze the annual reports of international universities in respect to sustainability. Hereby, we further fill a gap by applying a qualitative text analysis on the basis of individually derived categories to reveal the sustainability aspects more precisely.
The status of education for sustainable development and sustainability knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of UAE University students
Authors: Al-Naqbi Ali Khalfan , Alshannag Qasim
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward education for sustainable development (ESD) and the environment. Several independent variables (i.e. students’ gender, nationality, college, academic level and grade point average [GPA]) were also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was descriptive in nature, and the data were obtained using a cross-sectional survey. A total of 823 participants responded to an e-education for sustainable development survey. Several data analysis procedures were used, including descriptive analyses, analyses of variance andt-tests.

Findings

The study revealed that the UAEU students showed a high level of understanding, very strong positive attitudes and moderate positive behavior toward ESD and the environment. Findings associated with students’ gender, nationality, college, academic level and GPA were also reported and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

First, the participating students came from one public university. Although this university is a major university in the nation, further studies should include samples from other public and private institutions. Second, this study did not examine the correlation among the three main components: knowledge, attitude and behavior. Thus, similar to other previous studies, the correlations among these three components should be investigated. Third, this study used previous research findings in the areas of ESD, SD and environmental education (EE) because they all relate to each other and ESD is currently the active trend in the field.

Originality value

No previous ESD studies have been conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although the country is working hard to support ESD and SD. Therefore, this study explored the current education levels with regard to SD and sustainability knowledge, attitudes and behavior of tertiary students in the UAE. In addition, previous studies have clearly recommended investigating the status of EE and ESD in younger generations, especially those with higher education levels, because they are the agents of change, and they will be affected by the environmental problems that are being created by present human activities.
Integrated virtual impedance control based pose correction for a simultaneous three-fingered end-effector
Authors: Liu Hong , Wu Jun , Fan Shaowei , Jin Minghe , Fan Chunguang
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a pose correction method based on integrated virtual impedance control for avoiding collision and reducing impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first constructed the artificial potential field (APF) considering the geometric characteristics of the end-effector. The characteristics of the proposed field were analyzed considering the position and orientation misalignment. Then, an integrated virtual impedance control was proposed by adding resultant virtual repulsive force into traditional impedance control. Finally, the authors modified a correction trajectory for avoiding collision and reducing impact with virtual force and contact force.

Findings

The APF the authors constructed can get rid of a local minimum. Comparing with linear correction, this method is able to avoid collision effectively. When the capturing target has intrinsic estimation error, the pose correction can ensure smooth transitions among different stages.

Practical implications

This method can be implemented on a manipulator with inner position control. It can be applied to an industrial robot with applications on robotic assembly for achieving a softer and smoother process. The method can also be expanded to the kind of claw-shaped end-effectors for capturing target.

Originality value

As the authors know, it is the first time that the characteristics of the end-effector are considered for avoiding collision in capturing application. The proposed integrated virtual impedance control can provide smooth transitions among different stages without switching different force/position controllers.
Can education empower women through entrepreneurial marketing
Authors: Bhardwaj Broto Rauth
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to find the role of education in enhancing the status of women entrepreneurs through empowerment and self-employment. This will also help in upliftment of women and community services being contributed by them. The data were collected from all over India (east, west, north and south).

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study aims at developing the understanding about role of nature of business-influencing community services through women entrepreneurship. Several organizations from manufacturing and services sectors were selected for the empirical study established by women entrepreneurs.

Findings

The data were collected through a questionnaire survey, observations and an interview method. There is a significant relationship between size of the business expansion and the sector of business and profit generated for enhancing community services through women entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

This implies that in the Indian context, mostly women entrepreneurs invest and set up enterprises mostly in sectors of beauty, retail, food and childcare, other sectors that require less investment, less manual labor and comparatively non-heavy engineering sectors.

Originality/value

The results show that the expansion plan is dependent on the profits and objective of community services generated in the business.
Violent offender treatment in a medium secure unit
Authors: Howden Sharon , Midgley Jayde , Hargate Rebecca
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a Violent Offender Treatment Program (VOTP) adapted for use in a medium secure unit (MSU). The patient population is adult male mentally disordered offenders.

Design/methodology/approach

Patient outcomes are explored using the Reliable Change Index and Clinical Significance Criterion. Outcomes are assessed using VOTP facilitators violence risk assessment (VRS), multi-disciplinary team violence risk assessment (HCR-20 and GAS-V), and patient self-report using two measures (FAVT and STAXI-2).

Findings

There was evidence of improved outcomes for some participants in some areas related to risk of violence.

Research limitations/implications

Consideration is given to using varied risk assessments to evaluate outcomes of an adapted VOTP for a MSU.

Originality/value

There is limited development and evaluation of psychological treatment programmes that aim to reduce risk of violence for male offenders within MSUs. Outcomes of this evaluation could influence treatment delivery and evaluation in other services.
English vs Dutch high secure hospitals: service user perspectives
Authors: Völlm Birgit , Majid Shaz , Edworthy Rachel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe service users’ perspectives on the difference between high secure long-stay forensic psychiatric services in the Netherlands and high secure forensic psychiatric care in England. These perspectives are relevant in considering the benefits of a similar long-stay service in England.

Design/methodology/approach

A current in-patient detained in a high secure hospital in England and other mental health service users and carers with experience in forensic-psychiatric settings were asked to watch a documentary on a Dutch high secure long-stay service. Then they were invited to make comparisons between this service and high secure care in England. These perspectives were gained in the context of their membership of the Service User Reference Group of an externally funded study on long-stay in forensic-psychiatric settings in England.

Findings

The small group of participants highlighted the importance of relational security, meaningful occupation, autonomy, positive therapeutic relationships with staff and a homely environment for those with lengthy admissions and perceived these to be better met in the Dutch service. These factors might contribute to improved quality of life that services should strive to achieve, especially for those with prolonged admissions.

Practical implications

Perspectives of service users with lived experience of long-stay in forensic settings are important in informing service developments. Lessons can be learnt from initiatives to improve the quality of life in long-stay services in other countries and consideration be given on how to best manage this unique group.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study asking service users about their view on forensic services in other countries. The findings suggest that service users have valuable contributions to make to aid service developments and should be involved in similar such exercises in the future.
Building a developmental culture of feedback
Authors: Drago-Severson Ellie , Blum-DeStefano Jessica
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper draws from more than 25 years of research with aspiring and practicing educational leaders to present six strategies for building aculture of feedbackin schools, teams, districts, professional learning opportunities, and other educational settings. These strategies reflect key elements of the authors’ new, developmental approach to feedback. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the lens of adult developmental theory, the authors highlight foundational learnings from open-ended survey research with 14 educational leaders about their experiences giving and receiving feedback, and prior qualitative, mixed-method, and longitudinal research with principals, assistant principals, teachers, superintendents, and other educational leaders.

Findings

The authors share six developmentally oriented strategies for establishing trust and building conditions for authentic, generative feedback: finding value in mistakes, modeling vulnerability, caring for the (inter)personal, clarifying expectations, sharing developmental ideas, and building an infrastructure for collaboration.

Practical implications

This work has implications for leadership and leadership preparation, especially given contemporary emphases on collaboration and high-stakes evaluations as tools for ongoing improvement, enhancing professional capital, and internal, individual, and system-wide capacity building.

Originality/value

Because a developmental perspective has been noticeably missing from the wider feedback literatureandleadership preparation curricula, this work extends and enhances tenets from different fields (e.g. business, developmental psychology, educational leadership and educational leadership preparation), while also addressing urgent calls for educational reform; leadership preparation, development, and practice; and professional capital building.
Corporate social responsibility in a burgeoning industry: a stakeholder analysis
Authors: Alonso Abel Duarte , Sakellarios Nikolaos , Alexander Nevil , O’Brien Seamus
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and significance of involvement of craft brewery operators in their community through the lens of the stakeholder theory (ST). In addition, differences between forms of involvement and demographic characteristics of operators and breweries are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

As many as 218 operators of predominantly micro-craft breweries across the USA participated in an online questionnaire designed to gather their perceptions.

Findings

While paying taxes was participants’ main perceived form of contribution, providing an artisan-made product, the significance of the craft brewery as a community “hub”, and that of increasing the number of leisure alternatives also emerged. A further 52.8 per cent of participants indicated contributing US$100,000 or more to the community annually. Statistically significant differences were revealed, for instance, based on craft breweries’ production volume, and the level of financial contribution. Various associations between operators’ perceived contributions and the ST theses were established in regard to cooperative interests (descriptive), stakeholder management (instrumental), and moral principles (normative).

Originality/value

First, by examining corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the craft brewing industry and among predominantly smaller firms, the study addresses two under-researched areas. Second, a refinement of the ST in the context of the craft brewing industry is proposed, highlighting the links between ST-based theses and the findings. Third, the study contributes to three different types of literature: micro and small business, craft brewing entrepreneurship, and CSR.
Enhancing corporate reputation through corporate philanthropy
Authors: Peterson Dane K.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors affecting the relationship between annual changes in the amount of corporate foundation giving and changes in corporate reputation. The factors investigated included the existing corporate reputation and the economic conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Published data were obtained for 77 US corporations during both an upward and downward economic trend. Data for corporate foundation giving were obtained from IRS tax records while data on corporate reputation were obtained from the Reputation Institute’s RepTrak scores.

Findings

Linear mixed model analyses demonstrated that a firm’s prior reputation moderates the relationship between corporate philanthropy and changes in corporate reputation during a downward trend. That is, changes in corporate charitable giving and corporate reputation covaried positively for firms with an existing favorable reputation. However, for firms with an unfavorable reputation, there was an inverse relationship between changes in corporate giving and corporate reputation. The interaction between the variables was prevalent only during an economic downturn.

Practical implications

The findings provide firms with relevant information on conditions that affect how changes in charitable giving are likely to impact corporate reputation.

Originality/value

This study is the first to look at the effects of annual changes in corporate charitable giving on corporate reputation and adds to the research literature by demonstrating the complexity of the relationship by identifying two key factors that should be taken into considerations when developing annual budgets for charitable giving.
SAC–xTiO2 nano-reinforced lead-free solder joint characterizations in ultra-fine package assembly
Authors: Che Ani Fakhrozi , Jalar Azman , Saad Abdullah Aziz , Khor Chu Yee , Ismail Roslina , Bachok Zuraihana , Abas Mohamad Aizat , Othman Norinsan Kamil
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the characteristics of ultra-fine lead-free solder joints reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles in an electronic assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on the microstructure and quality of solder joints. Various percentages of TiO2 nanoparticles were mixed with a lead-free Sn-3.5Ag-0.7Cu solder paste. This new form of nano-reinforced lead-free solder paste was used to assemble a miniature package consisting of an ultra-fine capacitor on a printed circuit board by means of a reflow soldering process. The microstructure and the fillet height were investigated using a focused ion beam, a high-resolution transmission electron microscope system equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and a field emission scanning electron microscope coupled with an EDS and X-ray diffraction machine.

Findings

The experimental results revealed that the intermetallic compound with the lowest thickness was produced by the nano-reinforced solder with a TiO2 content of 0.05 Wt.%. Increasing the TiO2 content to 0.15 Wt.% led to an improvement in the fillet height. The characteristics of the solder joint fulfilled the reliability requirements of the IPC standards.

Practical implications

This study provides engineers with a profound understanding of the characteristics of ultra-fine nano-reinforced solder joint packages in the microelectronics industry.

Originality/value

The findings are expected to provide proper guidelines and references with regard to the manufacture of miniaturized electronic packages. This study also explored the effects of TiO2 on the microstructure and the fillet height of ultra-fine capacitors.
Validating genome‐wide associated signals for clinical mastitis in German Holstein cattle
Authors: Abdel‐Shafy H. , Bortfeldt R. H. , Reissmann M. , Brockmann G. A.
Published: January 2018

A validation study for six genomic regions previously identified by a genome‐wide association study for somatic cell score was conducted with data of clinical mastitis in German Holstein cattle. Out of 10 tested SNPs, five on chromosomes 6, 13 and 19 were significantly associated with clinical mastitis (P < 0.05). Three SNPs on chromosomes 6 and 19 had the same direction of effect as those previously reported in the initial genome‐wide association study for somatic cell score. The other two SNPs on chromosome 13 had opposite effects. As well as validating associations within known QTL from previous studies, e.g. chromosomes 6 and 19, novel loci on chromosome 13 were confirmed. Promising candidate genes are, for example: deoxycytidine kinase, immunoglobulin J chain, vitamin D binding protein, forkhead box K2, sodium/hydrogen exchanger 8 and cytoplasmic nuclear factor of activated T‐cells 2. Our confirmation study provides additional evidence for the functional role of the linked genomic regions to immune response. This information can be used as a basis for further functional studies for those potential genes.
Bayesian analysis of multimethod ego‐depletion studies favours the null hypothesis
Authors: Etherton Joseph L. , Osborne Randall , Stephenson Katelyn , Grace Morgan , Jones Chas , De Nadai Alessandro S.
Published: January 2018

Ego‐depletion refers to the purported decrease in performance on a task requiring self‐control after engaging in a previous task involving self‐control, with self‐control proposed to be a limited resource. Despite many published studies consistent with this hypothesis, recurrent null findings within our laboratory and indications of publication bias have called into question the validity of the depletion effect. This project used three depletion protocols involved three different depleting initial tasks followed by three different self‐control tasks as dependent measures (total n = 840). For each method, effect sizes were not significantly different from zero When data were aggregated across the three different methods and examined meta‐analytically, the pooled effect size was not significantly different from zero (for all priors evaluated, Hedges’ g = 0.10 with 95% credibility interval of [−0.05, 0.24]) and Bayes factors reflected strong support for the null hypothesis (Bayes factor > 25 for all priors evaluated).
Effect of the COMT Val158Met genotype on lateral prefrontal activations in young children
Authors: Moriguchi Yusuke , Shinohara Ikuko
Published: January 2018

Low executive function (EF) during early childhood is a major risk factor for developmental delay, academic failure, and social withdrawal. Susceptible genes may affect the molecular and biological mechanisms underpinning EF. More specifically, genes associated with the regulation of prefrontal dopamine may modulate the response of prefrontal neurons during executive control. Several studies with adults and older children have shown that variants of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene are associated with behavioral performance and prefrontal activations in EF tasks. However, the effect of the COMT genotype on prefrontal activations during EF tasks on young children is still unknown. The present study examined whether a common functional polymorphism (Val158Met) in the COMT gene was associated with prefrontal activations and cognitive shifting in 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children. The study revealed that, compared with children with at least one Met allele (Met/Met and Met/Val), children who were Val homozygous (i) were more able to flexibly switch rules in cognitive shifting tasks and (ii) exhibited increased activations in lateral prefrontal regions during these tasks. This is the first evidence that demonstrates the relationship between a gene polymorphism and prefrontal activations in young children. It also indicates that COMT Val homozygosity may be advantageous for cognitive shifting and prefrontal functions, at least during early childhood, and children who possess this variant may have a lower risk of developing future cognitive and social development issues.
Sequential therapy involving an early switch from entecavir to pegylated interferon‐α in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Enomoto Masaru , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Tamori Akihiro , Kozuka Ritsuzo , Fujii Hideki , Uchida‐Kobayashi Sawako , Fukunishi Shinya , Tsuda Yasuhiro , Higuchi Kazuhide , Saito Masaki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Kawada Norifumi
Published: January 2018

Aim

The optimal combination of two currently available agents with different mechanisms of action, a nucleos(t)ide analog and pegylated interferon‐α (PegIFNα), must be determined to improve treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

In this study, 24 patients with CHB (14 hepatitis B envelope antigen [HBeAg]‐positive patients and 10 HBeAg‐negative patients) received entecavir for 36–52 weeks, followed by entecavir plus Peg‐IFNα2a for 4 weeks, and finally by PegIFNα‐2a alone for 44 weeks.

Results

A sustained biochemical, virologic, and serologic response was obtained in 7/24 (29%) patients at 48 weeks post‐treatment (2/14 [14%] in HBeAg‐positive vs 5/10 [50%] in HBeAg‐negative patients, P = 0.085). At baseline, patients with a sustained response had a significantly lower γ‐glutamyl transferase level (P = 0.0023), a lower aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (P = 0.049), and a lower α‐fetoprotein level (P = 0.042) than those without a sustained response. The decline in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels during the first 24 weeks of PegIFNα‐2a treatment in patients with a sustained response was greater than that in patients without (P = 0.017). Additionally, HBsAg seroclearance was achieved in two patients (8.3%): one HBeAg‐positive and one HBeAg‐negative patient.

Conclusion

The outcomes of sequential therapy involving an early switch from entecavir to PegIFNα‐2a were unsatisfactory in Japanese patients with CHB. In addition to viral factors, host metabolic characteristics and liver fibrosis/tumor markers can be used for prediction of a sustained response to therapy, but accurate prediction of the therapeutic response is difficult.
Caries outcome following an intensive fluoride varnish treatment regimen for children at high risk for early childhood caries
Authors: Paek Agelina E. , Li Yihong , Wang Zhemeng , So Patrick , Janal Malvin N. , Herman Neal G. , Hopkins Andrew , Chinn Courtney
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the caries relapse rate for a cohort of 2‐ to 4‐year‐old children at high risk of early childhood caries when treated with an intensive fluoride varnish (FV) regimen.

Methods

Eighty paediatric patients were recruited. Forty of these patients were high risk and received the FV treatment (three applications within 2 weeks and additional applications at 1 and 3 months) during 2009–2010. Mutans streptococci (MS) levels in the saliva were evaluated during the treatment period. A comparative group of 40 children, selected from an electronic record search at the New York University College of Dentistry to be of similar age, gender, and ethnicity, but not at elevated risk for ECC, received the standard of care (semi‐annual FV treatment). Detailed caries examination and treatment records were obtained for all patients from 2009 to 2014.

Results

A significant reduction (P < 0.001) in MS levels was observed in the intensive FV treatment group at the 3‐month visit compared with baseline. There was no effect of the intensive FV treatment on caries outcome in the anterior teeth, and the overall caries scores were significantly increased on the posterior teeth.

Conclusion

The intensive FV regimen appears insufficient to prevent caries relapse in children at high risk for caries.
Topical oxygen therapy & micro/nanobubbles: a new modality for tissue oxygen delivery
Authors: Sayadi Lohrasb R , Banyard Derek A , Ziegler Mary E , Obagi Zaidal , Prussak Jordyne , Klopfer Michael J , Evans Gregory RD , Widgerow Alan D
Published: January 2018

Up to 15 billion dollars of US health care expenditure each year is consumed by treatment of poorly healing wounds whose etiologies are often associated with aberrancies in tissue oxygenation. To address this issue, several modes of tissue oxygen delivery systems exist, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Topical Oxygen Therapy (TOT), but their efficacies have yet to be fully substantiated. Micro/nanobubbles (MNBs), which range anywhere from 100 μm to <1 μm in diameter and are relatively stable for hours, offer a new mode of oxygen delivery to wounds. The aim of this article is to systematically review literature examining the use of TOT for wound healing and use of MNBs for tissue oxygenation using the MEDLINE database. The search yielded 87 articles (12 MNB articles and 75 TOT articles), of which 52 met the inclusion criteria for this literature review (12 MNB articles and 40 TOT articles). Additionally, we present an analysis on the efficacy of our MNB generating technology and propose its use as a wound healing agent.
Root zone temperature alters storage root formation and growth of sweetpotato
Authors: Taranet P. , Kirchhof G. , Fujinuma R. , Menzies N.
Published: January 2018

Large mounds amended with plant residues are a common cultivation method for sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in the western parts of the Papua New Guinea highlands, with a suggested benefit of elevated root zone temperature (RZT) from decomposition. This study aimed to evaluate whether RZT affects the formation and growth of sweetpotato storage roots. Experiments evaluated the effects of a constant elevated RZT on the Beauregard cultivar and of a short‐term increase in RZT on the Beauregard and Northern Star cultivars. Plants were grown in 18‐L pots divided into a control compartment (constant RZT at 20°C) and a treated compartment (RZT at 30, 40 or 50°C). Constant elevated RZT was maintained until harvest, while short‐term increase in RZT occurred in weeks 2 and 3 only. Constant elevated RZT did not affect the total number of storage roots, but RZT of 30°C and above reduced the dry‐biomass of storage roots. The short‐term increase in RZT did not alter the total number or dry‐biomass of storage roots in Beauregard, while both of these attributes were reduced at RZT of 40°C or above in Northern Star. Elevated RZT inhibited dry‐biomass accumulation of storage root, with a more pronounced impact at constant elevated RZT. These results demonstrate that any benefits of the mound culture on sweetpotato yield production do not arise through the influence of temperature elevation.
Do performance approach‐oriented individuals generate creative ideas? The roles of outcome instrumentality and task persistence
Authors: Li Hua , Li Fuli , Chen Tingting
Published: January 2018

The literature is inconclusive about the positive and negative effects of performance approach goal orientation (PAGO) (i.e., a focus on demonstrating high performance and outperforming others) on creativity. To address this issue, this study examines when and how PAGO stimulates or hinders employee creativity. Drawing on trait activation theory and a self‐regulatory perspective, we propose that outcome instrumentality (i.e., the perception that one will receive desired organizational outcomes when performing well) moderates the effects of PAGO on task persistence bidirectionally, which, in turn, facilitates or hinders employee creativity. Results based on a two‐wave, multi‐source field survey provided strong support for our hypotheses. We found that the relationship between PAGO and task persistence was positive when outcome instrumentality was high but became negative when outcome instrumentality was low. Moreover, we found a moderated mediation effect, such that the indirect effect of PAGO on creativity through task persistence was positive when outcome instrumentality was high but negative when outcome instrumentality was low. These findings extend the PAGO literature by elucidating the goodness and badness of PAGO and provide practical implications on how to manage performance approach‐oriented employees to capitalize on their creative potentials and minimize the possible detrimental effects of PAGO on creativity.
H3 relaxin inhibits the collagen synthesis via ROS‐ and P2X7R‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cardiac fibroblasts under high glucose
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Fu Yu , Li Hui , Shen Li , Chang Qing , Pan Liya , Hong Siting , Yin Xinhua
Published: January 2018

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and P2X7R activation induced by high glucose increases NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Although H3 relaxin has been shown to inhibit cardiac fibrosis induced by isoproterenol, the mechanism has not been well studied. Here, we demonstrated that high glucose (HG) induced the collagen synthesis by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to caspase‐1 activation, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐18 secretion in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. Moreover, we used a high‐glucose model with neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts and showed that the activation of ROS and P2X7R was augmented and that ROS‐ and P2X7R‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation was critical for the collagen synthesis. Inhibition of ROS and P2X7R decreased NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated collagen synthesis, similar to the effects of H3 relaxin. Furthermore, H3 relaxin reduced the collagen synthesis via ROS‐ and P2X7R‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to HG. These results provide a mechanism by which H3 relaxin alleviates NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated collagen synthesis through the inhibition of ROS and P2X7R under HG conditions and suggest that H3 relaxin represents a potential drug for alleviating cardiac fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Reduced expression of selected FASCICLIN‐LIKE ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN genes associates with the abortion of kernels in field crops of Zea mays (maize) and of Arabidopsis seeds
Authors: Cagnola Juan Ignacio , Dumont de Chassart Gonzalo Javier , Ibarra Silvia Elizabeth , Chimenti Claudio , Ricardi Martiniano María , Delzer Brent , Ghiglione Hernán , Zhu Tong , Otegui María Elena , Estevez José Manuel , Casal Jorge José
Published: January 2018

Abortion of fertilized ovaries at the tip of the ear can generate significant yield losses in maize crops. To investigate the mechanisms involved in this process, 2 maize hybrids were grown in field crops at 2 sowing densities and under 3 irrigation regimes (well‐watered control, drought before pollination, and drought during pollination), in all possible combinations. Samples of ear tips were taken 2–6 days after synchronous hand pollination and used for the analysis of gene expression and sugars. Glucose and fructose levels increased in kernels with high abortion risk. Several FASCICLIN‐LIKE ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN (FLA) genes showed negative correlation with abortion. The expression of ZmFLA7 responded to drought only at the tip of the ear. The abundance of arabinogalactan protein (AGP) glycan epitopes decreased with drought and pharmacological treatments that reduce AGP activity enhanced the abortion of fertilized ovaries. Drought also reduced the expression of AthFLA9 in the siliques of Arabidopsis thaliana. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function mutants of Arabidopsis showed a negative correlation between AthFLA9 and seed abortion. On the basis of gene expression patterns, pharmacological, and genetic evidence, we propose that stress‐induced reductions in the expression of selected FLA genes enhance abortion of fertilized ovaries in maize and Arabidopsis.
Wound infection after inpatient pediatric skin biopsy
Authors: Song Hannah , Mostaghimi Arash , Huang Jennifer T.
Published: January 2018

Punch and shave biopsies are important dermatologic procedures in the inpatient setting but have a risk of wound infection. Data on the incidence of infection in this setting are limited and conflicting. This retrospective study of 127 pediatric inpatients at two tertiary care centers who underwent biopsy demonstrated a low overall risk of infection (n = 1, 0.8%). Twenty‐five (19.7%) were neutropenic, and 51 (40.2%) were not taking systemic antibiotics at the time of biopsy; none of these patients developed a wound infection. The overall low rate of infection should reassure physicians who are balancing the risks and benefits of performing a skin biopsy in children in the inpatient setting and suggests that physicians should not defer clinically indicated biopsies because of concern about infection.
Approach to the jewelry aficionado
Authors: Ivey Lauren A. , Limone Brittanya A. , Jacob Sharon E.
Published: January 2018

Children's and teens’ frequent use of inexpensive “costume” jewelry exposes them to a variety of contact allergens. Greater use heightens the risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis, especially in the setting of body piercings. Several clinical pearls, prevention strategies, and avoidance alternatives are provided in this article to guide clinicians and patients in the management of jewelry‐related allergic contact dermatitis.
Perils of development funding? The tale of EU Funds and grand corruption in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Fazekas Mihály , King Lawrence Peter
Published: January 2018

Given the unprecedented scale of intergovernmental development funding and the importance of institutional quality for human well‐being, it is imperative to precisely understand the impact of development funds on corruption. In Europe, European Union (EU) Funds provide a boost to public spending in recipient member states while introducing additional corruption controls. We investigate whether EU Funds increase high‐level corruption in the Czech Republic and Hungary in 2009–2012. We analyze newly collected data from over 100,000 public procurement contracts to develop objective corruption risk indicators and link them to agency level data in the public sector. Propensity score matching estimations suggest that EU funds increase corruption risk by up to 34 percent. The negative effects are largely attributable to overly formalistic compliance and EU Funds overriding domestic accountability mechanisms in public organizations entirely dependent on external funds. The policy implications are profound: governments should reduce barriers to market entry by lowering red tape and prevent excessive concentration of funds.
Peritoneal dialysis education: Challenges and innovation
Authors: Mehrotra Rajnish
Published: January 2018

Peritoneal dialysis is the most common modality for home dialysis and to ensure patients have access to dialysis at home, training programs have to ensure that the fellows attain clinical competency in the care of such patients. The limited data available however are sobering; about 10 years ago, 44% of nephrologists reported that they did not feel competent in the care of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. There are recognizable challenges in ensuring clinical competency of trainees that may need creative solutions. It is important for training program directors to evaluate the state of training at their institution, identify their unique barriers, and work to overcome them in the interest of ensuring that fellows are trained in all aspects of nephrology.
ATM directs DNA damage responses and proteostasis via genetically separable pathways
Authors: Lee Ji-Hoon , Mand Michael R. , Kao Chung-Hsuan , Zhou Yi , Ryu Seung W. , Richards Alicia L. , Coon Joshua J. , Paull Tanya T.
Published: January 2018

Independent functions in the response to DNA damage and to oxidative stress broaden the biological roles of the kinase ATM.
Antibiotics directly affect host cell metabolism
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2018

Antibiotic treatment alters host cell metabolism in a manner that affects both the efficacy of the drug and the immune response to infection.
In Vitro
Activities of Miltefosine and Antibacterial Agents from the Macrolide, Oxazolidinone, and Pleuromutilin Classes against Pythium insidiosum and Pythium aphanidermatum
Authors: Loreto Erico S. , Tondolo Juliana S. M. , Oliveira Daniele C. , Santurio Janio M. , Alves Sydney H.
Published: January 2018

We tested 29 isolates of
Pythium insidiosum
and one isolate of
Pythium aphanidermatum
to investigate their susceptibility to miltefosine and antibacterial drugs from the macrolide, oxazolidinone, and pleuromutilin classes. We found that miltefosine, azithromycin, clarithromycin, josamycin, linezolid, sutezolid, retapamulin, tiamulin, and valnemulin had inhibitory and cidal activity against the pathogens at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 64 μg/ml. Our results suggest that these antimicrobials are promising candidates for future studies on pythiosis in animals and humans.
Repurposing and Reformulation of the Antiparasitic Agent Flubendazole for Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis, a Neglected Fungal Disease
Authors: Nixon Gemma L. , McEntee Laura , Johnson Adam , Farrington Nicola , Whalley Sarah , Livermore Joanne , Natal Cristien , Washbourn Gina , Bibby Jaclyn , Berry Neil , Lestner Jodi , Truong Megan , Owen Andrew , Lalloo David , Charles Ian , Hope William
Published: January 2018

Current therapeutic options for cryptococcal meningitis are limited by toxicity, global supply, and emergence of resistance. There is an urgent need to develop additional antifungal agents that are fungicidal within the central nervous system and preferably orally bioavailable. The benzimidazoles have broad-spectrum antiparasitic activity but also have
in vitro
antifungal activity that includes
Cryptococcus neoformans
. Flubendazole (a benzimidazole) has been reformulated by Janssen Pharmaceutica as an amorphous solid drug nanodispersion to develop an orally bioavailable medicine for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis. We investigated the
in vitro
activity, the structure-activity-relationships, and both
in vitro
and
in vivo
pharmacodynamics of flubendazole for cryptococcal meningitis. Flubendazole has potent
in vitro
activity against
Cryptococcus neoformans
, with a modal MIC of 0.125 mg/liter using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) methodology. Computer models provided an insight into the residues responsible for the binding of flubendazole to cryptococcal β-tubulin. Rapid fungicidal activity was evident in a hollow-fiber infection model of cryptococcal meningitis. The solid drug nanodispersion was orally bioavailable in mice with higher drug exposure in the cerebrum. The maximal dose of flubendazole (12 mg/kg of body weight/day) orally resulted in an ∼2 log
10
CFU/g reduction in fungal burden compared with that in vehicle-treated controls. Flubendazole was orally bioavailable in rabbits, but there were no quantifiable drug concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or cerebrum and no antifungal activity was demonstrated in either CSF or cerebrum. These studies provide evidence for the further study and development of the benzimidazole scaffold for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.
Investigation of Multiple Resistance Mechanisms in Voriconazole-Resistant Aspergillus flavus Clinical Isolates from a Chest Hospital Surveillance in Delhi, India
Authors: Sharma Cheshta , Kumar Rakesh , Kumar Nitin , Masih Aradhana , Gupta Dinesh , Chowdhary Anuradha
Published: January 2018

Invasive and allergic infections by
Aspergillus flavus
are more common in tropical and subtropical countries. The emergence of voriconazole (VRC) resistance in
A. flavus
impacts the management of aspergillosis, as azoles are used as the first-line and empirical therapy. We screened 120 molecularly confirmed
A. flavus
isolates obtained from respiratory and sinonasal specimens in a chest hospital in Delhi, India, for azole resistance using the CLSI broth microdilution (CLSI-BMD) method. Overall, 2.5% (
n
= 3/120) of
A. flavus
isolates had VRC MICs above epidemiological cutoff values (>1 μg/ml). The whole-genome sequence analysis of three non-wild-type (WT)
A. flavus
isolates with high VRC MICs showed polymorphisms in azole target genes (
cyp51A
,
cyp51B
, and
cyp51C
). Further, four novel substitutions (S196F, A324P, N423D, and V465M) encoded in the
cyp51C
gene were found in a single non-WT isolate which also exhibited overexpression of
cyp51
(
cyp51A
, -
B
, and -
C
) genes and transporter genes, namely,
MDR1
,
MDR2
,
atrF
, and
mfs1
. The homology model of the non-WT isolate suggests that substitutions S196F and N423D exhibited major structural and functional effects on cyp51C drug binding. The substrate (drug) may not be able to bind to binding pocket due to changes in the pocket size or closing down or narrowing of cavities in drug entry channels. Notably, the remaining two VRC-resistant
A. flavus
isolates, including the one which had a pan-azole resistance phenotype (itraconazole and posaconazole), did not show upregulation of any of the analyzed target genes. These results suggest that multiple target genes and mechanisms could simultaneously contribute to azole resistance in
A. flavus
.
Pharmacokinetics of Telavancin at Fixed Doses in Normal-Body-Weight and Obese (Classes I, II, and III) Adult Subjects
Authors: Bunnell Kristen L. , Pai Manjunath P. , Sikka Monica , Bleasdale Susan C. , Wenzler Eric , Danziger Larry H. , Rodvold Keith A.
Published: January 2018

A recommended total-body-weight (TBW) dosing strategy for telavancin may not be optimal in obese patients. The primary objective of this study was to characterize and compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of telavancin across four body size groups: normal to overweight and obese classes I, II, and III. Healthy adult subjects (
n
= 32) received a single, weight-stratified, fixed dose of 500 mg (
n
= 4), 750 mg (
n
= 8), or 1,000 mg (
n
= 20) of telavancin. Noncompartmental PK analyses revealed that subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40 kg/m
2
had a higher volume of distribution (16.24 ± 2.7 liters) than subjects with a BMI of <30 kg/m
2
(11.71 ± 2.6 liters). The observed area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC
0–∞
) ranged from 338.1 to 867.3 mg · h/liter, with the lowest exposures being in subjects who received 500 mg. AUC
0–∞
values were similar among obese subjects who received 1,000 mg. A two-compartment population PK model best described the plasma concentration-time profile of telavancin when adjusted body weight (ABW) was included as a predictive covariate. Fixed doses of 750 mg and 1,000 mg had similar target attainment probabilities for efficacy as doses of 10 mg/kg of body weight based on ABW and TBW, respectively. However, the probability of achieving a target area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 24 h of ≥763 mg · h/liter in association with acute kidney injury was highest (19.7%) with TBW-simulated dosing and lowest (0.4%) at the 750-mg dose. These results suggest that a fixed dose of 750 mg is a safe and effective alternative to telavancin doses based on TBW or ABW for the treatment of obese patients with normal renal function and Staphylococcus
aureus
infections. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02753855.)