bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption values and physical activities: consumers’ healthy eating choices
Authors: Thomé Karim Marini , Pinho Guilherme Mata , Hoppe Alexia
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which consumption values and physical activities influence consumers’ healthy eating choices.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with 292 participants was analysed by means of bilateral factor analysis and structural equation modelling to study the consumers’ healthy eating choices based on consumption values and moderation effect of physical activities.

Findings

Consumers’ healthy eating choices are strongly linked to epistemic and emotional values. Physical activities act as a moderator of the emotional value and functional value price.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature on consumption values and raises new insights of value for the health and wellness food industry.
A student perspective of ethics in the Zambian construction industry
Authors: Zulu Sambo , Muleya Franco
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The importance of ethical considerations in the construction industry is acknowledged. This is particularly the case that the industry plays a significant part in a nation’s development. The Zambian construction industry has seen an increase in activity due, in part, to massive infrastructure development programmes adopted by successive governments, increase in foreign direct investment and housing development. The Zambian construction industry, like any other, is not immune to unethical behaviour. This study aims to investigate students’ perception of the prevalence of unethical practices in the Zambian construction industry. A review of literature demonstrated that a number of contextual factors including location can influence the perception of unethical practices. A focus on Zambia was therefore considered necessary.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 121 students took part in a questionnaire survey to examine their perception of the extent to which unethical practices were prevalent in the Zambian construction industry.

Findings

The findings suggest that students perceived bribery/corruption and political/societal influences as the two most common unethical practices, while the least prevalent unethical practices were perceived to be alcohol/drug abuse and workplace violence. The findings are largely consistent with previous studies investigating the ethical perception of professionals in the Zambian construction industry. In addition, the findings suggests that when the year and programme of study are taken into consideration, the differences in perception of unethical practices are evident for these demographic groups.

Originality/value

This study provided an added dimension to the understanding of ethical issues in the Zambian construction industry as it was the first of its kind involving students’ perceptions. This paper therefore contributes to the list of countries where similar studies have been undertaken.
Research Watch: therapists’ working conditions and their implications for service users’ social inclusion
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight possible implications of therapists’ working conditions on social inclusion of service users.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was carried out for recent papers on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) therapists.

Findings

One study highlighted that over half of their sample of 201 UK therapists in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services reported burnout. In a second study, in interviews with ten IAPT workers in inner London services, therapists said they had to fight for extra time to adapt CBT for people who had learning disabilities, and the additional stress made them feel less positive about working with these clients. A third study, on therapists working with people with multiple sclerosis, highlights the importance of adapting CBT for people with physical conditions.

Originality/value

Taken together, these three papers highlight concerning implications of current working conditions for many therapists working in IAPT services. They highlight that sources of stress include services’ rigid focus on targets and inability to make expected adjustments. With regard to the UK, this may be due to the current national service model, but it has implications for the social inclusion of some service users.
Antioxidant status and risk of coronary artery disease
Authors: Talebi Shokoofeh , Paknahad Zamzam , Hashemi Mohammad , Hasanzadeh Akbar
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is developed by an insufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium. Recent studies have shown that increased oxidative stress has implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Anxiety and CAD have a mutual relationship, as the effect of long-lasting anxiety on atherosclerosis and CAD is well known. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary / serum total antioxidant capacity and CAD.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 160 male patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Diagnosis and analysis of angiograms were performed visually by a cardiologist. The subjects were categorized into CAD− (coronary artery obstruction <75 per cent) and CAD+ (coronary artery obstruction ≥ 75 per cent) groups. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid profile and physical activity (PA) were assessed. Information about anxiety was obtained by Spielberger questionnaire. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was obtained by using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and an oxygen radical absorbance capacity of selected foods.

Findings

Mean of dietary TAC was significantly lower in CAD+ than CAD− group (P < 0.001). However, there was not any significant differences about serum TAC (P = 0.28). The mean of body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.04) and triglyceride (TG) level (P = 0.03) and the frequency of smoking (P = 0.03) were significantly higher in the CAD+ than the CAD− group. There was no significant relationship between CAD with apparent (P = 0.33) and hidden anxiety level (P = 0.16). Confounding factors such as smoking and medications were adjusted.

Research limitations/implications

This study had certain limitations. Being a single center cross-sectional design does not permit analysis of causal relationships; the sample size was geographically limited. The authors could not exclude the medication of patients, which could affect the total antioxidant capacity levels. Measurement error in self-reported dietary consumption may results misclassification of exposure.

Practical implications

A diet high in total antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with CAD. Serum TAC does not vary between men with and without CAD when confounders including age, BMI, TG, smoking, SBP, DBP, energy intake, PA, HDL-C, LDL-C, T-C, FBS, family history of CAD, education and anxiety are taken into consideration.

Social implications

High consumption of vegetables and fruits may play a major role in the prevention of CAD.

Originality/value

The study was approved by the ethics committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (No:394888).
New challenges in brand management
Authors: Veloutsou Cleopatra , Delgado-Ballester Elena
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to help in the development of a better understanding of key brand-related terms and discuss the key challenges and trends in brand management.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an editorial based mainly on an extensive and broad literature review on brand management.

Findings

First, this work defines some key brand management terms and presents brand-related issues and concerns that remain unchanged over time. Then it discusses some of the brand management-related matters that are changing since the past few years. Challenges for the management of brands from the side of the companies that have introduced them are then presented. It finally provides a glimpse of the five papers selected for this special issue and then identifies avenues for further research.

Originality/value

This work and the whole special issue together help in the understanding of the dynamic nature of the management of brands over time with implications to the management and the academic engagement with brands.
Does charity affect economic bargaining? Exploring gender × social distance interactions
Authors: Testa Mario , D’Amato Antonio
Published: December 2018

Purpose

In recent years, it is increasingly common to find situations in which economic or financial decisions are combined with philanthropic or charity issues (for example, “pay what you can”, cause-related marketing initiatives and micro-insurance). How do people behave in these situations? This study aims to analyze whether charity impacts agents’ economic behavior and which factors (gender and social distance) influence these decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a modified one-period ultimatum game that includes a charitable giving variable, the authors investigate agents’ behavior in economic decisions when philanthropic issues are considered, and they compare this behavior to purely economic negotiation without explicit philanthropic relevance. Using a sample of 352 undergraduate business students, the authors explore the interaction effect between gender and social distance on giving behavior.

Findings

The results of this study show that women offer more than men when philanthropic motivation is involved. However, the solicitation of a charitable sentiment is not an element that substantially shifts the offers beyond the value considered to be economically fair. Finally, women and men are both susceptible to self-image concerns.

Research limitations/implications

The results enable a more nuanced interpretation of gender differences in economic decisions when philanthropic or charity issues are involved. From a practical perspective, the findings could offer insights relevant to for-profit and non-profit organizations when they plan to provide products, services or investments with positive moral connotations or when they plan fundraising strategies.

Originality/value

Unlike existing laboratory studies, this study focuses on the effects that charity has on economic/financial decisions by exploring the interaction effect between the decision-maker’s gender and social distance on the outcome of the negotiation.
Sample selection in the face of design constraints: Use of clustering to define sample strata for qualitative research
Authors: Burgette Lane F. , Escarce José J. , Paddock Susan M. , Ridgely Marjorie S. , Wilder Warren G. , Yanagihara Dolores , Damberg Cheryl L.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To sample 40 physician organizations stratified on the basis of longitudinal cost of care measures for qualitative interviews in order to describe the range of care delivery structures and processes that are being deployed to influence the total costs of caring for patients.

Data Sources

Three years of physician organization‐level total cost of care data (n = 156 in California) from the Integrated Healthcare Association's value‐based pay‐for‐performance program.

Study Design

We fit total cost of care data using mixture and K‐means clustering algorithms to segment the population of physician organizations into sampling strata based on 3‐year cost trajectories (ie, cost curves).

Principal Findings

A mixture of multivariate normal distributions can classify physician organization cost curves into clusters defined by total cost level, shape, and within‐cluster variation. K‐means clustering does not accommodate differing levels of within‐cluster variation and resulted in more clusters being allocated to unstable cost curves. A mixture of regressions approach focuses overly on anomalous trajectories and is sensitive to model coding.

Conclusions

Statistical clustering can be used to form sampling strata when longitudinal measures are of primary interest. Many clustering algorithms are available; the choice of the clustering algorithm can strongly impact the resulting strata because various algorithms focus on different aspects of the observed data.
Carbon‐Based Fingerprint Powder as a One‐Step Development and Matrix Application for High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Latent Fingerprints
Authors: Hinners Paige , Lee Young Jin
Published: December 2018

Carbon‐based materials are often used as matrices for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) and its imaging (MALDI‐MSI). However, researchers have refrained from using carbon‐based fingerprint powder (CFP) as a matrix due to high background and contamination. In this work, the compatibility of CFP is reevaluated with MALDI‐MSI using a high‐resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) and compared to traditional organic matrices. Relevant fingerprint compounds were easily distinguished from carbon cluster peaks when using HRMS. For fair comparison, half of a fingerprint was dusted with CFP while the other half was dusted with traditional organic matrices. All compounds studied had comparable, or higher, signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios when CFP was used as the matrix. Additionally, chemical image qualities closely followed the trend of S/N ratios. CFP proved to be an effective one‐step development and matrix application technique for MALDI‐MSI of latent fingerprints, when carbon cluster peaks are well separated by a HRMS.
The fatty acid composition of edible grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) feeding on diversifying diets of host plants
Authors: Rutaro Karlmax , Malinga Geoffrey M. , Lehtovaara Vilma J. , Opoke Robert , Valtonen Anu , Kwetegyeka Justus , Nyeko Philip , Roininen Heikki
Published: December 2018

Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) is a highly valued edible grasshopper species in Africa. However, the effects of plant diets on lipid content and fatty acid composition of R. differens are not well understood. We tested the effects of four diets on the total lipid content and fatty acid composition of R. differens. Sixth instar nymphs of R. differens were reared on one, and mixtures of two, three, and six natural plant inflorescences. Individuals collected from the field constituted a control treatment. We extracted lipids and analyzed the fatty acid methyl esters using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We analyzed if the total lipid content, body weight, and fatty acid composition differed among diets and between the sexes using two‐way ANOVAs and a PERMANOVA model, respectively. The total lipid content and weight of R. differens did not differ among the diets. The nine common fatty acids were palmitic (mean across treatments, 26%), oleic (22%), palmitoleic (18%), linoleic (13%), stearic (7%), myristic (6%), myristoleic (4%), α‐linolenic (2%) and arachidic acid (1%). The composition of fatty acids and the proportion of essential fatty acids significantly differed among the diets. The proportion of essential fatty acids was highest in the control treatment (21%) but low in less diversified (one to three feed) diets (12–13%). This study demonstrates that the fatty acid composition in R. differens can be influenced through diet. Thus, with dietary manipulations, using local plants in Africa, it is possible to produce R. differens with preferred high quality essential fatty acids for human consumption.
Metformin inhibits mitochondrial adaptations to aerobic exercise training in older adults
Authors: Konopka Adam R. , Laurin Jaime L. , Schoenberg Hayden M. , Reid Justin J. , Castor William M. , Wolff Christopher A. , Musci Robert V. , Safairad Oscar D. , Linden Melissa A. , Biela Laurie M. , Bailey Susan M. , Hamilton Karyn L. , Miller Benjamin F.
Published: December 2018

Metformin and exercise independently improve insulin sensitivity and decrease the risk of diabetes. Metformin was also recently proposed as a potential therapy to slow aging. However, recent evidence indicates that adding metformin to exercise antagonizes the exercise‐induced improvement in insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that metformin diminishes the improvement in insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness after aerobic exercise training (AET) by inhibiting skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and protein synthesis in older adults (62 ± 1 years). In a double‐blinded fashion, participants were randomized to placebo (n = 26) or metformin (n = 27) treatment during 12 weeks of AET. Independent of treatment, AET decreased fat mass, HbA1c, fasting plasma insulin, 24‐hr ambulant mean glucose, and glycemic variability. However, metformin attenuated the increase in whole‐body insulin sensitivity and VO2max after AET. In the metformin group, there was no overall change in whole‐body insulin sensitivity after AET due to positive and negative responders. Metformin also abrogated the exercise‐mediated increase in skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration. The change in whole‐body insulin sensitivity was correlated to the change in mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondrial protein synthesis rates assessed during AET were not different between treatments. The influence of metformin on AET‐induced improvements in physiological function was highly variable and associated with the effect of metformin on the mitochondria. These data suggest that prior to prescribing metformin to slow aging, additional studies are needed to understand the mechanisms that elicit positive and negative responses to metformin with and without exercise.
Socio‐political fracturing: Inequality, stalled social mobility and electoral outcomes
Authors: MacLeavy Julie , Manley David
Published: December 2018

The past 18 months have delivered a series of “surprising” electoral outcomes. In the USA, the election of Donald Trump confounded expectations. In the UK, the leave result from the EU referendum and the subsequent snap General Election which saw the Conservative Party lose their majority have been heralded as knife‐edge moments and a new period in politics. This paper makes an alternative contention. It posits that the electoral outcomes of 2016 and 2017 were not arbitrary or new occurrences, but instead represent the latest expressions of long‐standing historical trends towards increased inequality across the West. Recognising that the impacts of economic and political restructuring have been unevenly distributed between different groups and geographical areas, the paper makes the case that these electoral outcomes must be seen in the light of policy moves creating a more polarised social and spatial structure. Using the UK as an illustrative case, the paper explores the developments that have reinforced spatial opportunity structures and the reproduction of disadvantage over time. In doing so, the paper contextualises the revanchism resultant from processes of social residualisation and articulates the need to focus on the long‐run effects of rising inequality now being seen to shape voters’ choices.
Geographies of citizenship in higher education: An introduction
Authors: Cheng Yi'En , Holton Mark
Published: December 2018

This special section explores multiple ways of thinking about citizenship as informed by higher education students’ experiences. The papers collectively examine universities as a locus of citizenship production and consumption among students, but also highlight the role of young people in enacting alternative expressions of citizenship. All the papers locate experiences of higher education within their national contexts operating within broader geopolitical and geo‐economic practices, even as they take into consideration “postnational” forms of citizenship construct as well as a growing range of educational institutions and actors occupying subnational terrains that mediate citizenship values, ideals and norms. Drawing on these insights, we point towards three promising avenues for further research in the geographies of citizenship in higher education, while maintaining that this an area of studies that requires a plurality of perspectives.
Programmed death ligand‐1 is associated with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and poorer survival in urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Wang Bo , Pan Wenwei , Yang Meihua , Yang Wenjuan , He Wang , Chen Xu , Bi Junming , Jiang Ning , Huang Jian , Lin Tianxin
Published: December 2018

Drugs blocking programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) have shown unprecedented activity in metastatic and unresectable bladder cancer. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression, clinical significance and association of PD‐L1 with tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in resectable urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). In this retrospective study, 248 UCB patients who received radical cystectomy or transurethral resection were examined. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate PD‐L1 expression and stromal CD8+ TIL, Th1 orientation T cell (T‐bet+) and PD‐1+ TIL densities within the intratumoral regions and associated stromal regions. Of the 248 specimens, 23% showed PD‐L1 expression in tumor cells and 55% in tumor‐infiltrating immune cells. CD8+ TIL, T‐bet+ TIL and PD‐1+ TIL were distributed throughout the tumor tissues and were more frequently distributed in stromal regions than in intratumoral regions. PD‐L1+ tumor cells and PD‐L1+ immune cells were positively associated with aggressive clinical features (all P < .05). Both PD‐L1+ tumor cells and PD‐L1+ immune cells were associated with poorer recurrence‐free and overall survival (all P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that PD‐L1+ immune cells were an independent prognostic factor for overall (P = .001) and recurrence‐free survival (P = .024). Notably, high stromal CD8+ TIL and PD‐1+ TIL density were associated with poorer overall survival (P = .031 and P = .001, respectively). In the stroma, CD8+ TIL density has strong positive association with PD‐L1+ immune cells and PD‐1+ TIL density (all P < .0001). These results suggested that an exhausted immune state occurred in the tumor stroma in UCB. Further clinical development of immune‐checkpoint inhibitors may be effective for resectable patients with UCB.
A study in a Polish ataxia cohort indicates genetic heterogeneity and points to MTCL1 as a novel candidate gene
Authors: Krygier Magdalena , Kwarciany Mariusz , Wasilewska Krystyna , Pienkowski Victor Murcia , Krawczyńska Natalia , Zielonka Daniel , Kosińska Joanna , Stawinski Piotr , Rudzińska‐Bar Monika , Boczarska‐Jedynak Magdalena , Karaszewski Bartosz , Limon Janusz , Sławek Jarosław , Płoski Rafał , Rydzanicz Małgorzata
Published: December 2018

Inherited ataxias are a group of highly heterogeneous, complex neurological disorders representing a significant diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. We performed a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis in 10 index cases with unexplained progressive cerebellar ataxia of suspected autosomal recessive inheritance. A definite molecular diagnosis was obtained in 5/10 families and included the following diseases: autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix‐Saguenay, POLR3B‐related hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency type 4, Niemann‐Pick disease type C1 and SYNE1‐related ataxia. In addition, we found a novel homozygous MTCL1 loss of function variant p.(Lys407fs) in a 23‐year‐old patient with slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia, mild intellectual disability, seizures in childhood and episodic pain in the lower limbs. The identified variant is predicted to truncate the protein after first 444 of 1586 amino acids. MTCL1 encodes a microtubule‐associated protein highly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells; its knockout in a mouse model causes ataxia. We propose MTCL1 as a candidate gene for autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia in humans. In addition, our study confirms the high diagnostic yield of NGS in early‐onset cerebellar ataxias, with at least 50% detection rate in our ataxia cohort.
Opportunities for better use of collective action theory in research and governance for invasive species management
Authors: Graham Sonia , Metcalf Alexander L. , Gill Nicholas , Niemiec Rebecca , Moreno Carlo , Bach Thomas , Ikutegbe Victoria , Hallstrom Lars , Ma Zhao , Lubeck Alice
Published: December 2018

Controlling invasive species presents a public‐good dilemma. Although environmental, social, and economic benefits of control accrue to society, costs are borne by only a few individuals and organizations. For decades, policy makers have used incentives and sanctions to encourage or coerce individual actors to contribute to the public good, with limited success. Diverse, subnational efforts to collectively manage invasive plants, insects, and animals provide effective alternatives to traditional command‐and‐control approaches. Despite this work, there has been little systematic evaluation of collective efforts to determine whether there are consistent principles underpinning success. We reviewed 32 studies to identify the extent to which collective‐action theories from related agricultural and environmental fields explain collaborative invasive species management approaches; describe and differentiate emergent invasive species collective‐action efforts; and provide guidance on how to enable more collaborative approaches to invasive species management. We identified 4 types of collective action aimed at invasive species—externally led, community led, comanaged, and organizational coalitions—that provide blueprints for future invasive species management. Existing collective‐action theories could explain the importance attributed to developing shared knowledge of the social‐ecological system and the need for social capital. Yet, collection action on invasive species requires different types of monitoring, sanctions, and boundary definitions. We argue that future government policies can benefit from establishing flexible boundaries that encourage social learning and enable colocated individuals and organizations to identify common goals, pool resources, and coordinate efforts.
Perspectives and challenges for the use of radar in biological conservation
Authors: Hüppop Ommo , Ciach Michał , Diehl Robert , Reynolds Don R. , Stepanian Phillip M. , Menz Myles H. M.
Published: December 2018

Radar is at the forefront for the study of broad‐scale aerial movements of birds, bats and insects and related issues in biological conservation. Radar techniques are especially useful for investigating species which fly at high altitudes, in darkness, or which are too small for applying electronic tags. Here, we present an overview of radar applications in biological conservation and highlight its future possibilities. Depending on the type of radar, information can be gathered on local‐ to continental‐scale movements of airborne organisms and their behaviour. Such data can quantify flyway usage, biomass and nutrient transport (bioflow), population sizes, dynamics and distributions, times and dimensions of movements, areas and times of mass emergence and swarming, habitat use and activity ranges. Radar also captures behavioural responses to anthropogenic disturbances, artificial light and man‐made structures. Weather surveillance and other long‐range radar networks allow spatially broad overviews of important stopover areas, songbird mass roosts and emergences from bat caves. Mobile radars, including repurposed marine radars and commercially dedicated ‘bird radars’, offer the ability to track and monitor the local movements of individuals or groups of flying animals. Harmonic radar techniques have been used for tracking short‐range movements of insects and other small animals of conservation interest. However, a major challenge in aeroecology is determining the taxonomic identity of the targets, which often requires ancillary data obtained from other methods. Radar data have become a global source of information on ecosystem structure, composition, services and function and will play an increasing role in the monitoring and conservation of flying animals and threatened habitats worldwide.
A parsimonious view of the parsimony principle in ecology and evolution
Authors: Coelho Marco Túlio P. , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre , Rangel Thiago F.
Published: December 2018

The idea that simplicity of explanation is important in science is as old as science itself. However, scientists often assume that parsimonious theories, hypothesis and models are more plausible than complex ones, forgetting that there is no empirical evidence to connect parsimony with credibility. The justification for the parsimony principle is strongly dependent on philosophical and statistical inference. Parsimony may have a true epistemic value in the evaluation of correlative and predictive models, as simpler models are less prone to overfitting. However, when natural mechanisms are explicitly modelled to represent the causes of biological phenomena, the application of the parsimony principle to judge the plausibility of mechanistic models would entail an unsupported belief that nature is simple. Here, we discuss the challenges we face in justifying, measuring, and assessing the trade‐off between simplicity and complexity in ecological and evolutionary studies. We conclude that invoking the parsimony principle in ecology and evolution is particularly important in model‐building programs in which models are viewed primarily as an operational tool to make predictions (an instrumentalist view) and in which data play a prominent role in deciding the structure of the model. However, theoretical advances in ecology and evolutionary biology may be derailed by the use of the parsimony principle to judge explanatory mechanistic models that are designed to understand complex natural phenomena. We advocate a parsimonious use of the parsimony principle.
Influence of the public's perception, attitudes, and knowledge on the implementation of integrated pest management for household insect pests
Authors: Schoelitsz Bruce , Meerburg Bastiaan G. , Takken Willem
Published: December 2018

Households are mini‐ecosystems that provide a variety of conditions in which a variety of insect species can develop. Whether these insects are considered pests, largely depends on the perception, attitudes, and knowledge of the human inhabitants of the house. If considered unacceptable, residents can attempt to manage the insects themselves, or hire a professional. A pest management professional can provide a quick‐fix solution, often relying on the sole use of insecticides, or a sustainable solution through integrated pest management (IPM). In this review, it is discussed how the public's perception, attitudes, and knowledge affect the implementation of IPM in the household through the following steps: inspection, identification, establishment of a threshold level, pest control, and evaluation of effectiveness. Furthermore, recent and novel developments within the fields of inspection, identification, and pest control that allow to address pest infestations more effectively are described and their implementation in the household environment is discussed. In general, pest management in the household environment is reactive instead of pro‐active. The general public lacks the knowledge of the pest insects’ biology to identify the species, perform a proper inspection and identify causes of pest presence, as well as the knowledge of the available tools for monitoring and pest control. The percentage of individuals that seek professional aid in identification and pest control is relatively low. Moreover, the perception of and attitudes towards household insects generally result in low threshold levels. Current developments of methods for monitoring, identification, and control of insect pests in the household environment are promising, such as DNA barcoding, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight and RNA interference. Efforts should be strengthened to alter the perception and attitude, and increase the knowledge of the non‐professional stakeholders, so that correct pest management decisions can be taken.
Characteristics of sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma transmission by the leafhopper Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus
Authors: Roddee Jariya , Kobori Youichi , Hanboonsong Yupa
Published: December 2018

The leafhopper Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the most important vector of sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) phytoplasma that significantly affects the sugarcane crop in Asia. Here, we aimed to study the characteristics of SCWL phytoplasma transmission by M. hiroglyphicus. To this end, the stylet penetration activities performed during the acquisition access period (AAP) and inoculation access period (IAP) were investigated by the direct current electrical penetration graph technique and confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, the latent period (LP) of SCWL phytoplasma in the vector was determined by qPCR and localised by fluorescent in situ hybridisation. The results indicated that the acquisition of SCWL phytoplasma occurred during phloem ingestion (waveform D), whereas its inoculation was associated with salivation into the phloem sieve element (waveform C). The minimum AAP was 15 min and the minimum duration of phloem ingestion was 2.35 min. The minimum LP of SCWL phytoplasma in the vector was at least 14 days; then, SCWL phytoplasma moved to the salivary glands of the insect, enabling the transmission of the pathogen to the host plants. The minimum IAP for a successful transmission of SCWL phytoplasma to the host plants was 11–12 min, with a minimum duration of salivation into phloem of 1.35 min. The female vectors had higher SCWL phytoplasma copy numbers than the male vectors, and displayed faster AAP, IAP, and LP. Overall, our findings provide important information related to the feeding behaviour of M. hiroglyphicus and its effect on the transmission of SCWL phytoplasma.
Peer‐driven family support services in the context of first‐episode psychosis: Participant perceptions from a Canadian early intervention programme
Authors: Levasseur Mary A. , Ferrari Manuela , McIlwaine Sarah , Iyer Srividya N.
Published: December 2018

Aim

This paper aims to advance our understanding of the experience of participating in peer support groups for family members of persons with psychosis and to expand the scant body of literature on peer support in the context of early intervention services for psychosis. Such an examination is relevant because the implementation and uptake of family‐focused interventions remain inconsistent in early intervention services, despite their proven benefits.

Methods

To enable family caregivers to support one another, a family peer support project was initiated at an early intervention service for psychosis in Montreal, Canada. A family peer support provider and researchers collaboratively designed and conducted this study to examine the experience of those who participated in family peer support groups. Forty‐four family members completed an English or French online questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to code responses to open‐ended questions to unpack crucial elements of this peer support intervention.

Results

Three key themes were identified—the impact of psychosis on families; understanding and coping with psychosis through family peer support; and improving family peer support services. Mutual support through sharing experiences; gains in knowledge of the illness and its treatment; emotional support; and increased caregiving and self‐care capacities and skills were identified as critical benefits of family peer support.

Conclusion

Family peer support can be an acceptable and cherished means of engaging and sustaining families and enhancing their caregiving skills. Its integration into early intervention services holds the promise of helping promote recovery and reducing caregiver burden.
ZmHAK5 and ZmHAK1 function in K+ uptake and distribution in maize under low K+ conditions
Authors: Qin Ya‐Juan , Wu Wei‐Hua , Wang Yi
Published: December 2018

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Transporters from the KT/HAK/KUP family play crucial roles in K+ homeostasis and cell growth in various plant species. However, their physiological roles in maize are still unknown. In this study, we cloned ZmHAK5 and ZmHAK1 and investigated their functions in maize (Zea mays L.). In situ hybridization showed that ZmHAK5 was mainly expressed in roots, especially in the epidermis, cortex, and vascular bundle. ZmHAK5 was characterized as a high‐affinity K+ transporter. Loss of function of ZmHAK5 led to defective K+ uptake in maize, under low K+ conditions, whereas ZmHAK5‐overexpressing plants showed increased K+ uptake activity and improved growth. ZmHAK1 was upregulated under low K+ stress, as revealed by RT‐qPCR. ZmHAK1 mediated K+ uptake when heterologously expressed in yeast, but its transport activity was weaker than that of ZmHAK5. Overexpression of ZmHAK1 in maize significantly affected K+ distribution in shoots, leading to chlorosis in older leaves. These findings indicate that ZmHAK5 and ZmHAK1 play distinct roles in K+ homeostasis in maize, functioning in K+ uptake and K+ distribution, respectively. Genetic manipulation of ZmHAK5 may represent a feasible way to improve K+ utilization efficiency in maize.
Influence of canine donor plasma hemostatic protein concentration on quality of cryoprecipitate
Authors: Drinkhouse Macy , Brooks Marjory B. , Stefanovski Darko , Marryott Kimberly , Callan Mary Beth
Published: December 2018

Background

Cryoprecipitate (CRYO) is a plasma component containing high concentrations of factor VIII (FVIII), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and fibrinogen. Because Greyhounds are reported to have lower plasma VWF and fibrinogen concentrations, their plasma may not yield high potency CRYO.

Objectives

To determine if plasma hemostatic protein concentration is a good predictor of CRYO potency and if a difference exists in quality of CRYO prepared from Greyhounds versus non‐Greyhounds.

Animals

Twenty Greyhounds and 20 non‐Greyhounds.

Methods

A 450 mL unit of blood was collected from each donor, centrifuged to prepare fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and processed to CRYO. Aliquots of FFP and CRYO were analyzed for FVIII, VWF, and fibrinogen content and factor recovery.

Results

A positive correlation was found among donor plasma FVIII, VWF and fibrinogen concentration, and CRYO factor content (P < .001). Mean recovery was highest for VWF (67%), followed by fibrinogen (47%), and FVIII (37%). No breed difference was found in mean CRYO FVIII content, but CRYO VWF and fibrinogen were lower in Greyhounds (P = .004 andP < .001, respectively). No difference was found between Greyhounds and non‐Greyhounds for the number of CRYO units meeting human blood banking standards.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Factor concentration in FFP is associated with CRYO potency, suggesting that prescreening of blood donors may enhance CRYO quality. Despite lower VWF and fibrinogen content, CRYO prepared from Greyhounds is acceptable based on blood banking standards for humans, indicating that Greyhound FFP does not need to be excluded from CRYO production.
Tinea faciei starting at day two of life
Authors: Alkeswani Amena , Duncan James Robert , Theos Amy
Published: December 2018

Dermatophyte infections are exceedingly rare in neonates, possibly due to the thin stratum corneum and high sebum content of neonatal skin. Only a handful of cases of tinea faciei have been reported in neonates, with the majority of reports occuring in India. Here, we report what to our knowledge is the earliest reported presentation of tinea faciei in the United States. We also provide a brief literature review of other reported cases of tinea faciei in neonates less than 30 days of age.
Association of group‐specific component exon 11 polymorphisms with bronchial asthma in children and adolescents
Authors: Fawzy Manal S. , Elgazzaz Mona G. , Ibrahim Ahmed , Hussein Mohammad H. , Khashana Moataz S. , Toraih Eman A.
Published: December 2018

Several studies have investigated the association of Group‐specific Component (GC) gene, also known as vitamin D‐binding protein (VDBP), and various respiratory disorder susceptibility with conflicting results. In this sense, we aimed to investigate whether rs7041 and rs4588 variants confer susceptibility to bronchial asthma in a sample of an Egyptian population and to elucidate by in silico analysis the structural and functional impact of these variants. Group‐specific Component polymorphisms rs7041 and rs4588 were genotyped in 192 Egyptian children and adolescents (96 with asthma and 96 healthy controls) by TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay. The rs7041 GG genotype showed a significantly elevated frequency among patients under codominant, dominant, recessive and allelic models where the patient group had greater carriage rate of G allele [OR 2.15, CI 95% (1.32‐3.50; P = 0.002)], while rs4588 CA and AA genotypes were found to be protective genotypes with controls showing a greater carriage rate of A allele [OR 0.52, CI 95% (0.30 ‐ 0.90; P = 0.02)]. Three haplotype allele combinations were identified with frequencies of GC (44.3%), TC (31.3%) and TA (24.5%) in the total study population. GC haplotype was shown to be more frequent in controls, while TC and TA haplotypes were more predominant in the patient group. Only rs7041 variant showed a significant association with family history and pubertal status. In conclusion, both study GC variants could be implicated in childhood bronchial asthma pathogenesis; rs7041 GG genotype and G allele increased asthma risk while rs4588 AA genotype and A allele conferred protection in the study population.
Comparability of published cut‐points for the assessment of physical activity: Implications for data harmonization
Authors: Migueles Jairo H. , Cadenas‐Sanchez Cristina , Tudor‐Locke Catrine , Löf Marie , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Molina‐Garcia Pablo , Mora‐Gonzalez Jose , Rodriguez‐Ayllon Maria , Garcia‐Marmol Eduardo , Ekelund Ulf , Ortega Francisco B.
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to compare estimations of sedentary time (SED) and time spent in physical activity (PA) intensities in children with overweight/obesity across different age‐appropriate cut‐points based on different body‐worn attachment sites and acceleration metrics. A total of 104 overweight/obese children (10.1 ± 1.1 years old, 43 girls) concurrently wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers on their right hip and non‐dominant wrist for 7 days (24 hours). Euclidean norm −1 g (ENMO) and activity counts from both vertical axis (VACounts) and vector magnitude (VMCounts) were derived. We calculated estimates of SED and light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate‐to‐vigorous (MVPA) intensity PA using different published cut‐points for children. The prevalence of children meeting the recommended 60 min/d of MVPA was calculated. The time spent in SED and the different PA intensities largely differed across cut‐points based on different attachment sites and acceleration metrics (ie, SED = 11‐252 min/d; light PA = 10‐217 min/d; moderate PA = 1‐48 min/d; vigorous PA = 1‐35 min/d; MVPA = 4‐66 min/d). Consequently, the prevalence of children meeting the recommended 60 min/d of MVPA varied from 8% to 96% of the study sample. The present study provides a comprehensive comparison between available cut‐points for different attachment and acceleration metrics in children. Furthermore, our data clearly show that it is not possible (and probably will never be) to know the prevalence of meeting the PA guidelines based on accelerometer data since apparent differences range from almost zero to nearly everyone meeting the guidelines.
An Early Cretaceous slab window beneath central Tibet, SW China: Evidence from OIB‐like alkaline gabbros in the Duolong area
Authors: Wu Hao , Sun Shulin , Liu Haiyong , Chu Hao , Ding Wei
Published: December 2018

The geodynamic mechanism of the late Early Cretaceous magmatic flare‐up in the collisional zone between the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes in Tibet is controversial because of a scarcity of robust evidence. To address this problem, we report geochronological, geochemical and Hf isotopic data for the newly discovered Gufeng gabbros from the Duolong Cu–Au mineral district of the western Bangong–Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ). The gabbro samples, dated at 126.3 ± 1.8 Ma, show geochemical similarities to typical ocean island basalt (OIB) and have positive εHf(t) values of +3.3 to +6.9. The gabbros were generated by decompression melting of deep upwelling asthenosphere. This event is best explained by slab break‐off and the resultant development of a slab window beneath central Tibet.
Exchange rate policies in Asia in an era of financial globalisation: An empirical assessment
Authors: Cavoli Tony , Gopalan Sasidaran , Rajan Ramkishen S.
Published: December 2018

Ebbs and flows of capital have complicated macroeconomic policy management for all emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) regardless of whether they have adopted flexible or managed exchange rate regimes. In the light of the renewed interest in the trilemma versus dilemma debate, we contribute to the related literature by presenting an empirical analysis of exchange rate flexibility and intervention for selected Asian EMDEs over the time period 2001–2016. In addition to estimating augmented Frankel–Wei regressions, we employ a generalised auto‐regressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model to assess the extent of foreign exchange (FX) intervention and whether there exist any asymmetries in the way countries intervene. Our results show that although there is greater flexibility in exchange rates, there is evidence of some countries potentially using FX intervention to manage currency movements. We also find evidence of asymmetry in intervention where exchange rate volatility responds more emphatically to FX sales than purchases.
Empirical measurement of pressure in negative pressure wound therapy for infected wounds: How long can it really stay under pressure?
Authors: Cozza Valerio , Pascale Marco M. , Pepe Gilda , Panzera Rocco , Magalini Sabina , Gui Daniele
Published: December 2018

Surgical site infections represent one of the most common surgical complications. Negative pressure wound therapy is considered an effective wound management system, based on the principle that a negative pressure inside the wound can suction fluids and approximate wound edges. With the negative pressure wound therapy systems commercially available it is assumed that the pressure inside the wound is stable at the set values. We conducted a prospective experimental study to investigate this. The negative pressure level achieved inside the dressing was investigated at a standard distance from the pad of suction and at specific times in patients with surgical site infections. Pressure measurements were performed in 28 dressings in 14 patients admitted to the Emergency Surgery Department between April 2016 and June 2017. In general, the machine was set at a pressure of −100 mmHg. Negative pressure was measured with a portable pressure reader in the dressing sponge at a distance of 0, 1.5, and 3 cm from the suction pad at the time of dressing change at 24 and 48 hours. The data suggest that there is a significant decrease in negative pressure at both 1.5 and 3 cm from the suction pad at 48 hours from the dressing change (p = 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). This preliminary study shows with statistical significance that the pressure inside the sponge of a negative pressure wound therapy system decreases after 48 hours, confirming that the pressure inside the system is not the same as the pressure reported by the machine and, instead of being stable, changes overtime.