bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of (S)-lacosamide in preclinical models of cephalic pain
Authors: Moutal Aubin , Eyde Nathan , Telemi Edwin , Park Ki Duk , Xie Jennifer Y. , Dodick David W. , Porreca Frank , Khanna Rajesh
Published: September 2016

Migraine is one of the world's most common neurological disorders. Current acute migraine treatments have suboptimal efficacy, and new therapeutic options are needed. Approaches targeting calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) signaling are clinically effective, but small molecule antagonists have not been advanced because of toxicity. In this study, we explored the axonal growth/specification collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) as a novel “druggable” target for inhibiting CGRP release and for potential relevance for treatment of migraine pain. Collapsin response mediator protein 2 has been demonstrated to regulate N-type voltage-gated Ca2+channel activity and Ca2+-dependent CGRP release in sensory neurons. The coexpression of CRMP2 with N-type voltage-gated Ca2+channel and CGRP in trigeminal ganglia (TGs) sensory neurons suggested the possibility of a novel approach to regulate CGRP release in the trigeminal system. Screening protocols surprisingly revealed that (S)-lacosamide ((S)-LCM), an inactive analog of the clinically approved small molecule antiepileptic drug (R)-lacosamide (Vimpat), inhibited CRMP2 phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in rat TG slices and decreased depolarization-evoked Ca2+influx in TG cells in culture. (S)-LCM significantly blocked capsaicin-evoked CGRP release from dural nerve terminals in the rat in ex vivo cranial cup preparation. Additionally, cephalic and extracephalic cutaneous allodynia induced in rats by activation of dural nociceptors with a cocktail of inflammatory mediators, was inhibited by oral administration of (S)-LCM. The confirmation of CRMP2 as an upstream mediator of CGRP release, together with the brain penetrance of this molecule suggests (S)-LCM as a potential therapy for acute migraine.
Is Communication Improved With the Implementation of an Obstetrical Version of the World Health Organization Safe Surgery Checklist?
Authors: Govindappagari Shravya , Guardado Amanda , Goffman Dena , Bernstein Jeffrey , Lee Colleen , Schonfeld Sara , Angert Robert , McGowan Andrea , Bernstein Peter S.
Published: September 2016

Objective

Communication failures are consistently seen as a root cause of preventable adverse outcomes in obstetrics. We assessed whether use of an Obstetric Safe Surgery Checklist for cesarean deliveries (CDs), based on the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist, can improve communication; reduce team member confusion about urgency of the case; and decrease documentation discrepancies among nursing, obstetric, anesthesia, and pediatric staff.

Methods

Retrospective review of 600 CDs on our 2 labor and delivery suites before and after the introduction of 2 consecutive versions of our obstetric safe surgery checklist (100 cases in each cohort) was undertaken. The first version was released in 2010, and after modifications based on initial findings, our current version was released in 2014. One hundred consecutive CDs were identified from each of the 3 periods at each hospital, and charts for those patients and newborns were abstracted. Notes by obstetricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians were reviewed. We compared the rates of agreement in the documentation of the indication for the CD between the different members of the team. Chi-square analyses were performed.

Results

Complete agreement among the 4 specialties in the documented indication for CD before introduction of our initial safe surgery checklist was noted in 59% (n = 118) of cases. After initial checklist introduction, agreement decreased to 43% (n = 86; P = 0.002). We then modified our checklist to include indication for CD and level of urgency and changed our policy to include pediatric staff participation in the timeout. Agreement in a subsequent chart review increased to 80% (n = 160), significantly better than in our initial analysis (P < 0.001) and our interim review (P < 0.001). The greatest improvement in agreement was observed between obstetricians and pediatricians.

Conclusions

Implementation of a safe surgery checklist can improve communication at CDs, but care should be taken when implementing checklists because they can have unanticipated consequences. Ongoing review and modification are critical to ensure safer medical care.
Overcoming confounding plate effects in differential expression analyses of single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Lun Aaron T. L. , Marioni John C.
Published: September 2016

An increasing number of studies are using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the gene expression profiles of individual cells. One common analysis applied to scRNA-seq data involves detecting differentially expressed (DE) genes between cells in different biological groups. However, many experiments are designed such that the cells to be compared are processed in separate plates or chips, meaning that the groupings are confounded with systematic plate effects. This confounding aspect is frequently ignored in DE analyses of scRNA-seq data. In this article, we demonstrate that failing to consider plate effects in the statistical model results in loss of type I error control. A solution is proposed whereby counts are summed from all cells in each plate and the count sums for all plates are used in the DE analysis. This restores type I error control in the presence of plate effects without compromising detection power in simulated data. Summation is also robust to varying numbers and library sizes of cells on each plate. Similar results are observed in DE analyses of real data where the use of count sums instead of single-cell counts improves specificity and the ranking of relevant genes. This suggests that summation can assist in maintaining statistical rigour in DE analyses of scRNA-seq data with plate effects.
Calculation of a distribution free estimate of effect size and confidence intervals using VBA/Excel
Authors: Goedhart Joachim
Published: September 2016

Reporting effect sizes aids the transparent presentation and independent interpretation of scientific data. However, calculation and reporting of effect sizes for data obtained in basic research is rare. A standardized effect size was reported by Norman Cliff, known as Cliff's delta. It has several advantageous features, as (i) it makes no assumption on the shape of the underlying distribution, (ii) it works well for small to moderate samples (n>10), (iii) it is easy to calculate, and (iv) its basis is readily understood by non statisticians. Here, a VBA macro, implemented in Excel, is presented. The macro takes two independent samples as input and calculates Cliff's delta with 95% confidence intervals. The macro will reduce the barrier for calculating the effect size and can be a valuable tool for research and teaching.
Phylogenetic factorization of compositional data
Authors: Washburne Alex D , Silverman Justin D , Leff Jonathan W , Bennett Dominic J , Darcy John L. , Mukherjee Sayan , Fierer Noah , David Lawrence A
Published: September 2016

Marker gene sequencing of microbial communities has generated big datasets of microbial relative abundances varying across environmental conditions, sample sites and treatments. These data often come with putative phylogenies, providing unique opportunities to investigate how shared evolutionary history affects microbial abundance patterns. Here, we present a method to identify the phylogenetic factors driving patterns in microbial community composition. We use the method, “phylofactorization”, to re-analyze datasets from human body and soil microbial communities, demonstrating how phylofactorization can be a dimensionality-reducing tool, an ordination-visualization tool, and also mass-produce inferences on the edges in the phylogeny in which meaningful differences arose.
Cities futures. A critical assessment of how future studies are applied to cities
Authors: Fernández Güell José Miguel , López Javier González
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to assess recent foresight exercises applied to cities by evaluating three major issues. Have foresight practitioners understood cities complexity? Have urban planners used adequate tools to generate plausible future visions? Are city policy makers using foresight studies to limit urban uncertainty?

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 20 city foresight examples were selected which either have international relevance or which constitute good examples of future-oriented initiatives. Case studies were classified into five taxonomies: European Union initiatives; local initiatives; academic initiatives; corporate initiatives; and architectural initiatives. A set of assessment criteria was established: city complexity conceptualization; methodological approach; and study impact.

Findings

Preliminary research outcomes show growing doubts about the appropriateness of the foresight tools used in cities and about the competency of foresight practitioners in understanding the complex and dynamic nature of contemporary cities. Furthermore, policy makers do not seem to grasp the potential of foresight to formulate urban strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the initiatives studied are relatively recent, so impact analysis has been limited by available data. Mostly, secondary documented sources were used to validate cases’ assessment. Research suggests a number of areas in which foresight studies may have a practical application to the urban realm.

Originality/value

The value of the present work lies in the effort for assessing and improving forward-looking activities undertaken at cities through a set of criteria which take into consideration the complexity and diversity of contemporary cities.
Energy foresight, scenarios and sustainable energy policy in Brazil
Authors: Horner Nathaniel , de Paula Oliveira Antonio Geraldo , Silberglitt Richard , Khaled Poppe Marcelo , Bressan Rocha Bárbara
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to use quantitative metrics to chart the unique history leading to Brazil’s leadership in renewable energy and identifies a set of meta-scenarios that define possible future carbon performance. These meta-scenarios provide a context for discussing specific energy policy implications both at the national scale and from the perspective of Brazil’s urban centres.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines and uses three metrics – energy efficiency, decarbonisation and carbon efficiency – to plot both Brazil’s historic energy pathway and a set of future energy scenarios put forth by various national and international energy agencies. The authors then use a meta-scenario approach to group these alternate pathways, identifying specific policy levers associated with the realisation of each.

Findings

The authors identify plausible policy changes that will help move Brazil off a current trajectory of stagnated energy performance to a “greener” scenario in which carbon efficiency improves even as Brazil’s economic growth continues. Such policies include energy efficiency programmes and continued expansion of the country’s already extensive hydropower and biomass capacity. Adoption of policies that would put Brazil on a more aggressive path towards a global sustainability scenario currently seems impractical.

Originality/value

This paper brings a standardized set of metrics to bear on Brazil’s unique energy history, which in turn helps identify specific policy impacts for continued GHG reduction in Brazil’s future from national and urban perspectives.
Exploring the mechanism of consumer responses to CSR activities of Islamic banks
Authors: Mostafa Rania B. , ElSahn Farid
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Drawing on social identity theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose and test a conceptual framework of the mechanism of customer response toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was completed by 203 customers of Islamic banks in Bahrain. Structural equation modeling, was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Islamic ethics fit partially mediates the relationship between CSR initiatives and consumer-bank identification (CBI) which in turn contributes positively to customer advocacy. These findings emphasize the importance of CSR practices compliance with Islamic ethics principles for customers to identify with and advocate Islamic bank.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding the mechanism of customers’ responses toward CSR initiatives of Islamic banks provides insights into the complexities of Islamic bank customers’ perceptions of CSR initiatives. The successful introduction of a mediating variable, namely, Islamic ethics fit suggests future research opportunities.

Originality/value

Much of the value of the present work is because of the findings regarding the relationship between CSR and customer responses. The originality of this study lies in being the first research examining the mediating role of Islamic ethics fit to the relationship between CSR initiatives and CBI which in turn enhances Islamic banks’ advocacy.
Investigating EU-Turkey renewable cooperation opportunities: a SWOT analysis
Authors: Karakosta Charikleia , Papapostolou Aikaterini , Dede Phaedra , Marinakis Vangelis , Psarras John
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Turkey’s current energy status with a on renewable energy sources (RES) cooperation mechanisms, within the framework of RES Directive 2009/28/EC. The study uses the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis for drawing results about perspectives of RES cooperation between Turkey and European Union (EU) Member States. In particular, the SWOT analysis provides a clearer view of expanding RES in Turkey, as well as the level of utilization and potential of cooperation mechanisms and renewable energy in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach followed incorporates desktop analysis, stakeholders’ mapping and involvement, key factors’ identification and results analysis and validation. The adopted approach is based on research conducted within the context of the “Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies (BETTER)” (project number: IEE/11/845/SI2.616378) project, co-financed by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.

Findings

Based on the SWOT analysis conducted for Turkey, there are huge opportunities for RES deployment and cooperation in the country, because of its large unexploited RES potential. Turkey is a country with strategic importance, e.g. regarding energy security. Substantial savings can occur for the EU28 Member States through this cooperation, whereas Turkey will also benefit through income and investments, as well as technology transfers and further synergies associated with the cooperation. For the above potentials to be reached, nevertheless, national policies for RES development would have to be strengthened substantially, and non-economic barriers mitigated.

Originality/value

The potential of Turkey to utilise cooperation mechanisms provides opportunities for RES exporting between the country and EU countries. An analysis of these opportunities for cooperation will allow drawing clearer conclusions on cooperation potentials and business cases for Turkey.
Perceived self-efficacy and interactive video retrieval
Authors: Albertson Dan , Ju Boryung
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine perceived self-efficacy of users within an interactive video retrieval context. The motivation for this research includes that understanding self-efficacy will provide insight on how potential users target resources and in turn promote and sustain use of retrieval tools and systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was employed. In total, 270 participants rated levels of perceived self-efficacy for successfully fulfilling different video needs if using a particular system. Perceived self-efficacy was explored quantitatively, both overall and across different potentially influential factors, such as topic type, topic familiarity, system experience, and system context. In addition, open-ended responses on the survey were categorized through content-analysis and subsequently analyzed using weighted frequencies.

Findings

Findings demonstrated significant associations between participants’ perceived self-efficacy and different topical factors, including familiarity and topic type, and also system factors, such as exposure (or experience) and system context.

Research limitations/implications

User confidence is one belief or attitude about technology acceptance, with self-efficacy intersecting multiple factors related to initial and sustained use of technologies. Findings give researchers a look at users’ preconceptions of interactive video retrieval situations, which, in turn, suggest positive implications for future research and design.

Originality/value

Video retrieval comprises considerations that are unique from other contexts due to the structure and physical makeup of video. However, until now, self-efficacy has not been directly examined in relation to video or according to several of the specific retrieval factors as explored in the current study, which is thus warranted.
Using grey incidence to analyze the energy audit reports and rough set for rule extraction
Authors: Karimi Tooraj , Forrest Jeffrey Yi-Lin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the energy audit reports in order to define the most favorable factors affecting energy consumption of buildings. Since energy audit of buildings includes assessment of occupants comfort level in addition to the technical data of buildings so some rules are extracted to model the employees thermal comfort level in organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Some tools of RST and GIA are used in this research to analyze the energy consumption of official buildings. “Average energy consumption of building per year” is selected as a system characteristic in GIA and as a decision attribute in RST to show the behavior of buildings energy consumption. Ten technical sequences of buildings are chosen as relevant factors of behavior and conditional attributes in GIA and RST. In order to model the employees thermal comfort level in organization by RST, ten technical attributes of buildings are selected as condition attributes and thermal comfort level of employees is selected as decision attribute. Due to the different algorithms of data complement, discretization, reduction, and rule generation, four rule models are constructed. Cross-validation is used for evaluation of the model results and the best model is chosen with 62 rules and 99.8 percent of accuracy.

Findings

According to the results of GIA and RST, “Uncontrolled area of the building” has been diagnosed as the most important factor between other relevant factors/attributes and it has the greatest effect on energy consumption of building. Four rule models have been extracted from deferent decision tables in order to describe the thermal comfort level of employees in organization. The maximum number of rules relates to the conditional combination/GA model with 1263 rules and average accuracy of 99.7 percent and the minimum number relates to the conditional combination/Janson model with 62 rules and average accuracy of 99.8 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The total observations for rule extraction is 81 and the results can be improved by further samples.

Originality/value

It shows that “Uncontrolled area of the building” is the most important factor/attribute to define the consumption of buildings and thermal comfort level of employees in organization.
Promoting social equity, diversity, and inclusion through accreditation
Authors: Rubaii Nadia
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which accreditation of public affairs programs can be a tool to advance social equity, diversity, and inclusion. The paper is presented in the context of the widespread acceptance of the importance of addressing social inequalities in Latin America and the critical role that public policy and public administration can have on advancing these goals.

Design/methodology/approach

International and national accreditation standards are compared using content analysis for their reference to social equity and diversity in their standards regarding faculty, students, curriculum content and learning outcomes. The research applies content analysis of key documents and thematic coding.

Findings

International accrediting agencies that focused explicitly on programs in public affairs place a much greater emphasis on social equity and diversity than their national counterparts which accredit a full range of programs and institutions. National accrediting agencies assert the value of diversity, but their standards and reporting requirements suggest otherwise.

Research limitations/implications

The research suggests that international accreditation standards have the potential to advance social equity goals more effectively than national standards and that there is great potential to enhance this component of national accreditation standards. Implications for policymakers, accreditation professionals and scholars are identified.

Originality/value

The research is original in its focus on the role of accreditation in promoting social equity and its comparison of national and international standards. Although limited to Latin America and public affairs programs, the research provides a basis for examining similar patterns with respect to other disciplines and professions, and in other regions of the world.
Quality assurance model for digital adult education materials
Authors: Dimou Helen , Kameas Achilles
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present a model for the quality assurance of digital educational material that is appropriate for adult education. The proposed model adopts the software quality standard ISO/IEC 9126 and takes into account adult learning theories, Bloom’s taxonomy of learning objectives and two instructional design models: Kolb’s model (the learning cycle) and Gagne, Briggs and Wager’s model.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of this paper is as follows: in the second section, the theory of “the learning cycle of Kolb” is discussed. The third section discusses the model of Gagne, Biggs & Wager. The fourth section discusses and categorizes the characteristics and sub-characteristics of the quality of digital educational material. The fifth section discusses and categorizes the quality attributes of digital educational material. Moreover, the correlation of the sub-characteristics of the material with the model of Gagne and that of Kolb are examined.

Findings

The authors developed a quality model that adopts the structure of ISO/IEC 9126 standard, using basic notions of theories of adult education to define its characteristics and sub-characteristics. The model has been successfully applied in the quality evaluation of educational material distributed to distance learning adult students.

Originality/value

The innovative combination of an established quality model with sound educational theories yields a comprehensive model that allows both a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the appropriateness of digital educational material. The applicability of the model is demonstrated by applying it to specific digital materials specially developed for adult education.
The use of the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahman
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of Honey and Mumford’s (1986) learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the context of United Arab Emirates (UAE) higher education. In particular, it aims at exploring the learning style preferences of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) students using LSQ. It also investigates whether there are statistically significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 1,463 undergraduate students at the UAEU. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the main characteristics of respondents, to explore the learning style preferences of UAEU students and to find out whether there are significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics.

Findings

Results indicated that UAEU students have strong preferences for the four learning styles. Results showed that about 68 per cent of UAEU students have strong or very strong preferences for the activist leaning style, whereas about 84 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the reflector learning style, 78 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the theorist learning style; about 60 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the pragmatist learning style. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in certain learning styles because of students’ demographic and academic characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

There are a number of limitations associated with this study. First, data were collected from a single university in the UAE. Second, the results are based on a self-report survey and this in turn might affect the reliability of the results. Another limitation is that this study is of snapshot type. Hence, it might not capture the dynamic nature of learning style. On the other hand, it has a number of implications for students, educators and administrators.

Originality/value

The present study is the first attempt to explore learning styles preference of undergraduate students using LSQ, not only in the content of UAE higher education but also in the Arab world.
Cascading effects of defaunation on the coexistence of two specialized insect seed predators
Authors: Peguero Guille , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Jansen Patrick A. , Wright S. Joseph
Published: September 2016

Identification of the mechanisms enabling stable coexistence of species with similar resource requirements is a central challenge in ecology. Such coexistence can be facilitated by species at higher trophic levels through complex multi‐trophic interactions, a mechanism that could be compromised by ongoing defaunation.

We investigated cascading effects of defaunation on Pachymerus cardo and Speciomerus giganteus, the specialized insect seed predators of the Neotropical palm Attalea butyracea, testing the hypothesis that vertebrate frugivores and granivores facilitate their coexistence.

Laboratory experiments showed that the two seed parasitoid species differed strongly in their reproductive ecology. Pachymerus produced many small eggs that it deposited exclusively on the fruit exocarp (exterior). Speciomerus produced few large eggs that it deposited exclusively on the endocarp, which is normally exposed only after a vertebrate handles the fruit. When eggs of the two species were deposited on the same fruit, Pachymerus triumphed only when it had a long head start, and the loser always succumbed to intraguild predation.

We collected field data on the fates of 6569 Attalea seeds across sites in central Panama with contrasting degrees of defaunation and wide variation in the abundance of vertebrate frugivores and granivores. Speciomerus dominated where vertebrate communities were intact, whereas Pachymerus dominated in defaunated sites. Variation in the relative abundance of Speciomerus across all 84 sampling sites was strongly positively related to the proportion of seeds attacked by rodents, an indicator of local vertebrate abundance.

Synthesis. We show that two species of insect seed predators relying on the same host plant species are niche differentiated in their reproductive strategies such that one species has the advantage when fruits are handled promptly by vertebrates and the other when they are not. Defaunation disrupts this mediating influence of vertebrates and strongly favours one species at the expense of the other, providing a case study of the cascading effects of defaunation and its potential to disrupt coexistence of non‐target species, including the hyperdiverse phytophagous insects of tropical forests.
Bacterial microbiota associated with flower pollen is influenced by pollination type, and shows a high degree of diversity and species‐specificity
Authors: Ambika Manirajan Binoy , Ratering Stefan , Rusch Volker , Schwiertz Andreas , Geissler‐Plaum Rita , Cardinale Massimiliano , Schnell Sylvia
Published: September 2016

Diverse microorganisms colonise the different plant‐microhabitats, such as rhizosphere and phyllosphere, and play key roles for the host. However, bacteria associated with pollen are poorly investigated, despite its ecological, commercial and medical relevance. Due to structure and nutritive composition, pollen provides a unique microhabitat. Here the bacterial abundance, community structure, diversity and colonization pattern of birch, rye, rapes and autumn crocus pollens were examined, by using cultivation, high‐throughput sequencing and microscopy. Cultivated bacteria belonged to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, with remarkable differences at species level between pollen species. High‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries showed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum in all pollen species, followed by Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes. Both plant species and pollination type significant influenced structure and diversity of the pollen microbiota. The insect‐pollinated species possessed a more similar microbiota in comparison to the wind‐pollinated ones, suggesting a levelling effect by insect vectors. Scanning electron microscopy as well as fluorescent in situ hybridisation coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy (FISH‐CLSM) indicated the tectum surface as the preferred niche of bacterial colonisation. This work is the most comprehensive study of pollen microbiology, and strongly increases our knowledge on one of the less investigated plant‐microhabitats.
The value of spectral imaging to reduce artefacts in the body after 125I seed implantation
Authors: Liu Jingang , Wang Wenjuan , Zhao Xingsheng , Shen Zhen , Shao Weiguang , Wang Xizhen , Li Lixin , Wang Bin
Published: September 2016

Introduction

To explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) and metal artefact reduction sequence (MARs) to reduce the artefacts of metal seeds.

Methods

Thirty‐five patients with 125I seed implantation in their abdomens underwent GSI CT. Six types of monochromatic images and the corresponding MARs images at 60–110 keV (interval of 10 keV) were reconstructed. The differences in the quality of the images of three imaging methods were subjectively assessed by three radiologists. Length of artefacts, the CT value and noise value of tissue adjacent to 125I seeds, contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and artefact index (AI) were recorded.

Results

The differences in subjective scoring were statistically significant (t = 10.87, P < 0.001). Images at 70 keV showed the best CNR (0.84 ± 0.17) of tissues adjacent to 125I seeds, and received the highest subjective score (2.82 ± 0.18). Images at 80 keV had the lowest AI (70.67 ± 19.17). Images at 110 keV had the shortest artefact lengths. High‐density metal artefacts in the MARs spectral images were reduced. The length of metal artefacts in images at 110 keV was shorter than that of the polychromatic images and MARs spectral images (t = 3.35, 3.89, P < 0.05). The difference in CNR between MARs spectral images and polychromatic images, and images at 70 keV was statistically significant (t = 3.57, 4.16, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Gemstone spectral imaging technique can reduce metal artefacts of 125I seeds effectively in CT images, and improve the quality of images, and improve the display of tissues adjacent to 125I seeds after implantation. MARs technique cannot reduce the artefacts caused by radioactive seeds effectively.
The love of money results in objectification
Authors: Wang Xijing , Krumhuber Eva G.
Published: September 2016

Objectification, which refers to the treatment of others as objectlike things, has long been observed in capitalism. While the negative impact of money on interpersonal harmony has been well documented, the social cognitive processes that underlie them are relatively unknown. Across four studies, we explored whether the love of money leads to objectification, while controlling for social power and status. In Study 1, the love and importance attached to money positively predicted the tendency to construe social relationships based on instrumentality. In Study 2, the likelihood to favour a target of instrumental use was increased by momentarily activating an affective state of being rich. Temporarily heightening the motivation for money further resulted in deprivation of mental capacities of irrelevant others, including humans (Study 3) and animals (Study 4). This lack of perceived mental states partially mediated the effects of money on subsequent immoral behaviour (Study 4). The findings are the first to reveal the role of objectification as a potential social cognitive mechanism for explaining why money often harms interpersonal harmony.
The landscape of systematic reviews in urology (1998 to 2015): an assessment of methodological quality
Authors: Han Julia L. , Gandhi Shreyas , Bockoven Crystal G. , Narayan Vikram M. , Dahm Philipp
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To assess the quality of published systematic reviews in the urology literature (an extension of our previously reported work), as high‐quality systematic reviews play a paramount role in informing evidence‐based clinical practice.

Materials and Methods

Our focus was on systematic reviews in the urology literature that incorporated questions of prevention and therapy. To identify such reviews published during a 36‐month period (2013–2015), we systematically searched PubMed and hand‐searched the table of contents of four major urology journals. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of those reviews, using the 11‐point ‘Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews’ (AMSTAR) instrument. We performed protocol‐driven analyses of the data from our present study's 36‐month period alone, as well as in aggregate with the data from our previously reported work's study periods (2009–2012 and 1998–2008).

Results

In our literature search of the 36‐month period (2013–2015), we initially identified 490 possibly relevant reviews, of which 125 met our inclusion criteria. The most common topic of reviews for the 2013–2015 period was oncology (51.2%; n = 64), followed by voiding dysfunction (21.6%; n = 27). The mean [standard deviation (SD)] AMSTAR score in the 2013–2015 period (n = 125) was 4.8 (2.4); 2009–2012 (n = 113), 5.4 (2.3); and 1998–2008 (n = 57), 4.8 (2.0) (P = 0.127). In the 2013–2015 period, the mean (SD) AMSTAR score for the BJU International (n = 25) was 5.6 (2.9); for The Journal of Urology (n = 20), 5.1 (2.6); for European Urology (n = 60), 4.5 (2.2); and for Urology (n = 20), 4.4 (2.2) (P = 0.106).

Conclusions

The number of systematic reviews published in the urology literature has exponentially increased, year by year, but their methodological quality has stagnated. To enhance the validity and impact of systematic reviews, all authors and editors must apply established methodological standards.
p53‐dependent up‐regulation of CDKN1A and down‐regulation of CCNE2 in response to beryllium
Authors: Gorjala P. , Cairncross J. G. , Gary R. K.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Beryllium salts (here, beryllium sulphate) can produce a cytostatic effect in some cell types. The basis for this effect may include increased expression of proliferation inhibitors, reduced expression of proliferation promoters, or both. This study sought to determine the role of p53, the tumour‐suppressing transcription factor, in mediating beryllium‐induced cytostasis.

Materials and methods

Human A172 glioma cells express wild‐type TP53 gene. Activity of p53 was experimentally manipulated using siRNA and related approaches. Key elements of the beryllium‐response were compared in normal and p53‐knockdown A172 cells using RT‐PCR and Western blotting.

Results

In A172 cells, 10 μm BeSO4 caused 300% increase in CDKN1A (cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21) mRNA and 90% reduction of CCNE2 (cyclin E2) mRNA. The increased p21 mRNA and reduced cyclin E2 mRNA were each dependent on presence of functional p53. For p21, increased mRNA led to commensurately increased protein levels. In contrast, reduction in cyclin E2 mRNA levels did not lead to corresponding reductions in cyclin E2 protein. The proteasomal inhibitor MG‐132 caused p53 protein to increase, but it had no effect on cyclin E2 protein levels. Cycloheximide time course studies indicated that the cyclin E2 protein half‐life was more than 12 hours in these cells.

Conclusions

Beryllium elicited p53‐dependent changes in mRNA levels of key determinants of cell proliferation such as p21 and cyclin E2. However, cyclin E2 protein appeared to be aberrantly regulated in this cell type, as its turnover was unexpectedly slow.
The association between retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and N‐acetyl aspartate levels in multiple sclerosis brain normal‐appearing white matter: a longitudinal study using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Pardini M. , Botzkowski D. , Müller S. , Vehoff J. , Kuhle J. , Ruberte E. , Würfel J. , Gass A. , Valmaggia C. , Tettenborn B. , Putzki N. , Yaldizli Ö.
Published: September 2016

Background and purpose

N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) assessed using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) has a high pathological specificity for axonal density. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) measured by using optical coherence tomography is increasingly used as a surrogate marker of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to investigate the relation between RNFLT and NAA/creatine in brain normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM), their dynamics over time and the association with clinical outcome measures in relapsing MS. T2 WM lesions served as control tissue.

Methods

Forty‐three MS patients underwent standardized neurological examination including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score, optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging including 1H MRS at baseline and after 1 year.

Results

At baseline, NAA/creatine level was lower in T2 WM lesions than in NAWM (1.64 ± 0.16 vs. 1.88 ± 0.24, P < 0.001). Lowest levels were found in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Mean RNFLT was higher in clinically isolated syndrome than in the combined group of relapsing−remitting MS and SPMS (99.8 ± 12.3 μm vs. 92.4 ± 12.8 μm, P = 0.038). In all patients, mean RNFLT decreased by 1.4% during follow‐up. At baseline, MSFC z‐scores correlated with NAA/creatine levels both in NAWM (r = 0.42; P = 0.008) and T2 WM lesions (r = 0.52, P = 0.004). NAWM NAA/creatine variation correlated with the RNFLT change over 1 year (ρ = 0.43, P = 0.046).

Conclusions

N‐acetyl aspartate/creatine level reduction correlated with RNFLT thinning over 1 year in an EDSS stable MS cohort suggesting that these techniques might be sensitive to detect subclinical disease progression.
Nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: are we still waiting for the honeymoon?
Authors: Colosimo C. , Bhidayasiri R.
Published: September 2016

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
Stream network geomorphology mediates predicted vulnerability of anadromous fish habitat to hydrologic change in southeast Alaska
Authors: Sloat Matthew R. , Reeves Gordon H. , Christiansen Kelly R.
Published: September 2016

In rivers supporting Pacific salmon in southeast Alaska,USA, regional trends toward a warmer, wetter climate are predicted to increase mid‐ and late‐21st‐century mean annual flood size by 17% and 28%, respectively. Increased flood size could alter stream habitats used by Pacific salmon for reproduction, with negative consequences for the substantial economic, cultural, and ecosystem services these fish provide. We combined field measurements and model simulations to estimate the potential influence of future flood disturbance on geomorphic processes controlling the quality and extent of coho, chum, and pink salmon spawning habitat in over 800 southeast Alaska watersheds. Spawning habitat responses varied widely across watersheds and among salmon species. Little variation among watersheds in potential spawning habitat change was explained by predicted increases in mean annual flood size. Watershed response diversity was mediated primarily by topographic controls on stream channel confinement, reach‐scale geomorphic associations with spawning habitat preferences, and complexity in the pace and mode of geomorphic channel responses to altered flood size. Potential spawning habitat loss was highest for coho salmon, which spawn over a wide range of geomorphic settings, including steeper, confined stream reaches that are more susceptible to streambed scour during high flows. We estimated that 9–10% and 13–16% of the spawning habitat for coho salmon could be lost by the 2040s and 2080s, respectively, with losses occurring primarily in confined, higher‐gradient streams that provide only moderate‐quality habitat. Estimated effects were lower for pink and chum salmon, which primarily spawn in unconfined floodplain streams. Our results illustrate the importance of accounting for valley and reach‐scale geomorphic features in watershed assessments of climate vulnerability, especially in topographically complex regions. Failure to consider the geomorphic context of stream networks will hamper efforts to understand and mitigate the vulnerability of anadromous fish habitat to climate‐induced hydrologic change.
Transforming your service: the right evidence at the right time and place
Authors: Sutton Anthea
Published: September 2016

This virtual issue is published to coincide with the CILIP Health Libraries Group Conference 2016. The theme of the conference is Knowledge for Healthcare (KFH), the development framework for health care library and knowledge services (LKS), published by Health Education England. Transforming the service, and delivering the right evidence at the right time and place, is a key strategic focus of KFH. Therefore, this virtual issue draws on content published in Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) in the last 2 years, which demonstrate initiatives in health care LKS in line with the transformation strands outlined in KFH. The virtual issue follows the same structure as a regular issue of HILJ, containing one review article, a series of original articles and our three regular features: Dissertations into Practice, Teaching and Learning in Action and International Perspectives and Initiatives.
Microencapsulation of lipid materials by spray drying and properties of products
Authors: Wang Bangping , Duke Steve R. , Wang Yifen
Published: September 2016

Lipophilic bioactive materials, such as carotenoids, exhibit various health benefits. To enhance their stability and application in food and pharmaceutical industries, feasibility of microencapsulating these bioactive materials by spray drying was investigated. High‐ and low‐energy emulsification methods were compared at various emulsion compositions and their effects on emulsion stability were characterized. High‐energy method was preferred for safety concerns, as it was able to produce fine emulsions (davg < 400 nm) at relatively low surfactant‐to‐oil ratio. The formed infeed emulsions, with MCT oil as core material, gelatin as wall material and primary emulsifier and Tween 80 as secondary emulsifier, were then spray dried using a lab scale spray dryer (Büchi B‐290). Operating conditions were optimized and results demonstrated that spray drying technology could be applied to transform stable infeed emulsions (containing bioactive materials) into microcapsules with desired properties (e.g., low moisture content (5.5–7% (d.b.)), relatively narrow size distribution (d50 between 9.8 and 10.8 μm), and high encapsulation efficiency (around 90%)). So, it is feasible to use this emulsion‐based system to microencapsulate bioactive materials by spray drying.

Practical application

Lipophilic bioactive elements are highly susceptible to adverse environment conditions. To overcome these problems, feasibility of microencapsulating these bioactive materials by spray drying was investigated in the present study. A high‐energy method was compared with a low‐energy method in order to find an appropriate emulsification method. The formed infeed emulsion was then spray dried to determine optimum operating conditions. This research should be useful for identifying the most appropriate operating conditions for lipophilic bioactive materials microencapsulation for industrial application especially in food and pharmaceutical industries. Meanwhile, it also provides a possible reference for other scientists and researchers.
Evaluation of gamma irradiation and boiling treatment on antioxidant status in different spices
Authors: Khatun Afifa , Hossain Afzal , Islam Mahfuza , Munshi Kamruzzaman , Akter Afroza , Rahman Badier , Huque Roksana
Published: September 2016

Three spice samples (garlic, ginger, and turmeric) were gamma‐irradiated at a dose of 0.05 and 0.1 kGy. The effects of irradiation treatment on the content of antioxidant markers (such as, total phenol, and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and reducing power) after boiling of fresh and gamma irradiated spices were investigated. Results indicated that the antioxidant quality of ginger has improved when treated with irradiation but irradiation treatment gradually decreased the antioxidant parameters with increasing dose in turmeric. For garlic, lower dose (0.05 kGy) was useful to retain antioxidant value after boiling than higher dose gamma radiation. In addition, boiling showed a significant loses of total phenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as other antioxidant markers were observed for fresh ginger and garlic. But fresh turmeric showed reverse phenomena upon boiling. The changes of bioactive compound upon irradiation and boiling might contribute to antioxidant activity of studied spices.

Practical application

Gamma irradiation has been recognized as an effective method for inhibiting sprouting in rhizome spices along with improving safety of spices by inactivating food‐borne pathogens. In the present research, influence of gamma irradiation and boiling treatment on antioxidant status in different spices has been determined. Though irradiation has no positive effect on antioxidant parameters in boiled turmeric while irradiated ginger and garlic showed improvement of antioxidant markers in boiled sample. This result demonstrates that gamma irradiation could be a potential tool to improvement of antioxidant quality in cooked spices.