bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The governance and management of public library services in Nigeria
Authors: Salman Abdulsalam Abiodun , Mostert Janneke , Mugwisi Tinashe
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the managerial and governance issues that impact on service delivery in public libraries in Nigeria. Within many countries this seems to be a challenge often resulting in an ineffective service delivery resulting in underutilisation thereof. This study was conducted among administrators and managers of public libraries in Nigeria to establish the current status quo concerning governance and management issues impacting on service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study using interviews was used to illicit data from three permanent secretaries, six public library directors, and six heads of rural community libraries, purposively selected for the study.

Findings

The findings show that variables such as relevant academic qualifications, years of experience, and designation of the administrators and managers of public libraries affect service delivery. A huge dependency on government bodies for decision making and funding was established. Impediments to good management of the libraries were found to be inadequate funding; lack of involvement of stakeholders in public library administration; and inappropriate public library legislation.

Practical implications

The study recommends the promulgation of a public library-specific act in order to regulate the administration and management of this public unit, involve stakeholders in public library administration, as well as the provision of alternative forms of funding in order to alleviate the dependence on governmental budgets.

Originality/value

With very little research available on these issues in Nigeria, this paper will create awareness among all stakeholders of specific governance and managerial issues impacting on effective service delivery to public library users so that it can be addressed.
Combined approach of COOK CHILL with HACCP
Authors: Barreto Lyra Ana Valéria Toscano , de Arruda Xavier Larissa , de Albuquerque André Philippi Gonzaga , Melo Fagner José Coutinho de , Medeiros Denise Dumke de
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Food service demands a greater concern with food security, as around two million people in the world, among them the majority of children, die from foodborne diseases. The purpose of this study deals with the adoption of the COOK CHILL system, in the principles of the hazard analysis and critical control point system (HACCP), within a food and nutrition unit of a petroleum refinery, to enable food security and cost reduction operational services in food services by using the traditional method of food production. To do so, hygienic-sanitary diagnosis based on Brazilian ANVISA standards is carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The company that served as an object for the case study is an oil refinery located in the northeast region of Brazil, divided into 55 units with a production capacity of 323.000 barrels/day. For reasons of confidentiality, it will be referenced throughout the text of this work as Refinery.

Findings

With the implementation of the system, it was possible to reduce operational costs, food waste and energy and to provide safe food and increasing customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

The improvement achieved with the production of food quality was the adoption of the COOK CHILL system in the application of HACCP through the use of value (D) to control the biological CCP and monitoring through the control sheets.
Deconstructing the corporate psychopath: an examination of deceptive behavior
Authors: Shank Corey Allen
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether business students deceive others more often than non-business students.

Design/methodology/approach

A cheap talk experiment and an ethics questionnaire are employed to examine the subject’s behavior. Fundamental differences, such as psychopathic personality, are used to examine their role in deceptive and unethical behavior.

Findings

The results show that business students deceive others for personal gain more often than non-business students when there is the most to gain; however, business students find deception committed by others as unethical. Business students exhibit more psychopathic tendencies compared to non-business students, including being more likely to fit the prototypical psychopath profile. This fundamental difference in psychopathy can help explain why individuals deceive others and behave unethically.

Practical implications

These results have important implications for the business industry and the design of policies.

Originality/value

Thus, this study endeavors to advance the literature on fundamental distinctions between those who work in high levels of organizations and how this fundamental difference impacts decision making.
Confucius confusion: analyst forecast dispersion and business cycles
Authors: Cox Raymond , Dayanandan Ajit , Donker Han , Nofsinger John R.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Financial analysts have been found to be overconfident. The purpose of this paper is to study the ramifications of that overconfidence on the dispersion of earnings estimates as a predictor of the US business cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

Whether aggregate analyst forecast dispersion contains information about turning points in business cycles, especially downturns, is examined by utilizing the analyst earnings forecast dispersion metric. The primary analysis derives from logit regression and Markov switching models. The analysis controls for sentiment (consumer confidence), output (industrial production), and financial indicators (stock returns and turnover). Analyst data come from Institutional Brokers Estimate System, while the economic data are available at the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis Economic Data site.

Findings

A rise in the dispersion of analyst forecasts is a significant predictor of turning points in the US business cycle. Financial analyst uncertainty of earnings estimate contains crucial information about the risks of US business cycle turning points. The results are consistent with some analysts becoming overconfident during the expansion period and misjudging the precision of their information, thus over or under weighting various sources of information. This causes the disagreement among analysts measured as dispersion.

Originality/value

This is the first study to show that analyst forecast dispersion contributions valuable information to predictions of economic downturns. In addition, that dispersion can be attributed to analyst overconfidence.
An Assessment of the Skeletal Fracture Patterns Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls
Authors: Rowbotham Samantha K. , Blau Soren , Hislop‐Jambrich Jacqueline , Francis Victoria
Published: April 2018

The injury patterns resulting from fatal high (˃3 m) free falls have previously been documented in clinical and medico‐legal contexts; however, details relating specifically to the skeletal blunt force trauma (BFT) have been limited. This study aimed to augment what is known of the skeletal fracture patterns resulting from fatal high free falls. Skeletal trauma was analyzed from full‐body postmortem computed tomography scans of 95 individuals who died following a high free fall. Fracture patterns were documented using the five general anatomical regions, axial and appendicular regions, and postcranial unilateral and bilateral regions. Patterns were analyzed in the context of the extrinsic and intrinsic variables that may influence fractures using multiple logistic regression. Fracture patterns involved all aspects of the skeleton, with 98.9% exhibiting polytrauma, and were influenced primarily by the height fallen, manner of death, and landing surface. This improved understanding of fracture patterns will augment anthropological interpretations of the mechanism of BFT in cases of suspected high falls.
Spatial Relationships of Levees and Wetland Systems within Floodplains of the Wabash Basin, USA
Authors: Morrison Ryan R. , Bray Erin , Nardi Fernando , Annis Antonio , Dong Quan
Published: April 2018

Given the unique biogeochemical, physical, and hydrologic services provided by floodplain wetlands, proper management of river systems should include an understanding of how floodplain modifications influence wetland ecosystems. The construction of levees can reduce river–floodplain connectivity, yet it is unclear how levees affect wetlands within floodplains, let alone the cumulative impacts within an entire watershed. This paper explores spatial relationships between levee and floodplain wetland systems in the Wabash Basin, United States. We used a hydrogeomorphic floodplain delineation technique to map floodplain extents and identify wetlands that may be hydrologically connected to river networks. We then spatially examined the relationship between levee presence, wetland area, and other river network attributes within discrete subbasins. Our results show that cumulative wetland area is relatively constant in subbasins that contain levees, regardless of maximum stream order within the subbasin. In subbasins that do not contain levees, cumulative wetland area increases with maximum stream order. However, we found that wetland distributions around levees can be complex, and further studies on the influence of levees on wetland habitat may need to consider finer resolution spatial scales.
Chlamydia trachomatis‐induced cell‐mediated and humoral immune response in women with unexplained infertility
Authors: Rantsi Tiina , Joki‐Korpela Päivi , Öhman Hanna , Bloigu Aini , Kalliala Ilkka , Puolakkainen Mirja , Paavonen Jorma , Surcel Heljä‐Marja , Tiitinen Aila
Published: April 2018

Problem

What is the role of past Chlamydia trachomatis infection in unexplained infertility?

Method of study

This is a prospective study of the impact of past C. trachomatis infection on pregnancy rates in 96 women with unexplained infertility. Both humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses (CMI) against C. trachomatis were studied. Serum C. trachomatis IgG antibodies were analyzed using major outer membrane protein (MOMP) peptide‐based ELISA. CMI was studied by lymphocyte proliferation (LP) assay in vitro. Data on given fertility treatment, time to pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome were collected.

Results

Altogether, 11.5% of the 96 women had C. trachomatis IgG antibodies. LP response to C. trachomatis was positive in 62.9% women. The overall pregnancy rate or live birth rate did not differ by the presence of antichlamydial antibodies or CMI against C. trachomatis. Time to spontaneous pregnancy was longer among C. trachomatis sero‐positive women than among sero‐negative women (2.9 years vs 2.0 years, P = .03).

Conclusion

Past chlamydial infection does not play a major role in unexplained infertility. Women with unexplained infertility and positive immune response to C. trachomatis do not have reduced pregnancy rates, but time to spontaneous pregnancy is longer among C. trachomatis IgG sero‐positive women than among sero‐negative women.
Outbreaks of diarrhoea (‘winter scours’) in weaned Merino sheep in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Stanger KJ , McGregor H , Larsen JWA
Published: April 2018

Objective

Identify the cause of outbreaks of diarrhoea during winter that are not attributable to gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned Merino sheep in the high rainfall regions of south‐eastern Australia and determine the efficacy of antimicrobials used to treat this syndrome.

Methods

We investigated 45 outbreaks on 24 farms. Faecal samples from affected animals were cultured for Yersinia, Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. Risk factors, including rainfall, temperature and worm egg count (WEC), were assessed. Yersinia spp. were identified with molecular tests and susceptibility to four antimicrobials was determined.

Results

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype III and virulent Y. enterocolitica were most frequently isolated. The frequency and severity of disease varied between region, farm and year. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was detected only during winter, but Y. enterocolitica was present in all seasons. Pathogenic Yersinia species were more often isolated when WECs exceeded 500 eggs/g. A high proportion of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis were resistant to sulfafurazole (64% and 86.9%, respectively).

Conclusions

A bacterial enteritis caused by pathogenic Yersinia was the cause of the winter scours syndrome in the 24 flocks investigated. The use of molecular testing increased the sensitivity of detection and identification of Yersinia spp. No clear association between weather, WEC and disease was established, suggesting complex interactions between risk factors are more important than any single factor. Sulfonamides should not be routinely used to treat this syndrome. Rather, during an outbreak the targeted use of an effective antimicrobial, such as oxytetracycline, should be integrated with grazing management strategies, including moving affected mobs onto lower risk pastures and decreasing the stocking rate.
Synthesis, activity, and docking studies of eugenol‐based glucosides as new agents against Candida sp.
Authors: Hipólito Taciane Maíra Magalhães , Bastos Guilherme Tadeu Lemos , Barbosa Thúlio Wliandon Lemos , de Souza Thiago Belarmino , Coelho Luiz Felipe Leomil , Dias Amanda Latércia Tranches , Rodríguez Ihosvany Camps , dos Santos Marcelo Henrique , Dias Danielle Ferreira , Franco Lucas Lopardi , Carvalho Diogo Teixeira
Published: April 2018

Seventeen new synthetic derivatives of eugenol (6, 8–15 and 8′‐15′) were planned following literature reports on antifungal activities of nitroeugenol and eugenol glucoside. The anti‐Candida activity of these compounds was investigated by in vitro assay, and the cytotoxicity evaluation was performed with the most active compounds. The peracetylated glucosides presented better biological results than their hydroxylated analogues. The glucoside 11, a 4‐nitrobenzamide, showed the best potency (MIC50 range 11.0–151.84 μm), the wider spectrum of action, and overall the best selectivity indexes, especially against C. tropicalis (~30) and C. krusei (~15). To investigate its possible mechanism of action, glucoside 11 was subjected to molecular docking studies with Candida sp. enzymes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis. Results have shown that the peracetyl glucosyl moiety and the 4‐nitrobenzamide group in 11 are effectively involved in its high affinity with the active site of squalene epoxidase.
Clinical associations of maternal thyroid function with foetal brain development: Epidemiological interpretation and overview of available evidence
Authors: Korevaar Tim I. M. , Tiemeier Henning , Peeters Robin P.
Published: April 2018

Thyroid hormone is an important regulator of early brain development, particularly during early stages of gestation during which foetal thyroid hormone availability depends on the maternal transfer of thyroid hormones. There is a wide range of experimental studies showing that low maternal thyroid hormone availability is associated with suboptimal brain development parameters. While few clinical studies have shown that overt maternal hypothyroidism is associated with lower child IQ, the question whether more subclinical changes in maternal thyroid function could also lead to suboptimal foetal brain development. In this review, we put the latter studies in perspective and discuss their interpretation from an epidemiological and clinical perspective. Furthermore, we extend this discussion to also include future perspective and identify important knowledge gaps in the field.
Predicting Acute Renal Injury in Cancer Patients Receiving Cisplatin Using Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin and Cystatin C
Authors: Jelinek Michael J. , Lee Sang Mee , Wyche Okpareke Alicia , Wing Claudia , Koyner Jay L. , Murray Patrick T. , Stadler Walter M. , O’ Donnell Peter H.
Published: April 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) limits cisplatin use. We tested whether urine cystatin C (uCyC) and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (uNGAL) can preidentify patients at risk for AKI. Patients initiating cisplatin‐based chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled. uNGAL/uCyC were measured pre/post‐cisplatin administration and compared with serum creatinine (sCr). AKI was defined as sCr increase ≥50% or ≥0.3 mg/dL above baseline. In all, 102 patients were enrolled; 95 provided evaluable data. Twenty‐five patients developed AKI. Median baseline and pre‐cisplatin uNGAL levels were significantly higher in AKI patients. Although immediate changes in uNGAL/uCyC 2 h after cisplatin were not detectable, post‐cisplatin peak values over the course of therapy were markedly and significantly elevated in AKI patients. In multivariate modeling with age, baseline glomerular filtration rate, and histology, maximum uCyC was a significant independent AKI predictor. These findings suggest pre‐cisplatin uNGAL and peak uCyC levels can identify patients with increased AKI risk, potentially allowing for tailored modification of cisplatin‐based treatment regimens.
Incorporating Order‐Fulfillment Flexibility in Automotive Supply Chain through Vehicle Trades
Authors: Ishfaq Rafay , Narayanan Arunachalam
Published: April 2018

In an automotive supply chain, long production time and demand uncertainty lead to major challenges in meeting customer demand. To respond to these challenges, automotive supply chain incorporates flexibility in the order‐fulfillment process through vehicle trades. This study focuses on a new category of vehicle trades where dealers trade vehicles that are still under production (order‐trades) and in the delivery phase of the order‐fulfillment process (distribution‐trades). Using empirical data in an experimental design setting, order‐ and distribution‐trades are shown to improve flexibility in order fulfillment, with no additional costs for the manufacturer. Different managerial levers such as trade fees and trade caps are evaluated to develop insights for managing vehicle trades. The results show that the involvement of the manufacturer in planning order‐ and distribution‐trades helps in lowering inventory, reducing lost sales, and improving logistics costs for the entire supply chain.
Absorbing Knowledge from and with External Partners: The Role of Social Integration Mechanisms
Authors: von Briel Frederik , Schneider Christoph , Lowry Paul Benjamin
Published: April 2018

Dynamic capabilities that enable innovation are crucial to survival and success in today's highly competitive business environment, because they enable organizational adaptation, transformation, and seizing of opportunities. Absorptive capacity is an important dynamic capability that enables organizations to leverage external knowledge for innovation purposes. In this theory‐building article, we address the fundamental research question of how organizations can leverage external partners as external sources of knowledge. We offer three primary contributions to the literature on managerial decision‐making. First, by conceptualizing knowledge absorption as a collaborative, interorganizational endeavor, we extend the literature on absorptive capacity, thereby enabling its application to innovation‐related contexts aside from R&D, to which it has traditionally been applied. Second, by focusing on social integration mechanisms as links between the capabilities, expertise, and knowledge of individuals, groups, and the organization as a whole, we heed calls to clarify the microfoundations of organizational capabilities. Third, although social integration is a multidimensional construct, few studies have addressed the influence of its individual dimensions. We outline how individual social integration dimensions exert differing influences on the individual knowledge absorption stages, thereby taking a first step toward unraveling the multidimensional nature of social integration and laying the foundation for future social integration research both in and beyond the absorptive capacity context.
Children's neural processing of moral scenarios provides insight into the formation and reduction of in‐group biases
Authors: Meidenbauer Kimberly L. , Cowell Jason M. , Decety Jean
Published: April 2018

Survival is dependent on sociality within groups which ensure sustenance and protection. From an early age, children show a natural tendency to sort people into groups and discriminate among them. The computations guiding evaluation of third‐party behaviors are complex, requiring integration of intent, consequences, and knowledge of group affiliation. This study examined how perceiving third‐party morally laden behavior influences children's likelihood to exhibit or reduce group bias. Following a minimal group paradigm assignment, young children (4–7 years) performed a moral evaluation task where group affiliations and moral actions were systematically juxtaposed, so that they were exposed to disproportionately antisocial in‐group and prosocial out‐group scenarios. Electroencephalography was recorded, and group preference was assessed with a resource allocation game before and after the EEG session. Across all children, evaluations of others' moral actions arose from early and automatic processing (~150 ms), followed by later interactive processing of affiliation and moral valence (~500 ms). Importantly, individual differences in bias manifestation and attitude change were predicted by children's neural responses. Children with high baseline bias selectively exhibited a rapid detection (~200 ms) of scenarios inconsistent with their bias (in‐group harm and out‐group help). Changes in bias corresponded to distinct patterns in longer latency neural processing. These new developmental neuroscience findings elucidate the multifaceted processing involved in moral evaluation of others' actions, their group affiliations, the nature of the integration of both into full judgments, and the relation of individual differences in neural responses to social decision‐making in childhood.
Saudi Arabia's Wahhabism and Nationalism: The Evolution of Wataniyya into Qawmiyya
Authors: Hitman Gadi
Published: April 2018

For many scholars, the Arab Spring was actually an Islamic Winter, especially when ISIS rose up in Iraq and Syria, and the Muslim Brotherhood won democratic elections in Egypt and took control over the state. But in other unshaken regions in the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia and the GCC states, the Arab Spring or the Islamic Winter led to something different, which I will call “rethinking nationalism.”

This article asserts that since Saudi Arabia's independence in 1932, the royal family has succeeded in forming Wahhabi nationalism, meaning that despite the fact that all Saudi civilians enjoy Saudi citizenship, only those who ascribe to the Wahhabism creed can be part of the nation in terms of political participation and policy decision‐making. Although some steps in affirmative action have been taken in recent years — also as a Saudi response to the Arab Spring — toward women and the Shi'a minority, these groups or sectors still are not perceived by the royal family as part of the nation, and probably not as equal citizens, for religious reasons that over the years have distinguished between real Saudi nationalist groups and Saudi civilians.
Peri‐mitral ventriculoatrial fistula after blunt thoracic trauma
Authors: Parsaee Mozhgan , Saedi Sedigheh , Porkia Roghieh
Published: April 2018

Blunt trauma to the chest can damage any thoracic organ. Heart valve damage and particularly mitral apparatus occurs relatively rare, and the patients are expected to become acutely symptomatic. However, in patients with multiple traumas, other dominant severe damages tend to draw away the attention of the physicians resulting in neglect of less salient heart injuries. Here, we present a patient with history of blunt chest trauma and incidental finding of posttraumatic severe mitral regurgitation.
Truth and epistemic value
Authors: Treanor Nick
Published: April 2018

The notion of more truth, or of more truth and less falsehood, is central to epistemology. Yet, I argue, we have no idea what this consists in, as the most natural or obvious thing to say—that more truth is a matter of a greater number of truths, and less falsehood is a matter of a lesser number of falsehoods—is ultimately implausible. The issue is important not merely because the notion of more truth and less falsehood is central to epistemology, but because an implicit, false picture of what this consists in underpins and gives shape to much contemporary epistemology.
The Decision‐Making Process for Disclosing Suicidal Ideation and Behavior to Family and Friends
Authors: Frey Laura M. , Fulginiti Anthony , Lezine DeQuincy , Cerel Julie
Published: April 2018

Objective

This study was designed to explore the decision‐making processes for disclosing suicidal ideation and behavior.

Background

Suicide attempt survivors are an invaluable resource that can provide essential information about suicidal behavior and related communication to family and friends. Because of the stigma associated with suicide and seeking help, many individuals choose to conceal their suicidal ideation or behavior or to disclose only to a few family and friends.

Method

Semistructured, audio‐only interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 40 suicide‐attempt survivors to develop a grounded theory of factors that influence the decision to disclose current and past suicidal behavior to family members and other individuals within one's social network.

Results

Several motivations for disclosing (e.g., seeking help, sharing personal information, informing others) were identified, and a majority of the sample conducted an informal cost–benefit analysis before disclosing. The findings also elucidate the process of choosing a person with whom disclosure occurs, and the importance of having that family or friend with whom attempt survivors feel safe disclosing ideation as it occurs as well as subsequently processing the experience and seeking treatment.

Conclusion

Decision‐making processes for suicide‐related disclosure include identifying motivations to disclose, an informal cost–benefit analysis, and the selection of a recipient to whom one will disclose.

Implications

This emergent model identifies five tangible intervention strategies for increasing the likelihood of suicide disclosure. Future research should examine the internal resources that motivate individuals to engage in subsequent disclosure to individuals from whom they have previously experienced stigma.
Crystal structures of APRT from Francisella tularensis – an N–H···N hydrogen bond imparts adenine specificity in adenine phosporibosyltransferases
Authors: Pavithra Gowribidanur C. , Ramagopal Udupi A.
Published: April 2018

Francisella tularensisis, the causative agent of tularemia has been classified as a category A bioterrorism agent. Here, we present the crystal structure of apo and adenine bound form of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) from Francisella tularensis. APRT is an enzyme involved in the salvage of adenine (a 6‐aminopurine), converting it to AMP. The purine salvage pathway relies on two essential and distinct enzymes to convert 6‐aminopurine and 6‐oxopurines into corresponding nucleotides. The mechanism by which these enzymes differentiate different purines is not clearly understood. Analysis of the structures of apo and adenine‐bound APRT from F. tularensis, together with all other available structures of APRTs, suggests that (a) the base‐binding loop is stabilized by a cluster of aromatic and conformation‐restricting proline residues, and (b) an N–H···N hydrogen bond between the base‐binding loop and the N1 atom of adenine is the key interaction that differentiates adenine from 6‐oxopurines. These observations were corroborated by bioinformatics analysis of ~ 4000 sequences of APRTs (with 80% identity cutoff), which confirmed that the residues conferring rigidity to the base‐binding loop are highly conserved. Furthermore, an F23A mutation on the base‐binding loop severely affects the efficiency of the enzyme. We extended our analysis to the structure and sequences of APRTs from the Trypanosomatidae family with a destabilizing insertion on the base‐binding loop and propose the mechanism by which these evolutionarily divergent enzymes achieve base specificity. Our results suggest that the base‐binding loop not only confers appropriate affinity but also provides defined specificity for adenine.

Enzyme

EC 2.4.2.7

Database

Structural data are available in Protein Data Bank (PDB) under the accession numbers 5YW2 and 5YW5.
Two‐Dimensional Probabilistic Infiltration Analysis in a Hillslope Using First‐Order Moment Approach
Authors: Tang Rui‐Xuan , Cai Jing‐Sen , Yeh Tian‐Chyi Jim
Published: April 2018

A first‐order moment analysis method is introduced to evaluate the pore‐water pressure variability within a hillslope due to spatial variability in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) during rainfall. The influences of the variance of the natural logarithm of Ks(ln Ks), spatial structure anisotropy of ln Ks, and normalized vertical infiltration flux (q) on the evaluations of the pore‐water pressure uncertainty are investigated. Results indicate different responses of pressure head variability in the unsaturated region and the saturated region. In the unsaturated region, a larger variance of ln Ks, a higher spatial structure anisotropy, and a smaller q lead to a larger variability in pressure head, while in the saturated region, the variability in pressure head increases with the increase of variance of ln Ks, the decrease of spatial structure anisotropy, or the increase of q. These variables have great impacts on the range of fluctuation of the phreatic surface within the hillslope. The influences of these three variables on the variance of pressure head within the saturated region are greater than those within the unsaturated region, and the variance of ln Ks has the greatest impact. These results yield useful insight into the effects of heterogeneity on pressure head and uncertainty associated with predicted flow field.
Timing of hepatitis C virus infection treatment in kidney transplant candidates
Authors: Cohen‐Bucay Abraham , Francis Jean M. , Gordon Craig E.
Published: April 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in patients with kidney disease including transplant candidates and recipients. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in end‐stage renal disease patients and also increases the risk of allograft rejection and decreases allograft and patient survival post‐transplant. Newly developed direct acting antivirals have revolutionized the way HCV is treated. Whether patients are treated before or after kidney transplantation, the cure rates with direct acting antivirals are >90%. Great debate has formed revolving the optimal timing to treat kidney transplant candidates. On the one hand, treatment before transplantation decreases early post‐transplant complications related to HCV. On the other, postponing treatment until after transplantation opens the possibility of transplanting a kidney from a HCV positive donor, which is associated with shorter waiting time and improved organ utilization by expanding the organ donor pool. Most patients living in an area where waiting time is reduced by accepting an HCV positive kidney would benefit by the strategy of treatment post‐transplantation, but this decision needs to be individualized in a patient‐by‐patient basis given that there are special circumstances (i.e., severe HCV‐related extrahepatic manifestations, availability of live donors, etc.) in which treatment before transplant might be preferred.
Treatment and management options for the hepatitis C virus infected kidney transplant candidate
Authors: Dejman Adriana , Ladino Marco A. , Roth David
Published: April 2018

A substantial body of literature has unequivocally established that prevalent hepatitis C virus infection in chronic kidney disease (CKD), end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant recipients is associated with a negative impact on patient survival. As a consequence of remarkable work that explained the details of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, a class of drugs referred to as the direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) agents were developed that targeted specific key sites in viral replication. Large clinical trials in the HCV‐infected general population followed soon after that demonstrated cure rates exceeding 95%. Treatment paradigms have been further refined and expanded to populations of patients that were initially excluded from the large pivotal trials. This includes the CKD and ESRD patients for whom there are now safe and effective DAAs available as well. In this context, the focus of decision making has shifted from initially demonstrating safety and efficacy to now identifying which patient should receive therapy and at what point in their CKD/ESRD journey. The specific issue of timing of treatment is particularly relevant to the HCV‐infected ESRD patient who is being considered for kidney transplantation. The option of treating with DAAs prior to the transplant or alternatively delaying therapy and treating in the posttransplant period will be influenced by several factors, including patient preference, the extent of liver injury, the availability of a living or deceased donor, and more recently the option of transplanting a kidney from HCV‐positive donor. The latter has been associated with the advantage of shortened waiting times and expansion of the organ donor pool. The optimal timing and choice of therapy will be the result of a decision that has been individualized for each patient as a consequence of a process of clear communication involving the patient, primary care physician, nephrologist, gastroenterologist (GI)/hepatologist, and local transplant center.
Pharmacokinetics and drug interactions of medications used to treat hepatitis C virus infection in the setting of chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation
Authors: Ortiz Guillermo A. , Trivedi Hirsh D. , Nader Claudia
Published: April 2018

Hepatitis C infection in patients with chronic kidney disease or kidney transplant carries higher morbidity and mortality compared to noninfected patients. Historically, patients with advanced kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients were undertreated given the multiple adverse effects and limited efficacy of interferon‐based therapies for chronic hepatitis C. The development of direct‐acting antivirals in the past few years has opened an unprecedented opportunity for treating these populations. However, the impaired renal clearance of some of these medications in patients with kidney disease, and the potential interactions of antiviral therapies with immunosuppressants after kidney transplantation, present some challenges in choosing the proper regimen. This review provides an overview of the essential pharmacokinetics and drug interactions of relevant antiviral therapies in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with advanced kidney disease and after kidney transplantation.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemic syndrome and cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis
Authors: Rutledge Stephanie M. , Chung Raymond T. , Sise Meghan E.
Published: April 2018

Cryoglobulinemia is a common extrahepatic manifestation of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). When signs and symptoms of systemic vasculitis or glomerulonephritis occur in the presence of circulating cryoglobulins, this syndrome is called “mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome” (MCS). Historically, interferon‐based therapies in HCV have been associated with lower rates of viral cure in patients with MCS than in the general HCV‐infected population. The advent of direct‐acting antiviral therapies have revolutionized the treatment of HCV, dramatically increasing rates of cure. Early studies of first‐generation protease inhibitors (telaprevir and boceprevir) in combination with interferon and ribavirin demonstrated HCV cure rates of 67% and complete clinical response rates of vasculitis symptoms in 60% of patients with MCS; however, regimens were poorly tolerated by patients, 22% discontinued treatment early. More recently, all‐oral, interferon‐free regimens have become available and combination therapies are now being approved for patients with and without renal impairment. Patients with HCV‐MCS achieved sustained virologic response in 297 out of 313 patients (95%) treated with direct‐acting antiviral therapy, and 85% had a complete or partial clinical response of MCS symptoms. Current direct‐acting antiviral therapies are well tolerated in patients with HCV‐MCS and only 1.6% discontinued treatment early. Patients with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis also had an excellent cure rate (94%). The majority improved; 17/52 (33%) experienced full remission and 15/52 (29%) experienced partial remission. There were no reports of worsening kidney function in patients treated with direct‐acting antiviral therapies. Less than 5% of patients with HCV‐MCS treated with IFN‐free direct‐acting antiviral therapy required immunosuppression. However, patients with severe vasculitis appear to still require concomitant immunosuppression.
Hepatitis C virus infection in kidney transplantation‐changing paradigms with novel agents
Authors: Reddy Yuvaram N. V. , Nunes David , Chitalia Vipul , Gordon Craig E. , Francis Jean M.
Published: April 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of increased morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant patients. It is associated with posttransplant glomerulonephritis, chronic allograft nephropathy, and New Onset Diabetes after Transplant (NODAT). In the past, HCV was difficult to treat due to the presence of interferon alpha‐based therapies that were difficult to tolerate and were associated with adverse side‐effects, such as the risk of rejection. With the advent of oral directly acting antiviral therapies, the landscape for HCV and transplantation has changed. These agents are highly effective and well tolerated with minimal side‐effects. Sustained viral response rates in excess of 90% are achieved with most current treatment regimens active against all HCV genotypes. These new agents may show an improvement in graft and patient survival while essentially eliminating the risk of acute rejection from the use of prior interferon‐based HCV therapies. These agents may also result in an improvement in organ allocation for HCV donor/HCV recipient transplantation. This review is meant to discuss the epidemiology of HCV, the new oral direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) and future opportunities for research in the field of HCV related transplantation.
Kinetics of available lysine in stored commercial skim milk powder at moderate temperatures
Authors: Aalaei Kataneh , Rayner Marilyn , Sjöholm Ingegerd
Published: April 2018

Kinetics of lysine blockage, as an early step of the Maillard reaction, was investigated in commercial skim milk powder to understand the extent of the reaction, specifically after packages are opened and during the subsequent storage. Samples were stored at six conditions including three temperatures (30, 32.5 and 35 °C) and two relative humidities (43% and 52%) for 30 days, the period in which the product is recommended to be consumed after opening. The reaction rate was determined using a dye‐binding method. Based on our findings, decrease in available lysine follows first‐order reaction kinetics model. Small changes in temperature (2.5 °C) caused significant increase in the reaction rate constants. Relative humidity affected temperature dependency of the reaction, and activation energies were estimated to be 142.5–170.8 kJ mol−1. This study aims to increase the awareness of the significance of storage quality in relation to the nutritional status of the products.
Interventions to improve medication adherence among Chinese patients with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails
Authors: Xu Rixiang , Xie Xuefeng , Li Shuting , Chen Xiaoyu , Wang Sheng , Hu Chengyang , Lv Xiongwen
Published: April 2018

Objective

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to understand the effectiveness of medication adherence (MA) interventions among Chinese patients with hypertension.

Methods

A literature search was conducted with three English databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Embase) and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals) for the period from 1970 to October 2017. Only both RCTs with a minimum of 10 participants in each intervention group and Chinese patients with hypertension as participants were included. A random-effects model was applied to calculate pooled effect sizes with 95% CI. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity from duration of intervention, type of intervener, methods of intervention and sites of intervention. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to evaluate for publication bias.

Key findings

A total of 48 studies met criteria for the meta-analysis, including 14 568 participants, testing 57 independent comparisons. Overall, the effect size revealed that interventions significantly improved MA (pooled relative risk = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.43 to 1.78; pooled Cohen's d = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.976 to 1.876). Interventions were found to significantly reduce blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP: Cohen's d = −0.85, 95% CI: −1.11 to −0.60 and diastolic BP: Cohen's d = −0.73, 95% CI: −1.00 to −0.46). Longer duration of intervention gave better effectiveness. Physician as interventionist, regular follow-up visits and interventions conducted at a hospital were associated with better effectiveness.

Conclusion

Adherence interventions improve MA and reduce uncontrolled BP among Chinese patients with hypertension. In the future, investigators should adopt a skill set to address the problem of poor MA.
Job Characteristics and Labor Market Discrimination in Promotions
Authors: DeVaro Jed , Ghosh Suman , Zoghi Cindy
Published: April 2018

We extend promotion signaling theory to generate new testable implications concerning racial differences in promotions. In our model, promotions signal worker ability. When tasks differ substantially across job levels, the opportunity cost of not promoting qualified non‐whites/non‐Asians is large, so employers are less likely to inefficiently withhold their promotions. Thus, given prepromotion performance, the extent to which non‐whites/non‐Asians have lower promotion probabilities decreases when tasks vary more across levels. Racial differences in wage increases at promotion diminish when tasks vary more across levels. Evidence from a single firm's personnel records supports the model's predictions concerning promotion probabilities.
Boosting the thermoelectric performance of Bi2O2Se by isovalent doping
Authors: Tan Xing , Lan Jin‐Le , Hu Kerong , Xu Ben , Liu Yaochun , Zhang Peng , Cao Xing‐Zhong , Zhu Yingcai , Xu Wei , Lin Yuan‐Hua , Nan Ce‐Wen
Published: April 2018

N‐type Bi2O2Se has a bright prospect for mid‐temperature thermoelectric applications on account of the intrinsically low thermal conductivity. However, the low carrier concentration of Bi2O2Se (~1015 cm−3) severely limits its thermoelectric performance. Herein, the boosting of the carrier concentration to ~1019 cm−3 can be realized in our La‐doped Bi2O2Se ceramic samples, which could be ascribed to the formation of isoelectronic traps and the narrowing of band gap, and contribute to a marked increase in the electrical conductivity (from 0.03 S cm−1 to 182 S cm−1). Our X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectra results reveal that a local disordering of oxygen atoms could be an important reason for the intrinsically low thermal conductivity of Bi2O2Se, and the point defects can also suppress the lattice thermal conductivity in La‐doped Bi2O2Se. The ZT value can be enhanced by a factor of ~4.5 to 0.35 at 823 K for Bi1.98La0.02O2Se as compared to the pristine Bi2O2Se. The coordinated optimization of electrical and thermal properties demonstrates an effective method for the rational design of high‐performance thermoelectric materials.
The preparation of Yttrium Aluminosilicate (YAS) Glass Fiber with heavy doping of Tm3+ from Polycrystalline YAG ceramics
Authors: Zhang Yeming , Qian Guoquan , Xiao Xusheng , Tian Xiangling , Ding Xinqi , Ma Zhijun , Yang Luyun , Guo Haitao , Xu Shanhui , Yang Zhongmin , Qiu Jianrong
Published: April 2018

Yttrium aluminosilicate (YAS) glass core fibers with different doping concentration of Tm3+ were fabricated by a “Melt‐in‐Tube” method from YAG polycrystalline ceramics. The effect of Tm3+ concentration on the spectroscopy of YAG ceramics and laser performance of YAS fibers were discussed. A homemade linear all‐fiber laser based on the obtained 15% Tm3+‐doped YAS fiber shows an optimized slope efficiency of 12.8%. The YAS fibers have been proven to be practical to achieve extremely high Tm3+ doping concentration and are a promising option for the 2.0 μm laser.
Enhanced thermal stability of (NaCe)‐multidoped CaBi2Nb2O9 by A‐site vacancies‐induced pseudo‐tetragonal distortion
Authors: Liu Gang , Ren Shengqiang , Wu Chao , Wang Dan , Li Fenglian , Wu Jiagang , Chen Qiang
Published: April 2018

Although A‐site codoping of alkali metal and rare‐earth elements are known to effectively promote the d33 of CaBi2Nb2O9 (CBN), its thermal depoling behavior cannot be well promised. In this work, piezoelectricity of CBN was effectively promoted by (NaCe) modification, and its thermal instability was caused by the lattice evolution from orthorhombic structure to pseudo‐tetragonal structure during thermal depoling process. A‐site vacancies could induce pseudo‐tetragonal distortion in Ca0.92(Na0.5Ce0.5)0.08Bi2Nb2O9 ceramic, which obviously enhanced the thermal stability of lattice by reducing the rotation of the Nb–O octahedron during the thermal depoling process, as compared with orthorhombic structure, thereby weakening the swing of spontaneous polarization (Ps) and promoting the thermal depoling performance. Consequently, good thermal stability was obtained (remained 92% of initial d33 after depoling at 600°C). Moreover, dominant role of oxygen vacancies in the electrical conduction and relaxation process promised that the introduction of small amount of A‐site vacancies would not influence the electrical properties obviously.