bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JPART Virtual Issue on Citizen-State Interactions in Public Administration Research
Authors: Jakobsen Morten , James Oliver , Moynihan Donald , Nabatchi Tina
Published: May 2016

In this virtual issue, we bring together a collection of research articles that—although not usually grouped together—all illustrate the importance of citizen-state interactions. Specifically, we include articles that directly incorporate citizens’ perceptions, attitudes, experiences of, or behavior related to public administration. About 10% of all JPART articles over the life of the journal so far (1991–2015) met our inclusion criteria. Of those articles, we selected seven for this virtual issue on the basis that they have offered important insights into citizen-state interaction at different stages of the policy cycle. We argue that public administration scholarship should focus much more on the role of citizens and citizen-state interactions at all stages of the policy cycle. This research should focus both on the different forms of interaction citizens have with administrators, and the outcomes of these interactions, for bureaucracy and for citizens themselves.
Expression of Tachykinins and Tachykinin Receptors and Interaction with Kisspeptin in Human Granulosa and Cumulus Cells1
Authors: García-Ortega Jordán , Pinto Francisco M. , Prados Nicolás , Bello Aixa R. , Almeida Teresa A. , Fernández-Sánchez Manuel , Candenas Luz
Published: May 2016

The neurokinin B/NK3 receptor (NK3R) and kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R), two systems which are essential for reproduction, are coexpressed in human mural granulosa (MGC) and cumulus cells (CCs). However, little is known about the presence of other members of the tachykinin family in the human ovary. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of substance P (SP), hemokinin-1 (HK-1), NK1 receptor (NK1R), and NK2 receptor (NK2R) in MGCs and CCs collected from preovulatory follicles of oocyte donors at the time of oocyte retrieval. RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western blotting were used to investigate the patterns of expression of tachykinin and tachykinin receptor mRNAs and proteins and the possible interaction between the tachykinin family and kisspeptin. Intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in MGCs after exposure to SP or kisspeptin in the presence of SP were also measured. We found that SP, HK-1, the truncated NK1R isoform NK1R-Tr, and NK2R were all expressed in MGCs and CCs. NK1R-Tr mRNA and NK2R mRNA and protein levels were higher in MGCs than in CCs from the same patients. Treatment of cells with kisspeptin modulated the expression of HK-1, NK3R, and KISS1R mRNAs, whereas treatment with SP regulated kisspeptin mRNA levels and reduced the [Ca2+]i response produced by kisspeptin. These data demonstrate that the whole tachykinin system is expressed and acts in coordination with kisspeptin to regulate granulosa cell function in the human ovary.
Reconstitution of three-phase microtubule polymerisation dynamics
Authors: Moriwaki Takashi , Goshima Gohta
Published: May 2016

Cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) undergo growth, shrinkage, and pausing. However, how MT polymerisation cycles are produced and spatiotemporally regulated at a molecular level is unclear, as the entire cycle has not been recapitulatedin vitrowith defined components. In this study, we reconstituted dynamic MT plus end behaviour involving all three phases, by mixing tubulin with fiveDrosophilaproteins, EB1, XMAP215Msps, Sentin, kinesin-13Klp10A, and CLASPMast/Orbit. When singly mixed with tubulin, CLASPMast/Orbitstrongly inhibited MT catastrophe and reduced the growth rate. However, in the presence of the other four factors, CLASPMast/Orbitacted as an inducer of pausing. The mitotic kinase Plk1Polomodulated the activity of CLASPMast/Orbitand kinesin-13Klp10A, and increased the dynamic instability of MTs, reminiscent of mitotic cells. These results suggest that five conserved proteins constitute the core factors for creating dynamic MTs in cells, and that Plk1-dependent phosphorylation is a crucial event for switching from the interphase to mitotic mode.
Age differences in brain white matter microstructure in UK Biobank (N = 3,513)
Authors: Cox Simon R. , Ritchie Stuart J. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Liewald David C. , Hagenaars Saskia P. , Davies Gail , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Gale Catharine R , Bastin Mark E. , Deary Ian J.
Published: May 2016

Quantifying the microstructural properties of the human brain’s connections is necessary for understanding normal ageing and disease states. We examined brain white matter MRI data in 3,513 generally healthy people aged 45-75 years from the UK Biobank sample. Using conventional water diffusion measures and newer, as-yet rarely-studied indices from neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), we document large age differences in white matter microstructure. Mean diffusivity was the most age-sensitive diffusion measure, with negative age associations strongest in the thalamic radiation and association fibres. Inter-individual differences in white matter microstructure across brain tracts become increasingly correlated in older age. This connectivity ‘de-differentiation’ may reflect an age-related aggregation of systemic detrimental effects on the brain. We report several other novel results, including comparative age associations with volumetric indices and associations with hemisphere and sex. Results from this unusually large, single-scanner sample provide one of the most definitive characterisations to date of age differences in major white matter tracts in the human brain.

Abbreviations

Tracts

AR

acoustic radiation

ATR

anterior thalamic radiation

CingG

cingulum bundle; gyrus

CingPH

cingulum gyrus; parahippocampal

CST

corticospinal tract

FMaj

forceps major

FMin

forceps minor

IFOF

inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus

ILF

inferior longitudinal fasciculus

MCP

middle cerebellar peduncle

ML

medial lemniscus

PTR

posterior thalamic radiation

SLF

superior longitudinal fasciculus

STR

superior thalamic radiation

Unc

uncinate fasciculus

Measures of white matter microstructure

FA

fractional anisotropy

ICVF

intracellular volume fraction

ISOVF

isotropic volume fraction

MD

mean diffusivity

NODDI

neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging

OD

orientation dispersion
Biophysically motivated regulatory network inference: progress and prospects
Authors: Äijö Tarmo , Bonneau Richard
Published: May 2016

Via a confluence of genomic technology and computational developments the possibility of network inference methods that automatically learn large comprehensive models of cellular regulation is closer than ever. This perspective will focus on enumerating the elements of computational strategies that, when coupled to appropriate experimental designs, can lead to accurate large-scale models of chromatin-state and transcriptional regulatory structure and dynamics. We highlight four research questions that require further investigation in order to make progress in network inference: using overall constraints on network structure like sparsity, use of informative priors and data integration to constrain individual model parameters, estimation of latent regulatory factor activity under varying cell conditions, and new methods for learning and modeling regulatory factor interactions. We conclude that methods combining advances in these four categories of required effort with new genomic technologies will result in biophysically motivated dynamic genome-wide regulatory network models for several of the best studied organisms and cell types.
What determines the work values of employees in a Middle Eastern cultural context? Evidences from Jordanian organizations
Authors: Aladwan Khaled , Bhanugopan Ramudu , Fish Alan
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of work values in Jordan; as well as to demonstrate empirically, the nature of work values.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study reported in this paper tested the factor structure of work values among a group of 493 employees in Jordanian organizations using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

– The results established a three-factor solution (job accomplishment, work nature, and job advancement) which was found to be appropriate to test employees’ work values. The results from this study revealed interesting relationships between organizational variables (sector and type of business) and work values. The findings also demonstrated a significant relationship between demographic variables (educational background and work experience) and work values.

Research limitations/implications

– The research surveyed frontline employees in the Jordanian organizations. Further research is required to confirm the generalizability of the findings in other Middle Eastern countries. Importantly, results suggest that caution should be exercised in different contexts, job levels, and sub-cultural settings.

Originality/value

– The work-values construct represents a little-researched area of recent times and even less so in Islamic countries. The findings of the study offer new perspectives on the work values in the Middle Eastern settings and support the overall validity of the nomological network of work value factors.
Flexibility of benefit systems and firms’ attraction and retention capacities
Authors: Vidal-Salazar M. Dolores , Cordón-Pozo Eulogio , de la Torre-Ruiz José M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze three different forms of benefit systems and the effects of their application on Spanish firms’ attraction and retention capacity, differentiating these systems depending on the flexibility offered to the workers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data of this study have been collected from a sample of 308 human resources managers in Spanish firms, through an online questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested by ordinary least squares regression analyses.

Findings

– The results show that firms having more flexible compensation systems, that is, those providing greater freedom to workers in the election of their benefits and the design of the benefit system, reported to have a higher attraction and retention capacity than firms offering to their employees a unique and similar benefit package for all the employees.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies could extent this study by analyzing different contexts in order to determine whether some institutional factors can influence these results. Similarly, it would be interesting to analyze the effects of these systems on other organizational outcomes, such as their financial performance.

Practical implications

– Human resources policies and, especially, compensation policies have a significant influence on the ability of firms to recruit and retain core employees, necessary for corporate success. This study sheds light on the effectiveness of different benefits systems in enhancing the firms’ capacities to attract and retain core employees. Taking into account the hard financial and labor environment that the Spanish firms have to face, the results of this study can have important implications for managers.

Originality/value

– This paper responds to recent calls asking for the necessity of analyzing the effect of different benefit systems in contexts different to the broadly considered American context. Similarly, these results could be applied to other countries with conditions similar to Spain, that is, countries where the benefit systems have been traditionally less flexible and with an offer of benefits quite different than firms located in countries where the State offers a less-social assistance to citizens.
This is not what I wanted
Authors: Ng Jhony Choon Yeong , Shao Iris Yu Ting , Liu Yiping
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Many fresh graduates have unrealistic career expectations. When reality sets in after graduation, they may be disappointed. Due to factors such as the limited availability of feasible alternative career options, employees who have to stay in jobs they dislike may feel trapped. To alleviate the resulting stresses, they may engage in avoidance coping strategies, such as non-work-related social media use, to discharge their mental strains. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the perception of being trapped can result in the adoption of avoidance coping strategies, and how these strategies can influence individual performance and social media use.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the literature on avoidance coping strategy, goal orientation theory, and performance theory, the authors proposed a theoretical model on how the avoidance coping strategy of an individual can influence their performance and workplace behavior.

Findings

– The authors propose that when a fresh graduate feels “trapped” in a job, the stresses experienced may cause them to hide behind their defense mechanisms. An avoidance coping strategy may then be adopted, and this will influence the individual’s workplace behavior (in terms of non-work-related use of social media) and performance.

Practical implications

– If an avoidance coping strategy is an antecedent to non-work-related use of social media, then controlling the use of social media in the workplace may only cause these employees to switch to other forms of self-distraction (for instance, spending more time chatting with colleagues). Under some circumstances, the use of such control mechanisms may even give cyberloafers stronger urges to use social media for non-work-related purposes. If this is the case, managers should reconsider their current approach in handling the related behavior.

Social implications

– If the cause of non-work-related use of social media in the workplace is an avoidance coping strategy, then the engagement of such workplace behaviors should not be considered “intentionally harmful actions”. One important criterion for workplace behavior to qualify as a type of counterproductive behavior is that such behavior must be conducted to be intentionally harmful. Given this, the resulting actions of an avoidance coping strategy should not be considered a form of counterproductive behavior, and the authors should reconsider the conceptualization of cyberloafing provided in the organizational literature.

Originality/value

– The authors believe that this research represents one of the first attempts to bridge the gap between clinical and managerial literature. It attempts to explain non-work-related use of social media in the workplace from the perspective of trapped perception and avoidance coping strategy, and it argues that not all forms of non-work-related use of social media in the workplace are instances of cyberloafing.
The PCL: YV and re-offending across ethnic groups
Authors: Shepherd Stephane M. , Strand Susanne
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The psychopathy checklist: youth version (PCL: YV) checklist is an assessment of youth psychopathic traits and is regularly validated by way of its associations with re-offending and violence. Yet existing research has been conducted with predominantly white Caucasian cohorts and extant evidence suggests that associations with recidivism are stronger in samples with greater proportions of white offenders. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study investigated the cross-cultural validity of the PCL: YV for an ethnically diverse Australian sample of 175 young male offenders in custody. Participants were assessed in custody with the PCL: YV and offending data were collected post-release for up to 18 months.

Findings

– PCL: YV total and domain scores were comparable across ethnicity; however the instrument demonstrated stronger relationships with recidivism for Australian participants with an English speaking background compared to Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse participants.

Practical implications

– The authors advocate the cautionary employment of the PCL: YV as a violence risk prediction instrument with minority young offenders regionally, pending further evidence.

Originality/value

– This study addresses the capacity of the PCL: YV to predict violence across different ethnic groups. Cross-cultural youth psychopathy research is currently inadequate and existing studies suggest that the PCL: YV is a weaker predictor of violence in culturally diverse samples. This investigation provides much needed information on the capacity of the PCL: YV to extend to different ethnic groups who are represented Australia’s youth prison population. This is the first study of its kind regionally, and more importantly is the first PCL: YV study with an Indigenous Australian comparison group. This is particularly important given that Indigenous Australians are heavily overrepresented in Australia’s criminal justice system and require appropriate risk assessment measures to ensure they are not misclassified. Research such as this is now of particular interest given the recent judicial decision made in Ewert vs Canada.
Determinants of satisfaction amongst tenants of UK offices
Authors: Claire Sanderson Danielle , Mary Edwards Victoria
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Corporate occupiers require offices and services which meet their business needs, while landlords must attract and retain occupiers to maximise occupancy and rental income. The purpose of this paper is to help landlords and property managers understand what aspects of property management matter most to corporate occupiers, so that they can achieve a mutually beneficial relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses interviews with 1,334 office tenants in the UK, conducted over an 11-year period, to investigate determinants of occupier satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy. Structural equation modelling and regressions are performed using respondents’ ratings of satisfaction with many aspects of occupancy as explanatory variables. The dependent variables include satisfaction with property management, value for money, overall occupier satisfaction, lease renewal intentions and occupiers’ willingness to recommend their landlord.

Findings

The aspects with most impact on occupiers’ satisfaction are the office building itself, its location and amenities, and also communication with their property manager, a belief that their business needs are understood and the property manager’s responsiveness to occupiers’ requests. Occupiers’ loyalty depends mainly upon feeling that their rent and service charges provide value for money, an amicable leasing process, the professionalism of their property manager and the corporate social responsibility of the landlord. “Empathy” is crucial to occupiers’ willingness to recommend their landlord, and clear documentation and efficient legal process improve occupiers’ perception of receiving “Value for Money”.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is skewed towards occupiers of prime office buildings in the UK, owned by landlords who care sufficiently about their tenants to commission studies into occupier satisfaction.

Practical implications

This research should help to improve the landlord – tenant relationship, benefitting the businesses that rent property and helping building managers understand where to focus their efforts to achieve maximum effect on occupier satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy.

Originality/value

There has been little academic research into the determinants of satisfaction of occupiers of UK commercial property. This large-scale study enables the most influential factors to be identified and prioritised.
Adding value by health care real estate: parameters, priorities, and interventions
Authors: van der Voordt Theo J.M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Because of the transition of the Dutch health care sector from a governmentally steered domain towards regulated market forces, health care organisations have become fully responsible for their real estate. This paper aims to explore if/how Dutch health care organisations adopt the concept of adding value by corporate and public real estate, which values are prioritised and how these values are implemented in daily practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature study and a meta-analysis of six student theses (1 × BSc, 1 × MSc, 3 × post-MSc and 1 × PhD) on adding value by health care facilities were conducted, using document analysis and semi-structured interviews with CEOs, project leaders, real estate managers and facility managers. All respondents work in Dutch hospitals, assisted living facilities for the elderly, or mental health care facilities. The interviews were jointly prepared by the students, and the author of this paper being their supervisor.

Findings

End-user satisfaction, enhancing productivity and stimulating innovation are highly prioritised. Which values are prioritised depends on the organisational objectives, target group, available budget, position in the life cycle of design, construction and use and external context, in particular governmental policy and competition with other health care suppliers. The operationalisation into concrete design choices and strategic management of buildings-in-use is still underdeveloped.

Research limitations/implications

The interviews lasted 1-1.5 hours, which is rather limited to get a complete picture. Although much work has been done to operationalise the added value of corporate real estate and building-related facilities, there is still a lack of a widely agreed taxonomy of added values and how to measure and manage these values. Ongoing international collaboration between researchers and practitioners aims to contribute to a common framework and to develop standardised measurement methods.

Practical implications

The insights can support decision-makers in value-adding real estate and facilities management value by public and corporate real estate. The listings of prioritised values and related interventions can be used as a frame of reference to improve the current design and management of health care real estate.

Social implications

A clear insight in value-adding management of corporate real estate may result in a better fit among real estate, organisational objectives and end-user needs.

Originality/value

The findings link the added value theory to corporate real estate management in Dutch health care practice.
Family ownership and busy boards: impact on performance
Authors: Rouyer Ellen
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the effect, if any, of family ownership and busy boards on companies’ Tobin’s Q and cash holdings in France.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a multiple regression analysis for panel data, the author investigate the impacts of being family-owned and of multiple directorships on cash holdings and then on Tobin’s.

Findings

– Family ownership seems to have no significant effect. The most significant finding is that family-owned companies are smaller and work in the manufacturing and construction sectors compared to non-family-owned companies. However, multiple directorship is not negatively related to firm performance in France.

Research limitations/implications

– The current study focusses solely on France, which, even though different from the more usual American perspective, is not enough to make broad generalizations. It is however, a useful step toward better understanding the issues at hand. International data on family firms and busy boards, while hard to come by, would further enhance the knowledge of corporate governance.

Originality/value

– It is interesting to know if family-owned companies and those with multiple directorships perform differently from others, especially in a context where organizations can choose between a one-tier or two-tier system of governance, as is the case in France.
Perceived convenience retailer innovativeness: how does it affect consumers?
Authors: Lin Chen-Yu
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of consumers’ perceptions of convenience retailer innovativeness on their perceived value (PV) and store patronage intentions (PIs).

Design/methodology/approach

– A three-step PCRI-PV-PI model that integrates perceived convenience retailer innovativeness (PCRI), PV, and PIs is proposed. The moderating effect of consumer innovativeness on the relationship between PCRI and PIs is also examined.

Findings

– Modeling results confirm that PCRI is an important antecedent of PV among consumers that further influences their PIs toward specific convenience retailers. Moreover, PCRI significantly and indirectly affects the PIs of less innovative consumers via PV. However, no such indirect association is identified among highly innovative consumers.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed PCRI-PV-PI model may be useful to other consumer behavior and retail studies, particularly in this era of increased market competition in which innovation has become a critical strategic tool for market differentiation.

Originality/value

– The current research is the first empirical study that examines the effects of PCRI on PV and PIs in the context of convenience retailing.
Operational efficiency-based ranking framework using uncertain DEA methods
Authors: Abbasi Mehdi , Kaviani Mohamad Amin
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Competition in dynamic markets requires operational excellence and effective operations strategy. Hence, organizations have to evaluate their operational performance in comparison to their rivals. The purpose of this paper is to present an operational performance evaluation framework for analyzing and ranking the organizations based on the effectiveness of their operations strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study three uncertain data envelopment analysis (DEA) models consist of fuzzy DEA (FDEA), imprecise DEA (IDEA) and Grey DEA are applied to assess the performance of organizations in terms of the operations. The applicability of the proposed framework is demonstrated through a case study at Fars province cement manufacturers of Iran.

Findings

– The ranking results assist the mangers of service and manufacturing enterprises in finding out the current positions of their companies and the effectiveness of their operations strategies in comparison to their rivals. Accordingly they can make proper strategic and operational decisions to improve the performance of the operations.

Originality/value

– Based on the previous literature, this is the first study which uses FDEA and IDEA methods in an operational performance evaluation problem. Furthermore this study proposes a novel framework for evaluating and ranking the operational performance of firms from the perspective of operations strategy.
Drivers of transaction costs affecting participation in the rental market for cropland in Vietnam
Authors: Huy Hoang Trieu , Lyne Michael , Ratna Nazmun , Nuthall Peter
Published: May 2016

Farm incomes in rural Vietnam are tightly constrained by very small farm sizes. Stringent limits on the area of cropland that individuals may own means that farmers need a well‐functioning rental market to consolidate land parcels, grow their farm enterprises, adopt new technology and increase incomes. This research investigates the efficiency and equity impacts of the rental market in rural Vietnam and attempts to identify transaction costs impeding the market. A generalised ordered logit model with shifting thresholds allowing transaction costs to impact lessors and lessees differently was specified and estimated using data extracted from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Surveys. The findings show that rental transactions reduced imbalances in factor endowments, transferring cropland to households that were relatively land‐poor but more willing and able to farm. However, the market is constrained by transaction costs that affect lessors and lessees differently. It is recommended that government should complete its land registration program and relax restrictions on the use of wetlands to grow crops other than rice. It should also improve access to all‐weather roads as this encourages participation on both sides of the rental market, whereas better access to communications infrastructure was found to promote only the supply side.
Revisiting Bilateral Foreign Direct Investment Inflows into BRIC Economies
Authors: Gopalan Sasidaran , Rajan Ramkishen S.
Published: May 2016

Tracking the origins of bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) flows is required to understand de facto real linkages between countries, which remains an important area of research and policy concern. However, existing bilateral FDI data may fail to correctly identify the original sources of FDI flows because they are based on flow of funds rather than ultimate ownership. As a consequence, several offshore financing centers (OFCs) and tax havens emerge as top sources of FDI flows which provide a misleading picture of bilateral real linkages between countries. In this context, this paper proposes an alternative framework to overcome this problem by examining data on mergers and acquisitions (M&As), which offers a far more informative geographical breakdown of sources of FDI inflows. The paper reconciles bilateral FDI inflows data with M&A data for the BRIC economies covering Brazil, Russia, India and China, for the period 2001–12. Further, in light of the increasing M&A flows to BRICs, of equal policy importance is the issue of what kind of FDI should the BRICs attract. In this regard, the paper also sheds some light on the macroeconomic policy implications of the different kinds of FDI flows to the BRIC economies.
A Multicomponent Intervention Including Texting to Promote Tobacco Abstinence in Emergency Department Smokers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bernstein Steven L. , Rosner June , Toll Benjamin
Published: May 2016

Background

Emergency department (ED) patients commonly smoke. Current treatment approaches use motivational interviewing, which is effective, but resource‐intensive. Mobile health approaches may be more feasible and generalizable.

Objective

The objective was to assess the feasibility of an ED‐initiated program of tobacco dependence treatment that employs text messaging.

Methods

Smokers age 18 or older were randomized to intervention or control arms. Control subjects received a brochure describing the state smokers’ quitline. Intervention subjects received the brochure, 4 weeks of nicotine patches and gum (with the initial dose administered in the ED), a referral to the quitline, and enrollment in SmokefreeTXT, a free SMS‐messaging service. SmokefreeTXT delivered 28 days of messages, two to five messages/day. Some messages ask subjects to provide data on mood or craving. Follow‐up was conducted by phone call.

Results

Sixty subjects were enrolled in May 2014. Of all subjects, 33 (55%) were nonwhite; 78% were insured by Medicaid. All intervention subjects used the texting program, with 24/30 (80%) using the program for all 28 days. At 1 month, 14/30 subjects (47%) in the intervention arm reported abstinence versus 3/30 (10%) in the control arm (p = 0.003). At 3 months, the abstinence rates in the intervention and control arms were, respectively, 9/30 (30%) and 4/30 (13%; p = 0.21). Subjects responding to more assessments of mood or craving were more likely to report abstinence at 1 month.

Conclusion

A texting program, combined with pharmacotherapy and a quitline referral, is feasible and may promote tobacco abstinence in ED smokers. A larger trial is planned to assess these results.
Genetic monitoring guides adaptive management of a migratory fish reintroduction program
Authors: Sard N. M. , Johnson M. A. , Jacobson D. P. , Hogansen M. J. , O'Malley K. G. , Banks M. A.
Published: May 2016

Dams contribute to declines in fish abundance, in part, by blocking access to historical habitat. When fish ladders are infeasible, fish can be trapped below a dam and transported above to provide access to habitat. However, this conservation strategy has received little attention in the literature, and many questions regarding efficacy remain unanswered. Here, we used a genetic parentage approach to evaluate cohort replacement rate (CRR), defined as the number of future spawners produced by a spawner, for a spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha trap and transport reintroduction program. We used CRRs to determine if the population can sustain itself in the absence of immigration, which is important when assessing demographic viability. We also evaluated the effects of release locations and dates on the fitness of reintroduced fish. Counts of adult offspring per spawner were used to estimate fitness of salmon reintroduced in 2007 and 2008. We found that fitness decreased slightly as adults were released later in the spawning season in 2007, but not in 2008. Release location did not affect fitness in either year. We also found a seasonal decline in the likelihood that a Chinook salmon collected at the trap and transport facility was produced above the dam. Finally, 2007 and 2008 CRRs were both well below one, indicating that improvements are needed to achieve demographic stability. We demonstrate that genetic monitoring of a reintroduction program helped to inform demographic viability assessments, and suggest that our approach may be broadly applicable to other philopatric species.
Changes in choroidal thickness after intraocular pressure reduction following trabeculectomy
Authors: Kadziauskiene Aiste , Kuoliene Kristina , Asoklis Rimvydas , Lesinskas Eugenijus , Schmetterer Leopold
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the changes of peripapillary and subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) after trabeculectomy.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study included 37 eyes with open‐angle glaucoma. The subfoveal and peripapillary CT was measured using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography before trabeculectomy and 1 week, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The associations between changes in the CT, intraocular pressure (IOP) and axial length were analysed.

Results

The medium subfoveal CT (IQR) increased from 182 (97) μm at baseline to 267 (107) μm 1 week, 213 (97) μm 3 months and 207 (91) μm 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). The peripapillary CT increased in all four quadrants at all follow‐ups (p < 0.05). The subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal thickening correlated with the magnitude of IOP reduction (p < 0.05) and axial length shortening (p < 0.01) during whole follow‐up period. There was a peripapillary CT increase of 2.9 μm per mmHg of IOP reduction (p < 0.001, CI 1.5–4.4) and 4.8 μm per mm of baseline axial length (p = 0.049, CI 0.03–9.6) 1 week postoperatively after adjustment for baseline IOP. Six months postoperatively, the decrease in axial length was the only factor associated with peripapillary choroidal thickening (p = 0.031; regression coefficient: 73.29 μm/mm, CI 7.1–139.5).

Conclusion

Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after trabeculectomy caused the increase in subfoveal and peripapillary CT for at least 6 months postoperatively correlating with greater IOP reduction and axial length shortening. In the long term, the decrease in axial eye length, but not IOP, was the only factor to be associated with peripapillary choroidal thickening.
Effect of timing and type of supplementary grain on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and milk production in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture from evening to morning
Authors: Ueda Koichiro , Mitani Tomohiro , Kondo Seiji
Published: May 2016

The present study aimed to clarify the effect of timing and type of supplementary grain in grazing dairy cows on herbage dry matter intake (HDMI), nitrogen utilization and milk production. Eight lactating cows were allowed to graze from evening to morning during three seasonal periods (spring, summer, autumn). They were randomly allocated to four treatments (timing: pre‐ (Pre) or post‐grazing (Post), for large grain allotments consisting of 75% of daily grain offered; grain type: barley or corn) in 4 × 4 Latin square designs in each period. In the spring period, HDMI was greater for cows fed corn than those fed barley (P = 0.005), whereas cows in the Pre treatment had a similar HDMI, higher (P = 0.049) urinary purine derivative concentration and greater (P = 0.004) milk yield compared with cows in the Post treatment. In the summer and autumn periods, timing treatments did not affect HDMI, nitrogen utilization or milk production, but cows supplemented with barley had higher urinary purine derivatives concentration (P < 0.05) and milk yield (P < 0.05) compared with those supplemented with corn. The results indicate that large grain allotments immediately before evening grazing during early grazing seasons increased ruminal microbial protein synthesis and milk production without reducing HDMI regardless of grain type.
Model‐based evaluation of pulmonary pharmacokinetics in asthmatic and COPD patients after oral olodaterol inhalation
Authors: Borghardt Jens Markus , Weber Benjamin , Staab Alexander , Kunz Christina , Kloft Charlotte
Published: May 2016

Aims

Olodaterol is an orally inhaled β2‐agonist for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aims of this population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis were: (1) to investigate systemic PK and thereby make inferences about pulmonary PK in asthmatic patients, COPD patients and healthy volunteers, and (2) to assess whether differences in pulmonary efficacy might be expected based on pulmonary PK characteristics.

Methods

Plasma and urine data after olodaterol inhalation were available from six clinical trials comprising 710 patients and healthy volunteers (single and multiple dosing). To investigate the relevance of covariates, full fixed‐effect modelling was applied based on a previously developed healthy volunteer systemic disposition model.

Results

A pulmonary model with three parallel absorption processes best described PK after inhalation in patients. The pulmonary bioavailable fraction (PBIO) was 48.7% (46.1–51.3%, 95% confidence interval) in asthma, and 53.6% (51.1–56.2%) in COPD. In asthma 87.2% (85.4–88.8%) of PBIO was slowly absorbed with an absorption half‐life of 18.5 h (16.3–21.4 h), whereas in COPD 80.1% (78.0–82.2%) was absorbed with a half‐life of 37.8 h (31.1–47.8 h). In healthy volunteers absorption was faster, with a half‐life of 18.5 h (16.3–21.4 h) of the slowest absorbed process, which characterized 74.6% (69.1–80.2%) of PBIO.

Conclusions

The modelling approach successfully described data after olodaterol inhalation in patients and healthy volunteers. Slow pulmonary absorption was demonstrated both in asthma and COPD. Absorption characteristics after olodaterol inhalation indicated even more beneficial lung targeting in patients compared to healthy volunteers.
Salivary caffeine concentrations are comparable to plasma concentrations in preterm infants receiving extended caffeine therapy
Authors: Dobson Nicole R. , Liu Xiaoxi , Rhein Lawrence M. , Darnall Robert A. , Corwin Michael J. , McEntire Betty L. , Ward Robert M. , James Laura P. , Sherwin Catherine M. T. , Heeren Timothy C. , Hunt Carl E.
Published: May 2016

Aims

Caffeine concentrations in preterm infants are usually measured in the blood. However, salivary assays may provide a valid and practical alternative. The present study explored the validity and clinical utility of salivary caffeine concentrations as an alternative to blood concentrations and developed a novel plasma/salivary caffeine distribution model.

Methods

Paired salivary and plasma samples were obtained in 29 infants. Salivary samples were obtained using a commercially available salivary collection system. Caffeine concentrations in the saliva and plasma were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography. A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed using NONMEM 7.3.

Results

The mean (± standard deviation) gestational age (GA) at birth and birth weight were 27.9 ± 2.1 weeks and 1171.6 ± 384.9 g, respectively. Paired samples were obtained at a mean postmenstrual age (PMA) of 35.5 ± 1.1 weeks. The range of plasma caffeine concentrations was 9.5–54.1 μg ml−1, with a mean difference (95% confidence interval) between plasma and salivary concentrations of −0.18 μg ml−1 (−1.90, 1.54). Salivary and plasma caffeine concentrations were strongly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.87, P < 0.001). Caffeine PK in plasma and saliva was simultaneously described by a three‐compartment recirculation model. Current body weight, birth weight, GA, PMA and postnatal age were not significantly correlated with any PK parameter.

Conclusions

Salivary sampling provides an easy, non‐invasive method for measuring caffeine concentrations. Salivary concentrations correlate highly with plasma concentrations. Caffeine PK in saliva and plasma are well described by a three‐compartment recirculation model.
Child abuse and fabricated or induced illness in the ENT setting: a systematic review
Authors: Rees P. , Al‐Hussaini A. , Maguire S.
Published: May 2016

Background

Child maltreatment is persistently under‐recognised. Given that a third of maltreated children may return with serious or fatal injuries, it is imperative that otolaryngologists who are in frequent contact with children are able to detect maltreatment at first presentation.

Objective of review

This review aims to identify ENT injuries, signs or symptoms that are indicative of physical abuse or fabricated or induced illness (child maltreatment).

Type of review

Systematic review.

Search strategy

An all‐language search, developed in Medline Ovid and consisting of 76 key words, was conducted of published and grey literature across 10 databases from inception to July 2015, for primary observational studies involving children aged <18 years.

Evaluation method

Each relevant article underwent two independent reviews with full critical appraisal, applying strict quality standards.

Results

Of the 2448 studies identified and screened, 371 underwent full review, resulting in 38 included studies that detailed 122 maltreated children. Pharyngeal perforations (n = 20) were the most frequent abusive ENT injury, predominantly affecting neonates and infants, presenting with dysphagia, drooling, haemoptysis and surgical emphysema. At least 52% of children with abusive pharyngeal injuries had additional co‐existent injuries. The majority of ear injuries were inflicted to the external ear (n = 11) and included auricular deformity, abrasions, petechiae, lacerations and burns. Fabricated or induced illness cases presented most commonly with recurrent, unexplained otorrhoea or ENT lesions that failed to heal despite appropriate therapy.

Conclusions

All clinicians should be familiar with the signs of child maltreatment. Pharyngeal injuries, or injuries to the external ear, presenting in young children without an explicit history of witnessed injury should prompt a child protection referral for full evaluation. Likewise, children who present with recurrent, or apparently intractable symptoms and signs despite appropriate treatment, should raise the possibility of fabricated or induced illness, and discussion with a child protection specialist is advised. Early recognition of possible child maltreatment and instigation of appropriate safeguarding measures are essential to prevent repetition and escalation of injury. This is of paramount importance to otolaryngologists, who have the potential to identify these children in their practice.
Psychological characteristics of patients with asthma
Authors: Bulcun Emel , Turkel Yakup , Oguztürk Omer , Dag Ersel , Visal Buturak S. , Ekici Aydanur , Ekici Mehmet
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Psychological distress of patients with asthma may be reduced when they learned to live with their illness. Asthma can change the psychological and personality characteristics. We aim to investigate the psychological and personality characteristics of patients with asthma using MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory).

Methods

Thirty‐three adult patients with asthma (23 female and 10 male) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) were enrolled in this study. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the MMPI. The patients were separated into two groups according to the duration of symptoms (recent‐onset asthma < 10 years, long‐standing asthma ≥10 years).

Results

Patients with asthma compared with control group had significantly higher the rate of clinical elevation on depression, hysteria, psychasthenia and social introversion. Patients with recent‐onset asthma compared with long‐standing asthma have significantly higher the rate of clinical elevation on depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia and social introversion. MMPI mean t score in patients with recent‐onset asthma was higher than patients with long‐standing asthma. MMPI mean t score in patients with asthma was negatively associated with the symptom duration in multivariate model.

Conclusions

Patients with asthma have relatively more inactivity, anergia, guilt, pessimism, nonspecific physical complaints, irrational fears and introvert. Patients with long‐standing asthma have less psychological distress, suggesting that learned to cope with his illness.
Prognostic factors in kidney transplantation in the septuagenarian: a multicenter analysis
Authors: Saucedo‐Crespo Hector , Haakinson Danielle J. , Croome Kristopher P. , Mai Martin L. , Taner C. Burcin , Heilman Raymond L. , Gonwa Thomas
Published: May 2016

Kidney transplant (KT) programs have extended recipient eligibility to those who were previously excluded due to advanced age. We aimed to determine the outcomes of the patients ≥70 years undergoing KT and investigate factors predicting survival. Two thousand six hundred and twenty‐four KT patients between 2003 and 2013 at two institutions were divided into two groups; those ≥70 years (n=300) and those <70 years (n=2324) at the time of KT. Patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 95%, 86%, and 77% in ≥70 years of age group and 98%, 95%, and 90% in the <70 years group (P<.001). When graft loss due to death was censored, graft survival was not significantly different between the two groups (P=.18). On multivariable analysis, the significant predictors of inferior survival in patients ≥70 years included: body mass index (BMI)>30 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07; P=.01), panel reactive antibody (PRA)>20% (HR 2.38; P=.01), previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; HR 1.95; P=.03) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD; HR 2.60; P=.04). Acceptable outcomes can be achieved in KT recipients ≥70 years. Caution should be used when listing these patients if they have BMI>30 kg/m2, PRA>20%, CABG or PVD.