bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green architecture concept in Chinese region at Clan Jetties area, Penang Malaysia
Authors: Nur’aini R D , Windarta  , Firdaus F , Makinudin I
Published: October 2018

Penang is part of Malaysia’s territory where there is an area recognized by UNESCO as the world heritage, George Town. As a center of the conservation area, it is a port that became the center of commerce during the colonial period. It makes the city inhabited by multi ethnics from different parts of the world, such as Malay ethnic, Chinese ethnic, and Indian ethnic. This multi ethnic settlement becomes the main attraction to be made as the research material. This study aims to find the concept of green architecture of clan jetties area, describe the use of natural materials in its buildings and residences and explain the utility system on the region. This research uses qualitative method with analysis approach using general-specific method. Based on the research we conducted with the method of observation and direct observation of the research object, it can be concluded that clan jetties is a special settlement for Chinese ethnic who are migrants. The residential location is along the coastline adjacent to the Weld Quay harbor. The settlement is divided into 7 areas based on family or clan; Ong Jetty, Lim Jetty, Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty, Lee Jetty, New Jetty and Yeoh Jetty. Each clan has a similar pattern of settlement that extends to the sea with one main road and the side of the road is occupied by the houses of the citizens. The utility system of the area is broadly divided according to the utility of clean water for sewage and fire, lighting, and fire-fighting utilities. Each clan is already equipped with the utility. The main material used for building houses is wood. The placement of vegetation for greening using a flower pot is either placed at the bottom or hung on top.
PrecursorFinder: a customized biosynthetic precursor explorer
Authors: Yuan Le , Tian Yu , Ding Shaozhen , Liu Yanfang , Chen Fu , Zhang Tong , Tu Weizhong , Chen Junni , Hu Qian-Nan
Published: October 2018

Synthetic biology has a great potential to produce high value pharmaceuticals, commodities or bulk chemicals. However, many biosynthetic target molecules have no defined or predicted biosynthetic pathways. Biosynthetic precursors are crucial to create biosynthetic pathways. Thus computer-assisted tools for precursor identification are urgently needed to develop novel metabolic pathways. To this end, we present PrecursorFinder, a computational tool that explores biosynthetic precursors for the query target molecules using chemical structure, similarity as well as MCS (maximum common substructure). This platform comprises more than 60 000 compounds biosynthesized for being promising precursors, which are extracted from >500 000 scientific literatures and manually curated by more than 100 people over the past 8 years. The PrecursorFinder could speed up the process of biosynthesis research and make synthetic biology or metabolic engineering more efficient.

Availability and implementation

PrecursorFinder is available at: http://www.rxnfinder.org/precursorfinder/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A novel approach for drug response prediction in cancer cell lines via network representation learning
Authors: Yang Jianghong , Li Ao , Li Yongqiang , Guo Xiangqian , Wang Minghui
Published: October 2018

Motivation

Prediction of cancer patient’s response to therapeutic agent is important for personalized treatment. Because experimental verification of reactions between large cohort of patients and drugs is time-intensive, expensive and impractical, preclinical prediction model based on large-scale pharmacogenomic of cancer cell line is highly expected. However, most of the existing computational studies are primarily based on genomic profiles of cancer cell lines while ignoring relationships among genes and failing to capture functional similarity of cell lines.

Results

In this study, we present a novel approach named NRL2DRP, which integrates protein–protein interactions and captures similarity of cell lines’ functional contexts, to predict drug responses. Through integrating genomic aberrations and drug responses information with protein–protein interactions, we construct a large response-related network, where the neighborhood structure of cell line provides a functional context to its therapeutic responses. Representation vectors of cell lines are extracted through network representation learning method, which could preserve vertices’ neighborhood similarity and serve as features to build predictor for drug responses. The predictive performance of NRL2DRP is verified by cross-validation on GDSC dataset and methods comparison, where NRL2DRP achieves AUC > 79% for half drugs and outperforms previous methods. The validity of NRL2DRP is also supported by its effectiveness on uncovering accurate novel relationships between cell lines and drugs. Lots of newly predicted drug responses are confirmed by reported experimental evidences.

Availability and implementation

The code and documentation are available on https://github.com/USTC-HIlab/NRL2DRP.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Nonparametric regression with adaptive truncation via a convex hierarchical penalty
Authors: Haris Asad , Shojaie Ali , Simon Noah
Published: October 2018

We consider the problem of nonparametric regression with a potentially large number of covariates. We propose a convex, penalized estimation framework that is particularly well suited to high-dimensional sparse additive models and combines the appealing features of finite basis representation and smoothing penalties. In the case of additive models, a finite basis representation provides a parsimonious representation for fitted functions but is not adaptive when component functions possess different levels of complexity. In contrast, a smoothing spline-type penalty on the component functions is adaptive but does not provide a parsimonious representation. Our proposal simultaneously achieves parsimony and adaptivity in a computationally efficient way. We demonstrate these properties through empirical studies and show that our estimator converges at the minimax rate for functions within a hierarchical class. We further establish minimax rates for a large class of sparse additive models. We also develop an efficient algorithm that scales similarly to the lasso with the number of covariates and sample size.
A review of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) health and healthcare inequalities
Authors: Zeeman Laetitia , Sherriff Nigel , Browne Kath , McGlynn Nick , Mirandola Massimo , Gios Lorenzo , Davis Ruth , Sanchez-Lambert Juliette , Aujean Sophie , Pinto Nuno , Farinella Francesco , Donisi Valeria , Niedźwiedzka-Stadnik Marta , Rosińska Magdalena , Pierson Anne , Amaddeo Francesco ,   Health4LGBTI Network, Taibjee Rafik , Toskin Igor , Jonas Kai , van Der Veur Dennis , Allen Odhrán , Troussier Thierry , De Sutter Petra
Published: October 2018

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people experience significant health inequalities. Located within a European Commission funded pilot project, this paper presents a review of the health inequalities faced by LGBTI people and the barriers health professionals encounter when providing care.

Methods

A narrative synthesis of 57 papers including systematic reviews, narrative reviews, meta-analyses and primary research. Literature was searched in Cochrane, Campbell Collaboration, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Medline. The review was undertaken to promote understanding of the causes and range of inequalities, as well as how to reduce inequalities.

Results

LGBTI people are more likely to experience health inequalities due to heteronormativity or heterosexism, minority stress, experiences of victimization and discrimination, compounded by stigma. Inequalities pertaining to LGBTI health(care) vary depending on gender, age, income and disability as well as between LGBTI groupings. Gaps in the literature remain around how these factors intersect to influence health, with further large-scale research needed particularly regarding trans and intersex people.

Conclusion

Health inequalities can be addressed via changes in policy, research and in practice through health services that accommodate the needs of LGBTI people. With improved training to address gaps in their knowledge of LGBTI health and healthcare, health professionals should work in collaboration with LGBTI people to address a range of barriers that prevent access to care. Through structural change combined with increased knowledge and understanding, services can potentially become more inclusive and equally accessible to all.
Reluctant Refuge: An Activist Archaeological Approach to Alternative Refugee Shelter in Athens (Greece)
Authors: Kiddey Rachael
Published: October 2018

The effect of the mismatch between the numbers of forced migrants that host governments are prepared to deal with and the actual number of those seeking refuge is that many forced migrants must find what I term ‘reluctant’ refuge—precarious, unofficial shelter. In this article, I first theorize ‘reluctance’, before introducing the concept of archaeology of the contemporary world in order to establish what makes fieldwork drawn on explicitly archaeological. Following this, I offer a concise history of the current political situation in Athens before describing my methodology. I then provide three ‘portraits’ of sites of temporary refugee shelter in the city—a squat, a non-governmental organization-managed hotel and a co-operative day centre—and discuss how these inter-relate to form a landscape of reluctant refugee shelter. The article contributes an explicitly ‘translational’ (Zimmerman et al. 2010) view of how experiences of shelter affect and shape forced displacement in Athens.
The Incidence of Nonaffective, Nonorganic Psychotic Disorders in Older People: A Population-based Cohort Study of 3 Million People in Sweden
Authors: Stafford Jean , Howard Robert , Dalman Christina , Kirkbride James B
Published: October 2018

Background

There are limited data on the epidemiology of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) and how this relates to potential risk factors including migration, sensory impairment, traumatic life events, and social isolation.

Methods

We followed up a cohort of 3 007 378 people living in Sweden, born 1920–1949, from their 60th birthday (earliest: January 15, 1980) until December 30 2011, emigration, death, or first recorded diagnosis of nonaffective psychosis. We examined VLOSLP incidence by age, sex, region of origin, income, partner or child death, birth period, and sensory impairments.

Results

We identified 14 977 cases and an overall incidence of 37.7 per 100 000 person-years at-risk (95% CI = 37.1–38.3), with evidence that rates increased more sharply with age for women (likelihood ratio test: χ2(6) = 31.56, P < .001). After adjustment for confounders, rates of VLOSLP were higher among migrants from Africa (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.4–2.7), North America (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–1.9, P = .04), Europe (HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.2–1.4), Russian-Baltic regions (HR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4–1.9), and Finland (HR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.5–1.7). VLOSLP risk was highest for those in the lowest income quartile (HR = 3.1, 95% CI = 2.9–3.3). Rates were raised in those whose partner died 2 years before cohort exit (HR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0–1.3, P = .02) or whose child died in infancy (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0–1.4, P = .05), those without a partner (HR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.8–1.9) or children (HR = 2.4, 95% CI = 2.3–2.5), and those whose child had a psychotic disorder (HR = 2.4, 95% CI = 2.2–2.6).

Interpretation

We identified a substantial burden of psychosis incidence in old age, with a higher preponderance in women and most migrant groups. Life course exposure to environmental factors including markers of deprivation, isolation, and adversity were associated with VLOSLP risk.
Detached Leaf Assays for Resistance to Crown Rust Reveal Diversity Within Populations of Avena sterilis
Authors: Paczos-Grzęda Edyta , Sowa Sylwia , Boczkowska Maja , Langdon Tim
Published: October 2018

Crown rust is the most widespread and damaging disease of oat (Avena species). Genetic resistance to the pathogen is the preferred method for crop protection but widespread deployment of limited numbers of major effect genes has promoted the rapid emergence and spread of pathogen races that are able to overcome these genes. Combining genes with even partial resistance may help develop durable cultivars that are less vulnerable to changes in pathogen virulence. Partial resistance is expected to be relatively common in populations of wild species where constant pathogen pressure encourages diversity in host resistance mechanisms, but it may be discarded in conventional screens for major gene resistance. Here, we used a detached leaf assay to detect resistance to the crown rust pathogen, Puccinia coronata Cda. f. sp. avenae, in previously uncharacterized collections of the hexaploid wild oat relative A. sterilis made by the Polish National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources. Many of the accessions were collected in Morocco, the center of diversity for the Avena genus. The detached leaf assessment allowed individual plants to be challenged with multiple pathotypes and their responses compared with 34 known differentials. Broad-spectrum resistance was identified within accession PL 51855, which behaved as a single major locus on crossing to three cultivars. The locus provided resistance to over 50 rust pathotypes, a greater range than seen for any of the known host resistance (Pc) genes. Strong resistance was identified in other accessions, and heterogeneity in response within accessions was common. Several accessions show multiple partial resistance responses that may be of value for developing durable resistance in cultivars. Because the sources of resistance in all but two differential lines were collected outside of Morocco, resistance in all accessions tested here are potentially novel. This study demonstrates that diversity within A. sterilis accessions collected in Morocco could be a very valuable source of resistance to crown rust, and it provides new germplasm for use in resistance breeding programs. Detached leaf assessment provides a valuable first step in the identification of promising candidates in complex gene bank accessions.
Hip Status and Long-term Functional Outcomes in Spina Bifida
Authors: Thompson Rachel M. , Foley Joanna , Dias Luciano , Swaroop Vineeta T.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Nearly 50% of individuals with myelomeningocele will develop a dislocated hip by skeletal maturity. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hip status on functional outcomes in a cohort of adult patients with myelomeningocele.

Methods:

Patients with a diagnosis of myelomeningocele >18 years were prospectively enrolled over a 12-month period. Neurological level of involvement was obtained from chart review and interview. Clinical examination included hip range of motion and leg-length discrepancy. Reimer’s migration index was calculated from a current anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. All subjects completed the VR-12 and the NIH PROMIS outcomes measures for pain interference and physical function. The χ2, the Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression models were applied to evaluate the influence of hip status on functional outcomes.

Results:

In total, 31 patients (average age 31, range 19 to 49) were included. Eight thoracic, 9 lumbar, and 14 sacral level patients participated. Twenty had bilaterally located hips, 5 had a unilateral subluxation or dislocation, and 6 had bilaterally subluxated or dislocated hips. In univariate analysis, patients with bilaterally located hips performed better in lower extremity function than those with unilateral subluxation/dislocation (36.7 vs. 26.0; P=0.03) but worse in pain interference than those with bilateral subluxation/dislocation (52.0 vs. 43.3; P=0.03). After controlling for neurological level, there was no statistically significant difference in the VR-12 mental (P=0.32) or physical component summary (P=0.32) scores, nor in the PROMIS lower extremity function (P=0.26) or pain interference scores (P=0.33) between groups. Decreased extension and abduction were indirectly correlated with VR-12 mental component scores (P=0.0038, 0.0032). Leg-length discrepancy was not associated with any outcome measure.

Conclusions:

Long-term outcomes are not associated with hip status in adult patients with myelomeningocele. Functional outcomes are more closely correlated with neurological level and hip range of motion. These results suggest efforts to keep myelomeningocele hips reduced are likely without functional benefit and should be avoided in favor of maintaining motion with contracture release as needed.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
GENETIC RISK FACTORS IN ACUTE CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY
Authors: Mohabati Danial , Schellevis Rosa L. , van Dijk Elon H. C. , Altay Lebriz , Fauser Sascha , Hoyng Carel B. , De Jong Eiko K. , Boon Camiel J. F. , Yzer Suzanne
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To investigate genetic associations in white patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (aCSC) and to assess genetic differences between aCSC and chronic CSC (cCSC).

Methods:

A total of 135 aCSC patients, 272 cCSC patients, and 1,385 control individuals were included. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped for ARMS2 (rs10490924), CFH (rs800292, rs1061170, rs1065489, rs1329428, rs2284664, rs3753394), and NR3C2 (rs2070951). Also, C4B gene copy numbers were analyzed.

Results:

Three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CFH gene were significantly associated with aCSC: rs800292 (P = 0.003, odds ratio = 1.53 [95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.03]), rs1061170 (P = 0.002, odds ratio = 0.64 [95% confidence interval = 0.48–0.86]), and rs1329428 (P = 5.87 × 10−6, odds ratio = 1.83 [95% confidence interval = 1.40–2.38]). A significant difference was found in the distribution of C4B gene copy numbers in aCSC patients compared with controls (P = 0.0042). No differences could be found among the selected variants between aCSC and cCSC patients.

Conclusion:

Three variants in the CFH gene and copy number variations in C4B were found to be significantly associated with the risk of aCSC development. Despite the differences in clinical presentation, acute and chronic CSC may share a similar genetic predisposition based on our present analysis. Other genetic and/or nongenetic risk factors may be more influential in the differentiation toward an acute or a chronic phenotype of CSC.
MESOPIC AND DARK-ADAPTED TWO-COLOR FUNDUS-CONTROLLED PERIMETRY IN GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Pfau Maximilian , Müller Philipp L. , von der Emde Leon , Lindner Moritz , Möller Philipp T. , Fleckenstein Monika , Holz Frank G. , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To investigate retinal sensitivity in the junctional zone of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration using patient-tailored perimetry grids for mesopic and dark-adapted two-color fundus-controlled perimetry.

Methods:

Twenty-five eyes with GA of 25 patients (prospective, natural-history Directional Spread in Geographic Atrophy study [DSGA; NCT02051998]) and 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects were included. Patient-tailored perimetry grids were generated using annotated fundus autofluorescence data. Customized software positioned test-points along iso-hulls surrounding the GA boundary at distances of 0.43°, 0.86°, 1.29°, 2.15°, and 3.01°. The grids were used for duplicate mesopic and dark-adapted two-color (cyan and red) fundus-controlled perimetry. Age-adjusted reference-data were obtained through regression analysis of normative data followed by spatial interpolation.

Results:

The mean sensitivity loss for mesopic testing decreased with the distance to GA (−10.3 dB [0.43°], −8.2 dB [0.86°], −7.1 dB [1.29°], −6.8 dB [2.15°], and −6.6 dB [3.01°]; P < 0.01). Dark-adapted cyan sensitivity loss exceeded dark-adapted red sensitivity loss for all iso-hulls (−14.8 vs. −11.7 dB, −13.5 vs. −10.1 dB, −12.8 vs. −9.1 dB, −11.6 vs. −8.2 dB, −10.7 vs. −8.0 dB; P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Patient-tailored fundus-controlled perimetry grids allowed for testing of retinal function in the junctional zone of GA with high spatial resolution. A distinct decrease in mesopic sensitivity loss between 0.43° (125 µm) and 1.29° (375 µm) was observed that leveled off at more distant test-points. In proximity to the GA boundary, the results indicate that rod exceeded cone dysfunction.
PROGRESSION OF SCOTOPIC SINGLE-FLASH ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY IN THE STAGES OF CAPN5 VITREORETINOPATHY
Authors: Tang Peter H. , Kinnick Tyson R. , Folk James C. , Mahajan MaryAnn , Bassuk Alexander G. , Tsang Stephen H. , Mahajan Vinit B.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To characterize the changes found in the electroretinography (ERG) recordings of patients with autosomal dominant neovascular inflammatory vitreoretinopathy and correlate with clinical stages of the disease.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review. Bright- and dim-flash full-field scotopic, photopic, and 30-Hz flicker ERGs were obtained according to international standards. The scotopic ERGs were further processed to analyze the oscillatory potential. The patient described in the case report underwent full ERG testing; five patients composed the archival case series data and included scotopic ERG recordings.

Results:

Stage I autosomal dominant neovascular inflammatory vitreoretinopathy is characterized by a decrease in the b-wave amplitude on scotopic flash ERG and the disappearance of late OPs; however, the a-wave amplitude is normal. In Stage II, attenuation of early OPs and the c-wave are observed in scotopic ERG recordings, but both a- and b-wave amplitudes are unchanged. For patients in Stage III, there is a continued decline of both a- and b-wave amplitudes in scotopic ERG recordings. There was a loss of recordable scotopic ERG response in patients with Stage IV disease.

Conclusion:

Electroretinography may be valuable in determining optimal timing for therapeutic intervention and response before loss of recordable retinal function in CAPN5 vitreoretinopathy.
Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma With Normal Intraocular Pressure at the First Visit: Its Prevalence and Ocular Characteristics
Authors: Oh Won Hyuk , Kim Bum Gi , Kyung Haksu , Lee Joo Hwa
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To investigate the prevalence of normal intraocular pressure (IOP) at first visit among patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and their ocular characteristics.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients with PACG in a referral center. According to untreated IOP, we divided PACG eyes into 2 groups: those with normal IOP and those with high IOP (>21 mm Hg) at the first visit.

Results:

One hundred sixty eyes of 160 Korean PACG patients were included. Sixty percent (97/160) of the patients had normal IOP at their first visit. The PACG patients with initially normal IOP had significantly longer axial length (mean±SD, 22.99±0.76 vs. 22.74±0.61) and deeper “true” anterior chamber depth (ACD) (2.09±0.27 vs. 1.82±0.33) than those with initially high IOP (both P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression revealed that deeper “true” ACD (per 0.1 mm; odds ratio, 1.38) and more hyperopic refractive errors (odds ratio, 1.48) were independent predictors of initially normal IOP in PACG eyes (P<0.05). The prevalence of disc hemorrhage was higher in PACG patients with initially normal IOP than in those with initially high IOP (29.9% vs. 14.3%, P=0.029).

Conclusions:

Sixty percent of patients with PACG had normal IOP at their first visit. This suggests that without gonioscopy clinicians may misdiagnose PACG as normal tension glaucoma. ACD measurement can aid the diagnosis of PACG because even PACG eyes with initially normal IOP have shallow ACD.
Very Low-Dose Mirtazapine (7.5 mg) in Treatment of Acute Antipsychotic-Associated Akathisia
Authors: Poyurovsky Michael , Weizman Abraham
Published: October 2018

Background

Some evidence suggests that off-label use of mirtazapine (15 mg) is effective in treatment of acute antipsychotic-associated akathisia (AAA). We analyzed whether a lower dose of mirtazapine (7.5 mg) maintained its antiakathisia properties while exhibiting better tolerability in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders who developed acute AAA.

Methods

Medical charts were retrospectively evaluated for 12 patients with AAA. All scored at least 2 (mild akathisia) on the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS) and were treated with mirtazapine (7.5 mg) for a mean of 10.3 days.

Results

There was a statistically significant decrease in the BARS subjective, distress, and global (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), but not objective (P = 0.63), subscales. Five participants (41.6%) fulfilled the predefined criterion of response, a decrease of at least 2 points on the BARS global subscale. The positive antiakathisia effect of mirtazapine was observed predominantly in aripiprazole-treated patients. Mirtazapine (7.5 mg) was well tolerated, and no clinically significant adverse effects, primarily drowsiness or increased appetite, were reported.

Conclusions

A large-scale controlled evaluation is warranted to substantiate clinical utility of off-label use of mirtazapine (7.5 mg) for patients with AAA.
New primary immunodeficiency diseases: context and future
Authors: Yu Joyce E. , Orange Jordan S. , Demirdag Yesim Yilmaz
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are genetic disorders classically characterized by impaired host defense and an increased susceptibility to infections. It is now appreciated that these conditions broadly include variations in the genetic code that cause dysregulated immune function. This review highlights the newly defined PIDs in the 2017 International Union of Immunologic Societies (IUIS) report, current approaches to diagnosing PIDs, and the implications for the future management of PIDs.

Recent findings

With the advances in and increased commercial availability of genetic testing and the adoption of the TREC assay into the US Newborn Screening program, the number of identified PIDs has exponentially risen in the past few decades, reaching over 350 disorders. The IUIS Inborn Errors of Immunity committee acknowledged at least 50 new disorders between 2015 and 2017. Furthermore, given the greater recognition of disorders with primarily immune dysregulation, the committee proposed a more inclusive term of ‘inborn errors of immunity’ to encompass primary immunodeficiencies and immune dysregulation disorders.

This latest IUIS report underscores the rapid expansion in the PID field with technologic advancements in immunogenetics and clinical screening discovering new genetic diseases, and therefore, paving the way to novel therapeutics and precision medicine.
Presumptive and Follow-up Treatment for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Among Patients Attending Public Health Department Clinics in Virginia, 2016
Authors: Pugsley River A. , Peterman Thomas A.
Published: October 2018

Background

Presumptive antibiotic treatment is common for suspected chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) infections before laboratory confirmation to prevent complications, reduce loss-to-follow-up, and interrupt transmission. We assessed this practice in sexually transmitted disease (STD) and family planning clinics.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of data from clinics in Virginia in 2016 using administrative data merged with electronic laboratory reporting data. After stratifying by patient and clinic characteristics, we calculated how often patients with positive CT/GC tests were treated presumptively or during a follow-up visit, and how many patients with negative tests were treated presumptively.

Results

Of 63,889 patient visits with valid laboratory results from 131 clinics, 13% tested positive for CT or GC. Overall, presumptive treatment was given to 45.2% of persons with positive tests and 10.1% of persons with negative tests. Among the 9443 patients presumptively treated, 40.7% had positive test results. Presumptive treatment was more common in STD clinics compared with family planning clinics (22% vs. 4%) and for males with positive tests compared to females (65% vs. 24%); smaller variations were observed across age, race/ethnicity, and diagnosis categories. Twenty-six percent of patients with positive tests who were not treated presumptively had no treatment recorded within 30 days.

Conclusions

Presumptive treatment for CT/GC was commonly used in this clinic population. It improved treatment coverage and reduced time to treatment, though some uninfected persons were treated. The impact of presumptive treatment on partner notification and treatment requires further study.
Multiple sclerosis: clinical aspects
Authors: Oh Jiwon , Vidal-Jordana Angela , Montalban Xavier
Published: October 2018

Purpose of review

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, predominantly immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system, and one of the most common causes of neurological disability in young adults globally. This review will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, disease course, and prognosis of multiple sclerosis and will focus on recent evidence and advances in these aspects of the disease.

Recent findings

Multiple sclerosis is increasing in incidence and prevalence globally, even in traditionally low-prevalence regions of the world. Recent revisions have been proposed to the existing multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria, which will facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment in appropriate patients. Classifying multiple sclerosis into distinct disease phenotypes can be challenging, and recent refinements have been proposed to clarify existing definitions. The prognosis of multiple sclerosis varies substantially across individual patients, and a combination of clinical, imaging, and laboratory markers can be useful in predicting clinical course and optimizing treatment in individual patients.

A number of recent advances have been made in the clinical diagnosis and prognostication of multiple sclerosis patients. Future research will enable the development of more accurate biomarkers of disease categorization and prognosis, which will enable timely personalized treatment in individual multiple sclerosis patients.
Women photographers in Europe: a fresh, feminine approach
Authors: Muñoz-Muñoz Ana M. , González-Moreno M. Barbaño
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of women in the field of photography after the second wave of feminism in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The grounded theory on the position of women in contemporary photography has been contrasted with the information collected by the authors in previous research studies on the presence of women photographers in the main museum collections in Europe.

Findings

Gender inequality in the various artistic disciplines is a current sociopolitical problem Western countries have been fighting against for several decades. After the resurgence of social movements in the USA and Europe in the 1960s, an artistic movement called feminist art emerged whose significance should be assessed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper proposed a general approximation, a foundation on the state of art, which may be implemented in the future with more data coming from other collections. It should be taken into account that this aim is a work in progress in a large scale of the research.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for the development of a more efficient strategy to create a balance situation in the number of men and women photographers at the museum collections.

Originality/value

The paper identified a lack of practical analysis on the current averages of female photographers in art institutions.
As the record spins: materialising connections
Authors: Fernandez Karen V. , Beverland Michael B.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the material nature of legacy technology makes its users passionately prefer it over its digital alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This ethnographic study uses data from 26 in-depth interviews with vinyl collectors, augmented with longitudinal participant–observation of vinyl collecting and music store events.

Findings

The findings reveal how the physicality of vinyl facilitates the passionate relationships (with music, the vinyl as performative object and other people) that make vinyl so significant in vinyl users’ lives.

Research limitations/implications

As this study examines a single research context (vinyl) from the perspective of participants from three developed, Anglophone nations, its key theoretical contributions should be examined in other technological contexts and other cultures.

Practical implications

The findings imply that miniturisation and automation have lower limits for some products, material attributes should be added to digitised products and that legacy technology products could be usually be reframed as tools of authentic self-expression.

Originality/value

This study explains what can happen beyond the top of the “S” curve in the Technology Acceptance Model, furthering our understanding of consumers’ reactions to the proliferation of digital technology in their lives.
Effects of job resources factors on nurses job performance (mediating role of work engagement)
Authors: Bhatti Muhammad Awais , Mat Norazuwa , Juhari Ariff Syah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of work engagement (vigor and dedication) between job resources (job characteristics, supervisor and co-worker support, participation in decision making and job security) and job performance (task and contextual) rated by the supervisor.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 364 nurses and their supervisors was used. Structural equation modeling with Amos 17 was used to obtain a model fit with path significance of work engagement as the mediator between job resources and job performance.

Findings

The results found support for the proposed conceptual claim and confirm that work engagement with a two-factor model (vigor and dedication) mediates the relationship between job resources (job characteristics, supervisor and co-worker support, participation in decision making and job security) and with a multidimensional construct of job performance (task and contextual performance) rated by the supervisor.

Practical implications

The findings of this research will help human resource managers and professionals to further develop the working environment, provide job security and opportunities for employees to participate in decision making in a way that enhances employee work engagement, which, ultimately, improves employee job performance.

Originality/value

Past studies have not previously tested the two-factor model of work engagement (vigor and dedication) as the mediating variable between job resources (job characteristics, supervisor and co-worker support, participation in decision making and job security) and job performance rated by the supervisor.
Patients’ satisfaction as a dimension of quality: a survey on outpatients’ care in Dubai
Authors: Mahboub Bassam , Mawasi Ahmad , Ali Souzan , Spina Chiara
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The last few years have seen a stronger emphasis on patient-centred care within the international healthcare setting. Patient-centred care is clearly perceived to be important to optimise the satisfaction and well-being of patients. The purpose of this paper is to review current patient-centred practices for outpatients in both private clinics and public hospitals in Dubai. Such a comparison contributes to the identification of best management practices as a means of enhancing healthcare delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on an independent survey consisting of self-administered questionnaires, in which patients were asked to rate several aspects of private clinics or government hospitals in Dubai. The questionnaire used has been drawn from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey, Version 3.0. Responses from 420 patients form a data set that is analysed quantitatively.

Findings

In total, 420 respondents took part in this survey. The results of the survey show that there is a considerable difference between the expectation levels of patients from government hospitals and patients from private clinics. Patients from government hospitals consistently show that time is a critical aspect of the service received, with 68 per cent of the respondents reporting this issue. Additionally, poor customer care, as reported by 14 per cent of the respondents, is also a critical issue. Timely service and appointments are among the main factors that contribute to patient satisfaction. Patients in private clinics, instead, particularly value clear explanations from doctors and nurses – this is corroborated by the fact that 11 per cent of the respondents reported appreciation of this type of service.

Practical implications

This paper draws attention to a patient-centric perspective of healthcare, and highlights the importance of educating patients through clear explanations.

Originality/value

Little evidence exists on the standards of healthcare in Dubai. The authors explore this area and present direct evidence on quality standard implementation, identify implementation shortcomings and make recommendations for future research and practice.
International new ventures market expansion through collaborative entry modes
Authors: Puthusserry Pushyarag N. , Khan Zaheer , Rodgers Peter
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that different collaborative entry modes play in how international new ventures (INVs) expand into international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper’s arguments are based on the INVs and social network literatures. In order to investigate the entry modes adopted by British and Indian small and medium information and communication technology (ICT) firms into each other’s markets, the paper outlines the results of qualitative semi-structured interviews with the key decision makers of ten British and ten Indian ICT firms.

Findings

The findings contribute to the relatively under-researched area of how INVs enter foreign markets through collaborative entry mode. The findings suggest that INVs utilize both equity and non-equity modes of collaboration to expand their international operations. The findings also indicate that financial and non-financial resources always limit the market expansion and internationalization of such companies. Against this background, the INVs rely on building collaboration as one of the safest methods for foreign market expansion and successful internationalization. The collaborative entry mode is enhanced by entrepreneurs’ prior experience, social ties and knowledge of the foreign market.

Research limitations/implications

Set against the backdrop of an ever-increasing trend of internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the paper offers important implications for understanding the conditions and factors behind the choice of collaborative and non-collaborative entry modes by INVs in particular and SMEs more broadly.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few studies that have examined the role of collaborative entry modes choice adopted by INVs from two of the largest economies – the UK and India.
Prediction model of propaganda characteristics used by the main jihadist groups
Authors: Corcoba Judith , Portilla Raigam Jafet Martinez
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Jihadist terrorism is one of the most important current global issues. Terrorism is an instrument of fear and fear an instrument of news. The purpose of this paper is to understand the difference in propaganda between the most powerful terrorist groups and the association with the Islamic State group (ISIS).

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study has been carried out on the usage of propagandistic material. For the analyses, two different groups have been created, propaganda emitted from the Islamic State group and propaganda from the other main terrorist groups (Boko Haram, Taliban, Al-Qaeda).

Findings

It has been proved that there are significant differences between the Islamic State propaganda and the other main groups.

Originality/value

This study has been conducted in order to provide a comparison of the propaganda content of the main jihadist groups.
Business models in tourism – state of the art
Authors: Reinhold Stephan , Zach Florian J. , Krizaj Dejan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to review the state of the art for the Tourism Review special issue on “Business Models in Tourism”. The authors’ purpose is twofold: first, to contextualize the empirical and conceptual contributions featured in the special issue in relation to the state of research on business models in tourism. Second, the authors position the special issue in the broader scholarly conversation on business models to identify avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors systematically review the content of tourism-specific business model studies from leading literature databases to answer four questions relevant for future work on business models in tourism: First, how do tourism scholars define the business model concept? Second, what is the ontological stance (object, schema or tool) of existing studies of tourism business models? Third, what are the methodological preferences of existing work on business models in tourism? And finally, what qualifies as rigorous business model research?

Findings

From the critical review of 32 contributions, the authors identify a minimal consensus and dominant approach to conceptualizing the business model concept in tourism studies. In addition, the authors reveal a strong preference for small-n case study research designs. In sum, those findings point to important gaps and design decisions for future business model studies in tourism.

Originality/value

This review of the state of research on business models in tourism details research opportunities with regard to theory, methods and applications that tourism scholars can investigate to contribute to the theory and practice of business model management.
Offspring diet supersedes the transgenerational effects of parental diet in a specialist herbivore Neolema abbreviata under manipulated foliar nitrogen variability
Authors: Mbande Abongile , Tedder Michelle , Chidawanyika Frank
Published: October 2018

Diet quality influences organismal fitness within and across generations. For herbivorous insects, the transgenerational effects of diet remain relatively underexplored. Using a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial experiment, we evaluated how N enrichment in parental diets of Neolema abbreviata (Larcordaire) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent for Tradescantia fluminensis Vell. (Commelinaceae), may influence life history and performance of F1 and F2 offspring under reciprocal experiments. We found limited transgenerational effects of foliar nitrogen variability among life‐history traits in both larvae and adults. Larval weight gain and mortality were responsive to parental diet contrary to feeding damage, pupal weight and duration taken to pupate. There were significant parental diet × test interactions in larval feeding damage, weight gain, pupal weight and time to pupation. Generally, offspring from parents under high N plants performed better even under low N test plants. Adult traits including oviposition selection, feeding weight and longevity did not respond to the effects of parental diet nor its interaction with test diet as was the case in the larval stage. However, the main effects of test diet were more important in determining adult performance in both generations suggesting limited sensitivity to parental diet in the adult stage. Our results show conflicting responses to parental diet between larvae and adults of the same generation among an insect species with both actively feeding larval and adult life stages. These transgenerational effects, or lack thereof, may have implications on the field performance of N. abbrevita under heterogeneous nutritional landscapes.
Comparison of stereotactic body radiotherapy versus metastasectomy outcomes in patients with pulmonary metastases
Authors: Lee Yun Hee , Kang Ki Mun , Choi Hoon‐Sik , Ha In Bong , Jeong Hojin , Song Jin Ho , Jang In‐Seok , Kim Sung Hwan , Lee Jeong Won , Rhee Dong Yoon , Jeong Bae Kwon
Published: October 2018

Background

We compared the treatment outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary metastases.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients received SBRT (total radiation doses 60 Gy in 3 fractions or 48 Gy in 4 fractions) and 30 underwent metastasectomy, most (93.3%) with wedge resection. The patients were followed for a median of 13.7 months. The tumor size in the SBRT group was larger than in the metastasectomy group (median 2.5 vs. 1.25 cm; P = 0.015). Patients with synchronous metastases were more likely to be treated with SBRT than with metastasectomy (P = 0.006).

Results

There was no significant difference in the local control rates of the treatment groups (P = 0.163). Progression‐free survival (PFS) was longer in the metastasectomy than in the SBRT group (P = 0.02), with one and two‐year PFS rates of 51.1% and 46% versus 23.8% and 11.9%, respectively. The one and two‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 95% and 81.8% in the metastasectomy group and 79.5% and 68.2%, in the SBRT group, respectively. In multivariate analysis, synchronous metastasis was related to poor PFS, and tumor size was the most significant factor affecting OS. There were no significant differences in PFS and OS between treatment groups after dividing patients according to the presence or absence of synchronous metastases.

Conclusions

SBRT is considered a suitable local modality against pulmonary metastases; however, patients with synchronous metastases are only likely to obtain a small benefit from local treatment with either SBRT or surgery.
Toward a life with dignity:
Authors: PÉREZ MIGUEL
Published: October 2018

In the last decade, poor urban residents in Santiago, Chile, have powerfully struggled for the right to housing. They have done so by enrolling in neoliberal housing programs through which they seek to become homeowners by both saving money privately and applying for subsidies. In a context in which market‐based urban policies have contributed to the segregation of low‐income families in the city's peripheries, the right tola vida digna(life with dignity) has emerged as the new political horizon of these struggles. As a right based on a moral category like dignity,la vida dignareveals the actions and discourses through which the poor, while becoming ethical subjects, signify their everyday experiences with vulnerability in political terms. [dignity, morality, housing struggles, vulnerability, Santiago,Chile]