bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in Incidence of Norovirus-associated Acute Gastroenteritis in 4 Veterans Affairs Medical Center Populations in the United States, 2011–2015
Authors: Grytdal Scott , Browne Hannah , Collins Nikail , Vargas Blanca , Rodriguez-Barradas Maria C , Rimland David , Beenhouwer David O , Brown Sheldon T , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Lucero-Obusan Cynthia , Holodniy Mark , Kambhampati Anita , Parashar Umesh , Vinjé Jan , Lopman Ben , Hall Aron J , Cardemil Cristina V
Published: February 2019

Background

Norovirus is an important cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis (AGE), yet the burden of endemic disease in adults has not been well documented. We estimated the prevalence and incidence of outpatient and community-acquired inpatient norovirus AGE at 4 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) (Atlanta, Georgia; Bronx, New York; Houston, Texas; and Los Angeles, California) and examined trends over 4 surveillance years.

Methods

From November 2011 to September 2015, stool specimens collected within 7 days of AGE symptom onset for clinician-requested diagnostic testing were tested for norovirus, and positive samples were genotyped. Incidence was calculated by multiplying norovirus prevalence among tested specimens by AGE-coded outpatient encounters and inpatient discharges, and dividing by the number of unique patients served.

Results

Of 1603 stool specimens, 6% tested were positive for norovirus; GII.4 viruses (GII.4 New Orleans [17%] and GII.4 Sydney [47%]) were the most common genotypes. Overall prevalence and outpatient and inpatient community-acquired incidence followed a seasonal pattern, with higher median rates during November–April (9.2%, 376/100 000, and 45/100 000, respectively) compared to May–October (3.0%, 131/100 000, and 13/100 000, respectively). An alternate-year pattern was also detected, with highest peak prevalence and outpatient and inpatient community-acquired norovirus incidence rates in the first and third years of surveillance (14%–25%, 349–613/100 000, and 43–46/100 000, respectively).

Conclusions

This multiyear analysis of laboratory-confirmed AGE surveillance from 4 VAMCs demonstrates dynamic intra- and interannual variability in prevalence and incidence of outpatient and inpatient community-acquired norovirus in US Veterans, highlighting the burden of norovirus disease in this adult population.
Comparison of intra-procedural vs. post-stenting prolonged bivalirudin infusion for residual thrombus burden in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing: the MATRIX (Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by TRansradial Access Site and angioX) OCT study
Authors: Garcia-Garcia Hector M , Picchi Andrea , Sardella Gennaro , Adamo Marianna , Frigoli Enrico , Limbruno Ugo , Rigattieri Stefano , Diletti Roberto , Boccuzzi Giacomo , Zimarino Marco , Contarini Marco , Russo Filippo , Calabro’ Paolo , Andò Giuseppe , Varbella Ferdinando , Garducci Stefano , Palmieri Cataldo , Briguori Carlo , Kuku Kayode O , Rothenbühler Martina , Karagiannis Alexios , Valgimigli Marco
Published: February 2019

Aims

To compare prolonged bivalirudin infusion vs. an intra-procedural only bivalirudin infusion administration in subjects with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) regarding residual stent strut thrombosis.

Methods and results

Multivessel STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and scheduled for a staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before hospital discharge were selected among those allocated to either prolonged bivalirudin or intra-procedural only bivalirudin infusion in the MATRIX (Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by TRansradial Access Site and angioX) Treatment-Duration study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the infarct-related artery was performed at the end of PPCI and 4–5 days thereafter during staged intervention. The predefined endpoint was the percentage difference in the number of stent cross-sections with a thrombotic area >5% at the end of PPCI and at the time of staged PCI (ΔThCS). Between September 2013 and November 2015, 137 were randomized to either intra-procedural only bivalirudin infusion (N = 64) or prolonged bivalirudin (N = 73) at 16 European sites. Mean stent area, minimum lumen area, percentage of malapposed struts, and mean percent thrombotic area were comparable after index or staged PCI. The difference in the proportion of frames with percent thrombotic area >5% (ΔTh > 5%) were −7.7 (−22.1 to 5.1) in the intra-procedural bivalirudin infusion group and −8.8 (−23.1 to 2.6) in the prolonged infusion group (P = 0.994). Time from index to follow-up OCT imaging and the infarct vessel artery did not affect this OCT-based endpoint.

Conclusion

A strategy of prolonged bivalirudin infusion after PPCI did not reduce residual stent strut thrombosis when compared with intra-procedural only bivalirudin infusion administration (funded by The Medicines Company and Terumo; MATRIX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01433627).
Efficacy of a web-based intervention for improving psychosocial well-being in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: the randomized controlled ICD-FORUM trial
Authors: Schulz Stefan M , Ritter Oliver , Zniva Richard , Nordbeck Peter , Wacker Christian , Jack Mary , Groschup Guido , Deneke Thomas , Puppe Frank , Ertl Georg , Angermann Christiane , Störk Stefan , Pauli Paul
Published: February 2019

Aims

Anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL) are common in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Treatment options are limited and insufficiently defined. We evaluated the efficacy of a web-based intervention (WBI) vs. usual care (UC) for improving psychosocial well-being in ICD patients with elevated psychosocial distress.

Methods and results

This multicentre, randomized controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 118 ICD patients with increased anxiety or depression [≥6 points on either subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] or reduced QoL [≤16 points on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)] from seven German sites (mean age 58.8 ± 11.3 years, 22% women). The primary outcome was a composite assessing change in heart-focused fear, depression, and mental QoL 6 weeks after randomization to WBI or UC, stratified for age, gender, and indication for ICD placement. Web-based intervention consisted of 6 weeks’ access to a structured interactive web-based programme (group format) including self-help interventions based on cognitive behaviour therapy, a virtual self-help group, and on-demand support from a trained psychologist. Linear mixed-effects models analyses showed that the primary outcome was similar between groups (η  p  2 = 0.001). Web-based intervention was superior to UC in change from pre-intervention to 6 weeks (overprotective support; P = 0.004, η  p  2 = 0.036), pre-intervention to 1 year (depression, P = 0.004, η  p  2 = 0.032; self-management, P = 0.03, η  p  2 = 0.015; overprotective support; P = 0.02, η  p  2 = 0.031), and 6 weeks to 1 year (depression, P = 0.02, η  p  2 = 0.026; anxiety, P = 0.03, η  p  2 = 0.022; mobilization of social support, P = 0.047, η  p  2 = 0.018).

Conclusion

Although the primary outcome was neutral, this is the first RCT showing that WBI can improve psychosocial well-being in ICD patients.
Resolution and Covariance of the LLNL-G3D-JPS Global Seismic Tomography Model: Applications to Travel time Uncertainty and Tomographic Filtering of Geodynamic Models
Authors: Simmons N A , Schuberth B S A , Myers S C , Knapp D R
Published: February 2019

Resolution and covariance of global seismic tomography models are most often unknown quantities. However, there are many potential applications of these matrices in the broad solid Earth research community as well as more focused scientific groups including the nuclear explosion monitoring research community. In this study, we construct both the resolution and covariance matrices for the recent LLNL-G3D-JPS global joint model of P- and S-wave velocity. The global model consists of >1 million free parameters, creating matrices with >1 trillion elements. Given the scale of the problem and computational limitations, we used a custom method to calculated impulse responses at every node in the earth model and produced sparse, yet representative, resolution and covariance matrices that can be practically used for several real applications. We apply the matrices to real problems as example use cases. Utilizing the covariance matrix, we computed traveltime uncertainties for thousands of P waves emanating from (or coming to) specified points around the globe and constructed maps of the traveltime error to illustrate the variability of path-specific traveltime uncertainty. Utilizing the resolution matrix as a tomographic filter, we converted geodynamically derived renditions of Earth structure to images that may be visible through the often-distorted lens of seismic tomography.
Enhancing the Value Chain to Increase Customer Satisfaction and Build Successful Breast Imaging Practices
Authors: Loving Vilert A
Published: February 2019

The US health care industry is increasingly shifting to a value seeking mindset. The breast imaging value chain elucidates how breast imaging radiologists generate and deliver value to their customers, who include both patients and referring health care providers. The breast imaging value chain can be used by radiologists to improve operational effectiveness and to plan new value creation strategically. The overarching goals are increased customer satisfaction and successful practices.
Breast Radiologists: Extenders of Primary Care
Authors: Dahl Daniel W , Huynh Phan T
Published: February 2019

The health care industry has seen many changes in recent years. Gradually, the traditional volume-based fee-for-service health care system is being replaced by the patient-centered, value-based, pay-for-performance model. In response to this, the American College of Radiology has developed an initiative coined Imaging 3.0: a blueprint to help guide our profession through this transition in health care delivery. Radiologists are an integral part of the health care system, and they greatly affect patient care; however, we have progressively become less visible as a specialty. It is time that we, as radiologists, broaden our role in patient care. As breast radiologists, we are uniquely qualified to usher in this new era of medicine. We have the skill set to provide comprehensive breast care. We are actively involved in early breast cancer detection, pre-imaging patient-care decisions, imaging work-ups, diagnosis, care coordination, treatment, and follow-up. We have set the gold standard for concise structured reporting and follow-up recommendations with the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon, which offers value to our clinician colleagues. Our broad knowledge and role in breast conditions, patient relationships, and other noninterpretive skills offers personalized care and expertise that allows for the best, safest, most cost-effective, and efficient service for the patient and health care industry. Our comprehensive care provides direct interaction and education, decreases radiation exposure, and saves patients time and money. It also benefits the health care industry by improving throughput, reducing waste, and eliminating inefficiencies in the system. As breast radiologists, we are uniquely qualified to usher in this new era of radiology.
The gravitational force field of the Galaxy measured from the kinematics of RR Lyrae in Gaia
Authors: Wegg Christopher , Gerhard Ortwin , Bieth Marie
Published: February 2019

From a sample of 15651 RR Lyrae with accurate proper motions in Gaia DR2, we measure the azimuthally averaged kinematics of the inner stellar halo between 1.5  and 20  kpc from the Galactic centre. We find that their kinematics are strongly radially anisotropic, and their velocity ellipsoid nearly spherically aligned over this volume. Only in the inner regions ${\lesssim } 5\, {\rm kpc}\,$ does the anisotropy significantly fall (but still with β > 0.25) and the velocity ellipsoid tilt towards cylindrical alignment. In the inner regions, our sample of halo stars rotates at up to $50\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}\,$, which may reflect the early history of the Milky Way, although there is also a significant angular momentum exchange with the Galactic bar at these radii. We subsequently apply the Jeans equations to these kinematic measurements in order to non-parametrically infer the azimuthally averaged gravitational acceleration field over this volume, and by removing the contribution from baryonic matter, measure the contribution from dark matter. We find that the gravitational potential of the dark matter is nearly spherical with average flattening $q_\Phi ={1.01 \pm 0.06\, }$ between 5 and 20 kpc, and by fitting parametric ellipsoidal density profiles to the acceleration field, we measure the flattening of the dark matter halo over these radii to be $q_\rho ={1.00 \pm 0.09\, }\!.$
Success Rate of Intra-articular Sacroiliac Joint Injection: Fluoroscopy vs Ultrasound Guidance—A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Stelzer Wolfgang , Stelzer Dominik , Stelzer Elisabeth , Sammer Andreas , Aichner Elisabeth , Braune Monika , Schneider Byron J , Duller C , Feigl Georg
Published: February 2019

Background

Given the unacceptably high miss rates of non-image-guided injections into the sacroiliac joint, either fluoroscopy or ultrasound is recommended for guidance. The real success rate of both techniques was assessed by cadaver dissection.

Methods

Twenty bodies donated to science (40 joints: 15 female and 5 male) were investigated bilaterally. Fluoroscopy and a lower ultrasound-guided approach were performed in 10 bodies each. Conditions during puncture, the subjective feeling of the needle being intra-articular, and, for fluoroscopic guidance, the intra-articular spread of the contrast were assessed. First, 0.5 cc of Iopamidol was injected, followed by 2 mL of red-colored latex. The spread was investigated by dissection via anterior opening of the sacroiliac joint and the dorsal ligaments.

Results

Ultrasound guidance was used in 1/20 (5%, 95% CI = 0.9–23.6%) intra-articular injections. In 19/20 (95%, 95% CI = 0.9–23.6%) cases, latex spread in the interosseous sacroiliac ligament was used. Conditions of structural visibility were classified as good in 11/20 (55%, 95% CI = 34.2–74.2%) cases, puncture condition as good in 16/20 (80%, 95% CI = 58.4–91.9%) cases, and subjective feeling of the needle being intra-articular was present in 10/20 (50%, 95% CI = 34.2–74.2%) cases. Fluoroscopy showed an intra-articular injection in 10/20 (50%, 95% CI = 34.2–74.2%) cases. The structure visibility in fluoroscopy was good in 9/20 (45%, 95% CI = 25.8–65.8%), puncture conditions good in 8/20 (40%, 95% CI = 21.9–61.3%), intra-articular contrast spread visible in 10/20 (50%, 95% CI = 34.2–74.2%), and subjective feeling of being intra-articular was present in 17/20 (85%, 95% CI = 64.0–94.8%) cases.

Conclusions

Fluoroscopy clearly showed a higher success rate of intra-articular sacroiliac joint injection.
‘I heard his silver Call’: Emily Dickinson and the Poetry of Telegraphic Acoustics
Authors: Tackett Justin C
Published: February 2019

This essay focuses on a specific aspect of electric telegraphy in America—what I call ‘telegraphic acoustics’, which includes: 1) the sound of telegraph wires vibrating overhead and 2) ‘sound-reading’, the practice of transcribing Morse code by ear instead of transcribing it from a printout. Telegraphic acoustics started as a distinctively American technical evolution that emphasized sound and listening over sight and literacy. Because of this emphasis and because of increasingly universal poetic education, American telegraphers understood their technology in poetic terms. In turn, American poets, including John Greenleaf Whittier and Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., also thought about poetry in terms of telegraphic acoustics. The essay focuses on Emily Dickinson as an in-depth case study because of her unusual familiarity with telegraphic acoustics in Amherst; her visual impairment, which heightened her awareness of sound; and her insights into the nature and future of networks and information flow. It concludes by examining the intersection of her poetry and telephony, which was perceived as an extension of telegraphy. I argue that thinking of these media acoustically, instead of in terms of literacy, reveals a rich separate discourse running through Dickinson’s poetry and American poetry generally. This discourse demands reinterpretations of several canonical Dickinson poems.
Determinants of diagnostic delay in axial spondyloarthritis: an analysis based on linked claims and patient-reported survey data
Authors: Redeker Imke , Callhoff Johanna , Hoffmann Falk , Haibel Hildrun , Sieper Joachim , Zink Angela , Poddubnyy Denis
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the current diagnostic delay in axial SpA (axSpA) and to analyse factors associated with it.

Methods

A stratified sample of subjects with a diagnosis of axSpA (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code M45) was drawn from health insurance data in Germany and was questioned on disease-related, lifestyle and socio-economic characteristics. The diagnostic delay was calculated as the time from back pain onset until a diagnosis of axSpA. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to explore factors associated with the diagnostic delay.

Results

Among 1677 patients with axSpA included in the analysis, the mean diagnostic delay was 5.7 years (median 2.3). Of those, 407 patients were diagnosed in 1996–2005 and 484 patients in 2006–2015. The mean diagnostic delay was not substantially different in both periods: 6.3 years (median 2.6) and 7.4 (2.7), respectively. Multivariable linear regression revealed that female sex [β = 1.85 (95% CI 1.06, 2.65)], negative HLA-B27 status [β = 3.61 (95% CI 2.07, 5.14)], presence of psoriasis [β = 1.40 (95% CI 0.08, 2.73)] and younger age at symptom onset [β = 1.91 (95% CI 1.53, 2.29)] were factors associated with a longer diagnostic delay.

Conclusion

The diagnostic delay in axSpA is still unacceptably long. Patients who are female, young at symptom onset, HLA-B27 negative or have psoriasis have a longer diagnostic delay. Specific referral strategies might be necessary in order to decrease the diagnostic delay in patients presenting with these characteristics.
Differences in Health: The Influence of Gender and Institutional Settings on Sickness Claims in Gothenburg, Sweden (1898–1950)
Authors: Castenbrandt Helene , Revuelta-Eugercios Barbara Ana , Torén Kjell
Published: February 2019

Sickness funds information has given conflicting evidence on the evolution of morbidity during the mortality decline. Evidence on increased morbidity has been explained by an actual increase of morbidity, a cultural inflation of morbidity or changing institutional settings, however, morbidity rates have also been shown to be stable over time when age composition of members is controlled for. Most previous studies have been confined to data on men; however, in an earlier article, Castenbrandt found large gender differences in historical sick leave by using national statistics on both men and women. To move forward, this article aims to analyse trends in sickness claims during the mortality decline in the early twentieth century using individual level data from Swedish sickness funds covering the period 1898–1950. Concretely, we investigate gender differences in sickness claims (incidence and duration) and how institutional settings (member composition and fund-specific regulations) affected the sick leave patterns.
New Ancorabolidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from Korea: two new genera, revisionary notes and updated identification keys
Authors: Lee Jimin , Huys Rony
Published: February 2019

Two new copepod species of the Ceratonotus group in the subfamily Ancorabolinae (Ancorabolidae) are described from the Korean peninsula. Dendropsyllus kimi sp. nov. differs from its congeners by the one-segmented ♀ P3 endopod, the inner spine on ♀ P5 exopod and the absence of sensillate tubercles on abdominal somites 1 and 2. Dimorphipodia gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Dimorphipodia changi sp. nov. and can be differentiated from its sister taxon, Arthuricornua, by the sexual dimorphism in P2–P4 exp-3, the absence of paired laterodorsal processes near the posterior margin of the cephalothorax and the presence of pleural setular tufts on somites bearing P2–P4. Ancorabolina, previously placed in the Ancorabolinae, is transferred to the Laophontodinae, whereas Patagoniaella is provisionally reassigned to the family Cletodidae. Within Laophontodes, the inadequately described Laophontodes brevis, Laophontodes ornatus and Laophontodes propinquus are relegated to species inquirendae. Laophontodes georgei sp. nov. is proposed for the unavailable name Laophontodes norvegicus, Laophontodes multispinatus is reassigned to Lobopleura, and Laophontodes gracilipes is fixed as the type of Rostrophontodes gen. nov., the potential sister group of Ancorabolina. The authenticity of Laophontodes bicornis and other dubious ancorabolid records from the Korean peninsula is discussed. Updated keys to genera of both Ancorabolinae and Laophontodinae and to species of Laophontodes are provided.
AtoxigenicAspergillus flavusIsolates Endemic to Almond, Fig, and Pistachio Orchards in California with Potential to Reduce Aflatoxin Contamination in these Crops
Authors: Ortega-Beltran Alejandro , Moral Juan , Picot Adeline , Puckett Ryan D. , Cotty Peter J. , Michailides Themis J.
Published: February 2019

In California, aflatoxin contamination of almond, fig, and pistachio has become a serious problem in recent years due to long periods of drought and probably other climatic changes. The atoxigenic biocontrol product Aspergillus flavus AF36 has been registered for use to limit aflatoxin contamination of pistachio since 2012 and for use in almond and fig since 2017. New biocontrol technologies employ multiple atoxigenic genotypes because those provide greater benefits than using a single genotype. Almond, fig, and pistachio industries would benefit from a multi-strain biocontrol technology for use in these three crops. Several A. flavus vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) associated with almond, fig, and pistachio composed exclusively of atoxigenic isolates, including the VCG to which AF36 belongs to, YV36, were previously characterized in California. Here, we report additional VCGs associated with either two or all three crops. Representative isolates of 12 atoxigenic VCGs significantly (P < 0.001) reduced (>80%) aflatoxin accumulation in almond and pistachio when challenged with highly toxigenic isolates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus under laboratory conditions. Isolates of the evaluated VCGs, including AF36, constitute valuable endemic, well-adapted, and efficient germplasm to design a multi-crop, multi-strain biocontrol strategy for use in tree crops in California. Availability of such a strategy would favor long-term atoxigenic A. flavus communities across the affected areas of California, and this would result in securing domestic and export markets for the nut crop and fig farmer industries and, most importantly, health benefits to consumers.
Early in life effects and heredity: reconciling neo-Darwinism with neo-Lamarckism under the banner of the inclusive evolutionary synthesis
Authors: Danchin Étienne , Pocheville Arnaud , Huneman Philippe
Published: February 2019

Recent discoveries show that early in life effects often have long-lasting influences, sometimes even spanning several generations. Such intergenerational effects of early life events appear not easily reconcilable with strict genetic inheritance. However, an integrative evolutionary medicine of early life effects needs a sound view of inheritance in development and evolution. Here, we show how to articulate the gene-centred and non-gene-centred visions of inheritance. We first recall the coexistence of two gene concepts in scientific discussions, a statistical one (focused on patterns of parent–offspring resemblance, and implicitly including non-DNA-sequence-based resemblance), and a molecular one (based on the DNA sequence). We then show how all the different mechanisms of inheritance recently discovered can be integrated into an inclusive theory of evolution where different mechanisms would enable adaptation to changing environments at different timescales. One surprising consequence of this integrative vision of inheritance is that early in life effects start much earlier than fertilization.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Developing differences: early-life effects and evolutionary medicine’.
Inter-generational consequences for growing
Caenorhabditis elegans
in liquid
Authors: Lev Itamar , Bril Roberta , Liu Yunan , Ceré Lucila Inés , Rechavi Oded
Published: February 2019

In recent years, studies in
Caenorhabditis elegans
nematodes have shown that different stresses can generate multigenerational changes. Here, we show that worms that grow in liquid media, and also their plate-grown progeny, are different from worms whose ancestors were grown on plates. It has been suggested that
C. elegans
might encounter liquid environments in nature, although actual observations in the wild are few and far between. By contrast, in the laboratory, growing worms in liquid is commonplace, and often used as an alternative to growing worms on agar plates, to control the composition of the worms' diet, to starve (and synchronize) worms or to grow large populations for biochemical assays. We found that plate-grown descendants of M9 liquid medium-grown worms were longer than control worms, and the heritable effects were already apparent very early in development. We tested for the involvement of different known epigenetic inheritance mechanisms, but could not find a single mutant in which these inter-generational effects are cancelled. While we found that growing in liquid always leads to inter-generational changes in the worms’ size, trans-generational effects were found to be variable, and in some cases, the effects were gone after one to two generations. These results demonstrate that standard cultivation conditions in early life can dramatically change the worms' physiology in adulthood, and can also affect the next generations.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Developing differences: early-life effects and evolutionary medicine’.
Making headway towards understanding how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to early-life effects
Authors: Vukic Maja , Wu Haoyu , Daxinger Lucia
Published: February 2019

It has become clear that in addition to the DNA sequence there is another layer of information, termed epigenetic modifications, that can influence phenotypes and traits. In particular, environmental epigenomics, which addresses the effect of the environment on the epigenome and human health, is becoming an area of great interest for many researchers working in different scientific fields. In this review, we will consider the current evidence that early-life environmental signals can have long-term effects on the epigenome. We will further evaluate how recent technological advances may enable us to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena, which will be crucial for understanding heritability in health and disease.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Developing differences: early-life effects and evolutionary medicine'.
Temperature drives the evolution and global distribution of avian eggshell colour
Authors: Wisocki Phillip A. , Kennelly Patrick , Rivera Indira Rojas , Cassey Phillip , Hanley Daniel
Published: February 2019

The survival of a bird’s egg depends upon their ability to maintain within strict thermal limits. Avian eggshell colours have long been considered a phenotype that can help them stay within these thermal limits, with dark eggs absorbing heat more rapidly than bright eggs. Although long disputed, evidence suggests that darker eggs do increase in temperature more rapidly than lighter eggs, explaining why dark eggs are often considered as a cost to trade-off against crypsis. Although studies have considered whether eggshell colourscanconfer an adaptive benefit, no study has demonstrated evidence that eggshell colourshaveactually adapted for this function. This would require data spanning a wide phylogenetic diversity of birds and a global spatial scale. Here we show evidence that darker and browner eggs have indeed evolved in cold climes, and that the thermoregulatory advantage for avian eggs is a stronger selective pressure in cold climates. Temperature alone predicted more than 80% of the global variation in eggshell colour and luminance. These patterns were directly related to avian nesting strategy, such that all relationships were stronger when eggs were exposed to incident solar radiation. Our data provide strong evidence that sunlight and nesting strategies are important selection pressures driving egg pigment evolution through their role in thermoregulation. Moreover, our study advances understanding of how traits have adapted to local temperatures, which is essential if we are to understand how organisms will be impacted by global climate change.
Interactome of vertebrate GAF/ThPOK reveals its diverse functions in gene regulation and DNA repair
Authors: Srivastava Avinash , Mishra Rakesh
Published: February 2019

Evolutionary conservation and lineage-specific diversification of existing proteins forms the basis for evolving complexity of protein-protein interaction networks and presumably, thereby that of the organism. GAGA associated factor (GAF) belongs to BTB/POZ and zinc finger family of transcription factors and it is conserved from flies to humans. Emerging evidence shows indispensable roles of vertebrate GAF (vGAF a.k.a. ThPOK) in functionally divergent developmental processes like hematopoiesis, adipogenesis, and lactation. vGAF is a sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor with multiple context-dependent roles in gene activation/repression, enhancer-blocking and more recently, it has shown to be the part of ribonucleoprotein complexes as well. In order to understand the molecular basis of these diverse functions, we analyzed the protein-protein interactome of vGAF. This analysis shows vGAF association with chromatin remodelers, RNA metabolic machinery, transcriptional activators/repressors, and components of DNA repair machinery, thereby provides a plausible explanation for the diverse molecular functions of vGAF. Our findings discern the novel role of vGAF in several molecular processes like DNA repair and RNA metabolism. We further tested the biological significance of our protein-protein interaction data and show a novel function of vGAF in DNA repair and cell survival after UV induced DNA damage. Consistent with these results, analysis of high-throughput RNA-seq data shows the downregulation of vGAF in samples of skin cutaneous melanoma for which the primary cause is UV induced DNA damage. These findings suggest vGAF as an early diagnostic biomarker for skin cutaneous melanoma. Taken together, our study reveals a molecular basis for the diverse functions of vGAF. We uncover its role in DNA repair and provide an explanation for key roles of such evolutionary conserved factors in processes like development and disease.
Functional linkage of gene fusions to cancer cell fitness assessed by pharmacological and CRISPR/Cas9 screening
Authors: Picco Gabriele , Chen Elisabeth D , Alonso Luz Garcia , Behan Fiona M , Gonçalves Emanuel , Bignell Graham , Matchan Angela , Fu Beiyuan , Banerjee Ruby , Anderson Elizabeth , Butler Adam , Benes Cyril H , McDermott Ultan , Dow David , Iorio Francesco , Stronach Euan , Yang Fengtang , Yusa Kosuke , Saez-Rodriguez Julio , Garnett Mathew J
Published: February 2019

Many gene fusions have been reported in tumours and for most their role remains unknown. As fusions can be used clinically for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, and are targets for treatment, it is crucial to assess their functional implications in cancer. To investigate the role of fusions in tumor cell fitness, we developed a systematic analysis utilising RNA-sequencing data from 1,011 human cancer cell lines to functionally link 8,354 gene fusion events with genomic data, sensitivity to >350 anti-cancer drugs and CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-fitness information. Established clinically-relevant fusions were readily identified. Overall, functional fusions were rare, including those involving cancer driver genes, suggesting that many fusions are dispensable for tumor cell fitness. Novel therapeutically actionable fusions involving RAF1, BRD4 and ROS1 were verified in new histologies. In addition, recurrent YAP1-MAML2 fusions were identified as activators of Hippo-pathway signaling in multiple cancer types, supporting therapeutic targeting of Hippo signalling. Our approach discriminates functional fusions, identifying new drivers of carcinogenesis and fusions that could have important clinical implications.

Significance

We identify fusions as new potential candidates for drug repurposing and drivers of carcinogenesis. These results support histology agnostic marker-driven precision cancer medicine. Most fusions are not functional with implications for interpreting cancer fusions reported from clinical sequencing studies.
Does online shopping make consumers feel better? Exploring online retail therapy effects on consumers’ attitudes towards online shopping malls
Authors: Lee Jihyun , Lee Yuri
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between online retail therapy and consumers’ attitudes towards online fashion shopping malls (ATO) based on the stimulus–organism–response model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined how online retail therapy factors (e.g. the aesthetics of web design and attractiveness of the models) affect consumers’ ATO. In particular, the authors examined the mediation of positive mood reinforcement (PMR) and negative mood reduction (NMR).

Findings

The results indicated that aesthetics has a significant and direct effect on ATO. However, model attractiveness has an indirect effect on ATO through PMR and NMR. In addition, the direct effect of aesthetics on ATO is greater than the indirect effect of model attractiveness. Therefore, online fashion shopping malls need to concentrate on improving the aesthetics of the shopping malls. For fashion shopping malls that do not have the capacity to improve the aesthetics, it is possible to improve ATO by using highly attractive models.

Originality/value

This study applied the concept of retail therapy to the online environment and verified the effect. This study expanded the scope of the study of retail therapy by examining the effect of mood improvement on ATO as well. Further, this study examined the structure of two online retail therapy factors, aesthetics and model attractiveness, that affect ATO through PMR and NMR, and suggested managerial implications for online shopping malls.
Audit fees, perceived audit risk, and the financial crisis of 2008
Authors: Chen Hanmei , Hua Shaowen , Liu Zenghui , Zhang Mei
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how audit fees change in responding to the financial crisis of 2008. It also examines auditors’ perceived risk and how they priced the risk in the financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 20,930 firm-year observations, this paper examines the change of audit fees before, during and after the financial crisis, as well as the relationship between audit fees and restatements. Furthermore, this study investigates whether this relationship between audit fees and restatements strengthened during the financial crisis.

Findings

The paper finds that audit fees increase as a result of the macro-systemic risks from the crisis. It also finds that there is a significantly positive relationship between audit fees and restatements, which is a proxy of risk factors related to poor financial reporting quality and poor audit quality. However, the results show that there is no significant change of the fees–restatements relationship in the financial crisis period.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is that no definite answer can be provided for the question that whether auditors believe that poor audit quality and audit failures are leading up to the financial crisis. The test rejects the alternative hypothesis. However, it does not necessarily prove the null hypothesis is true.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the current literature by analyzing not only the impact of the financial crisis on audit fees, but also how the accounting profession views its own role in the financial crisis.
Rules of (household) engagement: technology as manager, assistant and intern
Authors: Letheren Kate , Russell-Bennett Rebekah , Mulcahy Rory Francis , McAndrew Ryan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Practitioners need to understand how households will engage with connected-home technologies or risk the failure of these innovations. Current theory does not offer sufficient explanation for how households will engage; hence, this paper aims to address an important gap by examining how households set “rules of engagement” for connected-home technologies in the context of electricity use and monitoring.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the extant psychology, technology and engagement literature is conducted and yields two research questions for exploration. The research questions are addressed via 43 in-depth household interviews. Analysis includes thematic analysis and computerized text analysis.

Findings

The results include a typology of technology engagement (the “PIP typology”) and discuss three main roles for technology in assisting households: intern, assistant and manager. Key contributions are as follows: consumers in household settings may experience “compromised engagement” where the perceived middle option is selected even if no-one selected that option originally; households open to using connected-home technologies are often taking advantage of their ability to “delegate” engagement to technology, and because consumers humanize technology, they also expect technology to follow social roles and boundaries.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may examine the PIP typology quantitatively and/or in different contexts and would benefit from a longitudinal study to examine how household technology engagement evolves. Four research propositions are provided, which may form the basis for future research.

Practical implications

Recommendations for practitioners are presented regarding the benefits of keeping consumers at the heart of connected-home technology goods and services. Specific design principles are provided.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills the need to understand how households will engage with connected-home technologies and the roles this technology may fulfill in the complex household service system.
The status of entrepreneurship education in Jordanian universities
Authors: Alakaleek Wejdan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the developmental level of entrepreneurship education within the context of Jordanian higher education. The level of development in such education is investigated based on two areas: the educational courses and programs themselves and the formal structures within which they are embedded.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative approach is based on a survey scan of all 29 Jordanian universities, including their course plans, educational programs, departments and centers. A list of entrepreneurship centers, programs and course subjects is provided and analyzed.

Findings

The main findings of study are: in Jordan, entrepreneurship education is still at an early stage of development, and its offerings are limited to a few courses covering some introductory subjects in small business and entrepreneurship courses. Of the Jordanian universities, one university offers a major educational graduate program in entrepreneurship and 27.5 percent have centers for innovation and entrepreneurship, but lack any entrepreneurship departments. Entrepreneurship education is new in Jordan: the first provided course was a small business management; the first center was established in 2004 and later in 2012, it offered the first educational programs in entrepreneurship.

Research implications

This paper assists all stakeholders in higher education to build an understanding of the nature of entrepreneurship education in Jordan and supports the design of appropriate strategies for encouraging entrepreneurial subjects to be incorporated into the country’s universities educational programs.

Originality/value

The value of this study stems from its aim to provide an overview of the status of entrepreneurship education in Jordanian universities. It also makes a contribution to knowledge as the first nationwide study in this context.
Analysis of patients’ attitudes towards medical service prices in different regions based on grey relational theory
Authors: Zhang Chongxu , Duan Lizhong , Liu Hangyu , Zhang Yinran , Yin Lili , Sun Qiaoqiao , Lu Qi
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the attitude of patients towards the current medical service price and the effect of policy implementation, and explore the existing problems of the current medical service price policy in the region in order to provide a research basis for the dynamic adjustment mechanism of the medical service price.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature analysis and expert interviews are used to design the questionnaire of the dynamic adjustment of medical service price formation mechanism. A convenient sampling method is used to extract data of 600 patients from the five areas, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong and Liaoning, on-site to fill out the paper-based questionnaire and electronic questionnaire. The grey relational analysis is used to explore the difference in the attitudes of patients towards the price of the medical service. Combined with the research results and expert interview results, some improvement suggestions related to the current price policy of medical service in five areas are put forward.

Findings

The overall average score of respondents in the five areas, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong and Liaoning, is found to be 3.861. In terms of surgical operation fee and examination fee, the average score is higher than 4, i.e. 4.097 and 4.011, respectively, indicating “relatively high” nodes. According to grey relevancy sorting, the correlation between the health service price attitude and the overall score in the five regions is in the following order: Shandong > Tianjin > Beijing > Liaoning > Hebei.

Originality/value

In this study, patients’ attitude towards the current price of medical services in their local areas, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong and Liaoning, is investigated in order to explore the existing problems of medical service price reform and thus provide the basis for further improvement in the medical service price policy.
Medical device‐related pressure ulcer (MDRPU) in acute care hospitals and its perceived importance and prevention performance by clinical nurses
Authors: Kim Jung Yoon , Lee Yun Jin ,   Korean Association of Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses
Published: February 2019

The incidence rate of patients developing pressure ulcers associated with medical device use is underreported in Korea. This study aims to determine clinical nurses' perceived importance and performance towards medical device‐related pressure injury prevention. A total of 620 nurses from seven hospitals attending continuing education programmes in Korea responded to self‐administered questionnaires. Data were collected from March to December 2017 on a 4‐point‐Likert scale on nurses' perceived importance and performance for prevention of medical device‐related pressure ulcer (MDRPU). Secondary data analysis was performed through reported pressure injury incidence, and questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t‐test, and anova. The overall rates of hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers and MDRPU were 16.9% and 0.8%, respectively. The proportion of MDRPU was 5.02%. Its perceived importance (3.56 ± 0.48) was also higher than prevention performance (3.13 ± 0.90) among nurses. Education level and participation in pressure injury management training was found to enhance prevention performance by nurses. Therefore, informational and educational programmes based on clinical practice are necessary for clinical nurses to focus on perceived importance and performance towards prevention of medical device‐related pressure injury and pressure ulcer care.
A FMOLS Analysis of FDI Flows to Latin America
Authors: Ramirez Miguel D.
Published: February 2019

This paper estimates a panel FDI investment function that seeks to identify some of the major economic and institutional determinants of net FDI flows to nine major Latin American countries during the 1980-2014 period. First, it utilizes Dunning’s OLI model to identify some of the major economic and institutional determinants of FDI. Second, the paper provides an overview of FDI flows to Latin America during the 1990-2017 period, with particular emphasis on their contribution to the financing of gross fixed capital formation. Third, an economic rationale is provided for the included variables and their expected signs. Fourth, the paper reports estimates for a Fully Modified Ordinary least Squares (FMOLS) panel regression designed to explain the variation in FDI flows to Latin America during the 1980-2014 period. The estimates suggest that real GDP (a proxy for market size), credit provided by the private banking sector, government expenditures on education, and the level of economic freedom as measured by the Fraser Institute have a positive and significant effect. On the other hand, public investment spending, the volatility of real GDP and the real exchange rate have a negative and significant effect on FDI flows. The panel unit root and (Pedroni) panel cointegration tests suggest that there is a stable, long-term relationship among the included variables; i.e., the selected variables in the reported regressions are cointegrated over the relevant time period.
Product Architecture Transition in a Modular Cyber-Physical Truck
Authors: Williamsson David , Sellgren Ulf , Söderberg Anders
Published: February 2019

A modular product architecture is a strategic means to deliver external variety and internal commonality. In this paper, we propose a new clustering-based method for product modularization that integrates product complexity and company business strategies. The proposed method is logically verified by a studied industrial case, where the architecture of a heavy truck driveline is analyzed in terms of how it has evolved over a couple of decades, due to changed business strategies and the evolution of new technology. The presented case indicates that the new methodology is capable of identifying and proposing reasonable module candidates that address product complexity as well as company-specific strategies. Furthermore, the case study clearly shows that the business strategic reasons for a specific architecture can be found by analyzing how sensitive the clusters are to changes in the module drivers (MD).