bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic interval-grey number VIKOR method based on prospect theory
Authors: LI Qingsheng , Zhao Ni
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to deal with interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making problems. It proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the prospect theory the results values and probability weight are used while the utility and probability values in the expected utility theory, which the more realistically reflect and describe the decision makers on the optimal process. VIKOR method makes the decision acceptable superiority and decision process stability. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown.

Findings

– The paper provides a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers. And the validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by an example.

Research limitations/implications

– Although VIKOR is much closer to PIS than TOPSIS, at the same time VIKOR method can get the compromise solution with priority, researchers are encouraged to carry on comparative study further.

Practical implications

– The paper includes interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making method and implications. The validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by a case.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both interval grey numbers. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown.
Understanding broadband television users’ continuance intention to use
Authors: Liou Dah-Kwei , Hsu Li-Chun , Chih Wen-Hai
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Based on the tricomponent attitude model, a research model is developed to investigate the factors that influence users’ use intentions regarding broadband television. These factors are divided into vendor’s service and personal psychology perspectives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research sample consisted of 631 respondents with experience in using broadband television. This study adopted structural equation modeling to test the proposed model.

Findings

– The results show that the structural model has a good fit and indicates that perceived system quality, perceived content quality, customization, perceived ease of use, and perceived risk directly influence users’ opinions toward broadband television and indirectly affect their continuance intention to use through attitude to use.

Practical implications

– From a managerial standpoint, this study can assist internet protocol television (IPTV) service providers in understanding the critical determinants that influence consumers’ continuance intention to use IPTV.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the understanding of consumers’ continuance intention to use IPTV by introducing customers’ perspectives for vendor’s service factors (perceived system quality, perceived content quality, customization, and perceived ease of use) to current theoretical models. From a personal psychology perspective, this study provides sound evidence that the determinants of perceived price level and perceived risk are critical factors that affect consumers’ attitude to use and continuance intention to use of broadband televisions.
How travel agency reputation creates recommendation behavior
Authors: Chang Kuo-Chien
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of travel agency’s reputation on customer recommendation behavior by examining the mediating effects of customer-perceived functional and emotional value as well as the moderating effects of tour leader performance and customer flow experience in the travel agency sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– A statistical analysis of the collected questionnaires was computed based on the 463 usable responses from Taiwan tourists who joining the group package tours traveling to China. Structural equation modeling is the essential analysis methodology used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the variables.

Findings

– The analysis results confirm that reputation has positive effects on customers recommendation behaviors in which perceived functional and emotional value work as necessary mediating roles. Nevertheless, the effect of reputation through emotional value on customer recommendation behavior provides a much better explanation than through functional value in the model. In addition, regarding the variables of tour leader performance and customer flow experience in the model, only the tour leader performance is confirmed that moderates the relationships among reputation, perceived value, and customer recommendation behavior. According to the findings, managerial implications are discussed as well.

Originality/value

– This study develops a conceptual stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model that, reflecting the mediating role of perceived value and the moderating role of tour leader performance, indicates the effect of reputation on customer recommendation behavior.
Involvement of private actors in the provision of urban sanitation services; potential challenges and precautions
Authors: Yeboah-Assiamah Emmanuel
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use relevant models and theories to conceptualize the prospects and challenges associated with private sector involvement in the provision of sanitation and environmental services in urban settlements of developing African economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopts the public choice theory and principal-agent model in its conceptualization and analysis. Retrospective literature analysis within the qualitative research approach has been employed for the study. It draws extensively on existing classical theoretical and current empirical literature on privatization of urban sanitation services in developing countries.

Findings

– The study observes that privatization is a necessary tool for enhancing quality and responsive sanitation service delivery but there must be some mechanisms to prevent any latent challenges. The study also observes that the same problems associated with the public sector could transcend into the private sector if key measures are not taken into consideration.

Practical implications

– The process of privatizing or contracting out must ensure competition, enough communication to all stakeholders as well as involving expertise in the bidding process. The process also requires strict monitoring and supervision; these call for an appropriate legal framework to regulate privatization. The paper reminds urban administrators and policy makers to be circumspect in the privatization process. If the process of privatization is carried out effectively, urban sanitation services will be provided effectively and efficiently.

Originality/value

– The paper adapts the public choice and principal-agent model to assess privatization processes in developing African countries. This study will be of importance to urban administrators, public officials and policy makers in general.
Significant factors influencing outsourcing decision for facilities management (FM) services
Authors: Ikediashi Dubem , Okwuashi Onuwa
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate and conceptualise significant factors influencing decision to outsource facilities management (FM) services in Nigeria’s public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data for this study were collected using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. A total of 85 responses were received from the six states comprising the study area while 11 of them were discarded due to missing data resulting in 74 usable responses. This gave an overall response rate of 61 per cent. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as principal component analysis.

Findings

– Findings revealed that 25 of the 31 factors were significant in explaining the decision to outsource FM service in Nigeria’s public hospitals; while 15 of them grouped into six broad categories were selected based on their factor loadings during further analysis. Besides, it was also established from the study that “to improve performance standard”, “to improve quality of services” and “to improve timely delivery of services” are the top three rated factors.

Research limitations/implications

– The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by provided empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public sector spectrum that can serve as benchmark for deciding on whether to outsource or not.

Practical implications

– The study also has practical implications. More is now known as a result of this research about what factors constitute drivers for outsourcing FM services within the context of Nigeria’s public hospitals. With an aggregate opinion from 74 public hospitals, the study provides hospital administrators and public managers with a list of prioritised factors for making rational informed decision about outsourcing of services in the hospitals.

Originality/value

– The study complements the body of knowledge on “make or buy” decision theory by providing empirical insight into key attributes of outsourcing decision motives for FM services from the point of view of Nigeria’s public healthcare.
Intent vs. action: talented employees and leadership development
Authors: Khoreva Violetta , Vaiman Vlad
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the responses of employees, who are identified as talents by their multinational enterprises, in regards to leadership development activities. By applying social exchange and expectancy theories, the authors examine the association between talent identification, perceived effectiveness of leadership development activities, willingness to participate in those activities and actual participation in them.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were collected through a web-based questionnaire entitled “Leadership2020 Talent Survey”. Eight multinational enterprises joined the survey and delivered a sample based on the target group definition.

Findings

– The analysis shows that perceived effectiveness of leadership development activities is positively associated with willingness of employees to undertake those activities. The results also reveal that there is no significant association between the employees’ willingness to participate in leadership development activities and their actual participation in those activities.

Research limitations/implications

– Given its cross-sectional nature, the authors cannot completely exclude the possibility of common method bias having impact on the results of this study. The authors thus call for longitudinal research to examine the nature of causality within the relationships analyzed in this study.

Practical implications

– Managers and practitioners should keep in mind that willingness to participate in leadership development activities does not always result in actual participation of employees in those activities. Symbolic representations may be very different from representations in real-life situations. Investigations that rely on the willingness as a proxy for actual behaviour must thus be interpreted with caution.

Originality/value

– The authors found that employees often fail to act in accordance with their stated eagerness. According to the findings, there is a clear discrepancy between expressed willingness to implement certain behaviour and its actual implementation. This study poses a strong bias in overestimating the likelihood that an employee will engage in a desirable behaviour based on his/her willingness to do so.
Role stressors and employee deviance: the moderating effect of social support
Authors: Chiu Su-Fen , Yeh Shih-Pin , Huang Tun Chun
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among role stressors, social support, and employee deviance. Specifically, this study explores the relationships of role stressors (i.e. role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload) to interpersonal and organisational employee deviance. Furthermore, this study examines the moderating role of social support (from supervisors and coworkers) on the above relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 326 paired samples of sales and customer service employees as well as their immediate supervisors in Taiwan.

Findings

– Role conflict had a positive relationship with both organisational and interpersonal deviance. Role ambiguity was positively, while role overload was negatively related to organisational deviance, respectively. Role ambiguity was more strongly related to organisational than to interpersonal deviance. Coworker support had a significant moderating effect on the role overload – interpersonal deviance relationship.

Practical implications

– Organisations may implement policies and programs, such as clarification of job responsibility, provision of performance feedback and training in stress coping techniques, to lessen the negative effect of role conflict, and role ambiguity on employee deviance.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, this study extends prior research on stressor-performance relationship by investigating the effect of role stressors on two forms of employee deviance (interpersonal deviance and organisational deviance) in a collectivist cultural context (i.e. Taiwan). Second, this study demonstrates that work-related characteristics (e.g. role stressors) have different degrees of effect on interpersonal and organisational deviance. Third, this research offers explanations on why there is little support for the moderating effect of social support on the stressor-deviance relationship.
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: The transition in sex differences and interracial characteristics between 1965 and 2013
Authors: Nomura Takashi , Katoh Mayumi , Yamamoto Yosuke , Kabashima Kenji , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: February 2015

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is characterized by a non‐infectious infiltration of eosinophils in the hair follicles. It has three variants: (i) classic EPF; (ii) immunosuppression‐associated EPF, which herein is subdivided into HIV‐associated (IS/HIV) and non‐HIV‐associated (IS/non‐HIV); and (iii) infancy‐associated EPF (I‐EPF). The rarity of EPF has hindered our understanding of this entity. To examine the characteristics of EPF, with respect to age, sex, race, and chronology, published in case reports to date, we queried PubMed using the following terms: (“eosinophilic pustular folliculitis” [All Fields] OR “eosinophilic folliculitis” [All Fields]) AND (“1965/1/1” [PDAT]: “2013/12/31” [PDAT]). Additional Japanese cases were collected from Igaku Chuo Zasshi through Ichushi‐Web, JDream III, and secondhand quotations from domestic periodicals published in Japan. Proceedings were excluded. The PubMed search produced 275 citations containing 358 cases of EPF (224 men, 132 women, and two of unspecified sex); these cases involved classic EPF (101 Japanese and 81 non‐Japanese), IS/HIV (4 Japanese and 85 non‐Japanese), IS/non‐HIV (4 Japanese and 20 non‐Japanese), and I‐EPF (4 Japanese and 59 non‐Japanese). Ichushi generated an additional 148 citations containing 207 cases of Japanese (148 men and 59 women), which included cases of classic EPF (181 cases), IS/HIV (14 cases), IS/non‐HIV (9 cases), and I‐EPF (3 cases). There was no sex difference in the classic EPF cases reported between 2003 and 2013, whereas IS/HIV, IS/non‐HIV, and I‐EPF were predominated by men. There is room for reconsideration of sex differences, particularly with regard to classic EPF. The rarity and specificity of I‐EPF in Japan may reflect a state of uncertainty about this entity.
The two paralogue phoN (phosphinothricin acetyl transferase) genes of Pseudomonas putida encode functionally different proteins
Authors: Páez‐Espino A. David , Chavarría Max , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: February 2015

Phosphinothricin (PPT) is a non‐specific inhibitor of glutamine synthetase that has been employed as herbicide for selection of transgenic plants expressing cognate resistance genes. While the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 has been generally considered PPT‐sensitive, inspection of its genome sequence reveals the presence of two highly similar open reading frames (PP_1924 and PP_4846) encoding acetylases with a potential to cause tolerance to the herbicide. To explore this possibility, each of these genes (named phoN1 and phoN2) was separately cloned and their activities examined in vivo and in vitro. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicated that phoN1 encodes a bona fide PPT‐acetyl transferase, the expression of which suffices to make P. putida tolerant to high concentrations of the herbicide. In contrast, PhoN2 does not act on PPT but displays instead activity against methionine sulfoximine (MetSox), another glutamine synthetase inhibitor. When the geometry of the substrate‐binding site of PhoN1 was grafted with the equivalent residues of the predicted PhoN2 structure, the resulting protein increased significantly MetSox resistance of the expression host concomitantly with the loss of activity on PPT. These observations uncover intricate biochemical and genetic interactions among soil microorganisms and how they can be perturbed by exposure to generic herbicides in soil.
Innovation in the Public Sector
Authors: Stewart‐Weeks Martin , Kastelle Tim
Published: February 2015

Why does the public sector innovate, how should the public sector innovate, and, even more basically, should the public sector innovate? These are some of the questions that these contributions explore and to which they provide some salutary answers. Martin Stewart‐Weeks, an independent consultant working at the intersection of government, innovation, and technology, draws some lessons from his direct experience and advisory work about how the public sector catches the innovation ‘bug’ and turns it into in‐ spired action. From infection to inspiration to implementation, the public sector needs to lower its defences and put itself ‘in harm's way’ to engage with innovators and new ideas. Tim Kastelle, one of Australia's leading innovation scholars and practitioners, sets out some practical ways that the public sector can extend and entrench its innovation practice. These include managing innovation as a process, shifting the risk equation, and experimenting.
Strong in the Movement, Strong in the Party: Women’s Representation in the Kurdish Party of Turkey
Authors: Sahin-Mencutek Zeynep
Published: February 2015

This article shows how extant theories on women’s representation in parties can only partially explain the Kurdish ethno-nationalist party’s exceptional level of women’s descriptive representation vis-à-vis the Turkish average. It demonstrates that women’s very high level of representation in the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) can be better understood by examining the interaction between party-related and movement-related factors. Drawing on extensive empirical research, the study demonstrates that the party’s leftist ideology, along with the mobilisation strategies and needs of the movement, have had a decisive impact in creating the conditions for women’s self-assertion and their taking positions of power within the party, including the adoption and scrupulous implementation of a voluntary party gender quota. The study suggests that, in the case of parties closely tied to broader social movements, it is the relationship between the two organisations (party and movement), rather than just the former, that should be analysed. This is particularly evident in the case of ethno-nationalist parties that emanate from highly mobilised or even armed movements.
The Fed is Ready to Raise Rates: Will Past be Prologue?
Authors: Clarida Richard
Published: February 2015

The Fed is likely to commence hiking its policy rate in 2015. It is unlikely, however, that this rate‐hike cycle will feature a predictable 25 basis‐point rise at each and every meeting once it begins. Instead, the Fed will, I believe, opt to deliver a path of policy normalization even more gradual than the path it delivered in 2004–06. This will be owed, at least in part, to the difficulty it will confront in estimating the neutral policy rate with any precision, as well as to the fact that this cycle is likely to begin with an inflation rate that will have been running below its 2% target since that target was first announced in 2012. The Fed will nonetheless begin to hike because it is forecasting that inflation will rise as unemployment falls to – or even below – its estimate of the non‐accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU). Because of the slowdown in the United States and global potential growth, however, as well as a persistent excess of global saving relative to desired investment opportunities, I expect that, for at least the next couple of years and likely for some time beyond, the neutral Fed policy rate consistent with mandate‐implied levels of unemployment and inflation will lie in the range of 2–3% in nominal terms, well below the pre‐crisis estimates of 4%.
Small‐for‐gestational‐age birth and maternal plasma antioxidant levels in mid‐gestation: a nested case–control study
Authors: Cohen JM , Kahn SR , Platt RW , Basso O , Evans RW , Kramer MS
Published: February 2015

Objective

To assess whether maternal plasma antioxidant levels in mid‐pregnancy are associated with small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) birth.

Design

Case–control study nested within a population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Four hospitals in Montreal, Canada.

Population

Pregnant women recruited before 24 weeks of gestation, whose pregnancies were not complicated by pre‐eclampsia or preterm delivery.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained at 24–26 weeks and assayed for nutritionally derived antioxidant levels in SGA cases (n = 324) and randomly selected controls with birthweights between the 25th and 75th centiles (n = 672). We performed logistic regression analyses using the standardised z‐score of each antioxidant as the main independent variable, after summing highly correlated antioxidants or combining via principle component analysis. We adjusted for risk factors for SGA that were associated with antioxidant levels.

Main outcome measures

SGA, birthweight <10th centile for gestational age and sex.

Results

Retinol was positively associated with risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.41; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.22–1.63, per SD increase). Carotenoids (log of the sum of β‐carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, α‐ and β‐cryptoxanthin) were negatively associated with SGA (adjusted OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.54–0.78, per SD increase). We found no significant associations between SGA and lycopene or any of the forms of vitamin E assessed, including α‐tocopherol, corrected α‐tocopherol (per nmol/l of low‐density lipoprotein articles), or γ‐tocopherol.

Conclusions

Elevated retinol may be associated with an increased risk of SGA, whereas elevated carotenoid levels may reduce the risk. A better understanding of the nature of these associations is required, however, before recommending specific nutritional interventions in an attempt to prevent SGA birth.
The Aftermath of the Financial Crisis: Continuity and Little Change
Authors: Keaney Michael
Published: February 2015

Academic literature on the global ﬁnancial crisis (GFC) continues unabated, prompted in large part by the lack of any profound changes arising in its aftermath. In addition to the sifting of evidence, researchers are using the opportunity to test theories and apply new meta-theoretical tools. Unfortunately, particularly in the case of the latter, the claims made on their behalf are insufﬁciently supported by the results of their application. The most insightful and revealing of the studies under review here are the most conventional with respect to methodology and theory.

Grant, W. and Wilson, G. K. (eds) (2012) The Consequences of the Global Financial Crisis: The Rhetoric of Reform and Regulation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

McKeen-Edwards, H. and Porter, A. (2013) Transnational Financial Associations and the Governance of Global Finance:Assembling Wealth and Power. London: Routledge.

Rethel, L. and Sinclair, T. J. (2012) The Problem with Banks. London: Zed Books.

Thompson, G. F. (2012) The Constitutionalization of the Global Corporate Sphere? Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Why Do Political Parties Change their Policy Positions? A Review
Authors: Fagerholm Andreas
Published: February 2015

This article summarises the rapidly increasing number of studies dealing with parties’ positional changes. After a short introduction and a brief discussion of a number of elementary deﬁnitions and delimitations, the second section evaluates eight factors commonly associated with party policy change. Here, the proposition that parties tend to respond systematically to changes in public opinion seems to be the most studied and, similarly, the most supported explanation. The third and ﬁnal section identiﬁes a number of research gaps and recommends topics for future research.
In Situ Identification of Semen Stains on Common Substrates via Raman Spectroscopy,,
Authors: McLaughlin Gregory , Lednev Igor K.
Published: February 2015

The spectroscopic identification of body fluids in situ is a major objective in forensic science. This approach offers the confirmatory, nondestructive, rapid, and on‐scene identification of various body fluids. Although Raman spectroscopy has shown tremendous promise toward this goal in prior proof‐of‐concept experiments, a significant challenge which still remains is substrate interference. Here, an approach for detecting semen stains in situ on various substrates using Raman spectroscopy is explored. Simulated semen evidence was prepared on skin, glass, and various fabrics. Raman data were accumulated from stains without any pretreatment using a common confocal mapping spectrometer using 785 nm laser excitation. The results demonstrate that the spectroscopic interferences encountered by substrates can be reduced and eliminated using a combination of existing subtraction techniques and chemometric models. Heterogeneous substrates proved most challenging, however, automatic subtraction treatment, and location of fluid hotspots was able to elucidate a clear spectroscopic signature of semen in every instance.
Gregarious pupation act as a defensive mechanism against cannibalism and intraguild predation
Authors: Roberge Claudia , Fréchette Bruno , Labrie Geneviève , Dumont François , Lucas Eric
Published: February 2015

Coccinellid pupae use an array of defensive strategies against their natural enemies. This study aims to assess the efficiency of gregarious pupation as a defensive mechanism against intraguild predators and cannibals in coccinellid. The study was designed specifically (i) to determine the natural occurrence of gregarious pupation in the field for different coccinellid species, and (ii) to evaluate the adaptive value of gregarious pupation as a defensive mechanism against 2 types of predators (i.e., cannibals and intraguild predators). In the field, gregarious pupation consisted of a group of 2–5 pupae. The proportion of gregarious pupation observed varied according to species, the highest rate being observed with Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coccinellidae; 14.17%). Gregarious pupation had no impact on the probability that intraguild predators and cannibals locate pupae. Intraguild predation occurred more often in site with gregarious pupation, while cannibalism occurred as often in site with gregarious pupation as in site with isolated pupa. However, for a specific pupa, the mortality rate was higher for isolated pupae than for pupae located in a gregarious pupation site both in the presence of intraguild predators and in the presence of cannibals. The spatial location of pupae within the group had no impact on mortality rate. Since it reduces the risk of predation, it is proposed that gregarious pupation act as a defensive mechanism for H. axyridis pupae.
Effect of Maceration Time on Free and Bound Volatiles of Red Wines from cv. Karaoğlan (Vitis vinifera L.) Grapes Grown in Arapgir, Turkey
Authors: Yilmaztekin Murat , Kocabey Nimet , Hayaloglu Ali Adnan
Published: February 2015

Skin maceration is an essential winemaking technique that affects sensory properties and aroma of red wines. The aim of this study was to investigate aroma profiles of red wines made from cv. Karaoğlan, a grape variety grown in Arapgir (Malatya, Turkey) and the effect of maceration time (5, 10, and 15 d) on free and bound aroma compounds and sensory properties. Three maceration times were applied in durations of 5, 10, and 15 d. Free and glycosidically bound aroma compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) in Karaoğlan wines, and the effect of different maceration times on aroma composition were evaluated. Results indicate that extended maceration time significantly influenced the aroma composition of wines both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 59 free and 22 bound aroma compounds were identified in the final wines. The maximum of free aroma content was achieved with 5 d of maceration, while 15 d of maceration gave the highest amount of glycosidically bound aroma compounds. From sensorial point of view, the wine produced with 10 d of maceration had the best panel score compared to wines with 5 and 15 d of maceration. This is the first study referring to the composition of aroma compounds of red wines made from cv. Karaoğlan. It was concluded that this cultivar resulted in a good quality wine in terms of bound and free aroma compounds. This information of vinification practices that influence the chemical properties of wine is useful for grape growers and winemakers.
New‐onset diabetes after liver transplantation and its impact on complications and patient survival
Authors: Lv Chaoyang , Zhang Yao , Chen Xianying , Huang Xiaowu , Xue Mengjuan , Sun Qiman , Wang Ting , Liang Jing , He Shunmei , Gao Jian , Zhou Jian , Yu Mingxiang , Fan Jia , Gao Xin
Published: February 2015

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of new‐onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in liver transplant recipients and the influence of NODAT on complications and long‐term patient survival.

Methods

We examined 438 patients who underwent liver transplantation between April 2001 and December 2008 and were not diabetic before transplantation.

Results

The mean (± SD) follow‐up duration was 2.46 ± 1.62 years. The incidence of NODAT 3, 6, 9, 12, 36, and 60 months after transplantation was 44.24%, 25.59%, 23.08%, 25.17%, 17.86%, and 18.18%, respectively. Multifactor analysis indicated that preoperative fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and donor liver steatosis were independent risk factors for NODAT, whereas administration of an interleukin‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) antagonist reduced the risk of NODAT. Compared with the no NODAT group (N‐NODAT), the NODAT group had a higher rate of sepsis and chronic renal insufficiency. Mean survival was significantly longer in the N‐NODAT than NODAT group. Cox regression analysis showed that pre‐ and/or postoperative FPG levels, tumor recurrence or metastasis, and renal insufficiency after liver transplantation were independent risk factors of mortality. Pulmonary infection or multisystem failure were specific causes of death in the NODAT group, whereas patients in both groups died primarily from tumor relapse or metastasis.

Conclusions

Preoperative FPG levels and donor liver steatosis were independent risk factors for NODAT, whereas administration of an IL‐2R antagonist reduced the risk of NODAT. Patients with NODAT had reduced survival and an increased incidence of sepsis and chronic renal insufficiency. Significant causes of death in the NODAT group were pulmonary infection and multisystem failure.
Increased T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 4 (TIM‐4) is negatively correlated with serum concentrations of interleukin‐1β in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhao Peiqing , Wang Hongxing , Li Tao , Lei Chengbin , Xu Xiaoyan , Wang Wei , Liang Xiaohong , Ma Chunhong , Gao Lifen
Published: February 2015

Background

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 4 (TIM‐4), a novel immune regulator, is selectively expressed on antigen‐presenting cells, especially macrophages and mature dendritic cells. Although TIM‐4 plays key roles in mutiple immune diseases, whether it is involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of TIM‐4 in T2D and determine its significance in disease progression.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from T2D patients and healthy controls to measure TIM‐4 mRNA expression by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sera were collected to determine interleukin (IL)‐1β concentrations and other clinical indicators (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein [hsCRP], total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL‐C], high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, HbA1c, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase).

Results

Expression of TIM‐4 mRNA was increased significantly in PBMCs from T2D patients compared with healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between TIM‐4 mRNA expression and serum concentrations of hsCRP. However, there was a negative correlation between TIM‐4 mRNA expression and IL‐1β concentrations, indicating the potential role for TIM‐4 to negatively regulate IL‐1β production. In addition, TIM‐4 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with lowLDL‐C, and there was a tendency for a negative relationship between TIM‐4 mRNA expression and HbA1c.

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that TIM‐4 contributes, at least in part, to the pathogenesis of T2D, possibly by regulating IL‐1β.
Clumpak: a program for identifying clustering modes and packaging population structure inferences across K
Authors: Kopelman Naama M. , Mayzel Jonathan , Jakobsson Mattias , Rosenberg Noah A. , Mayrose Itay
Published: February 2015

The identification of the genetic structure of populations from multilocus genotype data has become a central component of modern population‐genetic data analysis. Application of model‐based clustering programs often entails a number of steps, in which the user considers different modelling assumptions, compares results across different predetermined values of the number of assumed clusters (a parameter typically denoted K), examines multiple independent runs for each fixed value of K, and distinguishes among runs belonging to substantially distinct clustering solutions. Here, we present Clumpak (Cluster Markov Packager Across K), a method that automates the postprocessing of results of model‐based population structure analyses. For analysing multiple independent runs at a single K value, Clumpak identifies sets of highly similar runs, separating distinct groups of runs that represent distinct modes in the space of possible solutions. This procedure, which generates a consensus solution for each distinct mode, is performed by the use of a Markov clustering algorithm that relies on a similarity matrix between replicate runs, as computed by the software Clumpp. Next, Clumpak identifies an optimal alignment of inferred clusters across different values of K, extending a similar approach implemented for a fixed K in Clumpp and simplifying the comparison of clustering results across different K values. Clumpak incorporates additional features, such as implementations of methods for choosing K and comparing solutions obtained by different programs, models, or data subsets. Clumpak, available at http://clumpak.tau.ac.il, simplifies the use of model‐based analyses of population structure in population genetics and molecular ecology.
Coronary Artery Ectasia in Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease, Inflammatory Disorders, and Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Dahhan Ali
Published: February 2015

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) or aneurysm is usually defined as dilation ≥1.5‐fold the normal vessel diameter. It has an incidence of 1.4–5.3% and is associated with a wide variety of etiologies—mainly congenital, atherosclerotic, and inflammatory ones. CAE is very common in sickle cell disease, and possibly sickle cell trait, with an incidence of 17.7%. It is likely related to the inflammatory process associated with hemoglobin S. Prognosis depends mainly on the underlying etiology. Atherosclerotic CAE does not carry additional risks compared to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ACAD) without ectasia. However, isolated CAE in the absence of ACAD carries an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) due to vasospasm, slower coronary blood flow, and thrombosis, typically within the dilated segments. Due to lack of studies and guidelines, management recommendations are based on personal experiences. Therapy should be tailored to each individual case after assessment of severity, history of complications, underlying etiology, and comorbidities. Treatment of underlying condition and avoidance of exacerbating factors are essential. Medical therapy in general may include antiplatelets, β‐blockers, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors statins, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. In severe CAE or history of MI, the addition of anticoagulation therapy after assessing bleeding risk may be warranted. In acute MI, the large thrombus burden in the dilated segment makes the percutaneous approach very challenging. Aspiration attempts can result in distal thromboembolization. Survival is better in bypass grafting than with medical therapy. Nonetheless, bypass grafting does not improve survival in atherosclerotic CAE. Depending on the physical characteristics of aneurysm, different surgical approaches can be sought; however, the ideal one is unclear.
Chronic Pantoprazole Administration and Ischemia–Reperfusion Arrhythmias In Vivo in Rats—Antiarrhythmic or Arrhythmogenic?
Authors: Abdel‐kawy Hala Salah
Published: February 2015

Background

The safety of all proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with intrinsic cardiac disease has not been well studied. In the present study, the effect of PPI pantoprazole on ventricular arrhythmias induced by either ischemia or ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) was studied.

Methods

The left main coronary artery (LAD) was ligated for 30 or 10 min followed by a 30‐min reperfusion in anesthetized rats. Rats were pretreated with pantoprazole (1.3 mg/kg) or vehicle by gastric gavage (daily for 3 weeks) before ligation. Serum electrolytes levels were measured by the end of the third week before coronary ligation. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were measured at the end of the ischemia and IR injury.

Results

Pantoprazole caused significant hyperkalemia by the end of third week compared with vehicle‐treated rats. After LAD ligation (30 min), ventricular premature contractions (VPC), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) were recorded in rats of the vehicle ischemia group. Pantoprazole pretreatment aggravate these arrhythmias and increased mortality. A 10‐min period of ischemia followed by a 30‐min reperfusion induced high incidence of VT (100%) and VF (80%) in the vehicle‐treated group. The group of rats administered pantoprazole had significantly lower incidence and durations of VT and VF together with reduction of mortality rate. Pantoprazole significantly reduced serum LDH activity and NO release from myocardial tissue after both ischemia and I/R injury.

Conclusion

Pantoprazole aggravated ischemia‐induced arrhythmias but had a significant antiarrhythmic effect on I/R‐induced ventricular arrhythmias.
Impact of High Loading Dose of Atorvastatin in Diabetic Patients with Renal Dysfunction Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Shehata Mohamed , Hamza Mohamed
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The effectiveness of statin pretreatment in reducing the incidence of contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) has been examined in some observational and randomized studies, yielding controversial results.

Aim

This study sought to evaluate the role of atorvastatin in prevention of CIN in diabetic patients with mild‐to‐moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

130 patients with mean glomerular filtration rate of 48.5 ± 16 mL/min/1.73 m were prospectively enrolled, then randomly (double blind) assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive atorvastatin (80 mg daily for 48 h) or placebo. Serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate were measured preintervention, 72 h and 10 days thereafter. An increase in serum creatinine by >0.5 mg/dL (44.2 μmol/L) or >25% of baseline value was considered as CIN.

Results

Mean age of the study cohort was 56 ± 5 years (males: 62%). Mean serum creatinine level in the placebo group increased significantly 3 days after coronary intervention and declined on the 10th day to a level that did not differ significantly from the baseline level, but still higher. However, in atorvastatin group, mean serum creatinine level showed a nonsignificant rise on the third day and then decreased to a level close to the baseline one, on the 10th day. Incidence of CIN was 7.7% in atorvastatin group and 20% in the placebo group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Atorvastatin dose of 80 mg per day for 48 h is associated with decreased incidence of CIN in diabetic patients with CKD undergoing PCI.
Contrasting effects of pine plantations on two skinks: results from a large‐scale ‘natural experiment’ in Australia
Authors: Mortelliti A. , Michael D. R. , Lindenmayer D. B.
Published: February 2015

The conversion of agricultural land to forest plantations is a major driver of global land‐use change, and considering that large portions of the planet are covered by forest plantations, understanding their impact on biodiversity is a research priority. The aim of our study was to quantify the long‐term response of two lizard species to the transformation of the matrix surrounding remnant habitat patches (from agricultural land to pine plantations). We used a large‐scale (115 sites), long‐term (16 years) fully replicated and controlled landscape scale ‘natural experiment’ (the ‘Nanangroe experiment’,Australia) to compare the response of lizard populations to plantation establishment. The study entailed detailed surveys of reptiles in 50 eucalypt patches surrounded by maturing pinePinus radiataplantations (treatments) and populations inhabiting 55 eucalypt patches surrounded by grazing land (controls). We found that the eastern three‐toed earless skinkHemiergis talbingoensiswas advantaged by the establishment of the pine plantations (increasing colonization of eucalypt patches embedded within plantations). In contrast, we found that the southern rainbow skinkCarlia tetradactylawas negatively affected by surrounding areas of maturing plantations. Thus, our results show that plantations acted as a barrier for one species and increased connectivity for the other. We suggest that leaving areas of land devoid of pines between remnant eucalypt patches may enhance the connectivity for species that respond negatively to plantation establishment while maintaining the beneficial increase in connectivity for others.
Biochemically verified smoking cessation and vaping beliefs among vape store customers
Authors: Tackett Alayna P. , Lechner William V. , Meier Ellen , Grant DeMond M. , Driskill Leslie M. , Tahirkheli Noor N. , Wagener Theodore L.
Published: February 2015

Aims

To evaluate biochemically verified smoking status and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use behaviors and beliefs among a sample of customers from vapor stores (stores specializing in ENDS).

Design, Setting and Participants

A cross‐sectional survey of 215 adult vapor store customers at four retail locations in the Midwestern United States; a subset of participants (n = 181) also completed exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) testing to verify smoking status.

Measurements

Outcomes evaluated included ENDS preferences, harm beliefs, use behaviors, smoking history and current biochemically verified smoking status.

Findings

Most customers reported starting ENDS as a means of smoking cessation (86%), using newer‐generation devices (89%), vaping non‐tobacco/non‐menthol flavors (72%) and using e‐liquid with nicotine strengths of ≤20 mg/ml (72%). There was a high rate of switching (91.4%) to newer‐generation ENDS among those who started with a first‐generation product. Exhaled CO readings confirmed that 66% of the tested sample had quit smoking. Among those who continued to smoke, mean cigarettes per day decreased from 22.1 to 7.5 (P <0.001). People who reported vaping longer [odds ratio (OR) = 4.659, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.001–10.846], using newer‐generation devices (OR = 2.950, 95% CI = 1.037–8.395) and using non‐tobacco and non‐menthol flavors (OR = 2.626, 95% CI = 1.133–6.085) were more likely to have quit smoking.

Conclusions

Among vapor store customers in the United States who use electronic nicotine delivery devices to stop smoking, vaping longer, using newer‐generation devices and using non‐tobacco and non‐menthol flavored e‐liquid appear to be associated with higher rates of smoking cessation.
IL‐33 promotes the induction of immunoglobulin production after inhalation of house dust mite extract in mice
Authors: Canbaz D. , Utsch L. , Logiantara A. , van Ree R. , van Rijt L. S.
Published: February 2015

Background

The initial immune response to house dust mite (HDM) is orchestrated by an interplay between epithelial cells (ECs) and dendritic cells (DCs). Innate cytokines released by HDM‐exposed ECs activate airway DCs and effector inflammatory cells, which together induce a HDM‐specific Th2 cell response. Here, we investigate the respective roles of DCs and IL‐33 in sensitization to HDM.

Method

Balb/c mice were exposed via the airways to different HDM extracts, differing in at least endotoxin levels [Lotox (LT) and HiTox (HT)]. Alternatively, HDM‐pulsed DCs in the presence or absence of additional LT‐HDM, or administration of LT‐HDM plus recombinant IL‐33, were intratracheally (i.t.) administered to induce allergic airway inflammation. Eosinophil recruitment, cytokine production, serum immunoglobulins, and airway histology were analyzed.

Results

Direct exposure of airways with HT‐HDM induced an eosinophilic airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine production, and an increase in total IgE and HDM IgG1, while LT‐HDM was not able to do so. In contrast, i.t. instillation of LT‐HDM‐pulsed DCs induced a similar airway inflammation, mucus production, and cytokine production, but IgE or HDM IgG1 was not induced. Administration of HDM‐pulsed DCs together with LT‐HDM, to supply B cells with unprocessed antigen, was not sufficient to induce antibody production. Simultaneous administration of recombinant IL‐33 with LT‐HDM induced an antibody response, besides a cellular immune response.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that HDM‐pulsed DCs were able to drive a Th2 response but that IL‐33 was needed to induce a humoral immune response to a single inhalational challenge to HDM.