bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building the confidence of first-time middle leaders in New Zealand primary schools
Authors: Bassett Martin , Shaw Nicholas
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Middle leaders play an important role in the education landscape, first and foremost as teachers, and second as leaders. The purpose of this paper is to identify the expectations and challenges experienced by first-time middle leaders in New Zealand primary schools, and identify the leadership development and support they were provided with.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a small qualitative study designed to collect data from the perspectives of first-time middle leaders and principals in New Zealand primary schools. Three methods were employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six middle leaders who had been in the role for one to three years. These participants were identified through an analysis of recent public appointment records and then e-mailed with an invitation. Four principals from a local principals’ association were invited to comprise a focus group and relevant documents were analysed.

Findings

The findings from this study are presented in three sections: expectations, challenges and leadership development and support. Whilst the principals described wide and varied role expectations the middle leaders highlighted the importance of their teaching role with leadership responsibilities as secondary. From both perspectives time to do the administrative work was an overwhelming difficulty. A key finding was related to a lack of confidence to undertake the role in spite of efforts to provide and receive support. Overall, there was agreement that further development for new middle leaders was essential.

Research limitations/implications

This small, limited study highlights the central role that middle leaders play in leading learning and teaching, and the existence of a lack of confidence. Further research is needed to delve into conditions that would enable new middle leaders to manage the challenges of time and confidence.

Practical implications

The research recommends that practitioners who are new to a middle leadership role be allocated dedicated time for performing the administrative tasks and participating in an ongoing induction programme. The middle leaders themselves and their schools would benefit from efforts to strengthen middle leadership development.

Originality/value

Although a great deal has been written about middle leadership, there is only a small amount of research about primary schools. This research adds valuable new information in a primary school context and breaks new ground in researching early career, first-time middle leaders in this context.
Approaches to university public engagement in the online environment
Authors: Marino Vittoria , Lo Presti Letizia
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the construct of online public engagement by identifying the modalities universities use to give visibility to their approach on institutional websites.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory factor analysis outlined the principle dimensions that explain online public engagement starting from the analysis of a sample of American and English universities. To finish, a t-test shows the differences in the approaches to online public engagement in the sample universities.

Findings

The results of this analysis show that the construct of public engagement used for online communication has been investigated through three dimensions and that the American and English universities have different approaches in its declination.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis was conducted on a sample of American and English universities; however the study underlines the fact that the traditional approaches to public engagement can assume different connotations for online communication.

Practical implications

Coherent organization of the online communication of public engagement activities can reinforce the perception of the university in the eyes of both internal and external stakeholders. For this reason, research offers interesting input for evaluating which kind of strategy should be adopted for online public engagement in line with the desired positioning and as defined by the governing bodies of the university institutions. However, the universities still need to institutionalize public engagement.

Originality/value

This work constitutes the first attempt to investigate public engagement in the university context through the web, using quantitative methodologies in order to highlight the different strategic orientations and operative declinations.
Global trends and transformations in library science education
Authors: Wyman Andrea , Imamverdiyev Mushvig
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to review changes related to library and information science (LIS) education over the past 20 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature reviewed for this paper is obtained by internet and database searches and personal communication and is conducted to look for similarities and differences in LIS program changes. A time period for the review is set from 1997 to 2017, and is completed between January and October of 2017. The majority of the searches are conducted in English.

Findings

Numerous similarities in changes were evidenced in areas of LIS education, such as curriculum, identification of new training and skills, instructional methods, follow-up on graduates, research on the current job market and post-graduate training support. Differences were identified in areas of capability of program change due to country regulation and course change flexibility.

Originality/value

A review of global program changes is relevant for LIS programs to realize and maintain their value in today’s workforce. It is significant for LIS programs all over the globe to realize that their shifts in curricular and program changes are similar to other LIS programs or where differences can be equally important.
Effectiveness of joint specialist case conferences for building general practice capacity to enhance diabetes care
Authors: Meyerowitz-Katz Gideon , Bramwell Sian , Jayaballa Rajini , Bishay Ramy , Corless Ian , Ravi Sumathy , Soars Linda , Feng Xiaoqi , Astell-Burt Thomas , Manoharan Manimegalai , McLean Mark , Maberly Glen
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become a major concern of Australian healthcare providers. From rates of barely more than 1 percent in the mid-90s, diabetes is now the leading cause of morbidity in the country. To combat the growing diabetes epidemic, Western Sydney Local Health District created the Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) initiative. One of the key components of the WSD initiative since 2014 has been joint specialist case conferencing (JSCC). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the JSCC service including both individual- and practice-based changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluated the JSCC program by conducting an analysis of patient-level data in addition to a discrete practice-level study. The study aim was to examine both the effect on individual patients and the practice, as well as acceptability of the program for both doctors and their patients. The evaluation included data collection and analysis of primary patient outcomes, as well as a survey of GPs and patients. Patient data on primary outcomes were obtained by accessing and downloading them through GP practice management software by GP practice staff.

Findings

The authors found significant improvements at both the patient levels, with reductions in BMI, HbA1c and blood pressure sustained at three years, and at the practice level with improvements in markers of patient management. The authors also found high acceptability of the program from both patients and GPs.

Originality/value

This paper provides good evidence for the use of a JSCC program to improve diabetes management in primary care through capacity building with GPs.
Review of SOX in the business ethics literature
Authors: Gordon Irene M. , Nazari Jamal A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) on the academic business ethics literature with the intent of making this research more accessible to those researchers and practitioners working in business ethics and other related fields. Specifically, the authors outline the types and scope of SOX-related research, examine the extent of reliance on SOX, identify which theoretical frameworks and research approaches are used and point out under-researched areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a descriptive approach, the authors examine the theoretical perspectives, classifying these perspectives into four groupings (economics, ethics/moral, psychological and sociological). Using counts, categorization and content analyses, the authors provide an overview of 115 articles with further analysis provided for articles relying heavily (n = 14) or moderately (n = 42) on SOX.

Findings

Whistleblowing and codes of ethics are well-researched topics. However, employment of some theories (e.g. signaling theory and stakeholder theory) and qualitative approaches are used less often. Other under-researched issues in the sample include CEO/CFO certifications, cost of compliance, auditor disclosures and empirical investigation of SOX and auditor independence (or corporate culture).

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ decision to use certain databases, search terms and research methods, and to focus on business ethics journals and English language articles are possible limitations.

Originality/value

The authors’ contributions comprise an examination of the scope of SOX topics and detailing how reliant the research is on SOX. The authors identify trends in this literature and provide evidence of the broad theoretical frameworks to better understand the breadth and depth of theories used.
Consumer security behaviors and trust following a data breach
Authors: Curtis Shelby R. , Carre Jessica Rose , Jones Daniel Nelson
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine how security statement certainty (overconfident, underconfident and realistic) and behavioral intentions of potential consumers impact the perceptions of companies in the presence or absence of a past security breach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study exposed participants to three types of security statements and randomly assigned them to the presence or absence of a previous breach. Participants then evaluated the company and generated a hypothetical password for that company.

Findings

This study found that the presence or absence of a previous breach had a large impact on company perceptions, but a minimal impact on behavioral intentions to be personally more secure.

Research limitations/implications

The authors found that the presence or absence of a previous breach had a large impact on company perceptions, but minimal impact on behavioral intentions to be personally more secure.

Practical implications

Companies need to be cautious about how much confidence they convey to consumers. Companies should not rely on consumers engaging in secure online practices, even following a breach.

Social implications

Companies need to communicate personal security behaviors to consumers in a way that still instills confidence in the company but encourages personal responsibility.

Originality/value

The confidence of company security statements and presence of a previous breach were examined for their impact on company perception and a novel dependent variable of password complexity.
Blessing or burden? Long‐term maintenance, complications and clinical outcome of intrathecal baclofen pumps
Authors: Chan David Yuen‐Chung , Chan Steve Sik‐Kwan , Chan Emily Kit‐Ying , Ng Amelia Yikjin , Ying Aaron Chee‐Lun , Li Ara Cheuk‐Yin , Chiu Candy Ching‐Pik , Cheung Ning , Mak Wai‐Kit , Sun David Tin‐Fung , Zhu Cannon Xian‐Lun , Poon Wai‐Sang
Published: April 2018

Aim

The intrathecal baclofen pump is an effective treatment for spasticity. However, long‐term results have reported patients’ dissatisfaction and perception of disability. Potential causes include a frequent need for baclofen pump refill and risks of complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long‐term maintenance, complications and clinical outcome of intrathecal baclofen pumps.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a 16‐year retrospective cohort study of patients with spasticity treated with an intrathecal baclofen pump at a university hospital from 2000 to 2016. The primary outcome was the rate of infection per puncture for baclofen pump refill. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of other complications, such as running out of baclofen causing symptomatic withdrawal symptoms, pump mechanical failure, pump battery end of life and the need for pump replacement. The clinical outcome was assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (mAS).

Results

In total, 340 follow‐up episodes with pump refill procedures were recorded. The average interval between each pump refill was 57.3 days (±15.4 days). The average duration of admission for each pump refill was 4 h and 49 min (from 2 h 23 min to 10 h). There were two events with established infection after puncture for the refill, giving rise to an infection rate per puncture of 0.6 percent (2/340).

For the long‐term clinical outcome, at an average follow‐up period of 7.6 years, the postoperative mAS for spasticity was 2.0 ± 0.756, which was significantly better than the preoperative mAS at 3.75 ± 0.462 (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Long‐term aftercare with baclofen pump refill was safe, with an infection rate of 0.6 per cent per puncture for each refill. Long‐term intrathecal baclofen pump was effective in the treatment of spasticity with persistent significant improvement in the spasticity scale.
Bacterial potentials for uptake, solubilization and mineralization of extracellular phosphorus in agricultural soils are highly stable under different fertilization regimes
Authors: Grafe Martin , Goers Manuela , von Tucher Sabine , Baum Christel , Zimmer Dana , Leinweber Peter , Vestergaard Gisle , Kublik Susanne , Schloter Michael , Schulz Stefanie
Published: April 2018

Phosphorus is one of the most important macronutrient for plants. In agriculture, amending fertilizer with phosphorus (P) is common practice. However, natural phosphorus sources are finite, making research for more sustainable management practices necessary. We postulated that the addition of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) would stimulate phosphorus mobilization by bacteria because of their desire to maintain a stable intracellular C:N:P stoichiometry. Therefore, we chose a metagenomic approach to investigate two agricultural soils, which only received mineral N fertilizer or mineral N and organic fertilizer for more than 20 years. The most abundant genes involved in the acquisition of external P sources in our study were those involved in solubilization and subsequent uptake of inorganic phosphorus. Independent of site and season, the relative abundance of genes involved in P turnover was not significantly affected by the addition of fertilizers. However, the type of fertilization had a significant impact on the diversity pattern of bacterial families harbouring genes coding for the different P transformation processes. This gives rise to the possibility that fertilizers can substantially change phosphorus turnover efficiency by favouring different families. Additionally, none of the families involved in phosphorus turnover covered all investigated processes. Therefore, promoting bacteria which play an essential role specifically in mobilization of hardly accessible phosphorus could help to secure the phosphorus supply of plants in soils with low P input.
Abandoned at Sea: The Tribunal Ruling and Indonesia's Missing Archipelagic Foreign Policy
Authors: Laksmana Evan A. , Supriyanto Ristian A.
Published: April 2018

Indonesia's response to the 2016 UNCLOS tribunal ruling was underwhelming, even as a nonclaimant in the South China Sea disputes. Given its maritime geography and interests, the response is symptomatic of the country's underdevelopment of an “archipelagic foreign policy”—one where the entire foreign policy system, from its bureaucracy, doctrine, and strategy, should be geared to secure and defend its external maritime interests. This article further argues that the authoritarian New Order regime (1966–1998) repressed the development of an archipelagic foreign policy in two ways: (1) the army‐dominated foreign policy establishment deprioritized external maritime interests and (2) the infusion of the National Resilience (Ketahanan Nasional) concept into the “Archipelagic Outlook” (Wawasan Nusantara) doctrine as a regime maintenance tool further “domesticated” what could have been a geopolitical outlook. These authoritarian legacies put Indonesia's foreign policy on a path‐dependent trajectory that even President Joko Widodo's Global Maritime Fulcrum could not break.
Regret, shame, and denials of women's voluntary sterilization
Authors: Lalonde Dianne
Published: April 2018

Women face extraordinary difficulty in seeking sterilization as physicians routinely deny them the procedure. Physicians defend such denials by citing the possibility of future regret, a well‐studied phenomenon in women's sterilization literature. Regret is, however, a problematic emotion upon which to deny reproductive freedom as regret is neither satisfactorily defined and measured, nor is it centered in analogous cases regarding men's decision to undergo sterilization or the decision of women to undergo fertility treatment. Why then is regret such a concern in the voluntary sterilization of women? I argue that regret is centered in women's voluntary sterilization due to pronatalism or expectations that womanhood means motherhood. Women seeking voluntary sterilization are regarded as a deviant identity that rejects what is taken to be their essential role of motherhood and they are thus seen as vulnerable to regret.
Why do some animals mate with one partner rather than many?Areview of causes and consequences of monogamy
Authors: Kvarnemo Charlotta
Published: April 2018

Why do some animals mate with one partner rather than many? Here, I investigate factors related to (i) spatial constraints (habitat limitation, mate availability), (ii) time constraints (breeding synchrony, length of breeding season), (iii) need for parental care, and (iv) genetic compatibility, to see what support can be found in different taxa regarding the importance of these factors in explaining the occurrence of monogamy, whether shown by one sex (monogyny or monandry) or by both sexes (mutual monogamy). Focusing on reproductive rather than social monogamy whenever possible, I review the empirical literature for birds, mammals and fishes, with occasional examples from other taxa. Each of these factors can explain mating patterns in some taxa, but not in all. In general, there is mixed support for how well the factors listed above predict monogamy. The factor that shows greatest support across taxa is habitat limitation. By contrast, while a need for parental care might explain monogamy in freshwater fishes and birds, there is clear evidence that this is not the case in marine fishes and mammals. Hence, reproductive monogamy does not appear to have a single overriding explanation, but is more taxon specific. Genetic compatibility is a promising avenue for future work likely to improve our understanding of monogamy and other mating patterns. I also discuss eight important consequences of reproductive monogamy: (i) parentage, (ii) parental care, (iii) eusociality and altruism, (iv) infanticide, (v) effective population size, (vi) mate choice before mating, (vii) sexual selection, and (viii) sexual conflict. Of these, eusociality and infanticide have been subject to debate, briefly summarised herein. A common expectation is that monogamy leads to little sexual conflict and no or little sexual selection. However, as reviewed here, sexual selection can be substantial under mutual monogamy, and both sexes can be subject to such selection. Under long‐term mutual monogamy, mate quality is obviously more important than mate numbers, which in turn affects the need for pre‐mating mate choice. Overall, I conclude that, despite much research on genetic mating patterns, reproductive monogamy is still surprisingly poorly understood and further experimental and comparative work is needed. This review identifies several areas in need of more data and also proposes new hypotheses to test.
Unique challenges of cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes
Authors: Bridges N. , Rowe R. , Holt R. I. G.
Published: April 2018

Individuals with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency have a gradual decline in insulin secretion over time, which results in an increase in the prevalence of diabetes with age; up to 50% of adults with cystic fibrosis aged over 35 years have diabetes. Cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes differs from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in several ways; there is a pattern of insulin deficiency with reduced and delayed insulin response to carbohydrates but a sparing of basal insulin that results in glucose abnormalities, which are frequently characterized by normal fasting glucose and postprandial hyperglycaemia. Insulin deficiency and hyperglycaemia, even at levels which do not reach the threshold for a diagnosis of diabetes, have an adverse impact on lung function and clinical status in people with cystic fibrosis. Although the risk of microvascular complications occurs as in other forms of diabetes, the main reason for treatment is to prevent deterioration in lung function and weight loss; treatment may therefore be required at an earlier stage than for other types of diabetes. Treatment is usually with insulin, but management needs to take into account all the other medical issues that arise in cystic fibrosis.
An Unlikely Heroine—Fat and Unemployed: Doris Dörrie's Film Die Friseuse (2010)
Authors: Riegler Roxane
Published: April 2018

In her film Die Friseuse, Doris Dörrie addresses the subject of female fatness and its socio‐cultural implications. Die Friseuse is the tale of a recently divorced mother who cannot find employment because of her “unaesthetic” appearance. Endowed with the qualities of a heroine, the protagonist emerges victorious after a series of setbacks. Counteracting fat‐shaming attitudes, Dörrie raises fat‐acceptance via the comedic genre. In this essay, I argue that the role of a heroine facilitates the viewers’ identification with a fat woman, thus disrupting dominant negative perceptions of fatness as well as the visual expectations that favor thin women as objects of the (male) gaze. As viewers engage with images of a fat woman (clothed or naked), they are invited to interrogate their own biases, and perhaps even those of Dörrie herself.
The Past does not end here: Memory and “Collective Enunciation” in Antje Rávic Strubel'sSturz der Tage in die Nacht(2011)
Authors: Schaefer Derek
Published: April 2018

Antje Rávic Strubel's works are known for problematizing individual and collective memory. Her characters’ lives are impacted by the lingering memories of the GDR, the “Wende” and German unification. This article explores the relationship between memory and present‐day identity in her 2011 novel,Sturz der Tage in die Nacht. Four former GDR citizens struggle with their distinctively East German past and memories, and their impact on the present day via a not‐so‐accidental rekindling of problematic relationships. This article views Strubel's work through Aleida Assmann's theory on collective memory and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's “Minor Literature” theory. Doing so allows one to engage directly with the East German experience as part of an “all‐German” experience. When viewed through the lens of minor literature the political and collective nuances come to the forefront of Strubel's work and spurs a wider discussion on the past's impact on unified Germany and beyond.
Pharmaceutical industry in a global context elective course: implementation and preliminary outcomes
Authors: Shcherbakova Natalia
Published: April 2018

Objective

To describe the implementation of ‘Pharmaceutical Industry in a Global Context’ elective in a 4-year US pharmacy programme.

Methods

An anonymous questionnaire regarding student experiences with the course content and intention to pursue pharmaceutical industry summer internships and/or postgraduation fellowships was distributed to students at the end of the course.

Key findings

Fifty per cent of the students (n = 13) reported intention to apply for a pharmaceutical industry summer internships and/or industry fellowship postgraduation.

Conclusion

The described industry course may be adopted by other educators to encourage pharmacy students’ exploration into industry careers.
The Influence of Maternal Socialization on Infants’ Social Evaluation in Two Cultures
Authors: Shimizu Yuki , Senzaki Sawa , Uleman James S.
Published: April 2018

Although a growing body of research has explored the early development of social evaluation, no research has directly compared social evaluations of infants between different cultures. In addition, there has been little understanding regarding socialization's effects on this ability. The goal of this study was to expand on earlier findings on social evaluation in infants by investigating a broader sample from two cultures, and to explore the influence of maternal socialization on infants’ social evaluation. Using the violation of expectations and the preferential reaching paradigm, four groups aged 6‐, 9‐, 12‐, and 15–18 months and their mothers from Japan and the United States (159 dyads) were compared in terms of spontaneous social evaluations. Japanese and European American infants showed similar performance in dishabituation to the inconsistent behavior and in their reaching preference for prosocial over antisocial agents, indicating that the emergence of spontaneous social evaluation is not culture‐specific. Furthermore, our study provides a novel finding regarding the relationship between mothers’ socially evaluative speech and infants’ preference for prosocial over antisocial agents. These results suggest that the development of sociomoral understanding results from complicated interactions among evolutionary, cognitive, and social factors.
Infants Use Category Label Knowledge to Interpret Absent Reference
Authors: Osina Maria A. , Saylor Megan M. , Ganea Patricia A.
Published: April 2018

This research investigated infants’ (16 and 20 months) use of category information in responding to references to absent objects. Infants were asked to find an object in the box (e.g., “Find an apple!”). When allowed to search, they found either an object from the mentioned category (a plastic apple) or a different object. Infants in both age groups searched again in the box trying to find another object more often on nonreferent than on referent trials (Experiment 1). However, when nonreferents were categorically related to referents, only older infants detected a mismatch and searched again (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that infants use category knowledge when processing references to absent objects.
Mortgage finance and culture
Authors: Rodríguez‐Planas Núria
Published: April 2018

Using a nationally representative sample of 12,344 immigrants from 41 different countries of ancestry living in Spain in 2007, we find that the higher the housing‐loan penetration in the country of ancestry, the higher the likelihood of having a mortgage in Spain. Similarly, the higher the mortgage depth in the country of ancestry, the higher the present value of the monthly mortgage payments. Our results suggest that social norms regarding mortgage finance in the country of ancestry matter in determining immigrants’ mortgage finance in the host country. More specifically, the effect of social norms on the decision to have a mortgage (the extensive margin) and the amount of the mortgage payments (the intensive margin) is about one third and tenth the size of the effect of having a college degree on mortgage debt, respectively. Evidence of strong persistence of culture among those with longer tenure in the host country, those who immigrated as children or young adults, and second‐generation immigrants suggests that vertical transmission of beliefs (from parents to children) is a plausible channel of transmission. Perhaps most importantly, we find that cultural attitudes regarding property rights are most relevant when explaining individuals’ decision to get a mortgage, but those regarding credit information matter most when explaining the amount of the mortgage debt.
Assessment of economic diversification in Saudi Arabia through nine development plans
Authors: Banafea Waheed , Ibnrubbian Abdullah
Published: April 2018

This paper aims to assess the efforts of the Saudi government in diversifying its economy. A descriptive analysis was used to evaluate the efforts the Saudi government exerted to enhance economic diversification through nine development plans covering 45 years (from 1970 to 2014). Two measures of economic diversification were applied, instability of private gross domestic product (GDP) and its relation to oil price instability, and relative contribution of private and public sectors to GDP. The research concludes that Saudi government has succeeded in moving towards economic diversification in the last two development plans compared to the previous seven development plans, although the economic diversification was a slow‐paced process. The performance of the private sector is still low which calls for a prompt intervention from the Saudi government to improve the legislative environment, competition, and attracting big international companies to enter Saudi market and raise the level of efficiency of the private sector and achieve its main goal of being less dependent on oil sector and its revenue.
The physical market and the WTI/Brent price spread
Authors: Liu Pan , Stevens Reid B. , Vedenov Dmitry
Published: April 2018

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude are primary benchmarks in oil pricing. Although produced in different locations,WTIand Brent are of similar quality and are used for similar purposes. Under the oil market globalisation assumption (Weiner, 1991), prices of crude oils with the same quality should move closely together at all times. However, empirical evidence shows that notable variations exist in theWTI/Brent spread, particularly after 2010, creating risks as well as potential arbitrage opportunities for oil market participants. The paper analyses the dynamics ofWTI/Brent price spread for the period between January 1994 and December 2016. A test for structural breaks in theWTI/Brent price spread indicates a change from a stationary to a non‐stationary time series in December 2010, which is also confirmed by the unit root and cointegration tests. The impact of physical market fundamentals on the dynamics ofWTI/Brent price spread is then analysed using the Structural Vector Autoregression Model for each sub‐sample period separated by the structural break. Impulse response functions show that theWTI/Brent spread is mainly driven by US production shocks.
On Discourse Features Inheritance in thevPInformation Structure: Evidence from Depictive Secondary Predication in Standard Arabic
Authors: Abu Helal Abdel‐Rahman
Published: April 2018

In this paper, I present an argument based on empirical data from depictive secondary predication in Standard Arabic (SA) for the assumption that the light v is merged with discourse features that V inherits at some point of derivation (Miyagawa 2010; Jimenez Fernandez & Spyropoulos 2013). The depictive structure inSAexhibits different word order permutations that correspond to the discourse properties of the structure. As such,SAmanifests itself as a discourse‐agreement language with discourse and phi‐agreement features on the phase head (e.g., C or v) being transferred into relevant heads of phase complements (e.g., T or V). Such an environment triggers the different rearrangements of the depictive phrase within thevPunder Last Resort. To enable movement out of the non‐subcategorized structure of the adjunct small clause, I employ a sideward movement strategy (Nunes 1995, 2001, 2004) to derive the pattern in question.1
False‐negative compatible antiglobulin crossmatches in samples with alloantibodies to cognate red blood cell antigens
Authors: Nixon Christian P. , Krohto Stephanie L. , Sweeney Joseph D.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Patient samples showing a positive indirect antiglobulin test are further tested to identify alloantibody specificity using a panel of phenotypically characterized group O reagent red blood cells (RBCs). Donor RBCs phenotypically negative for the antibody specificity are then serologically crossmatched using an antiglobulin reagent. This latter test is performed to identify any incompatibility due to the presence of undetected minor blood group antibodies and considered an important step in patient safety.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Samples with well‐characterized alloantibodies were intentionally crossmatched against donor RBCs expressing the cognate antigen. In a separate set of specimens, the alloantibody was titered and crossmatched against both heterozygous and homozygous cells.

RESULTS

Thirty‐five samples containing 10 common alloantibodies crossmatched against 240 ABO‐compatible donor cells phenotypically positive for the cognate antigen showed compatible crossmatches in 89 of 240 (37%). Antibody titering of 12 alloantibodies showed that a titer of 2 or more was required for incompatibility of all homozygous cells and a titer of 8 or more for incompatibility of all heterozygous cells.

CONCLUSION

The antiglobulin crossmatch has a high failure rate (false‐negatives) related to antibody titer and donor cell zygosity and is not reliable in interdicting incompatibility due to minor blood group antibodies.
Canine, feline, and equine corneal vascular neoplasia: A retrospective study (2007‐2015)
Authors: Shank Alba Maria M. , Teixeria Leandro B. C. , Dubielzig Richard R.
Published: April 2018

Corneal vascular neoplasms (hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma) are rare in all species. Reported cases are single case reports in a single species. Archived cases of corneal hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma from dogs, cats, and horses were obtained from the Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin (COPLOW, Madison,WI), tabulated, and examined. This retrospective study describes the breeds, ages, tumor types, and characteristics of vascular neoplasms that appeared to be primarily corneal in location, in feline, canine, and equine patients, with gross and histologic images. There is a discussion of predisposing factors and speculated association with chronic ocular surface disease.
Comparison of 3 corneal cytology collection methods for evaluating equine ulcerative keratitis: Cytobrush, kimura platinum spatula, and handle edge of scalpel blade
Authors: Proietto Laura , Beatty Sarah S. , Plummer Caryn E.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To compare corneal cytology samples from three common sampling techniques: cytobrush (CB), Kimura platinum spatula (KS), and the handle edge of a scalpel blade (SB).

Methods

Equine patients presenting to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with ulcerative keratitis were included. Following diagnosis of corneal ulcer and sampling for microbial culture, two cytology samples per technique were collected with sterileCB,KS, andSBin a randomized order. Cytologic evaluation was performed by two observers masked to collection method. Objective measures of sample cellularity, quality, distribution, and identification of infectious organisms were recorded per 10 monolayer cell populations using 50× magnification with oil immersion which were compared to culture results. Variables were compared usingANOVAwith Student'sttest when appropriate and Cohen's kappa (k) to evaluate inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement (IOA) between observers and techniques.

Results

Twenty equine patients (120 samples) were included. TheIOAbetween observers was substantial (k= 0.75 ± 0.06) for cytological parameters.SBprovided the most cellular samples (P< .01). There was a trend toward agreement (k= 0.12 ± 0.16) in technique for sample quality (P= .08).CBandSBhad significantly poorer cell distribution thanKS(P< .05). Infection was confirmed in 12 of 20 patients withSBandCBtechniques having a significantly higher diagnostic yield thanKS(P< .05) and was most consistent with infection confirmed on culture.

Conclusions

TheSBprovided the most diagnostic samples but all three techniques are clinically useful in evaluating equine ulcerative keratitis.
An Appalling Scenario Growing Corruption and Its Obnoxious Impacts on Public Lives -With Special Reference of South-Asian Stigma
Authors: Dahal Atindra
Published: April 2018

Despite reiterated commitment from government and other stakeholders everywhere in the world, curbing corruption has been a seriously ticklish and almost next to an impossible effort, especially in south Asia. The failure to remarkably detain corruption not only left the countries financially crumbled but also transfigured them into zone of psychological and mental degradation followed with cultural erosion as well. This paper has revealed a surreal and sordid scene of growing corruption in south Asia and severe stigmatization of public life fashioned on ground of corruption. For the purpose, the author consulted plenty of relevant literature related to corruption theories, corruption realties and its suffocation to demonstrate the plague that the corruption has crowned to people. This research adopted a descriptive strategy with paradigm of interpretive analysis for building the proposition.
Monitoring Players’ Readiness Using Predicted Heart-Rate Responses to Soccer Drills
Authors: Lacome Mathieu , Simpson Ben , Broad Nick , Buchheit Martin
Published: April 2018

Purpose: To examine the ability of multivariate models to predict the heart-rate (HR) responses to some specific training drills from various global positioning system (GPS) variables and to examine the usefulness of the difference in predicted vs actual HR responses as an index of fitness or readiness to perform. Method: All data were collected during 1 season (2016–17) with players’ soccer activity recorded using 5-Hz GPS and internal load monitored using HR. GPS and HR data were analyzed during typical small-sided games and a 4-min standardized submaximal run (12 km·h−1). A multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to identify which combinations of GPS variables showed the largest correlations with HR responses at the individual level (HRACT, 149 [46] GPS/HR pairs per player) and was further used to predict HR during individual drills (HRPRED). Then, HR predicted was compared with actual HR to compute an index of fitness or readiness to perform (HRΔ, %). The validity of HRΔ was examined while comparing changes in HRΔ with the changes in HR responses to a submaximal run (HRRUN, fitness criterion) and as a function of the different phases of the season (with fitness being expected to increase after the preseason). Results: HRPRED was very largely correlated with HRACT (r = .78 [.04]). Within-player changes in HRΔ were largely correlated with within-player changes in HRRUN (r = .66, .50–.82). HRΔ very likely decreased from July (3.1% [2.0%]) to August (0.8% [2.2%]) and most likely decreased further in September (−1.5% [2.1%]). Conclusions: HRΔ is a valid variable to monitor elite soccer players’ fitness and allows fitness monitoring on a daily basis during normal practice, decreasing the need for formal testing.
Predictors of Attack Performance in High-Level Male Volleyball Players
Authors: Challoumas Dimitrios , Artemiou Andreas
Published: April 2018

Purpose:In volleyball, teams win the majority of points through attacks (spikes), and therefore attack effectiveness (AE) is one of the most important predictors of victory. Traditionally, greater vertical jump heights (VJH) and higher spike speeds (SS) have been thought to increase AE; however, relevant research is limited. The authors’ aim was to assess the relationship of VJH and SS with AE, as well as identifying possible associations of demographic and anthropometric factors, including common volleyball injuries, with VJH, SS, and AE.Methods:A total of 22 male volleyball players from 2 teams in the top division of the Cypriot championship were included in the study. VJH was measured with the jump-and-reach test, SS was tested with a sports speed radar, and AE was calculated from performance reports of 4 matches between the 2 teams.Results:Statistically significant results included positive correlations between VJH and SS, percentage lean mass and SS, body-bone percentage and SS, frequency of volleyball practice and SS, and frequency of resistance training and SS. AE was found to increase with increasing age, while SS over 90 km·h−1appeared to have a negative effect on AE. History of pain in the dominant shoulder and in the ankles/knees was associated with lower SS and higher VJH, respectively.Conclusions:Based on the findings and the existing literature, volleyball players and coaches are advised to focus on maximization of VJH and optimization of attack technique; recommendations to improve attack success are provided.
Mitophagy controls beige adipocyte maintenance through a Parkin-dependent and UCP1-independent mechanism
Authors: Lu Xiaodan , Altshuler-Keylin Svetlana , Wang Qiang , Chen Yong , Henrique Sponton Carlos , Ikeda Kenji , Maretich Pema , Yoneshiro Takeshi , Kajimura Shingo
Published: April 2018

Parkin-mediated mitophagy reverses the browning of white adipose tissue.
Three Substrains of the Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120 Display Divergence in Genomic Sequences and
hetC
Function
Authors: Wang Yali , Gao Yuan , Li Chao , Gao Hong , Zhang Cheng-Cai , Xu Xudong
Published: April 2018

Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120 is a model strain for molecular studies of cell differentiation and patterning in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. Subtle differences in heterocyst development have been noticed in different laboratories working on the same organism. In this study, 360 mutations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small insertion/deletions (indels; 1 to 3 bp), fragment deletions, and transpositions, were identified in the genomes of three substrains. Heterogeneous/heterozygous bases were also identified due to the polyploidy nature of the genome and the multicellular morphology but could be completely segregated when plated after filament fragmentation by sonication.
hetC
is a gene upregulated in developing cells during heterocyst formation in
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120 and found in approximately half of other heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. Inactivation of
hetC
in 3 substrains of
Anabaena
sp. PCC 7120 led to different phenotypes: the formation of heterocysts, differentiating cells that keep dividing, or the presence of both heterocysts and dividing differentiating cells. The expression of P

hetZ

-
gfp
in these
hetC
mutants also showed different patterns of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence. Thus, the function of
hetC
is influenced by the genomic background and epistasis and constitutes an example of evolution under way.

IMPORTANCE
Our knowledge about the molecular genetics of heterocyst formation, an important cell differentiation process for global N
2
fixation, is mostly based on studies with
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120. Here, we show that rapid microevolution is under way in this strain, leading to phenotypic variations for certain genes related to heterocyst development, such as
hetC
. This study provides an example for ongoing microevolution, marked by multiple heterogeneous/heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in a multicellular multicopy-genome microorganism.
Structural and Functional Features of the Reovirus σ1 Tail
Authors: Dietrich Melanie H. , Ogden Kristen M. , Long Jacob M. , Ebenhoch Rebecca , Thor Alexandra , Dermody Terence S. , Stehle Thilo
Published: April 2018

Mammalian orthoreovirus attachment to target cells is mediated by the outer capsid protein σ1, which projects from the virion surface. The σ1 protein is a homotrimer consisting of a filamentous tail, which is partly inserted into the virion; a body domain constructed from β-spiral repeats; and a globular head with receptor-binding properties. The σ1 tail is predicted to form an α-helical coiled coil. Although σ1 undergoes a conformational change during cell entry, the nature of this change and its contributions to viral replication are unknown. Electron micrographs of σ1 molecules released from virions identified three regions of flexibility, including one at the midpoint of the molecule, that may be involved in its structural rearrangement. To enable a detailed understanding of essential σ1 tail organization and properties, we determined high-resolution structures of the reovirus type 1 Lang (T1L) and type 3 Dearing (T3D) σ1 tail domains. Both molecules feature extended α-helical coiled coils, with T1L σ1 harboring central chloride ions. Each molecule displays a discontinuity (stutter) within the coiled coil and an unexpectedly seamless transition to the body domain. The transition region features conserved interdomain interactions and appears rigid rather than highly flexible. Functional analyses of reoviruses containing engineered σ1 mutations suggest that conserved residues predicted to stabilize the coiled-coil-to-body junction are essential for σ1 folding and encapsidation, whereas central chloride ion coordination and the stutter are dispensable for efficient replication. Together, these findings enable modeling of full-length reovirus σ1 and provide insight into the stabilization of a multidomain virus attachment protein.

IMPORTANCE
While it is established that different conformational states of attachment proteins of enveloped viruses mediate receptor binding and membrane fusion, less is understood about how such proteins mediate attachment and entry of nonenveloped viruses. The filamentous reovirus attachment protein σ1 binds cellular receptors; contains regions of predicted flexibility, including one at the fiber midpoint; and undergoes a conformational change during cell entry. Neither the nature of the structural change nor its contribution to viral infection is understood. We determined crystal structures of large σ1 fragments for two different reovirus serotypes. We observed an unexpectedly tight transition between two domains spanning the fiber midpoint, which allows for little flexibility. Studies of reoviruses with engineered changes near the σ1 midpoint suggest that the stabilization of this region is critical for function. Together with a previously determined structure, we now have a complete model of the full-length, elongated reovirus σ1 attachment protein.