bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction and Characterization of RXLR Effectors inPythiumSpecies
Authors: Ai Gan , Yang Kun , Tian Yuee , Ye Wenwu , Zhu Hai , Li Tianli , Du Yaxin , Xia Qingyue , Shen Danyu , Jing Maofeng , Xia Ai , Dou Daolong
Published: December 2019

Being widely existed in oomycetes, the RXLR effector features conserved RXLR-dEER motifs in its N terminal. Every knownPhytophthoraorHyaloperonosporapathogen harbors hundreds of RXLRs. InPythiumspecies, however, none of the RXLR effectors has been characterized yet. Here, we developed a stringent method forde novoidentification of RXLRs and characterized 359 putative RXLR effectors from nine testedPythiumspecies. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a single superfamily formed by all oomycetous RXLRs, suggesting they descent from a common ancestor. RXLR effectors fromPythiumandPhytophthoraspecies exhibited similar sequence features, protein structures and genome locations. In particular, the mosquito biological agentP. guiyangensecontains a significantly larger RXLR repertoire than the other eightPythiumspecies examined, which may result from gene duplication and genome rearrangement events as indicated by synteny analysis. Expression pattern analysis of RXLR-encoding genes in the plant pathogenP. ultimumdetected transcripts from the vast majority of predictedRXLRswith some of them being induced at infection stages. One such RXLRs showed necrosis-inducing activity. Furthermore, all predictedRXLRswere cloned from two biocontrol agentsP. oligandrumandP. periplocum. Three of them were found to encode effectors inducing defense response inNicotiana benthamiana. Taken together, our findings represent the first complete synopsis ofPythiumRXLR effectors, which provides critical clues on their evolutionary patterns as well as the mechanisms of their interactions with diverse hosts.

Author summary

Pathogens from thePythiumgenus are widespread across multiple ecological niches. Most of them are soilborne plant pathogens whereas others cause infectious diseases in mammals. SomePythiumspecies can be used as biocontrol agents for plant diseases or mosquito management. Despite that phylogenetically close oomycete pathogens secrete RXLR effectors to enable infection, no RXLR protein was previously characterized in anyPythiumspecies. Here we developed a stringent method to predictPythiumRXLR effectors and compared them with known RXLRs from other species. All oomycetous RXLRs form a huge superfamily, which indicates they may share a common ancestor. Our sequence analysis results suggest that the expansion of RXLR repertoire results from gene duplication and genome recombination events. We further demonstrated that most predictedPythium RXLRscan be transcribed and some of them encode effectors exhibiting pathogenic or defense-inducing activities. This work expands our understanding of RXLR evolution in oomycetes in general, and provides novel insights into the molecular interactions betweenPythiumpathogens and their diverse hosts.
Identification of genomic enhancers through spatial integration of single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics
Authors: González-Blas Carmen Bravo , Quan Xiao-Jiang , Duran-Romaña Ramon , Taskiran Ibrahim Ihsan , Koldere Duygu , Davie Kristofer , Christiaens Valerie , Makhzami Samira , Hulselmans Gert , de Waegeneer Maxime , Mauduit David , Poovathingal Suresh , Aibar Sara , Aerts Stein
Published: December 2019

Single-cell technologies allow measuring chromatin accessibility and gene expression in each cell, but jointly utilizing both layers to mapbona fidegene regulatory networks and enhancers remains challenging. Here, we generate independent single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell ATAC-seq atlases of the Drosophila eye-antennal disc and spatially integrate the data using a virtual latent space that mimics the organization of the 2D tissue. To validate spatially predicted enhancers, we use a large collection of enhancer-reporter lines and identify ∼85% of enhancers in which chromatin accessibility and enhancer activity are coupled. Next, we infer enhancer-to-gene relationships in the virtual space, finding that genes are regulated by multiple redundant enhancers. Exploiting cell-type specific enhancers, we deconvolute cell-type specific effects of bulk-derived chromatin accessibility QTLs. Finally, we discover that Prospero drives neuronal differentiation through the binding of a GGG motif. In summary, we provide a comprehensive spatial characterization of gene regulation in a 2D tissue.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of asynchronous neural activity
Authors: Ullner Ekkehard , Politi Antonio , Torcini Alessandro
Published: December 2019

The activity of a sparse network of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons is carefully revisited with reference to a regime of abona-fideasynchronous dynamics. The study is preceded by a finite-size scaling analysis, carried out to identify a setup where collective synchronization is negligible. The comparison between quenched and annealed networks reveals the emergence of substantial differences when the coupling strength is increased, via a scenario somehow reminiscent of a phase transition. For sufficiently strong synaptic coupling, quenched networks exhibit a highly bursting neural activity, well reproduced by a self-consistent approach, based on the assumption that the input synaptic current is the superposition of independent renewal processes. The distribution of interspike intervals turns out to be relatively long-tailed; a crucial feature required for the self-sustainment of the bursting activity in a regime where neurons operate on average (much) below threshold. A semi-quantitative analogy with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes helps validating this interpretation. Finally, an alternative explanation in terms of Poisson processes is offered under the additional assumption of mutual correlations among excitatory and inhibitory spikes.
Enrichment of Skeletal Stem Cells from Human Bone Marrow Using Spherical Nucleic Acids
Authors: Xavier Miguel , Kyriazi Maria-Eleni , Lanham Stuart A. , Alexaki Konstantina , El-Sagheer Afaf H. , Brown Tom , Kanaras Antonios G. , Oreffo Richard O.C.
Published: December 2019

Human bone marrow (BM) derived stromal cells contain a population of skeletal stem cells (SSCs), with the capacity to differentiate along the osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages enabling their application to clinical therapies. However, current methods, to isolate and enrich SSCs from human tissues remain, at best, challenging in the absence of a specific SSC marker. Unfortunately, none of the current proposed markers, alone, can isolate a homogenous cell population with the ability to form bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue in humans. Here, we have designed DNA-gold nanoparticles able to identify and sort SSCs displaying specific mRNA signatures. The current approach demonstrates the significant enrichment attained in the isolation of SSCs, with potential therein to enhance our understanding of bone cell biology and translational applications.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Target membrane cholesterol modulates single influenza virus membrane fusion efficiency but not rate
Authors: Liu K. N. , Boxer S. G.
Published: December 2019

Host lipid composition influences many stages of the influenza A virus (IAV) entry process, including: initial binding of IAV to sialylated glycans, fusion between the viral envelope and the host membrane, and the formation of a fusion pore through which the viral genome is transferred into a target cell. In particular, target membrane cholesterol has been shown to preferentially associate with virus receptors and alter physical properties of the membrane like fluidity and curvature. These properties affect both IAV binding and fusion, which makes it difficult to isolate the role of cholesterol in IAV fusion from receptor binding effects. Here, we develop a new fusion assay that uses synthetic DNA-lipid conjugates as surrogate viral receptors to tether virions to target vesicles. To avoid the possibly perturbative effect of adding a self-quenched concentration of dye-labeled lipids to the viral membrane, we tether virions to lipid-labeled target vesicles, and use fluorescence microscopy to detect individual, pH-triggered IAV membrane fusion events. Through this approach, we find that cholesterol in the target membrane enhances the efficiency of single-particle IAV lipid mixing, while the rate of lipid mixing is independent of cholesterol composition. We also find that the single-particle kinetics of influenza lipid mixing to target membranes with different cholesterol compositions is independent of receptor binding, suggesting that cholesterol-mediated spatial clustering of viral receptors within the target membrane does not significantly affect IAV hemifusion. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that target membrane cholesterol increases lipid mixing efficiency by altering host membrane curvature.

Statement of Significance

Influenza A virus is responsible for millions of cases of flu each year. In order to replicate, influenza must enter a host cell through virus membrane fusion, and cholesterol in the target membrane is vital to the dynamics of this process. We report a receptor-free, single virus fusion assay that requires no fluorescent labeling of virus particles. We use this assay to show that cholesterol increases the fraction of fusion events in a manner that is correlated with the spontaneous curvature of the target membrane but is independent of receptor binding. This assay represents a promising strategy for studying viral fusion processes of other enveloped viruses.
The glue produced byDrosophila melanogasterfor pupa adhesion is universal
Authors: Borne Flora , Kovalev Alexander , Gorb Stanislav , Courtier-Orgogozo Virginie
Published: December 2019

Insects produce a variety of adhesives for diverse functions such as locomotion, mating, egg or pupal anchorage to substrates. Although they are important for the biology of organisms and potentially represent a great resource for developing new materials, insect adhesives have been little studied so far. Here, we examined the adhesive properties of the larval glue ofD. melanogaster. This glue is made of glycosylated proteins and allows the animal to adhere to a substrate during metamorphosis. We designed an adhesion test to measure the pull-off force required to detach a pupa from a substrate and to evaluate the contact area covered by the glue. We found that the pupa adheres with similar forces to a variety of substrates (with distinct roughness, hydrophilic and charge properties). We obtained an average pull-off force of 217 mN, corresponding to 15 500 times the weight of a pupa and adhesion strength of 137-244 kPa. Surprisingly, the pull-off forces did not depend on the contact area. Our study paves the way for a genetic dissection of the components ofDrosophila melanogasterglue that confer its particular adhesive properties.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

We designed an adhesion test to measure the pull-off force required to detach drosophila pupae and found that Drosophila glue adheres similarly to various substrates of different chemical properties.
Investigation into post-adoption usage of mobile ICTs in Australian construction projects
Authors: Hasan Abid , Ahn Seungjun , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Baroudi Bassam
Published: December 2019

Purpose

While mobile Information and Communication Technologies (mobile ICTs) have been adopted by many construction organisations, research on the usage of mobile technologies in the context of construction project management has been scarce. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of how Construction Management Professionals (CMPs) currently use mobile ICTs at work and the factors affecting their usage of mobile ICTs in the context of the Australian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the aim is addressed by a survey-based empirical research approach. A questionnaire was used to collect data about CMPs’ current mobile ICT usage and the factors affecting the usage. Then, relative importance index, factor analysis andχ2test were used to identify the most significant factors affecting their mobile ICT usage.

Findings

This research found that user characteristics such as age or years of experience are not the major factors affecting CMPs’ mobile ICT usage. The research also found that there are several barriers hindering an effective usage of mobile ICTs, namely work-family spillover, system quality issues, inconsistency in the way of using mobile ICTs among CMPs and the lack of organisational support.

Originality/value

The results of this research imply that to fully reap the potential benefits of mobile ICTs in construction projects, those barriers need to be addressed appropriately at the individual, organisational and industry levels. Also, this research informs construction organisations of how mobile ICTs can be deployed and used in the most cost-effective way in their projects.
Students’ self-perceived employability (SPE)
Authors: Pitan Oluyomi Susan , Muller Colette
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To a prospective employee, self-perception is a vital component of employability; to better understand employability, an exploration of this essential component and its determinants is required. Besides investigating students’ perceptions of their likelihood of success in the graduate labour market, the purpose of this paper is to examine the main influence of gender and field of study and the interaction effects of these two independent variables on students’ self-perceived employability (SPE).

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected from a sample of 402 final-year students, at two universities in South Africa using an adapted questionnaire. The 402 students comprised of 203 from University A and 199 from University B. In total, 166 were males and 236 females while 104 were from Management Studies, 102 from Education, 72 from Law and 124 from Science and Agriculture. The three stated hypotheses for the study were analysed using factorial ANOVA (2×4) and the Bonferroni post hoc multiple comparison test.

Findings

The main effects of gender and field of study on SPE are both significant, but the interactions between them are not. Male students were found to demonstrate a higher level of SPE. For field of study, Education students demonstrated the highest level of SPE.

Originality/value

The study shows that students, particularly those in their final year, may perceive themselves to be more employable, due to increased awareness of their improved human capital. In addition, both gender and field of study are important attributes affecting students’ SPE. The variations in SPE are indicative of students’ understanding and awareness of labour market realities, offering several implications for universities and all stakeholders of graduate employability.
Modal analysis of trailing edge cutback film cooling
Authors: Luo Yuxi , Wen Fengbo , Hou Rui , Wang Shuai , Wang Songtao , Wang Zhongqi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper devoted to the application of modal analysis to analyze the flow structure of trailing edge cutback film cooling and the effects of vortex structure on the film cooling effectiveness of the cutback surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Large eddy simulation (LES) is used to simulate the trailing edge cutback film cooling. The results of LES are analyzed by proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) method. The POD method is used to determine the dominated vortex structure and the energy level of these structures. The DMD method is used to analyze the relationship between vortex structures and wall temperature.

Findings

The POD method shows that the flow field consists of three main vortices – streamwise vortex, lip vortex and coolant vortex. The DMD results show that the lip vortex mainly acts on the middle section of the cutback surface, while the streamwise vortex mainly acts on the back section of the cutback surface.

Research limitations/implications

The modal analysis is only based on numerical simulation but the modal analysis of experimental results will be further studied in the future.

Practical implications

This paper presents the powerful ability of the modal analysis method to study complex flows in trailing edge cutback film cooling. Establishing the relationship between vortex and wall temperature by modal analysis method can provide a new idea for studying convective heat transfer problems.

Originality/value

The role of streamwise vortex in the flow of the trailing edge cutback cooling and its effect on the cooling effectiveness of the cutback surface is found.
Forty years of conflict: the effects of gender and generation on conflict-management strategies
Authors: Rahim M. Afzalur , Katz Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Previous studies examining the relationship between gender and conflict-management strategies have generally reported weak or inconsistent results. This paper aims to study extends past research by examining the main and interactive effects of gender on conflict-management strategies over time. The authors propose that conflict-management strategies commonly employed in the workplace are impacted by worker gender as predicted by face negotiation theory and vary over time based on the “generation” of the worker.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the study hypotheses, a field study was conducted to assess main and interactive effects of gender and generation on the five strategies for conflict management: Integrating, obliging, dominating, avoiding and compromising. Questionnaire data were collected over four decades (1980s-2010s) from employed students (N = 6,613). Data analysis was performed using a multivariate analysis of covariance.

Findings

The results suggest female employees consistently use more noncompeting strategies (integrating, obliging, avoiding and compromising) than male employees and male employees consistently use more competing strategy (dominating) than female employees. All the main and interaction effects were significant.

Research limitations/implications

While this study involved primarily students in the USA studying management at two major public universities, there may be implications for a more global population of workers. However, the results support the notion advanced by face negotiation theory that men will generally seek to save face while women will generally avoid conflict in consideration of others.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates that workers employ different conflict-management strategies over time and the use of certain strategies varies by gender. An implication of this study is the need to regularly reassess selection, training and evaluation processes for managers. In addition, supervisors should encourage employees to enhance the effective use of cooperative (integrating, obliging and compromising) strategies and focus on specific situations when uncooperative strategies (dominating and avoiding) may be needed.

Originality/value

By using face negotiation theory as the organizing framework to examine changes in conflict-management strategies over time, this study contributes in a substantial way to the understanding of how gender and generation interact to influence the selection and use of conflict-management strategies in the workplace.
Understanding project evaluation – a review and reconceptualization
Authors: Haass Omid , Guzman Gustavo
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the underlying logics applied by different project evaluation approaches and to propose an alternative research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the project evaluation literature via conducting a qualitative research applying systematic literature review and thematic analysis.

Findings

The project evaluation literature has mainly concentrated on the objective aspects of project evaluation and overlooked the subjective aspects that reflect the temporal, dynamic, complex and subjective nature of today’s projects. The authors propose a meta-framework that helps project practitioners to select an appropriate project evaluation criterion for their projects by considering the strengths and limitations of their preferred project evaluation model as well as making project evaluators aware of the underlying logics associated to diverse project evaluation approaches.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that new conceptual approaches to deal with some of the major challenges in the project evaluation field. Practice-based views, narrative analysis and actor-network theory are likely to be useful tools to better understand and cope with the projects’ uncertainty and complexity.

Practical implications

The findings of this research assist project management practitioners and particularly project evaluators to enhance their understanding of the subjectivity, complexity and dynamics of current projects. To increase the reflexivity and resilience of project evaluation practice, this study also proposes new directions to apply different criteria, sub-criteria and indicators to the evaluation practice.

Originality/value

The originality of this study relies on transcending the conventional objective and rational approaches prevailing in current project evaluation practices. It proposes a research agenda that pave the way to address the shortcomings of conventional project evaluation practice.
A comparative study of depression literacy between pharmacy and non-pharmacy students of a Nigerian university
Authors: Aluh Deborah Oyine , Okonta Matthew , Odili Valentine
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess and compare the knowledge and help-seeking behaviors toward depression among pharmacy students and non-pharmacy students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey and was carried out among undergraduate students of the oldest and largest university in Eastern Nigeria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Open-ended questions were used to assess the participants’ recognition of depression and their preferred source of help for a vignette character. The open-ended responses were categorized based on the similarity of thematic content and presented as frequencies/percentages.

Findings

A total of 118 out of the 200 pharmacy students sampled responded (59 percent) and 270 students out of the 300 non-pharmacy students surveyed responded (90 percent). A significantly higher proportion of pharmacy students correctly labeled the vignette as depression (61.9 percent) compared to non-pharmacy students (39.6 percent) (χ2=16.57,p=<0.001). Psychologists were the most recommended source of help by both groups of students surveyed. A statistically significant greater proportion of pharmacy students recommended psychiatrists compared to non-pharmacy students (χ2=3.79,p=0.044). There was a significant association between academic level of study and ability to correctly label the vignette among pharmacy and non-pharmacy students [(χ2=18.08,p<0.001), (χ2=10.35,p=0.016)], respectively.

Originality/value

This is the first time the depression literacy of pharmacy students has been surveyed in an African country. The findings from this study are interesting in the context of current efforts to decrease the enormous treatment gap for depression by improving its recognition in community pharmacy settings.
The origin of the country-of-origin image: the role of law
Authors: Lin Chih-Pin , Huang Chi-Jui , Lin Hsin-Mei , Chuang Cheng-Min
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Country of origin has profound effects on consumer behavior; yet few studies have examined an antecedent of these effects: why some countries enjoy a positive image while others suffer a negative one. Developing an institutional theory of country image, the authors argue that weak legal institutions at the country level increase firm opportunistic behavior that expropriates consumers and decrease the product quality of local brands, thus decreasing the country’s image regarding its products and brands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study measures country image for products and brands using the number of valuable brands (i.e. brands included in the top 500 brands from 2008 to 2016) in a particular home country. Data concerning the rule of law in each country come from the World Bank, and data on the efficiency of countries’ judicial systems comes from Djankov et al. (2007). We also collect patent data from the US Patent and Trade Office, national culture from Hofstede Insights and GDP and GDP per capita from the World Bank as control variables. Panel Poisson regression, Tobit regression and truncated regression are used in the analyses.

Findings

Supporting the institutional theory of country image, both the rule of law and efficiency of the judicial systems show positive and significant effects on country image, even when economy size (GDP), degree of economic development (GDP per capita), level of technology and skill (patents) and culture are controlled.

Practical implications

To improve their country’s image and the brand value of local firms, policymakers should strive to strengthen legal institutions aimed at punishing firm opportunistic behavior in their countries.

Originality/value

Previous research on the country-of-origin effect has not yet appreciated the role of legal institutions in developing the construct of country image.
The secret life of PETs
Authors: Makin David A. , Ireland Leanna
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore to what extent the legal environment influences a user’s choice to employ privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). Drawing upon existing theoretical frames specific to arbitrariness and uncertainty, this research examines whether interest in PETs is influenced by the legal environment of a country.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from Google Trends, the International Property Rights Index, Freedom House and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the research analyzes interest in Tor, VPN technology and pretty good privacy (PGP) in 153 countries between 2012 and 2016.

Findings

Findings suggest both countries with both higher and lower arbitrariness and uncertainty of law are associated with an increased interest in Tor and PGP. However, interest in VPN technology does not appear influenced by the legal environment and, instead, is influenced by freedom within the press.

Research limitations/implications

The dual use nature of Tor and PGP is influenced by law enforcement and judiciary effectiveness and transparency and arbitrariness contributing to the public’s interest in decentralized technological protections.

Practical implications

Law enforcement should continue to police via the technologies rather than shutting them down to protect the identities of those needing to use these technologies for legitimate purposes. Only by embracing the technologies, as opposed to seeing them as hurdles to be banned, may law enforcement agencies remain vigilant to the threats posted by nefarious actors.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors introduce a more robust measure of interest in PETs, and do so with a larger, more substantive sample. By situating this interest within the context of policing, the authors can document the dual use nature of the technology, which can be useful in guiding future research, specifically in the area of policy development and officer training.
Advances on Vibrio parahaemolyticus research in the postgenomic era
Authors: Matsuda Shigeaki , Hiyoshi Hirotaka , Tandhavanant Sarunporn , Kodama Toshio
Published: December 2019

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a leading cause of seafood‐borne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Since its discovery in 1950, this bacterium has been isolated in widespread outbreaks and in sporadic cases of gastroenteritis worldwide. Although the exotoxin, thermostable direct hemolysin, had been the focus of extensive research on the pathogenicity of V. parahaemolyticus, the whole‐genome sequencing of a clinical isolate, RIMD2210633 strain, was a breakthrough in this field. The possession of two sets of gene clusters for type III secretion systems (T3SS1 and T3SS2) was unveiled by that genome project. T3SS is a protein export apparatus that delivers bacterial proteins, called effectors, directly into the host's cytosol, to disrupt host cell function. The subsequent studies have established that T3SS2, which is encoded in an 80 kb pathogenicity island called V. parahaemolyticus pathogenicity island (Vp‐PAI), is closely related to enteropathogenicity. Recent functional analyses of Vp‐PAI‐encoded genes revealed the sophisticated mechanisms in V. parahaemolyticus for sensing the intestinal environment and host cell contact, and a dozen T3SS2‐exported proteins encoded in Vp‐PAI. In this review, we summarize recent advances in V. parahaemolyticus research regarding the control of the expression of Vp‐PAI‐encoded genes, structural components and the secretory regulation of T3SS2, and the biological activities of T3SS2‐exported effectors. Thus, Vp‐PAI‐encoded T3SS2 becomes an important key in the postgenomic era to shed light on the enteropathogenic mechanism of V. parahaemolyticus.
Quantifying the Consistency of ‘Standard’ Old English Spelling
Authors: Faulkner Mark
Published: December 2019

This paper presents two large datasets, one of over 19,000 morphemes from 100 texts, the other of over 91,000 spellings from 941 texts across 198 manuscripts for one phonological segment, with a view to providing an empirical basis for discussions of the homogeneity with which the vernacular was written in late Anglo‐Saxon England. These show the infinitive morpheme was spelt <‐an> 96.1 per cent of the time and the diphthong /æa, æ:a/ was written  96.5 per cent of the time. Such consistency, over time and across dialect boundaries, suggests that recent scepticism about the existence of a homogenous, conservative, supraregional variety of written Old English, perhaps a ‘standard’ Old English, is unwarranted.
Human Resource Management Journal: A look to the past, present, and future of the journal and HRM scholarship
Authors: Farndale Elaine , McDonnell Anthony , Scholarios Dora , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: December 2019

This editorial lays out 30 years of history ofHuman Resource Management Journal(HRMJ), charting the journal's roots, reflecting on HRM scholarship today and guiding authors on potential contributions to the journal in the future.HRMJhas achieved high recognition and ranking internationally since its conception originally as a UK‐based journal. The journal's broad‐based approach to the study of the management of people at work, means it appeals to scholars from a multitude of disciplines, not least of all management, industrial relations, psychology and organisational behaviour.HRMJis also highly rigorous in its review process, ensuring reliable, interesting and impactful articles that further our knowledge of theory and practice.
Factors associated with disability in patients with ulcerative colitis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Marinelli Carla , Zingone Fabiana , Inferrera Marco , Lorenzon Greta , Rigo Alessandra , Facchin Sonia , Caccaro Roberta , D'Incà Renata , Savarino Edoardo Vincenzo
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Ulcerative colitis (UC) can give rise to several restrictions of patients' working and social activities. We aimed to determine the association between disease chronicity and the state of disability in a large population with UC.

Methods

We recruited consecutive patients with UC attending the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unit of the Azienda Ospedaliera of Padua between July and December 2017. We collected patients' characteristics and clinical information, and all participants completed the IBD questionnaire (IBDQ) for quality of life assessment and the IBD disability index (IBD‐DI) questionnaire. Using univariate logistic regression models we assessed whether the patients' characteristics and IBD‐related variables were associated with an IBD‐DI score ≤3.5. Statistically significant variables in the univariate analyses were then included in a multivariate regression model. Correlations between IBD‐DI and all the above mentioned characteristics were investigated using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results

We included 201 patients. A positive correlation was observed between IBD‐DI and IBDQ (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression modelling identified the following as independent factors related to disability: active disease (partial Mayo score ≥2) (odds ratio [OR] 6.54, 95% CI 3.21‐13.22), the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) (OR 2.48, 95%, CI 1.11‐5.54) and occasional alcohol consumption (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.20‐0.76).

Conclusions

Impaired disability is mainly correlated with disease activity, the presence of EIM and no alcohol consumption. Moreover, there is a strong correlation with patients' quality of life. Therefore, in clinical practice, greater awareness of IBD‐related disability is needed to better manage patients' outcomes.
A Decade of C40: Research Insights and Agendas for City Networks
Authors: Davidson Kathryn , Coenen Lars , Gleeson Brendan
Published: December 2019

In the last decade, there has been a marked growth in formalised city networks. City networks of late have transcended beyond municipal collaborations towards more complex networked governance arrangements. City networks are noted also to raise the level of ambition among cities learning from and competing with each other with regard to the deployment of low‐carbon technologies and policies. Over the last two decades, at least nine urban climate networks have been established around the world. This article consolidates the academic literature on C40 within the context of three key themes that are drawn upon from earlier work of Davidson et al. with the goal of drawing out the key implications of researching, and putting into practice, urban studies in an age of increasingly networked urban governance and the role of city networks. We conclude the paper with articulating a new research agenda that places a focus on the effects of city networks on institutional relevance of traditional planning in ways that have not yet been considered in practice and scholarship. We argue a key challenge is to align and potentially synthesise these traditional and new forms of city shaping in an urban age era of rapidly unfolding endangerment.
Accuracy of Defining Characteristics for Nursing Diagnoses Related to Patients with Respiratory Deterioration
Authors: Vieira Laura F. , Fernandes Vivian R. , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth , Azzolin Karina de O.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate accuracy of defining characteristics (DCs) for impaired gas exchange (IGE), impaired spontaneous ventilation (ISV), and ineffective breathing pattern (IBP) in respiratory deterioration.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of medical records. The accuracy and predictive ability of DC or of clusters are calculated.

Findings

In this study, 391 records were evaluated. For IGE, DCs or clusters with higher efficiency were “hypercapnia” (78%), “somnolence” (74.4%), and “hypercapnia + tachycardia” (88%); for ISV, the cluster with higher efficiency was “increased heart rate ± decrease in cooperation” (70.1%); and for IBP, no DC or cluster exceeded 70% efficiency. These were confirmed by logistic regression.

Conclusion

Few DCs had adequate efficiency for respiratory nursing diagnoses, while in some cases clusters accounted for higher efficiency.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Clusters of DC may be relevant for respiratory diagnoses.
Failing Faithful Representations of Financial Statements: Issues in Reporting Financial Instruments
Authors: Abdel‐khalik A. Rashad
Published: December 2019

Both the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the codified accounting standards (ASC) for the US GAAP categorize hedging relationships as falling into several buckets. The two buckets of relevance in this paper are (i) hedging the volatility of fair values, and (ii) hedging the volatility of future cash flow. In this paper, I argue that at least three accounting treatments of derivatives and hedging lead to creating serious distortion of reporting actual transactions, to combining hard and plastic valuations, and to violating adherence to the principle of ‘faithful representation’. The three accounting treatments are as follows: (1) creating the fictional Hypothetical Derivatives Method; (2) allowing for the establishment of purely discretionary valuation adjustments for all over‐the‐counter derivative assets (Credit Valuation Adjustment) and liabilities (Debt Valuation Adjustment) without any guides or constraints; (3) requiring subjective metaphysical separation of embedded derivatives with the main guide being the management's own perception of the instrument's embodiment of unrelated value and risk generators. To remedy the resulting distortion in financial reporting, significant revisions of certain accounting standards are sorely needed.
Price Changes in Washington Following the 2012 Liquor Privatization: An Update Through 2016 With Comparisons to California, Idaho, and Oregon
Authors: Williams Edwina , Kerr William C. , Barnett Sarah Beth L.
Published: December 2019

Background

Washington State ended their wholesale and retail monopoly on liquor on June 1, 2012, resulting in a 5‐fold increase in liquor outlets in diverse store types. The legislation also included taxes at the wholesale and retail levels. This study seeks to investigate whether prices have changed from 2014 through 2016, as a follow‐up to a previous study finding increases in prices from 2012 to 2014, compared to prices in other states.

Methods

We developed an index of 68 brands that were popular in Washington in early 2012. Data on final liquor prices (including taxes) in Washington and California were obtained through store visits and online sources between November 2013 and March 2014, and again between April and May 2016 for Washington only. Pricing data for Idaho and Oregon were obtained from the Statistics for Alcohol Management Database over both sampling periods. Primary analyses were conducted on the utmost brands available in the majority of the stores sampled.

Results

Liquor prices in Washington rose an average of 3.9% for 750 ml and 6.5% for 1.75‐l containers overall from 2014 to 2016, while bordering states Idaho (+2.9%) and Oregon (+1.5%) experienced smaller increases for 750‐ml and declines for 1.75‐l containers (Idaho: −2.9%, Oregon: −4.9%). In the analyses of spirits prices in Washington compared to California, prices in California were 24.1% lower for 750‐ml containers and 29.6% lower for 1.75‐l containers.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate liquor prices in Washington have increased since our 2014 assessment at a larger percentage than prices in the neighboring control states Oregon and Idaho, with varying effects on brands, container sizes, and store types. We demonstrate privatization is associated with a different pattern of prices across store types than seen in California.
Low‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma: A comprehensive literature review
Authors: Goulding Elizabeth A. , Simcock Bryony , McLachlan Jennifer , van der Griend Rachael , Sykes Peter
Published: December 2019

Background

Low‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a unique entity with clinical and molecular characteristics distinct from high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). To date the majority of research has focused on the more common HGSOC, with treatment recommendations often extrapolated to LGSOC. Women with LGSOC are typically diagnosed younger and have indolent and relatively chemoresistant disease. Recently there have been major research advances in LGSOC.

Aims

This systematic review describes the epidemiological, clinical and molecular characteristics of LGSOC, with advances in research and novel treatment options also discussed.

Materials and Methods

A 10‐year comprehensive systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature was conducted, with a total of 132 abstracts read, 89 articles reviewed and 49 included in this review.

Results

This review highlights the clinical and molecular features of LGSOC, current and traditional treatment options and areas of current research into targeted agents.

Conclusions

Our growing knowledge about LGSOC as a distinct clinical and molecular entity from HGSOC has led to the investigation of more targeted and tailored therapies as their clinical course, optimal management and therapeutic targets differ. There is a need for ongoing collaborative research to provide better treatment options for these patients.
Pain management in children has significantly improved in the Italian emergency departments
Authors: Benini Franca , Castagno Emanuele , Urbino Antonio F. , Fossali Emilio , Mancusi Rossella Letizia , Milani Gregorio P.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Pain in children is often poorly assessed and treated in Italian emergency departments (EDs) as found in a survey conducted among the centres of the “Pain in Pediatric Emergency Room (PIPER)” Study Group in 2010. Our aim was to evaluate the changes in pain management in Italian EDs in the last years.

Method

A structured questionnaire about pain assessment, protocols, use of local anaesthetics before venipuncture, opioids and adjuvants was mailed to 46 Italian EDs between November 2017 and April 2018.

Results

Pain was always assessed at triage in 34 centres (73.9%). Algometric scales were used in over 90% of EDs. Triage protocols were available in 37 centres (80.4%). Local anaesthetics before venipuncture were always used in six centres (13.0%). Protocols included opioids and adjuvants in 73.0% and 47.2%, respectively. Triage pain assessment was always done in 91.0% of the centres joining the PIPER Study Group up to 2015 and 56.5% in ones that joined the Group after 2015 (P = .017). Local anaesthetics before venipuncture were given in 39.1% of the centres joining until up to 2015 and 13.0% in ones that joined the Group after 2015 (P = .003).

Conclusion

Paediatric pain management has significantly improved in Italian EDs in the last 8 years. The centres joining the PIPER Study Group for longer time have shown better results for the indicators considered in the survey.
Editorial: the emergence of non‐hypervascular hypointense nodules in Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Authors' reply
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Yasuda Satoshi , Kumada Takashi
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Toyoda et al and Crane et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15490 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15525.
Letter: the gluten‐free diet as a bottom‐up approach for irritable bowel syndrome. Authors' reply
Authors: Tuck Caroline , Vanner Stephen , Camilleri Michael , Jing Wang Xiao
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wang et al and Rej et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15419 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15517.
Commentary: non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis—finding and minding the fire behind the smoke
Authors: Aithal Guruprasad P.
Published: December 2019

SPECIAL COMMENTARY ON “ADIPOKINES AND CYTOKINES IN NON‐ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE” BY JARRAR, M.H., BARANOVA, A., COLLANTES, R., RANARD, B., STEPANOVA, M., BENNETT, C., FANG, Y., ELARINY, H., GOODMAN, Z., CHANDHOKE, V. AND YOUNOSSI, Z.M., ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN AP&T IN 2008. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03586.x
Letter: is measurement of faecal biomarkers helpful for the early diagnosis and prediction of pouchitis after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis?
Authors: Yamamoto Takayuki , Shimoyama Takahiro , Kotze Paulo G.
Published: December 2019

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kayal et al and Kayal and Ungaro papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15505 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15582.
Laparoscopic vs open surgery for colorectal cancer patients with high American Society of Anesthesiologists classes
Authors: Fukuoka Eiji , Matsuda Takeru , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamashita Kimihiro , Arimoto Akira , Takiguchi Gosuke , Yamamoto Masashi , Kanaji Shingo , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Suzuki Satoshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Laparoscopic surgery has become popular for colorectal cancer treatment in recent years. However, its success rate even among high‐risk patients remains debatable. The present study aims to compare the short‐ and long‐term outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgeries in the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes 3 and 4 patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective, cohort study performed at a university hospital, with 78 patients suffering from colorectal cancer who underwent surgery in ASA classes 3 and 4 as respondents. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative outcomes, and prognoses were factors compared between the open and laparoscopic groups.

Results

Compared with the open group, laparoscopic group had longer operation time (median 287.5 vs 204.5 minutes, P = .001), less operative blood loss (median 40 vs 240 mL, P = .020), and fewer postoperative complications (24% vs 55%, P = .011). In addition, operative approach (open vs laparoscopic) served as an independent factor for the occurrence of postoperative complications [HR = 3.963 (1.344‐12.269), P = .013]. In terms of overall survival and recurrence‐free survival (P = .171 and .087, respectively), no significant difference was found between the two groups.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic surgery is thus associated with more favorable short‐time outcomes and could be adopted as treatment even for colorectal cancer ASA class 3 and 4 patients.
Identifying disease‐associated biomarker network features through conditional graphical model
Authors: Xie Shanghong , Li Xiang , McColgan Peter , Scahill Rachael I. , Zeng Donglin , Wang Yuanjia
Published: December 2019

Biomarkers are often organized into networks, in which the strengths of network connections vary across subjects depending on subject‐specific covariates (eg, genetic variants). Variation of network connections, as subject‐specific feature variables, has been found to predict disease clinical outcome. In this work, we develop a two‐stage method to estimate biomarker networks that account for heterogeneity among subjects and evaluate network's association with disease clinical outcome. In the first stage, we propose a conditional Gaussian graphical model with mean and precision matrix depending on covariates to obtain covariate‐dependent networks with connection strengths varying across subjects while assuming homogeneous network structure. In the second stage, we evaluate clinical utility of network measures (connection strengths) estimated from the first stage. The second‐stage analysis provides the relative predictive power of between‐region network measures on clinical impairment in the context of regional biomarkers and existing disease risk factors. We assess the performance of proposed method by extensive simulation studies and application to a Huntington's disease (HD) study to investigate the effect of HD causal gene on the rate of change in motor symptom through affecting brain subcortical and cortical gray matter atrophy connections. We show that cortical network connections and subcortical volumes, but not subcortical connections are identified to be predictive of clinical motor function deterioration. We validate these findings in an independent HD study. Lastly, highly similar patterns seen in the gray matter connections and a previous white matter connectivity study suggest a shared biological mechanism for HD and support the hypothesis that white matter loss is a direct result of neuronal loss as opposed to the loss of myelin or dysmyelination.