bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the Linkages Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Local Government Sustainability Performance
Authors: Deslatte Aaron , Swann William L.
Published: August 2019

Linking strategic management to performance has been called essential for public managers to confront pernicious environmental and community problems in the 21st century. This article examines the role that an organization’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO) plays in the linkages between organizational capacities, strategies, and perceived performance. An EO is considered a key driver of a public organization’s willingness to engage in risk taking, innovation, and proactivity aimed at enhancing organizational routines, decision-making, and performance. Scholars have provided empirical guidance for the antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurialism in bureaucracy, yet we know little systematically about how EO links to strategies that may affect performance in the public sector. To investigate, we employ a mixed methods design using a nationwide survey of U.S. local governments and interviews with local government managers about their experiences in sustainability programs. Quantitatively, we find evidence for environmental factors of political and administrative capacities positively influencing EO, and that strategic activities of performance information use, venturing, and interorganizational collaboration mediate the relation between EO and perceived sustainability performance. Interviews corroborate these findings and illuminate how local government managers proactively engage stakeholders, consider risk taking, build capacity, and pursue innovation in sustainability.
Reduction in postoperative hypoparathyroidism following carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation
Authors: Yin Chuanchang , Wang Xiaoyan , Sun Shengrong
Published: August 2019

Objective

We evaluated the effectiveness of carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation to identify and preserve the parathyroid gland to reduce postoperative hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy.

Material and Methods

Fifty patients with thyroid tumors received carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation (group A). Serum calcium and PTH levels were recorded and compared with those of 50 control patients who underwent a standard thyroidectomy procedure (group B).

Results

The serum calcium level in group A was significantly higher than that in group B at day 1 (2.20 ± 0.02 vs 2.11 ± 0.03 mmol/L) and day 30 (2.27 ± 0.01 vs 2.21 ± 0.02 mmol/L) after surgery. The PTH level in group A was also significantly higher than that in group B at day 1 (33.5 ± 2.36 vs. 25.31 ± 2.98 pg/mL) after surgery. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in group B than in group A at day 1 after surgery (19 vs. 7 patients).

Conclusion

When combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation, carbon nanoparticle suspension injection can effectively reduce the incidence of temporary parathyroidism following thyroid surgery.
Neither male nor female: Poetic imagery and the nature of God in the Old Testament
Authors: McConville James Gordon
Published: August 2019

The article considers the relationship between the metaphorical language for God used in the poetry of the Old Testament, especially female metaphors, and the Old Testament’s portrayal of the nature of God. It considers two opposing views: first, that female imagery, such as birth imagery, suggests that Yahweh has a ‘female aspect’, and, second, that such language notwithstanding, Yahweh is indefeasibly male. The argument employs cognitive linguistic theory and suggests that male and female metaphors for Yahweh do not bespeak either maleness or femaleness in the deity, but rather Yahweh’s identification with human experience broadly. While the Old Testament emerged in a world dominated by masculine perspectives, it also transforms received concepts, especially in relation to God. This transformative character of the Old Testament can become a model for contemporary readings of the Bible in relation to the contentious area of gender and language for God.
The Mentally Ill Physician: Issues in Assessment, Treatment and Advocacy
Authors: Myers Michael F. , Freeland Alison
Published: August 2019

This position paper has been substantially revised in collaboration with the Canadian Psychiatric Association’s Professional Standards and Practice Committee and approved for republication by the CPA’s Board of Directors on April 8, 2019. The original position paper, 1 now an historical document, was first approved by the Board of Directors on October 4, 1996.
Multiple roles, multiple perspectives: Graduates and manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Gallagher Padraig , Stephens Simon
Published: August 2019

This article explores the workplace experience of seven science, engineering and technology graduates. The research design and methodology used in the study are exploratory, in-depth and qualitative in nature. The case study companies are located in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and employ the graduates under the FUSION project. The case study method is among a number of research techniques that has been used in a business setting to improve practice. The literature indicates that graduates need a broad range of knowledge and skills and personal attributes to operate in the workplace, including general and specific knowledge of the industry, discipline-based knowledge, technical competency, commercial awareness and management skills and key personal attributes and skills. The experience of the graduates is explored from three perspectives: the graduate, the academic and the workplace supervisor. The findings indicate that graduates undertake four key roles: technologist, project manager, team worker and graduate. Furthermore, their main responsibilities relate to knowledge of the industry, discipline knowledge, management skills and personal attributes. This article confirms the need for industry and higher education to develop and promote the workplace as a learning environment and to support graduates as they transition into the workplace.
Interspecies Organogenesis for Human Transplantation
Authors: Crane Andrew T. , Aravalli Rajagopal N. , Asakura Atsushi , Grande Andrew W. , Krishna Venkatramana D. , Carlson Daniel F. , Cheeran Maxim C.-J. , Danczyk Georgette , Dutton James R. , Hackett Perry B. , Hu Wei-Shou , Li Ling , Lu Wei-Cheng , Miller Zachary D. , O’Brien Timothy D. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Parr Ann M. , Pearce Clairice , Ruiz-Estevez Mercedes , Shiao Maple , Sipe Christopher J. , Toman Nikolas G. , Voth Joseph , Xie Hui , Steer Clifford J. , Low Walter C.
Published: August 2019

Blastocyst complementation combined with gene editing is an emerging approach in the field of regenerative medicine that could potentially solve the worldwide problem of organ shortages for transplantation. In theory, blastocyst complementation can generate fully functional human organs or tissues, grown within genetically engineered livestock animals. Targeted deletion of a specific gene(s) using gene editing to cause deficiencies in organ development can open a niche for human stem cells to occupy, thus generating human tissues. Within this review, we will focus on the pancreas, liver, heart, kidney, lung, and skeletal muscle, as well as cells of the immune and nervous systems. Within each of these organ systems, we identify and discuss (i) the common causes of organ failure; (ii) the current state of regenerative therapies; and (iii) the candidate genes to knockout and enable specific exogenous organ development via the use of blastocyst complementation. We also highlight some of the current barriers limiting the success of blastocyst complementation.
Why Do Indian Companies Repurchase Their Shares?
Authors: Arora Ravinder Kumar
Published: August 2019

The study explores the share repurchase behaviour of Indian firms in the context of many hypotheses propounded in the existing literature related to share repurchases. The sample consists of non-financial firms comprised in the S&P BSE-500 Index for the period 2003–2017. The repurchase sample consists of 115 repurchases. A Tobit regression model is used to identify firm characteristics associated with repurchasing firms.

Unlike prior studies in India, this study finds strong evidence of share undervaluation as the main motive for the Indian companies to repurchase shares. The share repurchasing companies in the sample (excluding those that have repurchased shares in the year 2017) have provided an average return of nearly 60 per cent during the year after the repurchase. The findings of the study can be used by fund managers and investors for stock picking.
Prabhat Dairy: The Crossover Challenge in the Indian Market
Authors: Subramanian Ram
Published: August 2019

Headquartered in the state of Maharashtra in India, Prabhat Dairy was one of the small, emerging private players in a growing market. India’s dairy market was dominated by farmer cooperatives who controlled both milk pricing and, to a large extent, its distribution. While the commodity side of the industry featured strong incumbents and low margins, the value-added milk market was both in high growth mode and rewarded strong players with sizeable margins. Prabhat had started in 1998 serving as an intermediary to players such as Mondelez, Abbott, Perfetti Van Mele, and Britannia but now wants to move into the consumer market. It faces significant challenges in this crossover and has to come up with the right strategy to address them.
The Relationships Among School Nurse to Student Ratios, Self-Efficacy, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wilt Lori
Published: August 2019

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience unique self-management challenges, which can lead to poor glycemic control and sequelae. School nurses may impact student self-efficacy behaviors for T1D management in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among school nurse staffing patterns, measured by school nurse to student ratios, self-efficacy, and glycemic control in adolescents with T1D. The sample consisted of 89 parent–adolescent dyads. Adolescents aged 10–16 years old with T1D completed the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management (SEDM) Scale. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire. Higher school nurse to student ratios correlated with better glycemic control and older age. Higher SEDM scores correlated with older age, and females scored significantly higher. Findings contribute new knowledge to the paucity of literature on school nursing and adolescents with T1D, with implications for nursing practice, education, research, and policy.
Axisymmetric free vibration and stress analyses of saturated porous annular plates using generalized differential quadrature method
Authors: Bemani Khouzestani Leila , Khorshidvand Ahmad Reza
Published: August 2019

The current study presents free vibration and stress analyses of an annular plate which is made of saturated porous materials based on the first order shear deformation plate theory which accounts for the shear deformation effects. The pores are distributed in the thickness direction according to three different types, namely, porosity nonlinear nonsymmetric distribution, porosity nonlinear symmetric distribution, and porosity monotonous distribution. Employing Hamilton’s principle and variational formulation, the motion equations are derived and solved via the generalized differential quadrature method as a highly accurate and rapid convergence numerical method for various boundary conditions. The results are validated with simpler cases in the literature and different parameters of the structures such as pores distribution, porosity, pressure of fluids within the pores, and also the aspect ratio of the plate is considered and discussed regarding their effects on the results. It is seen that enhancing the porosity coefficient which means increasing the void volume, reduces the structure’s stiffness more than its density and so the frequency and stresses decrease. The findings of this work may be useful to design structures with desired mechanical properties.
The Value of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare for Adolescent Substance Users with Comorbid Conditions
Authors: Gass Michael , Wilson Thomas , Talbot Brett , Tucker Anita , Ugianskis Melissa , Brennan Nicholas
Published: August 2019

The damage inflicted on our society by mental health and substance use issues is reaching epidemic proportions with few signs of abating. One new and innovative strategy for addressing these comorbid issues has been the development of outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH). This study compared the effectiveness of three post-acute adolescent substance use situations: OBH, treatment as usual (TAU), and no structured treatment (NST). The simulated target population was 13-17 years old with comorbid substance use and mental health issues. When costs were adjusted for actual completion rates of 94% in OBH, 37% in TAU, and $0 for NST, the actual treatment costs per person were $27 426 for OBH and $31 113 for TAU. OBH also had a cost–benefit ratio of 60.4% higher than TAU, an increased Quality in Life Years (QALY) life span, societal benefits of an additional $36 100, and 424% better treatment outcomes as measured by the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (YOQ) research instrument.
Quantification of surviving neurons after contusion, dislocation, and distraction spinal cord injuries using automated methods
Authors: Wang Jingchao , Zhang Meiyan , Guo Yue , Hu Hai , Chen Kinon
Published: August 2019

This study proposes and validates an automated method for counting neurons in spinal cord injury (SCI) and then uses it to examine and compare the surviving cells in common types of SCI mechanisms. Moderate contusion, dislocation, and distraction SCIs were surgically induced in Sprague Dawley male rats (n = 6 for each type of injury). Their spinal cords were harvested 8 weeks post injury with 5 normal weight-matched rats. The spinal cords were cut, stained with anti-NeuN antibody and fluorescent Nissl, and imaged in the dorsal and ventral horns at various distances to the epicenter. Neurons in the images were automatically counted using an algorithm that was designed to filter non-soma-like objects based on morphological characteristics (size, solidity, circular pattern) and check the remaining objects for the double-stained nucleus/cell body features (brightness variation, brightness distribution, color). To validate the automated method, some of the images were randomly selected for manual counting. The number of surviving cells that were automatically measured by the algorithm was found to be correlated with the values that were manually measured by 2 observers ( P < .001) with similar differences ( P > .05). Neurons in the dorsal and ventral horns were reduced after the SCIs ( P < .05). Dislocation and distraction, respectively, caused the most severe damage to the ventral horn neurons especially near the epicenter and the most extensive and uniform damage to the dorsal horn neurons ( P < .05). Our method was proved to be reliable, which is suitable for studying different types of SCI.
Queer of colour hauntings in London’s arts scene: performing disidentification and decolonising the gaze. A case study of the Cocoa Butter Club
Authors: Mompelat Laurie
Published: August 2019

This article analyses the representational stakes of queer of colour performance, by taking the case study of the Cocoa Butter Club: queer of colour cabaret night in London. Within a British landscape that has silenced queer subjectivities of colour at the intersection of race, gender and sexuality, I explore the potential of QPOC performance to redress historical erasure. To enact their presence, I argue that the Cocoa Butter Club’s performers showcase their collective disidentification from the scripts pre-assigned to their bodies within the European imagination. By doing so, they disrupt hegemonic representations of queerness and racialised otherness, making room for a multitude of queer of colour becomings kept otherwise invisible from public view. Such disidentifications unleash ‘ghosts’ into the public space, spectres of elided subjectivities and unresolved coloniality within a city that likes to think of itself as a post-racial LGBT haven. Drawing on ethnographic material and interviews with performers, I analyse what happens when such queer of colour hauntings reach the audience’s gaze. I consider their unsettling effects in relation to the white gaze, as well as their empowering function in relation to desiring QPOC subjects, seeking reflections of themselves in spectatorship.
The dynamic process of customer psychological contracts in a service context
Authors: Zhao Xin , Fu Na , Taylor Susan , Flood Patrick C
Published: August 2019

This study aims to extend our understanding of the customer-service team relationship from a new angle, that is, the customer psychological contract. This study adopts the psychological contract theory, proposes and empirically tests a dynamic process of customer psychological contract with the sales teams. In particular, this study examines the relationships between customer psychological contract breach, violation, and satisfaction. In addition, it identifies sales team exhaustion, and customer past positive experience as the conditions which moderate the link between customer psychological contract breach and violation. Using multisource data collection from matched 263 sales team members with 1,003 customers nested in 88 sales teams, the results from multilevel modeling show that customer psychological contract breach leads to a high level of perceived violation, which in turn reduces customer satisfaction. Although sales team exhaustion amplifies the positive impact of customer psychological contract breach on violation, customer past positive experience diminishes such impact. Overall, this study provides a unique contribution to existing literature on the service organization, psychological contract, and the management of customer and service team interactions.
An FBG-based smart wearable ring fabricated using FDM for monitoring body joint motion
Authors: Cheng-Yu Hong , Ahmed Abro Zamir , Yi-Fan Zhang , Ahmed Lakho Rafique
Published: August 2019

This study proposed a new fiber Bragg grating-based smart ring for monitoring body joint postures occurred at elbow joint and knee joint positions. A single-mode fiber Bragg grating sensor was embedded into a 3D printed ring for sensing occurred deformation of the ring. The raw material used for fabricating the smart ring was polylactic acid, which was found to have the advantages of being flexible in nature and having ease of fabrication using fused deposition modeling method. The fabrication process of the fiber Bragg grating smart ring was characterized by the advantages of ease of handling, quick prototyping, high resolution, low cost, and time-saving. Bare fiber Bragg grating sensors were successfully embedded into hot printed polylactic acid material during the fused deposition modeling process, even the printing temperature of the printing nozzle exceeded 200℃. Two new smart wearable rings were fabricated and used to monitor systematic bend motion of elbow joint and knee joint. The measurement sensitivities of the two smart rings mounted at the elbow joint and knee joint were 0.0056 nm/° and 0.0276 nm/°, respectively. The corresponding maximum measurement angle within current calibration tests were 90° and 100°, respectively. The method of using both fiber Bragg grating and fused deposition modeling for sensor design can be extended for the fabrication of other sensors such as temperature sensors, strain sensors, pressure sensors, stress sensors, displacement sensors, and tilt sensors.
Improving PET Imaging Acquisition and Analysis With Machine Learning: A Narrative Review With Focus on Alzheimer's Disease and Oncology
Authors: Duffy Ian R. , Boyle Amanda J. , Vasdev Neil
Published: August 2019

Machine learning (ML) algorithms have found increasing utility in the medical imaging field and numerous applications in the analysis of digital biomarkers within positron emission tomography (PET) imaging have emerged. Interest in the use of artificial intelligence in PET imaging for the study of neurodegenerative diseases and oncology stems from the potential for such techniques to streamline decision support for physicians providing early and accurate diagnosis and allowing personalized treatment regimens. In this review, the use of ML to improve PET image acquisition and reconstruction is presented, along with an overview of its applications in the analysis of PET images for the study of Alzheimer's disease and oncology.
System load trend prediction method based on IF-EMD-LSTM
Authors: Yu Jing , Ding Feng , Guo Chenghao , Wang Yabin
Published: August 2019

Accurately predicting the load change of the information system during operation has important guiding significance for ensuring that the system operation is not interrupted and resource scheduling is carried out in advance. For the information system monitoring time series data, this article proposes a load trend prediction method based on isolated forests-empirical modal decomposition-long-term (IF-EMD-LSTM). First, considering the problem of noise and abnormal points in the original data, the isolated forest algorithm is used to eliminate the abnormal points in the data. Second, in order to further improve the prediction accuracy, the empirical modal decomposition algorithm is used to decompose the input data into intrinsic mode function (IMF) components of different frequencies. Each intrinsic mode function (IMF) and residual is predicted using a separate long-term and short-term memory neural network, and the predicted values are reconstructed from each long-term and short-term memory model. Finally, experimental verification was carried out on Amazon’s public data set and compared with autoregressive integrated moving average and Prophet models. The experimental results show the superior performance of the proposed IF-EMD-LSTM prediction model in information system load trend prediction.
Social Support of Male Breast Cancer Patients—a Mixed-Methods Analysis
Authors: Midding Evamarie , Halbach Sarah Maria , Kowalski Christoph , Weber Rainer , Würstlein Rachel , Ernstmann Nicole
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study is to explore the social support of male breast cancer patients (MBCP) in Germany. In particular, three aspects of social support focus on (a) the used resources within the social environment, (b) the received support, and (c) the differences of used social support between MBCP. A mixed-methods design is applied including data of qualitative interviews ( N = 27 MBCP) and a written questionnaire ( N = 100 MBCP). MBCP use different resources of support from their social environment like partners, family, friends, colleagues, other breast cancer patients, and medical experts. Mostly, MBCP receive emotional and informational support. They often receive emotional support from their partners and informational support from medical experts. Different types of social support usage can be identified dependent on age, occupation, and severity of disease. The older the patients and the less the disease severity, the less social support MBCP use. Within cancer care, partners and the closer social environment should be included more as they are a key resource for MBCP. As health-care professions might also be an important resource of support for MBCP, further research should examine this resource.
Challenges to and strategies for recruiting chronic care dyads into intervention research
Authors: Whitlatch Carol J , Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Johnson Justin
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Recruiting and enrolling appropriate participants into research trials for chronic illness populations can be challenging and time intensive. Successful recruitment requires a variety of strategies that may change as the study progresses. This paper reports on the challenges of and actions taken for recruiting and enrolling into research families living with chronic illnesses.

Methods

We draw on our experiences from over 20 years of research enrolling older adults and their family caregivers (care dyads) into psychosocial research trials. Barriers and actions taken to challenges of recruiting care dyads are presented that can help future investigators meet their recruitment goals in a timely and efficient manner.

Results

Despite efforts of an Advisory Committee, numerous community partnerships, and other attempts to boost enrollment, our recruitment goals were not met. Barriers to meeting these goals are described (e.g. partner site staff turnover, lack of site “champion”) and potential actions taken.

Discussion

This paper examines the challenges experienced recruiting appropriate chronic illness dyads into a psychosocial intervention as well as the various recruitment strategies that were used in an attempt to reach recruitment goals.
Expression of a novel versican variant in dorsal root ganglia from spared nerve injury rats
Authors: Bogen Oliver , Bender Olaf , Alvarez Pedro , Kern Marie , Tomiuk Stefan , Hucho Ferdinand , Levine Jon D
Published: August 2019

The size and modular structure of versican and its gene suggest the existence of multiple splice variants. We have identified, cloned, and sequenced a previously unknown exon located within the noncoding gene sequence downstream of exon 8. This exon, which we have named exon 8β, specifies two stop-codons. mRNAs of the versican gene with exon 8β are predicted to be constitutively degraded by nonsense-mediated RNA decay. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these transcripts become expressed in a model of neuropathic pain.
A reinforcement learning approach to optimal part flow management for gas turbine maintenance
Authors: Compare Michele , Bellani Luca , Cobelli Enrico , Zio Enrico , Annunziata Francesco , Carlevaro Fausto , Sepe Marzia
Published: August 2019

We consider the maintenance process of gas turbines used in the Oil and Gas industry: the capital parts are first removed from the gas turbines and replaced by parts of the same type taken from the warehouse; then, they are repaired at the workshop and returned to the warehouse for use in future maintenance events. Experience-based rules are used to manage the flow of the parts for a profitable gas turbine operation. In this article, we formalize the part flow management as a sequential decision problem and propose reinforcement learning for its solution. An application to a scaled-down case study derived from real industrial practice shows that reinforcement learning can find policies outperforming those based on experience-based rules.
Patient Feedback on a Warfarin Action Plan Used in a Local Australian Physician Practice Setting
Authors: Yiu Angela W.P. , Lee Vincent W. , Ng Kingsley K. , Bajorek Beata V.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Warfarin is a high-risk medicine, and older persons (those aged 65 years and older)1,2who take this therapy need medicines information about it that is at a level which is both understandable and comprehensive to improve their knowledge about the risks and benefits of warfarin therapy.3,4Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to report patient feedback on a Warfarin Action Plan (WAP) (leaflet) and identify patients’ preferences regarding its content and format. The secondary objective was to canvass in-depth feedback regarding the participants’ information needs and current information-seeking practices with respect to warfarin therapy.

Method:

In an Australian General Practice medical centre setting, a qualitative study comprising 34 individual interviews was conducted. Emergent themes were elicited via a qualitative analysis using manual inductive coding.

Results:

The majority of participants gave very positive feedback on the WAP leaflet, stating that it was a useful and concise resource. In canvasing this feedback, 4 themes emerged: (1) the need for information about warfarin therapy, (2) reliance on doctors and/or pharmacists for information, (3) the need for information to normalize their daily life, and (4) patients and carers acting on the new information.

Conclusion:

The WAP is a simple and well-received tool that meets the knowledge and education needs about warfarin therapy for older people and their carers.
What Is Wrong with a Rights-based Approach to Morality?
Authors: Kapoor Rajesh
Published: August 2019

There is a prominent streak of scholarship in moral and political philosophy which espouses the idea that morality is rights based. In this article, I argue that such an approach not only undermines but also operates against a range of other morally significant human relationships and attitudes such as community, solidarity, care, compassion and benevolence, which play an important role in our lives. The concept of rights is a product of historical circumstances, and it risks turning morality upside down if it encourages self-righteous claims. The notion of rights can be a constituent element of morality, but the entire moral phenomenon cannot be just rights based, and rights and duties need to remain balanced.
Exploring Language Ideologies and Preparing Preservice Teachers for Multilingual and Multicultural Classrooms
Authors: Lew Shim , Siffrinn Nicole E.
Published: August 2019

This study explores the language ideologies of preservice teachers (PTs) in undergraduate English for Speakers of Other Languages courses. In particular, it examines 200 PTs’ written reflections to better understand how they conceptualize the role of language in their lives and how they use their experiences to make sense of linguistic diversity in the K–12 classroom. Using the tenets of grounded theory and the interpersonal metafunction of systemic functional linguistics, four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) messages received from parents or guardians about “proper” language use, (2) the impact of language on their identity development, (3) the significance of direct experiences on language acceptance, and (4) the acknowledgment yet perpetuation of linguistic discrimination. Implications include the need to integrate more linguistically responsive approaches to working with English learners in PT education curricula.
Shell damage leads to enhanced memory formation in Lymnaea
Authors: Swinton Erin , Swinton Cayley , Lukowiak Ken
Published: August 2019

Ecologically relevant stressors alter the ability of the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, to form long-term memory (LTM). Here we show that an environmentally relevant stressor, shell damage, has a dramatic effect on the enhancement of LTM formation. Damage in the form of a shell clip 24h before operant conditioning training results in a single 0.5h training session (TS) to cause long-term memory (LTM) formation. Typically, in these snails two 0.5h TSs with a 1h interval between the sessions are required to cause LTM formation. We show here that even with a 72h interval between shell clip and training, memory enhancement still occurs. The stress associated with shell clip can be mitigated by an ongoing high Ca++ pond water environment, an injection of propranolol, and a DNA methylation blocker. However, use of an anesthetic (MgCl2) during the clip or intermittent exposure to the high Ca++ pond water environment does not mitigate the stress associated with the shell clip. Shell clip is also sufficient to cause juvenile snails, which neither learn nor form memory, to gain the capacity to form LTM. Together the experiments demonstrate that shell clipping is an environmentally relevant stressor that can cause enhancement of LTM formation.
Primary prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy in decompensated cirrhosis: Low dose vs. full dose rifaximin
Authors: Sarwar Shahid , Muhyuddin Bushra , Aleem Abdul , Nadeem Muhammad Arif
Published: August 2019

Objective: To compare efficacy of high vs low dose rifaximin for primary prophylaxis of portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE) in decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Methods: In a quasi-experimental double blind randomized study at Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Lahore from August 2017 to August 2018, patients of decompensated cirrhosis with no previous PSE were randomized to receive twice daily rifaximin 200mg in Group-A and 550mg in Group-B. Patients were followed for 6 months for development of PSE.

Results: In 75 included patients, mean age was 53.8(±10.7) years and male/female ratio was 0.97/1(37/38). After randomization, 34 (45.3%) patients were included in Group-A and 41 (54.7%) patients in Group-B. During 6 month follow up 24 (32%) patients developed PSE, 12 (35.2%) in Group-A and 12 (29.2%) in Group-B, difference was not significant (p value 0.57). In 6 months, 13 (17.3%) patient died, 6 (17.6%) in Group-A and 7 (17.07%) patients in Group-B, difference not significant (p value 0.94). Patients who died had higher bilirubin (p < 0.00), higher serum creatinine (p 0.05), high CTP score (p 0.04) and worse MELD score (p 0.004).

Conclusion: Rifaximin is not effective for primary prophylaxis of overt hepatic encephalopathy in decompensated cirrhosis patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.549

How to cite this:Sarwar S, Muhyuddin B, Aleem A, Nadeem MA. Primary prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy in decompensated cirrhosis: Low dose vs. full dose rifaximin. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(5):1446-1450. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.549

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
An interactive data visualisation application to investigate nosocomial transmission of infections
Authors: Smith Catherine M. , Allen David J. , Nawaz Sameena , Kozlakidis Zisis , Nastouli Eleni , Hayward Andrew , Ward Katherine N.
Published: August 2019

Background: Healthcare-associated infections represent a major threat to patient, staff and visitor safety. Identification of episodes that are likely to have resulted from nosocomial transmission has important implications for infection control. Routinely collected data on ward admissions and sample dates, combined with pathogen genomic information could provide useful insights. We describe a novel, open-source, application for visualising these data, and demonstrate its utility for investigating nosocomial transmission using a case study of a large outbreak of norovirus infection.

Methods: We developed the application using Shiny, a web application framework for R. For the norovirus case study, cases were defined as patients who had a faecal sample collected at the hospital in a winter season that tested positive for norovirus. Patient demographics and ward admission dates were extracted from hospital systems. Detected norovirus strains were genotyped and further characterised through sequencing of the hypervariable P2 domain. The most commonly detected sub-strain was visualised using the interactive application.

Results: There were 156 norovirus-positive specimens collected from 107 patients. The most commonly detected sub-strain affected 30 patients in five wards. We used the interactive application to produce three visualisations: a bar chart, a timeline, and a schematic ward plan highlighting plausible transmission links. Visualisations showed credible links between cases on the elderly care ward.

Conclusions: Use of the interactive application provided insights into transmission in this large nosocomial outbreak of norovirus, highlighting where infection control practices worked well or could be improved. This is a flexible tool that could be used for investigation of any infection in any hospital by interactively changing parameters. Challenges include integration with hospital systems for extracting data. Prospective use of this application could inform better infection control in real time.
C57BL/6 and 129 inbred mouse strains differ in Gbp2 and Gbp2b expression in response to inflammatory stimuli in vivo
Authors: Clough Barbara , Finethy Ryan , Khan Rabia T. , Fisch Daniel , Jordan Sarah , Patel Harshil , Coers Jörn , Frickel Eva-Maria
Published: August 2019

Background: Infections cause the production of inflammatory cytokines such as Interferon gamma (IFNγ). IFNγ in turn prompts the upregulation of a range of host defence proteins including members of the family of guanylate binding proteins (Gbps). In humans and mice alike, GBPs restrict the intracellular replication of invasive microbes and promote inflammation. To study the physiological functions of Gbp family members, the most commonly chosen in vivo models are mice harbouring loss-of-function mutations in either individual Gbp genes or the entire Gbp gene cluster on mouse chromosome 3. Individual Gbp deletion strains differ in their design, as some strains exist on a pure C57BL/6 genetic background, while other strains contain a 129-derived genetic interval encompassing the Gbp gene cluster on an otherwise C57BL/6 genetic background.

Methods: To determine whether the presence of 129 alleles of paralogous Gbps could influence the phenotypes of 129-congenic Gbp-deficient strains, we studied the expression of Gbps in both C57BL/6J and 129/Sv mice following in vivo stimulation with adjuvants and after infection with either Toxoplasma gondii or Shigella flexneri.

Results: We show that C57BL/6J relative to 129/Sv mice display moderately elevated expression of Gbp2, but more prominently, are also defective for Gbp2b (formerly Gbp1) mRNA induction upon immune priming. Notably, Toxoplasma infections induce robust Gbp2b protein expression in both strains of mice, suggestive of a Toxoplasma-activated mechanism driving Gbp2b protein translation. We further find that the higher expression of Gbp2b mRNA in 129/Sv mice correlates with a gene duplication event at the Gbp2b locus resulting in two copies of the Gbp2b gene on the haploid genome of the 129/Sv strain.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate functional differences between 129 and C57BL/6 Gbp alleles which need to be considered in the design and interpretation of studies utilizing mouse models, particularly for phenotypes influenced by Gbp2 or Gbp2b expression.
Association between physical activity, cardiometabolic risk factors and vitamin D in children and adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Corazza Patricia Ribeiro Paes , Tadiotto Maiara Cristina , Michel Derick Andrade , Mota Jorge , Leite Neiva
Published: August 2019

This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence of cross-sectional studies on the associations between physical activity, cardiometabolic risk factors and vitamin D concentrations in children and adolescents. The search was performed in PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus. Cardiometabolic risk factors included obesity, insulin resistance, systemic arterial hypertension and unfavorable changes in the lipid profile (low levels of high-density lipoprotein, elevated low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides). Cross-sectional design studies published between 2007 and 2019 were included whether they evaluated the relationship between vitamin D and physical activity and/or vitamin D and cardiometabolic risk factors. Fourteen studies were selected, involving 8340 children and adolescents. The main results found were a significant inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic risk factors. All studies (n = 8) that tested association between physical activity and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) concentrations showed a significant and direct relationship between them. In addition, nine out of eleven studies that tested the association between 25 (OH) D and body mass index reported an inverse and significant relationship between 25 (OH) D and obesity. In conclusion, sufficient concentrations of vitamin D are related to a more favorable cardiometabolic profile, and children and adolescents who are obese or insufficiently active have a higher risk of present hypovitaminosis D.
Unveiling the Myth of Mars and Venus in French rap: An analysis of the gender determinants of non-standard language use
Authors: Verbeke Martin
Published: August 2019

This article studies the use of non-standard language (NSL) in a corpus of selected francophone rap tracks to see whether gender determinants have an impact on its use. This study relies on a lexicographic analysis to produce quantitative results, which are then analysed qualitatively with the help of extracts from francophone rap tracks and semi-structured interviews with francophone rappers. This article initially focuses only on male versus female rappers but the qualitative discussion takes more complex notions into account, such as gender performativity, queer linguistics or androgyny. Moreover, this research investigates unequal gender power relations in a male-dominated heterosexist industry. This study reviews how male and female artists react to and perpetuate these stereotypical gender manifestations in their lyrics. Some of the NSL use is also analysed in terms of speech acts to try and determine what the artists want to accomplish by using specific terms in certain contexts. It can be concluded that no real difference can be found between male and female rappers with respect to their NSL use. When differences are found, they are not very wide and can also be observed by only comparing men or only women.
Advocating causal analyses of media and social change by way of social mechanisms
Authors: Helle-Valle Jo
Published: August 2019

Studies of (new) media and social change should strive to introduce causality into the analysis. Studies relying on quantitative data tend to provide either too simplistic explanations or just point to correlations while qualitatively based studies tend to be so particularistic that the potential for generalizing findings from specific cases is negligible. In this article, it is argued that proper accounts should strive to suggest causal connections between social change and media practices – not by resorting to unrealistic cover law-explanations but by identifying and analysing social mechanisms. Done properly, such analyses would: heed acting subjects; explain these practices through expositions of the minute steps that link A and B; and be realistic accounts – both in the sense of being based on ‘thick’ descriptions and of being easily recognizable when compared to what is actually happening in everyday life.
The efficacy of Chondrostereum purpureum against sprouting of deciduous species after mechanized pre-commercial thinning
Authors: Laine Tiina , Hamberg Leena , Saarinen Veli-Matti , Saksa Timo
Published: August 2019

The use of a white-rot fungus, (Pers. Ex Fr.) Pouzar, as a biocontrol agent against sprouting has been studied with good results. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of two pre-commercial thinning machines, TehojÃ¤tkÃ¤ and Mense, to spread an inoculum of as a biocontrol agent on freshly cut birch ( Roth and Ehrh.), European aspen ( L.), rowan ( L.), and goat willow ( L.) stumps (the fungal treatment) and compare that to the control (cutting only, done by TehojÃ¤tkÃ¤). Efficacy was investigated in terms of stump mortality and the number of sprouts per stump. This study was conducted in one stand and sprouting was investigated for three years after treatment. The fungal treatment resulted in higher mortality of stumps (34.0% for TehojÃ¤tkÃ¤ and 41.5% for Mense after three years), compared to the control (13.4%). However, the fungal treatment did not decrease the number of sprouts per stump compared to the control. The low occurrence of basidiomata indicates that the accuracy of the spreading mechanism was not satisfactory, causing low mortality figures for the fungal treatment compared to previous studies. In the future, this mechanized method may provide a promising alternative in sprout control if the spreading mechanisms, the accuracy of the treatment, and consequently the efficacy could be improved.Chondrostereum purpureumC. purpureumBetula pendulaB. pubescensPopulus tremulaSorbus aucupariaSalix caprea
Normal background levels of air and surface mould reserve in UK residential building stock
Authors: Aktas Yasemin Didem , Reeslev Morten , Altamirano Hector , May Neil , D'Ayala Dina
Published: August 2019

This paper reports results obtained from a surface (both visually clean and dirty/dusty surfaces) and active (aggressive) air testing scheme on 140 residential rooms in England, without visible water damage or mould growth, along with a few rooms with visible mould growth/water damage tested for comparison purposes, with the aim of providing background levels of mould in non-water-damaged interiors to benchmark a normal indoor environment, and in turn when there is a need for further investigation, and, possibly, remediation. Air and surface mould was quantified based on the activity of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52; NAHA). The obtained readings showed a log-normal distribution. 98% of the samples obtained from visually clean surfaces were equal to or less than 25 relative fluorescence units (RFU), which is suggested to be the higher bound for the range which can be used as a success criterion for surface cleaning/remediation in non-problem buildings. Of samples obtained from visually dirty/dusty surfaces, around 98% were below 450 RFU, which is suggested to define the lower-bound for abnormally high levels of mould, rare even on dirty/dusty surfaces. Similarly, around 98% of the air samples were found to have 1700 RFU or below. Values above 1700 RFU are therefore unlikely in a non-problem indoor environment and can be indicative of a possible problem inducing mould growth. The samples with values below 1700 were further divided into three proposed sub-categories. Finally, these values were compared to those obtained in Denmark in a similar study and are currently used in national standards, and they were found highly congruent, suggesting that local climate regimes and room functions might not be as influential on indoor mould levels, or that the nuances between UK and Denmark in terms of these factors are not strong enough to lead to sizable changes in the typical indoor mould levels in these countries.
Organizational climate, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and employee performance
Authors: Sugiarto Irwan
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational climate, organizational commitment,  job satisfaction, and employee performance. Particularly, we examine the effect of organizational climate and organizational  commitmenton job satisfaction. Furthermore, we also test the effect of job satisfaction on employee performance.Results of path analysis on 90 respondents showsopports for all hypotheses. Partially, organizational climate and organizational commitment have positive effect on job satisfaction. Simultaneously, organizational climate and organizational commitment positivelyaffect job satisfaction. In addition, job satisfaction has positive effect on employee performance.
The role of agency theory in the relationship between foreign ownership and performance-risk of stock in Indonesia: is one or two-way interaction?
Authors: Naufa Ahmad Maulin , Lantara I Wayan Nuka
Published: August 2019

Using agency theory as a theoretical basis, this paper aims to examine the relationship between foreign ownership, performance, and risk. Particularly, we examine whether the foreign ownership can improve or reduce the performance and risk. Vice versa, it also examine whether performance and risk may also influence the foreign ownership of stock. We utilized samples from the 100 Kompas Index from the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX), and we obtained 87 stocks from 2011-2017. We analyzed the relationship using ordinary least square by EViews 10.0. The result shows that the foreign ownership contributes positively to the improvement of performance, although the performance does not affect significantly to foreign ownership. Then, the relationship between the foreign ownership and the risk are not significant. The relationship the risk to the foreign is also not significant. To commence with, the foreign has an essential role in the improvement of Indonesian stock performance.