bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-dependence and aging-dependence: The case of neuronal loss and lifespan in aC. elegansmodel of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Apfeld Javier , Fontana Walter
Published: January 2017

It is often assumed, but not established, that the major neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, are not just age-dependent (their incidence changes with time) but actually aging-dependent (their incidence is coupled to the process that determines lifespan). To determine a dependence on the aging process requires the joint probability distribution of disease onset and lifespan. For human Parkinson’s disease, such a joint distribution is not available because the disease cuts lifespan short. To acquire a joint distribution, we resorted to an establishedC. elegansmodel of Parkinson’s disease in which the loss of dopaminergic neurons is not fatal. We find that lifespan is not correlated with the loss of neurons and that a lifespan-extending intervention into insulin/IGF1 signaling accelerates neuronal loss, while leaving death and neuronal loss times uncorrelated. This suggests that distinct and compartmentalized instances of the same genetically encoded insulin/IGF1 signaling machinery act independently to control neurodegeneration and lifespan inC. elegans. Although the human context might well be different, our study calls attention to maintaining a rigorous distinction between age-dependence and aging-dependence.
Stability and critical transitions in mutualistic ecological systems
Authors: Feng Wenfeng , Bailey Richard M.
Published: January 2017

Successful conservation of complex ecosystems, their function and associated services, requires deep understanding of their underlying dynamics and potential instabilities. While the study of ecological dynamics is a mature and diverse field, the lack of a general model that uses basic ecological parameters to predict system-level behaviour has allowed unresolved contradictions to persist. Here, we provide a general model of a mutualistic ecological community and show for the first time how the conditions for instability, the nature of ecological collapse, and potential early-warning signals, can be derived from the basic ecological parameters. We also resolve open questions concerning effects of interaction heterogeneity on both resilience and abundance, and discuss their potential trade-off in real systems. This framework provides a basis for rich investigations of ecological system dynamics, and can be generalised across many ecological contexts.
Bacterial “Conversations” and Pattern Formation
Authors: Majumdar Sarangam , Roy Sisir , Llinas Rodolfo
Published: January 2017

It has long been recognized that certain bacterial groups exhibit cooperative behavioral patterns. Bacteria accomplish such communication via exchange of extracellular signaling molecules called pheromones(autoinducer or quorum sensing molecules). As the bacterial culture grows, signal molecules are released into extracellular milieu accumulate, changing water fluidity. Under such threshold conditions swimming bacterial suspensions impose a coordinated water movement on a length scale of the order 10 to 100 micrometers compared with a bacterial size of the order of 3 micrometers.Here, we investigate the non-local hydrodynamics of the quorum state and pattern formation using forced Burgers equation with Kwak transformation. Such approach resulted in the conversion of the Burgers equation paradigm into a reaction-diffusion system. The examination of the dynamics of the quorum sensing system, both analytically as well as numerically result in similar long-time dynamical behaviour.
Evolution of transcript modification by N6-methyladenosine in primates
Authors: Ma Lijia , Zhao Boxuan , Chen Kai , Thomas Amber , Tuteja Jigyasa H. , He Xin , He Chuan , White Kevin P.
Published: January 2017

Phenotypic differences within populations and between closely related species are often driven by variation and evolution of gene expression. However, most analyses have focused on the effects of genomic variation at cis-regulatory elements such as promoters and enhancers that control transcriptional activity, and little is understood about the influence of post-transcriptional processes on transcript evolution. Post-transcriptional modification of RNA by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been shown to be widespread throughout the transcriptome, and this reversible mark can affect transcript stability and translation dynamics. Here we analyze m6A mRNA modifications in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from human, chimpanzee and rhesus, and we identify patterns of m6A evolution among species. We find that m6A evolution occurs in parallel with evolution of consensus RNA sequence motifs known to be associated with the enzymatic complexes that regulate m6A dynamics, and expression evolution of m6A-modified genes occurs in parallel with m6A evolution.
The role of structure in manipulating PPP accountability
Authors: Agyenim-Boateng Cletus , Stafford Anne , Stapleton Pamela
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the accounting and governance of public private partnerships (PPPs) that are structured as joint venture partnerships. Drawing on Giddens’ structuration theory, the paper examines how human agents interact with these joint venture structures and analyses the effects on financial disclosures and public accountability for taxpayers’ investments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a cross-case analysis to investigate two such PPP schemes, which form part of the UK’s programme of investment in primary healthcare, known as the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) policy. The authors employ a combination of interviews and analysis of financial statements and publicly available official documents.

Findings

The corporate structure of these LIFT schemes is very complicated so that the financial accounting is opaque. The implication is that the joint venture mechanism cannot be relied upon to deliver transparency of reporting. The paper argues that the LIFT structures are deliberately constructed by human agents to act as barriers to transparency about public expenditure.

Practical implications

The financial reporting undermines public accountability and transparency as both are necessarily restricted. Policy makers should pay attention to not only the private sector technologies but also the manner in which structures are used to reduce transparency and consequently undermine public accountability.

Originality/value

The paper provides detailed analysis from the perspective of structuration theory to show how human agents use structures to impact on financial reporting and public accountability.
Sustaining multiple logics within hybrid organisations
Authors: Busco Cristiano , Giovannoni Elena , Riccaboni Angelo
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how accounting and control practices contribute to the persistence of the multiple logics that characterise hybrid organizations, i.e. organizations that constantly incorporate elements from different institutional logics at the very core of their identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the literature regarding institutional logics and on studies exploring the enabling power of accounting to interpret the findings derived from a longitudinal case study of a hybrid organization operating in the field of brain-computer interface technology.

Findings

The study shows that the persistence of conflicting logics and innovation within hybrid organizations can be sustained through the mediating role of accounting and control practices. By engaging different interested parties within processes of innovation, these practices can establish complex interconnections between conflicting perspectives and their objects of concern. Consequently, accounting and control do not address a specific logic but instead contribute to lock different parties to their own logic, allowing them to engage and generate innovation while maintaining their diversity.

Originality/value

Whereas previous studies have explored mechanisms for keeping the multiple logics of hybrids separate or for reconciling them, the paper shows that conflicts between these logics do not need to be reduced but can be mediated to generate innovation. Additionally, the authors contribute to the literature on accounting “in action”, by illustrating the role of accounting and control practices as boundary objects that act within a broader “ecology of objects” through which innovation materializes in a context of enduring institutional pluralism.
Training needs analysis based on mismatch between the acquired and required levels of collection management skills of academic librarians
Authors: Khan Asad , Masrek Mohamad Noorman
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Training improves workers’ competencies by eliminating or reducing mismatch between the levels of acquired and required skills. However, the question of who needs the training can be pertinently managed by training needs analysis (TNA). Thus, the purpose of this paper was to explore the training needs of Pakistani university librarians on collection management skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of Pakistani university librarians. Using survey questionnaire method, a five-point Likert scale was utilized to measure the acquired and required levels of collection management skills (CMS). A paired samplet-test was used to ascertain the significance of difference between the acquired and required skills. Further, descriptive statistics were used to perform TNA.

Findings

Results of the paired samplet-test showed a significant difference among all indicators of CMS. Further, findings of TNA specified more than 50 per cent of deficit (over-utilization), less than 50 per cent of surplus (under-utilization) and 20 per cent of job best-fit in terms of CMS. Based on these results, training and top-down allocation of tasks are suggested to the higher authorities to manage over and under-utilization of CMS and to produce more job best-fits.

Originality/value

These findings are significant to design training programs on CMS, to revise courses on collection management, to evaluate performance of collection managers and understand the causes of under and over utilization of CMS. Moreover, findings inform librarians to eliminate mismatch in the levels of acquired and required CMS through training programs that may further enhance job best-fits.
Organizational justice and millennial turnover in public accounting
Authors: George Jessie , Wallio Stephanie
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between distributive justice, procedural justice, and turnover intentions for Millennial employees working in the public accounting environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection utilized an online survey sent to members of a regional certified public accountant organization (n=75).

Findings

Lower levels of both distributive and procedural justice predicted higher turnover intentions, controlling for gender and job tenure. Procedural justice was found to have a stronger relationship with turnover intentions than distributive justice for Millennial public accountants.

Practical implications

The public accounting industry is facing a crisis based on the shortage of staff and senior level accountants, which are primarily Millennial employees. The study results have practical implications for public accounting firms. The findings suggest that the fairness of organizational processes could impact Millennials’ turnover intentions more than the fairness of organizational rewards. Employers could use this information to manage levels of procedural justice, which could reduce turnover intentions, actual turnover, and other byproducts of the staffing shortage.

Originality/value

This study examined the relationship between organizational justice and Millennial turnover intentions in public accounting. The study replicated the findings of some prior studies in a purely Millennial sample in the public accounting context and addressed some of the contradictory results seen previously related to organizational justice. As the public accounting industry has an abnormally large percentage of Millennial employees, these findings may be applied to other environments as the Millennial population in the workforce increases.
Service employee adaptiveness
Authors: Sahadev Sunil , Purani Keyoor , Kumar Panda Tapan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between managerial control strategies, role-stress and employee adaptiveness among call centre employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a conceptual model, a questionnaire-based survey methodology is adopted. Data were collected from call centre employees in India and the data were analysed through PLS methodology.

Findings

The study finds that outcome control and activity control increase role-stress while capability control does not have a significant impact. The interaction between outcome control and activity control also tends to impact role-stress of employees. Role-stress felt by employees has significant negative impact on employee adaptiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling approach was convenience based affecting the generalisability of the results.

Practical implications

The paper provides guidelines for utilising managerial control approaches in a service setting.

Originality/value

The paper looks at managerial control approaches in a service setting – a topic not quite researched before.
A measure of entrepreneurial bricolage behavior
Authors: Davidsson Per , Baker Ted , Senyard Julienne Marie
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The majority of emerging and young firms work under resource constraints. This has made researchers highlight the importance of resourcefulness. Perhaps the most important theoretical development in this context is the emerging, behavioral theory of entrepreneurial bricolage. However, although academic interest is increasing, research on entrepreneurial bricolage has been hampered by the lack of robust instruments that allow large-scale theory testing. The purpose is to help fill this void. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and contents of a novel measure of entrepreneurial bricolage behavior and assesses its validity. The measure is intended to be applicable in broadly based, quantitative studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument was developed as a unidimensional, reflective measure. Standard protocols for scale development were followed. The validation uses primary, longitudinal data from four samples of nascent and young firms as well as published, cross-sectional evidence from another four samples representing different contexts and variations to the data collection procedure.

Findings

Promising results are reported concerning the reliability as well as the discriminant and nomological validity of the measure. Based on the pre-testing and validation experiences guidelines are also provided for attempts at further improvements.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel measure developed by the authors, which holds promise for being a useful tool for future research on the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of entrepreneurial bricolage. Previously, no established measure of entrepreneurial bricolage behavior existed, and the few partial measures appearing in the literature have not been comprehensively evaluated. Thus, we offer a comprehensive and elaborate presentation of a measure only briefly introduced in Davidsson (2016) and Senyard et al., (2014).
Assessment tools’ indicators for sustainability in universities: an analytical overview
Authors: Alghamdi Naif , den Heijer Alexandra , de Jonge Hans
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse 12 assessment tools of sustainability in universities and develop the structure and the contents of these tools to be more intelligible. The configuration of the tools reviewed highlight indicators that clearly communicate only the essential information. This paper explores how the theoretical concept of a sustainable university is translated into more measurable variables to support practitioners and academics in assessing sustainability in universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The main method for this paper was a desk study approach, which incorporated reviewing research papers, graduate theses, academic books, network platforms and websites.

Findings

The tools reviewed share similar traits in terms of criteria, sub-criteria and indicators. Five benchmarks are essential for a holistic framework: management; academia; environment; engagement and innovation.

Practical implications

This research can not only be used to improve existing assessment tools but also as a means to develop new tools tailored for universities that face a variety of challenges and lack the ability to measure their sustainability policies.

Social implications

Making higher education more sustainable through all the criteria mentioned influences students, as well as staff, to maintain a culture of sustainability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by simplifying and detailing the structure and contents of the tools in a way which indicators are shown, giving a full picture of these tools to enable universities to be more aware of the sustainability issues that affect them.
Environmental awareness raising through universities – city authorities’ cooperation
Authors: Shelest Ksenia D. , Ionov Victor V. , Tikhomirov Leonid Y.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to the environmental awareness raising as a key issue of education for sustainable development. Youth Environmental Volunteers Movement in the area of coastal oil response operations in St. Petersburg is presented in this paper as a successful initiative in the field of environmental awareness through universities and city authorities’ cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The main approach is to explore ways of environmental awareness raising through the cooperation between universities and city authorities in practice. It is shown as a system of preparation by environmental volunteers for oil recovery operations in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. The use of a voluntary rescue movement as an organization for support state authorities is investigated.

Findings

The program for environmental volunteers' tuition was created due to mutual cooperation between universities and state authorities. The purpose is to give necessary knowledge to and skills required by experts and young people on how to run together rescue and oil spill response operations. Practical field trainings with simulated oil accidents were realized in situ on the coastal zone of the Gulf of Finland.

Social implications

Coastal oil recovery operations are the key responsibility of state authorities and professional organizations in all countries around the Baltic Sea. Active involvement of young people in public participation helps to solve environmental problems at local and regional levels.

Originality/value

The Environmental Committee, City of St. Petersburg together with universities, provided practical implementation of the Youth Environmental Volunteers Movement. It contributes to the improvement of the marine environment and gives a necessary experience for implementation of new initiatives in the field of sustainable education and environmental protection in the Baltic Sea region.
Engaging sustainability good practice within the curriculum design and property portfolio in the Australian higher education sector
Authors: Poon Joanna
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which universities’ strategic plans affect the level of incorporation of sustainability within the curriculum design and property portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted a case study approach. The case study institution was Deakin University in Australia. This paper used a qualitative research method. Desk-top study included the review of the University’s Strategic Plan, policy agenda on sustainability and the documents on sustainability courses and units. Semi-structured interviews were held with academics who have course development and management responsibility within the university, colleagues who have a sustainability-focused role on estate management and colleagues whose roles are to manage sustainability initiatives at the institution level. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used to analyse the interview data.

Findings

Despite the University having clear strategic aims and initiatives on the incorporation of sustainability within the curriculum design and property portfolio, there is disconnection between policy development and policy implementation. As a result, the incorporation of sustainability varies largely between curricula within the institution. The incorporation of sustainability within the property portfolio is clear and effective. However, within the curriculum, it is polarised. The level of incorporation depends on the nature of the course or unit and is largely driven by the initiatives of the individual academic. Good practice identified in the incorporation of sustainability within the curriculum is to use a problem-based approach supported by real life projects to enhance the students’ authentic learning experience. A good practice for successfully incorporating sustainability into the property portfolio is to have clear vision of what it has planned to achieve and to ensure that there is a balance between sustainability and value for money.

Originality/value

This is pioneering research to investigate the incorporation of sustainability into higher education in a more comprehensive way. This paper considered the impact of strategic planning on the incorporation of sustainability within a higher education, on both curriculum design and property portfolio management.
Social disruption, mine closure and housing policy: evidence from the Free State Goldfields, South Africa
Authors: Ntema John , Marais Lochner , Cloete Jan , Lenka Molefi
Published: January 2017

The creation of mine settlements became a common practice between 1950 and 1980. These mining towns were seen as places of permanent settlement. This permanency, together with the privatisation of mine‐owned houses (mid‐1980s) increased place attachment. Mine decline thus brought with it some form of social disruption. Whereas mining companies in Australia have attempted to minimise the social disruption caused by mine closure by introducing fly‐in‐fly‐out arrangements, the post‐apartheid housing policy in South Africa has focused on asset building in mining areas. We completed 180 interviews with representatives of households. The survey formed part of a panel survey and further included a control group and 15 qualitative interviews. Our results indicate that though members of the mining community have housing units that are larger than those of the control group, incomes are lower in the mining community, real income is in decline, smaller numbers of household members are contributing to income, self‐assessments of wealth are characterised by lower ratings, household assets increase at a slower pace, and there is a stronger preference to continue to reside in the area. All of the above serves to illustrate the consequences of the asset‐based strategies embedded in South African housing policy. The social disruption associated with mine closure further tends to lock households into locations, and thus inhibits mobility.
SUBNATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF KILLING IN RWANDA*
Authors: NYSETH BREHM HOLLIE
Published: January 2017

Nearly one million people were killed in the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Although scholars have theorized why this violence occurred, we know comparatively less about how it unfolded. Accordingly, this article assesses the determinants of subnational levels of killing in 142 Rwandan communes by relying on data from the Rwandan Ministry of Local Administration and Community Development, the National University of Rwanda, and the 1991 Rwandan census. Fixed effects analyses reveal that top‐down and bottom‐up factors coalesced to influence violence across Rwanda. The state orchestrated and implemented the violence, and more violence occurred near the extremist center of the country as well as where state actors met strong opposition. Local conditions also shaped the violence, however, and indicators of low community cohesion and social control are associated with comparatively more violence. When put together, a unique model is introduced that integrates state conflict theories and social control theories of crime to explain subnational killing during the genocide in Rwanda.
No Wrong Doors: Findings from a Critical Review of Behavioral Randomized Clinical Trials for Individuals with Co‐Occurring Alcohol/Drug Problems and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Simpson Tracy L. , Lehavot Keren , Petrakis Ismene L.
Published: January 2017

Prior reviews of behavioral treatments for individuals with comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders (substance use disorder SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not systematically considered whether comparison conditions are matched to target treatments on time and attention. A systematic literature search using PubMed MESH terms for alcohol and substance use disorders, PTSD, and treatment identified relevant behavioral randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated PTSD‐oriented exposure‐based treatments, addiction‐focused treatments, and coping‐based treatments that do not involve exposure to trauma memories. Information pertaining to within‐subject changes over time and between‐subject differences, quality of control condition, recruitment efficiency, and assessment and treatment retention was synthesized. Alcohol and drug outcomes were described separately when possible. Twenty‐four behavioral RCTs were identified: 7 exposure based, 6 addiction focused, and 11 coping based. Seven studies included SUD intervention comparison conditions matched to the target intervention on time and attention. Most of the 24 studies found that participants in both the experimental and control conditions improved significantly over time on SUD and PTSD outcomes. No study found significant between‐group differences in both SUD and PTSD outcomes favoring the experimental treatment. Despite greater treatment dropout, there was greater improvement in some PTSD outcomes for exposure‐based interventions than the control conditions, including when the control conditions were matched for time and attention. Addiction‐focused and coping‐based interventions did not generally show an advantage over comparably robust controls, although some coping‐based interventions yielded better drug use outcomes than control conditions. When available, interventions that integrate exposure‐based PTSD treatment and behavioral SUD treatment are recommended as they are associated with better PTSD outcomes than SUD care matched for time and attention. However, the results of this critical review also suggest that people with SUD/PTSD can benefit from a variety of treatment options, including standard SUD care.
Petrographic and Geochemical Investigations on the Pottery Production from Arslantepe–Malatya (Eastern Anatolia) from the Fourth to the Second Millennium BCE: Technological Continuity, Innovation and Cultural Change
Authors: Fragnoli P. , Palmieri A. M.
Published: January 2017

The petrographic and geochemical analyses of 130 Late Chalcolithic 3 (LC3, 3800 bce) to Early Bronze Age IIIB (EBAIIIB, 2000 bce) ceramics from Arslantepe and the Malatya Plain in the Eastern Anatolian Upper Euphrates have identified critical differences in raw material procurement and paste preparation, reflecting typological, chronological and cultural changes. Based on these differences, distinct modes of production that correspond to phases reflecting significant social, economic and political changes were recognized. In particular, the interruption of the centralization process and the establishment of mobile groups during EBAI (3000–2900 bce) were accompanied by the exploitation of new sources.
Leadership styles and corporate social responsibility management: Analysis from a gender perspective
Authors: Alonso‐Almeida Maria del Mar , Perramon Jordi , Bagur‐Femenias Llorenc
Published: January 2017

Companies' perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been only partially analyzed from an individual perspective that focuses on personal characteristics and professional backgrounds. However, a gap exists in the research on manager leadership styles and CSR perceptions from a gender perspective. Therefore, this article analyzes differences in attitudes toward various dimensions of CSR by focusing on the leadership styles—transformational, dominance, and dual perspectives—of male and female managers in Spain. A total of 391 respondents in top management positions in Spain were surveyed. The findings revealed similarities and differences between genders with respect to leadership styles and CSR perceptions by dimension using a univariate analysis. A causal model that employed structural equation modeling was also estimated. The findings suggest that for transformational and dual leadership styles, Spanish women may be more adaptable and effective at pursuing company sustainability than Spanish men. However, dominance leadership was found to be the worst leadership style for deploying a CSR strategy. A number of conclusions for business management can be drawn, and some directions for future research are provided.
How Much Do Corporate Defendants Really Lose? A New Verdict on the Reputation Loss Induced by Corporate Litigation
Authors: Haslem Bruce , Hutton Irena , Smith Aimee Hoffmann
Published: January 2017

Using a novel sample of 83,260 lawsuits filed in US Federal District courts, we extend the results of prior studies investigating market value and reputational losses due to corporate misconduct. We examine alternative explanations for the loss in market value, such as media coverage, the expectation of subsequent litigation, and the defendant's willingness to settle, in addition to previously documented factors. Our results suggest that with the exception of securities litigation, this loss in market value can be attributed to these alternative explanations rather than to reputational consequences. This finding is confirmed by several indirect measures of reputation loss.
Spatial analysis of genetic diversity in a comprehensive collection of the native grass Bromus auleticus Trinius (ex Nees) in Uruguay
Authors: Condón F. , Jaurena M. , Reyno R. , Otaño C. , Lattanzi F. A.
Published: January 2017

Bromus auleticus Trinius (ex Nees) is a perennial allogamous C3 grass native to the Campos grasslands. It has potential to play a key role in restoration of both abandoned agricultural and overgrazed lands. We aim to reveal the existence of local adaptation and to assess whether phenotypes could be differentiated in relation to their ecogeographic region of origin. Previous reports estimated significant levels of variability among and within populations, but as yet there is no evidence of local adaptation and phenotypic relations with ecogeographic regions for this species. Indeed, there is a lack of knowledge about the spatial distribution of diversity, which limits the possibilities of using B. auleticus in ecological restoration and plant breeding. A comprehensive collection of 82 accessions of B. auleticus from eight ecogeographic regions within Uruguay was used to characterize diversity by measuring phenologic, morphologic, productive and reproductive traits. We found high diversity among B. auleticus accessions, and the spatial distribution of this diversity follows a pattern accounted by ecogeographic regions to a large extent. Our results also indicate large genotype × environment interaction, confirming local adaptation. Phenotypic values permitted, with a 3.7% error rate, discrimination of accessions according to their ecogeographic region of origin, suggesting the existence of differentiated ecotypes. We consider that the diversity observed should be conserved and used for breeding cultivars of this species and for the restoration of degraded grasslands by considering ecogeographic regions when selecting seed sources.
Clinical features of shiitake dermatitis: a systematic review
Authors: Nguyen Austin H. , Gonzaga Maria I. , Lim Victoria M. , Adler Michael J. , Mitkov Mario V. , Cappel Mark A.
Published: January 2017

Shiitake dermatitis is a rare cutaneous reaction to lentinan, a polysaccharide component in the cell walls of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). Herein, we systematically review the case report and case series English‐language literature on shiitake dermatitis, which refers to a total of 50 patients (38 males, 12 females; mean age: 44.58 years). The majority of cases occurred after the consumption of raw mushrooms, whereas 22% of cases were caused by the eating of lightly or undercooked mushrooms. The most common clinical presentations, localized symptoms, and systemic findings include linear flagellated dermatitis (98%), pruritus (78%), and fever, diarrhea, and mucosal ulcers, respectively. The diagnosis of this entity continues to be based on clinical findings as laboratory abnormalities, and the findings of skin biopsies and patch/prick tests are nonspecific and inconsistent. The condition is self‐limiting, resolving in approximately 12.5 d without treatment. Based on the included case reports, it appears that medical treatment may slightly shorten the course of disease (to 9–11 d, varying by therapy) but should be considered on an individual patient basis. However, the treatment of symptoms, reassurance, and the avoidance of re‐exposure are sufficient treatment recommendations for this condition.
Direct Comparison of Point‐by‐Point and Rapid Ultra‐High‐Resolution Electroanatomical Mapping in Patients Scheduled for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ROTTNER LAURA , METZNER ANDREAS , OUYANG FEIFAN , HEEGER CHRISTIAN , HAYASHI KENTARO , FINK THOMAS , LEMES CHRISTINE , MATHEW SHIBU , MAURER TILMAN , REIßMANN BRUNO , REXHA ENIDA , RIEDL JOHANNES , SAGUNER ARDAN M. , SANTORO FRANCESCO , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , SOHNS CHRISTIAN
Published: January 2017

Point‐by‐Point versus Rapid Ultra‐High‐Resolution Electroanatomical Mapping in AF

Introduction

Three‐dimensional electroanatomical mapping (EAM) is an established tool facilitating catheter ablation. In this context, the novel Rhythmia system sets a new bar in fast high‐resolution mapping. The aim of this study was to directly compare point‐by‐point versus rapid ultra‐high‐resolution EAM in patients scheduled for ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) with focus on procedural data, acute success, and midterm clinical outcome.

Methods and Results

A total number of 74 consecutive patients (48/74 male) with symptomatic AF were scheduled to undergo pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using either Carto or Rhythmia. The Carto‐guided procedures were performed using point‐by‐point acquisition according to our routine approach, whereas for Rhythmia, fast anatomical mapping was utilized. Comparing Rhythmia‐ versus Carto‐guided ablation approaches, we observed a significantly longer total mapping time (P = 0.001), longer total fluoroscopy time (P = 0.001), more delivered RF‐applications (P = 0.019), and longer total RF‐duration (P = 0.002). There was no difference regarding total ablation time (P = 0.707), total procedure duration (P = 0.99), and acute procedural success. During follow‐up, 84.8% of patients remained free from any AF/AT‐recurrence using Carto versus 88.2% when using Rhythmia (P = 0.53). From Kaplan–Meier analysis, the event rate estimations were 15% versus 13.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The present study reports our first clinical experience using Rhythmia in direct comparison with the established Carto system for AF ablation. Our data clearly demonstrate that Rhythmia was proved to be effective and well applicable but more data will be mandatory before final conclusions can be drawn.
Comparison of hospital outcomes and resource use in acute COPD exacerbation patients managed by teaching versus nonteaching services in a community hospital
Authors: Abusaada Khalid , Alsaleh Leen , Herrera Victor , Du Yuan , Baig Hassan , Everett George
Published: January 2017

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The impact of teaching versus nonteaching services on outcomes and resource use in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is unknown. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of an internal medicine teaching service compared to a nonteaching service on outcomes and resource use in patients admitted with AECOPD in a community teaching hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for a primary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation to Florida Hospital Orlando, a large community teaching hospital, between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. Data were extracted from Premier administrative database. Risk adjusted length of stay (LOS), cost of hospitalization, 30‐day readmissions, and mortality rate were measured. Risk adjustment for outcomes was based on Premier CareScience methodology.

Results

A total of 1419 patients were included, 306 in the teaching group and 1113 in the nonteaching group. Risk adjusted cost and LOS were significantly lower in the teaching group compared to the nonteaching group (observed/expected cost 0.66 vs 1.06, P < .001) and (observed/expected LOS 0.93 vs 1.69, P < .001), respectively. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in risk adjusted mortality and readmissions (P = .48 and .89, respectively). Use of consults was significantly lower in the teaching groups with 73% vs 31% of the patient in the teaching group had no consults compared to the nonteaching group (P < .001). The teaching service was significantly associated with decreased use of consults after adjustment for other variables (odds ratio, 0.17, 95% CI, 0.15‐0.23, P < .001).

Conclusion

The teaching service had more favorable outcomes compared to nonteaching services in patients hospitalized for AECOPD. The physician practice model has a major impact on the cost, LOS, and use of consults in patients with AECOPD.
Petrology, phase equilibria modelling and zircon U–Pb geochronology of Paleoproterozoic mafic granulites from the Fuping Complex, North China Craton
Authors: Tang L. , Santosh M. , Tsunogae T. , Koizumi T. , Hu X.‐K. , Teng X.‐M.
Published: January 2017

The Fuping Complex is one of the important basement terranes within the central segment of the Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) where mafic granulites are exposed as boudins within tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses. Garnet in these granulites shows compositional zoning with homogeneous cores formed in the peak metamorphic stage, surrounded by thin rims with an increase in almandine and decrease in grossular contents suggesting retrograde decompression and cooling. Petrological and phase equilibria studies including pseudosection calculation using thermocalc define a clockwise P–T path. The peak mineral assemblages comprise garnet+clinopyroxene+amphibole+quartz+plagioclase+K‐feldspar+ilmenite±orthopyroxene±magnetite, with metamorphic P–T conditions estimated at 8.2–9.2 kbar, 870–882 °C (15FP‐02), 9.6–11.3 kbar, 855–870 °C (15FP‐03) and 9.7–10.5 kbar, 880–900 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. The pseudosections for the subsequent retrograde stages based on relatively higher H2O contents from P/T–M(H2O) diagrams define the retrograde P–T conditions of <6.1 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐02), 5.6–5.8 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐03), and <9 kbar, <865 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. Data from LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating show that the mafic dyke protoliths of the granulite were emplaced at c. 2327 Ma. The metamorphic zircon shows two groups of ages at 1.96–1.90 Ga (peak at 1.93–1.92 Ga) and 1.89–1.80 Ga (peak at 1.86–1.83 Ga), consistent with the two metamorphic events widely reported from different segments of the TNCO. The 1.93–1.92 Ga ages are considered to date the peak granulite facies metamorphism, whereas the 1.86–1.83 Ga ages are correlated with the retrograde event. Thus, the collisional assembly of the major crustal blocks in the North China Craton (NCC) might have occurred during 1.93–1.90 Ga, marking the final cratonization of the NCC.
Classification of starch gel texture for the elderly diets based on instrumental and sensory methodology
Authors: Kim Yonggi , Kim Hyeon Ji , Cho Wanil , Ko Sanghoon , Park Sung Kwon , Lee Suyong
Published: January 2017

An experimental attempt was made to bridge the gap between instrumental and sensory texture for the elderly diets in a corn starch gel system. Uniaxial compression was applied to measure the instrumental hardness of corn starch gels that was correlated with their sensory properties perceived by the elderly aged 60 and older. Instrumental and sensory hardness values of the starch gel samples were found to have good polynomial and linear correlations (R2 =.99) with the level of corn starch, respectively. A fairly linear relationship (R2 =.96) was observed between the instrumental and sensory hardness in terms of the logarithm of stress. In principal component analysis, two principal components that accounted for 86.71% of the total variability, separated the gel texture in terms of hardness/springiness and moistness, respectively. The categories of the starch gel samples were subdivided into five groups with different stress ranges. This classification suggested in this study appeared to provide useful information for modifying the texture of solid foods for the elderly diets.

Practical applications

As the elderly population is increasing throughout the world, there are growing interests in developing food products for older adults with difficulties in chewing and swallowing in the food industry. In this study, the instrumental texture of solid foods in a starch gel system was correlated with the sensory properties perceived by the people aged 60 and older. Based on the principal component analysis, the corn starch gel samples with different hardness were classified into the five groups that were presented with the ranges of stress values. The results obtained in this study may thus provide valuable information on the standard criteria and guidelines customized for the elderly.
Split Ponds Effectively Overwinter Golden Shiners
Authors: Smith Matthew A. , Stone Nathan M.
Published: January 2017

Baitfish producers have expressed interest in adopting the split‐pond production system. However, confining fish to 20% of the pond area in split‐pond systems effectively quintuples fish density within the culture unit as compared with densities in open ponds. Winter conditions are known to be relatively more stressful on smaller fish, and high densities within split‐pond culture units could increase losses. A 139‐d study was conducted during the winter to compare the production of golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas, in traditional earthen ponds and split ponds at two densities. Golden shiners were stocked at 646 kg/ha or 1292 kg/ha (ca. 370,500 or 741,000 fish/ha, respectively) into 12, 0.04‐ha, netted earthen ponds (six split ponds and six traditional). Feeding rate, nightly aeration hours, and daily circulation hours were reduced when water temperature decreased. At harvest, net yields were significantly lower in the split ponds as compared with traditional ponds at each density (53 and 113 kg/ha less in the low‐ and high‐density split‐pond treatments, respectively). Estimated survival was high (>87%) and did not differ among treatments. Results showed that, although net yield was reduced, small baitfish could be successfully overwintered in split‐pond culture units in preparation for the spring crappie market.
Novel Rosaceae plant elicitor peptides as sustainable tools to control Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Prunus spp.
Authors: Ruiz Cristina , Nadal Anna , Montesinos Emilio , Pla Maria
Published: January 2017

Fruit crops are regarded as important health promoters and constitute a major part of global agricultural production, and Rosaceae species are of high economic impact. Their culture is threatened by bacterial diseases, whose control is based on preventative treatments using compounds of limited efficacy and negative environmental impact. One of the most economically relevant examples is the pathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) affecting Prunus spp. The plant immune response against pathogens can be triggered and amplified by plant elicitor peptides (Peps), perceived by specific receptors (PEPRs). Although they have been described in various angiosperms, scarce information is available on Rosaceae species. Here, we identified the Pep precursor (PROPEP), Pep and PEPR orthologues of 10 Rosaceae species and confirmed the presence of the Pep/PEPR system in this family. We showed the perception and elicitor activity of Rosaceae Peps using the Prunus–Xap pathosystem as proof‐of‐concept. Treatment with nanomolar doses of Peps induced the corresponding PROPEP and a set of defence‐related genes in Prunus leaves, and enhanced resistance against Xap. Peps from the same species had the highest efficiencies. Rosaceae Peps could potentially be used to develop natural, targeted and environmentally friendly strategies to enhance the resistance of Prunus species against biotic attackers.
The complex patient: A concept clarification
Authors: Manning Eli , Gagnon Marilou
Published: January 2017

Over the last decade, the concept of the “complex patient” has not only been more widely used in multidisciplinary healthcare teams and across various healthcare disciplines, but it has also become more vacuous in meaning. The uptake of the concept of the “complex patient” spans across disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, and social work, with no consistent definition. We review the chronological evolution of this concept and its surrogate terms, namely “comorbidity,” “multimorbidity,” “polypathology,” “dual diagnosis,” and “multiple chronic conditions.” Drawing on key principles of concept clarification, we highlight disciplinary usage in the literature published between 2005 and 2015 in health sciences, attending to overlaps and revealing nuances of the complex patient concept. Finally, we discuss the implications of this concept for practice, research, and theory.
“Sufficient health” as perceived by Thai villagers: A qualitative study
Authors: Arpanantikul Manee , Phuphaibul Rutja , Khuwatsumrit Kusuma
Published: January 2017

Globalization has led to the rapid modernization of Thai villagers' traditional lifestyle, with significant consequential changes in health. The integration of the sufficiency economy philosophy with health – a concept known as “sufficient health” – can improve health and wellbeing; however, little is known of the actual meaning of “sufficient health.” This qualitative study explored the meaning of sufficient health as perceived by Thai villagers. Data were collected from 122 villagers living in a rural Thai community and analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed five themes reflecting the meaning of sufficient health: being healthy and not having an illness, having regular health check‐ups, performing self‐care, living sufficiently, and avoiding risks. Understanding the meaning attributed to sufficient health can help nurses provide appropriate health care for villagers while retaining concern and respect for their cultural backgrounds. Importantly, providing opportunities to villagers to participate in health activities could help them recognize and sustain sufficient health.