bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Prophylaxis following Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: What Is the Evidence?
Authors: Phillips Brett T. , Halvorson Eric G.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Although data from other surgical disciplines do not support the use of prolonged postoperative prophylactic antibiotics, implant-based breast reconstruction is one area of plastic surgery where this may be warranted. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on antibiotic prophylaxis in prosthetic breast reconstruction, summarize findings, and provide recommendations.

Methods:

A literature review was performed to identify studies that compared different perioperative prophylactic antibiotic regimens with respect to infectious outcomes in prosthetic breast reconstruction.

Results:

Five studies and five systematic reviews were identified. One prospective randomized trial showed that a single preoperative dose was better than placebo, and another showed no difference between 24 hours versus until drain removal. Three studies were retrospective, one showing no difference between a single preoperative dose and prolonged antibiotic use, and two showing significant reduction in infectious complications with prolonged antibiotic use. One systematic review suggested an increased rate of infection with prolonged antibiotic use, and the other showed no difference between less than 24 hours and greater than 24 hours, but showed a reduction in infections compared to no treatment.

Conclusions:

The literature contains conflicting data regarding the optimal duration for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis following prosthetic breast reconstruction. The authors’ opinion is that 24 hours of antibiotic prophylaxis is warranted. Further studies are needed. Patient-centered antibiotic prophylaxis based on a risk-assessment model may be a more effective alternative to the current indiscriminate model of surgical-site infection control.
Facial Aesthetic Outcomes of Cleft Surgery: Assessment of Discrete Lip and Nose Images Compared with Digital Symmetry Analysis
Authors: Deall Ciara E. , Kornmann Nirvana S. S. , Bella Husam , Wallis Katy L. , Hardwicke Joseph T. , Su Ting-Li , Richard Bruce M.
Published: June 2016

Background:

High-quality aesthetic outcomes are of paramount importance to children growing up after cleft lip and palate surgery. Establishing a validated and reliable assessment tool for cleft professionals and families will facilitate cleft units, surgeons, techniques, and protocols to be audited and compared with greater confidence. This study used exemplar images across a five-point aesthetic scale, identified in a pilot project, to score lips and noses as separate units and compared these human scores with computer-based SymNose symmetry scores.

Methods:

Forty-five assessors (17 cleft surgeons nationally and 28 other cleft professionals from the UK South West Tri-centre units), scored 25 standardized photographs, uploaded randomly onto a Web-based platform, twice. Each photograph was shown in three forms: lip and nose together, and separately cropped images of nose only and lip only. The same images were analyzed using the SymNose software program.

Results:

Scoring lips gave the best intrarater and interrater reliabilities. Nose scores were more variable. Lip scoring associated most closely with the whole-image score. SymNose ranking of the lip images related highly to the same ranking by humans (p = 0.001). The exemplar images maintained their established previous ranking.

Conclusions:

Images illustrating the aesthetic outcome grades are confirmed. The lip score is reliable and seems to dominate in the whole-image score. Noses are much harder to score reliably. It appears that SymNose can score lip images very effectively by symmetry. Further use of SymNose will be investigated, and families of children with cleft will trial the scoring system.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Multiple Bcl-2 family immunomodulators from vaccinia virus regulate MAPK/AP-1 activation
Authors: Torres Alice A. , Albarnaz Jonas D. , Bonjardim Cláudio A. , Smith Geoffrey L.
Published: June 2016

Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a poxvirus and encodes many proteins that modify the host cell metabolism or inhibit the host response to infection. For instance, it is known that VACV infection can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathway and inhibit activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. Since NF-κB and MAPK/AP-1 share common upstream activators we investigated whether six different VACV Bcl-2-like NF-κB inhibitors can also influence MAPK/AP-1 activation. Data presented show that proteins A52, B14 and K7 each contribute to AP-1 activation during VACV infection, and when expressed individually outwith infection. B14 induced the greatest stimulation of AP-1 and further investigation showed B14 activated mainly the MAPKs ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and JNK (Jun N-terminal kinase), and their substrate c-Jun (a component of AP-1). These data indicate that the same viral protein can have different effects on distinct signalling pathways, in blocking NF-κB activation whilst leading to MAPK/AP-1 activation.
Adapterama I: Universal stubs and primers for 384 unique dual-indexed or 147,456 combinatorially-indexed Illumina libraries (iTru & iNext)
Authors: Glenn Travis C. , Nilsen Roger A. , Kieran Troy J. , Sanders Jon G. , Bayona-Vásquez Natalia J. , Finger John W. , Pierson Todd W. , Bentley Kerin E. , Hoffberg Sandra L. , Louha Swarnali , García-De León Francisco J. , Del Río-Portilla Miguel Angel , Reed Kurt D. , Anderson Jennifer L. , Meece Jennifer K. , Aggrey Samuel E. , Rekaya Romdhane , Alabady Magdy , Bélanger Myriam , Winker Kevin , Faircloth Brant C.
Published: June 2016

Next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) offers many benefits, but major factors limiting NGS include reducing costs of: 1) start-up (i.e., doing NGS for the first time); 2) buy-in (i.e., getting the smallest possible amount of data from a run); and 3) sample preparation. Reducing sample preparation costs is commonly addressed, but start-up and buy-in costs are rarely addressed. We present dual-indexing systems to address all three of these issues. By breaking the library construction process into universal, re-usable, combinatorial components, we reduce all costs, while increasing the number of samples and the variety of library types that can be combined within runs. We accomplish this by extending the Illumina TruSeq dual-indexing approach to 768 (384 + 384) indexed primers that produce 384 unique dual-indexes or 147,456 (384 × 384) unique combinations. We maintain eight nucleotide indexes, with many that are compatible with Illumina index sequences. We synthesized these indexing primers, purifying them with only standard desalting and placing small aliquots in replicate plates. In qPCR validation tests, 206 of 208 primers tested passed (99% success). We then created hundreds of libraries in various scenarios. Our approach reduces start-up and per-sample costs by requiring only one universal adapter that works with indexed PCR primers to uniquely identify samples. Our approach reduces buy-in costs because: 1) relatively few oligonucleotides are needed to produce a large number of indexed libraries; and 2) the large number of possible primers allows researchers to use unique primer sets for different projects, which facilitates pooling of samples during sequencing. Our libraries make use of standard Illumina sequencing primers and index sequence length and are demultiplexed with standard Illumina software, thereby minimizing customization headaches. In subsequentAdapteramapapers, we use these same primers with different adapter stubs to construct amplicon and restriction-site associated DNA libraries, but their use can be expanded to any type of library sequenced on Illumina platforms.
Estimating the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in small animals
Authors: Koponen Lari M. , Nieminen Jaakko O. , Ilmoniemi Risto J.
Published: June 2016

The efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is determined by the magnitude and direction of the induced electric field in the cortex. The electric field distribution is influenced by the conductivity structure, in particular, the size of the head and the shapes of conductivity boundaries. We show that neglecting the head size can result in overestimating the stimulus intensity by a factor of 5–8 in the case of the rat brain. In the current modelling literature, the TMS-induced electric field is estimated with detailed computational simulations; however, in many experimental studies, less attention is paid on modelling. We attempt to bridge this gap by suggesting the use of simple simulations, for example with the spherical head model, when studying bioelectromagnetic phenomena.
Exploring the genetic architecture of inflammatory bowel disease by whole genome sequencing identifies association atADCY7
Authors: Luo Yang , de Lange Katrina M. , Jostins Luke , Moutsianas Loukas , Randall Joshua , Kennedy Nicholas A. , Lamb Christopher A. , McCarthy Shane , Ahmad Tariq , Edwards Cathryn , Serra Eva Goncalves , Hart Ailsa , Hawkey Chris , Mansfield John C. , Mowat Craig , Newman William G. , Nichols Sam , Pollard Martin , Satsangi Jack , Simmons Alison , Tremelling Mark , Uhlig Holm , Wilson David C. , Lee James C. , Prescott Natalie J. , Lees Charlie W. , Mathew Christopher G. , Parkes Miles , Barrett Jeffrey C. , Anderson Carl A.
Published: June 2016

In order to further resolve the genetic architecture of the inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, we sequenced the whole genomes of 4,280 patients at low coverage, and compared them to 3,652 previously sequenced population controls across 73.5 million variants. To increase power we imputed from these sequences into new and existing GWAS cohorts, and tested for association at ~12 million variants in a total of 16,432 cases and 18,843 controls. We discovered a 0.6% frequency missense variant inADCY7that doubles risk of ulcerative colitis, and offers insight into a new aspect of disease biology. Despite good statistical power, we did not identify any other new low-frequency risk variants, and found that such variants as a class explained little heritability. We did detect a burden of very rare, damaging missense variants in known Crohn’s disease risk genes, suggesting that more comprehensive sequencing studies will continue to improve our understanding of the biology of complex diseases.
An ancient fecundability-associated polymorphism switches a repressor into an enhancer of endometrialTAP2Expression
Authors: Mika Katelyn M. , Lynch Vincent J.
Published: June 2016

Variation in female reproductive traits such as fertility, fecundity, and fecundability are heritable in humans, but identifying and functionally characterizing genetic variants associated with these traits has been challenging. Here we explore the functional significance and evolutionary history of a C/T polymorphism of SNP rs2071473, which we have previously shown is an eQTL forTAP2and significantly associated with fecundability (time to pregnancy). We replicated the association between rs2071473 genotype andTAP2expression using GTEx data and demonstrate thatTAP2is expressed by decidual stromal cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Next, we show that rs2071473 is located within a progesterone responsive cis-regulatory element that functions as a repressor with the T allele and an enhancer with the C allele. Remarkably, we found this polymorphism arose before the divergence of modern and archaic humans, is segregating at intermediate to high frequencies across human populations, and has genetic signatures of long-term balancing selection. This variant has also previously been identified in GWA studies of immune related disease, suggesting both alleles are maintained due to antagonistic pleiotropy.

Author Summary

Female reproductive traits such as fertility and the time it takes to become pregnant are heritable. Many factors, including widespread contraceptive use and environmental influences, make identifying the genetic differences between individuals that are responsible for fertility differences between women difficult. We previously identified a common single nucleotide polymorphism that affects the expression of the geneTAP2and is significantly associated with how long it takes woman to become pregnant. Here we show thatTAP2is expressed at the maternal-fetal interface in the uterus during pregnancy. We then show that the T version of the polymorphism functions to repressTAP2expression whereas the C form enhancesTAP2expression. Remarkably, the C variant arose before the divergence of Neanderthals and modern humans and has become common in all human populations. This derived variant has previously associated with immune related diseases, suggesting the ancestral T and derived C variants are being maintained because they affect multiple traits.
ANFIS-based fuzzy systems for searching dna-protein binding sites
Authors: Wang Dianhui , Alhamdoosh Monther , Pedrycz Witold
Published: June 2016

Transcriptional regulation mainly controls how genes are expressed and how cells behave based on the transcription factor (TF) proteins that bind upstream of the transcription start sites (TSSs) of genes. These TF DNA binding sites (TFBSs) are usually short (5-15 base pairs) and degenerate (some positions can have multiple possible alternatives). Traditionally, computational methods scan DNA sequences using the position weight matrix (PWM) of a given TF, calculate binding scores for each K-mer against the PWM, and finally classify a K-mer as to whether it is a putative TFBS or a background sequence based on a cut-off threshold. The FSCAN system, which is proposed in this paper, employs machine learning techniques to build a learner model that is able to identify TFBSs in a set of bound sequences without the need for a cut-off threshold. Our proposed method utilizes fuzzy inference techniques along with a distribution-based filtering algorithm to predict the binding sites of a TF given its PWM model and phastCons scores for the input DNA sequences. Data imbalance reduction techniques are also used to ease the learning of the adaptive-neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm. The proposed system is tested on 22 ChIP-chip sequence-sets from the Saccharomyces Cerevisiae genome. Our results show that FSCAN outperforms other approaches like MatInspector and MATCH and is quite robust. As more transcriptional data becomes available, our proposed framework encourages the use of fuzzy logic techniques in the prediction of TFBSs.
Programmed cell death can increase the efficacy of microbial bet-hedging
Authors: Libby Eric , Driscoll William W. , Ratcliff William C.
Published: June 2016

Programmed cell death (PCD) occurs in both unicellular and multicellular organisms. While PCD plays a key role in the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms, explaining why single-celled organisms would evolve to actively commit suicide has been far more challenging. Here, we explore the potential for PCD to act as an accessory to microbial bet-hedging strategies that utilize stochastic phenotype switching. We consider organisms that face unpredictable and recurring disasters, in which fitness depends on effective phenotypic diversification. We show that when reproductive opportunities are limited by carrying capacity, PCD drives population turnover, providing increased opportunities for phenotypic diversification through stochastic phenotype switching. The main cost of PCD, providing resources for growth to a PCD(-) competitor, is ameliorated by genetic assortment driven by population spatial structure. Using three dimensional agent based simulations, we explore how basic demographic factors, namely cell death and clonal reproduction, can create populations with sufficient spatial structure to favor the evolution of high PCD rates.
Population Structure Analysis of Globally Diverse Bull Genomes
Authors: Chung Neo Christopher , Szyda Joanna , Fra̧szczak Magdalena ,   the 1000 Bull Genomes Project
Published: June 2016

Since domestication, population bottlenecks, breed formation, and selective breeding have radically shaped the genealogy and genetics ofBos taurus. In turn, characterization of population structure among globally diverse bull genomes enables detailed assessment of genetic resources and origins. By analyzing 432 unrelated bull genomes from 13 breeds and 16 countries, we demonstrate genetic diversity and structural complexity among the global bull population. Importantly, we relaxed a strong assumption of discrete or admixed population, by adapting latent variable models for individual-specific allele frequencies that directly capture a wide range of complex structure from genome-wide genotypes. We identified a highly complex population structure that defies the conventional hypothesis based on discrete membership and contributes to pervasive genetic differentiation in bull genomes. As measured by magnitude of differentiation, selection pressure on SNPs within genes is substantially greater than that on intergenic regions. Additionally, broad regions of chromosome 6 harboring largest genetic differentiation suggest positive selection underlying population structure. We carried out gene set analysis using SNP annotations to identify enriched functional categories such as energy-related processes and multiple development stages. Our comprehensive analysis of bull population structure can support genetic management strategies that capture structural complexity and promote sustainable genetic breadth.
3D-Printed Autonomous Capillaric Circuits†
Authors: Olanrewaju A. O. , Robillard A. , Dagher M. , Juncker D.
Published: June 2016

Capillaric circuits (CCs) are advanced capillary microfluidic devices that move liquids in complex pre-programmed sequences without external pumps and valves-relying instead on microfluidic control elements powered by capillary forces. CCs were thought to require high-precision micro-scale features manufactured by photolithography in a cleanroom, which is slow and expensive. Here we present rapidly and inexpensively 3D-printed autonomous CCs. Molds for CCs were fabricated with a benchtop 3D-printer, Poly(dimethylsiloxane) replicas were made, and fluidic functionality was verified with aqueous solutions. We established design rules for 3D-printed CCs by a combination of modelling and experimentation. The functionality and reliability of 3D-printed trigger valves-an essential fluidic element that stops one liquid until flow is triggered by a second liquid-was tested for different geometries and different solutions. Trigger valves with geometries up to 80-fold larger than cleanroom-fabricated ones were found to function reliably. We designed 3D-printed retention burst valves that encode sequential liquid drainage and delivery using capillary pressure differences encoded by varying valve height and width. Using an electrical circuit analogue of the CC, we established circuit design rules for ensuring strictly sequential liquid delivery. We realized a 3D-printed CC with reservoir volumes 60 times larger than cleanroom-fabricated circuits and autonomously delivered eight liquids in a pre-determined sequence in < 7 min, exceeding the number of sequentially-encoded, self-regulated fluidic delivery events apreviously reported. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 3D-printing enables rapid prototyping of reliable CCs with improved functionality and potential applications in diagnostics, research and education.
The Evolutionary Trade-off between Stem Cell Niche Size, Aging, and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Cannataro Vincent L. , McKinley Scott A. , St. Mary Colette M.
Published: June 2016

Many epithelial tissues within large multicellular organisms are continually replenished by small independent populations of stem cells. These stem cells divide within their niches and differentiate into the constituent cell types of the tissue, and are largely responsible for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Mutations can accumulate in stem cell niches and change the rate of stem cell division and differentiation, contributing to both aging and tumorigenesis. Here, we create a mathematical model of the intestinal stem cell niche, crypt system, and epithelium. We calculate the expected effect of fixed mutations in stem cell niches and their expected effect on tissue homeostasis throughout the intestinal epithelium over the lifetime of an organism. We find that, due to the small population size of stem cell niches, fixed mutations are expected to accumulate via genetic drift and decrease stem cell fitness, leading to niche and tissue attrition, and contributing to organismal aging. We also explore mutation accumulation at various stem cell niche sizes, and demonstrate that an evolutionary trade-off exists between niche size, tissue aging, and the risk of tumorigenesis; where niches exist at a size that minimizes the probability of tumorigenesis, at the expense of accumulating deleterious mutations due to genetic drift. Finally, we show that the probability of tumorigenesis and the extent of aging trade-off differently depending on whether mutational effects confer a selective advantage, or not, in the stem cell niche.
The relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm competitive advantage
Authors: Jurksiene Lolita , Pundziene Asta
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Dynamic capabilities and organizational ambidexterity are closely related concepts. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of understanding about the relation between the two. This paper aims to offer a theoretical explanation of the relationship between dynamic capabilities, organizational ambidexterity and firm competitive advantage. The authors find that organizational ambidexterity may be considered as a mediator in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm competitive advantage. Therefore, this paper contributes theoretically to the authors’ understanding of the relationship between organizational ambidexterity and dynamic capabilities with regard to firm competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper, the review of research literature on dynamic capabilities and organizational ambidexterity is presented. Theoretical analysis is followed by theoretical prepositions that should be subsequently tested empirically.

Findings

By considering dynamic capabilities and organizational ambidexterity related to competitive advantage, this paper provides a new perspective on concepts’ relationship. The theoretical findings described in this paper suggest that organizational ambidexterity plays a mediating role in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

Further research are required to develop organizational ambidexterity and dynamic capabilities theories, focusing more on the relation to competitive advantage. Additional testing is necessary to empirically validate the propositions given in this paper.

Originality/value

Based on theoretical findings, this paper clarifies the relationship between dynamic capabilities and organizational ambidexterity concepts. Theoretical findings described in this paper also determine the guidelines for further theoretical and empirical research within the fields.
Indian companies ignoring HR issues
Authors: Beal Brian
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of corporate disclosure on human resources (HR) in the annual reports of top-performing Indian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the extent to which top 82 companies from India present information about HR in their annual reports. This paper examines the annual reports of each of the top Indian firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, using the “content analysis” method. Statistical tests have been performed to analyze the difference between the HR disclosure score across public and private sectors and disclosure variations among various industrial sectors.

Findings

In-house training programmers has been noticed to be the favorite item of disclosure followed by safety awards/certifications and statements regarding cordial relations with the employees/unions. A majority of the Indian firms have ignored significant HR issues such as employee welfare fund, maternity/paternity leaves, holiday benefits, employee loans, adopting old age homes, etc. Overall, the paper reflects low HR-related disclosures.

Originality/value

This is the first paper on the disclosure of HR by the Indian corporate sector in the CSR domain with a disclosure analysis for a period of nine years. This paper provides new directions for the literature in this area and may promote comparative studies on HR-based studies from different perspectives.
Entrepreneurs need to be pitch perfect
Authors: Wheatcroft John
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Examines the skills needed to present a good two-minute pitch for a product or service which has been created by the “pitcher”.

Design/methodology/approach

Aims to analyze successful entrepreneurial pitches to provide practical pitch-related advice to entrepreneurs and to business school instructors – the people developing materials to teach the necessary skills.

Findings

Uses a ten-stage discourse framework to reveal the linguistic and rhetorical skills required to make good pitches. Although good pitchers will probably have an instinctive ability to use the appropriate linguistic, grammatical and syntactic features, the analysis here offers an intellectual understanding of a process which can never be entirely mastered instinctively.

Originality/value

The entrepreneurial pitch has, in all likelihood, never been deconstructed in this way, using rhetorical and linguistic discourse analysis.
Being psychologically absent at work
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Addressing job boredom will be well down the list of priorities for most employers. Such indifference is ill-judged though. Damaging effects are likely and firms should be aware of that fact. Job boredom is often defined as a lack of interest in workplace tasks. Poor engagement guarantees that the employee involved will fail to properly utilize his or her capabilities. And since productivity takes an inevitable hit, the significance for companies is readily apparent.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format
Food consumption and manufacturing output
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Recent decades have witnessed growing concerns about obesity and serious medical conditions. These issues are especially prominent in the USA. One significant consequence is a stronger commitment toward improving health in the workplace. It is widely accepted that positive correlation exists between employee well-being and productivity. The reverse is also true though. Chronic disease among the workforce invariably affects the organization’s ability to compete with its rivals. An inevitable rise in healthcare costs further heightens the negative fallout.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Pharmaceutical megamergers’ dependence on existing products
Authors: Quiroz Karicia
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Recent developments suggest that pharmaceutical companies are acquiring existing products through mergers to improve their business models; however, this paper aims to emphasize R&D as a strategy to boost revenues and counteract the risks of existing products that may be unreliable. In light of Pfizer’s upcoming US$160 billion merger deal with Allergan, the paper’s objective is to illuminate the outcomes of Pfizer’s previous megamergers (>US$10 billion) to indicate what could happen to the company’s economic profits if it only focused on the acquisition of established drugs instead of diversifying and creating new products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a combination of industry studies to make an assessment of the economic implications of conducting a megamerger (highlighting the need for further R&D). The assessment included a review of Pfizer’s M&A outcomes in two of its previous megamergers and an evaluation of a McKinsey study conducted on the economic impact of 17 pharmaceutical megamergers.

Findings

The paper provides insights on the negative profit outcomes in Pfizer’s past megamergers. Furthermore, the positive profit outcomes of pharmaceutical megamergers demonstrate that other M&A motives, such as R&D rationalization and product diversification, may be responsible for bringing up the group’s performance. Investing in R&D would be a good strategy for Pfizer to counteract the risk of relying on existing products as revenue generators.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that Pfizer should place more emphasis on R&D as a revenue generator in face of its upcoming US$160 billion megamerger with Allergan, despite the current industry trends favouring the acquisition of existing products.
Three high profile airline M&As
Authors: Thomas Mark , Vaillant Guillaume
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the success of the three main mergers that have taken place in the US airline industry since 2008. Delta and Northwest, then Continental and United and finally US Airways and American Airlines have all tied the corporate knot. This is the latest attempt of the industry to improve profits and to fight off low cost rivals. What then is the current assessment of the three new major airlines?

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

The reforms that began through deregulation under President Carter in the late 1970’s have led to a series of major airline mergers over the past decade. This has certainly improved their profits in the short term and led to a more robust strategic position. None of this though should hide the fact that they have been operating with a major tail wind in the form of falling oil prices. As prices rise again, the airlines will face a sterner test.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Drones in sight: rapid growth through M&A’s in a soaring new industry
Authors: Weissbach Dyveke , Tebbe Kathryn
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the recent developments within the non-military drone industry, and the increase thereafter of investment within the industry through mergers and acquisitions.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

The rapid growth of the drone industry has caught the interest of firms and one mode of entry for many of these firms has been through mergers and acquisitions of emerging drone companies. Although the commercial-drone industry is still in its early stages, market consolidations and major investments are occurring despite strict governmental regulations.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Host phenology and potential saprotrophism of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the boreal forest
Authors: Hupperts Stefan F. , Karst Justine , Pritsch Karin , Landhäusser Simon M.
Published: June 2016

Phenology‐induced changes in carbon assimilation by trees may affect carbon stored in fine roots and as a consequence, alter carbon allocated to ectomycorrhizal fungi. Two competing models exist to explain carbon mobilization by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Under the ‘saprotrophy model’, decreased allocation of carbon may induce saprotrophic behaviour in ectomycorrhizal fungi, resulting in the decomposition of organic matter to mobilize carbon. Alternatively, under the ‘nutrient acquisition model’, decomposition may instead be driven by the acquisition of nutrients locked within soil organic matter compounds, with carbon mobilization a secondary process.

We tested whether phenology‐induced shifts in carbon reserves of fine roots of aspen (Populus tremuloides) affect potential activity of four carbon‐compound degrading enzymes, β‐glucuronidase, β‐glucosidase, N‐acetylglucosaminidase and laccase, by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Ectomycorrhizal roots from mature aspen were collected across eight stands in north‐eastern Alberta, Canada, and analysed during tree dormancy, leaf flush, full leaf expansion and leaf abscission. We predicted potential extracellular enzyme activity to be highest when root carbon reserves were lowest, should host phenology induce saprotrophism. Further, we anticipated enzyme activity to be mediated by invertase, a plant‐derived enzyme which makes carbon available to fungal symbionts in the plant–fungus interface.

Root carbon reserves were positively correlated with invertase, suggesting phenology may affect carbon allocation to ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, of the four enzymes, host phenology had the largest effect on β‐glucuronidase, but activity of this enzyme was not correlated with root carbon reserves or invertase. Low‐biomass ectomycorrhizas had greater potential laccase activity than high‐biomass ectomycorrhizas, highlighting discrete functional traits in fungi for litter decomposition.

Our results suggest that the decomposition of organic matter may be driven by foraging by fungi for nutrients locked within organic compounds rather than for mobilizing carbon. Furthermore, the potential ability to degrade lignin was more common in low‐biomass ectomycorrhizas when compared to high‐biomass ectomycorrhizas.

A Lay Summary is available for this article.
Phylogenetic analyses of the isonychiid mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Isonychiidae) in the northeast palearctic region
Authors: Saito Rie , Jo JaeIck , Sekiné Kazuki , Bae Yeon Jae , Tojo Koji
Published: June 2016

We investigated the molecular phylogeny of isonychiid mayflies inhabiting the East Palearctic region, Isonychia (Isonychia) japonica, Isonychia (Isonychia) ignota, Isonychia (Isonychia) ussurica and Isonychia (Prinoides) shima. We discuss their genetic structures, phylogeny and phylogeography. We collected a total of 100 specimens of isonychiid mayfly species from 47 localities of the Northeast Palearctic region (the Japanese archipelago, the Korean peninsula, the Russian Far East and Mongolia). We analyzed the DNA sequences at the mtDNA COI and 16S rRNA regions, and the nuDNA Histone H3 region. As a result of our genetic analyses of the four Northeast Palearctic isonychiid mayflies, their monophyly at the species level was supported by both the mtDNA (COI and 16S rRNA regions) and the nuDNA (Histone H3 region). In addition, it also became clear that significantly large genetic differentiation exists at the inter‐species level; thus, the relationship of “shima + (japonica + (ignota + ussurica))” is supported. Among the four isonychiid mayflies of the Northeast Palearctic area, I. (P.) shima was shown to be a basal‐most linage within the included species
First record of the subfamily Cylloceriinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from South Korea with description of one new species
Authors: Choi Jin‐Kyung , Lee Jong‐Wook
Published: June 2016

South Korean species of the genus Cylloceria Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cylloceriinae) are reviewed. Five species of Cylloceria and the subfamily Cylloceriinae are reported for the first time from South Korea, including one new species, Cylloceria koreensis sp. nov. and four unrecorded species, Cylloceria aino (Uchida ), Cylloceria melancholica (Gravenhorst ), Cylloceria orientalis Humala and Cylloceria ussuriensis Humala . Descriptions with photographs of the new species, diagnoses and a key to South Korean species of Cylloceria are provided.
Effect of intravenous lidocaine combined with amitriptyline on pain intensity, clinical manifestations and the concentrations ofIL‐1,IL‐6 andIL‐8 in patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized double‐blind study
Authors: Albertoni Giraldes Ana Laura , Salomão Reinaldo , Leal Plinio da Cunha , Brunialti Milena Karina Coló , Sakata Rioko Kimiko
Published: June 2016

Aim

Regarding the use of intravenous lidocaine in fibromyalgia, there are no well‐controlled studies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intravenous lidocaine on pain intensity, clinical manifestations and plasma levels of interleukin (IL)‐1,IL‐6, andIL‐8 in fibromyalgia patients.

Methods

In a randomized double‐blind study, group 1 patients received 240 mg of lidocaine in 125mLof saline solution, while group 2 patients received 125mLof saline, both once a week for 4 weeks (T1, T2, T3 and T4). All patients received amitriptyline. The following were assessed: pain intensity before treatment (T0) and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment; clinical manifestations; the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) before and at 4 and 8 weeks after; the levels ofIL1, 6 and 8 before and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment.

Results

Lower pain intensity was observed in the lidocaine group at T2, with no difference at the other time points. There was a reduction in pain intensity in both groups. The use of paracetamol and tramadol and plasma levels ofIL‐1,IL‐6 andIL‐8 did not differ between the groups. Clinical manifestations and side effects did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

The combination of 240 mg of intravenous lidocaine (once a week for 4 weeks) with 25 mg of amitriptyline for 8 weeks had no meaningful impact in fibromyalgia patients.
Clinical Validation of the Indicators and Definitions of the Nursing Outcome "Tissue Integrity: Skin and Mucous Membranes” in People With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chantal Magalhães da Silva Natália , de Souza Oliveira‐Kumakura Ana Railka , Moorhead Sue , Pace Ana Emília , Campos de Carvalho Emília
Published: June 2016

PURPOSE

The study aimed to validate clinically the indicators of the nursing outcome “Tissue Integrity: Skin and Mucous Membranes” and its conceptual and operational definitions in people with diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

A methodological study was conducted with an evaluation of 100 participants for two pairs: one of these pairs used the indicators without the definitions and the other used the indicators with their definitions.

FINDINGS

The pair who used the definitions presented greater concordance and similarity in the ratings.

CONCLUSIONS

The indicators and their definitions have been validated clinically.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The use of indicators with definitions can contribute to reliable and accurate evaluation of the tissue integrity of the feet in people with diabetes mellitus and, thus, assist in the measurement of the effectiveness of the nursing care provided.

OBJETIVO

Validar clinicamente os indicadores do resultado de enfermagem “Integridade Tissular: pele e mucosas” e suas definições conceituais e operacionais em pessoas com diabetes mellitus.

MÉTODOS

Estudo metodológico que consistiu na avaliação de 100 participantes por duas duplas de avaliadores: uma dupla utilizou os indicadores sem as definições e, a outra dupla, os indicadores com suas definições.

RESULTADOS

A dupla que utilizou as definições apresentou maior concordância e similaridade nas avaliações.

CONCLUSÃO

Os indicadores e suas definições foram validados clinicamente.

IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM

A utilização de indicadores com suas respectivas definições pode contribuir para a avaliação confiável e precisa da integridade tissular dos pés de pessoas com diabetes mellitus e, assim, auxiliar na mensuração da eficácia da assistência de enfermagem.
Effect of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C on the frequency of regulatory T cells, T‐cell activation, and serum levels of TGF‐beta
Authors: Chalupa Pavel , Davidová Alžběta , Beran Ondřej , Arientová Simona , Boštík Pavel , Kapla Jaroslav , Kondělková Kateřina , Plíšek Stanislav , Holub Michal
Published: June 2016

The aim was to analyze T‐regulatory cells (Tregs), activated CD8+ T cells, and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF)‐β in hepatitis C patients. We enrolled 31 patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 30 seropositive persons with spontaneous HCV elimination, and 23 healthy volunteers. The patients were examined at the beginning of the interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α)‐based therapy (baseline) and at weeks 4 (W4) and 12 (W12) of the therapy. The percentage of Tregs and the expression of activation markers CD38 and HLA‐DR on CD8+ T cells were analyzed in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum levels of TGF‐β were measured in a multiplex assay using flow cytometry. The percentage of Tregs in patients was higher than in controls and seropositive persons. Similarly, the percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing CD38 and HLA‐DR was higher in patients compared with controls and seropositive persons. Chronic HCV infection is associated with elevated circulating Tregs and activated CD8+ T cells. During IFN‐α‐based therapy these cells gradually increase, whereas TGF‐β serum levels decrease.
The Usefulness of Accrual Information in Non‐mandatory Environments: The Case of Japanese Local Government
Authors: Kobayashi Mari , Yamamoto Kiyoshi , Ishikawa Keiko
Published: June 2016

This study investigates how accrual accounting is used in a system in which it co‐exists with cash accounting. It uses a survey methodology to explore the factors that influence the extent to which accrual information is useful for decision making, when used in a dual system. The results show that although accrual information was used less for budgeting, evaluation, asset management or debt management, officials found accrual information useful for performance management. Moreover, neither experience nor leadership significantly contributed to decision‐making effectiveness. The study also found that the central government was the most influential promoter of accrual accounting in Japan. Of particular interest is the link between performance measurement and accrual information.
Large Shareholders and Independent Director Equity Compensation
Authors: Adithipyangkul Pattarin , Leung Tak Yan
Published: June 2016

This paper investigates the use of equity compensation for independent directors, with a focus on the impact of large shareholders on a company's tendency to use equity compensation to align independent directors’ interests with those of shareholders. Based on data from 215 large Australian listed companies from 2005–2009, our analyses show that the use of equity incentive pay for independent directors is more likely when the aggregate ownership percentage of large shareholders is moderate, when there are multiple large shareholders and when the ownership stakes of large shareholders are more comparable. This paper contributes to the literature by providing new evidence of how various aspects of ownership dispersion affect compensation design for independent directors.
Observation and establishment of gonad development stages in polyplacophorans (Mollusca): Chiton (Chiton) articulatus a case study
Authors: Abadia‐Chanona Quetzalli Yasú , Avila‐Poveda Omar Hernando , Arellano‐Martínez Marcial , Ceballos‐Vázquez Bertha Patricia
Published: June 2016

Gonad development stages (GDS) and, subsequently, the reproductive cycle are described by performing histology of some gonad portions. In polyplacophorans, gametogenesis is not enough to define GDS; further anatomical gonad features are relevant. In most adult polyplacophorans, the gonad is a simple anatomical structure that resembles and operates as one single gonadal acinus without glandular structure. These features have gone unnoticed causing inaccurate GDS assignment and, consequently, imprecise reproductive season in polyplacophorans. Here, dissection protocols that allow extracting a compact gonad are established. Emphasizing the anatomical structure of the whole gonad and the displacement of gametes, five GDS were assigned to both sexes of Chiton (Chiton) articulatus: I‐goniogenesis, II‐development, III‐ripe, IV‐spawning, V‐rest. Tissue platelets contribute importantly to GDS assignment and even help distinguishing between males and females. Neither a randomly selected portion of gonad nor a longitudinal section are recommended because it leads to misinterpretation higher than 50% in determining GDS and besides ignores displacement of gametes. A panoramic sweep across a complete transverse‐section of each gonad was validated as the best option for establishing GDS. This new methodology was tested on several polyplacophorans species, and seems generally applicable for histological assessment of reproductive cycle and reproductive season in polyplacophorans.
Understanding the spectrum of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: update on diagnostic challenges and therapeutic options
Authors: Brisse Ellen , Matthys Patrick , Wouters Carine H.
Published: June 2016

The cytokine storm syndrome ‘haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis’ (HLH) is an under‐recognized hyperinflammatory disorder, causing high morbidity and mortality risk in children and adults. It can be subdivided into a primary, genetic form and a secondary, acquired form that complicates diverse infections, malignancies and autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders. Both subtypes present with the same spectrum of non‐specific symptoms, making accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation challenging. In the last decade, increased awareness and international collaborative efforts fuelled a marked progress in diagnostic protocols and novel treatment strategies for HLH and new diagnostic guidelines are being tailored to specific secondary HLH subtypes. Therapy is gradually shifting its focus from overall immunosuppression towards targeting specific cytokines, cell types or signalling pathways underlying pathophysiology. Nevertheless, continued research efforts remain indispensable to customize therapy to individual patient needs.