bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An updated checklist and key to the Zambian species of freshwater crabs, with the description of a new species of Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838 (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae)
Authors: Cumberlidge Neil , Fastiggi Clare , Clark Paul F
Published: May 2019

A new species of the freshwater crab genus PotamonautesMacLeay, 1838 from Mporokoso, northern Zambia, southern Africa is described. Potamonautes caputanatisn. sp. is morphologically distinct from other species of this genus found in Zambia and its neighboring countries. The new species is recognised by a unique combination of morphological characters of the carapace, thoracic sternum, major cheliped, and adult male first gonopod. Illustrations of P. caputanatisn. sp. are provided and differences with congeners found elsewhere in Zambia and southern Africa are discussed. The addition of P. caputanatis n. sp. raises the number of species of freshwater crabs known to occur in Zambia to eleven. An updated checklist and key are provided to the Zambian species of freshwater crabs.
Setal morphology of grooming appendages in blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 and stone crabs Menippe mercenaria (Say, 1818) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae, Menippidae)
Authors: Wortham Jen L , Pascual Stephanie
Published: May 2019

Respiration, sensory input, movement, and molting rely on crustacean body regions being free of fouling. While the grooming appendages of shrimps have been described, few studies have documented the functional morphology of grooming appendages in brachyuran crabs. Because shrimps and brachyurans have very different body morphology and grooming behaviors, their grooming setae may vary. The morphology of grooming appendages of blue (Callinectes sapidusRathbun, 1896) and stone (Menippe mercenaria (Say, 1818)) crabs were investigated to gain better insight into their efficiencies in decreasing fouling. Callinectes sapidus is an active swimmer, migrates through currents across estuaries, spends less time grooming, and is exposed to more environmental variants in contrast to M. mercenaria, which has a lower activity level and spends more time grooming. To compensate for this higher activity level and lower grooming time budget, C. sapidus was predicted to have more setal types on its grooming appendages as compared to M. mercenaria. Thirteen different body appendages/regions involved in grooming are described in both species by using scanning electron and light microscopy. We documented the morphology, presence or absence of setal patches, and types of setae in 104 different grooming appendages and groomed body regions. Of 25 types of setae, nine are unique to C. sapidus, rejecting the hypothesis that C. sapidus have more diverse grooming setae. Menippe mercenaria has denser setal patches and less fouling than C. sapidus. Nine new setal types are described. Fouling, setal diversities, and functions that correspond to grooming behaviors are discussed.
Disentangling the complexity and diversity of crosstalk between sulfur and other mineral nutrients in cultivated plants
Authors: Courbet Galatéa , Gallardo Karine , Vigani Gianpiero , Brunel-Muguet Sophie , Trouverie Jacques , Salon Christophe , Ourry Alain
Published: May 2019

A complete understanding of ionome homeostasis requires a thorough investigation of the dynamics of the nutrient networks in plants. This review focuses on the complexity of interactions occurring between S and other nutrients, and these are addressed at the level of the whole plant, the individual tissues, and the cellular compartments. With regards to macronutrients, S deficiency mainly acts by reducing plant growth, which in turn restricts the root uptake of, for example, N, K, and Mg. Conversely, deficiencies in N, K, or Mg reduce uptake of S. TOR (target of rapamycin) protein kinase, whose involvement in the co-regulation of C/N and S metabolism has recently been unravelled, provides a clue to understanding the links between S and plant growth. In legumes, the original crosstalk between N and S can be found at the level of nodules, which show high requirements for S, and hence specifically express a number of sulfate transporters. With regards to micronutrients, except for Fe, their uptake can be increased under S deficiency through various mechanisms. One of these results from the broad specificity of root sulfate transporters that are up-regulated during S deficiency, which can also take up some molybdate and selenate. A second mechanism is linked to the large accumulation of sulfate in the leaf vacuoles, with its reduced osmotic contribution under S deficiency being compensated for by an increase in Cl uptake and accumulation. A third group of broader mechanisms that can explain at least some of the interactions between S and micronutrients concerns metabolic networks where several nutrients are essential, such as the synthesis of the Mo co-factor needed by some essential enzymes, which requires S, Fe, Zn and Cu for its synthesis, and the synthesis and regulation of Fe-S clusters. Finally, we briefly review recent developments in the modelling of S responses in crops (allocation amongst plant parts and distribution of mineral versus organic forms) in order to provide perspectives on prediction-based approaches that take into account the interactions with other minerals such as N.
Gene pyramids and the balancing act of keeping pests at bay
Authors: MacIntosh Gustavo C
Published: May 2019

This article comments on:

Kamphuis LG, Klingler JP, Jacques S, Gao L-l, Edwards OR, Singh KB. 2019. Additive and epistatic interactions between AKR and AIN loci conferring bluegreen aphid resistance and hypersensitivity in Medicago truncatula. Journal of Experimental Botany 70, 4887-4902.
Love and Money in The Informal Empire: The British in Argentina, 1830–1930*
Authors: Cohen Deborah
Published: May 2019

Debates about Britain s ‘informal empire’ range from how it ought to be defined to whether it even really existed. But for all the heat these arguments have generated, we still know very little about what the people at the heart of British-owned enterprises thought they were doing in regions outside formal imperial control but where British capital and markets proved crucial. Drawing upon a recent deposit in Argentina of a substantial set of Anglo‐Argentine familial and business records, this article investigates British capitalism on the periphery. Anglo‐Argentines, even those whose families made their living from the cross-Atlantic trade for a century or more, did not think about their enterprises as building territory or extending Britain’s influence in the world. Money-making was their aim and their loyalties did not extend much beyond their own front door. There is a crucial — but often overlooked — distinction to be made here between national identity and economic interest. Just as Britain’s greater glory took a back seat to commercial success, so too did meeting the material and emotional needs of family members take precedence over money‐making. They prioritized family harmony over profits and stability over the possibility of expansion.
Physical activity goals among patients in a primary care setting
Authors: Dodge Tonya , Joshi Deepti , Abaalkhail Saud , Moore Brad
Published: May 2019

One approach to increasing physical activity (PA) among adults is to develop interventions targeting PA goals that could be implemented in the primary care setting. However, there is little understanding of the types of goals that individuals bring with them into the primary care setting, which is a necessary first step in building interventions. There were three objectives of the study. One was to identify the types of PA goals held by primary care patients. Another was to examine whether there were racial differences among types of PA goals held by primary care patients. A final objective was to examine the relationship between PA goals and PA behaviors (e.g., meet PA guidelines, number of breaks taken from PA routine). Adults (N = 626; Mage = 51.47, SD = 16.32) were recruited from the waiting room of a primary care clinic over a 30-day span to complete a questionnaire on PA and goals. The most commonly endorsed PA goals included, weight maintenance, overall health benefits, weight loss, well-being, body tone and/or shape, stress reduction, cardiovascular health, and energy level. Black patients were more likely than White patients to report weight loss and weight maintenance goals. Weight maintenance, overall health, and stress reduction are the goals for which the greatest percentage of individuals reported meeting aerobic PA guidelines. Finally, number of breaks taken and average length of breaks were similar across type of PA goal. A relatively small number of goals reflected a majority of the goals pursued by participants in this study. Racial differences in adoption of weight loss and weight maintenance goals highlight the need for further investigation into such differences. Finally, future research should consider the role that goal setting plays in PA adherence, paying particular attention to disparate levels of PA across racial groups.
Draft Genome Sequence Resource of Switchgrass Rust Pathogen, Puccinia novopanici Isolate Ard-01
Authors: Gill Upinder S. , Nandety Raja Sekhar , Krom Nick , Dai Xinbin , Zhuang Zhaohong , Tang Yuhong , Zhao Patrick X. , Mysore Kirankumar S.
Published: May 2019

Puccinia novopanici is an important biotrophic fungal pathogen that causes rust disease in switchgrass. Lack of genomic resources for P. novopanici has hampered the progress toward developing effective disease resistance against this pathogen. Therefore, we have sequenced the whole genome of P. novopanici and generated a framework to understand pathogenicity mechanisms and identify effectors, repeat element invasion, genome evolution, and comparative genomics among Puccinia spp. in the future. Long- and short-read sequences were generated from P. novopanici genomic DNA by PacBio and Illumina technologies, respectively, and assembled a 99.9-Mb genome. Transcripts of P. novopanici were predicted from assembled genome using MAKER and were further validated by RNAseq data. The genome sequence information of P. novopanici will be a valuable resource for researchers working on monocot rusts and plant disease resistance in general.
A six-member SNP assay on the iPlex MassARRAY platform provides a rapid and affordable alternative for typing major African Staphylococcus aureus types
Authors: Nyasinga Justin , Kyany’a Cecilia , Okoth Raphael , Oundo Valerie , Matano Daniel , Wacira Simon , Sang Willie , Musembi Susan , Musila Lillian
Published: May 2019

Purpose. Data on the clonal distribution of

Staphylococcus aureus

in Africa are scanty, partly due to the high costs and long turnaround times imposed by conventional genotyping methods such as spa and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), which means there is a need for alternative typing approaches. This study evaluated the discriminatory power, cost of and time required for genotyping Kenyan staphylococcal isolates using iPlex MassARRAY compared to conventional methods.

Methodology. Fifty-four clinical

S. aureus

isolates from three counties were characterized using iPlex MassARRAY, spa and MLST typing methods. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the

S. aureus

MLST loci were assessed by MassARRAY.

Results. The MassARRAY assay identified 14 unique SNP genotypes, while spa typing and MLST revealed 22 spa types and 21 sequence types (STs) that displayed unique regional distribution. spa type t355 (ST152) was the dominant type overall while t037/t2029 (ST 241) dominated among the methicillin-resistant

S. aureus

(MRSA) isolates. MassARRAY showed 83 % and 82 % accuracy against spa typing and MLST, respectively, in isolate classification. Moreover, MassARRAY identified all MRSA strains and a novel spa type. MassARRAY had a reduced turnaround time (<12 h) compared to spa typing (4 days) and MLST (20 days). The MassARRAY reagent and consumable costs per isolate were approximately $18 USD compared to spa typing ($30 USD) and MLST ($126 USD).

Conclusion. This study demonstrated that iPlex MassARRAY can be adapted as a useful surveillance tool to provide a faster, more affordable and fairly accurate method for genotyping African

S. aureus

isolates to identify clinically significant genotypes, MRSA strains and emerging strain types.
Diverse novel phleboviruses in sandflies from the Panama Canal area, Central Panama
Authors: Marklewitz Marco , Dutari Larissa C. , Paraskevopoulou Sofia , Page Rachel A. , Loaiza Jose R. , Junglen Sandra
Published: May 2019

The genus Phlebovirus (order Bunyavirales, family Phenuiviridae) comprises 57 viruses that are grouped into nine species-complexes. Sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses are found in Europe, Africa and the Americas and are responsible for febrile illness and infections of the nervous system in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses in connected and isolated forest habitats throughout the Panama Canal area in Central Panama. In total, we collected 13 807 sandflies comprising eight phlebotomine species. We detected several strains pertaining to five previously unknown viruses showing maximum pairwise identities of 45–78 % to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes of phleboviruses. Entire coding regions were directly sequenced from infected sandflies as virus isolation in cell culture was not successful. The viruses were tentatively named La Gloria virus (LAGV), Mona Grita virus (MOGV), Peña Blanca virus (PEBV), Tico virus (TICV) and Tres Almendras virus (TRAV). Inferred phylogenies and p-distance-based analyses revealed that PEBV groups with the Bujaru phlebovirus species-complex, TRAV with the Candiru phlebovirus species-complex and MOGV belongs to the proposed Icoarci phlebovirus species-complex, whereas LAGV and TICV seem to be distant members of the Bujaru phlebovirus species-complex. No specific vector or habitat association was found for any of the five viruses. Relative abundance of sandflies was similar over habitat types. Our study shows that blood-feeding insects originating from remote and biodiverse habitats harbour multiple previously unknown phleboviruses. These viruses should be included in future surveillance studies to assess their geographic distribution and to elucidate if these viruses cause symptoms of disease in animals or humans.
Functional genomics of the stable fly,Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control
Authors: Olafson Pia U. , Aksoy Serap , Attardo Geoffrey M. , Buckmeier Greta , Chen Xiaoting , Coates Craig J. , Davis Megan , Dykema Justin , Emrich Scott J. , Friedrich Markus , Holmes Christopher J. , Ioannidis Panagiotis , Jansen Evan N. , Jennings Emily C. , Lawson Daniel , Martinson Ellen O. , Maslen Gareth L. , Meisel Richard P. , Murphy Terence D. , Nayduch Dana , Nelson David R. , Oyen Kennan J. , Raszick Tyler J. , Ribeiro José M. C. , Robertson Hugh M. , Rosendale Andrew J. , Sackton Timothy B. , Swiger Sonja L. , Sze Sing-Hoi , Tarone Aaron M. , Taylor David B. , Warren Wesley C. , Waterhouse Robert M. , Weirauch Matthew T. , Werren John H. , Wilson Richard K. , Zdobnov Evgeny M. , Benoit Joshua B.
Published: May 2019

Background

The stable fly,Stomoxys calcitrans, is a major blood-feeding pest of livestock that has near worldwide distribution, causing an annual cost of over $2 billion for control and product loss in the United States alone. Control of these flies has been limited to increased sanitary management practices and insecticide application for suppressing larval stages. Few genetic and molecular resources are available to help in developing novel methods for controlling stable flies.

Results

This study examines stable fly biology by utilizing a combination of high-quality genome sequencing, microbiome analyses, and RNA-seq analyses targeting multiple developmental stages and tissues. In conjunction, manual curation of over 1600 genes was used to examine gene content related to stable fly reproduction, interactions with their host, host-microbe dynamics, and putative routes for control. Most notable was establishment of reproduction-associated genes and identification of expanded vision, chemosensation, immune repertoire, and metabolic detoxification pathway gene families.

Conclusions

The combined sequencing, assembly, and curation of the male stable fly genome followed by RNA-seq and downstream analyses provide insights necessary to understand the biology of this important pest. These resources and knowledge will provide the groundwork for expanding the tools available to control stable fly infestations. The close relationship ofStomoxysto other blood-feeding (Glossina) and non-blood-feeding flies (medflies,Drosophila, house flies) will allow for understanding the evolution of blood feeding among Cyclorrhapha flies.
CaV3.1 channel pore pseudo-symmetry revealed by selectivity filter mutations in their domains I/II
Authors: Garza-López E. , Aldana A. , Darszon A. , Nishigaki T. , López-González I.
Published: May 2019

There is growing evidence indicating that the pore structure of voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) influences gating besides their conductance. Regarding low voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels, it has been demonstrated that substitutions of the pore aspartate (D) by a glutamate (D-to-E substitution) in domains III and IV alter channel gating properties such as a positive shift in the channel activation voltage dependence. In the present report, we evaluated the effects of E-to-D substitution in domains I and II on the CaV3.1 channel gating properties. Our results indicate that substitutions in these two domains differentially modify the gating properties of CaV3.1 channels. The channel with a single mutation in domain I (DEDD) presented slower activation and faster inactivation kinetics and a slower recovery from inactivation, as compared with the WT channel. In contrast, the single mutant in domain II (EDDD) presented a small but significant negative shift of activation voltage dependence with faster activation and slower deactivation kinetics. Finally, the double mutant channel (DDDD) presented intermediate properties with respect to the two single mutants but with fastest deactivation kinetics. Overall, our results indicate that single amino acid modification of the selectivity filter of LVA Ca2+ channels in distinct domains differentially influence their gating properties, suggesting a pore pseudo-symmetry.

Statement of significance

Previous reports of low voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels have demonstrated that pore aspartate (D) in domains III and IV equally modulates the channel gating properties, supporting a hypothesis of pore symmetry in LVA Ca2+ channels. In the present report, we evaluated the effects of glutamate (E)-to-D pore substitution in domains I and II on the CaV3.1 channel gating properties. Our results indicate that substitutions in these two domains differentially modify the gating properties of CaV3.1 channels, therefore suggesting a pore pseudo-symmetry in them. Interestingly, our pore mutations affect inactivation of CaV3.1 Ca2+ channels indicating a selectivity filter contribution to this process similar to the recent proposed paradigm for high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels.
Gene transcription as a limiting factor in protein production and cell growth
Authors: Metzl-Raz Eyal , Kafri Moshe , Yaakov Gilad , Barkai Naama
Published: May 2019

Growth rate and cell size are principle characteristics of proliferating cells, whose values depend on cellular biosynthetic processes in a way poorly understood. Protein production is critical for growth, and we therefore examined for processes limiting this production. Burdening cells with an excess of inert protein changed endogenous gene expression similarly to transcription-perturbing mutants, was epistatic to these mutants, but did not deplete respective factors from gene promoters. Mathematical modeling, corroborated by experiments, attributed this signature to a feedback which proportionally increases all endogenous gene expression, but lags at fast initiating genes already transcribed close to the maximal possible rate. As a possible benefit of maximizing transcription rates, we discuss a conflict between cell growth rate and size, which emerges above a critical cell size set by transcript abundance. We propose that biochemical limits on protein and mRNA production define the characteristic values of cell size and division time.
NSUN2 introduces 5-methylcytosines in mammalian mitochondrial tRNAs
Authors: Van Haute Lindsey , Lee Song-Yi , McCann Beverly J. , Powell Christopher A. , Bansal Dhiru , Garone Caterina , Shin Sanghee , Kim Jong-Seo , Frye Michaela , Gleeson Joseph G. , Miska Eric , Rhee Hyun-Woo , Minczuk Michal
Published: May 2019

Maintenance and expression of mitochondrial DNA is indispensable for proper function of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery. Post-transcriptional modification of mitochondrial RNA has emerged as one of the key regulatory steps of human mitochondrial gene expression. Mammalian NOP2/Sun RNA Methyltransferase Family Member 2 (NSUN2) has been characterised as an RNA methyltransferase that introduces 5-methylcytosine (m5C) in nuclear-encoded tRNAs, mRNAs, microRNA and noncoding RNAs. In these roles, NSUN2 has been associated with cell proliferation and differentiation. Pathogenic variants in NSUN2 have been linked with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we employ spatially restricted proximity labelling and immunodetection to demonstrate that NSUN2 is imported into the matrix of mammalian mitochondria. Using three genetic models for NSUN2 inactivation – knockout mice, patient-derived fibroblasts and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout in human cells – we show that NSUN2 in necessary for the generation of m5C at positions 48, 49 and 50 of several mammalian mitochondrial tRNAs. Finally, we show that inactivation of NSUN2 does not have a profound effect on mitochondrial tRNA stability and oxidative phosphorylation in differentiated cells. We discuss the importance of the newly discovered function of NSUN2 in the context of human disease.
Smartphone screening for neonatal jaundice via ambient-subtracted sclera chromaticity:neoSCBapp pilot study
Authors: Outlaw Felix , Nixon Miranda , Odeyemi Oluwatobiloba , MacDonald Lindsay W. , Meek Judith , Leung Terence S.
Published: May 2019

Jaundice is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the newborn. Globally, early identification and home monitoring are significant challenges in reducing the incidence of jaundice-related neurological damage. Smartphone cameras are promising as colour-based screening tools as they are low-cost, objective and ubiquitous. We propose a novel smartphone method and app called neoSCB to screen for neonatal jaundice by imaging the sclera. It does not rely on colour calibration cards or accessories, which may facilitate its adoption at scale and in less economically developed regions. Our approach is to explicitly address three confounding factors in relating colour to jaundice: (1) skin pigmentation, (2) ambient light, and (3) camera spectral response. (1) The variation in skin pigmentation is avoided by imaging the sclera. (2) With the smartphone screen acting as an illuminating flash, a flash/ no-flash image pair is captured using the front-facing camera. The contribution of ambient light is subtracted. (3) This permits a device-and ambient-independent measure of sclera chromaticity following a one-time calibration. We introduce the concept of Scleral-Conjunctival Bilirubin (SCB), in analogy with Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB). The scleral chromaticity is mapped to an SCB value. A pilot study was conducted in the UCL Hospital Neonatal Care Unit. 51 neonates were imaged using the neoSCB app and had a blood test for total serum bilirubin (TSB). The better of two models for SCB based on ambient-subtracted sclera chromaticity achieved r = 0.75 (p<0.01) correlation with TSB. Ambient subtraction improved chromaticity estimates in laboratory tests and screening performance within our study sample. Using an SCB decision threshold of 190μmol/L, the sensitivity was 100% (specificity 61%) in identifying newborns with TSB>250μmol/L (area under receiver operating characteristic curve, AUROC, 0.86), and 92% (specificity 67%) in identifying newborns with TSB>205μmol/L (AUROC 0.85). These results are comparable to modern transcutaneous bilirubinometers.
Potassium chloridotris(hypersiloxy)aluminate dimer
Authors: Purdy Andrew P. , Butcher Raymond J.
Published: May 2019

The tris(trimethylsilylsiloxide) ligand, also known as hypersiloxide, is an extremely bulky group. In an attempt to make the monomeric Al(OSi(SiMe3)3)3, AlCl3 was combined with 3 equiv. of potassium hypersiloxide. The crystalline product isolated (40% yield), namely di-μ3-chlorido-bis[μ2-tris(trimethylsilyl)silanolato]tetrakis[tris(trimethylsilyl)silanolato]dialuminiumdipotassium, [Al2K2Cl2(C19H27OSi4)6], is a KCl adduct of aluminium tris(hypersilyloxide) that is dimerized through a planar K2Cl2 ring, with K—Cl distances of 3.1131 (8) and 3.319 (3) Å, and ring angles of 77.41 (2) and 102.60 (2)°. This ring is on an inversion center, and there is no supramolecular coordination.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of dibutyl 5,5′-(pentane-3,3-diyl)bis(1H-pyrrole-5-carboxylate)
Authors: Wang Haijing , Yin Zhenming
Published: May 2019

The molecular structure of the title compound, C23H34N2O4, has C2 symmetry. In the crystal, interlocked dimers are formed through quadruple N—H...O hydrogen bonds between pyrrole N—H groups and carbonyl O atoms.
Sodium bis(2-methyllactato)borate
Authors: Gokila Govindharajan , Thiruvalluvar Aravazhi Amalan , Ramachandra Raja Chidambaram
Published: May 2019

The asymmetric unit of the title organic–inorganic hybrid salt, poly[[μ4-bis(2-methyllactato)borato]sodium], [Na(C8H12BO6)]
n
, comprises a sodium cation and a bis(2-methyllactato)borate anion. The sodium cation exhibits a [4 + 1] coordination by borate and carbonyl O atoms of the bis(2-methyllactato)borate anion, leading to a three-dimensional polymeric structure.
Role of Facebook as a disaster communication media
Authors: Jayasekara Prasadi Kanchana
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the types of contents shared through Facebook during different phases of disaster management.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data of this study were collected using the qualitative method. To acquire the necessary data, researcher selected 50 Sri Lankan Facebook users who can read and understand Sinhala with more than 1,000 friends using the snowball sampling method. Selected Facebook users had to collect Facebook posts related to flood during two weeks time period. Data were collected until it reached data saturation point. The collected Facebook posts were transcribed and translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the Facebook posts.

Findings

The most prominent use of Facebook for disaster communication can be observed in, during and post-disaster phases. In the during-disaster phase, people used Facebook to share posts related to disaster warning, request for help or rescue, share information about rescue missions, share contact numbers of rescue teams, request donation items, coordinate aid distribution, ask for volunteer work and to provide feedback about the ongoing funding programs. In the post-disaster phase, people used Facebook to request volunteer help for cleaning, to provide feedback about the progress and to ask about donating cleaning products.

Originality/value

Findings of this study can be used by the government or authorized bodies to develop official social media channels, which would fulfill information requirements during disaster situations.
Frequency and potential causes of medication errors from nurses’ viewpoint in hospitals affiliated to a medical sciences University in Iran
Authors: Piroozi Bakhtiar , Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad , Safari Hossein , Amerzadeh Mohammad , Moradi Ghobad , Usefi Dalir , Azadnia Arian , Gray Serajaddin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of medication errors (MEs) and the factors affecting them among nurses of hospitals affiliated to Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) in 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study. In total, 503 nurses were selected using census method from six hospitals affiliated to KUMS. A self-constructed questionnaire was employed to collect information on nurses’ socio-demographic characteristics (6 items), the prevalence and type of MEs (21 items) and their perceptions about the main causes of MEs (40 items). Data were collected from August 15 to October 15, 2016. In addition, nonparametric and linear regression tests were used to describe the descriptive statistics and analyze the data.

Findings

The response rate was 73 percent and the monthly reported MEs per nurse was 6.27±11.95. Giving medication at non-scheduled time (28.4 percent), giving multiple oral medications together (22.4 percent) and giving painkillers after operation without physician’s prescription (15.3 percent) were three types of repetitive MEs, respectively. Gender, work experience, and having a second job affected the total number of MEs. “Long and unconventional nursing shifts,” “changing the dosage of medications for patients under observation due to multiple consultations and different doctors’ orders” as well as “failure to give feedback about the causes of errors to nurses by supervisors” were the three prioritized factors for MEs.

Originality/value

There is a need to reduce MEs in order to improve patient safety. It seems that in order to reduce MEs, systemic and managerial reforms such as reducing the working hours and workload of nurses, giving feedback about the causes of MEs to nurses, and using initiatives to reduce the stress in nurses are necessary.
Personal waste management in higher education
Authors: Michael Judd , Elser Nathaniel
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a quadruple bottom line approach for higher education leaders who must decide whether to accept sustainability initiatives that do have not have a business case. The authors describe a personal waste management program at a major university to illustrate how a quadruple bottom line framework may impact decisions to adopt a sustainability practice in higher education. The authors also demonstrate how opportunity costs can be applied to better understand the true costs of such waste management programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research uses a case study approach with a unique accounting method to determine the costs of a personal waste management system. System costs are calculated for the entire university and for sample units within the university.

Findings

University leaders chose to continue the new waste management program in light of evidence showing higher than anticipated costs. The authors illustrate how this decision was driven by consideration of a fourth bottom line, that of the educational value of the sustainability initiative. It is discussed whether proposed sustainability initiatives such as these should be evaluated using a traditional triple bottom line framework, or, in the case of higher education, if equal consideration should also be given to factors related to the educational mission of the institution.

Originality/value

The authors develop a quadruple bottom line framework to explain the frequent implementation of economically costly sustainability programs in higher education contexts. This paper also reviews the rise of “personal waste management” programs at higher education institutions, demonstrates how the value of employee time can and should be considered as a cost of a comprehensive campus sustainability program (i.e. recycling and composting) and illustrates a novel means for using opportunity costs to determine those costs.
Occupational stress management for UK construction professionals
Authors: Ajayi Saheed O. , Jones William , Unuigbe Maria
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The increasing awareness of stress as an issue in the construction industry, and the increased realisation of the more effective approach of preventing stress as opposed to treating mental health, has placed a great responsibility on industries that rely heavily on the performance of their workforce. In line with this, this paper aims to investigate the causes of stress and the best strategies for improving professional resilience and stress management proficiency in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using exploratory sequential mixed method research design, the top factors that cause stress, mitigate stress and build resilience are identified and discussed.

Findings

The findings show thematic similarities in the causes of stress, by displaying a reoccurring theme relating to the quality and lack of information, as well as poor communication among the construction professionals. This implies that poor collaboration and “over-the-wall syndrome” of the construction industry does not only contribute to defective output and reworks, it also has significant impacts on the health and well-being of the professionals. Recommendations are made on how to mitigate stress in the industry, by addressing its root-causes and implementing the identified mitigation strategies. This includes a realistic approach to budgeting and project duration, as well as improved communication and collaboration.

Originality/value

Finding of this study could help in mitigating stress and mental health concerns that are currently plaguing the construction industry.
Impact of CSR on cost of debt and cost of capital: Australian evidence
Authors: Bhuiyan Md. Borhan Uddin , Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the association between the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the cost of equity (COE) and cost of debt (COD).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the multivariate regression analysis approach to address the developed hypotheses.

Findings

Using a sample of 230 Australian listed firms from 2004 to 2016, the authors document that firms complying with higher CSR affect both COE and COD negatively, which means that CSR disclosure reduces financing cost.

Practical implication

These results support the risk mitigation perspective of CSR compliance, showing that both the investors and creditors may lower their expected returns because they find that CSR can mitigate potential business risk.

Originality/value

The authors extend the CSR research with both COE and COD.
What are the determinants of European hotel room design 2030?
Authors: Wittmann-Wurzer Annegret Jutta , Zech Nicola
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to identify determinants influencing hotel room design now and in the future to offer hotel owners, hotel investors, architects and other partners involved in hotel planning, a framework regarding hotel room design 2030. Based both on theoretical foundations and empirical findings, guidelines for an innovative future hotel room design are evolved and represented by a triangular model.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed analysis of basic and topic-related hotel management literature as well as of promising best practices of leading international hotel companies is supplemented by the evaluation of 27 expert interviews with hoteliers of varying hotel conceptions in Germany, Austria and Spain.

Findings

The paper presents qualitative as well as quantitative results of the applied methodology and leads to the emergence of a triangular model for an innovative future hotel room design approach.

Research limitations/implications

Safety and security aspects (both physical and virtual) as well as sustainability as a limiting factor have not been further discussed within the model construction so far.

Practical implications

The theoretical findings and the emergent framework may be customized to the determining factors and specific needs of individual hotels, hotel consortia or hotel chains to meet the needs of hotel room design 2030.

Originality/value

This research paper offers guidelines beyond design aspects by considering target group priorities, technological innovation and economical aspects.
How do Indian consumers behave when planning a leisure trip?
Authors: Chincholkar Snehal
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Indian consumer behaviour towards tourism and identifies their preferences when planning leisure trips.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, a questionnaire was designed giving more focus on pleasure or leisure trips. After that data were collected using an online survey method, and this yielded 165 responses that were analysed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Findings

The findings reveal that among Indian tourists, highland locations are the most preferred location for a leisure trip. While selecting a tourist location and planning a leisure trip, Indian consumers look for security and safety followed by the available amenities, budget and weather conditions. Family and friends’ suggestions and the various activities available at the destination also have a moderate impact on the consumer’s choices.

Research limitations/implications

The article contributes to emerging research on the Indian tourism industry and consumer behaviour in tourism.

Practical implications

Research can help tourism companies and agencies to design innovative solutions to increase as well as maintain their customer base.

Originality/value

This article adds some value to the current literature specifically related to leisure tourism. The factors identified that impact on consumer decisions (including demographic factors) can be further investigated to provide innovative solutions.
The “Cameos of Care Homes” project – care home staff’s Vanguard involvement and reflections
Authors: Harris Jess , Manthorpe Jill
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The Cameos of Care Homes project is an opportunity to use the medium of film to showcase the experiences and reflections of frontline care home staff whose employers participated in the National Health Service (NHS) England Vanguard programme. Reflecting on their involvement in one of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes Vanguards, 12 staff describe, in front of the camera, the impact on themselves and their colleagues, on their care for their older residents, and on the wider culture of the care home. The paper aims to discuss this initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the experiences of care home staff that were purposefully recorded on film about their participation in a care home Vanguard. The recruitment of the care homes and staff is described, as are the development of interview questions and approaches needed when filming is considered as a research method.

Findings

Participating care home staff reported that their involvement in the Vanguard programme had improved knowledge, confidence, morale, communication skills and the homes’ learning cultures. They were enthusiastic about reporting their experiences on film. Examples were given of proactive early support from local NHS staff leading to improvements in care, thereby reducing demand on the NHS. However, participation was resource intensive for care homes. Care home staff hoped the support that accompanied the Vanguard programme would continue but were uncertain to what degree this would happen once the Vanguard programme ceased.

Research limitations/implications

The interviews were undertaken with a self-selecting group of care home staff from two care homes operating in one of the six Vanguard sites in England. By their very nature, interviews for a public film cannot provide anonymity.

Practical implications

Researchers seeking the views of care home staff may wish to consider filming interviews and presenting the film as a research output that is engaging and informative for care home and wider audiences.

Originality/value

The paper presents an analysis of filmed interviews with care home managers and care workers working with older people. Their views on the Vanguard initiative have not been widely considered, in contrast to the sizeable literature relating to NHS activity and expenditure.
Public attention to extreme weather as reflected by social media activity
Authors: Silver Amber , Andrey Jean
Published: May 2019

Recent advancements in the development of information and communication technologies have revolutionized risk and crisis communication. This research explored how social media facilitates information seeking, interpretation, and dissemination during extreme weather. Using Twitter data collected during a tornado‐warned storm, this study explored the activity of different actor groups. The findings demonstrate that weather professionals and weather enthusiasts acted as “key stewards” who facilitated discussion during the event. Citizens engaged in the dialogue predominately by retweeting and by sharing personal observations of the storm. The results highlight the usefulness of Twitter for the propagation of both official and unofficial storm‐related information. This study also supports previous research that suggests that tweet activity may be a reliable indicator of public attention.
Managing crisis in a university setting: The challenge of alignment
Authors: Moerschell Linda , Novak Susan S.
Published: May 2019

This paper explores the unique challenges of university leadership when planning and aligning communications and activities before, during, and after crises. We examined the three stages of a crisis and the unpredictable nature of large‐scale crises, including natural or man‐made disasters, that threaten people and structures. Compiled data exposed the frequency and complexity of critical events emphasizing the urgent need for attention and action. Case studies informed primarily by the literature, and a personal interview with a crisis strategist, detail specific alignment challenges and recommend a holistic crisis management system for university leadership to implement that addresses planning, response, and recovery. Consequences of misalignment include loss of message control, rumourmongering, prolonged disruption of operations, and the likelihood of reputational damage.
Competition, Concentration and Percentage Rent in Retail Leasing
Authors: Guven Gokhan , Inci Eren , Russo Antonio
Published: May 2019

Competing retailers benefit from concentrating under a shopping mall because more consumers visit the mall to economize on search costs. Consumers would also benefit from concentration if retailers cut prices to attract more of the incoming consumers. We show that such competition may be only apparent because the mall alleviates competition among retailers. Although consumers have rational expectations about the price levels at the mall, they learn the exact prices and features of goods only after visiting the mall. In addition to the usual fixed rent, most rental lease contracts at malls require retailers to pay a percentage rent that increases with sales revenue. The mall uses the percentage rent to keep the prices charged by competing retailers high, which increases retailers' joint revenue. It then charges the fixed rent to extract surplus from them. Hence, as long as prices are not perfectly observable, concentration results in higher prices.
Knowledge, attitude and practices of clinical quality and performance assessment among emergency medical services personnel in South Africa: A mixed methods study
Authors: Howard Ian , Cameron Peter , Castrén Maaret , Wallis Lee , Lindström Veronica
Published: May 2019

Objective

Deficits in healthcare quality are becoming an increasing concern globally. Within the low‐ to middle‐income country (LMIC) setting insufficient quality has become a bigger barrier to reducing mortality than insufficient access, where 60% of deaths from conditions amenable to healthcare, are due to poor quality care. Measuring quality is key towards improving the effectiveness of healthcare in this setting.

Methods

A mixed methods sequential‐explanatory study was conducted, to describe what Emergency Medical Service (EMS) practitioners understood about quality systems within the LMICs, using South Africa as an example. Part 1 consisted of a cross‐sectional survey (n = 169), the results of which were utilised to develop a semi‐structured interview guide for Part 2. Interviews of participants from Part 1 explored the results of the survey (n = 20) and were analysed through content analysis to develop core categories central to the understanding of quality assessment in the LMICs.

Results

Despite relatively poor knowledge of organisational‐specific quality systems, understanding of the core components and importance of quality systems was demonstrated. The role of these systems in the LMICs was supported by participants, where the importance of context, system transparency, reliability and validity were essential towards achieving ongoing success and utilisation. The role of leadership and communication towards the effective facilitation of such a system was equally identified.

Conclusion

Within EMS, quality systems are in their infancy. It could be argued that this is somewhat more pronounced in the LMICs, where knowledge of organisational quality systems was found to be poor. Despite this, there was a strong general understanding of the importance of quality systems, and the role they have to play in this setting.
Comparison between serving sizes of cakes and muffins sold in Australian supermarkets and coffee shop chains
Authors: Liang Stephanie , Gemming Luke , Wellard‐Cole Lyndal , Rangan Anna
Published: May 2019

Aim

Cakes and muffins are commonly consumed discretionary foods that have increased significantly in portion size over the past decades. The present study aimed to (i) investigate serving sizes and energy per serving of cakes and muffins sold in supermarkets and coffee chains, (ii) compare to standard discretionary serves and (iii) propose feasible and appropriate serving size recommendations.

Methods

Serving sizes and energy content of cakes and muffins were collected from four major Australian supermarkets (n = 219) and eight coffee chains (n = 248) between March and April 2017 and classified into eight categories and compared using Mann–Whitney tests. Median energy per serving of cakes and muffins from supermarkets and coffee chains were compared to the Australian Dietary Guidelines standard serve of 600 kJ for discretionary food.

Results

The median serving size of cakes and muffins from supermarkets, 58 g (interquartile range, IQR: 47–83) and their energy content, 915 kJ (IQR: 745–1243) were significantly smaller compared with coffee chain equivalents, 148 g (IQR: 115–171, P < 0.001) and 1805 kJ (IQR: 1436–2004, P < 0.001), respectively. The majority of cakes and muffins exceeded the Australian Dietary Guidelines standard serve (78% from supermarkets and 99% from coffee chains).

Conclusions

The larger servings of cakes and muffins sold in coffee chains contain nearly double the energy content of smaller servings sold in supermarkets. We recommend reference serving sizes for industry and food retail are set for this category, in combination with consumer education to guide consumers to select appropriate portion sizes.