bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active site closure stabilizes the backtracked state of RNA polymerase
Authors: Turtola Matti , Mäkinen Janne J. , Belogurov Georgiy A.
Published: September 2018

All cellular RNA polymerases (RNAP) occasionally backtrack along the template DNA as part of transcriptional proofreading and regulation. Here, we studied the mechanism of RNAP backtracking by one nucleotide using two complementary approaches that allowed us to precisely measure the occupancy and lifetime of the backtracked state. Our data show that the stability of the backtracked state is critically dependent on the closure of the RNAP active site by a mobile domain, the trigger loop (TL). The lifetime and occupancy of the backtracked state measurably decreased by substitutions of the TL residues that interact with the nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) substrate, whereas amino acid substitutions that stabilized the closed active site increased the lifetime and occupancy. These results suggest that the same conformer of the TL closes the active site during catalysis of nucleotide incorporation into the nascent RNA and backtracking by one nucleotide. In support of this hypothesis, we construct a model of the 1-nt backtracked complex with the closed active site and the backtracked nucleotide in the entry pore area known as the E-site. We further propose that 1-nt backtracking mimics the reversal of the NTP substrate loading into the RNAP active site during on-pathway elongation.
The effects of awareness of the perturbation during motor adaptation on hand localization
Authors: Modchalingam Shanaathanan , Vachon Chad Michael , ’t Hart Bernard Marius , Henriques Denise Y. P.
Published: September 2018

Explicit awareness of a task is often evoked during rehabilitation and sports training with the intention of accelerating learning and improving performance. However, the effects of awareness of perturbations on the resulting sensory and motor changes produced during motor learning are not well understood. Here, we use explicit instructions as well as large rotation sizes to generate awareness of the perturbation during a visuomotor rotation task and test the resulting changes in both perceived and predicted sensory consequences as well as implicit motor changes.

We split participants into 4 groups which differ in both magnitude of the rotation (either 30° or 60°) during adaptation, and whether they receive a strategy to counter the rotation or not prior to adaptation. Performance benefits of explicit instruction are largest during early adaptation but continued to lead to improved performance through 90 trials of training. We show that with either instruction, or with large perturbations, participants become aware of countering the rotation. However, we find a base amount of implicit learning, with equal magnitudes, across all groups, even when asked to exclude any strategies while reaching with no visual feedback of the hand.

Participants also estimate the location of the unseen hand when it is moved by the robot (passive localization) and when they generate their own movement (active localization) following adaptation. These learning-induced shifts in estimates of hand position reflect both proprioceptive recalibration and updates in the predicted consequences of movements. We find that these estimates of felt hand position, which reflect updates in both proprioception and efference based estimates of hand position, shift significantly for all groups and were not modulated by either instruction or perturbation size.

Our results indicate that not all processes of motor learning benefit from an explicit awareness of the task. Particularly, proprioceptive recalibration and the updating of predicted sensory consequences are largely implicit processes.
Dimerisation of APOBEC1 is dispensable for its RNA/DNA editing activity and modulates its availability
Authors: Chieca Martina , Montini Marco , Severi Francesco , Lembo Gaia , Donati Francesco , Pecori Riccardo , Conticello Silvestro G.
Published: September 2018

The AID/APOBECs are DNA/RNA deaminases whose mutagenic activity has been linked to cancer. Among them, APOBEC1 physiologically partakes into a complex that edits a CAA codon into UAA Stop codon in the transcript of Apolipoprotein B (APOB), a protein crucial in the transport of lipids in the blood. Catalytically inactive mutants of APOBEC1 have a dominant negative effect on its activity, as they compete for the targeting of the APOB mRNA. Here we titrate APOBEC1-mediated editing in presence of catalytically inactive chimeras and mutants of APOBEC1, and we show that APOBEC1 inability to dimerise is the main determinant for its activity. This property is especially evident in an APOBEC1 mutant (L173A G227A) with increased activity on RNA despite decreased self-interaction. Moreover, dimerisation protects APOBEC1 from degradation and regulates its availability. Considering APOBEC1 capability to target DNA, we demonstrate that increased availability of the protein due to dimerisation leads to increase in the DNA damage induced by APOBEC1. These findings demonstrate that dimerisation, a property common to other APOBECs targeting DNA, might represent another layer in the regulation of this editing enzyme.

BULLET POINTS

APOBEC1 inability to dimerise is the main determinant for its activity.

Dimerisation protects APOBEC1 from degradation and regulates its availability.

Alterations in the balance between monomeric and dimeric APOBEC1 increase DNA damage.
Reproductive skew affects social information use
Authors: Smolla Marco , Rosher Charlotte , Gilman R. Tucker , Shultz Susanne
Published: September 2018

Individuals vary in their propensity to use social learning, the engine of cultural evolution, to acquire information about their environment. The causes of those differences, however, remain largely unclear. Individuals that experience high reproductive skew are expected to favour high-risk strategies, whereas those that experience low reproductive skew are expected to favour risk-averse strategies. Using an agent-based model, we tested the hypothesis that differences in energetic requirements for reproduction affect the value of social information. We found that social learning is associated with lower variance in yield and is more likely to evolve in risk-averse low-skew populations than in high-skew populations. Reproductive skew may also result in sex differences in social information use, as females tend to be more risk averse than males. To explore how risk may affect sex differences in learning strategies, we simulated learning in sexually reproducing populations. Where both sexes share the same environment they adopt more extreme learning strategies, approaching pure individual or social learning. These results provide insight into the conditions that promote individual and species level variation in social learning and so may affect cultural evolution.
Serotonin regulates dynamics of cerebellar granule cell activity by modulating tonic inhibition
Authors: Fleming Elizabeth , Hull Court
Published: September 2018

Understanding how afferent information is integrated by cortical structures requires identifying the factors shaping excitation and inhibition within their input layers. The input layer of the cerebellar cortex integrates diverse sensorimotor information to enable learned associations that refine the dynamics of movement. Specifically, mossy fiber afferents relay sensorimotor input into the cerebellum to excite granule cells, whose activity is regulated by inhibitory Golgi cells. To test how this integration can be modulated, we have used an acute brain slice preparation from young adult rats and found that encoding of mossy fiber input in the cerebellar granule cell layer can be regulated by serotonin (5-HT) via a specific action on Golgi cells. We find that 5-HT depolarizes Golgi cells, likely by activating 5-HT2A receptors, but does not directly act on either granule cells or mossy fibers. As a result of Golgi cell depolarization, 5-HT significantly increases tonic inhibition onto both granule cells and Golgi cells. 5-HT-mediated Golgi cell depolarization is not sufficient, however, to alter the probability or timing of mossy fiber-evoked feed-forward inhibition onto granule cells. Together, increased granule cell tonic inhibition paired with normal feed-forward inhibition acts to reduce granule cell spike probability without altering spike timing. These data hence provide a circuit mechanism by which 5-HT can reduce granule cell activity without altering temporal representations of mossy fiber input. Such changes in network integration could enable flexible, state-specific suppression of cerebellar sensorimotor input that should not be learned, or enable reversal learning for unwanted associations.

New and Noteworthy

5-HT regulates synaptic integration at the input stage of cerebellar processing by increasing tonic inhibition of granule cells. This circuit mechanism reduces the probability of granule cell spiking without altering spike timing, thus suppressing cerebellar input without altering its temporal representation in the granule cell layer.
The performance implications of the UNE 166.000 standardised innovation management system
Authors: Martínez-Costa Micaela , Jimenez-Jimenez Daniel , Castro-del-Rosario Yolanda del Pilar
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effects of implementing a standardised innovation management system (SIMS) in accordance with the Spanish UNE 166.000 standard on technological and administrative innovations and company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses with a sample of 200 manufacturing companies.

Findings

The results obtained show that implementing the SIMS promotes all types of innovations and their results. In addition, a positive relationship is found between administrative and technological innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this paper show the importance of innovation management systems for the effective development of innovation processes. Despite the limitations that may arise from differences between the measurements and actual implementation, the application of a system of standard-based innovation management encourages the development of different types of innovation.

Practical implications

The research validates the use of standardisation for the development of innovation as a useful tool for the management of innovation in the company. The UNE 166.000 standard provides a guide for those companies that intend to develop more effectively administrative and technological innovations.

Originality/value

This is the first known paper testing the implications of UNE 166.000 SIMS on both organisational innovation and performance in a sample of companies.
The image attributes of a destination: an analysis of the wine tourists’ perception
Authors: Scorrano Paola , Fait Monica , Iaia Lea , Rosato Pierfelice
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the features that qualify the wine tourism destinations’ (WTDs) image and to deepen analyse the role of the image on the wine tourists’ perception, assuming that it changes from tourist to tourist, depending on who has formed its perception after a real experience or not.

Design/methodology/approach

This contribution fits in the range of studies regarding the measurement of the destination image; the authors suited the Echtner and Ritchie’s model (1991, 1993), as its multidimensionality approach, rarely applied in the area of wine tourism.

Findings

From a comparison between the images of the chosen destination, wine tourists consider Bordeaux the benchmark of WTDs and, in the collective imagery, France is one of the excellences between WTDs. The association territory-wine is less marked, so the biggest contribute is given by thein situexperience.

Research limitations/implications

Despite results can’t be generalised because the samples of convenience, they have provided an overall outline of attributes, benefits and attitudes of wine tourists of Web 2.0.

Practical implications

A managerial lecture of results shows that young destinations (aka new wine regions) have a bigger propensity for destination management as well as the attention to marketing aspects, which are able to influence the competitiveness of destination. Instead, destinations with an ancient tradition (aka old wine regions), although unique for their wines and territories, food traditions and the historic-architectural heritage, need to improve their services.

Originality/value

This research applies the consolidated analysis method of E&R on the theme of destination image to the wine tourism, never used for WTDs, improving the model with a comparison between visitor and no-visitor perceptions.
Sustainability ratings in residential development: a worthwhile endeavour?
Authors: Warren-Myers Georgia , Judge Madeline , Paladino Angela
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Rating tools for the built environment were designed to engage consumers and enhance sustainability and resilience. However, the intended outcomes of these rating systems appear to have limited implementation in the residential new housing market in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers’ motivations and experiences who have purchased houses that are situated in a sustainability-based certified development and will have been required to comply with mandatory dwelling certification.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the awareness and perception of sustainability ratings and whether the motivations for purchasing in the sustainably certified development have heightened their awareness of sustainability and the resilience of new housing. This has been investigated through a pilot study of consumers who have purchased land in a certified estate and built a new home, through an online survey.

Findings

The findings reveal that the rating systems are at present not having the desired influence as first thought; that is, to inform consumers of the sustainability of a dwelling or property and to instigate trust of the environmental credentials of the property.

Research limitations/implications

This illuminating case study of participants who have purchased a sustainable rated development demonstrates that regardless of their concern for environmental issues, consumers have both low awareness and trust in the ratings. Despite this, consumers do seek value from these credentials to the overall property.

Originality/value

This study aims to illustrate the disconnect in engagement between developers, builders and new home buyers in relation to sustainability certification and implementation.
Comparing and contrasting the evolution through time of organizational sustainability initiatives
Authors: Rodriguez Rocio , Svensson Göran , Eriksson David
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare private and public hospitals’ sustainability actions, as well as to contrast their organizational evolution over time (i.e. past, present and expected future) in the Spanish health-care sector. Sustainability initiatives refer to organizations’ economic, social and environmental actions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies an inductive approach based on judgmental sampling and in-depth interviews of key informants at private and public hospitals in the Spanish health-care sector. Data were gathered from the executive in charge of corporate social responsibility in public hospitals and the directors of communication at private hospitals.

Findings

Although the private and public hospitals studied are in the same health-care industry and run similar operations, their organizational sustainability initiatives in the past, present and expected future differ. The scope of sustainability initiatives between private and public hospitals is different, compared through time. Who was and who is promoting, as well as who is going to promote sustainability initiatives, also differs between private and public hospitals.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is that it was undertaken exclusively in Spanish organizations from one industry, but this is also a benefit, as it enables a comparison and contrast of the evolution between private and public hospitals. Future research could focus on the evolution of organizational sustainability initiatives in other industries and countries.

Practical implications

The reported comparison of empirical findings between private and public hospitals, as well as the subsequent discussion contrasting these findings, yields various managerial implications in terms of the scope and promotor of sustainable actions.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous ones by exploring the evolutionary details of the organizational sustainability initiatives through time in both private and public hospitals. This study also makes a contribution by revealing common denominators and differentiators between private and public hospitals that operate in the same health-care industry.
Sexual offender treatment outcomes among psychopathy subtypes
Authors: Sewall Lindsay A. , Olver Mark E.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine sexual offender treatment responses as a function of psychopathy subtype.

Design/methodology/approach

Measures of sexual violence risk, treatment change and outcome variables were coded retrospectively on a sample of 86 high Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) scoring sexual offenders. Psychopathy subtypes were identified through cluster analysis of PCL-R facet scores.

Findings

Two subtypes were identified labeled classic and aggressive. They were comparable in their level of risk and need and did not differ in rates of treatment completion or change. The aggressive subtype had higher rates of violent and general recidivism and higher frequencies of major mental disorder and cognitive disability. Results of Cox regression survival analysis demonstrated that treatment-related changes in risk were associated with reductions in violent recidivism for the aggressive, but not classic, psychopathy variant.

Practical implications

Psychopathy is a heterogeneous syndrome. Moreover, psychopathic offenders can demonstrate risk relevant treatment changes. PCL-R facet profiles have important responsivity implications. However, not all psychopathic offenders fare poorly in treatment.

Originality/value

This is one of very few studies to examine treatment response and links to outcome among psychopathic offenders, particularly as this relates to subtype.
Processing developments in employee performance and reward
Authors: Perkins Stephen J.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to surface and discuss issues associated with employee performance appraisal as a multi-staged social interaction reportedly the butt of managerial dissatisfaction, especially when used to inform decisions around pay and other rewards.

Design/methodology/approach

To substantiate the territory, existing management-based evidence from the published literature is curated and discussed to frame issues for investigation under the rubric of performance appraisal as an activity that may be understood as combining interaction between forms of administrative, social and psychologically oriented control. Primary evidence, drawn from recent research sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which combines data sets informed by a survey of HR specialists and a follow-on focus group, is then used to illustrate views on relevant themes across a sample of UK-based private, public and third sector organizations (n=715).

Findings

A significant number of organizations apply performance appraisal approaches, somewhat mediated by sector and size, and in turn use the results to inform various forms of HRM decision making – in particular reward management. While claims have been circulating in popular media suggesting the widespread abandonment of traditional performance appraisal, and while the study finds dissatisfaction regarding the utility of existing bureaucratic elements of appraisal mechanisms, the position is more nuanced.

Practical implications

Corporate management attention is drawn to choices of the extent to which they are investing in building line management capabilities to address the consequences of policy decisions to amplify the importance of informal alongside formal performance management processes, and potential reward decision making, mindful of the indeterminate character of the employment relationship and its dynamic, socially constructed character.

Social implications

Performance appraisal may benefit from re-interpreting the balance between emphasis on administrative, social and self-control, given changing expectations among workforce members and those who evaluate organizational effectiveness in contemporary society, and the ongoing contested nature of organizational control.

Originality/value

Employee performance appraisal as an institutional process central to organizational control systems is a topic of interest to both organizational effectiveness academics and the managerial practitioners they study. Using data that broadly represent recent developments in managerial practice across “UK plc”, the paper informs reflection on theory and practice.
Social media and co-creative service innovation: an empirical study
Authors: Sarmah Bijoylaxmi , Kamboj Shampy , Kandampully Jay
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Online information research on hotels is gradually emerging as a key area of research with the increasing use of social media as a platform for co-creative service innovation (CCSI). The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between the key drivers of co-creation intention in the social media context. Understanding relationships between key drivers of customers’ co-creation intention will prove valuable in advancing current knowledge about service innovation using social media. The key drivers examined in this study are – customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI on social media, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. This knowledge will be of considerable value for its practical application in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 346 hotel guests using survey method. Structural equation modeling with a bootstrapping estimation was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI on social media, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control positively influence both co-creation and adoption intention. Further, it was also found that co-creation intention mediates the relationship between its two driving factors, namely, customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI in social media and adoption intention.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide theoretical implications for hospitality discipline. The findings also provide various strategies hospitality firms can use to co-create service innovation through the effective use of social media.

Originality/value

The relationships examined in the present study have not been tested previously; this is the first attempt of the kind. Thus, the associations established in this study form an important contribution to the existing body of knowledge in co-creation, service innovation and social media literature.
The asymmetric effect of review valence on numerical rating
Authors: Tsao Hsiu-Yuan , Chen Ming-Yi , Lin Hao-Chiang Koong , Ma Yu-Chun
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The basic assumption is that there is a symmetric relationship between review valence and rating, but what if review valence and rating were linked asymmetrically? There are few studies which have investigated the situations in which positive and negative online reviews exert different influences on ratings. This study considers brand strength as having an important moderating role because the average rating of existing reviews for a particular product is a heuristic cue for decision makers. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to argue that an asymmetric relationship between review content valence and numerical rating will depend on brand strength.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a sentiment analysis via text mining, using self-developed computer programs to retrieve a data set from the TripAdvisor website.

Findings

This study finds there is an asymmetric relationship between review valence (verbal) and numerical rating. The authors further find brand strength to have an important moderating role. For a stronger brand, negative review content will have a greater impact on numerical ratings than positive review content, while for a weaker brand, positive review content will have a greater impact on numerical ratings than negative review content.

Practical implications

Marketers could adopt sentiment analysis via text mining of online reviews as a valid measure or predictor of consumer satisfaction or numerical ratings. Strong brands should direct more attention to negative reviews, because in such reviews the negative impact transcends the positive. In contrast, weak brands should aim to exploit as many positive reviews as possible to minimize the impact of any negative reviews.

Originality/value

This study finds there is an asymmetric relationship between review valence (verbal) and numerical rating and considers brand strength to play an important moderating role. The authors have used real data from the TripAdvisor website, which allow people to express themselves in an unsolicited manner, and linked these with the results from the sentiment analysis.
Revisiting the museum experience
Authors: Roederer Claire , Filser Marc
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the area of museum experience research, by exploring how consumers build stories to tell different experiences generated from a visit to a museum and by viewing these inductive findings in the light of recent research on consumption experiences (Lanier and Rader, 2015).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study is conducted. Twenty-three narratives were analysed relating a visit to ZKM museum in Karlsruhe (Germany) using narrative analysis techniques, as they are suitable to capture sensations, emotions and feelings.

Findings

ZKM museum emerges from the analysis of the narratives as a cradle for stochastic experiences (Lanier and Rader, 2015). The narratives develop several episodes that correspond to performance and liberatory experiences. A reconceptualization of the museal experience is proposed as a mesh of performance, stochastic or liberatory episodes, that capture the subject’s perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to students who were 19-23 years of age and to one museum. Future research should include a wider age group and other museums.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful insights for curators, educators and exhibit designers staging museal experiences.

Social implications

The findings provide a better understanding of different experiences occurring in the same experiential context and their meaning from the subject’s perspective.

Originality/value

Lanier and Rader (2015) typology has not yet been tested in a museal context. The findings suggest that the same context can generate a set of various episodes (performance, liberatory, stochastic) within a given experience. From a methodological perspective, the results show that qualitative approaches are relevant to segment the museal offer based on sought experiences.
Re-conceptualizing escape in consumer research
Authors: Cova Bernard , Carù Antonella , Cayla Julien
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the notion of escape, which is central to the consumer experience literature, yet remains largely undertheorized. By surfacing the multi-dimensionality of escape, the authors develop a more fine-grained conceptualization of this notion. In addition, this work helps shed new light on past consumer research findings that mobilize the notion of escape.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review and interpretation of literature referring to the notion of escape in consumer research.

Findings

This paper’s first contribution is to extend the concept of escape based on the Turnerian framework of structure/anti-structure, by establishing a key difference between objects to “escape from” and the major themes of “escape into”. A second contribution is to identify other forms of escape that are mundane, restorative and warlike, and that mobilize the self in different ways.

Practical implications

The paper provides a more precise conceptualization of escape to motivate further research on this particularly important concept for understanding consumer experience.

Social implications

Escape from one’s own self has become an important feature of contemporary life. Consumer experiences may be ways of crafting identities, but they also form the means of escaping the pressures that come with the burdens of identity.

Originality/value

This paper goes beyond past research on escape by identifying other types of escapes, which have not really been theorized in consumer research. The authors especially note the importance of ephemeral moments where people temporarily suspend their reflexive self, which the authors conceive as a new type of escape route.
Essay on the origins, development and future of the consumption experience as a concept in marketing and consumer research
Authors: Holbrook Morris B.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to trace the origins, development and future of the consumption experience as a concept in marketing and consumer research.

Design/methodology/approach

The author relies on subjective personal introspection to describe his involvement in the introduction and elaboration of the consumption-experience concept.

Findings

The author finds that the concept of the consumption experience has extended to many areas of marketing and consumer research, with widespread applicability in the creation of brand-related promotional messages.

Research limitations/implications

The consumption experience is central to our understanding of consumers and deserves full exploration in the work of consumer researchers.

Originality/value

Working with Professor Elizabeth Hirschman, the author played a pioneering role in understanding the consumption experience and is happy to see that their contribution has encouraged others to pursue related themes.
Sport in business studies: a state-of-the-art literature review
Authors: Laurell Christofer , Soderman Sten
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of articles on sport published in leading business studies journals within marketing, organisational studies and strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of 38 identified articles within the subfields of marketing, strategy and organisation studies published between 2000 and 2015, the articles’ topical, theoretical and methodological orientation within the studied subfields were analysed followed by a cross-subfield analysis.

Findings

The authors identify considerable differences in topical, theoretical and methodological orientation among the studied subfields’ associated articles. Overall, the authors also find that articles across all subfields tend to be focussed on contributing to mature theory, even though the subfield of marketing in particular exhibits contributions to nascent theory in contrast to organisation studies and strategy.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by illustrating the current state of research that is devoted or related to the phenomenon of sport within three subfields in business studies. Furthermore, the authors discuss the role played by leading business studies journalsvis-à-vissport sector-specific journals and offer avenues for future research.
What are the strategies proposed for boosting travel to Guyana from diasporic areas?
Authors: Sinclair Donald , Connelly Aletha
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the strategies and lines of action that should be implemented if 2025 is to be a landmark year for diasporic travel to Guyana.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary methodology was that of document analysis drawn on the literature on diaspora tourism in Guyana and the Caribbean and interviews and discussions with relevant experts.

Findings

The diaspora market is being increasingly recognised as an important target for Guyana’s tourism industry. Strategies include facilitation of travel from and engagement with more “diaspora” countries; increased and targeted advertising to the diaspora including the promotion of special events; and the development of tourism councils in key diaspora countries.

Practical implications

There are many myths and misconceptions about the diaspora and their contribution to the tourism industry. Synthesising the data that highlight the contribution of this segment along with strategies and lines of action can seek to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of the contribution of the diaspora market.

Originality/value

This paper offers an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to explore the concept of engaging the diaspora as a viable target market in the tourism industry.
Positive engagement and support for single‐parent families: Building bridges across sector boundaries
Authors: Gallet Wilma , Laufer Ary
Published: September 2018

The high rate of joblessness among single‐parent families in Australia, relative to other organisation for OECD countries has resulted in the development of various government initiatives designed to support single parents to prepare for and gain employment. The ParentsNext pilot program that began in March 2016, in 10 socially and economically deprived areas throughout Australia, is the most recent Federal Government program aimed at connecting parents with young children into local activities that will build their confidence, skills, and networks and ultimately prepare for future employment. The ParentsNext pilot program is delivered through contracted providers in each of the 10 disadvantaged areas. WISE Employment, a national not‐for‐profit organization together with its local partner, Youth Family and Community Connections, delivers the pilot program in Burnie, Tasmania. This article discusses the findings of a study, which examined the implementation of ParentsNext in Burnie and provides insights to inform and improve practice outcomes.
Kinetics of Thermal‐Degradation of Betanins: A Teaching Mini‐Project for Undergraduates Employing the Red Beet
Authors: Rosa Clarissa H. , Antelo Francine , Rosa Gilber R.
Published: September 2018

A 4‐week mini‐project is proposed for an experimental Physical Chemistry course applied in Food Science training. Activities include preparation of beet extract for the extraction of betanins and analysis of the kinetics of betanins in thermal degradation at three temperatures (60, 70, and 80 ºC). In addition to developing common laboratory routines (for example, dilution and use of the UV‐Vis spectrophotometer), students will have contact with the usual procedure for evaluating use of natural dyes in the food industry.
Early oral feeding after colorectal surgery: A mixed methods study of knowledge translation
Authors: Robertson Tayla R. , Eldridge Naomi E. , Rattray Megan E. , Roberts Shelley J. , Desbrow Ben , Marshall Andrea P. , Ali Azmat B. , Hickman Ingrid J.
Published: September 2018

Aim

Evidence‐based guidelines recommend early oral feeding (EOF) as prescription of an unrestricted diet within 24 hours after colorectal surgery. The present study aimed to understand local postoperative feeding practices after colorectal surgery; identify barriers to EOF implementation; select, tailor and implement stakeholder engagement strategies to facilitate EOF uptake; and evaluate changes to practice.

Methods

A longitudinal, mixed methods study was undertaken, guided by the knowledge‐to‐action framework. Phase 1 assessed the nature of the problem using postoperative diet Audits 1 and 2. In Phase 2, staff interviews identified barriers to EOF implementation. Results from Phases 1 and 2 were fed back to inform Phase 3 strategies. Knowledge uptake was monitored in Audits 3 and 4. Phase 4 evaluated outcomes from Audit 5.

Results

In Phase 1, median time to commencement of full diet was postoperative Days 4 and 3 in Audits 1 and 2, respectively. Phase 2 identified EOF barriers, including disparities in diet upgrade practices and variable understanding of hospital diets. In Phase 3, planned strategies were implemented to improve EOF (i) educational session describing local hospital diets; (ii) consultant decision to prescribe a full diet on operation notes; and (iii) educational sessions with nursing staff describing changes to EOF practice. In Phase 4, median time to commencement of full diet improved to postoperative Day 0. Patients prescribed a full diet on operation notes increased from 0% to 82%.

Conclusions

The present study successfully identified and overcame local barriers to improve EOF practices to align with guideline recommendations.
Risk factors associated with histological upgrade of gastric low‐grade dysplasia on pretreatment biopsy
Authors: Yang Lang , Jin Peng , Wang Xin , Zhang Tong , He Yu Qi , Zhao Xiao Jun , Li Na , Yang Guang Zhi , Sheng Jian Qiu
Published: September 2018

OBJECTIVES

Histological discrepancies between biopsy and resection specimens are common. In this study, we aimed to analyze the risk factors predicting histological upgrade or downgrade of biopsy‐diagnosed gastric low‐grade dysplasia (LGD).

METHODS

The medical records of patients with 104 biopsy‐diagnosed gastric LGD from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The association of endoscopic characteristics with histological discrepancies between the biopsy and resection specimens was analyzed. The risk factors for histological upgrade were studied using the multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 104 lesions, 88 were removed by endoscopic resection and 16 were monitored. The upgrade and downgrade rates of the pathological diagnosis were 48.9% and 12.5%, respectively. Lesion size >20 mm, surface redness and positive results in magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME‐NBI) were risk factors for histological upgrade. Compared with the negative ME‐NBI group, the positive ME‐NBI group had a higher upgrade rate (56.8% vs 7.1%) but a lower downgrade rate (2.7% vs 64.3%). In addition, 11 of the 16 the gastric LGD with negative ME‐NBI findings were monitored, and all 11 lesions regressed to gastritis during follow‐up.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic resection should be recommended in cases of LGD showing surface redness, with a lesion size of >20 mm or positive ME‐NBI result, whereas regular follow‐up may be an option for LGD with negative ME‐NBI result.
Diagnosis of dementia in residential aged care settings in Australia: An opportunity for improvements in quality of care?
Authors: Dyer Suzanne M , Gnanamanickam Emmanuel S , Liu Enwu , Whitehead Craig , Crotty Maria
Published: September 2018

Objective

To examine the cognitive status of Australians living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and whether or not a dementia diagnosis was recorded.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of 541 residents of 17 RACFs spanning four states. Examination of cognitive status by Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale Cognitive Impairment Scale (PAS‐Cog) and dementia diagnosis from medical records.

Results

The study population included 65% of residents with a diagnosis of dementia recorded, and 83% had a PAS‐Cog score of four or more indicating likely cognitive impairment. More than 20% of participants had likely cognitive impairment (PAS‐Cog ≥4), but no diagnosis of dementia; 11% had moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment (PAS‐Cog ≥10) but no recorded dementia diagnosis.

Conclusion

There may be a lack of formal diagnosis of dementia in Australian RACFs. Greater efforts from all health professionals to improve diagnosis in this setting are required. This is an opportunity for improved person‐centred care and quality of care in this vulnerable population.
Normative values of retinal vessel oximetry in healthy children against adults
Authors: Waizel Maria , Türksever Cengiz , Todorova Margarita G.
Published: September 2018

Background

Retinal oximetry (RO) has been established as a non‐invasive method to analyse oxygen saturation in retinal vessels. The aim of our study was to compare the RO parameters of healthy children to those in adults.

Methods

A total of 200 eyes of 104 healthy subjects were examined: 20 eyes of children aged <10 years and 62 eyes of children aged 10–19 years were compared to the eyes of adult controls from five different age groups (20–29 years:n = 24; 30–39 years:n = 32; 40–49 years:n = 15; 50–59 years:n = 20, 60–80 years:n = 27; n indicates the number of analysed eyes). The oxygen saturation was estimated with the oxygen saturation measurement tool of the Retinal Vessel Analyser (RVA; IMEDOS Systems UG, Jena, Germany). The global oxygen saturations, within 1.0–1.5 optic disc diameters from the disc margin, in the peripapillary retinal arterioles (A‐SO2; %) and venules (V‐SO2; %) were estimated and their difference (A‐V SO2; %) was calculated. In addition, we evaluated the mean diameter in all four major retinal arterioles (D‐A; μm) and venules (D‐V; μm). The ratio between venular and arterial vessel diameter (D‐V/A; μm) was calculated thereafter. For statistical evaluation, anova‐based linear mixed‐effects models were calculated with spss®.

Results

Based on our results, younger children (<10 years) present a statistically significant lower A‐SO2 and A‐V SO2 when compared to adult subgroups. The D‐A values revealed to be significantly lower in 10 + children when compared to the other groups, while the D‐V values did not show significant differences.

Conclusion

These data indicate that the retinal oxygen metabolism changes throughout lifetime. Therefore, normative data for different age groups are mandatory.
The role of neighbourhood greenspace in children's spatial working memory
Authors: Flouri Eirini , Papachristou Efstathios , Midouhas Emily
Published: September 2018

Background

Exposure to nature may be particularly beneficial for the brain regions that support spatial working memory, a strong correlate of academic achievement.

Aims

To explore whether children living in greener neighbourhoods (wards) have better spatial working memory.

Sample

Drawn from the UK's Millennium Cohort Study, the sample was 4,758 11‐year‐olds living in urban areas in England.

Methods

We fitted two‐level regression models, with children nested in wards, before and after adjustment for confounders, including poverty, parental education, sports participation, neighbourhood deprivation, and neighbourhood history. Spatial working memory was measured using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Spatial Working Memory task. Greenspace was measured as the percentage of greenery in the child's ward.

Results

Even after controlling for confounders, lower quantity of neighbourhood greenspace was related to poorer spatial working memory. Importantly, neighbourhood deprivation did not modify this relationship. Therefore, lower quantity of greenspace was related to poorer spatial working memory similarly in deprived and non‐deprived neighbourhoods.

Conclusions

Children living in greener urban neighbourhoods have better spatial working memory. If this association is causal, then our findings can be used to inform policy decisions about both education and urban planning.
Gradient‐Guided Local Disparity Editing
Authors: Scandolo Leonardo , Bauszat Pablo , Eisemann Elmar
Published: September 2018

Stereoscopic 3D technology gives visual content creators a new dimension of design when creating images and movies. While useful for conveying emotion, laying emphasis on certain parts of the scene, or guiding the viewer's attention, editing stereo content is a challenging task. Not respecting comfort zones or adding incorrect depth cues, for example depth inversion, leads to a poor viewing experience. In this paper, we present a solution for editing stereoscopic content that allows an artist to impose disparity constraints and removes resulting depth conflicts using an optimization scheme. Using our approach, an artist only needs to focus on important high‐level indications that are automatically made consistent with the entire scene while avoiding contradictory depth cues and respecting viewer comfort.
Traction‐assisted esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma involving a diverticulum
Authors: Tsuji Yosuke , Saito Itaru , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: September 2018

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Effect of continuous intrathecal baclofen therapy in children: a systematic review
Authors: Buizer Annemieke I , Martens Brian H M , Grandbois van Ravenhorst Casey , Schoonmade Linda J , Becher Jules G , Vermeulen R Jeroen
Published: September 2018

Aim

To investigate the effects of continuous intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and other neurological conditions.

Method

This systematic review was conducted using standardized methodology, searching four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) for relevant literature published between inception and September 2017. Included studies involved continuous ITB as an intervention and outcome measures relating to all International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children and Youth (ICF‐CY) components.

Results

Thirty‐three studies were identified, of which one, including 17 children with spastic CP, produced level II evidence, and the others, mainly non‐controlled cohort studies, level IV and V. Outcomes at body function level were most frequently reported. Results suggest continuous ITB may be effective in reducing spasticity and dystonia in CP, as well as other neurological conditions, and may improve the ease of care and quality of life of children with CP, but the level of evidence is low.

Interpretation

Despite three decades of applying ITB in children and a relatively large number of studies investigating the treatment effects, a direct link has not yet been demonstrated because of the low scientific quality of the primary studies. Further investigation into the effects of continuous ITB at all levels of the ICF‐CY is warranted. Although large, controlled trials may be difficult to realize, national and international collaborations may provide opportunities. Also, multicentre prospective cohort studies with a long‐term follow‐up, employing harmonized outcome measures, can offer prospects to expand our knowledge of the effects of continuous ITB therapy in children.

What this paper adds

There is low‐level evidence for continuous intrathecal baclofen (ITB) in children with cerebral palsy.

Continuous ITB is effective in reducing spasticity and dystonia in non‐controlled cohort studies.

Evaluation of individual goals and systematic assessment of long‐term effects in large cohort studies are required.