bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supply Relational Risk: What Role Does Guanxi Play?
Authors: Jia Fu , Zsidisin George A.
Published: July 2014

The topics of supply chain risk and global sourcing have garnered significant attention in recent years. Although there is ample circumstantial evidence of global sourcing risk, especially from the western‐firm perspective of sourcing from China, few published studies have investigated the root causes of this risk. In this paper, we argue that much of the risk associated with sourcing from China stems from the differences associated with institutional norms and philosophical orientation between western and Chinese thought and culture. Based on an in‐depth literature review and case analysis, we compare western forms of supply chain relationship management with Guanxi, the Chinese form of relationship management and propose a framework of how western firms are exposed to supply relational risk when sourcing from Chinese suppliers. The framework proposed in this article sheds light for supply chain managers with regard to the potential pitfalls facing firms when working with Chinese suppliers, and provides the groundwork for future research regarding supply chain practices and Guanxi networks.
Gene–environment interaction between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and environmental factors on the risk of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Li Yuan , Wu Qun Hong , Jiao Ming Li , Fan Xiao Hong , Hu Quan , Hao Yan Hua , Liu Ruo Hong , Zhang Wei , Cui Yu , Han Li Yuan
Published: July 2014

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate whether the adiponectin gene is associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk and interaction with environmental factors modifies the DR risk, and to investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin levels and DR.

Materials and Methods

Four adiponectin polymorphisms were evaluated in 372 DR cases and 145 controls. Differences in environmental factors between cases and controls were evaluated by unconditional logistic regression analysis. The model‐free multifactor dimensionality reduction method and traditional multiple regression models were applied to explore interactions between the polymorphisms and environmental factors.

Results

Using the Bonferroni method, we found no significant associations between four adiponectin polymorphisms and DR susceptibility. Multivariate logistic regression found that physical activity played a protective role in the progress of DR, whereas family history of diabetes (odds ratio 1.75) and insulin therapy (odds ratio 1.78) were associated with an increased risk for DR. The interaction between the C‐11377 G (rs266729) polymorphism and insulin therapy might be associated with DR risk. Family history of diabetes combined with insulin therapy also increased the risk of DR. No adiponectin gene polymorphisms influenced the serum adiponectin levels. Serum adiponectin levels did not differ between the DR group and non‐DR group.

Conclusions

No significant association was identified between four adiponectin polymorphisms and DR susceptibility after stringent Bonferroni correction. The interaction between C‐11377G (rs266729) polymorphism and insulin therapy, as well as the interaction between family history of diabetes and insulin therapy, might be associated with DR susceptibility.
Identification of mRNA‐like non‐coding RNAs and validation of a mighty one named MAR in Panax ginseng
Authors: Wang Meizhen , Wu Bin , Chen Chao , Lu Shanfa
Published: July 2014

Increasing evidence suggests that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play significant roles in plants. However, little is known about lncRNAs in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, an economically significant medicinal plant species. A total of 3,688 mRNA‐like non‐coding RNAs (mlncRNAs), a class of lncRNAs, were identified in P. ginseng. Approximately 40% of the identified mlncRNAs were processed into small RNAs, implying their regulatory roles via small RNA‐mediated mechanisms. Eleven miRNA‐generating mlncRNAs also produced siRNAs, suggesting the coordinated production of miRNAs and siRNAs in P. ginseng. The mlncRNA‐derived small RNAs might be 21‐, 22‐, or 24‐nt phased and could be generated from both or only one strand of mlncRNAs, or from super long hairpin structures. A full‐length mlncRNA, termed MAR (multiple‐function‐associated mlncRNA), was cloned. It generated the most abundant siRNAs. The MAR siRNAs were predominantly 24‐nt and some of them were distributed in a phased pattern. A total of 228 targets were predicted for 71 MAR siRNAs. Degradome sequencing validated 68 predicted targets involved in diverse metabolic pathways, suggesting the significance of MAR in P. ginseng. Consistently, MAR was detected in all tissues analyzed and responded to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. It sheds light on the function of mlncRNAs in plants.
Detection and management of the deteriorating ward patient: an evaluation of nursing practice
Authors: Odell Mandy
Published: July 2014

Aims and objectives

To audit ward nursing practice in the adherence to an early warning scoring protocol in the detection and initial management of the deteriorating ward patient and investigate factors that may impact on practice.

Background

Hospital inpatients can experience unexpected physiological deterioration leading to poor outcomes and death. Although deterioration can be signalled in the patients' physiological symptoms, evidence suggests that ward staff can miss, misinterpret or mismanage the signs. Rapid response systems have been implemented to address this problem. The rapid response systems consists of two phases: the afferent phase involves monitoring the patient, recognising deterioration and referring to more expert help and the efferent phase involves expert teams assessing and treating the patient. Research has tended to concentrate on the efferent phase of the process and has so far failed to show a significant impact on patient outcome.

Methods

Using cardiac arrest as a surrogate marker for deterioration, patient records were retrospectively reviewed during the 12 hours prior to the cardiac arrest event. Data relating to nursing practice and adherence to the early warning scoring protocol were extracted and analysed.

Findings

The findings suggest that ward nurses' monitoring of patients' observations has improved compared with earlier research, but errors in early warning scoring and nonadherence to referral protocols are still a problem. A number of potentially influential factors on nursing practice were tested, but only deterioration occurring outside normal weekdays was associated with a reduced quality of nursing adherence to protocol.

Conclusions

The implementation of rapid response systems may have been an oversimplified solution to the highly complex problem of undetected patient deterioration. There are a multitude of contributory factors to the problem of noncompliance to early warning scoring protocols, and possible solutions will need to reflect the breadth, depth and complexity of the problem if we are to improve patient experience and outcome.

Relevance to clinical practice

An audit of nursing practice against an early warning scoring protocol based on national recommendations and standards in the recording of and response to physiological deterioration in the ward patient has shown that vital signs recording has improved, but early warning scoring accuracy and referral to more expert help remain suboptimal. By identifying areas of suboptimal practice, strategies for education and training and service development can be better informed. More in‐depth evidence on factors that may impact the quality of nursing practice has been identified. Problems with rapid response systems assumptions have been highlighted, which may facilitate the implementation of more realistic solutions for managing the deteriorating ward patient.
Pilot Study Exploring Chronic Pudendal Neuromodulation as a Treatment Option for Pain Associated with Pudendal Neuralgia
Authors: PETERS Kenneth M. , KILLINGER Kim A. , JAEGER Christopher , CHEN Charity
Published: July 2014

Objectives

Pudendal neuralgia can cause significant voiding and pain symptoms. We explored the effects of chronic pudendal neuromodulation (CPN) and nerve blocks on pain associated with pudendal neuralgia.

Methods

Patients with pudendal neuralgia and tined lead placed at the pudendal nerve were reviewed. History and initial improvement after lead placement were collected from medical records. Demographics, symptom characteristics and changes after various treatments were assessed by mailed survey. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Of 19 patients (mean age 54.8 years, 63% female), 6/19 (32%) had previous sacral neuromodulation. Before CPN, 18 patients had 77 nerve blocks (median six blocks per patient); most blocks (60/77; 78%) provided at least some relief. After lead placement, pain relief was complete in three patients, almost complete in three, significant/remarkable in 10, and small/slight in three. All 19 patients had a permanent generator placed. Five were ultimately explanted at (mean) 2.95 years: one had total symptom resolution, one had stopped using the device, and three lost efficacy. Survey respondents (n = 10) indicated that they had been experiencing pain for (median) 4.42 years before CPN. The most helpful pain treatment cited was medication for 6/10 and neuromodulation for 4/10; 8/9 rated neuromodulation as more helpful than nerve block, while one subject felt that the two treatments were equally helpful. Compared to sacral neuromodulation, 3/4 rated CPN as more effective for pain. Overall, 8/10 were satisfied with CPN; only 1/9 was mildly satisfied with nerve block.

Conclusions

Chronic pudendal neuromodulation can improve pain in patients with pudendal neuralgia.
An observational study of how patients are identified before medication administrations in medical and surgical wards
Authors: Härkänen Marja , Kervinen Marjo , Ahonen Jouni , Turunen Hannele , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri
Published: July 2014

The aims of this study were to clarify how a patient's identity was verified before the administration of medication in medical and surgical wards in a hospital, as well as to study the association between patient identification and the registered nurse's work experience, observed interruptions, and distractions. The study material was collected during April and May 2012 in two surgical and two medical wards in one university hospital in Finland, using a direct, structured observation method. A total of 32 registered nurses were observed while they administered 1058 medications to 122 patients. Patients were not identified at all in 66.8% (n = 707) of medication administrations. Patient identifications were made more often by nurses with shorter work experience in the nursing profession or in the wards (4 years or less), or if distractions existed during medication administration. According to the results, patient identification was not adequately conducted. There is a need for education and change in the culture of medication processes and nursing practice.
New Evidence for Neolithic Habitation in the Hinterland of the Troad
Authors: Yalçikli Derya
Published: July 2014

This essay introduces two newly discovered Neolithic sites identified through the archaeological surveys conducted in the hinterland of the Troad in north‐western Turkey. Most of our knowledge about the Neolithic period of the region comes from the coastal site of Coşkuntepe, as well as Uğurlu on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros) and Karağaçtepe (Protesilas) on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The lack of evidence for Neolithic habitation in the hinterland of the region was apparently due to the state of research. The recently discovered rock shelter‐type site of Evkayası and the mound of Taraçcı imply that the hinterland of the Troad also bears traces of Neolithic habitation. Each of these sites yielded a single obsidian artefact of Melian origin, suggesting that these two settlements were on a land‐based route that connected the Gulf of Edremit with the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara.
Iron‐ and hemin‐dependent gene expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Anaya‐Bergman C. , Rosato A. , Lewis J.P.
Published: July 2014

Although iron under anaerobic conditions is more accessible and highly reactive because of its reduced form, iron‐dependent regulation is not well known in anaerobic bacteria. Here, we investigated iron‐ and hemin‐dependent gene regulation in Porphyromonas gingivalis, an established periodontopathogen that primarily inhabits anaerobic pockets. Whole‐genome microarrays of P. gingivalis genes were used to compare the levels of gene expression under iron‐replete and iron‐depleted conditions as well as under hemin‐replete and hemin‐depleted conditions. Under iron‐depleted conditions, the expression of genes encoding proteins that participate in iron uptake and adhesion/invasion of host cells was increased, while that of genes encoding proteins involved in iron storage, energy metabolism, and electron transport was decreased. Interestingly, many of the genes with altered expression had no known function. Limiting the amount of hemin also resulted in a reduced expression of the genes encoding proteins involved in energy metabolism and electron transport. However, hemin also had a significant effect on many other biological processes such as oxidative stress protection and lipopolysaccharide synthesis. Overall, comparison of the data from iron‐depleted conditions to those from hemin‐depleted ones showed that although some regulation is through the iron derived from hemin, there also is significant distinct regulation through hemin only. Furthermore, our data showed that the molecular mechanisms of iron‐dependent regulation are novel as the deletion of the putative Fur protein had no effect on the expression of iron‐regulated genes. Finally, our functional studies demonstrated greater survivability of host cells in the presence of the iron‐stressed bacterium than the iron‐replete P. gingivalis cells. The major iron‐regulated proteins encoded by PG1019–20 may play a role in this process as deletion of these sequences also resulted in reduced survival of the bacterium when grown with eukaryotic cells. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated the utility of whole‐genome microarray analysis for the identification of genes with altered expression profiles during varying growth conditions and provided a framework for the detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms of iron and hemin acquisition, metabolism and virulence of P. gingivalis.
Epidermal UV‐A absorbance and whole‐leaf flavonoid composition in pea respond more to solar blue light than to solar UV radiation
Authors: SIIPOLA SARI M. , KOTILAINEN TITTA , SIPARI NINA , MORALES LUIS O. , LINDFORS ANDERS V. , ROBSON T. MATTHEW , APHALO PEDRO J.
Published: July 2014

Plants synthesize phenolic compounds in response to certain environmental signals or stresses. One large group of phenolics, flavonoids, is considered particularly responsive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, here we demonstrate that solar blue light stimulates flavonoid biosynthesis in the absence of UV‐A and UV‐B radiation. We grew pea plants (Pisum sativum cv. Meteor) outdoors, in Finland during the summer, under five types of filters differing in their spectral transmittance. These filters were used to (1) attenuate UV‐B; (2) attenuate UV‐B and UV‐A < 370 nm; (3) attenuate UV‐B and UV‐A; (4) attenuate UV‐B, UV‐A and blue light; and (5) as a control not attenuating these wavebands. Attenuation of blue light significantly reduced the flavonoid content in leaf adaxial epidermis and reduced the whole‐leaf concentrations of quercetin derivatives relative to kaempferol derivatives. In contrast, UV‐B responses were not significant. These results show that pea plants regulate epidermal UV‐A absorbance and accumulation of individual flavonoids by perceiving complex radiation signals that extend into the visible region of the solar spectrum. Furthermore, solar blue light instead of solar UV‐B radiation can be the main regulator of phenolic compound accumulation in plants that germinate and develop outdoors.
Interface Designs Model of Location-Aware Mobile Commerce for Songket
Authors: Ibrahim Mardhiah , Tengku Wook Tengku Siti Meriam , Jailani Norleyza
Published: July 2014

This paper centers on research of the user interface design of mobile commerce (m-commerce) focusing on the location of the songket business. The research is based on a comparison method between interfaces of location-aware m-commerce with different domains. The goal is to analyze the aspect of m-commerce interface design that has already been accepted by the user. 7C’s interface design elements have been selected as the guideline of the analysis. The comparison analysis of localization technique showed that four out of the seven elements are suitable for the guideline; namely Context, Customization, Communication and Connection.  Research proved A-GPS technique suitable for application of songket localization. The outcome of the research is the user interface of location aware m-commerce based on multi user mental model specific to songket localization using A-GPS technique.
Development of a Non-Invasive Bio-Acoustics Measurement System for Assessing Articular Cartilage Knee Joint Problem
Authors: Mohd Noor Anas
Published: July 2014

A technique in measuring and recording of bio-acoustics signals for the assessment of physiological of knee joint articular cartilage conditions has been developed. Currently, invasive technique such as knee arthroscopy and imaging modalities methods are widely been applied in determining problems related to the knee joint. However, these methods are uncomfortable to the patient, performing in static condition, costly instrumentation and maintenance and most of the times it could not reveal the early symptoms of knee articular cartilage problems.  Knee acoustical is used to overcome the current practice limitation and could assist physicians to diagnose at the early stage. The measurement system is developed which consists of a high-sensitivity acoustical piezoelectric transducer with frequency response ranges from 2.5 to 5000Hz, the signal conditioning circuit, and real-time signal visualization and analyzed using a short time Fourier transform technique. The knee cartilage produced an acoustic signals are measured non-invasively during a dynamic cycle of flexion-extension and sit-stand-sit movements. This paper also describes the details of hardware components and software used in this system. Six volunteers with normal and injured cartilage involved in this study. The normal conditions of the knee articular cartilage produced a lower frequency component which is less than 120Hz, and abnormal signal shows frequency more than 200Hz is generated.  It has been demonstrated that, the developed system prototype could be used to differentiate between normal and abnormal knee articular cartilage acoustic signal using frequency spectral which could be beneficial in the early detection of the problem.
The Use of Partial Least Squares Path Modeling in Causal Inference for Archival Financial Accounting Research
Authors: Fei Goh Chin , Ali Mohamad Bilal , Rasli Amran
Published: July 2014

In financial accounting research, multivariate regression is almost exclusively the dominant statistical method. By contrast, Partial Least Squares path modeling is a under-utilized statistical method. The aim of this study is to examine how Partial Least Squares path modeling can be applied to the archival financial accounting research. This article first presents an overview on multivariate regression and structural equation modeling. The authors then highlight that advantages of using Partial Least Squares path modeling to address the research constraints in causal inference for archival financial accounting research.
Reduction of Ship Waiting Time at Port Container Terminal Through Enhancement of the Tug/Pilot Machine Operation
Authors: Shahpanah A. , Hashemi A. , Nouredin G. , Zahraee S. M. , Helmi S. A.
Published: July 2014

Port container terminal is one of the important transition points in the shipping industry. Competitiveness is an important factor for port container terminal with the increase in the number of port terminals globally. Vessel processing time port terminals is one of the important factors that influence the port terminal attractiveness. In addition, most port terminals tried to reduce ship waiting time with enhancement of their facilities. This paper focused on the ship waiting time at the berthing area of port container terminal, and tried to solve the queuing problem at ship tugging operation in order to reduce the average waiting time. The data was collected from a major port container terminal in Malaysia as a case study. The port terminal is modeled with Arena 13.5 simulation software and model validation was done based on real data which was taken from the case study. Different scenarios were then tested on the tugging operation at the port simulation model. The results show that after the implementation of these scenarios, the average ship waiting time at the berthing area decreased dramatically from 180 hours to 140 hours for each ship.
Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose from Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fiber
Authors: Ngadi Norzita , Lani Nurul Saadiah
Published: July 2014

In recent years, the use of cellulose fibers in many fields has attracted significant scientific attention due to consumer and environmentally benign, especially in plastic industry, which has been used as cost–cutting fillers and hence provides the possibility of reinforcing polymers. Cellulose can be extracted from natural fibers by chemical and mechanical methods. However, the existing procedures either produce low yields and not environment friendly or energy efficient. The objective of this study was to develop a novel process that uses ionic liquid followed by alkaline method to extract cellulose from empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber. Subsequently, the properties of original fiber and cellulose were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X–Ray Diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results of the chemical compositions revealed that the modified alkaline treatment was able to remove a large fraction of lignin and hemicelluloses compared to unmodified alkaline treatment. Thus, this process represents an efficient treatment in extracting cellulose of highest yield.
Removal of Monoethanolamine from Wastewater by Composite Reverse Osmosis Membrane
Authors: Borhan Azry , Mat Johari Muhammad Muhibbudin
Published: July 2014

Monoethanolamine (MEA) has been vastly used for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) in natural gas processing plant. However, during the absorption-desorption process and maintenance activities, a small amount of amine get carries over and discharged into the effluent wastewater stream. Due to its high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and require large volume of water for dilution, therefore treatment of MEA contaminated wastewater is a major concern in most amine sweetening plants. In this research, MEA wastewater generated from PETRONAS Fertilizer Kedah Sdn. Bhd (PFK) was treated via AFC99 tubular thin film composite polyamide Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane. The effect of operating parameter (transmembrane pressure (TMP), feed concentration and pH) towards permeate flux and MEA rejection were studied to obtain the optimum operating conditions. Experimental results showed that AFC99 membrane is able to reject MEA up to 98% when operated at TMP of 20 bars, feed concentration of 300 ppm and pH of 4. This work shows that the RO membrane was feasible and desirable to be used for removal of MEA contaminants from wastewater. Besides, the treated water fulfills the watering standards.
Chromobacterium Violaceum for Rapid Measurement of Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Authors: Khor Beng Hooi , Ismail Abd. Khamim , Ahamad Rahmalan , Shahir Shafinaz
Published: July 2014

Abstract: Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD) is an important parameter indicating the total biodegradable organic pollutants in waters. Fast BOD determination could be achieved using BOD biosensor. However, most of the developed BOD biosensors are dependent on dissolved oxygen concentrations. Low solubility of oxygen in water decreases the reliability of oxygen-dependent BOD biosensor. However, replacement of oxygen with a mediator solution solves this problem. In the present study, an effective ferricyanide-mediated approach was modified from ferricyanide-mediated BOD assay and used for BOD determination in a water system. Several different types of microorganisms were isolated from different organic-rich environmental sources and their ability to use ferricyanide during organic (standard glucose-glutamic acid solution) degradation were effectively assessed using ferricyanide-mediated BOD assay. Around 90% of the GGA was degraded by Chromobacterium violaceum after 1 hour of incubation period. Therefore, C. violaceum has been found to be a potential microorganism to be used as a biosensing element in the BOD biosensor. This assay is not only effective in selecting the suitable microorganisms for ferricyanide-mediated BOD detection; it also could be applied to select the suitable microorganisms for other mediated microbial biosensor and bioremediation by changing the substrate and conditions.
Students View on Text Chats (CH), Forum Discussion (FR), and Online Learning Interaction (LI)
Authors: Mohamad Ahmad Muhaimin , Mohd. Yusof Farahwahida , Aris Baharuddin
Published: July 2014

The objective of this research is to get the students’ opinion on using online forum discussion (FR), text chatting (CH), and online learning interaction (LI). Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used through questionnaires and semi-structured questions which were administered to 133 Social Science students of a Malaysian public university, selected using volunteer random sampling. The result of a descriptive analysis shows that FR was more favoured by the students (mean = 4.11) compared to CH (mean = 3.87) and LI (mean = 4.06). Next, the path analysis found that FR is more significant (r = 0.59, p < .05) compared to CH (r = 0.35, p < .05) towards LI aspect. However, FR and CH are interrelated with critical ratio (C.R) = 6.455, p < .05). Qualitative analysis found that student’s views leaned more towards FR because of its ability to generate meaningful discussions in LI compare to CH according to some of stated reasons. From the perspective of LI, students need a learning environment that encourages them to participate in learning activities actively and involves the lecturer as learning supervisors. The results of analysis explain that the online FR and CH have different perspectives of focus of use. The implication of this study suggests the involvement of students and lecturer during design and development stage of online learning process.
The Impact of Alcohol Sponsorship in Sport Upon University Sportspeople
Authors: Kelly Sarah Jane , Ireland Michael , Alpert Frank , Mangan John
Published: July 2014

An online survey was conducted to examine the alleged association between alcohol sponsorship of sports and alcohol consumption and attitudes toward sponsoring brands by Australian university sportspeople (i.e., university students representing their university in competitive sports; N = 501; 51% female). A third (33%) of participants reported receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship. Multiple regression analysis revealed an association between disordered consumption (i.e., alcohol abuse) and sportspeople’s receiving direct-to-user sponsorship in the form of product samples, volume club rebates, vouchers, or prizes. Positive attitudes toward alcohol sponsorship in sport correlated with dangerously excessive (i.e., acute) drinking. The evidence suggests that policy makers, sporting organizations, and universities should target specific sponsorships and consumption outcomes rather than considering an overall ban on alcohol industry sponsorship in sport. Results suggest that student-targeted policy and governance alternatives directed at team culture, attitudes toward alcohol, and more subtle forms of sponsorships (i.e., discounted product and vouchers) may be appropriate.
Coaching Fathers in Conflict: A Review of the Tensions Surrounding the Work-Family Interface
Authors: Graham Jeff Alexander , Dixon Marlene A.
Published: July 2014

The work-family interface continues to be an important research area as the positive (Carlson, Kacmar, Wayne, & Grzywacz, 2006; Greenhaus & Powell, 2006; Parasuraman & Greenhaus, 2002; Sieber, 1974) and negative (Duxbury, Lyons, & Higgins, 2011; Frone, Russell, & Barnes, 1996; Greenhaus & Parasuraman, 1999; Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek, & Rosenthal, 1964; Mullen, Kelley, & Kelloway, 2011; Netemeyer, Boles, & McMurrian, 1996) consequences of successfully balancing work and family have implications for both individuals and organizations. Within sport management, most research has focused on issues surrounding the work-family interface of coaching mothers (Bruening & Dixon, 2007; Dixon & Bruening, 2005, 2007; Dixon & Sagas, 2007; Schenewark & Dixon, 2012; Palmer & Leberman, 2009). Recent research outside of sport management suggests that fathers also perceive tension between work and family (Galinsky, Aumann, & Bond, 2011; Harrington, Van Deusen, & Humberd, 2011; Parker & Wang, 2013). Therefore, this article examines the work-family interface of coaching fathers, with a focus on the further development of a research agenda.
Scaffolding Builds to Reduce Blood Pressure
Authors: Bagher Pooneh , Garland Christopher J.
Published: July 2014

Disruption of a signaling microdomain in endothelial cell projections contributes to hypertension.
Cysticidal Activity of Antifungals against Different Genotypes of Acanthamoeba
Authors: Iovieno Alfonso , Miller Darlene , Ledee Dolena R. , Alfonso Eduardo C.
Published: July 2014

Antifungal drugs have been proposed as a novel treatment for
Acanthamoeba
keratitis. The cysticidal activity of several antifungal compounds was tested against different genotypes of culture collection and clinical isolates of
Acanthamoeba
. Only voriconazole and posaconazole were found to be cysticidal, with no differences in activity observed between clinical and culture collection isolates.
Molecular Characterization of Three Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Phages
Authors: Casey Eoghan , Mahony Jennifer , O'Connell-Motherway Mary , Bottacini Francesca , Cornelissen Anneleen , Neve Horst , Heller Knut J. , Noben Jean-Paul , Dal Bello Fabio , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: July 2014

In this study, three phages infecting
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
, named Ld3, Ld17, and Ld25A, were isolated from whey samples obtained from various industrial fermentations. These phages were further characterized in a multifaceted approach: (i) biological and physical characterization through host range analysis and electron microscopy; (ii) genetic assessment through genome analysis; (iii) mass spectrometry analysis of the structural components of the phages; and (iv), for one phage, transcriptional analysis by Northern hybridization, reverse transcription-PCR, and primer extension. The three obtained phage genomes display high levels of sequence identity to each other and to genomes of the so-called group b
L. delbrueckii
phages c5, LL-Ku, and phiLdb, where some of the observed differences are believed to be responsible for host range variations.
rBCG30-Induced Immunity and Cross-Protection against Mycobacterium leprae Challenge Are Enhanced by Boosting with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 30-Kilodalton Antigen 85B
Authors: Gillis Thomas P. , Tullius Michael V. , Horwitz Marcus A.
Published: July 2014

Leprosy remains a major global health problem and typically occurs in regions in which tuberculosis is endemic. Vaccines are needed that protect against both infections and do so better than the suboptimalMycobacterium bovisBCG vaccine. Here, we evaluated rBCG30, a vaccine previously demonstrated to induce protection superior to that of BCG againstMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium bovischallenge in animal models, for efficacy againstMycobacterium lepraechallenge in a murine model of leprosy. rBCG30 overexpresses theM. tuberculosis30-kDa major secretory protein antigen 85B, which is 85% homologous with theM. lepraehomolog (r30ML). Mice were sham immunized or immunized intradermally with BCG or rBCG30 and challenged 2.5 months later by injection of viableM. lepraeinto each hind footpad. After 7 months, vaccine efficacy was assessed by enumerating theM. lepraebacteria per footpad. Both BCG and rBCG30 induced significant protection againstM. lepraechallenge. In the one experiment in which a comparison between BCG and rBCG30 was feasible, rBCG30 induced significantly greater protection than did BCG. Immunization of mice with purifiedM. tuberculosisorM. lepraeantigen 85B also induced protection againstM. lepraechallenge but less so than BCG or rBCG30. Notably, boosting rBCG30 withM. tuberculosisantigen 85B significantly enhanced r30ML-specific immune responses, substantially more so than boosting BCG, and significantly augmented protection againstM. lepraechallenge. Thus, rBCG30, a vaccine that induces improved protection againstM. tuberculosis, induces cross-protection againstM. lepraethat is comparable or potentially superior to that induced by BCG, and boosting rBCG30 with antigen 85B further enhances immune responses and protective efficacy.
A rare and potentially fatal cause of popliteal fossa swelling
Authors: Kelay Arun , Constantinou Jason , Hamilton Hamish
Published: July 2014

Popliteal vein aneurysms (PVAs) represent a rare form of venous aneurysm and necessitate prompt diagnosis and management due to their well-established role as a source of pulmonary emboli. Surgical repair is usually curative; we present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a recurrent PVA presenting as a soft popliteal fossa mass with associated sensory deficit affecting the right foot, 4 years after initial operative repair. Venous duplex imaging demonstrated a saccular aneurysm originating from the posterior wall of the right popliteal vein. In light of the long-term risk of potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism, surgical repair was undertaken by tangential aneurysmectomy and long saphenous vein patch venoplasty. This case emphasises the importance of including PVA in the differential diagnosis of popliteal fossa swellings as well as the need for long-term follow-up to detect late recurrence with subsequent avoidance of the otherwise significant potential morbidity and mortality.
European Working Time Directive and doctors’ health: a systematic review of the available epidemiological evidence
Authors: Rodriguez-Jareño Maria Cruz , Demou Evangelia , Vargas-Prada Sergio , Sanati Kaveh A , Škerjanc Alenka , Reis Pedro G , Helimäki-Aro Ritva , Macdonald Ewan B , Serra Consol
Published: July 2014

Objective

To summarise the available scientific evidence on the health effects of exposure to working beyond the limit number of hours established by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on physicians.

Design

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE. Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were carried out by independent pairs of researchers using pre-established criteria.

Setting

Physicians of any medical, surgical or community specialty, working in any possible setting (hospitals, primary healthcare, etc), as well as trainees, residents, junior house officers or postgraduate interns, were included.

Participants

The total number of participants was 14 338.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Health effects classified under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Results

Over 3000 citations and 110 full articles were reviewed. From these, 11 studies of high or intermediate quality carried out in North America, Europe and Japan met the inclusion criteria. Six studies included medical residents, junior doctors or house officers and the five others included medical specialists or consultants, medical, dental, and general practitioners and hospital physicians. Evidence of an association was found between percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents with extended long working hours (LWH)/days or very LWH/weeks. The evidence was insufficient for mood disorders and general health. No studies on other health outcomes were identified.

Conclusions

LWH could increase the risk of percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents, and possibly other incidents at work through the same pathway. While associations are clear, the existing evidence does not allow for an established causal or ‘dose–response’ relationship between LWH and incidents at work, or for a threshold number of extended hours above which there is a significantly higher risk and the hours physicians could work and remain safe and healthy. Policymakers should consider safety issues when working on relaxing EWTD for doctors.
Emergency department noise: mental activation or mental stress?
Authors: Folscher Lindy-Lee , Goldstein Lara Nicole , Wells Mike , Rees David
Published: July 2014

Background

Healthcare professionals working in emergency medicine are often exposed to noisy environments. We determined if there is any difference in cognitive task performance required for clinical decision-making of healthcare professionals in a quiet compared with noisy environment and to assess the subjective experience of participants with regard to performance in a noisy environment.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-over study conducted at three academic hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. 41 doctors involved in the emergency management of patients were administered six matched and prevalidated medical questions over a 30-min period. Each doctor completed half of the questions with exposure to ambient noise (range 40–52 dB(A)) and the other half with exposure to pre-recorded background emergency department noise at 80–85 dB(A). The questions were completed in alternating quiet and noise: half of the physicians answered the odd questions in noise and half answered even numbered questions in noise. Each question was scored out of 10 and the time taken to complete each question was recorded.

Results

Overall median test scores in quiet and noise were 18.5/30 and 20/30 (p=0.2), respectively; time for test completion was longer in quiet (836 s in quiet and 819 s in noise (p=0.006)). While there was no statistically significant difference in task performance, 65% of the doctors found the noise distracting with 88% experiencing varying degrees of stress.

Conclusions

Performance of mental tasks is maintained during noise exposure but noise exposure is associated with significant degrees of self-reported distress.
Temperature, oxygen, and diet modulate gene transcription and metabolic capacities in yellow perch
Authors: Grasset Julie , Bougas Bérénice , Campbell Peter G.C. , Bernatchez Louis , Couture Patrice
Published: July 2014

To unambiguously interpret the impacts of environmental contamination on fish condition, it is important to understand the confounding effects of natural environmental factors. In this study, we measured the effects of temperature (11, 20, and 28 °C), oxygen level, and dietary restriction on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) using biometric endpoints and enzymatic and transcriptomic endpoints in liver. Fulton’s condition factor (FCF) and pyloric cæca index were significantly correlated (Spearman’s coefficient = 0.18; p value = 0.0002) and decreased under heat stress. Both hypoxia and dietary restriction also negatively affected FCF. These changes, indicating modifications in growth and energy accumulation, were also detected at the enzymatic level. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was only affected by temperature, whereas nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity decreased under hypoxic and restricted diet conditions. Temperature stress was also observed at the transcription level for genes associated with energy metabolism, oxidative stress response, and apoptosis. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the influences of natural stressors on these biomarkers of condition and metabolic capacities, which are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies.
Revised Wonoka isotopic anomaly in South Australia and Late Ediacaran mass extinction
Authors: Retallack Gregory J. , Marconato André , Osterhout Jeffery T. , Watts Kathryn E. , Bindeman Ilya N.
Published: July 2014

The global Late Ediacaran Shuram–Wonoka carbon isotope anomaly has been regarded as the largest and longest known isotopic anomaly in the ocean, assuming that all Ediacaran carbonate is marine. Disregarding carbonate in South Australia shown here to be palaeosol or palaeokarst, the synchronous marine organic–carbonate excursion is only −8‰ for δ
13
C organic and −6‰ for δ
13
C carbonate, and lasted less than a million years. This revised magnitude and duration is comparable with perturbations across the Permian–Triassic boundary, and correlative with a global Late Ediacaran acritarch mass extinction. Like Permian–Triassic isotopic excursions, the revised organic–carbonate Wonoka excursion may also have been a greenhouse palaeoclimatic warm spike, which terminated valley incision and glacioeustatic drawdown during the mid-Ediacaran Fauquier Glaciation, and preceded chill of the Late Ediacaran Billy Springs Glaciation.

Supplementary material:

Measured sections and tables of mineral and grain-size proportions, major element and stable isotope analyses are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18756
.
Programming in School
Authors: Rolandsson Lennart , Skogh Inga-Britt
Published: July 2014

In this article, the development of the Swedish informatics curriculum during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s is studied and described. The study’s design is inspired by the curriculum theory presented by Lindensjö and Lundgren [2000], who suggest using the concept of arenas (the arenas of enactment, transformation and realisation) when discussing curriculum development. Data collection in this study comprises activities and actors in the arenas of enactment and transformation. Collected data include contemporary articles, journals, reports, booklets, government documents and archived documents. Findings show that informatics education in Sweden evolved from primarily focusing on programming knowledge related to automatic data processing and offered exclusively in vocational education (the 1960s and 1970s) to later (early 1980s) being introduced in the upper secondary school curriculum under the heading
Datakunskap
. The enactment of the informatics curriculum in 1983 encompassed programming, system development and computing in relation to applied sciences and civics. Mathematics teachers did much of the experimental work. It is shown that the competencies of upper secondary school teachers at the time rarely corresponded to the demands of the subject (content knowledge, resources and pedagogical skills). Stereotypical examples were therefore developed to support teachers in instructing about the subject content. When implemented in the theoretical natural science-programme, system development/systemisation was transformed into a twofold issue, comprising vocational attributes and societal aspects of computer programming. The implementation of today’s informatics education, including programming in the curriculum, should draw from lessons learned from history. For a successful outcome, this study emphasises the necessity to understand 1) the common incentives for introducing computer programming in the curriculum, 2) the requirement for teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge and 3) the stakeholders’ role in the curriculum development process.
The Economics of Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement
Authors: Shimshack Jay P.
Published: July 2014

Without monitoring and enforcement, environmental laws are largely nonbinding guidance. Although economists and philosophers have thought seriously about the broader public enforcement of law since at least the eighteenth century, environmental monitoring and enforcement remain both understudied and controversial. This article reviews what we do and do not know about the subject. I review common environmental enforcement institutions, prescriptive and descriptive theories, empirical evidence on regulator behavior, and empirical evidence on deterrence effects.
Optimal Control in Space and Time and the Management of Environmental Resources
Authors: Brock W.A. , Xepapadeas A. , Yannacopoulos A.N.
Published: July 2014

We present methods and tools that can be used to study dynamic environmental resource management in a spatial setting, to explore spatially dependent regulation, and to understand pattern formation. In particular, we present the maximum principle and its use in the context of the emerging frontier of applications of optimal control of diffusive transport processes to environmental and resource economics. We show how optimal spatiotemporal control induces pattern formation and how deep uncertainty with a spatial structure can be handled with spatial robust control methods. Finally, we show how models with diffusive transport can be extended to allow for long-range effects and more general transport mechanisms.
Remarkable Mechanisms in Microbes to Resist Phage Infections
Authors: Dy Ron L. , Richter Corinna , Salmond George P.C. , Fineran Peter C.
Published: July 2014

Bacteriophages (phages) specifically infect bacteria and are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. The constant exposure to phage infection imposes a strong selective pressure on bacteria to develop viral resistance strategies that promote prokaryotic survival. Thus, this parasite-host relationship results in an evolutionary arms race of adaptation and counteradaptation between the interacting partners. The evolutionary outcome is a spectrum of remarkable strategies used by the bacteria and phages as they attempt to coexist. These approaches include adsorption inhibition, injection blocking, abortive infection, toxin-antitoxin, and CRISPR-Cas systems. In this review, we highlight the diverse and complementary antiphage systems in bacteria, as well as the evasion mechanisms used by phages to escape these resistance strategies.
Live Cell Imaging of Retroviral Entry
Authors: Hulme Amy E. , Hope Thomas J.
Published: July 2014

Cellular entry of retroviruses is the first critical stage of retroviral replication. Live cell imaging has been utilized to visualize the dynamics, localization, and kinetics of the viral fusion process. Here, we review the different methodologies used for live cell imaging and how the use of these techniques has better elucidated the viral entry process of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as well as cell-to-cell transmission of retroviruses. Although some controversies remain, further development of these techniques will provide new insights into the process and dynamics of retroviral fusion in vivo.
Taxonomy and Evaluations of Low-Power Listening Protocols for Machine-to-Machine Networks
Authors: Hwang Kwang-il , Yoon Sung-Hyun
Published: July 2014

Even though a lot of research has made significant contributions to advances in sensor networks, sensor network protocols, which have different characteristics according to the target application, might confuse machine-to-machine (M2M) network designers when they choose the protocol most suitable for their specific applications. Therefore, this paper provides a well-defined taxonomy of low-power listening protocols by examining in detail the existing low-power sensor network protocols and evaluation results. It will also be very useful for helping M2M designers understand specific features of low-power media access control protocols as they design new M2M networks.