bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public-private partnership in university female students’ hostel delivery
Authors: Babatunde Solomon Olusola , Perera Srinath
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Although studies on student residential satisfaction abound, yet there are limited studies conducted on students’ satisfaction in respect of hostel accommodation facilities undertaken through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of students’ satisfaction with the provision of university hostel accommodation facility using build-operate-transfer (BOT) model at University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted literature review and questionnaire survey within the case study of a BOT hostel accommodation facility at Unilag in Nigeria. The students who reside at the case study were the respondents. Hence, 153 self-administered questionnaires were purposively distributed face-to-face to the entire student population that live in the BOT hostel. Thus, a total of 96 completed questionnaires representing 63 per cent were collected and found suitable for the analysis. The data collected were analysed using the mean score and chi-square (χ2) test.

Findings

The study revealed a total mean satisfaction level of 3.46 (on a 5-point Likert scale), which indicates that students are “somehow satisfied” with the university hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT. The study further established that age and level of students have no significant influence on the overall students’ satisfaction with their hostel accommodation facility undertaken through BOT.

Practical implications

The study would provide valuable feedback to private investors, university authorities and facility managers of higher education institutions to improve their services in the near future.

Originality/value

The identified variables that have tested to be significant in assessing students’ level of satisfaction in BOT hostel accommodation facilities could be used to assess users’ satisfaction in similar facilities delivered through PPPs in other countries.
Developing a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings
Authors: Chew M.Y.L. , Conejos Sheila , Asmone Ashan Senel
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings. This study makes the case for the development of a new concept called “green maintainability”. The paper also identifies and discusses the knowledge gap concerning green facilities management (FM). As an integral part of green FM, the economic, environmental and social impacts and opportunities of green maintainability throughout the total life cycle of the facility are also highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

The little attention paid to the maintainability of green buildings has resulted in losses of lives due to occupational health and safety hazards as well as high operation and maintenance costs. To address this issue, this study has conducted a literature review to determine the relevant background knowledge and provides a conceptual framework that will aid in conceptualizing the green maintainability of buildings and the development of a research framework for the furtherance of this concept.

Findings

This paper finds that there is little research on the maintainability of green buildings, and the studies about the maintainability of green features are nonexistent in current research. This study confirms the knowledge gap of this little-researched area and draws from it the formulation of a research framework for the green maintainability of buildings to ensure green FM. Emerging literature on green practices and methods is currently receiving attention from academia, as well as building and construction practitioners, and can valuably contribute to the existing theories, practices and methods concerning building maintainability and facilities management.

Originality/value

This study develops the novel concept of green maintainability, which integrates maintainability and green FM at the planning/design stage. The proposed research framework is the first attempt to investigate the green maintainability of different typologies of buildings and especially green building technologies.
Call centers: is there an upside to the dissatisfied customer experience?
Authors: Hudson Sarah , González-Gómez Helena V. , Rychalski Aude
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present the triggers of negative customer emotions during a call center encounter and the impact of emotions on satisfaction and loyalty. It suggests ways of mitigating the negative effects of such emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses exploratory research consisting of 33 focus groups with 121 narratives of a call center encounter.

Findings

Callers predominantly report frustration as the emotion arising from negative experiences in a call center encounter. Goal urgency, reduced customer control and uncertainty underlie this emotional experience. Triggers include assessments of “dehumanized”, “incompetent” or “hostile” call center employees as well as the more well-known multiple transfers and waiting time. Customer may remain loyal after a frustrating encounter if they believe that alternative services will be no better.

Research limitations/implications

Disembodied service encounters generate conditions of reduced control and certainty which foster negative emotions. The outcomes of negative emotions are not always negative if the call center context is managed appropriately. Focus groups took place in a European business school, so generalizability of the results to other regions may be limited.

Practical implications

Negative emotions can have a strong effect on loyalty, a key issue in service organizations. This paper provides insights into how to manage customer emotions effectively.

Originality/value

Customer satisfaction and loyalty in terms of emotions are generally overlooked in the call center industry because of the focus on performance metrics. This study shows that emotions must be taken into account to ensure customer retention and the competitive edge.
The charge of the white brigade
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the long struggle to increase diversity and inclusion in the leadership of large corporations. In spite of significant progress, women and minorities are still woefully under-represented. The extraordinary diversity of the Millennial generation (born between 1982 and 2004) should help accelerate change, but it is not believed that demographics on its own will dramatically improve matters. This viewpoint examines some of the underlying tensions around diversity in the workplace and suggests some approaches that could have a positive impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper cites a number of statistics from the secondary literature that demonstrate how, unfortunately, diversity still suffers periodic setbacks as well as improvements. It then examines the actual world of work to propose ways in which “inclusion” in the workplace and not just diversity in recruitment has a role to play.

Findings

In addition to the importance of a strong minority recruitment pipeline, the establishment of affinity networks and minority mentoring, the author also found that some routine business practices need to be carefully examined to see how they promote or defeat inclusion. These include the trend toward less formal meeting structures that can militate against diverse voices being heard; the need to create greater awareness around the tendency of men to interrupt women disproportionality; and the tyranny of teams in which individual credit is often obscured. By being conscious of these practices, their negative impact on diversity and inclusion can be mitigated.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are the author’s own viewpoint and would need to be validated in controlled studies.

Practical implications

The best practices proposed would need to be adapted to fit well in different corporate cultures both geographically and by industry type.

Social implications

If corporate leaders devoted sufficient attention to these day-to-day business practices, the author believes that they would see a noticeable increase in diversity and inclusion, leading to better productivity and more rewarding roles for women and minorities in the workplace.

Originality/value

While diversity and inclusion have been written about extensively, the author is not aware of any comparable reflections on best practices in the workplace of this kind.
Why understanding what matters to the patient matters
Authors: Patterson Karen D.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolving of integrated care, focussing on developments in why what matters to the patient matters and how to better understand the value the patient brings to and anticipates from integrated care.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive piece that draws on relevant research findings, literature, reports and health policy.

Findings

Although integrated care is a contemporary policy agenda, it is bringing back to the forefront the benefits of a population health planning approach. The shift in the health systems focus from inward looking to outward looking is promising, albeit has taken 25 years and is still evolving. Leadership is being demonstrated, however, a shared vision is elusive and not all voices are being heard. The development of a narrative that defines integrated care from the patient’s point of view is an important step. Next is better understanding the immediate and anticipatory public value integrated care offers.

Originality/value

This is a novel perspective of an enduring health reform policy concept. Currently the literature is thin.
Retrospective analysis of the clinical response of palmoplantar pustulosis after dental infection control and dental metal removal
Authors: Kouno Michiyoshi , Nishiyama Akihiro , Minabe Masaki , Iguchi Naohiko , Ukichi Kenichiro , Nomura Takeshi , Katakura Akira , Takahashi Shinichi
Published: February 2017

Both metal allergy and dental focal infection have been considered as causative factors for palmoplantar pustulosis, and several case reports described that the skin lesions were ameliorated after dental metal removal or dental infection control. However, limited data are available to evaluate the association of these factors with disease severity of palmoplantar pustulosis. This study is designed to analyze the clinical outcome of 85 palmoplantar pustulosis patients after dental infection control (n = 70), tonsillectomy (n = 6) and dental metal removal (n = 9). More than half of the patients (63%, 44/70) showed positive clinical outcome after dental infection control. The skin lesions of all patients with tonsillitis were improved after tonsillectomy (100%, 6/6). On the other hand, one‐third of patients (33%, 3/9) showed positive response after dental metal removal. These results suggest that focal infection is more closely associated with palmoplantar pustulosis than dental metal allergy. According to our findings, palmoplantar pustulosis patients should be preferentially examined for focal infections.
Application of COL1A1–PDGFB fusion gene detection by fluorescence in situ hybridization in biopsy tissue of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Authors: Zhang Zhang , Chen Huijiao , Chen Min , He Xin , Wang Yiying , Zhang Hongying
Published: February 2017

Several uncommon variants of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and the limitations of small biopsies render pathological diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the detection of the collagen type I‐α1/platelet derived growth factor‐β (COL1A1–PDGFB) fusion gene in biopsies of DFSP. Twenty‐three consecutive biopsy specimens of DFSP were reviewed for clinicopathological features and examined with the COL1A1–PDGFB fusion probe and PDGFB break‐apart probe using FISH analysis. The 23 tumor samples consisted of 11 males and 12 females (mean age at diagnosis, 37 years; range, 14–75 years). Eighteen conventional DFSP, one Bednar tumor, two myxoid DFSP and two fibrosarcomatous DFSP samples were included in the group. Strong and extensive CD34 expression was observed in 19 of 23 cases (83%). Twenty‐one cases (91%) were positive for both the COL1A1–PDGFB fusion signal and the PDGFB break‐apart signal. This is one of the few studies to demonstrate the value of FISH analysis of the COL1A1–PDGFB gene, which could validate complicated and suspected diagnoses in the routine biopsy of DFSP.
Transcriptional characterization of Vibrio fischeri during colonization of juvenile Euprymna scolopes
Authors: Thompson Luke R. , Nikolakakis Kiel , Pan Shu , Reed Jennifer , Knight Rob , Ruby Edward G.
Published: February 2017

The marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri is the monospecific symbiont of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the establishment of this association involves a number of signaling pathways and transcriptional responses between both partners. We report here the first full RNA‐Seq dataset representing host‐associated V. fischeri cells from colonized juvenile E. scolopes, as well as comparative transcriptomes under both laboratory and simulated marine planktonic conditions. These data elucidate the broad transcriptional changes that these bacteria undergo during the early stages of symbiotic colonization. We report several previously undescribed and unexpected transcriptional responses within the early stages of this symbiosis, including gene expression patterns consistent with biochemical stresses inside the host, and metabolic patterns distinct from those reported in associations with adult animals. Integration of these transcriptional data with a recently developed metabolic model of V. fischeri provides us with a clearer picture of the metabolic state of symbionts within the juvenile host, including their possible carbon sources. Taken together, these results expand our understanding of the early stages of the squid–vibrio symbiosis, and more generally inform the transcriptional responses underlying the activities of marine microbes during host colonization.
Does It Matter Who Communicates? The Effect of Source Labels in Nuclear Pre‐Crisis Communication in Televised News
Authors: Latré Edwin , Perko Tanja , Thijssen Peter
Published: February 2017

Communication is a crucial aspect of nuclear emergency preparedness. Appropriate public communication about mitigation actions can reduce the radiological health effects during a nuclear emergency. This study tests the impact of communicator credibility on communication effectiveness. It compares the industry, authorities and scientists, by applying an experimental TV news setting in a large‐scale representative face‐to‐face survey (N=1,031). Results demonstrate the importance of pre‐crisis communication. Reception and acceptance of the communicated information differed significantly between respondents in the experimental conditions and the control group. However, differences in communicator credibility did not influence the information processing and communication effectiveness. Although communicators were not considered equally credible, they were equally effective in communicating mitigation actions.
Developing models to predict early postoperative patient deterioration and adverse events
Authors: Petersen Tym Mitchell K. , Ludbrook Guy L. , Flabouris Arthas , Seglenieks Richard , Painter Thomas W.
Published: February 2017

Background

Accurate identification of patients at risk of early postoperative deterioration allows needs‐based allocation of patients to appropriate levels of care. This study aimed to record the incidence of early postoperative deterioration and identify factors predictive of at‐risk patients. Doing so may assist future evidence‐based perioperative planning and allocation of patients to high‐acuity facilities.

Methods

With ethical approval, data from elective non‐cardiac surgical patients were collected between May and August 2013. Patient and surgical factors potentially related to postoperative deterioration were collected from preoperative assessment records. Data on deterioration in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU), and on the wards were collected prospectively for a period of 72 h postoperatively. Patient factors, surgical factors and PACU events were compared with ward events using binomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 747 patients, postoperative deterioration was common both in PACU (155 (20.1%) patients) and on the wards (125 (16.7%)). Common ward events included hypotension (64 (8.2%)) and desaturation (59 (6.2%)). A rapid response team call occurred for 33 (4.4%) patients and an unplanned ICU admission for seven (0.9%) patients. A history of atrial fibrillation and chronic liver disease, duration of surgery and excessive sedation in PACU, among others, were strongly associated with subsequent ward deterioration. However, measures of surgical complexity were not.

Conclusions

Patient factors, duration of surgery and events in PACU can be predictive of subsequent early postoperative ward clinical deterioration. Such information may aid appropriate perioperative decision‐making with respect to postoperative utilization of high‐acuity facilities.
Drivers and interrelationships among multiple dimensions of rarity for freshwater fishes
Authors: Giam Xingli , Olden Julian D.
Published: February 2017

Species can be rare or common in three different dimensions: geographic range size, habitat breadth, and local abundance. Understanding drivers of rarity are not only fundamentally interesting; it is also pertinent for their conservation. We addressed this challenge by analyzing the rarity of 291 native freshwater fishes occurring in ca 3500 independent stream reaches that span a broad environmental gradient across continental USA. Using phylogenetic regression and path analysis, we examined the concordance among the three rarity dimensions, and identified possible mechanisms by which species life‐history, habitat affinities, and biogeography drive variation in rarity. Weak double extinction jeopardies were driven by weakly positive correlations between habitat breadth and local abundance, and between habitat breadth and geographic range size. However, a triple extinction jeopardy was averted as local abundance and range size were not positively linked in our study. This is because large‐river and lacustrine habitat use mediated a trade‐off between local abundance and range size. Large rivers and lacustrine habitats represent important dispersal pathways and refugia that enabled fishes to acquire wide ranges; however, species using these habitats are less abundant overall because they are less adapted to small lotic channels, which comprise the majority of stream habitats in the US. Life‐history traits were key in governing the relationship between abundance and range size as large‐river and lacustrine habitat use were driven by body size, egg size, and parental care. Our analysis contributes novel insights into mechanisms that underlie multiple dimensions of rarity in freshwater fish and informs the prioritization of multiply rare species for conservation.
Could habits hold the key to weight loss maintenance? A narrative review
Authors: Cleo G. , Isenring E. , Thomas R. , Glasziou P.
Published: February 2017

Despite the significance placed on lifestyle interventions for obesity management, most weight loss is followed by weight regain. Psychological concepts of habitual behaviour and automaticity have been suggested as plausible explanations for this overwhelming lack of long‐term weight loss success. Interventions that focus on changing an individual's behaviour are not usually successful at changing an individual's habits because they do not incorporate the strategies required to break unhealthy habits and/or form new healthy habits. A narrative review was conducted and describes the theory behind habit formation in relation to weight regain. The review evaluated the effectiveness of using habits as tools to maintain weight loss. Three specific habit‐based weight loss programmes are described: ‘10 Top Tips’, ‘Do Something Different’ and ‘Transforming Your Life’. Participants in these interventions achieved significant weight loss compared to a control group or other conventional interventions. Habit‐based interventions show promising results in sustaining behaviour change. Weight loss maintenance may benefit from incorporating habit‐focused strategies and should be investigated further.
Evaluation of Two Protocols to Measure the Accuracy of Fixed Dental Prostheses: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Schönberger Joana , Erdelt Kurt‐Jürgen , Bäumer Daniel , Beuer Florian
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare two measurement protocols of the internal and marginal fit of three‐unit zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).

Materials and Methods

Forty‐four FDPs were fabricated for standardized dies by two laboratory CAD/CAM systems: Cercon (n = 22) and Ceramill (n = 22). The fitting was tested using a replica technique (RT = technique 1) with a light‐body silicone stabilized with heavy‐body material. After producing the replicas, cross‐sections were made in the buccolingual and mesiodistal directions. FDPs were cemented on definitive dies, embedded, and sectioned (CST = technique 2). The marginal and internal fits were measured under an optical microscope at 50x magnification with a special software program. Data evaluation was performed according to prior studies at a level of significance of 5%.

Results

The mean internal gap width was 51 ± 36 μm for the RT and 52 ± 35 μm for the cross‐section technique (CST) (p = 0.74). The mean marginal gap width was 27 ± 18 μm for RT and 30 ± 19 μm for CST (p = 0.19). Statistical tests showed no significant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Both techniques can be used for fit evaluation; however, the noninvasive RT is suitable for clinical use.
Optimal income taxation with a stationarity constraint in a dynamic stochastic economy
Authors: Berliant Marcus , Fujishima Shota
Published: February 2017

We consider the optimal nonlinear income taxation problem in a dynamic, stochastic environment when the government cannot change the tax rule as uncertainty resolves. Due to such a stationarity constraint, our taxation problem is reduced to a static one over an expanded type space that incorporates type evolution. We strengthen the argument in the static model that the zero top marginal tax rate result is of little practical importance because it only applies to the top of the expanded type space. If the maximal type increases over time, the person with top ability in any period but the last has a positive marginal tax rate.
Reliability and validity of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire in a sample of Spanish university students
Authors: Roldán‐Merino J. , Lluch‐Canut M. T. , Casas I. , Sanromà‐Ortíz M. , Ferré‐Grau C. , Sequeira C. , Falcó‐Pegueroles A. , Soares D. , Puig‐Llobet M.
Published: February 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

In general, the current studies of positive mental health use questionnaires or parts thereof. However, while these questionnaires evaluate aspects of positive mental health, they fail to measure the construct itself.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

The widespread use and the lack of specific questionnaires for evaluating the positive mental health construct justify the need to measure the robustness of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire. Also six factors are proposed to measure positive mental health.

What are the implications for practice?

The availability of a good questionnaire to measure positive mental health in university students is useful not only to promote mental health but also to strengthen the curricula of future professionals.

Introduction

Nursing has a relevant role in managing mental health. It is important to identify and thereafter to enhance positive aspects of mental health among university nursing students.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ) in terms of reliability and validity using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of university students.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a sample of 1091 students at 4 nursing schools in Catalonia, Spain. The reliability of the PMHQ was measured by means of Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and the test‐retest stability was measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the validity of the factorial structure.

Results

Cronbach's alpha coefficient was satisfactory (>0.70) for four of the six subscales or dimensions and ranged from 0.54 to 0.79. ICC analysis was satisfactory for the six subscales or dimensions. The hypothesis was confirmed in the analysis of the correlations between subclasses and the overall scale, with the strongest correlations being found between the majority of the subscales and the overall scale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model proposed for the factors fit the data satisfactorily.

Discussion

This scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating positive mental health in university students.

Implications for Practice

A good questionnaire to measure positive mental health in university students is useful not only to promote mental health but also to strengthen the curricula of future professionals.
The Costs and Benefits of Party Switching in Mexico
Authors: Kerevel Yann P.
Published: February 2017

Are party switchers successful at furthering their careers? Most research on party switching focuses on the decision to switch and with which party to affiliate. Less attention is paid to the costs and benefits of switching parties. Moreover, previous research examining the electoral success of party switchers has often ignored how costs vary between the candidate selection process and the general election. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using original data on the careers of Mexican federal deputies to examine the costs and benefits of switching parties at the candidate selection stage and during general elections. The results suggest that party switchers are more successful at winning ballot access than nonswitchers but are less likely to win office. These results help explain why ambitious politicians would switch parties, given the known risks of changing party affiliation.
A revision of the family Petrosaviaceae in Vietnam
Authors: Remizowa Margarita V. , Nuraliev Maxim S. , Averyanov Leonid V. , Kuznetsov Andrey N. , Kuznetsova Svetlana P.
Published: February 2017

The family Petrosaviaceae is represented by two species in Vietnam, viz. Petrosavia sakuraii restricted to the northern part of the country and P. stellaris distributed in its southern part. The latter species is shown to possess a wide range of distribution in Vietnam, though it was previously believed to be an exclusively Malesian species. The inclusion of P. sinii in P. sakuraii is confirmed. Details on distribution, illustrations and an identification key for these species are provided.
Teruelia dieziigen. et sp. nov.: an early polysporangiophyte from the Lower Devonian of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Cascales‐Miñana Borja , Gerrienne PhIlippe
Published: February 2017

A new basal land plant,Teruelia dieziigen. et sp. nov., is described from the shallow‐water marine deposits of the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian–Pragian) Nogueras Formation of the Iberian Peninsula (north Gondwana palaeocontinent).Terueliais preserved as a compression fossil and consists of isotomously branched, robust stems terminated in large, fusiform, twisted sporangia. This morphology suggests thatTerueliais very probably equivalent toAglaophyton, a permineralized early polysporangiophyte known up to now only from the Lower Devonian (early Pragian to ?earliest Emsian) Rhynie Chert in Scotland (Laurussia palaeocontinent), which represents an early terrestrial hot‐spring ecosystem. Accepted phylogenies identifyAglaophytonas sister to vascular plants. Our phylogeny‐based results identify theAglaophyton/Terueliabiological entity (i.e.Aglaophytonanatomical characters plusTerueliaexternal morphology) as the most direct vascular plant precursor. It shows that at least one Rhynie Chert type plant had a much wider distribution than previously known and suggests thatAglaophytonwas not restricted to hydrothermal environments, unlike other Rhynie Chert plants.
Characterization of Neofabraea vagabunda isolates causing apple bull's eye rot in Italy (Emilia‐Romagna region)
Authors: Cameldi I. , Neri F. , Menghini M. , Pirondi A. , Nanni I. M. , Collina M. , Mari M.
Published: February 2017

Neofabraea vagabunda is the prevalent cause of bull's eye rot, one of the main postharvest diseases of apple, in many producing areas, but its biology has not been studied in detail. The molecular identification, by DNA sequencing of the β‐tubulin region, of 41 isolates collected from apples showing bull's eye rot in the Emilia‐Romagna region confirmed N. vagabunda as the main species in Italy. A biological and morphological characterization of N. vagabunda isolates was performed in vitro. Assays at temperatures ranging from 0 to 30 °C carried out on 10 isolates demonstrated: (i) a marked influence of temperature on colony morphology, conidial production, conidial size and mycelial growth, showing the cold‐tolerant character of N. vagabunda; and (ii) that culture at 15 °C on tomato agar (TA) for 14 days is a rapid and reliable method to favour pathogen conidial production. Trials performed on 38 isolates using these incubation conditions recorded the presence of two N. vagabunda morphotypes, differing for colony morphology, conidial size, conidiomata formation and temperature requirement. The alkalizing ability of the pathogen during growth on TA was also demonstrated for the first time. The pathogenicity of 25 N. vagabunda isolates was proved in vivo on artificially infected Cripps Pink apples. A pH increase was also recorded in apple tissue infected by N. vagabunda isolates (on average 0.2 and 0.3 units of pH after 60 and 120 days of incubation, respectively), suggesting that the N. vagabunda transition from quiescence to necrotrophic colonization in apples could involve the secretion of alkalizing compounds.
A national review of the clinical use of group O D– red blood cell units
Authors: Hirani Rena , Wong Janet , Diaz Perfecto , Mondy Phillip , Hogan Chris , Dennington Peta M. , Pink Joanne , Irving David O.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

There has been an international decline in the demand for red blood cell (RBC) units. In Australia, there has been a 21% reduction in demand between 2012 and 2015. In contrast, the demand for the “universal” group O D– RBC units is in fact proportionally increasing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The clinical use of the entire O D– RBC distribution for a 5‐week period throughout Australia was reviewed. Fate data on each unit issued (n = 9733) were collected that included the indication and urgency of transfusion, reason for discard, component age, and patient demographics.

RESULTS

A total of 74% of audit forms were returned (n = 7143). The national discard rate of issued units was 7.9%. A total of 6387 units were transfused into an estimated total of 3008 patients (55% males) with median patient age of 67 years and median RBC age of 21 days. Forty‐seven percent were transfused to group O D– patients. A total of 17.4% were chosen for specific phenotype requirements, 24.5% of units were transfused close to expiry, and 24.5% were transfused into patients of other ABO groups.

CONCLUSION

The data appear broadly representative of the current transfusion and inventory management practices surrounding the use of group O D– RBC units. Strategies to reduce O D RBC demand include reevaluation of inventory holdings particularly at smaller centers, increasing the panel of phenotyped RBC units across all ABO groups, more regular rotation of units between hospitals to minimize time expiry, and continuing education for promoting transfusion of ABO‐identical RBC units.
Investigation of perioperative and anesthetic variables affecting short‐term survival of horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions
Authors: Espinosa Pablo , Le Jeune Sarah S. , Cenani Alessia , Kass Philip H. , Brosnan Robert J.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine if preoperative and intraoperative physiologic variables, and surgical factors correlate with survival to anesthetic recovery or hospital discharge, repeat celiotomy, and postoperative nasogastric intubation (NGT) in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for small intestinal (SI) strangulating lesions.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Horses that had surgical correction of SI strangulating lesions (n = 258).

Methods

Medical records (January 2000‐December 2014) of horses that had surgical correction of SI strangulating lesions were reviewed. Data collection included signalment, preoperative physical examination variables, hematologic values, presence of gastric reflux, peritoneal fluid analysis, intraoperative physiologic variables, intraoperative findings/treatments, and arterial blood gas values. Risk factors for survival to anesthetic recovery and hospital discharge were determined using exact logistic regression.

Results

Survival to anesthetic recovery was 76% and survival to discharge after anesthetic recovery was 79%. The difference between abdominal and peripheral lactate concentrations and intraoperative tachycardia were associated with not surviving to anesthetic recovery or hospital discharge. Intraoperative hypotension, hypocapnia, and low intraoperative packed cell volume (PCV) were negative predictors of survival to anesthetic recovery. Low intraoperative PCV was also associated with NGT postoperatively. Performing resection‐anastomosis and jejunocecostomy were associated with repeat celiotomy and with not surviving to hospital discharge.

Conclusion

Several hematological and cardiorespiratory variables show good correlation with short‐term survival in horses undergoing surgery for SI strangulating lesions. These variables are easily measured and could be useful for prognosticating survival in horses presenting with SI strangulating lesions.
Novel Genetic Algorithms for Loading Pattern Optimization Using State-of-the-Art Operators and a Simple Test Case
Authors: Israeli Ella , Gilad Erez
Published: February 2017

Novel genetic algorithms (GAs) are developed by using state-of-the-art selection and crossover operators, e.g., rank selection or tournament selection instead of the traditional roulette (fitness proportionate (FP)) selection operator and novel crossover and mutation operators by considering the chromosomes as permutations (which is a specific feature of the loading pattern (LP) problem). The algorithm is applied to a representative model of a modern pressurized water reactor (PWR) core and implemented using a single objective fitness function (FF), i.e., keff. The results obtained for some reference cases using this setup are excellent. They are obtained using a tournament selection operator with a linear ranking (LR) selection probability method and a new geometric crossover operator that allows for geometrical, rather than random, swaps of gene segments between the chromosomes and control over the sizes of the swapped segments. Finally, the effect of boundary conditions (BCs) on the symmetry of the obtained best solutions is studied and the validity of the “symmetric loading patterns” assumption is tested.
Informing policy with science
Authors: Schaal Barbara
Published: February 2017

We recently witnessed the peaceful—if controversial—transition of the United States presidency. As with any major change in federal government, the scientific community has concerns about new directions and priorities that may affect the way science is conducted, funded, and used in the United States and elsewhere. Of particular note with this new administration are concerns that President Trump may not fully value science-based evidence, and that information and policy decisions will be made without due consideration of scientific evidence.
Recombinant Isfahan Virus and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vaccine Vectors Provide Durable, Multivalent, Single-Dose Protection against Lethal Alphavirus Challenge
Authors: Nasar Farooq , Matassov Demetrius , Seymour Robert L. , Latham Theresa , Gorchakov Rodion V. , Nowak Rebecca M. , Leal Grace , Hamm Stefan , Eldridge John H. , Tesh Robert B. , Clarke David K. , Weaver Scott C.
Published: February 2017

The demonstrated clinical efficacy of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vaccine vector has stimulated the investigation of additional serologically distinct
Vesiculovirus
vectors as therapeutic and/or prophylactic vaccine vectors to combat emerging viral diseases. Among these viral threats are the encephalitic alphaviruses Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), which have demonstrated potential for natural disease outbreaks, yet no licensed vaccines are available in the event of an epidemic. Here we report the rescue of recombinant Isfahan virus (rISFV) from genomic cDNA as a potential new vaccine vector platform. The rISFV genome was modified to attenuate virulence and express the VEEV and EEEV E2/E1 surface glycoproteins as vaccine antigens. A single dose of the rISFV vaccine vectors elicited neutralizing antibody responses and protected mice from lethal VEEV and EEEV challenges at 1 month postvaccination as well as lethal VEEV challenge at 8 months postvaccination. A mixture of rISFV vectors expressing the VEEV and EEEV E2/E1 glycoproteins also provided durable, single-dose protection from lethal VEEV and EEEV challenges, demonstrating the potential for a multivalent vaccine formulation. These findings were paralleled in studies with an attenuated form of rVSV expressing the VEEV E2/E1 glycoproteins. Both the rVSV and rISFV vectors were attenuated by using an approach that has demonstrated safety in human trials of an rVSV/HIV-1 vaccine. Vaccines based on either of these vaccine vector platforms may present a safe and effective approach to prevent alphavirus-induced disease in humans.

IMPORTANCE
This work introduces rISFV as a novel vaccine vector platform that is serologically distinct and phylogenetically distant from VSV. The rISFV vector has been attenuated by an approach used for an rVSV vector that has demonstrated safety in clinical studies. The vaccine potential of the rISFV vector was investigated in a well-established alphavirus disease model. The findings indicate the feasibility of producing a safe, efficacious, multivalent vaccine against the encephalitic alphaviruses VEEV and EEEV, both of which can cause fatal disease. This work also demonstrates the efficacy of an attenuated rVSV vector that has already demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in multiple HIV-1 phase I clinical studies. The absence of serological cross-reactivity between rVSV and rISFV and their phylogenetic divergence within the
Vesiculovirus
genus indicate potential for two stand-alone vaccine vector platforms that could be used to target multiple bacterial and/or viral agents in successive immunization campaigns or as heterologous prime-boost agents.
Patterns of Cellular Immunity Associated with Experimental Infection with rDEN2Δ30 (Tonga/74) Support Its Suitability as a Human Dengue Virus Challenge Strain
Authors: Grifoni Alba , Angelo Michael , Sidney John , Paul Sinu , Peters Bjoern , de Silva Aruna D. , Phillips Elizabeth , Mallal Simon , Diehl Sean A. , Botten Jason , Boyson Jonathan , Kirkpatrick Beth D. , Whitehead Stephen S. , Durbin Anna P. , Sette Alessandro , Weiskopf Daniela
Published: February 2017

A deletion variant of the dengue virus (DENV) serotype 2 (DENV2) Tonga/74 strain lacking 30 nucleotides from its 3′ untranslated region (rDEN2Δ30) has previously been established for use in a controlled human DENV challenge model. To evaluate if this model is appropriate for the derivation of correlates of protection for DENV vaccines on the basis of cellular immunity, we wanted to compare the cellular immune response to this challenge strain to the response induced by natural infection. To achieve this, we predicted HLA class I- and class II-restricted peptides from rDEN2Δ30 and used them in a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay to interrogate CD8
+
and CD4
+
T cell responses in healthy volunteers infected with rDEN2Δ30. At the level of CD8 responses, vigorous
ex vivo
responses were detected in approximately 80% of donors. These responses were similar in terms of the magnitude and the numbers of epitopes recognized to the responses previously observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from donors from regions where DENV is hyperendemic. The similarity extended to the immunodominance hierarchy of the DENV nonstructural proteins, with NS3, NS5, and NS1 being dominant in both donor cohorts. At the CD4 level, the responses to rDEN2Δ30 vaccination were less vigorous than those to natural DENV infection and were more focused on nonstructural proteins. The epitopes recognized following rDEN2Δ30 infection and natural infection were largely overlapping for both the CD8 (100%) and CD4 (85%) responses. Finally, rDEN2Δ30 induced stronger CD8 responses than other, more attenuated DENV isolates.

IMPORTANCE
The lack of a known correlate of protection and the failure of a neutralizing antibody to correlate with protection against dengue virus have highlighted the need for a human DENV challenge model to better evaluate the candidate live attenuated dengue vaccines. In this study, we sought to characterize the immune profiles of rDEN2Δ30-infected subjects and to compare the profiles with those for subjects from areas where DENV is hyperendemic. Our data demonstrate that T cell responses to rDENV2Δ30 are largely similar to those to natural infection in terms of specificity, highlighting that the response to this virus in humans is appropriate as a model for the T cell response to primary DENV2 infection.
The ATP-Dependent RNA Helicase DDX3X Modulates Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Gene Expression
Authors: Khadivjam Bita , Stegen Camille , Hogue-Racine Marc-Aurèle , El Bilali Nabil , Döhner Katinka , Sodeik Beate , Lippé Roger
Published: February 2017

The human protein DDX3X is a DEAD box ATP-dependent RNA helicase that regulates transcription, mRNA maturation, and mRNA export and translation. DDX3X concomitantly modulates the replication of several RNA viruses and promotes innate immunity. We previously showed that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), a human DNA virus, incorporates DDX3X into its mature particles and that DDX3X is required for optimal HSV-1 infectivity. Here, we show that viral gene expression, replication, and propagation depend on optimal DDX3X protein levels. Surprisingly, DDX3X from incoming viral particles was not required for the early stages of the HSV-1 infection, but, rather, the protein controlled the assembly of new viral particles. This was independent of the previously reported ability of DDX3X to stimulate interferon type I production. Instead, both the lack and overexpression of DDX3X disturbed viral gene transcription and thus subsequent genome replication. This suggests that in addition to its effect on RNA viruses, DDX3X impacts DNA viruses such as HSV-1 by an interferon-independent pathway.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses interact with a variety of cellular proteins to complete their life cycle. Among them is DDX3X, an RNA helicase that participates in most aspects of RNA biology, including transcription, splicing, nuclear export, and translation. Several RNA viruses and a limited number of DNA viruses are known to manipulate DDX3X for their own benefit. In contrast, DDX3X is also known to promote interferon production to limit viral propagation. Here, we show that DDX3X, which we previously identified in mature HSV-1 virions, stimulates HSV-1 gene expression and, consequently, virion assembly by a process that is independent of its ability to promote the interferon pathway.
Atypical RNA Elements Modulate Translational Readthrough in Tobacco Necrosis Virus D
Authors: Newburn Laura R. , White K. Andrew
Published: February 2017

Tobacco necrosis virus, strain D (TNV-D), is a positive-strand RNA virus in the genus
Betanecrovirus
and family
Tombusviridae
. The production of its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, p82, is achieved by translational readthrough. This process is stimulated by an RNA structure that is positioned immediately downstream of the recoding site, termed the readthrough stem-loop (RTSL), and a sequence in the 3′ untranslated region of the TNV-D genome, called the distal readthrough element (DRTE). Notably, a base pairing interaction between the RTSL and the DRTE, spanning ∼3,000 nucleotides, is required for enhancement of readthrough. Here, some of the structural features of the RTSL, as well as RNA sequences and structures that flank either the RTSL or DRTE, were investigated for their involvement in translational readthrough and virus infectivity. The results revealed that (i) the RTSL-DRTE interaction cannot be functionally replaced by stabilizing the RTSL structure, (ii) a novel tertiary RNA structure positioned just 3′ to the RTSL is required for optimal translational readthrough and virus infectivity, and (iii) these same activities also rely on an RNA stem-loop located immediately upstream of the DRTE. Functional counterparts for the RTSL-proximal structure may also be present in other tombusvirids. The identification of additional distinct RNA structures that modulate readthrough suggests that regulation of this process by genomic features may be more complex than previously appreciated. Possible roles for these novel RNA elements are discussed.

IMPORTANCE
The analysis of factors that affect recoding events in viruses is leading to an ever more complex picture of this important process. In this study, two new atypical RNA elements were shown to contribute to efficient translational readthrough of the TNV-D polymerase and to mediate robust viral genome accumulation in infections. One of the structures, located close to the recoding site, could have functional equivalents in related genera, while the other structure, positioned 3′ proximally in the viral genome, is likely limited to betanecroviruses. Irrespective of their prevalence, the identification of these novel RNA elements adds to the current repertoire of viral genome-based modulators of translational readthrough and provides a notable example of the complexity of regulation of this process.
Global Population Genetic Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Ashu Eta Ebasi , Hagen Ferry , Chowdhary Anuradha , Meis Jacques F. , Xu Jianping
Published: February 2017

The genetic diversity and geographic structure of the human fungal pathogen
A. fumigatus
have been the subject of many studies. However, most previous studies had relatively limited sample ranges and sizes and/or used genetic markers with low-level polymorphisms. In this paper, we characterize a global collection of strains of
A. fumigatus
using a panel of 9 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Using these markers, we analyze 2,026 isolates, which is ~3 times the number of isolates reported so far in previous studies. Our analyses suggest that
A. fumigatus
contains historically differentiated genetic populations but that its evolution is significantly impacted by contemporary forces such as widespread gene flow and local antifungal drug pressure. In the wake of a global rise in resistance to azoles in fungal pathogens, our findings should aid in developing management strategies to mitigate current increases to azole resistance.
Western Isles welcome first RVN
Authors: Ford Hayley
Published: February 2017

Studying to be a VN involved a 300‐mile journey to college for Hayley Ford. Having graduated in November 2016, she is the first RVN on the islands of Lewis and Harris