bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public perception of corporate social responsibility of AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Abraham Ernest Mensah , Asor Valentina , Torviawu Florence , Yeboah Helen , Laryea Frank
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to ascertain how knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by community members influenced their perception of Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA) and its reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative approach using the phenomenology design. The population of the study was the residents of the Obuasi Municipality and a sample size of 20 was used. Purposive sampling was used to select both the sample frame and the respondents for the interview. An interview guide was used to carry out the in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview notes.

Findings

The study found out that the CSR carried out by AGA was mainly for philanthropic or ethical purposes. The CSR of AGA was perceived to be very important for the Obuasi Municipality, except that it has not been done to the satisfaction of the community members. There was a gap between the perception of the community members about AGA’s CSR and the observed CSR activities of AGA.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on people’s experiences and may differ in another geographic area even within the same country. People’s experiences may be different from reality.

Practical implications

Detailed background study is required to understand the expectations of communities where mining firms operate.

Social implications

It is important for companies to appreciate the fact that communities in Africa have high expectations from entities doing business because there are real needs in communities.

Originality/value

Poor CSR practices will jeopardise the relationship between the firm and the community.
National culture and UN global compact affiliation
Authors: Coulmont Michel , Lambert Kamille , Berthelot Sylvie
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Despite the global nature of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), a platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible and sustainable corporate policies and practices, the participation of organisations is unequally distributed across societies. This paper aims to explore the relationship between national cultures, as defined by Hofstede, and organisations voluntarily affiliating with the UNGC.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the relationship between national culture and firm affiliation with the UNGC using data derived from Hofstede’s works and information available on the UNGC website and other websites and accounting databases, covering 282 firms in 30 countries on 4 continents.

Findings

The results indicate that firms in countries with high individualism or high masculinity rankings are more likely to affiliate with the UNGC. In addition, organisations in countries with less uncertainty avoidance, short-term orientation and high restraint are also more likely to affiliate with the UNGC.

Originality/value

The results are interesting for initiatives like the UNGC. The development strategies and democratisation tools developed by this initiative will have to take into account the specific cultural features of different countries.
Constant abundances of ubiquitous uncultured protists in the open sea assessed by automated microscopy
Authors: Mangot Jean‐François , Forn Irene , Obiol Aleix , Massana Ramon
Published: September 2018

Protists have fundamental ecological roles in marine environments and their diversity is being increasingly explored, yet little is known about the quantitative importance of specific taxa in these ecosystems. Here we optimized a newly developed automated system of image acquisition and image analysis to enumerate minute uncultured cells of different sizes targeted by fluorescencein situhybridization. The automated counting routine was highly reproducible, well correlated with manual counts, and was then applied on surface and deep chlorophyll maximum samples from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation. The three targeted uncultured taxa (MAST‐4, MAST‐7 and MAST‐1C) were found in virtually all samples from several ocean basins (Atlantic, Indian and Pacific) in fairly constant cell abundances, following typical lognormal distributions. Their global abundances averaged 49, 23 and 7 cells ml−1, respectively, and altogether the three groups accounted for about 10%–20% of heterotrophic picoeukaryotes. Our innovative high‐throughput cell counting routine allows for the first time a direct assessment of the biogeographic distribution of small protists (< 5 μm) and shows the ubiquity in sunlit oceans of three bacterivorous taxa, suggesting their key roles in marine ecosystems.
Oak extractive‐induced stress reveals the involvement of new enzymes in the early detoxification response of Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Fernández‐González Antonio José , Valette Nicolas , Kohler Annegret , Dumarçay Stéphane , Sormani Rodnay , Gelhaye Eric , Morel‐Rouhier Mélanie
Published: September 2018

Extensive evidence showed that the efficiency of fungal wood degradation is closely dependent on their ability to cope with the myriad of putative toxic compounds called extractives released during this process. By analysing global gene expression of Phanerochaete chrysosporium after short oak extractive treatment (1, 3 and 6 h), we show that the early molecular response of the fungus concerns first mitochondrial stress rescue followed by the oxidation and finally conjugation of the compounds. During these early responses, the lignolytic degradative system is not induced, rather some small secreted proteins could play an important role in cell protection or signaling. By focusing on the functional characterization of an hitherto uncharacterized glutathione transferase, we show that this enzyme interacts with wood molecules suggesting that it could be involved in the detoxification of some of them, or act as a scavenger to prevent their cytosolic toxicity and favour their transport.
The interplay of EIIANtr with C‐source regulation of the Pu promoter of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2
Authors: Pérez‐Pantoja Danilo , Kim Juhyun , Platero Raúl , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: September 2018

The presence of some sugars (e.g. glucose) downregulates the activity of the Pu promoter of plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2, which drives the upper TOL operon for biodegradation of m‐xylene. Genetic evidence produced 20 years ago documented an effect of the EIIANtr (PtsN) protein of the nitrogen‐related phosphoenolpyruvate‐dependent phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr) in such a C‐source control of Pu activity. In this study, we have exploited the wealth of recent information on the PTS of P. putida as well as transcriptomic data available in the last few years on this bacterium to revisit this question – and the role of EIIANtr as such. To this end, we examined Pu output under physiological conditions known to either phosphorylate PTS proteins to saturation or to deplete them altogether from high‐energy phosphate. The results showed that Pu activity is checked by EIIANtr regardless of its phosphorylation state. However, such inhibition is intensified during growth on glucose (which correlates with more phosphate‐free EIIANtr) and partially relieved in fructose, which triggers phosphorylation of PTS proteins. These data explain former inconsistencies on the Pu‐PTSNtr interplay and provides a better understanding of the metabolic and regulatory retroactivity between the TOL plasmid and its host metabolism.
Party spirit: producing a communist civil religion in contemporary China
Authors: Pieke Frank N.
Published: September 2018

The Chinese Communist Party is confronted with a growing gap that separates the rhetoric about socialism and party rule from the individualism and materialism caused by capitalism and opening up to the outside world. In response, the Party has developed strategies that draw on an understanding of the dedication to the Party that is specifically religious, yet does not require belief, conviction, or faith in a doctrine. These strategies revolve around the Leninist concept of ‘party spirit’, which, paradoxically, has been turned into a commodity that can be produced, supplied, and consumed. Drawing on insights from the anthropology of pilgrimage, tourism, and religion, this article discusses these strategies in the context of party cadre education and so‐called ‘red tourism’. The article concludes that the Party is shaping its evolution from an infallible bearer of ideological dogma to a sacred object of worship as part of a new ‘communist civil religion’.
Clinical Effects of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion in Patients With Septic Shock Caused by Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Suzuki Yasushi , Kojika Masahiro , Sato Hisaho , Inoue Yoshihiro , Endo Shigeatsu
Published: September 2018

Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B‐immobilized fiber (PMX‐DHP) has been widely used for severe sepsis and septic shock. However, data are limited regarding the clinical experience and efficacy of PMX‐DHP for septic shock resulting from urinary tract infection (UTI). At our institution, 15 patients with septic shock resulting from a UTI received PMX‐DHP from January 2013 to July 2017. The cause of the urosepsis was mainly obstructive pyelonephritis secondary to ureterolithiasis or neurogenic bladder. Average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were 25.9 ± 4.3 and 10.5 ± 2.2, respectively. If patients were still hypotensive after initial resuscitation, we began PMX‐DHP. Mean arterial pressure increased significantly from 58.3 ± 9.6 mm Hg to 93.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg just after PMX‐DHP and to 94.7 ± 16.9 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) 24 h after the treatment. Catecholamine index decreased significantly from 20.7 ± 11.3 to 9.3 ± 13.5 (P = 0.0001) 24 h after the treatment. Of 15 patients, 14 (93.3%) had survived 28 days after admission. Our results suggest a possible role for PMX‐DHP in the rapid stabilization of hemodynamics in patients with septic shock with an underlying UTI. These patients may be good candidates for PMX‐DHP.
POLICING THROUGH SUBSIDIZED FIREPOWER: AN ASSESSMENT OF RATIONAL CHOICE AND MINORITY THREAT EXPLANATIONS OF POLICE PARTICIPATION IN THE 1033 PROGRAM*
Authors: RAMEY DAVID M. , STEIDLEY TRENT
Published: September 2018

There is a popular belief that the use of military equipment can improve police efforts at social control. Recent protests and riots across the country, however, have piqued public concern about racial disparities in law enforcement and the acquisition and use of military equipment by police in the United States. By using data from the Department of Defense's 1033 Program, we conduct an agency‐level analysis to assess the validity of rational choice arguments and minority threat explanations of police participation in the 1033 Program. Our results reveal that higher violent crime rates and lower drug arrest rates increase law enforcement participation in the 1033 Program. Participation in the 1033 Program, however, is also a function of minority threat, with the functional form of minority threat varying across models predicting 1033 participation and the value of materiel acquired by successful departments. Specifically, a curvilinear relationship exists between the relative size of the Black population and involvement in the 1033 Program, and an exponential relationship between the relative size of the Black and Hispanic populations and the value of property departments receive annually from the 1033 Program.
Fiber‐Rich Food Processing Byproducts Enhance the Expansion of Cornstarch Extrudates
Authors: Masli Maria Dian Pratiwi , Gu Bon‐Jae , Rasco Barbara A. , Ganjyal Girish M.
Published: September 2018

Expansion characteristics of cornstarch‐based extrudates incorporating fiber‐rich food processing byproducts was explored. Waxy and regular cornstarch were used as the base materials with apple pomace and sugarcane bagasse incorporated at two addition levels (0%, 15%, and 30% w/w). Extrusions were conducted at three different screw speeds (150, 200, and 250 rpm) with other parameters optimized and kept constant. Apple pomace inclusion resulted in higher initial expansion index (4.23 to 5.60) and higher stable expansion index (2.76 to 4.43), but also showed higher shrinkage (8.50% to 34.72%) than sugarcane bagasse extrudates at the same inclusion levels. Inclusion of apple pomace showed potential of producing extrudates with significantly higher expansion than cornstarch control, with relatively lower energy inputs. Extrusion methods used here have the potential to preserve the textural quality and nutritional value of the fiber‐enriched extrudates, providing the base for healthier snack food items.

Practical Application

Findings from this study can be extended to the other fiber‐rich food processing byproducts, such as other fruit and vegetable pomace, cereal brans, and pulse hulls among other materials. This data will help the development of fiber‐enriched extruded snacks that would have favorable consumer traits.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of thyroid cancer in northwest China: A population‐based retrospective study of 2490 patients
Authors: Huang Meiling , Yan Changjiao , Wei Hongliang , Lv Yonggang , Ling Rui
Published: September 2018

Background

The specific clinical features of thyroid cancer patients in northwest China are unclear; therefore, we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this population.

Methods

Clinical characteristics including age, gender, blood type, histological type, and BRAFV600E gene mutation; and incidence; risk factors; surgical treatment; and prognosis were recorded.

Results

A total of 2490 thyroid cancer patients were included; 98% were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Weight, blood type, histological type, and BRAFV600E gene mutation rates were significantly different. Pediatric thyroid cancer patients had higher lymph node metastasis, lower BRAFV600E mutation, and 6.2–9.2% greater recurrence rates than adult patients. PTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma displayed similar features, while in other types, such as follicular and medullary thyroid cancer, there were variations. Multiple logistic analyses showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 0.957, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.944–0.970; P < 0.001), focal status (OR 16.174, 95% CI 9.257–28.262; P < 0.001), pathology (OR 0.642, 95% CI 0.473–0.871; P = 0.004) and lymph node metastasis (OR 0.059, 95% CI 0.033–0.107; P < 0.001) were independent factors for BRAFV600E mutation.

Conclusion

Most real world clinicopathological features, treatment, and prognosis of thyroid cancer are similar to reported data, such as the higher incidence of disease in women and the larger proportion of PTC. However, the results in pediatric patients and those with BRAF gene mutations are controversial and require more clinical incidence.
Association of alcohol consumption with allergic disease and asthma: a multi‐centre Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Skaaby Tea , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O. , Taylor Amy E. , Mahendran Yuvaraj , Wong Andrew , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S. , Paternoster Lavinia , Trompet Stella , Stott David J. , Flexeder Claudia , Zhou Ang , Brusselle Guy , Sajjad Ayesha , Lahousse Lies , Tiemeier Henning , Have Christian Theil , Thuesen Betina H. , Kårhus Line Lund , Møllehave Line Tang , Leth‐Møller Katja Biering , Shabanzadeh Daniel Mønsted , Gonzalez‐Quintela Arturo , Power Chris , Hyppönen Elina , Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca , Meitinger Thomas , Jukema J. Wouter , Völker Uwe , Nauck Matthias , Völzke Henry , Friedrich Nele , Bonten Tobias N. , Noordam Raymond , Mook‐Kanamori Dennis O. , Tolstrup Janne S. , Taube Christian , Peters Annette , Grallert Harald , Strauch Konstantin , Schulz Holger , Grarup Niels , Hansen Torben , Pedersen Oluf , Burgess Stephen , Munafò Marcus R. , Linneberg Allan
Published: September 2018

Aims

To use the rs1229984 variant associated with alcohol consumption as an instrument for alcohol consumption to test the causality of the association of alcohol consumption with hay fever, asthma, allergic sensitization and serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E.

Design

Observational and Mendelian randomization analyses using genetic variants as unbiased markers of exposure to estimate causal effects, subject to certain assumptions.

Setting

Europe.

Participants

We included a total of 466 434 people aged 15–82 years from 17 population‐based studies conducted from 1997 to 2015.

Measurements

The rs1229984 (ADH1B) was genotyped; alcohol consumption, hay fever and asthma were self‐reported. Specific and total IgE were measured from serum samples.

Findings

Observational analyses showed that ever‐drinking versus non‐drinking, but not amount of alcohol intake, was positively associated with hay fever and inversely associated with asthma but not with allergic sensitization or serum total immunoglobulin (Ig)E. However, Mendelian randomization analyses did not suggest that the observational associations are causal. The causal odds ratio (OR) per genetically assessed unit of alcohol/week was an OR = 0.907 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.806, 1.019; P = 0.101] for hay fever, an OR = 0.897 (95% CI = 0.790, 1.019; P = 0.095) for asthma, an OR = 0.971 (95% CI =  0.804, 1.174; P = 0.763) for allergic sensitization and a 4.7% change (95% CI = –5.5%, 14.9%; P = 0.366) for total IgE.

Conclusions

In observational analyses, ever‐drinking versus not drinking was positively associated with hay fever and negatively associated with asthma. However, the Mendelian randomization results were not consistent with these associations being causal.
One size does not fit all—evolution of opioid agonist treatments in a naturalistic setting over 23 years
Authors: Nordt Carlos , Vogel Marc , Dey Michelle , Moldovanyi Andreas , Beck Thilo , Berthel Toni , Walter Marc , Seifritz Erich , Dürsteler Kenneth M. , Herdener Marcus
Published: September 2018

Background and aims

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is currently the most effective treatment for people with opioid dependence. In most countries, however, access to the whole range of effective medications is restricted. This study aims to model the distribution of different OAT medications within a naturalistic and relatively unrestricted treatment setting (Zurich, Switzerland) over time, and to identify patient characteristics associated with each medication.

Methods

We used generalized estimating equation analysis with data from the OAT register of Zurich and the Swiss register for heroin‐assisted treatment (HAT) to model and forecast the annual proportion of opioids applying exponential distributions until 2018 and patient characteristics between 1992 and 2015.

Results

Data from 11 895 patients were included in the analysis. Methadone remains the mainstay of OAT, being prescribed to two‐thirds of patients. Following its approval, the proportion of HAT increased rapidly and is now constant at 12.16% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.15–13.17]. The initial increase of proportions of buprenorphine or slow‐release oral morphine (SROM) following their approval for OAT was slower. While in 2014 both medications had a proportion of 10.2% and 10.3%, respectively, our model predicts a further increase of SROM to 19.9% in 2018, with a ceiling level of 25.19% (21.40–28.98%) thereafter. SROM patients display characteristics similar to those treated with methadone; buprenorphine patients show the highest social integration; and HAT patients are the most homogeneous group, with highest mean age, most widespread injecting experience and lowest social integration.

Conclusions

Based on data from Zurich, Switzerland from 1992 to 2015, there is no evidence for an excessive demand for a single medication in a naturalistic and liberal opioid agonist treatment setting. Rather, the specific patient characteristics associated with each medication underline the need for diversified treatment options for opioid dependence.
What, where and when: spatial foraging decisions in primates
Authors: Trapanese Cinzia , Meunier Hélène , Masi Shelly
Published: September 2018

When exploiting the environment, animals have to discriminate, track, and integrate salient spatial cues to navigate and identify goal sites. Actually, they have to know what can be found (e.g. what fruit), where (e.g. on which tree) and when (in what season or moment of the year). This is very relevant for primate species as they often live in seasonal and relatively unpredictable environments such as tropical forests. Here, we review and compare different approaches used to investigate primate spatial foraging strategies: from direct observations of wild primates to predictions from statistical simulations, including experimental approaches on both captive and wild primates, and experiments in captivity using virtual reality technology. Within this framework, most of these studies converge to show that many primate species can (i) remember the location of most of food resources well, and (ii) often seem to have a goal‐oriented path towards spatially permanent resources. Overall, primates likely use mental maps to plan different foraging strategies to enhance their fitness. The majority of studies suggest that they may organise spatial information on food resources into topological maps: they use landmarks to navigate and encode local spatial information with regard to direction and distance. Even though these studies were able to show that primates can remember food quality (what) and its location (where), still very little is known on how they incorporate the temporal knowledge of available food (when). Future studies should attempt to increase our understanding of the potential of primates to learn temporal patterns and how both socio‐ecological differences among species and their cognitive abilities influence such behavioural strategies.
Phenotype‐genotype relations in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1
Authors: Mul Karlien , Voermans Nicol C. , Lemmers Richard J.L.F. , Jonker Marianne A. , van der Vliet Patrick J. , Padberg George W. , van Engelen Baziel G.M. , van der Maarel Silvère M. , Horlings Corinne G.C.
Published: September 2018

To determine how much of the clinical variability in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) can be explained by the D4Z4 repeat array size, D4Z4 methylation and familial factors, we included 152 carriers of an FSHD1 allele (23 single cases, 129 familial cases from 37 families) and performed state‐of‐the‐art genetic testing, extensive clinical evaluation and quantitative muscle MRI. Familial factors accounted for 50% of the variance in disease severity (FSHD clinical score). The explained variance by the D4Z4 repeat array size for disease severity was limited (approximately 10%), and varied per body region (facial muscles, upper and lower extremities approximately 30%, 15% and 3%, respectively). Unaffected gene carriers had longer repeat array sizes compared to symptomatic individuals (7.3 vs 6.0 units, P = 0.000) and slightly higher Delta1 methylation levels (D4Z4 methylation corrected for repeat size, 0.96 vs −2.46, P = 0.048).

The D4Z4 repeat array size and D4Z4 methylation contribute to variability in disease severity and penetrance, but other disease modifying factors must be involved as well. The larger effect of the D4Z4 repeat array on facial muscle involvement suggests that these muscles are more sensitive to the influence of the FSHD1 locus itself, whereas leg muscle involvement seems highly dependent on modifying factors.
Assessment of tricuspid valve by two‐ and three‐dimensional echocardiography with special reference to percutaneous repair and prosthetic valve implantation procedures
Authors: Murray Christopher S. G. , Salama Ahmed Y. , Akdogan Raziye E. , Harb Serge , Nahar Tamanna , Nanda Navin C.
Published: September 2018

Moderate‐to‐severe tricuspid regurgitation affects approximately 1.6 million people in the United States. An estimated 8000 patients will undergo tricuspid surgery annually, leaving a large number of patients with this condition untreated. Many of these individuals who are not referred for surgery engender a large unmet clinical need; this may be primarily due to the surgical risk involved. In persons who are categorized as high‐risk surgical candidates, percutaneous procedures present a viable alternative. The majority of developmental attention as regards percutaneous approaches has been focused on the aortic and mitral valves recently, but few data are available about the feasibility and efficacy of minimally invasive tricuspid valve treatment. We review the usefulness of two‐ and three‐dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of the tricuspid valve with special reference to recent interest in percutaneous repair and prosthetic valve implantation procedures for severe functional tricuspid regurgitation.
Sexual competitiveness of fertile and sterile, wild and mass‐reared males of Anastrepha obliqua
Authors: Gallardo‐Ortiz Uriel , Pérez‐Staples Diana , Liedo Pablo , Toledo Jorge
Published: September 2018

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), commonly known as the West Indies fruit fly, is a pest species of mango, plum (both Anacardiaceae), and other commercial crops in various countries in the Neotropics, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean islands. Currently, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is used to control this pest. Here, the sexual competitiveness of mass‐reared sterile A. obliqua males was evaluated against wild males in field cages. In the first experiment, fertile mass‐reared males had similar sexual performance as fertile wild males reared on mango and tropical plum. In the second experiment, sterile mass‐reared males had better sexual performance than sterile wild males recovered from mango and tropical plum. In the third experiment, fertile wild males recovered from mango had better sexual performance than sterile mass‐reared males. The relative sterility index (RSI) was 0.32, indicating low acceptance of sterile males by wild females. The induced sterility index estimated by Fried's test produced a coefficient of 0.4, indicating that irradiation affected the sexual performance of the mass‐reared males, which had reduced sexual performance compared to wild males. We discuss our results in the context of mass‐rearing and sterilization as part of the SIT programs used to control A. obliqua.
Inclusion of host quality data improves predictions of herbivore phenology
Authors: Abarca Mariana , Larsen Elise A. , Lill John T. , Weiss Martha , Lind Eric , Ries Leslie
Published: September 2018

Understanding the correspondence between ambient temperature and insect development is necessary to forecast insect phenology under novel environments. In the face of climate change, both conservation and pest control efforts require accurate phenological predictions. Here, we compare a suite of degree‐day models to assess their ability to predict the phenology of a common, oligophagous butterfly, the silver‐spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). To estimate model parameters, we used development time of eggs and larvae reared in the laboratory at six constant temperatures ranging from 8 to 38 °C and on two host plants of contrasting quality (kudzu and wisteria). We employed three approaches to determine the base temperature to calculate degree days: linear regression, modified reduced major axis regression, and application of a generic base temperature value of 10 °C, which is commonly used in the absence of laboratory data. To calculate the number of degree days required to complete a developmental stage, we used data from caterpillars feeding on high‐ and low‐quality hosts, both in the field and in the laboratory. To test model accuracy, we predicted development time of seven generations of larvae reared in the field on the same host plants across 3 years (2014–2016). To compare performance among models, we regressed predicted vs. observed development time, and found that r2 values were significantly larger when accounting for host plant quality. The accuracy of development time predictions varied across the season, with estimates of the first two generations being more accurate than estimates of the third generation, when ambient temperatures dropped outside the range in which development rate and temperature have a linear relationship. Overall, we show that accounting for variation in host plant quality when calculating development time in the field is more important than the choice of the base temperature for calculating degree days.
Modulation of photosynthate supply by CO2 elevation affects the post‐head‐emergence frost‐induced grain yield loss in wheat
Authors: Li Xiangnan , Li Yafei , Zhu Xiancan , Liu Shengqun , Liu Fulai
Published: September 2018

Post‐head‐emergence frost (PHEF) has a detrimental impact on grain yield of wheat, and an enhanced photosynthate supply could alleviate the negative impact. However, modulation of photosynthate availability at different growth stages may exert different effects on the plant physiology and grain yield. The objective of this study was to investigate the roles of the enhanced photosynthate supply by growing the plants at elevated [CO2] (800 ppm) during different growth stages on yield performance of wheat exposed to PHEF. The results showed that the PHEF caused a high grain yield loss in wheat, and an increase in photosynthate supply during the reproductive growth stage mitigated the negative impact, whereas that at vegetative growth stage exacerbated the negative impact of PHEF. The opposite effects exerted by the enhanced photosynthate supply at vegetative stage versus at reproductive stage on yield performance could be associated with its distinguished roles in influencing plant physiology at the two growth stages. The positive effect of the increased photosynthate supply at reproductive stage was due to an improved grain filling and regeneration of effective tillers upon recovery from frost, whereas the negative effects of the enhanced photosynthate supply at vegetative growth stage were primarily due to an accelerated early vegetative growth that increased the sensibility of the plants to PHEF.
Developing and validating learning domains, competencies, and evaluation items for global health clinical immersion practicums for graduate‐level nursing programs
Authors: Kelly Tracy , Lazenby Mark
Published: September 2018

Aim

To develop and validate learning domains, competencies, and evaluation tool for graduate‐level experiential nursing global health programs.

Background

Standard competencies have not been synthesized and delineated nor have evaluation tools been developed for global health programs at the graduate level.

Design

A combination of a documentary literature review and expert consensus panel to validate results was used as a design for this study.

Methods

The NLM and CINAHL databases were searched for articles published between 2007 – 2017 relevant to graduate‐level global health nursing programs. Data were extracted and coded, from which themes regarding learning domains, competencies and evaluation items were derived. We then used a three‐step expert panel to refine and form a statistical representation (>0.78 agreement on importance, relevance and clarity) of the learning domains, competencies, and evaluation items.

Results

Relevant articles (N = 26) were included for the documentary review, 18 concerning learning domains of global health immersion programs and eight concerning interdisciplinary global health competencies specific to nursing. These learning relationships were then formatted into a table subdivided between learning categories for expert panel consensus. After expert panel review, a compendium of learning domains, competencies, and evaluation items resulted.

Conclusion

Global health clinical learning practicums are essential for graduate‐level preparation of nurses. Learning domains, competencies, and evaluation tools need to be adopted and empirically tested by international and national nursing associations. The results of this study need further testing to aid these associations.
MRI Profile and Collateral Status in Patients with a Transient Ischemic Attack and an Intracranial Artery Occlusion
Authors: Ong Elodie , Eker Omer , Chamard Leila , Cho Tae Hee , Derex Laurent , Buisson Marielle , Mechtouff Laura , Berthezene Yves , Nighoghossian Norbert
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transient ischemic attack may rarely reveal an intracranial artery occlusion. We analyzed acute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns and early outcome after reperfusion therapy in these cases.

METHOD

Clinical and imaging data were taken retrospectively from our comprehensive stroke center registry. Two MRI patterns were determined. Pattern A: full mismatch with negative diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion defect. Pattern B: large mismatch with positive DWI and perfusion defect. MRI‐derived collateral flow maps were automatically generated from the raw of dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI. Patients were treated either by recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) alone or in combination with mechanical thrombectomy.

RESULTS

From October 1, 2010 to May 15, 2016, 1,019 patients were admitted and treated by t‐PA within 4.5 hours of stroke onset of them; 14 had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) within the 6 hours preceding MRI. Perfusion imaging was performed in 11 patients. An arterial occlusion was found in all of them, 11 patients had a distal anterior circulation occlusion, whereas 3 patients (21%) had a proximal occlusion. According to MRI, 6 patients showed pattern A, whereas 5 patients had pattern B. Good collaterals were observed in 10 patients (6 patients with grade 3 and 4 patients with grade 4), whereas 1 patient had poor collaterals (grade 2). The day 1 National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale median was 0. Modified Rankin Scale median at 3 months was 0.

CONCLUSION

TIAs may reveal acute intracranial artery occlusion. Acute MRI may able to assist in therapeutic decision.
Everybody but Me: Pluralistic Ignorance and the Masculinity Contest
Authors: Munsch Christin L. , Weaver Jonathan R. , Bosson Jennifer K. , O'Connor Lindsey Trimble
Published: September 2018

The masculinity contest is a set of organizational norms that fosters competition, work devotion, strength, and dominance. Here, we explore pluralistic ignorance as a mechanism by which these norms persist. Pluralistic ignorance occurs when individuals privately reject a norm, but mistakenly believe others endorse it. This then discourages individuals from criticizing norms that perpetuate unpopular behavioral standards. Drawing on data from U.S. workers, we find masculinity contest norms are prone to pluralistic ignorance. Workers believe their coworkers’ endorsement of these norms exceeds their own private endorsement, although pluralistic ignorance levels differ by workers’ gender, parental status, and the sex composition of their job. Further, employees’ pluralistic ignorance about masculinity contest norms predicts decreased job satisfaction and engagement, decreased mental health, and increased relationship conflict. Discussion considers the implications of these findings for policies that may bring organizational norms into alignment with workers’ ideals.
Masculinity Contest Cultures in Policing Organizations and Recommendations for Training Interventions
Authors: Rawski Shannon L. , Workman‐Stark Angela L.
Published: September 2018

In the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements, police conduct has been increasingly scrutinized by the public, especially the use of excessive force, fatal shootings of unarmed civilians, and sexual harassment scandals within policing organizations. Through a review of the policing literature and data collected in a Canadian policing organization, we highlight how masculinity contest culture is related to police misconduct. All four masculinity contest culture dimensions can be observed in policing including: (1) “show no weakness,” (2) “strength and stamina,” (3) “put work first,” and (4) “dog‐eat‐dog.” Masculinity contest cultures lead to negative outcomes for both individual officers (e.g., harassment, discrimination, stress), policing organizations (e.g., lawsuits, turnover), and communities (e.g., officers’ use of excessive force). Training interventions are often suggested to prevent or remedy the negative effects of masculinity contest cultures in policing organizations. However, a review of the training literature suggests that training interventions are unlikely to be effective in contexts where organizational norms are at odds with the training content. Our analysis of police data, along with the literature review, conclude with a paradox—the very organizations that need training interventions the most (e.g., policing organizations that often promote and tolerate sexual harassment) are the least likely to benefit from those interventions. To address this paradox, we invoke the theory of social interactionism and reconceptualize training as an organizational sensegiving mechanism. This theoretical foundation offers new directions for future research on training in masculinity contest cultures and insights for practicing police administrators and public policy officials.
The Impact of Culture‐Based Protective Factors on Reducing Rates of Violence among African American Adolescent and Young Adult Males
Authors: Wallace Candice M. , McGee Zina T. , Malone‐Colon Linda , Boykin A. Wade
Published: September 2018

Rates of violence in the United States have steadily declined over the last decade. However, there continues to be a disproportionate number of homicides among African American young men compared to their race and gender counterparts. Among African American males between the ages of 15–24, homicide is the leading cause of death. This is a public health issue that seems very preventable and a plethora of research and interventions have explored psychosocial causes that might aid in reducing rates of violence. Although there have been a significant number of efforts to understand and reduce violence, few studies or interventions have explored the unique cultural factors that might serve as buffers against violence for African American males. This study examines the role of culture in reducing rates of violent behavior among adolescent and young adult males. Findings suggest that culture plays an important protective role in the likelihood of engaging in violence for this group.
Genetic basis of Colossoma macropomum broodstock: Perspectives for an improvement program
Authors: Gonçalves Raissa Alves , Santos Carlos Henrique dos Anjos dos , de Sá Leitão Carolina Sousa , de Souza Érica Martinha Silva , de Almeida‐Val Vera Maria Fonseca
Published: September 2018

Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum (CUVIER, 1818), is the most farmed fish in Brazil. Endemic to the Amazonas and Orinoco basins, it is currently raised in all Brazillian regions. The lack of basic genetic information on tambaqui broodstock has been one of the problems of improvement programs in the species. The goal of this study is to provide information on the genetic basis of tambaqui broodstock from six fish farms located in three different regions of Brazil for application in improvement programs. Thus, genetic analyses were conducted using 15 microsatellite loci. We observed that the broodstock of Biofish (NortB), Prosperidade (NortP), and Tajá (NortT) presented loss of genetic variability. However, their genetic diversity values are higher when compared with the broodstock from the AquaBrasil (improved, NortA) project, Brumado (SoutB), and Departamento Nacional de Obras Contra a Seca (DNOCS) (NorthD), respectively. Furthermore, the broodstock of DNOCS needs to be renovated or increased, and the AquaBrasil individuals need to be better evaluated to verify the improvement achieved in the improvement program. Thus, aimed at the improvement of tambaqui production in the fish farms analyzed, we recommend increasing the population size of the broodstock to avoid inbreeding.
Starting Age Overshadowed: The Primacy of Differential Environmental and Family Support Effects on Second Language Attainment in an Instructional Context
Authors: Pfenninger Simone E. , Singleton David
Published: September 2018

Despite contrary research findings, many laypeople still claim that starting second language (L2) instruction early yields linguistic advantages. This assertion is again undermined by a 5‐year longitudinal study conducted in Switzerland testing the English language skills of 636 secondary‐school students who had all learned Standard German and French at primary school, but only half of whom had learned English from age 8, the remainder having started English 5 years later. The results suggest that age‐related attainment effects are overshadowed by other effects, yielding diverse outcomes according to individual differences and contextual effects mediating L2 outcomes. An earlier age of learning proved beneficial only for children raised as biliterate simultaneous bilinguals receiving substantial parental support, as opposed to monolinguals and nonbiliterate bilinguals (simultaneous or sequential). These issues require studies that explore what underlies age effects in L2 learning and investigate how learning contexts shape processes of L2 development.
What ish my network? Introducing MACMORRIS: Digitising cultural activity and collaborative networks in early modern Ireland
Authors: Baker David , Maley Willy , Palmer Patricia
Published: September 2018

Early modern Ireland is one of the most dynamic literary and political spaces in Renaissance Europe. It is the site of vibrant writing in English, Irish, and Latin and of translation from Latin, Spanish, and Italian into English and Irish. While it has received extensive critical attention from historicists, cultural materialists, feminists, and new‐British historians over the past three decades, their focus has been the colonial context of the English Renaissance (and writers like Edmund Spenser) rather than the Gaelic and Old English cultures and communities thrown into crisis by the Tudor conquest (ignoring, thereby, writers like, say, Eochaidh Ó hEoghusa or Richard Stanihurst). MACMORRIS is a digital‐humanities project designed to correct that lopsided focus by mapping cultural activity across the island in all languages. Working in an interdisciplinary and comparative framework, it will identify every significant cultural figure working in Ireland between, roughly, 1569 and 1641 and trace their nodal points and networks.
The role of governance in privatisation reforms: A European analysis
Authors: Peña‐Miguel Noemí , Cuadrado‐Ballesteros Beatriz
Published: September 2018

This study analyses the role of regulatory and institutional context, denoted as governance, on privatisation reforms. Governance is represented by the Worldwide Governance Indicators and privatisation data are provided by the Privatization Barometer project. We found empirical evidence on a sample of 22 European countries over the period 2002–2013, through estimating several econometric equations that control endogeneity. Our findings suggest that privatisation is shaped by the quality of regulation and institutions. More specifically, privatisation reforms in modern Europe tend to be more relevant when governance quality is reduced, while results suggest the contrary effect in the case of transitional economies.
Can Economists Beat Sport Experts? Analysis of Medal Predictions for Sochi 2014
Authors: Otamendi F. Javier , Doncel Luis Miguel
Published: September 2018

Objective

The predictive power of expert knowledge and econometric modeling is analyzed using predictions of results at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

Method

Forecasts by five sport experts and three sport‐agnostic economists are compared at the country level by medal color and by sport. Success ratios and correlation coefficients are used to make these comparisons.

Results

Experts beat economists, although both indicators are always above 75 percent at the country level and 60 percent at the medal‐color and sport levels. Indicators are below 40 percent when predicting individual winners and 20 percent when predicting athlete and medal color.

Conclusions

Expert predictions can help bettors. Econometric models can help design long‐term sport policies.
Transfusion knowledge of medical and surgical specialty board residents: a cohort study
Authors: Al‐Riyami A. Z. , Al‐Nomani I. , Panchatcharam S. M. , Wadsworth L. , Al‐Khabori M. , Al‐Farsi K. , Al‐Sabti H.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

This study was conducted to assess transfusion knowledge between different specialty board residents and to identify areas of need for further education.

Background

Physicians' knowledge of transfusion medicine (TM) is critical for patients' safety. Many clinicians who are involved in day‐to‐day transfusion practice have little or no formal training in TM. There are no studies to assess physician's TM knowledge locally.

Methods

A comprehensive anonymous survey was developed to assess baseline TM knowledge of all the residents. The survey is composed of different sections, including a questionnaire on resident's demographics, resident's self‐reflection on their TM knowledge and 30 multiple choice questions addressing basic and clinical TM knowledge in two major domains: component selection and transfusion practice and transfusion safety and transfusion reactions. Finally, the residents' opinion on educational needs was assessed.

Results

A total of 130 residents were surveyed. The lowest score obtained among the two major domains assessed was in the transfusion safety and transfusion reaction domain, with a mean score of 4·34 of 15 (SD ± 3·27). The mean score obtained on component selection and transfusion practice was 7·1 of 15 (SD ± 3·74). A substantial proportion of the residents (74·7%) admitted minimal baseline knowledge in the field of TM. Finally, 94·5% of the residents admitted the need for more education during residency, whereas 49·5% thought additional education is required during the first year of practice.

Conclusion

This survey shows serious TM knowledge deficiency and indicates the need for additional education among all physicians during training.
A bidirectional corneoconjunctival transposition for the treatment of feline corneal sequestrum
Authors: Yang Vanessa Y. , Labelle Amber L. , Breaux Carrie B.
Published: September 2018

A case is presented of a 1‐year‐old Persian cat with a corneal sequestrum treated with a bidirectional corneoconjunctival transposition. The size of this lesion precluded use of a traditional corneoconjunctival transposition. At the time of writing, the patient maintained a clear visual axis with minimal scarring and no recurrence 6 months post‐operatively. This report describes a novel surgical technique used to successfully treat a large feline corneal sequestrum.