bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative pathways of deoxyribose and deoxyribonate catabolism
Authors: Price Morgan N. , Ray Jayashree , Iavarone Anthony T. , Carlson Hans K. , Ryan Elizabeth M. , Malmstrom Rex R. , Arkin Adam P. , Deutschbauer Adam M.
Published: October 2017

Using genome-wide mutant fitness assays in diverse bacteria, we identified novel oxidative pathways for the catabolism of 2-deoxy-D-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-ribonate. We propose that deoxyribose is oxidized to deoxyribonate, oxidized to ketodeoxyribonate, and cleaved to acetyl-CoA and glyceryl-CoA. We have genetic evidence for this pathway in three genera of bacteria, and we confirmed the oxidation of deoxyribose to ketodeoxyribonatein vitro. InPseudomonas simiae, the expression of enzymes in the pathway is induced by deoxyribose or deoxyribonate, while inParaburkholderia bryophilaand inBurkholderia phytofirmans, the pathway proceeds in parallel with the known deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase pathway. We identified another oxidative pathway for the catabolism of deoxyribonate, with acyl-CoA intermediates, inKlebsiella michiganensis. Of these four bacteria, onlyP. simiaerelies entirely on an oxidative pathway to consume deoxyribose. The deoxyribose dehydrogenase ofP. simiaeis either non-specific or evolved recently, as this enzyme is very similar to a novel vanillin dehydrogenase fromPseudomonas putidathat we identified. So, we propose that these oxidative pathways evolved primarily to consume deoxyribonate, which is a waste product of metabolism.

Importance

Deoxyribose is one of the building blocks of DNA and is released when cells die and their DNA degrades. We identified a bacterium that can grow with deoxyribose as its sole source of carbon even though its genome does not encode any of the known genes for breaking down deoxyribose. By growing many mutants of this bacterium together on deoxyribose and using DNA sequencing to measure the change in the mutants’ abundance, we identified multiple protein-coding genes that are required for growth on deoxyribose. Based on the similarity of these proteins to enzymes of known function, we propose a 6-step pathway in which deoxyribose is oxidized and then cleaved. Diverse bacteria use a portion of this pathway to break down a related compound, deoxyribonate, which is a waste product of human metabolism and is present in urine. Our study illustrates the utility of large-scale bacterial genetics to identify previously unknown metabolic pathways.
Physiological and pathological brain activation in the anesthetized rat produces hemodynamic-dependent cortical temperature increases that can confound the BOLD fMRI signal
Authors: Harris Samuel S. , Boorman Luke W. , Das Devashish , Kennerley Aneurin J. , Sharp Paul S. , Martin Chris , Redgrave Peter , Schwartz Theodore H. , Berwick Jason
Published: October 2017

Anesthetized rodent models are ubiquitous in pre-clinical neuroimaging studies. However, because the associated cerebral morphology and experimental methodology results in a profound negative brain-core temperature differential, cerebral temperature changes during functional activation are likely to be principally driven by local inflow of fresh, core-temperature, blood. This presents a confound to the interpretation of blood-oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired from such models, since this signal is also critically temperature-dependent. Nevertheless, previous investigation on the subject is surprisingly sparse. Here, we address this issue through use of a novel multi-modal methodology in the urethane anesthetized rat. We reveal that sensory stimulation, hypercapnia and recurrent acute seizures induce significant increases in cortical temperature that are preferentially correlated to changes in total hemoglobin concentration, relative to cerebral blood flow and oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, using a phantom-based evaluation of the effect of such temperature changes on the BOLD fMRI signal, we demonstrate a robust inverse relationship between the two. These findings indicate that temperature increases, due to functional hyperemia, should be accounted for to ensure accurate interpretation of BOLD fMRI signals in pre-clinical neuroimaging studies.
Stoichiometric balance of protein copy numbers is measurable and functionally significant in a protein-protein interaction network for yeast endocytosis
Authors: Holland David O , Johnson Margaret E
Published: October 2017

Stoichiometric balance, or dosage balance, implies that proteins that are subunits of obligate complexes (e.g. the ribosome) should have copy numbers expressed to match their stoichiometry in that complex. Establishing balance (or imbalance) is an important tool for inferring subunit function and assembly bottlenecks. We show here that these correlations in protein copy numbers can extend beyond complex subunits to larger protein-protein interactions networks (PPIN) involving a range of reversible binding interactions. We develop a simple method for quantifying balance in any interface-resolved PPINs based on network structure and experimentally observed protein copy numbers. By analyzing such a network for the clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) system in yeast, we found that the real protein copy numbers were significantly more balanced in relation to their binding partners compared to randomly sampled sets of yeast copy numbers. The observed balance is not perfect, highlighting both under and overexpressed proteins. We evaluate the potential cost and benefits of imbalance using two criteria. First, a potential cost to imbalance is that leftover proteins without remaining functional partners are free to misinteract. We systematically quantify how this misinteraction cost is most dangerous for strong-binding protein interactions and for network topologies observed in biological PPINs. Second, a more direct consequence of imbalance is that the formation of specific functional complexes depends on relative copy numbers. We therefore construct simple kinetic models of two sub-networks in the CME network to assess multi-protein assembly of the ARP2/3 complex and a minimal, nine-protein clathrin-coated vesicle forming module. We find that the observed, imperfectly balanced copy numbers are less effective than balanced copy numbers in producing fast and complete multi-protein assemblies. However, we speculate that strategic imbalance in the vesicle forming module allows cells to tune where endocytosis occurs, providing sensitive control over cargo uptake via clathrin-coated vesicles.
New genes often acquire male-specific functions but rarely become essential in Drosophila
Authors: Kondo Shu , Vedanayagam Jeffrey , Mohammed Jaaved , Eizadshenass Sogol , Kan Lijuan , Pang Nan , Aradhya Rajaguru , Siepel Adam , Steinhauer Josefa , Lai Eric C.
Published: October 2017

Relatively little is known about the in vivo functions of newly emerging genes, especially in metazoans. Although prior RNAi studies reported prevalent lethality among young gene knockdowns, our phylogenomic analyses reveal that young Drosophila genes are frequently restricted to the nonessential male reproductive system. We performed large-scale CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of “conserved, essential” and “young, RNAi-lethal” genes and broadly confirmed the lethality of the former but the viability of the latter. Nevertheless, certain young gene mutants exhibit defective spermatogenesis and/or male sterility. Moreover, we detected widespread signatures of positive selection on young male-biased genes. Thus, young genes have a preferential impact on male reproductive system function.
Characterization of a bent Laue double-crystal beam-expanding monochromator
Authors: Martinson Mercedes , Samadi Nazanin , Shi Xianbo , Liu Zunping , Assoufid Lahsen , Chapman Dean
Published: October 2017

A bent Laue double-crystal monochromator system has been designed for vertically expanding the X-ray beam at the Canadian Light Source's BioMedical Imaging and Therapy beamlines. Expansion by a factor of 12 has been achieved without deteriorating the transverse coherence of the beam, allowing phase-based imaging techniques to be performed with high flux and a large field of view. However, preliminary studies revealed a lack of uniformity in the beam, presumed to be caused by imperfect bending of the silicon crystal wafers used in the system. Results from finite-element analysis of the system predicted that the second crystal would be most severely affected and has been shown experimentally. It has been determined that the majority of the distortion occurs in the second crystal and is likely caused by an imperfection in the surface of the bending frame. Measurements were then taken to characterize the bending of the crystal using both mechanical and diffraction techniques. In particular, two techniques commonly used to map dislocations in crystal structures have been adapted to map local curvature of the bent crystals. One of these, a variation of Berg–Berrett topography, has been used to quantify the diffraction effects caused by the distortion of the crystal wafer. This technique produces a global mapping of the deviation of the diffraction angle relative to a perfect cylinder. This information is critical for improving bending and measuring tolerances of imperfections by correlating this mapping to areas of missing intensity in the beam.
The impact of corporate governance code on earnings management in listed non-financial firms
Authors: Outa Erick Rading , Eisenberg Paul , Ozili Peterson K.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether voluntary corporate governance (CG) code issued in 2002 constrain earnings management (EM) among listed non-finance companies in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a panel data of 338-firm year’s observations between 2005 and 2014, the authors test the hypothesis that CG constrains EM in non-finance firms listed in Kenya. The authors regress discretionary accruals (DA) against a developed Corporate Governance Index (CGI).

Findings

The overall results show that DA is not significantly related to CG suggesting the voluntary CG code does not deter EM in non-finance companies in Kenya.

Practical implications

Evidence of income decreasing\increasing accruals implies EM still exists among the listed firms. This suggests that policymakers may need to consider radical actions including alternative or new CG approaches and new institutions to improve the effectiveness of CG.

Originality/value

This study extends existing studies by including composite CG as possible explanatory variable for constraining EM. The authors contribute to the debate by demonstrating that the voluntary CG code in Kenya is not effective in constraining DA and therefore the current initiatives by the regulator to change the current CG code are appropriately directed.
Audit report qualification/modification
Authors: Moalla Hanen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of financial variables and especially profitability, loss in current year, loss in previous year, leverage and liquidity in predicting audit report qualifications (qualified audit opinion) and audit report modifications (qualified opinion or unqualified but with an explanatory paragraph).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used hand-collected data from financial statements and from auditors’ general reports of 76 non-financial publicly traded companies over a period of 11 years (2005-2015). A total of 545 audit reports were analyzed.

Findings

The results of panel logistic regression reported a positive relationship between liquidity, loss in the current year, loss in the previous year and a qualified audit report. A positive relationship was found between leverage and audit report modification. Also, the findings show that the Tunisian revolution did not affect the qualification or the modification of the audit report but qualifications decreased significantly during the period of the financial crisis.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications and can help auditors in identifying factors motivating audit report qualification or audit report modification, mainly in periods of instability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to auditing research, since the authors know very little about the determinants of audit opinion in emerging and African markets. It constitutes an addition to previous knowledge about audit opinion in the context of Tunisia during two important periods: the financial crisis and revolution. This research is one of the rare studies analyzing qualifications and audit report modifications by considering both qualifications and explanatory paragraphs.
Accounting and governance in Africa – contributions and opportunities for further research
Authors: Soobaroyen Teerooven , Tsamenyi Mathew , Sapra Haresh
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and reflect on the contributions of the Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies’ special issue on accounting and governance in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The themes and contributions from the accepted papers are identified and discussed in relation to prior research and potential for further studies.

Findings

Key aspects of boards and corporate governance (CG), audit reporting and quality and government accounting practices are revealed as mechanisms which, in some cases, did have some consequences in the African context. However, in other cases, accounting or governance mechanisms appear to be at the periphery of organizational practice and exhibit little influence on decision making and accountability.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst this paper does not provide a systematic review of the literature in the African context, it provides relating to special issue’s contributions on CG, audit and government accounting on the continent.

Originality/value

This special issue extends the burgeoning scholarship in African accounting and governance and provides directions and opportunities for future research.
Financial determinants of local government debt in New Zealand
Authors: Ehalaiye Dimu , Botica-Redmayne Nives , Laswad Fawzi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the financial determinants of local government debt in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the financial determinants of local government debt in New Zealand, the authors analyse the relationship between key financial variables with local government debt in New Zealand based on the theories of fiscal accountability and moral hazard using a panel data methodology, specifically the pooled ordinary least squares regression model.

Findings

The findings suggest that council income is the major financial determinant of local government borrowing in New Zealand rather than infrastructural spending and that during the global financial crises (GFC) borrowing levels of New Zealand local councils was not significantly impacted. However, the findings indicate that post the GFC, low interest rates have stimulated increased borrowing activity by New Zealand local governments to fund infrastructure.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to examine the determinants of local government debt in New Zealand. The findings of this study contribute to better understanding of local government/municipality debt in New Zealand and internationally by providing evidence on the financial determinants of debt of local governments and the indirect use of government policy to control local government borrowing. The findings of this study are anticipated to affect local government practices and national government policies in relation to local government finances.
Perceived accountability for local government infrastructure assets: the influence of stakeholders
Authors: Siriwardhane Pavithra , Taylor Dennis
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the degree of stakeholder salience and the degree of emphasis placed on accountability dimensions for infrastructure assets (IFAs) as perceived by mayors and chief executive officers (CEOs) of local government authorities (LGAs). Comparisons are drawn between the salience accorded to two broad stakeholder groups at the public level and at the government level.

Design/methodology/approach

Perceptions of mayors and CEOs are examined through a mail questionnaire survey administered among LGAs in Australia.

Findings

Overall accountability for IFAs by the LGAs is influenced by the salience accorded to the demands and needs of public stakeholders (PSs) but not the salience accorded to government stakeholders (GS). It is evident that public and managerial accountabilities are impacted by PS salience, whereas political accountability is impacted by the salience of GS. Thus, it emphasises that the establishment and implementation of policies, processes and systems that render transparency and responsiveness to the public, as well as service quality and the disclosure of performance measures, are positively affected by the salience accorded to PS groups.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study may be affected by the inherent weaknesses associated with mail surveys.

Practical implications

Accountability of LGAs for IFAs to GS needs enhancement, specifically stronger policy incentives.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature, providing evidence on how mayors and CEOs of LGAs perceive the salience of different stakeholders of IFAs and its impact on the perceived accountability.
Case‐control pharmacogenetic study of HCN1/HCN2 variants and genetic generalized epilepsies
Authors: Wu Shu‐Zhi , Ye Hua , Yang Xiao‐Guo , Lu Zhi‐Li , Qu Qiang , Qu Jian
Published: October 2017

Epilepsy is a common complex neurological disorder, and some forms are resistant to drug treatment. The HCN1/HCN2 genes encode hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels, which play important roles in the electrophysiology of neurons. We investigated the association between HCN1/HCN2 variants and drug resistance or the risk of genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs). We used matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to assess nine variants of HCN1/HCN2 in 284 healthy participants and 483 GGEs (279 drug‐responsive, 204 drug‐resistant). Frequencies of HCN2 rs7255568 and rs3752158 G alleles differed in GGEs and in controls (P = .039, P = .027, respectively). The frequency of HCN2 haplotype (CAC) was higher in patients than controls (P = .046). The frequency of the HCN1 rs10462087 CC+CT genotype was lower in patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) than controls (P = .047). Rs7255568 was associated with the risk of CAE (P = .028) and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) (P = .02). Rs3752158 was associated with the risk of generalized tonic‐clonic seizures, JME, and febrile seizures (all P < .05). The frequency of the HCN2 haplotype (CAC) was higher in patients with JME (P = .015) and in those with febrile seizures (P = .024) than in controls. No significant association was found between HCN1/HCN2 alleles, genotypes or haplotypes, and drug resistance in patients. After Bonferroni's multiple comparisons correction, only the HCN2 rs3752158 C allele and GC+CC genotype frequencies in patients with JME were higher than those in controls (19.2% vs 11.6%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.18‐2.32), P = .004 < 0.05/9; 36% vs 22.2%, OR = 1.62(1.18‐2.23), P = .003 < 0.05/9). Our study suggests that HCN2 rs3752158 is involved in the susceptibility to JME.
The presence of Philadelphia chromosome does not confer poor prognosis in adult pre‐B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era – a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database analysis
Authors: Igwe Igwe J. , Yang Dongyun , Merchant Akil , Merin Noah , Yaghmour George , Kelly Kevin , Ramsingh Giridharan
Published: October 2017

The BCR‐ABL1 fusion gene is caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in an abnormal chromosome 22 (Philadelphia chromosome; Ph). Prior to the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), the presence of BCR‐ABL1 conferred a poor prognosis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We compared the survival of Ph+ and Ph−ALL during the period when TKIs were universally available in the US for Ph+ALL, using a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database analysis. A total of 2694 patients with pre‐B ALL (206 Ph+ALL; 2488 Ph−ALL) aged ≥18 years, who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2014, were identified in SEER registries. The median overall survival (OS) was 32 months in Ph+ALL (95% confidence interval [CI] 18 months‐not reached) and 27 months (95% CI 24–30 months) in Ph−ALL (Log‐rank test P‐value 0·34). Older age was associated with worse prognosis in both Ph+ALL and Ph−ALL. Age‐adjusted OS was inferior in Hispanics and African‐Americans compared to non‐Hispanic whites. Survival of pre‐B ALL shows continued improvement with time. Philadelphia chromosome status does not confer poor prognosis in pre‐B ALL in the TKI era: prognostic factors in pre‐B ALL should be re‐evaluated in the light of this finding.
Renin‐angiotensin system blockade promotes a cardio‐renal protection in albuminuric homozygous sickle cell patients
Authors: Haymann Jean‐Philippe , Hammoudi Nadjib , Stankovic Stojanovic Katia , Galacteros Frederic , Habibi Anoosha , Avellino Virginie , Bartolucci Pablo , Benzerara Yahia , Arlet Jean‐Benoit , Djebbar Morad , Letavernier Emmanuel , Grateau Gilles , Tabibzadeh Nathalie , Girshovich Alexei , Chaignon Michel , Girot Robert , Levy Pierre , Lionnet Francois
Published: October 2017

The management of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) at an early stage is an important issue to prevent renal and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate in this population, whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) treatment could exert a cardio‐renal protection in a SCN cohort. Forty‐two SCN patients (urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) > 10 mg/mmol) were treated with ACEIs for 6 months, then evaluated for ACR, measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) together with haematological and cardiovascular parameters. A 1‐month washout was also performed in order to differentiate short‐ and long‐term ACEIs effects. A decrease in ACR baseline value (>30%) was detected in 62% of cases (mean ACR: 46·4 ± 7·6 and 26·4 ± 3·9 mg/mmol at baseline and 6 months respectively; P = 0·002), whereas mGFR values were unchanged. ACR decrease was detected at 1 month following ACEI initiation (32·9 ± 6·9, P = 0·02) with a persistent trend after withdrawal (P = 0·08). ACEIs also decreased diastolic blood pressure (P = 0·007), pulse wave velocity (P = 0·01), tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV; P = 0·04), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA: P = 0·001) and haemoglobin (P = 0·01) while conventional haemolytic biomarkers were unchanged. Our data suggest that ACEIs are safe and effective at decreasing albuminuria in sickle cell patients with a beneficial effect on specific mortality risk factors, such as TRV and asymmetric dimethyl arginine.
In search of a family: The contribution of art psychotherapy to a collaborative approach with a man residing in a forensic learning disability setting
Authors: Caveney Domanic , Wassall Shaun , Rayner Kelly
Published: October 2017

Accessible Summary

Some clients in learning disability services have problems in their relationships with people.

Some clients with learning disability have broken the law and live in hospital.

For clients in hospital, treatment can be learning about managing behaviour, feelings and relationships.  This treatment is given by different professionals.

This treatment is important to help stop these clients getting into trouble with the police again.

An important part of treatment is to help clients understand their experiences in relationships.

This case study is about Oliver, and how psychologists and an art therapist worked together to help him.​

Background

Clients with attachment issues are over‐represented in learning disability services. Forensic inpatient services are no exception. Treatment pathways comprise multidisciplinary interventions, and skills‐based treatments are considered vital to recovery and maintenance of prosocial and adaptive behaviour and reduction in risk. An important aspect of treatment is the psychological intervention to enable clients to understand their early experiences and the way this may have impacted on later relationships and behaviour. Without exploring the difficult early lives that many clients in forensic inpatient services have experienced, skills‐based treatments and attempts to facilitate discharge may not be effective.

Materials and methods

This case study presents the theoretical background of attachment, autism, learning disability and sexual offending that informed the collaborative multidisciplinary psychological treatment offered to one man with learning disabilities and autism in a secure forensic setting.

Results

The introduction of Art Psychotherapy enabled the client to explore his history and the potential internal barriers to his therapeutic progress. Issues of safety and belonging, previously unexplored with this man, were uncovered and these themes were incorporated into his risk formulation and treatment plan.

Conclusions

The paper reflects on the specific contribution of Art Psychotherapy in specialist services, and the importance of the collaborative relationship between the Art Psychotherapist and the ward Multi‐Disciplinary Team.
Active adult lives for persons with learning disabilities—The perspectives of professionals
Authors: Witsø Aud Elisabeth , Kittelsaa Anna M.
Published: October 2017

Accessible Summary

The government says that all adults should have the opportunity to live active adult lives.

Many people with learning disabilities need support from professionals to realise living active adult lives.

We asked some professionals what active adult living means and they believed it is about self‐determination and making healthy choices.

Some of those we talked to said it was necessary to have more time to support active adult living in people with learning disabilities.

Background

Living active adult lives is both a value and a right, but the right to do so is associated with restrictions among adults with learning disabilities. This research aimed to capture professionals’ understanding and perception of active adult living for people with learning disabilities living in clustered housing in a Norwegian community.

Materials and Methods

Field notes and transcripts of interviews were analysed by systematic text condensation based on Giorgi's psychological phenomenological analysis, with focus on the professionals’ own expressions about their experiences and not an exploration of deeper meanings.

Results and Discussion

The analysis identified four main themes: (i) active adult life as independent living and self‐determination, (ii) choice of lifestyle, (iii) accommodation and privacy and (iv) the role of professionals. Results are discussed against concepts like dependence, independence and interdependence.

Conclusion

The role of professionals and structural conditions for support and care is crucial for how active adult living is realised for people with learning disabilities. The results highlight the need for further discussions of conditions for active adult living in people with learning disabilities.
Predictive value of BRCA1/2 mRNA expression for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in BRCA‐negative breast cancers
Authors: Xu Ye , Ouyang Tao , Li Jinfeng , Wang Tianfeng , Fan Zhaoqing , Fan Tie , Lin Benyao , Xie Yuntao
Published: October 2017

It is well known that BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a central role in DNA repair, but the relationship between BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNA expression and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in sporadic breast cancer patients has not been well established. Here, we investigate the association between BRCA1 or BRCA2 mRNA expression levels and pathological response in 674 BRCA1/2 mutation‐negative breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNA expression were assessed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in core biopsy breast cancer tissue obtained prior to the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A total 129 patients (19.1%) achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Among patients treated with anthracycline‐based chemotherapy (n = 531), BRCA1 mRNA low expression patients had a significantly higher pCR rate than intermediate or high BRCA1 mRNA expression groups (24.6% vs 16.8% or 14.0%, P = .031) and retained borderline significance (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.93‐2.56, P = .094) in multivariate analysis. Among the 129 patients who received a taxane‐based regimen, pCR rate showed no differences in BRCA1 low, intermediate, and high mRNA level subgroups (19.6%, 26.8% and 21.4%, respectively; P = .71). BRCA2 mRNA level was not associated with pCR rate in the anthracyline‐based treated subgroup (P = .60) or the taxane‐based regimen subgroup (P = .82). Taken together, our findings suggested that BRCA1 mRNA expression could be used as a predictive marker in BRCA1/2 mutation‐negative breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant anthracycline‐based treatment.
The Impact of Multilateral Trade Liberalisation on Economic Development: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors: Gnangnon Sena Kimm
Published: October 2017

This article examines the impact of multilateral trade policy liberalisation on countries' levels of economic development, proxied by their real per capita income. The study is particularly relevant in the current context of growing rhetoric against international trade, which could fuel domestic protectionism and would likely undermine multilateral trade liberalisation. The analysis has been conducted on a panel data set of 155 countries, over non‐overlapping four‐yearly sub‐periods during 1995–2014. The empirical results suggest strong support for the view that multilateral trade liberalisation promotes economic development. Hence, the rise in unilateral protectionist trade measures around the world would likely endanger the prospects of further multilateral trade liberalisation and ultimately undermine countries' prospects of economic development.
The Demand for ‘Guard Labour’: Another Explanation
Authors: Geloso Vincent , Kufenko Vadim
Published: October 2017

We consider the argument that inequality drives society to expend more resources on supervision, which imposes an extra cost on doing business – an argument advanced notably by Samuel Bowles, who framed it as a coordination failure. We propose an alternative, though not mutually exclusive, explanation in the form of government failure. We argue that the efforts of government to prohibit drugs leads to increases in violence and policing failure, which in turn force private actors to deploy resources to supervise workers and protect themselves. Our explanation complements and moderates the argument regarding the link between inequality and ‘guard labour’.
Price level convergence and purchasing power divergence
Authors: Eleftheriou Maria , Müller‐Plantenberg Nikolas A.
Published: October 2017

We construct four large data sets of bilateral real exchange rates based on traded good prices (food and clothing, respectively) and broader price indices (consumer price index, CPI, and wholesale price index, WPI). On these data sets, we run non‐parametric regressions to examine how the real exchange rate, the price differential, and the nominal exchange rate react to an overvalued real exchange rate over time. In line with the theory we develop, our regressions show the following: First, real exchange rates are mean‐reverting. Second, prices converge. Third, price convergence implies purchasing power divergence and thus does not contribute to real exchange rate convergence. Indeed, when price adjustment is fast (as for our traded good price data sets), we even observe diverging nominal exchange rates. Our findings suggest that movements both away from and towards PPP may be less related to traded good price movements than is commonly thought.
Optimization of a gadolinium‐rich oxyhalide glass scintillator for gamma ray spectroscopy
Authors: Struebing Christian , Beckert Meredith Brooke , Nadler Jason H. , Kahn Bernd , Wagner Brent , Kang Zhitao
Published: October 2017

A transparent gadolinium‐rich oxyhalide glass scintillator was developed for gamma ray spectroscopy with an energy resolution of 14.0% at 662 keV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest energy resolution reported for a glass‐based scintillator. The high gadolinium content facilitated a scintillator density of 4.4 g/cm3. The high fluorine and bromine incorporation is advantageous for better uniformity and a good light output of ~3200 Ph/MeV. The peak emission at 431 nm with a FWHM of 90 nm, resulting from the fast Ce3+ transitions, yielded pulse‐height spectra with distinctive peaks from 122 keV to 1.33 keV for gamma radiation from different nuclides.
Chemical stability of KNbO3, NaNbO3, and K0.5Na0.5NbO3 in aqueous medium
Authors: Ozmen Ozcan , Ozsoy‐Keskinbora Cigdem , Suvaci Ender
Published: October 2017

In recent years, potassium sodium niobate (K0.5Na0.5NbO3, KNN) has become popular and promising among perovskite lead‐free piezoceramic systems. In this study, the chemical stability of KNN powders in aqueous medium was investigated as a function of pH, time, and powder surface area. To better understand the dissolution behavior of the complex KNN stoichiometry, subconstituents such as potassium niobate (KNbO3, KN) and sodium niobate (NaNbO3, NN) were investigated separately first. Results showed that all of the cations in the structure underwent dissolution in different values. Indicating that KNN undergoes incongruent dissolution in aqueous medium, the dissolution of A site cations was higher at lower pH while the dissolution of B site cations increased at higher initial pH. The order of released cation concentrations (CA1 = K > CA2 = Na > CB = Nb) fits with inverse relationship of cation field strength (FS) order, B = Nb5+FS > A2 = Na+FS>A1 = K+FS, at pH 4, 7 and 10 for NN, KN, and KNN. Calculated diffuse layer thickness from the ICP data confirmed to outer amorphous layer in TEM image. Also, the ratio of normalized cation concentration versus surface area of powders showed that incongruent dissolution kinetic was driven by the diffusion step.
False gold: Safely navigating open access publishing to avoid predatory publishers and journals
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Polacsek Meg
Published: October 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to review and discuss predatory open access publishing in the context of nursing and midwifery and develop a set of guidelines that serve as a framework to help clinicians, educators and researchers avoid predatory publishers.

Background

Open access publishing is increasingly common across all academic disciplines. However, this publishing model is vulnerable to exploitation by predatory publishers, posing a threat to nursing and midwifery scholarship and practice. Guidelines are needed to help researchers recognize predatory journals and publishers and understand the negative consequences of publishing in them.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

A literature search of BioMed Central, CINAHL, MEDLINE with Full Text and PubMed for terms related to predatory publishing, published in the period 2007–2017.

Implications for Nursing

Lack of awareness of the risks and pressure to publish in international journals, may result in nursing and midwifery researchers publishing their work in dubious open access journals. Caution should be taken prior to writing and submitting a paper, to avoid predatory publishers.

Findings

The advantage of open access publishing is that it provides readers with access to peer‐reviewed research as soon as it is published online. However, predatory publishers use deceptive methods to exploit open access publishing for their own profit. Clear guidelines are needed to help researchers navigate safely open access publishing.

Conclusion

A deeper understanding of the risks of predatory publishing is needed. Clear guidelines should be followed by nursing and midwifery researchers seeking to publish their work in open access journals.
Structured nurse‐led follow‐up for patients after discharge from the intensive care unit: Prospective quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Jónasdóttir Rannveig J. , Jones Christina , Sigurdsson Gisli H. , Jónsdóttir Helga
Published: October 2017

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe a structured 3‐month nurse‐led follow‐up of patients after discharge from intensive care and measure its effects on health status.

Background

Patients requiring intensive care stay frequently have lengthy and incomplete recovery suggesting need for additional support. The effects of intensive care nurse‐led follow‐up have not been sufficiently elucidated.

Design

A prospective, quasi‐experimental study of patients who received structured nurse‐led follow‐up from intensive care nurses after discharge from intensive care until 3 months afterwards. The control group received usual care.

Methods

Of 574 patients assessed for eligibility, from November 2012 ‐ May 2015, 168 were assigned to the experimental group (N = 73) and the control group (N = 75). Primary outcome was health status, measured with eight scales of Short Form‐36v2, before the intensive care admission and at four time points until 12 months after intensive care. A mixed effect model tested differences between the groups over time. Criteria for Reporting Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions 2 guideline, guided the reporting of the intervention.

Results

The structured nurse‐led follow‐up did not improve patients’ health status compared with usual care (mixed effect model,p = .078–.937).

Conclusion

The structured nurse‐led follow‐up did not reveal an effect on the intensive care patients studied. Further examination of intensive care nurse‐led follow‐up is needed, taking into account the heterogeneity of the patient population, variations in length of ward stay, patients’ health care needs during the first week at home after discharge from general ward and health status before intensive care admission.
Incidence and risk factors of colorectal cancer based on 56 324 health checkups: A 7‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fujii Toshiko , Ohisa Masayuki , Sako Toru , Harakawa Takayuki , Sakamune Kazuaki , Nagashima Shintaro , Sugiyama Aya , Matsuura Yuichiro , Tanaka Junko
Published: October 2017

Background and Aim

Although mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been increasing in Japan, its screening rates remain stagnant at 19.2% among Japanese population aged > 40 years in 2014. To evaluate the importance of CRC screening by fecal occult blood test (FOBT), this study estimated the incidence of FOBT‐positivity and CRC by sex–age stratification and clarified the risk factors for CRC.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2014, 56 324 residents (21 517 men and 34 807 women) were enrolled in this study. The sex–age‐stratified incidence rates of FOBT‐positivity and CRC were estimated by records from health checkups and colonoscopy. Regarding CRC incidence rate in particular, positive predictive value was adopted to adjust bias of FOBT‐positivity that did not undergo colonoscopy by person‐year method. To investigate the risks of CRC onset, a nested case–control study with 1:10 person‐matching on sex and age was performed.

Results

Incidence rates of FOBT‐positivity and CRC are 4183/100 000 person‐year (100 Kpy) and 141.3/100 Kpy, respectively. In both cases, men has higher incidence rate than women (1.3 times for FOBT; 4977 vs 3718/100 Kpy and 2.3 times for CRC; 217.0 vs 96.4/100 Kpy).

Conclusions

The records from health checkups were useful to estimate incidence rates of CRC with this procedure. The age‐stratified incidence rate indicated the importance of CRC screening by FOBT, especially for men and those aged > 50 years. Additionally, it is strongly recommended to do further investigation if positive for initial FOBT screening especially for those who are > 70 years.
Student veterans’ construction and enactment of resilience: A constructivist grounded theory study
Authors: Reyes A. T. , Kearney C. A. , Isla K. , Bryant R.
Published: October 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Resilience is an ability and a process that allows an individual to develop positive adaptation despite challenges and adversities.

Many military veterans returning to college after their military service have difficulty transitioning to civilian life.

Although some research exists that explores factors related to the resilience of college student veterans, limited theoretical descriptions exist that explain how student veterans construct resilience, and how resilience is enacted and enhanced in their academic and personal (non‐academic) lives.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

The resilience of student veterans involves a complex process of transitioning from military to civilian life and an iterative journey between positive adaptation and transient perturbations.

Student veterans’ resilience is a result of integrating and resolving various aspects of their academic and personal challenges.

What are the implications for practice?

Nurses can apply this grounded theory as a practical framework for equipping student veterans with effective strategies to develop and enhance resilience.

Nurses can employ a holistic approach of care in their interactions with military veterans and student veterans that includes fostering psychological resilience, helping to manage their multiple non‐academic responsibilities and supporting their academic success.

Introduction

Adjusting to college life is one of the most difficult experiences in a military veteran's transition to civilian life. Many military veterans returning to college not only encounter academic challenges, but also deal with physical and psychiatric disabilities, loss of military camaraderie and social disconnect. These often negatively affect their personal and academic lives. Hence, it is important to explore resilience to best support student veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore how student veterans construct and enact resilience within their personal and academic lives.

Method

Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, in‐depth individual interviews were conducted with 20 military veterans enrolled as undergraduate students at a U.S. university.

Results

The process of “integrating,” which represents student veterans’ construction and enactment of resilience, was the core category. This category has three subcategories: (1) the aspects; (2) the expressions; and (3) the enactments of resilience.

Implications for practice

Nurses can use this grounded theory as the practical framework for their interactions with military veterans, and more particularly with supporting student veterans in their academic lives, in their personal lives and in the transition from military to civilian life.
Validation of the German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test
Authors: Dieck Arne , Helbig Susanne , Drake Christopher L. , Backhaus Jutta
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of a German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test with groups with and without sleep problems. Three studies were analysed. Data set 1 was based on an initial screening for a sleep training program (n = 393), data set 2 was based on a study to test the test–retest reliability of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (n = 284) and data set 3 was based on a study to examine the influence of competitive sport on sleep (n = 37). Data sets 1 and 2 were used to test internal consistency, factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity and test–retest reliability of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test. Content validity was tested using data set 3. Cronbach's alpha of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test was good (α = 0.80) and test–retest reliability was satisfactory (r = 0.72). Overall, the one‐factor model showed the best fit. Furthermore, significant positive correlations between the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test and impaired sleep quality, depression and stress reactivity were in line with the expectations regarding the convergent validity. Subjects with sleep problems had significantly higher scores in the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test than subjects without sleep problems (P < 0.01). Competitive athletes with higher scores in the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test had significantly lower sleep quality (P = 0.01), demonstrating that vulnerability for stress‐induced sleep disturbances accompanies poorer sleep quality in stressful episodes. The findings show that the German version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test is a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess the vulnerability to stress‐induced sleep disturbances.
Social associations and vocal communication in wild and captive male savannah elephants Loxodonta africana
Authors: Morris‐Drake Amy , Mumby Hannah S.
Published: October 2017

Despite growing evidence that males often associate in all‐male groups, there has been no review of male savannah elephant Loxodonta africana social relationships or of the use of vocal communication within these male groups. We assess the evidence for all‐male group formation and for the use of vocal communication by males throughout the savannah elephant range of southern and eastern Africa, as well as in ex‐situ studies of captive animals.

We derived data from two quantitative reviews of the published literature, for associations and for vocalisations, respectively. We supplemented these structured reviews with searches for books and of bibliographies.

We compiled evidence from 30 studies on associative groups, and found that group size was the most commonly reported variable (mean group size reported 2–4.9; range reported 2–40 when excluding studies that included lone males).

We found 22 studies reporting evidence of vocal communication in males. A total of four studies were retrieved from both searches, indicating that these areas of research may overlap.

We found that male elephants are frequently reported to be in groups, throughout their range and over time, although the groups are small: median group size was three. The diversity of male savannah elephant group sizes may indicate the behavioural flexibility of the species. It could also represent a lack of studies focusing on males. We found a paucity of research on male vocal communication (5% of studies were concentrated solely on male bioacoustics), particularly in natural settings, and few studies reported the social context or role of male vocal signals outside of musth.

We see great scope for future research at the important intersection between male elephant associations and vocal communication, including research on the role of vocalisations in mediating all‐male associations.