bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polygenic scores for UK Biobank scale data
Authors: Mak Timothy Shin Heng , Porsch Robert Milan , Choi Shing Wan , Sham Pak Chung
Published: January 2018

Polygenic scores (PGS) are estimated scores representing the genetic tendency of an individual for a disease or trait and have become an indispensible tool in a variety of analyses. Typically they are linear combination of the genotypes of a large number of SNPs, with the weights calculated from an external source, such as summary statistics from large meta-analyses. Recently cohorts with genetic data have become very large, such that it would be a waste if the raw data were not made use of in constructing PGS. Making use of raw data in calculating PGS, however, presents us with problems of overfitting. Here we discuss the essence of overfitting as applied in PGS calculations and highlight the difference between overfitting due to the overlap between the target and the discovery data (OTD), and overfitting due to the overlap between the target the the validation data (OTV). We propose two methods — cross prediction and split validation — to overcome OTD and OTV respectively. Using these two methods, PGS can be calculated using raw data without overfitting. We show that PGSs thus calculated have better predictive power than those using summary statistics alone for six phenotypes in the UK Biobank data.
Ethylene mitigates waterlogging stress by regulating glutathione biosynthesis-related transcripts in soybeans
Authors: Kim Yoonha , Seo Chang-Woo , Khan Abdul Latif , Mun Bong-Gyu , Shahzad Raheem , Ko Jung-Woo , Yun Byung-Wook , Lee In-Jung
Published: January 2018

Waterlogging stress is a restrictive factors in soybean productivity worldwide. Plants utilize various physio-chemical changes to mitigate waterlogging stress. In current study, the regulatory roles of seven kinds of plant growth regulators, including abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ethephon, ETP), gibberellins (GA4), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), kinetine (KT), jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), were determined for soybeans under waterlogging conditions. Based on the results, the donor source of ethylene was selected and its role was further examined regarding physiochemical alteration and glutathione biosynthesis-related transcripts through application of exogenous ETP. ETP application mitigated waterlogging stress and significantly improved the efficiency of photosynthesis and increased bioactive GA4 contents compared to that of untreated plants. Element and amino acid contents among the treatments were significantly different. Total elements and amino acid contents were increased in 100 μM ETP-treated soybean plants. ETP application induced adventitious root initiation, improved root surface area, and significantly increased glutathione transferases expression and glutathione relative to that of non-ETP treated soybean plants. Finally, 100 μM-ETP application induced up-regulated protein content and glutathione s-transferase DHAR2 as compared to that of soybeans under waterlogging-conditions only. ETP could induce various biochemical and transcriptional modulations that strengthen plant growth and mitigate waterlogging stress.

Highlight

Ethylene application to soybean plants after waterlogging up-regulates glutathione transferase genes. Higher glutathione activity, as well as increased glutathione s-transferase DHAR2 protein content was induced to scavenge reactive oxygen species.
The fitness landscape of the codon space across environments
Authors: Fragata Inès , Matuszewski Sebastian , Schmitz Mark A. , Bataillon Thomas , Jensen Jeffrey D. , Bank Claudia
Published: January 2018

Fitness landscapes map the relationship between genotypes and fitness. However, most fitness landscape studies ignore the genetic architecture imposed by the codon table and thereby neglect the potential role of synonymous mutations. To quantify the fitness effects of synonymous mutations and their potential impact on adaptation on a fitness landscape, we use a new software based on Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov Chain methods and reestimate selection coefficients of all possible codon mutations across 9 amino-acid positions inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeHsp90 across 6 environments. We quantify the distribution of fitness effects of synonymous mutations and show that it is dominated by many mutations of small or no effect and few mutations of larger effect. We then compare the shape of the codon fitness landscape across amino-acid positions and environments, and quantify how the consideration of synonymous fitness effects changes the evolutionary dynamics on these fitness landscapes. Together these results highlight a possible role of synonymous mutations in adaptation and indicate the potential mis-inference when they are neglected in fitness landscape studies.
Feedback control of neurogenesis by tissue packing
Authors: Hiscock Tom W. , Miesfeld Joel B. , Mosaliganti Kishore R. , Link Brian A. , Megason Sean G.
Published: January 2018

Balancing the rate of differentiation and proliferation in developing tissues is essential to produce organs of robust size and composition. Whilst many molecular regulators have been established, how these connect to physical and geometrical aspects of tissue architecture is poorly understood. Here, using high-resolution timelapse imaging, we find that dense tissue packing and complex cell geometries play a significant role in regulating differentiation rate in the zebrafish neural tube. Specifically, in regions of high cell density, progenitors are physically pushed away from the apical surface, which, in a Notch-dependent manner, leads to their differentiation. Using simulations we show that this naturally performs negative feedback control on cell number. Our results suggest a model whereby differentiation rate is carefully tuned to correct fluctuations in cell number, originating from variable cell cycle progression and inherently probabilistic differentiation programs.
Chiral cilia orientation in the left-right organizer
Authors: Ferreira Rita R. , Pakula Guillaume , Klaeyle Lhéanna , Fukui Hajime , Vilfan Andrej , Supatto Willy , Vermot Julien
Published: January 2018

Chirality is a property of asymmetry between an object and its mirror image. Most biomolecules and cells are intrinsically chiral. Whether cellular chirality can be transferred to asymmetry at the tissue scale remains an unresolved issue. This question is particularly relevant in the left-right organizer (LRO), where cilia motility and chiral flow are thought to be the main drivers of left-right axis symmetry breaking. Here, we built a quantitative approach based on live imaging to set apart the contributions of various pathways to the spatial orientation of cilia in the Kupffer’s vesicle (KV, zebrafish LRO). We found that cilia populating the zebrafish LRO display an asymmetric orientation between the right and left side of the LRO. Cilia orientations, therefore, give the KV cells a sense of chirality which is different from the chirality of cilia rotation. Surprisingly, we found this asymmetry does not depend on the left-right signalling pathway or flow. Furthermore, we show the establishment of the chirality is dynamic and depends on planar cell polarity. Together, this work identifies a different type of asymmetry in the LRO and sheds light on the complexity of chirality genesis in developing tissues.
Targeted deletion of a 170-kb cluster of LINE-1 repeats and implications for regional control
Authors: Soares Miguel L. , Edwards Carol A. , Dearden Frances L. , Ferrón Sacri R. , Curran Scott , Corish Jennifer A. , Rancourt Rebecca C. , Allen Sarah E. , Charalambous Marika , Ferguson-Smith Malcolm A. , Rens Willem , Adams David J. , Ferguson-Smith Anne C.
Published: January 2018

Approximately half the mammalian genome is composed of repetitive sequences, and accumulating evidence suggests that some may have an impact on genome function. Here, we characterized a large array class of repeats of long-interspersed elements (LINE-1). Although widely distributed in mammals, locations of such arrays are species specific. Using targeted deletion, we asked whether a 170-kb LINE-1 array located at a mouse imprinted domain might function as a modulator of local transcriptional control. The LINE-1 array is lamina associated in differentiated ES cells consistent with its AT-richness, and although imprinting occurs both proximally and distally to the array, active LINE-1 transcripts within the tract are biallelically expressed. Upon deletion of the array, no perturbation of imprinting was observed, and abnormal phenotypes were not detected in maternal or paternal heterozygous or homozygous mutant mice. The array does not shield nonimprinted genes in the vicinity from local imprinting control. Reduced neural expression of protein-coding genes observed upon paternal transmission of the deletion is likely due to the removal of a brain-specific enhancer embedded within the LINE array. Our findings suggest that presence of a 170-kb LINE-1 array reflects the tolerance of the site for repeat insertion rather than an important genomic function in normal development.
ITU cost model and methodology to assist national regulatory authorities to engage with international mobile roaming
Authors: Forge Simon , Srivastava Lara
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Tariffs for international mobile roaming (IMR) are often viewed by governments as an additional tax on international trade and on tourism. IMR customer bills may appear to be arbitrary and sometimes excessive. The purpose of this paper is therefore to set out a pragmatic approach to assessing international charges for mobile roaming, making use of a realistic cost model of the international roaming process and its cost elements, at a level that is useful to regulatory authorities and operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussion presented is based on industry practices for handling voice calls and data sessions with the mobile network operators (MNOs) business model, based on industry sources. The basic mechanisms use two common constructs from business analysis – business processes and use-cases – to provide a simplified form of activity-based costing. This provides a model suitable for national regulatory authorities to move towards cost-based IMR tariffs.

Findings

Using a perspective on costs based on a bottom-up survey procedure for elucidating the key information, the paper presents the cost elements for the various IMR network components and business processes, with an approach suitable for analysing both wholesale and retail pricing.

Research limitations/implications

The method is specifically designed to overcome the key problem of such approaches, the limitations set by differences in network technologies, network topology, operational scale and the engineering, as well as MNO business model and accounting practices, which otherwise would preclude the method presented here from being vendor neutral.

Practical implications

Vendor and network engineering neutrality implies the approach can be used to compare different MNOs in terms of the validity of their IMR charges and whether they are cost based.

Social implications

Impacts on society of so-called “bill-shock” have become quite common, increasingly for data sessions. The cost model presented here was developed with the intention of improving the accountability and transparency of the mobile roaming market. It thus assists in the introduction of cost-based tariffs over an economic region, such the European Union.

Originality/value

The paper examines the practical implications of building large-scale cost models for assessing the real IMR costs, a modelling exercise that has not been seen elsewhere in terms of its approach and neutrality as to MNO structure and assets.
Spot the difference: examining facial characteristics that enhance spokesperson effectiveness
Authors: Ilicic Jasmina , Baxter Stacey M. , Kulczynski Alicia
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This research aims to examine the effect of spokesperson facial symmetry on advertisement attitude, brand attitude and purchase intention and the mediating role of source authenticity on attitudinal and behavioral judgments.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were undertaken. Study 1 examined the effect of facial symmetry on source authenticity and endorsement effectiveness. Study 2 investigated the influence of the authentic facial cues of freckles and moles on source authenticity and advertisement attitude, brand attitude and purchase intention.

Findings

Findings indicate that source authenticity is the mechanism that explains attitudinal and behavioral judgments toward advertisements featuring asymmetrical spokespeople. The phenomenon observed is due to a proposed source authenticity overgeneralization effect, whereby spokespeople with asymmetrical faces are perceived as more genuine and real which, subsequently, results in more positive attitude toward the advertisement, attitude toward the brand and greater purchase intention than advertisements featuring spokespeople with symmetrical faces. The addition of authentic (biological) facial cues (i.e. freckles and moles) on spokespeople with a symmetrical facial structure, however, can heighten perceptions of source authenticity and the manifestation of the source authenticity overgeneralization effect.

Research limitations/implications

This research has implications for marketing managers in the selection and depiction of spokespeople in their advertisements. However, this research is limited, as it only examines the facial feature characteristics of symmetry, freckles, and moles.

Originality/value

This research shows that an asymmetrical facial structure can positively influence source, attitudinal and behavioral judgments. This research also identifies that although symmetrical facial structures dilute source- and endorsement-based judgments, the addition of authentic facial cues, freckles and moles, can reverse the negative effects and enhance perceptions of source authenticity, attitude toward the advertisement, attitude toward the brand and purchase intentions.
Cruise tourism: a hedonic pricing approach
Authors: Espinet-Rius Josep Maria , Fluvià-Font Modest , Rigall-Torrent Ricard , Oliveras-Corominas Anna
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect on price of different cruise industry characteristics from the point of view of actual prices. The analysis is carried out from the supply side but taking into account the real prices paid by customers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the hedonic price methodology. To develop this research, a database of more than 36,000 prices paid by cruise passengers and different characteristics of ships in 2013 was built. To obtain the results, ten models have been developed with significant adjusted R2 of between 0.85 and 0.93 making the models and results robust.

Findings

The results show that the main attributes affecting prices are the number of nights of the itinerary, the departure date, the number of days before departure the booking is made, the accommodation type and some facilities, such as casinos, cinemas and swimming pools. The results also yield a ranking of ship companies based on price and quality dimensions. Finally, the authors suggest some implications for management and new research.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new approach in the academic literature of the cruise industry in two respects. First, in its use of a broad database of actual prices paid by passengers – more than 36,000 observations. Second, in the application of the hedonic pricing methodology, widely used in the tourism sector (see the Methodology and Database section) but until now not in the cruising segment.
Entrepreneurship education pedagogy: teacher-student-centred paradox
Authors: Ismail Annafatmawaty B.T. , Sawang Sukanlaya , Zolin Roxanne
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question: “Do different pedagogies used in teaching entrepreneurship education influence individual skill development, which then in turn translates into a likelihood of entrepreneurial implementation intention?”

Design/methodology/approach

The number of total participants for the quasi-experiment was 308 undergraduate students in Malaysia, in which pre- and post-test (n=203) and control (n=105) groups are included. Students who enroled in the entrepreneurship course were randomly allocated into a class employing teacher-centred pedagogy or student-centred pedagogy. Learning outcomes are measured by objective and subjective measures.

Findings

Both pedagogical approaches had a positive effect on the development of the learning outcomes. However, the students who learned using the teacher-centred approach statistically developed a higher level of objective and subjective learning outcomes compared to the students who learned using the student-centred approach. The findings also suggest that the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention mediates by learned skills.

Originality/value

The quasi-experimental design greatly improves the ability to make accurate claims about the impact of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurship-related outcomes. Further, the study uses the implementation intention strategy in measuring the entrepreneurial intention. Thus, the study strongly supports for the view that implementation intention improves predictive validity of the behavioural intention within the framework of theory of planned behaviour by setting out in advance when, where, and how the goal will be achieved.
The VUCA approach as a solution concept to corporate foresight challenges and global technological disruption
Authors: Kaivo-oja Jari Roy Lee , Lauraeus Iris Theresa
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Under current market conditions of corporate foresight, turbulence is a key element of the business landscape. Turbulence can be summarised using the trendy managerial acronym “VUCA”: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This paper aims to combine, for the first time, scientific discussion of technological disruption with the VUCA approach. Gartner Hype Cycle is used as a case example of technological turbulence and “vucability”.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors present the key concepts of technological disruption and radical innovation. Both these concepts are highly relevant for modern corporate foresight. Second, the authors discuss the key elements of current technological transformation and summarise it to create a bigger picture. Third, the authors link this discussion to the VUCA approach. Fourth, the authors present the new corporate foresight framework, which is highly relevant for corporations and takes current technological transformation more seriously than previous proposals, which expect more stable business and a technological landscape.

Findings

Key issues in modern VUCA management are agility (response to volatility), information and knowledge management (response to uncertainty), restructuring (response to complexity) and experimentation (response to ambiguity). Useful foresight tools are challenging tools, decision-making tools, aligning tools, learning tools and the ability to combine these management tools in the practices of corporate foresight and management systems. The VUCA approach is a key solution concept to technological disruption.

Practical implications

The authors present the new corporate foresight framework and management tool based on foresight, which help leaders to manage VUCA – especially under the conditions of hyper-competition and technological disruption.

Originality/value

Corporate leaders should reinvent the strategic planning framework and adjust it to the VUCA conditions and simply be more strategic. Traps and typical failures of foresight are adopting it too early, giving up too soon, adapting too late and hanging on too long. In particular, technological transformation with disruptive technologies is changing and challenging many basic assumptions of business management and strategic planning. Our comparative analysis with Gartner Hype Cycle (fast technological changes from 2008 to 2016) verifies this important aspect of technological disruption.
Multicriteria analysis and genetic algorithms for mass appraisals in the Italian property market
Authors: Morano Pierluigi , Tajani Francesco , Locurcio Marco
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to test and compare two innovative methodologies (utility additive and evolutionary polynomial regression) for mass appraisal of residential properties. The aim is to deepen their characteristics, by exploring the potentialities and the operating limits.

Design/methodology/approach

With reference to the same case studies, concerning samples of residential properties recently sold in three Italian cities, the two procedures are tested and the results are compared. The first method is the utility additive, which interprets the process of the property price formation as a multi-criteria selection of multi-objective typology, where the selection criteria are the property characteristics that are decisive in the real estate market; the second method is a hybrid data-driven technique, called evolutionary polynomial regression, that uses multi-objective genetic algorithms to search those models expressions that simultaneously maximize accuracy of data and parsimony of mathematical functions.

Findings

The outputs obtained from the experimentation highlight the potentialities and the limits of the two methodologies, as well as the possibility of jointly applying them to interpret and predict the real estate phenomena in a more realistic representation.

Originality value

In all countries, mass appraisal techniques have become strategic for the definition of management and enhancement policies of public and private property assets, in the case of investments of technical and economic refunctionalization (energy, environment, etc.), and for the alienation of buildings no longer suitable for public needs (military barracks, hospitals, areas in disuse, etc.). In this context, the use of mass appraisal techniques for residential properties assumes a leading role for sector operators (buyers, sellers, institutions, insurance companies, banks, real estate funds, etc.). Therefore, the results of the applications outline the potentialities of the two methodologies implemented and the opportunity of further insights of the topics that have been dealt with in this research.
Herding behavior in Islamic GCC stock market: a daily analysis
Authors: Chaffai Mustapha , Medhioub Imed
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the presence of herd behaviour in the Islamic Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock markets following the methodology given by Chiang and Zheng (2010). Generalized auto regressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH)-type models and quantile regression analysis are used and applied to daily data ranging from 3 January 2010 to 28 July 2016. Results show evidence of herd behaviour in the GCC stock markets. When the data are divided into down and up market periods, herd information is found to be statistically significant and negative during upward market periods only. These results are similar to those reported in some emerging markets such as China, Japan and Hong Kong, where stock returns perform more similarly during down market periods and differently during rising markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a brief literature on herd behaviour. Second, the authors provide some specificity of the GCC Islamic stock market, followed by the presentation of the methodology and the data, results and their interpretation.

Findings

The authors take into account the difference existing in market conditions and find evidence of herding behaviour during rising markets only for GCC markets. This result was confirmed after using the quantile regression method, as evidence of herding was observed only in highly extreme periods. Stock returns perform more similarly when market is down in Islamic GCC stock market.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitation consists in the fact that this work can be extended to compare the GCC stock markets with other markets in Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

Practical implications

The principal implication consists in the fact that herding behaviour is limited in the GCC markets and Islamic finance can have an important contribution to moderate the behaviour in the financial markets.

Social implications

The work focusses on the role of ethics in the financial markets and their ability to reduce the impact of behavioural biases.

Originality/value

The paper studies the behaviour of investors in the Islamic financial markets and gives an idea about the importance of the behaviour in this particular market regarding its characteristics.
Identifying landmark publications in the long run using field-normalized citation data
Authors: Bornmann Lutz , Ye Adam , Ye Fred
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for identifying landmark papers in the long run. These publications reach a very high level of citation impact and are able to remain on this level across many citing years. In recent years, several studies have been published which deal with the citation history of publications and try to identify landmark publications.

Design/methodology/approach

In contrast to other studies published hitherto, this study is based on a broad data set with papers published between 1980 and 1990 for identifying the landmark papers. The authors analyzed the citation histories of about five million papers across 25 years.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that 1,013 papers (less than 0.02 percent) are “outstandingly cited” in the long run. The cluster analyses of the papers show that they received the high impact level very soon after publication and remained on this level over decades. Only a slight impact decline is visible over the years.

Originality/value

For practical reasons, approaches for identifying landmark papers should be as simple as possible. The approach proposed in this study is based on standard methods in bibliometrics.
Apps on laps: digital storytimes in public libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Goulding Anne , Shuker Mary Jane , Dickie John
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a small, exploratory research project focusing on librarian and parent/caregiver opinions of, and reactions to, the use of digital media and technology in public library storytimes for preschool children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

Telephone interviews with librarians and an online survey of parent/caregivers were undertaken.

Findings

The research found a mixed response to digital storytimes. Those who had not attended or presented digital storytime sessions were largely opposed to the practice, while those who had participated in a storytime using digital media generally held more positive views. Key concerns were focused on the amount of screentime young children should have and a lack of human interaction. Supporters appreciated the introduction of some basic digital literacy skills and the variety that technology could bring to storytime sessions.

Research limitations/implications

Both samples were small and self-selecting. The use of an online survey meant a bias in the sample toward those with access to appropriate information communication technology as well as a self-selection bias.

Practical implications

The paper suggests some developments in practice and approach if librarians are going to play the role of media mentors in their communities.

Originality/value

This is the first study focusing on the development of digital storytimes in Aotearoa New Zealand and adds to knowledge and understanding of key stakeholder views of the inclusion of digital media and technology in public library programming for young children.
The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities: a general review
Authors: Rémillard-Boilard Samuèle
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed account of the work and contribution of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, a platform established to support the development of age-friendly communities across the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a review of both external and internal working documents, communications with network representatives, and an in-depth interview conducted with the current manager of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.

Findings

Since its formation, the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities has provided cities with an important platform for knowledge exchange and peer support, and helped build commitment to the age-friendly agenda at the local, national and international level. Through the presentation of various examples, the article illustrates that network members have not only helped drive this agenda forward by developing a collective voice, but also by developing a wide range of initiatives at the local level.

Originality/value

Despite an increased interest in documenting age-friendly experiences around the world, the experience of national programmes remains under-explored in the age-friendly literature to date. To the knowledge, this paper is one of the first to describe the work and contribution of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.
Anthropogenic disturbance facilitates a non‐native species on offshore oil platforms
Authors: Viola Sloane M. , Page Henry M. , Zaleski Susan F. , Miller Robert J. , Doheny Brandon , Dugan Jenifer E. , Schroeder Donna M. , Schroeter Stephen C.
Published: January 2018

Anthropogenic practices that facilitate species introductions must be identified and modified to improve management and control the spread of non‐native taxa in many environments. Maintenance practices that remove dense epifaunal invertebrates attached to offshore structures create a disturbance that may facilitate the establishment of non‐native species.

We evaluated the effect of disturbance on the abundance (percent cover) of a non‐native bryozoan, Watersipora subatra, on an offshore oil platform in the Santa Barbara Channel, USA by removing the existing epifaunal community in experimental plots and comparing Watersipora cover in these plots to that in undisturbed control plots over a 15‐month period. We explored the importance of larval supply and the epifaunal community in driving observed patterns, using measurements of Watersipora larval availability and colony recruitment and growth in the disturbed and control plots. We also examined the effect of disturbance on Watersipora establishment at the larger, platform‐scale over c. 18 months with comparative surveys of cleaned and uncleaned portions of another oil platform.

Both the experimental disturbance and the larger platform cleaning facilitated Watersipora establishment, with cover increasing from c. 5% to 20–60% at shallower (≤12 m) depths within 15 to 18 months following disturbance.

Initial Watersipora recruitment to the disturbed plots occurred during a period of elevated larval availability, as indicated by recruitment onto settlement plates. However, 1 year after the experimental disturbance, sessile invertebrates occupied all available settlement space, and there was little recruitment of Watersipora into disturbed plots despite the availability of larvae.

Synthesis and applications. Maintenance operations for offshore structures can include the manual removal of subtidal epibenthic invertebrates attached to the structure. Our study at offshore oil platforms found that this anthropogenic disturbance enhanced the establishment of the non‐native invertebrate Watersipora subatra. The timing of disturbance relative to Watersipora's reproductive season was an important driver of this pattern. Scheduling maintenance practices to occur soon after the reproductive period of Watersipora could allow adequate time for native species to recruit and occupy the available bare space, thereby reducing the potential for establishment of this non‐native species.
Do terrorist attacks affect ethnic discrimination in the labour market? Evidence from two randomized field experiments
Authors: Birkelund Gunn Elisabeth , Chan Tak Wing , Ugreninov Elisabeth , Midtbøen Arnfinn H. , Rogstad Jon
Published: January 2018

Terrorist attacks are known to influence public opinion. But do they also change behaviour? We address this question by comparing the results of two identical randomized field experiments on ethnic discrimination in hiring that we conducted in Oslo. The first experiment was conducted before the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway; the second experiment was conducted after the attacks. In both experiments, applicants with a typical Pakistani name were significantly less likely to get a job interview compared to those with a typical Norwegian name. But the ethnic gap in call‐back rates were very similar in the two experiments. Thus, Pakistanis in Norway still experienced the same level of discrimination, despite claims that Norwegians have become more positive about migrants after the far‐right, anti‐migrant terrorist attacks of 2011.
Development and application of a new multiplex real‐time PCR assay for simultaneous identification of Brucella melitensis, Cronobacter sakazakii and Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk and cheese
Authors: Tutar Esen , Akıncı Kübra Sueda , Akyol İsmaİl
Published: January 2018

Brucella melitensis, Cronobacter sakazakii and Listeria monocytogenes are important foodborne pathogens in milk and milk products, which are responsible for a variety of diseases that pose serious hazards to public health and food safety. The objective of this study was to develop a novel multiplex RTi‐PCR for the detection of B. melitensis, C. sakazakii and L. monocytogenes and to characterise the potential risk of these pathogens in raw milk and cheese. The raw milk (n = 25) and cheese samples (n = 20) were analysed by multiplex RTi‐PCR assay and detected for quantification of the three pathogens. In this study, B. melitensis, C. sakazakii and L. monocytogenes were simultaneously identified using BMEII0466, mms operon and hly as target genes, respectively. The multiplex RTi‐PCR assay that was developed showed good sensitivity and selectivity for the pathogenic microorganisms (r2 = 0.986–0.997). Multiplex RTi‐PCR results showed that most of the samples were contaminated with the pathogens screened.
Factors Associated with Hospital Admission after Outpatient Surgery in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Mull Hillary J. , Rosen Amy K. , O'Brien William J. , McIntosh Nathalie , Legler Aaron , Hawn Mary T. , Itani Kamal M. F. , Pizer Steven D.
Published: January 2018

Objective

To examine factors associated with 0‐ to 7‐day admission after outpatient surgery in high‐volume specialties: general surgery, orthopedics, urology, ear/nose/throat, and podiatry.

Study Design

We calculated rates and assessed diagnosis codes for 0‐ to 7‐day admission after outpatient surgery for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Veterans Health Administration (VA) dually enrolled patients age 65 and older. We also estimated separate multilevel logistic regression models to compare patient, procedure, and facility characteristics associated with postoperative admission.

Data Collection

2011–2013 surgical encounter data from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse; geographic data from the Area Health Resources File; CMS enrollment and hospital admission data.

Principal Findings

Among 63,585 outpatient surgeries in 124 facilities, 0‐ to 7‐day admission rates ranged from 5 percent (podiatry) to 28 percent (urology); nearly 66 percent of the admissions occurred on the day of surgery. Only 97 admissions were detected in the CMS data (1 percent). Surgical complications were diagnosed in 4 percent of admissions. Procedure complexity, measured by relative value units or anesthesia risk score, was associated with admission across all specialties.

Conclusion

As many as 20 percent of VA outpatient surgeries result in an admission. Complex procedures are more likely to be followed by admission, but more evidence is required to determine how many of these reflect potential safety or quality problems.
Performance Effects of Setting a High Reference Point for Peer‐Performance Comparison
Authors: EYRING HENRY , NARAYANAN V. G.
Published: January 2018

We conduct a field experiment, based on a registered report accepted by the Journal of Accounting Research, to test performance effects of setting a high reference point for peer‐performance comparison. Relative to providing the median as a reference point for online students to compare themselves to, providing the top quartile: damps performance for those below the median, boosts performance for those between the median and top quartile, and, in the case of outcome but not process comparison, boosts performance for those above the top quartile. We do not find that either reference point yields a greater average performance effect. However, providing the more effective reference point in each partition of initial performance yields a 40% greater performance effect than providing either reference point uniformly. Students access the online courses intermittently over the span of a year. Our effects derive from small portions of our treatment groups—5% in the case of process comparison and 26% in the case of outcome comparison—who accessed treatment and who were, on average, more active leading up to and during our intervention.
Acupuncture inhibition of methamphetamine‐induced behaviors, dopamine release and hyperthermia in the nucleus accumbens: mediation of group II mGluR
Authors: Kim Nam Jun , Ryu Yeonhee , Lee Bong Hyo , Chang Suchan , Fan Yu , Gwak Young S. , Yang Chae Ha , Bills Kyle B. , Steffensen Scott C. , Koo Jin Suk , Jang Eun Young , Kim Hee Young
Published: January 2018

Methamphetamine (METH) increases metabolic neuronal activity in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system and mediates the reinforcing effect. To explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture intervention in reducing METH‐induced behaviors, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on locomotor activity, ultrasonic vocalizations, extracellular DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcs) using fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry and alterations of brain temperature (an indicator of local brain metabolic activity) produced by METH administration. When acupuncture was applied to HT7, but not TE4, both locomotor activity and 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations were suppressed in METH‐treated rats. Acupuncture at HT7 attenuated the enhancement of electrically stimulated DA release in the NAc of METH‐treated rats. Systemic injection of METH produced a sustained increase in NAc temperature, which was reversed by the DA D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 or acupuncture at HT7. Acupuncture inhibition of METH‐induced NAc temperature was prevented by pre‐treatment with a group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR2/3) antagonist EGLU into the NAc or mimicked by injection of an mGluR2/3 agonist DCG‐IV into the NAc. These results suggest that acupuncture reduces extracellular DA release and metabolic neuronal activity in the NAc through activation of mGluR2/3 and suppresses METH‐induced affective states and locomotor behavior.
Uptake of adjuvant breast cancer treatments recommended by multi‐disciplinary meetings
Authors: Pattanasri Melinda , Elder Kenneth , Nickson Carolyn , Cooke Samuel , Machalek Dorothy , Rose Allison , Mou Arlene , Collins John P. , Park Allan , De Boer Richard , Phillips Claire , Pridmore Vicki , Farrugia Helen , Mann G. Bruce
Published: January 2018

Background

Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is routinely discussed and recommended in multi‐disciplinary meetings (MDMs). Current literature explores how treatments received by patients differ from national guidelines; however, it does not explore whether treatment is concordant with MDMs. This study provides an Australian perspective on the uptake of MDM recommendations and reasons for non‐concordance.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with breast cancer presented at The Royal Melbourne Hospital MDM in 2010 and 2014 to investigate the concordance between MDM recommendations and treatment received.

Results

The study group comprised 441 patients (161 from 2010 and 280 from 2014). A total of 375 patients were included in the analyses. Overall, 82% of patients had perfect concordance between recommended and received treatment for all modes of adjuvant therapy. Concordance to endocrine therapy was higher for invasive cancers than ductal carcinoma in situ (97% versus 81%, P < 0.0001). Concordance to radiotherapy was high and did not differ according to type of cancer or surgery (ranging from 88 to 91%). Concordance to chemotherapy recommendations was high overall (92%) and did not vary with nodal status. Women aged over 65 years were least likely to be recommended for adjuvant therapy but most likely to concordant with the recommendation.

Conclusions

Uptake of MDM‐recommended treatments is high. There is a minority of patients in whom MDM recommendations are not followed, highlighting that there are extra steps between recommendations at an MDM and decisions with patients. More attention to this issue is appropriate, and the reasons for non‐concordance warrant further study.
Critical evaluation of causality assessment of herb–drug interactions in patients
Authors: Awortwe Charles , Makiwane Memela , Reuter Helmuth , Muller Christo , Louw Johan , Rosenkranz Bernd
Published: January 2018

The aim of this review was to assess the severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to herb–drug interactions (HDI) in patients taking herbs and prescribed medications based on published evidence. Electronic databases of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Medline and Scopus were searched for randomized or nonrandomized clinical studies, case–control and case reports of HDI. The data were extracted and the causal relationship of ADRs as consequences of HDI assessed using Horn's drug interaction probability scale or Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scoring systems. The mechanism of interaction was ascertained using Stockley's herbal medicine interaction companion. Forty‐nine case reports and two observational studies with 15 cases of ADRs were recorded. The majority of the patients were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases (30.60%), cancer (22.45%) and renal transplants (16.32%) receiving mostly warfarin, alkylating agents and cyclosporine, respectively. HDI occurred in patients resulting in clinical ADRs with different severity. Patients may poorly respond to therapeutic agents or develop toxicity due to severe HDI, which in either scenario may increase the cost of treatment and/or lead to or prolong patient hospitalization. It is warranted to increase patient awareness of the potential interaction between herbs and prescribed medicines and their consequences to curb HDI as a potential health problem.
The modality effect in a mobile learning environment: Learning from spoken text and real objects
Authors: Liu Tzu‐Chien , Lin Yi‐Chun , Gao Yuan , Paas Fred
Published: January 2018

The finding that under split‐attention conditions students learn more from a picture and spoken text than from a picture and written text (ie, the modality effect) has consistently been found in many types of computer‐assisted multimedia learning environments. Using 58 fifth‐grade and sixth‐grade elementary school children as participants, we investigated whether the modality effect can also be found in a mobile learning environment (MLE) on plants' leaf morphology, in which students had to learn by integrating information from text and real plants in the physical environment. A single factor experimental design was used to examine the hypothesis that students in a mixed‐mode condition with real plants and spoken text (STP condition) would pay more attention to the real plants, and achieve higher performance on retention, comprehension, and transfer tests than the single‐mode condition with real plants and written text (WTP condition). Whereas we found that participants in the STP condition paid more attention to observing the plants, and achieved a higher score on the transfer test than participants in the WTP condition, no differences were found between the conditions for retention and comprehension test performance.
Haematology patients and the risk of transfusion transmitted infection
Authors: Ainley Louise I. , Hewitt Patricia E
Published: January 2018

A 2014 study by NHS Blood and Transplant indicated that over one quarter of red cells were transfused to patients with haematological conditions. For platelet components, the figure is higher. Certain diagnostic groups, such as haemoglobinopathies, myelodysplastic syndromes and some haemato‐oncology patients, receive multiple transfusion episodes, either over long periods, or more intensively over shorter periods. Haematology patients account for the majority of the multi‐transfused population. The risk of transfusion‐transmitted infection (TTI) increases with number of donor exposures, and the consequences of TTI are often more significant in immunosuppressed individuals. Historically, use of pooled plasma products in patients with clotting disorders resulted in widespread transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus before effective screening and viral inactivation methods were introduced.
Aeroallergen sensitization predicts acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Willen Shaina M. , Rodeghier Mark , Strunk Robert C. , Bacharier Leonard B. , Rosen Carol L. , Kirkham Fenella J. , DeBaun Michael R. , Cohen Robyn T.
Published: January 2018

Asthma is associated with higher rates of acute chest syndrome (ACS) and vaso‐occlusive pain episodes among children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Aeroallergen sensitization is a risk factor for asthma. We hypothesized that aeroallergen sensitization is associated with an increased incidence of hospitalizations for ACS and pain. Participants in a multicentre, longitudinal cohort study, aged 4–18 years with SCA, underwent skin prick testing to ten aeroallergens. ACS and pain episodes were collected from birth until the end of the follow‐up period. The number of positive skin tests were tested for associations with prospective rates of ACS and pain. Multivariable models demonstrated additive effects of having positive skin tests on future rates of ACS (incidence rate ratio (IRR) for each positive test 1·23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·11–1·36, P < 0·001). Aeroallergen sensitization was not associated with future pain (IRR 1·14, 95%CI 0·97–1·33, P = 0·11). Our study demonstrated that children with SCA and aeroallergen sensitization are at increased risk for future ACS. Future research is needed to determine whether identification of specific sensitizations and allergen avoidance and treatment reduce the risk of ACS for children with SCA.