bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Municipal audit committees and fiscal policies
Authors: Zhang Jean X. , Rich Kevin T.
Published: December 2017

We investigate whether council audit committees relate to municipal fiscal policies. We find that municipalities with audit committees are associated with greater levels of own-source revenue, in that they finance municipal operations with locally raised revenues driven by charges and fees compared to municipalities without audit committees. Furthermore, municipalities with audit committees are associated with less new debt than those without audit committees, indicating more conservative use of external financing. Overall, our results are consistent with municipal audit committees, in addition to monitoring the financial reporting function, playing an advisory role in fiscal decisions, especially when the cost of local government to citizens is high.
Policy diffusion as a means for improving national budget systems
Authors: Menifield Charles E. , Stewart LaShonda M. , Clark Cal , Stodden William P.
Published: December 2017

Substantial research has been conducted examining policy diffusion among both the American states and the nations of the developed world and to a somewhat lesser extent, developing worlds. Little research, especially at the nation-state level, has focused upon budget systems, however. We use case studies of 18 diverse countries (Menifield, 2011) to conceptualize national budget systems and, based upon this conceptualization, to identify clusters of nations with similar systems. We found evidence suggesting that policy diffusion may be occurring in the realm of national budget systems. Our analysis shows that budgetary institutions and behaviors can and do form clusters that are useful in analyzing national budget systems. Our ability to describe clusters of nations with similar budget systems could prove to be a helpful tool for analyzing international policy diffusion.
Capital management: advancing theory and practice
Authors: (Wie) Yusuf Juita-Elena , Srithongrung Arwiphawee (Sai)
Published: December 2017

This article highlights key aspects of capital management, including capital planning, capital budgeting, capital financing, decision making and capital spending outcomes. We provide a background discussion of public sector capital management, followed by a summary of the articles that comprise this symposium. Combined, these articles illustrate the complexity of and challenges to capital management at the state and local government levels. We discuss common themes that emerge from reading these articles as a collective symposium, including: (1) modest progress in applying and empirically testing theoretical frameworks; (2) the variety of actors and institutions; and (3) the deteriorating condition and poor performance of public infrastructure. We use the articles to illustrate gaps in the research and offer suggestions for future research on capital management theory and practice.
Collaborative capital budgeting in U.S. local government
Authors: Khalid Hina , Matkin David S.T. , Morse Ricardo S.
Published: December 2017

This article explores collaborative capital budgeting in U.S. local governments. To date, the capital budgeting literature has focused on practices within individual governments. This leaves a gap in our understanding because a large portion of capital planning, acquisition, and maintenance occurs through collaboration between two or more local governments. Drawing on the capital budgeting and collaborative public management literature, and on illustrative cases of collaborative capital budgeting in the United States, an inductive approach is used to: (1) identify and categorize the different objectives that motivate local officials to pursue collaborative agreements, (2) examine common patterns in the types of assets involved in collaboration, and (3) discover common institutional arrangements in collaboration agreements. The research findings demonstrate significant heterogeneity in the objectives, patterns, and institutions of collaborative capital budgeting.
Mitigating rice production risks from drought through improving irrigation infrastructure and management in China
Authors: Wang Yangjie , Huang Jikun , Wang Jinxia , Findlay Christopher
Published: December 2017

Rice, China's most important food crop, is highly dependent on irrigation, but an increasing number of extreme drought events have challenged rice production in many regions. This paper investigates the role of local irrigation infrastructure in improving farmers' ability to respond to drought and its effectiveness in mitigating the drought risk in rice production in China. The analysis relies on a moment‐based specification of the stochastic production function, capturing mean, variance and skewness effects. Using household survey data from 86 villages in five provinces, we jointly estimate farmers' adaptive irrigation decisions and their effects on rice yield and production risk. Our econometric analyses show that irrigation infrastructure in villages contributes to enhancing farmers' irrigation capacity in adapting to drought, and increased irrigation leads to a significant increase in mean yield and a reduction in exposure to risk as well as downside risk in rice production. The paper concludes with policy implications.
Non‐invasive prenatal testing for fetal inheritance of maternal β‐thalassaemia mutations using targeted sequencing and relative mutation dosage: a feasibility study
Authors: Xiong L , Barrett AN , Hua R , Ho SSY , Jun L , Chan KCA , Mei Z , Choolani M
Published: December 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether targeted sequencing and relative mutation dosage can be used to diagnose correctly inheritance of maternal β‐thalassaemia mutations in cell‐free DNA.

Design

Feasibility study using samples collected in a prenatal clinic.

Setting

South East Asia.

Population

Couples where both partners were known to be carriers of one of four common β‐thalassaemia mutations or an HbE mutation, and therefore at risk of carrying a fetus affected with β‐thalassaemia.

Methods

49 samples previously identified as having inherited a paternal β‐thalassaemia mutation were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then sequencing. Relative mutation dosage was used to classify the fetus as having inherited the wild‐type or mutant maternal allele.

Main outcome measures

Classification of the fetus as ‘unaffected’ (if the maternal wild‐type allele was inherited) or ‘affected’ with β‐thalassaemia (if the maternal mutant allele was inherited).

Results

A classification for inheritance of maternal allele was obtained in 48/49 samples (98.0%). A concordant call was made in 44/48 cases (91.7%): one false‐positive and three false‐negatives were obtained. Thus, we had an overall sensitivity of 87.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 67.6–97.3%] and a specificity of 95.8% (95% CI 78.9–99.9%) for inheritance of maternal genotype.

Conclusions

RMD for detection of inheritance of maternal β‐thalassaemia mutations has potential for clinical use. Our sequential approach could be applied to other single‐gene disorders.

Tweetable abstract

NIPT for β‐thalassaemia achieved using nested‐PCR followed by relative mutation dosage.
Inactivation Methods of Trypsin Inhibitor in Legumes: A Review
Authors: Avilés‐Gaxiola Sara , Chuck‐Hernández Cristina , Serna Saldívar Sergio O.
Published: December 2017

Seed legumes have played a major role as a crop worldwide, being cultivated on about 12% to 15% of Earth's arable land; nevertheless, their use is limited by, among other things, the presence of several antinutritional factors (ANFs ‐ naturally occurring metabolites that the plant produces to protect itself from pest attacks.) Trypsin inhibitors (TIs) are one of the most relevant ANFs because they reduce digestion and absorption of dietary proteins. Several methods have been developed in order to inactivate TIs, and of these, thermal treatments are the most commonly used. They cause loss of nutrients, affect functional properties, and require high amounts of energy. Given the above, new processes have emerged to improve the nutritional quality of legumes while trying to solve the problems caused by the use of thermal treatments. This review examines and discusses the methods developed by researchers to inactivate TI present in legumes and their effects over nutritional and functional properties.
A Kinetic Approach to Evaluate the Structure‐Based Performance of Antioxidants During Lipid Oxidation
Authors: Farhoosh Reza
Published: December 2017

Thermal kinetic parameters of fish oil oxidation, as affected by o‐hydroxyl, o‐methoxy, and alkyl ester derivatives of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid in various concentrations (0.02% to 0.16%) at 35 to 55 °C, were calculated. The average extent of increase (2% to 10%) in the values of free energy of activation, ∆G++, as well as the average extent of change in the Arrhenius equation parameters, including activation energy (Ea, –40.5% to 13.6%) and frequency factor (A, –55.0% to 4.3%), could be employed well to show structure‐based performance of antioxidants. Temperature coefficient (TC) and Q10 number, which were considered as the quantitative measures of thermal sensitivity of the lipid system, showed changes from –40.3% and –27.2% to 13.5% and 11.5%, respectively, in the presence of the antioxidants.
Validation and reliability of the Timed Up and Go test for measuring objective functional impairment in patients with long‐standing rheumatoid arthritis: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kojima Toshihisa , Ishikawa Hajime , Tanaka Sakae , Haga Nobuhiko , Nishida Keiichiro , Yukioka Masao , Hashimoto Jun , Miyahara Hisaaki , Niki Yasuo , Kimura Tomoatsu , Oda Hiromi , Asai Shuji , Funahashi Koji , Kojima Masayo , Ishiguro Naoki
Published: December 2017

Aim

This study aimed to validate the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) for measuring objective functional impairment in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on a prospective observational cohort of RA patients undergoing joint surgery.

Methods

We collected data on demographics, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ‐DI), and associations between TUG and HAQ‐DI and other patient‐reported outcomes, including European Quality of life scale (EQ‐5D) were determined. Cut‐off values of TUG for HAQ remission (HAQ‐DI ≤0.5), normal HAQ (HAQ‐DI ≤0.25), and the absence of disability in each HAQ‐DI category were also determined by age.

Results

A total of 435 patients were enrolled and analyzed. Mean age was 64.2 years, mean disease duration was 17.1 years, mean HAQ‐DI was 1.14, and mean TUG was 11.1 sec. TUG was significantly correlated with aging, EQ‐5D, and HAQ‐DI categories related to lower limb function (arising, walking, reach and activity). After adjusting for age and sex, mean TUG values were 9.0 sec (95% CI, 7.7–10.3) in patients with HAQ remission and 8.7 sec (7.4–10.4) in those with normal HAQ. By age, mean TUG values for HAQ remission were 7.2 sec (5.9–8.5) in young patients (≤61 years), 9.1 sec (7.6–10.5) in middle‐aged patients (62–70 years) and 10.0 sec (5.7–14.2) in old patients (≥71 years).

Conclusion

TUG was significantly associated with functional impairment and aging in patients with long‐standing RA. Thus, TUG could be useful in setting treatment goals for joint surgery and rehabilitation in established RA patients.
INSUFFICIENT ENTRY OF EMPLOYEE‐CONTROLLED FIRMS IN A FREE‐ENTRY OLIGOPOLY
Authors: HAMADA Kojun , OHKAWA Takao , OKAMURA Makoto
Published: December 2017

This study is a theoretical examination of whether employee‐controlled firms (ECFs) enter a free‐entry oligopolistic market excessively or insufficiently, from the viewpoint of welfare maximization. The excess entry theorem is well known in oligopoly theory. According to this theorem, a greater number of profit‐maximizing firms enter a free‐entry oligopolistic market than is optimal for welfare maximization. We demonstrate the possibility that insufficient entry arises when ECFs compete in a free‐entry market. In particular, we show that if both the demand and cost functions are convex, insufficient ECF entry necessarily occurs. Our results suggest that competition among firms seeking purposes other than profit might lead to insufficient entry because differences in competing firms’ objectives affect the intensity of market competition.
β3‐adrenoceptor agonists inhibit carbachol‐evoked Ca2+ oscillations in murine detrusor myocytes
Authors: Griffin Caoimhin S. , Bradley Eamonn , Hollywood Mark A. , McHale Noel G. , Thornbury Keith D. , Sergeant Gerard P.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To test if carbachol (CCh)‐evoked Ca2+ oscillations in freshly isolated murine detrusor myocytes are affected by β3‐adrenoceptor (β‐AR) modulators.

Materials and Methods

Isometric tension recordings were made from strips of murine detrusor, and intracellular Ca2+ measurements were made from isolated detrusor myocytes using confocal microscopy. Transcriptional expression of β‐AR sub‐types in detrusor strips and isolated detrusor myocytes was assessed using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Immunocytochemistry experiments, using a β3‐AR selective antibody, were performed to confirm that β3‐ARs were present on detrusor myocytes.

Results

The RT‐PCR and qPCR experiments showed that β1‐, β2‐ and β3‐AR were expressed in murine detrusor, but that β3‐ARs were the most abundant sub‐type. The selective β3‐AR agonist BRL37344 reduced the amplitude of CCh‐induced contractions of detrusor smooth muscle. These responses were unaffected by addition of the BK channel blocker iberiotoxin. BRL37344 also reduced the amplitude of CCh‐induced Ca2+ oscillations in freshly isolated murine detrusor myocytes. This effect was mimicked by CL316,243, another β3‐AR agonist, and inhibited by the β3‐AR antagonist L748,337, but not by propranolol, an antagonist of β1‐ and β2‐ARs. BRL37344 did not affect caffeine‐evoked Ca2+ transients or L‐type Ca2+ current in isolated detrusor myocytes.

Conclusion

Inhibition of cholinergic‐mediated contractions of the detrusor by β3‐AR agonists was associated with a reduction in Ca2+ oscillations in detrusor myocytes.
Opioid‐induced inhibition of the human 5‐HT and noradrenaline transporters in vitro: link to clinical reports of serotonin syndrome
Authors: Rickli Anna , Liakoni Evangelia , Hoener Marius C , Liechti Matthias E
Published: December 2017

Background and Purpose

Opioids may inhibit the 5‐HT transporter (SERT) and the noradrenaline transporter (NET). NET inhibition may contribute to analgesia, and SERT inhibition or interactions with 5‐HT receptors may cause serotonergic toxicity. However, the effects of different opioids on the human SERT, NET and 5‐HT receptors have not been sufficiently studied.

Experimental Approach

We determined the potencies of different opioids to inhibit the SERT and NET in vitro using human transporter‐transfected HEK293 cells. We also tested binding affinities at 5‐HT1A, 5‐HT2A and 5‐HT2C receptors. Additionally, we assessed clinical cases of the serotonin syndrome associated with each opioid reported by PubMed and a World Health Organization database.

Key Results

Dextromethorphan, l(R)‐methadone, racemic methadone, pethidine, tramadol and tapentadol inhibited the SERT at or close to observed drug plasma or estimated brain concentrations in patients. Tapentadol was the most potent NET inhibitor. Pethidine, tramadol, l(R)‐methadone, racemic methadone, dextromethorphan and O‐desmethyltramadol also inhibited the NET. 6‐Monoacetylmorphine, buprenorphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone and oxymorphone did not inhibit the SERT or NET. Fentanyl interacted with 5‐HT1A receptors and methadone, pethidine and fentanyl with 5‐HT2A receptors, in the low micromolar range. Opioids most frequently associated with the serotonin syndrome are tramadol, fentanyl, tapentadol, oxycodone, methadone and dextromethorphan.

Conclusions and Implications

Some synthetic opioids interact with the SERT and NET at potentially clinically relevant concentrations. SERT inhibition by tramadol, tapentadol, methadone, dextromethorphan and pethidine may contribute to the serotonin syndrome. Direct effects on 5‐HT1A and/or 5‐HT2A receptors could be involved with methadone and pethidine.
Intraoral versus extraoral cementation of implant‐supported single crowns: Clinical, biomarker, and microbiological comparisons
Authors: Kıran Begüm , Toman Muhittin , Buduneli Nurcan , Lappin David F. , Toksavul Suna , Nizam Nejat
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Implant supported single metal‐ceramic crowns cemented either extraorally or intraorally were comparatively evaluated by clinical, radiologic, biomarker, and microbiological parameters.

Materials and Methods

Twelve patients with bilateral single tooth gap in the maxillary posterior region received two locking‐taper implants; 4.5 mm width, 8 mm length. Selection of intraoral (IOC) or extraoral cementation (EOC) using screwless titanium abutments was done randomly. Peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected from the implants, adjacent teeth, and bleeding on probing, soft tissue thickness, keratinized tissue width were recorded before starting the prosthetic procedures (baseline) and 3, 6 months after implant loading. Crestal bone loss was measured on radiographs taken immediately and 6 months after cementation. Cytokine levels, amounts of bacteria were determined in PICF/GCF samples. Data were tested by appropriate statistical analyses.

Results

Clinical findings were similar in the crowns cemented extraorally or intraorally at all times (P < .05). PICF and GCF data were similar. At 3 month, interleukin‐17E and osteoprotegerin levels were lower in the intraorally cemented crowns.

Conclusion

Extraorally and intraorally cemented crowns exhibited similar crestal bone loss after loading. Higher amount of osteoprotegerin at 3 month at the EOC than the IOC sites might bode well for good osseointegration.
Factors influencing the fracture of dental implants
Authors: Chrcanovic Bruno Ramos , Kisch Jenö , Albrektsson Tomas , Wennerberg Ann
Published: December 2017

Background

Implant fractures are rare but offer a challenging clinical situation.

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of implant fracture and the possible risk factors predisposing an implant to a higher fracture risk.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study is based on 2670 patients consecutively treated with implant‐supported prostheses. Anatomical‐, patient‐, and implant‐related factors were collected. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) evaluated the effect of explanatory variables on implant fracture.

Results

Forty‐four implants (out of 10 099; 0.44%) fractured. The mean ± standard deviation time for fracture to occur was 95.1 ± 58.5 months (min‐max, 3.8‐294.7). Half of the occurrences of fracture happened between 2 and 8 years after implantation. Five factors had a statistically significant influence on the fracture of implants (increase/decrease in fracture probability): use of higher grades of titanium (decrease 72.9%), bruxism (increase 1819.5%), direct adjacency to cantilever (increase 247.6%), every 1 mm increase in implant length (increase 22.3%), every 1 mm increase in implant diameter (decrease 96.9%).

Conclusions

It is suggested that 5 factors could influence the incidence of implant fractures: grade of titanium, implant diameter and length, cantilever, bruxism.
Where buffalo and cattle meet: modelling interspecific contact risk using cumulative resistant kernels
Authors: Kaszta Żaneta , Cushman Samuel A. , Sillero‐Zubiri Claudio , Wolff Eléonore , Marino Jorgelina
Published: December 2017

African buffalo the primary source of foot and mouth disease (FMD) infection for livestock in South Africa. Predicting the spatial drivers and patterns of buffalo–cattle contact risk is crucial for developing effective FMD mitigation strategies. Therefore, the goal of this study was to predict fine‐scale, seasonal contact risk between cattle and buffaloes straying into communal lands adjacent to Kruger National Park. This study provides the first application of the cumulative resistant kernel method to calculate contact risk between two species. We built resistance surfaces from resource utilization models of buffalo and cattle and calculated the intersection of resistant kernels of the two species. This revealed that the contact risk is influenced by seasonality, water sources and fence strength, and the magnitude of contact risk is largely driven by buffalo and cattle dispersal abilities. The probability of contact was higher in the dry season, with hotspots along a main river and the weakest parts of the perimeter fence. In the wet season, contact risk was more diffuse and less concentrated along the main river and near settlements. The new approach of intersecting cumulative resistant kernels of two species can produce quantitative predictive maps of animals’ contact risk and help identify potential hotspots of disease transmission.
Ecophysiological variation across a forest‐ecotone gradient produces divergent climate change vulnerability within species
Authors: Yuan Félix Landry , Freedman Adam H. , Chirio Laurent , LeBreton Matthew , Bonebrake Timothy C.
Published: December 2017

Climate change related risks and impacts on ectotherms will be mediated by habitats and their influence on local thermal environments. While many studies have documented morphological and genetic aspects of niche divergence across habitats, few have examined thermal performance across such gradients and directly linked this variation to contemporary climate change impacts. In this study, we quantified variation in thermal performance across a gradient from forest to gallery forest‐savanna mosaic in Cameroon for a skink species (Trachylepis affinis) known to be diverging genetically and morphologically across that habitat gradient. Based on these results, we then applied a mechanistic modelling approach (NicheMapR) to project changes in potential activity, as constrained by thermal performance, in response to climate change. As a complimentary approach, we also compared mechanistic projections with climate‐driven changes in habitat suitability based on species distribution models of forest and ecotone skinks. We found that ecotone skinks may benefit from warming and experience increased activity while forest skinks will likely face a drastic decrease in thermal suitability across the forest zone. Species distribution models projected that thermal suitability for forest skinks in coastal forests would decline but in other parts of the forest zone skinks are projected to experience increased thermal suitability. The results here highlight the utility of mechanistic approaches in revealing and understanding patterns of climate change vulnerability which may not be detected with species distribution models alone. This study also emphasizes the importance of intra‐specific physiological variation, and habitat‐specific thermal performance relationships in particular, in determining warming responses.
The interictal mesial temporal lobe epilepsy network
Authors: Karunakaran Suganya , Rollo Matthew J. , Kim Kamin , Johnson Jessica A. , Kalamangalam Giridhar P. , Aazhang Behnaam , Tandon Nitin
Published: December 2017

Objective

Identification of patient‐specific epileptogenic networks is critical to designing successful treatment strategies. Multiple noninvasive methods have been used to characterize epileptogenic networks. However, these methods lack the spatiotemporal resolution to allow precise localization of epileptiform activity. We used intracranial recordings, at much higher spatiotemporal resolution, across a cohort of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) to delineate features common to their epileptogenic networks. We used interictal rather than seizure data because interictal spikes occur more frequently, providing us greater power for analyzing variances in the network.

Methods

Intracranial recordings from 10 medically refractoryMTLEpatients were analyzed. In each patient, hour‐long recordings were selected for having frequent interictal discharges and no ictal events. For all possible pairs of electrodes, conditional probability of the occurrence of interictal spikes within a 150‐millisecond bin was computed. These probabilities were used to construct a weighted graph between all electrodes, and the node degree was estimated. To assess the relationship of the highly connected regions in this network to the clinically identified seizure network, logistic regression was used to model the regions that were surgically resected using weighted node degree and number of spikes in each channel as factors. Lastly, the conditional spike probability was normalized and averaged across patients to visualize theMTLEnetwork at group level.

Results

We generated the first graph of connectivity across a cohort ofMTLEpatients using interictal activity. The most consistent connections were hippocampus to amygdala, anterior fusiform cortex to hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus projections to amygdala. Additionally, the weighted node degree and number of spikes modeled the brain regions identified as seizure networks by clinicians.

Significance

Apart from identifying interictal measures that can model patient‐specific epileptogenic networks, we also produce a group map of network connectivity from a cohort ofMTLEpatients.
Limited Location Options: Measuring Spatial Interactions among Retailers Under Zoning Restrictions
Authors: Nilsson Isabelle , Smirnov Oleg
Published: December 2017

This article presents an innovative approach to study spatial interactions among firms under zoning restrictions. For this purpose, we extend a measure of bivariate spatial association to explicitly account for limited location options as well as spatial dependence. The statistic is applied to study spatial location patterns of firms in the pharmacies and drugstores industry in three different cities using precise location and zoning data. We find that failing to account for zoning can lead to spurious findings. The results suggest that while consumers may perceive that pharmacies are often located next to each other, when accounting for zoning firms locate independently given their restricted location choices.
Exploring Similarities in Discrete Facility Location Models with Equality Measures
Authors: Barbati Maria , Bruno Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

There have been a number of discrete facility location models that deal with the use of some equality measures of the distances between the facility and the users. They have been used to guarantee a similar level of equity among the users that may be affected in a positive or in a good way from a facility. These models have been formulated trying to adapt equality measures taken from contexts different from the location one. This way, every measure is very specific to the particular application and it is not highlighted why a measure should be selected and what is the contribution to the equity distribution among the users that can provide. In this article, we propose a facility location problem in which we have to locate a given number of facilities among a set of potential facilities, optimizing an equality measure. We propose a computational study to test the similarities and the differences of a good number of measures with more than a single facility to locate and we point out which measures produce similar results and how they depend on each other.
Indigenous travelers and knowledge production in the Pacific: The case of Kadu and Ludwig Choris
Authors: Igler David
Published: December 2017

Studies of early modern knowledge production have recently shifted the focus away from Europe as a singular center of intellectual power and Europeans as the sole contributors to Enlightenment thought. In the late 18th century, the Pacific Ocean became a vast and diverse arena of scientific and cultural exploration, a waterscape in which European and American expeditions encountered indigenous groups as well as new sites for the study of nature and humanity. The Russian expedition of the Rurik (1815–1818) demonstrates many aspects of knowledge production in a Pacific maritime setting, including the stunning visual representation of indigenous communities by the artist Ludwig Choris, the active collaboration of an indigenous Marshall Islander named Kadu, and the researches of two naturalists on board the Rurik. For an expedition that failed in its stated mission to discover the Northeast Passage, the work of these individuals reveal the process and surprising outcome of intelligence gathering in an ocean world far from Europe.
Community pharmacists’ opinions on skill-mix and delegation in England
Authors: Barnes Emma , Bullock Alison , Allan Margaret , Hodson Karen
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Following the 2005 contractual framework amendment, the expanding role of community pharmacy team members required a shift in entrenched views on roles and duties. This study aimed to report on community pharmacists’ opinions on skill mix and explore how they can be addressed so that skill mix may be optimised.

Methods

An invitation to complete an online questionnaire was distributed via email, marked for the attention of the lead pharmacist. Following a low response, a paper-based questionnaire was sent to all community pharmacies in England (n = 11,816). Questions elicited data about the respondent, the pharmacy (including staffing profile) and opinions on skill mix.

Key findings

A total of 1154 returns were received, representing a 10% response rate. Of these, most were pharmacy chains (76%; n = 877), with 5–9 staff (54%; n = 600); commonly open 40–49 hours (42%; n = 487), dispensing <6000 prescriptions per week (41%, n = 533). From 26 statements on skill mix, three factors were identified by principal-components factor analysis: ‘working well’, ‘feeling the pressure’ and ‘open to development’. Characteristics associated with ‘working well’: pharmacy owners, single businesses, with pharmacy technician(s), dispensing fewer prescriptions and open shorter hours. Characteristics associated with ‘feeling the pressure’: pharmacy chains, open longer hours, large numbers of prescriptions and relief pharmacists. Characteristics associated with ‘open to development’: recently qualified, second pharmacists, working longer hours, chains and dispensing lower numbers of prescriptions.

Conclusions

Although limited by a low response, results suggest being in a position to influence (more experienced, business owners) may be associated with more positive opinions. Further training (including about legalities and leadership) could contribute to optimising skill mix in community pharmacies.
Hospital pharmacists’ and patients’ views about what constitutes effective communication between pharmacists and patients
Authors: Chevalier Bernadette A M , Watson Bernadette M , Barras Michael A , Cottrell William N
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The study's objective was to explore hospital pharmacists’ and patients’ views about what constitutes effective communication exchanges between pharmacists and patients.

Methods

This was a novel theory-based qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to elicit patients’ and pharmacists’ perspectives. Pharmacists providing clinical pharmacy services in either inpatient or outpatient settings were recruited first. Eligible patients had been admitted to a study pharmacist's practice area and were prescribed three or more medications to manage a chronic disease(s). Following each pharmacist–patient medication counselling session, semi-structured interviews were held separately with patients and pharmacists. Participants were asked questions intended to explore their views about what constitutes an effective pharmacist–patient conversation. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, analysed using a process of inductive thematic analysis and then mapped to Communication Accommodation Theory strategies. Observational notes and reflexive note taking were conducted throughout.

Key findings

Twelve pharmacists each engaged four individual patients for a total of 48 pharmacist–patient conversations (resulting in 48 separate interviews with pharmacists and patients). An overall shared goal was the assurance of patients’ confidence in managing their medications at home. Themes included shared colloquialisms/slang, well-explained information, engagement, established rapport and empowerment. Participants provided rich exemplars for each of the themes.

Conclusions

Pharmacists and patients provided valuable insights about what makes pharmacist–patient interactions effective. Patient-identified preferences for pharmacist–patient exchanges may help guide pharmacy students and practitioners to engage patients in effective conversations.
Generation of new glutinous rice by CRISPR/Cas9‐targeted mutagenesis of the Waxy gene in elite rice varieties
Authors: Zhang Jinshan , Zhang Hui , Botella José Ramón , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: December 2017

In rice, amylose content (AC) is controlled by a single dominant Waxy gene. We used Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated 9 (Cas9) to introduce a loss‐of‐function mutation into the Waxy gene in two widely cultivated elite japonica varieties. Our results show that mutations in the Waxy gene reduce AC and convert the rice into glutinous ones without affecting other desirable agronomic traits, offering an effective and easy strategy to improve glutinosity in elite varieties. Importantly, we successfully removed the transgenes from the progeny. Our study provides an example of generating improved crops with potential for commercialization, by editing a gene of interest directly in elite crop varieties.
White matter degeneration in vascular and other ageing‐related dementias
Authors: Hase Yoshiki , Horsburgh Karen , Ihara Masafumi , Kalaria Raj N.
Published: December 2017

Advances in neuroimaging have enabled greater understanding of the progression of cerebral degenerative processes associated with ageing‐related dementias. Leukoaraiosis or rarefied white matter (WM) originally described on computed tomography is one of the most prominent changes which occurs in older age. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) evident on magnetic resonance imaging have become commonplace to describe WM changes in relation to cognitive dysfunction, types of stroke injury, cerebral small vessel disease and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Substrates of WM degeneration collectively include myelin loss, axonal abnormalities, arteriolosclerosis and parenchymal changes resulting from lacunar infarcts, microinfarcts, microbleeds and perivascular spacing. WM cells incorporating astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, pericytes and microglia are recognized as key cellular components of the gliovascular unit. They respond to ongoing pathological processes in different ways leading to disruption of the gliovascular unit. The most robust alterations involve oligodendrocyte loss and astrocytic clasmatodendrosis with displacement of the water channel protein, aquaporin 4. These modifications likely precede arteriolosclerosis and capillary degeneration and involve tissue oedema, breach of the blood–brain barrier and induction of a chronic hypoxic state in the deep WM. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are proposed to explain how WM changes commencing with haemodynamic changes within the vascular system impact on cognitive dysfunction. Animal models simulating cerebral hypoperfusion in man have paved the way for several translational opportunities. Various compounds with variable efficacies have been tested to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and blood–brain barrier damage in the WM. Our review demonstrates that WM degeneration encompasses multiple substrates and therefore more than one pharmacological approach is necessary to preserve axonal function and prevent cognitive impairment.

image

This article is part of the Special Issue “Vascular Dementia”.
The Permian reptile Opisthodontosaurus carrolli: a model for acrodont tooth replacement and dental ontogeny
Authors: Haridy Yara , LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Reisz Robert R.
Published: December 2017

Continuous tooth replacement is common for tetrapods, but some groups of acrodont lepidosaurs have lost the ability to replace their dentition (monophyodonty). Acrodonty, where the tooth attaches to the apex of the jawbone, is an unusual form of tooth attachment that has been associated with the highly autapomorphic condition of monophyodonty. Beyond Lepidosauria, very little is known about the relationship between acrodonty and monophyodonty in other amniotes. We test for this association with a detailed study of the dentition of Opisthodontosaurus, an unusual Early Permian captorhinid eureptile with acrodont dentition. We provide clear evidence, both histological and morphological, that there were regular tooth replacement events in the lower jaw of Opisthodontosaurus, similar to its captorhinid relatives. Thus, our study of the oldest known amniote with an acrodont dentition shows that acrodonty does not inhibit tooth replacement, and that many of the characteristics assigned to lepidosaurian acrodonty are actually highly derived features of lepidosaurs that have resulted secondarily from a lack of tooth replacement. In the context of reptilian dental evolution, we propose the retention of the simple definition of acrodonty, which only pertains to the relative position of the tooth at the apex of the jaw, where the jaw possesses equal lingual and labial walls. This definition of implantation therefore focuses solely on the spatial relationship between the tooth and the jawbone, and separates this relationship from tooth development and replacement.
Clinical implications of bone marrow adiposity
Authors: Veldhuis‐Vlug A. G. , Rosen C. J.
Published: December 2017

Marrow adipocytes, collectively termed marrow adipose tissue (MAT), reside in the bone marrow in close contact to bone cells and haematopoietic cells. Marrow adipocytes arise from the mesenchymal stem cell and share their origin with the osteoblast. Shifts in the lineage allocation of the mesenchymal stromal cell could potentially explain the association between increased MAT and increased fracture risk in diseases such as postmenopausal osteoporosis, anorexia nervosa and diabetes. Functionally, marrow adipocytes secrete adipokines, such as adiponectin, and cytokines, such as RANK ligand and stem cell factor. These mediators can influence both bone remodelling and haematopoiesis by promoting bone resorption and haematopoietic recovery following chemotherapy. In addition, marrow adipocytes can secrete free fatty acids, acting as a energy supply for bone and haematopoietic cells. However, this induced lipolysis is also used by neoplastic cells to promote survival and proliferation. Therefore, MAT could represent a new therapeutic target for multiple diseases from osteoporosis to leukaemia, although the exact characteristics and role of the marrow adipocyte in health and diseases remain to be determined.
A New Protocol to Assess the Subjective Wellbeing of Adolescents with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Blake Grant A.
Published: December 2017

Subjective well‐being refers to an individual's satisfaction or happiness with their life. The construct is often measured with the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), which has been adapted for children of different ages, and adults with an intellectual disability (ID). However, there is no subjective well‐being measure for adolescents with an ID. This study reports on the PWI‐School Children with Intellectual Disability (PWI‐SCwID), which trialled a pretesting Likert training protocol to enable valid completion of the questionnaire. From this, it was aimed that the subjective well‐being of adolescents with ID would be compared to adults and adolescents without ID, and adults with ID. The PWI‐SCwID was administered to 42 adolescents with ID. They had a mean age of 15.86 years (SD = 1.70) and 52% were female. Participants were recruited from special education schools and dance classes for adolescents with Down syndrome. Thirty‐seven participants (88%) validly completed the PWI‐SCwID. Of the 17 participants with Down syndrome, who are most likely to have moderate to severe intellectual disability, 76% returned valid questionnaires. Comparison of the current sample with other samples of adolescents and adults without ID found no significant differences in subjective well‐being. Adults with ID from another study reported lower happiness with their standard of living than the current sample. The higher completion rate reported in this study is likely due to the implementation of training protocols that taught and assessed the participants’ ability to use a Likert‐type scale. The high completion rate of participants with Down syndrome suggest that the revised protocols enable the collection of well‐being data previously believed to be unattainable. The implication is that evaluating policy and interventions may consider the subjective well‐being of a vulnerable group who typically have limited capacity to advocate for themselves.
Clinical relevance of radiographic linear branching mineral opacities in the canine liver
Authors: Genain M.‐A. , Barbosa A. , Herrtage M. , Watson P.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To assess the prevalence, clinical significance and breed distribution of linear branching mineralisation superimposed on the hepatic radiographic silhouette in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective review of radiographs or ultrasound images of dogs showing branching mineralisation in the liver.

Results

Over the 30‐year review period, 17 cases were identified and the mineralisation had a predominantly ventral distribution. Seven of the 17 were cavalier King Charles spaniels, and four of the total 17 dogs were diagnosed with hepatobiliary system disease. Five dogs had repeat radiographs, of which four showed no change in the pattern and one developed the pattern 6 years after being diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis. Serum calcium concentrations were normal in all patients. Liver enzymes were markedly elevated only in the dog diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis. Histology performed on three patients showed no convincing evidence of primary liver disease.

Clinical Significance

Branching mineralisation in the liver parenchyma is a rare finding in dogs with little or no clinical significance and cavalier King Charles spaniels may be predisposed. Biopsy of the liver of affected dogs with no clinical or clinicopathological evidence of liver disease is unlikely to be helpful in these cases.
Late Bilinguals Share Syntax Unsparingly Between L1 and L2: Evidence From Crosslinguistically Similar and Different Constructions
Authors: Hwang Heeju , Shin Jeong‐Ah , Hartsuiker Robert J.
Published: December 2017

Languages often use different constructions to convey the same meaning. For example, the meaning of a causative construction in English (Jen had her computer fixed) is conveyed using an active structure in Korean (Jen‐NOM her computer‐ACC fixed), and yet little is known about how bilinguals represent and process such constructions. The present study investigated whether late bilinguals develop shared or language‐specific representations for crosslinguistically different (causatives) and similar (transitives) constructions. Using between‐language structural priming, Experiment 1 showed that proficient Korean‐English bilinguals exhibited a stronger priming effect for transitives than did less proficient bilinguals. Using a picture–sentence verification task, Experiment 2 showed that proficient bilinguals were more likely to apply the rules of Korean causatives to the processing of English causatives than were less proficient bilinguals. Our results suggest that Korean‐English bilinguals share syntactic representations for both similar and different constructions, indicating that the bilingual system is highly integrated.
Examining the Temporal Structure of the Perception–Production Link in Second Language Acquisition: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Nagle Charles L.
Published: December 2017

Most studies on the perception–production link have assumed a synchronous relationship according to which gains in perception transfer to production rapidly and efficiently. However, time‐lagged and asymptotic relationships are also possible, where perception would guide production at a later stage or production would improve only once perception has reached a high level of accuracy. This study investigated the temporal dynamics of the perception–production link by modeling English speakers’ ability to perceive and produce second language (L2) Spanish stops over time. Mixed‐effects modeling of the d′ perception and voice onset time (VOT) production data demonstrated significant development in both areas. Time‐lagged change models indicated a change in d′ significantly related to decreasing VOT in L2 /p/ at the following testing time, but no significant relationships emerged between perception and production of L2 /b/. Multiple patterns among individuals emerged. Results are interpreted in light of contemporary models of L2 speech learning.

Open Practices

This article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. Study materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository at http://www.iris-database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
Mitochondrial fission promotes cell migration by Ca2+/CaMKII/ERK/FAK pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sun Xiacheng , Cao Haiyan , Zhan Lei , Yin Chun , Wang Gang , Liang Ping , Li Jibin , Wang Zhe , Liu Bingrong , Huang Qichao , Xing Jinliang
Published: December 2017

Background & Aims

Mitochondrial dynamics of fission and fusion plays critical roles in a diverse range of important cellular functions, and its deregulation has been increasingly implicated in human diseases. Previous studies have shown that increased mitochondrial fission significantly promoted the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, how they influence the migration of tumour cells remained largely unknown.

Methods

In the present study, we further investigated the effect of mitochondrial fission on the migration and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic application were explored.

Results

Our data showed that dynamin‐1‐like protein expression was strongly increased in distant metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma when compared to primary hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 1 showed an opposite trend. Moreover, the expression of dynamin‐1‐like protein and mitofusin 1 was significantly associated with the disease‐free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. In addition, our data further showed that mitochondrial fission significantly promoted the reprogramming of focal‐adhesion dynamics and lamellipodia formation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells mainly by activating typical Ca2+/CaMKII/ERK/FAK pathway. Importantly, treatment with mitochondrial division inhibitor‐1 significantly decreased calcium signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and had a potential treatment effect for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings demonstrate that mitochondrial fission plays a critical role in the regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration, which provides strong evidence for this process as a drug target in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis treatment.