bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conceptions of patients and their roles in healthcare
Authors: McDermott Aoife M. , Pedersen Anne Reff
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it sets the context for the special issue by considering conceptions of patients and their roles in service delivery and improvement. Second, it introduces the contributions to the special issue, and identifies thematic resonance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper utilises a literature synthesis and thematic analysis of the special issue submissions. These emanated from the Ninth International Organisational Behaviour in Healthcare Conference, hosted by Copenhagen Business School on behalf of the Learned Society for Studies in Organizing Healthcare.

Findings

– The articles evidence a range of perspectives on patients’ roles in healthcare. These range from their being subject to, a mobilising focus for, and active participants in service delivery and improvement. Building upon the potential patient roles identified, this editorial develops five “ideal type” patient positions in healthcare delivery and improvement. These recognise that patients’ engagement with health care services is influenced both by personal characteristics and circumstances, which affect patients’ openness to engaging with health services, as well as the opportunities afforded to patients to engage, by organisations and their employees.

Originality/value

– The paper explores the relationally embedded nature of patient involvement in healthcare, inherent in the interdependence between patient and providers’ roles. The typology aims to prompt discussion regarding the conceptualisation patients’ roles in healthcare organisations, and the individual, employee, organisational and contextual factors that may help and hinder their involvement in service delivery and improvement. The authors close by noting four areas meriting further research attention, and potentially useful theoretical lenses.
Knowledge integration, teamwork and performance in health care
Authors: Körner Mirjam , Lippenberger Corinna , Becker Sonja , Reichler Lars , Müller Christian , Zimmermann Linda , Rundel Manfred , Baumeister Harald
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– Knowledge integration is the process of building shared mental models. The integration of the diverse knowledge of the health professions in shared mental models is a precondition for effective teamwork and team performance. As it is known that different groups of health care professionals often tend to work in isolation, the authors compared the perceptions of knowledge integration. It can be expected that based on this isolation, knowledge integration is assessed differently. The purpose of this paper is to test these differences in the perception of knowledge integration between the professional groups and to identify to what extent knowledge integration predicts perceptions of teamwork and team performance and to determine if teamwork has a mediating effect.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is a multi-center cross-sectional study with a descriptive-explorative design. Data were collected by means of a staff questionnaire for all health care professionals working in the rehabilitation clinics.

Findings

– The results showed that there are significant differences in knowledge integration within interprofessional health care teams. Furthermore, it could be shown that knowledge integration is significantly related to patient-centered teamwork as well as to team performance. Mediation analysis revealed partial mediation of the effect of knowledge integration on team performance through teamwork.

Practical/implications

– In practice, the results of the study provide a valuable starting point for team development interventions.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that explored knowledge integration in medical rehabilitation teams and its relation to patient-centered teamwork and team performance.
Relational capital disclosure, corporate reporting and company performance
Authors: Bianchi Martini Silvio , Corvino Antonio , Doni Federica , Rigolini Alessandra
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the content of relational capital disclosure (RCD) information communicated by a sample of European listed companies. It also investigates the links between RCD and certain corporate financial performance indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research did a cross-country analysis on a sample of 80 companies and a content analysis based on 51 items inherent to the relational capital (RC) framework of mandatory and voluntary reports. An RCD index has been used in certain bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to investigate whether RCD is positively correlated to particular indicators adopted as proxies for measuring company performance.

Findings

– The results show that RCD supports statistically significant relationships with revenues, net operating cash flow and capital expenditures. In contrast, there is no statistically significant association with enterprise value.

Research limitations/implications

– This study evaluates the information disclosed in annual reports or other standalone reports, although companies might communicate such information using other information channels. The main caveat of this study is sample size; therefore, it could be insightful to extend this cross-country study.

Practical implications

– The research could encourage preparers to improve the disclosure of specific items of RC and could offer useful suggestions to policymakers, for instance, to the European Commission, as it has recently announced new requirements for non-financial information reporting (Directive 2014/95/UE).

Originality/value

– Given the crucial role of RC in company success and RCD’s importance for the decision-making process, this study provides interesting insights into the debate on RC reporting’s impacts on company performance.
R
&
D commercialization capability criteria: implications for project selection
Authors: Karaveg Charttirot , Thawesaengskulthai Natcha , Chandrachai Achara
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the criteria of R
&
D commercialization capability by using the successful cases from government research institutes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were collected from 272 entrepreneurs and researchers with a structured questionnaire. The data analysis was carried out by the structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

– The research results revealed that there are six criteria for R
&
D project commercialization capability, these are arranged according to the significance; marketing, technology, finance, non-financial impact, intellectual property, and human resource. Moreover, the evaluator’s roles, both researchers and entrepreneurs, effect the level of criteria for consideration.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is derived from samples form voluntary participants from the disclosed lists in the governmental research institutes. Although SEM results provide weight for each R
&
D commercialization capability that would be the first step for developing the R
&
D evaluation instrument and the longitudinal will need to investigate.

Practical implications

– This study provides the holistic R
&
D commercialization capability criteria to assist entrepreneurs and researchers when faced with R
&
D commercialization decision. The criteria was developed from successful innovation cases; hence they enhance decision-making potential, provide a guideline of R
&
D commercialization evaluation process, speed up the decision-making process, and prevent risk of a resource meltdown and increase innovation exploitation.

Social implications

– The roles of the evaluators are important when considering R
&
D, hence, to use the same criteria for evaluating the researchers and entrepreneurs seems inappropriate since naturally, the researchers usually lack marketing and financial skills while the entrepreneurs usually lack technological skills and human resources. The answer may be in the form of providing specifics about project requirement, establishment of marketing and financial consultants in research institutes, enhancement of research and development division, or doing the business matching before doing the agreement in order to encourage co-research and increase the technology transfer level.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes the holistic criteria in order to decrease the ambiguous subjectivity of fuzzy-expert system and to help with effectively funding R
&
D and to prevent a resource meltdown.
Developing local managers in the Ghanaian mining industry: an indigenous talent model
Authors: Oppong Nana Yaw , Gold Jeff
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide varied conceptualisation of talent management and development (TMD) by building managerial talent development model that is more appropriate to the context of the Ghanaian gold mining industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use two sets of data – foundation pillars of TMD and industry and definition of TMD. The authors first create a TMD framework by conducting constructive alternative analysis using the TMD foundation pillars that inform local talent situation, and then use the results and evaluation of industry definition of TMD to build the model.

Findings

– The authors find that the model departs from the predominantly Western version of human resource management that has characterised TMD in industry. Developed from indigenous perspective, the model is more likely to be effective tool for the development of local managers in industry.

Practical implications

– From practical viewpoint, the study has provided insight into understanding of expatriate managers to integrate locally relevant experiences, which are of meaning to trainee managers into their development for successful outcome.

Originality/value

– This is the first study which has explored prevailing talent situation and expectations of local managers in the Ghanaian gold mining industry. The constructed model provides an innovative approach for context-specific approach to the development of its local managers to satisfy the mining sector localisation policy.
The Role of Fashion Accessories in Hong Kong
Authors: Au Joe S. , Lee Angel W. , Au Yo Y.
Published: April 2016

Fashion accessories are vital for fashion design in terms of creating the total look and presenting a fashion statement. They are also important for marketers to develop the correspondent market to increase the companies’ profit. The research was begun with a thorough review of the roles and functions of fashion accessories. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were adopted in this study. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to collect data from the consumers and in-depth interviews were used to collect useful information from the accessories designers in Hong Kong. The findings showed that the fashion accessories were mainly functional from the perspective of consumers, especially in the case of shoes and handbags. Accessories had a decorative role and that was particularly so in the case of jewellery. Some findings showed that designers' concerns about accessories did not fully conform to those of the consumers. Therefore, an in-depth research on different buying behaviour between male and female consumers was carried out. The research questions included the amount of money consumers would spend on accessories, and their purchasing decisions primarily depended on their functionality, durability, comfort and brands. These findings will assist the fashion accessory designers to understand the wants and needs of the market. Finally, future recommendations are given to the marketers and educators.
Preparation, Structure and Properties of High Strength Alginate Fiber
Authors: Zhu Ping , Zhang Chuanjie , Sui Shuying , Wang Huaifang
Published: April 2016

Alginate fiber with a breaking tenacity of up to 2.32 cN/dtex is prepared by spinning a sodium alginate solution in a coagulating solution of CaCl2 aqueous solution followed by multi-roller drawing. Preparation parameters such as sodium alginate concentration, coagulant concentration and coagulation temperature, which affect the fiber tenacity, are investigated with an orthogonal test design, and the best spinning process is found with a coagulating 5% sodium alginate solution in 4% CaCl2 at 40°C. The morphology, degree of crystallinity, thermal stability and the combustion performance of this alginate fiber are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Cone Calorimeter. Using the centrifugal dewatering method, the absorption capacity of this alginate fiber is determined, and has a capacity of 13.01 grams of man-made blood per gram. The test results show that fibers have an irregular cross-section without a thicker cortex and uniform longitudinal surface with grooves. The combustion property results demonstrate that the fiber has a self-flameretarding property.
The Application of Water-soluble and Reactive Chitosan on Antimicrobial Activity and Salt-free Dyeing of Reactive Dyes
Authors: Ren Qingqing , Zhao Tao , Pan Hong , Wang Jing
Published: April 2016

A novel chitosan derivative, O-acrylamidomethyl-HTCC (NMA-HTCC) was synthesized in two steps. First, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride (HTCC) was prepared by introducing 2,3-epoxy propane trimethlyl ammonium chloride(GTA) on the amino groups of chitosan. HTCC was further modified by reacting with N-methylolacrylamide (NMA) on the primary alcohol groups (C-6) on the chitosan. The effect of modified chitosan on the dyeing properties of cotton fabric was studied by measuring the dye uptake and K/S values of the treated substrates with different treating processes under salt-free conditions. The antimicrobial activity of modified chitosan against Escherichia coli and the durability of antimicrobial activity was assessed using percentage reduction rate of the bacterium with different treating processes. The results indicate that modified chitosan treated cotton fabric shows increased dye uptake, K/S values and fastness, and its antimicrobial activity and durability are much better than chitosan treated cotton fabric.
A Study on Silk Surface Modification with Carbon Tetrafluoride Low Temperature Plasma
Authors: Liu Jinqiang , Li Yongqiang , Shao Jianzhong
Published: April 2016

Silk surface modification is carried out with carbon tetrafluoride low temperature (CF4 LT) plasma. The water contact angle of the CF4 plasma treated silk fabric reaches 140°. The morphological construction of the treated surfaces is examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface chemical changes are characterized by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results reveal that F-contained groups (C-F) have been grafted on the surface of silk fabric. Through the thermal gravity analyzer (TGA), it is shown that the heat stability of the modified silk is improved.
Foam Dyeing for Developing the Wash-out Effect on Cotton Knitted Fabrics with Pigment
Authors: Shang Songmin , Hu Enling , Poon Patrick , Jiang Shouxiang , Kan Chi Wai , Koo Rena
Published: April 2016

In this study, the foam dyeing technology was applied to dye cotton knitted fabric for achieving the surface-dyed result. The T-shirt made by this surface-dyed fabric could easily obtain the wash-out effect after garment laundering. The pigment dyeing performances in foam dyeing were system studied. Colour strength, colourfastness and serviceability of fabrics dyed with the methods of foam-padding and liquid-padding were evaluated and compared. Results show that surface dyeing for cotton-knitted fabric with foam media could overcome the shortcoming of poor penetration in foam dyeing method, and turn the poor penetration into the superiority for obtaining the surface-dyed result. The serviceability such as water absorption and handle property was also well improved in foam dyeing method. Finally, the advantages of energy saving and reducing chemical usage were implemented throughout the dyeing process.
The Shielding Effect of Drilling Fluids on Measurement While Drilling Tool Downhole Compasses—The Effect of Drilling Fluid Composition, Contaminants, and Rheology
Authors: Saasen Arild , Ding Songxiong , Amundsen Per Amund , Tellefsen Kristoffer
Published: April 2016

Materials such as added clays, weight materials, drill solids, and metallic wear products in the drilling fluid are known to distort the geomagnetic field at the location of the measurement while drilling (MWD) tool magnetometers that are used to measure the direction of well path. This distortion contributes to substantial errors in determination of azimuth while drilling deviated wells. These errors may result in missing the target of a long deviated 12 ¼ in. section in the range of 1–200 m, representing a significant cost to be mitigated. The error becomes even more pronounced if drilling occurs in arctic regions close to the magnetic north pole (or south pole). The effect on the magnetometer readings is obviously linked to the kinds and amounts of magnetic materials in the drilling fluid. The problem has recently been studied by laboratory experiments and analyses of downhole survey data. A series of experiments has been carried out to understand how some drilling fluid additives relate to the magnetic distortion. Experiments with free iron ions show that presence of iron ions does not contribute to magnetic distortion, while experiments with bentonite-based fluids show a strong effect of bentonite on magnetic shielding. Albeit earlier measurements showing a strong dependency of the content of organophilic clay, clean laboratory prepared oil-based drilling fluids show no increased shielding when adding organophilic hectorite clays. The anticipated difference between these two cases is outlined in the paper. When eroded steel from an offshore drilling site is added into the oil-based drilling fluid, it is found that these swarf and steel fines significantly increase the magnetic shielding of the drilling fluid. The paper outlines how the drilling direction may be distorted by the presence of these additives and contaminants and how this relates to the rheological properties of the drilling fluid.
Nonlinear Control Scheme for the Levitation Module of Maglev Train
Authors: He Guang , Li Jie , Cui Peng
Published: April 2016

In this study, we investigate a nonlinear control scheme to solve the practical issues such as inner coupling, load uncertainties, and model errors in the suspension control of maglev train. By considering the levitation module as an integral controlled object, the mathematical model of the levitation module is obtained. The inverse system method is adopted to deal with the inner coupling in the levitation module. By this way, the levitation module system is divided into two linear decoupled subsystems. Then, the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory is employed for achieving steady suspension. Besides, a disturbance nonlinear observer is designed to compensate the influence of load uncertainties and model errors. Furthermore, the availability of the proposed control scheme is validated through simulations and experimental results.
Measurement of Viscoelastic Fluid Flow in the Curved Microchannel Using Digital Holographic Microscope and Polarized Camera
Authors: Li Xiao-Bin , Oishi Masamichi , Matsuo Tsukasa , Oshima Marie , Li Feng-Chen
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to develop a three-dimensional (3D) measurement approach to investigate the flow structures of viscoelastic fluid in the curved microchannel by using digital holographic microscope (DHM). The measurement system uses off-axis holographic/interferometric optical setup for the moving target, and the real-time three-dimensional-three-components (3D3C) particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) can be achieved based on the analysis of phase information of holograms. To diagnose the irregular flow inside the microchannel, the 3D temporal positions of tracer particles in the volume of 282 μm × 282 μm × 60 μm have been detected and velocity field was calculated based on the PTV algorithm. Moreover, to explain the flow field inside the curved microchannel, for the first time the polarized high-speed camera was utilized to identify the strong elongation in the viscoelastic fluid. The DHM is proven to be successful for the measurements of microfluidic flow, especially for the truly real-time 3D motions.
A Numerical Simulation Algorithm of the Inviscid Dynamics of Axisymmetric Swirling Flows in a Pipe
Authors: Granata J. , Xu L. , Rusak Z. , Wang S.
Published: April 2016

Current simulations of swirling flows in pipes are limited to relatively low Reynolds number flows (Re < 6000); however, the characteristic Reynolds number is much higher (Re > 20,000) in most of engineering applications. To address this difficulty, this paper presents a numerical simulation algorithm of the dynamics of incompressible, inviscid-limit, axisymmetric swirling flows in a pipe, including the vortex breakdown process. It is based on an explicit, first-order difference scheme in time and an upwind, second-order difference scheme in space for the time integration of the circulation and azimuthal vorticity. A second-order Poisson equation solver for the spatial integration of the stream function in terms of azimuthal vorticity is used. In addition, when reversed flow zones appear, an averaging step of properties is applied at designated time steps. This adds slight artificial viscosity to the algorithm and prevents growth of localized high-frequency numerical noise inside the breakdown zone that is related to the expected singularity that must appear in any flow simulation based on the Euler equations. Mesh refinement studies show agreement of computations for various mesh sizes. Computed examples of flow dynamics demonstrate agreement with linear and nonlinear stability theories of vortex flows in a finite-length pipe. Agreement is also found with theoretically predicted steady axisymmetric breakdown states in a pipe as flow evolves to a time-asymptotic state. These findings indicate that the present algorithm provides an accurate prediction of the inviscid-limit, axisymmetric breakdown process. Also, the numerical results support the theoretical predictions and shed light on vortex dynamics at high Re.
Thermal Diffraction of Binary Fluids With Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Vasquez Carrasco Heriberto , Moocarme Matthew , Proscia Nicholas , Vallone Steven , Hui Joseph , Vuong Luat T.
Published: April 2016

A laser propagating through a metal nanocolloid exhibits a far-field fringe pattern that is the signature of its optical and thermally induced response. Here, we directly exploit the sensitive far-field features to measure the thermo-optic coefficients of binary-solvent mixtures of ethanol and water. This study extends our fundamental understanding of the thermal self-diffraction toward future optical characterization of the nanocolloid fluid motion.
Perceived and Objectively Measured Environmental Correlates of Domain-Specific Physical Activity in Older English Adults
Authors: Wu Yu-Tzu , Jones Natalia R. , van Sluijs Esther M.F. , Griffin Simon J. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Jones Andrew P.
Published: April 2016

We examine the relative importance of both objective and perceived environmental features for physical activity in older English adults. Self-reported physical activity levels of 8,281 older adults were used to compute volumes of outdoor recreational and commuting activity. Perceptions of neighborhood environment supportiveness were drawn from a questionnaire survey and a geographical information system was used to derive objective measures. Negative binominal regression models were fitted to examine associations. Perceptions of neighborhood environment were more associated with outdoor recreational activity (over 10% change per standard deviation) than objective measures (5–8% change). Commuting activity was associated with several objective measures (up to 16% change). We identified different environmental determinants of recreational and commuting activity in older adults. Perceptions of environmental supportiveness for recreational activity appear more important than actual neighborhood characteristics. Understanding how older people perceive neighborhoods might be key to encouraging outdoor recreational activity.
Exploiting the colloidal nanocrystal library to construct electronic devices
Authors: Choi Ji-Hyuk , Wang Han , Oh Soong Ju , Paik Taejong , Sung Pil , Sung Jinwoo , Ye Xingchen , Zhao Tianshuo , Diroll Benjamin T. , Murray Christopher B. , Kagan Cherie R.
Published: April 2016

Assembling nanocrystal devices

A wide range of materials can be grown as high-quality colloidal nanocrystals, with properties spanning from conductors to semiconductors and insulators. Although these materials have been included in electronic devices, they usually only form a single component within the device. Choi
et al.
took a variety of solution-processable colloidal nanocrystals to form all of the device components. Through the development of the right materials, interfaces, and processing steps, they constructed an all-colloid field effect transistor.

Science
, this issue p.
205
The half-filled Landau level: The case for Dirac composite fermions
Authors: Geraedts Scott D. , Zaletel Michael P. , Mong Roger S. K. , Metlitski Max A. , Vishwanath Ashvin , Motrunich Olexei I.
Published: April 2016

All is well with particle-hole symmetry

In an external magnetic field, the energy of an electron in a two-dimensional system takes discrete values, called Landau levels. At high enough fields, all electrons in a solid can fit in the lowest Landau level. If exactly half of that level is filled with electrons, standard theory predicts that a special fermion liquid phase will form that makes a distinction between the filled and empty states (particles and holes). A recent conjecture, in contrast, predicted a liquid consisting of massless Dirac particles that respects the symmetry between particles and holes. Geraedts
et al.
used sophisticated numerical methods to provide strong evidence for this conjecture.

Science
, this issue p.
197
Task-free MRI predicts individual differences in brain activity during task performance
Authors: Tavor I. , Jones O. Parker , Mars R. B. , Smith S. M. , Behrens T. E. , Jbabdi S.
Published: April 2016

Every brain is different

We all differ in how we perceive, think, and act. What drives individual differences in evoked brain activity? Tavor
et al.
applied computational models to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project. Brain activity in the “resting” state when subjects were not performing any explicit task predicted differences in fMRI activation across a range of cognitive paradigms. This suggests that individual differences in many cognitive tasks are a stable trait marker. Resting-state functional connectivity thus already contains the repertoire that is then expressed during task-based fMRI.

Science
, this issue p.
216
Durably reducing transphobia: A field experiment on door-to-door canvassing
Authors: Broockman David , Kalla Joshua
Published: April 2016

Not just turnout, but turnaround matters

In the last several U.S. presidential elections, the campaign mantra has focused on making sure that voters already aligned with one's candidate do get out to vote. There is a long history of unsuccessful efforts to change people's attitudes. Nevertheless, Broockman and Kalla conducted a field experiment showing that Miami voters shifted their attitudes toward transgender individuals and maintained those changed positions for 3 months (see the Perspective by Paluck).

Science
, this issue p.
220
; see also p.
147
Term-seq reveals abundant ribo-regulation of antibiotics resistance in bacteria
Authors: Dar Daniel , Shamir Maya , Mellin J. R. , Koutero Mikael , Stern-Ginossar Noam , Cossart Pascale , Sorek Rotem
Published: April 2016

How bacteria switch between tracks

Bacterial riboswitches prevent the formation of full-length messenger RNA, and hence proteins, via transcriptional termination in response to metabolites. However, identifying riboswitches within the genome has previously required comparative analysis, which may miss species- and environmentally specific responses. Dar
et al.
developed a method called term-seq to document all riboswitches in a bacterial genome, as well as their metabolite counterparts (see the Perspective by Sommer and Suess). The method revealed a role for pathogenic bacterial riboswitches in antibiotic resistance. Thus, transcription may be one way pathogens fend off antibiotic attack.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aad9822
; see also p.
144
Metastasis as an evolutionary process
Authors: Turajlic Samra , Swanton Charles
Published: April 2016

Therapeutic advances in oncology have not fully translated to the treatment of metastatic disease, which remains largely incurable. Metastatic subclones can emerge both early and late in the life of the primary tumor. A better understanding of the genetic evolution of metastatic disease has the potential to reveal differences in the therapeutic vulnerabilities of primary and metastatic tumors, shed light on the temporal patterns of and routes to metastatic colonization, and provide insight into the biology of the metastatic process. Here we review recent comparative studies of primary and metastatic tumors, including data suggesting that macroevolutionary shifts (the onset of chromosomal instability) contribute to the evolution of metastatic disease. We also discuss the practical challenges associated with these studies and how they might be overcome.
A collective route to metastasis: Seeding by tumor cell clusters
Authors: Cheung Kevin J. , Ewald Andrew J.
Published: April 2016

Despite decades of study, there are still many unanswered questions about metastasis, the process by which a localized cancer becomes a systemic disease. One of these questions is the nature of the tumor cells that give rise to metastases. Although conventional models suggest that metastases are seeded by single cells from the primary tumor, there is growing evidence that seeding requires the collective action of tumor cells traveling together in clusters. Here, we review this evidence, which comes from analysis of both experimental models and patient samples. We present a model of metastatic dissemination that highlights the activities of clusters of tumor cells that retain and require their epithelial properties.
Tetanus Immunity among Women Aged 15 to 39 Years in Cambodia: a National Population-Based Serosurvey, 2012
Authors: Scobie Heather M. , Mao Bunsoth , Buth Sokhal , Wannemuehler Kathleen A. , Sørensen Charlotte , Kannarath Chheng , Jenks M. Harley , Moss Delynn M. , Priest Jeffrey W. , Soeung Sann Chan , Deming Michael S. , Lammie Patrick J. , Gregory Christopher J.
Published: April 2016

To monitor progress toward maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) in Cambodia, we conducted a nationwide serosurvey of tetanus immunity in 2012. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select 2,154 women aged 15 to 39 years. Tetanus toxoid antibodies in serum samples were measured by gold-standard double-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAE) and a novel multiplex bead assay (MBA). Antibody concentrations of ≥0.01 IU/ml by DAE or the equivalent for MBA were considered seroprotective. Estimated tetanus seroprotection was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86 to 89%); 64% (95% CI, 61 to 67%) of women had antibody levels of ≥1.0 IU/ml. Seroprotection was significantly lower (
P
< 0.001) among women aged 15 to 19 years (63%) and 20 to 24 years (87%) than among those aged ≥25 years (96%), among nulliparous women than among parous women (71 versus 97%), and among those living in the western region than among those living in other regions (82 versus 89%). The MBA showed high sensitivity (99% [95% CI, 98 to 99%]) and specificity (92% [95% CI, 88 to 95%]) compared with DAE. Findings were compatible with MNTE in Cambodia (≥80% protection). Tetanus immunity gaps should be addressed through strengthened routine immunization and targeted vaccination campaigns. Incorporating tetanus testing in national serosurveys using MBAs, which can measure immunity to multiple pathogens simultaneously, may be beneficial for monitoring MNTE.
Performance of the New Version (v2.0) of the GenoType MTBDR
sl
Test for Detection of Resistance to Second-Line Drugs in Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Strains
Authors: Brossier Florence , Guindo David , Pham Anne , Reibel Florence , Sougakoff Wladimir , Veziris Nicolas , Aubry Alexandra
Published: April 2016

Detecting resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQ) and second-line injectable drugs (amikacin [AMK], kanamycin [KAN], and capreomycin [CAP]) is crucial given the worldwide increase in the incidence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). A new version of the GenoType MTBDR
sl
test (v2.0) has been developed to improve the detection of resistance to FQ (involving
gyrA
and
gyrB
mutations) and to second-line injectable drugs (involving
rrs
and
eis
promoter mutations) in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. A collection of 127 multidrug-resistant (MDR)
M. tuberculosis
complex strains was tested using the first (v1) and second (v2.0) versions of the MTBDR
sl
test, as well as DNA sequencing. The specificities in resistance detection of v1 and v2.0 were similar throughout, whereas the levels of sensitivity of v2.0 were superior for FQ (94.8% versus 89.6%) and KAN (90.5% versus 59.5%) but similar for AMK (91.3%) and CAP (83.0%). The sensitivity and specificity of v2.0 were superior to those of v1 for the detection of pre-XDR strains (83.3% versus 75.0% and 88.6% versus 67.1%, respectively), whereas the sensitivity of v2.0 was superior to that of v1 only for the detection of XDR strains (83.0% versus 49.1%). In conclusion, MTBDR
sl
v2.0 is superior to MTBDR
sl
v1 and efficiently detects the most common mutations involved in resistance to FQ and aminoglycosides/CAP. However, due to mutations not recognized by v2.0 or to the presence of resistance mechanisms not yet characterized (particularly mechanisms related to monoresistance to aminoglycosides or CAP), the results for wild-type strains obtained with MTBDR
sl
v2.0 should be confirmed by further DNA sequencing and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing.
Serological Diagnosis of Chronic Chagas Disease: Is It Time for a Change?
Authors: Abras Alba , Gállego Montserrat , Llovet Teresa , Tebar Silvia , Herrero Mercedes , Berenguer Pere , Ballart Cristina , Martí Carmen , Muñoz Carmen
Published: April 2016

Chagas disease has spread to areas that are nonendemic for the disease with human migration. Since no single reference standard test is available, serological diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease requires at least two tests. New-generation techniques have significantly improved the accuracy of Chagas disease diagnosis by the use of a large mixture of recombinant antigens with different detection systems, such as chemiluminescence. The aim of the present study was to assess the overall accuracy of a new-generation kit, the Architect Chagas (cutoff, ≥1 sample relative light units/cutoff value [S/CO]), as a single technique for the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. The Architect Chagas showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 99.5 to 100%) and a specificity of 97.6% (95% CI, 95.2 to 99.9%). Five out of six false-positive serum samples were a consequence of cross-reactivity with
Leishmania
spp., and all of them achieved results of <5 S/CO. We propose the Architect Chagas as a single technique for screening in blood banks and for routine diagnosis in clinical laboratories. Only gray-zone and positive sera with a result of ≤6 S/CO would need to be confirmed by a second serological assay, thus avoiding false-positive sera and the problem of cross-reactivity with
Leishmania
species. The application of this proposal would result in important savings in the cost of Chagas disease diagnosis and therefore in the management and control of the disease.
In Vitro
Comparison of Ertapenem, Meropenem, and Imipenem against Isolates of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria and Nocardia by Use of Broth Microdilution and Etest
Authors: Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Killingley Jessica , Vasireddy Sruthi , Bridge Linda , Wallace Richard J.
Published: April 2016

We compared the activities of the carbapenems ertapenem, meropenem, and imipenem against 180 isolates of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) and 170 isolates of
Nocardia
using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. A subset of isolates was tested using the Etest. The rate of susceptibility to ertapenem and meropenem was limited and less than that to imipenem for the RGM. Analysis of major and minor discrepancies revealed that >90% of the isolates of
Nocardia
had higher MICs by the broth microdilution method than by Etest, in contrast to the lower broth microdilution MICs seen for >80% of the RGM. Imipenem remains the most active carbapenem against RGM, including
Mycobacterium abscessus
subsp.
abscessus
. For
Nocardia
, imipenem was significantly more active only against
Nocardia farcinica
. Although there may be utility in testing the activities of the newer carbapenems against
Nocardia
, their activities against the RGM should not be routinely tested. Testing by Etest is not recommended by the CLSI.
Evaluation of Multiple Methods for Detection of Gastrointestinal Colonization of Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms from Rectal Swabs
Authors: Simner Patricia J. , Martin Isabella , Opene Belita , Tamma Pranita D. , Carroll Karen C. , Milstone Aaron M.
Published: April 2016

Rectal swabs from high-risk patients were screened for carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) using several methods. The direct MacConkey plate method was the most sensitive for CROs (95%), while chromID CARBA and the Check-Direct CPE screen assay were the most sensitive for the detection of carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) (100%; all
bla
KPC
). All methods had a specificity of >90% for CROs, and for CPOs, the specificity ranged from 85 to 98%. Broth enrichment methods performed poorly compared to direct inoculation methods, negating the need for the broth enrichment step.
Defining the Clinical Significance of Alloscardovia omnincolens in the Urinary Tract
Authors: Brown Melanie K. , Forbes Betty A. , Stitley Kristin , Doern Christopher D.
Published: April 2016

The clinical significance of
Alloscardovia omnincolens
in the urinary tract has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, 15 patients with
A. omnincolens
present in their urine cultures were identified.
A. omnincolens
is only rarely associated with urinary tract symptoms and in some patients may play a commensal role.
Molecular Characterizations of Surface Proteins Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase from Recent H5Nx Avian Influenza Viruses
Authors: Yang Hua , Carney Paul J. , Mishin Vasiliy P. , Guo Zhu , Chang Jessie C. , Wentworth David E. , Gubareva Larisa V. , Stevens James
Published: April 2016

During 2014, a subclade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) virus caused poultry outbreaks around the world. In late 2014/early 2015, the virus was detected in wild birds in Canada and the United States, and these viruses also gave rise to reassortant progeny, composed of viral RNA segments (vRNAs) from both Eurasian and North American lineages. In particular, viruses were found with N1, N2, and N8 neuraminidase vRNAs, and these are collectively referred to as H5Nx viruses. In the United States, more than 48 million domestic birds have been affected. Here we present a detailed structural and biochemical analysis of the surface antigens of H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8 viruses in addition to those of a recent human H5N6 virus. Our results with recombinant hemagglutinin reveal that these viruses have a strict avian receptor binding preference, while recombinantly expressed neuraminidases are sensitive to FDA-approved and investigational antivirals. Although H5Nx viruses currently pose a low risk to humans, it is important to maintain surveillance of these circulating viruses and to continually assess future changes that may increase their pandemic potential.

IMPORTANCE
The H5Nx viruses emerging in North America, Europe, and Asia pose a great public health concern. Here we report a molecular and structural study of the major surface proteins of several H5Nx influenza viruses. Our results improve the understanding of these new viruses and provide important information on their receptor preferences and susceptibilities to antivirals, which are central to pandemic risk assessment.
Antibody Responses with Fc-Mediated Functions after Vaccination of HIV-Infected Subjects with Trivalent Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Kristensen Anne B. , Lay William N. , Ana-Sosa-Batiz Fernanda , Vanderven Hillary A. , Madhavi Vijaya , Laurie Karen L. , Carolan Louise , Wines Bruce D. , Hogarth Mark , Wheatley Adam K. , Kent Stephen J.
Published: April 2016

This study seeks to assess the ability of seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) to induce nonneutralizing antibodies (Abs) with Fc-mediated functions in HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected subjects. Functional influenza-specific Ab responses were studied in 30 HIV-negative and 27 HIV-positive subjects immunized against seasonal influenza. All 57 subjects received the 2015 TIV. Fc-mediated antihemagglutinin (anti-HA) Ab activity was measured in plasma before and 4 weeks after vaccination using Fc-receptor-binding assays, NK cell activation assays, and phagocytosis assays. At baseline, the HIV-positive group had detectable but reduced functional Ab responses to both vaccine and nonvaccine influenza antigens. TIV enhanced Fc-mediated Ab responses in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. A larger rise was generally observed in the HIV-positive group, such that there was no difference in functional Ab responses between the two groups after vaccination. The 2015 TIV enhanced functional influenza-specific Ab responses in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive subjects to a range of influenza HA proteins. The increase in functional Ab responses in the HIV-positive group supports recommendations to immunize this at-risk group.

IMPORTANCE
Infection with HIV is associated with increasing disease severity following influenza infections, and annual influenza vaccinations are recommended for this target group. However, HIV-infected individuals respond relatively poorly to vaccination compared to healthy individuals, particularly if immunodeficient. There is therefore a need to increase our understanding of immunity to influenza in the context of underlying HIV infection. While antibodies can mediate direct virus neutralization, interactions with cellular Fc receptors may be important for anti-influenza immunity
in vivo
by facilitating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADP). The ability of seasonal influenza vaccines to induce antibody responses with potent Fc-mediated antiviral activity is currently unclear. Probing the ADCC and ADP responses to influenza vaccination has provided important new information in the quest to improve immunity to influenza.
Transmembrane Domains of NS2B Contribute to both Viral RNA Replication and Particle Formation in Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Li Xiao-Dan , Deng Cheng-Lin , Ye Han-Qing , Zhang Hong-Lei , Zhang Qiu-Yan , Chen Dong-Dong , Zhang Pan-Tao , Shi Pei-Yong , Yuan Zhi-Ming , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2016

Flavivirus nonstructural protein 2B (NS2B) is a transmembrane protein that functions as a cofactor for viral NS3 protease. The cytoplasmic region (amino acids 51 to 95) alone of NS2B is sufficient for NS3 protease activity, whereas the role of transmembrane domains (TMDs) remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that flavivirus NS2B plays a critical role in virion assembly. Using Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as a model, we performed a systematic mutagenesis at the flavivirus conserved residues within the TMDs of NS2B. As expected, some mutations severely attenuated (L38A and R101A) or completely destroyed (G12L) viral RNA synthesis. Interestingly, two mutations (G37L and P112A) reduced viral RNA synthesis and blocked virion assembly. None of the mutations affected NS2B-NS3 protease activity. Because mutations G37L and P112A affected virion assembly, we selected revertant viruses for these two mutants. For mutant G37L, replacement with G37F, G37H, G37T, or G37S restored virion assembly. For mutant P112A, insertion of K at position K127 (leading to K127KK) of NS2B rescued virion assembly. A biomolecular fluorescent complementation (BiFC) analysis demonstrated that (i) mutation P112A selectively weakened NS2B-NS2A interaction and (ii) the adaptive mutation K127KK restored NS2B-NS2A interaction. Collectively, our results demonstrate that, in addition to being a cofactor for NS3 protease, flavivirus NS2B also functions in viral RNA replication, as well as virion assembly.

IMPORTANCE
Many flaviviruses are important human pathogens. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the viral infection cycle is essential for vaccine and antiviral development. In this study, we demonstrate that the TMDs of JEV NS2B participate in both viral RNA replication and virion assembly. A viral genetic study and a BiFC assay demonstrated that interaction between NS2B and NS2A may participate in modulating viral assembly in the flavivirus life cycle. Compensatory-mutation analysis confirmed that there was a correlation between viral assembly and NS2B-NS2A interaction. TMDs of NS2B may serve as novel antiviral targets to prevent flavivirus infection, and the structure determination of NS2B will help us to understand the functional mechanism of NS2B in viral RNA replication and assembly. The results have uncovered a new function of flavivirus NS2B in virion assembly, possibly through interaction with the NS2A protein.
Intracellular Distribution of Capsid-Associated pUL77 of Human Cytomegalovirus and Interactions with Packaging Proteins and pUL93
Authors: Köppen-Rung Pánja , Dittmer Alexandra , Bogner Elke
Published: April 2016

DNA packaging into procapsids is a common multistep process during viral maturation in herpesviruses. In human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), the proteins involved in this process are terminase subunits pUL56 and pUL89, which are responsible for site-specific cleavage and insertion of the DNA into the procapsid via portal protein pUL104. However, additional viral proteins are required for the DNA packaging process. We have shown previously that the plasmid that encodes capsid-associated pUL77 encodes another potential player during capsid maturation. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that pUL77 is stably expressed during HCMV infection. Time course analysis demonstrated that pUL77 is expressed in the early late part of the infectious cycle. The sequence of pUL77 was analyzed to find nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), revealing monopartite NLSm at the N terminus and bipartite NLSb in the middle of pUL77. The potential NLSs were inserted into plasmid pHM829, which encodes a chimeric protein with β-galactosidase and green fluorescent protein. In contrast to pUL56, neither NLSm nor NLSb was sufficient for nuclear import. Furthermore, we investigated by coimmunoprecipitation whether packaging proteins, as well as pUL93, the homologue protein of herpes simplex virus 1 pUL17, are interaction partners of pUL77. The interactions between pUL77 and packaging proteins, as well as pUL93, were verified.

IMPORTANCE
We showed that the capsid-associated pUL77 is another potential player during capsid maturation of HCMV. Protein UL77 (pUL77) is a conserved core protein of HCMV. This study demonstrates for the first time that pUL77 has early-late expression kinetics during the infectious cycle and an intrinsic potential for nuclear translocation. According to its proposed functions in stabilization of the capsid and anchoring of the encapsidated DNA during packaging, interaction with further DNA packaging proteins is required. We identified physical interactions with terminase subunits pUL56 and pUL89 and another postulated packaging protein, pUL93, in infected, as well as transfected, cells.