bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthetic hybrids of six yeast species
Authors: Peris David , Alexander William G. , Fisher Kaitlin J. , Moriarty Ryan V. , Basuino Mira G. , Ubbelohde Emily J. , Wrobel Russell L. , Hittinger Chris Todd
Published: April 2019

Allopolyploidy generates diversity by increasing the number of copies and sources of chromosomes. Many of the best-known evolutionary radiations, crops, and industrial organisms are ancient or recent allopolyploids. Allopolyploidy promotes differentiation and facilitates adaptation to new environments, but the tools to test its limits are lacking. Here we develop an iterative method to combine the genomes of multiple budding yeast species, generatingSaccharomycesallopolyploids of an unprecedented scale. Chromosomal instability and cell size increased dramatically as additional copies of the genome were added, but we were able to construct synthetic hybrids of up to six species. The six-species hybrids initially grew slowly, but they rapidly adapted when selection to a novel environment was applied, even as they retained traits from multiple species. These new synthetic yeast hybrids have potential applications for the study of polyploidy, genome stability, chromosome segregation, cancer, and bioenergy.

One sentence summary

We constructed six-species synthetic hybrids and showed that they were chromosomally unstable but able to adapt rapidly.
Improvement in auditory spatial discrimination from ambiguous visual stimuli is not explained by ideal observer causal inference
Authors: Cappelloni Madeline S. , Shivkumar Sabyasachi , Haefner Ralf M. , Maddox Ross K.
Published: April 2019

In order to survive and function in the world, we must understand the content of our environment. This requires us to gather and parse complex, sometimes conflicting, information. Yet, the brain is capable of translating sensory stimuli from disparate modalities into a cohesive and accurate percept with little conscious effort. Previous studies of multisensory integration have suggested that the brain’s integration of cues is well-approximated by an ideal observer implementing Bayesian causal inference. However, behavioral data from tasks that include only one stimulus in each modality fail to capture what is in nature a complex process. Here we employed an auditory spatial discrimination task in which listeners were asked to determine on which side they heard one of two concurrently presented sounds. We compared two visual conditions in which task-uninformative shapes were presented in the center of the screen, or spatially aligned with the auditory stimuli. We found that performance on the auditory task improved when the visual stimuli were spatially aligned with the auditory stimuli—even though the shapes provided no information about which side the auditory target was on. We also demonstrate that a model of a Bayesian ideal observer performing causal inference cannot explain this improvement, demonstrating that humans deviate systematically from the ideal observer model.
A new approach for rare variation collapsing on functional protein domains implicates specific genic regions in ALS
Authors: Gelfman Sahar , Dugger Sarah , de Araujo Martins Moreno Cristiane , Ren Zhong , Wolock Charles J. , Shneider Neil A. , Phatnani Hemali , Cirulli Elizabeth T. , Lasseigne Brittany N. , Harris Tim , Maniatis Tom , Rouleau Guy A. , Brown Robert H. , Gitler Aaron D. , Myers Richard M. , Petrovski Slavé , Allen Andrew , Goldstein David B. , Harms Matthew B.
Published: April 2019

Large-scale sequencing efforts in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have implicated novel genes using gene-based collapsing methods. However, pathogenic mutations may be concentrated in specific genic regions. To address this, we developed two collapsing strategies: One focuses rare variation collapsing on homology-based protein domains as the unit for collapsing, and the other is a gene-level approach that, unlike standard methods, leverages existing evidence of purifying selection against missense variation on said domains. The application of these two collapsing methods to 3093 ALS cases and 8186 controls of European ancestry, and also 3239 cases and 11,808 controls of diversified populations, pinpoints risk regions of ALS genes, including SOD1, NEK1, TARDBP, and FUS. While not clearly implicating novel ALS genes, the new analyses not only pinpoint risk regions in known genes but also highlight candidate genes as well.
Impact investing in South Africa: managing tensions between financial returns and social impact
Authors: Mogapi Eunivicia Matlhogonolo , Sutherland Margaret Mary , Wilson-Prangley Anthony
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Impact investment is an emergent field worldwide and it can play an especially important role in Africa. The aim of this study was to examine how impact investors in South Africa manage the tensions between financial returns and social impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on 15 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the impact investment community in South Africa to understand the related challenges, trade-offs and tensions.

Findings

There are two opposing views expressed as to whether the tensions between financial return and social impact result in trade-offs. It is proposed that impact investors embrace this duality and seek to approach it through a contingency and a paradox view. The tensions can be approached by focussing on values alignment, contracting processes, engaged leadership and sector identification. The authors integrate the findings into a proposed framework for effective tension management in an impact investment portfolio.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to selected South African interviewees. It would be valuable to extend the study to other African countries.

Practical implications

The issue of values alignment between investors, fund managers and investee firms is an important finding for practice. As is the four-part iterative framework for sensing the operating environment, defining impact, organising internally and defining the investment approach.

Originality/value

This study contributes empirical evidence to scholarship around organisational tensions, especially work in hybrid organisations. It affirms the value of a nuanced application of paradox theory. It examines these tensions through the lived experience of impact investing professionals in an emerging market context.
Early decision-making for school building renovation
Authors: Farsäter Karin , Olander Stefan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how decisions are taken in the early stages of a renovation project, up to the design brief, leading up to the decisions on how to proceed with the renovation in the design phase. Although many technical solutions are visualised in the design phase, it is in the early evaluations of needs and demands, leading up to the design brief, that set the requirements for viable solutions in the design and production phases.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out as a longitudinal case study of the planning phases of a school renovation. The studied buildings were researched by document analysis and by attending meetings over a four-year period between the building owners and the municipality.

Findings

Aspects such as technical status, energy use and indoor environment in the buildings were not discussed to any great extent. A few inventories were carried out in the buildings to establish their technical and accessibility status. The aspects mainly discussed in the studied renovation project have been: accessibility, functionality with respect to teaching and learning requirements in addition to architectural and cultural values.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the comprehensive analysis needed when renovating a building and on difficulties of addressing and evaluating all the viable aspects of concern. It also shows that this planning for a renovation is not a straight line but rather a process where conditions are continuously changing.
Intelligent transaction: definition, modes, and research directions
Authors: Qiu Leiju , Zhao Yang , Liu Qian , Sun Baowen , Wu Xiaolin
Published: April 2019

Purpose

In the crowd intelligence networking era, the smart connections of human, machines and things enable point-to-point trustable transactions and distributed efficient collaboration; the smart connections among government, enterprises, organizations and the public would enable active participation of the public in society management and decision-making and improve the efficiency of government management and services. All interactions among various agents can be viewed as the transaction activity. The social division of labor system drives the evolution of transaction. The transaction mode also differentiated into different patterns with the development of human society. What will be the intelligent transaction in the crowd intelligence networking era? What will be the transactions modes and rules in the crowd intelligence networking era? The answers to these questions are of great importance to the future development of transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the evolution of traditional transaction and transaction modes and analyze the driving forces of it. They attempt to give the definitions of intelligent transaction and intelligent transaction mode. They also review the traditional transaction modes and rules, analyze the characteristics of the intelligent transaction and classify the intelligent transaction modes.

Findings

The authors find the intelligent transaction is mainly reflected in the intellectualization of transaction subject, transaction object and transaction process. They summarize the characteristics of intelligent transaction and develop four modes for the intelligent transactions based on the modularization level of the transaction objects and the quantity of transaction subjects, including the demand side and the supply side. The authors also show representative examples to further illustrate rules and features of these transaction modes and point out the potential research directions.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to analyze the characteristics of the intelligent transaction, and the proposed division framework of the intelligent transaction modes could not only add value to the future research of intelligent transaction modes and rules but also help to guide the transactions in the crowd intelligence network.
Manifestations of social class and agency in cultural capital development processes
Authors: Yeröz Huriye
Published: April 2019

Purpose

While migrant women entrepreneurs (MWE) have been studied extensively through the lenses of gender and ethnicity, social class, as an axis of difference, received scant attention in entrepreneurship and migrant enterprise literature. The purpose of this paper is to make an intersectional analysis on migrant women’s cultural capital development processes on the basis of not only gender and ethnicity, but also class relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on empirical insights generated through listening to the life story narratives of 17 women entrepreneurs from Turkey. This is a small, yet diverse group consisting of women who followed their male kin who have migrated to Sweden in the late 1960s as a labour force, and of highly educated political refugee women who have migrated to Sweden following the military coup in Turkey in the 1980s.

Findings

By linking pre-migration and post-migration lives through Bourdieusian class analysis, the analysis yielded three distinct types of habitus of the women-intersectional identity constructed through interweaving of certain historical and cultural practices and conditions, labelled as women (immigrant) entrepreneurs, migrant (women) entrepreneurs and hybrid entrepreneurs. Life stories demonstrated the ways the MWE relationally defined, and in turn, contested being the right kind of entrepreneur drawing on their type of habitus and forms of cultural capital within the rules of the game in the specific context of entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This study shows how MWE generate diverse, yet at times similar, but historically and culturally conditioned responses in actively shaping the relationship between entrepreneurial resources and context-specific structural powers and aspects. This way, the study calls for enriching the extant debate on migrant women entrepreneurship in two ways. First, it suggests that the strategic fit between resources and opportunities does not entail an automatic and arbitrary process. Rather, it takes an effort and contestation carried out by the entrepreneurial actors, among whom the individual entrepreneur is the primary actor. In particular, it draws attention to the conditions of possibilities for agency as a result of struggle and intersectional power relations: social class, ethnicity and gender, which provide a differential degree of powers to the individual entrepreneur.
Integrating stated preference methods for property valuations in housing markets
Authors: Miccoli Saverio , Finucci Fabrizio , Murro Rocco
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The study aims to propose an appraisal procedure based on the preferences stated by a sample of potential consumers and producers which makes it possible to obtain the hypothetical demand and supply curves and to estimate the most likely market value and transaction quantities for housing markets with unrevealed prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The procedure is divided into two steps: the first is aimed at selecting the alternatives that are most likely to meet the market’s preference by applying discrete choice (DC) analysis; the second makes it possible to estimate the potential demand and supply curves for the preferable alternatives singled out through DC analysis by using contingent valuation methods.

Findings

The results obtained considering only the hypothetical demand or the hypothetical supply differ by an average of 10 per cent from the actual sale price. Conversely, the values detected as the intersection of the hypothetical demand curve and the hypothetical supply curve, fall into variation margins that can be considered fully acceptable in real estate appraisal

Originality/value

As opposed to the applications performed in international real estate operations where reference is made solely to the potential demand estimate, the described procedure estimates the transaction value as the intersection between the hypothetical demand and supply curves, for the purposes of keeping account of the conditions that generally occur in the real market. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the incidence of the characteristics in market price formation, and to identify the market share of possible alternative assets and estimate the optimal quantity to be produced.
A proposed human resource management model for zakat institutions in Malaysia
Authors: Hasan Aznan , Hassan Rusni , Engku Ali Engku Rabiah Adawiah , Engku Ali Engku Muhammad Tajuddin , Abduh Muhamad , Noordin Nazrul Hazizi
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a contemporary human resource management (HRM) framework by zakat institutions, which collect and manage religious alms, both obligatory (zakat) and voluntary (ṣadaqah), in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

In doing so, discussions pertaining to the key elements of zakat institutions’ HRM including recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, training and development and compensation are gathered from the existing literature and other sources of information such as zakat institutions’ websites and publications. In addition, zakat officers’ insight on how HRM is practiced at their institutions is gathered through a series of semi-structured interviews and incorporated in the findings of this study.

Findings

The paper finds that the state government, by virtue of the State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC), which is the sole trustee of all waqf properties in Malaysia, may have significant influence in formulating the human resource strategies and policies in zakat institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed HRM model can be a useful reference for SIRC in enhancing the current human resource practice in its respective zakat institutions.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the proposed HRM model applicable to zakat institutions. The model emphasizes the alignment between the zakat institutions’ HRM practice and their zakat collection and distribution goals, as well as zakat management objectives in general.
Impact of genomics on biopharmaceutical industry: rare diseases as disruptive innovation
Authors: Ahn Mark J. , Shaygan Amir , Weber Charles
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Using a dynamic capabilities lens, this paper aims to study the impact of genomics generally and gene therapy specifically on the rare disease sector of the biopharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 24 genomics-based, rare disease-focused biopharma companies were studied and several variables were tested with respect to enterprise value growth. The companies were analyzed as a group of rare disease firms, as well as by size.

Findings

The authors found that number of employees, revenues, number of pipeline and marketed products and retained earnings are strongly correlated (in that order) with enterprise value in rare disease focused biopharma companies. These correlations seem to be weaker as a company’s market capitalization size decreases, indicating that there tends to be increasing returns to scale.

Research limitations/implications

This study found that increasing rates of cumulative returns to enterprise value growth depends on accumulating knowledge-based employees and expanding product portfolios of disruptive genomics-based technologies for treating rare diseases. Aggregating skilled and innovative employees (especially in bigger companies) can be seen as a cumulative bolstering factor in leveraging dynamic capabilities which can be recognized, understood and transformed into commercial success (i.e. increasing returns in enterprise value). In other words, technology managers’ job is to manage not only the financial aspects of the technology but also human resources, asset configuration and strategic alliances efficiently toward faster and better innovation. Strong dynamic capabilities can be formed with the accumulation of experience, articulation and codification of knowledge and an adaptive ability to change the way they solve problems as their environment transforms.

Originality/value

This is the first study to demonstrate and measure a relationship between dynamic capabilities and enterprise value in genomics-based rare disease firms. Further, this study highlights the importance of building the capability and capacity to absorb expertise and accumulate knowledge for new product innovations and sustainable competitive advantage in industries characterized by disruptive innovation.
New evidence on fund performance in extreme events
Authors: Mansor Fadillah , Al Rahahleh Naseem , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the return performance and persistence of ethical and conventional mutual funds during two extreme events, the Asian and the global financial crises under Shariah constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall sample comprises of 129 Islamic mutual funds (IMFs) and 350 conventional mutual funds (CMFs) in Malaysia, and the average monthly data cover two periods of market cycles, before and during a financial crisis. The net of all expenses data is obtained from the Morningstar Database. This study employs various market risk-adjusted performance measures (ratios) to estimate the funds’ overall performance during the crises, and then it uses CAPM model to estimate the parameters via panel data approach. Moreover, paper employs the two persistence performance measures on IMFs and CMFs through contingency tables. It tests for the performance persistence effects for IMFs, CMFs using repeat winner and the cross-product ratio (CPR) tests proposed by Malkiel (1995) and Brown and Goetzmann (1995), respectively.

Findings

The main findings of the paper are: on average, both funds IMF and the CMF outperform the market return during the entire sample period; none of the funds is better than the “others” during the financial crises and the pre-crisis periods; the ethical fund – IMF outperforms the CMF over the study period. This outcome also indicates that ethical funds are more persistent especially during and the pre-crisis AFC and the GFC periods.

Research limitations/implications

The finding of this study is limited to only Malaysian data because the objective was to guideline investors and market players in Malaysia to prefer investing in Islamic ethical funds to diversify their investment portfolio.

Practical implications

Cautions to use existing ratio measures and CAPM model rather persistence measures may be used with existing methodologies in light of extreme events which influenced investor decision making for better returns at lower risks.

Social implications

A class of ethical funds consists of religious sustainable, socially responsible and impact-investing (SRI) funds but Shariah implications of halal investment must be observed to avoid prohibited practices within the class of SRI funds.

Originality/value

The work done in this paper are original in the sense that the authors employed various ratios to measure fund performance in conjunction with CAPM model and then tested for two persistence performance measures; the repeat winner and CPR tests.
Analyzing campaign’s outcome in reward-based crowdfunding
Authors: Madrazo-Lemarroy Pilar , Barajas-Portas Karla , Labastida Tovar Maria Elena
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to probe how reward-based crowdfunding campaigns accomplish their goal by adopting the theoretical constructs of social capital dimensions: structural, cognitive and relational.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used is a design model for concluded campaigns in a Mexican crowdfunding platform, which determines social capital from operating social networks (Facebook and Twitter). By using this model, the associations between the dimensions are revealed, verifying how social capital flourishes during the campaign and how it alters the campaign’s outcome.

Findings

The findings demonstrate how social interaction through a wide social network (structural dimension), shared vision and values among entrepreneurs and their potential funders (cognitive dimension), and the development of trustworthiness within the campaign (relational dimension) boost the probability of achieving the crowdfunding goal.

Research limitations/implications

The results inform researchers on how social capital is forged from social networks during a crowdfunding campaign. However, the method must be validated with other crowdfunding models and other social network platforms commonly used by campaign creators.

Practical implications

Contributions from this paper include tools (design model and evaluation method) associating theory with the crowdfunding mechanism, complementing previous work. Crowdfunding providers, as well as campaign creators, have now an approach to appraise social capital and obtain the desired goal.

Originality/value

In addition to providing much-needed research on the current state of crowdfunding, this paper analyzes the link between practice and theory, which can be valuable in confining the mechanism to an accurate theory and ensuring the theory’s longevity.
The relationship between audit quality and risk taking toward value creation in Indonesia
Authors: Sri Mangesti , Solimun Solimun
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect between audit quality and risk taking on value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Population under study is companies on the Jakarta Stock Exchange from 2004 to 2015. Considering the limitations, 145 companies studied in this research, which made a sample containing 1,740 company-years. This study is based on the panel data and multivariate regression method. This research uses fixed and random effects to estimate the regression. In this paper, five components of audit quality, including auditor specialization, tenure, audit firm size, ownership concentration and the percentage of unbounded members of the board, are studied.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that among these five components as well as the risk factor, only tenure and ownership concentration have a significant effect on value creation of companies. In other words, both ownership concentration and tenure are positively effective in value creation and other variables have no significant effect on value creation. Besides, none of them could affect the risk taking on value creation.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the current study help audit market and capital market in developing nations.
Belonging at work: the experiences, representations and meanings of belonging
Authors: Filstad Cathrine , Traavik Laura E.M. , Gorli Mara
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore what belonging is through the represented experience of people at work. The aim is to investigate employees’ interpretations of belonging at work and its interrelation with the material, aesthetic and emotional aspects associated to the where, the how and the when workplace is inhabited.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with the practice turn in social sciences, this study uses the visual method (snaplogs), which includes pictures and texts.

Findings

Belonging is situated in and integrated with social interactions, materiality, emotions and aesthetics. Belonging is about being part of something, the process of becoming through constant mediation between material aspects and social components, the process of experiencing boundaries and the attempt to perform, engage and participate (and find spaces for shared practices) in a workplace. Together, they constitute the situatedness, the here and now, of experiences of belonging and the perceived interpretation of being one among equals across organizational boundaries.

Research limitations/implications

Data were only collected at one point in time. The authors also relied on their own interpretations of pictures and texts and did not involve the informants in the analysis.

Practical implications

Being, becoming and belonging comprise material, social and affective dimensions. These dimensions should be addressed for employees to belong at work.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the belonging literature on perceived interpretations of what belonging is at work. The paper is also original in terms of the visual method used to grasp the practice representation of belonging experiences.
The effect of transformational leadership on corporate entrepreneurship in Tunisian SMEs
Authors: Boukamcha Fayçal
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether transformational leadership matters in promoting corporate entrepreneurship in Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It has been argued that transformational leadership is a multidimensional construct which is composed of intellectual stimulation, idealized influence, inspirational motivation and individual consideration. Corporate entrepreneurship is also a multidimensional construct composed of new business venturing, innovativeness, self-renewal and proactiveness. Hence, it has been hypothesized that transformational leadership positively and directly influences corporate entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

A hypothetico-deductive and quantitative approach was adopted to test the suggested research model. A 2 × 2 survey was conducted on a random sample of a set of Tunisian SMEs’ workers. Data analysis was performed using the structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results highlight the relatively relevance of transformational leadership’s components in triggering the corporate entrepreneurship’s patterns.

Originality/value

The author reports on the importance of transformational leadership in the corporate entrepreneurship development in the Tunisian business context. The paper should be of interest to readers in the areas of management and entrepreneurship. This work seems to be relevant to the extent that few works have highlighted the association between the components of both transformational leadership and corporate entrepreneurship. The findings seem interesting insofar as they show mainly the important effect of the intellectual stimulation and the inspirational motivation, triggered by transformational leaders, on workers’ innovativeness, proactiveness and new business venturing.
Agility, skills and cybersecurity: critical drivers of competitiveness in times of economic uncertainty
Authors: Ikeda Kazuaki , Marshall Anthony , Zaharchuk Dave
Published: April 2019

Purpose

To better understand the current state of world economic competitiveness as well as the challenges and opportunities both present and emerging for national economies, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) 10;surveyed top executives on a range of topics related to their organizations’ and their nations’ successes.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 2,700 C-level executives across the 12 largest national economies were surveyed in collaboration with Oxford Economics.

Findings

•9;90 percent of executives cite skilled labor availability and quality as a critical factor for their organization when considering expansion into new markets. 10;•9;54 percent of executives say cyber threats are among the biggest strategic risks for their nation’s economy in the next five years. 10;•9;120 million workers in the world’s 12 largest economies may need to be retrained/reskilled in the next three years as a result of intelligent/AI-enabled automation. 10;

Practical implications

By a wide margin, regulatory risk and cyber threats dominate the attention of business and other leaders as primary risks to their respective economies.

Social implications

The future success of national economies is heavily dependent upon ecosystem partners working together to develop and maintain a skilled workforce across regional labor markets.

Originality/value

Based on the responses, the researches recommend a focus on developing and maintaining the workforce skills required to realize value from intelligent automation and other emerging technologies.As intelligent automation and other disruptions continue to redefine industries, the types of skills these industries require are also evolving. 10;
Cost‐efficacy and pharmacoeconomics of psoriatic patients in Japan: Analysis from a single outpatient clinic
Authors: Takahashi Hidetoshi , Satoh Katsuhiko , Takagi Akiyoshi , Iizuka Hajime
Published: April 2019

Compared with topical corticosteroids, topical combined active vitamin D3/corticosteroids and especially biologics are more expensive despite their marked efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate total costs as well as costs versus efficacy of various psoriasis treatments under the current Japanese health‐care insurance system. A prospective study was performed from the database of a single clinic located in Hokkaido Prefecture. Cost and quality of life of psoriatic patients were evaluated in a prospective manner during a total of 12 months from March 2017 until June 2018. Quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) of biologics was the highest among all treatments. Among the topical treatments, the cost versus efficacy of combined active vitamin D3/corticosteroid was lowest (¥10 557/1 Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Furthermore, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of combined active vitamin D3/corticosteroid was ¥1 024 031/QALY when compared with topical corticosteroid treatment alone. The topical combined active vitamin D3/corticosteroid treatment showed the best cost‐efficacy in terms of medical economic burden.
Investigating intervention dose frequency for children with speech sound disorders and motor speech involvement
Authors: Namasivayam Aravind K. , Pukonen Margit , Goshulak Debra , Granata Francesca , Le D. James , Kroll Robert , van Lieshout Pascal
Published: April 2019

Background

Treatment outcome data for children with severe speech sound disorders with motor speech involvement (SSD‐MSI) are derived from Phase I clinical research studies. These studies have demonstrated positive improvements in speech production. Currently there is no research examining the optimal treatment dose frequency for this population. The results of this study, which is the first of its kind, will inform the delivery of effective services for this population.

Aims

To investigate optimal treatment dose frequency for the Motor Speech Treatment Protocol (MSTP) for children with SSD‐MSI.

Methods & Procedures

A total of 48 children (aged 43–47 months) with SSD‐MSI participated in the study. Participants received 45‐min MSTP intervention sessions either once per week (lower dose frequency) or twice per week (higher dose frequency) for a 10‐week period. Blinded outcome assessments were carried out at pre‐ and post‐intervention.

Outcomes & Results

Treatment‐related change was assessed at body structures, functions and activities participation level as per the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning framework: Children and Youth Version (ICF‐CY) framework WHO (2007). These measures are related to articulation, functional communication and speech intelligibility.

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that for all variables the baseline scores were not statistically different (p > 0.05) between the two dose‐frequency groups. Overall, there was a significant main effect of Time (pre–post) across all variables (p < 0.01). However, repeated‐measures ANOVA did not result in any statistical interactions (Time × Dose frequency) for any of the variables tested (p > 0.05). Only marginal clinical advantages (< 4% change in intelligibility) were noted with the 10 extra sessions.

Conclusions & Implications

Overall, the MSTP intervention approach in conjunction with home practice led to significant positive changes for all measures in children with SSD‐MSI. No statistical differences between high‐ and low‐dose‐frequency groups were observed for any of the variables. Clinical effects were examined using effect sizes, as well as changes in articulation, speech intelligibility and functional communication; these differed marginally between the two dose frequencies. This suggests limited benefits of 10 additional sessions per block. Thus, it is recommended that caregivers, speech–language therapists and policy‐makers perform a cost–benefit analysis before determining the dose frequency, when considering additional sessions per block.
The Impact of a Minimum‐Wage Increase on Temporary‐Contract Workers
Authors: McGuinness Seamus , Redmond Paul
Published: April 2019

We study the impact of the 2016 increase in the Irish minimum wage on the hours worked and the probability of job loss of minimum‐wage workers. We pay particular attention to temporary‐contract workers, who may be more susceptible to changes to their working conditions than permanent employees. The results indicate that the increase in the minimum wage had a negative and statistically significant effect on the hours worked of minimum‐wage workers, with an average reduction of approximately 0.6 hours per week. For temporary workers, the effect was greater, with a decline of approximately 3 hours per week. We find no evidence that the increase in the minimum wage led to an increased probability of becoming jobless in the six‐month period following the rate change, nor did it affect employment shares in sectors employing large numbers of minimum‐wage workers.
An example of public health training in emergency medicine
Authors: Hsiao Kai Hsun , Egerton‐Warburton Diana
Published: April 2019

There is growing recognition of the vital roles that Emergency Physicians can play in public health. Accordingly, there is a need for emergency medicine trainees to have opportunities to acquire relevant public health skillsets. This article provides an example of such a possibility. It describes the experience of an emergency medicine trainee in undertaking a 6 month training rotation at a Public Health Unit. The example illustrates the feasibility and benefits of a public health rotation for interested trainees, and offers recommendations for establishing such rotations. There are challenges, including eligibility requirements and funding. However, possible approaches exist at the individual and college levels to facilitate such training opportunities so that emergency medicine trainees can acquire necessary and valuable public health skills.
Antioxidant Activity In Vitro of N‐(1‐deoxy‐α‐d‐xylulos‐1‐yl)‐Phenylalanine: Comparison Among Maillard Reaction Intermediate, End‐Products and Xylose‐Phenylalanine
Authors: Cui Heping , Hayat Khizar , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: April 2019

The Maillard reaction end‐products (MRPs) and intermediate (MRI, N‐(1‐deoxy‐α‐D‐xylulos‐1‐yl)‐phenylalanine) derived from xylose (Xyl) and phenylalanine (Phe) model system were synthesized in an aqueous medium, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. Both the MRPs and N‐(1‐deoxy‐α‐d‐xylulos‐1‐yl)‐phenylalanine exhibited the Fe2+ chelating activity at their addition concentration of 2 to 12 mg/mL. While their reducing power, free radical scavenging activity, and inhibition effect on lipid peroxidation were observed at a lower addition concentration of only 0.2 to 1.2 mg/mL. The free radical scavenging activity was improved with the increase in their concentration, and a time‐dependent scavenging effect of the MRI was also shown in the results. However, a weak chelating activity of Xyl‐Phe on Fe2+ in a concentration‐dependent manner was observed, but no significant free radical scavenging activity or reducing power of Xyl‐Phe was found. Based on these results, possible free radical scavenging pathway of the MRI was proposed. As the MRI showed lower antioxidant activity than MRPs, the application of the MRI in combination with MRPs as an antioxidant was proposed in cooked or semi‐processed foods to avoid the deterioration induced by oxidation.

Practical Application

The Maillard reaction intermediates (MRIs) showed antioxidant activity and could be applied in foods as both antioxidants and flavor enhancer. The MRIs will probably extend the shelf‐life of lipid rich foods and could be the substitute of artificial antioxidants.
Thermal Treatment Greatly Improves Storage Stability and Monodispersity of Pea Seed Ferritin
Authors: Tang Jiaying , Yu Yue , Chen Hai , Zhao Guanghua
Published: April 2019

Plant ferritin in holo form is considered as a novel, ideal iron supplement for human nutrition in the 21st century, but its self‐degradation and self‐association features limit its application on account of the presence of extension peptide (EP), a specific domain only found in plant ferritin. Although reported chemicals such as Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) can inhibit its self‐degradation, they are not edible and toxic. In the present work, we found that thermal treatment of pea seed ferritin (PSF) in the range of 60 to 80 °C can prolong the storage time of PSF from 3 days to at least 10 days. In the meanwhile, the aggregated form can be inhibited upon such treatment, therefore promoting its monodispersity. More important, such treatment had little effect on the natural shell‐like structure of holo PSF and its iron content. In contrast, thermal treatment at higher temperature (90 °C or above) resulted in a change in ferritin structure. These new findings pave the way to the application of plant ferritin as an iron supplement.

Practical Application

Thermal treatment at 60 to 80 °C can prolong the storage stability of PSF from 3 days to at least 10 days and prevent it from self‐aggregation without affecting the shell‐like structure. It has been known that the stability of PSF is closely associated with the bioavailability of iron within PSF. From the standpoint of nutrition, the above‐mentioned thermal treatment could be used as a cooking method in our daily life or in food industry to improve the bioavailability of ferritin iron, thereby being beneficial for exploration of plant ferritin as a novel, ideal iron supplement to fight against IDA.
Prophylactic treatment of intraocular pressure elevation after uncomplicated cataract surgery in nonglaucomatous eyes – a systematic review
Authors: Holm Jakob Lysholk , Bach‐Holm Daniella , Holm Lars Morten , Vestergaard Anders Højslet
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature regarding prophylactic treatment of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after uncomplicated cataract surgery to provide an evidence‐based guideline for cataract surgeons. The relevant literature was identified in EMBASE and PubMed. The risk of bias was assessed according to the ‘Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions’ and the ROBINS‐I tool. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used to rate the quality of evidence, and relevant data were systematically extracted to evaluate the pressure‐lowering effect of the active substances. The primary outcomes for this systematic review were the absolute and relative pressure‐lowering effect of the different drugs after 3–8 hr and 1 day after surgery. In total, 23 randomized controlled trials and one nonrandomized controlled study consisting of 45 treatment arms with 14 different active substances were included in the qualitative synthesis. According to the GRADE criteria, nine trials were graded as ‘high’ quality of evidence, 12 trials as ‘moderate’, while three trials were given the grade ‘low’ quality of evidence. The primary outcomes showed most consistency between the trials, which studied the effect of timolol, and presented a relative effect from 18.6% to 29.6% at 3–8 hr and 9.8% to 23.6% at day 1. This systematic review indicates that timolol, latanoprost and travoprost alone or medications containing timolol as an additive active substance, such as dorzolamide + timolol, brinzolamide + timolol and brimonidine + timolol, are characterized by a good relative IOP‐lowering effect, which can be gained by a single dose postoperatively.
Cytopathological features of secretory carcinoma of salivary glands and ancillary techniques in its diagnostics: impact of new Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology
Authors: Miesbauerová Markéta , Tommola Satu , Šteiner Petr , Baněčková Martina , Skálová Alena , Kholová Ivana
Published: April 2019

Secretory carcinoma (SC) of salivary glands is a newly described low‐grade malignancy characterized by the presence of ETV6 rearrangement. Only a few cases and very small series with cytomorphology were reported so far. Six cases of fine‐needle aspirations (FNAs) from afterward histologically, immunohistochemically and genetically confirmed SCs were retrieved from the archives of the authors. Ancillary immunocytochemistry (ICC) and translocation detection were performed on cell blocks (CBs). All aspirates were sufficiently cellular and cells were arranged in more or less cohesive groups with only mild nuclear polymorphism. The cytoplasm was eosinophilic, granulated and vacuolated, especially in CBs. Secretory material within the microcystic spaces was periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive. Triple positivity of immunomarkers S‐100 protein, mammaglobin and vimentin was present. The proliferation index was low. Ancillary techniques suggested the possibility of SC in a few cytology cases; nevertheless, the final diagnosis was based on histomorphology, immunohistochemistry and genetics. The SC of salivary glands is detectable pre‐operatively using ICC and genetics. The presence of the diagnostic ETV6 rearrangement increases the accuracy of FNA to the maximum. According to the Milan system, cases genetically not confirmed should be categorized as Suspicious for Malignancy or Salivary Gland Neoplasm of Uncertain Malignant Potential (SUMP), both requiring surgery.
Sulindac‐derived retinoid X receptor‐α modulator attenuates atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Shen Linghong , Sun Zhe , Nie Peng , Yuan Ruosen , Cai Zhaohua , Wu Caizhe , Hu Liuhua , Jin Shuxuan , Zhou Hu , Zhang Xiaokun , He Ben
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and retinoid X receptor‐α (RXRα) is an intriguing anti‐atherosclerosis target. This study investigated whether and how an RXRα modulator, K‐80003, derived from a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug attenuates atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization.

Experimental Approach

Our previously established ApoE−/− mouse model of carotid vulnerable plaque progression was treated with K‐80003 or vehicle for 4 or 8 weeks. Samples of carotid arteries and serum were collected to determine atherosclerotic lesion size, histological features, expression of related proteins, and lipid profiles. In vitro studies were carried out in 7‐ketocholesterol (7‐KC)‐stimulated macrophages treated with or without K‐80003.

Key Results

K‐80003 significantly reduced lesion size, plaque rupture, macrophage infiltration, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Plaque macrophages positive for nuclear p65 (RelA) NF‐κB subunit were markedly reduced after K‐80003 treatment. Also, K‐80003 treatment inhibited 7‐KC‐induced p65 nuclear translocation, IκBα degradation, and transcription of NF‐κB target genes. In addition, K‐80003 inhibited NF‐κB pathway mainly through the reduction of p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), probably due to promotion of autophagic flux by K‐80003. Mechanistically, cytoplasmic localization of RXRα was associated with decreased autophagic flux. Increasing cytoplasmic RXRα expression by overexpression of RXRα/385 mutant decreased autophagic flux in RAW264.7 cells. Finally, K‐80003 strongly inhibited 7‐KC‐induced RXRα cytoplasmic translocation.

Conclusions and Implications

K‐80003 suppressed atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization by promoting macrophage autophagic flux and consequently inhibited the p62/SQSTM1‐mediated NF‐κB proinflammatory pathway. Thus, targeting RXRα‐mediated autophagy‐inflammation axis by its noncanonical modulator may represent a promising strategy to treat atherosclerosis.