bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical and emotional nourishment
Authors: Trees Rachel , Dean Dianne Marion
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to examine the fluidity of family life which continues to attract attention. This is increasingly significant for the intergenerational relationship between adult children and their elderly parents. Using practice theory, the aims are to understand the role of food in elderly families and explore how family practices are maintained when elderly transition into care.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological research approach was used as the authors sought to build an understanding of the social interactions between family and their lifeworld.

Findings

This study extends theory on the relationship between the elderly parent and their family and explores through practice theory how families performed their love, how altered routines and long standing rituals provided structure to the elderly relatives and how care practices were negotiated as the elderly relatives transitioned from independence to dependence and towards care. A theoretical framework is introduced that provides guidance for the transition stages and the areas for negotiation.

Research limitations/implications

This research has implications for food manufacturers and marketers, as the demand for healthy food for the elderly is made more widely available, healthy and easy to prepare. The limitations of the research are due to the sample located in East Yorkshire only.

Practical implications

This research has implications for brand managers of food manufacturers and supermarkets that need to create product lines that target this segment by producing healthy, convenience food.

Social implications

It is also important for health and social care policy as the authors seek to understand the role of food, family and community and how policy can be devised to provide stability in this transitional and uncertain lifestage.

Originality/value

This research extends the body of literature on food and the family by focussing on the elderly cared for and their family. The authors show how food can be construed as loving care, and using practice theory, a theoretical framework is developed that can explain the transitions and how the family negotiates the stages from independence to dependence.
“I just don’t feel like myself anymore”: putting the patient’s voice into integrated care
Authors: Ferguson Shelagh
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to elucidate health-related transformations experienced by an individual. Building from personal experience offers an understanding of the relational dynamics at play within health transformations, which makes a contribution to realising and facilitating the agency of the patient in systems of integrated care.

Design/methodology/approach

Introspection can be used as a methodology to elucidate messy and personal affective experiences. The author’s introspection is an 18-month catalogue and analysis from diagnosis of breast cancer through significant stages of rehabilitation. Reflexive introspection has gained traction in health research due to its cathartic benefits, whilst this approach offers much; a key challenge for integrated care is translating deeply personal and subjective introspections into strategic-level application.

Findings

Using Turner’s (1969) concept of liminality, this research explicates key relational dynamics of health-related transformations experienced by an individual. By recognising changes in affective being as a pivotal point in rehabilitation, this work links embodied transformation as a critical antecedent to a patient’s willingness to engage his/her agency in their rehabilitation.

Originality/value

Whilst recognising that integrated care is patient-centred and seeks to incorporate the patient’s voice, this research gives insight into how the author, as a patient, engaged her agency in her rehabilitation through building her own transformed personal ontologies of health.
New directions for entrepreneurship through a gender and disability lens
Authors: Williams Jannine , Patterson Nicola
Published: September 2018

Purpose

There is a dearth of studies exploring the intersection of gender and disability within entrepreneurship research. This is despite women’s entrepreneurship research encouraging an expansion of the research questions asked and approaches taken. As a contribution to this debate, the purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of gender and disability as social categorizations which can shape entrepreneurial opportunities and experiences for disabled women entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers an intersectional conceptual lens for the study of disabled women entrepreneurs to explore a concern for a particular social group – women – at a neglected point of intersection – disability – within the social setting of entrepreneurship. Guided by the research question (how can gender and feminist disability theory contribute to the development of an intersectional theoretical lens for future entrepreneurship research?), the potential for new theoretical insights to emerge in the entrepreneurship field is identified.

Findings

Through a gender and disability intersectional lens for entrepreneurship research, four theoretical synergies between gender and disability research are identified: the economic rationale; flexibility, individualism and meritocracy; and social and human capital. In addition to the theoretical synergies, the paper highlights three theoretical variances: the anomalous body and bodily variation; sexuality, beauty and appearance; and multiple experiences of care as potentially generative areas for women’s entrepreneurship research. The paper identifies new directions for future gender, disability and entrepreneurship research by outlining research questions for each synergy and variance which draw attention to disabled women entrepreneurs’ experiences of choice and control within and across different spaces and processes of entrepreneuring.

Originality/value

The conceptual intersectional lens offered to study disabled women’s entrepreneurship highlights new directions for exploring experiences of entrepreneuring at the intersection of disability and gender. The paper brings disability into view as a social category that should be of concern to feminist entrepreneurship researchers by surfacing different dimensions of experience to those currently explored. Through the new directions outlined, future research can further disrupt the prevailing discourse of individualism and meritocracy that perpetuates success as an individual’s responsibility, and instead offer the potential for richer understandings of entrepreneuring which has a gender and disability consciousness.
Knowledge risk management in the public sector: insights into a Swedish municipality
Authors: Durst Susanne , Lindvall Birgitta , Bruns Guido
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of knowledge risk management (KRM) and a range of related knowledge management practices in the public sector through a case study conducted in a Swedish municipality.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study was conducted in a Swedish municipality involving two offices. Data were collected through an online survey, group interviews and group exercises involving members of the offices who represented different functions, roles and age groups.

Findings

The findings underline the need for a systematic approach to KRM for being in a position to continuously deliver the municipality’s products and services, specifically against the knowledge challenges ahead. In addition, the authors identified a number of internal and external factors that are challenging KRM.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from a single case study, to generalize the findings future research should study additional local governments.

Practical implications

A holistic KRM framework is proposed intended to help managers tackle present and future challenges in the public sector.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the underdeveloped field of KRM by providing insights into KRM and KRM-related activities found in a Swedish municipality.
Netnography as a tool for understanding customers: implications for service research and practice
Authors: Heinonen Kristina , Medberg Gustav
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Understanding customers is critical for service researchers and practitioners. Today, customers are increasingly active online, and valuable information about their opinions, experiences and behaviors can be retrieved from a variety of online platforms. Online customer information creates new opportunities to design personalized and high-quality service. This paper aims to review how netnography as a method can help service researchers and practitioners to better use such data.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review and analysis were conducted on 321 netnography studies published in marketing journals between 1997 and 2017.

Findings

The systematic review reveals that netnography has been applied in a variety of ways across different marketing fields and topics. Based on the analysis of existing netnography literature, empirical, theoretical and methodological recommendations for future netnographic service research are presented.

Research limitations/implications

This paper shows how netnography can offer service researchers unprecedented opportunities to access naturalistic online data about customers and, hence, why it is an important method for future service research.

Practical implications

Netnographic research can help service firms with, for example, service innovation, advertising and environmental scanning. This paper provides guidelines for service managers who want to use netnography as a market research tool.

Originality/value

Netnography has seen limited use in service research despite many promising applications in this field. This paper is the first to encourage and support service researchers in their use of the method and aims to stimulate interesting future netnographic service research.
The effect of charismatic leadership on coordinated teamwork: a study in Turkey
Authors: Ekmekcioglu Emre Burak , Aydintan Belgin , Celebi Mustafa
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of behavioral dimensions constituting the essence of charismatic leadership (CL) on coordinated teamwork (CTW).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 113 members among 20ad hocproject teams formed by specialists and assistant specialists employed in a public institution. Simple linear and multiple regression models were employed to analyze the effect of CL on CTW.

Findings

The behavioral dimensions of CL, which include possessing a strategic vision and articulation skill, sensitivity to the environment and sensitivity to member needs, were found to have a significant and positive effect on CTW, while the personal risk and unconventional behavior dispositions of a leader were found to render no significant effect on CTW.

Research limitations/implications

Having tested the effect of CL behaviors on CTW, this particular model provides salient implications in clarifying which CL behaviors particularly render a significant effect on CTW and the consequential effectiveness of teamwork. Nevertheless, there is a need for longitudinal studies conducted in a range of different sectors and institutions.

Originality/value

The originality of this empirical study is that it advances the grasp of the relationship between CTW and the behavioral factors of CL.
Interdisciplinary partnerships for rural older adults’ transitions of care
Authors: Weil Joyce , Milbrath Gwyneth , Sharp Teresa , McNeill Jeanette , Gilbert Elizabeth , Dunemn Kathleen , Patterson Marcia , Snyder Audrey
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Integrated transitions of care for rural older persons are key issues in policy and practice. Interdisciplinary partnerships are suggested as ways to improve rural-care transitions by blending complementary skills of disciplines to increase care’s holistic nature. Yet, only multidisciplinary efforts are frequently used in practice and often lack synergy and collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of a partnership model using nursing, gerontology and public health integration to support rural-residing elders as a part of building an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland/O’Sullivan framework to examine the creation of an interdisciplinary team. Two examples of interdisciplinary work are discussed. They are the creation of an interdisciplinary public health course and its team-based on-campus live simulations with a panel and site visit.

Findings

With team-building successes and challenges, outcomes show the need for knowledge exchange among practitioners to enhance population-centered and person-centered care to improve health care services to older persons in rural areas.

Practical implications

There is a need to educate providers about the importance of developing interdisciplinary partnerships. Educational programming illustrates ways to move team building through the interdisciplinary continuum. Dependent upon the needs of the community, other similarly integrated partnership models can be developed.

Originality/value

Transitions of care work for older people tends to be multi- or cross-disciplinary. A model for interdisciplinary training of gerontological practitioners in rural and frontier settings broadens the scope of care and improves the health of the rural older persons served.
Examining the mediating role of organizational trust in the relationship between CSR practices and job outcomes
Authors: Manimegalai Santhosh , Baral Rupashree
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employees’ job outcomes, namely, work engagement and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in select Indian manufacturing firms. This study also aims to measure the mediating effect of organizational trust in the above link.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stakeholder theory of CSR, the proposed model was tested using data from 284 employees across eight manufacturing firms in South India extensively involved in CSR activities. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression techniques.

Findings

Significant positive association between CSR activities toward only three stakeholders (employees, customers and environment) and the outcome variables (work engagement and OCB) were observed. Organizational trust partially mediated the relationship between CSR activities and job outcomes. Findings reveal that organizational trust is the underlying mechanism by which organization’s involvement in CSR activities positively influences job outcomes. The implications are discussed along the lines of the findings.

Originality/value

Substantial macro-level research studies are available linking CSR activities with tangible outcomes, such as financial outcomes. Literature suggests the need for more research on CSR at the micro level i.e., how CSR practices affect the attitude, behavior, well-being and work engagement of employees. This study also addressed the important research gap by considering the stakeholder theory of CSR in a non-western context. Moreover, the mechanism through which CSR relates to employees’ job-related outcomes is relatively underexplored. Therefore, the current study captured the role of organizational trust as a mediator.
The job search dilemma: good vs right
Authors: Palmer Noel F. , Luthans Kyle W. , Olson Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2018

Synopsis

Desai, a College Student, faced a job search dilemma. Desai applied for two internships – one with a company known for a good culture, Strategic Carrier Logistics (SCL), the other with Thijs Marketing, a company in an industry more familiar and desirable to Desai. After a number of recruitment interactions with both companies, Desai received an offer from SCL and was given two days to decide. Unsure whether Thijs Marketing would make an offer, Desai considered accepting the offer from SCL, but reneging if Thijs eventually offered a job.

Research methodology

The case was developed from primary sources, where “Desai’s” first-hand experience in searching for a job provides the true account of the events noted in the case. The names and demographic information for individuals were changed.

Relevant courses and levels

This case study is appropriate for graduate and undergraduate courses in organizational behavior (i.e. decision-making), human resources management (i.e. employee recruitment), and business ethics (i.e. ethical decision-making).
Quality of life of elderly tobacco farmers in the perspective of agricultural nursing: a qualitative study
Authors: Susanto Tantut , Widayati Nur
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of quality of life of elderly tobacco farmers in the perspective of agricultural nursing.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenological design conducted in rural area of Jember from November until December 2013. Seven elderly tobacco farmers participated in this study by purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interview and analyzed by using a qualitative descriptive method.

Findings

Six themes emerged from data analysis included physical condition, psychological condition, activity level, social relationships, environmental condition and worship activities.

Practical implications

The role of agricultural health nurses should be optimized to improve quality of life of elderly farmers by promoting the health status of elderly farmers and the health of workplace environment.

Originality/value

Elderly tobacco farmers reported decreased health and decreased energy and vitality. Tobacco farming was considered giving heavy workload, especially during harvest season. Participants were still actively participating in activities conducted in the community and eagerly doing worship activities. The environment conditions were described as the easiness of transportation, affordability of health care facilities, safe environment and tobacco storage effects during harvest season.
Polymorphisms in P53 and VEGFA genes in different subtypes of periorbital hyperpigmentation in a Malaysian Chinese population
Authors: Amini Farahnaz , Thazin Oo Naw May , Okechukwu Patrick Nwabueze , Seghayat Marjan Sadat , Ng Edmond Siah Chye
Published: September 2018

Background/Objectives

The unknown pathogenesis of periorbital hyperpigmentation makes its treatment difficult. Existing evidence links p53 and VEGFA genes with skin hyperpigmentation. This study was aimed at (i) identifying the clinical pattern of periorbital hyperpigmentation; and (ii) detecting the presence of VEGFA and P53 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in different subtypes of periorbital hyperpigmentation in Malaysian Chinese.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among Malaysian Chinese. Clinical assessments were performed, and medical history was collected. Three regions of p53 and two of VEGFA were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing using saliva‐extracted DNA.

Results

Eighty‐four participants were recruited (average age 22.2 years). In the majority (n = 62), both eyelids were affected. Facial pigmentary, demarcation lines, tear trough and eye bags were not observed. Mixed (pigmented–vascular) was the most common subtype. Thirteen SNPs were found, nine of which are new. Only three out of 13 SNPs showed significant association with periorbital hyperpigmentation presentation. TA genotype in rs1437756379 (p53) was significantly more prevalent among participants with mixed subtype (P = 0.011) while AC genotype in rs1377053612 (VEGFA) was significantly more prevalent among pigmented subtype (P = 0.028). AA genotype in rs1479430148 (VEGFA) was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis in mixed subtype (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Mixed subtype was the most prevalent type of periorbital hyperpigmentation in the study population. Three polymorphisms in p53 and VEGFA genes were statistically linked with different clinical presentations of periorbital hyperpigmentation.
Genetic screening for macular dystrophies in patients clinically diagnosed with dry age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kersten Eveline , Geerlings Maartje J. , Pauper Marc , Corominas Jordi , Bakker Bjorn , Altay Lebriz , Fauser Sascha , de Jong Eiko K. , Hoyng Carel B. , den Hollander Anneke I.
Published: September 2018

It can be clinically challenging to distinguish dry age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) from AMD‐mimicking dystrophies, and sometimes misdiagnosis occurs. With upcoming therapies for dry AMD it is important to exclude patients with a different retinal disease from clinical trials. In this study we evaluated the occurrence of AMD‐mimicking dystrophies in an AMD cohort. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 218 patients with intermediate AMD or geographic atrophy secondary to AMD and 133 control individuals. WES data was analyzed for rare variants in 19 genes associated with autosomal dominant and recessive macular dystrophies mimicking AMD. In three (1.4%) of 218 cases we identified a pathogenic heterozygous variant (PRPH2 c.424C > T; p.R142W) causal for autosomal dominant central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD). Phenotypically, these patients all presented with geographic atrophy. In 12 (5.5%) of 218 cases we identified a heterozygous variant of unknown clinical significance, but predicted to be highly deleterious, in genes previously associated with autosomal dominant macular dystrophies. The distinction between AMD and AMD‐mimicking dystrophies, such as CACD, can be challenging based on fundus examination alone. Genetic screening for genes associated with macular dystrophies, especially PRPH2, can be beneficial to help identify AMD‐mimicking dystrophies.
TQM and Performance Appraisal: Complementary or Incompatible?
Authors: Soltani Ebrahim , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: September 2018

Despite the scholarly interest in performance management as a key determinant of the effectiveness of enterprise process improvement methods such as total quality management (TQM) and its derivatives, few empirical studies have explicitly explored the practice of performance management systems in TQM‐focused organizations. In order to redress this imbalance, this study aims to describe how organizational and managerial forces led to a performance management systems failing to embrace the core principles of process improvement methods such as TQM. Using a qualitative study of six large UK‐based automobile and auto parts manufacturers, our results illustrate how manager‐controlled, individual‐focused, past‐oriented, long‐cycle, and narrowly defined performance appraisal (PA) systems can intervene to underline the ultimate potential of TQM. The paper concludes with the discussion of implications for theory and practice of TQM and human resource performance management.
Second rate or a second chance? Assessing biomass and biodiversity recovery in regenerating Amazonian forests
Authors: Lennox Gareth D. , Gardner Toby A. , Thomson James R. , Ferreira Joice , Berenguer Erika , Lees Alexander C. , Mac Nally Ralph , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Ferraz Silvio F. B. , Louzada Julio , Moura Nárgila G. , Oliveira Victor H. F. , Pardini Renata , Solar Ricardo R. C. , Vaz‐de Mello Fernando Z. , Vieira Ima C. G. , Barlow Jos
Published: September 2018

Secondary forests (SFs) regenerating on previously deforested land account for large, expanding areas of tropical forest cover. Given that tropical forests rank among Earth’s most important reservoirs of carbon and biodiversity, SFs play an increasingly pivotal role in the carbon cycle and as potential habitat for forest biota. Nevertheless, their capacity to regain the biotic attributes of undisturbed primary forests (UPFs) remains poorly understood. Here, we provide a comprehensive assessment of SF recovery, using extensive tropical biodiversity, biomass, and environmental datasets. These data, collected in 59 naturally regenerating SFs and 30 co‐located UPFs in the eastern Amazon, cover >1,600 large‐ and small‐stemmed plant, bird, and dung beetles species and a suite of forest structure, landscape context, and topoedaphic predictors. After up to 40 years of regeneration, the SFs we surveyed showed a high degree of biodiversity resilience, recovering, on average among taxa, 88% and 85% mean UPF species richness and composition, respectively. Across the first 20 years of succession, the period for which we have accurate SF age data, biomass recovered at 1.2% per year, equivalent to a carbon uptake rate of 2.25 Mg/ha per year, while, on average, species richness and composition recovered at 2.6% and 2.3% per year, respectively. For all taxonomic groups, biomass was strongly associated with SF species distributions. However, other variables describing habitat complexity—canopy cover and understory stem density—were equally important occurrence predictors for most taxa. Species responses to biomass revealed a successional transition at approximately 75 Mg/ha, marking the influx of high‐conservation‐value forest species. Overall, our results show that naturally regenerating SFs can accumulate substantial amounts of carbon and support many forest species. However, given that the surveyed SFs failed to return to a typical UPF state, SFs are not substitutes for UPFs.
HMQ‐T‐B10 induces human liver cell apoptosis by competitively targeting EphrinB2 and regulating its pathway
Authors: Dai Bingling , Shi Xianpeng , Ma Nan , Ma Weina , Zhang Yanmin , Yang Tianfeng , Zhang Jie , He Langchong
Published: September 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide and it is necessary to discover and develop novel preventive strategies and therapeutic approaches for HCC. Herein, we report that EphrinB2 expression is correlated with liver cancer progression. Moreover, by using phosphorylated proteomics array, we reveal a pro‐apoptosis protein whose phosphorylation and activation levels are up‐regulated upon EphrinB2 knockdown. These results suggest that EphrinB2 may act as an anti‐apoptotic protein in liver cancer cells. We also explored the therapeutic potential of HMQ‐T‐B10 (B10), which was designed and synthesized in our laboratory, for HCC and its underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrate that B10 could bind EphrinB2 and show inhibitory activity on human liver cancer cells. Moreover, induction of human liver cancer cell apoptosis by B10 could be augmented upon EphrinB2 knockdown. B10 inhibited HCC cell growth and induced HCC cell apoptosis by repressing the EphrinB2 and VEGFR2 signalling pathway. Growth of xenograft tumours derived from Hep3B in nude mice was also significantly inhibited by B10. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential molecular mechanisms of B10 and its potential as an effective antitumour agent for HCC.
Validity of the Manchester Triage System in emergency patients receiving life‐saving intervention or acute medical treatment—A prospective observational study in the emergency department
Authors: Gräff Ingo , Latzel Benjamin , Glien Procula , Fimmers Rolf , Dolscheid‐Pommerich Ramona C.
Published: September 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The spectrum of cases seen by emergency departments ranges from minor illnesses or injuries to complex diseases with high mortality. Some patients require life‐saving interventions (LSIs) or therapeutic treatment for an acute illness to prevent an expected imminent life‐threatening condition immediately upon arrival. No published study has evaluated the validity of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) in the context of immediate LSI or acute emergency treatment (AET).

Methods

The definition of LSI was based on a literature search. AET was defined by an expert panel based on current emergency guidelines and diagnostic guideline recommendations. In a 4‐month observation period, an independent external observer documented all executed LSIs or AETs using a checklist. Sensitivity, negative predictive value, likelihood ratio negative (LR−), and accuracy of MTS triage level for the identification of patients receiving an LSI or AET were calculated.

Results

In 1762 patients, 40 (2.3%) LSIs and 89 (5.1%) AETs were observed. In the LSI group, sensitivity of MTS was 75.0%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 99.2% (95% CI: 98.7%‐99.6%), LR− was 0.303 (95% CI: 0.189‐0.487) and accuracy (ACC) was 98.5% (95% CI: 97.8%‐98.9%). In the AET group, sensitivity was 82.0%, NPV was 98.9% (95% CI: 98.1%‐99.3%), LR− was 0.206 (95% CI: 0.132‐0.322), and ACC was 86.5% (95% CI: 84.9%‐88.1%).

Conclusion

The MTS is a valid instrument for a first assessment of emergency patients in critical condition upon arrival.
Independent and combined abiotic stresses affect the physiology and expression patterns of DREB genes differently in stress‐susceptible and resistant genotypes of banana
Authors: Jangale Bhavesh L. , Chaudhari Rakesh S. , Azeez Abdul , Sane Prafullachandra V. , Sane Aniruddha P. , Krishna Bal
Published: September 2018

In tropics, combined stresses of drought and heat often reduce crop productivity in plants like Musa acuminata L. We compared responses of two contrasting banana genotypes, namely the drought‐sensitive Grand Nain (GN; AAA genome) and drought tolerant Hill banana (HB; AAB genome) to individual drought, heat and their combination under controlled and field conditions. Drought and combined drought and heat treatments caused greater reduction in leaf relative water content and greater increase in ion leakage and H2O2 content in GN plants, especially in early stages, while the responses were more pronounced in HB at later stages. A combination of drought and heat increased the severity of responses. Real‐time expression patterns of the A‐1 and A‐2 group DEHYDRATION‐RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING (DREB) genes revealed greater changes in expression in leaves of HB plants for both the individual stresses under controlled conditions compared to GN plants. A combination of heat and drought, however, activated most DREB genes in GN but surprisingly suppressed their expression in HB in controlled and field conditions. Its response seems correlated to a better stomatal control over transpiration in HB and a DREB‐independent pathway for the more severe combined stresses unlike in GN. Most of the DREB genes had abscisic acid (ABA)‐responsive elements in their promoters and were also activated by ABA suggesting at least partial dependence on ABA. This study provides valuable information on physiological and molecular responses of the two genotypes to individual and combined drought and heat stresses.
Estimate of future blood demand in Japan and the number of blood donations required
Authors: Kano Chiharu , Takanashi Minoko , Suzuki Asami , Kawahara Kazuo , Chiba Koichi , Nakanishi Hideo , Takamatsu Junki , Kitai Akiko , Takahashi Koki
Published: September 2018

Background and Objectives

An ageing population is an important factor for future blood demand estimates, but there are other factors that will affect transfusion medicine. To meet the demand, donor population changes must be considered.

Materials and Methods

A survey was conducted at 672 medical institutions across the country on the prospects of progress in medical technology, prospects in medical systems, patient populations, etc., and this was translated to blood product usage estimates for 2022 and 2027. Using our 2016 data for blood collection, processing and supply, we calculated the necessary number of blood donations to fulfil the future demand. Future donation rates were calculated using the rates of change from 2011 to 2016 for each age group.

Results

Predicted demand for blood products in 2022 compared to 2016 showed slight increases of 1·6% for RBC and 3·0% for PC, but a 0·3% decrease in FFP. The 2027 demand compared to 2016 was predicted to decrease 1·3% for RBC, 0·2% for PC and 3·6% for FFP. The eligible donor populations for 2022 and 2027 were forecast at 2 741 574 (99·3% of 2016) and 2 677 711 (97·0%), respectively. The required donation numbers were calculated as 4 851 968 (100·5% of 2016) and 4 767 676 (98·7%) for 2022 and 2027. We need to increase the donation frequency per donor from 1·75 in 2016 to 1·77 in 2022 and 1·78 in 2027.

Conclusion

Because of medical practice changes, the demand‐donation discrepancy was not large for 2022 and 2027. We need to continue evaluating our practices and blood usage.
Two-dimensional multizone sound field reproduction using a wave-domain method
Authors: Han Zerui , Wu Ming , Zhu Qiaoxi , Yang Jun
Published: September 2018

This paper addresses a two-dimensional multizone sound field reproduction approach using a wave-domain method. The desired sound fields in the bright and dark zones are described as orthogonal expansions of basis functions over the regions. The loudspeaker weights are obtained by maximizing the contrast among multiple zones in the wave domain. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with the conventional acoustic contrast control approach, the proposed method improves the level of acoustic contrast and array gain over the entire control region and is less sensitive to the selection of the regularization parameter.
The Reverse Socialization of Sport Fans: How Children Impact Their Parents’ Sport Fandom
Authors: Hyatt Craig , Kerwin Shannon , Hoeber Larena , Sveinson Katherine
Published: September 2018

While the sport fan literature suggests that it is common for parents to socialize their children to cheer for specific sports and teams, recent literature proposes that children can socialize their parents into changing the parents’ sport fandom in a process sociologists and consumer behavior researchers refer to as reverse socialization. To ascertain whether children can socialize and influence their parents’ sport fandom, 20 sport fan parents were interviewed. Evidence of reverse socialization was found in 15 of the participants, manifesting itself in ways that can be categorized as either developing new or additional fandom, or changing one’s behaviors or attitudes towards their existing fandom. However, further exploration of the data suggests that future research reexamine the term “reverse socialization,” as we do not see this as a directionality of influence, but as children as socializing agents.
Disordered skyrmion phase stabilized by magnetic frustration in a chiral magnet
Authors: Karube Kosuke , White Jonathan S. , Morikawa Daisuke , Dewhurst Charles D. , Cubitt Robert , Kikkawa Akiko , Yu Xiuzhen , Tokunaga Yusuke , Arima Taka-hisa , Rønnow Henrik M. , Tokura Yoshinori , Taguchi Yasujiro
Published: September 2018

Magnetic frustration in a chiral magnet stabilizes a new disordered skyrmion phase over an extended temperature region.
Quantum interference of topological states of light
Authors: Tambasco Jean-Luc , Corrielli Giacomo , Chapman Robert J. , Crespi Andrea , Zilberberg Oded , Osellame Roberto , Peruzzo Alberto
Published: September 2018

Quantum interference of topologically protected single-photon states is demonstrated in an integrated photonic chip.
Electronic structures and unusually robust bandgap in an ultrahigh-mobility layered oxide semiconductor, Bi
2
O
2
Se
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wang Meixiao , Wu Jinxiong , Fu Huixia , Yang Haifeng , Tian Zhen , Tu Teng , Peng Han , Sun Yan , Xu Xiang , Jiang Juan , Schröter Niels B. M. , Li Yiwei , Pei Ding , Liu Shuai , Ekahana Sandy A. , Yuan Hongtao , Xue Jiamin , Li Gang , Jia Jinfeng , Liu Zhongkai , Yan Binghai , Peng Hailin , Chen Yulin
Published: September 2018

A new layered oxide semiconductor (Bi
2
O
2
Se) is found with excellent electronic properties for promising applications.
A cascade of phase transitions in an orbitally mixed half-filled Landau level
Authors: Falson Joseph , Tabrea Daniela , Zhang Ding , Sodemann Inti , Kozuka Yusuke , Tsukazaki Atsushi , Kawasaki Masashi , von Klitzing Klaus , Smet Jurgen H.
Published: September 2018

An unexpectedly rich cascade of quantum phase transitions is reported in a half-filled Landau level in ZnO.
Visible light–gated reconfigurable rotary actuation of electric nanomotors
Authors: Liang Zexi , Fan Donglei
Published: September 2018

A widely applicable mechanism that facilely enables semicondutor micro/nanodevices with multifold mechanical reconfigurability.
Molecular diversification of regulatory T cells in nonlymphoid tissues
Authors: DiSpirito Joanna R. , Zemmour David , Ramanan Deepshika , Cho Jun , Zilionis Rapolas , Klein Allon M. , Benoist Christophe , Mathis Diane
Published: September 2018

Different tissue microenvironments differentially refine T
reg
cell transcriptional regulatory modules already primed in lymphoid organs.
Functional Transcriptomics for Bacterial Gene Detectives
Authors: Perez-Sepulveda Blanca M. , Hinton Jay C. D.
Published: September 2018

Developments in transcriptomic technology and the availability of whole-genome-level expression profiles for many bacterial model organisms have accelerated the assignment of gene function. However, the deluge of transcriptomic data is making the analysis of gene expression a challenging task for biologists. Online resources for global bacterial gene expression analysis are not available for the majority of published data sets, impeding access and hindering data exploration. Here, we show the value of preexisting transcriptomic data sets for hypothesis generation. We describe the use of accessible online resources, such as SalComMac and SalComRegulon, to visualize and analyze expression profiles of coding genes and small RNAs. This approach arms a new generation of “gene detectives” with powerful new tools for understanding the transcriptional networks of
Salmonella
, a bacterium that has become an important model organism for the study of gene regulation. To demonstrate the value of integrating different online platforms, and to show the simplicity of the approach, we used well-characterized small RNAs that respond to envelope stress, oxidative stress, osmotic stress, or iron limitation as examples. We hope to provide impetus for the development of more online resources to allow the scientific community to work intuitively with transcriptomic data.
Neonatal outcomes following new reimbursement limitations on palivizumab in Italy
Authors: Belleudi Valeria , Trotta Francesco , Pinnarelli Luigi , Davoli Marina , Addis Antonio
Published: September 2018

Objective

To evaluate the impact of new reimbursement decisions for palivizumab treatment on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisations and the concomitant number of palivizumab prescriptions for infants aged <2 years.

Design

We compared the RSV hospitalisation rates in infants before and after implementation of new limitations during three RSV seasons 2014–2017.

Setting

Population aged <2 years at the beginning of each RSV seasons extracted from regional health systems (Lazio region, 2016, 5 898 124 inhabitants and 47 595 births).

Patients

Out of 70 323 infants, 5895 (8.4%) premature babies (gestational age (GA) <37 weeks) were followed before-after Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA)-2016 limitations.

Intervention

In 2016, AIFA, following the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, decided to limit coverage of palivizumab prophylaxis (GA ≤29 weeks).

Main outcomes measures

Trend of hospitalisations by months and rate of RSV before-after new restrictions were analysed. Palivizumab prescriptions and costs for National Health Service (NHS) were considered.

Results

In a population of 284 902 aged <2 years, the number of hospitalisations due to RSV infection was 1729. Following AIFA-2016 limitations, a reduction in the number of RSV infection-based hospitalisations from 6.3/1000 (95% CI 6.0 to 6.7) to 5.5/1000 (95% CI 5.0 to 5.9) was observed. Palivizumab showed a concomitant reduction of 48% in the number of prescriptions (saving €750 000 for the NHS). No differences of GA, age on admission or severity of RSV infection were observed.

Conclusions

Implementation of the new palivizumab reimbursement criteria was not associated with an increase in the RSV hospitalisation rate for children aged <2 years despite a significant reduction in the number of palivizumab prescriptions.
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation with volume guarantee: a single-centre experience
Authors: Belteki Gusztav , Morley Colin J
Published: September 2018

Objective

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is widely used in neonatology. The Dräger Babylog VN500 ventilator offers volume-guaranteed HFOV (HFOV-VG) mode when the high-frequency tidal volume (VThf) to be delivered can be set. We investigated how HFOV-VG maintains VThf in the short and longer term and how it affects other ventilator parameters and blood gases.

Methods

We downloaded ~3.2 million seconds (36.7 days) of ventilator data from 17 infants ventilated using HFOV-VG during clinical care with 1 Hz sampling rate. To process and analyse the data, we used the Python computer language.

Results

Overall, the median VThf was 1.93 mL/kg (IQR 1.64–2.45 mL/kg). The difference between set and delivered tidal volume was <0.2 mL/kg for 83% of time. In the individual recordings, the median VThf ranged between 1.44 and 3.31 mL/kg. During HFOV-VG, the VThf varied from 1 second to another, but it was very close to the target value when averaged over 5 min periods. After weight correction, the VThf or the diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide (DCO2) showed weak inverse correlation with partial pressure of CO2(pCO2) (for VThf, r=−0.162, 95% CI −0.282 to –0.037, p=0.01). Uncorrected values showed no correlation. Of the 53 blood gas measurements taken when VThf was >2.5 mL/kg, there were only six (11%) with a pCO2 >8 kPa.

Conclusions

During HFOV-VG, the tidal volume of oscillations varies in the short term but is maintained very close to the target over the longer term. VThf or DCO2 have poor correlation with CO2 levels but a volume of >2.5 mL/kg VThf is rarely needed.
Integration of HIV and reproductive health services in public sector facilities: analysis of client flow data over time in Kenya
Authors: Birdthistle Isolde J , Fenty Justin , Collumbien Martine , Warren Charlotte , Kimani James , Ndwiga Charity , Mayhew Susannah
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Integration of HIV/AIDS with reproductive health (RH) services can increase the uptake and efficiency of services, but gaps in knowledge remain about the practice of integration, particularly how provision can be expanded and performance enhanced. We assessed the extent and nature of service integration in public sector facilities in four districts in Kenya.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2012, client flow assessments were conducted at six time points in 24 government facilities, purposively selected as intervention or comparison sites. A total of 25 539 visits were tracked: 15 270 in districts where 6 of 12 facilities received an intervention to strengthen HIV service integration with family planning (FP); and 10 266 visits in districts where half the facilities received an HIV-postnatal care intervention in 2009–2010. We tracked the proportion of all visits in which: (1) an HIV service (testing, counselling or treatment) was received together with an RH service (FP counselling or provision, antenatal care, or postnatal care); (2) the client received HIV counselling.

Results

Levels of integrated HIV-RH services and HIV counselling were generally low across facilities and time points. An initial boost in integration was observed in most intervention sites, driven by integration of HIV services with FP counselling and provision, and declined after the first follow-up. Integration at most sites was driven by temporary rises in HIV counselling. The most consistent combination of HIV services was with antenatal care; the least common was with postnatal care.

Conclusions

These client flow data demonstrated a short-term boost in integration, after an initial intervention with FP services providing an opportunity to expand integration. Integration was not sustained over time highlighting the need for ongoing support. There are multiple opportunities for integrating service delivery, particularly within antenatal, FP and HIV counselling services, but a need for sustained systems and health worker support over time.

Trial registration number

NCT01694862
Inclusion of LGBTQ persons in research related to pregnancy risk: a cognitive interview study
Authors: Ingraham Natalie , Wingo Erin , Roberts Sarah C M
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Recently, researchers have begun considering whether and how to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in research about abortion and contraception care. Including LGBTQ people in research about abortion and contraception care, as well as the risk for unintended pregnancy more broadly, requires accurate assessment of risk for unintended pregnancy, which involves different considerations for LGBTQ people.

Methods

We created a survey with existing sexual orientation and gender identity measures, new reproductive anatomy questions to guide skip patterns, gender neutral terminology in sexual and behavioural risk questions, and existing contraception and pregnancy intentions questions that were modified to be gender neutral. We then assessed the appropriateness of these measures through cognitive interviews with 39 individuals aged 18–44 years who were assigned female at birth and identified as LGBTQ. Participants were recruited in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, Baltimore, Maryland and other cities.

Results

Existing demographic questions on sexual orientation and gender identity were well received by participants and validating of participant reported identities. Participants responded positively to new reproductive anatomy questions and to gender neutral terminology in sexual behaviour and pregnancy risk questions. They felt skip patterns appropriately removed them out of inappropriate items (eg, use of contraception to avoid unintended pregnancy); there was some question about whether pregnancy intention measures were widely appropriate or should be further restricted.

Conclusions

This study provides guidance on ways to appropriately evaluate inclusion of LGBTQ people in abortion and contraception research.