bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A whole zoo of hydrogen bonds in one crystal structure: tris(isonicotinium) hydrogensulfate sulfate monohydrate
Authors: Truong Khai-Nghi , Lothmann Niklas , Englert Ulli
Published: June 2017

Depending on the reaction partner, the organic ditopic molecule isonicotinic acid (Hina) can act either as a Brønsted acid or base. With sulfuric acid, the pyridine ring is protonated to become a pyridinium cation. Crystallization from ethanol affords the title compound tris(4-carboxypyridinium) hydrogensulfate sulfate monohydrate, 3C6H6NO2
+·HSO4
−·SO4
2−·H2O or [(H2ina)3(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)]. This solid contains 11 classical hydrogen bonds of very different flavour and nonclassical C—H...O contacts. All N—H and O—H donors find at least one acceptor within a suitable distance range, with one of the three pyridinium H atoms engaged in bifurcated N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The shortest hydrogen-bonding O...O distance is subtended by hydrogensulfate and sulfate anions, viz. 2.4752 (19) Å, and represents one of the shortest hydrogen bonds ever reported between these residues.
Daily stress and coping among emergency response officers: a case study
Authors: Rodrigues Susana , Kaiseler Mariana , Queirós Cristina , Basto-Pereira Miguel
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Police in Europe are facing increased demands and diminished resources, and this is particularly prominent among emergency response officers (EROs) working in poorer countries such as Portugal. Considering that daily stress and limited coping skills can result in detrimental consequences for officers’ health and society welfare, the purpose of this paper is to investigate stress and coping among Portuguese EROs.

Design/methodology/approach

EROs completed daily diaries over 11 working days. Each diary entry included an open-ended stressor, coping section and a Likert-type scale to evaluate coping effectiveness. Data were analyzed using inductive and deductive content analysis procedures. The frequency of stressors, coping and coping effectiveness were calculated.

Findings

EROs reported facing more operational stressors, particularly public disorder situations. However, gun situations were perceived as the most intense stressor. Emotion-focused coping (i.e. peer support) was more used than problem-focused. Despite variation in coping effectiveness in accordance to stressor experienced, longitudinal analysis suggests that problem-focused coping is more effective.

Research limitations/implications

Longitudinal methodologies should contemplate stress appraisal and coping effectiveness in order to fully understand stress and coping. Future studies should employ this methodology at a larger scale and over longer periods.

Practical implications

Intervention programs for EROs should be multidimensional, targeting work conditions and resources, stress management, and coping effectiveness.

Originality/value

Findings provide strong recommendations for future research and applied implications for stress prevention and effective coping interventions.
Family firms’ management decision to export/not to export: a resource-based view
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , O’Brien Seamus
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address some knowledge gaps in the family entrepreneurship literature, examining the cases of seven Western Australian family firms with various degrees of export involvement, including no involvement. In this process, the study incorporates the resource-based view of the firm (RBVF).

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face and telephone interviews conducted with firm co-owners and one manager of seven family firms. Content analysis and word association were employed to analyse the data gathered.

Findings

The interviews revealed the significance of various key resources regardless of firms’ extent of export involvement. Indeed, alignments with the RBVF emerged, with firms’ strategies resting on valuable, rare, perfectly immobile and non-substitutable resource attributes. More lucrative consumer markets, diversifying, product recognition and minimising the impact of domestic competitors were main reasons to export. In contrast, rising costs, unfavourable currency exchanges or mediocre previous experiences were motives for discontinuing exports. Nonetheless, building on their resource foundation, non-exporting firms’ strategies focussed on strengthening their involvement in the domestic market, perceived as a valued alternative.

Originality/value

The academic literature identifies various knowledge gaps concerning family firm entrepreneurship, including research focussing on family firms’ internationalisation process. By addressing this under-researched area, the study provides an element of originality and value. In addition, despite Western Australia’s proximity to neighbouring markets, limited contemporary research on family firms has been conducted in this state; hence, the study provides an original component. Finally, the study seeks to refine the RBVF in the context of family firm research.
Competition and innovation with horizontal R&D spillovers
Authors: Khazabi Massoud , Quyen Nguyen Van
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend a theoretical framework for analyzing competition and innovation in the presence of horizontal spillovers.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical analysis approach is adopted to drive the paper’s findings.

Findings

It is shown that when firms behave non-cooperatively in both the R&D and production stages, the degree of spillover has a negative relationship with the effective and respective R&D expenditures of each firm as well as the level of social welfare. An inverted-U relationship between competition and social welfare also holds. When firms behave cooperatively in the R&D stage, and non-cooperatively in the production stage the relationship between the R&D expenditure of the joint research lab and the number of firms in the market is negative.

Originality/value

In the literature on R&D spillovers and process innovation, efforts are mostly focused on the comparative R&D expenditures and the relative social welfare between non-cooperative and cooperative R&D. The question of the effectiveness of R&D technology on the optimal number of firm, however, is not explicitly addressed. The paper is intended to address this lacuna.
A Neo-Kohlbergian approach to moral character: the moral reasoning of Alfred Herrhausen
Authors: Kipper Knut
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a new methodological approach by applying Neo-Kohlbergian considerations in historical context to an analysis of the late speaker of Deutsche Bank Dr Alfred Herrhausen’s moral reasoning process.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide range of methods is used, including analyzing Herrhausen interviews, biographies, speeches, statements and further written material, as well as interviews of his contemporaries conducted by this researcher to derive the most accurate posthumous depiction of Herrhausen’s moral reasoning.

Findings

The study reveals that Herrhausen was indeed a person of significant moral character when judged by his activist stance on several highly salient global issues.

Practical/implications

The thought construct Kohlbergian scholars have been providing is deeply imbedded in a tradition of continental philosophy. While the underlying philosophy in Kohlberg’s cognitive moral development model provides much more than is often considered when used in the field of business ethics, discourse ethicists still consider Kohlberg’s ideas a cornerstone of their philosophical ventures.

Originality/value

Herrhausen has become an iconic figure in Germany, often used by politicians as an aspirational standard and corrective to the current management elites’ mishaps. Internationally, he played an important role as a global manager on the political stage by arguing for a Chapter 11 solution for highly indebted countries during the late 1980s.
Follow for follow: marketing of a start-up company on Instagram
Authors: Virtanen Henrik , Björk Peter , Sjöström Elin
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the deliberate social media marketing practices of a start-up company. The study aims to measure the effects of these practices (i.e. following potential customers and liking and commenting on their posts on Instagram) on creating and increasing awareness of the company’s business and gaining followers for the company’s Instagram account.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is exploratory in nature and adopts an approach similar to that of action research. The research was enabled and facilitated by collaboration between the researchers and a company representative. The company offers an application for young mothers.

Findings

The model developed in this study identifies the effects of the practice of endorsing and interacting with customers for marketing purposes. It points out following as a first-order practice that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can employ to gain followers instantly on Instagram.

Research limitations/implications

The method used limits the generalisability of the findings. However, the findings offer preliminary insights for future studies on Instagram marketing in SMEs.

Practical implications

Companies can attain success in social media marketing by actively engaging with customers and potential customers on various social media platforms.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of research focussing on Instagram marketing in SMEs. The model in this study contributes to theory on Instagram marketing and offers a framework that can help managers plan Instagram marketing strategies.
Sparsity‐enhanced wavelet deconvolution
Authors: Ferber Ralf , Momoh Ekeabino
Published: June 2017

We propose a three‐step bandwidth enhancing wavelet deconvolution process, combining linear inverse filtering and non‐linear reflectivity construction based on a sparseness assumption. The first step is conventional Wiener deconvolution. The second step consists of further spectral whitening outside the spectral bandwidth of the residual wavelet after Wiener deconvolution, i.e., the wavelet resulting from application of the Wiener deconvolution filter to the original wavelet, which usually is not a perfect spike due to band limitations of the original wavelet. We specifically propose a zero‐phase filtered sparse‐spike deconvolution as the second step to recover the reflectivity dominantly outside of the bandwidth of the residual wavelet after Wiener deconvolution. The filter applied to the sparse‐spike deconvolution result is proportional to the deviation of the amplitude spectrum of the residual wavelet from unity, i.e., it is of higher amplitude; the closer the amplitude spectrum of the residual wavelet is to zero, but of very low amplitude, the closer it is to unity. The third step consists of summation of the data from the two first steps, basically adding gradually the contribution from the sparse‐spike deconvolution result at those frequencies at which the residual wavelet after Wiener deconvolution has small amplitudes. We propose to call this technique “sparsity‐enhanced wavelet deconvolution”. We demonstrate the technique on real data with the deconvolution of the (normal‐incidence) source side sea‐surface ghost of marine towed streamer data. We also present the extension of the proposed technique to time‐varying wavelet deconvolution.
Stakeholders’ qualitative perspectives of effective telepractice pedagogy in speech–language pathology
Authors: Overby Megan S.
Published: June 2017

Background

Academic programmes in speech–language pathology are increasingly providing telehealth/telepractice clinical education to students. Despite this growth, there is little information describing effective ways to teach it.

Aims

The current exploratory study analyzed the perceptions of speech–language pathology/therapy (SLP/SLT) faculty, student and SLP/SLT clinicians to ascertain effective pedagogical approaches for telepractice service delivery, rank the relative importance of telepractice skills and knowledge competencies, and define any pedagogical challenges to teaching them.

Methods & Procedures

Qualitative data were collected from two sources: three open‐ended questions within an online survey (SLP/SLT faculty n = 31, graduate students n = 16, telehealth (‘telepractice’) clinicians n = 16); and follow‐up telephone interviews (n = 22). Data were analyzed with a grounded theory approach followed by a summative rank‐order analysis of themes.

Outcomes & Results

All three groups agreed the most effective telepractice instructional approach was telepractice demonstrations (such as students role playing or watching a supervisor). Professional development approaches such as workshops or training manuals were less effective and didactic approaches such as lecture‐only were ineffective. Skills and knowledge competencies students needed before entering the workforce were, in order of implied importance: telepractice clinical skills, telepractice technology skills, legal knowledge pertinent to telepractice and knowledge of telepractice literature. The most important telepractice clinical skills students needed to acquire were appropriate selection of telepractice materials and engaging the client over the internet. Many participants said teaching and learning telepractice was more challenging than in‐person service delivery because of the difficulties in selecting appropriate telepractice clinical materials, managing technology problems and engaging with clients over the internet.

Conclusions & Implications

Despite substantial limitations to this investigation, findings imply that telepractice instruction, like other methods of SLP/SLT clinical education, may be most effective when students engage in critical thinking and problem‐solving issues through intense practice. Because the skills and competencies associated with telepractice appear to vary in their perceived value, academic programmes may wish to consider prioritizing how they are taught, giving students additional instruction in the selection of telepractice clinical materials and development of online interpersonal communication skills. For some clinical educators, the challenges associated with telepractice may necessitate additional educator training.
Are returns to research quality lower in agricultural economics than in economics?
Authors: Gibson John , Burton‐McKenzie Ethan
Published: June 2017

We compare effects of research quality and quantity on the salary of academics in agricultural economics and economics departments of the same universities. Agricultural economists get a significantly lower payoff to research quality, whether measured by quality‐weighted journal articles (based on nine different weighting schemes) or by citations. Instead, salary depends on the quantity of journal articles, while article counts have no independent effect on economist salaries. These differences in the reward structure for research are not due to either the extension focus of agricultural economists or to disciplinary differences in publishing with students and instead may reflect institutional factors that govern incentives within universities. One‐third of academics in the agricultural economics departments studied here have doctoral training in economics; the very different disciplinary reward structures may cause frustration for these faculty due to the muted returns to research quality that agricultural economics departments seem to offer.
Identification of Small Open Economy SVARs via Markov‐Switching Heteroskedasticity
Authors: Turnip Guido
Published: June 2017

Various identifying restrictions commonly used in small open economy structural vector autoregression (SVAR) models are tested against an SVAR model identified via Markov‐switching heteroskedasticity. The SVARs are estimated for three small open economies, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The most supported model is the one that allows for simultaneity between monetary policy and the real exchange rate without restricting the long‐run response of the real exchange rate to a monetary policy shock. The impulse responses to a monetary policy shock and an exchange rate shock identified from such model are consistent with theoretical predictions.
Quantifying Disparities in Accessibility and Availability of Pediatric Primary Care across Multiple States with Implications for Targeted Interventions
Authors: Gentili Monica , Harati Pravara , Serban Nicoleta , O'Connor Jean , Swann Julie
Published: June 2017

Objective

To quantify disparities in accessibility and availability of pediatric primary care by modeling interventions across multiple states that compare publicly insured versus privately insured children, and urban versus rural communities.

Data Sources

Secondary data sources include 2013 National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, 2009 MAX Medicaid claims, 2012 American Community Survey.

Study Design

The study models accessibility and availability of care for all children in seven states.

Methods

Optimization modeling with access constraints is used to estimate access. Statistical hypothesis testing is used to quantify systematic disparities.

Principal Findings

California has the best accessibility for privately insured children and Minnesota for publicly insured children. Mississippi has the lowest availability for both populations. Overall, the disparities in availability for pediatric primary care are not as significant as in accessibility. Both rural and urban communities are in need of improvement in accessibility to primary care for publicly insured children, although at varying levels across states.

Conclusions

Disparities in availability are not as significant as disparities in accessibility. Opportunities to improve access to pediatric primary care vary by state. Generating specific recommendations for small areas is critical to enabling health policy decision makers to improvement access.
Price and Volatility Transmission and Market Power in the German Fresh Pork Supply Chain
Authors: Assefa Tsion Taye , Meuwissen Miranda P.M. , Gardebroek Cornelis , Oude Lansink Alfons G.J.M.
Published: June 2017

We investigate the relationship between the transmission of price volatility and market power in the German fresh pork supply chain. We use a theoretical model underpinning this relationship followed by an empirical application that uses monthly farm, slaughterhouse and retail pork price data for the period 2000–2011. We examine both the relationships of market power with price level transmission and price volatility transmission in the chain. We use a vector error correction model and least squares regressions to analyse price transmission and price volatility transmissions, respectively. Results show that retail market power limited both types of transmissions. Competition inducing policy measures coupled with measures that support price risk management initiatives of chain actors are suggested.
Molecular Cloning and Characterizations of Xylanase Inhibitor Protein from Wheat (Triticum Aestivum)
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Zhang Yakun , Wei Zhaohui , Chen Hongge , Jia Xincheng
Published: June 2017

Xylanase inhibitor proteins (XIPs) were regarded to inhibit the activity of xylanases during baking and gluten‐starch separation processes. To avoid the inhibition to xylanases, it is necessary to define the conditions under which the inhibition takes place. In this study, we cloned the XIP gene from 2 different variety of Triticum aestivum, that is, Zhengmai 9023 and Zhengmai 366, and investigated the properties of XIP protein expressed by Pichia pastoris. The results showed that the 2 XIP genes (xip‐9023 and xip‐366) were highly homologous with only 3 nucleotide differences. XIP‐9023 showed the optimal inhibition pH and temperature were 7 °C and 40 °C, respectively. Inhibition of xylanase by XIP‐9023 reached the maximum in 40 min. At 50% inhibition of xylanase, the molar ratio of inhibitor: xylanase was 26:1. XIP‐9023 was active to various fungal xylanases tested as well as to a bacterial xylanase produced by Paenibacillus sp. isolated from cow rumen.
Mechanism and regulation of sorbicillin biosynthesis by Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: Guzmán‐Chávez Fernando , Salo Oleksandr , Nygård Yvonne , Lankhorst Peter P. , Bovenberg Roel A. L. , Driessen Arnold J. M.
Published: June 2017

Penicillium chrysogenum is a filamentous fungus that is used to produce β‐lactams at an industrial scale. At an early stage of classical strain improvement, the ability to produce the yellow‐coloured sorbicillinoids was lost through mutation. Sorbicillinoids are highly bioactive of great pharmaceutical interest. By repair of a critical mutation in one of the two polyketide synthases in an industrial P. chrysogenum strain, sorbicillinoid production was restored at high levels. Using this strain, the sorbicillin biosynthesis pathway was elucidated through gene deletion, overexpression and metabolite profiling. The polyketide synthase enzymes SorA and SorB are required to generate the key intermediates sorbicillin and dihydrosorbicillin, which are subsequently converted to (dihydro)sorbillinol by the FAD‐dependent monooxygenase SorC and into the final product oxosorbicillinol by the oxidoreductase SorD. Deletion of either of the two pks genes not only impacted the overall production but also strongly reduce the expression of the pathway genes. Expression is regulated through the interplay of two transcriptional regulators: SorR1 and SorR2. SorR1 acts as a transcriptional activator, while SorR2 controls the expression of sorR1. Furthermore, the sorbicillinoid pathway is regulated through a novel autoinduction mechanism where sorbicillinoids activate transcription.
Role of hydrotherapy in the amelioration of oxidant‐antioxidant status in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Mateen Somaiya , Moin Shagufta , Khan Abdul Q. , Zafar Atif , Fatima Naureen , Shahzad Sumayya
Published: June 2017

Aim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathophysiology of RA. Moderate intensity exercises have been reported to have anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrotherapy on oxidant‐antioxidant status in RA patients.

Methods

Forty RA patients and 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were included in this study. RA patients were subdivided into two groups: the first group (n = 20) received treatment with conventional RA drugs, while the second group (n = 20) received hydrotherapy along with the conventional drugs for a period of 12 weeks. Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS‐28), ROS level, protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

RA patients showed a significant change in the oxidative stress biomarkers (ROS, P < 0.01; ferric reducing antioxidant potential, P < 0.001; malondialdehyde, P < 0.01; protein carbonyl, P < 0.001; tail length, P < 0.05) and decrease in the activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], P < 0.01; glutathione peroxidase [GPx], P < 0.001). Conventional drug treatment has not produced any significant change in these parameters. However, cotreatment of drugs with hydrotherapy has decreased protein, lipid and DNA oxidation by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that hydrotherapy along with drugs has reduced the severity of disease (DAS‐28) by ameliorating the oxidant‐antioxidant status in RA patients. Thus, in addition to conventional drugs, RA patients should be advised to have hydrotherapy (moderate intensity exercise) in their treatment regimen.
Estimates of observer expertise improve species distributions from citizen science data
Authors: Johnston Alison , Fink Daniel , Hochachka Wesley M. , Kelling Steve
Published: June 2017

Citizen science data are increasingly making valuable contributions to ecological studies. However, many citizen science surveys are also designed to encourage wide participation and therefore the participants have a range of natural history expertise, leading to variation and potentially bias in the data.

We assessed a recently proposed measure of observer expertise, calculated based on the average numbers of species recorded by observers. We investigated if this observer expertise score is associated with how often an observer reports any individual species. Species reporting rates increased monotonically with the observer's expertise score for 197 of 200 species, suggesting that this expertise score describes inter‐observer variation in the detectability of individual species.

Expertise scores were incorporated into single‐species occupancy models as a covariate, to explain inter‐observer variation in detectability. Including expertise as a detectability covariate led to improved model fit and improved predictive performance on validation data. The expertise score had a large effect on the estimated detectability, comparable in magnitude to the effect of the duration of the observation period.

Expertise scores were also included into single‐species occupancy models that estimated seasonal patterns in species occupancy and seasonal expertise effects. The addition of a seasonal effect of expertise led to improved model fit and increased predictive performance on validation data. The seasonal expertise accounted for bias that may be introduced by seasonal differences in the effect of expertise, caused by changes in the environment or species behaviour.

Measures of observer expertise included in models as a covariate can account for heterogeneity and bias introduced by variable expertise, although in this example the differences in estimated occupancy were small. This method of incorporating observer expertise can be used in any regression model of species occurrence, occupancy, abundance, or density to produce more reliable ecological inference and may be most important where citizen science schemes encourage wide participation. Overall, the results highlight the value of recording observer identity and other detectability covariates, to control for sources of bias associated with the observation process.
Ineffective Protection in Hemodialysis Patients: Sociodemographic and Clinical Context
Authors: Tinôco Jéssica Dantas de Sá , de Paiva Maria das Graças Mariano Nunes , Frazão Cecília Maria Farias de Queiroz , Fernandes Maria Isabel da Conceição Dias , Enders Bertha Cruz , Lira Ana Luisa Brandão de Carvalho
Published: June 2017

PURPOSE

To analyze the association between components of the nursing diagnosis ineffective protection (00043) and sociodemographic and clinical data of hemodialysis patients.

METHOD

Cross‐sectional study was conducted during the first half of 2015 with a sample of 200 patients from a reference clinic of nephrology. A structured instrument containing operational definitions was used to collect data.

FINDINGS

Hemodialysis patients presented defining characteristics of ineffective protection (00043) associated with sociodemographic and clinical context variables.

CONCLUSION

Components of this diagnosis may be influenced by sociodemographic and clinical context of hemodialysis patients.
Varenicline Reduces Alcohol Intake During Repeated Cycles of Alcohol Reaccess Following Deprivation in Alcohol‐Preferring (P) Rats
Authors: Froehlich Janice C. , Nicholson Emily R. , Dilley Julian E. , Filosa Nick J. , Rademacher Logan C. , Smith Teal N.
Published: June 2017

Background

Most alcoholics experience periods of voluntary alcohol abstinence or imposed alcohol deprivation followed by a return to alcohol drinking. This study examined whether varenicline (VAR) reduces alcohol intake during a return to drinking after periods of alcohol deprivation in rats selectively bred for high alcohol drinking (the alcohol preferring or “P” rats).

Methods

Alcohol‐experienced P rats were given 24‐hour access to food and water and scheduled access to alcohol (15% and 30% v/v) for 2 h/d. After 4 weeks, rats were deprived of alcohol for 2 weeks, followed by reaccess to alcohol for 2 weeks, and this pattern was repeated for a total of 3 cycles. Rats were fed either vehicle (VEH) or VAR, in doses of 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg BW, at 1 hour prior to onset of the daily alcohol reaccess period for the first 5 days of each of the 3 alcohol reaccess cycles.

Results

Low‐dose VAR (0.5 mg/kg BW) reduced alcohol intake during the 5 days of drug treatment in alcohol reaccess cycles 1 and 2. Higher doses of VAR (1.0 mg/kg BW and 2.0 mg/kg BW) reduced alcohol intake during the 5 days of treatment in all 3 alcohol reaccess cycles. The decrease in alcohol intake disappeared with termination of VAR treatment in all alcohol reaccess cycles.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that VAR decreases alcohol intake during multiple cycles of alcohol reaccess following alcohol deprivation in rats and suggests that it may prevent a return to heavy alcohol drinking during a lapse from alcohol abstinence in humans with alcohol use disorder.
Chronic respiratory disease in the regional and remote population of the Northern Territory Top End: A perspective from the specialist respiratory outreach service
Authors: Kruavit Anuk , Fox Melissa , Pearson Rebecca , Heraganahally Subash
Published: June 2017

Objective

To study the demographic, rates and types of chronic respiratory conditions in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients in regional and remote communities of Northern Territory Top End, who were referred to the specialist respiratory outreach service.

Design

A retrospective, observational study over a 2 years period.

Setting

Remote community health clinics within the Northern Territory Top End visited by the specialist respiratory outreach team.

Participants

Only patients referred to respiratory specialist outreach team were included. There were 444 participants, with 210 males and 234 females. In total, 79.3% were Indigenous.

Main outcome measures

The rates of chronic respiratory disease diagnoses and smoking status within the different communities and health district regions.

Results

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the most common primary respiratory condition in our cohort of patients (50.5%) followed by sleep apnoea in (14.2%), bronchiectasis in (11.6%), asthma (11%), interstitial lung disease (2.5%), nodule/cancer (1.8%) sarcoidosis (0.2%) and others (9.2%). COPD, smoking status and bronchiectasis was more frequently noted among the Indigenous patients compared to non‐Indigenous patients (56.3% versus 28.3%, P < 0.001), (52.6% versus 25.0%, P < 0.001), and (12.5% versus 3.3%, P = 0.01) respectively. Obstructive sleep apnoea was more commonly diagnosed in non‐Indigenous patients.

Conclusion

Indigenous patients of the remote and rural communities of the Top End have significantly higher rates of smoking and COPD compared to non‐Indigenous patients. Bronchiectasis is also more common among Indigenous patients. Further efforts are warranted to develop strategies to address the disparity and optimise the respiratory outreach service to this population.
A survey of UK peri‐operative medicine: pre‐operative care
Authors: Bougeard A.‐M. , Brent A. , Swart M. , Snowden C.
Published: June 2017

The majority of UK hospitals now have a Local Lead for Peri‐operative Medicine (n = 115). They were asked to take part in an online survey to identify provision and practice of pre‐operative assessment and optimisation in the UK. We received 86 completed questionnaires (response rate 75%). Our results demonstrate strengths in provision of shared decision‐making clinics. Fifty‐seven (65%, 95%CI 55.8–75.4%) had clinics for high‐risk surgical patients. However, 80 (93%, 70.2–87.2%) expressed a desire for support and training in shared decision‐making. We asked about management of pre‐operative anaemia, and identified that 69 (80%, 71.5–88.1%) had a screening process for anaemia, with 72% and 68% having access to oral and intravenous iron therapy, respectively. A need for peri‐operative support in managing frailty and cognitive impairment was identified, as few (24%, 6.5–34.5%) respondents indicated that they had access to specific interventions. Respondents were asked to rank their ‘top five’ priority topics in Peri‐operative Medicine from a list of 22. These were: shared decision‐making; peri‐operative team development; frailty screening and its management; postoperative morbidity prediction; and primary care collaboration. We found variation in practice across the UK, and propose to further explore this variation by examining barriers and facilitators to improvement, and highlighting examples of good practice.
Trichomonas vaginalis is very rare among women with vaginal discharge in Podlaskie province, Poland
Authors: Serwin Agnieszka Beata , Bulhak‐Koziol Violetta , Sokolowska Marianna , Golparian Daniel , Unemo Magnus
Published: June 2017

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common curable sexually transmitted pathogen globally. However, in the European Union (EU), trichomoniasis appears to be a rare condition. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of T. vaginalis among females attending an STI centre in Bialystok, Poland, using the highly sensitive and specific APTIMA T. vaginalis assay. Consecutive females, referred by gynaecologists mainly because of abnormal vaginal discharge, were diagnosed using wet mount microscopy, culture and APTIMA T. vaginalis assay. Among 272 women studied, 82% were pre‐ and 18% postmenopausal. The average age was 36.0 ± 13.9 (range: 18–86) years. Abnormal discharge (alone or accompanied by itch or vulvovaginal burning) was the most frequent complain in both groups (66.2% and 48.0%). Erythema and discharge were the most frequent abnormal signs (58.6% and 56.0%). Not a single T. vaginalis‐positive sample was detected using wet mount microscopy, culture or APTIMA T. vaginalis assay. Despite using the highly sensitive APTIMA T. vaginalis assay for detection, the pathogen could not be identified in females in the studied setting, similar to results from other EU settings. The need for general screening using NAAT for this pathogen while diagnosing vulvovaginal symptoms in females in Poland appears to be low.
The Impact of Climate Change on an Archaeological Site in the Arctic
Authors: Hollesen J. , Matthiesen H. , Elberling B.
Published: June 2017

Climate change may accelerate the degradation of archaeological sites in the Arctic and lead to a loss of important historical information. This study assesses the current preservation conditions and the processes controlling the physical and chemical stability of the Qajaa kitchen midden in western Greenland. Currently, the site is well protected by low ground temperatures, permafrost and a high water/ice content, keeping the deposits anoxic. Based on 5 years of monitoring data, degradation experiments and model simulation, our results suggest that the combined effects of permafrost thaw, thermal and hydrological erosion and oxygen exposure may lead to substantial loss of archaeological evidence before the end of the 21st century.
Loops D, E and G in the Drosophila Dα1 subunit contribute to high neonicotinoid sensitivity of Dα1‐chicken β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Ihara Makoto , Hikida Mai , Matsushita Hiroyuki , Yamanaka Kyosuke , Kishimoto Yuya , Kubo Kazuki , Watanabe Shun , Sakamoto Mifumi , Matsui Koutaro , Yamaguchi Akihiro , Okuhara Daiki , Furutani Shogo , Sattelle David B , Matsuda Kazuhiko
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose

Neonicotinoid insecticides interact with the orthosteric site formed at subunit interfaces of insect nicotinic ACh (nACh) receptors. However, their interactions with the orthosteric sites at α–non α and α–α subunit interfaces remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of neonicotinoid actions using the Drosophila Dα1‐chicken β2 hybrid nACh receptor.

Experimental Approach

Computer models of the (Dα1)3(β2)2 nACh receptor in complex with imidacloprid and thiacloprid were generated. Amino acids in the Dα1 subunit were mutated to corresponding amino acids in the human α4 subunit to examine their effects on the agonist actions of neonicotinoids on (Dα1)3(β2)2 and (Dα1)2(β2)3 nACh receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using voltage‐clamp electrophysiology.

Key Results

The (Dα1)3(β2)2 nACh receptor models indicated that amino acids in loops D, E and G probably determine the effects of neonicotinoids. The amino acid mutations tested had minimal effects on the EC50 for ACh. However, the R57S mutation in loop G, although having minimal effect on imidacloprid's actions, reduced the affinity of thiacloprid for the (Dα1)3(β2)2 nACh receptor, while scarcely affecting thiacloprid's action on the (Dα1)2(β2)3 nACh receptor. Both the K140T and the combined R57S;K140T mutations reduced neonicotinoid efficacy but only for the (Dα1)3(β2)2 nACh receptor. Combining the E78K mutation with the R57S;K140T mutations resulted in a selective reduction of thiacloprid's affinity for the (Dα1)3(β2)2 nACh receptor.

Conclusions and Implications

These findings suggest that a triangle of residues from loops D, E and G contribute to the selective actions of neonicotinoids on insect‐vertebrate hybrid nACh receptors.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc
RIN1 promotes renal cell carcinoma malignancy by activating EGFR signaling through Rab25
Authors: Feng Zi‐Hao , Fang Yong , Zhao Liang‐Yun , Lu Jun , Wang Yong‐Qian , Chen Zhen‐Hua , Huang Yong , Wei Jin‐Huan , Liang Yan‐Ping , Cen Jun‐Jie , Pan Yi‐Hui , Liao Bing , Chen Wei , Luo Jun‐Hang
Published: June 2017

We previously identified the important role of RIN1 expression in the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The role of RIN1 in ccRCC malignancy and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that ccRCC cells and tissues expressed more RIN1 than normal controls. Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function studies demonstrated that RIN1 enhanced ccRCC cell growth, migration and invasion abilities in vitro and promoted tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that RIN1 has an activating effect on EGFR signaling in ccRCC. In addition, we unveil Rab25, a critical GTPase in ccRCC malignancy, as a functional RIN1 interacting partner. Knockdown of Rab25 eliminated the augmentation of carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion by ectopic RIN1. We also confirmed that RIN1 and Rab25 expression correlates with the overall‐survival of ccRCC patients from TCGA. These findings suggest that RIN1 plays an important oncogenic role in ccRCC malignancy by activation of EGFR signaling through interacting with Rab25, and RIN1 could be employed as an effective therapeutic target for ccRCC.
Hierarchical Bayesian Estimation of a Stochastic Plateau Response Function: Determining Optimal Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization
Authors: Ouedraogo Frederic , Brorsen B. Wade
Published: June 2017

This article seeks to determine the optimal level of nitrogen to apply to winter wheat. The article makes two methodological contributions. One is to extend the estimation of a stochastic plateau function to the case where the plateau has a beta distribution instead of a normal distribution. The second is to adapt hierarchical Bayesian methods as an alternative to the frequentist approach to estimate wheat yield response to nitrogen fertilizer. The economically optimal rate of nitrogen varies between 64 and 169 kg/ha and is consistently higher with the Bayesian method and higher under most scenarios when nonnormality is assumed for the plateau parameter. Based on the likelihood odds ratio, the normal distribution is preferred with maximum likelihood estimation. But, based on the deviance information criterion, the beta model is preferred with the Bayesian estimation.

Cet article a pour objectif de déterminer le niveau optimal d'azote à appliquer au blé d'hiver. L'article apporte deux contributions méthodologiques. L'un consiste à étendre l'estimation d'une fonction de plateau stochastique au cas où le plateau a une distribution bêta au lieu d'une distribution normale. La seconde consiste à adapter les méthodes bayésiennes hiérarchiques comme alternative à l'approche classique pour estimer la réponse du rendement du blé à l'engrais azoté. Le taux d'azote économiquement optimal varie entre 64 kg ha‐1 et 169 kg ha‐1 et est toujours plus élevé avec la méthode bayésienne et plus élevé dans la plupart des scénarios lorsque la non‐normalité est supposée pour le paramètre plateau. Selon le rapport de probabilité, la distribution normale est préférée avec l'estimation du maximum de vraisemblance. Mais, en fonction du critère d'information de déviance, le modèle bêta est préféré en utilisant la méthode d'estimation bayésienne.
A systematic review of segmental vs subtotal colectomy and subtotal colectomy vs total proctocolectomy for colonic Crohn's disease
Authors: Angriman I. , Pirozzolo G. , Bardini R. , Cavallin F. , Castoro C. , Scarpa M.
Published: June 2017

Aim

Surgical management of colonic Crohn's disease (CD) is still unclear because different procedures can be adopted. The choice of operation is dependent on the involvement of colonic disease but the advantages and disadvantages of the extent of resection are still debated.

Method

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in short‐term and long‐term outcomes of adult patients with colonic CD who underwent either subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (STC) or segmental colectomy (SC) or total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy (TPC). Studies published between 1984 and 2012 including comparisons of STC vs SC and of STC vs TPC were selected. The study end‐points were overall and surgical recurrence, postoperative morbidity and incidence of permanent stoma. Fixed effect models were used to evaluate the study outcomes.

Results

Eleven studies, consisting of a total of 1436 patients (510 STC, 500 SC and 426 TPC), were included. Analysis of the data showed no significant difference between STC and SC in terms of overall and surgical recurrence of CD. In contrast, STC showed a higher risk of overall and surgical recurrence of CD than TPC (OR 3.53, 95% CI 2.45–5.10, P < 0.0001; OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.27–5.44, P < 0.0001, respectively). SC had a higher risk of postoperative complications compared to STC, and STC had a lower risk of complications than TPC (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.16–6.96, P < 0.02; OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.09–0.38, P < 0.0001, respectively). SC resulted in a lower risk of permanent stoma than STC (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.77).

Conclusion

All three procedures were equally effective as treatment options for colonic CD and the choice of operation remains intrinsically dependent on the extent of colonic disease. However, patients in the TPC group showed a lower recurrence risk than those in the STC group. Moreover, SC had a higher risk of postoperative complications but a lower risk of permanent stoma. These data should be taken into account when deciding surgical strategies and when informing patients about postoperative risks.
A pedigree‐based experiment reveals variation in salinity and thermal tolerance in the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis
Authors: Ljungfeldt Lina Eva Robin , Quintela María , Besnier François , Nilsen Frank , Glover Kevin Alan
Published: June 2017

The salmon louse is a highly abundant ectoparasitic copepod of salmonids in the North Pacific and Atlantic. Widespread and rapid development of resistance to chemical agents used to delouse salmonids on marine farms is now threatening the continued development of the aquaculture industry and have served as a potent catalyst for the development of alternative pest management strategies. These include freshwater and warm‐water treatments to which the louse is sensitive. However, given the well‐documented evolutionary capacity of this species, the risk of developing tolerance towards these environmental treatments cannot be dismissed. Two common‐garden experiments were performed using full‐sibling families of lice identified by DNA parentage testing to investigate whether one of the fundamental premises for evolution, in this context genetic variation in the capacity of coping with fresh or warm water, exists within this species. Significant differences in survival were observed among families in both experiments, although for the salinity experiment, it was not possible to unequivocally disentangle background mortality from treatment‐induced mortality. Thus, our data demonstrate genetic variation in tolerance of warm water and are suggestive of genetic variation in salinity tolerance. We conclude that extensive use of these environmental‐based treatments to delouse salmonids on commercial farms may drive lice towards increased tolerance.
Live‐cell imaging of cell signaling using genetically encoded fluorescent reporters
Authors: Ni Qiang , Mehta Sohum , Zhang Jin
Published: June 2017

Synergistic advances in fluorescent protein engineering and live‐cell imaging techniques in recent years have fueled the concurrent development and application of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters that are tailored for tracking signaling dynamics in living systems over multiple length and time scales. These biosensors are uniquely suited for this challenging task, owing to their specificity, sensitivity, and versatility, as well as to the noninvasive and nondestructive nature of fluorescence and the power of genetic encoding. Over the past 10 years, a growing number of fluorescent reporters have been developed for tracking a wide range of biological signals in living cells and animals, including second messenger and metabolite dynamics, enzyme activation and activity, and cell cycle progression and neuronal activity. Many of these biosensors are gaining wide use and are proving to be indispensable for unraveling the complex biological functions of individual signaling molecules in their native environment, the living cell, shedding new light on the structural and molecular underpinnings of cell signaling. In this review, we highlight recent advances in protein engineering that are likely to help expand and improve the design and application of these valuable tools. We then turn our focus to specific examples of live‐cell imaging using genetically encoded fluorescent reporters as an important platform for advancing our understanding of G protein‐coupled receptor signaling and neuronal activity.
Predicting anthesis date of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with growing degree‐days at heading
Authors: Abel S. , Byrne S. L. , Asp T. , Boelt B.
Published: June 2017

The agronomic significance of heading date in crop species is well documented; however, the date of anthesis is often less emphasized even though it has important applications for seed quality and yield. Moreover, the relationship between heading and anthesis is not well defined. We propose that growing degree‐days to heading can be used as a good predictor of anthesis date. Using a broad range of 520 diploid perennial ryegrass accessions, anthesis was found to be highly correlated with growing degree‐days to heading, and growing degree‐days to heading could be used to predict anthesis date in historical data sets collected over many years. The ability to adequately predict anthesis will allow seed‐producing farmers to improve seed quality by identifying times when high disease pressure will coincide with anthesis, thus allowing control measures to be applied.