bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature distribution analysis in a fully wet moving radial porous fin by finite element method
Authors: Gireesha B.J. , Sowmya G. , Macha Madhu
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the temperature performance with natural convection and radiation effect on a porous fin in fully wet condition.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method (FEM) is applied to generate numerical solution of the obtained non-dimensional ordinary differential equation containing highly nonlinear terms. The parameters which impact on the heat transfer of fin have been scrutinized by means of plotted graphs.

Findings

The porous fin is taken for the analysis in radial profile moving with constant velocity. Here, the thermal conductivity is considered to be temperature dependent. The Darcy’s model has been implemented to study the heat transfer analysis.

Originality/value

The paper is genuine in its type, and there are hardly any works on fins as per the authors’ knowledge.
Investigation of the institutional and decision-usefulness factors in the implementation of accrual accounting reforms in the public sector of Tanzania
Authors: Mbelwa Latifa Hamisi , Adhikari Pawan , Shahadat Khandakar
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that have resulted in the effective implementation of accrual accounting reforms in the Central Government of Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on the ideas of institutional theory and some aspects of decision-usefulness so as to delineate the external pressures enforcing the Government of Tanzania to embrace accrual accounting and the factors complicating its implementation at organisational level (within government entities). The authors draw on quantitative techniques and the explanatory and cross-sectional survey research strategies and methods for data analysis.

Findings

Our findings suggest that the coercive pressures from donors and auditors along with the normative pressures surfaced by the training of employees generate a significant impact on designing the effective administrative model of accrual accounting. In a lesser extent, pressures from the National Board of Accountants and Auditors and cultural factors are positively correlated to the implementation of accrual accounting in the Tanzanian context. Of the factors the authors examined, the management changes are proved to be least effective. Unawareness of the key stakeholders has caused weak political and regulatory commitments. Accrual accounting implementation is further exacerbated by inadequate technical and personnel competence. Ultimately, the implementation of the accrual accounting has increased significant managerial accountability though a major segment of such behaviour is unexplained by the factors the authors employed in the study.

Practical implications

The effective implementation of accrual accounting relies on improvements in cultural and human-related issues. What is important to understand is that accrual accounting is more of a management reform incorporating changes in broader aspects of institutional and accountability mechanisms, rather than just an adoption of particular accounting technologies. Without such broader changes, accrual accounting reforms can be detrimental providing the technocrats and government officials with a space for manipulating financial information, Tanzania serving as an example.

Originality/value

The study highlights the case of an emerging economy in which accrual accounting is actually in effect and has impacted on managerial accountability, but is struggling to engender intended results and outcomes at organisational level.
Muslims’ willingness to pay for certified halal food: an extension of the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Iranmanesh Mohammad , Mirzaei Maryam , Parvin Hosseini Seyed Mehrshad , Zailani Suhaiza
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extent the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), when extended by self-identity and religious commitment (RC), and is able to predict Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WP) for certified halal food.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 277 Muslim consumers in Malaysia was conducted and the cross-sectional data were analysed using the partial least squares technique.

Findings

Attitude (ATT) and religious self-identity (RSI) were found to have a positive impact on WP for certified halal food. Additionally, RC has a positive effect on ATT and RSI and has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between perceived behavioural control and WP.

Practical implications

The findings can benefit halal food companies by offering an insight into the willingness of Muslim consumers to pay for certified halal food.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the research on halal foods by illustrating the factors that determine Muslim consumers’ WP for certified halal food. This study also extends the understanding of the TPB to the halal food context.
Linear analysis of a two-dimensional multistorey reinforced concrete frame under high temperature at different column locations
Authors: N. Parthasarathi , K.S. Satyanarayanan , V. Thamilarau , M. Prakash , Punnapu Adithya
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of progressive collapse under high temperature for a reinforced concrete (RC) frame. An analytical programme was analysed for a two-bay five-storey RC frame exposed to high temperature at different column locations.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of high temperature protections and locations (i.e. corner, middle and intermediate) on collapse conditions and load distributions were studied for the steady-state linear analysis using finite element software.

Findings

The results show that the frame will not collapse suddenly at temperatures up to 400°C. This is attributed to an increase in the deflections of the column, which increases the lateral displacement of adjacent heated columns and governs their buckling. This indicates that the temperature rating in the column against collapse can occur at a range of 500°C-600°C compared to that of individual members. The collapse pattern of RC frames designed as ordinary moment resisting frames, and under ordinary load, combinations is based on GSA guidelines. The results for displacement, stress and axial force were collected and discussed.

Originality/value

The two-bay five-storey frame has been created in finite element software, and linear analysis is used to perform this study with a different temperature.
Innovation policy-making in the upstream oil and gas industry as a large technical system under economic transition
Authors: Ghazinoory S. Sepehr , Tatina Shiva , Goodarzi Mehdi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Innovation and technology development policy-making naturally encounters numerous uncertainties and complexities, especially in developing countries, for the sake of the prevailing prospect of decision makers focusing on hard evidences, and neglecting key and effective social ones; in this research, a context-based method by means of Q-methodology was designed to facilitate policy-making for complex systems by bridging between policy and practices (latent in viewpoints) through providing context-based evidences.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the nature of knowledge-based systems, the performance of Innovation and Technology Development (ITD) systems is highly dependent on the standpoints of key players/stakeholders of the system. In consideration of Iran’s economy characteristics, Upstream Oil and Gas (UOG) Industry, which is one of the complex Large Technical Systems (LTS), was selected as a case study. Regarding the features of LTSs, the designed model was completed by adding hierarchical clustering method, as well as using the framework of innovation and technology learning transition model to analyze the results.

Findings

The results showed the capability of the model in providing credible evidences to inform policy-making processes.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first real experiences which used Q-method for providing evidence-based policy-making model in a complex Large Technical System, namely, Upstream Oil and Gas (UOG) Industry.
Improving energy efficiency in Vietnamese tube houses
Authors: Nguyen Phan Anh , Bokel Regina , Dobbelsteen Andy van den
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Refurbishing houses is considered a key measure to improve the energy efficiency of the built environment. However, little is known about the implementation and outcome of housing renovation for energy upgrades in the Vietnamese practice. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the energy performance of the current housing stock in Vietnam and the potential to reduce energy use in households.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a survey with 153 respondents in three major climatic regions of Vietnam. The survey focusses on building characteristics, environmental performance, energy performance and refurbishment activities. Data collected from the survey were statistically analysed to give insight into the current performance of the housing stock and its energy saving potential.

Findings

This paper concludes that building design and construction, particularly the building envelope, have a significant influence on the occupants’ comfort. However, the energy consumption in houses is not statistically associated with building design and indoor environment. It is suggested that financial status and occupants’ behaviour currently have a strong influence on the household energy use. The survey also showed that refurbishment improves the housing performance, especially if improving the indoor environment was one of the drivers.

Originality/value

There are very few studies on energy use in households in Vietnam, especially with regards to actual energy consumption. This paper brings insights into the actual energy consumption and reveals the “performance gap” in Vietnamese housing stock.
Eco‐evolutionary perspectives of the dynamic relationships linking senescence and cancer
Authors: Lemaître Jean‐François , Pavard Samuel , Giraudeau Mathieu , Vincze Orsolya , Jennings Geordie , Hamede Rodrigo , Ujvari Beata , Thomas Frédéric
Published: June 2019

Evidence for actuarial senescence (i.e. the decrease in survival with increasing age) is now widespread across the tree of life. However, demographic senescence patterns are highly variable both between and within species. To understand these variations, there is an urgent need to go beyond aggregated mortality rates and to investigate how age‐specific causes of mortality in animals interact with age‐specific physiological performance. We address this question in the context of cancers.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in human populations and has recently been shown to be more prevalent across species than previously thought. Since anthropogenic perturbations drastically increase cancer rates in wild populations of animals, deciphering the complex interactions between senescence and cancer now constitutes a key challenge in evolutionary ecology.

Based on classical evolutionary theories of ageing, we first demonstrate that the occurrence of cancers might constitute an underestimated piece of the life‐history jigsaw. We propose that the selection for an increased allocation of resources towards growth and reproduction during early life might potentially favour cancer development, a life‐history pathway that might be functionally mediated by the process of immunosenescence. While we discuss the relevance of other proximate mechanisms suggesting that cancer arises as a direct consequence of senescence, we also argue that cancer itself can promote senescence by notably increasing the amount of resources required for somatic maintenance.

Contrary to theoretical predictions, recent empirical evidence suggests that senescence is an asynchronous process among physiological functions. At the same time, the timing of occurrence varies widely between the different types of cancers. We suggest that similar evolutionary forces might shape the synchronicity of senescence and cancer patterns, which emphasize the tight and complex relationships linking these processes.

We propose a conceptual background to lay down the foundations and the directions of future research projects aiming to disentangle the dynamic relationship between the evolution of cancer and senescence. We argue that studies embracing these research directions will markedly improve our understanding of both cancer prevalence and timing at the individual, population and species level.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Senescence in wild insects: Key questions and challenges
Authors: Zajitschek Felix , Zajitschek Susanne , Bonduriansky Russell
Published: June 2019

Insects are key laboratory models for research on the fitness effects, genetics and plasticity of senescence. It was long believed that insects almost never survive long enough to senesce in the wild, but it is now clear that senescence occurs and can exact substantial fitness costs in natural insect populations. Yet, given the practical challenges of obtaining longitudinal field data on small, motile animals, we still know remarkably little about the evolution, expression and fitness consequences of senescence in wild insects.

We argue that the study of senescence in wild insects is important because many insights and hypotheses based on laboratory experiments must be tested in natural populations.

Examples of research areas where conclusions from laboratory studies could be misleading include the roles of candidate senescence genes, the effects of nutrition and dietary restriction on life span and senescence patterns, and the roles of viability selection and sexual selection in shaping senescence through trade‐offs and antagonistic pleiotropy.

Several emerging model species (such as antler flies, crickets, damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies) offer opportunities for field research on senescence using a range of observational and experimental techniques, as well as new genomic approaches.

Insects provide valuable and increasingly tractable models for research on senescence in natural populations. We believe that such work will shed light on many important questions in ecology and evolutionary biology.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Abiotic conditions mediate intraguild interactions between mammalian carnivores
Authors: Jensen Paul G. , Humphries Murray M.
Published: June 2019

Intraguild (IG) interactions are common among mammalian carnivores, can include intraguild predation (IGP) and interspecific killing (IK), and are often asymmetrical, where a larger more dominant species (IGpredator) kills a smaller one (IGprey). According to ecological theory, the potential for an IGpredator and IGprey to coexist depends on whether the direct consumptive benefits for the IGpredator are substantial (IGP) or insignificant (IK), the extent to which the IGprey is the superior exploitative competitor on shared prey resources, and overall ecosystem productivity.

We used resource selection models and spatially explicit age and harvest data for two closely related mesopredators that engage in IG interactions, American martens (Martes americana; IGprey) and fishers (Pekania pennanti; IGpredator), to identify drivers of distributions, delineate areas of sympatry and allopatry, and explore the role of an apex predator (coyote; Canis latrans) on these interactions.

Model selection revealed that fisher use of this landscape was strongly influenced by late winter abiotic conditions, but other bottom‐up (forest composition) and top‐down (coyote abundance) factors also influenced their distribution. Overall, fisher probability of use was higher where late winter temperatures were warmer, snowpack was deeper, and measures of productivity were greater. Martens were constrained to areas of the landscape where the probability of fisher use, coyote abundance, and productivity were low and selected for forest conditions that presumably maximized prey availability. Marten age data indicated an increased proportion of juveniles outside of the predicted area of sympatry, suggesting that few animals survived >1.5 years in this area that supported higher densities of fishers and coyotes.

Consistent with asymmetrical IG interaction theory, the IGpredator (fishers and, to a lesser degree, coyotes) competitively excluded the IGprey (martens) from more productive, milder temperature habitats, whereas IGpredators and IGprey coexisted in low productivity environments, where a combination of abiotic and biotic conditions enabled the IGprey to be the superior exploitative competitor.
Movement reveals reproductive tactics in male elephants
Authors: Taylor Lucy A. , Vollrath Fritz , Lambert Ben , Lunn Daniel , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain , Wittemyer George
Published: June 2019

Long‐term bio‐logging has the potential to reveal how movements, and hence life‐history trade‐offs, vary over a lifetime. Reproductive tactics in particular may vary as individuals' trade‐off current investment versus lifetime fitness. Male African savanna elephants (Loxodona africana) provide a telling example of balancing body growth with reproductive fitness due to the combination of indeterminate growth and strongly delineated periods of sexual activity (musth), which results in reproductive tactics that alter with age.

Our study aims to quantify the extent to which male elephants alter their movement patterns, and hence energetic allocation, in relation to (a) reproductive state and (b) age, and (c) to determine whether musth periods can be detected directly from GPS tracking data.

We used a combination of GPS tracking data and visual observations of 25 male elephants ranging in age from 20 to 52 years to examine the influence of reproductive state and age on movement. We then used a three‐state hidden Markov model (HMM) to detect musth behaviour in a subset of sequential tracking data.

Our results demonstrate that male elephants increased their daily mean speed and range size with age and in musth. Furthermore, non‐musth speed decreased with age, presumably reflecting a shift towards energy acquisition during non‐musth. Thus, despite similar speeds and marginally larger ranges between reproductive states at age 20, by age 50, males were travelling 2.0 times faster in a 3.5 times larger area in musth relative to non‐musth. The distinctiveness of musth periods over age 35 meant the three‐state HMM could automatically detect musth movement with high sensitivity and specificity, but could not for the younger age class.

We show that male elephants increased their energetic allocation into reproduction with age as the probability of reproductive success increases. Given that older male elephants tend to be both the target of legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching, man‐made interference could drive fundamental changes in elephant reproductive tactics. Bio‐logging, as our study reveals, has the potential both to quantify mature elephant reproductive tactics remotely and to be used to institute proactive management strategies around the reproductive behaviour of this charismatic keystone species.
Cold‐adapted Bacilli isolated from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau are able to promote plant growth in extreme environments
Authors: Wu Huijun , Gu Qin , Xie Yongli , Lou Zhiying , Xue Pengqi , Fang Liu , Yu Chenjie , Jia Dandan , Huang Guochao , Zhu Bichun , Schneider Andy , Blom Jochen , Lasch Peter , Borriss Rainer , Gao Xuewen
Published: June 2019

Nearly 1400 Bacillus strains growing in the plant rhizosphere were sampled from different sites on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Forty‐five of the isolates, selected due to their biocontrol activity, were genome‐sequenced and their taxonomic identification revealed that they were representatives of the Bacillus subtilis species complex (20) and the Bacillus cereus group (9). Majority of the remaining strains were found closely related to Bacillus pumilus, but their average nucleotide identity based on BLAST and electronic DNA/DNA hybridization values excluded closer taxonomic identification. A total of 45 different gene clusters involved in synthesis of secondary metabolites were detected by mining the genomes of the 45 selected strains. Except eight mesophilic strains, the 37 remaining strains were found either cold‐adapted or psychrophilic, able to propagate at 10°C and below (Bacillus wiedmannii NMSL88 and Bacillus sp. RJGP41). Pot experiments performed at 10°C with winter wheat seedlings revealed that cold‐adapted representatives of B. pumilus, B. safensis and B. atrophaeus promoted growth of the seedlings under cold conditions, suggesting that these bacilli isolated from a cold environment are promising candidates for developing of bioformulations useful for application in sustainable agriculture under environmental conditions unfavourable for the mesophilic bacteria presently in use.
Influence of the degree of hydrolysis on the bioactive properties of whey protein hydrolysates using Alcalase®
Authors: Eberhardt Agustina , López Emilse C , Ceruti Roberto J , Marino Fernanda , Mammarella Enrique J , Manzo Ricardo M , Sihufe Guillermo A
Published: June 2019

Whey protein concentrate was enzymatically hydrolysed at several time courses using the commercial preparation Alcalase® 2.4 L, different hydrolysates were achieved, and the effect of degree of hydrolysis (DH) on both technological and biological properties was studied. Results have shown that solubility, antioxidant and ACE inhibition activities were increased as DH was also augmented from about 8 to 17%. RP‐HPLC studies also revealed a decrease in hydrophobicity when samples were hydrolysed in comparison with controls. When the enzyme hydrolytic action was augmented, it stimulated both the bioactivity of whey protein and relevant technological properties, allowing these hydrolysates to be employed as additives in the development of food formulations.
Bile salt deconjugation activity of Propionibacterium strains and their cholesterol co‐precipitation abilities
Authors: Onal Darilmaz Derya , Beyatli Yavuz
Published: June 2019

The present study investigated the deconjugation of bile salts and co‐precipitation of cholesterol with deconjugated bile salts by seven Propionibacterium spp. strains in vitro. Propionibacterium spp. could deconjugate sodium glycocholate (1.53–5.31 mM) and sodium taurocholate (0.08–0.25 mM) bile salts. The highest cholesterol precipitation (47.8 µg/mL) was determined with Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii SP3 strain in a 0.15% oxgall‐containing medium. Significant (P < 0.05) correlations were observed between cholesterol co‐precipitation and deconjugation of sodium glycocholate among the strains. In vitro bile salt deconjugation activity studies of P. freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii SP3 strain revealed that this strain may have potential as a probiotic strain for deconjugation of bile salts in vivo studies.
Estimating belowground plant abundance with DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Matesanz Silvia , Pescador David S. , Pías Beatriz , Sánchez Ana M. , Chacón‐Labella Julia , Illuminati Angela , de la Cruz Marcelino , López‐Angulo Jesús , Marí‐Mena Neus , Vizcaíno Antón , Escudero Adrián
Published: June 2019

Most work on plant community ecology has been performed above ground, neglecting the processes that occur in the soil. DNA metabarcoding, in which multiple species are computationally identified in bulk samples, can help to overcome the logistical limitations involved in sampling plant communities belowground. However, a major limitation of this methodology is the quantification of species’ abundances based on the percentage of sequences assigned to each taxon. Using root tissues of five dominant species in a semi‐arid Mediterranean shrubland (Bupleurum fruticescens, Helianthemum cinereum, Linum suffruticosum, Stipa pennata and Thymus vulgaris), we built pairwise mixtures of relative abundance (20%, 50% and 80% biomass), and implemented two methods (linear model fits and correction indices) to improve estimates of root biomass. We validated both methods with multispecies mixtures that simulate field‐collected samples. For all species, we found a positive and highly significant relationship between the percentage of sequences and biomass in the mixtures (R2 = .44–.66), but the equations for each species (slope and intercept) differed among them, and two species were consistently over‐ and under‐estimated. The correction indices greatly improved the estimates of biomass percentage for all five species in the multispecies mixtures, and reduced the overall error from 17% to 6%. Our results show that, through the use of post‐sequencing quantification methods on mock communities, DNA metabarcoding can be effectively used to determine not only species’ presence but also their relative abundance in field samples of root mixtures. Importantly, knowledge of these aspects will allow us to study key, yet poorly understood, belowground processes.
COMPETING HERITAGE: CURATING THE POST-CONFLICT HERITAGE OF ROMAN SYRIA
Authors: MUNAWAR NOUR A.
Published: June 2019

Since the beginning of the armed conflicts and public uprisings that accompanied and followed the ‘Arab Spring’ that started in 2010, cultural heritage sites have been hit hard, damaged and often destroyed by different perpetrators. The Syrian Civil War has resulted in unprecedented damage to cultural heritage sites, monuments, and facilities. This has provoked observers, politicians, and international and national non-government organizations to debate about the impacts of damaging Syria's ‘irreplaceable’ patrimony and how to safeguard its past from the ongoing destructive actions. This paper investigates the transformation of the terminology of heritage—and the uses of heritage—in Syria before and during the ongoing conflict, and how the internationally renowned term ‘heritage’ emerged to promote the destruction of Syria's cultural patrimony. This paper explores the semantics and impacts of the continuous destruction and the ongoing reconstruction plans on the cultural heritage of Syria. To conclude, I argue that those destructive actions started a process of ‘heritagizing’ the present which will eventually become a part of the Syrian collective memory.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease puts patients with psoriasis at greater cardiovascular risk
Authors: Romero‐Pérez David , Belinchón‐Romero Isabel , Bellot Pablo , Francés Rubén , Marco Francisco , Ramos‐Rincón Jose Manuel
Published: June 2019

Background/Objective

Psoriasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are inflammatory diseases associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but no studies have evaluated cardiovascular risk in patients with both. The objective was to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis and NAFLD.

Material and methods

Cross‐sectional, single‐centre study in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Participants underwent liver ultrasound to determine the presence of NAFLD. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the calibrated Framingham function and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) charts. Statistical analyses included a descriptive analysis, chi‐square tests for comparing independent samples and stepwise multiple logistic regression to identify associations with the two risk scores.

Results

Psoriatic patients with NAFLD had significantly higher odds of moderate to very high 10‐year cardiovascular risk compared to those without NAFLD, according to SCORE (71.5% versus 29.2%; odds ratio [OR] 6.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3–11.1; P < 0.001). Using both the SCORE and Framingham assessment methods, moderate to very high cardiovascular risk was independently associated with metabolic syndrome (Framingham: adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 5.5, 95% CI 2.3–12.9, P < 0.001; SCORE: ORa 4.7, 95% CI 1.9–11.7, P = 0.001) and systemic treatment (Framingham: ORa 3.4, 95% CI 1.4–8.5, P = 0.009; SCORE: ORa 3.2, 95% CI 1.2–8.2, P = 0.021). Using SCORE, cardiovascular risk was also associated with NAFLD (ORa of 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.6, P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Psoriasis plus NAFLD confers higher cardiovascular risk at 10 years than psoriasis alone. In comorbid patients, more intense diagnostic efforts and follow‐up are justified.
Cross‐Country Variation in the Effectiveness of the Media's Corporate Governance Role: Decision to Abandon Value‐Destroying Acquisition Attempts
Authors: Kim Jinhee
Published: June 2019

I examine the cross‐country variation in the effectiveness of the media's corporate governance role. I find this role to be more effective in countries with greater societal trust or concern for shareholder wealth maximization. In those countries, news coverage of value‐destroying acquisition attempts leads to a higher likelihood of acquisition abandonment. By contrast, the effectiveness of the media's governance role does not vary directly with the status of local media freedom. The results imply that a society's shared values, such as trust or concern for shareholder wealth maximization, play an important role in the media's watchdog function.
An ELECTRE III Based CBR Approach to Combinatorial Portfolio Selection
Authors: Chanvarasuth Pisit , Boongasame Laor , Boonjing Veera
Published: June 2019

Investors generally learn from historical data and use it to improve future investment decisions. However, existing portfolio selection research rarely considers such a concept. This paper proposes a novel approach to the combinatorial portfolio selection problem. Our solution employs the Case‐Based Reasoning (CBR) approach with ELECTRE III, based on the Industry Classification Benchmark standards. The target stocks are ranked based on their similarities to a reference case, allowing specified selection criteria. Similarities are calculated based on selected ELECTRE III metrics. Experimental results with the Stock Exchange of Thailand data show that our CBR approach with ELECTRE III outperforms the traditional method.
Older people's mental health in rural areas: Converting policy into service development, service access and a sustainable workforce
Authors: Jackson Kate , Roberts Russell , McKay Roderick
Published: June 2019

This paper describes the older people's mental health workforce development, policy development and implementation process and quantifies the rural service delivery and access impacts over a 15‐year period in New South Wales. It highlights the factors that are considered to be critical to successful rural service development such as commitment to funding parity, investment in strong local service leadership, and development of innovative, locally adapted rural service models. Building on these foundations, the Older People's Mental Health Program in New South Wales was able to address key challenges relating to service access in rural health and develop new, sustainable specialist older people's mental health service networks. A sustained focus on policy and implementation which explicitly supports rural older people's mental health service enhancement, and development of evidence‐based models of care, has significantly improved access to specialist mental health care for older people in rural areas. It has delivered 23 new rural older people's mental health community teams and a 440% increase in the number of people accessing these teams. It has also doubled the number of acute inpatient units and established new specialist mental health‐residential aged care partnership services in rural New South Wales. It has resulted in increased access to services for the “older old,” while not diminishing older people's rates of access to general adult mental health services. It has also supported innovative, sustainable rural service models such as “hub and spoke” models and step‐up step‐down inpatient services that build on existing health and hospital infrastructure and link geographically dispersed specialist clinicians and services together in rural service delivery.
Peritubular cells of the human testis: prostaglandin E2 and more
Authors: Mayerhofer Artur
Published: June 2019

Background

Several layers of slender, smooth muscle‐like, peritubular cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) form the peritubular compartment of the human testis. Peritubular cells are the least explored testicular cells.

Materials and methods

Human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) can be isolated from small testicular fragments of patients and studied in vitro. We have used this cellular model, in combination with human testicular samples, to examine how peritubular cells may contribute to male (in)fertility.

Results

Human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) retain contractile abilities in vitro and secrete many proteins. Among them are factors, which serve intra‐testicular roles, for example, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), thought to be important for the renewal of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Studies in mutant mice indicated that peritubular cell‐derived GDNF is crucial for lifelong spermatogenesis. Thus, peritubular cells are a functional part of the SSC niche. Peritubular cells of mice and men express androgen receptors (AR). In mouse peritubular cells, androgens enhanced GDNF production, but not in HTPCs. Rather, AR activation increased the levels of AR and smooth muscle proteins and thereby enhanced the smooth muscle‐like phenotype. Following the lead of a proteomic analysis, which identified the key prostaglandin (PG)‐synthesizing enzyme (PTGS1 = COX1), we found that HTPCs secrete PGE2. COX1, and PGE2 receptors (EP1, 2, and 4) were identified in peritubular cells in situ, supporting in vivo relevance. In HTPCs, activation of EP1/4 increased GDNF and a smooth muscle protein. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), which blocks PG synthesis. Added to HTPCs it reduced PGE2 and GDNF production and lowered smooth muscle protein levels. If applicable to the in vivo situation, the results suggest that ibuprofen and possibly other NSAIDs may impair important peritubular cell functions and consequently testicular functions.

Conclusion

The few examples highlighted, together with others not mentioned here, indicate that HTPCs provide an experimental window into the human testis.
Comparison of immunological adjuvants
Authors: Trier Nicole H. , Güven Esin , Skogstrand Kristin , Ciplys Evaldas , Slibinskas Rimantas , Houen Gunnar
Published: June 2019

In this study, several innate immunological adjuvants and related compounds were compared with respect to complement activation in serum and induction of cytokine release in whole blood samples using immunoassays. As found, simple lipids had no effect on the complement system or on cytokine release, whereas lipopolysaccharides induced prominent release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, TNF and IFNγ) without affecting the complement system, except for one, which activated the lectin pathway (LP). Moreover, saponin induced IL1β and MCP1 release and did not affect the complement system. The polysaccharide inulin exhausted the alternative pathway (AP) completely without affecting the LP and the classical pathway (CP), whereas zymosan exhausted the AP and had a major effect on the LP and CP as well. Peptidoglycans mainly affected the LP. Inulin, agarose and cellulose induced IL1β and MCP1 release, while dextran had no effect on cytokine secretion. Zymosan mainly induced IL1β release. The inorganic compound aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3, activated the complement system very efficiently (all three pathways) but only induced MCP1 release. Other compounds tested had minor/individual effects. Collectively, well‐known adjuvants, such as aluminum hydroxide, activated the complement system and/or induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine release. Since complement activation generates anaphylactic peptides, a simple definition of an (innate) immunological adjuvant can be inferred: it activates the (innate) immune system by complement activation and/or release of cytokines so as to attract cells of the adaptive immune system.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of ARID1A in endometrial hyperplasia: a novel marker of occult cancer
Authors: Raffone Antonio , Travaglino Antonio , Saccone Gabriele , Cieri Miriam , Mascolo Massimo , Mollo Antonio , Insabato Luigi , Zullo Fulvio
Published: June 2019

AT‐rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) is a tumor suppressor protein involved in endometrioid carcinogenesis. The expression of ARID1A may be lost in the premalignant phase. Our aim was to assess ARID1A as: (i) diagnostic marker to differentiate premalignant endometrial hyperplasia (EH) form benign EH; (ii) prognostic marker for the risk of occult cancer in premalignant EH. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed by searching electronic databases from their inception to October 2018 for all studies assessing ARID1A in EH by immunohistochemistry. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated for both diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. LR+ > 5, LR− < 0.2, DOR > 25 defined good accuracy; LR+ > 10, LR− < 0.1, DOR > 100 defined excellent accuracy. Seven studies with 467 EH were included. As diagnostic marker, ARID1A showed sensitivity = 0.12, specificity = 0.99, LR+ = 4.34, LR− = 0.85, DOR = 5.12. As prognostic marker for occult cancer, ARID1A showed sensitivity = 0.33, specificity = 0.99, LR+ = 20.70, LR− = 0.49, DOR = 49.59. In conclusion, ARID1A loss is highly specific, but little accurate as diagnostic marker of premalignant EH. Instead, ARID1A loss in premalignant EH is an accurate and almost perfectly specific prognostic marker for coexistent cancer.
Serological responses of Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA following vaccination against strangles
Authors: El‐Hage CM , Bannai H , Wiethoelter AK , Firestone SM , Heislers CM , Allen JL , Waller AS , Gilkerson JR
Published: June 2019

Objective

To determine the nature of serological responses in Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA (iELISA) following vaccination against strangles.

Design

A group (n = 19) of client‐owned horses from five properties were recruited to receive a primary course of a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) extract vaccine. Serological responses were determined by duplex iELISA incorporating S. equi‐specific fragments of two cell wall proteins, SEQ2190 and SeM (antigens (Ag) A and C, respectively).

Methods

The horses were administered a primary strangles vaccination course. Blood was collected immediately prior to each of the three vaccinations at 2‐week intervals and additionally at 28 and 56 days following the 3rd vaccination (V3).

Results

Significant increases in mean antibody levels of horses following vaccination were limited only to AgC, which was significantly increased at T2/V3, 14 days following V2 (ratio of geometric means = 3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 8.4; P = 0.003). There was no increase in mean antibody to Ag A (ratio of geometric means = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.6, 3.2; P = 0.39). Four horses (22%) exceeded the test cut‐off for AgC following vaccination.

Conclusion

Vaccination of Australian horses is unlikely to interfere greatly with detection of strangles using the duplex iELISA. No responses would be anticipated to AgA following vaccination with Equivac© S/Equivac© 2in1 and only a minority are likely to respond to AgC. We conclude that the results of this study validate the usefulness of the duplex iELISA to assist control measures for strangles outbreaks in Australian horse populations.
TAM and stages of adoption of blended learning in higher education by application of data mining techniques
Authors: Martín‐García Antonio Víctor , Martínez‐Abad Fernando , Reyes‐González David
Published: June 2019

The purpose of the study is to analyse and identify the stages of adoption of the blended learning (BL or b‐learning) methodology in higher education contexts, and to assess the relationship of these stages with a set of variables related to personal and professional characteristics, attributes perceived on BL and contextual variables. About 980 active academic staff from 43 Spanish public universities participated. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as a theoretical framework for the operational definition of the variables. Through the use of data mining techniques (clustering and decision trees), groupings were made based on the b‐learning adoption stage and a subsequent predictive model of these stages. The results show that the intention to use BL is the most important predictor variable in all models applied. In addition, the relationship between higher frequency of use and experience in digital educational environments with higher stages of implementation of the BL methodology was verified. Regarding the socio‐demographic variables included in the study, it was observed that they exert effects that are marginal in all cases.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Many universities and higher education institutions are designing strategic plans and diverse actions to implement and spread the use of BL methodologies.

TAM has been widely used to study the behaviour and the intention of using a wide variety of specific technologies in the classroom.

The study of BL from the perspective of TAM has generally been carried out using inferential analysis techniques.

What this paper adds

Analysis of complex systems such as the BL methodology from the TAM approach.

Groups of adopting teachers can be analysed using the TAM approach according to the stage of use of this innovation.

In contrast to traditional inferential techniques, this paper proposes a methodological procedure based on decision trees, which facilitates a more refined analysis of the relationship and interactions between the set of TAM predictor variables (PU, PEOU, BI, etc.) and the criterion variable (stages of adoption).

The obtaining of more complete and adjusted trees leads to better prediction and identification of the concrete actions that could be implemented by higher education institutions as protective or motivating factors for the diffusion of the BL methodology.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Interest in focusing attention on a complex system such as the one represented by the BL methodology from the perspective of models of technological acceptance reinforces an interesting line of research that can enrich the approach and scope of the TAM theory and generates knowledge that helps promote strategic actions to optimise the institutional diffusion of the BL training modality in higher education contexts.
Altered cytochrome 2E1 and 3A P450‐dependent drug metabolism in advanced ovarian cancer correlates to tumour‐associated inflammation
Authors: Trousil Sebastian , Lee Patrizia , Edwards Robert J. , Maslen Lynn , Lozan‐Kuehne Jingky P. , Ramaswami Ramya , Aboagye Eric O. , Clarke Stephen , Liddle Christopher , Sharma Rohini
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose

Previous work has focussed on changes in drug metabolism caused by altered activity of CYP3A in the presence of inflammation and, in particular, inflammation associated with malignancy. However, drug metabolism involves a number of other P450s, and therefore, we assessed the effect of cancer‐related inflammation on multiple CYP enzymes using a validated drug cocktail.

Experimental Approach

Patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer and healthy volunteers were recruited. Participants received caffeine, chlorzoxazone, dextromethorphan, and omeprazole as in vivo probes for CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, CYP3A, and CYP2C19. Blood was collected for serum C‐reactive protein and cytokine analysis.

Key Results

CYP2E1 activity was markedly up‐regulated in cancer (6‐hydroxychlorzoxazone/chlorzoxazone ratio of 1.30 vs. 2.75), while CYP3A phenotypic activity was repressed in cancer (omeprazole sulfone/omeprazole ratio of 0.23 vs. 0.49). Increased activity of CYP2E1 was associated with raised serum levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α. Repression of CYP3A correlated with raised levels of serum C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α.

Conclusions and Implications

CYP enzyme activity is differentially affected by the presence of tumour‐associated inflammation, affecting particularly CYP2E1‐ and CYP3A‐mediated drug metabolism, and may have profound implications for drug development and prescribing in oncological settings.
A Test of the Bistrategic Control Hypothesis of Adolescent Popularity
Authors: Hartl Amy C. , Laursen Brett , Cantin Stéphane , Vitaro Frank
Published: June 2019

Resource Control Theory (Hawley, 1999) posits a group of bistrategic popular youth who attain status through coercive strategies while mitigating fallout via prosociality. This study identifies and distinguishes this bistrategic popular group from other popularity types, tracing the adjustment correlates of each. Adolescent participants (288 girls, 280 boys; Mage = 12.50 years) completed peer nominations in the Fall and Spring of the seventh and eighth grades. Longitudinal latent profile analyses classified adolescents into groups based on physical and relational aggression, prosocial behavior, and popularity. Distinct bistrategic, aggressive, and prosocial popularity types emerged. Bistrategic popular adolescents had the highest popularity and above average aggression and prosocial behavior; they were viewed by peers as disruptive and angry but were otherwise well‐adjusted.
Moral residue and health justice for the global south: Addressing past issues through current interventions and research
Authors: Ujewe Samuel J.
Published: June 2019

This paper introduces the concept of moral residue to global health, and shows how its presence undermines crucial interventions and research, especially in the global south. Lingering feelings of anxiety, anger, blame or frustration often exist among local populations, where previous interventions or research have left traces of harm and/or exploitation. The existence of such feelings reflects the presence of moral residue, recognizing the moral experiences of epistemic injustices, which in turn undermines critical interventions and research through outright rejection or passive non‐compliance among affected populations. While such situations have been variously interpreted and relevant strategies developed to address the issues, little to no consideration is made on the implications of moral residue experiences in global health contexts and how to address them. This paper demonstrates the presence of moral residue in global health and proffers an African ethical approach, a harmony framework, for addressing moral residue issues, as part of a holistic approach towards tackling population health crises without compromising health gains for affected populations in the global south.
Severe neurological impairment: a review of the definition
Authors: Allen John , Molloy Eleanor , McDonald Denise
Published: June 2019

Severe neurological impairment (SNI) is a term commonly used in the medical literature, though there is no agreed definition. This limits opportunities for research into healthcare needs, treatment opportunities, resource planning, and outcome. We reviewed the literature to establish consistency of use of the term and to place it in the context of other commonly employed terms used to describe children with severe, complex medical needs. Forty‐two articles were included for full‐text analysis, with 23 including a definition of SNI. Motor impairment, intellectual disability, communication difficulties, and increased care needs were included in the definition in 80%, 70%, 30%, and 13% of papers respectively. Dependence on others for decision‐making, chronicity, and distinction between disorders of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system were less frequently included. There is wide variation in the use of the term SNI. A consensus‐based definition of this term would be useful to facilitate future research.

What this paper adds

There is inconsistency in use of the term severe neurological impairment (SNI), limiting research efforts.

In defining SNI, considerations are mobility, intellectual disability, communication difficulties, and increased care needs.

Distinction between acute and chronic, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, and dependence on others for decision‐making were less significant.