bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous hydrolytic features for OXA-48-like β-lactamases
Authors: Oueslati Saoussen , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases of the OXA-48 type are increasingly reported from Enterobacteriaceae. β-Lactamase OXA-48 hydrolyses penicillins very efficiently, but carbapenems only weakly and spares broad-spectrum cephalosporins. Recently, diverse OXA-48-like β-lactamases have been identified worldwide (OXA-162, OXA-181, OXA-163, OXA-204 and OXA-232). They differ by few amino acid substitutions or by amino acid deletions.

Methods
bla OXA-48, blaOXA-162, blaOXA-163, blaOXA-181, blaOXA-204 and blaOXA-232 were cloned into the same expression vector and expressed in the same Escherichia coli background. Kinetic studies were performed with enzymes purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Determination of hydrolytic activities was performed by UV spectrophotometry. MICs were determined for all recombinant strains, using as background either the WT E. coli TOP10 strain or a porin-deficient E. coli strain.

Results
Kinetic studies showed that OXA-162 and OXA-204 shared the same hydrolytic properties as OXA-48. On the other hand, OXA-181 possessed a higher ability to hydrolyse carbapenems, while OXA-232 hydrolysed those substrates less efficiently. In contrast to the other OXA-48-like β-lactamases, OXA-163 hydrolysed broad-spectrum cephalosporins very efficiently, but did not possess significant carbapenemase activity. Although several of these OXA-48-like enzymes possess low activity against carbapenems, MICs of carbapenems were significantly elevated when determined for strains possessing permeability defects.

Conclusions
A detailed comparative analysis of the kinetic properties of the OXA-48-like β-lactamases is provided here. It clarifies the respective features of each OXA-48-like variant and their respective impacts in terms of carbapenem resistance.
A conceptual model for evaluating infrastructure-based temporary multi-organisations
Authors: Awuzie B.O. , McDermott P. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The absence of an effective model for conceptualising and evaluating the interorganisational relationships within infrastructure delivery systems has been blamed for the seeming inability of implementation analysts to discover the causes of implementation gaps (disjuncture) experienced within such systems. This is particularly so in emerging economies where successive governments are trying to deliver socio-economic benefits to their citizenry through investments in infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model with such capabilities based upon the diagnostic principles of a base model-the Viable Systems Model (VSM) to bridge this identified gap.Design/methodology/approach– In this qualitative study, two stages of data collection were applied at various stages of the study namely; asynchronous online discussion forums and structured interviews. Whereas the first set was used to determine the suitability of the tenets of the VSM in understanding the IDS, the latter was used to validate the emergent model. Data obtained from these processes were qualitatively analysed.Findings– It was discovered that the VSM could also be applicable to TMOs and not just permanent organisations. This enabled these tenets to be applied in the development of a model for conceptualising and evaluating the relationships within the implementation cycle.Research limitations/implications– The emergent model-VIDM – would avail policy analysts in emerging economies with a tool for carrying out proper implementation analysis during policy implementation cycles and not just afterwards, particularly as it concerns infrastructure delivery processes.Originality/value– This paper satisfies all the tenets of originality as it has not been previously published and all the ideas from other studies have been duly referenced.
Analysis of characteristics affecting completion time for Malaysian construction projects
Authors: Shehu Zayyana , Holt Gary D. , Endut Intan R , Akintoye Akintola 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– Construction projects within Malaysia are plagued by time overruns that can transform what should have been successful projects, into those incurring additional costs, disagreements, litigation and in some cases abandonment. To help better understand this problem, the purpose of this paper is to investigate Malaysian project characteristics in relation to time overruns.

Design/methodology/approach
– In total, 150 Malaysian quantity-surveying organisations provided data relating to recent projects they have worked on. Project characteristics considered in analysis are new build and refurbishment, public and private sectors, procurement methods used, nature of projects and tendering methods.

Findings
– Public sector projects were found more prone to overruns than those in the private sector; refurbishment projects experienced better time performance than new build; construction management demonstrated better time performance than design-build or traditional procurement; and infrastructure projects/negotiated tendering, performed better than selective/open tendering, respectively. The study also developed a linear model to predict project duration, based on contract period.

Research limitations/implications
– The study adds a geographically specific detailed analysis to the extant literature of project performance generally and to that of time overruns more specifically.

Practical implications
– Findings provide stakeholders with information that may help mitigate the frequency of project delays among construction projects, especially in Malaysia.

Originality/value
– The analysis and modelling of time overrun in relation to Malaysian project characteristics in this way is novel.
Perceived barriers to consumption of freshwater fish in Morocco
Authors: Badr Laamiri Mohamed , Salwa Oufrid , Ahmed Yahyaoui 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers to freshwater fish consumption in Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach
– The survey was conducted on 220 consumers in different food outlets (supermarkets and local fishmongers) during their purchases of fish. Only those who have already had experience of eating or handling and preparing a freshwater fish were selected for the study.

Findings
– According to result of factors analysis test, the low consumption of freshwater fish is linked to three factors: sensory barriers (28.54 percent), convenience barriers (22.83 percent) and quality barriers (19.65 percent). These factors explained about 71.04 percent of the total variance of the research variables. Sensory attributes constitute a major barrier for freshwater fish consumption. Most consumers revealed that freshwater fish has a muddy-earthy taste, bad texture, unpleasant appearance and with numerous bones. Not surprisingly, convenience orientation is cited as a barrier by the most respondents. They reported that freshwater fish will require more effort, time and/ or skills at different stages of the provisioning process which includes acquisition, preparation, eating and cleaning up. Quality attributes (place, freshness and knowledge about freshwater fish) has also an influence on fish’s value and acceptance. It is considered a negative characteristic of freshwater fish.

Originality/value
– Little is known on consumer attitude toward barriers of fish consumption in Morocco. This study is a preliminary one investigating the barriers affecting consumer purchasing decision of freshwater fish.
A simple diversity guided firefly algorithm
Authors: Yu Shuhao , Su Shoubao , Huang Li 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a modified firefly algorithm (FA) considering the population diversity to avoid local optimum and improve the algorithm’s precision.

Design/methodology/approach
– When the population diversity is below the given threshold value, the fireflies’ positions update according to the modified equation which can dynamically adjust the fireflies’ exploring and exploiting ability.

Findings
– A novel metaheuristic algorithm called FA has emerged. It is inspired by the flashing behavior of fireflies. In basic FA, randomly generated solutions will be considered as fireflies, and brightness is associated with the objective function to be optimized. However, during the optimization process, the fireflies become more and more similar and gather into the neighborhood of the best firefly in the population, which may make the algorithm prematurely converged around the local solution.

Research limitations/implications
– Due to different dimensions and different ranges, the population diversity is different undoubtedly. And how to determine the diversity threshold value is still required to be further researched.

Originality/value
– This paper presents a modified FA which uses a diversity threshold value to guide the algorithm to alternate between exploring and exploiting behavior. Experiments on 17 benchmark functions show that the proposed algorithm can improve the performance of the basic FA.
Developing a Physician Management & Leadership Program (PMLP) in Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Maddalena Victor , Fleet Lisa 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– This article aims to document the process the province of Newfoundland and Labrador used to develop an innovative Physician Management and Leadership Program (PMLP). The PMLP is a collaborative initiative among Memorial University (Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Business), the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Health Authorities. As challenges facing health-care systems become more complex there is a growing need for management and leadership training for physicians.

Design/methodology/approach
– Memorial University Faculty of Medicine and the Gardiner Centre in the Faculty of Business in partnership with Regional Health Authorities and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador identified the need for a leadership and management education program for physician leaders. A provincial needs assessment of physician leaders was conducted to identify educational needs to fill this identified gap. A Steering Committee was formed to guide the design and implementation and monitor delivery of the 10 module Physician Management and Leadership Program (PMLP).

Findings
– Designing management and leadership education programs to serve physicians who practice in a large, predominately rural geographic area can be challenging and requires efficient use of available resources and technology.

Originality/value
– While there are many physician management and leadership programs available in Canada and abroad, the PMLP was designed to meet the specific educational needs of physician leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Evaluating the audio-diary method in qualitative research
Authors: Williamson Iain , Leeming Dawn , Lyttle Steven , Johnson Sally 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– Audio-diary methods are under-utilised in contemporary qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to discuss participants and researchers’ experiences of using audio-diaries alongside semi-structured interviews to explore breastfeeding experiences in a short-term longitudinal study with 22 first-time mothers.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors provide a qualitative content analysis of the participants’ feedback about their experiences of the audio-diary method and supplement this with the perspectives of the research team based on fieldwork notes, memos and team discussions. The authors pay particular attention to the ways in which the data attained from diaries compared with those from the interviews.

Findings
– The diaries produced were highly heterogeneous in terms of data length and quality. Participants’ experiences with the method were varied. Some found the process therapeutic and useful for reflecting upon the development of breastfeeding skills whilst negative aspects related to lack of mobility, self-consciousness and concerns about confidentiality. Researchers were positive about the audio-diary method but raised certain ethical, epistemological and methodological concerns. These include debates around the use of prompts, appropriate support for participants and the potential of the method to influence the behaviour under scrutiny. Interview and diary accounts contrasted and complemented in ways which typically enriched data analysis.

Practical implications
– The authors conclude that audio-diaries are a flexible and useful tool for qualitative research especially within critical realist and phenomenological paradigms.

Originality/value
– This appears to be the first paper to evaluate both participants and researchers’ experiences of using audio-diaries in a detailed and systematic fashion.
Embracing participation in mental health research: conducting authentic interviews
Authors: Morrison Paul , Stomski Norman Jay 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– Successful interviews are underpinned by several important processes that researchers must take account of. These include: understanding the meaning of participation in research, acquiring informed consent, establishing rapport, managing boundaries between research and helping, and embracing consumer participation in research. These processes have been addressed individually in articles, but have not been collectively appraised yet they are all critical determinants of successful interviewing. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap in the literature by synthesizing the available information that shapes the practice of interviewing people with mental health problems in a research project.Design/methodology/approach– This paper involves a review of the literature.Findings– Numerous interactional processes need to be addressed to facilitate the full engagement of both researchers and informants in research interviews. Engaging authentically in research interviews is challenging at many levels, and strategies are presented that researchers and informants can use to manage the difficulties that they may encounter.Originality/value– This paper draws on the notion of participation to highlight how certain aspects of interactions between researchers and informants with mental health problems contribute to authentic narratives.
Mycophenolate mofetil in erosive genital lichen planus: A case and review of the literature
Authors: Deen Kristyn , McMeniman Erin 
Published: January 2015

AbstractErosive genital lichen planus is a disabling, inflammatory mucocutaneous condition that can cause significant patient morbidity and loss of function. Treatment initially involves topical corticosteroids but some patients can have severe treatment‐resistant courses requiring systemic immunosuppression. With potentially unfavorable adverse effect profiles and subsequent intolerance of these agents by patients, erosive lichen planus can ultimately be a challenging condition to treat effectively. We present a case of a 66‐year‐old woman with treatment‐resistant erosive genital lichen planus who was successfully managed with mycophenolate mofetil. Although there is only weak evidence for this agent in this condition, its role in dermatology is growing due to its efficacy and advantageous adverse effect profile and should therefore be considered in patients with treatment‐resistant erosive genital lichen planus.
Implementation of a trauma system in Norway: a national survey
Authors: DEHLI T. , GAARDER T. , CHRISTENSEN B. J. , VINJEVOLL O. P. , WISBORG T. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundTrauma systems have improved outcomes for injured patients, but might be challenging to implement. We assessed the implementation of a trauma system in Norway after recommendations for a national trauma system were published in 2007, with a focus on elements in acute care hospitals.MethodsAll hospitals in Norway, except for the four regional trauma centres, admitting injured patients at the time of the study were included in a telephone survey. The questionnaire was administered during May 2013 by the regional trauma coordinators who interviewed the local trauma coordinator and/or the local doctor responsible for trauma care in all the acute care hospitals. The main categories were availability of the trauma team and team training, written procedures, preparedness and training of personnel. The compliance to a set of 17 predefined trauma system criteria was evaluated at each institution.ResultsOf the 35 acute care hospitals in Norway admitting trauma patients at the time of the survey, all were included. The median number of fulfilled criteria was 14. Major deficiencies were found in fulfilling competence criteria, maintaining a local trauma registry, and trauma audits. The number of fulfilled criteria correlated strongly with the size of the hospital and the frequency of trauma team activation.ConclusionsShortcomings in requirements for lower‐level trauma care hospitals correlate to hospital size and frequency with which the trauma team is activated. In order to fulfill the minimum requirements, smaller hospitals should receive more attention.
Drinking experience uncovers genetic influences on alcohol expectancies across adolescence
Authors: Young‐Wolff Kelly C. , Wang Pan , Tuvblad Catherine , Baker Laura A. , Raine Adrian , Prescott Carol A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimsTo test whether drinking onset moderates genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in the etiology of alcohol expectancies across adolescence.DesignLongitudinal twin design.SettingCommunity sample from Los Angeles, CA, USA.ParticipantsA total of 1292 male and female twins, aged 11–18 years, were assessed at 1 (n = 440), 2 (n = 587) or 3 (n = 265) occasions as part of the risk factors for the Antisocial Behavior Twin Study.MeasurementsSocial behavioral (SB) alcohol expectancies were measured using an abbreviated version of the Social Behavioral subscale from the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for adolescents (AEQ‐A). Drinking onset was defined as >1 full drink of alcohol.FindingsAlcohol expectancies increased over age and the increase became more rapid following onset of drinking. The importance of genetic and environmental influences on SB scores varied with age and drinking status, such that variation prior to drinking onset was attributed solely to environmental influences, whereas all post‐onset variation was attributed to genetic influences. Results did not differ significantly by sex.ConclusionOnly environmental factors explain beliefs about the social and behavioral consequences of alcohol use prior to drinking onset, whereas genetic factors explain an increasing proportion of the variance in these beliefs after drinking onset.
Update on the role of angiotensin in the pathophysiology of coronary atherothrombosis
Authors: da Silva Analina R. , Fraga‐Silva Rodrigo A. , Stergiopulos Nikolaos , Montecucco Fabrizio , Mach François 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundCoronary atherothrombosis due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture or erosion is frequently associated with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Significant efforts have been made to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying acute coronary events.Materials and methodsThis narrative review is based on the material searched for and obtained via PubMed up to August 2014. The search terms we used were as follows: ‘angiotensin, acute coronary syndromes, acute myocardial infarction’ in combination with ‘atherosclerosis, vulnerability, clinical trial, ACE inhibitors, inflammation’.ResultsAmong several regulatory components, the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) was shown as a key pathway modulating coronary atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. Indeed, these molecules are involved in all stages of atherogenesis. Classically, the RAS is composed by a series of enzymatic reactions leading to the angiotensin (Ang) II generation and activity. However, the knowledge of RAS has expanded and become more complex. The discovery of novel components and their functions has revealed additional pathways that contribute to or counterbalance the actions of Ang II. In this review, we discussed on recent findings concerning the role of different angiotensin peptides in the pathophysiology of ACS and coronary atherothrombosis, exploring the link between these molecules and atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.ConclusionsTreatments selectively targeting angiotensins (including Mas and AT2 agonists, ACE2 recombinant, or Ang‐(1‐7) and almandine in oral formulations) have been tested in animal studies or in small human subgroups, expanding the perspective in the ACS prevention. These novel strategies, especially in the counter‐regulatory axis ACE2/Ang‐(1‐7)/Mas, might be promising to reduce plaque vulnerability and inflammation.
Competences, Learning Theories and MOOCs: Recent Developments in Lifelong Learning
Authors: Steffens Karl 
Published: January 2015

Our societies have come to be known as knowledge societies in which lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important. In this context, competences have become a much discussed topic. Many documents were published by international organisations (UNESCO, World Bank, European Commission) which enumerated 21st century key competences. The field of learning theories has also experienced advances. Findings from neuroscience have promoted a new understanding of what really happens in the brain when we learn. At the same time, the fact that learning increasingly takes place in virtual communities led George Siemens (2004) to propose connectivism as a learning theory for the digital age. Similarly, Roberto Carneiro (2010) suggested a theory he called generativism which aims at describing collaborative learning with digital technologies and open educational resources. These theories might be better able to describe and explain lifelong learning than classical learning theories.In the field of digital technologies, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have recently received a great deal of attention. While Siemens suggested connectivist MOOCs (cMOOCs) as the ideal platform for connectivist learning, other forms of MOOCs were also developed. These MOOCs have spread at a breath‐taking pace in the last few years, although it is far from clear to what extent they are based on principles from learning theories and really support learning. These developments will be presented and discussed with respect to their relevance for lifelong learning as an integral part of man's quest for meaning.
Constitutional Reasoning in Private Law: The Role of the CJEU in Adjudicating Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts
Authors: Gerstenberg Oliver 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis article explores the—often controversial—role of the CJEU as an interpreter of Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms. A fundamental problem that any modern system of private law must address is how to combine two types of provisions: those that are intended to facilitate private ordering through voluntary transactions, and those setting out certain mandatory terms that are intended to protect vulnerable consumers against risks inherent to free market transactions. This article argues that, in response to the failure of various legislative initiatives, the Court's jurisprudence has acquired both a regulatory dimension and a constitutional dimension. The emergent judicial regime illustrates an important departure from a rule‐based conception of private law, based on private autonomy as a stand‐alone value, towards an innovative conception that extends proportionality analysis into substantive private law but avoids one‐sided outcomes.