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Purpose: Accurate segmentation (separating diseased portions of the lung from normal appearing lung) is a challenge in radiomic studies of non-neoplastic diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). In this study, we developed a segmentation method, applicable to chest X-rays (CXR), that can eliminate the need for precise disease delineation, and that is effective for constructing radiomic models for automatic PTB cavity classification. Methods: This retrospective study used a dataset of 266 posteroanterior CXR of patients diagnosed with laboratory confirmed PTB. The lungs were segmented using a U-net-based in-house automatic segmentation model. A secondary segmentation was developed using a sliding window, superimposed on the primary lung segmentation. Pyradiomics was used for feature extraction from every window which increased the dimensionality of the data, but this allowed us to accurately capture the spread of the features across the lung. Two separate measures (standard-deviation and variance) were used to consolidate the features. Pearson's correlation analysis (with a 0.8 cut-off value) was then applied for dimensionality reduction followed by the construction of Random Forest radiomic models. Results: Two almost identical radiomic signatures consisting of 10 texture features each (9 were the same plus 1 other feature) were identified using the two separate consolidation measures. Two well performing random forest models were constructed from these signatures. The standard-deviation model (AUC = 0.9444 (95% CI, 0.8762; 0.9814)) performed marginally better than the variance model (AUC = 0.9288 (95% CI, 0.9046; 0.9843)). Conclusion: The introduction of the secondary sliding window segmentation on CXR could eliminate the need for disease delineation in pulmonary radiomic studies, and it could improve the accuracy of CXR reporting currently regaining prominence as a high-volume screening tool as the developed radiomic models correctly classify cavities from normal CXR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of multiple bleeding symptoms and/or severe bleeding symptom(s) contribute to a higher score and therefore a greater chance of a bleeding disorder diagnosis. There is bleeding at a critical site (e.g., ICH, retinal haemorrhage, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, intraspinal haemorrhage, haemarthrosis) with no correlating history of trauma or other explanation that adequately accounts for the bleeding. ISTH/SSC bleeding assessment tool: a standardized questionnaire and a proposal for a new bleeding score for inherited bleeding disorders. A standardised bleeding assessment tool, e.g., the International Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis Bleeding Assessment Tool (ISTH-BAT), can be used to quantitate bleeding symptoms in order to generate a bleeding score. [Extracted from the article]

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of exercise treadmill testing for patients with low cardiovascular risk is unclear. This is due to the low incidence of coronary artery disease in this population and the potential for false-positive results leading to additional invasive and expensive investigation. AIM: To investigate the value of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) as a predictor of coronary artery disease in patients with different levels of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: An observational study was completed on an outpatient population from a chest pain clinic (n = 529). Cross-tabulations and binary logistic regressions were used to examine relationships between variables. RESULTS: A negative ETT result was recorded for 72.5% of patients with low cardiovascular risk compared to 54.3% of those with moderate or high risk. Within the low cardiovascular risk group, patients with symptoms atypical for cardiac ischaemia were 11.1-fold more likely to have a negative ETT result. Of the patients with positive or equivocal ETT results, coronary artery disease was subsequently confirmed in only 23.1% of the low cardiovascular risk group compared to 77.2% of those with moderate or high cardiovascular risk. DISCUSSION: Results show low cardiovascular risk patients are significantly more likely to return negative ETT results, particularly when associated with atypical symptoms. Similarly, positive or equivocal ETTs in this group are significantly more likely to be false positives. This suggests the ETT is not efficacious in predicting coronary artery disease in patients with low cardiovascular risk. Is it therefore appropriate to offer exercise testing to this cohort or should alternative management strategies be considered? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding athletes’ attitudes to doping continues to be of interest for its potential to contribute to an international anti-doping system. However, little is known about the relationship between elite athletes’ attitudes to drug use and potential explanatory factors, including achievement goals and the motivational climate. In addition, despite specific World Anti-Doping Agency Code relating to team sport athletes, little is known about whether sport type (team or individual) is a risk or protective factor in relation to doping. Elite athletes from Scotland (N = 177) completed a survey examining attitudes to performance-enhancing drug (PED) use, achievement goal orientations and perceived motivational climate. Athletes were generally against doping for performance enhancement. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that task and ego goals and mastery motivational climate were predictors of attitudes to PED use (F(4, 171) = 15.81,P < .01). Compared with individual athletes, team athletes were significantly lower in attitude to PED use and ego orientation scores and significantly higher in perceptions of a mastery motivational climate (Wilks’ lambda = .76,F = 10.89 (5, 170),P < .01). The study provides insight into how individual and situational factors may act as protective and risk factors in doping in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding athletes’ attitudes to doping continues to be of interest for its potential to contribute to an international anti-doping system. However, little is known about the relationship between elite athletes’ attitudes to drug use and potential explanatory factors, including achievement goals and the motivational climate. In addition, despite specific World Anti-Doping Agency Code relating to team sport athletes, little is known about whether sport type (team or individual) is a risk or protective factor in relation to doping. Elite athletes from Scotland (N = 177) completed a survey examining attitudes to performance-enhancing drug (PED) use, achievement goal orientations and perceived motivational climate. Athletes were generally against doping for performance enhancement. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that task and ego goals and mastery motivational climate were predictors of attitudes to PED use (F(4, 171) = 15.81,P < .01). Compared with individual athletes, team athletes were significantly lower in attitude to PED use and ego orientation scores and significantly higher in perceptions of a mastery motivational climate (Wilks’ lambda = .76,F = 10.89 (5, 170),P < .01). The study provides insight into how individual and situational factors may act as protective and risk factors in doping in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We contrast attempts to introduce what were seen as sophisticated Western-style human resource management (HRM) systems into two Russian oil companies – a joint venture with a Western multinational corporation (TNK-BP) and a wholly Russian-owned company (Yukos). The drivers for Western hegemony within the joint venture, heavily influenced by expatriates and the established HRM processes introduced by the Western parent, were counteracted to a significant degree by the Russian spetsifika – the peculiarly Russian way of thinking and doing things. In contrast, developments were absorbed faster in the more authoritarian Russian-owned company. The research adds to the theoretical debate about international knowledge transfer and provides detailed empirical data to support our understanding of the effect of both organizational and cultural context on the knowledge-transfer mechanisms of local and multinational companies. As the analysis is based on the perspective of senior local nationals, we also address a relatively under-researched area in the international HRM literature which mostly relies on empirical data collected from expatriates and those based solely in multinational headquarters. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Climate change is recognised as a significant public health issue that will impact on food security. One of the major contributors to global warming is the livestock industry, and, relative to plant-based agriculture, meat production has a much higher environmental impact in relation to freshwater use, amount of land required, and waste products generated. Promoting increased consumption of plant-based foods is a recommended strategy to reduce human impact on the environment and is also now recognised as a potential strategy to reduce the high rates of some chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Currently there is a scant evidence base for policies and programs aiming to increase consumption of plant-based diets and little research on the necessary conditions for that change to occur and the processes involved in such a change. This paper reviews some of the environmental and health consequences of current dietary practices, reviews literature on the determinants of consuming a plant-based diet, and provides recommendations for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cohesin's structural maintenance of chromosome 1 (Smc1) and Smc3 are rod-shaped proteins with 50-nm long intra-molecular coiled-coil arms with a heterodimerization domain at one end and an ABC-like nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) at the other. Heterodimerization creates V-shaped molecules with a hinge at their centre. Inter-connection of NBDs by Scc1 creates a tripartite ring within which, it is proposed, sister DNAs are entrapped. To investigate whether cohesin's hinge functions as a possible DNA entry gate, we solved the crystal structure of the hinge from Mus musculus, which like its bacterial counterpart is characterized by a pseudo symmetric heterodimeric torus containing a small channel that is positively charged. Mutations in yeast Smc1 and Smc3 that together neutralize the channel's charge have little effect on dimerization or association with chromosomes, but are nevertheless lethal. Our finding that neutralization reduces acetylation of Smc3, which normally occurs during replication and is essential for cohesion, suggests that the positively charged channel is involved in a major conformational change during S phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses case research to explore the success and subsequent failure of the Russian oil company Yukos, using the dual lenses of the resource-based view and institutional theory. Yukos' failure resulted from a combination of factors linked to the internal capabilities of the organization, its external environment and the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer. The organization failed to develop the dynamic capabilities to sense and shape opportunities and threats in the changing institutional environment. It lacked political competences and failed to pursue non-market strategies. Ultimately, it failed to co-evolve with its institutional environment, resulting in poor organizational and environmental fit, and lack of legitimacy, due to the non-congruence of its organizational values with its organizational context. Yukos' transformation into the leading Russian oil company in terms of financial and market indicators blinded it to the fact that such criteria were no longer key for survival in a changing institutional environment. Hence, the implication for managers is that to focus purely on what currently represents financial and operational success may be an unwise strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human saliva not only helps control oral health (with anti-microbial proteins), but it may also play a role in chemical communication. As is the case with other mammalian species, human saliva contains peptides, proteins, and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A high-throughput analytical method is described for profiling a large number of saliva samples to screen the profiles of VOCs. Saliva samples were collected in a non-stimulated fashion. The method utilized static stir bar extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method provided excellent reproducibility for a wide range of salivary compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, amides, lactones, and hydrocarbons. Furthermore, substantial overlap of salivary VOCs and the previously reported skin VOCs in the same subject group was found in this study by using pattern recognition analyses. Sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility of the method suggest that this technique has potential in physiological, metabolomic, pharmacokinetic, forensic, and toxicological studies of small organic compounds where a large number of human saliva samples are involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and college stress, major concerns among undergraduates, are potentially related to self-esteem and mattering. This study investigated the interrelationships among these four variables. Participants included college students (199 males and 256 females) between the ages of 18 and 23. Significant sex differences were found with women reporting greater depression, college stress, and mattering. Sex, self-esteem, and mattering accounted for 13.8% and 39. 4% of the variance in stress and depression, respectively. Accounting for 49.1% of the variance, the full model including sex, self-esteem, and mattering enhanced the ability of stress to predict depression. All of the study hypotheses were supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that microbial action is responsible for many compounds responsible for human odour. In this paper, we compare the pattern of microbial profiles and that of chemical profiles of human axillary odour by using multivariate pattern matching techniques. Approximately 200 subjects from Carinthia, Austria, participated in the study. The microbial profiles were represented by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and the axillary odour profiles were determined in the sweat samples collected by a stir-bar sampling device and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Both qualitative and quantitative distance metrics were used to construct dissimilarity matrices between samples which were then used to represent the patterns of these two types of profiles. The distance matrices were then compared by using the Mantel test and the Procrustean test. The results show that on the overall dataset there is no strong correlation between microbial and chemical profiles. When the data are split into family groups, correlations vary according to family with a range of estimated p values from 0.00 to 0.90 that the null hypothesis (no correlation) holds. When 32 subjects who followed four basic rules of behaviour were selected, the estimated p-values are 0.00 using qualitative and <0.01 using quantitative distance metrics, suggesting excellent evidence that there is a connection between the microbial and chemical signature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use a cross-case analysis of four Russian oil majors to develop a framework explaining the relationship between exploitation and exploration learning, and the development of organizational capabilities in transition economies. Our research explains how the changing top management style influences organizational learning over time. In the first stage of organizational transformation an authoritarian management style initiates a break with the administrative heritage of the organization to facilitate exploitation learning and the development of operational capabilities. These are required for survival in the new conditions of a market economy. In the second stage a more participatory management style fosters exploration learning and the development of strategic flexibility, required for sustainable competitive advantage. We demonstrate that exploitation and exploration learning do not coexist in the initial stages of transformation but are sequential. We found that the western-derived constructs of organizational learning add to our understanding of the process of organizational transformation in a transition context Our study of the Russian oil industry also provides new ways to think about the processes of organizational learning in western companies, particularly large bureaucratic ones, anchored in their administrative heritage and needing to undergo organizational transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to extend research into social and ecological entrepreneurship. It aims to examine how ecopreneurs can create an economically viable business whilst retaining their core environmental and social values. Design/methodology/approach - An exploratory approach within the phenomenological research paradigm. Single case study of Green-Works triangulating data collection - semi structured interviews, micro-ethnography and document analysis. Inductive approach. Findings - A strong link is identified between entrepreneurialism and environmentalism. The entrepreneurial flair of the CEO enables the pursuit of environmental, social and economic goals. The success of the Green-Works business model stems from the business's symbiotic relationships: firstly with large corporate bodies, which are keen to quantify their CSR efforts; secondly, with the community and social partners, who provide employment and training for disadvantaged people and a route to relatively risk free growth; and thirdly, with government and social institutions, which provide special concessions and support. The strong economic foundations of the model provide sustainability for the environmental and social objectives of the organisation. Research limitations/implications - Research restricted to one UK case study - a model that has evolved in part through policies and business trends specific to the UK. Further research should compare this business model with other social enterprises within the UK and other countries. Practical implications - Provides a practical framework for social and green entrepreneurship. Of interest to ecopreneurs and social enterprises seeking economic sustainability-, to governments, wishing to promote CSR, environmentalism and social enterprise; and to corporate organisations wishing to demonstrate a quantitative contribution to the environment and society. Originality/value - Demonstration of natural fit between environmentalism and entrepreneurialism. Presentation of business model offering economic sustainability for environmental and social enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet-visible spectra of Orange II exhibit blue shifts in apolar solvents due to the formation of the azo tautomer. Upon absorption to cotton, Orange If remains as the hydrazone tautomer and, like other phenylazonaphthol dyes or Methyl Orange, exhibits small red spectral shifts Two superimposed spectra -- characteristic of the azo and hydrazone tautomeric forms - are detected when dye 1 (X = p-MeO) absorbs onto cotton Only the azo form is observed on nylon; all other dyes, except Orange II, give blue shifts. A model is developed in which the more apolar moiety of the dye binds to pockets formed in the non-crystalline (amorphous) regions of cotton, with those parts containing the sulphonate group protruding into aqueous pores. In nylon, the binding sites are more apolar with the sulphonate groups bound electrostatically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of direct and indirect techniques have been used to explore the durability of dye fixatives on laundering with anionic detergent formulations. The most useful technique for quantifying fixative loss was found to be UV spectroscopy but this is not applicable in every case. Overall, it was found that the fixatives examined were durable to six washes in a typical colour-care detergent formulation at 40 °C. It is concluded that a major contribution to dye loss from fixed cloth at low temperature is the displacement by anionic surfactant of dye bound to the fixative. In addition to being more substantive, good quality fixatives may compete more effectively for dye and may physically entrap the dye within the fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye loss from unfixed dyed fabrics has been found to be insensitive to change in surfactant type or concentration. There was accompanying dye transfer to white fabric but this was reduced by Synperonic A7 in the case of fabrics dyed with CI Direct Green 26, due to solubilisation of the dye in nonionic micelles. The anionic surfactant, SDS, selectively displaced dye from fixed dyed fabrics, paralleling its behaviour with water soluble polymers. Similarly, dye loss was related to concentration of surfactant monomer, the effect increasing with SDS concentration up to its critical micelle concentration. Other anionic surfactants have been found to exhibit a similar trend, the effect increasing with their increasing surface activity. The commercial polymeric fixatives, Tinofix ECO and Indosol E50, were the most effective of those studied and the single-chain cationic surfactant, CTAB, was the least effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A wide-ranging investigation has been made of the adsorption of direct dyes to cotton and of inhibition by surfactants, polymers and polymer-surfactant mixtures. Generally, the selected polymers are extremely effective at inhibiting adsorption of most of the direct dyes to cotton but are less effective at inhibiting adsorption of small, model azo dyes. Micellar solutions of zwitterionic and cationic surfactants can inhibit adsorption of both small dyes and commercial dyes. It is shown that anionic surfactants at sub-micellar concentrations can inhibit polymer-dye interactions due to displacement of dye and/or relocation into micelle-like polymer-surfactant complexes. New insights have been obtained into the interactions of dyes with cotton and with polymers, surfactants or their mixtures, particularly into observed dye selectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spectroscopic study (UV-vis and adsorption) has been made of the interactions of select model azo dyes with a range of surfactant types or their mixtures both above and below their respective critical micelle concentrations. All surfactants inhibit adsorption of the dyes to cotton above their critical micelle concentrations due to incorporation in micelles. However, formation of 1:1 complexes between dyes and cationic or zwitterionic surfactants in sub-micellar regions results in enhanced deposition on cotton. It is shown that attractive or repulsive electrostatic interactions play a key role in dye binding to micelles. Unusually, spectra of complexes formed between the dye and cationic surfactant are typical of those of the azo tautomeric form as opposed to the hydrazone form that is prevalent in aqueous media. Addition of anionic surfactant to micellar solutions of nonionic or zwitterionic surfactants results in successive displacement of dye from the respective micelles, i.e. binding is competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which assessed the key factors that control the transfer of dyes between garments during detergency. Materials used in the experiments; Methodology; Adsorption of dyes to cotton at pH 10; Influence of polymers upon adsorption to cotton at pH 10; Influence of anionic surfactants on polymer efficacy; Conclusions.

Current literature indicates that an in vitro release test (IVRT) can serve as a research tool during the course of developing topical formulations. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the ability of an IVRT to select the topical semisolid formulations with the most rapid release rate of the model drug ketoprofen from two closely related hydrogels in a simulated product development process. Two glycols with distinct differences in their physical–chemical properties, Transcutol P (ethoxydiglycol) and propylene glycol, were incorporated into Carbopol 980 and Poloxamer 407 formulations. The release rate of ketoprofen was determined utilizing different receptor media and conditions, i.e., phosphate buffer pH 7.4, isopropyl myristate (IPM), and a combination of an IPM soaked membrane and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) as receptor fluid. The results indicated that the conditions chosen could affect greatly the conclusions concerning the formulations. The only observable trend was that Transcutol P-containing formulations tended to permit a faster ketoprofen release than propylene glycol-containing formulations when utilizing IPM as a receptor component. This was attributed to the mutual miscibility of Transcutol P in IPM. It can be concluded that, for the purpose of formulation screening in the early phases of product development, an IVRT will only be useful for predicting the amount of drug available for absorption if the receptor medium has properties that closely mimic human skin. These results illustrate the importance of selecting suitable receptor components and indicate that it may be necessary to consider alternatives to the commonly used synthetic membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the importance of certain vocal-phonic skills in the development of speech and language, this study was designed to determine whether preschool articulatory defective children differ from normal speaking children in one language skill - their ability to synthesize phonemic components into whole words, An experimental group of 17 preschool articulatory defective children were employed as subjects. Three different tests of phonemic synthesis provided the basis for these comparisons: The Roswell-Chall Auditory Blending Test, The Auditory Test 2 from the Marion Monroe Reading Aptitude Test, and The Body Parts Test of Synthesis. The results of this investigation revealed that the control group demonstrated superior performance on all three tests of phonemic synthesis. It was also interesting to note the low correlations between the scores on the various tests. Implications of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various papers published within the issue including two organizational case studies of firms in Argentina, one on the Russian oil industry and another on the differences in the strategic choices of firms in eastern and western China.

Climate change is recognised as a significant public health issue that will impact on food security. One of the major contributors to global warming is the livestock industry, and, relative to plant-based agriculture, meat production has a much higher environmental impact in relation to freshwater use, amount of land required, and waste products generated. Promoting increased consumption of plant-based foods is a recommended strategy to reduce human impact on the environment and is also now recognised as a potential strategy to reduce the high rates of some chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Currently there is a scant evidence base for policies and programs aiming to increase consumption of plant-based diets and little research on the necessary conditions for that change to occur and the processes involved in such a change. This paper reviews some of the environmental and health consequences of current dietary practices, reviews literature on the determinants of consuming a plant-based diet, and provides recommendations for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that according to scientists in Italy amino acids that initiated life on earth could have traveled on interstellar silica dust particles from deep space to the Earth.

The article presents information on the mapping of drugs by magnetic resonance imaging for the testing of pharmaceuticals that are used for the treatment of brain diseases.

The article offers information on separation of complex chemical mixtures to recover high value products and catalytic nanoparticles using light as the oil and water phases carrying a light-sensitive surfactants get separated from the emulsions, when an ultraviolet (UV) light is passed through it.