bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding regionalisation in Philippine higher education
Authors: Albia Joclarisse Espiritu , Chan Sheng-Ju
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Regionalisation in education has gained increased interest and importance because of the increasing collaborations among neighbouring nations. Definitions of the term vary, and more so the regionalisation practices and initiatives of higher educational institutions. In the Philippines, the emphasis on regionalisation has become even more pronounced with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration Vision. This vision of the ASEAN is geared towards enhancing regional collaboration and the creation of an ASEAN identity and puts education at the forefront, considering it as a strategic objective to achieve the region’s development agenda of economic, social and cultural growth. It becomes of paramount importance then to examine how regionalisation in education is understood by university constituents, its manifestations in terms of institutional activities and especially, how the ASEAN Integration shapes these initiatives and constructions of regionalisation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multiple case study design that looked at three higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, this study found that regionalisation is associated and interchanged with internationalisation in terms of purpose, goal and activities, but is differentiated in dimensions of geographical location and orientation.

Findings

Institutional initiatives pertaining to regionalisation were largely functional and mostly open and soft collaborations. The ASEAN Integration creates an ASEAN-centric consciousness, and functions as an opportunity for expanding partnerships, institutional niches and programmatic initiatives; and for legitimising regionalisation and internationalisation goals.

Originality/value

These definitions and approaches to regionalisation have significant policy implications as HEIs strive to respond to the challenges of the Integration.
Improving backdrivability in preoperative manual manipulability of minimally invasive surgery robot
Authors: Zou Shuizhong , Pan Bo , Fu Yili , Guo Shuixiang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a control algorithm to improve the backdrivability performance of minimally invasive surgical robotic arms, so that precise manual manipulations of robotic arms can be performed in the preoperative operation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the flexible-joint dynamic model of the 3-degree of freedom remote center motion (RCM) mechanisms of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) robot is derived and its dynamic parameters and friction parameters are identified. Next, the angular velocities and angular accelerations of joints are estimated in real time by the designed Kalman filter. Finally, a control algorithm based on Kalman filter is proposed to enhance the backdrivability of RCM mechanisms by compensating for the internally generated gravitational, frictional and inertial resistances experienced during the positioning and orientating.

Findings

The parameter identification for RCM mechanisms can be experimentally evaluated from comparison between the measured torques and the reconstructed torques. The accuracy and convergence of the real-time estimation of angular velocity and acceleration of the joint by the designed Kalman filter can be verified from corresponding simulation experiments. Manual adjustment experiments and animal experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed backdrivability control algorithm.

Research limitations/implications

The backdrivability control algorithm presented in this paper is a universal method to enhance the manual operation performance of robots, which can be used not only in the medical robot preoperative manual manipulation but also in robot haptic interaction, industrial robot direct teaching and active rehabilitation training of rehabilitation robot and so on.

Originality/value

Compared with other backdrivability design methods, the proposed algorithm achieves good backdrivability for RCM mechanisms without using force sensors and accelerometers. In addition, this paper presents a new static friction compensation approach for a joint moving with very low velocity.
State estimation of a robot joint by a novel nonlinear tracking differentiator
Authors: Tu Xiao , Zhou Yunfei , Zhao Pu , Cheng Xin
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a method for improving the state estimation of a robot in the presence of noise measurement, which can improve the performance of the robot controller.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a novel nonlinear tracking differentiator (NTD) was formulated to solve the problems of phase lag, low stability and amplitude attenuation faced by traditional tracking differentiators, which can be used for the state estimation of a robot. Based on the user-defined function stu() with linear and nonlinear characteristics, the authors establish a new acceleration function of NTD and confirm its global asymptotic stability by using the Lyapunov method and the system equivalence method. Phase plane analysis shows that the origin is its stable nodal point or focus point and uncovers the basic constraint conditions for parameter regulation. In addition, the convergence property and robustness performance against noises are studied by describing function method.

Findings

Comparative simulations, robot state estimation experiments and joint trajectory tracking experiments have indicated that NTD proposed integrates tracking rapidness, accuracy and transitional stability and has high approximation and filtering effects on generalized derivatives of the signal, which contribute to an excellent performance of robot controller in stability and response speed in practice.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper lies in the design of a novel NTD, which successfully improves the state estimation of a robot joint in noisy surroundings, the tracking performance of robot controller and the stability of the system.
Institutional forces on Australian halal meat supply chain (AHMSC) operations
Authors: Zulfakar Mohd Hafiz , Chan Caroline , Jie Ferry
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of institutional forces in shaping the operations of halal meat supply chain in Australia, one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of halal meat. This research examines how the halal meat production requirements are fulfilled and maintained throughout the supply chain in a non-Muslim-majority country.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a single-case study approach and uses semi-structured interviews as the primary method of data collection. It considers the perspectives of various stakeholder groups in the Australian halal meat supply chain (AHMSC). In all, 31 participants have participated in this research.

Findings

The findings show that institutional forces, especially which come through coercive forces, do affect and shape the overall operations of the AHMSC in particularly the way the stakeholders act within the supply chain, particularly in their role in ensuring the protection of halal status or halal integrity of the meat.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that the integrity of halal meat supply chain management operations in a non-Muslim-majority environment can be protected with heavy involvement from the relevant authorities, i.e. the federal government agency and the halal certifiers. With the implementation of specific halal meat production policy, i.e. Australian Government Authorised Halal Program, all parties dealing with the halal meat production for export purpose are obliged to fulfil the religious and food safety requirements, thus providing the necessary assurance for halal meat consumers, especially from the Muslim communities.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to provide insights of halal meat supply chain operations in a non-Muslim-majority environment. This paper also took in account various stakeholder groups that were involved directly with halal meat supply chain operations in Australia rather than focusing on a single stakeholder group which gives a better understanding of the whole supply chain operations.
Determinants of halal purchasing intentions: evidences from UK
Authors: Elseidi Reham I.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perceptions of Arabian Muslim consumers about halal food products and to investigate their behaviour towards halal-labelled food products in UK mainstream supermarkets using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The role of Islamic religiosity and consumers’ confidence regarding the halal logo as moderating factors is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data were collected through distributed 400 questionnaires in Scotland, mainly to Muslim consumers who come from different Arabian countries and are currently living in Scotland.

Findings

The results show that the TPB is a valid model for predicting Muslim consumers’ intention to purchase halal-labelled food products. The findings reveal that for consumers with high and low Islamic religiosity, subjective norms are the most influential determinants of their intention to purchase halal-labelled food products.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the focus on only Arabian Muslim consumers within an ethnic minority population living in Scotland, and the use of convenience and snowball sampling.

Practical implications

The findings could be useful for halal industry food makers to better serve their customers through sophisticated marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This study extends understanding of consumers’ halal-labelled food purchasing behaviour using TPB to determining the rationales for purchasing halal foods from mainstream UK supermarkets. Unlike others studies, this study used Islamic religiosity instead of self-identity (being a Muslim) as a moderating factor.
Australia’s cognitive, affective and conative destination image: an Emirati tourist perspective
Authors: Michael Noela , James Reynold , Michael Ian
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the destination image perceptions about Australia – a Western culture country – as held by the rapidly increasing, high spending, culturally dissimilar new segment of travellers, the Emiratis[1] from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was used to understand the cognitive, affective and conative images of Australia. A structured categorisation matrix was used to analyse the data so that only aspects fitting the matrix were selected.

Findings

Within the cognitive variable, Australia was found to be pleasant, family oriented, a fun place, laid back and the local people friendly. From an affective factor perspective, Australia was seen as being exciting, because of the variety of activities available for these tourists. Exciting was expressed by words like fantastic, amazing and extreme experience. In terms of the conative variable most of the Emirati tourists expressed strong feelings to go back to Australia and to even re-visit with friends. They also mentioned that they would recommend Australia to family and friends.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study was that our sample comprised informants mainly from the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two largest Emirates of the nation. The study offers destination marketing organisations’ (DMOs) insights into Emirati travellers’ perceptions about Australia, which would benefit destination marketing.

Originality/value

This study examines the under researched area of how Australia – with its liberal Western culture – could be better marketed to the growing numbers of culturally conservative, high spending Emirati outbound tourists from the officially Islamic UAE, and also more generally to the socio-culturally homogeneous Gulf Cooperation Council region that the UAE is part of. Whilst destination image is an intensively analysed topic within the realm of tourism research, and reportedly a powerful influence on destination choice, the extant literature on how Australia is perceived as a travel destination by Emiratis is scant. For DMO’s attempting to attract wealthy Emirati tourists into Australia, this research is valuable and timely, as several Emiratis are seeking newer travel destinations away from the Western hemisphere, where the general anti-Arab/Islamic sentiments are currently quite strong.
UK Governance: From Overloading to Freeloading
Authors: Woodward Richard
Published: December 2017

The UK's ongoing political turbulence has prompted a reprise of debates from the 1970s when many concluded the country was ungovernable. Then, the most influential diagnosis conceptualised the UK's governance problem as one of ‘overloading’ caused by the electorate's excessive expectations. This article argues that these accounts overlooked another phenomenon besieging UK governance during this period. This phenomenon was freeloading: the withering of government capacity deriving from the ability of actors to enjoy the benefits of citizenship without altogether contributing to the cost. In the interim, these problems have become endemic, not least because of the unspoken but discernible policy of successive governments to turn the UK into a tax haven. High‐profile scandals involving prominent individuals and corporations, plus the failure to clamp down on them have reinforced the perception that the UK's political system is geared towards the rich and the powerful at the expense of the marginalised majority.
Molecular mechanisms and physiological relevance of RGK proteins in the heart
Authors: Meza U. , Beqollari D. , Bannister R. A.
Published: December 2017

The primary route of Ca2+ entry into cardiac myocytes is via 1,4‐dihydropyridine‐sensitive, voltage‐gated L‐type Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ influx through these channels influences duration of action potential and engages excitation‐contraction (EC) coupling in both the atria and the myocardium. Members of the RGK (Rad, Rem, Rem2 and Gem/Kir) family of small GTP‐binding proteins are potent, endogenously expressed inhibitors of cardiac L‐type channels. Although much work has focused on the molecular mechanisms by which RGK proteins inhibit the CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 L‐type channel isoforms that expressed in the heart, their impact on greater cardiac function is only beginning to come into focus. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the influence of RGK proteins on normal cardiac physiology and the pathological consequences of aberrant RGK activity.
Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium in two Swedish counties, 2011–2015
Authors: Hadad Ronza , Golparian Daniel , Lagos Amaya C. , Ljungberg Johan , Nilsson Peter , Jensen Jörgen S. , Fredlund Hans , Unemo Magnus
Published: December 2017

Mycoplasma genitalium, causing non‐gonococcal non‐chlamydial urethritis and associated with cervicitis, has developed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to both the macrolide azithromycin (first‐line treatment) and the fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin (second‐line treatment). Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of resistance, based on genetic AMR determinants, to these antimicrobials in the M. genitalium population in two Swedish counties, Örebro and Halland, 2011–2015. In total, 672 M. genitalium positive urogenital samples were sequenced for 23S rRNA and parC gene mutations associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, respectively. Of the samples, 18.6% and 3.2% in Örebro and 15.2% and 2.7% in Halland contained mutations associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, respectively. The predominating resistance‐associated mutations in the 23S rRNA gene was A2059G (n = 39) in Örebro and A2058G (n = 13) and A2059G (n = 13) in Halland. The most prevalent possible resistance‐associated ParC amino acid alterations were S83I (n = 4) in Örebro and S83N (n = 2) in Halland. Resistance‐associated mutations to both macrolides and fluoroquinolones were found in 0.7% of samples. Our findings emphasize the need for routine AMR testing, at a minimum for macrolide resistance, of all M. genitalium‐positive samples and regular national and international surveillance of AMR in M. genitalium, to ensure effective patient management and rational antimicrobial use.
Scaling up Integrated Early Childhood Development programs: lessons from four countries
Authors: Pérez‐Escamilla R. , Cavallera V. , Tomlinson M. , Dua T.
Published: December 2017

Background

There is still limited knowledge regarding the translation of early child development (ECD) knowledge into effective policies and large‐scale programmes. A variety of frameworks that outline the key steps in scaling up exist, but we argue that taking a complex adaptive systems (CAS) approach assists in understanding the complex, dynamic processes that result in programmes being taken to scale.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to examine the process of scaling up four major country‐level ECD programmes through the application of a CAS framework.

Methods

Nine key informants with a deep knowledge of how each ECD programme was established and brought to scale were interviewed via Skype or phone by using open‐ended interviews. The interviews were tape recorded and then transcribed verbatim for subsequent coding by using CAS domains. The coding and integration of the results to identify unique and common CAS scaling up features across the case studies involved an iterative process of reaching consensus.

Results

The scaling up of all four programmes behaved as a CAS including as follows: (i) positive feedback loops (five themes) and negative feedback loops (two themes); (ii) scale‐free networks (two themes); (iii) phase transitions (four themes); (iv) path dependence (two themes); and (v) emergent behaviour (six themes). Five additional themes were identified for sustainability, which was repeatedly mentioned as an important consideration when deciding how to scale up programmes.

Conclusions

CAS analysis is likely to improve our understanding of how effective ECD programmes become scaled up. Prospective CAS implementation research is needed to continue advancing the knowledge in the field.
Alterations in ventricular pumping in patients with atrial septal defect at rest, during dobutamine stress and after defect closure
Authors: Stephensen Sigurdur S. , Ostenfeld Ellen , Steding‐Ehrenborg Katarina , Thilén Ulf , Heiberg Einar , Arheden Hakan , Carlsson Marcus
Published: December 2017

Background

Regional ventricular pumping mechanisms in patients with volume‐loaded right ventricles (RV) are altered, but the cause is unknown. The aim was to determine whether these changes in ventricular pumping mechanisms are influenced by the RV dilatation itself or the aetiology behind it.

Methods

Seventeen patients with atrial septal defects (ASD) and 10 healthy controls underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at rest and during dobutamine/atropine stress. Sixteen patients underwent transcutaneous ASD closure. Follow‐up CMR at rest was performed the following day. Thirty patients with RV overload due to pulmonary regurgitation (PR) underwent CMR at rest. Cine images were used to measure left ventricular (LV) and RV volumes as well as septal, longitudinal and lateral contributions to LV and RV stroke volume (SV).

Results

At rest, septal contribution to LVSV was lower in ASD patients than controls (−1% versus 7%, P<0·05), but there was no difference in longitudinal or lateral contribution to SV. Patients with PR had lower longitudinal contribution to RV with increased lateral and septal contribution. During dobutamine stress, longitudinal contribution to LV and RVSV decreased and lateral contribution increased for ASD patients and controls. The day after ASD closure, septal contribution to LVSV was 6%, longitudinal contribution had increased for RVSV (P<0·05) and decreased for LVSV (P<0·01).

Conclusion

Pumping mechanisms in patients with RV volume overload depend on the aetiology for the RV dilation and not the size of the RV.
Risky sex behaviours among college students: The psychosocial profile
Authors: Dolphin Louise , Fitzgerald Amanda , Dooley Barbara
Published: December 2017

Aims

Risky sex behaviours among college students are a growing public health concern. However, few studies have profiled these behaviours using a large range of psychosocial correlates.

Methods

Participants were 6874 undergraduate and postgraduate students (64.7% female, age range 17‐25 years, M = 20.43 years, SD = 1.86 years) drawn from 13 higher‐level institutions in Ireland.

Results

Regarding prevalence, 75% of the sample report that they have been, or are currently sexually active. Of this sexually active cohort (n = 5111), 27.2% report early sexual initiation, 29.5% report 5 or more lifetime sexual partners and 12.1% report 2 or more sexual partners in the past 3 months. In addition, 47.7% of students report inconsistent condom use and 39.5% report inconsistent use of other contraceptive methods in the past 3 months. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, significant correlates of risky sex behaviour are identified across 5 groups of psychosocial predictors (demographic, sexuality and relationships, substance use, mental well‐being and personal resources). Differences between males and females and between different sexual orientations are highlighted.

Conclusions

Suggestions are made for sexual education and intervention programs to specifically target subgroups of the student population.
Effects of skeletal element identity, delipidation and demineralization on the analysis of stable isotope ratios of C and N in fish bone
Authors: Bas M. , Cardona L.
Published: December 2017

Stable isotope ratios of C and N in the bone tissue of three different skeletal elements (angular, cleithrum and vertebra) of three fish species from different evolutionary lineages (Clupeiformes, Atheriniformes and Notothenioidei) were determined before (δ13Cbulk and δ15Nbulk) and after demineralization and delipidation (δ13Cdml and δ15Ndml). One of the species had cellular bone and the other two had acellular bone. Results revealed that δ15N and δ13C values from different skeletal elements were interchangeable in species with acellular bone, but caution was needed in species with cellular bone, as δ15N values varied among skeletal elements. Furthermore, δ15Nbulk values were significantly lower than δ15Ndml values in the three species, thus suggesting that they are not comparable. This difference is probably because δ15Nbulk refers to total bone protein and δ15Ndml to collagen only.
A Four‐Factor Outcome Model for Family Case Management Services With Children and Families Who Have Experienced Complex Trauma
Authors: Gilgun Jane F. , Hirschey Samantha
Published: December 2017

This article proposes a four‐factor outcome model for case management services with children and families when the children have experienced complex trauma. The factors are relationships between service users and practitioners, personal characteristics of service users and practitioners, social service system influences, and external influences. The model is based upon research on the common factors model of psychotherapy outcomes, research that the first author conducted on case management services with children and families who have experienced complex trauma, the authors' practice experience with children and families who have experienced complex trauma, related research and theory, and ideas from evidence‐based practice. While the model is tailored to family case management, we believe it is applicable to other domains of social services, such as family and couples therapy, child and family mental health, family advocacy, and family policy formulation and evaluation.
Deep Structure of the Human Affectional System: Introduction to Interpersonal Acceptance–Rejection Theory
Authors: Rohner Ronald P. , Lansford Jennifer E.
Published: December 2017

Interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory (IPARTheory) proposes that across cultures and other sociodemographic groups, interpersonal acceptance and rejection consistently predict the psychological and behavioral adjustment of children and adults (Rohner, 1986, 2004). The goals of this article are to provide a description of the major tenets of IPARTheory, summarize findings from empirical tests of the theory, and suggest future directions tied to the other articles in this special collection as well as for the field moving forward.
The clinical utility of fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography for investigation of fever in immunocompromised children
Authors: Wang Shiqi Stacie , Mechinaud Francoise , Thursky Karin , Cain Timothy , Lau Eddie , Haeusler Gabrielle M
Published: December 2017

Aim

Fever in immunocompromised children presents significant challenges. We aimed to determine the clinical impact of fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in combination with computed tomography (CT) in children with malignancy or following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with prolonged or recurrent fever.

Methods

Immunocompromised children who underwent FDG‐PET/CT for investigation of prolonged or recurrent fever were identified from hospital databases. The clinical impact of the FDG‐PET/CT was considered ‘high’ if it contributed to any of the following: diagnosis of a new site infection/inflammation, change to antimicrobials or chemotherapy, or additional investigations or specialist consult contributing to final diagnosis.

Results

Fourteen patients underwent an FDG‐PET/CT for prolonged or recurrent fever. Median age was 11 years and 46% had diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The median absolute neutrophil count on the day of FDG‐PET/CT was 0.47 cells/μL. The clinical impact of FDG‐PET/CT was ‘high’ in 11 (79%) patients, contributing to rationalisation of antimicrobials in three, and cessation of antimicrobials in five. Compared to conventional imaging, FDG PET/CT identified seven additional sites of clinically significant infection/inflammation in seven patients. Of the 10 patients who had a cause of fever identified, FDG‐PET/CT contributed to the final diagnosis in six (60%).

Conclusion

This study has identified potential utility for FDG‐PET/CT in immunocompromised children with prolonged or recurrent fever. Further prospective studies are needed to compare FDG‐PET/CT versus conventional imaging, to identify the optimal timing of FDG‐PET/CT and to study the role of subsequent scans to monitor response to therapy.
Functional polymorphisms of innate immunity receptors are not risk factors for the non‐SBP type bacterial infections in cirrhosis
Authors: Dinya Tamas , Tornai Tamas , Vitalis Zsuzsanna , Tornai Istvan , Balogh Boglárka , Tornai David , Antal‐Szalmas Peter , Sumegi Andrea , Andrikovics Hajnalka , Bors Andras , Tordai Attila , Papp Maria
Published: December 2017

Background & Aims

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) have a key role in the innate host defense. Functional polymorphisms of various PRRs have been established to contribute to an increased susceptibility to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Their role in the development of cirrhosis‐associated bacterial infections (BI), beyond SBP or progressive disease course related to pathological bacterial translocation (BT) remains unknown.

Methods

Three hundred and forty‐nine patients with cirrhosis were genotyped for common NOD2 (R702W, G908R and L1007PfsinsC), TLR2 (−16934T>A), and TLR4 (D299G) variants. Incidence of BIs, decompensating events and liver‐related death were assessed in a 5‐year follow‐up observational study. Pathological BT was assessed based on the presence of antimicrobial antibodies or lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) level.

Results

In patients with ascites (n = 88) only NOD2 gene variants were associated with an increased cumulative probability of SBP (76.9% ± 19.9%) compared to wild‐type (30.9% ± 6.9%, PLogRank = .047). Individual or combined PRR genetic profiles were associated with the risk of non‐SBP type BI. Advanced disease stage (HR [95% CI]: 2.11 [1.38‐3.25]) and prior history of a BI episode (HR: 2.42 [1.58‐3.72]) were the major clinical risk factors of a subsequent BI. The risk of a non‐SBP type BI in patients with advanced disease and a prior BI was even higher (HR: 4.74 [2.68‐8.39]). The frequency of antimicrobial antibodies and LBP levels did not differ between various PRR genotypes. Correspondingly, PRR genetic profile was not able to predict the long‐term disease course.

Conclusions

In cirrhosis, functional polymorphisms of PRRs did not improve the identification of patients with high risk of BI beyond SBP or progressive diseases course.
The Chelyabinsk meteorite: Thermal history and variable shock effects recorded by the 40Ar‐39Ar system
Authors: Trieloff Mario , Korochantseva Ekaterina V. , Buikin Alexei I. , Hopp Jens , Ivanova Marina A. , Korochantsev Alexander V.
Published: December 2017

We studied three lithologies (light and dark chondritic and impact melt rock) differing in shock stage from the LL5 chondrite Chelyabinsk. Using the 40Ar‐39Ar dating technique, we identified low‐ and high‐temperature reservoirs within all samples, ascribed to K‐bearing oligoclase feldspar and shock‐induced jadeite–feldspar glass assemblages in melt veins, respectively. Trapped argon components had variable 40Ar/36Ar ratios even within low‐ and high‐temperature reservoirs of individual samples. Correcting for trapped argon revealed a lithology‐specific response of the K‐Ar system to shock metamorphism, thereby defining two distinct impact events affecting the Chelyabinsk parent asteroid (1) an intense impact event ~1.7 ± 0.1 Ga ago formed the light–dark‐structured and impact‐veined Chelyabinsk breccia. Such a one‐stage breccia formation is consistent with petrological observations and was recorded by the strongly shocked lithologies (dark and impact melt) where a significant fraction of oligoclase feldspar was transformed into jadeite and feldspathic glass; and (2) a young reset event ~30 Ma ago particularly affected the light lithology due to its low argon retentivity, while the more retentive shock‐induced phases were more resistant against thermal reset. Trapped argon with 40Ar/36Ar ratios up to 1900 was likely incorporated during impact‐induced events on the parent body, and mixed with terrestrial atmospheric argon contamination. Had it not been identified via isochrons based on high‐resolution argon extraction, several geochronologically meaningless ages would have been deduced.
Association between urologic malignancies and end‐stage renal disease: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kompotiatis Panagiotis , Thongprayoon Charat , Manohar Sandhya , Cheungpasitporn Wisit , Gonzalez Suarez Maria L , Craici Iasmina M , Mao Michael A , Herrmann Sandra M
Published: December 2017

Aim

Previous studies have suggested a higher incidence of urologic malignancies in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. However, incidence trends of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients remain unclear. The aims of the present study were: (i) to investigate the pooled incidence/incidence trends; and (ii) to assess the risk of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through April 2017. Studies that reported incidence or odds ratios of urologic malignancies among ESRD patients were included. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95%CI were calculated using a random‐effect model. The protocol for this meta‐analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42017067687).

Results

Nineteen observational studies with 1 931 073 ESRD patients were enrolled. The pooled estimated incidence of kidney cancer and urothelial cancers (carcinomas of the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis) in ESRD patients were 0.3% (95%CI: 0.2–0.5%) and 0.5% (95%CI: 0.3–0.8%), respectively. Meta‐regression showed significant positive correlation between incidence of urologic malignancies in ESRD patients and year of study (slopes = +0.05 and +0.07, P < 0.001 for kidney cancer and urothelial cancers, respectively). Compared to non‐ESRD status, ESRD was significantly associated with both kidney cancer (pooled OR 6.04; 95% CI 4.70–7.77) and urothelial cancers (pooled OR 4.37; 95% CI 2.40–7.96).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates a significant association between ESRD and urologic malignancies. The overall estimated incidence rates of kidney cancer and urothelial cancers are 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. There is a significant positive correlation between the incidence of urologic malignancies and year of study.
Triviality Results for Probabilistic Modals
Authors: Goldstein Simon
Published: December 2017

In recent years, a number of theorists have claimed that beliefs about probability are transparent. To believe probably p is simply to have a high credence that p. In this paper, I prove a variety of triviality results for theses like the above. I show that such claims are inconsistent with the thesis that probabilistic modal sentences have propositions or sets of worlds as their meaning. Then I consider the extent to which a dynamic semantics for probabilistic modals can capture theses connecting belief, certainty, credence, and probability. I show that although a dynamic semantics for probabilistic modals does allow one to validate such theses, it can only do so at a cost. I prove that such theses can only be valid if probabilistic modals do not satisfy the axioms of the probability calculus.
Inflammatory cytokine and C‐reactive protein concentrations in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Gommeren Kris , Desmas Isabelle , Garcia Alexandra , Bauer Natalie , Moritz Andreas , Roth Joachim , Peeters Dominique
Published: December 2017

Objective

To evaluate C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) kinetics in dogs with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) presented to an emergency service. We hypothesized serum CRP concentrations would increase and vary during hospitalization, and would correlate with plasma IL‐6 and TNF‐α concentrations, vary in magnitude according to the underlying disease, and predict survival.

Design

Prospective, observational, clinical study.

Setting

University emergency department.

Animals

Sixty‐nine dogs with SIRS weighing over 5 kg who could tolerate the blood sampling.

Interventions

Serum and plasma were collected (and stored at –80°C) at presentation (T0), after 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 24 (T24), and 72 (T72) hours, and at a follow‐up visit at least 1 month after discharge (T1m). Underlying diseases were categorized as infection (I), neoplasia (N), trauma (T), gastric‐dilation and volvulus (GDV), other gastrointestinal (GI), renal (R), and miscellaneous (M) disease.

Measurements and Main Results

Serum CRP concentration was measured using a canine‐specific immunoturbidimetric assay. Biologically active plasma IL‐6 and TNF‐α concentrations were assessed using bioassays. Forty‐four dogs survived, 8 died, and 17 were euthanized. Nineteen dogs had follow‐up visits. At T0, serum CRP concentration was above the reference interval in 73.1% (49/67), and was within the reference interval (0–141.9 nmol/L) throughout hospitalization in only 6% (4/67). Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher (P< 0.0001) at T0 (882.9 ± 1082.9 nmol/L) and at all time points during hospitalization (P< 0.0001) compared to T1m, with highest concentrations observed at T24 (906. 7 ± 859.0 nmol/L). At T1m, serum CRP concentrations were within the reference interval (22.9 ± 42.9 nmol/L) in 95% (18/19) of dogs. Logarithmic concentrations of serum CRP and plasma IL‐6 were significantly correlated (P< 0.001,r= 0.479). None of the measured cytokines were associated with disease category or outcome.

Conclusions

Serum CRP concentration is increased in dogs with SIRS, and decreases during treatment and hospitalization. Serum CRP, plasma IL‐6, and plasma TNF‐α concentrations cannot predict outcome in dogs with SIRS.
Operational Modal Analysis of a Triangular-Pitch Tube Bundle Subjected to Two-Phase Cross-Flow
Authors: Deri Enrico
Published: December 2017

Flow-induced vibrations of tubes in two-phase heat exchangers are a concern for the nuclear industry. Electricité de France (EDF) has developed a numerical tool, which allows one to evaluate safety margins and thereafter to optimize the exchanger maintenance policy. The software is based on a semi-analytical model of fluid-dynamic forces and dimensionless fluid force coefficients which need to be evaluated by experiment. A test rig was operated with the aim of assessing parallel triangular tube arrangement submitted to a two-phase vertical cross-flow: a kernel of nine flexible tubes is set in the middle of a rigid bundle. These tubes vibrate as solid bodies (in translation) both in the lift and drag directions in order to represent the so-called in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations. This paper outlines the experimental results and some detailed physical analysis of some selected points of the experiment series: the response modes are identified by means of operational modal analysis (OMA) (i.e., under unmeasured flow excitation) and presented in terms of frequency, damping, and mode shapes. Among all the modes theoretically possible in the bundle, it was found that some of them have a higher response depending on the flow velocity and the void fraction. Mode shapes allow to argue if lock-in is present and to clarify the role of lift and drag forces close to the fluid-elastic instability (FEI).
Myc heals all (tumor) wounds
Authors: Sarosiek Kristopher
Published: December 2017

The activation of Myc in Ras-driven lung adenomas causes profound immune/stromal remodeling to support tumor growth.
Buruli Ulcer, a Prototype for Ecosystem-Related Infection, Caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans
Authors: Zingue Dezemon , Bouam Amar , Tian Roger B. D. , Drancourt Michel
Published: December 2017

Buruli ulcer is a noncontagious disabling cutaneous and subcutaneous mycobacteriosis reported by 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. The causative agent,
Mycobacterium ulcerans
, derives from
Mycobacterium marinum
by genomic reduction and acquisition of a plasmid-borne, nonribosomal cytotoxin mycolactone, the major virulence factor.
M. ulcerans
-specific sequences have been readily detected in aquatic environments in food chains involving small mammals. Skin contamination combined with any type of puncture, including insect bites, is the most plausible route of transmission, and skin temperature of <30°C significantly correlates with the topography of lesions. After 30 years of emergence and increasing prevalence between 1970 and 2010, mainly in Africa, factors related to ongoing decreasing prevalence in the same countries remain unexplained. Rapid diagnosis, including laboratory confirmation at the point of care, is mandatory in order to reduce delays in effective treatment. Parenteral and potentially toxic streptomycin-rifampin is to be replaced by oral clarithromycin or fluoroquinolone combined with rifampin. In the absence of proven effective primary prevention, avoiding skin contamination by means of clothing can be implemented in areas of endemicity. Buruli ulcer is a prototype of ecosystem pathology, illustrating the impact of human activities on the environment as a source for emerging tropical infectious diseases.
Draft Genome Sequence of Glycomyces fuscus TRM 49117, Isolated from a Hypersaline Soil Sample
Authors: Wang Yang , Luo Xiaoxia , Zhang Lili
Published: December 2017

Glycomyces
spp. are rare actinomycetes that are potential antibiotic producers. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Glycomyces fuscus
TRM 49117. This is the first genome report of a bacterium belonging to the genus
Glycomyces
. The genome information of
G. fuscus
will contribute to studies on the structure and function of antibiotics.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Three Streptococcus macedonicus Strains Isolated from Italian Cheeses in the Veneto Region
Authors: Treu Laura , de Diego-Díaz Beatriz , Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Tsakalidou Effie , Giacomini Alessio , Corich Viviana
Published: December 2017

We report here the genome sequences of three
Streptococcus macedonicus
strains isolated from different cheeses in the Veneto region of Italy. The presented data aim at increasing the scarce genomic information available for this species, which is frequently encountered in fermented foods and appears to be a promising technological microorganism.
Human Cytomegalovirus Replication Is Inhibited by the Autophagy-Inducing Compounds Trehalose and SMER28 through Distinctively Different Mechanisms
Authors: Clark Alex E. , Sabalza Maite , Gordts Philip L. S. M. , Spector Deborah H.
Published: December 2017

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the top viral cause of birth defects worldwide, and current therapies have high toxicity. We previously reported that the mTOR-independent autophagy-inducing disaccharide trehalose inhibits HCMV replication in multiple cell types. Here, we examine the mechanism of inhibition and introduce the autophagy inducer SMER28 as an additional inhibitor of HCMV acting through a different mechanism. We find that trehalose induces vacuolation and acidification of vacuoles and that debris, including debris with an appearance consistent with that of abnormal virions, is present in multivesicular bodies. Trehalose treatment increased the levels of Rab7, a protein required for lysosomal biogenesis and fusion, and slightly decreased the levels of Rab11, which is associated with recycling endosomes. We also present evidence that trehalose can promote autophagy without altering cellular glucose uptake. We show that SMER28 inhibits HCMV at the level of early protein production and interferes with viral genome replication in a cell type-dependent fashion. Finally, we show that SMER28 treatment does not cause the vacuolation, acidification, or redistribution of Rab7 associated with trehalose treatment and shows only a modest and cell type-dependent effect on autophagy. We propose a model in which the reciprocal effects on Rab7 and Rab11 induced by trehalose contribute to the redirection of enveloped virions from the plasma membrane to acidified compartments and subsequent degradation, and SMER28 treatment results in decreased expression levels of early and late proteins, reducing the number of virions produced without the widespread vacuolation characteristic of trehalose treatment.

IMPORTANCE
There is a need for less toxic HCMV antiviral drugs, and modulation of autophagy to control viral infection is a new strategy that takes advantage of virus dependence on autophagy inhibition. The present study extends our previous work on trehalose by showing a possible mechanism of action and introduces another autophagy-inducing compound, SMER28, that is effective against HCMV in several cell types. The mechanism by which trehalose induces autophagy is currently unknown, although our data show that trehalose does not inhibit cellular glucose uptake in cells relevant for HCMV replication but instead alters virion degradation by promoting acidic vacuolization. The comparison of our cell types and those used by others highlights the cell type-dependent nature of studying autophagy.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution within the Paramyxovirus Sendai Virus Nucleoprotein Is a Critical Determinant for Production of Interferon-Beta-Inducing Copyback-Type Defective Interfering Genomes
Authors: Yoshida Asuka , Kawabata Ryoko , Honda Tomoyuki , Sakai Kouji , Ami Yasushi , Sakaguchi Takemasa , Irie Takashi
Published: December 2017

One of the first defenses against infecting pathogens is the innate immune system activated by cellular recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Although virus-derived RNA species, especially copyback (cb)-type defective interfering (DI) genomes, have been shown to serve as real PAMPs, which strongly induce interferon-beta (IFN-β) during mononegavirus infection, the mechanisms underlying DI generation remain unclear. Here, for the first time, we identified a single amino acid substitution causing production of cbDI genomes by successful isolation of two distinct types of viral clones with cbDI-producing and cbDI-nonproducing phenotypes from the stock Sendai virus (SeV) strain Cantell, which has been widely used in a number of studies on antiviral innate immunity as a representative IFN-β-inducing virus. IFN-β induction was totally dependent on the presence of a significant amount of cbDI genome-containing viral particles (DI particles) in the viral stock, but not on deficiency of the IFN-antagonistic viral accessory proteins C and V. Comparison of the isolates indicated that a single amino acid substitution found within the N protein of the cbDI-producing clone was enough to cause the emergence of DI genomes. The mutated N protein of the cbDI-producing clone resulted in a lower density of nucleocapsids than that of the DI-nonproducing clone, probably causing both production of the DI genomes and their formation of a stem-loop structure, which serves as an ideal ligand for RIG-I. These results suggested that the integrity of mononegaviral nucleocapsids might be a critical factor in avoiding the undesirable recognition of infection by host cells.

IMPORTANCE
The type I interferon (IFN) system is a pivotal defense against infecting RNA viruses that is activated by sensing viral RNA species. RIG-I is a major sensor for infection with most mononegaviruses, and copyback (cb)-type defective interfering (DI) genomes have been shown to serve as strong RIG-I ligands in real infections. However, the mechanism underlying production of cbDI genomes remains unclear, although DI genomes emerge as the result of an error during viral replication with high doses of viruses. Sendai virus has been extensively studied and is unique in that its interaction with innate immunity reveals opposing characteristics, such as high-level IFN-β induction and strong inhibition of type I IFN pathways. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of production of mononegaviral cbDI genomes, as well as virus-host interactions during innate immunity.