bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FuMa: reporting overlap in RNA-seq detected fusion genes
Authors: Hoogstrate Youri , Böttcher René , Hiltemann Saskia , van der Spek Peter J. , Jenster Guido , Stubbs Andrew P.
Published: December 2015

Summary: A new generation of tools that identify fusion genes in RNA-seq data is limited in either sensitivity and or specificity. To allow further downstream analysis and to estimate performance, predicted fusion genes from different tools have to be compared. However, the transcriptomic context complicates genomic location-based matching. FusionMatcher (FuMa) is a program that reports identical fusion genes based on gene-name annotations. FuMa automatically compares and summarizes all combinations of two or more datasets in a single run, without additional programming necessary. FuMa uses one gene annotation, avoiding mismatches caused by tool-specific gene annotations. FuMa matches 10% more fusion genes compared with exact gene matching due to overlapping genes and accepts intermediate output files that allow a stepwise analysis of corresponding tools.

Availability and implementation: The code is available at: https://github.com/ErasmusMC-Bioinformatics/fuma and available for Galaxy in the tool sheds and directly accessible at https://bioinf-galaxian.erasmusmc.nl/galaxy/

Contact:  y.hoogstrate@erasmusmc.nl or a.stubbs@erasmusmc.nl

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Assessing race and ethnicity data quality across cancer registries and EMRs in two hospitals
Authors: Lee Simon J Craddock , Grobe James E , Tiro Jasmin A
Published: December 2015

Background Measurement of patient race/ethnicity in electronic health records is mandated and important for tracking health disparities.

Objective Characterize the quality of race/ethnicity data collection efforts.

Methods For all cancer patients diagnosed (2007–2010) at two hospitals, we extracted demographic data from five sources: 1) a university hospital cancer registry, 2) a university electronic medical record (EMR), 3) a community hospital cancer registry, 4) a community EMR, and 5) a joint clinical research registry. The patients whose data we examined (N = 17 834) contributed 41 025 entries (range: 2–5 per patient across sources), and the source comparisons generated 1–10 unique pairs per patient. We used generalized estimating equations, chi-squares tests, and kappas estimates to assess data availability and agreement.

Results Compared to sex and insurance status, race/ethnicity information was significantly less likely to be available (χ2 > 8043, P < .001), with variation across sources (χ2 > 10 589, P < .001). The university EMR had a high prevalence of “Unknown” values. Aggregate kappa estimates across the sources was 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.45–0.45; N = 31 276 unique pairs), but improved in sensitivity analyses that excluded the university EMR source (κ = 0.89). Race/ethnicity data were in complete agreement for only 6988 patients (39.2%). Pairs with a “Black” data value in one of the sources had the highest agreement (95.3%), whereas pairs with an “Other” value exhibited the lowest agreement across sources (11.1%).

Discussion Our findings suggest that high-quality race/ethnicity data are attainable. Many of the “errors” in race/ethnicity data are caused by missing or “Unknown” data values.

Conclusions To facilitate transparent reporting of healthcare delivery outcomes by race/ethnicity, healthcare systems need to monitor and enforce race/ethnicity data collection standards.
The feasibility of text reminders to improve medication adherence in adolescents with asthma
Authors: Johnson Kevin B , Patterson Barron L , Ho Yun-Xian , Chen Qingxia , Nian Hui , Davison Coda L , Slagle Jason , Mulvaney Shelagh A
Published: December 2015

Objective Personal health applications have the potential to help patients with chronic disease by improving medication adherence, self-efficacy, and quality of life. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of MyMediHealth (MMH) – a website and a short messaging service (SMS)-based reminder system – on medication adherence and perceived self-efficacy in adolescents with asthma.

Methods We conducted a block-randomized controlled study in academic pediatric outpatient settings. There were 98 adolescents enrolled. Subjects who were randomized to use MMH were asked to create a medication schedule and receive SMS reminders at designated medication administration times for 3 weeks. Control subjects received action lists as a part of their usual care. Primary outcome measures included MMH usage patterns and self-reports of system usability, medication adherence, asthma control, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

Results Eighty-nine subjects completed the study, of whom 46 were randomized to the intervention arm. Compared to controls, we found improvements in self-reported medication adherence (P = .011), quality of life (P = .037), and self-efficacy (P = .016). Subjects reported high satisfaction with MMH; however, the level of system usage varied widely, with lower use among African American patients.

Conclusions MMH was associated with improved medication adherence, perceived quality of life, and self-efficacy.

Trial Registration This project was registered under http://clinicaltrials.gov/ identifier NCT01730235.
Tweeting back: predicting new cases of back pain with mass social media data
Authors: Lee Hopin , McAuley James H , Hübscher Markus , Allen Heidi G , Kamper Steven J , Moseley G Lorimer
Published: December 2015

Background Back pain is a global health problem. Recent research has shown that risk factors that are proximal to the onset of back pain might be important targets for preventive interventions. Rapid communication through social media might be useful for delivering timely interventions that target proximal risk factors. Identifying individuals who are likely to discuss back pain on Twitter could provide useful information to guide online interventions.

Methods We used a case-crossover study design for a sample of 742 028 tweets about back pain to quantify the risks associated with a new tweet about back pain.

Results The odds of tweeting about back pain just after tweeting about selected physical, psychological, and general health factors were 1.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80-1.85), 1.85 (95% CI: 1.83-1.88), and 1.29 (95% CI, 1.27-1.30), respectively.

Conclusion These findings give directions for future research that could use social media for innovative public health interventions.
Z45: A new 45-GHz band dual-polarization HEMT receiver for the NRO 45-m radio telescope
Authors: Nakamura Fumitaka , Ogawa Hideo , Yonekura Yoshinori , Kimura Kimihiko , Okada Nozomi , Kozu Minato , Hasegawa Yutaka , Tokuda Kazuki , Ochiai Tetsu , Mizuno Izumi , Dobashi Kazuhito , Shimoikura Tomomi , Kameno Seiji , Taniguchi Kotomi , Shinnaga Hiroko , Takano Shuro , Kawabe Ryohei , Nakajima Taku , Iono Daisuke , Kuno Nario , Onishi Toshikazu , Momose Munetake , Yamamoto Satoshi
Published: December 2015

We developed a dual-linear-polarization HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor) amplifier receiver system of the 45-GHz band (hereafter Z45), and installed it in the Nobeyama 45-m radio telescope. The receiver system is designed to conduct polarization observations by taking the cross-correlation of two linearly polarized components, from which we process full Stokes spectroscopy. We aim to measure the magnetic field strength through the Zeeman effect of the emission line of CCS (JN = 43–32) toward pre-protostellar cores. A linear-polarization receiver system has a smaller contribution of instrumental polarization components to the Stokes V spectra than that of the circular polarization system, so that it is easier to obtain the Stokes V spectra. The receiver has an RF frequency of 42–46 GHz and an intermediate frequency (IF) band of 4–8 GHz. The typical noise temperature is about 50 K, and the system noise temperature ranges from 100 to 150 K over the frequency of 42–46 GHz. The receiver system is connected to two spectrometers, SAM45 and PolariS. SAM45 is a highly flexible FX-type digital spectrometer with a finest frequency resolution of 3.81 kHz. PolariS is a newly developed digital spectrometer with a finest frequency resolution of 60 Hz, and which has a capability to process the full-Stokes spectroscopy. The half-power beam width (HPBW) was measured to be 37″ at 43 GHz. The main beam efficiency of the Gaussian main beam was derived to be 0.72 at 43 GHz. The SiO maser observations show that the beam pattern is reasonably round at about 10% of the peak intensity and the side-lobe level was less than 3% of the peak intensity. Finally, we present some examples of astronomical observations using Z45.
Genome Sequence Analysis of New Isolates of the Winona Strain of Plum pox virus and the First Definitive Evidence of Intrastrain Recombination Events
Authors: James Delano , Sanderson Dan , Varga Aniko , Sheveleva Anna , Chirkov Sergei
Published: December 2015

Plum pox virus (PPV) is genetically diverse with nine different strains identified. Mutations, indel events, and interstrain recombination events are known to contribute to the genetic diversity of PPV. This is the first report of intrastrain recombination events that contribute to PPV’s genetic diversity. Fourteen isolates of the PPV strain Winona (W) were analyzed including nine new strain W isolates sequenced completely in this study. Isolates of other strains of PPV with more than one isolate with the complete genome sequence available in GenBank were included also in this study for comparison and analysis. Five intrastrain recombination events were detected among the PPV W isolates, one among PPV C strain isolates, and one among PPV M strain isolates. Four (29%) of the PPV W isolates analyzed are recombinants; one of which (P2-1) is a mosaic, with three recombination events identified. A new interstrain recombinant event was identified between a strain M isolate and a strain Rec isolate, a known recombinant. In silico recombination studies and pairwise distance analyses of PPV strain D isolates indicate that a threshold of genetic diversity exists for the detectability of recombination events, in the range of approximately 0.78 × 10−2 to 1.33 × 10−2 mean pairwise distance. RDP4 analyses indicate that in the case of PPV Rec isolates there may be a recombinant breakpoint distinct from the obvious transition point of strain sequences. Evidence was obtained that indicates that the frequency of PPV recombination is underestimated, which may be true for other RNA viruses where low genetic diversity exists.
Nonlinguistic Outcome Measures in Adult Cochlear Implant Users Over the First Year of Implantation
Authors: Drennan Ward R. , Won Jong Ho , Timme Alden O. , Rubinstein Jay T.
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Postlingually deaf cochlear implant users’ speech perception improves over several months after implantation due to a learning process which involves integration of the new acoustic information presented by the device. Basic tests of hearing acuity might evaluate sensitivity to the new acoustic information and be less sensitive to learning effects. It was hypothesized that, unlike speech perception, basic spectral and temporal discrimination abilities will not change over the first year of implant use. If there were limited change over time and the test scores were correlated with clinical outcome, the tests might be useful for acute diagnostic assessments of hearing ability and also useful for testing speakers of any language, many of which do not have validated speech tests.

Design:

Ten newly implanted cochlear implant users were tested for speech understanding in quiet and in noise at 1 and 12 months postactivation. Spectral-ripple discrimination, temporal-modulation detection, and Schroeder-phase discrimination abilities were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postactivation.

Results:

Speech understanding in quiet improved between 1 and 12 months postactivation (mean 8% improvement). Speech in noise performance showed no statistically significant improvement. Mean spectral-ripple discrimination thresholds and temporal-modulation detection thresholds for modulation frequencies of 100 Hz and above also showed no significant improvement. Spectral-ripple discrimination thresholds were significantly correlated with speech understanding. Low FM detection and Schroeder-phase discrimination abilities improved over the period. Individual learning trends varied, but the majority of listeners followed the same stable pattern as group data.

Conclusions:

Spectral-ripple discrimination ability and temporal-modulation detection at 100-Hz modulation and above might serve as a useful diagnostic tool for early acute assessment of cochlear implant outcome for listeners speaking any native language.
Sustained ERK activation-mediated proliferation inhibition of farrerol on human gastric carcinoma cell line by G0/G1-phase cell-cycle arrest
Authors: Liu Enli , Li Jie , Shi Shasha , Wang Xiaojian , Liang Taigang , Wu Bowei , Li Qingshan
Published: December 2015

Current cancer treatment is partly limited by chemotherapy-induced vascular toxicity associated with damage to vascular endothelial cells. In this study, the cytotoxicity of farrerol against SGC7901 gastric cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro was investigated along with the underlying mechanisms of its growth-inhibitory effect against SGC7901 cells. MTT assays showed that farrerol inhibited SGC7901 cell growth, but exerted no cytotoxicity against HUVECs. Flow cytometry showed that treatment of SGC7901 cells with farrerol (5, 40, or 160 μmol/l) for 24 h caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blotting indicated that exposure of SGC7901 cells to farrerol resulted in significant upregulation of p27KIP1 (p27), accompanied by sustained activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK instead of JNK. Farrerol-stimulated p27 expression, p38 MAPK activation, and cell growth inhibition were attenuated by pretreatment with U0126, an MEK1/2 inhibitor. In conclusion, this study indicates the selective cytotoxicity of farrerol against SGC7901 cells, but not HUVECs. Furthermore, it provides the first evidence that farrerol could induce cancer cell growth inhibition by G0/G1-phase cell-cycle arrest mediated by sustained ERK activation. The findings show the potential of farrerol as a chemotherapeutic agent without vascular toxicity for use against gastric cancer.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects of Açaí, an Amazon Plant
Authors: de Moura Roberto S. , Resende Ângela Castro
Published: December 2015

Despite being used for a long time as food and beverage by Brazilian people who live on the Amazon bay, only in the beginning of this century, açaí berries have been the object of scientific research. Açaí berries are rich in polyphenols that probably explains its versatile pharmacological actions and huge consumption, not only in Brazil but also in Europe and United States. In this review, not all but some pharmacological aspects of açaí berries are analyzed. Chemical and pharmacological differences between extracts obtained from the skin and seed of açaí are considered. Polyphenols from the seed of açaí increase endothelial nitric oxide production leading to endothelium-dependent relaxation, reduce reactive oxygen species and regulate key targets associated with lipid metabolism in different conditions such as hypertension, renal failure, and metabolic syndrome. We review the novel mechanisms of actions of açaí on different targets which could trigger the health benefits of açaí such as antioxidant, vasodilator, antihypertensive, cardioprotector, renal protector, antidyslipidemic, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects in cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances.
Treatment of Refractory Filamentary Keratitis With Autologous Serum Tears
Authors: Read Sarah P. , Rodriguez Marianeli , Dubovy Sander , Karp Carol L. , Galor Anat
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

To report a case of filamentary keratitis (FK) successfully treated with autologous serum tears and to review the pathogenesis and management of FK.

Methods:

Case report including high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography and filament histopathology.

Case Report:

A 61-year-old Hispanic man presented with pain and photophobia of the right eye. He was found to have a corneal epithelial defect and a small peripheral infiltrate 4 months after Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. After resolution of the epithelial defect, he developed FK. Over a 4-month period, conservative management with aggressive lubrication, lid hygiene, topical corticosteroids, topical cyclosporine, bandage contact lenses, and oral doxycycline failed to resolve the corneal filaments. Notably, treatment with 20% autologous serum tears, four times daily, led to a sustained resolution of the FK within 1 week.

Conclusions:

This case demonstrates the complexity of FK management and introduces autologous serum tears as a viable management option when conservative approaches to this condition fail.
Miliary Tuberculosis as a Cause of Sudden Death in a Patient Misdiagnosed With Depression
Authors: Haj Salem Nidhal , Mesrati Amine , Hadhri Rim , Oualha Dorra , Boughattas Meriem , Aissaoui Abir , Zakhama Abdelfeteh , Chadly Ali
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Today, miliary spread remains one of the world's most lethal infectious diseases. Despite the availability of effective treatment for most cases, it is still a cause of death in our environment. Some cases of active tuberculosis (TB) are not identified until the patient is dead and an autopsy has been performed. We report an autopsy case of miliary TB and discuss the mechanism of death.

Case Report

N.M. is a 24-year-old woman without any relevant personal medical or family history. She was admitted with fever of 40 days' duration. The fever was irregular, higher at nights, and associated with headache and anorexia. The patient did not give any history of coughing, hemoptysis, sore throat, joint pains, skin rash, abdominal pain, or rheumatic heart disease. The examination and the radiological investigations did not show any abnormalities. The patient was symptomatically medicated and allowed to return home. After 1 week, she was discovered dead in her bed. A forensic autopsy was requested. At necropsy, the lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys were macroscopically palish, heterogeneous, and dotted with myriad of small seeds (1–2 mm). Mesentery was the seat of a large firm mass, adhering to the intestinal walls and the pancreas. The diagnosis of miliary TB was confirmed by histological examination. The toxicological screening was negative.

Conclusions

Our case highlights a rare but important complication of TB, which is “TB-related sudden death.” There is a need for more awareness of the disease, especially in the light of recent reports showing a growing incidence of extrapulmonary TB.
Impact of in or out of office hours at admission time on outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients
Authors: Genbrugge Cornelia , Viaene Els , Meex Ingrid , De Vadder Katrien , Eertmans Ward , Boer Willem , Jans Frank , De Deyne Cathy , Dens Jo , Ferdinande Bert
Published: December 2015

Background

In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), neurological outcome is determined by the severity of neurological injury, early percutaneous coronary intervention, and application of neuroprotective temperature management. As this is a very time-intensive and manpower-intensive protocol, we hypothesized that there would be a difference in outcome between OHCA patients admitted during and out of office hours.

Methods

We prospectively collected demographic data of OHCA patients in two hospitals. All patients included were treated at 33°C for 24 h, followed by a rewarming phase until 36.6°C. During office hours were defined as arriving between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Neurological outcome at 180 days was assessed following the Cerebral Performance Category scale.

Results

Forty-seven (31%) patients were admitted during office hours and 105 (69%) out of office hours (P=0.199). Patients admitted during office hours were significantly older, respectively, 66±14 and 59±15 years (P=0.014). There was no significant difference between both groups in the number of patients who underwent coronary angiography, door to angiography time, and number of affected vessels. The median time spent in the target range of PaO2, PaCO2, and lactate was also not significantly different. We found no significant difference in survival until 180 days between both groups (P=0.599), even after adjustment for age (95% confidence interval: 0.44–1.90, hazard ratio: 0.912).

Conclusion

Survival until 180 days between OHCA patients admitted during office hours or out of office hours was not significantly different in two hospitals with a fixed protocol for neuroprotection and 24/7 streamlined access to coronary angiography.
Safety of a 1‐Day Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Children
Authors: Sahn Benjamin , Chen‐Lim Mei Lin , Ciavardone Denise , Farace Lisa , Jannelli Frances , Nieberle Megan , Ely Elizabeth , Zhang Xuemei , Kelsen Judith , Puma Anita , Mamula Petar
Published: December 2015

Objectives:

Electrolyte‐free polyethylene glycol powder (PEG‐3350) has been widely used for colonoscopy preparation (prep); however, limited safety data on electrolyte changes exists with 1‐day prep regimens. The primary aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with significant serum chemistry abnormalities before and at the time of colonoscopy. Secondary aims included evaluation of prep tolerance and bowel cleansing efficacy.

Methods:

We performed a prospective descriptive observational study of pediatric patients scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy who received our standard 1‐day, weight‐based 4 g/kg PEG‐3350 prep with a single stimulant laxative dose and had serum chemistry testing within 60 days before and at the time of colonoscopy. A standardized bowel cleanliness tool (Aronchick scale) was completed by the endoscopist.

Results:

One hundred fifty‐five patients had serum electrolytes data pre‐ and postprep. Comparison of each patient's chemistries demonstrated statistical equivalence with the 1 exception of blood urea nitrogen levels (P = 0.56). Hypokalemia was detected postprep in 37 subjects (24%), but none had a serum level <3.3 mmol/L, which was deemed to be of no clinical significance. Five patients were hypoglycemic post prep; 3 were 7 years or younger (P = 0.02). The colon cleanliness rating was excellent or good in 77% and suboptimal in 23% of patients.

Conclusions:

A 1‐day, weight‐based PEG‐3350 bowel prep in children appears safe. Changes in electrolyte levels and renal function were not clinically significant. Children of 7 years or younger seem to be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia compared with older children.
Functional Nausea in Children
Authors: Kovacic Katja , Di Lorenzo Carlo
Published: December 2015

Chronic nausea is a highly prevalent, bothersome, and difficult‐to‐treat symptom among adolescents. When chronic nausea presents as the predominant symptom and is not associated with any underlying disease, it may be considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder and named “functional nausea.” The clinical features of functional nausea and its association with comorbid conditions provide clues to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. These may include gastrointestinal motor and sensory disturbances, autonomic imbalance, altered central nervous system pathways, or a combination of these. This review summarizes the current knowledge on mechanisms and treatment strategies for chronic, functional nausea in children.
Towards a multi-physics modelling framework for thrombolysis under the influence of blood flow
Authors: Piebalgs Andris , Xu X. Yun
Published: December 2015

Thrombolytic therapy is an effective means of treating thromboembolic diseases but can also give rise to life-threatening side effects. The infusion of a high drug concentration can provoke internal bleeding while an insufficient dose can lead to artery reocclusion. It is hoped that mathematical modelling of the process of clot lysis can lead to a better understanding and improvement of thrombolytic therapy. To this end, a multi-physics continuum model has been developed to simulate the dissolution of clot over time upon the addition of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The transport of tPA and other lytic proteins is modelled by a set of reaction–diffusion–convection equations, while blood flow is described by volume-averaged continuity and momentum equations. The clot is modelled as a fibrous porous medium with its properties being determined as a function of the fibrin fibre radius and voidage of the clot. A unique feature of the model is that it is capable of simulating the entire lytic process from the initial phase of lysis of an occlusive thrombus (diffusion-limited transport), the process of recanalization, to post-canalization thrombolysis under the influence of convective blood flow. The model has been used to examine the dissolution of a fully occluding clot in a simplified artery at different pressure drops. Our predicted lytic front velocities during the initial stage of lysis agree well with experimental and computational results reported by others. Following canalization, clot lysis patterns are strongly influenced by local flow patterns, which are symmetric at low pressure drops, but asymmetric at higher pressure drops, which give rise to larger recirculation regions and extended areas of intense drug accumulation.
Structural specialities, curiosities and record-breaking features of crustacean reproduction
Authors: Vogt Günter
Published: December 2015

Crustaceans are a morphologically, physiologically and ecologically highly diverse animal group and correspondingly diverse are their reproductive characteristics. They have evolved structural specialities with respect to penis construction, sperm form, sperm storage, fertilization and brood care. Unique in the animal kingdom are safety lines that safeguard hatching and first molting. Further curiosities are dwarf males in parasitic and sessile taxa and bacteria-induced gigantism and infectious feminization in crustacean hosts. Record-breaking features in animals are relative penis length, clutch size, sperm size, chromosome number, viability of resting eggs, and fossil ages of penis, sperm and brooded embryos. These reproductive peculiarities are reviewed and their implication for basic and applied biology is discussed, including the early evolution and diversification of brood care in arthropods, sperm competition and assurance of paternity, posthumous paternity and sustainable male-based fishery, and ecotype changes by man-made pollution.
The effect of age, gender and level of education on the consumer’s expectations towards dairy product packaging
Authors: Baruk Agnieszka Izabela , Iwanicka Anna
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to have two main research goals: to identify and analyse the elements of dairy product packaging which influence customer purchase decisions, according to these elements’ compliance with their expectations; and to analyse the relations between final customers’ expectations towards elements of dairy product packaging and their three chosen demographic characteristics including age, gender and level of education.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is theoretical and empirical in nature. In the theoretical part, the cognitive-critical analysis of the world’s literature on marketing and marketing management was applied. In the empirical part the following research methods were used: questionnaire survey for gathering primary data and statistical analysis (factor analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis independence test) for the analysis of the primary data and for statistical reasoning, which formed the basis for the final conclusions.

Findings

– On the basis of the research, one can conclude that the analysed demographic characteristics of the respondents (age, gender, level of education) influence the structure of their expectations towards dairy product packaging, thereby determining their purchase decisions. The dependence does not exist only between the growth of pro-environmental expectations and the increase of the respondents’ level of education. However, this does not change the fact that level of education correlates with expectations related to other features of dairy product packaging, thus determining their structure.

Originality/value

– The original contribution of this paper to theory is the identification of Polish customers’ expectations towards elements of dairy product packaging and the description of their structural diversity, depending on the recipients’ demographic characteristics in terms of their purchase decisions taken thanks to the fact that their expectations concerning the features of packaging are fulfilled. This knowledge can make it easier to effectively manage dairy product packaging as a tool of influencing on customers and properly shape their marketing potential by offerors. It determines the applicability of the research results and the conclusions drawn from them.
Participation and engagement of people with a learning disability in the lead up to the 2015 general election
Authors: Holland Robert
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– As a commentary on the article by Ian Hood, the purpose of this paper is to consider participation of people with a learning disability in the lead-up to the 2015 UK general election. It looks at available data on participation and the barriers people face to engagement in the national debate, the process of registering to vote as well as voting itself.

Design/methodology/approach

– A number of initiatives taken to increase participation are considered and their success evaluated. Available data on participation and previous research are also considered.

Findings

– It is possible to boost the numbers of people engaged in voting and related activities. More research is needed to look at the impact of moving to a system of individual electoral registration and at whether overall participation by people with a learning disability is increasing over time. The barriers identified need to be tackled if people with a learning disability are to be more fully engaged in voting and the national political debate.

Originality/value

– Findings will be of particular value to those organisations and individuals interested in increasing the proportion of people with learning disabilities voting in future elections.
Networks and Power: Why Networks are Hierarchical Not Flat and What Can Be Done About It
Authors: Faul Moira V.
Published: December 2015

Many scholars, policy makers and practitioners associate new, networked forms of collaboration and governance with positive attributes such as speed, flexibility, adaptability and ‘flatness’. This article contrasts the assumptions that networks essentially moderate external asymmetries of power with the network theoretical view that networks may amplify existing hierarchies. The case study network explored supports the network theoretical view that existing power relations may be increased when a multistakeholder partnership network is established. The use of Social Network Analysis facilitates the comparison of the structures and relationships into which global policy actors are organised (the formal network) with the relationships and relational structures into which they choose to organise themselves (informal network). In the conclusions, I introduce the practice of network rewiring that could overcome the network mechanisms that amplify existing power relations. Further research is required that adds more case study evidence in order to raise (and begin to answer) questions that will give a wider view of the social structuring of power in partnership networks in international development, such as those referred to in the recently‐adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The influence of environmental parameters on the performance and detection range of acoustic receivers
Authors: Huveneers Charlie , Simpfendorfer Colin A. , Kim Susan , Semmens Jayson M. , Hobday Alistair J. , Pederson Hugh , Stieglitz Thomas , Vallee Richard , Webber Dale , Heupel Michelle R. , Peddemors Vic , Harcourt Robert G.
Published: December 2015

Acoustic telemetry is being increasingly used to study the ecology of many aquatic organisms. This widespread use has been advanced by national and international tracking programs that coordinate deployment of passive acoustic telemetry networks on a regional and continental scale to detect tagged animals. While it is well‐known that environmental conditions can affect the performance of acoustic receivers, these effects are rarely quantified despite the profound implications for tag detection and hence the ecological inferences.

Here, we deployed eight receivers at different depths within the water column and at different orientations (hydrophone up or down) and 12 tags 200–800 m from the receivers for 234 days to investigate how the tag detection range of acoustic receivers varied through time and under different meteorologic and oceanographic conditions.

The study showed that receiver depth and orientation, and time since deployment had the largest effect on the detection range. Thermocline gradient and depth, and wind speed were the environmental factors most affecting detection range, while wind direction, precipitation and atmospheric pressure had negligible or no effect. Comparison of results to a proposed general acoustic theory model and previous studies showed that findings from specific habitat types cannot be generalised and applied across other habitats or environments.

A good understanding of the acoustic coverage and temporal variations in relation to environmental conditions are crucial to accurate interpretation of results, and ensuing management recommendations. We recommend that each study include stationary reference tags to measure changes in detection probability with time, help refine detection range, and be used to improve confidence in the reporting and interpretation of the data.
Simulating regimes of chemical disturbance and testing impacts in the ecosystem using a novel programmable dosing system
Authors: Browne Mark Anthony , Brooks Paul R. , Clough Robert , Fisher Andrew S. , Mayer Pinto Mariana , Crowe Tasman P.
Published: December 2015

Pollution is a global issue at the frontier between ecology, environmental science, management, engineering and policy. Legislation requires experiments to determine how much contamination an ecosystem can absorb before there are structural or functional changes. Yet, existing methods cannot realistically simulate regimes of chemical disturbance and determine impacts to assemblages in ecosystems. This is because they lack ecologically relevant species and biotic interactions, are logistically difficult to set up and lack environmentally relevant regimes of chemical and abiotic disturbance that organisms experience in polluted areas.

We solved these long‐standing environmental, logistical, experimental and ecological problems by developing a programmable dosing system. This dosing system simulates, in situ, regimes of chemical disturbance to assemblages by manipulating the concentration, duration, timing and frequency of pollutants to which they are exposed.

Experiments with priority pollutants (the metal copper and the biocide chlorpyrifos) and mussel assemblages revealed consistent plumes of contamination within patches of mussel. Mussels at the sources of experimental plumes of copper created by the dosing system, accumulated 670% more copper in their tissues compared to mussels 0·5–50 m away. In addition, when mussels were exposed to increasing concentrations of copper, there was a concomitant increase in the amount of copper in the tissues of mussels. Combining the dosing system with an established hierarchy of ecotoxicological assays revealed mussel assemblages exposed to copper and/or chlorpyrifos had 40–70% fewer worms, whilst chlorpyrifos alone caused an 81% reduction in the number of amphipods and caused mussels to filter 48% fewer particles from the water. Combinations of copper and/or chlorpyrifos had no effects on the abundance of crabs, the respiratory functions of assemblages or the viability of molluscan haemocytes.

As global contamination accelerates, we discuss how this technological advance will enable a diverse array of ecologists, mangers and policy‐makers to understand and reduce pollution.
The Microenvironment of Human Implantation: Determinant of Reproductive Success
Authors: Salamonsen Lois A. , Evans Jemma , Nguyen Hong P.T. , Edgell Tracey A.
Published: December 2015

Successful implantation requires synchronous development of embryo and endometrium. Endometrial receptivity results from progesterone‐induced differentiation of endometrial cells, generally achieved during the mid‐secretory phase of the cycle. Failure to properly develop receptivity results in failed or inadequate implantation and hence no ongoing pregnancy. The blastocyst undergoes final development, apposition, attachment and initiates invasion of the endometrial epithelium within the uterine cavity. Thus, the microenvironment provided by uterine fluid, particularly glandular secretions, is essential for implantation. Analysis of endometrial fluid has identified cytokines, chemokines, proteases, antiproteases and other factors that modulate blastocyst functions relevant to implantation. Exosomes/microvesicular bodies released from the endometrium (and likely also the embryo) are present in uterine fluid. These can transfer miRNA, proteins and lipids between cells, thus providing endometrial–embryo communication in the peri‐implantation period. Understanding the uterine microenvironment, and its effects on endometrial–embryo interactions, will provide opportunities to modify current infertility treatments to improve success rates.
Interdisciplinary, child‐centred collaboration could increase the success of potentially successful Internet‐based physical activity interventions
Authors: Müller Andre Matthias , Khoo Selina
Published: December 2015

Physical activity promotes health in children and adolescents, but activity levels are low. The Internet offers opportunities for physical activity interventions because children and adolescents are widely exposed to the web and enjoy being online. This review investigated the success of Internet‐based interventions designed to increase physical activity in children and adolescents. Of the 13 studies we included, five reported that Internet‐based interventions had significant effects on most physical activities.

Conclusion

Internet‐based physical activity interventions in children and adolescents are potentially successful, but interdisciplinary, child‐centred collaboration is needed to design interventions that align with their Internet experiences and preferences.
Participatory video as a feminist practice of looking: ‘take two!’
Authors: Kindon Sara
Published: December 2015

In this paper, I use the idea of a ‘take’ to indicate that I have looked again at previous moments in a long‐term participatory video for research project to ‘rethink’ them from a different perspective now. My aims in doing this are to acknowledge the recent increase in critical engagements with participatory video, to raise concerns about uncritical uses of Western realist film production conventions and to call for renewed scrutiny of our methodological practice as researchers. I look at the conventions of ‘white balancing’ and ‘framing the horizon’ within a wider suite of film production techniques to argue that even when applied within a participatory epistemology, they inevitably develop a particular way of looking for participants and researchers that is ambivalent, rather than feminist, in its effects. The paper concludes by suggesting that as geographers (and other social scientists), we would do well to be more cautious of participatory video, and more circumspect in the claims we make about its empowering effects, including its ability to enable a feminist practice of looking.
Growth performance, carcass traits, physiochemical characteristics and intramuscular fatty acid composition of finishing Japanese black steers fed soybean curd residue and soy sauce cake
Authors: Yasuda Kaori , Kitagawa Masayuki , Oishi Kazato , Hirooka Hiroyuki , Tamura Takemi , Kumagai Hajime
Published: December 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary soybean curd residue (SCR) and soy sauce cake (SSC) on the growth performance, carcass traits and physiochemical and intramuscular fatty acid (FA) characteristics in Japanese Black steers. Ten steers (29.7 ± 0.3 months old, 856.6 ± 24.4 kg body weight) were assigned to either treatment C, fed a conventional concentrate or T, fed the test diet including dried SCR and SSC for 3 months. In growth performance, dry matter (DM) intake and average daily gain, and carcass traits did not differ significantly between the treatments. Color of beef was affected by the dietary treatments and meat samples from T showed higher a* value and chroma than those in C. On FA composition, there was no significant difference between the treatments in neutral lipids, whereas in polar lipids, meat samples from T had higher C16:1 (P < 0.05) and tended to have higher C16:0 (P = 0.05) and C18:1 (P = 0.08), but lower C17:0 (P = 0.098), C18:2 (P = 0.06) and C20:4 (P = 0.07) than those from C. The study suggested that SCR and SSC could be used as a substitute for conventional concentrate and would influence meat color and intramuscular FA composition of polar lipids.
Board Diversity and Financial Performance in the Top 500 Australian Firms
Authors: Vafaei Alireza , Ahmed Kamran , Mather Paul
Published: December 2015

Recent regulatory changes in Australia require listed companies to implement policies for increasing board diversity and to report thereon. In this paper we examine the association between gender diversity on corporate boards and the financial performance of a large sample of the top 500 listed companies in Australia during the period 2005–2011, addressing many of the methodological weaknesses in prior studies. Our descriptive statistics show that the proportion of female directors on boards increased markedly between 2010, when ASX amended principles came into effect, and 2011. The results also show that board diversity is positively associated with financial performance after controlling for a number of firm‐specific, ownership and governance characteristics and potential endogeneity with the two‐stage least square tests. Thus, we inform the policy debate by providing empirical evidence supporting the business case for board diversity.
Changes in Biliary Levels of Arginine and its Methylated Derivatives after Hepatic Ischaemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Ferrigno Andrea , Di Pasqua Laura Giuseppina , Berardo Clarissa , Rizzo Vittoria , Richelmi Plinio , Vairetti Mariapia
Published: December 2015

Arginine (Arg) can be methylated to form symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), the latter an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). SDMA is excreted in the urine, while ADMA is mainly subjected to degradation in the liver. Arg competes with ADMA and SDMA for cellular transport across cationic amino‐acid transporters (CATs). We evaluated the changes in serum, tissue and biliary levels of Arg, citrulline (Cit), ADMA and SDMA and the modifications in CATs after ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R). Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30‐min. partial‐hepatic ischaemia or sham‐operated. After 60‐min. reperfusion, the concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, Arg and Cit in serum, tissue and bile were measured. Serum levels of AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels were determined. mRNA of cationic transporter 2A (CAT‐2A) and 2B (CAT‐2B) were also quantified. An increase in ADMA and a decrease in SDMA were observed in bile at the end of reperfusion. On the contrary, lower tissue ADMA levels and higher SDMA levels were quantified. No serum changes in ADMA and SDMA were found. A decrease in Arg and an increase of Cit were detected in serum, bile and tissue after I/R. A marked increase in AST, ALT and AP levels in serum confirmed I/R injury. A decrease in mRNA transporter CAT‐2A but not in CAT‐2B was detected. This study supported a biliary CAT‐2B–dependent transport of ADMA and demonstrated, for the first time, that the liver is also responsible for the biliary excretion of SDMA into the bile.
New 1,4‐Dihydropyridines Down‐regulate Nitric Oxide in Animals with Streptozotocin‐induced Diabetes Mellitus and Protect Deoxyribonucleic Acid against Peroxynitrite Action
Authors: Leonova Elina , Sokolovska Jelizaveta , Boucher Jean‐Luc , Isajevs Sergejs , Rostoka Evita , Baumane Larisa , Sjakste Tatjana , Sjakste Nikolajs
Published: December 2015

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications cause numerous health and social problems throughout the world. Pathogenic actions of nitric oxide (NO) are responsible to a large extent for development of complications of DM. Search for compounds regulating NO production in patients with DM is thus important for the development of pharmacological drugs. Dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) are prospective compounds from this point of view. The goals of this study were to study the in vivo effects of new DHPs on NO and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species production in a streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced model of DM in rats and to study their ability to protect DNA against nocive action of peroxynitrite. STZ‐induced diabetes caused an increase in NO production in the liver, kidneys, blood and muscles, but a decrease in NO in adipose tissue of STZ‐treated animals. Cerebrocrast treatment was followed by normalization of NO production in the liver, kidneys and blood. Two other DHPs, etaftorone and fenoftorone, were effective in decreasing NO production in kidneys, blood and muscles of diabetic animals. Furthermore, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and an inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) decreased NO production in kidneys of diabetic animals. Treatment with etaftorone decreased expression of inducible NOS and XOR in kidneys, whereas it increased the expression of endothelial NOS. In vitro, the studied DHPs did not significantly inhibit the activities of NOS and XOR but affected the reactivity of peroxynitrite with DNA. These new DHPs thus appear of strong interest for treatment of DM complications.
Neural mechanisms of the observation of human and non‐human object touch in children: An event‐related potential study
Authors: Galilee Alena , McCleery Joseph P.
Published: December 2015

Previous behavioural research on the development of self–other tactile processing and perception suggests that this system may develop in a somewhat protracted manner relative to other aspects of social development. Neuroimaging research has shown that somatosensory mechanisms are activated when adults observe another person or object being touched. In this study, we measured event‐related potentials from 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children to investigate the development of the neural correlates of the observation of human and object touch. Participants were presented with video clips of an arm or a cylindrical object being touched. Touch versus non‐touch effects were observed in the amplitudes of the LSW component (600–700 ms) measured from electrodes over somatosensory region. Additionally, human versus non‐human stimulus effects were reflected in the amplitudes of the parietal–central N100 component, as well as in the latencies of the N170 component recorded from parietal‐occipital electrodes in children, as in adults in a previous study using this same paradigm. These findings provide evidence that relatively mature tactile mirroring mechanisms are activated during the observation of touch in children, and further suggest the possibility that these mechanisms are not particularly slow in their development relative to other aspects of social cognition.