bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systems Biology-Based Identification of Crosstalk between E2F Transcription Factors and the Fanconi Anemia Pathway
Authors: Tategu Moe , Arauchi Takako , Tanaka Rena , Nakagawa Hiroki , Yoshida Kenichi
Published: November 2017

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure, chromosome fragility, and cancer susceptibility. At least eleven members of the FA gene family have been identified using complementation experiments. Ubiquitin-proteasome has been shown to be a key regulator of FA proteins and their involvement in the repair of DNA damage. Here, we identified a novel functional link between the FA/BRCA pathway and E2F-mediated cell cycle regulome. In silico mining of a transcriptome database and promoter analyses revealed that a significant number of FA gene members were regulated by E2F transcription factors, known to be pivotal regulators of cell cycle progression – as previously described for BRCA1. Our findings suggest that E2Fs partly determine cell fate through the FA/BRCA pathway.
A Discussion concerning the Inclusion of Variety Effect when Analysis of Variance is Used to Detect Differentially Expressed Genes
Authors: Feten Guri , Aastveit Are Halvor , Snipen Lars , Almøy Trygve
Published: November 2017

In microarray studies several statistical methods have been proposed with the purpose of identifying differentially expressed genes in two varieties. A commonly used method is an analysis of variance model where only the effect of interaction between variety and gene is tested. In this paper we argue that in addition to the interaction effects, the main effect of variety should simultaneously also be taken into account when posting the hypothesis.
Nonlinear Dynamic Trans/Cis Regulatory Circuit for Gene Transcription via Microarray Data
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsiang , Wang Yu-Chao , Chen Bor-Sen
Published: November 2017

The trans-regulatory circuit is considered as the regulatory interactions between upstream regulatory genes and transcription factor binding site motifs or cis elements. And the cis-regulatory circuit is viewed as a dynamic interactive circuit among binding site motifs with their effective action on the expression scheme of target gene. In brief, gene transcription depends on the trans/cis regulatory circuits. In this study, nonlinear trans/cis regulatory circuits for gene transcription in yeast are constructed using microarray data, translation time delay, and information of transcription factors (TFs) binding sites. We provide a useful nonlinear dynamic modeling and develop a parameter estimating method for the construction of trans/cis regulatory circuits, which is powerful for understanding gene transcription. We apply our method to construct trans/cis regulatory circuits of yeast cell cycle-related genes and successfully quantify their regulatory abilities and find possible cis-element interactions. Not only could the data of yeast be applied by our method, but those of other species also could. The proposed method can provide a quantitative basis for system analysis of gene circuits, which is potential for gene regulatory circuit design with a desired gene expression.
Association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Polymorphisms with Asthma in Tunisian Children
Authors: Lachheb Jihene , Chelbi Hanene , Dhifallah Imen Ben , Ammar Jamel , Hamzaoui Kamel , Hamzaoui Agnès
Published: November 2017

Background

Previous studies demonstrated that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was being implicated in the airways inflammation and remodeling process in patients with asthma.

Aims

We explored the relationship of three polymorphisms in the VEGF gene with asthma in both case control and family studies.

Methods

We Genotyped a total of 210 children with asthma, 224 unrelated controls and 160 parents for the +936 C > T (rs3025039), –634 G > C (rs2010963) and –2549 –2567 del 18 of the VEGF promoter region. The Mutations were identified with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis for the +936 C > T, and –634 G > C polymorphisms.

Results

Of the three polymorphisms studied, a borderline association with asthma was found for the G allele in the –634 G > C polymorphism (p = 0.059). No Statistically significant differences were observed for both +936 C > T, and –2549 –2567 del 18 polymorphisms between asthmatic patients and controls, considering either allelic or genotypic frequencies. The distribution of genotypes according to the severity status revealed a significant differences for the +936 C > T, and –2549 –2567 del 18 polymorphisms. In addition, association was found with the haplotypes inferred by the three polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility.

Conclusion

We suggest that VEGF Gene polymorphisms can be implicated in asthma.
Programming, filtering, adblocking: advertising and media automation
Authors: Thomas Julian
Published: November 2017

This article considers automation in relation to digital advertising. At the intersection of the advertising industries and everyday media experience, we now find two connected, contending technologies, embodying different visions of automation and the future of advertising and digital media. On the industry side, there is programmatic advertising – defined broadly as the automation of the sale and delivery of digital advertising, where the appearance of advertising on a website is controlled by software rather than human decision-making. On the consumer side, there are the filtering technologies of adblocking, designed to enable users to remove unwanted ads from websites or other Internet applications. This article discusses each of these technologies, before considering the challenges raised for them by an increasingly mobile, diverse and stratified Internet.
Analysis of the projected image of tourism destinations on photographs: A literature review to prepare for the future
Authors: Picazo Patricia , Moreno-Gil Sergio
Published: November 2017

Making the right impression is paramount to succeed in today’s very competitive market, where photographs have acquired a prominent role in doing so. The evaluation and analysis of destination image have been tackled mainly from the perspective of the tourists’ perceptions. However, the projected image of destinations has received limited attention in the literature and the topic has not yet been successfully operationalized. Moreover, existing literature on the projected image on photographs (PIP) is scattered and lacking of an integral approach. Thus, the aim of this article is to fill this gap by carrying a comprehensive literature review on the destination’s PIP, covering information sources analyzed, destinations included, number of pictures, time framework, methodology, and specially categorization (people, activities represented, and tourism context) and specific attributes used. As a result, this article provides researchers with a reference guide to understand the current situation of the research on this topic, context, methods, and focus of previous studies. Finally, it identifies trends and reflections on future research.
Exploring constructions of masculinity on a men’s body-positivity blog
Authors: Caruso Alexandra , Roberts Steven
Published: November 2017

Men’s experiences with digital media and social networking sites remain relatively underexplored. Here, we analyse the complex ways that men construct, represent and perform masculinity on a men’s body-positivity Tumblr blog called Body Positivity for Guys. Drawing on both hegemonic masculinity theory and inclusive masculinity theory’ we contribute to current theoretical discussions within the academic literature on masculinities, while extending these prominent debates to new virtual environments. In particular, we find that the interactions of the men on the blog demonstrate a consistent eschewal of tactics of marginalisation and subordination that have long been the hallmark of research into relations of power within masculine hierarchies. Furthermore, we demonstrate how all of the diverse constructions of masculinities on the blog site held cultural legitimacy and were equally supported.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome in COPD: Is exercise the answer?
Authors: James Benjamin D , Jones Amy V , Trethewey Ruth E , Evans Rachael A
Published: November 2017

Approximately half of all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attending pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes are overweight or obese which negatively impacts upon dyspnoea and exercise tolerance particularly when walking. Within the obese population (without COPD), the observed heterogeneity in prognosis is in part explained by the variability in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes (cardiometabolic risk) leading to the description of metabolic syndrome. In obesity alone, high-intensity aerobic training can support healthy weight loss and improve the constituent components of metabolic syndrome. Those with COPD, obesity and/or metabolic syndrome undergoing PR appear to do as well in traditional outcomes as their normal-weight metabolically healthy peers in terms of improvement of symptoms, health-related quality of life and exercise performance, and should therefore not be excluded. To broaden the benefit of PR, for this complex population, we should learn from the extensive literature examining the effects of exercise in obesity and metabolic syndrome discussed in this review and optimize the exercise strategy to improve these co-morbid conditions. Standard PR outcomes could be expanded to include cardiometabolic risk reduction to lower future morbidity and mortality; to this end exercise may well be the answer.
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in obstructive sleep apnea patients without cardiovascular diseases: Efficacy of CPAP treatment
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Bin , Zeng Hui-Qing , Du Yan-Ping , Lyu Zhi , Zhan Feng-Fu
Published: November 2017

The aims of this article were to determine the levels of serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to assess the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Snorers referred for polysomnography (PSG) for the investigation of OSA were eligible and hs-cTnT levels measured in our pilot study. Hs-cTnT was measured again after 3 months of CPAP treatment in participants with severe OSA. A total of 93 participants recruited after PSG. When compared with simple snoring group, severe OSA group had comparable higher hs-cTnT (7.5 ± 3.0 vs. 5.0 ± 2.1; p < 0.05). Hs-cTnT was positively correlated with apnea hypopnea index, and oxygen desaturation index ( r = 0.283, 0.282; p = 0.006, 0.006, respectively). Hs-cTnT levels were not significantly altered in 28 individuals who received 3 months of CPAP treatment (8.4 ± 2.4 vs.7.6 ± 2.1; p = 0.064). Elevated hs-cTnT levels were observed in severe OSA patients without CVD, and CPAP treatment had no influence on this levels.
STEM Identity Development for Latinas: The Role of Self- and Outside Recognition
Authors: Rodriguez Sarah , Cunningham Kelly , Jordan Alec
Published: November 2017

This qualitative, phenomenological research study explored how 17 Latina undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors developed their STEM identities. The study focused on the role that self- and outside recognition as a STEM individual played in the process. Interviews revealed students’ self-recognition in many forms. Outside recognition came primarily from STEM peers, faculty members, and family members. Self- and outside recognition were often negotiated through the lens of intersectional identities held by the participants.
Shared leadership: A comparative case study of two first year US principals’ socialization around teacher evaluation policy
Authors: Reid David B
Published: November 2017

New career principals are tasked with many sensemaking opportunities and often rely on their peers to assist with these sensemaking processes, engaging in a form of newcomer socialization. This study investigates how two first year elementary school principals in the US state of Michigan become socialized to their new roles as school leaders by examining how these individuals make sense of new teacher evaluation policies and systems. Findings show these principals relied on their social networks to make sense of the teacher evaluation process. These principals did so in an effort to establish positive and trusting relationships with their colleagues and in an effort to make up for a lack of initial training with these systems. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Surgical reconstruction of unrepairable pectoralis major rupture using tendo-achilles allograft
Authors: Javed Saqib , Monga Puneet , Hallam Linda , Torrance Emma , Funk Lennard
Published: November 2017

Rupture of the pectoralis major remains an infrequent injury, although, recently, it has been reported more commonly as a result of the expansion and increasing popularity of competitive sports, as well as developments in sports medicine. A number of surgical repair techniques have been described for direct repair in the acute setting. However, on occasion, the pectoralis major muscle is so retracted that a tension-free direct repair is not possible. We describe a technique for allograft reconstruction of the pectoralis major, with our preliminary outcomes, where it is found or anticipated that a direct repair is not possible.
Value in capitalist natures
Authors: Kay Kelly , Kenney-Lazar Miles
Published: November 2017

This article draws heavily upon a discussion among 11 leading scholars in nature–society geography to explore the current and historical relationships between value, nature, and capitalism. Prompted by a provocation from Robertson and Wainwright (2013) that political ecologists can no longer afford to avoid engaging with the tricky topic of Marxian value theory, we address the importance of the concept of value for contemporary work within geography on the political economy of the environment, broadly defined. We argue that scholars in nature–society geography should not only tackle the tricky questions of value head-on but that value could and should come to serve as a unifying analytical framework for the subfield.
Politics of devaluation
Authors: Collard Rosemary-Claire , Dempsey Jessica
Published: November 2017

As Kay and Kenney-Lazar show, the concept of value holds appeal for political ecologists who seek to demystify and politicize the socio-ecological relations underpinning capitalist productions of nature. But there are challenges to using value to understand capitalist natures. Much of nature is not priced, and no nature labours for a wage. This makes the labour theory of value, which tends to be prominent even in discussions of a broadly defined value, difficult to apply to nature. Having wrangled with this ourselves, we turn (as Kay and Kenney-Lazar do) to feminist political economists, who have long theorized the unwaged realm within capitalist social relations. We find that these feminists, while not unconcerned with value, are instead often set on understanding how some work is persistently devalued, or denigrated, seen as worthless – which leads them to centre patriarchy in their analyses. Building from this, we suggest the need to centre anthropocentrism – to historicize and denaturalize devaluations of nature – within work on value and capitalist natures.
Value in the web of life, or, Why world history matters to geography
Authors: Moore Jason W
Published: November 2017

Critical geography as a field has yet to reckon with a fundamental geographical blind spot: the historical-geographical patterns of capitalism as a whole. There has been a steady—and studied—reluctance to grapple with capitalism as a historical-geographical place. A geography of value relations must proceed from the unities-in-diversity of capitalism’s combined and uneven spatiality. If value relations are central to grasping the geographies of power, capital, and nature, those geographies are irreducibly world-historical. That does not mean imposed ‘from above’ in any straightforward sense. It means, as Marx and Engels perceptively observe, that value relations entwine everyday life with and within a mosaic of power and capital that operates at the scale of capitalism. Such an understanding situates value relations as unifying thread without positing linear causality or scalar primacy. Dialectical thinking about world history, after all, moves through variation—not in spite of it.
Mechanical diagnosis and therapy enhances attitude toward self-management in people with musculoskeletal disorders: A preliminary evidence with a before–after design
Authors: Takasaki Hiroshi
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

Mechanical diagnosis and therapy is one of the most common approaches for the management of low back pain. In mechanical diagnosis and therapy, a great emphasis is placed on patient education so that patients can manage their problems by themselves. However, there has been no evidence that mechanical diagnosis and therapy actually enhances patient’s self-management skills. This study aimed to preliminarily investigate whether self-reported skills of self-management for musculoskeletal problems are enhanced through the course of mechanical diagnosis and therapy.

Method:

Outpatients with musculoskeletal disorders in a local orthopedic clinic were included. The primary outcome measures were the “Self-monitoring and Insight” and “Skill and Technique Acquisition” scores of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, where higher scores indicate greater self-management skills. Mechanical diagnosis and therapy was undertaken up to a maximum of twice per week for 1 month. The Self-monitoring and Insight and Skill and Technique Acquisition scores before and 1 month after the mechanical diagnosis and therapy interventions were compared. Proportions of patients who exceed the threshold for “reliable change” in the Health Education Impact Questionnaire scores (% >positive “reliable change”) and proportions of patients with the net positive “reliable change” (% net positive “reliable change”) were investigated.

Results:

Forty-five patients participated and 97.8% completed the 1-month follow-up. The Self-monitoring and Insight and Skill and Technique Acquisition scores significantly increased at the follow-up (Self-monitoring and Insight, p = 0.002; Skill and Technique Acquisition, p < 0.001. The % >positive “reliable change” (Self-monitoring and Insight = 22.2%, Skill and Technique Acquisition = 48.9%) and % net positive “reliable change” (Self-monitoring and Insight = 13.3%, Skill and Technique Acquisition = 46.7%) in this study were comparative to or greater than self-management programs in previous studies (%> positive “reliable change’: Self-monitoring and Insight = 20.5%, Skill and Technique Acquisition = 30.7%; % net positive “reliable change”: Self-monitoring and Insight = 14.1%, Skill and Technique Acquisition = 23.0%).

Conclusion:

This study provides a preliminary evidence that mechanical diagnosis and therapy enhances patient’s self-management skills, particularly in the self-monitoring skills for symptoms/functions and the self-management skill for symptoms/problems.
Same features, different diagnosis: A case of ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula presenting as decompensated heart failure
Authors: Rehman Saad , Sinclair Hamish , Rodway Alex , Kovalic Alex , Webb-Peploe Katharine , Yusuf Syed Waquar
Published: November 2017

In case of high output cardiac failure, an arteriovenous fistula should be considered.
A Systematic Review of Occupational Health and Safety Business Cases
Authors: Lee Geunjae
Published: November 2017

Business cases are arguments developed to secure management commitment and approval for investment in an intervention. This systematic review evaluated 12 experimental and quasi-experimental studies on occupational health and safety interventions (OHSI) in various settings. The search engines used in this systematic review include PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus. A cost and benefit analysis of OHSI was completed at the organizational level in these studies. The focus of this analysis included sample, design, theoretical framework, interventional strategies, and threats to validity and outcomes. Positive returns on investment of OHSI outcomes were shown in 10 of the studies. The other two studies concluded that their chosen OHSI were not cost-effective.
AAOHN Member Opinions on Demonstrating Value: A Closer Look at the Findings
Authors: Mastroianni Karen
Published: November 2017

An assessment was conducted to update a tool kit published by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) in 1998. The original document, Success Tool for Measuring and Articulating Value, had been a respected resource. Although the AAOHN guide, Demonstrating Value, is a tool with steps and examples for demonstrating value, the intention of this article is to explore the rich data collected during the assessment process, which included interviews with occupational health nurse leaders and an AAOHN member survey. Findings were summarized including data responses compared with occupational health nurses’ tenure in the profession, size of company, job title, and clinic setting (i.e., single- vs. multi-nurse or corporate clinic). In addition, key advice from occupational health nurse leaders was summarized. Justifying services and demonstrating value were viewed by all respondents as essential to the profession as well as for ensuring the quality of occupational health nursing services. A gap was identified between more experienced occupational health nurses and those new to the field, as well as between occupational health nursing settings related to the importance of, and involvement in, demonstrating value.
Novel LRPPRC Mutation in a Boy With Mild Leigh Syndrome, French–Canadian Type Outside of Québec
Authors: Han Velda Xinying , Tan Teresa S. , Wang Furene S. , Tay Stacey Kiat-Hong
Published: November 2017

Background:

Leigh syndrome, French–Canadian type is unique to patients from a genetic isolate in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec. It has also been recently described in 10 patients with LRPPRC mutation outside of Québec. It is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder with fatal metabolic crisis and severe neurological morbidity in infancy caused by LRPPRC mutation.

Methods and Results:

The authors report a boy with a novel LRPPRC compound heterozygous missense mutations c.3130C>T, c.3430C>T, and c.4078G>A found on whole-exome sequencing which correlated with isolated cytochrome c-oxidase deficiency found in skeletal muscle.

Conclusion:

LRPPRC mutation is a rare cause of cytochrome c-oxidase–deficient form of Leigh syndrome outside of Québec. Our patient broadens the spectrum of phenotypes of Leigh syndrome, French–Canadian type. LRPPRC mutation should be considered in children with early childhood neurodegenerative disorder, even in the absence of metabolic crisis. Early evaluation with whole-exome sequencing is useful for early diagnosis and for genetic counseling.
CRISPR-mediated TCR replacement generates superior anticancer transgenic T cells
Authors: Legut Mateusz , Dolton Garry , Mian Afsar Ali , Ottmann Oliver G. , Sewell Andrew K.
Published: November 2017

Key Points

Endogenous TCR knockout increases the expression and functional activity of simultaneously transduced TCR (TCR replacement). TCR replacement results in superior targeting of hematological malignancies by T cells transduced with a non–HLA-restricted γδ TCR.
Predicting Successful Phase Advancement and Regulatory Approval in Multiple Myeloma From Phase I Overall Response Rates
Authors: Malek Ehsan , Saygin Caner , Ye Rebecca , Covut Fahrettin , Kim Byung-Gyu , Welge Jeffrey , Meropol Neal J. , De Lima Marcos , Driscoll James J.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Drug development in oncology is resource intensive, time consuming, and frequently unsuccessful. Here, we hypothesized that therapeutic benefit of published phase I studies of antimyeloma investigational agents was associated with advancement to phase II and future regulatory approval.

Patients and Methods

Seventy four phase I trials that treated patients with multiple myeloma (n = 2,408) conducted from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed to assess drug safety, efficacy, phase advancement, and regulatory approval.

Results

The median overall response rate (ORR) for all single-agent trials evaluated was 13.2%. However, the ORR in trials that advanced to phase II was 19%, whereas it was only 4% in trials that failed to advance. The median ORR was 23% for trials testing agents that were ultimately approved by the US Food and Drug Administration compared with only 8% for trials testing agents that were not approved (hazard ratio, 2.21; 95% CI, 2.01 to 2.61; P = .012). Importantly, the absolute number of phase I trials in multiple myeloma, but not the success rate, significantly increased over the period studied. The proportion of industry-sponsored trials also steadily increased over that same period. The ratio of initial dose to maximum tolerated dose was 0.29, suggesting that many patients were undertreated.

Conclusion

Investigational agents with higher ORRs in phase I trials were more likely to advance to phase II trials and achieve US Food and Drug Administration approval. Our results suggest that designing phase I trials to maximize the antimyeloma efficacy of a given compound may lead to more successful and cost-effective drug development.
Axonemal dynein assembly requires the R2TP complex component Pontin
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Zhao Lu , Yuan Shiaulou , Zhang Jiefang , Sun Zhaoxia
Published: November 2017

Pontin (Ruvbl1) and Reptin (Ruvbl2) are closely related AAA ATPases. They are components of the Ruvbl1-Ruvbl2-Tah1-Pih1 (R2TP) complexes that function as co-chaperones for the assembly of multiple macromolecular protein complexes. Here, we show that Pontin is essential for cilia motility in both zebrafish and mouse and that Pontin and Reptin function cooperatively in this process. Zebrafish pontin mutants display phenotypes tightly associated with cilia defects, and cilia motility is lost in a number of ciliated tissues along with a reduction in the number of outer and inner dynein arms. Pontin protein is enriched in cytosolic puncta in ciliated cells in zebrafish embryos. In mouse testis, Pontin is essential for the stabilization of axonemal dynein intermediate chain 1 (DNAI1) and DNAI2, the first appreciated step in axonemal dynein arm assembly. Strikingly, multiple dynein arm assembly factors show structural similarities to either Tah1 or Pih1, the other two components of the R2TP complex. Based on these results, we propose that Pontin and Reptin function to facilitate dynein arm assembly in cytosolic foci enriched with R2TP-like complexes.
Knockout of the Arp2/3 complex in epidermis causes a psoriasis-like disease hallmarked by hyperactivation of transcription factor Nrf2
Authors: van der Kammen Rob , Song Ji-Ying , de Rink Iris , Janssen Hans , Madonna Stefania , Scarponi Claudia , Albanesi Cristina , Brugman Wim , Innocenti Metello
Published: November 2017

The Arp2/3 complex assembles branched actin filaments, which are key to many cellular processes, but its organismal roles remain poorly understood. Here, we employed conditional Arpc4 knockout mice to study the function of the Arp2/3 complex in the epidermis. We found that depletion of the Arp2/3 complex by knockout of Arpc4 results in skin abnormalities at birth that evolve into a severe psoriasis-like disease hallmarked by hyperactivation of transcription factor Nrf2. Knockout of Arpc4 in cultured keratinocytes was sufficient to induce nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, upregulation of Nrf2 target genes and decreased filamentous actin levels. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of the Arp2/3 complex unmasked the role of branched actin filaments in Nrf2 regulation. Consistent with this, we revealed that Nrf2 associates with the actin cytoskeleton in cells and binds to filamentous actin in vitro. Finally, we discovered that Arpc4 is downregulated in both human and mouse psoriatic epidermis. Thus, the Arp2/3 complex affects keratinocyte shape and transcriptome through an actin-based cell-autonomous mechanism that influences epidermal morphogenesis and homeostasis.
METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF MOTIVATIONAL COMPLEX TO PREDICT ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF THE STAFF OF THE ORGANIZATION
Authors: Литвинюк Александр , Litvinyuk Aleksandr
Published: November 2017

The article presents the materials connected with opportunities for the application of the substantive provisions of the theory of motivational complex work activities for forecasting the organizational behaviour of personnel in research in the area of economic sociology. The article gives the main principles of the used theory, the defi nition of the main motives for organizational behavior of the staff and the author’s interpretation of the concept of failure in the system of personnel management. The logical algorithms to predict the organizational behavior of staff when there are changes in the system of labour motivation are proposed. Great attention is paid to description of the test “Motivation” to determine force for the staff of the organization of the reasons for the acquisition, satisfaction, security, subordination, energy effi ciency, and the reliability of the test respondents. The author provides information on the practical application of the technique when conducting applied scientifi c research.
Estructura óptima de capital para empresas en mercados maduros de economías emergentes: una aplicación
Authors: Herrera-Eceheverri Hernan
Published: November 2017

En este trabajo, se utiliza el criterio de costo mínimo para determinar la estructura óptima de capital de una empresa del sector de procesamiento de alimentos en un mercado emergente (Colombia). Se abordan y armonizan varios aspectos relacionados con la política de endeudamiento para demostar que el ratio óptimo de deuda simultaneamente, maximiza el valor de la empresa y de las acciones, pero además y minimiza el costo promedio ponderado de capital (Wacc). Mediante el cálculo recursivo se determina el valor de mercado del capital propio,  basado en los fundamentales de la empresa y se hace un contraste con el valor pactado en una transacción de mercado reciente.  El caso permite examinar algunos de los mecanismos asociados a la teoría de la estructura de capital y aterrizarlos a resultados concretos en una empresa real, para proponer una reestrucutración del nivel de endeudamiento.
Rare health conditions 6: FG syndrome, Turner syndrome and Marfan syndrome
Authors: Barber Chris
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this series is to highlight a range of rare health conditions—those that affect no more and usually less than 1 person in every 2000. Many HCAs and nurses will encounter some of these conditions, given the high number of them. This sixth article will explore three rare conditions: FG syndrome, Turner syndrome and Marfan syndrome.
Highlights from the advanced wound healing stream at the LINK Congress
Authors: Kahn Sarah
Published: November 2017

Sarah Kahn, Editor of the British Journal of Nursing, discusses some highlights of the recent Hartmann LINK for Wound Healing Congress, which was organised in collaboration with the Journal of Wound Care
A clinical evaluation of a transparent, absorbent, adhesive wound dressing
Authors: von Cramon Lotta , Markowicz Marta , Nebendahl Jan , Buchinger-Kähler Verena-Constanze , Noah Ernst Magnus , Narwan Mustafa , Behrendt Anika , Pallua Norbert , Steinhoff Amrei
Published: November 2017

The performance of a transparent absorbent adhesive wound dressing (TAAWD) was observed over 7 days in five plastic surgery clinics across Germany. The study included 47 diverse postoperative linear wounds and donor sites with dry or minimal exudate levels. Data on ease of application and removal, adhesive strength, skin compatibility, conformability to the body, visual wound inspection and parameters of wound assessment were collected and analysed. At the end of the observation period, 100% of wounds were recorded as healing with no reported complications. Clinicians considered that the new dressing had predominantly met clinical needs in 89% of cases. The dressing was shown to be skin friendly, easy to apply, adhere and conform to the skin while protecting the wound and allowing the patient to shower. Due to its transparency, the dressing enabled direct wound surveillance without potential disruption to the wound and healing process.
Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by 50% by 2020
Authors: Castro-Sánchez Enrique
Published: November 2017

The overuse and overprescription of antibiotics is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. Here, Enrique Castro-Sánchez discusses the new Public Health England report and details ways in which nurses can help to reduce inappropriate prescribing
Focus on dexamethasone: Malignancy and palliative care
Authors: Nunn Claire S
Published: November 2017

Symptom management is the essence of palliative care and requires comprehensive assessment tailored to the individual's needs and goals, where even small improvements become relevant to quality of life. Dexamethasone is the preferred glucocorticoid steroid for managing symptoms and optimising care, particularly in malignant conditions due to its significant anti-inflammatory effect.
Jeremy Hunt's plans to reduce prescribing and medication errors
Authors: Quaile Alistair
Published: November 2017

Prescribing and medication errors are costly to both the patient and the NHS. Alistair Quaile reports on the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt's plans to reduce these errors across the NHS
Sexual Orientation Concordance And (Un)Happiness About Births
Authors: Hartnett Caroline Sten , Lindley Lisa , Walsemann Katrina M. , Negraia Daniela V.
Published: November 2017

CONTEXT

A woman's happiness about a pregnancy and birth has implications for her child's health and her own well‐being. Sexual orientation and, particularly, the extent of concordance across its dimensions (sexual identity, behavior and attraction) may be related to happiness about these events, but research on this relationship has been lacking.

METHODS

Data on 5,744 pregnancies ending in births among women aged 15–44 in three waves of the National Survey of Family Growth (2006–2015) were examined. Weighted linear regression models examined the relationship between sexual orientation concordance and women's happiness about a birth. Analyses also explored whether birth intention and male partnership characteristics mediated the relationship, and whether it varied by intention status.

RESULTS

Women who identified as heterosexual but reported same‐sex attraction or behavior (categorized as “heterosexual‐identified discordant”) were less happy about their births than were women who were exclusively heterosexual (or “heterosexual‐identified concordant”). The difference was more than half a point on a scale of 0–10 (coefficient, –0.7). This association was partially explained by the fact that births were less likely to be intended, and that relationships with male partners were less favorable for births, among discordant than among concordant women. Moreover, the happiness gap between concordant and discordant women was larger when births were unwanted (predicted score, 4.9 vs. 4.1) than when they were intended (9.3 vs. 9.1).

CONCLUSIONS

To help ensure optimal reproductive health care for all women, research should explore whether providers take into account all dimensions of individuals’ sexual orientation.
Multiple Hotspot Mutations Scanning by Single Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Decraene Charles , Silveira Amanda B , Bidard François-Clément , Vallée Audrey , Michel Marc , Melaabi Samia , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Saliou Adrien , Houy Alexandre , Milder Maud , Lantz Olivier , Ychou Marc , Denis Marc G , Pierga Jean-Yves , Stern Marc-Henri , Proudhon Charlotte
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Progress in the liquid biopsy field, combined with the development of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), has enabled noninvasive monitoring of mutations with high detection accuracy. However, current assays detect a restricted number of mutations per reaction. ddPCR is a recognized method for detecting alterations previously characterized in tumor tissues, but its use as a discovery tool when the mutation is unknown a priori remains limited.

METHODS

We established 2 ddPCR assays detecting all genomic alterations within KRAS exon 2 and EGFR exon 19 mutation hotspots, which are of clinical importance in colorectal and lung cancer, with use of a unique pair of TaqMan® oligoprobes. The KRAS assay scanned for the 7 most common mutations in codons 12/13 but also all other mutations found in that region. The EGFR assay screened for all in-frame deletions of exon 19, which are frequent EGFR-activating events.

RESULTS

The KRAS and EGFR assays were highly specific and both reached a limit of detection of <0.1% in mutant allele frequency. We further validated their performance on multiple plasma and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor samples harboring a panel of different KRAS or EGFR mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

This method presents the advantage of detecting a higher number of mutations with single-reaction ddPCRs while consuming a minimum of patient sample. This is particularly useful in the context of liquid biopsy because the amount of circulating tumor DNA is often low. This method should be useful as a discovery tool when the tumor tissue is unavailable or to monitor disease during therapy.
The everlasting Sleep Dealer: Alex Rivera’s visionary mind and fantasy nightmares in present times
Authors: Rueda Carolina
Published: November 2017

Studies of Sleep Dealer (Rivera, 2008) have focused on its transnationality and how the film mixes the iconography of US sci-fi/cyberpunk and Latin American sociopolitics. While dialoguing with the work of other scholars, this study engages with new perspectives. First, it brings to the fore the director’s early personal experiences that later prompted his preoccupations with the presence and impact of technology in remote and rural areas of the Global South. Second, it engages in an in-depth analysis of sci-fi and dystopian motifs and symbols not wholly analysed in earlier studies that uniquely connect the actions and flows in the film with current global matters. Specific topics are nodes as dialectical images (Benjamin), the blindness of the sleep dealer (or infomaquila) workers, racism/nativism and robots as enslaved hybrid beings. Third, this study shows instances of how Rivera’s concerns regarding future ‘fantasy nightmares’ in the second decade of the twenty-first century could become (or have become) a part of life, threatening social and economic stability. Two main foci are the wall along the border with Mexico that President Trump has threatened to build and other recent political discourses in the United States, seen as abstractions or alternate realities. The article stresses the everlasting nature of Sleep Dealer as Rivera’s premonitions continue to take form in the present and, possibly, in the future.
Copycat television? Gran Hotel/Grand Hotel (2011–13) and El hotel de los secretos/The Hotel of Secrets (2015–16)
Authors: Smith Paul Julian
Published: November 2017

This article examines a unique case of format translation in quality television: Mexican free-to-air broadcaster Televisa’s remake in 2015–16 of a period romance-cum-mystery series originally shown by the Spanish private network Antena 3. The article begins with an account of Copycat Television, Albert Moran’s pioneering study of transnational remakes, which defines the format not as a blueprint but as a loose and expanding set of programme possibilities, and goes on to explore tensions around genre, TV ecology and audience in both countries and series. Offering a close account of production, reception and textual detail, the article demonstrates that the Mexican version of the format is at once more politicized and more romantic than the Spanish original. Finally, both productions, broadcast as they were at a time of rapid technological change in their respective audio-visual industries, attempt to create an imaginary national harmony that is projected into the past and yet adapted to new contemporary audiences.
Turkey's tourism policies in the period of planned development
Authors: Polat Serkan , Aydınlı Halil İbrahim
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the tourism policies of Turkey in the period of planned development which started in 1963. It is a descriptive study in terms of purpose and a qualitative study in terms of data. The data were obtained from secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive analysis technique. According to the five-year development plans and the Tourism Strategy of Turkey 2023 document, Turkey's tourism policies have been created economically. In particular, the first four plans have often emphasized the economic orientation of tourism and mass tourism. The fifth plan highlighted the diversification of tourism, while the sixth plan highlighted the participation of the local community in tourism. The seventh plan aims to meet the expectations of local people and tourists with a competitive and productive tourism economy. The eighth, ninth and tenth plans have emphasized that the investments paying attention to physical and cultural environment should be supported for spread of tourism all over the country and year. Moreover, in the last three development plans and Tourism Strategy of Turkey-2023 document, the participation of different stakeholders in decision mechanisms and focusing on the tourism types generating more tourism revenue policies have been adopted.
Test- und Verifikationsverfahren für Agentensysteme – Status Quo und weitere Herausforderungen
Authors: Wassermann Erik , Fay Alexander
Published: November 2017

Agentensysteme gelten als aussichtsreiche Technologie, um den Herausforderungen der zunehmenden Digitalisierung –
Industrie 4.0, IoT, CPS – zu begegnen. Allerdings konnten sich Softwareagenten trotz intensiver Erforschung in den letzten
20 Jahren im industriellen Einsatz noch nicht durchsetzen. Ein Grund hierfür sind die besonderen Anforderungen bezüglich
Sicherheit, Echtzeitfähigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit beim Einsatz in industriellen technischen Systemen. Dieser Artikel gibt
einen Überblick über Test- und Verifikationsverfahren, die speziell für Agentensysteme konzipiert oder adaptiert wurden,
und beleuchtet ihre Vorteile und Beschränkungen. Er will somit Entwicklern und Testern Hilfestellung zur Auswahl
geeigneter Verfahren geben. Damit sollen die weitere Etablierung von Agentensystemen in der industriellen Praxis gefördert
sowie weitere Forschungen angestoßen werden.
Ein agentenbasiertes Assistenzsystem zur dynamischen Zuverlässigkeitsberechnung von cyber-physischen Systemen
Authors: Jazdi-Motlagh Nasser , Marks Philipp , Aivaliotis Aristides , Weyrich Michael
Published: November 2017

Bei der Bestimmung der Zuverlässigkeit von cyber-physischen Systemen müssen neue Ansätze und Konzepte entwickelt werden,
die den Anforderungen an die neuen Technologien gerecht werden. Neben der Möglichkeit, zur Laufzeit erfasste Daten, die
durch die Vernetzung von Komponenten zur Verfügung stehen, zur genaueren Berechnung der Zuverlässigkeit zu verwenden,
stellt insbesondere die dynamische Systemstruktur von cyber-physischen Systemen, die zum Zeitpunkt der Systementwicklung
noch nicht bekannt ist, Herausforderungen und nutzbare Potenziale für die Zuverlässigkeitsanalyse dar. Der vorliegende
Beitrag präsentiert ein Konzept zur dynamischen Zuverlässigkeitsberechnung mithilfe eines Agentensystems. Dabei wird die
klassischerweise oft als konstant angenommene Ausfallrate in drei zeitabhängige Bestandteile zerlegt, um beispielsweise
den Einfluss der menschlichen Zuverlässigkeit in die Berechnung mit aufzunehmen. Mithilfe von Software-Agenten werden die
erforderlichen Informationen zur Berechnung der Teilausfallraten ermittelt. Anhand eines Prototyps wird der Einfluss
dynamischer Einflussgrößen auf die Zuverlässigkeit eines Systems gezeigt.
Evaluating Security Research Support: The Case of Czech Security Research Programme 2010–2015
Authors: Čadil Vladislav , Moravec Luděk
Published: November 2017

Based on a case study of the ex-post evaluation of the programme VG-Security Research 2010–2015 this paper aims to present a possible way of the ex-post evaluation of security research programmes, and to highlight some aspects that must be taken into account in the evaluation process. It examines limits of application of the Basic Principles of Elaboration and Evaluation of Programmes and Groups of Grant Projects in Research, Development and Innovation. The limits follow from the emphasis on the summative nature of the evaluation, which combines a range of indicators that relates to a wide range of programme features. However, in the case of security research, these are rather of secondary importance or no relevance to an assessment of the success of the programme and obtaining feedback on the programme implementation for the needs of qualified learning from experience at levels of programme management and programme formulation.
Informationswissenschaft in der Urbanistik
Authors: Stock Wolfgang G. , Barth Julia , Fietkiewicz Kaja J. , Gremm Julia , Hartmann Sarah , Henkel Maria , Ilhan Aylin , Mainka Agnes , Meschede Christine , Peters Isabella
Published: November 2017

Zeitgenössische und zukünftige Städte der Wissensgesellschaft werden oft als „smarte Städte“, „digitale Städte“ oder „ubiquitäre Städte“, „Wissensstädte“ und „kreative Städte“ bezeichnet. Die informationelle Urbanistik umfasst alle Aspekte von Information und (implizitem wie explizitem) Wissen in Hinblick auf städtische Regionen. „Informationelle Stadt“ (oder „smarte Stadt“ im weiteren Sinne) ist ein Sammelbegriff, der die unterschiedlichen Trends der informationsbezogenen Stadtforschung vereint. Die informationelle Stadtforschung ist ein interdisziplinäres Unternehmen, das einerseits Informatik und Informationswissenschaft sowie andererseits Stadtforschung, Stadtplanung, Architektur, Stadtökonomie und Stadtsoziologie vereint. In diesem Artikel präsentieren wir einen konzeptionellen Rahmen für die Forschung zu informationellen Städten. Dieses Framework besteht aus sieben Bausteinen, nämlich Informations- und Wissensinfrastrukturen, Wirtschaft, Politik (eGovernance) und Verwaltung (eGovernment), Räume (Räume der Ströme und Räume der Plätze), Standortfaktoren, das Informationsverhalten der Menschen und die Problembereiche.
Lethal Subarachnoid and Intracerebral Haemorrhage Associated with Temporal Arteritis. A Case Report
Authors: Gál Réka , Bălaşa Rodica , Bajkó Zoltán , Maier Smaranda , Simu Iunius , Bălaşa Adrian
Published: November 2017

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis, typically involving the superficial temporal arteries, but with possible ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular complications.

The case is reported of a patient with a clinical picture of giant cell arteritis, who had multiple occupational exposures to various infectious agents.

His initial favourable progress was followed by an atypical outcome. Despite immunosuppressive treatment, he developed fatal subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhages, possibly due to rupture of a microaneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery.