bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Narrative Cognitive Therapy as Effective as Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the Treatment for Depression in Young Adults?
Authors: Azevedo da Silva Ricardo , de Azevedo Cardoso Taiane , Campos Mondin Thaíse , Neumann Reyes Amanda , de Lima Bach Suelen , Dias de Mattos Souza Luciano , Jansen Karen
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of narrative cognitive therapy (NCT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the improvement of perception of quality of life in young adults with depression at 12-month follow-up. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted using seven sessions of NCT or CBT. Quality of life was measured using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form General Health Survey. The sample included 97 patients. Considering only completers to be samples, CBT was more effective than NCT for improvement of physical functioning (p = 0.031), vitality (p = 0.013), and mental health (p = 0.002) at 12-month follow-up. However, in the intention-to-treat analysis, we found no difference between groups. Regardless of model, we found a significant improvement in all domains from baseline to postintervention and 6- and 12-month follow-ups, except for the bodily pain domain. In conclusion, both models were effective in the improvement of perception of quality of life.
Patient-reported Outcomes for Assessment of Quality of Life in Refractive Error: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kandel Himal , Khadka Jyoti , Goggin Michael , Pesudovs Konrad
Published: November 2017

SIGNIFICANCE

This review has identified the best existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments in refractive error. The article highlights the limitations of the existing instruments and discusses the way forward.

PURPOSE

A systematic review was conducted to identify the types of PROs used in refractive error, to determine the quality of the existing PRO instruments in terms of their psychometric properties, and to determine the limitations in the content of the existing PRO instruments.

METHODS

Articles describing a PRO instrument measuring 1 or more domains of quality of life in people with refractive error were identified by electronic searches on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The information on content development, psychometric properties, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of those PRO instruments was extracted from the selected articles. The analysis was done based on a comprehensive set of assessment criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight articles describing 47 PRO instruments in refractive error were included in the review. Most of the articles (99 [66.9%]) used refractive error–specific PRO instruments. The PRO instruments comprised 19 refractive, 12 vision but nonrefractive, and 16 generic PRO instruments. Only 17 PRO instruments were validated in refractive error populations; six of them were developed using Rasch analysis. None of the PRO instruments has items across all domains of quality of life. The Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction, the Quality of Vision, and the Contact Lens Impact on Quality of Life have comparatively better quality with some limitations, compared with the other PRO instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

This review describes the PRO instruments and informs the choice of an appropriate measure in refractive error. We identified need of a comprehensive and scientifically robust refractive error–specific PRO instrument. Item banking and computer-adaptive testing system can be the way to provide such an instrument.
Vaginal Foreign Bodies
Authors: Gross Isabel Theresia , Riera Antonio
Published: November 2017

Transabdominal point-of-care ultrasound may be a helpful tool during the evaluation of children with suspected vaginal foreign bodies. We discuss the case of an 11-year-old girl presenting after having placed a pen into her vagina. The patient attempted to remove the pen, but there was concern the cap may have been retained in the vagina. Point-of-care ultrasound findings confirmed a retained pen cap that was subsequently removed by pediatric surgery. We discuss the role of transabdominal point-of-care ultrasound for the detection of vaginal foreign bodies in pediatric patients.
Stuttering as a Symptom of Concussion
Authors: Cherry Jonathan C. , Gordon Kevin Eric
Published: November 2017

Objective

A 12-year-old girl presented to our pediatric emergency department after a head injury with symptoms of concussion and acute stuttering. A PubMed search identified only 1 similar pediatric case. We investigated whether new-onset stuttering may be seen in the presence of acute concussive symptoms using an infodemiologic approach.

Methods

We conducted a search with a metabrowser search engine (www.dogpile.com) using the free-text words “concussion” and “stuttering.” The first 100 hits were scanned specifically for forum posts, extracting reports of concussions that were followed by new-onset stuttering. Duplicates were minimized by cross-referencing user name, location, date, and reported age and sex.

Results

Of the first 100 hits, we identified 17 unique posts that described an injury leading to a concussion followed within a short interval by new-onset stuttering. Posts were primarily by the affected individual (76%) and 64% involved female individuals. Sports and falls/injury accounted for most injuries (71%). Forty-one percent of posts explicitly stated that the concussion had been formally diagnosed. For those that reported the timing of stuttering onset (47%), the stuttering was documented within 1 hour of the injury (4/8) or between 1 and 24 hours (4/8).

Conclusions

The ease with which we found so many reports of stuttering after head injury with concussive symptoms confirms that new-onset stuttering may be a symptom of concussion. Our experience highlights both a failure of using conventional medical literature and a success of using nontraditional information sources in identifying uncommonly associated symptoms of frequently encountered conditions.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Potentially Underdiagnosed in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Lachmann Gunnar , Spies Claudia , Schenk Thomas , Brunkhorst Frank M. , Balzer Felix , La Rosée Paul
Published: November 2017

Background:

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults (aHLH) is a rare life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by excessive activation of macrophages and CD8+ T-cells. Due to the clinical overlap with severe sepsis, aHLH often remains undiagnosed resulting in poor outcome. Here, we present a retrospective study of incidence, clinical findings, and the outcome of aHLH in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods:

This retrospective analysis was performed at the university hospital Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. We gathered data from 556 out of 46,532 patients admitted to our anesthesiological ICUs between 2006 and 2013, who had at least one plasma ferritin measurement during ICU treatment, and were at least 18 years old. Of these, 244 patients with ferritin at least 500 μg/L and available datasets of at least 4 HLH-2004 criteria were included. HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria and the recently published HScore were used. An aHLH expert team retrospectively reviewed the potential aHLH cases.

Results:

Seventy-one of the included 244 patients died; 9 out of the 244 patients were retrospectively classified as aHLH of whom 4 patients had died (44.4%). Two of the 9 aHLH patients had been correctly diagnosed and had received specific aHLH treatment. Thus, 7 out of 9 patients (77.8%) remained undetected. ICU patients with at least 1 captured ferritin value and hyperferritinemia showed an aHLH rate of 3.7%, which rises up to 5.6% when only deceased patients are considered. Mortality in this selected cohort is 44.4%.

Conclusions:

Overall, 7 out of 9 patients (77.8%) suffering from aHLH remained undiagnosed. Awareness of this life-threatening syndrome, especially in ICUs, should be raised. The inclusion of ferritin into the admission lab panel for ICU is warranted.

Clinical trial registered with www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02854943) on August 1, 2016. As this is a retrospective study, trial registration was after final data collection date.
Electric Field Based Dressing Disrupts Mixed-Species Bacterial Biofilm Infection and Restores Functional Wound Healing
Authors: Barki Kasturi Ganesh , Das Amitava , Dixith Sriteja , Ghatak Piya Das , Mathew-Steiner Shomita , Schwab Elizabeth , Khanna Savita , Wozniak Daniel J. , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

This study was designed to employ electroceutical principles, as an alternative to pharmacological intervention, to manage wound biofilm infection. Mechanism of action of a United States Food and Drug Administration-cleared wireless electroceutical dressing (WED) was tested in an established porcine chronic wound polymicrobial biofilm infection model involving inoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Acinetobacter baumannii 19606.

Background:

Bacterial biofilms represent a major wound complication. Resistance of biofilm toward pharmacologic interventions calls for alternative therapeutic strategies. Weak electric field has anti-biofilm properties. We have previously reported the development of WED involving patterned deposition of Ag and Zn on fabric. When moistened, WED generates a weak electric field without any external power supply and can be used as any other disposable dressing.

Methods:

WED dressing was applied within 2 hours of wound infection to test its ability to prevent biofilm formation. Alternatively, WED was applied after 7 days of infection to study disruption of established biofilm. Wounds were treated with placebo dressing or WED twice a week for 56 days.

Results:

Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that WED prevented and disrupted wound biofilm aggregates. WED accelerated functional wound closure by restoring skin barrier function. WED blunted biofilm-induced expression of (1) P. aeruginosa quorum sensing mvfR (pqsR), rhlR and lasR genes, and (2) miR-9 and silencing of E-cadherin. E-cadherin is critically required for skin barrier function. Furthermore, WED rescued against biofilm-induced persistent inflammation by circumventing nuclear factor kappa B activation and its downstream cytokine responses.

Conclusion:

This is the first pre-clinical porcine mechanistic study to recognize the potential of electroceuticals as an effective platform technology to combat wound biofilm infection.
Gender and Specialty Influences on Personal and Professional Life Among Trainees
Authors: Rogers Ailín C. , Wren Sherry M. , McNamara Deborah A.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the impact of surgical training on lifestyle and parenthood, and to assess for gender-based workplace issues.

Background:

The effects of a surgical career on lifestyle are difficult to quantify and may vary between male and female doctors. A gender gap is present in the highest tiers of the profession, and reasons why women do not attain senior positions are complex but likely relate to factors beyond merit alone.

Methods:

An anonymous Web-based survey was distributed to Irish surgical and nonsurgical trainees. They were asked questions regarding family planning, pregnancy outcomes, parenthood, and gender issues in the workplace, with results analyzed by sex and specialty.

Results:

Four hundred sixty trainees responded with a response rate of 53.0%; almost two thirds were female. Female trainee surgeons were less likely to have children than their male counterparts (22.5% vs 40.0%, P = 0.0215). Pregnant surgical trainees were more likely to have adverse pregnancy events than the partners of their male contemporaries (65.0% vs 11.5%, P = 0.0002), or than their female nonsurgical colleagues (P = 0.0329). Women were more likely to feel that they had missed out on a job opportunity (P < 0.001) and that their fellowship choice was influenced by their gender (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The current study highlights some areas of difficulty encountered by female surgical trainees. Surmounting the barriers to progression for female surgeons, by addressing the perceived negative impacts of surgery on lifestyle, will likely encourage trainee retention of both genders.
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others: Plasma lactate and succinate in hemorrhagic shock—A comparison in rodents, swine, nonhuman primates, and injured patients
Authors: Reisz Julie A. , Wither Matthew J. , Moore Ernest E. , Slaughter Anne L. , Moore Hunter B. , Ghasabyan Arsen , Chandler James , Schaub Leasha J. , Fragoso Miguel , Nunns Geoffrey , Silliman Christopher C. , Hansen Kirk C. , Banerjee Anirban , Sheppard Forest R. , D’Alessandro Angelo
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Plasma levels of lactate and succinate are predictors of mortality in critically injured patients in military and civilian settings. In relative terms, these metabolic derangements have been recapitulated in rodent, swine, and nonhuman primate models of severe hemorrhage. However, no direct absolute quantitative comparison has been evaluated across these species.

METHODS

Ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with stable isotope standards was used to determine absolute concentrations of baseline and postshock levels of lactate and succinate in rats, pigs, macaques, and injured patients.

RESULTS

Baseline levels of lactate and succinate were most comparable to humans in macaques, followed by pigs and rats. Baseline levels of lactate in pigs and baseline and postshock levels of lactate and succinate in rats were significantly higher than those measured in macaques and humans. Postshock levels of lactate and succinate in pigs and macaques, respectively, were directly comparable to measurements in critically injured patients.

CONCLUSION

Acknowledging the caveats associated with the variable degrees of shock in the clinical cohort, our data indicate that larger mammals represent a better model than rodents when investigating metabolic derangements secondary to severe hemorrhage.
Associations between sexual habits, menstrual hygiene practices, demographics and the vaginal microbiome as revealed by Bayesian network analysis
Authors: Noyes Noelle , Cho Kyu-Chul , Ravel Jacques , Forney Larry J. , Abdo Zaid
Published: November 2017

The vaginal microbiome plays an influential role in several disease states in reproductive age women, including bacterial vaginosis (BV). While demographic characteristics are associated with differences in vaginal microbiome community structure, little is known about the influence of sexual and hygiene habits. Furthermore, associations between the vaginal microbiome and risk symptoms of bacterial vaginosis have not been fully elucidated. Using Bayesian network (BN) analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence results, demographic and extensive questionnaire data, we describe both novel and previously documented associations between habits of women and their vaginal microbiome. The BN analysis approach shows promise in uncovering complex associations between disparate data types. Our findings based on this approach support published associations between specific microbiome members (e.g.,Eggerthella,Gardnerella,Dialister,SneathiaandRuminococcaceae), the Nugent score (a BV diagnostic) and vaginal pH (a risk symptom of BV). Additionally, we found that several microbiome members were directly connected to other risk symptoms of BV (such as vaginal discharge, odor, itch, irritation, and yeast infection) includingL. jensenii,Corynebacteria, andProteobacteria. No direct connections were found between the Nugent Score and risk symptoms of BV other than pH, indicating that the Nugent Score may not be the most useful criteria for assessment of clinical BV. We also found that demographics (i.e., age, ethnicity, previous pregnancy) were associated with the presence/absence of specific vaginal microbes. The resulting BN revealed several as-yet undocumented associations between birth control usage, menstrual hygiene practices and specific microbiome members. Many of these complex relationships were not identified using common analytical methods, i.e., ordination and PERMANOVA. While these associations require confirmatory follow-up study, our findings strongly suggest that future studies of the vaginal microbiome and vaginal pathologies should include detailed surveys of participants’ sanitary, sexual and birth control habits, as these can act as confounders in the relationship between the microbiome and disease. Although the BN approach is powerful in revealing complex associations within multidimensional datasets, the need in some cases to discretize the data for use in BN analysis can result in loss of information. Future research is required to alleviate such limitations in constructing BN networks. Large sample sizes are also required in order to allow for the incorporation of a large number of variables (nodes) into the BN, particularly when studying associations between metadata and the microbiome. We believe that this approach is of great value, complementing other methods, to further our understanding of complex associations characteristic of microbiome research.
NOTCH-mediated non-cell autonomous regulation of chromatin structure during senescence
Authors: Parry Aled J. , Hoare Matthew , Bihary Dóra , Hänsel-Hertsch Robert , Smith Stephen , Tomimatsu Kosuke , Balasubramanian Shankar , Kimura Hiroshi , Samarajiwa Shamith A. , Narita Masashi
Published: November 2017

Senescent cells interact with the surrounding microenvironment achieving diverse functional outcomes. In addition to autocrine and paracrine signalling mediated by factors of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, we have recently identified that NOTCH1 can drive ‘lateral induction’ of a unique form of senescence in adjacent cells through specific induction of the NOTCH ligand JAG1. Here we show that NOTCH signalling can modulate chromatin structure both autonomously and non-autonomously. In addition to senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHF), oncogenic RAS-induced senescent (RIS) cells in culture exhibit a massive increase in nucleosome-free regions (NRFs). NOTCH signalling suppresses both SAHF and NFR formation in this context. Strikingly, NOTCH-induced senescent cells, or cancer cells with high JAG1 expression, also drive similar chromatin architectural changes in adjacent cells through cell-cell contact. Mechanistically, we show that NOTCH signalling represses the chromatin architectural protein HMGA1, an association found in a range of human cancers. Thus, HMGA1 is involved not only in SAHFs, but also RIS-specific NFR formation. In conclusion, this study identifies that the JAG1-NOTCH-HMGA1 axis mediates the juxtacrine regulation of chromatin architecture.
The hummingbird and the hawk-moth: Species distribution, geographical partitioning, and macrocompetition across the United States
Authors: Halloway Abdel , Whelan Christopher J. , Brown Joel S.
Published: November 2017

We introduce a new concept called macrocompetition – defined as the mutual suppression of diversity/species richness of competing clades – and investigate evidence for its existence. To this end, we analyzed the distribution of two convergent nectarivorous families, hawk-moths and hummingbirds, over the continental United States to determine whether there is geographic partitioning between the families and its potential causes. Using stepwise regression, we tested for latitudinal and longitudinal biases in the species richness of both taxa and the potential role of 10 environmental variables in their distribution pattern. Hawk-moth species richness increases with longitude (eastward-bias) while that of hummingbirds declines (westward-bias). Similar geographic patterns can be seen across Canada, Mexico and South America. Hawk-moth species richness is positively correlated with higher overall temperatures (especially summer minimums), atmospheric pressure, and summer precipitation; hummingbird species richness is negatively correlated with atmospheric pressure and positively correlated with winter daily maxima. The species richness patterns reflect each family’s respective anatomical differences and support the concept of macrocompetition between the two taxa. Hawk-moth species richness was highest in states with low elevation, summer-time flowering, and warm summer nights; hummingbird species richness is highest in the southwest with higher elevation, greater cool season flowering and high daytime winter temperatures. Hawk-moths and hummingbirds as distinct evolutionary technologies exhibit niche overlap and geographical partitioning. These are two of three indicators suggested by Brown and Davidson for inter-taxonomic competition. We intend the patterns revealed here to inspire further exploration into competition and community structuring between hawk-moths and hummingbirds.
Testing the Efforts Model of Simultaneous Interpreting: An ERP Study
Authors: Koshkin Roman , Shtyrov Yury , Ossadtchi Alex
Published: November 2017

We utilized the event-related potential (ERP) technique to study neural activity associated with different levels of working memory (WM) load during simultaneous interpretation (SI) in an ecologically valid setting. The amplitude of N1 and P1 components elicited by task-irrelevant tone probes was significantly modulated as a function of WM load but not the direction of interpretation. Furthermore, the latency of the N1 increased insignificantly with WM load. The P1 latency, however, mostly did not depend on either WM load or direction of interpretation. Larger negativity under lower WM loads suggests deeper processing of the auditory stimuli, providing tentative electrophysiological evidence in support of the Efforts Model of SI. Relationships between the direction of interpretation and median WM load are also discussed.
Selective Recruitment of Cortical Neurons by Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Komarov Maxim , Malerba Paola , Nunez Paul , Halgren Eric , Bazhenov Maxim
Published: November 2017

Despite its critical importance in experimental and clinical neuroscience, at present there is no systematic method to predict which neural elements will be activated by a given stimulation regime. Here we develop a novel approach to model the effect of cortical stimulation on spiking probability of neurons in a volume of tissue, by applying an analytical estimate of stimulation-induced activation of different cell types across cortical layers. We utilize the morphology and properties of axonal arborization profiles obtained from publicly available anatomical reconstructions of the twelve main categories of neocortical neurons to derive the dependence of activation probability on cell type, layer and distance from the source. We then propagate this activity through the local network incorporating connectivity, synaptic and cellular properties. Our work predicts that (a) intracranial cortical stimulation induces selective activation across cell types and layers; (b) superficial anodal stimulation is more effective than cathodal at cell activation; (c) cortical surface stimulation focally activates layer I axons, and (d) an optimal stimulation intensity exists capable of eliciting cell activation lasting beyond the end of stimulation.
Evolutionary dynamics of mycorrhizal symbiosis in land plant diversification
Authors: Feijen Frida A.A. , Vos Rutger A. , Nuytinck Jorinde , Merckx Vincent S.F.T.
Published: November 2017

Mycorrhizal symbiosis between soil fungi and land plants is one of the most widespread and ecologically important mutualisms on earth. It has long been hypothesized that the Glomeromycotina, the mycorrhizal symbionts of the majority of plants, facilitated colonization of land by plants in the Ordovician. This view was recently challenged by the discovery of mycorrhizal associations with Mucoromycotina in several early diverging lineages of land plants. Utilizing a large, species-level database of plants’ mycorrhizal associations and a Bayesian approach to state transition dynamics we here show that the recruitment of Mucoromycotina is the best supported transition from a non-mycorrhizal state. We further found that transitions between different combinations of either or both of Mucoromycotina and Glomeromycotina occur at high rates and found similar promiscuity among combinations that include either or both of Glomeromycotina and Ascomycota with a nearly fixed association with Basidiomycota. Our results demonstrate that under the most likely scenario symbiosis with Mucoromycotina enabled the establishment of early land plants.
Low affinity membrane transporters can increase net substrate uptake rate by reducing efflux
Authors: Bosdriesz Evert , Wortel Meike T , Haanstra Jurgen R , Wagner Marijke J , Cortés Pilar de la Torre , Teusink Bas
Published: November 2017

Cells require membrane-located transporter proteins to import nutrients from the environment. Many organisms have several similar transporters for the same nutrient, which differ in their affinity. Typically, high affinity transporters are expressed when substrate is scarce and low affinity ones when substrate is more abundant. The benefit of using low affinity transporters when high affinity ones are available has so far remained unclear. Here, we investigate two hypotheses. First, it was previously hypothesized that a trade-off between the affinity and the maximal catalytic rate explains this phenomenon. We find some theoretical and experimental support for this hypothesis, but no conclusive evidence. Secondly, we propose a new hypothesis: for uptake by facilitated diffusion, at saturating extracellular substrate concentrations, lowering the affinity enhances the net uptake rate by reducing the substrate efflux rate. As a consequence, there exists an optimal, external substrate concentration dependent transporter affinity. Anin silicoanalysis of glycolysis inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeshows that using the low affinity HXT3 transporter instead of the high affinity HXT6 enhances the steady-state flux by 36%. We tried to test this hypothesis using yeast strains expressing a single glucose transporter that was modified to have either a high or a low affinity. Due to the intimate and reciprocal link between glucose perception and metabolism, direct experimental proof for this hypothesis remained inconclusive in our hands. Still, our theoretical results provide a novel reason for the presence of low affinity transport systems which might have more general implications for enzyme catalyzed conversions.
Model reduction permits Turing instability analysis of arbitrary reaction-diffusion models
Authors: Smith Stephen , Dalchau Neil
Published: November 2017

Synthesising a genetic network which generates stable Turing patterns is one of the great challenges of synthetic biology, but a significant obstacle is the disconnect between the mathematical theory and the biological reality. Current mathematical understanding of patterning is typically restricted to systems of 2 or 3 chemical species, for which equations are tractable, but plausible genetic networks typically consist of dozens of interacting species. In this article, we suggest a method for reducing large biochemical systems to systems with 2 or 3 species which can then be studied analytically. We provide conditions to guarantee that the full system forms patterns if the reduced system does, and vice-versa. We confirm our technique with 3 examples: the Brusselator, an example proposed by Turing, and a biochemically plausible patterning system consisting of 17 species. These examples show that our method significantly simplifies the study of pattern formation in large systems.
Revisiting criteria for plant miRNA annotation in the era of big data
Authors: Axtell Michael J. , Meyers Blake C.
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ~21 nucleotide-long regulatory RNAs that arise from endonucleolytic processing of hairpin precursors. Many function as essential post-transcriptional regulators of target mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs. Alongside miRNAs, plants also produce large numbers of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are distinguished from miRNAs primarily by their biogenesis (typically processed from long double-stranded RNA instead of single-stranded hairpins) and functions (typically via roles in transcriptional regulation instead of post-transcriptional regulation). Next-generation DNA sequencing methods have yielded extensive datasets of plant small RNAs, resulting in many miRNA annotations, occasionally inaccurately curated. The sheer number of endogenous siRNAs compared to miRNAs has been a major factor in the erroneous annotation of siRNAs as miRNAs. Here, we provide updated criteria for the confident annotation of plant miRNAs, suitable for the era of “big data” from DNA sequencing. The updated criteria emphasize replication, the minimization of false positives, and they require next-generation sequencing of small RNAs. We argue that improved annotation systems are needed for miRNAs and all other classes of plant small RNAs. Finally, to illustrate the complexities of miRNA and siRNA annotation, we review the evolution and functions of miRNAs and siRNAs in plants.
A Defect in Influenza A Virus Particle Assembly Specific to Primary Human Macrophages
Authors: Bedi Sukhmani , Noda Takeshi , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Ono Akira
Published: November 2017

The primary target of Influenza A virus (IAV) is epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. In contrast to epithelial cells, productive infection of most IAV strains is either blocked or highly inefficient in macrophages. The exact nature of the defect in IAV replication in human macrophages remains unknown. In this study, we showed that primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) are inefficient in IAV release even when compared to a monocytic cell line differentiated to macrophage-like cells, despite comparable levels of expression of viral glycoproteins at the plasma membrane. Correlative fluorescence scanning electron microscopy revealed that formation of budding structures at the cell surface is inefficient in MDM even though clustering of a viral glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA), is observed, suggesting that IAV particle assembly is blocked in human MDM. Using anin situproximity ligation assay, we further determined that association between HA and the viral ion channel protein M2 is defective at the plasma membrane of MDM. In contrast, HA and another glycoprotein neuraminidase (NA) associate with each other on the MDM surface efficiently. Notably, the defect in association between HA and M2 in MDM was reversed upon inhibition of actin polymerization by cytochalasin D. Altogether, these results suggest that HA-M2 association on the plasma membrane is a discrete step in the IAV assembly process, which is separable from the association between HA and NA and susceptible to suppression by actin cytoskeleton. Overall, our study revealed the presence of a cell-type-specific mechanism negatively regulating IAV assembly at the plasma membrane.

Importance

Identification of host cell determinants promoting or suppressing replication of many viruses has been aided by analyses of host cells that impose inherent blocks on viral replication. In this study, we show that primary human MDM are not permissive to IAV replication due to a defect at the virus particle formation step. This defect is specific to primary human macrophages, since a human monocytic cell line differentiated to macrophage-like cells supports IAV particle formation. We further identified association between two viral transmembrane proteins, HA and M2, on the cell surface as a discrete assembly step, which is defective in MDM. Defective HA-M2 association in MDM is rescued by disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, revealing a previously unknown, negative role for actin polymerization, which is generally thought to play positive roles in IAV assembly. Overall, our study uncovered a host-mediated restriction of association between viral transmembrane components during IAV assembly.
Modeling the polarized X-ray scattering from periodic nanostructures with molecular anisotropy
Authors: Liman Christopher D. , Germer Thomas A. , Sunday Daniel F. , DeLongchamp Dean M. , Kline R. Joseph
Published: November 2017

There is a need to characterize nanoscale molecular orientation in soft materials, and polarized scattering is a powerful means to measure this property. However, few approaches have been demonstrated that quantitatively relate orientation to scattering. Here, a modeling framework to relate the molecular orientation of nanostructures to polarized resonant soft X-ray scattering measurements is developed. A variable-angle transmission measurement called critical-dimension X-ray scattering enables the characterization of the three-dimensional shape of periodic nanostructures. When this measurement is conducted at resonant soft X-ray energies with different polarizations to measure soft material nanostructures, the scattering contains convolved information about the nanostructure shape and the preferred molecular orientation as a function of position, which is extracted by fitting using inverse iterative algorithms. A computationally efficient Born approximation simulation of the scattering has been developed, with a full tensor treatment of the electric field that takes into account biaxial molecular orientation, and this approach is validated by comparing it with a rigorous coupled wave simulation. The ability of various sample models to generate unique best fit solutions is then analyzed by generating simulated scattering pattern sets and fitting them with an inverse iterative algorithm. The interaction of the measurement geometry and the change in orientation across a periodic repeat unit leads to distinct asymmetry in the scattering pattern which must be considered for an accurate fit of the scattering.
Application of forward models to crystal orientation refinement
Authors: Singh Saransh , Ram Farangis , De Graef Marc
Published: November 2017

Two approaches are proposed for the refinement of electron diffraction pattern indexing. The approaches require two basic ingredients: an accurate physics-based forward model and an algorithm to search the local orientation neighborhood. Forward models for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and electron channeling pattern (ECP) modalities are coupled with either a multi-resolution brute-force search algorithm or a bound optimization by quadratic approximation algorithm. The efficacy of the methods is evaluated for varying levels of error in the pattern projection center. The EBSD modality shows an orientation improvement when the projection center error is within ±1% of the full detector width, whereas the ECP modality shows improvement up to a ±5% error. The algorithms are applied to an experimental EBSD scan for partially recrystallized 90/10 brass; the results show that the refinement is necessary to remove the artifacts introduced by the discrete sampling nature of the dictionary indexing method. Finally, a pattern center correction factor is derived for orientations obtained from dictionary indexing for large-area EBSD scans.
A peak-finding algorithm based on robust statistical analysis in serial crystallography
Authors: Hadian-Jazi Marjan , Messerschmidt Marc , Darmanin Connie , Giewekemeyer Klaus , Mancuso Adrian P. , Abbey Brian
Published: November 2017

The recent development of serial crystallography at synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources is producing crystallographic datasets of ever increasing volume. The size of these datasets is such that fast and efficient analysis presents a range of challenges that have to be overcome to enable real-time data analysis, which is essential for the effective management of XFEL experiments. Among the blocks which constitute the analysis pipeline, one major bottleneck is `peak finding', whose goal is to identify the Bragg peaks within (often) noisy diffraction patterns. Development of faster and more reliable peak-finding algorithms will allow for efficient processing and storage of the incoming data, as well as the optimal use of diffraction data for structure determination. This paper addresses the problem of peak finding and, by extension, `hit finding' in crystallographic XFEL datasets, by exploiting recent developments in robust statistical analysis. The approach described here involves two basic steps: (1) the identification of pixels which contain potential peaks and (2) modeling of the local background in the vicinity of these potential peaks. The presented framework can be generalized to include both complex background models and alternative models for the Bragg peaks.
Crystal structure of diethyl 3,3′-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methylidene]bis(1H-indole-2-carboxylate)
Authors: Li Yu-Long , Sun Hong-Shun , Jiang Hong , Chen Yu-Liang , Chen Yang-Feng
Published: November 2017

In the title compound, C29H24Cl2N2O4, the mean planes of the two indole ring systems (r.m.s. deviations = 0.1249 and 0.0075 Å) are approximately perpendicular to one another, with a dihedral angle of 80.9 (5)° between them. The benzene ring is inclined to the mean planes of the two indole ring systems by 76.1 (3) and 78.3 (4)°. Weak intramolecular C—H...π interactions affect the molecular conformation. In the crystal, pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into inversion dimers which are further linked into supramolecular chains by N—H...O hydrogen bonds and short Cl—Cl contacts.
Mediation effects of trust and contracts on knowledge-sharing and product innovation
Authors: Charterina Jon , Landeta Jon , Basterretxea Imanol
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mediating role of contracts and trust on the generation of product innovations stemming from buyer-supplier knowledge-sharing (KS) among the members of the supply chain. Together with the individual effects of trust and contracts, their joint effect is examined in order to determine whether these are complementary or alternative mechanisms of safeguarding and control.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a survey of 202 European machine tool firms acting as buyers and sellers, the authors propose and evaluate a structural equation model.

Findings

Results confirm that there is a positive relation between contracts and trust with respect to buyer-supplier KS, and of the latter with respect to innovation performance. They also show that firms in which both the levels of trust and contract use are high reinforce their product-innovation capability based on buyer-supplier interaction (complementarity thesis). However, results also show that, contrary to trust, contracts by themselves do not act as a stimulus for product innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Establishing contracts seems to be a highly recommended action in a buyer-supplier relationship focused on increasing innovation capacity. This does not go against engendering trust in a relationship. Both trust with a degree of formalization, in different ways, help to increase the effect of sharing valuable knowledge on innovation capacity.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best knowledge, no prior study has delved into differentiating the use of contracts and trust as mechanisms in mediating the effect originated from knowledge-sharing on product innovation performance with two different samples formed by buying and selling firms.
Police and partners: new ways of working together in Montréal
Authors: Beaulieu Marie , Côté Michelle , Diaz Luisa
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an inter-agency practice integrated within a police intervention model which was developed for police officers and their partners in Montréal.

Design/methodology/approach

The Integrated Police Response for Abused Seniors (IPRAS) action research project (2013-2016) developed, tested, and implemented a police intervention model to counter elder abuse. Two linked phases of data collection were carried out: a diagnostic of police practices and needs (year 1) and an evaluation of the implementation of the intervention model and the resulting effects (years 2 and 3).

Findings

The facilitating elements to support police involvement in inter-agency practices include implementing a coordination structure regarding abuse cases as well as designating clear guidelines of the roles of both the police and their partners. The critical challenges involve staff turnover, time management and the exchange of information. It was recognised by all involved that it is crucial to collaborate while prioritising resource investment and governmental support, with regards to policy and financing, as well as adequate training.

Practical implications

The IPRAS model is transferable because its components can be adapted and implemented according to different police services. A guideline for implementing the model is available.

Originality/value

In the scientific literature, inter-agency collaboration is highly recommended but only a few models have been evaluated. This paper presents an inter-agency approach embedded in an evaluated police intervention model.
Exploring care home providers’ public commitments to human rights in light of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Authors: Emmer De Albuquerque Green Caroline
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore care home providers’ public communications covering their commitments to respecting residents’ the human rights. The discussion considers the United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and a domestic legal and regulatory human rights framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative content analysis undertaken in 2017 of 70 websites of England’s largest commercial care home providers.

Findings

There are strong value-based public commitments in the websites of many English care home providers, which may or may not be interpreted as expressing their commitments to human rights.

Research limitations/implications

Research was limited to websites, which are public facing and marketing tools of care home providers. This does not provide inferences regarding the practical implementation of value-based statements or human-rights-based procedures or policies. This paper does not make any value judgements regarding either the public communications of care home providers or normative claims regarding human rights and care home service provision.

Practical implications

There is a need for clarification and debate about the potential role and added value of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the UNGPs’ operating principles within the English residential care sector. Further exploration of the relationship between personalisation/person-centred care and human rights might be useful.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the UNGPs and corporate responsibility to respect human rights to the debate on human rights, personalised/person-centred care, safeguarding and care homes in England. It adds a new perspective to discussions of the human rights obligations of care home providers.
“Doing good” while serving customers
Authors: Roundy Philip T.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Social entrepreneurship represents an unconventional, but increasingly prevalent, activity in developed and emerging economies. Social entrepreneurs devise novel business models that blend business and social missions with the aim of (co-)producing value with two primary stakeholder groups, beneficiaries and customers. Although interactions between social entrepreneurs and their beneficiaries are well-studied, the relationship between social ventures and consumers has received almost no extended attention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative, partially-inductive approach based on interviews with 40 social entrepreneurs, a study of how social entrepreneurs market their ventures to consumers was conducted.

Findings

Findings reveal the ways in which marketing is relevant for social entrepreneurs, the unique challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face in their interactions with customers, and the tactics entrepreneurs use to understand and educate their consumers.

Originality/value

The study’s findings contribute to work on social entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship and marketing interface and have practical implications for social entrepreneurs.
Roles of self-monitoring, fashion involvement and technology readiness in an individual’s propensity to use mobile shopping
Authors: Celik Hakan , Kocaman Ridvan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationships between self-monitoring, fashion involvement and technology readiness in the mobile shopping context. Although mobile shopping is still a novel activity in Turkish economical and social spheres, it has the potential to become an important driver of B2C electronic commerce in Turkey. Many Turkish firms have already extended their multichannel strategies by integrating a mobile channel into their pre-existing on-line and off-line channels. However, customers should be ready to actually embrace mobile commerce for the success of these strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed research hypotheses, a survey was administrated online to 284 volunteer undergraduate students, who were potential users of mobile shopping channel. The measurement items were developed by adapting and modifying the previously validated 13-item, self-monitoring, 16-item technology readiness index 2.0 and 5-item fashion involvement scales.

Findings

Results from a partial least squares analysis showed that the ability to modify self-presentation has a significant moderating influence on fashion involvement and technology readiness relationships. However, the moderating effect of sensitivity to the expressive behaviours of others for the same relationship was found to be insignificant. Further, fashion involvement appeared to have significant and direct influences on both technology readiness and attitudes towards mobile shopping. Finally, strong relationships between technology readiness, attitude and intentions to use mobile shopping were detected.

Originality/value

There has been little research effort conducted to examine the proposed relationships between the cited research variables in a non-Western country. Therefore, these study results yielded valuable insights for both theory and actual practice.
Libraries of Babel: exploring library language and its suitability for the community
Authors: Fauchelle Michael Alexander
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the different aspects of language that are present in the signage, handouts and websites of public libraries. It discusses the extent to which this language reflects the varying demographics of library clients.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on a qualitative study, which took a document analysis approach and utilised an inductive-coding technique to analyse data collected from four lower North Island libraries in New Zealand.

Findings

Five language aspects were identified from the collected data: monolingual, bilingual and multilingual language; language context; welcoming and prohibitive language; language consistency; and jargon. The nature and incidence of these aspects were evaluated for each of the four libraries. In some cases, the libraries achieve an accurate reflection of client demographics through their language. However, each library could make some changes to their use of language to better accommodate their distinct communities.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that modifying library language to better reflect client demographics will contribute to an atmosphere of inclusion, welcome and acceptance. Such an atmosphere will promote information access for all members of the community. Recommendations for change are made, as well as suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on communication and language in libraries, particularly in a New Zealand context where there is a paucity of research on this topic. This paper benefits libraries and clients by identifying patterns, contrasts and potential improvements.