bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnicity as inclusion and exclusion
Authors: Baskerville Rachel F. , Jacobs Kerry , Joannides de Lautour Vassili , Sissons Jeff
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Accounting research has struggled with how ethnicity is to be understood in relation to concepts such as nation and nationality and how ethnicity may impact on accounting and auditing practices, behaviours, education and professional values. These themes are explored and developed in the papers presented in this special issue. In particular, the purpose of this paper is to explore the contrasting theoretical and methodological approaches reflected by the papers in the issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a reflective and analytical paper which explores how notions of ethnicity are conceived and operationalised in accounting research. The authors identified two distinctive analytic ordering processes evident within this AAAJ Special issue: Mary Douglas’ scheme of Grid and Group and the Pierre Bourdieu’s conceptual tools of field, capital and habitus.

Findings

The “Grid and Group” Culture Theory with Bourdieu’s theoretical tools evident in the papers provide powerful tools to explore the relationship between ethnicity and accounting both conceptually and empirically, suggesting that ethnicity can be deployed to reveal and challenge institutionalised racism. This paper highlights the potential to integrate elements of the “Grid and Group” Culture Theory and Bourdieu’s theoretical tools. The issue of ethnicity and the relationship between ethnicity and accounting should be more fruitfully explored in future.

Research limitations/implications

The authors acknowledge the challenges and limitations of discussing the issue of ethnicity from any particular cultural perspective and recognise the implicit dominance of White Anglo centric perspectives within accounting research.

Originality/value

The papers presented in the special issue illustrate that the issue of ethnicity is complex and difficult to operationalise. This paper highlights the potential to move beyond the ad hoc application of theoretical and methodological concepts to operationalise coherent concepts which challenge and extend the authors’ understanding of accounting as a social and contextual practice. But to achieve this it is necessary to more clearly integrate theory, methodology, method and critique.
A critical analysis of ISO audits results
Authors: Arvanitoyannis Ioannis S. , Samourelis Konstantinos , Kotsanopoulos Konstantinos V.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize and analyse the results of several food quality and safety audits (ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ELOT 1416 and Codex Alimetarius) carried out in Greek food companies processing products of animal origin.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, both a quantitative and a qualitative review of the results were carried out.

Findings

It was revealed that the biggest ratio of non-conformities was recorded within the frame of ELOT 1416 standard (Greek scheme for the certification of HACCP Management Systems), or ELOT 1416 and ISO 9001 where a combination of standards was used. The highest ratio of observations was recorded against ELOT 1416 when used in combination with ISO 9001. The highest average of non-conformities per audit was recorded in meat (red meat and poultry) companies. With regards to the observations recorded, the highest average per audit was recorded in companies processing eggs. Considering the number of workers, the highest average of non-conformities per audit was observed in small companies.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the present study can be summarized into the fact that although a high number of audit reports were taken into account, an audit is an observation of the condition of a company on the day of the audit and the results can also be highly dependent on the skills of the auditors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper that analyses a high number of audit reports from Greek food companies and its conclusions can be of significant value to both the auditors and the industry enabling a more focused approach in the conduction of audits and implementation of the standards.
Improving supply chain performance through industry standards use and community socialization
Authors: Xu Yun , Liu Jiafen , Wu Jing , Luo Chuan
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how use of industry standards and community socialization contribute to the operational, strategic and environmental performances of supply chain partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 216 firms in China that have implemented RosettaNet standards. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses forming the research model.

Findings

The empirical analysis suggests that use of industry standards and community socialization is central to achieving greater supply chain performances. The results show that the use of industry standards and community socialization enhance inter-organizational knowledge sharing and trust, which eventually improve performances of supply chain partners.

Originality/value

The study makes several contributions to the literature. First, it highlights the importance of standards consortia, which not only develop and promote industry standards, but also improve community socialization. Second, the research examines how use of industry standards could influence the operational, strategic and environmental performances of supply chains, and thus fills the research gap in related literature. Third, this paper explores how industry standards can be used as boundary objects to span organizational boundaries and enable greater supply chain partnerships.
Engaging customers during a website visit: a model of website customer engagement
Authors: Demangeot Catherine , Broderick Amanda J.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

A customer’s visit to a retail website is a critical “moment of truth” during which contemporary retailers attempt to simultaneously, during a single web navigation, capture customers’ attention, build rapport, and prompt them to act. By showing how to capture customer commitment over the course of a single website visit, the concept of customer website engagement, defined as “the process of developing cognitive, affective and behavioural commitment to an active relationship with the website”, addresses strategic concerns. Drawing from literature on engagement, the purpose of this paper is to consider how retail websites can engage customers during the course of a website navigation. A conceptual model of website customer engagement underpinned by relationship marketing and communication knowledge, shows how perceptions of the website’s exploration and sense-making potential can activate consumer engagement, and is then empirically tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data, measures of the four dimensions of engagement (interaction engagement, activity engagement, behavioural engagement, and communication engagement) and of three drivers are developed and validated. The model is tested empirically (n=301) using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results support the process conceptualisation of engagement, which identifies organismic as well as conative stages, and show the distinct roles played by perceptions of informational exploration, experiential exploration and sense-making in activating engagement.

Practical implications

The study provides online retailing practice with an organising framework enabling online retailing managers to consider how, depending on their product category and their size, they might (re)design their website to optimally produce customer engagement.

Originality/value

The study contributes to online marketing and retailing knowledge by showing the relevance of the concept of engagement as it pertains to customers’ single navigations on retail websites, and by empirically showing, through a parsimonious model, how engagement can be activated and unfold.
Reflections of environmental management implementation in furniture
Authors: Zutshi Ambika , Creed Andrew , Holmes Mary , Brain Jade
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of environmental management initiatives in the furniture retail area. The specific aim is to present reflections of participants implementing environmental initiatives in an Australian furniture retailer, Living Edge, in alignment with a secondary snapshot of environmental initiatives from other furniture retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary reflections from the retailer’s manager and external consultant, both involved in the implementation of environmental initiatives, are enriched with secondary review of environmental management system trends and examples from regions active in the designer furniture sector, including Europe, Southeast Asia and North America.

Findings

An integrated view has been distilled around environmental impact in the furniture supply chain and consumer pressure to minimise the impact. Stakeholders require furniture retailers to improve efficiency and profitability amid the countervailing market demand for environmental sustainability. Retailers may seek competitive advantage through effectively applied and communicated environmental management. The voluntary adoption of systems, international standards and innovative practices that conserve natural resources are amongst the key to success. A live case example of Australian experience is added to the knowledge base for the global retail furniture industry.

Research limitations/implications

One Australian retailer is exemplified to highlight the lived experiences of implementing environmental initiatives. The secondary global review presents a cross-section rather than an in-depth analysis of furniture sector retailers.

Originality/value

There are limited Australian perspectives of designer furniture and its intersection with environmental issues, thus, the paper addresses this gap in the literature and adds to informed practice in a global industry.
The value of information disclosure and lead investor in equity-based crowdfunding
Authors: Li Xuechun , Tang Yuehuan , Yang Ningrui , Ren Ruiyao , Zheng Haichao , Zhou Haibo
Published: August 2016

Purpose

How to free the potential power of the capital market while simultaneously protecting the investors is critical in equity-based crowdfunding. To realize these goals, the purpose of this study was to investigate the value of information disclosure and leader-follower mechanism which have been widely adopted by crowdfunding platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), a research framework was developed. Then, the authors conducted an in-depth exploratory empirical study of Dajiatou (www.dajiatou.com) which is a typical equity-based crowdfunding service provider in China. Independent-samplest-test and linear regression were used to uncover the value of project information disclosure and the lead investor in terms of fundraising performance improvement.

Findings

First, the quality of entrepreneurial team information, especially the ratio of full-time staff, staff number and enterprise business age, significantly improve fundraising performance. Second, entrepreneurs’ behaviors, including project updates and project video, play important roles in crowdfunding. Third, whether or not the project has a lead investor, leader’s credibility information and his/her advocacy behaviors – percentage of their investment, identity certification, investment experience and comments for projects – are important factors affecting fundraising performance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors are one of the firsts to apply ELM to investigate the effects of diverse information on fundraising performance in equity-based crowdfunding. The value of lead investor which has been ignored in prior research was studied through second-hand data.

Practical implications

First, an equity-based crowdfunding platform should request the entrepreneur to disclose project quality-related information with more details. Second, crowdfunding platforms should set a high qualifications level for lead investor, and limit the lead investor’s committed percentage in a specific project.

Originality/value

This paper extended the research in crowdfunding by uncovering the value of information disclosure and lead investor based on ELM theory.
Going up or going down? Occupational mobility of skilled migrants in Australia
Authors: Ressia Susan , Strachan Glenda , Bailey Janis
Published: August 2016

Skilled migration programs are now widespread among western settler societies, but little is known about the recent outcomes of skilled migrants. Using a feminist framework and qualitative interviews of 22 migrants, this article sheds light on the job‐seeking experiences of professional skilled migrants in Australia, who are from non‐English speaking backgrounds. The article reveals that many are unable to find commensurate employment post‐arrival. They experience downward occupational mobility; that is they find jobs that are lower in skill level compared to the job held pre‐migration. The range of job‐seeking strategies is examined to determine whether migrants can improve occupational outcomes, revealing differences between the mobility of women and men. Job‐seeking for women is more complex due to the gendering effects of family responsibility, making their job search more difficult. The research further highlights the underutilisation of human capital, which is in need of addressing for skilled migrants, and the wider economy.
Population‐specific genome‐wide mapping of expression quantitative trait loci in the colon of Han Chinese
Authors: Guo Chang Cun , Wei Ni , Liang Shu Hui , Wang Biao Luo , Sha Su Mei , Wu Kai Chun
Published: August 2016

Objective

To establish the colonic expression quantitative trait locus map in Han Chinese population and provide a functional reference for interpreting genetic associations of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

Colonic mucosal biopsies and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 48 Chinese Han individuals (24 ulcerative colitis patients and 24 healthy controls). Transcription profiling was performed using human whole genome expression array. Genotyping was done using a population‐specific genotype array. Imputation was performed using IMPUTE2. Association between genotypes and gene expression was analyzed using a Matrix Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) R package to identify eQTL. We used ChIPpeakAnno R package for annotation of the eQTL. Linkage disequilibrium between the eQTL and IBD risk loci was also investigated.

Results

We identified 6 377 single nucleotide polymorphism‐transcript interactions (cis‐eQTL) in the colon of the Chinese participants. Most of the eQTL located near the transcription starting sites and overlapped with histone modification marks on the genome. A significant proportion of the eQTL were found to be within transcription factor‐binding sites. Two IBD risk loci were found to be colon cis‐eQTL in Chinese individuals, and 51 cis‐eQTL were identified in another 18 IBD risk loci.

Conclusions

This study defined a population‐specific catalogue of colon eQTL in the Chinese population. Potential functional variants of IBD association signals were identified. We provided a useful reference dataset for fine mapping IBD risk loci and identifying causal variants in the Chinese Han population.
New vaccines: challenges of discovery
Authors: Mahmoud Adel
Published: August 2016

Vaccines have been a major component of preventing and controlling infectious diseases. The basis for discovery of what protects is reviewed as well as new attempts in utilizing Reverse Vaccinology, RNA‐RNA methods and proteome analysis are adding significantly to our knowledge. The challenge of how to define protective and defined components of microbes is still hampering efforts to discover new vaccines. Recent excitement about immunotherapy of cancer opens the way to develop vaccines against multiple malignancies.
Virtual vitreoretinal surgery: validation of a training programme
Authors: Vergmann Anna Stage , Vestergaard Anders Højslet , Grauslund Jakob
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To test the validity of the eyesi surgical simulator as an assessment tool in a virtual reality vitreoretinal training programme.

Methods

In collaboration with an experienced vitreoretinal surgeon, a virtual vitreoretinal training programme was composed on the eyesi surgical simulator, software version 2.9.2 (VRmagic GmbH, Manheim, Germany). It was completed twice by three groups: 20 medical students, ten residents of ophthalmology and five trained vitreoretinal surgeons. The programme contained six training modules: navigation level 2 (Nav2), forceps training level 5 (ForT5), bimanual training level 3 (BimT3), laser coagulation level 3 (LasC3), posterior hyaloid level 3 (PostH3) and internal limiting membrane peeling level 3 (ILMP3). The scores in each module were assessed from two to five different factors (tissue treatment, efficiency, target achievement, instrument handling and microscope handling), and it was possible to achieve 100 points in each module.

Results

At the final training session, the highest overall median score was found for the vitreoretinal surgeons (vitreoretinal surgeons: 434 points, residents: 394.5 points, medical students: 272.5 points, p < 0.01). This was also found in four of the six modules. These were Nav2 (p = 0.03), BimT3 (p < 0.01), PostH3 (p < 0.01) and ILMP3 (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the three groups did not differ regarding ForT5 (p = 0.16) or LasC3 (p = 0.75).

Conclusions

We developed a training programme with validity for the eyesi surgical simulator as an assessment tool for overall score and for four of six vitreoretinal modules. These findings could potentially make the programme a useful tool in the training of future vitreoretinal surgeons.
MicroRNA regulation in an animal model of acute ocular hypertension
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Valiente‐Soriano Francisco J. , Nadal‐Nicolás Francisco M. , Rovere Giuseppe , Chen Shida , Huang Wenbin , Agudo‐Barriuso Marta , Jonas Jost B. , Vidal‐Sanz Manuel , Zhang Xiulan
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To analyse miRNA regulation in a rat model of acute ocular hypertension (AOH).

Methods

Acute ocular hypertension (AOH) was induced in the left eye of adult albino rats by inserting a cannula connected with a saline container into the anterior chamber. The contralateral eye served as a control. Seven days later, animals were killed. Retinas were used either for quantitative analysis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and microglial cells or for miRNA array hybridization, qRT‐PCR and Western blotting.

Results

Anatomically, AOH caused axonal degeneration, a significant loss of RGCs and a significant increase in microglial cells in the ganglion cell layer. The miRNAs microarray analysis revealed 31 differentially expressed miRNAs in the AOH versus control group, and the regulation of 12 selected microRNAs was further confirmed by qRT‐PCR. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that several signalling pathways are putatively regulated by the validated miRNAs. Of particular interest was the inflammatory pathway signalled by mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In agreement with the in silico analysis, p38 MAP kinase, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and iNOS proteins were significantly upregulated in the AOH retinas.

Conclusions

Acute IOP elevation led to changes in the expression of miRNAs, whose target genes were associated with the regulation of microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation or neural apoptosis. Addressing miRNAs in the process of retinal ischaemia and optic nerve damage in association with high IOP elevation may open new avenues in preventing retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and may serve as target for future therapeutic regimen in acute ocular hypertension and retinal ischaemic conditions.
Levels of physical activity during physical education lessons in Sweden
Authors: Fröberg Andreas , Raustorp Anders , Pagels Peter , Larsson Christel , Boldemann Cecilia
Published: August 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to measure the percentage of sedentary light and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) provided by physical education (PE) lessons for Swedish second, fifth and eighth grade students, aged eight, 11 and 14.

Methods

We observed 39 PE lessons and divided them into seven lesson categories: ball play, ball games, dance, fitness, playing games, orienteering and gymnastics. Physical activity (PA) during PE was estimated using accelerometers and the height and weight of the children were measured.

Results

We studied 149 children: 63 in the second grade, 66 in the fifth grade and 19 in the eighth grade. On average, 25% of the PE lessons were spent in MVPA and the mean %MVPA varied with the lesson content, with fitness, orienteering and playing games being the most intense. The highest %MVPA was in the fitness category, providing 33% (8–62%) for girls and 37% (7–72%) for boys. With the exception of the second grade, no significant gender differences in %MVPA were seen.

Conclusion

The content of Swedish PE lessons affected the %MVPA in all age groups. In some content, individuals reached two‐thirds of their daily PA recommendations, highlighting the potential that PE contributes to public health goals.
Systematic review: outcomes and post‐operative complications following colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Peyrin‐Biroulet L. , Germain A. , Patel A. S. , Lindsay J. O.
Published: August 2016

Background

Colectomy for ulcerative colitis is associated with short‐ and long‐term complications. Estimates of the frequency of such complications are variable and may have changed since the introduction of biological therapy. Understanding the true burden of surgical complications is important to clinicians in assessing risks and benefits of colectomy vs. continued medical therapy.

Aim

To ascertain the outcomes of colectomy and ileal pouch surgery in patients with ulcerative colitis in the biologics era.

Methods

Embase, MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library were searched for studies (2002–2015) reporting the outcomes of colorectal procedures (total and subtotal colectomy, IPAA with J‐, S‐, W‐pouch) in adults with ulcerative colitis. Conferences proceedings (2011–2015) were hand‐searched.

Results

We identified 28 studies (20,801 patients) reporting outcomes from procedures conducted from 2002–2015. Early complications (≤30 days post‐operatively), reported in 10 studies, occurred in 9–65% of patients with ulcerative colitis; late complications (>30 days post‐operatively) occurred in 17–55% of patients. Most frequent short‐term complications: infectious complications and ileus (mean incidence 20% and 18%). Most frequent long‐term complications: pouchitis, faecal incontinence and small bowel obstruction (mean incidence 29%, 21% and 17%). Rates of early infection and late pouch failure decreased from 22% and 13% in 2002–2009 to 11% and 2% in 2010–2015. The mean incidence of post‐operative mortality was 1.0% across 11 studies.

Conclusions

Early and late complications arise in about one‐third of patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis. While colorectal surgical procedures are recommended for a specific group of patients, the post‐operative complications associated with these procedures should not be underestimated.
Dorsal stress fibers, transverse actin arcs, and perinuclear actin fibers form an interconnected network that induces nuclear movement in polarizing fibroblasts
Authors: Maninová Miloslava , Vomastek Tomáš
Published: August 2016

In polarized motile cells, stress fibers display specific three‐dimensional organization. Ventral stress fibers, attached to focal adhesions at both ends, are restricted to the basal side of the cell and nonprotruding cell sides. Dorsal fibers, transverse actin arcs, and perinuclear actin fibers emanate from protruding cell front toward the nucleus and toward apical side of the cell. Perinuclear cap fibers further extend above the nucleus, associate with nuclear envelope through LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex and terminate in focal adhesions at cell rear. How are perinuclear actin fibers formed is poorly understood. We show that the formation of perinuclear actin fibers requires dorsal stress fibers that polymerize from focal adhesions at leading edge, and transverse actin arcs that are interconnected with dorsal fibers in spots rich in α‐actinin‐1. During cell polarization, the interconnected dorsal fibers and transverse arcs move from leading edge toward dorsal side of the cell. As they move, transverse arcs associate with one end of stress fibers present at nonprotruding cell sides, move them above the nucleus thus forming perinuclear actin fibers. Furthermore, the formation of perinuclear actin fibers induces temporal rotational movement of the nucleus resulting in nuclear reorientation to the direction of migration. These results suggest that the network of dorsal fibers, transverse arcs, and perinuclear fibers transfers mechanical signal between the focal adhesions and nuclear envelope that regulates the nuclear reorientation in polarizing cells.
Inclusion Through Work and Productivity for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Lysaght Rosemary , Petner‐Arrey Jami , Howell‐Moneta Angela , Cobigo Virginie
Published: August 2016

Background

Employment provides an important avenue to social inclusion for most adults. A range of productivity options exist for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who wish to work, each offering unique challenges relative to inclusion.

Methods

This qualitative study examined the productivity experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario, Canada. A purposive sample of 74 individuals with productivity experiences spanning the spectrum of no employment to community‐based jobs was selected from a pool of volunteers recruited through a mailed survey. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with individuals and family members. Interview transcripts were subjected to a team‐based analysis using grounded theory methods.

Results

Varying needs and interests exist in regard to work. Participants revealed a multitude of factors contributing to inclusion and exclusion through productivity.

Conclusions

Productivity, whether paid or unpaid, can be an avenue to social inclusion. The experience of inclusion, particularly of belonging, depends on a successfully negotiated congruence between worker attributes and the social features and demands of the work environment.
A comparative perspective on longevity: the effect of body size dominates over ecology in moths
Authors: Holm S. , Davis R. B. , Javoiš J. , Õunap E. , Kaasik A. , Molleman F. , Tammaru T.
Published: August 2016

Both physiologically and ecologically based explanations have been proposed to account for among‐species differences in lifespan, but they remain poorly tested. Phylogenetically explicit comparative analyses are still scarce and those that exist are biased towards homoeothermic vertebrates. Insect studies can significantly contribute as lifespan can feasibly be measured in a high number of species, and the selective forces that have shaped it may differ largely between species and from those acting on larger animals. We recorded adult lifespan in 98 species of geometrid moths. Phylogenetic comparative analyses were applied to study variation in species‐specific values of lifespan and to reveal its ecological and life‐history correlates. Among‐species and between‐gender differences in lifespan were found to be notably limited; there was also no evidence of phylogenetic signal in this trait. Larger moth species were found to live longer, with this result supporting a physiological rather than ecological explanation of this relationship. Species‐specific lifespan values could not be explained by traits such as reproductive season and larval diet breadth, strengthening the evidence for the dominance of physiological determinants of longevity over ecological ones.
The Implementation of Elaborative Feedback for Qualitative Improvement of Shade Matching—A Randomized Study
Authors: Olms Constanze , Jakstat Holger A. , Haak Rainer
Published: August 2016

Objectives

The objective of this prospective learning research study is to examine the impact of structured elaborative feedback in practical skills teaching of visual and digital shade matching.

Materials and Methods

A total of 60 preclinical dental students participated in the study. The mean average age was 23 years, of which 37 were female (61.7%) and 23 male (38.3%). The participants were randomly divided into a study and control group (n = 30 each). Recording of shade matching was carried out on the phantom patient using clinically simulated settings with elaborative feedback in the study group (T1). Nine items were recorded for visual shade matching and six items for digital shade‐taking. The errors were coded. The lower the total (max. 30 points), the fewer the errors made by students during shade determination. The subject labeled the tooth color using VITA 3D‐Master and VITA Easyshade (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany).

Results

On comparing the two groups, the study group and the control group showed a similar mean error value at reference time T1. After intervention (T2) it was possible to achieve a clear improvement in the rate of errors for study group. In the study group there was a significant difference between the ΔE values from time T1 and T2 of visual shade matching (p <0.05). The digital ΔE values show in total no significant changes.

Conclusion

Elaborative feedback in conjunction with standardized checklists can lead to a substantial improvement among students in terms of visual shade matching.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Correctly determining the tooth shade is an essential treatment step in esthetic reconstructive dentistry. Color is probably one of the most important determinants of esthetics in dentistry. Factors such as lighting conditions, gender, age, experience, and color vision impairment affect the process of shade matching. With an elaborative feedback in conjunction with standardized checklists can lead to a substantial improvement among students in terms of visual shade matching. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:277–286, 2016)
HDAC1 negatively regulates Bdnf and Pvalb required for parvalbumin interneuron maturation in an experience‐dependent manner
Authors: Koh Dawn X. P. , Sng Judy C. G.
Published: August 2016

During early postnatal development, neuronal circuits are sculpted by sensory experience provided by the external environment. This experience‐dependent regulation of circuitry development consolidates the balance of excitatory‐inhibitory (E/I) neurons in the brain. The cortical barrel‐column that innervates a single principal whisker is used to provide a clear reference frame for studying the consolidation of E/I circuitry. Sensory deprivation of S1 at birth disrupts the consolidation of excitatory‐inhibitory balance by decreasing inhibitory transmission of parvalbumin interneurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying this decrease in inhibition are not completely understood. Our findings show that epigenetic mechanisms, in particular histone deacetylation by histone deacetylases, negatively regulate the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and parvalbumin (Pvalb) genes during development, which are required for the maturation of parvalbumin interneurons. After whisker deprivation, increased histone deacetylase 1 expression and activity led to increased histone deacetylase 1 binding and decreased histone acetylation at Bdnf promoters I–IV and Pvalb promoter, resulting in the repression of Bdnf and Pvalb gene transcription. The decrease in Bdnf expression further affected parvalbumin interneuron maturation at layer II/III in S1, demonstrated by decreased parvalbumin expression, a marker for parvalbumin interneuron maturation. Knockdown of HDAC1 recovered Bdnf and Pvalb gene transcription and also prevented the decrease of inhibitory synapses accompanying whisker deprivation.

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Protein phosphatase PP2A – a novel interacting partner of carnitine transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) in rat astrocytes
Authors: Juraszek Barbara , Nałęcz Katarzyna A.
Published: August 2016

l‐Carnitine is essential for translocation of fatty acids for their mitochondrial β‐oxidation, a process shown in the brain to take place in astrocytes. Organic cation and carnitine plasma membrane transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) is present in astrocytes. OCTN2 activity and localization were previously shown to be regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), although no phosphorylation of the transporter was detected. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to identify rOctn2‐interacting partners in astrocytes: several cytoskeletal, ribosomal, mitochondrial, heat‐shock proteins, as well as proteins involved in trafficking and signaling pathways. The analysis of signaling proteins shows that Octn2 co‐precipitated with PP2A phosphatase catalytical (C) and structural (A) subunits, and with its regulatory B”’ subunits – striatin, SG2NA, and zinedin. The Octn2/PP2A complex is mainly detected in endoplasmic reticulum. PKC activation increases both, carnitine transport and, as shown by immunofluorescence and surface biotinylation, transporter presence in plasma membrane. It also results in phosphorylation of SG2NA, zinedin, and catalytical subunit, although co‐precipitation, immunocytochemistry, and proximity ligation assay experiments showed that only the amount of SG2NA decreased in the complex with Octn2. PP2A inhibition with okadaic acid does not lead to Octn2 phosphorylation; however, it abolishes observed effects of PKC activation. We postulate that PKC phosphorylates SG2NA, resulting in its dissociation from the complex and transfer of Octn2 to the plasma membrane, leading to increased transporter activity. The observed interaction could affect brain functioning in vivo, both in fatty acid metabolism and in control of carnitine homeostasis, known to change in certain brain pathologies.

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How maturity influences annulus‐endplate integration in the ovine intervertebral disc: a micro‐ and ultra‐structural study
Authors: Rodrigues Samantha A. , Thambyah Ashvin , Broom Neil D.
Published: August 2016

The annulus‐endplate anchorage system plays a vital role in structurally linking the compliant disc to its adjacent much more rigid vertebrae. Past literature has identified the endplate as a region of weakness, not just in the mature spine but also in the immature spine. The aim of this structural study was to investigate in detail the morphological changes associated with annulus‐endplate integration through different stages of maturity. Ovine lumbar motion segments were collected from two immature age groups: (i) newborn and (ii) spring lamb (roughly 3 months old); these were compared with a third group of previously analysed mature ewe samples (3–5 years). Sections from the posterior region of each motion segment were obtained for microstructural analysis and imaged in their fully hydrated state via differential interference contrast (DIC) optical microscopy. Selected slices were further prepared and imaged via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyse fibril‐level modes of integration. Despite significant changes in endplate morphology, the annular fibre bundles in all three age groups displayed a similar branching mechanism, with the main bundle splitting into several sub‐bundles on entering the cartilaginous endplate. This morphology, previously described in the mature ovine disc, is thought to strengthen significantly annulus‐endplate integration. Its prevalence from an age as young as birth emphasizes the critical role that it plays in the anchorage system. The structure of the branched sub‐bundles and their integration with the surrounding matrix were found to vary with age due to changes in the cartilaginous and vertebral components of the endplate. Microscopically, the sub‐bundles in both immature age groups appeared to fade into the surrounding tissue due to their fibril‐level integration with the cartilaginous endplate tissue, this mechanism being particularly complex in the spring lamb disc. However, in the fully mature disc, the sub‐bundles remained as separate entities throughout the full depth of their anchorage into the cartilaginous endplate. Cell morphology was also found to vary with maturity within the cartilaginous matrix and it is proposed that this relates to endplate development and ossification.
Timely management of knocked out teeth – are the nurses aware?
Authors: Suganya Mohandoss , Vikneshan Murugaboopathy , Hiremath Anand
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectives

To assess working and trainee nurses' knowledge and awareness regarding the emergency handling of traumatic injuries to the teeth. The research was conducted in four different parts of Karnataka, a state in India.

Background

Traumatic injuries to teeth and the facial region are common among children and young adults. Most traumatic dental injuries can be avoided, or would be less serious, if an extensive knowledge and awareness of these injuries existed, especially among people who frequently come across them.

Design

The study is a cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey conducted among nurses of Karnataka.

Methods

The questionnaire was given to nurses in different parts of Karnataka, India. Six hundred and two nurses completed a 15‐item questionnaire, assessing their knowledge and practices in the management of traumatic injuries to the teeth.

Results

Most of the nurses knew that an avulsed tooth can be replaced in the socket and approximately 70% knew mouthguards and other protective measures are available. The nurses' knowledge was, however, inadequate given their exposure to emergency cases and this was borne out by the fact that the study subjects reported that they require still more adequate training in emergency handling of dental injuries.

Conclusion

This study reveals that nurses in the current study have less knowledge than expected. Sufficient training should be provided, not only to doctors and dentists in emergency departments, but also to paramedical technicians and nurses to ensure proper care and appropriate advice is available to parents of children experiencing dental trauma. Hence, this study recommends an extensive health education programme in this field.

Relevance to clinical practice

As nurses play a vital role in the emergency dental services provided to patients, the importance of dental injury and its emergency management must be included in their curriculum.
Expression patterns of CD56+ and CD16+ cells in renal transplant biopsies with acute rejection: Associations with microcirculation injuries and graft survival
Authors: Dos Santos Daniela Cristina , Saraiva Camara Niels Olsen , David Daisa Silva Ribeiro , Malheiros Denise Maria Avancini Costa
Published: August 2016

Background

The study investigated whether immunohistochemical features of interstitial and glomerular CD56 and CD16 infiltrates – NK cells markers – could be associated with microcirculation injury scores – peritubular capillaritis (ptc) and glomerulitis (g) – and graft survival.

Methods

The research analyzed the immunohistochemical pattern of CD56 and CD16 in interstitial and glomerular compartments of biopsies for‐cause biopsies from 59 recipients diagnosed with acute rejection (mean = 135.5 days post‐transplant).

Results

Interstitial CD56+ cells had an increased expression for glomerulitis (g ≥ 1) (P = 0.02) and peritubular capillaritis (ptc ≥ 2) (P = 0.003) presence. It was noted that interstitial CD56 + cells with mean above 0.56 cells/mm2 had worse allograft survival. CD56+ cells in the interstitial compartment with mean less than or equal to 0.56cells/mm2 was related with absence or mild peritubular capillaritis (P = 0.012) and mean above 0.56 cells/mm2, respectively, with glomerulitis (P = 0.002) presence. Interstitial CD16 cells showed greater positive results in relation to peritubular capillaritis (P = 0.0001) cases. Similarly, it was observed that glomerular CD16+ cells had higher positive results in glomerulitis (P = 0.009) presence.

Conclusions

The study findings showed that CD56+ cell infiltrated in the interstitial compartment was significantly associated with microcirculation injury scores, especially the glomerulitis, and graft survival.
A principal components analysis: how pneumatization and edentulism contribute to maxillary atrophy
Authors: Wagner F , Dvorak G , Nemec S , Pietschmann P , Figl M , Seemann R
Published: August 2016

Objective

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the role of sinus pneumatization and residual ridge resorption in maxillary bone loss in 400 computed tomography (CT) scans.

Materials and Methods

In 200 dentate and 200 edentulous patients, both sinuses were analysed using CT scans. The image analysis sequence consisted of manual placement of 24 reference points, followed by automated segmentation and final manual refinement. Finally, a principal components analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 788 sinuses were included into the analysis. The edentulous group (98 female: 67.77 ± 11.28 years, 99 male: 65.22 ± 9.87) was significantly older than the group with teeth (99 female: 46.89 ± 16.77 years, 96 male: 49.74 ± 16.2). Female and male patients did not differ regarding age. The alveolar height differed significantly between the groups (edentulous: 7.1 ± 4.3 mm, with teeth: 9.7 ± 4.1 mm), but not between gender (female: 8.3 ± 4.4 mm, male: 8.5 ± 4.4 mm). Principal components analysis was able to explain 90% of the variation in sinus morphology.

Conclusions

Prolonged edentulism in the maxillary molar region leads to centripetal and to minor degrees centrifugal ridge resorption. Minor pneumatization occurs in the sinus walls, but the sinus depth underlies the anatomical variation independent of dentition.
Drivers for Policy Agreement in Nascent Subsystems: An Application of the Advocacy Coalition Framework to Fracking Policy in Switzerland and the UK
Authors: Ingold Karin , Fischer Manuel , Cairney Paul
Published: August 2016

The study of public policy deals with subsystems in which actors cooperate or compete to turn their beliefs into policy solutions. Yet, most studies concern mature subsystems in which the main actors and their allies and enemies can easily be identified. This paper tackles the challenge of studying nascent subsystems, in which actors have begun to engage in politics but are uncertain about other actors’ beliefs. Actors therefore find it relatively difficult to identify their allies and opponents. Focusing on the Advocacy Coalition Framework, we examine three main ways in which actors might agree to support the same policy design before they decide whether or not to form long‐term relationships within advocacy coalitions: they see the issue through the same lenses, they follow leaders, or they know each other from earlier cooperation. We use the case of fracking policy in Switzerland and the UK as a key example, in which actors have begun to agree with each other, but where final policy outputs were not yet defined, and long‐term relationships not yet observable. We find that, when dealing with new issues, actors strongly rely on former contacts rather than shared ideologies or leadership.
Unemployment in Iraqi refugees: The interaction of pre and post‐displacement trauma
Authors: Wright A. Michelle , Dhalimi Abir , Lumley Mark A. , Jamil Hikmet , Pole Nnamdi , Arnetz Judith E. , Arnetz Bengt B.
Published: August 2016

Previous refugee research has been unable to link pre‐displacement trauma with unemployment in the host country. The current study assessed the role of pre‐displacement trauma, post‐displacement trauma, and the interaction of both trauma types to prospectively examine unemployment in a random sample of newly‐arrived Iraqi refugees. Participants (N = 286) were interviewed three times over the first two years post‐arrival. Refugees were assessed for pre‐displacement trauma exposure, post‐displacement trauma exposure, a history of unemployment in the country of origin and host country, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Analyses found that neither pre‐displacement nor post‐displacement trauma independently predicted unemployment 2 years post‐arrival; however, the interaction of pre and post‐displacement trauma predicted 2‐year unemployment. Refugees with high levels of both pre and post‐displacement trauma had a 91% predicted probability of unemployment, whereas those with low levels of both traumas had a 20% predicted probability. This interaction remained significant after controlling for sociodemographic variables and mental health upon arrival to the US. Resettlement agencies and community organizations should consider the interactive effect of encountering additional trauma after escaping the hardships of the refugee's country of origin.
Bayes Factors All the Way: Toward a New View of Coherence and Truth
Authors: McGrew Lydia
Published: August 2016

A focus on the conjunction of the contents of witness reports and on the coherence of their contents has had negative effects on the epistemic clarity of the Bayesian coherence literature. Whether or not increased coherence of witness reports is correlated with higher confirmation for some H depends upon the hypothesis in question and upon factors concerning the confirmation and independence of the reports, not directly on the positive relevance of the contents to each other. I suggest that Bayesians should shift focus to “coherence for” an hypothesis – that is, to the definition and analysis of cumulative case arguments in which a body of evidence supports some hypothesis that is not restricted to the conjunction of the contents of reports. Such a shift of focus will be valuable for approaching issues such as the problem of the external world which have interested Bayesian coherentists all along.
A Review of Therapeutic Ablation Modalities
Authors: Singal Ashish , Ballard John R. , Rudie Eric N. , Cressman Erik N. K. , Iaizzo Paul A.
Published: August 2016

Understanding basic science and technical aspects is essential for scientists and engineers to develop and enhance ablative modalities, and for clinicians to effectively apply therapeutic ablative techniques. An overview of ablative modalities, anatomical locations, and indications for which ablations are performed is presented. Specifically, basic concepts, parameter selection, and underlying biophysics of tissue injury of five currently used therapeutic ablative modalities are reviewed: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation (CRA), microwave ablation (MWA), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and chemical ablation (CHA) (ablative agents: acetic acid, ethanol, hypertonic sodium chloride, and urea). Each ablative modality could be refined for expanding applications, either independently or in combination, for future therapeutic use.