bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling lean manufacturing success
Authors: Ghobakhloo Morteza , Fathi Masood , Fontes Dalila Benedita Machado Martins , Tan Ching Ng
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the existing knowledge about the process of achieving Lean Manufacturing (LM) success.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses interpretive structural modeling and captures the opinions of a group of LM experts from a world-class Japanese automobile manufacturer, to map the interrelationships among potential determinants of LM success. This study further uses the data from a survey of 122 leading automobile part manufacturers by performing structural equation modeling to empirically test the research model proposed.

Findings

Management support and commitment, financial resources availability, information technology competence for LM, human resources management, production process simplicity, supportive culture and supply chain-wide integration are the key determinants that directly or indirectly determine the level of achievement of LM success.

Research limitations/implications

The determinants of LM success as experienced by Asian automobile manufacturers might be different from determinants of LM success as experienced by Western automobile manufacturers. An interesting direction for future research would be to capture the experts’ inputs from Western automobile manufacturers to complement the findings of this study.

Practical implications

The practical contribution of this study lays in the development of linkages among various LM success determinants. Utility of the proposed interpretive structural modeling and structural equation modeling methodologies imposing order, direction and significance of the relationships among elements of LM success assumes considerable value to the decision-makers and LM practitioners.

Originality/value

Building on opinions of a group of LM experts and a case study of leading auto part manufacturers, the present study strives to model the success of LM, a topic that has received little attention to date.
Effects of green supply chain management practices on sustainability performance
Authors: Yildiz Çankaya Sibel , Sezen Bulent
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of eight dimensions of green supply chain management (GSCM) on economic, environmental and social performance, which are the three dimensions of corporate sustainability. The eight dimensions covered in this study are: green purchasing, green manufacturing, green distribution, green packaging, green marketing, environmental education, internal environmental management and investment recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationships between dimensions of GSCM and sustainability performance are tested by using a plant-level survey. A proposed research model and hypotheses are tested by using cross-sectional face-to-face and e-mail survey data collected from manufacturing firms in Turkey. Structural equation modeling is used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Except for green purchasing, all GSCM dimensions are found to be related with at least one of the performance dimensions.

Practical implications

The results are important in highlighting the importance of GSCM in improving sustainability performance.

Originality/value

This paper enhances the understanding of the relationship between different dimensions of GSCM and the three sustainability performance factors. While there are very few studies examining the relationship between GSCM and corporate sustainability, this study is important in terms of exploring the effects of dimensions of GSCM applications on economic, environmental and social performance one by one, by examining these applications in the form of eight dimensions.
The effect of GAAP conformity on pension underfunding
Authors: Davidyan Julia Y. , Waymire Tammy R.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) indicated by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 presentation and pension underfunding in Illinois.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a fixed effects regression and employed a sample of Illinois municipalities (n=2,565 municipal-year observations) over the period 2009–2014.

Findings

The findings show that GAAP is inversely associated with pension underfunding, but only among the subsample of municipalities that are within the healthy pension funding range, i.e., above 80 percent funded. These municipalities may be in a better position to increase pension funding in response to the disciplining effect of broad GAAP conformity.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses solely on one state and one multi-employer plan. Future studies should consider assessing the applicability of the results to other states and plan settings.

Social implications

The results inform the standard-setting process, particularly as the implementation of the new GASB standards is evaluated and as GASB 34 is reexamined.

Originality/value

Despite concerns associated with state and local pension underfunding, academic studies examining its determinants are few. The sample setting is representative of municipal pension plans in the USA (with a comparable average pension funding ratio of 74.2 percent) and provides variability in GAAP conformity (the state encourages, but does not require, financial statement presentation consistent with GASB 34), as well as homogeneity in actuarial assumptions across observations (all sample municipalities participate in a large multi-employer municipal pension plan). The sample period immediately precedes the implementation of GASB Statements Nos 67 and 68, which increase the scope of pension reporting, providing the opportunity to consider the effects of broad GAAP conformity and a baseline for subsequent consideration of the effects of the new standards.
Does beauty matter?
Authors: Chang Wei-Lun
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between self-consciousness and physical attractiveness from a psychological perspective, examining the relationship of physical attractiveness with the three dimensions of self-consciousness.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved investigating the relationship between self-consciousness and physical attractiveness, focusing on how the three self-consciousness dimensions (i.e., private self-consciousness, public self-consciousness and social anxiety) affected physical attractiveness. Clustering techniques using self-organizing maps of data mining and decision trees were used in this study. The primal concept of clustering entails grouping unsorted and disorganized raw data and arranging data with similar properties into clusters. Classification primarily involves establishing classification models according to the category attributes of existing data. These models can be used to predict the classes of new data and determine interdata relationships and data characteristics.

Findings

Public self-consciousness was most strongly related to physical attractiveness, whereas the other two dimensions exhibited no obvious relationship to physical attractiveness. It may be concluded that people with higher physical attractiveness draw attention from others more easily and are more likely to be evaluated positively, and that they thus tend to be more confident in front of others and less likely to care about the opinions of others. Alternatively, perhaps people with lower public self-consciousness care less about how others view them and have the courage to express themselves, which signifies confidence and increases their physical attractiveness.

Practical implications

This research investigated the importance of self-consciousness that may apply to recruitment in practice. People with low public self-consciousness may have high confidence and efficiency. People have low social anxiety may not be nervous or anxious in public and easy to speak to strangers. This kind of employees are appropriate for the jobs involving team work and interaction such as public relations. Hence, companies can apply our findings to search appropriate employees except the first impression of appearance.

Originality/value

The results revealed that high physical attractiveness is related to low public self-consciousness, whereas low physical attractiveness is related to high public self-consciousness. Good-looking people tend to attract attention from others. The relationship between private self-consciousness and physical attractiveness is non-significant. The relationship between social anxiety and physical attractiveness is non-significant.
What images and content do professional dietitians share via Instagram?
Authors: Inan-Eroglu Elif , Buyuktuncer Zehra
Published: September 2018

Purpose

In the age of information, where people can have an easy access to knowledge, the ethical and content-based examination of dietitians’ sharing in the social media is an important step in determining what to share in the social media in the future. The purpose of this study was to analyse the content of Instagram shares of dietitians, a profession group that is becoming more and more widespread in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Publicly available dietitian Instagram profiles, aiming specifically at those with =500 followers, were included in the study. The hashtag was chosen as #onlinediyet (Turkish for online diet). A total of 1,986 images were identified for analysis. When these images were identified, 883 images were excluded. Thus, overall 1,103 Instagram images were chosen to analyse during a week’s period. Each Instagram image was classified into one of seven categories by authors as food, individual, nutrition information, motivational, miscellaneous, physical activity and recipe. Food and individual groups were also coded into subgroups.

Findings

A descriptive analysis of the 1,103 online-diet-related images shared by dietitians showed that 53.5 per cent of the images were in food category. There were no differences between female and male dietitians in terms of categories of shared images (p> 0.05). Dietitians also shared individual images (34.5 per cent) including weight loss follow-up (56.2 per cent), self-portrait (22.0 per cent) and conversation with clients (14.0 per cent) images on Instagram.

Originality/value

The results of this study set a baseline for future studies. Given the rapid growth of this platform in recent years, not only the field of dietetics but also other health-care fields would benefit from clear guidelines about what information can or cannot be shared on social media.
Visual literacy: academic libraries address 21st century challenges
Authors: Schwartz Judith
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore a study that examines the role of academic librarians who teach visual literacy within their information literacy curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

The author developed a survey that was distributed to five listservs during a three-week period, generating 118 responses from academic libraries. The author subsequently interviewed 16 participants.

Findings

The findings reveal that visual literacy is important across all disciplines. However, a majority of academic librarians who replied to the survey stated that they do not teach visual literacy. Only 37.3 per cent of the respondents indicated that they or their institutions include a visual literacy component in their sessions.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the most relevant visual literacy trends, and it includes examples of visual literacy skills and concepts being taught in academic libraries. It provides ideas to develop marketing strategies to increase student enrollment in library workshops.

Originality/value

This study has expanded librarians’ awareness of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. In addition, it explores the teaching of multiliteracies such as visual literacy within the information literacy framework in the academic library. The survey data demonstrate that academic librarians are slowly embracing visual literacy and including it in their information literacy instruction across all disciplines. The study recommends that librarians work on their professional development to become multiliterate to remain relevant within their academic communities.
Calcutta ‘In These Degenerate Days’: The Daniells' Visions of Life, Death and Nabobery in Late Eighteenth‐Century British India
Authors: Rasico Patrick D.
Published: September 2018

This article examines how the British landscape artists Thomas and William Daniell composed and circulated aquatints depicting the European sector of Calcutta in 1786‐8. The Daniells' streetscapes challenged metropolitan stereotypes and condemnation of Europeans in India. During the eighteenth century Britons described the otherness of both Indians and the lower orders of Britain in terms of oriental qualities. These aquatints presented visual equivalences between the Britishness and orientalness of Calcutta and London. By mystifying dissimilarities between London and Calcutta, the Daniells' aquatints suggested to viewers that the two cities and their populations were intertwined branches of a global British social landscape.
Establishment of a prospective multicenter cohort for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer in China (CAPTRA‐Lung study)
Authors: Xu Yan , Zhang Li , Fang Jian , Wang Ziping , Li Junling , Li Lin , Ai Bin , Nie Ligong , Mu Xinlin , Liang Li , Zhang Shucai , Zhang Yuhui , Song Yuguang , Song Xia , Wang Ye , Xin Tao , Jin Bo , Wang Xiaohong , Ding Cuimin , Wang Mengzhao
Published: September 2018

The CAPTRA‐Lung study (NCT03334864) is a prospective observational study that will capture real‐world data of patients with advanced or metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across China. The study aims to complement the results from current therapeutic regimens to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment, evaluate the effectiveness and safety of systemic therapy, and determine the factors influencing the outcomes and responses to treatment. From January 2018 to December 2023, eligible patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who are receiving treatment and participating in follow‐up at 16 institutions in China, will be enrolled. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics and responses to treatment will be recorded in a case report form and transcribed into an electronic data capture system. Overall survival, progression‐free survival, overall response rate, and incidence of adverse events will be calculated from the time of initial enrolment until progression evaluated by physicians, last contact, date of death, or analysis cutoff date, respectively. Based on the disease characteristics and treatment strategies, four sub‐cohorts will also be established. This study cohort could serve as a pool of patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC to support further research.
Indocyanine green fluorescence/thermography evaluation of intercostal muscle flap vascularization
Authors: Kawamoto Nobutaka , Anayama Takashi , Okada Hironobu , Hirohashi Kentaro , Miyazaki Ryohei , Yamamoto Marino , Kume Motohiko , Orihashi Kazumasa
Published: September 2018

Background

During anatomical lung resection in high‐risk patients, the bronchial stump is covered with tissue flaps (e.g. pericardial fat tissue and intercostal muscle) to prevent bronchopleural fistula development. This is vital for reliable reinforcement of the bronchial stump. We evaluated the blood supply of the flap using indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG‐FL) and thermography intraoperatively in 27 patients at high risk for developing a bronchopleural fistula.

Methods

Before reinforcing the stump with a flap, the fluorescence agent was intravenously injected and the blood supply was evaluated. The surface temperature of the flap was measured with thermography. The two modalities were then compared.

Results

ICG‐FL intensity and surface temperature on the distal compared to the proximal side of the flap decreased by 32.6 ± 29.4% (P < 0.0001) and 3.5 ± 2.0°C (P < 0.0001), respectively. In patients with a higher ICG‐FL intensity value at the tip than the median, the surface temperature at the tip decreased by 2.7 ± 1.7°C compared to the proximal side. In patients with a lower ICG‐FL value at the tip, the surface temperature decreased by 4.6 ± 1.7°C (P = 0.0574). The bronchial stump reinforced the part of the flap with adequate blood supply; none of the patients developed a bronchopleural fistula.

Conclusions

ICG‐FL confirmed variation in the blood supply of the intercostal muscle flap, even if prepared using the same surgical procedure. Thermography analysis tends to correlate with the fluorescence method, but may be influenced by the state of flap preservation during surgery.
The Relation between Strategy, CEO Selection, and Firm Performance
Authors: Abernethy Margaret A. , Kuang Yu Flora , Qin Bo
Published: September 2018

We examine whether a firm's strategic priorities influence its selection of a new CEO and what conditions enable such an appointment to add value to the firm. More specifically, this study investigates the value‐adding effect when prospector firms (i.e., those pursuing a prospector‐type strategy) select a CEO with high social capital. We argue that uncertainty, driven by a firm's strategy, will determine the decision to select a CEO with high social capital; such CEOs can use their networks to mitigate the uncertainty and thus can be valuable to the firm. However, prior research indicates that CEOs with high social capital can engage in behavior detrimental to firm value. To mitigate the potential for this to occur, we assess whether corporate governance can play a role in prospector firms who appoint CEOs with high social capital. Drawing on archival data of CEO successions over a 14‐year period, we find that prospector firms have greater incentives to appoint CEOs with high social capital. We also find that prospector firms who appoint a CEO with high social capital improve their performance. Furthermore, the value‐adding effect of this selection choice is stronger in prospector firms with good corporate governance.
Simultaneous laparoscopic left hemicolectomy and spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy for descending colon cancer with pancreatic invasion
Authors: Nagasaki Toshiya , Mise Yoshihiro , Honma Satoru , Sato Takafumi , Akiyoshi Takashi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Tominaga Tetsuro , Nagaoka Tomoyuki , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Ueno Masashi
Published: September 2018

Here, we describe laparoscopic colectomy with spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy for descending colon cancer with pancreatic tail invasion. A 69‐year‐old man with descending colon cancer staged as clinical state IIIC (cT4b [pancreas] N1M0) underwent definitive laparoscopic surgery that was performed in collaboration with surgeons who specialize in laparoscopic colorectal and hepatobiliary‐pancreatic laparoscopy. After the left colon was mobilized, tumor infiltration of the pancreas, but not the splenic vessels, was confirmed, and the spleen was preserved. The procedures were safely completed laparoscopically, without intraoperative and postoperative complications. Laparoscopic multivisceral resection could be a treatment option for similar patients but only when performed by multidisciplinary specialists.
“There is no time for rest”: Gendered CSR, sustainable development and the unpaid care work governance gap
Authors: McCarthy Lauren
Published: September 2018

Unpaid care work, including child care, elder care, and housework, is unremunerated work essential to human survival and flourishing. Worldwide, women disproportionally carry out this work, impacting upon their ability to engage in other activities, such as education, employment, or leisure. Despite a growing number of businesses engaging in “gendered CSR,” in the form of women's empowerment projects, attention to unpaid care work remains little discussed in the literature, despite its importance to sustainable development. Applying Diane Elson's feminist economic framework for alleviating unpaid care work inequality to a case study of gendered CSR in Ghana, I find that at present unpaid care work is (a) unrecognised in business’ CSR, (b) may be both reduced or exacerbated by CSR efforts, and (c) remains conceptualised as relevant only to the private sphere, therefore, missing a unique opportunity for business to contribute to gender equality and sustainable development. Connecting unpaid care work and business responsibility contributes to a more expansive understanding of what CSR may be.
Responsive learning design: Epistemic fluency and generative pedagogical practices
Authors: Mor Yishay , Abdu Rotem
Published: September 2018

Several decades of research and development have produced a rich ecology of technologies designed to support active, collaborative constructionist pedagogical practices. Nevertheless, many teachers are reluctant to use these technologies in their teaching or fail to devise learning designs which leverage their qualities. We argue that this tension reflects a dissonance between the epistemic practices (manners of constructing knowledge) implicit in teachers' pedagogical practices and the ones embodied in the technology. We demonstrate this argument in the case of Dynamic Mathematics Environments (DME) through the epistemic practice of identifying invariants, and its dynamic manifestation in the technology, and illustrate it further with examples from an online course on CSCL. For teachers to effectively design learning experiences in a technology rich environment, they need to develop their capacity to critically assess the epistemic and pedagogical practices associated with this environment, identify a set of target epistemic practices and carefully devise the pedagogical practices which will engender these. We call these “generative pedagogical practices.” To do so, teachers need to actively participate in activities that would provide them with opportunities to make that epistemic change: building, experimenting with and designing for learning in diverse environments. Sometimes, applying such an epistemic disposition, requires supressing old practices of activity design.
Faculty pedagogical developers as enablers of technology enhanced learning
Authors: Viberg Olga , Bälter Olle , Hedin Björn , Riese Emma , Mavroudi Anna
Published: September 2018

As the integration of digital technologies in higher education continues to increase, there is a need to understand how to best support university teachers as designers of technology‐enhanced learning (TEL) in order to support students to achieve academic success. In this study, we have examined the Faculty Pedagogical Developer Initiative at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, an innovative project to support a bottom‐up change process of teachers as designers of TEL, with the intent to strengthen the professional pedagogical development for the faculty. Data were collected from interviews and official documents. Actor–network theory was applied for the analysis. The results suggest that the initiative stimulated both practical implementation of digital technology in educational programmes and also spurred a debate about teachers as designers of TEL between these pedagogical developers and other teachers across different schools and subjects at KTH. However, there are important social, organisational and technical challenges that should be considered when developing support for university teachers as designers of TEL. This paper concludes that this process requires a deep understanding of four interrelated elements: information, technology, organisation and social arrangements.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Faculty interest in applying technology in innovative ways has evolved.

Teachers are rarely involved as participatory designers in the TEL contexts.

Collaboration among teachers in the TEL design process is an effective strategy.

What this paper adds

It uncovers dynamics of the bottom‐up change approach of university teachers as designers of TEL interventions.

An insight into how the available technology plays a part in transforming teachers’ practices.

Deeper knowledge about the usefulness of actor‐network theory in empirical HE research.

Implications for practice and/or policy

There is a need for a critical perspective on supporting university teachers as designers of TEL.

Bottom‐up approaches to the faculty pedagogical development in TEL should be continuously supported from the top.

Bottom‐up initiatives should be driven by teachers who are recognised for their teacher excellence and trusted among the faculty.
The diagnosis of asymptomatic disease is associated with fewer healthy days: A cross sectional analysis from the national health and nutrition examination survey
Authors: Hanmer Janel , Yu Lan , Li Jie , Kavalieratos Dio , Peterson Laurel , Hess Rachel
Published: September 2018

Objective

To examine the effect of the diagnosis of asymptomatic disease on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Design

Secondary analysis of a national data set.

Method

We analysed adult participants in the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of the civilian non‐institutionalized US general population. Across three asymptomatic diseases (glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension), we examined four groups (without disease; with disease but no diagnosis; with disease and diagnosis but no treatment; and with disease, diagnosis, and treatment). For each asymptomatic disease, we examined group differences in self‐rated health (ordinal logistic regression) and Healthy Days outcomes (number of the last 30 days that physical health was not good, mental health was not good, or inactive; regression). Models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, insurance status, income, education, race, body mass index, and comorbid conditions.

Results

Analyses included 6012 respondents (glucose intolerance), 2772 respondents (hyperlipidaemia), and 5524 respondents (hypertension). In adjusted models, those who did not know about their disease had the same self‐rated health scores as those without the disease, those with the disease without treatment, and those with disease and treatment. In adjusted analyses of the Healthy Days questions, those with unknown disease reported the same number of unhealthy days as those without disease with the exception of glucose intolerance. Conversely, in four of the nine possible comparisons, those with known disease without treatment reported more unhealthy days than those with who did not know about their disease.

Conclusions

In adjusted analyses, individuals knowing about their asymptomatic disease are more likely to experience decrements in healthy days compared to those without knowledge of their asymptomatic disease.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

There has been sparse evidence that diagnosis of asymptomatic diseases is related to reduced health‐related quality of life in population studies. Previous studies have included patients receiving treatment, which impedes the ability to isolate the effects of diagnosis from the effects of treatment.

What does this study add?

This report examines three asymptomatic health conditions: glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension.

Those who did not know about their health condition generally had the same health‐related quality of life scores as those without health conditions.

Conversely, those diagnosed with disease but not receiving treatment reported worse health‐related quality of life.
Epigenetic biomarkers of promoter DNA methylation in the new era of cancer treatment
Authors: Yamashita Keishi , Hosoda Kei , Nishizawa Nobuyuki , Katoh Hiroshi , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: September 2018

Promoter DNA methylation, which occurs on cytosine nucleotides across CpG islands, results in gene silencing and represents a major epigenetic alteration in human cancer. Methylation‐specific PCR can amplify these modifications as markers in cancer cells. In the present work, we rigorously review the published literatures describing DNA methylation in the promoters of critical tumor suppressor genes; detection of promoter DNA methylation in various body fluids permits early detection of cancer cells during perioperative courses of clinical treatment. The latest whole‐genome comprehensive explorations identified excellent epigenetic biomarkers that could be detected at high frequency with high specificity; these biomarkers, which are designated highly relevant methylation genes (HRMG), permit the discrimination of tumor tissues from the corresponding normal tissues; these markers are also associated with unique cancer phenotypes, including dismal prognosis. In humans, HRMG include the CDO1, GSHR, RASSF1 and SFRP1 genes, with these markers permitting discrimination depending on the organs tested. The combination of several HRMG increased the early detection of cancer and exhibited reliable surveillance potential in human body fluids. Cancer clinics using such epigenetic biomarkers are entering a new era of enhanced decision‐making with the potential for improved cancer prognosis.
Inhibition of ferroptosis attenuates tissue damage and improves long‐term outcomes after traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Xie Bao‐Shu , Wang Yi‐Qin , Lin Yong , Mao Qing , Feng Jun‐Feng , Gao Guo‐Yi , Jiang Ji‐Yao
Published: September 2018

Aims

Ferroptosis, a new form of iron‐dependent programmed cell death, has been shown to be involved in a range of diseases. However, the role of ferroptosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has yet to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate whether ferroptosis is induced after TBI and whether the inhibition of ferroptosis would protect against traumatic brain injury in a controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) mouse model.

Methods

After establishing the TBI model in mice, we determined the biochemical and morphological changes associated with ferroptosis, including iron accumulation with Perl's staining, neuronal cell death with Fluoro‐Jade B (FJB) staining, iron metabolism dysfunction with Western blotting, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation with malondialdehyde (MDA) assays, and shrunken mitochondria with transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, a specific inhibitor of ferroptosis, ferrostatin‐1(fer‐1), was administrated by cerebral ventricular injection after CCI. We used cresyl violet (CV) staining to assess lesion volume, along with the Morris water maze and beam walk test to evaluate long‐term outcomes.

Results

TBI was followed by iron accumulation, dysfunctional iron metabolism, the upregulation of ferroptosis‐related genes, reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and the accumulation of lipid‐reactive oxygen species (ROS). Three days (d) after TBI, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the mitochondria had shrunk a typical characteristic of ferroptosis. Importantly, the administration of Fer‐1 by cerebral ventricular injection significantly reduced iron deposition and neuronal degeneration while attenuating injury lesions and improving long‐term motor and cognitive function.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated an effective method with which to treat TBI by targeting ferroptosis.
The Cognitive Underpinnings of Option Generation in Everyday Life Decision‐Making: A Latent Variable Analysis
Authors: Leder Johannes , Häusser Jan A. , Krumm Stefan , Germar Markus , Schlemmer Alexander , Kaiser Stefan , Kalis Annemarie , Mojzisch Andreas
Published: September 2018

The ability to generate options for action is crucial for everyday life decision‐making. In this article, we propose and test a model of the cognitive underpinnings of option generation in everyday life situations. We carried out a laboratory study using measures of a wide range of cognitive functions and asked participants (N = 157) to generate options for actions for different everyday life decision‐making scenarios. The results of a latent variable analysis show that the cognitive underpinnings of option generation are consistent across different everyday life situations and, hence, option generation can be conceptualized as a general construct. Moreover, the results of a confirmatory factor analysis reveal that, when controlling for the shared variance among the cognitive processes assessed, verbal fluency, working memory capacity, ideation fluency, and processing speed predicted option generation. These findings suggest that option generation in everyday life situations can be distinguished from other cognitive constructs, such as divergent thinking (in terms of ideas’ originality) and long‐term memory.
James Lind Alliance research priorities: what role do carbohydrates, fats and proteins have in the management of Type 2 diabetes, and are there risks and benefits associated with particular approaches?
Authors: Dyson P. , McArdle P. , Mellor D. , Guess N.
Published: September 2018

Aims

To assess the role played by carbohydrates, fat and proteins in the management of Type 2 diabetes.

Background

Diabetes research tends to reflect the interests of academics or the pharmaceutical industry, rather than those of people living with Type 2 diabetes. The James Lind Alliance and Diabetes UK addressed this issue by defining the research priorities of people living with Type 2 diabetes. Three of the top 10 research priority questions focused on lifestyle.

Methods

A narrative review was undertaken with a structured search strategy using three databases. Search terms included the three macronutrients and Type 2 diabetes. No restrictions were placed on macronutrient quantity or length of study follow‐up. Outcomes included changes in HbA1c, body weight, insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk.

Results

There is no strong evidence that there is an optimal ratio of macronutrients for improving glycaemic control or reducing cardiovascular risk. Challenges included defining the independent effect of macronutrient manipulation and identifying the effects of macronutrients, independent of foods and dietary patterns. Extreme intakes of macronutrients may be associated with health risks.

Conclusions

It is challenging to formulate food‐based guidelines from studies based on macronutrient manipulation. Structured education should be offered to support individuals in discovering their optimal, individual dietary approach. Recommendations for dietary guidelines should be expressed in terms of foods and not macronutrients.
Dose–response between frequency of interruption of sedentary time and fasting glucose, the dawn phenomenon and night‐time glucose in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Paing A. C. , McMillan K. A. , Kirk A. F. , Collier A. , Hewitt A. , Chastin S. F. M.
Published: September 2018

Aim

To explore the dose–response between frequency of interruption of sedentary time and basal glucose (fasting glucose, the dawn phenomenon and night‐time glucose) in Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In a randomized three‐treatment, two‐period balanced incomplete block trial, 12 people with Type 2 diabetes (age, 60.0 ± 3.2 years; BMI, 30.2 ± 1.4 kg/m2) completed two of three conditions: sitting for 7 h interrupted every 60 min (Condition 1), 30 min (Condition 2), and 15 min (Condition 3) by 3‐min light‐intensity walking breaks. The activPAL3 and FreeStyle Libre were used to assess physical activity/sedentary behaviour and continuous glucose profile. Standardized meals were provided, and changes in basal glucose of the nights and early mornings before and after treatment conditions were calculated (mean ± SE).

Results

After treatment conditions, fasting glucose and duration of the dawn phenomenon were lower for Condition 3 (−1.0 ± 0.2 mmol/l, P < 0.02; −3.1 ± 1.3 h, P = 0.004) compared with Condition 1 (−0.1 ± 0.2 mmol/l; 1.9 ± 1.2 h). The magnitude of the dawn phenomenon was reduced in Condition 3 (−0.6 ± 0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.041) compared with Condition 2 (0.6 ± 0.3 mmol/l). Night‐time glycaemic variability (coefficient of variation) was reduced in Condition 3 (−9.7 ± 3.9%) relative to Condition 2 (6.1 ± 4.8%, P < 0.03) and Condition 1 (2.5 ± 1.8%, P = 0.02). There was no change in night‐time mean glucose.

Conclusions

Frequent interruptions of prolonged sitting with 3 min of light‐intensity walking breaks every 15 min improves fasting glucose, the dawn phenomenon and night‐time glycaemic variability, and this might be a simple therapeutic intervention to improve glucose control.

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02738996
Incorporating microclimate into species distribution models
Authors: Lembrechts Jonas J. , Nijs Ivan , Lenoir Jonathan
Published: September 2018

Species distribution models (SDMs) have rapidly evolved into one of the most widely used tools to answer a broad range of ecological questions, from the effects of climate change to challenges for species management. Current SDMs and their predictions under anthropogenic climate change are, however, often based on free‐air or synoptic temperature conditions with a coarse resolution, and thus fail to capture apparent temperature (cf. microclimate) experienced by living organisms within their habitats. Yet microclimate operates as soon as a habitat can be characterized by a vertical component (e.g. forests, mountains, or cities) or by horizontal variation in surface cover. The mismatch between how we usually express climate (cf. coarse‐grained free‐air conditions) and the apparent microclimatic conditions that living organisms experience has only recently been acknowledged in SDMs, yet several studies have already made considerable progress in tackling this problem from different angles. In this review, we summarize the currently available methods to obtain meaningful microclimatic data for use in distribution modelling. We discuss the issue of extent and resolution, and propose an integrated framework using a selection of appropriately‐placed sensors in combination with both the detailed measurements of the habitat 3D structure, for example derived from digital elevation models or airborne laser scanning, and the long‐term records of free‐air conditions from weather stations. As such, we can obtain microclimatic data with a relevant spatiotemporal resolution and extent to dynamically model current and future species distributions.
Economic and ecological importance of termites: A global review
Authors: Govorushko Sergey
Published: September 2018

In this review article, the positive and negative impacts of termites on ecosystems and human activities are examined. Various ecosystem services provided by termites – their importance as a food resource for humans, wildlife and domestic animals – are discussed, along with the use of these insects in scientific research and in folk and traditional medicine. Some insufficiently studied properties of termites (their ability to perceive the radiation of radioactive substances, electric fields and magnetic fields), as well as the use of termites in bionics, are described. Special attention is paid to the use of termite mounds for different purposes (e.g. in mineral deposit searches, in medical applications, as furnaces for copper smelting, for storage of some nuts, as burial sites, for gathering of edible mushrooms of the genus Termitomyces and as fertilizer). Examples of such use in different countries are given. This article reviews the activities of termites as pests of agriculture and forestry, including crops that are most affected, and termites as structural pests (e.g. wooden structures, household furniture, books and museum collections). Examples of termites’ malicious activities in different parts of the world are provided. Information on the invasions of termites is given, and the main areas of expansion of their habitat are described. The economic loss caused by termites in some countries and the world as a whole are presented. The article also lists the most economically important termite species in the world.
Knockdown of rotund gene through larval RNA interference affects genital and elytral morphology in the ground beetle Carabus maiyasanus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
Authors: Sota Teiji , Sugawara Hisashi , Fujisawa Tomochika , Fujimaki Kotaro , Niimi Teruyuki
Published: September 2018

Interspecific variation in genital morphology contributes to prezygotic reproductive isolation in many insect species. However, developmental genes affecting genital morphology are poorly understood. We undertook larval RNA interference (RNAi) experiments with rotund (rn) gene in the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) maiyasanus to examine the knockdown effects of this gene on genital development. We injected double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) into third instar larvae of C. maiyasanus. The injection of rn dsRNA resulted in the absence or deformation of the copulatory piece in the male genitalia, which is a characteristic part playing a role in species‐specific genital coupling between the sexes. In addition, the rn dsRNA injection resulted in shortened elytra in both sexes, which is related to the known role of rn in forewing formation in Drosophila. Our study suggests that rn plays a previously underappreciated role in male genital development and potentially contributes to genital diversity in this beetle group.
Modulation of glucocorticoid receptor in human epileptic endothelial cells impacts drug biotransformation in an in vitro blood–brain barrier model
Authors: Ghosh Chaitali , Hossain Mohammed , Mishra Saurabh , Khan Sameena , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge , Marchi Nicola , Janigro Damir , Bingaman William , Najm Imad
Published: September 2018

Objective

Nuclear receptors and cytochrome P450 (CYP) regulate hepatic metabolism of several drugs. Nuclear receptors are expressed at the neurovascular unit of patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. We studied whether glucocorticoid receptor (GR) silencing or inhibition in human epileptic brain endothelial cells (EPI‐ECs) functionally impacts drug bioavailability across an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) by CYP‐multidrug transporter (multidrug resistance protein 1, MDR1) mechanisms.

Methods

Surgically resected brain specimens from patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy, primary EPI‐ECs, and control human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were used. Expression of GR, pregnane X receptor, CYP3A4, and MDR1 was analyzed pre‐ and post‐GR silencing in EPI‐ECs. Endothelial cells were co‐cultured with astrocytes and seeded in an in vitro flow‐based BBB model (DIV‐BBB). Alternatively, the GR inhibitor mifepristone was added to the EPI‐EC DIV‐BBB. Integrity of the BBB was monitored by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance. Cell viability was assessed by glucose‐lactate levels. Permeability of [3H]sucrose and [14C]phenytoin was quantified. CYP function was determined by measuring resorufin formation and oxcarbazepine (OXC) metabolism.

Results

Silencing and inhibition of GR in EPI‐ECs resulted in decreased pregnane X receptor, CYP3A4, and MDR1 expression. GR silencing or inhibition did not affect BBB properties in vitro, as transendothelial electrical resistance and Psucrose were unaltered, and glucose metabolism was maintained. GR EPI‐EC silencing or inhibition led to (1) increased Pphenytoin BBB permeability as compared to control; (2) decreased CYP function, indirectly evaluated by resorufin formation; (3) improved OXC bioavailability with increased abluminal (brain‐side) OXC levels as compared to control.

Significance

Our results suggest that modulating GR expression in EPI‐ECs at the BBB modifies drug metabolism and penetration by a mechanism encompassing P450 and efflux transporters. The latter could be exploited for future drug design and to overcome pharmacoresistance.
Observational fear behavior in rodents as a model for empathy
Authors: Kim Arie , Keum Sehoon , Shin Hee‐Sup
Published: September 2018

Empathy enables social mammals to recognize and share emotion with others and is well‐documented in non‐human primates. During the past few years, systematic observations have showed that a primal form of empathy also exists in rodents, indicating that empathy has an evolutionary continuity. Now, using rodents exhibiting emotional empathy, the molecular and cellular study of empathy in animals has begun in earnest. In this article, we will review recent reports that indicate that rodents can share states of fear with others, and will try to highlight new understandings of the neural circuitry, biochemistry and genetics of empathic fear. We hope that the use of rodent models will enhance understanding of the mechanisms of human empathy and provide insights into how to treat social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by empathy impairment.
Subcritical fluid extraction ofLycium ruthenicumseeds oil and its antioxidant activity
Authors: Liu Zenggen , Liu Baolong , Kang Hailin , Yue Huilan , Chen Chen , Jiang Lei , Shao Yun
Published: September 2018

The effective, energy‐saving and green subcritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology was applied to obtain the oil fromLycium ruthenicumseeds (LRSO). The optimal conditions of extraction parameters were found using response surface methodology with Box‐Behnken experimental design. The maximum extraction yield of 21.20% was achieved at raw material particle size of 0.60 mm, extraction pressure of 0.63 MPa, temperature of 50 °C and time of 48 min. Other traditional extraction technologies were comparatively used. The physicochemical property ofLRSOwas analysed and the chemical compositions indicated that they were rich in unsaturated fatty acid, β‐carotene, tocopherols and total phenolics. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity ofLRSOwas evaluated by scavenging activity of three kinds of radicals (DPPH·, ·OHand O2‐·) and lipid peroxidationin vitro. And its results showed the oil had the potential to be a novel antioxidant agent for using in the field of food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Hyper IgE syndromes: clinical and molecular characteristics
Authors: Al‐Shaikhly Taha , Ochs Hans D
Published: September 2018

Hyper IgE syndromes comprise a group of rare primary immunodeficiency disorders characterized by a triad of atopic dermatitis, recurrent skin and lung infections along with elevated IgE levels. Job syndrome or autosomal dominant hyper IgE syndrome because of heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations with dominant negative effect in signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 is the prototype of these disorders. However, several other genetically characterized immunodeficiency disorders have been identified over the past decade and joined the umbrella of hyper IgE syndromes including autosomal recessive mutations in the DOCK8, ZNF431 and PGM3 genes and heterozygous mutations with dominant negative effect in the CARD11 gene. Moreover, a number of phenotypically distinct immunodeficiency disorders can mimic hyper IgE syndromes, adding to the diagnostic challenge. Herein, we will concisely review these disorders, their molecular bases, highlighting key distinguishing clinical and laboratory findings and therapeutic options.