bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring nanoparticle designs to target cancer based on tumor pathophysiology
Authors: Sykes Edward A. , Dai Qin , Sarsons Christopher D. , Chen Juan , Rocheleau Jonathan V. , Hwang David M. , Zheng Gang , Cramb David T. , Rinker Kristina D. , Chan Warren C. W.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Nanotechnology is a promising approach for improving cancer diagnosis and treatment with reduced side effects. A key question that has emerged is: What is the ideal nanoparticle size, shape, or surface chemistry for targeting tumors? Here, we show that tumor pathophysiology and volume can significantly impact nanoparticle targeting. This finding presents a paradigm shift in nanomedicine away from identifying and using a universal nanoparticle design for cancer detection and treatment. Rather, our results suggest that future clinicians will be capable of tailoring nanoparticle designs according to the patient's tumor characteristics. This concept of “personalized nanomedicine” was tested for detection of prostate tumors and was successfully demonstrated to improve nanoparticle targeting by over 50%.
Phagocytosis genes nonautonomously promote developmental cell death in the
Drosophila
ovary
Authors: Timmons Allison K. , Mondragon Albert A. , Schenkel Claire E. , Yalonetskaya Alla , Taylor Jeffrey D. , Moynihan Katherine E. , Etchegaray Jon Iker , Meehan Tracy L. , McCall Kimberly
Published: February 2016

Significance

Programmed cell death is usually considered a cell-autonomous suicide program, synonymous with apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that a specific example of large-scale nonapoptotic developmental programmed cell death in the
Drosophila
ovary occurs by an alternative cell death program where surrounding epithelial cells nonautonomously promote the death of the germ line. We find that genes normally required for engulfment of dying cells act to promote the death of the germ line. Developmental programmed cell death in the
Drosophila
ovary is an intriguing example of nonapoptotic, nonautonomous cell death, providing insight on the diversity of cell death mechanisms.
Conserved rates and patterns of transcription errors across bacterial growth states and lifestyles
Authors: Traverse Charles C. , Ochman Howard
Published: February 2016

Significance

Organisms rely on accurate transcription for proper cellular function. Whereas errors incurred during replication are transmitted to subsequent generations, those that occur during transcription are transient and affect only a subset of the encoded proteins. Although transcription errors may increase survival in stressful conditions, the majority of these errors are harmful, and their rates must be minimized. By assessing the transcription errors genome-wide in
Escherichia coli
and in two bacterial endosymbionts, we discovered that all species had remarkably similar transcription error rates. This conservation is unexpected given that both endosymbiotic species lack orthologs of several
E. coli
RNA fidelity factors and that lifestyle differences among these species have led to vast differences in their mutation and substitution rates.
Bioactive cell-like hybrids coassembled from (glyco)dendrimersomes with bacterial membranes
Authors: Xiao Qi , Yadavalli Srujana S. , Zhang Shaodong , Sherman Samuel E. , Fiorin Elodie , da Silva Louise , Wilson Daniela A. , Hammer Daniel A. , André Sabine , Gabius Hans-Joachim , Klein Michael L. , Goulian Mark , Percec Virgil
Published: February 2016

Significance

Cell surface determinants such as glycans, receptors, and adhesion molecules govern cell sociology in a complex manner. By forming cell-like hybrids of chemically programmable (glyco)dendrimersomes with bacterial membrane vesicles, evidence is obtained for the feasibility of combining chemical and biological surface design in one entity. Such tunable cell-like hybrids with custom-made combinations of surface epitopes and active receptors will likely find utility in dissecting the functionality of individual entities in complex networks and ultimately enable novel biomedical applications.
Mechanism of a cytosolic
O
-glycosyltransferase essential for the synthesis of a bacterial adhesion protein
Authors: Chen Yu , Seepersaud Ravin , Bensing Barbara A. , Sullam Paul M. , Rapoport Tom A.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Protein O-glycosylation is an important process in all cells. Substrates are often modified at multiple Ser/Thr residues, but how a glycosyltransferase can act on a continuously changing substrate is unknown. Here, we have analyzed the mechanism by which the cytosolic
O
-glycosyltransferase GtfA/B of
Streptococcus gordonii
modifies the Ser/Thr-rich repeats of adhesin, a protein that mediates the attachment of the bacterium to host cells. GtfA/B is a tetramer, with two molecules of GtfA and GtfB. The GtfB subunit of the glycosyltransferase provides the primary polypeptide-binding site, whereas GtfA performs catalysis. GtfB binds unmodified substrate when conformationally constrained by GtfA and binds modified adhesin molecules when in a relaxed conformation. This model explains how the glycosyltransferase can modify a progressively changing substrate molecule.
Invisible metallic mesh
Authors: Ye Dexin , Lu Ling , Joannopoulos John D. , Soljačić Marin , Ran Lixin
Published: February 2016

Significance

We introduce and demonstrate an invisible material––a solid composite possessing identical electromagnetic properties as air so that its arbitrarily shaped object neither reflects nor refracts light at any angle of incidence in free space. Such a material is self-invisible, unlike the cloaks for minimizing the scattering of other items. Invisible materials could provide improved mechanical stability, electrical conduction, and heat dissipation to a system, without disturbing the original electromagnetic design. One immediate application would be toward perfect antenna radomes.
Reactive attitudes and personal relationships
Authors: Milam Per-Erik
Published: February 2016

Abolitionism is the view that if no one is responsible, we ought to abandon the reactive attitudes. This paper defends abolitionism against the claim, made by P.F. Strawson and others, that abandoning these attitudes precludes the formation and maintenance of valuable personal relationships. These anti-abolitionists claim (a) that one who abandons the reactive attitudes is unable to take personally others’ attitudes and actions regarding her, and (b) that taking personally is necessary for certain valuable relationships. I dispute both claims and argue that this objection exaggerates the role of the reactive attitudes and underestimates the importance of non-reactive moral emotions.
Opportunity to learn about disciplinary literacy in senior secondary English classrooms in New Zealand
Authors: Wilson Aaron , Madjar Irena , McNaughton Stuart
Published: February 2016

The New Zealand education system is recognised internationally for its overall high quality. At the same time, there is a persistent gap in achievement between students in low socio‐economic status (SES) schools in which there is an over‐representation of Māori and Pasifika students, and students in more affluent communities. In this paper, we present the findings of a study that explored the participation and achievement rates of secondary school students in selected literacy standards, and used classroom observations to record practices and resources used in literacy teaching. Our findings show the extent to which unequal opportunities to learn (OTLs) for Māori and Pasifika and other students from low SES communities exist at the systems level as well as at the level of classroom instructional offerings. We discuss the factors specific to the New Zealand curriculum and assessment systems that contribute to the current situation and suggest possible ways to achieve a more equitable outcome for all students.
Performance improvement of TiO2/Ag/TiO2 multilayer transparent conducting electrode films for application on photodetectors
Authors: Zhu Meng-Qi , Jin Han-Dong , Bi Peng-Qing , Zong Fu-Jian , Ma Jin , Hao Xiao-Tao
Published: February 2016

TiO2/Ag/TiO2 (TAT) multilayer transparent conducting electrodes were deposited onto glass substrates by room temperature sputtering. The impact of Ag sputtering current on the film morphology, and the optical and electrical properties were discussed. The increase in the sputtering current led to a more continuous Ag middle layer. As the Ag middle layer became continuous, the TAT electrodes had lower sheet resistance and higher transmittance. In addition, an optimized TAT electrode with a figure of merit of

was obtained at an Ag thickness of 16 nm and a sputtering current of 0.48 A. Finally, organic photodetectors were also fabricated based on TAT electrodes and the performance is comparable to reference devices with commercially purchased Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) electrodes.
Supercontinuum accumulation along a single femtosecond filament in fused silica
Authors: Zhang Lanzhi , Xi Tingting , Hao Zuoqiang , Lin Jinquan
Published: February 2016

The spectral evolution of a filament formed by femtosecond laser pulses in fused silica is experimentally investigated. It is found that the evolution of the supercontinuum (SC) spectrum along the single filament is closely related with its intensity and length. The energy conversion efficiency of fundamental laser pulse to SC generation increases monotonically with different rates as the filament length increases, showing an accumulating effect along the filament. The results also show that the short-wavelength cutoff of the SC spectra is more sensitive to the intensity of the filament than the conversion efficiency of the SC, which is contributed mainly by the efficiently ionized zone of the filament.
Quantifying Anesthesia Exposure in Growing Rod Treatment for Early Onset Scoliosis
Authors: Goldstein Matthew J. , Kabirian Nima , Pawelek Jeff B. , Arandi Navid R. , Mundis Gregory M. , Yaszay Burt , Newton Peter O. , Akbarnia Behrooz A.
Published: February 2016

Background:

Growing rod (GR) treatment for early-onset scoliosis requires repeated anesthesia exposure (AE). At a minimum, GR treatment requires AE for diagnostic imaging, index GR surgery, periodic lengthenings, and final fusion. Adjunct procedures and complication-related procedures also increase AE. To our knowledge, this is the first study to quantify AE in GR treatment and to establish preoperative expectations.

Methods:

A single-center retrospective review of 16 patients who completed GR treatment and underwent final fusion. Duration of all AE related to GR treatment for “standard” care procedures (ie, advanced imaging, index surgery, lengthenings, final fusion) and “associated” care procedures (ie, revisions, adjunctive surgical procedures, wound-related complications) were reviewed. Etiologies were classified per the classification of early-onset scoliosis. Mean total anesthesia time (TAT) was tallied and analyzed for standard care and associated care procedures.

Results:

There were 5 syndromic, 8 neuromuscular, and 3 idiopathic patients. The mean age at the first AE event related to GR treatment was 7.4 years (range, 3.8 to 11 y). Mean age at the index GR surgery and final fusion was 8.1 years (range, 3.9 to 14.4 y) and 12.8 years (range, 9.7 to 19 y), respectively. The percentage of TAT for each procedural category was 7% for advanced imaging, 14% for index GR, 14% for lengthenings, 21% for final fusion, 27% for revisions, 9% for adjunct surgery, and 9% for wound complications. Standard care procedures accounted for 55% of TAT, whereas associated care procedures accounted for 45%.

Conclusions:

This study quantified expected duration of AE in GR treatment. Revisions and final fusion contributed most to TAT. Given the recent controversy of repeated AE in young children, efficiency measures should be implemented to reduce AE and avoid duplication without compromising the goals of surgical treatment. Associated care procedures accounted for 45% of the total AE.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Medicare Cancer Screening in the Context of Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Maroongroge Sean , Yu James B.
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

Cancer screening is a ubiquitous and controversial public health issue, particularly in the elderly population. Despite extensive evidence-based guidelines for screening, it is unclear how cancer screening has changed in the Medicare population over time. We characterize trends in cancer screening for the most common cancer types in the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program in the context of conflicting guidelines from 2000 to 2012.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a descriptive analysis of retrospective claims data from the Medicare FFS program based on billing codes. Our data include all claims for Medicare part B beneficiaries who received breast, colorectal (CRC), or prostate cancer screening from 2000 to 2012 based on billing codes. We utilize a Monte Carlo permutation method to detect changes in screening trends.

Results:

In total, 231,416,732 screening tests were analyzed from 2000 to 2012, representing an average of 436.8 tests per 1000 beneficiaries per year. Mammography rates declined 7.4%, with digital mammography extensively replacing film. CRC cancer screening rates declined overall. As a percentage of all CRC screening tests, colonoscopy grew from 32% to 71%. Prostate screening rates increased 16% from 2000 to 2007, and then declined to 7% less than its 2000 rate by 2012.

Discussion:

Both the aggressiveness of screening guidelines and screening rates for the Medicare FFS population peaked and then declined from 2000 to 2012. However, guideline publications did not consistently precede utilization trend shifts. Technology adoption, practical and financial concerns, and patient preferences may have also contributed to the observed trends. Further research should be performed on the impact of multiple, conflicting guidelines in cancer screening.
Stage I and II Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cahan Benjamin , Kim Ji Hyun , Schultheiss Timothy E. , Wong Jeffrey Y. C. , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: February 2016

Background:

In 2009, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics revised the staging classification for endometrial cancer. Mucosal cervical involvement was eliminated from the criteria and only those with stromal cervical involvement were considered stage II. We examined the implications of the staging changes and the survival impact of adjuvant therapy in stage I to II endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Materials and Methods:

Data were obtained from the National Oncology Data Alliance. Stage I to II endometrial adenocarcinoma patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2008 were identified and grouped according to the 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed using proportional hazards model; comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves was based on the log-rank statistic.

Results:

A total of 14,158 patients with stage I to II endometrial adenocarcinoma were identified with a median follow-up of 41 months. Adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy (VB) were positive predictors for overall survival (OS) only in IC, IIA, and IIB. On MVA, stages IA and IB OS did not differ (P=0.17), IIA had worse OS compared with IC (P<0.05), and IIA OS did not differ from IIB (P=0.57). Neither IA nor IB benefited from adjuvant radiotherapy on MVA. However, both IC and IIA had OS improvements with VB±EBRT (P<0.05) with the greatest impact from the VB.

Conclusions:

Mucosal cervical involvement represents a risk factor and should be considered when determining adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy provided no survival benefit in 1988 stage IA or IB; however, adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended in the management of IC, IIA, and IIB.
Of rodents and men: understanding the emergence of motor and cognitive symptoms in Huntington disease
Authors: Abada Yah-Se K. , Ellenbroek Bart A.
Published: February 2016

Arguably, one of the most important milestones in Huntington disease research since the discovery of the gene responsible has been the generation of different genetic animal models. Although clinical reports have shown evidence of progressive cognitive impairments in gene carriers before motor symptoms are diagnosed, such symptoms have been much less obvious in animal models. In this review, we summarize the three main classes of animal models for Huntington disease and describe some relevant translational assays for behavioural deficits evaluation. Finally, we argue that a good knowledge of the emergence of motor and cognitive symptoms in mice and rat models is indispensable for the selection of endpoint measures in early preclinical drug screening studies.
Long-term Effects of Off-Pump Coronary Bypass versus Conventional Coronary Bypass Grafting on Renal Function
Authors: Hynes Conor F. , Colo Sanchez , Amdur Richard L. , Chawla Lakhmir S. , Greenberg Michael D. , Trachiotis Gregory D.
Published: February 2016

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of conventional on-pump coronary bypass grafting (cCABG) compared with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) on renal function.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting from 2004 through 2013 at a single center was conducted. Preoperative renal function, perioperative acute kidney injury, and long-term glomerular filtration were evaluated. Multivariable analyses were used to determine factors contributing to short-and long-term renal impairment.

Results

A total of 234 patients underwent cCABG, and 582 underwent OPCAB. Patients undergoing OPCAB were significantly older, had greater preoperative renal dysfunction, had greater functional dependence, and took more hypertension medications. Multivariable analyses found that 30-day acute kidney injury was an independent risk factor for a 10% decline in glomerular filtration rate at 1 and 5 years (P < 0.0001 and 0.002, respectively). However, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass was not found to influence long-term renal function (P = 0.78 at 1 year, P = 0.76 at 5 years). The percentage of patients experiencing a 10% drop in renal function from baseline at 1 year (33% OPCAB, 35% cCABG; P = 0.73) and 5 years (16% OPCAB, 16% cCABG; P = 0.93) were not significantly different. Independent predictors of acute kidney injury included baseline kidney function (P = 0.04) and age (P < 0.0001), whereas cardiopulmonary bypass did not affect the incidence (P = 0.17). A propensity-matched analysis confirmed these findings.

Conclusions

Acute kidney injury is a risk factor for long-term renal dysfunction after either bypass method and was not greater after cCABG compared with OPCAB. Patients undergoing OPCAB did not experience greater decrease in long-term kidney function despite having worse baseline kidney function.
Bacterial Biofilm Infection Detected in Breast Implant–Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Hu Honghua , Johani Khalid , Almatroudi Ahmad , Vickery Karen , Van Natta Bruce , Kadin Marshall E. , Brody Garry , Clemens Mark , Cheah Chan Yoon , Lade Stephen , Joshi Preeti Avinash , Prince H. Miles , Deva Anand K.
Published: February 2016

Background:

A recent association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) has been observed. The purpose of this study was to identify whether bacterial biofilm is present in breast implant–associated ALCL and, if so, to compare the bacterial microbiome to nontumor capsule samples from breast implants with contracture.

Methods:

Twenty-six breast implant–associated ALCL samples were analyzed for the presence of biofilm by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, next-generation sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and scanning electron microscopy, and compared to 62 nontumor capsule specimens.

Results:

Both the breast implant–associated ALCL and nontumor capsule samples yielded high mean numbers of bacteria (breast implant–associated ALCL, 4.7 × 106 cells/mg of tissue; capsule, 4.9 × 106 cells/mg of tissue). Analysis of the microbiome in breast implant–associated ALCL specimens showed significant differences with species identified in nontumor capsule specimens. There was a significantly greater proportion of Ralstonia spp. present in ALCL specimens compared with nontumor capsule specimens (p < 0.05). In contrast, significantly more Staphylococcus spp. were found associated with nontumor capsule specimens compared with breast implant–associated ALCL specimens (p < 0.001). Bacterial biofilm was visualized both on scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Conclusions:

This novel finding of bacterial biofilm and a distinct microbiome in breast implant–associated ALCL samples points to a possible infectious contributing cause. Breast implants are widely used in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and strategies to reduce their contamination should be more widely studied and practiced.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, V.
High-Frequency Illegitimate Strand Transfers of Nascent DNA Fragments During Reverse Transcription Result in Defective Retrovirus Genomes
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Fan Peihu , Jiang Chunlai , Ma Tonghui , Yu Xianghui , Kong Wei , Gao Feng
Published: February 2016

Background:

Two strand transfers of nascent DNA fragments during reverse transcription are required for retrovirus replication. However, whether strand transfers occur at illegitimate sites and how this may affect retrovirus replication are not well understood.

Methods:

The reverse transcription was carried out with reverse transcriptases (RTs) from HIV-1, HIV-2, and murine leukemia virus. The nascent complementary DNA fragments were directly cloned without polymerase chain reaction amplification. The sequences were compared with the template sequence to determine if new sequences contained mismatched sequences caused by illegitimate strand transfers.

Results:

Among 1067 nascent reverse transcript sequences, most of them (72%) matched to the template sequences, although they randomly stopped across the RNA templates. The other 28% of them contained mismatched 3′-end sequences because of illegitimate strand transfers. Most of the illegitimate strand transfers (81%) were disassociated from RNA templates and realigned onto opposite complementary DNA strands. Up to 3 strand transfers were detected in a single sequence, whereas most of them (93%) contained 1 strand transfer. Because most of the illegitimate strand-transfer fragments were generated from templates at 2 opposite orientations, they resulted in defective viral genomes and could not be detected by previous methods. Further analysis showed that mutations at pause/disassociation sites resulted in significantly higher strand-transfer rates. Moreover, illegitimate strand-transfer rates were significantly higher for HIV-2 RT (38.2%) and murine leukemia virus RT (44.6%) than for HIV-1 RT (5.1%).

Conclusions:

Illegitimate strand transfers frequently occur during reverse transcription and can result in a large portion of defective retrovirus genomes.
Patterns of philopatry and longevity contribute to the evolution of post-reproductive lifespan in mammals
Authors: Nichols H. J. , Zecherle L. , Arbuckle K.
Published: February 2016

While menopause has long been known as a characteristic trait of human reproduction, evidence for post-reproductive lifespan (PRLS) has recently been found in other mammals. Adaptive and non-adaptive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of PRLS, but formal tests of these are rare. We use a phylogenetic approach to evaluate hypotheses for the evolution of PRLS among mammals. In contrast to theoretical models predicting that PRLS may be promoted by male philopatry (which increases relatedness between a female and her group in old age), we find little evidence that male philopatry led to the evolution of a post-reproductive period. However, the proportion of life spent post-reproductive was related to lifespan and patterns of philopatry, suggesting that the duration of PRLS may be impacted by both non-adaptive and adaptive processes. Finally, the proportion of females experiencing PRLS was higher in species with male philopaty and larger groups, in accordance with adaptive models of PRLS. We suggest that the origin of PRLS primarily follows the non-adaptive ‘mismatch’ scenario, but that patterns of philopatry may subsequently confer adaptive benefits of late-life helping.
Spatial variation in risk and consequence ofBatrachochytrium salamandrivoransintroduction in the USA
Authors: Richgels Katherine L. D. , Russell Robin E. , Adams Michael J. , White C. LeAnn , Grant Evan H. Campbell
Published: February 2016

A newly identified fungal pathogen,Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans(Bsal), is responsible for mass mortality events and severe population declines in European salamanders. The eastern USA has the highest diversity of salamanders in the world and the introduction of this pathogen is likely to be devastating. Although data are inevitably limited for new pathogens, disease-risk assessments use best available data to inform management decisions. Using characteristics ofBsalecology, spatial data on imports and pet trade establishments, and salamander species diversity, we identify high-risk areas with both a high likelihood of introduction and severe consequences for local salamanders. We predict that the Pacific coast, southern Appalachian Mountains and mid-Atlantic regions will have the highest relative risk fromBsal. Management of invasive pathogens becomes difficult once they are established in wildlife populations; therefore, import restrictions to limit pathogen introduction and early detection through surveillance of high-risk areas are priorities for preventing the next crisis for North American salamanders.
Constancy of the cluster gas mass fraction in the
R
h
=
ct
Universe
Authors: Melia F.
Published: February 2016

The ratio of baryonic to dark matter densities is assumed to have remained constant throughout the formation of structure. With this, simulations show that the fraction
f
gas
(
z
) of baryonic mass to total mass in galaxy clusters should be nearly constant with redshift
z
. However, the measurement of these quantities depends on the angular distance to the source, which evolves with
z
according to the assumed background cosmology. An accurate determination of
f
gas
(
z
) for a large sample of hot (
kT
e
>5 keV), dynamically relaxed clusters could therefore be used as a probe of the cosmological expansion up to
z
<2. The fraction
f
gas
(
z
) would remain constant only when the correct cosmology is used to fit the data. In this paper, we compare the predicted gas mass fractions for both
Λ
cold dark matter (
Λ
CDM) and the
R
h
=
ct
Universe and test them against the three largest cluster samples (LaRoque
et al.
2006
Astrophys. J.
652, 917–936 (
doi:10.1086/508139
); Allen
et al.
2008
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.
383, 879–896 (
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12610.x
); Ettori
et al.
2009
Astron. Astrophys.
501, 61–73 (
doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200810878
)). We show that
R
h
=
ct
is consistent with a constant
f
gas
in the redshift range

z
≲
2

, as was previously shown for the reference
Λ
CDM model (with parameter values
H
0
=70 km s
−1
 Mpc
−1
,
Ω

m

=0.3 and
w

Λ

=−1). Unlike
Λ
CDM, however, the
R
h
=
ct
Universe has no free parameters to optimize in fitting the data. Model selection tools, such as the Akaike information criterion and the Bayes information criterion (BIC), therefore tend to favour
R
h
=
ct
over
Λ
CDM. For example, the BIC favours
R
h
=
ct
with a likelihood of approximately 95% versus approximately 5% for
Λ
CDM.
Brain size is correlated with endangerment status in mammals
Authors: Abelson Eric S.
Published: February 2016

Increases in relative encephalization (RE), brain size after controlling for body size, comes at a great metabolic cost and is correlated with a host of cognitive traits, from the ability to count objects to higher rates of innovation. Despite many studies examining the implications and trade-offs accompanying increased RE, the relationship between mammalian extinction risk and RE is unknown. I examine whether mammals with larger levels of RE are more or less likely to be at risk of endangerment than less-encephalized species. I find that extant species with large levels of encephalization are at greater risk of endangerment, with this effect being strongest in species with small body sizes. These results suggest that RE could be a valuable asset in estimating extinction vulnerability. Additionally, these findings suggest that the cost–benefit trade-off of RE is different in large-bodied species when compared with small-bodied species.
Rhodococcus fascians infection after haematopoietic cell transplantation: not just a plant pathogen?
Authors: Austin Melissa C. , Hallstrand Teal S. , Hoogestraat Daniel R. , Balmforth Gregory , Stephens Karen , Butler-Wu Susan , Yeung Cecilia C. S.
Published: February 2016

Introduction:

Rhodococcus spp. have been implicated in a variety of infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. Rhodococcus equi is responsible for the majority of reported cases, but Rhodococcus erythropolis, Rhodococcusgordoniae and Rhodococcusruber infections have been described. There are no prior reports of human infection with Rhodococcus fascians.

Case presentation:

We describe the unexpected finding of R. fascians in liver lesions incidentally noted at autopsy in an immunosuppressed patient status after bone-marrow transplant for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who died of unrelated causes (septic shock due to Clostridium difficile colitis). At autopsy, an otherwise unremarkable liver contained several dozen well-demarcated sclerotic-appearing lesions measuring 0.1–0.3 cm in size. The absence of other bacterial or fungal DNA in the setting of histologically visible organisms argues against its presence as a contaminant and raises the consideration that R. fascians represents a human pathogen for the immunocompromised.

Conclusion:

Whether it represents the sole infectious agent responsible for the miliary lesions or a partially treated co-infection is impossible to determine, but our finding continues to reinforce the importance of molecular techniques in associating organisms with sites of infection and optimizing treatment of infectious diseases.
Great ape Y Chromosome and mitochondrial DNA phylogenies reflect subspecies structure and patterns of mating and dispersal
Authors: Hallast Pille , Maisano Delser Pierpaolo , Batini Chiara , Zadik Daniel , Rocchi Mariano , Schempp Werner , Tyler-Smith Chris , Jobling Mark A.
Published: February 2016

The distribution of genetic diversity in great ape species is likely to have been affected by patterns of dispersal and mating. This has previously been investigated by sequencing autosomal and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but large-scale sequence analysis of the male-specific region of the Y Chromosome (MSY) has not yet been undertaken. Here, we use the human MSY reference sequence as a basis for sequence capture and read mapping in 19 great ape males, combining the data with sequences extracted from the published whole genomes of 24 additional males to yield a total sample of 19 chimpanzees, four bonobos, 14 gorillas, and six orangutans, in which interpretable MSY sequence ranges from 2.61 to 3.80 Mb. This analysis reveals thousands of novel MSY variants and defines unbiased phylogenies. We compare these with mtDNA-based trees in the same individuals, estimating time-to-most-recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for key nodes in both cases. The two loci show high topological concordance and are consistent with accepted (sub)species definitions, but time depths differ enormously between loci and (sub)species, likely reflecting different dispersal and mating patterns. Gorillas and chimpanzees/bonobos present generally low and high MSY diversity, respectively, reflecting polygyny versus multimale–multifemale mating. However, particularly marked differences exist among chimpanzee subspecies: The western chimpanzee MSY phylogeny has a TMRCA of only 13.2 (10.8–15.8) thousand years, but that for central chimpanzees exceeds 1 million years. Cross-species comparison within a single MSY phylogeny emphasizes the low human diversity, and reveals species-specific branch length variation that may reflect differences in long-term generation times.
Modeling information risk in supply chain using Bayesian networks
Authors: Sharma Satyendra , Routroy Srikanta
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Information sharing enhances the supply chain profitability significantly, but it may result in adverse impacts also (e.g. leakages of secret information to competitors, sharing of wrong information that result into losses). So, it is important to understand the various risk factors that lead to distortion in information sharing and results in negative consequences. Information risk identification and assessment in supply chain would help in choosing right mitigation strategies. The purpose of this paper is to identify various information risks that could impact a supply chain, and develop a conceptual framework to quantify them.

Design/methodology/approach

– Bayesian belief network (BBN) modeling will be used to provide a framework for information risk analysis in a supply chain. Bayesian methodology provides the reasoning in causal relationship among various risk factors and incorporates both objective and subjective data.

Findings

– This paper presents a causal relationship among various information risks in a supply chain. Three important risk factors, namely, information security, information leakages and reluctance toward information sharing showed influence on a company’s revenue.

Practical implications

– Capability of Bayesian networks while modeling in uncertain conditions, provides a prefect platform for analyzing the risk factors. BBN provides a more robust method for studying the impact or predicting various risk factors.

Originality/value

– The major contribution of this paper is to develop a quantitative model for information risks in supply chain. This model can be updated when a new data arrives.
Work-family balance and cultural dimensions: from a developing nation perspective
Authors: Farivar Farveh , Cameron Roslyn , Yaghoubi Mohsen
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between cultural dimensions and the roots of work-family balance issues in a developing non-Western cultural context. Drawing upon Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, the study suggests national cultural dimensions can shape the roots of work-family balance.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was distributed among employees of 12 companies operating in the health industry. The survey collected both quantitative and qualitative data through two separate approaches: seven-point Likert scales and open-ended questions. The data were analyzed via thematic exploratory analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

– The quantitative data confirms the extant literature in relation to the negative effects of moonlighting, economic hardship and the absence of a comprehensive work-family balance strategy on employee work-family balance. The qualitative data proposes a new variable, weak social interaction, which becomes the most important roots of work-family imbalance at both work and family domain.

Practical implications

– The present study suggests certain cultural dimensions such as high power distance hinders social interactions in the work and family domains, thereby increasing levels of work conflict, family conflict, and stress. Findings suggest organizations, especially multinationals, need to be cognizant of the role of cultural dimensions on human resource management practices related to work-family balance.

Originality/value

– Very little literature addresses the impact of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions on work-family balance issues. The present study has contributed to the existing body of literature by introducing a new variable (weak social interaction) as an antecedent of work-family imbalance. Further, the study is the first in Iran that has collected qualitative data to investigate work-family balance issues.
The effect of employer’s moral obligation violation on survivor’s commitment
Authors: Uen Jin Feng , Chen Shu-Yuan , Chen Hsien-Chun , Lin Chih-Tang
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cross-level relationship between moral obligation violation, overall justice climate, and survivors’ commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were obtained from 25 companies with 261 individual employees’ cases from three main industries in Taiwan (n=25/261).

Findings

– Organizations which have moral obligation violation during layoff would directly influence survivors’ perceptions of justice and further affect survivors’ level of affective commitment.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies to provide evidence of the relationship between moral obligation violation, overall justice climate and survivors’ affective commitment. Additionally, most studies of survivors’ attitude and behavior are based on the third-party perspective; this study is the first to argue that survivors are also affected by employers’ layoff as well as victims. The influence of layoff will lead to survivors’ subsequent attitude and behavior.
The surprisingly exclusive nature of medium- and low-skilled jobs
Authors: Beblavý Miroslav , Mýtna Kureková Lucia , Haita Corina
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to learn more about demand for competences is crucial for revealing the complex relationship between employee selection, different strands of education and training and labor market regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Content analysis and statistics of job advertisements.

Findings

– Employer skills requirements even for low- and medium-skilled jobs are highly specific. Formal education requirements are higher than they “should” be. No detectable “basic package” of general cognitive skills for low- and medium-skilled jobs was found. Employer demand focusses on non-cognitive skills and specific cognitive skills. Specificity of skill requirement across different sectors or occupation groups differs vastly between different types of low- and medium-skilled jobs and is linked to the interactive nature of the job, not to the qualifications or the experience required.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis can be considered an initial feasibility test for a larger comparative cross-country project that would aim to understand labor demand in different EU countries.

Practical implications

– The analysis could be used as input in designing labor market policy and life-long learning programs to integrate low-skilled and unemployed.

Social implications

– The research provides a tool to match disadvantaged workers to jobs for which they possess greater capabilities or to help them develop crucial skills for a given occupation.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the HRM literature with a more demand-led approach to labor market policy. The authors reveal what role skills and upskilling can play in alleviating the problem of unemployment. The results can be useful for HR specialists and policy makers.
Hierarchical Design of Negative Stiffness Metamaterials Using a Bayesian Network Classifier1
Authors: Matthews Jordan , Klatt Timothy , Morris Clinton , Seepersad Carolyn C. , Haberman Michael , Shahan David
Published: February 2016

A set-based approach is presented for exploring multilevel design problems. The approach is applied to design negative stiffness metamaterials with mechanical stiffness and loss properties that surpass those of conventional composites. Negative stiffness metamaterials derive their properties from their internal structure, specifically by embedding small volume fractions of negative stiffness inclusions in a continuous host material. Achieving high stiffness and loss from these materials by design involves managing complex interdependencies among design variables across a range of length scales. Hierarchical material models are created for length scales ranging from the structure of the microscale negative stiffness inclusions to the effective properties of mesoscale metamaterials to the performance of an illustrative macroscale component. Bayesian network classifiers (BNCs) are used to map promising regions of the design space at each hierarchical modeling level, and the maps are intersected to identify sets of multilevel solutions that are likely to provide desirable system performance. The approach is particularly appropriate for highly efficient, top-down, performance-driven, multilevel design, as opposed to bottom-up, trial-and-error multilevel modeling.
A Simple Measurement Method of Pressure Pulsations Using Outer Surface Strain in Piping Systems
Authors: Maekawa Akira , Tsuji Takashi , Takahashi Tsuneo , Kato Minoru
Published: February 2016

This study proposes a method to measure pressure pulsations in piping systems easily and directly for their accurate evaluation of occurrence location and pressure amplitude. In the proposed method, the pulsations were estimated by combining the strain measurement result on the pipe outer surface with the calculated formula result for thick-walled cylinders. The proposed method was validated experimentally using a mock-up piping system. It was demonstrated that the method could measure the amplitudes and behavior of pressure pulsations with a practical accuracy. The factors influencing the measurement accuracy of the method were also discussed. The method is expected to contribute to more efficient plant maintenance to prevent fatigue failure of piping and plant components because the pulsations that the method measures are the main cause of vibration fatigue and acoustic noise in piping systems.
A Fourier approach to pulse pile‐up in photon‐counting x‐ray detectors
Authors: Roessl Ewald , Daerr Heiner , Proksa Roland
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

An analytic Fourier approach to predict the expected number of counts registered in a photon‐counting detector subject to pulse pile‐up for arbitrary photon flux, detector response function, and pulse‐shape is presented. The analysis provides a complete forward model for energy‐sensitive, photon‐counting x‐ray detectors for spectral computed tomography.

Methods:

The formalism of the stochastic theory of the expected frequency of level crossings of shot noise processes is applied to the pulse pile‐up effect and build on a recently published analytic Fourier representation of the level crossing frequency of shot noise processes with piece‐wise continuous kernels with jumps.

Results:

The general analytic result is validated by a Monte Carlo simulation for pulses of the form g(t) = e−t/τ (t > 0) and a Gaussian detector response function. The Monte Carlo simulations are in excellent agreement with the analytic predictions of photon counts within the numerical accuracy of the calculations.

Conclusions:

The phenomenon of pulse pile‐up is identified with the level‐crossing problem of shot noise processes and an exact, analytic formula for the expected number of counts in energy‐sensitive, photon‐counting x‐ray detectors for arbitrary photon flux, response function, and pulse‐shapes is derived. The framework serves as a theoretical foundation for future works on pulse pile‐up.
Developing Specialised Youth Soccer Coaching Qualifications: An Exploratory Study of Course Content and Delivery Mechanisms
Authors: Adams David , Cropley Brendan , Mullen Richard
Published: February 2016

The purpose of the current study was to empirically examine the potential course content, structure, and delivery mechanisms for a dedicated elite youth coach education programme in football (soccer) in the UK. By achieving this aim it was the intention of the authors to use the findings of this study for the future development of a customised coach education programme. Fifteen elite coaches, working in youth football at the time of the study, participated in one of three focus groups. Emerging from content analysis procedures, the findings placed specific importance on the development of an athlete-centred coaching philosophy, a focus on behaviours and activities associated with positive youth development, a movement away from traditional practices, and the development of the skills required to learn through reflective practice. In addition, a range of pedagogical approaches, including social approaches to learning, mentoring, and blended learning, were highlighted as ways to better deliver education programmes.
Re-Considering Long-Term Athlete Development on Coach Education: An Illustration from Judo
Authors: van Kooten G. Cornelis
Published: February 2016

The purpose in this paper is to examine the effectiveness/usefulness of the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model, particularly in the coaching of judo. The major influences on the LTAD approach, including deliberate practice, are reviewed along with recent evidence that leads to questions about the usefulness of the LTAD model. While Judo Canada has attempted to implement this model in its program to train coaches, there remains a great deal of incongruity between the LTAD approach and the pedagogy that often characterizes judo.
Child Physical Activity Associations With Cardiovascular Risk Factors Differ by Race
Authors: Edwards Nicholas M. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Woo Jessica G. , Khoury Philip R. , Daniels Stephen R. , Urbina Elaine M.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to characterize the relationship between objectively-measured physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular risk factors in 7-year-old children and test the hypothesis that it differs by race.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study of 308 7-year-old children drawn from a major US metropolitan community. PA (moderate-to-vigorous, MVPA; light, LPA; and inactivity, IA) was measured by accelerometry (RT3). Cardiovascular risk factors included BMI, blood pressure, and serum lipids, glucose and insulin concentrations. General linear modeling was used to evaluate the independent associations between PA measures and cardiovascular risk factors and interactions by race.

Results:

In black children, greater time spent in PA was independently associated with lower levels of triglycerides (MVPA and LPA, both p < .01), glucose (MVPA, p < .05), and insulin (MVPA, p < .01); these associations were not evident in white children. Across races, greater inactivity was independently associated with greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in overweight participants (p < .01) but not in normal weight participants. No PA measure was associated with BMI, systolic blood pressure, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusions:

In this cohort of 7-year-old children, the relationship between PA and some cardiovascular risk factors differed by race. These findings may have implications for targeting of PA promotion efforts in children.
Chronic administration of an HDAC inhibitor treats both neurological and systemic Niemann-Pick type C disease in a mouse model
Authors: Alam Md. Suhail , Getz Michelle , Haldar Kasturi
Published: February 2016

Integrated, long-term HDAC inhibitor therapy treats neurodegeneration and systemic disease in a mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C.
Human polyclonal immunoglobulin G from transchromosomic bovines inhibits MERS-CoV in vivo
Authors: Luke Thomas , Wu Hua , Zhao Jincun , Channappanavar Rudragouda , Coleman Christopher M. , Jiao Jin-An , Matsushita Hiroaki , Liu Ye , Postnikova Elena N. , Ork Britini L. , Glenn Gregory , Flyer David , Defang Gabriel , Raviprakash Kanakatte , Kochel Tadeusz , Wang Jonathan , Nie Wensheng , Smith Gale , Hensley Lisa E. , Olinger Gene G. , Kuhn Jens H. , Holbrook Michael R. , Johnson Reed F. , Perlman Stanley , Sullivan Eddie , Frieman Matthew B.
Published: February 2016

Anti–MERS-CoV human IgG produced from transchromosomic bovines neutralizes MERS-CoV in vitro and in vivo.