bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to the Special Issue on the Patterns of Interplay between Public and Private Food Regulation
Authors: Verbruggen Paul , Havinga Tetty
Published: January 2017

This Special Issue aims to develop a deeper understanding of the interplay between public and private actors in the regulatory governance of food. It starts from the observation that the traditional concept of law as command-and-control legislation and law enforcement by national governmental bodies, including inspectorates and courts, is not adequate to capture today's world of food governance. Nowadays, a broad range of public and private entities acting at national and international level seek to shape and influence the production, trade and handling of food and the risks involved therein. Drawing on data from Europe and the United States, the contributions to this Special Issue seek to unravel the intimate, yet complex ties between public and private actors within governance arrangements regulating food safety and sustainability. The articles are focused around the various phases of the policy cycle for food governance, thus addressing the interaction in stages of agenda-setting and rule-making, adoption and implementation, monitoring and enforcement, and evaluation and review. In descriptive terms, each contribution lays out the ‘who’ (actors), the ‘what’ (activity), the ‘why’ (rationale) and the ‘how’ (instruments) of food governance. In evaluative terms, the papers discuss and explain the results and challenges of the design of the public private governance arrangements. Jointly, the contributions offer original and invaluable empirical insights explaining the rise, design and challenges of mixed governance arrangements in the food sector.
GMO Regulation in Europe: Undue Delegation, Abdication or Design Flaw?
Authors: Paskalev Vesco
Published: January 2017

On 22 April 2015 the European Commission published a review of the current GMO legislation (the GM Review) and tabled a proposal for its amendment (the GM Proposal). The GM Proposal aims to allow to the member states to ban on their territory the use of GMOs authorised under the EU legislation. This is very similar to the possibility for opting out from cultivation of authorised GMOs which was finally adopted earlier this year. While this may look like a new trend, all the more interesting in the context of possible Brexit, Grexit and Danish opt-out from the provisions on Justice and Home Affairs, the present article will focus only on the GM Review, which essentially admits that the existing GMO regime is a failure.
Archaea and bacteria mediate the effects of native species root loss on fungi during plant invasion
Authors: Mamet Steven D , Lamb Eric G , Piper Candace L , Winsley Tristrom , Siciliano Steven D
Published: January 2017

Although invasive plants can drive ecosystem change, little is known about the directional nature of belowground interactions between invasive plants, native roots, bacteria, archaea and fungi. We used detailed bioinformatics and a recently developed root assay on soils collected in fescue grassland along a gradient of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss) invasion to examine the links between smooth brome shoot litter and root, archaea, bacteria and fungal communities. We examined (1) aboveground versus belowground influences of smooth brome on soil microbial communities, (2) the importance of direct versus microbe-mediated impacts of plants on soil fungal communities, and (3) the web of roots, shoots, archaea, bacteria and fungi interactions across the A and B soil horizons in invaded and non-invaded sites. Archaea and bacteria influenced fungal composition, but not vice versa, as indicated by redundancy analyses. Co-inertia analyses suggested that bacterial–fungal variance was driven primarily by 12 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Brome increased bacterial diversity via smooth brome litter in the A horizon and roots in the B horizon, which then reduced fungal diversity. Archaea increased abundance of several bacterial OTUs, and the key bacterial OTUs mediated changes in the fungi’s response to invasion. Overall, native root diversity loss and bacterial mediation were more important drivers of fungal composition than were the direct effects of increases in smooth brome. Critically, native plant species displacement and root loss appeared to be the most important driver of fungal composition during invasion. This causal web likely gives rise to the plant–fungi feedbacks, which are an essential factor determining plant diversity in invaded grassland ecosystems.
Development of polymer based cryogel matrix for transportation and storage of mammalian cells
Authors: Kumari Jyoti , Kumar Ashok
Published: January 2017

We studied the potential of polymeric cryogel matrices such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-agarose (HA) and gelatin matrix as a transporting and storage material for mammalian cells. Both the HA and gelatin matrices were found to possess a homogenous distribution of pores as shown by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images and flow rate of 8 and 5 mL/min, respectively. In the case of HA cryogel, after 5 days of simulated transportation, C2C12 cells kept in cryogel matrix showed higher percentage viability (89%) as compared to 64.5% viability of cells kept in suspension culture. The cells recovered from the HA cryogel were able to proliferate as revealed by the microscopic analysis. In the case of gelatin cryogel, it was shown that C2C12 cells seeded on the cryogel under simulated transportation condition were found to proliferate over the period of 5 days. It was also observed that the cells after simulation can be cryopreserved and the duration of cryopreservation does not affect their viability. Furthermore, gelatin cryogel was used for cryopreservation of HepG2 and HUVEC cells to extend the system for other cell types. These results show the potential of cryogels as efficient, low-cost transporting matrix at room temperature and in cryo-conditions.
Genome-wide Regulatory Roles of the C2H2-type Zinc Finger Protein ZNF764 on the Glucocorticoid Receptor
Authors: Fadda Abeer , Syed Najeeb , Mackeh Rafah , Papadopoulou Anna , Suzuki Shigeru , Jithesh Puthen V. , Kino Tomoshige
Published: January 2017

The C2H2-type zinc finger protein ZNF764 acts as an enhancer for several steroid hormone receptors, and haploinsufficiency of this gene may be responsible for tissue resistance to multiple steroid hormones including glucocorticoids observed in a patient with 16p11.2 microdeletion. We examined genome-wide regulatory actions of ZNF764 on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in HeLa cells as a model system. ZNF764- and GR-binding sites demonstrated similar distribution in various genomic features. They positioned predominantly around 50–500 kbs from the transcription start sites of their nearby genes, and were closely localized with each other, overlapping in ~37% of them. ZNF764 demonstrated differential on/off effects on GR-binding and subsequent mRNA expression: some genes were highly dependent on the presence/absence of ZNF764, but others were not. Pathway analysis revealed that these 3 gene groups were involved in distinct cellular activities. ZNF764 physically interacted with GR at ligand-binding domain through its KRAB domain, and both its physical interaction to GR and zinc finger domain appear to be required for ZNF764 to regulate GR transcriptional activity. Thus, ZNF764 is a cofactor directing GR transcriptional activity toward specific biologic pathways by changing GR binding and transcriptional activity on the glucocorticoid-responsive genes.
Message Passing localisation algorithm combining BP with VMP for mobile wireless sensor networks
Authors: Cui Jianhua , Wang Zhongyong , Zhang Chuanzong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhu Zhengyu
Published: January 2017

For large‐scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with thousands of sensors, cooperative self‐localisation is a key task and has caused extensive concerns. In this study, the authors propose a message passing algorithm for cooperative self‐localisation of mobile WSNs by using belief propagation (BP) and variational message passing (VMP) on factor graphs. The sensors locate themselves through two steps: a prediction operation accounting for the sensors’ mobility and a correction operation accounting for ranging measurements between neighbouring sensors. All the messages for computing and transmitting are restricted to be Gaussian to reduce communication overhead and computational complexity. According to the linear state‐transition model and the non‐linear ranging model, BP and VMP methods are employed to perform prediction and correction, respectively. Simulation results show that when the standard deviations of the prior distributions is small, the positioning accuracy of the proposed algorithm is comparable with that of sum‐product algorithm over a wireless network (SPAWN) with much low communication overhead and computational complexity.
Tracking control of hybrid systems with state‐triggered jumps and stochastic events and its application
Authors: Yang Ting , Wu Fen , Zhang Lixian
Published: January 2017

This study addresses the tracking control problem for a class of hybrid systems with both state‐triggered jumps and stochastic events. The outputs of the plant are required to follow exactly the time‐varying reference trajectories which are generated by the corresponding hybrid system. Since the jump times of the plant do not coincide with those of the references, the tracking error in terms of Euclidean distance will exhibit ‘peaking phenomena’, and is not suitable for this kind of situation. By invoking a novel definition of the tracking error which is insensitive to state‐triggered jumps and stochastic events, sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability are obtained. Exploiting the asymptotic stability criteria and the proposed non‐Euclidean measure of the tracking error, the tracking control problem of a simplified flexible single‐link robotic arm is successfully solved by the hybrid controller.
Finite element analysis to predict temperature rise tests in high‐capacity substation connectors
Authors: Capelli Francesca , Riba Jordi‐Roger , Sanllehí Josep
Published: January 2017

In the last years there has been a considerable increase in electricity consumption and generation from renewable sources, especially wind and solar photovoltaic. This phenomenon has increased the risk of line saturation with the consequent need of increasing the capacity of some power lines. Considering the high cost and the time involved in installing new power lines, the difficulty in acquiring tower sites and the related environmental impacts, some countries are considering to replace conventional conductors with high‐temperature low‐sag (HTLS) conductors. This is a feasible and economical solution. In this study a numerical‐finite element method (FEM) approach to simulate the temperature rise test in both conventional and high‐capacity substation connectors compatible with HTLS technology is presented. The proposed coupled electric‐thermal 3D‐FEM transient analysis allows calculating the temperature distribution in both the connector and the conductors for a given current profile. The temperature distribution in conductors and connectors for both transient and steady state conditions provided by the proposed simulation method shows good agreement with experimental data.
A vortex flow intensified by thermal convection
Authors: Makhmalbaf M. H. , Liu Tianshu , Merati Parviz
Published: January 2017

This paper describes a thermal-convection-intensified vortex flow within a rotating cylinder with a counter-rotating heated disk located below. This flow tends to mimic certain aspects of the intriguing flow structure of the great red spot in Jupiter by using a simple laboratory setup. Particle image velocimetry measurements reveal the counter-rotating torus vortices in the lower and upper domains and the complex mixing-layer features in the transitional domain between them. In particular, it is found that the vortex structures are significantly intensified by the thermal convection from the heated disk.
Exploring doctoral students’ perceptions of language use in supervisory written feedback practices – because “feedback is hard to have”
Authors: Stracke Elke , Kumar Vijay
Published: January 2017

The mastery of academic writing is essential in doctoral writing. Supervisory feedback provides opportunities for students to improve their writing. It is a communicative tool that can be categorised based on fundamental functions of speech: referential, directive, and expressive. This study provides some understanding of the impact that language and speech functions have on the learning experiences of doctoral students. Sources of data are oral interviews with each student, and their supervisor’s written feedback on drafts of that student’s thesis. Analysis of the feedback provided useful insights into the type of feedback the student considered useful for their development. The students found value in all three types of feedback. In particular, expressive types of feedback often led to an emotional reaction, as students viewed praise, criticism and opinions as motivating or challenging. We argue that expressive types of feedback can play an important role for developing academic writing. This study assists supervisors to acquire a higher level of language awareness so they are better equipped to provide feedback that supports the academic writing and overall learning of their students.
Infelicitous talk
Authors: Hutchby Ian
Published: January 2017

This article explores how the mediatisation of politics is evolving by analysing the different ways in which three political “gaffes” in recent British politics have been configured by the media environment. The article draws on theories suggesting that contemporary political action is enveloped by media scrutiny and the technological forms of mediation are diversified and hybridised rather than concentrated and uniform. Using case studies, the analysis examines the varying ways in which the broadcast interview can be part of a wider ecology of media technologies that afford an expanding range of discursive strategies for the negative construal of political actions.
Heat-killed cell preparation of Corynebacterium glutamicum stimulates the immune activity and improves survival of mice against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Authors: Ebisawa Makoto , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Fudou Ryosuke , Ohta Yasuhiro , Tokura Mitsunori , Onishi Norimasa , Fujieda Takeshi
Published: January 2017

Fermentation by Corynebacterium glutamicum is used by various industries to produce L-Glutamate, and the heat-killed cell preparation of this bacterium (HCCG) is a by-product of the fermentation process. In present study, we evaluated the immunostimulating and survival effects against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (STEC) infection of HCCG. HCCG significantly stimulated in vitro IgA and interleukin-12 p70 production in murine Peyer’s patch cells and peritoneal macrophages, respectively. Oral administration of 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of HCCG for seven consecutive days stimulated IgA concentration in murine cecal digesta. Mice were orally administered HCCG for 17 consecutive days (d0–d17), and challenged with STEC on d4 to d6. Survival of mice tended to improve by 100 mg/kg BW of HCCG administration compared with those in control group. In conclusion, HCCG supplementation was found to prevent STEC infection in mice, and thus it may have the potential to stimulate the immune status of mammals.
Tissue reservoirs of antiviral T cell immunity in persistent human CMV infection
Authors: Gordon Claire L. , Miron Michelle , Thome Joseph J.C. , Matsuoka Nobuhide , Weiner Joshua , Rak Michael A. , Igarashi Suzu , Granot Tomer , Lerner Harvey , Goodrum Felicia , Farber Donna L.
Published: January 2017

T cell responses to viruses are initiated and maintained in tissue sites; however, knowledge of human antiviral T cells is largely derived from blood. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) persists in most humans, requires T cell immunity to control, yet tissue immune responses remain undefined. Here, we investigated human CMV-specific T cells, virus persistence and CMV-associated T cell homeostasis in blood, lymphoid, mucosal and secretory tissues of 44 CMV seropositive and 28 seronegative donors. CMV-specific T cells were maintained in distinct distribution patterns, highest in blood, bone marrow (BM), or lymph nodes (LN), with the frequency and function in blood distinct from tissues. CMV genomes were detected predominantly in lung and also in spleen, BM, blood and LN. High frequencies of activated CMV-specific T cells were found in blood and BM samples with low virus detection, whereas in lung, CMV-specific T cells were present along with detectable virus. In LNs, CMV-specific T cells exhibited quiescent phenotypes independent of virus. Overall, T cell differentiation was enhanced in sites of viral persistence with age. Together, our results suggest tissue T cell reservoirs for CMV control shaped by both viral and tissue-intrinsic factors, with global effects on homeostasis of tissue T cells over the lifespan.
An Appraisal of Composite Forecasting Methods
Authors: Park David W. , Tomek William G.
Published: January 2017

This paper assesses the potential benefits of composite forecasting methods as applied to commodity prices. Conditions under which composite forecasts are most applicable are examined. A Monte Carlo simulation and empirical examples are used to assess the benefits of composite forecasts and provide guidelines on the selection of appropriate methods. The importance of independent pieces of information and why composites cannot be a cure for poor forecasts under many realistic situations are discussed.
North Dakota Farm and Nonfarm Residents' Views on Financial Assistance Policies
Authors: Leistritz F. Larry , Ekstrom Brenda L.
Published: January 2017

Assistance to financially stressed farmers and agricultural creditors has become a major agricultural policy issue. Findings reported here suggest that North Dakota nonmetropolitan residents have mixed feelings concerning the appropriateness of such aid. Between 30 and 40 percent of the farm and ranch operators surveyed supported state or federal aid (about one‐fourth were neutral). Business operators were less likely to favor such aid (only 31 percent supported federal aid and 26 percent agreed with aid from the state). Other nonfarm residents and former farmers, on the other hand, were more supportive of assistance programs than farmers. Results of this survey revealed a strong inverse relationship between a farm operator's financial status and his attitude toward financial assistance from the federal or state government. Similar results were observed for the other groups of rural residents; households with lower levels of income and net worth typically were more favorable to assistance programs.
U.S. Money Supply and the Exchange Rate: Long‐Run Effects on the World Feedgrain Market
Authors: Denbaly M.S. Mark , Williams Gary W.
Published: January 2017

The strength of the linkage between the U.S. money supply and U.S. feedgrain prices and exports over the long run depends on the responsiveness of exchange rates to money supply changes and of feedgrain markets to exchange rate changes. The link between the U.S. money supply and exchange rates is empirically weak. Moreover, U.S. feedgrain prices and exports respond little to exchange rate changes because of a relatively high U.S. export supply price elasticity and a low price responsiveness of highly protected foreign markets. Thus, money supply changes may have only a limited effect on the U.S. feedgrain market.
Evolutionary responses to land use in eight common grassland plants
Authors: Völler Eva , Bossdorf Oliver , Prati Daniel , Auge Harald
Published: January 2017

Land‐use change is an important component of global environmental change and a major driver of current declines in biodiversity. Although there is increasing evidence that species can evolve rapidly in response to anthropogenic environmental change, comprehensive studies of the evolutionary consequences of land use are still fairly scarce, in particular such that consider multiple species, study many populations, or that discriminate between different aspects of land use.

Here, we studied genetic change of key phenotypic traits in response to land use in eight common grassland species across 137 grassland sites covering a broad range of land‐use types (mowing and/or grazing, with or without fertilization) and intensities in three regions of Germany.

A common garden study revealed significant genetic differentiation in response to land‐use intensification within all of the investigated species. Among the studied land‐use processes, mowing appeared to have the strongest effect on the differentiation of plant phenotypes, with flowering phenology as the most responsive trait. However, there was substantial variation among species in the magnitude, sometimes also the direction of the observed population differentiation.

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that evolutionary responses of grassland plants to land‐use change are a common phenomenon and widespread across a broad range of different species. These evolutionary changes are likely to impact biotic interactions, as well as the structure and functioning of communities and ecosystems.
Physiopathology and Management of Gluten‐Induced Celiac Disease
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Kumar Manoj , Pandey Rajesh , Chauhan Nar Singh
Published: January 2017

Proline‐ and glutamine‐rich gluten proteins are one of the major constituents of cereal dietary proteins, which are largely resistant to complete cleavage by the human gastrointestinal (GI) digestive enzymes. Partial digestion of gluten generates approximately 35 amino acids (aa) immunomodulatory peptides which activate T‐cell–mediated immune system, followed by immunological inflammation of mucosa leading to the onset of celiac disease (CD). CD is an autoimmune disease associated with HLA–DQ2/DQ8 polymorphism and dysbiosis of gut microbiota. CD is either diagnosed using duodenal mucosal biopsis or serological testing for transglutaminase 2 (TG2) specific antibodies (IgA and IgG). Current therapy for CD management is gluten‐free diet, while other therapies like glutenase, probiotics, immunomodulation, jamming of HLA‐DQ2, inhibition of TG2, and gluten tolerance aided by gluten tolerizing vaccines are being developed.
Switching from pro re nata to treat‐and‐extend regimen improves visual acuity in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kvannli Line , Krohn Jørgen
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the visual outcome after transitioning from a pro re nata (PRN) intravitreal injection regimen to a treat‐and‐extend (TAE) regimen for patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

A retrospective review of patients who were switched from a PRN regimen with intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab or aflibercept to a TAE regimen. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and type of medication used at baseline, at the time of changing treatment regimen and at the end of the study were analysed.

Results

Twenty‐one eyes of 21 patients met the inclusion criteria. Prior to the switch, the patients received a mean of 13.8 injections (median, 10; range, 3–39 injections) with the PRN regimen for 44 months (range, 3–100 months), which improved the visual acuity in five patients (24%). After a mean of 6.1 injections (median, 5; range, 3–14 injections) with the TAE regimen over 8 months (range, 2–16 months), the visual acuity improved in 12 patients (57%). The improvement in visual acuity during treatment with the TAE regimen was statistically significant (p = 0.005). The proportion of patients with a visual acuity of 0.2 or better was significantly higher after treatment with the TAE regimen than after treatment with the PRN regimen (p = 0.048). No significant differences in CRT were found between the two treatment regimens.

Conclusion

Even after prolonged treatment and a high number of intravitreal injections, switching AMD patients from a PRN regimen to a strict TAE regimen significantly improves visual acuity.
Survey of diagnostic and treatment practices for multiple sclerosis in Europe
Authors: Fernández O. , Delvecchio M. , Edan G. , Fredrikson S. , Gionvannoni G. , Hartung H.‐P. , Havrdova E. , Kappos L. , Pozzilli C. , Soerensen P. S. , Tackenberg B. , Vermersch P. , Comi G.
Published: January 2017

Background and purpose

Up‐to‐date information is needed on the extent to which neurologists treating multiple sclerosis (MS) in Europe are integrating rapidly evolving diagnostic criteria, disease‐modifying therapies and recommendations for monitoring disease activity into their clinical practice.

Methods

A steering committee of MS neurologists used a modified Delphi process to develop case‐ and practice‐based questions for two sequential surveys distributed to MS neurologists throughout Europe. Case‐based questions were developed for radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing−remitting MS (RRMS) and RRMS with breakthrough disease.

Results

Multiple sclerosis neurologists from 11 European countries responded to survey 1 (n = 233) and survey 2 (n = 171). Respondents agreed that they would not treat the patients in the RIS or CIS cases but would treat a patient with a relatively mild form of RRMS. Choice of treatment was evenly distributed among first‐line injectables and oral treatments for mild RRMS, and moved to second‐line treatment as the RRMS case increased in severity. Additional results on RRMS with breakthrough disease are presented.

Conclusions

Although there was general agreement on some aspects of treatment, responses to other management and clinical practice questions varied considerably. These results, which reflect current clinical practice patterns, highlight the need for additional MS treatment education and awareness and may help inform the development of MS practice guidelines in Europe.
Towards efficient spall generation simulation in rolling element bearing
Authors: Gazizulin D. , Klein R. , Bortman J.
Published: January 2017

Rolling element bearing prognosis is the process of forecasting the remaining operational life, future condition or probability of failure of the bearing. While operational, bearings are subjected to rolling contact fatigue (RCF), and, as a result, a spall is generated on the raceway of the bearing. Complete understanding of the fatigue process is critical for predictive modelling to estimate bearing remaining useful life, which allows improved scheduling of maintenance actions. This work presents an RCF model that was implemented using abaqus finite element software. The RCF model is based on a damage mechanics approach that relates the accumulated microscopic failure mechanisms to a damage state variable and includes representation of material grain structure by a Poisson–Voronoi tessellation. Different microstructures, with a variety of material properties and grain topologies, were constructed for simulation purposes. The geometry of the simulated spalls and the Weibull slopes of the fatigue lives are in good agreement with published theoretical and experimental data. It can be concluded that the assumptions and the simplifications of the current, convenient to use, RCF model yield a sufficiently accurate tool on the basis of previous publications and experimental data.
Psychological Factors Associated With Chronic Migraine and Severe Migraine‐Related Disability: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Headache Center
Authors: Seng Elizabeth K. , Buse Dawn C. , Klepper Jaclyn E. , J. Mayson Sarah , Grinberg Amy S. , Grosberg Brian M. , Pavlovic Jelena M. , Robbins Matthew S. , Vollbracht Sarah E. , Lipton Richard B.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To evaluate the relationships among modifiable psychological factors and chronic migraine and severe migraine‐related disability in a clinic‐based sample of persons with migraine.

Background

Evidence evaluating relationships between modifiable psychological factors and chronic migraine and severe migraine‐related disability is lacking in people with migraine presenting for routine clinical care.

Methods

Adults with migraine completed surveys during routinely scheduled visits to a tertiary headache center. Participants completed surveys assessing chronic migraine (meeting criteria for migraine with ≥15 headache days in the past month), severe migraine disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale score ≥ 21), and modifiable psychological factors (depressive symptoms [Patient Health Questionnaire‐9], anxious symptoms [Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7], Pain Catastrophizing Scale and Headache Specific Locus of Control). Logistic regression evaluated relationships between modifiable psychological factors and chronic migraine and severe migraine disability.

Results

Among 90 eligible participants the mean age was 45.0 (SD = 12.4); 84.8% were women. One‐third (36.0%) met study criteria for chronic migraine; half of participants (51.5%) reported severe migraine‐related disability. Higher depressive symptoms (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.11, 3.55) and chance HSLC (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.43) were associated with chronic migraine. Higher depressive symptoms (OR = 3.54, 95%CI = 1.49, 8.41), anxiety symptoms (OR = 3.65, 95% CI = 1.65, 8.06), and pain catastrophizing (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.14, 3.35), were associated with severe migraine‐related disability.

Conclusions

Psychiatric symptoms and pain catastrophizing were strongly associated with severe migraine‐related disability. Depression and chance locus of control were associated with chronic migraine. This study supports the need for longitudinal observational studies to evaluate the relationships among naturalistic variation in psychological factors, migraine‐related disability, and migraine chronification.
Theory Assessment and Agenda Setting in Political CSR: A Critical Theory Perspective
Authors: Scherer Andreas Georg
Published: January 2017

Frynas and Stephens (Political corporate social responsibility: reviewing theories and setting new agendas. International Journal of Management Reviews, 17, pp. 483–509, 2015) reviewed the literature on political corporate social responsibility (CSR). They described existing trends and suggested an agenda for future research. They attempted to develop ‘a more inclusive pluralist research agenda in political CSR, which can integrate different perspectives on political CSR in order to account for different phenomena, including global governance changes at macro level, instrumental concerns at organizational level or cognitive dimensions at individual level, in both descriptive and normative terms’. This was an ambitious endeavour, given the rapid growth of the literature and the extensive heterogeneity of the field. There is much to like in Frynas and Stephens’ paper, as it spans a broad range of perspectives and links together discrete research topics. In the present review, however, the author focuses on a number of critical aspects in their argument. Frynas and Stephens failed to define core concepts, to reveal their normative stance on CSR and their paradigmatic position, or to address the inherent conflict of values in political CSR. And they were too optimistic about the possibilities and benefits of ‘integration’. The author suspects that their approach, when adopted in practice, will impede rather than promote social welfare. This paper starts with a brief summary of the field and continues by emphasizing critical issues in Frynas and Stephens’ analysis. It concludes with an alternative agenda for research in political CSR.
El Niño episodes coincide with California moray Gymnothorax mordax settlement around Santa Catalina Island, California
Authors: Higgins B. A. , Pearson D. , Mehta R. S.
Published: January 2017

The hypothesis that El Niño events influence the settlement patterns of the California moray Gymnothorax mordax is tested. The pelagic larval duration (PLD) of larval G. mordax is unknown, but studies on leptocephalus of related species suggest that larvae are long‐lived, up to 2 years. Gymnothorax mordax, an elusive predatory species and the only muraenid off the coast of California, is considered abundant in the waters around Catalina Island. Thirty‐three individuals were collected from Two Harbors, Catalina Island, and otoliths were taken to provide estimates of their age. Settlement year for each individual was backcalculated using estimated age from otolith measurements. These ages were then cross referenced with the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to correlate estimated age of settlement with known El Niño years. Of the 33 individuals collected, 30 settled at Catalina Island during El Niño years. The oldest individual in the data‐set was 22 years old, placing G. mordax as one of the longer‐lived predatory fishes in the system. The present study represents the first account of wild G. mordax ages and suggests that El Niño events have an important role in driving the settlement of recruits towards the northern edge of their range.
Technical feasibility of visualizing myenteric plexus using confocal laser endomicroscopy
Authors: Kobayashi Masakuni , Sumiyama Kazuki , Shimojima Naoki , Ieiri Satoshi , Okano Hideyuki , Kamba Shunsuke , Fujimura Takumi , Hirobe Seiichi , Kuroda Tatsuo , Takahashi‐Fujigasaki Junko
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

In preceding studies, we identified that the myenteric plexus (MP) could be visualized with confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) by applying neural fluorescent probes lacking clinical safety profiling data from the submucosal side. In this study, we evaluated the technical feasibility of MP visualization using probe‐based CLE (pCLE) from the serosal side with cresyl violet (CV), which has been used clinically for chromoendoscopy.

Methods

The dye affinity of CV for MP was first explored in an in vivo transgenic mouse model using neural crest derivatives labeled with green fluorescent protein. We also tested the feasibility of CV‐assisted visualization of MP in human surgical specimens, wherein the tissue dying and pCLE observation were performed from the serosal side. In the human study, rate of MP visualization by pCLE was evaluated as the primary outcome. We also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of MP visualization by pCLE, using pathological presence/absence of MP as the gold standard.

Results

We confirmed the dye affinity of CV to MP in all tested models. The MP appeared as brightly stained ladder‐like structures with pCLE, and in the human study, MP was visualized in 12/14 (85.7%) samples, with 92.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In positive cases showing the ladder‐like structure of MP by pCLE, the mean maximum and minimum widths of nerve strands were 54.3 (± 23.6) and 19.7 (± 6.0) μm, respectively. A ganglion was detected by pCLE in 10 cases (10/12, 83.3%).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the technical feasibility of visualizing the MP in real time by CV‐assisted pCLE (UMIN‐CTR number, UMIN000015056).
Acute‐Phase Proteins and Iron Status in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Javard R. , Grimes C. , Bau‐Gaudreault L. , Dunn M.
Published: January 2017

Background

The role of inflammation in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is not well characterized. Hepcidin is a recently discovered acute‐phase protein (APP) that plays an important role in iron metabolism and contributes to the development of anemia in humans with CKD.

Objectives

To compare serum APP concentrations, iron status, and erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations in healthy cats and cats with naturally occurring CKD.

Animals

A total of 18 healthy control cats and 38 cats with CKD.

Methods

Prospective study. After complete physical examination and routine blood analysis, the following tests were performed: serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HAP), EPO, serum iron and ferritin concentration as well as total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC). Serum hepcidin‐25 concentration was measured by ELISA kit designed for use in humans.

Results

Mean SAA and hepcidin concentrations were significantly higher and mean total iron and TIBC were significantly lower in the CKD group (P < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between serum creatinine concentration (CRT) and 2 of the APPs (SAA and hepcidin; P < .05). Increases in SAA and hepcidin were associated with decreases in TIBC and hematocrit in the CKD group. Fourteen (37%) of the cats with CKD were anemic, and these cats had significantly lower TIBC (P < .05), suggesting a functional iron deficiency. There was no association between survival time and APP, iron status, or EPO concentrations.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that CKD in cats is associated with systemic inflammation and altered iron metabolism. With further validation in cats, hepcidin assays may help better characterize these relationships.
Counterfactual Discourse in Context
Authors: Lewis Karen S.
Published: January 2017

The classic Lewis‐Stalnaker semantics for counterfactuals captures that Sobel sequences are consistent sequences, for example:

If Sophie had gone to the parade, she would have seen Pedro dance.

But if Sophie had gone to the parade and been stuck behind someone tall, she would not have seen Pedro dance.

But reverse a sequence like this one and it no longer sounds so good, which is surprising on the classic semantics. This observation motivated Kai von Fintel (2001) and Thony Gillies (2007) to propose dynamic semantic accounts of counterfactual conditionals. Subsequently, Sarah Moss (2012) defended the classic semantics against the charge that it need be abandoned in the face of these order effects, arguing that the infelicity of the reverse sequences is pragmatic. I argue that both accounts are ultimately untenable, but each account has strengths. Seeing what works and what doesn't in each account points the way to the right positive view. With this in mind, I defend a contextualist account of counterfactuals that takes conversational relevance to play a central role.
The PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis may be aberrantly activated in occupational cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Sato Yasunori , Kinoshita Masahiko , Takemura Shigekazu , Tanaka Shogo , Hamano Genya , Nakamori Shoji , Fujikawa Masahiro , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Yamamoto Takatsugu , Arimoto Akira , Yamamura Minako , Sasaki Motoko , Harada Kenichi , Nakanuma Yasuni , Kubo Shoji
Published: January 2017

An outbreak of cholangiocarcinoma in a printing company was reported in Japan, and these cases were regarded as an occupational disease (occupational cholangiocarcinoma). This study examined the expression status of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in occupational cholangiocarcinoma. Immunostaining of PD‐1, PD‐L1, CD3, CD8, and CD163 was performed using tissue sections of occupational cholangiocarcinoma (n = 10), and the results were compared with those of control cases consisting of intrahepatic (n = 23) and extrahepatic (n = 45) cholangiocarcinoma. Carcinoma cells expressed PD‐L1 in all cases of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, whereas the detection of PD‐L1 expression in cholangiocarcinoma cells was limited to a low number of cases (less than 10%) in the control subjects. In cases of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, occasional PD‐L1 expression was also noted in precancerous/preinvasive lesions such as biliary intraepithelial neoplasia and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. Additionally, tumor‐associated macrophages and tumor‐infiltrating T cells expressed PD‐L1 and PD‐1, respectively. The number of PD‐L1‐positive mononuclear cells, PD‐1‐positive lymphocytes, and CD8‐positive lymphocytes infiltrating within the tumor was significantly higher in occupational cholangiocarcinoma compared with that in control cases. These results indicate that immune escape via the PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis may be occurring in occupational cholangiocarcinoma.
Effect of pulmonary tuberculosis on clinical outcomes of long‐term dialysis patients: Pre‐ and post‐DOTS implementation in Taiwan
Authors: Bai Kuan‐Jen , Huang Kuan‐Chih , Lee Chih‐Hsin , Tang Chao‐Hsiun , Yu Ming‐Chih , Sue Yuh‐Mou
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

The link between tuberculosis (TB) and dialysis is known; however, the impact of TB on the clinical outcomes remains to be elucidated. This study aims to determine the clinical consequences of pulmonary TB among patients under long‐term dialysis.

Methods

A retrospective propensity‐scores matched (1:4) cohort study was conducted by retrieving patient data for pulmonary TB after long‐term dialysis commencement from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 1999 and 2013. Patients with TB (n = 1993) or without TB (n = 7972) were compared for 3‐year morbidity and mortality. The effect of Directly Observed Treatment, Short‐Course (DOTS) implementation was also evaluated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine adjusted hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

TB patients had a significantly higher risk of mortality than non‐TB patients even after multivariate adjustment (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.36–1.60; P < 0.001). DOTS implementation reduced the risk of some morbidities such as pneumonia, hospitalization and intensive care unit stay >7 days, but not inotropic agent usage, ventilator therapy >21 days and mortality in TB patients. In pulmonary TB patients with treatment duration ≥180 days, DOTS implementation also lowered the risk of TB relapse (HR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19–0.55; P < 0.001), irrespective of treatment duration (180–224 or ≥225 days).

Conclusion

Pulmonary TB increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients; DOTS implementation reduces some morbidities and TB relapse. Continuing DOTS implementation should be encouraged to improve clinical outcomes in dialysis patients.
The Mediating Impact of Occupational Stress on Leadership Style and Job Performance
Authors: Chew Abdullah Nor Azimah , Balakrishnan Thilakavathi
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study is to evaluate the intervening effect of occupational stress on leadership style and job performance. Using a proportionate stratified random sampling, questionnaire survey was employed and distributed to the employees of utility industries in Malaysia and a total of 175 employees participated.  The regression results showed that: (1) it is partially supported for a significant association between leadership style and job performance, (2) it is partially supported for a significant association between leadership style and occupational stress. Contrary to expectation, there have no intervening effect of occupational stress on the association between leadership style and job performance.  One probable explanation could be that the occupational stress level itself was found low among respondents.  Respondents highlighted they have the work-related stress but perhaps due to most of them are healthy, educated, lack in working experience, or due to they are yuppies, (that is indicating they are in young age, ambitious, and hunger for challenging tasks), they did not perceive the stress as the actual stress as felt by the other group of age. Thus, the result suggested that occupational stress as an intervening role among the yuppies group is not a relevant issue in discussing job performance. In future study, other factors should be considered to increase about the explanation on job performance.
Two new species of the family Neotrombidiidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from Iran with a key to world species of Neotrombidium
Authors: Noei Javad , Hasanvand Iman , Saboori Alireza
Published: January 2017

Neotrombidium hajizadehi Noei & Saboori sp. nov. and Neotrombidium khanjanii Noei & Saboori sp. nov. (Acari: Neotrombidiidae), collected from unidentified beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Khorramabad, Aleshtar and Dore Chegeni cities, Lorestan Province, Iran, are described. A key to larval species of Neotrombidium of the world is provided and the generic diagnosis is amended.
AMPK promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and function by phosphorylating the epigenetic factors DNMT1, RBBP7, and HAT1
Authors: Marin Traci L. , Gongol Brendan , Zhang Fan , Martin Marcy , Johnson David A. , Xiao Han , Wang Yinsheng , Subramaniam Shankar , Chien Shu , Shyy John Y.-J.
Published: January 2017

AMPK phosphorylates epigenetic factors to couple mitochondrial biogenesis and function with cellular energy needs.
TFEB inhibits endothelial cell inflammation and reduces atherosclerosis
Authors: Lu Haocheng , Fan Yanbo , Qiao Congzhen , Liang Wenying , Hu Wenting , Zhu Tianqing , Zhang Jifeng , Chen Y. Eugene
Published: January 2017

TFEB suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation in endothelial cells to decrease atherosclerosis.
Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) PCR Testing Reduces the Duration of MRSA-Targeted Therapy in Patients with Suspected MRSA Pneumonia
Authors: Baby Nidhu , Faust Andrew C. , Smith Terri , Sheperd Lyndsay A. , Knoll Laura , Goodman Edward L.
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-ordered methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) PCR testing on the duration of empirical MRSA-targeted antibiotic therapy in patients with suspected pneumonia. This is a retrospective analysis of patients who received vancomycin or linezolid for suspected pneumonia before and after the implementation of a pharmacist-driven protocol for nasal MRSA PCR testing. Patients were included if they were adults of >18 years of age and initiated on vancomycin or linezolid for suspected MRSA pneumonia. The primary endpoint was the duration of vancomycin or linezolid therapy. After screening 368 patients, 57 patients met inclusion criteria (27 pre-PCR and 30 post-PCR). Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, with the majority of patients classified as having health care-associated pneumonia (68.4%). The use of the nasal MRSA PCR test reduced the mean duration of MRSA-targeted therapy by 46.6 h (74.0 ± 48.9 h versus 27.4 ± 18.7 h; 95% confidence interval [CI], 27.3 to 65.8 h;P< 0.0001). Fewer patients in the post-PCR group required vancomycin serum levels and dose adjustment (48.1% versus 16.7%;P= 0.02). There were no significant differences between the pre- and post-PCR groups regarding days to clinical improvement (1.78 ± 2.52 versus 2.27 ± 3.34;P= 0.54), length of hospital stay (11.04 ± 9.5 versus 8.2 ± 7.8;P= 0.22), or hospital mortality (14.8% versus 6.7%;P= 0.41). The use of nasal MRSA PCR testing in patients with suspected MRSA pneumonia reduced the duration of empirical MRSA-targeted therapy by approximately 2 days without increasing adverse clinical outcomes.
Detection of the
mcr-1
Gene in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolate from an Austrian Patient
Authors: Hartl Rainer , Kerschner Heidrun , Lepuschitz Sarah , Ruppitsch Werner , Allerberger Franz , Apfalter Petra
Published: January 2017

Since colistin resistance based on the plasmid-encoded
mcr-1
gene was first described, this resistance gene in
Enterobacteriaceae
has been found worldwide. These organisms are typically of heterogeneous genetic background and show exceptional clonal diversity. We describe the first confirmation of
mcr-1
in a human
Escherichia coli
strain cultured from a surveillance stool sample of an Austrian oncology patient.