bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From CCTs to a social investment welfare state? Brazil's ‘new’ pro‐poor strategy
Authors: Fenwick Tracy Beck
Published: April 2017

The changes in Brazil's pro‐poor strategy from the presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to that of Dilma Roussef have received little analysis. Based on a qualitative research approach that includes media analysis, semi‐structured interviews with local level elites, NGO representatives and Brazilian policy experts, the central argument here is that, although it is true that this ‘new’ approach closely approximates a European‐style social investment agenda that goes beyond the policy intentions of Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs), in reality it continues to prioritize ‘expanding access to complementary services’ over improving the ‘quality’ of publicly provided services. Using the example of Brasil Carinhoso, one of the federal government's priority programmes within the Brasil Sem Miséria programme designed to be complementary to Bolsa Família, the article outlines the initial challenges facing this emerging agenda, along with its key political constraints.
Recent Scholarship on Hume's Theory of Mental Representation
Authors: Landy David
Published: April 2017

In a recent paper, Karl Schafer argues that Hume's theory of mental representation has two distinct components, unified by their shared feature of having accuracy conditions. As Schafer sees it, simple and complex ideas represent the intrinsic imagistic features of their objects whereas abstract ideas represent the relations or structures in which multiple objects stand. This distinction, however, is untenable for at least two related reasons. Firstly, complex ideas represent the relations or structures in which the impressions that are the objects of their simple components stand. Secondly, abstract ideas are themselves instances of complex ideas. I draw two important conclusions from these facts. Firstly, contra Schafer and Garrett (to whom Schafer responds), the Copy Principle, properly emended, constitutes the entirety of Hume's theory of mental representation. Secondly, whereas paradigm examples of complex ideas, e.g. ideas of spatial and temporal complexes, are structured by relations of contiguity, abstract ideas are those complex ideas instead structured by relations of resemblance. As such, they represent their objects not as spatially or temporally contiguous but rather as resembling.
Accounting and the emergence of care pathways in the National Health Service
Authors: Gebreiter Florian
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the effects of New Public Management reforms on the information infrastructure underpinning the work of public service professionals. Focussing on the case of the British National Health Service (NHS), the paper argues that hospital accounting reforms played a significant role in the emergence of standardised models of clinical practice. The paper moreover argues that, under the label ‘care pathways’, such standardised models of clinical practice became embedded in the information infrastructure of the NHS and concludes by discussing their implications for the work of doctors and hospital accountants.
Mainstreaming Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Family Law: The Israeli Child Protection Law as a Case Study
Authors: Gal Tali , Schilli‐Jerichower Dahlia
Published: April 2017

This article considers the contribution of therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) to the theoretical development and practical advancement of reforms in child care law. It does so by presenting three dilemmas arising from The Israeli Youth Law (Care and Supervision) 1960 relating to its substance, procedures, and practice. TJ is a “field of enquiry” that examines the influence of the law on litigants in order to advance rules and practices that have therapeutic effects and to minimize the use of rules and practices that have antitherapeutic ones. Following the TJ methodology, we integrate psychosocial findings into the legal discussion. We propose some therapeutic practices, as well as legal reform to make the child protection legal regime more TJ friendly for children and families.
Understanding Parental Gatekeeping in Families with a Special Needs Child
Authors: Kaufman Robert L. , Pickar Daniel B.
Published: April 2017

Supporting the positive development of a special needs child is especially challenging when parents have separated or divorced. Invariably, there is an increased need for collaborative co‐parenting wherein information is shared and intervention plans can be implemented effectively. In this article, the evolving literature on parental gatekeeping is applied to families with special needs children, as it offers a useful model for understanding the strengths and liabilities of co‐parenting relationships. We describe some of the typical and unique gatekeeping dynamics that occur when children suffer from developmental, physical, and/or psychiatric syndromes that require specific treatment and specialized parenting skills. Examples of both restrictive and facilitative gatekeeping are described as they manifest in these families. Implications for decision making are also discussed.
X‐ray computed tomography quantification of damage in concrete under compression considering irreversible mode‐II microcracks
Authors: Yu Z.W. , Tan S. , Shan Z. , Tian X.Q.
Published: April 2017

A method for X‐ray computed tomography quantification of damage in concrete under compression considering irreversible mode‐II microcracks is developed. To understand damage behaviour in concrete, a micromechanical analysis of damage under biaxial compression is conducted focusing on random micro‐defects in micro‐cells isolated from the representative volume element. Furthermore, for stress–strain response prediction, a quantification is developed concerning the behaviours of the dominant macrocracks in multiaxial compression. Specifically, two crack types are taken into account: mode‐I cracks and irreversible deformation cracks (including mode‐II microcracks). Furthermore, mode‐I cracks generate compression‐induced tensile load (transverse) area reduction and further stiffness degradation, whereas the latter contribute to the development of irreversible strains. Additionally, by investigating the development of gradually converging dominant cracks, the procedure for quantifying damage is competently executed. In addition, distinguished from other approaches, the quantified damage can be applied directly to constitutive models to produce stress–strain response highly agrees with experimental results.
Monocyte/lymphocyte ratio as a better predictor of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in hemodialysis patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Xiang Fangfang , Chen Rongyi , Cao Xuesen , Shen Bo , Liu Zhonghua , Tan Xiao , Ding Xiaoqiang , Zou Jianzhou
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those with end‐stage renal disease, have an increased risk of death. Previous studies have suggested neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was related to worse outcome in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) has not been evaluated in HD patients. In this study, we prospectively studied the predictive value of MLR for all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients and compared it with NLR.

Methods: Patients who had been on a HD treatment for at least 6 months were enrolled. MLR was calculated by dividing the monocyte count by the lymphocyte count. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared by the log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic impact of MLR and other clinical factors on all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results: Mortality rates for the lowest, middle, and highest MLR tertile group were 3.65, 7.02, and 11.15, respectively per 100 patient‐years. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that survival rates were significantly different among three MLR groups (P < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, MLR was independently associated with all‐cause mortality (HR 4.842; 95% CI, 2.091–11.214; P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 6.985, 95% CI 1.943–25.115, P = 0.003) as continuous variables. NLR was not an independent predictor of all‐cause nor cardiovascular mortality after adjusted with MLR.

Conclusions: The main finding of the study suggest that higher MLR was a strong and independent predictor of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality and overwhelmed NLR among HD patients.
Towards satisfying performance of an O/W cosmetic emulsion: screening of reformulation factors on textural and rheological properties using general experimental design
Authors: Filipovic M. , Lukic M. , Djordjevic S. , Krstonosic V. , Pantelic I. , Vuleta G. , Savic S.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Consumers' demand for improved products' performance, alongside with the obligation of meeting the safety and efficacy goals, presents a key reason for the reformulation, as well as a challenging task for formulators. Any change of the formulation, whether it is wanted – in order to innovate the product (new actives and raw materials) or necessary – due to, for example legislative changes (restriction of ingredients), ingredients market unavailability, new manufacturing equipment, may have a number of consequences, desired or otherwise. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of multiple factors – variations of the composition, manufacturing conditions and their interactions, on emulsion textural and rheological characteristics, applying the general experimental factorial design and, subsequently, to establish the approach that could replace, to some extent, certain expensive and time‐consuming tests (e.g. certain sensory analysis), often required, partly or completely, after the reformulation.

Methods

An experimental design strategy was utilized to reveal the influence of reformulation factors (addition of new actives, preparation method change) on textural and rheological properties of cosmetic emulsions, especially those linked to certain sensorial attributes, and droplet size.

Results

The general experimental factorial design revealed a significant direct effect of each factor, as well as their interaction effects, on certain characteristics of the system and provided some valuable information necessary for fine‐tuning reformulation conditions. Upon addition of STEM‐liposomes, consistency, index of viscosity, firmness and cohesiveness were decreased, as along with certain rheology parameters (elastic and viscous modulus), whereas maximal and minimal apparent viscosities and droplet size were increased. The presence of an emollient (squalene) affected all the investigated parameters in a concentration‐dependent manner. Modification of the preparation method (using Ultra Turrax instead of a propeller stirrer) produced emulsions with higher firmness and maximal apparent viscosity, but led to a decrease in minimal apparent viscosity, hysteresis loop area, all monitored parameters of oscillatory rheology and droplet size.

Conclusion

The study showed that the established approach which combines a general experimental design and instrumental, rheological and textural measurements could be appropriate, more objective, repeatable and time and money‐saving step towards developing cosmetic emulsions with satisfying, improved or unchanged, consumer‐acceptable performance during the reformulation.
El auge del empleo precario en Europa. Conceptos, indicadores y efectos de la crisis económica mundial
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ BARBARRUSA Tomás
Published: April 2017

Desde los años setenta y ochenta las economías occidentales experimentan un aumento de la precariedad laboral, consecuencia de la reorganización del proceso productivo y de las políticas neoliberales de flexibilización. El autor revisa el concepto atendiendo a su doble dimensión de inseguridad y pobreza, y documenta el impacto de la crisis económica mundial sobre su evolución y características en la UE‐15 con un indicador construido a partir de estas dos dimensiones y datos de Eurostat de 1995 a 2015. Se observa un aumento generalizado de la precariedad a partir de la crisis de 2008, debido a la pobreza en los mercados más desreglamentados y a la inseguridad en los meridionales.
Influencia del empleo temporal y por cuenta propia en la trayectoria laboral en la República de Corea
Authors: AHN Taehyun
Published: April 2017

En relación con el empleo estándar, es decir, permanente, los porcentajes de empleo temporal y por cuenta propia están aumentando en gran parte del mundo desarrollado. El autor examina la dinámica de esta tendencia en la República de Corea investigando las decisiones laborales de hombres y mujeres en plena edad de trabajar. Con datos de panel, modelos logit multinomiales y una especificación de análisis factorial de efectos aleatorios, encuentra que el empleo temporal no suele conducir al permanente y que el empleo por cuenta propia es el menos conducente a la situación sin empleo al año siguiente.
La proliferación de las pasantías y el reto de reglamentar en favor de una experiencia laboral decente
Authors: OWENS Rosemary , STEWART Andrew
Published: April 2017

Una tendencia actual importante (aunque poco estudiada) en el ámbito laboral es la proliferación de las pasantías no remuneradas y otras formas de ≪adquisición de experiencia≫. Si bien responden al deseo comprensible de los solicitantes de empleo de afianzarse en mercados laborales muy competitivos, también posibilitan la explotación en empresas y organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro, al reemplazar puestos anteriormente remunerados para principiantes, y pueden reducir la movilidad social. Los autores analizan medidas jurídicas y políticas de países desarrollados seleccionados para tratar de sentar las bases de una respuesta más eficaz a un fenómeno que constituye ya un problema evidente para la consecución del trabajo decente.
Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence by simultaneously targeting pneumolysin and sortase A
Authors: Song Meng , Teng Zihao , Li Meng , Niu Xiaodi , Wang Jianfeng , Deng Xuming
Published: April 2017

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), the causative agent of several human diseases, possesses numerous virulence factors associated with pneumococcal infection and pathogenesis. Pneumolysin (PLY), an important virulence factor, is a member of the cholesterol‐dependent cytolysin family and has cytolytic activity. Sortase A (SrtA), another crucial pneumococcal virulence determinate, contributes greatly to the anchoring of many virulence‐associated surface proteins to the cell wall. In this study, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural compound with little known antipneumococcal activity, was shown to directly inhibit PLY‐mediated haemolysis and cytolysis by blocking the oligomerization of PLY and simultaneously reduce the peptidase activity of SrtA. The biofilm formation, production of neuraminidase A (NanA, the pneumococcal surface protein anchored by SrtA), and bacterial adhesion to human epithelial cells (Hep2) were inhibited effectively when S. pneumoniae D39 was cocultured with EGCG. The results from molecular dynamics simulations and mutational analysis confirmed the interaction of EGCG with PLY and SrtA, and EGCG binds to Glu277, Tyr358, and Arg359 in PLY and Thr169, Lys171, and Phe239 in SrtA. In vivo studies further demonstrated that EGCG protected mice against S. pneumoniae pneumonia. Our results imply that EGCG is an effective inhibitor of both PLY and SrtA and that an antivirulence strategy that directly targets PLY and SrtA using EGCG is a promising therapeutic option for S. pneumoniae pneumonia.
Low glucose induces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species via fatty acid oxidation in bovine aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Kajihara Nobuhiro , Kukidome Daisuke , Sada Kiminori , Motoshima Hiroyuki , Furukawa Noboru , Matsumura Takeshi , Nishikawa Takeshi , Araki Eiichi
Published: April 2017

Aims/Introduction

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells (ECs) plays a pivotal role in endothelial dysfunction. Mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) is one of the key players in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Hypoglycemia is linked to increased ROS production and vascular events; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether and how low glucose (LG) mediates mtROS generation in ECs, and to examine the impact of LG‐induced mtROS on endothelial dysfunction.

Materials and Methods

Metabolomic profiling, cellular oxygen consumption rate, mtROS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation, and the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 or intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 were evaluated in bovine aortic ECs.

Results

We found that LG increased mtROS generation in ECs; which was suppressed by overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase. Comprehensive metabolic analysis using capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry and oxygen consumption rate assessment showed that the pathway from fatty acid to acetyl‐CoA through fatty acid oxidation was upregulated in ECs under LG conditions. In addition, etomoxir, a specific inhibitor of the free fatty acid transporter, decreased LG‐induced mtROS production. These results suggested that LG increased mtROS generation through activation of fatty acid oxidation. We further revealed that LG inhibited endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation, and increased the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1. These effects were suppressed either by overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase or by treatment with etomoxir.

Conclusions

The activation of fatty acid oxidation followed by mtROS production could be one of the causes for endothelial dysfunction during hypoglycemia.
A proposed scoring system for assessing the severity of actinic keratosis on the head: actinic keratosis area and severity index
Authors: Dirschka T. , Pellacani G. , Micali G. , Malvehy J. , Stratigos A.J. , Casari A. , Schmitz L. , Gupta G. ,   Athens AK Study Group
Published: April 2017

Background

Actinic keratosis (AK) severity is currently evaluated by subjective assessment of patients.

Objectives

To develop and perform an initial pilot validation of a new easy‐to‐use quantitative tool for assessing AK severity on the head.

Methods

The actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) for the head was developed based on a review of other severity scoring systems in dermatology, in particular the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Initial validation was performed by 13 physicians assessing AK severity in 18 AK patients and two controls using a physician global assessment (PGA) and AKASI. To determine an AKASI score, the head was divided into four regions (scalp, forehead, left/right cheek ear, chin and nose). In each region, the percentage of the area affected by AKs was estimated, and the severities of three clinical signs of AK were assessed: distribution, erythema and thickness.

Results

There was a strong correlation between AKASI and PGA scores (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.86). AKASI was able to discriminate between different PGA categories: mean (SD) AKASI increased from 2.88 (1.18) for ‘light’ to 5.33 (1.48) for ‘moderate’, 8.28 (1.89) for ‘severe’, and 8.73 (3.03) for ‘very severe’ PGA classification. The coefficient of variation for AKASI scores was low and relatively constant across all PGA categories.

Conclusions

Actinic keratosis area and severity index is proposed as a new quantitative tool for assessing AK severity on the head. It may be useful in the future evaluation of new AK treatments in clinical studies and the management of AK in daily practice.
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Prevention of Delirium After Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Shields Lynn , Henderson Victoria , Caslake Robert
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in prevention of delirium after hip fracture.

Design

Systematic review and metaanalysis.

Setting

Ward based models on geriatrics wards and visiting team based models on orthopaedics wards were included.

Participants

Four trials (three European, one U.S.; 973 participants) were identified. Two assessed ward‐based, and two assessed team‐based interventions.

Measurements

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases; Clinicaltrials.gov; and the Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Reference lists from full‐text articles were reviewed. Incidence of delirium was the primary outcome. Length of stay, delirium severity, institutionalization, long‐term cognition and mortality were predefined secondary outcomes. Duration of delirium was included as a post hoc outcome.

Results

There was a significant reduction in delirium overall (relative risk (RR) = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69–0.94) in the intervention group. Post hoc subgroup analysis found this effect to be preserved in the team‐based intervention group (RR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61–0.98) but not the ward‐based group. No significant effect was observed on any secondary outcome.

Conclusion

There was a reduction in the incidence of delirium after hip fracture with CGA. This is in keeping with results of non‐randomized controlled trials and trials in other populations. Team‐based interventions appeared superior in contrast to the Ellis CGA paper, but it is likely that heterogeneity in interventions and population studied affected this.
Treatment of tibial diaphyseal fractures following plateless tibial tuberosity advancement to manage cranial cruciate disease
Authors: De Sousa R. , Egan P. , Parsons K. , Butterworth S. , Calvo I. , Roch S. , Moores A. P.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To report diaphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia following tibial tuberosity advancement without plate stabilisation for the management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs.

Methods

Members of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association's online discussion forum were invited to submit revision cases of tibial diaphyseal fracture following tibial tuberosity advancement without plate fixation. Data collected included signalment, surgical revision technique, pre‐ and postoperative revision radiographic findings, complications and veterinary assessment. Owners were invited to complete the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire.

Results

A total of 17 dogs were included in the study. Eleven dogs had OrthoFoam‐wedge modified Maquet procedures and six had the tibial tuberosity advancement rapid procedure. Tibial tuberosity advancement was maintained in 14/17 cases. Postrevision surgery complications occurred in eight cases: minor complications in 3/17 dogs; major in 5/17 and no catastrophic complications. Surgical site infection was the most common complication (4/8). Final clinical outcome found 8/17 of dogs to have excellent, 8/17 satisfactory and 1/17 poor clinical outcome. The median Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs score was 12/52 (range 2 to 28). Final outcome was 6/13 owners that were very satisfied, 2/13 owners indifferent and 5/13 owners very disappointed.

Clinical Significance

This is the first case series reporting tibial diaphyseal fractures following tibial tuberosity advancement without plate stabilisation. The authors report here a wide spectrum of potential fixation strategies should one of these fractures occur.
Early life programming of attention capacity in adolescents: The HELENA study
Authors: Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Henriksson Pontus , Cadenas‐Sanchez Cristina , Vanhelst Jérémy , Forsner Maria , Gottrand Frederic , Kersting Mathilde , Moreno Luis A. , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Widhalm Kurt , Ortega Francisco B. ,   on behalf of the HELENA study group
Published: April 2017

The study aims to examine the individual and combined association of early life factors (birth weight, birth length, and any and exclusive breastfeeding) with attention capacity in adolescents. The study included 421 European adolescents (243 girls), aged 12.5–17.5 years, who participated in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Study. Body weight and length at birth of adolescents were collected from parental records. The duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding were self‐reported. The d2 Test of Attention was administered to assess attention capacity. The main results showed that birth weight, birth length, breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding were related to attention capacity in boys (β ranging from 0.144 to 0.196; all p < .05) after adjustment for age, centre, gestational age, maternal education, family affluence scale, and body mass index. Among boys, differences in attention capacity were found according to tertiles of birth weight and birth length (p < .05), as well as borderline significant differences across groups of any and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.055 and p = 0.108, respectively) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, boys with 3 early life risk factors (low birth weight, low birth length, and <3 months of breastfeeding) had significantly lower scores in attention capacity compared with boys with 0 risk factors (percentile score − 15.88; p = 0.009). In conclusion, early life factors, both separately and combined, may influence attention capacity in male European adolescents. Importantly, the combination of the 3 early life risk factors, low birth weight, low birth length, and <3 months of breastfeeding, even in normal ranges, may provide the highest reduction in attention capacity.
Bacterial and plant natriuretic peptides improve plant defence responses against pathogens
Authors: Ficarra Florencia A. , Grandellis Carolina , Garavaglia Betiana S. , Gottig Natalia , Ottado Jorgelina
Published: April 2017

Plant natriuretic peptides (PNPs) have been implicated in the regulation of ions and water homeostasis, and their participation in the plant immune response has also been proposed. Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri contains a gene encoding a PNP‐like protein (XacPNP) which has no homologues in other bacteria. XacPNP mimics its Arabidopsis thaliana homologue AtPNP‐A by modifying host responses to create favourable conditions for pathogen survival. However, the ability of XacPNP to induce plant defence responses has not been investigated. In order to study further the role of XacPNP in vivo, A. thaliana lines over‐expressing XacPNP, lines over‐expressing AtPNP‐A and AtPNP‐A‐deficient plants were generated. Plants over‐expressing XacPNP or AtPNP‐A showed larger stomatal aperture and were more resistant to saline or oxidative stress than were PNP‐deficient lines. In order to study further the role of PNP in biotic stress responses, A. thaliana leaves were infiltrated with pure recombinant XacPNP, and showed enhanced expression of genes related to the defence response and a higher resistance to pathogen infections. Moreover, AtPNP‐A expression increased in A. thaliana on Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) infection. This evidence led us to analyse the responses of the transgenic plants to pathogens. Plants over‐expressing XacPNP or AtPNP‐A were more resistant to Pst infection than control plants, whereas PNP‐deficient plants were more susceptible and showed a stronger hypersensitive response when challenged with non‐host bacteria. Therefore, XacPNP, acquired by horizontal gene transfer, is able to mimic PNP functions, even with an increase in plant defence responses.
Commissions and Local Government Reform: Expressed Leadership Identities of Commissioners in Inquiries Proposing Municipal Mergers in Northern Ireland and New South Wales
Authors: Wallis Joe , Brodtkorb Tor , Dollery Brian , MacCarthaigh Muiris
Published: April 2017

Commissions of inquiry are frequently used as venue‐alteration mechanisms to investigate and “depoliticize” local government reforms. Through the application of a leadership identity framework that examines the judgments commission chairs make during the course of the inquiry, this article explores the roles commission chairs play as interpretive authorities. The judgments that commission chairs make about the scope of stakeholder engagement and whether to adjust the agenda of the inquiry generate four types of leadership identity: conservator, consolidator, advocate, and catalyst. The leadership identity framework is applied to two commissions conducting inquiries into proposed structural reform of local government in two subnational systems: Northern Ireland and New South Wales. The application of the framework reveals that the commission process itself leads to a shift from a conservator to a consolidator leadership identity in both systems, despite their different and distinctive historical, social, and political contexts.

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König, Pascal D., and
Georg Wenzelburger. 2014. “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 400‐430. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12076/full

Raile, Eric D.,
Amber N. W. Raile,
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Sansom, Graham. 2013. “.” Future of Local Government. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v = AwQvSVqJN0E

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Comparison of the ovarian and uterine reproductive parameters, and the ovarian mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the prepubertal and adult female cats
Authors: Mehl NS , Khalid M , Srisuwatanasagul S , Swangchan‐Uthai T , Sirivaidyapong S
Published: April 2017

Contents

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the ovarian and uterine characteristics along with the ovarian mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the pre‐pubertal and adult female cats. The uterine horns and ovaries were collected from pre‐pubertal and adult female cats at their follicular, luteal and interoestrous stages of the oestrous cycle (n = 6/group). Endometrial and myometrial thickness, uterine gland diameter, ovarian weight and type of follicles were analysed. The mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR was analysed by IHC and qPCR, respectively. The ovarian weight of pre‐pubertal cats was significantly lower than that of adult cats. No differences were recorded in the numbers of primordial and primary follicles between the study groups, while adult luteal cats had significantly lower numbers of antral follicles compared to pre‐pubertal cats. No differences in the ovarian expression of FSHR mRNA, LHR protein or mRNA were found between the pre‐pubertal and adult cats, but significantly lower FSHR protein expression was found in pre‐pubertal cats compared to adult luteal cats.
The Willingness to Sell Personal Data
Authors: Benndorf Volker , Normann Hans‐Theo
Published: April 2017

We assess the willingness of individuals to sell personal data in laboratory experiments. Our experiments are novel in that they are incentivized, the focus on privacy issues is salient, and the use of the data is transparent and unambiguous. We find considerable heterogeneity in the data. Roughly one in six participants refuse to sell personal data at all and a similar fraction sell their data for 2.50 euros or less. Our results contrast with those from hypothetical questionnaires. Those willing to sell, request, on average, 15 euros for their contact details and 19 euros for their Facebook data.
Teaching sexuality and Christianity for perspective transformation: Suggested resources and strategies
Authors: Moles Katia
Published: April 2017

Sexual activity and desire have often been seen as inimical to Christian spirituality and practice, and many people have come to view Christianity as austere and shaming regarding sexuality. However, sexuality, religion, and policy‐making have become so intertwined, that to ignore how they intersect and affect particular individuals' lives does a disservice to students. This article presents resources and strategies for incorporating the topic of sexuality into liberal undergraduate and graduate theological classrooms. It provides guidance to instructors lacking research expertise in sexuality and focuses on three main pedagogical categories: perspective transformation; embodiment pedagogy; and sexual violence and trauma. One purpose of this article is to generate conversation: there is a need for further collaboration with colleagues who are experts in various disciplines to continue mining resources to offer diverse strategies and resources.
A and B antigen levels acquired by group O donor‐derived erythrocytes following ABO‐non‐identical transfusion or minor ABO‐incompatible haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hult A. K. , Dykes J. H. , Storry J. R. , Olsson M. L.
Published: April 2017

Background and Objectives

ABO‐incompatible haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) presents a challenge to blood component transfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the weak blood group A or B antigen expression by donor‐derived group O red blood cells (RBC) observed following transfusion or minor ABO‐incompatible HSCT. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.

Materials and Methods

A sensitive flow cytometry assay for the semi‐quantification of RBC A/B antigen levels was used to assess patient samples and evaluate in vitro experiments.

Results

Analysis of blood samples from patients, originally typed as A, B and AB but recently transplanted or transfused with cells from group O donors, revealed the A antigen expression on donor‐derived RBC, ranging from very low levels in non‐secretor individuals to almost subgroup Ax‐like profiles in group A secretors. The B antigen expression was less readily detectable. In vitro experiments, in which group O donor RBC were incubated with (i) group A/B secretor/non‐secretor donor plasma or (ii) group A/B donor RBC in the absence of plasma, supported the proposed adsorption of A/B antigen‐bearing glycolipids from secretor plasma but also indicated a secretor‐independent mechanism for A/B antigen acquisition as well as direct cell‐to‐cell transfer of ABO antigens.

Conclusion

The in vivo conversion of donor‐derived blood group O RBC to ABO subgroup‐like RBC after transfusion or minor ABO‐incompatible HSCT raises the question of appropriate component selection. Based on these data, AB plasma should be transfused following ABO‐incompatible HSCT.
Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-coated surfaces: Investigation of the mechanism of cell detachment
Authors: Cooperstein Marta A. , Nguyen Phuong A. H. , Canavan Heather E.
Published: April 2017

Although there is a great deal of research focused on cell sheet engineering from polymers such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM), the biocompatibility of pNIPAM surfaces and the nature of cellular detachment from this polymer is still unclear. The most extensive study of the mechanism of detachment proposed a two-step process, with a first (passive) phase involving hydration of pNIPAM chains, and the second (active) phase involving cellular metabolism. However, a number of studies performed successful cell sheet detachment from pNIPAM-grafted surfaces at low temperatures which calls this hypothesis into question. Furthermore, although it has been demonstrated that low-temperature cell sheet detachment using pNIPAM-grafted surfaces is less destructive than other methods of detachment, it has not been investigated if cell sheet detachment removes a portion of pNIPAM from the surfaces as well. It is essential to know if any fragments of the polymer are removed along with the cells, as small polymer fragments could have cytotoxic effects on the cells. This is especially important if these cells are used for the generation of tissues used for transplantation. In this work, the mechanism of cell detachment from pNIPAM coated surfaces is investigated by testing how temperature and presence of an adenosine triphosephase inhibitor affect cellular detachment. Surface initiated atom transfer polymerization (ATRP) was utilized to synthesize thermoresponsive atrpNIPAM surfaces. pNIPAM surfaces were labeled to assess whether cell sheet detachment from pNIPAM is accompanied by the removal of pNIPAM from the substrate itself. Using a semipermeable superstrate, cell sheets were transferred to a secondary culture dish to assess whether cell detachment resulted in any pNIPAM removal. In addition, the function of the transplanted bovine aortic endothelial cells was assessed by determining whether they would proliferate and grow on a new secondary substrate.
A traffic-noise-map update method based on monitoring data
Authors: Cai Ming , Yao Yifan , Wang Haibo
Published: April 2017

The traffic noise map is an important tool for environmental noise management, whose update is notably necessary. A method to quickly update the noise map based on a few noise-monitoring data points is proposed to avoid recollecting regional traffic data and a large amount of noise monitoring. The noise-monitoring data of roads with monitoring are compared with the original noise data in the noise map to obtain the deviation, and the roads that share the similar characteristic as sound sources are clustered. The roads without monitoring are corrected by the average noise deviation of the road class whose characteristic as a sound source is close to the characteristic as a sound source. The update accuracy of this method is analyzed, and a formula to calculate the precision is proposed. Finally, experiments to verify the method and its accuracy are organized; the results show that the method accurately and rapidly updates the noise map.
Bounds on the longitudinal and shear wave attenuation ratio of polycrystalline materials
Authors: Kube Christopher M. , Norris Andrew N.
Published: April 2017

A lower bound to the longitudinal and shear attenuation ratio was recently derived for viscoelastic materials [Norris, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 141, 475–479 (2017)]. This letter provides proof that a similar bound is present for low-frequency attenuation constants of polycrystals caused by grain scattering. An additional upper bound to the attenuation ratio is unveiled. Both bounds are proven to be combinations of wave speeds. The upper and lower bounds correspond with the vanishing of the second-order anisotropy of the bulk and shear modulus, respectively. A link to the polycrystalline Poisson's ratio is highlighted, which completely bounds the attenuation ratio. An analysis of 2176 crystalline materials was conducted to further verify the bounds.
Giant radio telescope faces downsizing
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: April 2017

Rising costs squeeze the first phase of the Square Kilometer Array and threaten planned studies.
The impact of hunting on tropical mammal and bird populations
Authors: Benítez-López A. , Alkemade R. , Schipper A. M. , Ingram D. J. , Verweij P. A. , Eikelboom J. A. J. , Huijbregts M. A. J.
Published: April 2017

Quantifying hunting-induced defaunation

As the human population grows and increasingly encroaches on remaining wildlife habitat, hunting threatens many species. Benítez-López
et al.
conducted a large-scale meta-analysis of hunting trends and impacts across the tropics (see the Perspective by Brashares and Gaynor). Bird and mammal populations were considerably lower in areas where hunting occurred. Although commercial hunting and proximity to roads and urban centers were the most damaging factors, all hunting had worrying impacts, even in protected areas. Protection and alternative approaches for sustainable subsistence hunting must be implemented soon if we are to prevent further, rapid defaunation.

Science
, this issue p.
180
; see also p.
136
Single-cell whole-genome analyses by Linear Amplification via Transposon Insertion (LIANTI)
Authors: Chen Chongyi , Xing Dong , Tan Longzhi , Li Heng , Zhou Guangyu , Huang Lei , Xie X. Sunney
Published: April 2017

Making an unbiased library

Sequencing the genome of single cells gives insight into issues such as cell-to-cell heterogeneity and genome instability. Key to single-cell sequencing techniques are whole-genome amplification (WGA) methods that provide sufficient DNA for next-generation sequencing. Current WGA methods have been hampered by low accuracy and spatial resolution of gene copy numbers and by low amplification fidelity. Chen
et al.
report an improved single-cell WGA method, Linear Amplification via Transposon Insertion (LIANTI). The DNA is randomly fragmented by Tn5 transposition of a transposon that includes a T7 promoter, which allows linear amplification. The authors used the method to determine the spectrum of single-nucleotide variations in a single human cell after ultraviolet radiation.

Science
, this issue p.
189
Embracing the unqualified opinion
The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters
Tom Nichols
Oxford University Press, 2017. 268 pp.
Not a Scientist: How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science
Dave Levitan
Norton, 2017. 270 pp.
Authors: Kirshenbaum Sheril
Published: April 2017

A pair of timely tomes probes the factors converging to undermine the expertise of scientists, scholars, and trained professionals
A river runs through it
Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River
David Owen
Riverhead Books, 2017. 288 pp.
Authors: Rose Kevin C.
Published: April 2017

A meandering history probes the Colorado River's verdant legacy and fraught future
Cytomegalovirus Virions Shed in Urine Have a Reversible Block to Epithelial Cell Entry and Are Highly Resistant to Antibody Neutralization
Authors: Cui Xiaohong , Adler Stuart P. , Schleiss Mark R. , Arav-Boger Ravit , Demmler Harrison Gail J. , McVoy Michael A.
Published: April 2017

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes sensorineural hearing loss and developmental disabilities in newborns when infections are acquired
in utero
. Pregnant women may acquire CMV from oral exposure to CMV in urine or saliva from young children. Neutralizing antibodies in maternal saliva have the potential to prevent maternal infection and, in turn, fetal infection. As CMV uses different viral glycoprotein complexes to enter different cell types, the first cells to be infected in the oral cavity could determine the type of antibodies needed to disrupt oral transmission. Antibodies targeting the pentameric complex (PC) should block CMV entry into epithelial cells but not into fibroblasts or Langerhans cells (which do not require the PC for entry), while antibodies targeting glycoprotein complexes gB or gH/gL would be needed to block entry into fibroblasts, Langerhans cells, or other cell types. To assess the potential for antibodies to disrupt oral acquisition, CMV from culture-positive urine samples (uCMV) was used to study cell tropisms and sensitivity to antibody neutralization. uCMV entered epithelial cells poorly compared with the entry into fibroblasts. CMV-hyperimmune globulin or monoclonal antibodies targeting gB, gH/gL, or the PC were incapable of blocking the entry of uCMV into either fibroblasts or epithelial cells. Both phenotypes were lost after one passage in cultured fibroblasts, suggestive of a nongenetic mechanism. These results suggest that uCMV virions have a reversible block to epithelial cell entry. Antibodies may be ineffective in preventing maternal oral CMV acquisition but may limit viral spread in blood or tissues, thereby reducing or preventing fetal infection and disease.
Increased Tuberculosis Patient Mortality Associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mutations Conferring Resistance to Second-Line Antituberculous Drugs
Authors: Georghiou Sophia B. , Seifert Marva , Catanzaro Donald G. , Garfein Richard S. , Rodwell Timothy C.
Published: April 2017

Rapid molecular diagnostics have great potential to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) (M/XDR-TB). These technologies detect mutations in the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
genome that confer phenotypic drug resistance. However, there have been few data published regarding the relationships between the detected
M. tuberculosis
resistance mutations and M/XDR-TB treatment outcomes, limiting our current ability to exploit the full potential of molecular diagnostics. We analyzed clinical, microbiological, and sequencing data for 451 patients and their clinical isolates collected in a multinational, observational cohort study to determine if there was an association between
M. tuberculosis
resistance mutations and patient mortality. The presence of an
rrs
1401G mutation was associated with significantly higher odds of patient mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 19.84]) after adjusting for relevant patient clinical characteristics and all other resistance mutations. Further analysis of mutations, categorized by the associated resistance level, indicated that the detection of mutations associated with high-level fluoroquinolone (OR, 3.99 [95% CI, 1.10 to 14.40]) and kanamycin (OR, 5.47 [95% CI, 1.64 to 18.24]) resistance was also significantly associated with higher odds of patient mortality, even after accounting for clinical site, patient age, reported smoking history, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, HIV, and all other resistance mutations. Specific
gyrA
and
rrs
resistance mutations, associated with high-level resistance, were associated with patient mortality as identified in clinical
M. tuberculosis
isolates from a diverse M/XDR-TB patient population at three high-burden clinical sites. These results have important implications for the interpretation of molecular diagnostics, including identifying patients at increased risk for mortality during treatment. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02170441.)
Multicenter Performance Assessment of Carba NP Test
Authors: Cunningham Scott A. , Limbago Brandi , Traczewski Maria , Anderson Karen , Hackel Meredith , Hindler Janet , Sahm Dan , Alyanak Efe , Lawsin Adrian , Gulvik Christopher A. , de Man Tom J. B. , Mandrekar Jayawant N. , Schuetz Audrey N. , Jenkins Stephen , Humphries Romney , Palavecino Elizabeth , Vasoo Shawn , Patel Robin
Published: April 2017

Eighty Gram-negative bacilli (54
Enterobacteriaceae
and 26 nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli) obtained from multiple institutions in the United States were distributed in a blinded manner to seven testing laboratories to compare their performance of a test for detection of carbapenemase production, the Carba NP test. The Carba NP test was performed by all laboratories, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) procedure. Site-versus-site comparisons demonstrated a high level of consistency for the Carba NP assay, with just 3/21 site comparisons yielding a difference in sensitivity (
P
< 0.05). Previously described limitations with
bla
OXA-48-like
carbapenemases and
bla
OXA
carbapenemases associated with
Acinetobacter baumannii
were noted. Based on these data, we demonstrate that the Carba NP test, when implemented with the standardized CLSI methodology, provides reproducible results across multiple sites for detection of carbapenemases.