bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRINCE‐1: safety and efficacy of atazanavir powder and ritonavir liquid in HIV‐1‐infected antiretroviral‐naïve and ‐experienced infants and children aged ≥3 months to <6 years
Authors: Strehlau Renate , Donati Anamaria Pena , Arce Pedro Martinez , Lissens Jurgen , Yang Rong , Biguenet Sophie , Cambilargiu Daniela , Hardy Hélène , Correll Todd
Published: June 2015

Introduction

PRINCE‐1 is an ongoing prospective, international, multicentre, nonrandomized, two‐stage clinical trial assessing safety and efficacy of once‐daily atazanavir (ATV) powder boosted with ritonavir (RTV) liquid plus optimized dual nucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) background therapy in antiretroviral (ARV)‐naïve and ‐experienced children with HIV‐1 infection aged ≥3 months to <6 years.

Methods

Children with HIV‐1 infection without prior ATV exposure and with a screening HIV‐1 RNA ≥1000 copies/mL were enrolled. The dosing of ATV powder, boosted with 80 mg RTV liquid, was based on three baseline weight bands (5 to <10 kg=150 mg, 10 to <15 kg=200 mg and 15 to <25 kg=250 mg).

Results

Of the 56 treated patients, 46 completed 48 weeks of therapy, 67.9% were from Africa and 60.7% were ART‐naïve. Median ages at baseline were 6, 35 and 55 months, and proportions with HIV‐1 RNA >100,000 were 85.7, 52.6 and 25% in the three baseline weight bands, respectively. No unexpected safety events occurred and no deaths were reported. Over 48 weeks, upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, vomiting and Grade 3 to 4 hyperbilirubinaemia occurred in 35.7, 35.7, 28.6, and 9.4% of patients, respectively; five patients (8.9%) discontinued due to adverse events (AEs); and 11 patients (19.6%) experienced serious adverse events. At Week 48, using a modified intent‐to‐treat analysis (two patients were excluded because they switched to ATV capsules before Week 48), 61.1 and 74.1% of patients overall had an HIV‐1 RNA level <50 copies/mL and <400 copies/mL, respectively. Virologic suppression rates increased across the lowest to highest baseline weight bands (47.6, 68.4 and 71.4% had HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL, and 66.7, 73.7 and 85.7% had HIV‐RNA <400 copies/mL, respectively) but did not differ meaningfully between ARV‐naïve and ‐experienced patients. Overall, the median change from baseline in CD4 cell count was +363 cells/mm3, and the median change from baseline in CD4 percent was +7.5%.

Conclusions

ATV powder boosted with RTV liquid once daily plus optimized dual NRTI background therapy was effective and well tolerated in this ART‐naïve or ‐experienced paediatric population aged ≥3 months to <6 years. No unexpected safety findings compared with those from previous ATV paediatric and adult studies were identified.
Optic neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, cognitive disability in patients with a homozygous mutation in the nuclear MTO1 and a mitochondrial MT‐TF variant
Authors: Charif Majida , Titah Salah Mohamed Cherif , Roubertie Agathe , Desquiret‐Dumas Valérie , Gueguen Naig , Meunier Isabelle , Leid Jean , Massal Frédéric , Zanlonghi Xavier , Mercier Jacques , Raynaud de Mauverger Eric , Procaccio Vincent , de Camaret Bénédicte Mousson , Lenaers Guy , Hamel Christian P.
Published: June 2015

We report on clinical, genetic and metabolic investigations in a family with optic neuropathy, non‐progressive cardiomyopathy and cognitive disability. Ophthalmic investigations (slit lamp examination, funduscopy, OCT scan of the optic nerve, ERG and VEP) disclosed mild or no decreased visual acuity, but pale optic disc, loss of temporal optic fibers and decreased VEPs. Mitochondrial DNA and exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the nuclear MTO1 gene and the homoplasmic m.593T>G mutation in the mitochondrial MT‐TF gene. Muscle biopsy analyses revealed decreased oxygraphic Vmax values for complexes I+III+IV, and severely decreased activities of the respiratory chain complexes (RCC) I, III and IV, while muscle histopathology was normal. Fibroblast analysis revealed decreased complex I and IV activity and assembly, while cybrid analysis revealed a partial complex I deficiency with normal assembly of the RCC. Thus, in patients with a moderate clinical presentation due to MTO1 mutations, the presence of an optic atrophy should be considered. The association with the mitochondrial mutation m.593T>G could act synergistically to worsen the complex I deficiency and modulate the MTO1‐related disease. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Longitudinal Cerebral Fissure Anatomy Variations in Brachy‐, Dolicho‐ and Mesaticephalic Dogs and Their Importance to Brain Surgery
Authors: Carreira L. Miguel , Ferreira A.
Published: June 2015

The study used a sample of 69 formalin‐fixed brains from adult dog cadavers (n = 69) and aimed (1) to characterize the longitudinal cerebral fissure (LCF) anatomy in brachy‐(B), dolicho‐(D) and mesaticephalic‐(M) dogs and their potential differences, and (2) to establish cranioencephalic relationships between the LCF and five classical craniometric points(cp): asterion(ast), bregma(b), stephanion(st), glabella(g), and pterion(pt). Anatomical records were collected using a digital caliper, and for statistical analysis P‐values < 0.05 were considered significant. The LCF length can be ranked, in ascending order as B < D < M, and if used as a surgical corridor, the M group had the greatest surgical corridor area, and the D group the smallest. LCF morphology was uniform among the three groups exhibiting dilated anterior(AR) and posterior(PR) regions and narrow middle region, where the most marked differences were registered. The LCF AR is the ideal spot to begin brain surgery if the LCF is to be used as a surgical corridor in B and M, while the LCF PR should be considered in D. The five cp selected were quite useful to understand LCF anatomical morphology, its projections over the external skull surface, and to establish cranioencephalic relationships between the LCF and vault; allowing us to consider the vault anterior area in B, and in M, and the vault posterior area in D for craniotomy initial burr‐hole placement. As for the distance from the cp projections in the brain surface to the LCF regions, major differences were registered by comparing the B group with the other two, and for both hemispheres. Anat Rec, 298:1612–1621, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systematic analysis of TCA Escherichia coli mutants reveals suitable genetic backgrounds for enhanced hydrogen and ethanol production using glycerol as main carbon source
Authors: Valle Antonio , Cabrera Gema , Muhamadali Howbeer , Trivedi Drupad K. , Ratray Nicholas J. W. , Goodacre Royston , Cantero Domingo , Bolivar Jorge
Published: June 2015

Biodiesel has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels; however, the low price of glycerol feed‐stocks generated from the biodiesel industry has become a burden to this industry. A feasible alternative is the microbial biotransformation of waste glycerol to hydrogen and ethanol. Escherichia coli, a microorganism commonly used for metabolic engineering, is able to biotransform glycerol into these products. Nevertheless, the wild type strain yields can be improved by rewiring the carbon flux to the desired products by genetic engineering. Due to the importance of the central carbon metabolism in hydrogen and ethanol synthesis, E. coli single null mutant strains for enzymes of the TCA cycle and other related reactions were studied in this work. These strains were grown anaerobically in a glycerol‐based medium and the concentrations of ethanol, glycerol, succinate and hydrogen were analysed by HPLC and GC. It was found that the reductive branch is the more relevant pathway for the aim of this work, with malate playing a central role. It was also found that the putative C4‐transporter dcuD mutant improved the target product yields. These results will contribute to reveal novel metabolic engineering strategies for improving hydrogen and ethanol production by E. coli.
Direct Chemical Activation of a Rationally Engineered Signaling Enzyme
Authors: Chio Cynthia M. , Cheng Karen W. , Bishop Anthony C.
Published: June 2015

Few chemical strategies for activating enzymes have been developed. Here we show that a biarsenical compound (FlAsH) can directly activate a rationally engineered protein tyrosine phosphatase (Shp2 PTP) by disrupting autoinhibitory interactions between Shp2's N‐terminal SH2 domain and its PTP domain. We found that introducing a tricysteine motif at a loop of Shp2's N‐SH2 domain confers affinity for FlAsH; binding of FlAsH to the cysteine‐enriched loop relieves Shp2's inhibitory interdomain interaction and substantially increases the enzyme's PTP activity. Activation of engineered Shp2 is substrate independent and is observed in the contexts of both purified enzyme and complex proteomes. A chemical means for activating Shp2 could be useful for investigating its roles in signaling and oncogenesis, and the loop‐targeting strategy described herein could provide a blueprint for the development of target‐specific activators of other autoinhibited enzymes.
An Efficient Synthesis of (+)‐Subersic Acid
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Peiqiang , Li Jue , Wu Peiying , Ren Jiangmeng , Zeng Bubing
Published: June 2015

This paper describes a concise and practical route to (+)‐subersic acid from naturally occurring (−)‐Sclareol in 7 steps. The key step of this route relied on the cross coupling of the diterpene with the arene fragment using the arylation of allylic acetate followed by β‐acetoxy elimination type Heck reaction.
Improvement of a‐Si:H Thin‐film Solar Cells by Employing Large Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Sunhwa , Park Jinjoo , Yi Junsin , Jeong Chaehwan
Published: June 2015

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles were formed on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate, and then hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film solar cells were sequentially fabricated. Ag nanoparticles located in the interface between the FTO and the p‐layer leads to a light‐trapping effect because of the strong light‐material interaction in Ag nanoparticles and enhancement of the optical path length. A higher haze ratio appeared for Ag nanoparticles with larger diameters and heights, compared with the conventional type. The device with the Ag nanoparticles showed a short‐circuit current density of 12.66 mA cm−2, which was 2.2 mA cm−2 higher than the device without Ag nanoparticles. Conversion efficiency increased from 4.9 % to 5.9 % by employing Ag nanoparticles with a roughness of 71 nm. The simple process makes our design useful for low‐cost, high conversion efficiency thin‐film solar cells.
Driving, Pseudo‐reality and the BTK: A Case Study
Authors: Lynes Adam , Wilson David
Published: June 2015

The significance of occupational choice, in particular those that involve driving, has not yet been studied or investigated in relation to serial murder. This paper, which adopts a case study approach, attempts to shed light on how driving as an occupation may instrumentally influence the offending behaviour of one North American serial murderer—Dennis Rader. Attention is given towards how spending such significant amounts of time driving may have held deep psychological importance for Rader, with regard to the development of his offending‐oriented fantasies. In particular, the “offending space model” is used to examine the relationship between ‘thinking and doing’. In providing this micro‐level analysis, we suggest that transient oriented occupations provide a rich array of practical advantages that may aid serial murderers in avoiding detection, whilst also holding deep psychological influence in the nurturing and development of their fantasies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subculture by autonomy and group cohesion and its effect on job satisfaction of R&D professionals in an R&D organization
Authors: Jung Jaehwan , Nam Changi , Lee Euehun , Kim Seongcheol
Published: June 2015

Professional research and development (R&D) organizations typically employ highly educated professionals to work on a range of creative, intellectual projects in their chosen fields. In these organizations, organizational culture and subculture are critical factors connected with project success. This paper explores the existence of subcultures and the factors that contribute to subcultures within a professional R&D organization, and examines subcultural effects on the job satisfaction of R&D professionals to suggest a suitable cultural type for professional R&D organizations. Autonomy and group cohesion are considered, so grid–group theory is applied to measure R&D culture. The subjects were 285 full-time researchers who had worked at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, an international IT institution, for over 5 years. Differences were found in organizational culture according to the research fields and types (applied and developmental research). The egalitarian culture type (low grid, high group) is found to be suitable for improving job satisfaction in R&D organizations.
Topological realizations and fundamental groups of higher-rank graphs
Authors: Kaliszewski S. , Kumjian Alex , Quigg John , Sims Aidan
Published: June 2015

We investigate topological realizations of higher-rank graphs. We show that the fundamental group of a higher-rank graph coincides with the fundamental group of its topological realization. We also show that topological realization of higher-rank graphs is a functor and that for each higher-rank graphΛ, this functor determines a category equivalence between the category of coverings ofΛand the category of coverings of its topological realization. We discuss how topological realization relates to two standard constructions fork-graphs: projective limits and crossed products by finitely generated free abelian groups.
Sodium content on processed foods for snacks
Authors: Kraemer Mariana Vieira dos Santos , Oliveira Renata Carvalho de , Gonzalez-Chica David Alejandro , Proença Rossana Pacheco da Costa
Published: June 2015

Objective

To assess the Na content reported on the labels of processed foods sold in Brazil that are usually consumed as snacks by children and adolescents.

Design

Cross-sectional study that assessed Na content and serving size reporting on processed food labels.

Setting

A supermarket that is part of a large chain in Brazil.

Subjects

All foods available for sale at the study’s location and reported in the literature as snacks present in the diets of Brazilian children and adolescents.

Results

Of the 2945 processed foods, 87 % complied with the reference serving sizes, although variability in reporting was observed in most of the food subgroups. In addition, 21 % of the processed foods had high Na levels (>600 mg/100 g) and 35 % had medium Na levels (>120 and ≤600 mg/100 g). The meats, oils, fats and seeds groups as well as the prepared dishes had higher percentages of foods classified as high Na (81 %, 58 % and 53 %, respectively).

Conclusions

Most of the processed foods had high or medium Na content. We emphasize the importance of revising Brazilian nutrition labelling legislation to standardize reference serving sizes to avoid variation. Besides, we point out the potential for reducing Na levels in most processed foods, as evidenced by the variability in Na content within subgroups. Finally, we have identified the need to develop a method to classify Na levels in processed foods with specific parameters for children and adolescents.
DNA transducer-triggered signal switch for visual colorimetric bioanalysis
Authors: Chen Wenhong , Yan Yurong , Zhang Ye , Zhang Xuemei , Yin Yibing , Ding Shijia
Published: June 2015

A simple and versatile colorimetric biosensor has been developed for sensitive and specific detection of a wide range of biomolecules, such as oligonucleotides and aptamer-recognized targets. Combining the signal transducer and catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA)-based signal amplification, the target DNA binds with the hairpin DNA to form a new nucleic acid sequence and creates a toehold in the transducer for initiating the recycle amplification reaction of CHA. The catalyzed assembly process produces a large amount of G-rich DNA. In the presence of hemin, the G-rich DNA forms G-quadruplex/hemin complex and mimic horseradish peroxidase activity, which catalyzes a colorimetric reaction. Under optimal conditions, the calibration curve of synthetic target DNA has good linearity from 50 pM to 200 nM with a detection limit of 32 pM. This strategy has been successfully applied to detect S. pneumoniae as low as 156 CFU mL−1 and shows a good specificity against closely related streptococci and major pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the developed method enables successful visual analysis of S. pneumoniae in clinical samples by the naked eye. Importantly, this method demonstrates excellent assay versatility for sensitively detecting oligonucleotides or aptamer-recognized targets.
Rh-catalyzed oxidizing group-directed ortho C–H vinylation of arenes by vinylstannanes
Authors: Prakash Sekar , Muralirajan Krishnamoorthy , Cheng Chien-Hong
Published: June 2015

An efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized vinyl arenes from the reaction ofN-methoxybenzamides orN-phenoxyacetamides with vinylstannanesviarhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation is described. The application of the methodology for the synthesis of a natural product thalactamine and a 7-membered ring oxepine are also demonstrated.
Reconstruction of Rh nanoparticles in methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Wu Zhaoxuan , Chen Wenlong , Liu Hongyang , Zhai Peng , Xiao Chaoxian , Su Dangsheng , Liu Haichao , Ma Ding
Published: June 2015

Reconstruction of Rh-ncs is induced by methanol oxidation, and the formation of defect sites accompanied by an increase in Rh (111) is responsible for activity improvement.
Application of an optimized electrochemical sensor for monitoring astaxanthin antioxidant properties against lipoperoxidation
Authors: Penu Ramona , Litescu Simona Carmen , Eremia Sandra A. V. , Vasilescu Ioana , Radu Gabriel-Lucian , Giardi Maria Teresa , Pezzotti Gianni , Rea Giuseppina
Published: June 2015

This paper reports the first renewable electrochemical sensor that is able to provide reliablein vitroinformation on carotenoid antioxidant properties by mimicking their natural position and orientation in the cellular membrane.
Multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose-graft-histidine and TPGS for enhanced effect of docetaxel
Authors: Jiang Weihua , Yang Lei , Qiu Lipeng , Xu Jingwen , Yang Xiuchun , Wang Ju , Zhou Hui , Wang Dongkai
Published: June 2015

Multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles that comprised of sodium carboxymethylcellulose-graft-histidine (CMH) and TPGS were designed for overcoming MDR of docetaxel.
Viscoelastic and durability analysis of nanostructured composite layers of polyelectrolyte and nanoparticles
Authors: Fukada Kenta , Taniguchi Taihei , Shiratori Seimei
Published: June 2015

We have evaluated the abrasion and bending durabilities of stacked polymer/nanoparticle layer-by-layer films.
Aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol on Pt/CeO2–ZrO2: effects of cerium to zirconium molar ratio
Authors: Jeon Seongho , Ham Hyungwon , Suh Young-Woong , Bae Jong Wook
Published: June 2015

The superior activity of aqueous-phase reforming of ethylene glycol on optimal Pt/CeO2–ZrO2was attributed to the strongly interacting platinum species on the oxygen vacancy defect sites of the support, forming thermally-stable platinum crystallites.
Significant effect of alkyl chain length on fluorescent thermochromism of 9,10-bis(p-alkoxystyryl)anthracenes
Authors: Xiong Yao , Ma Yawen , Yan Xilong , Yin Guohui , Chen Ligong
Published: June 2015

9,10-bis(p-alkoxystyryl)anthracenes show excellent fluorescent thermochromism and alkyl chain length was found to have significant effect on their fluorescent thermochromic behaviours.
Flexible freestanding Cladophora nanocellulose paper based Si anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Xu Chao , Tammela Petter , Huo Jinxing , Strømme Maria , Edström Kristina , Gustafsson Torbjörn , Nyholm Leif
Published: June 2015

Rational design of high capacity, flexible Si paper anodes based on 3D conductiveCladophorananocellulose matrix.
Fabrication of conductive polyaniline hydrogel using porogen leaching and projection microstereolithography
Authors: Wu Yibo , Chen Yong X. , Yan Jiahan , Yang Shihao , Dong Ping , Soman Pranav
Published: June 2015

A PEGda–PANI conductive hydrogel developed using interfacial polymerization process can be applied to range of fabrication methodologies.
Journal of Materials Chemistry B & C joint themed issue: organic bioelectronics
Authors: Bettinger Christopher J. , Stingelin Natalie
Published: June 2015

Guest editors Christopher J. Bettinger and Natalie Stingelin introduce this Journal of Materials Chemistry B & C joint themed issue on organic bioelectronics.
Self-Assessment of Hearing and Purchase of Hearing Aids by Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults
Authors: Otavio Andressa , Coradini Patricia , Teixeira Adriane
Published: June 2015

Introduction Presbycusis is a consequence of aging. Prescription of hearing aids is part of the treatment, although the prevalence of use by elderly people is still small.

Objective To verify whether or not self-assessment of hearing is a predictor for purchase of hearing aids.

Methods Quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study. Participants were subjects who sought a private hearing center for selection of hearing aids. During the diagnostic interview, subjects answered the following question: “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 the best, how would you rate your overall hearing ability?” After that, subjects underwent audiometry, selected a hearing aid, performed a home trial, and decided whether or not to purchase the hearing aid. The variables were associated and analyzed statistically.

Results The sample was comprised of 32 subjects, both men and women, with a higher number of women. Mean age was 71.41 ± 12.14 years. Self-assessment of hearing ranged from 2 to 9 points. Overall, 71.9% of the subjects purchased hearing aids. There was no association between scores in the self-assessment and the purchase of hearing aids (p = 0.263). Among those who scored between 2 and 5 points, 64.7% purchased the device; between 6 and 7 points, 76.09% purchased the device; and between 8 and 9 points, 50% purchased the device, respectively.

Conclusion There is evidence that low self-assessment scores lead to the purchase of hearing aids, although no significant association was observed in the sample.
Geometry of Winter model
Authors: Aglietti U. G. , Santini P. M.
Published: June 2015

By constructing the Riemann surface controlling the resonance structure of Winter model, we determine the limitations of perturbation theory. We then derive explicit non-perturbative results for various observables in the weak-coupling regime, in which the model has an infinite tower of long-lived resonant states. The problem of constructing proper initial wavefunctions coupled to single excitations of the model is also treated within perturbative and non-perturbative methods.
Cluster-size dynamics: A phenomenological model for the interaction between coagulation and fragmentation processes
Authors: Rotstein Horacio G.
Published: June 2015

We present a novel phenomenological modeling approach to describe the growth of clusters as the result of the interaction between cluster coagulation and fragmentation. The cluster-size growth (CSG) model tracks the evolution of cluster-sizes rather than the concentrations of clusters with different sizes as in the Smoluchowski and Becker-Döring coagulation-fragmentation equations. Our modeling perspective allows for a description of cluster growth in realistic systems by using a significantly smaller number of differential equations to describe their dynamics. We used dynamical system tools (phase-plane analysis) and numerical simulations to investigate the CSG model dynamics and to understand how the model parameters describing the coagulation and fragmentation processes determine balances between these two processes that create non-zero stationary cluster size distributions.
Polyvinylidene fluoride/nickel composite materials for charge storing, electromagnetic interference absorption, and shielding applications
Authors: Gargama H. , Thakur A. K. , Chaturvedi S. K.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the composites of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/nickel (Ni) prepared through simple blending and hot-molding process have been investigated for dielectric, electromagnetic shielding, and radar absorbing properties. In order to study complex permittivity of the composites in 40 Hz–20 MHz frequency range, impedance spectroscopy (IS) technique is used. Besides, the complex permittivity and permeability in addition to shielding effectiveness (SE), reflection coefficient (backed by air), and loss factor are calculated using scattering parameters measured in X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) by waveguide method. Further, in X-band, a theoretical analysis of single layer absorbing structure backed by perfect electrical conductor is then performed. A flanged coaxial holder has also been designed, fabricated, calibrated, and tested for electromagnetic interference SE measurement in the broad frequency range (50 MHz–18 GHz). The IS results indicate large enhancement in dielectric constant as a function of Ni loading in the polymer-metal composite (PMC) phase. This result has been explained using interfacial polarization and percolation theory. The frequency dependent response of ac conductivity has been analyzed by fitting the experimental data to the “Johnscher's universal dielectric response law” model. The results obtained for SE (in X-band over broad frequency range) and reflection coefficient indicate that PVDF/Ni composites give better electromagnetic interference shielding and radar absorption properties at filler concentration (fcon) ≥ fc in the PMC, whereas at fc < fcon, the charge storage mechanism dominates in the insulator regime of the composite phase. Therefore, the range of PMC compositions below and above percolation threshold has been observed to have different variety of applications.
Modelling group navigation: transitive social structures improve navigational performance
Authors: Flack Andrea , Biro Dora , Guilford Tim , Freeman Robin
Published: June 2015

Collective navigation demands that group members reach consensus on which path to follow, a task that might become more challenging when the group's members have different social connections. Group decision-making mechanisms have been studied successfully in the past using individual-based modelling, although many of these studies have neglected the role of social connections between the group's interacting members. Nevertheless, empirical studies have demonstrated that individual recognition, previous shared experiences and inter-individual familiarity can influence the cohesion and the dynamics of the group as well as the relative spatial positions of specific individuals within it. Here, we use models of collective motion to study the impact of social relationships on group navigation by introducing social network structures into a model of collective motion. Our results show that groups consisting of equally informed individuals achieve the highest level of accuracy when they are hierarchically organized with the minimum number of preferred connections per individual. We also observe that the navigational accuracy of a group will depend strongly on detailed aspects of its social organization. More specifically, group navigation does not only depend on the underlying social relationships, but also on how much weight leading individuals put on following others. Also, we show that groups with certain social structures can compensate better for an increased level of navigational error. The results have broader implications for studies on collective navigation and motion because they show that only by considering a group's social system can we fully elucidate the dynamics and advantages of joint movements.
Choice mechanisms for past, temporally extended outcomes
Authors: Vestergaard Martin D. , Schultz Wolfram
Published: June 2015

Accurate retrospection is critical in many decision scenarios ranging from investment banking to hedonic psychology. A notoriously difficult case is to integrate previously perceived values over the duration of an experience. Failure in retrospective evaluation leads to suboptimal outcome when previous experiences are under consideration for revisit. A biologically plausible mechanism underlying evaluation of temporally extended outcomes is leaky integration of evidence. The leaky integrator favours positive temporal contrasts, in turn leading to undue emphasis on recency. To investigate choice mechanisms underlying suboptimal outcome based on retrospective evaluation, we used computational and behavioural techniques to model choice between perceived extended outcomes with different temporal profiles. Second-price auctions served to establish the perceived values of virtual coins offered sequentially to humans in a rapid monetary gambling task. Results show that lesser-valued options involving successive growth were systematically preferred to better options with declining temporal profiles. The disadvantageous inclination towards persistent growth was mitigated in some individuals in whom a longer time constant of the leaky integrator resulted in fewer violations of dominance. These results demonstrate how focusing on immediate gains is less beneficial than considering longer perspectives.
More, smaller bacteria in response to ocean's warming?
Authors: Morán Xosé Anxelu G. , Alonso-Sáez Laura , Nogueira Enrique , Ducklow Hugh W. , González Natalia , López-Urrutia Ángel , Díaz-Pérez Laura , Calvo-Díaz Alejandra , Arandia-Gorostidi Nestor , Huete-Stauffer Tamara M.
Published: June 2015

Heterotrophic bacteria play a major role in organic matter cycling in the ocean. Although the high abundances and relatively fast growth rates of coastal surface bacterioplankton make them suitable sentinels of global change, past analyses have largely overlooked this functional group. Here, time series analysis of a decade of monthly observations in temperate Atlantic coastal waters revealed strong seasonal patterns in the abundance, size and biomass of the ubiquitous flow-cytometric groups of low (LNA) and high nucleic acid (HNA) content bacteria. Over this relatively short period, we also found that bacterioplankton cells were significantly smaller, a trend that is consistent with the hypothesized temperature-driven decrease in body size. Although decadal cell shrinking was observed for both groups, it was only LNA cells that were strongly coherent, with ecological theories linking temperature, abundance and individual size on both the seasonal and interannual scale. We explain this finding because, relative to their HNA counterparts, marine LNA bacteria are less diverse, dominated by members of the SAR11 clade. Temperature manipulation experiments in 2012 confirmed a direct effect of warming on bacterial size. Concurrent with rising temperatures in spring, significant decadal trends of increasing standing stocks (3% per year) accompanied by decreasing mean cell size (−1% per year) suggest a major shift in community structure, with a larger contribution of LNA bacteria to total biomass. The increasing prevalence of these typically oligotrophic taxa may severely impact marine food webs and carbon fluxes by an overall decrease in the efficiency of the biological pump.
A novel spatio-temporal scale based on ocean currents unravels environmental drivers of reproductive timing in a marine predator
Authors: Afán Isabel , Chiaradia André , Forero Manuela G. , Dann Peter , Ramírez Francisco
Published: June 2015

Life-history strategies have evolved in response to predictable patterns of environmental features. In practice, linking life-history strategies and changes in environmental conditions requires comparable space–time scales between both processes, a difficult match in most marine system studies. We propose a novel spatio-temporal and dynamic scale to explore marine productivity patterns probably driving reproductive timing in the inshore little penguin (
Eudyptula minor
), based on monthly data on ocean circulation in the Southern Ocean, Australia. In contrast to what occurred when considering any other fixed scales, little penguin's highly variable laying date always occurred within the annual peak of ocean productivity that emerged from our newly defined dynamic scale. Additionally, local sea surface temperature seems to have triggered the onset of reproduction, acting as an environmental cue informing on marine productivity patterns at our dynamic scale. Chlorophyll-
a
patterns extracted from this scale revealed that environment factors in marine ecosystems affecting breeding decisions are related to a much wider region than foraging areas that are commonly used in current studies investigating the link between animals' life history and their environment. We suggest that marine productivity patterns may be more predictable than previously thought when environmental and biological data are examined at appropriate scales.
The intersection of sex and race in the presence of deep-level attributes
Authors: Kramer Amit , Ben-Ner Avner
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms by which decisions about others are affected by the information known about them. The authors argue that the availability of information about deep-level attributes diminishes the role of surface-level attributes in how people make decisions about others. The authors posit that individuals will make discriminatory decisions based on surface-level attributes when only this information is available; but, as predicted by the integration-and-learning perspective, the availability of information about deep-level attributes will reduce surface-level attribute discrimination. Although discrimination will not disappear completely, it will shift its focal point toward a person’s deep-level attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from subjects in two studies, with 52 subjects in Study 1 and 230 in Study 2. Paired-samplest-test and mixed effects GLS regression were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– When presented with surface-level attributes of a target person, subjects demonstrated discriminatory behaviors based on race and sex. However, when subjects were presented with surface-level attributes along with deep-level attributes about a target person, subjects made decisions based on deep-level attribute similarities and disregarded surface-level information.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors interpret the findings to mean that enhancing information about others shifts favoritism and discrimination based on surface-level attributes to “deeper” grounds.

Originality/value

– This study demonstrates how multiple identities and values that individuals possess, and of which they become aware of in others, affect decision-making behavior toward others. It elucidates the mechanisms by which providing individuals with meaningful information about others can help them overcome, or at least reduce, surface-level discriminatory decision making.
The relationship of employee status to organizational culture and organizational effectiveness
Authors: Deem Jackie W. , DeLotell Pam J. , Kelly Kathryn
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study investigates the relationship between employment status (full time (FT)/part time (PT)), organizational culture and institutional effectiveness in higher education. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question, “Does the growing population of PT faculty preclude effective cultures from developing and, accordingly, adversely affect institutional effectiveness?”

Design/methodology/approach

– The study surveyed 159 PT faculty and 65 FT faculty from seven schools of an online, proprietary university. The instrument, consisting of the Organizational Culture Survey Instrument and demographic questions, was distributed and data collected utilizing an online survey application. Statistical analysis methods including descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.

Findings

– The study found no significant differences between perceptions of organizational culture or institutional effectiveness FT and PT faculty. Inter-school differences in perceptions were identified. Further research in this area is warranted to investigate discipline as a cause for the inter-school differences.

Research limitations/implications

– The study included respondents from only one online university. Therefore, additional studies involving traditional, ground based and hybrid institutions are required to establish generalizability. Additionally, self-assessments of institutional effectiveness were used. Future studies should consider quantitative research models for the measurement of institutional effectiveness.

Practical implications

– The study indicates that PT faculty are not less committed to the institution than their FT counterparts. This strengthens the case for using PT faculty, particularly in an online environment.

Originality/value

– This study investigates the relationship between organizational culture and institutional effectiveness in higher education from the faculty perspective. This has not been done before.
Supervisor support and pro-environmental behavior: the mediating role of LMX
Authors: Gkorezis Panagiotis
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the mediating mechanisms of the relationship between supervisor support and pro-environmental behavior. To this end, the quality of the dyadic exchanges between supervisor and subordinates was used.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from two different samples. In order to test the present hypotheses hierarchical regression and bootstrapping analysis were conducted.

Findings

– In congruence with the hypotheses, the results showed that leader-member exchange (LMX) served as a mediator in the relationship between supervisor support and pro-environmental behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– Data were drawn using a cross-sectional design. As a result, it is precarious to assess causality among the constructs. Furthermore, both studies collected data from a single source, namely employees, and this may inflate the present relationships due to common method bias.

Originality/value

– To the best of author’s knowledge, no prior empirical study has examined the pivotal role of LMX in affecting employees’ pro-environmental behavior.
Revisiting the strategy-performance linkage
Authors: Luoma Mikko Antero
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The linkage between strategy and performance is central to strategic management. Empirical studies have nevertheless produced mixed results on the nature of this relationship, and in recent decades, very little advancement has been made in research aimed at elucidating this relationship. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to identify the approaches to the strategy-performance linkage in previous studies and defines five principles that should characterize future research on this relationship. The paper develops a novel research design that follows these principles and tests the usefulness of this research design in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is exploratory in nature and its empirical methods include content analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis. The primary difference between this paper and studies in the mainstream literature on the linkage between strategy and performance relates to the application of an endogenous strategy typology instead of predefined strategy categories.

Findings

– The analysis shows that the adopted research design based on five principles is applicable to research on the linkage between strategy and performance and that such a research design produces meaningful results. The results support the findings of earlier studies regarding the potential of “hybrid” strategies for achieving superior firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper challenges the dominance of generic strategies in research on the strategy-performance linkage and provides statistical data that lay the foundation for more detailed investigation on this relationship. The paper argues for a contextually bound view of strategic management.

Originality/value

– This paper invigorates the discussion on the linkage between strategy and performance, which has long been diminishing as a research topic in the literature because of contradictory results and the lack of fresh research opportunities. This paper further introduces a methodology that has been underutilized in the study of strategic management.
Study of microRNAs (miRNAs) that are predicted to target the autoantigens Ro/SSA and La/SSB in primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Gourzi V C , Kapsogeorgou E K , Kyriakidis N C , Tzioufas A G
Published: June 2015

The elevated tissue expression of Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantigens appears to be crucial for the generation and perpetuation of autoimmune humoral responses against these autoantigens in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The mechanisms that govern their expression are not known. miRNAs, the post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, might be implicated. We have identified previously the miRNAs let7b, miR16, miR181a, miR200b-3p, miR200b-5p, miR223 and miR483-5p that are predicted to target Ro/SSA [Ro52/tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21), Ro60/TROVE domain family, member 2 (TROVE2)] and La/SSB mRNAs. To study possible associations with autoantigen mRNA expression and disease features, their expression was investigated in minor salivary gland (MSG) tissues, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and long-term cultured non-neoplastic salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) from 29 SS patients (20 of 29 positive for autoantibodies to Ro/SSA and La/SSB) and 24 sicca-complaining controls. The levels of miR16 were up-regulated in MSGs, miR200b-3p in SGECs and miR223 and miR483-5p in PBMCs of SS patients compared to sicca-complaining controls. The MSG levels of let7b, miR16, miR181a, miR223 and miR483-5p were correlated positively with Ro52/TRIM21-mRNA. miR181a and miR200b-3p were correlated negatively with Ro52/TRIM21 and Ro60/TROVE2 mRNAs in SGECs, respectively, whereas let7b, miR200b-5p and miR223 associated with La/SSB-mRNA. In PBMCs, let7b, miR16, miR181a and miR483-5p were correlated with Ro52/TRIM21, whereas let7b, miR16 and miR181a were also associated with La/SSB-mRNA expression. Significantly lower miR200b-5p levels were expressed in SS patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma compared to those without. Our findings indicate that miR16, miR200b-3p, miR223 and miR483-5p are deregulated in SS, but the exact role of this deregulation in disease pathogenesis and autoantigen expression needs to be elucidated.
Childhood origins and adult destinations: The impact of childhood living conditions on coexisting disadvantages in adulthood
Authors: Almquist Ylva B.
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to analyse linkages between childhood living conditions and coexisting disadvantages in adulthood. Analyses were based on the Stockholm Birth Cohort, consisting of more than 14,000 individuals born in 1953, followed up until 2007. Based on education, labour market outcomes, economic poverty and health, four outcome profiles with varying levels of disadvantage were identified by means of latent class analysis. Coexisting disadvantages were present in approximately one‐fifth of the individuals. Low educational attainment, social welfare recipiency and mental health problems simultaneously occurred in two of the profiles, suggesting that these dimensions are highly interconnected. Results from multinomial regression analysis showed that individuals who had experienced disadvantaged childhood conditions had particularly high risks of ending up in these two outcome profiles, with or without the presence of unemployment.

Key Practitioner Message: ● Four outcome profiles with varying combinations of adult disadvantage are identified; ● Coexisting disadvantages are present in approximately one‐fifth of the individuals; ● Those experiencing adverse childhood conditions have higher risks of coexisting disadvantages, with or without the presence of unemployment.
The effect of a calcium phosphate mouth rinse on (chemo) radiation induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a prospective study
Authors: Stokman MA , Burlage FR , Spijkervet FKL
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Promising results of a calcium phosphate (CP) mouth rinse on reduced severity of oral mucositis have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a CP mouth rinse on the frequency, duration and severity of (chemo) radiation induced oral mucositis in patients with head–neck cancer.

Material and method

patients with oral malignancies, treated with (chemo) radiotherapy, were included. Patients rinsed four times a day with a CP mouth rinse. Patients not willing to rinse with the CP mouth rinse served as control. Mucositis was scored according to the WHO score at baseline and twice a week during the full course of (chemo) radiotherapy. Patient's self‐reported mouth‐throat soreness (MTS) was evaluated at the same time interval using a diary in the CP mouth rinse group. The outcomes on MTS were compared with a historical control group.

Results

Fifty‐two patients were analysed: 25 CP mouth rinse group, 11 control group and 16 historical group. There was no significant difference between the CP group and control group on development and severity of oral mucositis. No significant difference was found for subjective outcomes on MTS between the CP group and the historical group.

Conclusions

The CP mouth rinse seems to have no influence on the frequency, duration and severity of oral mucositis during (chemo) radiation in patients with head and neck cancer. A trend to develop less MTS for drinking and eating was found when applying the CP mouth rinse.
Helicobacter pylori CheZHP and ChePep form a novel chemotaxis‐regulatory complex distinct from the core chemotaxis signaling proteins and the flagellar motor
Authors: Lertsethtakarn Paphavee , Howitt Michael R. , Castellon Juan , Amieva Manuel R. , Ottemann Karen M.
Published: June 2015

Chemotaxis is important for Helicobacter pylori to colonize the stomach. Like other bacteria, H. pylori uses chemoreceptors and conserved chemotaxis proteins to phosphorylate the flagellar rotational response regulator, CheY, and modulate the flagellar rotational direction. Phosphorylated CheY is returned to its non‐phosphorylated state by phosphatases such as CheZ. In previously studied cases, chemotaxis phosphatases localize to the cellular poles by interactions with either the CheA chemotaxis kinase or flagellar motor proteins. We report here that the H. pylori CheZ, CheZHP, localizes to the poles independently of the flagellar motor, CheA, and all typical chemotaxis proteins. Instead, CheZHP localization depends on the chemotaxis regulatory protein ChePep, and reciprocally, ChePep requires CheZHP for its polar localization. We furthermore show that these proteins interact directly. Functional domain mapping of CheZHP determined the polar localization motif lies within the central domain of the protein and that the protein has regions outside of the active site that participate in chemotaxis. Our results suggest that CheZHP and ChePep form a distinct complex. These results therefore suggest the intriguing idea that some phosphatases localize independently of the other chemotaxis and motility proteins, possibly to confer unique regulation on these proteins' activities.