bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family firms and corporate social responsibility: exploring “concerns”
Authors: Lamb Nai Hua , Butler Frank , Roundy Philip
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Scholars are devoting increasing attention to understanding a specific type of strategic initiative in family firms: corporate social responsibility (CSR). Prior studies have focused on the strengths of family firms’ CSR performance. However, to more fully understand family firms and their engagement in CSR, a granular approach is needed that teases apart the strengths and concerns of CSR performance and examines the specific dimensions that comprise CSR performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to theorize about six negative (i.e. concern-oriented) dimensions of family firms’ CSR performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the interrelationship between a firm’s percentage of family ownership and its CSR concerns, a sample of 71 public firms from Fortune 500 companies was constructed. The sample includes 13 years of firm-level data spanning 1994-2006 and represents over 600 firm-year observations.

Findings

As predicted, a higher percentage of family owners’ equity is positively related to diversity-oriented CSR concerns and negatively related to employee relations and environmental CSR concerns. However, the percentage of equity owned by family members is not associated with community, product quality and safety, and corporate governance CSR concerns.

Originality/value

The paper addresses substantive omissions in existing research on the influence of family ownership on CSR performance.
Time and space in business: dynamic geographic concentration and localized industry life cycle
Authors: Wang Liang
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to theorize how the industry life cycle unfolds differently across places and how economic agglomeration varies over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on literature review and conceptual analysis.

Findings

It generates a dynamic geographic concentration model (i.e. an industry’s degree of geographic concentration drops in the growth stage, rises in the mature stage, and drops again in the new growth stage) and a localized industry life-cycle model (i.e. temporal dynamics differ between the center and the periphery).

Originality/value

It makes contribution by theorizing that the extent to which an industry is geographically concentrated changes over time, and by demonstrating how an industry’s center and periphery may experience different temporal dynamics.
The impact of internal marketing and market orientation on performance: an empirical study in restaurant industry
Authors: Salehzadeh Reza , Khazaei Pool Javad , Tabaeeian Reihaneh Alsadat , Amani Mojtaba , Mortazavi Marjan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of internal marketing and market orientation on organizational performance based on the balanced scorecard (BSC).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional research design, drawing upon a questionnaire survey, was used to collect data from a sample of restaurants. Structural equation modeling was performed to test the relationship among the research variables using findings from the 164 participants.

Findings

The results revealed that internal marketing positively influenced market orientation and performance. In addition, market orientation was a direct antecedent of performance.

Originality/value

The findings provide important academic, practical and political implications for restaurant industry.
Creativity and propitiousness in strategic decision making
Authors: Elbanna Said , Kapoutsis Ilias , Mellahi Kamel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between positive perceptions of politics (i.e. positive politics) and decision creativity and propitiousness (i.e. reaching unforeseen advantages while limiting unexpected problems). In addition, drawing from threat-rigidity effect theory the authors argue that such relationships will be resilient to external environmental threats and specifically macro-economic uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The database for the analyses consisted of 200 strategic decisions gathered from firms located in Dubai.

Findings

Positive politics significantly influence decision creativity and propitiousness. Also, macro-economic uncertainty moderates this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Although this research has tried to adopt a more neutral perspective on political behavior, much more work is required to better understand the role and implications of neutral politics in decision-making.

Practical implications

If decision makers ensure that the concern for the organization’s welfare remains a priority over the self-serving motives of the actors, then politics can enhance decision success.

Social implications

This paper challenges the long held conventional wisdom that politics in organizations are an important underlying cause of unethical practices, poor decisions and organizational ineffectiveness.

Originality/value

The findings serve to further the understanding of complexities involved in the relationships between political behavior and its consequences.
Oil companies, social responsibility and CSP: combining actions and profiles
Authors: Pündrich Aline Pereira
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the influence of socio-economic and cultural factors and their influence on corporate social performance (CSP) (Clarkson, 1995) within developing and mature economies. It aims at identifying the characteristics of socially responsible actions within two contexts: France and Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study methodology and a press database, this paper analyzes two oil companies, the French group Total SA, and the Brazilian company Petrobras.

Findings

By focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions in different socio-economic and cultural contexts, it was possible to identify a predominant CSP “proactivity” in both companies; observe a difference in CSR discourse and practice; note a heterogenic and composite CSR; and notice that companies do not choose their CSP posture, but are subjected to external classifications.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of only one company per socio-economic and cultural context belonging to the same field could be considered as a limitation, although it allows a deeper analysis of events within both organizations.

Practical implications

Apprehending CSP within different contexts may help decision makers to better understand companies’ socially responsible postures and to observe the socio-economic and cultural factors that can influence them.

Originality/value

This paper highlights CSR practices and their CSP under different socio-economic and cultural perspectives for a more comprehensive understanding of factors that motivate and direct the actions of big corporate organizations.
Organizational antecedents of job embeddedness
Authors: Nguyen Vinh Q. , Taylor G. Stephen , Bergiel Erich
Published: October 2017

Purpose

A recent major development in the turnover literature is the introduction of the job embeddedness (JE) construct. Although it has been shown to impact organizational outcomes such as voluntary turnover, there is very limited research on how JE develops or its generalizability. In an effort to begin addressing this gap, this paper aims to investigate a range of presumed organizational antecedents of JE in the context of Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A written survey questionnaire was used to collect data from employees in a state-owned company in Hanoi, Vietnam. Of the 473 survey questionnaires distributed to company employees, a total of 292 were determined usable surveys, producing an effective response rate of 61.7 per cent.

Findings

The results indicated that organizational rewards, growth opportunities and procedural justice directly influence JE. In addition, perceived organizational support was found to mediate the relationships between these organizational factors and JE.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on both perceived organizational support and JE. In addition, this study is the first to empirically test the relationships among these two constructs and other organizational variables in the country of Vietnam.
Effect of cold vapour treatment on geometric accuracy of fused deposition modelling parts
Authors: Garg Ashu , Bhattacharya Anirban , Batish Ajay
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of low-cost chemical vapour treatment process on geometric accuracy and surface roughness of different curved and freeform surfaces of fused deposition modelling (FDM) specimens build at different part building orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

Parts with different primitive and curved surfaces are designed and modelled to build at three different part orientations along X orientation (vertical position resting on side face), Y orientation (horizontal position resting on base) and Z orientation (upright position). Later, the parts are post-processed by cold vapours of acetone. Geometric accuracy and surface roughness are measured both before and after the chemical treatment to investigate the change in geometric accuracy, surface roughness of FDM parts.

Findings

The results indicate that surface roughness is reduced immensely after cold vapour treatment with minimum variation in geometric accuracy of parts. Parts build vertically over its side face (X orientation) provides the overall better surface finish and geometric accuracy.

Originality/value

The present study provides an approach of post-built treatment for FDM parts and observes a significant improvement in surface finish of the components. The present approach of post-built treatment can be adopted to enhance the surface quality as well as to achieve desired geometric accuracy for different primitive, freeform/curved surfaces of FDM samples suitable for functional components as well as prototypes.
Investigating impact of five build parameters on the maximum flexural force in FDM specimens – a definitive screening design approach
Authors: Luzanin Ognjan , Guduric Vera , Ristic Ivan , Muhic Simon
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of five key build parameters – layer thickness, deposition angle, infill, extrusion speed and extrusion temperature, and their interactions – on the maximum flexural force in specimens which are made of polylactic acid (PLA).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a previous study on the flexural properties of PLA specimens, a statistically significant effect of layer thickness was indicated, requiring further experimentation to establish the values of quadratic term in the model, as well as to perform optimization. Instead of performing a conventional Central Composite Design, a novel, definitive screening design (DSD) was used as statistical method. DSD allowed the reduction of the number of runs required for optimization while minimizing aliasing.

Findings

Significance of deposition angle and infill as main effects was established. Moreover, significant two-way interactions between infill/layer thickness and infill/extrusion speed were detected and discussed. The optimization procedure showed that minimum level of deposition angle, maximum levels of extrusion speed and infill and near mid-level of layer thickness yield maximum flexural force.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the three levels of infill were 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3, which corresponds to 10, 20 and 30 per cent of infill, respectively. In everyday practice, infill is usually kept within this range since it allows time-efficiency, i.e. significant reduction of build time. Though, unsurprisingly, higher infill is positively correlated with flexural strength, this study provides practical directions for optimal selection of other key parameters when working with low infill values.

Social implications

Optimal 3D printing with low infill can contribute to lower material waste and pollution, while PLA plastic’s biodegradability remains high on the environment protection agenda.

Originality/value

According to available literature, no previous studies have investigated the FDM extrusion of PLA material using a combination of low infill, deposition angle, layer thickness, extrusion speed and extrusion temperature.
PZ Wilmar and palm oil expansion to West Africa
Authors: Murcia Maria Jose , Timko Joleen
Published: October 2017

Synopsis

In 2014, PZ Wilmar announced a new oil palm business worth $650 million in Cross River State, which would aggressively expand Nigeria’s palm oil production. In July 2015, a year after the plan was announced, a report jointly released by Friends of the Earth US and Environmental Rights Action Nigeria alleged that Wilmar was not complying with Nigerian laws, and accused them of human rights violations, environmental destruction, fraud, and land grabbing. The multifaceted nature of the “Cross River State crisis” permits “close-ups” from different vantage points to analyze the economic, environmental, social, and governance implications of palm oil expansion from a corporate sustainability perspective.

Research methodology

The case was researched utilizing secondary data, all materials are readily available to the public. There is no disguise of any actual person or entity and no relationship between the authors and the organizations or individuals mentioned in the case.

Relevant courses and levels

The case is best used at graduate level. It is very well suited for a MBA-level sustainability, business and society, or corporate social responsibility, or business ethics courses.

Theoretical bases

The case is grounded on the stakeholder theory, yet offering a fresh perspective, leveraging on the uniqueness of the Nigerian context. The authors argue that, while the assessment of the stakeholder salience of environmental groups operating in Nigeria might be different vis-à-vis other countries with sounder institutional environments, the normative question on whether the company should address these claims persists. The authors also draw from the social movements literature and bring forth the idea that the characteristics of the Nigerian context may jeopardize the prospects of success of adversarial tactics such as the issuing of lawsuits and extensive media exposure, which have been deemed effective elsewhere.
Early sex differences in central arterial wave reflection are mediated by different timing of forward and reflected pressure waves
Authors: Zaniqueli Divanei , Baldo Marcelo Perim , Sartório Carmem Luiza , de Sá cunha Roberto , de Oliveira Alvim Rafael , Mill José Geraldo
Published: October 2017

Non‐invasive assessment of central arterial pulse wave augmentation has been proved to be useful in predicting cardiovascular adverse events. Previous studies have shown that pre‐pubescent girls had greater central augmentation pressure compared with height‐matched boys. This study sought to investigate which factors contribute to the body height‐independent sexual differences in central arterial wave reflection observed in childhood. This cross‐sectional study involved 819 children and adolescents (6‐18 years of age) of both sexes. Phenotypes of central haemodynamic were obtained by radial applanation tonometry. Heart rate corrected augmentation index (Aix@75) was greater in girls compared with boys (2.9 ± 10.7 vs −1.7 ± 12.9%,P < .001) as well as the central augmented pressure (cAP; 1.3 ± 3.3 vs 0.1 ± 3.8 mm Hg,P < .001), even adjusting for age, heart rate and body height. Left ventricular ejection duration (ED) was longer (320 ± 26 vs 314 ± 24 ms,P = .004) and time to inflection point (Tr) was shorter in girls (139 ± 14 vs 141 ± 21 ms,P = .014). The reduction of Aix@75 with increasing body height was steeper in boys (−0.499 ± 0.030 vs −0.428 ± 0.036%/cm,P < .001) as well as the reduction ofcAPwith increasing body height (−0.108 ± 0.010 vs −0.066 ± 0.013 mm Hg/cm,P < .001). Body height‐independent sexual differences observed in the pulse wave reflection indices from early adolescence were mediated by different timing of forward and reflected pressure waves.
The path from social origins to top jobs: social reproduction via education
Authors: Sullivan Alice , Parsons Samantha , Green Francis , Wiggins Richard D. , Ploubidis George
Published: October 2017

This paper provides a comprehensive account of the way in which cognitive and educational attainment mediate the link between social origins and elite social class destinations in mid‐life. Using the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70), we assess the roles of a range of pathways through which educational advantage may lead to occupational attainment: cognitive development; private and selective secondary schools; school level qualifications; and higher education, including institution and field of study. Whereas past research has shown a residual direct effect of social origins on class destinations, we find that, once a sufficiently detailed picture of educational attainment is taken into account, education fully explains the link between social origins and top social class destinations. In contrast, the gap between men and women in achieving top social class positions is in no part accounted for by education.
Measuring conservation success beyond the traditional biological criteria: the case of conservation projects in Costa Rica, Mekong Valley, and Cameroon
Authors: Gruber Jessica , Mbatu Richard , Johns Rebecca , Dixon Barnali
Published: October 2017

Traditionally, the criteria used to measure conservation success or failure are based on biological factors. Biological factors include changes in the amount of targeted conserved species, biodiversity, and total area conserved. However, conservation efforts are not simply a matter of biological concern; environmental, political, social, and conflict pressures on different scales (ranging from local to global) also have strong influences on the outcome of conservation. These other factors can either pose threats to or enhance conservation, but are not addressed by current criteria. Using a proposed holistic rubric that includes interdisciplinary fields, this paper examines a set of conservation factors on different scales – ranging from local to global – to determine their importance in conservation. The paper analyses positive factor influences with more successful conservation and negative factor influences with less successful, or failed, conservation attempts. Neutral and non‐applicable factor influences are also identified, defined, and ranked as a standardization mechanism. The determination of success changed when the holistic rubric was applied to conservation projects in Costa Rica, Mekong Valley, and Cameroon. In the Costa Rica case study, conservation success for Guanacaste and Talamanca national parks is rated ‘moderately low’. In the case of Mekong Valley, conservation success is rated ‘low’ for Lower Mekong, ‘moderately low’ for Greater Annamites, and ‘low’ for Phong Nha‐Ke Bang national parks. Cameroon's Congo Basin and Sangha Tri‐National conservation efforts are both rated ‘low’, while Dja Faunal is rated ‘very low’. We conclude that if conservation efforts are to attain a high level of success, the strategy for global conservation must move away from the traditional biological approach, which focuses mainly on biological concerns, and embrace a holistic approach, which in addition to biological concerns, addresses environmental, political, social, and conflict pressures, which have strong influences on the outcomes of conservation.
Personal Identification of Deceased Persons: An Overview of the Current Methods Based on Physical Appearance
Authors: Caplova Zuzana , Obertova Zuzana , Gibelli Daniele M. , De Angelis Danilo , Mazzarelli Debora , Sforza Chiarella , Cattaneo Cristina
Published: October 2017

The use of the physical appearance of the deceased has become more important because the available antemortem information for comparisons may consist only of a physical description and photographs. Twenty‐one articles dealing with the identification based on the physiognomic features of the human body were selected for review and were divided into four sections: (i) visual recognition, (ii) specific facial/body areas, (iii) biometrics, and (iv) dental superimposition. While opinions about the reliability of the visual recognition differ, the search showed that it has been used in mass disasters, even without testing its objectivity and reliability. Specific facial areas being explored for the identification of dead; however, their practical use is questioned, similarly to soft biometrics. The emerging dental superimposition seems to be the only standardized and successfully applied method for identification so far. More research is needed into a potential use of the individualizing features, considering that postmortem changes and technical difficulties may affect the identification.
Ridge Width Correlations between Inked Prints and Powdered Latent Fingerprints
Authors: De Alcaraz‐Fossoul Josep , Barrot‐Feixat Carme , Zapico Sara C. , Mancenido Michelle , Broatch Jennifer , Roberts Katherine A. , Carreras‐Marin Clara , Tasker Jack
Published: October 2017

A methodology to estimate the time of latent fingerprint deposition would be of great value to law enforcement and courts. It has been observed that ridge topography changes as latent prints age, including the widths of ridges that could be measured as a function of time. Crime suspects are commonly identified using fingerprint databases that contain reference inked tenprints (flat and rolled impressions). These can be of interest in aging studies as they provide baseline information relating to the original (nonaged) ridges’ widths. In practice, the age of latent fingerprints could be estimated following a comparison process between the evidentiary aged print and the corresponding reference inked print. The present article explores possible correlations between inked and fresh latent fingerprints deposited on different substrates and visualized with TiO2. The results indicate that the ridge width of flat inked prints is most similar to fresh latent fingerprints, and these should be used as the comparison standard for future aging studies.
Residual Renal Function in Hemodialysis and Inflammation
Authors: de Sequera Patricia , Corchete Elena , Bohorquez Lourdes , Albalate Marta , Perez‐Garcia Rafael , Alique Matilde , Marques María , García‐Menéndez Estefanya , Portolés José , Ramirez Rafael
Published: October 2017

Residual renal function (RRF) has an important effect on uremic toxin clearance, on volume control, on quality of life, and on mortality. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), microinflammation with an increased percentage of CD14+/CD16++ inflammatory monocytes has been reported, even with no clinical evidence of inflammation. No correlation has been established between these and RRF in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Our objective was to assess the relationship between RRF and the inflammatory parameters in HD patients. Cross‐sectional observational study was carried out on 69 adult patients on chronic HD for at least 6 months, from which demographic, analytic and HD‐technique data were collected and the following were measured: (i) RRF with average urea and creatinine clearance ((CCr + CU)/2) in 24‐h urine (if >1 mL/min and diuresis >100 mL/day, RRF was considered); (ii) Inflammation through biochemical parameters (C‐reactive protein, β2 microglobulin, albumin) and monocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood. The average age was 70.9 [40–88] years old; 38 (55.1%) were male; and 25 (36.2%) were diabetic. 43.5% (30/69) presented RRF, with an average of ((CCr + CU)/2): 1.8 (2.6) mL/min and diuresis: 454.5 (569) mL /24 h. Patients with RRF presented lower concentrations of C‐reactive protein (6.2 vs 21.4 mg/L) (P = 0.038) and a lower percentage of non‐classical CD14+/CD16++ monocytes (14.6 vs. 28.3%, P = 0.02). In our study, patients with RRF present lower concentrations of inflammatory parameters, which is another reason why its preservation is an essential objective in HD.
Addition of Novel Biomarkers for Predicting All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Yamashita Kazuomi , Mizuiri Sonoo , Nishizawa Yoshiko , Shigemoto Kenichiro , Doi Shigehiro , Masaki Takao
Published: October 2017

Novel biomarkers might improve the prediction of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We simultaneously measured the levels of conventional and novel biomarkers [serum N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), intact fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF23), β2‐microglobulin (β2MG), cystatin C, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP)] in 307 prevalent Japanese HD patients. There were 66 all‐cause deaths, and 25 cardiovascular (CV) deaths during 2 years, which were assessed using Cox models and concordance (C)‐statistics. The addition of NT‐proBNP alone (P < 0.05) or NT‐proBNP, hsCRP, and β2MG as a panel (C‐statistics: 0.834 vs. 0.776, P < 0.01) to a conventional risk model composed of age, diabetes, and the serum albumin level significantly improved the prediction of 2‐year all‐cause mortality, and the addition of NT‐proBNP and hsCRP as a panel to a conventional risk model composed of age significantly improved the prediction of 2‐year CV mortality (P < 0.05) in Japanese prevalent HD patients. Neither FGF23 nor cystatin C improved mortality prediction.
Disseminated tuberculosis masquerading as a presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li Justin C.‐H. , Fong Warren , Wijaya Limin , Leung Ying Y.
Published: October 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) infection is the endemic in Asia‐Pacific region. Miliary TB is a disseminated form which may present similarly as autoimmune conditions. Here we describe a 17‐year‐old girl who had miliary TB with manifestations mimicking new‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) including oral ulcers, serositis, cytopenia, proteinuria and raised autoantibody titers. Complex associations between SLE and TB are highlighted. High index of clinical suspicion for TB infection is needed upon presentations resembling immune diseases like SLE.
TOR‐mediated regulation of metabolism in aging
Authors: Antikainen Henri , Driscoll Monica , Haspel Gal , Dobrowolski Radek
Published: October 2017

Cellular metabolism is regulated by the mTOR kinase, a key component of the molecular nutrient sensor pathway that plays a central role in cellular survival and aging. The mTOR pathway promotes protein and lipid synthesis and inhibits autophagy, a process known for its contribution to longevity in several model organisms. The nutrient‐sensing pathway is regulated at the lysosomal membrane by a number of proteins for which deficiency triggers widespread aging phenotypes in tested animal models. In response to environmental cues, this recently discovered lysosomal nutrient‐sensing complex regulates autophagy transcriptionally through conserved factors, such as the transcription factors TFEB and FOXO, associated with lifespan extension. This key metabolic pathway strongly depends on nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalization, a cellular phenomenon gradually lost during aging. In this review, we discuss the current progress in understanding the contribution of mTOR‐regulating factors to autophagy and longevity. Furthermore, we review research on the regulation of metabolism conducted in multiple aging models, including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and mouse, and human iPSCs. We suggest that conserved molecular pathways have the strongest potential for the development of new avenues for treatment of age‐related diseases.
Rapid prioritization of alien plants for eradication based on climatic suitability and eradication feasibility
Authors: Renteria Jorge L. , Rouget Mathieu , Visser Vernon
Published: October 2017

Identifying which introduced species have the greatest potential for establishment, spread and impact is critical for prioritizing pre‐ and post‐border control. Using species distribution modelling and existing species locations we assessed the establishment risk based on the climatic suitability areas of 25 plant species listed as eradication targets under South African regulations. To improve confidence, three bioclimatic models were used to predict the potential distribution of each species. This information was combined with the number of localities and the “eradication feasibility syndromes” in a scoring‐categorical system to rank the species. Three management groups were identified. Group “A” includes species with medium‐high establishment risk and higher likelihood to be eradicated, these species should be a priority for eradication. Group “B” includes species with a medium‐low establishment risk but given the low number of known population and the species characteristics, eradication is likely to be feasible. Finally species in group “C” scored a medium‐high establishment risk but the eradication would be difficult due to the high number of known localities. This ranking provides a rapid method to prioritize the management towards the eradication of new potential invasive plant species in the country combining the establishment risk, known number of localities and the inferred eradication success.
Phylogenetic placement and redescription of Aleochara blackburni Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz, 1926 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from coastal Australia
Authors: Song Jeong‐Hun , Osborn Andrew W , Elgueta Mario , Ahn Kee‐Jeong
Published: October 2017

Aleochara blackburni Bernhauer & Scheerpeltz (Aleocharinae) is a little‐known coastal rove beetle, not studied since a specimen was collected from coasts in Port Lincoln, South Australia, in 1888. We report the discovery of additional specimens, which were collected at sites distributed between the central‐east and south‐east coasts of Tasmania, Australia. Habitus photographs, a redescription, host records and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided. To investigate the phylogenetic placement of A. blackburni and taxonomic problems within the Emplenota and Triochara clade, we studied 34 populations of 13 coastal and one inland species and generated a molecular phylogeny of the genus Aleochara Gravenhorst based on three partial mitochondrial genes (COI, tRNA leucine and COII). Our results showed that A. blackburni was the sister group of the bilineata clade + curtula clade and suggested that A. curtidens Klimaszewski (Vancouver, Canada) and A. trisulcata Weise (Chiba, Japan) used in a previous study were misidentifications of A. fucicola Sharp and A. zerchei (Assing), respectively. Five independent origins of specialisation to coastal habitat in the genus Aleochara (clades A–E) are hypothesised, of which A. blackburni has independently colonised the Southern Australian coast (clade E).
A genome‐wide significant association on chromosome 2 for footrot resistance/susceptibility in Swiss White Alpine sheep
Authors: Niggeler A. , Tetens J. , Stäuble A. , Steiner A. , Drögemüller C.
Published: October 2017

Footrot is one of the most important causes of lameness in global sheep populations and is characterized by a bacterial infection of the interdigital skin. As a multifactorial disease, its clinical representation depends not only on pathogen factors and environmental components but also on the individual resistance/susceptibility of the host. A genetic component has been shown in previous studies; however, so far no causative genetic variant influencing the risk of developing footrot has been identified. In this study, we genotyped 373 Swiss White Alpine sheep, using the ovine high‐density 600k SNP chip, in order to run a DNA‐based comparison of individuals with known clinical footrot status. We performed a case–control genome‐wide association study, which revealed a genome‐wide significant association for SNP rs418747104 on ovine chromosome 2 at 81.2 Mb. The three best associated SNP markers were located at the MPDZ gene, which codes for the multiple PDZ domain crumbs cell polarity complex component protein, also known as multi‐PDZ domain protein 1 (MUPP1). This protein is possibly involved in maintaining the barrier function and integrity of tight junctions. Therefore, we speculate that individuals carrying MPDZ variants may differ in their footrot resistance/susceptibility due to modified horn and interdigital skin integrity. In conclusion, our study reveals that MPDZ might represent a functional candidate gene, and further research is needed to explore its role in footrot affected sheep.
A retrospective study of ketamine administration and the development of acute or post‐traumatic stress disorder in 274 war‐wounded soldiers
Authors: Mion G. , Le Masson J. , Granier C. , Hoffmann C.
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study was to explore whether ketamine prevents or exacerbates acute or post‐traumatic stress disorders in military trauma patients. We conducted a retrospective study of a database from the French Military Health Service, including all soldiers surviving a war injury in Afghanistan (2010–2012). The diagnosis of post‐traumatic stress disorder was made by a psychiatrist and patients were analysed according to the presence or absence of this condition. Analysis included the following covariables: age; sex; acute stress disorder; blast injury; associated fatality; brain injury; traumatic amputation; Glasgow coma scale; injury severity score; administered drugs; number of surgical procedures; physical, neurosensory or aesthetic sequelae; and the development chronic pain. Covariables related to post‐traumatic and acute stress disorders with a p ≤ 0.10 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. The data from 450 soldiers were identified; 399 survived, of which 274 were analysed. Among these, 98 (36%) suffered from post‐traumatic stress disorder and 89 (32%) had received ketamine. Fifty‐four patients (55%) in the post‐traumatic stress disorder group received ketamine vs. 35 (20%) in the no PTSD group (p < 0.001). The 89 injured soldiers who received ketamine had a median (IQR [range]) injury severity score of 5 (3–13 [1–26]) vs. 3 (2–4 [1–6] in the 185 patients who did not (p < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, only acute stress disorder and total number of surgical procedures were independently associated with the development of post‐traumatic stress disorder. In this retrospective study, ketamine administration was not a risk factor for the development of post‐traumatic stress disorder in the military trauma setting.
Stallion spermatozoa surviving freezing and thawing experience membrane depolarization and increased intracellular Na+
Authors: Ortega Ferrusola C. , Anel‐López L. , Ortiz‐Rodriguez J. M. , Martin Muñoz P. , Alvarez M. , de Paz P. , Masot J. , Redondo E. , Balao da Silva C. , Morrell J. M. , Rodriguez Martinez H. , Tapia J. A. , Gil M. C. , Anel L. , Peña F. J.
Published: October 2017

In order to gain insight of the modifications that freezing and thawing cause to the surviving population of spermatozoa, changes in the potential of the plasma membrane (Em) and intracellular Na+ content of stallion spermatozoa were investigated using flow cytometry. Moreover, caspase 3 activity was also investigated and the functionality of the Na+‐K+ ATPase pump was investigated before and after freezing and thawing. Cryopreservation caused a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the subpopulation of spermatozoa with depolarized sperm membranes, concomitantly with an increase (p < 0.05) in intracellular Na+. These changes occurred in relation to activation of caspase 3 (p < 0.001). Cryopreservation reduced the activity of the Na‐K+ pump and inhibition of the Na+‐K+ ATPase pump with ouabain‐induced caspase 3 activation. It is concluded that inactivation of Na+‐K+ ATPase occurs during cryopreservation, an inhibition that could play a role explaining the accelerated senescence of the surviving population of spermatozoa.
M2 polarization of monocytes in ankylosing spondylitis and relationship with inflammation and structural damage
Authors: Zhao Jinzhu , Yuan Wei , Tao Chunsheng , Sun Peifeng , Yang Zaixing , Xu Weidong
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the polarization of peripheral blood monocytes in the patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine the correlations between monocyte polarization and inflammation and structural damage. A total of 120 AS patients, 50 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. M1 (CD68+CD192+) and M2 (CX3CR1+CD163+) monocytes were characterized by flow cytometry. Demographic, clinical, radiographic and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. A large increase in M2 (CX3CR1+CD163+) monocytes was observed in AS, and M2/M1 ratio was 7.18 ± 6.12, 2.54 ± 3.14 and 35.61 ± 20.04 in control, RA and AS, respectively. The M2/M1 ratio correlated with modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) (r = 0.565; p < 0.001), ESR (r = −0.321; p < 0.001, CRP (r = −0.265; p < 0.001) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (r = −0.201; p = 0.028). Anti‐TNF‐α therapy induced a significant reduction in the percentage of M1 monocyte, ESR, CRP and BASDAI in AS patients. The present results demonstrated that M2 type polarized monocytes are predominant in the peripheral blood in AS and the M2/M1 ratio is correlated with structural damage (mSASSS), inflammatory biomarkers (ESR and CRP) and BASDAI.
Thinking or feeling? An exploratory study of maternal scaffolding, child mental state talk, and emotion understanding in language‐impaired and typically developing school‐aged children
Authors: Yuill Nicola , Little Sarah
Published: October 2017

Background

Mother–child mental state talk (MST) supports children's developing social–emotional understanding. In typically developing (TD) children, family conversations about emotion, cognition, and causes have been linked to children's emotion understanding. Specific language impairment (SLI) may compromise developing emotion understanding and adjustment.

Aims

We investigated emotion understanding in children with SLI and TD, in relation to mother–child conversation. Specifically, is cognitive, emotion, or causal MST more important for child emotion understanding and how might maternal scaffolding support this?

Sample

Nine 5‐ to 9‐year‐old children with SLI and nine age‐matched typically developing (TD) children, and their mothers.

Method

We assessed children's language, emotion understanding and reported behavioural adjustment. Mother–child conversations were coded for MST, including emotion, cognition, and causal talk, and for scaffolding of causal talk.

Results

Children with SLI scored lower than TD children on emotion understanding and adjustment. Mothers in each group provided similar amounts of cognitive, emotion, and causal talk, but SLI children used proportionally less cognitive and causal talk than TD children did, and more such child talk predicted better child emotion understanding. Child emotion talk did not differ between groups and did not predict emotion understanding. Both groups participated in maternal‐scaffolded causal talk, but causal talk about emotion was more frequent in TD children, and such talk predicted higher emotion understanding.

Conclusions

Cognitive and causal language scaffolded by mothers provides tools for articulating increasingly complex ideas about emotion, predicting children's emotion understanding. Our study provides a robust method for studying scaffolding processes for understanding causes of emotion.
Prognostic value of urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) during active surveillance of patients with low‐risk prostate cancer receiving 5α‐reductase inhibitors
Authors: Fradet Vincent , Toren Paul , Nguile‐Makao Molière , Lodde Michele , Lévesque Jérome , Léger Caroline , Caron André , Bergeron Alain , Ben‐Zvi Tal , Lacombe Louis , Pouliot Frédéric , Tiguert Rabi , Dujardin Thierry , Fradet Yves
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To determine the clinical performance of the urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) test to predict the risk of Gleason grade re‐classification amongst men receiving a 5α‐reductase inhibitor (5ARI) during active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with low‐risk prostate cancer were enrolled in a prospective Phase II study of AS complemented with prescription of a 5ARI. A repeat biopsy was taken within the first year and annually according to physician and patient preference. In all, 90 patients had urine collected after digital rectal examination of the prostate before the first repeat biopsy. The PCA3 test was performed in a blinded manner at a central laboratory.

Results

Using a PCA3‐test score threshold of 35, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the risk of being diagnosed with Gleason ≥7 cancer during a median of 7 years of follow‐up. Adjusted Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses also showed a significantly higher risk of upgrading to Gleason ≥7 during follow‐up for those with a higher PCA3‐test score.

Conclusion

The urinary PCA3 test predicted Gleason grade re‐classification amongst patients receiving a 5ARI during AS for low‐risk prostate cancer.
Augmented O‐GlcNAcylation of AMP‐activated kinase promotes the proliferation of LoVo cells, a colon cancer cell line
Authors: Ishimura Emi , Nakagawa Takatoshi , Moriwaki Kazumasa , Hirano Seiichi , Matsumori Yoshinobu , Asahi Michio
Published: October 2017

Increasing incidence of various cancers has been reported in diabetic patients. O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) modification of proteins at serine/threonine residues (O‐GlcNAcylation) is an essential post‐translational modification that is upregulated in diabetic patients and has been implicated in tumor growth. However, the mechanisms by which O‐GlcNAcylation promotes tumor growth remain unclear. Given that AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) has been thought to play important roles in suppressing tumor growth, we evaluated the involvement of AMPK O‐GlcNAcylation on the growth of LoVo cells, a human colon cancer cell line. Results revealed that treatment with Thiamet G (TMG), an inhibitor of O‐GlcNAc hydrolase, increased both anchorage‐dependent and ‐independent growth of the cells. O‐GlcNAc transferase overexpression also increased the growth. These treatments increased AMPK O‐GlcNAcylation in a dose‐dependent manner, which led to reduced AMPK phosphorylation and mTOR activation. Chemical inhibition or activation of AMPK led to increased or decreased growth, respectively, which was consistent with the data with genetic inhibition of AMPK. In addition, TMG‐mediated acceleration of tumor growth was abolished by both chemical and genetic inhibition of AMPK. To examine the effects of AMPK O‐GlcNAcylation in vivo, the LoVo cells were s.c. transplanted onto the backs of BALB/c‐nu/nu mice. Injection of TMG promoted the growth and enhanced O‐GlcNAcylation of the tumors of the mice. Consistent with in vitro data, AMPK O‐GlcNAcylation was increased, which reduced AMPK phosphorylation and resulted in activation of mTOR. Collectively, the higher colon cancer risk of diabetic patients could be due to O‐GlcNAcylation‐mediated AMPK inactivation and subsequent activation of mTOR.
Prader‐Willi syndrome genetic subtypes and clinical neuropsychiatric diagnoses in residential care adults
Authors: Manzardo A.M. , Weisensel N. , Ayala S. , Hossain W. , Butler M.G.
Published: October 2017

The historical diagnosis of Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS), a complex genetic disorder, in adults is often achieved by clinical presentation rather than by genetic testing and thus limited genetic subtype‐specific psychometric investigations and treatment options. Genetic testing and clinical psychiatric evaluation using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)‐IV‐TR criteria were undertaken on 72 adult residents (34 M; 38 F) from the Prader‐Willi Homes of Oconomowoc (PWHO), a specialty PWS group home system. Methylation specific‐multiplex ligation probe amplification and high‐resolution microarrays were analyzed for methylation status, 15q11‐q13 deletions and maternal uniparental disomy 15 (mUPD15). Seventy (33M; 37F) of 72 residents were genetically confirmed and 36 (51%) had Type I or Type II deletions; 29 (42%) with mUPD15 and 5 (7%) with imprinting defects from three separate families. Psychiatric comorbidities were classified as anxiety disorder (38%), excoriation (skin picking) (33%), intermittent explosive disorder ([30%‐predominantly among males at 45% compared with females at 16% [OR = 4.3, 95%CI 1.4‐13.1, P < 0.008]) and psychotic features (23%). Psychiatric diagnoses did not differ between mUPD15 vs deletion, but a greater number of psychiatric diagnoses were observed for the larger Type I (4.3) vs smaller Type II (3.6) deletions when age was controlled (F = 5.0, P < 0.04). Adults with PWS presented with uniformly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities which differed by genetic subtype with gender‐specific trends.
Biofluorescence as a survey tool for cryptic marine species
Authors: De Brauwer Maarten , Hobbs Jean‐Paul A. , Ambo‐Rappe Rohani , Jompa Jamaluddin , Harvey Euan S. , McIlwain Jennifer L.
Published: October 2017

As ecosystems come under increasing anthropogenic pressure, rare species face the highest risk of extinction. Paradoxically, data necessary to evaluate the conservation status of rare species are often lacking because of the challenges of detecting species with low abundance. One group of fishes subject to this undersampling bias are those with cryptic body patterns. Twenty‐one percent of cryptic fish species assessed for their extinction risk (International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN]) are data deficient. We developed a nondestructive method for surveying cryptically patterned marine fishes based on the presence of biofluorescence (underwater biofluorescence census, UBC). Blue LED torches were used to investigate how widespread biofluorescence was in cryptic reef fishes in the Coral Triangle region. The effectiveness of UBC to generate abundance data was tested on a data‐deficient pygmy seahorse species (Hippocampus bargibanti) and compared with data obtained from standard underwater visual census (UVC) surveys. We recorded 95 reef fish species displaying biofluorescence, 73 of which had not been previously described as biofluorescent. Of those fish with cryptic patterns, 87% were biofluorescent compared with 9% for noncryptic fishes. The probability of species displaying biofluorescence was 70.9 times greater for cryptic species than for noncryptic species. Almost twice the number ofH. bargibantiwas counted using the UBC compared with UVC. For 2 triplefin species (Ucla xenogrammus,Enneapterygius tutuilae), the abundance detected with UBC was triple that detected with UVC. The UBC method was effective at finding cryptic species that would otherwise be difficult to detect and thus will reduce interobserver variability inherent to UVC surveys. Biofluorescence is ubiquitous in cryptic fishes, making this method applicable across a wide range of species. Data collected using UBC could be used with multiple IUCN criteria to assess the extinction risk of cryptic species. Adopting this technique will enhance researchers’ ability to survey cryptic species and facilitate management and conservation of cryptic marine species.
A Non‐unitary Discount Rate Model
Authors: Hori Takeo , Futagami Koichi
Published: October 2017

We develop a simple macroeconomic model in which agents discount their utility from consumption and the utility from leisure at different rates. Under this setting, time‐inconsistency emerges for the preferences of agents. Moreover, the time‐inconsistency problem generates two types of inefficiencies: intratemporal and intertemporal. We examine the welfare effects of savings subsidy and consumption tax. The effects of taxation in our model are quite different from those in the standard model. If the discount rate for consumption is higher (lower) than that for leisure, today's self cares less (more) about the consumption of the future selves than the leisure of the future selves. Depressing (stimulating) the consumption of future selves improves the utility of today's self. Hence a positive (negative) consumption tax rate improves the utility level of all selves.