bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consideration of future consequence and task performance
Authors: Lee Jihye , Yun Seokhwa , Kim Seckyoung Loretta
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of an employee’s consideration of future consequences (CFCs) in predicting employee task performance and its situational contexts (i.e. organizational support and supervisor support) based on trait activation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-sectional field study design, data were collected from 189 employees and their immediate supervisors in South Korea.

Findings

Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that employees’ CFC has a positive effect on their task performance. Furthermore, this study investigated whether this relationship would be varied by relevant situational factors. Consistent with the hypotheses, the relevance of CFC to employees’ task performance would be stronger when they perceive low levels of organizational support based on trait activation theory.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the importance of employees’ CFC on task performance. Also, organizations should pay more attention to the way of compensating for employees with low levels of CFC by fostering supportive environment.

Originality/value

Although researchers have been examined long-term perspectives in the business field, a few studies have examined its effect at the individual level. This paper identified not only the main effect of CFC on employee task performance but also the moderating role of organizational support on the aforementioned relationship.
Reciprocity and gift-giving logic in NPOs
Authors: Zollo Lamberto , Faldetta Guglielmo , Pellegrini Massimiliano Matteo , Ciappei Cristiano
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate, through the lens of the gift-giving theory, volunteers’ motivations for intending to stay with organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 379 volunteers from 30 charitable organizations operating in Italy’s socio-healthcare service sector. Bootstrapped mediation analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Volunteers’ reciprocal attitudes and gift-giving intentions partially mediated the relationship between motives and intentions to stay.

Practical implications

Policy makers of charitable organizations are advised to be more responsive to behavioral signals revealing volunteers’ motivations, attitudes, and intentions. Managers should appropriately align organizational responsiveness with volunteers’ commitment through gift-giving exchange systems.

Originality/value

The findings reveal that reciprocity and gift giving are significant organizational variables greatly influencing volunteers’ intentions to stay with organizations. Signaling theory is used to explain how volunteers’ attitudes are linked with organizational responsiveness. Furthermore, this study is the first to use an Italian setting to consider motives, reciprocity, and gift giving as they relate to intentions to stay.
The beginning of value co-creation: understanding dynamics, efforts and betterment
Authors: Chen Tom , Ou Yang Shirley , Leo Cheryl
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the beginning of value co-creation by uncovering the roles, efforts, and desired outcomes of employees and how they affect employees’ responses to their firm’s co-creation initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a single case study to explore micro-level processes at the beginning of value co-creation informed by a case about how a Taiwanese firm moved from a conventional to a co-creative business model.

Findings

The case study findings affirm nine subthemes that underlie three key themes: co-creation dynamics, efforts, and betterment. The authors provide a value co-creation framework that is informed by nine subthemes derived from interview data.

Research limitations/implications

Current literature on understanding value co-creation processes focuses on formalized co-creation processes which produce diverse and contextually dependent findings. The authors contribute to current value co-creation literature by offering convergent insights into the interplay of dynamics, efforts, and betterment experienced by employees transitioning to a value co-creation process.

Practical implications

The authors offer a diagnostic value co-creation checklist and propose three benefits of using the checklist, which can help managers mitigate the uncertainty that arises during the transition from a conventional to a co-creation firm.

Originality/value

The study responds to calls for research to investigate where and when the co-creation of value emerges, value co-creation behavior from employees’ point of view, and employees’ roles in the co-creation of value.
A university library’s use of social media during a time of crisis
Authors: Chizwina Sabelo , Rabatseta Benford , Bangani Siviwe , Moyo Mathew
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight how North Western University (NWU) Library used Facebook and Twitter to inform, educate and communicate with library users during the students’ protests #FeesMustFall Campaign.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a case study approach to examine how Facebook and Twitter were used to inform, educate and communicate with library users during the #FeesMustFall Campaign. Data was obtained from the NWU Library’s Facebook Insights, the Facebook page itself and Twitter account, after which content was analysed.

Findings

The paper provides insights that the teaching and learning (educational) aspect still lags behind on social media usage in libraries. Given the period in question, the expectation would have been a higher percentage of posts that could be categorized as educational.

Research limitations/implications

The study is confined to one campus library of the NWU Libraries and the results cannot be generalised to the NWU.

Practical implications

Social media use policies should be developed and awareness created on their availability and meaning/implications to users.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how social media can be used by academic libraries. The literature currently focuses on how Twitter has been used in library campaigns. This paper shows how Facebook can be used in a university setting during crises time.
Epac‐induced ryanodine receptor type 2 activation inhibits sodium currents in atrial and ventricular murine cardiomyocytes
Authors: Valli Haseeb , Ahmad Shiraz , Sriharan Sujan , Dean Lydia D , Grace Andrew A , Jeevaratnam Kamalan , Matthews Hugh R , Huang Christopher L‐H
Published: October 2017

Acute RyR2 activation by exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) reversibly perturbs myocyte Ca2+ homeostasis, slows myocardial action potential conduction, and exerts pro‐arrhythmic effects. Loose patch‐clamp studies, preserving in vivo extracellular and intracellular conditions, investigated Na+ current in intact cardiomyocytes in murine atrial and ventricular preparations following Epac activation. Depolarising steps to varying test voltages activated typical voltage‐dependent Na+ currents. Plots of peak current against depolarisation from resting potential gave pretreatment maximum atrial and ventricular currents of −20.23 ± 1.48 (17) and −29.8 ± 2.4 (10) pA/μm2 (mean ± SEM [n]). Challenge by 8‐CPT (1 μmol/L) reduced these currents to −11.21 ± 0.91 (12) (P < .004) and −19.3 ± 1.6 (11) pA/μm2 (P < .04) respectively. Currents following further addition of the RyR2 inhibitor dantrolene (10 μmol/L) (−19.91 ± 2.84 (13) and −26.6 ± 1.7 (17)), and dantrolene whether alone (−19.53 ± 1.97 (8) and −27.6 ± 1.9 (14)) or combined with 8‐CPT (−19.93 ± 2.59 (12) and −29.9 ± 2.5(11)), were indistinguishable from pretreatment values (all P >> .05). Assessment of the inactivation that followed by applying subsequent steps to a fixed voltage 100 mV positive to resting potential gave concordant results. Half‐maximal inactivation voltages and steepness factors, and time constants for Na+ current recovery from inactivation in double‐pulse experiments, were similar through all the pharmacological conditions. Intracellular sharp microelectrode membrane potential recordings in intact Langendorff‐perfused preparations demonstrated concordant variations in maximum rates of atrial and ventricular action potential upstroke, (dV/dt)max. We thus demonstrate an acute, reversible, Na+ channel inhibition offering a possible mechanism for previously reported pro‐arrhythmic slowing of AP propagation following modifications of Ca2+ homeostasis, complementing earlier findings from chronic alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis in genetically‐modified RyR2‐P2328S hearts.
Disentangling causation: complex roles of coral‐associated microorganisms in disease
Authors: Mera Hanaka , Bourne David G.
Published: October 2017

Rapidly changing climate regimes combined with other anthropogenic pressures are implicated in increased disease epizootics among reef building corals, resulting in changing habitat structure. These accumulated stressors directly contribute to disease outbreaks by compromising the coral host immune system, modulating virulence of microbial pathogens and/or disrupting the balance within the microbiome of the holobiont. Disentangling coral disease causation has been challenging, and while progress has been made for certain diseases in terms of the roles the associated microorganisms play, it is evident that like in other marine or terrestrial systems, compromised host health cannot always be attributed to a single causative agent. Here, we summarize the current state in knowledge of microbial induced coral diseases, and discuss challenges and strategies to further disentangle disease causation. With the major environmental pressures coral reefs face over the next century, understanding interactions between host, environmental and microbial causative agent(s) that lead to disease, is still a priority to enable development of effective strategies for building resilience into coral populations.
Effect of the Tax System ON R&D Intensity, Growth, Wages and Consumption Share
Authors: Afonso Óscar , Bandeira Ana Maria , Magalhães Manuela
Published: October 2017

We propose a general equilibrium knowledge‐driven (semi‐)endogenous‐growth model with horizontal R&D, which is extended to consider two types of labour, skilled and unskilled, and exogenous government expenditure, financed through taxes on financial assets and on labour income, to analyse the implications of the tax system on R&D intensity, economic growth, wage inequality and consumption share in the output. In particular, we show that: (i) taxes have negative influence in the consumption share, being higher the marginal effect of the labour‐income tax; (ii) for any given government expenditure share, an increase (a decrease) in financial‐assets tax decreases (increases) the labour‐income tax; (iii) only the financial‐assets tax affects negatively the R&D intensity and the skill‐premium; thus, to reduce the skill‐premium the financial‐assets tax must increase; (iv) ignoring the effect on wage inequality and on R&D intensity, taxes are substitutes.
The Effect of Cooperative Teaching on the Development of Reading Skills among Students with Reading Disorders
Authors: Ghanaat Pisheh Etrat Alzahra , Sadeghpour Narges , Nejatyjahromy Yaser , Mir Nasab Mir Mahmoud
Published: October 2017

Cooperative teaching is the result of efforts made by two educators for teaching a heterogeneous group of students, especially one including those with specific needs, due to reading disorders for instance. The present study serves as an experimental investigation focusing on the effect of cooperative teaching on the development of reading skills among students with a reading disorder. To achieve this, three female students were selected from a regular primary school in the 2nd education district of Tabriz, Iran. The research design was a multiple baseline single subject design with different children, in which we used the reading and dyslexia test (RDT) and the revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale to diagnose reading disorders, and a researcher‐made hundred‐word test to measure the development of reading skills. The children received five cooperative teaching sessions during only the (experimental) intervention, i.e. in the baseline and the follow‐up stages, they were not exposed to any cooperative teaching. The comparisons of the students’ performance in experimental phases showed that cooperative teaching is an effective technique for developing reading skills and that the effectiveness of this technique was also maintained over time. This work is the first empirical demonstration of the effectiveness of co‐teaching in dealing with dyslexic reading disabilities. It additionally serves as the first instance of applying co‐teaching to any form of reading disability in Iran.
‘You have to be like everyone else’: Support for students with vision impairment in mainstream secondary schools
Authors: Opie Jill , Deppeler Joanne , Southcott Jane
Published: October 2017

The experiences of seven Australian senior secondary school students with vision impairment attending mainstream schools in Victoria were explored to gain an understanding of the support mechanisms operating to allow them access to an inclusive education. This qualitative study primarily used the in‐depth interviews of students, augmented by brief interviews with Heads of Education Support, parents, aides and teachers. Students attributed difficulties to time available, accessing e‐print and large format materials, assistive technology and access, and exclusion from classes of science, mathematics, and physical education in particular. In Australia, there is an expectation that legally mandated adjustments for students with disabilities will enable equitable, quality, and inclusive education. This was not evident in the experiences of the students in this study. Having aide support did not prevent exclusionary practices. Educators and support staff need to understand the perspectives of students with vision impairments to better facilitate successful teaching and learning experiences.
On the Value of Environmental Certification in the Commercial Real Estate Market
Authors: Holtermans Rogier , Kok Nils
Published: October 2017

A significant part of the global carbon externality stems from the real estate sector. Environmental certification is often hailed as an effective means to resolve the information asymmetry that may prevent markets from effectively pricing the energy performance of buildings. This study analyzes the adoption and financial outcomes of environmentally certified commercial real estate over time. We document that nearly 40% of space in the 30 largest U.S. commercial real estate markets holds some kind of environmental certification in 2014, as compared to less than 5% in 2005. Tracking the rental growth of 26,212 office buildings, we measure the performance of environmentally certified real estate over time. We document that certified office buildings, on average, have slightly higher rental, occupancy and pricing levels, but do not outperform non‐certified buildings in rental growth over the 2004–2013 period. Further performance attribution analysis indicates that local climate conditions, local energy prices and the extent of certification lead to significant heterogeneity in market pricing. On aggregate, these findings provide some evidence on the efficiency of the market in the adoption and capitalization of environmental characteristics in the commercial real estate market.
Monitoring of brown stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) population dynamics in corn to predict its abundance using weather data
Authors: Ni Xinzhi , Cottrell Ted E. , Buntin G. David , Li Xianchun , Wang Wei , Zhuang Hong
Published: October 2017

The brown stink bug (BSB), Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a serious economic pest of corn production in the southeastern United States. The BSB population dynamics was monitored for 17 weeks from tasseling to preharvest of corn plants (i.e., late May to mid‐September) using pheromone traps in three corn fields from 2005 to 2009. The trap data showed two peaks in early June and mid‐August, respectively. The relationship between trap catch and pregrowing season weather data was examined using correlation and stepwise multiple factor regression analyses. Weather indices used for the analyses were accumulated growing degree day (AGDD), number of days with minimum temperature below 0 °C (Subz), accumulated daily maximum (AMaxT) and minimum temperatures (AMinT) and rainfall (ARain). The weather indices were calculated with lower (10 °C) and upper (35 °C) as biological thresholds. The parameters used in regression analysis were seasonal abundance (or overall mean of BSB adult catch) (BSBm), number of BSB adults caught at a peak (PeakBSB), and peak week (Peakwk). The BSBm was negatively related to high temperature (AmaxT or AGDD) consistently, whereas 1stPeakBSB was positively correlated to both ARain and Subz, irrespective of weather data durations (the first 4, 4.5, and 5 months). In contrast, the 7‐month weather data (AGDD7) were negatively correlated to the BSBm only, but not correlated to the second PeakBSB. The 5‐year monitoring study demonstrated that weather data can be used to predict the BSB abundance at its first peak in tasseling corn fields in the southeastern U.S. states.
The parasporal crystals of Bacillus pumilus strain 15.1: a potential virulence factor?
Authors: Garcia‐Ramon Diana C. , Berry Colin , Tse Carmen , Fernández‐Fernández Alberto , Osuna Antonio , Vílchez Susana
Published: October 2017

Bacillus pumilus strain 15.1 was previously found to cause larval mortality in the Med‐fly Ceratitis capitata and was shown to produce crystals in association with the spore. As parasporal crystals are well‐known as invertebrate‐active toxins in entomopathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Cry and Cyt toxins) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Bin and Cry toxins), the B. pumilus crystals were characterized. The crystals were composed of a 45 kDa protein that was identified as an oxalate decarboxylase by peptide mass fingerprinting, N‐terminal sequencing and by comparison with the genome sequence of strain 15.1. Synthesis of crystals by a plasmid‐cured derivative of strain 15.1 (produced using a novel curing strategy), demonstrated that the oxalate decarboxylase was encoded chromosomally. Crystals spontaneously solubilized when kept at low temperatures, and the protein produced was resistant to trypsin treatment. The insoluble crystals produced by B. pumilus 15.1 did not show significant toxicity when bioassayed against C. capitata larvae, but once the OxdD protein was solubilized, an increase of toxicity was observed. We also demonstrate that the OxdD present in the crystals has oxalate decarboxylate activity as the formation of formate was detected, which suggests a possible mechanism for B. pumilus 15.1 activity. To our knowledge, the characterization of the B. pumilus crystals as oxalate decarboxylase is the first report of the natural production of parasporal inclusions of an enzyme.
Expression of fluorescent proteins in Lactobacillus rhamnosus to study host–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions
Authors: Spacova Irina , Lievens Elke , Verhoeven Tine , Steenackers Hans , Vanderleyden Jos , Lebeer Sarah , Petrova Mariya I.
Published: October 2017

Probiotic Lactobacillus strains are widely used to benefit human and animal health, although the exact mechanisms behind their interactions with the host and the microbiota are largely unknown. Fluorescent tagging of live probiotic cells is an important tool to unravel their modes of action. In this study, the implementation of different heterologously expressed fluorescent proteins for the labelling of the model probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG (gastrointestinal) and Lactobacillus rhamnosusGR‐1 (vaginal) was explored. Heterologous expression of mTagBFP2 and mCherry resulted in long‐lasting fluorescence of L. rhamnosusGG and GR‐1 cells, using the nisin‐controlled expression (NICE) system. These novel fluorescent strains were then used to study in vitro aspects of their microbe–microbe and microbe–host interactions. Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG and L. rhamnosusGR‐1 expressing mTagBFP2 and mCherry could be visualized in mixed‐species biofilms, where they inhibited biofilm formation by Salmonella Typhimurium–gfpmut3 expressing the green fluorescent protein. Likewise, fluorescent L. rhamnosusGG and L. rhamnosusGR‐1 were implemented for the visualization of their adhesion patterns to intestinal epithelial cell cultures. The fluorescent L. rhamnosus strains developed in this study can therefore serve as novel tools for the study of probiotic interactions with their environment.
From Cancun to Paris: An Era of Policy Making on Climate Change and Migration
Authors: Nash Sarah L.
Published: October 2017

Policy making on climate change and migration has become a routine agenda point of global climate change politics. In particular, the period between the Cancun climate negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010 and the Paris negotiations in 2015 was very important for the emergence of the nexus of climate change and migration as a policy priority. This article conducts a genealogy of policy making on climate change and migration and finds that the period between Cancun and Paris constitutes a distinct era of policy making. This analysis is structured around four areas where shifts have taken place that contribute to delineating this era from others, either through shifts in relation to the eras preceding or succeeding it, or in terms of substantial shifts and dislocations that have taken place during this era. These areas are: (1) the institutional settings for policy making; (2) the actors involved in policy making; (3) the language employed; (4) the mobilisation of knowledge. This analysis is an important undertaking for denaturalising policy making on climate change and migration and promoting understandings of it as contingent, as well as historically, socially, politically, and institutionally situated.
Alien and native plant seed dispersal by vehicles
Authors: Khan I. , Navie S. , George D. , O'Donnell C. , Adkins S. W.
Published: October 2017

Vehicles play a significant role in spreading plants, both in terms of quantity and quality (species). This study was conducted in Southeast Queensland to determine the role of utility vehicles in spreading seeds. These vehicles were found to carry up to 397 seeds per vehicle and in all four seasons of the year, with the majority of these species being alien to Australia and/or Queensland. The largest seed loads were found in autumn in this summer rainfall environment. Seeds were shown to attach to all parts of the vehicle, often in mud picked up from the ground, affixed directly to the engine or radiator, or carried into the cabin by the driver. Therefore, much of the seed load is to be found on the underside, on the back and front mudguards while smaller collections were found in the cabin, on the radiator and engine, and on the tyres. Fewer viable seeds were found on the engine, presumably as desiccation and heat contributed more to their death on this part of the vehicle. One method used to reduce weed seed spread by vehicles in Queensland is washing and vacuuming of vehicles. From the present study, these procedures would need to be applied to all parts of the vehicle and in all seasons of the year.
‘Most significant change’ and the maximising cognition (MAXCOG) intervention: The views of clients, supporters and counsellors
Authors: Regan Bridget , Wells Yvonne
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To explore the views of clients, supporters and counsellors about their experiences of the maximising cognition (MAXCOG) intervention.

Methods

The most significant change (MSC) method of analysis was used. Twenty‐three narrative accounts of the MAXCOG intervention and the ‘MSC’ that occurred were obtained. A panel, including experts from Alzheimer's Australia, the MAXCOG research team and clinicians from memory clinics, conducted a workshop to discuss and categorise the accounts.

Results

Two subcategories of stories were identified: (i) An ‘acceptance group’ that focused on adjustment issues; and (ii) A ‘goal achievement’ group with a focus on goals and improvement in ability and confidence. These subcategories mapped closely to the original goals outlined for the MAXCOG intervention.

Conclusion

The MAXCOG intervention was successful in assisting people to work towards goals and adjust psychologically to difficulties.
Evaluation of a new energy device for parenchymal transection in laparoscopic liver resection
Authors: Badawy Amr , Seo Satoru , Toda Rei , Fuji Hiroaki , Ishii Takamichi , Taura Kojiro , Yasuchika Kentaro , Kaido Toshimi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: October 2017

Introduction

THUNDERBEAT (TB) is a novel device that uses both ultrasonic and advanced bipolar energies for hemostasis. Several recent human studies have proved the safety and efficacy of TB in different surgical procedures, but there have been no similar studies about its efficacy in hepatic parenchymal transection. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the TB device in laparoscopic liver resection.

Methods

This retrospective study compared TB and ultrasonic Harmonic devices in 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection from 2010 to 2016 in our institution. To reduce the selection bias, the two groups were matched in a 1‐to‐2 ratio on the basis of propensity scores.

Results

There were no differences in the preoperative patient characteristics between the two groups. The extent of liver resection was comparable between the groups. Although the Harmonic group's intraoperative blood loss and operative time were less than that of the TB group, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.08, P = 0.32, respectively). Postoperative complications, mortality within 90 days, and hospital stay were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion

TB is as safe and effective for parenchymal transection in laparoscopic hepatectomy as ultrasonic devices, but it is not a superior alternative.
Modeling, Evaluation and Optimization of Interlocking Shell Pieces
Authors: Yao Miaojun , Chen Zhili , Xu Weiwei , Wang Huamin
Published: October 2017

While the 3D printing technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, it suffers from two critical limitations: expensive printing material and long printing time. An effective solution is to hollow the 3D model into a shell and print the shell by parts. Unfortunately, making shell pieces tightly assembled and easy to disassemble seem to be two contradictory conditions, and there exists no easy way to satisfy them at the same time yet. In this paper, we present a computational system to design an interlocking structure of a partitioned shell model, which uses only male and female connectors to lock shell pieces in the assembled configuration. Given a mesh segmentation input, our system automatically finds an optimal installation plan specifying both the installation order and the installation directions of the pieces, and then builds the models of the shell pieces using optimized shell thickness and connector sizes. To find the optimal installation plan, we develop simulation‐based and data‐driven metrics, and we incorporate them into an optimal plan search algorithm with fast pruning and local optimization strategies. The whole system is automatic, except for the shape design of the key piece. The interlocking structure does not introduce new gaps on the outer surface, which would become noticeable inevitably due to limited printer precision. Our experiment shows that the assembled object is strong against separation, yet still easy to disassemble.
ℒ0 Gradient‐Preserving Color Transfer
Authors: Wang Dong , Zou Changqing , Li Guiqing , Gao Chengying , Su Zhuo , Tan Ping
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a new two‐step color transfer method which includes color mapping and detail preservation. To map source colors to target colors, which are from an image or palette, the proposed similarity‐preserving color mapping algorithm uses the similarities between pixel color and dominant colors as existing algorithms and emphasizes the similarities between source image pixel colors. Detail preservation is performed by an ℒ0 gradient‐preserving algorithm. It relaxes the large gradients of the sparse pixels along color region boundaries and preserves the small gradients of pixels within color regions. The proposed method preserves source image color similarity and image details well. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach has achieved a state‐of‐art visual performance.
Patch2Vec: Globally Consistent Image Patch Representation
Authors: Fried O. , Avidan S. , Cohen‐Or D.
Published: October 2017

Many image editing applications rely on the analysis of image patches. In this paper, we present a method to analyze patches by embedding them to a vector space, in which the Euclidean distance reflects patch similarity. Inspired by Word2Vec, we term our approach Patch2Vec. However, there is a significant difference between words and patches. Words have a fairly small and well defined dictionary. Image patches, on the other hand, have no such dictionary and the number of different patch types is not well defined. The problem is aggravated by the fact that each patch might contain several objects and textures. Moreover, Patch2Vec should be universal because it must be able to map never‐seen‐before texture to the vector space. The mapping is learned by analyzing the distribution of all natural patches. We use Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to learn Patch2Vec. In particular, we train a CNN on labeled images with a triplet‐loss objective function. The trained network encodes a given patch to a 128D vector. Patch2Vec is evaluated visually, qualitatively, and quantitatively. We then use several variants of an interactive single‐click image segmentation algorithm to demonstrate the power of our method.
A Unified Cloth Untangling Framework Through Discrete Collision Detection
Authors: Ye Juntao , Ma Guanghui , Jiang Liguo , Chen Lan , Li Jituo , Xiong Gang , Zhang Xiaopeng , Tang Min
Published: October 2017

We present an efficient and stable framework, called Unified Intersection Resolver (UIR), for cloth simulation systems where not only impending collisions but also pre‐existing penetrations often arise. These two types of collisions are handled in a unified manner, by detecting edge‐face intersections first and then forming penetration stencils to be resolved iteratively. A stencil is a quadruple of vertices and it reveals either a vertex‐face or an edge‐edge collision event happened. Each quadruple also implicitly defines a collision normal, through which the four stencil vertices can be relocated, so that the corresponding edge‐face intersection disappear. We deduce three different ways, i.e., from predefined surface orientation, from history data and from global intersection analysis, to determine the collision normals of these stencils robustly. Multiple stencils that constitute a penetration region are processed simultaneously to eliminate penetrations. Cloth trapped in pinched environmental objects can be handled easily within our framework. We highlight its robustness by a number of challenging experiments involving collisions.
Long non‐coding RNA PVT1: Emerging biomarker in digestive system cancer
Authors: Zhou Dan‐Dan , Liu Xiu‐fen , Lu Cheng‐wei , Pant Om Prakash , Liu Xiao‐dong
Published: October 2017

The digestive system cancers are leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide, and have high risks of morbidity and mortality. More and more long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been studied to be abnormally expressed in cancers and play a key role in the process of digestive system tumour progression. Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) seems fairly novel. Since 1984, PVT1 was identified to be an activator of MYC in mice. Its role in human tumour initiation and progression has long been a subject of interest. The expression of PVT1 is elevated in digestive system cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. In this review, we illustrate the various functions of PVT1 during the different stages in the complex process of digestive system tumours (including oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer). The growing evidence shows the involvement of PVT1 in both proliferation and differentiation process in addition to its involvement in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). These findings lead us to conclude that PVT1 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance in digestive system cancer cells. We will also discuss PVT1's potential in diagnosis and treatment target of digestive system cancer. There was a great probability PVT1 could be a novel biomarker in screening tumours, prognosis biomarkers and future targeted therapy to improve the survival rate in cancer patients.
Lupus‐like cutaneous reaction following pembrolizumab: An immune‐related adverse event associated with anti‐PD‐1 therapy
Authors: Shao Kimberly , McGettigan Suzanne , Elenitsas Rosalie , Chu Emily Y.
Published: October 2017

PD‐1 (programmed cell death‐1) inhibitors, used to treat metastatic melanoma and other malignancies, are associated with development of immune‐related adverse events in the skin. Such reactions include morbilliform eruptions, vitiligo, alopecia areata and bullous pemphigoid. In this report, we describe a patient who developed a lupus‐like cutaneous reaction in the setting of pembrolizumab therapy for metastatic melanoma, adding to the spectrum of reactions which may be observed in association with PD‐1 inhibitor therapy.
Pure mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma of the conjunctiva
Authors: Logunova Valentina , Sokumbi Olayemi
Published: October 2017

Primary mucinous carcinomas of the periorbital region are very rare and often require differential diagnosis of metastatic disease. We describe a case of pure mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in the subconjunctival stroma of the ocular fornix in a female patient with a longstanding history of bilateral ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Histologically, the tumor was composed of predominantly goblet‐like cells floating in pools of mucin separated by delicate collagenous septa. The initial suspicion was of primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma and less likely endocrine mucin‐producing sweat gland carcinoma, however the CK7‐/synaptophysin‐/chromogranin‐immunoprofile did not confirm either of the two. Focal areas of the tumor demonstrated peripheral staining for p63 and CK5/6 suggestive of an in situ component. Additional studies showed that the tumor cells were positive for CK20, CDX2, villin and MUC2. Given the final immunophenotype of the tumor, metastatic lesion from the lower gastrointestinal tract had to be ruled out. Thorough clinicoradiological work‐up did not reveal any other primary tumors or evidence of metastatic disease elsewhere. Unique histomorphology, the presence of an in‐situ component and negative clinical investigation suggest that this is a primary mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in the ocular fornix. This case may represent the first report of this entity in the literature.
Oedema‐fibrosis in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mavrogeni Sophie , Papavasiliou Antigoni , Giannakopoulou Katerina , Markousis‐Mavrogenis George , Pons Maria Roser , Karanasios Evangelos , Nikas Ioannis , Papadopoulos George , Kolovou Genovefa , Chrousos George P.
Published: October 2017

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked muscle disorder characterized by progressive, irreversible loss of cardiac and skeletal muscular function. Muscular enlargement in DMD is attributed to oedema, due to the increased cytoplasmic Na+ concentration. The aim of this review was to present the current experience and emphasize the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis of this condition. DMD patients' survival depends on ventilatory assistance, as respiratory muscle dysfunction was the most common cause of death in the past. Currently, due to improved ventilatory assistance, cardiomyopathy has become the main cause of death, even though clinically overt heart failure may be absent. CMR is the technique of choice to assess the pathophysiologic phenomena taking place in DMD, such as myocardial oedema and subepicardial fibrosis. The classic index to assess oedema is the T2‐weighted short‐tau inversion recovery (T2w‐STIR), as it suppresses the signal from flowing blood and resident fat and enhances sensitivity to tissue fluid. Furthermore, CMR is the most reliable technique to detect and quantify fibrosis in DMD. Recently, the new indices T2, T1 mapping (native and postcontrast) and the extracellular volume (ECV) allow a more accurate approach of myocardial oedema and fibrosis. To conclude, the assessment of cardiac oedema and subepicardial fibrosis in the inferolateral wall of the left heart ventricle are the most important early finding in DMD with preserved ventricular function, and CMR, using both the classic and the new indices, is the best technique to detect and monitor these lesions.
Ecological plant epigenetics: Evidence from model and non‐model species, and the way forward
Authors: Richards Christina L. , Alonso Conchita , Becker Claude , Bossdorf Oliver , Bucher Etienne , Colomé‐Tatché Maria , Durka Walter , Engelhardt Jan , Gaspar Bence , Gogol‐Döring Andreas , Grosse Ivo , van Gurp Thomas P. , Heer Katrin , Kronholm Ilkka , Lampei Christian , Latzel Vít , Mirouze Marie , Opgenoorth Lars , Paun Ovidiu , Prohaska Sonja J. , Rensing Stefan A. , Stadler Peter F. , Trucchi Emiliano , Ullrich Kristian , Verhoeven Koen J. F.
Published: October 2017

Growing evidence shows that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to complex traits, with implications across many fields of biology. In plant ecology, recent studies have attempted to merge ecological experiments with epigenetic analyses to elucidate the contribution of epigenetics to plant phenotypes, stress responses, adaptation to habitat, and range distributions. While there has been some progress in revealing the role of epigenetics in ecological processes, studies with non‐model species have so far been limited to describing broad patterns based on anonymous markers of DNA methylation. In contrast, studies with model species have benefited from powerful genomic resources, which contribute to a more mechanistic understanding but have limited ecological realism. Understanding the significance of epigenetics for plant ecology requires increased transfer of knowledge and methods from model species research to genomes of evolutionarily divergent species, and examination of responses to complex natural environments at a more mechanistic level. This requires transforming genomics tools specifically for studying non‐model species, which is challenging given the large and often polyploid genomes of plants. Collaboration among molecular geneticists, ecologists and bioinformaticians promises to enhance our understanding of the mutual links between genome function and ecological processes.
The risk of Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in new users of antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Frey Noel , Bodmer Michael , Bircher Andreas , Rüegg Stephan , Jick Susan S. , Meier Christoph R. , Spoendlin Julia
Published: October 2017

Objective

Older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are known to cause Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN). However, evidence for newer AED is sparse. We quantified risks of SJS/TEN in association with use of all AEDs in the United Kingdom.

Methods

In a matched case‐control study of 480 previously validated SJS/TEN cases (1995–2013) we used conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and calculated absolute risks of SJS/TEN within separate cohorts of new users of 28 AEDs. We assessed causality between drugs and SJS/TEN in each exposed case, using an adapted version of the algorithm of drug causality for epidermal necrolysis (ALDEN) score.

Results

We observed a strong association between SJS/TEN and new use of carbamazepine (OR 92.57, 95% CI 19.89–∞), phenytoin (OR 49.96, 95% CI 10.13–∞), and lamotrigine (OR 26.90, 95% CI 4.88–∞), where causality, according to the ALDEN score, was very probable or probable for most exposed cases. Absolute risks for SJS/TEN were highest for phenytoin (45.86 cases/100,000 exposed), lamotrigine (44.17 cases/100,000 exposed), and carbamazepine (20.38 cases/100,000 exposed). Despite increased ORs for valproate (40,941 exposed), gabapentin (116,037 exposed), pregabalin (59,967 exposed), and clobazam (4,300 exposed), ALDEN suggested no causal association. There were no observed cases of SJS/TEN among new users of levetiracetam (n = 96,77), clonazepam (n = 18,075), or topiramate (n = 11,307).

Significance

The results of our study are consistent with those of previous studies of SJS/TEN, which found increased risks of SJS/TEN in new use of carbamazepine, phenytoin, and lamotrigine. Despite frequent use, no ALDEN‐score confirmed cases were observed in new users of valproate, gabapentin, pregabalin, levetiracetam, topiramate, or clonazepam.
Too big to fail: Measures, remedies, and consequences for efficiency and stability*
Authors: Barth James R. , Wihlborg Clas
Published: October 2017

This paper evaluates whether reform efforts addressing “too big to fail” actually enhance the stability of the financial system, and whether trade‐offs exist between stability and efficiency. We also present and discuss various measures of bank size and complexity since such measures are essential for implementing appropriate corrective remedies. As we will show, there are no unambiguous measures of size or complexity that can fully capture a bank's contribution to systemic risk. Their effects on efficiency are also impossible to capture with certainty. While we recognize the need for additional research and empirical evidence, we do identify weaknesses and strengths of proposed and implemented reforms that could have consequences for bank stability and efficiency.
State uncertainty models and mark‐resight models for understanding non‐breeding site use by Piping Plovers
Authors: Cohen Jonathan B. , Maddock Sidney B. , Bimbi Melissa K. , Golder W. Walker , Ledee Olivia E. , Cuthbert Francesca J. , Catlin Daniel H. , Fraser James D. , Gratto‐Trevor Cheri L.
Published: October 2017

Conservation of beach‐nesting medium‐distance migrants has focused on breeding areas because protection of nests is more tractable than protection of non‐breeding habitat. As breeding ground management has encountered diminishing returns, interest in understanding threats in non‐breeding areas has increased. However, robust estimates of non‐breeding demographic rates and abundance are generally lacking, hindering the study of limiting factors. Estimating such rates is made more difficult by complex population dynamics at non‐breeding sites. In South Carolina, endangered Piping Plovers Charadrius melodus start arriving in July and some depart prior to December (the autumn‐only population) while others remain through at least March (the wintering population). State uncertainty capture‐mark‐recapture models provide a means for estimating vital rates for such co‐occurring populations. We estimated the proportion of the population entering the study area per survey (entry probability) and proportion remaining per survey (persistence rate) for both populations during autumn, and abundance of the wintering population, at four sites in South Carolina in 2006/7 and 2007/8, taking advantage of birds previously colour‐ringed on the breeding grounds. We made fairly precise estimates of entry and persistence rates with small sample sizes. Cumulative entry probability was ~50% by the end of July and reached 95% for both populations by October. Estimated stopover duration for birds in the autumn‐only population was 35 days in year 1 and 42 days in year 2. We estimated a wintering super‐population size of 71 ± 16 se birds in the first year and 75 ± 16 in the second. If ringing programmes on the breeding grounds continue, standardized resighting surveys in the non‐breeding period and mark‐recapture models can provide robust estimates of entry and persistence rates and abundance. Habitat protection intended to benefit non‐breeding Piping Plovers at our coastal sites should be in effect by late summer, as many birds are resident from July to the end of winter.
Sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO3 obtained from coprecipitation method with additives
Authors: Nikzad Leila , Majidian Hudsa , Ghofrani Samaneh , Ebadzadeh Touradj
Published: October 2017

MnO2 and ZnO additives, at three different weight percentages of 0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 wt%, were added to pure MgTiO3 ceramic obtained by coprecipitation method. Effects of these additives on microstructure, density, and dielectric properties of bulk products were investigated. The density of sample prepared from the synthesized MgTiO3 powder was 3.65 g/cm3 after sintering at low temperature of 1050 ̊C. Results showed that the density of samples consolidated from MgTiO3 submicrometer particles (less than 200 nm) containing 2.1 wt% MnO2 and ZnO was increased to 3.71 g/cm3 and 3.78 g/cm3, respectively, at low sintering temperature of 1050̊C. Also, the dielectric properties of sample containing 2.1 wt% ZnO were the best with εr of 16.9 and Q×f of 141000 GHz.
Migration, masculinity and social class: Insights from Pikine, Senegal
Authors: Prothmann Sebastian
Published: October 2017

In the shattered economy of Dakar, many young men feel stuck in prolonged bachelorhood. Handed‐down role expectations can often not be met due to dire economic prospects. Drawing on fieldwork in Pikine, an urban area within the Dakar region of Senegal, between 2011 and 2013, this article reflects upon the relation between risk, migration, social class and masculinity. Through migration to unknown destinations and by enduring the many challenges and hardships associated with it, in the hope of eventually reaching a higher social class upon return, young men wish to fix and rewrite their masculine identities. To pursue this aim even the oddest job in Europe becomes acceptable. At home, however, many work opportunities are considered to be beneath their social class. Most male urbanites seek jobs that are rewarded with respect and authority, and often assemble their choices about pursuing certain income‐generating activities considering notions of class.
Managing the National Status Group: Immigration Policy in Germany
Authors: Elrick Jennifer , Winter Elke
Published: October 2017

This article challenges the established convention in immigration policy scholarship of treating economic utility and identity maintenance as logically distinct concerns. Drawing on work by Weber, Wallerstein and Bourdieu, we argue that concerns about economic utility and identity maintenance interact in the immigration policies of Western liberal democratic states, leading to policies designed to build and maintain middle‐class national status groups. Using the example of contemporary immigration policy in Germany, we illustrate how this impulse to build the middle‐class status group affects immigrant inclusion/exclusion in nuanced ways at both the group and individual levels, along class/status, ethnic and gender lines. We conclude by considering the policy implications of growing and shaping populations according to middle‐class ideals, particularly for the statistical monitoring of immigrant populations for integration benchmarking purposes.