bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of chronic noise on glucose metabolism and gut microbiota–host inflammatory homeostasis in rats
Authors: Cui Bo , Gai Zhihui , She Xiaojun , Wang Rui , Xi Zhuge
Published: November 2016

Chronic noise exposure has been implicated in increased risk of diabetes. However, there is limited experimental evidence of the mechanisms linking chronic noise stress and glucose metabolism. We addressed this in the present study by examining glucose metabolism, immune response, and changes in gut microbiota/host inflammatory homeostasis in rats exposed to noise for 30 consecutive days. Chronic noise exposure increased blood glucose and corticosterone levels for at least 14 days after cessation of noise. Stressed rats also exhibited elevated levels of glycogen and triglyceride in the liver and impaired hepatic insulin production via insulin-induced insulin receptor/insulin receptor substrate 1/glycogen synthase kinase 3β signalling, which persisted for 3–14 days after cessation of noise exposure. Chronic noise altered the percentage of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria in the gut, increasing Roseburia but decreasing Faecalibacterium levels in the cecum relative to controls. Immunoglobulin A, interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor α levels were also elevated in the intestine of these animals, corresponding to noise-induced abnormalities in glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity. These results suggest that lifelong environmental noise exposure could have cumulative effects on diabetes onset and development resulting from alterations in gut microbiota composition and intestinal inflammation.
A competitive immunoassay system for microfluidic paper-based analytical detection of small size molecules
Authors: Busa Lori Shayne Alamo , Mohammadi Saeed , Maeki Masatoshi , Ishida Akihiko , Tani Hirofumi , Tokeshi Manabu
Published: November 2016

A colorimetric competitive immunoassay system involving the catalytic oxidation of TMB by H2O2 was developed for the microfluidic paper-based detection of small size molecules.
Induction of bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline assemblies for polymerizable amphiphiles via tailor-made design of ionic liquids
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroaki , Ichikawa Takahiro , Yoshio Masafumi , Kato Takashi , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: November 2016

The self-organization behavior of amphiphiles has been successfully tuned by the tailor-made design of ionic liquids so as to induce them to exhibit bicontinuous cubic phases.
Correction: A high-performance supercapacitor cell based on ZIF-8-derived nanoporous carbon using an organic electrolyte
Authors: Salunkhe Rahul R. , Young Christine , Tang Jing , Takei Toshiaki , Ide Yusuke , Kobayashi Naoya , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘A high-performance supercapacitor cell based on ZIF-8-derived nanoporous carbon using an organic electrolyte’ by Rahul R. Salunkhe et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 4764–4767.
Effects of pomegranate peel polyphenols on lipid accumulation and cholesterol metabolic transformation in L-02 human hepatic cells via the PPARγ-ABCA1/CYP7A1 pathway
Authors: Lv Ou , Wang Lifang , Li Jianke , Ma Qianqian , Zhao Wei
Published: November 2016

PPPs, PC and PEA in different concentrations were found to decrease the total cholesterol (TC) content and increase the total bile acid (TBA) content of a human hepatic cell model, and so possess a lipid-lowering effect.
Squaric ester amides as hydrolysis-resistant functional groups for protein-conjugation of RAFT-derived polymers
Authors: Zhang Zhiyue , Vanparijs Nane , Vandewalle Stef , Du Prez Filip E. , Nuhn Lutz , De Geest Bruno G.
Published: November 2016

We report on the synthesis of amine-reactive polymers, for the purpose of protein conjugation.
Structure, and thermal and mechanical properties of poly(propylene carbonate) capped with different types of acid anhydride via reactive extrusion
Authors: Jiang Guo , Feng Jian , Zhang Mengdi , Zhang Shuidong , Huang Hanxiong
Published: November 2016

Three types of anhydride (maleic anhydride (MA), phthalic anhydride (PA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)) were melt blended to end-cap poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) by reactive extrusion.
Microbial community dynamics in an anaerobic biofilm reactor treating heavy oil refinery wastewater
Authors: Dong Honghong , Dong Hao , Zhang Zhongzhi , Sun Shanshan , Wang Wei , Ke Ming , Song Zhaozheng , Zhang Zhenjia , Wang Jianfeng , Wu Wei-Min
Published: November 2016

We have established an anaerobic biofilm reactor (AnBR) for treating heavy oil refinery wastewater at the field scale for the first time.
Calix[4]arene-based low molecular mass gelators to form gels in organoalkoxysilanes
Authors: Yang Hui , Zhang Shaofei , Liu Kaiqiang , Fang Yu
Published: November 2016

Organoalkoxysilanes-based molecular gels for melting-free deposition molding, potential smart materials for 3D printing.
Polyaspartamide-based multi-responsive micelle with sheddable shell for antitumor drug delivery
Authors: Wang Lei , Luan Jie , Du Lina , Li Le , Liu Jia , Liu Zhilan , Zhuo Renxi
Published: November 2016

A multi-stimuli (pH/thermo/reduction) responsive graft copolymer based on a polyaspartamide derivative is reported for Dox delivery.
Facile synthesis of Fe3O4nanorod decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for supercapacitor application
Authors: Das Ashok Kumar , Sahoo Sumanta , Arunachalam Prabhakarn , Zhang Suojiang , Shim Jae-Jin
Published: November 2016

We describe a facile approach for the synthesis of RGO–Fe3O4nanorod nanocomposites for high performance supercapacitor application.
Ultra‐thin graphitic carbon film for high‐power electronics applications
Authors: Kuzhir Polina , Gurinovich Alexandra , Volynets Nadezhda , Gurnevich Evgeny , Demidenko Marina , Maksimenko Sergey , Baturkin Sergey , Kaplas Tommi , Svirko Yuri
Published: November 2016

A novel explosive‐emission cathode capable to produce high‐current nanosecond electron bunches and enable tuning in terms of size is proposed and demonstrated to performance fit the particular problem. The record parameters, average diode current 6.5 kA and voltage 410 kV, are achieved by covering a conventional, planar copper cathode with a carbon film being composed of graphitic pyrolytic carbon (GrPyC). The demonstrated plasma expansion velocity and current density are comparable with those obtained with conventional graphitic cathodes. However, in contrast to purely graphite cathodes, the shape, size and surface profile of the proposed hybrid GrPyC/Cu cathodes can be readily adjusted allowing adjustments to fit requirements of a variety of high‐current electronic applications.
Cooperative dissociations of misfit dislocations at bimetal interfaces
Authors: Liu K. , Zhang R. F. , Beyerlein I. J. , Chen X. Y. , Yang H. , Germann T. C.
Published: November 2016

Using atomistic simulations, several semi-coherent cube-on-cube bimetal interfaces are comparatively investigated to unravel the combined effect of the character of misfit dislocations, the stacking fault energy difference between bimetal pairs, and their lattice mismatch on the dissociation of interfacial misfit dislocations. Different dissociation paths and features under loadings provide several unique deformation mechanisms that are critical for understanding interface strengthening. In particular, applied strains can cause either the formation of global interface coherency by the migration of misfit dislocations from an interface to an adjoining crystal interior or to an alternate packing of stacking faults connected by stair-rod dislocations.
The performance of Y2O3 as interface layer between La2O3 and p-type silicon substrate
Authors: Wang Shulong , Chen Yuhai , Liu Hongxia , Zhang Hailin
Published: November 2016

In this study, the performance of Y2O3 as interface layer between La2O3 and p-type silicon substrate is studied with the help of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and magnetron sputtering technology. The surface morphology of the bilayer films with different structures are observed after rapid thermal annealing (RTA) by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that Y2O3/Al2O3/Si structure has a larger number of small spikes on the surface and its surface roughness is worse than Al2O3/Y2O3/Si structure. The reason is that the density of Si substrate surface is much higher than that of ALD growth Al2O3. With the help of high-frequency capacitance-voltage(C-V) measurement and conductivity method, the density of interface traps can be calculated. After a high temperature annealing, the metal silicate will generate at the substrate interface and result in silicon dangling bond and interface trap charge, which has been improved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and interface trap charge density calculation. The interface trapped charge density of La2O3/Al2O3/Si stacked gate structure is lower than that of La2O3/Y2O3/Si gate structure. If Y2O3 is used to replace Al2O3 as the interfacial layer, the accumulation capacitance will increase obviously, which means lower equivalent oxide thickness (EOT). Our results show that interface layer Y2O3 grown by magnetron sputtering can effectively ensure the interface traps near the substrate at relative small level while maintain a relative higher dielectric constant than Al2O3.
Output power enhancement of GaN-based flip-chip light-emitting diodes via conical structures generated by a monolayer of nanospheres
Authors: Liu Mai-Chih , Lin Chang-Rong , Chan Chia-Hua
Published: November 2016

This letter describes the output power enhancement of the GaN-based flip-chip light-emitting diodes (FC LED) featuring conical structures fabricated by etching a self-assembled monolayer SiO2 spheres as the hard mask. By roughening the surface of FC LED components, it increases structural size of the components and elevates the light extraction efficiency of FC LED. At a constant current of 400 mA, the output power of the FC LED with 1200 nm conical structures is 638.1 mW and enhanced by 6.1% compared with the FC LED without surface roughening.
Short-term tracking of three red foxes in the Simpson Desert reveals large home-range sizes
Authors: Newsome T. M. , Spencer E. E. , Dickman C. R.
Published: November 2016

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is probably the most intensively studied introduced predator in Australia, but little is known about its movements in arid areas. Here, we report on the home-range sizes of one male and two female red foxes that were tracked for 2–8 months using collars fitted with ARGOS transmitters in the Simpson Desert, central Australia. Based on the 100% Minimum Convex Polygon method, home-range sizes were 5723 ha, 50 158 ha, and 12 481 ha, respectively. Based on the 95% kernel contour method, home-range sizes were 3930 ha, 26 954 ha, and 12 142 ha, respectively. These home-range sizes are much larger than any recorded previously from elsewhere in Australia, suggesting that red foxes in the Simpson Desert need to roam over extensive areas to find enough resources to meet their energetic needs. Given that predation by red foxes poses a key threat to many small and medium-sized native mammals, we suggest that red fox control operations may need to be undertaken at very large spatial scales to be effective in arid areas.
Structuring land restitution remedies for peace and stability in fragile states.
Authors: Unruh J. D.
Published: November 2016

Large-scale dislocation of populations due to land expropriations and armed conflict presents significant difficulties for political stability and food security in fragile states. With increased use of mass claims programs by the international community and governments in order to attend to the problem, attention is focusing on what works. While organizing mass claims programs is challenging, the real difficulty is deriving remedies that are realistic, effective, implementable and that fit the wide variety of circumstances that people, communities and nations find themselves. Although the temptation can be to simply transfer specific remedies from one country to another, in reality these can be difficult to implement with success in places with different cultures, histories, grievances, aspirations and ethnic, sectarian, religious and class divisions. This paper argues that what is more important is the 'structure' of remedy approaches and how these can be adapted to local and national realities. As well, the necessity of any mass claims program to navigate constraints involving inadequate compensation funds, a lack of alternative lands for reparation, a low-capacity administrative environment and a variable willingness to evict current occupants, means that such structures need to be flexible, permutable and adaptable. This review examines the restitution remedy structures that fit these requirements, and that have been successfully implemented in a variety of land and property mass claims programs.
Iranian Exceptionalism and Twelver Shi‘ism
Authors: Nafissi Mohammad
Published: November 2016

Homa Katouzian’s exceptionally perceptive, influential, and wide-ranging scholarship has been marked by three mutually reinforcing characteristics: a profound and detailed mastery of Iran’s multi-civilizational heritage; a comparatively informed focus on the country’s distinct historical trajectory; and an existentially grounded pluralist perspective in examining and evaluating the country’s major political turning points and actors. These features are already fully displayed in his early magnum opus,The Political Economy of Modern Iran(1981), whose historical and political conclusions have been underlined time and again by the subsequent and often shocking national and international turns. In the intervening period, Katouzian has developed the cyclical theory of Iran’s history as an “aridosolatic,” “pickaxe” or “short-termist” society. Of the important questions that his contributions raise or address, this paper examines the long-term continuity of Twelver/Imami Shi‘ism’s trajectory which uniquely in the twentieth century Muslim and other worlds produced the leaders of two great revolutions. The result entails the addition of a still unfolding evolutionary-institutional layer within Katouzian’s research program which may enhance its explanatory power and reinforce its political vision.
Victimization History and Aggressive Behavior Among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: The Mediating Role of Mental Health
Authors: Clark Mélissa , Crocker Anne G. , Morin Diane
Published: November 2016

Over the past few decades, considerable research has focused on the risk and protective factors associated with aggressive behavior among adults with intellectual disability (ID). The primary objective of this study was to examine the factors underlying the association between victimization history (sexual or physical) and risk for aggressive behavior among adults with ID. To do so, 215 adults with mild or moderate ID living in the community and receiving services from specialized ID agencies were recruited. Through interviews, primary case managers completed measures assessing aggressive behavior and potential mental health problems. Victimization history was assessed through a review of participants' charts and interviews with the primary case manager. Consistent with previous research, we found a significant association between victimization history and aggressive behavior. Mental health problems mediated this association. More specifically, results showed that symptoms of psychosis and personality disorders, but not symptoms of depression, mediated the association between victimization history and outward aggressive behavior. The discussion addresses cognitive and emotional factors that might contribute to the association between victimization history, mental health problems and aggressive behavior among adults with ID. Clinical implications are also discussed.
The Evolution of Religion and Morality
Authors: Shariff Azim F. , Mercier Brett
Published: November 2016

Modern world religions are steeped in moralizing. This chapter argues that this conspicuous feature of religion can be explained by the common functions of both religion and morality to regulate individuals’ behavior in the ultimate service of the group. Cultural evolution selected for religious elements that synergistically work together to morally compel individuals to (1) engage in prosocial behavior toward in-group members, and (2) form large and monogamous families. The chapter reviews the psychological and anthropological literature on how religion contributes to generosity, trust, prejudice, fertility, and monogamy. Finally, it discusses how this religiously entwined morality differs from that of the nonreligious.
Cervical Cancer Screening of Adolescents Should Not Be Encouraged
Authors: Henrique Laílca Quirino , Campaner Adriana Bittencourt , d'Avila Flavia Salomão
Published: November 2016

Objective

The study aims to assess the frequency of cytological abnormalities in adolescents and young women, to establish the optimum age to start screening.

Methods

A retrospective study of cervical cytology results were obtained from the data center at the Santa Casa Hospital of São Paulo between January 2006 and December 2014, adopting the Bethesda nomenclature system. The cytology exams were divided into 3 groups: group 1—adolescents (10–19 years old); group 2—young women (20–24 years old); and group 3—adults, comprising the remaining cytology exams. The frequency of cytological abnormalities in the 3 groups was compared using version 3.4.3 of the Epi Info software program and the chi-square statistical test (p < .05).

Results

A total of 177,075 satisfactory cytology exams were included in the study. The cytological abnormalities detected in the adolescent group were predominantly low-grade lesions (97.4%); in the young women group, low-grade lesions represented 89.12%, and in the adult group, 76.33%. A significantly greater proportion of high-grade lesions were noted in the adult group, accounting for approximately 24% of all abnormalities detected; in the young women group, it was approximately 11%, and in the adolescent group, it was 2.6%.

Conclusions

The natural history of HPV infection shows it is transient in young women, with most cases regressing within 2 years of presentation. Our data confirm that screening of adolescents is not recommended because serious cytological abnormalities and cancer are rare in this group.
Effect of Low Dose of Ketamine on Learning Memory Function in Patients Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Study
Authors: Chen Qibin , Min Su , Hao Xuechao , Peng Lihua , Meng Huaqing , Luo Qinghua , Chen Jianmei , Li Xiao
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Converging evidence suggests that low doses of ketamine have antidepressant effects. The feasibility and safety of administering low doses of ketamine as adjunctive medication during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to enhance ECT efficacy and mitigate cognitive impairment has attracted much attention. This study investigated the effects of low doses of ketamine on learning and memory in patients undergoing ECT under propofol anesthesia.

Methods

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study recruited patients with moderate to severe depressive disorders who failed to respond to antidepressants and were scheduled to receive ECT. Participants were randomly assigned to a study group, which received an intravenous administration of 0.3 mg/kg ketamine and then underwent ECT under propofol anesthesia, and a control group, which received isovolumetric placebo (normal saline) and then underwent ECT under propofol anesthesia. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of depression after ECT. Before and after the ECT course, the Mini-mental State Examination and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese-Revision were used to assess global cognitive and learning and memory functions, respectively. Psychotropic effects were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Vital signs and other adverse events were recorded for each ECT procedure.

Results

Of 132 patients recruited, 66 were assigned to each group; 63 patients in study groups and 64 patients in the control group completed the ECT course during the study. Afterward, the incidence of global cognitive impairment in the control group was higher than it was in the study group. In addition, the decline in the Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese-Revision scale was greater in the control group than in the study group. The necessary ECT treatment times were shorter in the study group than in the control group (8 [7, 9] vs 9 [8, 10]). No significant escalations of the positive Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores or adverse events were observed in the study group when compared with the control group.

Conclusions

As adjunctive medication, ketamine can attenuate learning and memory impairment, especially for short-term memory, caused by ECT performed under propofol anesthesia. Ketamine can also reduce ECT treatment times during the therapy course without inducing significant adverse effects.
Surround suppression explained by long-range recruitment of local competition, in a columnar V1 model
Authors: You Hongzhi , Indiveri Giacomo , Muir Dylan R.
Published: November 2016

Although neurons in columns of visual cortex of adult carnivores and primates share similar orientation tuning preferences, responses of nearby neurons are surprisingly sparse and temporally uncorrelated, especially in response to complex visual scenes. The mechanisms underlying this counter-intuitive combination of response properties are still unknown. Here we present a computational model of columnar visual cortex which explains experimentally observed integration of complex features across the visual field, and which is consistent with anatomical and physiological profiles of cortical excitation and inhibition. In this model, sparse local excitatory connections within columns, coupled with strong unspecific local inhibition and functionally-specific long-range excitatory connections across columns, give rise to competitive dynamics that reproduce experimental observations. Our results explain surround modulation of responses to simple and complex visual stimuli, including reduced correlation of nearby excitatory neurons, increased excitatory response selectivity, increased inhibitory selectivity, and complex orientation-tuning of surround modulation.
Duplicates, redundancies, and inconsistencies in the primary nucleotide databases: a descriptive study
Authors: Chen Qingyu , Zobel Justin , Verspoor Karin
Published: November 2016

GenBank, the EMBL European Nucleotide Archive, and the DNA DataBank of Japan, known collectively as the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration or INSDC, are the three most significant nucleotide sequence databases. Their records are derived from laboratory work undertaken by different individuals, by different teams, with a range of technologies and assumptions, and over a period of decades. As a consequence, they contain a great many duplicates, redundancies, and inconsistencies, but neither the prevalence nor the characteristics of various types of duplicates have been rigorously assessed. Existing duplicate detection methods in bioinformatics only address specific duplicate types, with inconsistent assumptions; and the impact of duplicates in bioinformatics databases has not been carefully assessed, making it difficult to judge the value of such methods. Our goal is to assess the scale, kinds, and impact of duplicates in bioinformatics databases, through a retrospective analysis of merged groups in INSDC databases. Our outcomes are threefold: (1) We analyse a benchmark dataset consisting of duplicates manually identified in INSDC – a dataset of 67,888 merged groups with 111,823 duplicate pairs across 21 organisms from INSDC databases – in terms of the prevalence, types, and impacts of duplicates. (2) We categorise duplicates at both sequence and annotation level, with supporting quantitative statistics, showing that different organisms have different prevalence of distinct kinds of duplicate. (3) We show that the presence of duplicates has practical impact via a simple case study on duplicates, in terms of GC content and melting temperature. We demonstrate that duplicates not only introduce redundancy, but can lead to inconsistent results for certain tasks. Our findings lead to a better understanding of the problem of duplication in biological databases.
Benchmarks for Measurement of Duplicate Detection Methods in Nucleotide Databases
Authors: Chen Qingyu , Zobel Justin , Verspoor Karin
Published: November 2016

Duplication of information in databases is a major data quality challenge. The presence of duplicates, implying either redundancy or inconsistency, can have a range of impacts on the quality of analyses that use the data. To provide a sound basis for research on this issue in databases of nucleotide sequences, we have developed new, large-scale validated collections of duplicates, which can be used to test the effectiveness of duplicate detection methods. Previous collections were either designed primarily to test efficiency, or contained only a limited number of duplicates of limited kinds. To date, duplicate detection methods have been evaluated on separate, inconsistent benchmarks, leading to results that cannot be compared and, due to limitations of the benchmarks, of questionable generality.

In this study we present three nucleotide sequence database benchmarks, based on information drawn from a range of resources, including information derived from mapping to Swiss-Prot and TrEMBL. Each benchmark has distinct characteristics. We quantify these characteristics and argue for their complementary value in evaluation. The benchmarks collectively contain a vast number of validated biological duplicates; the largest has nearly half a billion duplicate pairs (although this is probably only a tiny fraction of the total that is present). They are also the first benchmarks targeting the primary nucleotide databases. The records include the 21 most heavily studied organisms in molecular biology research. Our quantitative analysis shows that duplicates in the different benchmarks, and in different organisms, have different characteristics. It is thus unreliable to evaluate duplicate detection methods against any single benchmark. For example, the benchmark derived from Swiss-Prot mappings identifies more diverse types of duplicates, showing the importance of expert curation, but is limited to coding sequences. Overall, these benchmarks form a resource that we believe will be of great value for development and evaluation of the duplicate detection methods that are required to help maintain these essential resources.

Availability: The benchmark data sets are available athttps://bitbucket.org/biodbqual/benchmarks.
Analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genome size evolution of theAmaranthusgenus using GBS indicates the ancestors of an ancient crop
Authors: Stetter Markus G. , Schmid Karl J
Published: November 2016

The genusAmaranthusconsists of 50 to 70 species and harbors several cultivated and weedy species of great economic importance. A small number of suitable traits, phenotypic plasticity, gene flow and hybridization made it difficult to establish the taxonomy and phylogeny of the whole genus despite various studies using molecular markers. We inferred the phylogeny of theAmaranthusgenus using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) of 94 genebank accessions representing 35Amaranthusspecies and measured their genome sizes. SNPs were called byde novoand reference-based methods, for which we used the distant sugarbeetBeta vulgarisand the closely relatedAmaranthus hypochondriacusas references. SNP counts and proportions of missing data differed between methods, but the resulting phylogenetic trees were highly similar. A distance-based neighbor joing tree of individual accessions and a species tree calculated with the multispecies coalescent supported a previous taxonomic classification into three subgenera although the subgenusA. Acnidaconsists of two highly differentiated clades. The analysis of the Hybridus complex within theA. Amaranthussubgenus revealed insights on the history of cultivated grain amaranths. The complex includes the three cultivated grain amaranths and their wild relatives and was well separated from other species in the subgenus. Wild and cultivated amaranth accessions did not differentiate according to the species assignment but clustered by their geographic origin from South and Central America. Different geographically separated populations ofAmaranthus hybridusappear to be the common ancestors of the three cultivated grain species andA. quitensismight be additionally be involved in the evolution of South American grain amaranth (A. caudatus). We also measured genome sizes of the species and observed little variation with the exception of two lineages that showed evidence for a recent polyploidization. With the exception of two lineages, genome sizes are quite similar and indicate that polyploidization did not play a major role in the history of the genus.
Positive psychology in dual diagnosis: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Ujhelyi Katalin , Carson Jerome , Holland Mark
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Positive psychology is an area of rapid development in mainstream psychology, yet it has had little impact thus far in the field of dual diagnosis (DD). Effective treatment for clients with DD is limited, due to the lack of all-encompassing interventions that treat the two conditions simultaneously. The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to discover the prevalence of DD among users of selected drug services in Manchester; second, to explore differences between DD clients and those with substance use in hope, resilience, and well-being; and third, to identify predictors of hope, resilience, and well-being in this population.

Design/methodology/approach

The Snyder Hope Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale were administered to 113 users of drug services through a convenience sampling method.

Findings

Findings from this preliminary investigation indicated that the DD group were more vulnerable as they were less hopeful, less resilient, and had poorer well-being than their counterparts.

Practical implications

This population of clients might benefit from specialized integrated treatment facilitating hope and resilience, which in turn would improve their well-being.

Originality/value

The present study addresses a gap in the literature. Although the above positive psychological aspects have been looked at in relation to mental health, and in relation to addiction, the current research explores these positive dimensions with regard to the co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental illness.
Peace leadership for youth leaders: a literature review
Authors: Alomair Miznah Omair
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review current literature on peace leadership and youth leadership. It aims to shed a light on the extent to which peace leadership can afford youth leaders and youth peace activists to engage in peace processes and peacebuilding initiatives. By understanding how notions of peace leadership are realized in youth leadership practices, the paper hopes to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on advancing the practice of peace leadership for present and future young leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review explored peace leadership from the approaches of peacebuilding processes, nonviolence, and an integral perspective; expanded the current understanding of youth leadership by presenting the theoretical foundations and the role of youth in leadership that align with an advanced view of youth leadership; and described the intersection of peace leadership and youth leadership by identifying how youth leadership is related to peace leadership within three overarching contexts: political systems, schools, and communities.

Findings

The literature review highlights the reciprocity between peace leadership and youth leadership. It identifies nonviolence, communication, dialogue, conflict resolution, mediation, building social capital, and relationship building as practices in which youth leaders engage in to promote peaceful and sustainable change in varying contexts.

Originality/value

This review of the literature presents the need for further research on the intersection of peace leadership with youth leadership to help advance both areas within the field of leadership studies and understand how peace leadership for youth informs leadership theory and practice across contexts and areas of discipline.
Assessing house prices in Germany: evidence from a regional data set
Authors: Kajuth Florian , Knetsch Thomas A. , Pinkwart Nicolas
Published: November 2016

Purpose

With a view to the unconventional monetary policy measures implemented in the euro area in recent years, this study aims to investigate whether the recent house price increases in Germany are signals of an incipient overheating of the German housing market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a valuation measure for residential property based on a large and exhaustive regional panel data set for Germany. The fitted house prices from a panel regression at the district level, taking into account spatial spillovers, are taken as a measure of the fundamental equilibrium house prices, which can be aggregated for various regional subsets.

Findings

The estimation results suggest that apartment prices over the past years substantially exceeded the fundamental price suggested by the model, in particular in the big cities. Single-family houses appear to be markedly overvalued mainly in the cities. The low level of interest rates in recent years appears to have contributed to the emergence of misalignments.

Originality/value

Exploiting the variation across local housing markets, the estimation approach provides value-add for the estimation of house price valuation results in various regional subsets, as conventional time-series approaches to valuing property are subject to severe data limitations in the case of Germany.
Social media’s dark side: inducing boundary conflicts
Authors: van Zoonen Ward , Verhoeven Joost W.M. , Vliegenthart Rens
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the negative consequences of work-related social media use, and the extent to which the presence of social media policies in organizations are able to mitigate these consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

Internet-based survey data (N=575) was analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the indirect effect of social media use on exhaustion through work/life conflict.

Findings

This study shows that there is a dark side to social media use, as employees’ work-related social media use might be intrusive to their personal lives while simultaneously increasing life to work conflict. Furthermore, the results indicate that the current implementation of social media usage policies at work is not sufficient to defend employees against the negative consequences of social media use; namely, work/life conflict and ultimately exhaustion.

Research limitations/implications

The indirect pathways are assessed using cross-sectional data, which makes verifying causal relationships difficult.

Practical implications

The findings underscore the need for contemporary organizations to pragmatically intensify their efforts to mitigate the impacts of boundary conflict on workers’ well-being that result from increased use of social media for work.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first to demonstrate that the use of social media for work is related to exhaustion through increased work/life conflict.
The mediating role of sense of virtual community
Authors: Chang Hsin Hsin , Hsieh Pei-Hsuan , Fu Chen Su
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive model to illustrate the mediating role of sense of virtual community (SOVC) in virtual communities of practices (VCoPs). The interrelations between social capital and collective action in terms of knowledge contribution in the VCoP context are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 253 members from the Zclub and Jorsindo, responded to the survey. PLS-SEM path modeling was used to analyze survey data.

Findings

Members’ structural capital and cognitive capital both positively and significantly influence members’ SOVC, and, in turn, their SOVC influences relational capital.

Research limitations/implications

The study linked two theories, namely, social capital and theory of collective action, to discuss knowledge contribution in VCoPs. Social capital and SOVC have significant and positive effects on knowledge contribution in VCoPs.

Practical implications

Knowledge contributions in VCoPs are created through interactions among members, as well as the facilitation resulting from shared visions. Administrators can promote the formation of social-interaction ties in VCoPs to reinforce the formation of social capital and a SOVC.

Social implications

Administrators of knowledge-oriented groups must strive to sustain proper levels of SOVC among members to ensure their continued participation in VCoPs.

Originality/value

The main objectives of this study were to examine the effects of social capital (structural, cognitive, and relational capitals) on the quality and quantity of knowledge contribution. SOVC was proposed as a mediator in the relationship between structural and/or cognitive capital toward relational capital.
Assessment of commercial probiotic products in China for labelling accuracy and probiotic characterisation of selected isolates
Authors: Chen Tingtao , Wu Qinglong , Zhou Haiting , Deng Kan , Wang Xin , Meng Fanjing , Yang Shaoguo , Wang Xiaolei , Shah Nagendra P , Wei Hua
Published: November 2016

Microbial populations in probiotic supplements in China were investigated using the plate count method and PCR–DGGE technique. Our results indicated that total viable cells in most probiotic products could meet the minimum requirement of the Chinese National Standards (106 CFU/mL); however, total viable cell counts of the species detected in the probiotic products did not correspond with the cell number given in the label.
Photochromic Properties of 3‐Deoxyanthocyanidin Pigments in Nontoxic Solvents
Authors: Yagishita Yuki , Mihara Mai , Kohno Yoshiumi , Shibata Masashi
Published: November 2016

The photochromic properties of some naturally occurring 3‐deoxyanthocyanidin pigments were investigated in various nontoxic solvents. When luteolinidin, a representative 3‐deoxyanthocyanidin, was dissolved in a mixture of weakly acidic water and an organic solvent with a relative permittivity between 20 and 34, it was possible to repeatedly induce coloration via ultraviolet irradiation and decoloration under light‐shielded conditions. 1,3‐Butanediol and ethanol, which are approved for use in foods, cosmetics, and household goods, were found to be appropriate organic solvents for this process. In addition, we confirmed that other 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins, specifically apigeninidin and tricetinidin, which are commonly found in food grains and tea leaves, also exhibit photochromic properties.
Metabolic alterations in the anterior cingulate cortex and related cognitive deficits in late adolescent methamphetamine users
Authors: Kim Jieun E. , Kim Geon Ha , Hwang Jaeuk , Kim Jung Yoon , Renshaw Perry F. , Yurgelun‐Todd Deborah A. , Kim Binna , Kang Ilhyang , Jeon Saerom , Ma Jiyoung , Lyoo In Kyoon , Yoon Sujung
Published: November 2016

The adolescent brain, with ongoing prefrontal maturation, may be more vulnerable to drug use‐related neurotoxic changes as compared to the adult brain. We investigated whether the use of methamphetamine (MA), a highly addictive psychostimulant, during adolescence affect metabolic and cognitive functions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In adolescent MA users (n = 44) and healthy adolescents (n = 53), the levels of N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA), a neuronal marker, were examined in the ACC using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Stroop color–word task was used to assess Stroop interference, which may reflect cognitive functions of behavior monitoring and response selection that are mediated by the ACC. Adolescent MA users had lower NAA levels in the ACC (t = −2.88, P = 0.005) and relatively higher interference scores (t = 2.03, P = 0.045) than healthy adolescents. Moreover, there were significant relationships between lower NAA levels in the ACC and worse interference scores in adolescent MA users (r = −0.61, P < 0.001). Interestingly, early onset of MA use, as compared to late onset, was related to both lower NAA levels in the ACC (t = −2.24, P = 0.03) as well as lower performance on interference measure of the Stroop color–word task (t = 2.25, P = 0.03). The current findings suggest that metabolic dysfunction in the ACC and its related cognitive impairment may play an important role in adolescent‐onset addiction, particularly during early adolescence.
Review: Pharmacogenetics of alcoholism treatment: Implications of ethnic diversity
Authors: Cservenka Anita , Yardley Megan M. , Ray Lara A.
Published: November 2016

Background and Objectives

Pharmacogenetic studies of alcohol use disorder (AUD) have suggested that the efficacy of treatments for AUD is, in part, influenced by the genetic background of an individual. Since the frequency of alleles associated with pharmacotherapy for AUD varies by ancestral background, the effectiveness of medications used to treat AUD may vary among different populations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing pharmacogenetic studies of treatments for AUD in individuals of European, East Asian, African, and American Indian/Alaska Native ancestry.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for pharmacogenetic studies of AUD treatment that included individuals of diverse ancestral backgrounds.

Results

Pharmacogenetic studies of AUD reviewed here have primarily investigated genetic variation thought to play a role in the response to naltrexone, ondansetron, and topiramate. There is support that the A118G polymorphism should be further investigated in individuals of East Asian ancestry.

Discussion and Conclusions

Given the lack of pharmacogenetic research on response to AUD medication in ethnic minority populations and the mixed results, there is a critical need for future studies among individuals of different ancestries. More efforts should be devoted to standardizing procedures such that results can be more readily integrated into a body of literature that can directly inform clinical practice.

Scientific Significance

This review highlights the importance for future research to aim for inclusiveness in pharmacogenetic studies of AUD and increase diversity of clinical trials in order to provide the best treatment outcomes for individuals across different racial and ethnic groups. (Am J Addict 2017;26:516–525)
Lipopolysaccharides, but not Angiotensin ll, lnduces Direct Pro‐lnflammatory Effects in Cultured Mouse Arteries and Human Endothelial and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Outzen Emilie M. , Zaki Marina , Mehryar Rahila , Abdolalizadeh Bahareh , Sajid Waseem , Boonen Harrie C. M. , Sams Anette , Sheykhzade Majid
Published: November 2016

Angiotensin II (Ang II) might induce pro‐inflammatory effects directly in the vascular wall independently of its haemodynamic effects. The aim of our study was to investigate the putative direct pro‐inflammatory and vasomotor effects of Ang II and compare to those of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in mouse isolated mesenteric resistance‐sized arteries (MRA) supported by experiments in cultured human primary endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Results showed that 24‐hr organ culture of mouse MRA with 10 nM Ang II had, unlike 100 ng/mL LPS, no effects on IL‐6 or MCP‐1 secretion, VCAM1 mRNA expression or endothelial function, while Ang II significantly decreased maximal vasomotor responses to phenylephrine. In support, 24‐hr organ culture of mouse MRA significantly suppressed Agtr1a mRNA and augmented Tlr4 mRNA along with attenuated vasomotor responses to Ang II. Moreover, contrary to LPS and TNF‐α, Ang II and [Sar1]‐Ang II had no concentration‐ or time‐dependent effects on IL‐6 and MCP‐1 secretion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). AGTR1 or AGTR2 mRNA expression was undetectable in HUVEC, whereas HASMC expressed only AGTR1 mRNA. In summary, contrary to previous studies and the observed effects of LPS, we could not demonstrate direct vascular pro‐inflammatory effects of Ang II ex vivo or in vitro. As indicated by our results, down‐regulation or desensitization of AT1R during culture may explain our findings.
Differential neural correlates of autobiographical memory recall in bipolar and unipolar depression
Authors: Young Kymberly D , Bodurka Jerzy , Drevets Wayne C
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Autobiographical memory (AM) recall is impaired in both bipolar depression (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate differences between healthy controls (HCs) and depressed participants with either BD or MDD as they recalled AMs that varied in emotional valence.

Methods

Unmedicated adults in a current major depressive episode who met criteria for either MDD or BD and HCs (n=16/group) underwent fMRI while recalling AMs in response to emotionally valenced cue words. Control tasks involved generating examples from a given category and counting the number of risers in a letter string.

Results

Both participants with BD and those with MDD recalled fewer specific and more categorical memories than HC participants. During specific AM recall of positive memories, participants with BD showed increased hemodynamic activity in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, middle temporal gyrus, parahippocampus, and amygdala relative to MDD and HC participants, as well as decreased dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) activity relative to MDD participants. During specific AM recall of negative memories, participants with BD manifested decreased activity in the precuneus, amygdala, anterior cingulate, and DLPFC along with increased activity in the dorsomedial PFC relative to MDD participants.

Conclusions

While depressed participants with BD and MDD exhibited similar depression ratings and memory deficits, the brain regions underlying successful AM recall significantly differentiated these patient groups. Differential amygdala activity during emotional memory recall (particularly increased activity in participants with BD for positive AMs) may prove useful in the differentiation of individuals with MDD and BD experiencing a depressive episode.
Phylogeny of the North American catfish family Ictaluridae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) combining morphology, genes and fossils
Authors: Arce‐H. Mariangeles , Lundberg John G. , O'Leary Maureen A.
Published: November 2016

We performed the first combined‐data phylogenetic analysis of ictalurids including most living and fossil species. We sampled 56 extant species and 16 fossil species representing outgroups, the seven living genera, and the extinct genus †Astephus long thought to be an ictalurid. In total, 209 morphological characters were curated and illustrated in MorphoBank from published and original work, and standardized using reductive coding. Molecular sequences harvested from GenBank for one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes were combined with the morphological data for total evidence analysis. Parsimony analysis recovers a crown clade Ictaluridae composed of seven living genera and numerous extinct species. The oldest ictalurid fossils are the Late Eocene members of Ameiurus and Ictalurus. The fossil clade †Astephus placed outside of Ictaluridae and not as its sister taxon. Previous morphological phylogenetic studies of Ictaluridae hypothesized convergent evolution of troglobitic features among the subterranean species. In contrast, we found morphological evidence to support a single clade of the four troglobitic species, the sister taxon of all ictalurids. This result holds whether fossils are included or not. Some previously published clock‐based age estimates closely approximate our minimum ages of clades.