bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the role of correctional services on gangs: insights through a mathematical model
Authors: Nyabadza F. , Ogbogbo C. P. , Mushanyu J.
Published: October 2017

Research has shown that gang membership increases the chances of offending, antisocial behaviour and drug use. Gang membership should be acknowledged as part of crime prevention and policy designs, and when developing interventions and preventative programmes. Correctional services are designed to rehabilitate convicted offenders. We formulate a deterministic mathematical model using nonlinear ordinary differential equations to investigate the role of correctional services on the dynamics of gangs. The recruitment into gang membership is assumed to happen through an imitation process. An epidemic threshold value,

R

g

, termed the gang reproduction number, is proposed and defined herein in the gangs’ context. The model is shown to exhibit the phenomenon of backward bifurcation. This means that gangs may persist in the population even if

R

g

is less than one. Sensitivity analysis of

R

g

was performed to determine the relative importance of different parameters in gang initiation. The critical efficacy
ε
* is evaluated and the implications of having functional correctional services are discussed.
Dichlorobenzene: an effective solvent for epoxy/graphene nanocomposites preparation
Authors: Wei Jiacheng , Saharudin Mohd Shahneel , Vo Thuc , Inam Fawad
Published: October 2017

It is generally recognized that dimethylformamide (DMF) and ethanol are good media to uniformly disperse graphene, and therefore have been used widely in the preparation of epoxy/graphene nanocomposites. However, as a solvent to disperse graphene, dichlorobenzene (DCB) has not been fully realized by the polymer community. Owing to high values of the dispersion component (δd) of the Hildebrand solubility parameter, DCB is considered as a suitable solvent for homogeneous graphene dispersion. Therefore, epoxy/graphene nanocomposites have been prepared for the first time with DCB as a dispersant; DMF and ethanol have been chosen as the reference. The colloidal stability, mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopic images of nanocomposites have been obtained. The results show that with the use of DCB, the tensile strength of graphene has been improved from 64.46 to 69.32 MPa, and its flexural strength has been increased from 97.17 to 104.77 MPa. DCB is found to be more effective than DMF and ethanol for making stable and homogeneous graphene dispersion and composites.
Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars
Authors: Bridges J. C. , Clemmet J. , Croon M. , Sims M. R. , Pullan D. , Muller J.-P. , Tao Y. , Xiong S. , Putri A. R. , Parker T. , Turner S. M. R. , Pillinger J. M.
Published: October 2017

The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels—which may have been caused by damage during landing—would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing.
Nonlinear mechanics of non-rigid origami: an efficient computational approach
Authors: Liu K. , Paulino G. H.
Published: October 2017

Origami-inspired designs possess attractive applications to science and engineering (e.g. deployable, self-assembling, adaptable systems). The special geometric arrangement of panels and creases gives rise to unique mechanical properties of origami, such as reconfigurability, making origami designs well suited for tunable structures. Although often being ignored, origami structures exhibit additional soft modes beyond rigid folding due to the flexibility of thin sheets that further influence their behaviour. Actual behaviour of origami structures usually involves significant geometric nonlinearity, which amplifies the influence of additional soft modes. To investigate the nonlinear mechanics of origami structures with deformable panels, we present a structural engineering approach for simulating the nonlinear response of non-rigid origami structures. In this paper, we propose a fully nonlinear, displacement-based implicit formulation for performing static/quasi-static analyses of non-rigid origami structures based on ‘bar-and-hinge’ models. The formulation itself leads to an efficient and robust numerical implementation. Agreement between real models and numerical simulations demonstrates the ability of the proposed approach to capture key features of origami behaviour.
Heterochrony in the evolution of Trinidadian guppy offspring size: maturation along a uniform ontogenetic trajectory
Authors: Dial T. R. , Reznick D. N. , Brainerd E. L.
Published: October 2017

The size and maturity of Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) offspring vary among populations adapted to environments of differential predation. Guppy offspring born to low-predation, high-competition environments are larger and more mature than their high-predation ancestors. Here we ask: what specific changes in developmental or birth timing occur to produce the larger, more mature neonates? We collected specimens across the perinatal window of development from five populations and quantified musculoskeletal maturation. We found that all populations undergo similar ontogenetic trajectories in skeletal and muscle acquisition; the only difference among populations is when neonates emerge along the trajectory. The smallest neonates are born with 20% of their skeleton ossified, whereas the largest neonates are born with over 70% of their skeleton ossified. The area of the major jaw-closing muscle is relatively larger in larger offspring, scaling with length as L2.5. The size range over which offspring are birthed among populations sits along the steepest part of the size–maturity relationship, which provides a large marginal increase in fitness for the high-competition female. Because of the functional effects of producing more mature offspring at birth, offspring size may be the first and most critical life-history trait selected upon in highly competitive environments.
The evolution of cooperation in simple molecular replicators
Authors: Levin Samuel R. , West Stuart A.
Published: October 2017

In order for the first genomes to evolve, independent replicators had to act cooperatively, with some reducing their own replication rate to help copy others. It has been argued that limited diffusion explains this early cooperation. However, social evolution models have shown that limited diffusion on its own often does not favour cooperation. Here we model early replicators using social evolution tools. We show that: (i) replicators can be considered to be cooperating as a result of kin selection; (ii) limited diffusion on its own does not favour cooperation; and (iii) the addition of overlapping generations, probably a general trait of molecular replicators, promotes cooperation. These results suggest key life-history features in the evolution of the genome and that the same factors can favour cooperation across the entire tree of life.
Repurposed kinase inhibitors and β-lactams as a novel therapy for antibiotic resistant bacteria
Authors: Wlodarchak Nathan , Teachout Nathan , Procknow Rebecca , Beczkiewicz Jeff , Schaenzer Adam , Satyshur Kenneth , Pavelka Martin , Zuercher Bill , Drewry Dave , Sauer John-Demian , Striker Rob
Published: October 2017

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are an increasing global problem, and pathogenic actinomycetes and firmicutes are particularly challenging obstacles. These pathogens share several eukaryotic-like kinases that present antibiotic development opportunities. We used computational modelling to identify human kinase inhibitors that could be repurposed towards bacteria as part of a novel combination therapy. The computational model suggested a family of inhibitors, the imidazopyridine aminofurazans (IPAs), bind PknB with high affinity. We found that these inhibitors biochemically inhibit PknB, with potency roughly following the predicted models. A novel x-ray structure confirmed that the inhibitors bind as predicted and made favorable protein contacts with the target. These inhibitors also have antimicrobial activity towards Mycobacteria and Nocardia, and normally ineffective β-lactams can potentiate IPAs to more efficiently inhibit growth of these pathogens. Collectively, our data show thatin silicomodeling can be used as a tool to discover promising drug leads, and the inhibitors we discovered can synergize with clinically relevant antibiotics to restore their efficacy against bacteria with limited treatment options.
Energy Exchanges at Contact Events Guide Sensorimotor Integration Across Intermodal Delays
Authors: Farshchiansadegh Ali , Sciutti Alessandra , Pressman Assaf , Nisky Ilana , Mussa-Ivaldi Ferdinando A.
Published: October 2017

One must know the mass of an object to accurately predict how it moves under the effect of an applied force. Similarly, the brain must represent the arm’s inertia to predict the arm’s movements elicited by commands impressed upon the muscles. Here, we present evidence suggesting that the integration of sensory information leading to the representation of the arm’s inertia does not take place continuously in time but only at discrete transient events, in which kinetic energy is exchanged between the arm and the environment. We used a visuomotor delay to induce crossmodal variations in state feedback and uncovered that the difference between visual and proprioceptive velocity estimations at isolated collision events was compensated by a change in the representation of arm inertia. The compensation maintained an invariant estimate across modalities of the expected energy exchange with the environment. This invariance captures different types of dysmetria observed across individuals following prolonged exposure to a fixed intermodal temporal perturbation and provides a new interpretation for cerebellar ataxia.
GlutathioneS-transferases: unexpected roles in astrocyte activation and astrocyte-microglia communication during brain inflammation
Authors: Kano Shin-ichi , Choi Eric Y. , Dohi Eisuke , Rose Indigo V. L. , Chang Daniel J. , Wilson Ashley M. , Lo Brian D. , Imai Takashi , Sawa Akira
Published: October 2017

Astrocytes and microglia play critical roles in brain inflammation, but their mutual regulation is not fully understood. Here we report unexpected roles for glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs), particularly GSTM1, in astrocyte activation and astrocyte-mediated enhancement of microglia activation during brain inflammation. We found that astrocyte-specific silencing of GSTM1 expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) attenuated microglia activation in brain inflammation induced by systemic injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS).Gstm1silencing in astrocytes also attenuated LPS-induced TNF-α production by microglia in co-culture. In astrocytes, GSTM1 was required for the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators previously implicated in microglia activation, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF/CSF2) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). Similar results were also obtained with GSTT2 bothin vitroandin vivo. Thus, our study identified a critical role for GSTs in priming astrocytes and enhancing microglia activation during brain inflammation.

Significant Statement

Astrocytes and microglia play critical roles in brain inflammation, but it is not fully understood how astrocytes regulate microglia activation. Here we report a novel mechanism by which glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs), the enzymes for phase II detoxification of xenobiotic metabolism, in astrocytes control microglia activation during brain inflammation. We found that GSTs, particularly GSTM1, regulate the induction of pro-inflammatory mediators via the activation of NF-κB and JNK in astrocytes. Our studies provide evidence that GST enzymes are active players in brain inflammation and can be targeted to regulate microglia activation.
Ligand binding promiscuity of αVβ3 integrin is enlarged in response to mechanical force
Authors: Bachmann Michael , Schäfer Markus , Mykuliak Vasyl V. , Ripamonti Marta , Heiser Lia , Weißenbruch Kai , Krübel Sarah , Franz Clemens M. , Hytönen Vesa P. , Wehrle-Haller Bernhard , Bastmeyer Martin
Published: October 2017

αVβ3 integrin recognizes multiple extracellular matrix proteins, including vitronectin (Vn) and fibronectin (Fn). However, cell experiments are frequently performed on homogenously coated substrates with only one integrin ligand present. Here, we employed binary-choice substrates of Fn and Vn to dissect αVβ3 integrin-mediated binding to both ligands on the subcellular scale. Superresolution imaging revealed that αVβ3 integrin preferred binding to Vn under various conditions. In contrast, binding to Fn required mechanical load on αVβ3 integrin. Integrin mutations, structural analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations established a model where the extended-closed conformation of αVβ3 integrin binds Vn but not Fn. Force-mediated hybrid domain swing-out characterizes the extended-open conformation needed for efficient Fn binding. Thus, force-dependent conformational changes in αVβ3 integrin increase the number of available ligands and therefore the ligand promiscuity of this integrin. These findings for αVβ3 integrin were shown to regulate cell migration and mechanotransduction differentially on Fn compared to Vn and therefore to regulate cell behavior.
Understanding the intention to use medical big data processing technique from the perspective of medical data analyst
Authors: Wang Shanyong , Li Jun , Zhao Dingtao
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply an extended technology acceptance model to examine the medical data analyst’s intention to use medical big data processing technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey method was used to collect data from 293 medical data analysts and analyzed with the assistance of structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that the perceived usefulness, social influence and attitude are important to the intention to use medical big data processing technique, and the direct effect of perceived usefulness on intention to use is greater than social influence and attitude. The perceived usefulness is influenced by perceived ease of use. Attitude is influenced by perceived usefulness, and attitude acts as a mediator between perceived usefulness and usage intention. Unexpectedly, attitude is not influenced by perceived ease of use and social influence.

Originality/value

This research examines the medical data analyst’s intention to use medical big data processing technique and provides several implications for using medical big data processing technique.
Mentoring for family-teacher relationships: a new teacher’s journey
Authors: Knight-McKenna Mary , Esposito Judy , Clement Lindsay Michelle
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to chronicle the efforts of a new White teacher in her first two years of teaching in an elementary school with a largely Hispanic population as she forged connections with her students’ families while drawing on continued, constructivist mentoring from her university professor. The case points to the need for new teacher mentoring programs to include some emphasis on family-teacher relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The new teacher kept a weekly journal of her interactions with families over a two-year period. Notes were taken during and after mentoring sessions. Data analysis was conducted using the case analysis format designed by Mileset al.(2014).

Findings

The goal of fostering constructive family-teacher relationships was not fully realized for this teacher in her first year. Through reflections, readings, and discussions in mentoring sessions, she gradually learned to respect the wisdom and expertise of families.

Research limitations/implications

As with all case studies, the results are not generalizable in a traditional sense (Hodkinson and Hodkinson, 2001); however, a larger issue can be addressed in a case (Stake, 1995). In this case, the larger issue is that White teachers working in high-poverty schools are likely to encounter differences between their cultural backgrounds and those of their students’ families. New teachers must determine how to respond in this situation, and mentoring offers support in helping them to act.

Practical implications

Action steps and guidelines developed by the teacher are included, along with a list of selected articles to spur discussions in constructivist mentoring sessions.

Originality/value

Coordinators of new teacher induction programs are encouraged to include a component in their curriculum for best practices in developing relationships with families.
Mentorship in the engineering professoriate: exploring the role of social cognitive career theory
Authors: Mendez Sylvia L. , Martin Conley Valerie , Keith Rebecca S. , Haynes Comas , Gerhardt Rosario
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a new mentoring and advocacy-networking paradigm sponsored by the National Science Foundation (15-7680) Office for Broadening Participation in Engineering in the USA. The Increasing Minority Presence within Academia through Continuous Training (IMPACT) program pairs underrepresented minority (URM) faculty with emeriti faculty in engineering for career mentorship.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers utilized a phenomenological qualitative research design to explore the influence of the three domains of the mentoring and advocacy-networking paradigm (career development, sponsorship, and coaching) through participant interviews of URM and emeriti faculty. Interviews, grounded by Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), offered an in-depth understanding of the nature, meaning, and ways in which the IMPACT participants perceived the value of the mentoring experience.

Findings

Phenomenological findings suggest mentees viewed IMPACT participation as a means for career progression, and mentors saw it as an opportunity to “give back” to the engineering field. Neither believed cultural or generational gaps would hamper their mentoring relationships, as their shared academic interests would facilitate a bridge for any gaps.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies new questions related to the expectations and interests of both mentors and mentees who are engaged in a mentoring relationship. A longitudinal approach would offer deeper insight into mentoring as the relationship persists over time.

Originality/value

Evidence at this stage indicates that the IMPACT program has the potential to contribute to the career progression of URM faculty through the inclusion of an often overlooked resource of emeriti faculty.
The endogeneity of poison pill adoption and unsolicited takeovers
Authors: Nguyen Duc Giang
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Poison pill adoption is often considered as the most effective tactic to fend off an unsolicited takeover bid. However, it is difficult to identify the deterrent effect because the adoption is naturally endogenous. The purpose of this paper is to use plausibly exogenous instruments to mitigate the endogeneity problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The author employs two econometric models: the linear probability model and the bivariate probit model to examine the effect of poison pills on the outcome of a takeover.

Findings

Using a sample of 655 unsolicited takeovers, the author finds that poison pills substantially reduce the likelihood that a takeover bid, once undesirably placed, is completed. This negative impact strongly supports the manager entrenchment hypothesis in that managers adopt poison pills to ensure the continuation of their private benefits. However, the author finds no strong evidence consistent with the shareholder interest hypothesis that poison pills enhance the management’s ability to negotiate higher premiums or reject inadequate offers.

Research limitations/implications

The demise of the market for unsolicited takeovers with the disappearance of poison pills can be explained by the fact that poison pills, if adopted, will have an absolute deterrent effect on the takeover likelihood of success, and targets always have the power to adopt them instantly.

Practical implications

There should be policies to limit the power of managers to adopt poison pills because it causes the entrenchment problem which will negatively affect the firm value.

Originality/value

The author tackles the problem of the endogeneity of poison pill adoptions. The author shows that poison pills have a strong negative effect on the takeover outcome and the result can explain the decreasing number of unsolicited takeovers.
Exercising responsible leadership in a Singapore context
Authors: Koh Carolyn , Fernando Mario , Spedding Trevor
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the western developed notion of responsible leadership (RL) from a Singapore context.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the qualitative research tradition, face-to-face interviews with 20 influential Singaporean leaders were developed into case studies. Grounded theory methodology was applied to identify similarities and differences within and across cases.

Findings

The findings reveal that the interviewed Singaporean leaders projected traits and values consistent with western definitions of responsible and effective leadership. Findings also suggest that contextual factors such as national culture and the ethos of the nation as well as leaders’ relational intelligence influence RL. These factors also help responsible leaders to better manage the tension between responsible and effective leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The small and geographically bound sample size makes it difficult to generalise the findings of this study. As in other ethics studies, interviewees’ desire to present a socially desirable image of themselves could be high in this study. Finally, the methods and analytical techniques applied may be biased and be influenced by the purposive selection of the participants.

Practical implications

Singaporean business leaders may need to consider the importance of retaining and developing the national culture and ethos of the nation, since these are the factors that have been identified in this study as key to influencing RL.

Originality/value

This study identifies the factors that influence RL from a Singapore context. It extends the understanding of the mostly western-based multi-level theory of RL.
Genomic diversity and population structure of Mexican and Spanish bovine Lidia breed
Authors: Eusebi P. G. , Cortés O. , Dunner S. , Cañón J.
Published: October 2017

The Lidia bovine breed is distinguished for its low genetic exchangeability given its selection on aggressive behavior, its management uniqueness and its subdivided structure. In this study, we present a comprehensive genome‐wide analysis of genetic diversity, population structure and admixture of 468 animals from Mexican and Spanish Lidia breed populations and 64 samples belonging to 10 Spanish native and American‐creole breeds using 37 148 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found similar average inbreeding values in the Lidia breed, with different distributions within groups; variability of inbreeding values among Spanish lineages was significant and no differences were found among the Mexican sub‐populations. Together, the high FIS of the lineages and the behavior of the runs of homozygosity are consequences of the lineage's small effective population sizes, contributing to their inbreeding increase. Population admixture analysis discarded any influence on the genetic structure of the Lidia populations from the Spanish native and American‐creole breeds. In addition, both Lidia populations depicted different genetic origins, with the exception of some Mexican individuals whose origins traced back to recent Spanish importations.
Quantitative analysis of multiple elements in healthy and remodeled epithelium from human upper airway mucosa using nuclear microscopy
Authors: Ren M.‐Q. , Zhou Y.‐T. , Chen H.‐X. , Li T.‐Y. , Vajandar S. K. , Osipowicz T. , Watt F. , Li C.‐W.
Published: October 2017

Elements are vital in airway mucosal physiology and pathology, but their distribution and levels in the mucosa remain unclear. This study uses the state‐of‐the‐art nuclear microscopy facility to map and quantify multiple elements in the histology sections of nasal mucosa from patients with nasal polyps or inverted papilloma. Our results demonstrate that P and Ca are the most abundant elements in mucosa and their distinct difference between epithelial and subepithelial regions; more importantly, our results reveal decreased amounts of Cu and Zn in the remodeled epithelium as compared to the normal epithelium. These findings suggest that Cu and Zn may be beneficial targets to regulate aberrant epithelial remodeling in airway inflammation.
Signaling Safety: Characterizing Fieldwork Experiences and Their Implications for Career Trajectories
Authors: Nelson Robin G. , Rutherford Julienne N. , Hinde Katie , Clancy Kathryn B. H.
Published: October 2017

Numerous studies use quantitative measures to evaluate retention, advancement, and success in academic settings. Such approaches, however, present challenges for evaluating the lived experiences of academics. Here, we present a qualitative thematic analysis of self‐reports of positive and negative experiences that occurred while conducting academic field research. Twenty‐six semistructured interviews highlighted two central themes: (1) variability inclarityof appropriate professional behavior and rules at fieldsites, and (2)access, or obstacles therein, to professional resources and opportunity. In some instances, respondent narratives recalled a lack of consequences for violations of rules governing appropriate conduct. These violations included harassment and assault, and ultimately disruptions to career trajectories. A heuristic construct of a traffic light describing Red, Yellow, and Green experiences illustrates the ramifications of this distribution of clarity and access within fieldsite contexts. These results extend the findings from our previously reported Survey of Academic Field Experiences (SAFE) about the climates and contexts created and experienced in field research settings. Moreover, this study addresses specific tactics, such as policies, procedures, and paradigms that fieldsite directors and principal investigators can implement to improve field experiences and better achieve equal opportunity in field research settings. [work environment, gender, field experiences, harassment]
Effect of a See and Treat clinic on skin cancer treatment time
Authors: McLaughlin Scott J. P. , Kenealy John , Locke Michelle B.
Published: October 2017

Background

Many plastic surgery departments in Australasia have experienced increasing referrals for management of skin lesions. This has driven a demand for new strategies to decrease patient waiting time and administrative costs. The aim of this study was to determine if a purpose‐built See and Treat skin cancer clinic could provide a faster skin cancer treatment pathway with comparable clinical outcomes and acceptability to patients.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of patients treated through the See and Treat clinic with a retrospective control cohort. The prospective ‘See and Treat’ cohort included a consecutive series of 106 patients, while the retrospective cohort included a consecutive series of 200 patients. Patient demographics, time from referral to surgery and operative measures were analysed. One hundred patients in the prospective cohort completed an anonymous satisfaction survey regarding their treatment.

Results

The average time from referral to surgery was reduced from 121 days in the retrospective cohort to 60 days in the See and Treat cohort (P < 0.001). Rates of complete excision of malignant and premalignant lesions were not different between the two groups, being 93% (178/191) and 91% (76/84), respectively (P = 0.609). Ninety‐five percent (95/100) of patients were satisfied with their See and Treat experience overall.

Conclusion

We show that a considerable reduction in the time between referral and surgery can be achieved through a See and Treat clinic without compromise of the success of surgical treatment. Moreover, such a treatment pathway has been shown to be acceptable, and largely preferable, to patients.
Activation of Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Increases Proliferation but does not Influence Neuronal Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line
Authors: Dindler Anne , Blaabjerg Morten , Kamand Morad , Bogetofte Helle , Meyer Morten
Published: October 2017

The multiple functions of glutamate include regulation of neural development and stem cells. While the importance of the ionotropic glutamate receptors is well‐established, less is known about the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). In this study, we examined the effects of pharmacological activation and inhibition of mGluR2/3 on proliferation, differentiation and viability of a human neural stem cell line. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the presence of mGluR2/3 receptors on both proliferating and differentiating stem cells, including cells differentiated into β‐tubulin III‐positive immature neurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive astrocytes. Stimulation of mGluR2/3 receptors during cell propagation using the agonist (2S,2′R,3′R)‐2‐(2′,3′‐dicarboxycyclopropyl) glycine (DCG‐IV) increased total cell numbers significantly (60% compared to untreated controls). This effect could be inhibited by the specific antagonist (2S)‐2‐Amino‐2‐[(1S,2S)‐2‐carboxycycloprop‐1‐yl]‐3‐(xanth‐9‐yl) propanoic acid (LY341495). The antagonist alone had no effect. No significant decrease in cell death was found following mGluR2/3 stimulation, suggesting that the observed elevation in cell number was not related to cell viability. Subsequent differentiation of the cells resulted in a slight decrease in β‐tubulin III‐positive neurons (5.2–3.2% of total cells) for DCG‐IV pre‐treated cultures. Treatment with DCG‐IV and LY342495 during cell differentiation alone had no such effect. Western blot analysis revealed that the active, dimeric form of mGluR2/3 was mainly present on the proliferating cells, which may explain our findings. This study emphasizes the importance of glutamate and mGluRs on regulation of human neural stem cells and suggests a significant role of mGluR2/3 during cell proliferation.
Multicentre evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging supported transperineal prostate biopsy in biopsy‐naïve men with suspicion of prostate cancer
Authors: Hansen Nienke L. , Barrett Tristan , Kesch Claudia , Pepdjonovic Lana , Bonekamp David , O'Sullivan Richard , Distler Florian , Warren Anne , Samel Christina , Hadaschik Boris , Grummet Jeremy , Kastner Christof
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To analyse the detection rates of primary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐fusion transperineal prostate biopsy using combined targeted and systematic core distribution in three tertiary referral centres.

Patients and Methods

In this multicentre, prospective outcome study, 807 consecutive biopsy‐naïve patients underwent MRI‐guided transperineal prostate biopsy, as the first diagnostic intervention, between 10/2012 and 05/2016. MRI was reported following the Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) criteria. In all, 236 patients had 18–24 systematic transperineal biopsies only, and 571 patients underwent additional targeted biopsies either by MRI‐fusion or cognitive targeting if PI‐RADS ≥3 lesions were present. Detection rates for any and Gleason score 7–10 cancer in targeted and overall biopsy were calculated and predictive values were calculated for different PI‐RADS and PSA density (PSAD) groups.

Results

Cancer was detected in 68% of the patients (546/807) and Gleason score 7–10 cancer in 49% (392/807). The negative predictive value of 236 PI‐RADS 1–2 MRI in combination with PSAD of <0.1 ng/mL/mL for Gleason score 7–10 was 0.91 (95% confidence interval ± 0.07, 8% of study population). In 418 patients with PI‐RADS 4–5 lesions using targeted plus systematic biopsies, the cancer detection rate of Gleason score 7–10 was significantly higher at 71% vs 59% and 61% with either approach alone (P < 0.001). For 153 PI‐RADS 3 lesions, the detection rate was 31% with no significant difference to systematic biopsies with 27% (P > 0.05). Limitations include variability of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) reading and Gleason grading.

Conclusion

MRI‐based transperineal biopsy performed at high‐volume tertiary care centres with a significant experience of prostate mpMRI and image‐guided targeted biopsies yielded high detection rates of Gleason score 7–10 cancer. Prostate biopsies may not be needed for men with low PSAD and an unsuspicious MRI. In patients with high probability lesions, combined targeted and systematic biopsies are recommended.
Determinants of life satisfaction in Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN‐IV study
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Qorbani Mostafa , Heshmat Ramin , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Magoul Arman , Mansourian Morteza , Raeesi Sina , Gorabi Armita Mahdavi , Safiri Saeid , Mirmoghtadaee Parisa
Published: October 2017

Background

Life satisfaction (LS) in children and adolescents is important because of its effects on their school performance and the future adulthood life. In this multicentric study, we examined some determinants of LS in the pediatric age group.

Method

This multicentric study was a part of the fourth national school‐based surveillance program in Iran (2011–2012). It was conducted among 14,880 children and adolescents, aged 6–18 years, living in 30 provinces in Iran. We used the questionnaire of the World Health Organization on Global School‐based Health Survey (WHO‐GSHS), which was translated to Persian and validated in Iranian children and adolescents. LS was defined by a single question: ‘Generally, which score between 0 (the worst) to 10 (the best) do you feel well describes your life at the moment?’ The score of six and above was considered as satisfied. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the determinants of LS.

Results

In total, 13,486 students completed the study (response rate 90.6%). Overall, 86.7%, 78.19%, and 71.44 of students were satisfied with their life in elementary, middle, and high schools. Students in middle school (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.73, 0.96) and high schools (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.54, 0.72) were less satisfied with their life. Students with moderate (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.20, 1.54) and good (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.44, 1.91) socioeconomic status were more satisfied than those with low status. Those who consulted with one (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.34, 1.81) or both (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.89, 2.60) of their parents were more satisfied with their life. Students who felt being accepted by their peers were 1.34 (95% CI 1.18, 1.52) times more satisfied with their life. Other associated variables were weekly (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.12, 1.572) or daily (OR 1.6; 95% CI 01.12, 1.57) fruit consumption, moderate (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.01, 1.29) and high (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.02, 1.347) physical activity, good self‐rated health (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.88, 2.37), and daily tooth brushing (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.18, 1.46). Students with anxiety (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.65, 0.82) and depression (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58, 0.74) were less satisfied with their life.

Conclusion

Some demographic and lifestyle factors, including higher socioeconomic status, consultation with parents, healthy dietary, and physical activity habits, were associated with higher LS in children and adolescents. Then, interventions that focus on improving lifestyle factors and parents’ support could increase LS among children and adolescents.
Eight weeks of omeprazole 20 mg significantly reduces both laryngopharyngeal reflux and comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis signs and symptoms: Randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Anzić S.A. , Turkalj M. , Župan A. , Labor M. , Plavec D. , Baudoin T.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Gastroesophageal reflux recommended treatment (dose and duration) with proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) compared to placebo significantly reduces the signs and symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Design

Double‐blind randomised placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

Eight weeks of treatment with omeprazole 20 mg once daily (OD).

Participants

Sixty patients (28 women, aged 19‐87 years) with diagnosed LPR and comorbid CRS.

Main outcome measures

Significant reduction in signs and symptoms (reflux symptom index (RSI) score as subjective, and reflux finding score (RFS) as objective measure) of LPR after 8 weeks of treatment with omeprazole 20 mg OD when compared to placebo. Secondary objectives were significant reduction in signs and symptoms of comorbid CRS after 8 weeks of treatment with omeprazole 20 mg OD when compared to placebo and the association of the severity of signs and symptoms of LPR with the ones of CRS.

Results

RSI and RFS decreased significantly more in the active treatment group after 8 weeks compared to placebo (P < .001 for both). CRS and endoscopy scoring decreased both significantly more in the active group after 8 weeks compared to placebo (P < .001 for both). CRS scoring significantly correlated with RSI (R = 0.312, P = .015) but not with RFS (R = 0.199, P = .127).

Conclusions

The results of our trial suggest that omeprazole 20 mg OD for 8 weeks was effective in reducing signs and symptoms of both LPR and CRS, although in most patients still present at the end of the trial.
Reconsidering the H&E stain as the gold standard in assessing the depth of burn wounds
Authors: Rosenberg Arlene S.
Published: October 2017

While histological examination is considered by most as the gold standard for burn depth assessment, it has no practical use in the clinical setting. It has, however, been used in the research setting, as a mean for evaluating emerging techniques of depth measurement. Due to the limitations of the H&E stain, other stains have also been explored, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as presented in this issue, in “Improving the Histologic Characterization of Burn Depth.” As the determination of burn depth is not a typical subject in dermatopathology, a summary of selected techniques and the possible role for the LDH stain in future research, is described herein.
Praying for Rain?: Reformed Perspectives from the Southern African Context
Authors: Conradie Ernst
Published: October 2017

This contribution addresses the question raised in this volume whether praying for rain is an appropriate response to the impact of climate change from a Southern African perspective. It commences with a missionary story from Chipata in Zambia, reflects on subsequent contextual changes, and raises some theological questions on discerning the movement of the Spirit, divine action, and providence. It addresses such questions with reference to material developed for a “Season of Creation” from within the Western Cape, namely on the theme of “God and El Niño: What can we expect from the God of Exodus?” It concludes that praying for rain is a rather limited ecclesial response to climate change that raises more questions than it can answer.
Prayer for Rain: A Pentecostal Perspective from Kenya
Authors: Maseno Loreen
Published: October 2017

Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, has a population of 3.5 million people. The concentration of Pentecostal and charismatic churches in Nairobi, as in other African cities, has more than doubled since the 1970s. The Kenya meteorological department in June 2016 forecast poor short rains in 2016. By December 2016, the Thika Dam (Ndakaini), which provides 85 percent of the water used in Nairobi, was below the 50 percent level. This led the Nairobi water and sewerage company to issue detailed water‐rationing programmes effective 1 January 2017. With dry taps across the city, actual effects of depressed rains were visible. Using fieldwork data, this paper examines the response, if any, of three Pentecostal churches in Nairobi in two separate month‐long periods, July 2016 and January 2017, to the meteorological department and Nairobi water and sewerage alerts. Three services for each Pentecostal church were sampled, bringing the total number of church services to nine. From fieldwork data, a vibrant African Pentecostal eco‐theology emerges, which is the greening of all of God's creation on earth. Using typologies available for defining the relationship between human beings and nonhuman nature identified within public theology discourse, I find that two of the congregations align themselves with utilitarian anthropocentrism and nature‐centred approaches, while the other defies plausible positioning.
Are Prayers a Panacea for Climate Uncertainties?: An African Traditional Perspective from Swaziland
Authors: Nyawo Sonene
Published: October 2017

Climate change is a major threat to sustainable development, not only in sub‐Saharan Africa countries, but throughout the world. Swaziland as a developing nation has been hit hard by the frequency and intensity of severe weather volatility. While this situation has received scientific and technological interpretations, Swazi indigenous thought rejects these since it ascribes natural catastrophes to cosmic forces. Thus, people observe formalized systems of interaction with the supernatural world to find practical solutions to any disaster or social ill. This contribution maintains that indigenous thought is still vibrant among many Swazis despite their encounter with a new religious orientation. Swazi Christian thought patterns still correlate with the traditional view of Swazi cosmology. Hence, Christians have held corporate prayers at local church, regional, and national levels to harness the impersonal forces of El Niño, La Niña, and the recent Cyclone Dineo. For many Swazis in this predominantly Christian population, God has the power to restore any disturbed equilibrium in the spiritual, social, or natural milieu of human life through prayer.
African Religion, Climate Change, and Knowledge Systems
Authors: Tarusarira Joram
Published: October 2017

This article argues that as humanity is now changing the composition of the atmosphere at a rate that is very exceptional on the geological time scale, resulting in global warming, humans must deal with climate change holistically, including the often overlooked religion factor. Human‐caused climate change has resulted primarily from changes in the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but also from changes in small particles (aerosols), as well as from changes in land use. In Africa, the entire relationship between humans and nature, including activities such as land use, has deep religious and spiritual underpinnings. In general, religion is central to many of the decisions people make about their own communities’ development. Hence, this contribution examines religion as a factor that can be tapped into to mitigate negative effects of climate change, discussing climate change and religion in the context of development practice. It argues that some of the difficulties encountered in development, including efforts to reverse global warming in Africa, directly speak to the relegation of African cosmovision and conversely of the need to adopt new epistemologies, concepts, and models that take religion into consideration.
Praying for Rain?: A Rastafari Perspective from Zimbabwe
Authors: Sibanda Fortune
Published: October 2017

Climate change remains one of the most enigmatic questions that humanity urgently needs to address. Emanating from the ecological crisis, climate change threatens the survival of some species (including humanity) and the depletion of natural resources. The situation is deplorable, but arguably religion/spirituality can contribute to meeting the challenge. This study explores a Zimbabwean Rastafari perspective on praying for rain against the backdrop of climate change. The article posits that praying for rain is integral to Rastafari “livity” and liturgical life. Among other pertinent questions, the study asks: What is the value Rastafarians accord to nature? How do Rastafarians pray for rain? Do they take responsibility for the environment? The research concludes that Rastafarians operate as post–20th‐century Nazarenes, where prayer is a practical and tangible manifestation of work that is crucial to living harmoniously with nature. Rastafari “green philosophy” is a practical spiritual consciousness that decisively complements global efforts of shared responsibility for nature in the context of the climate change crisis.