bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rediscovery of an old article reporting that the area around the epicenter in Hiroshima was heavily contaminated with residual radiation, indicating that exposure doses of A-bomb survivors were largely underestimated
Authors: Sutou Shizuyo
Published: June 2017

The A-bomb blast released a huge amount of energy: thermal radiation (35%), blast energy (50%), and nuclear radiation (15%). Of the 15%, 5% was initial radiation released within 30 s and 10% was residual radiation, the majority of which was fallout. Exposure doses of hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) were estimated solely on the basis of the initial radiation. The effects of the residual radiation on hibakusha have been considered controversial; some groups assert that the residual radiation was negligible, but others refute that assertion. I recently discovered a six-decade-old article written in Japanese by a medical doctor, Gensaku Obo, from Hiroshima City. This article clearly indicates that the area around the epicenter in Hiroshima was heavily contaminated with residual radiation. It reports that non-hibakusha who entered Hiroshima soon after the blast suffered from severe acute radiation sickness, including burns, external injuries, fever, diarrhea, skin bleeding, sore throat and loss of hair—as if they were real hibakusha. This means that (i) some of those who entered Hiroshima in the early days after the blast could be regarded as indirect hibakusha; (ii) ‘in-the-city-control’ people in the Life Span Study (LSS) must have been irradiated more or less from residual radiation and could not function properly as the negative control; (iii) exposure doses of hibakusha were largely underestimated; and (iv) cancer risk in the LSS was largely overestimated. Obo's article is very important to understand the health effects of A-bombs so that the essence of it is translated from Japanese to English with the permission of the publisher.
Interprofessional team performance, optimized
Authors: Poston Rebecca , Haney Tina , Kott Karen , Rutledge Carolyn
Published: June 2017

Enhance development with behavioral profiles.
Structural, Nursing, and Physician Characteristics and 30-Day Mortality for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery in Pennsylvania*
Authors: Lane-Fall Meghan B. , Ramaswamy Tara S. , Brown Sydney E. S. , He Xu , Gutsche Jacob T. , Fleisher Lee A. , Neuman Mark D.
Published: June 2017

Objective:

Cardiac surgery ICU characteristics and clinician staffing patterns have not been well characterized. We sought to describe Pennsylvania cardiac ICUs and to determine whether ICU characteristics are associated with mortality in the 30 days after cardiac surgery.

Design:

From 2012 to 2013, we conducted a survey of cardiac surgery ICUs in Pennsylvania to assess ICU structure, care practices, and clinician staffing patterns. ICU data were linked to an administrative database of cardiac surgery patient discharges. We used logistic regression to measure the association between ICU variables and death in 30 days.

Setting:

Cardiac surgery ICUs in Pennsylvania.

Patients:

Patients having coronary artery bypass grafting and/or cardiac valve repair or replacement from 2009 to 2011.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of the 57 cardiac surgical ICUs in Pennsylvania, 43 (75.4%) responded to the facility survey. Rounds included respiratory therapists in 26 of 43 (60.5%) and pharmacists in 23 of 43 (53.5%). Eleven of 41 (26.8%) reported that at least 2/3 of their nurses had a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Advanced practice providers were present in most of the ICUs (37/43; 86.0%) but residents (8/42; 18.6%) and fellows (7/43; 16.3%) were not. Daytime intensivists were present in 21 of 43 (48.8%) responding ICUs; eight of 43 (18.6%) had nighttime intensivists. Among 29,449 patients, there was no relationship between mortality and nurse ICU experience, presence of any intensivist, or absence of residents after risk adjustment. To exclude patients who may have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement, we conducted a subgroup analysis of patients undergoing only coronary artery bypass grafting, and results were similar.

Conclusions:

Pennsylvania cardiac surgery ICUs have variable structures, care practices, and clinician staffing, although none of these are statistically significantly associated with mortality in the 30 days following surgery after adjustment.
New paradigms in the conservative surgical and interventional management of adenomyosis
Authors: Alvi Farah A. , Glaser Laura M. , Chaudhari Angela , Tsai Susan , Milad Magdy P.
Published: June 2017

Purpose of review

Adenomyosis is commonly diagnosed in women of reproductive age. Interest in conservative interventions has grown as more women desire fertility preservation or avoidance of hysterectomy. This review discusses surgical and interventional methods for treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis. The technique, evidence, and utility of each method are described.

Recent findings

Hysteroscopic ablative techniques are associated with lower morbidity than with hysterectomy but may result in an unacceptable risk of treatment failure. Surgical adenomyomectomy may provide good symptomatic improvement, especially when combined with preoperative gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment. Laparoscopic myometrial coagulation is associated with high rates of future pregnancy complications. Uterine artery ligation has limited value as an isolated approach but, coupled with other techniques, provides adequate therapeutic control. Bilateral uterine artery embolization may improve symptoms, without significantly compromising fertility. Focused ultrasonic surgical methods also show promise in alleviating symptoms without compromising reproductive outcomes.

A multitude of surgical and interventional options are available for young women with symptomatic adenomyosis. These treatment methods have unique associated risks and benefits, and may have varying impacts on long-term symptom control, fertility, and reproductive outcomes.
Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia Undergoing Major Amputation or Not
Authors: Nishijima Akio , Yamamoto Naoto , Yoshida Ryuichi , Hozawa Koji , Yanagibayashi Satoshi , Takikawa Megumi , Hayasaka Rie , Nishijima Junko , Gosho Masahiko , Nishijima Haruo
Published: June 2017

Background:

Due to the increase of elderly and diabetes patients, surgeons encounter patients requiring treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in the presence of systemic arteriosclerotic diseases. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with CLI who underwent major (above-the-ankle) amputation or nonmajor amputation (below-the-ankle amputation or debridement of wound).

Methods:

We retrospectively investigated 129 consecutive patients surgically managed for CLI in our institution between January 2013 and December 2015. The prevalence of CAD was defined as a cardiac treatment history or significant vascular stenosis (stenosis of > 75%). The outcomes were compared between patients who underwent major amputation (n = 36) and nonmajor amputation (n = 93). Additionally, archived record of 566 patients treated nonsurgically by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in our institution was investigated to evaluate patients with milder peripheral artery disease.

Results:

CAD was present in 83 patients (69%), including 82% of patients who underwent major amputation and 63% of nonmajor amputation group. The prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in the major amputation group (P = 0.042). Ejection fraction was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Among the 566 CLI patients treated by only percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, 227 (40%) had CAD, which was a significantly lower prevalence than those surgically treated (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The presence of CAD is more frequent in CLI patients who require extended surgical management of the limb than in those who do not. Evaluation of CAD and careful perioperative management are important for patients with CLI patients.
Cerebrospinal Fluid B-lymphocyte Chemoattractant CXCL13 in the Diagnosis of Acute Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children
Authors: Barstad Bjørn , Tveitnes Dag , Noraas Sølvi , Selvik Ask Ingvild , Saeed Maryam , Bosse Franziskus , Vigemyr Grete , Huber Ilka , Øymar Knut
Published: June 2017

Background:

Current markers of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in children have insufficient sensitivity in the early stage of disease. The B-lymphocyte chemoattractant CXCL13 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be useful in diagnosing LNB, but its specificity has not been evaluated in studies including children with clinically relevant differential diagnoses. The aim of this study was to elucidate the diagnostic value of CSF CXCL13 in children with symptoms suggestive of LNB.

Methods:

Children with symptoms suggestive of LNB were included prospectively into predefined groups with a high or low likelihood of LNB based on CSF pleocytosis and the detection of Borrelia antibodies or other causative agents. CSF CXCL13 levels were compared between the groups, and receiver-operating characteristic analyses were performed to indicate optimal cutoff levels to discriminate LNB from non-LNB conditions.

Results:

Two hundred and ten children were included. Children with confirmed LNB (n=59) and probable LNB (n=18) had higher CSF CXCL13 levels than children with possible LNB (n=7), possible peripheral LNB (n=7), non-Lyme aseptic meningitis (n=12), non-meningitis (n=91) and negative controls (n=16). Using 18 pg/mL as a cutoff level, both the sensitivity and specificity of CSF CXCL13 for LNB (confirmed and probable) were 97%. Comparing only children with LNB and non-Lyme aseptic meningitis, the sensitivity and specificity with the same cutoff level were 97% and 83%, respectively.

Conclusion:

CSF CXCL13 is a sensitive marker of LNB in children. The specificity to discriminate LNB from non-Lyme aseptic meningitis may be more moderate, suggesting that CSF CXCL13 should be used together with other variables in diagnosing LNB in children.
Simultaneous Versus Sequential Ptosis and Strabismus Surgery in Children
Authors: Revere Karen E. , Binenbaum Gil , Li Jonathan , Mills Monte D. , Katowitz William R. , Katowitz James A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

The authors sought to compare the clinical outcomes of simultaneous versus sequential ptosis and strabismus surgery in children.

Methods:

Retrospective, single-center cohort study of children requiring both ptosis and strabismus surgery on the same eye. Simultaneous surgeries were performed during a single anesthetic event; sequential surgeries were performed at least 7 weeks apart. Outcomes were ptosis surgery success (margin reflex distance 1 ≥ 2 mm, good eyelid contour, and good eyelid crease); strabismus surgery success (ocular alignment within 10 prism diopters of orthophoria and/or improved head position); surgical complications; and reoperations.

Results:

Fifty-six children were studied, 38 had simultaneous surgery and 18 sequential. Strabismus surgery was performed first in 38/38 simultaneous and 6/18 sequential cases. Mean age at first surgery was 64 months, with mean follow up 27 months. A total of 75% of children had congenital ptosis; 64% had comitant strabismus. A majority of ptosis surgeries were frontalis sling (59%) or Fasanella-Servat (30%) procedures. There were no significant differences between simultaneous and sequential groups with regards to surgical success rates, complications, or reoperations (all p > 0.28).

Conclusions:

In the first comparative study of simultaneous versus sequential ptosis and strabismus surgery, no advantage for sequential surgery was seen. Despite a theoretical risk of postoperative eyelid malposition or complications when surgeries were performed in a combined manner, the rate of such outcomes was not increased with simultaneous surgeries. Performing ptosis and strabismus surgery together appears to be clinically effective and safe, and reduces anesthesia exposure during childhood.
Determination of Reynolds Shear Stress Level for Hemolysis
Authors: Jhun Choon-Sik , Stauffer Megan A. , Reibson John D. , Yeager Eric E. , Newswanger Raymond K. , Taylor Joshua O. , Manning Keefe B. , Weiss William J. , Rosenberg Gerson
Published: June 2017

Reynolds shear stress (RSS) has served as a metric for the effect of turbulence on hemolysis. Forstrom (1969) and Sallam and Hwang (1984) determined the RSS threshold for hemolysis to be 50,000 and 4,000 dyne/cm2, respectively, using a turbulent jet. Despite the order of magnitude discrepancy, the threshold by Sallam and Hwang has been frequently cited for hemolytic potential in blood pumps. We recreated a Sallam apparatus (SA) to resolve this discrepancy and provide additional data to be used in developing a more accurate hemolysis model. Hemolysis was measured over a large range of Reynolds numbers (Re) (Re = 1,000–80,000). Washed bovine red blood cells (RBCs) were injected into the free jet of phosphate buffered saline, and hemolysis was quantified using a percent hemolysis, H

p
= h (100 − hematocrit [HCT])/Hb, where h (mg/dl) is free hemoglobin and Hb (mg/dl) is total hemoglobin. Reynolds shear stress was calculated using two-dimensional laser Doppler velocimetry. Reynolds shear stress of ≥30,000 dyne/cm2 corresponding to Re of ≥60,000 appeared to cause hemolysis (p < 0.05). This RSS is an order of magnitude greater than the RSS threshold that Sallam and Hwang suggested, and it is similar to Forstrom’s RSS threshold. This study resolved a long-standing uncertainty regarding the critical values of RSS for hemolysis and may provide a foundation for a more accurate hemolysis model.
Use of Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy in US College Settings: Associations With Legality, Perceived Legality and Other Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Authors: Hogben Matthew , Caccamo Alexandra , Beltran Oscar , Cramer Ryan , Habel Melissa A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Young adults, including college students, have higher rates of chlamydia than the general population. Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) is a partner treatment option for sex partners of individuals diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea. We examined college health center use of PDPT in a national sample of colleges.

Methods

During 2014 to 2015, we collected data from 482 colleges and universities (55% of 885 surveyed), weighting responses by institutional characteristics abstracted from a national database (eg, 2-year vs 4-year status). We asked whether the school had a student health center and which sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were offered. We also assessed the legal and perceived legal status of PDPT in states where schools were located. We then estimated PDPT availability at student health centers and measured associations with legal status and SRH services.

Results

Most colleges (n = 367) reported having a student health center; PDPT was available at 36.6% of health centers and associated with perceived legality of PDPT in the state in which the college was located (odds ratio [OR], 4.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–18.28). Patient-delivered partner therapy was significantly associated with availability of SRH services, including sexually transmitted disease diagnosis and treatment of STI (56.2% vs 1.1%), gynecological services (60.3% vs 12.2%), and contraceptive services (57.8% vs 7.7%) (all P < .001). Compared with schools taking no action, PDPT was more likely to be available at schools that notified partners directly (OR, 8.29; 95% CI, 1.28–53.85), but not schools that asked patients to notify partners (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 0.97–12.43).

Conclusions

PDPT was more likely to be available in colleges that offered SRH services and where staff believed PDPT was legal. Further research could explore more precise conditions under which PDPT is used.
Brain Structure and Response to Emotional Stimuli as Related to Gut Microbial Profiles in Healthy Women
Authors: Tillisch Kirsten , Mayer Emeran A. , Gupta Arpana , Gill Zafar , Brazeilles Rémi , Le Nevé Boris , van Hylckama Vlieg Johan E.T. , Guyonnet Denis , Derrien Muriel , Labus Jennifer S.
Published: June 2017

Objective

Brain-gut-microbiota interactions may play an important role in human health and behavior. Although rodent models have demonstrated effects of the gut microbiota on emotional, nociceptive, and social behaviors, there is little translational human evidence to date. In this study, we identify brain and behavioral characteristics of healthy women clustered by gut microbiota profiles.

Methods

Forty women supplied fecal samples for 16S rRNA profiling. Microbial clusters were identified using Partitioning Around Medoids. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired. Microbiota-based group differences were analyzed in response to affective images. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging provided gray matter metrics (volume, cortical thickness, mean curvature, surface area) as well as fiber density between regions. A sparse Partial Least Square-Discrimination Analysis was applied to discriminate microbiota clusters using white and gray matter metrics.

Results

Two bacterial genus-based clusters were identified, one with greater Bacteroides abundance (n = 33) and one with greater Prevotella abundance (n = 7). The Prevotella group showed less hippocampal activity viewing negative valences images. White and gray matter imaging discriminated the two clusters, with accuracy of 66.7% and 87.2%, respectively. The Prevotella cluster was associated with differences in emotional, attentional, and sensory processing regions. For gray matter, the Bacteroides cluster showed greater prominence in the cerebellum, frontal regions, and the hippocampus.

Conclusions

These results support the concept of brain-gut-microbiota interactions in healthy humans. Further examination of the interaction between gut microbes, brain, and affect in humans is needed to inform preclinical reports that microbial modulation may affect mood and behavior.
A simple high-throughput approach identifies actionable drug sensitivities in patient-derived tumor organoids
Authors: Phan Nhan , Hong Jenny J. , Tofig Bobby , Mapua Matthew , Elashoff David , Moatamed Neda A. , Huang Jin , Memarzadeh Sanaz , Damoiseaux Robert , Soragni Alice
Published: June 2017

There is increasing interest in developing 3D tumor organoid models for drug development and personalized medicine applications. While tumor organoids are in principle amenable to high-throughput drug screenings, progress has been hampered by technical constraints and extensive manipulations required by current methodologies. Here, we introduce a miniaturized, fully automatable, flexible high-throughput method using a simplified geometry to rapidly establish 3D organoids from cell lines and primary tissue and robustly assay drug responses. As proof of principle, we use our miniring approach to establish organoids of high-grade serous tumors and one carcinosarcoma of the ovaries and screen hundreds of protein kinase compounds currently FDA-approved or in clinical development. In all cases we could identify drugs causing significant reduction in cell viability, number and size of organoids within a week from surgery, a timeline compatible with therapeutic decision making.
Investigating the role of insulin in increased adiposity: Bi-directional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Richmond RC , Wade KH , Corbin L , Bowden J , Hemani G , Timpson NJ , Davey Smith G
Published: June 2017

Insulin may serve as a key causal agent which regulates fat accumulation in the body. Here we assessed the causal relationship between fasting insulin and adiposity using publicly-available results from two large-scale genome-wide association studies for body mass index and fasting insulin levels in a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian Randomized approach. This approach is only valid on the condition that the two instruments are independent of one another. In analysis excluding overlapping loci, there was an increase of 0.20 (0.17, 0.23) log pmol/L fasting insulin per SD increase in BMI (P= 2.80 x 10−36), while there was a null effect of fasting insulin on BMI, with a 0.01 (−0.39, 0.38) SD decrease in BMI per log pmol/L increase in fasting insulin (P= 0.98). Furthermore, a high degree of heterogeneity in the causal estimates was obtained from the insulin-related variants, which may be attributed to varying mechanisms of action of the insulin-associated variants. Results were largely consistent when an Egger regression technique and weighted median and mode estimators were applied. Findings suggest that the positive correlation between adiposity and fasting insulin levels are at least in part explained by the causal effect of adiposity on increasing insulin, rather than vice versa.
Bacterial community profiles andVibrio parahaemolyticusabundance in individual oysters and their association with estuarine ecology
Authors: Marcinkiewicz Ashley L. , Schuster Brian M. , Jones Stephen H. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Whistler Cheryl A.
Published: June 2017

Oysters naturally harbor the human gastric pathogenVibrio parahaemolyticus, but the nature of this association is unknown. Because microbial interactions could influence the accumulation ofV. parahaemolyticusin oysters, we investigated the composition of the microbiome in water and oysters at two ecologically unique sites in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire using 16s rRNA profiling. We then evaluated correlations between bacteria inhabiting the oyster withV. parahaemolyticusabundance quantified using a most probable number (MPN) analysis. Even though oysters filter-feed, their microbiomes were not a direct snapshot of the bacterial community in overlaying water, suggesting they selectively accumulate some bacterial phyla. The microbiome of individual oysters harvested more centrally in the bay were relatively more similar to each other and had fewer unique phylotypes, but overall more taxonomic and metabolic diversity, than the microbiomes from tributary-harvested oysters that were individually more variable with lower taxonomic and metabolic diversity. Oysters harvested from the same location varied inV. parahaemolyticusabundance, with the highest abundance oysters collected from one location. This study, which to our knowledge is the first of its kind to evaluate associations ofV. parahaemolyticusabundance with members of individual oyster microbiomes, implies that sufficient sampling and depth of sequencing may reveal microbiome members that could impactV. parahaemolyticusabundance.
The mechanism of transcription start site selection
Authors: Yu Libing , Winkelman Jared T. , Pukhrambam Chirangini , Strick Terence R. , Nickels Bryce E. , Ebright Richard H.
Published: June 2017

During transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds to promoter DNA, unwinds promoter DNA to form an RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo) containing a single-stranded "transcription bubble," and selects a transcription start site (TSS). TSS selection occurs at different positions within the promoter region, depending on promoter sequence and initiating-substrate concentration. Variability in TSS selection has been proposed to involve DNA "scrunching" and "antiscrunching," the hallmarks of which are: (i) forward and reverse movement of the RNAP leading edge, but not trailing edge, relative to DNA, and (ii) expansion and contraction of the transcription bubble. Here, usingin vitroandin vivoprotein-DNA photocrosslinking and single-molecule nanomanipulation, we show bacterial TSS selection exhibits both hallmarks of scrunching and anti-scrunching, and we define energetics of scrunching and anti-scrunching. The results establish the mechanism of TSS selection by bacterial RNAP and suggest a general mechanism for TSS selection by bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAP.
Xbra and Smad-1 response elements cooperate in PV.1 promoter to inhibit the early neurogenesis inXenopusembryos
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Umair Zobia , Yoon Jaeho , Lee Unjoo , Kim SungChan , Park Jae-Bong , Lee Jae-Yong , Kim Jaebong
Published: June 2017

Crosstalk of signaling pathways plays crucial roles in cell fate determination, cell differentiation and proliferation. Both BMP-4/Smad-1 and FGF/Xbra signaling induce the expression of PV.1, leading to neural inhibition. However, BMP-4/Smad-1 and FGF/Xbra signaling crosstalk in the regulation of PV.1 transcription is still largely unknown. In this study, Smad-1 and Xbra physically interacted and regulated the PV.1 transcriptional activation in a synergistic manner. Xbra and Smad-1 directly bound within the proximal region of the PV.1 promoter and cooperatively enhanced the binding of an interacting partner within the promoter. Maximum cooperation was achieved in the presence of intact DNA binding sites of both Smad-1 and Xbra. Collectively, BMP-4/Smad-1 and FGF/Xbra signal crosstalk was required to activate the PV.1 transcription, synergistically. Suggesting that crosstalk of BMP-4 and FGF signaling facilitates the fine-tuning regulation of PV.1 transcription to inhibit neurogenesis during embryonic development ofXenopus.

Summary statement

FGF/Xbra positively regulates the PV.1 expression in the Xenopus via an unknown mechanism. Our study shows that both BMP-4/Smad-1 and FGF/Xbra exhibits a signaling crosstalk to regulate PV.1 transcription activation, promoting to ectoderm and mesoderm formation and inhibiting the early neurogenesis inXenopus.
Discrete and coordinated encoding of punishment contingent on rewarded actions by prefrontal cortex and VTA
Authors: Park Junchol , Moghaddam Bita
Published: June 2017

Actions motivated by a rewarding outcome are often associated with a risk of punishment. Little is known about the neural representation of punishment that is contingent on reward-guided behavior. We modeled this circumstance by using a task where actions were consistently rewarded but probabilistically punished. Spike activity and local field potentials were recorded during this task simultaneously from VTA and mPFC, two reciprocally connected regions implicated in both reward-seeking and aversive behavioral states. At the single unit level, we found that ensembles of VTA and mPFC neurons encode the contingency between action and punishment. At the network level, we found that coherent theta oscillations synchronize the VTA and mPFC in a bottom-up direction, effectively phase-modulating the neuronal spike activity in the two regions during punishment-free actions. This synchrony declined as a function of punishment contingency, suggesting that during reward-seeking actions, risk of punishment diminishes VTA-driven neural synchrony between the two regions.
To increase trust, change the social design behind aggregated biodiversity data
Authors: Franz Nico M. , Sterner Beckett W.
Published: June 2017

Growing concerns about the quality of aggregated biodiversity data are lowering trust in large-scale data networks. Aggregators frequently respond to quality concerns by recommending that biologists work with original data providers to correct errors “at the source”. We show that this strategy falls systematically short of a full diagnosis of the underlying causes of distrust. In particular, trust in an aggregator is not just a feature of the data signal quality provided by the sources to the aggregator, but also a consequence of the social design of the aggregation process and the resulting power balance between individual data contributors and aggregators. The latter have created an accountability gap by downplaying the authorship and significance of the taxonomic hierarchies - frequently called “backbones” - they generate, and which are in effect novel classification theories that operate at the core of data-structuring process. The Darwin Core standard for sharing occurrence records plays an under-appreciated role in maintaining the accountability gap, because this standard lacks the syntactic structure needed to preserve the taxonomic coherence of data packages submitted for aggregation, potentially leading to inferences that no individual source would support. Since high-quality data packages can mirror competing and conflicting classifications, i.e., unsettled systematic research, this plurality must be accommodated in the design of biodiversity data integration. Looking forward, a key directive is to develop new technical pathways and social incentives for experts to contribute directly to the validation of taxonomically coherent data packages as part of a greater, trustworthy aggregation process.
Estimating the footprint of pollution on coral reefs using models of species turn-over
Authors: Brown Christopher J. , Hamilton Richard
Published: June 2017

Ecological communities typically change along gradients of human impact, though it is difficult to estimate the footprint of impacts for diffuse threats like pollution. Here we develop a joint model of benthic habitats on lagoonal coral reefs and use it to infer change in benthic composition along a gradient of distance from logging operations. The model estimates both changes in abundances of benthic groups and their compositional turn-over, a type of beta-diversity. We detect compositional turnover across the gradient and use the model to predict the footprint of turbidity impacts from logging. We then apply the model to predict impacts of recent logging activities, finding recent impacts to be small, because recent logging has occurred far from lagoonal reefs. Our model can be used more generally to estimate the footprint of human impacts on ecosystems and evaluate the benefits of conservation actions for ecosystems.
Regional demand and supply factors of social entrepreneurship
Authors: Kachlami Habib , Yazdanfar Darush , Öhman Peter
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate determinants of social entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a large-scale database covering Sweden’s 290 municipalities over the 1990-2014 period. The theoretical analysis is based on the demand and supply theory of entrepreneurship, while the empirical analysis is based on feasible generalized least-squares regression models.

Findings

The results indicate that the male proportion of the workforce, education level, the presence of entrepreneurial role models, wealth, unemployment rate, age, and urbanization positively influence the rate of social venture creation in a region.

Originality/value

This is one of few studies that empirically investigate determinants of social entrepreneurship, and the very first in the Swedish context. The study uses a large-scale database and advanced regression methods.
The impact of personal attitudes on the growth ambitions of small business owners
Authors: Braidford Paul , Drummond Ian , Stone Ian
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical evidence in support of widespread calls for new approaches to understanding small business growth, by exploring the use of non-positivist methods (e.g. critical realism) to analyse how owners’ innate dispositions shape growth in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2014, a telephone survey was used to inform two focus groups and 29 in-depth interviews with small business owners throughout England, covering attitudes towards growth, the use of particular strategies and perceived barriers. Discourse analysis was used to develop a multi-layered explanatory model incorporating key ideas from critical realism and the work of Bourdieu.

Findings

Bourdieusian analysis reveals the existence of orientations among small business owners towards or against business growth. Such attitudes tend to impact upon their response to perceived barriers. Growth-inclined owners were willing to strategise for long-term benefit, in return for lower returns in the short term. Growth-resistant owners were more likely to view obstacles as absolute, stating that they cannot grow their firms as a result.

Practical implications

Removing or reducing obstacles may not encourage growth if motivations and attitudes of owners do not change to embrace more growth-oriented positions. Banks’ lending practices, for example, were seen by many as problematic, but growth-oriented owners were more willing to seek and use alternatives to raise funds for growth.

Originality/value

The authors suggest that entrepreneurship researchers should look beyond positivist research to epistemologies that provide more multi-layered modes of explanation.
Succession in family business: multi-source perspectives
Authors: Bozer Gil , Levin Leon , Santora Joseph C.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Despite the extensive breadth of research into the critical challenge of succession in family business, generational succession in family business has been investigated from predominately one-dimensional perspective. The purpose of this paper is to respond to call for a multi-perspectives examination of leadership succession in order to embrace the dynamic and complex nature of succession in a family business. Accordingly, the authors investigated the key personal and professional factors associated with effective family-business succession across four key stakeholders: incumbent, successor, family, and nonfamily members.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory research design included 16 interviews in Phase 1 and 41 prospective case study interviews in Phase 2, both with Australian family businesses that had or were about to experience generational transition.

Findings

Incumbents and successor interview findings support the benefits of maintaining a cohesive family business, adaptable family culture, and familiness for effective succession. The authors also identified several personal components (e.g. family-business socialization and external experiences) that can help determine the commitment of successors and how this commitment can change once they assume a leadership position. Business size was the professional component supported by incumbent, successor, and nonfamily members as having a significant impact on succession process. As family business grows and becomes more highly complex, a clearly defined set of procedures become imperative.

Practical implications

Family-business practitioners can apply the findings to manage the processes and expectations of family and the business to achieve effective generational succession and thereby increase the sustainability of the business.

Originality/value

This research provides a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the interdependencies of competing priorities in the complex succession process that is essential for family-business sustainability and performance.
Improving the external financing in independent high-tech SMEs
Authors: Corsi Christian , Prencipe Antonio
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of foreign venture capital (VC)/private equity (PE) ownership and other types of foreign investors on the access to external finance, in terms of credit provision, by the independent high-tech small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the European context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on the analysis of a panel sample consisting of 1,138 firms from 23 European Union countries for the period 2006-2015. To statistically test the two defined research hypotheses, a panel model was run using 2SLS estimation.

Findings

The findings show that foreign ownership has a positive but partial role in improving the availability of external funding for independent high-tech SMEs. Foreign VC/PE ownership seems to facilitate the global accessibility of external financing but not the access to bank lending; on the contrary, other forms of foreign ownership (excluding VC/PE) seem to increase only the access to bank lending.

Practical implications

In order to open their businesses to a global spectrum of investment opportunities and increase the potentials of full development, small independent entrepreneurs should become attentive to the role of foreign investors. Further, policy actions need to stimulate an international vision of the way of doing business among the entrepreneurial contexts of high-tech SMEs.

Originality/value

The research fills a literature gap on the role of foreign ownership in mitigating the financing limitations of independent high-tech SMEs. Additionally, as independent high-tech SMEs differ from non-independent firms, the financing constraints and information asymmetry faced by independent firms are critical and pivotal to explore.
Towards inclusive occupational therapy: Introducing the CORE approach for inclusive and occupation‐focused practice
Authors: Pereira Robert B.
Published: June 2017

Background/aim

Occupation is a human right and a social determinant of health. It is also taken for granted. Having access to, and participating in, occupation, is intricately linked to positive health and wellbeing. Despite theory and evidence to support the link between occupation, health and wellbeing, occupational therapists can struggle with applying an occupation focus in practice and knowing how to use occupational frameworks to enable occupation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Capabilities, Opportunities, Resources and Environments (CORE) approach for inclusive and occupation‐focused practice. It provides occupational therapists with a means of operationalising occupational enablement and facilitating social inclusion.

Methods

The CORE approach is introduced by linking its main ideas to Economist and Nobel Prize Laureate Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, as well as findings from the author's doctoral research into entrenched disadvantage and social inclusion. Practical questions guided by the CORE approach's acronym are given to explore how the approach can be utilised alongside other occupational models and frameworks to encourage strategies for effective enablement through occupation for social inclusion.

Conclusion

As experts in enabling occupation, occupational therapists can use the CORE approach to design occupation‐focused interventions and promote inclusive occupational therapy.
Mental health education in occupational therapy professional preparation programs: Alignment between clinician priorities and coverage in university curricula
Authors: Scanlan Justin Newton , Meredith Pamela J. , Haracz Kirsti , Ennals Priscilla , Pépin Geneviève , Webster Jayne S. , Arblaster Karen , Wright Shelley ,   The ANZOTMHA Network
Published: June 2017

Background/aim

Occupational therapy programs must prepare graduates for work in mental health. However, this area of practice is complex and rapidly changing. This study explored the alignment between educational priorities identified by occupational therapists practising in mental health and level of coverage of these topics in occupational therapy programs in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

Surveys were distributed to heads of all occupational therapy programs across Australia and New Zealand. The survey included educational priorities identified by occupational therapists in mental health from a previous study. Respondents were requested to identify the level of coverage given to each of these priorities within their curriculum. These data were analysed to determine a ranking of educational topics in terms of level of coverage in university programs.

Results

Responses were received for 19 programs from 16 universities. Thirty‐four topics were given ‘High‐level coverage’ in university programs, and these were compared against the 29 topics classified as ‘Essential priorities’ by clinicians. Twenty topics were included in both the ‘Essential priorities’ and ‘High‐level coverage’ categories. Topics considered to be ‘Essential priorities’ by clinicians which were not given ‘High‐level coverage’ in university programs included the following: mental health fieldwork experiences; risk assessment and management; professional self‐care resilience and sensory approaches.

Conclusion

While there appears to be overall good alignment between mental health curricula and priorities identified by practising occupational therapists, there are some discrepancies. These discrepancies are described and establish a strong foundation for further discussion between clinicians, academics and university administration to support curriculum review and revision.
Disciplinary Ordinances for English Armies and Military Change, 1385–1513
Authors: MARTINEZ ANDREW
Published: June 2017

This article analyses three extant sets of English disciplinary ordinances, issued by Richard II, Henry V and Henry VIII. It examines the progression of the English army throughout the period 1385–1513, discussing how the ordinances were necessary for the effective functioning of these armies, how discipline and the ordinances changed throughout this period in reaction to the context of the campaign, and concluding with what these underutilized sources can add to our understanding of late medieval warfare.
Effect of Temperature on Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorption to Cellulose Acetate Beads
Authors: Nishise Shoichi , Takeda Yuji , Abe Yasuhiko , Sasaki Yu , Nara Hidetoshi , Asao Hironobu , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2017

Granulocyte and monocyte (GM) adsorptive apheresis (GMA) is an effective therapy for inflammatory disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). During GMA, the blood of a patient with IBD passes through a column to contact cellulose acetate (CA) beads at a temperature below body temperature, likely close to room temperature. Here we investigated the effect of temperature on GM adsorption to CA beads in vitro. We incubated peripheral blood with and without CA beads at 5°C, 25°C, 37°C, and 43°C and calculated the ratios of adsorbed GMs. The ratios of adsorbed GMs increased as the temperature was raised. Additionally, we measured complement activation fragment concentrations. C3a and C5a concentrations also increased as the temperature was raised, and C5a concentrations had a positive correlation with the ratios of adsorbed GMs. These results suggest that warming the column during GMA might increase GM adsorption to CA beads, thereby enhancing the clinical efficacy of GMA.
ClonEstiMate, a Bayesian method for quantifying rates of clonality of populations genotyped at two‐time steps
Authors: Becheler Ronan , Masson Jean‐Pierre , Arnaud‐Haond Sophie , Halkett Fabien , Mariette Stéphanie , Guillemin Marie‐Laure , Valero Myriam , Destombe Christophe , Stoeckel Solenn
Published: June 2017

Partial clonality is commonly used in eukaryotes and has large consequences for their evolution and ecology. Assessing accurately the relative importance of clonal vs. sexual reproduction matters for studying and managing such species. Here, we proposed a Bayesian approach, ClonEstiMate, to infer rates of clonality c from populations sampled twice over a short time interval, ideally one generation time. The method relies on the likelihood of the transitions between genotype frequencies of ancestral and descendent populations, using an extended Wright–Fisher model explicitly integrating reproductive modes. Our model provides posterior probability distribution of inferred c, given the assumed rates of mutation, as well as inbreeding and selfing when occurring. Tested under various conditions, this model provided accurate inferences of c, especially when the amount of information was modest, that is low sample sizes, few loci, low polymorphism and strong linkage disequilibrium. Inferences remained robust when mutation models and rates were misinformed. However, the method was sensitive to moderate frequencies of null alleles and when the time interval between required samplings exceeding two generations. Misinformed rates on mating modes (inbreeding and selfing) also resulted in biased inferences. Our method was tested on eleven data sets covering five partially clonal species, for which the extent of clonality was formerly deciphered. It delivered highly consistent results with previous information on the biology of those species. ClonEstiMate represents a powerful tool for detecting and inferring clonality in finite populations, genotyped with SNPs or microsatellites. It is freely available at https://www6.rennes.inra.fr/igepp_eng/Productions/Software.
Integrated microRNA and gene expression profiling reveals the crucial miRNAs in curcumin anti‐lung cancer cell invasion
Authors: Zhan Jian‐wei , Jiao De‐min , Wang Yi , Song Jia , Wu Jin‐hong , Wu Li‐jun , Chen Qing‐yong , Ma Sheng‐lin
Published: June 2017

Background

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) has chemopreventive and therapeutic properties against many types of tumors, both in vitro and in vivo. Previous reports have shown that curcumin exhibits anti‐invasive activities, but the mechanisms remain largely unclear.

Methods

In this study, both microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles were used to characterize the anti‐metastasis mechanisms of curcumin in human non‐small cell lung cancer A549 cell line.

Results

Microarray analysis revealed that 36 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the curcumin‐treated and control groups. miR‐330‐5p exhibited maximum upregulation, while miR‐25‐5p exhibited maximum downregulation in the curcumin treatment group. mRNA expression profiles and functional analysis indicated that 226 differentially expressed mRNAs belonged to different functional categories. Significant pathway analysis showed that mitogen‐activated protein kinase, transforming growth factor‐β, and Wnt signaling pathways were significantly downregulated. At the same time, axon guidance, glioma, and ErbB tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways were significantly upregulated. We constructed a miRNA gene network that contributed to the curcumin inhibition of metastasis in lung cancer cells. let‐7a‐3p, miR‐1262, miR‐499a‐5p, miR‐1276, miR‐331‐5p, and miR‐330‐5p were identified as key microRNA regulators in the network. Finally, using miR‐330‐5p as an example, we confirmed the role of miR‐330‐5p in mediating the anti‐migration effect of curcumin, suggesting the importance of miRNAs in the regulation of curcumin biological activity.

Conclusion

Our findings provide new insights into the anti‐metastasis mechanism of curcumin in lung cancer.
Context‐induced relapse to cocaine seeking after punishment‐imposed abstinence is associated with activation of cortical and subcortical brain regions
Authors: Pelloux Yann , Hoots Jennifer K. , Cifani Carlo , Adhikary Sweta , Martin Jennifer , Minier‐Toribio Angelica , Bossert Jennifer M. , Shaham Yavin
Published: June 2017

We recently developed a rat model of context‐induced relapse to alcohol seeking after punishment‐imposed abstinence to mimic relapse after self‐imposed abstinence due to adverse consequences of drug use. Here, we determined the model's generality to cocaine and have begun to explore brain mechanisms of context‐induced relapse to cocaine seeking after punishment‐imposed abstinence, using the activity marker Fos. In exp. 1, we trained rats to self‐administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion, 6 hours/day, 12 days) in context A. Next, we transferred them to context B where for the paired group, but not unpaired group, 50 percent of cocaine‐reinforced lever presses caused aversive footshock. We then tested the rats for cocaine seeking under extinction conditions in contexts A and B. We also retested them for relapse after retraining in context A and repunishment in context B. In exp. 2, we used Fos immunoreactivity to determine relapse‐associated neuronal activation in brain regions of rats exposed to context A, context B or neither context. Results showed the selective shock‐induced suppression of cocaine self‐administration and context‐induced relapse after punishment‐imposed abstinence in rats exposed to paired, but not unpaired, footshock. Additionally, context‐induced relapse was associated with selective activation of dorsal and ventral medial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, dorsal striatum, basolateral amygdala, paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, lateral habenula, substantia nigra, ventral subiculum, and dorsal raphe, but not nucleus accumbens, central amygdala, lateral hypothalamus, ventral tegmental area and other brain regions. Together, context‐induced relapse after punishment‐imposed abstinence generalizes to rats with a history of cocaine self‐administration and is associated with selective activation of cortical and subcortical regions.