bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A zinc knuckle gene on the Y chromosome (zkY) determines sex in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Kirubakaran Tina Graceline , Andersen Øivind , De Rosa Maria Cristina , Andersstuen Terese , Hallan Kristina , Kent Matthew Peter , Lien Sigbjørn
Published: July 2018

The genetic mechanisms determining sex in teleost fishes are highly variable, ranging from a single gene to complex patterns of polygenic regulation. The master sex determining gene has only been identified in very few species and there is no information about the gene in the superorder Paracanthopterygii that includes the codfishes, toadfishes and anglerfishes. Here we characterize a male-specific region of 9 kb on linkage group 11 in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) harboring a single gene namedzkYfor zinc knuckle on the Y chromosome. A diagnostic PCR test of phenotypically sexed males and females of Atlantic cod confirmed the sex-specific nature of the Y-sequence. We searched for autosomal gene copies ofzkYand identified twelve highly similar genes, of which eight (zk1-zk8) code for proteins containing the zinc knuckle motif. 3D structure modelling suggests that the amino acid changes observed in six of the eight copies might influence the putative RNA-binding specificity. Cod zkY and the autosomal proteins zk1 and zk2 possess an identical zinc knuckle structure, but only the Y-specific genezkYwas expressed at high levels in the developing larvae before the onset of sex differentiation. We propose that codzkYfunctions as the master masculinization gene by coding for a suppressor of germ cell division in males. PCR amplification of Y-sequences in Arctic cod (Arctogadus glacialis) and Greenland cod (Gadus macrocephalus ogac) suggests that this novel sex determining mechanism emerged in codfishes more than 7.5 million years ago.

Author Summary

Studying the diverse sex determining genes in teleost fish may contribute to increase our understanding of sex chromosome evolution in vertebrates. To date, no sex determinant is known for the superorder Paracanthopterygii, comprising about 1340 species, including the commercially important Atlantic cod. In this study we characterize a Y-specific region of 9 kb on linkage group 11 containing a single gene namedzkYfor zinc knuckle on the Y chromosome. The gene is transcribed at high levels in larvae before commencement of sex differentiation and encodes a novel zinc knuckle protein that putatively binds RNA target sequences. We propose that cod zkY suppresses germ cell proliferation in the developing males by interacting with the germ-cell specific RNA regulatory network.
How do wind speed, release height, seed morphology interact to determine seed dispersal trajectory of Calligonum (Polygonaceae) species Wind speed, release height, seed morphology determine seed dispersal trajectory
Authors: Zhou Quanlai , Liu Zhimin , Xin Zhiming , Qian Jianqiang , Wang Yongcui , Liang Wei , Qin Xuanping , Zhao Yingming , Li Xinle , Cui Xue , Liu Minghu
Published: July 2018

How seed dispersal trajectory shifts with abiotic and biotic factors and what is the relationship between seed dispersal distance and dispersal trajectory are remain unclear. We used wind tunnel and video camera to track the seed dispersal trajectory of 7 Calligonum species with different appendages under the different wind speeds and the release heights. Dispersal trajectories and distances were determined by video analysis and spatial coordinate transformation. Based on perspective principle, 4 modes of trajectories were determined. Wind speed, seed mass and release height were the key factors determining seed dispersal trajectory modes. Release height and wind speed tended to have the strongest explanatory power on seeds with bristles and wings, respectively. Different trajectory modes lead to different dispersal distance, while the same dispersal distance can be the result of different trajectory modes. The proportion of species’ trajectory modes formed its trajectory spectrum. Wind speed tends to have strong influence on light and low-wind-loading seeds, release height tends to have that on heavy and high-wind-loading seeds. Species with high proportion of horizontal projectile and projectile have high dispersal capacity, vice versa. Therefore, trajectory spectrum of a species reveals its primary dispersal strategies and evolutionary consequences.
Inhibition of three kinds of expired nitroimidazole antibiotics
Authors: Shi Yulu , Bai Wei , Guo Junming , Gao Libin , Chen Yijian , Wu You , Liang Linqiao
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency and mechanism of three kinds of expired nitroimidazole antibiotics as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1M HCl.

Design/methodology/approach

Evaluation was carried out by weight loss and electrochemical techniques. The surface morphology and the composition of the elements of adsorption layer are studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer.

Findings

The experimental results reveal that the maximum value of inhibition efficiency appear at an extreme point of concentration with the increase of concentration of the inhibitors. Ornidazole has better corrosion inhibition than metronidazole but not as tinidazole. The inhibitors all act as cathodic type corrosion inhibitor. The adsorption of ornidazole, metronidazole and tinidazole on mild steel obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm and belongs to chemisorption of electron donating. Combined with the molecular structure of the corrosion inhibitor and the experimental structure, the authors propose a detailed mechanism analysis.

Originality/value

The expired nitroimidazole antibiotics as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution is first studied. It provides a way to deal with expired drugs, thereby reducing environmental pollution. The study explored the inhibition mechanism affecting by comparison different structure of three kinds of expired nitroimidazole antibiotics molecular, providing theoretical support for the preparation of the new inhibitor.
Vision-based relative navigation using cubature Huber-based filtering
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wang Xiaogang , Qin Wutao , Cui Naigang
Published: July 2018

Purpose

A novel vision-based relative navigation system (VBRNS) plays an important role in aeronautics and astronautics fields, and the filter is the core of VBRNS. However, most of the existing filtering algorithms used in VBRNS are derived based on Gaussian assumption and disregard the non-Gaussianity of VBRNS. Therefore, a novel robust filtering named as cubature Huber-based filtering (CHF) is proposed and applied to VBRNS to improve the navigation accuracy in non-Gaussian noise case.

Design/methodology/approach

Under the Bayesian filter framework, the third-degree cubature rule is used to compute the cubature points which are propagated through state equation, and then the predicted mean and the associated covariance are taken. A combined minimum l1 and l2-norm estimation method referred as Huber’s criterion is used to design the measurement update. After that, the vision-based relative navigation model is presented and the CHF is used to integrate the line-of-sight measurements from vision camera with inertial measurement of the follower to estimate the precise relative position, velocity and attitude between two unmanned aerial vehicles. During the design of relative navigation filter, the quaternions are used to represent the attitude and the generalized Rodrigues parameters are used to represent the attitude error. The simulation is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.

Findings

By this means, the VBRNS could perform better than traditional VBRNS whose filter is designed by Gaussian filtering algorithms. And the simulation results demonstrate that the CHF could exhibit robustness when the system is non-Gaussian. Moreover, the CHF has more accurate estimation and faster rate of convergence than extended Kalman Filtering (EKF) in face of inaccurate initial conditions.

Originality/value

A novel robust nonlinear filtering algorithm named as CHF is proposed and applied to VBRNS based on cubature Kalman filtering (CKF) and Huber’s technique. The CHF could adapt to the non-Gaussian system effectively and perform better than traditional Gaussian filtering such as EKF.
Synchronization, anti-synchronization and circuit realization of a novel hyper-chaotic system
Authors: Lu Yanjun , Xiong Li , Zhang Yongfang , Zhang Peijin , Liu Cheng , Li Sha , Kang Jianxiong
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a novel four-dimensional hyper-chaotic system with different hyper-chaotic attractors as certain parameters vary. The typical dynamical behaviors of the new hyper-chaotic system are discussed in detail. The control problem of these hyper-chaotic attractors is also investigated analytically and numerically. Then, two novel electronic circuits of the proposed hyper-chaotic system with different parameters are presented and realized using physical components.

Design/methodology/approach

The adaptive control method is derived to achieve chaotic synchronization and anti-synchronization of the novel hyper-chaotic system with unknown parameters by making the synchronization and anti-synchronization error systems asymptotically stable at the origin based on Lyapunov stability theory. Then, two novel electronic circuits of the proposed hyper-chaotic system with different parameters are presented and realized using physical components. Multisim simulations and electronic circuit experiments are consistent with MATLAB simulation results and they verify the existence of these hyper-chaotic attractors.

Findings

Comparisons among MATLAB simulations, Multisim simulation results and physical experimental results show that they are consistent with each other and demonstrate that changing attractors of the hyper-chaotic system exist.

Originality/value

The goal of this paper is to construct a new four-dimensional hyper-chaotic system with different attractors as certain parameters vary. The adaptive synchronization and anti-synchronization laws of the novel hyper-chaotic system are established based on Lyapunov stability theory. The corresponding electronic circuits for the novel hyper-chaotic system with different attractors are also implemented to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of chaotic circuit design.
Battered but bold: Sri Lankan Tamil refugee war experiences, camp challenges and resilience
Authors: Kuttikat Miriam , Vaillancourt Anita , Massey Michael
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The civil war prompted many Tamils to flee Sri Lanka as refugees. Several researchers have documented psychological distress and trauma among Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, but the literature lacks sufficient discussion of resilience among this population. Although Sri Lankan Tamil refugees have experienced conflict and loss, they have also demonstrated positive adaptation following these challenges. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used an ecological approach, in which the effect of the environment on a person is regarded as significant, to explore resilience among Sri Lankan Tamils living in refugee camps in India.

Findings

Through a qualitative investigation of refugee experiences of war and camp life, the authors developed a conceptual framework for understanding individual and collective resilience among refugees.

Research limitations/implications

Additionally, the results of this study need to be interpreted with caution because participants were camp refugees, which may limit the applicability of these results with refugees who live in different settings.

Practical implications

The current research results show that intervention programs should have multiple components, including trauma intervention to address the individual and community psychological and psychiatric effects of war and migration experiences and psychosocial interventions to address individual, family, community dynamics and daily stressors.

Social implications

The study participants stated that Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are using their resilience traits including will power, positive talk, practical solutions, social support, religion and social networks to remake their broken souls.

Originality/value

Future studies need to be conducted with other refugee group to validate the findings of the paper.
Hyper academia
Authors: Munar Ana María
Published: July 2018

Purpose

What ought we morally to do in a tourism academia dominated by metrics, quantification and digital codification? The purpose of this paper is to address this question by presenting the idea of “hyper academia” and exploring ethical perspectives and values related to hyper-digital cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing inspiration from classical and post-disciplinary traditions, the topic is exposed in a creative and multi-layered way using conceptual, philosophical and artistic tools. It is structured in four sections: An introductory essay on gratitude, a philosophical thought experiment, a literary short story and a manifesto.

Findings

Gratitude referencing is a method of personalizing the attribution of influence in scholarship and restoring the importance of depth and slowness over speed, novelty and quantity. The thought experiment allows us to see how we make value judgements on academic work under different scenarios. The dystopian short story shows the radical power that such a genre has to create emotional engagement whilst activating our critical reflexivity. Finally, the manifesto answers the question of what we morally “ought to do” by inviting scholars to engage with five duties.

Originality/value

This paper looks beyond previous descriptive studies of academic rankings and metrics, inviting tourism scholars to reflect on the values and moral justifications behind our evaluation cultures.
Exoskeletons – a review of industrial applications
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide details of the emerging families of robotic exoskeletons that are aimed at industrial applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper considers the reasons for, and benefits of, using robotic exoskeletons in industrial applications. The paper then discusses a range of products and developments and their applications. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

Following earlier military and medical developments, recent years have seen a huge upsurge in interest in industrial robotic exoskeletons. A new generation of products are under development in the USA, the Europe and the Far East by a growing number of companies, and some have entered production. The aim of developing industrial robotic exoskeletons is to assist workers in physically demanding tasks and, thus, reduce the incidence of industrial injuries and associated financial consequences. Several applications have been reported, most notably in the Far East, across a diverse range of industries.

Originality/value

New families of robotic exoskeletons are being developed, and these are poised to exert a major impact on many industries and constitute a significant market opportunity. This paper provides a timely insight into these developments.
Tariff barriers and industrial spillover effects
Authors: Kang Jong Woo , Dagli Suzette
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that higher tariffs under protectionism will have significant indirect impact through industrial forward and backward linkages, causing greater economic losses to tariff-imposing economies than to exporting countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use partial equilibrium analysis based on unique multi-regional input-output (IO) data in measuring the second-round spillover effects of higher tariffs, also investigating the scenario of plausible substitutability across import sources as well as sectors based on historical import intensity data.

Findings

Higher tariffs do not only have a direct impact, but also a significant indirect impact—through forward and backward linkages. Indirect effects can be extensive across economies and sectors—both in forward and backward linkages such as in transport—when value chains are longer and more complex. When possible substitution effects between different import sources and sectors are considered, negative forward linkage effects can be smaller, while negative backward linkage effects become more pronounced. Nevertheless, both negative effects are still found to be much bigger in indirect impacts compared with direct impacts.

Research limitations/implications

This implies that higher tariffs, including administrative trade measures such as anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties could ironically entail rather greater negative impact on the tariff-imposing importing economies by damaging their exports of domestic sectors using the targeted imports as intermediate inputs, which could be severe if the importing sector has a long value chain in particular through deep forward linkages.

Originality/value

This paper uses unique multi-regional IO data covering 45 economies’ 35 sectors in analyzing the second-round spillover effects across countries and sectors and employs comparative statics under different scenarios.
SEC Enforcement: Self-Reporting Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative
Authors: Greenberg Elaine
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) recent Share Class Selection Disclosure (SCSD) Initiative, which offers potentially favorable settlement terms to investment advisers who self-report to the SEC’s Enforcement Division violations of the federal securities laws relating to certain mutual fund share class selection issues and to discuss factors for consideration by investment advisers regarding their possible participation in this initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the conditions and terms of the SEC’s SCSD Initiative, the SEC’s focus on conflicts of interest associated with mutual fund share class selection, the applicable law, the complex nature of these issues and the factors that investment advisers should consider in determining whether to participate in the initiative.

Findings

The assessment of the facts and the evaluation and analysis of the issues may be both time-consuming and complex. Firms need to carefully consider whether the potential benefits of self-reporting outweigh any possible downsides, including the potential collateral consequences that an SEC enforcement action may have on their business operations.

Originality/value

This paper contains valuable information about a recent SEC Enforcement Initiative and provides practical guidance from experienced securities counsel.
Is it time for libraries to take a closer look at emoji? The data deluge column
Authors: Frederick Donna Ellen
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The emoji, is it an endearing image to add to your text messages and email, or is it an increasingly important type of electronic data? According to a 2013 article by Jeff Blagdon, the idea of using some sort of symbol in electronic communication has been with us for about two decades. Japanese in origin, the earliest symbols of this type were developed in the era of pagers and old-style cell phones and were commonly called emoticons.

Design/methodology/approach

As devices developed a greater capacity to display graphical elements these keystroke representations were replaced with Unicode characters which display on our electronic devices, which we now call emoji. This instalment of the data deluge will look at the emoji as a form of data and explore how and why their ubiquity may create new opportunities for libraries.

Findings

Some readers, as well as the author of this column, may be tempted to scoff at the idea that the emoji is anything more than a form of shorthand for use in electronic communications or cutesy decorations.

Originality/value

One night she showed up at the class, and the instructor wrote on the board, “Computers in school libraries: A new tool or a flash in the pan?” He went on to warn school librarians to not be dazed by this “new computer phase” which he felt distracted both teachers and students from the real work of teaching and learning. He felt that if there were computers in schools, they only belonged in the mathematics classroom and that, even in that context, they only had limited application.
The “constant tug-of-war” in mental health care in Greece
Authors: Kyriakidou Niki , Triliva Sofia
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the therapeutic treatment of children in public mental health facilities in Greece experience and talk about the impact of the socioeconomic crises on the psychotherapeutic process.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted and phenomenologically informed thematic analysis was used in analysing the data.

Findings

The results coalesced into two all-encompassing thematic structures articulating the following: first, the socioeconomic crises have permeated society and therapeutic praxis like a torrential and chronic rain storm. This has resulted in a deluge in demand for therapeutic services within the public mental health sector; second, mental health professionals describe their positioning and work as “a constant tug-of-war” where they are inundated and often overwhelmed with work, find themselves identifying with service users and taking on several roles simultaneously, and being challenged to find solutions often in dire and complex situations. They describe how creativity and flexibility are in demand in their day-to-day interactions and if they are to intervene in place of a health and welfare system that is faltering. Doing therapeutic work under such circumstances appears to be both emotionally onerous and stimulating with regard to conceptualising new ways of intervening in such complex psychosocial situations.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited in that only mental health professionals presented their experiences and service users were not included. The findings do highlight how severe austerity policies impact mental health services and peoples’ lives.

Practical implications

The study has implications for policy regarding the provision and organisation of mental health services in contexts where crises and economic turmoil prevail.

Social implications

The results associate severe austerity with major changes in family and community life.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights and implications on how mental health services are impacted by socioeconomic conditions.
Exploring health care workers’ perceptions and experiences of communication with ethnic minority elders
Authors: Likupe Gloria , Baxter Carol , Jogi Mohamed
Published: July 2018

Purpose

There is a recognition in Europe and in the western world of a demographic shift in the ageing population. While the overall ageing of the general population is growing, the numbers of immigrants getting old in their host countries is also increasing, thereby increasing the racial and ethnic proportion of older people in these countries. This changing landscape calls for understanding of issues related to health care provision, policy and research regarding ethnic minorities. Communication is seen as a key factor in understanding the needs of ethnic minority elders (EMEs). The purpose of this paper is to explore health care workers’ (HCWs) perceptions and experiences of communication with EMEs. In this paper the term HCW includes qualified nurses and health care assistants.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews was employed. Ten HCWs, who had ethnic minorities in their care were individually interviewed to explore their perceptions and experiences of communication when caring for EMEs.

Findings

Analysis of data revealed that in common with all older people, EMEs experience stereotyped attitudes and difficulties in communication. However, EMEs face particular challenges, including cultural differences, different language and stereotyping of care based on misunderstood needs of EMEs. Facilitators of communication included appropriate training of HCWs and appropriate use of interpreters.

Research limitations/implications

Only homes willing to take part in the study gave permission for their staff to be interviewed. In addition, the HCWs came from various settings. Therefore, views of staff in homes who did not give permission may not be represented.

Practical implications

The diversity of older people needing care in nursing homes and the community calls for training in culturally competent communication for effective provision care provision for EMEs.

Originality/value

Training of health care staff in culturally appropriate communication requires effective practice.
The influence of cultural intelligence on intention of internet use
Authors: Coves Martínez Angel Luis , Sabiote-Ortiz Carmen M. , Rey-Pino Juan Miguel
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Each culture is defined by norms, beliefs and values which influence and complicate individual thoughts and actions. Cultural intelligence (CQ) is a novel concept that reflects the ability of individuals of certain cultures to adapt to the general conditions of a different society. This study aims to explore the relationship between CQ and technology adoption in the form of intention to use the internet.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative empirical study, based on data from a questionnaire completed by 201 university students, proposes three models to analyse the direct, indirect and moderating influence of the CQ on intention to use the internet.

Findings

The study reveals that CQ has an indirect influence on the intention to use the internet.

Originality/value

Most research to date has focused on analysing the influence of CQ in the cross-cultural field. This work contributes to the development of the concept of CQ as a decisive factor in a globalised world and analyses its impact on the internet, a tool that is fundamental at all levels.
Can continuous improvement lead to satisfied customers? Evidence from the services industry
Authors: Koval Oksana , Nabareseh Stephen , Chromjakova Felicita , Marciniak Robert
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To achieve higher customer satisfaction (CS), companies implement continuous improvement (CI) programs, regardless of the growing evidence of their failure to achieve declared goals. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to identify whether companies are able to improve CS through the application of CI; and, second, to identify what organizational practices are able to facilitate the impact of CI on CS.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the developed assumptions, the study uses the structural equation modeling technique. The data for analysis were collected from 304 service companies via a custom web-survey.

Findings

The research confirms the direct positive impact of CI on CS. Further, the study demonstrates that management commitment and rewards system that encourages employees to participate in CI play the major facilitating role in improving CS through CI. These practices accompanied by quality-oriented culture and employee training in the improvement tools provide necessary infrastructure to sustain CI in the companies over time. Additionally, regardless of the vital role of goal setting for CI established in previous research, the proposed study finds a limited ability of goal setting, as compared to other organizational practices, to facilitate CI–CS relationship.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the scarce field of research on CI implementation in the services environment. Further, the research assesses CS as a variable of interest, as opposite to the previous studies, considering CS as a part of the composite variable. The research assesses the impact of the training in CI methodology on the CI–CS relationship, while previous research focuses on the general, work-related training. The findings provide an important basis for further academic work in the area of quality management. The identified practices can serve as guidance for managers, implementing CI in their companies due to the high fit of the proposed model.
Disentangling the complexity of permafrost soil by using high resolution profiling of microbial community composition, key functions and respiration rates
Authors: Müller Oliver , Bang‐Andreasen Toke , White Richard Allen , Elberling Bo , Taş Neslihan , Kneafsey Timothy , Jansson Janet K. , Øvreås Lise
Published: July 2018

Thawing permafrost can stimulate microbial activity, leading to faster decomposition of formerly preserved organic matter and CO2 release. Detailed knowledge about the vertical distribution of the responsible microbial community that is changing with increasing soil depth is limited. In this study, we determined the microbial community composition from cores sampled in a high Arctic heath at Svalbard, Norway; spanning from the active layer (AL) into the permafrost layer (PL). A special aim has been on identifying a layer of recently thawed soil, the transition zone (TZ), which might provide new insights into the fate of thawing permafrost. A unique sampling strategy allowed us to observe a diverse and gradually shifting microbial community in the AL, a Bacteroidetes dominated community in the TZ and throughout the PL, a community strongly dominated by a single Actinobacteria family (Intrasporangiaceae). The contrasting abundances of these two taxa caused a community difference of about 60%, just within 3 cm from TZ to PL. We incubated subsamples at about 5°C and measured highest CO2 production rates under aerobic incubations, yet contrasting for five different layers and correlating to the microbial community composition. This high resolution strategy provides new insights on how microbial communities are structured in permafrost and a better understanding of how they respond to thaw.
Workplace Monitoring and the Right to Private Life at Work
Authors: Atkinson Joe
Published: July 2018

In Barbulescu v Romania, the European Court of Human Rights clarified the application of the Article 8 right to private life in the workplace, and the extent of the state's positive obligations to protect the right against workplace monitoring. The decision establishes that there is an irreducible core to the right to private life at work that does not depend on an employee's reasonable expectations of privacy, and sets out clear principles for striking a fair balance between Article 8 and the employer's interests in the context of workplace monitoring. This article considers the nature of states’ positive obligation to protect human rights at work, the scope of the right to private life, and the impact of the decision on domestic law of unfair dismissal.
Giant adrenal pseudocyst: A rare diagnosis
Authors: Haines Isabel , Macallister Andrew
Published: July 2018

We present a rare case of giant adrenal pseudocyst as a cause of right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain and highlight the typical multimodality imaging features. The case demonstrates the imaging features associated with giant adrenal pseudocysts to aid accurate and timely diagnosis. Despite the rarity of these lesions they are important to consider as benign lesions can closely mimic malignant ones. Unenhanced and contrast‐enhanced CT is the imaging of choice for adrenal cysts. However, MRI can provide more exquisite assessment of cystic, solid and enhancing components. Pseudocysts can be purely cystic, mixed or solid. Classically, adrenal pseudocysts are described as cystic lesions (of homogenous water density) with a fibrous wall and thin internal septations. Mural/septal calcification is commonly demonstrated due to haemorrhage, this is discernible from central/amorphous calcification seen in malignant disease. As in this case, pseudocysts can contain solid components or layering secondary to haemorrhage. The key to differentiating organised haematoma from tumour is the lack of enhancement. If serial imaging is undertaken in these patients rapid changes in the solid components may be seen reflecting resolving haematoma. Adrenal pseudocysts are rare and have a wide differential. Cystic adrenal lesions warrant multimodality assessment as their imaging features aid diagnosis and differentiation from malignant disease. We suggest that MRI plays a complimentary role to CT. CT is superior at demonstrating mural/septal calcification but MRI aids in determining cystic components and differentiating haemorrhage from tumour.
“But Problems Dwell so the Urge Is Constant…” Qualitative Data Analysis of the OST CHOICES Program
Authors: Shrestha Umit , Weber Tess L. , Hanson Jessica D.
Published: July 2018

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major public health concern including among American Indian (AI)/Alaska Native (AN) communities. Various studies have demonstrated higher alcohol consumption among AI/AN women during pregnancy compared with other groups. This study intends to understand the milieu within which such consumption patterns flourish. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative data from the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) CHOICES Program, a tribally run public health program that aims to reduce alcohol‐exposed pregnancy preconceptually in AI women.

Methods

Alcohol consumption pattern (n = 264) is analyzed using descriptive statistics. Consumption patterns included average drinks consumed daily, their choice of drinks (beer, whiskey, wine, etc.), how much money participants were spending on alcohol and amount of calories consumed from alcohol. Qualitative data analysis included open coding of data from decisional balance exercise of the CHOICES program that looked at good things and not so good things about participants’ drinking.

Results

Women reported drinking an average of 12 drinks daily, ranging between 1 and 86. Women drinking at home spent a median of $4,320 and $12,960 if drinking at a bar. A median of 1,200 calories per day from alcohol was reported. More women reported drinking beer compared with other types of alcohol within a domestic setting. Qualitative data analysis identified positive and negative aspects of drinking among the participants of OST CHOICES Program. Positive aspects included escaping from problems, socializing, and relaxation. Negative aspects included impact on families and domestic violence.

Conclusions

While understanding their milieu, our study also unraveled different struggles (such as violence, peer pressure, financial burden, and depression) encountered by Native women in their daily lives. According to the participants, positive aspects of drinking outweigh the negative aspects and they viewed their drinking as a solution and not a problem.
Instability in Europe and Its Impact on Asia
Authors: Kaji Sahoko
Published: July 2018

In the present paper, we discuss three unintended consequences of European Integration; the division between the pro‐ and anti‐integrationists, doubts on the benefits of the free movements and the burden of the welfare state. Since 2017, Europe has regained confidence and optimism has returned due to sustained economic recovery and election victories of prointegration politicians, most notably in France. The European Union is embarking on co‐operation in defense and security, providing a new reason to support integration. Uncertainty over Brexit and immigration remain among the causes for grave concern. But Europe and Japan have taken a joint stance against protectionism, while Asia is yet to decide whether to do so as an integrated entity.
US Trade Policy in the Trump Administration
Authors: Noland Marcus
Published: July 2018

President Donald Trump has emphasized three recurring themes regarding trade policy: the importance of trade balances, including bilateral trade balances, currency manipulation to gain unfair advantage in trade, and “disastrous” trade agreements. Asia figures prominently in these concerns. Trump withdrew the United States from the Trans‐Pacific Partnership, is increasing contingent or process protection, demanding the renegotiation under duress of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Korea‐United States Free Trade Agreement. These policies are modeled quantitatively and results generated for sectoral output and employment at the state and metropolitan area level.
Changes in obese metabolic phenotypes over time and risk of incident chronic kidney disease
Authors: Nam Ki Heon , Yun Hae‐Ryong , Joo Young Su , Kim Joohwan , Lee Sangmi , Lee Changhyun , Park Kyoung Sook , Park Jung Tak , Chang Tae‐Ik , Kang Ea Wha , Yoo Tae‐Hyun , Kang Shin‐Wook , Han Seung Hyeok
Published: July 2018

Aim

To examine the association between metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and study whether changes in metabolic phenotypes over time could affect CKD risk.

Methods

A total of 8589 subjects from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were categorized into four groups based on the presence of obesity and metabolic abnormalities (MA). The primary endpoint was an onset of incident CKD defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Multivariable Cox analysis and time‐varying Cox analysis were performed to delineate the relationship between obese metabolic phenotypes and incident CKD after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and clinical and laboratory parameters.

Results

During a mean follow‐up duration of 9.3 years, CKD occurred in 782 (9.1%) participants. In the multivariable Cox model, the hazard ratio (HR) for incident CKD in the MHO, metabolically abnormal non‐obese (MANO), and metabolically abnormal obese (MAO) groups was 1.42 (P = 0.002), 1.45 (P < 0.001), and 1.77 (P < 0.001), respectively, compared with the metabolically healthy non‐obese (MHNO) group. Time‐varying analysis with these four phenotypes as time‐varying exposures showed the same results. Furthermore, subjects with persistent MHO through follow‐up were at a 2.0‐fold increased risk of CKD (P < 0.001). 41.0% of subjects experienced phenotype changes during follow‐up. Over the long term, the MHO group had a higher proportion of transition to the MA phenotype and unfavourable metabolic profiles than the MHNO group. Among MHO subjects, those who transitioned to MAO were at a 4.1‐fold increased risk of incident CKD than those who regressed to MHNO. In addition, transition to MHO from other groups carried a higher risk of CKD than persistent MHNO.

Conclusion

MHO subjects are at increased risk for incident CKD.
Risk of amputations associated with SGLT2 inhibitors compared to DPP‐4 inhibitors: A propensity‐matched cohort study
Authors: Adimadhyam Sruthi , Lee Todd A. , Calip Gregory S. , Smith Marsh Daphne E. , Layden Brian T. , Schumock Glen T.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To determine the risk of amputations associated with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) relative to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4i).

Materials and Methods

We conducted an active comparator, new user cohort study using data from the Truven Health MarketScan (2009‐2015) databases. Patients aged ≥18 years newly initiating SGLT2i or DPP4i between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015 were included. Patients were matched 1:1 on high dimensional propensity scores and followed until the earliest of any amputation, treatment discontinuation, disenrollment or end of study period (December 31, 2015). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and robust 95% confidence intervals (CI) for amputation risk.

Results

There were 30 216 comparable patients in each arm after matching. Over a median follow‐up of 0.6 years, there were 60 amputations (SGLT2i: 36; DPP4i: 24), most at the level of partial foot (75%) and associated with diabetes‐related vascular disease (66.7%). The incidence of amputations was higher among SGLT2i patients (1.62 vs. 1.15 per 1000 person‐years) with a HR of 1.38 (CI: 0.83‐2.31). In subgroup analyses, risk differed by type of SGLT2i: canagliflozin, HR 1.15 (CI: 0.63‐2.09); dapagliflozin or empagliflozin, HR 2.25 (CI: 0.78‐6.47).

Conclusion

All SGLT2i had an elevated, though not statistically significant, risk for amputations.
Potential killers exposed: tracking endogenous influenza‐specific CD8+ T cells
Authors: Keating Rachael , Morris Melissa Y , Yue Wen , Reynolds Cory E , Harris Tarsha L , Brown Scott A , Doherty Peter C , Thomas Paul G , McGargill Maureen A
Published: July 2018

Current influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines stimulate antibody responses that are directed against variable regions of the virus, and are therefore ineffective against divergent strains. As CD8+ T cells target the highly conserved, internal IAV proteins, they have the potential to increase heterosubtypic immunity. Early T‐cell priming events influence lasting memory, which is required for long‐term protection. However, the early responding, IAV‐specific cells are difficult to monitor because of their low frequencies. Here, we tracked the dissemination of endogenous IAV‐specific CD8+ T cells during the initial phases of the immune response following IAV infection. We exposed a significant population of recently activated, CD25+CD43+ IAV‐specific T cells that were not detected by tetramer staining. By tracking this population, we found that initial T‐cell priming occurred in the mediastinal lymph nodes, which gave rise to the most expansive IAV‐specific CD8+ T‐cell population. Subsequently, IAV‐specific CD8+ T cells dispersed to the bronchoalveolar lavage and blood, followed by spleen and liver, and finally to the lung. These data provide important insight into the priming and tissue dispersion of an endogenous CD8+ T‐cell response. Importantly, the CD25+CD43+ phenotype identifies an inclusive population of early responding CD8+ T cells, which may provide insight into TCR repertoire selection and expansion. A better understanding of this response is critical for designing improved vaccines that target CD8+ T cells.
Effects of task experience and layout on learning from text and pictures with or without unnecessary picture descriptions
Authors: Rop Gertjan , Schüler Anne , Verkoeijen Peter P.J.L. , Scheiter Katharina , van Gog Tamara
Published: July 2018

The presentation of extraneous (i.e., irrelevant or unnecessary) information may hamper learning with multimedia. The present study examined whether people can learn to ignore unnecessary information with increasing experience with the task and whether this depends on the layout of that information. In two experiments, participants learned about the process of mitosis from a multimedia slideshow, with each slide presenting a combination of expository text and a picture on one of the stages in the process. Slides either contained no unnecessary text (control condition) or unnecessary text (i.e., merely describing the picture) either integrated in the picture (integrated condition) or presented underneath the picture (separated condition). Knowledge about the studied mitosis phase was tested immediately after each slide using a cloze test. Across Experiments 1 and 2, we did not find a reliable negative effect of the unnecessary text on cloze test performance. As a result, the question of whether task experience would reduce or eliminate that negative effect could not be answered. The eye movement data did confirm, however, that participants attended less to the unnecessary information with increasing task experience, suggesting that students can adapt their study strategy and learn to ignore unnecessary information.
Inference of patient‐specific subpathway activities reveals a functional signature associated with the prognosis of patients with breast cancer
Authors: Han Junwei , Liu Siyao , Jiang Ying , Xu Chaohan , Zheng Baotong , Jiang Minghao , Yang Haixiu , Su Fei , Li Chunquan , Zhang Yunpeng
Published: July 2018

Breast cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer in women worldwide. Better prediction of breast cancer prognosis is essential for more personalized treatment. In this study, we aimed to infer patient‐specific subpathway activities to reveal a functional signature associated with the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. We integrated pathway structure with gene expression data to construct patient‐specific subpathway activity profiles using a greedy search algorithm. A four‐subpathway prognostic signature was developed in the training set using a random forest supervised classification algorithm and a prognostic score model with the activity profiles. According to the signature, patients were classified into high‐risk and low‐risk groups with significantly different overall survival in the training set (median survival of 65 vs 106 months, P = 1.82e‐13) and test set (median survival of 75 vs 101 months, P = 4.17e‐5). Our signature was then applied to five independent breast cancer data sets and showed similar prognostic values, confirming the accuracy and robustness of the subpathway signature. Stratified analysis suggested that the four‐subpathway signature had prognostic value within subtypes of breast cancer. Our results suggest that the four‐subpathway signature may be a useful biomarker for breast cancer prognosis.
Diagnosis of anti‐laminin γ‐1 pemphigoid by immunoblot analysis
Authors: Solimani F. , Pollmann R. , Ishii N. , Eming R. , Hashimoto T. , Schmidt T. , Hertl M.
Published: July 2018

Background

Anti‐laminin‐γ1 (lam‐γ1) pemphigoid, a recently described immunobullous disorder sharing immune serological features of bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), is characterized by the detection of serum IgG autoantibodies against the lam‐γ1 chain, a 200 kDa heterotrimeric component of the dermal‐epidermal junction (DEJ).

Objective

The aim of the study was to develop an easy‐to‐perform and reliable assay for the serological detection of anti‐lam‐γ1 IgG autoantibodies. The clinical appearance alone is not sufficient to establish diagnosis of anti‐lam‐γ1 pemphigoid and rather requires immune serological evidence of (i) IgG reactivity against the dermal portion of salt‐split human skin; (ii) exclusion of IgG against other components of the DEJ; and (iii) IgG reactivity with a 200 kDa protein of dermal extracts by immunoblot analysis (IB).

Methods

The sera of 55 patients with anti‐lam‐γ1 pemphigoid were tested by IB with two recombinant heterotrimers, laminin 111 (lam‐111) and laminin 421 (lam‐421), as well as with a recombinant lam‐γ1 chain monomer. Additionally, a total of 41 control sera from patients with EBA (n = 15), psoriasis vulgaris (PV; n = 14), and healthy controls (HC; n = 12) were tested.

Results

Immunoblot analysis revealed a positive reactivity with lam‐111 and/or lam‐421 in 46/55 (84%) of anti‐lam‐γ1 pemphigoid sera. Moreover, 8/9 of the initially non‐reactive sera were positive with the lam‐γ1 monomer, leading to an overall sensitivity of 98.2%. Analyses of 41 control sera with the three lam‐γ1 recombinants led to a specificity of 88%. Specifically, 3/15 EBA sera, 1/14 PV serum and 1/12 HC serum reacted with the lam‐γ1 monomer while only the 3 EBA sera reacted with lam‐421.

Conclusions

Here we show a novel two‐step IB assay using the two recombinant laminin trimers and lam‐γ1 chain monomer for the detection of anti‐lam‐γ1 serum IgG with high sensitivity and specificity. This assay will facilitate the diagnosis and further characterization of this disease.