bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The marked diversity of unique cortical enhancers enables neuron-specific tools by Enhancer-Driven Gene Expression
Authors: Blankvoort Stefan , Witter Menno P. , Noonan James , Cotney Justin , Kentros Cliff
Published: March 2018

Understanding neural circuit function requires individually addressing their component parts: specific neuronal cell types. However, not only do the precise genetic mechanisms specifying neuronal cell types remain obscure, access to these neuronal cell types by transgenic techniques also remains elusive. While most genes are expressed in the brain, the vast majority are expressed in many different kinds of neurons, suggesting that promoters alone are not sufficiently specific to distinguish cell types. However, there are orders of magnitude more distal genetic cis-regulatory elements controlling transcription (i.e. enhancers), so we screened for enhancer activity in microdissected samples of mouse cortical subregions. This identified thousands of novel putative enhancers, many unique to particular cortical subregions. Pronuclear injection of expression constructs containing such region-specific enhancers resulted in transgenic lines driving expression in distinct sets of cells specifically in the targeted cortical subregions, even though the parent gene’s promoter was relatively nonspecific. These data showcase the promise of utilizing the genetic mechanisms underlying the specification of diverse neuronal cell types for the development of genetic tools potentially capable of targeting any neuronal circuit of interest, an approach we call Enhancer-Driven Gene Expression (EDGE).

Highlights

Enhancer ChIP-seq of cortical subregions reveals 59372 putative enhancers.

3740 of these are specific to particular cortical subregions.

This reflects the remarkable anatomical diversity of the adult cortex.

Unique enhancers provide a means to make targeted cell-type specific genetic tools.
Cryo-EM structure of alpha-synuclein fibrils
Authors: Guerrero-Ferreira Ricardo , Taylor Nicholas M. I. , Mona Daniel , Ringler Philippe , Lauer Matthias E. , Riek Roland , Britschgi Markus , Stahlberg Henning
Published: March 2018

Intracellular inclusions of alpha-synuclein are the neuropathological hallmark of progressive disorders called synucleinopathies. Alpha-synuclein fibrils are associated with transmissive cell-to-cell propagation of pathology. We report the structure of an alpha-synuclein fibril (residues 1-121) determined by cryo-electron microscopy at 3.4Å resolution. Two protofilaments form a polar fibril composed of staggered β-strands. The backbone of residues 38 to 95, including the fibril core and the non-amyloid component region, are well resolved in the EM map. Residues 50-57, containing three mutation sites associated with familial synucleinopathies, form the interface between the two protofilaments and contribute to fibril stability. A hydrophobic cleft may have implications for fibril elongation, and inform the rational design of molecules for diagnosis and treatment of synucleinopathies.
WAVES: a Web Application for Versatile Enhanced bioinformatic Services
Authors: Chakiachvili Marc , Milanesi Sylvain , Arigon Chifolleau Anne-Muriel , Lefort Vincent
Published: March 2018

Summary: WAVES is a web application dedicated to bioinformatic tool integration. It provides an efficient way to implement a service for any bioinformatic software. Such services are automatically made available in three ways: web pages, web forms to include in remote websites, and a RESTful web services API to access remotely from applications. In order to fulfill the service’s computational needs, WAVES can perform computation on various resources and environments, such as Galaxy instances.

Availability and implementation: WAVES was developed with Django, a Python-based web framework. It was designed as a reusable web application. It is fully portable, as only a Python installation is required to run Django. It is licensed under GNU General Public License. Source code, documentation with examples and demo are available from http://www.atgc-montpellier.fr/waves/.

Contact:lefort@lirmm.fr
Interplay between the paradox of enrichment and nutrient cycling in food webs
Authors: Quévreux Pierre , Barot Sébastien , Thébault Élisa
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Nutrient cycling is fundamental to ecosystem functioning. Despite recent major advances in the understanding of complex food web dynamics, food web models have so far generally ignored nutrient cycling. However, nutrient cycling is expected to strongly impact food web stability and functioning. To make up for this gap, we built an allometric and size structured food web model including nutrient cycling. By releasing mineral nutrients, recycling increases the availability of limiting resources for primary producers and links each trophic level to the bottom of food webs. We found that nutrient cycling can provide a significant part of the total nutrient supply of the food web, leading to a strong enrichment effect that promotes species persistence in nutrient poor ecosystems but leads to a paradox of enrichment at high nutrient inputs. The presence of recycling loops linking each trophic level to the basal resources weakly affects species biomass temporal variability in the food web. Recycling loops tend to slightly dampen the destabilising effect of nutrient enrichment on consumer temporal variability while they have opposite effects for primary producers. By considering nutrient cycling, this new model improves our understanding of the response of food webs to nutrient availability and opens perspectives to better link studies on food web dynamics and ecosystem functioning.
MFF-dependent mitochondrial fission regulates presynaptic release and axon branching by limiting axonal mitochondria size
Authors: Lewis Tommy L. , Kwon Seok-Kyu , Lee Annie , Shaw Reuben , Polleux Franck
Published: March 2018

Neurons display extreme degrees of polarization, including compartment-specific organelle morphology. In cortical pyramidal neurons, dendritic mitochondria are long and tubular whereas axonal mitochondria display uniformly short length. Here, we explored the functional significance of maintaining small mitochondria for axonal developmentin vitroandin vivo. We report that the Drp1 ‘receptor’ Mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) is required for determining the size of mitochondria entering the axon and then for maintenance of their size along the distal portions of the axon without affecting their trafficking properties, presynaptic capture, membrane potential or capacity for ATP production. Strikingly, this increase in presynaptic mitochondrial size upon MFF downregulation augments their capacity for Ca2+([Ca2+]m) uptake during neurotransmission, leading to reduced presynaptic [Ca2+]caccumulation, decreased presynaptic release and terminal axon branching. Our results uncover a novel mechanism controlling neurotransmitter release and axon branching through fission-dependent regulation of presynaptic mitochondrial size.
A balance index for phylogenetic trees based on quartets
Authors: Coronado Tomás M. , Mir Arnau , Rosselló Francesc , Valiente Gabriel
Published: March 2018

We define a new balance index for phylogenetic trees based on the symmetry of the evolutive history of every quartet of leaves. This index makes sense for polytomic trees and it can be computed in time linear in the number of leaves. We compute its maximum and minimum values for arbitrary and bifurcating trees, and we provide exact formulas for its expected value and variance for bifurcating trees under Ford’sα-model and Aldous’ β-model and for arbitrary trees under the α-γ-model.
Crystal structure of (20S)-21-[4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-20-(4-methylpentyl)-5-pregnen-3β-ol with an unknown solvate
Authors: Santalla Hugo , Argibay Saray
Published: March 2018

In the title cholesterol analogue, [systematic name: (3S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-17-{(S)-1-[4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]-6-methylheptan-2-yl}-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol] C32H53N3O2, a new chain, including an intermediate triazole and a tertiary hydroxyl group in the terminal position, has been added at position 20 inducing a change in its stereochemistry. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming layers lying parallel to (-201) and enclosing R
4
4(36) ring motifs. The isopropyl group is disordered about two positions with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.763 (5):0.237 (5). A region of disordered electron density was corrected for using the SQUEEZE routine in PLATON (Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18). The given chemical formula and other crystal data do not take into account the unknown solvent molecule(s).
Crystal structure of 2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl 4-(2-phenyldiazen-1-yl)benzoate
Authors: Elkin Igor , Maris Thierry , Melkoumov Alexandre , Hildgen Patrice , Banquy Xavier , Leclair Grégoire , Barrett Christopher
Published: March 2018

In the title compound, C17H15N3O3, the plane of the pyrrolidone ring is inclined at an angle of 59.791 (2)° to that of the azobenzene segment, which adopts a configuration close to planar. In the crystal, molecules are oriented pairwise by (2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)oxy moieties at an angle of 76.257 (3)°, linked by hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions, forming zigzag supramolecular chains parallel to [010] further linked via additional C—H...π interactions.
Crystal structure of the λ-Al13Fe4-type intermetallic (Al,Cu)13(Fe,Cu)4
Authors: Liu Cong , Fan Changzeng
Published: March 2018

An (Al,Cu)13(Fe,Cu)4phase of [trideca(aluminium/copper) tetra(iron/copper)] was obtained by the high-pressure sintering (HPS) process of a mixture with composition Al78Cu15Fe7. Structure analysis suggests that Cu atoms can replace both Al and Fe atoms. Such findings support previous anomalous X-ray scattering (AXS) results although deviate from other reports. The new phase adopts the λ-Al13Fe4structure type where Cu atoms partially occupy the 2cand 4isites for Al and Fe atoms, respectively, with occupancies of 0.233 (5) and 0.173 (16).
Paradata and dashboards in PIAAC
Authors: Mohadjer Leyla , Edwards Brad
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provides a brief review of the dashboard literature, an account of the development of performance dashboards for field data collection at Westat, and more specifically for the first cycle of the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). A brief concluding section offers suggestions for improvements in survey dashboards for PIAAC’s next cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

To manage field work at Westat, the authors create views into various paradata databases and present them in a dashboard, showing key performance indicators at a glance. Users can drill down from the dashboard into underlying databases to investigate potential problems. The US PIAAC dashboard is a monitoring system that supports daily review of many activities. For example, it provides overnight alerts to the field supervisor when global positioning system (GPS) data from an interviewer’s smartphone shows the interview occurred far from the respondent’s home.

Findings

Performance dashboards may represent best practice for monitoring field activities. Paradata sources and systems vary greatly across the PIAAC countries, but a multitude of process data exists in every country and can be used to create quality indicators and a monitoring system. PIAAC can establish standards/guidelines to improve visualization of quality metrics and management data, regardless of the local survey infrastructure.

Originality/value

The core of the paper is a case study of the experiences on the US PIAAC implementation of dashboards to monitor survey quality, production and costs, with special attention to the issue of fabrication.
Human error during the multilevel responses to three Australian bushfire disasters
Authors: Brooks Benjamin , Curnin Steven , Bearman Chris , Owen Christine
Published: March 2018

The scale and complexity associated with the coordinated response to natural disasters inevitably produce human errors. However, little is known about the frequency and distribution of human error at different levels of coordination during disasters. The purpose of this research was to explore this phenomenon for selected catastrophic bushfires in Australia. To accomplish this, we used the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System that has been widely applied to accidents but is untested with respect to the complexity and temporality of disasters. The results identified that decision errors made during these disasters differed depending upon the level of coordination but were associated with information uncertainty, fatigue, coordination complexities, procedural violations, and degraded personal interactions.
Heterogeneity of functional outcomes in patients with bipolar disorder: a cluster‐analytic approach
Authors: Solé B. , Bonnin C. M. , Jiménez E. , Torrent C. , Torres I. , Varo C. , Valls E. , Montejo L. , Gómez‐Ocaña C. , Tomioka Y. , Vieta E. , Martinez‐Aran A. , Reinares M.
Published: March 2018

Objective

The aim was to examine the heterogeneity of psychosocial outcomes in euthymic bipolar disorder (BD) patients and analyse the potential influence of distinct variables on functioning.

Method

Using a hierarchical cluster exploratory analysis, 143 euthymic patients with diagnosis of BD were grouped according to their functional performance based on domains scores of the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST). The resulting groups were compared on sociodemographic, clinical and neurocognitive variables to find factors associated with each functional cluster.

Results

Patients were grouped in three functional profiles: patients with good functioning in all the FAST areas, patients with an intermediate profile showing great difficulties in the occupational domain and milder difficulties in most of the rest domains, and a third group with serious difficulties in almost all functional areas. Both functionally impaired groups were characterized by higher subthreshold symptoms (depressive and manic) and higher unemployment rates. The most functionally impaired group also showed lower scores on some measures of processing speed.

Conclusion

Two of three functional profiles showed some kind of impairment which was associated with subsyndromal symptoms and cognitive performance. These patterns should be taken into consideration to develop more individualized interventions to restore, or improve, psychosocial outcomes.
Recombinant thrombomodulin ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by suppressing high mobility group box 1 and inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Uzawa A , Mori M , Masuda H , Ohtani R , Uchida T , Kuwabara S
Published: March 2018

Recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) has pleiotrophic properties, including anti-coagulation and anti-inflammation; however, its effectiveness as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been evaluated fully. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and proinflammatory cytokines, working as inflammatory mediators, are reportedly involved in the inflammatory pathogenesis of MS. The aim of this study was to determine whether rTM can be a potential therapeutic agent for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE mice received rTM treatment (1 mg or 0·1 mg/kg/day) from days 11 to 15 after immunization. The clinical variables, plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines and HMGB1 and pathological findings in EAE were evaluated. rTM administration ameliorated the clinical and pathological severity of EAE. An immunohistochemical study of the spinal cord showed weaker cytoplasmic HMGB1 staining in the rTM-treated EAE mice than in the untreated EAE mice. Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines and HMGB1 were suppressed by rTM treatment. In conclusion, rTM down-regulated inflammatory mediators in the peripheral circulation and prevented HMGB1 release from nuclei in the central nervous system, suppressing EAE-related inflammation. rTM could have a novel therapeutic potential for patients with MS.
Good professional practices for promoting positive parenting and child participation in reunification processes
Authors: Mateos Inchaurrondo Ainoa , Fuentes‐Peláez Nuria , Pastor Vicente Crescencia , Mundet Bolós Anna
Published: March 2018

Professional support of families that are under temporary protection, with the goal of reunification, is necessary for helping families re‐establish their family dynamics. Without this support, the conditions that contributed to child abuse and neglect will likely persist. In this context, the attitude of professionals towards positive parenting and child participation is a decisive factor. The quantitative study presented here contributes knowledge regarding these 2 variables. The study was conducted with 106 professionals who work in the child protection system. The results show a high degree of consensus among professionals regarding the following practices: (a) incorporating positive parenting into family reunification processes; (b) training the biological parents in parenting skills; and (c) promoting the active participation of children in foster care and reunification. Regarding the latter point, the study found that older and more experienced professionals are more open and inclined to promote participation in family reunification processes. The practical implications of the results invite us to review attitudinal competencies training for professionals working in child protection services, focusing on encouraging a positive attitude towards the parental competencies of the biological family and the active participation of children in foster care and reunification. These professionals' attitudes are a key factor in mediating the process of family reunification.
Social media engagement amongst 2017 colorectal surgery Tripartite Meeting attendees: updates on contemporary social media use
Authors: Hong F. C. , Devine P. , McDonald J. J. , Cologne K. , Brady R. R. W.
Published: March 2018

Aim

Engagement by medical professionals with social media (SM) is increasing. Variation is noted in engagement between SM platforms and between surgical specialities and geographical regions. We aimed to study SM engagement by colorectal surgeons attending an international conference.

Method

Surgeons were identified from the delegate list of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and Tripartite Meeting (Seattle, Washington, USA). Delegates were searched on Twitter and LinkedIn for the presence of a matching profile. SM presence, activity, gender and geographical region were analysed.

Results

Two hundred and seventy (13.2%) surgeons had Twitter accounts and 994 (44.3%) had LinkedIn profiles. UK surgeons were more likely to be on Twitter than surgeons from elsewhere (23.4% vs 12.7%, P = 0.0072). Significant variation in SM membership between each geographical region was noted, with usage rates for Twitter of 18.1% in Europe, 14.4% in North America, 12.9% in South America, 4.3% in Oceania, 3.7% in Asia and 0% in Africa. A similar picture for LinkedIn is seen. The #ASCRS17 meeting saw the highest participation of users to date (979 participants, over 7000 individual tweets and nearly 14 million impressions).

Conclusion

SM engagement by colorectal surgeons continues to increase. Significant geographical variation is noted, suggesting that SM's unique potential for education and networking may not yet be widely appreciated globally. Future work should include further analysis into tweet contents to gain insights and optimize the use of SM as an educational adjunct.
Judgment and condemnation: How we love it!
Authors: Peters Ted
Published: March 2018

The violence and death in Charlottesville on August 14, 2017 led to a national and even international barrage of condemnations of white supremacy along with condemnations of those who were slow to condemn. Why do we like to judge and condemn? And why do we do it with such passion and zeal? If the biblical gospel proclaims that we are justified before God by grace and not via self‐justification through condemnation, could we turn our attention more directly to those victimized by the conflict at hand? Specifically, could we listen to the voices of African Americans, Jews, America's Deep South, America's Southwest, and the disenfranchised white working class?
Fifty years of American polarization and the changing roles of faith communities
Authors: LaHurd Carol Schersten
Published: March 2018

The 2016 election of Donald Trump as president and the first year of his administration have been accompanied by intensified social and political divides in the United States. A comparison of today's polarization with that during the Vietnam War and civil rights movement of the 1960s suggests strategies for bridging the divides—and in particular for an expanding role by faith communities.
Luther congress in Wittenberg
Authors: Saarinen Risto
Published: March 2018

The Reformation year 2017 provided an opportunity for numerous congresses and publications. This article reports on the World Congress for Luther Research in Wittenberg. In addition to the main lectures and other significant currents of scholarship, the article also highlights some recent publications and public debates around Martin Luther's person and work.
A third way: Developing a planetary spirituality
Authors: Bauman Whitney A.
Published: March 2018

Globalization has brought the world closer together, but it has come with a cost. Over the past several decades, it seems our only two options for moving ahead are through continued globalization of a neoliberal model of economics as usual, or some sort of return to nationalism. Many countries are facing the challenges of globalization and opting for one or the other of these models to deal with a globalized world. Might there be a third way? Perhaps religious leaders can help bring about a third, planetary model that helps us to navigate between the ills of neoliberalism and nationalism, and toward an understanding of a planetary vision of spirituality, ethics, and citizenship.
Faith in Christ today: An engagement with Klaus Nürnberger
Authors: Peters Ted
Published: March 2018

Today's Lutheran theologian must retrieve his or her particular Christian tradition while articulating the faith for our globalized twenty‐first‐century context. South African Klaus Nürnberger's new two‐volume systematic theology, Faith in Christ Today, adds heat to the current creative flurry of red‐hot systematic theologies. Nürnberger, who is oriented both to God's future and the world's future, places the theological articulation of the faith within the context of the worldwide and multi‐cultural Christian church. We all can learn from Nürnberger.
Recovery from hypogonadism and male health in adult allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Schneidewind Laila , Neumann Thomas , Probst Kai A. , Schmidt Christian A. , Krüger William
Published: March 2018

Objective

There is a substantial lack of data about men`s health in adult allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Methods

We conducted prospective unicentric non‐interventional clinical study on men′s health with a follow‐up time of 1 year.

Results

Between 11/2013 and 12/2015, we were able to include 27 patients. AML was the most frequent underlying disease (25.9%), and we mainly used intermediate intense conditioning protocols (77.8%). Erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and loss of efficiency were the most frequent symptoms of hypogonadism. At inclusion of the study, hypogonadism was already frequent. Primary hypogonadism was found in eight cases (29.6%) and secondary hypogonadism in one case (3.7%). We did not observe hypogonadism 6 months after inpatient treatment anymore, but there might still be the impairment of fertility because of still rising FSH levels at the end of the observation period. There were no significant associations of hypogonadism with myeloablative conditioning or kind of donor. Interestingly, there is a significant association with nicotine abuse (P = .049).

Conclusions

On the whole, male hypogonadism was found in one‐third of the patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Stress and Relationship Functioning in Same‐Sex Couples: The Vulnerabilities of Internalized Homophobia and Outness
Authors: Totenhagen Casey J. , Randall Ashley K. , Lloyd Kayla
Published: March 2018

Objective

We examined whether high levels of internalized homophobia and low levels of openness about one's sexual identity (“outness”) were enduring vulnerabilities for same‐sex couples' relationship functioning.

Background

The vulnerability–stress–adaptation (VSA) model describes how stress can impact relationship functioning. This model has predominately been applied to the study of heterosexual couples, which leaves a dearth of literature on enduring vulnerabilities specific to same‐sex couples' relationship functioning.

Method

Dyadic longitudinal data from a convenience sample of 81 same‐sex couples were collected. Internalized homophobia and outness were assessed at baseline followed by 14‐day daily diaries assessing external stress and relationship functioning (i.e., severity of conflict, relationship quality, and commitment). Hypotheses were tested using longitudinal actor–partner interdependence models and multilevel modeling.

Results

On days that individuals with high (but not low) levels of internalized homophobia reported greater daily stress, they also reported greater severity of conflict and poorer relationship quality. On days that individuals with low (but not high) outness had a partner report greater daily stress, the individual reported lower commitment.

Conclusion

Hypotheses were partially supported; high levels of internalized homophobia and low outness were shown to be potential enduring vulnerabilities for individuals in a same‐sex relationship.

Implications

Helping same‐sex couples cope with their own and their partner's daily stress, as well as working to decrease internalized homophobia while increasing openness about their sexuality, may help to promote relational functioning.
Movements and behaviors of swordfish Xiphias gladius in the United States Pacific Leatherback Conservation Area
Authors: Sepulveda Chugey A. , Aalbers Scott A. , Heberer Craig , Kohin Suzy , Dewar Heidi
Published: March 2018

This study reports on the movements of swordfish tagged within the Pacific Leatherback Conservation Area (PLCA), an expansive region (>500,000 km2) off the U.S. West Coast that has been seasonally restricted to drift‐gillnet fishing since 2001 to reduce leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coricea) interactions. Thirteen swordfish were outfitted with satellite‐linked archival tags scheduled for short (2–20 days, n = 11) and longer‐term (150 days, n = 2) data collection. All tags were deployed on basking swordfish using traditional harpoon‐based methods during the fall of 2012–2013, near offshore seamounts (35.6°N/122.9°W to 37.4°N/123.5°W). Depth and temperature data from 11 swordfish (~90 to 150 kg) resulted in <251 days of movement information from the PLCA region. All tagged individuals exhibited surface‐oriented nocturnal movements, spending >99% of the night above the average thermocline depth (37.5 m), with an average night depth of 8.3 ± 1.6 m. Daytime depth distribution was greater and more variable (mean 107.1 ± 21.2 m), with fish primarily displaying three behavioral patterns: (i) basking activity, 16.7% of the day, (ii) a mixed‐layer distribution between 3 m and the thermocline (26.8% of the day), and (iii) prolonged dives below the thermocline, 56.5% of the day. For seven of the tracks, daytime basking rates increased when thermocline depth was <37 m. As fish moved offshore, there was less variability in vertical movements with a reduction in both basking activity and mixed layer occupancy, as well as an increase in average daytime depth. These data are discussed with respect to the potential development of alternative fishery options for the PLCA.
Simultaneous In Situ Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Ratios in Organic Matter by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ishida Akizumi , Kitajima Kouki , Williford Kenneth H. , Tuite Michael L. , Kakegawa Takeshi , Valley John W.
Published: March 2018

An in situ measurement method for simultaneous determination of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in organic matter was developed by secondary ion mass spectrometry with a spatial resolution of ~ 12 μm. Secondary ion intensities of 12C−2, 12C13C−, 12C14N− and 12C15N− were simultaneously measured by three Faraday cups and one electron multiplier. Ions of 12C2H− were measured to monitor hydride interferences and to correct for mass bias. The analytical precisions of δ13C and δ15N values of a reference material (UWLA‐1 anthracite) were 0.16‰ and 0.56‰, respectively (2s). A negative correlation was observed between the mass bias of carbon and 12C2H−/12C−2 ratios of examined reference materials. In contrast, there was no correlation between mass bias and hydrogen concentration for nitrogen. The δ13CVPDB and δ15NAir values of twenty‐two individual globules of organic matter, found in carbonate rock of the 1878 Ma Gunflint Formation, were determined by the new procedure, ranging from −33.8‰ to −33.3‰ and +4.2‰ to 5.8‰, respectively. Means of δ13CVPDB and δ15NAir values, −33.5 ± 0.25‰ and +5.2 ± 0.81‰, are consistent with reported values from bulk sample analysis within analytical precision.
MoisturEC: A New R Program for Moisture Content Estimation from Electrical Conductivity Data
Authors: Terry Neil , Day‐Lewis Frederick D. , Werkema Dale , Lane John W.
Published: March 2018

Noninvasive geophysical estimation of soil moisture has potential to improve understanding of flow in the unsaturated zone for problems involving agricultural management, aquifer recharge, and optimization of landfill design and operations. In principle, several geophysical techniques (e.g., electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction, and nuclear magnetic resonance) offer insight into soil moisture, but data‐analysis tools are needed to “translate” geophysical results into estimates of soil moisture, consistent with (1) the uncertainty of this translation and (2) direct measurements of moisture. Although geostatistical frameworks exist for this purpose, straightforward and user‐friendly tools are required to fully capitalize on the potential of geophysical information for soil‐moisture estimation. Here, we present MoisturEC, a simple R program with a graphical user interface to convert measurements or images of electrical conductivity (EC) to soil moisture. Input includes EC values, point moisture estimates, and definition of either Archie parameters (based on experimental or literature values) or empirical data of moisture vs. EC. The program produces two‐ and three‐dimensional images of moisture based on available EC and direct measurements of moisture, interpolating between measurement locations using a Tikhonov regularization approach.
Un compromis de classe positif au sein d'une chaîne de production mondialisée? Le cas du protocole sur la liberté syndicale signé dans le secteur du vêtement de sport en Indonésie
Authors: SIEGMANN Karin Astrid , MERK Jeroen , KNORRINGA Peter
Published: March 2018

Les initiatives privées participent à la gouvernance du travail au sein des chaînes de valeur mondiales, mais les travailleurs n'y jouent souvent qu'un rôle accessoire. Face à ce constat, les auteurs reprennent les thèses de Wright (2000) sur les conditions d'un «compromis de classe positif» et les appliquent à l'analyse du protocole sur la liberté syndicale signé dans le secteur du vêtement de sport en Indonésie. Ils concluent que les initiatives privées ne contribueront au travail décent que si elles s'appuient sur des syndicats locaux suffisamment puissants et si producteurs et acheteurs se trouvent dans une situation de dépendance effective vis‐à‐vis des travailleurs.
Une jeunesse stigmatisée: l'influence du chômage précoce sur le chômage ultérieur
Authors: SCHMILLEN Achim , UMKEHRER Matthias
Published: March 2018

Le chômage rencontré au début du parcours professionnel favorise‐t‐il le chômage ultérieur? Pour le savoir, les auteurs suivent la trajectoire de quelque 700 000 actifs allemands sur une période de vingt‐quatre ans en utilisant des données administratives appariées employeurs‐salariés. Grâce à la méthode des variables instrumentales (l'instrument étant ici la fermeture de l'entreprise), ils font apparaître des séquelles durables du chômage précoce, chaque nouvelle journée chômée pendant les huit premières années de vie active augmentant d'une demi‐journée en moyenne le chômage des seize années suivantes. Selon des régressions quantiles, le caractère prolongé et répété des épisodes de chômage initial renforce sensiblement cet «effet cicatrice».
Talking about Integration: The Voices of Syrian Refugees Taking Part in Introduction Programmes for Integration into Swedish Society
Authors: Bucken‐Knapp Gregg , Fakih Zainab , Spehar Andrea
Published: March 2018

The significant increase in the number of refugees entering the European Union and the low employment rates among them remain pressing issues across Europe. While previous research has mainly focused on refugee integration prospects from the policymakers’ point of view, we shift the analytical focus to how refugees perceive the introduction programme experience, examining the case of Syrian refugees to Sweden. Drawing upon semi‐structured interviews with Syrian refugees, our results suggest that the quality of language training, the complexity of the validation process for educational qualifications and the lengthy administrative procedures are perceived as important barriers hindering the access of refugees to the Swedish labour market. These barriers are differently perceived, especially by those with differing levels of education. This highlights the utility of an intersectional approach, and the continued need to explore the diversity of migrant experiences when assessing integration policies and programmes.
Racism & Health: A public health perspective on racial discrimination
Authors: Cobbinah Stefania Sarsah , Lewis Jan
Published: March 2018

Racial discrimination has been increasingly reported to have a causal link with morbidity and mortality of Black Americans, yet this issue is rarely addressed in a public health perspective. Racism affects health at different levels: institutional racism is a structural and legalized system that results in differential access to health services; cultural racism refers to the negative racial stereotypes, often reinforced by media, that results in poorer psychological and physiological wellbeing of the minorities. Lastly, interpersonal racism refers to the persistence of racial prejudice that seriously undermines the doctor‐patient relationship. After analysing these concepts with examples and relevant studies, this paper explores current literature. Racism as a Determinant of Health: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses (Paradies et al, 2015) is the most recent and comprehensive research on the issue, yet it cannot be used to base public health interventions as it contains several limitations. Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity (Ferguson Commission, 2015) is a report that identifies 4 priority areas for framing public health interventions: Racial Equity, Justice for All, Youth at the Centre and Opportunity to Thrive. This study represents an important milestone in the application of public health on racial injustices, yet racism must be tackled with a sustained, multilevel, and interdisciplinary approach. In conclusion, this paper addresses how public health interventions can empower Black minorities and bring forward long‐term policies. Racism is a structural and long‐standing system that can be eliminated only with the collective effort.
Linking Industrial Ecology and Ecological Economics: A Theoretical and Empirical Foundation for the Circular Economy
Authors: Bruel Aurélien , Kronenberg Jakub , Troussier Nadège , Guillaume Bertrand
Published: March 2018

The circular economy (CE) is a new model for the production and consumption of goods, which has attracted wide political attention as a strategy toward sustainability. However, the theoretical foundation of CE remains poorly structured and insufficiently explored. Recent studies have shown that the CE model draws on different schools of thought and that its origins are mainly rooted in fields such as industrial ecology (IE) and ecological economics (EE). In this article, we investigate the links between CE, IE, and EE and provide an overview of the similarities and differences between these fields. At the same time, we analyze to what extent the linkages between IE and EE can create a coherent body of knowledge for CE, and be used to identify further research opportunities. This paper shows that, until now, research on CE seems to be mainly rooted in the field of IE and based on concepts and tools that already exist in other fields, rather than inventing new ones. The reconciliation of IE and EE could provide a mechanism to extend beyond such a narrow focus, and increase knowledge of the theoretical and practical framework of CE to benefit sustainability.
Wear Characteristics and Volume Loss of CAD/CAM Ceramic Materials
Authors: Zurek Alec D. , Alfaro Maria F. , Wee Alvin G. , Yuan Judy Chia‐Chun , Barao Valentim A. , Mathew Mathew T. , Sukotjo Cortino
Published: March 2018

Purpose

In the field of prosthodontics, patients often require complex and extensive restorative care. This can involve the use of dental restorations to restore teeth on both the maxillary and mandibular arch. Current literature has evaluated the wear properties of different dental ceramics against enamel, but studies regarding dental ceramics opposing one another are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the wear potential and wear behavior of CAD/CAM zirconia (ZR) and lithium disilicate (LD) materials against a similar ceramic material, and how the surface finish of these dental ceramics might affect patterns of wear.

Materials and Methods

Using a sphere‐on‐plate tribometer system, different surface finishes (glazed‐G and glazed then polished‐GP) of ZR and LD were evaluated following wear simulation. Artificial saliva of physiologic pH was used as a lubricant during wear simulation at 37°C. The coefficient of friction (COF) was calculated during the wear simulation. After wear simulation was complete, volume loss, surface roughness, and surface characterization of the specimens were analyzed using white‐light interferometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical significance between materials and surface finish was established with two‐way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

Based on the 2‐way ANOVA, material (p = 0.002) significantly affected the COF. LD showed a higher COF (p = 0.002) than ZR. Material (p < 0.001) and surface finish (p = 0.004) significantly affected the surface roughness inside the scar. ZR had significantly lower surface roughness compared to LD (p < 0.001). For outside scar, surface finish (p < 0.001) significantly affected the surface roughness. Polished specimens showed significantly higher roughness compared to glazed specimens for both inside (p = 0.004) and outside scar (p < 0.001). For volume loss, material (p < 0.001) and the interaction between material and surface finish (p < 0.001) were statistically significant. LD had higher volume loss than ZR (p < 0.001). For both glazed and polished finished, LD‐G and LD‐GP had significantly higher volume loss than ZR‐G (p = 0.028), and ZR‐GP (p < 0.001), respectively. SEM analysis indicated particle build‐up and a grooving mechanism of wear for the LD‐GP specimens. This suggested a three‐body wear phenomenon occurring for LD‐GP specimens, which was not visible in SEM imaging for other specimen types.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the resistance to wear and low abrasiveness of ZR when compared to LD in a simulated masticatory environment. This can be best explained by the increased strength of ZR, and the introduction of three‐body wear to LD specimens from the accumulation of embedded wear debris onto its surface. Wear data and comparison of SEM images following wear simulation confirmed this interpretation.
The link between maternal sleep and permissive parenting during late adolescence
Authors: Tu Kelly M. , Elmore‐Staton Lori , Buckhalt Joseph A. , El‐Sheikh Mona
Published: March 2018

Utilizing a multi‐method design, the present study examined the association between maternal sleep, assessed via actigraphy and self‐reports, and permissive parenting (e.g. lax, inconsistent discipline) during adolescence, as well as the extent to which this association differed by mothers’ race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The sample was comprised of 234 mothers (M age = 41.76 years, SD = 6.25; 67% European‐American, 31% African‐American, 2% other race/ethnicities) and 237 adolescents (113 boys, 124 girls; M age = 15.80 years, SD = 0.80; 66% European‐American, 34% African‐American). Mothers’ sleep duration (actual sleep minutes) and quality (sleep efficiency, latency, long wake episodes) were assessed using actigraphy. Mothers also reported on their sleep problems and adolescents reported on mothers’ permissive parenting behaviours. Results revealed that actigraphy‐based longer sleep duration and shorter sleep latency were associated with lower levels of permissive parenting. Further, mothers’ race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status moderated the association between actigraphy‐based sleep quality (i.e. sleep efficiency, long wake episodes) and permissive parenting. Specifically, a negative association between sleep efficiency and permissive parenting was evident only for African‐American mothers. In addition, a positive association between more frequent night wakings and permissive parenting was evident only for mothers from lower socioeconomic status households. The findings highlight the benefits of longer and higher‐quality sleep for reducing the risk of permissive parenting, especially among ethnic minority mothers and mothers from lower socioeconomic status households.
An autopsy case of globular glial tauopathy presenting with clinical features of motor neuron disease with dementia and iron deposition in the motor cortex
Authors: Hasegawa Itsuki , Takeda Akitoshi , Hatsuta Hiroyuki , Kubo Yuki , Ohsawa Masahiko , Nakano Yuta , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Hasegawa Masato , Murayama Shigeo , Itoh Yoshiaki
Published: March 2018

Globular glial tauopathy (GGT) is a 4‐repeat (4R) tauopathy in which 4R tau accumulates to form globular glial inclusions (GGIs), predominantly in oligodendroglia. To date, little has been reported on iron deposits in patients with GGT. We report a case of GGT with iron deposits in a 78‐year‐old woman presenting with an 8‐year history of slowly progressing limb weakness and cognitive decline. Susceptibility‐weighted imaging revealed a low signal intensity in the right precentral gyrus, suggesting iron deposition. A clinical diagnosis of motor neuron disease with dementia was made 4 years after onset. At autopsy, gross pathological findings showed atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes. A localized area of the precentral gyrus corresponding to the most severely affected limb showed the strongest atrophy, macroscopically, and displayed 4R tau‐immunoreactive GGIs and microscopically many ferritin‐immunoreactive neurons. We diagnosed this patient as having GGT. This is the first GGT case with iron deposition confirmed both radiologically and pathologically.
Why Are We Lagging Behind? An Empirical Analysis of Municipal Capital Spending in the United States
Authors: Wang Wen , Wu Yonghong
Published: March 2018

This research examines the determinants of municipal capital investment in the United States. Using a data set of 100 large cities in five select years over 1992–2012, the regression analysis finds that local tax and expenditure limitations and legal debt limitations restrict municipal capital spending. The receipt of intergovernmental revenue, governmental fund balance, and some demographic factors have significant effects on the capital outlays. The empirical findings shed light on how to address the lag of critical investment in infrastructure at the municipal level in the United States.
Total Factor Productivity Convergence in Developing Countries: Role of Technology Diffusion
Authors: Maryam Khoula , Jehan Zainab
Published: March 2018

In recent years, though total factor productivity (TFP) convergence phenomenon has gained tremendous importance yet further deliberations for identification of catalytic factors that can help developing countries to achieve their steady developmental paths, are under way. Against this backdrop, present study investigates the principal determinants of TFP convergence by employing data of 91 developing countries over the period 1960–2015 and with USA being the frontier country. In concordance with the existing literature, main focus remains on technology diffusion for the catch‐up process and is measured by means of trade openness (TO) and foreign direct investment (FDI) with introduction of their interaction terms. However, TFP is computed by incorporating the Growth Accounting Model while empirical results are drawn from the 2‐step GMM estimation technique. It is surfaced that though high degree of openness benefits TFP growth and convergence but FDI has a dominating role. Therefore, governments can play a competent role via unflagging efforts in ensuring that the right kind of policies are enacted, promoting trading activities and FDI flows.
Heterogeneous Effects of Birth Spacing on Neonatal Mortality Risks in Bangladesh
Authors: Molitoris Joseph
Published: March 2018

The negative relationship between birth interval length and neonatal mortality risks is well documented, but heterogeneity in this relationship has been largely ignored. Using the Bangladesh Maternal Mortality and Health Care Survey 2010, this study investigates how the effect of birth interval length on neonatal mortality risks varies by maternal age at birth and maternal education. There is significant variation in the effect of interval length on neonatal mortality along these dimensions. Young mothers and those with little education, both of which make up a large share of the Bangladeshi population, can disproportionately benefit from longer intervals. Because these results were obtained from within‐family models, they are not due to unobservable heterogeneity between mothers. Targeting women with these characteristics may lead to significant improvements in neonatal mortality rates, but there are significant challenges in reaching them.
Medical Abortion Provision by Pharmacies and Drug Sellers in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Footman Katharine , Keenan Katherine , Reiss Kate , Reichwein Barbara , Biswas Pritha , Church Kathryn
Published: March 2018

We undertook a systematic review to assess 1) the level and quality of pharmacy and drug shop provision of medical abortion (MA) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and 2) interventions to improve quality of provision. We used standardized terms to search six databases for peer‐reviewed and grey literature. We double‐extracted data using a standardized template, and double‐graded studies for methodological quality. We identified 22 studies from 16 countries reporting on level and quality of MA provision through pharmacies and drug sellers, and three intervention studies. Despite widespread awareness and provision of MA drugs, even in legally restricted contexts, most studies found that pharmacy workers and drug sellers had poor knowledge of effective regimens. Evidence on interventions to improve pharmacy and drug shop provision of MA was limited and generally low quality, but indicated that training could be effective in improving knowledge. Programmatic attention should focus on the development and rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions to improve women's access to information about MA self‐management in low‐and middle‐income countries.