bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of self‐collected capillary blood samples for islet autoantibody screening in relatives: a feasibility and acceptability study
Authors: Liu Y. , Rafkin L. E. , Matheson D. , Henderson C. , Boulware D. , Besser R. E. J. , Ferrara C. , Yu L. , Steck A. K. , Bingley P. J. ,   the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group
Published: February 2017

Aims

To evaluate the feasibility of using self‐collected capillary blood samples for islet autoantibody testing to identify risk in relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Participants were recruited via the observational TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study, which screens and monitors relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes for islet autoantibodies. Relatives were sent kits for capillary blood collection, with written instructions, an online instructional video link and a questionnaire. Sera from capillary blood samples were tested for autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2, insulin and zinc transporter 8. ‘Successful’ sample collection was defined as obtaining sufficient volume and quality to provide definitive autoantibody results, including confirmation of positive results by repeat assay.

Results

In 240 relatives who returned samples, the median (range) age was 15.5 (1–49) years and 51% were male. Of these samples, 98% were sufficient for glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2 and zinc transporter 8 autoantibody testing and 84% for insulin autoantibody testing and complete autoantibody screen. The upper 90% confidence bound for unsuccessful collection was 4.4% for glutamic acid decarboxylase, islet antigen‐2 and/or zinc transporter 8 autoantibody assays, and 19.3% for insulin autoantibodies. Despite 43% of 220 questionnaire respondents finding capillary blood collection uncomfortable or painful, 82% preferred home self‐collection of capillary blood samples compared with outpatient venepuncture (90% of those aged <8 years, 83% of those aged 9–18 years and 73% of those aged >18 years). The perceived difficulty of collecting capillary blood samples did not affect success rate.

Conclusions

Self‐collected capillary blood sampling offers a feasible alternative to venous sampling, with the potential to facilitate autoantibody screening for Type 1 diabetes risk.
Entry of adult Atlantic salmon into a tributary of the Aberdeenshire Dee, Scotland
Authors: Sparholt Henrik , Hawkins Anthony , Thomson Alistair
Published: February 2017

Upstream counts of adult salmon in a tributary to the River Dee during autumn and winter were examined over a 13‐year period using an optical fish counter. Statistical analysis indicated that salmon were mainly primed to enter the tributary at a particular time of year, peaking at early December. However, environmental factors also had a large influence. Entry of salmon was initiated by high flow rates in the main stem of the River Dee. Increases in water level in the tributary itself were not needed to stimulate the entry of salmon. Moreover, a change in flow from 1 day to the next did not result in a response from salmon. Rather, they reacted only after more than a day of flow increase. There was no consistent threshold level of flow that triggered tributary entry. The upstream passage of salmon was reduced at low temperatures (below 3°C). The numbers of salmon migrating upstream showed a gradual increase as the temperatures increased up to 11°C, and then sharply decreased at higher temperatures. Female salmon migrated earlier by about 2 weeks on average than males. Increasingly, counters and traps are being installed on spawning tributaries to examine the state of salmon stocks. Caution should be exercised, however, in using upstream entry data from individual tributaries to provide an overall assessment of salmon abundance, as local conditions in the tributaries may affect the salmon counts in particular years.
Why School Choice Reforms in Denmark Fail: the blocking power of the teacher union
Authors: Wiborg Susanne , Larsen Kristina R.
Published: February 2017

This article investigates why school choice is exercised to a limited degree by parents despite major government initiatives to enhance diversity, competition and choice in the Danish education system. Denmark has had 20 years of centre‐right governments, promoting choice reforms perhaps even more vigorously than the other Nordic countries, yet school choice is seldom used – only 12% of parents choose a public school that differs from the one that is allocated to them. The literature on school choice in Denmark argues that this is primarily due to a general lack of parental interest because of the relatively high similarity across schools. In this article, we argue that the main reason is to be found in the politics of vested interests, namely municipalities’ persistent use of pupil assignment schemes supported by powerful teacher union branches at the local level.
Learning outcomes in professional contexts in higher education
Authors: Prøitz Tine S. , Havnes Anton , Briggs Mary , Scott Ian
Published: February 2017

With the policy of developing a, transparent and competitive European higher education sector, learning outcomes (LOs) are attributed a foundation stone role in policy and curriculum development. A premise for their implementation is that they bear fundamental similarities across national, institutional or professional/disciplinary contexts. In contrast, detractors suggest that LOs cannot communicate precisely across programmes or national boundaries. With this as a backdrop, this article analyses how LOs are used to communicate what students are to learn and the extent to which their use drives standardisation. The analysis is based on a case study of how LOs are formulated in study programme documents in two professional education programmes in Norway and the UK. The findings indicate that LOs can be considered to drive standardisation through the same presentation using bullet points. The study also finds that LOs are framed in different ways in the two countries and within the different study programmes and in a web of interconnected documents. This ‘local’ structural use of LOs disrupts their ‘foundation stone’ role as a vehicle for standardisation and weakens the establishment of sameness across institutions and nations.
Higher education learning outcomes – Ambiguity and change in higher education
Authors: Caspersen Joakim , Frølich Nicoline , Muller Johan
Published: February 2017

The emerging interdependent world order poses new challenges for States and citizens alike. For States, interdependence has meant a new concern with integration, whilst for citizens and authorities alike, greater mobility has raised new concerns about recognition of competences, qualifications, quality and transparency. The introduction of learning outcomes is one of the principal instruments to achieve this in higher education. This article analyses how the implementation of higher education learning outcomes (HELOs) can be seen as ambiguous governance and management tools, manifested as parts of international policy development and policy trends. These ambiguous tools intertwine with different disciplinary and stakeholder networks. The desire to implement HELOs in a more or less uniform way across as diverse contexts (countries, disciplines, institutions) as possible has led to a design strategy that favours generic definitions of learning outcomes. In the implementation process, these generic HELOs are experienced as ambiguous, meaning that they are characterised by an openness to different interpretations. This opens up a space of discretionary and interpretational latitude, either because HELOs are assimilated to traditional path dependencies, or because they allow institutional agents (such as institutional leaders and others) the space to introduce change. The ambiguity of HELOs simultaneously provides the flexibility for contextually‐diverse implementation, ensures less comparability than initially envisaged, and opens up the possibility for change, although change is contingent on structures and processes that are external to the policy process itself. HELOs are thus a paradigm case of the centrality of context in policy implementation studies.
The Compatibility of Freedom and Necessity in Marx's Idea of Communist Society
Authors: James David
Published: February 2017

Taking a well‐known passage from the third volume of Capital as my starting point, I explain on what grounds Marx thinks that freedom and necessity will be compatible in a communist society. The necessity in question concerns having to produce to satisfy material needs. Unlike some accounts of this issue, I argue that the compatibility of freedom and necessity in communist society has more to do with how production is organized than with the direct relation of the worker to the object produced or to his or her own productive activity. Moreover, I show how self‐realization and a form of activity that possesses an intrinsic value are made possible by the organization of the production process and how this is integral to Marx's account of the compatibility of freedom and necessity in communist society.
Effects of focal brain cooling on extracellular concentrations of neurotransmitters in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Nomura Sadahiro , Inoue Takao , Imoto Hirochika , Suehiro Eiichi , Maruta Yuichi , Hirayama Yuya , Suzuki Michiyasu
Published: February 2017

Objective

Brain hypothermia controls epileptic discharge and reduces extracellular concentrations of glutamate (Glu), an excitatory neurotransmitter. We aimed to determine the effects of focal brain cooling (FBC) on levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The relationship between Glu or GABA concentrations and the severity of epileptic symptoms was also analyzed.

Methods

Patients with intractable epilepsy underwent FBC at lesionectomized (n = 11) or hippocampectomized (n = 8) regions at 15°C for 30 min using custom‐made cooling devices. Concentrations of Glu (n = 18) and GABA (n = 12) were measured in extracellular fluid obtained through microdialysis using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reduction rate of neurotransmitter levels and its relationship with electrocorticography (ECoG) signal changes in response to FBC were measured.

Results

We found no relationship between the concentrations of Glu or GABA and seizure severity. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of Glu to 66.3% of control levels during the cooling period (p = 0.001). This rate of reduction correlated with ECoG power (r2 = 0.68). Cortical and hippocampal GABA levels significantly (p = 0.02) and nonsignificantly decreased to 47.7% and 32.4% of control levels, respectively. However, the rate of this reduction did not correlate with ECoG (r2 = 0.11).

Significance

Although the decrease in hippocampal GABA levels was not significant due to wide variations in its concentration, the levels of cortical GABA and Glu were decreased following FBC. FBC suppresses epileptic discharge and the release of both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. The reduction in Glu levels further contributes to the reduction in epileptic discharge. However, the reduction in the levels of GABA has no impact on ECoG.
Analysis of team types based on collaborative relationships among doctors, home‐visiting nurses and care managers for effective support of patients in end‐of‐life home care
Authors: Fujita Junko , Fukui Sakiko , Ikezaki Sumie , Otoguro Chizuru , Tsujimura Mayuko
Published: February 2017

Aim

To define the team types consisting of doctors, home‐visiting nurses and care managers for end‐of‐life care by measuring the collaboration relationship, and to identify the factors related to the team types.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of 43 teams including doctors, home‐visiting nurses and care managers was carried out. The team types were classified based on mutual evaluations of the collaborative relationships among the professionals. To clarify the factors between team types with the patient characteristics, team characteristics and collaboration competency, univariate analysis was carried out with the Fisher's exact test or one‐way analysis and multiple comparison analysis.

Results

Three team types were classified: the team where the collaborative relationships among all healthcare professionals were good; the team where the collaborative relationships between the doctors and care managers were poor; and the team where the collaborative relationships among all of the professionals were poor. There was a statistically significant association between the team types and the following variables: patient's dementia level, communication tool, professionals' experience of working with other team members, home‐visiting nurses' experience of caring for dying patients, care managers' background qualifications, doctor's face‐to‐face cooperation with other members and home‐visiting nurses' collaborative practice.

Conclusions

It is suggested that a collaborative relationship would be fostered by more experience of working together, using communication tools and enhancing each professional's collaboration competency. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1943–1950.
Development of a candy‐sucking test for evaluating oral function in elderly patients with dementia: A pilot study
Authors: Mori Takahiro , Yoshikawa Mineka , Maruyama Mariko , Hiraoka Aya , Nakamori Masahiro , Yoshida Mitsuyoshi , Tsuga Kazuhiro
Published: February 2017

Aim

To maintain oral intake in elderly patients with dementia, it is important to evaluate their oral function. However, these patients often have difficulties following instructions during oral function tests, especially with the progression of dementia. The task of sucking a lollipop candy is simple for elderly patients with mild or severe dementia. The present study aimed to develop a new oral function test – the “candy sucking test” (CST) – for elderly patients with dementia.

Methods

We recruited 23 female elderly patients with dementia (mean age 89.0 ± 6.7 years). First, we determined the number of participants who were able to carry out this new oral function test, compared with other existing tests. Then, swallowing function was evaluated using videofluoroscopy for those who could carry out the CST.

Results

More participants were able to perform carry out CST than other function tests (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the CST value, evaluated as the difference in candy weight, and oral transit time (ρ = −0.62, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The CST could be useful as a new method for evaluating the oral function of elderly patients with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1977–1981.
Liver tissue metabolic profiling and pathways of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats
Authors: Qi Suwen , Huang Si , Chen Xin , Huo Qin , Xie Ni , Xia Jun
Published: February 2017

Aim

The mechanisms of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in hepatocytes are unknown. Our aim is to study the tissue metabolic profiling and pathways of NASH.

Methods

We built rat models for simple steatosis and NASH and analyzed the liver extract using a liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer. The acquired data were processed by multivariate principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) to obtain metabolic profiling. Orthogonal projections to latent structures DA was used to obtain metabolites capable of distinguishing NASH and steatosis. The total differences in the metabolites between groups were analyzed to determine their metabolic pathways.

Results

Principal component analysis showed that the metabolic profiles of NASH and steatosis are different. The PLS‐DA modeling revealed a clear separation between two groups with parameters R2Y and Q2Y all greater than 0.7. The orthogonal projections to latent structures DA model identified 171 metabolites capable of distinguishing NASH from steatosis. The identified metabolites are involved in fatty acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, the urea cycle, and the citric acid cycle in hepatocytes.

Conclusions

These metabolic profiles and pathways in rat hepatocytes will offer useful information when studying metabolic disorders in patients with NASH.
Nationalism and Internationalism in the Study of International Relations, 1900–1939
Authors: Stöckmann Jan
Published: February 2017

The origins of International Relations (IR) as an academic discipline are often associated with research at British and US universities inspired by Wilsonian idealism in the aftermath of the First World War. However, this paper argues, there are more nuanced intellectual traditions that transcend the chronological, geographical and thematic boundaries of what has conventionally been understood as early IR scholarship. In particular, it shows how nationalism and internationalism were used as rhetorical devices to underpin debates beyond the Anglo‐American sphere and before 1919. The paper first reviews how the conventional narrative of inter‐war ‘idealism’ evolved and how recent revisionist historiography has challenged it. The second part shows how neglected strands of literature contribute to the revised picture and highlights the role of nationalism and internationalism in channelling the study of IR from around 1900 to the Second World War.
The Afropolitan Idea: New Perspectives on Cosmopolitanism in African Studies
Authors: Balakrishnan Sarah
Published: February 2017

This essay locates the concept of Afropolitanism, introduced in the mid‐2000s by Achille Mbembe and Taiye Selasi, inside a longer historiography on cosmopolitanism in Africa. Used to describe the multifarious ways that Africa is enmeshed in the world, today ‘Afropolitanism’ connects Africa's global metropolises, transnational cultures and mobile populations under a single analytic term, signifying the radical diversity that Africa possesses now and has throughout history. This essay argues that the idea of Afropolitanism has impacted theory on Africa in two ways. First, instead of regarding pluralism as a threat to state stability, Africa's cosmopolitan cities and zones are now thought to be harbingers of a new post‐racial political future; rather than supposing that states will progressively coalesce into defined nations, as per the organic analogy, ethnically heterogeneous states are increasingly upheld as ‘modern’. Second, Afropolitanism marks a radical shift from a longer history of black emancipatory thought. Contra 20th century Pan‐African and Afrocentrist endeavours to create a civilization based on the ‘African Personality’, proponents of Afropolitanism instead propose a world in which there can be no centre for Africa, no cultural integrity, only networks and flows.
CD117 (KIT) is a useful marker in the diagnosis of plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma
Authors: Marks Etan , Shi Yang , Wang Yanhua
Published: February 2017

Aims

Plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma (PPCM) is a rare morphological presentation of multiple myeloma, and can resemble plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐related lymphoid neoplasm, morphologically and immunophenotypically. The aim of this study was to retrospectively search for factors that could help to differentiate these two entities.

Methods and results

We used clinical looking glass, a data mining tool, to identify patients with a diagnosis of either PPCM or PBL with a CD117 test performed. We identified 27 cases from 16 patients in our institution with a diagnosis of either PPCM or PBL. There were 14 cases of PBL from eight patients and 13 cases of PPCM from eight patients. We found that six of eight patients with PPCM were positive for CD117, whereas no patients with PBL (0/8) showed positivity (P = 0.007 for patients). All (8/8) PPCM patients had a paraproteinaemia, whereas only two of eight PBL patients had a paraproteinaemia (P = 0.007). Lytic bone lesions were more indicative of a PPCM, with six of eight patients showing these lesions, and only one of eight PBL patients showing these lesions (P = 0.0406). HIV status was more likely to be positive in PBL patients, with six of seven patients showing positivity, and only one of five PPCM patients showing positivity (P = 0.072). Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded RNA in‐situ hybridization did not differentiate these two entities, with seven of eight PBL patients showing positivity, and two of five PPCM patients showing positivity (P = 0.2168).

Conclusions

This study reveals that CD117 can be a useful marker to help differentiate PPCM from PBL and give the patient an appropriate prognosis and options for treatment.
Accuracy of real‐time magnetic resonance imaging‐transrectal ultrasound fusion image‐guided transperineal target biopsy with needle tracking with a mechanical position‐encoded stepper in detecting significant prostate cancer in biopsy‐naïve men
Authors: Shoji Sunao , Hiraiwa Shinichiro , Ogawa Takahiro , Kawakami Masayoshi , Nakano Mayura , Hashida Kazunobu , Sato Yoshinobu , Hasebe Terumitsu , Uchida Toyoaki , Tajiri Takuma
Published: February 2017

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of real‐time elastic fusion image‐guided transperineal prostate biopsy with needle tracking involving a mechanical position‐encoded stepper in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer for biopsy‐naïve men.

Methods

We prospectively recruited patients with serum prostate‐specific antigen levels of 4.0–20 ng/mL and suspicious of prostate cancer on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. They underwent targeted biopsies for cancer‐suspicious lesions and 12‐core systematic biopsies. Pathological findings from biopsy cores and whole‐mount specimens (for those who underwent radical prostatectomy) were analyzed.

Results

A total of 250 patients were included, in whom targeted and systematic biopsies detected significant cancers in 55% and 25%, respectively (P < 0.001). The targeted biopsy cores (n = 527) showed significantly greater biopsy‐proven significant cancer detection rates (P < 0.001), cancer core length (P < 0.0001), cancer core percentage (P < 0.001) and Gleason scores (P < 0.001) than did the systematic biopsies. The significant cancer detection rate for targeted lesions (those with Prostate Imaging and Reporting and Data System classification scores of 5) was 80%. Biopsy‐proven significant cancer detection rates for targeted lesions ≤10 mm and >10 mm were similar for Prostate Imaging and Reporting and Data System scores of 4 (P = 0.707) and 5 (P = 0.386). In whole‐mount specimens (n = 30), locations for 95% of significant cancers were diagnosed preoperatively. Targeted biopsies alone diagnosed 79% of significant cancers.

Conclusions

Although targeted biopsies are superior to systematic biopsies in detecting significant cancers, systematic biopsies maintain an important role in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in biopsy‐naïve men.
Phase stability in scandia‐zirconia nanocrystals
Authors: Grosso Robson L. , Muccillo Eliana N. S. , Castro Ricardo H. R.
Published: February 2017

Scandia‐zirconia system has great technological interest as it has the highest ionic conductivity among doped zirconia ceramics. However, polymorphism is the most important limiting factor for application of this material. Considering that there is a strong grain size dependence on phase transitions in this class of materials, mapping out the stable polymorph as a function of grain size and composition may lead to more efficient compositional design. In this article, the phase stability of zirconia‐scandia nanocrystals was investigated based on experimental thermodynamic data. Exploiting recent advances in microcalorimetry, reliable surface energy data for five polymorphs of scandia‐zirconia system: monoclinic, tetragonal, cubic, rhombohedral β and γ are reported for the first time. Combining surface energy values with bulk enthalpy data obtained from oxide melt drop solution calorimetry allowed us to create a predictive phase stability diagram that shows the stable zirconia polymorph as a function of composition and grain size of the specimen within the range of 0‐20 mol% scandia.
Health professionals working effectively with support workers to enhance the quality of support for adults with intellectual disabilities: A meta‐ethnography
Authors: Haines David , Brown Alexander
Published: February 2017

Background

Paid support workers are often central to the quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities. Health and social care professionals increasingly carry out interventions indirectly through those support workers and therefore need to understand how best to collaborate.

Methods

This article synthesizes findings from the qualitative research of others investigating health professionals' work with support staff. From sixty‐two articles retrieved from a database and journal search, seven met inclusion criteria and a meta‐ethnographic synthesis allowed construction of an interpretive line‐of‐argument.

Results

Thirteen themes within the articles were synthesized into three over‐archingconstructs, suggesting that professionals should collaborate by providing effective leadership, working in partnership with support workers and managers and recognizing the influence of organizational structures and context.

Conclusions

As these constructs seem reflective of important components of teamwork, a “line‐of‐argument” is proposed that it could be helpful for professionals to view themselves as part of a “team” with support workers.
Healthy eating: A beneficial role for perceived norm conflict?
Authors: Plows Stefanie Elaine , Smith Francine D. , Smith Joanne R. , Chapman Cassandra M. , La Macchia Stephen T. , Louis Winnifred R.
Published: February 2017

Normative influence on dietary decision making was assessed as a function of the referent informational influence model within an extended theory of planned behavior framework. In a longitudinal design, university students (N = 141) completed measures of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, referent group norms, and intentions toward healthy eating, with healthy eating behavior reported 2 weeks later (n = 82). A distinction was made between injunctive and descriptive norms, in line with norm focus theory. The extended theory of planned behavior and referent informational influence models were partially supported. An interaction between group injunctive and descriptive norms emerged such that misaligned group norms were associated with healthier eating behavior than aligned group norms (both supportive and unsupportive). Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
The role of exosomes in hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shen Jiliang , Huang Chiung‐Kuei , Yu Hong , Shen Bo , Zhang Yaping , Liang Yuelong , Li Zheyong , Feng Xu , Zhao Jie , Duan Lian , Cai Xiujun
Published: February 2017

Exosomes are small vesicles that were initially thought to be a mechanism for discarding unneeded membrane proteins from reticulocytes. Their mediation of intercellular communication appears to be associated with several biological functions. Current studies have shown that most mammalian cells undergo the process of exosome formation and utilize exosome‐mediated cell communication. Exosomes contain various microRNAs, mRNAs and proteins. They have been reported to mediate multiple functions, such as antigen presentation, immune escape and tumour progression. This concise review highlights the findings regarding the roles of exosomes in liver diseases, particularly hepatitis B, hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, further elucidation of the contributions of exosomes to intercellular information transmission is needed. The potential medical applications of exosomes in liver diseases seem practical and will depend on the ingenuity of future investigators and their insights into exosome‐mediated biological processes.
Protective effects of Araloside C against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury: potential involvement of heat shock protein 90
Authors: Wang Min , Tian Yu , Du Yu‐yang , Sun Gui‐bo , Xu Xu‐dong , Jiang Hai , Xu Hui‐bo , Meng Xiang‐bao , Zhang Jing‐yi , Ding Shi‐lan , Zhang Miao‐di , Yang Ming‐hua , Sun Xiao‐bo
Published: February 2017

The present study was designed to investigate whether Araloside C, one of the major triterpenoid compounds isolated from Aralia elata known to be cardioprotective, can improve heart function following ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. We observed that Araloside C concentration‐dependently improved cardiac function and depressed oxidative stress induced by I/R. Similar protection was confirmed in isolated cardiomyocytes characterized by maintaining Ca2+ transients and cell shortening against I/R. Moreover, the potential targets of Araloside C were predicted using the DDI‐CPI server and Discovery Studio software. Molecular docking analysis revealed that Araloside C could be stably docked into the ATP/ADP‐binding domain of the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) protein via the formation of hydrogen bonds. The binding affinity of Hsp90 to Araloside C was detected using nanopore optical interferometry and yielded KD values of 29 μM. Araloside C also up‐regulated the expression levels of Hsp90 and improved cell viability in hypoxia/reoxygenation‐treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes, whereas the addition of 17‐AAG, a pharmacologic inhibitor of Hsp90, attenuated Araloside C‐induced cardioprotective effect. These findings reveal that Araloside C can efficiently attenuate myocardial I/R injury by reducing I/R‐induced oxidative stress and [Ca2+]i overload, which was possibly related to its binding to the Hsp90 protein.
Rethinking Britain and the European Union: Politicians, the Media and Public Opinion Reconsidered
Authors: Copeland Paul , Copsey Nathaniel
Published: February 2017

This article re‐examines the role of the media in the UK debate on EU membership. It argues that the embedding of euroscepticism in the UK stems neither from a single phase in the UK–EU relationship, nor from the agency of the UK press or its proprietors. Rather, it resulted from the long‐standing absence of any pro‐European faction within the British polity was able to argue for, or defend, the European Union within the UK national debate. In explaining this, we expand on the concept of ‘issue capture’ understood as the ability of a vocal minority to dominate the UK's political debate about the EU in the absence of genuine opposition to counteract negative claims and arguments. The findings are drawn from analysis of a dataset that codes more than 16,400 UK newspaper articles published between 1974–2013.
The applicability of bright light therapy in adults with moderate, severe or profound intellectual disabilities: a brief report
Authors: Hermans H. , Soerokromo N. , Evenhuis H.
Published: February 2017

Background

Bright light therapy (BLT) is effective in the treatment of depression in the general population. It may be a good treatment option for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) too. However, its applicability and effectiveness are not studied in groups of adults with ID, yet. Our aim was to study the applicability of BLT in adults with ID.

Methods

Bright light therapy was offered for 2 weeks, using a 10 000 lux light box, to 14 adults with moderate, severe or profound ID. Applicability of BLT and change in depressive symptoms were studied with questionnaires.

Results

Bright light therapy was successfully applied for ≥10 days in 10 participants. It was also applicable in participants with rather severe challenging behaviour. Before BLT, nine participants scored above the cut‐off score of the ADAMS' depressive mood subscale. After BLT, six of them scored below cut‐off.

Conclusions

Bright light therapy is applicable in adults with moderate, severe of profound ID. Its effectiveness as a treatment for depression in adults with ID should be further studied.
The use of Theory in Family Therapy Research: Content Analysis and Update
Authors: Chen Ruoxi , Hughes Alexandria C. , Austin Jason P.
Published: February 2017

In this study, we evaluated 275 empirical studies from Journal of Marital and Family Therapy and Family Process from 2010 to 2015 on their use of theory, and compared our findings to those of a similar previous analysis (Hawley & Geske, 2000). Overall, theory seems to have become much better incorporated in empirical family therapy research, with only 16.4% of the articles not using theory in either their introductory or discussion sections. Theory appeared better incorporated in the introductory sections than in the discussion sections. Systems theory remained the most commonly used conceptual framework, followed by attachment theory. We discuss areas for improving theory incorporation in family therapy research, and offer suggestions for both family therapy researchers and educators.
Dynamic Spatial Competition Between Multi‐Store Retailers
Authors: Aguirregabiria Victor , Vicentini Gustavo
Published: February 2017

We propose a dynamic model of an oligopoly industry characterized by spatial competition between multi‐store retailers. Firms compete in prices and decide where to open or close stores depending on demand and cost conditions, the number of competitors at different locations, and on location‐specific private‐information shocks. The model distinguishes multiple forces in the spatial configuration of store networks, such as cannibalization of revenue between stores of the same retail chain, economies of density, competition, consumer transportation costs, or positive demand spillovers from other stores. We develop an algorithm to approximate a Markov Perfect Equilibrium in our model, and propose a procedure for the estimation of the parameters of the model using panel data on number of stores, prices, and quantities at multiple geographic locations within a city. We also present a numerical example to illustrate the model and algorithm.
Competition in a Dynamic Auction Market: Identification, Structural Estimation, and Market Efficiency
Authors: Adachi Anna
Published: February 2017

The model incorporates an infinite series of auctions for identical items (or close substitutes) ordered over time and bidders with unit demand. The participants of each auction are drawn from a dynamic pool, with losing bidders remaining in the pool of potential bidders. The number of bidders in each auction is unobservable. Risk‐neutral, forward‐looking bidders submit bids below valuation. A novel identification and estimation strategy is used to estimate the valuation distribution from an order statistic of the bids. The model is used to evaluate the efficiency of online auctions for a 60GB Apple iPod Video, compared to a perfect‐competition benchmark.
SM Bonds—A New Product for Managing Longevity Risk
Authors: de Jong Piet , Ferris Shauna
Published: February 2017

A new type of retirement bond is proposed called an SM bond. SM bonds are long dated government bonds divisible into two parts: a survivorship (S) part and a mortality (M) part. Each SM bond is associated with a particular age. SM bonds associated with a particular age are only purchasable by (originators) of that age. The SM bond is then splittable into an S and M component. The S part must be retained by the originator, who receives the face value of the bond if he/she is alive at maturity. For originators who die prior to the maturity date, the maturity value of the SM bond is assigned to a mortality pool. The holder of the M part of the bond receives the annual bond coupon, and at maturity a pro rata share of the mortality pool. M bonds are tradable: holders can sell their M bonds to anyone, at any time. It is envisaged different age bonds are issued every year for ages say 30–64 each with say a 35‐year term. The market will be regularly informed about the mortality experience, and the market price of the M bonds will vary over time to reflect that experience.
Reactive Oxygen Species Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Fusarium Infected Bananas
Authors: Anthony Kelvin Kiran , George Dominic Soloman , Baldev Singh Hasvinder Kaur , Fung Shi Ming , Santhirasegaram Vicknesha , Razali Zuliana , Somasundram Chandran
Published: February 2017

Fusarium infection of bananas is a global problem that threatens the production of bananas. This study looks at the effects of the infection upon the reactive oxygen species (ROS) system, as well as the induced antioxidant properties in the roots, stems, leaves and fruits. Results show that there is a greater amount of damage in infected tissue samples as opposed to non‐infected. The damage was observed to be higher in the root samples. ROS assays were divided into two classes: ROS assays and ROS‐scavenging assays. Of the ROS assays, lipoxygenase was observed to be higher in the infected samples, while peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were significantly higher in infected stem, leaf and fruit samples. Among root samples, there was no significant difference in POD activity and PPO was lower in infected samples. Induction of ROS is important for the hypersensitive response (HR) to function properly. The ROS‐scavenging enzymes, namely ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, exhibited higher levels in the infected tissue. This is most likely to counter the build‐up of the ROS enzymes and to prevent further cell death. The increase in ROS‐scavenging assays also correlates with higher antioxidant properties as antioxidants play a critical role in regulating the HR free radicals.
Resistance against Fusarium Head Blight in Transgenic Wheat Plants Expressing the ScNPR1 gene
Authors: Yu Guihong , Zhang Xu , Yao Jingbao , Zhou MiaoPing , Ma Hongxiang
Published: February 2017

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a severe global wheat disease that may cause severe yield losses, especially during epidemic years. Transforming the regulatory genes in the metabolic pathways of disease resistance into wheat via transgenic methods is one way to improve resistance to FHB. ScNPR1 (Secale cereale‐NPR1), a regulatory gene for systemic acquired resistance (SAR), was isolated from S. cereale cv Jingzhouheimai and transformed into the moderately FHB‐susceptible wheat variety Ningmai 13. RT‐PCR analysis indicated that the ScNPR1 gene was stably expressed in transgenic plants. An evaluation of the resistance to FHB revealed that six ScNPR1 transgenic lines (NP1, NP2, NP3, NP4, NP5 and NP6) exhibited significantly higher FHB resistance than the wild‐type wheat Ningmai 13 and the null‐segregated plants. The expression of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes after Fusarium graminearum inoculation was earlier or higher than those in the wild‐type variety Ningmai 13. The high expression in the early stages of PR genes should account for the enhanced FHB resistance in the transgenic lines. Our results suggest that overexpression of ScNPR1 could be used to improve FHB resistance in wheat.
Understanding specific reading comprehension deficit: A review
Authors: Landi Nicole , Ryherd Kayleigh
Published: February 2017

A substantial population of children and adolescents struggle with reading comprehension despite adequate phonemic decoding (word‐level reading) and intellectual ability. Individuals with this pattern of performance are considered to have specific reading comprehension deficit (S‐RCD). Despite two decades of study on the profiles of behavioral performance associated with S‐RCD, there is no current consensus on the causal mechanisms of the disorder. Recent progress in identifying such mechanisms includes studies that have utilized comprehension age match and longitudinal designs which have identified several comprehension subskills that are predictive of S‐RCD development. However, disagreement persists over which deficits are core to S‐RCD, which are comorbid and which are simply a consequence of poor comprehension. Further, almost no research on this disorder has sought to identify neurobiological endophenotypes that may enhance our understanding of causal mechanisms. Here, we offer a review of the literature on core language and higher‐level language deficits associated with S‐RCD, including studies that examine the neurobiological basis of this disorder. What emerges is a relatively consistent pattern of subclinical impairments across a range of comprehension subskills that may put pressure on the complex process of reading comprehension. These subskills include semantic and grammatical processing, inference making, and other higher‐level language skills such as comprehension monitoring. This disorder also appears to have a neurobiological basis, though further study is needed to establish the precise disruption in neurocircuitry. Suggestions for further research include the continued use of online, temporally‐sensitive measures such as eye‐tracking and event‐related potential, additional studies of the neurobiology of the disorder, as well as longitudinal tracking and identification of early behavioral and brain markers for S‐RCD prior to formal schooling.
The Contactless Vital Sensing System Precisely Reflects R‐R Interval in Electrocardiograms of Healthy Subjects
Authors: SUGA KENTARO , HORI HIKARU , KATSUKI ASUKA , OHASHI MASAHIRO , TEZUKA TADANORI , MATSUO MASATOSHI , NAKAMURA TSUYOSHI , YOSHIMURA REIJI
Published: February 2017

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of the contactless vital sensing system that we previously developed.

Methods

A total of 111 healthy Japanese subjects were recruited from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health and the Panasonic Corporation AVC Networks Company. All subjects underwent an evaluation using the contactless vital sensing system and electrocardiography (ECG). We compared the R‐R interval obtained using the new contactless sensing system to that obtained using ECG.

Results

A very strong correlation was observed between the instruments.

Conclusions

This result confirms the validity of the new contactless sensing system in evaluating healthy subjects.
The Contribution of the Emergency Department To Opioid Pain Reliever Misuse And Diversion: A Critical Review
Authors: Lyapustina Tatyana , Castillo Renan , Omaki Elise , Shields Wendy , McDonald Eileen , Rothman Richard , Gielen Andrea
Published: February 2017

Prescription opioid pain reliever (OPR) misuse and diversion is an important and growing public health problem in the United States that is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Emergency physicians are among the top prescribers of OPRs, yet the relative contribution of emergency department (ED) OPR prescriptions to the overall opioid abuse epidemic remains unclear. This study critically reviews seven peer‐reviewed studies that specifically identified the ED as a source of OPRs. Of the OPRs prescribed in the ED, approximately 10% are associated with indicators of inappropriate prescribing, and approximately 42% may ultimately be misused; of the OPRs that are diverted, approximately 10% originate from an ED prescription. Among patients who suffer an OPR‐related death, approximately 1.8% of the OPR pills given to the decedents will have come from the ED. In addition to the need for more research, the existing literature suggests an urgent need for interventions in the ED to reduce OPR misuse and diversion.
pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 expression enhances nitrogen uptake efficiency and grain yield in transgenic rice plants
Authors: Chen Jingguang , Fan Xiaoru , Qian Kaiyun , Zhang Yong , Song Miaoquan , Liu Yu , Xu Guohua , Fan Xiaorong
Published: February 2017

The nitrate () transporter has been selected as an important gene maker in the process of environmental adoption in rice cultivars. In this work, we transferred another native OsNAR2.1 promoter with driving OsNAR2.1 gene into rice plants. The transgenic lines with exogenous pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 constructs showed enhanced OsNAR2.1 expression level, compared with wild type (WT), and 15N influx in roots increased 21%–32% in response to 0.2 mm and 2.5 mm and 1.25 mm 15NH415NO3. Under these three N conditions, the biomass of the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 transgenic lines increased 143%, 129% and 51%, and total N content increased 161%, 242% and 69%, respectively, compared to WT. Furthermore in field experiments we found the grain yield, agricultural nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE), and dry matter transfer of pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 plants increased by about 21%, 22% and 21%, compared to WT. We also compared the phenotypes of pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 and pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 transgenic lines in the field, found that postanthesis N uptake differed significantly between them, and in comparison with the WT. Postanthesis N uptake (PANU) increased approximately 39% and 85%, in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 and pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 transgenic lines, respectively, possibly because OsNRT2.1 expression was less in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 lines than in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 lines during the late growth stage. These results show that rice NO3– uptake, yield and NUE were improved by increased OsNAR2.1 expression via its native promoter.
Utilitarian and nonutilitarian valuation of natural resources: a game‐theoretical approach
Authors: Swart Jac. A. A. , Zevenberg Jorien
Published: February 2017

Ecological services such as food, fresh water, fuel, minerals, and flood control—to name only a few—are essential conditions for human well‐being. Many of the areas that provide such services—wetlands, coastal areas, and deserts—are common pool resources, which are characterized by nonexcludability and subtractability that makes them vulnerable to collective action problems such as the prisoner's dilemma, where individual and collective interests collide and ultimately result in overexploitation and degradation. Damaged areas that provide ecological services are increasingly recognized as targets for ecological restoration. However, restored areas run the risk of backsliding to the previous state if their common pool characteristics are ignored. Collective action problems are often analyzed from a game‐theoretical perspective that usually assumes rational, self‐interested individuals, who do not take collective and nonutilitarian perspectives into account. However, people do not value natural resources just for utilitarian reasons but also because of ethical nonutilitarian ones. This paper develops a multiple‐actor game‐theoretical approach to one's “value achievement” by taking into account both utilitarian and nonutilitarian perspectives. It demonstrates that someone's value achievement is contingent on choices made by others and that considering nonutilitarian perspectives may avoid the prisoner's dilemma. Accordingly, this model was empirically tested and confirmed by a survey among life sciences and biology students by presenting them a hypothetical case of a restored natural area. Based on these results, it is argued that emphasizing nonutilitarian considerations may be an important additional strategy in conservation and restoration projects.