bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Online Executive Education Using Storytelling: An Approach to Strengthening Online Social Presence
Authors: Kendall Julie E. , Kendall Kenneth E.
Published: January 2017

One distinctive requirement of Executive Education is the need to integrate the corporate experiences of participants and frame them within a common body of knowledge wherein experiences can be shared, analyzed, and absorbed by all participants. What might customarily arise out of classroom camaraderie must now be technologically designed and supported from the outset in online executive education. Our research question is: What can be done to develop online executive programs that utilize the richness of executive experiences as the foundation for analyzing, comprehending, and retaining key concepts learned throughout the course? Storytelling is proposed as a method to capture and use corporate experiences of participating executives in meaningful ways while developing a strong social presence among participants online. This study explores organizational stories, identifying unique story elements and their purposes, and discussing how they can be introduced into online executive courses through modeled behavior, a part of social cognitive theory. Storytelling is compared to traditional case studies and chat rooms. While storytelling may be more difficult to implement, there are significant advantages to storytelling, including making the experience more real, increasing comprehension of concepts, and improving the retention of knowledge.
The three criteria for resistance by plant carrion‐provisioning: insect entrapment and predator enrichment on Mimulus bolanderi
Authors: LOPRESTI ERIC F. , TOLL KATHERINE
Published: January 2017

1. Many sticky plants provision mutualistic scavenging arthropod predators with carrion, which in turn protect the plant from insect herbivores. While insect entrapment is a common trait across plants, which plants attract these predators and may derive protection is still largely unknown.

2. Three conditions were proposed that must be satisfied for observational data to suggest this defensive strategy: (i) the consistent presence of scavenging predators, (ii) positive correlation between predator numbers and carrion, and (iii) suitability of these predators for controlling known herbivores.

3. As a case study, we examined the fire‐following annual, Mimulus [Diplacus] bolanderi (Phyrmaceae), which is part of a well‐studied radiation of California monkeyflowers. Many monkeyflowers entrap insects, though attraction to predators has not been quantified in this genus.

4. A guild of scavenging arthropod predators on M. bolanderi (condition #1) was found, which correlated positively with carrion abundance (#2) and could consume the primary herbivore (#3), suggesting a carrion‐mediated defensive strategy. Lastly, as M. bolanderi is variable in time and space, these interactions are facultative, and these predators are quick to adopt ephemeral carrion resources on novel host plants.
Artificial boulderfield yields a surprise: The Smoky Mouse in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia
Authors: Schulz Martin , Wilks Gabriel
Published: January 2017

Spoil dumps in the subalpine and montane environments of Kosciuszko National Park in far south‐eastern Australia are modified landscapes which in the past were considered to have little faunal value. Recent finds (2010–2011) of the critically endangered Mountain Pygmy‐possum (Burramys parvus) have resulted in a reconsideration of the importance of such landscapes to fauna. Such re‐evaluation has been translated into on‐ground actions, including the construction of an artificial boulderfield on one spoil dump as habitat targeting Mountain Pygmy‐possum in rehabilitation works. Trapping 7 and 19–20 months, respectively, after these works has so far not recorded this Pygmy‐possum. However, it led to the discovery of another critically endangered species, the Smoky Mouse (Pseudomys fumeus). Two males (with three recaptures) and one female were captured in 250 trapnights in November 2015 and an additional male in 600 trapnights in December 2015. The capture of this enigmatic species is highly significant as it is the first live capture of the species in the park and it is only the second locality in which live captures have been made in New South Wales since 2001. The location of the Smoky Mouse in spoil dumps further emphasises how these areas provide existing and potential habitat for native fauna species.
UVA‐1 exposure in vivo leads to an IL‐6 surge within the skin
Authors: Schneider Lars Alexander , Raizner Katharina , Wlaschek Meinhard , Brenneisen Peter , Gethöffer Kerstin , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin
Published: January 2017

UVA‐1 is a known promotor of skin ageing. Cytokines like IL‐1α, Il‐1β or TNF‐α, VEGF and IL‐6 orchestrate UV effects, and IL‐6 is furthermore an effector of UVA‐induced photoageing. We investigated how fractionated UVA‐1 doses influence the cytokine milieu and especially the IL‐6 levels in the skin in vivo. In a study with 35 participants, we exposed previously unirradiated human skin to three UVA‐1 irradiation regimes. Cytokine levels in interstitial skin fluid were measured up to 48 hours postexposure and compared to unirradiated control skin fluid. Our results show that IL‐6 levels increased significantly after UVA‐1 exposure at selected time points. The other candidates IL‐1α, Il‐1β or TNF‐α and VEGF show no significant response after UVA‐1 exposure in vivo. UVA‐1 thus raises selectively IL‐6 levels in vivo, a fact that underlines its role in photoageing and has potential implications for its modulatory effect on photoageing pathology.
Loss of FAS/FASL signalling does not reduce apoptosis in Sharpin null mice
Authors: Potter Christopher S. , Silva Kathleen A. , Kennedy Victoria E. , Stearns Timothy M. , HogenEsch Harm , Sundberg John P.
Published: January 2017

Mice with mutations in SHANK‐associated RH domain interactor (Sharpin) develop a hypereosinophilic auto‐inflammatory disease known as chronic proliferative dermatitis. Affected mice have increased apoptosis in the keratinocytes of the skin, oesophagus and forestomach driven by extrinsic TNF receptor‐mediated apoptotic signalling pathways. FAS receptor signalling is an extrinsic apoptotic signalling mechanism frequently involved in inflammatory skin diseases. Compound mutations in Sharpin and Fas or Fasl were created to determine whether these death domain proteins influenced the cutaneous phenotype in Sharpin null mice. Both Sharpin/Fas and Sharpin/Fasl compound mutant mice developed an auto‐inflammatory phenotype similar to that seen in Sharpin null mice, indicating that initiation of apoptosis by FAS signalling is likely not involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Collapse of human scalp microbiome network in dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis
Authors: Park Taehun , Kim Hye‐Jin , Myeong Nu Ri , Lee Hyun Gee , Kwack Ilyoung , Lee Johnhwan , Kim Beom Joon , Sul Woo Jun , An Susun
Published: January 2017

We investigate the relationship between scalp microbiota and dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis (D/SD), an unpleasant scalp disorder common in human populations. Bacterial and fungal community analyses on scalp of 102 Korean were performed by next‐generation sequencing. Overall scalp microbiome composition significantly differed between normal and disease groups, and especially co‐occurrence network of dominant members was breakdown in disease groups. These findings will provide novel insights into shifts of microbial community relevant to D/SD.
The parathyroid hormone family member TIP39 interacts with sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ ATPase activity by influencing calcium homoeostasis
Authors: Sato Emi , Williams Michael R. , Sanford James A. , Sen George L. , Nakama Takekuni , Imafuku Shinichi , Gallo Richard L.
Published: January 2017

Darier disease (DD) is a genetic skin disease that is associated with mutations in the ATP2A2 gene encoding the type 2 sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+‐ ATPase (SERCA2). Mutations of this gene result in alterations of calcium homoeostasis, abnormal epidermal adhesion and dyskeratosis. Silencing of ATP2A2 in monolayer cell culture of keratinocytes reduces desmoplakin expression at the borders of cells and impacts cell adhesion. Here, we report establishment of a three‐dimensional (3D) epidermal model of DD and use this model to evaluate peptide therapy with tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) to normalize calcium transport. Gene silencing of ATP2A2 in keratinocytes grown in a 3D model resulted in dyskeratosis, partial parakeratosis and suprabasal clefts that resembled the histological changes seen in skin biopsies from patients with DD. TIP39, a peptide recently identified as a regulator of keratinocyte calcium transport, was then applied to this ATP2A2‐silenced 3D epidermal model. In normal keratinocytes, TIP39 increased [Ca2+]i through the inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptor pathway and stimulated differentiation. In monolayer ATP2A2‐silenced keratinocytes, although TIP39 increased cytosolic calcium from the ER, the response was incomplete compared with its control. TIP39 was observed to reduce intercellular clefts of the gene‐silenced epidermal model but did not significantly upregulate keratinocyte differentiation genes such as keratin 10 and filaggrin. These findings indicate that TIP39 is a modulator of ER calcium signalling and may be used as a potential strategy for improving aspects of DD.
Intimate Partner Violence, Maternal Gatekeeping, and Child Conduct Problems
Authors: Zvara Bharathi J. , Roger Mills‐Koonce W. , Cox Martha ,   Family Life Project Key Contributors
Published: January 2017

We examined the mediating role of parenting behavior on the relationship between intimate partner violence and child conduct problems, as well as the moderating role of maternal gatekeeping to these associations. The sample (N = 395) is from a longitudinal study of rural poverty in the eastern United States exploring the ways in which child, family, and contextual factors shape child development over time. Study findings indicate that a father's harsh–intrusive parenting behavior may be a key mediating pathway linking intimate partner violence and child conduct problems. Study findings further provide evidence for problematic outcomes for children when mothers encourage fathers with high levels of harsh–intrusive parenting to interact with their children.
Renegotiating Nonresidential Father–Child Relationships During Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Feistman Richard , Jamison Tyler , Coleman Marilyn , Ganong Lawrence
Published: January 2017

Father–child relationships tend to decrease in quality and closeness following parental divorce, yet little is known about how these relationships evolve in response to normative developmental changes in children. We conducted a grounded theory study of how 33 emerging adults maintained or changed their relationships with their nonresidential fathers during the transition to adulthood. In‐depth interviews revealed that some father–child relationships were unchanged by divorce, but most became more distant immediately following parental separation. During emerging adulthood these relationships did not necessarily become closer, but communication often increased and stressful interactions decreased for some, especially when compared to childhood. The findings suggest that normative changes that accompany emerging adulthood (e.g., leaving home, gaining new insight about themselves and their families) may facilitate renewed connections between previously distant nonresidential fathers and children.
Management of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in the chronic kidney disease population—A review of the current literature
Authors: Lingel Justin M. , Srivastava Mukta C. , Gupta Anuj
Published: January 2017

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a large contributor to morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) population. Due to the fact that many large‐scale trials evaluating management for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and CAD have excluded patients with CKD, there is a paucity of data investigating medical management of CAD and revascularization strategies of these patients. Further, while there have been many advances in the treatment for ACS and CAD, both medically and technologically, few studies have focused on the CKD population and many predate these advancements in management. Newer studies that include CKD patients have shown heterogeneity in various outcomes, making management decisions challenging. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic significance of ACS and CAD in patients with CKD, discuss the diagnosis of ACS in this patient population, and review the therapeutic interventions in patients with CKD.
How does temperature influences the development of lactococcosis? Transcriptomic and immunoproteomic in vitro approaches
Authors: Castro R , Reguera‐Brito M , López‐Campos G H , Blanco M M , Aguado‐Urda M , Fernández‐Garayzábal J F , Gibello A
Published: January 2017

Lactococcus garvieae is the aetiological agent of lactococcosis, a haemorrhagic septicaemia that affects marine and freshwater fish, with special incidence and economic relevance in farmed rainbow trout. Water temperature is one of the most important predisposing factors in the development of lactococcosis outbreaks. Lactococcosis in trout usually occur when water temperatures rise to about 18 °C, while fish carriers remain asymptomatic at temperatures below 13 °C. The aim of this work was to analyse the differences in the complete transcriptome response of L. garvieae grown at 18 °C and at 13 °C and to identify the immunogenic proteins expressed by this bacterium at 18 °C. Our results show that water temperature influences the expression of L. garvieae genes involved in the lysis of part of the bacterial cell population and in the cold response bacterial adaptation. Moreover, the surface immunogenic protein profile at 18 °C suggests an important role of the lysozyme‐like enzyme, WxL surface proteins and some putative moonlighting proteins (proteins with more than one function, usually associated with different cellular locations) as virulence factors in L. garvieae. The results of this study could provide insights into the understanding of the virulence mechanisms of L. garvieae in fish.
Hypothalamus Specific Re‐Introduction of SNORD116 into Otherwise Snord116 Deficient Mice Increased Energy Expenditure
Authors: Qi Y. , Purtell L. , Fu M. , Zhang L. , Zolotukhin S. , Campbell L. , Herzog H.
Published: January 2017

The Snord116 gene cluster has been recognised as a critical contributor to the Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), with mice lacking Snord116 displaying many classical PWS phenotypes, including low postnatal body weight, reduced bone mass and increased food intake. However, these mice do not develop obesity as a result of increased energy expenditure. To understand the physiological function of SNORD116 better and potentially rescue the altered metabolism of Snord116−/− mice, we used an adeno‐associated viral (AAV) approach to reintroduce the product of the Snord116 gene into the hypothalamus in Snord116−/− mice at different ages. The results obtained show that mid‐hypothalamic re‐introduction of SNORD116 in 6‐week‐old Snord116−/− mice leads to significantly reduced body weight and weight gain, which is associated with elevated energy expenditure. Importantly, when the intervention targets other areas such as the anterior region of the hypothalamus or the reintroduction occurs in older mice, the positive effects on energy expenditure are diminished. These data indicate that the metabolic symptoms of PWS develop gradually and the Snord116 gene plays a critical role during this process. Furthermore, when we investigated the consequences of SNORD116 re‐introduction under conditions of thermoneutrality where the mild cold stress influences are avoided, we also observed a significant increase in energy expenditure. In conclusion, the rescue of mid‐hypothalamic Snord116 deficiency in young Snord116 germline deletion mice increases energy expenditure, providing fundamental information contributing to potential virus‐mediated genetic therapy in PWS.
Palatal morphology changes in post‐stroke patients measured by geometric morphometrics
Authors: Huanca Ghislanzoni L. , Leemann B. , Christou P. , Müller F. , Schimmel M. , Kiliaridis S.
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to describe longitudinal palatal shape changes in post‐stroke patients when compared to a sample of healthy subjects through linear measurements and geometric morphometrics. The 3D palatal scanned models of seven stroke patients having a 1‐year post‐stroke follow‐up were matched with seven control subjects of the same age group (range 50–87 years). Intercanine, intermolar distances and palatal height were measured. 3D images were also analysed through geometric morphometrics to assess changes in the shape of the palate from T0 to T1 (1 year after the stroke). Principal component analysis was used to describe shape morphology changes, and visual colour maps were used to qualitatively assess differences between T0 and T1. No changes were detected nor in linear measures neither in palatal shape in healthy subjects from T0 to T1. The palates of stroke patients showed no linear differences either. However, when visualising shape changes through colour maps, the lateral aspects of the palatal vault were slightly narrower in T1, with respect to T0 in stroke patients. This may be attributed to altered tongue function following the stroke.
Melatonin regulates lipid metabolism in porcine oocytes
Authors: Jin Jun‐Xue , Lee Sanghoon , Taweechaipaisankul Anukul , Kim Geon A. , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: January 2017

It is being increasingly recognized that the processes of lipogenesis and lipolysis are important for providing an essential energy source during oocyte maturation and embryo development. Recent studies demonstrated that melatonin has a role in lipid metabolism regulation, including lipogenesis, lipolysis, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of melatonin on lipid metabolism during porcine oocyte in vitro maturation. Melatonin treatment significantly enhanced the number of lipid droplets (LDs) and upregulated gene expression related to lipogenesis (ACACA, FASN, PPARγ, and SREBF1). Oocytes treated with melatonin formed smaller LDs and abundantly expressed several genes associated with lipolysis, including ATGL, CGI‐58, HSL, and PLIN2. Moreover, melatonin significantly increased the content of fatty acids, mitochondria, and ATP, as indicated by fluorescent staining. Concomitantly, melatonin treatment upregulated gene expression related to fatty acid β‐oxidation (CPT1a, CPT1b, CPT2, and ACADS) and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC‐1α, TFAM, and PRDX2). Overall, melatonin treatment not only altered both the morphology and amount of LDs, but also increased the content of fatty acids, mitochondria, and ATP. In addition, melatonin upregulated mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis, lipolysis, β‐oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis‐related genes in porcine oocytes. These results indicated that melatonin promoted lipid metabolism and thereby provided an essential energy source for oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development.
Use of Oncept melanoma vaccine in 69 canine oral malignant melanomas in the UK
Authors: Verganti S. , Berlato D. , Blackwood L. , Amores‐Fuster I. , Polton G. A. , Elders R. , Doyle R. , Taylor A. , Murphy S.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Oral malignant melanomas carry a poor‐to‐guarded prognosis because of their local invasiveness and high metastatic propensity. The Oncept melanoma vaccine is licensed to treat dogs with stage II or III locally‐controlled oral malignant melanoma and this retrospective study aimed to assess survival of affected dogs treated with the vaccine in the UK.

Material and Methods

Medical records of dogs with histopathologically‐confirmed oral malignant melanoma that received the vaccine as part of their treatment were evaluated. Survival analyses for potential prognostic factors were performed.

Results

Sixty‐nine dogs were included; 56 dogs, staged I to III, and with previous locoregional therapy, had a median survival time of 455 days (95% CI: 324 to 586 days). Based on Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis with associated log‐rank testing, no significant prognostic factors were identified for this population. Of the 13 patients with macroscopic disease treated with vaccine alone or in combination therapy, eight showed clinical response. Three patients with stage IV oral malignant melanoma survived 171, 178 and 288 days from diagnosis.

Clinical Significance

Patients treated with the melanoma vaccine in our study had survival times similar to their counterparts receiving the vaccine in the USA. There were observed responses in patients with macroscopic disease and so the vaccine could be considered as palliative treatment in dogs with stage IV disease.
Three decades of continuous wrist‐activity recording: analysis of sleep duration
Authors: Borbély Alexander A. , Rusterholz Thomas , Achermann Peter
Published: January 2017

Motor activity recording by a wrist‐worn device is a common method to monitor the rest–activity cycle. The first author wore an actimeter continuously for more than three decades, starting in 1982 at the age of 43.5 years. Until November 2006 analysis was performed on a 15‐min time base, and subsequently on a 2‐min time base. The timing of night‐time sleep was determined from the cessation and re‐occurrence of daytime‐level activity. Sleep duration declined from an initial 6.8 to 6 h in 2004. The declining trend was reversed upon retirement, whereas the variance of sleep duration declined throughout the recording period. Before retirement, a dominant 7‐day rhythm of sleep duration as well as an annual periodicity was revealed by spectral analysis. These variations were attenuated or vanished during the years after retirement. We demonstrate the feasibility of continuous long‐term motor activity recordings to study age‐related variations of the rest–activity cycle. Here we show that the embeddedness in a professional environment imparts a temporal structure to sleep duration.
Accretional and alterational differences in a carbonaceous chondrite parent body: Evidence from the NWA 5491 CV3 meteorite
Authors: Kereszturi A. , Gyollai I. , Jozsa S. , Kanuchova Z.
Published: January 2017

The NWA 5491 CV3 meteorite is a CVoxA subtype, and composed of two substantially different units (titled “upper” and “lower” units) in the cm size range with original accreted material and also subsequent alteration produced features. Based on the large chondrules in the “upper” unit and the small chondrules plus CAIs in the “lower” unit, they possibly accreted material from different parts of the solar nebula and/or at different times, whereas substantial changes happened in the nebula's composition. Differences are observed in the level of early fragmentation too, which was stronger in the upper units. During later alteration oxidizing fluids possibly circulated only in the upper unit, mechanical fragmentation and resorption were also stronger there. In the last phase of the geological history these two rock units came into physical contact, but impact‐driven shock effects were not observed. The characteristics of this meteorite provide evidence that the same parent body might accrete substantially different material and also the later processes could differ spatially in the parent body.
Fusaric acid contributes to virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on plant and mammalian hosts
Authors: López‐Díaz Cristina , Rahjoo Vahid , Sulyok Michael , Ghionna Veronica , Martín‐Vicente Adela , Capilla Javier , Di Pietro Antonio , López‐Berges Manuel S.
Published: January 2017

Fusaric acid (FA) is amongst the oldest identified secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium species, known for a long time to display strong phytotoxicity and moderate toxicity to animal cells; however, the cellular targets of FA and its function in fungal pathogenicity remain unknown. Here, we investigated the role of FA in Fusarium oxysporum, a soil‐borne cross‐kingdom pathogen that causes vascular wilt on more than 100 plant species and opportunistic infections in humans. Targeted deletion of fub1, encoding a predicted orthologue of the polyketide synthase involved in FA biosynthesis in F. verticillioides and F. fujikuroi, abolished the production of FA and its derivatives in F. oxysporum. We further showed that the expression of fub1 was positively controlled by the master regulator of secondary metabolism LaeA and the alkaline pH regulator PacC through the modulation of chromatin accessibility at the fub1 locus. FA exhibited strong phytotoxicity on tomato plants, which was rescued by the exogenous supply of copper, iron or zinc, suggesting a possible function of FA as a chelating agent of these metal ions. Importantly, the severity of vascular wilt symptoms on tomato plants and the mortality of immunosuppressed mice were significantly reduced in fub1Δ mutants and fully restored in the complemented strains. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the regulation and mode of action of FA, as well as on the function of this phytotoxin during the infection process of F. oxysporum.
Actor‐Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) and Voting Behavior: Methodology and Applications
Authors: Mancosu Moreno , Vezzoni Cristiano
Published: January 2017

Recently, the social sciences have witnessed a rising interest in dyadic design, as an efficient way to disentangle mechanisms of interpersonal influence. Despite the relevance of this design to political research, few efforts have been made to collect and efficiently analyze dyadic data. In this article, we suggest the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model as a useful tool to test bidirectional effects in dyadic data on political attitudes and behaviors. The model explicitly assumes that members of a dyad (reciprocally identified as actor and partner) involved in political communication are interdependent and influence each other. We apply the model to estimate the effect of partner's party identification on actor's vote choice, using 1996 Indianapolis–St. Louis dyadic data. Results show that partner's party identification is significantly associated with vote choice. Moreover, we show that influence between dyad members is moderated by their intimacy and that an increased difference in socioeconomic status between dyad members tips the balance of the effect in favor of the individual with more resources. Our conclusions point to the effectiveness of APIM in modeling interdependent asymmetric relations and call for increasing efforts in collecting dyadic data and in developing proper tools for their analysis.
Characterization of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici isolates derived from an unusual wheat stem rust outbreak in Germany in 2013
Authors: Olivera Firpo P. D. , Newcomb M. , Flath K. , Sommerfeldt‐Impe N. , Szabo L. J. , Carter M. , Luster D. G. , Jin Y.
Published: January 2017

An unusual stem rust infestation occurred in German wheat fields in summer 2013. This study analysed 48 isolates derived from 17 Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) samples and six races were identified: TKTTF, TKKTF, TKPTF, TKKTP, PKPTF and MMMTF. Infection type and genotypic data confirmed that none of these races belonged to the TTKS (Ug99) race group. German isolates of race TKTTF are phenotypically different to the ones responsible for the stem rust epidemic in Ethiopia in 2013–2014. Forty isolates were genotyped using a custom SNP array. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 40 isolates represented two distinct lineages (clade IV and clade V). Thirty‐eight isolates clustered into clade IV, which previously was defined by Ethiopian isolates of race TKTTF. Race TKKTP is of special concern due to its combined virulence to stem rust resistance genes Sr24, SrTmp and Sr1RSAmigo. The vulnerability to race TKKTP in US and international winter wheat was confirmed as 55% of North American and international cultivars and breeding lines resistant to race TTKSK (Ug99) became susceptible to TKKTP. Races identified in Germany in 2013 confirmed the presence of virulence to important resistance genes that are effective against race TTKSK. This information should be useful for breeders to select diverse and effective resistance genes in order to provide more durable stem rust resistance and reduce the use of fungicides.
Seasonality of pathogens causing community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Cilloniz Catia , Ewig Santiago , Gabarrus Albert , Ferrer Miquel , Puig de la Bella Casa Jorge , Mensa Josep , Torres Antoni
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Seasonal distribution of microbial aetiology in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) may add important information both for epidemiologists and clinicians. We investigate the seasonal distribution of microbial aetiology in CAP.

Methods

This prospective observational study was carried out in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain (January 2003–December 2014).

Results

We studied 4431 patients with CAP, of whom 2689 (61%) were males. Microbial aetiology was identified in 1756 patients (40%). CAP was most frequent in winter (34%) but two‐third of patients with CAP presented in other seasons. Seasonal variations included Streptococcus pneumoniae (winter 21% vs spring 17% vs summer 14% vs autumn 13%, overall P < 0.001). Influenza viruses were most prevalent in autumn (6%) and winter (5%) compared with spring (3%) and summer (1%) (overall P < 0.001). Legionella pneumophila was most frequent in autumn (4%) and summer (4%) compared with spring (2%) and winter (1%) (overall P < 0.001). Incidence of polymicrobial pneumonia also differed between seasons (winter 7% vs spring 5% vs summer 3% vs autumn 6%, overall P = 0.001). We observed a significant correlation between the lowest seasonal average temperature and polymicrobial pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia, and influenza viruses; conversely, L. pneumophila was more common when temperatures were higher.

Conclusion

CAP should not be regarded as a seasonal disease but occurs throughout all seasons. However, S. pneumoniae, influenza viruses, polymicrobial pneumonia and L. pneumophila are clearly subject to seasonal variations.
A Practical Approach to Address Uncertainty in Stakeholder Deliberations
Authors: Gregory Robin , Keeney Ralph L.
Published: January 2017

This article addresses the difficulties of incorporating uncertainty about consequence estimates as part of stakeholder deliberations involving multiple alternatives. Although every prediction of future consequences necessarily involves uncertainty, a large gap exists between common practices for addressing uncertainty in stakeholder deliberations and the procedures of prescriptive decision‐aiding models advanced by risk and decision analysts. We review the treatment of uncertainty at four main phases of the deliberative process: with experts asked to describe possible consequences of competing alternatives, with stakeholders who function both as individuals and as members of coalitions, with the stakeholder committee composed of all stakeholders, and with decisionmakers. We develop and recommend a model that uses certainty equivalents as a theoretically robust and practical approach for helping diverse stakeholders to incorporate uncertainties when evaluating multiple‐objective alternatives as part of public policy decisions.
Review of Regulatory Emphasis on Transportation Safety in the United States, 2002–2009: Public versus Private Modes
Authors: Waycaster Garrett C. , Matsumura Taiki , Bilotkach Volodymyr , Haftka Raphael T. , Kim Nam H.
Published: January 2017

The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for implementing new safety improvements and regulations with the goal of ensuring limited funds are distributed to where they can have the greatest impact on safety. In this work, we conduct a study of new regulations and other reactions (such as recalls) to fatal accidents in several different modes of transportation implemented from 2002 to 2009. We find that in the safest modes of commercial aviation and bus transport, the amount of spending on new regulations is high in relation to the number of fatalities compared to the regulatory attention received by less safe modes of general aviation and private automobiles. Additionally, we study two major fatal accident investigations from commercial aviation and two major automotive recalls associated with fatal accidents. We find differences in the cost per expected fatality prevented for these reactions, with the airline accident investigations being more cost effective. Overall, we observe trends in both the automotive and aviation sectors that suggest that public transportation receives more regulatory attention than private transport. We also observe that the types of safety remedies utilized, regulation versus investigation, have varying levels of effectiveness in different transport modes. We suggest that these differences are indicative of increased public demand for safety in modes where a third party may be held responsible, even for those not participating in the transportation. These findings have important implications for the transportation industry, policymakers, and for estimating the public demand for safety in new transport modes.
A Critical Discussion and Practical Recommendations on Some Issues Relevant to the Nonprobabilistic Treatment of Uncertainty in Engineering Risk Assessment
Authors: Pedroni Nicola , Zio Enrico , Pasanisi Alberto , Couplet Mathieu
Published: January 2017

Models for the assessment of the risk of complex engineering systems are affected by uncertainties due to the randomness of several phenomena involved and the incomplete knowledge about some of the characteristics of the system. The objective of this article is to provide operative guidelines to handle some conceptual and technical issues related to the treatment of uncertainty in risk assessment for engineering practice. In particular, the following issues are addressed: (1) quantitative modeling and representation of uncertainty coherently with the information available on the system of interest; (2) propagation of the uncertainty from the input(s) to the output(s) of the system model; (3) (Bayesian) updating as new information on the system becomes available; and (4) modeling and representation of dependences among the input variables and parameters of the system model. Different approaches and methods are recommended for efficiently tackling each of issues (1)‒(4) above; the tools considered are derived from both classical probability theory as well as alternative, nonfully probabilistic uncertainty representation frameworks (e.g., possibility theory). The recommendations drawn are supported by the results obtained in illustrative applications of literature.
Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability to Spatially Localized Failures with Applications to Chinese Railway System
Authors: Ouyang Min , Tian Hui , Wang Zhenghua , Hong Liu , Mao Zijun
Published: January 2017

This article studies a general type of initiating events in critical infrastructures, called spatially localized failures (SLFs), which are defined as the failure of a set of infrastructure components distributed in a spatially localized area due to damage sustained, while other components outside the area do not directly fail. These failures can be regarded as a special type of intentional attack, such as bomb or explosive assault, or a generalized modeling of the impact of localized natural hazards on large‐scale systems. This article introduces three SLFs models: node centered SLFs, district‐based SLFs, and circle‐shaped SLFs, and proposes a SLFs‐induced vulnerability analysis method from three aspects: identification of critical locations, comparisons of infrastructure vulnerability to random failures, topologically localized failures and SLFs, and quantification of infrastructure information value. The proposed SLFs‐induced vulnerability analysis method is finally applied to the Chinese railway system and can be also easily adapted to analyze other critical infrastructures for valuable protection suggestions.
Evaluating the Cost, Safety, and Proliferation Risks of Small Floating Nuclear Reactors
Authors: Ford Michael J. , Abdulla Ahmed , Morgan M. Granger
Published: January 2017

It is hard to see how our energy system can be decarbonized if the world abandons nuclear power, but equally hard to introduce the technology in nonnuclear energy states. This is especially true in countries with limited technical, institutional, and regulatory capabilities, where safety and proliferation concerns are acute. Given the need to achieve serious emissions mitigation by mid‐century, and the multidecadal effort required to develop robust nuclear governance institutions, we must look to other models that might facilitate nuclear plant deployment while mitigating the technology's risks. One such deployment paradigm is the build‐own‐operate‐return model.

Because returning small land‐based reactors containing spent fuel is infeasible, we evaluate the cost, safety, and proliferation risks of a system in which small modular reactors are manufactured in a factory, and then deployed to a customer nation on a floating platform. This floating small modular reactor would be owned and operated by a single entity and returned unopened to the developed state for refueling. We developed a decision model that allows for a comparison of floating and land‐based alternatives considering key International Atomic Energy Agency plant‐siting criteria. Abandoning onsite refueling is beneficial, and floating reactors built in a central facility can potentially reduce the risk of cost overruns and the consequences of accidents. However, if the floating platform must be built to military‐grade specifications, then the cost would be much higher than a land‐based system. The analysis tool presented is flexible, and can assist planners in determining the scope of risks and uncertainty associated with different deployment options.
Rent‐Sharing and Workers' Bargaining Power: An Empirical Cross‐Country/ Cross‐Industry Panel Analysis
Authors: Askenazy Philippe , Cette Gilbert , Maarek Paul
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we study how rents are shared between capital and labour, using industry‐level panel data for 19 OECD countries from 1988 through to 2007. The first step is an explanation of the rent‐creation process. We provide evidence of a significant impact of regulation on value‐added prices at the industry level relative to the value‐added price for the overall economy (rent). In the second step, we dissect the value‐added sharing process. By running ordinary least‐squares and instrumental variables estimations, we obtain results that confirm the Blanchard–Giavazzi prediction: the impact of rents on the capital share depends on workers' bargaining power.
Facilitating Consumer Learning in Insurance Markets: What Are the Welfare Effects?
Authors: Lagerlöf Johan N. M. , Schottmüller Christoph
Published: January 2017

We model a monopoly insurance market in which consumers can learn their accident risks at a cost c. We then examine the welfare effects of a policy that reduces c. If c is sufficiently small (c < c*), the optimal contract is such that the consumer gathers information. For c < c*, both the insurer and the consumer benefit from a policy that reduces c further. For c  >  c*, marginally reducing c hurts the insurer and weakly benefits the consumer. Finally, a reduction in c that is successful, meaning that the consumer gathers information after the reduction but not before it, can hurt both parties.
Formation of square lattices in coupled pattern-forming systems
Authors: Strickland Christopher , Pearson Daniel A. , Shipman Patrick D.
Published: January 2017

A wide variety of natural and labo-ratory systems can produce patterns of ripples, hexagons, or squares. The formation of stable square patterns from partial differential equation models requires specific cubic nonlinearities involving higher-order derivatives. Motivated by plant phyllotaxis, we demonstrate that the coupling of more than one pattern-forming system can produce square patterns without these special nonlinearities.
Subjective perceptual organization of a complex auditory scene
Authors: Thomassen Sabine , Bendixen Alexandra
Published: January 2017

Empirical research on the sequential decomposition of an auditory scene primarily relies on interleaved sound mixtures of only two tone sequences (e.g., ABAB…). This oversimplifies the sound decomposition problem by limiting the number of putative perceptual organizations. The current study used a sound mixture composed of three different tones (ABCABC…) that could be perceptually organized in many different ways. Participants listened to these sequences and reported their subjective perception by continuously choosing one out of 12 visually presented perceptual organization alternatives. Different levels of frequency and spatial separation were implemented to check whether participants' perceptual reports would be systematic and plausible. As hypothesized, while perception switched back and forth in each condition between various perceptual alternatives (multistability), spatial as well as frequency separation generally raised the proportion of segregated and reduced the proportion of integrated alternatives. During segregated percepts, in contrast to the hypothesis, many participants had a tendency to perceive two streams in the foreground, rather than reporting alternatives with a clear foreground-background differentiation. Finally, participants perceived the organization with intermediate feature values (e.g., middle tones of the pattern) segregated in the foreground slightly less often than similar alternatives with outer feature values (e.g., higher tones).
Fractional biharmonic operator equation model for arbitrary frequency-dependent scattering attenuation in acoustic wave propagation
Authors: Chen Wen , Fang Jun , Pang Guofei , Holm Sverre
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes a fractional biharmonic operator equation model in the time-space domain to describe scattering attenuation of acoustic waves in heterogeneous media. Compared with the existing models, the proposed fractional model is able to describe arbitrary frequency-dependent scattering attenuation, which typically obeys an empirical power law with an exponent ranging from 0 to 4. In stark contrast to an extensive and rapidly increasing application of the fractional derivative models for wave absorption attenuation in the literature, little has been reported on frequency-dependent scattering attenuation. This is largely because the order of the fractional Laplacian is from 0 to 2 and is infeasible for scattering attenuation. In this study, the definition of the fractional biharmonic operator in space with an order varying from 0 to 4 is proposed, as well as a fractional biharmonic operator equation model of scattering attenuation which is consistent with arbitrary frequency power-law dependency and obeys the causal relation under the smallness approximation. Finally, the correlation between the fractional order and the ratio of wavelength to the diameter of the scattering heterogeneity is investigated and an expression on exponential form is also provided.
“I Love Twitter”: A Case Study Exploring Local Sports Broadcasters’ Impressions of Twitter
Authors: Hull Kevin
Published: January 2017

The daily routine of local sports broadcasters is as busy as it has ever been, as they are expected to anchor the evening sportscast, write stories, film games, and update the station Web site. Twitter has added yet another duty to their job, but they do not seem to mind this assignment. In a survey of local sports broadcasters throughout the U.S., over 90% of those who responded to the survey said they either “liked” or “loved” Twitter. In addition, more than 80% of respondents said that they did not consider using Twitter at work to be a burden. Implications regarding extra-role behaviors and work engagement are discussed.
Self-Presentation of Female Athletes: A Content Analysis of Athlete Avatars
Authors: Shreffler Megan B. , Hancock Meg G. , Schmidt Samuel H.
Published: January 2017

Unlike traditional media, which frames female athletes in sexualized manners and in socially accepted roles such as mothers and girlfriends, user-controlled social-media Web sites allow female athletes to control the image and brand they wish to portray to the public. Using Goffman’s theory of self-presentation, the current study aimed to investigate how female athletes were portraying themselves via their Twitter avatar pictures. A total of 207 verified Twitter avatars of female athletes from 6 sports were examined through a content analysis. The avatars from each player were coded using the following themes: athlete as social being, athlete as promotional figure, “selfie,” athletic competence, ambivalence, “girl next door,” and “sexy babe.” The results revealed that athletic competence was the most common theme, followed by selfie and athlete as social being. Thus, when women have the opportunity to control their image through social media they choose to focus on their athletic identities.
The Influence of Blood Removal on Pacing During a 4-Minute Cycling Time Trial
Authors: Lawler Nathan G. , Abbiss Chris R. , Raman Aaron , Fairchild Timothy J. , Maker Garth L. , Trengove Robert D. , Peiffer Jeremiah J.
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To examine the influence of manipulating aerobic contribution after whole-blood removal on pacing patterns, performance, and energy contribution during self-paced middle-distance cycling.

Methods:

Seven male cyclists (33 ± 8 y) completed an incremental cycling test followed 20 min later by a 4-min self-paced cycling time trial (4MMP) on 6 separate occasions over 42 d. The initial 2 sessions acted as familiarization and baseline testing, after which 470 mL of blood was removed, with the remaining sessions performed 24 h, 7 d, 21 d, and 42 d after blood removal. During all 4MMP trials, power output, oxygen uptake, and aerobic and anaerobic contribution to power were determined.

Results:

4MMP average power output significantly decreased by 7% ± 6%, 6% ± 8%, and 4% ± 6% at 24 h, 7 d, and 21 d after blood removal, respectively. Compared with baseline, aerobic contribution during the 4MMP was significantly reduced by 5% ± 4%, 4% ± 5%, and 4% ± 10% at 24 h, 7 d, and 21 d, respectively. The rate of decline in power output on commencement of the 4MMP was significantly attenuated and was 76% ± 20%, 72% ± 24%, and 75% ± 35% lower than baseline at 24 h, 21 d, and 42 d, respectively.

Conclusion:

Removal of 470 mL of blood reduces aerobic energy contribution, alters pacing patterns, and decreases performance during self-paced cycling. These findings indicate the importance of aerobic energy distribution during self-paced middle-distance events.