bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer perspective of omnichannel commerce
Authors: Kaczorowska-Spychalska Dominika
Published: December 2017

The evolution of hypermedia space and growing saturation of the market with mobile devices, an increasing role of Big Data, which allow for multidimensional analysis of data from offline and online markets, growing popularization of solutions of Market Intelligence supported by Cloud Computing technology as well as development of potential and opportunities of adapting the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in commerce cause that customers and their experience become a major point of activity of companies/brands. Shopping experience of a buyer is an effect of multiple and multidimensional contacts, often conducted simultaneously in many channels and in the real time. It forces an increasingly growing number of challenges that companies/brands are presented with if they want to optimize a space of customer journey and have to ensure continuity, coherence and complexity of experiences for their customers. Searching or creating these benefits that customers expect and their constant development becomes a prerequisite in this situation so that variety of positive experiences resulting in customer satisfaction and happiness could be guaranteed.

The paper is an attempt to verify the essence of omnichannel commerce from the consumer’s perspective. The author discusses a problem of omnichannel model while taking into consideration some elements that can influence building and intensification of buyers’ experiences and behavior in various channels of commerce. The discussion is supported with the results of own studies in that area.
Environmental conditions strongly affect brain plasticity
Authors: Löwel Siegrid , Kalogeraki Evgenia , Dehmel Susanne , Makowiecki Kalina
Published: December 2017

During development, experience continuously interacts with genetic information to shape and optimize neuronal circuits and behaviour. Therefore, environmental conditions have a powerful impact on the brain. To date, accumulating evidence shows that raising animals in a so-called “enriched environment” elicits remarkable effects on the brain across molecular, anatomical, and functional levels when compared to animals raised in a “standard cage” environment. In our article, we provide a brief review of the field and illustrate the different results of “enriched” versus standard cage-raised rodents with examples from visual system plasticity. We also briefly discuss parallel studies of enrichment effects in humans. Collectively, these data highlight that results should always be considered in the context of the animals’ environment.
PR, Lobbyism and Democracy
Authors: Blach-Ørsten Mark , Willig Ida , Pedersen Leif Hemming
Published: December 2017

The growth of PR in Scandinavia is linked both to the mediatisation of politics and to the decline of corporatism. Studies in Sweden and Norway suggest that one consequence of these changes is the increasing number of politicians who find new careers as lobbyists in the private sector. In this study, we have constructed a data set of all members of the Danish Parliament who have left politics from 1981 to 2015 (n = 613) and identified the number and type of job positions they have taken up subsequently (n = 1,094). We find that, especially from the 1990s, we can register revolving door activity. Still, 89 per cent of all the registered job positions fall outside of lobbyism. 11 per cent of the job positions fall within the wider field associated with the emerging field of policy professionals (including lobbyism), while lobbyism on its own accounts for two per cent of the job positions.
Bathymetric distribution of macroinvertebrates in the Northeastern Levantine Sea and the Northeastern Aegean Sea based on bottom-trawl surveys
Authors: Gönülal Onur , Dalyan Cem
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to compare the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate species between the Northeastern Levantine Sea and the Northeastern Aegean Sea. A total of 157 hauls were carried out by commercial trawlers at depths ranging from 30 to 410 m in both areas. The result of SIMPER analysis shows clear differences between the two surveyed areas except for the 300-410 m depth range. Ninety five species were found in the Northeastern Aegean Sea and 100 species in the Northeastern Levantine Sea. Of these species, Pyrosoma atlanticum is newly reported for the Turkish coast. Forty three species were common to both areas.
Innovation Leaders, Modest Innovators and Non-innovative SMEs in Slovakia: Key Factors and Barriers of Innovation Activity
Authors: Lesáková Ľubica , Gundová Petra , Kráľ Pavol , Ondrušová Andrea
Published: December 2017

Background and Purpose:The field of innovation represents for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a fundamental challenge. If the number of innovative SMEs is to rise, it is necessary to identify key factors determining their innovation activity and eliminate the innovation barriers. The main purpose of the paper is to present the results of primary research focused on identification (evaluation) of key factors and barriers determining innovation activities in Slovak SMEs. The division of SMEs into three groups of enterprises: innovation leaders, modest innovators and non-innovators enables to identify the differences in managers’ perception of the main factors and barriers determining innovation activities in various types of SMEs and to formulate policy implications for Slovak SMEs.

Design/Methodology/Approach:Results of the empirical research were processed using MS Excel and the statistical analysis of the data in R3.2.4. statistical system was done. For statistical tests we assumed significance level (α = 0.1).

Results:Evaluating the importance of the key factors a majority of enterprises (64.71%) indicated financial resources as the most important factor for the innovations. There is no statistically significant difference in individual (analysed) factors between innovation leaders, non-innovators and innovation followers (modest innovators). The results gained from Fisher exact test (p-value = 0.11) indicated a small difference in evaluating the significance of individual barriers between innovation leaders, non-innovators and modest innovators. Majority of enterprises also see as the main barriers to develop innovation activities bureaucracy and corruption and inappropriate state support of innovation activities.

Conclusion:The main implications (conclusion) coming from the research are basic recommendations for state policy makers as well as SME’s managers to foster innovation activities in enterprises. They refer to the areas of financial resources, high-quality human resources, cooperation and participation of SMEs in different networks and clusters, systematic institutional support to SMEs, well-created vision and clearly formulated aims, and willingness of enterprises to innovate. Recommendations are summarised following the results of factor’s and barrier’s evaluation.
Effect of forest fire on changes in the content of total and available forms of selected heavy metals and catalase activity in soil
Authors: Bartkowiak Agata , Lemanowicz Joanna
Published: December 2017

The aim of the paper was to assess the effect of forest fire on the content of total and available forms of zinc, copper, lead, nickel and cadmium, as well as the activity of catalase in soil. The study was performed directly (2012) and a year after the fire (2013). The fire had a significant effect on the content of those heavy metals in surface horizons, however, it did not result in their rapid growth. The concentrations of total forms of metals did not exceed the norms provided for in Regulation of the Polish Minister of the Environment. The soil samples analysed can be considered unpolluted with those metals. The availability coefficients calculated showed an unfavourable higher availability of lead and cadmium over zinc and copper. The statistical analysis showed a significant effect of fire on the activity of catalase. Resistance of soil (RS) for catalase demonstrated lower values in the year 2012 as compared with 2013 (except for B soil). The calculated values of time index (TI) pointed to the activation of the enzyme a year after the fire. The Ward clustering method facilitated determining similarities between the sites in two research years (2012 and 2013) with the selected soil parameters. With the PCA method a negative effect of fire was identified.
Resveratrol induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma cells
Authors: Batirel Saime , Altundag Ergul Mutlu , Toplayici Selina , Corek Ceyda , Batirel Hasan Fevzi
Published: December 2017

Background

Resveratrol is a natural anti-carcinogenic polyphenol. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on epithelioid MPM.

Material and methods

Human epithelioid MPM cell line (NCI-H2452) was exposed to resveratrol (5–200 μM) for 24 or 48 h. Cell viability was assessed by WST-1 assay. Flow cytometry analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, cyclin D1 and p53. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using H2DCFDA.

Results

Resveratrol reduced cell viability of the cells in a concentration and time dependent manner. After treatment, the cells accumulated in G0/G1 phase and the percentage of cells in G2/M phase was reduced. Resveratrol decreased cyclin D1 and increased p53 expression in cell lysates. Treated cells exhibited increased apoptotic activity. ROS were elevated with resveratrol treatment, but there was no change in the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, SOD-2 and glutathione peroxidase.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that resveratrol exhibits anti-cell viability effect on epithelioid MPM cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Resveratrol may become a potential therapeutic agent for epithelioid MPM.
Comparison of Resistance-Based Walking Cardiorespiratory Test to the Bruce Protocol
Authors: Hurt Christopher P. , Bamman Marcas M. , Naidu Avantika , Brown David A.
Published: December 2017

Hurt, CP, Bamman, M, Naidu, A, and Brown, DA. Comparison of resistance-based walking cardiorespiratory test to the Bruce Protocol. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3569–3576, 2020—Cardiorespiratory fitness is assessed through graded exercise tests that determine the maximum amount of sustained mechanical work that an individual can perform while also providing health- and fitness-related information. This article describes a novel method to perform graded exercise tests that use posteriorly directed resistive forces. The purpose of this investigation was to validate a novel resistance-based test (RBT) in comparison with a traditional speed- and incline-based test (SIBT) in a cohort of nonimpaired individuals. Twenty nonimpaired individuals, 8 men and 20 women age 28.4 ± 9.6, range 20–54 years old performed 2 maximal exercise tests. The SIBT used the Bruce Protocol and increased treadmill incline and speed every 3 minutes. The RBT used a robotic device interfaced with the treadmill that provided specified horizontal resistive forces at the center of mass calculated to match each Bruce Protocol stage while individuals walked at 1.1 m·s−1. Subjects obtained ∼3% higher maximum V̇o
2 measure using the speed- and incline-based method (dependent t-test p = 0.08). V̇o
2peaks between tests were strongly correlated (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). Peak values of secondary physiologic measures (i.e., max heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio) were within 3% between tests. We found a significant linear relationship between mass-specific work rate and measured V̇o
2 stage by stage for both tests, but no significant difference between each linear fit (p = 0.84). These data suggest that horizontal resistive forces, while walking on a treadmill, can be used to increase aerobic effort in a way that closely simulates work rates of the Bruce Protocol.
Changes in Player Activity Profiles After the 2015 FIH Rule Changes in Elite Women's Hockey
Authors: McMahon Gerard E. , Kennedy Rodney A.
Published: December 2017

McMahon, GE and Kennedy, RA. Changes in player activity profiles after the 2015 FIH rule changes in elite women's hockey. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3114–3122, 2019—The aim of this study was to compare the player activity profiles of elite international women's hockey players before (2014) and after (2015) the 2015 the International Hockey Federation (FIH) match rule changes at team and positional levels. The match activity profiles (n = 400) of 19 female hockey players (age 23 ± 4 years, mass 63.6 ± 5.5 kg, Vo
2max 57 ± 6 ml·kg−1·min−1 in 2014, 58 ± 6 ml·kg−1·min−1 in 2015) were recorded during competitive international matches in 2014 (match n = 12) and 2015 (match n = 13) using 10-Hz global positioning system units. The practical utility of an effect was only classified as substantial when there was a >75% likelihood that the ±90% confidence interval of the effect size (ES) was equal to or greater than the small (ES ± 0.2) reference value. Mean match time decreased by over 2 minutes from 71.72 ± 1.38 to 69.40 ± 4.72 minutes. There were increases at the team level in relative substitutions (SUB), relative distance (RD), high-speed running (HSR: 3.08–5.27 m·s−1), and surges (S), with a fall in low-speed running (LSR: 0–3.05 m·s−1) between 2014 and 2015. There were no changes in the between-position differences observed from 2014 to 2015. Within positions, there were relative increases in RD for all positions, HSR and S for midfield, and in SUB and S in forwards. The 2015 FIH rule changes seem to have increased the general intensity of international women's hockey. However, the different facets of physical performance did not change uniformly across team positions. Therefore, specific modifications to conditioning practices for each position may be warranted to more accurately reflect match demands.
Working Memory and Decision-Making in a Frontoparietal Circuit Model
Authors: Murray John D. , Jaramillo Jorge , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: December 2017

Working memory (WM) and decision-making (DM) are fundamental cognitive functions involving a distributed interacting network of brain areas, with the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) at the core. However, the shared and distinct roles of these areas and the nature of their coordination in cognitive function remain poorly understood. Biophysically based computational models of cortical circuits have provided insights into the mechanisms supporting these functions, yet they have primarily focused on the local microcircuit level, raising questions about the principles for distributed cognitive computation in multiregional networks. To examine these issues, we developed a distributed circuit model of two reciprocally interacting modules representing PPC and PFC circuits. The circuit architecture includes hierarchical differences in local recurrent structure and implements reciprocal long-range projections. This parsimonious model captures a range of behavioral and neuronal features of frontoparietal circuits across multiple WM and DM paradigms. In the context of WM, both areas exhibit persistent activity, but, in response to intervening distractors, PPC transiently encodes distractors while PFC filters distractors and supports WM robustness. With regard to DM, the PPC module generates graded representations of accumulated evidence supporting target selection, while the PFC module generates more categorical responses related to action or choice. These findings suggest computational principles for distributed, hierarchical processing in cortex during cognitive function and provide a framework for extension to multiregional models.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWorking memory and decision-making are fundamental “building blocks” of cognition, and deficits in these functions are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. These cognitive functions engage distributed networks with prefrontal cortex (PFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) at the core. It is not clear, however, what the contributions of PPC and PFC are in light of the computations that subserve working memory and decision-making. We constructed a biophysical model of a reciprocally connected frontoparietal circuit that revealed shared and distinct functions for the PFC and PPC across working memory and decision-making tasks. Our parsimonious model connects circuit-level properties to cognitive functions and suggests novel design principles beyond those of local circuits for cognitive processing in multiregional brain networks.
Multimodal Imaging in Rat Model Recapitulates Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers Abnormalities
Authors: Parent Maxime J. , Zimmer Eduardo R. , Shin Monica , Kang Min Su , Fonov Vladimir S. , Mathieu Axel , Aliaga Antonio , Kostikov Alexey , Do Carmo Sonia , Dea Doris , Poirier Judes , Soucy Jean-Paul , Gauthier Serge , Cuello A. Claudio , Rosa-Neto Pedro
Published: December 2017

Imaging biomarkers are frequently proposed as endpoints for clinical trials targeting brain amyloidosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the specific impact of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation on biomarker abnormalities remains elusive in AD. Using the McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rat as a model of selective Aβ pathology, we characterized the longitudinal progression of abnormalities in biomarkers commonly used in AD research. Middle-aged (9–11 months) transgenic animals (both male and female) displayed mild spatial memory impairments and disrupted cingulate network connectivity measured by resting-state fMRI, even in the absence of hypometabolism (measured with PET [18F]FDG) or detectable fibrillary amyloidosis (measured with PET [18F]NAV4694). At more advanced ages (16–19 months), cognitive deficits progressed in conjunction with resting connectivity abnormalities; furthermore, hypometabolism, Aβ plaque accumulation, reduction of CSF Aβ1-42concentrations, and hippocampal atrophy (structural MRI) were detectable at this stage. The present results emphasize the early impact of Aβ on brain connectivity and support a framework in which persistent Aβ aggregation itself is sufficient to impose memory circuits dysfunction, which propagates to adjacent brain networks at later stages.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe present study proposes a “back translation” of the Alzheimer pathological cascade concept from human to animals. We used the same set of Alzheimer imaging biomarkers typically used in large human cohorts and assessed their progression over time in a transgenic rat model, which allows for a finer spatial resolution not attainable with mice. Using this translational platform, we demonstrated that amyloid-β pathology recapitulates an Alzheimer-like profile of biomarker abnormalities even in the absence of other hallmarks of the disease such as neurofibrillary tangles and widespread neuronal losses.
Extensive Tonotopic Mapping across Auditory Cortex Is Recapitulated by Spectrally Directed Attention and Systematically Related to Cortical Myeloarchitecture
Authors: Dick Frederic K. , Lehet Matt I. , Callaghan Martina F. , Keller Tim A. , Sereno Martin I. , Holt Lori L.
Published: December 2017

Auditory selective attention is vital in natural soundscapes. But it is unclear how attentional focus on the primary dimension of auditory representation—acoustic frequency—might modulate basic auditory functional topography during active listening. In contrast to visual selective attention, which is supported by motor-mediated optimization of input across saccades and pupil dilation, the primate auditory system has fewer means of differentially sampling the world. This makes spectrally-directed endogenous attention a particularly crucial aspect of auditory attention. Using a novel functional paradigm combined with quantitative MRI, we establish in male and female listeners that human frequency-band-selective attention drives activation in both myeloarchitectonically estimated auditory core, and across the majority of tonotopically mapped nonprimary auditory cortex. The attentionally driven best-frequency maps show strong concordance with sensory-driven maps in the same subjects across much of the temporal plane, with poor concordance in areas outside traditional auditory cortex. There is significantly greater activation across most of auditory cortex when best frequency is attended, versus ignored; the same regions do not show this enhancement when attending to the least-preferred frequency band. Finally, the results demonstrate that there is spatial correspondence between the degree of myelination and the strength of the tonotopic signal across a number of regions in auditory cortex. Strong frequency preferences across tonotopically mapped auditory cortex spatially correlate with R1-estimated myeloarchitecture, indicating shared functional and anatomical organization that may underlie intrinsic auditory regionalization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPerception is an active process, especially sensitive to attentional state. Listeners direct auditory attention to track a violin's melody within an ensemble performance, or to follow a voice in a crowded cafe. Although diverse pathologies reduce quality of life by impacting such spectrally directed auditory attention, its neurobiological bases are unclear. We demonstrate that human primary and nonprimary auditory cortical activation is modulated by spectrally directed attention in a manner that recapitulates its tonotopic sensory organization. Further, the graded activation profiles evoked by single-frequency bands are correlated with attentionally driven activation when these bands are presented in complex soundscapes. Finally, we observe a strong concordance in the degree of cortical myelination and the strength of tonotopic activation across several auditory cortical regions.
Activation of γ-Secretase Trimming Activity by Topological Changes of Transmembrane Domain 1 of Presenilin 1
Authors: Cai Tetsuo , Yonaga Masahiro , Tomita Taisuke
Published: December 2017

γ-Secretase is an intramembrane cleaving protease that is responsible for the generation of amyloid-β peptides, which are linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Recently, γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) have been shown to specifically decrease production of the aggregation-prone and toxic longer Aβ species, and concomitantly increase the levels of shorter Aβ. We previously found that phenylimidazole-type GSMs bind to presenilin 1 (PS1), the catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase, and allosterically modulate γ-secretase activity. However, the precise conformational alterations in PS1 remained unclear. Here we mapped the amino acid residues in PS1 that is crucial for the binding and pharmacological actions of E2012, a phenylimidazole-type GSM, using photoaffinity labeling and the substituted cysteine accessibility method. We also demonstrated that a piston-like vertical motion of transmembrane domain (TMD) 1 occurs during modulation of Aβ production. Taking these results together, we propose a model for the molecular mechanism of phenylimidazole-type GSMs, in which the trimming activity of γ-secretase is modulated by the position of the TMD1 of PS1 in the lipid bilayer.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTReduction of the toxic longer amyloid-β peptide is one of the therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer disease. A subset of small compounds called γ-secretase modulators specifically decreases the longer amyloid-β production, although its mechanistic action remains unclear. Here we found that the modulator compound E2012 targets to the hydrophilic loop 1 of presenilin 1, which is a catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase. Moreover, E2012 triggers the piston movement of the transmembrane domain 1 of presenilin 1, which impacts on the γ-secretase activity. These results illuminate how γ-secretase modulators allosterically affect the proteolytic activity, and highlight the importance of the structural dynamics of presenilin 1 in the complexed process of the intramembrane cleavage.
Network Configurations in the Human Brain Reflect Choice Bias during Rapid Face Processing
Authors: Tu Tao , Schneck Noam , Muraskin Jordan , Sajda Paul
Published: December 2017

Network interactions are likely to be instrumental in processes underlying rapid perception and cognition. Specifically, high-level and perceptual regions must interact to balance pre-existing models of the environment with new incoming stimuli. Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and fMRI (EEG/fMRI) enables temporal characterization of brain–network interactions combined with improved anatomical localization of regional activity. In this paper, we use simultaneous EEG/fMRI and multivariate dynamical systems (MDS) analysis to characterize network relationships between constitute brain areas that reflect a subject's choice for a face versus nonface categorization task. Our simultaneous EEG and fMRI analysis on 21 human subjects (12 males, 9 females) identifies early perceptual and late frontal subsystems that are selective to the categorical choice of faces versus nonfaces. We analyze the interactions between these subsystems using an MDS in the space of the BOLD signal. Our main findings show that differences between face-choice and house-choice networks are seen in the network interactions between the early and late subsystems, and that the magnitude of the difference in network interaction positively correlates with the behavioral false-positive rate of face choices. We interpret this to reflect the role of saliency and expectations likely encoded in frontal “late” regions on perceptual processes occurring in “early” perceptual regions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOur choices are affected by our biases. In visual perception and cognition such biases can be commonplace and quite curious—e.g., we see a human face when staring up at a cloud formation or down at a piece of toast at the breakfast table. Here we use multimodal neuroimaging and dynamical systems analysis to measure whole-brain spatiotemporal dynamics while subjects make decisions regarding the type of object they see in rapidly flashed images. We find that the degree of interaction in these networks accounts for a substantial fraction of our bias to see faces. In general, our findings illustrate how the properties of spatiotemporal networks yield insight into the mechanisms of how we form decisions.
The Expanding Toolkit of Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification
Authors: Dougherty Joseph D.
Published: December 2017

Translating ribosome affinity purification is a method initially developed for profiling mRNA from genetically defined cell types in complex tissues. It has been applied both to identify target molecules in cell types that are important for controlling a variety of behaviors in the brain, and to understand the molecular consequences on those cells due to experimental manipulations, ranging from drugs of abuse to disease-causing mutations. Since its inception, a variety of methodological advances are opening new avenues of investigation. These advances include a variety of new methods for targeting cells for translating ribosome affinity purification by features such as their projections or activity, additional tags and mouse reagents increasing the flexibility of the system, and new modifications of the method specifically focused on studying the regulation of translation. The latter includes methods to assess cell type-specific regulation of translation in specific subcellular compartments. Here, I provide a summary of these recent advances and resources, highlighting both new experimental opportunities and areas for future technical development.
Cellular and Molecular Analysis of Dendritic Morphogenesis in a Retinal Cell Type That Senses Color Contrast and Ventral Motion
Authors: Liu Jinyue , Sanes Joshua R.
Published: December 2017

As neuronal dendrites develop, they acquire cell-type-specific features including characteristic size, shape, arborization, location and synaptic patterns. These features, in turn, are major determinants of type-specific neuronal function. Because neuronal diversity complicates the task of relating developmental programs to adult structure and function, we analyzed dendritic morphogenesis in a single retinal ganglion cell (RGC) type in mouse called J-RGC. We documented the emergence of five dendritic features that underlie J-RGC physiology: (1) dendritic field size, which approximate receptive field size; (2) dendritic complexity, which affects how J-RGCs sample space; (3) asymmetry, which contributes to direction-selectivity; (4) restricted lamination within the inner plexiform layer (IPL), which renders J-RGCs responsive to light decrements; and (5) distribution of synaptic inputs, which generate a color-opponent receptive field. We found dendritic growth in J-RGCs is accompanied by a refinement in dendritic self-crossing. Asymmetry arises by a combination of selective pruning and elaboration, whereas laminar restriction results from biased outgrowth toward the outermost IPL. Interestingly, asymmetry develops in a protracted dorsoventral wave, whereas lamination does so in a rapid centrifugal wave. As arbors mature, they acquire excitatory and inhibitory synapses, with the latter forming first and being concentrated in proximal dendrites. Thus, distinct mechanisms operate in different spatiotemporal dimensions of J-RGC dendritic patterning to generate the substrate for specific patterns of synaptogenesis. Finally, we asked whether the defining molecular signature of J-RGCs, the adhesion molecule JAM-B, regulates morphogenesis, and showed that it promotes dendro-dendritic interactions. Our results reveal multiple mechanisms that shape a dendritic arbor.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTVisual perception begins in the retina, where distinct types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are tuned to specific visual features such as direction of motion. The features to which each RGC type responds are determined largely by the number and type of synaptic inputs it receives, and these, in turn, are greatly influenced by the size, shape, arborization pattern, and location of its dendrites. We analyzed dendritic morphogenesis in a functionally characterized RGC type, the J-RGC, demonstrating distinct mechanisms that operate in different dimensions to generate the dendritic scaffold and synaptic patterns for feature detection. Our work elucidates cellular and molecular mechanisms that shape dendritic arbors and synaptic distribution, enabling J-RGC connectivity and thus, function.
Exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS): a clinical syndrome associated with insulin antibodies induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients
Authors: Hu Xiaolei , Chen Fengling
Published: December 2017

Insulin has been used for diabetes therapy and has achieved significant therapeutic effect. In recent years, the use of purified and recombinant human insulin preparations has markedly reduced, but not completely suppressed, the incidence of insulin antibodies (IAs). IAs induced by exogenous insulin in diabetic patients is associated with clinical events, which is named exogenous insulin antibody syndrome (EIAS). The present review is based on our research and summarizes the characterization of IAs, the factors affecting IA development, the clinical significance of IAs and the treatments for EIAS.
Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours and fibrosis: an entangled conundrum
Authors: Blažević Anela , Hofland Johannes , Hofland Leo J , Feelders Richard A , de Herder Wouter W
Published: December 2017

Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs) are neoplasms characterized by their ability to secrete biogenic amines and peptides. These cause distinct clinical pathology including carcinoid syndrome, marked by diarrhoea and flushing, as well as fibrosis, notably mesenteric fibrosis. Mesenteric fibrosis often results in significant morbidity by causing intestinal obstruction, oedema and ischaemia. Although advancements have been made to alleviate symptoms of carcinoid syndrome and prolong the survival of patients with SI-NETs, therapeutic options for patients with mesenteric fibrosis are still limited. As improved insight in the complex pathogenesis of mesenteric fibrosis is key to the development of new therapies, we evaluated the literature for known and putative mediators of fibrosis in SI-NETs. In this review, we discuss the tumour microenvironment, growth factors and signalling pathways involved in the complex process of fibrosis development and tumour progression in SI-NETs, in order to elucidate potential new avenues for scientific research and therapies to improve the management of patients suffering from the complications of mesenteric fibrosis.
A case of isolated bicuspid pulmonary valve
Authors: Manivarmane Ramasamy , Taylor Rebecca , Khattar Rajdeep
Published: December 2017

Our case highlights the finding of an abnormal pulmonary valve on 2D echocardiography, confirmed to be of bicuspid morphology with 3D imaging. The use of biplane imaging both in transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography and routine use of three-dimensional views particularly in transoesophageal echocardiography are of incremental value in better delineating pulmonary valve anatomy.
Restoration of metabolic inflammation-related ghrelin resistance by weight loss
Authors: Naznin Farhana , Toshinai Koji , Waise T M Zaved , Okada Tadashi , Sakoda Hideyuki , Nakazato Masamitsu
Published: December 2017

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic inflammation in the central and peripheral organs contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity. Long-term HFD blunts signaling by ghrelin, a gastric-derived orexigenic peptide, in the vagal afferent nerve via a mechanism involving in situ activation of inflammation. This study was undertaken to investigate whether ghrelin resistance is associated with progressive development of metabolic inflammation. In mice, ghrelin’s orexigenic activity was abolished 2–4 weeks after the commencement of HFD (60% of energy from fat), consistent with the timing of accumulation and activation of macrophages and microglia in the nodose ganglion and hypothalamus. Calorie-restricted weight loss after 12-week HFD feeding restored ghrelin responsiveness and alleviated the upregulation of macrophage/microglia activation markers and inflammatory cytokines. HSP72, a chaperone protein, was upregulated in the hypothalamus of HFD-fed mice, potentially contributing to prevention of irreversible neuron damage. These results demonstrate that ghrelin resistance is reversible following reversal of the HFD-induced inflammation and obesity phenotypes.
An Integrated Clinic-Community Partnership for Child Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Pilot Trial
Authors: Hoffman Jessica , Frerichs Leah , Story Mary , Jones Jason , Gaskin Kiah , Apple Annie , Skinner Asheley , Armstrong Sarah
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Effective treatment of childhood obesity remains elusive. Integration of clinical and community systems may achieve effective and sustainable treatment. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of this integrated model are unknown.

METHODS:

We conducted a randomized clinical trial among children aged 5 to 11 presenting for obesity treatment. We randomized participants to clinical care or clinical care plus community-based programming at a local parks and recreation facility. Primary outcomes were the change in child BMI at 6 months and the intensity of the program in treatment hours. Secondary outcomes included health behaviors, fitness, attrition, and quality of life.

RESULTS:

We enrolled 97 children with obesity, and retention at 6 months was 70%. Participants had a mean age of 9.1 years and a mean baseline BMI z score of 2.28, and 70% were living in poverty. Intervention participants achieved more treatment hours than controls (11.4 vs 4.4, SD: 15.3 and 1.6, respectively). We did not observe differences in child BMI z score or percent of the 95th percentile at 6 months. Intervention participants had significantly greater improvements in physical activity (P = .010) and quality of life (P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS:

An integrated clinic-community model of child obesity treatment is feasible to deliver in a low-income and racially diverse population. As compared with multidisciplinary treatment, the integrated model provides more treatment hours, improves physical activity, and increases quality of life. Parks and recreation departments hold significant promise as a partner agency to deliver child obesity treatment.
EFECTO AGUDO DE DOS INTENSIDADES DE EJERCICIO CONTRA RESISTENCIA SOBRE LA PRESIÓN ARTERIAL EN REPOSO DE PERSONAS NORMOTENSAS
Authors: Gamboa Granados Mariana , Solera Herrera Andrea
Published: December 2017

El propósito del estudio fue determinar el efecto sobre la presión arterial (PA) del ejercicio contra resistencia (CR) realizado con diferentes intensidades, en 10 hombres (38.22±7.03 años; 75.15±5.41 kg; 1.69±0.07 m; PA en reposo 116±7.5/71±7.3 mmHg), quienes participaron en cuatro sesiones de entrenamiento CR en días diferentes. La primera de ellas consistió en evaluar una repetición máxima (1RM) de cada uno de los ejercicios, mientras que las otras tres fueron realizadas en orden aleatorio y consistieron en: (a) ejecutar siete ejercicios CR (2 series x 14 repeticiones) al 50% de 1RM; (b) realizar los mismos siete ejercicios (2 series x 10 repeticiones) al 70% de 1RM; y (c) permanecer en reposo durante 35 min. Se tomó la PA en reposo antes del ejercicio, inmediatamente finalizado el ejercicio y, posterior al ejercicio, cada 10 min, hasta completar 60 min. Los ANOVAS de dos vías con medidas repetidas en ambos factores (p˂0.05) demostraron que: (1) la PA sistólica es significativamente menor a partir de los 20 min luego del ejercicio, cuando la persona se ejercita al 70%, en comparación con la condición control y con la medición antes del ejercicio; (2) la PA diastólica es significativamente menor luego de realizar ejercicio, a ambas intensidades, con respecto a la medición antes del ejercicio y en comparación con la condición control (no obstante, los efectos son más duraderos luego de ejercitarse al 50%). En conclusión, ambas intensidades de ejercicio desencadenan el efecto hipotensor postejercicio en varones normotensos.
All in the family: Attitudes towards cousin marriages among young dutch people from various ethnic groups
Authors: Buunk Abraham P.
Published: December 2017

The present research examined attitudes towards cousin marriages among young people from various ethnic groups living in The Netherlands. The sample consisted of 245 participants, with a mean age of 21, and included 107 Dutch, 69 Moroccans, and 69 Turks. The parents of the latter two groups came from countries where cousin marriages are accepted. Participants reported more negative than positive attitudes towards cousin marriage, and women reported more negative attitudes than did men. The main objection against marrying a cousin was that it is wrong for religious reasons, whereas the risk of genetic defects was considered less important. Moroccans had less negative attitudes than both the Dutch and the Turks, who did not differ from each other. Among Turks as well as among Moroccans, a more positive attitude towards cousin marriage was predicted independently by a preference for parental control of mate choice and religiosity. This was not the case among the Dutch. Discussion focuses upon the differences between Turks and Moroccans, on the role of parental control of mate choice and religiosity, and on the role of incest avoidance underlying attitudes towards cousin marriage.
Music, dance, synchrony, and conformity: Dealing with non-cooperation in early hominin culture
Authors: Liebenberg D.
Published: December 2017

Using Robin Dunbar’s theories about hominin social bonding and the evolution of music, dance and religion, this article argues that a proto-ritualistic collective song and dance performance established conditions that were ideal for the evolution of fundamental elements of human cognition, such as shared intentionality, joint attention, and the ability to form a mental template. Furthermore, it is argued that this dance routine would have been an effective breeding ground for the development of a psychological regulatory system that could powerfully enforce cooperation by collectively targeting individuals who do not or cannot conform to the melody or the beat – i.e. misfits who do not achieve synchrony with the other members of the dance group. Thus a hominin society consisting of highly cooperative individuals possessing the cognitive skills of shared intentionality, joint attention, and the ability to form mental templates – i.e. a society with all the necessary skills for the development of a mimetic form of communication, followed much later by spoken language – comes into being.
Narrative accounts and conflict escalation in legal family mediation
Authors: Gago Paulo Cortes
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates conflict talk in the professional setting of legal family mediation in Brazil. It shows how parties discuss family issues and use narrative accounts as an argumentative device for escalating conflict and for doing moral work. The data comprises a mediation case and focuses on the first mediation session, where conflict is more evident. The work is qualitative and based on transcripts of talk-ininteraction, transcribed and analysed using the principles of turn design, sequential organisation and action orientation from conversation analysis. The research underscores previous findings in the specialist literature indicating that parties in conflict in mediation either tend to portray negative images of the opposing party and positive ones of themselves, or assume the role of victims. It also shows that accusations and prosodic cues are important devices for conflict escalation. This paper contributes to a better understanding of conflict episodes and can furnish tools for mediators to reflect on their professional practice.
Pentecostalism as Cultural Resistance
Authors: Marina Peter , Wilkinson Michael
Published: December 2017

Based on ethnographic research in an Afro-Caribbean Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, this article focuses on Pentecostal music and tongue-speaking as a form of cultural resistance. At least in urban settings, Pentecostalism is a creative cultural response to collectively experienced structural problems. Scholars have demonstrated the institutional challenges for Pentecostalism including its moderating effect on tongue-speaking. This article explores how one congregation maintains vitality through the practice of speaking in tongues, music, and prayer, as a type of spiritual capital. Spiritual capital explains how Pentecostalism provides a unique form of power for members to show their own agency and resistance to institutionalization as well as structural subordination. This analysis provides a framework for understanding music, charisma, and religious vitality in a Pentecostal congregation and its relationship with the larger cultural context.
COLEMAN, Simon, HACKETT, Rosalind I. J. (eds), 'The Anthropology of Global Pentecostalism and Evangelicalism'. New York: New York University Press. 2015. 268pp. ISBN 9780814772607
Authors: Zawiejska Natalia
Published: December 2017

Reviewed by: Natalia Zawiejska, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland. Email: natalia.zawiejska@gmail.com
Evidence-based medicine skills that last: A transferable model utilizing integration, spaced learning, and repetition with a single study design among second-year medical students
Authors: Lupi Carla S. , Lefevre Frank , Ward-Peterson Melissa
Published: December 2017

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction. The medical education literature lacks descriptions of evidence-based medicine (EBM) curricula with competency-based learning outcomes. The objective of this report is to describe an approach to designing, implementing, and assessing long-term learning in an integrated second-year EBM curriculum. Methods. Two complementary approaches were used. The primary deliberate approach incorporated large-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) critical appraisal sessions into existing organ system modules. The second approach added brief applications of EBM content to small-group case-based learning sessions. To assess learning, an open response written examination mapped to EBM competencies was administered at the beginning of the third year. Results. Data were available for 241 students. Using only walking knowledge, 47% of students at the beginning of the third year discussed two major weaknesses of an RCT; an additional 39% did so for only one. The ability to formulate a clinical question, describe elements of an appropriate search strategy and determine applicability to different patients was demonstrated by 84%, 87%, and 81% of examinees, respectively. Conclusion. This early work demonstrates that durable learning of EBM skills, including critical appraisal, is achievable among second-year medical students. Further work to improve learning in the second year and extend learning into subsequent years is forthcoming.
La enseñanza de la química ambiental: Una propuesta fundamentada en la controversia científica y la resolución de problemas
Authors: Ramos R. Marisol , Muñoz Liz
Published: December 2017

En este trabajo se presenta una investigación realizada en el espacio académico de “Química Ambiental”, de estudiantes de sexto semestre de Licenciatura en Química, específicamente en la temática de sobre recurso hídrico, su importancia, análisis fisicoquímico de aguas, contaminación y tratamiento de estas, con la intención de buscar el mejoramiento de la enseñanza, la construcción de conocimientos y el desarrollo de competencias, en el campo de la formación inicial de profesores de química. Para ello se diseñó y aplicó la unidad didáctica llamada “Agua, recurso y abuso”, la cual se estructuró haciendo uso de la resolución de problemas y la controversia sociocientífica. El desarrollo de dicha unidad abarcó tres etapas: en la primera se identificaron las ideas alternativas que tenían los estudiantes, relacionadas con los conceptos de cambio químico y agua, este último se exploró tanto desde el punto de vista químico como desde la importancia en los ecosistemas y en la vida del hombre. En la segunda etapa se diseñó e implementó una unidad didáctica que buscaba la reconstrucción de las ideas alternativas, incluyó un análisis de videos, desarrollo de prácticas de laboratorio que fue desde el muestreo en un cuerpo de agua, análisis fisicoquímicos de muestras de agua, visita a una planta de tratamiento de agua potable y trabajo grupal, en torno a controversias sociocientíficas relacionadas con la importancia del cuidado del agua y los diferentes métodos de tratamiento para agua potable. En la tercera etapa, se realizó el seguimiento y análisis de las actividades de aula y laboratorio desarrolladas durante la implementación de la unidad didáctica, lo cual permitió identificar los procesos de aprendizaje. El trabajo realizado favoreció la compren- tratamiento de aguas. A r tíc ulo r ec ib i do e l 2 2 -06 - 2015 y a pr obado e l 0 7 -10 - 2015 sión y la construcción del conocimiento químico relacionado con las temáticas de análisis y tratamiento del agua, así como el compromiso del hombre en el cuidado del recurso hídrico, de igual forma se evidenció el progreso de los estudiantes en el desarrollo de las habilidades argumentativa, propositiva e interpretativa