bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incomplete reactions in nanothermite composites
Authors: Jacob Rohit J. , Ortiz-Montalvo Diana L. , Overdeep Kyle R. , Weihs Timothy P. , Zachariah Michael R.
Published: February 2017

Exothermic reactions between oxophilic metals and transition/post transition metal-oxides have been well documented owing to their fast reaction time scales (≈10 μs). This article examines the extent of the reaction in nano-aluminum based thermite systems through a forensic inspection of the products formed during reaction. Three nanothermite systems (Al/CuO, Al/Bi2O3, and Al/WO3) were selected owing to their diverse combustion characteristics, thereby providing sufficient generality and breadth to the analysis. Microgram quantities of the sample were coated onto a fine platinum wire, which was resistively heated at high heating rates (≈105 K/s) to ignite the sample. The subsequent products were captured/quenched very rapidly (≈500 μs) in order to preserve the chemistry/morphology during initiation and subsequent reaction and were quantitatively analyzed using electron microscopy and focused ion beam cross-sectioning followed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Elemental examination of the cross-section of the quenched particles shows that oxygen is predominantly localized in the regions containing aluminum, implying the occurrence of the redox reaction. The Al/CuO system, which has simultaneous gaseous oxygen release and ignition (TIgnition ≈ TOxygen Release), shows a substantially lower oxygen content within the product particles as opposed to Al/Bi2O3 and Al/WO3 thermites, which are postulated to undergo a condensed phase reaction (TIgnition ≪ TOxygen Release). An effective Al:O composition for the interior section was obtained for all the mixtures, with the smaller particles generally showing a higher oxygen content than the larger ones. The observed results were further corroborated with the reaction temperature, obtained using a high-speed spectro-pyrometer, and bomb calorimetry conducted on larger samples (≈15 mg). The results suggest that thermites that produce sufficient amounts of gaseous products generate smaller product particles and achieve higher extents of completion.
Characteristic analysis of a less-rare-earth hybrid PM-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for EVs application
Authors: Wu Wenye , Zhu Xiaoyong , Quan Li , Fan Deyang , Xiang Zixuan
Published: February 2017

Low-energy permanent magnet (PM) such as ferrite is usually adopted in a PM-assisted reluctance (PMAREL) motor to enhance the output torque and reduce costs. However, the relatively low magnetic energy product and remanence in such PMs may lead to the risk of demagnetization. By using two types of materials of rare-earth NdFeB and non-rare-earth ferrite PM, a new less-rare-earth hybrid PMAREL motor is proposed in this paper, where the output torque and the power factor can be improved obviously, and meanwhile the risk of irreversible demagnetization in ferrite PMs can be reduced significantly due to the existence of NdFeB PMs. To verify the validity of the proposed motor, the operating principles of the motor and the positive interaction influences between the two involved types of PMs are analyzed. Moreover, by using the finite element method, the torque characteristics and anti-demagnetization capabilities are also investigated in details. Both the theoretical analysis and simulated results confirm the advantages of the proposed motor.
Enhanced magnetic properties of yttrium-iron nanoparticles
Authors: Aslani Amir , Ghahremani Mohammadreza , Zhang Ming , Bennett LawrenceH. , Della Torre Edward
Published: February 2017

A systematic study of the size effect on the magnetic and structural properties of Y2Fe17 nanoparticles has been performed. We present new data to explain the enhanced magnetic properties of nanostructured yttrium-iron alloy synthesized through alkalide reduction chemical synthesis. The properties of the particles were characterized by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and magnetometer techniques. As the size of the nanoparticles is reduced, there is an increase in magnetization per unit of applied magnetic field, a decrease in the coercivity and a substantial reduction in hysteresis.
Effects of Specific Language Impairment (SLI) and bilingualism on verbal short-term memory
Authors: Meir Natalia
Published: February 2017

The current study assessed independent and combined effects of SLI and bilingualism on tasks tapping into verbal short-term memory (vSTM) with varying linguistic load in two languages (Russian and Hebrew). The study explored the extent to which the presence of SLI is related to limited vSTM storage and bilingualism is associated with reduced vocabulary size.

A total of 190 monolingual and bilingual children aged 5;5–6;8 participated in the current study: 108 sequential Russian-Hebrew bilinguals (18 with SLI), 48 Hebrew monolinguals (13 with SLI) and 34 Russian monolinguals (14 with SLI). Children performed three repetition tasks: forward-digit span (FWD), non-word repetition (NWR) and sentence repetition (SRep); bilingual children were tested in both of their languages.

Results indicated a negative effect of SLI on all experimental tasks tapping into vSTM. The effect of SLI rose as a function of increased linguistic load. Regarding bilingualism, no effect was found on the measure of vSTM with the lowest linguistic load (FWD), while its effect was robust once the linguistic load was increased (SRep). The results reported in this study bring evidence that lower performance on measures of vSTM in children with SLI and bilingual children stem from different sources. Although, children with SLI have limitations of vSTM, deficient vSTM cannot fully account for the linguistic difficulties observed in children with SLI. As for bilingualism, it does not affect verbal storage when the linguistic load is minimal, while poor performance in bilingual children on tasks with greater linguistic load is attributed to smaller vocabulary sizes.
The changing face of α Centauri B: probing plage and stellar activity in K dwarfs
Authors: Thompson A. P. G. , Watson C. A. , de Mooij E. J. W. , Jess D. B.
Published: February 2017

Detailed knowledge of stellar activity is crucial for understanding stellar dynamos, as well as pushing exoplanet radial-velocity detection limits towards Earth analogue confirmation. We directly compare archival High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher spectra taken at the minimum in α Cen B’s activity cycle to a high-activity state when clear rotational modulation of $\log {R^{\prime }_{HK}}$ is visible. Relative to the inactive spectra, we find a large number of narrow pseudo-emission features in the active spectra with strengths that are rotationally modulated. These features most likely originate from plage, spots or a combination of both. They also display radial velocity variations of ∼300 m s−1 – consistent with an active region rotating across the stellar surface. Furthermore, we see evidence that some of the lines originating from the ‘active immaculate’ photosphere appear broader relative to the ‘inactive immaculate’ case. This may be due to enhanced contributions of, for example, magnetic bright points to these lines, which then causes additional line broadening. More detailed analysis may enable measurements of plage and spot coverage using single spectra in the future.
The Interlenticulostriate Approach to Very High-Riding Distal Basilar Trunk Aneurysms
Authors: Rahme Ralph , Kurbanov Almaz , Keller Jeffrey T. , Abruzzo Todd A. , Jimenez Lincoln , Ringer Andrew J. , Choutka Ondrej , Zuccarello Mario
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Most high-riding distal basilar trunk aneurysms can be surgically approached via the transsylvian route and its orbitozygomatic variant. However, on rare occasions, the basilar bifurcation may be unusually high and an approach above the carotid terminus may be required.

OBJECTIVE: In this cadaveric study, we sought to determine the feasibility and exposure limits of the interlenticulostriate approach (ILSA).

METHODS: A standard transsylvian approach was performed in 10 cerebral hemispheres of 5 formalin-fixed, silicone-injected cadaver heads. The interpeduncular cistern was exposed via the opticocarotid window, carotid-oculomotor window, and supracarotid ILSA window. The latter was measured and an aneurysm clip or ventriculostomy stylet was placed as high as possible through each corridor. Using noncontrast 3-D rotational angiography, clip/stylet positions were measured relative to the dorsum sellae.

RESULTS: ILSA provided a 9.4 × 4.6 mm mean surgical corridor, just enough room for a standard clip applier. This space was limited by the carotid bifurcation inferiorly, the lenticulostriate arteries medially and laterally, and the optic tract superiorly. There was no difference between opticocarotid and carotid-oculomotor windows, in terms of clip position (+8.9 vs +8.6 mm, respectively; P = .78). In contrast, ILSA provided significantly improved superior exposure, compared with either approaches (mean stylet position: +14.3 mm; P = .005). The exposure benefit afforded by ILSA was consistent across all 10 hemispheres, ranging from +2.5 to +8 mm.

CONCLUSION: For high-riding distal basilar trunk aneurysms that cannot be reached via the frontotemporal orbitozygomatic approach, ILSA can provide a viable route of access. Vascular neurosurgeons should be familiarized with this approach.
Superficial Temporal Artery: Distal Posterior Cerebral Artery Bypass through the Subtemporal Approach: Technical Note and Pilot Surgical Cases
Authors: Kawashima Akitsugu , Andrade-Barazarte Hugo , Jahromi Behnam Rezai , Oinas Minna , Elsharkawy Ahmed , Kivelev Juri , Kubota Yuichi , Kawamata Takakazu , Hernesniemi Juha A.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms are rare and the majority are fusiform in shape. Proximal occlusion of PCA represents a treatment option for these lesions. However, this procedure carries a high risk of ischemic complications.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of trapping a fusiform PCA aneurysm and revascularization of the distal PCA using a superficial temporal artery (STA) graft through the same microsurgical approach.

METHODS: From September 2012 to October 2014, we retrospectively identified 3 patients harboring a fusiform PCA aneurysm (P2 segment aneurysm) who underwent trapping of the aneurysm and reconstruction of the distal PCA through the same subtemporal approach. We analyzed immediate morbidity, surgical complications, and the patency of the bypass to determine the feasibility of this procedure.

RESULTS: All 3 patients underwent successful trapping of the fusiform PCA aneurysm and revascularization of the distal PCA. The origin of P3 segment or posterior temporal artery (PTA) served as recipient arteries. In all 3 cases, adequate blood flow was evident after performing the STA-P3/PTA bypass. None of the patients experienced a new permanent neurological deficit. At 1-year follow-up, the STA-PTA/PCA bypasses remained patent.

CONCLUSION: The STA-P3/PTA bypass through the subtemporal approach is a feasible option to maintain blood flow in cases of PCA fusiform aneurysms requiring trapping of the P2 segment.
A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING HEALTH EFFECTS FROM HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES
Authors: HARDY ROBERT J. , SCHRODER GENE D. , COOPER SHARON P. , BUFFLER PATRICIA A. , PRICHARD HOWARD M. , CRANE MARTIN
Published: February 2017

A statistical procedure for monitoring the health status of a community potentially exposed to a hazardous environment is presented. It utilizes two levels of investigation. Level I studies monitor routinely collected vital statistics and routes of community exposure whereas level II studies require additional data collection and are further distinguished by their design and duration. In a level I study, routine vital statistics for specified end points over a specified period of time are monitored, and the observed number of events is compared with the expected number of events for a given population. The statistical model used with this procedure employs a two-step decision rule based on the standardized mortality ratio for the study community. An “alert status” is invoked when the number of events exceeds a prescribed excess. An “action status” is indicated if the excess noted in the initial period persists or if the observed number of events in the initial period greatly exceeds expectation. Should an “action status” be justified, level II studies to determine the likely explanation for the significant excess are initiated. This could include the conduct of a “case-control” study using the exposure data available from monitoring the community.
INVESTIGATION OF A BLADDER CANCER CLUSTER IN NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS
Authors: MALLIN KATHERINE
Published: February 2017

Cancer maps from 1950 through 1979 revealed areas of high mortality from bladder cancer for both males and females in several northwestern illinois counties. In order to further explore this excess, a bladder cancer incidence study was conducted in the eight counties comprising this region. Eligible cases were those first diagnosed with bladder cancer between 1978 and 1985. Age adjusted standardized incidence ratios were calculated for each county and for 97 zip codes within these counties. County results revealed no excesses. Zip code results indicated elevated risks in a few areas, but only two zip codes had significantly elevated results. One of these zip codes had a significant excess in males (standardized incidence ratio = 1.5) and females (standardized incidence ratio = 1.9). This excess was primarily confined to one town in this zip code, in which standardized incidence ratios were significantly elevated in males (1.7) and females (2.6). Further investigation revealed that one of four public drinking water wells in this town had been closed due to contamination; two wells were within a half mile (0.8 km) of a landfill site that had ceased operating in 1972. Tests of these two wells revealed traces of trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and other solvents. Further investigation of this cluster is discussed.
210Pb in Bioenergy Production
Authors: Hedvall R. , Erlandsson B.
Published: February 2017

210Pb is probably one of the major contributors to the radiation dose received by humans from the fumes emitted from the stacks of power plants using fossil fuels or biofuels. As a first step in the estimation of the total radiological impact on humans of radioactive emissions, we have determined 210Pb radioactivity enrichment factors between fuel and ash products and dose equivalents from 210Pb from stack releases to people living in the surroundings. Radioactivity concentrations in ash, peat, wood and other waste products from forests have been determined in 15 district heating plants, located throughout Sweden, which use bioenergy for hot water production. Dose equivalents to people living close to the plants will be, at most, around a few tens of nSv per year from 210Pb, assuming 1000 Bq.kg-1 in the stack effluent. It was also found that more than 50% of the lead is probably in a volatilised phase, separate from the fly ash, and is therefore not caught in the filters.
Oncogenic Transformation Through the Cell Cycle and the LET Dependent Inverse Dose Rate Effect
Authors: Geard C.R. , Miller R.C. , Brenner D.J. , Hall E.J.
Published: February 2017

Synchronised populations of mouse C3H/10T-1/2 cells were obtained by a stringent mitotic dislodgement procedure. Mitotic cells rapidly attach and progress sequentially through the cell cycle. Irradiation (3 Gy of X rays) was carried out at intervals from 0 to 18 h after initiating cell cycle progression of the mitotic cells. Oncogenic transformation was enhanced 10-fold over cells irradiated soon after replating (G1 and S phases) for cells in a near 2 h period corresponding to cells in G2 phase but not in mitosis. The cell surviving fraction has a 2-1/2-fold variation with resistant peaks corresponding to the late G1 and late S phases. These findings provide experimental support for the hypothesis initiated by Rossi and Kellerer and developed by Brenner and Hall to explain the LET dependent inverse dose rate effect for oncogenic transformation.
Greening the black box: integrating the environment and management control systems
Authors: Sundin Heidi , Brown David Andrew
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt an agency theory approach to investigate the integration of environmental issues into management control systems (MCS). Prior environmental accounting research has focussed on increasing organisations’ environmental accountability by “monitoring” through external reporting to stakeholders. However, this overlooks the alignment of agents’ interests within the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study is undertaken in a large Australian listed property trust to investigate how agents’ interests may be integrated with environmental objectives through the use of MCS.

Findings

From the case an analytical framework is developed to illustrate how environmental issues are incorporated into organisational behaviour through MCS. The findings include, single objective environmental MCS; multiple objective MCS, which include priorities that specify environmental and economic trade-offs; and balancing MCS, which provide overarching decision-making principles without priorities.

Practical implications

The findings provide examples of how an organisation may integrate environmental issues across a range of MCS and the things to consider in doing so.

Originality/value

This paper draws on an agency perspective as an approach to incorporate environmental issues into MCS and to align behaviour. It explains a new way in which tensions can be managed. This study is one of the first to adopt the control package approach in investigating the incorporation of environmental issues in MCS.
Intertextuality in corporate narratives: a discursive analysis of a contested privatization
Authors: Lupu Ioana , Sandu Raluca
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Despite the growing amount of research on the social and organizational role of legitimacy, very little is known about the subtle discursive processes through which organizational changes are legitimated in contemporary society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the subtle processes of interdiscursivity and intertextuality through which an organization constructs a sense of legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the case of a newly privatized oil company in a transitional, post-communist economy, the authors’ research uses critical discourse analysis to analyze the annual reports, corporate press releases, and relevant media from the four years following privatization.

Findings

The authors argue for a relational understanding of legitimacy construction that emphasizes how legitimacy relies on the multiple processes of intertextuality linking corporate narratives and media texts. Corporate narratives are not produced solely by the discourses that occur at the individual and organizational levels; they are also produced by the much broader discourses that occur at the societal level.

Originality/value

This study’s main contribution is that it reveals the intertextual and interdiscursive construction of corporate narratives, which is a key element in understanding how discourses around privatization are interlinked and draw upon other macro-level discourses to construct legitimacy.
Implementing the balanced scorecard in a local government sport organization
Authors: Dimitropoulos Panagiotis , Kosmas Ioannis , Douvis Ioannis
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of performance management in the public sector and specifically the implementation of the balanced scorecard (BSC) methodology on a public (municipal) non-profit sport organization in Greece. The research provides a discussion on the BSC development process, the goals set on each pillar and the outcome that the organization achieved, in order to be used as a roadmap for other managers in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used information extracted from the municipal board of Papagos-Holargos city in Greece, including board reports, documents and decision transcripts and open-ended interviews related to the implementation of BSC method, as well as to the impact of this decision on the quality of services, citizens’ satisfaction and the improvement of internal processes.

Findings

The results indicated that the citizens of Papagos-Holargos perceived sport services to be of enhanced quality related to/when compared to the previous years (based on a questionnaire submitted by the citizens of Papagos-Holargos at the end of the each sample per year). In addition, the staff improved its skills and abilities by participating in training seminars and, in general, the implementation of the BSC method on the municipal sport organization of Papagos-Holargos city sets the basis for an effective performance management which can enhance its future sustainability.

Practical implications

Managers of municipal and public sport organizations could use the findings of the study as a roadmap for discussing, evaluating and possibly implementing the BSC approach in their organizations’ daily operations.

Originality/value

This study fills a significant gap in the existing literature on the implementation of a traditional business performance management tool on a non-profit public sport organization.
Sustainable business strategies: typologies and future directions
Authors: Gauthier Jeffrey
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a typology of sustainable business strategies that may help to guide future empirical research.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involves a review of prior typologies and an application of the resource-based view of the firm to identify the resources and capabilities associated with each strategy.

Findings

Research propositions concerning the relationship between implementation of each strategy and requisite capabilities are offered.

Research limitations/implications

The research propositions developed in the paper offer a means to catalyze future empirical research at the intersection of strategy and sustainability.

Originality/value

Barriers to understanding the capabilities necessary to implement sustainability strategies render sustainable development an elusive goal. This paper helps to advance this understanding, identifying the primary capabilities needed to implement distinct sustainability strategies.
A novel VWF variant associated with type 2 von Willebrand disease in German Wirehaired Pointers and German Shorthaired Pointers
Authors: Vos‐Loohuis M. , van Oost B. A. , Dangel C. , Langbein‐Detsch I. , Leegwater P. A.
Published: February 2017

Von Willebrand disease (VWD), caused by deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (VWF), is the most common bleeding disorder in humans and dogs. The complete cDNA encoding VWF of a German Wirehaired Pointer with type 2 VWD was sequenced, and we found four variants that alter the amino acid sequence. These variants were: c.1657T>G corresponding to p.Trp553Gly; c.1777G>A (p.Glu593Lys); c.4937A>G (p.Asn1646Ser) and c.5544G>A (p.Met1848Ile). A haplotype of the c.1657G, c.1777A and c.4937G alleles co‐segregated with the VWF antigen level in a four‐generation pedigree with the disease. Healthy dogs of the breed were found that were homozygous for the c.1777A or the c.5544A allele, indicating that these variants do not cause VWD. Dogs that were homozygous for the c.4937G allele and had no signs of a bleeding disorder were observed in the Chinese Crested dog breed. Thus, only the c.1657G variant was found in the homozygous state exclusively in VWD affecteds, and this variant is the strongest candidate to be the cause of VWD type 2 in the German Wirehaired Pointer breed. A screen of German Shorthaired Pointers indicated that the variant also segregates with VWD in this breed.
Life satisfaction of older Turks living in Australia
Authors: Öztop Hülya , Kınacı Bahar
Published: February 2017

Objective

This study examined the influence of socio‐economic and demographic variables, the frequency of travel to Turkey and years of living in Sydney on the life satisfaction of older Turkish people.

Methods

This study was conducted with 110 participants of 60 years of age or older, at the New South Wales Turkish Welfare Association in Sydney, Australia. The surveys were administered face‐to‐face at a date and time these participants went to the Association. The dependent variable of the study was the Life Satisfaction Scale. The study data were analysed using hierarchical regression analysis, and the three sets of regression models were run for each sex.

Results

The research found that in addition to sociodemographic factors, frequency of travel to Turkey, particularly for older women, and their years of living in Sydney had negative effects on life satisfaction. The study results indicate that the frequency of both the male and female participants’ visits to Turkey had a strong negative influence on their life satisfaction. Life satisfaction decreased as the frequency of the participants’ visits to Turkey and years of living in Sydney increased.

Conclusion

These findings support the current literature that shows the effects of the frequency of travel to Turkey and years of living in Sydney, which were considered to influence relationships with social networks, on life satisfaction, and indicates the necessity for a more detailed examination of social network relationships.
Epistemic Authority and Genuine Ethical Controversies
Authors: Roberts Adam James
Published: February 2017

In ‘Professional Hubris and its Consequences’, Eric Vogelstein claims that ‘that there are no good arguments in favor of professional organizations taking genuinely controversial positions on issues of professional ethics’. In this response, I defend two arguments in favour of organisations taking such positions: that their stance‐taking may lead to better public policy, and that it may lead to better practice by medical professionals. If either of those defences succeeds, then Vogelstein's easy path to his conclusion – that professional organisations should not take such stances – is blocked. He or others must instead look to establish that the reasons against stance‐taking on genuine ethical controversies are more compelling than those for it: plausibly a more challenging task.
Socio‐demographic factors relating to perception and use of mobile technologies in tertiary teaching
Authors: Lai Kwok‐Wing , Smith Lee
Published: February 2017

In 2014, we investigated how socio‐demographic factors such as gender, teaching disciplines, teaching experience and academic seniority were related to the perception and use of digital mobile technologies in learning and teaching of a group of university teachers from one research‐intensive university in New Zealand. Three hundred and eight teachers from this university completed an online questionnaire and 30 of them participated in a follow‐up interview. Survey results showed that while there was a strong positive correlation between using mobile technologies for personal learning and their use in teaching, only a small number of participants utilised mobile technologies in their learning and the vast majority also did not use these technologies in their teaching, More female teachers and humanities teachers used mobile devices and applications more frequently than male teachers and teachers from other academic disciplines. Also, female teachers had a more positive perception in learning and using mobile technologies. Junior teachers also tended to be more positive in technology use. While the overwhelming majority of the interview participants also perceived positive benefits of incorporating mobile devices and applications into their teaching, it was found that female teachers paid greater attention to pedagogy when considering mobile technology use and the lack of professional development limited their use in teaching.
Ethnic differences in male reproductive hormones and relationships with adiposity and insulin resistance in older men
Authors: Eendebak Robert J.A.H. , Swiecicka Agnieszka , Gromski Piotr S. , Pye Stephen R. , O'Neill Terence W. , Marshall Alan , Keevil Brian G. , Tampubolon Gindo , Goodacre Royston , Wu Frederick C.W. , Rutter Martin K.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To assess ethnic differences in male reproductive hormone levels and to determine whether any differences are explained by adiposity, insulin resistance (IR) or comorbidities in older men.

Design

Multi‐ethnic cross‐sectional observational study.

Participants

Community dwelling middle‐aged and elderly men residing in the UK aged 40–84 years of South Asian (SA; n = 180), White European (WE; n = 328) or African Caribbean (AC; n = 166) origin.

Observations

Measured testosterone (T), calculated free T (cFT), sex hormone‐binding globulin and LH in SA, WE and AC men along with an assessment of body composition, IR, lifestyle factors and medical conditions.

Results

Age‐adjusted mean T and cFT levels were lower in SA men when compared to WE and AC men (mean (SEM) T: SA: 14·0 ± 0·4; WE: 17·1 ± 0·3; AC: 17·2 ± 0·5 nmol/l, P < 0·001; cFT: SA: 283 ± 7; WE: 313 ± 5; AC: 314 ± 8 pmol/l, P < 0·006). Compared to WE and AC men, SA men had higher levels of body fat, IR, comorbidities and diabetes. After adjusting for body fat, IR and other confounders, T levels in SA men remained lower than in WE men (P = 0·04) but ethnic differences in cFT became nonsignificant. LH levels were higher in SA than WE men in age‐adjusted and fully adjusted models.

Conclusions

T and cFT are lower in SA men than in WE and AC men. Whether ethnic‐specific reference ranges for T and cFT might be appropriate in clinical practice requires further investigation. Ethnic differences in cFT, but not T, appear to be, more readily, explained by ethnic differences in adiposity, thus providing insights into potential pathophysiological mechanisms.
Histopathological analysis of cold snare polypectomy and its indication for colorectal polyps 10–14 mm in diameter
Authors: Hirose Ryohei , Yoshida Naohisa , Murakami Takaaki , Ogiso Kiyoshi , Inada Yutaka , Dohi Osamu , Okayama Tetsuya , Kamada Kazuhiro , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Handa Osamu , Ishikawa Takeshi , Konishi Hideyuki , Naito Yuji , Fujita Yasuko , Kishimoto Mitsuo , Yanagisawa Akio , Itoh Yoshito
Published: February 2017

Background and Aim

Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is commonly used for treating colorectal polyps <10 mm in diameter. We evaluated the analysis and safety of CSP for larger polyps.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1006 colorectal polyps resected with CSP. Indication for CSP was polyps 2–14 mm that were diagnosed as benign neoplastic polyp by magnifying endoscopy. Various clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Multivariate analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors for failure of complete CSP resection. With respect to polyp size, we compared the therapeutic outcomes between polyps <10 mm and ≥10 mm. Additionally, the presence of muscularis mucosa in resected specimens was analyzed.

Results

Rates of en bloc resection and postoperative hemorrhage were 98.8% and 0.1%, respectively. Seven hundred and ninety‐one neoplastic lesions were analyzed and negative margins were found in 70.5% of the lesions, Multivariate analysis showed that non‐polypoid morphology, histology of intramucosal cancer + high‐grade adenoma and sessile serrated adenoma and polyp were significant factors for incomplete resection. With respect to the difference between lesions ≥10 mm than in those <10 mm, rates of cancer and positive/unclear margins were significantly higher (5.0% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001; 40.6% vs 27.7%, P = 0.007) in the ≥10 mm with rates of postoperative hemorrhage not significantly different (0.8% vs 0.0%). Additionally, the loss of muscularis mucosa was found in 27.8% of all lesions.

Conclusion

CSP is a safe procedure for polyps 2–14 mm. However, CSP has limitations in terms of the histopathological margin and loss of muscularis mucosa in specimens.
Zinc rescues obesity‐induced cardiac hypertrophy via stimulating metallothionein to suppress oxidative stress‐activated BCL10/CARD9/p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Wang Shudong , Gu Junlian , Xu Zheng , Zhang Zhiguo , Bai Tao , Xu Jianxiang , Cai Jun , Barnes Gregory , Liu Qiu‐Ju , Freedman Jonathan H. , Wang Yonggang , Liu Quan , Zheng Yang , Cai Lu
Published: February 2017

Obesity often leads to obesity‐related cardiac hypertrophy (ORCH), which is suppressed by zinc‐induced inactivation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which zinc inactivates p38 MAPK to prevent ORCH.

Mice (4‐week old) were fed either high fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal fat) or normal diet (ND, 10% kcal fat) containing variable amounts of zinc (deficiency, normal and supplement) for 3 and 6 months. P38 MAPK siRNA and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 were used to suppress p38 MAPK activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively. HFD activated p38 MAPK and increased expression of B‐cell lymphoma/CLL 10 (BCL10) and caspase recruitment domain family member 9 (CARD9). These responses were enhanced by zinc deficiency and attenuated by zinc supplement. Administration of SB203580 to HFD mice or specific siRNA in palmitate‐treated cardiomyocytes eliminated the HFD and zinc deficiency activation of p38 MAPK, but did not significantly impact the expression of BCL10 and CARD9. In cultured cardiomyocytes, inhibition of BCL10 expression by siRNA prevented palmitate‐induced increased p38 MAPK activation and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) expression. In contrast, inhibition of p38 MAPK prevented ANP expression, but did not affect BCL10 expression. Deletion of metallothionein abolished the protective effect of zinc on palmitate‐induced up‐regulation of BCL10 and phospho‐p38 MAPK. HFD and zinc deficiency synergistically induce ORCH by increasing oxidative stress‐mediated activation of BCL10/CARD9/p38 MAPK signalling. Zinc supplement ameliorates ORCH through activation of metallothionein to repress oxidative stress‐activated BCL10 expression and p38 MAPK activation.
Biochemical proximates of pumpkin (Cucurbitaeae spp.) and their beneficial effects on the general well‐being of poultry species
Authors: Achilonu M. C. , Nwafor I. C. , Umesiobi D. O. , Sedibe M. M.
Published: February 2017

There is a growing need to increase productivity in poultry. Growth hormones and antibiotics have the ability to improve health, weight gain and feed efficiency in meat‐producing animals. The growth‐promoting antibiotics are administered to poultry to improve the general performance of the chicken. However, the use of the xenobiotic drugs in food‐producing animals has been a concern and a sensitive issue of debate for several decades in the EU and many other regional blocks of the world. Consequently, the use of hormones in animal production has been banned in Italy, Denmark and Germany for over 4–5 decades, while Belgium and Greece had never permitted its use for livestock fattening purposes. Bioactive phytochemicals exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antifungal and anti‐inflammatory properties and consequently have several beneficial effects on appetite, growth and the immune status of the animal. In South Africa, different species of pumpkin are produced for food due to their high nutrient content. The flesh serves as a traditional food, while the seeds and peels are commonly discarded. Pumpkin seed extract is reported to be useful for immunomodulation, reproductive health, therapeutics over a wide range of disease conditions and stimulates metabolism of accumulated fats. Studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds are a valuable source of protein and fat. Their complexity and extent of bioactivity offers sustainable prospects for natural control of pathogenic/parasitic organisms, stimulate nutrition or enhance resistance to disease infections, and reduce abdominal fat and serum levels of harmful lipids, while increasing serum levels of beneficial lipids.
Inducibility of Ventricular Arrhythmia 1 Year Following Treatment with Heavy Ion Irradiation in Dogs with Myocardial Infarction
Authors: AMINO MARI , YOSHIOKA KOICHIRO , FURUSAWA YOSHIYA , TANAKA SACHIE , KAWABE NOBORU , HASHIDA TADASHI , TSUKADA TERUYO , IZUMI MASAKO , INOKUCHI SADAKI , TANABE TERUHISA , IKARI YUJI
Published: February 2017

Background

Targeted external heavy ion irradiation (THIR) of rabbit hearts 2 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) reduced the vulnerability of fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF) in association with the increased connexin43 (Cx43). Increased Cx43 was maintained for at least 1 year in normal rabbits, but the long‐term antiarrhythmic effects in the MI model are unknown. We investigated the propensity for late potentials and VT/VF inducibility.

Methods

Intracoronary injection of microspheres was performed to induce nontransmural MI in anesthetized eight beagles. Four beagles were treated with THIR (12C6+, 15 Gy) 2 weeks later (MI + THIR group), and four without THIR served as controls (MI group). Signal‐averaged electrocardiography, programmed electrical stimulation, immunohistochemical analysis, and echocardiograms were performed at 1 year.

Results

Filtered QRS duration was exacerbated after MI and remained unchanged for 1 year in the MI group (118 ± 1.4 ms), but significantly returned toward baseline in the MI + THIR group (109 ± 6.9 ms). Similarly, root mean square voltage of the last 40 ms was exacerbated after MI, but recovered after THIR. VT/VF inducibility decreased to 25% in the MI + THIR group compared with 100% in the MI group. Immunostaining Cx43 expression in cardiac tissues significantly increased by 24–45% in the MI + THIR group. Left ventricular ejection fractions remained within the normal range in both groups.

Conclusion

A single exposure of the dog heart to 12C irradiation attenuated vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia after the induction of MI for at least 1 year through the modulation of Cx43 expression.
Acute Effects of Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Shocks on Biomarkers of Myocardial Injury, Apoptosis, Heart Failure, and Systemic Inflammation
Authors: BREWSTER JORDAN , SEXTON TRAVIS , DHALIWAL GARY , CHARNIGO RICHARD , MORALES GUSTAVO , PARROTT KEVIN , DARRAT YOUSEF , GURLEY JOHN , SMYTH SUSAN , ELAYI CLAUDE S.
Published: February 2017

Background

Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) shocks are potentially associated with myocardial injury, altered hemodynamics, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling. Their precise cellular impact can be explored after defibrillation testing (DFT) via biomarkers. We evaluated changes in biomarkers after ICD shocks during DFT.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled outpatients presenting for first implantation of a cardiac device. Biomarkers indicative of myocardial injury, inflammation, and apoptosis were measured before and after implantation, and compared between patients receiving DFT (DFT+) to those not (DFT−).

Results

Sixty‐three patients were enrolled, 40 in the DFT+ group and 23 in the DFT− group. Average levels of troponin I, hsCRP, Calprotectin, N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), and sFas increased by >50% after cardiac device implantation compared to baseline. Increase in troponin never exceeded the 50‐fold upper limit of normal (2 ng/mL). Troponin trended higher in the DFT+ group at 8 hours (median 0.18 ng/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 0.11–0.48) versus the DFT− group (0.10 ng/mL, IQR 0.06–0.28, P = 0.0501); NTproBNP had a similar trend (P = 0.0581). sFas significantly increased in the DFT+ group from baseline (median 4663 pg/mL, IQR 2908–5679) to 24 hours (5039 pg/mL, IQR 3274–6261; P = 0.0338) but not in the DFT− group (P = 0.4705).

Conclusion

DFT testing is associated with acutely increased plasma levels of troponin and sFas, a biomarker of apoptosis, along with a trend toward higher NTproBNP.
Irish Flex‐insecurity: The Post‐crisis Reality for Vulnerable Workers in Ireland
Authors: Murphy Mary P.
Published: February 2017

Institutional reconfigurations of Irish welfare architecture and specific policy regimes including social security, labour activation and employment regulation have reshaped the contemporary low‐paid labour market with more focus on flexibility than security. Irish workers, particularly women, young people and vulnerable migrant workers are more likely to experience a form of labour market precarity we term ‘flex‐insecurity’. This Irish form of flex‐insecurity occurs in a highly globalized, segmented and gendered production regime. A particular model of competitiveness supports light touch regulation, while government procurement policy and tendering practices promote a flexible and low‐paid labour force. Case studies demonstrate how the institutional reconfiguration of income support, labour law and work‐first activation policy impact on mothers, vulnerable migrants and young people, disempowering these workers. The social politics of change is difficult, despite growing awareness of the extent and impact of these forms of work and some solidarity for and with these vulnerable workers, there remains considerable resistance to implementing policies to address the growing problem of precarious work.
Feeling Bodies of Knowledge: Situating Knowledge Production Through Felt Embeddedness
Authors: Catungal John Paul
Published: February 2017

This paper argues that emotionally cognisant geographies not only write emotion into research products, but also examine emotional encounters during research as embodied and felt instantiations of scholars' entanglements in broader political geographies of communities, norms and institutions. It makes this argument by describing and analysing some of the authors' emotional experiences in the process of becoming a geographer of sexuality during PhD research. Taking felt embeddedness seriously in our writings moves us away from simply describing how research made us feel, to examining how these feelings and our negotiations of them generate more complex understandings of the impact of positionalities, political commitments and institutional situatedness on the conduct and indeed the feel of research processes. In this way, emotion does not simply liven up how we report our research, but is itself treated as a key ingredient in the production of geographical knowledge.
Fine‐tuned regulation of the K+/H+ antiporter KEA3 is required to optimize photosynthesis during induction
Authors: Wang Caijuan , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Narumiya Fumika , Munekage Yuri Nakajima , Finazzi Giovanni , Szabo Ildiko , Shikanai Toshiharu
Published: February 2017

KEA3 is a thylakoid membrane localized K+/H+ antiporter that regulates photosynthesis by modulating two components of proton motive force (pmf), the proton gradient (∆pH) and the electric potential (∆ψ). We identified a mutant allele of KEA3, disturbed proton gradient regulation (dpgr) based on its reduced non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) in artificial (CO2‐free with low O2) air. This phenotype was enhanced in the mutant backgrounds of PSI cyclic electron transport (pgr5 and crr2‐1). In ambient air, reduced NPQ was observed during induction of photosynthesis in dpgr, the phenotype that was enhanced after overnight dark adaptation. In contrast, the knockout allele of kea3‐1 exhibited a high‐NPQ phenotype during steady state in ambient air. Consistent with this kea3‐1 phenotype in ambient air, the membrane topology of KEA3 indicated a proton efflux from the thylakoid lumen to the stroma. The dpgr heterozygotes showed a semidominant and dominant phenotype in artificial and ambient air, respectively. In dpgr, the protein level of KEA3 was unaffected but the downregulation of its activity was probably disturbed. Our findings suggest that fine regulation of KEA3 activity is necessary for optimizing photosynthesis.
A nuclear‐localized rice glyoxalase I enzyme, OsGLYI‐8, functions in the detoxification of methylglyoxal in the nucleus
Authors: Kaur Charanpreet , Tripathi Amit K. , Nutan Kamlesh K. , Sharma Shweta , Ghosh Ajit , Tripathi Jayant K. , Pareek Ashwani , Singla‐Pareek Sneh L. , Sopory Sudhir K.
Published: February 2017

The cellular levels of methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic byproduct of glycolysis, rise under various abiotic stresses in plants. Detoxification of MG is primarily through the glyoxalase pathway. The first enzyme of the pathway, glyoxalase I (GLYI), is a cytosolic metalloenzyme requiring either Ni2+ or Zn2+ for its activity. Plants possess multiple GLYI genes, of which only some have been partially characterized; hence, the precise molecular mechanism, subcellular localization and physiological relevance of these diverse isoforms remain enigmatic. Here, we report the biochemical properties and physiological role of a putative chloroplast‐localized GLYI enzyme, OsGLYI‐8, from rice, which is strikingly different from all hitherto studied GLYI enzymes in terms of its intracellular localization, metal dependency and kinetics. In contrast to its predicted localization, OsGLYI‐8 was found to localize in the nucleus along with its substrate, MG. Further, OsGLYI‐8 does not show a strict requirement for metal ions for its activity, is functional as a dimer and exhibits unusual biphasic steady‐state kinetics with a low‐affinity and a high‐affinity substrate‐binding component. Loss of AtGLYI‐2, the closest Arabidopsis ortholog of OsGLYI‐8, results in severe germination defects in the presence of MG and growth retardation under salinity stress conditions. These defects were rescued upon complementation with AtGLYI‐2 or OsGLYI‐8. Our findings thus provide evidence for the presence of a GLYI enzyme and MG detoxification in the nucleus.
NBP35 interacts with DRE2 in the maturation of cytosolic iron‐sulphur proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bastow Emma L. , Bych Katrine , Crack Jason C. , Le Brun Nick E. , Balk Janneke
Published: February 2017

Proteins of the cytosolic pathway for iron‐sulphur (FeS) cluster assembly are conserved, except that plants lack a gene for CFD1 (Cytosolic FeS cluster Deficient 1). This poses the question of how NBP35 (Nucleotide‐Binding Protein 35 kDa), the heteromeric partner of CFD1 in metazoa, functions on its own in plants. Firstly, we created viable mutant alleles of NBP35 in Arabidopsis to overcome embryo lethality of previously reported knockout mutations. RNAi knockdown lines with less than 30% NBP35 protein surprisingly showed no developmental or biochemical differences to wild‐type. Substitution of Cys14 to Ala, which destabilized the N‐terminal Fe4S4 cluster in vitro, caused mild growth defects and a significant decrease in the activity of cytosolic FeS enzymes such as aconitase and aldehyde oxidases. The DNA glycosylase ROS1 was only partially decreased in activity and xanthine dehydrogenase not at all. Plants with strongly depleted NBP35 protein in combination with Cys14 to Ala substitution had distorted leaf development and decreased FeS enzyme activities. To find protein interaction partners of NBP35, a yeast‐two‐hybrid screen was carried out that identified NBP35 and DRE2 (Derepressed for Ribosomal protein S14 Expression). NBP35 is known to form a dimer, and DRE2 acts upstream in the cytosolic FeS protein assembly pathway. The NBP35–DRE2 interaction was not disrupted by Cys14 to Ala substitution. Our results show that NBP35 has a function in the maturation of FeS proteins that is conserved in plants, and is closely allied to the function of DRE2.