bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Contralateral Templating Reliable for Establishing Rotational Alignment During Intramedullary Stabilization of Femoral Shaft Fractures? A Study of Individual Bilateral Differences in Femoral Version
Authors: Croom William P. , Lorenzana Daniel J. , Auran Richard L. , Cavallero Matthew J. , Heckmann Nathanael , Lee Jackson , White Eric A.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To determine native individual bilateral differences (IBDs) in femoral version in a diverse population.

Methods:

Computed tomography scans with complete imaging of uninjured bilateral femora were used to determine femoral version and IBDs in version. Age, sex, and ethnicity of each subject were also collected. Femoral version and IBDs in version were correlated with demographic variables using univariate and multivariate regression models.

Results:

One hundred sixty-four subjects were included in the study. The average femoral version was 9.4 degrees (±9.4 degrees). The mean IBD in femoral version was 5.4 degrees (±4.4 degrees, P < 0.001). A total of 17.7% of subjects had a difference in version ≥10 degrees, and 4.3% had a difference in version ≥15 degrees. A femur with anteversion ≥20 degrees or retroversion was associated with a greater mean difference in version from the contralateral side compared with those with midrange anteversion.

Conclusions:

Bilateral differences in femoral version are common and can result in a difference from native anatomy that may be clinically significant if only the contralateral limb is used to establish rotational alignment during intramedullary stabilization of diaphyseal femur fractures. This is also an important consideration when considering malrotation of femur fractures because most studies define malrotation as a greater than 10–15-degree difference compared with the contralateral side.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ergonomics in Surgery: A Review
Authors: Catanzarite Tatiana , Tan-Kim Jasmine , Whitcomb Emily L. , Menefee Shawn
Published: September 2017

Objective

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent among surgeons and may result in practice modification. We aimed to perform a comprehensive review of the English-language literature regarding ergonomic risk, prevalence of WMSDs, and unique ergonomic considerations by route of surgery.

Methods

Multiple searches were performed of PubMed and University library resources to access English-language publications related to surgeon ergonomics. Combinations of keywords were used for each mode of surgery, including the following: “ergonomics,” “guidelines,” “injury,” “operating room,” “safety,” “surgeon,” and “work-related musculoskeletal disorders.” Each citation was read in detail, and references were reviewed.

Results

Surgeon WMSDs are prevalent, with rates ranging from 66% to 94% for open surgery, 73% to 100% for conventional laparoscopy, 54% to 87% for vaginal surgery, and 23% to 80% for robotic-assisted surgery. Risk factors for injury in open surgery include use of loupes, headlamps, and microscopes. Unique risks in laparoscopic surgery include table and monitor position, long-shafted instruments, and poor instrument handle design. In vaginal surgery, improper table height and twisted trunk position create injury risk. Although robotic surgery offers some advantages, it remains associated with trunk, wrist, and finger strain. Surgeon WMSDs often result in disability but are under-reported to institutions. Additionally, existing research tools face limitations in the operating room environment.

Conclusions

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among surgeons but have received little attention owing to under-reporting of injury and logistical constraints of studying surgical ergonomics. Future research must aim to develop objective surgical ergonomics instruments and guidelines and to correlate ergonomics assessments with pain and tissue-level damage in surgeons with WMSDs. Ergonomics training should be developed to protect surgeons from preventable, potentially career-altering injuries.
Epigenome-associated phenotypic acclimatization to ocean acidification in a reef-building coral
Authors: Liew Yi Jin , Zoccola Didier , Li Yong , Tambutté Eric , Venn Alexander A. , Michell Craig T. , Cui Guoxin , Deutekom Eva S. , Kaandorp Jaap A. , Voolstra Christian R. , Forêt Sylvain , Allemand Denis , Tambutté Sylvie , Aranda Manuel
Published: September 2017

Over the last century, the anthropogenic production of CO2has led to warmer (+0.74 °C) and more acidic (-0.1 pH) oceans1, resulting in increasingly frequent and severe mass bleaching events worldwide that precipitate global coral reef decline2,3. To mitigate this decline, proposals to augment the stress tolerance of corals through genetic and non-genetic means have been gaining traction4. Work on model systems has shown that environmentally induced alterations in DNA methylation can lead to phenotypic acclimatization5,6. While DNA methylation has been observed in corals7-10, its potential role in phenotypic plasticity has not yet been described. Here, we show that, similar to findings in mice11, DNA methylation significantly reduces spurious transcription in the Red Sea coralStylophora pistillata, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of this essential mechanism in corals. Furthermore, we find that DNA methylation also reduces transcriptional noise by fine-tuning the expression of highly expressed genes. Analysis of DNA methylation patterns of corals subjected to long-term pH stress showed widespread changes in pathways regulating cell cycle and body size. Correspondingly, we found significant increases in cell and polyp sizes that resulted in more porous skeletons, supporting the maintenance of linear extension rates under conditions of reduced calcification. These findings suggest an epigenetic component in phenotypic acclimatization, providing corals with an additional mechanism to cope with climate change.
Comparison of gene expression patterns ofKappaphycus alvarezii(Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae) under different light wavelengths and CO2enrichment
Authors: Yee Thien Vun , Rodrigues Kenneth Francis , Wong Vui Ling Clemente Michael , Thau Lym Wilson Yong
Published: September 2017

Transcriptomes associated with the process of photosynthesis and carbon fixation have offered insights into the mechanism of gene regulation in terrestrial plants, however limited information is available as far as macroalgae are concerned. Intertidal red alga,Kappaphycus alvareziiis exposed to different wavelengths of light in their lives as light quantity and quality changes at different depths in seawater. This investigation aims to study the underlying mechanisms associated with photosynthesis and carbon fixation under specific light qualities and CO2enrichment. Light regulation of gene expression has not been previously described for red algae. By using next generation sequencing, transcriptome profiling ofK. alvareziigenerated 76,871 qualified transcripts with a mean length of 979bp and a N50 length of 1,707bp and 55.83% transcripts were annotated on the basis of function. Blue, green and red light all have demonstrated roles in modulating light responses, such as changes in gene expression. Here we analysed the effects of light regulation on four selected photosynthesis aspects (light-harvesting complex, phycobilisomes, photosystems and photoreceptors). We observed that light-regulated gene expression in this species is not a single light response and different light qualities are transduced to regulate the same metabolic pattern. The carbon fixation pathway was analysed and key genes encoding enzymes involved in the carbon fixation pathway such as ppc, pepc, prk, pgk, ppdk, provided that unequivocal molecular evidence that most of the C3and C4pathway genes were actively transcribed inK. alvarezii. In addition to this the CO2induced transcriptome suggested the possibility of shifting carbon metabolism pathway after acclimation to increased level of CO2. Impact of CO2enrichment on the cultures has provided new insight into the response to rising CO2.
Systemic and vascular inflammation in an in-vitro model of central obesity
Authors: Ahluwalia A. , Misto A. , Vozzi F. , Magliaro C. , Mattei G. , Marescotti MC. , Avogaro A. , Iori E.
Published: September 2017

Metabolic disorders due to over-nutrition are a major global health problem, often associated with obesity and related morbidities. Obesity is peculiar to humans, as it is associated with lifestyle and diet, and so difficult to reproduce in animal models.

Here we describe a model of human central adiposity based on a 3-tissue system consisting of a series of interconnected fluidic modules. Given the causal link between obesity and systemic inflammation, we focused primarily on pro-inflammatory markers, examining the similarities and differences between the 3-tissue model and evidence from human studies in the literature. When challenged with high levels of adiposity, the in-vitro system manifests cardiovascular stress through expression of E-selectin and von Willebrand factor as well as systemic inflammation (expressing IL-6 and MCP-1) as observed in humans. Interestingly, most of the responses are dependent on the synergic interaction between adiposity and the presence of multiple tissue types. The set-up has the potential to reduce animal experiments in obesity research and may help unravel specific cellular mechanisms which underlie tissue response to nutritional overload.
A SUMO-dependent feedback loop senses and controls the biogenesis of nuclear pore subunits
Authors: Rouvière Jérôme O. , Bulfoni Manuel , Tuck Alex , Cosson Bertrand , Devaux Frédéric , Palancade Benoit
Published: September 2017

While the activity of multiprotein complexes is crucial for cellular metabolism, little is known about the mechanisms that collectively control the expression of their components in response to the cellular demand. Here, we have investigated the regulations targeting the biogenesis of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), the macromolecular assembly mediating nucleocytoplasmic exchanges. Systematic analysis of RNA-binding proteins interactomes, together within vivoandin vitroassays, revealed that a subset ofNPCmRNAs are specifically bound by Hek2, a yeast hnRNP K-like protein. Hek2-dependentNPCmRNAs translational repression and protein turnover are further shown to finely tune the levels of NPC subunits. Strikingly, Hek2 binding to its target mRNAs requires prior desumoylation by the NPC-associated SUMO protease Ulp1. Mutations or physiological perturbations altering NPC integrity lead to a decrease in the levels of active Ulp1 and to the accumulation of sumoylated, inactive forms of Hek2. Our results support the existence of a quality control mechanism involving Ulp1 as a sensor of NPC integrity and Hek2 as a repressor of NPC biogenesis.
Characterizing highly dynamic conformational states: the transcription bubble in RNAP-promoter open complex as an example
Authors: Lerner Eitan , Ingargiola Antonino , Weiss Shimon
Published: September 2017

Bio-macromolecules carry out complicated functions through structural changes. To understand their mechanism of action, the structure of each step has to be characterized. While classical structural biology techniques allow the characterization of a few ‘structural snapshots’ along the enzymatic cycle (usually of stable conformations), they do not cover all (and often fast interconverting) structures in the ensemble, where each may play an important functional role. Recently, several groups have demonstrated that structures of different conformations in solution could be solved by measuring multiple distances between different pairs of residues using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and using them as constrains for hybrid/integrative structural modeling. However, this approach is limited in cases where the conformational dynamics is faster than the technique’s temporal resolution. In this study, we combine existing tools that elucidate sub-millisecond conformational dynamics together with hybrid/integrative structural modeling to study the conformational states of the transcription bubble in the bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP)-promoter open complex (RPo). We measured microsecond alternating laser excitation μsALEX)-smFRET of differently labeled lacCONS promoter dsDNA constructs. We used a combination of burst variance analysis (BVA), photon-by-photon hidden Markov modelling (H2MM) and the FRET-restrained positioning and screening (FPS) approach to identify two conformational states for RPo. The experimentally-derived distances of one conformational state match the known crystal structure of bacterial RPo. The experimentally-derived distances of the other conformational state have characteristics of a scrunched RPo. These findings support the hypothesis that sub-millisecond dynamics in the transcription bubble are responsible for transcription start site selection.
Uniform gene expression in embryos is achieved by temporal averaging of transcription noise
Authors: Stapel L. Carine , Zechner Christoph , Vastenhouw Nadine L.
Published: September 2017

Transcription is often stochastic. This is seemingly incompatible with the importance of gene expression during development. Here we show that during zebrafish embryogenesis, transcription activation is stochastic due to (1) genes acquiring transcriptional competence at different times in different cells, (2) differences in cell cycle stage between cells, and (3) the stochastic nature of transcription. Initially, stochastic transcription causes large cell-to-cell differences in transcript levels. However, variability is reduced by lengthening cell cycles and the accumulation of transcription events in each cell. Temporal averaging might provide a general context in which to understand how embryos deal with stochastic transcription.
Calcium-dependent O-GlcNAc signaling drives liver autophagy in adaptation to starvation
Authors: Ruan Hai-Bin , Ma Yina , Torres Sara , Zhang Bichen , Feriod Colleen , Heck Ryan M. , Qian Kevin , Fu Minnie , Li Xiuqi , Nathanson Michael H. , Bennett Anton M. , Nie Yongzhan , Ehrlich Barbara E. , Yang Xiaoyong
Published: September 2017

Starvation induces liver autophagy, which is thought to provide nutrients for use by other organs and thereby maintain whole-body homeostasis. Here we demonstrate that O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) is required for glucagon-stimulated liver autophagy and metabolic adaptation to starvation. Genetic ablation of OGT in mouse livers reduces autophagic flux and the production of glucose and ketone bodies. Upon glucagon-induced calcium signaling, calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylates OGT, which in turn promotes O-GlcNAc modification and activation of Ulk proteins by potentiating AMPK-dependent phosphorylation. These findings uncover a signaling cascade by which starvation promotes autophagy through OGT phosphorylation and establish the importance of O-GlcNAc signaling in coupling liver autophagy to nutrient homeostasis.
Redundant and incoherent regulations of multiple phenotypes suggest microRNAs’ role in stability control
Authors: Liufu Zhongqi , Zhao Yixin , Guo Li , Miao Guangxia , Xiao Juan , Lyu Yang , Chen Yuxin , Shi Suhua , Tang Tian , Wu Chung-I
Published: September 2017

Each microRNA (miRNA) represses a web of target genes and, through them, controls multiple phenotypes. The difficulties inherent in such controls cast doubt on how effective miRNAs are in driving phenotypic changes. A “simple regulation” model posits “one target–one phenotype” control under which most targeting is nonfunctional. In an alternative “coordinate regulation” model, multiple targets are assumed to control the same phenotypes coherently, and most targeting is functional. Both models have some empirical support but pose different conceptual challenges. Here, we concurrently analyze multiple targets and phenotypes associated with the miRNA-310 family (miR310s) of Drosophila. Phenotypic rescue in the mir310s knockout background is achieved by promoter-directed RNA interference that restores wild-type expression. For one phenotype (eggshell morphology), we observed redundant regulation, hence rejecting “simple regulation” in favor of the “coordinate regulation” model. For other phenotypes (egg-hatching and male fertility), however, one gene shows full rescue, but three other rescues aggravate the phenotype. Overall, phenotypic controls by miR310s do not support either model. Like a thermostat that controls both heating and cooling elements to regulate temperature, redundancy and incoherence in regulation generally suggest some capacity in stability control. Our results therefore support the published view that miRNAs play a role in the canalization of transcriptome and, hence, phenotypes.
On the onset of strain relaxation in the Al0.45Ga0.55As/InxGa1−xAs active region in quantum cascade laser structures
Authors: Sankowska Iwona , Gutowski Piotr , Jasik Agata , Czuba Krzysztof , Dabrowski Jerzy , Bugajski Maciej
Published: September 2017

The Al0.45Ga0.55As/InxGa1−xAs active regions in quantum cascade laser structures grown on (001) GaAs substrates were investigated using the high-resolution X-ray diffraction method. The onset of the strain relaxation process has been studied. Reciprocal-space mapping showed that diffuse scattering is visible in the early stage of relaxation for the structure withx= 2.64% in the InxGa1−xAs layers. It has been proved that the diffuse scattering is the result of misfit dislocations generated by partial relaxation of the structures. The integration of the diffuse scattering has enabled determination of the dislocation density.
User evaluation of a task for shortlisting papers from researcher’s reading list for citing in manuscripts
Authors: Sesagiri Raamkumar Aravind , Foo Schubert , Pang Natalie
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Although many interventional approaches have been proposed to address the apparent gap between novices and experts for literature review (LR) search tasks, there have been very few approaches proposed for manuscript preparation (MP) related tasks. The purpose of this paper is to describe a task and an incumbent technique for shortlisting important and unique papers from the reading list (RL) of researchers, meant for citation in a manuscript.

Design/methodology/approach

A user evaluation study was conducted on the prototype system which was built for supporting the shortlisting papers (SP) task along with two other LR search tasks. A total of 119 researchers who had experience in authoring research papers participated in this study. An online questionnaire was provided to the participants for evaluating the task. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the collected evaluation data.

Findings

Graduate research students prefer this task more than research and academic staff. The evaluation measures relevance, usefulness and certainty were identified as predictors for the output quality measure “good list”. The shortlisting feature and information cues were the preferred aspects while limited data set and rote steps in the study were ascertained as critical aspects from the qualitative feedback of the participants.

Originality/value

Findings point out that researchers are clearly interested in this novel task of SP from the final RL prepared during LR. This has implications for digital library, academic databases and reference management software where this task can be included to benefit researchers at the manuscript preparatory stage of the research lifecycle.
Cross-generational analysis of information seeking behavior of smartphone users
Authors: Zhitomirsky-Geffet Maayan , Blau Maya
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predictive factors of information seeking behavior of smartphone users from the cross-generational perspective. Based on existing literature, the two most popular types of information seeking behavior of smartphone users were determined: social information seeking behavior; and functional/cognitive information seeking behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire comprising 66 questions was administered online to 216 smartphone users of three age groups according to three generations: generation X, Y (millennials) and Z. Several predictive factors were examined for each of these information seeking behavior types: generation, gender, personality traits (the Big Five), daily usage time, period of ownership, various application utilization and the level of emotional gain from smartphones.

Findings

There is a trade-off between the two types of information seeking behavior. Also, men exhibited significantly more functional/cognitive information seeking behavior than women, and younger generations reported significantly higher emotional gain and social information seeking behavior than older generations. Interestingly, significant differences in smartphone apps’ utilization, information seeking behavior types and their predictive factors were found among users from different generations. Extraversion was positively related to social information seeking behavior only for generations X and Y, while WhatsApp usage was one of the strongest predictive factors only for generation Z.

Practical implications

This research has practical implications for information system design, education, e-commerce and libraries.

Originality/value

This is a first study that systematically examines predictive factors of the two prominent types of information seeking behavior on smartphones from the cross-generational perspective.
Gender and image sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp in the UK
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Vis Farida
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Despite the on going shift from text-based to image-based communication in the social web, supported by the affordances of smartphones, little is known about the new image sharing practices. Both gender and platform type seem likely to be important, but it is unclear how. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper surveys an age-balanced sample of UK Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp image sharers with a range of exploratory questions about platform use, privacy, interactions, technology use and profile pictures.

Findings

Females shared photos more often overall and shared images more frequently on Snapchat, but males shared more images on Twitter, particularly for hobbies. Females also tended to have more privacy-related concerns but were more willing, in principle, to share pictures of their children. Females also interacted more through others’ images by liking and commenting on them. Both genders used supporting apps but in different ways: females applied filters and posted to albums whereas males retouched photos and used photo organising apps. Finally, males were more likely to be alone in their profile pictures.

Practical implications

Those designing visual social web communication strategies to reach out to users should consider the different ways in which platforms are used by males and females to optimise their message for their target audience.

Social implications

There are clear gender and platform differences in visual communication strategies. Overall, males may tend to have more informational and females more relationship-based, skills or needs.

Originality/value

This is the first detailed survey of electronic image sharing practices and the first to systematically compare the current generation of platforms.
Research and recommendations for employee engagement: revisiting the employee-organization linkage
Authors: Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Pradhan Sajeet
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of employee engagement that will help employees to contribute toward organizational and societal goals in meaningful ways.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes an exploratory viewpoint of employee engagement based on the extant literature and offers a conceptual model of employee engagement and its possible merits.

Findings

The paper strives to expand our understanding of employee engagement and addresses concerns regarding an apathetic treatment by practitioners.

Originality/value

The paper draws the attention of both academicians and practitioners by offering a conceptual model that will compel them to rethink the ways employee engagement is considered.
Metamodel-based design optimization employing a novel sequential sampling strategy
Authors: Shu Leshi , Jiang Ping , Wan Li , Zhou Qi , Shao Xinyu , Zhang Yahui
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Metamodels are widely used to replace simulation models in engineering design optimization to reduce the computational cost. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel sequential sampling strategy (weighted accumulative error sampling, WAES) to obtain accurate metamodels and apply it to improve the quality of global optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential single objective formulation is constructed to adaptively select new sample points. In this formulation, the optimization objective is to select a sample point with the maximum weighted accumulative predicted error obtained by analyzing data from previous iterations, and a space-filling criterion is introduced and treated as a constraint to avoid generating clustered sample points. Based on the proposed sequential sampling strategy, a two-step global optimization approach is developed.

Findings

The proposed WAES approach and the global optimization approach are tested in several cases. A comparison has been made between the proposed approach and other existing approaches. Results illustrate that WAES approach performs the best in improving metamodel accuracy and the two-step global optimization approach has a great ability to avoid local optimum.

Originality/value

The proposed WAES approach overcomes the shortcomings of some existing approaches. Besides, the two-step global optimization approach can be used for improving the optimization results.
Optimal sensors and actuators placement for large-scale unstable systems via restricted genetic algorithm
Authors: Seyed Sakha Masoud , Shaker Hamid Reza
Published: September 2017

Purpose

One of the fundamental problems in control systems engineering is the problem of sensors and actuators placement. Decisions in this context play a key role in the success of control process. The methods developed for optimal placement of the sensors and actuators are known to be computationally expensive. The computational burden is significant, in particular, for large-scale systems. The purpose of this paper is to improve and extend the state-of-the-art methods within this field.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new technique is developed for placing sensor and actuator in large-scale systems by using restricted genetic algorithm (RGA). RGA is a kind of genetic algorithm which is developed specifically for sensors and actuator placement.

Findings

Unlike its other counterparts, the proposed method not only supports unstable systems but also requires significantly lower computations. The numerical investigations have confirmed the advantages of the proposed methods which are clearly significant, in particular, in dealing with large-scale unstable systems.

Originality/value

The proposed method is novel, and compared to the methods which have already been presented in literature is more general and numerically more efficient.
A state space boundary element method for elasticity of functionally graded materials
Authors: Cheng Changzheng , Han Zhilin , Niu Zhongrong , Sheng Hongyu
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The state space method (SSM) is good at analyzing the interfacial physical quantities in laminated materials, while it has difficulty in calculating the mechanical quantities of interior points, which can be easily evaluated by the boundary element method (BEM). However, the material has to be divided into many subdomains when the traditional BEM is applied to analyze the functionally graded material (FGM), so that the computational amount will be increased enormously. This study aims to couple these two methods to strengthen their advantages and overcome their disadvantages.

Design/methodology/approach

Herein, a state space BEM in which the SSM is coupled by the BEM is proposed to analyze the elasticity of FGMs, where one BEM domain is set and the others belong to SSM domains. The discretized elements occur only on the boundary of the BEM domain and at the interfaces between different SSM domains. In SSM domains, the horizontal interfaces of FGMs are discretized by linear elements and the variables along the vertical direction are yielded by the precise integration method.

Findings

The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by comparing the present results with the ones from the finite element method (FEM). It is found that the present method can provide accurate displacements and stresses in the FGMs by fewer freedom degrees in comparison with the FEM. In addition, the present method can provide continuous interfacial stresses at the interfaces between different material domains, while the interfacial stresses by the FEM are discontinuous.

Originality/value

The system equations of the state space BEM are built by combining the boundary integral equation with the state equations according to the continuity conditions at the interfaces. The mechanical parameters of any inner point can be evaluated by the boundary integral equation after the unknowns on the boundaries and interfaces are determined by the system equation.
GDP, energy consumption and financial development in Italy
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship among energy consumption, real income, financial development and oil prices in Italy over the period 1960-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

Different econometric techniques – such as the General Methods of Moment (GMM) or the AutoRegressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) bounds test – are usually used in the empirical analysis. Moreover, both the Toda and Yamamoto causality tests and the Granger causality tests are applied to the data.

Findings

The results of unit root and stationarity tests show that the variables are non-stationary at levels, but stationary in first-differences form, or I(1). The ARDL boundsF-test reveals an evidence of a long-run relationship among the four variables at 1% significance level. Moreover, an increase in real GDP and oil prices has a significant effect on energy consumption in the long run. The coefficients of estimated error correction term are also negative and statistically significant. In addition, the paper explores the causal relationship between the variables by using a VAR framework, with Toda and Yamamoto but also Granger causality tests, within both multivariate and bivariate systems. The findings indicate that energy consumption is affected by real GDP.

Originality/value

The study also filled the literature gap of applying ARDL technique to examine this relevant issue for Italy.
The role of wilderness experiences in leaders’ development toward authentic leadership
Authors: van Droffelaar Boy , Jacobs Maarten
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of leaders’ wilderness experiences on intentions to transform leadership behaviors toward authentic leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis was used on trail reports made by participants of a wilderness-based leadership program. Participants (n=97) were leaders working in business and institutional settings, both males and females. Participants were asked to write personal reports within two weeks after the training program about their wilderness experiences, and related behavioral intentions.

Findings

The analyses revealed four categories of leaders’ peak experiences: heightened sense of self, awareness of one’s core values, deep connected attention, and being in full presence. These peak experiences triggered intentions to change future leadership behaviors: to be more aware of self, to live by the inner compass, to improve careful listening, and to become more transparent. These intentions closely resonate with the core components of authentic leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ sample is characterized by developmental readiness: people who are already willing to change. However, developmental ready leaders are the subset of leaders that is particularly relevant studying change toward authentic leadership. Another limitation is intentions are assessed, and hence knowledge about actual changes in leadership style requires additional research.

Practical implications

The attributes of the transformation program that foster change as revealed here – being in another world, facing unfamiliar challenges, peer-to-peer learning – can be flexibly adopted and implemented in a wide range of leadership transformation programs.

Originality/value

By demonstrating that being immersed in nature can act as a significant life event that has the potential to foster authentic leadership, this study provides an original contribution to the literature on strategies for intra-personal leadership development.
Supplementing small farms with native mason bees increases strawberry size and growth rate
Authors: Horth Lisa , Campbell Laura A.
Published: September 2017

Pollination services, especially those of bees, play a vital role in agriculture. Declining honeybee populations require us to find alternative solutions for sustainable agriculture. Native bees are proving to be efficient pollinators. Mason bees (Osmia lignaria) provide valuable pollinator services for some woody orchard species, but their value as pollinators for herbaceous crops is largely untested.

We assessed the effectiveness of O. lignaria supplementation on nine strawberry farms over two growing seasons. We specifically selected mason bees for this work because they emerge from cocoons in the springtime, when few other bees are available for pollination. Cocoons are easily deployed on farms and emerged bees have a small flight radius, so they remain localized. We placed cocoons on one side of each berry farm plot (our mason bee addition treatment) but not on the opposite side (our control). We tagged and monitored berries on nine farms throughout the growing season. We performed statistical comparisons of berries from the treatment and control for differences in berry growth rate and size. In addition, we supplemented farms with native bee homes constructed from three materials (bamboo, Phragmites and wood). This allowed us to determine whether adult mason bees would produce a subsequent generation of bees on farms and whether the bees had a preference for nest material type.

Our work demonstrates that mason bees can be used successfully to pollinate herbaceous berry crops. We found that berry growth rate was significantly higher and berry volume was significantly larger for berries from the treatment relative to the control. We also found that adult bees successfully utilized the bee homes for laying the next generation of offspring and that bees colonized bamboo homes more than other home types.

Synthesis and applications. Our results are the first to show that native mason bees (Osmia lignaria) can be used successfully to provide pollination services on strawberry farms. Their use results in the production of bigger berries and faster berry growth rates than managed honeybees alone. Mason bees overwinter (and can be purchased) in cocoons, offering great potential for efficient and effective pollination services, for a variety of agricultural applications across different geographical regions. The availability of suitable nesting sites and protection of subsequent generations of cocoons from wasp parasitization warrant future consideration.
Production of a novel medium chain length poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoate) using unprocessed biodiesel waste and its evaluation as a tissue engineering scaffold
Authors: Basnett Pooja , Lukasiewicz Barbara , Marcello Elena , Gura Harpreet K. , Knowles Jonathan C. , Roy Ipsita
Published: September 2017

This study demonstrated the utilization of unprocessed biodiesel waste as a carbon feedstock for Pseudomonas mendocinaCH50, for the production of PHAs. A PHA yield of 39.5% CDM was obtained using 5% (v/v) biodiesel waste substrate. Chemical analysis confirmed that the polymer produced was poly(3‐hydroxyhexanoate‐co‐3‐hydroxyoctanoate‐co‐3‐hydroxydecanoate‐co‐3‐hydroxydodecanoate) or P(3HHx‐3HO‐3HD‐3HDD). P(3HHx‐3HO‐3HD‐3HDD) was further characterized and evaluated for its use as a tissue engineering scaffold (TES). This study demonstrated that P(3HHx‐3HO‐3HD‐3HDD) was biocompatible with the C2C12 (myoblast) cell line. In fact, the % cell proliferation of C2C12 on the P(3HHx‐3HO‐3HD‐3HDD) scaffold was 72% higher than the standard tissue culture plastic confirming that this novel PHA was indeed a promising new material for soft tissue engineering.
Current practice of allergy diagnosis and the potential impact of regulation in Europe
Authors: Cardona V. , Demoly P. , Dreborg S. , Kalpaklioglu A. F. , Klimek L. , Muraro A. , Pfaar O. , Popov T. A. , Hoffmann H. J.
Published: September 2017

In the European Union (EU), the regulatory framework regarding diagnostic allergen extracts is currently in the process of being implemented at the national level. Due to these regulations, the initial and periodic renewal expenses for the registration of diagnostic allergen extracts may render extract production unprofitable. Consequently, many extracts may be at risk of removal from the market. The current survey, which was conducted by a task force of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, aimed to assess the current practice of allergy diagnosis in Europe. This survey revealed that skin tests continue to be the main diagnostic procedure and are used as the first option in almost two‐third of all types of allergic diseases and in 90% of individuals suffering from respiratory allergies. Therefore, there is a need to ensure the availability of high‐quality allergen extracts to maintain the common diagnostic procedures used by EU professionals. To reach this goal, it is necessary to align efforts and establish active partnerships between manufacturers, relevant scientific societies, consumer organizations and authorities to maintain the availability of these diagnostic tools.
The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) score of allergic rhinitis using mobile technology correlates with quality of life: The MASK study
Authors: Bousquet J. , Arnavielhe S. , Bedbrook A. , Fonseca J. , Morais Almeida M. , Todo Bom A. , Annesi‐Maesano I. , Caimmi D. , Demoly P. , Devillier P. , Siroux V. , Menditto E. , Passalacqua G. , Stellato C. , Ventura M. T. , Cruz A. A. , Sarquis Serpa F. , da Silva J. , Larenas‐Linnemann D. , Rodriguez Gonzalez M. , Burguete Cabañas M. T. , Bergmann K. C. , Keil T. , Klimek L. , Mösges R. , Shamai S. , Zuberbier T. , Bewick M. , Price D. , Ryan D. , Sheikh A. , Anto J. M. , Mullol J. , Valero A. , Haahtela T. , Valovirta E. , Fokkens W. J. , Kuna P. , Samolinski B. , Bindslev‐Jensen C. , Eller E. , Bosnic‐Anticevich S. , O'Hehir R. E. , Tomazic P. V. , Yorgancioglu A. , Gemicioglu B. , Bachert C. , Hellings P. W. , Kull I. , Melén E. , Wickman M. , van Eerd M. , De Vries G. ,   the MASK study group
Published: September 2017

Mobile technology has been used to appraise allergic rhinitis control, but more data are needed. To better assess the importance of mobile technologies in rhinitis control, the ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) score ranging from 0 to 4 of the Allergy Diary was compared with EQ‐5D (EuroQuol) and WPAI‐AS (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment in allergy) in 1288 users in 18 countries. This study showed that quality‐of‐life data (EQ‐5D visual analogue scale and WPA‐IS Question 9) are similar in users without rhinitis and in those with mild rhinitis (scores 0‐2). Users with a score of 3 or 4 had a significant impairment in quality‐of‐life questionnaires.
Mast cells and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate underlie prelesional remodeling in a mouse model of eczema
Authors: Wedman P. A. , Aladhami A. , Chumanevich A. P. , Fuseler J. W. , Oskeritzian C. A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin inflammation that affects children and adults worldwide, but its pathogenesis remains ill‐understood.

Methods

We show that a single application of OVA to mouse skin initiates remodeling and cellular infiltration of the hypodermis measured by a newly developed computer‐aided method.

Results

Importantly, we demonstrate that skin mast cell (MC) activation and local sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) are significantly augmented after OVA treatment in mice. Deficiency in sphingosine kinase (SphK)1, the S1P‐producing enzyme, or in MC, remarkably mitigates all signs of OVA‐mediated remodeling and MC activation. Furthermore, skin S1P levels remain unchanged in MC‐deficient mice exposed to OVA. LPS‐free OVA does not recapitulate any of the precursor signs of AD, supporting a triggering contribution of LPS in AD that, per se, suffice to activate local MC and elevate skin S1P.

Conclusion

We describe MC and S1P as novel pathogenic effectors that initiate remodeling in AD prior to any skin lesions and reveal the significance of LPS in OVA used in most studies, thus mimicking natural antigen (Ag) exposure.
Equivalent linear change in cognition between individuals with bipolar disorder and healthy controls over 5 years
Authors: Ryan Kelly A , Assari Shervin , Angers Kaley , Marshall David F , Hinrichs Kristin , Easter Rebecca , Babu Pallavi , Pester Bethany D , Langenecker Scott A , McInnis Melvin G
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Cognitive dysfunction is a key feature of bipolar disorder (BD). However, not much is known about its temporal stability, as some studies have demonstrated a neurodegenerative model in BD while others have shown no change in cognitive functioning over time. Building upon our prior work, which examined the natural course of executive functioning, the current study aimed to investigate the natural course of memory, emotion processing, and fine motor dexterity over a 5‐year period in BD and healthy control (HC) samples.

Methods

Using a 5‐year longitudinal cohort, 90 individuals with BD and 17 HCs were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests at study baseline and at 1 and 5 years after study entry that captured four areas of cognitive performance: visual memory, auditory memory, emotion processing, and fine motor dexterity.

Results

Latent growth curve modeling showed no group differences in the slopes of any of the cognitive factors between the BD and HC groups. Age at baseline was negatively associated with visual memory, emotion processing, and fine motor dexterity. Education level was positively associated with auditory and visual memory and fine motor. Female gender was negatively associated with emotion processing.

Conclusions

Extending our prior work on longitudinal evaluation of executive functioning, individuals with BD show similar linear change in other areas of cognitive functioning including memory, emotion processing, and fine motor dexterity as compared to unaffected HCs. Age, education, and gender may have some differential effects on cognitive changes.
Iron storage in liver, bone marrow and splenic Gaucheroma reflects residual disease in type 1 Gaucher disease patients on treatment
Authors: Regenboog Martine , Bohte Anneloes E. , Akkerman Erik M. , Stoker Jaap , Hollak Carla E.M.
Published: September 2017

Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the storage of glycosphingolipids in macrophages. Despite effective therapy, residual disease is present in varying degrees and may be associated with late complications, such as persistent bone or liver disease and increased cancer risk. Gaucher macrophages are capable of storing iron and locations of residual disease may thus be detectable with iron imaging. Forty type 1 GD (GD1) patients and 40 matched healthy controls were examined using a whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging protocol consisting of standard sequences, allowing analysis of iron content per organ, expressed as R2* (Hz). Median R2* values were significantly elevated in GD1 patients as compared to healthy controls in liver [41 Hz (range 29–165) vs. 38 Hz (range 28–53), P < 0·01], femoral bone marrow [54 Hz (range 37–129) vs. 49 Hz (range 39–69), P = 0·036] and vertebral bone marrow (118 Hz (range 82–210) vs. 105 Hz (range 76–149), P < 0·01). In the spleen, primarily focal Gaucher lesions known as Gaucheroma were found to have increased R2* values. R2* values of liver, spleen and vertebral bone marrow strongly correlated with serum ferritin levels. GD1 patients with persistent hyperferritinaemia demonstrate increased iron levels in liver and bone marrow, which may carry a risk for liver fibrosis and cancer.
Specific IgE to peanut 2S albumin Ara h 7 has a discriminative ability comparable to Ara h 2 and 6
Authors: Blankestijn M. A. , Otten H. G. , Suer W. , Weimann A. , Knol E. F. , Knulst A. C.
Published: September 2017

Background

Little is known on the clinical relevance of peanut 2S albumin Ara h 7.

Objective

To investigate the discriminative ability of Ara h 7 in peanut allergy and assess the role of cross‐reactivity between Ara h 2, 6 and Ara h 7 isoforms.

Methods

Sensitization to recombinant peanut storage proteins Ara h 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 was assessed using a line blot in sera from 40 peanut‐tolerant and 40 peanut‐allergic patients, based on food challenge outcome. A dose‐dependent ELISA inhibition experiment was performed with recombinant Ara h 2, 6 and Ara h 7 isoforms.

Results

For Ara h 7.0201, an area under the ROC curve was found of 0.83, comparable to Ara h 2 (AUC 0.81) and Ara h 6 (AUC 0.85). Ara h 7 intensity values strongly correlated with those from Ara h 2 and 6 (rs = 0.81). Of all patients sensitized to 2S albumins Ara h 2, 6, or 7, the majority was co‐sensitized to all three (n = 24, 68%), although mono‐sensitization to either 2S albumin was also observed in selected patients (Ara h 2: n = 6, 17%; Ara h 6: n = 2, 6%; Ara h 7: n = 2, 6%). Binding to Ara h 7.0101 could be strongly inhibited by Ara h 7.0201, but not the other way around.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Specific IgE against Ara h 7.0201 has a predictive ability for peanut allergy similar to Ara h 2 and 6 and possesses unique IgE epitopes as well as epitopes shared between the other Ara h 7 isoform and Ara h 2 and 6. While co‐sensitization to all three 2S albumins is most common, mono‐sensitization to either Ara h 2, 6, or 7 occurs in selected patients, leading to a risk of misdiagnosis when testing for a single 2S albumin.