bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tariff‐jumping foreign direct investment in protectionist era Ireland
Authors: Barry Frank , Barry Linda , Menton Aisling
Published: October 2016

The Committee on Industrial Organisation was established in the early 1960s to evaluate the level of preparedness of Irish industry for the imminent dismantling of the country's protectionist trade barriers. The Committee's sectoral reports list the 900 or so manufacturing firms that it surveyed and that together accounted for more than half of Irish manufacturing employment. From a range of archival sources, this article identifies the nationality of ownership of most of these firms, alongside their date of establishment and level of employment in 1960. Industrial grants data are used to strip out export‐oriented businesses that began to arrive in the 1950s. This makes it possible to estimate the employment share and sectoral presence of tariff‐jumping foreign firms. The latter is analysed through the lens of modern perspectives on foreign direct investment. The article also enhances our understanding of the interest‐group politics of the trade liberalization process.
Predictive significance of the European LeukemiaNet classification of genetic aberrations in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hemmati Philipp G. , Vuong Lam G. , Terwey Theis H. , Jehn Christian F. , le Coutre Philipp , Penack Olaf , Na Il‐Kang , Dörken Bernd , Arnold Renate
Published: October 2016

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) classification of genetic risk in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 274 patients transplanted at our centre between 2004 and 2014.

Results

The ELN grouping is comparable to the Southwest Oncology Group/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (SWOG/ECOG) stratification in predicting the outcome after alloSCT [overall P = 0.0064 for disease‐free survival (DFS), overall P = 0.003 for relapse]. Patients with an intermediate‐1 profile have a significantly elevated 5‐yr relapse incidence as compared to favourable risk patients, that is 40% vs. 15%, [hazard ratio (HR) 2.58, P = 0.048]. An intermediate‐1 risk profile is an independent predictor for relapse as determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 3.05, P = 0.023). In intermediate‐1 patients, the presence of an FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD) is associated with a significantly increased relapse incidence (P = 0.0323), and a lower DFS (P = 0.0465). FLT3‐ITD is an independent predictor for overall survival, DFS and relapse incidence in the intermediate‐1 subgroup.

Conclusions

The ELN stratification of genetic risk predicts the outcome of patients with AML undergoing alloSCT. Patients with an intermediate‐1 profile have a high risk for treatment failure due to relapse, which prompts the development of alternative treatment strategies.
Visuomotor signals for reaching movements in the rostro‐dorsal sector of the monkey thalamic reticular nucleus
Authors: Saga Yosuke , Nakayama Yoshihisa , Inoue Ken‐ichi , Yamagata Tomoko , Hashimoto Masashi , Tremblay Léon , Takada Masahiko , Hoshi Eiji
Published: October 2016

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) collects inputs from the cerebral cortex and thalamus and, in turn, sends inhibitory outputs to the thalamic relay nuclei. This unique connectivity suggests that the TRN plays a pivotal role in regulating information flow through the thalamus. Here, we analyzed the roles of TRN neurons in visually guided reaching movements. We first used retrograde transneuronal labeling with rabies virus, and showed that the rostro‐dorsal sector of the TRN (TRNrd) projected disynaptically to the ventral premotor cortex (PMv). In other experiments, we recorded neurons from the TRNrd or PMv while monkeys performed a visuomotor task. We found that neurons in the TRNrd and PMv showed visual‐, set‐, and movement‐related activity modulation. These results indicate that the TRNrd, as well as the PMv, is involved in the reception of visual signals and in the preparation and execution of reaching movements. The fraction of neurons that were non‐selective for the location of visual signals or the direction of reaching movements was greater in the TRNrd than in the PMv. Furthermore, the fraction of neurons whose activity increased from the baseline was greater in the TRNrd than in the PMv. The timing of activity modulation of visual‐related and movement‐related neurons was similar in TRNrd and PMv neurons. Overall, our data suggest that TRNrd neurons provide motor thalamic nuclei with inhibitory inputs that are predominantly devoid of spatial selectivity, and that these signals modulate how these nuclei engage in both sensory processing and motor output during visually guided reaching behavior.
Blood cells serve as a source of factor‐inducing rapid ischemic tolerance in brain
Authors: Bonova Petra , Nemethova Miroslava , Matiasova Milina , Bona Martin , Gottlieb Miroslav
Published: October 2016

Ischemic tolerance (IT) has gained attention as an attractive strategy for improving stroke outcome. Recently, it was shown that signal responsible for rapid IT induction (tolerance induction factor – TIF) is transmitted via circulating blood. In this study, we have hypothesized about the role of the blood cell compartment in TIF production. We used hind‐limb ischemia to generate TIF as a rapid preconditioning against transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The essential properties of protein synthesis inhibitors actinomycin D and cycloheximide were utilized to obtain the following results: (i) TIF is proteinaceous. Hind‐limb ischemia mediates gene expression followed by translation, resulting in the production of TIF. Blocking of each of these two steps in protein synthesis resulted in rapid infarct evolution (281.5 ± 23.37 and 330.4 ± 71.8 mm3, respectively). (ii) Tourniquet‐treated muscle is not a source of TIF. Actinomicine D injected into rat prior to tolerance induction significantly suppressed RNA synthesis in blood cells and muscle tissue. Cross‐circulation of those rats (donors) with control animals (recipients) did not mediate significant infarct reduction (272.9 ± 12.45 mm3), even when hind‐limb ischemia was performed before MCAO in the recipient (223.2 ± 37.51 mm3). (iii) Blood cells serve as a source of TIF. Preischemic transfusion of plasma‐free, protein‐synthesis‐inactive blood cells, which were obtained from tolerant animals did not reduce infarct volume in recipients (131 ± 16.1 mm3) in a range comparable with their protein‐synthesis‐active counterparts (17.2 ± 12 mm3). We can conclude that blood cells are associated with the induction of rapid IT via production of a bioactive proteinaceous substance.
Pore‐size distribution and compressibility of coarse sandy subsoil with added biochar
Authors: Petersen C. T. , Hansen E. , Larsen H. H. , Hansen L. V. , Ahrenfeldt J. , Hauggaard‐Nielsen H.
Published: October 2016

Sustainable agricultural production on coarse sandy soil is constrained by the restricted growth of roots, and poor water and nutrient retention. Amending the soil with biochar can reduce these problems, but the processes involved are not known in detail. We investigated in the laboratory the effects of two fine‐grained gasification biochars made of straw (LTST) and other materials (LTSN) and of one fast pyrolysis straw biochar (FPST) on pore‐size distribution and soil compressibility when added to coarse sandy subsoil. Water retention and therefore pore‐size distribution were affected systematically. All biochars converted drainable pore space with pore diameters in the range 60–300 µm into water‐retaining pores of size 0.2–60 µm, which was taken as an estimate of available water capacity (AWC). Effects were linear over the whole range of biochar (0–4% by mass). The effect of LTST and LTSN on AWC (3.6% by volume per % biochar) was about 70% larger than the effect of the somewhat coarser FPST biochar (2.1% by volume per % biochar). The compression index increased linearly with biochar content without any significant effects from the type of biochar. The common least squares estimate of the slope was 21.2 kg m−3 %−1 by weight. The results reflect a strong interaction at the microscopic scale between biochar and soil rather than intrinsic properties of the added biochar.

Highlights

How fine‐grained biochars added to sandy soil affect water retention and soil compressibility.

Such combined effects have not been investigated previously in coarse sandy subsoil.

Pore space was changed from drainable to water retaining, and the soil became easier to compress.

Fine‐grained biochars were more efficient than a coarser biochar in changing the pore space.
Nitrogen transformations in and N2O emissions from soil amended with manure solids and nitrification inhibitor
Authors: Zhu K. , Bruun S. , Jensen L. S.
Published: October 2016

Nitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil can be suppressed effectively by the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD). However, there is currently a lack of in‐depth understanding about whether the effect produced by DCD is affected by the application of manure solids and about the mechanisms of the mitigation effect of DCD on N2O emissions. We applied the 15N pool dilution technique in an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of DCD on nitrification processes and N2O emissions in soil amended with manure solids that were distributed either homogeneously or heterogeneously. The numerical model FLUAZ was used to calculate the gross nitrogen transformation rates from the 15N trace results. The results showed that application of DCD effectively inhibited gross nitrification rates by 50–66% in soil amended with manure solids, but there were no significant effects on nitrate immobilization and remineralization rates. With large rates of nitrate consumption (7–11 mg N kg−1 soil day−1), we detected no significant effect of DCD on nitrification. In general, N2O emissions were about 50% less with the addition of DCD to the soil, even when nitrate consumption dominated. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of manure solids interacted with the inhibitory effects of DCD on nitrification and N2O emissions.

Highlights

Explored the effects of co‐application of DCD and manure solids on N transformations.

Used the 15N pool dilution technique to investigate effect of DCD on nitrification processes and N2O emissions.

Application of DCD effectively and selectively inhibited gross nitrification rates and N2O emissions.

The addition of DCD could be used to optimize application strategies of manure solids.
The vocabulary of groups in eleventh‐century Mantua
Authors: Houghton Robert
Published: October 2016

Imperial charters issued to the cities of Italy in the eleventh and early twelfth century have been studied extensively for their presentation of social groups and the interaction of these groups with the imperial court. However, these studies have generally overlooked the role of these documents as political rhetoric. This paper argues that the terms and phrasing used to describe the people of Mantua in the imperial charters of the eleventh century were chosen for their political and ideological power, not for their ability to indicate a concrete social group.
Due Diligence and Investee Performance
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Zambelli Simona
Published: October 2016

We estimate the economic value of due diligence (DD) in the context of private equity by investigating the relationship between DD and investee performance, while controlling for endogeneity. With the adoption of a novel dataset, we find evidence highly consistent with the view that a thorough DD is associated with improved investee performance. We also distinguish the role of different types of DD and show that the DD performed by fund managers has a more pronounced impact on performance. Instead, the DD mainly performed by external agents, i.e., consultants, lawyers and accountants, gives rise to puzzling results and imperfect matching.
Climate Change Adaptation as a Growing Development Priority: Towards Critical Adaptation Scholarship
Authors: Webber Sophie
Published: October 2016

Climate change adaptation has grown rapidly in prominence in development practice and scholarship. Alongside this growth, adaptation has been folded into the world of development. This article reviews the ways that adaptation has become a concern for the world of development, suggesting three important trends: problematizations of vulnerability, the financial architecture of adaptation, and the tool of climate change ‘mainstreaming’. Given that adaptation has entered the development arena, this article reviews relevant critical development literature that might helpfully shed light on the operation of adaptation. The article first reviews a tripartite typology of development scholarship: pro‐development/instrumental, post‐development, and critical development studies. Then, it reviews the analogous research on adaptation according to this typology, showing the limits to both the instrumental and post‐adaptation scholarship. Finally, the article engages a vein of critical development studies – concerned particularly with the churning of development priorities and their management and governance – in order examine how adaptation works as an organizing principle.
Trials and Tribulations: Problematizing the City through/as Urban Experimentation
Authors: Evans Joshua
Published: October 2016

This review article addresses the phenomenon of urban experimentation. Urban experimentation has achieved notable significance in recent years. Viewing the city as a laboratory for field‐testing new practices, or as a setting for experimental sites, has earned significant cache when it comes to contemporary urban issues such as governance reform, urban sustainability and economic development. In this regard, urban experiments are an important vehicle for not only understanding the city but also transforming it. This article reviews how experimentation has been defined teasing out some basic concepts before examining how experimentation has been broadly applied across urban studies. The paper then draws attention to three realms of urban development – social, economic, and sustainability – and asks how experimentation in these realms acts as a mode of problematization that summons particular forms of governance, the implications of which are summarized.
Retrospective analysis of in vivo recovery and clearance during continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIII products: a single‐institution study
Authors: Suzuki N. , Hirakawa A. , Kishimoto M. , Kanematsu T. , Ogawa M. , Kiyoi H. , Matsushita T.
Published: October 2016

Background

Continuous infusion (CI) of recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) concentrates has been reported as an effective and safe method to achieve haemostasis during major surgeries or severe bleeding events. For more effective and safer CI, better understanding of in vivo recovery (IVR) and clearance (CL) issues is imperative.

Objective

We investigated the following factors affecting IVR and CL using univariate and multivariate regression analyses during 47 CIs in 34 patients: rFVIII concentrate type, haemophilia severity, blood type, the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), age and body mass index (BMI).

Results

The mean IVR was 1.64 ± 0.49 IU dL−1 per IU kg−1, and the mean CL during CI was 3.56 ± 1.57 mL h−1 kg−1. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed that the CL of octocog alfa was significantly lower than that of rurioctocog alfa (P = 0.043 and 0.0034, respectively). There was a significant difference in BMI in the univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P = 0.0403 and 0.0376, respectively).

Conclusions

This study indicated that CL during CI was potentially affected by the type of rFVIII concentrate used and BMI.
Predictive parameter of tolvaptan effectiveness in cirrhotic ascites
Authors: Kawaratani Hideto , Fukui Hiroshi , Moriya Kei , Noguchi Ryuichi , Namisaki Tadashi , Uejima Masakazu , Kitade Mitsuteru , Takeda Kosuke , Okura Yasushi , Kaji Kosuke , Nishimura Norihisa , Takaya Hiroaki , Aihara Yousuke , Sawada Yasuhiko , Sato Shinya , Seki Kenichiro , Mitoro Akira , Yamao Junichi , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: October 2016

Aims

The efficacy of the vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan for difficult‐to‐treat cirrhotic ascites has recently been reported. However, its effect is variable among patients. This study aimed to clarify the predictive factors for obtaining a good response to tolvaptan in patients with difficult‐to‐treat ascites.

Methods

Data were collected from 50 patients with liver cirrhosis having ascites (hepatitis B, n = 1; hepatitis C, n = 22; alcoholism, n = 11; and others, n = 16) after treatment with tolvaptan (3.75–7.5 mg/day) in addition to conventional diuretics. A follow‐up assessment was carried out after 7‐day tolvaptan treatment for all patients.

Results

After an uneventful 7‐day tolvaptan treatment, 18 patients (36.0%) lost more than 2 kg of their body weight (responders). Twenty‐six patients (52.0%) showed an increase in urine volume (>300 mL) on day 2. Tolvaptan was also effective for patients with pleural effusion, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Basal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone levels were significantly higher in the poor responders (<2 kg weight loss), who were considered to be in the relative vascular underfilling state, than in the responders. Basal BUN was extracted as a predictive factor of responsiveness by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

Tolvaptan is useful and safe for the treatment of cirrhotic ascites. This report showed that BUN will predict the response of tolvaptan even when measured before tolvaptan treatment.
Limited additive value of the Ki‐67 proliferative index on patient survival in World Health Organization‐classified pulmonary carcinoids
Authors: Swarts Dorian R A , Rudelius Martina , Claessen Sandra M H , Cleutjens Jack P , Seidl Stefan , Volante Marco , Ramaekers Frans C S , Speel Ernst J M
Published: October 2016

Aims

Currently pulmonary carcinoids are separated into typical and atypical based on mitotic count and presence of necrosis, according to the World Health Organization. At variance with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, which are graded based on mitotic count and Ki‐67 proliferative index, the use of Ki‐67 for grading pulmonary carcinoids is still under debate.

Methods and results

In this study we evaluated the prognostic impact of Ki‐67 assessment in a multicentre cohort of 201 carcinoids [147 typical carcinoids (TCs) and 54 atypical carcinoids (ACs)] using manual analysis (2000 cells counted) and digital image analysis (in‐house Leica Qwin program; ≥4500 cells counted). The Ki‐67 proliferative index was correlated with overall survival by means of univariate analysis and in comparison to clinical data by means of multivariable analysis. The Ki‐67 index was significantly higher in ACs than in TCs for both counting methods (P ≤ 2.7e−5). In addition, using cut‐offs of 2.5% and 4% (manual counting) or 1% and 5% (digital analysis), the highest differences in overall survival were observed (P ≤ 0.0067). Nevertheless, histopathological classification into TCs and ACs showed an equally strong association with disease outcome, although Ki‐67 had some additive value within TCs. Ki‐67 index was not an independent predictor of survival in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that, although Ki‐67 is a strong prognostic factor for pulmonary carcinoids, its usefulness in addition to histopathology in prediction of prognosis is limited. None the less, it may have additional value, especially in cases that are difficult to classify, in combination with histopathology and other molecular markers.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma up‐regulated factor has oncogenic functions in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sasahira Tomonori , Kurihara Miyako , Nishiguchi Yukiko , Nakashima Chie , Kirita Tadaaki , Kuniyasu Hiroki
Published: October 2016

Aims

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma up‐regulated factor (PAUF) is a novel secretory protein which promotes tumour progression, metastasis and poor prognosis in pancreatic, cervical and colorectal carcinoma. It is also associated with gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. However, the expression and function of PAUF in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unknown.

Methods and results

We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of PAUF in 222 clinicopathologically characterized cases of OSCC. We also investigated the growth, invasion, apoptosis induction and cisplatin resistance of OSCC cells under PAUF knockdown treatment. PAUF was localized in normal salivary glands. In OSCC, immunostaining for PAUF was found in 52 of 222 patients (23.4%), and correlated with nodal metastasis (P < 0.0001) and poor prognosis (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model identified that PAUF expression was an independent predictor of disease‐free survival in OSCC (P < 0.0001). The down‐regulation of PAUF in OSCC cells suppressed cell growth and invasion and induced apoptosis and cisplatin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that PAUF has tumour‐promoting functions in OSCC. It may thus be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic marker for OSCC.
ALL IN?
Authors: Kates Joshua
Published: October 2016

This review treats Mark Greif's remarkable inquiry into what he calls the crisis of man and man‐talk: the invocation to inquire into humanity that Greif traces out through various genres of writing (philosophy, journalism, literature, and literary criticism) through a succession of decades (1930s–1960s) within an exclusively North American US context. As seems suitable for this journal, the review focuses primarily on Greif's own standpoint and methods. In its first half, it identifies and ultimately questions Greif's decidedly anti‐hermeneutic stance. Greif cordons off his own discourse from those he treats, picking an approach that prevents his making their questions his own, despite the fact that many of his chosen texts raise issues pertaining to how history, especially intellectual history, is to be conducted. In the review's second half, two key instances are surveyed: Greif's discussions of Hannah Arendt and of Ralph Ellison.
Experimental evidence that a large raptor can detect and replace heavily damaged flight feathers long before their scheduled moult dates
Authors: Ellis David H. , Rohwer Vanya G. , Rohwer Sievert
Published: October 2016

Because many species of large birds must remain capable of flight during moult and breeding, complete replacement of all flight feathers often takes two or more years, with the result that their plumage normally includes many faded, worn and sometimes even broken feathers. It seems adaptive for such birds to have the ability to quickly replace severely damaged feathers. In search of such a feather replacement mechanism, we cut rectrices on a captive Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos and found that feathers cut in their first year of use were replaced, on average, after 11.4 months, whereas uncut feathers before and during the experiment were moulted, on average, after 24 months of use. Feather cutting advanced moult, on average, in excess of a year and thereby demonstrates the existence of a previously undescribed neurophysiological mechanism for preferentially replacing damaged feathers.
Assessing the importance of artificial nest‐sites in the population dynamics of endangered Northern Aplomado Falcons Falco femoralis septentrionalis in South Texas using stochastic simulation models
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Pauli Benjamin P. , Mutch Brian , Juergens Paul
Published: October 2016

Habitat availability might be the most important determinant of success for a species reintroduction programme, making investigation of the quality and quantity of habitat needed to produce self‐sustaining populations a research priority for reintroduction ecologists. We used a stochastic model of population dynamics to predict whether attempts to improve existing breeding territories using artificial nest platforms improved the population growth rate and persistence of a reintroduced population of Northern Aplomado Falcons Falco femoralis septentrionalis in South Texas. We further assessed whether the creation of new territories, i.e. conversion of entire areas to suitable habitat and not simply the erection of nest platforms, would lead to a subsequent increase in the nesting population. Our model was able to reproduce several characteristics of the wild population and predicted the number of breeding pairs per year strikingly well (R2 = 0.97). Simulations revealed that the addition of nest platforms improved productivity such that the population would decline to extinction without them but is stable since their installation. Moreover, the model predicted that the increase in productivity due to nest platforms would cause the population to saturate available breeding territories, at which point the population would contain a moderate proportion of non‐territorial birds that could occupy territories if new ones become available. Population size would therefore be proportional to the increase in available territories. Our study demonstrates that artificial nest‐sites can be an effective tool for the management of reintroduced species.
Current and emerging therapies in premature ejaculation: Where we are coming from, where we are going
Authors: Martin Christopher , Nolen Hunter , Podolnick Jason , Wang Run
Published: October 2016

Premature ejaculation is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among men. The pathophysiology of premature ejaculation appears to be multifactorial, implicating the need for multimodal therapeutic regimens to successfully treat premature ejaculation. Multiple treatment regimens have been shown to be effective in extending the time between penetration and ejaculation. These treatment modalities include everything from behavioral modifications and medications to diet alterations and major surgery. The goal of the present article was to review the commonly used treatment regimens used in the treatment of premature ejaculation, as well as to introduce and discuss the newest treatment routines under study for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Youth employment security and labour market institutions: A dynamic perspective
Authors: BERLOFFA Gabriella , MATTEAZZI Eleonora , ŞANDOR Alina , VILLA Paola
Published: October 2016

The shift of policy focus from job security to employment security calls for a more dynamic measurement of young people's labour market performance. This article uses data on monthly employment status trajectories and job duration to investigate young Europeans’ employment security around five years after they finished education. The authors show that almost 40 per cent of “job‐insecure” individuals actually enjoy employment security – i.e. they are able to re‐enter paid employment rapidly after losing their job. The article highlights the need for policy measures to enhance employment security, and the positive role that stricter temporary employment protection, and ALMP expenditure, could play.
Understanding the regulation of pattern recognition receptors in inflammatory diseases – a ‘Nod’ in the right direction
Authors: Feerick Claire L. , McKernan Declan P.
Published: October 2016

Nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD) ‐like receptors (NLRs) are a family of 23 receptors known as pattern recognition receptors; they are expressed in many cell types and play a key role in the innate immune response. The NLRs are activated by pathogen‐associated molecular patterns, which include structurally conserved molecules present on the surfaces of bacteria. The activation of these NLRs by pathogens results in the downstream activation of signalling kinases and transcription factors, culminating in the transcription of genes coding for pro‐inflammatory factors. Expression of NLR is altered in many cellular, physiological and disease states. There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which NLR expression is regulated, particularly in chronic inflammatory states. Genetic polymorphisms and protein interactions are included in such mechanisms. This review seeks to examine the current knowledge regarding the regulation of this family of receptors and their signalling pathways as well as how their expression changes in disease states with particular focus on NOD1 and NOD2 in inflammatory bowel diseases among others.
Structural Characteristics and Electrical Conductivity of Spark Plasma Sintered Ytterbia Co‐doped Scandia Stabilized Zirconia
Authors: Shukla Vandana , Kumar Ashutosh , Labbaveettil Basheer Ishamol , Balani Kantesh , Subramaniam Anandh , Omar Shobit
Published: October 2016

The effect of replacing Sc2O3 with Yb2O3 on the structural and electrical properties of xYb2O3–(12–x)Sc2O3–88ZrO2 has been investigated. Spark plasma sintering technique is employed to fabricate dense bulk samples from the nano‐sized powders. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy performed on pellets indicate the existence of cubic and rhombohedral phases in 12ScSZ, and a single cubic phase in all the co‐doped compositions. However, Raman spectroscopic studies suggest the presence of a metastable tetragonal t″‐phase along with rhombohedral phases in 12ScSZ, whereas a single cubic phase in all the co‐doped compositions. Significant enhancement in the conductivity of grain and grain boundary is observed on replacing Sc2O3 with Yb2O3. In the intermediate temperature range, 1Yb11ScSZ exhibits the highest, while 12ScSZ shows the lowest conductivity values, which is attributed to corresponding phases present in that range. Through co‐doping with >1 mol% Yb2O3 leads to conductivity decrease, but the value remains higher than that of 12ScSZ. A sharp conductivity change is observed in 12ScSZ and 1Yb11ScSZ samples, which is attributed to partial phase transition as well to the formation of cation‐vacancy complexes. In this work, the beneficial effect of Yb2O3 co‐doping in 12ScSZ on the phase and conductivity has been highlighted.
Empirical Evidence for A‐Site Order in Perovskites
Authors: Tolman Kevin , Ubic Rick , Liu Bing , Williamson Izaak , Bedke Katherine , Nelson Eric B. , Li Lan , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: October 2016

Models for composition–structure relationships are useful in both the lab and industry, yet few exist for perovskites‐containing extrinsic defects or cation ordering. In this work, an empirical model is used to predict the existence of A‐site cation ordering. Specifically, four compositions in the Na(1−3x)/2La(1+x)/2TiO3 system (x = 0.0, 0.0533, 0.1733 and 0.225) were synthesized using a conventional solid‐state mixed‐oxide method. The structure of the x = 0 end‐member (Na0.5La0.5TiO3) has been reported in various space groups, but always with a random distribution of Na+ and La3+ on the A site; however, empirical modeling suggests that it is not only ordered but also that a small volume increase accompanies the ordering process. While no evidence of long‐range A‐site ordering is observed in this composition via X‐ray or neutron diffraction, electron‐diffraction data indicate short‐range ordering of Na+ and La3+ ions, with the degree of cation ordering decreasing (but the scale of ordered domains and degree of vacancy ordering generally increasing) with increasing x. First‐principles calculations via density functional theory support both conclusions that short‐range ordering in Na0.5La0.5TiO3 is stable and that it results in a volume increase with respect to the disordered analog. A similar analysis has been conducted for the Li(1−3x)/2La(1+x)/2TiO3 and Na(1−3x)/2La(1+x)/2(Mg0.5W0.5)O3 solid solutions. These systems provide additional validation of the accuracy and versatility of the empirical modeling method used.
Structure–Property Correlation and Harvesting Power from Vibrations of Aerospace Vehicles by Nanocrystalline La–Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)–PbZrTiO3 Ferroelectric Ceramics Synthesized by Mechanical Activation
Authors: Kumar Harishchandra Hansraj , Lonkar Chandrashekhar Madhav , Balasubramanian Kanda
Published: October 2016

Nanostructured Pb0.98La0.02(Ni1/3Sb2/3)0.05[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.995]0.95O3 ferroelectric ceramic has been synthesized for the first time by columbite precursor method followed by mechanical activation (MA) from 5 to 40 h of dry oxide powders using high‐energy ball mill, thereby evading the calcination stage. Progressive perovskite phase formation and transformation by MA were investigated from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, indicating the noticeable presence of perovskite phase after 10 h of milling. Particle morphology of the powder was analyzed by HRTEM and correlated with activation time. Furthermore, the effect of activation time on microstructure and piezoelectric properties of the samples sintered at 1220°C were investigated. Compact microstructure, composition at morphotropic phase boundary, optimum tetragonality, and crystallinity obtained for the sintered samples resulted in best possible piezoelectric charge coefficient, d33 (449 × 10−12 C/N), piezoelectric voltage coefficient, g33 (32 × 10−3 m.V/N), and figure of merit for power harvesting, FoMPH (14.4 × 10−12 m‐V.C/N2), for 10 h of activation. The experimental data on output voltage in response to simulated random vibrations of aerospace vehicles measured in frequency band of 20–2000 Hz were also optimum for 10 h activation, which confirm the suitability of this composition for power‐harvesting applications.
Ag and Si Codoped Phosphate Glasses: Plasmonic Nanocomposites with Enhanced UV Transparency
Authors: Jiménez José A.
Published: October 2016

The use of silicon powder to produce plasmonic Ag nanocomposite phosphate glasses which also exhibit improved transparency in the ultraviolet (UV) is proposed. Ag2O/Si codoped glasses were prepared in a barium‐phosphate matrix by a simple melt‐quench method in ambient atmosphere. The as‐prepared glasses exhibit enhanced UV transparency, whereby the surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) is manifested for the glasses with higher Ag2O contents. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is consistent with the formation of P–O–Si bonds, thus suggesting their possible role on the improved UV light transmission. Consequently, a model was presented accounting for the influence of silicon on the polymerization of the phosphate network concomitant with the creation of highly reactive oxygen species. Further exploiting the proposed reactive species, a real‐time spectroscopic study of the plasmonic response of Ag NPs in Ag/Si codoped glass samples was carried out during an in situ thermal processing. The temperature dependence of the Ag particle precipitation was studied in the 400°C–430°C range, from which an Arrhenius‐type plot allowed for estimating the activation energy of the process at 3.42 (±0.38) eV. Ultimately, the vanishing of the luminescence ascribed to Ag+ ions was observed in a heat‐treated sample, consistent with the high reactivity acquired by the glass matrix. Silicon thus appears promising for producing UV transparent glasses for high‐performance optics and for the reduction of Ag+ ions to produce Ag nanocomposites valuable for photonic (nanoplasmonic) applications.
Models of partnership within family‐centred care in the acute paediatric setting: a discussion paper
Authors: Dennis Christine , Baxter Pamela , Ploeg Jenny , Blatz Susan
Published: October 2016

Aims

A discussion of partnership in the context of family‐centred care in the acute paediatric setting, through a critical analysis of partnership models.

Background

Paediatric healthcare practitioners understand the importance of family‐centred care, but struggle with how to translate the core tenets into action and are confused by several rival terms. Partnering relationships are included in definitions of family‐centred care, yet less is known about strategies to fully engage or support parents in these partnerships. A rigorous examination of concepts embedded in family‐centred care such as partnership may provide a better understanding of how to implement the broader concept and support exemplary care in today's clinical practice environment.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

Electronic search (January 2000 ‐ December 2014) performed on CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, Sociological Abstracts and PsychINFO using keywords partnership, family‐centred care and conceptual framework. Eligible references were drawn from the databases, reference lists and expert sources. Eight models met inclusion criteria and had currency and relevance to the acute paediatric setting.

Implications for nursing

Nurses should continue exploring partnership in various paediatric contexts given the wide‐ranging definitions, lack of operational indicators and need for stronger relational statements in current models. An examination of key strategies, barriers and facilitators of partnership is recommended.

Conclusion

One partnership model had both high overall maturity and best fit with family‐centred care principles. All models originate from Western and developed countries, indicating that future partnership models should be more geographically, culturally and economically diverse.
FAK contributes to proteinuria in hypercholesterolaemic rats and modulates podocyte F‐actin re‐organization via activating p38 in response to ox‐LDL
Authors: Hu Mengsi , Fan Minghua , Zhen Junhui , Lin Jiangong , Wang Qun , Lv Zhimei , Wang Rong
Published: October 2016

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non‐receptor protein tyrosine kinase that regulates cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. In the present study, a rat model of high fat diet‐induced hypercholesterolaemia was established to investigate the involvement of FAK in lipid disorder‐related kidney diseases. We showed focal fusion of podocyte foot process that occurred at as early as 4 weeks in rats consuming high fat diet, preceding the onset of proteinuria when aberrant phosphorylation of FAK was found. These abnormalities were ameliorated by dietary intervention of TAE226, a reported inhibitor of FAK. FAK is also an adaptor protein initiating cascades of intracellular signals including c‐Src, Rho GTPase and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). P38 MAPK belongs to the latter and is centrally involved in kidney diseases. Our cell culture data revealed oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) triggered hyper‐phosphorylation of FAK and p38, ectopic expression of cellular markers (manifested as decreased WT1, podocin and NEPH1, and increased vimentin and mmp9), and re‐arrangement of F‐actin filaments with enhanced cell motility; these mutations were significantly rectified by FAK shRNA. Notably, pre‐treatment of p38 inhibitor did not alter FAK activation, albeit its deletion of p38 hyper‐activity and attenuation of cellular abnormalities, demonstrating that p38 acted as a downstream effector of FAK signalling and ox‐LDL damaged podocytes in a FAK/p38‐dependent manner. This was further identified by animal data that p38 activation was also abrogated by TAE226 treatment in hypercholesterolaemic rats, suggesting that FAK/p38 axis might also be involved in in vivo events. These findings provided a potential early mechanism of hypercholesterolaemia‐related podocyte damage and proteinuria.
A proteomics approach to identifying novel protein targets involved in erinacine A–mediated inhibition of colorectal cancer cells’ aggressiveness
Authors: Lee Ko‐Chao , Kuo Hsing‐Chun , Shen Chien‐Heng , Lu Chien‐Chang , Huang Wen‐Shih , Hsieh Meng‐Chiao , Huang Cheng‐Yi , Kuo Yi‐Hung , Hsieh Yung‐Yu , Teng Chih‐Chuan , Lee Li‐Ya , Tung Shui‐Yi
Published: October 2016

Erinacine A, a major active component of a diterpenoid derivative isolated from Hericium erinaceus mycelium, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer effects. Herein, we present an investigation of the molecular mechanism of erinacine A induction associated with cancer cells’ aggressive status and death. A proteomic approach was used to purify and identify the differentially expressed proteins following erinacine A treatment and the mechanism of its action in apoptotic and the targets of erinacine A. Our results demonstrate that erinacine A treatment of HCT‐116 and DLD‐1 cells increased cell cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as decreased cell proliferation and invasiveness. Ten differentially displayed proteins were determined and validated in vitro and in vivo between the erinacine A‐treated and untreated groups. In addition, erinacine A time‐dependent induction of cell death and inhibitory invasiveness was associated with sustained phosphorylation of the PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K and ROCK1/LIMK2/Cofilin pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that erinacine A–induced HCT‐116 and DLD‐1 cells viability and anti‐invasion properties by up‐regulating the activation of PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K and production of ROS. Experiments involving specific inhibitors demonstrated that the differential expression of cofilin‐1 (COFL1) and profilin‐1 (PROF1) during erinacine A treatment could be involved in the mechanisms of HCT‐116 and DLD‐1 cells death and decreased aggressiveness, which occurred via ROCK1/LIMK2/Cofilin expression, with activation of the PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway. These findings elucidate the mechanism of erinacine A inhibiting the aggressive status of cells by activating PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K downstream signalling and the novel protein targets COF1 and PROF1; this could be a good molecular strategy to limit the aggressiveness of CRC cells.
Do contextual factors have a role in periodontal disease?
Authors: Sun Xiangyu , Bernabé Eduardo , Liu Xuenan , Gallagher Jennifer E. , Zheng Shuguo
Published: October 2016

Aim

To explore the association between contextual factors and periodontal disease.

Methods

We pooled individual‐level data from 20,204 35–44‐year‐olds and 9,666 65–74‐year‐ olds, who participated in the 3rd National Oral Health Survey in China (2005), with province‐level data from different sources. The association of provincial macroeconomic factors [Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and Gini coefficient], health resources (public health expenditure, dentist‐to‐population ratio and dental‐therapist‐to‐population ratio), demographic composition (proportion of rural population and minority ethnic groups) and tobacco industry (tobacco crops, cigarette production and proportion of smokers) with the numbers of teeth with periodontal pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 4 mm and loss of attachment (LOA) ≥ 4 mm were assessed in multilevel models, controlling for individual‐level demographic, socioeconomic and behavioural factors.

Results

Only the proportion of smokers at province level was associated with the number of teeth with PPD ≥ 4 mm and only among senior adults. However, public health expenditure, dentist‐to‐population ratio and the proportion of minority ethnic groups were associated with the number of teeth with LOA ≥ 4 mm in both age groups. GDP per capita was also associated with the number of teeth with LOA ≥ 4 mm only among 35–44‐year‐olds.

Conclusion

Contextual factors may contribute to periodontal disease and help explain geographical inequalities among Chinese adults.
Chemical and Sensory Characterization of Orange (Citrus sinensis) Pulp, a by‐Product of Orange Juice Processing Using Gas‐Chromatography‐Olfactometry
Authors: Deterre Sophie , Leclair Clotilde , Bai Jinhe , Baldwin Elizabeth A. , Narciso Jan A. , Plotto Anne
Published: October 2016

Volatile composition of commercial orange pulp (from Brazil and Florida, U.S.A.) was analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and GC‐Olfactometry (GC‐O). In both samples 72 volatiles were detected, of which 58 were identified. Odor‐active compounds with a high frequency of detection (≥5 out of 9) or intensity characterizing the aroma of sweet orange pulp were monoterpene hydrocarbons (α‐pinene, β‐pinene, β‐myrcene, α‐phellandrene, 3‐carene, α‐terpinene and limonene), ketones (1‐octen‐3‐one, carvone, (E)‐β‐damascenone and β‐ionone), esters (ethyl‐2‐methyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate), aldehydes (methional and octanal), alcohols (linalool and 1‐octanol) and 3 unidentified compounds. A few differences in the odor‐active volatiles between orange pulp samples were perceived, which might be due to cultivar, growing and processing conditions, but overall, the chemical composition of the two samples was similar. Sensory data described both sweet orange pulp samples with descriptors for orange odor and flavor including orange peel and fruity‐non‐citrus flavor, sweet and sour taste.

Practical Applications

Orange pulp is used in the beverage industry to add texture and mouthfeel. It is also added to orange juice for consumer appeal to make it more “natural.” This study characterized the flavor of orange pulp. Orange pulp consisted of yellow–orange floating intact cells. Pulp added to a sugar‐acid solution (5% pulp, 10.5% sucrose and 0.25% citric acid) imparted an orange, fruity and fresh flavor. Information from this study on sweet orange pulp flavor will be useful for orange juice processors and beverage manufacturers.
Cost‐Effectiveness and Public Health Effect of Influenza Vaccine Strategies for U.S. Elderly Adults
Authors: Raviotta Jonathan M. , Smith Kenneth J. , DePasse Jay , Brown Shawn T. , Shim Eunha , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Zimmerman Richard K.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To compare the cost‐effectiveness of four influenza vaccines available in the United States for persons aged 65 and older: trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3), quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4), a more‐expensive high‐doseIIV3, and a newly approved adjuvantedIIV3.

Design

Cost‐effectiveness analysis using a Markov model and sensitivity analyses.

Setting

A hypothetical influenza vaccination season modeled according to possible U.S. influenza vaccination policies.

Participants

Hypothetical cohort of individuals aged 65 and older in the United States.

Measurements

Cost‐effectiveness and public health benefits of available influenza vaccination strategies in U.S. elderly adults.

Results

IIV3 cost $3,690 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained,IIV4 cost $20,939 more thanIIV3 perQALYgained, and high‐doseIIV3 cost $31,214 more perQALYthanIIV4. The model projected 83,775 fewer influenza cases and 980 fewer deaths with high‐doseIIV3 than with the next most‐effective vaccine:IIV4. In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, high‐doseIIV3 was the favored strategy if willingness to pay is $25,000 or more perQALYgained. AdjuvantedIIV3 cost‐effectiveness depends on its price and effectiveness (neither yet determined in the United States) but could be favored if its relative effectiveness is 15% greater than that ofIIV3.

Conclusion

From economic and public health standpoints, high‐doseIIV3 for adults aged 65 years and older is likely to be favored over the other vaccines, based on currently available data. The cost‐effectiveness of adjuvantedIIV3 should be reviewed after its effectiveness has been compared with that of other vaccines and its U.S. price is established.