bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Globalisation, Working Conditions, Cheap Labour and Employment Relations in Kenya
Authors: Olungo Kennedy , Ukpere Wilfred
Published: December 2018

People perceive globalisation differently. Some consider it to be the internationalisation of local economies in terms of trade, foreign direct investments, agriculture, technology transfer and dominant culture, amongst others. However, globalisation, with its liberalisation and deregulation policies, seem to have created additional turmoil in the workplace as far as employment relations is concerned. The main objective of this paper was to investigate how globalisation has influenced employment regulations/deregulations in Kenya. The study adopted an explanatory mixed method approach. About 500 closed ended questionnaires were distributed to employees of the sampled companies, and of these, 483 were satisfactorily completed, which culminated in a 97% response rate. In addition, 10 key employment relations stakeholders were interviewed for the qualitative phase of the research study. The study revealed that the conditions of workers, in terms of health, have improved in Kenya since globalisation. It also reflected that working conditions, particularly regarding safety, have improved since globalisation. The study further showed that organisations in Kenya are exploiting children, who are part of their unskilled workforce, by paying them low wages, which reflects a recent, rising trend in the use of child labour in Kenya, particularly in manufacturing sectors. Thus, the study's findings show that there has been an increase in the use of cheap labour amongst Kenyan organisations. In addition, the study indicates that Kenyan companies favour foreign employees compared to local ones in terms of salaries and wages.
Antécédents et efficacité des stratégies de médiation de conflits : le cas des présidents de Commissions mixtes paritaires en France
Authors: Grima François , Brunel Olivier , Georgescu Irène , Taphanel Ludovic
Published: December 2018

Le but de cet article est d’identifier les stratégies développées par le médiateur, ainsi que leurs antécédents. S’appuyant sur une enquête quantitative réalisée auprès de 51 présidents de Commission mixte paritaire (PCMP) ayant un rôle de médiateur au niveau des branches professionnelles, cette recherche établit deux résultats.

Premièrement, elle distingue deux stratégies développées par le médiateur : la stratégie d’accompagnement et la stratégie interventionniste. La première permet au médiateur d’amener les parties au conflit à l’accord. La seconde stratégie n’a pas d’effets directs sur la résolution de l’accord. Cependant, nos résultats démontrent l’existence d’un effet indirect de cette stratégie interventionniste. Celle-ci est efficace lorsqu’elle est associée à la stratégie d’accompagnement.

Deuxièmement, l’intervention d’un tiers expert ou d’autorité, soit un suivi de l’activité des parties en dehors de la salle de médiation, facilite la stratégie interventionniste alors que la compétence des parties, notamment un contact régulier avec ces dernières, est lié à la stratégie d’accompagnement. Dépassant les approches descriptives, ce travail propose une meilleure compréhension du comportement du médiateur, une intervention dynamique et complexe lors du processus de médiation.

Cette recherche apparait comme un nouveau point de départ pour comprendre les dynamiques de médiations dans un contexte où le rôle des partenaires sociaux dans la définition de la réglementation sociale s’affirme. Les auteurs suggèrent d’intégrer dans l’analyse des dynamiques de médiation, les facteurs contextuels et personnels liés aux différents acteurs que sont le médiateur, les parties prenantes, ainsi que les tiers extérieurs.

Les limites de ce travail demeurent la taille de son échantillon, ainsi que l’absence de triangulation des sources qui auraient permis d’obtenir une vision plus éclairée de l’action du médiateur. De plus, l’étude ayant été conduite en France, elle n’exclut pas l’existence de biais culturels. C’est pourquoi ce travail ouvre des perspectives multiples de recherches sur le sujet du rôle du médiateur dans les dynamiques de médiations.
Lean Production, Izzat and Industrial Conflict in the Indian Auto Sector: A Case Study
Authors: Mathew Sagi K. , Burgess John
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this article is to highlight the role that Izzat played in the unfolding industrial disputation that emerged at the Toyota plant in Bangalore between 1999 and 2007. Isolated instances contributed to a build-up of employee and community resentment at what was perceived as an attack on Izzat. Behind the events is the attempt to transpose Japanese “lean production and management systems” into an Indian subsidiary where local industrial and cultural conditions were not suitable for the imposition of such practices from headquarters to a subsidiary.

The result of the analysis contributes to the understanding of workplace industrial relations (IR) in India and the centrality of Izzat. Within India, the significance of trade unions; the respect of employees; the importance of family and community; the importance of seniority; and the role of respect and honour are factors that multinationals often fail to understand in the design and implementation of their production and HRM systems.

The study contributes to the debate over the transferability of standardized HRM policies and practices. MNEs should play a proactive role in supporting the employees of subsidiaries to adjust to and accommodate new paradigms in workplace industrial relations. The aggressive production and HRM practices at the Toyota plant were not compatible with the norms and cultural institutions of the Indian workforce. One of the key implications of this research is that foreign production, organizational and industrial relations systems and practices cannot be transplanted into host-country environments without the due recognition of key cultural conditions, notably Izzat in India.
Discrete stochastic marine metapopulation disease model
Authors: Bidegain Gorka , Ben-Horin Tal
Published: December 2018

Some marine microparasitic pathogens can survive several months outside the host in the water column to make contact with hosts or to be absorbed or filtered by hosts. Once inside, pathogens invade the host if they find suitable conditions for reproduction within the host. This transmission from the environment occurs via pathogens released from infected animals and dead infected animals. Some recent modeling studies concentrated on the disease dynamic imposed by this complex interaction between population and water column at the host-pathogen level in single populations. However, only when a marine disease can be understood at the metapopulation scale effective approaches to management will become routinely achievable. In this paper we explore the disease dynamics at the metapopulation applying a stochastic version. The discrete-time disease model in this paper investigates both spatial and temporal dynamics of hosts and waterborne pathogens in a three patch system. This metapopulation with a patch providing infective particles and susceptible and infected individuals by dispersal tries to imitate the effect of current forces in the ocean on the passive dispersal of organisms. The model detects system behaviors that are not present in single population continuous-time and deterministic models.
The phylogenetic origin and evolution of acellular bone in teleost fishes: insights into osteocyte function in bone metabolism
Authors: Davesne Donald , Meunier François J. , Schmitt Armin D. , Friedman Matt , Otero Olga , Benson Roger B. J.
Published: December 2018

Vertebrate bone is composed of three main cell types, the most prominent of which are the osteocytes. These cells are thought to play a fundamental role in bone physiology, however they are entirely absent in most extant species of teleosts, a group that comprises the vast majority of bony ‘fishes’, and approximately half of vertebrates. Understanding how this acellular (anosteocytic) bone appeared and was maintained in such an important vertebrate group has important implications for our understanding of the function and evolution of osteocytes. Nevertheless, although it is clear that cellular bone is ancestral for teleosts, it has not been clear in which specific subgroup the osteocytes were lost. This review aims at clarifying the phylogenetic distribution of cellular and acellular bone in teleosts, to identify its precise origin, reversals to cellularity, and their implications. We surveyed the bone type for more than 600 ray-finned fish species, fossil and extant and optimised the results on recent large-scale molecular phylogenetic trees, estimating ancestral states. We find that acellular bone is a probable synapomorphy of Euteleostei, a group uniting approximately two-thirds of teleost species. We also confirm homoplasy in these traits: acellular bone occurs in some non-euteleosts (though rarely), and cellular bone was reacquired several times independently within euteleosts, in salmons and relatives, tunas and the opah. The occurrence of peculiar ecological (e.g., anadromous migration) and physiological (e.g., red-muscle endothermy) strategies in these lineages might explain the reacquisition of osteocytes. Our review supports that the main contribution of osteocytes in teleost bone is to mineral homeostasis (via osteocytic osteolysis) and not to strain detection or bone remodelling, helping to clarify their role in bone physiology.
Mixed integer nonlinear programming for three-dimensional aircraft conflict avoidance
Authors: Cai Junling , Zhang Ning
Published: December 2018

The problem of aircraft conflict avoidance for Air Traffic Management systems is studied. In the scenario, aircraft are considered to fly within a shared three-dimensional airspace and not allowed to approach close less than a minimum safe separation during their flights in order to avoid various conflicts. This paper proposes a formulation of the three-dimensional conflict avoidance problem as a Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) model where aircraft are allowed to change both their heading angle and velocity simultaneously to keep the separation. The validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by a comparison of the results from the MINLP model and the previous conflict avoidance models with one maneuver of the heading angle or the velocity. The numerical studies show that the MINLP model improves the efficiency of computation and maintain the safety of flights even by using a standard global optimization solver
Micro-remediation of chromium contaminated soils
Authors: Fatima Hadia -e- , Ahmed Ambreen
Published: December 2018

Bacteria are tiny organisms which are ubiquitously found in the environment. These microscopic living bodies are responsible for the flow of nutrients in biogeochemical cycles and fertility imparted to the soil. Release of excessive chromium in agricultural soils due to rapid growth of industries may result in minimizing the fertility of soil in future, which will lead to reduction in crop production. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are beneficial to the environment, some of which can tolerate chromium and protect plants against heavy metal stress. The current study aims to identify such chromium-tolerant auxin-producing rhizobacteria and to investigate their inoculation effects on the growth characteristics ofLens culinarisin chromium polluted soils by using two different chromium salts i.e., K2Cr2O7and K2CrO4in varying concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 500 µgml−1). The results revealed thatBacillusspecies are efficient in significantly reducing the deleterious effects of Cr. These effective bacterial strains were able to stimulate the growth of metal effected plants ofLens culinariswhich were grown in chromium contaminated environment. Therefore, these plant growth promoting rhizobacteria PGPRs, having both auxin production potential and chromium-resistance ability, are considered as efficient micro-factories against chromium pollution.
Dynamic Magnetic Nanomixers for Improved Microarray Assays by Eliminating Diffusion Limitation
Authors: Xiong Qirong , Lim An Eng , Lim Yun , Lam Yee Cheong , Duan Hongwei
Published: December 2018

Microarrays are widely used in high‐throughput analysis of DNA, protein, and small molecules. However, the majority of microarray assays need improved assay speed and sensitivity due to the slow molecular diffusion from bulk solutions to probe surfaces. Here, a new class of magnetic nanomixers in DNA and protein microarray assays is reported to eliminate the diffusion constraint through dynamic mixing. It is demonstrated that the dynamic nanomixers can improve the assay kinetics at least by a factor of 4 and 2 for DNA and protein microarray assays, respectively. By using the dynamic nanomixers, the sensitivities of detecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 DNA and prostate specific antigen increase by more than four‐fold. The dynamic mixing also greatly reduces the spot‐to‐spot variation to below 10% across a broad concentration range, providing more accurate assay results. In comparison with existing methods, this magnetic nanomixer–based approach offers rapid turnaround, improved sensitivity, good accuracy, low cost, simple operation, and excellent compatibility with commercial microarrays.
Performance Enhancement of Graphene Photodetectors via In Situ Preparation of TiO2 on Graphene Channels
Authors: Cheng Chuantong , Yang Hongru , Huang Beiju , Zhang Huan , Fan Hui , Zhang Xingfei , Mao Xurui , Gui Qiang , Yang Xiaowei , Pei Weihua , Chen Hongda
Published: December 2018

Graphene has been considered a promising material for high‐performance photodetectors due to its broad light‐absorption bandwidth and fast photoresponse time. However, weak light absorption (2.3%) in monolayer graphene results in the relatively low photoresponsivity of graphene photodetectors (GPDs). Moreover, the operation stability of GPDs has become another commercialization bottleneck due to the environmental sensitivity of graphene materials. Hence, developing a compact GPD with high photoresponsivity and high stability is critical and significant. Here, an in situ, thermally oxidized TiO2 layer is used to enhance both the photoresponsivity and stability of a metal–graphene–metal photodetector. Moreover, the fabricated GPDs operate well under zero bias, avoiding the large dark current produced in traditional GPDs. These results address key challenges for high‐performance photodetectors and are promising for the development of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatible graphene‐based optoelectronic applications, such as monolithic optoelectronic‐integrated broadband image sensor chips.
Window to the Unknown: Using Storytelling to Identify Learning Needs for the Intrinsic Competencies Within an Online Needs Assessment
Authors: Tseng Eric K. , Jo David , Shih Andrew W. , De Wit Kerstin , Chan Teresa M.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Needs assessments are important for developing online educational resources, but they frequently do not capture learning needs in the intrinsic physician competencies. Storytelling exercises, by promoting critical reflection and emphasizing values and context, may assist curriculum developers in identifying emergent knowledge gaps in these areas that are initially unknown to learners.

Methods

We developed an online curriculum for thrombosis and hemostasis based on an open‐access online needs assessment comprised of a topic list, case scenarios, and storytelling exercise. In the storytelling exercise, learners described 1) a difficult clinical case and 2) why that case was difficult. In this qualitative descriptive study, we performed a secondary thematic analysis of this storytelling data, coded for the CanMEDS 2015 intrinsic roles. Two investigators independently coded transcripts with iterative comparison.

Results

A total of 143 respondents completed the storytelling exercise. All responses yielded a gap in medical expertise, while 25 (17.5%) described an additional intrinsic role. Learning needs in all six intrinsic roles were identified. The most commonly cited learning needs were in the leader (recognizing how resource allocation impacts health care), communicator (communicating knowledge with patients), and collaborator (unclear communication between providers) roles. These excerpts were notable for how they expressed the complexity and affective components of medicine.

Conclusions

Storytelling exercises can highlight context, attitudes, and relationships that provide depth to needs assessments. These narratives are a novel method of identifying gaps in intrinsic physician competencies that are initially unknown by learners (Johari window). These emergent intrinsic learning needs may be used to enrich learner‐centered curricula.
Embodying Decoloniality: Indigenizing Curriculum and Pedagogy
Authors: Fellner Karlee D.
Published: December 2018

Highlights

Embodied approach to decoloniality by Indigenizing curriculum and pedagogy in community psychology

How Indigenous pedagogies may be enacted using protocols ðics, talking circles, stories, and land

Framework for decolonizing and Indigenizing curriculum
Combined CNV, haplotyping and whole exome sequencing enable identification of two distinct novel EYS mutations causing RP in a single inbred tribe
Authors: Wormser Ohad , Gradstein Libe , Kadar Einat , Yogev Yuval , Perez Yonatan , Mashkit Elena , Elbedour Khalil , Drabkin Max , Markus Barak , Kadir Rotem , Halperin Daniel , Khalaila Soltan , Levy Jaime , Lifshitz Tova , Manor Esther , Birk Ohad S.
Published: December 2018

Whole exome sequencing (WES) has become routine in clinical practice, especially in studies of recessive hereditary diseases in inbred consanguineous families, where homozygosity of a founder mutation is assumed. Multiple members of two consanguineous families of a single Bedouin tribe were diagnosed with apparently autosomal recessive/pseudo‐dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Affected individuals exhibited severe visual impairment with nyctalopia, marked constriction of visual fields, markedly reduced and delayed responses on electro‐retinography (ERG) and eventual loss of central vision. Combined copy‐number variant (CNV) analysis, haplotype reconstruction and WES of the kindred identified two distinct novel mutations in EYS (RP25): a p.(W1817*) nonsense mutation (identified through WES) and a large deletion encompassing 9 of the 43 exons, that was missed by WES and was identified through microarray CNV analysis. Segregation analysis of both mutations demonstrated that all affected individuals were either homozygous for one of the mutations, or compound heterozygous for both. The two mutations are predicted to cause loss of function of the encoded protein and were not present in screening of 200 ethnically‐matched controls. Our findings of two distinct mutations in the same gene in a single inbred kindred, identified only through combined WES and microarray CNV analysis, highlight the limitations of either CNV or WES alone, as the heterozygous deletion had normal WES read‐depth values. Moreover, they demonstrate pitfalls in homozygosity mapping for disease‐causing variant identification in inbred communities.
Prenatal and postnatal presentation of PRMT7 related syndrome: Expanding the phenotypic manifestations
Authors: Birnbaum Roee , Yosha‐Orpaz Naama , Yanoov‐Sharav Miri , Kidron Dvora , Gur Hila , Yosovich Keren , Lerman‐Sagie Tally , Malinger Gustavo , Lev Dorit
Published: December 2018

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is a member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine to nitrogen atoms on arginine residues. Arginine methylation is involved in multiple biological processes, such as signal transduction, mRNA splicing, transcriptional control, DNA repair, and protein translocation. Currently, 10 patients have been described with mutations in PRMT7. The shared findings include: hypotonia, intellectual disability, short stature, brachydactyly, and mild dysmorphic features. We describe the prenatal, postnatal, and pathological findings in two male sibs homozygote for a mutation in PRMT7. Both had intrauterine growth restriction involving mainly the long bones. In addition, eye tumor was found in the first patient, and nonspecific brain calcifications and a systemic venous anomaly in the second. The pregnancy of the first child was terminated and we describe the autopsy findings. The second child had postnatal growth restriction of prenatal onset, hypotonia, strabismus, sensorineural hearing loss, genitourinary and skeletal involvement, and global developmental delay. He had dysmorphic features that included frontal bossing, upslanting palpebral fissures, small nose with depressed nasal bridge, and pectus excavatum. Our patients provide additional clinical and pathological data and expand the phenotypic manifestations associated with PRMT7 homozygote/compound heterozygote mutations to include brain calcifications and delayed myelination, and congenital orbital tumor.
Photoinduzierte MADIX‐Polymerisation im sichtbaren Spektrum durch wiederverwendbares, preiswertes und ungiftiges Bismutoxid als Photokatalysator
Authors: Hakobyan Karen , Gegenhuber Thomas , McErlean Christopher S. P. , Müllner Markus
Published: December 2018

Der Einbezug von Photokatalyse in Methoden der radikalischen Polymerisation mit reversibler Deaktivierung (RDRP, reversible deactivation radical polymerisation) hat in den letzten Jahren ein schnell wachsendes Forschungsfeld in der Polymerforschung begründet. In dieser Zuschrift präsentieren wir die Verwendung von Bismutoxid (Bi2O3) als heterogenen Photokatalysator für Polymerisationen, welcher unter Bestrahlung mit sichtbarem Licht bei Raumtemperatur aktiv ist. Bismutoxid als Katalysator ermöglicht eine hervorragende Kontrolle bei degenerativen Kettentransferpolymerisation, so z. B. beim makromolekularen Design durch den Austausch von Xanthaten (MADIX) und in reversiblen Additions‐Fragmentierungs‐Kettentransfer(RAFT)‐Polymerisation. Es wurden enge Molekulargewichtsverteilungen erzielt, welche, neben einer exzellenten zeitaufgelösten Kontrolle, einem photoinduzierten Elektronentransfer(PET)‐Prozess zuzuschreiben sind. Die Methode wurde zur Synthese von Diblockcopolymeren verwendet, bei der unterschiedlich stark aktivierte Monomere zum Einsatz kamen. Bismutoxid als Katalysatorsystem zeichnet sich durch geringe Toxizität, Wiederverwendbarkeit, geringe Kosten und die einfache Abtrennung vom Reaktionsgemisch aus.
Reduction of H∞ state feedback control problems for the MIMO servo systems
Authors: Waki Hayato , Sebe Noboru
Published: December 2018

We deal with H∞ state feedback control problem for the multi‐input‐multi‐output (MIMO) servo system and discuss the advantages of the facial reduction (FR) to the resulting linear matrix inequality (LMI) problems. In fact, as far as our usual setting, the dual of the LMI problem is not strictly feasible because the generalized plant has always stable invariant zeros. Thus FR is available to such LMI problems, and we can reduce and simplify the original LMI problem to a smaller‐size LMI problem. As a result, we observe that the numerical performance of the SDP solvers is improved. Also, as a by‐product, we obtain the best performance index of the reduced LMI problem with a closed‐form expression. This helps the H∞ performance limitation analysis. Another contribution is to reveal that the resulting LMI problem obtained from H∞ control problem has a finite optimal value, but no optimal solutions under an additional assumption. This is also confirmed in the numerical experiment of this paper. FR also plays an essential role in this analysis.
UPLC–Q‐TOF–MS and UPLC–MS/MS methods for metabolism profiles and pharmacokinetics of major compounds in Xuanmai Ganjie Granules
Authors: Wu Yin , Wang Pengqian , Yang Haotian , Sui Feng
Published: December 2018

Xuanmai Ganjie Granules (XMGJ), a widely used Chinese herbal formula in the clinic, is used for treatment of sore throats and coughs. Despite the chemical constituents having been clarifying by our previous studies, both of the metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies of XMGJ are unclear. This study aimed to explore the disposition process of XMGJ in vivo. A sensitive and selective ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–Q‐TOF–MS) method was developed to analyze the absorbed components and metabolites in rat plasma and urine after oral administration of XMGJ. A total of 42 absorbed components, including 16 prototype compounds and 26 metabolites, were identified or tentatively characterized in rat plasma and urine after oral administration of XMGJ. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic studies of five compounds of XMGJ were investigated using ultra‐high liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method. The results indicated that liquiritin, harpagoside, glycyrrhetic acid, liquiritigenin, formononetin and their metabolites might be the major components involved in the pharmacokinetic and metabolism process of XMGJ. This research showed a comprehensive investigation of XMGJ in vivo, which could provide a meaningful basis for further material basis and pharmacological as well as toxicological research.
Experimental pKa Value Determination of All Ionizable Groups of a Hyperstable Protein
Authors: Raum Heiner N. , Weininger Ulrich
Published: December 2018

Electrostatic interactions significantly contribute to the stability and function of proteins. The stabilizing or destabilizing effect of local charge is reflected in the perturbation of the pKa value of an ionizable group from the intrinsic pKa value. Herein, the charge network of a hyperstable dimeric protein (ribbon–helix–helix (rhh) protein from plasmid pRN1 from Sulfolobus islandicus) is studied through experimental determination of the pKa values of all ionizable groups. Transitions were monitored by multiple NMR signals per ionizable group between pH 0 and 12.5, prior to a global analysis, which accounted for the effects of neighboring residues. It is found that for several residues involved in salt bridges (four Asp and one Lys) the pKa values are shifted in favor of the charged state. Furthermore, the pKa values of residues C40 and Y47, both located in the hydrophobic dimer interface, are shifted beyond 13.7. The necessary energy for such a shift is about two‐thirds of the total stability of the protein, which confirms the importance of the hydrophobic core to the overall stability of the rhh protein.
Genetic Code Evolution Investigated through the Synthesis and Characterisation of Proteins from Reduced‐Alphabet Libraries
Authors: Newton Matilda S. , Morrone Dana J. , Lee Kun‐Hwa , Seelig Burckhard
Published: December 2018

The universal genetic code of 20 amino acids is the product of evolution. It is believed that earlier versions of the code had fewer residues. Many theories for the order in which amino acids were integrated into the code have been proposed, considering factors ranging from prebiotic chemistry to codon capture. Several meta‐analyses combined these theories to yield a feasible consensus chronology of the genetic code's evolution, but there is a dearth of experimental data to test the hypothesised order. We used combinatorial chemistry to synthesise libraries of random polypeptides that were based on different subsets of the 20 standard amino acids, thus representing different stages of a plausible history of the alphabet. Four libraries were comprised of the five, nine, and 16 most ancient amino acids, and all 20 extant residues for a direct side‐by‐side comparison. We characterised numerous variants from each library for their solubility and propensity to form secondary, tertiary or quaternary structures. Proteins from the two most ancient libraries were more likely to be soluble than those from the extant library. Several individual protein variants exhibited inducible protein folding and other traits typical of intrinsically disordered proteins. From these libraries, we can infer how primordial protein structure and function might have evolved with the genetic code.
Distribution of global health measures from routinely collected PROMIS surveys in patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer
Authors: Seneviratne Martin G. , Bozkurt Selen , Patel Manali I. , Seto Tina , Brooks James D. , Blayney Douglas W. , Kurian Allison W. , Hernandez‐Boussard Tina
Published: December 2018

Background

The collection of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) is an emerging priority internationally, guiding clinical care, quality improvement projects and research studies. After the deployment of Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) surveys in routine outpatient workflows at an academic cancer center, electronic health record data were used to evaluate survey completion rates and self‐reported global health measures across 2 tumor types: breast and prostate cancer.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 11,657 PROMIS surveys from patients with breast cancer and 4411 surveys from patients with prostate cancer, and it calculated survey completion rates and global physical health (GPH) and global mental health (GMH) scores between 2013 and 2018.

Results

A total of 36.6% of eligible patients with breast cancer and 23.7% of patients with prostate cancer completed at least 1 survey, with completion rates lower among black patients for both tumor types (P < .05). The mean T scores (calibrated to a general population mean of 50) for GPH were 48.4 ± 9 for breast cancer and 50.6 ± 9 for prostate cancer, and the GMH scores were 52.7 ± 8 and 52.1 ± 9, respectively. GPH and GMH were frequently lower among ethnic minorities, patients without private health insurance, and those with advanced disease.

Conclusions

This analysis provides important baseline data on patient‐reported global health in breast and prostate cancer. Demonstrating that PROs can be integrated into clinical workflows, this study shows that supportive efforts may be needed to improve PRO collection and global health endpoints in vulnerable populations.
Data agility through clustered edge computing and stream processing
Authors: Dautov Rustem , Distefano Salvatore , Bruneo Dario , Longo Francesco , Merlino Giovanni , Puliafito Antonio
Published: December 2018

The Internet of Things is underpinned by the global penetration of network‐connected smart devices continuously generating extreme amounts of raw data to be processed in a timely manner. Supported by Cloud and Fog/Edge infrastructures – on the one hand, and Big Data processing techniques – on the other, existing approaches, however, primarily adopt a vertical offloading model that is heavily dependent on the underlying network bandwidth. That is, (constrained) network communication remains the main limitation to achieve truly agile IoT data management and processing. This paper aims to bridge this gap by defining Clustered Edge Computing – a new approach to enable rapid data processing at the very edge of the IoT network by clustering edge devices into fully functional decentralized ensembles, capable of workload distribution and balancing to accomplish relatively complex computational tasks. This paper also proposes ECStream Processing that implements Clustered Edge Computing using Stream Processing techniques to enable dynamic in‐memory computation close to the data source. By spreading the workload among a cluster of collocated edge devices to process data in parallel, the proposed approach aims to improve performance, thereby supporting agile data management. The experimental results confirm that such a distributed in‐memory approach to data processing at the very edge of an IoT network can outperform currently adopted Cloud‐enabled architectures, and has the potential to address a wide range of IoT‐related data‐intensive time‐critical scenarios.
Cracking Behavior and Mechanism of Gibbsite Crystallites during Calcination
Authors: Zhang Jinxuan , Ge Lei , Chen Zhi‐Gang , Boom Eric , Zhu Zhonghua
Published: December 2018

Cracking is one of the major contributors to the breakage of gibbsite particles during calcination, which generates superfine particles causing detrimental effects to the quality of product in the downstream smelter grade alumina production. Therefore, understanding the cracking behavior and mechanism can provide a solution to avoid the generation of superfine particles. In this study, for the first time, the phase transformation and structural evolutions from gibbsite to boehmite then to amorphous alumina during calcination via using focus ion beam–scanning electronic microscopy and in situ transmission electron microscopy are investigated. After detailed and real‐time observations, it is illustrated that the crack formation on gibbsite particles during calcination can be attributed to the stress introduced by crystal shrinkage inside the crystallites during the phase transformation. Moreover, cracks in calcined gibbsite crystallites are found to initiate as pores inside the crystallites, which grow toward the surface and then form open cracks. Studies will open the possibility to tune the breakage of gibbsite particles.
Mediation strategies in the face of custody conflicts
Authors: Gulbrandsen Wenke , Haavind Hanne , Tjersland Odd Arne
Published: December 2018

Systematic analyses of initiatives and responses from mediators working with parents in intense conflicts about child custody and care brought forward variations in effective strategies. The findings are presented along six dimensions: The topics that were addressed, how the agenda for the sessions was decided, focus on agreement vs relational topics, oral vs written orientation, limited vs generous time, and parental vs system focus. Effective mediators handled these dimensions with flexibility, recognized and validated both parents' perspectives, accepted and explored differences, differentiated topics, focused on relational issues when needed, tracked the process by written summaries, and encouraged testing solutions.
Twenty‐nine years of population dynamics in a small‐bodied montane amphibian
Authors: Muths E. , Scherer R. D. , Amburgey S. M. , Corn P. S.
Published: December 2018

Identifying population declines before they reach crisis proportions is imperative given the current global decline in vertebrate fauna and associated challenges and expense of recovery. Understanding life histories and how the environment influences demography are critical aspects of this challenge, as is determining the biological relevance of covariates that are best supported by the data. We used 29 yr of data on chorus frogs at two sites to estimate demographic parameters, examine life history, assess weather‐related covariates, and determine the magnitude of process variation in target parameters. Average estimates of survival probabilities were 0.51 (Standard Error [SE] = 0.04) and 0.43 (SE = 0.04), and average estimates of recruitment probabilities were 0.64 (SE = 0.07) and 0.44 (SE = 0.04). Process variation accounted for ≥76% of the total temporal variation in both parameters at one pond and in survival probability alone at the other, suggesting that the covariates in our top models were explaining predominantly process rather than sampling variation. Estimates of population growth rates indicated a declining population at one pond (i.e., negative population growth rates in 15 of 18 yr), and comparisons with historical estimates suggested declines in survival probability at the other. The amount of deviance explained was low, providing little support for the influence of covariates on target parameters, despite model selection support. Synthesis and applications: This analysis illustrates the value of disentangling components of variance when assessing demographic drivers and highlights the need for adequate demographic information in assigning conservation labels.
B7H6 is a functional ligand for NKp30 in rat and cattle and determines NKp30 reactivity toward human cancer cell lines
Authors: Bjørnsen Elisabeth G. , Thiruchelvam‐Kyle Lavanya , Hoelsbrekken Sigurd E. , Henden Camilla , Saether Per C. , Boysen Preben , Daws Michael R. , Dissen Erik
Published: December 2018

NK cells kill cancer cells and infected cells upon activation by cell surface receptors. Human NKp30 is an activating receptor expressed by all mature NK cells. The B7 family member B7H6 has been identified as one ligand for NKp30. Several alternative ligands have also been reported, and the field remains unsettled. To this end, we have identified full‐length functional B7H6 orthologs in rat and cattle, demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis and transfection experiments. In cell–cell contact‐dependent assays, chimeric NKp30 reporter cells responded strongly to B7H6 in rat and cattle. Likewise, rat NKp30 expressing target cells induced strong activation of B7H6 reporter cells. Together, these observations demonstrate that B7H6 is conserved as a functional ligand for NKp30 in mammalian species separated by more than 100 million years of evolution. B7H6 and NKp30 are pseudogenes in laboratory mice. The rat thus represents an attractive experimental animal model to study the NKp30‐B7H6 interaction in vivo. B7H6 was widely expressed among human cancer cell lines, and the expression level correlated strongly with the activation of human NKp30 reporter cells. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of B7H6 abolished NKp30 reporter responses, suggesting that B7H6 is the major functionally relevant expressed ligand for NKp30 on these cancer cell lines.
A Ruthenium(II) Aqua Complex as Efficient Chemical and Photochemical Catalyst for Alkene and Alcohol Oxidation
Authors: Manrique Ester , Fontrodona Xavier , Rodríguez Montserrat , Romero Isabel
Published: December 2018

Different synthetic routes have been developed to obtain the aqua complex trans‐[RuII(trpy)(pypz‐H)(OH2)](PF6)2, Ru6. This complex, together with the chlorido intermediate complexes cis‐ and trans‐[RuIICl(pypz‐H)(trpy)]+, Ru5a and Ru5b, have been fully characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical methods. Furthermore, the trans‐Ru5b complex has been characterized in the solid state through single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The aqua complex Ru6 was tested as catalyst in the photooxidation of alcohols in water and in the chemical oxidation of alkenes, displaying a good performance with high selectivity values in both catalytic processes.
Activation of the hippocampal AC‐cAMP‐PKA‐CREB‐BDNF signaling pathway using WTKYR in depression model rats
Authors: Peng Yangzhi , Zhang Chengchen , Su Yue , Wang Zewen , Jiang Yong
Published: December 2018

Depression, also called “depression disorder,” is characterized by a significant and persistent low mood. It has become a major refractory disease in the 21st century. In recent years, Chinese medicine has shown some important clinical value in the treatment of depression. Among them, the Warming and “Tonifying” Kidney‐Yang Recipe (WTKYR) has been demonstrated to have obvious effects in the clinical treatments of depression; however, the mechanism remains unclear. This study is based on the adenylyl cyclase (AC)—cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)—protein kinase A (PKA)—cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB)—brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway, aiming to investigate the mechanism of WTKYR. The results showed that WTKYR can upregulate AC‐cAMP‐PKA‐CREB‐BDNF in the hippocampus of depression model rats and alleviate its depressive symptoms, which may be the mechanism of WTKYR.
Eocene porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China: Uplift, denudation, and implications for mineral exploration
Authors: Zhou Jie , Li Sanzhong , Wang Genhou , Santosh M. , Zhang Li , Yu Shengyao , Suo Yanhui , Liu Yiming , Li Xiyao
Published: December 2018

The subduction–collision processes associated with the Indo‐Eurasian plates resulted in the formation of a major belt of porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Identifying the emplacement depths of the ore‐hosting porphyry intrusions and quantifying their denudation degree, which in turn is a function of the uplift and structural history, are fundamental to formulate guidelines for ore prospecting. In this study, we investigate three important porphyry deposits located adjacent to the Diancangshan–Ailaoshan Suture. From SW to NE, these are the Bijiashan, Xiaolongtan, and Fenshuiling deposits. Our study focuses on the relationship among uplift, denudation, and mineral preservation through the application of mineral thermobarometry, integrated with published zircon U–Pb dates. Application of amphibole–plagioclase thermobarometry yields emplacement temperature–pressure (T–P) conditions of 833.99°C and 284.18 MPa for Bijiashan, 804.72°C and 163.88 MPa for Xiaolongtan, and 748.67°C and 116.70 MPa for Fenshuiling. Our data show a progressive decrease in the emplacement depth from southwest to northeast, with average depths of 9.80 km in the Bijiashan deposit, 5.65 km in the Xiaolongtan deposit, and 4.02 km in the Fenshuiling deposit, providing important clues on the exhumation history since the Eocene in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Higher degree of denudation and faster uplift are noticed close to the Diancangshan–Ailaoshan Suture, with all the deposits belonging to the shallow denudation category and large prospecting potential. We integrate these results with geochronological data, alteration characteristics, and exhumation parameters to trace the tectonic history and to provide guidelines for exploration.
Constitutive Androstane Receptor Differentially Regulates Bile Acid Homeostasis in Mouse Models of Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Kim Kang Ho , Choi Jong Min , Li Feng , Dong Bingning , Wooton‐Kee Clavia Ruth , Arizpe Armando , Anakk Sayeepriyadarshini , Jung Sung Yun , Hartig Sean M. , Moore David D.
Published: December 2018

Bile acid (BA) homeostasis is tightly regulated by multiple transcription factors, including farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and small heterodimer partner (SHP). We previously reported that loss of the FXR/SHP axis causes severe intrahepatic cholestasis, similar to human progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 5 (PFIC5). In this study, we found that constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is endogenously activated in Fxr:Shp double knockout (DKO) mice. To test the hypothesis that CAR activation protects DKO mice from further liver damage, we generated Fxr;Shp;Car triple knockout (TKO) mice. In TKO mice, residual adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette, subfamily B member 11 (ABCB11; alias bile salt export pump [BSEP]) function and fecal BA excretion are completely impaired, resulting in severe hepatic and biliary damage due to excess BA overload. In addition, we discovered that pharmacologic CAR activation has different effects on intrahepatic cholestasis of different etiologies. In DKO mice, CAR agonist 1,4‐bis[2‐(3,5‐dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene (TCPOBOP; here on TC) treatment attenuated cholestatic liver injury, as expected. However, in the PFIC2 model Bsep knockout (BKO) mice, TC treatment exhibited opposite effects that reflect increased BA accumulation and liver injury. These contrasting results may be linked to differential regulation of systemic cholesterol homeostasis in DKO and BKO livers. TC treatment selectively up‐regulated hepatic cholesterol levels in BKO mice, supporting de novo BA synthesis. Conclusion: CAR activation in DKO mice is generally protective against cholestatic liver injury in these mice, which model PFIC5, but not in the PFIC2 model BKO mice. Our results emphasize the importance of the genetic and physiologic background when implementing targeted therapies to treat intrahepatic cholestasis.
Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in women with breast symptoms in the mammography screening programme: A matched cohort analysis
Authors: Singh Deependra , Malila Nea , Pitkäniemi Janne , Anttila Ahti
Published: December 2018

Efforts to reduce mortality through early detection and diagnosis has intensified in the recent decade. An important risk factor, ‘breast symptoms’ reported by women during screening visit, remains overlooked. In this population based matched cohort study using Finnish National Breast Cancer Screening Program (FNBCSP), we assessed the association between breast symptoms reported at screening visit and the risk of cancer incidence and breast cancer mortality and all‐cause mortality followed‐up over a period of 24 years. For each visit with symptoms, non‐symptomatic controls were matched (1:1 for lump and retraction; 1:2 for nipple discharge) based on age at screening visit, year of invitation, number of invited visits, and municipality of invitation. Women who reported lump or retraction had about two‐fold risk of breast cancer incidence, three‐fold risk of breast cancer mortality and all‐cause mortality respectively as compared to women without respective symptoms (p‐value<0.05). We found a substantial difference (p‐value<0.05) in mortality rates throughout the follow‐up period between symptomatic and asymptomatic group. In absolute terms, after the follow‐up period for women who reported lump, 180 died from breast cancer as compared to 70 deaths in those without lump, per 10,000 person‐years of follow‐up, and 315 versus 160 all‐cause deaths per 10,000 person‐years in women with and without lump respectively. our study provides comprehensive evidence that women with breast symptoms remain in a higher risk of dying over a very long period. The findings indicate needs to develop improvements in the guidelines for screening and clinical services for women presenting with symptoms.
Toxic effect of high glucose on cardiomyocytes, H9c2 cells: Induction of oxidative stress and ameliorative effect of trolox
Authors: Davargaon Ravichandra Shivalingappa , Sambe Asha Devi , Muthangi V V Subramanyam
Published: December 2018

Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including diabetes mellitus, characterized by hyperglycemia. In the present study, OS induced by hyperglycemia and the effect of trolox, a vitamin E analog, were studied in cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells exposed to 15 to 33 mM glucose (HG) for 24 to 72 hours in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium. Cells treated wirh 24 or 33 mM glucose for 24 hours or above showed decreased viability and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content with a concomitant increase in radicals of oxygen species, calcium (Ca2+), mitochondrial permeability transition, and oxidative markers, confirming that the cells were under stress. However, upon exposure to 15 mM glucose for 24 hours, H9c2 cells maintained homeostasis and ATP generation. Pretreatment of cells with trolox reduced HG‐induced OS to control levels. Here, we report that the toxic effect of HG is highly regulated and that OS induction can be prevented with Trolox, a potential inhibitor of membrane damage.