bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greening transportation and parking at University of Coimbra
Authors: Cruz Luís , Barata Eduardo , Ferreira João-Pedro , Freire Fausto
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the potential contribution of integrated traffic and parking management strategies to ensure more rational use of available parking spaces and to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by commuters traveling to the University of Coimbra (UC) main campus.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated modelling approach is used, including the characterization of supply and demand for parking and public transport, the creation and implementation of a survey to campus users and a life-cycle approach to assess six transportation and parking strategy scenarios.

Findings

This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the importance of integrated management measures to greening commuters’ transportation and parking within a University campus, identifying and quantifying opportunities for successfully making the transitions toward a more sustainable future, namely, increasing well-being and reducing environmental impact.

Practical implications

Results demonstrate that effective control of illegal parking and different forms of modal shift toward public transportation may contribute to important reductions in environmental impacts.

Social implications

Local population reveals willingness to participate in collective efforts to tackle traffic and parking problems, challenging authorities to take action and empowering ever more people to engage in such cathartic changes.

Originality/value

This comprehensive approach is highly valuable for the management of parking and traffic within the UC campus, providing innovative lessons on the social and environmental impacts that would result from this policy approach to urban areas (e.g. historical centers) facing the typical problems of a carbon society, such as traffic congestion, non-regulated parking and intensive car use.
Fighting elephants, suffering grass: oil exploitation in Nigeria
Authors: Umejesi Ikechukwu , Thompson Michael
Published: January 2017

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the interactions of the different actors – the state, multinational oil and gas companies, environmental advocacy groups and local people – in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on interviews, observations and focus group discussions, as well as on archival materials relating to the development of the oil and gas industry during the colonial period (i.e. pre-1960 Nigeria).

Findings

– A cultural theory-based analysis of the environmental risk perceptions of the different actors reveals a profoundly unconstructive institutional configuration, in which the collusion of two “solidarities – the oil companies (individualism) and the state (hierarchy) – has led to the exclusion of the local communities (egalitarianism) who have found themselves impoverished and marginalised (fatalism). With these two “elephants” – individualism/hierarchy and egalitarianism/fatalism – pitted against each other, it has been the “grass” – the natural environment that has suffered.

Practical implications

– Giving the local communities a stake in the wealth-creating process, from which they are at present excluded, would shift the pattern of inter-solidarity engagement from one in which two “active” (i.e. non-fatalist) voices silence the third to one in which each voice is able to make itself heard and is then responsive to the others.

Originality/value

– Innovative and current on under-researched topic and geography. The main fieldwork was conducted between 2007 and 2008, with further field visits and updates between 2009 and 2013.
Informal economic relations and organizations
Authors: Altman Yochanan , Morrison Claudio
Published: January 2017

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of informal economic relations (IER) in the day-to-day working of organizations, thereby opening a way to theorizing and informed practice. The authors will present and discuss about the manifestation of informality in “everyday” reality of Soviet and transformation economies. Informed by Cultural theory and in particular the work of Gerald Mars, the authors are taking account ontologically and methodologically of Labour process theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through presentation of ethnographic data of detailed accounts and case vignettes in production and retail in the Soviet period of the late 1970s and 1980s and from the construction sector in contemporary Russia, with a focus on the labour process, the authors inform and discuss key processes in the informal working of organizations.

Findings

– In the Soviet system the informal economy co-existed in symbiosis with the formal command economy, implicitly adopting a “live and let live” attitude. In addition, informal relations were essential to the working of work organizations, sustaining workers’ “negative control” and bargaining power. contemporary Russian capitalism, while embracing informal economic activities, a legacy of the Soviet period, advocates an “each to his own” approach which retains the flexibility but not the bargaining space for employees. That facilitates exploitation, particularly of the most vulnerable workers, with dire consequences for the work process.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper provides a platform for theorizing about the role and place of IER in organizations. Of importance to managerial practice, the paper informs on those aspects of the work routine that remain hidden from view and are often excluded from academic discourse. The social implications are profound, shedding light on central issues such as recruitment, income distribution, health and safety and deregulated forms of employment.

Originality/value

– The paper examines economic behaviour under different economic-political regimes demonstrating continuities and changes during a fundamental social-economic reorientation of an important regional economy, through close observation at the micro and meso-level of, respectively, the workplace, organizations and industry, outlining theoretical, practical and social implications.
Nursing under inconsistent organizational conditions
Authors: Visser Max , van der Heijden Beatrice I.J.M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

– Health care organizations often experience difficulty in aligning competing and changing demands, tasks and other organizational conditions in a consistent way, so that they uniformly influence employee outcomes in desired directions. The purpose of this paper is to theorize about the ways in which inconsistent organizational conditions affect employee outcomes, the authors introduce the concept of double bind situation, and assess its impact on negative employee outcomes among nurses in Dutch health care organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was held among 4,018 Dutch nurses as a part of the European NEXT study. Various psychometric scales served as “proxy” operationalizations of the characteristics of the double bind situation and employee outcomes.

Findings

– Three of the seven distinguished characteristics of the double bind situation showed the expected direction and strength of impact. Together, they accounted for 20 percent explained variance in employee outcomes. The results suggest that a double bind situation does exist for the nurses surveyed and that three of its seven characteristics have an impact on negative employee outcomes.

Originality/value

– This study is among the first to empirically assess the impact of the double bind situation in health care organizations. In this way, it contributes valuable knowledge to the development and retention of staff in a relevant public sector, characterized by high personnel turnover and profound organizational change.
Preventing employee burnout during episodic organizational changes
Authors: Bellou Victoria , Chatzinikou Ioanna
Published: January 2017

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect that training and development have on employee burnout during episodic organizational changes. Moreover, it investigates the mediating role of overall job satisfaction (OJS) in conjunction with the moderating role of personal computer (PC) literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study took place in Greece, in four branches of a public organization which adopted a new information technology (IT) system. Statistical analyses include exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for instrument testing and multiple regressions for mediated moderation.

Findings

– The findings provide partial support to the hypotheses. It appears that employee training and development are significant predictors of burnout, indeed. However, OJS mediates the effect of one dimension of each, namely training effectiveness and support. Concerning PC literacy, a full-mediated moderation was revealed in the case of training effectiveness and a partial-mediated moderation in the case of support.

Research limitations/implications

– As with most studies examining change initiatives, the main limitations of this study are the cross-sectional design, the possible self-selection bias, and the limited sample size.

Practical implications

– The findings are important for preventing burnout during IT-related episodic changes, facilitating the successful implementation of change.

Originality/value

– To the best of knowledge, this study is the first to examine burnout in a changing public setting. Additionally, no previous direct evidence exists regarding the relationship between training and development and burnout while the evidence on the impact of organizational resources on burnout is scarce.
Epoetin beta pegol ameliorates flow‐mediated dilation with improving endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling state in nonobese diabetic rats
Authors: Serizawa Kenichi , Yogo Kenji , Tashiro Yoshihito , Kawasaki Ryohei , Endo Koichi , Shimonaka Yasushi , Hirata Michinori
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims

Patients with diabetic nephropathy have a high cardiovascular mortality. Epoetin beta pegol (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, C.E.R.A.) is a drug for the treatment of renal anemia. In this study, we investigated the effect of C.E.R.A. on vascular endothelial function as evaluated by flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and the relationship between hematopoiesis and FMD in diabetic nephropathy rats.

Methods

Male Spontaneously Diabetic Torii rats (SDT, 22 weeks old) were used. C.E.R.A. (0.6, 1.2 μg/kg) was administered subcutaneously once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. At 1 week after last administration (31 weeks old), we assessed FMD in the femoral arteries of anesthetized rats using a high‐resolution ultrasound system. FMD was also measured 1 week after single C.E.R.A. treatment (5.0 μg/kg) to examine the influence of hematopoiesis.

Results

Flow‐mediated dilation was significantly decreased in SDT rats before the start of C.E.R.A. treatment (22 weeks old). Repeated administration of C.E.R.A. dose‐dependently improved FMD in SDT rats (31 weeks old) without changing blood glucose, nitroglycerin‐induced vasodilation, or kidney function. Long‐term administration of C.E.R.A. improved the state of endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in the femoral arteries of SDT rats, which showed a positive correlation with FMD. On the other hand, there was no correlation between FMD and Hb or Hct in SDT rats. Furthermore, at 1 week after single administration of C.E.R.A., FMD was not significantly improved although hemoglobin levels were comparable with levels following long‐term C.E.R.A. treatment.

Conclusion

Long‐term treatment with C.E.R.A. improved FMD in SDT rats even after onset of endothelial dysfunction.
South American terrestrial larva of Scirtidae (Coleoptera: Scirtoidea): the adaptation of Scirtidae larvae to saproxylic habitat is more common than expected
Authors: Ruta Rafał , Klausnitzer Bernhard , Prokin Alexandr
Published: January 2017

Terrestrial larvae of Scirtidae were found in southern South America (Chile) for the first time. The morphology of the larvae is described in detail and compared with terrestrial larvae known from Borneo, New Zealand and Australia. Special attention is paid to the prothoracic sclerites, which were examined for the first time in the family and compared with selected genera of Scirtidae. Large presternal sclerites seem to be a typical feature of terrestrial larvae of Scirtidae. Chilean saproxylic larvae seem to be specialised detritus feeders, feeding in water trapped in wood cavities.
Anthropological Ethics and the Communicative Affordances of Audio‐Video Recorders in Ethnographic Fieldwork: Transduction as Theory
Authors: Black Steven P.
Published: January 2017

This article contributes to the development of professional anthropological discourses about audio‐video recording technologies in ethnographic research. Synthesizing scholarship on ethnographic partiality, doing ethnography in sound, and multimedia technologies, the article reflexively applies the concepts of transduction and affordance to analyze how recorders may be theorized as part of fieldwork encounters. This is based on fieldwork with a Zulu gospel choir comprised of people living with HIV in South Africa. Here, I discuss how research participants guided my use of recorders amid inequality and HIV stigma. I analyze the ethical‐communicative affordances of recording technologies, examining how the design of audio‐video technologies intersects with cultural and communicative conventions for use and evaluation of use of these technologies. This analysis suggests that the ethical‐communicative affordances of transducers yield both an extension of an ethnographer's social self and a disconnect from that self in ways that can be productively navigated during fieldwork. [ethnographic methods, technology, stigma, ethics]
Antilipolytic effects of 1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives β‐adrenoceptor antagonists in rat white adipocytes
Authors: Aljamal Jalal A. , Badawneh Muwaffag
Published: January 2017

The rat fat cell β‐adrenoceptors were investigated by studying the effects of new 1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives synthesized starting from 7‐amino‐2‐chloro‐3‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine on lipolysis induced by isoprenaline, and alprenolol. Lipolysis induced by isoprenaline agonist was competitively antagonized by the 1,8‐naphthyridine analogue with a 7‐hydroxy‐2‐(4′‐methoxybenzylamine)‐6‐nitro‐3‐phenyl substituent designated as 3. In contrast, 10, 50, and 100 μm of 7‐methoxy and 7‐ethoxy derivatives did not modify the concentration–response curve of isoprenaline. A rightward shift of the curve was, however, observed with 50 μm of a 7‐methoxy‐2‐(4′‐methoxybenzylamine)‐6‐amino‐3‐phenyl substituent designated as 10. The selective β1‐AR antagonist, 7‐hydroxy‐4‐morpholinomethyl‐2‐piperazino‐1,8‐naphthyridine slightly reduced isoprenaline‐induced lipolysis only at high doses. Alprenolol‐mediated lipolytic effect was antagonized by derivative 3, 10 and the selective β3‐AR antagonist SR 59,230A, but resistant to the selective β1‐AR antagonist 7‐hydroxy‐4‐morpholinomethyl‐2‐piperazino‐1,8‐naphthyridine. The results provide preliminary pharmacological evidence for the antilipolytic effect of the newly synthesized 1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives on rat fat cells. The analogues designated as 3 and 10 were the most potent antagonists of this series.
Clinical importance of cross‐sectional area of intercostal muscles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Ju Sunmi , Lee Seung Jun , Park Mi Jung , Cho Yu Ji , Jeong Yi Yeong , Jeon Kyung Nyeo , Bae Kyungsoo , Lee Jong Deog , Kim Ho Cheol
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Limb muscle wasting is one of main systemic manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the change of respiratory muscle is unclear.

Objectives

This study assessed the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the intercostal muscles (ICMs) in patients with COPD, using chest computed tomography (CT) and determined its association with the clinical characteristics of COPD.

Methods

They retrospectively reviewed 60 patients with stable COPD and compared them with 30 controls. CSA (mm2) of the ICM on chest CT was measured at the midline level of the lateral arch of the bilateral first rib with a 3‐mm slice thickness by using CT histogram software. The association with the clinical characteristics of COPD and with the control groups was assessed.

Results

CSA of the ICM and the CSA/body mass index (BMI) were lower in the COPD group than in the control group. Patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 4 had a significantly lower CSA of the ICM than patients with stage 1, 2, and 3. CSA of the ICM was positively associated with FEV1, %FEV1 predicted, FEV1/FVC ratio, and BMI and negatively associated with age. However, there were no associations with PaO2, PaCO2, smoking status, 6‐minute walk test, frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD, and serum C‐reactive protein level.

Conclusion

Intercostal muscle atrophy occurs in COPD patients and is associated with severity of airway obstruction, BMI, and increasing age.
Preliver transplant red cell distribution width predicts postliver transplant mortality
Authors: Caire M. Thure , Kumar Ambuj , Stravitz R. Todd , Kemmer Nyingi
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Prognostication following liver transplantation is limited. Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with morbidity and mortality in a variety of diseases. We hypothesize RDW is predictive of mortality postliver transplantation.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive liver transplantation recipients at a tertiary care center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The primary end point was association of RDW with one‐year mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann‐Whitney test, independent samples t test, and regression analysis. Discrimination was assessed by calculating area under receiver operating curves (AUC). A P‐value <.05 was considered significant.

Results

RDW was positively associated with one‐year mortality (P<.001). The mean difference for survivors compared to nonsurvivors was 3.9% (95% CI 1.9%‐5.9%). The AUC for RDW was 0.831 (95% CI 0.727‐0.935), compared to 0.723 (0.539‐0.908) for total bilirubin and 0.704 (0.479‐0.929) for the international normalized ratio.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association of RDW with post‐LT mortality and the results show the predictive value of pre‐LT RDW for one‐year mortality.
Bridging the gap between early corpus callosal growth and neurodevelopmental outcome in infants born very preterm
Authors: Steinweg Johannes , Arichi Tomoki
Published: January 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Malavolti et al. on pages 433–440 of this issue.
Incremental value of contrast echocardiography in the evaluation of a cardiac thrombus
Authors: Po Jose Ricardo F. , Tong Matthew S. , Grove Erica L. , Biederman Robert W. W.
Published: January 2017

A 52‐year‐old man presented with altered mental status and report of prior complaint of chest pain. On electrocardiography, anterolateral ST‐segment elevations with Q‐waves in the septal leads were seen. Initial echocardiography images demonstrated a thickened anteroseptum. Further imaging showed the presence of a well‐attached laminated apical thrombus. Contrast echocardiography images showed that the thrombus had minimal attachment to the endocardial surface. CT head subsequently showed the presence of acute stroke. The case demonstrates the additional value of contrast echocardiography in the evaluation of cardiac masses despite the certainty in the diagnosis of a thrombus.
Fatigue performance of adhesively bonded single lap joints with non‐flat sinusoid interfaces
Authors: Ayatollahi M R , Samari M , Razavi N , da Silva L F M
Published: January 2017

The role of a sinusoid interface shape on the load bearing capacity and fatigue life of adhesively bonded single lap joints (SLJs) was investigated numerically and experimentally. Aluminium adherends with wavy interfaces were tested under both quasi‐static and fatigue loading conditions. The experimental results showed that the non‐flat SLJs were indeed much stronger than the conventional flat joints. In order to fully demonstrate the advantage of the non‐flat sinusoid SLJ over the conventional SLJ, comparative fatigue tests with different loading levels were performed to determine the durability performance of the SLJs with non‐flat interfaces. The experimental results revealed that the non‐flat SLJ had considerably higher fatigue life than the conventional lap joint.
Optimized logic rules reveal interferon‐γ‐induced modes regulated by histone deacetylases and protein tyrosine phosphatases
Authors: Van Twisk Daniel , Murphy Shawn P. , Thakar Juilee
Published: January 2017

The pro‐inflammatory cytokine interferon‐γ(IFN‐γ) is critical for activating innate and adaptive immunity against tumours and intracellular pathogens. Interferon‐γis secreted at the fetal–maternal interface in pregnant women and mice. The outer layer of the placenta in contact with maternal blood is composed of semi‐allogeneic trophoblast cells, which constitute the fetal component of the fetal–maternal interface. The simultaneous presence of pro‐inflammatoryIFN‐γand trophoblast cells at the fetal–maternal interface appears to represent an immunological paradox, for trophoblastic responses toIFN‐γcould potentially lead to activation of maternal immunity and subsequent attack of the placenta. However, our previous studies demonstrate thatIFN‐γresponsive gene (IRG) expression is negatively regulated in human and mouse trophoblast cells. In human cytotrophoblast and trophoblast‐derived choriocarcinoma cells, janus kinase signalling is blocked by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), whereas in mouse trophoblast, histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitIRGexpression. Here, we used genome‐wide transcriptional profiling to investigate the collective roles ofPTPs andHDACs on regulation ofIRGexpression in human choriocarcinoma cells. Logic‐rules were optimized to derive regulatory modes governing gene expression patterns observed upon different combinations of treatment withPTPandHDACinhibitors. The results demonstrate thatIRGs can be divided into several categories in human choriocarcinoma cells, each of which is subject to distinct mechanisms of repression. Hence, the regulatory modes identified in this study suggest that human trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cells may evade the potentially deleterious consequences of exposure toIFN‐γby using several overlapping mechanisms to blockIRGexpression.
When Ventricular Safety Standby Does Not Work
Authors: HALDAR SHOUVIK K. , STEED BRIANNE , WATKINS SHEILA , NAIR KRISHNAKUMAR
Published: January 2017

Ventricular Safety Standby

Dual chamber pacemakers have inbuilt advanced safety systems such as ventricular safety standby (crosstalk detection) to prevent ventricular oversensing resulting in inappropriate pacing inhibition. We describe a case where this safety mechanism does not reliably work and the management required to rectify the situation in an educational format.
Pain underreporting associated with profound intellectual disability in emergency departments
Authors: Amor‐Salamanca A. , Menchon J. M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Little information is available regarding the visits made by persons with profound intellectual disability (PID) to general hospital emergency departments (ED). This study aims to know whether persons with PID who attend ED are given the same type of diagnoses as people with no such disability.

Methods

Over a period of 18 months, we gathered data from all non‐scheduled visits to an ED by persons with PID to identify the reason for consultation (according to the classification used by the Spanish Society for Emergency Nursing) and the final diagnosis upon discharge. The results were compared with data obtained from a control group of people with no ID who attended an ED for any reason during the same period.

Results

Somatic complaints were the main reason for ED attendance among persons with PID (90% of consultations). These complaints were more often related to the central nervous system than was the case among non‐ID patients (16 vs. 4.7%), whereas other kinds of non‐central nervous system somatic complaint were less common among persons with PID (74 vs. 91%). A diagnosis implying physical pain was given less often to people with PID than to controls (3 vs. 20%).

Conclusions

The results suggest that persons with PID are less able to conceptualise and communicate information about their symptoms, especially as regards pain, and that this influences the diagnosis they are given when attending an ED. Professionals working in this environment need to be aware of this possibility so as not to underestimate or overlook such symptoms and the illnesses related to them.
Bilateral Hippocampal Restricted Diffusion: Same Picture Many Causes
Authors: Bhattacharyya Shamik , Gholipour Taha , Colorado Rene A. , Klein Joshua P.
Published: January 2017

With some regularity, we have encountered the unusual imaging abnormality of bilateral hippocampal restricted diffusion, either in isolation or in combination with other coincident abnormalities. In this retrospective case series, we examine clinical and imaging data to explore potential etiologies and clinical implications of this imaging finding. Sixteen cases with the imaging abnormality are presented, with etiologies including hypoxemia, hypoxemia‐ischemia, and seizures.
The role of molecular pain biomarkers in temporomandibular joint internal derangement
Authors: Ernberg M.
Published: January 2017

There is evidence that low‐grade inflammation may be responsible for pain and development of degenerative changes in temporomandibular joint internal derangement. This article reviews the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind TMJ internal derangements. A non‐systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library for studies regarding pathophysiological mechanisms behind internal derangements focusing on pain‐mediating inflammatory and cartilage‐degrading molecules. Recent data suggest that release of cytokines may be the key event for pain and cartilage destruction in TMJ internal derangements. Cytokines promote the release of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and due to hypoxia, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is released. This activates chondrocytes to produce MMPs and reduce their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) as well as the recruitment of osteoclasts, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone resorption. Also, proteoglycans have an important role in this process. Several cytokines, MMPs, TIMPs and VEGF have been identified in higher concentrations in the TMJ synovial fluid of patients with painful internal derangements and shown to be associated with the degree of degeneration. Other molecules that show elevated levels include hyaluronic acid synthase, disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTs), aggrecan, fibromodulin, biglycan and lumican. Taken together, more or less pronounced inflammation of TMJ structures with release of cytokines, MMPs and other molecular markers that interact in a complex manner may be responsible for tissue degeneration in internal derangements. As internal derangements may be symptom‐free, the degree of inflammation, but also other mechanisms, may be important for pain development.
Chloroplast: the Trojan horse in plant–virus interaction
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dhriti , Chakraborty Supriya
Published: January 2017

The chloroplast is one of the most dynamic organelles of a plant cell. It carries out photosynthesis, synthesizes major phytohormones, plays an active part in the defence response and is crucial for interorganelle signalling. Viruses, on the other hand, are extremely strategic in manipulating the internal environment of the host cell. The chloroplast, a prime target for viruses, undergoes enormous structural and functional damage during viral infection. Indeed, large proportions of affected gene products in a virus‐infected plant are closely associated with the chloroplast and the process of photosynthesis. Although the chloroplast is deficient in gene silencing machinery, it elicits the effector‐triggered immune response against viral pathogens. Virus infection induces the organelle to produce an extensive network of stromules which are involved in both viral propagation and antiviral defence. From studies over the last few decades, the involvement of the chloroplast in the regulation of plant–virus interaction has become increasingly evident. This review presents an exhaustive account of these facts, with their implications for pathogenicity. We have attempted to highlight the intricacies of chloroplast–virus interactions and to explain the existing gaps in our current knowledge, which will enable virologists to utilize chloroplast genome‐based antiviral resistance in economically important crops.
Autonomy of Theories: An Explanatory Problem
Authors: Batterman Robert W.
Published: January 2017

This paper aims to draw attention to an explanatory problem posed by the existence of multiply realized or universal behavior exhibited by certain physical systems. The problem is to explain how it is possible that systems radically distinct at lower‐scales can nevertheless exhibit identical or nearly identical behavior at upper‐scales (typically everyday length and time scales). Theoretically this is reflected by the fact that continuum theories such as fluid mechanics are spectacularly successful at predicting, describing, and explaining fluid behaviors despite the fact that they do not recognize the discrete (atomic/molecular) nature of fluids. A standard attempt to reduce one (continuum) theory to another (atomic/molecular theory), is shown to fail to answer the appropriate question about autonomy.
Interventions for the management of oral lichen planus: a review of the conventional and novel therapies
Authors: Gupta S , Ghosh S , Gupta S
Published: January 2017

Objective

This narrative review focuses on the rationale and role of conventional and newer therapies in the management of oral lichen planus (OLP) with emphasis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported over two decades.

Materials and Methods

Literature search was conducted to identify RCTs for the management of OLP from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2015; Medline and Cochrane databases complemented with manual search were used. Primary outcome as resolution of pain was evaluated with the analysis of clinical resolution of erythema and ulceration as secondary outcome.

Results

The search provided 260 abstracts, of which 70 full‐text articles were included. Majority of trials used topical steroids with very few trials on newer therapies. It was found that topical steroids are effective for symptomatic management of OLP with equal efficacy shown by topical calcineurin inhibitors and retinoids. However, the side effect of transient burning sensation with relapse was more with calcineurin inhibitors.

Conclusion

Although the newer therapies offer advantage over steroids for the management of OLP in recalcitrant cases, extensive lesions, and cases unresponsive to steroids, but sufficient clinical data on their use are still lacking. Hence, more RCTs with large sample size, adequate treatment duration, and long‐term follow‐up are required for clinical utility.
User Fee Abolition and the Demand for Public Health Care
Authors: Koch Steven F.
Published: January 2017

This research examines the effect of the abolition of user fees in South Africa, a policy implemented in 1994 for uninsured children under the age of six and the elderly uninsured, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. The analysis focuses on the implementation of the policy and the use of curative public healthcare services by children following strict and fuzzy regression discontinuity designs. The estimates point to statistically insignificant average and local average policy effects, even though the policy appears to have been implemented reasonably effectively, albeit imperfectly. In other words, the policy did not, on average, affect the use of curative public healthcare, at least for those children who should have benefited from the policy.
Earthquake imprints on a lacustrine deltaic system: The Kürk Delta along the East Anatolian Fault (Turkey)
Authors: Hubert‐Ferrari Aurélia , El‐Ouahabi Meriam , Garcia‐Moreno David , Avşar Ulaş , Altınok Sevgi , Schmidt Sabine , Fagel Nathalie , Çağatay M. Namık
Published: January 2017

Deltas contain sedimentary records that are not only indicative of water‐level changes, but also particularly sensitive to earthquake shaking typically resulting in soft‐sediment‐deformation structures. The Kürk lacustrine delta lies at the south‐western extremity of Lake Hazar in eastern Turkey and is adjacent to the seismogenic East Anatolian Fault, which has generated earthquakes of magnitude 7. This study re‐evaluates water‐level changes and earthquake shaking that have affected the Kürk Delta, combining geophysical data (seismic‐reflection profiles and side‐scan sonar), remote sensing images, historical data, onland outcrops and offshore coring. The history of water‐level changes provides a temporal framework for the depositional record. In addition to the common soft‐sediment deformation documented previously, onland outcrops reveal a record of deformation (fracturing, tilt and clastic dykes) linked to large earthquake‐induced liquefactions and lateral spreading. The recurrent liquefaction structures can be used to obtain a palaeoseismological record. Five event horizons were identified that could be linked to historical earthquakes occurring in the last 1000 years along the East Anatolian Fault. Sedimentary cores sampling the most recent subaqueous sedimentation revealed the occurrence of another type of earthquake indicator. Based on radionuclide dating (137Cs and 210Pb), two major sedimentary events were attributed to the ad 1874 to 1875 East Anatolian Fault earthquake sequence. Their sedimentological characteristics were determined by X‐ray imagery, X‐ray diffraction, loss‐on‐ignition, grain‐size distribution and geophysical measurements. The events are interpreted to be hyperpycnal deposits linked to post‐seismic sediment reworking of earthquake‐triggered landslides.
Evidence of invasive and noninvasive treatment modalities for hypertrophic scars: A systematic review
Authors: Kafka Mona , Collins Vanessa , Kamolz Lars‐Peter , Rappl Thomas , Branski Ludwik K. , Wurzer Paul
Published: January 2017

Currently, there are various therapeutic approaches to reduce hypertrophic scarring; however, there is no standard evidence‐based treatment protocol. Hence, a systematic review was performed to obtain a summary of the latest clinical trials to evaluate evidence for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. The review protocol was registered and approved by PROSPERO (CRD42015027040). PubMed and Web of Science were searched using predefined MeSH‐Terms to identify studies published within the last 10 years regarding treatment for hypertrophic scars. Exclusion criteria included a level of evidence (LoE) lower than I, nonhuman in vivo studies, in vitro studies, studies on keloids, literature reviews, and non‐English articles. The literature search identified 1,029 unique articles, whereas 6 articles were prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trials with a LoE I, and were thus included in the systematic analysis. Three clinical trials evaluated silicone products and pressure garments, and the other three studies investigated the efficacy of intralesional injections of triamcinolone (TAC), 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) combined with TAC as well as the additional irradiation with a 585 nm pulsed‐dye laser (PDL). Intralesional injections revealed significant improvements of the scar quality in terms of height, thickness, erythema, and pigmentation. Pressure garments showed favorable results but there was no evidence that silicone products were able to improve the scar quality. The systematic review demonstrated that there are just a few clinical trials with a LoE of I. Consequently, evidence is still lacking especially for noninvasive treatment regimens for hypertrophic scars. Intralesional injections of 5‐FU mixed with a low dose of TAC can be seen as most appropriate treatment modality. Prospective clinical trials to determine the efficiency of silicone products are warranted.
The Views and Opinions of School Principals and Teachers on Positive Education
Authors: Baş Aslı Uz , Fırat Necla Şahin
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study is to assess the views and opinions of school principals and teachers on positive education. The sample of the study includes 8 school principals and 12 teachers who attend different public schools in İzmir, Turkey. Data is collected through semi-structured interview technique. Findings show that majority of the participants have no knowledge about positive education and positive psychology. Participants state that schools can increase students’ well-being, and both academic and well-being skills can be taught at schools. Finally, majority of the participants report that positive education is necessary for Turkish schools.
ANO1 in intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal plays a key role in the generation of slow waves and tone in the internal anal sphincter
Authors: Cobine C. A. , Hannah E. E. , Zhu M. H. , Lyle H. E. , Rock J. R. , Sanders K. M. , Ward S. M. , Keef K. D.
Published: January 2017

Key points

The internal anal sphincter develops tone important for maintaining high anal pressure and continence. Controversy exists regarding the mechanisms underlying tone development.

We examined the hypothesis that tone depends upon electrical slow waves (SWs) initiated in intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC‐IM) by activation of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (ANO1, encoded by Ano1) and voltage‐dependent L‐type Ca2+ channels (CavL, encoded by Cacna1c).

Measurement of membrane potential and contraction indicated that ANO1 and CavL have a central role in SW generation, phasic contractions and tone, independent of stretch.

ANO1 expression was examined in wildtype and Ano1/+egfp mice with immunohistochemical techniques. Ano1 and Cacna1c expression levels were examined by quantitative PCR in fluorescence‐activated cell sorting.

ICC‐IM were the predominant cell type expressing ANO1 and the most likely candidate for SW generation. SWs in ICC‐IM are proposed to conduct to smooth muscle where Ca2+ entry via CavL results in phasic activity that sums to produce tone.

The mechanism underlying tone generation in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) is controversial. We examined the hypothesis that tone depends upon generation of electrical slow waves (SWs) initiated in intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC‐IM) by activation of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (encoded by Ano1) and voltage‐dependent L‐type Ca2+ channels (encoded by Cacna1c). Phasic contractions and tone in the IAS were nearly abolished by ANO1 and CavL antagonists. ANO1 antagonists also abolished SWs as well as transient depolarizations that persisted after addition of CavL antagonists. Tone development in the IAS did not require stretch of muscles, and the sensitivity of contraction to ANO1 antagonists was the same in stretched versus un‐stretched muscles. ANO1 expression was examined in wildtype and Ano1/+egfp mice with immunohistochemical techniques. Dual labelling revealed that ANO1 expression could be resolved in ICC but not smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the IAS and rectum. Ano1, Cacna1c and Kit gene expression were the same in extracts of IAS and rectum muscles. In IAS cells isolated with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, Ano1 expression was 26.5‐fold greater in ICC than in SMCs while Cacna1c expression was only 2‐fold greater in SMCs than in ICC. These data support a central role for ANO1 and CavL in the generation of SWs and tone in the IAS. ICC‐IM are the probable cellular candidate for ANO1 currents and SW generation. We propose that ANO1 and CavL collaborate to generate SWs in ICC‐IM followed by conduction to adjacent SMCs where phasic calcium entry through CavL sums to produce tone.
Homing Guidance Using Spatially Quantized Signals
Authors: Bencatel Ricardo , Oyler Dave W. , Liu Liang , Sun Danning , Girard Anouck R.
Published: January 2017

This paper considers homing guidance for a vehicle with a single omnidirectional receiver traveling to a stationary, omnidirectional transmitting beacon by using spatially quantized signal strength measurements. Two homing strategies are presented, and simulations are performed for cases with signal noise and vehicle turn rate limits. The first strategy is the Oyler strategy, which adapts a sliding mode controller and observer from the previous work. The second strategy is based on constant heading changes (CHCs) each time a range increment is detected, and this strategy is shown to be sufficient for homing. This study also discusses a signal filter designed to improve the homing controllers' performance. Performance metrics are developed for strategy evaluation and parameter optimization. The performance of each guidance strategy is shown through simulations for a variety of conditions. The Oyler strategy guides the vehicle to the beacon more efficiently than the constant heading change strategy, but it comes with a slight penalty in success rate.
Two-Way Coupled Multiscale Model for Predicting Mechanical Behavior of Bone Subjected to Viscoelastic Deformation and Fracture Damage
Authors: You Taesun , Kim Yong-Rak , Park Taehyo
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a two-way linked computational multiscale model and its application to predict the mechanical behavior of bone subjected to viscoelastic deformation and fracture damage. The model is based on continuum thermos-mechanics and is implemented through the finite element method (FEM). Two physical length scales (the global scale of bone and local scale of compact bone) were two-way coupled in the framework by linking a homogenized global object to heterogeneous local-scale representative volume elements (RVEs). Multiscaling accounts for microstructure heterogeneity, viscoelastic deformation, and rate-dependent fracture damage at the local scale in order to predict the overall behavior of bone by using a viscoelastic cohesive zone model incorporated with a rate-dependent damage evolution law. In particular, age-related changes in material properties and geometries in bone were considered to investigate the effect of aging, loading rate, and damage evolution characteristics on the mechanical behavior of bone. The model successfully demonstrated its capability to predict the viscoelastic response and fracture damage due to different levels of aging, loading conditions (such as rates), and microscale damage evolution characteristics with only material properties of each constituent in the RVEs.
Infant pitch perception: Missing fundamental melody discrimination
Authors: Lau Bonnie K. , Lalonde Kaylah , Oster Monika-Maria , Werner Lynne A.
Published: January 2017

Although recent results show that 3-month-olds can discriminate complex tones by their missing fundamental, it is arguable whether they are discriminating on the basis of a perceived pitch. A defining characteristic of pitch is that it carries melodic information. This study investigated whether 3-month-olds, 7-month-olds, and adults can detect a change in a melody composed of missing fundamental complexes. Participants heard a seven-note melody and learned to respond to a change that violated the melodic contour. To ensure that participants were responding on the basis of pitch, the notes in the melody had missing fundamentals and varied in spectral content on each presentation. In experiment I, all melodies had the same absolute pitch, while in experiment II, the melodies were randomly transposed into one of three different keys on each presentation. Almost all participants learned to ignore the spectral changes and respond to the changed note of the melody in both experiments, strengthening the argument that complex tones elicit a sense of musical pitch in infants. These results provide evidence that complex pitch perception is functional by 3 months of age.
Assessing recent warming using instrumentally homogeneous sea surface temperature records
Authors: Hausfather Zeke , Cowtan Kevin , Clarke David C. , Jacobs Peter , Richardson Mark , Rohde Robert
Published: January 2017

Instrumentally homogeneous SST records show a cooling bias in composite SST products and validate recent NOAA recent record revision.
Small Gulf nation aims for big splash on Mars
Authors: El-Showk Sedeer
Published: January 2017

UAE mission to Red Planet in 2020 would probe mysteries of martian atmosphere.
Scientists fear pending attack on federal statistics collection
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: January 2017

Census Bureau and its programs could be in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and Congress.
Cognition-mediated evolution of low-quality floral nectars
Authors: Nachev Vladislav , Stich Kai Petra , Winter Clemens , Bond Alan , Kamil Alan , Winter York
Published: January 2017

Sweet, but not too sweet

Nectar-feeding pollinators, when given a choice, tend to prefer nectar with high concentrations of sugar. Nectar-producing plants, however, tend to produce more dilute nectar. This mismatch between selective force and trait value has long been seen as an evolutionary paradox. Nachev
et al.
used a dynamic flower array that evolved in real time in a Costa Rican rainforest to show that the “paradox” is, in fact, driven by pollinator choices (see the Perspective by Farris). Bat pollinators based their choices on small, nonlinear differences in nectar sweetness, which led to selection for less sweet nectar overall.

Science
, this issue p.
75
; see also p.
25
Cryo-EM structures and atomic model of the HIV-1 strand transfer complex intasome
Authors: Passos Dario Oliveira , Li Min , Yang Renbin , Rebensburg Stephanie V. , Ghirlando Rodolfo , Jeon Youngmin , Shkriabai Nikoloz , Kvaratskhelia Mamuka , Craigie Robert , Lyumkis Dmitry
Published: January 2017

High-resolution insights into the intasome

An essential step in the life cycle of lentiviruses such as HIV-1 is when viral DNA integrates into the host genome, establishing a permanent infection of the host cell. The viral integrase enzyme catalyzes this process and is a major drug target. During viral integration, integrase binds the ends of viral DNA, forming a higher-order structure called the intasome. Passos
et al.
and Ballandras-Colas
et al.
used cryo—electron microscopy to solve the structures of the intasomes from HIV-1 and maedi-visna virus (ovine lentivirus), respectively. These structures reveal how integrase self-associates to form a functional intasome and help resolve previous conflicting models of intasome assembly.

Science
, this issue p.
89
, p.
93
Mysteries of the mundane
Storm in a Teacup The Physics of Everyday Life
Helen Czerski
Norton, 2017. 285 pp.
Authors: Engel Megan
Published: January 2017

A physicist reveals the science behind familiar phenomena
Association between Polymorphisms in the Pf
mdr6
Gene and
Ex Vivo
Susceptibility to Quinine in Plasmodium falciparum Parasites from Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Gendrot Mathieu , Diawara Silman , Madamet Marylin , Kounta Mame Bou , Briolant Sébastien , Wade Khalifa Ababacar , Fall Mansour , Benoit Nicolas , Nakoulima Aminata , Amalvict Rémy , Diémé Yaya , Fall Bécaye , Wade Boubacar , Diatta Bakary , Pradines Bruno
Published: January 2017

Polymorphisms and the overexpression of transporter genes, especially of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily, have been involved in antimalarial drug resistance. The objective of this study was to use 77 Senegalese
Plasmodium falciparum
isolates to evaluate the association between the number of Asn residues in the polymorphic microsatellite region of the
Plasmodium falciparum
multidrug resistance 6 gene (Pf
mdr6
) and the
ex vivo
susceptibility to antimalarials. A significant association was observed between the presence of 7 or 9 Asn repeats and reduced susceptibility to quinine.