bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What do Demand‐Control and Effort‐Reward work stress questionnaires really measure? A discriminant content validity study of relevance and representativeness of measures
Authors: Bell Cheryl , Johnston Derek , Allan Julia , Pollard Beth , Johnston Marie
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The Demand‐Control (DC) and Effort‐Reward Imbalance (ERI) models predict health in a work context. Self‐report measures of the four key constructs (demand, control, effort, and reward) have been developed and it is important that these measures have good content validity uncontaminated by content from other constructs. We assessed relevance (whether items reflect the constructs) and representativeness (whether all aspects of the construct are assessed, and all items contribute to that assessment) across the instruments and items.

Methods

Two studies examined fourteen demand/control items from the Job Content Questionnaire and seventeen effort/reward items from the Effort‐Reward Imbalance measure using discriminant content validation and a third study developed new methods to assess instrument representativeness. Both methods use judges’ ratings and construct definitions to get transparent quantitative estimates of construct validity. Study 1 used dictionary definitions while studies 2 and 3 used published phrases to define constructs.

Results

Overall, 3/5 demand items, 4/9 control items, 1/6 effort items, and 7/11 reward items were uniquely classified to the appropriate theoretical construct and were therefore ‘pure’ items with discriminant content validity (DCV). All pure items measured a defining phrase. However, both the DC and ERI assessment instruments failed to assess all defining aspects.

Conclusions

Finding good discriminant content validity for demand and reward measures means these measures are usable and our quantitative results can guide item selection. By contrast, effort and control measures had limitations (in relevance and representativeness) presenting a challenge to the implementation of the theories.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

While the reliability and construct validity of Demand‐Control and Effort‐Reward‐Imbalance (DC and ERI) work stress measures are routinely reported, there has not been adequate investigation of their content validity. This paper investigates their content validity in terms of both relevance and representativeness and provides a model for the investigation of content validity of measures in health psychology more generally.

What does this study add?

A new application of an existing method, discriminant content validity, and a new method of assessing instrument representativeness.

‘Pure’ DC and ERI items are identified, as are constructs that are not fully represented by their assessment instruments.

The findings are important for studies attempting to distinguish between the main DC and ERI work stress constructs.

The quantitative results can be used to guide item selection for future studies.
Cerebellar compartmentation of prion pathogenesis
Authors: Ragagnin Audrey , Ezpeleta Juliette , Guillemain Aurélie , Boudet‐Devaud François , Haeberlé Anne‐Marie , Demais Valérie , Vidal Catherine , Demuth Stanislas , Béringue Vincent , Kellermann Odile , Schneider Benoit , Grant Nancy J. , Bailly Yannick
Published: March 2017

In prion diseases, the brain lesion profile is influenced by the prion “strain” properties, the invasion route to the brain, and still unknown host cell‐specific parameters. To gain insight into those endogenous factors, we analyzed the histopathological alterations induced by distinct prion strains in the mouse cerebellum. We show that 22L and ME7 scrapie prion proteins (PrP22L, PrPME7), but not bovine spongiform encephalopathy PrP6PB1, accumulate in a reproducible parasagittal banding pattern in the cerebellar cortex of infected mice. Such banding pattern of PrP22L aggregation did not depend on the neuroinvasion route, but coincided with the parasagittal compartmentation of the cerebellum mostly defined by the expression of zebrins, such as aldolase C and the excitatory amino acid transporter 4, in Purkinje cells. We provide evidence that Purkinje cells display a differential, subtype‐specific vulnerability to 22L prions with zebrin‐expressing Purkinje cells being more resistant to prion toxicity, while in stripes where PrP22L accumulated most zebrin‐deficient Purkinje cells are lost and spongiosis accentuated. In addition, in PrP22L stripes, enhanced reactive astrocyte processes associated with microglia activation support interdependent events between the topographic pattern of Purkinje cell death, reactive gliosis and PrP22L accumulation. Finally, we find that in preclinically‐ill mice prion infection promotes at the membrane of astrocytes enveloping Purkinje cell excitatory synapses, upregulation of tumor necrosis factor‐α receptor type 1 (TNFR1), a key mediator of the neuroinflammation process. These overall data show that Purkinje cell sensitivity to prion insult is locally restricted by the parasagittal compartmentation of the cerebellum, and that perisynaptic astrocytes may contribute to prion pathogenesis through prion‐induced TNFR1 upregulation.
Cannabidiol regulation of emotion and emotional memory processing: relevance for treating anxiety‐related and substance abuse disorders
Authors: Lee Jonathan L C , Bertoglio Leandro J , Guimarães Francisco S , Stevenson Carl W
Published: March 2017

Learning to associate cues or contexts with potential threats or rewards is adaptive and enhances survival. Both aversive and appetitive memories are therefore powerful drivers of behaviour, but the inappropriate expression of conditioned responding to fear‐ and drug‐related stimuli can develop into anxiety‐related and substance abuse disorders respectively. These disorders are associated with abnormally persistent emotional memories and inadequate treatment, often leading to symptom relapse. Studies show that cannabidiol, the main non‐psychotomimetic phytocannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, reduces anxiety via 5‐HT1A and (indirect) cannabinoid receptor activation in paradigms assessing innate responses to threat. There is also accumulating evidence from animal studies investigating the effects of cannabidiol on fear memory processing indicating that it reduces learned fear in paradigms that are translationally relevant to phobias and post‐traumatic stress disorder. Cannabidiol does so by reducing fear expression acutely and by disrupting fear memory reconsolidation and enhancing fear extinction, both of which can result in a lasting reduction of learned fear. Recent studies have also begun to elucidate the effects of cannabidiol on drug memory expression using paradigms with translational relevance to addiction. The findings suggest that cannabidiol reduces the expression of drug memories acutely and by disrupting their reconsolidation. Here, we review the literature demonstrating the anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol before focusing on studies investigating its effects on various fear and drug memory processes. Understanding how cannabidiol regulates emotion and emotional memory processing may eventually lead to its use as a treatment for anxiety‐related and substance abuse disorders.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of Cognition: a Panacea for Neuropsychiatric Disease? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.19/issuetoc
Imagining Duckland: Postnationalism, waterfowl migration, and ecological commons
Authors: Hatvany Matthew G.
Published: March 2017

Foreign place names reflecting the names of American hunter‐conservationists and places mark the geography of Western Canada. This exogenous place naming dates to the 1930s when one of Canada's most successful NGOs—Ducks Unlimited Canada—launched “The Lake that Waits” project. Emerging out of the Dust Bowl and declining waterfowl populations, the project combined geographical imagination, foreign toponyms, and ecological knowledge to incite American waterfowlers to invest in the rehabilitation of Canadian wetlands. It is insinuated that this renaming re‐colonized in the name of nature conservation. When theorized within a postnational ecological and historical context, however, the use of foreign toponyms may be interpreted as a means to positively influence perceptions of identity and sense of place. It was a social construction of nature encouraging recognition of the shared ethical responsibilities of continental waterfowlers who needed to re‐envision waterfowl migration within an ecological common—Duckland. Renaming was a means to effect both environmental and cultural change resulting in the conservation of millions of acres of waterfowl habitat, leaving an enduring mark on North American geography.

Imaginer Canardia : le postnationalisme, la migration de la sauvagine et le collectif écologique

Les toponymes étrangers inspirés des noms de chasseurs‐écologistes américains et de lieux américains sont un trait caractéristique de la géographie de l'Ouest canadien. Cette façon exogène de désigner les lieux remonte aux années 1930, à l'époque du lancement du projet « The Lake that Waits » par Canards Illimités Canada. Le projet a débuté lors des années du Dust Bowl et du déclin important des populations de sauvagine. Il conjuguait l'imaginaire géographique, les toponymes étrangers et les savoirs écologiques afin d'inciter les sauvaginiers américains à investir dans la réhabilitation des milieux humides canadiens. Certains font allusion au fait que ces changements de nom représentent une forme de recolonisation. Toutefois, en prenant une perspective théorique postnationale, l'utilisation de toponymes étrangers serait alors vue comme un moyen d'influencer positivement les sentiments d'appartenance aux lieux. Il s'agissait d'une construction sociale de la nature qui favorise la reconnaissance du partage des responsabilités éthiques des sauvaginiers qui devaient réimaginer la migration de la sauvagine au sein d'un collectif écologique — Canardia. Grâce aux changements de toponymes, les conditions environnementales et culturelles ont pu évoluer, ce qui a permis de conserver des millions d'acres de l'habitat de la sauvagine et de laisser une marque durable sur la géographie nord‐américaine.
Public attitudes towards Indigeneity in Canadian prairie urbanism
Authors: Walker Ryan , Berdahl Loleen , Lashta Erin , Newhouse David , Belanger Yale
Published: March 2017

Prairie cities have large and growing Indigenous populations. The great resurgence of strong Indigenous cultures in Canada should foretell the impact Indigeneity will have over coming years across the full spectrum of urban geography. The study uses original 2014 survey data collected from seven prairie cities to examine the following question: What does the non‐Indigenous majority public think about increasing the role of Indigeneity in the procedural and material approaches to urbanism in prairie cities? Based on our findings we suggest that public attitudes among the non‐Indigenous populations of prairie cities are changing and becoming more positive towards trying new approaches to enabling Indigenous urbanism. Support is somewhat greater for municipal‐Indigenous governance options than for specific actions to infuse Indigeneity into the design and naming of public spaces.

L'attitude du public face à l'indigénisme dans l'urbanisme des Prairies canadiennes

La population indigène qui habite dans les villes des Prairies est nombreuse et grandissante. La forte recrudescence des cultures indigènes au Canada permettrait d'anticiper l'impact que l'indigénisme aura au cours des prochaines années sur l'ensemble de la géographie urbaine. Cet article propose d'explorer la question qui suit à partir des données originales d'enquête recueillies dans sept villes des Prairies en 2014: qu'est‐ce que les personnes de la majorité non indigène pensent de l'augmentation du rôle de l'indigénisme dans les démarches opérationnelles et substantielles de l'urbanisme des villes des Prairies? Les constats qui se dégagent de nos travaux montrent que l'attitude du public chez les populations non autochtones des villes des Prairies évolue et devient plus encline à essayer de nouvelles approches en matière d'urbanisme indigène. On est plutôt partisan des modes de gouvernance municipale indigène que des actions spécifiques visant à incorporer l'indigénisme dans la conception et la toponymie des espaces publics.
Fathers make a difference: positive relationships with mother and baby in relation to infant colic
Authors: Alexander C. P. , Zhu J. , Paul I. M. , Kjerulff K. H.
Published: March 2017

Background

Maternal psychological factors like depression, anxiety and stress have been associated with infant fussiness or colic. However, little research exists on whether positive factors such as social support and the happiness of the mother–partner relationship are associated with lower rates of infant fussiness or colic.

Objectives

We investigated the association between infant colic and three types of maternal support: general maternal social support (during pregnancy and post partum), the happiness of the mother–partner relationship (during pregnancy and post partum) and partner involvement in caring for the newborn.

Methods

Participants were 3006 women in the First Baby Study, a prospective study of the effect of mode of first delivery on subsequent childbearing. Women were interviewed by telephone during pregnancy and 1 month after first childbirth and asked about social support and if their baby had a variety of problems since birth, including ‘Colic – crying or fussiness three or more hours a day’. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to model the association between maternal support and infant colic, controlling for confounders, including maternal race or ethnicity, insurance, marital status, smoking, mode of delivery, maternal post‐partum depression, breastfeeding, other neonatal illnesses and newborn gestational age.

Results

Infant colic was reported by 11.6% of new mothers. High general maternal social support (in comparison with low), measured during pregnancy, was associated with lower reported infant colic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40–0.75) and measured post partum (AOR, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.39–0.67); high relationship happiness (in comparison with low), measured during pregnancy (AOR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.54–0.93), and measured post partum (AOR, 0.22, 95% CI, 0.12–0.40); and high partner involvement with newborn care (in comparison with low) (AOR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.44–0.81).

Conclusion

Higher levels of maternal social support during pregnancy and post partum are associated with lower rates of maternal reported infant colic.
Factors influencing uptake of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization in site‐dwelling Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (G&T) communities: a qualitative study of G&T parents' beliefs and experiences
Authors: Newton P. , Smith D. M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Increasing immunization in the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (G&T) community is a key priority for improving health outcomes in this community. This study aimed to explore G&T parents: (1) beliefs about childhood immunization; (2) beliefs about the risks of immunization and non‐immunization; (3) perceived obstacles to, and facilitators of, immunization and (4) views on increasing immunization levels.

Method

A cross‐sectional, qualitative study was conducted comprising of five focus groups with 16 site‐dwelling G&T women with pre‐school aged children. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Five main themes were identified:

Lay understandings of causation and risk;

Timing of immunization;

Children being perceived as vulnerable;

The fit between lifestyle and healthcare provision;

The impact of living with a high burden of disease.

Conclusion

Understanding of the risks and benefits of measles, mumps and rubella immunization did not differ significantly from the wider population or those promoted by the health service. The majority of barriers stemmed from living with the effects of long‐standing health inequalities, which posed further barriers to accessing immunization, and shaped beliefs about immunization. Factors facilitating uptake occurred where access to immunization services was made flexible, e.g. immunization on traveller sites.
Features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma associated with lateral cervical lymph node metastasis
Authors: Jeon Min Ji , Chung Mi Sun , Kwon Hyemi , Kim Mijin , Park Suyeon , Baek Jung Hwan , Song Dong Eun , Sung Tae‐Yon , Hong Suck Joon , Kim Tae Yong , Kim Won Bae , Shong Young Kee , Lee Jeong Hyun , Kim Won Gu
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has an excellent prognosis with an indolent disease course. However, some PTMCs have an aggressive course with lateral cervical lymph node (LCLN) metastasis or distant metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the pre‐operative features of PTMC associated with LCLN metastasis.

Design and Patients

This retrospective cohort study with a nested, matched case–control design included 199 PTMC patients with LCLN metastasis at initial surgery (N1b group) and 196 PTMC patients without any LN metastasis or persistent disease (N0 NED group) as controls; primary tumour sizes were matched.

Results

Compared with the N0 NED group, the N1b group was younger (<50 years) and more likely to be male (P = 0·002 and P = 0·003, respectively). On pre‐operative neck ultrasonography (US), N1b group PTMCs were more commonly associated with a location in the upper lobes of the thyroid, or in the subcapsular area and microcalcifications than N0 NED group PTMCs (all P < 0·001). An increase in the number of these features was significantly associated with a higher risk of LCLN metastasis (P < 0·001). Evaluation of the clinical and pre‐operative US characteristics of 26 patients with confirmed LCLN recurrence after initial treatment of clinical N0 PTMCs revealed that the distribution of the number of suspicious features in these patients was similar to that of the N1b group.

Conclusions

Papillary thyroid microcarcinomas in young (<50 years) or male patients, with an upper lobe or subcapsular location, and with microcalcification have a higher risk of LCLN metastasis. Individualized management according to the number of these suspicious features may be needed for small thyroid nodules.
Performance of IUCN proxies for generation length
Authors: Fung Han Chi , Waples Robin S.
Published: March 2017

One of the criteria used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to assess threat status is the rate of decline in abundance over 3 generations or 10 years, whichever is longer. The traditional method for calculating generation length (T) uses age‐specific survival and fecundity, but these data are rarely available. Consequently, proxies that require less information are often used, which introduces potential biases. The IUCN recommends 2 proxies based on adult mortality rate,= α + 1/d, and reproductive life span,=α + z*RL, whereαis age at first reproduction,dis adult mortality rate, RL is reproductive life span, andzis a coefficient derived from data for comparable species. We used published life tables for 78 animal and plant populations to evaluate precision and bias of these proxies by comparingandwith true generation length. Mean error rates in estimatingTwere 31% forand 20% for, but error rates forwere 16% when we subtracted 1 year (), as suggested by theory;also provided largely unbiased estimates regardless of the true generation length. Performance ofdepends on compilation of detailed data for comparable species, but our results suggest taxonomy is not a reliable indicator of comparability. All 3 proxies depend heavily on a reliable estimate of age at first reproduction, as we illustrated with 2 test species. The relatively large mean errors for all proxies emphasized the importance of collecting the detailed life‐history information necessary to calculate true generation length. Unfortunately, publication of such data is less common than it was decades ago. We identified generic patterns of age‐specific change in vital rates that can be used to predict expected patterns of bias from applying.
Tuberculosis associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Sarkar Malay , Srinivasa  , Madabhavi Irappa , Kumar Kushal
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Reviewed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, mechanisms, and treatment of tuberculosis associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Data source

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the CINAHL from inception to June 2016. We used the following search terms: Tuberculosis, COPD, Tuberculosis associated COPD, and so forth. All types of study were chosen.

Results and Conclusion

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis are significant public health problems, particularly in developing countries. Although, smoking is the conventional risk factor for COPD, nonsmoking related risk factors such as biomass fuel exposure, childhood lower‐respiratory tract infections, chronic asthma, outdoor air pollution, and prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis have become important risk factors of COPD, particularly in developing countries. Past history of tuberculosis as a risk factor of chronic airflow obstruction has been reported in several studies. It may develop during the course of tuberculosis or after completion of tuberculosis treatment. Developing countries with large burden of tuberculosis can contribute significantly to the burden of chronic airflow obstruction. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis should be emphasized to lessen the future burden of chronic airflow obstruction.
Functional outcomes in children and young people with dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Authors: Monbaliu Elegast , De La Peña Mary‐Grace , Ortibus Els , Molenaers Guy , Deklerck Jan , Feys Hilde
Published: March 2017

Aim

This cross‐sectional study aimed to map the functional profile of individuals with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP), to determine interrelationships between the functional classification systems, and to investigate the relationship of functional abilities with dystonia and choreoathetosis severity.

Methods

Fifty‐five children (<15y) and young people (15–22y) (30 males, 25 females; mean age 14y 6mo, standard deviation 4y 1mo) with dyskinetic CP were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS), and Viking Speech Scale (VSS), as well as the Dyskinesia Impairment Scale.

Results

Over 50 per cent of the participants exhibited the highest limitation levels in GMFCS, MACS, and VSS. Better functional abilities were seen in EDACS and CFCS. Moderate to excellent interrelationship was found among the classification scales. All scales had significant correlation (rs=0.65 – 0.81) with dystonia severity except for CFCS in the young people group. Finally, only MACS (rs=0.40) and EDACS (rs=0.55) in the young people group demonstrated significant correlation with choreoathetosis severity.

Interpretation

The need for inclusion of speech, eating, and drinking in the functional assessment of dyskinetic CP is highlighted. The study further supports the strategy of managing dystonia in particular at a younger age followed by choreoathetosis in a later stage.
Selective voluntary motor control measures of the lower extremity in children with upper motor neuron lesions: a systematic review
Authors: Balzer Julia , van der Linden Marietta L , Mercer Thomas H , van Hedel Hubertus J A
Published: March 2017

Aim

Recovery and trainability of impaired selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) of the lower extremity in children with upper motor neuron lesions has received little attention. To facilitate an evidence‐based debate about this topic, this review evaluates the evidence level of the psychometric properties ofSVMCmeasures.

Method

MEDLINE, Embase,CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane andPEDro databases were systematically searched up to July 2016. Two independent raters scored the methodological quality in accordance to theCOnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health MeasurementINstruments (COSMIN) checklist. The overall level of evidence was scored according to Cochrane criteria.

Results

We identified 3590 studies, of which 17 were included.COSMINscores ranged from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent’ for studies investigating measurement properties of the Selective Motor Control test, modified Trost test, Gillette's Selective Motor Control test, Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE), kinematic measures, electromyography, and torque steadiness. Studies assessing the SCALE scored highest onCOSMINitems. Evidence levels for SCALE's validity and reliability properties were moderate, while for the otherSVMCmeasures these ranged from unknown to moderate. Responsiveness was not assessed.

Interpretation

Further psychometric studies ofSVMCmeasures are needed to provide a scientific contribution to the ongoing debate ofSVMCtrainability.
Reconciling fracture toughness parameter contradictions in thin ductile metal sheets
Authors: Lanning W. R. , Javaid S. S. , Muhlstein C. L.
Published: March 2017

The well‐known trade‐off between strength and fracture toughness in bulk specimens is often used to explain the low fracture toughness of very thin ductile face‐centred cubic metal specimens, but this interpretation contradicts the relative length scales of thickness‐dependent strength and thickness‐dependent fracture toughness. This study uses the concept of similitude to demonstrate that linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis of 25.4 μm thick annealed aluminium is invalid, although the resulting fracture toughness measurements fit well with the existing literature and idea of a strength/fracture toughness trade‐off. Similarly, an elastic plastic fracture mechanics analysis is sensitive to out‐of‐plane deformation that cannot be practically eliminated or corrected for with a model. However, a plastic collapse analysis using a critical net section stress criterion is demonstrably valid by the concept of similitude, is insensitive to out of plane deformation, and agrees with the evidence of extensive plasticity in the fracture surfaces.
The Impact of the Degree of Aquifer Confinement and Anisotropy on Tidal Pulse Propagation
Authors: Shuai Pin , Knappett Peter S. K. , Hossain Saddam , Hosain Alamgir , Rhodes Kimberly , Ahmed Kazi Matin , Cardenas M. Bayani
Published: March 2017

Oceanic tidal fluctuations which propagate long distances up coastal rivers can be exploited to constrain hydraulic properties of riverbank aquifers. These estimates, however, may be sensitive to degree of aquifer confinement and aquifer anisotropy. We analyzed the hydraulic properties of a tidally influenced aquifer along the Meghna River in Bangladesh using: (1) slug tests combined with drilling logs and surface resistivity to estimate Transmissivity (T); (2) a pumping test to estimate T and Storativity (S) and thus Aquifer Diffusivity (DPT); and (3) the observed reduction in the amplitude and velocity of a tidal pulse to calculate D using the Jacob‐Ferris analytical solution. Average Hydraulic Conductivity (K) and T estimated with slug tests and borehole lithology were 27.3 m/d and 564 m2/d, respectively. Values of T and S determined from the pumping test ranged from 400 to 500 m2/d and 1 to 5 × 10−4, respectively with DPT ranging from 9 to 40 × 105 m2/d. In contrast, D estimated from the Jacob‐Ferris model ranged from 0.5 to 9 × 104 m2/d. We hypothesized this error resulted from deviations of the real aquifer conditions from those assumed by the Jacob‐Ferris model. Using a 2D numerical model tidal pulses were simulated across a range of conditions and D was calculated with the Jacob‐Ferris model. Moderately confined (Ktop/Kaquifer < 0.01) or anisotropic aquifers (Kx/Kz > 10) yield D within a factor of 2 of the actual value. The order of magnitude difference in D between pumping test and Jacob‐Ferris model at our site argues for little confinement or anisotropy.
Digitally enabled affordances for community‐driven environmental movement in rural Malaysia
Authors: Tim Yenni , Pan Shan L. , Bahri Shamshul , Fauzi Ali
Published: March 2017

The immense environmental challenges facing society today have necessitated a research effort toward exploring digitally enabled solutions for environmental problems. Only limited research exists today to inform our understanding on how technology could assist groups of individuals in cultivating collective commitment and engaging in actions for environmental sustainability. By presenting an in‐depth case study of a social media‐enabled grassroots environmental movement in rural Malaysia, this paper aims to illuminate and understand an underresearched phenomenon of community‐driven environmental sustainability. This study makes 2 contributions: (1) we draw on the perspective of technology affordances to shed light on both the enabling power and unintended consequences of social media in the pursuit of environmental sustainability; and on that account, (2) we contribute rich, empirically informed insights toward understanding the underresearched phenomenon of digitally enabled, community‐driven environmental sustainability.
Risk management analysis in Scrum software projects
Authors: Tavares Breno Gontijo , da Silva Carlos Eduardo Sanches , de Souza Adler Diniz
Published: March 2017

One of the reasons for the failure of software projects is the absence of risk management procedures or its improper application. The adoption of Scrum in software projects is increasing. However, such approach does not specify risk management activities. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted using a qualitative approach to analyze how risk management is carried out in Scrum software projects. Consequently, we present risk management practices that achieved greater and lesser agreement among respondents and the literature, respectively. We found that risk management must be applied continuously in a feedback loop. Furthermore, Scrum projects must not have a high formal planning level, even for high‐risk ones. The research verified that risk management in Scrum is performed differently from its application in traditional approaches. The framework has native resources, but classic processes of risk management would be incorporated and adapted.
Qiliqiangxin protects against anoxic injury in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells via NRG‐1/ErbB‐PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Wang Jingfeng , Zhou Jingmin , Wang Yanyan , Yang Chunjie , Fu Mingqiang , Zhang Jingjing , Han Xueting , Li Zhiming , Hu Kai , Ge Junbo
Published: March 2017

Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) are important angiogenic components and are injured rapidly after cardiac ischaemia and anoxia. Cardioprotective effects of Qiliqiangxin (QL), a traditional Chinese medicine, have been displayed recently. This study aims to investigate whether QL could protect CMECs against anoxic injury and to explore related signalling mechanisms. CMECs were successfully cultured from Sprague‐Dawley rats and exposed to anoxia for 12 hrs in the absence and presence of QL. Cell migration assay and capillary‐like tube formation assay on Matrigel were performed, and cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay and caspase‐3 activity. Neuregulin‐1 (NRG‐1) siRNA and LY294002 were administrated to block NRG‐1/ErbB and PI3K/Akt signalling, respectively. As a result, anoxia inhibited cell migration, capillary‐like tube formation and angiogenesis, and increased cell apoptosis. QL significantly reversed these anoxia‐induced injuries and up‐regulated expressions of NRG‐1, phospho‐ErbB2, phospho‐ErbB4, phospho‐Akt, phospho‐mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in CMECs, while NRG‐1 knockdown abolished the protective effects of QL with suppressed NRG‐1, phospho‐ErbB2, phospho‐ErbB4, phospho‐Akt, phospho‐mTOR, HIF‐1α and VEGF expressions. Similarly, LY294002 interrupted the beneficial effects of QL with down‐regulated phospho‐Akt, phospho‐mTOR, HIF‐1α and VEGF expressions. However, it had no impact on NRG‐1/ErbB signalling. Our data indicated that QL could attenuate anoxia‐induced injuries in CMECs via NRG‐1/ErbB signalling which was most probably dependent on PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Processing and secretion of guanylate binding protein‐1 depend on inflammatory caspase activity
Authors: Naschberger Elisabeth , Geißdörfer Walter , Bogdan Christian , Tripal Philipp , Kremmer Elisabeth , Stürzl Michael , Britzen‐Laurent Nathalie
Published: March 2017

Human guanylate binding protein‐1 (GBP‐1) belongs to the family of large GTPases. The expression of GBP‐1 is inducible by inflammatory cytokines, and the protein is involved in inflammatory processes and host defence against cellular pathogens. GBP‐1 is the first GTPase which was described to be secreted by eukaryotic cells. Here, we report that precipitation of GBP‐1 with GMP‐agarose from cell culture supernatants co‐purified a 47‐kD fragment of GBP‐1 (p47‐GBP‐1) in addition to the 67‐kD full‐length form. MALDI‐TOF sequencing revealed that p47‐GBP‐1 corresponds to the C‐terminal helical part of GBP‐1 and lacks most of the globular GTPase domain. In silico analyses of protease target sites, together with cleavage experiments in vitro and in vivo, showed that p67‐GBP‐1 is cleaved by the inflammatory caspases 1 and 5, leading to the formation of p47‐GBP‐1. Furthermore, the secretion of p47‐GBP‐1 was found to occur via a non‐classical secretion pathway and to be dependent on caspase‐1 activity but independent of inflammasome activation. Finally, we showed that p47‐GBP‐1 represents the predominant form of secreted GBP‐1, both in cell culture supernatants and, in vivo, in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bacterial meningitis, indicating that it may represent the biologically active form of extracellular GBP‐1. These findings confirm the involvement of caspase‐1 in non‐classical secretion mechanisms and open novel perspectives for the extracellular function of secreted GBP‐1.
TUSC3: a novel tumour suppressor gene and its functional implications
Authors: Yu Xinshuang , Zhai Chunjuan , Fan Yujun , Zhang Jiandong , Liang Ning , Liu Fengjun , Cao Lili , Wang Jia , Du Juan
Published: March 2017

The tumour suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) gene is located on chromosome region 8p22 and encodes the 34 kD TUSC3 protein, which is a subunit of the oligosaccharyl transferase responsible for the N‐glycosylation of nascent proteins. Known to be related to autosomal recessive mental retardation for several years, TUSC3 has only recently been identified as a potential tumour suppressor gene. Based on the structure and function of TUSC3, specific mechanisms in various diseases have been investigated. Several studies have demonstrated that TUSC3 is an Mg2+‐transporter involved in magnesium transport and homeostasis, which is important for learning and memory, embryonic development and testis maturation. Moreover, dysfunction or deletion of TUSC3 exerts its oncological effects as a modulator by inhibiting glycosylation efficiency and consequently inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and malignant cell transformation. In this study, we summarize the advances in the studies of TUSC3 and comment on the potential roles of TUSC3 in diagnosis and treatment of TUSC3‐related diseases, especially cancer.
Geostrategic Supply Risk and Economic Importance as Drivers for Implementation of Industrial Ecology Measures in a Nitrogen Fertilizer Production Company
Authors: Malinauskienė Milda , Kliopova Irina , Hugi Christoph , Staniškis Jurgis Kazimieras
Published: March 2017

Among other concerns, safeguarding the supply chains of raw materials is an important task for industrial companies. Therefore, not surprisingly, the number of scientific publications concerning the evaluation of resource criticality has increased in recent years. However, it was noticed that currently published methodologies are too complex to be applied by industrial companies on a daily basis. For this reason, the need to develop a methodology that would allow not only assessing resource criticality, but could also be integrated into widely applied methodological frameworks as an additional driver to improve resource efficiency was identified. Geostrategic supply risk and economic importance were chosen as key indicators to analyze and assess relative resource criticality. The developed methodology was field tested by applying it to a resource‐intensive nitrogen fertilizer production company. Five scenarios for resource efficiency improvements, consisting of cleaner production and industrial symbiosis measures, were investigated. If all the proposed measures were implemented, consumption of natural gas would decrease by 3.552 million cubic meters per year (0.3% of the total consumption). However, not all identified measures contribute to a reduction of the overall criticality of resources for the production company. Nevertheless, the integration of criticality assessments into the widely applied methodologies for development and implementation of resource efficiency innovations is a valuable addition and should be included in the analysis for sustainable innovations and development.
Solid Waste and the Circular Economy: A Global Analysis of Waste Treatment and Waste Footprints
Authors: Tisserant Alexandre , Pauliuk Stefan , Merciai Stefano , Schmidt Jannick , Fry Jacob , Wood Richard , Tukker Arnold
Published: March 2017

Detailed and comprehensive accounts of waste generation and treatment form the quantitative basis of designing and assessing policy instruments for a circular economy (CE). We present a harmonized multiregional solid waste account, covering 48 world regions, 11 types of solid waste, and 12 waste treatment processes for the year 2007. The account is part of the physical layer of EXIOBASE v2, a multiregional supply and use table. EXIOBASE v2 was used to build a waste‐input‐output model of the world economy to quantify the solid waste footprint of national consumption. The global amount of recorded solid waste generated in 2007 was approximately 3.2 Gt (gigatonnes1), of which 1 Gt was recycled or reused, 0.7 Gt was incinerated, gasified, composted, or used as aggregates, and 1.5 Gt was landfilled. Patterns of waste generation differ across countries, but a significant potential for closing material cycles exists in both high‐ and low‐income countries. The European Union (EU), for example, needs to increase recycling by approximately 100 megatonnes per year (Mt/yr) and reduce landfilling by approximately 35 Mt/yr by 2030 to meet the targets set by the Action Plan for the Circular Economy. Solid waste footprints are strongly coupled with affluence, with income elasticities of around 1.3 for recycled waste, 2.2 for recovery waste, and 1.5 for landfilled waste, respectively. The EXIOBASE v2 solid waste account is based on statistics of recorded waste flows and therefore likely to underestimate actual waste flows.
Early Cardiac Catheterization Leads to Shortened Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Run Duration
Authors: Burke Christopher R. , Chan Titus , Rubio Agustin E. , McMullan David M.
Published: March 2017

Objective

Cardiac catheterization in patients receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has previously been shown to be safe and, in many cases, therapeutic. However, the influence of cardiac catheterization on clinical outcomes in this patient population has not been clearly defined.

Methods

A single institution, retrospective review of all pediatric cardiac ECLS patients who underwent cardiac catheterization between January 2006 and September 2015 was performed.

Results

Eighty‐two interventional cardiac catheterization procedures were performed on 74 patients. Catheterization findings directly led to catheterization‐based or surgical intervention in 54 (73%) patients. One (1.2%) catheterization‐related complication occurred (pulmonary artery rupture), which ultimately resulted in death. Patients who underwent early catheterization (≤72 hours of ECLS initiation) required shorter total duration of ECLS than patients who underwent catheterization >72 hours after ECLS initiation (136 hours vs. 227 hours, P < 0.01). The groups experienced similar rates of interventions based on catheterization findings (72% early cath vs. 74% late cath, P = 0.81). Survival to hospital discharge was higher in the early catheterization group (74% vs. 51%, P = 0.04). In multivariate models adjusting for covariates, early catheterization was associated with a reduction in ECLS duration by approximately 150 hours (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Cardiac catheterization is safe in pediatric ECLS patients and an earlier catheterization is associated with shorter duration of ECLS and improved hospital survival. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization should be considered in patients who remain dependent on ECLS after several days of support.
Statins anticancer targeted delivery systems: re-purposing an old molecule
Authors: Safwat Sally , Ishak Rania A , Hathout Rania M , Mortada Nahed D
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Exploring the use of statins as anticancer agents and exploiting different drug delivery systems in targeting these molecules to cancerous sites. Literature review was performed to investigate the use of statins in cancer treatment in one hand, and the different pharmaceutical approaches to deliver and target these drugs to their site of action.

Key findings

Statins were used for decades as antihypercholestrolemic drugs but recently have been proven potential for broad anticancer activities. The incorporation of statins in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems not only augmented the cytotoxicity of statins but also overcame the resistance of cancerous cells against the traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Statins-loaded nanoparticles could be easily tampered to target the cancerous cells and consequently minimal drug amount could be utilized.

This review reconnoitered the different endeavors to incorporate statins in various nanoparticles and summarized the successful effects in targeting cancerous cells and reducing their proliferation without the side effects of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.
A preliminary species‐level phylogeny of the alpine ginger Roscoea: Implications for speciation
Authors: Zhao Jian‐Li , Zhong Jinshun , Fan Yong‐Li , Xia Yong‐Mei , Li Qing‐Jun
Published: March 2017

Speciation, the evolutionary process forming new species, is a key mode generating biodiversity on the Earth. In this study, we produced a species‐level phylogeny of Roscoea using one nuclear ribosomal and two chloroplast DNA fragments based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood. We then explored the possible speciation processes using the species‐level phylogeny and the heterozygous sites in the nuclear DNA. The incongruence between nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies, and several heterozygous sites in the nuclear DNA, suggested that R. auriculata might have a hybrid origin with R. purpurea and R. alpina being two possible parental progenitors; however, one alternative possibility through incomplete lineage sorting cannot be ruled out. In addition, R. kunmingensis likely originated from R. tibetica Batalin through the process of “budding speciation”. These results provided a valuable framework to draw testable hypotheses for future in‐depth comparative studies to further our understanding of the underpinning speciation and adaptation mechanisms that contribute to ultrahigh biodiversity in the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Treatment of patients with absence or mild fibrosis compared to patients with advanced fibrosis
Authors: Buti M. , Domínguez‐Hernández R. , Oyagüez I. , Casado M. A. , Esteban R.
Published: March 2017

To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) in treatment‐naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 (GT1) in the absence or mild fibrosis (F0‐F1) versus advanced fibrosis (F2‐F4), from the perspective of the Spanish Health System. A Markov model was developed to simulate disease progression, estimating costs and outcomes [life years gained (LYG) and quality‐adjusted life years (QALY)] derived from starting withLDV/SOFin patients with F0‐F1 compared with F2‐F4. Therapy duration was 8 weeks in noncirrhotic patients with viral load <6 millionIU/mLand 12 weeks in the remaining patients. Sustained virologic response rates were obtained from real‐world cohort studies. Transition probabilities, utilities and direct costs were obtained from the literature. A 3% annual discount rate was applied to costs and outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were performed.LDV/SOFin F0‐F1 patients was a dominant strategy, being more effective (19.85LYGand 19.80QALY) than beginning treatment in F2‐F4 patients (18.63LYGand 16.25QALY), generating savings of €9228 per patient (€3661 due to disease management and monitoring). In a cohort of 1000 patients,LDV/SOFin F0‐F1 patients decreased the number of cases of decompensated cirrhosis (93%), hepatocellular carcinoma (97%) and liver‐related deaths (95%) and prevented 6 liver transplants compared to initiatingLDV/SOFin F2‐F4 patients. InCHCtreatment‐naïveGT1 patients, starting treatment withLDV/SOFin patients with F0‐F1 compared to those with F2‐F4 increases effectiveness by 1.22LYGand 3.55QALYgained and reduces disease burden and it is associated with cost savings.
Performance of the Pooled Cohort atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score in hepatitis C virus‐infected persons
Authors: Chew K. W. , Bhattacharya D. , Horwich T. B. , Yan P. , McGinnis K. A. , Tseng C. , Freiberg M. S. , Currier J. S. , Butt A. A.
Published: March 2017

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The recommended Pooled Cohort atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk equation for estimation of 10‐year CVD risk has not been validated in HCV‐infected populations. We examined the performance of the ASCVD risk score in HCV‐infected persons, using the national Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans to derive a cohort of HCV‐infected and uninfected subjects without baseline ASCVD, hepatitis B, or HIV infection, and with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level<190 mg/dL. Performance of the ASCVD risk equation was assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression, C‐statistics and Hosmer‐Lemeshow statistic. The cohort included 70 490 HCV‐infected and 97 766 HCV‐uninfected men with mean age of 55 years, 56% White and 29% Black. Incident CVD event rates were similar between the two groups (13.2 and 13.4 events/1000 person‐years), with a higher incidence of coronary heart disease events in the HCV‐uninfected group and of stroke events in the HCV‐infected group. Adjusting for ASCVD risk score, HCV infection was associated with higher risk for an ASCVD event in the subgroup with baseline ASCVD risk ≥7.5% (HR: 1.19, P<.0001). C‐statistics were poor in both the HCV‐infected and uninfected groups (0.60 and 0.61, respectively). By Hosmer‐Lemeshow test, the ASCVD risk equation overestimated risk amongst lower risk patients and underestimated risk amongst higher risk patients in both the HCV‐infected and uninfected groups. Further investigation is needed to determine whether a modified equation to accurately predict ASCVD risk in HCV‐infected persons is warranted.