bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-national differences in complaint behavior: cultural or situational?
Authors: Blodgett Jeffrey G. , Bakir Aysen , Mattila Anna S. , Trujillo Andrea , Quintanilla Claudia , Elmadağ A. Banu
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Previous research indicates that dissatisfied consumers in other countries react differently as compared to those in the USA, due to their cultural orientation. These studies, however, have not recognized that retail policies (regarding returns and exchanges) in the USA are much more liberal and “consumer friendly” than in other parts of the world, and thus it is possible that their conclusions are flawed. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the extent to which cross-national differences in complaint behavior are due to cultural vs situational factors.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine this issue, a two-part study was conducted. Study 1 compared consumers living in China, India and Mexico to cohorts who immigrated to the USA. Study 2 compared individuals from those same countries to subjects who are native to the USA.

Findings

The findings indicate that situational factors (i.e. consumer-oriented vs restrictive refund/return/exchange policies) have a large impact on consumer complaint behavior (i.e. redress, negative-word-of-mouth and exit), and that the effects of culture are minor.

Research limitations/implications

To infer cause-effect, and establish scientific theory, one must rule out alternative hypotheses. Researchers who are investigating cross-cultural complaint behavior must take situational factors into account.

Practical implications

With the emergence of “global consumers” consumer expectations around the world are changing. Astute retailers should institute and promote more liberal return policies, thereby mitigating consumers’ perceived risk.

Originality/value

This study dispels the notion that culture is responsible for differences in cross-national consumer complaint behavior.
Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites
Authors: Silvis Isabel Mariann , Bothma Theo J.D. , de Beer Koos J.W.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.

Findings

This study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.

Originality/value

The main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.
Blind academic library users’ experiences with obtaining full text and accessible full text of books and articles in the USA
Authors: Mulliken Adina , Falloon Kerry
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study includes 18 open-ended telephone interviews with blind academic library users in the USA. The study uses the viewpoint that understanding blind peoples’ perspectives is essential for equal accessibility.

Findings

Locating full text via link resolvers seemed problematic. Inaccessible articles and complications and delays creating accessible versions of print books limited participants’ use of materials. Enabling technologies and services were highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

Caution should be used when generalizing from this study due to its sample size and methodology. The study is not a web accessibility test, which would analyze coding, nor a usability test, which would observe users. Additional research would be ideal; however, libraries should not wait to attend to accessibility.

Practical implications

In addition to improving digital accessibility, to address difficulty obtaining full text, libraries could offer to locate full text for blind users and implement SmartLinking and single sign on authentication. To deal with inaccessible full text, libraries could work with disability offices to obtain accessible materials and to convert materials to accessible format. DRM free HTML or EPUB e-books can have accessibility advantages. Outsourcing conversion to accessible format can also help. Libraries could offer reader service to assist blind users locating relevant sections of books to convert.

Originality/value

Compared to previous studies, this study includes a larger number of blind screen reader users; describes some unique issues; and includes blind users’ own interpretations.
Entrepreneurial experience and the innovativeness of serial entrepreneurs
Authors: Vaillant Yancy , Lafuente Esteban
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of past entrepreneurial experience on the reported innovativeness of serial entrepreneurs’ subsequent ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on insights from the generative entrepreneurial learning process and from cognition theories, the authors propose that regardless of the type of entrepreneurial experience, positive or negative, such experience enriches the cognitive schemas of serial entrepreneurs leading them to greater reported innovativeness. The proposed hypotheses are tested on a unique sample drawn from a Catalan adult population survey.

Findings

Results reveal that practical experience is an essential prerequisite for entrepreneurial learning, and even negative entrepreneurial experience may induce generative entrepreneurial learning suitable for subsequent outperforming ventures for the psychologically strong who have managed to learn from their experience.

Practical implications

The importance of this study stretches beyond a purely academic discussion and has implications for policy making within the area of business and economic development. Appropriate policy depends on the likeliness for serial entrepreneurs to improve. Thus, if serial entrepreneurs learn from their venturing experiences and/or acquire valuable knowledge from them, they may perform better, on average, in subsequent ventures. If subsequent ventures do build upon prior entrepreneurial experiences, calls for policy to encourage re-entries by entrepreneurs may be warranted, even if those entrepreneurs performed poorly in their previous ventures.

Originality/value

The authors analyze the impact of past performance of serial entrepreneurs on the reported innovativeness of their subsequence ventures. The contributions of this study stand as: the inclusion of the re-entry decision together with the innovativeness decision of entrepreneurs within the same model; separation of the positive or negative nature of serial entrepreneurs’ past experiences; focus on the entrepreneur rather than the firm as a unit of analysis; the use of a unique primary data set specifically collected for the purpose of this study about the past entrepreneurial experience of the Catalan adult population.
Strategic innovations in distribution channels – an emerging market perspective and case studies from consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry of India
Authors: Mahasuar Kiran
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The distribution channel in Indian Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) ecosystem is both unique and unparalleled in terms of its reach, structure, and size. This paper aims to give an emerging market perspective of the innovations in the distribution models of CPG industry through pertinent case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by two independent writers who have critically evaluated the Indian CPG Distribution ecosystem and contextualized the case-studies with their perspectives.

Findings

Most of the text-books and academic literature are tailor-made for the distribution through organized retail. So, how do we tackle the complexities of the Distribution in an emerging market like India with a gargantuan proportion of sales in the unorganized retail sector? The paper is possibly the first attempt to give an emerging market perspective of the successful innovations in the distribution models of CPG industry through pertinent case studies and thereby serve as a learner’s primer in this area.

Practical implications

The paper provides impactful strategic insights and practical thinking derived from the innovative approaches of successful corporations.

Originality/value

The research paper is first of its kind documentation of innovation in CPG ecosystem of India and thus saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time. The relevant information is presented in a succinct and easy to digest no-frills format.
Disrupted‐in‐schizophrenia‐1 protects synaptic plasticity in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease as a mitophagy receptor
Authors: Wang Zhao‐Tao , Lu Mei‐Hong , Zhang Yan , Ji Wen‐Li , Lei Lei , Wang Wang , Fang Li‐Pao , Wang Lu‐Wen , Yu Fan , Wang Ji , Li Zhen‐Yu , Wang Jian‐Rong , Wang Ting‐Hua , Dou Fei , Wang Qin‐Wen , Wang Xing‐Long , Li Shao , Ma Quan‐Hong , Xu Ru‐Xiang
Published: November 2018

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accumulated damaged mitochondria, which are associated with impaired mitophagy, contribute to neurodegeneration in AD. We show levels of Disrupted‐in‐schizophrenia‐1 (DISC1), which is genetically associated with psychiatric disorders and AD, decrease in the brains of AD patients and transgenic model mice and in Aβ‐treated cultured cells. Disrupted‐in‐schizophrenia‐1 contains a canonical LC3‐interacting region (LIR) motif (210FSFI213), through which DISC1 directly binds to LC3‐I/II. Overexpression of DISC1 enhances mitophagy through its binding to LC3, whereas knocking‐down of DISC1 blocks Aβ‐induced mitophagy. We further observe overexpression of DISC1, but not its mutant (muFSFI) which abolishes the interaction of DISC1 with LC3, rescues Aβ‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of spines, suppressed long‐term potentiation (LTP). Overexpression of DISC1 via adeno‐associated virus (serotype 8, AAV8) in the hippocampus of 8‐month‐old APP/PS1 transgenic mice for 4 months rescues cognitive deficits, synaptic loss, and Aβ plaque accumulation, in a way dependent on the interaction of DISC1 with LC3. These results indicate that DISC1 is a novel mitophagy receptor, which protects synaptic plasticity from Aβ accumulation‐induced toxicity through promoting mitophagy.
Adjuvant therapy after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ravaud Alain
Published: November 2018

Adjuvant treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor in renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy has been reported through three clinical trials: S‐TRAC, ASSURE and PROTECT. Only S‐TRAC has been significantly positive on primary end‐point disease‐free survival under sunitinib compared to placebo, whereas ASSURE and PROTECT did not show any gain under sunitinib, sorafenib or pazopanib. This short review presents the differences between the trials and provides hypotheses on why S‐TRAC may have been positive.
Characterization of VWF gene conversions causing von Willebrand disease
Authors: Ahmad Firdos , Kannan Meganathan , Obser Tobias , Budde Ulrich , Schneppenheim Sonja , Saxena Renu , Schneppenheim Reinhard
Published: November 2018

We previously reported that von Willebrand Factor gene (VWF) conversions are a relatively frequent cause of von Willebrand disease (VWD), however, their molecular pathomechanisms resulting in variant phenotypes is largely unknown. Here, we characterized VWF conversions harbouring missense and synonymous mutations, through generating a series of mutant constructs followed by transient expression in 293 cells, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of recombinant VWF (rVWF). The characterization of mutant rVWF showed the critical roles of synonymous variants in the pathogenicity of VWF conversions. The gene conversion variants p.Val1229Gly, p.Asn1231Thr, p.Asn1231Ser and p.Ala1464Pro in the absence of synonymous p.Ser1263= and p.Gln1449= showed minimal effect on rVWF synthesis and activity. Interestingly, a construct including the synonymous variants displayed significantly low rVWF expression and activity. The variant p.Pro1266Leu showed gain of rVWF function toward glycoprotein Ibα; surprisingly, this function was significantly abolished in the presence of gene conversion variants p.Val1229Gly‐p.Asn1231Thr. Taken together, our expression studies suggest that synonymous variants in the combination of other gene conversion variants suppress the protein expression, possibly due to defective primary mRNA structure or processing. The variants p.Val1229Gly‐p.Asn1231Thr affected the VWF gain of function caused by variant p.Pro1266Leu, probably due to conformational changes in VWF.
Myocardial constructive work is impaired in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and predicts left ventricular fibrosis
Authors: Galli Elena , Vitel Emilie , Schnell Frédéric , Le Rolle Virginie , Hubert Arnaud , Lederlin Mathieu , Donal Erwan
Published: November 2018

Background

The estimation of myocardial work by pressure strain loops (PSLs) is a totally new non‐invasive approach to assess myocardial performance, and its role in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is unknown. The aims of the present study are therefore: (a) to compare myocardial work in patients with non‐obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and in a subset of age‐matched healthy controls and (b) to assess the correlation between myocardial work and left ventricular (LV) fibrosis.

Design

Eighty‐two patients with non‐obstructive HCM (58 ± 14 years) and 20 age‐matched healthy subjects (58 ± 7 years, P = 0.99) underwent standard and speckle‐tracking echocardiography to assess myocardial dimensions and deformation parameters. PSLs analysis was used to estimate global myocardial constructive work (GCW) and wasted work (GWW). LV fibrosis was estimated at cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) by qualitative assessment of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and significant fibrosis was defined as LGE in ≥2 LV segments.

Results

Global constructive work (1599 ± 423 vs 2248 ± 249 mm Hg%, P < 0.0001) was significantly reduced in HCM compared to the control group. No difference was observed in GWW (141 ± 125 vs 101 ± 88 mm Hg%, P = 0.18) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (63 ± 13 vs 66 ± 4% P = 0.17) between the two groups. In HCM, GCW was the only predictor of LV fibrosis at multivariable analysis (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99–1.08, P = 0.04). A cutoff value of 1623 mm Hg% (AUC 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66–0.93, P < 0.0001) was able to predict myocardial fibrosis with a good sensitivity and fair specificity (82% and 67%, respectively).

Conclusions

Global constructive work is significantly reduced in HCM despite normal LVEF and is associated with the LV fibrosis as assessed by LGE.
The perceived knowledge, skill and clinical practice of psychologists, naturopaths and fitness instructors when working with eating disorders
Authors: Worsfold Kate A. , Sheffield Jeanie K.
Published: November 2018

Aims

When it comes to working with eating disorders (EDs), few studies have explored: the clinical practice; service provision barriers; and self‐perceptions of knowledge/skill and the ability to detect EDs in practice against measured ability to do so, of common health providers including psychologists, naturopaths and fitness instructors.

Methods

Of the 115 participants, 90.4% were female with a mean age of 40.77 years (SD = 10.80 years) and comprised: 35 psychologists, 50 naturopathic and 30 fitness practitioners. Participants completed a 23‐item survey measuring clinical practice behaviours including assessment and early intervention services, practitioner service barriers, perceived ED knowledge and skill.

Results

Only 1 in 20 indicated using standardized surveys to screen for EDs, with 72% indicating reluctance to universally screen clients, with a key barrier being that ED symptoms were typically not the presenting issue. For practitioners who missed detecting EDs in practice, 53.6% indicated this was because weight fell within the normal range or because the client did not present with an ED so they did not think to screen for one (39.29%). In terms of interventions, most (79%) were providing services to clients with EDs, with over one‐third providing weight‐loss advice, potentially contributing to a harmful weight‐centric/dieting treatment approach. Despite most practitioners delivering services, 85.7% felt unable to treat some clients appropriately, primarily due to a lack of skill (52.6%).

Conclusions

Further training is imperative to improve universal screening and evidence‐based early intervention practices, which may be particularly helpful for naturopaths and fitness instructors who more commonly perceived their knowledge to be low.
A scheduling algorithm for applications in a cloud computing system with communication changes
Authors: Shao Xia , Xie Zhiqiang
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes a scheduling algorithm to solve the problem of task scheduling in a cloud computing system with time‐varying communication conditions. This algorithm converts the scheduling problem with communication changes into a directed acyclic graph (DAG) scheduling problem for existing fuzzy communication task nodes, that is, the scheduling problem for a communication‐change DAG (CC‐DAG). The CC‐DAG contains both computation task nodes and communication task nodes. First, this paper proposes a weighted time‐series network bandwidth model to solve the indefinite processing time (cost) problem for a fuzzy communication task node. This model can accurately predict the processing time of a fuzzy communication task node. Second, to address the scheduling order problem for the computation task nodes, a dynamic pre‐scheduling search strategy (DPSS) is proposed. This strategy computes the essential paths for the pre‐scheduling of the computation task nodes based on the actual computation costs (times) of the computation task nodes and the predicted processing costs (times) of the fuzzy communication task nodes during the scheduling process. The computation task node with the longest essential path is scheduled first because its completion time directly influences the completion time of the task graph. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed algorithm via simulation experiments. The experimental results show that the proposed DPSS produced remarkable performance improvement rate on the total execution time that ranges between 11.5% and 21.2%. In view of the experimental results, the proposed algorithm provides better quality scheduling solution that is suitable for scientific application task execution in the cloud computing environment than HEFT, PEFT, and CEFT algorithms.
Are specialist funds “special”?
Authors: Fricke Daniel
Published: November 2018

In this paper, I explore the relation between portfolio overlap and performance diversity. Using data on actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds, I find that the pairwise portfolio overlap between individual funds has increased over time and is significant compared to various randomized benchmarks. These findings motivate the main question of this paper, namely whether specialist funds (those with low levels of portfolio overlap with other funds) differ significantly from funds with high levels of overlap. Here, I find that these specialists differ with regard to certain portfolio‐ and fund‐specific characteristics, but they do not appear to outperform other funds.
Stress early in life leads to cognitive impairments, reduced numbers of CA3 neurons and altered maternal behavior in adult female mice
Authors: Reshetnikov Vasiliy V. , Kovner Anna V. , Lepeshko Arina A. , Pavlov Konstantin S. , Grinkevich Larisa N. , Bondar Natalya P.
Published: November 2018

The hippocampus is a crucial part of the limbic system involved both in cognitive processing and in the regulation of responses to stress. Adverse experiences early in life can disrupt hippocampal development and lead to impairment of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis response to subsequent stressors. In our study, two types of early‐life stress were used: prolonged separation of pups from their mothers (for 3 hours/day, maternal separation, MS) and brief separation (for 15 minutes/day, handling, HD). In the first part of our study, we found that adult female mice (F0) who had experienced MS showed reduced locomotor activity and impairment of long‐term spatial and recognition memory. Analysis of various hippocampal regions showed that MS reduced the number of mature neurons in CA3 of females, which is perhaps a crucial hippocampal region for learning and memory; however, neurogenesis remained unchanged. In the second part, we measured maternal care in female mice with a history of early‐life stress (F0) as well as the behavior of their adult offspring (F1). Our results indicated that MS reduced the level of maternal care in adult females (F0) toward their own progeny and caused sex‐specific changes in the social behavior of adult offspring (F1). In contrast to MS, HD had no influence on female behavior or hippocampal plasticity. Overall, our results suggest that prolonged MS early in life affects the adult behavior of F0 female mice and hippocampal neuronal plasticity, whereas the mothers' previous experience has effects on the behavior of their F1 offspring through disturbances of mother‐infant interactions.
Antagonistic governance in South African fruit global production networks: a neo‐Gramscian perspective
Authors: ALFORD MATTHEW
Published: November 2018

Governance is a core focus of the global value chain (GVC) and global production network (GPN) literatures. Recent research claims ‘complementary’ or ‘synergistic’ governance, achieved through the confluence of private, public and civil society actors, is required for sustainable social gains. While moving beyond a narrow focus on economic coordination, such analysis lacks a sufficiently nuanced examination of power relations. In this article, I draw on neo‐Gramscian perspectives to account for ongoing contestation, positing that governance needs to be understood in the context of a broader hegemonic project. ‘Antagonistic governance’ is proposed to conceptualize contestation within and across diverse initiatives, which forge, challenge and transform hegemonic stability in GVC/GPNs. I explore this through the South African fruit sector, in particular, a labour crisis in 2012/13. I argue that we need to move beyond apolitical readings of governance to account for the material and discursive practices through which contestation gets played out, compromises are forged, and hegemonic order is maintained.
Assessing changes in some facial signs of fatigue in Chinese women, induced by a single working day
Authors: Flament F. , Qiu H. , Abric A. , Charbonneau A.
Published: November 2018

Background

The impacts of physical fatigue upon some facial signs, induced by a whole day work, have been previously described on Caucasian women. This study aimed at assessing those possibly experienced by Chinese working women under comparable conditions.

Material and Methods

Standard photographs of 60 Chinese women working in the same company (aged 20–40 years) were taken at three occasions during their working day (just before, at 4 and 8 h). Focusing on facial signs allowed a panel of experts to grade their respective severities, helped by a referential atlas dedicated to Asian skin. A naïve panel, comprising 64 Chinese women (aged 20–60 years) graded, through an analogic 0–10 scale, the global facial aspect of each subject, particularly its tired‐look and dullness and estimated the age of each subject (perceived age). Paired‐comparisons in blind and random modes (T0/T4, T4/T8, T0/T8) allowed this naive panel to assess the subjects with a younger/older look, a dullest aspect.

Results

A daily work induces, in Chinese women, changes in some facial signs (Nasolabial, Periorbital and Inter‐ocular wrinkles, Cheek skin pores). The latter appear more marked between T0 and T4 than between T4 and T8. As compared to those observed among Caucasian women, these changes, although subtle, are of a higher amplitude and concern different facial signs. The naïve panel allowed to describe an increase in the tired look and dullness along the day, more so among the older group (31–40 years), together with an increased perceived age. Tired look, dullness and perceived age appear strongly linked.

Conclusion

Despite some possible differences in working conditions, some facial signs of Chinese women seem more affected by a fatigue induced by a working day in urban environment, than those of Caucasian women in similar conditions.
Biofilm model systems for root canal disinfection: a literature review
Authors: Swimberghe R. C. D. , Coenye T. , De Moor R. J. G. , Meire M. A.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this review was to present an overview of laboratory root canal biofilm model systems described in the endodontic literature and to critically appraise the various factors that constitute these models. The electronic databases MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched up to and including December 2016 to identify laboratory studies using endodontic biofilm models. The following search terms were used in various combinations: biofilm, root canal, in vitro, endodontic, bacteria, root canal infection model, colony‐forming unit. Only English papers from journals with an impact factor were selected. The records were screened by two reviewers, and full‐text articles were assessed according to pre‐defined criteria. The following data were extracted from the included studies: the microbial composition of the biofilm, the substrate, growth conditions, validation and quantification. Seventy‐seven articles met the inclusion criteria. In the majority (86%) of the studies, a monospecies biofilm was cultured. In two studies, a dual‐species biofilm was grown; others cultivated a multispecies biofilm, containing at least three species. Enterococcus faecalis was the most frequently used test species (in 79% of all studies, 92% of the monospecies studies). Four studies used an inoculum derived directly from the oral cavity. Human dentine was the most frequently used substratum (88% of the studies). Incubation times differed considerably, ranging from one to seventy days. The most common quantification method (in 87% of the studies) was bacterial culturing, followed by microscopy techniques. The variation in laboratory root canal biofilm model systems is notable. Because of substantial variation in experimental parameters, it is difficult to compare results between studies. This demonstrates the need for a more standardized approach and a validated endodontic biofilm model.
The impact of corporate fraud on director‐interlocked firms: Evidence from bank loans
Authors: Lai Tat‐kei , Lei Adrian C.H. , Song Frank M.
Published: November 2018

We examine the impact of corporate fraud committed by one firm (the “fraudulent firm”) on other firms with interlocking directors (the “interlocked firms”), focusing on the debtholder side. We argue that the revelation of a fraudulent firm's fraud can damage the reputation of the interlocked firms because corporate governance can propagate via director interlocks. Empirically, we find that the interlocked firms' cost of debt is higher and the loan covenants become stricter after the fraud cases of the fraudulent firms are revealed. Consistent with the corporate governance propagation explanation, our results are weaker (stronger) for interlocked firms that have better (worse) pre‐event corporate governance standards. Our findings suggest that corporate fraud of fraudulent firms can affect other firms through director‐interlocks beyond shareholder value.
Evolutionary and demographic correlates of Pleistocene coastline changes in the Sicilian wall lizardPodarcis wagleriana
Authors: Senczuk Gabriele , Harris D. James , Castiglia Riccardo , Litsi Mizan Viktoria , Colangelo Paolo , Canestrelli Daniele , Salvi Daniele
Published: November 2018

Aim

Emergence of coastal lowlands during Pleistocene ice ages might have provided conditions for glacial expansions (demographic and spatial), rather than contraction, of coastal populations of temperate species. Here, we tested these predictions in the insular endemic Sicilian wall lizardPodarcis wagleriana.

Location

Sicily and neighbouring islands.

Methods

We sampled 179 individuals from 45 localities across the whole range ofP. wagleriana. We investigated demographic and spatial variations through time using Bayesian coalescent models (Bayesian phylogeographic reconstruction, Extended Bayesian Skyline plots, Isolation‐with‐migration models) based on multilocusDNAsequence data. We used species distribution modelling to reconstruct present and past habitat suitability.

Results

We found two main lineages distributed in the east and west portions of the current species range and a third lineage restricted to a small area in the north of Sicily. Multiple lines of evidence from palaeogeographic (shorelines), palaeoclimatic (species distribution models), and multilocus genetic data (demographic and spatial Bayesian reconstructions) indicate that these lineages originated in distinct refugia, located in the north‐western and south‐eastern coastal lowlands, during Middle Pleistocene interglacial phases, and came into secondary contact following demographic and spatial expansions during the last glacial phase.

Main conclusions

This scenario of interglacial contraction and glacial expansion is in sharp contrast with patterns commonly observed in temperate species on the continent but parallels recent findings on other Mediterranean island endemics. Such a reverse expansion–contraction (EC) dynamic has been likely associated with glacial increases of climatically suitable coastal lowlands, suggesting this might be a general pattern in Mediterranean island species and also in other coastal regions strongly affected by glacial marine regressions during glacial episodes. This study provides explicit predictions and some methodological recommendations for testing the reverseECmodel in other region and taxa.
Quantitative investigation of Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) infection and relative condition factor in cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck and Schlegel)
Authors: Shin Sang Phil , Sohn Han Chang , Jin Chang Nam , Kang Bong Jo , Lee Jehee
Published: November 2018

Enteromyxum leei has been reported to cause emaciation disease in various fish species. To determine the effect of parasite intensity on cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, we investigated the relationship between the relative condition factor (rCF = CF/standard CF × 100) and parasite load with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the challenge test. A total of 57 cultured olive flounders were obtained from 11 fish farms and divided into five groups based on their rCF. We investigated the parasite intensity in the posterior intestine of the fish. The parasite load was closely matched to severe loss of body weight. In addition, olive flounders were inoculated either orally or anally with intestinal scrapings of infected fish or phosphate‐buffered saline. The fish were reared at natural water temperature and transferred to different tanks, and the water temperature was adjusted to 20°C after 6 weeks of inoculation. When the water temperature was increased to 20°C, the rCF decreased in the experimentally infected group. The results demonstrated that qPCR can be utilized to determine the relative abundance of E. leei in olive flounders and water temperature is an important factor to track the progress of the emaciation disease.
Resistance of pearlspot larvae, Etroplus suratensis, to redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus by immersion challenge
Authors: Marappan Makesh , Rengarajan Aathithya , Nallala Venkata Satyanarayana , Sukumaran Krishna , Bera Aritra , Sivaramakrishnan Thirugnamurty , Thiagarajan Govindarajan , Kailasam Muniyandi , Koyadan Kizhakedath Vijayan
Published: November 2018

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) affects more than 120 species mostly belonging to the order Perciformes. However, none of the brackishwater species belonging to the family Cichlidae under the order Perciformes are reported to be susceptible. Hence, the present experiment was undertaken to study the susceptibility of the brackishwater cichlid, pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis to NNV. Thirty‐day‐old pearlspot larvae were infected with NNV by immersion. Mortality was recorded till 14 days post‐infection, and the infected larvae were subjected to nested RT‐PCR and histology. The virus was isolated from infected larvae using SSN‐1 cells. To study the replication of the virus in vitro, primary cultured brain cells of E. suratensis and IEK cells were infected with NNV. No mortality was observed in any of the control or experimentally infected larvae. However, the experimentally infected larvae were positive for NNV by nested RT‐PCR and the virus was isolated using SSN‐1 cells. Further, the infected pearlspot brain cells and IEK cells showed cytopathic effect at second and third passage of the virus and they were positive for NNV by nested RT‐PCR. Pearlspot is relatively resistant to VNN although the virus could replicate in the larvae and in cell culture.
HNRNP Q suppresses polyglutamine huntingtin aggregation by post‐transcriptional regulation of vaccinia‐related kinase 2
Authors: Ryu Hye Guk , Kim Sangjune , Lee Saebom , Lee Eunju , Kim Hyo‐Jin , Kim Do‐Yeon , Kim Kyong‐Tai
Published: November 2018

Misfolded proteins with abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion cause neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease. Recently, it was found that polyQ aggregates accumulate as a result of vaccinia‐related kinase 2 (VRK2)‐mediated degradation of TCP‐1 ring complex (TRiC)/chaperonin‐containing TCP‐1 (CCT), which has an essential role in the prevention of polyQ protein aggregation and cytotoxicity. The levels of VRK2 are known to be much higher in actively proliferating cells but are maintained at a low level in the brain via an unknown mechanism. Here, we found that basal levels of neuronal cell‐specific VRK2 mRNA are maintained by post‐transcriptional, rather than transcriptional, regulation. Moreover, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Q (HNRNP Q) specifically binds to the 3ʹuntranslated region of VRK2 mRNA in neuronal cells to reduce the mRNA stability. As a result, we found a dramatic decrease in CCT4 protein levels in response to a reduction in HNRNP Q levels, which was followed by an increase in polyQ aggregation in human neuroblastoma cells and mouse cortical neurons. Taken together, these results provide new insights into how neuronal HNRNP Q decreases VRK2 mRNA stability and contributes to the prevention of Huntington's disease, while also identifying new prognostic markers of HD.

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Oxytocin‐Accelerated Labour with and without Artificial Rupture of the Membranes
Authors: Nayel Sayed A. , Said Sami A. , El-Habashy Moustafa A. , Tawfik Tawfik A.
Published: November 2018

Augmentation of labour was carried out on forty primigravid parturients. In twenty cases, augmentation was done by artificial rupture of the membranes (ARM) and oxytocin infusion, while in the other twenty, oxytocin was used alone. Twenty more primigravid parturients were left for spontaneous delivery without augmentation to act as a control. Augmentation with ARM and oxytocin resulted in shortening of the first and second stages of labour, higher rate of cervical dilatation, increased frequency and duration of uterine contractions and decrease in the number of uterine contractions needed to achieve delivery, half of such cases were delivered with no need to pethidine.
Hormonal Profile in Cases of Secondary Amenorrhoea
Authors: Khandelwal S. , Hazra D. K. , Sarkar B.
Published: November 2018

Out of 30 cases of secondary amenorrhoea studied, 2 cases had amenorrhoea‐galactorrhoea syndrome, 2 Sheehan's syndrome, 7 hypothalamic amenorrhoea, 1 premature menopause, 5 had ovarian failure, 4 tubercular endometritis with ovarian failure, 5 cases endometritis, 2 post‐pill amenorrhoea and 2 cases had functional amenorrhoea.
Ovarian Pregnancy‐A Case Report
Authors: Lim B.H. , Raman S. , Sinnathuray T.A. , Pathmanathan R.
Published: November 2018

Ovarian pregnancy is an uncommon type of ectopic pregnancy. Because of its rarity the diagnosis is usually only made at laparotomy. Recently there have been several case reports of this condition in intra‐uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) users. Here we report a case of primary ovarian pregnancy without any associated intra‐uterine contraceptive device usage and discuss the problems in diagnosis before laparotomy.
Histochemical Observation of Alkaline Phosphatase in Endometrial Abnormalities
Authors: Tsukada Hidehiro , Ohta Toshiharu , Shiraki Shinichirou , Noda Katsumi
Published: November 2018

Histochemical observation was made to determine alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and its isoenzyme fractions on normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Normal endometrium showed a cyclic change in the ALP reaction during the phase of menstruation; the ALP reaction was positive in proliferative and early secretory phase but negative in late secretory phase. Normal endometrial ALP was thought to be one of the hormone‐dependent enzymes. Heat‐stable ALP fraction (HSAP) was not observed in normal endometrium.

All cases with endometrial hyperplasia showed a positive ALP reaction, and HSAP was observed in 8.3% of cystic glandular hyperplasia and 45.5% of adenomato us hyperplasia.

All cases with endometrial adenocarcinoma showed a positive ALP reaction. In general, well and moderately differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma showed on strongly positive ALP reaction while a weakly positive ALP reaction was observed in poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. It was suggested that the ALP reactivity of endometrial adenocarcinoma reflected the degrees of cell differentiation. HSAP was observed in 20% of endometrial adenocarcinoma.

The occurrence of HSAP was interpreted as the reversion of ALP to the placental ALP followed by endometrial carcinogenesis.
Prognostic Significance of Zinc in Pregnancy with Hepatitis
Authors: Agrawal N. R. , Singh V. , Bhattacharya S. K. , Sundar Shyam , Tiwari P.
Published: November 2018

Serum and 24 hours urinary zinc of 34 female patients (16 pregnant and 18 non‐pregnant) suffering from viral hepatitis were studied along with 23 healthy controls. Zinc estimation was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc was significantly decreased in pregnancy. It was significantly depressed in viral hepatitis irrespective of pregnancy. Patients who showed features of hepatic encephalopathy had a further decrease in their serum zinc levels. Urinary zinc excretion was also increased in patients of viral hepatitis. Thus, serum zinc is lower in viral hepatitis and there is a positive correlation between decrease in serum zinc and clinical severity of viral hepatitis.
Surveillances, Social Management, and Architectural Morphologies: An approach to the Prison and the Hospital in 19th Century Spain
Authors: Fraile Pedro , Bonastra Quim
Published: November 2018

Surveillance is one of the key aspects of the economic and social system in which we live. Its relevance is growing, due in part to technical advances and in part to complex social dynamics and the magnitude of certain conflicts. In this article we discuss the analytical framework formulated by Bauman, in which he contrasts the concepts of liquid and solid surveillance, and we introduce the concepts of inquisitive and coercive surveillance. We examine the genesis and evolution of both types of surveillance by analyzing public health and penitentiary strategies, particularly in 19th century Spain, as well as those of their respective institutions—the hospital and the prison—with special focus on their spatial manifestations and the divergence between the paths taken in the health‐care and penitentiary spheres.
Associations of plasma total phospholipid fatty acid patterns with feeding practices, growth, and psychomotor development in 6‐month‐old South African infants
Authors: Siziba Linda P. , Baumgartner Jeannine , Ricci Cristian , Jacobs Adriaan , Rothman Marinel , Matsungo Tonderayi M. , Covic Namukolo , Faber Mieke , Smuts Cornelius M.
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study was to assess plasma fatty acid (FA) patterns of 6‐month‐old South African infants and to determine their association with feeding practices, growth, and psychomotor development. Plasma total phospholipid FA composition (% of total FAs) of 6‐month‐old infants (n = 353) from a peri‐urban township was analysed, and principal component and factor analysis were performed to identify plasma FA patterns. Feeding practices, anthropometric measurements, and psychomotor development scores were determined. Four major plasma phospholipid FA patterns were identified: A plant‐based C18 FA, a high n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), a C16:1 and long‐chain saturated fatty acid (SFA), and a high n‐3 and low n‐6 LCPUFA pattern. Formula feeding was associated with higher, whereas breastfeeding was associated with lower scores for the plant‐based C18 FA and C16:1 and long‐chain SFA patterns. On the other hand, breastfeeding, the consumption of cow's milk, and the consumption of semisolid foods were associated with higher scores, whereas formula feeding was associated with lower scores for the high n‐6 LCPUFA pattern. Breastfeeding and the consumption of semisolids were also associated with higher high n‐3 and low n‐6 LCPUFA pattern scores. The C16:1 and long‐chain SFA and high n‐3 and low n‐6 LCPUFA patterns were positively associated with psychomotor development scores. In 6‐month‐old South African infants, we identified distinct plasma FA patterns that presumably represent the FA quality of their diet and that are associated with psychomotor development. Our results suggest that breast milk is an important source of n‐6 LCPUFAs and formula‐fed infants may be at risk of inadequate LCPUFA intake.
Strategic network expansion of urban rapid transit systems: A bi‐objective programming model
Authors: Wei Yi , Jin Jian Gang , Yang Jingfeng , Lu Linjun
Published: November 2018

With the development of urbanization and the extension of city boundaries, the expansion of rapid transit systems based on the existing lines becomes an essential issue in urban transportation systems. In this study, the network expansion problem is formulated as a bi‐objective programming model to minimize the construction cost and maximize the total travel demand covered by the newly introduced transit lines. To solve the bi‐objective mixed‐integer linear program, an approach called minimum distance to the utopia point is applied. Thus, the specific trade‐off is suggested to the decision makers instead of a series of optimal solutions. A real‐world case study based on the metro network in Wuxi, China, is conducted, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and solution method. It is found that the utopia method can not only provide a reasonable connecting pattern of the network expansion problem but also identify the corridors with high priority under the limited budget condition.
“Historical-Critical Ministry? The Biblical Studies Classroom as Restorative Secular Space”
Authors: Parks Sara
Published: November 2018

This article revisits the past decades of scholarly use (or rather non-use) of Bernadette Brooten'sWomen Leaders in the Ancient Synagogueto reveal that citation practices in biblical studies—or any field—can be inherently political (e.g. misogynistic) whilst maintaining a pretence of scientific objectivity. As a corrective, the author calls for the abandonment of the myth of neutrality in the biblical studies classroom. She argues that rape is only one end of a long spectrum of behaviours that silence; at the other, more subtle end of that spectrum, and all along it, are thousands of lesser instances of silencing and diminishing that occur in the classroom, that are gentler extensions of the notion that women's bodies do not belong to them, that men are the default human beings, and that women are valuable only insofar as they are pleasing or useful from a male standpoint. Parks advocates a biblical studies pedagogy that intentionally upholds inclusion and diversity in its curriculum, its group dynamics, and its citation practices, even (or especially) within institutions that do not. This is especially important given the prevalence of survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence in every classroom; maintaining a neutral stance implicitly re-inscribes and encourages the status quo of rape culture.
Marginalization: Conceptualizing patient vulnerabilities in the framework of social determinants of health—An integrative review
Authors: Baah Foster Osei , Teitelman Anne M. , Riegel Barbara
Published: November 2018

Scientific advances in health care have been disproportionately distributed across social strata. Disease burden is also disproportionately distributed, with marginalized groups having the highest risk of poor health outcomes. Social determinants are thought to influence health care delivery and the management of chronic diseases among marginalized groups, but the current conceptualization of social determinants lacks a critical focus on the experiences of people within their environment. The purpose of this article was to integrate the literature on marginalization and situate the concept in the framework of social determinants of health. We demonstrate that social position links marginalization and social determinants of health. This perspective provides a critical lens to assess the societal power dynamics that influence the construction of the socio‐environmental factors affecting health. Linking marginalization with social determinants of health can improve our understanding of the inequities in health care delivery and the disparities in chronic disease burden among vulnerable groups.
Not all sex‐biased genes are the same
Authors: Veltsos Paris
Published: November 2018

This article is a Commentary on Sanderson et al., 221: 527–539.