bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wintering space use and site fidelity in a nomadic species, the snowy owl
Authors: Robillard Audrey , Gauthier Gilles , Therrien Jean‐François , Bêty Joël
Published: March 2018

Migratory species can exploit many habitats over vast geographic areas and adopt various patterns of space and habitat use throughout their annual cycle. In nomadic species, determinants of habitat use during the non‐breeding season are poorly known due to the unpredictability of their movement patterns. Here, we analysed variability in wintering space and habitat use by a highly nomadic species, the snowy owl, in eastern North America. Using 21 females tracked by satellite telemetry between 2007 and 2016, we 1) assessed how space use patterns in winter varied according to the type of environment (marine vs terrestrial), latitudinal zone (Arctic vs temperate), local snow conditions and lemming densities and 2) investigated winter habitat and site fidelity. Our results confirmed a high inter‐individual variation in patterns of habitat use by wintering snowy owls. Highly‐used areas were concentrated in the Arctic and in the marine and coastal environments. Owls wintering in the marine environment travelled over longer distances during the winter, had larger home ranges and these were divided in more smaller zones than individuals in terrestrial environments. Wintering home range sizes decreased with high winter lemming densities, use of the marine environment increased following high summer lemming densities, and a thick snow cover in autumn led to later settlement on the wintering ground. Contrary to expectations, snowy owls tended to make greater use of the marine environment when snow cover was thin. Snowy owls were highly consistent in their use of a given wintering environment and a specific latitudinal zone between years, but demonstrated flexibility in their space use and a modest site fidelity. The snowy owls’ consistency in wintering habitat use may provide them with advantages in terms of experience but their mobility and flexibility may help them to cope with changing environmental conditions at fine spatial scale.
Green tea prevents vascular disturbs and attenuates periodontal breakdown in long‐term hyperglycaemia in T1D rats
Authors: Catanzaro Daniela Pereira , Mena Laura Ever Elias , Cestari Tania Mary , Arantes Ricardo Vinicius Nunes , Garlet Gustavo Pompermaier , Taga Rumio , Assis Gerson Francisco
Published: March 2018

Aim

The effects of green tea on the modulation of vascularization during the progression of spontaneous periodontitis in long‐term hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats were evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Wistar rats normoglycaemic (NG) and T1D were divided into two control groups, which received water (NG‐W and T1D‐W) and two experimental groups that received green tea (NG‐GT and T1D‐GT). Periodontal structures were evaluated by microtomographic and histological analyses. Number of immunostained cells for VEGF (NcVEGF+/mm2) and CD31 (NcCD31+/mm2), as well microvessel density (MVD) in the periodontal ligament (PDL) were evaluated.

Results

Long‐term hyperglycaemia in T1D‐W rats induced vascular alterations in PDL with a reduction of 36% in MVD, a decrease of 33% in NcCD31+/mm2 and an increase of 53% in NcVEGF+/mm2. Concomitantly, a severe degree of periodontitis with higher reduction in bone volume and periodontal bone level was observed. In T1D‐GT, green tea maintained the MVD, NcCD31+/mm2 and NcVEGF+/mm2 in the PDL similar to normoglycaemic groups. Clinically, in T1D‐GT rats, green tea reduced dental plaque accumulation and the degree of periodontitis when compared to T1D‐W.

Conclusion

Daily green tea consumption has a therapeutic effect on the diabetic vascular disorder in PDL and the progression of periodontitis in long‐term hyperglycaemia in T1D rats.
The effect of decellularized tissue engineered constructs on periodontal regeneration
Authors: Farag Amro , Hashimi Saeed M. , Vaquette Cedryck , Bartold Peter M. , Hutmacher Dietmar W. , Ivanovski Saso
Published: March 2018

Aim

To evaluate the effect of decellularized tissue engineered constructs on cell differentiation in vitro and periodontal regeneration in vivo.

Materials and Methods

Periodontal ligament cell (PDLC) sheets were loaded on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds and then decellularized. Constructs were assessed for their effect on allogenic PDLC and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation in vitro, as evaluated by gene expression of bone and periodontal ligament tissue markers post‐seeding. Expression of MSC marker STRO‐1 was assessed by immunostaining. Decellularized constructs were evaluated in a rat periodontal defect model to assess their biocompatibility and tissue integration. Microcomputed topography (μCT) and histological assessment were performed to assess the regenerative potential of the constructs at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively.

Results

There was upregulation of bone marker gene expression by PDLCs especially on the 14th day. MSCs lacked bone markers expression, but showed increased collagen I marker expression on day 14. STRO‐1 expression by the MSCs decreased over the three timepoints when seeded on decellularized sheets. Histological assessment demonstrated the biocompatibility of the decellularized constructs in vivo. More new attachment formation was observed on the decellularized constructs compared to scaffold only controls.

Conclusion

Decellularized tissue engineered constructs are capable of inducing cell differentiation in vitro and have the potential to facilitate periodontal regeneration in vivo.
Rational Suicide in Elderly Adults: A Clinician's Perspective
Authors: Balasubramaniam Meera
Published: March 2018

Geriatricians are increasingly encountering older adults expressing suicidal wishes in the absence of overt mental illness. This is expected to grow as life expectancy increases. This article describes the case of an older adult who expressed the wish to end his life in the absence of a diagnosable mental illness. Although he had chronic medical illnesses, he was not terminally ill. The complex subject of rational suicide in elderly adults is approached from a clinician's perspective. Issues of ageism, gerontophobia, and changing perspectives on death are highlighted. The experience of being a Baby Boomer and its influence on rational suicide is reviewed. Finally, clinical topics such as aging, frailty, dependence on younger and healthier individuals, and the older adult's need for a sense of control are explored.
Social Causes of Rational Suicide in Older Adults
Authors: Dzeng Elizabeth , Pantilat Steven Z.
Published: March 2018

This editorial comments on the article by Meera Balasubramaniam.
Minimum Data Set Changes in Health, End‐Stage Disease and Symptoms and Signs Scale: A Revised Measure to Predict Mortality in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Ogarek Jessica A. , McCreedy Ellen M. , Thomas Kali S. , Teno Joan M. , Gozalo Pedro L.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To revise the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Changes in Health, End‐stage disease and Symptoms and Signs (CHESS) scale, an MDS 2.0‐based measure widely used to predict mortality in institutional settings, in response to the release of MDS 3.0.

Design

Development of a predictive scale using observational data from the MDS and Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File.

Setting

All Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)‐certified nursing homes in the United States.

Participants

Development cohort of 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries newly admitted to a CMS‐certified nursing home during 2012. Primary validation cohort of 1.2 million Medicare recipients who were newly admitted to a CMS‐certified nursing home during 2013.

Measurements

Items from the MDS 3.0 assessments identified as likely to predict mortality. Death information was obtained from the Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File.

Results

MDS‐CHESS 3.0 scores ranges from 0 (most stable) to 5 (least stable). Ninety‐two percent of the primary validation sample with a CHESS scale score of 5 and 15% with a CHESS scale of 0 died within 1 year. The risk of dying was 1.63 times as great (95% CI=1.628–1.638) for each unit increase in CHESS scale score. The MDS‐CHESS 3.0 is also strongly related to hospitalization within 30 days and successful discharge to the community. The scale predicted death in long‐stay residents at 30 days (C=0.759, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.756–0.761), 60 days (C=0.716, 95% CI=0.714–0.718) and 1 year (C=0.655, 95% CI=0.654–0.657).

Conclusion

The MDS‐CHESS 3.0 predicts mortality in newly admitted and long‐stay nursing home populations. The additional relationship to hospitalizations and successful discharges to community increases the utility of this scale as a potential risk adjustment tool.
Predicting Potential Adverse Events During a Skilled Nursing Facility Stay: A Skilled Nursing Facility Prognosis Score
Authors: Burke Robert E. , Hess Edward , Barón Anna E. , Levy Cari , Donzé Jacques D.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To derive a risk prediction score for potential adverse outcomes in older adults transitioning to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) from the hospital.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (2003–11).

Participants

Previously community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized and discharged to SNF for postacute care (N=2,043).

Measurements

Risk factors included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, health status, hospital length of stay, prior SNF stays, SNF size and ownership, treatments received, physical function, and active signs or symptoms at time of SNF admission. The primary outcome was a composite of undesirable outcomes from the patient perspective, including hospital readmission during the SNF stay, long SNF stay (≥100 days), and death during the SNF stay.

Results

Of the 2,043 previously community‐dwelling beneficiaries hospitalized and discharged to a SNF for post‐acute care, 589 (28.8%) experienced one of the three outcomes, with readmission (19.4%) most common, followed by mortality (10.5%) and long SNF stay (3.5%). A risk score including 5 factors (Barthel Index, Charlson‐Deyo comorbidity score, hospital length of stay, heart failure diagnosis, presence of an indwelling catheter) demonstrated very good discrimination (C‐statistic=0.75), accuracy (Brier score=0.17), and calibration for observed and expected events.

Conclusion

Older adults frequently experience potentially adverse outcomes in transitions to a SNF from the hospital; this novel score could be used to better match resources with patient risk.
Hemopexin increases the neurotoxicity of hemoglobin when haptoglobin is absent
Authors: Chen‐Roetling Jing , Ma Sheng‐Kai , Cao Yang , Shah Aishwarya , Regan Raymond F.
Published: March 2018

Hemopexin (Hpx) binds heme with extraordinary affinity, and after haptoglobin may provide a second line of defense against the toxicity of extracellular hemoglobin (Hb). In this series of experiments, the hypothesis that Hpx protects neurons from Hb neurotoxicity was evaluated in murine primary cultures containing neurons and glial cells. Contrary to hypothesis, Hpx increased neuronal loss due to micromolar concentrations of Hb by 4‐ to 12‐fold, as measured by LDH release assay; conversely, the neurotoxicity of hemin was completely prevented. The endogenous fluorescence of Hpx was quenched by Hb, consistent with transfer of Hb‐bound heme to Hpx. This was associated with precipitation of globin chains, as detected by immunostaining and fluorescent Hb labeling. A portion of this precipitate attached firmly to cells and could not be removed by multiple washes. Concomitant treatment with haptoglobin (Hp) prevented globin precipitation and most of the increase in neuronal loss. Hpx weakly attenuated the increase in culture non‐heme iron produced by Hb treatment, quantified by ferrozine assay. However, Hb‐Hpx toxicity was iron‐dependent, and was blocked by deferoxamine and ferrostatin‐1. Up‐regulation of cell ferritin expression, a primary cell defense against Hb toxicity, was not observed on western blots of culture lysates that had been concomitantly treated with Hpx. These results suggest that Hpx destabilizes Hb in the absence of haptoglobin, leading to globin precipitation and exacerbation of iron‐dependent oxidative cell injury. Combined therapy with hemopexin plus haptoglobin may be preferable to hemopexin alone after CNS hemorrhage.

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Measurements of auto‐antibodies to α‐synuclein in the serum and cerebral spinal fluids of patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Akhtar Rizwan S. , Licata Joseph P. , Luk Kelvin C. , Shaw Leslie M. , Trojanowski John Q. , Lee Virginia M.‐Y.
Published: March 2018

Biomarkers for α‐synuclein are needed for diagnosis and prognosis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Endogenous auto‐antibodies to α‐synuclein could serve as biomarkers for underlying synucleinopathy, but previous assessments of auto‐antibodies have shown variability and inconsistent clinical correlations. We hypothesized that auto‐antibodies to α‐synuclein could be diagnostic for PD and explain its clinical heterogeneity. To test this hypothesis, we developed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for measuring α‐synuclein auto‐antibodies in human samples. We evaluated 69 serum samples (16 healthy controls (HC) and 53 PD patients) and 145 CSF samples (52 HC and 93 PD patients) from our Institution. Both serum and CSF were available for 24 participants. Males had higher auto‐antibody levels than females in both fluids. CSF auto‐antibody levels were significantly higher in PD patients as compared with HC, whereas serum levels were not significantly different. CSF auto‐antibody levels did not associate with amyloid‐β1–42, total tau, or phosphorylated tau. CSF auto‐antibody levels correlated with performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, even when controlled for CSF amyloidβ1–42. CSF hemoglobin levels, as a proxy for contamination of CSF by blood during lumbar puncture, did not influence these observations. Using recombinant α‐synuclein with N‐ and C‐terminal truncations, we found that CSF auto‐antibodies target amino acids 100 through 120 of α‐synuclein. We conclude that endogenous CSF auto‐antibodies are significantly higher in PD patients as compared with HC, suggesting that they could indicate the presence of underlying synucleinopathy. These auto‐antibodies associate with poor cognition, independently of CSF amyloidβ1–42, and target a select C‐terminal region of α‐synuclein.

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Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 433.
Cyclic AMP‐producing chemogenetic activation of indirect pathway striatal projection neurons and the downstream effects on the globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus in freely moving mice
Authors: Bouabid Safa , Zhou Fu‐Ming
Published: March 2018

The indirect pathway striatal medium spiny projection neurons (iMSNs) are critical to motor and cognitive brain functions. These neurons express a high level of cAMP‐increasing adenosine A2a receptors. However, the potential effects of cAMP production on iMSN spiking activity have not been established, and recording identified iMSNs in freely moving animals is challenging. Here, we show that in the transgenic mice expressing cAMP‐producing G protein Gs‐coupled designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (Gs‐DREADD) in iMSNs, the baseline spike firing in MSNs is normal, indicating DREADD expression does not affect the normal physiology of these neurons. Intraperitoneal injection of the DREADD agonist clozapine‐N‐oxide (CNO; 2.5 mg/kg) increased the spike firing in 50% of the recorded MSNs. However, CNO did not affect MSN firing in Gs‐DREADD‐negative mice. We also found that CNO injection inhibited the spike firing of globus pallidus external segment (GPe) neurons in Gs‐DREADD‐positive mice, further indicating CNO excitation of iMSNs. Temporally coincident with these effects on spiking firing in the indirect pathway, CNO injection selectively inhibited locomotion in D2 Gs‐DREADD mice. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that cAMP production in iMSNs can increase iMSN spiking activity and cause motor inhibition, thus addressing a long‐standing question about the cellular functions of the cAMP‐producing adenosine A2a receptors in iMSNs.

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Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14181.
Decoy effect, anticipated regret, and preferences for work–family benefits
Authors: Reb Jochen , Li Andrew , Bagger Jessica
Published: March 2018

Attracting talent is one of the key challenges for organizations, and offering attractive work–family benefits plays an increasingly important role in succeeding at this challenge. However, behavioural decision theory suggests that when choosing among job offers with different work–family benefits, individuals may fall prey to a decoy effect and this effect may be mediated through anticipated regret. This effect occurs when preferences are influenced by a normatively irrelevant decoy option that is clearly inferior to one of the other options in the choice set, but not the other (i.e., ‘asymmetrically dominated’). Across two studies, we investigated preferences for two important types of work–family benefits: flexible work arrangements (FWA) and dependent care support (DCS). We predicted and found a decoy effect: Preferences for jobs with these benefits were influenced by the presence of a normatively irrelevant decoy option. That is, preferences shifted towards either the FWA option or the DCS option depending on which option the decoy targeted (i.e., the option that asymmetrically dominated the decoy). The effects held over and above variables related to individuals’ work and family situations and values, including role centrality. Moreover, we found that anticipated regret mediated the effect of the decoy option on benefit preferences.

Practitioner points

Organizations can use decoy options with relatively inferior (i.e., dominated) job benefits as an implicit influence tactic to influence applicants' job preferences.

Using this approach is only legitimate if it has a factual basis and recruiters need to take ethical aspects of such practices into consideration.

Individuals need to be aware that when normatively irrelevant cues such as decoy options affect their decision‐making process, their choices may be biased.

By noticing decoy options and influence attempts of recruiters, individuals can ensure that their choices reflect their values, not contextual factors.
Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics in swine of a florfenicol enteric formulation prepared using hot‐melt extrusion technology
Authors: Xu Y. , Wen X. , Feng X. , Liang Z. , Ye X. , Nie H. , Liao X. , Li J. , Zeng Y. , Tang S. , He J.
Published: March 2018

The objective of this work was to manufacture an enteric formulation of florfenicol (FF) using hot‐melt extrusion (HME) technology and to evaluate its in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetics. For the HME process, hypromellose acetate succinate LG (HPMCAS‐LG) was the enteric polymer mixed with FF, and the two components were extruded with a standard screw configuration at a speed of 50 rpm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were performed to characterize the HME extrudate. The release percentage of the enteric formulation in the acidic stage was <10% of the loaded FF, whereas that in the phosphate buffer stage was >80%. Pharmacokinetic evaluations in swine revealed that the enteric formulation had a longer t1/2λ and MRT than commercially available FF powder (FULAIKA®), indicating that the novel formulation exhibited enteric and sustained release properties. Compared with the commercial product, the relative bioavailability of the enteric formulation reached up to 117.2%. This study suggests that this formulation may have potential for future commercialization.
Genetic differentiation of the edible dormouse (Glis glis) in the Polish Sudetens: the current status of an endangered species
Authors: Moska M. , Mucha A. , Wierzbicki H.
Published: March 2018

In this study, we investigated the influence of geographical barriers and forest fragmentation on the genetic structure and variability in an arboreal rodent, the edible dormouse, inhabiting the Polish Sudetens. A total of 56 free‐living edible dormice (Glis glis) sampled from four mountain ranges in the Sudetens were analysed. Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci and mtDNA (cytochrome b) were used in the study. Principal components analysis (PCA) and genetic structure analysis were carried out to detect the most probable number of genetically differentiated clusters. The correlations between the genetic/geographical distances and the barriers were studied using Mantel tests. The mtDNA cytochrome b analysis revealed only two haplotypes, both corresponding to the European haplogroup. Although the Mantel test results showed no significant impact of distance or habitat barrier on the observed interpopulation genetic variation, PCA and genetic structure analyses clearly indicated four genetic clusters as the most probable number of genetically distinct groups. They corresponded to the four populations inhabiting the mountain ranges studied. These results show that dormouse dispersal is closely linked to forests, and hence that gene flow within the edible dormouse population is influenced by the connectivity of landscape features. Furthermore, this may reflect adaptation to environmental conditions in the Sudetens as well as historical patterns of post‐glacial colonization. The results of our study should be used to develop conservation strategies of this species.
Introducing Registered Reports at Language Learning: Promoting Transparency, Replication, and a Synthetic Ethic in the Language Sciences
Authors: Marsden Emma , Morgan‐Short Kara , Trofimovich Pavel , Ellis Nick C.
Published: March 2018

The past few years have seen growing interest in open science practices, which include initiatives to increase transparency in research methods, data collection, and analysis; enhance accessibility to data and materials; and improve the dissemination of findings to broader audiences. Language Learning is enhancing its participation in the open science movement by launching Registered Reports as an article category as of January 1, 2018. Registered Reports allow authors to submit the conceptual justifications and the full method and analysis protocol of their study to peer review prior to data collection. High‐quality submissions then receive provisional, in‐principle acceptance. Provided that data collection, analyses, and reporting follow the proposed and accepted methodology and analysis protocols, the article is subsequently publishable whatever the findings. We outline key concerns leading to the development of Registered Reports, describe its core features, and discuss some of its benefits and weaknesses.
From known to unknown: moving to unvisited locations in a novel sensorimotor map
Authors: van Vugt Floris T. , Ostry David J.
Published: March 2018

Sensorimotor learning requires knowledge of the relationship between movements and sensory effects: a sensorimotor map. Generally, these mappings are not innate but have to be learned. During learning, the challenge is to build a continuous map from a set of discrete observations, that is, predict locations of novel targets. One hypothesis is that the learner linearly interpolates among discrete observations that are already in the map. Here, this hypothesis is tested by exposing human subjects to a novel mapping between arm movements and sounds. Participants were passively moved to the edges of the workspace receiving the corresponding sounds and then were presented intermediate sounds and asked to make movements to locations they thought corresponded to those sounds. It is observed that average movements roughly match linear interpolation of the space. However, the actual distribution of participants' movements is best described by a bimodal reaching strategy in which they move to one of two locations near the workspace edge where they had prior exposure to the sound–movement pairing. These results suggest that interpolation happens to a limited extent only and that the acquisition of sensorimotor maps may not be driven by interpolation but instead relies on a flexible recombination of instance‐based learning.
A mechanistic linkage between oral lichen planus and autoimmune thyroid disease
Authors: Robledo‐Sierra J , Landin‐Wilhelmsen K , Filipsson Nyström H , Eggertsen R , Larsson L , Dafar A , Warfvinge G , Mattsson U , Jontell M
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine the levels of antithyroid antibodies and thyroid hormones in the sera of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), and to quantify the expression of thyroid proteins in OLP lesions.

Subjects and Methods

Venous blood samples were drawn from 110 patients with OLP who had no history of thyroid disease or levothyroxine supplementation (OLP+/LT4−). A random population sample of 657 healthy subjects was used as the control group. Two additional groups were used as comparators. Immunohistochemical and qPCR analyses were performed on tissue specimens collected from the patients with OLP and thyroid disease and healthy subjects.

Results

No association was found between the presence of antithyroid antibodies and OLP. More patients in the OLP+/LT4− group showed high levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone and low levels of free thyroxine than were seen in the control group. Thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor was more highly expressed in the OLP lesions of patients with thyroid disease than in the healthy oral mucosa.

Conclusions

A significant number of patients with OLP who are not previously diagnosed with thyroid disease have thyroid parameters that are compatible with hypothyroidism. The expression of thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor in OLP lesions suggests that mechanisms related to autoimmune thyroid disease are involved in the aetiology of OLP.
What Are Robespierre and Télémaque Doing in Saint‐Domingue?
Authors: Kjærgård Jonas Ross
Published: March 2018

Charles Pigault‐Lebrun's playLe blanc et le noir(1795) is one of only a handful of French revolutionary plays to stage the Saint‐Domingue slave rebellion, a rebellion today better known as the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804). I argue that Pigault‐Lebrun uses early melodramatic generic traits to develop a theatrical thought experiment revolving around three main themes: humanness, revolutionary legitimacy, and political order. Crucially, Pigault‐Lebrun does so by transporting French revolutionary figures and themes to the colonial setting, which means that his depiction of Caribbean revolt is seen through a distinctly Parisian lens. The first consequence of this framing is an omission of specifically Haitian concerns. The second is a particular infusion of colonial problems into metropolitan discussions. In analyzing this reciprocal transportation of figures and discourse, the article shows how the colonies not only affected the material lives of millions of Europeans but also influenced crucial questions of humanness, societal change, and political order.
“Because it is my name!”
Authors: Jeihouni Mojtaba , Hooti Noorbakhsh
Published: March 2018

This article offers a Foucauldian reading of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Employing Foucault's concept of parrhesia, we argue that John Proctor holds truth‐telling as a moral virtue and accordingly his behavior qualifies as parrhesiastic based on the five elements Foucault outlines for parrhesia: frankness, truth, danger, criticism, and duty. First we shall provide a thorough account of the concept in Foucault's work. Second, and on the basis of that account, we shall explore the relations of power in Miller's play, arguing that Proctor deconstructs the self‐celebrating dogmatism of his Puritan context with a razor‐sharp honesty. We shall conclude that Proctor meets his death because of his parrhesiastic courage.
‘The void of lucidity’
Authors: McNamee Brendan
Published: March 2018

The essay is an attempt to elucidate the religious themes and language of O'Connor's two novels in a way that secular readers might find enlightening. Through the motifs of vision (in Wise Blood) and rationality (in The Violent Bear It Away), the novels are read as playing out a philosophical conflict centring on different readings of the word ‘mystery’, that is to say, mystery as a not‐yet‐established fact as opposed to mystery as an experience, something to be lived rather than known. This conflict is examined under the headings of ‘ego’ versus ‘soul’, and ‘imaginative’ versus ‘factual’ truth, using E. M. Cioran's phrase, ‘the void of lucidity’ as a touchstone. The essay concludes that religious and artistic aspirations are different expressions of the same ineffable impulse.
Towards a Theoretical Approach to the Literature of Resilience
Authors: Ferrández San Miguel María
Published: March 2018

Recent scientific evidence suggests that, despite the pervasive influence of the disease paradigm, healthy reactions to trauma are the norm. Resilience is part of ourDNA, since it accounts for our success to survive and thrive in adverse conditions during evolutionary times. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the theme of survival in extreme adversity has run through countless literary texts. Yet, discussions of resilience have tended to be shunned from the literary theorization of trauma. Given fiction's outstanding capacity to incorporate notions from diverse disciplines, it is not far‐fetched to talk about fictional narratives of resilience. This article takes up E. L. Doctorow'sRagtime(1975) as a case study to test the hypothesis that literary texts may be profitably discussed from the perspective of resilience. In order to do so, it draws both on recent psychological theories of resilience and on the psychoanalytical concept of sublimation to provide some answers about the nature ofRagtime's alternative approach to trauma response. Its main aim is to explore how resilience as a cultural notion may manifest itself at both a thematic and a formal level in literary texts. The ultimate goal is to argue for the existence of what may be termed “resilience narratives.”
La tache de l'amour racinien dans Phèdre
Authors: Calle Delphine
Published: March 2018

Cet article propose une relecture de l'amour illicite de Phèdre pour son beau‐fils Hippolyte, à travers la métaphore de la tache. Touchée par la vue de celui qu'elle aime, Phèdre ne peut celer les marques extérieures de sa passion : son rougissement mêle honte et amour. Or, la véritable souillure est intériorisée : l'amour de Phèdre est une conscience de péché, de prédestination. Après l'exposition de la tache amoureuse, l'article analyse, suivant la logique de Phèdre, le désir de purgation. La punition de Phèdre, rend‐elle la tragédie vertueuse, comme le prétend Racine ? Dans un troisième lieu, l’étude se tourne vers le public, qui, selon la doctrine de la catharsis, devrait être « purgé » lui‐aussi. Cet article argumente, au contraire, que plutôt qu'effacée, la tache de l'amour passion est répandue. Le sang de Phèdre, se suicidant sur scène, éclabousse le public.
Pediatric laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Turkey: Short‐term results
Authors: Ates Ufuk , Ergun Ergun , Gollu Gulnur , Sozduyar Sumeyye , Can Ozlem Selvi , Yagmurlu Aydin
Published: March 2018

Background

Obesity is one of the most rapidly increasing health problems in children. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the best treatment options and is feasible and safe in children. The aim of this study was to present the short‐term results of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy series in children.

Methods

Children who underwent LSG in 2014–2017 were included in the study. Charts were investigated retrospectively and short‐term weight loss was analyzed.

Results

Patients who had surgery in 2014–2017 were included in the study. There were six girls and two boys, and the median age was 15 years (range, 11–18 years). Mean weight was 159.25 ± 19.78 kg, and mean body mass index was 61.05 ± 8.5 kg/m2. Mean operation time was 70 min (range, 65–90 min), mean hospital stay was 5.1 days (range, 3–7 days), and mean follow up was 19.2 months (range, 1–43 months). Of these patients, five had hypertension and were under medication and two of these five also had hyperinsulinemia. One of the five children had Bardet–Biedl syndrome and one had bronchial asthma. After operation, medication was stopped in four of the eight children. At the time of writing, six patients were doing well without postoperative complications, or the need for reoperation.

Conclusion

Even though the follow‐up period was short and the number of patients was small, LSG was a feasible and promising surgical method for morbidly obese children. A multidisciplinary approach and lifelong behavior therapy are key steps for success.
Should an Online Retailer Penalize Its Independent Sellers for Stockout?
Authors: Xiao Wenqiang , Xu Yi
Published: March 2018

We consider an online retailer selling a seasonal product provided by an independent third‐party seller who has superior information about the demand potential of the product. The online retailer receives customer orders and then sends the orders to the seller for fulfillment, using pre‐installed capacity. The supplier privately installs capacity prior to the selling season. The online retailer faces the challenge to accomplish two goals: to incentivize the seller to install the right level of capacity and to extract full surplus from the seller. We show that the commonly used commission contracts in online retailing cannot effectively allow the online retailer to accomplish the two goals to achieve the first‐best outcome. We then show that the retailer can effectively accomplish the two goals to achieve the first‐best, using a lost‐sale penalty contract which has three components: a fixed fee, a commission and a lost‐sale penalty which will be charged to the seller if a lost sale occurs.
Analyzing the Complexity of Performance Information Use: Experiments with Stakeholders to Disaggregate Dimensions of Performance, Data Sources, and Data Types
Authors: Walker Richard M. , Lee M. Jin , James Oliver , Ho Samuel M. Y.
Published: March 2018

This article addresses important questions about the complex construct of underlying performance information use: public service performance. A between‐subjects experimental vignette methodology was implemented to answer questions about the effects of emphasizing different dimensions of performance and the sources and types of performance information among internal and external stakeholders in two service arenas (secondary education and solid waste management) in Hong Kong. The findings indicate common attitudes and agreement across stakeholder groups and services on the merits of archival and external data types. Other results vary by service and between stakeholder groups. The effects of information about effectiveness can depend on its combination with information about efficiency or equity. This complexity needs to be considered when designing information communication to different stakeholder groups.
Volatility Regime and Equity Portfolio Return: Evidence from Europe
Authors: Tsuji Chikashi
Published: March 2018

This paper examines four European equity portfolios sorted by size, book-to-market (B/M) ratios, operating profitability, investment, and momentum by using Markov switching models with high and low volatility regimes. Our empirical analyses derive the following interesting findings. First, in four European equity portfolios, the smallest and the strongest momentum portfolio yields the highest return. In addition, the second smallest and the highest B/M portfolio, the second smallest and the highest operating profitability portfolio, and the second smallest and the second lowest investment portfolio also yield higher returns than the overall equity market in Europe. Further, our analyses using Markov switching models also reveal that for all the four European equity portfolios, the higher returns are obtained not in high volatility regimes but in low volatility regimes, and this evidence is against the assumption of risk-return trade off advocated in standard finance theory. Finally, our Markov switching analyses also suggest that for all the four European portfolios, staying probabilities in the same regimes are high and switching probabilities between two different regimes are generally low. In particular, staying probabilities in low volatility regimes are rather high, thus, all the four European equity portfolios yield high returns very stably by staying high return regimes.
On-chip dual-comb source for spectroscopy
Authors: Dutt Avik , Joshi Chaitanya , Ji Xingchen , Cardenas Jaime , Okawachi Yoshitomo , Luke Kevin , Gaeta Alexander L. , Lipson Michal
Published: March 2018

A compact, integrated dual-comb source is developed on a single chip to demonstrate fast, real-time spectroscopy of materials.
High-capacity aqueous zinc batteries using sustainable quinone electrodes
Authors: Zhao Qing , Huang Weiwei , Luo Zhiqiang , Liu Luojia , Lu Yong , Li Yixin , Li Lin , Hu Jinyan , Ma Hua , Chen Jun
Published: March 2018

Sustainable and ubiquitous organic quinone cathodes contribute to high-capacity and safe rechargeable zinc batteries.
Synthetic electromagnetic knot in a three-dimensional skyrmion
Authors: Lee Wonjae , Gheorghe Andrei H. , Tiurev Konstantin , Ollikainen Tuomas , Möttönen Mikko , Hall David S.
Published: March 2018

We experimentally simulate a quantum-mechanical particle interacting with knotted electromagnetic fields.
Oxide-mediated recovery of field-effect mobility in plasma-treated MoS
2
Authors: Jadwiszczak Jakub , O’Callaghan Colin , Zhou Yangbo , Fox Daniel S. , Weitz Eamonn , Keane Darragh , Cullen Conor P. , O’Reilly Ian , Downing Clive , Shmeliov Aleksey , Maguire Pierce , Gough John J. , McGuinness Cormac , Ferreira Mauro S. , Bradley A. Louise , Boland John J. , Duesberg Georg S. , Nicolosi Valeria , Zhang Hongzhou
Published: March 2018

Time-controlled plasma treatment of MoS
2
FETs improves carrier transport due to the presence of a two-dimensional oxide phase.
Optical manipulation of work function contrasts on metal thin films
Authors: Ravi Sai Kishore , Sun Wanxin , Nandakumar Dilip Krishna , Zhang Yaoxin , Tan Swee Ching
Published: March 2018

Generation of optically modulated work function contrasts on a metal film permitting in-plane photocurrent.
Critical behavior within 20 fs drives the out-of-equilibrium laser-induced magnetic phase transition in nickel
Authors: Tengdin Phoebe , You Wenjing , Chen Cong , Shi Xun , Zusin Dmitriy , Zhang Yingchao , Gentry Christian , Blonsky Adam , Keller Mark , Oppeneer Peter M. , Kapteyn Henry C. , Tao Zhensheng , Murnane Margaret M.
Published: March 2018

High-harmonic spectroscopies reveal that fast energy transfer within 20 fs triggers ultrafast magnetic phase transition in Ni.
Near-field strong coupling of single quantum dots
Authors: Groß Heiko , Hamm Joachim M. , Tufarelli Tommaso , Hess Ortwin , Hecht Bert
Published: March 2018

Scanning probe technology is used to examine near-field strong coupling of a plasmonic resonator and a single colloidal quantum dot.
RORα-expressing T regulatory cells restrain allergic skin inflammation
Authors: Malhotra Nidhi , Leyva-Castillo Juan Manuel , Jadhav Unmesh , Barreiro Olga , Kam Christy , O’Neill Nicholas K. , Meylan Francoise , Chambon Pierre , von Andrian Ulrich H. , Siegel Richard M. , Wang Eddie C. , Shivdasani Ramesh , Geha Raif S.
Published: March 2018

Skin-resident T regulatory cells restrain cutaneous allergic inflammation by type 2 innate lymphoid cells.
Mapping regulatory circuits in allergic skin inflammation
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuro , Nagao Keisuke
Published: March 2018

RORα
+
skin-resident regulatory T cells restrain innate lymphoid cell driven allergic skin inflammation. See the related research article by

Malhotra
et al
.
The kidney gets caught in a macrophage trap
Authors: Lichtman Andrew
Published: March 2018

Myoglobin released from dead muscle induces acute kidney injury through a mechanism dependent on platelets and macrophage extracellular traps.
Stemming the tide of viral infection
Authors: Griffin Gabriel K.
Published: March 2018

A subset of canonical “interferon-stimulated” antiviral genes are intrinsically expressed in and protect mammalian stem cells.
Impact of acute otitis media clinical practice guidelines on antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions: a systematic review
Authors: Deniz Yelin , van Uum Rick T , de Hoog Marieke L A , Schilder Anne G M , Damoiseaux Roger A M J , Venekamp Roderick P
Published: March 2018

Background

Clinical practice guidelines focusing on judicious use of antibiotics for childhood acute otitis media (AOM) have been introduced in many countries around the world.

Objective

To systematically review the effects of these guidelines on the prescription of antibiotics and analgesics for children with AOM.

Methods

Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception to 6 June 2017 using broad search terms. Studies specifically aimed at evaluating the effects of introduction of national AOM practice guidelines on type of antibiotic and/or analgesic prescriptions were included, irrespective of design, setting or language. The Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

Of 411 unique records retrieved, seven studies conducted in six different countries (France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA (twice)) compared data before and after guideline introduction. All studies had an observational design, using longitudinal data of children aged under 15 years (n=200–4.6 million) from either routine care, insurance databases or electronic surveys. Risk of bias of all studies was judged serious to critical.

Of the five studies reporting on antibiotic prescription rates, three showed a decline of 5%–12% up to 3 years after guideline introduction and two found no or negligible effect. In one US study, the initial 9% decline decreased to 5% after 4–6 years. The recommended first choice antibiotic was prescribed more frequently (9%–58% increase) after guideline introduction in four out of five studies reporting on this outcome. Analgesic prescription rates for AOM were reported in one US study and increased from 14% to 24% after guideline introduction.

Conclusion

Based upon what is published, the effects of introduction of national clinical practice guidelines on antibiotic and analgesic prescribing for children with AOM seem modest at the most.

Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42016050976.
Association of genetic variations in PTPN2 and CD122 with ocular Behcet’s disease
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Hua , Hou Shengping , Yu Hongsong , Su Guannan , Deng Bolin , Qi Jian , Zhou Chunjiang , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng
Published: March 2018

Background

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play critical roles in human autoimmunity. Previous studies found that PTPN2 may be the key regulatory factor in the T-cell-mediated immune response. PTPN2 regulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway by inhibiting signalling via the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (CD122). An association between genetic variations in PTPN2 and CD122 with ocular Behcet’s disease (BD) has not yet been addressed and was therefore the purpose of this study.

Methods

A two-stage case–control study was performed in 906 patients with ocular BD and 2178 healthy controls. Genotyping analysis of 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms was carried out. The expression of PTPN2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was quantified by real-time PCR and cytokine production was measured by ELISA.

Results

The frequency of the GG genotype of PTPN2-rs7234029 was significantly lower in patients with ocular BD (p=1.94×10−5, pc=8.34×10−4, OR=0.466). Stratification according to gender showed that rs7234029 was significantly associated with BD in men. A stratified analysis according to the main clinical features showed that rs7234029 was significantly associated with genital ulcers, skin lesions and a positive pathergy test. No association could be detected between BD and CD122 gene polymorphisms. Functional studies showed that rs7234029 GG genotype carriers had a higher PNPT2 mRNA expression level than those which carrying the AA or AG genotype, and a decreased secretion of IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha was seen by PBMCs from GG carriers. No significant difference could be detected concerning IL-1β or IL-6 production by stimulated PBMCs between the different genotype groups.

Conclusions

This study shows that a PTPN2-rs7234029 polymorphism is associated with ocular BD and is strongly influenced by gender. In addition, our results suggest that the genetic association with PTPN2 may involve the regulation of PTPN2 mRNA expression and cytokine secretion.
Galectin-3: role in ocular allergy and potential as a predictive biomarker
Authors: Andrade Frans Eberth Costa , Corrêa Mab Pereira , Gimenes Alexandre Dantas , dos Santos Myrna Serapião , Campos Mauro , Chammas Roger , Gomes José Álvaro Pereira , Gil Cristiane Damas
Published: March 2018

Aims

To evaluate galectin-3 (Gal-3), a β-galactoside binding protein, as a possible biomarker in ocular allergy and further investigated the role of endogenous Gal-3 in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic conjunctivitis (AC).

Methods

Conjunctival impression cytology specimens from control and patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis, treated or untreated, were used to evaluate Gal-3 expression by immunocytochemistry. To investigate the mechanism of action of Gal-3, OVA-immunised BALB/c male wild-type (WT) and Gal-3 null (Gal-3-/-) mice were challenged with eye drops containing OVA on days 14–16 with a subset of animals pretreated with 0.03% tacrolimus (TC) or dexamethasone (Dex).

Results

Patients with AC and OVA-sensitised WT mice exhibited increased levels of Gal-3 in the conjunctiva compared with control, an effect reverted by the action of Dex and TC therapy. Twenty-four hours after the final OVA challenge, total and anti-OVA IgE levels increased significantly in the blood of OVA-sensitised WT and Gal-3-/- mice compared with controls, supporting the efficacy of the AC model. The lack of endogenous Gal-3 exacerbated the local inflammatory response, increasing the influx of eosinophils and mast cell activation. Additionally, OVA-sensitised Gal-3-/- animals exhibited increased CD4+ expression in the eyes as well as eotaxin, IL-4, IL-13 and interferon-γ levels in the tear fluid compared with WT animals.

Conclusion

Gal-3 contributes to the pathogenesis of ocular allergy and represents a relevant therapeutic target.