bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational adaptation to climate change: learning to anticipate energy disruptions
Authors: Orsato Renato J. , Barakat Simone R. , de Campos José Guilherme F.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how organizational learning (OL) affects the development of anticipatory adaptation to climate change in companies. Because the need to learn increases in circumstances of greater uncertainty such as the case of climate change, one of the processes that can explain different levels of anticipatory adaptation to climate change (AACC) by companies is OL.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a case study design. Following the procedures of qualitative sampling, an exemplary case of organizational adaptation to climate change in a sector that is extremely affected by the impacts of weather events was chosen. Empirical data collection includes semi-structured interviews and the collection of private and public documents. Such data were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Findings

The process of OL for anticipatory adaptation to climate change presents substantial differences from the traditional OL process presented by the specialized literature. In particular, the concepts of single- and double-loop learning were challenging to fit into the learning processes required for AACC.

Originality/value

Organizations have historically been working towards the adaption to external unforeseen events, but anticipatory adaptation to climate change presents new challenges and requires new forms of learning. Previous research has examined the interplay between learning and climate change adaptation, especially at the inter-organizational level. By developing research at the organizational level, this paper addresses a gap in the literature and shows that the required learning to adapt to climate change differs from the traditional learning, described in the management literature.
Women’s glass ceiling beliefs predict work engagement and burnout
Authors: Balasubramanian Senthil Arasu , Lathabhavan Remya
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between glass ceiling beliefs, work engagement, and burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed based on the constructs from the Career Path Survey (CPS) and a literature review of research related to work engagement and burnout. Data from a cross-sectional study of 467 female employees from banks in India were collated and empirically tested, using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Denial and resilience were positively related to work engagement and negatively to burnout. Resignation and acceptance had a positive relationship with burnout and a negative relationship with work engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Further longitudinal studies focusing on different occupational sectors and career aspects can be considered for a more accurate and generalized insight into this concept.

Practical implications

Glass ceiling survey can be considered as an input for human resource functions for effectiveness of the organization.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to analyze the connection between the beliefs that women have about the glass ceiling and burnout and its components.
The new nowhere land? A research and practice agenda for the “always on” culture
Authors: McDowall Almuth , Kinman Gail
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Rapid developments in the field of information communication technology (ICT) mean that e-working has become increasingly common and prolonged – the “always-on-culture” potential to enhance work-life balance via increased flexibility in terms of time and location, as well as posing the risk of being “always on” has been identified with potentially serious implications for the health and performance of employees. The authors identify a research agenda as a starting point for reviewing current organisational practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss current technological developments as well as prevalent research frameworks and terminology in the domain of work-life balance and beyond to evaluate their fitness for purpose. They also report findings from a survey of 374 employees working within UK businesses about current organisational practice.

Findings

Over half of the organisations sampled do not have clear policies, guidance or training in place regarding work-life balance and supporting employees with regards to technology enabled working and communications. The authors identify as key challenges the sheer volume of e-mail traffic, lack of training and infrastructure to support ICT-enabled working and an absence of appropriate support.

Practical implications

Organisations need to develop clear policies regarding the psychosocial aspects of technology use and provide evidence-based guidance to managers and employees.

Social implications

Managers and individuals require support to engage with technology in a healthy and sustainable way.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to survey organisational practice and support on the topic.
Time and change in health care
Authors: Waterworth Susan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dimensions of temporality that are rarely considered in the literature on leading change.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is informed by Adams’ (1995) social theory of time encompassing temporality, timing and tempo. This will illustrate the complexities of time as they relate to the individual, teams and organisation.

Findings

This paper demonstrates the multidimensional nature of time: temporality, timing and tempo, and how each of these can contribute to our understanding of the temporal nature and complexity of change within the health system. A framework to inform much-needed research in the area of time and change is presented.

Practical implications

Challenging assumptions that there is only one common time, that is clock time, can provide opportunities for further discussion and understanding of how various people view time and the influence this has on leading and participating in change in health care.

Originality/value

There is limited literature on the temporal dimensions of change at an organisational, team and individual level. The perspective offered in this paper presents the multidimensional nature of time and the influence this has on understanding the temporal nature of change and critically identifies some key areas for future research.
Product knowledge and salesperson performance: rethinking the role of optimism
Authors: Sangtani Vinita , Murshed Feisal
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Based on knowledge-based view of the firm, and salesperson attributions, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test a contingency-based framework featuring how salespeople’s product knowledge: product and brand knowledge (PBK) and competitors’ product and brand knowledge (CPBK) and optimism impact salesperson performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested on survey data from 185 car salespeople in Southeast USA.

Findings

Results document support for the main effects of PBK, CPBK, and their joint effects. Furthermore, under high optimism, the positive impact of CPBK on salesperson performance is attenuated. However, optimism × PBK interaction was not supported.

Research limitations/implications

Extant literature lacks insights into the impact of salespeople’s product knowledge. By examining salespeople’s product knowledge in a disaggregated fashion, and the interaction of product knowledge × optimism, this research highlights the multi-dimensional nature of product knowledge, whose complex ramifications cannot otherwise be uncovered by a globally conceptualized construct.

Originality/value

This study isolates salespeople’s domain-specific knowledge of products from the more global construct of salespeople’s knowledge. The focus on how PBK and CPBK exert a joint positive influence on performance is novel. In addition, by examining how optimism weakens the relationship between CPBK and performance, this research provides a notable contrast to extant findings and broadens the learned optimism paradigm.
Compensation study of Boboroku, Jesse, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Odudu Christopher Oghenegweke , Iruobe Patience Osaiwie
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine issues of compulsory acquisition, evaluating the quantum of compensation paid to natives of communities whose farmlands are acquired and issues that must be dealt with to provide adequate compensation to claimants.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an oil well acquisition base in Boboroku, Jesse in Ethiope-West local government area of Delta State as a case study, various compensation claims were examined vis-à-vis market value claims in compulsory acquisition.

Findings

It was found that many claimants received N1,000.00 (naira) or less as full compensation claims for their crops while families lucky to own lands received more reasonable payments. It was also found that 40 of the 142 claimants in Boboroku community received only N4,146,120.00 as opposed to N8,802,750.00 they should have received under market values. Similarly, 39 claimants in Okuno should have received a market value of N3,195,920.00 as against N1,370,609.00 that was actually paid by the acquiring authority confirming that the rates applied were grossly inadequate.

Practical implications

It was established that there was no statutory provision for disturbance losses from revocation of land interests. Also, the productivity of economic crops and trees was not considered nor was the computation of claims based on market values. The paper further established that claims should be compensated on the basis of productivity value and life span of interests being acquired and not on arbitrary rates supplied by the acquiring authorities.

Originality/value

The case study methodology used in this paper enabled contribution to the body of studies which hitherto highlighted the issues of compulsory acquisition and quantum of compensation. It, therefore, adds to the problem-solving framework on compulsory purchase matters in Nigeria.
Social Disadvantage and Education
Authors: Ryan Chris
Published: September 2017

‘Social disadvantage’ has many dimensions studied in various ways in the economics of education. Studies focus on its measurement, the characteristics of those experiencing it, its consequences and interventions to remedy some of its effects. Those likely to experience persistent disadvantage include lone parents, Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities and people with low educational attainment. It is children from these families whose educational progress we should closely monitor. Interventions can improve outcomes for disadvantaged children, but such programs need to be evaluated more rigorously in the future, and their evaluations released publicly to provide a sounder basis for future policy.
Time for a New Paradigm? Past and Present Transitions in Economic Policy
Authors: Stirling Alfie , Laybourn‐Langton Laurie
Published: September 2017

This article seeks to place the UK's present economic ‘moment’ in historical context. Over the course of the decade since the 2007 financial crisis, it has increasingly been acknowledged that a cyclical crisis has become a structural crisis. The failure of most economists to predict the financial crash in the first place, and the inadequacy of economic policy in responding to its lasting effects, has led many to conclude that economics itself is in crisis. This article seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the present period of disjuncture. Drawing on theories of paradigm shift from both the physical and social sciences, we argue that the speed of change in UK economic policy is comparable to the two major historical transitions that ended with the post‐war consensus and neoliberalism. We conclude by offering some remarks on how and where the present change might take us.
Gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist combined with high‐intensity focused ultrasound ablation for adenomyosis: a clinical study
Authors: Guo Y , Duan H , Cheng J , Zhang Y
Published: September 2017

Objectives

This study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRH‐a) combined with high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation treatment for adenomyosis.

Design

A non‐randomized prospective study.

Setting

Gynaecological Minimally Invasive Centre in a single hospital.

Population

Patients with adenomyosis.

Methods

Seventy‐nine patients with adenomyosis were enrolled, including 55 patients in the control group treated with only HIFU and 24 patients in the study group treated with GnRH‐a combined with HIFU. All the patients follow up 6 months after the HIFU procedure. The related parameters in the two groups were assessed before and 3 months as well as 6 months after treatment including serum levels of tumor marker and cytokine, volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion, and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrheal scores.

Main outcome measures

Differences between the group treated with HIFU alone and the group treated with GnRH‐a combined with HIFU.

Results

Before HIFU treatment, no significant difference was observed in serum levels of CA125, CA19‐9, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), the volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion, and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrhea scores between the two groups. (P > 0.05). The serum CA125 levels significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU, but the serum CA125 levels in the study group were still significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The volume of uterine and adenomyotic lesion significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU procedure, and decreased even more in the study group 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05). Dysmenorrhea scores and menstruation volumes significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU treatment. Moreover in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the rate of adverse effects between the two groups.

Conclusions

The short‐term follow‐up results indicate that the combination of GnRH‐a and HIFU treatment significantly decreased serum CA125 levels, volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrhea scores, and improved the clinical outcomes compared with the HIFU ablation alone in patients with adenomyosis. However, the further follow‐up is needed to explore the long‐term effects.

Tweetable abstract

A combination of GnRH‐a with HIFU in the treatment of adenomyosis significantly decreased serum CA125 levels, uterine and adenomyotic lesion volumes, dysmenorrhea scores, and menstrual blood volumes.
High‐intensity focused ultrasound and laparoscopic myomectomy in the treatment of uterine fibroids: a comparative study
Authors: Liu Y , Ran W , Shen Y , Feng W , Yi J
Published: September 2017

Objective

To compare the clinical efficacies of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in the treatment of uterine fibroids and their effects on patients’ quality of life.

Design

A non‐randomised control study.

Setting

Gynaecological department in a university teaching hospital.

Population

Patients with uterine fibroids.

Methods

From November 2014 to November 2015, 166 patients with uterine fibroids were enrolled and underwent HIFU (n = 99) and LM (n = 67) surgeries, respectively. Clinical efficacy, postoperative complications and quality of life after treatment were evaluated using the SF‐36 Scale to compare the differences in each variable at the 1‐year follow up.

Main outcomes measures

Differences in efficacy, safety and quality of life between the patients treated with HIFU and LM.

Results

The 12‐month follow‐up results showed that the HIFU group had a total effective rate of 99%; only one patient underwent alternative treatment due to non‐apparent tumour shrinkage. All patients in the LM group showed complete tumour disappearance. Of these patients, 52 showed significant clinical improvement, 15 with partial clinical improvement, a total effective rate of 98%. There was no significant difference in effectivity rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both treatments effectively improved patients’ quality of life. Compared with the LM group, patients in the HIFU group experienced no blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and fewer adverse effects and complications, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

High‐intensity focused ultrasound can be as efficacious as LM therapy and effectively improve patients’ quality of life in the treatment of uterine fibroids, with fewer adverse effects and complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker postoperative recovery compared with LM therapy.

Tweetable abstract

Patients with uterine fibroids can be effectively treated with both HIFU and myomectomy.
The effect of exercise on high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment efficacy in uterine fibroids and adenomyosis: a retrospective study
Authors: Huang X , Yu D , Zou M , Wang L , Xing HR , Wang Z
Published: September 2017

Objective

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate whether exercise after high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment can improve the absorption of uterine fibroids and the relief of dysmenorrhea caused by adenomyosis.

Design

A retrospective study.

Setting

Gynaecological department of a single centre in China.

Population

Patients with uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.

Method

From January 2011 to August 2015,83 MRI‐confirmed uterine fibroid patients and 102 adenomyosis patients who received HIFU treatment at Chongqing Haifu Hospital and attended the 1‐year and 6‐month follow up, respectively, were included in our retrospective study. Among the fibroid patients, 51 were assigned to the ‘no exercise group’ and 32 to the ‘exercise group’. Among the adenomyosis patients, 45 were assigned to the ‘no exercise group’ and to the 57 ‘exercise group’.

Main outcome measures

Symptom improvement, uterine fibroid volume and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) evaluation.

Results

Exercise post‐HIFU treatment significantly improved the absorption of uterine fibroids, reduced recurrence rate and increased the rate of pregnancy in uterine fibroid patients. Exercise lead to a more significant reduction in the score of dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion

Exercise post‐HIFU treatment demonstrated an enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy of HIFU for both uterine fibroid patients and adenomyosis patients. Therefore, exercise should be recommended to patients as part of the post‐treatment disease management plan.

Tweetable abstract

A retrospective study evaluated the effect of exercise after high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment on the therapeutic efficacy of HIFU.
Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (pyogenic granuloma): A case report and a review of imaging findings as reported in the literature
Authors: Loftus William K , Spurrier Andrew J , Voyvodic Frank , Neuhaus Susan J , James Craig L
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (IVLCH) is a rare benign lesion with minimal published reports containing a description of its appearance at medical imaging. We present the ultrasound and MRI images of a histologically proven IVLCH and provide the first review of the imaging findings reported in the literature.

Methods

The imaging findings of a case of IVLCH are presented. A PubMed search of English language articles was performed from 1966 to October 2016, and all relevant papers were reviewed. Imaging findings from those papers are summarised.

Results

Key features on ultrasound are of a well‐defined, usually hypoechoic, mass which is highly vascular. The host vein is usually apparent. MRI imaging usually shows T1 signal isointense to muscle and variable T2 signal, either isointense or of high signal relative to the vein. The lesions enhance with gadolinium.

Conclusion

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma has distinctive ultrasound but less consistent MRI features although radiological diagnosis should usually be possible. Review of reported cases shows that a previously described gender bias is incorrect.
Coherent synthesis of genomic associations with phenotypes and home environments
Authors: Lasky Jesse R. , Forester Brenna R. , Reimherr Matthew
Published: September 2017

Local adaptation is often studied via (i) multiple common garden experiments comparing performance of genotypes in different environments and (ii) sequencing genotypes from multiple locations and characterizing geographic patterns in allele frequency. Both approaches aim to characterize the same pattern (local adaptation), yet the complementary information from each has not yet been coherently integrated. Here, we develop a genome‐wide association model of genotype interactions with continuous environmental gradients (G × E), that is reaction norms. We present an approach to impute relative fitness, allowing us to coherently synthesize evidence from common garden and genome–environment associations. Our approach identifies loci exhibiting environmental clines where alleles are associated with higher fitness in home environments. Simulations show our approach can increase power to detect loci causing local adaptation. In a case study on Arabidopsis thaliana, most identified SNPs exhibited home allele advantage and fitness trade‐offs along climate gradients, suggesting selective gradients can maintain allelic clines. SNPs exhibiting G × E associations with fitness were enriched in genic regions, putative partial selective sweeps and associations with an adaptive phenotype (flowering time plasticity). We discuss extensions for situations where only adaptive phenotypes other than fitness are available. Many types of data may point towards the loci underlying G × E and local adaptation; coherent models of diverse data provide a principled basis for synthesis.
Doppler‐based fetal heart rate analysis markers for the detection of early intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Stroux Lisa , Redman Christopher W. , Georgieva Antoniya , Payne Stephen J. , Clifford Gari D.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

One indicator for fetal risk of mortality is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Whether markers reflecting the impact of growth restriction on the cardiovascular system, computed from a Doppler‐derived heart rate signal, would be suitable for its detection antenatally was studied.

Material and methods

We used a cardiotocography archive of 1163 IUGR cases and 1163 healthy controls, matched for gestation and gender. We assessed the discriminative power of short‐term variability and long‐term variability of the fetal heart rate, computed over episodes of high and low variation aiming to separate growth‐restricted fetuses from controls. Metrics characterizing the sleep state distribution within a trace were also considered for inclusion into an IUGR detection model.

Results

Significant differences in the risk markers comparing growth‐restricted with healthy fetuses were found. When used in a logistic regression classifier, their performance for identifying IUGR was considerably superior before 34 weeks of gestation. Long‐term variability in active sleep was superior to short‐term variability [area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 72% compared with 71%]. Most predictive was the number of minutes in high variation per hour (AUC of 75%). A multivariate IUGR prediction model improved the AUC to 76%.

Conclusion

We suggest that heart rate variability markers together with surrogate information on sleep states can contribute to the detection of early‐onset IUGR.
Vitamin D status of gastrostomy‐fed children with special needs: a cross‐sectional pilot study
Authors: Kuter Hayley , Das Geeta , Mughal M. Zulf
Published: September 2017

Aim

To assess the vitamin D status of gastrostomy‐fed children.

Methods

Vitamin D status was measured in 32 children aged five to 16 years recruited from special schools in Manchester, UK (53° 48′N). All children were receiving a nutritionally complete, commercially prepared enteral feed via gastrostomy, and had been established on this regimen for over 12 months. Serum concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were measured at the end of winter. Children with serum concentrations of 25OHD >50 nmol/L were considered to be sufficient, and those with concentrations <25 nmol/L were considered to be deficient.

Results

Approximately 83% of subjects had sufficient concentrations of serum 25OHD (>50 nmol/L). One subject was vitamin D deficient (serum 25OHD <25 nmol/L), and four were vitamin D insufficient (serum 25OHD >25 nmol/L ‐ <50 nmol/L). The median vitamin D derived from enteral feeds was 9.45 μg/day; range 3.5–30; 13 children (41%) received less than 10 μg of vitamin D per day from their enteral feed.

Conclusion

Nutritionally complete gastrostomy feeds may be protective against vitamin D deficiency in the majority of children with special needs. We recommend that all children over 1 year of age receive 10 μg (400 IU) of vitamin D, as recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).
Patient‐ and Cell Type‐Specific Heterogeneity of Metformin Response
Authors: Asiedu Michael K. , Barron Matthew , Aubry Marie Christine , Wigle Dennis A.
Published: September 2017

Most FDA‐approved drugs are not equally effective in all patients, suggesting that identification of biomarkers to predict responders to a chemoprevention agent will be needed to stratify patients and achieve maximum benefit. The goal of this study was to investigate both patient‐specific and cell context‐specific heterogeneity of metformin response, using fibroblast cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into lung epithelial lineages. We performed cell survival analysis, transcriptome and whole exome sequencing analysis on both patient‐derived cell lines and cancer cell lines to assess differential metformin response and identify response genes. We found differences in response to metformin treatment across a variety of cell lines and cellular contexts, suggesting that heterogeneity may be patient‐ and cell type‐specific. Gene expression profiling and analysis of metformin‐sensitive and metformin‐resistant cells identified differentially expressed genes that may be able to stratify patients into metformin responders and non‐responders. Sequencing analysis found genomic alterations that correlated with metformin response. These results suggest that the identification of genomic biomarkers for patients who may respond to metformin treatment can provide an opportunity for individualizing metformin chemoprevention in the clinical setting.
The role of high expectations of self and social desirability in emotional processing in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome: A qualitative study
Authors: Sibelli Alice , Chalder Trudie , Everitt Hazel , Workman Paul , Bishop Felicity L. , Moss‐Morris Rona
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Although high levels of distress are associated with the onset and severity of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is unclear how this relates to emotional processing, particularly in relation to maintenance of symptoms and treatment outcome. This qualitative study embedded within a randomized controlled trial aimed to explore how individuals with refractory IBS experience, express, and manage their emotions after either therapist‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (TCBT) or Web‐based CBT (WBCBT) compared to treatment as usual (TAU).

Design

Cross‐sectional qualitative study.

Methods

Fifty‐two semi‐structured interviews were conducted at post‐treatment with 17 TCBT, 17 WBCBT, and 18 TAU participants. The transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis with grounded theory elements. NVivo 11 was used to compare themes across groups.

Results

Across all groups, high expectations of self was a recurring reason for how participants experienced and expressed their emotions. Three themes with subthemes captured how high expectations related to specific aspects of emotional processing: perceived causes of emotions, strategies for coping with emotions (bottling up, avoiding emotions, and active coping strategies), and the perceived interplay between emotions and IBS symptoms.

Conclusions

Patients recognized that their IBS symptoms both triggered and were triggered by negative emotions. However, there was a tendency to bottle up or avoid negative emotions for reasons of social desirability regardless of whether patients had CBT for IBS or not. Future psychological interventions in IBS may benefit from addressing negative beliefs about expressing emotions, promoting assertive emotional expression, and encouraging the experience of positive emotions.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

High levels of distress are consistently associated with both the onset and maintenance of IBS symptoms.

Little is known about how this relates to the concept of emotional processing.

Preliminary findings suggest a positive correlation between poor emotional processing and IBS. However, further studies need to confirm its role in relation to aetiology, maintenance of symptoms, and response to treatment.

What does this study add?

High expectations of self and social desirability seem to be important aspects shaping the way individuals with IBS experience, express, and manage their emotions.

Emotional avoidance and bottling up were reported as key strategies to cope with negative emotions.

The study revealed that bottling up is not perceived as an all‐or‐nothing strategy but can be applied selectively depending on the context.

Psychological interventions in IBS may benefit from addressing not only illness‐related causes of negative emotions but also personal and social triggers of distress.
Using basin thermal history to evaluate the role of Miocene–Pliocene flat‐slab subduction in the southern Central Andes (27° S–30° S)
Authors: Stevens Goddard Andrea L. , Carrapa Barbara
Published: September 2017

Studies in both modern and ancient Cordilleran‐type orogenic systems suggest that processes associated with flat‐slab subduction control the geological and thermal history of the upper plate; however, these effects prove difficult to deconvolve from processes associated with normal subduction in an active orogenic system. We present new geochronological and thermochronological data from four depositional areas in the western Sierras Pampeanas above the Central Andean flat‐slab subduction zone between 27° S and 30° S evaluating the spatial and temporal thermal conditions of the Miocene–Pliocene foreland basin. Our results show that a relatively high late Miocene–early Pliocene geothermal gradient of 25–35 °C km−1 was typical of this region. The absence of along‐strike geothermal heterogeneities, as would be expected in the case of migrating flat‐slab subduction, suggests that either the response of the upper plate to refrigeration may be delayed by several millions of years or that subduction occurred normally throughout this region through the late Miocene. Exhumation of the foreland basin occurred nearly synchronously along strike from 27 to 30° S between ca. 7 Ma and 4 Ma. We propose that coincident flat‐slab subduction facilitated this wide‐spread exhumation event. Flexural modelling coupled with geohistory analysis show that dynamic subsidence and/or uplift associated with flat‐slab subduction is not required to explain the unique deep and narrow geometry of the foreland basin in the region implying that dynamic processes were a minor component in the creation of accommodation space during Miocene–Pliocene deposition.
The Development of Lexical–Semantic Networks in Infants and Toddlers
Authors: Wojcik Erica H.
Published: September 2017

Researchers have focused for decades on how young children learn individual words. However, they have paid less attention to how children organize their word knowledge into the network of representations that underlies our ability to retrieve the right words efficiently and flexibly when we need them. Although methodological limits have made it difficult to study the development of lexical–semantic networks, in recent work with new paradigms, infants and toddlers have shown that they organize their vocabulary systematically via both categorical and associative relations from around age 2. Combined with work demonstrating that lexical–semantic relations affect early comprehension, production, and learning, this emerging area of research suggests that scientists and practitioners would benefit from more comprehensive theories of language learning that include not only vocabulary development, but also the development of lexical–semantic networks.
Dynamics of M1 macrophages in oral mucosal lesions during the development of acute graft-versus-host disease in rats
Authors: Seno K , Yasunaga M , Kajiya H , Izaki-Hagio K , Morita H , Yoneda M , Hirofuji T , Ohno J
Published: September 2017

The role of macrophage infiltrates in oral mucosal acute graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD) remains unclear, although clinical studies suggest that macrophage infiltration correlates directly with the severity of AGVHD. In this study, we investigated the role of M1 macrophage infiltration in the oral mucosa of rats with AGVHD. Lewis rat spleen cells were injected into (Lewis × Brown Norway) F1 rats to induce systemic GVHD. Tongue samples were evaluated using histology, immunohistochemistry, dual immunofluorescence, real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, Transwell migration assays and Stamper–Woodruff binding assays. At the onset of oral mucosal AGVHD, dual immunofluorescence and migration assays revealed that M1 macrophages had accumulated in the basement membrane (BM) region via the laminin/CD29 β1 integrin pathway. Macrophage-secreted matrix metalloproteinase-2 was related to BM degradation. The adhesion of macrophages to the oral epithelium could be inhibited by pretreating macrophages with a CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antibody and/or pretreating lesion sections with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) antibody. Our data show that the migration and adhesion of M1 macrophages are associated with oral mucosal AGVHD, which is mediated in part by both laminin/CD29 β 1 intern and MCP-1/CCR2 pathways. Therefore, our study provides additional support for the contribution of macrophage infiltrate to the development of oral mucosal AGVHD.
Diagnostic exome sequencing in early‐onset Parkinson's disease confirms VPS13C as a rare cause of autosomal‐recessive Parkinson's disease
Authors: Schormair B. , Kemlink D. , Mollenhauer B. , Fiala O. , Machetanz G. , Roth J. , Berutti R. , Strom T.M. , Haslinger B. , Trenkwalder C. , Zahorakova D. , Martasek P. , Ruzicka E. , Winkelmann J.
Published: September 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder and new putative disease genes are discovered constantly. Therefore, whole‐exome sequencing could be an efficient approach to genetic testing in PD. To evaluate its performance in early‐onset sporadic PD, we performed diagnostic exome sequencing in 80 individuals with manifestation of PD symptoms at age 40 or earlier and a negative family history of PD. Variants in validated and candidate disease genes and risk factors for PD and atypical Parkinson syndromes were annotated, followed by further analysis for selected variants. We detected pathogenic variants in Mendelian genes in 6.25% of cases and high‐impact risk factor variants in GBA in 5% of cases, resulting in overall maximum diagnostic yield of 11.25%. One individual was compound heterozygous for variants affecting canonical splice sites in VPS13C, confirming the causal role of protein‐truncating variants in this gene linked to autosomal‐recessive early‐onset PD. Despite the low diagnostic yield of exome sequencing in sporadic early‐onset PD, the confirmation of the recently discovered VPS13C gene highlights its advantage over using predefined gene panels.
Improved Corners with Multi‐Channel Signed Distance Fields
Authors: Chlumský V. , Sloup J. , Šimeček I.
Published: September 2017

We propose an extension to the state‐of‐the‐art text rendering technique based on sampling a 2D signed distance field from a texture. This extension significantly improves the visual quality of sharp corners, which is the most problematic feature to reproduce for the original technique. We achieve this by using a combination of multiple distance fields in conjunction, which together provide a more thorough representation of the given glyph's (or any other 2D shape's) geometry. This multi‐channel distance field representation is described along with its application in shader‐based rendering. The rendering process itself remains very simple and efficient, and is fully compatible with previous monochrome distance fields. The introduced method of multi‐channel distance field construction requires a vector representation of the input shape. A comparative measurement of rendering quality shows that the error in the output image can be reduced by up to several orders of magnitude.
Patterns and biases of climate change threats in the IUCN Red List
Authors: Trull Nicholas , Böhm Monika , Carr Jamie
Published: September 2017

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments rely on published data and expert inputs, and biases can be introduced where underlying definitions and concepts are ambiguous. Consideration of climate change threat is no exception, and recently numerous approaches to assessing the threat of climate change to species have been developed. We explored IUCN Red List assessments of amphibians and birds to determine whether species listed as threatened by climate change display distinct patterns in terms of habitat occupied and additional nonclimatic threats faced. We compared IUCN Red List data with a published data set of species’ biological and ecological traits believed to infer high vulnerability to climate change and determined whether distributions of climate change‐threatened species on the IUCN Red List concur with those of climate change‐threatened species identified with the trait‐based approach and whether species possessing these traits are more likely to have climate change listed as a threat on the IUCN Red List. Species in some ecosystems (e.g., grassland, shrubland) and subject to particular threats (e.g., invasive species) were more likely to have climate change as a listed threat. Geographical patterns of climate change‐threatened amphibians and birds on the IUCN Red List were incongruent with patterns of global species richness and patterns identified using trait‐based approaches. Certain traits were linked to increases or decreases in the likelihood of a species being threatened by climate change. Broad temperature tolerance of a species was consistently related to an increased likelihood of climate change threat, indicating counterintuitive relationships in IUCN assessments. To improve the robustness of species assessments of the vulnerability or extinction risk associated with climate change, we suggest IUCN adopt a more cohesive approach whereby specific traits highlighted by our results are considered in Red List assessments. To achieve this and to strengthen the climate change‐vulnerability assessments approach, it is necessary to identify and implement logical avenues for further research into traits that make species vulnerable to climate change (including population‐level threats).
Rediscovering the Potential of Indigenous Storytelling for Conservation Practice
Authors: Fernández‐Llamazares Álvaro , Cabeza Mar
Published: September 2017

Several intergovernmental policy instruments, including the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO and the Convention on Biological Diversity, have proposed to develop integrated strategies to build bridges between biological and cultural diversity agendas. We contend that to succeed in this endeavor, it is crucial to link biocultural revitalization to conservation practice. Our hope with this review is to call attention to indigenous storytelling as an option worth adding to the repertoire of conservation practitioners who aim to: (1) link conservation actions to indigenous worldviews; (2) foster connections between indigenous peoples and their landscapes; (3) facilitate intergenerational transfer of indigenous knowledge; (4) support dialogue over conservation; and (5) promote local participation in conservation. Because indigenous stories are full of resonance, memory, and wisdom—in a footing that is structurally free of power imbalance between conservation practitioners and local communities—, we contend that they can be crucial to guide future efforts in biocultural conservation practice. Our review shows that deeper consideration and promotion of indigenous storytelling can lead to enhanced understanding of diverse values and perceptions around biodiversity, while offering a constructive approach for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples in conservation pursuits.
Association between lung function, physical activity level and postural evaluation variables in adult patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Cherobin Inaê Angélica , Dalcin Paulo de Tarso Roth , Ziegler Bruna
Published: September 2017

Introduction

With the evolution of the cystic fibrosis (CF) disease, the decline of lung function associated with metabolic disorders and malnutrition, causes alterations in respiratory mechanics, musculoskeletal disorders and thoracic deformities, bringing injury to the individual's quality of life.

Objective

To verify the association between lung function, physical activity level and postural evaluation variables in adults with CF. Methods: All patients underwent clinical evaluation and spirometry. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an accelerometer were used to verify the physical activity level (PA). Photogrammetry was used with the aid of the Software of postural evaluation (SAPO) and, for complementary comparisons, the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) was used.

Results

Twenty‐eight adult subjects with CF, mean age of 25.1 ± 6.3 years and mean expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 47.1 ± 20.9% of the predicted group participated in the study. The FEV1 correlated with the parameters obtained by the accelerometer (r = 0.723, P = .000), postural evaluation (r = −0.483, P = .005) and 6MWT (r = 0.439, P = .019), but there was no correlation with the data obtained by IPAQ (r = −0.282; P = .073). The time in which each individual remained in moderate to vigorous physical activity correlated with parameters of postural evaluation (thoracic kyphosis r = −0.484, P = .031, cervical lordosis r = 0.531, P = .016), 6MWT (r = 0.564; P = .010) and with the total METS obtained by IPAQ (r = 0.451, P = .046).

Conclusions

Lung function in patients with CF disease is associated with higher thoracic kyphosis, shorter time in moderate and vigorous PA, and shorter distance covered in 6MWT. The accelerometer has been shown to be the best instrument for assessing PA in this public.
EMPIRE Registry, Czech Part: Impact of demographics, pulmonary function and HRCT on survival and clinical course in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Doubková Martina , Švancara Jan , Svoboda Michal , Šterclová Martina , Bartoš Vladimír , Plačková Martina , Lacina Ladislav , Žurková Monika , Binková Ilona , Bittenglová Radka , Lošťáková Vladimíra , Merta Zdeněk , Šišková Lenka , Tyl Richard , Lisá Pavlína , Šuldová Hana , Petřík František , Pšikalová Jana , Řihák Vladimír , Snížek Tomáš , Reiterer Pavel , Homolka Jiří , Musilová Pavlína , Lněnička Jaroslav , Palúch Peter , Hrdina Roman , Králová Renata , Hortvíková Hana , Strenková Jana , Vašáková Martina
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Prognostic factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) currently recognized include changes in vital capacity and radiologic findings. However, most of the prognostic studies in IPF are based on clinical studies with preselected IPF populations. Therefore, we decided to analyze the factors influencing IPF prognosis based on the real‐practice data from our IPF registry.

Methods

Data of 514 subjects consecutively entered since 2012 into Czech EMPIRE IPF registry were analyzed.

Results

Median age of our patient cohort was 67 years (50–82). Median overall survival (OS) of the cohort was 63.1 months. The clinical course of IPF according to FVC (forced vital capacity) changes was stabilized in 32.8% of patients (29.7% according to DLCO [diffuse lung capacity] changes), slowly progressive in 39.5% (45%), rapidly progressive in 23.5% (20.7%); and 1.7% patients had at least one acute exacerbation during follow‐up. Deterioration in FVC of ≥10% at month 12 and in DLCO of ≥15% at months 12, 18, and 24 influenced the OS significantly. The fast progressors defined by the DLCO decline rate had higher risk of death compared to those defined by the FVC change over time. In multivariate analysis, age ≥70 years, interstitial HRCT scores ≥3, and change in DLCO of ≥15% at month 12 were confirmed as factors negatively influencing OS.

Conclusions

DLCO changes over time were shown as a better predictor of mortality compared with FVC changes in our study. In our opinion it is necessary to implement the DLCO analysis into clinical trials and routine practice.
Biogeography of plant‐associated fungal symbionts in mountain ecosystems: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kivlin Stephanie N. , Lynn Joshua S. , Kazenel Melanie R. , Beals Kendall K. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: September 2017

Aim

Predicting the potential for climate change to disrupt host–microbe symbioses requires basic knowledge of the biogeography of these consortia. In plants, fungal symbionts can ameliorate the abiotic stressors that accompany climate warming and thus could influence plants under a changing climate. Forecasting future plant–microbe interactions first requires knowledge of current fungal symbiont distributions, which are poorly resolved relative to the distributions of plants.

Location

We used meta‐analysis to summarize the biogeographic distributions of plant‐fungal symbionts in mountain ecosystems worldwide, because these ecosystems are likely to be among the first to experience climate change‐induced range shifts.

Methods

We analysed 374 records from 53 publications to identify general trends, pinpoint areas in need of greater study and develop reporting guidelines to facilitate future syntheses.

Results

Elevational patterns varied strongly among fungal and plant functional groups. Fungal diversity and abundance increased with altitude for the ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and localized foliar endophytes declined in either abundance or diversity with altitude. In shrubs, fungal abundance increased with elevation, but in C3 grasses, fungal abundance declined with elevation. Altitudinal patterns in fungal composition were stronger than gradients in fungal abundance or diversity, suggesting that species turnover contributes more to elevational gradients in fungal symbionts than does variation in abundance or richness. Plant functional groups were overrepresented by C3 grasses and trees, with surprisingly few data on sedges or shrubs, despite their ecological dominance in mountain ecosystems. Similarly, epichloae, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and root endophytes were understudied relative to other fungal groups.

Main Conclusions

Meta‐analysis revealed broad biogeographic patterns in plant‐fungal symbiont abundance, diversity and composition that inform predictions of future distributions.