bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late B lymphocyte action in dysfunctional tissue repair following kidney injury and transplantation
Authors: Cippà Pietro E , Liu Jing , Sun Bo , Kumar Sanjeev , Naesens Maarten , McMahon Andrew P
Published: June 2018

The mechanisms initiating the late immune response to allografts are poorly understood. Through transcriptome analysis of serial protocol biopsies in kidney transplant recipients, we found a tight correlation between the initial response to kidney injury and a late B lymphocyte signature associated with renal dysfunction and fibrosis, suggesting a link between dysfunctional repair and immunoreactivity. To specifically investigate the immunological consequences of dysfunctional repair, we followed the mouse kidney up to 18 months after ischemia/reperfusion. Even in the absence of foreign antigens we identified a sustained immune response in conjunction with the transition to chronic kidney damage. This tissue-driven immunological process involved both the innate and the adaptive immune system and eventually induced an antigen-driven proliferation, selection and maturation of B lymphocytes into broadly-reacting antibody secreting cells. These findings reveal an unappreciated role of dysfunctional tissue repair on local immunoregulation with a particular relevance for late transplantation immunobiology.
Extracting Reproducible Time-Resolved Resting State Networks using Dynamic Mode Decomposition
Authors: Kunert-Graf James M. , Eschenburg Kristian M. , Galas David J. , Nathan Kutz J. , Rane Swati D. , Brunton Bingni W.
Published: June 2018

Resting state networks (RSNs) extracted from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans are believed to reflect the intrinsic organization and network structure of brain regions. Most traditional methods for computing RSNs typically assume these functional networks are static throughout the duration of a scan lasting 5–15 minutes. However, they are known to vary on timescales ranging from seconds to years; in addition, the dynamic properties of RSNs are affected in a wide variety of neurological disorders. Recently, there has been a proliferation of methods for characterizing RSN dynamics, yet it remains a challenge to extract reproducible time-resolved networks. In this paper, we develop a novel method based on dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) to extract networks from short windows of noisy, high-dimensional fMRI data, allowing RSNs from single scans to be resolved robustly at a temporal resolution of seconds. We demonstrate this method on data from 120 individuals from the Human Connectome Project and show that unsupervised clustering of DMD modes discovers RSNs at both the group (gDMD) and the single subject (sDMD) levels. The gDMD modes closely resemble canonical RSNs. Compared to established methods, sDMD modes capture individualized RSN structure that both better resembles the population RSN and better captures subject-level variation. We further leverage this time-resolved sDMD analysis to infer occupancy and transitions among RSNs with high reproducibility. This automated DMD-based method is a powerful tool to characterize spatial and temporal structures of RSNs in individual subjects.
Impaired DNA demethylation of C/EBP sites causes premature aging
Authors: Schäfer Andrea , Mekker Bernadette , Mallick Medhavi , Vastolo Viviana , Karaulanov Emil , Sebastian Dominik , von der Lippen Carina , Epe Bernd , Downes Damien J. , Scholz Carola , Niehrs Christof
Published: June 2018

Changes in DNA methylation are among the best-documented epigenetic alterations accompanying organismal aging. However, whether and how altered DNA methylation is causally involved in aging have remained elusive. GADD45α (growth arrest and DNA damage protein 45A) and ING1 (inhibitor of growth family member 1) are adapter proteins for site-specific demethylation by TET (ten-eleven translocation) methylcytosine dioxygenases. Here we show that Gadd45a/Ing1 double-knockout mice display segmental progeria and phenocopy impaired energy homeostasis and lipodystrophy characteristic of Cebp (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein) mutants. Correspondingly, GADD45α occupies C/EBPβ/δ-dependent superenhancers and, cooperatively with ING1, promotes local DNA demethylation via long-range chromatin loops to permit C/EBPβ recruitment. The results indicate that enhancer methylation can affect aging and imply that C/EBP proteins play an unexpected role in this process. Our study suggests a causal nexus between DNA demethylation, metabolism, and organismal aging.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (Z)-4-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-methylisoxazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Zemamouche Wissem , Laroun Rima , Hamdouni Noudjoud , Brihi Ouarda , Boudjada Ali , Debache Abdelmadjid
Published: June 2018

The title compound, C11H9NO3, contains an isoxazole and a hydroxybenzylidene ring, which are inclined to each another by 3.18 (8)°. There is an intramolecular C—H...O contact forming an S(7) ring. In the crystal, molecules stack head-to-tail in columns along the b-axis direction, linked by offset π–π interactions [intercentroid distances of 3.676 (1) and 3.723 (1) Å]. The columns are linked by O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane. The layers are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular three-dimensional framework. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces points to the importance of the O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonding in the packing mechanism of the crystal structure.
Crystal structure of 1-ethyl-3-(2-oxo-1,3-dithiol-4-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one
Authors: Chrysochos Nicolas , Schulzke Carola
Published: June 2018

The title compound I, C13H10N2O2S2, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with eight molecules in the unit cell. Excluding for the ethyl substituent, the molecule of I adopts a nearly coplanar conformation (r.m.s. deviations is 0.058 Å), which is supported by the intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interaction between the two ring systems [C...O = 2.859 (3) Å]. In the crystal, the molecules form dimeric associates via two bifurcated C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between an ene hydrogen atom and a carbonyl functional group of an adjacent molecule [C...O = 3.133 (3) Å] and vice versa. The crystal structure is further stabilized by a three-dimensional network of weak hydrogen bonds between one molecule and six adjacent molecules as well as offset π–π stacking. The combination of the quinoxaline 2(1H)-one moiety with the dithiocarbonate moiety extends the aromaticity of the quinoxaline scaffold towards the substituent as well as influencing the π-system of the quinoxaline. The title compound is the direct precursor for a dithiolene ligand mimicking the natural cofactor ligand molybdopterin.
Crystal structure of (E)-N'-[1-(4-aminophenyl)ethylidene]-2-hydroxy-5-iodobenzohydrazide methanol monosolvate
Authors: Nguyen Tien Cong , Le Thi Thu Huong , Nguyen Van Thin , Vu Quoc Trung , Vu Quoc Manh , Pham Chien Thang , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: June 2018

In the title compound, C15H14IN3O2·CH3OH, two aromatic rings are linked by an N-substituted hydrazide function. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 10.53 (8)°. The stereochemistry about the imine function is E. The methanol molecule forms an O—H...O hydrogen bond to the hydrazide O atom. In the crystal, chains of molecules running along the c-axis direction are formed by O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Adjacent chains are linked through N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The intermolecular interactions in the crystal packing were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis, which indicated that the most significant contacts are H...H (38.2%), followed by C...H/H...C (20.6%), O...H/H...O (11.1%) and I...H/H...I (9.7%).
Quality of management schools, strength of auditing and reporting standards and tax evasion
Authors: Khlif Hichem , Guidara Achraf
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the quality of management schools and tax evasion and tests whether the strength of auditing and reporting standards moderates such a relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Tax evasion is measured using the macro-indirect approach based on Schneider, Buehn and Monterngro (2010). The quality of management schools is collected from The Global Competitiveness Report for 2014-2015.

Findings

On the basis of sample of 137 countries, the authors document that the level of tax evasion is negatively associated with the quality of management schools and the strength of auditing and reporting standards. When the authors distinguish between low- and high-strength of auditing and reporting standards countries, the authors find that the negative and significant association remains stable only for high-strength of auditing and reporting standards countries.

Practical implications

These results imply that the quality of management schools through its output (managers, fiscal controllers, auditors and businessmen) may increase the tendency of individuals in a given country to comply with tax rules and that legal enforcement may affect the ethical behaviours of these actors with regard to tax evasion.

Originality/value

The empirical findings have policy implications for governments with high levels of tax evasion since they highlight the importance of the quality of higher educational system in shaping tax compliance behaviour.
The link between perceived high-performance work practices, employee attitudes and service quality
Authors: Kloutsiniotis Panagiotis V. , Mihail Dimitrios M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the Greek banking sector and examine the indirect effects of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on service quality. Specifically, this study examines the effects of employees’ perceptions of HPWS on their trust toward their managers, as well as on service quality, through the mediating role of employee outcomes (measured by job satisfaction and affective commitment). In addition, trust is also tested for its role as a potential mediator and moderator in the relationship between HPWS and employee outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used on a sample of 350 front-line employees working in the Greek banking sector.

Findings

The findings showed that employee outcomes mediated the relationship between HPWS and service quality. On the other hand, although trust mediated the relationship between HPWS and employee outcomes, no support was found for its moderating effect. Finally, although not included in the initial analysis, trust was found to play a mediating and moderating role in the relationship between HPWS and service quality.

Practical implications

This study highlights the vital role that a “trusting” work environment has to play on employee attitudes and outcomes. As this study shows, the positive employee behaviors along with their willingness to accept and support organizational goals influence their level of productivity.

Originality/value

This study sheds lights on the mediating and moderating role of trust in the relationship between HPWS, employee outcomes, and service quality. Finally, implications are drawn for organizations, managers, and practitioners.
Pakistani undergraduate students’ perceptions of project-based learning in the English composition course
Authors: Sultan Sameera , Javaid Syeda Tuba
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how BS first-year students of the computer science department at a private university in Karachi perceive project-based learning (PjBL) implemented in the English composition course. The more specific objectives were to bring to light the benefits and challenges associated with PjBL from the students’ standpoint. Research works on students’ perceptions of project-based learning particularly in English language teaching remains an underresearched area in Pakistan and this makes this study useful and essential.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting the lens of constructionism, this study used the qualitative approach for investigation. Thus, to achieve an in-depth insight into students’ perceptions, they were provided an opportunity to reflect and freely report their views regarding the project approach. The participants in this study formulate perceptions about a given phenomenon based on a thoughtful analysis of their experiences with that phenomenon. The qualitative researcher aims to get a deep understanding of these views of the participants, and so this study employed accounts and drawings as data collection tools. The data were then content analyzed.

Findings

Upon data analysis, two major themes emerged being the benefits and challenges associated with PjBL. The benefits can be further divided into academic and non-academic benefits. The major academic benefit was that the project approach allowed students to achieve a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the subject matter whereas the non-academic benefits include enhanced communication and negotiation skills, time management, creative and critical thinking skills. The major challenges faced by the students were related to time management and getting along with each other in groups.

Originality/value

The research problem is a scarcely explored area in Pakistani English language teaching in higher education. Moreover, the use of student drawings as a data collection method is an unusual method for this research problem.
Personal engagement, emotion and the educational workplace
Authors: Crawford Megan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look how the concepts of personal engagement (Kahn) and emotion in schools can aid understanding both of research priorities and practice in schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of the area, so it has no particular methodological approach. Instead, it brings together engagement, emotion and capital.

Findings

This paper suggests that the commonalities between the areas discussed, and the relationship to professional capital can be enhanced both in research and practice.

Research limitations/implications

This paper suggests that an emphasis on the positive side of personal engagement and emotion could lead to new insights in this area.

Practical implications

This paper also suggests that personal engagement research has practical implications for teacher resilience and workplace relationships.

Originality/value

Overall, this paper seeks to act as a catalyst for further discussion in the areas outlined, and asks the researcher to continue to draw together the practical and theoretical insights that can be gained through a focus on personal engagement.
Alternative careers at the first level of management
Authors: Kirchhoff Jörg W. , Karlsson Jan Ch.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

First-line nurse managers are frequently torn between conflicting demands from management and employees, and previous research suggests that nurse managers use a variety of responses to cope with these demands. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of social support on nurse managers’ responses to role-conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

Two focused ethnographic studies involving participant observation and interviews with seven first-line nurse managers were completed. One study included first-line nurse managers from four units in two municipalities (2005), while the second included three first-line nurse managers from a hospital in Norway (2015-2016).

Findings

Three types of responses were identified: the embracing managerialism career, the emphasising managerialism career and the emphasising professionalism career. Emphasising managerialism was associated with role distance from the role of nurse, whereas emphasising professionalism involved role distance from the managerial role.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into first-line nurse managers’ responses to role conflict, by identifying the mechanisms involved and an opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for future studies among nurse managers.
Fake-love: brand love for counterfeits
Authors: Khandeparkar Kapil , Motiani Manoj
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Recent studies have indicated that consumers who knowingly purchase counterfeits could be in love with the brands whose counterfeits they own. Arguably, this love may not be the same as the love felt by individuals who purchase the original brand. Research in this field has not studied how these two love types differ in its genesis and consequences. Therefore, the paper aims to discuss this issue and intends to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performed a multi-group analysis using (PLS-SEM) between two groups of customers (real-buyers and fake-buyers) to elucidate the factors that separate fake-love from real-love. This study adopted a combination of convenience sampling and field visits to identify 500 individuals who were classified as either real-buyers or fake-buyers.

Findings

The relationship between social-self and brand love is significantly stronger for fake-buyers as compared to real-buyers. However, the relationship between inner-self and brand love is significantly stronger in the case of real-buyers as compared to fake-buyers. Real-buyers tend to be more brand resilient than fake-buyers as their love emanates primarily from the inner-self. Additionally, fake-buyers indulge in +WOM more than real-buyers as their brand love emanates from the social-self.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the concept of brand love among consumers who purchase counterfeits in spite of being able to afford the original brands. This is also the first study that is focused on identifying the antecedents and outcomes that separate real-love from fake-love.
Library roles in advancing graduate peer-tutor agency and integrated academic literacies
Authors: McDaniel Sarah
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to apply integrated academic literacies and threshold concepts constructs to the development of graduate student literacies. Western Washington University has developed a graduate peer-tutors program to advance integrated academic literacies and graduate student agency. Graduate peer-tutors are expert-outsiders (Nowacek and Hughes, 2015): expert in conversations about literacies and outsiders to disciplinary expertise. Peer-tutors augment a support ecosystem that includes faculty advisors, subject librarians and others. Libraries should lead innovative programs to develop integrated literacies, and librarians should leverage both subject and literacies expertise as part of an ecosystem of support.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on library, writing center and higher education scholarship, the author draws on research methodologies from writing center scholarship to explore models for integrated graduate student literacies. The author collaborates with graduate peer-tutors to connect theory and practice in the Graduate Research & Writing Studio (GRWS).

Findings

Peer-tutor models offer a valuable layer of support for graduate students engaged in thesis-writing. Peer-tutors, faculty advisors and subject librarians play important roles in advancing development of integrated literacies. The role of peer-tutors is unique in advancing integrated literacies, and addressing affective barriers and equity concerns.

Practical implications

Economic pressures have transformed higher education, ushering new populations into graduate programs. Opportunities to enhance inclusivity cannot be realized without support for development of literacies. Libraries should lead with innovative services that address barriers to graduate student success.

Originality/value

The author leverages the unique laboratory offered by the GRWS and engages graduate peer-tutors in connecting scholarship and practice. Drawing on contemporary theoretical lenses on literacies, she argues for libraries’ leadership of programs that support integrated graduate student literacies.
Spatio-temporal analysis of trajectories for safer construction sites
Authors: Arslan Muhammad , Cruz Christophe , Roxin Ana-Maria , Ginhac Dominique
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the safety of construction workers by understanding their behaviors on construction sites using spatio-temporal (ST) trajectories.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of construction safety management literature and international occupational health and safety statistics shows that the major reasons for fatalities on construction sites are mobility-related issues, such as unsafe human behaviors, difficult site conditions, and workers falling from heights and striking against or being struck by moving objects. Consequently, literature has been reviewed to find possible technological solutions to track the mobility of construction workers to reduce fatalities. This examination has suggested that location acquisition systems, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), have been widely used for real-time monitoring and tracking of workers on construction sites for hazard prevention. However, the raw data captured from GPS devices are generally available as discrete points and do not hold enough information to understand the workers’ mobility. As a solution, an application to transform raw GPS data into ST trajectories using different preprocessing algorithms is proposed for enhancing worker safety on construction sites.

Findings

The proposed system preprocesses raw GPS data for stay point detection, trajectory segmentation and intersection of multiple trajectories to find significant places and movements of workers on a construction site to enhance the information available to H&S managers for decision-making processes. In addition, it reduces the size of trajectory data for future analyses.

Originality/value

Application of location acquisition systems for construction safety management is very well addressed in the existing literature. However, a significant gap has been found: the usage of preprocessed ST trajectories is still missing in workers’ safety monitoring scenarios in the area of construction management. To address this research gap, the proposed system uses preprocessed ST trajectories to monitor workers’ movements on a construction site to identify potentially unsafe behaviors.
Grazing and resource availability control soil nematode body size and abundance–mass relationship in semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Andriuzzi Walter S. , Wall Diana H.
Published: June 2018

Body size is a central functional trait in ecological communities. Despite recognition of the importance of above ground–below ground interactions, effects of above‐ground herbivores on size and abundance–size relationships in soil fauna are almost uncharted. Depending on climate and soil properties, herbivores may increase basal resources of soil food webs, or reduce pore space, mechanisms expected to have contrasting effects on soil animal body size.

We investigated how body size and shape of soil nematodes responded to mammalian grazers in three semi‐arid grassland sites, along a gradient of soil texture and organic matter (OM) in a long‐term herbivore removal study. We analysed nematode mass, length, diameter, body size distribution and biomass distribution. We formulated two mechanistic hypotheses to assess whether resource availability or pore space was the dominant abiotic control and modulated the effects of grazing.

In ungrazed soils, average and maximum nematode size, as well as abundance and biomass of large nematodes, were greater in the high‐OM than in the low‐OM soil, and intermediate in the medium‐OM soil. Grazing promoted larger sizes in the low‐OM soil, where it had been shown to increase OM and microbial biomass, and led to more homogeneous average size and body size distribution across sites. The results support the hypothesis that nematode size was controlled by basal resource availability rather than by pore space. However, body shape might have been constrained by small pores in the fine‐texture, high‐OM soil, where nematodes were more elongated.

Grazing may facilitate larger sizes in soil nematode communities by boosting basal resources where these are limiting, with important implications for estimations of nematode biomass and contribution to carbon and nutrient cycling. These findings contribute to the insofar‐limited mechanistic understanding of how herbivores can shape functional traits of soil fauna and demonstrate that animals at one trophic level may control patterns in body size and abundance–size relationships in other trophic levels without a direct predator prey or competitive linkage between them.
Reproductive biology of Oreocereus fossulatus (Cactaceae), a long‐lived columnar cactus endemic to the tropical Andes
Authors: Larrea‐Alcázar Daniel M. , López Ramiro P. , Gutierrez Josseth P. , García Emilia
Published: June 2018

The geographic dichotomy hypothesis suggests that columnar cacti inhabiting the tropics depend on flower visitors (birds and bats) for their pollination, showing highly specialized animal‐pollinated systems. This pattern has been demonstrated for the northern hemisphere; however, our knowledge of the species of columnar cacti growing in the southern tropics is still scarce. In this study, we studied the reproductive biology of Oreocereus fossulatus (Cactaceae, Tribe Trichocereae), an endemic, columnar cactus of the tropical Andes, to determine if its pollination system tends to be more generalized (mixed systems of autogamy and xenogamy) than specialized (xenogamy) as a consequence of the geographic position of where it lives. Observations of the frequency of visits showed that Patagona gigas (Trochillidae) is its main pollinator. It visits the flowers when they are open, coinciding with the periods of greater floral reward (dusk and dawn of the first day of anthesis). The treatments of autogamy, xenogamy and geitonogamy produced fruits, showing that O. fossulatus exhibits a generalized pollination system, in the same way as its congeneric species O. celsianus, which is distributed farther south in the Prepuna biogeographical region. Our results suggest that species partially specializing in pollination by hummingbirds and, besides, capable of autopollination, could be common in the tropical and subtropical Andes, probably as a response to the unpredictable environments present in their ecosystems.
Growth and Volatility Nexus in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Mekonnen Jemberu Lulie , Dogruel Ali Suut
Published: June 2018

Using cross‐sectional and panel data estimation techniques with various methods of volatility measures, we have found a significant negative impact of growth volatility on growth for 35 sub‐Saharan African countries from 1980 to 2013. When we consider the possible endogeneity of growth volatility, we obtained a more strong negative relationship. Decade by decade regression indicates a decline in the volatility effect over time for standard deviation based method. Nevertheless, volatility coefficient of one decade does not significantly vary from the other decade when we test for the equality of the coefficients. We further classified SSA countries into ‘resource rich’ and ‘resource non‐rich’ so as to observe if volatility varies by resource within the region. Although the latter groups seem to have a stronger negative relationship, it is the ‘resource rich’ countries which have a stronger negative relationship when endogeneity of growth volatility is taken into account.
Colonial Legacy and Economic Efficiency across Africa: A Metafrontier Approach
Authors: Goundan Anatole
Published: June 2018

This paper attempts to estimate comparable efficiency scores for 40 African countries over the period 1975–2014, adopting the metafrontier framework which allows the decomposition of the overall technical efficiency into technology gap ratio and standard technical efficiency (Huang et al., ). We tested whether colonial legacy, proxied by country's first official language, based on stochastic frontiers were preferred to the pooled stochastic frontier. Consequently, we split countries into the three following groups: French‐speaking countries, English‐speaking countries, and other African countries. Efficiency measures results showed that there is, on average, more efficiency matters than technology gap issues. In addition, the extent of those challenges varies from one group of countries to another. It is found that the efficiency issue is more pronounced among English‐speaking countries, while the main challenge for French‐speaking countries is related to technology gap. Results also show that the appropriate trade, monetary, and financial sector‐oriented policies may help countries to close their technology gap.
Comparative studies of loading lipophilic substances into casein micelles and investigating the influence of whey proteins and heat treatment on loading stability
Authors: Moeller Henrike , Martin Dierk , Schrader Katrin , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Pargmann Stefanie , Kurz Janina , Lorenzen Peter Chr.
Published: June 2018

Application of casein micelles (CM) as nanocarriers for lipophilic substances was studied. Casein micelles were separated from skimmed milk by microfiltration. Casein micelles were partly dissociated at 2 °C, pH 5.5, and loaded with β‐carotene, vitamin D2 or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Loading concentrations and times were varied. Loading efficiency was in the order: β‐carotene > vitamin D2 > DHA. Optimal loading times were 60 min for β‐carotene and 15 min for vitamin D2 and DHA. Adding whey protein to loaded CM led to lower vitamin D2 content in the micellar phase. Heat treatment (85 °C/2 min) led to stable loading concentrations over 4 days of storage.
Role of Parathyroid Hormone in Regulating Transporter and Metabolizing Enzyme Function
Authors: Watanabe Hiroshi , Maruyama Toru
Published: June 2018

Recent studies demonstrate that parathyroid hormone (PTH) not only maintains mineral homeostasis through targeting the kidneys and bone, but also exerts its effects on other organs. For instance, PTH induces urate accumulation through inhibiting the expression of the ABCG2 in both the intestine and the kidney. In addition, PTH downregulates the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A, a major enzyme for drug metabolism in both the intestine and liver, resulting in the increase of substrate drug exposure. These functions of PTH are mediated through the PTH receptor (PTHR) signaling. Since PTHR exists in various organs, PTH may regulate other, still unspecified transporters or enzymes in the organs that express PTHR.
Assessment of the Extreme Rainfall Event at Nashville, TN and the Surrounding Region on May 1–3, 2010
Authors: Keim Barry D. , Kappel William D. , Muhlestein Geoffrey A. , Hultstrand Douglas M. , Parzybok Tye W. , Lewis Amanda B. , Tomlinson Edward M. , Black Alan W.
Published: June 2018

This paper analyzes the May 1–3, 2010 rainfall event that affected the south‐central United States, including parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The storm is evaluated in terms of its synoptic setting, along with the temporal distributions, and spatial patterns of the rainfall. In addition, the recurrence interval of the storm is assessed and the implications for hydrologic structure designs are discussed. The event was associated with an upper‐level trough and stationary frontal boundary to the west of the rainfall region, which remained quasi‐stationary for a period of 48 h. Heavy rainfall was produced by two slow‐moving mesoscale convective complexes, combined with abundant atmospheric moisture. Storm totals exceeding 330 mm occurred within a large elongated area extending from Memphis to Nashville. Isolated rainfall totals over 480 mm were reported in some areas, with NEXRAD weather radar rainfall estimates up to 501 mm. An extreme value analysis was performed for one‐ and two‐day rainfall totals at Nashville and Brownsville, Tennessee, as well as for gridded rainfall estimates for the entire region using the Storm Precipitation Analysis System. Results suggest maximum rainfall totals for some durations during the May 1–3, 2010 event exceeded the 1,000‐year rainfall values from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlas 14 for a large portion of the region and reached up to 80% of the probable maximum precipitation values for some area sizes and durations.
Neural correlates of improved recognition of happy faces after erythropoietin treatment in bipolar disorder
Authors: Miskowiak K. W. , Petersen N. A. , Harmer C. J. , Ehrenreich E. , Kessing L. V. , Vinberg M. , Macoveanu J. , Siebner H. R.
Published: June 2018

Objective

Bipolar disorder is associated with impairments in social cognition including the recognition of happy faces. This is accompanied by imbalanced cortico‐limbic response to emotional faces. We found that EPO improved the recognition of happy faces in patients with bipolar disorder. This randomized, controlled, longitudinal fMRI study explores the neuronal underpinnings of this effect.

Method

Forty‐four patients with bipolar disorder in full or partial remission were randomized to eight weekly erythropoietin (EPO; 40 000 IU) or saline (NaCl 0.9%) infusions in a double‐blind, parallel‐group design. Participants underwent whole‐brain fMRI at 3T, mood ratings and blood tests at baseline and week 14. During fMRI, participants viewed happy and fearful faces and performed a gender discrimination task.

Results

Thirty‐four patients had complete pre‐ and post‐treatment fMRI data (EPO: N = 18, saline: N = 16). Erythropoietin vs. saline increased right superior frontal response to happy vs. fearful faces. This correlated with improved happiness recognition in the EPO group. Erythropoietin also enhanced gender discrimination accuracy for happy faces. These effects were not influenced by medication, mood, red blood cells or blood pressure.

Conclusions

Together with previous findings, the present observation suggests that increased dorsal prefrontal attention control is a common mechanism of EPO‐associated improvements across several cognitive domains.
Expanding smoking cessation world‐wide
Authors: Jha Prabhat
Published: June 2018

Commentary to: Evaluating clinical stop‐smoking services globally: towards a minimum data set
Rapid progression to gummatous tertiary syphilis in a patient with HIV
Authors: Charlton Olivia A , Puri Prianka , Davey Louella , Weatherall Chris , Konecny Pamela
Published: June 2018

Co‐infection with human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV) and syphilis is associated with rapid progression to tertiary syphilis. This case report describes the early development of gummatous skin disease and suspected neurosyphilis in a patient with untreated HIV and approaches to treatment.
Is There More Violence in the Middle?
Authors: Jones Zachary M. , Lupu Yonatan
Published: June 2018

Is there more violence in the middle? Over 100 studies have analyzed whether violent outcomes such as civil war, terrorism, and repression are more common in regimes that are neither full autocracies nor full democracies, yet findings are inconclusive. While this hypothesis is ultimately about functional form, existing work uses models in which a particular functional form is assumed. Existing work also uses arbitrary operationalizations of “the middle.” This article aims to resolve the empirical uncertainty about this relationship by using a research design that overcomes the limitations of existing work. We use a random forest‐like ensemble of multivariate regression and classification trees to predict multiple forms of conflict. Our results indicate the specific conditions under which there is or is not more violence in the middle. We find the most consistent support for the hypothesis with respect to minor civil conflict and no support with respect to repression.
Comparison of lipase and amylase for diagnosing post‐operative pancreatic fistulae
Authors: Griffith David , Hanna Thomas , Wong Kimberley , Reece‐Smith Alexander , Aroori Somaiah , Bowles Matthew , Stell David , Briggs Christopher
Published: June 2018

Background

To ascertain if post‐operative drain fluid lipase is superior to amylase in routinely detecting clinically significant post‐operative pancreatic fistulae (POPF).

Method

Between January 2015 and March 2016 data were collected on all patients undergoing pancreatic surgery at a regional referral centre. Routine drain fluid analysis was performed on post‐operative patients as part of a locally defined enhanced recovery protocol. POPF was diagnosed in accordance with the recently updated International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery guidance.

Results

During the study period, there were 68 pancreatic resections. The median age was 69.1 years. A total of 11 (15.9%) patients developed clinically significant POPF (nine type B and two type C). The median drain amylase result in patients with type B or C leak was 532 IU/L (interquartile range (IQR) 264–833). This was significantly higher than those without a clinical fistula (median 38, IQR 15–376, P = 0.012). The median drain lipase result was 1504 IU/L (IQR 746–2236). This was significantly higher than those without a clinical fistula (median 57, IQR 13–1277, P = 0.012). Fluid amylase had a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 69.2%; fluid lipase had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 64.9%.

Conclusion

Our experience suggests drain fluid amylase or lipase results are not sufficiently sensitive or specific to reassure clinicians and rule out clinically significant POPF. However, if biochemical tests are used to aid decision‐making, then lipase is a more sensitive biochemical marker than amylase for the routine detection of clinically significant POPF.
“They're kept in a bubble”: Healthcare professionals' views on transitioning young adults with congenital heart disease from paediatric to adult care
Authors: McLoughlin A. , Matthews C. , Hickey T. M.
Published: June 2018

Background

Due to medical advances, growing numbers of adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive into adulthood and transferring from paediatric to adult healthcare. This transfer is significant step in a young person's life, and this study examines the views of Irish healthcare professionals' on how best to manage this transition.

Methods

Purposeful sampling was used to invite participation by healthcare professionals (HCPs) from a variety of disciplines whose caseloads include adolescents and young adults with CHD. Fourteen professionals participated in semistructured interviews regarding their experiences of the transition process and their recommendations. Data were collected during Spring 2016 and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Results indicated that the current approach to transition and transfer could be improved. Professionals identified barriers hindering the transition process such as cultural and attitudinal differences between HCPs dealing with child and adult patients, inadequate preparation and education of patients about their condition, parental reluctance to transfer, and concern about parents' role in on‐going treatment. Measures such as better support and education for both the patients and their parents were recommended, in order to facilitate a smoother transition process for all parties involved. Additionally, HCPs identified the need for better collaboration and communication, both between paediatric and adult healthcare professionals and between hospitals, to ensure greater continuity of care for patients.

Conclusions

Action is required in order to improve the current transition process. Measures need to be taken to address the barriers that currently prevent a smooth transition process for young adult CHD patients. Professionals recommended the implementation of a structured transition clinic to deal with the wide variety of needs of transitioning adolescent patients and their families. Recommendations for future research are also made.
GPT2 mutations cause developmental encephalopathy with microcephaly and features of complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Hengel H. , Keimer R. , Deigendesch W. , Rieß A. , Marzouqa H. , Zaidan J. , Bauer P. , Schöls L.
Published: June 2018

Various genetic defects can cause intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Often IDD is a symptom of a more complex neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative syndrome. Identifying syndromic patterns is substantive for diagnostics and for understanding the pathomechanism of a disease. Recessive glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT2) mutations have recently been associated with IDD in 4 families. Here, we report a novel recessive GPT2 stop mutation p.Gln24* causing a complex IDD phenotype in a homozygous state in 5 patients from 2 consanguineous Arab families. By compiling clinical information of these individuals and previously described GPT2 patients a recognizable neurodevelopmental and potentially neurodegenerative phenotype can be assigned consisting of intellectual disability, pyramidal tract affection with spastic paraplegia, microcephaly and frequently epilepsy. Because of the consistent presence of pyramidal tract affection in GPT2 patients, we further suggest that GPT2 mutations should be considered in cases with complex hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Landscape trajectory of natural boreal forest loss as an impediment to green infrastructure
Authors: Svensson Johan , Andersson Jon , Sandström Per , Mikusiński Grzegorz , Jonsson Bengt Gunnar
Published: June 2018

Loss of natural forests by forest clearcutting has been identified as a critical conservation challenge worldwide. This study addressed forest fragmentation and loss in the context of the establishment of a functional green infrastructure as a spatiotemporally connected landscape‐scale network of habitats enhancing biodiversity, favorable conservation status, and ecosystem services. Through retrospective analysis of satellite images, we assessed a 50‐ to 60‐year spatiotemporal clearcutting impact trajectory on natural and near‐natural boreal forests across a sizable and representative region from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Scandinavian Mountain Range in northern Fennoscandia. This period broadly covers the whole forest clearcutting period; thus, our approach and results can be applied to comprehensive impact assessment of industrial forest management. The entire study region covers close to 46,000 km2 of forest‐dominated landscape in a late phase of transition from a natural or near‐natural to a land‐use modified state. We found a substantial loss of intact forest, in particular of large, contiguous areas, a spatial polarization of remaining forest on regional scale where the inland has been more severely affected than the mountain and coastal zones, and a pronounced impact on interior forest core areas. Salient results were a decrease in area of the largest intact forest patch from 225,853 to 68,714 ha in the mountain zone and from 257,715 to 38,668 ha in the foothills zone, a decrease from 75% to 38% intact forest in the inland zones, a decrease in largest patch core area (assessed by considering 100‐m patch edge disturbance) from 6114 to 351 ha in the coastal zone, and a geographic imbalance in protected forest with an evident predominance in the mountain zone. These results demonstrate profound disturbance of configuration of the natural forest landscape and disrupted connectivity, which challenges the establishment of functional green infrastructure. Our approach supports the identification of forests for expanded protection and conservation‐oriented forest landscape restoration.
Is a specific eyelid patch test series useful? Results of a French prospective study
Authors: Assier Haudrey , Tetart Florence , Avenel‐Audran Martine , Barbaud Annick , Ferrier‐le Bouëdec Marie‐Christine , Giordano‐Labadie Françoise , Milpied Brigitte , Amsler Emmanuelle , Collet Evelyne , Girardin Pascal , Soria Angèle , Waton Julie , Truchetet François , Bourrain Jean‐Luc , Gener Gwendeline , Bernier Claire , Raison‐Peyron Nadia ,   for the Dermato‐Allergology Group of the French Society of Dermatology (DAG)
Published: June 2018

Background

Eyelids are frequent sites of contact dermatitis. No prospective study focused on eyelid allergic contact dermatitis (EACD) has yet been published, and this topic has never been studied in French patients.

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate the usefulness of an eyelid series in French patients patch tested because of EACD, and to describe these patients.

Methods

We prospectively analysed standardized data for all patients referred to our departments between September 2014 and August 2016 for patch testing for suspected EACD as the main reason. All patients were patch tested with an eyelid series, the European baseline series (EBS), the French additional series, and their personal products. Patch testing with additional series and repeated open application tests (ROATs) or open tests were performed if necessary. A standardized assessment of the relevance was used, and the analysis of the results was focused on patients having positive test results with a current certain relevance.

Results

Two‐hundred and sixty‐four patients (238 women and 26 men) were included. Three‐hundred and twenty‐two tests gave positive results in 167 patients, 84 of whom had currently relevant reactions: 56 had currently relevant positive test reactions to the EBS, 16 had currently relevant positive test reactions to their personal products, 8 had currently relevant positive test reactions to the French additional series, and 4 had currently relevant positive test reactions to the eyelid series. Sixty‐seven per cent of all relevant cases were related to cosmetic products. The most frequent allergens with current relevance were methylisothiazolinone (10.2%), fragrance mix I (3%), nickel (2.7%), hydroxyperoxides of linalool (2.7%) and limonene (2.3%), and Myroxylon pereirae (2.3%). Current atopic dermatitis was found in 9.5% of patients. The duration of dermatitis was shorter (23.2 vs 34.2 months; P = .035) in patients with currently relevant test reactions. The percentage of currently relevant tests remained the same when atopic patients or dermatitis localized only on the eyelids were taken into account.

Conclusion

In French patients, testing for EACD with the extended baseline series and personal products, also including ROATs and use tests, appears to be adequate, considering the currently relevant positive test reactions. The regular addition of an eyelid series does not seem to be necessary.
Endocrine mucin‐producing sweat gland carcinoma: Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of 11 cases with emphasis on MYB immunoexpression
Authors: Held Laura , Ruetten Arno , Kutzner Heinz , Palmedo Gabriele , John Rahel , Mentzel Thomas
Published: June 2018

Background

Endocrine mucin‐producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) is a rare low‐grade primary cutaneous sweat gland carcinoma with predilection for the periorbital skin in elderly female patients.

Methods

We describe 11 cases of EMPSGC using a broad panel of immunohistochemical markers including BerEP4, cytokeratin 7, CAM 5.2, synaptophysin, chromogranin, cytokeratin 20, Ki67, progesterone receptor, and estrogen receptor. Calponin (1A4) and p63 were used to detect surrounding myoepithelial cells. We also examined staining with a relatively new marker, MYB. Previous studies of MYB on EMPSGC remain limited. As mucin‐rich basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents a main differential diagnosis and primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) could appear synchronous with EMPSGC, these lesions were also stained for MYB.

Results

We found strong and homogenous nuclear MYB‐expression in 10 EMPSGC cases stained for MYB. MYB staining was not performed in one case. Furthermore, PCMC and mucin‐rich BCCs did not express MYB.

Conclusion

The strong nuclear MYB‐positivity in EMPSGC could be useful as a new surrogate marker, especially in mucin‐poor EMPSGC cases. Additionally, the staining of PCMC revealed absent MYB‐expression leading to the conclusion that EMPSGC might not represent a precursor lesion for primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma.