bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validated Bayesian differentiation of causative and passenger mutations
Authors: Cross Frederick R. , Breker Michal , Lieberman Kristi
Published: January 2017

In many contexts, the problem arises of determining which of many candidate mutations is the most likely to be causative for some phenotype. It is desirable to have a way to evaluate this probability that relies as little as possible on previous knowledge, to avoid bias against discovering new genes or functions. We are isolating mutants with blocked cell cycle progression inChlamydomonas, and determining mutant genome sequences. Due to the intensity of UV mutagenesis required for efficient mutant collection, the mutants contain multiple mutations altering coding sequence. To provide a quantitative estimate of probability that each individual mutation in a given mutant is the causative one, we develop a Bayesian approach. The approach employs four independent indicators: sequence conservation of the mutated coding sequence withArabidopsis; severity of the mutation relative toChlamydomonaswild type based on Blosum62 scores; meiotic mapping information for location of the causative mutation relative to known molecular markers; and, for a subset of mutants, transcriptional profile of the candidate wild type genes through the mitotic cell cycle.

These indicators are statistically independent, and so can be combined quantitatively into a single probability calculation. We validate this calculation: recently isolated mutations that were not in the training set for developing the indicators, with high calculated probability of causality, are confirmed in every case by additional genetic data to indeed be causative. Analysis of best reciprocal blast relationships amongChlamydomonasand other eukaryotes indicate that the Ts-lethal mutants that our procedure recovers are highly enriched for fundamental cell-essential functions conserved broadly across plants and other eukaryotes, accounting for the high information content of sequence alignment toArabidopsis.
Establishment of an initial maintenance program for UAVs based on reliability principles
Authors: Gonçalves Paula , Sobral José , Ferreira Luis
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how to develop a methodology to set up an initial maintenance program for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) following the well-known Steering Maintenance Group logic method (MSG-3) and taking into account safety concerns based on items probabilities of failure. That is why it is stated that maintenance program is based on reliability principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology follows the MSG-3 framework applied to civil aircraft but where the determination of each probability of failure is achieved applying a morphological analysis. These probabilities are then affected by some factors to calculate the adjusted values to the specific conditions (design, operation and environment) under which the system is expected to operate.

Findings

Main findings are related to the applicability of the morphological analysis on the developing of an initial maintenance program when there is a lack of data that disable the establishment of a coherent maintenance program.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations are related to the absence of a legislative framework consensual in Europe for certification of UAVs and the lack of data concerning UAVs failure modes, causes and their probability of failure.

Practical implications

The developed work and the methodology proposed may be useful for UAVs maintenance program engineers and technicians when developing new systems.

Originality/value

The originality is based on the use of morphological analysis for UAVs to determine the items probabilities of failure when there is a no-data problem. Based on the referred analysis, it is possible to create an initial maintenance program for UAVs.
Training programs of transnational corporations as a foundation of formation of private educational resources
Authors: Tarakanov Vasily , Kalinina Alla , Kryukova Ekaterina
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze training programs for transnational corporations, educational services market, and society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of three components: determination of the role and meaning of training programs of transnational corporations in the system of formation of private educational resources, conduct of analysis of effectiveness of training programs of transnational corporations, and compilation of recommendations for increase of effectiveness of training programs of transnational corporations. The main method of the research is correlation analysis.

Findings

As a result of the research, the authors have come to the conclusion that training programs of transnational corporations are the foundation for the formation of private educational resources and provide significant advantages for transnational corporations, educational services market, and society on the whole.

Practical implications

The practical value of the work consists in the development of practical recommendations for increase of effectiveness of training programs of transnational corporations which could be used by them in practical activities.

Originality/value

The performed research contributes to the development of the concept of human resources, the concept of post-industrial economy, and the concept of transnational business, which causes its high theoretical significance.
Challenges and opportunities of digital information at the intersection of Big Data Analytics and supply chain management
Authors: Kache Florian , Seuring Stefan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Despite the variety of supply chain management (SCM) research, little attention has been given to the use of Big Data Analytics for increased information exploitation in a supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to theory development in SCM by investigating the potential impacts of Big Data Analytics on information usage in a corporate and supply chain context. As it is imperative for companies in the supply chain to have access to up-to-date, accurate, and meaningful information, the exploratory research will provide insights into the opportunities and challenges emerging from the adoption of Big Data Analytics in SCM.

Design/methodology/approach

Although Big Data Analytics is gaining increasing attention in management, empirical research on the topic is still scarce. Due to the limited availability of comparable material at the intersection of Big Data Analytics and SCM, the authors apply the Delphi research technique.

Findings

Portraying the emerging transition trend from a digital business environment, the presented Delphi study findings contribute to extant knowledge by identifying 43 opportunities and challenges linked to the emergence of Big Data Analytics from a corporate and supply chain perspective.

Research limitations/implications

These constructs equip the research community with a first collection of aspects, which could provide the basis to tailor further research at the nexus of Big Data Analytics and SCM.

Originality/value

The research adds to the existing knowledge base as no empirical research has been presented so far specifically assessing opportunities and challenges on corporate and supply chain level with a special focus on the implications imposed through Big Data Analytics.
Private labels importance across different store loyalty stages: a multilevel approach
Authors: Coelho do Vale Rita , Verga Matos Pedro
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the importance of private labels (PLs) offered by each retailer on store loyalty, combining different loyalty-driven factors and assessing the importance of PLs on different loyalty stages – attitudinal and behavioural store loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a questionnaire (online survey) run in Portugal (n=469). Multi-level regressions were run to estimate the different loyalty models (base and full models) on each loyalty stage.

Findings

Results stress the positive contribution of PLs on consumers’ loyalty across different loyalty stages. However, findings suggest that this relationship may not be as strong as suggested in earlier studies. Findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between attitudinal and behavioural loyalty, emphasizing the complexity of the consumer loyalty construct and that multiple store-related factors can positively contribute to it.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected in one single country. It would be interesting to collect similar data in other countries in order to assess the extent to which results prevail across different competitive and cultural contexts.

Practical implications

Findings indicate that the loyalty factors that contribute to store loyalty are not homogeneous across the different loyalty stages, strengthening the idea that retailers should adopt different loyalty strategies depending on the loyalty stage its target customers are in.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind combining in a single framework the loyalty towards the retailers’ brand, store-related variables (in-store and economic factors), and specific consumer and retailer characteristics across different loyalty stages.
Shareholders and managers as principal-agent hierarchies and cooperative teams
Authors: Kiefer Matthias , Jones Edward A.E. , Adams Andrew T.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Shareholders and managers can work in a hierarchy in which principals attempt to control the actions of agents to achieve the wealth objective. Alternatively, shareholders and managers can work together as a cooperative team in which shareholders provide financial capital and managers provide human capital. The authors aim to examine the different implications for value creation provided by the two approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

By comparing the literature on the value implications of the incomplete contracting framework and control arrangements in principal-agent hierarchies, the authors identify deviations from optimal outcomes and suggest solutions.

Findings

The review indicates that a cooperative framework has some advantages over the hierarchical model. The stability of human capital and the relationship between managers and shareholders can be enhanced when shareholders provide capital in increments which vest over time and latitude for renegotiation of agreements is built into contracts.

Practical implications

By surrendering control using stock options programmes, managers are free to invest in relationship-specific assets. Shareholders can control the provision of capital by withdrawing investment if insufficient returns are realized, i.e. if stock options do not meet vesting requirements. The market can then be left to do its work.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original review of literature on cooperation and hierarchies in the shareholder–manager relationship and proposes solutions to identified deviations from optimal outcomes.
Multivariate Analysis of Tactile Sensory Data for Fine Lightweight Knitted Fabrics
Authors: Wang Henry , Mahar Trevor , Postle Ron
Published: January 2017

The market for lightweight next-to-skin knitted wool fabrics requires a reliable tactile sensory or handle assessment system. In this paper, eight bipolar pairs of fabric tactile attributes to describe the tactile sensory properties of fifty-two next-to-skin knitted fabrics were evaluated by twelve experienced trained judges. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression techniques were employed to analyse the tactile sensory data. The results showed that the most agreed tactile sensory dimension amongst the judges only occurred in the first principal component of each of the eight tactile attributes. In conjunction with the judges' loading coefficients on the agreed component, judges were selected for assessing the next-to-skin knitted fabrics. Furthermore, the relationship between the overall tactile quality and the primary tactile attributes was established using a partial least squares regression method, from which the existence of collinearity between the primary tactile attributes was constrained and the overall tactile quality was predicted with a prediction error of 0.48 subjective units on a scale of 1-10.
Eco-friendly Dyeing and UV Protection Properties of Wool Fabric Using Natural Dye from Eucalyptus
Authors: Rungruangkitkrai Nattadon , Mongkholrattanasit Rattanaphol , Wongphakdee Wirat , Studničková Jarmila
Published: January 2017

This research examined a dye extracted from eucalyptus leaves and its application to wool fabric using pad-batch and pad-dry techniques under various conditions. A wool fabric dyed in a solution containing eucalyptus extract gave a shade of pale yellowish brown except when it was dyed with FeSO4, resulting in a shade of dark grayish brown. The fastness properties of dyed fabrics ranged from good to excellent, while light fastness was fair to good. It was observed that the fabric had excellent ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) values. In addition, a darker colour provided by FeSO4 gave better protection because of its higher UV absorption.
Synthesis of New Auxiliaries that Contain S-Triazine and Their Dye Resist Effect on Wool Fabric
Authors: Kamel Magda M. , Ali N.F. , Abd El Megied Saadia A.
Published: January 2017

Eight reactive auxiliaries that act as dye resist agents and differ in number of ionic charges and molecular weights are synthesized and their dye resist effect on wool is evaluated. The results obtained indicate that reactive auxiliary A8 exhibits the highest dye resist effect which means that an increase in the number of ionic groups and molecular weight of an auxiliary leads to better electrostatic repulsion of the dye and thus improves the resist effectiveness. The effect of the dye bath pH, salt concentration, dyeing temperature, dyeing time, and concentration of dye and auxiliaries, are also studied. The fastness properties of the dyed fabric are evaluated. The resist effect achieved with the differential dyeing technique is consistently better than that with dye resist treatments for the eight auxiliaries. When treated wool is dyed in competition with untreated wool, the latter tends to take up the greater part of the dye in the dye bath.
Curriculum reform and the social class achievement gap
Authors: Lee Trevor Tsz-lok , Chiu Stephen Wing-kai
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Through the study of the Liberal Studies reform in Hong Kong, this paper aims to investigate to what extent the curriculum reform makes a difference in the achievement gap between middle-class and lower-class students. Specifically, it examines the variation of the “class gap” between Liberal Studies and other traditional, core subjects in terms of the public examination results, and the major mediators underlying the class effect on the results.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a survey of 1,123 students from 15 schools who studied the new curriculum between 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 in Hong Kong were analyzed using the hierarchical multiple regression models.

Findings

Students’ class backgrounds, mainly indicated by parental education, continue to make a substantive contribution to the achievement gap.

Practical implications

Given that Liberal Studies’ examination is compulsory for university entrance, the sensitivity of this reform to existing educational inequalities has a significant impact on students’ chances of entering local universities.

Originality/value

Sociologists have long observed the class gap in education, and this paper adds an important exogenous source, a curriculum change, to the analysis. The Liberal Studies reform has provided a unique opportunity to examine the potential effect of a curriculum change on the class gap. In addition, in view of the absence of empirical evidence in this topic, this paper is an effort to build the evidence base for understanding the outcomes of the reform.
Thirty years of criminology at HKU: themes and trends in crime and its control
Authors: Joe Laidler Karen , Lee Maggy
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper, aims to contribute to the wider project of understanding the production of knowledge about crime and justice and, “to cultivate and sustain a reflexive awareness about the conditions under which such knowledge is (or is not) produced” (Loader and Sparks, 2012, p. 6). In reviewing the core issues and concerns about crime and control from the 1980s as articulated in these research dissertations, the authors seek to be self-reflexive about academic criminology as a field of enquiry in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, 209 dissertations, completed between 1988 and 2015, are categorized on the basis of the main subject or theme of investigation carried out by each of the research paper.

Findings and originality/value

This discussion is among the first and few attempts to look at the development of criminology in the Hong Kong China region and draws from the unique perspectives of practitioners – those working on the front lines – in their attempts to understand crime and its control with a criminological imagination.
Parallel trading and its implications for policing the border
Authors: Wan Tsz Yiu Terry , Chiew Tsi Huen Tristan , Cheung Tsz Pan Harold , Wong Felix Kar Yue , Tsoi Ching , Laidler Karen Joe
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain an “insider” understanding of contemporary methods and operations in parallel trading in the North District.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from in-depth interviews and field observations, we explore how this demand has led to two major consequences.

Findings

First, contemporary parallel trading has resulted in the rise of an organized system with coordinated roles and a range of workers moving in concert colloquially understood as the ant-moving-home (“螞蟻搬家” or “maangai bungaa”) approach. Second, the demand for parallel goods has led to alterations in the border landscape disturbances to daily order, shortages of daily goods and rising prices which, in turn, have led to organized protests around political identity and new challenges for policing the border.

Research limitations/implications

Our objective is to gain an “insider” understanding of contemporary methods and operations in parallel trading in the North District. A second limitation is the problem of generalization. Given the relatively small number of interviews and limited time for field observations, this study cannot provide a generalized account of the operation of the grey economy in the North District.

Originality/value

This article has drawn from several data sources to construct a holistic understanding of parallel trading and the associated public disorder in the North District. While parallel trading exists in many other countries, the situation in Hong Kong is somewhat distinct, in part, because the border trading site involves “one country but two systems” and accordingly is associated with other problems in relation to public security, social disturbance and identity conflict. These newly emerged issues on policing, not covered in this study, are important to future research.
Victimization of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Hoi Kam Quinnci , Chan Elana , Chan Tak Ming Charles , Li Yung , Wan Ming Ki Henry
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the forms and experiences of victimization of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong, the effects of victimization on FDHs and FDHs’ coping strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The main findings are based on semi-structured interviews with a sample of 12 FDHs in Hong Kong.

Findings

The findings uncovered a continuum of violence ranging from relatively mundane abuses on an everyday basis to acute events at the time of termination. Some respondents also experienced secondary victimization from police and/or pending criminal justice proceedings after contract termination.

Research limitations/implications

Victimization exerted significant adverse physical and psychological effects on FDHs in our study. Nevertheless, contrary to common assumptions about FDHs as passive victims, our findings suggest that some FDHs experienced a degree of empowerment, as they found ways to cope with their difficulties by individualized and social strategies depending on the degree of victimization and the resources available.

Originality/value

The findings suggest there is an urgent need to review the existing laws and policies that, at best, are ineffective and, at worst, create far more problems than they solve.
Road to independence
Authors: Zheng Victor , Wong Siu-lun
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the road to independence of the less-fortunate women in early Hong Kong society and their means in passing of wealth after death. In the 1970s, about 400 Chinese wills from the 1840s to the 1940s were dug up on a construction site in Hong Kong. One-fourth of these were from women who had held a substantial amount of property. How they obtained this property intrigued us because, at that time, women were seen as subordinate to men and excluded from the labor market. Why they had wills led to further questions about Hong Kong society of that time and the role of women in it.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of this paper is based on archival data gathered from the Hong Kong Public Records Office. These data include 98 women’s wills filed from the 1840s to the 1940s and a 500-page government investigation report on the prostitution industry released in 1879. The former recorded valuable information of brief testators’ family and personal life history, amount of assets, and profolio of investment, etc. The latter included testimonials of brothel keepers and prostitutes and their life stories and the background of legalizing prostitution in early Hong Kong. Apart from basic quantitative analysis on women’s marital status, number of properties, nature of wills and number of brothels, qualitative analysis is directed to review the testator’s life of self-reliance, wealth accumulation and reasons of using wills for arranging wealth transmission after death.

Findings

In this paper, the authors found that because the colonial government declared prostitution legal, and only women could obtain employment by becoming prostitutes or brothel keepers, they earned their own livelihood, saved money and finally became independent. However, because these professions were not seen as “decent”, and these women were excluded from the formal marriage system, intestacy could cause problems for them. Through their socio-business connections, they became familiar with the Western concept of testate inheritance. So, they tended to use wills – a legal document by which a person assigns someone to distribute his or her property according to his or her wishes after his or her death – to assign their property.

Research limitations/implications

Because only archival data are chosen for analysis, the research results may lack generalizability. Follow-up researches to examine whether the studied women acquired their wealth through their own work or simply as gifts from others are required.

Originality/value

This paper explores the understudied women’s life and method of estate passing after death in the early Hong Kong society. It fills the academic gap of women’s contribution to Hong Kong’s success and enriches our understanding on the important factors that could attribute women’s real independence.
Supporting people with learning disabilities to make and maintain intimate relationships
Authors: Bates Claire , Terry Louise , Popple Keith
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand some of the barriers people with learning disabilities experience with regards to relationships and consider the possible changes professionals could make to address these.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper will draw on case studies extracted from Bates et al. (2016), using them to illustrate a number of themes/issues that relate to the support that people with learning disabilities received and needed from staff to develop and maintain relationships.

Findings

People with learning disabilities continue to experience barriers with regards to relationships. Their rights and choices are not always respected and a climate of risk aversion persists in areas such as sexual relationships. The research highlighted the balancing act staff must engage in to ensure that they remain supportive without being controlling or overprotective of individuals in relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Professional/support provider views were not included but these could have lent an additional perspective to the issues discussed.

Practical implications

An increased understanding of human rights entitlements should be encouraged among people with learning disabilities so they know when their freedom is being unlawfully restricted. Sexuality and relationship training would be beneficial for support staff. This could cover a wider range of areas such as contraception and supporting individuals who have experienced sexual/domestic abuse in starting new relationships.

Originality/value

This paper explores the barriers to relationships from the perspective of people with learning disabilities and offers practical solutions to address them.
Commissioning an ordinary life
Authors: Broadhurst Sarah
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the role and ability of commissioners to implement policy and be transformational leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

The role and ability of commissioners to implement policy is reviewed against the Institute of Public Care’s Commissioning Cycle and experience of working with commissioners across the UK over the past 29 years.

Findings

Empowering commissioners to be transformational leaders and enabling them to secure good outcomes for people with learning disabilities will require broadening the responsibilities for creating an inclusive society past commissioners of health and social care.

Originality/value

The Transforming Care Programme and the failure to meet targets illustrate that policy implementation in the arena of learning disabilities is still a pertinent issue. This commentary adds to the discussion by highlighting the challenges commissioners face when trying to implement policy and the need to take the conversation about inclusive communities wider than health and social care.
The concept of medicalisation reassessed
Authors: Busfield Joan
Published: January 2017

Medicalisation has been an important concept in sociological discussions of medicine since its adoption by medical sociologists in the early 1970s. Yet it has been criticised by some sociologists, in part because it seems too negative about medicine, and modified or replaced by others with concepts deemed more relevant like biomedicalisation and pharmaceuticalisation. My aim in this paper is to reassess the concept and consider whether it still has value in exploring significant aspects of the role of medicine in present‐day society. I start with an archaeology of the concept's development and the different ways it has been used. This covers some familiar ground but is essential to the main task: examining criticisms of the concept and assessing its value. I conclude that the concept continues to have a crucial and productive place in sociological analyses of medicine and that the process of medicalisation is still a key feature of late‐modern social life and culture.
Fast and Loose: An Evaluation of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Report Marriage Equality in Australia
Authors: Dollery Brian , Kortt Michael A.
Published: January 2017

Public policy is based increasingly on the “externalisation” of policy advice by means of reports commissioned from commercial consulting companies, sometimes termed the “invisible public sector.” The literature examining the accuracy and analytical rigour of such public policy advice suggests that there are moral hazards flowing from externalisation. This paper critically examines the 2016 PricewaterhouseCoopers report, Marriage Equality in Australia: The Cost of Holding a Plebiscite, by evaluating the merits of the economic analysis and the underlying motivation for a private for‐profit consulting company to prepare and release the report gratis. It finds that the costings are seriously flawed, with evidence of “selection bias,” and argues that the report represents an exercise in “virtue‐signalling” rather than sound economic analysis.
Fertiliser application positively affects plants performance but reduces seed viability in seashore mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos): implication for biomass production and species conservation
Authors: Abeli T. , Brancaleoni L. , Marchesini R. , Orsenigo S. , Rossi G. , Gerdol R.
Published: January 2017

Kosteletzkya pentacarpos seashore mallow, is recognised as an important plant species for several industrial applications, especially in North America and Asia. In Europe, seashore mallow is highly threatened and subject of conservation actions (e.g. reintroduction). In order to define appropriate multipurpose cultivation protocols, suitable for biomass production and for conservation purposes, we investigated the effect of varying levels of soil salt content and nutrient availability on seashore mallow. As expected, seashore mallow had the best performance in terms of growth rate, flowering and fruit production when fertiliser was applied, while salt had only limited effects. Interestingly, seeds produced by fertilised plants showed a lower germination performance and higher mortality than seeds developed from non‐fertilised plants. Our results highlight a trade‐off between parental plant growth and seed performance, the former being enhanced and the latter being reduced by fertiliser application. The causes of this trade‐off are related to a transgenerational maternal effect of fertiliser application that has important implications for seashore mallow cultivation. Biomass production benefits from fertiliser application but if the quality of seeds and the fitness of the next generation are major objectives (e.g. seed production and species conservation), fertiliser application is not recommended.
Overview of systematic reviews in allergy epidemiology
Authors: Genuneit J. , Seibold A. M. , Apfelbacher C. J. , Konstantinou G. N. , Koplin J. J. , La Grutta S. , Logan K. , Perkin M. R. , Flohr C. ,   the Task Force ‘Overview of Systematic Reviews in Allergy Epidemiology (OSRAE)’ of the EAACI Interest Group on Epidemiology
Published: January 2017

Background

There is a substantial body of evidence on the epidemiology of allergic conditions, which has advanced the understanding of these conditions. We aimed to systematically identify systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on the epidemiology of allergic diseases to assess what has been studied comprehensively and what areas might benefit from further research.

Methods

We searched PubMed and EMBASE up to 12/2014 for systematic reviews on epidemiological research on allergic diseases. We indexed diseases and topics covered and extracted data on the search characteristics of each systematic review.

Results

The search resulted in 3991 entries after removing duplicates, plus 20 other items found via references and conference abstracts; 421 systematic reviews were relevant and included in this overview. The majority contained some evidence on asthma (72.9%). Allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema and food hypersensitivity were covered in 15.7%, 24.5% and 9.0%, respectively. Commonly studied risk factors for atopic eczema included dietary and microbial factors, while for asthma, pollution and genetic factors were often investigated in systematic reviews. There was some indication of differing search characteristics across topics.

Conclusion

We present a comprehensive overview with an indexed database of published systematic reviews in allergy epidemiology. We believe that this clarifies where most research interest has focussed and which areas could benefit from further research. We propose that this effort is updated every few years to include the most recently published evidence and to extend the search to an even broader list of hypersensitivity/allergic disorders.
Politics of Time on the Southwest Frontier of China's Han Empire
Authors: Yao Alice
Published: January 2017

In this study of the Han imperial conquest of southwest China, I argue that time is a technique of political control in precapitalist empires and a source of power asymmetry that local subjects understood and actively sought to curtail. From the expansion of political economy to the invention of universal histories, imperial policies incorporate heterogeneous geographies and subjects into unified temporal frames, thus obscuring differences in social experience. Drawing from subaltern and colonial anthropologies, I argue that resistance to state time is neither restricted to modern colonialism nor realized only in moments of organized rebellions. Archaeological research from the southwest frontier of Han China highlights how native subjects, referred to as the Dian culture, enlisted the dead to detach ideas of personhood and political agency from imperial temporalities. A focus on the resurgence of former funerary practices not only provides an overlooked point of entry to local interventions in the temporality of social reproduction but also reveals how the making of biosocial contemporaneity entangled both imperial agents and frontier subjects. This study demonstrates archaeology's contribution to a wider disciplinary engagement with the intersubjective or shared time of our subjects. [imperialism, time, China]
GIS‐based reconstruction of Late Weichselian proglacial lakes in northwestern Russia and Belarus
Authors: Gorlach Aleksandr , Hang Tiit , Kalm Volli
Published: January 2017

Reconstructing ice‐lake histories is of considerable importance for understanding deglacial meltwater budgets and the role of meltwater reservoirs for sea‐level rise in response to climate warming. We used the latest data on chronology and ice‐sheet extents combined with an isostatically adjusted digital elevation model to reconstruct the development of proglacial lakes in the area of the Karelian ice stream complex of the Late Weichselian Scandinavian Ice Sheet on the East European Plain. We derived the deglacial ice lake development in seven time‐slices from 19 to 13.8 ka, assuming the individual ice‐marginal positions to be isochronous throughout the studied domain. Modelling is based on mapping of critical drainage thresholds and filling the depressions that are potentially able to hold meltwater. Such an approach underestimates the real dimensions of the ice lakes, because the role of erosion at the thresholds is not considered. Our modelling approach is sensitive to the (local) ice‐margin location. Our results prove the southward drainage of meltwater during the glacier extent maxima and at the beginning of deglaciation whereas rerouting to the west had taken place already around 17.5 ka, which is some 1.5 ka earlier than hitherto supposed. The total ice‐lake volume in the study area was lowest (~300 km3) during the maximum glacier extent and highest (~2000 km3) during the highstand of the Privalday Lake at c. 14.6 ka. At 14.6–14.4 ka, the Privalday Lake drained to the early Baltic Ice Lake. The released ~1500 km3 of water approximately corresponds to 20% of the early Baltic Ice Lake water volume and therefore it is unlikely that it was accommodated there. Thus, we argue that the additional meltwater drained through the Öresund threshold area between the early Baltic Ice Lake and the sea, becoming a part of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet's contribution to the Meltwater Pulse 1A event.
Readapting the adaptive immune response – therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis
Authors: Sage Andrew P , Mallat Ziad
Published: January 2017

Cardiovascular diseases remain a major global health issue, with the development of atherosclerosis as a major underlying cause. Our treatment of cardiovascular disease has improved greatly over the past three decades, but much remains to be done reduce disease burden. Current priorities include reducing atherosclerosis advancement to clinically significant stages and preventing plaque rupture or erosion. Inflammation and involvement of the adaptive immune system influences all these aspects and therefore is one focus for future therapeutic development. The atherosclerotic vascular wall is now recognized to be invaded from both sides (arterial lumen and adventitia), for better or worse, by the adaptive immune system. Atherosclerosis is also affected at several stages by adaptive immune responses, overall providing many opportunities to target these responses and to reduce disease progression. Protective influences that may be defective in diseased individuals include humoral responses to modified LDL and regulatory T cell responses. There are many strategies in development to boost these pathways in humans, including vaccine‐based therapies. The effects of various existing adaptive immune targeting therapies, such as blocking critical co‐stimulatory pathways or B cell depletion, on cardiovascular disease are beginning to emerge with important consequences for both autoimmune disease patients and the potential for wider use of such therapies. Entering the translation phase for adaptive immune targeting therapies is an exciting and promising prospect.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
Treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: all roads lead to Rome
Authors: Castro‐Marrero Jesus , Sáez‐Francàs Naia , Santillo Dafna , Alegre Jose
Published: January 2017

This review explores the current evidence on benefits and harms of therapeutic interventions in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and makes recommendations. CFS/ME is a complex, multi‐system, chronic medical condition whose pathophysiology remains unknown. No established diagnostic tests exist nor are any FDA‐approved drugs available for treatment. Because of the range of symptoms of CFS/ME, treatment approaches vary widely. Studies undertaken have heterogeneous designs and are limited by sample size, length of follow‐up, applicability and methodological quality. The use of rintatolimod and rituximab as well as counselling, behavioural and rehabilitation therapy programs may be of benefit for CFS/ME, but the evidence of their effectiveness is still limited. Similarly, adaptive pacing appears to offer some benefits, but the results are debatable: so is the use of nutritional supplements, which may be of value to CFS/ME patients with biochemically proven deficiencies. To summarize, the recommended treatment strategies should include proper administration of nutritional supplements in CFS/ME patients with demonstrated deficiencies and personalized pacing programs to relieve symptoms and improve performance of daily activities, but a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation is required to confirm these preliminary observations. At present, no firm conclusions can be drawn because the few RCTs undertaken to date have been small‐scale, with a high risk of bias, and have used different case definitions. Further, RCTs are now urgently needed with rigorous experimental designs and appropriate data analysis, focusing particularly on the comparison of outcomes measures according to clinical presentation, patient characteristics, case criteria and degree of disability (i.e. severely ill ME cases or bedridden).
Developmental Pathways to Preference and Popularity in Middle Childhood
Authors: van den Berg Yvonne H. M. , Deutz Marike H. F. , Smeekens Sanny , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: January 2017

This study examined the associations between children's early life experiences with parents, ego resiliency and ego undercontrol, and peer group social status in a longitudinal, multimethod study from infancy to middle childhood. Participants were 129 children (52% boys) who were followed from 15 months of age to 9 years and their primary caregivers from the Nijmegen Longitudinal Study on Infant and Child Development. The measurements included observations of parent–child interaction, teacher ratings of ego resiliency and ego undercontrol, and peer‐reported social status. Quality of parental interactive behavior was associated with ego resiliency and ego undercontrol. Ego resiliency and ego undercontrol were uniquely related to preference and popularity. The findings provide insight into the developmental pathways leading to the two distinct types of social status.
Assessment of carotid artery intima‐media thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Liao L.‐J. , Cho T.‐Y. , Huang T.‐W.
Published: January 2017

Objective

This study compares the carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) in different severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients and assesses the role of OSA in carotid artery vasculopathy with control of multiple co‐morbidities.

Study design

Prospective case–control study.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre.

Participants

This study recruited 36 volunteers without the complaints of sleep‐disordered breathing, 27 patients with mild–moderate OSA and 39 patients with severe OSA.

Main outcome measures

The CIMT was measured using a Toshiba Aplio 500 ultrasound system (Otawara, Japan) with a 5–14 MHz L probe.

Results

Bilateral and mean CIMT in healthy control, mild–moderate OSA and severe OSA were 0.69 ± 0.14, 0.72 ± 0.24 and 0.94 ± 0.33, respectively (P < 0.01 in anova test). Post hoc tests show that the severe OSA group had significantly higher mean CIMT than the control and mild–moderate OSA groups (P < 0.01). With the cut‐off as 1 mm, the increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for mild–moderate and severe OSA were 11% and 39%, respectively, while no patient in the healthy control group was at risk of CVD. Multivariate linear regression could not prove that OSA itself was an independent factors for increased CIMT (mild–moderate OSA β: 0, [−0.12, 0.13]; severe OSA β: 0.08, [−0.06, 0.22], both P > 0.05) after adjusting age, hypertension and body mass index.

Conclusion

Automated measurement of the CIMT can be a useful tool for CVD risk assessment in patients with OSA. Severity of OSA may be an intermediate factor between multiple co‐morbidities and carotid atherosclerotic change.
An undergraduate Otolaryngology curriculum comparison in the United Kingdom using a curriculum evaluation framework
Authors: Steven R.A. , Mires G.J. , Lloyd S.K.W. , McAleer S.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To compare undergraduate otolaryngology curricula in the United Kingdom. To develop a tool which would allow undergraduate specialty curricula to be compared.

Design

Development of a curriculum evaluation framework (CEF) and survey.

Setting

UK medical schools.

Participants

Otolaryngology curricula were requested from all 32 UK medical schools who award a primary medical qualification. Nineteen curricula were received and examined.

Main outcome measures

Thematic and content analysis of curriculum documents were undertaken. Outcome measures include an examination of curriculum content and methods, type of assessment and alignment of curricula with the General Medical Council's Tomorrow's Doctors document.

Results

Learning objectives were listed by 18 of the 19 medical schools who responded. The most commonly included theme was clinical conditions (100%). Psychosocial aspects of otolaryngology was the least covered theme (37%). Examination skills was covered by the majority (74%). Outpatient clinics and theatre attendance were the most commonly utilised teaching methods (47%). Student checklists were the most common form of assessment (32%). Only four medical schools linked their curricula to the GMC's Tomorrow's Doctors document.

Conclusions

The development of a CEF allowed for a systematic comparison of curricula. This study, evaluating otolaryngology curricula, has highlighted the variability of curricula from both a content and methods perspective in the UK. The study provides those involved with curriculum planning an overview of the main themes currently taught in the UK and offers examples of individual topics. It also offers an insight into the way in which otolaryngology is taught in the UK.
Myocardial layer‐specific analysis in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia using speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Leng Zhaoting , Li Rongjuan , Li Yijia , Wang Lvya , Wang Yueli , Yang Ya
Published: January 2017

Objective

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common and serious monogenic disorder of lipid metabolism, causing premature coronary heart disease (CHD) due to accelerated atherosclerosis from birth, and the study of left ventricular (LV) function of this disease is seldom. The purpose of this study was to explore the value of layer‐specific strain on assessing the early damage of LV function in asymptomatic and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) well‐preserved patients with heterozygous FH (HeFH).

Methods

A total of 49 patients aged 38.7±8.7 diagnosed with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and who had undergone transthoracic echocardiography from 2010 to 2016 were included in this study. A total 32 healthy volunteers aged 35.6±10.3 were included as control group. Longitudinal and circumferential strains of the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium (LSendo, LSmyo, and LSepi and CSendo, CSmyo, and CSepi) were obtained by a software enabling the analysis of strains in three myocardial layers.

Results

In longitudinal strain (LS), the LS of endocardium (LSendo) and the LS of myocardium (LSmyo) are significantly reduced in patients with HeFH (P<.001 in both). In circumferential strain (CS), only the CS of endocardium (CSendo) is significantly reduced (P<.001). The degree of reduction in strain is positively correlated with the TC and LDLC.

Conclusions

Layer‐specific evaluation of the left ventricle has great value in evaluating early impairment of LV in patients with FH. And this relatively novel technique may made it possible to help us understand the process of LV impairment in patients with FH better, thus preventing further damage.
Respiratory impairment in multiple sclerosis: a study of respiratory function in wheelchair‐bound patients
Authors: Levy J. , Bensmail D. , Brotier‐Chomienne A. , Butel S. , Joussain C. , Hugeron C. , Prigent H.
Published: January 2017

Background and purpose

Respiratory disorders are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple sclerosis (MS). Mainly reported in walking patients, they are poorly explored when walking is severely impaired. To characterize respiratory impairment in patients with advanced MS.

Methods

From 2012 to 2015, patients with MS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≥7 who were referred for functional and rehabilitation evaluation underwent pulmonary function tests to study lung volumes, cough efficacy and respiratory muscle pressures.

Results

Among 73 patients with a median EDSS score of 8 [7.5; 8.5], 72.6% had impaired respiratory function with a mean vital capacity (VC) of 57.9 ± 33.5% of theoretical value. Severe impairment (VC < 50%) was found for 34 (46.6%) patients. Cough was impaired in 45 (61.6%) patients, with a mean cough peak flow of 3.14 ± 1.9 L/s and severe impairment (cough peak flow < 2.67 L/s) in 27 (37.0%) patients. Overall, the results suggested predominant expiratory muscle dysfunction and non‐predominant diaphragm impairment. EDSS score was correlated with VC but not with any other clinical data.

Conclusion

Restrictive respiratory failure is frequent in severely impaired patients with MS, predominantly involves expiratory muscles, does not involve diaphragm weakness and is associated with cough impairments.