bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights into the release mechanism of astrocytic glutamate evoking in neurons NMDA receptor‐mediated slow depolarizing inward currents
Authors: Gómez‐Gonzalo Marta , Zehnder Tamara , Requie Linda Maria , Bezzi Paola , Carmignoto Giorgio
Published: August 2018

The gliotransmitter glutamate in different brain regions modulates neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission through a variety of mechanisms. Among the hallmarks of astrocytic glutamate release are the slow depolarizing inward currents (SICs) in neurons mediated by N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor activation. Different stimuli that evoke Ca2+ elevations in astrocytes induce neuronal SICs suggesting a Ca2+‐dependent exocytotic glutamate release mechanism of SIC generation. To gain new insights into this mechanism, we investigated the relationship between astrocytic Ca2+ elevations and neuronal SICs in mouse hippocampal slice preparations. Here we provide evidence that SICs, occurring either spontaneously or following a hypotonic challenge, are unchanged in the virtual absence of Ca2+ signal changes at astrocytic soma and processes, including spatially restricted Ca2+ microdomains. SICs are also unchanged in the presence of Bafilomycin A1 that after prolonged slice incubation depletes glutamate from astrocytic vesicles. We also found that hemichannels and TREK family channels‐that recent studies proposed to mediate astrocytic glutamate release ‐ are not involved in SIC generation. SICs are reduced by the volume‐sensitive anion channel antagonists diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid (DIDS), quinine and fluoxetine, suggesting a possible contribution of these channels in SIC generation. Direct measurements of astrocytic glutamate release further confirm that hypotonicity‐evoked gliotransmission is impaired following DIDS, quinine and fluoxetine while the exocytotic release of glutamate—that is proposed to mediate synaptic transmission modulation by astrocytes—remains unaffected. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that the release of glutamate generating SICs occurs independently on exocytotic Ca2+‐dependent glutamate release mechanism.
You wouldn't eat 16 teaspoons of sugar—so why drink it? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander responses to the LiveLighter sugary drink campaign
Authors: Browne Jennifer , MacDonald Catherine , Egan Mikaela , Delbridge Robyn , McAleese Alison , Morley Belinda , Atkinson Petah
Published: August 2018

Issue addressed

The reach and impact of the LiveLighter and Aboriginal sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) advertisements among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

Methods

The Aboriginal SSB advertisement launched online in January 2015 and aired on NITV in October/November 2015 as part of the Government‐funded LiveLighter campaign. The advertisement was developed in Victoria and featured members of the Victorian Aboriginal community. Another LiveLighter advertisement targeting the general population was broadcast over the same period. Online surveys were completed by 150 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults in November/December 2015.

Results

Around half of respondents reported seeing either the Aboriginal (47%) or the LiveLighter (56%) SSB advertisement, and the proportion was significantly greater in Victoria (Aboriginal: 60%, LiveLighter: 66%) than other states/territories (Aboriginal: 29%, LiveLighter: 43%). Compared to the LiveLighter advertisement, the Aboriginal campaign was seen to be more believable, to be more relevant and to have an important message for the Aboriginal community (P < 0.001). Participants from Victoria were significantly more likely to identify the sugar content of regular soft drink, compared with those from other states/territories (68% vs 40%, P < 0.001). Sixty per cent of participants who had seen the Aboriginal SSB advertisement reported they drank less SSBs compared with 48% of those not exposed, though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Results suggest the Aboriginal advertisement resonated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and impacted knowledge about the sugar content of SSBs, particularly in Victoria where the campaign originated.

So what?

This study highlights the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander‐led health promotion campaigns and tailoring health messages to the local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
The expression of LINE1‐MET chimeric transcript identifies a subgroup of aggressive breast cancers
Authors: Miglio Umberto , Berrino Enrico , Panero Mara , Ferrero Giulio , Coscujuela Tarrero Lucia , Miano Valentina , Dell'Aglio Carmine , Sarotto Ivana , Annaratone Laura , Marchiò Caterina , Comoglio Paolo M. , De Bortoli Michele , Pasini Barbara , Venesio Tiziana , Sapino Anna
Published: August 2018

Demethylation of the long interspersed nuclear element (LINE‐1; L1) antisense promoter can result in transcription of neighboring sequences as for the L1‐MET transcript produced by the L1 placed in the second intron of MET. To define the role of L1‐MET, we investigated the sequence and the transcription of L1‐MET in vitro models and heterogeneous breast cancers, previously reported to show other L1‐derived transcripts. L1‐MET expressing cell lines were initially identified in silico and investigated for L1‐MET promoter methylation, cDNA sequence and cell fraction mRNA. The transcriptional level of L1‐MET and MET were then evaluated in breast specimens, including 9 cancer cell lines, 41 carcinomas of different subtypes, and 11 normal tissues. In addition to a L1‐MET transcript ending at MET exon 21, six novel L1‐MET splice variants were identified. Normal breast tissues were negative for the L1‐MET expression, whereas the triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the high‐grade carcinomas were enriched with the L1‐MET mRNA (p = 0.005 and p = 0.018, respectively). In cancer cells and tissues the L1–MET expression was associated with its promoter hypomethylation (ρ = −0.8 and −0.9, respectively). No correlation was found between L1‐MET and MET mRNA although L1‐MET expressing tumors with higher L1‐MET/MET ratio were negative for the MET protein expression (p = 0.006). Besides providing the first identification and detailed description of L1‐MET in breast cancer, we clearly demonstrate that higher levels of this transcript specifically recognize a subset of more aggressive carcinomas, mainly TNBC. We suggest the possible evaluation of L1‐MET in the challenging diagnosis of early TNBCs.
Effect of organized mammography screening on breast cancer mortality: A population‐based cohort study in Norway
Authors: Møller Mette H. , Lousdal Mette Lise , Kristiansen Ivar S. , Støvring Henrik
Published: August 2018

We aimed to estimate the effect of organized mammography screening on incidence‐based breast cancer mortality by comparing changes in mortality among women eligible for screening to concurrent changes in younger and older ineligible women. In a county‐wise balanced, open‐cohort study, we used birth cohorts (1896–1982) to construct three age groups in both the historical and screening period: women eligible for screening, and younger or older women ineligible for screening. We included women diagnosed with breast cancer who died within the same age‐period group during 1987–2010 (n = 4,903). We estimated relative incidence‐based mortality rate ratios (relative MRR) comparing temporal changes in eligible women to concurrent changes in ineligible women. Additionally, we conducted analyses comparing the change in eligible women to younger, ineligible women with either continued accrual and follow‐up period (eligible women only) or continued follow‐up period. All three age groups experienced a reduction in mortality, but the decrease among eligible women was about the same among ineligible women (relative MRR = 1.05, 95% CI: (0.94–1.18)). Varying the definition of follow‐up yielded similar results. Mammography screening was not associated with a larger breast cancer mortality reduction in women eligible relative to ineligible women.
SIESTA‐SIPs: Massively parallel spectrum‐slicing eigensolver for an ab initio molecular dynamics package
Authors: Keçeli Murat , Corsetti Fabiano , Campos Carmen , Roman Jose E. , Zhang Hong , Vázquez‐Mayagoitia Álvaro , Zapol Peter , Wagner Albert F.
Published: August 2018

Integration of Shift‐and‐Invert Parallel Spectral Transformation (SIPs) eigensolver (as implemented in the SLEPc library) into an ab initio molecular dynamics package, SIESTA, is described. The effectiveness of the code is demonstrated on applications to polyethylene chains, boron nitride sheets, and bulk water clusters. For problems with the same number of orbitals, the performance of the SLEPc eigensolver depends on the sparsity of the matrices involved, favoring reduced dimensional systems such as polyethylene or boron nitride sheets in comparison to bulk systems like water clusters. For all problems investigated, performance of SIESTA‐SIPs exceeds the performance of SIESTA with default solver (ScaLAPACK) at the larger number of cores and the larger number of orbitals. A method that improves the load‐balance with each iteration in the self‐consistency cycle by exploiting the emerging knowledge of the eigenvalue spectrum is demonstrated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Natural killer cell–based immunotherapy: From transplantation toward targeting cancer stem cells
Authors: Dianat‐Moghadam Hassan , Rokni Mohsen , Marofi Faroogh , Panahi Yunes , Yousefi Mehdi
Published: August 2018

Natural killer (NK) cells are key players of the innate immune system. NK cells provide protection against infectious pathogens and malignancies in cell. This characteristic may be attributable to their intrinsic diverse potentialities and also their cooperation with adaptive immune lymphocytes, known as B and T cells. The growth, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer cells, and the failure of cytoreductive therapies against cancer cells are due to the small population of intratumor stem‐like cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Furthermore, NK cells can efficiently eradicate heterogeneous tumor cells after a long‐term treatment. Therefore, NK cell–based therapy is a promising strategy to target and break CSC‐associated resistance to anticancer drugs treatment. In this review, we have presented an overview of the emerging knowledge of the characteristics, diversities, and mechanism‐driven immune surveillance of human NK cells and advances in NK cell–based immunotherapies. Finally, we will discuss how these cells can be applied to introduce the next generation of vaccine‐ and immune‐based approaches to prevent drug resistance.
Regulators of the protein phosphatase PP1γ2, PPP1R2, PPP1R7, and PPP1R11 are involved in epididymal sperm maturation
Authors: Goswami Suranjana , Korrodi‐Gregório Luís , Sinha Nilam , Bhutada Sumit , Bhattacharjee Rahul , Kline Douglas , Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan
Published: August 2018

The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) inhibitors PPP1R2, PPP1R7, and PPP1R11 are evolutionarily ancient and highly conserved proteins. Four PP1 isoforms, PP1α, PP1β, PP1γ1, and PP1γ2, exist; three of them except PP1γ2 are ubiquitous. The fact that PP1γ2 isoform is present only in mammalian testis and sperm led to the notion that isoform‐specific regulators for PP1γ2 in sperm may be responsible for its function. In this report, we studied these inhibitors, PPP1R2, R7, and R11, to determine their spatial and temporal expression in testis and their regulatory functions in sperm. We show that, similar to PP1γ2, the three inhibitors are expressed at high levels in developing spermatogenic cells. However, the transcripts for the regulators are expressed as unique sizes in testis compared with somatic tissues. The three regulators share localization with PP1γ2 in the head and the principal piece of sperm. We show that the association of inhibitors to PP1γ2 changes during epididymal sperm maturation. In immotile caput epididymal sperm, PPP1R2 and PPP1R7 are not bound to PP1γ2, whereas in motile caudal sperm, all three inhibitors are bound as heterodimers or heterotrimers. In caudal sperm from male mice lacking sAC and glycogen synthase kinase 3, where motility and fertility are impaired, the association of PP1γ2 to the inhibitors resembles immature caput sperm. Changes in the association of the regulators with PP1γ2, due to their phosphorylation, are part of biochemical mechanisms responsible for the development of motility and fertilizing ability of sperm during their passage through the epididymis.
Peg1/Mest, an imprinted gene, is involved in mammary gland maturation
Authors: Yonekura Shinichi , Ohata Masaki , Tsuchiya Megumi , Tokita Hitomi , Mizusawa Moeko , Tokutake Yukako
Published: August 2018

Abtract

Imprinted genes, which are specific to mammals, play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, ontogeny, and other phenomena. Moreover, these genes are considered crucial in the research of mammalian evolution. In the current study, we investigated the association between the expression of paternally imprinted gene paternally expressed 1/mesoderm‐specific transcript (Peg1/Mest) and the maturation of the mammary gland. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis of Peg1/Mest gene expression at different stages of mouse mammary gland maturation revealed that its expression increased during gestation but decreased during lactation. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that Peg1/Mest was expressed in mammary epithelial cells. We measured expression levels of Peg1/Mest and E‐cadherin during mammary alveoli formation using immunofluorescence staining a cell model for mammary alveoli formation in a 3D culture system. We found that the onset of E‐cadherin expression roughly coincided with the peak of Peg1/Mest expression. Moreover, we discovered that the formation and proliferation of alveoli were suppressed in Peg1/Mest knockdown mammary epithelial cells. These results suggest that Peg1/Mest plays a certain role in mammary alveoli formation. To clarify the role of Peg1/Mest in the lactogenic differentiation of mammary epithelial cells, we examined the lactogenic differentiation capability of Peg1/Mest‐overexpressing HC11 cells. Application of a differentiation‐inducing stimulus did not increase β‐casein expression in Peg1/Mest‐overexpressing HC11 cells. The current study for the first time reports the involvement of an imprinted gene in mammary gland maturation.
ADP sensitizes ZL55 cells to the activity of cisplatin
Authors: Muscella Antonella , Cossa Luca Giulio , Vetrugno Carla , Antonaci Giovanna , Marsigliante Santo
Published: August 2018

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignant tumor in which cisplatin therapy is commonly used, although its effectiveness is limited. It follows that research efforts dedicated to identify promising combinations that can synergistically kill cancer cells are needed. Because we recently demonstrated that ADP inhibits the proliferation of ZL55 cells, an MPM‐derived cell line obtained from bioptic samples of asbestos‐exposed patients. Our objective in this study was to investigate the hypothesis that ADP also potentiates the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin. Results show that in ZL55 cells ADP enhanced (a) the cytotoxicity of cisplatin by 12‐fold, (b) the restraint of cell clonogenic potential cisplatin‐mediated, and (c) the number of apoptotic cells. Cisplatin, but not ADP, caused caspases activation; nevertheless, poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 was not only cleaved in cisplatin‐treated cells but also in cells treated with ADP alone. Furthermore, ADP, but not cisplatin, decreased mTOR and 6SK phosphorylations. Both ADP and cisplatin increased p53 protein, but ADP was also able to enhance p53 messenger RNA. P53 silencing resulted in a very large decrement of cell death induced by ADP or by cisplatin and reverted ADP effects on mTOR/S6K phosphorylation, suggesting that activated p53 may act as a negative regulator of mTOR. Consistently, the inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin also sensitized cells to cisplatin, and the effects of cisplatin plus rapamycin were identical to those obtained with cisplatin plus ADP. These findings suggest that the combination of ADP and cisplatin may be a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of cisplatin‐resistant MPM.
Ablation of low‐molecular‐weight FGF2 isoform accelerates murine osteoarthritis while loss of high‐molecular‐weight FGF2 isoforms offers protection
Authors: Burt Patience M. , Xiao Liping , Doetschman Thomas , Hurley Marja M.
Published: August 2018

FGF2 is an essential growth factor implicated in osteoarthritis (OA), and deletion of full‐length FGF2 (Fgf2ALLKO) leads to murine OA. However, the FGF2 gene encodes both high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) and low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) isoforms, and the effects of selectively ablating individual isoforms, as opposed to total FGF2, has not been investigated in the context of OA. We undertook this study to examine whether mice lacking HMW FGF2 (Fgf2HMWKO) or LMW FGF2 (Fgf2LMWKO) develop OA and to further characterize the observed OA phenotype in Fgf2ALLKO mice. Fgf2HMWKO mice never developed OA, but 6‐ and 9‐month‐old Fgf2LMWKO and Fgf2ALLKO mice displayed signs of OA, including eroded articular cartilage, altered subchondral bone and trabecular architecture, and increased OA marker enzyme levels. Even with mechanical induction of OA, Fgf2HMWKO mice were protected against OA, whereas Fgf2LMWKO and Fgf2ALLKO displayed OA‐like changes of the subchondral bone. Before exhibiting OA symptoms, Fgf2LMWKO or Fgf2ALLKO joints displayed differential expression of genes encoding key regulatory proteins, including interleukin‐1β, insulin‐like growth factor 1, bone morphogenetic protein 4, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1, B‐cell lymphoma 2, Bcl2‐associated X protein, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5, ETS domain‐containing protein, and sex‐determining region Y box 9. Moreover, Fgf2LMWKO OA cartilage exhibited increased FGF2, FGF23, and FGFR1 expression, whereas Fgf2HMWKO cartilage had increased levels of FGFR3, which promotes anabolism in cartilage. These results demonstrate that loss of LMW FGF2 results in catabolic activity in joint cartilage, whereas absence of HMW FGF2 with only the presence of LMW FGF2 offers protection from OA.
Development and validation of a muscle wrapping model applied to intact and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty shoulders
Authors: Elwell Josie A. , Athwal George S. , Willing Ryan
Published: August 2018

Assessment and optimization of procedural outcomes, namely joint replacement, that rely heavily on muscle action necessitates a model capable of accurately and reliably predicting muscle paths in an automated setting. In this study, such a model was developed and validated for the anatomic shoulder and one implanted with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), as these scenarios present particularly complex ranges of motion and wrapping geometries. A finite element (FE) element model included a “string‐of‐pearls” representation of the four rotator cuff muscles and the three deltoid muscle bundles. Muscle bundles consisted of 15 rigid spheres connected by linearly elastic springs and attached to the bones at their origins. The free ends of the muscle bundles were pulled to their insertions, after which motions were applied to the shoulder. Muscle moment arms were calculated and compared to data available in the literature qualitatively and using Pearson rho values and root‐mean‐square errors. The process was repeated following implantation of an rTSA. The FE model captured muscle paths throughout 180° of motion in under seven minutes. Moment arms at 30° and 60° of scaption generally fell within the ranges predicted by previous experimental and computational studies. The FE model showed good qualitative agreement with previously published results for abduction, flexion, and axial rotation before and after rTSA. In conclusion, a model capable of predicting muscle paths in the presence of variable wrapping geometry was developed and validated without sacrificing enough computational efficiency to render its use impossible in numerical techniques such as design optimization. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3308–3317, 2018.
Early Postoperative Oral Feeding After Total Gastrectomy in Gastric Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Before–After Study Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Jang Aelee , Jeong Oh
Published: August 2018

Background

Despite its clinical benefits, early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy is not widely implemented because of concerns about tolerability and safety. We investigated the feasibility and safety of early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy in gastric carcinoma patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective before–after study. From 2008–2016, 301 patients received conventional oral feeding (COF) before May 2012, and 454 patients, early oral feeding (EOF) after May 2012. The EOF group received oral diet on postoperative day 1, and the COF group was maintained nil‐by‐mouth until patients demonstrated gas passage. After balancing potential confounders using propensity score matching, 203 patients were selected in each group.

Results

Both matched groups demonstrated well‐balanced baseline characteristics. The EOF group demonstrated significantly earlier first flatus time (2.9 vs 3.1 days, P = .013) and hospital discharge (8.9 vs 12.6 days, P < .001) than the COF group. No significant differences were observed for overall morbidity and mortality, but the EOF group demonstrated lower incidence of abdominal infection (3.0% vs 7.4%, P = .044) and anastomosis leakage (1.5% vs 4.9%, P = .048). Subgroup analyses by age, sex, operative approach, lymph node dissection, and tumor stage demonstrated no increased risk of morbidity, anastomosis leakage, and short hospital stay in the EOF group.

Conclusion

Early oral nutrition may be feasible and safe after total gastrectomy, with no increase in postoperative complications. Large, randomized, controlled trials are warranted to further investigate the clinical benefits of early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy.
Burden of Underweight in Israel
Authors: Ginsberg Gary M. , Saday Yehudit
Published: August 2018

Background

This study measures the burden of chronic diseases associated with being underweight.

Methods

Underweight prevalence in the community was obtained from national survey data, together with hospital use rates for malnourished and non‐malnourished persons for diagnoses associated with underweight. Meta‐analyses of published literature calculated the following disease‐specific relative risks: incidence of underweight‐associated disease (UAD), mortality from UAD, and all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality after hospitalization in underweight persons. This enabled the calculation of hospital days, deaths, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to underweight deconstructed into UAD and disease‐associated underweight (DAU). Cost estimates were based on general hospitalization costs adjusted by estimates of pharmaceutical and other direct care costs.

Results

We found 60,401 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58,257–63,095) general hospital days, 558 (95% CI: 219–879) deaths, 5258 (95% CI: 2174–8382) potential years of life lost, and 3390 lost DALYs (95% CI: 1511–5333) were attributable to underweight annually in Israeli adults aged ≥18 years. Annually, direct health costs amounted to $145.6 million (95% CI: $141.9–$150.5 million), with general hospital days accounting for $53.4 million, pharmaceuticals $18.2 million, and other direct healthcare costs $73.9 million. Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for nearly half of these costs with coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke accounting for 15.4%, 10.3%, and 9.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Underweight imposes a considerable health burden in terms of deaths, health service use, and resource costs in Israel. Identification of cost‐effective interventions to reduce this burden, not only among hospitalized patients, but also among persons living in the community, is essential.
BlackRock Robo‐Advisor 4.0: When artificial intelligence replaces human discretion
Authors: Tokic Damir
Published: August 2018

BlackRock, the largest US investment management firm, has started to replace human stock‐pickers with the full automated investment program, based on self‐learning artificial intelligence algorithms. This is the first high‐profile case in the financial industry where artificial intelligence replaces human discretion. The advanced version of BlackRock Robo‐Advisor can also be customized to perform within the strategic planning framework. Human discretionary decision‐making jobs are at risk of being replaced by machines.
Supersizing Intelligence: How the Collective Mind Builds on Dual Networks
Authors: Checkley Matthew S. , Abarca Galindo Maria Fernanda
Published: August 2018

Strategy is collective intelligence. It is optimizable via a blend of two balanced archetypes of cognitive network. Individual and collective intelligence depends on structured information flows which can be optimized for efficiency or optionality. Minds and their intelligence extend beyond the skull via interacting media such as language, technology networks, and organizations.
FinTech evolution: Strategic value management issues in a fast changing industry
Authors: Ashta Arvind , Biot‐Paquerot Guillaume
Published: August 2018

The FinTech revolution captures the simultaneous attack of a large number of technologies, notably mobile telephones and blockchain, which are ushering in efficiency or outreach to multiple niche markets. The use of mobile telephone technology has expanded Internet reach to the excluded, created possibilities for business where banks were not historically present and is potentially disruptive. The blockchain technology threatens to be even more disruptive as it may pull the carpet from under the monetary system as well as the property rights as we know them today. The proliferation of actors and innovators has created a confused landscape resulting in different possible scenarios, where banks may freeze, fight, form alliances with challengers, or be forced into flight by the BigTech.
An institutional logics perspective to evolution of Indian microcredit business models
Authors: Parekh Nadiya , Ashta Arvind
Published: August 2018

Institutional development of microcredit in India has been influenced by global pressures, interinstitutional contradictions, and intrainstitutional conflicts in logics. The hybrid model used in India often created dissonance among institutions that operated for a common cause with competing logics. Logics clashed and differences in their legitimacy and sustainability status resulted in mission drift, in favor of the dominant institutional actor. Design issues in social enterprises can result in failed alliances even when a growing market exists and has facilitated experimentation for years.
Capital structure and CEO tenure in microfinance institutions
Authors: Pascal Ndaki1 Daudi , Atle Beisland Leif , Mersland Roy
Published: August 2018

There is a positive association between CEO tenure and the debt proportion of microfinance institutions. Microfinance institutions need improved access to debt capital to cover a huge and increasing world demand for microfinance services. More experienced CEOs may be more aligned with the microfinance institution's mission, and they may have a better understanding of the business model of microfinance. Moreover, capital providers may require a proven track record within the institution to supply funding.
Banking liquidity regulation: Impact on their business model and on entrepreneurial finance in Europe
Authors: Paulet Elisabeth
Published: August 2018

Banking liquidity regulation has transformed banks’ business model and hampered entrepreneurial finance by reducing credit distribution. If capitalization and liquidity ratio have induced more stability, they have reduced the margin and profitability of European financial institutions. This fact has influenced the financing of enterprises in general and small and medium sized enterprises in particular. Hence, firms were obliged to find other sources of financing to undertake their projects and have contributed to transforming the business model of banking institutions.
Product and geographic scopes of target firm and equity control in cross‐border acquisitions: An information asymmetry perspective
Authors: Gada Viswa Prasad , Popli Manish
Published: August 2018

Product and geographic scopes of emerging market target firms are negatively related to extent of equity control sought by Foreign acquirers. Building on information asymmetry perspective, the current study proposes testable propositions that higher product and geographic scope of the target firm in an emerging economy exacerbate ex‐ante information asymmetry and adverse selection problems for acquirers from foreign markets and hence hinders extent of equity bought. Furthermore, we propose that acquirers’ prior experience, industry type, and ownership concentration of the target firm moderate this relationship.
Foreign divestments from Russia: An exploration of the mediating factors
Authors: Panibratov Andrei , Brown Tashauna
Published: August 2018

Foreign divestment (FD) decisions are not purely based on the profitability of a business but also on a company's investing and divesting experience and the degree of uncertainty in markets. The FD procedure is grounded by the level of uncertainty, experience in divesting, and experience in investing. Both internal and external factors are catalysts for the firms’ foreign divestments. The constructs of real options theory, prospect theory and the theory of bounded rationality are three key moderators in the firms’ FD decision‐making.
Modeling methods for strategy formulation in a turbulent environment
Authors: Gavrilova Tatiana , Kubelskiy Miroslav , Kudryavtsev Dmitry , Grinberg Elvira
Published: August 2018

The relevance of classical strategizing methods decreases in the era of a rapidly changing world, but this set of methods can be expanded through a variety of flexible modeling techniques from other fields. Operations research, enterprise modeling, knowledge engineering, and artificial intelligence have potential to enrich strategizing process. These disciplines have generated a large number of supporting methods. We provide a classification of the modeling methods by the degree of formalization and propose a conceptual framework for the method choice.
Is real options reasoning a cause or consequence of dynamic capability?
Authors: Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar , Nawaser Khaled
Published: August 2018

Real options reasoning provide an appropriate platform for firms to change incrementally. Dynamic capabilities are the renewing and regenerative capabilities that enable firms to change their operating processes incrementally and radically. The two distinct concepts of dynamic capability and real options reasoning have received notable attention from strategic management scholars in recent years. These two streams of research in strategic management literature are certainly not mutually exclusive. Our conceptual article discussed the similarity and difference between these two concepts. Real options reasoning are the firm's possibility and dynamic capabilities are the firm's ability to respond to environmental challenges. A changing and dynamic environment is a prerequisite to the emergence of real options reasoning. Nevertheless, dynamic capabilities may also be used in stable environment, because firms obviously do integrate, recombine, and reconfigure their internal and external competencies even in environments subject to lower rates of change. The effectiveness of real options reasoning highly depends on the firms’ ability to gather the necessary information from the market and business environment in a timely manner.
A comprehensive review of anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes in relation to microbial community and enhancement process
Authors: Wang Neng‐Xiong , Lu Xiao‐Ying , Tsang Yiu‐Fai , Mao Yanping , Tsang Chi‐Wing , Yueng Vivien Au
Published: August 2018

Organic solid wastes (OSWs) should be regarded as valuable resources rather than dead‐end landfill waste that causes public health and odor concerns. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an ideal approach for managing organic solid waste issues and involves using a group of anaerobic microorganisms to transform OSWs into useful products. In this review, over 100 publications related to AD of OSWs have been compiled, discussed, and analyzed. A comprehensive analysis of the environmental and safety impacts of AD, its key environmental factors, co‐digestion, and pretreatment, as well as the AD of OSWs by various anaerobic microbes uncovered by high throughput sequencing‐based approaches, is presented. The purpose of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of AD processes from a multi‐angle perspective. A comprehensive understanding of AD of OSWs and genome‐enabled biology development could be helpful for providing up‐to‐date knowledge of AD, developing it, overcoming its drawbacks and, ultimately, improving global waste control for more efficient environmental management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment Scales for Patients with Advanced Huntington's Disease: Comparison of the UHDRS and UHDRS‐FAP
Authors: Winder Jessica Y. , Achterberg Wilco P. , Marinus Johan , Gardiner Sarah L. , Roos Raymund A.C.
Published: August 2018

Background

The standard clinical assessment tool in Huntington's disease is the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). In patients with advanced Huntington's disease ceiling and floor effects of the UHDRS hamper the detection of changes. Therefore, the UHDRS‐For Advanced Patients (UHDRS‐FAP) has been designed for patients with late‐stage Huntington's disease.

Objectives

This cross‐sectional study aims to examine if the UHDRS‐FAP can differentiate better between patients with advanced Huntington's disease than the UHDRS.

Methods

Forty patients, who were institutionalized or received day‐care, were assessed with the UHDRS, UHDRS‐FAP, and Care Dependency Scale (CDS). The severity of Huntington's disease was defined by the Total Functional Capacity (TFC). Comparisons between consecutive TFC stages were performed for all domains of the UHDRS, UHDRS‐FAP, and CDS using Mann‐Whitney U tests.

Results

The motor scores of the UHDRS‐FAP and UHDRS were the only subscales with significantly worse scores in TFC stage 5 compared to stage 4. In TFC stages 4‐5, the range of the UHDRS‐FAP motor score was broader, the standard error of measurement was lower, and the effect size r was higher than for the UHDRS motor score. The CDS declined significantly across all TFC stages.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the UHDRS‐FAP motor score might differentiate better between patients with severe Huntington's disease than the UHDRS motor score. Therefore, the UHDRS‐FAP motor score is potentially a better instrument than the UHDRS motor score to improve disease monitoring and, subsequently, care in patients with advanced Huntington's disease in long‐term care facilities.
Improving patient outcomes and radiotherapy systems: A pan‐Canadian approach to patient‐reported outcome use
Authors: Caissie Amanda , Brown Erika , Olson Rob , Barbera Lisa , Davis Carol‐Anne , Brundage Michael , Milosevic Michael
Published: August 2018

Standardized collection and use of clinical patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) have potential to benefit the care of individual patients and improve radiotherapy system performance. Its centralized health‐care system makes Canada a prime candidate to take a leader and collaborator role in international endeavors to promote expansion of patient‐reported outcome collection and use in radiotherapy. The current review discusses the development of a pan‐Canadian approach to PRO use, through a quality improvement initiative led by the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR), a unique partnership of Canadian radiotherapy professional organizations (Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology‐CARO, Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists‐COMP, and the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists‐CAMRT).
The radiation oncology ontology (ROO): Publishing linked data in radiation oncology using semantic web and ontology techniques
Authors: Traverso Alberto , van Soest Johan , Wee Leonard , Dekker Andre
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Personalized medicine is expected to yield improved health outcomes. Data mining over massive volumes of patients’ clinical data is an appealing, low‐cost and noninvasive approach toward personalization. Machine learning algorithms could be trained over clinical “big data” to build prediction models for personalized therapy. To reach this goal, a scalable “big data” architecture for the medical domain becomes essential, based on data standardization to transform clinical data into FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data. Using Ontologies and Semantic Web technologies, we attempt to reach mentioned goal.

Methods

We developed an ontology to be used in the field of radiation oncology to map clinical data from relational databases. We combined ontology with semantic Web techniques to publish mapped data and easily query them using SPARQL.

Results

The Radiation Oncology Ontology (ROO) contains 1,183 classes and 211 properties between classes to represent clinical data (and their relationships) in the radiation oncology domain following FAIR principles. We combined the ontology with Semantic Web technologies showing how to efficiently and easily integrate and query data from different (relational database) sources without a priori knowledge of their structures.

Discussion

When clinical FAIR data sources are combined (linked data) using mentioned technologies, new relationships between entities are created and discovered, representing a dynamic body of knowledge that is continuously accessible and increasing.
High‐molecular‐weight poly(1,2‐propylene succinate): A soft biobased polyester applicable as an effective modifier of poly(l‐Lactide)
Authors: Nishiwaki Yasumasa , Kimura Yoshiharu , Masutani Kazunari , Lee Chan‐Woo
Published: August 2018

Poly(1,2‐propylene succinate) (PPS) having high molecular weight can be synthesized by multi‐step melt‐polycondensation of succinic acid (SA) and 1,2‐propylene glycol (PG) with various catalysts. The first step is noncatalytic esterification/oligomerization of the two monomers, followed by the second step of catalytic melt‐polycondensation. In this step, co‐catalyst systems of Zn(AcO)2/Ge(OBu)4 and Zn(AcO)2/Ti(BuO)4 are effective for obtaining PPS having middle molecular weights (>10.0 kDa). This middle‐molecular‐weight PPS is chain‐elongated in the third‐step polycondensation with Zn(AcO)2 as the catalyst to obtain a molecular weight reaching 120 kDa. As verified by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra combined with two‐dimensional experiments, PPS has a ω‐bis‐hydroxy structure where the PG units leave the secondary hydroxyl terminals in larger ratio than the primary hydroxyl terminals. The PPS polymers are amorphous in nature, showing Tg around −4 °C. PPS can be solution‐ and melt‐blended with poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA). By melt‐blending a high‐molecular‐weight PPS in an amount of 7.5–15 wt %, the modulus of the PLLA films decreases below 2000 MPa and the tear strength increases twice, supporting the effectiveness of PPS polymer in imparting flexible nature to PLLA. PPS polymers can therefore be applicable as elastomeric or flexible plastic modifiers having a 100 % biobased content. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1795–1805
Study of Diels–Alder reactions between furan and maleimide model compounds and the preparation of a healable thermo‐reversible polyurethane
Authors: Truong Thuy Thu , Nguyen Ha Tran , Phan Man Ngoc , Nguyen Le‐Thu T.
Published: August 2018

A study of the reactions between various furan and maleimide model compounds and the effects of reaction conditions was performed, allowing for a proper design and preparation of a thermo‐reversible polyurethane (PU) material crosslinked via Diels–Alder (DA) bonds. Thus, a linear polyurethane containing furan groups along the main chain was synthesized and crosslinked with a bismaleimide by means of DA reaction. The obtained thermoset exhibited thermo‐reversibility as evidenced by DSC and FTIR microscopy, providing the material recyclability and scratch healability. Optical microscopy, SEM and tensile analysis of a scratched PU film revealed that efficient scratch healing was enabled by heating at 110 °C for 30 min and subsequently keeping at room temperature for 24 h, resulting in an approximately 80% recovery of the pristine mechanical strength. This material is a promising candidate for the development of self‐healing coatings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1806–1814
A new design of cleavable acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers triggered by light
Authors: Huang Yu , Thanneeru Srinivas , Zhang Qian , He Jie
Published: August 2018

We report a new design of photolabile acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers. Acetals as protecting groups for carbonyls or diols can be hydrolyzed under acidic condition but very stable with respect to hydrolysis at pH > 7. When combining light‐capturing chromophores with acetals, the hydrolysis of acetals can be activated by light to design dual responsive acetal‐containing polymers. Using acetalization reaction of 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl methacrylate with benzaldehyde derivatives, two new acetal‐containing photolyzable monomers have been designed. Comparable to commonly used photolabile monomers containing nitrobenzyl esters, the two acetal‐containing monomers are easy to polymerize using atom transfer radical polymerization with excellent molecular weight and dispersity control. We studied the cleavage kinetics and mechanism of acetal groups in both monomers and polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers using 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. o‐Nitrobenzaldehyde acetal showed a Norrish Type II rearrangement to form benzoic ester; while, 2,5‐dimethoxy benzaldehyde acetal was photolabile to completely release 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl methacrylate. The photocleavage of acetals is a zero‐order reaction in regardless of molecular states of acetals; while, the acid‐cleavage of acetals proves to be a first‐order kinetics and the cleavage becomes much slower for polymers. The self‐assembly of acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers and the acid‐/light‐controlled dissociation of their vesicles have been investigated. We demonstrate that those acetal‐containing polymers are potentially useful as smart drug delivery systems where the release kinetics of payloads is tunable using light and pH as triggers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1815–1824
Crosslinker free thermally induced crosslinking of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber
Authors: Verdier Nina , Lepage David , Prébé Arnaud , Aymé‐Perrot David , Dollé Mickaël , Rochefort Dominic
Published: August 2018

Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubbers (HNBRs) are hydrogenated copolymers of acrylonitrile and butadiene, which are often used in composites or polymer blends. These copolymers are usually cured with peroxides or vulcanized with sulfur to reinforce their mechanical resistance and improve their chemical stability. However, using such crosslinking reagents can be problematic for high value systems where residual H2O2 or S can be detrimental for the application. To address this limitation, we studied the thermally induced crosslinking of HNBR at high temperature (240 °C) with oxygen. To understand the impact of conditions (temperature, time, and atmosphere) on the chemical structure and the mechanical properties of HNBR, different thermal treatments were investigated. We show that HNBR forms a ladder structure during treatment in the presence of O2 which result in a reinforcement of the elastomer. Tensile tests and DSC show both alkene and nitrile moieties are involved in the reaction, leading to a mechanical resistance comparable with a HNBR crosslinked with peroxides or sulfur. These findings will help achieving a better control on the crosslinking to provide HNBRs with desired properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1825–1833
Synthesis of block copolymers comprised of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) segment with trisiloxane side chains and their application to organic thin film transistor
Authors: Miyane Satoshi , Wen Han‐Fang , Chen Wen‐Chang , Higashihara Tomoya
Published: August 2018

The demand of stretchability for a semiconducting polymer has increased to realize wearable devices and sensors. However, studies involving intrinsically stretchable π‐conjugated polymers are still limited. Here, we develop a soft‐polythiophene derivative, P3SiHT, with a trisiloxane unit in the side chains via a hexylene spacer unit. In addition, diblock (P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT) and triblock (P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT‐b‐P3HT) copolymers could be synthesized based on Kumada catalyst‐transfer polycondensation. The results of atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering indicate that the block copolymer thin films form a phase‐separated structure between the P3HT and P3SiHT domains. The organic thin film transistor devices were prepared to assess the electrical properties of the block polymers. As a result, the block copolymers showed comparable or even higher hole mobility than that of P3HT homopolymer, thus due to the enhanced phase‐separation and thereby charge transportation. The mechanical test of the bulk films indicates that P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT‐b‐P3HT shows lower tensile modulus and longer elongation at break than P3HT homopolymer and other diblock copolymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1787–1794
Preparation of linear and hyperbranched fluorinated poly(aryl ether‐thioether) through para‐fluoro‐thiol click reaction
Authors: Baysak Elif , Tunca Umit , Hizal Gurkan , Durmaz Hakan
Published: August 2018

The para‐fluoro‐thiol “click” reaction (PFTCR) was utilized to prepare linear and hyperbranched fluorinated poly (aryl ether‐thioether). For this purpose, 1,2‐bis(perfluorophenoxy)ethane was prepared and reacted with 1,6‐hexandithiol and trimethylolpropane tris(3‐mercaptopropionate), respectively. While hyperbranched polymers were prepared using 0.5 M concentrations of starting materials at room temperature, the linear polymer syntheses were performed at different reaction temperatures and concentrations. The resulting polymers were mainly characterized by NMR measurements and a very distinct fluorine signals regarding meta‐ and ortho‐ positions in the 19F NMR were found for both polymer topologies. In addition to NMR analyses, both linear and hyperbranched polymers were further characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1853–1859