bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating Minimally Invasive Laser Doppler Flowmetry for Serial Bone Perfusion Measurements in Mice
Authors: Hanne Nicholas J. , Easter Elizabeth D. , Cole Jacqueline H.
Published: July 2019

In vivo laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has previously been used to quantify blood perfusion accurately at a single timepoint in the murine tibial metaphysis. However, this procedure entailed substantial disruption to soft tissues overlying the bone and caused notable localized inflammation for several weeks after the procedure, impeding serial measurements in the same mouse. In this study, we tested a less invasive technique to measure perfusion in the tibia with LDF and validated that it can be used serially in the same mouse without causing inflammation or gait perturbations. Twenty 14-week-old C57Bl/6J mice were evenly divided into groups that either had daily treadmill exercise or remained sedentary. Within these activity groups, mice were evenly subdivided into groups that received LDF measurements either weekly or only once at the study endpoint. Bone perfusion was measured with LDF in the anteromedial region of the right tibial metaphysis. Serum concentrations of interleukin 6, incision site wound area, and interlimb coordination during gait were measured weekly for four weeks. Tibial perfusion did not differ significantly between exercise and sedentary groups within the weekly or endpoint-only LDF groups at any timepoint. Perfusion was significantly increased in the third week in the weekly LDF group relative to measurements in the second and fourth weeks. Ligation of the femoral artery caused consistent, rapid reductions in tibial perfusion, validating that LDF is sensitive to changes in tibial blood supply. Weekly LDF procedures did not adversely affect gait, as interlimb coordination during treadmill locomotion was similar between weekly and endpoint-only LDF groups at every timepoint. Images of the incision site show wound closure within one week, and serum concentrations of interleukin 6 were not significantly different between weekly and endpoint-only groups. Together, these findings demonstrate that our minimally invasive LDF technique can be used for serial in vivo measurements of intraosseous blood perfusion without inducing localized inflammation or negatively affecting gait patterns in mice.

Highlights

Modified, minimally invasive laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) technique was validated for serial measures of tibial perfusion in mice.

Weekly LDF procedures did not induce inflammation or alter gait patterns that could confound metrics of interest in bone studies.

Ligation of the femoral artery confirmed the LDF technique measures functional perfusion within the bone.
Temporo-nasally biased moving grating selectivity in mouse primary visual cortex
Authors: Tolkiehn Marie , Schultz Simon R.
Published: July 2019

Orientation tuning in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) has long been reported to have a random or “salt-and-pepper” organisation, lacking the structure found in cats and primates. Laminar in-vivo multi-electrode array recordings here reveal previously elusive structure in the representation of visual patterns in the mouse visual cortex, with temporo-nasally drifting gratings eliciting consistently highest neuronal responses across cortical layers and columns, whilst upward moving gratings reliably evoked the lowest activities. We suggest this bias in direction selectivity to be behaviourally relevant as objects moving into the visual field from the side or behind may pose a predatory threat to the mouse whereas upward moving objects do not. We found furthermore that direction preference and selectivity was affected by stimulus spatial frequency, and that spatial and directional tuning curves showed high signal correlations decreasing with distance between recording sites. In addition, we show that despite this bias in direction selectivity, it is possible to decode stimulus identity and that spatiotemporal features achieve higher accuracy in the decoding task whereas spike count or population counts are sufficient to decode spatial frequencies implying different encoding strategies.

Significance statement

We show that temporo-nasally drifting gratings (i.e. opposite the normal visual flow during forward movement) reliably elicit the highest neural activity in mouse primary visual cortex, whereas upward moving gratings reliably evoke the lowest responses. This encoding may be highly behaviourally relevant, as objects approaching from the periphery may pose a threat (e.g. predators), whereas upward moving objects do not. This is a result at odds with the belief that mouse primary visual cortex is randomly organised. Further to this biased representation, we show that direction tuning depends on the underlying spatial frequency and that tuning preference is spatially correlated both across layers and columns and decreases with cortical distance, providing evidence for structural organisation in mouse primary visual cortex.
Investigation of a New Superhydrophobic, Oleophobic-Coated Biliary Duct Stent and its Preventive Effect on Biliary Mud in Vitro
Authors: Zhang Wei Xing , Ji Ya Li , Qian Yue Qin , Wan Xin Jian , Xu Zheng Jie
Published: July 2019

Background and Aim

A new type of superhydrophobic, oleophobic-coated biliary stent was created, and its characteristics and preventive effect on biliary mud deposition in vitro are studied herein.

Methods

The observational experiment included a bare stent group and coated stent group, with 10 stents per group. The groups were used in a model of the extracorporeal biliary perfusion system with bacterial infection, and the experiment was terminated when the stent was completely blocked. Changes of bile characteristics before and after the experiment, patency time, and amount of bile sludge deposition were compared between the groups. The t-test and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.

Results

In the bare stent group, contact angles of bile were about 80.4 degrees and 79.8 degrees before and after the experiment, respectively. There was no change in the effect of bile aversion after the experiment between the groups (P < 0.05). In the coated stent group, contact angles of bile changed from 143.3 degrees before the experiment to 135.7 degrees after the experiment; the effect of the coating decreased significantly after the experiment (P > 0.05). The patency times were 8 weeks and 23 weeks in the bare and coated stent groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Depositions of biliary mud were 47 mg and 13 mg in the bare and coated stent groups, respectively (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The superhydrophobic, oleophobic-coated biliary stent can repel bile better and play a role in preventing bile sludge deposition in the extracorporeal biliary perfusion system.
Exploring midwives’ understanding of respectful and non-abusive maternal care in Kumasi, Ghana: Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Millicent Dzomeku Veronica , Bemah Bonsu Adwoa , Emmanuel Nakua Kweku , Pascal Agbadi , Jody Lori R. , Peter Donkor
Published: July 2019

Background

Various aspects of disrespect and abusive maternity care have received scholarly attention because of frequent reports of the phenomenon in most healthcare facilities globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. However, the perspectives of skilled providers on respectful maternal care have not been extensively studied. Midwives’ knowledge of respectful maternity care is critical in designing any interventive measures to address the menace of disrespect and abuse in maternity care. Therefore, the present study sought to explore the views of midwives on respectful maternity care at a Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods

Phenomenological qualitative research design was employed in the study. Data were generated through individual in-depth interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data saturation was reached with fifteen midwives. Open Code 4.03 was used to manage and analyse the data.

Findings

The midwives’ understanding of respectful maternity care was comprised of the following components: non-abusive care, consented care, confidential care, non-violation of childbearing women’s basic human rights, and non-discriminatory care. Probing questions to solicit midwives’ opinions on an evidenced-based component of respectful maternity care generated little information, suggesting that the midwives have a gap in knowledge regarding this component of respectful maternity care.

Conclusion

Midwives reported an understanding of most components of respectful maternity care, but their gap in knowledge on evidenced-based care requires policy attention and in-service training. To understand the extent to which this gap in knowledge can be generalized for midwives across Ghana to warrant a redesign of the national midwifery curriculum, the authors recommend a nationwide cross-sectional quantitative study.
CLEC-2 suppresses calcification in cultured osteoblasts
Authors: Kanai Takenori , Sawa Yoshihiko , Takara Kenyo , Kajiwara Koichiro , Fujita Takahiro , Sawa Naruhiko , Yamashita Junro , Sato Yoshiaki
Published: July 2019

Podoplanin is the only counter-receptor of platelet CLEC-2 and is expressing on mature osteoblast, but there is no report on the role of podoplanin and CLEC-2 in calcification. This study aimed to investigate the role of podoplanin binding to CLEC-2 in the calcification of osteoblasts carrying homozygously deletedPdpnalleles (PdpnΔ/Δ) by heterozygously expressing collagen type I alpha 1 promoter (Col1a)-drivenCrerecombinase. There were no macroscopic abnormalities in the bone and dentin ofCol1a11-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δmice but the coccygeal bone medullary cavity was very narrow. In the quantitative analysis for alizarin red-stained products and alkaline phosphatase activities on the cultured calvarial osteoblasts, the amounts of calcified products and alkaline phosphatase activity of calvarial osteoblasts of bothPdpnfl/flandCol1a11-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δmice were significantly higher in the calcification medium than in the α-mem. Both the amounts of calcified products and alkaline phosphatase activity of calvarial osteoblasts fromPdpnfl/flmice were significantly lower in the calcification medium with CLEC-2 than without CLEC-2 while there were no significant differences in the amounts of calcified products and alkaline phosphatase activities of calvarial osteoblasts fromCol1a11-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δmice with CLEC-2. Platelet CLEC-2 may play a role in regulating the calcification via binding to podoplanin on mature osteoblasts expressing podoplanin in the medullary cavity of a part of the bone.
Evaluation of Model Fit of Inferred Admixture Proportions
Authors: Garcia-Erill Genís , Albrechtsen Anders
Published: July 2019

Model based methods for genetic clustering of individuals such as those implemented instructureor ADMIXTURE allow to infer individual ancestries and study population structure. The underlying model makes several assumptions about the demographic history that shaped the analysed genetic data. One assumption is that all individuals are a result of K homogeneous ancestral populations that are all well represented in the data, while another assumption is that no drift happened after the admixture event. The histories of many real world populations do not conform to that model, and in that case taking the inferred admixture proportions at face value might be misleading. We propose a method to evaluate the fit of admixture models based on estimating the correlation of the residual difference between the true genotypes and the genotypes predicted by the model. When the model assumptions are not violated, the residuals from a pair of individuals are not correlated. In case of a bad fit, individuals with similar demographic histories have a positive correlation of their residuals. Using simulated and real data, we show how the method is able to detect a bad fit of inferred admixture proportions due to using an insufficient number of clusters K or to demographic histories that deviate significantly from the admixture model assumptions, such as admixture from ghost populations, drift after admixture events and non-discrete ancestral populations. We have implemented the method as an open source software that can be applied to both unphased genotypes and next generation sequencing data.
Genome sequence of the cluster root forming white lupin
Authors: Hufnagel Bárbara , Marques André , Soriano Alexandre , Marquès Laurence , Divol Fanchon , Doumas Patrick , Sallet Erika , Mancinotti Davide , Carrere Sébastien , Marande William , Arribat Sandrine , Keller Jean , Huneau Cécile , Blein Thomas , Aime Delphine , Laguerre Malika , Taylor Jemma , Schubert Veit , Nelson Matthew , Geu-Flores Fernando , Crespi Martin , Gallardo-Guerrero Karine , Delaux Pierre-Marc , Salse Jérôme , Bergès Hélène , Guyot Romain , Gouzy Jérôme , Péret Benjamin
Published: July 2019

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a legume that produces seeds recognized for their high protein content and good nutritional value (lowest glycemic index of all grains, high dietary fiber content, and zero gluten or starch)1–5. White lupin can form nitrogen-fixing nodules but has lost the ability to form mycorrhizal symbiosis with fungi6. Nevertheless, its root system is well adapted to poor soils: it produces cluster roots, constituted of dozens of determinate lateral roots that improve soil exploration and phosphate remobilization7. As phosphate is a limited resource that comes from rock reserves8, the production of cluster roots is a trait of interest to improve fertilizers efficiency. Using long reads sequencing technologies, we provide a high-quality genome sequence of a modern variety of white lupin (2n=50, 451 Mb), as well asde novoassemblies of a landrace and a wild relative. We describe how domestication impacted soil exploration capacity through the early establishment of lateral and cluster roots. We identify theAPETALA2transcription factorLaPUCHI-1, homolog of the Arabidopsis morphogenesis coordinator9, as a potential regulator of this trait. Our high-quality genome and companion genomic and transcriptomic resources enable the development of modern breeding strategies to increase and stabilize yield and to develop new varieties with reduced allergenic properties (caused by conglutins10), which would favor the deployment of this promising culture.
PyIOmica: Longitudinal Omics Analysis and Classification
Authors: Domanskyi Sergii , Piermarocchi Carlo , Mias George I.
Published: July 2019

PyIOmica is an open-source Python package focusing on integrating longitudinal multiple omics datasets, characterizing, and classifying temporal trends. The package includes multiple bioinformatics tools including data normalization, annotation, classification, visualization, and enrichment analysis for gene ontology terms and pathways. Additionally, the package includes an implementation of visibility graphs to visualize time series as networks.

Availability and implementation

PyIOmica is implemented as a Python package (pyiomica), available for download and installation through the Python Package Index (PyPI) (https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pyiomica), and can be deployed using the Python import function following installation. PyIOmica has been tested on Mac OS X, Unix/Linux and Microsoft Windows. The application is distributed under an MIT license. Source code for each release is also available for download on Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3342612).

Contact

gmias@msu.edu
The nemesis who stood tall: a tale of governance and leadership
Authors: Saha Arindam
Published: July 2019

Learning outcomes

After a thorough briefing, classroom discussions and de-briefing, the students should be able to appreciate issues of leadership; understand challenges related to managing an organisation; and understand the aspects of organisational politics and power.

Case overview/synopsis

This real-life case study is based on a leading management institution of central India. The institute was quite successful in establishing its brand central India during 2011-2017 and is still going strong. The case here captures a change of leadership and the challenges/opportunities it posed to faculty and staff members. The case also intends to address the power struggle that ensued in later years of its functioning. The case is also about how the present leader would finally deal with it all. Students would be able to generate insights in leadership style, power and politics, employee retention, organisational decision-making and concerns in recruiting culturally fit employees.

Complexity academic level

Graduate level.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
To do or not to do: the real state of real estate
Authors: Solangi Rukhman , Umrani Waheed Ali , Solangi Iqra , Memon Mumtaz Ali
Published: July 2019

Learning outcomes

This case will enable students to develop an understanding of starting a single proprietorship business focusing on the real estate; understand the possible challenges that an entrepreneur faces in the beginning; apply ethical decision-making frame works when faced in ethically conflicting situation; andlook at the career anchoring theory.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study takes a look at the ways and means of starting a small business depending on the owner managers experience, capabilities and skills including networking which are germane to success. It also highlights the ethical issues that small business proprietors have to face in order to make money and grow. The setting of the case is a town in Sindh province of Pakistan, which setting generally represent the arena where such business (Single Proprietorship) develop and get involved in the economic development of a backward area. Finally, the case study highlights the significant but realistic expose of career anchor theory, which stipulates that people normally start with a job but switch jobs over their working life.

Complexity academic level

Graduate and undergraduate.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Numerical identification of temperature dependent thermal conductivity using least squares method
Authors: Ivanova Anna , Migorski Stanislaw , Wyczolkowski Rafal , Ivanov Dmitry
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to considered the problem of identification of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity in the nonstationary, nonlinear heat equation. To describe the heat transfer in the furnace charge occupied by a homogeneous porous material, the heat equation is formulated. The inverse problem consists in finding the heat conductivity parameter, which depends on the temperature, from the measurements of the temperature in fixed points of the material.

Design/methodology/approach

A numerical method based on the finite-difference scheme and the least squares approach for numerical solution of the direct and inverse problems has been recently developed.

Findings

The influence of different numerical scheme parameters on the accuracy of the identified conductivity coefficient is studied. The results of the experiment carried out on real measurements are presented. Their results confirm the ones obtained earlier by using other methods.

Originality/value

Novelty is in a new, easy way to identify thermal conductivity by known temperature measurements. This method is based on special finite-difference scheme, which gives a resolvable system of algebraic equations. The results sensitivity on changes in the method parameters was studies. The algorithms of identification in the case of a purely mathematical experiment and in the case of real measurements, their differences and the practical details are presented.
Catastrophic health expenditure and its determinants in households with gastrointestinal cancer patients: evidence from new health system reform in Iran
Authors: Piroozi Bakhtiar , Zarei Bushra , Ghaderi Bayazid , Safari Hossein , Moradi Ghobad , Rezaei Satar , Ghaderi Mahfooz , Amirhosseini Shina , Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The right to health for all people means that everyone should have access to the needed healthcare services without suffering from severe financial hardship. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence as well as the effective factors on facing catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) among gastrointestinal cancer patients and families in Kurdistan province in west of Iran after the implementation of Health Transformation Plan (HTP).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 189 households with gastrointestinal cancer patients in Kurdistan province in 2018. Data were collected using World Health Survey questionnaire. A method developed by World Health Organization with the threshold of 40 percent household’s capacity to pay was used in order to measure the proportion of households facing CHE. Also, logistic regression was applied for identifying the effective factors on household’s exposure to CHE. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13.

Findings

Almost 73 percent (72.7 percent) of the households (n=117) faced the CHE. Not having supplementary health insurance (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.3–10.8 (and having low socio-economic status (AOR: 7.1; 95% CI: 1.8–28.1) were the significant factors affecting the households’ exposure to CHE. In total, 57 and 1 percent of the studied households reported that having a gastrointestinal cancer patient at home had a significant effect on refraining from using health services by other family members.

Originality/value

The proportion of the studied households facing CHE was very high. This may indicate the weakness of health system as well as health insurance or the weakness of HTP in financial protection of fragile population.
Implementing lean six sigma and discrete-event simulation for tutoring operations in higher education institutions
Authors: Furterer Sandra L. , Schneider Kellie , Key Michael B. , Zalewski Daniel , Laudenberger Michael
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the utilization of walk-in tutors at the University of Dayton.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the application of mixed methods participatory action research with the use of the lean six sigma (LSS) define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) methodology combined with discrete event simulation to improve the tutoring processes at the University of Dayton.

Findings

The impact of these improvements provided a great balance between tutor utilization and student wait time, and as a result, an increase in pay was negotiated for tutors. Additionally, two schools within the University, Engineering and Business, have seen the value of the tutoring for their students and have provided additional financial support for tutoring services. Specifically, these schools now have dedicated by-appointment tutors for their students.

Originality/value

Incorporating simulation within the LSS methodology provides a “prototype” simulation of the potential solutions prior to changing the process in the real world. This approach can minimize the risk of implementing solutions that are costly or ineffective. The improvement of increased tutor pay helped to demonstrate the university’s commitment to tutors and tutoring. Through continuous improvement efforts, the tutoring department has tripled the number of courses that they support through these enhanced relationships, improved utilization and the overall culture and work environment. The LSS methodology and tools combined with discrete event simulation can be used as a guide for improving other repetitive processes within the university.
Composition of Indian microfinance: a case for competing logics
Authors: Sarma Sushanta Kumar
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how competing logics can co-exist in the organizational field of Indian microfinance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the theoretical lens of an organizational field to understand the composition of the microfinance field. Using the definition of an organizational field, key players in Indian microfinance are identified and their interactions within the field are analysed to understand the emergence and co-existence of multiple logics. The data used for this paper are collected from published work on Indian microfinance.

Findings

The co-existence of competing logics is sustained through the creation of two sub-fields within Indian microfinance. Each of the sub-field is dominated by one institutional logic. The field originated in developmental logic of microfinance and gradually adopted the banking logic post-2000. The sub-fields are dominated by different organizational forms with different nature of interaction within the field.

Research limitations/implications

Actors within the field would experience institutional complexity with lesser intensity because of the existence of two distinct sub-communities with individual logic. Dual logics can sustain itself independently provided these are embedded in two different sub-communities. Despite the emergence of a new logic, the previous logic can still remain relevant given the enabling support from institutional infrastructure.

Practical implications

The manifestation of development and banking logics through practices and the belief system in Indian microfinance would offer useful insights for social entrepreneurs balancing the dual goals of hybrid organizations. Due to the sub-communities, a professional working with different forms of organization would experience little pressure to adjust to diverse logic and would also experience no or little identity conflict.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the microfinance sector in India as an organizational field and explores the mechanism of co-existence of the dual goals of microfinance at the field level.
Philosophical foundations for Indigenous economic and political rights
Authors: Patton Paul Robert
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine some influential accounts of the basis for Indigenous rights, consider their strengths and weaknesses, and ascertain whether and in what degree they support effective self-government and self-determination for Indigenous people.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a brief discussion of the emergence of specifically Indigenous rights, the significance of self-determination as a means of improving the economic and social conditions of communities, and the problem such rights pose for late 20th versions of egalitarian liberalism. It then examines the liberal culturalist argument for minority rights developed by Will Kymlicka, before turning to James Tully’s elaboration of the historical approach to the justification of Indigenous rights that draws on the tradition of treaty relations in North American colonialism. Finally, it outlines a third approach based on the political liberalism of John Rawls.

Findings

The conditions of legitimate government set out in Rawls’ political liberalism are a better way to provide normative foundations for Indigenous rights in contemporary postcolonial democracies.

Research limitations/implications

The discussion of Indigenous rights is confined to those countries established by colonization with largely British political institutions and populations. The arguments for Indigenous rights are confined to those advanced within the liberal tradition of political thought.

Originality/value

Some of the criticisms of the liberal culturalist argument and of Tully’s approach are original. The case for Indigenous rights based in the legitimacy requirements of political liberalism is original and based on conceptual work by the author.
Robust image registration using subspace method in Radon transform domain
Authors: Wei Ning , He Yu , Liu Junqing , Chen Peng
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to represent a robust image registration method to align noisy and deformed images in their Radon transform domain. Due to the limitation of imaging mechanism, the images are often highly noisy. Even worse, the objects in images have structural differences from time to time.

Design/methodology/approach

To eliminate these degressions, the proposed method is equipped with subspace-based power spectrum analysis algorithm for rotation estimation and a new global median filter least square algorithm for displacement computation.

Findings

Experiments on strongly noisy and degenerated images show that the proposed method exhibits better accuracy and robustness than phase correlation-based method. In addition, the method can also be applied to multi-modal registration, where the results are comparable to mutual information method but spending much less time.

Originality/value

A robust image registration method is proposed, which has better performance than traditional methods.
Survival or die: a survival analysis on peer‐to‐peer lending platforms in China
Authors: Liu Qigui , Zou Luxi , Yang Xiaolin , Tang Jinghua
Published: July 2019

This study examines the probability of survival of online peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending platforms in China. Our empirical findings show that shareholder's background, platforms’ risk management and institutional environment are three major factors that influence the probability of survival of P2P platforms in China. In addition, the effects of risk control and institutional environment are less pronounced in state‐owned P2P platforms. We also show that platforms that die from abscondence of owners tend to be more short‐lived than others, while platforms that die from liquidity problems are usually due to lack of high‐quality risk management techniques.
Markers of microbial exposure lower the incidence of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Chatenoud Liliane , Bertuccio Paola , Turati Federica , Galeone Carlotta , Naldi Luigi , Chatenoud Lucienne , La Vecchia Carlo , Bach Jean‐François ,   The HYGIENE Study Group
Published: July 2019

Background

The hygiene hypothesis proposes that reduced exposure to infectious agents in early life would explain the increase of allergic and autoimmune diseases observed over the past decades in high‐income countries.

Methods

We conducted a matched case‐control study on incident atopic dermatitis (AD). Cases were 426 outpatient children with a first diagnosis of incident AD. Controls were 426 children attending a pediatric/dermatological visit for nonatopic disorders matched to cases (1:1). Particular attention was paid to the time elapsed between the markers of microbial exposure and disease onset, and we considered for controls the same time window of exposures from birth as his/her matched case. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed using multivariable conditional logistic regression models, according to center, sex, age, and period of enrollment, and including as potential confounders a family history of any allergy in parents, type of delivery, having siblings, keeping pets, age at weaning, and having had ≥4 infections.

Results

The OR of AD first occurrence was 0.35 (P‐value = .039) for children who had experienced ≥4 infections compared with those with no infections. A decreasing trend in risk was observed with increasing number of siblings (P‐value = .023), the protective effect reaching about 40% for children with 2 or more siblings (OR = 0.62; P‐value = .048). Pet keeping, in particular daily contact with dogs, was inversely associated with AD risk (OR = 0.40; P‐value = .004).

Conclusions

These results support the hygiene hypothesis in its broad sense. Early‐life environmental exposures, including pathogens and commensals, act as “microbes contact carriers” influencing immune system balance early in life.
A response‐adaptive randomization procedure for multi‐armed clinical trials with normally distributed outcomes
Authors: Williamson S. Faye , Villar Sofía S.
Published: July 2019

We propose a novel response‐adaptive randomization procedure for multi‐armed trials with continuous outcomes that are assumed to be normally distributed. Our proposed rule is non‐myopic, and oriented toward a patient benefit objective, yet maintains computational feasibility. We derive our response‐adaptive algorithm based on the Gittins index for the multi‐armed bandit problem, as a modification of the method first introduced in Villar et al. (Biometrics, 71, pp. 969‐978). The resulting procedure can be implemented under the assumption of both known or unknown variance. We illustrate the proposed procedure by simulations in the context of phase II cancer trials. Our results show that, in a multi‐armed setting, there are efficiency and patient benefit gains of using a response‐adaptive allocation procedure with a continuous endpoint instead of a binary one. These gains persist even if an anticipated low rate of missing data due to deaths, dropouts, or complete responses is imputed online through a procedure first introduced in this paper. Additionally, we discuss how there are response‐adaptive designs that outperform the traditional equal randomized design both in terms of efficiency and patient benefit measures in the multi‐armed trial context.
Ursolic acid promotes apoptosis and mediates transcriptional suppression of CT45A2 gene expression in non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma harbouring EGFR T790M mutations
Authors: Yang Kaiyong , Chen Yan , Zhou Jiaqian , Ma Lin , Shan Yating , Cheng Xiaoying , Wang Yun , Zhang Zhaoxin , Ji Xiaojun , Chen Lili , Dai Hui , Zhu Biqing , Li Chen , Tao Zhonghua , Hu Xichun , Yin Wu
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose

In non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients, the L858R/T790M mutation of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major cause of acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKIs treatment that limits their therapeutic efficacy. Identification of drugs that can preferentially kill the NSCLC harbouring L858R/T790M mutation is therefore critical. Here, we have evaluated the effects of ursolic acid, an active component isolated from herbal sources, on erlotinib‐resistant H1975 cells that harbour the L858R/T790M mutation.

Experimental Approach

Gene expression omnibus (GEO) profiles analyses was applied to detect differentially expressed genes in NSCLC cells harbouring EGFR mutation. AnnexinV‐FITC/PI, TUNEL staining, MTT, wound healing, RT‐PCR, qRT‐PCR, western blots, immunostaining, dual‐luciferase reporters and ChIP‐PCR were utilized to investigate the effects of ursolic acid in vitro and in vivo.

Key Results

The cancer/testis antigen family 45 member A2 (CT45A2) was highly expressed in H1975 cells. Ectopic expression of CT45A2 in H1975 cells increased cell proliferation and motility in vitro. Silencing the CT45A2 expression strongly attenuated H1975 cells motility and growth. The anti‐cancer effect of ursolic acid was critically dependent on CT45A2 expression in H1975 cells. Ursolic acid suppressed CT45A2 gene transcription mediated by transcriptional factor TCF4 and β‐catenin signalling.

Conclusions and Implications

CT45A2 is a novel oncogene for NSCLC with an EGFR T790 mutation. Ursolic acid induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of H1975 cells by negatively regulating the β‐catenin/TCF4/CT45A2 signalling pathway. Therefore, ursolic acid may be a potential candidate treatment for NSCLC harbouring the EGFR‐L858R/T790M mutation.
The experience of carers of children with cerebral palsy living in rural areas of Ghana who have received no rehabilitation services: A qualitative study
Authors: Nyante Gifty Gyamah , Carpenter Christine
Published: July 2019

Aim

This study aims to explore the experiences of carers of children with cerebral palsy living in rural areas of Ghana who have received no rehabilitation services.

Background

Cerebral palsy is the most common chronic disability from childhood, which needs lifelong rehabilitation. Most of the population living in rural communities in Ghana have virtually no form of rehabilitation services for their chronic disabling conditions. Caring for children with disability are known to be challenging especially when coupled with environmental challenges in rural communities.

Results

Purposive and snowball techniques were used to recruit 12 carers, age 22 to 68 years, of children with cerebral palsy aged 7 to 15 years. Two main themes, developing personal beliefs to support the caregiving role and the demands that shape the experience of caring, emerged from six subthemes and 25 theme clusters of the narratives of the carers. The essential structure of the phenomenon demonstrated the complex interaction of personal and environmental factors in harmony with the actual demands to influence the experiences of participants positively or negatively. Positively, carers achieved coping, committed to caring, hoped for the future, and accepted the condition. However, negatively, carers described the triggering factors of feeling of despair and sorrow as frustration and lack of understanding of the condition, felt stigmatized, and perceived the child was going through pain and suffering.

Conclusions

Carers derived strength from their religious and spiritual beliefs to balance the demands of caregiving. Findings could be used as basis for developing interventions to support carers and inform new strategies for rehabilitation service and sensitization of community members about inclusion of children with disabilities.
Synthesis and application of KM‐type reactive dyes containing 2‐ethoxy‐4‐chloro‐s‐triazine
Authors: Zhang Qiushui , Xiong Wei , Zhang Shufen , Ma Wei , Tang Bingtao
Published: July 2019

A new kind of hetero‐bifunctional reactive dye containing 2‐ethoxy‐4‐chloro‐s‐triazine, with better activity matching with β‐hydroxyethyl sulphone sulphate at a low fixation temperature, was successfully synthesised and characterised. An ethoxy group was designed to be introduced into triazine to increase the substantivity and the reactivity of the dyes. Thereby, the fixation of mono‐s‐chlorotriazine/hydroxyethyl sulphone sulphate (KM‐type) bifunctional reactive dyes on cotton was improved, and dyeing under mild conditions with high fixation was realised. Nineteen dyes with orange, red and blue colours were synthesised and characterised by UV‐Vis and infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Synthesised dyes were dyed at 60, 75 and 90°C, respectively. Exhaustion and reactivity for all of the ethoxy‐containing KM‐type dyes was over 90% at the optimal temperature, and fixation was over 87%, which was higher than the ethoxy‐free comparative dyes. The optimal fixation temperature of ethoxy‐containing dyes was initially reduced to 75°C, and then to 60°C. Compared with comparative dyes, the wash fastness and light fastness were basically unchanged, and the wet rub fastness of the H‐acid series was reduced by one grade.
Guiding Principles for Family Justice Programs
Authors: Salem Peter , Burns Annette T.
Published: July 2019

The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and Relate, UK, co‐convened a 24‐hour consultation at St George's House, Windsor, UK, on modern family justice issues across Europe. This article identifies a preliminary set of guiding principles for family justice programs developed by consultation participants.
Court‐Based Interventions in Spain for Families in Divorce Transition: Challenges in the Implementation of (Co)‐Parenting Coordination
Authors: Brophy Connie Capdevila , Crespo Chus Pérez
Published: July 2019

Families facing separation or divorce in Spain encounter a number of obstacles, including a primarily adversarial and slow justice system, nonspecialized courts and judges, and a lack of resources to help them through the process. Recent legislation at the regional level (autonomous communities) is moving toward emphasizing shared parental responsibility and introducing parenting plans, while at the national level, legislation advances slowly. One of the main challenges professionals are facing in high‐conflict couple separation is protecting children from the effects of being in the middle of their parents’ conflict. Traditional psychological, legal, and social services are insufficient to support parents and protect their children from interparental hostile conflict—which can be exacerbated by litigation, professional intervention, domestic violence, or addiction. This article illustrates, through a case study, the implementation of parenting coordination in Spain. Different jurisdictions in Spain are slowly implementing (co‐)parenting coordination, an in‐depth intervention designed to support these families. The objective is to help families focus on children's needs and follow the court‐approved parenting plans or court orders, reduce relitigation, and improve parental communication and conflict resolution skills. This article analyzes different aspects and challenges relating to the implementation of parenting coordination in Spain. Recommendations are then made to address them.
Development and Practical use of an Emotional Readiness Assessment for Support in Family Justice Processes
Authors: Houlston Catherine , Millings Abigail , Mansfield Penny , Hirst Shannon L.
Published: July 2019

The ability to make effective co‐parenting agreements and reduce conflict following divorce depends on a person's emotional state or readiness. This article outlines OnePlusOne's development and piloting of an Emotional Readiness Assessment and subsequent digital tool, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield. It comprises a summary of a literature review to identify the key emotions experienced during separation and their influence on making effective childcare arrangements, item development derived from the review and expert consultation, feedback from separated parents regarding sources of support, practitioners’ feedback regarding the tool's feasibility, and concordance between mediator comments and clients’ scores on the tool. Ways of using this tool in practice and implications for further development are also discussed.
Harnessing the Power of Data to Improve Family Justice: A New Nuffield Family Justice Observatory For England and Wales
Authors: Broadhurst Karen , Williams Teresa
Published: July 2019

A pilot Family Justice Observatory for England and Wales is being launched in Spring 2019. Its overarching aim is to address concerns about the limited and uncertain place of empirical evidence in the family justice system. The Observatory will focus on providing intelligence about how the system is working, especially through the accelerated use of electronic population level data on family justice cases. Drawing on collaborative relationships between data providers and users, as well as policy and practice colleagues, the Observatory will improve collective understanding of the needs of children and families and how they are met by the family justice system.
Keeping the Family Together: Why New York Must Amend Evidence Rules to Protect a Parent's Right to be a Parent
Authors: Lingat Louise M.
Published: July 2019

In New York, hearsay statements made by children may be admissible in a child protective proceeding. Under Article 10 of the Family Court Act, an out‐of‐court statement only requires corroboration to support the statement's reliability. The Family Court has the choice to determine what evidence will be sufficient for corroboration. In comparison to other statutes from different states, New York's statute is very broad. This Note proposes amending the current evidence statute under Article 10 of the Family Court Act to strengthen the standard for admitting hearsay statements in child protective proceedings.
Modern Families, Modern Family Justice: Supporting Family Relationships in Fast‐Changing Socio‐Political‐Economic Climates (Summary of the Report of the Consultation at St George's House, Windsor, February 12–13, 2018)
Authors: Walker Janet , Marjoribanks David , Misca Gabriela
Published: July 2019

This summary relates to the consultation held at St George's House, in Windsor, England, on February 2018. The attendees came from across Europe and from the United States, and they discussed a range of initiatives designed to address the challenges in modern family justice and the changes in the social, political, and economic environments that are impacting family life across the globe. Although the challenges are very similar, the approach to resolving them varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The attendees concluded that there is much we can learn from each other, and that greater cooperation between family justice professionals across geographic boundaries would be highly beneficial.
Location matters: A spatial econometric analysis of regional resilience in the European Union
Authors: Annoni Paola , de Dominicis Laura , Khabirpour Neysan
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to empirically examine regional resilience by assessing economic growth patterns in two distinct groups of regions across the European Union in the aftermath of the 2008 economic and financial crisis. In an effort to consider the regions as interconnected economic areas and account for spillover effects, the model incorporates complex spatial effects that consider both spatial heterogeneity and spatial dependence. The analysis follows a step‐wise approach. First, spatial heterogeneity is assessed by employing Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis, which identifies two distinct spatial regimes, a core and a periphery, based on their initial level of economic development. A Spatial Durbin Model is then employed to estimate the determinants of regional resilience and growth in both regimes, including potential spillover effects. Results indicate that while both spatial regimes experience processes of economic convergence, recent determinants of growth, as well as spillover dynamics, differ across the two. In the core regime, better institutions, higher shares of investment, and an economy specialized in higher value‐added sectors significantly spur domestic growth, with investment also inducing positive spillover effects to neighbouring regions. In the peripheral regime, low shares of lower‐secondary educational attainment and high shares of tertiary educational attainment have a significant positive effect on domestic growth, with higher shares of tertiary educational attainment also inducing positive spillover effects. Moreover, technological readiness is also identified as an important factor in the peripheral regime with positive spillover effects. Upon the bedrock of these findings, initial policy proposals are offered.