bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of RASSF1A in Colon Cancer by Suppression of Angiogenesis Signaling and Akt Activation
Authors: Blanchard Thomas G. , Lapidus Rena , Banerjee Vivekjyoti , Bafford Andrea C. , Czinn Steven J. , Ahmed Hafiz , Banerjee Aditi
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and promotion of angiogenesis are associated with tumor development and metastasis. However, little is known if angiogenic molecules directly control TSGs and vice versa. Methods: A regulatory link between angiogenesis and down regulation of TSGs was evaluated using an anti-cancer agent, andrographolide (AGP) in cancer cells, mouse xenograft tissues and patient derived organoids through gene/protein expression, gene silencing, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: AGP treatment demonstrated significant expression of RASSF1A and PTEN TSGs in colon cancer and other cancer cells, mouse tissues and organoids. Depletion of RASSF1A with siRNA limited cyclin D1 and BAX expression. SiRNA depletion of PTEN, upstream regulator of RASSF1A resulted in a 50% reduction in RASSF1A expression. Histopathological analysis of the AGP treated tumor sections showed significant reduction in vessel size, microvascular density and tumor mitotic index suggesting suppression of angiogenesis. This was corroborated by protein analysis demonstrating significant reductions in angiogenesis signaling pathway molecules VEGF165, FOXM1, and pAkt, but significant elevation of the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor Tsp-2. Treatment of cells with exogenous VEGF prevented the suppression of angiogenesis signaling by AGP, resulting in sustained expression of pAkt, an upstream down-regulator of RASSF1A. RASSF1A expression remained low in VEGF treated cells despite the addition of AGP. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate for the first time that AGP induces RASSF1A expression in colon cancer cells and is dependent on angiogenesis signaling events. Therefore, our research may facilitate novel therapeutic options for advanced colon cancer therapy.
Schlafen 12 Interaction with SerpinB12 and Deubiquitylases Drives Human Enterocyte Differentiation
Authors: Basson Marc D. , Wang Qinggang , Chaturvedi Lakshmi S. , More Shyam , Vomhof-DeKrey Emilie E. , Al-Marsoummi Sarmad , Sun Kelian , Kuhn Leslie A. , Kovalenko Pavlo , Kiupel Matti
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Human enterocytic differentiation is altered during development, fasting, adaptation, and bariatric surgery, but its intracellular control remains unclear. We hypothesized that Schlafen 12 (SLFN12) regulates enterocyte differentiation. Methods: We used laser capture dissection of epithelium, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry to evaluate SLFN12 expression in biopsies of control and fasting human duodenal mucosa, and viral overexpression and siRNA to trace the SLFN12 pathway in human Caco-2 and HIEC6 intestinal epithelial cells. Results: Fasting human duodenal mucosa expressed less SLFN12 mRNA and protein, accompanied by decreases in enterocytic markers like sucrase-isomaltase. SLFN12 overexpression increased Caco-2 sucrase-isomaltase promoter activity, mRNA, and protein independently of proliferation, and activated the SLFN12 putative promoter. SLFN12 coprecipitated Serpin B12 (SERPB12). An inactivating SLFN12 point mutation prevented both SERPB12 binding and sucrase-isomaltase induction. SERPB12 overexpression also induced sucrase-isomaltase, while reducing SERPB12 prevented the SLFN12 effect on sucrase-isomaltase. Sucrase-isomaltase induction by both SLFN12 and SERPB12 was attenuated by reducing UCHL5 or USP14, and blocked by reducing both. SERPB12 stimulated USP14 but not UCHL5 activity. SERPB12 coprecipitated USP14 but not UCHL5. Moreover, SLFN12 increased protein levels of the sucrase-isomaltase-promoter-binding transcription factor cdx2 without altering Cdx2 mRNA. This was prevented by reducing UCHL5 and USP14. We further validated this pathway in vitro and in vivo. SLFN12 or SERPB12 overexpression induced sucrase-isomaltase in human non-malignant HIEC-6 enterocytes. Conclusions: SLFN12 regulates human enterocytic differentiation by a pathway involving SERPB12, the deubiquitylases, and Cdx2. This pathway may be targeted to manipulate human enterocytic differentiation in mucosal atrophy, short gut or obesity.
КІЛЬКІСНА МОРФОЛОГІЯ ГІПЕРТРОФОВАНОГО СЕРЦЯ
Authors: Slabyy O. B.
Published: July 2018

При дослідженні гіперфункціонуючого та гіпертрофованого серця найдоцільніше застосовувати морфометрію, що дозволяє кількісно оцінити процеси та явища, які виникають при цьому в камерах серця, та адекватно і логічно інтерпретувати їх.Мета дослідження – ознайомити морфологів із можливостями застосування морфометрії для найповнішої і адекватної оцінки гіперфункціонуючого та гіпертрофованого серця.Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано опубліковані результати досліджень багатьох авторів, які стосуються використання морфометричних методів для оцінки стану як неушкодженого, так і ушкодженого серця.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. В огляді проведено аналіз існуючих методів кардіометрії від макроморфометричних до гісто-, стереологічних на клітинному рівні, що дозволяють робити висновок про гіпертрофію та атротофію міокарда, а також визначати елементи прогнозування ускладнень ушкодженого міокарда.Висновки. Морфометричні методи дослідження не використовували дослідники для оцінки змін на усіх рівнях структурної організації гіперфункоціонуючого серця. Не встановлено інформативних, діагностичних та кількісних критеріїв компенсованого та декомпенсованого серця.
Firma Piyasa Değerini Etkileyen Finansal Faktörler: Banka ve Sigorta İşletmeleri Üzerine Bir Uygulama
Authors: DİLMAÇ Murat , KORKMAZ Özge
Published: July 2018

Çalışmanın amacı banka ve sigorta işletmelerinin hisse
senedi piyasa değeri ile karlılık, sermaye yapısı ve büyüme oranı gibi
faktörler arasında bir ilişkinin mevcut olup olmadığını belirlemek ve böyle bir
ilişki mevcut ise bu faktörlerin piyasa değeri üzerindeki etkilerini
incelemektir. Bu doğrultuda çalışmada Borsa İstanbul’da işlem gören 12 banka ve
5 sigorta işletmesinden oluşan bir örneklem üzerinde 2008-2015 dönemine ait
üçer aylık veriler kullanılarak panel regresyon analizinden yararlanılmıştır.
Çalışmada piyasa değeri/defter değeri ve Tobin’s Q oranı bağımlı değişken olarak
ele alınmıştır. Bağımsız değişken olarak ise likidite, öz kaynak karlılığı,
kaldıraç oranı, büyüklük, aktif büyüme ve maddi olmayan duran varlık oranları
kullanılmıştır. Regresyon analiz sonuçlarına göre, sigorta şirketlerinde
kaldıraç oranının piyasa değeri/defter değeri oranını pozitif yönde, özkaynak
karlılık oranını ise negatif yönde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir. Banka
işletmeleri için regresyon analiz sonuçları incelendiğinde, kaldıraç ve
büyüklük değişkenlerinin piyasa değeri/defter değeri oranını negatif yönde, özkaynak
karlılığını ve maddi olmayan duran varlıklar ise pozitif yönde etkilediği gözlenmiştir.
New records of deep-sea prawn of the genus Gennadas Spence Bate, 1881 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Benthesicymidae) from Southwestern Atlantic
Authors: ALVES-JÚNIOR FLAVIO DE ALMEIDA , DE LEMOS RACHEL DE JESUS FEIO , CARDOSO IRENE AZEVEDO , DE ARAÚJO MARINA DE SÁ LEITÃO CÂMARA , BERTRAND ARNAUD , SOUZA-FILHO JESSER F.
Published: July 2018

Here, we report the new occurrences of four deep-water prawn of the genus Gennadas in the southwestern Atlantic: G. gilchristi recorded from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge region; G. capensis recorded from Brazilian waters off Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Atol das Rocas and Ceará Chain; G. talismani and G. scutatus recorded both to Mid-Atlantic Ridge and to Brazilian waters.
Local Enhancement of Extreme Precipitation during Atmospheric Rivers as Simulated in a Regional Climate Model
Authors: Lorente-Plazas Raquel , Mitchell Todd P. , Mauger Guillaume , Salathé Eric P.
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the synoptic conditions that yield extreme precipitation in two regions with different orographic features, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. To capture orographic extreme precipitation, a dynamical downscaling is performed, driven by the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and evaluated for cool-season months from 1970 to 2010. Clustering techniques are applied to the regional climate simulation, which reveals the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound as regions with distinct temporal variability in precipitation. Results show that approximately one-third of the extreme precipitation events in each region occur without a similarly extreme event in the other, in spite of the fact that the two areas are very closely located and one is downstream of the other. Composites of synoptic conditions for extreme precipitation events show differences in integrated vapor transport (IVT) due to its dynamical component (winds at 850 hPa) and its thermodynamical component [integrated water vapor (IWV)]. For Puget Sound events, IVT is lower compared to Olympic Mountain events because of lower wind speeds. Olympic Mountain events have lower IVT compared to events with extreme precipitation in both regions, but in this case, the difference is due to lower IWV and more southerly winds. These differences in the large-scale conditions promote differences in the mesoscale mechanisms that enhance precipitation in each location. For Puget Sound events, static stability is higher, and there is a weak rain shadow. For Olympic Mountain events, static stability is lower, and a strong rain shadow is present. During extreme events in both regions, orographic modulation is minimized and large-scale effects dominate.
Convective Boundary Layer Depth Estimation from S-Band Dual-Polarization Radar
Authors: Banghoff John R. , Stensrud David J. , Kumjian Matthew R.
Published: July 2018

This study investigates Bragg scatter signatures in dual-polarization radar observations, which are defined by low differential reflectivity values, as a proxy for convective boundary layer (CBL) depth. Using data from the WSR-88D in Twin Lakes, Oklahoma (KTLX), local minima in quasi-vertical profiles of are found to provide a reasonable estimate of CBL depth when compared with depth estimates from upper-air soundings from Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), during 2014. The 243 Bragg scatter and upper-air sounding CBL depth estimates have a correlation of 0.90 and an RMSE of 254 m. Using Bragg scatter as a proxy for CBL depth was expanded to other seasons and locations—performing well in Wilmington, Ohio; Fairbanks, Alaska; Tucson, Arizona; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Albany, New York; Portland, Oregon; and Tampa, Florida—showing its potential usefulness in monitoring CBL depth throughout the year in a variety of geographic locations and meteorological conditions.
Automatons, sales-floor control and the constitution of authority
Authors: Darr Asaf
Published: July 2018

Workplace authority in contemporary contexts is increasingly being constituted through online automatons, internet platforms whose logic is diametrically opposed to the notion of hierarchical knowledge. They govern the organization of work and derive legitimacy from three principles: (1) the streaming of information into a network composed of all workers; (2) the transparency of the information and measurements they provide to workers; and (3) their automatic self-regulation, which obscures the role of management in their design. Via interviews and on-site observation in a large computer chain store, I examined how one automaton controls workers through a complex system of sales contests. To lure workers into active engagement with the automaton, management offers hefty prizes to contest winners and also strives to legitimate the automaton’s operation by presenting the contests as fair and just. Through the behavioural scripts inscribed into it, the automaton fosters belief in markets as efficient means of resource allocation and promotes self-interested behaviour and arm’s-length social ties. Smart artefacts like this automaton, which foster belief and generate authority through workers’ prescribed engagement with them, are, I argue, emerging as effective managerial tools in a variety of work contexts, part of a pattern of increasing automation of workplace authority.
Mechanical and thermal properties of Moringa oleifera cellulose-based epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Ayrilmis Nadir , Ozdemir Ferhat , Nazarenko Olga B , Visakh PM
Published: July 2018

Cellulose nanowhiskers were prepared by acid hydrolysis of drumstick fruit fibers from Moringa oleifera. It was incorporated into thermosetting epoxy matrix at various weight fractions (0.06, 0.12 or 0.18 wt%) to investigate their effect on the mechanical and thermal properties of resulting epoxy resin composite. Drumstick fruit nanofibers slightly increased the thermal stability of the prepared composites. The tensile modulus (31.4%) and bending modulus (38.2%) of the epoxy composites filled with 0.18 wt% cellulose nanowhiskers significantly increased in comparison with that of the neat cured epoxy resin. However, the tensile strength (48.7%) and bending strength (41.6%) of the composites significantly decreased as the 0.18 wt% nanowhiskers were added into the epoxy matrix. The nanowhiskers (0.18 wt%) can be efficiently used in the epoxy matrix to improve considerably the tensile and bending modulus of the composites as well as a slight increase in the thermal stability.
FELASA accreditation of education and training courses in laboratory animal science according to the Directive 2010/63/EU
Authors: Gyger Marcel , Berdoy Manuel , Dontas Ismene , Kolf-Clauw Martine , Santos Ana Isabel , Sjöquist Mats
Published: July 2018

This document describes how the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) accreditation addresses both the Directive 2010/63/EU and the related European Commission guidance document.

The four EU Functions and beyond:

FELASA accredits courses that fulfil the requirements of Functions A, B, C and D as defined by EU Directive, Article 23, as well as for designated veterinarians and specialists in laboratory animal science.

Modularity and mobility:

Cohesive courses for Functions and for very specific topics are accredited, but flexibility and mobility are possible: a researcher can start his/her training with one FELASA accredited course and complete other modules with another. A course organizer will deliver a FELASA certificate relating to the successfully completed modules.

Accreditation process:

The process consists of two major steps: (1) a review of full course documentation provided by the applicant will lead, if successful, to FELASA accreditation. The course is posted on the FELASA website as ‘FELASA accredited’ and the course provider can deliver FELASA certificates upon successful completion of the course; (2) successful accreditation is followed by an on-site course audit. In the case of a negative outcome of the audit, FELASA accreditation is withdrawn, the course is deleted from the list of FELASA accredited courses and FELASA certificates cannot be issued. To ensure that quality is maintained, continuation of accreditation requires regular revalidation.
Mechanisms of Responsiveness: What MPs Think of Interest Organizations and How They Deal with Them
Authors: Giugni Marco , Grasso Maria
Published: July 2018

By employing individual-level data on MPs in 15 countries and 73 national and local assemblies, this article examines the conditions under which individual MPs are responsive to interest organizations. We show that MPs’ political values influence their responsiveness: MPs with more egalitarian and socially open values are more responsive to interest organizations. Moreover, MPs’ conceptions of democracy also matter in that more negative views of popular political involvement in democratic decision making are linked to lower responsiveness to interest organizations. Reliance on established ties with groups in society as well as support for technocracy have differential effects for responsiveness toward “old” and “new” interest organizations characterized by diverse social bases. These findings have important implications for democratic practice since they show how MPs are not all equally responsive to organized citizens as well as how different types of factors matter for responsiveness to “old” and “new” types of interest organizations.
Compulsive Buying: The Impact of Attitudes Toward Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Physical Appearance Investment
Authors: Harnish Richard J. , Gump Joshua T. , Bridges K. Robert , Slack Frederick J. , Rottschaefer Karen M.
Published: July 2018

Objective: The current research examined whether eating disorder risk and the attitudinal elements related to body image predict compulsive buying. Method: A sample of students attending two public universities located in the northeast United States were surveyed. Results: A multiple regression indicated that attitudes related to one’s physical appearance, fitness, and health as well as eating disorder risk were predictors of compulsive buying with appearance orientation being the strongest predictor of compulsive buying. Conclusions: Understanding the factors that affect compulsive buying aids the identification of problematic compulsive buying and informs the treatment of compulsive buying. Treatment models may be more effective if additional attention is given to addressing the anxiety compulsive buyers experience when they experience a discrepancy between their ideal and actual self.
Challenges to Recruiting Black Males Into Early Childhood Education
Authors: Meidl Christopher
Published: July 2018

There is a lack of Black male teachers working with young children in early childhood education (ECE). This qualitative research investigated 23 Black male participants’ beliefs about challenges to recruiting Black males to teach in ECE (birth-fourth) and recommendations to increase the number of Black males in ECE. Black masculinity identity theory was used as the lens to understand the sociocultural context participants provided. From the data, several themes emerged from participants’ experiences: challenges to recruitment (i.e., presence, financial, and systematic obstacles in society) and recommendations for change (i.e., recruitment, alternative approaches, encouraging educational paths, and valuing personal interaction).
The Affordable Care Act Attenuates Financial Strain According to Poverty Level
Authors: McKenna Ryan M. , Langellier Brent A. , Alcalá Héctor E. , Roby Dylan H. , Grande David T. , Ortega Alexander N.
Published: July 2018

We use data from the 2011-2016 National Health Interview Survey to examine how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has influenced disparities in health care–related financial strain, access to care, and utilization of services by categories of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). We use multivariable regression analyses to determine the ACA’s effects on these outcome measures, as well as to determine how changes in these measures varied across different FPL levels. We find that the national implementation of the ACA’s insurance expansion provisions in 2014 was associated with improvements in health care–related financial strain, access, and utilization. Relative to adults earning more than 400% of the FPL, the largest effects were observed among those earning between 0% to 124% and 125% to 199% of the FPL after the implementation of the ACA. Both groups experienced reductions in disparities in financial strain and uninsurance relative to the highest FPL group. Overall, the ACA has attenuated health care–related financial strain and improved access to and the utilization of health services for low- and middle-income adults who have traditionally not met income eligibility requirements for public insurance programs. Policy changes that would replace the ACA with less generous age-based tax subsidies and reductions in Medicaid funding could reverse these gains.
Couple’s Decision-Making Process and Their Satisfaction with the Tourist Destination
Authors: Rojas-de-Gracia María-Mercedes , Alarcón-Urbistondo Pilar
Published: July 2018

Satisfaction with the tourist destination is an issue that has attracted the interest of many researchers. However, it has rarely been related to the decision-making process when choosing the destination. This is precisely the objective of this research, carried out with a study based on a sample of 371 couples, whose members responded separately, giving it greater reliability. The absence of conflict during the decision-making process and joint adoption of decisions are the variables shared by the most satisfied tourists, whether men or women. Furthermore, it has not been demonstrated that the existence of a consensus between the couple on their perceptions of how the decision was reached has any influence on the satisfaction experienced. These findings have implications that are discussed in this article.
Causal Inference with Networked Treatment Diffusion
Authors: An Weihua
Published: July 2018

Treatment interference (i.e., one unit’s potential outcomes depend on other units’ treatment) is prevalent in social settings. Ignoring treatment interference can lead to biased estimates of treatment effects and incorrect statistical inferences. Some recent studies have started to incorporate treatment interference into causal inference. But treatment interference is often assumed to follow a simple structure (e.g., treatment interference exists only within groups) or measured in a simplistic way (e.g., only based on the number of treated friends). In this paper, I highlight the importance of collecting data on actual treatment diffusion in order to more accurately measure treatment interference. Furthermore, I show that with accurate measures of treatment interference, we can identify and estimate a series of causal effects that are previously unavailable, including the direct treatment effect, treatment interference effect, and treatment effect on interference. I illustrate the methods through a case study of a social network–based smoking prevention intervention.
What Do We Mean by Democracy? Reflections on an Essentially Contested Concept and Its Relationship to Politics and Public Administration
Authors: Spicer Michael W.
Published: July 2018

This article argues that democracy is an essentially contested concept in that its meaning and applications appear to be subject to endless contestation, but that the origins of such contestation are to be found in our political practices rather than in the concept per se. It is also argued that the idea of contestation itself is an important part of our own historically situated understanding of democracy. The implications of these arguments for how public administration scholars should think about democracy and constitutionalism are examined.
Accuracy of tumor size measurement: comparison of B-mode ultrasound, strain elastography, and 2D and 3D shear wave elastography with histopathological lesion size
Authors: Farrokh André , Maass Nicolai , Treu Linn , Heilmann Thorsten , Schäfer Fritz KW
Published: July 2018

Background

Predicting the exact extent of a breast tumor is of great importance for oncologic treatment strategies. Different types of elastography can be used as new tools for measuring lesion size.

Purpose

To provide evidence regarding the accuracy of tumor size measurement of strain elastography (SE), two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shear wave elastography (SWE), and conventional B-image ultrasound.

Material and Methods

In this prospective study, the diameter of 105 malignant breast lesions was measured by SE, 2D and 3D SWE, and B-mode ultrasound. The histopathological lesion size was compared to all imaging-based measuring methods.

Results

The mean lesion size of all breast carcinomas was 1.54 cm. B-mode ultrasound underestimates breast cancer size in 65.7 % of all cases in this study ( P < 0.0001). Mean lesion size was more accurately determined by SE, 2D and 3D SWE compared to B-mode ultrasound. Absolute differences between measured and actual lesion are smaller for B-mode ultrasound (0.26 cm) than for SE (0.41 cm) and 2D and 3D SWE (0.41 cm and 0.44 cm, respectively).

Conclusion

B-mode ultrasound allows more accurate lesion size measurement than SE and 2D or 3D SWE but has a significantly higher risk of underestimating tumor size which could lead to incomplete margins during surgery. 3D SWE was not superior to 2D SWE or SE but by trend more precise in predicting the size of invasive lobular carcinoma.
Musical training improves memory for instrumental music, but not vocal music or words
Authors: Wilbiks Jonathan M. P. , Hutchins Sean
Published: July 2018

In previous research, there exists some debate about the effects of musical training on memory for verbal material. The current research examines this relationship, while also considering musical training effects on memory for musical excerpts. Twenty individuals with musical training were tested and their results were compared to 20 age-matched individuals with no musical experience. Musically trained individuals demonstrated a higher level of memory for classical musical excerpts, with no significant differences for popular musical excerpts or for words. These findings are in support of previous research showing that while music and words overlap in terms of their processing in the brain, there is not necessarily a facilitative effect between training in one domain and performance in the other.
Assessing body sensations in children: Intra-rater reliability of assessment and effects of age
Authors: Taylor Susan , McLean Belinda , Falkmer Torbjorn , Carey Leeanne M , Girdler Sonya , Elliott Catherine , Blair Eve
Published: July 2018

Introduction

This article examines the effect of age and gender on somatosensory capacity for children and adolescents, and provides preliminary normative data and reliability for the SenScreen© Kids, a new standardised measure of touch, wrist position sense and haptic object recognition.

Method

A cross-sectional study of 88 typically developing children aged 6–15 years (mean 10.3 years; SD 2.6 years) was used to determine the developmental effects of age and gender on somatosensory capacity. Intra-rater reliability was assessed in 22 of the 88 participants at two time points (mean 8.8 years; SD 2.6 years).

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed between age groups for tactile discrimination, wrist position sense and haptic object recognition, but not for touch registration for which all except one participant achieved a maximum score. There was no effect of gender. Three of four SenScreen Kids subtests demonstrated good intra-rater agreement between time points.

Conclusions

Somatosensory capacity increased with age for typically developing children aged 6–15 years. Three subtests of the SenScreen Kids demonstrated good intra-rater reliability with typically developing children. Further investigation of reliability is required, and all subtests require psychometric testing with clinical populations.
The Dr Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2018: Occupational stories from a global city
Authors: Pollard Nick
Published: July 2018

The Dr Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2018, given on June 12th2018 at the 42nd Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, held at the Belfast Waterfront, Belfast, UK.

This lecture aims to set out the potential for the global occupational therapy profession to exchange knowledge for social transformation practice. It identifies the profession’s concern with narratives as a vehicle for a socially critical approach to occupation, which can be used to negotiate intervention and action. Drawing on examples from literature, history and service users, the paper suggests that narrative provides a means for relating the value of occupation beyond professional boundaries to capture popular imagination and demand for the profession. Examples are given of the critical discussion of the everyday impact of health inequity, and in addressing diversity both in the profession and engaging service users.

My lecture concludes that occupational therapy is a global network with the population of a city, and thus represents a community that can be a vibrant voice for social transformation through occupation through a reciprocal exchange of narrative. This is a collective and dialogical process which can draw on the experiences of both southern and northern hemispheres.
Access to grammar schools by socio-economic status
Authors: Burgess Simon , Crawford Claire , Macmillan Lindsey
Published: July 2018

One of the main motivations given for the proposed new expansion of grammar schools in England is to improve social mobility. We assess the role of existing grammar schools in promoting social mobility by examining access to grammar schools, differentiating among the 85% non-poor pupils using the National Pupil Database. We find stark differences in grammar school attendance within selective areas by socio-economic status, even when comparing pupils with the same Key Stage 2 attainment. High attaining children from the most deprived backgrounds are significantly less likely to attend a grammar school compared to similarly high attaining children from the least deprived backgrounds. Given these large inequalities in attendance to grammar schools, conditional on achievement, it is hard to see how such a system would promote the aim of improving social mobility.
Entrepreneurial orientation in family firms: New drivers and the moderating role of the strategic involvement of the board
Authors: Arzubiaga Unai , Maseda Amaia , Iturralde Txomin
Published: July 2018

In this study, we examine new drivers that generate a disposition toward entrepreneurial activity in family firms and how the strategic involvement of the board of directors (SIBD) moderates the relationships between these drivers (image of the firm, willingness to change, and access to financial resources) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Using a sample of 230 family small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), our results confirm that a good family firm image and willingness to change may be powerful tools that stimulate a firm to develop entrepreneurial activities. The negative relationship between access to financial resources and EO may relate to the false belief that financial resources help firms be more creative and to maintaining family control of the firm and the socioemotional endowment. Contrary to our expectations, we also find that the SIBD negatively influences the relationship between the above drivers and EO, pointing to the need for more open boards of directors in family SMEs in order to develop and implement entrepreneurial strategies.

JEL Classification: L2, M1
A Voxel-Based Method for Automated Detection and Mapping of Light Poles on Rural Highways using LiDAR Data
Authors: Gargoum Suliman A. , Koch James C. , El-Basyouny Karim
Published: July 2018

The number of light poles and their position (in terms of density and offset off the roadside) have significant impacts on the safe operation of highways. In current practice, inventory of such information is performed in periodic site visits, which are tedious and time consuming. This makes inventory and health monitoring of poles at a network level extremely challenging. To relieve the burden associated with manual inventory of poles, this paper proposes a novel algorithm which can automatically obtain such information from remotely sensing data. The proposed algorithm works by first tiling point cloud data collected using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology into manageable data tiles of fixed dimensions. The data are voxelized and attributes for each data voxel are calculated to classify them into ground and nonground points. Connected components labeling is then used to perform 3D clustering of the data voxels. Further clustering is performed using a density-based clustering to combine connected components of the same object. The final step involves classifying different objects into poles and non-poles based on a set of decision rules related to the geometric properties of the clusters. The proposed algorithm was tested on a 4 km rural highway segment in Alberta, Canada, which had substantial variation in its vertical alignment. The algorithm was accurate in detecting nonground objects, including poles. Moreover, the results also highlight the importance of considering the length of the highway and its terrain when detecting nonground objects from LiDAR.
Highway Safety Manual Calibration: Assessing Alternate Definitions of the Calibration Factor
Authors: Rajabi Mahdi , Ogle Jennifer Harper , Gerard Patrick
Published: July 2018

The publication of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) in 2010 established crash frequency prediction as the essential safety measure for safety studies. However, given that the models were developed using a single state’s data, the HSM recommends calibration of the prediction models using data from the jurisdiction where they will be applied. This calibration process has been conducted in several states and many questions have been raised as a result. This paper is intended to investigate different definitions and criteria for the calibration factors, and provide recommendations for practitioners on which definition to use. In addition to the calibration factors in the HSM and previously published definitions, two other calibration factor equations are proposed and compared using multiple goodness of fit measures. Whereas each definition may outperform others in certain measures, in this study, it is recommended to use the definition that maximizes the likelihood between predicted and observed crashes. The idea is to follow the same concept in both state-specific safety performance functions development and calibration process, which is maximizing the likelihood of predicted and observed crashes.
When Digital Trace Data Meet Traditional Communication Theory: Theoretical/Methodological Directions
Authors: Choi Sujin
Published: July 2018

This study suggests one direction of theoretical and methodological coupling of communication research with the digital trace data, utilizing its differences from the traditional social science approach (e.g., sampling vs. population, normal distribution vs. power–law distribution, generalization vs. simulation, deductive vs. inductive, and perceived vs. actual). We propose specific examples of (i) combining communication research with trace data methodologically and theoretically; (ii) collaborating with linguistic psychology complemented with the automated content analysis and natural language processing techniques; and (iii) creating new theoretical inquiries by configuring the granular level of interactivity and underlying dynamics, observing the longitudinal change of interactions, and discovering the neglected presence of outliers and the invisibles. We expect the direction suggested by this study contributes to deepening our understanding of human communication behavior.
Positive Aging Views in the General Population Predict Better Long-Term Cognition for Elders in Eight Countries
Authors: Smith Emma B. , Desai Mayur M. , Slade Martin , Levy Becca R.
Published: July 2018

Objective: Much of the literature on aging cognitive health has focused on individual determinants, rather than societal ones; in contrast, this study examined whether country-level age status predicts cognitive performance of older individuals over time. Method: Eight countries were examined using a novel combination of country-level age status data from the European Social Survey and individual-level data from the Survey on Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, between 2004 and 2013. Results: We found that more positive age status significantly predicted better performance on three cognitive measures over a 10-year period, after adjusting for relevant covariates. The generalized-linear model nested individuals within countries to account for the multilevel data. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an association between country-level age status and cognitive performance over time. The results suggest that a small change in the perception of old age at the population level could have a significant effect on the cognitive health of older individuals.
Analysis of process parameters effects on underwater friction stir welding of aluminum alloy 6082-T6
Authors: Wahid Mohd Atif , Khan Zahid A , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Shandley Rohit , Sharma Nidhi
Published: July 2018

In friction stir welding of heat treatable aluminum alloys, the thermal cycles developed during the joining process result in softening of the joints which adversely affect their mechanical properties. Underwater friction stir welding can be a process of choice to overcome this problem due to low peak temperature and short dwell time involved during the process. Consequently, this article presents a study pertaining to the underwater friction stir welding of aluminum alloy 6082-T6 with an aim to develop a mathematical model to optimize the underwater friction stir welding process parameters for obtaining maximum tensile strength. The results of the study reveal that the tool shoulder diameter (d), tool rotational speed (ω), welding speed (v), and second-order term of rotational speed, that is, ω2, significantly affect the tensile strength of the joint. The maximum tensile strength of 241 MPa which is indeed 79% of the base metal strength and 10.7% higher than that of conventional (air) friction stir welding joint was achieved at an optimal setting of the underwater friction stir welding parameters, that is, tool rotational speed of 900 r/min, the welding speed of 80 mm/min, and a tool shoulder of 17 mm. The article also presents the results of temperature variation, the macrostructural and microstructural investigations, microhardness, and fractography of the joint obtained at the optimal setting for underwater friction stir welded (UFSWed) joint.
An engineering approach towards a more discrete and efficient urinary drainage system
Authors: Marzo Alberto , Melis Alessandro , Unger Jaan , Sablotni Robert , Pistis Mauro , McCarthy Avril D
Published: July 2018

Modern urinary catheter-to-leg-bag systems suffer from a number of shortcomings. Drainage tubing of current urinary leg bags is perceived as unnecessarily bulky compared to the indwelling catheters to which it is connected, and catheter designs are prone to the formation of biofilms, leading ultimately to encrustation and blocking. We used analytical and experimental engineering methodologies, aligned with current international (International Standards Organisation) and European standards, to optimise drainage tube size and flow efficiency and characterise tube kinking behaviour. Using computational fluid dynamics, we studied the influence of modern Foley catheter design on urodynamics and explored its potential influence on biofilm formation and encrustation. Results indicate that tubing diameters could be reduced by 40%–50% and still satisfy current International Standards Organisation flow rate standards for leg bags; this might also reduce the likelihood of tube kinking. The computational study showed how current catheter design may promote the development of lower velocity recirculating flows and high shear in proximity of regions known to be affected by bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. If confirmed, these findings will give manufacturers greater flexibility to develop less obtrusive and more encrustation-resistant products for end users.
The Perception of Spontaneous and Volitional Laughter Across 21 Societies
Authors: Bryant Gregory A. , Fessler Daniel M. T. , Fusaroli Riccardo , Clint Edward , Amir Dorsa , Chávez Brenda , Denton Kaleda K. , Díaz Cinthya , Duran Lealaiauloto Togiaso , Fanćovićová Jana , Fux Michal , Ginting Erni Farida , Hasan Youssef , Hu Anning , Kamble Shanmukh V. , Kameda Tatsuya , Kuroda Kiri , Li Norman P. , Luberti Francesca R. , Peyravi Raha , Prokop Pavol , Quintelier Katinka J. P. , Shin Hyun Jung , Stieger Stefan , Sugiyama Lawrence S. , van den Hende Ellis A. , Viciana-Asensio Hugo , Yildizhan Saliha Elif , Yong Jose C. , Yuditha Tessa , Zhou Yi
Published: July 2018

Laughter is a nonverbal vocalization occurring in every known culture, ubiquitous across all forms of human social interaction. Here, we examined whether listeners around the world, irrespective of their own native language and culture, can distinguish between spontaneous laughter and volitional laughter—laugh types likely generated by different vocal-production systems. Using a set of 36 recorded laughs produced by female English speakers in tests involving 884 participants from 21 societies across six regions of the world, we asked listeners to determine whether each laugh was real or fake, and listeners differentiated between the two laugh types with an accuracy of 56% to 69%. Acoustic analysis revealed that sound features associated with arousal in vocal production predicted listeners’ judgments fairly uniformly across societies. These results demonstrate high consistency across cultures in laughter judgments, underscoring the potential importance of nonverbal vocal communicative phenomena in human affiliation and cooperation.
Insights on the relationship between complement component C4 serum concentrations and C4 gene copy numbers in a Western Australian systemic lupus erythematosus cohort
Authors: Margery-Muir A A , Bundell C , Wetherall J D , Whidborne R , Martinez P , Groth D M
Published: July 2018

The relationship between serum concentration of complement C4 ([C4]) and C4 gene copy number (GCN) was investigated in 56 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 33 age and sex-matched controls in a Western Australian population. C4A and C4B gene copy numbers (C4A & B GCN) together with the presence or absence of the ≈6.4-kb human endogenous retroviral element type K (hereafter HERV-K) in intron 9 were estimated by two TaqMan™ real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays that measured total C4 and HERV-K GCNs, respectively. There was good correlation between the two methods; however, the HERV-K GCN method showed a positive bias (≈6%) relative to the C4A & B total GCN. Despite individual variation, excellent correlation between total C4 GCN and mean [C4] per GCN was observed for both the SLE and control cohorts ( R2 = 88% and R2 = 99%, respectively). It was noted that serum [C4] was significantly lower in the SLE patients than the controls ( p = 0.006) despite there being no difference between C4A and C4B GCN in both cohorts. The data therefore confirm previous reports that the C4A genes are preferentially associated with the presence of the HERV-K insertion relative to C4B genes and does not support the hypothesis that low [C4] in SLE is explained by low C4A GCNs. There was no evidence also that the presence of the HERV-K insertion in C4 genes influenced [C4]. This study supports the view that low [C4] in SLE patients is due to consumption rather than deficient synthesis related to lower C4A & B GCN.
Aging in Place: A National Analysis of Home- and Community-Based Medicaid Services for Older Adults
Authors: Friedman Carli , Caldwell Joe , Rapp Kennedy Angela , Rizzolo Mary C.
Published: July 2018

The number of Americans needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) is projected to more than double in the coming decades largely due to an aging baby boomer population, meaning paying for LTSS will become an even greater challenge for American families and the country. Despite the benefits of aging in place, there remains a long-standing institutional bias within the Medicaid program, where services in nursing facilities are mandatory while home- and community-based services (HCBS) are mostly optional for states to cover. This study examined HCBS 1915(c) waivers ( n = 61 waivers) for older adults to categorize and compare service priorities. Findings revealed waivers for older adults were primarily focused on supporting individuals in their own homes to age in place. However, findings also revealed HCBS waivers are an underutilized mechanism for funding the LTSS of older adults. As states continue to deal with an increasing population of aging adults, with and without disabilities, the HCBS waiver option will continue to be an important component of a state’s service system.
Clinicopathologic Features of Two Rare Cases of Dedifferentiated Adamantinomas, Including Diagnostic Implications
Authors: Rekhi Bharat , Sahay Ayushi , Puri Ajay
Published: July 2018

A dedifferentiated adamantinoma is a rare subtype of an adamantinoma, associated with a relatively aggressive clinical course, with less than 10 such cases reported so far. A 25-year-old-male presented with pain in his right leg of 1-year duration. Imaging disclosed a well-defined lytic, destructive lesion in his proximal tibia with a cortical break and a soft tissue component. Microscopic examination of the biopsy and resected specimen showed nests and clusters of atypical epithelial cells, along with significant areas showing markedly pleomorphic and spindly sarcomatous cells with interspersed mitotic figures and areas of stromal hyalinization. By immunohistochemistry, the areas of epithelial differentiation showed intense positivity for cytokeratin and p63, whereas the sarcomatous areas showed reduced to absent immunostaining. A 51-year-old lady presented with a recurrent tumor in her right tibia, which was initially diagnosed as an adamantinoma, along with metastatic lesions in her lung. Microscopic examination of the recurrent and metastatic tumors showed areas of epithelial differentiation along with spindly sarcomatous cells, arranged in fascicles. By immunohistochemistry, the areas of epithelial differentiation showed positivity for pan cytokeratin. Additionally, p63 was diffusely positive. p53 showed diffuse and intense staining pattern in the sarcomatous component (dedifferentiation). While the first case is disease-free, the second case is on follow-up. The 2 cases of dedifferentiated adamantinoma further confirm the rare occurrence of this tumor in our population. Its correct diagnosis has treatment implications. Differential diagnoses and literature review of similar reported cases are also presented in this article.
Adverse Radiographic Outcomes Following Operative Treatment of Medial Malleolar Fractures
Authors: Hu Jianping , Zhang Chunlin , Zhu Kunpeng , Zhang Lei , Wu Weiping , Cai Tao , Ma Xiaolong
Published: July 2018

Background:

We initiated a retrospective study on ankle fractures to assess (1) the time needed for fracture union; (2) the incidence of adverse radiographic outcomes (AROs); (3) factors that might lead to AROs; and (4) whether AROs were associated with worse function and higher incidence of post-trauma osteoarthritis (PTOA).

Methods:

From 2007 to 2016, a total of 296 patients (169 women, 127 men; average age, 48.6 years; range, 20-84) were diagnosed with a medial malleolar fracture, whether isolated or in the setting of bi- or trimalleolar fractures, and underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or percutaneous screw fixation (PSF). The interval to fracture union, radiographic outcomes, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at 6 months postoperatively, and the incidence of PTOA were recorded. Risk factors were identified both in univariate and multivariate analysis. The average follow-up period was 52.0 months (range, 12-118).

Results:

The incidence of delayed union, nonunion, and malunion were 20.3%, 3.7%, and 4.4%, respectively. The interval to fracture union was 10.3 ± 6.4 weeks. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for AROs were tobacco use, vertical fractures, interposed soft tissue, and fair/poor reduction. Patients with AROs had significantly worse AOFAS score at 6 months postoperatively ( P < .001) and higher incidence of PTOA ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

AROs of medial malleolar fractures have an underestimated incidence rate and are associated with worse ankle function and higher incidence of PTOA. Risk factors including tobacco use, vertical fractures, interposed soft tissue, poor/fair reduction should be prudently taken into consideration when treating medial malleolar fractures.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.