bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Vehicle Study Builds Bridges between Industry and Academia
Authors: JORDAN BRIGITTE , WASSON CHRISTINA
Published: December 2015

Researchers have long explored the desirability and benefits of industry‐university collaborations and acknowledge they can be fraught with difficulties. We examine one such alliance, focused on driverless cars, a current hot topic in the public imagination and in technology design. Our collaboration began as an alliance between two anthropologists, one a professor at the University of North Texas, the other a consultant with the Nissan Research Center in Sunnyvale, California. We designed a research project for a design anthropology course that Christina Wasson taught in Fall 2014. Brigitte Jordan, at the time, was conducting an informal ethnography class for engineers and computer scientists at NRC. Our alliance had two objectives: to determine what a successful industry‐university collaboration could look like when it involves ethnographic research in the high‐tech sector, and to provide insights into usable ethnographic methods and data that would support social and cultural questions in autonomous vehicle (AV) research at the Nissan center. We found these two geographically separated classes eventually allowed building bridges across academia and industry, anthropology and engineering, leading in the long run to some softening of the boundaries between the two disciplines. Here we discuss significant variance in the research cultures of class participants at UNT and NRC (ethnographers and automotive engineers), and the various manners in which these differences were bridged over the course of the project (or not, as the case may be). We explore factors which inhibit or encourage exchange between university and industry micro‐cultures, consider reasons for the success or failure of such projects, and offer suggestions for improving future collaborations. We end with ideas about what a model for productive industry‐academia collaboration could look like.
Knee Deep in the Weeds—Getting Your Hands Dirty in a Technology Organization
Authors: ROMAIN TIFFANY , GRIFFIN MIKE
Published: December 2015

For many months our organization had us performing “technical grunt work.” Upon reflection, getting deep into our company's technological system put us in the unique position of understanding, at a much finer level of detail, the entire assemblage of people, objects, systems, and organizations that make up the world that this technology is becoming a part of. Our paper recounts how we eventually recognized our engagement in technological grunt work as participant observation and how it enabled us to better contribute to decisions about how the technology should work, present itself to users, and be sold. Further, we reflect on an expanded notion of what constitutes the field and fieldwork in corporate ethnography.
Tangible Tools in Para‐ethnographic Fieldwork
Authors: LIMA PATRICIA , MOSLEH WAFA SAID
Published: December 2015

This paper sets out to explore how tangible tools can invite industrial managers to have a say in how ethnographic fieldwork can be conducted to explore the use of products in real‐life contexts. We draw upon video materials and field notes from a series of customer visits in four European countries. Our main aim is to address the following questions: How can tangible tools help facilitate dialogues in the field to bring awareness and to challenge taken‐for‐granted assumptions? In what ways can company managers be involved in conducting fieldwork? To what extent can we involve the participants so that they do not solely serve as informants? Our arguments focus on challenging industrial manufacturing companies' assumptions and expectations about their customers' use of their products, as well as bringing awareness to company managers about the advantages of ethnographic praxis instigating collaboration across different levels. By showing that ethnography essentially becomes a collaborative practice, the arguments challenge the traditional approach to ethnographic fieldwork and thus takes a more social form that invites co‐production of knowledge. Our findings show that tangible tools are powerful in 1) challenging informants' perspectives and 2) empowering non‐ethnographers to take ethnographic roles in fieldwork activities. We also argue that this “para‐ethnographic” practice suggests that ethnographers as “facilitators” in a process of entrusting co‐producers of ethnographic knowledge will increase the spectrum of skills and the impact of ethnographic work in business contexts.
Redefining the Ivorian Smallholder Cocoa Farmer's Role in Qualitative Research: From Passive Contributions to Passionate Participation
Authors: PICK CALDERÓN HANNAH , NIAVA LANDRY
Published: December 2015

Provider and researchers from the University of Cocody in Abidjan were faced with the challenge of adapting a user‐centered approach to qualitative research endeavors in Côte d'Ivoire. Our cross‐cultural team with expertise from multiple disciplines developed a novel approach for the cocoa sector. In observations, interviews, and co‐creation groups with cocoa farmers, we explored concepts of success, productivity, and profitability both orally and visually. The resulting quality and level of farmer participation was enhanced, therefore improving research results.
Radical Insights: Towards a Critical Hermeneutic
Authors: MENDONCA KARL
Published: December 2015

In this paper, I will use an ethnographic research project to develop a set of foundational personas to work through the process of formulating insights that challenged the core epistemological assumptions of our stakeholders. Drawing on a rich body of discourse within postcolonial theory, I will highlight the concept of critical hermeneutics that emphasizes thinking about the conditions under which knowledge is produced over the “facticity” of the research artifacts, shifting the focus from “how objective is the information” to “what assumptions are driving research.” Put simply, critical hermeneutics can be seen as a method that uses reflexivity to explain how meaning is not absolute or empirical, but rather emerges from active interpretation that is informed by context. With this theoretical framework in mind, I will describe the methods used to include our stakeholders in the process of engaging with research data and ultimately derive the epistemological cores of the new persona set. The final section of the paper will critically evaluate the project in terms its overall impact and open up a broader discussion about the relationship of critical hermeneutics to ethnographic research.
The Media Landscape under Threat: Navigating the Need for Change by Applying an Anthropological Approach
Authors: EITZINGER MARIA
Published: December 2015

While newspaper subscriptions are plummeting and advertising revenues move from content providers to search engines, media houses struggle to adapt and to build new capabilities in order to adapt to emerging consumer practices. Drawing on an on‐going research with regional media houses and with news‐consuming young families with kids in the countryside of Denmark, I investigate the perception of local media within the broader spectrum of news consumption. How is the term ‘news’ understood? How does materiality play into this understanding? And how is the newspaper production reproducing contested meanings of “news”?
Postal Poetry: The Significance of Stamps
Authors: MACK ALEXANDRA
Published: December 2015

Postage stamps, quickly receding in usage as we tweet our voices around the world, have for nearly 200 years been key enablers of a system that links humans by physical messages. But beyond their role as facilitators of communication, stamps themselves carry messages embedded in their usage and imagery. Functionally, stamps signify that appropriate payment has been made for the service of transporting a letter. Symbolically, stamps express meaning for a variety of actors. The agencies who create stamps can use the visual canvas they provide to promote national values through domestic achievements and significant events and people. Individuals who use them may focus on the beauty of a stamp and the intimacy they believe a personally chosen stamp implies to the recipient. The recipients who do notice stamps and other marks on the mail may be noticing something unintended by the sender, such as the class of mail, which signifies the letter's importance, or lack thereof. Stamps can carry personal meaning too, as connectors to one's own past and as objects collected by a loved one and passed down as heirlooms.
Eat Your Heart Out!
Authors: ZUNJARWAD RENU
Published: December 2015

This visual ethnography explores how explicit understanding of the process of eating ethnic street foods can help design meaningful and engaging food experiences for users and providers. It presents an innovative approach of conducting ethnographic research that involves important domains of experience‐focused innovation. Most importantly, it integrates broader perspectives of globalization, immigration, and cultural assimilation to ask if gustatory pleasures of the palate can act as a powerful medium to develop deeper inter‐cultural ties. Nobel Laureate Gunnar Myrdal commented, “Problems do not come in disciplines”. “Eat Your Heart Out” takes an interdisciplinary route to explore an issue that is economically pertinent, socially challenging, and culturally intricate.
A Concept Analysis of Self‐Care Based on Islamic Sources
Authors: Marzband Rahmatollah , Zakavi Ali Asghar
Published: December 2015

Purpose

This article describes the concept of self‐care from Islamic texts.

Method

Rodgers' evolutionary model of concept analysis was used in this study.

Findings

Self‐care is a series of responsible activities to God for health promotion, preventive disease and remedy. It encompasses physical, mental, spiritual, and social dimensions.

Conclusion

A comprehensive definition of the concept of self‐care ensued from a review of Islamic literature.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Since the nurses instruct and assist individuals as they engage in self‐care, using a comprehensive definition of self‐care based on Islamic sources would provide an anchor linking for them as they interact with Muslim patients.
Preventing chronic postoperative pain
Authors: Reddi D.
Published: December 2015

Chronic postoperative pain is common. Nerve injury and inflammation promote chronic pain, the risk of which is influenced by patient factors, including psychological characteristics. Interventional trials to prevent chronic postoperative pain have been underpowered with inadequate patient follow‐up. Ketamine may reduce chronic postoperative pain, although the optimum treatment duration and dose for different operations have yet to be identified. The evidence for gabapentin and pregabalin is encouraging but weak; further work is needed before these drugs can be recommended for the prevention of chronic pain. Regional techniques reduce the rates of chronic pain after thoracotomy and breast cancer surgery. Nerve‐sparing surgical techniques may be of benefit, although nerve injury is not necessary or sufficient for chronic pain to develop.
Specialist pre‐operative assessment clinics
Authors: Dhesi J. K. , Swart M.
Published: December 2015

While specialist pre‐operative assessment is not new, its focus has evolved in response to more operations and changes in the surgical population. Patients are older and have more long‐term medical comorbidities. At the same time, there has been a move from paternalistic medical decision‐making to shared decision‐making, based on an individual patient's choice or preference. Specialist pre‐operative consultations have had to adapt to these changes by broadening their scope. Pre‐operative clinics have a central role in shared decision‐making, coordinating and planning care before, during and after surgery, including rehabilitation and discharge planning. Multiple specialties need to work together to deliver quality patient‐centred care.
Peri‐operative nutrition
Authors: Ali Abdelhamid Y. , Chapman M. J. , Deane A. M.
Published: December 2015

Patients are frequently malnourished or are at risk of malnutrition before surgery. Peri‐operative nutritional support can improve their outcomes. This review focuses on new developments in peri‐operative nutrition, including: patient preparation and pre‐operative fasting; the role of nutritional supplementation; the optimal route and timing of nutrient delivery; and the nutritional management of specific groups including critically ill, obese and elderly patients.
Predictors of long‐term work disability among patients with type I and II bipolar disorder: a prospective 18‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Arvilommi Petri , Suominen Kirsi , Mantere Outi , Valtonen Hanna , Leppämäki Sami , Isometsä Erkki
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. However, vocational ability and predictors of long‐term work disability have rarely been studied among patients with BD. We investigated clinical predictors of work disability among patients with BD in psychiatric care.

Methods

The Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS) is a naturalistic prospective cohort study (N = 191) representing adult (18–59 years) psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with DSM‐IV bipolar I disorder (BD‐I) and bipolar II disorder (BD‐II) in three Finnish cities. Within the JoBS, we investigated the prevalence of disability pensions at baseline, and predictors for being granted a disability pension during an 18‐month follow‐up of the 151 patients in the labor force at baseline. Cox models were used to determine predictors for onset of disability pension.

Results

At baseline, 21% (40/191) of the patients already had a disability pension. During the follow‐up, a further 38 patients (25% of the 151 followed) were granted a new disability pension. The predictors included older age, male gender, depressive index episode, higher number of psychiatric hospitalizations, generalized anxiety disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and depressive burden during follow‐up. However, the predictors differed depending on bipolar subtype, age, and gender.

Conclusions

BD‐I and BD‐II are associated with a major risk of long‐term work disability, the proportion of patients with a disability pension rising to 41% in the medium‐term follow‐up of the Finnish cohort investigated in the present study. Severe clinical course, depression, comorbidities, age, and gender are likely to be the main predictors but predictors may vary depending on the subgroup.
The complex role of NOTCH receptors and their ligands in the development of hepatoblastoma, cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gil‐García Borja , Baladrón Victoriano
Published: December 2015

The NOTCH signalling pathway is one of the key molecular pathways of embryonic development and adult tissues homeostasis in mammals. Mammals have four NOTCH receptors and various ligands that modulate their activity. Many cell disorders, whose genesis involves the NOTCH signalling pathway, have been discovered, including cancer. The mechanisms by which these receptors and their ligands affect liver cell transformation are not yet well understood, and they seem to behave as both oncogenes and tumour‐suppressor proteins. In this review, we discuss the published data regarding the role of these proteins in the development of hepatoblastoma, cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma malignancies. The alteration of the NOTCH signalling pathway may be one of the main drivers of hepatic neoplastic growth. However, this signalling pathway might also modulate the development of specific liver tumour features. The complexity of the function of NOTCH receptors and their ligands may be due to their interactions with many other cell signalling pathways. Furthermore, the different levels of expression and activation of these receptors could be a reason for their distinct and sometimes contradictory effects.
Plasma level of metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 is associated with liver damage and predicts development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Konishi Hirotaka , Ichikawa Daisuke , Yamamoto Yusuke , Arita Tomohiro , Shoda Katsutoshi , Hiramoto Hidekazu , Hamada Junichi , Itoh Hiroshi , Fujita Yuji , Komatsu Shuhei , Shiozaki Atsushi , Ikoma Hisashi , Ochiai Toshiya , Otsuji Eigo
Published: November 2015

Recent studies have shown that metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) was overexpressed in many human solid cancers, however, its roles in plasma of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of plasma MALAT1 levels in HCC patients. Plasma samples were collected from pre‐operative HCC, hepatic disease patients, and healthy controls, and tissue samples from HCC patients and colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis. Plasma and tissue MALAT1 levels were measured. Plasma MALAT1 levels were progressively and significantly higher in HCC patients than hepatic disease patients, and higher in hepatic disease patients than healthy controls. The expression of MALAT1 in HCC tissue was slightly higher than that in paired non‐cancerous liver tissue, but not significant. The expression of MALAT1 in the non‐cancerous liver tissue of 20 HCC patients was significantly higher than that in normal liver tissue of 13 colorectal cancer patients. In contrast, plasma MALAT1 levels were significantly low in HCC patients with hepatitis B infection, and significantly high in patients with liver damage B or liver cirrhosis. In a receiver–operator curve analysis of HCC and hepatic disease patients, the cut‐off value of plasma MALAT1 was 1.60 and the area under the curve was 0.66. Plasma MALAT1 levels were not correlated with α‐fetoprotein or protein induced by vitamin K absence II, whereas sensitivity and specificity for the detection of HCC with the combination of MALAT1, α‐fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence II were 88.6% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion, the plasma MALAT1 level is associated with liver damage, and has clinical utility for predicting development of HCC.
Epstein‐Barr virus and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Fujiwara Shigeyoshi , Takei Masami
Published: December 2015

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus infecting more than 90% of adult population in the world. EBV is involved in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of malignancies, including Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and lymphoproliferative disease of immunocompromised hosts. In addition, abundant evidence has been obtained implicating the virus in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. In particular, seroepidemiological data strongly suggest that EBV is a prerequisite factor for the development of multiple sclerosis. Although no decisive theory has explained the mechanism of EBV's involvements in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, a number of hypotheses have been presented, including molecular mimicry, bystander damage, mistaken self, and EBV infection of autoreactive B cells. In this review, evidence so far obtained to suggest a crucial role for EBV in triggering autoimmune diseases is summarized and hypothetical mechanisms of EBV's involvement in these diseases are discussed. In addition, results obtained from a recent humanized mouse model of EBV infection that reproduced rheumatoid arthritis‐like erosive arthritis are described.
Pathogenic FBN1 variants in familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections
Authors: Regalado E.S. , Guo D.C. , Santos‐Cortez R.L.P. , Hostetler E. , Bensend T.A. , Pannu H. , Estrera A. , Safi H. , Mitchell A.L. , Evans J.P. , Leal S.M. , Bamshad M. , Shendure J. , Nickerson D.A. ,   University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Milewicz D.M.
Published: December 2015

Marfan syndrome (MFS) due to mutations in FBN1 is a known cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms and acute aortic dissections (TAAD) associated with pleiotropic manifestations. Genetic predisposition to TAAD can also be inherited in families in the absence of syndromic features, termed familial TAAD (FTAAD), and several causative genes have been identified to date. FBN1 mutations can also be identified in FTAAD families, but the frequency of these mutations has not been established. We performed exome sequencing of 183 FTAAD families and identified pathogenic FBN1 variants in five (2.7%) of these families. We also identified eight additional FBN1 rare variants that could not be unequivocally classified as disease‐causing in six families. FBN1 sequencing should be considered in individuals with FTAAD even without significant systemic features of MFS.
Balancing Income, Food Security, and Sustainability in Shangri‐La: The Dilemma of Monocropping Wine Grapes in Rural China
Authors: Galipeau Brendan A.
Published: December 2015

Using a political ecology framework that explores livelihood vulnerability, this paper analyzes commodification of grapes as an economic development strategy in Southwest China. Ethnographic research found that during the past decade, a majority of households within a village have converted fields to a monocrop of grapes, introduced by the government as part of a program to promote red wine from the region for tourism purposes. Villagers have been motivated to take part due to high economic returns but have found themselves living with less diversified sources of income and increasing use of agricultural chemicals. Villagers display concern for food security as they have moved away from growing subsistence crops and rely heavily on funds produced by grapes for subsistence. Questions are raised regarding long‐term sustainability and the outlook of development programs targeting rural farmers as producers of high‐value commodities being consumed by China's growing middle and upper classes.
The End: Thoughts on Humanism and Death
Authors: Pinn Anthony B.
Published: December 2015

Extending earlier work on a nontheistic theology, in this article I explore a humanist framing of death. I begin with a critique of theistic framings of death as a matter of isolation and transition to a greater situation. In place of theistic understandings of death, here I argue that humanist theology, drawing insights from literature and Albert Camus' moralism, provides a way to “naturalize” death, to understand death as already and always a dimension of life.
Does prenatal restraint stress change the craniofacial growth pattern of rat offspring?
Authors: Aminabadi Naser A. , Behroozian Ahmad , Talatahari Elham , Samiei Mohammad , Sadigh‐Eteghad Saeed , Shirazi Sajjad
Published: December 2015

A major and frequently encountered condition underlying the long‐term programming effects of the intrauterine environment is exposure to stress. Gestational stress is an environmental factor that induces physical and behavioral alterations in offspring. Seventy female virgin Wistar rats were mated with one male rat for a maximum of four times, after which 52 pregnant rats were divided into two groups. In the experimental group the rats were exposed to restraint stress during pregnancy, whereas the control group did not receive the stress protocol. One male litter was randomly chosen from the offspring of each rat with 8–13 pups. A total of 40 male rat offspring were available for analysis. Thirty‐one linear and angular measurements were analyzed in both study groups to investigate whether prenatal restraint stress changes the craniofacial growth pattern of rat offspring. In the prenatally stressed group, anterior cranial base length and viscerocranium measures were significantly increased compared with the control group, whereas cranial width, mandibular dimensions, and posterior cranial height and length remained unchanged. Furthermore, the prenatally stressed group showed backward rotation of the midface and decreased flattening of the cranial vault. It was concluded that prenatal chronic stress can induce alterations in the craniofacial growth pattern by promoting endochondral growth in the cranial base and nasal septum.
The Evolution of Informed Liquidity Provision: Evidence from an Order‐driven Market
Authors: Wee Marvin , Yang Joey W.
Published: November 2015

The liquidity provision strategies by institutional traders on the ASX have changed over the period 2006 to 2012. Besides using smaller‐sized orders more frequently than their retail counterparts, they have increased the use of passive limit orders. Institutional traders are found to be more sensitive and responsive to changes in market conditions. Analyses on order placement and price impact suggest that institutional traders are better informed. However, their limit orders are found to have a lower price impact at the intra‐day level in the 2012 subsample period. We show evidence this is associated with the proliferation of algorithmic and high frequency trading.
Revised criteria for classification of the etiologies of acute liver failure and late‐onset hepatic failure in Japan: A report by the Intractable Hepato‐biliary Diseases Study Group of Japan in 2015
Authors: Mochida Satoshi , Nakayama Nobuaki , Ido Akio , Takikawa Yasuhiro , Yokosuka Osamu , Sakaida Isao , Moriwaki Hisataka , Genda Takuya , Takikawa Hajime
Published: November 2015

In 2011, the Intractable Liver Diseases Study Group of Japan, established novel diagnostic criteria for “acute liver failure ”, and published the classification criteria for the etiologies of acute liver failure and late‐onset hepatic failure (LOHF) in 2013. According to this classification, HBV carriers showing acute hepatitis exacerbation were divided into 3 subgroups; asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers without drug exposure, asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers developing HBV reactivation during and after immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies and those with previously resolved HBV infection showing iatrogenic HBV reactivation. In an annual nationwide survey in 2013, however, a patient with previously resolved HBV infection was enrolled, in whom LOHF developed as a result of HBV reactivation despite in the absence of immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies. Thus, the study group revised the classification criteria in 2015; HBV carriers developing acute hepatitis exacerbation were classified into asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers and patients with previously resolved HBV infection, and both groups were further sub‐classified into those receiving immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies and those without such drugs exposure.
Applying configurational analysis to IS behavioural research: a methodological alternative for modelling combinatorial complexities
Authors: Liu Yong , Mezei József , Kostakos Vassilis , Li Hongxiu
Published: December 2015

An important limitation of regression‐based analysis stems from the assumption of symmetric relationships between variables, which is often violated. To overcome this limitation within IS research, we propose the use of the fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (FsQCA) method. The paper elaborates on the rationale for applying this approach to IS behavioural research and how to tailor FsQCA for this purpose. A systematic interpretation of the technique covering its mathematical properties and advanced features is provided. Drawing from an illustrative study of mobile government services adoption by residents of rural areas, the paper demonstrates FsQCA's potential to supplement regression‐based IS behavioural research, by (i) examining asymmetric relationships between a set of antecedents and the IS phenomenon of interest, (ii) providing nuanced coverage of necessary and sufficient conditions for emergence of an IS behavioural outcome, and (iii) identifying various configurations of conditions in association with users' demographic characteristics. © 2015 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Radiation‐Use Efficiency, Biomass Production, and Grain Yield in Two Maize Hybrids Differing in Drought Tolerance
Authors: Hao B. , Xue Q. , Marek T. H. , Jessup K. E. , Hou X. , Xu W. , Bynum E. D. , Bean B. W.
Published: December 2015

Drought‐tolerant (DT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have potential to increase yield under drought conditions. However, little information is known about the physiological determinations of yield in DT hybrids. Our objective was to assess radiation‐use efficiency (RUE), biomass production, and yield in two hybrids differing in drought tolerance. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 with two hybrids, P1151HR (DT hybrid) and 33D49 (conventional hybrid) under well‐watered (I100) and drought (I50) conditions. I100 and I50 refer to 100 % and 50 % evapotranspiration requirement, respectively. On average, P1151HR yielded 11–27 % greater than 33D49 at I100 and about 40 % greater at I50, At I100, greater yield in P1151HR was due to greater biomass at physiological maturity (BMpm) resulting from greater post‐silking biomass accumulation (BMpost). At I50, both hybrids had similar BMpm but P1151HR showed a higher harvest index and greater BMpost. RUE differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the hybrids at I100, but not at I50. At I100, the RUE values for P1151HR and 33D49 were 4.87 and 4.28 g MJ−1 in 2013, and 3.71 and 3.48 g MJ−1 in 2014. At I50, the mean RUE was 3.89 g MJ−1 in 2013 and 3.16 g MJ−1 in 2014. Results indicate that BMpost is important for maintaining high yield in DT maize.
Long‐distance nitrate signaling displays cytokinin dependent and independent branches
Authors: Ruffel Sandrine , Poitout Arthur , Krouk Gabriel , Coruzzi Gloria M. , Lacombe Benoit
Published: December 2015

The long‐distance signaling network allowing a plant to properly develop its root system is crucial to optimize root foraging in areas where nutrients are available. Cytokinin is an essential element of the systemic signaling network leading to the enhancement of lateral root proliferation in areas where nitrate is available. Here, we explore more precisely: (i) which particular traits of lateral root growth (density and length of emerged lateral roots) are the targets of systemic signaling in a context of heterogeneous nitrate supply; and (ii) if the systemic signaling depends only on cytokinin or on a combination of several signalings.
The structure and continuous stoichiometry change of 1DTbBrx@SWCNTs
Authors: KISELEV N.A. , KUMSKOV A.S. , ZHIGALINA V.G. , VASILIEV A.L. , SLOAN J. , FALALEEV N.S. , VERBITSKIY N.I. , ELISEEV A.A.
Published: December 2015

HRTEM and HAADF STEM of 1DTbBrx@SWCNT meta‐nanotubes reveal three structural modifications of 1D nanocrystals within single wall carbon nanotube channels attributed to a different stoichiometry of the guest crystal. For SWCNTs with diameters Dm > 1.4 nm a most complete tetragonal unit cell is observed. When crystallization occurs inside SWCNT with Dm < 1.4 nm 1D TbBrx crystal deforms a nanotube to elliptical shape in cross section. In this case the 1D crystal unit cell becomes monoclinic, with possible loss of a part of bromine atoms. Two modifications of a monoclinic unit cell appear. One of them is characterized by single or pair vacancies in the structure of the 1D crystal. Another structure is explained by peripheral and central bromine atoms loss. An appearance of such modifications can be stimulated by electron irradiation. The loss of bromine atoms is in agreement with chemical analysis data. Electronic properties of obtained meta‐nanotubes are investigated using optical absorption and Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that intercalation of terbium bromide into SWCNTs leads to acceptor doping of SWCNTs. According to local EDX analysis and elemental mapping this doping can arise from significant stoichiometry change in 1D nanocrystal indicating an average Tb:Br atomic ratio of 1:2.8 ± 0.1.
The characteristics of falls in an inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation setting
Authors: McKechnie Duncan , Fisher Murray J , Pryor Julie
Published: December 2015

Aims and objectives

To describe the nature of falls in an inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation setting.

Background

Falls are the most frequently recorded patient safety incident in the inpatient context. However, higher rates of falls are reported in rehabilitation settings compared to acute care settings. In the rehabilitation setting, patients with a traumatic brain injury have been identified as at a high risk of falling. However to date, research into the nature of falls involving this patient population is limited.

Design

Five‐year retrospective cohort study design.

Methods

Falls data from an inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation unit were retrieved from the NSW Ministry of Health Incident Information Management System and patient clinical notes; nursing shift data were retrieved from the local rostering system.

Results

The fall rate was 5·18 per 1000 patient bed days. Over a 24‐hour period falls (n = 103) occurred in a trimodal pattern. The median fall free period after admission was 14 days and 22% of traumatic brain injury patients had at least one fall. 53% of falls occurred in the patient's bedroom and 57% were attributed to loss of balance. At time of fall, 93% of fallers had impaired mobility and 85% required assistance for transfers.

Conclusion

Falls within inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation are a significant and complex clinical issue. While many patients continued to be at risk of falling several months after admission, a repeat faller's first fall occurred earlier in their admission than a single faller's.

Relevance to clinical practice

Generic falls prevention measures are insufficient for preventing falls in the brain injury rehabilitation population. Falls prevention initiatives should target times of high patient activity and situations where there is decreased nursing capacity to observe patients. Rehabilitation clinicians need to be mindful that a patient's risk of falling is not static and in fact, may increase over time.
The effect of long‐term under‐ and overfeeding on the expression of six major milk proteins' genes in the mammary tissue of goats
Authors: Tsiplakou E. , Flemetakis E. , Kouri E.‐D. , Karalias G. , Sotirakoglou K. , Zervas G.
Published: November 2015

Milk protein synthesis in the mammary gland involves expression of six major milk proteins' genes whose nutritional regulation remains poorly defined. In this study, the effect of long‐term under‐ and overfeeding on the expression of as1‐casein: CSN1S1, as2‐casein: CSN1S2, β‐casein: CSN2, κ‐casein: CSN3, α‐lactalbumin: LALBA and β‐lactoglobulin: BLG gene in goat mammary tissue (MT) was examined. Twenty‐four lactating dairy goat, at 90–98 days in milk, were divided into three homogenous subgroups and fed the same ration, for 60 days, in quantities which met 70% (underfeeding), 100% (control) and 130% (overfeeding) of their energy and crude protein requirements. The results showed a significant decrease in mRNA of CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3 and LALBA genes in the MT of underfed goats compared with the overfed and on the CSN1S1 and BLG gene expressions in the MT of underfed goats compared with the respective control and overfed. CSN2 was the most abundant transcript in goat MT relative to the other milk proteins' genes. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the mRNA levels of caseins' and BLG genes with the milk yield. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the mRNA levels of CSN1S2 with the milk protein, lactose content and lactose yield and also between the LALBA gene expression with the lactose content and lactose yield respectively. In conclusion, the feeding level and consequently the nutrients availability affected the milk lactose content, protein and lactose yield as well as the milk volume by altering the CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3, LALBA and BLG gene expression involved in their metabolic pathways.
The effects on cow performance and calf birth and weaning weight of replacing grass silage with brewers grains in a barley straw diet offered to pregnant beef cows of two different breeds
Authors: Rooke J. A. , Duthie C.‐A. , Hyslop J. J. , Morgan C. A. , Waterhouse T.
Published: November 2015

The effects on cow and calf performance of replacing grass silage with brewers grains in diets based on barley straw and fed to pregnant beef cows are reported. Using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of breed and diet, cows pregnant by artificial insemination (n = 34) of two breeds (cross‐bred Limousin, n = 19 and pure‐bred Luing, n = 15) were fed diets ad libitum which consisted of either (g/kg dry matter) barley straw (664) and grass silage (325; GS) or barley straw (783) and brewers grains (206, BG) and offered as total mixed rations. From gestation day (GD) 168 until 266, individual daily feed intakes were recorded and cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) measured weekly. Calving date, calf sex, birth and weaning BW, and calf age at weaning were also recorded. Between GD 168 and 266, cross‐bred Limousin cows gained more weight than Luing cows (p < 0.05) and cows offered BG gained more weight than cows offered GS (p < 0.001). Luing cows lost more BCS than cross‐bred Limousin cows (p < 0.05), but diet did not affect BCS. There were no differences in dry matter intake as a result of breed or diet. Calf birth BW, however, was greater for cows fed BG than GS (44 vs. 38 kg, SEM 1.0, p < 0.001) with no difference between breeds. At weaning, calves born to BG‐fed cows were heavier than those born to GS‐fed cows (330 vs. 286 kg, SEM 9.3, p < 0.01). In conclusion, replacement of grass silage with brewers grains improved the performance of beef cows and increased calf birth and weaning BW. Further analysis indicated that the superior performance of cows offered the BG diet was most likely due to increases in protein supply which may have improved both energy and protein supply to the foetus.
The effects of dietary dried fruit pomaces on growth performance and gastrointestinal biochemistry of turkey poults
Authors: Juskiewicz J. , Jankowski J. , Kosmala M. , Zdunczyk Z. , Slominski B. A. , Zdunczyk P.
Published: November 2015

One‐day‐old female turkeys were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments and were fed for 15 weeks diets containing 5% of cellulose (control, C) or 5% of dried fruit pomaces (apple, black currant, strawberry, seedless strawberry; AP, BCP, SP, SSP respectively). In weeks 11–15 of feeding, all diets were supplemented with 2.5% of linseed oil. The crude fibre content of fruit pomaces ranged from 56.5% in AP to 62.9% in SP. In comparison with AP, berry fruit pomaces (BCP, SP and SSP) were characterised by a higher content of neutral detergent fibre – NDF (41.2% vs. 52.7–59.3%) and lignin (13.24% vs. 21.80–25.56%). A monomer analysis revealed that cellulose was the main non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP) in fruit pomaces, whereas their pectin content was low. Polyphenol content was determined at below 6 g/kg in AP, at approximately 12 g/kg in BCP and SP, and at 32.8 g/kg in SSP. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in final body weight of birds. After 15 weeks of feeding fruit pomaces to turkeys, the relative weight of the small intestine with digesta was higher in group AP, and lower in group SSP, as compared to controls. Dietary fruit pomaces decreased the dry matter (DM) concentration and lowered the pH of the small intestinal digesta, except the AP and SSP treatments respectively. In the caeca, significantly reduced concentrations of ammonia or putrefactive short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) upon dietary fruit pomaces were observed. Fruit pomaces did not influence the concentrations or the total pool of short‐chain fatty acids, but led to a significant increase in butyric proportion in the SCFA profile at the expense propionate.
Feed–drug interaction of orally applied butyrate and phenobarbital on hepatic cytochrome P450 activity in chickens
Authors: Mátis G. , Kulcsár A. , Petrilla J. , Hermándy‐Berencz K. , Neogrády Zs.
Published: November 2015

The expression of hepatic drug‐metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes may be affected by several nutrition‐derived compounds, such as by the commonly applied feed additive butyrate, possibly leading to feed–drug interactions. The aim of this study was to provide some evidence if butyrate can alter the activity of hepatic CYPs in chickens exposed to CYP‐inducing xenobiotics, monitoring for the first time the possibility of such interaction. Ross 308 chickens in the grower phase were treated with daily intracoelomal phenobarbital (PB) injection (80 mg/kg BW), applied as a non‐specific CYP‐inducer, simultaneously with two different doses of intra‐ingluvial sodium butyrate boluses (0.25 and 1.25 g/kg BW) for 5 days. Activity of CYP2H and CYP3A subfamilies was assessed by specific enzyme assays from isolated liver microsomes. According to our results, the lower dose of orally administered butyrate significantly attenuated the PB‐triggered elevation of both hepatic CYP2H and CYP3A activities, which might be in association with the partly common signalling pathways of butyrate and CYP‐inducing drugs, such as that of PB. Based on these data, butyrate may take part in pharmacoepigenetic interactions with simultaneously applied drugs or other CYP‐inducing xenobiotics, with possible consequences for food safety and pharmacotherapy. Butyrate was found to be capable to maintain physiological CYP activity by attenuating CYP induction, underlining the safety of butyrate application in poultry nutrition.
Coping and Help‐Seeking Behaviors for Management of Urinary Incontinence
Authors: BILGIC Dilek , KIZILKAYA BEJI Nezihe , OZBAS Ayfer , CAVDAR Ikbal , ASLAN Ergul , YALCIN Onay
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To describe the coping strategies and help‐seeking behaviors of women and men with urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods

In cross‐sectional study, 156 women and 106 men Turkish with UI were interviewed using a questionnaire covering 29 questions.

Results

It was determined that 50.6% of women and 34.0% of men seek help in first for treatment of UI. Forty eight percent of men consulted a physician in the first 6 months after the UI occurred, 44.9% of women consulted a physician 2–5 years later after the UI occurred. Coping behaviors of both groups for management of the UI were as follows: keeping feet warm, performing hot application to perineum, reducing the amount of daily drinking water, using pad, cloth pads, restricting physical activity, refraining from social life and praying etc.

Conclusions

While women mostly do not prefer to seek medical advice for UI, men tend to go to doctors more often than women. Except for treatment seeking behaviors, both men and women are practicing coping methods for the management of UI such as going frequently to the toilet, keeping feet warm, hot application to perineum etc.
Antioxidant Agent Quercetin Prevents Impairment of Bladder Tissue Contractility and Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: TINAY Ilker , SENER Tarik E. , CEVIK Ozge , CADIRCI Selin , TOKLU Hale , CETINEL Sule , SENER Göksel , TARCAN Tufan
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To examine the possible protective effect of quercetin (QT), which is well known for its antioxidant and protective effects in circumstances of oxidative stress, on urinary bladder tissue in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is a known factor for the development of lower urinary tract dysfunction partly mediated by the generation of free radicals causing oxidative damage.

Methods

Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to I/R injury through clamping the abdominal aorta for 30 min and then allowing reperfusion for the next 60 min. Quercetin (20 mg/kg; subcutaneously) or vehicle were given before ischemia and just before reperfusion. Findings of the isometric contraction studies in the organ bath and of the histological examinations along with oxidative stress markers were evaluated in bladder tissues.

Results

Increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the I/R group were reduced by QT treatment. In the I/R group, pro‐apoptotic marker caspase‐3 was increased and anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2 protein was decreased, while QT treatment significantly reversed these parameters. In the I/R group contractile responses of the bladder strips to carbachol were significantly lower than those of the control group, which were reversed by QT treatment.

Conclusion

Quercetin treatment protects bladder tissue contractility against acute I/R injury by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by I/R.
Environmental switching during biofilm development in a cold seep system and functional determinants of species sorting
Authors: Zhang Weipeng , Tian Renmao , Bo Yang , Cao Huiluo , Cai Lin , Chen Lianguo , Zhou Guowei , Sun Jin , Zhang Xixiang , Al‐Suwailem Abdulaziz , Qian Pei‐Yuan
Published: November 2015

The functional basis for species sorting theory remains elusive, especially for microbial community assembly in deep‐sea environments. Using artificial surface‐based biofilm models, our recent work revealed taxonomic succession during biofilm development in a newly defined cold seep system, the Thuwal cold seeps II, which comprises a brine pool and the adjacent normal bottom water (NBW) to form a metacommunity via the potential immigration of organisms from one patch to another. Here, we designed an experiment to investigate the effects of environmental switching between the brine pool and the NBW on biofilm assembly, which could reflect environmental filtering effects during bacterial immigration to new environments. Analyses of 16S rRNA genes of 71 biofilm samples suggested that the microbial composition of biofilms established in new environments was determined by both the source community and the incubation conditions. Moreover, a comparison of 18 metagenomes provided evidence for biofilm community assembly that was based primarily on functional features rather than taxonomic identities; metal ion resistance and amino acid metabolism were the major species sorting determinants for the succession of biofilm communities. Genome binning and pathway reconstruction of two bacterial species (Marinobacter sp. and Oleispira sp.) further demonstrated metal ion resistance and amino acid metabolism as functional traits conferring the survival of habitat generalists in both the brine pool and NBW. The results of this study shed new light on microbial community assembly in special habitats and bridge a gap in species sorting theory.
Rural Marginalisation and the Role of Social Innovation; A Turn Towards Nexogenous Development and Rural Reconnection
Authors: Bock Bettina B.
Published: December 2015

Rural development in Europe is a long‐standing issue that has been supported through EU policies in various ways. The effects of rural development have been uneven, and differences between well‐to‐do and marginal rural areas have been increasing both across and within countries. This process is reinforced by the current financial crisis. Recently, social innovation has been introduced as the new panacea for realising development and growth while, at the same time, warranting social inclusion and counteracting social inequality. A central question of this article is whether social innovation may help to effectively fight rural marginalisation, why that could be the case and what conditions then must be met. Three examples of rural social innovation are used to distil specific features of social innovation and compare them with other concepts and approaches to rural development. Rural social innovation is distinctive in its dependence on civic self‐reliance and self‐organisation due to austerity measures and state withdrawal, and its cross‐sectoral and translocal collaborations. This article concludes that it is time to go beyond earlier ideas of exogenous versus (neo‐)endogenous development and introduces the idea of nexogenous development with socio‐political reconnection as an engine of revitalisation.