bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of workplace placement on students’ entrepreneurial attitude
Authors: Manning Louise , Parrott Patricia
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of a workplace placement on the student participants’ self-reported entrepreneurial attitude (EA).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of relevant literature informed questions incorporated in the university’s annual feedback questionnaire completed by students (n=461) on return from a work placement of between 44 and 52 weeks.

Findings

The study has shown that both gender and entrepreneurial legacy influence baseline and post-placement EA (p<0.05). The interaction between EA, social learning, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms and perceived relational support was also considered.

Originality/value

This research provides context for further qualitative work in this area, especially the influence of gender and entrepreneurial legacy on reported baseline EA and EA post work placement and will inform pedagogical development in terms of embedding entrepreneurial teaching in future curriculum development at the university.
Supporting student innovation through an engagement, employability and employment ecosystem
Authors: Walsh Anita , Powell Philip
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how students, full-time and part-time, may be supported in becoming ambidextrous – developing “intrapreneurial” skills and capabilities, as well as being introduced to more typical “entrepreneurial” activities. It is proposed that both perspectives will be necessary for future graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights the fast-changing nature of the economic and employment context and the future requirements for graduate skills. It analyses and evaluates a framework of curricular and extra-curricular activities which has been developed to address future skills needs. The paper uses a case study to illustrate the issue.

Findings

The paper concludes that with increasingly flexible career paths, there is a need for graduates to be prepared for portfolio careers in which they move between employment and self-employment. The development of an independent mindset which can identify and exploit innovation is therefore important.

Practical implications

The paper outlines an approach that has been implemented in a UK higher education institution to the development of innovation skills which is responsive to a wider range of students than the conventional cohort of young, full-time students.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of designing educational experiences which directly address students’ situations and experiences. It also identifies the role of work-based research in the development of an innovative mindset.
Promoting interdisciplinarity through an intensive entrepreneurship education post-graduate workshop
Authors: McDonald Sharyn , Gertsen Frank , Rosenstand Claus A. Foss , Tollestrup Christian
Published: December 2017

Purpose

While creativity and innovation are found within many disciplines, the opportunity to develop a tangible skill set and share ideas with contemporaries can be limited within the siloed structure of many tertiary institutions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a model that addresses the pedagogical challenge of interdisciplinary learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a case-based approach. The case subject is Aalborg University that founded an intensive entrepreneurial education workshop that incorporates a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. This paper evaluates the program design, development, and replication plus compares the motives and subsequent experiences between workshop participants in Denmark and Australia.

Findings

The findings of this case study validate the centrality of entrepreneurship education as a discipline which has the capacity to unite staff and students approaching problems from various fields. The workshop design was adapted to the changing needs and expectations of staff and students and was successfully replicated overseas.

Originality/value

Denmark established an innovative, intensive workshop which seized the opportunity to deliver an engaging program that unlocks untapped creative potential among students from diverse cultures and multiple disciplines. Overall, this research contributes toward the body of knowledge examining student engagement and the delivery of PBL activities within an interdisciplinary learning environment.
Measuring longitudinal student performance on student learning outcomes in sustainability education
Authors: Jarchow Meghann E. , Formisano Paul , Nordyke Shane , Sayre Matthew
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the student learning outcomes (SLOs) for a sustainability major, evaluate faculty incorporation of the SLOs into the courses in the sustainability major curriculum and measure student performance on the SLOs from entry into the major to the senior capstone course.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an iterative approach with a faculty advisory committee, SLOs were developed for the sustainability major. Curriculum mapping followed by evaluation of course syllabi were used to determine the extent to which each course addressed the SLOs. Student performance on most SLOs was measured through student assessment in an introductory and capstone course to evaluate the change in performance over time.

Findings

The core courses of the sustainability major were more likely to address the SLOs of the major than that of the elective courses. Where measured, student performance on the SLOs increased from the introductory course to the capstone course. Sustainability majors participated in an average of almost ten experiential learning opportunities focused on sustainability.

Originality/value

This research provides a longitudinal assessment of student learning in an undergraduate sustainability major. Because undergraduate sustainability degrees are generally new, this research can serve as a base upon which to continue to improve sustainability curriculum design.
Psychopathic costs: a monetization study of the fiscal toll of psychopathy features among institutionalized delinquents
Authors: DeLisi Matt , Reidy Dennis E. , Heirigs Mark H. , Tostlebe Jennifer J. , Vaughn Michael G.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

That psychopathy imposes substantial societal costs and economic burden is axiomatic, but monetization studies have overlooked cost estimates of the disorder. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a near census of institutionalized delinquents from Missouri, the current study devised new crime cost measures for self-reported offending.

Findings

Youth imposed $30 million in total costs annually in large part due to extensive involvement in robbery, theft, and assault. The most criminally active youth imposed costs in excess of $700 million. Psychopathy features were differentially correlated with crime costs. APSD-SR callous-unemotional traits, mPPI-SF Blame Externalization, mPPI-SF Machiavellian Egocentricity, and mPPI-SF Social Potency were significantly associated with between four and five crime costs. Psychopathic traits associated with ruthless self-interest, callousness, and expectations to control and dominate others manifest in diverse ways including serious violence and repeated property crime. Other features such as mPPI-SF Impulsive Nonconformity, mPPI-SF Stress Immunity, mPPI-SF Coldheartedness, mPPI-SF Carefree Nonplanfulness, mPPI-SF Fearlessness, APSD-SR Impulsivity, and APSD-SR Narcissism had limited associations with crime costs.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first monetization study to quantify the effects of assorted psychopathy features on crime costs.
A scaling up framework for innovative service ecosystems: lessons from Eataly and KidZania
Authors: Di Pietro Laura , Edvardsson Bo , Reynoso Javier , Renzi Maria Francesca , Toni Martina , Guglielmetti Mugion Roberta
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why innovative service ecosystems scale up, using a service-dominant logic lens. The focus is on identifying the key drivers of the scaling-up process as the basis for a new conceptual framework on the scaling up of service innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive research design is used to zoom in on two innovative service ecosystems, Eataly and KidZania, to identify the key drivers that can explain why innovations scale up. For both companies, the triangulation of semi-structured interviews, archival sources and in-store observations is used as complementary data sets. Multiple investigators and multiple coders have been involved in the data collection, coding process and analysis.

Findings

An extended conceptualization of service innovation is obtained, grounded in a framework of four drivers of scaling up: effectuation as the basis for creating the value proposition; sensing and adapting to local contexts; the reconfiguration and alignment of resources and forms for collaboration between actors; and values’ resonance.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the first empirical investigations of the key drivers of the scaling up process of service innovations. The paper contributes with a conceptualization of service innovation and why scaling-up processes emerge, emphasizing the existence of multiple constellations of four drivers.
Driver or inhibitor for innovation?
Authors: Kreidler Anja , Tilebein Meike
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Literature is unanimous about the effects of functional diversity in new product development teams. This paper uses simulation modeling to investigate the contradictory and dynamic effects of functional team diversity on innovation revealed by empirical literature. This paper aims to start a discussion on this dynamic perspective of team diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systemic approach toward investigating the contradictory and dynamic effects of functional team diversity on innovation by creating a simplified System Dynamics model of functional diversity in new product development teams.

Findings

Although the simulation model is highly simplified, it can integrate the contradictory results of empirical data and the dynamic component of teamwork. Therefore, it offers a new approach to investigating the effects of functional diversity on team innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The model is highly simplified and exemplary. No actual data are included, thus limiting the results as fully theoretical.

Originality/value

Empirical studies often analyze the effects of functional diversity on innovation in new product development teams. However, empirical data are unclear regarding the nature of the effects of functional diversity on innovation. Therefore, functional diversity is chosen for the simulation model as being the most controversially discussed diversity attribute. By applying a simulation model to the problem and adding a dynamic component to teamwork, we are contributing to the explanation for the contradictory findings in literature.
Lead-free solder wettability of oxidized-aluminum enhanced by Ar-H2 plasmas for flip-chip bumping
Authors: Lin Yung-Sen , Lin Shiau-Min , Li Jian-Yi , Liao Min-Chih
Published: December 2017

Purpose

An investigation has been performed on the improved solder wettability of oxidized aluminum (Al) with lead-free solder (96.5Sn-3.5Ag) using Ar-H2 plasmas. The lead-free solder wettability was raised from 62.2 per cent wetting for Al oxidized in air at 250 C for 4 h to 98.4 per cent wetting of oxidized Al modified by Ar-H2 plasmas at a certain H2 flow rate. This study aims to gain insight on the surface characteristics of Al affecting the solder wettability with a liquid lead-free solder.

Design/methodology/approach

Ar-H2 plasmas at certain H2 flow rates are intended to reduce Al oxides on the surfaces of oxidized Al substrates both by physical bombardments via Ar plasmas and chemical reductions with H2 plasmas, while Al substrates are exposed in Ar-H2 plasmas to improve the solder wettability with a liquid lead-free solder.

Findings

Surface characteristics of oxidized Al substrates have been identified to play key roles for enhanced lead-free solder wettability using Ar-H2 plasmas. A decrease in polar surface free energy and an increase in dispersive surface free energy on the surfaces of oxidized Al substrates are exploited to advance the lead-free solder wettability. Decreased composition ratios of O to Al, detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for oxidized Al substrates, are crucial for improved lead-free solder wettability.

Originality/value

XPS is typically used to analyze the surface compositions of Al oxides. To provide a rapid and non-expansive method to identify the surfaces of Al substrates prior to soldering to assure lead-free solder wettability, this study proposes a measurable skill, a so-called sessile drop test method, to investigate surface free energies such as total, polar and dispersive surface free energy on the surfaces of Al substrates, to illuminate how the lead-free solder wettability of oxidized Al is improved by Ar-H2 plasmas.
Impact of training on the intensification of rice farming: evidence from rainfed areas in Tanzania
Authors: Nakano Yuko , Tanaka Yuki , Otsuka Keijiro
Published: December 2017

Agricultural development is indispensable for poverty reduction and food security in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This study investigates the impact of rice production training in a modified version of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) on the performance of small‐scale rice farmers in a rainfed area of Tanzania. Utilizing the plot level variation, we employ propensity score matching (PSM) to assess the impact of training on technology adoption, productivity, and profitability. We also estimate a difference‐in‐differences model with plot fixed effects using recall panel data covering the periods before and after training. We found that trainees achieved an average paddy yield of 4.7 tons per hectare and rice profit of 191.5 USD per hectare on the plots where new technologies were adopted, which is higher by about 1.3–1.8 tons and 119–137 USD per hectare than on the other plots. Our study suggests the high potential of transforming favorable rainfed rice growing areas in SSA so as to achieve a rice Green Revolution through training in modern input use and improved agronomic practices.
Evaluating irrigation investments in Malawi: economy‐wide impacts under uncertainty and labor constraints
Authors: Schuenemann Franziska , Thurlow James , Meyer Stefan , Robertson Richard , Rodrigues Joao
Published: December 2017

Irrigation expansion is critical to increase crop yields and mitigate effects from climate change in Sub‐Saharan Africa, but the low profitability has led to little irrigation investments in the region so far. Using an integrated modeling framework, we simultaneously evaluate the returns to irrigation arising from both economic and biophysical impact channels to understand what determines the profitability of irrigation in Malawi. Our results confirm that the returns to irrigation cannot cover the costs in Malawi. While labor‐intensive irrigation expansion leads to unfavorable structural change in the short‐run, the profitability hinges on low irrigated yields that fall far from expectations due to insufficient input use and crop management techniques. On the other hand, we find that the nonmonetary benefits of irrigation regarding higher food security, lower poverty, and reduced vulnerability to climate change make investments in irrigation worthwhile to improve the livelihoods of smallholders.
Anatomy of the lower respiratory tract in domestic birds, with emphasis on respiration
Authors: Casteleyn C. , Cornillie P. , Van Cruchten S. , Van den Broeck W. , Van Ginneken C. , Simoens P.
Published: December 2017

This manuscript describes the anatomy of the lower respiratory tract in domestic bird species including the chicken and pigeon. The here described anatomical structures play a major role avian respiration, which is fundamentally different from respiration in mammals. During inspiration and expiration, a continuous caudocranial airflow is present within the tertiary bronchi of the Paleopulmo, while the Neopulmo, which is only present in phylogenetically recent species, is characterized by tidal respiration. Various anatomical structures and aerodynamic mechanisms have been described in an attempt to explain the proposed mechanism of respiration. The air sac system that is essential for avian respiration usually comprises an unpaired clavicular air sac and paired cervical, cranial and caudal thoracic, and abdominal air sacs. The latter are by far the larger and are interwoven with the abdominal organs.
The synergistic effect of prosociality and physical attractiveness on mate desirability
Authors: Ehlebracht Daniel , Stavrova Olga , Fetchenhauer Detlef , Farrelly Daniel
Published: December 2017

Mate selection requires a prioritization and joint evaluation of different traits present or absent in potential mates. Herein, we focus on two such traits – physical attractiveness and prosociality – and examine how they jointly shape impressions of overall desirability. We report on two related experiments which make use of an innovative methodology combining large samples of raters and target persons (i.e., stimuli) and information on targets’ behaviour in economic games representing altruistic behaviour (Experiment 1) and trustworthiness (Experiment 2), two important facets of prosociality. In accordance with predictions derived from a cognitive perspective on mate choice and sexual strategies theory, the results show that the impact of being prosocial on an individual's overall desirability was increased further by them also being physically attractive, but only in long‐term mating contexts. Furthermore, we show that men's mate preferences for certain prosocial traits (i.e., trustworthiness) were more context‐dependent than women's due to differential evolutionary pressures for ancestral men and women.
Facial first impressions and partner preference models: Comparable or distinct underlying structures?
Authors: South Palomares Jennifer K. , Sutherland Clare A.M. , Young Andrew W.
Published: December 2017

Given the frequency of relationships nowadays initiated online, where impressions from face photographs may influence relationship initiation, it is important to understand how facial first impressions might be used in such contexts. We therefore examined the applicability of a leading model of verbally expressed partner preferences to impressions derived from real face images and investigated how the factor structure of first impressions based on potential partner preference‐related traits might relate to a more general model of facial first impressions. Participants rated 1,000 everyday face photographs on 12 traits selected to represent (Fletcher, et al. 1999, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 72) verbal model of partner preferences. Facial trait judgements showed an underlying structure that largely paralleled the tripartite structure of Fletcher et al.'s verbal preference model, regardless of either face gender or participant gender. Furthermore, there was close correspondence between the verbal partner preference model and a more general tripartite model of facial first impressions derived from a different literature (Sutherland et al., 2013, Cognition, 127, 105), suggesting an underlying correspondence between verbal conceptual models of romantic preferences and more general models of facial first impressions.
First‐line choice for severe aplastic anemia in children: Transplantation from a haploidentical donor vs immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Cheng Yifei , Xu Zhengli , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wu Jun , Wang Fengrong , Mo Xiaodong , Chen Yuhong , Han Wei , Jia Jinsong , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiaohui , Huang Xiaojun , Zhang Leping , Xu Lanping
Published: December 2017

We retrospectively compared the outcomes of children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) who received immunosuppressive therapy (IST) or who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a haploidentical donor (HID), between 2007 and 2016. A total of 52 children with SAA under the age of 17 years were initially treated with IST (n = 24) or haploidentical HSCT (n = 28) as first‐line treatment. The estimated 10‐year overall survival was 73.4 ± 12.6% and 89.3 ± 5.8% in patients treated with IST or HID‐HSCT (P = .806). The failure‐free survival was significantly inferior in patients receiving IST than in those undergoing transplantation from an HID (52.6 ± 10.5% vs 89.3 ± 5.8, P = .008). In univariate and multivariate analysis, the choice of first‐line immunosuppressive therapy was the only adverse predictor for failure‐free survival. At the last follow‐up, completely normal blood count was observed in 11 of 20 (55.0%) and 24 of 25 (96.0%) live cases in IST and HID‐HSCT cohort (P = .003). These suggest that HSCT from a haploidentical donor could be considered as first‐line treatment in children who lack a matched related donor, especially in experienced transplantation centers.
The Paris System for urine cytology in upper tract urothelial specimens: A comparative analysis with biopsy and surgical resection
Authors: Zheng X. , Si Q. , Du D. , Harshan M. , Zhang Z. , Haines K. , Shi W. , Chhieng D. C.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

The Paris System (TPS) has recently been used in classification of urinary tract cytological specimens. Upper urinary tract (UUT) specimens are cytologically challenging. The utility of TPS was investigated in evaluating UUT specimens and its correlation with subsequent histological follow‐up.

Method

From 2014 to 2017, 324 cytology cases of UUT from 179 patients were retrieved. Concurrent or subsequent biopsy or resection within a 2‐month period was available in 125 cases from 74 patients.

Result

None of the cases with a cytology of low‐grade urothelial neoplasm was found to have a high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) on biopsy. Among the 19 atypical urothelial cells (AUC) cytology cases, the histology is heterogeneous (seven benign, one atypia, five low‐grade lesion, and six HGUC). The risk of HGUC for each cytological diagnostic category are 0% for non‐diagnostic/unsatisfactory, 6% for negative for HGUC, 27.3% for AUC, 0% for low‐grade urothelial neoplasm, 48% for suspicious for HGUC and 95% for positive HGUC. When we considered cytology cases with suspicious or positive for HGUC interpretations as positive, the performance of TPS in predicting high grade urothelial carcinoma on histology had values of: 78.6% sensitivity, 86% specificity, 80.5% positive predictive value and 84.5% negative predictive value.

Conclusion

More than one‐third of the UUT cytological cases were classified as AUC and approximately 1/15 as suspicious or positive for HGUC. Based on UUT cytology specimens, the risk of malignancy of each cytological diagnostic category of TPS was comparable to those reported in the literature. The use of TPS in evaluating UUT cytology specimens was specific and sensitive in identifying patients with HGUC by histology.
Thyroid FNA diagnostics in a real‐life setting: Experiences of the implementation of the Bethesda system in Finland
Authors: Paajanen I. , Metso S. , Jaatinen P. , Kholová I.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

The Bethesda system is widely accepted for thyroid FNA diagnostics, but has scarcely been analysed in relation to clinical background data. Our aim was to analyse the thyroid FNA diagnostic process in view of clinical data, and to assess the validity of the Bethesda system during the first year of implementation.

Methods

There were 415 thyroid FNAs taken from 363 patients during October 2011‐September 2012 in the Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Finland. The median age of the patients was 59 years, and the female‐to‐male ratio 4:1. Clinical data were collected from patient registries, and thyroid FNA and histopathological data from the pathology registry.

Results

The Bethesda categories were represented as follows: 94 non‐diagnostic cases (26%); 177 benign (49%); 32 atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (9%); 31 follicular neoplasm (9%); 20 suspicious for malignancy (5%); and nine malignant cases (2%). Only 23 (24%) of the non‐diagnostic samples and 18 (56%) of the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance led to repeat FNA. Thyroid cancer was histopathologically diagnosed in 28 cases (8%). When the categories requiring surgical treatment were considered true positive findings, the sensitivity of the Bethesda system was 90%, and specificity was 70%. Interobserver accuracy was 86%.

Conclusions

Already during the first year of implementation, the Bethesda system proved reliable in evaluating the risk of thyroid malignancy. Nevertheless, the clinical judgement of the indication of ultrasound/FNA and management according to the FNA findings need improvement. The relatively high proportion of non‐diagnostic FNAs could be diminished by obtaining the samples by radiologists experienced in ultrasound‐guided FNA techniques.
Consequences of impediments to animal movements at different scales: A conceptual framework and review
Authors: Cosgrove Anita J. , McWhorter Todd J. , Maron Martine
Published: December 2017

Aim

The persistence of animal populations depends on individuals moving successfully around a landscape, but habitat fragmentation can hinder this by reducing functional connectivity. The proximate cause of population declines in fragmented habitat is dependent on the spatial and temporal scales of movement restrictions.

Location

Global.

Methods

We present a conceptual framework highlighting the relationship between spatial and temporal scales, and three mechanisms through which detrimental impacts can occur when movement is disrupted in fragmented landscapes: limited resource access, restricted demographic exchange and impeded gene flow. We then review the literature to identify the proportion of studies conducted on each mechanism and whether biases existed in how often each was studied among different geographic zones or taxa. A random selection of 250 articles was classified by the mechanism, geographic region and taxon studied in each article.

Results

Our conceptual framework highlighted that each of the three mechanisms tends to be characterized by movement restriction at progressively larger spatial and temporal scales. In our literature review, we found that the overwhelming majority (77%) of articles investigated impeded gene flow, and only 17% and 10% explored restricted demographic exchange and limited resource access, respectively. Work on limited resource access was disproportionately low for particular taxonomic groups, such as reptiles and amphibians.

Main conclusions

Distinguishing which mechanisms are disrupted in a particular system is crucial because addressing each is likely to require a distinct conservation management response. We encourage greater focus on the less‐studied mechanisms of restricted demographic exchange and limited resource access.
Selective copying of the majority suggests children are broadly “optimal‐” rather than “over‐” imitators
Authors: Evans Cara L. , Laland Kevin N. , Carpenter Malinda , Kendal Rachel L.
Published: December 2017

Human children, in contrast to other species, are frequently cast as prolific “over‐imitators”. However, previous studies of “over‐imitation” have overlooked many important real‐world social dynamics, and may thus provide an inaccurate account of this seemingly puzzling and potentially maladaptive phenomenon. Here we investigate this topic using a cultural evolutionary approach, focusing particularly on the key adaptive learning strategy of majority‐biased copying. Most “over‐imitation” research has been conducted using consistent demonstrations to the observer, but we systematically varied the frequency of demonstrators that 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children observed performing a causally irrelevant action. Children who “over‐imitate” inflexibly should copy the majority regardless of whether the majority solution omits or includes a causally irrelevant action. However, we found that children calibrated their tendency to acquire the majority behavior, such that copying did not extend to majorities that performed irrelevant actions. These results are consistent with a highly functional, adaptive integration of social and causal information, rather than explanations implying unselective copying or causal misunderstanding. This suggests that our species might be better characterized as broadly “optimal‐” rather than “over‐” imitators.
Theta oscillations reflect conflict processing in the perception of the McGurk illusion
Authors: Morís Fernández Luis , Torralba Mireia , Soto‐Faraco Salvador
Published: December 2017

The McGurk illusion is one of the most famous illustrations of cross‐modal integration in human perception. It has been often used as a proxy of audiovisual (AV) integration and to infer the properties of the integration process in natural (congruent) AV conditions. Nonetheless, a blatant difference between McGurk stimuli and natural, congruent, AV speech is the conflict between the auditory and the visual information in the former. Here, we hypothesized that McGurk stimuli (and any AV incongruency) engage brain responses similar to those found in more general cases of perceptual conflict (e.g., Stroop), and propose that the McGurk illusion arises as a result of the resolution of such conflict. We used electroencephalography to measure variations in the power of theta, a well‐known marker of the brain response to conflict. The results showed that perception of AV McGurk stimuli, just like AV incongruence in general, induces an increase in activity in the theta band. This response was similar to that evoked by Stroop stimuli, as measured in the same participants. This finding suggests that the McGurk illusion is mediated by general‐purpose conflict mechanisms, and calls for caution in generalizing findings obtained using the McGurk illusion, to the general case of multisensory integration.
Changes in neuronal activity of cortico‐basal ganglia–thalamic networks induced by acute dopaminergic manipulations in rats
Authors: Ivica Nedjeljka , Richter Ulrike , Sjöbom Joel , Brys Ivani , Tamtè Martin , Petersson Per
Published: December 2017

The basal ganglia are thought to be particularly sensitive to changes in dopaminergic tone, and the realization that reduced dopaminergic signaling causes pronounced motor dysfunction is the rationale behind dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease. It has, however, proven difficult to identify which neurophysiological changes that ultimately lead to motor dysfunctions. To clarify this, we have here recorded neuronal activity throughout the cortico‐basal ganglia–thalamic circuits in freely behaving rats during periods of immobility following acute dopaminergic manipulations, involving both vesicular dopamine depletion and antagonism of D1 and D2 type dopamine receptors. Synchronized and rhythmic activities were detected in the form of betaband oscillations in local field potentials and as cortical entrainment of action potentials in several basal ganglia structures. Analyses of the temporal development of synchronized oscillations revealed a spread from cortex to gradually also include deeper structures. In addition, firing rate changes involving neurons in all parts of the network were observed. These changes were typically relatively balanced within each structure, resulting in negligible net rate changes. Animals treated with D1 receptor antagonist showed a rapid onset of hypokinesia that preceded most of the neurophysiological changes, with the exception of these balanced rate changes. Parallel rate changes in functionally coupled ensembles of neurons in different structures may therefore be the first step in a cascade of neurophysiological changes underlying motor symptoms in the parkinsonian state. We suggest that balanced rate changes in distributed networks are possible mechanism of disease that should be further investigated in conditions involving dopaminergic dysfunction.
Predictive cues for auditory stream formation in humans and monkeys
Authors: Aggelopoulos Nikolaos C. , Deike Susann , Selezneva Elena , Scheich Henning , Brechmann André , Brosch Michael
Published: December 2017

Auditory perception is improved when stimuli are predictable, and this effect is evident in a modulation of the activity of neurons in the auditory cortex as shown previously. Human listeners can better predict the presence of duration deviants embedded in stimulus streams with fixed interonset interval (isochrony) and repeated duration pattern (regularity), and neurons in the auditory cortex of macaque monkeys have stronger sustained responses in the 60–140 ms post‐stimulus time window under these conditions. Subsequently, the question has arisen whether isochrony or regularity in the sensory input contributed to the enhancement of the neuronal and behavioural responses. Therefore, we varied the two factors isochrony and regularity independently and measured the ability of human subjects to detect deviants embedded in these sequences as well as measuring the responses of neurons the primary auditory cortex of macaque monkeys during presentations of the sequences. The performance of humans in detecting deviants was significantly increased by regularity. Isochrony enhanced detection only in the presence of the regularity cue. In monkeys, regularity increased the sustained component of neuronal tone responses in auditory cortex while isochrony had no consistent effect. Although both regularity and isochrony can be considered as parameters that would make a sequence of sounds more predictable, our results from the human and monkey experiments converge in that regularity has a greater influence on behavioural performance and neuronal responses.
From Discovery to Practice: Translating and Transforming Work–Family Research for the Health of Families
Authors: Perry‐Jenkins Maureen , Herman Rachel J. , Halpern Hillary Paul , Newkirk Katie
Published: December 2017

In this article the meaning of translational research in the work and family field is examined. Specifically, we review findings from a longitudinal study of low‐wage workers across the transition to parenthood and examine how this basic discovery research informs the next step in translational research, that of clinical practice. The authors describe three specific sets of findings that hold direct and immediate implications for interventions and policy that could support working families. We close with a discussion of how both translational and transdisciplinary research have the potential to inform evidence‐based practice, social policy, and effective social action to decrease physical and mental health disparities among low‐income, working families.
Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors and neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Egorova Polina A. , Bezprozvanny Ilya B.
Published: December 2017

The inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular ion channel that mediates the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum. It plays a role in basic biological functions, such as cell division, differentiation, fertilization and cell death, and is involved in developmental processes including learning, memory and behavior. Deregulation of neuronal calcium signaling results in disturbance of cell homeostasis, synaptic loss and dysfunction, eventually leading to cell death. Three IP3R subtypes have been identified in mammalian cells and the predominant isoform in neurons is IP3R type 1. Dysfunction of IP3R type 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative diseases as enhanced activity of the IP3R was observed in models of Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias and Alzheimer's disease. These results suggest that IP3R‐mediated signaling is a potential target for treatment of these disorders. In this review we discuss the structure, functions and regulation of the IP3R in healthy neurons and in conditions of neurodegeneration.
Mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions from acidic soils by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a plant growth‐promoting bacterium
Authors: Wu Shanghua , Zhuang Guoqiang , Bai Zhihui , Cen Yu , Xu Shengjun , Sun Haishu , Han Xingguo , Zhuang Xuliang
Published: December 2017

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a long‐lived greenhouse gas that can result in the alteration of atmospheric chemistry and cause accompanying changes in global climate. To date, many techniques have been used to mitigate the emissions of N2O from agricultural fields, which represent one of the most important sources of N2O. In this study, we designed a greenhouse pot experiment and a microcosmic serum bottle incubation experiment using acidic soil from a vegetable farm to study the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) on plant growth and N2O emission rates. The addition of BA to the soil promoted plant growth enhanced the soil pH and increased the total nitrogen (TN) contents in the plants. At the same time, it decreased the concentrations of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−) and TN in the soil. Overall, the addition of BA resulted in a 50% net reduction of N2O emissions compared with the control. Based on quantitative PCR and the network analysis of DNA sequencing, it was demonstrated that BA partially inhibited the nitrification process through the significant reduction of ammonia oxidizing bacteria. Meanwhile, it enhanced the denitrification process, mainly by increasing the abundance of N2O‐reducing bacteria in the treatment with BA. The results of our microcosm experiment provided evidence that strongly supported the above findings under more strictly controlled laboratory conditions. Taken together, the results of our study evidently demonstrated that BA has dual effects on the promotion of plant growth and the dramatic reduction of greenhouse emissions, thus suggesting the possibility of screening beneficial microbial organisms from the environment that can promote plant growth and mitigate greenhouse trace gases.
Evaluation of the prebiotic potential of five kiwifruit cultivars after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation with human faecal bacteria
Authors: Parkar Shanthi G. , Simmons Lyall , Herath Thanuja D. , Phipps Janet E. , Trower Tania M. , Hedderley Duncan I. , McGhie Tony K. , Blatchford Paul , Ansell Juliet , Sutton Kevin H. , Ingram John R.
Published: December 2017

We studied the in vitro prebiotic potential of five different cultivars of kiwifruit including the green‐fleshed ‘Hayward’ and ‘Zesh004’ and the gold‐fleshed ‘Hort16A’, ‘Zesy002’ and ‘Zesy003’. The kiwifruit (25 g fresh weight equivalent) were subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion before fermentation for 16 h with faecal microbiota from ten individual donors. Microbial metabolites including lactate were quantified while changes in microbiome composition were determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Lactate concentrations were highest with ‘Hayward’ (P = 0.01) and correlated with the amount of the kiwifruit fibre and polyphenols, chlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid. All the kiwifruit behaved similar to inulin in increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (P < 0.001), but unlike inulin, significantly (P < 0.001) increased the abundances of Ruminococcaceae and decreased Bacteroides. In comparison with inulin, the green‐fleshed kiwifruit selectively increased Lachnospira (P = 0.008) while the gold‐fleshed kiwi fruit increased Akkermansia (P < 0.001). These data suggest that the fibre and polyphenol content of the kiwifruit play a role in modulating gut microbial metabolism. Further clinical studies with these kiwifruit cultivars are required to confirm the potential prebiotic benefits that may be achieved by normal dietary intervention.
The physiological differentiation along the midgut of Bombyx mori – inspirations from proteomics and gene expression patterns of the secreted proteins in the ectoperitrophic space
Authors: Liu L. , Qu M. , Yang J. , Yang Q.
Published: December 2017

The ectoperitrophic space (EcPS) between the insect midgut epithelial cells and the peritrophic matrix is an unexplored, clean resource for concentrated proteins secreted by the midgut epithelial cells, which offers an ideal opportunity to uncover the midgut functions. In this study, we used Bombyx mori as a model organism and performed comparative proteomic analyses of the secreted proteins in the EcPS at the feeding and wandering stages. A total of 372 proteins were identified from both stages and 70 proteins were predicted to be secreted. Amongst these proteins, 17 secreted digestive proteins were identified and their temporal and spatial transcriptional expression patterns demonstrated that all these proteins were up‐regulated at the feeding stage and differentially expressed in different parts of the midgut. Proteins with nutrient reservoir activity and defence activity were found to be up‐regulated at the wandering stage. This work is the first to show the presence of digestive enzymes in the EcPS of the insect midgut using a proteomic approach, which provides evidence that suggests a physiological functional differentiation of the insect midgut. It is very clear that the EcPS undergoes dynamic changes in its composition of proteins in response to the changing needs of the insect at different developmental stages.
Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33): A nuclear cytokine from the IL‐1 family
Authors: Cayrol Corinne , Girard Jean‐Philippe
Published: December 2017

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is a tissue‐derived nuclear cytokine from the IL‐1 family abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, epithelial cells and fibroblast‐like cells, both during homeostasis and inflammation. It functions as an alarm signal (alarmin) released upon cell injury or tissue damage to alert immune cells expressing the ST2 receptor (IL‐1RL1). The major targets of IL‐33 in vivo are tissue‐resident immune cells such as mast cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Other cellular targets include T helper 2 (Th2) cells, eosinophils, basophils, dendritic cells, Th1 cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, iNKT cells, B cells, neutrophils and macrophages. IL‐33 is thus emerging as a crucial immune modulator with pleiotropic activities in type‐2, type‐1 and regulatory immune responses, and important roles in allergic, fibrotic, infectious, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The critical function of IL‐33/ST2 signaling in allergic inflammation is illustrated by the fact that IL33 and IL1RL1 are among the most highly replicated susceptibility loci for asthma. In this review, we highlight 15 years of discoveries on IL‐33 protein, including its molecular characteristics, nuclear localization, bioactive forms, cellular sources, mechanisms of release and regulation by proteases. Importantly, we emphasize data that have been validated using IL‐33‐deficient cells.
Interleukin 1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to disease
Authors: Khazim Khaled , Azulay Etti Ester , Kristal Batya , Cohen Idan
Published: December 2017

The Interleukin 1 (IL‐1) family plays a central role in the generation and regulation of inflammatory responses, in both innate and adaptive immunity. Although the IL‐1 molecules are traditionally considered to be classical proinflammatory cytokines, their functions are not restricted to inflammation, and they have also been shown to play a key role in a wide range of additional physiological and pathological functions, including learning modulation, sleep, pregnancy, depression, appetite, hematopoiesis, metabolism, and many others. Since their effect as cytokines and regulators of inflammation is so pleiotropic, any shift of the biological balance between agonistic and antagonistic signals has the potential to cause disease. Here, we consider the genetic influence of interleukin‐1 gene polymorphism in the context of susceptibility to human diseases. We review known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of IL‐1 genes linked to human diseases, and suggest how exploring biological effects of IL‐1 gene cluster polymorphism may lead to new directions in understanding and diagnostic of disease and effective treatment.
Performance, cognitive load, and behaviour of technology‐assisted English listening learning: From CALL to MALL
Authors: Chang Chi‐Cheng , Warden Clyde A. , Liang Chaoyun , Chou Pao‐Nan
Published: December 2017

This study examines differences in English listening comprehension, cognitive load, and learning behaviour between outdoor ubiquitous learning and indoor computer‐assisted learning. An experimental design, employing a pretest‐posttest control group is employed. Randomly assigned foreign language university majors joined either the experimental group (outdoor ubiquitous learning), with 80 participants (26 males and 54 females), or a control group (indoor computer‐assisted learning), with 80 participants (27 males and 53 females). The experiment lasted 3 weeks. Both groups were administered a test of English listening proficiency before and after the experiment along with a questionnaire of cognitive load postexperiment. Prior English listening proficiency forms a covariate for the multivariate analysis of covariance. Results show (a) students in the experimental group exhibit significantly better English listening comprehension after the experiment compared to the control group; (b) students in the experimental group reported significantly lower cognitive load than the control group; (c) English listening comprehension and cognitive load exhibited a statistically significant negative relationship; and (d) outdoor ubiquitous learning enhanced self‐reported learning interests and interactions more than indoor computer‐assisted learning. Contributions and significances of this study are presented based on these results. Finally, implications for teaching practices are proposed.
The mutagenesis of a type IV secretion system locus of Piscirickettsia salmonis leads to the attenuation of the pathogen in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
Authors: Mancilla M , Saavedra J , Grandón M , Tapia E , Navas E , Grothusen H , Bustos P
Published: December 2017

Piscirickettsiosis is a threatening infectious disease for the salmon industry, due to it being responsible for significant economic losses. The control of outbreaks also poses considerable environmental challenges. Despite Piscirickettsia salmonis having been discovered as the aetiological agent of the disease more than 25 years ago, its pathogenicity remains poorly understood. Among virulence factors identified so far, type four secretion systems (T4SS) seem to play a key role during the infection caused by the bacterium. We report here the genetic manipulation of P. salmonis by means of the transference of plasmid DNA in mating assays. An insertion cassette was engineered for targeting the icmB gene, which encodes a putative T4SS‐ATPase and is carried by one of the chromosomal T4SS clusters found within the genome of P. salmonis PM15972A1, a virulent representative of the EM‐90‐like strain. The molecular characterization of the resulting mutant strain demonstrated that the insertion interrupted the target gene. Further in vitro testing of the icmB mutant showed a dramatic drop in infectivity as tested in CHSE‐214 cells, which is in agreement with its attenuated behaviour observed in vivo. Altogether, our results demonstrate that, similar to other facultative intracellular pathogens, P. salmonis’ virulence relies on an intact T4SS.