bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Pertussis: Predictors of Outcome Including Pulmonary Hypertension and Leukodepletion
Authors: Domico Michele , Ridout Deborah , MacLaren Graeme , Barbaro Ryan , Annich Gail , Schlapbach Luregn J. , Brown Katherine L.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

The recent increase of pertussis cases worldwide has generated questions regarding the utility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for children with pertussis. We aimed to evaluate factors associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcome.

Design:

The study was designed in two parts: a retrospective analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry to identify factors independently linked to outcome, and an expanded dataset from individual institutions to examine the association of WBC count, pulmonary hypertension, and leukodepletion with survival.

Setting:

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry database from 2002 though 2015, and contributions from 19 international centers.

Patients:

Two hundred infants from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry and expanded data on 73 children.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of the 200 infants who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pertussis, only 56 survived (28%). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following variables were independently associated with increased chance of survival: older age (odds ratio, 1.43 [1.03–1.98]; p = 0.034), higher Pao
2/Fio
2 ratio (odds ratio, 1.10 [1.03–1.17]; p = 0.003), and longer intubation time prior to the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (odds ratio, 2.10 [1.37–3.22]; p = 0.001). The use of vasoactive medications (odds ratio, 0.33 [0.11–0.99]; p = 0.047), and renal neurologic or infectious complications (odds ratio, 0.21 [0.08–0.56]; p = 0.002) were associated with increased mortality. In the expanded dataset (n =73), leukodepletion was independently associated with increased chance of survival (odds ratio, 3.36 [1.13–11.68]; p = 0.03) while the presence of pulmonary hypertension was adverse (odds ratio, 0.06 [0.01–0.55]; p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

The survival rate for infants with pertussis who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support remains poor. Younger age, lower Pao
2/Fio
2 ratio, vasoactive use, pulmonary hypertension, and a rapidly progressive course were associated with increased mortality. Our results suggest that pre–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation leukodepletion may provide a survival advantage.
Which US States Pose the Greatest Threats to Military Readiness and Public Health? Public Health Policy Implications for a Cross-sectional Investigation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Body Mass Index, and Injuries Among US Army Recruits
Authors: Bornstein Daniel B. , Grieve George L. , Clennin Morgan N. , McLain Alexander C. , Whitsel Laurie P. , Beets Michael W. , Hauret Keith G. , Jones Bruce H. , Sarzynski Mark A.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Many states in the southern region of the United States are recognized for higher rates of obesity, physical inactivity, and chronic disease. These states are therefore recognized for their disproportionate public health burden. The purpose of this study was to investigate state-level distributions of cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI), and injuries among US Army recruits in order to determine whether or not certain states may also pose disproportionate threats to military readiness and national security.

Methods:

Sex-specific state-level values for injuries and fitness among 165 584 Army recruits were determined. Next, the relationship between median cardiorespiratory fitness and injury incidence at the state level was examined using Spearman correlations. Finally, multivariable Poisson regression models stratified by sex examined state-level associations between fitness and injury incidence, while controlling for BMI, and other covariates.

Main Outcome Measures:

Cardiorespiratory fitness and training-related injury incidence.

Results:

A cluster of 10 states from the south and southeastern regions (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas) produced male or female recruits who were significantly less fit and/or more likely to become injured than recruits from other US states. Compared with the “most fit states,” the incidence of injuries increased by 22% (95% CI, 17-28; P < .001) and 28% (95% CI, 19-36; P < .001) in male and female recruits from the “least fit states,” respectively.

Conclusions:

The impact of policies, systems, and environments on physical activity behavior, and subsequently fitness and health, has been clearly established. Advocacy efforts aimed at active living policies, systems, and environmental changes to improve population health often fail. However, advocating for active living policies to improve national security may prove more promising, particularly with legislators. Results from this study demonstrate how certain states, previously identified for their disproportionate public health burden, are also disproportionately burdensome for military readiness and national security.
An Interactional Profile to Assist the Differential Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative and Functional Memory Disorders
Authors: Reuber Markus , Blackburn Daniel J. , Elsey Chris , Wakefield Sarah , Ardern Kerry A. , Harkness Kirsty , Venneri Annalena , Jones Danielle , Shaw Chloe , Drew Paul
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Specialist services for dementia are seeing an increasing number of patients. We investigated whether interactional and linguistic features in the communication behavior of patients with memory problems could help distinguish between those with problems secondary to neurological disorders (ND) and those with functional memory disorder (FMD).

Methods:

In part 1 of this study, a diagnostic scoring aid (DSA) was developed encouraging linguists to provide quantitative ratings for 14 interactional features. An optimal cut-off differentiating ND and FMD was established by applying the DSA to 30 initial patient-doctor memory clinic encounters. In part 2, the DSA was tested prospectively in 10 additional cases analyzed independently by 2 conversation analysts blinded to medical information.

Results:

In part 1, the median score of the DSA was +5 in ND and −5 in FMD (P<0.001). The optimal numeric DSA cut-off (+1) identified patients with ND with a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%. In part 2, DSA scores of rater 1 correctly predicted 10/10 and those of rater 2 predicted 9/10 diagnoses.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that interactional and linguistic features can help distinguish between patients developing dementia and those with FMD and could aid the stratification of patients with memory problems.
Aberrant regulation of autophagy in mammalian diseases
Authors: Xie Wei , Zhou Jun
Published: January 2018

Autophagy is a major cellular metabolic pathway that facilitates degradation of a subset of long-lived proteins and cytoplasmic organelles in eukaryotic cells. This pathway plays a vital role in preserving the cellular homeostasis of the cells themselves, in addition to maintaining the normal physiological state of cell renewal. Many stressors, such as starvation, ischaemia and oxidative stress can induce autophagy. In addition to its physiological roles, autophagy also occurs in a wide variety of pathological processes, including tumour progression, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative and lung diseases. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has shown that autophagy also plays a key role in the development of mammalian diseases, a function that has garnered substantial attention and study. An in-depth understanding of the molecular role that autophagy plays in pathological settings is vital for both the diagnosis and treatment of mammalian diseases and will aid in the search for novel targets for therapeutic drug intervention. Here, we provide an integrated review of recent studies implicating autophagy dysfunction in the progression of mammalian disorders and summarize research suggesting that the molecular pathways involved in autophagy could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Phenotypes can be robust and evolvable if mutations have non-local effects on sequence constraints
Authors: Weiß Marcel , Ahnert Sebastian E.
Published: January 2018

The mapping between biological genotypes and phenotypes plays an important role in evolution, and understanding the properties of this mapping is crucial to determine the outcome of evolutionary processes. One of the most striking properties observed in several genotype–phenotype (GP) maps is the positive correlation between the robustness and evolvability of phenotypes. This implies that a phenotype can be strongly robust against mutations and at the same time evolvable to a diverse range of alternative phenotypes. Here, we examine the causes for this positive correlation by introducing two analytically tractable GP map models that follow the principles of real biological GP maps. The first model is based on gene-like GP maps, reflecting the way in which genetic sequences are organized into protein-coding genes, and the second one is based on the GP map of RNA secondary structure. For both models, we find that a positive correlation between phenotype robustness and evolvability only emerges if mutations at one sequence position can have non-local effects on the sequence constraints at another position. This highlights that non-local effects of mutations are closely related to the coexistence of robustness and evolvability in phenotypes, and are likely to be an important feature of many biological GP maps.
Optimization-based synthesis of stochastic biocircuits with statistical specifications
Authors: Sakurai Yuta , Hori Yutaka
Published: January 2018

Model-guided design has become a standard approach to engineering biomolecular circuits in synthetic biology. However, the stochastic nature of biomolecular reactions is often overlooked in the design process. As a result, cell–cell heterogeneity causes unexpected deviation of biocircuit behaviours from model predictions and requires additional iterations of design–build–test cycles. To enhance the design process of stochastic biocircuits, this paper presents a computational framework to systematically specify the level of intrinsic noise using well-defined metrics of statistics and design highly heterogeneous biocircuits based on the specifications. Specifically, we use descriptive statistics of population distributions as an intuitive specification language of stochastic biocircuits and develop an optimization-based computational tool that explores parameter configurations satisfying design requirements. Sensitivity analysis methods are also performed to ensure the robustness of a biocircuit design against extrinsic perturbations. These design tools are formulated with convex optimization programs to enable rigorous and efficient quantification of the statistics. We demonstrate these features by designing a stochastic negative feedback biocircuit that satisfies multiple statistical constraints and perform an in-depth study of noise propagation and regulation in negative feedback pathways.
Pigment-Dispersing Factor-expressing neurons convey circadian information in the honey bee brain
Authors: Beer Katharina , Kolbe Esther , Kahana Noa B. , Yayon Nadav , Weiss Ron , Menegazzi Pamela , Bloch Guy , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte
Published: January 2018

Pigment-Dispersing Factor (PDF) is an important neuropeptide in the brain circadian network of
Drosophila
and other insects, but its role in bees in which the circadian clock influences complex behaviour is not well understood. We combined high-resolution neuroanatomical characterizations, quantification of PDF levels over the day and brain injections of synthetic PDF peptide to study the role of PDF in the honey bee
Apis mellifera
. We show that PDF co-localizes with the clock protein Period (PER) in a cluster of laterally located neurons and that the widespread arborizations of these PER/PDF neurons are in close vicinity to other PER-positive cells (neurons and glia). PDF-immunostaining intensity oscillates in a diurnal and circadian manner with possible influences for age or worker task on synchrony of oscillations in different brain areas. Finally, PDF injection into the area between optic lobes and the central brain at the end of the subjective day produced a consistent trend of phase-delayed circadian rhythms in locomotor activity. Altogether, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that PDF is a neuromodulator that conveys circadian information from pacemaker cells to brain centres involved in diverse functions including locomotion, time memory and sun-compass orientation.
Evolution of the shut-off steps of vertebrate phototransduction
Authors: Lamb Trevor D. , Patel Hardip R. , Chuah Aaron , Hunt David M.
Published: January 2018

Different isoforms of the genes involved in phototransduction are expressed in vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors, providing a unique example of parallel evolution via gene duplication. In this study, we determine the molecular phylogeny of the proteins underlying the shut-off steps of phototransduction in the agnathan and jawed vertebrate lineages. For the G-protein receptor kinases (GRKs), the GRK1 and GRK7 divisions arose prior to the divergence of tunicates, with further expansion during the two rounds of whole-genome duplication (2R); subsequently, jawed and agnathan vertebrates retained different subsets of three isoforms of GRK. For the arrestins, gene expansion occurred during 2R. Importantly, both for GRKs and arrestins, the respective rod isoforms did not emerge until the second round of 2R, just prior to the separation of jawed and agnathan vertebrates. For the triplet of proteins mediating shut-off of the G-protein transducin, RGS9 diverged from RGS11, probably at the second round of 2R, whereas Gβ5 and R9AP appear not to have undergone 2R expansion. Overall, our analysis provides a description of the duplications and losses of phototransduction shut-off genes that occurred during the transition from a chordate with only cone-like photoreceptors to an ancestral vertebrate with both cone- and rod-like photoreceptors.
The role of maternal age and context-dependent maternal effects in the offspring provisioning of a long-lived marine teleost
Authors: Arnold Linsey M. , Smith Wade D. , Spencer Paul D. , Evans Allison N. , Heppell Scott A. , Heppell Selina S.
Published: January 2018

Despite evidence of maternal age effects in a number of teleost species, there have been challenges to the assertion that maternal age intrinsically influences offspring quality. From an evolutionary perspective, maternal age effects result in young females paradoxically investing in less fit offspring despite a greater potential fitness benefit that might be gained by allocating this energy to individual somatic growth. Although a narrow range of conditions could lead to a maternal fitness benefit via the production of lower quality offspring, evolutionary theorists suggest these conditions are seldom met and that the reported maternal age effects are more likely products of the environmental context. Our goal was to determine if maternal effects operated on offspring provisioning in a long-lived rockfish (genusSebastes), and to evaluate any such effects as an intrinsic function of maternal age or a context-dependent effect of the offspring release environment. We found that offspring provisioning is a function of both maternal age and the timing of offspring release; older females exhibit increased provisioning over younger females throughout the spawning season despite a decrease in provisioning across all maternal ages as the season progresses. These findings suggest a role for both maternal age effects and a potential context-dependent maternal effect in population productivity, carrying important implications when modelling population persistence and resilience.
Emission characteristics and vapour/particulate phase distributions of PCDD/F in a hazardous waste incinerator under transient conditions
Authors: Li Min , Wang Chao , Cen Kefa , Ni Mingjiang , Li Xiaodong
Published: January 2018

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emission characteristics and vapour/particulate phase partitions under three continued operation conditions, i.e. shut-down, start-up and after start-up, were investigated by sampling stack gas. The results indicated that the PCDD/F emission levels were 0.40–18.03 ng I-TEQ Nm
−3
, much higher than the annual monitoring level (0.016 ng I-TEQ Nm
−3
). Additionally, the PCDD/F emission levels in start-up were higher than the other two conditions. Furthermore, the PCDD/F congener profiles differed markedly between shut-down and start-up, and the chlorination degree of PCDD/F increased in shut-down and decreased evidently in start-up. Moreover, PCDD/F vapour/particulate phase distributions varied significantly under three transient conditions. The PCDD/F vapour phase proportion decreased as the shut-down process continued, then increased as the start-up process proceeded, finally more than 98% of the PCDD/F congeners were distributed in the vapour phase after start-up. The correlations between log(
C
v
/

C
s

) versus

log 

p

L

0

of each PCDD/F congener in stack gas were disorganized in shut-down, and trend to a linear distribution after start-up. Besides, polychlorinated biphenyl emissions show behaviour similar to that of PCDD/F, and the lower chlorinated congeners have a stronger relationship with 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs, such as M1CB and D2CB.
Nanostructure selenium compounds as pseudocapacitive electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor
Authors: Ma Guofu , Hua Fengting , Sun Kanjun , Fenga Enke , Peng Hui , Zhang Zhiguo , Lei Ziqiang
Published: January 2018

The electrochemical performance of an energy conversion and storage device like the supercapacitor mainly depends on the microstructure and morphology of the electrodes. In this paper, to improve the capacitance performance of the supercapacitor, the all-pseudocapacitive electrodes of lamella-like Bi
18
SeO
29
/BiSe as the negative electrode and flower-like Co
0.85
Se nanosheets as the positive electrode are synthesized by using a facile low-temperature one-step hydrothermal method. The microstructures and morphology of the electrode materials are carefully characterized, and the capacitance performances are also tested. The Bi
18
SeO
29
/BiSe and Co
0.85
Se have high specific capacitance (471.3 F g
–1
and 255 F g
–1
at 0.5 A g
–1
), high conductivity, outstanding cycling stability, as well as good rate capability. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor completely based on the pseudocapacitive electrodes exhibits outstanding cycling stability (about 93% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles). Moreover, the devices exhibit high energy density of 24.2 Wh kg
–1
at a power density of 871.2 W kg
–1
in the voltage window of 0–1.6 V with 2 M KOH solution.
A ‘reader’ unit of the chemical computer
Authors: Smelov Pavel S. , Vanag Vladimir K.
Published: January 2018

We suggest the main principals and functional units of the parallel chemical computer, namely, (i) a generator (which is a network of coupled oscillators) of oscillatory dynamic modes, (ii) a unit which is able to recognize these modes (a ‘reader’) and (iii) a decision-making unit, which analyses the current mode, compares it with the external signal and sends a command to the mode generator to switch it to the other dynamical regime. Three main methods of the functioning of the reader unit are suggested and tested computationally: (a) the polychronization method, which explores the differences between the phases of the generator oscillators; (b) the amplitude method which detects clusters of the generator and (c) the resonance method which is based on the resonances between the frequencies of the generator modes and the internal frequencies of the damped oscillations of the reader cells. Pro and contra of these methods have been analysed.
Hybrid integral transforms for flow development in ducts partially filled with porous media
Authors: Lisboa Kleber Marques , Cotta Renato Machado
Published: January 2018

A hybrid numerical–analytical solution is developed for laminar flow development in a parallel plate duct partially filled with porous media. The integral transform method is employed in combination with a single domain reformulation strategy for representing the heterogeneous media within the channel. A novel eigenfunction expansion basis is proposed, including abrupt spatial variations of physical properties due to the domain transitions. The introduction of the new basis allows for a solution with similar convergence rates as in previous applications with simpler formulations, as demonstrated through a careful convergence analysis of the expansions. The inherent automatic error control characteristic of the integral transforms approach then provides benchmark results for the developing velocity profile. Moreover, a physical analysis further verifies the consistency of both the proposed expansion and the mixed symbolic–numerical code developed. A detailed verification with a finite-element commercial code is also performed.
Bifurcation of elastic solids with sliding interfaces
Authors: Bigoni D. , Bordignon N. , Piccolroaz A. , Stupkiewicz S.
Published: January 2018

Lubricated sliding contact between soft solids is an interesting topic in biomechanics and for the design of small-scale engineering devices. As a model of this mechanical set-up, two elastic nonlinear solids are considered jointed through a frictionless and bilateral surface, so that continuity of the normal component of the Cauchy traction holds across the surface, but the tangential component is null. Moreover, the displacement can develop only in a way that the bodies in contact do neither detach, nor overlap. Surprisingly, this finite strain problem has not been correctly formulated until now, so this formulation is the objective of the present paper. The incremental equations are shown to be non-trivial and different from previously (and erroneously) employed conditions. In particular, an exclusion condition for bifurcation is derived to show that previous formulations based on frictionless contact or ‘spring-type’ interfacial conditions are not able to predict bifurcations in tension, while experiments—one of which,
ad hoc
designed, is reported—show that these bifurcations are a reality and become possible when the correct sliding interface model is used. The presented results introduce a methodology for the determination of bifurcations and instabilities occurring during lubricated sliding between soft bodies in contact.
Computational tameness of classical non-causal models
Authors: Baumeler Ämin , Wolf Stefan
Published: January 2018

We show that the computational power of the non-causal circuit model, i.e. the circuit model where the assumption of aglobal causal orderis replaced by the assumption oflogical consistency, is completely characterized by the complexity classUP∩coUP. An example of a problem in that class is factorization. Our result implies that classical deterministic closed timelike curves (CTCs) cannot efficiently solve problems that lieoutsideof that class. Thus, in stark contrast to other CTC models, these CTCscannotefficiently solveNP-completeproblems, unlessNP=UP∩coUP=coNP, which lets their existence in nature appearless implausible. This result gives a new characterization ofUP∩coUPin terms of fixed points.
Model recommendations meet management reality: implementation and evaluation of a network-informed vaccination effort for endangered Hawaiian monk seals
Authors: Robinson Stacie J. , Barbieri Michelle M. , Murphy Samantha , Baker Jason D. , Harting Albert L. , Craft Meggan E. , Littnan Charles L.
Published: January 2018

Where disease threatens endangered wildlife populations, substantial resources are required for management actions such as vaccination. While network models provide a promising tool for identifying key spreaders and prioritizing efforts to maximize efficiency, population-scale vaccination remains rare, providing few opportunities to evaluate performance of model-informed strategies under realistic scenarios. Because the endangered Hawaiian monk seal could be heavily impacted by disease threats such as morbillivirus, we implemented a prophylactic vaccination programme. We used contact networks to prioritize vaccinating animals with high contact rates. We used dynamic network models to simulate morbillivirus outbreaks under real and idealized vaccination scenarios. We then evaluated the efficacy of model recommendations in this real-world vaccination project. We found that deviating from the model recommendations decreased the efficiency; requiring 44% more vaccinations to achieve a given decrease in outbreak size. However, we gained protection more quickly by vaccinating available animals rather than waiting to encounter priority seals. This work demonstrates the value of network models, but also makes trade-offs clear. If vaccines were limited but time was ample, vaccinating only priority animals would maximize herd protection. However, where time is the limiting factor, vaccinating additional lower-priority animals could more quickly protect the population.
Host size and proximity to diseased neighbours drive the spread of a coral disease outbreak in Hawai‘i
Authors: Caldwell Jamie M. , Donahue Megan J. , Harvell C. Drew
Published: January 2018

Understanding how disease risk varies over time and across heterogeneous populations is critical for managing disease outbreaks, but this information is rarely known for wildlife diseases. Here, we demonstrate that variation in host and pathogen factors drive the direction, duration and intensity of a coral disease outbreak. We collected longitudinal health data for 200 coral colonies, and found that disease risk increased with host size and severity of diseased neighbours, and disease spread was highest among individuals between 5 and 20 m apart. Disease risk increased by 2% with every 10 cm increase in host size. Healthy colonies with severely diseased neighbours (greater than 75% affected tissue) were 1.6 times more likely to develop disease signs compared with colonies with moderately diseased neighbours (25–75% affected tissue). Force of infection ranged from 7 to 20 disease cases per 1000 colonies (mean = 15 cases per 1000 colonies). The effective reproductive ratio, or average number of secondary infections per infectious individual, ranged from 0.16 to 1.22. Probability of transmission depended strongly on proximity to diseased neighbours, which demonstrates that marine disease spread can be highly constrained within patch reefs.
DNA extraction from primary liquid blood cultures for bloodstream infection diagnosis using whole genome sequencing
Authors: Anson Luke W. , Chau Kevin , Sanderson Nicholas , Hoosdally Sarah , Bradley Phelim , Iqbal Zamin , Phan Hang , Foster Dona , Oakley Sarah , Morgan Marcus , Peto Tim E. A. ,   Modernizing Medical Microbiology Informatics Group (MMMIG), Crook Derrick W. , Pankhurst Louise J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose. Speed of bloodstream infection diagnosis is vital to reduce morbidity and mortality. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed directly from liquid blood culture could provide single-assay species and antibiotic susceptibility prediction; however, high inhibitor and human cell/DNA concentrations limit pathogen recovery. We develop a method for the preparation of bacterial DNA for WGS-based diagnostics direct from liquid blood culture.

Methodology. We evaluate three commercial DNA extraction kits: BiOstic Bacteraemia, Amplex Hyplex and MolYsis Plus. Differential centrifugation, filtration, selective lysis and solid-phase reversible immobilization bead clean-up are tested to improve human cells/DNA and inhibitor removal. Using WGS (Illumina/MinION), we assess human DNA removal, pathogen recovery, and predict species and antibiotic susceptibility inpositive blood cultures of 44 Gram-negative and 54 Staphylococcus species.

Results/Key findings. BiOstic kit extractions yield the greatest mean DNA concentration, 94–301 ng µl−1, versus 0–2.5 ng µl−1 using Amplex and MolYsis kits. However, we note higher levels of inhibition (260/280 ratio 0.9–2.1) and human DNA (0.0–4.4×106 copies) in BiOstic extracts. Differential centrifugation (2000 
g
, 1 min) prior to BiOstic extraction reduces human DNA by 63–89 % with selective lysis minimizing by a further 62 %. Post-extraction bead clean-up lowers inhibition. Overall, 67 % of sequenced samples (Illumina MiSeq) contain <10 % human DNA, with >93 % concordance between WGS-based species and susceptibility predictions and clinical diagnosis. If >60 % of sequencing reads are human (7/98 samples) susceptibility prediction becomes compromised. Novel MinION-based WGS (n=9) currently gives rapid species identification but not susceptibility prediction.

Conclusion. Our method for DNA preparation allows WGS-based diagnosis direct from blood culture bottles, providing species and antibiotic susceptibility prediction in a single assay.
Manipulations of central amygdala neurotensin neurons alter the consumption of ethanol and sweet fluids in mice
Authors: Torruella-Suárez María Luisa , Vandenberg Jessica R. , Cogan Elizabeth S. , Tipton Gregory J. , Teklezghi Adonay , Dange Kedar , Patel Gunjan K. , McHenry Jenna A. , Hardaway J. Andrew , Kantak Pranish A. , Crowley Nicole A. , DiBerto Jeffrey F. , Faccidomo Sara P. , Hodge Clyde W. , Stuber Garret D. , McElligott Zoé A.
Published: January 2018

The central nucleus of the amygdala plays a significant role in alcohol use and other affective disorders; however, the genetically-defined neuronal subtypes and their projections that govern these behaviors are not well known. Here we show that neurotensin neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala of male mice are activated by in vivo ethanol consumption and that genetic ablation of these neurons decreases ethanol consumption and preference in non-ethanol dependent animals. This ablation did not impact preference for sucrose, saccharin, or quinine. We found that the most robust projection of the central amygdala neurotensin neurons was to the parabrachial nucleus, a brain region known to be important in feeding behaviors, conditioned taste aversion, and alarm. Optogenetic stimulation of projections from these neurons to the parabrachial nucleus is reinforcing, and increases ethanol drinking as well as consumption of sucrose and saccharin solutions. These data suggest that this central amygdala to parabrachial nucleus projection influences the expression of reward-related phenotypes and is a novel circuit promoting consumption of ethanol and palatable fluids.
Comparison of two African rice species through a new pan-genomic approach on massive data
Authors: Monat Cécile , Tranchant-Dubreuil Christine , Engelen Stefan , Labadie Karine , Paradis Emmanuel , Tando Ndomassi , Sabot François
Published: January 2018

Pangenome theory implies that individuals from a given group/species share only a given part of their genome (core-genome), the remaining part being the dispensable one. Domestication process implies a small number of founder individuals, and thus a large core-genome compared to dispensable at the first steps of domestication. We sequenced at high depth 120 cultivated African rice Oryza glaberrima and of 74 wild relatives O. barthii, and mapped them on the external reference from Asian rice O. sativa. We then use a novel DepthOfCoverage approach to identif missing genes. After comparing the two species, we shown that the cultivated species has a smaller core-genome than the wild one, as well as an expected smaller dispensable one. This unexpected output however replaces in perspective the inadequacy of cultivated crops to wilderness.
Genus-wide sequencing supports a two-locus model for sex-determination in Phoenix
Authors: Torres Maria F. , Mathew Lisa S. , Ahmed Ikhlak , Al-Azwani Iman K. , Krueger Robert , Rivera Diego , Mohamoud Yasmin A. , Clark Andrew G. , Suhre Karsten , Malek Joel A.
Published: January 2018

The date palm tree is a commercially important member of the genus Phoenix whose 14 species are all dioecious with separate male and female individuals. Previous studies identified a multi-megabase region of the date palm genome linked to sex and showed that dioecy likely developed in Phoenix prior to speciation. To identify genes critical to sex determination we sequenced the genomes of 28 Phoenix trees representing all 14 species. Male-specific sequences were identified and extended using phased single molecule sequencing or BAC clones to distinguish X and Y alleles.

Here we show that only four genes contain sequences conserved in all analyzed males, likely identifying the changes foundational to dioecy in Phoenix. The majority of these sequences show similarity to a single genomic locus in the closely related oil palm. CYP703 and GPAT3, two genes critical to male flower development in other monocots, appear fully deleted in females while maintained as single copy in males. A LOG-like gene appears translocated into the Y chromosome and a cytidine deaminase-like appears at the border of a chromosomal rearrangement. Our data supports a two-mutation model for the evolution from hermaphroditism to dioecy through a gynodioecious intermediate.
Crossover of engagement in groups
Authors: van Mierlo Heleen , Bakker Arnold B.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the current knowledge on psychological contagion and crossover by investigating the crossover of task-specific engagement (a positive, fulfilling state of mind) among group members. The paper also examines whether this crossover process is reinforced by strong group cohesion or by higher a priori levels of task engagement of the most engaged group member.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors operationalized crossover as within-group convergence on individual engagement over time. The authors studied this process in 43 newly formed groups performing a dynamic, interactive building task under controlled laboratory conditions, allowing the authors to observe the crossover process from a “zero” point, before any mutual influences had occurred.

Findings

Group member engagement scores indeed converged over time, supporting the proposed crossover effect of engagement, especially when the most engaged group member was highly engaged at the beginning of the group task. Unexpectedly, the explanatory role of group cohesion was not convincingly supported; the crossover of engagement was no stronger in groups with high cohesion.

Practical implications

These findings show that task-specific engagement is indeed transferred among group members, particularly when the most engaged group member is highly engaged.

Originality/value

Previous studies on psychological contagion and crossover were mainly focused on dyadic relationships and specific emotions or impaired well-being. The findings add to this literature by addressing the crossover of engagement – a more complex, beneficial psychological state – among group members and provide new input for developing and sustaining engagement in and of groups.
Validity of generalized compensation contract for PPP project with consideration of private fair reference depending on concession profit
Authors: Wu Xiaoling , Peng Yichen , Liu Xiaofeng , Zhou Jing
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of private investor's fair preference on the governmental compensation mechanism based on the uncertainty of income for the public-private-partnership (PPP) project.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the governmental dilemma for the compensation of PPP project, a generalized compensation contract is designed by the combination of compensation before the event and compensation after the event. Then the private investor's claimed concession profit is taken as its fair reference point according to the idea of the BO model, and its fair utility function is established by improving the FS model. Thus the master-slave counter measure game is applied to conduct the behavior modeling for the governmental compensation contract design.

Findings

By analyzing the model given in this paper, some conclusions are obtained. First, the governmental optimal compensation contract is fair incentive for the private investor. Second, the private fair preference is not intuitively positive or negative related to the social efficiency of compensation. Only under some given conditions, the correlation will show the consistent effect. Third, the private fair behavior’s impact on the efficiency of compensation will become lower and lower as the social cost of compensation reduces. Fourth, the governmental effective compensation scheme should be carried out based on the different comparison scene of the private claimed portfolio profit and the expected revenue for the project.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the effects of private investor's fair preference on the validity of governmental generalized compensation contract of the PPP project for the first time; and the governmental generalized compensation contract designed in this study is a pioneering and exploratory attempt.
Developing a national standard for midwifery mentorship in Uganda
Authors: Kemp Joy , Bannon Elizabeth M. , Mwanja Mercy Muwema , Tebuseeke Deusdedit
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a national standard for midwifery mentorship in Uganda, part of a wider project which aimed to develop a model of mentorship for Ugandan midwifery using the principles of action research. It aims to stimulate debate about strengthening the capacity of a health regulatory body, midwifery twinning partnerships and the use of international health volunteer placements.

Design/methodology/approach

Model of mentorship for Ugandan midwifery was a 20-month project implemented by the Royal College of Midwives UK and the Uganda Private Midwives Association. Following a situational analysis, the project was structured around three action reflection cycles, participatory workshops, individual twinning relationships between UK and Ugandan midwives and peer exchange visits. The capacity of the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) to develop a standard for midwifery mentorship was assessed. A capacity building programme was then designed and implemented to develop the standard for midwifery mentorship.

Findings

The capacity of UNMC was increased and the standard was developed though has yet to be validated and adopted. However, this intervention may not be replicable as a stand-alone intervention because its success was inextricably linked to the wider programme activities and support structures.

Originality/value

This is the first paper describing midwifery twinning to strengthen the capacity of a regulatory body to develop practice standards.
Characterizing supply chain visibility – a literature review
Authors: Somapa Sirirat , Cools Martine , Dullaert Wout
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review that aims to provide insight into the characteristics and effectiveness of supply chain visibility (SCV), as well as to identify metrics that capture these aspects in business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the supply chain literature is conducted to identify the characteristics and the effectiveness of SCV. The synthesis of SCV effectiveness and its metrics are based on the process-oriented approach which relates the effectiveness of SCV to improved business performance.

Findings

This study reveals that the characteristics of SCV can be captured in terms of the accessibility, quality, and usefulness of information. The benefits of SCV are found to extend beyond improvements to operational efficiency of business processes or to the strategic competencies of an organization.

Practical implications

This study underlines that clear agreements between all players involved in the SC can help to solve problems caused by information completeness (type and amount of information), and unlock the full potential of SCV projects.

Originality/value

By using a process-oriented approach, this review provides a comprehensive explanation of the functions of SCV, as well as its first-order effects, in terms of automational, informational, and transformational characteristics.
Content analysis in SCM research: past uses and future research opportunities
Authors: Mir Saif , Lu Shih-Hao , Cantor David , Hofer Christian
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Content analysis is a methodology that has been used in many academic disciplines as a means to extract quantitative measures from textual information. The purpose of this paper is to document the use of content analysis in the supply chain literature. The authors also discuss opportunities for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a literature review of 13 leading supply chain journals to assess the state of the content analysis-based literature and identify opportunities for future research. Additionally, the authors provide a general schema for and illustration of the use of content analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that content analysis for quantitative studies and hypothesis testing purposes has rarely been used in the supply chain discipline. The research also suggests that in order to fully realize the potential of content analysis, future content analysis research should conduct more hypothesis testing, employ diverse data sets, utilize state-of-the-art content analysis software programs, and leverage multi-method research designs.

Originality/value

The current research synthesizes the use of content analysis methods in the supply chain domain and promotes the need to capitalize on the advantages offered by this research methodology. The paper also presents several topics for future research that can benefit from the content analysis method.
A comparative assessment of win-win and win-lose negotiation strategy use on supply chain relational outcomes
Authors: Thomas Stephanie , Eastman Jacqueline , Shepherd C. David , Denton Luther Trey
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relational impact of using win-win or win-lose negotiation strategies within different types of buyer-supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method approach is used. Qualitative interviews with supply chain managers reveal that relationship-specific assets and cooperation are important relational factors in buyer-supplier negotiations. Framing interview insights within the social exchange theory (SET), hypotheses are tested using a scenario-based behavioral experiment.

Findings

Experimental results suggest that win-lose negotiators decrease their negotiating partner’s commitment of relationship-specific assets and levels of cooperation. In addition, the use of a win-lose negotiation strategy reduces levels of relationship-specific assets and cooperation more in highly interdependent buyer-supplier relationships than relationships that are not as close.

Research limitations/implications

Buyer-supplier relationships are complex interactions. Negotiation strategy choice decisions can have long-term effects on the overall relationship. As demonstrated in this study, previous research focusing on one side “winning” a negotiation as a measure of success has oversimplified this complex phenomenon.

Practical implications

The use of a win-lose negotiation strategy can have a negative impact on relational outcomes like cooperation and relationship-specific assets. For companies interested in developing strong supply chain relationships, buyer and suppliers should choose their negotiation strategy carefully as the relational impact extends beyond the single negotiation encounter.

Originality/value

Previous research predominantly advocates for the use of a win-win negotiation strategy within interdependent relationships. This research offers evidence that the use of a win-lose strategy does have a long-term relational impact.
Estimating transportation network impedance to last-mile delivery
Authors: Ewedairo Kolawole , Chhetri Prem , Jie Ferry
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure and map the potential transportation network impedance to last-mile delivery (LMD) using spatial measures representing attributes of road network and planning controls.

Design/methodology/approach

The transport network impedance is estimated as the potential hindrance to LMD as imposed by the characteristics of the built and regulatory environment. A matrix of key transport and planning measures are generated and overlaid in geographical information systems to compute and visualise the levels of transportation network impedance to LMD using a composite indexing method.

Findings

The mapped outputs reveal significant spatial variation in transportation network impedance to LMD across different part of the study area. Significant differences were detected along the road segments that connect key industrial hubs or activity centres especially along tram routes and freight corridors, connecting the Port of Melbourne and logistic hub with the airport and the Western Ring Road.

Research limitations/implications

The use of static measures of transport and urban planning restricts the robustness of the impedance index, which can be enhanced through better integration of dynamic and real-time movements of business-to-business LMD of goods. Spatial approach is valuable for broader urban planning at a metropolitan or council level; however, its use is somewhat limited in assisting the daily operational planning and logistics decision making in terms of dynamic routing and vehicle scheduling.

Practical implications

The built and regulatory environment contributes to the severity of LMD problem in urban areas. The use of land use controls as instruments to increase city compactness in strategic nodes/hubs is more likely to deter the movement of urban freight. The mapped outputs would help urban planners and logisticians in mitigating the potential delay in last-mile deliveries through devising localised strategies such as dedicated freight corridors or time-bound deliveries in congested areas of road network.

Originality/value

This is the first study that measured the potential transport network impedance to LMD and improved understanding of the complex interactions between urban planning measures and LMD. Micro-scale mapping of transportation network impedance at the street level adds an innovative urban planning dimension to research in the growing field of city logistics.
Integration, supply chain resilience, and service performance in third-party logistics providers
Authors: Liu Chiung-Lin , Lee Ming-Yu
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Supply chain resilience (SCR) is essential to the success of firms. However, very few studies have focused on the relationships between different types of integration, SCR and service performance from the perspective of third-party logistics providers (3PLs). The purpose of this paper is to develop and assesses a conceptual model for these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 161 3PLs in Taiwan were surveyed and their responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM/PLS).

Findings

The responses of respondents demonstrated that, of the three types of integration (internal integration, customer integration and logistics collaborator integration) used by 3PLs, internal integration had the greatest effect on SCR. Customer integration was found to have three fully mediating effects on the relationships between internal integration and service performance, between logistics collaborator integration and SCR, and between logistics collaborator integration and service performance.

Originality/value

This study provides useful information on how different types of integration manifest in the SCR and service performance of 3PLs.