bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexually divergent DNA methylation programs with hippocampal aging
Authors: Masser Dustin R. , Hadad Niran , Porter Hunter , Mangold Colleen A. , Unnikrishnan Archana , Ford Matthew M. , Giles Cory B. , Georgescu Constantin , Dozmorov Mikhail G. , Wren Jonathan D. , Richardson Arlan , Stanford David R. , Freeman Willard M.
Published: July 2017

DNA methylation is a central regulator of genome function and altered methylation patterns are indicative of biological aging and mortality. Age-related cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes in the hippocampus lead to cognitive impairments and greater vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease that varies between the sexes. The role of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging in these processes is unknown as no genome-wide analyses of age-related methylation changes have considered the factor of sex in a controlled animal model. High-depth, genome-wide bisulfite sequencing of young (3 month) and old (24 month) male and female mouse hippocampus revealed that while total genomic methylation amounts did not change with aging, specific sites in CG and non-CG (CH) contexts demonstrated age-related increases or decreases in methylation that were predominantly sexually divergent. Differential methylation with age for both CG and CH sites was enriched in intergenic, and intronic regions and under-represented in promoters, CG islands and specific enhancer regions in both sexes suggesting that certain genomic elements are especially labile with aging, even if the exact genomic loci altered are predominantly sex-specific. Life-long sex differences in autosomal methylation at CG and CH sites were also observed. The lack of genome-wide hypomethylation, sexually divergent aging response, and autosomal sex differences at CG sites were confirmed in human data. These data reveal sex as a previously unappreciated central factor of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging. In total, these data demonstrate an intricate regulation of DNA methylation with aging by sex, cytosine context, genomic location, and methylation level.
Compound heterozygous SLC19A3 mutations further refine the critical promoter region for biotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease
Authors: Whitford Whitney , Hawkins Isobel , Glamuzina Emma , Wilson Francessa , Marshall Andrew , Ashton Fern , Love Donald R. , Taylor Juliet , Hill Rosamund , Lehnert Klaus , Snell Russell G. , Jacobsen Jessie C.
Published: July 2017

Mutations in the gene SLC19A3 result in thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 2, also known as biotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease (BTBGD). This neurometabolic disease typically presents in early childhood with progressive neurodegeneration, including confusion, seizures, and dysphagia, advancing to coma and death. Treatment is possible via supplement of biotin and/or thiamine, with early treatment resulting in significant lifelong improvements. Here we report two siblings who received a refined diagnosis of BTBGD following whole-genome sequencing. Both children inherited compound heterozygous mutations from unaffected parents; a missense single-nucleotide variant (p.G23V) in the first transmembrane domain of the protein, and a 4808-bp deletion in exon 1 encompassing the 5′ UTR and minimal promoter region. This deletion is the smallest promoter deletion reported to date, further defining the minimal promoter region of SLC19A3. Unfortunately, one of the siblings died prior to diagnosis, but the other is showing significant improvement after commencement of therapy. This case demonstrates the power of whole-genome sequencing for the identification of structural variants and subsequent diagnosis of rare neurodevelopmental disorders.
An assembly gap control method based on posture alignment of wing panels in aircraft assembly
Authors: Wang Qing , Dou Yadong , Li Jiangxiong , Ke Yinglin , Keogh Patrick , Maropoulos Paul G.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an optimal posture evaluation model to control the assembly gaps in aircraft wing assembly. The gaps between two mating surfaces should be strictly controlled in precision manufacturing. Oversizing of gaps will decrease the dimensional accuracy and may reduce the fatigue life of a mechanical product. To reduce the gaps and keep them within tolerance, the relative posture (orientation and position) of two components should be optimized in the assembly process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the step alignment strategy, i.e. preliminary alignment and refined alignment, the concept of a small posture transformation (SPT) is introduced. In the preliminary alignment, an initial posture is estimated by a set of auxiliary locating points, with which the components can be quickly aligned near each other. In the refined alignment, the assembly gaps are calculated and the formulation of the gaps with component posture is derived by the SPT. A comprehensive weighted minimization model with gap tolerance constraints is established for redistributing the gaps in multi-regions. Powell-Hestenes-Rockafellar optimization, Singular Value Decomposition and K-Dimensional tree searching are introduced for the solution of the optimal posture for localization.

Findings

Using the SPT, the trigonometric posture transformation is linearized, which benefits the iterative solution process. Through the constrained model, overall gaps are minimized and excess gaps are controlled within tolerance.

Practical implications

This method has been tested with simulated model data and real product data, the results of which have shown efficient coordination of mating components.

Originality/value

This paper proposed an optimal posture evaluation method for minimizing the gaps between mating surfaces through component adjustments. This will promote the assembly automation and variation control in aircraft wing assembly.
Introduction of the trend-adjusted crop insurance program
Authors: Seo HongSeok , Kim Taehoo , Kim Man-Keun , McCarl Bruce A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Recently, USDA-RMA introduced a Trend Adjusted-Actual Production History (TA-APH) program, which increases APH by a trend factor to cover yield changes over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the TA-APH program on farmer participation, coverage election, and risk by analyzing data before and after the program.

Design/methodology/approach

Since the program was carried out in selected counties, the authors employ a difference in differences approach doing comparisons of insurance participation and coverage levels between eligible and ineligible counties.

Findings

The authors find that farmers within the counties where the TA-APH program was available experienced an increase in insured acres of 3 percent for corn and 5 percent for soybeans. The authors also find the farmers eligible for the program purchased lower coverage levels relative to those not eligible. However, the magnitude of that negative effect is relatively small, −0.9 percent in corn and −1.3 percent in soybeans. Collectively the evidence shows the TA-APH program does increase the guaranteed yield level mitigating farmer risk.

Research limitations/implications

The data set used only permitted analysis at the county level, thus the authors could not look at the individual farmer choices.

Practical implications

The results suggest that if a greater level of farmer risk protection is desired from crop insurance, the authors find that the trend adjustment as implemented was a successful way to achieve this.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on the crop insurance by evaluating the program controlling for a non-participating groups, farming experience, liability rates, and subsidy rates. In doing this, it fulfills an identified need to study the actual impact on participation rates and coverage levels elected.
Employer-provided health benefits and employment decisions of US farm workers
Authors: Luo Tianyuan , Escalante Cesar
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of employer-provided health benefits (EPHBs) on labor supply decisions of documented and undocumented farm workers. By establishing a significant linkage between EPHB and farm work decisions, this study provides important implications for farm employment retention and the financial sustainability of farm businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey, objective (actual) and subjective (expected) employment data are used as outcome variables analyzed under an ordered probit model, with the data pre-processed using the coarsened exact matching method to reduce endogeneity issues within the estimation.

Findings

Results confirm the influence of EPHB on farm workers’ decisions to remain employed on the farm as well as on the duration of their farm employment. Comparatively, EPHB significantly influences undocumented farm workers’ decisions on actual employment duration and subjective working expectations while documented workers seem to ascribe less importance to EPHB in their farm employment decisions.

Practical implications

This study provides important financial and business viability implications as the value of farm labor services retained through EPHB can translate to high opportunity losses, if ineffective. Alternative labor-saving strategies, such as mechanization, can only potentially lead to serious financial challenges for agribusiness firms, especially small-scale farm operations. This study emphasizes the need for more effective employment retention incentives for the sake of sustaining farm business viability.

Originality/value

This study presents empirical evidence on the important influence of EPHB on farm employment decisions, especially those made by undocumented farm workers, that have not been extensively explored in literature.
Managers’ silent whisper innovation involvement and role-modeling in service firms
Authors: Sölvell Ingela
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The task of leading innovation is predominantly pictured as a supportive rolevis-à-visemployees. Motivation is a crucial aspect of this task. To better understand the practice of this change-oriented leadership task, the actual behavior and activities of managers are investigated. The purpose of this paper is to reflect through practice and self-reports how this leadership challenge is executed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this longitudinal multi-method investigation, the service innovation literature constitutes the main theoretical framework. The investigation draws additionally on leadership literature about how to understand leadership through practice. The methodological design facilitated the drawing of causal inferences in the dynamics of service innovation.

Findings

The investigation enhances our understanding of managers’ particular context of innovation, and particularly the initiation context. It provides empirically grounded descriptions of what managers identify as potential opportunities, and how they take them further in the ideation stage. The results develop the suggestion that leadership roles, and specifically change-oriented roles, are not restricted to initiating or enabling activities related to the employees. Instead the much downplayed leadership role, i.e. the active practice-based involvement in innovation, is theorized as a role that is continuously activated, but tends to be set aside for contingency reasons.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to assess the importance of managers’ involvement in the practice of innovation, both through systematic mapping of ideas on a larger scale, and through the employee perspective. This paper provides useful insights on managers’ cognition and involvement in innovation for further investigations of innovation management.

Practical implications

The results provide awareness for managers regarding their diverse leadership roles related to innovation. First, the study embraces heterogeneous ideas that are useful to evaluate and constitute role-modeling. Second, it highlights how managers’ execution of innovation creates awareness about the challenges involved. Finally, but maybe most important, the results alert managers of the discontinuity, even in strategically anchored intentional innovation.

Social implications

In a changing innovation landscape, individual firms need to draw on other firms to achieve their innovation strategies. In pursuit of this goal, this paper enhances the understanding of the role-modeling leadership task. It is a novel way of guiding individuals that are exposed to new and uncertain innovation contexts, and rethinking how innovation eventually can be achieved.

Originality/value

While earlier research has identified the multifaceted leadership behavior to support innovation, this paper outlines the contextual conditions and the practice of executing the suggested powerful role of being a role-model for others.
Integrating developing countries into the world economy: a Tunisian case study
Authors: Ritzel Christian , Kohler Andreas , Mann Stefan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide empirical evidence about the potential positive effects of switching from given non-reciprocal trade preferences granted under the Swiss Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for developing countries (DCs) to negotiated reciprocal trade preferences under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Design/methodology/approach

In a case study of Tunisia’s exports to Switzerland, the authors apply methods of matching econometrics, namely, Propensity-Score Matching and Nearest-Neighbor Matching. Hereby, they are able to identify the average treatment effect on the treated.

Findings

Overall preferential exports increased by 125 per cent after the entry into force of the FTA in 2005 until the end of the observation period in 2011. Additionally, an analysis of the agro-food and textile sectors likewise indicate boosting preferential exports in the amount of 100 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Case studies in this vein have their disadvantages. The greatest disadvantage is the lack of generalization. In contrast to studies estimating the potential effects of an FTA for several countries, the authors are not able to generalize their results based on a single case.

Practical implications

Because trade preferences under the Swiss GSP are offered to the country group of DCs as a whole, non-reciprocal trade preferences are not tailored to the export structure of a particular DC. By switching from non-reciprocal to negotiated reciprocal trade preferences, DCs such as Tunisia expect to negotiate terms which are tailored to their export structure as well as better conditions than competitors from countries which are still beneficiaries of the GSP.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate explicitly the switch from non-reciprocal to reciprocal trade preferences using econometric matching techniques.
Brand trust and image: effects on customer satisfaction
Authors: Khodadad Hosseini Sayed Hamid , Behboudi Leila
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate brand trust and brand image effects on healthcare service users. Nowadays, managers and health activists are showing increased tendency to marketing and branding to attract and satisfy customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study’s design is based on a conceptual model examining brand trust and brand image effects on customer satisfaction. Data obtained from 240 questionnaires (310 respondents) were analyzed using path analysis.

Findings

Results revealed that the most effective items bearing the highest influence on customer satisfaction and on benefiting from healthcare services include brand image, staff sincerity to its patients, interactions with physicians and rapport.

Research limitations/implications

This study needs to be conducted in different hospitals and with different patients, which would lead to the model’s expansion and its influence on the patient satisfaction.

Originality/value

Being the first study that simultaneously addresses brand trust and brand image effects on customer satisfaction, this research provides in-depth insights into healthcare marketing. Moreover, identifying significant components associated with healthcare branding helps managers and healthcare activists to create and protect their brands and, consequently, leading to an increased profitability resulting from the enhanced consumer satisfaction. Additionally, it would probably facilitate purchasing processes during the service selection.
Severe asthma: emergency care patient driven solutions
Authors: Newell Karen , Corrigan Chris , Punshon Geoffrey , Leary Alison
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Patients with severe asthma were choosing not to use the emergency department (ED) in extremis and were self-medicating when experiencing severe asthma, putting their lives at risk. This local issue reflected a nationwide situation. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the reasons behind patients’ reluctance to attend ED and to consider practical solutions in a structured way.

Design/methodology/approach

Systems thinking (soft systems methodology) was used to examine the issues resulting in this reluctance to attend the ED. Once this tame (well-defined) problem was revealed, a potential solution was developed in co-production with patients.

Findings

Patients feared attending the ED and felt vulnerable while in the ED for several reasons. This appeared to be a well-defined and solvable problem. The solution proposed was an asthma patient passport (APP), which increased patient’s confidence in their ability to communicate their needs while in severe distress. The APP decreases (from 12 to 5 steps) the work patients had to do to achieve care. The APP project is currently being evaluated.

Practical implications

The APP should be offered to all people with severe asthma.

Originality/value

By revisiting systems thinking and identifying problems, a solution was identified. Although methods such as soft systems methodology have limitations when used in wicked (difficult or impossible to resolve) problems, such methods still have merit in tame problems and were applicable in this case to fully understand the issues, and to design practical solutions.
Fatigue testing of 2198 T8 FSW aluminum alloy with and without LoP defect
Authors: Papadopoulos Michael , Pantelakis Spiros
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The Lack of Penetration (LoP) defect is one of the flaws that can be generated during the friction stir welding (FSW) process. Depending on the size, the depth and the severity of the LoP defect, it is possible that it is hardly detectable by optical inspection or other NDT methods. Whether detectable or not, this defect may lead to a significant degradation of the fatigue properties of the welded material, as the improperly welded zone can act as a fracture initiation site. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental investigation, an attempt is made to assess and compare the fatigue behavior of FSW aluminum joints with and without the LoP defect.

Findings

It was found that the LoP defect affects the fatigue behavior of the welded material at high stress levels whereas the effect diminishes with decreasing stress levels.

Originality/value

Depending on the design stress levels, the LoP defect may dominate fracture and thus, the welding parameters should be carefully selected so as to avoid such defect.
Finite element analysis and experimental measurement of acoustic wave propagation for leakage detection in an air-filled pipe
Authors: Owowo Julius , Oyadiji S. Olutunde
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to employ the acoustic wave propagation method for leakage detection in pipes. The first objective is to use acoustic finite element analysis (AFEA) method to simulate acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in an intact pipe and in pipes with leaks of various sizes. This is followed by the second objective which is to validate the effectiveness and the practicability of the acoustic wave method via experimental testing. The third objective involves the decomposition and de-noising of the measured acoustic waves using stationary wavelet transform (SWT). It is shown that this approach, which is used for the first time on leakage detection in pipes, can be used to identify, locate and estimate the size of a leakage defect in a pipe.

Design/methodology/approach

The research work was designed inline with best practices and acceptable standards. The research methodology focusses on five basic areas: literature review; experimental measurements; simulations; data analysis and writing-up of the study with clear-cut communication of the findings. The approach used was acoustic wave propagation-based method in conjunction with SWT for leakage detection in fluid-filled pipe.

Findings

First, the simulation of acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in fluid-filled pipes with and without leakage have great potential in leakage detection in pipeline systems and can detect very small leaks of 1 mm diameter. Second, the measured noise-contaminated acoustic wave propagation in a fluid-filled pipe can be successfully de-noised using the SWT method in order to clearly identify and locate leakage as little as 5 mm diameter in a pipe. Third, AFEA of a fluid-filled pipe can be achieved with the simulation of only the fluid content of the pipe and without the inclusion of the pipe in the model. This eliminates contact interaction of the solid pipe walls and the fluid, and as a consequence reduces computational time and resources. Fourth, the relationship of the ratio of the leakage diameter to the ratio of the first and second secondary wave amplitudes caused by the leakage can be represented by a second-order polynomial function. Fifth, the identification of leakage in a pipe is intuitive from mere comparison of the acoustic waveforms of an intact pipe with that of a pipe with a leakage.

Originality/value

The research work is a novelty and was developed from the scratch. The AFEA of acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in a static fluid-filled pipe, and the SWT method have been used for the first time to detect, locate and estimate the size of a leakage in a fluid-filled pipe.
An exploratory model of interventionist research to calculate costs and prices in small Brazilian manufacturers, combining training and intervention phases
Authors: Oyadomari José Carlos Tiomatsu , Silva Renato Monteiro da , Mendonça Neto Octávio Ribeiro de , Diehl Carlos Alberto
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an interventionist research model for cost measurement in small manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on an interventionist model that consisted of two phases – training and intervention. The innovative model used in the study combined Labro and Tuomela’s (2003) framework with the socialization, externalization, combination and internalization model developed by Nonaka et al. (2001), and it was subsequently applied to two Brazilian manufacturing companies.

Findings

The main findings were as follows: the training phase is the one that generated the greatest impact on the cost calculation; competitors should not be invited to participate in the same program; it is necessary for the researchers to have professional experience of the subject being investigated and to have experience of micro and small enterprises; the training phase must be presented using appropriate language; and a better understanding of the costs can increase entrepreneurs’ confidence when negotiating prices with clients.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation was the small number of companies that were included in the study. Future research could involve longitudinal studies to evaluate the long-term results of interventionist studies.

Practical implications

The study showed that even small business owners can implement costing techniques, but that this requires the development of an environment of knowledge creation, followed by an implementation phase. The model can be replicated on a large scale, with affordable costs.

Social implications

Improving the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are high employers, with low implementation cost is a demand of society.

Originality/value

The model proved to be valid, and it could easily be replicated on a larger scale; the study therefore helps to demonstrate the benefits of interventionist research.
Sexual offending hierarchies, personality attributions, and the clinical implications
Authors: Challinor Laura Elizabeth , Duff Simon
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine sexual offending hierarchies constructed by the general public and forensic staff based on personal attitudes and perceived severity of offence. In addition, six sexual offence perpetrators are differentiated using the Five Factor Model of personality.

Design/methodology/approach

Vignettes represented six sexual offence perpetrators. Participants built a hierarchy based on perceived severity of offence, before attributing personality characteristics to each offender using a Likert-type scale.

Findings

Contact offenders were perceived as more dangerous than non-contact offenders. Rapists were perceived as the most dangerous, and voyeurs the least dangerous. Offenders were attributed significantly different personality traits. Generally, men who sexually offend are perceived to be low in agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness and high in impulsivity, manipulativeness and neuroticism.

Practical implications

The research highlights the importance of individual risk assessment in determining best practice treatment for men who have sexually offended (MSO). The Five Factor Model has been proven to be a useful tool to explore the impact staff attitudes have on risk assessment and treatment. Low-risk and high-risk MSO would benefit from divergent treatment. Consideration should be given to personality characteristics in addition to level of risk.

Originality/value

The research determines a hierarchy of men who sexually offend, and goes beyond the “label” of sexual offenders to explore how personality impacts on formation of attitudes.
A review of additive manufacturing for ceramic production
Authors: Castro e Costa Eduardo , Duarte José Pinto , Bártolo Paulo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to address the potential of mass personalization for ceramic tableware objects. They argue that additive manufacturing (AM) is the most adequate approach to the production of such objects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the manufacturing of ceramic tableware objects, both traditional techniques and AM processes, and assess which available AM technologies are suitable for the research purpose.

Findings

The authors consider binder jetting and material extrusion as the most suitable processes for the production of ceramic objects to be integrated into a mass personalization system of ceramic tableware.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original overview of traditional and innovative techniques in ceramic manufacturing, exposing not only its differences but also its commonalities. Such overview supports the conceptual design of original equipment.
THE FUNNY SIDE OF DRUG DEALING: RISK, HUMOR, AND NARRATIVE IDENTITY
Authors: DICKINSON TIMOTHY , WRIGHT RICHARD
Published: July 2017

In this study, we explore the role humor plays in the narrated identities of drug dealers, in their negotiation of the threat of formal punishment, and in their cultural membership and authority. By drawing from interview and observation data gathered from 33 active drug dealers residing in St. Louis, Missouri, we find that humor facilitates identity work among illicit drug dealers in several ways. Humor is an important symbolic boundary marker distinguishing dealers from others they consider “stupid” or less circumspect. It also indicates dealers’ identities as “smart” and simultaneously establishes and validates their subcultural authority and membership in the symbolic group of “smart” dealers. Furthermore, drug dealers use denigrating humor in their narratives to distance their former and virtual identities from their present identities. Finally, humor also reduces dealers’ perceptions of the threats posed by police and potential snitches by casting dealers’ present identities and former reactions to the threat of punishment in a positive light. We conclude by discussing implications for narrative criminology, extant humor research, and current understanding of symbolic boundaries, identity work, and deterrence.
Relative abundance of ‘Candidatus Tenderia electrophaga’ is linked to cathodic current in an aerobic biocathode community
Authors: Malanoski Anthony P. , Lin Baochuan , Eddie Brian J. , Wang Zheng , Hervey W. Judson , Glaven Sarah M.
Published: July 2017

Biocathode microbial communities are proposed to catalyse a range of useful reactions. Unlike bioanodes, model biocathode organisms have not yet been successfully cultivated in isolation highlighting the need for culture‐independent approaches to characterization. Biocathode MCL (Marinobacter, Chromatiaceae, Labrenzia) is a microbial community proposed to couple CO2 fixation to extracellular electron transfer and O2 reduction. Previous metagenomic analysis of a single MCL bioelectrochemical system (BES) resulted in resolution of 16 bin genomes. To further resolve bin genomes and compare community composition across replicate MCL BES, we performed shotgun metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene (16S) sequencing at steady‐state current. Clustering pooled reads from replicate BES increased the number of resolved bin genomes to 20, over half of which were > 90% complete. Direct comparison of unassembled metagenomic reads and 16S operational taxonomic units (OTUs) predicted higher community diversity than the assembled/clustered metagenome and the predicted relative abundances did not match. However, when 16S OTUs were mapped to bin genomes and genome abundance was scaled by 16S gene copy number, estimated relative abundance was more similar to metagenomic analysis. The relative abundance of the bin genome representing ‘Ca. Tenderia electrophaga’ was correlated with increasing current, further supporting the hypothesis that this organism is the electroautotroph.
Harnessing microbiome‐based biotechnologies for sustainable mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions
Authors: Hu Hang‐Wei , He Ji‐Zheng , Singh Brajesh K.
Published: July 2017

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of climate change mitigation within this century will require adoption of new innovative technologies to control emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), an important greenhouse gas leading to global warming. This is particularly important in the face of growing fertilizer consumption and continuous land degradation. Currently used tools to mitigate N2O emissions are based on agrochemical inputs and agronomic practices. Emerging technologies include plant breeding approaches to manipulate microbiome activities in agro‐ecosystems, and microbial biotechnology approaches for in situ microbiome manipulation and engineering via use of biochemical, cellular and genome‐editing methods. This article assessed the likely contribution of microbial biotechnology to the mitigation of N2O emissions and discussed how to facilitate the development of environmental‐friendly microbiome‐based biotechnology for sustainable climate change mitigation.
Radiocarbon in ecology: Insights and perspectives from aquatic and terrestrial studies
Authors: Larsen Thomas , Yokoyama Yusuke , Fernandes Ricardo
Published: July 2017

Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in the biosphere, and a key element for understanding how consumer and resource relationships affect ecosystem functioning. To trace carbon sources, ecologists predominantly rely on stable carbon ratios but variable 13C baselines and diet‐to‐consumer offsets can lead to ambiguous results. To improve source specificity, ecologists are increasingly turning to radiocarbon (14C). Radiocarbon has a much greater dynamic range and specificity than its stable isotope counterpart because its residence time and carbon sources differ widely among the earth's carbon reservoirs. These source‐specific properties make 14C ideally suited for assessing resource use by animals.

In ecological research, 14C has been applied successfully (1) to assess allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to food webs, (2) to distinguish between contributions of recent and old resources to aquatic consumers, and (3) to characterize resource use among terrestrial consumers. While these applications show that 14C is a powerful and complementary tool to stable isotopes, great care should be taken in characterizing relevant 14C baselines in the animals’ environments. Such endeavours have traditionally been expensive owing to the high analytical costs of 14C; however, recent methodological advances are gradually making 14C more affordable and accessible for the average user. Advances in another field, Bayesian mixing modelling make it possible to increase the precision of model estimates by integrating multiple sources of information from 14C and stable isotopes to field observations.

Given the recent analytical advances, it is now becoming feasible for many ecologists to embrace 14C as an additional source tracer. We suggest that such efforts will be particularly rewarding when combined with compound‐specific stable isotope analyses because the information that can be drawn from both approaches are highly complementary. Moreover, the possibility of determining 14C of individual compounds can solve long‐standing questions with regard to the origins and fate of particular dietary components. Taken together, these advances will expand the possibilities of accurately determine the origins and fate of carbon through food webs.
Intra‐operative protective mechanical ventilation in lung transplantation: a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Verbeek G. L. , Myles P. S. , Westall G. P. , Lin E. , Hastings S. L. , Marasco S. F. , Jaffar J. , Meehan A. C.
Published: July 2017

Primary graft dysfunction occurs in up to 25% of patients after lung transplantation. Contributing factors include ventilator‐induced lung injury, cardiopulmonary bypass, ischaemia‐reperfusion injury and excessive fluid administration. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of an open‐lung protective ventilation strategy aimed at reducing ventilator‐induced lung injury. We enrolled adult patients scheduled to undergo bilateral sequential lung transplantation, and randomly assigned them to either a control group (volume‐controlled ventilation with 5 cmH2O, positive end‐expiratory pressure, low tidal volumes (two‐lung ventilation 6 ml.kg−1, one‐lung ventilation 4 ml.kg−1)) or an alveolar recruitment group (regular step‐wise positive end‐expiratory pressure‐based alveolar recruitment manoeuvres, pressure‐controlled ventilation set at 16 cmH2O with 10 cmH2O positive end‐expiratory pressure). Ventilation strategies were commenced from reperfusion of the first lung allograft and continued for the duration of surgery. Regular PaO2/FIO2ratios were calculated and venous blood samples collected for inflammatory marker evaluation during the procedure and for the first 24 h of intensive care stay. The primary end‐point was the PaO2/FIO2ratio at 24 h after first lung reperfusion. Thirty adult patients were studied. The primary outcome was not different between groups (mean (SD) PaO2/FIO2ratio control group 340 (111) vs. alveolar recruitment group 404 (153); adjusted p = 0.26). Patients in the control group had poorer mean (SD) PaO2/FIO2ratios at the end of the surgical procedure and a longer median (IQR[range]) time to tracheal extubation compared with the alveolar recruitment group (308 (144) vs. 402 (154) (p = 0.03) and 18 (10–27 [5–468]) h vs. 15 (11–36 [5–115]) h (p = 0.01), respectively). An open‐lung protective ventilation strategy during surgery for lung transplantation is feasible, safe and achieves favourable ventilation parameters.
Combined genetic analyses can achieve efficient diagnostic yields for subjects with Alagille syndrome and incomplete Alagille syndrome
Authors: Ohashi Kei , Togawa Takao , Sugiura Tokio , Ito Koichi , Endo Takeshi , Aoyama Kohei , Negishi Yutaka , Kudo Toyoichiro , Ito Reiko , Saitoh Shinji
Published: July 2017

Aim

We evaluated combined genetic analyses with targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS), multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA) of Jagged1 (JAG1) genes and microarray comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) in subjects with Alagille syndrome, incomplete clinical features of Alagille syndrome and biliary atresia.

Methods

Subjects recruited from April 2013 to December 2015 underwent a targeted NGS analysis, including JAG1 and Notch homolog 2 (NOTCH2). If no mutations were detected in JAG1 or NOTCH2, or if copy number variations were suggested by the NGS analysis, we performed an MLPA analysis of JAG1. We also performed a microarray CGH analysis with whole‐exon deletion detected by the MLPA analysis.

Results

We analysed 30 subjects with Alagille syndrome, nine with incomplete Alagille syndrome and 17 with biliary atresia and detected pathogenic mutations in JAG1 or NOTCH2 in 24/30 subjects with Alagille syndrome and in 4/9 subjects with incomplete Alagille syndrome. No pathogenic mutations were detected in subjects with biliary atresia. The frequency of JAG1 mutations was as follows: single nucleotide variants (51.9%), small insertion or deletion (29.6%) and gross deletion (18.5%).

Conclusion

Combined genetic analyses achieved efficient diagnostic yields for subjects with Alagille syndrome and incomplete Alagille syndrome.
Production of Social Science in Indonesia: An Incomplete Reform From Above
Authors: Achwan Rochman
Published: July 2017

The production of social science in developing societies has attracted scholars across the continents. Certain perspectives dominate these studies, like academic capitalism and academic dependency. While these perspectives are useful to assess the position of national social science, they overlook the level of development of social science in a country. Employing institutional and social science division of labor perspectives and using Indonesia as a case, the article argues that the current poor state of the Indonesian university system can be traced to a failure to embrace wide‐ranging reforms on the part of politicians and universities. The causes for this failure can be found in a relatively weak production of the social sciences. This study reveals that shortfalls in state policy on higher education are the source of low academic productivity. Reforming this policy must be made a priority to strengthen social science and make it useful for formulating policy in the public sphere.
Strategic Hedging and Unipolarity's Demise: The Case of China's Strategic Hedging
Authors: Salman Mohammad
Published: July 2017

Strategic hedging is used by second‐tier states in order to improve their relative position vis‐à‐vis the system leader. It is most likely to occur in unipolar systems that are experiencing power diffusion, and it involves the improvement of both military and economic capability while simultaneously avoiding a direct confrontation with the system leader. Strategic hedging takes place against the backdrop of key system dynamics involving the diffusion of hard and soft power away from the system leader toward various second‐tier states. In this article, I argue that strategic hedging by second‐tier states involves a gradual, multistage process, starting with a significant power difference between the hedging state and the system leader, and possibly leading to the disappearance of this difference as a result of successful hedging policies. I provide a four‐stage transformation mechanism that allows the analyst to gauge the level of transition to the second phase of strategic hedging by second‐tier states. I use China as a case to illustrate our hypothesis. The results show that the transition to the second phase is not yet complete in the case of China, but, that this could be the case in the next few years. As the second‐tier state evolves to the second phase, its relative military capability increases while its relative economic growth slows down. Progressing through the stages of strategic hedging, the second‐tier state's fears of upsetting the system leader fade as the power difference between itself and the system leader declines. Given the importance of strategic hedging as a new structural theory in international relations, this study not only contributes to the development of this theory, but also provides systematic indications of Great Power dynamics in the foreseeable future.
Inequality in Rice Farmers’ Access to a Government Assistance Program in Rural Thailand
Authors: Laiprakobsup Thanapan
Published: July 2017

The government of Thailand attempts to alleviate rice farmers’ poverty through several public programs. One of the government's assistance programs is support for rice production. The “1,000 baht per rai program” aims to redistribute public money to help poor rice farmers reduce their production and cultivation costs. In implementation, however, this program suffers from inequality in granting access to the government's assistance program. This paper aims to explain the pattern of inequality in this government assistance program for rice farmers in rural Thailand. Conducting field research in the northern, southern, and central regions, the study found that rich rice farmers and landlords had more opportunity to access the government's assistance program than poor rice farmers and tenants. This has contributed to the state of inequality among rice farmers. The government should revise how the program is implemented and should limit this inequality among the beneficiaries.
Characterization of the Rabbit as an In Vitro and In Vivo Model to Assess the Effects of Fibrinogenolytic Activity of Snake Venom on Coagulation
Authors: Nielsen Vance G. , Sánchez Elda E. , Redford Daniel T.
Published: July 2017

Several in vitro investigations have demonstrated that anticoagulant effects of fibrinogenolytic snake venom metalloproteinases have been abrogated in human plasma by modifying fibrinogen with iron (Fe) and carbon monoxide (CO) to prevent catalysis or by directly inhibiting these enzymes with CO. To translate these findings, we chose to assess the rabbit as a model of envenomation with Crotalus atrox venom. It was determined with thrombelastography that 15 times the concentration of venom noted to compromise coagulation in plasma in vitro was required to cause coagulopathy in vivo, likely secondary to venom binding to blood cells and being cleared from the circulation rapidly. Unlike human plasma, rabbit plasma pre‐treated with Fe/CO was not protected from fibrinogenolysis by venom. Consequently, the administration of purified human fibrinogen (with or without Fe/CO) would be required before venom administration to rabbits. Of greater interest, venom exposed to CO had complete loss of fibrinogenolytic effect in rabbit plasma and partial loss of activity in whole blood, indicative of unbinding of CO from venom and binding to haemoglobin. Thus, venom exposed to CO could remain partially or completely inhibited in whole blood long enough for clearance from the circulation, allowing rabbits to be a useful model to test the efficacy of regional CO administration to the bite site. Future investigations are planned to test these novel approaches to attenuate venom‐mediated coagulopathy in the rabbit.
The evolution of inflation expectations in Canada and the US
Authors: Yetman James
Published: July 2017

We model inflation forecasts as monotonically diverging from an estimated long‐run anchor point towards actual inflation as the forecast horizon shortens. Fitting the model with forecaster‐level data for Canada and the US, we identify three key differences between the two countries. First, the average estimated anchor of US inflation forecasts has tended to decline gradually over time in rolling samples, from 3.4% for 1989–1998 to 2.2% for 2004–2013. By contrast, it has remained close to 2% since the mid‐1990 for Canadian forecasts. Second, the variance of estimates of the long‐run anchor is considerably lower for the panel of Canadian forecasters than US ones following Canada's adoption of inflation targets. And third, forecasters in Canada look much more alike than those in the US in terms of the weight that they place on the anchor. One explanation for these results is that an explicit inflation‐targeting regime (Canada) provides for less uncertainty about future monetary policy actions than a monetary policy regime where there was no explicit numerical inflation target (the US before 2012) to anchor expectations.
Wildfire–vegetation dynamics affect predictions of climate change impact on bird communities
Authors: Regos Adrián , Clavero Miguel , D'Amen Manuela , Guisan Antoine , Brotons Lluís
Published: July 2017

Community‐level climate change indicators have been proposed to appraise the impact of global warming on community composition. However, non‐climate factors may also critically influence species distribution and biological community assembly. The aim of this paper was to study how fire–vegetation dynamics can modify our ability to predict the impact of climate change on bird communities, as described through a widely‐used climate change indicator: the community thermal index (CTI). Potential changes in bird species assemblage were predicted using the spatially‐explicit species assemblage modelling framework – SESAM – that applies successive filters to constrained predictions of richness and composition obtained by stacking species distribution models that hierarchically integrate climate change and wildfire–vegetation dynamics. We forecasted future values of CTI between current conditions and 2050, across a wide range of fire–vegetation and climate change scenarios. Fire–vegetation dynamics were simulated for Catalonia (Mediterranean basin) using a process‐based model that reproduces the spatial interaction between wildfire, vegetation dynamics and wildfire management under two IPCC climate scenarios. Net increases in CTI caused by the concomitant impact of climate warming and an increasingly severe wildfire regime were predicted. However, the overall increase in the CTI could be partially counterbalanced by forest expansion via land abandonment and efficient wildfire suppression policies. CTI is thus strongly dependent on complex interactions between climate change and fire–vegetation dynamics. The potential impacts on bird communities may be underestimated if an overestimation of richness is predicted but not constrained. Our findings highlight the need to explicitly incorporate these interactions when using indicators to interpret and forecast climate change impact in dynamic ecosystems. In fire‐prone systems, wildfire management and land‐use policies can potentially offset or heighten the effects of climate change on biological communities, offering an opportunity to address the impact of global climate change proactively.