bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous emergence of self-replication in chemical reaction systems
Authors: Liu Yu , Sumpter David
Published: March 2018

Explaining origins of life requires us to explain how self-replication arises. Specifically, how can self-replicating entities develop spontaneously from chemical reaction systems in which no reaction is self-replicating? Previous models either supply a framework for minimal living systems or only consider catalyzed reactions, and thus fail to provide a comprehensive theory. We establish a general model for chemical reaction systems that properly accounts for energetics, kinetics and conservation laws. We find that (1) some systems are collectively-catalytic (e.g., the citric acid cycle), while others self-replicate as a whole (e.g., the formose reaction); (2) side reactions do not always inhibit such systems; (3) many alternative chemical universes often contain one or more such systems; (4) in some self-replicating systems, the entropy of certain parts spontaneously decreases; (5) complex self-replicating molecules emerge spontaneously from simple reaction systems through a sequence of transitions. Together these results start to explain origins of prebiotic evolution.
Improving international attractiveness of higher education institutions based on text mining and sentiment analysis
Authors: Santos Carolina Leana , Rita Paulo , Guerreiro João
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The increasing competition among higher education institutions (HEI) has led students to conduct a more in-depth analysis to choose where to study abroad. Since students are usually unable to visit each HEIs before making their decision, they are strongly influenced by what is written by former international students (IS) on the internet. HEIs also benefit from such information online. The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the drivers of HEIs success online.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the increasing amount of information published online, HEIs have to use automatic techniques to search for patterns instead of analysing such information manually. The present paper uses text mining (TM) and sentiment analysis (SA) to study online reviews of IS about their HEIs. The paper studied 1938 reviews from 65 different business schools with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation.

Findings

Results show that HEIs may become more attractive online if they financially support students cost of living, provide courses in English, and promote an international environment.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the use of a major platform with a broad number of reviews from students around the world, other sources focussed on other types of HEIs may have been used to reinforce the findings in the current paper.

Originality/value

The study pioneers the use of TM and SA to highlight topics and sentiments mentioned in online reviews by students attending HEIs, clarifying how such opinions are correlated with satisfaction. Using such information, HEIs’ managers may focus their efforts on promoting international attractiveness of their institutions.
Higher education in state universities in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramasinghe Vathsala
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review historical developments in higher education in Sri Lanka, and review issues faced and strategies adopted to improve higher education in state universities in the country. The paper also reviews national and international forces that influenced to modernise and improve higher education in state universities in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews available published documents from the last two decades to present and discuss key national and international forces transforming the higher education of the country and strategies adopted to modernise and improve higher education in state universities in the country.

Findings

Historical development in general and higher education together with key characteristics of the Sri Lankan education system are discussed. The governing bodies of the state university education, donor agencies and strategies adopted for the development of higher education in the country during the recent history have been reviewed. Conclusions and challenges for the future are also presented.

Originality/value

The higher education of the country underwent rapid transformations over the past seven decades with the aim of strengthening the wider relationship between university, industry and society. A review on higher education in Sri Lanka could provide lessons valuable for academics and practitioners alike worldwide.
A coupled thermal-drop impact analysis-based safety assessment of radioactive material cask
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zhu Shun-Peng , Yu Zheng-Yong , Ding Ran
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Transport is an integral part of the nuclear fuel cycle. The procedures employed are designed and conducted to ensure the public and environment protection both routinely and when transport accidents occur. According to this, the purpose of this paper is to focus on a coupled thermal-drop impact analysis-based safety assessment of a nuclear fuel cask.

Design/methodology/approach

For the cask, high altitude falling and fire accidents are the two most serious accidents during its transportation. In this paper, a sequentially coupled thermal-drop impact analysis is performed by using a nuclear fuel cask model for safety assessment. High altitude falling and fire accidents of the nuclear fuel cask were conducted by using finite element simulations for coupled thermal-drop impact analysis.

Findings

Results showed that the cask can withstand a drop test and survive a fire of 800°C for 30 minutes. In addition, an improved design is explored and evaluated, which provides a reference for structural design and safety assessment of nuclear fuel casks.

Originality/value

A coupled thermal-drop impact analysis-based safety assessment procedure is developed for the nuclear fuel cask.
Critical reliability slip surface in soil slope stability analysis using Monte Carlo simulation method
Authors: Seyyed Alangi Seyyed Hossein , Nozhati Saeed , Vazirizade Seyyed Mohsen
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Due to many different types of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty in soil properties, safety factor, which is assessed by deterministic analysis, is not reliable. The purpose of this paper is to determine the difference between critical slip surface in deterministic analysis and critical reliability slip surface in probabilistic analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Deterministic analysis is formulated by the limit equilibrium methods, including Fellenius method, Bishop method, and Janbu’s simplified method. Then, the factor of safety is calculated for different slip surfaces. The stability of the soil is defined as the critical slip surface with the lowest factor of safety in each method. For probabilistic analysis, the value of reliability index, factor of safety, and probability of failure regarding given potential slip surface are considered as the stability index and obtained by the Monte Carlo simulation method.

Findings

To compare deterministic and probabilistic analysis as well as the influence of each of the aforementioned methods and stability index, a soil slope with three uncertainty parameters is analyzed and the results indicate that the critical slip surface is significantly different from critical reliability slip; however, the results from the above-mentioned methods are very close.

Research limitations/implications

There are many other methods that could be studied; however, the most usual ones were employed. Furthermore, this study just consider the most important factors as the uncertainty parameters; nevertheless, it can be extended to more geotechnical parameters.

Originality/value

Although there are many studies in this field, the authors conduct a succinct but very noteworthy research to show the difference between the results of mentioned methods as well as deterministic and probabilistic approaches and their influence on slip surface.
The consequences of audit committee quality
Authors: Lin Yu-Chun
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the consequences when audit committees have different economic incentives (i.e. incentive-based compensation) to switch auditors.

Design/methodology/approach

The author focuses on companies experiencing an auditor switching event (client-initiated dismissals) and uses Heckman’s (1997) two-stage estimation procedure to control endogenous bias. Audit committee quality is measured by the level of incentive-based compensation. Accrual quality and abnormal audit fees are examined over the periods of auditor switches.

Findings

Using 1,087 US companies between 2006 and 2014, the author found that audit committees’ incentive-based compensation is negatively (positively) associated with accruals quality (abnormal audit fees) only when companies switch from Big 4 to non-Big 4 auditors or switch within non-Big 4 auditors. For companies that switch from non-Big 4 to Big 4 auditors, she found no evidence.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a detailed discussion of the consequences of audit committee quality. The findings also contribute to the literature by concluding that economic incentives are associated with ineffective oversight, particularly after auditor switches.

Practical implications

Sarbanes–Oxley Act and its associated regulations significantly expanded the oversight role of audit committees. However, regulators bypassed restrictions on audit committee compensation. Accordingly, the author suggests that regulators focus on the issue of economic incentives to improve audit committee quality.

Originality/value

Minimal research has been conducted on the role of audit committees when companies switch to a new external auditor. The author shows that when companies switch auditors, incentive-based compensation significantly affects the monitoring quality of audit committees.
The role of internal audit and user training in information security policy compliance
Authors: Stafford Thomas , Deitz George , Li Yaojie
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of information security policy compliance and the role of information systems auditing in identifying non-compliance in the workplace, with specific focus on the role of non-malicious insiders who unknowingly or innocuously thwart corporate information security (IS) directives by engaging in unsafe computing practices. The ameliorative effects of auditor-identified training and motivational programs to emphasize pro-security behaviors are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies qualitative case analysis of technology user security perceptions combined with interpretive analysis of depth interviews with auditors to examine and explain the rubrics of non-malicious technology user behaviors in violation of cybersecurity directives, to determine the ways in which auditors can best assist management in overcoming the problems associated with security complacency among users.

Findings

Enterprise risk management benefits from audits that identify technology users who either feel invulnerable to cyber threats and exploits or feel that workplace exigencies augur for expedient workarounds of formal cybersecurity policies.

Research limitations/implications

Implications for consideration of CyberComplacency and Cybersecurity Loafing expand the insider threat perspective beyond the traditional malicious insider perspective.

Practical implications

Implications for consideration of CyberComplacency and Cybersecurity Loafing include broadened perspectives for the consultative role of IS audit in the firm.

Social implications

CyberComplacency is a practice that has great potential for harm in all walks of life. A better understanding of these potential harms is beneficial.

Originality/value

This study is the first to characterize CyberComplacency as computer users who feel they operate invulnerable platforms and are subsequently motivated to engage in less cybersecurity diligence than the company would desire. This study is also the first to characterize the notion of Cybersecurity Loafing to describe technically competent workers who take unauthorized but expedient steps around certain security polices in the name of workgroup efficiency.
Additive manufacturing of laser cutting nozzles by SLM: processing, finishing and functional characterization
Authors: Anilli Marco , Demir Ali Gökhan , Previtali Barbara
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of selective laser melting for producing single and double chamber laser cutting nozzles. The main aim is to assess a whole production chain composed of an additive manufacturing (AM) and consecutive finishing processes together. Beyond the metrological and flow-related characterization of the produced nozzles, functional analysis on the use of the produced nozzles are carried out through laser cutting experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

SLM experiments were carried out to determine the correct compensation factor to achieve a desired nozzle diameter on steel with known processibility by SLM and using standard nozzle geometries for comparative purposes. The produced nozzles are finished through electrochemical machining (ECM) and abrasive flow machining (AFM). The performance of nozzles produced via additive manufacturing (AM) are compared to conventional ones on an industrial laser cutting system through cutting experiments with a 6 kW fibre laser. The produced nozzles are characterized in terms of pressure drop and flow dynamics through Schlieren imaging.

Findings

The manufacturing chain was regulated to achieve 1 mm diameter nozzles after consecutive post processing. The average surface roughness could be lowered by approximately 80 per cent. The SLM produced single chamber nozzles would perform similarly to conventional nozzles during the laser cutting of 1 mm mild steel with nitrogen. The double chamber nozzles could provide complete cuts with oxygen on 5 mm-thick mild steel only after post-processing. Post-processing operations proved to decrease the pressure drop of the nozzles. Schlieren images showed jet constriction at the nozzle outlet on the as-built nozzles.

Originality/value

In this work, the use of an additive manufacturing process is assessed together with suitable finishing and functional analysis of the related application to provide a complete production and evaluation chain. The results show how the finishing processes should be allocated in an AM-based production chain in a broader vision. In particular, the results confirm the functionality for designing more complex nozzle geometries for laser cutting, exploiting the flexibility of SLM process.
Development of productivity estimation model for mass-customized production by selective laser melting
Authors: Kostevsek Urska , Brajlih Tomaz , Balic Joze , Kadivnik Žiga , Drstvensek Igor
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Fixed structures in prosthetic dentistry are highly customized products, manufactured individually for patients who have missing teeth. When choosing the technology for fixed dental structure manufacturing, three viable options are available (precise casting, milling and selective laser melting [SLM]). All these technologies can be used to produce a dental structure from CoCr alloy. Besides materials and availability of technologies, economic efficiency is an important factor when choosing a production method. The purpose of this study is to develop an estimation model for achievable productivity of selective laser melting and compare the results with the productivity of conventional manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

Results presented in this paper are based on manufacturing time analysis of an individual case with each of the technologies mentioned above. Because of the efficiency of SLM is highly dependent on how efficiently the work space of the machine is used, this issue was also included in the research. Data used for research were acquired from practical use of each technology in dental applications.

Findings

Analysis of achievable SLM manufacturing speeds is based on the previous research into manufacturing speeds of additive manufacturing technologies. The presented results present a model that can be used to estimate the productivity of the SLM technology.

Research limitations/implications

Research was limited to a specific SLM machine type with a fixed workspace volume. Nevertheless, the results show that any SLM machine has to be used as efficiently as possible to be able to be competitive regarding the conventional manufacturing technologies.

Practical implications

The presented results show clearly at least a rough estimation of what kind of parts and in what volume will be manufactured with an SLM machine prior to buying one.

Social implications

Results can help to widen the economically efficient way of running SLM machines, replacing conventional manufacturing for medical applications especially with complicated cases.

Originality/value

A method is presented to adapt the estimation model to a particular real-life production scenario. This method can be used to establish how efficiently selective laser sintering can be used and if using SLM machine instead of conventional manufacturing would be economically viable.
Integrating quantitative morphological and qualitative molecular methods to analyse soil nematode community responses to plant range expansion
Authors: Geisen Stefan , Snoek L. Basten , ten Hooven Freddy C. , Duyts Henk , Kostenko Olga , Bloem Janneke , Martens Henk , Quist Casper W. , Helder Johannes A. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: March 2018

Below‐ground nematodes are important for soil functioning, as they are ubiquitous and operate at various trophic levels in the soil food web. However, morphological nematode community analysis is time consuming and requires ample training. qPCR‐based nematode identification techniques are well available, but high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) might be more suitable for non‐targeted nematode community analyses.

We compared effectiveness of qPCR‐ and HTS‐based approaches with morphological nematode identification while examining how climate warming‐induced plant range expansion may influence below‐ground nematode assemblages. We extracted nematodes from soil of Centaurea stoebe and C. jacea populations in Slovenia, where both plant species are native, and Germany, where C. stoebe is a range expander and C. jacea is native. Half of each nematode sample was identified morphologically and the other half was analysed using targeted qPCR and a novel HTS approach.

HTS produced the highest taxonomic resolution of the nematode community. Nematode taxa abundances correlated between the methods. Therefore, especially relative HTS and relative morphological data revealed nearly identical ecological patterns. All methods showed lower numbers of plant‐feeding nematodes in rhizosphere soils of C. stoebe compared to C. jacea. However, a profound difference was observed between absolute and relative abundance data; both sampling origin and plant species affected relative abundances of bacterivorous nematodes, whereas there was no effect on absolute abundances.

Taken together, as HTS correlates with relative analyses of soil nematode communities, while providing highest taxonomic resolution and sample throughput, we propose a combination of HTS with microscopic counting to supplement important quantitative data on soil nematode communities. This provides the most cost‐effective, in‐depth methodology to study soil nematode community responses to changes in the environment. This methodology will also be applicable to nematode analyses in aquatic systems.
Ovine Leukocyte Microparticles Generated by the CentriMag Ventricular Assist Device In Vitro
Authors: Pieper Ina Laura , Radley Gemma , Christen Abigail , Ali Sabrina , Bodger Owen , Thornton Catherine A.
Published: March 2018

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are a life‐saving form of mechanical circulatory support in heart failure patients. However, VADs have not yet reached their full potential due to the associated side effects (thrombosis, bleeding, infection) related to the activation and damage of blood cells and proteins caused by mechanical stress and foreign materials. Studies of the effects of VADs on leukocytes are limited, yet leukocyte activation and damage including microparticle generation can influence both thrombosis and infection rates. Therefore, the aim was to develop a multicolor flow cytometry assessment of leukocyte microparticles (LMPs) using ovine blood and the CentriMag VAD as a model for shear stress. Ovine blood was pumped for 6 h in the CentriMag and regular samples analyzed for hemolysis, complete blood counts and LMP by flow cytometry during three different pump operating conditions (low flow,standard,high speed). Thehigh speedcondition caused significant increases in plasma‐free hemoglobin; decreases in total leukocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets; increases in CD45+LMPs as well as two novel LMP populations: CD11bbright/HLA‐DR−and CD11bdull/HLA‐DR+, both of which were CD14−/CD21−. CD11bbright/HLA‐DR−LMPs appeared to respond to an increase in shear magnitude whereas the CD11bdull/HLA‐DR+LMPs significantly increased in all pumping conditions. We propose that these two populations are released from granulocytes and T cells, respectively, but further research is needed to better characterize these two populations.
Letter: using a placebo as a comparator to rifaximin for the primary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis—is there really an ethical concern?
Authors: Thévenot T. ,   the scientific committee of the ProPILA‐Rifax study
Published: March 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Goel et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14361.
Ain't She a Woman? How Warmth and Competence Stereotypes about Women and Female Politicians Contribute to the Warmth and Competence Traits Ascribed to Individual Female Politicians
Authors: Brown Elizabeth R. , Phills Curtis E. , Mercurio Dominic G. , Olah Matthew , Veilleux Candice J.
Published: March 2018

Hillary Clinton was the first woman nominated for President by a major political party in the United States. Like most women in politics, she faced negative evaluations, in part, due to the inconsistency between the traits typically associated with leaders (competence) versus women (warmth). Because understanding the categorization of an individual female politician is essential to the development of successful bias interventions, we examined the extent to which Hillary Clinton and a novel female politician were categorized as women versus female politicians. In three studies we investigated how the warmth and competence stereotypes associated with women and female politicians contributed to the warmth and competence traits associated with Hillary Clinton and a novel female political candidate. Consistent with a subtyping account, the warmth and competence stereotypes associated with female politicians, but not women, predicted Hillary Clinton's warmth and competence traits (Studies 1–3). However, consistent with a subgrouping account, the warmth and competence stereotypes associated with both women and female politicians predicted a novel female politician's warmth and competence traits (Study 3). Implications for bias reduction interventions are discussed.
A pilot study of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the interleukin-6 receptor and their effects on pre- and post-transplant serum mediator level and outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tvedt T H A , Hovland R , Tsykunova G , Ahmed A B , Gedde-Dahl T , Bruserud Ø
Published: March 2018

Interleukin (IL)-6 is an important regulator of immunity and inflammation in many diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-6 gene influence outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), but the possible importance of SNPs in the IL-6 receptor has not been examined. We therefore investigated whether SNPs in the IL-6R gene influenced biochemical characteristics and clinical outcomes after ASCT. We examined the IL-6 promoter variant rs1800975 and the IL-6R SNPs rs4453032, rs2228145, rs4129267, rs4845374, rs4329505, rs4845617, rs12083537, rs4845618, rs6698040 and rs4379670 in a 101 population-based cohort of allotransplant recipients and their family donors. Patients being homozygous for the major alleles of the IL-6R SNPs rs2228145 and rs4845618 showed high pretransplant CRP serum levels together with decreased sIL-6R levels; the decreased IL-6R levels persisted 6 months post-transplant. In contrast, patients being homozygous for the minor allele of the IL-6R SNP rs4379670 showed decreased pretransplant CRP levels. Furthermore, the IL-6R rs4845618 donor genotype showed an association with severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), whereas the donor genotype of the IL-6 SNP rs1800795 was associated with decreased survival 100 days post-transplant. Finally, the recipient genotype of the IL-6R SNP rs4329505 showed a strong association with 2-years non-relapse mortality, and this effect was also highly significant in multivariate analysis. IL-6 and IL-6R SNPs influence the clinical outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Impact of ovarian metastases on survival in patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal malignancy originating from appendiceal and colorectal cancer
Authors: Bignell M. B. , Mehta A. M. , Alves S. , Chandrakumaran K. , Dayal S. P. , Mohamed F. , Cecil T. D. , Moran B. J.
Published: March 2018

Aim

Ovarian metastases from gastrointestinal tract malignancies have been considered an ominous finding with poor prognosis. The aim of this project was to determine the impact on survival, and potential cure, when cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are combined to treat peritoneal malignancy in women with Krukenberg tumours.

Method

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data between January 2010 and July 2015. Female patients undergoing complete CRS (macroscopic tumour removal) and HIPEC for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) of appendiceal origin, or colorectal peritoneal metastases (CPM) were included. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and survival rates compared using the log‐rank test.

Results

In total, 889 patients underwent surgery for peritoneal malignancy, of whom 551 were female. Of these, 504/551 (91%) underwent complete CRS and HIPEC. Overall, 405/504 (80%) had at least one involved ovary removed either during CRS and HIPEC or at their index prereferral operation. Three hundred and fifty‐two patients (87%) had an appendiceal tumour and 53 (13%) had CPM. At a median follow up of 40 months, overall survival (OS) did not differ significantly between patients with or without ovarian involvement in women with a primary low‐grade appendiceal tumour or CPM. In women with high‐grade primary appendiceal pathology, OS was significantly lower in patients with ovarian metastases compared with those without ovarian involvement.

Conclusion

Women with ovarian metastases from low‐grade appendiceal tumours or colorectal cancer treated with CRS and HIPEC have similar survival rates to patients without ovarian metastases. Long‐term survival and cure is feasible in patients amenable to complete tumour removal.
Accountability as strategic transparency: Making sense of organizational responses to the International Aid Transparency Initiative
Authors: Pamment James
Published: March 2018

Aid transparency received a welcome boost in December 2011 when a critical mass of donors signed up to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), an electronic registry through which all aid expenditure is published using the same criteria. IATI launched with statements about increased effectiveness, improved collaboration and better decisions based on greater transparency. This article investigates the strategic nature of organizational responses to IATI. It places particular emphasis on subtle distinctions between norms and standards, diminishing returns on the production of additional data, and inconsistently communicated benefits. It concludes that these factors contribute to IATI membership being rearticulated as part of the management of organizations' visibility, hence reformulating compliance with IATI as a form of strategic communication.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐2: A potential role in equine insulin dysregulation
Authors: de Laat M. A. , Fitzgerald D. M. , Sillence M. N. , Spence R. J.
Published: March 2018

Background

Equine insulin dysregulation (ID) is a common and poorly understood disorder that increases the risk of laminitis. Recent data show that the condition may be associated with alteration of the enteroinsular axis and enhanced glucose bioavailability. Upregulation of glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2), an intestinotrophic peptide, leads to enhanced nutrient uptake and metabolic dysfunction in other species.

Objectives

The study aimed to 1) determine whether GLP‐2 is differentially expressed in insulin‐dysregulated ponies, compared with healthy ponies, and 2) confirm intestinal expression of the GLP‐2 receptor in horses (eGLP‐2R).

Study design

Cohort study.

Methods

Fasting and post‐prandial GLP‐2 concentrations were measured in archived plasma samples obtained from 25 mixed‐breed ponies during two feeding studies. Measurements were undertaken with an ELISA that was validated for equine use as part of the current study. Ponies were designated as healthy or insulin‐dysregulated based on an oral glucose test, and the results were compared between groups. The gene expression of the eGLP‐2R was determined with polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Basal, fasted plasma GLP‐2 concentrations were higher in ponies with ID, compared with healthy ponies. Grazing increased GLP‐2 in healthy, but not in insulin‐dysregulated, ponies. The eGLP‐2R gene was expressed in the small intestine and pancreas.

Main limitations

The study was performed with a relatively small sample size. The specificity of the GLP‐2 assay could not be determined due to the lack of equine‐specific assay standards.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that GLP‐2 may be important in the pathogenesis of equine ID and suggests that the eGLP‐2R may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of equine ID.
Lesions associated with the use of bits, nosebands, spurs and whips in Danish competition horses
Authors: Uldahl M. , Clayton H. M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Information is needed to guide sport administrators in formulating rules for equipment use in competitions.

Objectives

To seek associations between spurs, bits, nosebands and whips with injuries in horses during competitions in four equestrian sports.

Study design

Cross sectional study.

Methods

Post competition evaluations were performed in 3143 horse/rider combinations competing in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions in dressage, showjumping, eventing and endurance by trained evaluators who recorded the presence and type of spurs, bits, nosebands, and whips. Further evaluations recorded noseband tightness, (in three categories <2 cm, 2–3 cm, >3 cm), the presence of hair or blood on spurs; hair loss, lesions or blood on the ribcage behind the girth; abrasions and/or blood at the commissures of the lips; and swelling, lesions or blood on the forequarters or hindquarters. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relationships between discipline (dressage, showjumping, eventing, endurance), level of competition (level 0–7), type/tightness of equipment, and prevalence of injuries.

Results

The presence of hair (3.2% of horse/rider combinations) and blood (0.4% of horse/rider combinations) on spurs were highly associated. Longer spurs and lower competition levels were significantly associated with hair on the spurs and worn hair on the horse's ribcage. Oral lesions or blood were visible at the commissures of the lips in 9.2% of horses and increased with level of competition but did not differ between bit types or bitless bridles. Looser upper noseband category was associated with decreased risk of oral lesions (odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51–0.86, P = 0.002). However, the absence of a cavesson increased the risk of lesions at the commissures of the lips 2.39 times compared with the loosest noseband (95% CI 1.4–4.11, P = 0.002).

Main limitations

The rules of the equestrian federation did not permit a full intraoral examination. Selection of rider/horse combination was not random.

Conclusions

Lesions of the skin or mucosa at the commissures of the lips may be decreased by limiting noseband tightness and lesions on the chest wall may be decreased by limiting the length of spurs.
Past, present and future of in vitro 3D reconstructed inflammatory skin models to study psoriasis
Authors: Niehues Hanna , van den Bogaard Ellen H.
Published: March 2018

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a significant socio‐economic impact that can greatly affect the patients' quality of life. The prevailing dogma in the aetiology and pathophysiology of this complex disease is that skin cells, immune cells and environmental factors contribute to psoriatic skin inflammation. For a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, models are required that mimic the disease and which can be used to develop therapeutics. Over the last decades, in vitro human reconstructed skin models have been widely used in dermatological research and have also been developed to mimic psoriatic skin. This viewpoint summarizes the most commonly used in vitro models and the latest accomplishments for the combination of the dermal and epidermal compartments with other cell types and factors that are important players in the psoriatic skin environment. We aim to critically list the most complete and best‐validated models that include major psoriasis hallmarks with regard to gene and protein expression profile and epidermal morphology, but also discuss the shortcoming of the current models. This viewpoint intends to guide the development of in vitro 3D skin models that faithfully mimic all features of psoriatic skin. Such model will enable fundamental biological studies for a better understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of psoriasis and aid in novel therapeutic target identification and drug development studies.
Metformin ameliorates the age‐related changes of d‐galactose administration in ovariectomized mice
Authors: Fatemi Iman , Heydari Sara , Kaeidi Ayat , Shamsizadeh Ali , Hakimizadeh Elham , Khaluoi Amin , Allahtavakoli Mohammad
Published: March 2018

Metformin (Met) has been shown to have pleiotropic effects such as neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory properties making that a potential candidate for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This study was designed to investigate the possible effect of Met on the d‐galactose (d‐gal)‐induced aging in ovariectomized mice. The female mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy. d‐gal was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg, and Met was administrated orally at doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Anxiety‐like behavior was evaluated by the elevated plus‐maze. Physical power was assessed by vertical grid holding test and forced swimming capacity test. The brains were assessed for the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Ovariectomy caused anxiety and declined the physical power as well as BDNF and SOD levels. d‐gal administration in ovariectomized mice exacerbated these deleterious effects. Met hampered the anxiety‐like behavior and strengthened the physical power of d‐gal‐treated ovariectomized mice. Met also increased the SOD and BDNF levels in the brains of d‐gal‐treated ovariectomized animals. Based on the obtained results, we suggest Met administration as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of age‐related conditions in the absence of female sex hormones.
An experimental investigation of the effect of TV cooking show consumption on children's food choice behaviour
Authors: Ngqangashe Yandisa , De Backer Charlotte J.S. , Hudders Liselot , Hermans Nina , Vandebosch Heidi , Smits Tim
Published: March 2018

For several decades, television consumption has been crucial in the complex web of factors underlying the obesity epidemic. It has been suggested that if television cooking shows would endorse healthy eating styles, they may have positive effects on consumers’ eating habits. This study empirically investigated the consequences of exposing children (N = 85, aged 9–12 years) to an existing television cooking show episode endorsing the consumption of fruits and vegetables compared with exposure to a non‐food‐related science show. The measures included pre‐test and post‐test attitudes toward health/nutrition and fruits/vegetables, as well as state preferences for a list of healthy and unhealthy foods. At the end of the study, children were separately given the choice between a popular cookie and a piece of fruit as a reward; this was used as a behavioural measure. The results of a logistic regression on the behavioural choice measure showed that the mere exposure to one episode of the television cooking show significantly increased the odds that the children would choose a piece of fruit over a cookie. Repeated‐measures analyses showed that watching this single episode also decreased children's state appetite for unhealthy foods. State appetites for healthy foods and attitudes toward health/nutrition or fruits/vegetables did not change after watching the television cooking show episode. In sum, existing television cooking shows that endorse healthy eating positively influence children's food consumption in the short term and may have the potential to be used as platforms for nutrition education.
Corrosion of YBCO bulk superconductor in air
Authors: Diko Pavel , Piovarči Samuel , Antal Vitaliy , Kaňuchová Mária , Volochová Daniela
Published: March 2018

A corrosion process caused by reaction of surfaces of oxygenation cracks of YBCO bulk single‐grain superconductor with air moisture was studied. X‐ray photo‐emission spectroscopy, done on air exposed (001) surfaces, confirmed oxygen bonds related to barium hydroxide. Thermal analyses and mass spectrometry of exposed samples has shown a release of water caused by decomposition of barium hydroxide hydrates during sample heating. The sample weight increase versus time was related to formation of barium hydroxide phases at the surfaces of oxygenation cracks. The morphological changes of these phases at heating were observed with scanning electron microscope.
Resolving the Tensions Between White People's Active Investment in Racial Inequality and White Ignorance: A Response to Marzia Milazzo
Authors: Moore Robyn
Published: March 2018

This article responds to Marzia Milazzo's article ‘On white ignorance, white shame, and other pitfalls in critical philosophy of race’ (2017), in which Milazzo argues that the concepts white shame, white guilt, white privilege, white habits, white invisibility and white ignorance are pitfalls in the process of decolonisation. Milazzo contends that the way these concepts are theorised in much critical philosophy of race minimises white people's active interest in reproducing the racial status quo. While I agree with Milazzo's critique of white shame and white guilt, I argue that these affective responses are fundamentally different to the remaining concepts. Drawing on critical whiteness studies and agnotology, I argue that white privilege, white invisibility and white ignorance are valuable conceptual tools for revealing (as opposed to minimising) white people's active investment in maintaining racial inequality. Whereas Milazzo sees a contradiction between white people's active interest in maintaining racial inequality and concepts like white invisibility and white ignorance, I argue that, correctly theorised, these concepts resolve this apparent contradiction. I contest Milazzo's call to reject white privilege, white invisibility and white ignorance, arguing that these concepts are useful tools in the project of decolonisation.
METTL3 regulates alternative splicing of MyD88 upon the lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response in human dental pulp cells
Authors: Feng Zhihui , Li Qimeng , Meng Runsha , Yi Baicheng , Xu Qiong
Published: March 2018

Dental pulp inflammation is a widespread public health problem caused by oral bacterial infections and can progress to pulp necrosis and periapical diseases. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent epitranscriptomic modification in mRNA. Previous studies have demonstrated that m6A methylation plays important roles in cell differentiation, embryonic development and stress responses. However, whether m6A modification affects dental pulp inflammation remains unknown. To address this issue, we investigated the expression of m6A and N6‐adenosine methyltransferase (METTL3, METTL14) as well as demethylases (FTO, ALKBH5) and found that the levels of m6A and METTL3 were up‐regulated in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, we knocked down METTL3 and demonstrated that METTL3 depletion decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the phosphorylation of IKKα/β, p65 and IκBα in the NF‐κB signalling pathway as well as p38, ERK and JNK in the MAPK signalling pathway in LPS‐induced HDPCs. The RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the vast number of genes affected by METTL3 depletion was associated with the inflammatory response. Previous research has shown that METTL3‐dependent N6‐adenosine methylation plays an important role in mRNA splicing. In this study, we found that METTL3 knockdown facilitated the expression of MyD88S, a splice variant of MyD88 that inhibits inflammatory cytokine production, suggesting that METTL3 might inhibit the LPS‐induced inflammatory response of HDPCs by regulating alternative splicing of MyD88. These data shed light on new findings in epitranscriptomic regulation of the inflammatory response and open new avenues for research into the molecular mechanisms of dental pulp inflammation.
LncRNA CCAT2 promoted osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion
Authors: Yan Lihua , Wu Xiangkun , Yin Xianzhe , Du Feng , Liu Yongxi , Ding Xunmeng
Published: March 2018

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) plays important roles in tumour progression. Accumulating studies demonstrated that lncRNA colon cancer‐associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) acted as an oncogene in many tumours. However, the role of CCAT2 in the development of osteosarcoma has not been elucidated. In our study, we indicated that CCAT2 expression was up‐regulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines (SOSP‐9607, MG‐63, U2OS and SAOS‐2). In addition, osteosarcoma cases with higher CCAT2 expression had a poorer disease‐free survival and shorter the overall survival time compared to those with lower expression. Overexpression of CCAT2 promoted osteosarcoma cell proliferation, invasion and cell cycle. Furthermore, ectopic expression of CCAT2 increased the expression of mesenchymal markers N‐cadherin, vimentin and snail and reduced the expression of N‐cadherin marker E‐cadherin. CCAT2 overexpression promoted the LATS2 and c‐Myc expression in osteosarcoma cell. These data indicated that CCAT2 served as an oncogene in osteosarcoma and promoted osteosarcoma cell proliferation, cell cycle and invasion.
Caveolin‐1 down‐regulation is required for Wnt5a‐Frizzled 2 signalling in Ha‐RasV12‐induced cell transformation
Authors: Lin Hsiu‐Kuan , Lin Hsi‐Hui , Chiou Yu‐Wei , Wu Ching‐Lung , Chiu Wen‐Tai , Tang Ming‐Jer
Published: March 2018

Caveolin‐1 (Cav1) is down‐regulated during MK4 (MDCK cells harbouring inducible Ha‐RasV12 gene) transformation by Ha‐RasV12. Cav1 overexpression abrogates the Ha‐RasV12‐driven transformation of MK4 cells; however, the targeted down‐regulation of Cav1 is not sufficient to mimic this transformation. Cav1‐silenced cells, including MK4/shCav1 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, showed an increased cell area and discontinuous junction‐related proteins staining. Cellular and mechanical transformations were completed when MDCK/shCav1 cells were treated with medium conditioned by MK4 cells treated with IPTG (MK4+I‐CM) but not with medium conditioned by MK4 cells. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that Ha‐RasV12‐inducing MK4 cells increased exosome‐like microvesicles release compared with their normal counterparts. The cellular and mechanical transformation activities of MK4+I‐CM were abolished after heat treatment and exosome depletion and were copied by exosomes derived from MK4+I‐CM (MK4+I‐EXs). Wnt5a, a downstream product of Ha‐RasV12, was markedly secreted by MK4+I‐CM and MK4+I‐EXs. Suppression of Wnt5a expression and secretion using the porcupine inhibitor C59 or Wnt5a siRNA inhibited the Ha‐RasV12‐ and MK4+I‐CM‐induced transformation of MK4 cells and MDCK/shCav1 cells, respectively. Cav1 down‐regulation, either by Ha‐RasV12 or targeted shRNA, increased frizzled‐2 (Fzd2) protein levels without affecting its mRNA levels, suggesting a novel role of Cav1 in negatively regulating Fzd2 expression. Additionally, silencing Cav1 facilitated the internalization of MK4+I‐EXs in MDCK cells. These data suggest that Cav1‐dependent repression of Fzd2 and exosome uptake is potentially relevant to its antitransformation activity, which hinders the activation of Ha‐RasV12‐Wnt5a‐Stat3 pathway. Altogether, these results suggest that both decreasing Cav1 and increasing exosomal Wnt5a must be implemented during Ha‐RasV12‐driven cell transformation.
Microtubule defects in mesenchymal stromal cells distinguish patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Calogero Alessandra Maria , Viganò Mariele , Budelli Silvia , Galimberti Daniela , Fenoglio Chiara , Cartelli Daniele , Lazzari Lorenza , Lehenkari Petri , Canesi Margherita , Giordano Rosaria , Cappelletti Graziella , Pezzoli Gianni
Published: March 2018

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease whose etiopathogenesis remains elusive. The intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau, a pivotal protein in regulating microtubules (MT), leads to include PSP into tauopathies. Pathological hallmarks are well known in neural cells but no word yet if PSP‐linked dysfunctions occur also in other cell types. We focused on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that have recently gained attention for therapeutic interventions due to their anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic and trophic properties. Here, we aimed to investigate MSCs biology and to disclose if any disease‐linked defect occurs in this non‐neuronal compartment. First, we found that cells obtained from patients showed altered morphology and growth. Next, Western blotting analysis unravelled the imbalance in α‐tubulin post‐translational modifications and in MT stability. Interestingly, MT mass is significantly decreased in patient cells at baseline and differently changes overtime compared to controls, suggesting their inability to efficiently remodel MT cytoskeleton during ageing in culture. Thus, our results provide the first evidence that defects in MT regulation and stability occur and are detectable in a non‐neuronal compartment in patients with PSP. We suggest that MSCs could be a novel model system for unravelling cellular processes implicated in this neurodegenerative disorder.