bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting future recruitment success for Atlantic cod in the warming and acidifying Barents Sea
Authors: Koenigstein Stefan , Dahlke Flemming T. , Stiasny Martina H. , Storch Daniela , Clemmesen Catriona , Pörtner Hans‐Otto
Published: July 2017

Productivity of marine fish stocks is known to be affected by environmental and ecological drivers, and global climate change is anticipated to alter recruitment success of many stocks. While the direct effects of environmental drivers on fish early life stage survival can be quantified experimentally, indirect effects in marine ecosystems and the role of adaptation are still highly uncertain. We developed an integrative model for the effects of ocean warming and acidification on the early life stages of Atlantic cod in the Barents Sea, termed SCREI (Simulator of Cod Recruitment under Environmental Influences). Experimental results on temperature and CO2 effects on egg fertilization, egg and larval survival and development times are incorporated. Calibration using empirical time series of egg production, temperature, food and predator abundance reproduces age‐0 recruitment over three decades. We project trajectories of recruitment success under different scenarios and quantify confidence limits based on variation in experiments. A publicly accessible web version of the SCREI model can be run under www.oceanchange.uni-bremen.de/;SCREI. Severe reductions in average age‐0 recruitment success of Barents Sea cod are projected under uncompensated warming and acidification toward the middle to end of this century. Although high population stochasticity was found, considerable rates of evolutionary adaptation to acidification and shifts in organismal thermal windows would be needed to buffer impacts on recruitment. While increases in food availability may mitigate short‐term impacts, an increase in egg production achieved by stock management could provide more long‐term safety for cod recruitment success. The SCREI model provides a novel integration of multiple driver effects in different life stages and enables an estimation of uncertainty associated with interindividual and ecological variation. The model thus helps to advance toward an improved empirical foundation for quantifying climate change impacts on marine fish recruitment, relevant for ecosystem‐based assessments of marine systems under climate change.
Tools to define the melanoma‐associated immunopeptidome
Authors: Bräunlein Eva , Krackhardt Angela M.
Published: July 2017

Immunotherapies have been traditionally applied in malignant melanoma, which represent one of the most immunogenic tumours. Recently, immune checkpoint modulation has shown high therapeutic efficacy and may provide long‐term survival in a significant proportion of affected patients. T cells are the major players in tumour rejection and recognize tumour cells predominantly in an MHC‐dependent way. The immunopeptidome comprises the peptide repertoire presented by MHC class I and II molecules on the surface of the body's cells including tumour cells. To understand characteristics of suitable rejection antigens as well as respective effective T‐cell responses, determination of the immunopeptidome is of utmost importance. Suitable rejection antigens need to be further characterized and validated not only to systematically improve current therapeutic approaches, but also to develop individualized treatment options. In this review, we report on current tools to explore the immunopeptidome in human melanoma and discuss current understanding and future developments to specifically detect and select those antigens that may be most relevant and promising for effective tumour rejection.
Development and evaluation of the children's experiences of dental anxiety measure
Authors: Porritt Jenny , Morgan Annie , Rodd Helen , Gupta Ekta , Gilchrist Fiona , Baker Sarah , Newton Tim , Creswell Cathy , Williams Christopher , Marshman Zoe
Published: July 2017

Background

Existing measures of children's dental anxiety have not been developed with children or based on a theoretical framework of dental anxiety.

Aim

To develop the children's experiences of dental anxiety measure (CEDAM) and evaluate the measure's properties.

Design

The measure was developed from interviews with dentally anxious children. Children recruited from a dental hospital and secondary school completed the CEDAM and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS). A subgroup of children completed the CEDAM before and after receiving an intervention to reduce dental anxiety to examine the measure's responsiveness. Rasch and Classical test analyses were undertaken.

Results

Children were aged between 9 and 16 years (N = 88 recruited from a dental hospital and N = 159 recruited from a school). Rasch analysis confirmed the measure's unidimensionality. The CEDAM correlated well with the MCDAS (rho = 0.67, P < 0.01) and had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.98). The CEDAM was also able to detect changes in dental anxiety following the intervention (baseline mean = 22.36, SD = 2.57 and follow‐up mean = 18.88, SD = 2.42, t(df = 37) = 9.54, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.39).

Conclusions

The results support the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the CEDAM. Initial findings indicate it has potential for use in future intervention trials or in clinical practice to monitor children's dental anxiety.
Comparative effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs in nondiabetic patients with hypertension: A population‐based study
Authors: Machado Marina Amaral de Ávila , de Moura Cristiano Soares , Wang Yishu , Danieli Coraline , Abrahamowicz Michal , Bernatsky Sasha , Behlouli Hassan , Pilote Louise
Published: July 2017

The authors compared the effectiveness of thiazide diuretic (TD), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and calcium channel blocker (CCB) monotherapies for the treatment of nondiabetic hypertension using MarketScan Databases 2010–2014. Multivariable Cox regression models assessed whether the addition of a new antihypertensive drug, treatment discontinuation, or switch and major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events varied across groups. A total of 565 009 patients started monotherapy with ACEIs (43.6%), CCBs (23.6%), TDs (18.8%), or ARBs (14.0%). Patients who took TDs had a higher risk for either drug addition or discontinuation than patients who took ACEIs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69 [95% CI, 0.68–0.70] vs HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.80–0.81]), ARBs (HR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.66–0.68] vs HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.65–0.67]), and CCBs (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.84–0.87] vs HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93–0.95]). Conversely, patients who took TDs experienced a lower risk of clinical events compared with patients who took ACEIs (HR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.15–1.33]), ARBs (HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.18–1.39]), and CCBs (HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.25–1.46]). Our results provide a strong rationale for choosing TDs as first‐line monotherapy for the control of hypertension.
Accelerometer‐Measured Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Incidence Rates of Falls in Older Women
Authors: Buchner David M. , Rillamas‐Sun Eileen , Di Chongzhi , LaMonte Michael J. , Marshall Stephen W. , Hunt Julie , Zhang Yuzheng , Rosenberg Dori E. , Lee I‐Min , Evenson Kelly R. , Herring Amy H. , Lewis Cora E. , Stefanick Marcia L. , LaCroix Andrea Z.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To examine whether moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured using accelerometry is associated with incident falls and whether associations differ according to physical function or history of falls.

Design

Prospective study with baseline data collection from 2012 to 2014 and 1 year of follow‐up.

Setting

Women's Health Initiative participants living in the United States.

Participants

Ambulatory women aged 63 to 99 (N = 5,545).

Measurements

Minutes of MVPA per day measured using an accelerometer, functional status measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), fall risk factors assessed using a questionnaire, fall injuries assessed in a telephone interview, incident falls ascertained from fall calendars.

Results

Incident rate ratios (IRRs) revealed greater fall risk in women in the lowest quartile of MVPA compared to those in the highest (IRR = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.38), adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, and fall risk factors. Fall rates were not significantly associated with MVPA in women with high SPPB scores (9–12) or one or fewer falls in the previous year, but in women with low SPPB scores (≤ 8) or a history of frequent falls, fall rates were higher in women with lower MVPA levels than in those with higher levels (interaction P < .03 and < .001, respectively). Falls in women with MVPA above the median were less likely to involve injuries requiring medical treatment (9.9%) than falls in women with lower MVPA levels (13.0%) (P < .001).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that falls are not more common or injurious in older women who engage in higher levels of MVPA. These findings support encouraging women to engage in the amounts and types of MVPA that they prefer. Older women with low physical function or frequent falls with low levels of MVPA are a high‐risk group for whom vigilance about falls prevention is warranted.
Cross‐Validation of the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire
Authors: Mogle Jacqueline , Buck Harleah , Zambroski Cheryl , Alvaro Rosaria , Vellone Ercole
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the leading method for assessing quality of life in patients with heart failure (HF) around the world. However, unique, culture‐specific variations in factorial structure have been identified. The current study examined the cross‐cultural equivalence of an Italian version of the MLHFQ.

Design

Cross‐sectional assessment as part of an HF study in Italy. Patients (n = 1,192; mean age = 72 years, SD = 11) completed demographics, the MLHFQ, and the Short‐Form 12 (SF‐12).

Methods

A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to develop an appropriate factor model in the current sample.

Findings

We initially fit a confirmatory factor analysis based on published psychometric work validating the MLHFQ. This did not provide adequate fit, and the sample was then randomly split into equivalent subsets to conduct factor analyses with cross‐validation. In the first subsample, an exploratory factor analysis uncovered slight modifications to the proposed factor structure that resulted in much improved model fit. The final model included a higher order factor and three subscales: physical, emotional, and social. A cross‐validation confirmatory factor analysis using this structure was conducted in the remaining subset to ensure broader applicability of the results. Correlations with the SF‐12 were consistent with previous work using these measures.

Conclusions

Some items of the MLHFQ are sensitive to differences across cultures, and factor structures vary based on where the scale is administered. In spite of these differences, the total score remains a valid and reliable indicator of quality of life in HF patients across cultures.

Clinical Relevance

Cultural influences on quality of life are important to consider when assessing patients’ well‐being in HF.
Combination of a 2940 nm Er:YAG laser with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb‐bFGF) and light‐emitting diode‐red light (LED‐RL) for the treatment of striae alba: A pilot study
Authors: Shen Jie , Lu Xin‐Gang , Jin Jing‐Jing , Wang Hong‐Wei
Published: July 2017

Background

Striae distensae (SD) are a common dermatologic problem that plagues many people. Although there are many therapeutic modalities have been used to treat SD, effective method has been disappointing for striae Alba.

Aims

To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic efficacy and safety of the 2940‐nm erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) ablative fractional laser (AFL) with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb‐bFGF) and light‐emitting diode‐red light (LED‐RL) for the treatment of striae alba.

Patients and methods

Thirty volunteers with striae distensae alba were enrolled. The subjects completed treatments with the 2940‐nm Er:YAG AFL 6 times at 4‐week intervals. Following this treatment, the subjects were required to spray rb‐BFGF for 1 week at home. They then received LED‐RL once every 7 days for three sessions between the two laser treatments. Two independent investigators evaluated clinical improvement at pretreatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post‐treatment, patients also provided self‐assessments of clinical improvement. Two biopsies were obtained from two subjects, both of the same sites of striae alba, one before the first treatment and one 6 months after the last session.

Results

All 30 subjects demonstrated clinical improvement after treatment. Skin biopsies after treatment showed an increase in epidermal thickness, dermal thickness, and collagen and elastin density when compared to that at the baseline.

Conclusions

The combination of the 2940‐nm Er:YAG laser with rb‐bFGF and LED‐RL for the treatment of striae alba was a safe and effective approach for improving the appearance of striae alba.
Assessment of bacteria and archaea in metalworking fluids using massive parallel 16S rRNA gene tag sequencing
Authors: Di Maiuta N. , Rüfenacht A. , Küenzi P.
Published: July 2017

Determination of the bacterial diversity in industry-based liquid in-use water-miscible metalworking fluid (MWF) samples was targeted by massive parallel multiplex DNA sequencing, either directly or upon pretreatment with propidium monoazide (PMA) that allows differentiation between intact and physically damaged cells. As MWFs provide a suitable basis of life for micro-organisms, the majority is preserved by biocides. ‘Bio-concept’ fluids on the other hand are bactericide free, which intentionally leads to substantial bacterial populations. Samples from both fluid types were chosen: A median of 51 operational taxonomic units at genera level (OTUs) were detected per sample, but only 13 were present at or above 1·0% of the total population in any PMA-treated sample analysed. As both fluid types were mainly dominated by Pseudomonas spp., we resolved this genus on the species level and found the Pseudomonas oleovorans/pseudoalcaligenes group to predominate. We also looked for archaea and detected Methanobrevibacter spp., albeit in <3% of all samples analysed.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Water-miscible metalworking fluids provide a suitable base of life for micro-organisms, mainly bacteria and fungi. Earlier publications suggested that the diversity is rather low, but these studies were largely based on heterotrophic plate counts. This might have resulted in underestimation of population density and microbial diversity as some organisms might just refuse to grow. This study used high-throughput sequencing in the absence and presence of propidium monoazide to explore bacterial and archaeal presence in metalworking fluids. We established that diversity is low and bacterial populations are dominated by the genus Pseudomonas spp.
Structure of the Francisella response regulator QseB receiver domain, and characterization of QseB inhibition by antibiofilm 2‐aminoimidazole‐based compounds
Authors: Milton Morgan E. , Allen C. Leigh , Feldmann Erik A. , Bobay Benjamin G. , Jung David K. , Stephens Matthew D. , Melander Roberta J. , Theisen Kelly E. , Zeng Daina , Thompson Richele J. , Melander Christian , Cavanagh John
Published: July 2017

With antibiotic resistance increasing at alarming rates, targets for new antimicrobial therapies must be identified. A particularly promising target is the bacterial two‐component system. Two‐component systems allow bacteria to detect, evaluate and protect themselves against changes in the environment, such as exposure to antibiotics and also to trigger production of virulence factors. Drugs that target the response regulator portion of two‐component systems represent a potent new approach so far unexploited. Here, we focus efforts on the highly virulent bacterium Francisella tularensis tularensis. Francisella contains only three response regulators, making it an ideal system to study. In this study, we initially present the structure of the N‐terminal domain of QseB, the response regulator responsible for biofilm formation. Subsequently, using binding assays, computational docking and cellular studies, we show that QseB interacts with2‐aminoimidazole based compounds that impede its function. This information will assist in tailoring compounds to act as adjuvants that will enhance the effect of antibiotics.
Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma exacerbations later in life
Authors: Ahmadizar Fariba , Vijverberg Susanne J. H. , Arets Hubertus G. M. , de Boer Anthonius , Garssen Johan , Kraneveld Aletta D. , Maitland‐van der Zee Anke H.
Published: July 2017

Background

Breastfeeding has been suggested to influence the risk of asthma and asthma severity in children. However, the conclusions from epidemiologic studies are inconsistent.

Methods

We used data from 960 children (aged 4‐12 years) using regular asthma medication who participated in the PACMAN study. Breastfeeding exposure was based on questionnaire data and stratified into (i) ever vs never, and (ii) ≥6 vs <6 months duration of breastfeeding. Asthma severity was based on the occurrence of asthma exacerbations in the preceding year and/or poorly controlled asthma symptoms during the last week of study visit. Odds ratios (ORs) were derived from univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of asthma exacerbations; adjusted (adj.) OR: 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35‐0.87). After stratification for duration of breastfeeding, the adj. ORs were 0.48 (95% CI: 0.27‐0.84) for duration <6 months and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.43‐1.20) for duration ≥6 months breastfeeding. When we stratified the analysis by family history of asthma, the association between breastfeeding and asthma exacerbations was strong and statistically significant only in children with a positive family history of asthma; adj. OR: 0.34 (95% CI: 0.18‐0.66). There was no association between breastfeeding and risk of poor asthma control; adj. OR: 1.04 (95% CI: 0.76‐1.41).

Conclusion

In a pediatric population with asthma, children who had been breastfed had a statistically significantly lower risk of asthma exacerbations later in life compared to asthmatic children who had not been breastfed.
The effect of bioturbation by polychaetes (Opheliidae) on benthic foraminiferal assemblages and test preservation
Authors: Pérez‐Asensio José N. , Aguirre Julio , Rodríguez‐Tovar Francisco J.
Published: July 2017

Biological activity such as burrowing can alter benthic foraminiferal shell preservation and may also modify benthic foraminiferal assemblages by vertical mixing, inducing sediment homogenization. Here, we analyse benthic foraminiferal assemblages and taphonomy of upper Miocene marine deposits from Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz, south‐western Spain). The deposits consist of marls displaying a pervasive alternation of intensively bioturbated beds dominated by Macaronichnus segregatis traces (ichnofabric index 4–5) and non‐bioturbated beds. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by Cibicidoides mundulus and Cibicides refulgens, indicating that the marls were deposited on an oligotrophic, well‐oxygenated upper slope. The impact of burrowing on the preservation of benthic foraminiferal tests was tested using Q‐mode cluster analysis, which found two well‐differentiated groups of samples, one including the non‐bioturbated beds and the other encompassing the bioturbated ones. Fragmentation and recrystallization account for the differentiation of these groups, both being higher in the bioturbated sediments. Aggressive chemical digestion by the Macaronichnus trace‐makers, assumed to be a polychaete worm of the family Opheliidae, etched the microfossil shells, making them more vulnerable to fragmentation. Intense bioturbation favoured the circulation of pore fluids, encouraging recrystallization. Pervasive burrowing resulted in significant vertical reworking of microfossils. As a consequence, benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the bioturbated beds were homogenized in the mixed layer; that is, the uppermost layer of the substrate totally burrowed. The alternation of bioturbated and non‐bioturbated beds reflects episodic transfer of food particles down slope from shallower parts of the shelf as well as from the continent due to storms under otherwise homogeneous oligotrophic marine conditions.
The impact of modifying photosystem antenna size on canopy photosynthetic efficiency—Development of a new canopy photosynthesis model scaling from metabolism to canopy level processes
Authors: Song Qingfeng , Wang Yu , Qu Mingnan , Ort Donald R. , Zhu Xin‐Guang
Published: July 2017

Canopy photosynthesis (Ac) describes photosynthesis of an entire crop field and the daily and seasonal integrals of Ac positively correlate with daily and seasonal biomass production. Much effort in crop breeding has focused on improving canopy architecture and hence light distribution inside the canopy. Here, we develop a new integrated canopy photosynthesis model including canopy architecture, a ray tracing algorithm, and C3 photosynthetic metabolism to explore the option of manipulating leaf chlorophyll concentration ([Chl]) for greater Ac and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Model simulation results show that (a) efficiency of photosystem II increased when [Chl] was decreased by decreasing antenna size and (b) the light received by leaves at the bottom layers increased when [Chl] throughout the canopy was decreased. Furthermore, the modelling revealed a modest ~3% increase in Ac and an ~14% in NUE was accompanied when [Chl] reduced by 60%. However, if the leaf nitrogen conserved by this decrease in leaf [Chl] were to be optimally allocated to other components of photosynthesis, both Ac and NUE can be increased by over 30%. Optimizing [Chl] coupled with strategic reinvestment of conserved nitrogen is shown to have the potential to support substantial increases in Ac, biomass production, and crop yields.
Vernal freeze damage and genetic variation alter tree growth, chemistry, and insect interactions
Authors: Rubert‐Nason Kennedy F. , Couture John J. , Gryzmala Elizabeth A. , Townsend Philip A. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: July 2017

Anticipated consequences of climate change in temperate regions include early spring warmup punctuated by intermittent hard freezes. Warm weather accelerates leaf flush in perennial woody species, potentially exposing vulnerable young tissues to damaging frosts. We employed a 2 × 6 randomized factorial design to examine how the interplay of vernal (springtime) freeze damage and genetic variation in a hardwood species (Populus tremuloides) influences tree growth, phytochemistry, and interactions with an insect herbivore (Chaitophorus stevensis).Acute effects of freezing included defoliation and mortality. Surviving trees exhibited reduced growth and altered biomass distribution. Reflushed leaves on these trees had lower mass per area, lower lignin concentrations, and higher nitrogen concentrations, altered chemical defence profiles, and supported faster aphid population growth. Many effects varied among plant genotypes and were related with herbivore performance. This study suggests that a single damaging vernal freeze event can alter tree–insect interactions through effects on plant growth and chemistry. Differential responses of various genotypes to freeze damage suggest that more frequent vernal freeze events could also influence natural selection, favouring trees with greater freeze hardiness, and more resistance or tolerance to herbivores following damage.
Genetic variation in IRF4 expression modulates growth characteristics, tyrosinase expression and interferon‐gamma response in melanocytic cells
Authors: Chhabra Yash , Yong Hilary X.L. , Fane Mitchell E. , Soogrim Arish , Lim Wen , Mahiuddin Dayana Nur , Kim Reuben S.Q. , Ashcroft Melinda , Beatson Scott A. , Ainger Stephen A. , Smit Darren J. , Jagirdar Kasturee , Walker Graeme J. , Sturm Richard A. , Smith Aaron G.
Published: July 2017

A SNP within intron4 of the interferon regulatory factor4 (IRF4) gene, rs12203592*C/T, has been independently associated with pigmentation and age‐specific effects on naevus count in European‐derived populations. We have characterized the cis‐regulatory activity of this intronic region and using human foreskin‐derived melanoblast strains, we have explored the correlation between IRF4 rs12203592 homozygous C/C and T/T genotypes with TYR enzyme activity, supporting its association with pigmentation traits. Further, higher IRF4 protein levels directed by the rs12203592*C allele were associated with increased basal proliferation but decreased cell viability following UVR, an etiological factor in melanoma development. Since UVR, and accompanying IFNγ‐mediated inflammatory response, is associated with melanomagenesis, we evaluated its effects in the context of IRF4 status. Manipulation of IRF4 levels followed by IFNγ treatment revealed a subset of chemokines and immuno‐evasive molecules that are sensitive to IRF4 expression level and genotype including CTLA4 and PD‐L1.
Association between the scores of the Japanese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia and whole‐brain structure in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A voxel‐based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Hidese Shinsuke , Ota Miho , Matsuo Junko , Ishida Ikki , Hiraishi Moeko , Teraishi Toshiya , Hattori Kotaro , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: July 2017

Aim

The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) is a concise tool designed to evaluate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. We examined the possible association between BACS scores and whole‐brain structure, as observed using magnetic resonance imaging with a relatively large sample.

Methods

The study sample comprised 116 patients with schizophrenia (mean age, 39.3 ± 11.1 years; 66 men) and 118 healthy controls (HC; mean age, 40.0 ± 13.6 years; 58 men) who completed the Japanese version of the BACS (BACS‐J). All participants were of Japanese ethnicity. The magnetic resonance imaging volume and diffusion tensor imaging data were processed with voxel‐based morphometry and tract‐based spatial statistics, respectively.

Results

There were significant reductions in the regional gray matter volumes and white matter fractional anisotropy values in patients with schizophrenia compared to HC. For the gray matter areas, the working memory score had a significant positive correlation with the anterior cingulate and medial frontal cortices volumes in the patients. For the white matter areas, the motor speed score had a significant positive correlation with fractional anisotropy values in the corpus callosum, internal capsule, superior corona radiata, and superior longitudinal fasciculus in the patients. However, there was no significant correlation among either the gray or white matter areas in the HC.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that among the BACS‐J measures, the working memory and motor speed scores are associated with several structural alterations in the brains of patients with schizophrenia.
Replenishment Strategies for Micro‐Retailers in Developing Countries
Authors: Zhang Kairen , Tang Christopher S. , Zhou Sean
Published: July 2017

When formal distribution channels are absent in developing countries, micro‐retailers travel a long distance to replenish their stocks directly from suppliers. This “informal” replenishment strategy is inefficient due to high imputed travel costs involved in the replenishment process. To improve efficiency, one “hybrid” replenishment strategy has emerged under which one of the micro‐retailers in a neighborhood, while continuing its own retail business, also operates as a wholesaler to serve other micro‐retailers in the neighborhood. A major obstacle for the transition from the informal strategy to the hybrid strategy is that the micro‐retailers are reluctant to source from a wholesaler who also competes with them in the retail market. Thus, it is not clear when the micro‐retailers adopt the hybrid strategy instead of the informal strategy. Meanwhile, the micro‐retailers may prefer the “formal” strategy: a traditional replenishment strategy under which one of the micro‐retailers relinquishes its retail business and operates purely as a wholesaler. We examine a situation when competing micro‐retailers contemplate with the three potential aforementioned replenishment strategies. Our equilibrium analysis of the two‐store model reveals that the dominant strategy is: (a) the hybrid strategy when the travel cost is high; (b) the formal strategy when the travel cost is medium; and (c) the informal strategy when the travel cost is low. This key insight is shown continue to hold when we extend the two‐store model to incorporate other issues including: quantity discounts from the supplier, variable operating costs, price competition, local monopolies, and different decision sequences. One additional finding is that the transition from the informal strategy to the hybrid strategy could benefit consumers if the micro‐retailers receive quantity discounts from the supplier. Furthermore, when there are more than two stores, we show that the formal strategy is never dominant. Moreover, when the number of stores increases, the hybrid strategy becomes more preferable to the informal strategy.
Stabilized‐Cycle Strategy for Capacitated Lot Sizing with Multiple Products: Fill‐Rate Constraints in Rolling Schedules
Authors: Meistering Malte , Stadtler Hartmut
Published: July 2017

In practice, deterministic, multi‐period lot‐sizing models are implemented in rolling schedules since this allows the revision of decisions beyond the frozen horizon. Thus, rolling schedules are able to take realizations and updated forecasts of uncertain data (e.g., customer demands) into account. Furthermore, it is common to hold safety stocks to ensure given service levels (e.g., fill rate). As we will show, this approach, implemented in rolling schedules, often results in increased setup and holding costs while (over‐)accomplishing given fill rates. A well‐known alternative to deterministic planning models are stochastic, static, multi‐period planning models used in the static uncertainty strategy, which results in stable plans. However, these models have a lack of flexibility to react to the realization of uncertain data. As a result, actual costs may differ widely from planned costs, and downside deviations of actual fill rates from those given are very high. We propose a new strategy, namely the stabilized cycle. This combines and expands upon ideas from the literature for minimizing setup and holding costs in rolling schedules, while controlling actual product‐specific fill rates for a finite reporting period. A computational study with a multi‐item capacitated medium‐term production planning model has been executed in rolling schedules. On the one hand, it demonstrates that the stabilized‐cycle strategy yields a good compromise between costs and downside deviations. Furthermore, the stabilized‐cycle strategy weakly dominates the order‐based strategy for both constant and seasonal demands.
The Impact of Internal Service Quality on Preventable Adverse Events in Hospitals
Authors: Zheng Sarah , Tucker Anita L. , Ren Z. Justin , Heineke Janelle , McLaughlin Amy , Podell Aubrey L.
Published: July 2017

Provision of safe, timely care to hospital patients requires services from multiple support departments, such as environmental services and pharmacy. However, few studies have examined the impact of the service quality of internal support departments on clinical performance. The lack of studies linking internal service quality (ISQ) to clinical performance creates a gap in healthcare operations management theory and—from a practice standpoint—might contribute to underinvestment in the quality of services delivered by internal support departments. To address these issues, we test whether higher ISQ is associated with a lower rate of adverse events. We leverage a unique dataset from a hospital that developed a measure of ISQ provided by support departments. Using over a year's worth of monthly data on the average ISQ delivered by 11 support departments to five nursing units, we test the impact of ISQ on two nursing‐sensitive adverse events: patient falls with injury and hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers. We find support for our hypothesis that higher levels of ISQ are associated with lower rates of adverse events, controlling for patient acuity and other confounding factors. Our results show that improving the overall average ISQ received by a nursing unit by 0.1 on a 5‐point scale has almost the same benefit for reducing adverse events as would increasing staffing on that unit by one full‐time equivalent nurse. Our study has important implications for theory and practice as it points to a fruitful, cost effective, and yet underutilized avenue for reducing adverse events experienced by hospital patients.
Optimal Dynamic Order Scheduling under Capacity Constraints Given Demand‐Forecast Evolution
Authors: Biçer Işık , Seifert Ralf W.
Published: July 2017

We consider a manufacturer without any frozen periods in production schedules so that it can dynamically update the schedules as the demand forecast evolves over time until the realization of actual demand. The manufacturer has a fixed production capacity in each production period, which impacts the time to start production as well as the production schedules. We develop a dynamic optimization model to analyze the optimal production schedules under capacity constraint and demand‐forecast updating. To model the evolution of demand forecasts, we use both additive and multiplicative versions of the martingale model of forecast evolution. We first derive expressions for the optimal base stock levels for a single‐product model. We find that manufacturers located near their market bases can realize most of their potential profits (i.e., profit made when the capacity is unlimited) by building a very limited amount of capacity. For moderate demand uncertainty, we also show that it is almost impossible for manufacturers to compensate for the increase in supply–demand mismatches resulting from long delivery lead times by increasing capacity, making lead‐time reduction a better alternative than capacity expansion. We then extend the model to a multi‐product case and derive expressions for the optimal production quantities for each product given a shared capacity constraint. Using a two‐product model, we show that the manufacturer should utilize its capacity more in earlier periods when the demand for both products is more positively correlated.
Estimation of Deprivation Level Functions using a Numerical Rating Scale
Authors: Wang Xihui , Wang Xiang , Liang Liang , Yue Xiaohang , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: July 2017

Evaluating and quantifying human suffering in humanitarian operations offers an innovative and potentially powerful way to assess the performance of humanitarian logistics (HL) and help build optimization models. Previous studies have suggested deprivation cost as a metric and have estimated deprivation cost functions for water using willingness‐to‐pay. Our study proposes deprivation levels, defined as the degree of human suffering caused by lack of access to a good or service, and estimates deprivation level functions using a numerical rating scale. Analyzing data collected from respondents with and without disaster experience, we find that individuals in the latter category estimate deprivation differently from the beneficiaries of disaster relief. Our study demonstrates that deprivation levels can be expressed as logistic growth functions with a typical S‐shape, and that these can be integrated into HL optimization models to better account for human suffering.
Comorbid anxiety moderates the relationship between depression history and prefrontal EEG asymmetry
Authors: Nusslock Robin , Shackman Alexander J. , McMenamin Brenton W. , Greischar Lawrence L. , Davidson Richard J. , Kovacs Maria
Published: July 2017

The internalizing spectrum of psychiatric disorders—depression and anxiety—are common, highly comorbid, and challenging to treat. Individuals with childhood onset depression have a particularly poor prognosis. There is compelling evidence that individuals with depression display reduced resting‐state EEG activity at sensors overlying the left prefrontal cortex, even during periods of remission, but it remains unknown whether this asymmetry is evident among individuals with a comorbid anxiety disorder. Here, we demonstrate that women with a history of childhood onset depression and no anxiety disorder (n = 37) show reduced left lateral frontal activity compared to psychiatrically healthy controls (n = 69). In contrast, women with a history of childhood onset depression and pathological levels of anxious apprehension (n = 18)—as indexed by a current generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or separation anxiety disorder diagnosis—were statistically indistinguishable from healthy controls. Collectively, these observations suggest that anxious apprehension can mask the relationship between prefrontal EEG asymmetry and depression. These findings have implications for understanding (a) prefrontal EEG asymmetry as a neurophysiological marker of depression, (b) the comorbidity of depression and anxiety, and (c) failures to replicate the relationship between prefrontal EEG asymmetry and depression. More broadly, they set the stage for developing refined interventions for internalizing psychopathology.
Tonic noradrenergic activity modulates explorative behavior and attentional set shifting: Evidence from pupillometry and gaze pattern analysis
Authors: Pajkossy Péter , Szőllősi Ágnes , Demeter Gyula , Racsmány Mihály
Published: July 2017

A constant task for every living organism is to decide whether to exploit rewards associated with current behavior or to explore the environment for more rewarding options. Current empirical evidence indicates that exploitation is related to phasic whereas exploration is related to tonic firing mode of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus. In humans, this exploration‐exploitation trade‐off is subserved by the ability to flexibly switch attention between task‐related and task‐irrelevant information. Here, we investigated whether this function, called attentional set shifting, is related to exploration and tonic noradrenergic discharge. We measured pretrial baseline pupil dilation, proved to be strongly correlated with the activity of the locus coeruleus, while human participants took part in well‐known tasks of attentional set shifting. Study 1 used the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, whereas in Study 2, the Intra/Extradimensional Set Shifting Task was used. Both tasks require participants to choose between different compound stimuli based on feedback provided for their previous decisions. During the task, stimulus‐reward contingencies change periodically, thus participants are repeatedly required to reassess which stimulus features are relevant (i.e., they shift their attentional set). Our results showed that baseline pupil diameter steadily decreased when the stimulus‐reward contingencies were stable, whereas they suddenly increased when these contingencies changed. Analysis of looking patterns also confirmed the presence of exploratory behavior during attentional set shifting. Thus, our results suggest that tonic firing mode of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus is implicated in attentional set shifting, as it regulates the amount of exploration.
Cytobrush: A tool for sequential evaluation of gene expression in bovine endometrium
Authors: Cardoso B , Oliveira ML , Pugliesi G , Batista EOS , Binelli M
Published: July 2017

Contents

Aims were to (i) compare specific transcript abundance between endometrial samples collected by transcervical biopsy and cytobrush and (ii) measure the abundance of endometrial transcripts involved in PGF2α synthesis in samples collected by cytobrush. In Experiment 1, endometrial samples were taken transcervically by cytobrush and biopsy 10 days after ovulation. Compared to biopsy samples, abundance of transcripts for MSTN, AKR1C4 and PGR was similar, VIM, FLT1 and PTGES was lower (p < .05) and KRT18 and CD3D was greater in cytobrush samples (p < .05). Thus, there was an enrichment of epithelial and immune cells in the cytobrush samples. In Experiment 2, endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush on days 10, 13, 16 and 19 after ovulation. Abundance of PGR2 mRNA was maximum on day 10 then decreased (p < .05). Abundance of ESR1 decreased gradually from day 10 to day 16 then increased again on day 19. The greatest abundance of OXTR was noted on day 19. The sequential alterations in abundance of these transcripts are consistent with the release of PGF2α associated with luteolysis. In summary, cytobrush sampling provides representative, physiologically relevant samples of the luminal epithelium in cattle.
Identification and characterization of the phosphatidic acid‐binding A. thaliana phosphoprotein PLDrp1 that is regulated by PLDα1 in a stress‐dependent manner
Authors: Ufer Guido , Gertzmann Anke , Gasulla Francisco , Röhrig Horst , Bartels Dorothea
Published: July 2017

Phospholipase D (PLD) and its cleavage product phosphatidic acid (PA) are crucial in plant stress‐signalling. Although some targets of PLD and PA have been identified, the signalling pathway is still enigmatic. This study demonstrates that the phosphoprotein At5g39570, now called PLD‐regulated protein1 (PLDrp1), from Arabidopsis thaliana is directly regulated by PLDα1. The protein PLDrp1 can be divided into two regions with distinct properties. The conserved N‐terminal region specifically binds PA, while the repeat‐rich C‐terminal domain suggests interactions with RNAs. The expression of PLDrp1 depends on PLDα1 and the plant water status. Water stress triggers a pldα1‐like phenotype in PLDrp1 mutants and induces the expression of PLDrp1 in pldα1 mutants. The regulation of PLDrp1 by PLDα1 and environmental stressors contributes to the understanding of the complex PLD regulatory network and presents a new member of the PA‐signalling chain in plants.
High‐performance variants of plant diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 generated by directed evolution provide insights into structure function
Authors: Chen Guanqun , Xu Yang , Siloto Rodrigo M. P. , Caldo Kristian Mark P. , Vanhercke Thomas , Tahchy Anna El , Niesner Nathalie , Chen Yongyan , Mietkiewska Elzbieta , Weselake Randall J.
Published: July 2017

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) catalyzes the acyl‐CoA‐dependent biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, the predominant component of seed oil. In some oil crops, including Brassica napus, the level of DGAT1 activity can have a substantial effect on triacylglycerol production. Structure–function insights into DGAT1, however, remain limited because of the lack of a three‐dimensional detailed structure for this membrane‐bound enzyme. In this study, the amino acid residues governing B. napus DGAT1 (BnaDGAT1) activity were investigated via directed evolution, targeted mutagenesis, in vitro enzymatic assay, topological analysis, and transient expression of cDNA encoding selected enzyme variants in Nicotiana benthamiana. Directed evolution revealed that numerous amino acid residues were associated with increased BnaDGAT1 activity, and 67% of these residues were conserved among plant DGAT1s. The identified amino acid residue substitution sites occur throughout the BnaDGAT1 polypeptide, with 89% of the substitutions located outside the putative substrate binding or active sites. In addition, cDNAs encoding variants I447F or L441P were transiently overexpressed in N. benthamiana leaves, resulting in 33.2 or 70.5% higher triacylglycerol content, respectively, compared with native BnaDGAT1. Overall, the results provide novel insights into amino acid residues underlying plant DGAT1 function and performance‐enhanced BnaDGAT1 variants for increasing vegetable oil production.
The dense‐core vesicle maturation protein CCCP‐1 binds RAB‐2 and membranes through its C‐terminal domain
Authors: Cattin‐Ortolá Jérôme , Topalidou Irini , Dosey Annie , Merz Alexey J. , Ailion Michael
Published: July 2017

Dense‐core vesicles (DCVs) are secretory organelles that store and release modulatory neurotransmitters from neurons and endocrine cells. Recently, the conserved coiled‐coil protein CCCP‐1 was identified as a component of the DCV biogenesis pathway in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. CCCP‐1 binds the small GTPase RAB‐2 and colocalizes with it at the trans‐Golgi. Here, we report a structure‐function analysis of CCCP‐1 to identify domains of the protein important for its localization, binding to RAB‐2, and function in DCV biogenesis. We find that the CCCP‐1 C‐terminal domain (CC3) has multiple activities. CC3 is necessary and sufficient for CCCP‐1 localization and for binding to RAB‐2, and is required for the function of CCCP‐1 in DCV biogenesis. In addition, CCCP‐1 binds membranes directly through its CC3 domain, indicating that CC3 may comprise a previously uncharacterized lipid‐binding motif. We conclude that CCCP‐1 is a coiled‐coil protein that binds an activated Rab and localizes to the Golgi via its C‐terminus, properties similar to members of the golgin family of proteins. CCCP‐1 also shares biophysical features with golgins; it has an elongated shape and forms oligomers.
NOS1AP genetic variation is associated with impaired healing of diabetic foot ulcers and diminished response to healing of circulating stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Margolis David J. , Hampton Michelle , Hoffstad Ole , Mala D. Scot , Mirza Ziad , Woltereck Diana , Shannon Steven , Troiano Michael A. , Mitra Nandita , Yang Ming , Bhopale Veena M. , Thom Stephen R.
Published: July 2017

It is unclear why many with diabetes develop foot ulcers (DFU) and why some do not heal. It could be associated with genetic variation. We have previously shown that NOS1AP variation is associated with lower extremity amputation in those with diabetes and that circulating stem progenitor cell concentration (SPC) is associated with impaired foot ulcer healing in those with diabetes. The goal of this study was to determine if NOS1AP variation is associated with impaired wound healing and with SPC mobilization in those with DFU. In longitudinal cohort study we demonstrate that NOS1AP variants rs16849113 and rs19649113 are associated with impaired wound healing and with SPC mobilization in those with DFU. We believe that further study of NOS1AP is merited and that it NOS1AP might be associated with a functional impairment.