bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing three-dimensional protein crystal intensities from sparse unoriented two-axis X-ray diffraction patterns
Authors: Lan Ti-Yen , Wierman Jennifer L. , Tate Mark W. , Philipp Hugh T. , Elser Veit , Gruner Sol M.
Published: June 2017

Recently, there has been a growing interest in adapting serial microcrystallography (SMX) experiments to existing storage ring (SR) sources. For very small crystals, however, radiation damage occurs before sufficient numbers of photons are diffracted to determine the orientation of the crystal. The challenge is to merge data from a large number of such `sparse' frames in order to measure the full reciprocal space intensity. To simulate sparse frames, a dataset was collected from a large lysozyme crystal illuminated by a dim X-ray source. The crystal was continuously rotated about two orthogonal axes to sample a subset of the rotation space. With the EMC algorithm [expand–maximize–compress; Loh & Elser (2009).Phys. Rev. E,80, 026705], it is shown that the diffracted intensity of the crystal can still be reconstructed even without knowledge of the orientation of the crystal in any sparse frame. Moreover, parallel computation implementations were designed to considerably improve the time and memory scaling of the algorithm. The results show that EMC-based SMX experiments should be feasible at SR sources.
Crystal structure across the β to α phase transition in thermoelectric Cu2−xSe
Authors: Eikeland Espen , Blichfeld Anders B. , Borup Kasper A. , Zhao Kunpeng , Overgaard Jacob , Shi Xun , Chen Lidong , Iversen Bo B.
Published: June 2017

The crystal structure uniquely imparts the specific properties of a material, and thus provides the starting point for any quantitative understanding of thermoelectric properties. Cu2−xSe is an intensely studied high performing, non-toxic and cheap thermoelectric material, and here for the first time, the average structure of β-Cu2−xSe is reported based on analysis of multi-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It consists of Se–Cu layers with additional copper between every alternate layer. The structural changes during the peculiarzTenhancing phase transition mainly consist of changes in the inter-layer distance coupled with subtle Cu migration. Just prior to the transition the structure exhibits strong negative thermal expansion due to the reordering of Cu atoms, when approached from low temperatures. The phase transition is fully reversible and group–subgroup symmetry relations are derived that relate the low-temperature β-phase to the high-temperature α-phase. Weak superstructure reflections are observed and a possible Cu ordering is proposed. The structural rearrangement may have a significant impact on the band structure and the Cu rearrangement may also be linked to an entropy increase. Both factors potentially contribute to the extraordinaryzTenhancement across the phase transition.
Collaboration between designers and facility managers
Authors: Kalantari Saleh , Shepley Mardelle M. , Rybkowski Zofia K. , Bryant John A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to focus on the perspectives of facility managers in each region and the different challenges impacting collaboration in each geographical context. This research analyzed obstacles to collaboration between facility managers and architectural designers in three international regions.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method approach was used, allowing the researchers to triangulate data from in-depth interviews and a widely distributed survey instrument. The participants included a large cross-selection of facility management professionals in each of the regions under study. The interview data were parsed to identify recurring themes, while the survey data were analyzed statistically to test specific hypotheses.

Findings

Significant differences were found in the culture of the facility management profession in each region. These differences created unique challenges for collaboration, especially in the context of a non-local design team. While the facility management profession was perceived as most established and professional in the UK, rates of collaboration between facility managers and designers were actually much higher in the USA. Collaborations between facility managers and designers were almost non-existent in the Middle East.

Originality/value

While the importance of collaboration between facility managers and designers is increasingly recognized for improving the efficiency of building operations, crucial obstacles continue to limit the scope of this engagement. There has been limited previous research analyzing obstacles to collaboration that are specific to international contexts and non-local design teams. This study helps to fill an important gap in the literature by providing a comparative analysis of collaboration challenges in three international contexts.
Co-creating digital services with and for facilities management
Authors: Lavikka Rita Henriikka , Lehtinen Teemu , Hall Daniel
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study aims to increase understanding about the co-creation of digital facilities management (FM) services with and for FM during a construction project.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports a case study on the co-creation of a digital facilities management service during the Mission Bay medical center construction project for the University of California, San Francisco. The sub-contractors and the FM team co-created a quick-response (QR) code system for valves on the project. This digital service is now used by the FM team for training purposes and in emergency situations when information on valves and their service areas is quickly needed. Researchers made on-site observations, conducted 84 interviews and reviewed archival data in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Findings

The findings show that a successful co-creation process consists of three elements: a dialogue between the project parties, the creation of shared context between the project parties and the creation of shared understanding about the FM’s needs and the service providers’ ways of satisfying those needs. The study describes ways to promote these elements.

Originality/value

Previous studies emphasize the need for digital FM but few explain how FM teams can be involved in creating digital services for them. This paper describes how to co-create digital FM services with and for FM in the context of a construction project.
A legal perspective of current challenges of the Spanish residential rental market
Authors: Nasarre-Aznar Sergio , Molina-Roig Elga
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the main difficulties in the Spanish residential rental market becoming a true alternative to home ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Currently, the Spanish rental market only meets temporary housing needs; it is very atomized and lacks professionalism. It does not provide an adequate legal framework to fulfil the parties’ aspirations (i.e. stability, affordability and flexibility for tenants; profitability, security and guarantees to landlords). The analysis of this proposition and the resulting proposal are based on six years of research, which started with the TENLAW European project.

Findings

Overcoming these constrains is essential to double the rate of residential leases in Spain and get closer to the European average, thus achieving a true diversification of housing tenures and avoiding future housing bubbles.

Practical implications

The paper makes a series of recommendations to legislators and policymakers to draft an adequate legal framework aimed at increasing the housing rental market share. This is based on the experience of mature tenancy markets in Europe, such as the German, Swiss and Austrian ones.

Social implications

The new proposed legal framework will help to transform the tenancy model in Spain into a functional one, making it more stable, affordable and flexible, while increasing safety and profitability for landlords. The model is also applicable, on a more general level, to all Mediterranean European countries.

Originality/value

Rethinking the regulation of tenancies, in a context of housing crisis and unaffordability (still a reality in many European and worldwide countries) has valuable potential for making this type of tenure more popular and for avoiding future housing bubbles.
The effects of population growth, environmental quality and trade openness on economic growth
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Mafizur , Saidi Kais , Ben Mbarek Mounir
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of population growth (PG), environmental quality and trade openness on economic growth of major developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used the panel unit root and panel co-integration tests over the period 1960-2013. Granger causality test is used to find out the direction of causality between the variables.

Findings

There is a bi-directional relationship between economic growth and trade openness, and a unidirectional relation, running from trade openness to CO2emissions in the three developed countries. PG has a positive effect on economic growth in three developing countries and there exists a bidirectional relationships between CO2emissions and PG and a unidirectional relationship from PG to economic growth and from trade openness to economic growth. Furthermore, there is a unidirectional relationship from PG to economic growth and bidirectional relationships between trade openness and economic growth for the six selected countries.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive research that combined the selected three major developed and three major emerging countries of the world to explore the effects of three important variables on economic growth. The authors’ findings will help the policy makers as well as the people of these six countries. this study has shown the aggregate and disaggregate results, so a comparison between the groups of countries is possible. Therefore, this research has significant contributions.
P‐ and S‐wave anisotropy to characterise and quantify damage in media: laboratory experiment using synthetic sample with aligned microcracks
Authors: Ndao Baba , Do Duc‐Phi , Hoxha Dashnor
Published: June 2017

Damage characterisation in solid media is studied in this work through ultrasonic measurements. A synthetic three‐dimensional printed sample including a system of horizontally aligned microcracks is used. In contrast to other manual fabrication methods presented in the literature, the construction process considered here ensures a better control and accuracy of size, shape, and spatial distribution of the microcrack network in the synthetic sample. The acoustic measurements were conducted through a specific device using triple acoustic sensors, which allows capturing at each incident direction three wave modes. The evolution of the ultrasonic velocities with respect to incident angle accounted for the damage‐induced anisotropy. The experimental results are then compared with some well‐known effective media theories in order to discuss their potential use for the following studies. Finally, we highlighted and compared the accuracy of these theories used for inversion procedure to quantify damage in the medium.
Full waveform inversion of SH‐ and Love‐wave data in near‐surface prospecting
Authors: Dokter E. , Köhn D. , Wilken D. , De Nil D. , Rabbel W.
Published: June 2017

We develop a two‐dimensional full waveform inversion approach for the simultaneous determination of S‐wave velocity and density models from SH ‐ and Love‐wave data. We illustrate the advantages of the SH/Love full waveform inversion with a simple synthetic example and demonstrate the method's applicability to a near‐surface dataset, recorded in the village Čachtice in Northwestern Slovakia. Goal of the survey was to map remains of historical building foundations in a highly heterogeneous subsurface. The seismic survey comprises two parallel SH‐profiles with maximum offsets of 24 m and covers a frequency range from 5 Hz to 80 Hz with high signal‐to‐noise ratio well suited for full waveform inversion. Using the Wiechert–Herglotz method, we determined a one‐dimensional gradient velocity model as a starting model for full waveform inversion. The two‐dimensional waveform inversion approach uses the global correlation norm as objective function in combination with a sequential inversion of low‐pass filtered field data. This mitigates the non‐linearity of the multi‐parameter inverse problem. Test computations show that the influence of visco‐elastic effects on the waveform inversion result is rather small. Further tests using a mono‐parameter shear modulus inversion reveal that the inversion of the density model has no significant impact on the final data fit. The final full waveform inversion S‐wave velocity and density models show a prominent low‐velocity weathering layer. Below this layer, the subsurface is highly heterogeneous. Minimum anomaly sizes correspond to approximately half of the dominant Love‐wavelength. The results demonstrate the ability of two‐dimensional SH waveform inversion to image shallow small‐scale soil structure. However, they do not show any evidence of foundation walls.
Medical therapy for preventing recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery: a cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Wu B , Yang Z , Tobe RG , Wang Y
Published: June 2017

Objective

To assess the cost‐effectiveness of different strategies, including gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRH‐a) and oral contraceptive therapy, for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence after conservative surgery.

Design

Cost‐effectiveness analysis from a health care perspective.

Setting

A health‐resource‐limited setting in China.

Population

Patients who underwent conservative laparoscopic or laparotomic surgery for endometriosis.

Methods

A Markov model was developed for the endometriosis disease course. Clinical data were obtained from published studies. Direct medical costs and resource utilization in the Chinese health care setting were taken into account. The health and economic outcomes were evaluated over a period from treatment initiation to menopause onset. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to test the impact of various parameters and assumptions on the model output.

Main outcome measures

Quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and costs from a health care perspective.

Results

The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of 6‐month GnRH‐a therapy compared with no therapy ranged from $6,185 per QALY in deep endometriosis to $6,425 with peritoneal endometriosis. A one‐way sensitivity analysis showed considerable influential factors, such as remission rates and utility values. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that 6‐month GnRH‐a therapy is cost‐effective in most cases at a threshold of $7,400/QALY, regardless of the type of endometriosis.

Conclusion

Six months of therapy with GnRH‐a can be a highly cost‐effective option for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence.

Tweetable abstract

Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist is cost effective for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence.
Impacts of Cellulose Fiber Particle Size and Starch Type on Expansion During Extrusion Processing
Authors: Kallu Sravya , Kowalski Ryan J. , Ganjyal Girish M.
Published: June 2017

Objective of this study was to understand the impacts of cellulose fiber with different particle size distributions, and starches with different molecular weights, on the expansion of direct expanded products. Fiber with 3 different particle size distributions (<125, 150 to 250, 300 to 425 μm) and 4 types of starches representing different amylose contents (0%, 23%, 50%, and 70%) were investigated. Feed moisture content (18 ± 0.5 % w.b) and extruder temperature (140 °C) were kept constant and only the extruder screw speed was varied (100, 175, and 250 rpm) to achieve different specific mechanical energy inputs. Fiber particle size and starch type significantly influenced the various product parameters. In general, the smaller fiber particle size resulted in extrudate with higher expansion ratio. Starch with an amylose: amylopectin ratio of 23:77 resulted in highest expansion compared to the other starches, when no fiber was added. Interestingly, starch with 50:50, amylose: amylopectin ratio in combination with smaller fiber particles resulted in product with significantly greater expansion than the control starch extrudates. Aggregation of fiber and shrinkage of surface was observed in the Scanning Electron Microscope images at 10% fiber level. The results suggest the presence of active interactions between the cellulose fiber particles and corn starch molecules during the expansion process. A better understanding of these interactions can help in the development of high fiber extruded products with better expansion.
First report on a novel Nigrospora sphaerica isolated from Catharanthus roseus plant with anticarcinogenic properties
Authors: Ayob Farah Wahida , Simarani Khanom , Zainal Abidin Nurhayati , Mohamad Jamaludin
Published: June 2017

This paper reports on the vinca alkaloid produced by a novel Nigrospora sphaerica isolated from Catharanthus roseus. Through liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS), only the crude mycelia extract of this fungus was positive for determination of vinblastine. This vinca alkaloid was then purified by using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tested for cytotoxicity activity using MTT assays. The breast cell line cancer (MDA‐MB 231) was treated with a purified vinblastine which was intracellulary produced by N. sphaerica. The purified vinblastine from extracted leaf of C. roseus was used as a standard comparison. A positive result with a value of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of > 32 μg ml−1 was observed compared with standard (IC50) of 350 μg ml−1 only. It showed that a vinblastine produced by N. sphaerica has a high cytotoxicity activity even though the concentration of vinblastine produced by this endophytic fungus was only 0.868 μg ml−1.
Coenzyme B12 synthesis as a baseline to study metabolite contribution of animal microbiota
Authors: Danchin Antoine , Braham Sherazade
Published: June 2017

Microbial communities thrive in a number of environments. Exploration of their microbiomes – their global genome – may reveal metabolic features that contribute to the development and welfare of their hosts, or chemical cleansing of environments. Yet we often lack final demonstration of their causal role in features of interest. The reason is that we do not have proper baselines that we could use to monitor how microbiota cope with key metabolites in the hosting environment. Here, focusing on animal gut microbiota, we describe the fate of cobalamins – metabolites of the B12 coenzyme family – that are essential for animals but synthesized only by prokaryotes. Microbiota produce the vitamin used in a variety of animals (and in algae). Coprophagy plays a role in its management. For coprophobic man, preliminary observations suggest that the gut microbial production of vitamin B12 plays only a limited role. By contrast, the vitamin is key for structuring microbiota. This implies that it is freely available in the environment. This can only result from lysis of the microbes that make it. A consequence for biotechnology applications is that, if valuable for their host, B12‐producing microbes should be sensitive to bacteriophages and colicins, or make spores.
Small‐ and large‐scale heterogeneity in genetic variation across the collard flycatcher genome: implications for estimating genetic diversity in nonmodel organisms
Authors: Ingvarsson Pär K. , Wang Jing
Published: June 2017

Population genetic studies in nonmodel organisms are often hampered by a lack of reference genomes that are essential for whole‐genome resequencing. In the light of this, genotyping methods have been developed to effectively eliminate the need for a reference genome, such as genotyping by sequencing or restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq). However, what remains relatively poorly studied is how accurately these methods capture both average and variation in genetic diversity across an organism's genome. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Dutoit et al. (2016) use whole‐genome resequencing data from the collard flycatcher to assess what factors drive heterogeneity in nucleotide diversity across the genome. Using these data, they then simulate how well different sequencing designs, including RAD sequencing, could capture most of the variation in genetic diversity. They conclude that for evolutionary and conservation‐related studies focused on the estimating genomic diversity, researchers should emphasize the number of loci analysed over the number of individuals sequenced.
HIV and drug abuse mediate astrocyte senescence in a β‐catenin‐dependent manner leading to neuronal toxicity
Authors: Yu Chunjiang , Narasipura Srinivas D. , Richards Maureen H. , Hu Xiu‐Ti , Yamamoto Bryan , Al‐Harthi Lena
Published: June 2017

Emerging evidence suggests that cell senescence plays an important role in aging‐associated diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. HIV leads to a spectrum of neurologic diseases collectively termed HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine (meth), is a frequently abused psychostimulant among HIV+ individuals and its abuse exacerbates HAND. The mechanism by which HIV and meth lead to brain cell dysregulation is not entirely clear. In this study, we evaluated the impact of HIV and meth on astrocyte senescence using in vitro and several animal models. Astrocytes constitute up to 50% of brain cells and play a pivotal role in marinating brain homeostasis. We show here that HIV and meth induce significant senescence of primary human fetal astrocytes, as evaluated by induction of senescence markers (β‐galactosidase and p16INK4A), senescence‐associated morphologic changes, and cell cycle arrest. HIV‐ and meth‐mediated astrocyte senescence was also demonstrated in three small animal models (humanized mouse model of HIV/NSG‐huPBMCs, HIV‐transgenic rats, and in a meth administration rat model). Senescent astrocytes in turn mediated neuronal toxicity. Further, we show that β‐catenin, a pro‐survival/proliferation transcriptional co‐activator, is downregulated by HIV and meth in human astrocytes and this downregulation promotes astrocyte senescence while induction of β‐catenin blocks HIV‐ and meth‐mediated astrocyte senescence. These studies, for the first time, demonstrate that HIV and meth induce astrocyte senescence and implicate the β‐catenin pathway as potential therapeutic target to overcome astrocyte senescence.
A Quantitative Analysis of Latino Acculturation and Alcohol Use: Myth Versus Reality
Authors: Alvarez Miriam J. , Frietze Gabriel , Ramos Corin , Field Craig , Zárate Michael A.
Published: June 2017

Research on health among Latinos often focuses on acculturation processes and the associated stressors that influence drinking behavior. Given the common use of acculturation measures and the state of the knowledge on alcohol‐related health among Latino populations, the current analyses tested the efficacy of acculturation measures to predict various indicators of alcohol consumption. Specifically, this quantitative review assessed the predictive utility of acculturation on alcohol consumption behaviors (frequency, volume, and quantity). Two main analyses were conducted—a p‐curve analysis and a meta‐analysis of the observed associations between acculturation and drinking behavior. Results demonstrated that current measures of acculturation are a statistically significant predictor of alcohol use (Z = −20.75, p < 0.0001). The meta‐analysis included a cumulative sample size of 29,589 Latino participants across 31 studies. A random‐effects model yielded a weighted average correlation of 0.16 (95% confidence interval = 0.12, 0.19). Additional subgroup analyses examined the effects of gender and using different scales to measure acculturation. Altogether, results demonstrated that acculturation is a useful predictor of alcohol use. In addition, the meta‐analysis revealed that a small positive correlation exists between acculturation and alcohol use in Latinos with a between‐study variance of only 1.5% (τ2 = 0.015). Our analyses reveal that the association between current measures of acculturation and alcohol use is relatively small.
Temporally specific miRNA expression patterns in the dorsal and ventral striatum of addiction‐prone rats
Authors: Quinn Rikki K. , James Morgan H. , Hawkins Guy E. , Brown Amanda L. , Heathcote Andrew , Smith Doug W. , Cairns Murray J. , Dayas Christopher V.
Published: June 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) within the ventral and dorsal striatum have been shown to regulate addiction‐relevant behaviours. However, it is unclear how cocaine experience alone can alter the expression of addiction‐relevant miRNAs within striatal subregions. Further, it is not known whether differential expression of miRNAs in the striatum contributes to individual differences in addiction vulnerability. We first examined the effect of cocaine self‐administration on the expression of miR‐101b, miR‐137, miR‐212 and miR‐132 in nucleus accumbens core and nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), as well as dorsomedial striatum and dorsolateral striatum (DLS). We then examined the expression of these same miRNAs in striatal subregions of animals identified as being ‘addiction‐prone’, either immediately following self‐administration training or following extinction and relapse testing. Cocaine self‐administration was associated with changes in miRNA expression in a regionally discrete manner within the striatum, with the most marked changes occurring in the nucleus accumbens core. When we examined the miRNA profile of addiction‐prone rats following self‐administration, we observed increased levels of miR‐212 in the dorsomedial striatum. After extinction and relapse testing, addiction‐prone rats showed significant increases in the expression of miR‐101b, miR‐137, miR‐212 and miR‐132 in NAcSh, and miR‐137 in the DLS. This study identifies temporally specific changes in miRNA expression consistent with the engagement of distinct striatal subregions across the course of the addiction cycle. Increased dysregulation of miRNA expression in NAcSh and DLS at late stages of the addiction cycle may underlie habitual drug seeking, and may therefore aid in the identification of targets designed to treat addiction.
Changes in undergraduates’ marijuana, heavy alcohol and cigarette use following legalization of recreational marijuana use in Oregon
Authors: Kerr David C. R. , Bae Harold , Phibbs Sandi , Kern Adam C.
Published: June 2017

Background and Aims

Recreational marijuana legalization (RML) went into effect in Oregon in July 2015. RML is expected to influence marijuana use by adolescents and young adults in particular, and by those with a propensity for substance use. We sought to quantify changes in rates of marijuana use among college students in Oregon from pre‐ to post‐RML relative to college students in other states across the same time period.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional survey data from the 2012–16 administrations of the Healthy Minds Study.

Setting

Seven 4‐year universities in the United States.

Participants

There were 10 924 undergraduate participants. One large public Oregon university participated in 2014 and 2016 (n = 588 and 1115, respectively); six universities in US states where recreational marijuana use was illegal participated both in 2016 and at least once between 2012 and 2015.

Measurements

Self‐reported marijuana use in the past 30 days (yes/no) was regressed on time (pre/post 2015), exposure to RML (i.e. Oregon students in 2016) and covariates using mixed‐effects logistic regression. Moderation of RML effects by recent heavy alcohol use was examined.

Findings

Rates of marijuana use increased from pre‐ to post‐2015 at six of the seven universities, a trend that was significant overall. Increases in rates of marijuana use were significantly greater in Oregon than in comparison institutions, but only among students reporting recent heavy alcohol use.

Conclusions

Rates of Oregon college students’ marijuana use increased (relative to that of students in other states) following recreational marijuana legislation in 2015, but only for those who reported recent heavy use of alcohol. Such alcohol misuse may be a proxy for vulnerabilities to substance use or lack of prohibitions (e.g. cultural) against it.
Spermatozoa with numerical chromosomal abnormalities are more prone to be retained by Annexin V‐MACS columns
Authors: Esbert M. , Godo A. , Soares S. R. , Florensa M. , Amorós D. , Ballesteros A. , Vidal F.
Published: June 2017

Colloidal super‐paramagnetic microbeads conjugated with annexin V are effective for separating apoptotic spermatozoa by MACS as a result of the high affinity of annexin V for externalized PS molecules. The effectiveness of the procedure in reducing the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA and abnormal morphology has also been reported. However, it is still unknown if it could decrease the percentage of aneuploid spermatozoa. The objective of our prospective study, performed on 16 males with abnormal FISH on spermatozoa, was to assess if MACS columns were useful tools to retain spermatozoa carrying chromosomal abnormalities in semen samples processed after density gradient centrifugation (DGC). The pellet obtained after DGC was subjected to MACS, and sperm FISH analyses were performed both in the eluded fraction and in the fraction retained in the column. The observed frequencies of disomy and nullisomy 13, 18, and 21, X and Y, as well as the diploidy rates in the MACS eluded fraction and the fraction retained in the MACS column were recorded. We observed that the frequencies of aneuploidies in the eluded fraction were lower than in the fraction retained in the MACS column (0.59% vs. 0.75%; p = 0.010). DGC determined a significant reduction in sperm concentration (z‐ratio = 2.83; p = 0.005) and a significant increase in sperm progressive motility (z‐ratio = −3.5; p < 0.001). MACS also led to a significant reduction in sperm concentration (z‐ratio = 3.14; p = 0.002) and a significant increase in progressive motility (z‐ratio = −2.59; p = 0.01) when compared with the post‐DGC sample. Sperm concentration was similar in the two fractions generated by MACS (z‐ratio = 0.63; p = 0.52), while progressive motility was significantly higher in the MACS eluded fraction (z‐ratio = 2.42; p = 0.02). According to our results, MACS columns are able to selectively retain spermatozoa carrying chromosomal abnormalities. Furthermore, the performance of DGC and MACS on semen samples leads to an enrichment of progressive motility.
The Student's Two Bodies: Civic Engagement and Political Becoming in the Post‐Socialist Space
Authors: Baća Bojan
Published: June 2017

Student activism in Montenegro has remained largely unaccounted for in the growing body of literature on civic engagement and popular politics in the post‐Yugoslav space. When students took their discontent to the streets of the Montenegrin capital in November 2011, the dual nature of the student body was rendered visible and audible: while the official student organizations framed their activity as an apolitical expression of discontent over studying conditions, several independent student associations positioned themselves as an extra‐parliamentary opposition to the ruling establishment and called for the creation of a wide anti‐austerity/anti‐corruption coalition. Drawing from critical theory, political sociology, and human geography, this article addresses the questions of why, how, when, and where a part of the student body became political. I argue that a social context that lacks a tradition of politically engaged student movements provides opportunities for a nuanced understanding of political becoming of a hitherto apolitical social group.
Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for malignant foot melanoma
Authors: Yamada Sho , Kotake Masanori , Kakiuchi Daiki , Hayashi Kengo , Hada Masahiro , Kato Yousuke , Oyama Kaeko , Hara Takuo , Taizo Haruhisa
Published: June 2017

A 39 year‐old woman with malignant foot melanoma underwent wide excision of the primary tumor with a safety margin and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the right inguinal lymph node. SLNB was positive and a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed right iliac lymph node swelling. Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET–CT) scan of the lymph nodes revealed abnormal uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). We performed a laparoscopic pelvic lymph node obturator, iliac lymph node) dissection. During the operation, several black lymph nodes were observed in the iliac lymph node. Pathologically, the iliac lymph node consisted of metastasized atypical melanocytes. This surgical method for pelvic lymph node dissection is not a standard procedure among institutions. There have been no reported cases of malignant melanoma with pelvic lymph node metastasis treated by laparoscopic surgery. However, due to the minimally invasive technique, this method is worth considering to be used for pelvic lymph node dissection in malignant melanoma as well as other cancers in the field of urology or gynecology.
Could Modafinil Prevent Psychostimulant Addiction? An Experimental Study in Rats
Authors: Dias Verônica Tironi , Vey Luciana Taschetto , Rosa Higor Zuquetto , D'avila Lívia Ferraz , Barcelos Raquel Cristine Silva , Burger Marilise Escobar
Published: June 2017

Addiction is a serious health problem which leads to general social impairment. The period of adolescence plays a significant role in drug abuse liability. Psychostimulants, such as modafinil (MOD), are majorly used by teenagers seeking improvements in cognition, which contributes to its indiscriminate use. This study aimed to investigate the influence of MOD (64 mg/kg by gavage, once a day) treatment during adolescence [post‐natal day (PND) 28‐42] on amphetamine (AMPH, 4 mg/kg i.p.)‐conditioned place preference (CPP) in early adulthood (PND 60). Our findings showed that AMPH increased CPP for the drug and anxiety‐like behaviours; on the other hand, AMPH decreased the number of crossings and recognition index. In addition, AMPH decreased catalase activity and increased reactive species, malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein levels in the hippocampus. AMPH also increased pro‐brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor B, dopamine transporter, D1R and decreased BDNF and D2R immunoreactivity. Contrarily, animals pre‐exposed to MOD showed reduced AMPH‐CPP, no locomotor impairment, less anxiety‐like behaviours and no memory deficits. In addition, MOD showed antioxidant activity by preventing AMPH‐induced oxidative damage in the hippocampus. Moreover, molecular analysis showed that MOD was able to modulate the hippocampal dopaminergic system, thus preventing AMPH‐induced impairments. Animals that received MOD during adolescence showed reduced AMPH‐CPP in early adulthood. These unexpected behavioural effects of MOD on CPP could be due to its hippocampal dopaminergic system modulation, mainly by its action on D1R, which is closely linked to drug addiction. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary.
Study of the Cytotoxic and Bactericidal Effects of Sila‐substituted Thioalkyne and Mercapto‐thione Compounds based on 1,2,3‐Triazole Scaffold
Authors: Mousazadeh Hanieh , Milani Morteza , Zarghami Nosratollah , Alizadeh Effat , Safa Kazem D.
Published: June 2017

A series of sila‐organosulphur compounds containing 1,2,3‐triazole cores were screened for their cytotoxic activity on human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7. Most of the tested compounds exhibited moderate‐to‐good activity against the cancer cells. Especially, the compound 4‐((2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethynylthio)methyl)‐1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole (3a) from series of sila‐substituted thioalkyne 1,2,3‐triazoles (STATs) and the compounds 3‐(1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐1‐mercapto‐1,1‐bis(trimethylsilyl)propane‐2‐thione (4a) and 1‐mercapto‐1,1‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐3‐(1‐phenethyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)propane‐2‐thione (4e) from series of sila‐substituted mercapto‐thione 1,2,3‐triazoles (SMTTs) exhibited promising cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 with IC50 values of 35.17, 32.63 and 30.3 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the possible mechanisms for inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptotic cell death were explored by DAPI staining, cell cycle analysis and qRT‐PCR. The synthetic compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activities, and as a result, the most prominent effects were observed for 3e and 4e. Especially, 3e was found to be quite active against all the tested strains with the MIC values ranging from 15 to 62 μg/mL, except P. aeruginosa. The results of the time‐kill assay suggested that the compound of 3e completely inhibited the growth of both gram‐negative bacteria, A. baumannii, and gram‐positive bacteria, S. aureus. In addition, SEM analysis confirmed morphostructural damage of the bacteria. Our findings could be applicable for developing dual‐targeting anticancer/antibacterial therapeutics.
Lithium ameliorates sleep deprivation‐induced mania‐like behavior, hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis alterations, oxidative stress and elevations of cytokine concentrations in the brain and serum of mice
Authors: Valvassori Samira S. , Resende Wilson R. , Dal‐Pont Gustavo , Sangaletti‐Pereira Heron , Gava Fernanda F. , Peterle Bruna R. , Carvalho André F. , Varela Roger B. , Dal‐Pizzol Felipe , Quevedo João
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of lithium administration on behavior, oxidative stress parameters and cytokine levels in the periphery and brain of mice subjected to an animal model of mania induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD).

Methods

Male C57 mice were treated with saline or lithium for 7 days. The sleep deprivation protocol started on the 5th day during for the last 36 hours of the treatment period. Immediately after the sleep deprivation protocol, animals locomotor activity was evaluated and serum and brain samples was extracted to evaluation of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone circulating levels, oxidative stress parameters and citokynes levels.

Results

The results showed that PSD induced hyperactivity in mice, which is considered a mania‐like behavior. PSD increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to DNA, as well as causing alterations to antioxidant enzymes in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and serum of mice. In addition, PSD increased the levels of cytokines in the brains of mice. Treatment with lithium prevented the mania‐like behavior, oxidative damage and cytokine alterations induced by PSD.

Conclusions

Improving our understanding of oxidative damage in biomolecules, antioxidant mechanisms and the inflammatory system − alterations presented in the animal models of mania – is important in helping us to improve our knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of BD, and the mechanisms of action employed by mood stabilizers.
Green intentions under the blue flag: Exploring differences in EU consumers’ willingness to pay more for environmentally‐friendly products
Authors: Gregory‐Smith Diana , Manika Danae , Demirel Pelin
Published: June 2017

Recent research on consumer social responsibility highlights the need to examine psychological drivers of environmentally‐friendly consumption choices in a global context. This article investigates consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) more for environmentally‐friendly products across 28 European Union (EU) countries, using a sample of 21,514 consumers. A multigroup structural equation modeling analysis reveals significantly different patterns and relationships, in how (a) subjective knowledge about the product's environmental impact, (b) environmental product attitudes, and (c) the perceived importance of the products’ environmental impact influence consumers’ WTP more for environmentally‐friendly products across countries. The hypothesized model predicts WTP for 20 out of 28 countries and the findings show that a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach is inadequate in capturing the heterogeneity of EU consumers. Hosfstede's cultural dimensions of uncertainty tolerance and individualism explain differences in WTP for environmentally‐friendly products across EU countries. Business, marketing communications, and policy making implications are discussed.
Sustainability assurance and cost of capital: Does assurance impact on credibility of corporate social responsibility information?
Authors: Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer , García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María
Published: June 2017

This paper aims to examine the credibility value of sustainability assurance and the type of assurance provider on cost of capital. A large sample of international companies from the period 2007–2014 was used to develop our models of analysis. We find a greater decrease in cost of capital for companies that publish and assure their social and environmental reports. Thus, voluntary sustainability disclosures decrease the cost of capital. However, companies also have the opportunity to reinforce this decrease by providing an assurance statement, so increasing the credibility of corporate social responsibility information. In addition, the decrease in the cost of capital is significantly higher when such assurance is provided by a top‐tier accountancy firm instead of by engineering or consultancy firms; this result supports also the reputational capital of accountancy firms.
Tying oneself to the mast: One necessary cost to morally enhancing oneself biomedically
Authors: Rumbold Benedict
Published: June 2017

In this article I seek to establish what, if anything, might be morally troubling about morally enhancing oneself through biomedical means. Building on arguments by Harris, while simultaneously acknowledging several valid counter‐arguments that have been put forth by his critics, I argue that taking BMEs necessarily incurs at least one moral cost in the restrictions they impose on our freedom. This does not necessarily entail that the use of BMEs cannot be overall justified, nor that, in certain cases, their costs may not be forestalled. It does show, however, that their use is not morally neutral. There is a cost to such technologies and, as such, the onus will always be on their defenders to show that these costs can compensated for.
‘You are inferior!’ Revisiting the expressivist argument
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn
Published: June 2017

According to the expressivist argument the choice to use biotechnologies to prevent the birth of individuals with specific disabilities is an expression of disvalue for existing people with this disability. The argument has stirred a lively debate and has recently received renewed attention. This article starts with presenting the expressivist argument and its core elements. It then goes on to present and examine the counter‐arguments before it addresses some aspects that have gained surprisingly little attention. The analysis demonstrates that the expressivist argument has a wide range of underpinnings and that counter‐arguments tend to focus on only a few of these. It also reveals an important aspect that appears to have been ignored, i.e., that people do not select foetuses based on chromosomes or other biological traits, but based on characteristics of living persons with specific disabilities. This makes it more difficult to undermine the claim that negative selection of foetuses expresses a disvaluing of persons with such disabilities. It leaves the expressivist argument with a strong bite still.
The Arg–Phe‐amide peptide 26RFa/glutamine RF‐amide peptide and its receptor: IUPHAR Review 24
Authors: Leprince Jérôme , Bagnol Didier , Bureau Ronan , Fukusumi Shoji , Granata Riccarda , Hinuma Shuji , Larhammar Dan , Primeaux Stefany , Sopkova‐de Oliveiras Santos Jana , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi , Ukena Kazuyoshi , Vaudry Hubert
Published: June 2017

The RFamide neuropeptide 26RFa was first isolated from the brain of the European green frog on the basis of cross‐reactivity with antibodies raised against bovine neuropeptide FF (NPFF). 26RFa and its N‐terminally extended form glutamine RF‐amide peptide (QRFP) have been identified as cognate ligands of the former orphan receptor GPR103, now renamed glutamine RF‐amide peptide receptor (QRFP receptor). The 26RFa/QRFP precursor has been characterized in various mammalian and non‐mammalian species. In the brain of mammals, including humans, 26RFa/QRFP mRNA is almost exclusively expressed in hypothalamic nuclei. The 26RFa/QRFP transcript is also present in various organs especially in endocrine glands. While humans express only one QRFP receptor, two isoforms are present in rodents. The QRFP receptor genes are widely expressed in the CNS and in peripheral tissues, notably in bone, heart, kidney, pancreas and testis. Structure–activity relationship studies have led to the identification of low MW peptidergic agonists and antagonists of QRFP receptor. Concurrently, several selective non‐peptidic antagonists have been designed from high‐throughput screening hit optimization. Consistent with the widespread distribution of QRFP receptor mRNA and 26RFa binding sites, 26RFa/QRFP exerts a large range of biological activities, notably in the control of energy homeostasis, bone formation and nociception that are mediated by QRFP receptor or NPFF2. The present report reviews the current knowledge concerning the 26RFa/QRFP‐QRFP receptor system and discusses the potential use of selective QRFP receptor ligands for therapeutic applications.
Biodiversity in species, traits, and structure determines carbon stocks and uptake in tropical forests
Authors: van der Sande Masha T. , Poorter Lourens , Kooistra Lammert , Balvanera Patricia , Thonicke Kirsten , Thompson Jill , Arets Eric J. M. M. , Garcia Alaniz Nashieli , Jones Laurence , Mora Francisco , Mwampamba Tuyeni H. , Parr Terry , Peña‐Claros Marielos
Published: June 2017

Impacts of climate change require that society urgently develops ways to reduce amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. Tropical forests present an important opportunity, as they take up and store large amounts of carbon. It is often suggested that forests with high biodiversity have large stocks and high rates of carbon uptake. Evidence is, however, scattered across geographic areas and scales, and it remains unclear whether biodiversity is just a co‐benefit or also a requirement for the maintenance of carbon stocks and uptake. Here, we perform a quantitative review of empirical studies that analyzed the relationships between plant biodiversity attributes and carbon stocks and carbon uptake in tropical forests. Our results show that biodiversity attributes related to species, traits or structure significantly affect carbon stocks or uptake in 64% of the evaluated relationships. Average vegetation attributes (community‐mean traits and structural attributes) are more important for carbon stocks, whereas variability in vegetation attributes (i.e., taxonomic diversity) is important for both carbon stocks and uptake. Thus, different attributes of biodiversity have complementary effects on carbon stocks and uptake. These biodiversity effects tend to be more often significant in mature forests at broad spatial scales than in disturbed forests at local spatial scales. Biodiversity effects are also more often significant when confounding variables are not included in the analyses, highlighting the importance of performing a comprehensive analysis that adequately accounts for environmental drivers. In summary, biodiversity is not only a co‐benefit, but also a requirement for short‐ and long‐term maintenance of carbon stocks and enhancement of uptake. Climate change policies should therefore include the maintenance of multiple attributes of biodiversity as an essential requirement to achieve long‐term climate change mitigation goals.