bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing a balanced view of profit structure in grocery retailing
Authors: Choi Pilsik
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are to propose a different profitability metric (i.e. anchor category profits) at the category level based on the concept of anchor categories and to illustrate how such a metric can be calculated in field settings to offer a balanced view of profit structure from both the accounting and marketing perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the concept of anchor categories is developed drawing on anchor effects theory and automatic cognitive processing theory. Based on anchor categories, this paper proposes a formula for calculating anchor category profits. Using the data collected with a survey instrument, this paper calculates accounting profits and anchor category profits for two grocery stores.

Findings

The intra-store analysis of accounting profits and anchor category profits reveals that the two profit measures project different profit contribution patterns by product categories for each store. The inter-store analysis provides quite different, yet useful information about profit structures for the two grocery stores. Although the two stores are similar in terms of accounting profits, their anchor category profits show different pictures regarding profit contribution patters by product categories between the two stores, revealing that different categories attract customers to different stores.

Practical/implications

Comparing accounting profits and anchor category profits allows retail managers to identify traffic generator categories and cash generator categories, which helps retail managers develop more effective category management to increase storewide profits.

Originality value

This paper increases understanding of the relationship between product categories and store choice behavior by offering a theoretical rationale to explain why some product categories influence consumers’ store choice. This paper also proposes anchor category profits as a more implementation-friendly category-level profitability metric that combines accounting principles with consumers’ shopping trip planning behavior.
Consumer evaluation of ingredient branding strategy
Authors: Dalman M. Deniz , Puranam Kartikeya
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Prior research in ingredient branding (IB) has identified several important decision variables consumers use when evaluating IB alliances. This exploratory research aims to investigate the relationship between these variables and consumers’ buying likelihood of the IB alliance and the relative importance of these variables for low- vs high-involvement product categories.

Design/methodology/approach

A study with the participation of 458 mTurkers was conducted and the data were analyzed using random forests.

Findings

Findings reveal relative importance of different variables for an IB alliance and that these differ for low- vs high-involvement categories.

Research limitations/implications

Being exploratory in nature, this research has several limitations, such as using only one high- and one low-involvement categories.

Practical implications

Results of this research will help brand managers as they make decisions entering an IB alliance as well as with investing their budget on different aspects of their brand, and tailoring their marketing activities for low- vs high-involvement product categories.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to discuss the relative importance of different decision variables in an IB context empirically.
The effect of human IT capability on organizational agility: an empirical analysis
Authors: Panda Sukanya , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study underpins investigation of the impact of human IT capabilities (comprising business functions, interpersonal management and technology management expertise) on organizational agility (in terms of sensing and responding agilities). The moderating influence of IT infrastructure spending on this human IT–agility linkage is also thoroughly investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data collected from 300 IT personnel working in various publicly owned banking groups functioning across India are used for this study and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to assess the human IT–agility link.

Findings

The two-fold research findings highlight the following: first, human IT capabilities enable both the sensing and responding components of agility and second, firms need to focus on translating huge and impudent IT investments into building superior capabilities to effectively shape agility.

Originality/value

This study greatly contributes to the information system (IS) literature by examining human IT capability and agility in terms of second-order constructs and provides a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of this unique relationship. The study precisely investigates the manner in which distinct human IT capability dimensions interact with both types of agilities along with the moderating effect of IT spending on this linkage.
Challenges and difficulties of technology commercialization − a mixed-methods study of an industrial development organization
Authors: Khalil Zadeh Neda , Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Mozafari Mehrdad , Vasei Morteza , Amoei Ojaki Ali
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal the challenges and problems of technology commercialization in an industrial development organization in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objective of this paper, a mixed-methods case study was used. Initially, 15 in-depth interviews with technology commercialization experts were conducted and 43 themes were extracted as problems of technology commercialization. The outcomes of the interviews informed the development of the questionnaire. Subsequently, a survey of 205 experts was performed to examine the responses obtained from the interviews. The main problems were identified through exploratory factor analysis and evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Seven factors are identified as the main difficulties of technology commercialization, including weakness in the commercialization process, challenges of the business environment, weak organizational structure, inefficient project management, ineffective cooperation with non-governmental sectors, failure to collaborate with stakeholders and conflicting political behaviors.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this research inform the organization’s managers of the poor conditions and barriers of the technology commercialization process. The findings also help managers to overcome the challenges that are under the control of the organization.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the knowledge on technology commercialization by exploring the main factors that form barriers to and difficulties of technology commercialization in an industrial development organization and suggesting appropriate solutions.
Illicit Drug Delivery Via Administration of Human Blood
Authors: Labay Laura M. , Catanese Charles A.
Published: June 2017

The physiological, psychological, and social consequences associated with illicit drug use are well documented. In addition to the effects directly related to the drug(s), the delivery mechanism can precipitate other serious health conditions. A case is reported where an individual stopped by law enforcement was discovered to be in possession of a vial containing a red‐colored fluid, which the person stated was blood and contained fentanyl. Analysis by headspace GC, ELISA, and LC‐TOF/MS screening in with mass spectral confirmation revealed the presence of several substances, including ethanol, methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDA, 6‐monoacetylmorphine, codeine, morphine, alprazolam, delta‐9 THC, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine; serology testing verified the fluid was consistent with human blood. Methamphetamine was present at a dosage form amount (11 mg). The purpose of this study was to detail the analytical findings, interpret their meaning, and discuss the public health concerns associated with the drug delivery by the administration of human blood.
Linking Soil Erosion to Instream Dissolved Phosphorus Cycling and Periphyton Growth
Authors: Brennan R.B. , Scott J.T. , Sharpley A.N. , Lally H.T. , Jarvie H.P. , Bowes M.J. , Haggard B.E. , Gbur E.
Published: June 2017

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in freshwater systems and when present in runoff from agricultural lands or urban centers may contribute to excessive periphyton growth. In this study, we examined the link between soil erosion and delivery of eroded soil to streams during flow events, and the impact of that freshly deposited soil on dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations and periphyton growth under baseflow conditions when the risk of stream eutrophication is greatest. A microcosm experiment was designed to simulate the release of P from soil which had been amended with different amounts of P fertilizer to overlying water during baseflow conditions. Unglazed tiles, inoculated for five days in a second order stream, were incubated for seven days in microcosms containing soil with eight levels of soil Mehlich‐3 plant available phosphorus (M3P) ranging from 20 to 679 mg/kg M3P. Microcosm DRP was monitored. Following incubation tiles were scraped and the periphyton analyzed for chlorophylla. Microcosm DRP concentrations increased with increasing soil M3P and equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC0). Relationships between M3P, EPC0, and DRP were nonlinear and increases in soil M3P and/or DRP had a greater impact on biomass accumulation when these parameters were above threshold values of 30 mg/kg M3P and 0.125 mg/L DRP. Significantly, this ecological threshold corresponds to the agronomic thresholds above which increased soil M3P does not increase plant response.
Effective doses and standardised risk factors from paediatric diagnostic medical radiation exposures: Information for radiation risk communication
Authors: Bibbo Giovanni
Published: June 2017

Introduction

In the paediatric medical radiation setting, there is no consistency on the radiation risk information conveyed to the consumer (patient/carer). Each communicator may convey different information about the level of risk for the same radiation procedure, leaving the consumer confused and frustrated. There is a need to standardise risks resulting from medical radiation exposures. In this study, paediatric radiographic, fluoroscopic, CT and nuclear medicine examination data have been analysed to provide (i) effective doses and radiation induced cancer risk factors from common radiological and nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures in standardised formats, (ii) awareness of the difficulties that may be encountered in communicating risks to the layperson, and (iii) an overview of the deleterious effects of ionising radiation so that the risk communicator can convey with confidence the risks resulting from medical radiation exposures.

Methods

Paediatric patient dose data from general radiographic, computed tomography, fluoroscopic and nuclear medicine databases have been analysed in age groups 0 to <5 years, 5 to <10 years, 10 to <15 years and 15 to <18 years to determine standardised risk factors.

Results

Mean, minimum and maximum effective doses and the corresponding mean lifetime risks for general radiographic, fluoroscopic, CT and nuclear medicine examinations for different age groups have been calculated. For all examinations, the mean lifetime cancer induction risk is provided in three formats: statistical, fraction and category.

Conclusion

Standardised risk factors for different radiological and nuclear medicine examinations and an overview of the deleterious effects of ionising radiation and the difficulties encountered in communicating the risks should facilitate risk communication to the patient/carer.
Minimal preparation CT: A literature review of a minimally invasive imaging technique for colorectal cancer in a frail, aged population
Authors: Csillag Andrew D , Quirk Anna R , Chan Michael V , Ridley Lloyd J
Published: June 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with increased incidence in the elderly. When CRC is suspected, patients are typically evaluated with optical colonoscopy (OC) or CT Colonography (CTC). Unfortunately, in the frail and elderly patient, these investigations can be difficult to perform and are often not tolerated. Minimal preparation computed tomography (MPCT) is a CT technique to evaluate the colon. Although protocols vary, typically, no preparation is required apart from administration of oral contrast for faecal tagging. The patient is scanned in the supine position only and without colonic insufflation. The study is reserved for ‘old‐old’ frail patients with clinically suspected CRC who cannot tolerate or have failed OC or CTC. In the context of an ageing population, MPCT provides a simple, minimally invasive, readily available and well‐tolerated test that is able to demonstrate clinically relevant disease. We review the literature on MPCT and discuss the benefits and limitations of this investigation.
Pharmacological stress, rest perfusion and delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance identifies very early cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients of recent onset
Authors: Giacomelli Roberto , Di Cesare Ernesto , Cipriani Paola , Ruscitti Piero , Di Sibio Alessandra , Liakouli Vasiliki , Gennarelli Antonio , Carubbi Francesco , Splendiani Alessandra , Berardicurti Onorina , Di Benedetto Paola , Ciccia Francesco , Guggino Giuliana , Radchenko Ganna , Triolo Giovanni , Masciocchi Carlo
Published: June 2017

Objective

To evaluate occult cardiac involvement in asymptomatic systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients by pharmacological stress, rest perfusion and delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), for a very early identification of patients at higher risk of cardiac‐related mortality.

Methods

Sixteen consecutive patients with definite SSc, fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2013 classification criteria in less than 1 year from the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon, underwent pharmacological stress, rest perfusion and delayed enhancement CMR. At enrollment, no patient showed signs and/or symptoms suggestive for cardiac involvement. No patient showed traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Both the 12‐lead electrocardiogram examination and echocardiographic evaluation did not show any alterations in our cohort.

Results

Stress perfusion defects of left ventricle were detected in six out of 16 (37.5%) patients and these defects did not match with the coronary flow distribution. The results showed the presence of two different patterns of stress perfusion defects: sub‐endocardial and/or a midmyocardial. The presence of stress perfusion defects did not correlate with any clinical feature of enrolled patients.

Conclusion

Myocardial stress perfusion defects may be detected early by pharmacological stress perfusion CMR, a reliable and sensitive technique for the noninvasive evaluation of SSc heart disease, in patients with SSc of recent onset. These defects seem to be independent from traditional risk factors and associated comorbidities, suggesting they are a specific hallmark of the disease.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a dermatomyositis patient with anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene‐5 antibody and interstitial lung disease despite an initial response to immunosuppressant
Authors: Chan Chiu Wai Shirley , Chung Ho Yin , Lau Chak Sing , Tsang Helen H. L.
Published: June 2017

We report a 24‐year‐old man with anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene‐5 (MDA5) antibody‐positive dermatomyositis (DM) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum. By comparing serial thoracic high‐resolution computed tomography scans, we demonstrated the distinct time course showing a paradoxical occurrence of pneumomediastinum despite a radiological improvement of ILD. Our case shows that pneumomediastinum in DM can occur regardless of associated ILD and it is a serious complication that should be considered in DM patients presenting with pulmonary manifestations. Cutaneous vasculopathy may be associated with pneumomediastinum and could potentially be a useful indicator of future disease.
Wing patterns of ditrysian moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) include variants and violations of predictive models
Authors: Schachat Sandra R , Brown Richard L
Published: June 2017

Although the evolution of wing pattern in Lepidoptera is of great importance in various disciplines, potential wing pattern homologies have been examined in very few lineages of microlepidoptera. Psychidae belong to the most early‐diverging superfamily of ditrysian moths, and many psychid genera from Australia have wing patterns consisting of bands, spots, and/or reticulated lines. An examination of 35 species of Australian Taleporiinae (Psychidae) revealed that wing patterns most commonly conform to the ‘uniform wing‐margin’ model, in which each vein is surrounded by a pattern element of the same colour (usually dark brown) along the costal margin. Wing patterns that follow the ‘uniform wing‐margin’ model include bands, spots, and reticulated lines, suggesting that these pattern elements are homologous in some lineages. However, in patterns consisting primarily of spots (belonging to the genus Iphierga Meyrick), the spots can become smaller toward the distal portion of the wing, often disappearing altogether and thus causing an apparent violation of the predictions of the model. The wing patterns of three species clearly violate the ‘uniform wing‐margin’ model. Two of these three may conform to the ‘alternating wing‐margin’ model, though this is uncertain because some veins are not expressed in the adult wing. Lastly, the findings presented here demonstrate that for the ‘uniform wing‐margin’ model, as for the ‘alternating wing‐margin’ model, the relative colour of a series of pattern elements (dark vs. light) is not a reliable indicator of homology. Instead, homologies exist among the contrast boundaries that separate pattern elements.
Using quality improvement to decrease birth asphyxia rates after ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ training in Kenya
Authors: Rule Amy R.L. , Maina Esther , Cheruiyot David , Mueri Priscilla , Simmons Jeffrey M. , Kamath‐Rayne Beena D.
Published: June 2017

Aim

The Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) programme is known to decrease neonatal mortality in low‐resource settings but gaps in care still exist. This study describes the use of quality improvement to sustain gains in birth asphyxia‐related mortality after HBB.

Methods

Tenwek Hospital, a rural referral hospital in Kenya, identified high rates of birth asphyxia (BA). They developed a goal to decrease the suspected hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (SHIE) rate by 50% within six months after HBB. Rapid cycles of change were used to test interventions including training, retention and engagement for staff/trainees and improved data collection. Run charts followed the rate over time, and chi‐square analysis was used.

Results

Ninety‐six providers received HBB from September to November 2014. Over 4000 delivery records were reviewed. Ten months of baseline data showed a median SHIE rate of 14.7/1000 live births (LB) with wide variability. Ten months post‐HBB, the SHIE rate decreased by 53% to 7.1/1000 LB (p = 0.01). SHIE rates increased after initial decline; investigation determined that half the trained midwives had been transferred. Presenting data to administration resulted in staff retention. Rates have after remained above goal with narrowing control limits.

Conclusion

Focused quality improvement can sustain and advance gains in neonatal outcomes post‐HBB training.
Randomised study showed that recorded maternal voices reduced pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Chirico G , Cabano R , Villa G , Bigogno A , Ardesi M , Dioni E
Published: June 2017

Aim

Alleviating pain in neonates should be the goal of all caregivers. We evaluated whether recorded maternal voices were safe and effective in limiting pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit of an Italian children's hospital.

Methods

This prospective, controlled study took place from December 2013 to December 2015. We enrolled 40 preterm infants, born at a 26–34 weeks of gestation, at a corrected gestational age 29–36 weeks and randomised them to listen or not listen to a recording of their mother's voice during a painful, routine heel lance for blood collection. Changes in the infants’ Premature Infant Pain Profile, heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure during the procedure were compared by analysis of variance. Possible side effects, of apnoea, bradycardia, seizures and vomiting, were also recorded.

Results

Both groups showed a marked increase in PIPP scores and decrease in oxygen saturation during the procedure, but infants in the treatment group had significantly lower PIPP scores (p = 0.00002) and lower decreases in oxygen saturation (p = 0.0283). No significant side effects were observed.

Conclusion

Using recorded maternal voices to limit pain in preterm infants undergoing heel lance procedures appeared safe and effective.
Exercise training increases skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume density by enlargement of existing mitochondria and not de novo biogenesis
Authors: Meinild Lundby A.‐K. , Jacobs R. A. , Gehrig S. , de Leur J. , Hauser M. , Bonne T. C. , Flück D. , Dandanell S. , Kirk N. , Kaech A. , Ziegler U. , Larsen S. , Lundby C.
Published: June 2017

Aims

(i) To determine whether exercise‐induced increases in muscle mitochondrial volume density (MitoVD) are related to enlargement of existing mitochondria or de novo biogenesis and (ii) to establish whether measures of mitochondrial‐specific enzymatic activities are valid biomarkers for exercise‐induced increases in MitoVD.

Method

Skeletal muscle samples were collected from 21 healthy males prior to and following 6 weeks of endurance training. Transmission electron microscopy was used for the estimation of mitochondrial densities and profiles. Biochemical assays, western blotting and high‐resolution respirometry were applied to detect changes in specific mitochondrial functions.

Result

MitoVD increased with 55 ± 9% (P < 0.001), whereas the number of mitochondrial profiles per area of skeletal muscle remained unchanged following training. Citrate synthase activity (CS) increased (44 ± 12%, P < 0.001); however, there were no functional changes in oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS, CI+IIP) or cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity. Correlations were found between MitoVD and CS (P = 0.01; r = 0.58), OXPHOS, CI+CIIP (P = 0.01; R = 0.58) and COX (P = 0.02; R = 0.52) before training; after training, a correlation was found between MitoVD and CS activity only (P = 0.04; R = 0.49). Intrinsic respiratory capacities decreased (P < 0.05) with training when respiration was normalized to MitoVD. This was not the case when normalized to CS activity although the percentage change was comparable.

Conclusions

MitoVD was increased by inducing mitochondrial enlargement rather than de novo biogenesis. CS activity may be appropriate to track training‐induced changes in MitoVD.
Prevalence and strong association of high somatic symptom severity with depression and anxiety in a Chinese inpatient population
Authors: Wang Jian , Guo Wan‐Jun , Mo Li‐Ling , Luo Shan‐Xia , Yu Jian‐Ying , Dong Zai‐Quan , Liu Yang , Huang Ming‐Jin , Wang Yu , Chen Liang , He Ning , Chen Ran , Zhang Lan , Li Tao
Published: June 2017

Background

The prevalence of the high somatic symptom severity (HSSS) and its associations with sociodemographic factors, depression, and anxiety has not been surveyed in inpatient populations at general hospitals.

Methods

A sample including 1329 inpatients in a Chinese general hospital was surveyed using Chinese version of 15‐item patient health questionnaire (PHQ‐15), 9‐item patient health questionnaire, and generalized anxiety disorder 7‐item scale.

Results

A total of 27.8% (n = 369) of the participants had HSSS (PHQ‐15 ≥ 10). The multivariate regression showed that HSSS was significantly associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.219), anxiety (aOR, 5.810), or depression or anxiety (aOR, 5.338) but neither with sex, age, marital status, education status, household income, nor 7 kinds of physical disease systems.

Discussion

The symptom profile and high prevalence of HSSS, and its association with clinically significant depression and anxiety in this inpatient population were mostly consistent to that documented by studies in other populations.
Learning collocations: Effects of online tools on teaching English adjective‐noun collocations
Authors: Basal Ahmet
Published: June 2017

Collocations are word combinations essential for achieving fluency in a given language. Considerable emphasis should therefore be placed on teaching collocations as a part of vocabulary instruction in language teaching. However, there is no current consensus on how best to teach collocations, and few studies have addressed the issue. This quasi‐experimental study investigated the effectiveness of online tools for learning English adjective‐noun collocations compared to learning collocations via traditional activities. A quasi‐experimental design with a pretest and immediate and delayed posttests was applied to 53 participants (n = 25 for the control group;n = 28 for the experimental group). The test results reveal that participants in the experimental group who learned collocations with online tools performed significantly better on both immediate and delayed posttests, demonstrating the effectiveness of these tools on learning adjective‐noun collocations.
Testing radical prostatectomy in men with prostate cancer and oligometastases to the bone: a randomized controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Sooriakumaran Prasanna
Published: June 2017

This is the Protocol of the ethically‐approved TRoMbone study.
Natural history of ‘second’ biochemical failure after salvage radiation therapy for prostate cancer: a multi‐institution study
Authors: Tumati Vasu , Jackson William C. , Abugharib Ahmed E. , Raj Ganesh , Roehrborn Claus , Lotan Yair , Courtney Kevin , Bagrodia Aditya , Gahan Jeffrey C. , Zumsteg Zachary S. , Folkert Michael R. , Laine Aaron M. , Hannan Raquibul , Spratt Daniel E. , Desai Neil B.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To describe the natural history of prostate cancer in men who experience a second biochemical recurrence (BCR) after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) after prostatectomy.

Patients and Methods

After undergoing SRT at one of two institutions between 1986 and 2013, 286 patients experienced a second BCR, defined as two rises in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) of ≥0.2 ng/mL above nadir. Event rates for distant metastasis (DM) or freedom from DM (FFDM), castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), prostate cancer‐specific survival (PCSS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression was used for comparative analyses.

Results

At a median of 6.1 years after second BCR, DM, CRPC, PCSS and OS rates were 41%, 27%, 83% and 73%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, interval to second BCR <1 year (hazard ratio [HR] 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–4.14; P < 0.001], Gleason score 8–10 (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.07–2.54; P = 0.022), and concurrent ADT during SRT (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.08–2.88; P = 0.024) were associated with FFDM, while PCSS was associated with interval to second BCR <1 year (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.69–5.32; P < 0.001) and concurrent ADT during SRT (HR 2.15, CI 1.13–4.08; P = 0.019). These risk factors were used to stratify patients into three groups, with 6‐year FFDM rates of 71%, 59% and 33%, and PCSS rates of 89%, 79%, and 65%, respectively.

Conclusion

Following second BCR after SRT, clinical progression is enriched in a subgroup of patients with prostate cancer, while others remain without DM for long intervals. Stratifying patients into risk groups using prognostic factors may aid counselling and future trial design.
Phase II study of intrabone single unit cord blood transplantation for hematological malignancies
Authors: Murata Makoto , Maeda Yoshinobu , Masuko Masayoshi , Onishi Yasushi , Endo Tomoyuki , Terakura Seitaro , Ishikawa Yuichi , Iriyama Chisako , Ushijima Yoko , Goto Tatsunori , Fujii Nobuharu , Tanimoto Mitsune , Kobayashi Hironori , Shibasaki Yasuhiko , Fukuhara Noriko , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Suzuki Ritsuro , Kodera Yoshihisa , Matsushita Tadashi , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Naoe Tomoki , Nishida Tetsuya
Published: June 2017

The outcomes of cord blood transplantation with non‐irradiated reduced‐intensity conditioning for hematological malignancies need to be improved because of graft failure and delayed engraftment. Intrabone infusion of cord blood cells has the potential to resolve the problems. In this phase II study, 21 adult patients with hematological malignancy received intrabone transplantation of serological HLA‐A, B, and DR ≥4/6 matched single cord blood with a median number of cryopreserved total nucleated cells of 2.7 × 107/kg (range, 2.0–4.9 × 107/kg) following non‐irradiated fludarabine‐based reduced‐intensity conditioning. Short‐term methotrexate and tacrolimus were given as graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis, and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor was given after transplantation. No severe adverse events related to intrabone injection were observed. The cumulative incidences of neutrophils ≥0.5 × 109/L, reticulocytes ≥1%, and platelets ≥20 × 109/L recoveries were 76.2%, 71.4%, and 76.2%, respectively, with median time to recoveries of 17, 28, and 32 days after transplantation, respectively. The probability of survival with neutrophil engraftment on day 60 was 71.4%, and overall survival at 1 year after transplantation was 52.4%. The incidences of grade II–IV and III–IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease were 44% and 19%, respectively, with no cases of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease. The present study showed the safety of direct intrabone infusion of cord blood. Further analysis is required to confirm the efficacy of intrabone single cord blood transplantation with non‐irradiated reduced‐intensity conditioning for adult patients with hematological malignancy. This study was registered with UMIN‐CTR, number 000000865.
Novel furan‐containing peptide‐based inhibitors of protein arginine deiminase type IV (PAD4)
Authors: Teo Chian Ying , Tejo Bimo A. , Leow Adam Thean Chor , Salleh Abu Bakar , Abdul Rahman Mohd Basyaruddin
Published: June 2017

Protein arginine deiminase type IV (PAD4) is responsible for the posttranslational conversion of peptidylarginine to peptidylcitrulline. Citrullinated protein is the autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis, and therefore, PAD4 is currently a promising therapeutic target for the disease. Recently, we reported the importance of the furan ring in the structure of PAD4 inhibitors. In this study, the furan ring was incorporated into peptides to act as the “warhead” of the inhibitors for PAD4. IC50 studies showed that the furan‐containing peptide‐based inhibitors were able to inhibit PAD4 to a better extent than the furan‐containing small molecules that were previously reported. The best peptide‐based inhibitor inhibited PAD4 reversibly and competitively with an IC50 value of 243.2 ± 2.4 μm. NMR spectroscopy and NMR‐restrained molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the peptide‐based inhibitor had a random structure. Molecular docking studies showed that the peptide‐based inhibitor entered the binding site and interacted with the essential amino acids involved in the catalytic activity. The peptide‐based inhibitor could be further developed into a therapeutic drug for rheumatoid arthritis.
Marine alkaloid oroidin analogues with antiviral potential: A novel class of synthetic compounds targeting the cellular chaperone Hsp90
Authors: Lillsunde Katja‐Emilia , Tomašič Tihomir , Kikelj Danijel , Tammela Päivi
Published: June 2017

Marine organisms and their metabolites are a diverse source of scaffolds for potential pharmacological molecular probes and, less frequently, for pharmaceutical lead compounds. In this study, 157 synthetic analogues of marine sponge‐derived alkaloids clathrodin and oroidin were screened against replicon models of two RNA viruses, hepatitis C (HCV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) as part of a larger screening project. Four compounds were found to selectively inhibit the HCV replicon (IC50 1.6–4.6 μm). These belong to the 4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[1,2‐d]thiazole class of compounds originally designed to target the ATP‐binding site of bacterial DNA gyrase. The ATP‐binding site of this bacterial protein has high structural similarity to the ATP‐binding site of heat‐shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a host cell chaperone universally required for viral replication, which led us to examine inhibition of Hsp90 as the compounds’ potential mechanism of action. Binding of the four hit compounds to Hsp90 was evaluated through microscale thermophoresis and molecular modeling, which supported our hypothesis of interaction with Hsp90 (Kd 18–79 μm) as basis for the compounds’ antiviral activity. The presented novel structural class of small molecules that target the Hsp90 ATP‐binding site has excellent potential for further antiviral drug development because of the compounds’ low toxicity and synthetic accessibility.
Cross‐sectional association between testosterone, sex hormone‐binding globulin and metabolic syndrome: The Healthy Twin Study
Authors: Moon Heesun , Choi Inyoung , Kim Somi , Ko Hyeonyoung , Shin Jinyoung , Lee Kayoung , Sung Joohon , Song Yun‐Mi
Published: June 2017

Objectives

This study evaluated an association between testosterone, sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).We also evaluated the genetic and environmental influences on the association.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Community‐based study.

Participants

A total of 1098 Korean adult men including 139 monozygotic twin pairs.

Main Outcome Measure

MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program‐Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The associations between MetS and sex hormones were evaluated using linear mixed model and generalized estimating equation model.

Results

After considering covariates such as smoking, alcohol consumption and physical exercises as well as SHBG or testosterone, the risk of MetS defined by NCEP ATP III criteria decreased by 31%, 29%, and 48%, respectively, with 1‐standard deviation increase in total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (cFT) and SHBG. Similar findings were revealed with IDF criteria. Metabolic component specific analysis showed that sex hormones were inversely associated with several components of MetS: TT with abdominal obesity, low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and high blood pressure; cFT with abdominal obesity and high blood pressure; SHBG with all components except high blood pressure. Cotwin control analysis found an inverse correlation between within‐pair differences in testosterone and SHBG levels and within‐pair differences in waist circumference only.

Conclusion

Both testosterone and SHBG were inversely associated with MetS although the inverse associations with the sex hormones were not consistently found across individual metabolic components. Findings from cotwin analysis suggest a significant contribution of unshared unique environmental effect to the association between testosterone and SHBG and abdominal obesity.
A prospective randomized controlled trial of two‐window versus solo‐window technique by lateral sinus floor elevation in atrophic posterior maxilla: Results from a 1‐year observational phase
Authors: Yu Huajie , Qiu Lixin
Published: June 2017

Background

Implant failures are more common when multiple missing posterior teeth need lateral sinus floor elevation owing to inadequate tissue maturation after grafting. Effects of lateral window dimensions on vital bone formation have rarely been compared.

Purpose

To compare endo‐sinus bone formation between two‐ and solo‐window techniques to rehabilitate multiple missing posterior teeth that need substantial augmentation.

Methods and materials

Patients with severely atrophic posterior maxilla were randomized to receive lateral sinus floor elevation via solo or two bony windows. Bone core specimens harvested from lateral aspect of the augmentation sites were histomorphometrically analyzed. Proportions of mineralized bone (MB), bone substitute materials (BS), and nonmineralized tissue (NMT) were quantified.

Results

Twenty‐one patients underwent 23 maxillary sinus augmentations. One patient in each group dropped out during the follow‐up period. Lateral window dimensions were 81.65 ± 4.59 and 118.04 ± 19.53 mm2 in the test and control groups, respectively. Histomorphometric analysis revealed mean MB of 42.32% ± 13.07% and 26.00% ± 15.23%, BS of 40.34% ± 9.52% and 60.03% ± 10.13%, and NMT of 18.14% ± 14.24% and 14.75% ± 10.38% in test and control groups, respectively, with significant differences.

Conclusion

The two‐window technique could facilitate faster maturation and consolidation of the grafted volume and is an effective alternative for rehabilitation of severely atrophic posterior maxilla with multiple missing posterior teeth.
Weighted parsimony outperforms other methods of phylogenetic inference under models appropriate for morphology
Authors: Goloboff Pablo A. , Torres Ambrosio , Arias J. Salvador
Published: June 2017

One of the lasting controversies in phylogenetic inference is the degree to which specific evolutionary models should influence the choice of methods. Model‐based approaches to phylogenetic inference (likelihood, Bayesian) are defended on the premise that without explicit statistical models there is no science, and parsimony is defended on the grounds that it provides the best rationalization of the data, while refraining from assigning specific probabilities to trees or character‐state reconstructions. Authors who favour model‐based approaches often focus on the statistical properties of the methods and models themselves, but this is of only limited use in deciding the best method for phylogenetic inference—such decision also requires considering the conditions of evolution that prevail in nature. Another approach is to compare the performance of parsimony and model‐based methods in simulations, which traditionally have been used to defend the use of models of evolution for DNA sequences. Some recent papers, however, have promoted the use of model‐based approaches to phylogenetic inference for discrete morphological data as well. These papers simulated data under models already known to be unfavourable to parsimony, and modelled morphological evolution as if it evolved just like DNA, with probabilities of change for all characters changing in concert along tree branches. The present paper discusses these issues, showing that under reasonable and less restrictive models of evolution for discrete characters, equally weighted parsimony performs as well or better than model‐based methods, and that parsimony under implied weights clearly outperforms all other methods.
The detrimental impact of persistent vs an isolated occurrence of de novo donor‐specific antibodies on intermediate‐term renal transplant outcomes
Authors: Loucks‐DeVos Jennifer M. , Eagar Todd N. , Gaber A. Osama , Patel Samir J. , Teeter Larry D. , Graviss Edward A. , Knight Richard J.
Published: June 2017

Background

De novo donor‐specific antibodies (dnDSA) after renal transplant are associated with acute rejection (AR) and graft loss, yet most recipients with dnDSA have stable function and no AR. We assessed whether the persistence of dnDSA increased the risk of a detrimental outcome.

Methods

A single‐center review of renal transplant recipients monitored for dnDSA at multiple time points post‐transplant. An Isolated dnDSA was defined as one positive dnDSA and no additional positive tests, whereas ≥2 positive dnDSA was defined as persistent dnDSA.

Results

Of 708 recipients, 22% developed dnDSA, of whom 64% had persistent dnDSA. At median follow‐up of 35 (range 12‐74) months, there were fewer episodes of AR in the isolated dnDSA vs the persistent dnDSA group (2% vs 22%; P<.001,) and fewer graft losses with isolated dnDSA vs persistent dnDSA (0% vs 10%; P=.03). Within the persistent dnDSA group, recipients with dnDSA ≥60% of time points, had more AR (32% vs 16%, P=.10) and more graft losses (21% vs 2%; P=.003) than those with dnDSA<60%.

Conclusions

Persistence of dnDSA resulted in more AR and graft failure than a single positive value. Recipients with longer duration of dnDSA persistence had an additional increased risk of AR and graft failure.
The Journey of an Ancestral Seed: The Case of the Lupino Paisano Food Network in Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Authors: Martínez‐Flores Alexandra , Ruivenkamp Guido , Jongerden Joost
Published: June 2017

“Lupino paisano” refers not only to an Andean seed (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet), but also to a nature‐culture food network. We argue that this network is based not on a modern ontology separating culture and nature but on what we refer to as a “rhizomatic association of actants.” Informed by Bruno Latour's actor network theory (ANT) and Tim Ingold's relational model of thinking, we follow the seed's path from the highland community of Guayama San Pedro (place of production) to the valleys of Cotopaxi (places of processing and consumption) and its subsequent return to the Guayama San Pedro, analyzing this as a series of actant transitions. We conclude that the lupino paisano network comprises a group of entities and the dynamic relationships among them; it is not centrally organized or an “organizing memory.” The geographies, the actants, and their relationships are defined during the work processes and dependent on the translation processes generated.
Race, Status, and Biodiversity: The Social Climbing of Quinoa
Authors: Andrews Deborah
Published: June 2017

This article investigates the scientific and local knowledge of biodiversity of quinoa in Peru and its association with racialized classification schemes—both for humans and for plants. While race is purportedly used as a classificatory tool, it has a deep history of negative discrimination that transcends application to people and has been applied to other species associated with racialized humans. This article reports compiled data on the nomenclature of quinoa varietals from Andean farmers from the altiplano in Puno, Peru. This research demonstrates that domesticated plants that have deep connections to human diversity and traditional cultures can be racialized. These plants are also critical to the maintenance of biological diversity.
“Show Farmers”: Transformation and Performance in Telangana, India
Authors: Flachs Andrew
Published: June 2017

In this article, I describe a paradoxical but necessary creation of the development apparatus: the “show farmer” (Stone 2014). Various corporate, state, and NGO development projects call upon show farmers to demonstrate the viability of alternative agriculture for visiting funders, scientists, media, and growers. As village gatekeepers, show farmers cultivate local celebrity and publicize a model not just for their community but for the sustainability of agricultural development interventions in the global South generally. This transformation is, however, contingent—when the incentives, ranging from farming infrastructure to social recognition, dry up, show farmers may abandon the stage and development interventions can fail. In addition to qualitative ethnography and interviews, this article draws on 12 months of seed choice and household demographic surveys conducted 2012–2014 among 104 organic cotton farmers in the Warangal and Asifabad districts of Telangana, India. To better understand how alternative agriculture interventions are affecting rural life and how farmers create new avenues for agricultural success through the development apparatus, anthropologists must pay more attention to this crucial but underexplored character.
Losing Labor: Coffee, Migration, and Economic Change in Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Griffith David , Zamudio Grave Patricia , Cortés Viveros Rosalba , Cabrera Cabrera Jerónimo
Published: June 2017

Based on research in four communities in Veracruz, Mexico, this article traces the cultural biography of economic change from an economy based primarily on coffee production to one based on migration, bamboo furniture manufacturing, and other livelihoods. In line with other studies, the declining importance of coffee in peasant livelihoods came about with the withdrawal of state support and neoliberal policies that encouraged a shift from quality to quantity production of coffee. Labor scarcity also played a role, however, as families dealt with falling coffee incomes by migrating to wage labor jobs in Mexico and the United States (U.S.). Our work suggests that changing global labor markets, combined with labor scarcities in Mexican communities, are as important to consider in economic change as the more common explanations of state agricultural policy and neoliberalism.
The Fate of an Old Water System in the New Era of Climate Change and Market Imperatives in Southwest China
Authors: Hill Ann Maxwell , Zhuang Kelin
Published: June 2017

In studies of contemporary changes to natural environments in China, ethnic groups in the nation's southwest are often used to demonstrate that earlier indigenous ideologies and institutions responsible for the harmonious relationships between human communities and their natural resources have now been swept away by government policies, market forces, new technologies, and most recently, climate change. In our study, we ask how a water system, in use for several centuries in a village of the Bai nationality, has been affected by these new factors. Our expectation was that the old water system would be disrupted or in decline as a result of the changes accompanying economic development and long‐term drying trends in this part of China. We found, instead, that the old system is still structurally intact and the community continues to access it for farming and everyday household use. Based on an interdisciplinary approach combining ethnographic fieldwork and local geomorphological data, this article identifies some of the factors responsible for the longevity of the local water system.