bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VHLSynthetic Lethality Signatures Uncovered by Genotype-specific CRISPR-Cas9 Screens
Authors: Sun Ning , Petiwala Sakina , Lu Charles , Hutti Jessica E , Hu Min , Hu Mufeng , Domanus Marc H , Mitra Diya , Addo Sadiya N , Miller Christopher P , Chung Namjin
Published: March 2019

Background

Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screening represents a powerful approach to identify genetic vulnerabilities in cancer cells. Here, we applied this technology and designed a strategy to identify target genes that are synthetic lethal (SL) withvon Hippel-Lindau(VHL) tumor suppressor gene. Inactivation ofVHLhas been frequently found in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Its SL partners serve as potential drug targets for the development of targeted cancer therapies.

Results

We performed parallel genome-wide CRISPR screens in two pairs of isogenic ccRCC cell lines that differ only in theVHLstatus. Comparative analyses of screening results not only confirmed a well-known role for mTOR signaling in renal carcinoma, but also identified DNA damage response and selenocysteine biosynthesis pathways as major SL targets inVHL-inactivated cancer cells. Follow-up studies provided cellular and mechanistic insights into SL interactions of these pathway genes with theVHLgene.

Conclusions

Using isogenic CRISPR screening approach, we uncovered novel biological processes that are SL withVHL, which can be exploited for drug development for ccRCC. Our CRISPR and RNA-seq datasets provide a rich resource for future investigation of the function of the VHL tumor suppressor protein. Our work demonstrates the efficiency of CRISPR-based synthetic lethality screening in human isogenic cell pairs. Similar strategies could be employed to unveil SL partners with other oncogenic drivers.
Estimation of mutual information for real-valued data with error bars and controlled bias
Authors: Holmes Caroline M. , Nemenman Ilya
Published: March 2019

Estimation of mutual information between (multidimensional) real-valued variables is used in analysis of complex systems, biological systems, and recently also quantum systems. This estimation is a hard problem, and universally good estimators provably do not exist. Kraskov et al. (PRE, 2004) introduced a successful mutual information estimation approach based on the statistics of distances between neighboring data points, which empirically works for a wide class of underlying probability distributions. Here we improve this estimator by (i) expanding its range of applicability, and by providing (ii) a self-consistent way of verifying the absence of bias, (iii) a method for estimation of its variance, and (iv) a criterion for choosing the values of the free parameter of the estimator. We demonstrate the performance of our estimator on synthetic data sets, as well as on neurophysiological and systems biology data sets.
Mutualistic interactions with phoretic mites Poecilochirus carabi expand the realised thermal niche of the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides
Authors: Sun Syuan-Jyun , Kilner Rebecca M.
Published: March 2019

Mutualisms are so ubiquitous, and play such a key role in major biological processes, that it is important to understand how they will function in a changing world. Here we test whether mutualisms can help populations to persist in challenging new environments, by focusing on the protective mutualism between burying beetles Nicrophorus vespilloides and their phoretic mites (Poecilochirus carabi). Our experiments identify the burying beetle’s fundamental thermal niche and show that it is restricted by competition with blowfly larvae at higher and lower temperatures (within the natural range). We further demonstrate that mites expand the burying beetle’s realised thermal niche, by reducing competition with blowflies at lower and higher temperatures, thereby enabling beetles to produce more offspring across a wider thermal range. We conclude that mutualisms can play an important role in promoting survival under novel and adverse conditions, particularly when these conditions enhance the performance of a common enemy.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[2,2-dichloro-1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethenyl]diazene
Authors: Shikhaliyev Namiq Q. , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Akkurt Mehmet , Bagirova Khanim N. , Suleymanova Gulnar T. , Toze Flavien A. A.
Published: March 2019

In the title compound, C14H8Cl3FN2, the planes of the 4-fluorophenyl ring and the 4-chlorophenyl ring make a dihedral angle of 56.13 (13)°. In the crystal, molecules are stacked in a column along the a axis via a weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bond and face-to-face π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.8615 (18) and 3.8619 (18) Å]. The crystal packing is further stabilized by short Cl...Cl contacts. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from Cl...H/H...Cl (31.2%), H...H (14.8%), C...H/H...C (14.0%), F...H/H...F (12.8%), C...C (9.0%) and Cl...Cl (6.7%) interactions.
Cataloguing practices at university libraries
Authors: Çakmak Tolga
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study aims to analyse current practices and cooperation between the Turkish university libraries related to cataloguing processes and present cataloguing librarians’ evaluations about clarity and comprehensiveness of the given information in library catalogues.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with the literature review, a Web-based questionnaire was developed concerning the cataloguing practices implemented at university libraries in Turkey. The questionnaire was submitted to 316 cataloguing librarians. In all, 104 cataloguing librarians from 61 different libraries responded to the survey. The collected data were analysed through descriptive statistics. The responses given to some open-ended questions were assessed with respective expressions presented verbatim in the study and some of them visualised via VOSViewer software.

Findings

The findings reflect that analysed university libraries implement different cataloguing processes. It is seen that some libraries use the necessary systems and services related to cataloguing and classification while others use individual solutions without using such systems and services. Findings reveal that there is cooperation between the analysed libraries about sharing catalogue records. In this regard, it is understood that cataloguing librarians mostly prefer transferring catalogue records from the catalogues of university libraries they trusted. Findings also indicate that analysed librarians think that the descriptive information provided via Online Public Access Catalogues are in moderate level in terms of clarity and comprehensibility.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature of a limited number of relevant studies by establishing the baseline pertaining to cataloguing processes undertaken at university libraries in Turkey.
IT project decisions: conclusions and recommendations for corporate practice
Authors: Idler Boris David , Spang Konrad
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relevant determinants of IT project decision making and their relevance in corporate practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The empiric analysis used in-depth expert interviews (n=18) as method for data collection and qualitative content analysis using evaluative categories for analysis.

Findings

Corporate practice is strongly influenced by descriptive decision making. There is only little use of normative decision models in decision making. In corporate practice little use is made of evaluations to analyze achieved project outputs and impacts to improve decision-making practice. This is the result of several evaluation barriers in organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is restricted to IT projects as the experts are responsible for IT project portfolio management. Also, an industry comparison is not included in the study.

Practical implications

The analysis shows that IT project decision making in corporate practice should include results from descriptive decision theory into project decision processes in corporate practice. More effort should be made in challenging project input data which is relevant for project decision making. By systematically including evaluations for relevant projects, the deviations between planned and achieved project impacts offer valuable feedback for estimators and decision makers.

Originality/value

The paper presents detailed analysis on decision variables and their relevance for IT project decision making in corporate practice. Critical aspects of decision making become clear, such as the aspects of evaluation barriers and the need to incorporate descriptive decision-making aspects into corporate decision processes.
A business model analysis of Kmart’s downfall
Authors: Brea-Solís Humberto A. , Grifell-Tatjé Emili
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how a major retailer like Kmart lost its dominant position in the American retail industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contains a decomposition of profit change into meaningful economic drivers using a methodology that combines frontier analysis with index number theory. The empirical analysis is complemented with a description of Kmart’s business model produced from corporate documents and other sources.

Findings

A quantification of Kmart’s business model performance expressed in monetary terms. This assessment is presented by CEO tenures showing the contribution of different economic drivers to the evolution of profits.

Practical implications

The study’s empirical results highlight the importance of the correct implementation of all aspects of the business model in order to achieve success.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new empirical framework to assess business model performance. Despite Kmart’s important role in American discount retailing history there have been very few studies that have analyzed its downfall. This paper contributes by filling that gap.
Parental values in the UK
Authors: Baker William , Barg Katherin
Published: March 2019

This article investigates the extent to which parental values differ between social groups in the UK at the start of the twenty‐first century. The study of parental values is an important area of sociological enquiry that can inform scholarship from across the social sciences concerned with educational inequality and cultural variability in family life. We draw on data from the Millennium Cohort Study to show how parent’s social class, religion, religiosity, race and ethnicity, and education are related to the qualities they would like their children to have. Our rank‐ordered regression models show that parents in service class occupations place significantly more importance on ‘thinking for self’ than ‘obey parents’ compared to those in routine manual occupations. We also show that although class matters, the relationship between education and parental values is particularly strong. Parenting values also differ by parental racial and ethnic background and by levels of religiosity.
Mapping Illegality: The i‐Map and the Cartopolitics of “Migration Management” at a Distance
Authors: Cobarrubias Sebastian
Published: March 2019

Cartographies for “migration management” are part and parcel of controversial border practices far from conventional borderlines. Focusing on the i‐Map, this study renders how the European Union's current practices of remote border control are visualised among migration policy circles and expert security actors through a “mapping migration matrix”. The lines portraying migration flows in recurrent maps generate a shared expert language and a common geographical imaginary reinforcing practices of contention and classification of those assumed to move toward the European Union irregularly. It is argued that illegality is constructed in ways that target border crossing long before any border is crossed, making someoneillegalat the very moment and place where s/he might decide to migrate. This paper analyses the cartopolitics and limits of cartographic expertise in the production of a “routes thinking” able to legitimise extra‐territorial interceptions and practices of remote border control.
Cuttlefish: Color Mapping for Dynamic Multi‐Scale Visualizations
Authors: Waldin N. , Waldner M. , Le Muzic M. , Gröller E. , Goodsell D. S. , Autin L. , Olson A. J. , Viola I.
Published: March 2019

Visualizations of hierarchical data can often be explored interactively. For example, in geographic visualization, there are continents, which can be subdivided into countries, states, counties and cities. Similarly, in models of viruses or bacteria at the highest level are the compartments, and below that are macromolecules, secondary structures (such as α‐helices), amino‐acids, and on the finest level atoms. Distinguishing between items can be assisted through the use of color at all levels. However, currently, there are no hierarchical and adaptive color mapping techniques for very large multi‐scale visualizations that can be explored interactively. We present a novel, multi‐scale, color‐mapping technique for adaptively adjusting the color scheme to the current view and scale. Color is treated as a resource and is smoothly redistributed. The distribution adjusts to the scale of the currently observed detail and maximizes the color range utilization given current viewing requirements. Thus, we ensure that the user is able to distinguish items on any level, even if the color is not constant for a particular feature. The coloring technique is demonstrated for a political map and a mesoscale structural model of HIV. The technique has been tested by users with expertise in structural biology and was overall well received.
Indexing left ventricular wall thickness to body surface area improves prognostic value
Authors: LaBounty Troy M. , Bach David S. , Bossone Eduardo , Kolias Theodore J.
Published: March 2019

Background

Guidelines provide normal ranges of left ventricular (LV) wall thicknesses (WT) without indexing. We hypothesized that indexing WT to body surface area (BSA) improves prognostic value.

Methods

We examined the relationship between WT and BSA in 9737 patients undergoing echocardiography without risk factors for LV hypertrophy other than obesity. We compared WT to BSA and examined the relationship of WT and LV mass index (LVMI) to mortality.

Results

There is a linear relationship between BSA and septal and posterior WT (r = 0.38, P < 0.001 for each). Higher quartiles of BSA were associated with increased WT (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, greater mean WT (MWT) (Hazards Ratio [HR] 1.10 per mm, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.04–1.16, P = 0.001, C‐statistic 0.66), LVMI (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001–1.01, P = 0.01, C‐statistic 0.66), and indexed MWT (HR 1.34 per mm/m2, 95% CI 1.23–1.47, P < 0.001, C‐statistic 0.67) are each associated with increased mortality, with indexed MWT having the highest prognostic value. Each decile of indexed MWT ≥8th decile was associated with increased mortality compared to the 1st decile (P < 0.01 for each). Individuals with indexed MWT ≥8th decile (≥5.0 mm/m2) had increased adjusted mortality (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.43–1.94, P < 0.001, C‐statistic 0.67); this had improved prognostic value over guideline definitions of increased MWT (C‐statistic 0.66) or LVMI (P = NS).

Conclusions

We observe a linear relationship between BSA and WT. Indexing WT improves mortality prediction over LVMI and nonindexed WT. These findings support indexing WT to BSA.
Multiplane/3D transesophageal echocardiography monitoring to improve the safety and outcome of complex transvenous lead extractions
Authors: Strachinaru Mihai , Kievit Chris M. , Yap Sing C. , Hirsch Alexander , Geleijnse Marcel L. , Szili‐Torok Tamas
Published: March 2019

Both transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intracardiac echocardiography have been used to assist transvenous lead extractions. The clinical utility of continuous echocardiographic monitoring during the procedure is still debated, with different reports supporting opposite findings. In cases where the procedure is expected to be difficult, we propose adding a continuous TEE monitoring using a static 3D/multiplane probe in mid‐esophageal position, with digital remote manipulation of the field of view. This approach may improve the chances of a successful extraction, increase safety, or even guide the entire intervention. We present here a short case series where continuous monitoring by TEE played an important role.
Institutions for private sector development and pro‐poor growth: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Trung X. , Pham Cong S. , Ulubaşoğlu Mehmet A.
Published: March 2019

Using the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey 2008, we explore the differences in pro‐poor growth performance in provinces in Vietnam according to the quality of the provinces’ institutions that support private sector activity. We exploit the localized and varying effect of French colonial legacy across Vietnamese provinces to address the endogeneity of institutions. We find strong and robust evidence of a positive effect of good‐quality institutions that support private sector activity on pro‐poor growth and that enhanced working hours and hourly wage and extended income from non‐farm self‐employment play critical roles in this outcome.
Does ethnic diversity decrease economic interactions? Evidence from exchange networks in rural Gambia
Authors: Arcand Jean‐Louis , Jaimovich Dany
Published: March 2019

Using a unique dataset collected in 59 rural Gambian villages, we study how ethnic heterogeneity is related to the structure of four economic exchange networks: land, labour, inputs and credit. We find that different measures of village‐level ethnic fragmentation are mostly uncorrelated with network structure. At a more disaggregated level, household heads belonging to ethnic minorities are not less central than those from the predominant ethnicity in any of the networks and, at the dyadic level, the fact that two households share ethnicity is not an economically significant predictor of link formation. Our results indicate that, in the particular setting of our study, the structure of the exchange networks is better defined by other variables than ethnicity and that ethnic heterogeneity is unlikely to be a driver for sub‐optimal economic exchanges.
Do Distinct CSR Categories have Distinct Determinants? The Roles of Market Structure and Firm Size
Authors: Acabado Daniela Rodrigues , Branca Ana Sofia , Catalão‐Lopes Margarida , Pina Joaquim Pires
Published: March 2019

Despite the existing vast literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR), there is a lack of research on the determinants of CSR categories – environment, employees, community, and governance. Why do some firms dedicate more effort to community, while others focus on environment or employees? We address these issues with special attention to the roles of market structure and firm size, controlling for industry, geography, regulatory and macroeconomic variables. Answers are relevant for firms' strategic decisions, taking into account what rivals likely choose, in a world where CSR is often a competition tool. Public authorities also benefit on choosing focus: lack of competition; small or large sized firms; which categories are more affected. We find that all CSR categories profit more from a competitive setup, particularly employees and environment, and from larger firms, mainly environment. Size and market concentration thus contribute in different directions to CSR, contradicting their usually presumed positive association.
Mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: Characterization and impact on quality of life according to subtype
Authors: Vasconcellos Luiz Felipe R , Pereira João S , Charchat‐Fichman Helenice , Greca Denise , Cruz Manuela , Blum Ana Lara , Spitz Mariana
Published: March 2019

Aim

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was initially described as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Because of differences in baseline cognitive abilities, MCI in Parkinson's disease (PD; PD‐MCI) requires distinct neuropsychological criteria for diagnosis and follow up. In addition to representing a risk factor for PD‐related dementia, PD‐MCI results in higher morbidity, which can be reduced through early detection. The aim of the present study was to gather data regarding MCI subtypes from neuropsychological profiles and clinical features in PD patients, to evaluate its impact on patients’ quality of life according to subtype, and to compare the data with a control (Co) group.

Method

A total of 149 individuals were selected: 81 controls and 60 patients diagnosed with PD according to the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria. All individuals were submitted to neurological and neuropsychological assessments.

Results

The amnestic subtype of MCI was the most common in both the PD and Co groups. PD patients showed greater impairment in MCI than the Co group. The amnestic subtype of PD‐MCI was associated with a lower quality of life compared with the non‐amnestic group.

Conclusions

The PD group showed worse cognitive performance than the Co group. The amnestic subtype of PD‐MCI was associated with the greatest impairment of quality of life. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 497–502.
South Devon, UK
Authors: Falcon‐Lang Howard
Published: March 2019

Where can you teach the fundamental principles of geology in three short field days? In this feature article, I introduce South Devon as a classic area of geology, useful for introducing basic concepts relevant to school and first‐year degree curricula. That this region remains a catalyst for developing young geologists is especially fitting given that it was here that Henry de la Beche embarked on the first mapping project of what would later become the British Geological Survey. In South Devon, a novice geologist can learn about plate tectonics, the unifying theory of our subject, through a visit to two quarries. At Chipley Quarry, near Newton Abbott, sea‐floor spreading is well illustrated by Devonian pillow‐lavas extruded within the back‐arc margins of the Rheic Ocean. At Burrator Quarry, near Yelverton, the aftermath of continental collision is represented by the north‐verging Variscan fold belt, intruded and thermally metamorphosed by the Dartmoor granite. A trip along the coast to Paignton provides an informative lesson about the distinctive stratigraphic imprint that is created by this plate tectonic cycle. Here, tightly folded Devonian slates are unconformably overlain by near‐horizontal Permian breccia‐conglomerates at Waterside Cove. The ‘abyss of time’ at their junction represents the tens of millions of years involved in the uplift and denudation of Rheic Ocean sediments in the course of the Variscan Orogen. The Devonian and Permian successions of South Devon additionally serve as an excellent training ground for interpreting ancient environments with both marine and terrestrial facies spectacularly represented. Fossils abound in these strata, too, including the stromatoporoid life assemblage at Triangle Point, Torquay, where students have the opportunity to do a virtual scuba‐dive over a Devonian reef. Finally, given current discussions about employability in UK universities, there is even room in an excursion to instill the practical importance of geology: for example, a trip to the scenic Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor reveals what can go wrong for geotechnical engineers when a major dam is sited on a granite weakened by chemical weathering. In summary, South Devon has it all—a brilliant natural laboratory for training and inspiring the next generation of geologists.
The Embase UK filter: validation of a geographic search filter to retrieve research about the UK from OVID Embase
Authors: Ayiku Lynda , Levay Paul , Hudson Thomas , Craven Jenny , Finnegan Amy , Adams Rachel , Barrett Elizabeth
Published: March 2019

Background

The authors developed a validated geographic search filter to retrieve research about the United Kingdom (UK) from OVID Embase. It was created to be used alongside their previously published OVID MEDLINE UK filter in systematic literature searches for context‐sensitive topics.

Objectives

To develop a validated geographic search filter to retrieve research about the UK from OVID Embase.

Methods

The Embase UK filter was translated from the MEDLINE UK filter. A gold standard set of references was generated using the relative recall method. The set contained references to publications about the UK that had informed National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and it was used to validate the filter. Recall, precision and number‐needed‐to‐read (NNR) were calculated using a case study.

Results

The validated Embase UK filter demonstrated 99.8% recall against the references with UK identifiers in the gold standard set. In the case study, the Embase UK filter demonstrated 98.5% recall, 7.6% precision and a NNR of 13.

Conclusion

The Embase UK filter can be used alongside the MEDLINE UK filter. The filters have the potential to save time and associated resource costs when they are used for context‐sensitive topics that require research about UK settings.
A core role for cognitive processes in the acute onset and maintenance of post‐traumatic stress in children and adolescents
Authors: Meiser‐Stedman Richard , McKinnon Anna , Dixon Clare , Boyle Adrian , Smith Patrick , Dalgleish Tim
Published: March 2019

Background

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common reaction to trauma in children and adolescents. While a significant minority of trauma‐exposed youth go on to have persistent PTSD, many youths who initially have a severe traumatic stress response undergo natural recovery. The present study investigated the role of cognitive processes in shaping the early reactions of child and adolescents to traumatic stressors, and the transition to persistent clinically significant post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study of youth aged 8–17 years who had attended a hospital emergency department following single trauma was undertaken, with assessments performed at 2–4 weeks (N = 226) and 2 months (N = 208) post‐trauma. Acute stress disorder and PTSD were assessed using a structured interview, while PTSS, depression severity and peritraumatic and post‐traumatic cognitive processes were assessed using self‐report questionnaires. On the basis of their PTSS scores at each assessment, participants were categorised as being on a resilient, recovery or persistent trajectory.

Results

PTSS decreased between the two assessments. Cognitive processes at the 2‐ to 4‐week assessment accounted for the most variance in PTSS at both the initial and follow‐up assessment. The onset of post‐traumatic stress was associated particularly with peritraumatic subjective threat, data‐driven processing and pain. Its maintenance was associated with greater peritraumatic dissociation and panic, and post‐traumatic persistent dissociation, trauma memory quality, rumination and negative appraisals. Efforts to deliberately process the trauma were more common in youth who experienced the onset of clinically significant PTSS. Regression modelling indicated that the predictive effect of baseline negative appraisals remained when also accounting for baseline PTSS and depression.

Conclusions

Cognitive processes play an important role in the onset and maintenance of PTSS in children and adolescents exposed to trauma. Trauma‐related appraisals play a particular role when considering whether youth make the transition from clinically significant acute PTSS to persistent PTSS.
Attitudes towards and experiences of ethical dilemmas in treatment decision‐making process among medical oncologists
Authors: Demir Kureci Hatice , Tanriverdi Ozgur , Ozcan Muesser
Published: March 2019

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes towards and experiences of ethical dilemmas in the treatment decision‐making process among medical oncologists who are the members of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was developed based on related literature. Between April 1 and May 1, 2016, questionnaires were electronically sent to 412 medical oncologists who were the members of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology. Overall, 125 of 412 medical oncologists (30.33%) filled the questionnaire.

Results

Most medical oncologists encountered dilemmas, such as a lack of comprehension among the patients and family members regarding the information provided, a lack of clarity regarding the identity and role of individuals in the decision‐making process, and demands for futile treatment. The most common problem (70.4%) was the lack of available clinical ethics consultancy services to guide medical oncologists when facing an ethical dilemma. Legal concerns regarding withholding or withdrawing futile treatments were high. More than half of the medical oncologists (56.8%) reported the preservation of the quality of life as their primary professional duty.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that medical oncologists tend to adopt an approach that respects patient autonomy and that adheres to the principle of proportionality rather than a paternalistic approach when facing ethical dilemmas. Within this context, we suggest an increased use of a multidisciplinary team approach, ethics consultancy services, and training programmes as well as the publication of ethical guidelines tailored to the oncology field.
Efficacy and safety of platelet‐rich plasma in treating cutaneous ulceration: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shen Zhen , Zheng Shengpeng , Chen Guoqian , Li Ding , Jiang Ziwei , Li Yue , Huang Feng
Published: March 2019

Background

The biological mechanisms underlying the use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), as well as the efficacy and possible adverse effects of PRP, have not yet been fully elucidated. Prior studies have evaluated PRP for cutaneous ulceration. However, the benefits from PRP still remain controversial and few have assessed the effects of ulceration etiologies. The purpose of our study is to determine the efficacy and safety of PRP and which kind of ulcer is more suitable for PRP by analyzing the effects of PRP on ulcers with different causes.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the application of PRP from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results

A total of nineteen RCTs (909 patients) were included. In contrast with conventional treatments, PRP achieved higher healing rate, higher percentage of area reduction, and smaller final area in vascular ulcers. However, the advantage disappeared in diabetic and pressure ulcers. Concerning adverse events, PRP showed lower incidence in the short term, but higher in the long term. No significant differences were found in ulcer closure velocity and healing time.

Conclusion

Platelet‐rich plasma effectiveness and safety in treating cutaneous ulceration depend on what is the ulceration etiology. For diabetic ulcers, PRP showed no satisfactory results suggesting that PRP may not be suitable for diabetic patients. However, PRP could be efficient and more beneficial for vascular ulcers and effects on pressure ulcers remain unclear. Thus, PRP option should be carefully considered for each patient in accordance with their ulceration etiologies.
How does temporal variation in habitat connectivity influence metapopulation dynamics?
Authors: Perry George L. W. , Lee Finnbar
Published: March 2019

Metapopulation persistence depends on connectivity between habitat patches. While emphasis has been placed on the spatial dynamics of connectivity, much less has been placed on its short‐term temporal dynamics. In many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, however, transient (short‐term) changes in connectivity occur as habitat patches are connected and disconnected due, for example, to climatic or hydrological variability. We evaluated the implications of transient connectivity using a network‐based metapopulation model and a series of scenarios representing temporal changes in connectivity. The transient loss of connectivity can influence metapopulation persistence, and more strongly autocorrelated temporal dynamics affect metapopulation persistence more severely. Given that many ecosystems experience short‐term and temporary loss of habitat connectivity, it is important that these dynamics are adequately represented in metapopulation models; failing to do so may yield overly optimistic‐estimates of metapopulation persistence in fragmented landscapes.
Different Paths: The Role of Immigrant Assimilation on Neighborhood Crime*
Authors: Disha Ilir
Published: March 2019

Objective

This article considers immigration a process that extends beyond numerical size. Processes of assimilation alter the effect of immigration on crime. That means the study is not concerned with direct but with contingent effects. The goal is to demonstrate how paths of segmented assimilation modify the effect of immigration on crime.

Methods

Combining a data set on neighborhood crime with U.S. Census demographic indicators, this study relies on zero‐inflated negative binomial regression models to examine variation in neighborhood levels of homicide and property offenses as a consequence of interactions between immigration size and assimilation patterns.

Results and Discussion

Immigrant assimilation moderates the effect of immigration size on crime. Controlling for neighborhood disadvantage, when the probability of downward assimilation is high, immigration size reduces neighborhood safety. When the probability is low, immigration size enhances it. The effects are more robust for homicide regression models with recent immigrants and immigrants with limited linguistic skills.

Conclusion

The analyses highlight the benefits of contingent models for understanding the relationship between immigration and crime.
Analysis of Accounting Information System Using Hot Fit Model Method in Indonesia Islamic Micro Financial Institutions
Authors: Iswanaji Chaidir
Published: March 2019

Financial institutions need to provide technology-based services that facilitate access to information for communities in remote areas. This research aims first, reviewing the use of mobile banking in improving the quality of reporting and expanding the reach of financial services; second, the practice of utilizing mobile banking for Islamic microfinance institutions in Indonesia; third, evaluating the implementation of the Islamic microfinance information system in Indonesia. The research method used in this study is descriptive quantitative, with a sample of 100 accountants. Descriptive analysis was aided by SPSS 21.0 software for Windows. The results of this study indicate that; first, Mobile banking is the right mechanism to improve the quality of reporting and make the services of Islamic microfinance institutions accessible to the poor in remote areas of Indonesia. Second, the practice of utilizing accounting information systems in Islamic microfinance institutions is already good. Third, Overall, the application of accounting information systems at Islamic microfinance institutions in Indonesia can have a positive effect on improving the services of Islamic microfinance institutions both individually accountants and organizations.
A Model of Adaptive Accountability for Innovations in an Academic Institution
Authors: Jamal Abu-Hussain , Tilchin Oleg
Published: March 2019

An academic institution has to encourage an innovation activity in order to meet the requirements of a modern, dynamic, and competitive environment. The innovation activity of the institution is engendered by instructors’ innovative intentions to create and assess the innovation proposals. However, there are challenges that prevents realization of the innovative intentions. The challenges are caused by lack a model that would shape process of revealing the effective proposals and building accountability for their development. The ASVA model including components “Accountability”, “Submission”, “Valuation”, and “Awarding” is suggested. The model provides: creation and assessment of the innovation proposals by the instructors, determination of the instructors’ accountability measures  for development of the innovation proposals, adaptation of the instructors’ accountability measures to the values of the innovation proposals, revelation of the key instructors who are creators the most valuable innovation proposals for attaining the current aim of the institution, formation of flexible collaboration groups by taking into consideration of willingness and ability of the proposal’s valuators to share accountability for the innovation proposal development with the proposal creator, and adjustment of the size of award received by the instructors to the values of the innovation proposals.
Is shear wave elastography relevant in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome?
Authors: Ertekin Ersen , Turan Ozgür Deniz , Tuncyurek Ozum
Published: March 2019

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Material and methods: Thirty-seven patients with PCOS diagnosis criteria were included in the study. Sixteen volunteer patients without hormonal disturbances and with normal menstrual cycles were evaluated as the control group. Gray scale ultrasonography (US) and SWE measurements in both ovaries were performed by a single radiologist who was blinded to the clinical and laboratory results.Results: The SWE measurements in PCOS group were 8.4±2.0 kPafor the right ovary and 9.4±3.9 kPa for the left ovary and in the control group 7.8±4.1 for the right ovary and 8.6±2.5 kPa for the left ovary. There was no statistically significant difference between the PCOS and the control group according to the SWE results (for right ovary p=0.356, for left ovary p=0.258, and total ovary p=0.293).Conclusions: The ovarian morphology isstill the most reliable imaging finding in the diagnosis of PCOS, although it is controversial especially among adolescents. Although the diagnostic efficacy of SWE is demonstrated in a variety of soft tissue lesions, we did not find any significant contribution of SWE to the diagnosis PCOS. Therefore, the promising value of elastography is yet to be defined for the diagnosis of PCOS.
On the use of modified phase transform weighting functions for acoustic imaging with the generalized cross correlation
Authors: Padois Thomas , Doutres Olivier , Sgard Franck
Published: March 2019

The generalized cross correlation (GCC) is an efficient technique for performing acoustic imaging. However, it suffers from important limitations such as a large main lobe width for noise sources with low frequency content or a high amplitude of side lobes for noise sources with high frequencies. Prefiltering operation of the microphone signals by a weighting function can be used to improve the acoustic image. In this work, two weighting functions based on PHAse Transform (PHAT) improvements are used. The first adds an exponent to the PHAT expression (ρ-PHAT), while the second adds the minimum value of the coherence function to the denominator (ρ-PHAT-C). Numerical acoustic images obtained with the GCC and those weighting functions are compared and quantitatively assessed thanks to a metric based on a covariance ellipse, which surrounds either the main lobe or the side lobes. The weighting function ρ-PHAT-C provides the smallest surface ellipses especially when the arithmetic of the GCC is replaced by the geometric mean (GEO). Experimental measurements are carried out in a hemi-anechoic room and a reverberant chamber where two loudspeakers were set in front of microphone array. The acoustic images obtained confirm that the ρ-PHAT-C with the GEO outperforms the GCC, GCC-PHAT, and GCC ρ-PHAT.
Measuring the Impact of Corrective Exercises on Ankle Function in Collegiate Female Soccer Players
Authors: Gutierrez Anna C. , Lininger Monica R.
Published: March 2019

Injuries to the ankle joint in soccer athletes are extremely common. Twenty-two female collegiate soccer athletes performed ankle corrective exercises for 3 months to attempt to establish and maintain optimal ankle joint function. The corrective exercises were devised to improve ankle range of motion (ROM) and Star-Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) scores. Statistically significant improvements were seen in ankle ROM and in the SEBT for the posteromedial, posterolateral, and composite reach portions of the test; the anterior reach direction failed to show significant changes. These results have clinical implications which suggest that corrective exercises may promote optimal ankle joint function and potentially reduce the risk of injury to the ankle.
The Effect of Dry Needling on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Mullins Jennifer F. , Nitz Arthur J. , Hoch Matthew C.
Published: March 2019

Clinical Scenario: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) and its associated recurrent sprains, feelings of instability, and decreased function occur in approximately 40% of individuals that suffer an ankle sprain. Despite these continued deficits, more effective treatment has yet to be established. Decreased sensorimotor function has been associated with CAI and may be amenable to dry needling treatment, thereby improving patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Focused Clinical Question: Does dry needling improve PROs in individuals with CAI? Summary of Key Findings: Two studies were identified that examined dry needling in participants with CAI. One of the two studies reported improvements in PROs (PEDro score 7/10) while the other study did not identify any changes (PEDro score 9/10). The inconsistent results were likely related to different treatment durations and follow-up timelines across the included evidence. Clinical Bottom Line: Based on the included studies, there is inconsistent evidence that dry needling can improve PROs in individuals with CAI. Strength of Recommendation: Utilizing the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) guidelines, level B evidence exists to recommend dry needling treatment to improve PROs for individuals with CAI.
Using Massage to Combat Fear-Avoidance and the Pain Tension Cycle
Authors: Hunt Emily R. , Baez Shelby E. , Olson Anne D. , Butterfield Timothy A. , Dupont-Versteegden Esther
Published: March 2019

Massage is a common therapeutic modality utilized by clinicians in a variety of settings to help treat injuries, reduce pain, and return function to patients. Massage benefits the patients both psychologically and physiologically, as patients report less pain and anxiety along with better mood and even decreased blood pressure following massage. Additionally, on the cellular level, massage has the ability to modulate the damaging inflammatory process and, in some cases, influence protein synthesis. Although massage has not been linked to a rehabilitation theory to date, this paper will propose how massage may influence fear-avoidance beliefs, or the patient’s inability to cope with pain that then leads to a pain tension cycle. Pain will often result in use avoidance, which creates muscle tension that further exacerbates the pain. Massage can affect the Fear-Avoidance Model because the beneficial effects of massage can break the cycle by either relieving the patient’s pain or eliminating the muscle tension. A modified Fear-Avoidance Model is presented that conceptualizes how pain and fear-avoidance lead to tension and muscle dysfunction. Massage has been incorporated into the model to demonstrate its potential for breaking the pain tension cycle. This model has the potential to be applied in clinical settings and provides an alternate treatment to patients with chronic pain who present with increased levels of fear-avoidance beliefs.
Effects of Real-Time Video Feedback on Plantar Pressure Measures in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability During Walking
Authors: Ifarraguerri Anna M. , Torp Danielle M. , Thomas Abbey C. , Donovan Luke
Published: March 2019

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been shown to have increased lateral plantar pressure during walking which is thought to contribute to symptoms associated with CAI. The objective of this study was to determine whether real-time video feedback can reduce lateral plantar pressure in individuals with CAI. Twenty-six participants with CAI completed 30 s of treadmill walking while plantar pressure was measured using an in-shoe plantar pressure system (baseline). Next, participants completed an additional 30 s of treadmill walking while receiving video feedback (VID FB). During the VID FB condition, participants had a significant decrease in medial forefoot peak pressure and medial midfoot pressure-time integral; however, both changes were associated with small effect sizes. Real-time video feedback did not reduce lateral plantar pressure in individuals with CAI; therefore, other gait retraining strategies should be considered when treating patients with CAI.
High-Throughput Screening and Identification of Potent Broad-Spectrum Inhibitors of Coronaviruses
Authors: Shen Liang , Niu Junwei , Wang Chunhua , Huang Baoying , Wang Wenling , Zhu Na , Deng Yao , Wang Huijuan , Ye Fei , Cen Shan , Tan Wenjie
Published: March 2019

Currently, there is no approved therapy to treat coronavirus infection; therefore, broad-spectrum inhibitors of emerging and endemic CoVs are needed. Based on our high-throughput screening assay using a compound library, we identified seven compounds with broad-spectrum efficacy against the replication of four CoVs
in vitro
. Additionally, one compound (lycorine) was found to protect BALB/c mice against HCoV-OC43-induced lethality by decreasing viral load in the central nervous system. This inhibitor might offer promising therapeutic possibilities for combatting novel CoV infections in the future.
Growth and longevity of Hawaiian grouper (Hyporthodus quernus) — input for management and conservation of a large, slow-growing grouper
Authors: Andrews Allen H. , DeMartini Edward E. , Brodziak Jon , Nichols Ryan S. , Humphreys Robert L.
Published: March 2019

Hawaiian grouper (Hyporthodus quernus) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is regionally important, yet little is known about its life history. This large species is managed within the Deep 7 bottomfish complex, which includes six snapper species that are assumed to have similar life history traits. Previous age estimates were not validated and suggested a maximum age of 34 years. To evaluate the preliminary study and provide a valid basis for life history parameters, we aged otoliths using bomb radiocarbon (14C) dating. Measured 14C values provided ages for smallest to largest fish that differed from the original study. The fundamental information provided here when evaluating Hawaiian grouper conservation status is longevity (valid to 50 years and estimated to 76 years) — no male sampled was <80 cm total length (TL) and younger than 34 years — and age-at-sexual maturity and age-at-sex change, which were indirectly estimated and compared with prior published estimates for this and other groupers. Updated life history parameters (k = 0.078, L∞ = 95.8 cm TL) should be used to improve future management and conservation assessments.