bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiking network optimized for noise robust word recognition approaches human-level performance and predicts auditory system hierarchy
Authors: Khatami Fatemeh , Escabí Monty A.
Published: January 2018

The auditory neural code is resilient to acoustic variability and capable of recognizing sounds amongst competing sound sources, yet, the transformations enabling noise robust abilities are largely unknown. We report that a hierarchical spiking neural network (HSNN) trained to maximize word recognition accuracy in noise and multiple talkers approaches human-level performance. Intriguingly, comparisons with data from auditory nerve, midbrain, thalamus and cortex reveals that the organization and nonlinear transformations of the optimal network predict several properties of the ascending auditory pathway including a sequential loss of temporal resolution, increasing sparseness and selectivity. The optimal organizational scheme is critical for noise robustness since an identical network arranged to enable high information transfer does not predict auditory pathway organization and has substantially poorer performance. Furthermore, conventional linear and nonlinear receptive field-based models fail to achieve similar noise robust performance. The findings suggest that the auditory pathway hierarchy and its sequential nonlinear feature extraction computations may form a near optimal code capable of efficiently detecting sounds in noise impoverished conditions.

Significance Statement

The brain’s ability to recognize sounds in the presence of competing sounds or background noise is essential for everyday hearing tasks. How the brain accomplishes noise resiliency, however, is poorly understood. Using neural recording from the ascending auditory pathway and an auditory spiking network model trained for optimal sound recognition in noise we explore the computational strategies that enable noise robustness. Our results suggest that the hierarchical organization of the auditory pathway and the resulting nonlinear transformations may form a near optimal strategy that is essential for sound recognition in the presence of noise.
Testing the phylogenetic gambit: how much functional diversity can we reliably conserve if we prioritize phylogenetic diversity?
Authors: Mazel Florent , Pennell Matthew W. , Cadotte Marc , Diaz Sandra , Dalla Riva Giulio Valentino , Grenyer Richard , Leprieur Fabien , Mooers Arne O. , Mouillot David , Tucker Caroline M. , Pearse William D.
Published: January 2018

In the face of the biodiversity crisis, it is argued that we should prioritize species in order to capture high functional diversity (FD). Because species traits often reflect shared evolutionary history, many researchers have advocated for a “phylogenetic gambit”: maximizing phylogenetic diversity (PD) should indirectly capture FD. For the first time, we empirically test this gambit using data from >15,000 vertebrate species and ecologically-relevant traits. Maximizing PD results in an average gain of 18% of FD relative to random choice. However, this average gain hides the fact that in over 1/3 of the comparisons, maximum PD sets contain less FD than randomly chosen sets of species. These results suggest that, while maximizing PD protection can help to protect FD, it represents a risky strategy.

Statement of authorship

FM, MP, MC, SD, GVDR, RG, AOM, CT and WP conceived the design of the study. FM and GVDR conducted the analysis. FM, RG, MP and WP interpreted the results and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors edited the final version.

Data accessibility statement

Most of the data is publicly available (see methods). The Fish data is available upon request.

Code accessibility statement

R functions developed in this paper are available at https://github.com/FloMazel/FD_PD_Max
Cross-feeding modulates antibiotic tolerance in bacterial communities
Authors: Adamowicz Elizabeth M. , Flynn Jeffrey , Hunter Ryan C. , Harcombe William R.
Published: January 2018

Microbes frequently rely on metabolites excreted by other bacterial species, but little is known about how this cross-feeding influences the effect of antibiotics. We hypothesized that when species rely on each other for essential metabolites, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all species will drop to that of the “weakest link” - the species least resistant in monoculture. We tested this hypothesis in an obligate cross-feeding system that was engineered betweenEscherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, andMethylobacterium extorquens. The effect of tetracycline and ampicillin were tested on both liquid and solid media. In all cases, resistant species were inhibited at significantly lower antibiotic concentrations in the cross-feeding community than in monoculture or a competitive community. However, deviation from the “weakest link” hypothesis was also observed in cross-feeding communities apparently as result of changes in the timing of growth and cross-protection. Comparable results were also observed in a clinically relevant system involving facultative cross-feeding betweenPseudomonas aeruginosaand an anaerobic consortium found in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.P. aeruginosawas inhibited by lower concentrations of ampicillin when cross-feeding than when grown in isolation. These results suggest that cross-feeding significantly alters tolerance to antibiotics in a variety of systems.
Multicenter validation of a sepsis prediction algorithm using only vital sign data in the emergency department, general ward and ICU
Authors: Mao Qingqing , Jay Melissa , Hoffman Jana , Calvert Jacob , Barton Christopher , Shimabukuro David , Shieh Lisa , Chettipally Uli , Fletcher Grant , Kerem Yaniv , Zhou Yifan , Das Ritankar
Published: January 2018

Objectives: We validate a machine learning-based sepsis prediction algorithm (InSight) for detection and prediction of three sepsis-related gold standards, using only six vital signs. We evaluate robustness to missing data, customization to site-specific data using transfer learning, and generalizability to new settings.
Design: A machine learning algorithm with gradient tree boosting. Features for prediction were created from combinations of only six vital sign measurements and their changes over time.
Setting: A mixed-ward retrospective data set from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center (San Francisco, CA) as the primary source, an intensive care unit data set from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA) as a transfer learning source, and four additional institutions' datasets to evaluate generalizability.
Participants: 684,443 total encounters, with 90,353 encounters from June 2011 to March 2016 at UCSF.
Interventions: none
Primary and secondary outcome measures: Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for detection and prediction of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.
Results: For detection of sepsis and severe sepsis, InSight achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.92 (95% CI 0.90 - 0.93) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.86 - 0.88), respectively. Four hours before onset, InSight predicts septic shock with an AUROC of 0.96 (95% CI 0.94 - 0.98), and severe sepsis with an AUROC of 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 - 0.91).
Conclusions: InSight outperforms existing sepsis scoring systems in identifying and predicting sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. This is the first sepsis screening system to exceed an AUROC of 0.90 using only vital sign inputs. InSight is robust to missing data, can be customized to novel hospital data using a small fraction of site data, and retained strong discrimination across all institutions.
A new look at multi-stage models of cancer incidence
Authors: Lian Tyler , Durrett Rick
Published: January 2018

Multi-stage models have long been used in combination with SEER data to make inferences about the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation. The main method for studying these models mathematically has been the computation of generating functions by solving hyperbolic partial differential equations. Here, we analyze these models using a probabilistic approach similar to the one Durrett and Moseley [7] used to study branching process models of cancer. This more intuitive approach leads to simpler formulas and new insights into the behavior of these models. Unfortunately, the examples we consider suggest that fitting multi-stage models has very little power to make inferences about the number of stages unless parameters are constrained to take on realistic values.
A three-dimensional staging system of mouse endometrial gland morphogenesis
Authors: Vue Zer , Gonzalez Gabriel , Stewart C. Allison , Mehra Shyamin , Behringer Richard R.
Published: January 2018

Endometrial or uterine glands secrete substances essential for uterine receptivity to the embryo, implantation, conceptus survival, development, and growth. Adenogenesis is the process of gland formation within the stroma of the uterus that occurs after birth. In the mouse, uterine gland formation initiates at postnatal day (P) 5. Subsequently, the developing uterine glands invade into the adjacent stroma. Mouse uterine gland morphology is poorly understood because it is based on two-dimensional (2D) histological observations. To more fully describe uterine gland morphogenesis, we generated three-dimensional (3D) models of postnatal uterine glands from P0 to P21, using light sheet microscopy. At birth (P0), there were no glands. At P8, we found bud- and teardrop-shaped epithelial invaginations. By P11, the forming glands were elongated epithelial tubes. By P21, the elongated tubes had a sinuous morphology. These morphologies are homogeneously distributed along the anterior-posterior axis of the uterus. To facilitate uterine gland analyses, we propose a novel 3D staging system of uterine gland morphology during postnatal development in the mouse. We define 6 stages: Stage 0: Aglandular, Stage 1: Bud, Stage 2: Teardrop, Stage 3: Elongated, Stage 4: Sinuous, and Stage 5: Primary Branches. This staging system provides a standardized key to assess and quantify uterine gland morphology that can be used for studies of uterine gland development and pathology. In addition, our studies suggest that gland formation initiation occurs during P8 and P11. However, between P11 and P21 gland formation initiation stops and all glands elongate and become sinuous.
Muscle stem cell intramuscular delivery within hyaluronan methylcellulose improves engraftment efficiency and dispersion
Authors: Davoudi Sadegh , Chin Chih-Ying , Cooke Michael C. , Tam Roger Y. , Shoichet Molly S. , Gilbert Penney M.
Published: January 2018

Adult skeletal muscle tissue harbors the capacity for self-repair due to the presence of tissue resident muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Advances in the area of prospective MuSC isolation demonstrated the potential of cell transplantation therapy as a regenerative medicine strategy to restore strength and long-term regenerative capacity to aged, injured, or diseased skeletal muscle tissue. However, cell loss during ejection, limits to post-injection proliferation, and poor donor cell dispersion distal to the injection site are amongst hurdles to overcome to maximize MuSC transplant impact. Here, we assess a physical blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) as a bioactive, shear thinning hydrogel cell delivery system to improve MuSC transplantation efficiency. Using in vivo transplantation studies, we found that the HAMC delivery system results in a >45% increase in the number of donor-derived fibers as compared to saline delivery. Furthermore, we observed a significant improvement in donor fiber dispersion when transplanted MuSCs were delivered in the HAMC hydrogel. Studies to assess primary myoblast and MuSC viability in HAMC culture revealed no differences compared to the media control even when the cells were first ejected through a syringe and needle or exposed to regenerating skeletal muscle extract to mimic the transplantation procedure. However, when we quantified absolute numbers, we found that more cells pass through the syringe and needle when delivered in HAMC. Culture in HAMC also increased the proportion of MuSCs in cell cycle, via a CD44-independent mechanism. An effect on myoblast proliferation was not observed, suggesting a hierarchical effect. Finally, a series of transplant studies indicated that HAMC delivery does not influence passive cell clearance or alter the host immune response, but instead may serve to support in vivo expansion by delaying differentiation following transplant. Therefore, we conclude that MuSC engraftment efficacy is improved by delivering the therapeutic cell population within HAMC.
Transcription factor dynamics reveals a circadian code for fat cell differentiation
Authors: Bahrami-Nejad Zahra , Zhao Michael L. , Tholen Stefan , Hunerdosse Devon , Tkach Karen E. , van Schie Sabine , Chung Mingyu , Teruel Mary N.
Published: January 2018

Glucocorticoid and other adipogenic hormones are secreted in mammals in circadian oscillations. Loss of this circadian oscillation pattern during stress and disease correlates with increased fat mass and obesity in humans, raising the intriguing question of how hormone secretion dynamics affect the process of adipocyte differentiation. By using live, single-cell imaging of the key adipogenic transcription factors CEBPB and PPARG, endogenously tagged with fluorescent proteins, we show that pulsatile circadian hormone stimuli are rejected by the adipocyte differentiation control system, leading to very low adipocyte differentiation rates. In striking contrast, equally strong persistent signals trigger maximal differentiation. We identify the mechanism of how hormone oscillations are filtered as a combination of slow and fast positive feedback centered on PPARG. Furthermore, we confirm in mice that flattening of daily glucocorticoid oscillations significantly increases the mass of subcutaneous and visceral fat pads. Together, our study provides a molecular mechanism for why stress, Cushing’s disease, and other conditions for which glucocorticoid secretion loses its pulsatility can lead to obesity. Given the ubiquitous nature of oscillating hormone secretion in mammals, the filtering mechanism we uncovered may represent a general temporal control principle for differentiation.

HIGHLIGHT

We found that the fraction of differentiated cells is controlled by rhythmic and pulsatile hormone stimulus patterns.

Twelve hours is the cutoff point for daily hormone pulse durations below which cells fail to differentiate, arguing for a circadian code for hormone-induced cell differentiation.

In addition to fast positive feedback such as between PPARG and CEBPA, the adipogenic transcriptional architecture requires added parallel slow positive feedback to mediate temporal filtering of circadian oscillatory inputs
Multi-regional Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease: Meta-analysis and data integration of transcriptomics data
Authors: Reza Karbalaei , Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani , Bahareh Torkzaban , Sadegh Azimzadeh
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with various deleterious perturbations in regulatory pathways of various brain regions. Thus, it would be critical to understanding the role of different regions of the brain in initiation and progression of AD, However, owing to complex and multifactorial nature of this disease, the molecular mechanism of AD has yet to be fully elucidated. To confront with this challenge, we launched a meta-analytical study of current transcriptomics data in four different regions of the brain in AD (Entorhinal, Hippocampus, Temporal and Frontal) with systems analysis of identifying involved signaling and metabolic pathways. We found different regulatory patterns in Entorhinal and Hippocampus regions to be associated with progression of AD. We also identified shared versus unique biological pathways and critical proteins among different brain regions. ACACB, GAPDH, ACLY, and EGFR were the most important proteins in Entorhinal, Frontal, Hippocampus and Temporal regions, respectively. Moreover, eight proteins including CDK5, ATP5G1, DNM1, GNG3, AP2M1, ALDOA, GPI, and TPI1 were differentially expressed in all four brain regions, among which, CDK5 and ATP5G1 were enriched in KEGG Alzheimer’s disease pathway as well.
Physiological protein blocks direct the Mre11–Rad50–Xrs2 and Sae2 nuclease complex to initiate DNA end resection
Authors: Reginato Giordano , Cannavo Elda , Cejka Petr
Published: January 2018

DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination is initiated by DNA end resection, which is commenced by the Mre11–Rad50–Xrs2 complex and Sae2 in yeast. Here we report that the nonhomologous end joining factor Ku limits the exonuclease activity of Mre11 and promotes its endonuclease to cleave 5′-terminated DNA strands at break sites. Following initial endonucleolytic cleavage past the obstacle, Exo1 specifically extends the resection track, leading to the generation of long 3′ overhangs that are required for homologous recombination. These experiments provide mechanistic insights into how short-range and long-range DNA end resection enzymes overcome obstacles near broken DNA ends to initiate recombination.
Mixed Ca/Sr salt forms of salicylic acid: tuning structure and aqueous solubility
Authors: Allan Pamela , Arlin Jean-Baptiste , Kennedy Alan R. , Walls Aiden
Published: January 2018

Ten isostructural single-crystal diffraction studies of mixed cation Ca/Sr salt forms of the salicylate anion are presented, namelycatena-poly[[diaquacalcium(II)/strontium(II)]-bis(μ2-2-hydroxybenzoato)], [Ca1–xSrx(C7H5O3)2(H2O)2]n, wherex= 0, 0.041, 0.083, 0.165, 0.306, 0.529, 0.632, 0.789, 0.835 and 1. The structure of an isostructural Sr/Ba species, namelycatena-poly[[diaquastrontium(II)/barium(II)]-bis(μ2-2-hydroxybenzoato)], [Sr0.729Ba0.271(C7H5O3)2(H2O)2], is also described. The Ca/Sr structures form a series where, with increasing Sr content, the unit cell expands in both the crystallographicaandcdirections (by 1.80 and 3.18%, respectively), but contracts slightly in thebdirection (−0.31%). The largest percentage structural expansion lies parallel to the direction of propagation of the one-dimensional coordination polymer that is the primary structural feature. This structural expansion is thus associated with increasedM—O distances. Aqueous solubility measurements show that solubility generally increases with increasing Sr content. Thus, tuning the composition of these mixed counter-ion salt forms leads to systematic structural changes and allows solubility to be tuned to values between those for the pure Ca and Sr species.
PRISM-EM: template interface-based modelling of multi-protein complexes guided by cryo-electron microscopy density maps. Corrigendum
Authors: Kuzu Guray , Keskin Ozlem , Nussinov Ruth , Gursoy Attila
Published: January 2018

A revised Table 6 and Supporting Information are provided for the article by Kuzuet al.[(2016),Acta Cryst.D72, 1137–1148].
Testing a dynamic model of the impact of psychological capital on work engagement and job performance
Authors: Alessandri Guido , Consiglio Chiara , Luthans Fred , Borgogni Laura
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Psychological Capital (PsyCap), consisting of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism, is a positive state associated with attitudes, behaviors and performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a dynamic mediational model posing work engagement as the mediator of the longitudinal relation between PsyCap and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data came from all white collar employees who responded to this study’s variables (n=420) from a comprehensive data set drawn from a large communications service company over two consecutive years. Job performance was rated at the end of each year by the direct supervisor as part of the organizational appraisal system.

Findings

Structural equation modeling analysis found that both absolute levels and increases in PsyCap predicted subsequent work engagement increases which in turn predicted job performance increases. Moreover, the mediating role of the changes in work engagement between previous PsyCap and performance change was confirmed over time.

Research limitations/implications

There is much to gain in conceptualizing the relations among PsyCap, work engagement and job performance as dynamic, rather than static. The results support the conservation of resources theory, in which employees are motivated to acquire, protect and foster their valued (psychological) resources to attain successful performance outcomes, in order to create a gain cycle of resources (Salanova et al., 2010). Moreover, it provide further empirical validation for the idea that processes, like work engagement, are sustained by personal resources, and that these latter exerts mostly an indirect effect on organizational behavior outcomes (Xanthopoulouet al., 2009b).

Practical implications

These results are important from a practical point of view, because they point to the importance of training interventions aimed at developing and sustaining PsyCap as an important determinant of workers’ motivation and behavior within the organization. Considerable literature offers practical insights and guidelines for developing PsyCap (Luthanset al., 2006, 2015; Luthans and Youssef-Morgan, 2017).

Originality/value

Despite the demonstrated state-like, dynamic nature of PsyCap, its relationship with performance has mainly been statically analyzed and the role of possible mediating mechanisms largely ignored. This study begins to fill this research gap by investigating the dynamic nature of PsyCap in relation to work engagement and job performance and whether over time engagement mediates the relationship between PsyCap and job performance.
The informativeness of short sellers: an insider’s perspective
Authors: Gao George , Ma Qingzhong , Ng David
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine whether corporate insiders extract information from activity of outsiders, specifically the short sellers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using portfolio approach and Fama-MacBeth regressions, this study examines the relation between short interest and subsequent insider trading activities.

Findings

The following results are reported. First, there is a strong inverse relation between short selling and subsequent insider trading, which is partially due to common private information and same target firm characteristics. Second, insiders extract information from shorts. This information extraction effect is more pronounced for firms whose insiders have stronger incentives to extract shorts information (insider purchases, higher short sale constraints, and better information environments). Third, during the September 2008 shorting ban, the information extraction affect disappeared among the large banned firms, whose shorting activities were distorted.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contradict the of-cited accusations corporate executives hold against short sellers. Instead, corporate insiders appear to trade in the same direction as suggested by shorting activities.

Practical implications

Among the vocal critics of short sellers are corporate insiders, who allege that short sellers beat down their stock prices. Many corporations even engage in stock repurchases to show confidence that the stock will perform well going forward despite the short sellers’ actions. This paper’s analysis on their personal portfolios suggests the other way around.

Originality/value

By focusing on how corporate insider trading is related to shorts information, this paper sheds new light on whether corporate decisions convey the true information the corporate insiders possess.
How logistics performance is affected by supply chain relationships
Authors: Aharonovitz Miriam Catarina Soares , Vidal Vieira José Geraldo , Suyama Suzi Sanae
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of logistics collaboration, meetings, relationship history, and supplier selection on the logistics performance of shippers, carriers, and logistics services providers. Rather than focusing on collaboration and performance, the research provides a wide analysis of how logistics collaboration and performance interact with other organizational practices.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the interaction among the constructs, the authors proposed a structural equation model to understand the influence of meetings, relationship history, supplier selection, and collaboration on logistics performance. The data were obtained through a survey of 199 managers of Brazilian companies in the retail sector.

Findings

Supplier selection has the strongest effect on logistics collaboration, and relationship history has the strongest effect on logistics performance. Rather than meetings and operational features, the elements of interpersonal skills, organizational culture, and communication appear to be the most important contributors to logistics performance achievements; relationship history leads to better performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our understanding of how and with whom to collaborate by highlighting the relationships among supplier selection, relationship history, meetings, and logistics collaboration and logistics performance.
Health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers abroad
Authors: Adhikary Pratik , Sheppard Zoë A. , Keen Steven , Teijlingen Edwin van
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Although South Asia is a growing supplier of migrant labour, there is a paucity of research on the health and well-being of male Nepalese migrant workers. The purpose of this paper is to assess the health and mental well-being of Nepalese construction and factory workers employed in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire administered, in and around Nepal’s international airport, to 403 migrants who had worked for over six months in their host countries. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with self-reported health status and mental health symptoms.

Findings

Over 13 per cent reported poor or very poor health and nearly a quarter reported mental health issues. Whilst age and exercise were significantly associated with health status, poor work environments and perceived health risks were associated with both mental health issues and health status.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to males only and those working in the factories and the construction industry. To improve migrant health and mental well-being, Nepalese and host governments should consider mandatory health insurance and a range of pre-departure and arrival education around general literacy, mental health assessments and workplace health and safety.

Originality/value

There have been no known studies on the health and well-being of Nepalese migrant construction and factory workers in the Middle East and Malaysia. The strong association between self-reported poor health and perceived work environment is an important issue that policy makers in Nepal and destination countries should address.
Violence and aggression towards staff in secure settings
Authors: Greenwood Annette , Braham Louise
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to undertake a systematic literature review to appraise the current evidence relating to the factors associated with violence and aggression in adult psychiatric hospital inpatient settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search of following four databases was conducted: Scopus, PsychINFO Medline, CIHAHL and PsychArticle. Following the application of the inclusion criteria, ten papers were extracted and included in the review. A quality appraisal tool, Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2011 (Pluye et al., 2011), was employed for the appraisal of the qualitative and quantitative studies. MMAT has been designed for systematic literature reviews that include qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies. Of these, eight were of quantitative methodology and two were of qualitative studies.

Findings

These ten papers provide an insight into factors associated with violence and aggression towards nursing staff. Three main themes were identified: the environment, attitudes/interaction of staff, and the patient’s mental illness. The themes were important factors in the causes of violence but were interlinked highlighting the complex nature of violence towards nursing staff. The findings support the need for training for nursing staff and the development of ongoing support and for organisations to consider both the environment and the restrictive procedures to help reduce violence and aggression towards nursing staff.

Practical implications

The paper concludes by outlining the importance of considering the three main themes for clinical practice, training and development of secure services.

Originality/value

This paper gives insight into the factors associated with patient violence and aggression towards nursing staff in a secure setting.
Perceived cultural distance in intercultural service encounters: does customer participation matter?
Authors: Ang Tyson , Liou Ru-Shiun , Wei Shuqin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate if perceived cultural distance (PCD) negatively affects service quality and customer satisfaction through customers’ social judgements of the service providers’ warmth and competence in intercultural service encounters (ICSE), and if this negative effect can be mitigated through customer participation (CP).

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 between-subjects experimental design with an online consumer panel was conducted using a series of intercultural service encounter scenarios (in the weight loss service context) to manipulate CP (high vs low) and pictures of service providers to induce PCD (high vs low).

Findings

As hypothesized, in the context of ICSE, PCD negatively impacts customers’ social judgements of the service providers’ warmth and competence, which in turn influence service quality and customer satisfaction. However, the negative impact of PCD is alleviated when the level of CP is high.

Research limitations/implications

Using a single service context (weight loss services) may restrict the generalizability of findings. Future research may explore other service contexts.

Practical implications

To improve customers’ experience, managers in service firms with multicultural customers may create more engagement opportunities by designing the service delivery process in ways in which more CP and involvement is allowed.

Originality/value

This research is among the first to highlight the importance of consumers’ social judgements about culturally dissimilar service providers, which at baseline come with disadvantages but that can be altered through marketing actions (e.g. enhanced CP).
Characterisation and application of pigmented UV-curable inkjet inks
Authors: Hakeim Osama Abdel , Arafa Asmaa Ahmed , Zahran Magdy Kandil , Abdou Laila Abdel Wahab
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare ultra-violet (UV)-curable inkjet inks for textile printing application. The influence of both type and component ratio of monomer/oligomer on the quality of the desired viscosity range is studied. Moreover, the effect of pigment/resin ratio on the rheological behaviour of the ink has been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Aqueous dispersions of nanoscale organic pigments were prepared through ball milling and ultrasonication. The dispersed pigments were encapsulated into UV-curable resin via miniemulsion technique, using different types and component ratios of monomers and oligomers.

Findings

It was found that the monomer/oligomer ratio of 2:3 and the pigment/resin ratio of 2:1 gave the most stable miniemulsion dispersions and provided the most suitable rheological range for inkjet printing inks.

Research limitations/implications

As the rheology of the ink is optimised, most of the problems associated with the jetting process could be avoided.

Practical implications

This method of using UV-curable encapsulated inks eliminates the usage of binders, which are the principal factor for nozzle clogging of the print head. In addition, binders are responsible for the coarse handle of the printed textiles.

Social implications

The UV-curable inks were viewed as a green technology by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Originality/value

This method is simple and fast and requires low cost. In addition, it could find numerous applications in surface coating.
Gomisin A modulates aging progress via mitochondrial biogenesis in human diploid fibroblast cells
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Seok , Jeong Seon‐Hwa , Han Sin‐Hee , Yi Ho‐Keun
Published: January 2018

Gomisin A from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis has many pharmacological properties, including hepato‐protective, anti‐diabetic, and anti‐oxidative stress. However, the potential benefit of gomisin A is still not well understood, especially in aging progression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify whether the promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy of gomisin A affects anti‐aging progression, and its mechanism. Intermediate (PD32) human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cells were brought to stress‐induced premature senescence (SIPS) using hydrogen peroxide. Gomisin A inhibited reactive oxygen species production even in the SIPS‐HDF cells. Gomisin A was also able to attenuate the activity of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase and the production of pro‐inflammatory molecules in the SIPS as well as aged HDF cells. The antioxidant activity of gomisin A was determined by recovering the Cu/Zn, Mn‐SOD, and HO‐1 expression in the SIPS‐HDF cells. In mechanistic aspect, gomisin A inhibited the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and the translocation of nuclear factor kappa B to the nucleus. In addition, gomisin A promoted the autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis factors through the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor‐2, and inhibited aging progression in the SIPS‐HDF cells. In summary, the enhanced properties of mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy of gomisin A has a benefit to control age‐related molecules against SIPS‐induced chronic oxidative stress, and gomisin A may be a potential therapeutic compound for the enhancement of intracellular homeostasis to aging progression.
Transformation of Diplonema papillatum, the type species of the highly diverse and abundant marine microeukaryotes Diplonemida (Euglenozoa)
Authors: Kaur Binnypreet , Valach Matus , Peña‐Diaz Priscila , Moreira Sandrine , Keeling Patrick J. , Burger Gertraud , Lukeš Julius , Faktorová Drahomíra
Published: January 2018

Diplonema papillatum is the type species of diplonemids, which are among the most abundant and diverse heterotrophic microeukaryotes in the world's oceans. Diplonemids are also known for a unique form of post‐transcriptional processing in mitochondria. However, the lack of reverse genetics methodologies in these protists has hampered elucidation of their cellular and molecular biology. Here we report a protocol for D. papillatum transformation. We have identified several antibiotics to which D. papillatum is sensitive and thus are suitable selectable markers, and focus in particular on puromycin. Constructs were designed encoding antibiotic resistance markers, fluorescent tags, and additional genomic sequences from D. papillatum to facilitate vector integration into chromosomes. We established conditions for effective electroporation, and demonstrate that electroporated constructs can be stably integrated in the D. papillatum nuclear genome. In D. papillatum transformants, the heterologous puromycin resistance gene is transcribed into mRNA and translated into protein, as determined by Southern hybridization, reverse transcription, and Western blot analyses. This is the first documented case of transformation in a euglenozoan protist outside the well‐studied kinetoplastids, making D. papillatum a genetically tractable organism and potentially a model system for marine microeukaryotes.
In sickness and in health: the longitudinal associations between marital dissatisfaction, depression and spousal health
Authors: Woods Sarah B. , Priest Jacob B. , Signs Tara L. , Maier Candice A.
Published: January 2018

The present study explored how spouses’ reports of marital dissatisfaction (independent variable) are associated with depression symptoms (mediator) and physical health (dependent variable) over time. Data were from the Marriage Matters Panel Survey (Nock et al., ). We used autoregressive cross‐lagged models to test temporal connections between variables for newlywed husbands, wives and couples (N=707 couples) at Waves 1, 2 and 3, spanning five years. Results indicated physical health is an important predictor, as are wives’ depression symptoms and husbands’ marital dissatisfaction (all three demonstrate partner effects). However, the effects of health are no longer observed at Time 2. For wives there is a reciprocal relationship between marital dissatisfaction and depression symptoms; for husbands, marital dissatisfaction leads to increased depression. This study provides additional support that marital dissatisfaction, depression and physical health are interrelated across time.

Practitioner points

Assessment and treatment using a biopsychosocial approach is critical to fully understanding connections between marriage, depression and health for couples

Repeated assessment of marital dissatisfaction in couple therapy may be necessary, as effects of dissatisfaction are corrosive over time and predict other areas of wellbeing

Attending to and exploring gender differences in couples may be helpful, as links between marital dissatisfaction, depression and health vary for men and women
Perception of artificial conspecifics by bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: FROHNWIESER Anna , PIKE Thomas W. , MURRAY John C. , WILKINSON Anna
Published: January 2018

Artificial animals are increasingly used as conspecific stimuli in animal behavior research. However, researchers often have an incomplete understanding of how the species under study perceives conspecifics, and, hence, which features are needed for a stimulus to be perceived appropriately. To investigate the features that bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) attend to, we measured their lateralized eye use when assessing a successive range of stimuli. These ranged through several stages of realism in artificial conspecifics, to see how features such as color, the presence of eyes, body shape and motion influence behavior. We found differences in lateralized eye use depending on the sex of the observing bearded dragon and the artificial conspecific, as well as the artificial conspecific's behavior. Therefore, this approach can inform the design of robotic animals that elicit biologically‐meaningful responses in live animals.
Climate Sensitivity of Phosphorus Loadings to an Urban Stream
Authors: Munson Kate M. , Vogel Richard M. , Durant John L.
Published: January 2018

We investigate the sensitivity of phosphorus loading (mass/time) in an urban stream to variations in climate using nondimensional sensitivity, known as elasticity, methods commonly used by economists and hydrologists. Previous analyses have used bivariate elasticity methods to represent the general relationship between nutrient loading and a variable of interest, but such bivariate relations cannot reflect the complex multivariate nonlinear relationships inherent among nutrients, precipitation, temperature, and streamflow. Using fixed‐effect multivariate regression methods, we obtain two phosphorus models (nonparametric and parametric) for an urban stream with high explanatory power that can both estimate phosphorus loads and the elasticity of phosphorus loading to changes in precipitation, temperature, and streamflow. A case study demonstrates total phosphorus loading depends significantly on season, rainfall, combined sewer overflow events, and flow rate, yet the elasticity of total phosphorus to all these factors remains relatively constant throughout the year. The elasticity estimates reported here can be used to examine how nutrient loads may change under future climate conditions.
Impaired Treg and NK cells profile in overweight women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lobo Thalita Frutuoso , Borges Camila de Moraes , Mattar Rosiane , Gomes Caio Perez , de Angelo Ana Geisa Santos , Pendeloski Karen Priscilla Tezotto , Daher Silvia
Published: January 2018

Problem

Maternal obesity is frequently associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and immunological mechanisms seem to be involved in the physiopathology of these conditions. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of immune cells in peripheral blood of overweight women with GDM.

Method of Study

This case‐control study included 27 glucose‐tolerant (controls) and 31 GDM overweight pregnant women. Flow cytometry was used to assess the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood. In addition, the expression of IL‐10, TGF‐B, and TNF‐A in Treg and expression of IFN‐G, TNF‐A, granzyme, and perforin in NK cells were analyzed.

Results

GDM patients had significantly lower frequency of TCD4+CD25bright and TCD4+CD25+FOXP3high cells, higher production of TNF‐A by Treg cells and higher percentage of NKCD16+56dim cells than the controls.

Conclusion

The association between obesity and GDM is a condition where it is observed impaired Treg and NK cells profile, findings that seem to be related with the development of IR and inflammation.
Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in adults: Results from an international survey
Authors: Barbarot S. , Auziere S. , Gadkari A. , Girolomoni G. , Puig L. , Simpson E. L. , Margolis D. J. , de Bruin‐Weller M. , Eckert L.
Published: January 2018

Background

There are gaps in our knowledge of the prevalence of adult atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of AD in adults and by disease severity.

Methods

This international, cross‐sectional, web‐based survey was performed in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Japan. Adult members of online respondent panels were sent a questionnaire for AD identification and severity assessment; demographic quotas ensured population representativeness for each country. A diagnosis of AD required subjects to be positive on the modified UK Working Party/ISAAC criteria and self‐report of ever having an AD diagnosis by a physician. The proportion of subjects with AD who reported being treated for their condition was determined and also used to estimate prevalence. Severity scales were Patient‐Oriented SCORAD, Patient‐Orientated Eczema Measure, and Patient Global Assessment.

Results

Among participants by region, the point prevalence of adult AD in the overall/treated populations was 4.9%/3.9% in the US, 3.5%/2.6% in Canada, 4.4%/3.5% in the EU, and 2.1%/1.5% in Japan. The prevalence was generally lower for males vs females, and decreased with age. Regional variability was observed within countries. Severity varied by scale and region; however, regardless of the scale or region, proportion of subjects reporting severe disease was lower than mild or moderate disease.

Conclusions

Prevalence of adult AD ranged from 2.1% to 4.9% across countries. Severe AD represented a small proportion of the overall AD population regardless of measure or region.
Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment: OECD Activities on the Development and Use of Adverse Outcome Pathways and Case Studies
Authors: Sakuratani Yuki , Horie Masashi , Leinala Eeva
Published: January 2018

The Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) works with member countries and other stakeholders to improve and harmonize chemical assessment methods. In 2012, the OECD Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) Development Programme started. The Programme has published six AOPs thus far and more than 60 AOPs are under various stages of development under the Programme. This article reviews recent OECD activities on the use of AOPs in developing Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessments (IATAs). The guidance document for the use of AOPs in developing IATA, published in 2016, provides a framework for developing and using IATA and describes how IATA can be based on an AOP. The guidance document on the reporting of defined approaches to be used within IATA, also published in 2016, provides a set of principles for reporting defined approaches to testing and assessment to facilitate their evaluation. In the guidance documents, the AOP concept plays an important role for building IATA approaches in a science‐based and transparent way. In 2015, the IATA Case Studies Project was launched to increase experience with the use of IATA and novel hazard methodologies by developing case studies, which constitute examples of predictions that are fit‐for‐regulatory use. This activity highlights the importance of international collaboration for harmonizing and improving chemical safety assessment methods.
Immigration, political trust, and Brexit – Testing an aversion amplification hypothesis
Authors: Abrams Dominic , Travaglino Giovanni A.
Published: January 2018

A few weeks prior to the EU referendum (23rd June 2016) two broadly representative samples of the electorate were drawn in Kent (the south‐east of England, N = 1,001) and Scotland (N = 1,088) for online surveys that measured their trust in politicians, concerns about acceptable levels of immigration, threat from immigration, European identification, and voting intention. We tested an aversion amplification hypothesis that the impact of immigration concerns on threat and identification would be amplified when political trust was low. We hypothesized that the effect of aversion amplification on voting intentions would be mediated first by perceived threat from immigration, and then by (dis) identification with Europe. Results in both samples were consistent with this hypothesis and suggest that voters were most likely to reject the political status quo (choose Brexit) when concerns that immigration levels were too high were combined with a low level of trust in politicians.
Aquablation therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a single‐centre experience in 47 patients
Authors: Desai Mihir M. , Singh Abhishek , Abhishek Shashank , Laddha Abhishek , Pandya Harshad , Ashrafi Akbar N. , Ganpule Arvind P. , Roehrborn Claus G. , Thomas Andrew J. , Desai Mahesh , Sabnis Ravindra B.
Published: January 2018

Objective

To report procedure process improvements and confirm the preserved safety and short‐term effectiveness of a second‐generation Aquablation device for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 47 consecutive patients at a single institution.

Patients and Methods

Aquablation was performed in 47 patients with symptomatic BPH at a single institution. Baseline, peri‐operative and 3‐month urinary function data were collected.

Results

The mean (range) patient age was 66 (50–79) years, and transrectal ultrasonography‐measured prostate volume was 48 (20–118) mL. A median lobe was present in 25 patients (53%) and eight patients had catheter‐dependent urinary retention. The mean (range) total procedure time was 35 (13–128) min and the tissue resection time was 4 (1–10) min. Five Clavien–Dindo grade I/II and five Clavien–Dindo grade III complications were recorded in eight patients. The mean (range) hospital stay was 3.1 (1–8) days and the mean (range) duration of urethral catheterization was 1.9 (1–11) days. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) decreased from 24.4 at baseline to 5 at 3 months; IPSS quality‐of‐life score decreased from 4.5 to 0.3 points; peak urinary flow rate increased from 7.1 to 16.5 mL/s and post‐void residual urine volume decreased from 119 to 43 mL (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study confirmed procedure process improvements resulting from system enhancements, with preservation of safety and effectiveness during use of a second‐generation device for the treatment of LUTS attibutable to BPH in the largest single‐institution study conducted to date.