bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hot and bothered: effects of elevated Pco2and temperature on juvenile freshwater mussels
Authors: Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Hannan Kelly D. , Hasler Caleb T. , Suski Cory D.
Published: March 2018

Multiple environmental stressors may interact in complex ways to exceed or diminish the impacts of individual stressors. In the present study, the interactive effects of two ecologically relevant stressors [increased temperature and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pco2)] were assessed for freshwater mussels, a group of organisms that are among the most sensitive and rapidly declining worldwide. The individual and combined effects of elevated temperature (22°C–34°C) and Pco2(~230, 58,000 µatm) on juvenile Lampsilis siliquoidea were quantified over a 5- or 14-day period, during which physiological and whole animal responses were measured. Exposure to elevated temperature induced a series of physiological responses, including an increase in oxygen consumption rates following 5 days of exposure at 31°C and an increase in carbonic anhydrase ( ca) and heat shock protein 70 mRNA levels following 14 days of exposure at 28°C and 34°C, respectively. Treatment with elevated Pco2activated acid-base regulatory responses including increases in CA and Na+-K+-ATPase activity and a novel mechanism for acid-base regulation during Pco2exposure in freshwater mussels was proposed. Thermal and CO2stressors also interacted such that responses to the thermal stressor were diminished in mussels exposed to elevated Pco2, resulting in the greatest level of mortality. Additionally, larger mussels were more likely to survive treatment with elevated Pco2and/or temperature. Together, exposure to elevated Pco2may compromise the ability of juvenile freshwater mussels to respond to additional stressors, such as increased temperatures, highlighting the importance of considering not only the individual but also the interactive effects of multiple environmental stressors.
Functional transport of organic anions and cations in the murine mesonephros
Authors: Lawrence Melanie L. , Smith James R. , Davies Jamie A.
Published: March 2018

The mesonephros of mammals is a transient renal structure that contributes to various aspects of mammalian fetal development, including the male reproductive system, hematopoietic stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells. The mesonephros develops from the intermediate mesoderm and forms tubules that are segmented in a similar way to the nephrons of the permanent kidney (but lacking loops of Henle). Early studies have suggested that the mesonephros in marsupials and some placental mammals may perform an excretory function, but these studies have not directly shown active transport of organic anions and cations. Excretory function in the rodent mesonephros has not been investigated. Functional characterization of the earliest stages of mammalian renal development is important for our understanding of congenital disease and may help to inform the growing field of renal tissue engineering. Here, we use live uptake and efflux assays in vitro to show that the murine mesonephros is able to transport organic anions and cations through specific transporters from early in its development. Transcript analysis suggests that there are subtle differences between the transporters involved in uptake and efflux by the murine permanent metanephric tubules and by the mesonephric tubules. These data suggest that the mammalian mesonephros can provide an excretory function for the early developing embryo, in addition to the excretory function provided by the placenta.
Inward rectifier potassium current IKir promotes intrinsic pacemaker activity of thalamocortical neurons
Authors: Amarillo Yimy , Tissone Angela I. , Mato Germán , Nadal Marcela S.
Published: March 2018

Slow repetitive burst firing by hyperpolarized thalamocortical (TC) neurons correlates with global slow rhythms (<4 Hz), which are the physiological oscillations during non-rapid eye movement sleep or pathological oscillations during idiopathic epilepsy. The pacemaker activity of TC neurons depends on the expression of several subthreshold conductances, which are modulated in a behaviorally dependent manner. Here we show that upregulation of the small and neglected inward rectifier potassium current IKir induces repetitive burst firing at slow and delta frequency bands. We demonstrate this in mouse TC neurons in brain slices by manipulating the Kir maximum conductance with dynamic clamp. We also performed a thorough theoretical analysis that explains how the unique properties of IKir enable this current to induce slow periodic bursting in TC neurons. We describe a new ionic mechanism based on the voltage- and time-dependent interaction of IKir and hyperpolarization-activated cationic current Ih that endows TC neurons with the ability to oscillate spontaneously at very low frequencies, even below 0.5 Hz. Bifurcation analysis of conductance-based models of increasing complexity demonstrates that IKir induces bistability of the membrane potential at the same time that it induces sustained oscillations in combination with Ih and increases the robustness of low threshold-activated calcium current IT-mediated oscillations.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The strong inwardly rectifying potassium current IKir of thalamocortical neurons displays a region of negative slope conductance in the current-voltage relationship that generates potassium currents activated by hyperpolarization. Bifurcation analysis shows that IKir induces bistability of the membrane potential; generates sustained subthreshold oscillations by interacting with the hyperpolarization-activated cationic current Ih; and increases the robustness of oscillations mediated by the low threshold-activated calcium current IT. Upregulation of IKir in thalamocortical neurons induces repetitive burst firing at slow and delta frequency bands (<4 Hz).
An Open Architecture Framework for Electronic Warfare Based Approach to HLA Federate Development
Authors: Kang HyunSeo , Sung YoonJe , Kwon HyoungJun , Yoon SugJoon , Choi SangYeong
Published: March 2018

A variety of electronic warfare models are developed in the Electronic Warfare Research Center. An Open Architecture Framework for Electronic Warfare (OAFEw) has been developed for reusability of various object models participating in the electronic warfare simulation and for extensibility of the electronic warfare simulator. OAFEw is a kind of component-based software (SW) lifecycle management support framework. This OAFEw is defined by six components and ten rules. The purpose of this study is to construct a Distributed Simulation Interface Model, according to the rules of OAFEw, and create Use Case Model of OAFEw Reference Conceptual Model version 1.0. This is embodied in the OAFEw-FOM (Federate Object Model) for High-Level Architecture (HLA) based distributed simulation. Therefore, we design and implement EW real-time distributed simulation that can work with a model in C++ and MATLAB API (Application Programming Interface). In addition, OAFEw-FOM, electronic component model, and scenario of the electronic warfare domain were designed through simple scenarios for verification, and real-time distributed simulation between C++ and MATLAB was performed through OAFEw-Distributed Simulation Interface.
Emodin Alleviates Liver Fibrosis of Mice by Reducing Infiltration of Gr1hi Monocytes
Authors: Zhao Xiang-An , Chen Guangmei , Liu Yong , Wu Hongyan , Chen Jin , Xiong Yali , Tian Chen , Jia Bei , Wang Guiyang , Xia Juan , Chen Yuxin , Wang Jian , Yan Xiaomin , Zhang Zhaoping , Huang Rui , Wu Chao
Published: March 2018

Emodin, as a major active component of Rheum palmatum L. and Polygonum cuspidatum, has been reported to have antifibrotic effect. However, the mechanism of emodin on antifibrotic effect for liver fibrosis was still obscure. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether emodin can alleviate carbon tetrachloride‐ (CCl4‐) induced liver fibrosis through reducing infiltration of Gr1hi monocytes. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal CCl4 injection in mice. Mice in the emodin group received emodin treatment by gavage. Pretreatment with emodin significantly protected mice from liver inflammation and fibrosis revealed by the decreased elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as reduced hepatic necrosis and fibrosis by analysis of hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and collagen‐I immunohistochemistry staining. Further, compared to CCl4 group, mice in the emodin group showed significantly less intrahepatic infiltration of Gr1hi monocytes. Moreover, emodin significantly inhibited hepatic expression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), granulin (GRN), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), and chemokine ligand 7 (CCL7), which was in line with the decreased numbers of intrahepatic Gr1hi monocytes. In conclusion, emodin can alleviate the degree of liver fibrosis by reducing infiltration of Gr1hi monocytes. These results suggest that emodin is a promising candidate to prevent and treat liver fibrosis.
Peridynamic Model for the Numerical Simulation of Anchor Bolt Pullout in Concrete
Authors: Lu Jiezhi , Zhang Yaoting , Muhammad Habib , Chen Zhijun
Published: March 2018

Predictive simulation of anchor pullout from concrete structures is not only a serious problem in structural mechanics but also very important in structural design safety. In the finite element method (FEM), the crack paths or the points of crack initiation usually need to be assumed in advance. Otherwise, some special crack growth treatment or adaptive remeshing algorithm is normally used. In this paper, an extended peridynamic method was introduced to avoid the difficulties found in FEM, and its application on anchor bolt pullout in plain concrete is studied. In the analysis, the interaction between the anchor bolt and concrete is represented by a modified short-range force and an extended bond-level model for concrete is developed. Numerical analysis results indicate that the peak pullout load obtained and the crack branching of the anchoring system agreed well with the experimental investigations.
Identification of CRKII, CFL1, CNTN1, NME2, and TKT as Novel and Frequent T-Cell Targets in Human IDH-Mutant Glioma
Authors: Dettling Steffen , Stamova Slava , Warta Rolf , Schnölzer Martina , Rapp Carmen , Rathinasamy Anchana , Reuss David , Pocha Kolja , Roesch Saskia , Jungk Christine , Warnken Uwe , Eckstein Volker , Grabe Niels , Schramm Christoph , Weigand Markus A. , von Deimling Andreas , Unterberg Andreas , Beckhove Philipp , Herold-Mende Christel
Published: March 2018

Purpose: Successful immunotherapies for IDHmut gliomas require better knowledge of T-cell target antigens. Here, we elucidated their antigen repertoire recognized by spontaneous T-cell responses using an unbiased proteomic approach.

Experimental Design: Protein fractionations of tissue lysates from IDHmut gliomas (n = 4) were performed. Fractions were tested by IFNγ ELISpot assay for recognition through patients' T cells. Proteins of immunogenic fractions were identified by mass spectrometry and validated by in silico-predicted synthetic long peptides in patients of origin, additional IDHmut glioma patients (n = 16), and healthy donors (n = 13). mRNA and protein expression of immunogenic antigens was analyzed in tumor tissues and IDHmut glioma stem-like cells (GSC). HLA-A*02–restricted T-cell epitopes were functionally determined by short peptides and numbers of antigen-specific T cells by HLA-peptide tetramer analysis.

Results: A total of 2,897 proteins were identified in immunogenic tumor fractions. Based on a thorough filter process, 79 proteins were selected as potential T-cell antigens. Twenty-six of these were recognized by the patients’ T cells, and five of them (CRKII, CFL1, CNTN1, NME2, and TKT) in up to 56% unrelated IDHmut glioma patients. Most immunogenic tumor-associated antigens (TAA) were expressed in IDHmut gliomas and GSCs, while being almost absent in normal brain tissues. Finally, we identified HLA-A*02–restricted epitopes for CRKII, NME2, and TKT that were recognized by up to 2.82% of antigen-specific peripheral cytotoxic T cells in IDHmut glioma patients.

Conclusions: By analyzing the repertoire of T-cell target antigens in IDHmut glioma patients, we identified five novel immunogenic TAAs and confirmed their expression on IDHmut tumors and GSCs. Clin Cancer Res; 24(12); 2951–62. ©2018 AACR.
How Safe Is the Administration of Long-Acting Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Cancer Patients?
Authors: Geissler Klaus , Gunzer Matthias , Ostermann Helmut
Published: March 2018

Long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) preparations are increasingly used in the management of chemotherapy-associated neutropenia. Due to the fact that they only need to be administered once following chemotherapy, they are more convenient for patients and easier to use in the clinical routine for physicians than short-term G-CSF preparations. Although the efficacy of these growth factors is generally accepted, there remains some concern regarding their safety. In this article we address safety concerns for long-acting growth factors by providing basic information and available data around important clinical issues that may be helpful for the decision to use or not to use these factors in individual clinical situations. After a critical review of the literature, regarding theoretical considerations based on the physiology of hematopoiesis, data from clinical studies show that long-acting G-CSF preparations can be applied safely in approved indications and are broadly beneficial for patients at risk undergoing chemotherapy.
Research on Asteroids of Christian Ludwig Gerling and His Students in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Remchin Julia , Schrimpf Andreas
Published: March 2018

One of the major topics in astronomy at the beginning of the nineteenth century was the interpretation of the observations of the first asteroids. In 1810, Christian Ludwig Gerling at the age of 22 came to Göttingen University to continue his academic studies. Supervised by Carl Friedrich Gauß at the observatory, he was engaged in studies of theoretical and practical astronomy. Starting in 1812, Gerling accepted the responsibility for collecting observational data of the asteroid Vesta from the European observatories and for calculating the ephemeris of this new minor planet. In 1817, Gerling was appointed professor at Marburg University. One of his early astronomical projects in Marburg was his contribution to the Berliner Akademische Sternkarten. After completion of his observatory in 1841, Gerling’s students started observing and theoretically analysing the orbits of the continuously newly discovered asteroids including the perturbation of the larger solar system bodies. The observations at Gerling’s observatory are the first astrometric measurements of solar system’s minor bodies of Hesse.
David Gill FRS (1843–1914): The Making of a Royal Astronomer
Authors: Reid John S.
Published: March 2018

David Gill was an outstanding astronomer over several decades at the end of the nineteenth and into the early twentieth century. He was famous for his observational accuracy, for his painstaking attention to detail, and for his hands-on knowledge of the fine points of astronomical instrumentation. Astronomy, though, was a second professional career for David Gill. This account maps out the surprising and unusual path of David Gill’s life before he became Her Majesty’s Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope. It covers aspects of his education, his horological career, his employment by Lord Lindsay to oversee the Dunecht observatory, his personal expedition to Ascension Island and his appointment as Her Majesty’s Astronomer at the age of 34. The account includes local detail and images not found in the main biography of David Gill. It ends with some detail of Gill’s continuing interest in clocks after his appointment.
A Treatise on the Construction of Astrolabes by Jacob ben Abi Abraham Isaac al-Corsuno (Barcelona, 1378): Edition, Translation and Commentary
Authors: Rodríguez-Arribas Josefina
Published: March 2018

Corsuno’s treatise on the astrolabe (Barcelona, 1378) is extant in only one Hebrew manuscript preserved at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich. This text, which is a set of instructions for constructing an astrolabe, is, according to Corsuno’s words, a translation of the Arabic treatise that he devoted to the same topic in Seville in 1376, which is not extant. The text presents original traits in relation to contemporary astrolabe sources and certainly in relation to Hebrew sources on the astrolabe. The article analyses Corsuno’s contribution to the field of astrolabe literature in Hebrew and presents the Hebrew edition and translation of his astrolabe text (the Hebrew edition available in the Hebrew appendices, in the online version of JHA).
Technical note: A histochemical approach in diagnosing hanging mechanical asphyxia on cadavers undergoing advanced putrefactive phenomena
Authors: Maghin Francesca , Andreola Salvatore A , Boracchi Michele , Gentile Guendalina , Maciocco Francesca , Muccino Enrico , Zoja Riccardo
Published: March 2018

The authors used a particular protocol on putrefied corpses to highlight the cutaneous furrow. Two groups of cadavers were selected: in the first group (suicide by hanging mechanical asphyxia), the authors sampled cutaneous lozenges on the furrow still macroscopically recognisable, while in the second group (corpses deceased by different means), we sampled cutaneous lozenges in the hypostatic leaning. All specimens were divided in two: one underwent standard fixation while the other, previously rehydrated in Sandison’s solution, was then fixed in formalin. All specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Resorcin-Fuchsin. Samples processed with formalin and the H&E staining underlined various artifacts; vice versa, the Sandison solution associated with Resorcin-Fuchsin staining demonstrated the compression of the elastic fibres, with focal positivity in hanged corpses, and diffuse positivity in the entire hypostatic leaning. Sandison’s rehydrating solution and Resorcin-Fuchsin staining exalt the supposed application of an asphyctic mean even on putrefied corpses in those cases burdened by a diagnostic doubt.
Effects of Multimedia Framed Messages on Human Papillomavirus Prevention Among Adolescents
Authors: Tu Yu-Ching , Lin Yi-Jung , Fan Lir-Wan , Tsai Tung-I , Wang Hsiu-Hung
Published: March 2018

The purposes of this study were to develop gain-framed (benefits of performing behaviors) and loss-framed (costs of not performing behaviors) messages and to identify the effects of these messages on human papillomavirus (HPV)–related cervical cancer awareness and vaccination intention. Self-administered questionnaires and effect-size measurements were used to evaluate the effects of the framed HPV vaccination messages delivered through multimedia. The results showed that gain-framed and loss-framed messages equally improved HPV knowledge ( d = 2.147-2.112) and attitude toward HPV vaccination ( d = 0.375-0.422). The intent to receive HPV vaccinations for cervical cancer prevention was higher in the two intervention groups ( d = 0.369-0.378) in which the participants were informed that public funding for the vaccination was available. Participants who received loss-framed HPV education messages paid statistically significantly more attention to health education and expressed more concern for sexual health than participants who received gain-framed HPV education messages.
Global institutions and local filtering: Introducing independent directors to Taiwanese corporate boards
Authors: Chung Chi-Nien , Kim Young-Choon
Published: March 2018

Drawing on the idea of selective interaction between organizations and environments, the authors examine how organizations change their traditional practices when they are exposed to new institutional environments. In the context of corporate governance change in response to financial market globalization, they argue that global institutional influence is moderated by local corporate control contexts that function as filtering mechanisms. The authors empirically analyse the adoption of a new corporate governance practice, i.e., the initial introduction of independent directors, in Taiwanese public firms, where family governance has been a dominant governance model. The findings suggest that while firms exposed to US capital markets are more likely to adopt independent directors, this facilitating effect weakens when the firms are under strong family control and is amplified when they are unbound from local frameworks through the key leader’s education or their geographic context.
Transnational intersectionality and domestic work: The production of Ugandan intersectional racialized and gendered domestic worker regimes
Authors: Christian Michelle , Namaganda Assumpta
Published: March 2018

Domestic work has evolved and adapted in the global South in distinctive racialized and gendered forms as a result of neoliberal economic restructuring. With the case of Uganda, this article applies a transnational intersectionality framework to neoliberal economic restructuring to identify how domestic worker regimes are produced. A transnational intersectionality approach spotlights the translocation of diverse Ugandan domestic workers embedded within the structural forces of economic organization, reproductive labor, state policies, and geography. Drawing from extensive fieldwork from three regions of Uganda, the study’s two main findings document: (1) the production of an intersectional racialized domestic worker regime as a consequence of the Ugandan aid state; and (2) the production of an intersectional gendered domestic worker regime supported by the weakening and underfunding of social development policies in the Ugandan national budget. These regimes show how race, gender, and regional demarcations of domestic work intersect in distinct forms connected to restructuring. A transnational intersectionality approach exposes the diversity of patterns in reproductive labor in Uganda.
Identifying Classroom Friendships: Teachers’ Confidence and Agreement With Children
Authors: Meyer Lori E. , Ostrosky Michaelene M.
Published: March 2018

We conducted an exploratory study to investigate teachers’ confidence and agreement with children when teachers and children identified close classroom friendships. Participants comprised six kindergarten teachers and 110 children, including 26 children with disabilities. Data were gathered from a friendship nomination questionnaire completed by teachers and a friendship nomination task completed by children. On average, teachers accurately identified one peer that a target child also named as a “best friend.” Teachers also identified children selected as “very best friends” for 59% of their students when using a less conservative definition of very best friendship. Teachers reported being confident in identifying friendships, on average, for 39% of their class. However, greater confidence did not equate with more accurate reports. Although teachers were slightly more confident in their friendship reports for children with disabilities, they were also less accurate. Implications for supporting friendship development and future research are discussed.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome preceding a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Samarghandi Arash , Ahuja Shradha , Jindal Vishal , Gupta Sorab , Fulger Ilmana
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare condition characterized by eosinophilia and organ destruction secondary to eosinophilic infiltration. The coexistence of primary B-cell lymphoma and hypereosinophilic syndrome is extremely rare. We present a case of HES that preceded the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Case report:

A 70-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of diarrhea and 30-pound weight loss. Complete blood count showed a white blood cell count of 7452/µL with eosinophils of 42% (absolute eosinophil count 3130). Colonoscopy showed eosinophilic infiltrate in the lamina propria and muscularis mucosa. Bone marrow biopsy showed elevated myeloid: erythroid ratio (6:1), increased mature and immature eosinophilic infiltration (10% of nucleated cells). Molecular studies were negative for Fip1-like1-platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (FIP1L1-PDGFRA) translocation and PDGFRB and FGFR mutations, indicating nonclonal eosinophilia. Treatment was initiated with prednisone (1 mg/kg) and hydroxyurea 500 mg twice daily. He responded with complete resolution of symptoms. Five months later, the patient presented with right lower quadrant pain. Abdominal/pelvis computed tomography (CT) showed bulky right inguinal lymphadenopathy and biopsy revealed CD10+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Further staging workup showed the stage to be IIB. He received 6 cycles of chemotherapy and involved field radiation therapy. He achieved complete remission.

Conclusion:

Reviewing the literature indicates only one case of similar presentation with concomitant HES and DLBCL. Eosinophilia is routinely encountered in clinical practice and as such physicians must be aware of the rarer, more malevolent underlying associations of this condition so as to aid early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
The evolving landscape of criteria for evaluating tumor response in the era of cancer immunotherapy: From Karnofsky to iRECIST
Authors: Inno Alessandro , Lo Russo Giuseppe , Salgarello Matteo , Corrao Giulia , Casolino Raffaella , Galli Giulia , Modena Alessandra , Romano Luigi , Pusceddu Sara , Greco Francesca Gabriella , Garassino Marina Chiara , Gori Stefania
Published: March 2018

The objective response is an important endpoint to evaluate clinical activity of new anticancer drugs. Standardized criteria for evaluating response are needed for comparing results of different trials and represent the basis for advances in cancer therapy. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 are the most used in clinical practice and in clinical trials; however, they are not able to capture atypical responses seen with immunotherapy drugs. We describe the evolution of response criteria with a special focus on the immune-related criteria.
Spatial and temporal patterns of economic segregation in Sweden’s metropolitan areas: A mobility approach
Authors: Östh John , Shuttleworth Ian , Niedomysl Thomas
Published: March 2018

The statistical resources at hand for segregation research are usually almost exclusively confined to annual or decennial records where the only available spatial information is the individual’s place of residence. This coarse temporal periodicity and spatial resolution provides a very limited account of people’s diurnal lives. Incorporating mobility and temporal dimensions in segregation analysis is advocated within a growing body of research but there has rarely been sufficient data to make this possible. In this paper, we employ a fine-grained mobile phone dataset outlining the daily mobility of a substantial sample of the residents in Sweden’s metropolitan areas. Combining spatial trajectory data with detailed socio-economic residential statistics, we are able to study how everyday spatial mobility in cities shapes the segregation experiences of people and changes the segregation levels of places. Results indicate that while mobility alleviates segregation for some individuals, the population of a large number of areas remain highly segregated even when daily mobility is taken into account. Individuals residing or spending time in central urban areas are more exposed to individuals from other areas because of daily moves to these central places. Daytime movement to central areas also reduces segregation significantly for people from places remote from city centres but with high average levels of mobility whilst daytime segregation levels remain close to their original night-time levels in low-mobility areas in the outskirts of the cities.
Demand-side policy: Global evidence base and implementation patterns
Authors: Warren Peter
Published: March 2018

Demand-side management (DSM) policy refers to government policies for managing energy consumption in order to meet environmental and energy security objectives. The broader term of demand-side management encompasses energy efficiency, demand response and on-site generation and storage. A comprehensive meta-evaluation of the global evidence base for demand-side policy is lacking in the literature, and this paper contributes to filling this research gap. The paper focuses on the quality of the evidence base and policy implementation patterns and identifies 30 countries and 36 sub-national states across six continents that have implemented demand-side management policies and produced high-quality ex-post evaluations of those policies. The 690 high-quality evaluations are primarily conducted by industry rather than by governments or academia. The results show that 12 types of individual demand-side management policy and 9 demand-side management policy packages have been implemented and evaluated, and that carbon emissions reduction is the primary driver for demand-side management policies. The evidence base is greatest in the USA, the UK, California, France and China, and alternative utility business models (such as performance targets and decoupling policies), information campaigns, loans and subsidies, utility obligations and performance standards are the most commonly implemented and evaluated policies. This paper argues that demand-side policy will play an increasingly important role as a complement to low carbon activities on the supply-side in the transition to a more environmentally sustainable energy system.
“Where is the love?” Topics and prosocial behavior in German popular music lyrics from 1954 to 2014
Authors: Ruth Nicolas
Published: March 2018

Many content analyses have investigated the content of popular music, but as yet no one has looked for references to prosocial behavior in the lyrics. There are no quantitative content analyses of prosocial content in popular music, although we know that many musicians are concerned with social engagement, the environment, equal rights, and many other prosocial behaviors. To investigate which topics are the most prevalent in popular music lyrics and how frequently these refer to prosocial behavior, a content analysis was performed on 588 songs appearing in the German yearly charts from 1954 to 2014. The major interest of songwriters seems to be love, which was found in 57% of the songs; this was the most common topic found. References to prosocial behavior were found in 3.74% of the songs. Prosocial behavior usually appeared in songs dealing with social or political topics.
Ambient Air Exposure to PCBs: Regulation and Monitoring at Five Contaminated Sites in EPA Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5
Authors: Basra Komal , Scammell Madeleine K. , Benson Eugene B. , Heiger-Bernays Wendy
Published: March 2018

Existing regulations seek to protect the public from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food, water, and soil. Exposure to PCBs in ambient air has recently been given explicit consideration in the human health risk assessments that form the basis of risk management decisions at contaminated sites. The objective of this paper is to examine how ambient air exposure to PCBs is regulated and monitored at five contaminated sites in the United States. We reviewed online accessible materials (including Environmental Protection Agency-site specific websites, data repositories, and other agency websites). Results indicate that the five sites vary in regard to the measured PCB concentrations in air, the sampling and monitoring methodologies, and the established site-specific guidelines/standards and their basis. We conclude that current practices may not adequately protect those living or working near these sites from airborne PCB exposure and that regulations should include recognition of exposure to indoor sources.
Oral Health–Related Quality of Life of Children Born With Orofacial Clefts in Ethiopia and Their Parents
Authors: Abebe Mekonen Eshete , Deressa Wakgari , Oladugba Victoria , Owais Arwa , Hailu Taye , Abate Fikre , Hailu Abiye , Demissie Yohannes , Degu Shiferaw , Alemayehu Bezuwork , Gessesse Mulualem , Deribew Milliard , Gravem Paul Egl , Mossey Peter , Butali Azeez
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To assess the oral health–related quality of life (OH-RQoL) using a translated standardized measure in an understudied population of Ethiopian children born with orofacial clefts (OFCs) and their parents.

Methods:

Using a descriptive study design, we assessed the OH-RQoL of 41 patients with OFCs between the ages of 8 and 17 years and their parents. Participants received multidisciplinary cleft care from 2008 to 2016. They completed an Amharic translation of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP).

Results:

There was strong internal reliability with the translated COHIP for parents and patients. Parents’ COHIP scores ranged from 67 to 186, and patients’ scores were 78 to 190. The mean for patients and parents was 155, indicating good OH-RQoL.

Conclusion:

The Amharic translation of the COHIP appears appropriate for use with families in Ethiopia. Both parents and patients reported OH-RQoL at similar levels as other international populations.
Taking the Test Taker’s Perspective: Response Process and Test Motivation in Multidimensional Forced-Choice Versus Rating Scale Instruments
Authors: Sass Rachelle , Frick Susanne , Reips Ulf-Dietrich , Wetzel Eunike
Published: March 2018

The multidimensional forced-choice (MFC) format has been proposed as an alternative to the rating scale (RS) response format. However, it is unclear how changing the response format may affect the response process and test motivation of participants. In Study 1, we investigated the MFC response process using the think-aloud technique. In Study 2, we compared test motivation between the RS format and different versions of the MFC format (presenting 2, 3, 4, and 5 items simultaneously). The response process to MFC item blocks was similar to the RS response process but involved an additional step of weighing the items within a block against each other. The RS and MFC response format groups did not differ in their test motivation. Thus, from the test taker’s perspective, the MFC format is somewhat more demanding to respond to, but this does not appear to decrease test motivation.
Complementary Versus Competitive Framing Effects in the Context of Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors
Authors: Detenber Benjamin H. , Ho Shirley S. , Ong Adeline H. , Lim Nigel W. B.
Published: March 2018

This study examined the effects of complementary and competitive framing environments on people’s support for and attitudes toward pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and green energy technologies (GETs). Results suggest that frames have different effects on attitudes and policy support. Relative to the control group, complementary anti-climate action frames lowered attitudes toward PEBs and GETs. Competitive frames led to attitudes toward GETs that were significantly different from the complementary pro- and anti-frame conditions. For policy support, significant differences were found between the complementary pro- and anti-frames, and between the competitive and complementary pro-climate action frames for PEBs.
The Effect of Hospice on Hospital Admission and Readmission Rates: A Review
Authors: Treece Jennifer , Ghouse Mustafa , Rashid Saima , Arikapudi Sowminya , Sankhyan Pratyaksha , Kohli Varun , O’Neill Luke , Addo-Yobo Emmanuel , Bhattad Venugopal , Baumrucker Steven J.
Published: March 2018

Symptom control may become challenging for terminally ill patients as they near the end of life. Patients often seek hospital admission to address symptoms, such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and restlessness. Alternatively, palliative medicine focuses on the control and mitigation of symptoms, while allowing patients to maintain their quality of life, whether in an outpatient or inpatient setting. Hospice care provides, in addition to inpatient care at a hospice facility or in a hospital, the option for patients to receive symptom management at home. This option for symptom control in the outpatient setting is essential to preventing repeated and expensive hospital readmissions. This article discusses the impact of hospice care on hospital readmission rates.
Focal Congenital Hyperinsulinism as a Cause for Sudden Infant Death
Authors: Chinoy Amish , Banerjee Indraneel , Flanagan Sarah E , Ellard Sian , Han Bing , Mohamed Zainab , Dunne Mark J , Bitetti Stefania
Published: March 2018

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the commonest cause of persistent and severe hypoglycemia in infancy due to unregulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Prompt early diagnosis is important, as insulin reduces glucose supply to the brain, resulting in significant brain injury and risk of death. Histologically, CHI has focal and diffuse forms; in focal CHI, an inappropriate level of insulin is secreted from localized β-cell hyperplasia. We report a 4-month-old male infant, who presented with sudden illness and collapse without a recognized cause and died. Postmortem examination revealed pancreatic histopathology compatible with focal CHI. Immunofluoresence staining showed limited expression of p57kip2 β-cells reinforcing the diagnosis. Mutation testing for genes associated with CHI from DNA from the focal lesion was negative. This case highlights the recognition of focal CHI as a possible cause for sudden infant death. In children dying suddenly and unexpectedly, postmortem pancreatic sections should be carefully examined for focal CHI.
Revisiting James March (1991): Whither exploration and exploitation?
Authors: Wilden Ralf , Hohberger Jan , Devinney Timothy M. , Lavie Dovev
Published: March 2018

We revisit March’s seminal 1991 article, “Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning”, and analyze the impact it has had on scholarly thinking, providing a comprehensive and structured review of the extensive and diverse research inspired by this publication. We show that although this influence has changed significantly over the years, there are still unexplored opportunities left by this seminal work. Our approach enables us to identify promising directions for future research that reinforce the themes anchored in March’s article. In particular, we call for reconnecting current research to the behavioral roots of this article and uncovering the microfoundations of exploration and exploitation. Our analysis further identifies opportunities for integrating this framework with resource-based theories and considering how exploration and exploitation can be sourced and integrated within and across organizational boundaries. Finally, our analysis reveals prospects for extending the notions of exploration and exploitation to new domains, but we caution that such domains should be clearly delineated. We conclude with a call for further research on the antecedents of exploration and exploitation and for studying their underexplored dimensions.
What attitude should parents have towards their children’s future flourishing?
Authors: Wolbert Lynne S. , de Ruyter Doret J. , Schinkel Anders
Published: March 2018

This article explores how parents should relate to a particular (ideal) aim of education, namely, their children’s future flourishing lives. The article asks three (sub)questions: (1) What does ‘aiming for flourishing’ mean? (2) In what sense should parents have expectations? (3) Is hope an appropriate attitude for parents with regard to their children’s flourishing lives? It is argued that although there is also a place for expectations, an attitude of hope best captures how parents should relate to the educational aim of flourishing. Hope not only refers to the commitment and desire of realizing the object of one’s hope but also implies a recognition of the limitations of human powers and of the uncertainties inherent in striving for an ultimate aim.
Elevated Body Mass Index Is Not a Risk Factor for Adverse Outcomes Following Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Hullmann Jonathan E. , Mather Paul J.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Despite ventricular assist devices (VADs) becoming more common in heart failure (HF) treatment, it is still uncertain which patients are more prone to complications. One potential risk factor is increased body mass index (BMI), which is known to increase both all-cause mortality and mortality from ischemic heart disease; however, the role of the BMI in predicting morbidity and mortality following device implantation is unclear.

Methods:

The study population for this single-institution retrospective chart review consisted of 136 patients with HF, who underwent VAD implantation between 2004 and 2015. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their BMI: a nonobese group (18.5 < BMI < 30.0; n = 82) or an obese group (BMI >30.0; n = 54). These groups were compared at baseline and after implantation for survival, hospital readmission, and adverse events.

Results:

No significant difference was found in initial hospital length of stay, number or length of readmissions, or readmission diagnosis. At 1 year, rates of ongoing device support, orthotopic heart transplant (OHT), and death were not significantly different between groups ( P = .89, P = .90, and P = .70, respectively). Multivariate analysis did not identify obesity as an independent predictor of mortality ( P = .90); only biventricular assist device implantation was associated with decreased survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.90, P = .002).

Conclusion:

Obesity in itself should not preclude the use of VAD support in patients with HF, as carefully selected obese patients were shown to have similar rates of hospital readmission, 1-year outcomes, and survival following device implantation compared to nonobese patients.
Advances in sensing and processing methods for three-dimensional robot vision
Authors: He Yu , Chen Shengyong
Published: March 2018

In this article, we survey the recent developments of sensing methods in three-dimensional robot vision, centering on the current three-dimensional sensors and core techniques embedded in robotic systems. Over 8000 publications have reported rather wide application areas of three-dimensional robot vision in the last 40 years, such as human–robot interaction, object recognition, three-dimensional modeling, object tracking, searching and surveillance, as well as robot manipulation, localization, navigation, mapping, and path planning. Representative works and future research trends are also addressed in this article.
Inclusion of mental health in global economic development
Authors: Ng Chee H. , Goodenow Maureen M. , Greenshaw Andrew J. , Upshall Phil , Lam Raymond W.
Published: March 2018

The APEC Mental Health Roadmap has a vision to strengthen mental health and reduce the economic impact of mental illness in the Asia Pacific. To facilitate its implementation, the APEC Digital Hub will heighten exchange and dissemination of best practices in Asia Pacific mental health partnerships, and increase multi-sectoral recognition to invest in mental health to support economic growth.
Consumption of traditional alcoholic beverages in children from a rural village in Northern Peru, 2017
Authors: Ramírez-Ubillus Juan M. , Vilela-Estrada Martín A. , Herrera-Arce Shirley A. , Mejía-Morales Estefany , Mejia Christian R.
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Alcoholic beverages have a proven impact on neuronal development and other areas of the body, primarily the heart, kidneys and liver, which is why their consumption in children is prohibited. However, there are traditional drinks that have alcohol content (Chicha de Jora-Clarito); artisanal drinks of traditional origin with alcoholic content in Peru. The aim of this study was to characterize the consumption of traditional alcoholic beverages in children of a rural village in Northern Peru.

Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional study. Mothers were recruited by census sampling and reported the consumption by their children of two traditional drinks with alcoholic content: Chicha de Jora (Ch) and Clarito (Cl), which are derived from the fermentation of maize. The frequency of consumption, accessibility and perception of consumption risk were described.

Results: Data were collected about 300 children, 61% (183) of whom consumed Ch. and 31% (92) of whom consumed Ch and Cl. Regarding drink accessibility, the majority of mothers said that these drinks were cheap (Ch: 69.0% and Cl: 60.7%). Additionally, the vast majority of families sometimes consumed or always consumed such beverages (Ch: 81.3% and CI: 65.7%). One in three mothers perceived Ch and Cl as being nutritious and helping their children grow. 25% of mothers perceived that there was no risk to their children from the consumption of the beverages, whereas >60% said that there could be a risk due to the beverages’ alcohol content.

Conclusions: Our study found that traditional beverages containing alcohol are consumed frequently by children in a village in Northern Peru. Mothers provide accessibility to the beverages and perceive the risk the drinks have, which will more accurately evaluate this risk. We advise that future studies concerning the intervention of these attitudes are performed, for a better future and development of children.