bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Containing Emerging Epidemics: a Quantitative Comparison of Quarantine and Symptom Monitoring
Authors: Peak Corey M , Childs Lauren M , Grad Yonatan H , Buckee Caroline O
Published: September 2016

Strategies for containing an emerging infectious disease outbreak must be non-pharmaceutical when drugs or vaccines for the pathogen do not yet exist or are unavailable. The success of these non-pharmaceutical strategies will depend not only on the effectiveness of quarantine or other isolation measures but also on the epidemiological characteristics of the infection. However, there is currently no systematic framework to assess the relationship between different containment strategies and the natural history and epidemiological dynamics of the pathogen. Here, we compare the effectiveness of quarantine and symptom monitoring, implemented via contact tracing, in controlling epidemics using an agent-based branching model. We examine the relationship between epidemic containment and the disease dynamics of symptoms and infectiousness for seven case study diseases with diverse natural histories including Ebola, Influenza A, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). We show that the comparative effectiveness of symptom monitoring and quarantine depends critically on the natural history of the infectious disease, its inherent transmissibility, and the intervention feasibility in the particular healthcare setting. The benefit of quarantine over symptom monitoring is generally maximized for fast-course diseases, but we show the conditions under which symptom monitoring alone can control certain outbreaks. This quantitative framework can guide policy-makers on how best to use non-pharmaceutical interventions to contain emerging outbreaks and prioritize research during an outbreak of a novel pathogen.

SIGNIFICANCE

Quarantine and symptom monitoring of contacts with suspected exposure to an infectious disease are key interventions for the control of emerging epidemics; however, there does not yet exist a quantitative framework for comparing the control performance of each. Here, we use a mathematical model of seven case study diseases to show how the choice of intervention is influenced by the natural history of the infectious disease, its inherent transmissibility, and the intervention feasibility in the particular healthcare setting. We use this information to identify the most important characteristics of the disease and setting that need to be characterized for an emerging pathogen in order to make an informed decision between quarantine and symptom monitoring.
Behavioral tagging and the penumbra of learning
Authors: Gershman Samuel J.
Published: September 2016

In noisy, dynamic environments, organisms must distinguish genuine change (e.g., the movement of prey) from noise (e.g., the rustling of leaves). Expectations should be updated only when the organism believes genuine change has occurred. Although individual variables can be highly unreliable, organisms can take advantage of the fact that changes tend to be correlated (e.g., movement of prey will tend to produce changes in both visual and olfactory modalities). Thus, observing a change in one variable provides information about the rate of change for other variables. We call this thepenumbra of learning.At the neural level, the penumbra of learning may offer an explanation for why strong plasticity in one synapse can rescue weak plasticity at another (synaptic tagging and capture). At the behavioral level, it has been observed that weak learning of one task can be rescued by novelty exposure before or after the learning task. Here, using a simple number prediction task, we provide direct behavioral support for the penumbra of learning in humans, and show that it can be accounted for by a normative computational theory of learning.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 plays distinct roles at the mRNA entry and exit channels of the ribosomal preinitiation complex
Authors: Aitken Colin Echeverría , Beznosková Petra , Vlčkova Vladislava , Chiu Wen-Ling , Zhou Fujun , Valášek Leoš , Hinnebusch Alan G. , Lorsch Jon R.
Published: September 2016

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) is a central player in recruitment of the pre-initiation complex (PIC) to mRNA. We probed the effects on mRNA recruitment of a library ofS. cerevisiaeeIF3 functional variants spanning its 5 essential subunits using an in vitro-reconstituted system. Mutations throughout eIF3 disrupt its interaction with the PIC and diminish its ability to accelerate recruitment to a native yeast mRNA. Alterations to the eIF3a CTD and eIF3b/i/g significantly slow mRNA recruitment, and mutations within eIF3b/i/g destabilize eIF2·GTP·Met-tRNAibinding to the PIC. Using model mRNAs lacking contacts with the 40S entry or exit channels, we uncover a critical role for eIF3 requiring the eIF3a NTD, in stabilizing mRNA interactions at the exit channel, and an ancillary role at the entry channel requiring residues of the eIF3a CTD. These functions are redundant: defects at each channel can be rescued by filling the other channel with mRNA.
Thewhitegene controls copulation success inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Xiao Chengfeng , Qiu Shuang , Robertson R Meldrum
Published: September 2016

Characteristics of male courtship behavior inDrosophila melanogasterhave been well-described, but the genetic basis of male-female copulation is largely unknown. Here we show that thewhite(w) gene, a classical gene for eye color, is associated with copulation success. 82.5% of wild-type Canton-S flies copulated within 60 minutes in circular arenas, whereas few white-eyed mutants mated successfully. Thew+allele exchanged to the X chromosome or duplicated to the Y chromosome in the white-eyed genetic background rescued the defect of copulation success. Thew+-associated copulation success was independent of eye color phenotype. Addition of the mini-white(mw+) gene to the white-eyed mutant rescued the defect of copulation success in a manner that was mw+copy number-dependent. Lastly, male-female sexual experience mimicked the effects ofw+/mw+in improving successful copulation. These data suggest that thew+gene controls copulation success inDrosophila melanogaster.
Wide-ranging and unexpected consequences of altered Pol II catalytic activity in vivo
Authors: Malik Indranil , Qiu Chenxi , Snavely Thomas , Kaplan Craig D.
Published: September 2016

Here we employ a set of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) activity mutants to determine the consequences of increased or decreased Pol II catalysis on gene expression inSaccharomycescerevisiae. We find that alteration of Pol II catalytic rate, either fast or slow, leads to decreased Pol II occupancy and apparent reduction in elongation ratein vivo. However, we also find that determination of elongation ratein vivoby chromatin IP can be confounded by the kinetics and conditions of transcriptional shutoff in the assay. We identify promoter and template-specific effects on severity of gene expression defects for both fast and slow Pol II mutants. We show that mRNA half-lives for a reporter gene are increased in both fast and slow Pol II mutant strains and the magnitude of half-life changes correlate both with mutants’ growth and reporter expression defects. Finally, we tested a model that altered Pol II activity sensitizes cells to nucleotide depletion. In contrast to model predictions, mutated Pol II retains normal sensitivity to altered nucleotide levels. Our experiments establish a framework for understanding the diversity of transcription defects derived from altered Pol II activity mutants, essential for their use as probes of transcription mechanisms.
Regulation of cancer epigenomes with a histone-binding synthetic transcription factor
Authors: Nyer David B. , Vargas Daniel , Hom Caroline , Haynes Karmella A.
Published: September 2016

Chromatin proteins have expanded the mammalian synthetic biology toolbox by enabling control of active and silenced states at endogenous genes. Others have reported synthetic proteins that bind DNA and regulate genes by altering chromatin marks, such as histone modifications. Previously we reported the first synthetic transcriptional activator, the "Polycomb-based transcription factor" (PcTF), that reads histone modifications through a protein-protein interaction between the PCD motif and trimethylated lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3). Here, we describe the genome-wide behavior of PcTF. Transcriptome and chromatin profiling revealed PcTF-sensitive promoter regions marked by proximal PcTF and distal H3K27me3 binding. These results illuminate a mechanism in which PcTF interactions bridge epigenetic marks with the transcription initiation complex. In three cancer-derived human cell lines tested here, many PcTF-sensitive genes encode developmental regulators and tumor suppressors. Thus, PcTF represents a powerful new fusion-protein-based method for cancer research and treatment where silencing marks are translated into direct gene activation.
Rethinking researching project management
Authors: Lloyd-Walker Beverley , French Erica , Crawford Lynn
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify issues in the long-term development of project workers, their career paths, their contribution to organizational success and their need for equity of opportunity. The long-term development of project workers, their career paths and their contribution to organizational success is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed to gain an understanding of social and human issues related to careers in project management (PM). By researching the lived experiences and feelings of those pursuing a career in PM the aim was to gain insight into the career journeys and experiences of practicing project managers.

Findings

Those who choose to pursue a career in PM have the personal characteristics and sufficiently high levels of self-efficacy to deal effectively with the uncertainty inherent in the nature of projects and of project-based employment.

Research limitations/implications

Participants were drawn from current project practitioners. As a result, the views of those who have worked on projects and chosen not to continue their career in the area have not been gathered.

Practical implications

Predictions are that there will be a continuing demand for project managers with the capabilities required to deliver successful projects. The challenge for organizations is to create an environment that will encourage greater numbers of people to embrace the uncertainty of project. The findings reported provide insight into how organizations might attract, develop and retain the project expertise they require for success.

Originality/value

This research provides further understanding into the lived experience of project managers, with a focus on those who have unexpectedly found themselves pursuing a career in PM.
The Danish agenda for rethinking project management
Authors: Svejvig Per , Grex Sara
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the similarities and differences between the Danish rethinking project management (RPM) initiative named Project Half Double (PHD) and the RPM research stream. The paper furthermore discusses how PHD and RPM can inspire each other in research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical paper based on collaborative research between industry and researchers. PHD has developed principles and practices driven by industry consisting of ten leading stars and the impact, leadership and flow (ILF) method. The ten leading stars and ILF method are compared to RPM research. The comparative analysis is then used in a broader discussion about how the research-driven RPM initiative can enrich the industry-driven PHD initiative and vice versa depicted in a theoretical understanding of translations between global ideas and local implementations.

Findings

RPM and PHD share a focus on value creation, social processes, learning and complexity while PHD also focusses on lean thinking, agile thinking, front-end loading and leadership, which are largely topics beyond the RPM research stream.

Originality/value

The paper presents how stakeholders from Danish industry interpret the actuality in projects and how they want to move forward with a radically different project paradigm. This is expressed in the ten leading stars and ILF method, which is compared and contrasted to the existing RPM literature providing a foundation for further development of both RPM and PHD.
Mechanical properties of a carbon fabric-reinforced epoxy composite with carbon nanotubes and a flame retardant
Authors: Kadlec Martin , Hron Robin , Guadagno Liberata
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the mechanical and morphological characterization of new multifunctional carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFRCs) that are able to overcome two of the main drawbacks of aeronautical composite materials: reduced electrical conductivity and poor flame resistance. Multiwall carbon nanotubes and glycidyl POSS (GPOSS) were used to simultaneously enhance electrical conductivity and flame resistance. The effect of these two combined components on the mechanical and morphological properties of the manufactured CFRCs was analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the mechanical test results obtained for interlaminar shear strength, three-point bending, and tensile and fracture toughness in mode I tests. Carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy resin plates were manufactured in two series with blank resin and CNT+flame retardant GPOSS-enhanced resin.

Findings

The mechanical properties were decreased by no more than 10 per cent by combined influence of CNTs and GPOSS. Agglomerates of CNTs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The agglomerates were large enough to be visible to the naked eye as black spots on the delaminated fracture surface. The decrease of the mechanical properties could be caused by these agglomerates or by a changed fibre volume content that was affected by the difficult infusion procedure due to high resin viscosity.

Originality/value

If we consider the benefit of CNTs as a nanofiller to increase electrical conductivity and the GPOSS as a component to increase the flame resistance of the resin, the decrease of strength seems to be insignificant.
IPO performance at announcement and in the aftermarket
Authors: Abraham Rebecca , Harris Judith , Auerbach Joel
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate IPO performance. At announcement, the impact of purchases by informed traders on stock returns and uninformed traders on volatility were assessed. In the post-IPO period, returns were expected to be driven by firms with high returns on equity and the implementation of growth strategies. Return on equity was evaluated further in terms of whether it had a direct effect or was instrumented by volatility, cash flow, profit margin or revenue growth.

Design/methodology/approach

All IPOs announced in 2009-2014 were used. Measures were created to demarcate growth firms from risk-averse firms and firms with highly volatile cash flows from their counterparts with cash flows of lesser volatility. Event studies were used to measure abnormal return and abnormal volume, while multiple regressions tested the influence of predictors on abnormal returns, volatility and holding period return. Instruments of return on equity were also assessed.

Findings

The offer volume of informed traders significantly explained announcement-day returns, while the offer volume of uninformed traders explained the increase in volatility of IPO stock. The ability to capitalize on growth opportunities and increase shareholder wealth through higher return on equity significantly predicted holding period returns. Return on equity, was explained by volatility, cash flow to assets and profit margin.

Originality/value

The data are highly current with 2014 IPOs being used. The paper clearly distinguishes between fleeting announcement-day returns driven by informed traders and long-term holding period returns in a departure from the prevailing practice of measuring long-term post-IPO performance with abnormal returns. Finally, the paper creates subjective measures of volatility and growth strategies.
Economic fluctuations and crime: temporary and persistent effects
Authors: Bender Keith , Theodossiou Ioannis
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Since the literature on the effect of the unemployment rate as reflection of economic fluctuations on crime shows an empirically ambiguous effect, the purpose of this paper is to argue that a new way of modeling the dynamics of unemployment and crime by focussing on the transitory and persistent effect of unemployment on crime helps resolve this ambiguity.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data for US states from 1965 to 2006 are examined using the Mundlak (1978) methodology to incorporate the dynamic interactions between crime and unemployment into the estimation.

Findings

After decomposing the unemployment effect on crime into a transitory and persistent effect, evidence of a strong positive correlation between unemployment and almost all types of crime rates is unearthed. This evidence is robust to endogeneity and the controlling for cross-panel correlation and indicators for state imprisonment.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to examine the dynamics of the interaction of crime and economic fluctuations using the temporary and persistent effects framework of Mundlak (1978). In one set of estimates, one can evaluation both the short- and long-run effects of changes of unemployment on crime.
Leader humility and psychological empowerment: investigating contingencies
Authors: Jeung Chang-Wook , Yoon Hea Jun
Published: September 2016

Purpose

In line with emerging conceptualizations of humility in organizations, the purpose of this paper is to examine how leader humility and distance-based factors (i.e. power distance orientation (PDO) and hierarchical distance) interact to predict follower psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the hypotheses using a sample of 294 employees in South Korea. Moderated regression and bootstrapping analyses were conducted to test for direct and moderated relationships.

Findings

Results indicated that leader humility positively predicted follower psychological empowerment, and followers’ PDO positively moderated this relationship. Results of a three-way interaction indicated that the impact of leader humility on follower psychological empowerment was strongest when both followers’ levels of PDO and hierarchical distance were high.

Practical implications

Humility can provide a new lens through which to understand the leadership process. Beyond anecdotal accounts, this study provided strong evidence for the value of humility on the list of qualities essential for successful leadership.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide empirical evidence for the moderating effect of PDO and hierarchical distance on the relationship between leader humility and follower empowerment. The findings highlight the benefits of understanding the roles of followers’ cultural value orientation and hierarchical position in the effectiveness of leader humility.
Social media in Latin America: deepening or bridging gaps in protest participation?
Authors: Valenzuela Sebastián , Somma Nicolás M. , Scherman Andrés , Arriagada Arturo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between social media use and protest participation in Latin America. It advances two questions. First, does social media increase the chances of protest participation at the individual level, as prior research shows for advanced democracies? Second, in a region with glaring economic and political inequalities, does social media deepen or reduce the gaps in protest participation that exist among men and women, the young and the old, different social classes, or people with varying levels of political engagement?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses cross-sectional Latin American Public Opinion Project survey data from 2012 representing the adult population of 17 Latin American countries. It presents binary logistic regression models with protest participation as the dependent variable, social media use for political purposes as the main independent variable, control variables, and interactions.

Findings

Using social media for political purposes significantly increases protest chances – it is the second strongest predictor. Additionally, social media reduces protest gaps associated with individuals’ age, gender, psychological engagement with politics, and recruitment networks.

Originality/value

First, the paper shows that the contribution of social media to collective protest travels beyond advanced democracies – it also holds for more unequal regions with weaker democratic trajectories like Latin America. Second, it shows that social media may mitigate participatory inequalities not only, as shown by past research, regarding institutional participation (e.g. voting), but also regarding contentious tactics.
Internet freedom and social media effects: democracy and citizen attitudes in Latin America
Authors: Gainous Jason , Wagner Kevin , Gray Tricia
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to theorize the heightened exposure to information via the internet can lead citizens to be more critical about political conditions in their countries because using social media increases the likelihood of being exposed to dissident information. Further, the authors argue that the degree to which information is restricted, or internet access is limited, across countries can decrease this effect simply because the likelihood of exposure to a dissident flow is diminished.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used survey data from the 2010 Latino Barometer to estimate a series of multilevel models to test whether citizens’ attitudes about the political conditions and about democracy in their respective countries worsen, and whether this effect is stronger in countries with higher internet freedom.

Findings

The results confirm that social media use has a negative influence on citizens’ attitudes about their national political conditions. In addition, respondents from those countries with more internet freedom tended to have more positive attitudes about their democracy and political conditions, generally. However, as a result of more internet freedom, the negative effects of internet and social media use on these attitudes was more pronounced in countries with more internet freedom.

Originality/value

These results suggest that the flow of information via the internet has substantial effect on how people feel about their government. This could be consequential for political stability, particularly in countries the conditions are not favorable. That said, these results also suggest that governments can actively decrease the odds of this dissidence building by controlling the flow of information.
Impact of new forms of learning in interest-driven communities to future pathways for youth
Authors: Martin Crystle
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper demonstrates the impact of recognition and valuation of youth interest on potential career trajectory and future pathway choices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents data from two ethnographies. The first ethnography is of an online professional wrestling fan community, which took place between October 2012 and May 2013. The second ethnography is of the online Scratch community, Scratch is a free online coding program. Observations of the community took place between October 2014 and October 2015, with interviews ongoing as of the writing of this paper.

Findings

This paper details the importance of valuing youth learning and the impact that receiving recognition and valuation can have on youths’ future choices.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on two online communities and presents four examples of the phenomena of valuation and recognition described in the paper. To draw broad conclusions, a wider sample would be required.

Practical implications

This paper can offer examples to practitioners and researcher alike as to what the impacts of valuing youth learning in interest-driven contexts can be for youth long-term learning and career trajectory and forms that the valuation of interest to support growth and interest can take.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the importance of valuing learning in all parts of youths’ lives and the impact that the valuation can have on the future pathways and career trajectory of youth.
Antidepressants and mortality risk in a dementia cohort: data from SveDem, the Swedish Dementia Registry
Authors: Enache D. , Fereshtehnejad S.‐M. , Kåreholt I. , Cermakova P. , Garcia‐Ptacek S. , Johnell K. , Religa D. , Jelic V. , Winblad B. , Ballard C. , Aarsland D. , Fastbom J. , Eriksdotter M.
Published: September 2016

Background

The association between mortality risk and use of antidepressants in people with dementia is unknown.

Objective

To describe the use of antidepressants in people with different dementia diagnoses and to explore mortality risk associated with use of antidepressants 3 years before a dementia diagnosis.

Methods

Study population included 20 050 memory clinic patients from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem) diagnosed with incident dementia. Data on antidepressants dispensed at the time of dementia diagnosis and during 3‐year period before dementia diagnosis were obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Cox regression models were used.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 2 years from dementia diagnosis, 25.8% of dementia patients died. A quarter (25.0%) of patients were on antidepressants at the time of dementia diagnosis, while 21.6% used antidepressants at some point during a 3‐year period before a dementia diagnosis. Use of antidepressant treatment for 3 consecutive years before a dementia diagnosis was associated with a lower mortality risk for all dementia disorders and in Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion

Antidepressant treatment is common among patients with dementia. Use of antidepressants during prodromal stages may reduce mortality in dementia and specifically in Alzheimer's disease.
Isonicotinohydrazones as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase and ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase
Authors: Channar Pervaiz Ali , Shah Syed Jawad Ali , Hassan Sidra , Nisa Zaib un , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Bajorath Jürgen , Saeed Aamer , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: September 2016

A series of isonicotinohydrazide derivatives was synthesized and tested against recombinant human and rat ecto‐5′‐nucleotidases (h‐e5′NT and r‐e5′NT) and alkaline phosphatase isozymes including both bovine tissue‐non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (b‐TNAP) and tissue‐specific calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (c‐IAP). These enzymes are implicated in vascular calcifications, hypophosphatasia, solid tumors, and cancers, such as colon, lung, breast, pancreas, and ovary. All tested compounds were active against both enzymes. The most potent inhibitor of h‐e5′NT was derivative (E)‐N′‐(1‐(3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (3j), whereas derivative (E)‐N′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (3g) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against r‐e5′NT. In addition, the derivative (E)‐N′‐(4′‐chlorobenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (3a) was most potent inhibitor against calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase and the derivative (E)‐N′‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (3g) was found to be most potent inhibitor of bovine tissue‐non‐specific alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, putative binding modes of potent compounds against e5′NT (human and rat e5′NT) and AP (including b‐TNAP and c‐IAP) were determined computationally.
Short‐ and medium‐term effects of light to moderate alcohol intake on glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Hirst J. A. , Aronson J. K. , Feakins B. G. , Ma C. , Farmer A. J. , Stevens R. J.
Published: September 2016

Background

People with diabetes are told that drinking alcohol may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia.

Aims

To report the effects of alcohol consumption on glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched in 2015 to identify randomized trials that compared alcohol consumption with no alcohol use, reporting glycaemic control in people with diabetes. Data on blood glucose, HbA1c and numbers of hypoglycaemic episodes were pooled using random effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Pooled data from nine short‐term studies showed no difference in blood glucose concentrations between those who drank alcohol in doses of 16–80 g (median 20 g, 2.5 units) compared with those who did not drink alcohol at 0.5, 2, 4 and 24 h after alcohol consumption. Pooled data from five medium‐term studies showed that there was no difference in blood glucose or HbA1c concentrations at the end of the study between those who drank 11–18 g alcohol/day (median 13 g/day, 1.5 units/day) for 4–104 weeks and those who did not. We found no evidence of a difference in number of hypoglycaemic episodes or in withdrawal rates between randomized groups.

Conclusions

Studies to date have not provided evidence that drinking light to moderate amounts of alcohol, with or without a meal, affects any measure of glycaemic control in people with Type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that current advice that people with diabetes do not need to refrain from drinking moderate quantities of alcohol does not need to be changed; risks to those with Type 1 diabetes remain uncertain.
Sockeye salmon repatriation leads to population re‐establishment and rapid introgression with native kokanee
Authors: Veale Andrew J. , Russello Michael A.
Published: September 2016

Re‐establishing salmonid populations to areas historically occupied has the substantial potential for conservation gains; however, such interventions also risk negatively impacting native resident stocks. Here, we assessed the success of the hatchery‐assisted reintroduction of anadromous sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) into Skaha Lake, British Columbia, Canada, and evaluated the genetic consequences for native kokanee, a freshwater‐obligate ecotype, using single nucleotide polymorphism genotypic data collected from the reference samples of spawning Okanagan River sockeye and Skaha Lake kokanee presockeye reintroduction, along with annual trawl survey and angler‐caught samples obtained over an eight‐year period. Significant differentiation was detected between sockeye and kokanee reference samples, with >99% stock assignment. Low proportions of sockeye and hybrids were detected within 2008 and 2010 age‐0 trawl samples; however, by 2012, 28% were sockeye, rising to 41% in 2014. The number of hybrids detected rose proportionally with the increase in sockeye and exhibited an intermediate phenotype. Our results indicate that the reintroduction of anadromous sockeye to Skaha Lake is succeeding, with large numbers returning to spawn. However, hybridization with native kokanee is of concern due to the potential for demographic or genetic swamping, with ongoing genetic monitoring necessary to assess the long‐term effects of introgression and to support interactive fisheries management.
Cysteine residues mediate high‐affinity binding of thioredoxin to ASK1
Authors: Kylarova Salome , Kosek Dalibor , Petrvalska Olivia , Psenakova Katarina , Man Petr , Vecer Jaroslav , Herman Petr , Obsilova Veronika , Obsil Tomas
Published: September 2016

Apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1, MAP3K5) activates p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase in response to proinflammatory and stress signals. In nonstress conditions, ASK1 is inhibited by association with thioredoxin (TRX) which binds to the TRX‐binding domain (ASK1‐TBD) at the N terminus of ASK1. TRX dissociates in response to oxidative stress allowing the ASK1 activation. However, the molecular basis for the ASK1:TRX1 complex dissociation is still not fully understood. Here, the role of cysteine residues on the interaction between TRX1 and ASK1‐TBD in both reducing and oxidizing conditions was investigated. We show that from the two catalytic cysteines of TRX1 the residue C32 is responsible for the high‐affinity binding of TRX1 to ASK1‐TBD in reducing conditions. The disulfide bond formation between C32 and C35 within the active site of TRX1 is the main factor responsible for the TRX1 dissociation upon its oxidation as the formation of the second disulfide bond between noncatalytic cysteines C62 and C69 did not have any additional effect. ASK1‐TBD contains seven conserved cysteine residues which differ in solvent accessibility with the residue C250 being the only cysteine which is both solvent exposed and essential for TRX1 binding in reducing conditions. Furthermore, our data show that the catalytic site of TRX1 interacts with ASK1‐TBD region containing cysteine C200 and that the oxidative stress induces intramolecular disulfide bond formation within ASK1‐TBD and affects its structure in regions directly involved and/or important for TRX1 binding.
Investigating College Learning Gain: Exploring a Propensity Score Weighting Approach
Authors: Liu Ou Lydia , Liu Huili , Roohr Katrina Crotts , McCaffrey Daniel F.
Published: September 2016

Learning outcomes assessment has been widely used by higher education institutions both nationally and internationally. One of its popular uses is to document learning gains of students. Prior studies have recognized the potential imbalance between freshmen and seniors in terms of their background characteristics and their prior academic performance and have used linear regression adjustments for these differences, which some researchers have argued are not fully adequate. We explored an alternative adjustment via propensity score weighting to balance the samples on background variables including SAT score, gender, and ethnicity. Results involving a cross‐sectional sample of freshmen and seniors from seven groups of majors within a large research university showed that students in most of the majors demonstrated significant learning gain. Additionally, there was a slight difference in learning gain rankings across major groupings when compared to multiple regression results.
How Developments in Psychology and Technology Challenge Validity Argumentation
Authors: Mislevy Robert J.
Published: September 2016

Validity is the sine qua non of properties of educational assessment. While a theory of validity and a practical framework for validation has emerged over the past decades, most of the discussion has addressed familiar forms of assessment and psychological framings. Advances in digital technologies and in cognitive and social psychology have expanded the range of purposes, targets of inference, contexts of use, forms of activity, and sources of evidence we now see in educational assessment. This article discusses some of these developments and how concepts and representations that are employed to design and use assessments, hence to frame validity arguments, can be extended accordingly. Ideas are illustrated with a variety of examples, with an emphasis on assessment in higher education.
Dialyzability of Oxycodone and Its Metabolites in Chronic Noncancer Pain Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Samolsky Dekel Boaz Gedaliahu , Donati Gabriele , Vasarri Alessio , Croci Chiocchini Anna Laura , Gori Alberto , Cavallari Giuseppe , Di Nino Gianfranco , Mercolini Laura , Protti Michele , Mandrioli Roberto , Melotti Rita Maria , La Manna Gaetano
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Opioids are the preferred analgesic drugs to treat severe chronic pain conditions among dialysis patients; however, knowledge about their dialyzability features is limited. Oxycodone is increasingly used for the treatment of chronic pain conditions as oral controlled release (CR) tablets; however, evidence about this drug and its metabolites’ dialyzability is lacking.

Methods

We assessed, during 4‐hour dialysis sessions, the effect of standard hemodialysis (HD) and online hemodiafiltration (HDF) methods on the plasma concentration of oxycodone and its metabolites in n = 20 chronic pain patients with end‐stage renal disease who were stably treated with oral CR oxycodone. Chromatographic techniques were used to evaluate the studied compounds’ plasma concentrations at three different time points during dialysis.

Results

Mean plasma concentrations of oxycodone and noroxycodone in the sample showed an overall reduction trend over time, but it was less enhanced for noroxycodone. Mean reduction in oxycodone and noroxycodone arterial concentrations was significant and higher with HDF (54% and 27%, respectively) than with HD (22% and 17%, respectively). Analysis of the regression of these compounds’ clearance on their increasing arterial concentration showed a more stable and linear clearance prediction with HDF (roughly 85 mL/min); with HD, for increasing arterial concentration, clearance of oxycodone decreased while noroxycodone clearance increased.

Discussion

While no oxymorphone or noroxymorphone metabolites were detected, limited dialyzability of oxycodone and noroxycodone was documented along with insignificant postdialysis pain increment. This evidence will contribute toward considerations as to the safety of the use of oxycodone in dialysis patients in the future.
Population genomics identifies the origin and signatures of selection of Korean weedy rice
Authors: He Qiang , Kim Kyu‐Won , Park Yong‐Jin
Published: September 2016

Weedy rice is the same biological species as cultivated rice (Oryza sativa); it is also a noxious weed infesting rice fields worldwide. Its formation and population‐selective or ‐adaptive signatures are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetics, population structure and signatures of selection of Korean weedy rice by determining the whole genomes of 30 weedy rice, 30 landrace rice and ten wild rice samples. The phylogenetic tree and results of ancestry inference study clearly showed that the genetic distance of Korean weedy rice was far from the wild rice and near with cultivated rice. Furthermore, 537 genes showed evidence of recent positive or divergent selection, consistent with some adaptive traits. This study indicates that Korean weedy rice originated from hybridization of modern indica/indica or japonica/japonica rather than wild rice. Moreover, weedy rice is not only a notorious weed in rice fields, but also contains many untapped valuable traits or haplotypes that may be a useful genetic resource for improving cultivated rice.
Hematologic and serum biochemical changes associated with Devil Facial Tumor Disease in Tasmanian Devils
Authors: Peck Sarah , Corkrey Ross , Hamede Rodrigo , Jones Menna , Canfield Paul
Published: September 2016

Background

Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is an infectious tumor causing significant population declines in wild Tasmanian Devils. While clinical assessment and pathology have been well reported for DFTD, there is a lack of information on hematologic and biochemical alterations associated with DFTD.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to determine hematologic and serum biochemical variation in healthy, wounded, and DFTD‐affected Tasmanian Devils.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from wild Tasmanian Devils at 5 sites in Tasmania. Hematology and clinical biochemistry variables were compared between clinically healthy, wounded, and DFTD‐affected devils. Differences were also analyzed among stages of DFTD, including individuals pre‐ and postclinical signs developing, and between ulcerated and nonulcerated DFTD tumors.

Results

Statistically significantly increased counts in WBC, neutrophils, and platelets, and concentration of fibrinogen, as well as decreased counts in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and HGB concentration were observed in DFTD‐affected devils compared to healthy devils. Activities of ALP, ALT, and GLDH, concentrations of sodium, potassium and albumin, and sodium‐to‐potassium ratio and albumin‐to‐globulin ratio were significantly lower, and AST activity was significantly higher in animals with DFTD when compared to clinically healthy animals. No significant differences were found among stages of DFTD or ulcerated and nonulcerated tumors.

Conclusions

The differences in hematology and clinical chemistry variables in devils with DFTD compared to healthy devils are nonspecific and reflective of acute phase response and inflammation, and anemia of chronic disease. Similar changes are observed with wounds but to a lesser extent.
Artistas y antropólogos: estéticas, objetos y diagnóstico cultural en la novela argentina contemporánea
Authors: Orecchia Havas Teresa
Published: September 2016

Mientras la crítica insiste en la actual tendencia a construir estéticas de lo frívolo y de lo etnográfico en las literaturas hispanoamericanas contemporáneas, puede observarse que ciertos proyectos contradicen tales aserciones. Partiendo de la obra reciente de dos escritores argentinos, Alan Pauls y Martín Kohan, el artículo analiza la presencia y la función de objetos materiales en las últimas narraciones de ambos a fin de desmentir la vigencia tanto de los parámetros del realismo mimético como de los del gusto por lo efímero. El análisis postula un doble significado de las cosas concretas y de las materializaciones en estas poéticas. Por un lado, actúan como reveladores del sujeto y de la experiencia individual captada en situaciones de cambio y de incertidumbre. Por otro, tienen un sentido indicial en cuanto al tiempo de la comunidad y a los estereotipos de la cultura.
Arqueologías globales en la literatura cubana: de las ruinas al chicle
Authors: Quesada Gómez Catalina
Published: September 2016

Este artículo estudia el papel de ciertos objetos o materiales en la obra de los autores cubanos Jorge Enrique Lage y Legna Rodríguez Iglesias, para dilucidar, primero, cómo acontece el distanciamiento con respecto a la generación anterior a partir del uso de dichos materiales, que les sirven para abandonar los lugares comunes de la carencia, la decadencia o las ruinas, y manifestar así su desapego con respecto a una literatura preocupada en exceso por la temática nacional; y, segundo, cómo el interés central por lo material en estos escritores no desemboca obligatoriamente en un nuevo realismo.
Desbordes contemporáneos: el cuerpo en ruinas del arte reciente
Authors: Fernández Bravo Álvaro
Published: September 2016

Este artículo propone una reflexión a partir de los artículos incluidos en este dossier sobre los desbordes temporales, estéticos y genéricos en la literatura y el arte contemporáneos. El ensayo se detiene en cuatro problemas derivados de convergencias identificadas entre los ensayos: el afuera, la carcasa, el marco y la supervivencia. Estos cuatro conceptos permiten elaborar una lectura de la contemporaneidad y preguntar si puede considerársela como una temporalidad distinta de la posmodernidad. 
Estados del arte. Puestas en escena de construcciones históricas e imaginarias durante el Bicentenario en Argentina
Authors: Usubiaga Viviana
Published: September 2016

El artículo propone problematizar los vínculos entre conocimiento histórico y ficción artística a partir del análisis de obras y acontecimientos artísticos contemporáneos basados en un capítulo fundante para la historia del arte argentino de fines de siglo XIX –el duelo intelectual y físico que mantuvieron Eduardo Schiaffino y Eugenio Auzón en 1891–; la proyección de ese episodio en la primera década del siglo XXI, más precisamente en el contexto del Bicentenario de la Revolución de Mayo, con la obra teatral Apátrida. Doscientos años y unos meses del dramaturgo Rafael Spregelburd; y otras producciones de artistas contemporáneos como Marcos López, Marcela Sinclair y Santiago Villanueva. Desde una multiplicidad de nuevas miradas sobre aquel episodio remoto se establece un recorrido entre documentos, textos, imágenes, performances y sonidos con el objetivo de reflexionar sobre los estados del arte durante las celebraciones del Bicentenario de la Nación Argentina. 
Una ficción propia Notas sobre el nacimiento de la ficción contemporánea a partir de Fundido a blanco, de Oscar Muñoz y La experiencia dramática, de Sergio Chejfec
Authors: Horne Luz
Published: September 2016

Este ensayo toma dos obras – Fundido a blanco, de Oscar Muñoz y La experiencia dramática, de Sergio Chejfec­– como un laboratorio para reflexionar sobre las transformaciones que sufre la categoría de ficción en el arte y la literatura contemporáneos. Basándome en ciertas formulaciones teóricas de Joan Fontcuberta, Jacques Rancière, Georges Didi-Huberman y del propio Sergio Chejfec sobre la relación entre la ficción y el documento, sugiero que en las obras de Muñoz y de Chejfec se despliega un modo singular de construcción ficcional subjetiva diferente al de la ficción clásica –basada en una lógica representativa– que puede ser entendido como simulación o como síntoma, y que se vincula con una lógica propia de lo digital. Si bien en estas obras se reflexiona sobre el ejercicio autobiográfico, en ellas se propone que la imagen y la palabra se despeguen de una temporalidad biográfica y cronológica para dar lugar a un recuerdo que sobrevive como un resto material, sensorial y afectivo. De este modo, se cancela la posibilidad de leer o mirar las obras en sus aspectos puramente testimoniales; o más bien se devela la trampa ficcional que allí se esconde. La urdimbre de la ficción, entonces, ya no se basa en una verosimilitud sino en la invención de un indicio o en la simulación de un documento.

 
Hacia una arqueología del presente: cultura material, tecnología y obsolescencia
Authors: Montoya Juárez Jesús
Published: September 2016

En este artículo se analizan dos novelas de Agustín Fernández Mallo y Pedro Mairal para examinar qué papel juegan en ellas la tecnología como parte de la cultura material del presente. Ambas son ilustrativas de un conjunto de ficciones que en el siglo XXI pueden pensarse como arqueologías del presente, novelas que, ante los procesos de virtualización de la cultura contemporánea, subrayan no tanto la ganancia expresiva de la tecnología como lenguaje, sino la pérdida o el residuo que producen los nuevos usos del tiempo en la globalización tecnológica y sus efectos sobre la intimidad o la subjetividad.
Promesa y potencia. Notas sobre la crítica de la autonomía estética
Authors: Galende Federico
Published: September 2016

En este ensayo se revisa y problematiza el debate entre autonomía y pos-autonomía en el arte a la luz de un trazado sobre su génesis y diversos cuestionamientos actuales. En el contexto de este debate, el ensayo despliega a modo de sugerencia una serie de distinciones entre la experimentación y la vanguardia, mostrando hasta qué punto y en qué medida la autonomía de la esfera estética es una condición de la política entendida como exploración de los recursos que son propios de un modo de hacer como el del arte. 
Réplicas y reflejos en una crónica de Juan Villoro. Acerca de 8.8 El miedo en el espejo
Authors: Gárate Miriam V.
Published: September 2016

La “crónica en fragmentos” escrita por Juan Villoro luego del terremoto de Chile ocurrido en febrero de 2010, donde el azar (o el “destino”) lo encontró participando del Congreso Iberoamericano de Lengua y Literatura Infantil y-Juvenil, es pródiga en réplicas. Se replican allí (reverberan y se cuestionan) experiencias de orden personal y colectivo, de orden estético literario e histórico político. En ese contexto, algunos motivos cobran particular importancia: la figura paterna; las transformaciones del género cronístico operadas por ese “padre alternativo” llamado Carlos Monsiváis y sus reapropiaciones por parte de Villoro (en este caso en especial, de No sin nosotros. Los días del terremoto 1985-2005); la construcción de “autobiografía alterna” que posibilita actualizar momentos traumáticos de la historia chilena, pasados y presentes; la revisión de la propia escritura y del papel de los sismos en esa trayectoria. Examinar algunas de esas réplicas textuales es el propósito de este artículo. 