bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correcting Chimeric Crosstalk in Single Cell RNA-seq Experiments
Authors: Dixit Atray
Published: December 2016

As part of the process of preparing sequencing libraries that include unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) such as many single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) libraries, a diverse template must be amplified. During amplification, spurious chimeric molecules can be formed between molecules originating in different cells. While several computational and experimental strategies have been suggested to mitigate the impact of chimeric molecules, suitable approaches for scRNA-seq experiments do not exist. We demonstrate that chimeras become increasingly problematic as samples are sequenced deeply and propose both supervised and unsupervised computational solutions. These solutions are validated in the context of a deeply sequenced species mixing experiment, and, orthogonally, using replicate PCR amplifications of the same scRNA-seq library. Our code is publicly available athttps://github.com/asncd/schimera.
The SEK-1 p38 MAP kinase pathway modulates Gq signaling inC. elegans
Authors: Hoyt Jill M. , Wilson Samuel K. , Kasa Madhuri , Rise Jeremy S. , Topalidou Irini , Ailion Michael
Published: December 2016

Gq is a heterotrimeric G protein that is widely expressed in neurons and regulates neuronal activity. To identify pathways regulating neuronal Gq signaling we performed a forward genetic screen inCaenorhabditis elegansfor suppressors of activated Gq. One of the suppressors is an allele ofsek-1,which encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) in the p38 MAPK pathway. Here we show thatsek-1mutants have a slow locomotion rate and thatsek-1acts in acetylcholine neurons to modulate both locomotion rate and Gq signaling. Furthermore, we find thatsek-1acts in mature neurons to modulate locomotion. Using genetic and behavioral approaches we demonstrate that other components of the p38 MAPK pathway also play a positive role in modulating locomotion and Gq signaling. Finally, we find that mutants in the SEK-1 p38 MAPK pathway partially suppress an activated mutant of the sodium leak channel NCA-1/NALCN, a downstream target of Gq signaling. Our results suggest that the SEK-1 p38 pathway may modulate the output of Gq signaling through NCA-1.
Parkin knockout inhibits neuronal development via regulation of proteasomal degradation of p21
Authors: Park Mi Hee , Lee Hwa Jeong , Lee Hye Lim , Son Dong Ju , Ju Jung Hoon , Hyun Byung Kook , Jung Sung Hee , Song Ju-Kyoung , Lee Dong-Hoon , Hwang Chul-Ju , Han Sang Bae , Kim Sanghyeon , Hong Jin Tae
Published: December 2016

PARK2 encodes for the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin and iimplicates in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although the neuroprotective role of parkin is well known, the mechanism of parkin’s function in neural stem differentiation is not clear. Co-expressions network analysis showed that SNAP25 and BDNF were positively correlated with parkin, but negatively correlated with p21 in human patient brain. Therefore, we investigated a link between the ubiquitin E3 ligase parkin and proteasomal degradation of p21 for the control of neural stem cell differentiation. We discovered that p21 directly binds with parkin and is ubiquitinated by parkin resulting in the loss of cell differentiation ability. Tranfection of p21 shRNA in PARK2 KO mice significantly rescued the differentiation efficacy as well as SNAP25 and BDNF expression. We also defined the decreased p21 ubiquitination and differentiation ability were reversed after treatment with JNK inhibitor, SP600125 in PARK2 KO mice derived neural stem cells. Thus, the present study indicated that parkin knockout inhibits neural stem cell differentiation by JNK-dependent proteasomal degradation of p21.

Summary statement

The present study indicated that parkin knockout inhibits neural stem cell differentiation by JNK-dependent proteasomal degradation of p21.
BaalChIP: Bayesian analysis of allele-specific transcription factor binding in cancer genomes
Authors: de Santiago Ines , Liu Wei , O’Reilly Martin , Yuan Ke , Chilamakuri Chandra Sekhar Reddy , Ponder Bruce A.J. , Meyer Kerstin B. , Markowetz Florian
Published: December 2016

Allele-specific measurements of transcription factor binding from ChIP-seq data are key to dissecting the allelic effects of non-coding variants and their contribution to phenotypic diversity. However, most methods to detect allelic imbalance assume diploid genomes. This assumption severely limits their applicability to cancer samples with frequent DNA copy number changes. Here we present a Bayesian statistical approach called BaalChIP to correct for the effect of background allele frequency on the observed ChIP-seq read counts. BaalChIP allows the joint analysis of multiple ChIP-seq samples across a single variant and outperforms competing approaches in simulations. Using 548 ENCODE ChIP-seq and 6 targeted FAIRE-seq samples we show that BaalChIP effectively corrects allele-specific analysis for copy number variation and increases the power to detect putative cis-acting regulatory variants in cancer genomes.
Stochastic Model for Direction Changes of Swimming Bacteria
Authors: Fier G. , Hansmann D. , Buceta R. C.
Published: December 2016

In this work we introduce a stochastic model to describe directional changes in the movement of swimming bacteria. We use the probability density function (PDF) of turn angles, measured on tumblingE. coliwild-type, to build a Langevin equation for the deflection of the bacterial body swimming in isotropic media. We solved analytically this equation by means of the Green function method and show that three parameters are sufficient to describe the movement: a characteristic time, the steady-state solution and a control parameter. We conclude that the tumble motion, which is manifested as abrupt turns, is primarily caused by the rotational boost generated by the flagellar motor and complementarily by the rotational diffusion introduced by noise. We show that, in the tumble motion, the deflection is a non-stationary stochastic processes during times where the tumble occurs. By tuning the control parameter our model is able to explain small turns of the bacteria around their centers of mass along the run. We show that the deflection during the run is an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, which for typical run times is stationary. We conclude that, along the run, the rotational boosts do not exist or are neglectable and that only the rotational diffusion remains. Thus we have a single model to explain the turns of the bacterium during the run or tumble movements, through a control parameter that can be tuned through a critical value that can explain the transition between the two turn behaviours. This model is also able to explain very satisfactory all available statistical experimental data, such as PDFs and average values of turning angles and times, of both run and tumble motions.
A bioinformatic panel to interrogate thousands of ExAC variants with minor reference allele that are missed by conventional variant calling
Authors: Koko Mahmoud , Abdallah Mohammed O. E. , Amin Mutaz , Ibrahim Muntaser
Published: December 2016

In variation sites with minor reference alleles, overlooking the detection of homozygous reference genotypes results in inadequate identification of potential disease variants. Current variant calling practices miss these clinically relevant alleles warranting new approaches. More than 26,000 Eome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC) variants have a minor reference allele including 44 variants with known ClinVar disease alleles. We demonstrated how the current variant calling standards miss homozygous reference disease variants in these sites. We developed a bioinformatic panel that can be used to screen these variants using commonly available variant callers. We provide here a simple strategy to screen potential disease-causing variants when present in homozygous reference state.
Analytic expressions for the angular and the spectral fluxes at Compton X-ray sources
Authors: Jacquet M. , Bruni C.
Published: December 2016

The goal of this paper is to express simply the number of photons impinging on a target in the framework of accelerator-based Compton X-ray sources. From the basic kinematics of Compton sources, analytic formulas for the angular and the spectral fluxes are established as functions of the energy spread or/and the angular divergence of the electron and the laser beams. Their detailed predictions are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. These analytic expressions allow one to compute in a simple and precise way the X-ray flux in a given angular acceptance and a given energy bandwidth, knowing the characteristics of the incoming beams.
Does disclosure of food inspections affect business compliance? The case of Berlin, Germany
Authors: Bavorova Miroslava , Fietz Anica Veronika , Hirschauer Norbert
Published: December 2016

Purpose

A whole series of food scandals indicates that misdirected incentives continue to be a source of food risks. Lacking market transparency and the opportunistic use of seemingly profitable opportunities to break the rules cause negative externalities and failure of markets. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of mandatory transparency schemes on food businesses’ behavioural drivers and thus on compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an adopted analytical framework developed by Hirschaueret al.(2012) as the theoretical background. The authors provide an empirical analysis of the effects of a disclosure system on businesses’ behavioural drivers in three urban parts of the German capital Berlin. The authors conducted a pen-and-paper survey among food businesses to collect data and used a generalized ordered logit regression model to analyse them.

Findings

The results show that the higher the businesses assess the possible negative effects of a negative smiley on sales, the higher the probability of compliance. Considering the immaterial behavioural drivers (protective factors) the authors find the statistical significant influence of a feeling of embarrassment in case of disclosure and the feeling of a fair evaluation on compliance. Thus, the study supports the expectation that disclosure policies affect behavioural drivers and have the potential to steer food businesses’ compliance.

Practical implications

The study supports the expectation that hygiene controls’ disclosure positively affects food businesses’ compliance. These findings should be taken into consideration in the ongoing discussion about disclosure. Nowadays, there is no mandatory transparency in Germany due to a strong opposition from businesses and their lobbying groups.

Originality/value

The authors conducted a pen-and-paper survey among food businesses in three urban districts of the German capital Berlin, namely, Pankow, Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf in 2014. The food authorities in these districts were the only ones in Germany that had introduced and run a mandatory disclosure system (smiley-system) for food businesses. The results of the inspections were published on the authorities’ homepages in the internet, and were displayed in businesses. Thus the data mirror the unique experiences of the only German food businesses that participated in a mandatory transparency scheme.
Halal integrity in the food supply chain
Authors: Soon Jan Mei , Chandia Mahmood , Regenstein Joe Mac
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This paper argues that there is an absence of halal integrity within the conventional stages of a food chain. This paper adapts the understanding of the different stages and argues the need to develop a critical consciousness for halal integrity within the food chain to address the needs of the ever-growing Muslim consumers’ market. The purpose of this paper is to propose a definition of halal integrity using farm to fork and global food supply chain models.

Design/methodology/approach

The study includes a review of priori literature and media reports regarding cross-contamination of food products with haram (forbidden) components. This background will be used to conceptualise halal integrity using farm to fork and global supply chain models.

Findings

Different interpretations of halal – what is permitted and what is prohibited – exist for the different schools of Islamic legal thought and within the customs of different countries. In order to ensure that food production is embracive of the religious needs of the global Muslim customer market, this paper utilises the farm to fork and global supply chain models to foster a critical awareness of halal needs. Halal integrity should be clearly presenting the details of the halal status of the product and assuring that the requirements for halal as stated are met. Halal integrity not only deals with permitted and prohibited foods, but that the halal status of the food products (i.e. from raw materials until it reaches the consumers) should not be breached (i.e. no cross-contamination with haram products/methods and no ill intents). A formal definition of halal integrity has been proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The SWOT analyses serve as a guideline as the analysis done may be outdated as the environments are constantly changing.

Originality/value

This research although academic is meant to have a real value in improving the integrity of the halal food supply chain, providing value to the food industry, to countries that are concerned about this supply chain and to Muslim consumers. Halal integrity is crucial to the success of the emerging halal market.
Fraud and counterfeit wines in France: an overview and perspectives
Authors: Lecat Benoit , Brouard Joelle , Chapuis Claude
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the specificities of wine forgery today and to show the perspectives offered to the different stakeholders in the wine industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to the technical aspects of this paper, a literature review based on academic papers (history) and articles coming from the professional press, internet websites and public organizations was made.

Findings

It was found that frauds have always existed. Forgers are constantly in search of new ways of counterfeiting wines. Producers have had to adapt to the various forms of counterfeiting, mainly by resorting to modern technology. As the traceability of great wines is becoming crucial, a new type of relationships between producers anxious to offer genuine estate wines and consumers anxious to drink the bottles they ordered has developed. This new constraint became a marketing opportunity for producers.

Research limitations/implications

It was difficult to obtain official data (interviews or surveys) because of the sensitiveness of the topic.

Practical implications

This paper, which offers an inventory of the methods used by forgers to deceive customers, makes both producers and consumers aware of the extent of the problem. The counterfeiting phenomenon is dangerous for producers’ image and the technological changes are a tool allowing producers to protect their wine and reinforce their relationships with consumers.

Originality/value

This paper gives an overview of forgers’ ploys in France. It opens a discussion about perspectives for the different stakeholders while most of the research tends to focus on technical solutions and the analysis of specific affairs which received media coverage.
Strategic assets in technology-based incubators in Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Carolina Cristina , Oliveira Jr Moacir de Miranda , Sbragia Roberto , Borini Felipe Mendes
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between strategic assets and the launch of new products in technology-based incubators (TBIs) in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied two surveys, one for the universe of TBIs’ managers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the other to the incubated firms’ managers/owners. Two statistical techniques were used: correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.

Findings

The main finding of this paper is that TBIs’ strategies focusing on the supply of knowledge assets and the creation of relationship assets are more effective than strategies focused only on the supply of physical infrastructure for firms located in incubators.

Research limitations/implications

Because the sample of 100 respondents of incubated companies was the result of a non-probabilistic convenience sampling, the outcomes also cannot be generalized.

Practical implications

For managers of TBIs, there is a challenge to focus on the supply of intangible and high value added assets for incubated firms. For managers/owners of incubated firms, the authors provide an orientation to what they should seek or demand when deciding where to place their business in a TBI. For the government, the results of this research may help to formulate public policies to support and incentivize TBIs. For investors, the results can help to define where to seek the most innovative projects.

Social implications

Innovation and entrepreneurship are understood as sources of wealth creation and social development.

Originality/value

The authors propose in this paper that there is a theoretical gap between traditional theories of innovation and entrepreneurship and the strategic behavior and performance of business incubators and their interconnected stakeholders. Here the authors seek to bridge this gap.
Accelerating chemical start-ups in ecosystems: the need for biotopes
Authors: van Gils Maarten J.G.M. , Rutjes Floris P.J.T.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between start-ups and an innovation ecosystem. Start-ups need resources available in the ecosystem to grow, but experience organizational capacity limitations during their open innovation practices. This study frames the “open innovation” interface and discloses ways to accelerate the process of connecting start-ups’ demands to ecosystem’s supplies.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was used to describe the development of a conceptual ecosystem model to frame the “open innovation” interface and its subsequent implementation at nine start-up hotspots in the Dutch chemical industry. To develop the ecosystem model, the system of innovation concept was enriched with the perspective of a chemical start-up to pinpoint critical resources for growth.

Findings

It is suggested that the most relevant “open innovation” interface for start-ups looking to grow is an innovation biotope: a well-defined, business-oriented cross-section of an ecosystem. All stakeholders in a biotope are carefully selected based on the entrepreneurial issue at stake: they can only enter the secured marketplace if they are able to provide dedicated solutions to start-ups. The biotope enables “open innovation in a closed system” which results in acceleration of the innovation process.

Originality/value

This is the first study to report on the definition and implementation of an innovation biotope as the “open innovation” interface between an ecosystem and start-ups. In addition, it provides a powerful tool, the ecosystem canvas, that can help both regional and national innovation systems to visualize their ecosystem and identify blind spots.
Open innovation for start-ups
Authors: Michelino Francesca , Cammarano Antonello , Lamberti Emilia , Caputo Mauro
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodological framework for evaluating the impact of open innovation (OI) adoption on start-up ventures at the knowledge domain level, taking into account the technological specialization and the quality of innovation output.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework employs patent data for investigating joint development activities between start-ups and partners, thus defining an openness degree of R&D. The partner typology and the levels of specialization on the knowledge fields affected by each invention are investigated. The methodology is tested on a sample of bio-pharmaceutical start-ups.

Findings

On average, the openness level in the start-up phase is higher than the consolidation one. Furthermore, the higher the level of openness during the start-up phase, the higher the propensity to collaborate with scientific organizations. And yet, the occurrence of R&D collaborations is positively correlated to the level of specialization on the knowledge fields involved in joint development activities.

Practical implications

OI strategies are valuable for start-ups, particularly in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, since their adoption improves the quality of innovation output. This is particularly true when R&D collaborations are established with scientific entities.

Originality/value

This work investigates the impact of OI adoption on start-up ventures at the knowledge domain level, by employing objective and standardized data. Hence, the methodology can be considered as a first step in developing a useful tool for managers, researchers and business analysts.
Trust in open innovation – the case of a med-tech start-up
Authors: Hasche Nina , Linton Gabriel , Öberg Christina
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The literature has shown great interest in open innovation (OI), and also discussed its degree of openness based on, for example, the number of parties involved. Less is known, however, about what makes OI processes work. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the importance of trust in OI, and the paper specifically focusses on a start-up company’s OI processes with collaboration parties. The paper points out how a lack of trust antecedents may disable such OI processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical part of the paper consists of a case study on a medicine technology start-up. Interviews and analyses of secondary sources made up the main data capturing methods. Each collaboration between the start-up and another party is analysed through three trust antecedents: contractual, competence based, and goodwill.

Findings

The paper shows how either party may have chosen to discontinue the collaboration, based on the lack of competence or goodwill antecedents to trust. Specifically, the case indicates how the start-up discontinues the collaboration based on a perceived lack of goodwill, while the collaboration party bases its decision on competence deficits by the start-up.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to previous research through describing OI related to start-ups, and introducing trust antecedents as prerequisites for OI. To the literature on trust, trust mutuality makes a research contribution.
Startups and open innovation: a review of the literature
Authors: Spender John-Christopher , Corvello Vincenzo , Grimaldi Michele , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Startup companies represent a powerful engine of open innovation (OI) processes. The purpose of this paper is to represent a first step in building a map of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the “startups in an OI context” phenomenon. Through the selection and analysis of relevant literature, this study aims at deepening our understanding of the theme and at providing directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

By using an explicit method for the review (Pittaway et al., 2004) the authors selected a set of papers, which cover the knowledge domain object of this study. In total, 41 articles about “startups and OI” have been selected and the full papers have been analysed.

Findings

The analysed literature has been synthesized in seven sub-topics, which have been evaluated as the most relevant in explaining the phenomenon of startups in relation to OI. Implications for research, for managers and for policy makers conclude the paper.

Practical implications

The review produced valuable knowledge for both managers and policy decision-makers. The paper allows a better understanding of the role of startups in OI processes. This improved understanding can help managers of large firms as well as policy makers involved in OI in making their decisions. Besides, implications of OI strategies for startup managers have been singled-out.

Originality/value

Startup companies are intrinsically open organizations, necessarily engaged in innovation processes. Research at the intersection between the themes of OI and startups is gaining momentum. This review of the literature represents the first attempt to organize the scientific knowledge related to the intersection between the startups and OI phenomena systematically.
Touchstone poetry: writing as a catalyst for moments of development
Authors: Manning Logan
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Extant research has painted a clear picture of the myriad ways that schools are failing to provide a meaningful education, and meaningful literacy pedagogies, to all youth. Given this crisis shouldered disproportionately by youth of color in urban schools, this paper aims to take a retrospective approach to understanding the lasting reverberations of a high school poetry class on a group of students who experienced urban traumas including but not limited to educational injustices. In contrast to the representations of failing schools, some current research offers various portraits of urban students engaging in empowering ways in classrooms that make critical use of media arts, poetry and hip hop. The questions driving this study are based on what happens once students step out of these alternative classroom spaces. For youth who have dropped out of the traditional system, what was the nature of the writing they produced in an alternative literacy learning space and what relationship did it have to their development as young adults?

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative case study methodology, this paper explores the memorable writing produced in the context of a high school poetry class by six case study participants to understand its meaning in their lives over time. It is through a dialogic lens that this research makes sense of the relationship between the written words produced by these youth, their actions in and on the world in their early adulthood, and their moments of development as survivors of trauma and as civic actors.

Findings

Student discussion of what I describe as touchstone poems revealed how these poems functioned to reorganize experiences and memories for the case study participants that enabled them to feel increased agency in relation to their personal and socio-cultural struggles.

Originality/value

For these students who were perpetually labeled asat-risk, poetry class served as a space where they could collectively engage in positive risk-taking that held meaning in their lives after high school and catalyzed the development of agentive identities.
I am from a fantasy, where Freire quotes become reality
Authors: Castro Erika , Jackson Gabrielle , Cushing-Leubner Jenna , Lozenski Brian
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the viewpoint of two youth artists, researchers and activists who use spoken word and graphic arts to represent their research.

Design/methodology/approach

As a bilingual Spanish-speaking Latina and a young Black woman, the authors use artistic expression as a way to voice themselves and to give voice to the work they do as members of two youth research collectives. As individuals, they are members of two different youth participatory action research groups with different goals and ways of making sense of the world. But these groups have also come together to collaborate on issues of shared importance.

Findings

As youth artist-activists, the authors’ work could stand on its own, but they believe that they are stronger together. They have created a conversation of images and voices that represent the strength they have when they can be themselves. They work together to make a world one deserves to live in.

Originality/value

The authors’ work originates from within and is influenced by their experiences in the world, by the communities surrounding them, by those who love them, by those who have come before them and by the challenges that are thrown at them. They believe that their words and images have value because they do.
Impact of Wisconsin Medicaid Policy Change on Dental Sealant Utilization
Authors: Okunseri Christopher , Okunseri Elaye , Garcia Raul I. , Gonzalez Cesar , Visotcky Alexis , Szabo Aniko
Published: December 2016

Background

In September 2006, Wisconsin Medicaid changed its policy to allow nondentists to become certified Medicaid providers and to bill for sealants in public health settings.

Objective

This study examined changes in patterns of dental sealant utilization in first molars of Wisconsin Medicaid enrollees associated with a policy change.

Data Source

The Electronic Data Systems of Medicaid Evaluation and Decision Support for Wisconsin from 2001 to 2009.

Study Design

Retrospective claims data analysis of Wisconsin Dental Medicaid for children aged 6‐16 years.

Principal Findings

A total of 479,847 children followed up for 1,441,300 person‐years with 64,546 visits were analyzed. The rate of visits for sealants by dentists increased significantly from 3 percent per year prepolicy to 11 percent per year postpolicy, and that of nondentists increased from 18 percent per year to 20 percent after the policy change, but this was not significant. Non‐Hispanic blacks had the lowest visit rates for sealant application by dentists and nondentists pre‐ and postpolicy periods.

Conclusions

The Wisconsin Medicaid policy change was associated with increased rates of visits for dental sealant placement by dentists. The rate of visits with sealant placements by nondentists increased at the same rate pre‐ and postpolicy change.
Development of Rapid and Economical Colorimetric Screening Method for p‐Phenylenediamine in Variety of Biological Matrices and its Application to Eleven Fatal Cases of p‐Phenylenediamine Poisoning
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Usman Hafiz Faisal , Shafi Humera , Sarwar Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad Ashraf
Published: December 2016

A rapid colorimetric method for detection of p‐phenylenediamine (PPD) in various biological samples is developed. The o‐cresol test for acetaminophen detection has been modified to detect PPD in blood, urine, gastric contents, and liver. After precipitating protein with trichloroacetic acid solution (2 mL, 10% w/v), biological specimens were required to convert PPD metabolites to PPD by acid hydrolysis. Finally, o‐cresol solution (1 mL, 1% w/v), hydrogen peroxide (200 μL, 3%v/v), and concentrated ammonium hydroxide (0.5 mL) were added in the biological samples. The presence of PPD was indicated by formation of violet color which was turned to bluish green color within 10–15 min. The limit of detection was found to be 2 mg/L in blood, urine, and gastric contents and 2 mg/Kg in liver. This method is also free from any potential interference by p‐aminophenol, acetaminophen, and other amine drugs under test conditions. This method was successfully employed to thirteen fatal cases of PPD poisoning.
Fatal Injuries of Law Enforcement/Correctional Officers Attacked with Sharp‐Edged Weapons,
Authors: Chenpanas Patsy , Bir Cynthia
Published: December 2016

According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, there were 117 law enforcement fatalities in the United States in 2015. Assaults with sharp‐edged weapons have resulted in a total of over 400 fatalities in the United States. The goal of the current research was to examine sharp‐edged weapon assaults against law enforcement and correctional agents that resulted in a fatal outcome. A total of twelve autopsy reports were reviewed from across the United States. Four cases involved law enforcement officers, seven involved correctional officers, and one was an off‐duty border officer. The male‐to‐female ratio was 11:1. A total of 70.2% of the wounds analyzed were stab wounds (n = 85), and 29.8% of the wounds were slash wounds (n = 36). Based on this review, the neck, shoulder, and chest regions were the most vulnerable to single fatal stab/slash wounds. Multiple stab/slash wounds often resulted in exsanguination. The use of body armor was only noted in one case.
Quantitative Determination of Cannabinoids in Cannabis and Cannabis Products Using Ultra‐High‐Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Diode Array/Mass Spectrometric Detection
Authors: Wang Mei , Wang Yan‐Hong , Avula Bharathi , Radwan Mohamed M. , Wanas Amira S. , Mehmedic Zlatko , van Antwerp John , ElSohly Mahmoud A. , Khan Ikhlas A.
Published: December 2016

Ultra‐high‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC) is an efficient analytical technique and has not been fully employed for the analysis of cannabis. Here, a novel method was developed for the analysis of 30 cannabis plant extracts and preparations using UHPSFC/PDA‐MS. Nine of the most abundant cannabinoids, viz. CBD, ∆8‐THC, THCV, ∆9‐THC, CBN, CBG, THCA‐A, CBDA, and CBGA, were quantitatively determined (RSDs < 6.9%). Unlike GC methods, no derivatization or decarboxylation was required prior to UHPSFC analysis. The UHPSFC chromatographic separation of cannabinoids displayed an inverse elution order compared to UHPLC. Combining with PDA‐MS, this orthogonality is valuable for discrimination of cannabinoids in complex matrices. The developed method was validated, and the quantification results were compared with a standard UHPLC method. The RSDs of these two methods were within ±13.0%. Finally, chemometric analysis including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) were used to differentiate between cannabis samples.
A Modified Electrostatic Adsorption Apparatus for Latent Fingerprint Development on Unfired Cartridge Cases
Authors: Xu Jingyang , Zhang Ziyuan , Zheng Xiaochun , Bond John W.
Published: December 2016

Visualization of latent fingerprints on metallic surfaces by the method of applying electrostatic charging and adsorption is considered as a promising chemical‐free method, which has the merit of nondestruction, and is considered to be effective for some difficult situations such as aged fingerprint deposits or those exposed to environmental extremes. In fact, a portable electrostatic generator can be easily accessible in a local forensic technology laboratory, which is already widely used in the visualization of footwear impressions. In this study, a modified version of this electrostatic apparatus is proposed for latent fingerprint development and has shown great potential in visualizing fingerprints on metallic surfaces such as cartridge cases. Results indicate that this experimental arrangement can successfully develop aged latent fingerprints on metal surfaces, and we demonstrate its effectiveness compared with existing conventional fingerprint recovery methods.
Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis in patients using a levonorgestrel‐containing intrauterine device
Authors: Nguyen Yvonne , Fischer Gayle
Published: December 2016

Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis is usually responsive to therapy with oral antifungals. We present a case series of 13 patients with this condition who were also using a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS). All cases responded to ongoing oral fluconazole therapy while the LNG‐IUS was in situ. The LNG‐IUS was removed in six patients and of these, two experienced clinical improvement with lower fluconazole dosage requirements and three experienced complete resolution of symptoms. One remains on fluconazole 100 mg daily.
South–South Cooperation and the Geographies of Latin America–Caribbean Integration and Development: A Socio‐Spatial Approach
Authors: Muhr Thomas
Published: December 2016

Structured around the case of South–South cooperation in the construction of “complementary economic zones” among the member states of the ALBA‐TCP, Petrocaribe, CARICOM and MERCOSUR, this article argues for a socio‐spatial approach to the study of the Latin America–Caribbean integration and development. Two interrelated arguments are developed: first, in contrast to methodologically nationalist approaches, which typically view the regionalisms that are to form the complementary economic zones as ideologically separate, incompatible or conflicting projects, a socio‐spatial approach in conjunction with a South–South cooperation analytical lens explains their commonality and, subsequently, their interrelatedness and convergence. Second, while this South–South cooperation space is not per se non‐capitalist, a socio‐spatial analysis also facilitates “seeing” the production of a socialist “counter‐space” within this South–South cooperation structure.
Health and mineral nutrition status of yaks in southern Mustang, Nepal
Authors: Kumagai Hajime , Nakajima Mitsumi , Anzai Hiroki , Sakai Takashi , Oishi Kazato , Hirooka Hiroyuki , Shah Manoj Kumar
Published: December 2016

Biochemical values and mineral concentrations in blood plasma were investigated to evaluate the statuses of health and mineral nutrition among yaks in Mustang District, Nepal. In total, 118 plasma samples of female yaks collected in April and September/October of 2013–2015 were offered. Seventy‐four percent of yaks showed lower plasma total‐cholesterol concentrations than the lowest limit of reference range (100 mg/dL) and the values in spring (83.41 mg/dL) were lower (P < 0.05) than those in autumn (95.05 mg/dL). All the yaks had lower plasma albumin concentrations than the lowest limit of reference range (3.0 g/dL) and 66% of yaks showed lower plasma inorganic phosphorus concentrations than the critical level of phosphorus deficiency (4.5 mg/dL). Thirty‐five percent of yaks showed lower plasma calcium concentrations than the lowest limit of normal range (8 mg/dL) and the concentrations were lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Seventy‐five percent of yaks presented lower copper concentrations than the critical level (0.65 mg/L) and the concentrations were lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Since the low plasma total‐cholesterol might have indicated shortage of dry matter and energy intake, attention should be paid to the nutritional statuses of energy, phosphorus, calcium and copper in winter and early spring.
A tutorial on how to do a Mokken scale analysis on your test and questionnaire data
Authors: Sijtsma Klaas , van der Ark L. Andries
Published: December 2016

Over the past decade, Mokken scale analysis (MSA) has rapidly grown in popularity among researchers from many different research areas. This tutorial provides researchers with a set of techniques and a procedure for their application, such that the construction of scales that have superior measurement properties is further optimized, taking full advantage of the properties of MSA. First, we define the conceptual context of MSA, discuss the two item response theory (IRT) models that constitute the basis of MSA, and discuss how these models differ from other IRT models. Second, we discuss dos and don'ts for MSA; the don'ts include misunderstandings we have frequently encountered with researchers in our three decades of experience with real‐data MSA. Third, we discuss a methodology for MSA on real data that consist of a sample of persons who have provided scores on a set of items that, depending on the composition of the item set, constitute the basis for one or more scales, and we use the methodology to analyse an example real‐data set.
Increased corneal sub‐basal nerve density in patients with Sjögren syndrome treated with topical cyclosporine A
Authors: Levy Ora , Labbé Antoine , Borderie Vincent , Hamiche Taous , Dupas Bénédicte , Laroche Laurent , Baudouin Christophe , Bouheraoua Nacim
Published: December 2016

Background

To evaluate quantitative and qualitative changes in sub‐basal corneal nerves (SBN) via in vivo confocal microscopy in patients with Sjögren syndrome dry eye (SSDE) treated with topical cyclosporine A (CsA).

Design

Prospective, observational, non‐randomized study.

Participants

Thirty eyes of 30 patients with SSDE refractory to conventional treatment treated with CsA 0.05% twice daily for 6 months. Fifteen eyes of 15 healthy, age and gender matched, volunteers constituted the control group at baseline.

Methods

A clinical evaluation of dry eye, corneal sensation using Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometry and in vivo confocal microscopy analysis of the central cornea were performed prospectively at baseline for all patients, and after 6 months of treatment with CsA.

Main outcome measures

Density, number, reflectivity and tortuosity of SBN, dendritic cell (DC) density, esthesiometry, and dry eye signs and symptoms.

Results

Topical CsA 0.05% improved clinical signs and symptoms, and increased corneal sensitivity. Following treatment, SBN density was significantly increased (P < 0.0001) associated with a decreased in DC density (P < 0.0001). The increase in SBN density after treatment was positively correlated with baseline SBN density (R2 = 0.33; P = 0.0008) and negatively correlated with baseline Ocular Surface Disease Index (R2 = 0.28; P = 0.002), Oxford score (R2 = 0.31; P = 0.002), and DC density (R2 = 0.37; P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

Topical CsA led to an increase in corneal SBN density, improving clinical signs and symptoms of SSDE. Our results also suggest an improved response to treatment in patients with less initial nerve damage.
Toward accurate and precise estimates of lion density
Authors: Elliot Nicholas B. , Gopalaswamy Arjun M.
Published: December 2016

Reliable estimates of animal density are fundamental to understanding ecological processes and population dynamics. Furthermore, their accuracy is vital to conservation because wildlife authorities rely on estimates to make decisions. However, it is notoriously difficult to accurately estimate density for wide‐ranging carnivores that occur at low densities. In recent years, significant progress has been made in density estimation of Asian carnivores, but the methods have not been widely adapted to African carnivores, such as lions (Panthera leo). Although abundance indices for lions may produce poor inferences, they continue to be used to estimate density and inform management and policy. We used sighting data from a 3‐month survey and adapted a Bayesian spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) model to estimate spatial lion density in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies in Kenya. Our unstructured spatial capture‐recapture sampling design incorporated search effort to explicitly estimate detection probability and density on a fine spatial scale, making our approach robust in the context of varying detection probabilities. Overall posterior mean lion density was estimated to be 17.08 (posterior SD 1.310) lions >1 year old/100 km2, and the sex ratio was estimated at 2.2 females to 1 male. Our modeling framework and narrow posterior SD demonstrate that SECR methods can produce statistically rigorous and precise estimates of population parameters, and we argue that they should be favored over less reliable abundance indices. Furthermore, our approach is flexible enough to incorporate different data types, which enables robust population estimates over relatively short survey periods in a variety of systems. Trend analyses are essential to guide conservation decisions but are frequently based on surveys of differing reliability. We therefore call for a unified framework to assess lion numbers in key populations to improve management and policy decisions.
Radiographic evidence of traumatic injuries to primary incisors without accompanying clinical signs
Authors: Holan Gideon , Yodko Elizabeth
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims

In epidemiological studies, traumatic dental injuries in children are usually determined from clinical signs or parents’ reports. Radiographs are used in dental trauma centers but not in field surveys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of patients who present with radiographic evidence of trauma without any clinical signs of a history of TDI.

Methods

The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was assessed from the records of 674 preschool children at their first visit to a private dental practice. Evidence of the history of traumatic dental injuries was based on clinical and radiographic signs. Clinical signs consisted of enamel fracture, crown fracture with dentin exposure (with or without pulp exposure), internal coronal discoloration, and the presence of a draining sinus. Radiographic signs were as follows: root fracture, pulp canal obliteration, tube‐like mineralization, internal resorption, arrested dentin deposition, external inflammatory root resorption, and a periapical radiolucency.

Results

Of the 674 children, 408 (60.5%) presented with clinical evidence of traumatic dental injuries. This included 195 (28.9%) with enamel fracture as the sole sign. Seventeen (2.5%) had radiographic signs of traumatic dental injuries without any clinical evidence of trauma, increasing the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries by 2.5–63.0%. Fifteen of these were pulp canal obliteration, one root fracture, and one with arrested dentin deposition. Clinical signs of traumatic dental injuries without radiographic evidence of trauma were present in 275 (40.8%) patients.

Conclusion

Traumatic dental injuries based on both clinical and radiographic evidence are more prevalent than when based on clinical examination only.
Effect of bisphosphonates on root resorption after tooth replantation – a systematic review
Authors: Najeeb Shariq , Siddiqui Fahad , Khurshid Zohaib , Zohaib Sana , Zafar Muhammad Sohail , Ansari Shazia Akbar
Published: December 2016

Background/Aim

Replantation of avulsed teeth may lead to root resorption. Bisphosphonates (BPs), a class of drugs of used to treat resorptive diseases of the bone such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease, have been observed to exert an antiresorptive effect on periodontal bone as well. The antiresorptive properties of BPs could prove them useful in preventing root resorption of replanted avulsed teeth. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and summarize the currently available literature concerning the use of BPs in preventing root resorption of avulsed teeth.

Materials and methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Embase databases were searched using keywords ‘bisphosphonate’, ‘replantation’, and ‘tooth’. Quality assessment of each study was carried out. In addition, general characteristics and outcomes of each study were summarized.

Results

After exclusion of 116 irrelevant articles, 10 animal studies were included in this review. The majority of the studies suggest that surface application of zoledronate or alendronate reduces root resorption of replanted teeth in animal models. Surface treatment with etidronate had no significant effect on root resorption, and intracanal etidronate accelerated resorption.

Conclusion

Surface application of zoledronate and alendronate reduces root resorption of replanted teeth in animal models. However, the efficacy of intracanal usage of BPs is still debatable.