bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5. Sustainability and preservation
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: December 2018

Sustainable development was defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report as development that ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. It envisaged social, ecological, and economic needs, favouring not just leaving future generations with options for satisfying their needs, but also introducing policies that would make the meeting of those needs more feasible. ‘Sustainability and preservation’ discusses the Millennium Development Goals set in 2000 and the Sustainable Development Goals set in 2015. It explains why biodiversity loss is a major global problem, and why its preservation warrants inclusion in these goals. The forms and limits of preservation are also considered.
8. The ethics of climate change
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: December 2018

Climate change in the form of global warming is a serious ecological problem. ‘The ethics of climate change’ explains that the vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is ‘anthropogenic’. This belief is reflected in reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. There is therefore a strong ethical case for vigorous and concerted action to mitigate climate change, and, given that some climate change is already irreversible, to adapt to its effects. The policies of mitigation, adaptation, and compensation are considered along with the different defensible approaches to these issues, including the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, reducing greenhouse gas (and other) emissions, and climate engineering.
Selective flatfish seine: a knee-high demersal seine barely catches cod
Authors: Ingólfsson Ólafur Arnar , Humborstad Odd-Børre , Løkkeborg Svein
Published: December 2018

Norwegian coastal cod (Gadus morhua) protection restricts the use of active fishing gears. Demersal seines, acknowledged as being efficient for targeting flatfish, are therefore largely excluded from the fjords. To exploit plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), a species-selective gear that avoids catching cod is needed. We therefore designed a low-rise demersal seine with a 0.6 m vertical opening and tested it on fishing grounds in Lofoten (Northern Norway), comparing it with a conventional seine that had a vertical opening of ∼3.5 m, and fished both during the day and at night. Six to nine hauls were taken with each of the four gear/time-of-day categories (32 hauls in total). The low-rise seine caught no fewer plaice during day-time fishing, but less at night. Cod and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) catches were reduced by 94% and 98%, respectively, while catches of sole (Solea solea) increased with the low-rise seine. No catch differences were found for halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), common dab (Limanda limanda), or monkfish (Lophius piscatorius). The low-rise seine therefore enables targeting flatfish while avoiding gadoid catches, although loss of plaice during night-time fishing is to be expected.
Plasma membrane sphingomyelin modulates thymocyte development by inhibiting TCR-induced apoptosis
Authors: Toshima Kaoru , Nagafuku Masakazu , Okazaki Toshiro , Kobayashi Toshihide , Inokuchi Jin-ichi
Published: December 2018

Sphingomyelin (SM) in combination with cholesterol forms specialized membrane lipid microdomains in which specific receptors and signaling molecules are localized or recruited to mediate intracellular signaling. SM-microdomain levels in mouse thymus were low in the early CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) stage prior to thymic selection and increased >10-fold during late selection. T-cell receptor (TCR) signal strength is a key factor determining whether DP thymocytes undergo positive or negative selection. We examined the role of SM-microdomains in thymocyte development and related TCR signaling, using SM synthase 1 (SMS1)-deficient (SMS1−/−) mice which display low SM expression in all thymocyte populations. SMS1 deficiency caused reduced cell numbers after late DP stages in TCR transgenic models. TCR-dependent apoptosis induced by anti-CD3 treatment was enhanced in SMS1−/− DP thymocytes both in vivo and in vitro. SMS1−/− DP thymocytes, relative to controls, showed increased phosphorylation of TCR-proximal kinase ZAP-70 and increased expression of Bim and Nur77 proteins involved in negative selection following TCR stimulation. Addition of SM to cultured normal DP thymocytes led to greatly increased surface expression of SM-microdomains, with associated reduction of TCR signaling and TCR-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate that SM-microdomains are increased in late DP stages, function as negative regulators of TCR signaling and modulate the efficiency of TCR-proximal signaling to promote thymic selection events leading to subsequent developmental stages.
Chemotherapy and diffuse low-grade gliomas: a survey within the European Low-Grade Glioma Network
Authors: Darlix Amélie , Mandonnet Emmanuel , Freyschlag Christian F , Pinggera Daniel , Forster Marie-Therese , Voss Martin , Steinbach Joachim , Loughrey Carmel , Goodden John , Banna Giuseppe , Di Blasi Concetta , Foroglou Nicolas , Hottinger Andreas F , Baron Marie-Hélène , Pallud Johan , Duffau Hugues , Rutten Geert-Jan , Almairac Fabien , Fontaine Denys , Taillandier Luc , Pessanha Viegas Catarina , Albuquerque Luisa , von Campe Gord , Urbanic-Purkart Tadeja , Blonski Marie
Published: December 2018

Background

Diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs) are rare and incurable tumors. Whereas maximal safe, functional-based surgical resection is the first-line treatment, the timing and choice of further treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or combined treatments) remain controversial.

Methods

An online survey on the management of DLGG patients was sent to 28 expert centers from the European Low-Grade Glioma Network (ELGGN) in May 2015. It contained 40 specific questions addressing the modalities of use of chemotherapy in these patients.

Results

The survey demonstrated a significant heterogeneity in practice regarding the initial management of DLGG patients and the use of chemotherapy. Interestingly, radiation therapy combined with the procarbazine, CCNU (lomustine), and vincristine regimen has not imposed itself as the gold-standard treatment after surgery, despite the results of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9802 study. Temozolomide is largely used as first-line treatment after surgical resection for high-risk DLGG patients, or at progression.

Conclusions

The heterogeneity in the management of patients with DLGG demonstrates that many questions regarding the postoperative strategy and the use of chemotherapy remain unanswered. Our survey reveals a high recruitment potential within the ELGGN for retrospective or prospective studies to generate new data regarding these issues.
Substantial Differences in Serum Concentrations of Psychoactive Drugs Measured in Samples Stored for 2 Days or More on Standard Serum Tubes Versus Serum Tubes Containing Gel Separators
Authors: Wollmann Birgit M. , Lunde Hilde A. , Støten Lene K. , Lunder Niclas , Molden Espen
Published: December 2018

Background:

Drugs may potentially adsorb to blood collection tubes containing gel separators in the preanalytical phase of therapeutic drug monitoring. The aim of this study was to compare measured concentrations of 28 psychoactive drugs and 13 metabolites in spiked serum samples stored on standard (plain) tubes versus barrier gel tubes during a 2–6-day period at room temperature.

Methods:

Drug-free (“blank”) serum samples spiked with mixes of antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers (valproic acid and lamotrigine), including relevant metabolites, were transferred to tubes with and without gel, that is, BD Vacutainer SST II Advance gel tubes and BD Vacutainer Glass Serum Tubes (Becton-Dickinson Company, Plymouth, United Kingdom). Mean serum concentrations of the drugs or metabolites measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analyses of protein-precipitated samples were compared after storage on plain or gel tubes at 3 time points (day 0, day 2/48 hours, and day 6/144 hours) in room temperature.

Results:

Mean serum concentrations of all antidepressants, except for one metabolite, and 13 of 18 antipsychotic drugs were significantly lower in gel tubes compared with plain tubes after 2 days of storage (2%–28% lower, P < 0.05). After 6 days of storage, mean serum concentrations of all antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants were significantly lower in gel tubes versus plain tubes (9%–49% lower, P < 0.02), except for amisulpride and O-desmethylvenlafaxine. Serum concentrations of the mood stabilizers were not significantly different in gel tubes compared with plain tubes (P > 0.1). There was a clear relationship between log P (partition coefficient) and residual serum concentrations during gel tube storage (r −0.50 and −0.42 at day 2 and day 6, respectively; P < 0.02).

Conclusions:

This study shows that storage on gel for more than 2 days significantly decreases the serum concentrations of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs as compared to storage in plain tubes. Thus, using tubes with gel separators in the therapeutic drug monitoring of psychoactive drugs should be reconsidered.
Thermodynamically Consistent Estimation of Gibbs Free Energy from Data: Data Reconciliation Approach
Authors: Salike Saman , Bhatt Nirav
Published: December 2018

Motivation

Thermodynamic analysis of biological reaction networks requires the availability of accurate and consistent values of Gibbs free energies of reaction and formation. These Gibbs energies can be measured directly via the careful design of experiments or can be computed from the curated Gibbs free energy databases. However, the computed Gibbs free energies of reactions and formations do not satisfy the thermodynamic constraints due to the compounding effect of measurement errors in the experimental data. The propagation of these errors can lead to a false prediction of pathway feasibility and uncertainty in the estimation of thermodynamic parameters.

Results

This work proposes a data reconciliation framework for thermodynamically consistent estimation of Gibbs free energies of reaction, formation and group contributions from experimental data. In this framework, we formulate constrained optimization problems that reduce measurement errors and their effects on the estimation of Gibbs energies such that the thermodynamic constraints are satisfied. When a subset of Gibbs free energies of formations is unavailable, it is shown that the accuracy of their resulting estimates is better than that of existing empirical prediction methods. Moreover, we also show that the estimation of group contributions can be improved using this approach. Further, we provide guidelines based on this approach for performing systematic experiments to estimate unknown Gibbs formation energies.

Availability

The MATLAB code for the executing the proposed algorithm is available for free on the GitHub repository:https://github.com/samansalike/DR-thermo

Contact

niravbhatt@iitm.ac.in
Longitudinal prediction of outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using automated CT analysis
Authors: Jacob Joseph , Bartholmai Brian J. , van Moorsel Coline H.M. , Rajagopalan Srinivasan , Devaraj Anand , van Es Hendrik W. , Moua Teng , van Beek Frouke T. , Clay Ryan , Veltkamp Marcel , Kokosi Maria , de Lauretis Angelo , Judge Eoin P. , Burd Teresa , Peikert Tobias , Karwoski Ronald , Maldonado Fabien , Renzoni Elisabetta , Maher Toby M. , Altmann Andre , Wells Athol U.
Published: December 2018

AIMS

To evaluate computer-derived (CALIPER) CT variables against FVC change as potential drug trials endpoints in IPF.

METHODS

71 Royal Brompton Hospital (discovery cohort) and 23 Mayo Clinic Rochester and 24 St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein IPF patients (validation cohort) were analysed. Patients had two CTs performed 5-30 months apart, concurrent FVC measurements and were not exposed to antifibrotics (to avoid confounding of mortality relationships from antifibrotic use). Cox regression analyses (adjusted for patient age and gender) evaluated outcome for annualized FVC and CALIPER vessel-related structures (VRS) change and examined the added prognostic value of thresholded VRS changes beyond standard FVC change thresholds.

RESULTS

Change in VRS was a stronger outcome predictor than FVC decline when examined as continuous variables, in discovery and validation cohorts. When FVC decline (≥10%) and VRS thresholds were examined together, the majority of VRS change thresholds independently predicted outcome, with no decrease in model fit. When analysed as co-endpoints, a VRS threshold of ≥0·40 identified 30% more patients reaching an endpoint than a ≥10% FVC decline threshold alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Change in VRS is a strong predictor of outcome in IPF and can increase power in future drug trials when used as a co-endpoint alongside FVC change.

Ethics committee approval

Approval for this study of clinically indicated CT and pulmonary function data was obtained from Liverpool Research Ethics Committee (Reference: 14/NW/0028) and the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Royal Brompton Hospital, Mayo Clinic Rochester and St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein. Informed patient consent was not required.

Take home message

Change in the vessel-related structures, a computer-derived CT variable, is a strong predictor of outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and can increase power in future drug trials when used as a co-endpoint alongside forced vital capacity change.
Skeletal muscle ceramides do not contribute to physical inactivity-induced insulin resistance
Authors: Appriou Zephyra , Nay Kevin , Pierre Nicolas , Saligaut Dany , Lefeuvre-Orfila Luz , Martin Brice , Cavey Thibault , Ropert Martine , Loreal Olivier , Rannou-Bekono Francoise , Derbre Frederic
Published: December 2018

Physical inactivity increases the risk to develop type 2 diabetes, a disease characterized by a state of insulin resistance. By promoting inflammatory state, ceramides are especially recognized to alter insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. The present study was designed to analyze, in mice, whether muscle ceramides contribute to physical inactivity-induced insulin resistance. For this purpose, we used the wheel lock model to induce a sudden reduction of physical activity, in combination with myriocin treatment, an inhibitor of de novo ceramide synthesis. Mice were assigned to 3 experimental groups: voluntary wheel access group (Active), a wheel lock group (Inactive) and wheel lock group treated with myriocin (Inactive-Myr). We observed that 10 days of physical inactivity induces hyperinsulinemia and increase HOMA-IR. The muscle ceramide content were not modified by physical inactivity and myriocin. Thus, muscle ceramides do not play a role in physical inactivity-induced insulin resistance. In skeletal muscle, insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and inflammatory pathway were not affected by physical inactivity whereas a reduction of GLUT4 content was observed. Based on these results, physical inactivity-induced insulin resistance seems related to a reduction in GLUT4 content rather than defects in insulin signaling. We observed in inactive mice that myriocin treatment improved glucose tolerance, insulin-stimulated Akt, AMPK activation and GLUT4 content in skeletal muscle. Such effects occur regardless of changes in muscle ceramide content. These findings highlight that myriocin could be a promising drug to improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Confinement-induced transition between wave-like collective cell migration modes
Authors: Petrolli Vanni , Goff Magali Le , Tadrous Monika , Martens Kirsten , Allier Cédric , Mandula Ondrej , Hervé Lionel , Henkes Silke , Sknepnek Rastko , Boudou Thomas , Cappello Giovanni , Balland Martial
Published: December 2018

The structural and functional organization of biological tissues relies on the intricate interplay between chemical and mechanical signaling. Whereas the role of constant and transient mechanical perturbations is generally accepted, several studies recently highlighted the existence of long-range mechanical excitations (i.e., waves) at the supracellular level. Here, we confine epithelial cell mono-layers to quasi-one dimensional geometries, to force the establishment of tissue-level waves of well-defined wavelength and period. Numerical simulations based on a self-propelled Voronoi model reproduce the observed waves and exhibit a phase transition between a global and a multi-nodal wave, controlled by the confinement size. We confirm experimentally the existence of such a phase transition, and show that wavelength and period are independent of the confinement length. Together, these results demonstrate the intrinsic origin of tissue oscillations, which could provide cells with a mechanism to accurately measure distances at the supracellular level.
Stable knockout and complementation of receptor expression using in vitro cell line derived reticulocytes for dissection of host malaria invasion requirements
Authors: Satchwell Timothy J , Wright Katherine E , Haydn-Smith Katy L , Terán Fernando Sánchez-Román , Hawksworth Joseph , Frayne Jan , Toye Ashley M , Baum Jake
Published: December 2018

Invasion of and intracellular development within the red blood cell by malaria parasites requires interaction with a multitude of host proteins expressed at the surface of or inside the cell. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to dissection of specific functions of host proteins during invasion is the inability to manipulate protein expression in the genetically intractable anucleate red blood cell. Whilst genetic manipulation and subsequent in vitro differentiation of nucleated erythroid precursors have facilitated progress in this area, such approaches are limited by the finite proliferative capacity of primary hematopoietic stem cells, and a failure of erythroleukemic cell lines to enucleate, respectively. Here, we report that reticulocytes derived through in vitro differentiation of an enucleation competent immortalized erythroblast cell line (BEL-A) support both successful invasion and growth by Plasmodium falciparum. Using CRISPR-mediated gene knockout and lentiviral expression of open reading frames, we validate an essential role for the erythrocyte receptor basigin in P. falciparum invasion and, for the first time, demonstrate that this can be rescued by re-expression of the receptor or of a mutant thereof. Specifically, using sustainable edited clones derived from this line, we exclude a functional role for the cytoplasmic domain of basigin during invasion, and challenge the reported requirement of its associated receptor cyclophilin B. These data establish the use of reticulocytes derived from immortalized erythroblasts as a crucial model system to explore specific hypotheses regarding host receptor requirements and involvement in P. falciparum invasion.
Immunogenicity and protective potency of Norovirus GII.17 virus-like particle-based vaccine
Authors: Chen Wei , Kang Tao , Yuan Rongliang , Zhang Yuyang , Xin Siqi , Shao Congwen , Jing Shenrong
Published: December 2018

Noroviruses (NoVs) are a major cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in adults and children worldwide. Lacking of cell culture system and animals models that must be considered the virus like particles (VLPs) used as an effective vaccine development. In the present study, we investigated the expression of the major capsid protein (VP1) of Genogroup II, genotype 17 (GII.17) NoV using recombinant baculovirus system in insect cells and saliva binding blockade assay to detect their protective potency. Our results showed that GII.17 VLPs could be successfully generated in sf9 insect cells and electron microscopic revealed that GII.17 VLPs was visualized as spherical particles of -35nm in diameter. Immunized mouse with purified VLPs produced GII.17 specific sera and could efficiently block GII.17 VLPs binding to saliva histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). Together, these results suggested that GII.17 VLPs represent a promising vaccine candidate against NoV GII.17 infection and strongly support further preclinical and clinical studies.
Water transmission potential of Angiostrongylus cantonensis: larval viability, and effectiveness of rainwater catchment sediment filters
Authors: Howe Kathleen , Kaluna Lisa , Fisher Bruce Torres , Tagami Yaeko , McHugh Robert , Jarvi Susan I
Published: December 2018

Neuroangiostrongyliasis, caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, has been reported in Hawai?i since the 1950's. An increase in cases is being reported primarily from East Hawai?i Island, correlated with the introduction of the semi-slug Parmarion martensi. Households in areas lacking infrastructure for water must use rainwater catchment as their primary domestic water supply, for which there is no federal, state, or county regulation. Despite evidence that contaminated water can cause infection, regulatory bodies have not addressed this potential transmission route. This study evaluates: 1) the emergence of live, infective-stage A. cantonensis larvae from drowned, non-native, pestiforous gastropods; 2) larvae location in an undisturbed water column; 3) longevity of free-living larvae in water; and 4) effectiveness of rainwater catchment filters in blocking infective-stage larvae. Larvae were shed from minced and whole gastropods drowned in either municipal water or rainwater with >94% of larvae recovered from the bottom of the water column. Infective-stage larvae were active for 21 days in municipal water. Histological sectioning of P. martensi showed proximity of nematode larvae to the body wall of the gastropod, consistent with the potential for shedding of larvae in slime. Gastropod tissue squashes showed effectivity as a quick screening method. Live, infective-stage larvae were able to traverse rainwater catchment polypropylene sediment filters of 20 µm, 10 µm, 5 µm, and 1 µm filtration ratings, but not a 5 µm carbon block filter. These results demonstrate that live, infective-stage A. cantonensis larvae can and do emerge from drowned snails and slugs, survive for extended periods of time in water, and that the potential exists that they enter the household water supply. This study illustrates the need to better investigate and understand the potential role of contaminated water as a transmission route for neuroangiostrongyliasis.
Cover letter RE “Video observations of the acute effects of dredged sediment deposition on mobile epifauna”
Authors: Roegner G. Curtis
Published: December 2018

The “beneficial uses” of dredged sediment are increasingly being explored for habitat restoration and beach nourishment. At ocean and nearshore deposition sites, any beneficial use must be tempered by evaluating impacts to the benthos. We studied a site at the mouth of the Columbia River where a “thin-layer” sediment deposition method was employed to minimize mounding and disperse sediment within a prescribed area. We used baited benthic video landers (BVLs) in a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) experimental design to test the acute effects of sediment deposition on the Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and dog whelk (Nassarius spp). We considered the acute effects of both sediment deposition depths and the lateral surge (the turbidity front transiting the seafloor). Observations revealed sedimentation levels were limited (< 4 cm) and likely posed no direct threat to epifauna. Video and instrument readings showed the lateral surge to impact the BVLs as a 2 to 3 m/s sediment-laden front. Crabs were significantly impacted, while gastropods were more resistant to dislodgment. However, the high velocity impact was relatively brief (5 to 7 min). Further, crabs often returned to forage at BVLs after a mean lag of about 20 min post-impact. These results indicate an acute but ephemeral impact effect on crab, and support use of the thin-layer deposition method to minimize burial. The BVLs in a BACI experimental design were an effective means of measuring sediment impacts to mobile epifauna, and video observations were informative for understanding lateral surge dynamics and the behavioral interactions of organisms.
Ca and S K-edge XANES of CaS calculated by different methods: influence of full potential, core hole and Eu doping
Authors: Šipr Ondřej , Khan Wilayat , Joly Yves , Minár Ján
Published: December 2018

Ca and S K-edge spectra of CaS are calculated by the full-potential Green's function multiple-scattering method, by the FLAPW method and by the finite-difference method. All three techniques lead to similar spectra. Some differences remain close to the edge, both when comparing different calculations with each other and when comparing the calculations with earlier experimental data. Here it is found that using the full potential does not lead to significant improvement over the atomic spheres approximation and that the effect of the core hole can be limited to the photoabsorbing atom alone. Doping CaS with Eu will not affect the Ca and S K-edge XANES of CaS significantly but may give rise to a pre-edge structure not present for clean CaS.
Absorptive capacity and innovation in China
Authors: Reid David McHardy
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question the conventional wisdom that China fails to produce distinctive innovation; its capabilities limited merely to copying and reverse engineering. The author postulates that the lack of innovation is a delayed activity since China is undergoing a process of building absorptive capacity (AC) as a precursor to innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The author probes this question by drawing on the concept of AC, a competence separate from innovativeness and a precursor to it. By drawing on the AC literature three propositions are established. Subsequently, these propositions are examined, in part, with data drawn from 34 interviews conducted in China with CEOs, other senior corporate officers and government officials. In this way, the author explores the challenges to innovating.

Findings

Thomson Reuters 2015 Top Global Innovators report listed no Chinese company among its top 100 list of innovative companies. The author’s belief, however, favors China to become a source of innovation. A positive tilt derived from both interviews and recent reports published by Bain & Company, Booz and Co as well as McKinsey & Co. This evidences, the author argues, China is acquiring AC, a competence independent of innovation but a necessary antecedent to decoding and deploying the intellectual property in its portfolio. The collective effect of this is that the perception of China as a source of innovative activity will show an uptick when the AC threshold is reached.

Research limitations/implications

This is a viewpoint paper grounded on an exploratory study.

Practical implications

Guidance on AC development is valuable to government policy makers promoting innovation in China and those attempting to arbitrage these developments. Similarly, policy makers in competitive nations should also be aware that their innovation-focused industries may need nurturing and bolstering since they may be at risk of being swept away by a tsunami-like innovation wave from China.

Originality/value

This is an original take on the relationship of AC and innovativeness in China. The author argues that in contrast to the conventional wisdom China has the potential for innovativeness.
Effect of post-processing on the dimensional accuracy of small plastic additive manufactured parts
Authors: Nsengimana Joseph , Van der Walt Jacobus , Pei Eujin , Miah Maruf
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of post-processing techniques on dimensional accuracy of laser sintering (LS) of Nylon and Alumide®and fused deposition modelling (FDM) of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Additive manufacturing (AM) of test pieces using LS of Nylon and Alumide®powders, as well as the FDM of ABS materials, were first conducted. Next, post-processing of the test pieces involved tumbling, shot peening, hand finishing, spray painting, CNC machining and chemical treatment. Touch probe scanning of the test pieces was undertaken to assess the dimensional deviation, followed by statistical analysis using Chi-square and Z-tests.

Findings

The deviation ranges of the original built parts with those being subjected to tumbling, shot peening, hand finishing, spray painting, CNC machining or chemical treatment were found to be different. Despite the rounding of sharp corners and the removal of small protrusions, the dimensional accuracy of relatively wide surfaces of Nylon or Alumide®test pieces were not significantly affected by the tumbling or shot peening processes. The immersion of ABS test pieces into an acetone bath produced excellent dimensional accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

Only Nylon PA2200 and Alumide®processed through LS and ABS P400 processed through FDM were investigated. Future work could also examine other materials and using parts produced with other AM processes.

Practical implications

The service bureaus that produce prototypes and end-use functional parts through AM will be able to apply the findings of this investigation.

Originality/value

This research has outlined the differences of post-processing techniques such as tumbling, shot peening, hand finishing, spray painting, CNC machining and chemical treatment. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each of those methods and suggests that the immersion of ABS test pieces into an acetone bath produced excellent dimensional accuracy.
Factors influencing cruise vacations: the impact of online reviews and environmental friendliness
Authors: Bahja Frida , Cobanoglu Cihan , Berezina Katerina , Lusby Carolin
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to discover the relative importance of influencing factors toward booking a cruise vacation. Based on a review of literature, this study focused on exploring the relative importance of six influential factors in cruise customers’ decision-making process: cruise vacation price, cruise duration, distance from the cruise port, itineraries, environmental friendliness of cruise line and cruise online reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The complexity of cruise customers’ decision-making process for involving these six attributes with several levels was examined with choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis. CBC was selected due to its realistic approach to purchase decisions, in the form of trade-offs. The online survey collected data anonymously. The survey was distributed through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mturk) platform. The sample consisted of 450 cruise customers, who had experienced a cruise vacation before.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that online reviews were the most influential attribute for cruise customers in their cruise decision, followed very closely by the environmental friendliness of the cruise line. The next influential factor was the duration of the cruise vacation, which was followed by distance from the cruise port, cruise itinerary and cruise vacation price. The best and the worst cruise vacation profiles were generated based on the CBC analysis.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide some insights with regard to cruise customers’ importance about influencing factors when deciding on a cruise vacation.

Originality/value

The research provides insides in understanding the influential factors at the last stage of cruise customers’ decision-making process. In this regard, cruise industry can pay more attention in promoting the attributes of a cruise offer as influential factors. Additionally, the findings of this study contribute to the general knowledge about cruise customers’ decision-making process.
Estimating contributions of pelagic and benthic pathways to consumer production in coupled marine food webs
Authors: Duffill Telsnig Jessica I. , Jennings Simon , Mill Aileen C. , Walker Nicola D. , Parnell Andrew C. , Polunin Nicholas V. C.
Published: December 2018

Pelagic and benthic systems usually interact, but their dynamics and production rates differ. Such differences influence the distribution, reproductive cycles, growth rates, stability and productivity of the consumers they support. Consumer preferences for, and dependence on, pelagic or benthic production are governed by the availability of these sources of production and consumer life history, distribution, habitat, behavioural ecology, ontogenetic stage and morphology.

Diet studies may demonstrate the extent to which consumers feed on prey in pelagic or benthic environments. But they do not discriminate benthic production directly supported by phytoplankton from benthic production recycled through detrital pathways. The former will track the dynamics of phytoplankton production more closely than the latter.

We develop and apply a new analytical method that uses carbon (C) and sulphur (S) natural abundance stable isotope data to assess the relative contribution of pelagic and benthic pathways to fish consumer production.

For 13 species of fish that dominate community biomass in the northern North Sea (estimated >90% of total biomass), relative modal use of pelagic pathways ranged from <25% to >85%. Use of both C and S isotopes as opposed to just C reduced uncertainty in relative modal use estimates. Temporal comparisons of relative modal use of pelagic and benthic pathways revealed similar ranking of species dependency over 4 years, but annual variation in relative modal use within species was typically 10%–40%.

For the total fish consumer biomass in the study region, the C and S method linked approximately 70% and 30% of biomass to pelagic and benthic pathways, respectively. As well as providing a new method to define consumers’ links to pelagic and benthic pathways, our results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of fish biomass, and by inference production, in the northern North Sea is supported by production that has passed through transformations on the seabed.
A modeling approach to gauging the effects of nicotine vaping product use on cessation from cigarettes: what do we know, what do we need to know?
Authors: Levy David T. , Yuan Zhe , Li Yameng , Alberg Anthony J. , Cummings K. Michael
Published: December 2018

Background and aims

The long‐term population health impact of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) use among smokers is unknown, and subject to a range of plausible assumptions about the use and health consequences of NVPs. While NVPs use may substitute for cigarette smoking and thereby aid in quitting cigarette use, it is also possible that smokers who would have otherwise quit would instead delay quitting cigarettes. We aimed to develop a cohort‐specific simulation model of the impact of NVPs on smoking cessation by adult smokers and resulting premature deaths (PD) and life years lost (LYL).

Design

A cohort‐specific simulation model of the impact of NVPs on smoking cessation by adult smokers and resulting premature deaths (PD) and life years lost (LYL) was developed by gender for two birth cohorts, aged 30 and 50 years in 2012. Extensive sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Setting

United States.

Participants

Smokers in two birth cohorts, aged 30 and 50 years in 2012.

Measurements

Data were from the 1965–2012 National Health Interview Surveys and the 2014/15 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey. The model incorporated a range of plausible assumptions from published literature about transition rates from regular smoking to exclusive NVP and dual use, from dual use to exclusive NVP use and from exclusive NVP use to no use.

Findings

Compared with the no‐NVP scenario, the male (female) model projected 17.8% (19.3%) fewer PDs and 22.9% (26.6%) fewer LYL for the 1982 cohort and 5.4% (7.3%) fewer PDs and 7.9% (11.4%) fewer LYL for the 1962 cohort. These gains were sensitive to NVP use over time, age of initial NVP use, transitions from smoking to dual, exclusive NVP and no use and relative NVP mortality risks.

Conclusions

Nicotine vaping product (NVP) use in the United States is projected to have a net positive impact on population health over a wide range of plausible levels of NVP use, transitions to dual, exclusive NVP and no use and NVP risks. However, net impact is sensitive to parameter estimates.
‘Names will never hurt us’: A qualitative exploration of çapulcu identity through the eyes of Gezi Park protesters
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Acar Yasemin Gülsüm
Published: December 2018

While there is a wealth of literature on how and why people engage in collective action, there has been comparably less focus on the way identities that have emerged (as compared to how they are consolidated or politicized) through crowd action are understood and explained by those who carry those identities, as well as the particular importance of norm formation and adherence in this process. The Gezi Park protests in Turkey allowed studying exactly how a newly created identity –çapulcuidentity [Turkish for looters] – can be perceived by the protesters. The present study utilizes a qualitative approach to explore how theçapulcuidentity was understood by people who participated in the Gezi Park protests, as well as the norms and prototypes associated with that identity. More specifically, we investigated perceptions of (1) the defining characteristics of a new identity (i.e., meaning ofçapulcu), (2) prototypicality (i.e., typicalçapulcu), (3) expectations ofçapulcubehaviour in terms of social norms, and (4) out‐group definitions (i.e., differentiating açapulcufrom anon‐çapulcu). We used a survey with open‐ended questions to exploreçapulcuidentity and analysed the data from 196 participants using qualitative content analysis. Results highlighted the important defining characteristics ofçapulcuidentity, how this identity is positioned in relation to the newly created out‐group (i.e., government supporters), and social norms based on this newly created identity. We discuss the meanings of identity characteristics and social norms in the political context of Turkey in relation to existing collective action models, as well as why we need to examine identities that come about during protests qualitatively.
Neo‐Marxian social class inequalities in oral health among the South Korean population
Authors: Novrinda Herry , Han Dong‐Hun , Jung‐Choi Kyunghee , Ryu Jae‐In
Published: December 2018

Aim

The aims of this study were to examine inequalities in periodontitis and tooth loss among South Korean adults using the Wright's Neo‐Marxian social class (NMSC) indicator and to assess the impact of material, psychosocial, health behavioural and workplace environmental factors in the association of social class with oral health.

Methods

This study used the data from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with 6710 participants aged 19‐54 years old. Participants were classified into 12 social class positions based on the Wright's social class map. Healthy gum and absence of tooth loss were the health outcomes. Mediating factors were material (M), psychosocial (PS), health behavioural (HB) and workplace environmental (WPE) factors. A series of logistic regressions were performed to analyse the data. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to report the results.

Results

For the absence of periodontal pockets status, expert supervisors were the healthiest periodontal group among the social classes (OR = 2.15 95% CI 1.59‐2.90) in the age and gender adjusted model. For the absence of tooth loss, skilled workers had the highest OR for absence of tooth loss (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.31‐2.05) in the age‐ and gender‐adjusted model. For absence of periodontal pockets, the explanatory power of the M factor was the highest in all social class positions except for nonskilled supervisors followed by the HB factor. Additionally, the absence of tooth loss had a fairly similar pattern. The explanatory power of the M factor was the highest in all social class positions except for the petty bourgeoisie (highest: HB) and nonskilled supervisors (highest: WPE) followed by the HB and WPE factors.

Conclusion

There were nongradient oral health inequalities among the South Korean population according to the NMSC. Oral health promotion programmes that focus on changing the socioeconomic environment and health behaviours should be implemented.
Clinical indices and local levels of inflammatory biomarkers in per‐implant health of obese and nonobese individuals
Authors: Alasqah Mohammed N. , Al‐Shibani Nouf , Al‐Aali Khulud Abdulrahman , Qutub Osama A. , Abduljabbar Tariq , Akram Zohaib
Published: December 2018

Background

Obesity seem to regulate peri‐implant health. It is proposed that peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 are higher in obese as compared to nonobese individuals.

Objective

The purpose of the present clinico‐laboratory study is to estimate and compare the clinical and radiographic indices and PICF levels of IL‐1β and IL‐6 among obese and nonobese patients.

Materials and Methods

Fifty patients were divided into two groups (25 obese with ≥27.5 kg/m2 and 25 nonobese with <27.5 kg/m2 individuals). Clinical indices for both periodontal and peri‐implant evaluating plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and crestal bone loss (CBL) were recorded around teeth and implants. PICF was collected and assessed for the levels of IL‐1β and IL‐6 using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

A significant difference was observed in PI and BOP around natural teeth and implants in obese patients, respectively (P < .05). CBL was found to be significantly higher among obese as compared to nonobese patients (P = .022). Peri‐implant and periodontal PD was higher in obese as compared to nonobese but did not reach statistical significance. Levels of IL‐1β and IL‐6 were statistically significantly higher among obese patients as compared to nonobese (P = .001). Pearson correlation analysis showed IL‐1β was positively correlated with CBL (P = .0079), whereas IL‐6 showed positive correlation with both BOP (P = .0019) and CBL (P = .015) among obese patients.

Conclusions

Clinical peri‐implant parameters were worse and proinflammatory biomarkers were significantly higher in obese patients compared with nonobese subjects. The findings of the present study suggests that increased proinflammatory biomarkers in PICF of obese patients may modulate peri‐implant inflammation around dental implants.
Interatrial septal fat thickness and left atrial stiffness are mechanistic links between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and incident atrial fibrillation
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Gouda Mohammad , Galal Islam , Ghareb Mohamed S.
Published: December 2018

Background and Aim

Recently, a clear evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). Yet, the underlying pathogenesis is speculative. Thereby, we aimed to investigate the hypothesis that, interatrial thickness (IAST) and left atrial stiffness (LASt) might have mechanistic links between NAFLD and AF.

Methods

Echocardiography and speckle‐tracking assessment of left atrial function, transient elastography (TE) of the liver, basal ECG, and Holter monitoring were performed in 180 patients with (NAFLD) and 80 subjects without NAFLD.

Results

Patients with NAFLD had higher values of IAST (P < 0.001), LASt (<0.001), and E/e′ ratio (<0.003) compared with controls. IAST was correlated with LASt (r = 0.413; P < 0.001). 15.6% of patients with NAFLD had AF. More so, patients with increased IAST/LASt had a higher incidence of AF (25%) vs 3.8% in those with normal IAST/LASt. The LASt and IAST increased significantly in those with AF compared with those without (P < 0.001). Patients who experienced AF had higher values (P < 0.01) of TE (kPa). The degree of liver stiffness TE (kPa) was correlated with both IAST and LASt (r = 461, r = 0.535; P < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis showed that LASt and IAST were independent predictors of incident AF in subjects with NAFLD.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that increased IAST and LASt index are independently associated with incident atrial fibrillation in patients with NAFLD. Increased IAST and LASt index might provide mechanistic links between NAFLD and incident atrial fibrillation.
Agglomeration externalities and productivity growth: US cities, 1880–1930
Authors: Klein Alexander , Crafts Nicholas
Published: December 2018

We investigate the role of industrial structure in labour productivity growth in manufacturing in US cities during the ‘second industrial revolution’. We find that initially greater specialization was associated with faster subsequent productivity growth but that only the very high levels of diversity which obtained in some very large cities had a positive correlation. We interpret our results as demonstrating the existence of dynamic Marshallian externalities. The impact of industrial specialization in our sample of US cities after 1890 is found to have raised the level of labour productivity in manufacturing by about 4 per cent by 1920.
Does institutional ownership predict mutual fund performance? An examination of undiscovered holdings within 13(f) reports
Authors: Pan Xuhui (Nick) , Wang Kainan , Zykaj Blerina Bela
Published: December 2018

We show that institutional ownership in equity mutual funds predicts fund performance. Our measure of institutional ownership in mutual funds is directly from institutions’ quarterly 13(f) filings so it provides a broader coverage of institutional investment in mutual funds than existing studies. Most institutions holding mutual funds are independent investment advisors and bank trusts who invest in mutual funds on behalf of their clients. Our results show that funds held by institutions perform better than funds not held by institutions for at least 3 years. Institutions’ informational advantage is the main driver of the outperformance of institution‐held funds.
Mineralized microbialites as archives of environmental evolution, Laguna Negra, Catamarca Province, Argentina
Authors: Buongiorno Joy , Gomez Fernando J. , Fike David A. , Kah Linda C.
Published: December 2018

Environmental fluctuations are recorded in a variety of sedimentary archives of lacustrine depositional systems. Geochemical signals recovered from bottom sediments in closed‐basin lakes are among the most sensitive paleoenvironmental indicators and are commonly used in reconstructing lake evolution. Microbialites (i.e., organosedimentary deposits accreted through microbial trapping and binding of detrital sediment or in situ mineral precipitation on organics [Palaios, 2, 1987, 241]), however, have been largely overlooked as paleoenvironmental repositories. Here, we investigate concentrically laminated mineralized microbialites from Laguna Negra, a high‐altitude (4,100 m above sea level) hypersaline, closed‐basin lake in northwestern Argentina, and explore the potential for recovery of environmental signals from these unique sedimentary archives. Spatial heterogeneity in hydrological regime helps define zones inside Laguna Negra, each with their own morphologically distinct microbialite type. Most notably, platey microbialites (in Zone 3A) are precipitated by evaporative concentration processes, while discoidal oncolites (in Zone 3C) are interpreted result from fluid mixing and biologically mediated nucleation. This spatial heterogeneity is reflected in petrographically distinct carbonate fabrics: micritic, botryoidal, and isopachous. Fabric type is interpreted to reflect a combination of physical and biological influences during mineralization, and paired C‐isotope measurement of carbonate and organic matter supports ecological differences as a dominant control on C‐isotopic evolution between zones. Laminae of Laguna Negra microbialites preserve a range of δ13Ccarb from +5.75‰ to +18.25‰ and δ18Ocarb from −2.04‰ to +9.28‰. Temporal trends of lower carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions suggest that the influence of CO2 degassing associated with evaporation has decreased over time. Combined, these results indicate that microbialite archives can provide data that aid in interpretation of both lake paleohydrology and paleoenvironmental change.