bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astroplastic: A start-to-finish process for polyhydroxybutyrate production from solid human waste using genetically engineered bacteria to address the challenges for future manned Mars missions
Authors: Chen Xingyu , Ibrahim Syeda , Kunitskaya Alina , Schaaf Kaitlin , Wang Zi Fei , Gopalakrishan Preetha , Noor Maliyat , Wilton-Clark Harry , Grainger Jacob , Ivanova Alexandra , Lim Patricia , Olsakova Michaela , Bharadwaj Lalit , Sher Bilal , Feehan David , Varga Rachelle , Arcellana-Panlilio Mayi
Published: April 2018

Space exploration has long been a source of inspiration, challenging scientists and engineers to find innovative solutions to various problems. One of the current focuses in space exploration is to send humans to Mars. However, the challenge of transporting materials to Mars and the need for waste management processes are two major obstacles for these long-duration missions.

To address these two challenges a process called Astroplastic was developed that produces polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from solid human waste, which can be used to 3D print useful items for astronauts. PHB granules are naturally produced by bacteria such asRalstonia eutrophaandPseudomonas aeruginosafor carbon and energy storage. ThephaJ, phaC,andphaCBAgenes were cloned from these native PHB-producing bacteria intoEscherichia coli. These genes code for enzymes that aid in PHB production by converting products of glycolysis and β-oxidation pathways, such as acetyl-CoA and enoyl-CoA, into PHB. To ensure a continuous PHB production system and to eliminate the need for cell lysis to extract PHB, recombinant E. coli was engineered to use the genes in its natural type I secretion system to secrete PHB. The C-terminal of the HlyA secretion tag was fused to phasin (PhaP), a protein originally fromR. eutropha. Phasin-HlyA electrostatically binds PHB granules and transports them outside of the cell.

In addition to genetically engineering bacteria, a concept for start-to-finish PHB production process was designed. Integrating expert feedback and experimental results, conditions for each step of the process including the collection and storage of waste, volatile fatty acid (VFA) fermentation, VFA extraction, PHB fermentation, and PHB extraction were optimized. The optimized system will provide a sustainable and continuous PHB production system, which will address the problems of transportation costs and waste management for future space missions.

Financial Disclosure

Mindfuel Science Alberta Foundation Genome Alberta GenScript Polyferm Canada GeekStarter Alberta Integrated DNA Technologies University of Calgary University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary Bachelor of Sciences University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering University of Calgary O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences City of Calgary Alberta Innovates The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethics Statement

N/A

Data Availability

All data are freely available without restriction.
Chorioamnionitis as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Villamor-Martinez Eduardo , Cavallaro Giacomo , Raffaeli Genny , Rahim Owais M. M. Mohammed , Ghazi Amro M. T. , Mosca Fabio , Degraeuwe Pieter , Villamor Eduardo
Published: April 2018

The role of chorioamnionitis (CA) in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is difficult to establish, because CA-exposed and CA-unexposed infants frequently present different baseline characteristics. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on the association between CA and ROP. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for relevant articles. Studies were included if they examined preterm or very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) infants and reported primary data that could be used to measure the association between exposure to CA and the presence of ROP. Of 748 potentially relevant studies, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria (38,986 infants, 9,258 CA cases). Meta-analysis showed a significant positive association between CA and any stage ROP (odds ratio [OR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 1.74). CA was also associated with severe (stage ≥3) ROP (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.89). Exposure to funisitis was associated with a higher risk of ROP than exposure to CA in the absence of funisitis. Additional meta-analyses showed that infants exposed to CA had lower gestational age (GA) and lower birth weight (BW). Meta-regression showed that lower GA and BW in the CA-exposed group was significantly associated with a higher risk of ROP. In conclusion, our study confirms that CA is a risk factor for developing ROP. However, part of the effects of CA on the pathogenesis of ROP may be mediated by the role of CA as an etiological factor for very preterm birth.
Geometry-dependent instabilities in electrically excitable tissues
Authors: McNamara Harold M. , Dodson Stephanie , Huang Yi-Lin , Miller Evan W. , Sandstede Björn , Cohen Adam E.
Published: April 2018

Little is known about how individual cells sense the macroscopic geometry of their tissue environment. Here we explore whether long-range electrical signaling can convey information on tissue geometry to influence electrical dynamics of individual cells. First, we studied an engineered electrically excitable cell line where all voltage-gated channels were well characterized. Cells grown in patterned islands of different shapes showed remarkably diverse firing patterns under otherwise identical conditions, including regular spiking, period-doubling alternans, and arrhythmic firing. A Hodgkin-Huxley numerical model quantitatively reproduced these effects, showing how the macroscopic geometry affected the single-cell electrophysiology via the influence of gap junction-mediated electrical coupling. Qualitatively similar geometry dependent dynamics were experimentally observed in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. The cardiac results urge caution in translating observations of arrhythmia in vitro to predictions in vivo where the tissue geometry is very different. We present simulation results and scaling arguments which explore how to extrapolate electrophysiological measurements between tissues with different geometries and different gap junction couplings.
Population Genomics of Rapidly Invading Lionfish in the Caribbean Reveals Signals of Range Expansion in the Absence of Spatial Population Structure
Authors: Bors Eleanor K. , Herrera Santiago , Morris James A. , Shank Timothy M.
Published: April 2018

Range expansions driven by global change and species invasions are likely to have significant genomic, evolutionary, and ecological implications. During range expansions, strong genetic drift characterized by repeated founder events can result in decreased genetic diversity with increased distance from the center of the historic range, or the point of invasion. The invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans, into waters off the U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea provides a natural system to study rapid range expansion in an invasive marine fish with high dispersal capabilities. We report results from 12,759 loci sequenced by restriction enzyme associated DNA sequencing for nine P. volitans populations in the invaded range, including Florida and other Caribbean sites, as well as mitochondrial control region D-loop data. Analyses revealed low to no spatially explicit metapopulation genetic structure in the study area, which is partly consistent with previous finding of little structure within ocean basins, but partly divergent from reports of between-basin structure. Genetic diversity, however, was not homogeneous across all sampled sites. Patterns of genetic diversity correlate with invasion pathway. Observed heterozygosity, averaged across all loci within a population, decreases with distance from Florida while expected heterozygosity is mostly constant throughout sampled populations, indicating population genetic disequilibrium correlated with distance from the point of invasion. Using an FST outlier analysis and a Bayesian environmental correlation analysis, we identified 256 and 616 loci, respectively, that could be experiencing selection or genetic drift. Of these, 24 loci were shared between the two methods.
High resolution data-driven model of the mouse connectome
Authors: Knox Joseph E. , Harris Kameron Decker , Graddis Nile , Whitesell Jennifer D. , Zeng Hongkui , Harris Julie A. , Shea-Brown Eric , Mihalas Stefan
Published: April 2018

Knowledge of mesoscopic brain connectivity is important for understanding inter- and intra-region information processing. Models of structural connectivity are typically constructed and analyzed with the assumption that regions are homogeneous. We instead use the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas to construct a model of whole brain connectivity at the scale of 100 µm voxels. The dataset used consists of 366 anterograde tracing experiments in wild type C7BL/6 mice, mapping fluorescently-labeled neuronal projections brain-wide. Inferring spatial connectivity with this dataset remains underdetermined, since the approximately 2 × 105 source voxels outnumber the number of experiments. To address this, we assume that connection patterns and strengths vary smoothly across major brain divisions. We model the connectivity at each voxel as a radial basis kernel-weighted average of the projection patterns of nearby injections. The voxel model outperforms a previous regional model in predicting held-out experiments and compared to a human-curated dataset. This voxel-scale model of the mouse connectome permits researchers to extend their previous analyses of structural connectivity to unprecedented levels of resolution, and allows for comparison with functional imaging and other datasets.
TranCEP: Predicting transmembrane transport proteins using composition, evolutionary, and positional information
Authors: Alballa Munira , Aplop Faizah , Butler Gregory
Published: April 2018

Transporters mediate the movement of compounds across the membranes that separate the cell from its environment, and across inner membranes surrounding cellular compartments. It is estimated that one third of a proteome consists of membrane proteins, and many of these are transport proteins. Given the increase in the number of genomes being sequenced, there is a need for computation tools that predict the substrates which are transported by the transmembrane transport proteins.

In this paper, we present TranCEP, a predictor of the type of substrate transported by a transmembrane transport protein. TranCEP combines the traditional use of the amino acid composition of the protein, with evolutionary information captured in a multiple sequence alignment, and restriction to important positions of the alignment that play a role in determining specificity of the protein.

Our experimental results show that TranCEP significantly outperforms the state of the art. The results quantify the contribution made by each kind of information used.
Systemically administered MSCs given 24hrs after osteotomy do not affect bone formation in rat distraction osteogenesis
Authors: Guevara Jonathan , Toth Zacharie , Kim Daniel , Peters John , Marley-Weaver Adrian , Watson J Tracy , McBride-Gagyi Sarah
Published: April 2018

Distraction osteogenesis is a unique postnatal bone formation employed by orthopaedic surgeons to treat many conditions, however, the overall time to external frame removal can be extensive. Any strategies that accelerate healing would improve patient care. Distraction osteogenesis research in the past decade has shown that direct stem cell implantation enhances new bone formation. Systemic implantation would be more clinically desirable. Systemically delivered stem cells have been shown to home to a mandibular distraction site; however, effects on bone formation have not been studied. Ten-week-old, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgery to implant an external fixator-distractor and an osteotomy was performed. Twenty-four hours postoperatively, each rat received tail vein injections of either saline or 10^6 fluorescently labeled primary mesenchymal stem cells. Animals in the validation groups were euthanized two days after surgery and the femora processed for histology. Animals in the experimental groups were given five days of latency, then the femur was lengthened once daily for five days (0.75mm/day, 3.75mm total). Following four weeks of consolidation, the animals were euthanized and the femora were evaluated by microCT and histology to quantify new bone formation. Labeled stem cells were found at the distraction site in validation animals. However, there were no differences in any bone or soft tissue outcomes. Systemic stem cell administration 24 hours after surgery does not improve DO outcomes. It is possible that the animal model was not challenging enough to discriminate any augmentation provided by stem cells.
Journey from oncologist to cancer survivor and patient advocate in the era of precision medicine
Authors: Needles Burton M.
Published: April 2018

In 2013, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) introduced the “Precision Medicine Series” of symposia. The goal of these conferences is to “highlight the incredible technology and advances in cancer research that together are enabling treatments that are precisely targeted to the unique molecular and genetic characteristics of an individual's cancer.” This new series of AACR conferences reflects how patient treatment has evolved and continues to progress toward personalized treatments/medicine. It was in May of 2013 that I was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer, plasmacytoid variant, for which survival statistics were grim, and the only genomic information available was the frequent somatic CDH1 loss-of-function mutation consistent with aggressive clinical behavior. The CDH1 gene encodes for E-cadherin, which plays a role in cell–cell adhesions and acts as a tumor suppressor when expressed normally. This information was subsequently published, but not until April 2016 (Al-Ahmadie et al. 2017. Nat Genet48: 356–358). At the time, I was a practicing medical oncologist and, ironically, urologic cancers had been my area of interest, dating back to my fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in 1981. I decided to return to MSKCC for treatment based on their experience with rare urologic cancers as well as my own personal connection.
Bloom syndrome: research and data priorities for the development of precision medicine as identified by some affected families
Authors: Campbell Mary Beth , Campbell Wesley C. , Rogers James , Rogers Natalie , Rogers Zachary , van den Hurk Anne Marie , Webb Annie , Webb Talon , Zaslaw Paul
Published: April 2018

Bloom syndrome (BS) is a rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by short stature, a skin rash associated with sun exposure, and an elevated likelihood of developing cancers of essentially all types, beginning at an early age. Cancer is the leading cause of death for persons with BS, and its early onset results in a reported median lifespan of <30 years. With fewer than 300 documented cases since BS was first described in 1954, its rarity has challenged progress in advancing both the care of and the cure for persons with BS. Presently, there are no known clinically actionable targets specific to persons with this cancer predisposition syndrome, despite the fact that standard cancer treatments are often contraindicated or must be substantially modified for persons with BS. Herein, Zachary Rogers recounts his experience as a cancer patient with BS contemplating a substantially customized chemotherapy regimen that highlights the need for development of individualized treatments in the BS community. We also outline a patient-centered research and community action road map with the goal of improving and prolonging the lives of persons with Bloom syndrome, including the facilitation of precision medicine development specific to this condition.
Formaldehyde Cross-Linking
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Dekker Job
Published: April 2018

Formaldehyde cross-linking of DNA to associated proteins is a relatively straightforward method, but it is also the most critical step in the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and 3C analyses. Although formaldehyde is a highly permeable cross-linker, its maximum cross-linking efficiencies are estimated to be at ∼1% for mammalian cells because reactivity is limited to amines. Therefore, a relatively large number of cells are required for 3C and ChIP-based assays. Five hundred million cross-linked diploid cells are equivalent to ∼1.66 fmol of the genome. Thus, only ∼100 amol of genomic copies is analyzed for one ChIP assay. Because the quality of cross-linked chromatin can vary, even when generated under near-identical conditions, it is preferable to generate multiple large batches. This protocol describes growing and cross-linking IMR90 primary human fibroblast cells for ChIP analysis. For other cell types, some modification of the protocol is necessary.
Preparation of Cross-Linked Chromatin for ChIP
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Dekker Job
Published: April 2018

After living cells have been treated with formaldehyde to lock proteins to their DNA substrates, the DNA–protein complexes must be extracted and fragmented as described here. For ChIP-chip, it is not essential that a majority of chromatin fragments are ∼500 bp; an average fragment size ranging 1–2 kb is sufficient. However, for ChIP-seq, the average chromatin fragment should be <500 bp.
ChIP
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Dekker Job
Published: April 2018

ChIP is a powerful method for analyzing protein–DNA interactions that occur in vivo. A basic protocol involves immunoprecipitation of the cross-linked nucleoprotein complex and isolating and analyzing the DNA that is associated with the protein of interest. The antibody and chromatin amounts indicated here are for ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq and are ∼10-fold higher than for a standard ChIP assay.
Patch-Clamp and Perfusion Techniques to Study Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Cui Jianmin
Published: April 2018

The Xenopus oocyte expression system is ideal for electrophysiological characterization of voltage-dependent and ligand-dependent ion channels because of its relatively low background of endogenous channels and the large size of the cell. Here, we present a protocol to study voltage- and ligand-dependent activation of ion channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes using patch-clamp techniques designed to control both the membrane voltage and the intracellular solution. In this protocol, the large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel is studied as an example. After injection of BK channel mRNA, oocytes are incubated for 2–7 d at 18°C. Inside-out membrane patches containing single or multiple BK channels are excised with perfusion of different solutions during recording. The protocol can be used to study structure–function relations for ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors.
Feminising Politics to Close the Evidence‐Policy Gap: The Case of Social Policy in Scotland
Authors: Cairney Paul , Rummery Kirstein
Published: April 2018

Policy studies suggest that scientists should adopt two strategies to close the ‘evidence‐policy gap’. First, engage in political debates to help define policy problems and solutions rather than expect the evidence to speak for itself. Second, learn where the action is, form long‐term coalitions, and exploit the ‘rules of the game’ to maximise your influence in complex policy‐making systems. Both lessons can prompt major dilemmas, for many actors, about going beyond your expertise and comfort zone when engaging politically and pragmatically. Scientists should learn from feminist social policy actors who routinely (a) combine evidence with engagement to pursue social change, and (b) face tough choices about framing their aims in terms of the dominant political discourse. We use Scottish social policy as a case study, examining how feminist actors exploited the opportunity, afforded by constitutional and political reforms since 1999, to create a collaborative ‘velvet triangle’ between the government, academia, and interest groups. Their experience suggests that limited and slow policy change requires major engagement and compromise.
Advantageous Selection in Crop Insurance: Theory and Evidence
Authors: He Juan , Rejesus Roderick , Zheng Xiaoyong , Yorobe Jose
Published: April 2018

We extend the recently proposed multi‐dimensional asymmetric information model to show that advantageous selection could be present in crop insurance with two types of coverage: (i) multiple perils (e.g. a multi‐peril, ‘all risk’ policy), and (ii) a specific named peril (or set of perils). Our theoretical model suggests that certain characteristics of an insured farmer (or farm) under both types of coverage can be sources of advantageous selection. Farmers who advantageously select are more likely to purchase insurance coverage and less likely to realise a loss. A supplementary empirical analysis, based on data from the Philippine crop insurance market, illustrates how sources of advantageous selection can be identified econometrically.
High Leverage and Willingness to Pay: Evidence from the Residential Housing Market
Authors: Ben‐David Itzhak
Published: April 2018

I document a strong correlation between paying the full listing price on homes and borrowing 100% loan‐to‐value. Homebuyers who do both overpay by 2.8% to 3.9% ($4,800 to $6,700) and are 22.7% more likely to have their properties foreclosed within one year. The correlation is not mechanical: there is a discontinuity in the average leverage around the full listing price. The correlation is stronger in areas with a high fraction of financially constrained and unsophisticated residents, and in areas of high past price growth (potentially indicative of buyer optimism).
Cell Damage Index as Computational Indicator for Blood Cell Activation and Damage
Authors: Gusenbauer Markus , Tóthová Renáta , Mazza Giulia , Brandl Martin , Schrefl Thomas , Jančigová Iveta , Cimrák Ivan
Published: April 2018

Shear‐induced hemolysis is a major concern in the design and optimization of blood‐contacting devices. Even with a small amount of mechanical stress, inflammatory reactions can be triggered in the cells. Blood damage is typically estimated using continuum fluid dynamics simulations. In this study, we report a novel cell damage index (CDI) obtained by simulations on the single‐cell level in a lattice Boltzmann fluid flow. The change of the cell surface area gives important information on mechanical stress of individual cells as well as for whole blood. We are using predefined basic channel designs to analyze and compare the newly developed CDI to the conventional blood damage calculations in very weak shear stress scenarios. The CDI can incorporate both volume fraction and channel geometry information into a single quantitative value for the characterization of flow in artificial chambers.
Disabled mobility and the production of impairment: The case of Australia's migration policy framework
Authors: St Guillaume Louise , Finlay Ellen
Published: April 2018

In Australia, the transfer of asylum seekers to Nauru for ‘processing’ and the harm experienced by refugees in this context has been analysed from various perspectives, including criticisms that this is a form of torture. However, the harm experienced by refugees seeking asylum has not been considered through a southern disability theory (SDT) lens. Whilst SDT has been employed to examine various contexts, the framework has not explicitly been used to discuss the production of impairment in Nauru. Our application of this framework in this context highlights the Global North and Global South inequalities operating on the bodies of those refugees seeking asylum who are initially obstructed from entry into Australia. SDT also highlights some Global North framings that do not include the production of impairment in theorising disabling conditions. This obscures the power relations underpinning the policies generating harm to those in Nauru; however, SDT makes these power relations central, thus providing a better framework for appreciating what is occurring in Nauru and the ongoing refugee transition undertaken to ‘claim’ asylum in Australia.
Reducing potentially inappropriate drug prescribing in nursing home residents: effectiveness of a geriatric intervention
Authors: Cool Charlène , Cestac Philippe , McCambridge Cécile , Rouch Laure , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Rolland Yves , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse
Published: April 2018

Aims

Potentially inappropriate drug prescribing (PIDP) is frequent in nursing home (NH) residents. We aimed to investigate whether a geriatric intervention on quality of care reduced PIDP.

Methods

We performed an ancillary study within a multicentric individually‐tailored controlled trial (IQUARE trial). All NH received a baseline and 18‐month audit regarding drug prescriptions and other quality of care indicators. After the initial audit, NHs of the intervention group benefited of an in‐site intervention (geriatric education for NH staff) provided by a geriatrician from the closest hospital. The analysis included 629 residents of 159 NHs. The main outcome was PIDP, defined as the presence of at least one of the following criteria: (i) drug with an unfavourable benefit‐to‐risk ratio; (ii) with questionable efficacy; (iii) absolute contraindication; (iv) significant drug‐drug interaction. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression models were performed including residents and NH factors as confounders.

Results

PIDP was 65.2% (–3.6% from baseline) in the intervention group (n = 339) and 69.9% (–2.3%) in the control group (n = 290). The intervention significantly decreased PIDP [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.99], as a special care unit in NH (OR = 0.60; (0.42 to 0.85)), and a fall in the last 12 months (OR = 0.63; 0.44–0.90). Charlson Comorbidity Index [ORCCI = 1 vs. 0 = 1.38; 0.87–2.19, ORCCI ≥ 2 vs. 0 = 2.01; (1.31–3.08)] and psychiatric advice and/or hospitalization in a psychiatric unit (OR = 1.53; 1.07–2.18) increased the likelihood of PIDP.

Conclusion

This intervention based on a global geriatric education resulted in a significant reduction of PIDP at patient level.
Income instability and fiscal progression
Authors: Cecilia Garcia‐Medina B. , Wen Jean‐François
Published: April 2018

We construct the ratio of the post‐fisc to the pre‐fisc variance of the transitory component of family incomes in Canada from 1993 to 2008. The ratio measures how much the tax and transfer system attenuates market income instability. It is shown that the ratio of variances is equivalent theoretically to the concept of residual income progression (squared). The fiscal system became less stabilizing beginning in the late 1990s, especially for families headed by main earners with less than high school education. The trend is attributable to personal income tax reforms and reductions in transfers for lower income families.

Instabilité des revenus et progressivité fiscale. On construit le ratio de la variance de la composante transitoire des revenus des familles au Canada de1993 à 2008 après fiscalité par rapport à avant fiscalité. Ce ratio mesure comment le système de taxes et de transferts atténue l’instabilité des revenus du marché. On montre que le ratio des variances est théoriquement équivalent au concept de progression (au carré) du revenu résiduel. Le système fiscal est devenu moins stabilisant à partir de la fin des années 1990, en particulier pour les familles dont les chefs de famille et sources des principaux gains ont moins qu’un niveau d’éducation secondaire. La tendance est attribuable aux réformes dans l’impôt sur le revenu personnel et aux réductions des transferts vers les familles aux revenus moins élevés.
State ownership reinvented? Explaining performance differences between state‐owned and private firms
Authors: Lazzarini Sergio G. , Musacchio Aldo
Published: April 2018

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This study aims to understand the implications of the corporate governance arrangements in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) that are publicly listed in terms of firm performance relative to that of private firms.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a new database of 477 large, listed SOEs observed between 1997 and 2012 in 66 developed and emerging countries, we use matching techniques to show that these firms do not underperform similar private firms, except when the former face shocks that prioritize their social and political objectives, such as during severe recessions. These findings demonstrate the need to revise existing theories of SOE underperformance.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We expand the traditional agency view of SOEs by introducing principal–principal conflicts that prevail in publicly traded firms. We argue that governments try to steer SOEs to pursue social and political objectives, which can lead to inefficiencies, but they also provide them rents and protection, factors that should lead them to perform as well or better than similar private firms. Thus, our theory of state ownership argues that their advantage or disadvantage over similar private firms cannot be identified from the theory and thus needs an empirical test.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

We modify the simplistic view that SOEs are inefficient and highlight that SOEs that compete with private firms may have advantages that give them a competitive edge. This has implications not only for firm‐level strategy, but also for competition policy worldwide.
One‐stop microvascular screening service: an effective model for the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the high‐risk foot
Authors: Binns‐Hall O. , Selvarajah D. , Sanger D. , Walker J. , Scott A. , Tesfaye S.
Published: April 2018

Aims

To evaluate the feasibility of a one‐stop microvascular screening service for the early diagnosis of diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and the at‐risk diabetic foot.

Methods

People with diabetes attending retinal screening in hospital and community settings had their feet examined by a podiatrist. Assessment included: Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score evaluation; a 10‐g monofilament test; and two validated, objective and quick measures of neuropathy obtained using the point‐of‐care devices ‘DPN‐Check’, a hand‐held device that measures sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, and ‘Sudoscan’, a device that measures sudomotor function. The diagnostic utility of these devices was assessed against the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score as the ‘gold standard’.

Results

A total of 236 consecutive people attending the retinal screening service, 18.9% of whom had never previously had their feet examined, were evaluated. The prevalence of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, assessed using the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score, was 30.9%, and was underestimated by 10‐g monofilament test (14.4%). The prevalence of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy using DPN‐check was 51.5% (84.3% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity), 38.2% using Sudoscan foot electrochemical skin conductance (77.4% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity), and 61.9% using abnormality in either of the results (93.2% sensitivity, 52.8% specificity). The results of both devices correlated with Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (P<0.001). A new diagnosis of painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy was made in 59 participants (25%), and 56.6% had moderate‐ or high‐risk foot. Participants rated the service very highly.

Conclusions

Combined, eye, foot and renal screening is feasible, has a high uptake, reduces clinic visits, and identifies painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and the at‐risk foot. Combined large‐ and small‐nerve‐fibre assessment using non‐invasive, quantitative and quick point‐of‐care devices may be an effective model for the early diagnosis of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy.
Clinical risk factors for depressive syndrome in Type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Bruce D. G. , Davis W. A. , Starkstein S. E. , Davis T. M. E.
Published: April 2018

Aims

To identify early clinical predictors of depressive syndrome in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Depressive syndrome was assessed in 325 individuals with Type 2 diabetes 15 years after a baseline assessment, which included information on antidepressant use and depressive symptoms obtained using a quality‐of‐life scale. Follow‐up current and lifetime depressive syndrome were assessed using the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire and the Brief Lifetime Depression Scale and taking account of antidepressant use. Analyses were conducted inclusive and exclusive of antidepressant use where Patient Health Questionnaire criteria were not met.

Results

At baseline, the participants were aged 57.2±9.3 years and the median (interquartile range) diabetes duration was 2.2 (0.6–6.0) years. After a mean of 14.7±1.1 years’ follow‐up, 81 participants (24.9%) had depressive syndrome (14.8% defined by the Patient Health Questionnaire, 10.2% defined by antidepressants) and 31.4% reported lifetime depression, and in 10.2% of participants this preceded diabetes onset. With logistic regression (inclusive of antidepressants), follow‐up depressive syndrome was negatively associated with education level [odds ratio 0.39 (95% CI 0.20–0.75)] and antidepressant use [odds ratio 0.11 (95% CI 0.03–0.36)] and was positively associated with depression history before diabetes onset [odds ratio 2.79 (95% CI 1.24–6.27)]. In the model exclusive of antidepressants, depressive syndrome was positively associated with baseline depressive symptoms [odds ratio 2.57 (95% CI 1.32–5.03)] and antidepressant use [odds ratio 3.54 (95% CI 1.20–10.42)] and was negatively associated with education level [odds ratio 0.39 (95% CI 0.19–0.81)].

Conclusions

Risk factors for depressive syndrome can be identified early after the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The early presence of depressive symptoms or its treatment and/or history of depression are likely indicators of vulnerability. Early risk stratification for late depressive syndrome is feasible in people with Type 2 diabetes and could assist with depression treatment or prevention.
Mental health visits and low socio‐economic status in adolescence are associated with complications of Type 1 diabetes in early adulthood: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Shulman R. , Luo J. , Shah B. R.
Published: April 2018

Aim

To determine the association of mental health visits and socio‐economic status in late adolescence with the risk of mortality and acute and chronic diabetes complications in early adulthood.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based cohort study of individuals in Ontario, Canada, who had their 20th birthday between January 1999 and March 2015 and a diagnosis of diabetes prior to their 15th birthday, using linked administrative databases (n=8491). The main outcome was death; other outcomes were hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia‐related hospitalizations and emergency department visits and chronic diabetes complications (dialysis, ophthalmological and macrovascular complications).

Results

Over the course of 59 361 person‐years there were 127 deaths.. Low socio‐economic status and mental health visits were both associated with a higher risk of death [hazard ratio 2.03, (95% CI 1.13 to 3.64) and 2.45 (95% CI 1.71 to 3.51), respectively]. Those with the lowest socio‐economic status and a mental health visit had a higher rate of diabetes‐related hospitalizations (rate ratio 4.84, 95% CI 3.64 to 6.44) and emergency department visits (rate ratio 3.15, 95% CI 1.79 to 5.54). Low socio‐economic status and mental health visits were both associated with an increased risk of any chronic complication [hazard ratio 1.54 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.96) and 1.57 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.81), respectively].

Conclusion

We identified significant socio‐economic and mental health disparities in the risk of death and acute and chronic complications in early adulthood for people with childhood‐onset diabetes. Targeted interventions to prevent adverse events for these adolescents at highest risk should be evaluated.
Latent myopathy is more pronounced in patients with low flow versus normal flow aortic stenosis with normal left ventricular ejection fraction who are undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement: Multicenter study with a brief review of the literature
Authors: Supariwala Azhar , Sanchez‐Ross Monica , Suma Valentin , Seetharam Karthik , Marrero Daniel , Swistel Daniel , Balaram Sandhya , Chaudhry Farooq A.
Published: April 2018

Background

Midwall fibrosis and low stroke volume are independent predictors of mortality in severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The role of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to identify latent myopathy pre‐ and post‐ aortic valve replacement (AVR) in high risk AS patients with normal LVEF is limited.

Methods

Demographic, 2D echocardiographic, and STE data were analyzed in patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF who underwent tissue AVR. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) was used to assess regional and global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GLS). Low flow (LF) was defined as an indexed LV stroke volume <35 mL/m2.

Results

Between December 2008 and May 2011, 37 patients (75 ± 9 years, 51% male) had both pre‐ and post‐AVR echos within 6.6 ± 6.5 months (median = 4 months; range = 2.5–9.5) of surgery. Compared with pre‐AVR, GLS (−6.9 ± 4.9% vs −11.1 ± 4.1%; P < .001) and strain rate (−0.72 ± 0.3s‐1 vs −0.87 ± 0.3s‐1; P = .01) improved post‐AVR. Pre‐AVR mid‐segments showed a similar myopathy as the basal segments (−9.5 ± 4.3% vs −9.0 ± 4.2%;P = .3). The 16 (43%) LF patients in this study had lower pre‐ and post‐AVR strain compared to NF patients (GLS Pre‐AVR:LF vs NF: −5.1 ± 4.1% vs −8.4 ± 4.9% (P = .04) and GLS Post‐AVR:LF vs NF: −9.2 ± 3.7% vs −12.5 ± 3.9% (P = .01)). However, there was no difference in absolute and %change improvement in GLS post‐AVR (LF vs NF:∆ −4.2 ± 3.5% vs ∆−4.1 ± 5.3% (P = .90) and 193 ± 214% vs 143 ± 230% change (P = .5)). The lowest GLS was seen in LF/HG AS followed by LF/LG, NF/LG and NF/HG AS; P = .03.

Conclusions

Latent myopathy is more pronounced in LF AS both pre‐ and post‐AVR. Our study provides evidence of improvement in myopathy in LF AS despite a persistent worse myopathy compared to NF patients post‐AVR.
The IMF and the World Bank: The Role of Competition and Domain Dissent in Communication and Decision Making
Authors: Sabani Laura
Published: April 2018

This paper focuses on the problem of information transmission between the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, with communication modeled as cheap talk. I posit that the Fund and the Bank have strategically relevant and diverse expertise whose proper combination might provide a richer consideration and resolution of strategic issues. Although transparent sharing of all available information is in the best interest of the Fund's and the Bank's stakeholders, competitive pressures might hinder such a process, introducing biases into the two institutions' preferences, and distortions into the communication. According to intuition, a concern for conformity in their actions might mitigate the negative effects of competition. However, truthful communication will never be achieved and strategic uncertainty will persist as an important source of loss, even when both institutions agree on the importance of coordinating their actions.
Perceived sources of stress amongst dental students: A multicountry study
Authors: Alhajj M. N. , Khader Y. , Murad A. H. , Celebic A. , Halboub E. , Márquez J. R. , Macizo C. C. , Khan S. , Basnet B. B. , Makzoumé J. E. , de Sousa‐Neto M. D. , Camargo R. , Prasad D. A. , Faheemuddin M. , Mir S. , Elkholy S. , Abdullah A. G. , Ibrahim A. A. , Al‐Anesi M. S. , Al‐Basmi A. A.
Published: April 2018

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the perceived sources of stress reported by dental students from fourteen different countries.

Methods

A total of 3568 dental students were recruited from 14 different dental schools. The dental environmental stress (DES) questionnaire was used including 7 domains. Responses to the DES were scored in 4‐point Likert scale. Comparison between students was performed according to the study variables. The top 5 stress‐provoking questions were identified amongst dental schools. Data were analysed using SPSS software program. Mann‐Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was also conducted to determine the effect of the studied variables on the stress domains. The level of statistical significance was set at <.05.

Results

Internal consistency of the scale was excellent (0.927). Female students formed the majority of the total student population. The percentage of married students was 4.8%. Numbers of students in pre‐clinical and clinical stages were close together. The most stress‐provoking domain was “workload” with a score of 2.05 ± 0.56. Female students scored higher stress than male students did in most of the domains. Significant differences were found between participating countries in all stress‐provoking domains. Dental students from Egypt scored the highest level of stress whilst dental students from Jordan scored the lowest level of stress.

Conclusion

The self‐reported stress in the dental environment is still high and the stressors seem to be comparable amongst the participating countries. Effective management programmes are needed to minimise dental environment stress.
Opposing effects of floral visitors and soil conditions on the determinants of competitive outcomes maintain species diversity in heterogeneous landscapes
Authors: Lanuza Jose B. , Bartomeus Ignasi , Godoy Oscar
Published: April 2018

Theory argues that both soil conditions and aboveground trophic interactions have equivalent potential to limit or promote plant diversity. However, it remains unexplored how they jointly modify the niche differences stabilising species coexistence and the average fitness differences driving competitive dominance. We conducted a field study in Mediterranean annual grasslands to parameterise population models of six competing plant species. Spatially explicit floral visitor assemblages and soil salinity variation were characterised for each species. Both floral visitors and soil salinity modified species population dynamics via direct changes in seed production and indirect changes in competitive responses. Although the magnitude and sign of these changes were species‐specific, floral visitors promoted coexistence at neighbourhood scales, while soil salinity did so over larger scales by changing the superior competitors’ identity. Our results show how below and aboveground interactions maintain diversity in heterogeneous landscapes through their opposing effects on the determinants of competitive outcomes.
Response of benthic fauna to experimental bottom fishing: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Sciberras Marija , Hiddink Jan Geert , Jennings Simon , Szostek Claire L , Hughes Kathryn M , Kneafsey Brian , Clarke Leo J , Ellis Nick , Rijnsdorp Adriaan D , McConnaughey Robert A , Hilborn Ray , Collie Jeremy S , Pitcher C. Roland , Amoroso Ricardo O , Parma Ana M , Suuronen Petri , Kaiser Michel J
Published: April 2018

Bottom‐contact fishing gears are globally the most widespread anthropogenic sources of direct disturbance to the seabed and associated biota. Managing these fishing disturbances requires quantification of gear impacts on biota and the rate of recovery following disturbance. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 122 experiments on the effects‐of‐bottom fishing to quantify the removal of benthos in the path of the fishing gear and to estimate rates of recovery following disturbance. A gear pass reduced benthic invertebrate abundance by 26% and species richness by 19%. The effect was strongly gear‐specific, with gears that penetrate deeper into the sediment having a significantly larger impact than those that penetrate less. Sediment composition (% mud and presence of biogenic habitat) and the history of fishing disturbance prior to an experimental fishing event were also important predictors of depletion, with communities in areas that were not previously fished, predominantly muddy or biogenic habitats being more strongly affected by fishing. Sessile and low mobility biota with longer life‐spans such as sponges, soft corals and bivalves took much longer to recover after fishing (>3 year) than mobile biota with shorter life‐spans such as polychaetes and malacostracans (<1 year). This meta‐analysis provides insights into the dynamics of recovery. Our estimates of depletion along with estimates of recovery rates and large‐scale, high‐resolution maps of fishing frequency and habitat will support more rigorous assessment of the environmental impacts of bottom‐contact gears, thus supporting better informed choices in trade‐offs between environmental impacts and fish production.
Crack growth rates and microstructure feature of initiation region for very‐high‐cycle fatigue of a high‐strength steel
Authors: Hu Yuanpei , Sun Chengqi , Hong Youshi
Published: April 2018

The S‐N data up to very‐high‐cycle fatigue (VHCF) regime for a high‐strength steel were obtained by fatigue tests under constant amplitude and variable amplitude (VA) via rotating bending and electromagnetic resonance cycling. Crack initiation for VHCF was from the interior of specimens, and the initiation region was carefully examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Crack growth traces in the initiation region of fine‐granular‐area (FGA) were the first time captured for the specimens under VA cycling by rotating bending. The obtained crack growth rates in FGA were upwards to connect well with those in fish‐eye region available in the literature and were associated well with the calculated equivalent crack growth rates in FGA. The observations of profile samples revealed that FGA is a nanograin layer for the specimens under VA cycling, which is a new evidence to support the previously proposed “numerous cyclic pressing” model.
Should State and Local Government Bidding for Big Businesses Be More Like eBay?
Authors: McCarthy Linda
Published: April 2018

During recent decades, and especially after the economic downturn that began in the late 2000s, many U.S. state and local governments have intensified their pro‐growth efforts to promote corporate investment and jobs, including ever higher incentives (such as tax breaks and grants) in their bidding wars for big businesses. This paper draws an analogy—between bidding for big businesses and bidding on eBay—to highlight the drawbacks of high‐profile bidding wars among governments given that the large corporations establish the bidding rules in their favor. The main consideration raised is whether state and local government bidding for big businesses, which operates analogously to an auction, should be more like eBay, whose rules are fair not only for sellers but also for bidders.