bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the antecedents of turnover intentions and job hopping behavior
Authors: Saleem Sharjeel , Qamar Beenish
Published: April 2017

Purpose

It is believed that dissatisfied employees are more likely to leave, but research shows that satisfied employees also do not necessarily stay. It is important to understand why employees leave. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the antecedents of turnover intention and job hopping, simultaneously, in Pakistani universities. It investigates the impact of perceived alternative employment, job satisfaction and job involvement on turnover intention and job hopping behavior, with organizational commitment as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The variables were measured through established questionnaires and the results were analyzed through structural equation modeling on a sample of 250 faculty members from both public and private universities.

Findings

Results revealed that faculty members do not intend to leave or hop jobs if they are satisfied with their jobs and this relationship is mediated by organizational commitment. Perceived alternative employment also showed a positive relationship with employees’ intentions to quit; while faculty members would job hop, if not satisfied, despite lacking substantial alternative employment opportunities.

Practical implications

Research reveals that employee retention, even in developing countries, is not just about money. Rather, the satisfaction that a person gets from his/her job or the environment in which the employee works serves as a significant antecedent of employee retention. Thus, accordingly some well-planned perks and rewards can serve as a source of extrinsic as well as intrinsic motivators.

Originality/value

This study has investigated the impact of job satisfaction, job involvement, perceived alternative employment, organizational commitment, turnover intention and job hopping along with the dimensions of job satisfaction and organizational commitment in a simultaneous manner through structural equation modeling. It will correspondingly add worth to the discussion in the literature about reasons of employee turnover and job hopping behavior within the specific context of Pakistani universities because there are no official statistics available regarding the number of faculty members leaving or job hopping among various universities. In addition, not much work has been done in this regard, therefore, it shall also provide the basis for future research studies.
Who benefits from benefits?
Authors: Fisher John Gerard
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review the role of benefits within the employee engagement mix of activities and products and provide three areas for strategic improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines surveys and some well-known models for the inclusion of benefits in employee remuneration and draws on any insights that study uncovers.

Findings

The findings are that employee benefits should be critically appraised on an annual basis, not simply added to because they seem popular or are “in the news”.

Research limitations/implications

No specific research was undertaken, as this was a viewpoint of current commercial practice.

Practical implications

Employers should recognize that spend-to-get benefits require participants to spend their own money and therefore represent a cost to employees rather than a benefit. Employers need to research benefits take-up and participant opinions if the value of introducing them is to be fully realized. Communicating the features of benefits is usually poorly done by internal HR teams.

Social implications

Better scrutiny of the benefits basket and a closer eye on their effectiveness are required.

Originality/value

This is a considered view taken from the experience of running a number of commercial engagement programmes in the past 12 months with a view to helping practitioners avoid costly mistakes in future.
Employee experience: the new human resource management approach
Authors: Plaskoff Josh
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Organizations must reframe their approach to how they relate to their employees. The new multi-generational workplace demands a new way of thinking about human resource management. Putting the employee’s total experience at the center produces a very different approach, beyond increasing perks or “funifying” the workplace, to engaging the employee in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to reframe the traditional approach to human resource management that better fits that modern workplace and enables the empowerment and engagement that organizations so desperately seek.

Design/methodology/approach

Design thinking is applied to employee experience in an organization. By viewing employee experience as a set of holistic perceptions of that relationship, human resource management transforms into a more strategic process for engaging the employee through meaning and providing value. Six principles for employing this methodology are specified in this paper.

Findings

Perks are not the answer to employee engagement. An organization must understand each employee more deeply and co-design experiences with them that demonstrate care. It must embrace expansive and holistic thinking, face the intangible aspects of organizational life and use tools to help make them tangible, experiment and iterate, building solutions organically, while recognizing that the process is just as important, if not more important, than the product.

Originality/value

Organizations recognize a need for change and struggle with engaging employees. Most modern approaches to engagement and retention foundationally stem from old ways of thinking that will not work in today’s workplace. Design thinking has been applied successfully for customer experience and user experience; it is just beginning to be recognized as an approach for employee experience.
Predicting peatland carbon fluxes from non‐destructive plant traits
Authors: Goud Ellie M. , Moore Tim R. , Roulet Nigel T.
Published: April 2017

Determining the plant traits that best predict carbon (C) storage is increasingly important as global change drivers will affect plant species composition and ecosystem C cycling. Despite the critical role of peatlands in the global C cycle, trait–flux relationships in peatlands are relatively unknown.

We assessed the ability of four non‐destructive plant traits to predict carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes over two growing seasons in a temperate peatland in Ontario, Canada. We examined relationships between C‐fluxes and leaf area, leaf persistence (deciduous, evergreen), growth form (woody, herbaceous) and aerenchyma tissue. To explore potential inconsistencies between different scales of data aggregation, traits were analysed at the level of plots, species and microsites.

CO2 fluxes showed a positive relationship with leaf area and leaf persistence, and a negative relationship with proportion of woody species. CH4 fluxes showed a positive relationship with aerenchyma and leaf area. The significance of trait–flux relationships differed based on whether data were averaged at the level of plot, species or microsite.

We recommend applying leaf area as a non‐destructive trait to other systems where it is not ideal to measure traits destructively. A better understanding of the relationships between above and below‐ground traits is likely needed to further explain variation in ecosystem respiration and CH4 fluxes from plant traits.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Seals and shipping: quantifying population risk and individual exposure to vessel noise
Authors: Jones Esther L. , Hastie Gordon D. , Smout Sophie , Onoufriou Joseph , Merchant Nathan D. , Brookes Kate L. , Thompson David
Published: April 2017

Vessels can have acute and chronic impacts on marine species. The rate of increase in commercial shipping is accelerating, and there is a need to quantify and potentially manage the risk of these impacts.

Usage maps characterising densities of grey and harbour seals and ships around the British Isles were used to produce risk maps of seal co‐occurrence with shipping traffic. Acoustic exposure to individual harbour seals was modelled in a study area using contemporaneous movement data from 28 animals fitted with UHF global positioning satellite telemetry tags and automatic identification system data from all ships during 2014 and 2015. Data from four acoustic recorders were used to validate sound exposure predictions.

Across the British Isles, rates of co‐occurrence were highest within 50 km of the coast, close to seal haul‐outs. Areas identified with high risk of exposure included 11 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC; from a possible 25). Risk to harbour seal populations was highest, affecting half of all SACs associated with the species.

Predicted cumulative sound exposure level, cSELs(Mpw), over all seals was 176·8 dB re 1 μPa2 s (95% CI 163·3–190·4), ranging from 170·2 dB re 1μPa2 s (95% CI 168·4–171·9) to 189·3 dB re 1 μPa2 s (95% CI 172·6–206·0) for individuals. This represented an increase in 28·3 dB re 1 μPa2 s over measured ambient noise. For 20 of 28 animals in the study, 95% CI for cSELs(Mpw) had upper bounds above levels known to induce temporary threshold shift. Predictions of broadband received sound pressure levels were underestimated on average by 0·7 dB re 1 μPa (±3·3).

Synthesis and applications. We present a framework to allow shipping noise, an important marine anthropogenic stressor, to be explicitly incorporated into spatial planning. Potentially sensitive areas are identified through quantifying risk to marine species of exposure to shipping traffic, and individual noise exposure is predicted with associated uncertainty in an area with varying rates of co‐occurrence. The detailed approach taken here facilitates spatial planning with regard to underwater noise within areas protected through the Habitats Directive, and could be used to provide evidence for further designations. This framework may have utility in assessing whether underwater noise levels are at Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Artificial light at night alters grassland vegetation species composition and phenology
Authors: Bennie Jonathan , Davies Thomas W. , Cruse David , Bell Fraser , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: April 2017

Human settlements and transport networks are growing rapidly worldwide. Since the early 20th century their expansion has been accompanied by increasing illumination of the environment at night, a trend that is likely to continue over the decades to come. Consequently, a growing proportion of the world's ecosystems are exposed to artificial light at night, profoundly altering natural cycles of light and darkness. While in recent years there have been advances in our understanding of the effects of artificial light at night on the behaviour and physiology of animals in the wild, much less is known about the impacts on wild plants and natural or semi‐natural vegetation composition. This is surprising, as effects of low‐intensity light at night on flowering, phenology and growth form are well known in laboratory and greenhouse studies.

In a long‐term experimental field study we exposed a semi‐natural grassland to artificial light at intensities and wavelengths typical of those experienced by roadside vegetation under street lighting.

We found that lighting affected the trajectory of vegetation change, leading to significant differences in biomass and plant cover in the dominant species.

Changes in flowering phenology were variable between years, with grass species flowering between 4 days earlier and 12 days later under artificial light.

Policy implications. Our results demonstrate that artificial light, at levels equivalent to those in street‐lit environments, can affect species composition in semi‐natural vegetation. This highlights the importance of considering artificial light as a driver of vegetation change in urban, suburban and semi‐natural ecosystems, and where possible, of minimising or excluding artificial light from habitats of conservation importance.
Integrating local knowledge and research to refine the management of an invasive non‐native grass in critically endangered grassy woodlands
Authors: Firn Jennifer , Ladouceur Emma , Dorrough Josh
Published: April 2017

Globally the prevalence and impact of invasive non‐native plant species is increasing rapidly. Experimentally based research aimed at supporting management is limited in its ability to keep up with this pace, partly because of the importance of understanding historical abiotic and biotic conditions. Contrastingly, landholders are in unique positions to witness species turnover in grasslands, adapt management practices in response and learn from successes and failures.

This local knowledge could be crucial for identifying feasible solutions to land degradation, and ecological restoration, but local knowledge is rarely explicitly embedded in ecological research.

We use a sequential exploratory strategy where we first interview (semi‐directive approach) 15 landholders within the Bega region of New South Wales, Australia concerning the changing ecological characteristics of both extensively and intensively managed grassy woodlands and perceived impacts following arrival of the invasive exotic introduced species, African lovegrass (ALG), Eragrostis curvula.

Based on the results of these interviews, we then conducted a field study where we tested 7 landholder‐generated hypotheses at 57 sites.

The field study validated many of the landholder management perceptions including: ALG was negatively correlated with species richness, canopy cover and dominant grasses like Themeda triandra. Mechanical slashing increased exotic ALG abundance. The prevalence of ALG in the soil seed bank was positively correlated with its abundance above‐ground. Study observations that contradicted landholder perceptions included: ALG was not more palatable nor did its abundance decline in response to increasing soil fertility. Spot spraying with herbicides was effective at controlling abundance, despite its reputation as ineffective. Landholder observations also highlighted key hypotheses concerning modes of spread that require long‐term studies including the roles of drought and overgrazing.

Synthesis and applications. Overall, we found local knowledge coupled with scientific methods can act in tandem as a highly effective approach for developing management recommendations. This approach identifies local perceptions that are not substantiated by scientific data to halt potentially harmful practices, and observations that are insightful predictions about the dynamics and impacts of non‐native species that need long‐term experiments to corroborate scientifically.
Barley Starch: Composition, Structure, Properties, and Modifications
Authors: Zhu Fan
Published: April 2017

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is mainly used as animal feed and in malting. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using barley for food production. Starch is the major component of the kernel and may amount up to over 70% of the dry weight. The quality of barley products is much determined by its starch properties such as gelatinization and retrogradation. Starch is also a by‐product of the barley fractionation industry and can be utilized for value‐added products. This review summarizes the recent developments in our understanding of the isolation, chemical composition, granular structure, chemical structure of starch components, physicochemical properties, and various modifications of barley starch. The structure–function relationships of starch are discussed. This review provides a basis for better utilizing barley starch, as well as the further development of barley as a sustainable crop.
Protein Extraction from Porcine Myocardium Using Ultrasonication
Authors: Kim Hyun Kyung , Ha Su Jeong , Kim Young Ho , Hong Sang pil , Kim Young Un , Song Kyoung‐Mo , Lee Nam Hyouck , Jung Sung Keun
Published: April 2017

Porcine myocardium is regarded as a byproduct in slaughterhouses and is rarely used as a food source due to its unsuitability for processing and consumption. In this study, we sought to develop an efficient ultrasonication method to extract protein from porcine myocardium. Comparisons of protein yield using various ultrasonication conditions with porcine myocardium revealed that treatment with 0.2 M NaCl, with pH 8.0, at an extraction temperature of less than 40 °C and an amplitude of 60% to 80% was optimal, yielding an extraction rate of 90%. In addition, SDS‐PAGE analysis showed that increasing the time interval for ultrasonication increased the presence of myosin heavy chain and actin protein content. Functional analysis of the physiological properties of the isolated proteins using an ATPase assay showed that Ca and Mg ATPase activity was virtually undetectable in the early stages of ultrasonic treatment and that the proteins denatured rapidly. An analysis of protein digestion also showed that the digestive capacity of proteins treated by ultrasonication methods was greater. These results demonstrate that the ultrasonication method is effective for high‐yield protein extraction from cardiac myofibrils of porcine myocardium with low salt concentrations, low Ca and Mg ATPase activities, and high digestive capacities.
Vegetative Buffer Strips for Reducing Herbicide Transport in Runoff: Effects of Buffer Width, Vegetation, and Season
Authors: Lerch R.N. , Lin C.H. , Goyne K.W. , Kremer R.J. , Anderson S.H.
Published: April 2017

The effectiveness of vegetative buffer strips (VBS) for reducing herbicide transport has not been well documented for runoff prone soils. A multi‐year plot‐scale study was conducted on an eroded claypan soil with the following objectives: (1) assess the effects of buffer width, vegetation, and season on runoff transport of atrazine (ATR), metolachlor (MET), and glyphosate; (2) develop VBS design criteria for herbicides; and (3) compare differences in soil quality among vegetation treatments. Rainfall simulation was used to create uniform antecedent soil water content and to generate runoff. Vegetation treatment and buffer width impacted herbicide loads much more than season. Grass treatments reduced herbicide loads by 19‐28% and sediment loads by 67% compared to the control. Grass treatments increased retention of dissolved‐phase herbicides by both infiltration and adsorption, but adsorption accounted for the greatest proportion of retained herbicide load. This latter finding indicated VBS can be effective on poorly drained soils or when the source to buffer area ratio is high. Grass treatments modestly improved surface soil quality 8‐13 years after establishment, with significant increases in organic C, total N, and ATR and MET sorption compared to continuously tilled control. Herbicide loads as a function of buffer width were well described by first‐order decay models which indicated VBS can provide significant load reductions under anticipated field conditions.
Sap flow variation in selected riparian woodland species in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Lubinda Aobakwe K. , Murray‐Hudson Mike , Green Steve
Published: April 2017

In the tropical Okavango Delta, transpiration by trees is an important process partly responsible for maintaining the basin as a freshwater environment. Quantification of evapotranspiration from terrestrial landforms of the delta, fringed by riparian woodlands, is one of the main contributors to uncertainty in current hydrological modelling. We investigated sap flow of common trees in the distal, mid‐ and upper delta in July–August 2012, November–December 2012 and February–April 2013 using the compensation heat pulse velocity method. In the distal delta, four Diospyros mespiliformis individuals of different sizes were studied. Four trees of different species were studied in the mid‐ and upper delta. Sap flow density (SFD; flow per unit cross‐sectional area) was used as a common unit to facilitate comparison. Sap flow varied with tree size, species, season and location. It was positively correlated with tree size (r2 = 0.67). Sap flow variation between seasons and across locations in all the species studied indicated two distinct groups. Group 1 transpired the least during the hottest season, November–December, and Group 2 the most. In Group 1, the highest average SFD was 1.17 l cm−2 day−1 during July–August; in Group 2, it was 1.07 l cm−2 day−1 during November–December. Changes in the hydrology of the delta would negatively affect the riparian woodland.
Ketamine versus midazolam in bipolar depression with suicidal thoughts: A pilot midazolam‐controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Grunebaum Michael F. , Ellis Steven P. , Keilp John G. , Moitra Vivek K. , Cooper Thomas B. , Marver Julia E. , Burke Ainsley K. , Milak Matthew S. , Sublette M. Elizabeth , Oquendo Maria A. , Mann J. John
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To evaluate feasibility and effects of a sub‐anesthetic infusion dose of ketamine versus midazolam on suicidal ideation in bipolar depression. Neurocognitive, blood and saliva biomarkers were explored.

Methods

Sixteen participants with bipolar depression and a Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI) score of ≥4 were randomized to ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or midazolam (0.02 mg/kg). Current pharmacotherapy was maintained excluding benzodiazepines within 24 hours. The primary clinical outcome was SSI score on day 1 post‐infusion.

Results

Results supported feasibility. Mean reduction of SSI after ketamine infusion was almost 6 points greater than after midazolam, although this was not statistically significant (estimate=5.84, SE=3.01, t=1.94, P=.074, 95% confidence interval ([CI)]=−0.65 to 12.31). The number needed to treat for response (SSI <4 and at least 50% below baseline) was 2.2, and for remission (SSI=0) was 3.2. The strongest neurocognitive correlation was between memory improvement on the Selective Reminding Test (SRT) and reduction in SSI score on day 1 after ketamine (ρ=−.89, P=.007). Pre‐ to post‐infusion decrease in serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) correlated with reduction in SSI from baseline to day 1 after ketamine (n=5, ρ=0.90, P=.037) but not midazolam (P=.087).

Conclusions

The study demonstrated feasibility. Suicidal thoughts were lower after ketamine than after midazolam at a trend level of significance, likely due to the small pilot sample. Memory improvement and BDNF are promising biomarkers. Replication is needed in an adequately powered full‐scale trial.
Individual, social, and family factors associated with high school dropout among low‐SES youth: Differential effects as a function of immigrant status
Authors: Archambault Isabelle , Janosz Michel , Dupéré Véronique , Brault Marie‐Christine , Andrew Marie Mc
Published: April 2017

Background

In most Western countries, the individual, social, and family characteristics associated with students’ dropout in the general population are well documented. Yet, there is a lack of large‐scale studies to establish whether these characteristics have the same influence for students with an immigrant background.

Aims

The first aim of this study was to assess the differences between first‐, second‐, and third‐generation‐plus students in terms of the individual, social, and family factors associated with school dropout. Next, we examined the differential associations between these individual, social, and family factors and high school dropout as a function of students’ immigration status.

Sample

Participants were 2291 students (54.7% with an immigrant background) from ten low‐SES schools in Montreal (Quebec, Canada).

Method

Individual, social, and family predictors were self‐reported by students in secondary one (mean age = 12.34 years), while school dropout status was obtained five or 6 years after students were expected to graduate.

Results

Results of logistic regressions with multiple group latent class models showed that first‐ and second‐generation students faced more economic adversity than third‐generation‐plus students and that they differed from each other and with their native peers in terms of individual, social, and family risk factors. Moreover, 40% of the risk factors considered in this study were differentially associated with first‐, second‐, and third‐generation‐plus students’ failure to graduate from high school.

Conclusion

These results provide insights on immigrant and non‐immigrant inner cities’ students experiences related to school dropout. The implications of these findings are discussed.
PREDICTING STOCK RETURNS AND VOLATILITY WITH INVESTOR SENTIMENT INDICES: A RECONSIDERATION USING A NONPARAMETRIC CAUSALITY‐IN‐QUANTILES TEST
Authors: Balcilar Mehmet , Gupta Rangan , Kyei Clement
Published: April 2017

Evidence of monthly stock returns predictability based on popular investor sentiment indices, namely SBW and SPLS as introduced by Baker and Wurgler (2006, 2007) and Huang et al. (2015) respectively are mixed. While, linear predictive models show that only SPLS can predict excess stock returns, nonparametric models (which accounts for misspecification of the linear frameworks due to nonlinearity and regime changes) finds no evidence of predictability based on either of these two indices for not only stock returns, but also its volatility. However, in this paper, we show that when we use a more general nonparametric causality‐in‐quantiles model of Balcilar et al., (forthcoming), in fact, both SBW and SPLS can predict stock returns and its volatility, with SPLS being a relatively stronger predictor of excess returns during bear and bull regimes, and SBW being a relatively powerful predictor of volatility of excess stock returns, barring the median of the conditional distribution.
Cytotoxic CD8+T cell ablation enhances the capacity of regulatory T cells to delay viral elimination in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis
Authors: Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , Herder Vanessa , Khan Muhammad Akram , Uhde Ann‐Kathrin , Teich René , Floess Stephan , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Huehn Jochen , Beineke Andreas
Published: April 2017

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis (TME) of susceptible mouse strains is a commonly used infectious animal model for multiple sclerosis. The study aim was to test the hypothesis whether cytotoxic T cell responses account for the limited impact of regulatory T cells on antiviral immunity in TME virus‐induced demyelinating disease (TMEV‐IDD) resistant C57BL/6 mice. TME virus‐infected C57BL/6 mice were treated with (i) interleukin‐2/‐anti‐interleukin‐2‐antibody‐complexes to expand regulatory T cells (“Treg‐expansion”), (ii) anti‐CD8‐antibodies to deplete cytotoxic T cells (“CD8‐depletion”) or (iii) with a combination of Treg‐expansion and CD8‐depletion (“combined treatment”) prior to infection. Results showed that “combined treatment”, but neither sole “Treg‐expansion” nor “CD8‐depletion,” leads to sustained hippocampal infection and virus spread to the spinal cord in C57BL/6 mice. Prolonged infection reduces myelin basic protein expression in the spinal cord together with increased accumulation of β‐amyloid precursor protein in axons, characteristic of myelin loss and axonal damage, respectively. Chronic spinal cord infection upon “combined treatment” was also associated with increased T and B cell recruitment, accumulation of CD107b+ microglia/macrophages and enhanced mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐10 and tumor necrosis factor α. In conclusion, data revealed that the suppressive capacity of Treg on viral elimination is efficiently boosted by CD8‐depletion, which renders C57BL/6 mice susceptible to develop chronic neuroinfection and TMEV‐IDD.
Understanding structure–function relationships of the human neuronal acetylcholine receptor: insights from the first crystal structures of neuronal subunits
Authors: Giastas Petros , Zouridakis Marios , Tzartos Socrates J
Published: April 2017

Nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) are the best studied members of the superfamily of pentameric ligand‐gated ion channels (pLGICs). Neuronal nAChRs regulate neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release in the nervous system and form either homo‐ or hetero‐pentameric complexes with various combinations of the 11 neuronal nAChR subunits (α2–7, α9, α10 and β2–4) known to exist in humans. In addition to their wide distribution in the nervous system, neuronal nAChRs have been also found in immune cells and many peripheral tissues. These nAChRs are important drug targets for neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's, schizophrenia) and substance addiction (e.g. nicotine), as well as in a variety of diseases such as chronic pain, auditory disorders and some cancers. To decipher the functional mechanisms of human nAChRs and develop efficient and specific therapeutic drugs, elucidation of their high‐resolution structures is needed. Recent studies, including the X‐ray crystal structures of the near‐intact α4β2 nAChR and of the ligand‐binding domains of the α9 and α2 subunits, have advanced our knowledge on the detailed structure of the ligand‐binding sites formed between the same and different subunits and revealed many other functionally important interactions. The aim of this review is to highlight some of the structural and functional findings of these studies and to compare them with recent breakthrough findings on other pLGIC members and earlier data from their homologous ACh‐binding proteins.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc
Inhibition of transmembrane member 16A calcium‐activated chloride channels by natural flavonoids contributes to flavonoid anticancer effects
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Li Honglin , Zhang Huiran , Liu Yani , Huo Lifang , Jia Zhanfeng , Xue Yucong , Sun Xiaorun , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose

Natural flavonoids are ubiquitous in dietary plants and vegetables and have been proposed to have antiviral, antioxidant, cardiovascular protective and anticancer effects. Transmembrane member 16A (TMEM16A)‐encoded Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels play a variety of physiological roles in many organs and tissues. Overexpression of TMEM16A is also believed to be associated with cancer progression. Therefore, inhibition of TMEM16A current may be a potential target for cancer therapy. In this study, we screened a broad spectrum of flavonoids for their inhibitory activities on TMEM16A currents.

Experimental Approach

A whole‐cell patch technique was used to record the currents. The BrdU assay and transwell technique were used to investigate cell proliferation and migration.

Key Results

At a concentration of 100 μM, 10 of 20 compounds caused significant (>50%) inhibition of TMEM16A currents. The four most potent compounds ‐ luteolin, galangin, quercetin and fisetin – had IC50 values ranging from 4.5 to 15 μM). To examine the physiological relevance of these findings, we also studied the effects of these flavonoids on endogenous TMEM16A currents in addition to cell proliferation and migration in LA795 cancer cells. Among the flavonoids tested, we detected a highly significant correlation between TMEM16A current inhibition and cell proliferation or reduction of migration.

Conclusions and Implications

This study demonstrates that flavonoids inhibit TMEM16A currents and suggests that flavonoids could have anticancer effects via this mechanism.
ZY15557, a novel, long acting inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4, for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jain Mukul R , Joharapurkar Amit A , Kshirsagar Samadhan G , Patel Vishal J , Bahekar Rajesh H , Patel Harilal V , Jadav Pradip A , Patel Pankaj R , Desai Ranjit C
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitors increase levels of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and provide clinical benefit in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. As longer acting inhibitors have therapeutic advantages, we developed a novel DPP‐4 inhibitor, ZY15557, that has a sustained action and long half‐life.

Experimental Approach

We studied the potency, selectivity, efficacy and duration of action of ZY15557, in vitro, with assays of DPP‐4 activity. In vivo, the pharmacodymamics and pharmacokinetics of ZY15557 were studied, using db/db mice and Zucker fatty rats, along with normal mice, rats, dogs and non‐human primates.

Key Results

ZY15557 is a potent, competitive and long acting inhibitor of DPP‐4 (Ki 5.53 nM; Koff 3.2 × 10−4·s−1, half‐life 35.8 min). ZY15557 treatment inhibited DPP‐4 activity, and enhanced active GLP‐1 and insulin in mice and rats, providing dose‐dependent anti‐hyperglycaemic effects. Anti‐hyperglycaemic effects were also observed in db/db mice and Zucker fatty rats. Following oral dosing, ZY15557 significantly inhibited plasma DPP‐4 activity, determined ex vivo, in mice and rats for more than 48 h, and for up to 168 h in dogs and non‐human primates. Allometric scaling predicts a half‐life for ZY15557 in humans of up to 60 h.

Conclusions and Implications

ZY15557 is a potent, competitive and long acting DPP‐4 inhibitor. ZY15557 showed similar DPP‐4 inhibition across different species. ZY15557 showed excellent oral bioavailability in preclinical species. It showed a low plasma clearance (CL) and large volume of distribution (Vss) across species, resulting in an extended half‐life.
The Sensitive Period for Tactile Remapping Does Not Include Early Infancy
Authors: Azañón Elena , Camacho Karla , Morales Marta , Longo Matthew R.
Published: April 2017

Visual input during development seems crucial in tactile spatial perception, given that late, but not congenitally, blind people are impaired when skin‐based and tactile external representations are in conflict (when crossing the limbs). To test whether there is a sensitive period during which visual input is necessary, 14 children (age = 7.95) and a teenager (LM; age = 17.38) deprived of early vision by cataracts, and whose sight was restored during the first 5 months and at age 7, respectively, were tested. Tactile localization with arms crossed and uncrossed was measured. Children showed a crossing effect indistinguishable from a control group (Ns = 28, age = 8.24), whereas LM showed no crossing effect (Ns controls = 14, age = 20.78). This demonstrates a sensitive period which, critically, does not include early infancy.
Caregiver Talk and Medical Risk as Predictors of Language Outcomes in Full Term and Preterm Toddlers
Authors: Adams Katherine A. , Marchman Virginia A. , Loi Elizabeth C. , Ashland Melanie D. , Fernald Anne , Feldman Heidi M.
Published: April 2017

This study examined associations between caregiver talk and language skills in full term (FT) and preterm (PT) children (n = 97). All‐day recordings of caregiver–child interactions revealed striking similarities in amount of caregiver talk heard by FT and PT children. Children who heard more caregiver talk at 16 months demonstrated better knowledge‐ and processing‐based language skills at 18 months. The unique contributions of caregiver talk were tempered by medical risk in PT children, especially for processing speed. However, there was no evidence that birth status or medical risk moderated the effects of caregiver talk. These findings highlight the role of caregiver talk in shaping language outcomes in FT and PT children and offer insights into links between neurodevelopmental risk and caregiver–child engagement.
Finding Diachronic Like‐Minded Users
Authors: Fani Hossein , Bagheri Ebrahim , Zarrinkalam Fattane , Zhao Xin , Du Weichang
Published: April 2017

User communities in social networks are usually identified by considering explicit structural social connections between users. While such communities can reveal important information about their members such as family or friendship ties and geographical proximity, just to name a few, they do not necessarily succeed at pulling like‐minded users that share the same interests together. Therefore, researchers have explored the topical similarity of social content to build like‐minded communities of users. In this article, following the topic‐based approaches, we are interested in identifying communities of users that share similar topical interests with similar temporal behavior. More specifically, we tackle the problem of identifying temporal (diachronic) topic‐based communities, i.e., communities of users who have a similar temporal inclination toward emerging topics. To do so, we utilize multivariate time series analysis to model the contributions of each user toward emerging topics. Further, our modeling is completely agnostic to the underlying topic detection method. We extract topics of interest by employing seminal topic detection methods; one graph‐based and two latent Dirichlet allocation‐based methods. Through our experiments on Twitter data, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed temporal topic‐based community detection method in the context of news recommendation, user prediction, and document timestamp prediction applications, compared with the nontemporal as well as the state‐of‐the‐art temporal approaches.
License to Kill?—Disease Eradication Programs May Not be in Line with the Convention on Biological Diversity
Authors: Hochkirch Axel , Beninde Joscha , Fischer Marietta , Krahner André , Lindemann Cosima , Matenaar Daniela , Rohde Katja , Wagner Norman , Wesch Charlotte , Wirtz Sarah , Zink Andreas , Lötters Stefan , Schmitt Thomas , Proelss Alexander , Veith Michael
Published: April 2017

Global human population growth is associated with many problems, such as food and water provision, political conflicts, spread of diseases, and environmental destruction. The mitigation of these problems is mirrored in several global conventions and programs, some of which, however, are conflicting. Here, we discuss the conflicts between biodiversity conservation and disease eradication. Numerous health programs aim at eradicating pathogens, and many focus on the eradication of vectors, such as mosquitos or other parasites. As a case study, we focus on the “Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign,” which aims at eradicating a pathogen (Trypanosoma) as well as its vector, the entire group of tsetse flies (Glossinidae). As the distribution of tsetse flies largely overlaps with the African hotspots of freshwater biodiversity, we argue for a strong consideration of environmental issues when applying vector control measures, especially the aerial applications of insecticides. Furthermore, we want to stimulate discussions on the value of species and whether full eradication of a pathogen or vector is justified at all. Finally, we call for a stronger harmonization of international conventions. Proper environmental impact assessments need to be conducted before control or eradication programs are carried out to minimize negative effects on biodiversity.
From disaster to development: a systematic review of community‐driven humanitarian logistics
Authors: Bealt Jennifer , Mansouri S. Afshin
Published: April 2017

A plethora of untapped resources exist within disaster‐affected communities that can be used to address relief and development concerns. A systematic review of the literature relating to community participation in humanitarian logistics activities revealed that communities are able to form ad hoc networks that have the ability to meet a wide range of disaster management needs. These structures, characterised as Collaborative Aid Networks (CANs), have demonstrated efficient logistical capabilities exclusive of humanitarian organisations. This study proposes that CANs, as a result of their unique characteristics, present alternatives to established humanitarian approaches to logistics, while also mitigating the challenges commonly faced by traditional humanitarian organisations. Furthermore, CANs offer a more holistic, long‐term approach to disaster management, owing to their impact on development through their involvement in humanitarian logistics. This research provides the foundation for further theoretical analysis of effective and efficient disaster management, and details opportunities for policy and practice.
The 1970 Bhola cyclone, nationalist politics, and the subsistence crisis contract in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Naomi
Published: April 2017

The devastating Bhola cyclone in November 1970 is credited with having triggered the political events that led to the division of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. A callous response to the disaster by the Pakistani regime resulted in a landslide electoral victory for Bengali nationalists, followed by a bitter and bloody civil war. Yet, despite its political momentousness, the Bhola cyclone has been the subject of little political analysis. This paper examines the events, arguing that its extraordinary political significance put disaster management on the nationalist agenda; the famine of 1974 confirmed its centrality, producing a social contract to protect the population against disasters and subsistence crises on which the country's acclaimed resilience to the effects of climate change rests. The Bhola cyclone also drew international attention to this neglected, little‐known region, and in general can be seen as foundational for the subsequent developmental achievements of Bangladesh.
Employment as a measure of participation in adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Michelsen Susan I
Published: April 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Benner et al. on pages 762–768 of this issue.
In vivo muscle behaviour in cerebral palsy with an equinus gait: are we on track?
Authors: Schless Simon‐Henri , Desloovere Kaat , Bar‐On Lynn
Published: April 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Barber et al. on pages 843–851 of this issue.
Asymmetric changes in circulating insulin levels after an increase compared with a reduction in insulin pump basal rate in people with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: McAuley S. A. , Ward G. M. , Horsburgh J. C. , Gooley J. L. , Jenkins A. J. , MacIsaac R. J. , O'Neal D. N.
Published: April 2017

Aims

To investigate circulating insulin profiles after a clinically relevant insulin pump basal rate increase vs a reduction, and the associated glucose responses.

Methods

A cohort of 12 adults with Type 1 diabetes undertook this two‐stage university hospital study using Accu‐Chek pumps (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and insulin aspart. An insulin basal rate change of 0.2 unit/h (increase in first stage, reduction in second stage) was implemented at ~09:30 h, after a single overnight basal rate (without bolus insulin), while fasting participants rested. Frequent venous samples for the assessment of plasma free insulin, glucose and cortisol were collected from 60 min before until 300 min after rate change. The primary outcome was time to steady‐state insulin.

Results

The 0.2‐unit/h rate change represented a mean ± sd alteration of 23 ± 6%. After the rate increase, the median (interquartile range) times to 80% and 90% steady‐state insulin were 170 (45) min and 197 (87) min, respectively. By contrast, after rate reduction, 80% steady‐state insulin was not achieved. After the rate increase, mean ± se insulin levels increased by 4.3 ± 3.1%, 12.0 ± 2.9% and 25.6 ± 2.6% at 60, 120 and 300 min, respectively (with no significant difference until 180 min). After the rate reduction, insulin decreased by 8.3 ± 3.0% at 300 min (with no significant difference until 300 min). After rate reduction, glucose levels paradoxically declined by 17.4 ± 3.7% after 300 min; cortisol levels also fell during observation (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

The time to circulating insulin change after a 0.2‐unit/h basal rate change was substantial, and was greater after a reduction than after an increase. Counter‐regulatory hormone circadian variation may affect glycaemia when implementing minor changes at low basal rates. Both direction of basal rate change, and time of day, warrant consideration when anticipating the clinical effects of basal rate changes.
Effects of combined low‐dose spironolactone plus vitamin E vs vitamin E monotherapy on insulin resistance, non‐invasive indices of steatosis and fibrosis, and adipokine levels in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Polyzos Stergios A. , Kountouras Jannis , Mantzoros Christos S. , Polymerou Vaia , Katsinelos Panagiotis
Published: April 2017

The beneficial effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade by spironolactone have been shown in animal models of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the present 52‐week randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of low‐dose spironolactone and vitamin E combination with those of vitamin E monotherapy on insulin resistance, non‐invasive indices of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, liver function tests, circulating adipokines and hormones in patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD. Homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and non‐invasive indices of steatosis and fibrosis were calculated. Analysis was intention‐to‐treat. NAFLD liver fat score, an index of steatosis, decreased significantly in the combination treatment group (P = .028), but not in the vitamin E group, and the difference for group*time interaction was significant (P = .047). Alanine aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, an index of fibrosis, did not change. Insulin levels and HOMA‐IR decreased significantly only within the combination group (P = .011 and P = .011, respectively). In conclusion, the combined low‐dose spironolactone plus vitamin E regimen significantly decreased NAFLD liver fat score. Larger‐scale trials are needed to clarify the effect of low‐dose spironolactone on hepatic histology.
Quaternary refugia are associated with higher speciation rates in mammalian faunas of the Western Palaearctic
Authors: Morales‐Barbero Jennifer , Martinez Pablo Ariel , Ferrer‐Castán Dolores , Olalla‐Tárraga Miguel Á.
Published: April 2017

Quaternary climate changes have contributed to shape the biogeographic distribution of extant species. The combination of climatic niche conservatism and glacial‐interglacial cycles forced many species to retract their range limits for surviving under the advance of Pleistocene ice‐sheets. Refugia offered geographical opportunities for species to retreat, persist and, later on, begin recolonization processes under favourable environmental conditions. Here we explore the hypothesis that refugia have been not only crucial for the survival of multiple species but also acted as speciation centres for Western Palaearctic mammals. We define ‘recurrent massive refugia’ as those geographical regions that have historically accumulated the highest levels of co‐occurring species for several Quaternary cycles. Our assemblage‐level analyses identify the existence of refugia within the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic French margin that were recurrently selected by most mammals. The topographic heterogeneity, climatic stability and microhabitat availability of these refugial areas may have offered suitable habitat conditions for multiple species during different climatic events over time. Using a Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures we detected that the higher level of divergence and accumulative evolutionary changes in mammals of the Western Palaearctic are found in refugia. The continuous retractions and expansions of species’ ranges during the Pleistocene promoted temporal changes in the composition and richness of communities in this biogeographic region. The reorganization of ecological composition driven by cyclical climatic events may have favoured the emergence of biotic interactions and ecological responses conducive to novel selective pressures. Our findings suggest, first, that multiple climatic changes in the form of glacial‐interglacial transitions during the Quaternary have left a detectable imprint on the observed geographical patterns of species richness in mammalian faunas of the Western Palaearctic, and second, highlight the importance of refugia for the preservation of species (‘museums’) and as centers of speciation and endemism (‘cradles’) as well.