bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1-Cyclohexyl-5-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)-3-nitropyridin-2(1H)-one
Authors: Ranjani T. Siva , Poomathi N. , Vimala G. , Perumal Paramasivam T. , Murugesan K. Sakthi
Published: January 2017

In the title compound, C18H18N2O5, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation, and its mean plane is almost normal to the central pyridin-2-one ring with a dihedral angle of 87.94 (8)°. The latter ring is inclined to the 2-hydroxybenzoyl ring by 50.92 (8)°. There is an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond in this unit forming an S(6) ring motif. The NO2 group is disordered over two orientations of equal occupancy. In the crystal, molecules are linked via C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [001]. Inversion-related chains are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming columns along the c-axis direction.
5-Fluoro-1-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Qachchachi Fatim-Zahrae , Mague Joel T. , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Haoudi Amal , Ouzidan Younes , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: January 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C11H8FNO2, consists of two independent molecules having different conformations and associated through pairwise C—H...F hydrogen bonds. These units form `stairstep' stacks along the b-axis direction via π–π stacking interactions between dihydroindole moieties, with interplanar spacings of 3.578 (3) and 3.627 (3) Å. The stacks are tied together by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Ethyl 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate
Authors: Sharmila N. , Sundar T. V. , Sakthivel P. , Venkatesan P.
Published: January 2017

The title compound, C16H17ClO4, is a derivative of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-one in which the root moiety forms a dihedral angle of 49.36 (5)° with the pendent chlorobenzene ring. The crystal structure features weak methyl-C—H...O(ring carbonyl) contacts, leading to an R
2
2(12) ring motif, and benzene-C—H...O(ester) interactions, leading to a supramolecular chain along the b axis, to form a three-dimensional network.
(E)-1-(5-Chlorothiophen-2-yl)-3-(p-tolyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Kumara Karthik , Naveen S. , Prabhudeva M. G. , Ajay Kumar K. , Lokanath N. K. , Warad Ismail
Published: January 2017

In the title compound, C14H11ClOS, the trans conformation of the C=C double bond in the central enone group is confirmed by the C—C=C—C torsion angle of 178.3 (4)°. The molecule is non-planar as seen by the dihedral angle of 22.6 (2)° between the chlorothiophene and the p-toluene rings. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of C—H...π interactions, forming inversion dimers. There are no other significant intermolecular interactions present.
(E)-1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(2-oxidonaphthalen-1-yl)diazen-1-ium
Authors: Bougueria Hassiba , Chetioui Souheyla , Mili Assia , Bouaoud Salah eddine , Merazig Hocine
Published: January 2017

In the title zwitterion, C16H11FN2O, which belongs to the family of azo dyes, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring system is 15.33 (7)° and an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond closes an S(6) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds generate R
2
2(16) loops. Aromatic π–π stacking [centroid–centroid distance = 3.585 (11) Å] is also observed.
(Z)-N′-(3-Ethyl-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)-2-[6-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl]acetohydrazide
Authors: Atioğlu Zeliha , Akkurt Mehmet , Başoğlu Faika , Güzeldemirci Nuray Ulusoy , Köseoğlu Rahmi , Ersanlı Cem Cüneyt
Published: January 2017

The title compound, C19H19N5O3S2, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, with two independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). The imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole ring systems in molecules A and B are essentially planar (r.m.s deviations = 0.004 and 0.005 Å, respectively), with dihedral angles of 1.1 (3) and 0.8 (3)°, respectively, between the thiazole and imidazole rings. The mean planes of these ring systems make dihedral angles of 16.0 (2) and 61.9 (2)° for molecule A, and 11.8 (2) and 74.3 (2)° for molecule B, with the 1,3-thiazolidine and methoxy-substituted benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked via N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming –A–B–A–B– chains along [100]. The chains are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the ab plane.
4-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)methyl]-6,8-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one. Corrigendum
Authors: El-Khatatneh Nasseem , Chandra  , Shamala D. , Shivashankar K. , Mahendra M.
Published: January 2017

In the paper by El-Khatatneh et al. [IUCrData (2016), 1, x161644], the scheme and chemical name in the title are corrected.
ICTs and the informal economy: mobile and broadband roles
Authors: Garcia-Murillo Martha , Velez-Ospina Jorge Andres
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether information and communication technologies (ICTs) can move people from the informal to the formal sector. ICTs being multipurpose technologies can provide people with information about education, employment opportunities and government services that may potentially allow them to migrate to the formal sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The model includes variables that researchers have found to contribute to the growth of informality, such as the state of the economy, the impact of excessive taxes, the impact of regulation, the level of poverty and, of course, ICT metrics, specifically access to both cell phones and broadband as the main two mechanisms through which individuals in the informal sector can obtain information. The analysis relies on a multiple indicators and multiple causes statistical model, to evaluate the hard-to-measure informal economy. A panel data set of 170 countries covering a period of five years was used.

Findings

It was found that ICTs empower people, but such empowerment is not always positive for society. So, while mobile phones reduce transaction costs of informal business, this leads to their growth, as they are only a coordination technology. The empowerment that comes from broadband, meaning greater and deeper access to information and resources, can help reduce this sector of the economy and potentially improve these individuals’ lives as well.

Research limitations/implications

Measurement of the informal sector is a challenge to researchers precisely because it is hidden. This, like other work in this area, relies on estimates from indirect measures of the informal sector. The results are to be interpreted with caution. In addition, given that this research relies on country-level data, any specific policy decision will have to take particular circumstances into consideration to adapt these results to a specific context.

Practical implications

This study is important because of the more nuanced effect found between narrow and broadband technologies with respect to the informal economy and because of its policy implications. Given the results, governments should consider broadband as an additional tool to help individuals make the transition from the informal to the formal sector.

Social implications

Once an individual who works in the informal sector begins to realize the advantages of moving to the formal sector, it with the help of ICTs. This awareness could potentially lead to a slow but steady migration away from the informal economy that can improve the economic conditions of the population in these countries.

Originality/value

Scholars up to this point have been quite enthusiastic about the benefits of ICTs. In this paper, it was found that the effects are not always positive; a mobile does not help people move away from poverty and, in fact, supports the informal sector. It was found that only broadband can help these entrepreneurs move into the formal sector.
Understanding mobile shopping consumers’ continuance intention
Authors: Shang Dawei , Wu Weiwei
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and examine the factors contributing to consumers’ mobile shopping continuance intention (CI) of food and non-food items via smartphones and other mobile terminals.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated model was proposed on the basis of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and expectation confirmation model (ECM), focussing on perceived value (PV). The survey responses of 203 Chinese mobile shoppers (m-shoppers) were analysed using structural equation modelling with the partial least squares approach.

Findings

The results indicated that perceived usefulness does not motivate all user groups. Furthermore, satisfaction and perceived ease of use significantly impacted different user groups. For online food m-shoppers, value for money (VM) was the most important factor influencing satisfaction and CI. However, perceived usefulness only affected CI for non-food m-shoppers.

Practical implications

Marketers can improve users’ CI by enhancing VM and maximising effectiveness and enjoyment while minimising prices. Moreover, in determining strategies for different users, marketers should identify the behavioural differences among all groups and those between the two classified groups.

Originality/value

This is one of the studies attempting to explain Chinese mobile shopping consumers’ CI, but especially through an integrated model based on TAM and ECM with PV on food and non-food m-commerce perspective. It offers several implications for researchers and practitioners and contributes to the literature of technology acceptance and post-adoption behaviour in m-commerce.
Web-application development projects by online communities
Authors: Annarelli Alessandro , Battistella Cinzia , Nonino Fabio
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an in-depth analysis of online communities of practice that support the innovative development of web applications. The analysis is aimed at understanding the preeminent characteristics of communities of practice that can favour the process of innovation (conceptualisation and realization of a web application) and if these characteristics differ in the diverse phases of a software development project (requirement specification, design, implementation and verification).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a multiple case study research design, selected 29 communities of practice related to the development of web applications and classified them recognizing the different practices that refer to the different phases of the innovation process of web-applications software development. Finally, the authors focussed on seven communities comparing five important dimensions for each one.

Findings

The results of the empirical analysis show that the best practices are different, considering the different phases of the project, and that these practices can be strategies directed at members to attract them and also, strategies directed at the community to permit collaboration.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an important and new insight into the management of virtual communities of practice (VCoP). The authors supposed that the ways to manage a VCoP could depend on project phases. In particular, the management practices of community should differ according to the different project phases, i.e. requirements specification, design, implementation and verification of the software. Literature in this sense presented only research focussed on the different effects of virtualness on teams depending on the length of team duration and on communication efforts.
Elastic and plastic innovation capability in firms
Authors: Zou Bo , Guo Feng , Song Michael
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Although the extant innovation literature has extensively explored the attributes of different types of innovation capability, little is known yet about the common phenomenon of the rebound and durableness of innovation capability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address these aspects by introducing the concepts of elastic and plastic innovation capability.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the behavioral theory of the firm, the authors propose a theoretical model to study the antecedents and outcomes of elastic and plastic innovation capability. An empirical testing involves two data sets that contained 183 companies in three industries. The empirical evidence supports the existence of the concepts of elastic and plastic innovation capability.

Findings

The research findings also demonstrate that a firm’s past performance is positively related to elastic innovation capability. Elastic innovation capability and organizational aspiration are positively related to plastic innovation capability. Both elastic and plastic innovation capability significantly lead to superior performance.

Originality/value

This study makes three main contributions to the existing innovation literature. First, the authors extend existing knowledge on innovation capability by proposing two new types of innovation capability – elastic and plastic innovation capability. Second, the proposed concepts of elastic and plastic innovation capability contribute to the theory of dynamic capability. Finally, this study reveals the micro-mechanism of elastic and plastic innovation capability from the perspective of the behavior theory of the firm and their different effect on firm performance.
Corporate governance and the level of Bahraini corporate compliance with IFRS disclosure
Authors: Juhmani Omar
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relation between corporate governance (CG) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) disclosure one year before the issuance of the first Corporate Governance Code (CGC) in Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

The CG is measured by board composition, audit committee characteristics, and ownership structure. Ordinary least-squares regressions are used to examine the relationships between the level of Bahraini corporate compliance with mandatory IFRS disclosure requirements as dependent variable and eight CG mechanisms as independent variables and five other firm-specific attributes, as control variables.

Findings

The results show that three of the CG mechanisms (i.e. board independence, audit committee independence, and Chief Executive Officer duality) are associated with the level of IFRS disclosure. This suggests that CG mechanisms are effective in the financial reporting practices. However, the results show that the other five CG mechanisms (i.e. board size, audit committee size, blockholder ownership, managerial ownership, and government ownership) are not associated with the level of IFRS disclosure. This result may prove the importance of the CGC as an effective enforcement mechanism to enforce Bahraini companies to fully comply with IFRS disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study can contribute to the understanding of the relationship between CG and IFRS in Bahrain, it may not be able to be generalized to other countries. Such relationships could be different from country to country due to business and legal environments. Therefore, there is a need to investigate these relationships among different countries. This study examines the relation between CG and the level of compliance with IFRS disclosure one year before the issuance of the first CGC in Bahrain. Future research might attempt to examine the relation one year after the issuance of the first CGC in Bahrain to confirm the importance of the CGCs as an effective enforcement mechanism.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are of great concern to all users of annual reports and of particular interest to accounting regulators to improve the level of supervision and the standard of reporting in Bahrain. Also, it is of great concern to professional accounting bodies, policy makers, and governments in emerging markets in countries that share similar economic, political, and cultural environments.

Originality/value

This paper’s contribution to the literature is twofold: it examines the relation between three groups of CG mechanisms (i.e. board characteristics, audit committee characteristics and ownership structure) and the level of corporate compliance with IFRS disclosure; it examines the relation one year before implementing the first CGC in Bahrain and provides new evidence on the importance and effectiveness of the CGCs.
Assessing the applicability of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions for Global 500 corporations’ Facebook profiles and content
Authors: Lo Kevin D. , Waters Richard D. , Christensen Nicklas
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions are reflected on the official corporate Facebook pages from 259 organizations onFortunemagazine’s Global 500 list. This is the first attempt to create a conceptualization of Hofstede’s dimensions for organizational social media use.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine how Facebook is used by the Global 500 corporations, a content analysis was carried out based on the 2013 listing of the highest revenue corporations throughout the world. As a research method, content analysis allows researchers to examine the actual practices of communication by focusing on the information provided through textual and visual messages.

Findings

The results paint a mixed picture indicating that the global nature of these corporations is echoed in a somewhat similar overall presence on Facebook; but when the individual elements (About Us, updates, and media) are examined, statistical differences emerge in relation to the reflection of the cultural dimensions.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work to match Facebook behaviors with Hofstede’s dimensions. This work needs to be replicated with other organizations to determine its staying power. In addition, future research might tap into agency and any consciousness on the part of social media managers in a specific direction. Depending on those findings, they might make important statements on the emergence of a global social media culture.
Renoprotective effect of Hypericum perforatum against diabetic nephropathy in rats: Insights in the underlying mechanisms
Authors: Abd El Motteleb Dalia M. , Abd El Aleem Dalia I.
Published: January 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of hypericum perforatum (HP) against DN. Rats were allocated into six groups: control, received normal saline; diabetic untreated (DM), received single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) after injection of nicotinamide (NA); gliclazide, received STZ,NA + gliclazide (10 mg/kg); DM + HP50, DM + HP100, DM + HP200, received STZ,NA and HP 50, 100, 200 mg/kg, respectively. Gliclazide and HP were administered daily via gavage for 8 weeks. Serum glucose, insulin, kidney function and histopathological picture were assessed. Furthermore, oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic and fibrotic markers were measured. Diabetic untreated group showed increase in serum glucose, urea, creatinine with albuminurea. Renal expression of protein for nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐кB), renal expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase II (COXII), collagen IV, fibronectin were elevated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM‐1), monocellular chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), tumour growth factor‐ β (TGF‐β), caspase‐3 and cytochrome c contents were also increased consequently with decline of serum insulin, expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), renal reduced glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Treatment with either gliclazide or HP mitigated the deleterious effects of STZ on the tested parameters. These findings indicate for the first time that HP may have a renoprotective effect against DN through reduction of oxidative/nitrosative stress, enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms, decline of inflammatory cytokines, antifibrotic, antiapoptotic and blood glucose lowering properties.
Class, Politics and the Progressive Dilemma
Authors: Devine Fiona , Sensier Marianne
Published: January 2017

This article considers contemporary class inequalities and how they might shape a progressive politics in the UK. Drawing on findings from the BBC Class Survey, it outlines changes in the class structure, class mobility and class identities. It is argued that the class structure is increasingly polarised and fragmented, with a wealthy elite, a vulnerable precariat and fragmented middle and working classes in between. Declining upward social mobility is a source of anxiety for middle‐class and working‐class parents alike. Class identification, especially working‐class identification, has weakened over time, although class snobbery is far from dead. Class has changed and the class basis of politics is changing now too. A progressive politics is possible if the political parties of the centre‐left appeal to the majority of the electorate rather than one class, acknowledge common concerns and worries and appeal to shared hopes and dreams that straddle class boundaries.
Green Extraction Methods for Polyphenols from Plant Matrices and Their Byproducts: A Review
Authors: Ameer Kashif , Shahbaz Hafiz Muhammad , Kwon Joong‐Ho
Published: January 2017

Polyphenols as phytochemicals have gained significant importance owing to several associated health benefits with regard to lifestyle diseases and oxidative stress. To date, the development of a single standard method for efficient and rapid extraction of polyphenols from plant matrices has remained a challenge due to the inherent limitations of various conventional extraction methods. The exploitation of polyphenols as bioactive compounds at various commercial levels has motivated scientists to explore more eco‐friendly, efficient, and cost‐effective extraction techniques, based on a green extraction approach. The current review aims to provide updated technical information about extraction mechanisms, their advantages and disadvantages, and factors affecting efficiencies, and also presents a comparative overview of applications of the following modern green extraction techniques—supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and pressurized hot water extraction—as alternatives to conventional extraction methods for polyphenol extraction. These techniques are proving to be promising for the extraction of thermolabile phenolic compounds due to their advantages over conventional, time‐consuming, and laborious extraction techniques, such as reduced solvent use and time and energy consumption and higher recovery rates with lower operational costs. The growing interest in plant‐derived polyphenols prompts continual search for green and economically feasible modern extraction techniques. Modern green extraction techniques represent promising approaches by virtue of overcoming current limitations to the exploitation of polyphenols as bioactive compounds to explore their wide‐reaching applications on an industrial scale and in emerging global markets. Future research is needed in order to remove the technical barriers to scale‐up the processes for industrial needs by increasing our understanding and improving the design of modern extraction operations.
Does contingent pay encourage positive employee attitudes and intensify work?
Authors: Ogbonnaya Chidiebere , Daniels Kevin , Nielsen Karina
Published: January 2017

This article explores the relationships between three dimensions of contingent pay – performance‐related pay, profit‐related pay and employee share‐ownership – and positive employee attitudes (job satisfaction, employee commitment and trust in management). The article also examines a conflicting argument that contingent pay may intensify work, and this can detract from its positive impact on employee attitudes. Of the three contingent pay dimensions, only performance‐related pay had direct positive relationships with all three employee attitudes. Profit‐related pay and employee share‐ownership had a mix of negative and no significant direct relationships with employee attitudes, but profit‐related pay showed U‐shaped curvilinear relationships with all three employee attitudes. The results also indicated that performance‐related pay is associated with work intensification, and this offsets some of its positive impact on employee attitudes.
Drawing a Line in the Sand: Valuing Regulated Assets of the Australian Water Industry
Authors: Abbott Malcolm , Cohen Bruce
Published: January 2017

The aim of this paper was to examine the origins of the use of the line‐in‐the‐sand approach in utility pricing in the Australian context. In Australia, this method has only been used in the water and wastewater industry and only to government‐owned water companies in a regulatory context. The object of using the line‐in‐the‐sand method by regulators has been to help create a smooth, but longer, transition, from political to commercially established prices, and to do so with the least community opposition. This has meant consumers initially enjoyed lower prices than may otherwise have been the case; however, prices rose as water and wastewater companies undertook extensive capital expenditure programmes.
Measuring the Comparability of Company Accounts Conditionally: A Research Note
Authors: Taplin Ross H.
Published: January 2017

Comparability indices summarize the level of comparability between companies at a national and international level, an issue of importance to investors, regulators, and standard setters. Comparability indices can identify areas where comparability is low and where comparability is deteriorating. Furthermore, they can be used to quantify the extent to which initiatives such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are successful in raising comparability between company accounts. Despite past literature emphasizing how factors other than country influence accounting methods used by companies, current comparability indices ignore these other factors. This paper introduces new national and international indices within the T index framework to fill this gap in the literature. Formula for the new national and international indices, and their standard errors, are provided. An example using European data is used to demonstrate the calculations and illustrate the importance of controlling for these firm specific factors.
The relative impact of brief treatment versus brief intervention in primary health‐care screening programs for substance use disorders
Authors: Aldridge Arnie , Dowd William , Bray Jeremy
Published: January 2017

Aims

To assess the relative impact of brief treatment (BT) compared with brief intervention (BI) on changes in substance use behavior in primary care screening programs for substance use disorders, overall and by patient severity.

Design and participants

A total of 9029 patients with both baseline and follow‐up interviews were identified in the US Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) data from October 2004 and February 2008. Using a propensity score framework, multiple generalized linear mixed models and a local linear matching method with a difference in difference estimator, patients from the BI group that resemble BT patients were used to determine the relative treatment effect of BT. A total of 3218 of these US patients with baseline and follow‐up interviews were used in the final analysis sample after the propensity score‐matching procedure (1448 patients assigned to a BI service category and 1770 assigned to a BT service category).

Setting

United States.

Measurements

Dependent variables were the number of days of use in the past 30 days of any alcohol, alcohol to intoxication, illicit drugs and marijuana.

Findings

The relative impact of BT was not significant for alcohol (0.269; P > 0.1) or alcohol to intoxication (0.462; P > 0.1). BT was found to reduce the frequency of use of illicit drugs at follow‐up by 0.634 days more than BI (P < 0.05). Marijuana days were not affected significantly by assignment to BT (−0.128; P > 0.1). Higher severity patients assigned to BT had a decrease in days of illicit drug use of 1.765 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In the United States, brief treatment appears to have a stronger impact on reducing illicit drug use than brief intervention but is similar to brief intervention for reducing alcohol use, alcohol to intoxication and marijuana use alone.
Conservative approach to rectosigmoid endometriosis: a cohort study
Authors: Egekvist Anne G. , Marinovskij Edvard , Forman Axel , Kesmodel Ulrik S. , Riiskjær Mads , Seyer‐Hansen Mikkel
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The aim of the study was to assess the risk of surgery after initial conservative treatment of rectosigmoid endometriosis in relation to demographic data.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on the tertiary endometriosis referral unit, Aarhus University Hospital. Medical records, from patients seen from January 2009 onwards with a diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis and more than 6 months’ follow up were audited. Demographic data, results of magnetic resonance imaging and time to secondary surgery for rectosigmoid endometriosis were registered.

Results

Data on 238 patients diagnosed with rectosigmoid endometriosis were included. In all, 78 (32.8%) patients had primary surgery, 27 (11.3%) had secondary surgery and 133 (55.9%) continued conservative treatment throughout the observation period. Patients who underwent primary or secondary surgery were younger than patients continuing conservative treatment.

Conclusions

In a tertiary referral center where about half of patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis were scheduled for conservative treatment, more than 80% of these avoided surgery.
Exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B induces apoptosis in the lens epithelial cells and does not in the lens cortical fibre cells
Authors: Galichanin Konstantin
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate in which part of the lens in vivo exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B radiation induces apoptosis.

Methods

Twenty 6‐week‐old female albino Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to subthreshold dose (1 kJ/m2) of UVR‐B unilaterally and killed at 120 hr after exposure. Lenses were enucleated and dissected on three regions: the lens epithelium, the cortex and the nucleus. The lens nucleus then was removed. Apoptosis markers p53 and caspase 3 were used to study apoptosis in the lens regions. qRT‐PCR and Western blot were utilized to analyse the lenses.

Results

TP53 and CASP3 mRNA expressions are increased in exposed lenses, both in the lens epithelium and in the cortex regions, in relation to non‐exposed lenses. Expression of p53 protein is increased in exposed lens epithelium in relation to non‐exposed lens epithelium. Caspase 3 protein is expressed in exposed lens epithelial cells, while it is not expressed in non‐exposed lens epithelial cells. p53 and caspase 3 proteins are not expressed in either exposed nor non‐exposed lens fibre cells.

Conclusion

Exposure to UVR‐B increases mRNA transcription of apoptosis marker p53 in vivo in both regions of the lens and of apoptosis marker caspase 3 in the lens cortex. Exposure to UVR‐B increases p53 and caspase 3 proteins expression just in the lens epithelium. In vivo exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B induces apoptosis in the lens epithelial cells and does not in the lens fibre cells.
Maturation‐associated gene expression profiles along normal human bone marrow monopoiesis
Authors: Mello Fabiana V. , Alves Liliane R. , Land Marcelo G. P. , Teodósio Cristina , Sanchez María‐Luz , Bárcena Paloma , Peres Rodrigo T. , Pedreira Carlos E. , Costa Elaine S. , Orfao Alberto
Published: January 2017

Human monopoiesis is a tightly coordinated process which starts in the bone marrow (BM) haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment and leads to the production of circulating blood mature monocytes. Although mature monocytes/macrophages have been extensively studied in both normal or inflammatory conditions, monopoiesis has only been assessed in vitro and in vivo animal models, due to low frequency of the monocytic precursors in the normal human BM. Here we investigated the transcriptional profile along normal human BM monopoiesis. Five distinct maturation‐associated stages of monocytic precursors were identified and isolated from (fresh) normal human BM through fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, and the gene expression profile (GEP) of each monocytic precursor subset was analysed by DNA‐oligonucleotide microarrays. Overall, >6000 genes (18% of the genes investigated) were expressed in ≥1 stage of BM monopoiesis at stable or variable amounts, showing early decrease in cell proliferation with increased levels of expression of genes linked with cell differentiation. The here‐defined GEP of normal human BM monopoiesis might contribute to better understand monocytic differentiation and the identification of novel monocytic candidate markers, while also providing a frame of reference for the study of monocytic maturation in both neoplastic and non‐neoplastic disease conditions involving monocytic precursor cells.
The many facets of speech production and its complex effects on phonological processing
Authors: Zamuner Tania S. , Yeung H. Henny , Ducos Myriam
Published: January 2017

In our commentary, we discuss two additional points about developmental speech production. First, we suggest that more precision is needed to accurately describe ‘speech production’ processes, and we suggest that hierarchical constructs from the adult literatures on articulatory phonology and speech motor control may be applicable to infants as well. Second, we discuss the implications from data that indicate that the effects of production are subject to task‐, attentional‐, linguistic‐, and experience‐related demands.
Experiences of women with learning disabilities undergoing dialectical behaviour therapy in a secure service
Authors: Thomson Michaela , Johnson Paula
Published: January 2017

Accessible summary

Dialectical behaviour therapy is a “talking” therapy developed by Marsha Linehan. It helps people who are living in the community and also living in hospitals and people who may have problems managing their emotions.

In recent years, dialectical behaviour therapy has been used to help people with learning disabilities cope with feelings of anxiety, trauma‐related disorders and mood disorders, but there are not many research papers showing how it is used in forensic learning disability services.

This research tells the story of seven women with learning disabilities who took part in dialectical behaviour therapy whilst living in a forensic service.

Their story and experiences are important in research literature and will help other services to think about what is needed when they introduce a new type of therapy such as dialectical behaviour therapy

.

Background

This research aimed to capture the experiences of women with learning disabilities living in secure services who undertook dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT); they were the first people to do this in the trust. It is hoped their experiences may guide and inform other services undertaking the same process.

Materials and Methods

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to provide a flexible framework to make sense of the way the women interpreted their experiences.

Results and Discussion

The analysis identified three main themes: How you do DBT, What we think about DBT, Using DBT. The qualitative approach adds a valuable contribution to the wider literature, highlighting the importance of capturing the women's voices.

Conclusion

As most published literature regarding the effectiveness of DBT is not written from first hand service user experiences, it is hoped this research offers a unique insight into these women's experience.
Malocclusion traits and oral health‐related quality of life in Finnish adults
Authors: Masood Mohd , Suominen Anna L. , Pietila Terttu , Lahti Satu
Published: January 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the association of increased overjet, cross‐bite/scissor‐bite and increased overbite/open bite with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Finnish adults using nationally representative data.

Methods

Part of the data from the Health 2000 Survey, Finland, was used in this study. A total of 4711 people were included, representing adults aged ≥30 years. The outcome variable was OHRQoL severity which was measured using the 14‐item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14). Three malocclusion traits (increased overjet, cross‐bite/scissor‐bite and increased overbite/open bite) were used as explanatory variables. Age group, marital status, education level, income, employment status, having at least one decayed tooth or periodontal pocket ≥6 mm, the number of contacting pairs of teeth, denture status and self‐reported general health status were controlled for. A series of multivariable zero‐Inflated Poisson (ZIP) models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRR) for the nonzero scores and odds ratios (OR) of having no event.

Results

The weighted prevalence of increased overjet was 8.4%, while it was 23.6% for cross‐bite/scissor‐bite and 6.7% for increased overbite/open bite. The mean (SE) OHIP‐14 (OHRQoL severity) was 2.8 (0.92); the mean score was highest in the pain domain and lowest in the physical and social disability domains. The mean OHIP‐14 score was higher in people with increased overjet but not significantly different in people with cross‐bite/scissor‐bite or with increased overbite/open bite. In multivariate ZIP models, people with increased overjet had a 10% higher OHIP‐14 score than people with normal overjet. Increased overjet was associated only with the physical disability domain. Cross‐bite/scissor‐bite was associated only with the social disability domain, and psychological disability was associated with increased overbite/open bite.

Conclusion

People with increased overjet had significantly poorer OHRQoL than people with normal overjet in a nationally representative population of Finnish adults ≥30 years. Other malocclusion traits were not associated with OHRQoL. However, all three malocclusion traits were associated with either physical or psychological or social disability domains of the OHRQoL.
Renminbi Exchange Rate: Peg to A Wide Band Currency Basket
Authors: Yu Yongding , Zhang Bin , Zhang Ming
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Persistent renminbi (RMB) devaluation expectations are one of the greatest threats to China's macroeconomic stability. Market interventions backed by huge foreign exchange reserves and capital controls are not sufficient to eliminate the expectations of devaluation. Creating a market‐based and flexible RMB exchange rate regime holds the key to the elimination of devaluation expectations. The present paper compares the pros and cons of several policy options, and proposes to introduce, as a transition to free floating, a new exchange rate regime pegged to a currency basket with a wide band. The new regime should be able to give the RMB exchange rate enough flexibility to eliminate devaluation expectations as well as prevent excessive overshooting. To ensure a smooth transition, the new regime needs to be supported by controlling cross‐border capital flows.
Impact of Foreign Direct Investment and Export on Urbanization: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Chunlai , Wu Yan
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports on urbanization in China. Using prefecture city‐level panel data covering China's 262 prefecture cities for the period 2004–2013 and employing a dynamic panel system generalized method of moments model with instrumental variable regression techniques, our study finds that FDI and exports have, on average, played a significantly positive role in China's urbanization. However, the impacts of FDI and exports on urbanization vary across regions. FDI has a positive and significant impact on urbanization in the coastal region but has no impact on urbanization in the inland region. Exports have a positive and significant impact on urbanization in both the coastal and inland regions, but the effect is much larger in the coastal region than in the inland region. The results imply that further attracting FDI inflows and promoting exports will contribute to China's urbanization, especially for the inland region.
Beyond Hybridity to the Politics of Scale: International Intervention and ‘Local’ Politics
Authors: Hameiri Shahar , Jones Lee
Published: January 2017

The evident failures of international peacebuilding and statebuilding interventions (PSBIs) have recently prompted a focus on the interaction between interventions and target societies and states. Especially popular has been the ‘hybridity’ approach, which understands forms of peace and governance emerging through the mixing of local and international agendas and institutions. This article argues that hybridity is a highly problematic optic. Despite contrary claims, hybridity scholarship falsely dichotomizes ‘local’ and ‘international’ ideal‐typical assemblages, and incorrectly presents outcomes as stemming from conflict and accommodation between them. Scholarship in political geography and state theory provides better tools for explaining PSBIs’ outcomes as reflecting socio‐political contestation over power and resources. We theorize PSBIs as involving a politics of scale, where different social forces promote and resist alternative scales and modes of governance, depending on their interests and agendas. Contestation between these forces, which may be located at different scales and involved in complex, tactical, multi‐scalar alliances, explains the uneven outcomes of international intervention. We demonstrate this using a case study of East Timor, focusing on decentralization and land policy.
The long‐term neuropsychological features of basal ganglia encephalitis
Authors: J Peall Kathryn
Published: January 2017

This commentary is on the case report by Pawela et al. on pages 445–48 of this issue.
BKV‐specific T cells in the treatment of severe refractory haemorrhagic cystitis after HLA‐haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Pello Oscar M. , Innes Andrew J. , Bradshaw Anne , Finn Sally‐Anne , Uddin Shab , Bray Emma , Olavarria Eduardo , Apperley Jane F. , Pavlů Jiří
Published: January 2017

Background

Haemorrhagic cystitis caused by BK virus (BKV) is a known complication of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and is relatively common following HLA‐haploidentical transplantation. Adoptive immunotransfer of virus‐specific T cells from the donor is a promising therapeutic approach, although production of these cells is challenging, particularly when dealing with low‐frequency T cells such as BKV‐specific T cells.

Case report

Here, we present a patient who, following haploidentical HCT, developed severe BKV haemorrhagic cystitis, resistant to standard therapy. He responded well to adoptive transfer of donor cells enriched in BKV‐specific T cells using the new second‐generation CliniMACS Prodigy and the Cytokine Capture System from Miltenyi Biotec. Treatment led to full resolution of both the symptoms and viraemia without unwanted complications.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that use of products enriched with BKV‐specific T cells generated using this system is safe and efficient in HLA‐haploidentical HCT where BKV cystitis can be a serious complication.
Disabled‐1 dorsal horn spinal cord neurons co‐express Lmx1b and function in nociceptive circuits
Authors: Yvone Griselda M. , Zhao‐Fleming Hannah H. , Udeochu Joe C. , Chavez‐Martinez Carmine L. , Wang Austin , Hirose‐Ikeda Megumi , Phelps Patricia E.
Published: January 2017

The Reelin‐signaling pathway is essential for correct neuronal positioning within the central nervous system. Mutant mice with a deletion of Reelin, its lipoprotein receptors, or its intracellular adaptor protein Disabled‐1 (Dab1), exhibit nociceptive abnormalities: thermal (heat) hyperalgesia and reduced mechanical sensitivity. To determine dorsal horn alterations associated with these nociceptive abnormalities, we first characterized the correctly positioned Dab1 neurons in wild‐type and mispositioned neurons in Reelin‐signaling pathway mutant lumbar spinal cord. Using immunofluorescence, we found that 70% of the numerous Dab1 neurons in Reln+/+ laminae I–II and 67% of those in the lateral reticulated area and lateral spinal nucleus (LSN) co‐express the LIM‐homeobox transcription factor 1 beta (Lmx1b), an excitatory glutamatergic neuron marker. Evidence of Dab1‐ and Dab1‐Lmx1b neuronal positioning errors was found within the isolectin B4 terminal region of Reln−/− lamina IIinner and in the lateral reticulated area and LSN, where about 50% of the Dab1‐Lmx1b neurons are missing. Importantly, Dab1‐Lmx1b neurons in laminae I–II and the lateral reticulated area express Fos after noxious thermal or mechanical stimulation and thus participate in these circuits. In another pain relevant locus – the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN), we also found about a 50% loss of Dab1‐Lmx1b neurons in Reln−/− mice. We suggest that extensively mispositioned Dab1 projection neurons in the lateral reticulated area, LSN, and LCN and the more subtle positioning errors of Dab1 interneurons in laminae I–II contribute to the abnormalities in pain responses found in Reelin‐signaling pathway mutants.
Relationship between gustatory function and average number of taste buds per fungiform papilla measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy in humans
Authors: Saito Takehisa , Ito Tetsufumi , Ito Yumi , Manabe Yasuhiro , Sano Kazuo
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the gustatory function and average number of taste buds per fungiform papilla (FP) in humans. Systemically healthy volunteers (n = 211), pre‐operative patients with chronic otitis media (n = 79), and postoperative patients, with or without a chorda tympani nerve (CTN) severed during middle ear surgery (n = 63), were included. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was employed to observe fungiform taste buds because it allows many FP to be observed non‐invasively in a short period of time. Taste buds in an average of 10 FP in the midlateral region of the tongue were counted. In total, 3,849 FP were observed in 353 subjects. The gustatory function was measured by electrogustometry (EGM). An inverse relationship was found between the gustatory function and average number of fungiform taste buds per papilla. The healthy volunteers showed a lower EGM threshold (better gustatory function) and had more taste buds than did the patients with otitis media, and the patients with otitis media showed a lower EGM threshold and had more taste buds than did postoperative patients, reflecting the severity of damage to the CTN. It was concluded that the confocal laser scanning microscope is a very useful tool for using to observe a large number of taste buds non‐invasively.