bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stokes’ first problem for MHD flow of Casson nanofluid
Authors: Mohyud-din Syed Tauseef , Khan Umar , Ahmed Naveed , Rashidi M.M.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present investigation of the flow, heat and mass transfer of a nanofluid over a suddenly moved flat plate using Buongiorno’s model. This study is different from some of the previous studies as the effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis on nanoparticle fraction are passively controlled on the boundary rather than actively.

Design/methodology/approach

The partial differential equations governing the flow are reduced to a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. Viable similarity transforms are used for this purpose. A well-known numerical scheme called Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method coupled with shooting procedure has been used to find the solution of resulting system of equations. Discussions on the effects of different emerging parameters are provided using graphical aid. A table is also given that provides the results of different parameters on local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.

Findings

A revised model for Stokes’ first problem in nanofluids is presented in this paper. This model considers a zero flux condition at the boundary. Governing equations after implementing the similarity transforms get converted into a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. Numerical solution using RK-Fehlberg method is also carried out. Emerging parameters are analyzed graphically. Figures indicate a quite significant change in concentration profile due to zero flux condition at the wall.

Originality/value

This work can be extended for other problems involving nanofluids for the better understanding of different properties of nanofluids.
Can universities save us from disaster?
Authors: Maxwell Nicholas
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to spell out the urgent need to correct structural rationality defects in academia as it exists at present, so that it may become actively and effectively engaged in helping us solve the grave global problems that confront us.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper spells out an argument for the urgent need to bring about a revolution in academic inquiry so that the basic aim becomes social wisdom and not just specialized knowledge, problems of living being put at the heart of the academic enterprise.

Findings

Natural science needs to become more like natural philosophy; social science needs to become social methodology or social philosophy; and a basic task of academia needs to become public education about what our problems are and what we need to do about them. Almost every part and aspect of academia needs to change.

Research limitations/implications

The implication is the urgent need to bring about an intellectual/institutional revolution in academic inquiry, so that the aim becomes wisdom, and not just knowledge.

Practical implications

There are substantial practical implications for natural science, social inquiry and the humanities, education, social, economic and political life.

Social implications

There is a need for a new kind of academic inquiry rationally designed and devoted to helping us make social progress towards as good a world as possible. The social implications are profound.

Originality/value

In the author’s view, bringing about the academic revolution, from knowledge-inquiry to wisdom-inquiry, is the single most important thing needed for the long-term interests of humanity.
Paradigm shift in higher education?
Authors: Taatila Vesa
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to widen the discussion about the ongoing paradigm shift in global higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and gives examples on several major changes and potential future developments within higher education.

Findings

Several major changes have taken place within higher education in a short time. Financial restraints leading to shorter accountability periods, mass education and research, as well as increased competition through e-enhanced globalization, have changed the field of higher education profoundly. It simultaneously faces requirements to produce a higher level of competence, shorten the implementation periods and to offer this to an increasing number of participants with fewer resources. Thus, it should be considered if the mission of higher education institutions has changed and what that mission should be.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is written from a culturally limited point of view (Finland/Nordic countries/Europe) and does not rely on empirical research findings.

Social implications

The potential paradigm shift has major social implications globally. It may change the way we understand and operate higher education during the next few decades.

Originality/value

A lot of the presented ideas have been discussed before in other articles. However, the potential implications as a whole have not yet been adequately discussed in scientific processes.
Effective leadership can positively impact school performance
Authors: Huguet Brandy C. Sirchia
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review literature about effective leadership’s impact on school performance, as a basis for schools to focus on, to encourage similar results in like school settings. Educational professionals are commissioned with the extraordinary task of instructing students with the acquisition of knowledge that will serve them in all future endeavors. In recent years, education has come under attack and has been scrutinized with the implementation accountability measures, in the form of standardized testing, to produce increased success in populations that have previously been underachieving.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to compiling this literature was reflective in nature with identification of effective leadership attributes on school performance.

Findings

Many schools have used various strategies that have had positive impacts on student achievement. To enhance student achievement, the schools’ leadership should be trustworthy administrators who encourage collaboration and teacher leadership, as well as employment of educators who are genuinely passionate about teaching and love children. Examination of characteristics leading to school success may serve as a foundation for other schools.

Originality/value

The value of this review of literature is the compilation of numerous studies highlighting effective school leadership and structures used to impact student achievement.
Chinese consumers’ luxury value perceptions – a conceptual model
Authors: Liang Yan , Ghosh Sid , Oe Hiroko
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to offer a conceptual model that demonstrates Chinese consumers’ value perceptions towards luxury products based on the recent literature reviews and the findings from focus groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus group discussion is used to explore how Chinese consumers construct their value perceptions towards luxury products.

Findings

This research has integrate different perspective values into one multidimensional model to explain directly why Chinese consumers choose to buy luxury products, and what are these variables that influence their luxury value perceptions. It also provides a broader perspective in exploring the Chinese customer‘s self- and societal perceptions for purchasing luxury products.

Research limitations/implications

The primary data were only collected from three cities; thus, the findings may not be generalisable across all Chinese consumers. Moreover, this qualitative study was based on a relatively small sample size; thus, a future study is planned by designing a measurement instrument based on the proposed conceptual model and also testing the proposed theoretical model that scholars can apply in related empirical work in the future.

Originality/value

This study has offered a wide range of understanding about how Chinese luxury consumers’ luxury value perception reflect their purchasing behaviours and habits; it has also provided a new theoretical insight into the phenomenon of luxury consumption and contributed to the relatively limited literature on the concept of luxury in the context of Chinese market. It could also provide good implications for the effective marketing strategy actions in the context of Chinese luxury market.
Businesses, nonprofits and strategic bridging: the case of workforce integration in Israel
Authors: Katz Hagai , Sasson Uzi
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Many social services today are provided through solutions that require interaction between nonprofits and business. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of the relationship between the different players in such mixed markets. One such market is workforce integration programs for persons with disabilities. The authors studied the relationships and interactions between collaborating nonprofits and business firms within the context of actor–network theory (ANT) by examining the process of workforce integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included in-depth interviews and questionnaires with 47 managers of employers that were hiring persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as in-depth interviews with ten senior managers in five nonprofit organizations involved in work integration of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The interview data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and content analysis.

Findings

The authors found an intricate relationship between employers and nonprofits promoting workforce integration. While it seemed that both players were involved in different and complementary aspects and phases of the integration process, the relationship revealed complicated power relations, interdependencies and imbalanced collaborative patterns, resulting in relatively symmetric relations, known as strategic bridging.

Practical implications

Business compliance with workforce integration depends on continued support by nonprofit services.

Social implications

Findings are essential for promoting workforce integration, and policies need to support the role of nonprofit services.

Originality/value

The study highlights the co-dependence between nonprofits and businesses, contrary to common views that nonprofits are dependent on businesses.
Value similarity and overall performance: trust in responsible investment
Authors: Bonnefon Jean-François , Heimann Marco , Lobre-Lebraty Katia
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how overall performance can help foster trust in financial institutions. While a climate of mistrust amongst investors and the general public toward financial institutions has developed since the recent turmoil in the financial markets, it is believed that mutual funds adopting the overall performance approach can help recover a climate of trust owing to the implied balance between economic, social and environmental performance. More specifically, overall performance promotes values that are similar to investors’ values and could be used by responsible investment funds if they want to contribute to the restoration of trust in investment funds.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an innovative, experimental design to test the effect of value similarity on the trust that investors have in the investment fund. This effect cannot be studied in isolation, which is why it is compared with the effects of financial performance and ethical labeling on trust.

Findings

The authors find that funds with similar values are perceived as more trustworthy by investors. Consequently, overall performance should be added to fund managers' toolbox if they want to foster trust in their fund. The effect of financial performance on trust applies only when the investor has no other information regarding the fund. As for the ethical labeling of funds, it has no effect on trust.

Research limitations/implications

The findings encourage research that aims to develop a comprehensive approach of integrated overall performance focusing on financial and extra-financial values. Bonnetet al.’s (2016) fieldwork on socio-economic management and Naro and Travaillé©’s (2016) work on management controllers provide promising examples in this regard.

Practical implications

Investment funds can acquire an edge by communicating on overall performance and specific values of their target investors. Merely labeling funds as ethical is not sufficient to increase trust.

Social implications

Increasing similarity in values to investors and adopting the overall performance approach in investment funds will increase investors' trust. Trust contributes to social capital and allows societies to create flexible large-scale businesses needed to be competitive in a global environment.

Originality/value

Using an innovative experimental methodology, this paper shows that the underlying factor of overall performance on trust in investment funds is value similarity. It provides researchers and practitioners with insight about the underlying mechanisms of the effect of overall performance on trust.
Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in the epidermis in adult‐onset Still's disease
Authors: Takeichi Takuya , Watanabe Naoki , Muro Yoshinao , Teshigawara Shiho , Sato Motoki , Ban Nobutaro , Akiyama Masashi
Published: May 2017

Adult‐onset Still's disease (AOSD) is characterized by multiple systemic inflammation of unknown etiology. Although the typical eruption of AOSD is salmon‐pink rheumatoid rash on the trunk and extremities, persistent pruritic papules and plaques have also been reported. Correlations between serum cytokines, including interleukin‐6 and ‐18, and disease activity in AOSD have been reported. Activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is transported into the nucleus, where it functions as a transcription factor that regulates genes involved in cell survival and inflammation. To assess whether STAT3 was phosphorylated in skin samples from AOSD patients, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis of affected and unaffected lesions from four AOSD patients in comparison with 10 normal controls. Quantitative analysis was conducted by measuring the ratio of epidermal keratinocytes with phosphorylated STAT3 (p‐STAT3)‐positive nuclei to total epidermal keratinocytes. p‐STAT3 was found to be more strongly expressed in the nuclei in the epidermis of AOSD than in normal controls. Quantification of the data revealed significant differences in staining for p‐STAT3 between AOSD and normal skin. Our findings suggest that phosphorylation of STAT3 may be a potential therapeutic target for AOSD.
Present conditions may mediate the legacy effect of past land‐use changes on species richness and composition of above‐ and below‐ground assemblages
Authors: Janssen Philippe , Bec Stéphane , Fuhr Marc , Taberlet Pierre , Brun Jean‐Jacques , Bouget Christophe
Published: May 2017

In forest ecosystems, the influence of landscape history on contemporary biodiversity patterns has been shown to provide a convenient framework to explain shifts in plant assemblages. However, very few studies have controlled for present human‐induced activities when analysing the effect of forest continuity on community structures. By cutting and removing trees, foresters substantially change stand ecological conditions, with consequences on biodiversity patterns. Disentangling the effect of past and present human activities on biodiversity is thus crucial for ecosystem management and conservation.

We explored the response of plant and springtail species richness and composition to forest continuity (ancient vs. recent) in montane forests, while controlling for stand maturity (mature vs. overmature). We established 70 sites in landscapes dominated by unfragmented ancient forests where we surveyed plants and assessed springtails by analysing environmental DNA.

Neither plant nor springtail species richness was influenced by forest continuity or by stand maturity. Instead, site‐specific characteristics, especially soil properties and canopy openness, were of major importance in shaping above‐ and below‐ground richness.

For plant and springtail species composition, the effect of forest continuity was mediated by stand maturity. Thus, both plants and springtails showed a convergence in assemblage patterns with the increasing availability of overmature stand attributes. Moreover, soil and stand‐scale factors were evidently more important than landscape‐scale factors in shaping above‐ and below‐ground species composition.

Synthesis. We clearly demonstrated that biodiversity patterns are more strongly influenced by present human‐induced activities than by past human‐induced activities. In the Northern Alps where our study sites were located, the colonization credit of most species has been paid off and the transient biodiversity deficit usually related to forest continuity has moved towards equilibrium. These findings emphasize the necessity to better control for local‐scale factors when analysing the response of biodiversity to forest continuity; we call for more research into the effects of forest continuity in unfragmented mountain forests.
Kinetic Parameters for the Thermal Inactivation of Peroxidase and Lipoxygenase in Precooked Frozen Brassica Species
Authors: Pérez‐Calderón John , Califano Alicia , Santos María Victoria , Zaritzky Noemí
Published: May 2017

Thermal inactivation of peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX), both enzymes present in broccoli and Brussels sprouts, is required before freezing, to obtain high‐quality precooked frozen vegetables. Rate constants of a 1st‐order biphasic model for the heat‐labile and heat‐resistant POD and LOX isoenzymes were determined at different temperatures (75, 80, and 90 °C) and the corresponding activation energies were estimated using nonlinear regressions. In the case of Brussels sprouts, the activation energies for the resistant and labile fractions were 56.3 and 62.5 kJ/mol for POD and 63.7 and 65.8 kJ/mol for LOX, respectively. For Brussels sprouts, different precooking times were tested to analyze the effect of residual enzyme activity on quality parameters and sensory attributes, after a frozen storage of 4 mo at −20 °C. A significant reactivation of enzyme activity after frozen storage was observed (especially in the case of POD) for short precooking times (<6 min) leading to low‐quality parameters at the interior zone of the vegetable. A precooking time of 6 min at 90 °C allowed an adequate inactivation of LOX and POD obtaining a high‐quality final frozen vegetable. A sensory analysis confirmed the global acceptability of the product. The obtained results are relevant to define the precooking stage conditions in the production of frozen cruciferous vegetables.
Patterns of practice survey for brachytherapy for cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Lim Karen , van Dyk Sylvia , Khaw Pearly , Veera Jacqueline , Mileshkin Linda , Ohanessian Lucy , Harrison Michelle , Vinod Shalini K
Published: May 2017

Introduction

The purpose of this survey was to explore the current patterns of practice for brachytherapy in cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand. The survey was also intended to explore clinician attitudes towards image‐guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) and identify barriers to the implementation of IGABT.

Methods

Electronic surveys were sent to all radiotherapy centres in Australia and New Zealand under collaboration with Australia New Zealand Gynaecology and Oncology Group (ANZGOG), in order to identify patterns of radiotherapy practice. The survey was sent out in December 2013, with a reminder in February 2014.

Results

Of the 75 radiotherapy centres in Australia and New Zealand, 23 centres replied (31% response rate). Twenty‐two responding departments treat cervix cancer with external beam radiation (EBRT) (22/23; 96%). Fourteen responses were from departments that also use intracavitary brachytherapy (14/22; 64%). The remaining eight departments who do not offer intracavitary brachytherapy referred their patients on to other centres for brachytherapy. Ultrasound was used by 86% for applicator guidance. CT and MRI were used by 79%, and 50% respectively for planning. Optimisation was based on organs at risk (93%) and target volumes (64%).

Conclusions

Brachytherapy remains an integral component of definitive treatment for cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand. There was increased use of soft tissue imaging modalities with emphasis on verification; high rates of volumetric planning, and adherence to a defined overall treatment period. Brachytherapy was not substituted with other EBRT modalities. Despite this, there remain barriers to implementation of image‐guided brachytherapy.
Efficacy of Intravenous Cobinamide Versus Hydroxocobalamin or Saline for Treatment of Severe Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity in a Swine (Sus scrofa) Model
Authors: Bebarta Vikhyat S. , Garrett Normalynn , Brenner Matthew , Mahon Sari B , Maddry Joseph K. , Boudreau Susan , Castaneda Maria , Boss Gerry R.
Published: May 2017

Background

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potentially deadly gas that naturally occurs in petroleum and natural gas. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration cites H2S as a leading cause of workplace gas inhalation deaths. Mass casualties of H2S toxicity may be caused by exposure from industrial accidents or release from oil field sites. H2S is also an attractive terrorism tool because of its high toxicity and ease with which it can be produced. Several potential antidotes have been proposed for hydrogen sulfide poisoning but none have been completely successful.

Objective

The objective was to compare treatment response assessed by the time to spontaneous ventilation among groups of swine with acute H2S‐induced apnea treated with intravenous (IV) cobinamide (4 mg/kg in 0.8 mL of 225 mmol/L solution), IV hydroxocobalamin (4 mg/kg in 5 mL of saline), or saline alone.

Methods

Twenty‐four swine (45–55 kg) were anesthetized, intubated, and instrumented with continuous femoral and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring. After stabilization, anesthesia was adjusted such that animals would spontaneously ventilate with an FiO2 of 0.21. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS; concentration of 8 mg/mL) was begun at 1 mg/kg/min until apnea was confirmed for 20 seconds by capnography. This infusion rate was sustained for 1.5 minutes postapnea and then decreased to a maintenance rate for the remainder of the study to replicate sustained clinical exposure. Animals were randomly assigned to receive cobinamide (4 mg/kg), hydroxocobalamin (4 mg/kg), or saline and monitored for 60 minutes beginning 1 minute postapnea. G* power analysis using the Z‐test determined that equal group sizes of eight animals were needed to achieve a power of 80% in detecting a 50% difference in return to spontaneous ventilations at α = 0.05.

Results

There were no significant differences in baseline variables. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the mg/kg dose of NaHS (5.6 mg/kg; p = 0.45) required to produce apnea. Whereas all of the cobinamide‐treated animals survived (8/8), none of the control (0/8) or hydroxocobalamin (0/8)‐treated animals survived. Mean (±SD) time to spontaneous ventilation in the cobinamide‐treated animals was 3.2 (±1.1) minutes.

Conclusions

Cobinamide successfully rescued the severely NaHS‐poisoned swine from apnea in the absence of assisted ventilation.
Neonatal hypothyroidism affects testicular glucose homeostasis through increased oxidative stress in prepubertal mice: effects on GLUT3, GLUT8 and Cx43
Authors: Sarkar D. , Singh S. K.
Published: May 2017

Thyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in maintaining the link between metabolism and reproduction and the altered THs status is associated with induction of oxidative stress in various organs like brain, heart, liver and testis. Further, reactive oxygen species play a pivotal role in regulation of glucose homeostasis in several organs, and glucose utilization by Leydig cells is essential for testosterone biosynthesis and thus is largely dependent on glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8). Glucose uptake by Sertoli cells is mediated through glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) under the influence of THs to meet energy requirement of developing germ cells. THs also modulate level of gap junctional protein such as connexin 43 (Cx43), a potential regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium. Although the role of transient neonatal hypothyroidism in adult testis in terms of testosterone production is well documented, the effect of THs deficiency in early developmental period and its role in testicular glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress with reference to Cx43 in immature mice remain unknown. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of neonatal hypothyroidism on testicular glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress at postnatal days (PND) 21 and 28 in relation to GLUT3, GLUT8 and Cx43. Hypothyroidism induced by 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU) markedly decreased testicular glucose level with considerable reduction in expression level of GLUT3 and GLUT8. Likewise, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and intratesticular concentration of lactate were also decreased in hypothyroid mice. There was also a rise in germ cell apoptosis with increased expression of caspase‐3 in PTU‐treated mice. Further, neonatal hypothyroidism affected germ cell proliferation with decreased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cx43. In conclusion, our results suggest that neonatal hypothyroidism alters testicular glucose homeostasis via increased oxidative stress in prepubertal mice, thereby affecting germ cell survival and proliferation.
Australian validation of the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Post‐Surgical score to predict biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Beckmann Kerri , O'Callaghan Michael , Vincent Andrew , Roder David , Millar Jeremy , Evans Sue , McNeil John , Moretti Kim
Published: May 2017

Background

The Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Post‐Surgical (CAPRA‐S) score is a simple post‐operative risk assessment tool predicting disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy, which is easily calculated using available clinical data. To be widely useful, risk tools require multiple external validations. We aimed to validate the CAPRA‐S score in an Australian multi‐institutional population, including private and public settings and reflecting community practice.

Methods

The study population were all men on the South Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative Database with localized prostate cancer diagnosed during 1998–2013, who underwent radical prostatectomy without adjuvant therapy (n = 1664). Predictive performance was assessed via Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional regression analyses, Harrell's Concordance index, calibration plots and decision curve analysis.

Results

Biochemical recurrence occurred in 342 (21%) cases. Five‐year recurrence‐free probabilities for CAPRA‐S scores indicating low (0–2), intermediate (3–5) and high risk were 95, 79 and 46%, respectively. The hazard ratio for CAPRA‐S score increments was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.49–1.64). The Concordance index for 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was 0.77. The calibration plot showed good correlation between predicted and observed recurrence‐free survival across scores. Limitations include the retrospective nature and small numbers with higher CAPRA‐S scores.

Conclusions

The CAPRA‐S score is an accurate predictor of recurrence after radical prostatectomy in our cohort, supporting its utility in the Australian setting. This simple tool can assist in post‐surgical selection of patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy while avoiding morbidity among those less likely to benefit.
Swedish child health nurses treat fathers more equally in 2014 than 2004, but mothers remain their primary focus
Authors: Wells Michael B. , Massoudi Pamela , Bergström Malin
Published: May 2017

Aim

This study focused on Swedish child health nurses’ attitudes and the support they provided to fathers and mothers, highlighting changes from 2004 to 2014.

Method

In 2014, 363 child health nurses in Stockholm County completed a 23‐item questionnaire, similar to the questionnaire by Massoudi et al. in 2004, on their attitudes and the support they gave to fathers and mothers. Analyses were completed using chi‐square tests of nurses’ attitudes and support to fathers and mothers, and the results from the 2004 and 2014 studies were compared.

Results

In 2014, the vast majority of nurses fully agreed that it was important to have close contact with both parents, but more than two‐thirds did not feel they had the same competencies for mothers and fathers and three quarters found it complicated to support both parents. The majority viewed fathers more equally in 2014 than in 2004 and although they did provide more support to both parents, mothers in 2014 still received more support than fathers.

Conclusion

While Swedish child health nurses viewed fathers as more equal to mothers in 2014 than 2004, mothers still received the majority of the parenting support.
Probiotics for the prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in very low‐birth‐weight infants: a meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Thomas John P. , Raine Tim , Reddy Sanath , Belteki Gusztav
Published: May 2017

We performed an updated meta‐analysis incorporating the results of recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to measure the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation in preventing necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and death in very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants, and to investigate any differences in efficacy by probiotic agent. Using meta‐regression analysis, we assessed the contribution of other measured variables on the overall effect size and between‐study variability. Conclusion: Overall, probiotics lead to significant reductions in NEC incidence and mortality in VLBW infants. Differences in probiotic agents and the influence of prenatal steroids and feeding regimens may explain the differences in outcomes between studies.
BARGAINING AMONG FARMERS, GOODWILL, AND THE SUCCESS OF COOPERATIVES
Authors: RANJAN Ram
Published: May 2017

A model of concessional bargaining among farmers explains the success (or lack thereof) of cooperative institutions in rural farm settings in the developing regions. Concessional bargaining in day‐to‐day interactions generates goodwill, which helps smoothen future dealings amongst farmers as well as with outside agents. In particular, we model the existence of goodwill amongst farmers as enhancing their ability to collectively bargain with an outside dealer that buys their farm produce. Results suggest that when dealing with each other, farmers offer higher concessions when the risk of loss or reversal in bargaining power is high; however, the level of concession is also influenced by the degree of reciprocity and parameters that affect bargaining surplus. Findings provide further insights over the success of cooperative institutions in rural farm settings where inter‐farmer goodwill dynamics determines the cooperative's bargaining outcomes. Specifically, when farmers generously reciprocate each other's goodwill gestures, it leads to better outcomes through increasing their cooperative reservation price. In contrast, when the degree of reciprocity is lower, or when the risk of bargaining power switching is higher, farmers extract more surplus from other farmers, and this also lowers the cooperative's bargaining outcomes and makes the cooperative arrangement unviable in the long term.
Systematic review: interventions for abdominal pain management in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Norton C. , Czuber‐Dochan W. , Artom M. , Sweeney L. , Hart A.
Published: May 2017

Background

Abdominal pain is frequently reported by people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including in remission. Pain is an under‐treated symptom.

Aim

To systematically review evidence on interventions (excluding disease‐modifying interventions) for abdominal pain management in IBD.

Methods

Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library) were searched (February 2016). Two researchers independently screened references and extracted data.

Results

Fifteen papers were included: 13 intervention studies and two cross‐sectional surveys. A variety of psychological, dietary and pharmacological interventions were reported. Four of six studies reported pain reduction with psychological intervention including individualised and group‐based relaxation, disease anxiety‐related Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and stress management. Both psychologist‐led and self‐directed stress management in inactive Crohn's disease reduced pain compared with controls (symptom frequency reduction index=−26.7, −11.3 and 17.2 at 6‐month follow‐up, respectively). Two dietary interventions (alcoholic drinks with high sugar content and fermentable carbohydrate with prebiotic properties) had an effect on abdominal pain. Antibiotics (for patients with bacterial overgrowth) and transdermal nicotine patches reduced abdominal pain. Current and past cannabis users report it relieves pain. One controlled trial of cannabis reduced SF‐36 and EQ‐5D pain scores (1.84 and 0.7, respectively). These results must be treated with caution: data were derived from predominantly small uncontrolled studies of moderate to low quality.

Conclusions

Few interventions have been tested for IBD abdominal pain. The limited evidence suggests that relaxation and changing cognitions are promising, possibly with individualised dietary changes. There is a need to develop interventions for abdominal pain management in IBD.
Concentration‐dependent response to pioglitazone in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Kawaguchi‐Suzuki M. , Bril F. , Kalavalapalli S. , Cusi K. , Frye R. F.
Published: May 2017

Background

Pioglitazone is a safe and effective option to manage patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, there is marked variability in treatment response.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between concentrations of pioglitazone and its active metabolites and treatment outcomes in patients with NASH.

Methods

Pioglitazone concentrations were measured in patients with NASH treated with pioglitazone 45 mg/day for 18 months; liver biopsy samples were obtained at baseline and after treatment. The primary outcome was a ≥2‐point reduction in NAFLD activity score (NAS) with at least one‐point improvement in more than one liver histology category and without worsening of fibrosis. A novel marker, the pioglitazone exposure index, was calculated to consider the concentrations of pioglitazone as well as the two active metabolites.

Results

The response to pioglitazone was concentration‐dependent as evidenced by the significant relationship between both pioglitazone concentration and pioglitazone exposure index with changes in NAS (r=.48, P=.0002 and r=.51, P<.0001, respectively), steatosis (r=.41, P=.002 and r=.46, P=.0005), and inflammation (r=.44, P=.0009 and r=.40, P=.0003). The pioglitazone exposure index was also associated with a change in ballooning (P=.04). The pioglitazone exposure index was higher in patients with NASH resolution (2.85±1.38 vs 1.78±1.48, P=.018). A predictive model for the primary outcome was developed that incorporated baseline NAS and pioglitazone exposure index (AUC=0.77).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the importance of pioglitazone exposure to variable response in patients with NASH, and indicates potential factors that may identify patients most likely to benefit from chronic pioglitazone treatment.
Systematic assessment of environmental risk factors for bipolar disorder: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses
Authors: Bortolato Beatrice , Köhler Cristiano A. , Evangelou Evangelos , León‐Caballero Jordi , Solmi Marco , Stubbs Brendon , Belbasis Lazaros , Pacchiarotti Isabella , Kessing Lars V. , Berk Michael , Vieta Eduard , Carvalho André F.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder is likely to involve both genetic and environmental risk factors. In our study, we aimed to perform a systematic search of environmental risk factors for BD. In addition, we assessed possible hints of bias in this literature, and identified risk factors supported by high epidemiological credibility.

Methods

We searched the Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycInfo databases up to 7 October 2016 to identify systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of observational studies that assessed associations between putative environmental risk factors and BD. For each meta‐analysis, we estimated its summary effect size by means of both random‐ and fixed‐effects models, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the 95% prediction interval, and heterogeneity. Evidence of small‐study effects and excess of significance bias was also assessed.

Results

Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria (seven meta‐analyses and nine qualitative systematic reviews). Fifty‐one unique environmental risk factors for BD were evaluated. Six meta‐analyses investigated associations with a risk factor for BD. Only irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) emerged as a risk factor for BD supported by convincing evidence (k=6; odds ratio [OR]=2.48; 95% CI=2.35−2.61; P<.001), and childhood adversity was supported by highly suggestive evidence. Asthma and obesity were risk factors for BD supported by suggestive evidence, and seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii and a history of head injury were supported by weak evidence.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding that several environmental risk factors for BD were identified, few meta‐analyses of observational studies were available. Therefore, further well‐designed and adequately powered studies are necessary to map the environmental risk factors for BD.
The effects of early institutionalization on emotional face processing: evidence for sparing via an experience‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Young Audrey , Luyster Rhiannon J. , Fox Nathan A. , Zeanah Charles H. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: May 2017

Early psychosocial deprivation has profound adverse effects on children's brain and behavioural development, including abnormalities in physical growth, intellectual function, social cognition, and emotional development. Nevertheless, the domain of emotional face processing has appeared in previous research to be relatively spared; here, we test for possible sleeper effects emerging in early adolescence. This study employed event‐related potentials (ERPs) to examine the neural correlates of facial emotion processing in 12‐year‐old children who took part in a randomized controlled trial of foster care as an intervention for early institutionalization. Results revealed no significant group differences in two face and emotion‐sensitive ERP components (P1 and N170), nor any association with age at placement or per cent of lifetime spent in an institution. These results converged with previous evidence from this population supporting relative sparing of facial emotion processing. We hypothesize that this sparing is due to an experience‐dependent mechanism in which the amount of exposure to faces and facial expressions of emotion children received was sufficient to meet the low threshold required for cortical specialization of structures critical to emotion processing.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Early psychosocial deprivation leads to profoundly detrimental effects on children's brain and behavioural development.

With respect to children's emotional face processing abilities, few adverse effects of institutionalized rearing have previously been reported.

Recent studies suggest that ‘sleeper effects’ may emerge many years later, especially in the domain of face processing.

What does this study add?

Examining a cumulative 12 years of data, we found only minimal group differences and no evidence of a sleeper effect in this particular domain.

These findings identify emotional face processing as a unique ability in which relative sparing can be found.

We propose an experience‐dependent mechanism in which the amount of social interaction children received met the low threshold required for cortical specialization.
Hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acids and epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids attenuate early occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wang Chunjiong , Liu Wenli , Yao Liu , Zhang Xuejiao , Zhang Xu , Ye Chenji , Jiang Hongfeng , He Jinlong , Zhu Yi , Ai Ding
Published: May 2017

Background and Purpose

The ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) mediate protective effects on several metabolic disorders. However, the functions of their metabolites in the early stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are largely unknown.

Experimental Approach

Mice were fed a control diet, high‐fat diet (HFD) or ω‐3 PUFA‐enriched HFD (ω3HFD) for 4 days and phenotypes were analysed. LC–MS/MS was used to determine the eicosanoid profiles. Primary hepatocytes and peritoneal macrophages were used for the mechanism study.

Key Results

In short‐term HFD‐fed mice, the significantly increased lipid accumulation in the liver was reversed by ω‐3 PUFA supplementation. Metabolomics showed that the plasma concentrations of hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acids (HEPEs) and epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (EEQs) were reduced by a short‐term HFD and markedly increased by the ω3HFD. However, HEPE/EEQ treatment had no direct protective effect on hepatocytes. ω3HFD also significantly attenuated HFD‐induced adipose tissue inflammation. Furthermore, the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and activation of the JNK pathway induced by palmitate were suppressed by HEPEs and EEQs in macrophages. 17,18‐EEQ, 5‐HEPE and 9‐HEPE were identified as the effective components among these metabolites, as indicated by their greater suppression of the palmitate‐induced expression of inflammatory factors, chemotaxis and JNK activation compared to other metabolites in macrophages. A mixture of 17,18‐EEQ, 5‐HEPE and 9‐HEPE significantly ameliorated the short‐term HFD‐induced accumulation of macrophages in adipose tissue and hepatic steatosis.

Conclusion and Implications

17,18‐EEQ, 5‐HEPE and 9‐HEPE may be potential approaches to prevent NAFLD in the early stage by inhibiting the inflammatory response in adipose tissue macrophages via JNK signalling.
Vitamin D treatment modulates immune activation in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Pincikova T , Paquin-Proulx D , Sandberg J K , Flodström-Tullberg M , Hjelte L
Published: May 2017

Persistent inflammatory response in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is believed to play a central role in the progression of lung damage. Anti-inflammatory treatment may slow lung disease progression, but adverse side effects have limited its use. Vitamin D has immunoregulatory properties. We randomized 16 CF patients to receive vitamin D2, vitamin D3 or to serve as controls, and investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on soluble immunological parameters, myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and T cell activation. Three months of vitamin D treatment were followed by two washout months. Vitamin D status at baseline was correlated negatively with haptoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and immunoglobulin A concentration. Total vitamin D dose per kg bodyweight correlated with the down-modulation of the co-stimulatory receptor CD86 on mDCs. Vitamin D treatment was associated with reduced CD279 (PD-1) expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as decreased frequency of CD8+ T cells co-expressing the activation markers CD38 and human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) in a dose-dependent manner. There was a trend towards decreased mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) cell frequency in patients receiving vitamin D and free serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (free-s25OHD) correlated positively with CD38 expression by these cells. At the end of intervention, the change in free-s25OHD was correlated negatively with the change in CD279 (PD-1) expression on MAIT cells. Collectively, these data indicate that vitamin D has robust pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects in CF. Larger studies are needed to explore the immunomodulatory treatment potential of vitamin D in CF in more detail.
Modified method of intravenous immunoglobulin administration for patients with intractable multifocal motor neuropathy: A case report
Authors: Mukaino Akihiro , Nagaoka Atsushi , Yoshimura Shunsuke , Nakajima Hideki , Shiraishi Hirokazu , Motomura Masakatsu , Morikawa Miyuki , Kusunoki Susumu , Nakane Shunya , Ando Yukio , Tsujino Akira
Published: May 2017

Background

We report a case of a 64‐year‐old Japanese man who was diagnosed with definite multifocal motor neuropathy and successfully treated with administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) spread over two separate weeks.

Case presentation

After IVIg administration (30 g/day, five consecutive days), motor function was improved, but it was not possible to maintain the muscle strength just a few months after treatment. Although plasma exchange and cyclosporine were combined, the patient developed muscle weakness just 2 weeks after initial IVIg treatment. His grip strength decreased to 0 kg, proximal upper‐limb muscle strength reduced to 2/5 according to manual muscle testing, and muscle weakness developed in the proximal lower limb muscle. We modified IVIg administration protocol from five consecutive days to two separate weeks: 3 days in the first week and 2 days in the third week without changing the total dose per month. After initiation of divided IVIg protocol, muscle weakness dramatically improved, and muscle power could be kept normal. Corrected optical density value of immunoglobulin M antibodies against GM1 elevated in the all clinical course did not correlate with muscle strength improvement. Serum immunoglobulin G levels became stable in ≥2000 mg/dL, and were associated with muscle strength improvement.

Conclusion

Administration of IVIg over two separate weeks might be a treatment option in intractable patients with multifocal motor neuropathy.
High‐intensity interval training using whole‐body exercises: training recommendations and methodological overview
Authors: Machado Alexandre F. , Baker Julien S. , Figueira Junior Aylton J. , Bocalini Danilo S.
Published: May 2017

HIIT whole body (HWB)‐based exercise is a new calisthenics exercise programme approach that can be considered an effective and safe method to improve physical fitness and body composition. HWB is a method that can be applied to different populations and ages. The purpose of this study was to describe possible methodologies for performing physical training based on whole‐body exercise in healthy subjects. The HWB sessions consist of a repeated stimulus based on high‐intensity exercise that also include monitoring time to effort, time to recuperation and session time. The exercise intensity is related to the maximal number of movements possible in a given time; therefore, the exercise sessions can be characterized as maximal. The intensity can be recorded using ratings of perceived exertion. Weekly training frequency and exercise selection should be structured according to individual subject functional fitness. Using this simple method, there is potential for greater adherence to physical activity which can promote health benefits to all members of society.