bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I Get to Give Back to the Community That Put Me Where I Am”: Examining the Experiences and Perspectives of Puerto Rican Teachers in Western New York
Authors: Quiñones Sandra
Published: January 2016

To increase teacher diversity, a number of states have strategically invested in Grow Your Own (GYO) programs that recruit, support, and prepare underrepresented youth to teach in urban schools. Drawing from a mujerista lens, this qualitative research examines the experiences and perspectives of two homegrown Puerto Rican teachers in Western New York. The findings demonstrate how access to multiple opportunities and support networks positively shape their pathway into teaching. However, although a GYO program played an influential role, existing barriers undermine the systemic development of underrepresented youth for careers in urban education. Recommendations for research and practice are discussed.
“Since I Must Please Those Below”
Authors: Holland Thomas D.
Published: January 2016

The ethics of non-invasive scientific research on human skeletal remains are poorly articulated and lack a single, definitive analogue in western law. Laws governing invasive research on human fleshed remains, as well as bio-ethical principles established for research on living subjects, provide effective models for the establishment of ethical guidelines for non-invasive research on human skeletal remains. Specifically, non-invasive analysis of human remains is permissible provided that the analysis and collection of resulting data (1) are accomplished with respect for the dignity of the individual, (2) do not violate the last-known desire of the deceased, (3) do not adversely impact the right of the next of kin to perform a ceremonious and decent disposal of the remains, and (4) do not unduly or maliciously violate the privacy interests of the next of kin.
Understanding variation in the efficacy of financial participation across Europe: The role of country-level factors
Authors: Williams Mark
Published: January 2016

Little is known about variation in the efficacy of financial participation across countries. This article examines the relationship between two types of financial participation (profit-sharing and employee share-ownership) and labour productivity across 29 European countries using a representative workplace survey. Consistent with theoretical expectations, profit-sharing is associated with superior labour productivity when it is open to all employees, whilst the evidence for employee share-ownership is more mixed. Analysis reveals considerable variation in the efficacy of both schemes across Europe. Country-level collective bargaining coverage has the greatest explanatory power in accounting for cross-country variation in efficacy. In countries with higher levels of collective bargaining coverage, profit-sharing performs less well, whereas employee share-ownership performs better, relative to countries with lower collective bargaining coverage. These findings shed light on the comparative dimension of the financial participation–labour productivity link.
The Impact of Caring for Grandchildren on Grandparents’ Physical Health Outcomes: The Role of Intergenerational Support
Authors: Zhou Jing , Mao Weiyu , Lee Yura , Chi Iris
Published: January 2016

Little longitudinal data exist on grandparent caregivers and few studies have examined their physical health outcomes. This study examined the effect of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ physical health and the role of intergenerational support from adult children. Longitudinal data derived from a survey on the well-being of older adults in China were used to conduct path analysis of previous grandparent caregivers (vs. noncaregivers) and repeated grandparent caregivers (vs. noncaregivers). The final sample was 799 grandparents aged 60 or older living in rural China. Three aspects of intergenerational support were measured: financial, emotional, and instrumental support. Repeated grandparent caregivers had better self-rated health (SRH) and fewer limitations than noncaregivers. Previous grandparent caregivers had better SRH compared to noncaregivers. Emotional support mediated the relationship between caregiving and SRH among repeated caregivers. Findings suggest that any caregiving experience (previous or repeated) provides health benefits to grandparents.
The Effects of Walking Surface on the Gait Pattern of Children With Idiopathic Toe Walking
Authors: Fanchiang Hsinchen Daniel , Geil Mark Daniel , Wu Jianhua , Ajisafe Toyin , Chen Yu-ping
Published: January 2016

Idiopathic toe walking treatments are not conclusively effective. This study investigated the effects of walking surface on gait parameters in children with idiopathic toe walking. Fifteen children with idiopathic toe walking and 15 typically developing children aged 4 to 10 years completed the study, which included a barefoot gait exam over three 4-m walkways. Each of the walkways was covered with a different surface: vinyl tile, carpet, and pea gravel. Temporal-spatial parameters were recorded along with a measure of early heel rise (HR32). Children with idiopathic toe walking and typically developing children shared similarly changed gait patterns on each surfaces. Only HR32 was significantly different between the groups ( P < .001). Children with idiopathic toe walking showed significantly less toe-walking on the gravel walkway ( P < .001). Walking surface plays a significant role in altering gait patterns in both children with idiopathic toe walking and typically developing children. Walking on a gravel surface should be further explored for idiopathic toe walking.
Low Transmission of Airway Pressures to the Abdomen in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With or Without Acute Respiratory Failure and Intra-Abdominal Hypertension
Authors: Heijnen Bram G.A.D.H. , Spoelstra-de Man Angelique M.E. , Groeneveld A.B. Johan
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

Intra-abdominal pressure, measured at end expiration, may depend on ventilator settings and transmission of intrathoracic pressure. We determined the transmission of positive intrathoracic pressure during mechanical ventilation at inspiration and expiration into the abdominal compartment.

Methods and Results:

We included 9 patients after uncomplicated cardiac surgery and 9 with acute respiratory failure. Intravesical pressures were measured thrice (reproducibility of 1.8%) and averaged, at the end of each inspiratory and expiratory hold maneuvers of 5 seconds. Transmission, the change in intra-abdominal over intrathoracic pressures from end inspiration to end expiration, was about 8%. End-expiratory intra-abdominal pressure was lower than “total” intra-abdominal pressure over the entire respiratory cycle by 0.34 cm H2O. It was 0.73 cm H2O higher than “true” intra-abdominal pressure over the entire respiratory cycle, taking transmission into account. The percentage error was 3% for total and 10% for true pressure. Results did not differ among patients with or without acute respiratory failure and decreased respiratory compliance or between those with (≥12 mm Hg, n = 5) or without intra-abdominal hypertension.

Conclusions:

Transmitted airway pressure only slightly affects intra-abdominal pressure in mechanically ventilated patients, irrespective of respiratory compliance and baseline intra-abdominal pressure values. End-expiratory measurements referenced against atmospheric pressure may suffice for clinical practice.
An integrated supply chain model for deteriorating items considering delay in payments, imperfect quality and inspection errors under inflationary conditions
Authors: Mahmoudinezhad Mahvash , Mirzazadeh Abolfazl , Ghoreishi Maryam
Published: January 2016

In this article, an integrated production–distribution model is presented for a manufacturer and retailer supply chain under inflationary conditions, permissible delay in payments, deterioration, imperfect production process and inspection errors. We assume that the first-stage inspection of the manufacturer is not perfect and makes inspection errors of Type 1 and Type 2. The second-stage inspection of the manufacturer is at the end of production period without inspection errors. Also, the demand is linear function of time. Once the retailer receives the lot, a 100% screening process of the lot is conducted without inspection errors, and the screening process and demand proceed simultaneously. The main objective is to determine the optimal inspection time and the optimal number of cycle such that the present value of the total cost is minimized. Finally, a numerical example and sensitivity analyses are provided to illustrate the proposed model using a proper algorithm.
The dynamic limits of hop height: Biological actuator capabilities and mechanical requirements of task produce incongruity between one- and two-legged performance
Authors: Gutmann Anne K , Bertram John EA
Published: January 2016

The maximum hop height attainable for a given hop frequency falls well below the theoretical limit dictated by gravity, h =  g/8 f2. However, maximum hop height is proportional to 1/ f2, suggesting that ground reaction force and, hence, force production capabilities of the leg muscles limit human hopping performance. Curiously, during one-legged hopping, subjects were able to produce substantially more than 50% the ground reaction force produced during two-legged maximum height hopping—66% on average and as much as 90% the total force produced during two-legged hopping. This implies that two legs together should be able to produce an average of 1.32 times and as much as 1.8 times the force actually measured during two-legged maximum height hopping. Why were our subjects unable to access this extra force capacity when hopping on two legs? Here, we show that this apparent bilateral deficit and other features of maximum height hopping can be explained by the interaction of the mechanical requirements of hopping with the force–velocity and force–length relationships that dictate the force production capacity of the leg muscles. Identifying the factors that limit performance in hopping provides an opportunity to understand how functional limits are determined in more complex activities such as running and jumping.
The direct octaves rule: Testing a scene-analysis interpretation
Authors: Arthur Claire , Huron David
Published: January 2016

A venerable rule of traditional Western part writing is the so-called Direct Octaves Rule (also known as Hidden or Exposed octaves), whereby similar pitch motion (i.e., two or more voices moving in the same direction) to a perfect octave should be avoided unless step motion is used. A number of interpretations have been offered as to why musicians might follow this rule. A traditional account (Fux, 1725/1966) exhibits several inconsistencies. A modern interpretation based on auditory scene analysis appears to have merit. However, this interpretation has yet to be tested empirically. Three experiments test the scene-analysis account using numerosity judgments for complex chords as the dependent measure. In Experiment 1, musician listeners show decreasing accuracy in numerosity judgments when an octave is present in the sonority – as predicted. In experiments 2 and 3, chords were preceded by a single neighboring or distant tone. It was hypothesized that neighboring primes would increase the accuracy of numerosity judgments for octave-containing chords more than distant primes – consistent with the Direct Octaves rule. However, no such facilitation was observed. Nevertheless, a post-hoc test showed improved accuracy when the octave was approached by step motion in highest voice compared with step-approach to the lowest voice. This latter finding is consistent with the most restrictive formulations of the direct octaves rule.
Lack of Stakeholder Influence on Pollution Prevention
Authors: Hoque Asadul , Clarke Amelia , Huang Lei
Published: January 2016

In a developing country context, this study explores environmental awareness, stakeholder influence strategies, and pollution prevention roles among 11 local, civil society groups (e.g., environmental nongovernmental organizations [NGOs] is one grouping; media and press is another grouping). A theoretical framework that builds on the social movement literature and is more inclusive of a developing country context is offered. In essence, awareness-raising is also considered a stakeholder influence strategy. Based on surveys conducted in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the results of this empirical study show that 10 of the 11 groups were environmentally aware; however, only the environmental NGOs were willing to influence the other groups. The environmental NGOs were actively raising awareness, but they were not directly influencing firms or the federal government on pollution prevention. These findings challenge the generalization of current stakeholder influence theory to a developing country context and raise concerns about the capacity of local civil society to encourage pollution prevention.
Perspectives on Stress, Parenting, and Children’s Obesity-Related Behaviors in Black Families
Authors: Parks Elizabeth P. , Kazak Anne , Kumanyika Shiriki , Lewis Lisa , Barg Frances K.
Published: January 2016

Objective. In an effort to develop targets for childhood obesity interventions in non-Hispanic-Black (Black) families, this study examined parental perceptions of stress and identified potential links among parental stress and children’s eating patterns, physical activity, and screen-time. Method. Thirty-three self-identified Black parents or grandparents of a child aged 3 to 7 years were recruited from a large, urban Black church to participate in semistructured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Parents/grandparents described a pathway between how stress affected them personally and their child’s eating, structured (sports/dance) and unstructured (free-play) physical activity, and screen-time usage, as well as strategies to prevent this association. Five themes emerged: stress affects parent behaviors related to food and physical activity variably; try to be healthy even with stress; parent/grandparent stress eating and parenting; stress influences family cooking, food choices, and child free-play; and screen-time use to decrease parent stress. Negative parent/grandparent response to their personal stress adversely influenced food purchases and parenting related to child eating, free-play, and screen-time. Children of parents/grandparents who ate high-fat/high-sugar foods when stressed requested these foods. In addition to structured physical activity, cooking ahead and keeping food in the house were perceived to guard against the effects of stress except during parent cravings. Parent/child screen-time helped decrease parent stress. Conclusion. Parents/grandparents responded variably to stress which affected the child eating environment, free-play, and screen-time. Family-based interventions to decrease obesity in Black children should consider how stress influences parents. Targeting parent cravings and coping strategies that utilize structure in eating and physical activity may be useful intervention strategies.
Indicators of hotel profitability: Model selection using Akaike information criteria
Authors: Taylor D Christopher , Snipes Michael , Barber Nelson A
Published: January 2016

Research in the important area of evaluating the relationship of hotel room sales with hotel amenities, for instance, food and beverage sales is limited. While this study focuses on differences in overall profitability when considering the transient rate at hotels, the authors have utilized data from hotels with food and beverage operations in order to provide additional insights for this sector. The results show that when modeling the profitability of a hotel, several items are important and should be included when analyzing profitability. The segment of the market, type of hotel, location of the hotel, number of rooms, and average daily rate are all found to be important factors in determining profitability and should be included in models of profit. The transient rate is controlled for in all models but is found to be a significant factor in determining the profitability of a hotel in only some specifications.
Early tracheostomy in ventilated stroke patients: Study protocol of the international multicentre randomized trial SETPOINT2 (Stroke-related Early Tracheostomy vs. Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical care Trial 2)
Authors: Schönenberger Silvia , Niesen Wolf-Dirk , Fuhrer Hannah , Bauza Colleen , Klose Christina , Kieser Meinhard , Suarez José I , Seder David B , Bösel Julian ,   on behalf of the SETPOINT2-study group and the IGNITE-study group
Published: January 2016

Background

Tracheostomy is a common procedure in long-term ventilated critical care patients and frequently necessary in those with severe stroke. The optimal timing for tracheostomy is still unknown, and it is controversial whether early tracheostomy impacts upon functional outcome.

Method

The Stroke-related Early Tracheostomy vs. Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Neurocritical care Trial 2 (SETPOINT2) is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-blinded endpoint (PROBE-design) trial. Patients with acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage who are so severely affected that two weeks of ventilation are presumed necessary based on a prediction score are eligible. It is intended to enroll 190 patients per group (n = 380). Patients are randomized to either percutaneous tracheostomy within the first five days after intubation or to ongoing orotracheal intubation with consecutive weaning and extubation and, if the latter failed, to percutaneous tracheostomy from day 10 after intubation. The primary endpoint is functional outcome defined by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS, 0–4 (favorable) vs. 5 + 6 (unfavorable)) after six months; secondary endpoints are mortality and cause of mortality during intensive care unit-stay and within six months from admission, intensive care unit-length of stay, duration of sedation, duration of ventilation and weaning, timing and reasons for withdrawal of life support measures, relevant intracranial pressure rises before and after tracheostomy.

Conclusion

The necessity and optimal timing of tracheostomy in ventilated stroke patients need to be identified. SETPOINT2 should clarify whether benefits in functional outcome can be achieved by early tracheostomy in these patients.
Protocol for the comparison of triflusal and clopidogrel in secondary prevention of stroke based on cytochrome P450 2C19 genotyping (MASETRO study): A multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial
Authors: Han Sang Won , Kim Yong-Jae , Ahn Seong Hwan , Seo Woo-Keun , Yu Sungwook , Oh Seung-Hun , Kim Youn Nam , Lee Kyung-Yul ,   on behalf of the MAESTRO Study Investigators
Published: January 2016

Rationale and aim

The antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is reportedly influenced by cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) polymorphisms. However, there is no data concerning the relationship between stroke recurrence and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in patients treated with clopidogrel for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. Triflusal may be an alternative therapy for clopidogrel in patients with poor genotype. The Comparison of Triflusal and Clopidogrel Effects in Secondary Prevention of Stroke Based on Cytochrome P450 2C19 Genotyping (MAESTRO) study will investigate the effect of antiplatelet agents based on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.

Sample size and design

Assuming that 55% of patients belong to the poor genotype group, the required sample size is 1080 patients with at least 24 months of follow-up. This study is designed as a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, and blind genotype trial. Patients who experience their first non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke within 30 days prior to screening are eligible. Patients received 300 mg triflusal twice a day or 75 mg clopidogrel once daily during the trial. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01174693).

Study outcome

The primary outcome is recurrent ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. Secondary outcomes consist of composite major vascular events including stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or vascular death.

Discussion

Personalized medicine may be essential for patients according to individual drug metabolism abilities. MAESTRO is the first prospective study designed to evaluate the effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism in secondary stroke prevention and will resolve several questions regarding preventive antiplatelet agents for recurrent stroke.
Beauty parlor stroke revisited: An 11-year single-center consecutive series
Authors: Correia Pamela N , Meyer Ivo A , Eskandari Ashraf , Michel Patrik
Published: January 2016

Background

Hairdresser-related ischemic cerebrovascular events (HICE) are attributed to compression of vertebral arteries or cervical artery dissections. We determined their frequency, mechanisms, localization and outcome in a pre-specified study.

Methods

We prospectively collected ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks occurring in relation to a hairdresser visit from 2002 to 2013, using consecutive data from an ischemic stroke registry (ASTRAL). HICE were compared to all other acute ischemic strokes in ASTRAL.

Results

We identified 10 HICE (9 strokes and 1 transient ischemic attack). Age and anterior-posterior distribution were similar with a significantly higher rate of females (90% vs. 43%, p = 0.02) in the HICE group compared to ASTRAL. Patients with HICE had significantly lower incidence of hyperlipidemia (30% vs. 73%) and diabetes (0% vs. 19%). The mechanisms of HICE were diverse: carotid artery dissection ( n = 2), cardiac ( n = 2), lacunar ( n = 2), other determined ( n = 2) and unknown etiology ( n = 2). Two HICE with atherosclerotic intracranial disease were possibly caused by acute hemodynamic changes related to systemic hypotension during hot air hair drying. Unadjusted favorable outcome at three months seemed to be better in HICE (90% vs. 57%), and 12-month mortality and recurrences were similar.

Conclusions

HICE may occur frequently in females without a predilection for the posterior circulation. Although some HICE may occur by chance (pseudo-HICE), hairdresser visits may have a causal role in some cases, including cervical artery dissection or hemodynamic compromise related to pre-existing arterial disease (true HICE). Available data are insufficient for specific preventive recommendations.
Ponesimod, a selective S1P1 receptor modulator: a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated diseases
Authors: D’Ambrosio Daniele , Freedman Mark S. , Prinz Joerg
Published: January 2016

The first oral treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis, the nonselective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator fingolimod, led to identification of a pivotal role of sphingosine-1-phosphate and one of its five known receptors, S1P1R, in regulation of lymphocyte trafficking in multiple sclerosis. Modulation of S1P3R, initially thought to cause some of fingolimod’s side effects, prompted the search for novel compounds with high selectivity for S1P1R. Ponesimod is an orally active, selective S1P1R modulator that causes dose-dependent sequestration of lymphocytes in lymphoid organs. In contrast to the long half-life/slow elimination of fingolimod, ponesimod is eliminated within 1 week of discontinuation and its pharmacological effects are rapidly reversible. Clinical data in multiple sclerosis have shown a dose-dependent therapeutic effect of ponesimod and defined 20 mg as a daily dose with desired efficacy, and acceptable safety and tolerability. Phase II clinical data have also shown therapeutic efficacy of ponesimod in psoriasis. These findings have increased our understanding of psoriasis pathogenesis and suggest clinical utility of S1P1R modulation for treatment of various immune-mediated disorders. A gradual dose titration regimen was found to minimize the cardiac effects associated with initiation of ponesimod treatment. Selectivity for S1P1R, rapid onset and reversibility of pharmacological effects, and an optimized titration regimen differentiate ponesimod from fingolimod, and may lead to better safety and tolerability. Ponesimod is currently in phase III clinical development to assess efficacy and safety in relapsing multiple sclerosis. A phase II study is also ongoing to investigate the potential utility of ponesimod in chronic graft versus host disease.
Activin B Induces Noncanonical SMAD1/5/8 Signaling via BMP Type I Receptors in Hepatocytes: Evidence for a Role in Hepcidin Induction by Inflammation in Male Mice
Authors: Canali Susanna , Core Amanda B. , Zumbrennen-Bullough Kimberly B. , Merkulova Maria , Wang Chia-Yu , Schneyer Alan L. , Pietrangelo Antonello , Babitt Jodie L.
Published: January 2016

Induction of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin contributes to the anemia of inflammation. Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) signaling is a central regulator of hepcidin expression in the liver. Recently, the TGF-β/BMP superfamily member activin B was implicated in hepcidin induction by inflammation via noncanonical SMAD1/5/8 signaling, but its mechanism of action and functional significance in vivo remain uncertain. Here, we show that low concentrations of activin B, but not activin A, stimulate prolonged SMAD1/5/8 signaling and hepcidin expression in liver cells to a similar degree as canonical SMAD2/3 signaling, and with similar or modestly reduced potency compared with BMP6. Activin B stimulates hepcidin via classical activin type II receptors ACVR2A and ACVR2B, noncanonical BMP type I receptors activin receptor-like kinase 2 and activin receptor-like kinase 3, and SMAD5. The coreceptor hemojuvelin binds to activin B and facilitates activin B-SMAD1/5/8 signaling. Activin B-SMAD1/5/8 signaling has some selectivity for hepatocyte-derived cells and is not enabled by hemojuvelin in other cell types. Liver activin B mRNA expression is up-regulated in multiple mouse models of inflammation associated with increased hepcidin and hypoferremia, including lipopolysaccharide, turpentine, and heat-killed Brucella abortus models. Finally, the activin inhibitor follistatin-315 blunts hepcidin induction by lipopolysaccharide or B. abortus in mice. Our data elucidate a novel mechanism for noncanonical SMAD activation and support a likely functional role for activin B in hepcidin stimulation during inflammation in vivo.
The Studious University
Authors: Backer David I. , Lewis Tyson E.
Published: January 2016

It is not uncommon to hear criticisms of the university today. From the right, the university is seen as nothing more than a mere liberal bastion or hotbed for leftist ideological indoctrination. And from the left, the university is considered nothing more than a factory, part and parcel of the military-industrial complex, or a mere puppet of corporate control. The centrality of corporate, neoliberal logics, ideologies of managerialism and excellence, and the universalization of individualist policies over and above public purposes all seem to indicate that the university is undergoing a major identity crisis. What many of these analyses fail to recognize is the underlying educational logic at work in higher education—a logic that informs both conservative and progressive analyses of the university. Building on the work of Giorgio Agamben, we present a critical analysis of the connections between the university’s educational logic of learning, the rise of student debt, and neoliberalism. We then suggest studying as an alternative model of university education that suspends the economy of learning and its connections with debt. To further expand upon Agamben’s ontological analysis of study as a state of educational potentiality, we explore its political and economic dimensions through a psychoanalytic-Marxist framework. In particular, we draw upon Marxist notions of reification to understand how learning and debt are lived by the student, and in turn, how Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic notion of dehiscence provides a way in which the student can experience studying as a dereified expression of educational life. The result will be a theory of study that is capable of undermining educational investments made by and through neoliberalism into learnification.
Behavioural effects of juvenile hormone and their influence on division of labour in leaf-cutting ant societies
Authors: Norman Victoria C. , Hughes William O. H.
Published: January 2016

Division of labour in social insects represents a major evolutionary transition, but the physiological mechanisms that regulate this are still little understood. Experimental work with honey bees, and correlational analyses in other social insects, have implicated juvenile hormone (JH) as a regulatory factor, but direct experimental evidence of behavioural effects of JH in social insects is generally lacking. Here, we used experimental manipulation of JH to show that raised JH levels in leaf-cutting ants results in workers becoming more active, phototactic and threat responsive, and engaging in more extranidal activity – behavioural changes that we show are all characteristic of the transition from intranidal work to foraging. These behavioural effects on division of labour suggest that the JH mediation of behaviour occurs across multiple independent evolutions of eusociality, and may be a key endocrine regulator of the division of labour which has produced the remarkable ecological and evolutionary success of social insects.
Characterization of Isomeric VX Nerve Agent Adducts on Albumin in Human Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Saeidian Hamid , Mirkhani Valiollah , Faraz Sajjad Mousavi , Naseri Mohammad Taghi , Babri Mehran
Published: January 2016

This study includes the characterization of isomeric VX organophosphorus adducts on albumin in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). VX or its structural isomers were spiked into a vial containing plasma in order to obtain phosphorylated albumin. After pronase and trypsin digestion, the resulting solutions were analyzed to confirm adduct formation with the amino acid tyrosine on the albumin in human plasma. The LC-MS/MS experiments show that VX and its isomers can be attached to tyrosine on the albumin in human blood. Mass spectrometric studies revealed some interesting fragmentation pathways during the ionization process, such as ethylene, formic acid and ammonia elimination and an intermolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The proposed mechanisms for the formation of the fragments were confirmed through the analysis of fragments of deuterated adducts.
Is MTHFD1 polymorphism rs 2236225 (c.1958G>A) associated with the susceptibility of NSCL/P? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Huaxiang , Zhang Jieni , Zhang Mengqi , Deng Feng , Zheng Leilei , Zheng Hui , Chen Feng , Lin Jiuxiang
Published: January 2016

Aims: To investigate the association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) polymorphism rs 2236225 (c.1958G>A) and susceptibility to non-syndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate (NSCL/P).

Methods: An extensive literature review has been conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database for eligible researches. The terms for searching were “cleft lip OR cleft palate OR CLP OR CL/P OR oral facial cleft OR OFC” AND “methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NADP+ dependent) 1 OR methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase OR MTHFD1 OR MTHFD”. Two independent researchers screened, evaluated and extracted the data of included studies. The pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by random effects model under five gene models. Subgroup, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also assessed.

Results: Ten case-control studies have been included in the systematic review and eight studies have been considered for the meta-analysis. Overall, the MTHFD1 polymorphism rs2236225 and the risk of NSCL/P showed pooled OR (95% CI) of 1.02 (0.86-1.21) under allelic model. A higher degree of heterogeneity was observed in Asian countries (I2 = 75.6%) compared to non-Asian countries (I2 = 48.9%). Similar consequence appeared in the subgroup of children (I2 = 78.6%) compared with that of mothers (I2 = 0.0%). There was no significant difference in the publication bias by the Begg’s funnel plot (P = 0.711) and Egger’s regression test (P = 0.746).

Conclusion: Our assessment suggested there was no significant association between the MTHFD1 polymorphism rs 2236225 (c.1958G>A) and the susceptibility to NSCL/P. Further investigations using a large sample size and a more advanced technique should be adopted to reach a more precise conclusion in the future.
Is IT Enough? Evidence from a Natural Experiment in India’s Agriculture Markets
Authors: Parker Chris , Ramdas Kamalini , Savva Nicos
Published: January 2016

Access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phone networks is widely known to improve market efficiency. In this paper, we examine whether access to timely and accurate information provided through ICT applications has any additional impact. Using a detailed data set from Reuters Market Light (RML), a text message service in India that provides daily price information to market participants, we find that this information reduces the geographic price dispersion of crops in rural communities by an average of 12%, over and above access to mobile phone technology and other means of communication. To identify the effect of information on price dispersion, we exploit a natural experiment where bulk text messages were banned unexpectedly across India for 12 days in 2010. We find that besides reducing geographic price dispersion, RML also increases the rate at which prices converge across India over time. We discuss the implications of this for development organizations and information providers.

This paper was accepted by Lorin Hitt, information systems.
On the Nonexclusivity of Loan Contracts: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Degryse Hans , Ioannidou Vasso , von Schedvin Erik
Published: January 2016

We study how a bank’s willingness to lend to a previously exclusive firm changes once the firm obtains a loan from another bank (“outside loan”) and breaks an exclusive relationship. Using a difference-in-difference analysis and a setting where outside loans are observable, we document that an outside loan triggers a decrease in the initial bank’s willingness to lend to the firm, i.e., outside loans are strategic substitutes. Consistent with concerns about coordination problems and higher indebtedness, we find that this reaction is more pronounced the larger the outside loan and it is muted if the initial bank’s existing and future loans retain seniority and are protected with valuable collateral. Our results give a benevolent role to transparency enabling banks to mitigate adverse effects from outside loans. The resulting substitute behavior may also act as a stabilizing force in credit markets limiting positive comovements between lenders, decreasing the possibility of credit freezes and financial crises.

This paper was accepted by Itay Goldstein, finance.
Technical Note—Dynamic Pricing with Gain-Seeking Reference Price Effects
Authors: Hu Zhenyu , Chen Xin , Hu Peng
Published: January 2016

We study a dynamic pricing problem of a firm facing reference price effects at an aggregate demand level, where demand is more sensitive to gains than losses. We find that even the myopic pricing strategy belongs to one type of discontinuous maps, which can exhibit complex dynamics over time. Our numerical examples show that, in general, the optimal pricing strategies may not admit any simple characterizations and the resulting reference price/price dynamics can be very complicated. We then show for a special case that a cyclic skimming pricing strategy is optimal, and we provide conditions to guarantee the optimality of high-low pricing strategies.
Near-Optimal Algorithms for the Assortment Planning Problem Under Dynamic Substitution and Stochastic Demand
Authors: Goyal Vineet , Levi Retsef , Segev Danny
Published: January 2016

Assortment planning of substitutable products is a major operational issue that arises in many industries such as retailing, airlines, and consumer electronics. We consider a single-period joint assortment and inventory planning problem under dynamic substitution with stochastic demands, and provide complexity and algorithmic results as well as insightful structural characterizations of near-optimal solutions for important variants of the problem. First, we show that the assortment planning problem is NP-hard even for a very simple consumer choice model, where each consumer is willing to buy only two products. In fact, we show that the problem is hard to approximate within a factor better than 1 − 1/e. Second, we show that for several interesting and practical customer choice models, one can devise a polynomial-time approximation scheme (PTAS), i.e., the problem can be solved efficiently to within any level of accuracy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first efficient algorithm with provably near-optimal performance guarantees for assortment planning problems under dynamic substitution. Quite surprisingly, the algorithm we propose stocks only a constant number of different product types; this constant depends only on the desired accuracy level. This provides an important managerial insight that assortments with a relatively small number of product types can obtain almost all of the potential revenue. Furthermore, we show that our algorithm can be easily adapted for more general choice models, and we present numerical experiments to show that it performs significantly better than other known approaches.
Talking About Routines: The Role of Reflective Talk in Routine Change
Authors: Dittrich Katharina , Guérard Stéphane , Seidl David
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we examine the role of reflective talk in how routines change. We argue that talk enables routine participants to collectively reflect on the routine and work out new ways of enacting it. Drawing on a year-long ethnographic study of a start-up company in the pharmaceutical industry, we show that talk supports the enactment of collective reflection by enabling the participants to (1) name and situate the issue to be discussed with regard to the performative and ostensive aspects of the routine, (2) jointly envisage and explore alternative ways of enacting the routine, and (3) evaluate and question these suggestions from different angles. We examine how these aspects of reflective talk play out in different types of routine change and how the progressive unfolding of the talk reveals distinct opportunities for routine change. With our findings, we shed light on the role of collective reflection in routine change, on variation and selective retention in routine change, and on how organizational members balance the need for consistency and change in the enactment of routines.
Introduction to Case Study Special Issue -- Case Studies in Japan: Two Methods, Two Worldviews, Part 2
Authors: Iwakabe Shigeru
Published: January 2016

The goal of this special issue is to present two dramatically different models of case studies, to compare their methodological features, and to explore potential ways to integrate the two to make best use of their respective strengths. The two case study articles present an opportunity to view the breadth of psychotherapy case studies and psychotherapy practice inJapan. The commentaries provided by four eminent psychologists from both in and outsideJapan, and the subsequent responses from the two main authors, produce rich and stimulating dialogue that provides a forum for learning through case studies. This dialogue also helps to delineate the features of each case study. Reflecting on the two case study articles and the four commentaries, as the action editor of this special issue I offer my own observations, focusing on methodological issues of case studies and also on issues associated with differing cultural practices.
Narrative Case Studies and Practice-Based Learning: Reflections on the Case of "Mr. R"
Authors: McLeod John
Published: January 2016

Narrative case studies tell the story of therapy from the point of view of the client or therapist. Murase's (2015) case of "Mr. R" provides a powerful example of the potential of this form of case inquiry, as a means of enabling reflection and deeper understanding around the practice and process of therapy. The distinctive contribution of the case of Mr. R is discussed in relation to the personal learning of the author in respect of a series of domains: working with the contextual and cultural meaning of the client
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is "Haruki Murakami"
Authors: Muto Takashi
Published: January 2016

In response to Kanazawa's (2015) commentary on my case study of Taro (Muto & Mitamura, 2015), I reflect on the issue of the degree of "Japaneseness" in my approach to the case study. I pursue this by anchoring the perspective of my work in the perspective of the well-known Japanese novelist, Haruki Murakami.
描画による感情表現と正しい言葉による対応がもたらす非連続的変化
Authors: 熊野宏昭 Kumano
Published: January 2016

本事例研究は,パーソナリティ障害,統合失調性情動障害,非定型の精神病等の診断がつけられるほど重症であったクライエントが,描画を媒介としたセラピストとのやり取りの中で劇的に軽快したプロセスを詳細に検討したものである。私は心療内科医としてこの事例の重篤さに驚くとともに,行動療法家として日頃行っている査定や介入との異同を念頭に読み進めていった。事例報告の方法としては,「臨床家による語りの形式」をとっており,標準化された量的質問紙も効果判定に使われなかったとされているが,実は行動療法における単一事例実験計画と原理的な面で相違点よりも類似点の方が多いと思われる。本事例の介入は,描画とそれを媒介として成立したコミュニケーションによって行われたが,その中核は「描画による感情表現と正しい言葉による対応」と理解できる。介入が進むにつれて,描画とそれを描いたクライエントの中に「意識的努力をしないのに」非連続的な変化が生じたことが明らかになったが,それがどのような機序によってもたらされたのかを次に考察した。そこでは,連続的な変化を前提とし,機能分析というアセスメント法に基づいてひとまとまりの行動に介入をする行動療法とは対照的に,生活や人生の文脈自体が介入の対象とされ,新たな文脈を規定する初期条件と拘束条件を設定することによって介入が進められているものと想定された。そして本事例では,治療者の「目前の課題をよく把握してからそれに適合する方法を適用する」というアセスメントが初期条件となり,描画という自己表現をするための構造と,治療者のどんな場合にも逃げない率直な対応や返答がぶれない拘束条件を作り出したことが,決定的なセラピー促進要因になったと考えられた。最後に,本来治療者個人が「人生の行路に沿って時間をかけて積み上げていくほかない」介入のための技術が,いかに伝承されていくのかという点に注目し,事例研究の持つ機能にふれて,本論文の結びとした。
熊野先生とマクレオッド先生のコメントを読んで
Authors: 村瀬嘉代子 Murase
Published: January 2016

二人の国内外の先生のコメントを拝読し,改めて本ケースについて,そして心理療法の基本について再考する機会をいただけたことを深く感謝したい。いずれの指定討論者も本事例におけるセラピストのありかた,クライエントとのかかわり,クライエントとクライエントの世界の理解,描画の使用,そして文化の伝承という深遠なテーマを取り上げ,Mr. Rの事例を通した対話を通してさまざまな貴重な示唆をくださった。熊野先生のコメントのうち,事実をどのようにアセスメントしたのか,どのような理由から描画を導入したのか,ということについてのコメントに答えた。マクレオッド先生のコメントのうち,セラピストの基本的姿勢としてのプレゼンス,セラピイの目的,スーパーヴィジョン,相互似顔絵法の導入の経緯とその手法の着想の背景,クライエントのアタッチメントに関するアセスメント,について答え,最後に筆者の考える心理療法の原則を示して結びとした。
事例研究によるACTモデルの検討
Authors: スティーブ・C・ヘイズ Hayes
Published: January 2016

ACTは,行動療法や認知療法の機能的で文脈的な一形態である。それは,構成主義やナラティブ・セラピーといった他の文脈的なアプローチと共通点を持つが,その科学的な目的は異なっている。このような違いがあるため,ACTは,基本的な原則を持つ操作可能なプロセスを指向する。本論評では,これらの特徴を説明し,対象となる論文と関連づける。この種の事例研究の主要な価値が,いかに,モデルと治療的決定とのつながりや,変容プロセスと成果についての集約的なやり方での検討にあるかを論じる。これは,事例研究の活用とACTについての実証的調査における時系列デザインをいくらか作り直し,エビデンス・ベースド・モデルの適用における文化的要因についての調査に対して特別な機会を提供する。最後に,ACTがいかに日本における臨床的作業の流れのいくつかをまとめるのに役立つかを述べる。
アクセプタンス&コミットメント・セラピーは 「村上春樹」である
Authors: 武藤　崇 Muto
Published: January 2016

筆者による太郎の事例論文(武藤・三田村,2015)に対する金沢(2015)のコメントに対して,筆者自身の事例研究に対するアプローチの「日本的」である度合いの問題について省察した。筆者の仕事のスタンスを著名な日本の小説家である村上春樹のスタンスに根付かせて,これを探究した。また,Hayes(2015)によるコメントの指摘にも回答を与える。
Ectopic overexpression of Nanog induces tumorigenesis in non-tumorous fibroblasts
Authors: Park Yo Seph , Nemeño Judee Grace E. , Choi Na Young , Lee Jeong Ik , Ko Kisung , Choi Seung-Cheol , Kim Wan Seop , Han Dong Wook , Tapia Natalia , Ko Kinarm
Published: January 2016

Key regulatory genes in pluripotent stem cells are of interest not only as reprogramming factors but also as regulators driving tumorigenesis. Nanog is a transcription factor involved in the maintenance of embryonic stem cells and is one of the reprogramming factors along with Oct4, Sox2, and Lin28. Nanog expression has been detected in different types of tumors, and its expression is a poor prognosis for cancer patients. However, there is no clear evidence that Nanog is functionally involved in tumorigenesis. In this study, we induced overexpression of Nanog in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and subsequently assessed their morphological changes, proliferation rate, and tumor formation ability. We found that Nanog overexpression induced immortalization of mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (MEFs) and increased their proliferation rate in vitro. We also found that formation of tumors after subcutaneous injection of retroviral-Nanog infected MEFs (N-MEFs) into athymic mouse. Cancer-related genes such as Bmi1 were expressed at high levels in N-MEFs. Hence, our results demonstrate that Nanog is able to transform normal somatic cells into tumor cells.
Caveolin-1 in Tumour Cells is Predominately Expressed in the Basal Subtype of Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Popovska Savelina L. , Ivanov Ivan N. , Ooi Akishi
Published: January 2016

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer which is clinically negative for expression of steroid hormones and HER2 protein. According to DNA microarray profiling, breast cancer was divided into several molecular subgroups, including Luminal A and Luminal B; HER2 overexpressing; normal breast- like and basal-like subtype. TNBC comprises tumours that express heterogeneous molecular and immunohistochemical phenotype, thus determining different prognosis. The majority of TNBC carry the “basal-like” molecular profile on gene expression arrays. Basal-like carcinomas of the breast associated with poor prognosis often correlate with expression of Caveolin-1. The study aimed to investigate the expression of caveolin-1 in the tumour cells and in the stromal component of the tumour among the group of TNBC and compare it to the expression of caveolin-1 in a control group with non-TN breast cancer. Whole tissue sections were used. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue materials from 101 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during the period 2004-2007 were investigated in a retrospective study. A multistep approach was used to separate the different subtypes of breast cancer. During the first step the breast tumours were separated according to their ER, PgR, HER 2 and proliferative activity, using the Ki-67 index. The triple- negative tumours were additionally tested for EGFR and CK5/6. The basal breast cancer group was finally subdivided into basal and baso-luminal according to the type of expression of basal cytokeratins. caveolin-1 expression was examined in the tumour parenchyma and stroma. According to our results, caveolin-1 expression in breast cancer was significantly associated with basal biomarkers expression (basal and baso-luminal type of BC) χ2= 33.4; p<0.0001. Caveolin-1 can be used as a potential marker to examine the presence of basal phenotype in breast cancer.