bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Smith Leonard V.
Published: March 2018

Tomáš Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, described the Paris Peace Conference as a “laboratory built over a vast cemetery.” The introduction explains why histories of the conference grounded in realist and liberal schools of international relations theory do not tell us everything we need to know about it. The loci and attributes of sovereignty formed the central questions of the conference. Sovereignty can be considered as a series of riddles, that is, questions without apparent answers, about political rule in the broadest sense. At the heart of the riddles lay a profound Wilsonianism challenge to existing understandings of the international system. The American president had proposed, and the allies accepted, a radicalized liberal notion of sovereignty. Answers to the riddles of sovereignty at the Paris Peace Conference would revolve around trying to reconcile old and new political identities.
The Sovereignty of Justice
Authors: Smith Leonard V.
Published: March 2018

If Wilsonianism meant anything, it meant a peace based on “justice” rather than on realist geopolitics. Yet in a legal sense, the Great War against Germany ended in an armistice, not an unconditional surrender. “Justice” therefore became something constructed after the fact as an act of sovereignty by the Paris Peace Conference. Initially, the conference established one track based in civil law (compensation) and another based in criminal law (responsibilities). Yet the two became hopelessly intermingled as the conference proceeded. The result was the creation of a new identity, the criminalized Great Power. This identity became a template for criminalized successor states as peacemaking moved east of Germany. Small, weak successor states became construed as the moral and legal equivalent of Germany. The confusion built into peacemaking based on “justice” undermined the legitimacy of the conference, and fed irredentism in the successor states.
The Federalization of Corporate Governance
Authors: Steinberg Marc I.
Published: March 2018

This book focuses on a very timely subject: the federalization of corporate governance. From both historical and contemporary perspectives, the book addresses the federalization of corporate governance in the United States. Although the states traditionally have regulated the sphere of corporate governance—encompassing the relations among and between the subject corporation, its directors, its officers, its stockholders, and other stakeholders—federal law today impacts the governance of publicly-traded companies to a greater degree than ever before in U.S. history. This book thus focuses on the evolution and development of corporate governance from a federal law perspective from the commencement of the twentieth century to the present. The book examines the tension between state company law and federal law, historically analyzes the federal developments, explains the ramifications of the federal legislation enacted during the past two decades, and recommends corrective measures that should be implemented. The book accordingly provides an original, historical, and contemporary analysis of the federalization of corporate governance—a subject that impacts this country’s economic well-being in a very fundamental way.
The SEC’s Shareholder Proposal Rule and Related Developments
Authors: Steinberg Marc I.
Published: March 2018

This chapter focuses on a federal corporate governance measure that was adopted by the SEC over 75 years ago (in 1942)—The SEC Shareholder Proposal Rule (Rule 14a-8). Because of the historical importance and meaningful impact of Rule 14a-8 with respect to the federalization of corporate governance, this subject is the focus of a separate chapter. From a historical and contemporary perspective, the chapter provides a general framework of Rule 14a-8 and addresses specific issues where the Rule has been utilized, including with respect to social issues, board declassification matters, and executive compensation. The chapter also examines proxy access developments as well as the SEC’s adoption of Rule 14a-11, which subsequently was invalidated by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The chapter concludes by recommending that the SEC should clarify the contours of Rule 14a-8 in a manner that is consistent with promoting shareholder participation in a cost-effective and law-compliant manner.
Breakthrough Candidemia In Children On Micafungin
Authors: Funaki Takanori , Miyairi Isao
Published: March 2018

We identified 8 pediatric patients on micafungin (MCFG; ≥3 doses) at our institution who had breakthrough candidemia (BC). The causative strains of the BC were Candida parapsilosis in 7 patients. The minimum inhibitory concentration of MCFG was ≤1 µg/mL (susceptible) in all 8 isolates. Immunocompromised patients may develop BC caused by MCFG-susceptible strains.
Optical Imaging of Metabolic Dynamics in Animals
Authors: Shi Lingyan , Zheng Chaogu , Shen Yihui , Chen Zhixing , Silveira Edilson S. , Zhang Luyuan , Wei Mian , Liu Chang , de Sena-Tomas Carmen , Targoff Kimara , Min Wei
Published: March 2018

Direct visualization of metabolic dynamics in living tissues with high spatial and temporal resolution is essential to understanding many biological processes. Here we introduce a platform that combinesdeuteriumoxide (D2O) probing withstimulatedRamanscattering microscopy (DO-SRS) to imagein situmetabolic activities. Enzymatic incorporation of D2O-derived deuterium into macromolecules generates carbon-deuterium (C-D) bonds, which track biosynthesis in tissues and can be imaged by SRSin situ. Within the broad vibrational spectra of C-D bonds, we discovered lipid-, protein-, and DNA-specific Raman shifts and developed spectral unmixing methods to obtain C-D signals with macromolecular selectivity. DO-SRS enabled us to probede novolipogenesis in animals, image protein biosynthesis without tissue bias, and simultaneously visualize lipid and protein metabolism and reveal their different dynamics. DO-SRS, being noninvasive, universally applicable, and cost-effective, can be adapted to a broad range of biological systems to study development, tissue homeostasis, aging, and tumor heterogeneity.
Complex Interplay between Serum and Fibroblasts in 3D Hepatocyte Co-culture
Authors: Mittal Nikhil , Li Huan , Ananthanarayanan Abhishek , Yu Hanry
Published: March 2018

Previous studies have suggested that primary hepatocytes cultured in vitro undergo a rapid loss of function. On the other hand, in the clinic, drug induced liver injury typically manifests 5 days to 3 months after starting a medication. Thus, novel approaches that can maintain the function of primary human hepatocytes for longer durations of time may enable the development of improved in vitro assays for detecting hepatotoxicity. Previous studies have demonstrated that two-dimensional micro-patterning of hepatocytes with fibroblasts leads to improved maintenance of the hepatocyte phenotype relative to hepatocyte monocultures, in serum containing medium. Additionally, we, and others, have shown that three-dimensional culture of hepatocytes leads to enhanced function (in serum-free medium). In this study we wanted to (i) examine the effect of combining the above two approaches on hepatocyte function, and (ii) to further delineate the effect of serum on hepatocyte function. We developed a user-friendly and inexpensive approach for constructing layered spheroids. Similar to previous results in two-dimensional (2d) culture, we observed that 3d culture of hepatocytes alone (i.e. monoculture) in serum-containing medium led to an increase in the urea production rate, but near-complete loss of cytochrome activity in both lots of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) tested. In serum-free sandwich culture, cytochrome activity was maintained at the level observed in freshly thawed PHH for one lot, but almost completely lost in another lot. Spheroid culture of both lots of PHH in serum-free medium led to maintenance of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 activity at the fresh thaw level, though CYP2B6 activity was reduced. In contrast to PHH monoculture, co-cultures of PHH with NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells benefitted from the presence of serum, and led to 3-5-fold increases in CYP activity relative to even serum-free spheroid monocultures. Layering of the fibroblasts did not result in improvements over mixed co-cultures. These results indicate the importance of appropriate serum-free monoculture control experiments in the evaluation of novel biomaterials and techniques for hepatocyte co-culture. Further, urea production and cytochrome production are decoupled; therefore, urea production is an insufficient readout when developing models for pharmaceutical applications.
Evolutionary stability of plant-pollinator networks: efficient communities, hysteresis, and a pollination dilemma
Authors: Metelmann Soeren , Sakai Shoko , Kondoh Michio , Telschow Arndt
Published: March 2018

Mutualistic interactions between species such as pollination and plant–mycorrhiza interactions are ubiquitous in nature and essential for ecosystem functioning. Often dozens or even hundreds of species with different degree of specialization form complex networks of interdependence. How the complexity evolved and is maintained are fundamental questions in ecology. Here, we present a new game theoretical approach to model complex mutualistic interactions, which we apply to pollination networks. The theoretical analysis revealed multiple evolutionary stable network structures that form a gradient from generalism toward specialism with increasing availability of pollination service. In particular, we found that efficient communities evolve only under pollination oversupply, but that pollination shortage selects for inefficient network structures due to a pollination dilemma. These results suggest that availability of pollination services is a key factor structuring pollination networks and offer a new explanation for the geographical differences in pollination faunas that have long been recognized by ecologists. The study bridges the gap between network studies, game theory, and the natural history of pollination, which have hitherto been studied largely independently.
Time dependence of cellular responses to dynamic and complex strain fields
Authors: Chagnon-Lessard Sophie , Godin Michel , Pelling Andrew E.
Published: March 2018

Exposing cells to an unconventional sequence of physical cues can reveal subtleties of cellular sensing and response mechanisms. We investigated the mechanoresponse of cyclically-stretched fibroblasts under a spatially non-uniform strain field which was subjected to repeated changes in stretching directions over 55 hours. A polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic stretcher array optimized for complex staining procedures and imaging was developed to generate biologically relevant strain and strain gradient amplitudes. We demonstrated that cells can successfully reorient themselves repeatedly, as the main cyclical stretching direction is consecutively switched between two perpendicular directions every 11 hours. Importantly, from one reorientation to the next, the extent to which cells reorient themselves perpendicularly to the local strain direction progressively decreases, while their tendency to align perpendicularly to the strain gradient direction tends to increase. We demonstrate that these results are consistent with our finding that cellular responses to strains and strain gradients occur on two distinct time scales, the latter being slower. Overall, our results reveal the absence of major irreversible cellular changes that compromise the ability to sense and reorient to changing strain directions under the conditions of this experiment. On the other hand, we show how the history of strain field dynamics can influence the cellular realignment behavior, due to the interplay of complex time-dependent responses.
Comparative Genomics and Genome Evolution in birds-of-paradise
Authors: Prost Stefan , Armstrong Ellie E. , Nylander Johan , Thomas Gregg W.C. , Suh Alexander , Petersen Bent , Dalen Love , Benz Brett , Blom Mozes P.K. , Palkopoulou Eleftheria , Ericson Per G. P. , Irestedt Martin
Published: March 2018

Background

The diverse array of phenotypes and lekking behaviors in birds-of-paradise have long excited scientists and laymen alike. Remarkably, almost nothing is known about the genomics underlying this iconic radiation. Currently, there are 41 recognized species of birds-of-paradise, most of which live on the islands of New Guinea. In this study we sequenced genomes of representatives from all five major clades recognized within the birds-of-paradise family (Paradisaeidae). Our aim was to characterize genomic changes that may have been important for the evolution of the group’s extensive phenotypic diversity.

Results

We sequenced threede novogenomes and re-sequenced two additional genomes representing all major clades within the birds-of-paradise. We found genes important for coloration, morphology and feather development to be under positive selection. GO enrichment of positively selected genes on the branch leading to the birds-of-paradise shows an enrichment for collagen, glycogen synthesis and regulation, eye development and other categories. In the core birds-of-paradise, we found GO categories for ‘startle response’ (response to predators) and ‘olfactory receptor activity’ to be enriched among the gene families expanding significantly faster compared to the other birds in our study. Furthermore, we found novel families of retrovirus-like retrotransposons active in all threede novogenomes since the early diversification of the birds-of-paradise group, which could have potentially played a role in the evolution of this fascinating group of birds.

Conclusion

Here we provide a first glimpse into the genomic changes underlying the evolution of birds-of-paradise. Our aim was to use comparative genomics to study to what degree the genomic landscape of birds-of-paradise deviates from other closely related passerine birds. Given the extreme phenotypic diversity in this family, our prediction was that genomes should be able to reveal features important for the evolution of this amazing radiation. Overall, we found a strong signal for evolution on mechanisms important for coloration, morphology, sensory systems, as well as genome structure.
Crystal structure of pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylase fromBacillus subtilisin complex with imidazole and sulfate
Authors: Balaev V. V. , Prokofev I. I. , Gabdoulkhakov A. G. , Betzel C. , Lashkov A. A.
Published: March 2018

Pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylase catalyzes the phosphorolytic cleavage of thymidine and uridine with equal activity. Investigation of this protein is essential for anticancer drug design. Here, the structure of this protein fromBacillus subtilisin complex with imidazole and sulfate is reported at 1.9 Å resolution, which is an improvement on the previously reported structure at 2.6 Å resolution. The localization and position of imidazole in the nucleoside-binding site reflects the possible binding of ligands that possess an imidazole ring.
Market power, scale economy and productivity: the case of China’s food and tobacco industry
Authors: Dai Jiawu , Li Xun , Cai Hailong
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure and examine the relationships between market power, scale economy and productivity for several important food and tobacco industries in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The model applied in this paper is based on Hall’s framework (Hall, 1988, 1990) and Klette (1999). The paper relaxes the assumption of constant returns to scale, and estimates market power and rate of returns to scale simultaneously, and then employs a covariance approach to examine the relationship between market power, scale economy and productivity via an unbalanced panel data at firm level.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that all the selected seven food industries are characterized with significant market power, especially for China’s cigarette industry whose markup is as almost five times as the smallest one. In addition, China’s soybean and cigarette sectors are manifested to have scale economy, with return to scale being larger than 1, while the other five sectors are proved to have decreasing returns to scale. Empirical results also provide evidence to support significant negative correlations between market power and scale economy in all sectors, and negative correlations between market power and productivity in most of the selected sectors. While more heterogeneous relationship between scale economy and productivity are found across the selected sectors.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to examine the relationship between market power, scale economy and productivity empirically for Chinese food manufacturers using a firm-level unbalanced panel data. Results which coincide well with the reality provide policy implication on understanding the situation of market structure for China’s food and tobacco industry.
Poverty alleviation in rural China: policy changes, future challenges and policy implications
Authors: Liu Yansui , Guo Yuanzhi , Zhou Yang
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Poverty alleviation is a global challenge. Human society has never ceased to fight against poverty. China was once the developing country with the largest rural poor population in the world. Remarkable achievements have been made in China’s antipoverty program over the past decades, shaping a unique poverty reduction strategy with Chinese characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to first review the history of China’s rural reform and antipoverty, and then analyze the related policy systems, mechanism innovations and future challenges in poverty alleviation and development. At last, some specific policy implications were provided.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature on China’s antipoverty history was reviewed and mechanism innovations on targeted poverty alleviation strategy were investigated.

Findings

Along with the deepening of the rural reform, the poverty alleviation and development in new China have undergone six stages, and experienced a transformation from relief-oriented to development-oriented poverty alleviation. The object of poverty alleviation has gradually targeted with a transformation from poor counties/areas to villages/households, and the effectiveness of poverty alleviation is also gradually improved. However, the increase in the difficulty of antipoverty, fragile ecological environment, rapid population aging and rural decline poses challenges to the construction of a well-off society in an all-round way in China. Specific antipoverty measures were put forward based on the investigation. Finally, the authors emphasize the importance of strengthening the study of poverty geography.

Originality/value

This study investigates the history of China’s antipoverty policy and analyzes the future challenges for implementing targeted poverty alleviation policy. These findings will lay a foundation for the formulation of China’s antipoverty policies after 2020, and provide experience for poverty alleviation in other developing countries around the world.
Sharia’h practice at Islamic banks in Pakistan
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Tariq , Zainab Abida
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Islamic banks provide an alternative financial system based on Sharia’h (Islamic law). However, critics argue that operation at Islamic banks is violating Sharia’h particularly in terms of provision of interest free services, risk sharing and legal contract. The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the Sharia’h practice at Islamic banks in Pakistan by considering some basic principles of Sharia’h.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data are collected from 63 branches of Islamic banks in Pakistan. Questionnaire is used as an instrument. The study uses structural equation modeling that includes confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis. Data are codified and analyzed using SPSS and Amos.

Findings

This study finds that Islamic banks are providing interest free services, ensuring that transactions and contracts offered by Islamic banks are legal and offering conflict-free environment to customers. In contrast, estimated results expose that Islamic banks are not sharing risk and Sharia’h supervisory board is not performing its role perfectly. Similarly, it is found that organization and distribution of zakat and qard-ul-hassan are weak at Islamic banks.

Research limitations/implications

Data are collected from Islamabad federal capital of Pakistan that hold just 5 per cent share of Islamic banking industry. This small share may not provide true picture of Islamic banking sector.

Practical implications

To ensure risk sharing, Islamic banking industry must consider the development of new modes of financing and innovation of more products based on Sharia’h. State Bank of Pakistan should ensure separate regulatory framework that enable Islamic banks to provide qard-ul-hassan, organize and allocate zakat.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the perception of bankers, who are actually the executors, about Shariah’s practices at Islamic banks in Pakistan. There are not many discussions on this topic that could be found, and hence this could be considered as a significant contribution by this paper to the existing literature of Islamic finance.
An integrated adoption model for Islamic credit card: PLS-SEM based approach
Authors: Jamshidi Dariyoush , Hussin Nazimah
Published: March 2018

Purpose

One challenge when launching new banking services is to overcome resistance to change so as to accelerate market acceptance. This is the case of Islamic credit card (ICC). In response, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework that combines the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) with religious obligation and customer awareness to explain behavior intention and usage behavior of ICC.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the conceptual model, the data are collected from 649 bank customers in Malaysia, and the structural equation modeling technique is used to test the forecasting model.

Findings

The study results support some relationships of IDT and TRA, such as relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, attitude and also the customer awareness as a stronger predictor of intention of ICC.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, there have not been any attempt to develop a conceptual model for identifying the factors that influence the adoption of ICC by integrating IDT and TRA and other added measures. Therefore, this study adds to the body of knowledge regarding ICC adoption studies by extending the IDT in this domain and integrating it with TRA as two well-established models in the area of acceptance and usage behavior studies.
Business model of Islamic banks in Turkey
Authors: Orhan Zeyneb Hafsa
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is inductively identifying the business model of Islamic (participation) banks in Turkey via using bank characteristics, meaning balance sheet ratios.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology starts from bank characteristics and ends with identification of bank business model according to these characteristics under the assumption that there is one single business model (say Model A) for all Turkish Islamic banks. What the author aims to find is the properties of this business model. Regarding the method, seven bank characteristics from liability side and five characteristics from asset side of bank balance sheets were established. While representing these characteristics, the author uses charts and tables. Necessary data are gathered from the Central Bank of Turkey. Time frame of monthly data is from December 2005 to March 2015. In total, there are 1356 observations.

Findings

Value proposition of business model of Turkish Islamic banks depends on participation in collecting funds. In terms of customer segmentation, there is dominance of private sector. While using the funds, the main preference is loans, meaning that value proposition depends on loan products, especiallymurabahah. Thus, revenue streams depend on mark-up. Overall, business model of Turkish Islamic banks seems similar to traditional banking based on intermediation with some peculiarities. There are also some evidences which can be interpreted as signs toward decline in this traditional role like decrease in deposits, increase in funds from financial institutions and decrease in loans.

Practical implications

It can be said that original idea of participation banks has been followed on the liability side of Turkish Islamic banks. However, decrease in deposits recently needs detailed investigation to create convenient policies especially by Islamic banks. Similar investigation and policy creation is needed also for the developments of increase in funds from financial institutions and decrease in loans. Furthermore, as the original idea of participation is not followed by business model of Turkish Islamic banks, rethinking and acting is needed in that regard.

Originality/value

Main contributions of this paper are as follows: first, it fills a gap in the field where studies regarding business model of Islamic banks are scarce. Second, it fills a gap in literature of Islamic banking in Turkey where most of the studies are about development or jurisprudence of Islamic banks. Third, it provides a decade-long evidence regarding business model of Islamic banks in Turkey. Fourth, the findings provide an initial step for the construction of a business model canvas for Turkish Islamic banks. Fifth, discussion of findings leads to number of important questions which can pave the way for new research studies.
Legislative kleptocracy in Nigeria: systems approach
Authors: Das Vasudev
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore legislative kleptocracy, specifically, budget padding, in Nigeria’s budding democracy, using systems thinking approach for a positive social change. Nigeria’s legislature is not free from the problem of kleptocracy inasmuch as some legislators have been charged with kleptocratic activities. The multifariousness of kleptocracy rooted in its differential coefficient in the Nigeria’s legislature does not underplay its sophistication.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative analysis, the author generated data through a systematic analysis of documents.

Findings

The findings show that unexplored organismic factors or forces within the living being such as the inability of legislators to control their mind, low self-control, cheating propensity, identity crisis, etc., play vital roles in contributing to legislative kleptocracy.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the study is that it is not generalizable.

Practical implications

The practical implication of the study is that implementation of the study recommendations is pragmatic, cost-effective and time-effective, and it would ensure legislative transformation and mitigate kleptocracy.

Social implications

The social implication of the study is if the Nigerian legislature implements the recommendation(s) of the study, there will be a legislative positive social change because financial crimes would have been mitigated.

Originality/value

This study filled the lacuna in the financial crime literature because it is the first of its kind in the discipline, and hence its originality cannot be disputed.
Mafia, money-laundering and the battle against criminal capital: the Italian case
Authors: El Siwi Yara
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the case of Italy, which clearly stands out in its relationship with organised crime. The recognition that money is the “lifeblood” of OC has resulted in the implementation of what we can refer to as the anti-money laundering (AML) regime, which backs the systematic targeting of mafia assets and the application of severe obstacles to the concealment of dirty money through increased financial surveillance. This paper discusses the financialisation of counter-mafia strategies, with the purpose of questioning the extent to which this system has been delivering what it promised.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is divided into three chapters. The first chapter looks at the relationship between Italian mafia and dirty money. The second chapter discusses the rationale and pillars of the AML regime. Finally, the last section examines and discusses recent evidence of the outcome of AML policies, by looking at figures as reported by relevant entities, such as the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Europol, the Italian Ministry of Interior and the Direzione Investigativa Anti-Mafia (DIA).

Findings

Evidence suggests that financial surveillance, the first pillar of the AML regime, is much costlier than it is beneficial to society. Reporting of suspicions has rocketed in the past years, bringing very little change to yearly ML convictions, and being only marginally helpful in mafia-related investigations, confiscations and arrests. The confiscation of assets from mafia members, i.e. the second pillar of the AML regime, has proven to be effective in gaining control over large sums and goods. However, more research is needed around the question of confiscated asset-management and desirable re-investment opportunities.

Originality/value

As the AML regime gains in prominence internationally, it is of great value to assess its achievements so far. This is especially true of a country like Italy, which suffers from a long-standing mafia dominance. This paper represents a modest initial inquiry, which will hopefully be complemented by future research to come to an in-depth understanding of the value and limitations of an AML regime in fighting OC.
Slipping through the net
Authors: Adeyemi Adebola
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the activities of the FCA with respect to the incidence of money laundering and highlight regulatory gaps. The financial services sector provides a crucial infrastructure for the promotion of wealth and innovation in the UK. This attractive infrastructure also appeals to criminals looking to launder the gains of their illicit activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the UK money laundering regime, highlighting specific challenging areas. The paper investigates the role of politically exposed persons and the use of corporate structures in promoting money laundering. In this context, it also becomes crucial to investigate the role of financial institutions and the sufficiency of their governance approach in lessening the incidence of money laundering. The paper investigates secondary sources and relies on their findings. It compares these findings to the regulatory outcomes.

Findings

The paper recommends steps that can be used to lessen the incidence of money laundering in the UK. From the reports evaluated, it is clear that the Financial Conduct Authority is working towards reducing the incidence of money laundering, but this could be further strengthened with the adoption of additional enforcement tools.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that different approaches should be used based on firm size, the type of business and the risk that a financial services firm presents to the financial sector. A large firm will need to bear more regulatory burden compared to a smaller firm.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the current approach to minimising the incidence of money laundering in the UK. It suggests that the regulator can guide financial services firms to meet the regulatory objectives by relying on an approach that discerns the regulatory risks presented by different firms depending on their size.
All‐cause mortality rates and home deaths decreased in children with life‐limiting diagnoses in Denmark between 1994 and 2014
Authors: Lykke Camilla , Ekholm Ola , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Olsen Marianne , Sjøgren Per
Published: March 2018

Aim

Specialised paediatric palliative care has not previously been a priority in Denmark. The aim of this study was to support its development and organisation, by examining why and where children died using official national data for 1994–2014.

Methods

We obtained data on 9462 children who died before the age of 18 from the Danish Register of Causes of Death. The causes of deaths were listed according to the codes in the International Classification of Diseases.

Results

The all‐cause mortality rate decreased by 52% over the study period, and infants below one year accounted for 61% of all deaths. The decline in infant mortality (26%) primarily reflected fewer deaths due to congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities (68%) and perinatal deaths (30%). In children aged one year to 17 years, the substantial decrease (65%) was due to external causes (75%) and neoplasms (57%). The relative proportion of hospital deaths increased, while home deaths decreased.

Conclusion

All‐cause mortality rate decreased markedly, and the relative proportion of hospital deaths increased. The results may reflect more aggressive and effective treatment attempts to save lives, but some terminally ill children may be deprived of the option of dying at home.
Effects of bimagrumab, an activin receptor type II inhibitor, on pituitary neurohormonal axes
Authors: Garito Tania , Zakaria Marjorie , Papanicolaou Dimitris A. , Li Yifang , Pinot Pascale , Petricoul Olivier , Laurent Didier , Rooks Daniel , Rondon Juan Carlos , Roubenoff Ronenn
Published: March 2018

Background

Bimagrumab is a human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of activin type II receptors (ActRII), with anabolic action on skeletal muscle mass by blocking binding of myostatin and other negative regulators of muscle growth. Bimagrumab is under evaluation for muscle wasting and associated functional loss in hip fracture and sarcopenia, and in obesity. Bimagrumab also blocks other endogenous ActRII ligands, such as activins, which act on the neurohormonal axes, pituitary, gonads and adrenal glands.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of bimagrumab on the pituitary‐gonadal and pituitary‐adrenal axes in humans.

Methods

Healthy men and women, aged 55 to 75 years, received bimagrumab intravenously 10 mg/kg or placebo on Day 1 and Day 29. Pituitary‐gonadal and pituitary‐adrenal functions were evaluated with basal hormone measurement and standard gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests at baseline, Week 8 and at the end of study (EOS)—Week 20.

Results

At Week 8, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were reduced by 42.16 IU/L (P < .001) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were increased by 2.5 IU/L (P = .08) over placebo in response to bimagrumab in women but not in men. Effects that were reversible after bimagrumab was cleared. Gonadal and adrenal androgen levels were not affected by exposure to bimagrumab.

Conclusion

Bimagrumab alters the function of pituitary gonadotroph cells, consistent with blockade of activin on local ActRII. This effect is reversible with clearance of bimagrumab. Bimagrumab did not impact gonadal and adrenal androgen secretion.
Linking diagnostic features to soil microbial biomass and respiration in agricultural grassland soil: a large‐scale study in Ireland
Authors: Richter A. , Huallacháin D. Ó. , Doyle E. , Clipson N. , Van Leeuwen J. P. , Heuvelink G. B. , Creamer R. E.
Published: March 2018

The functional potential of soil ecosystems can be predicted from the activity and abundance of the microbial community in relation to key soil properties. When describing microbial community dynamics, soil physicochemical properties have traditionally been used. The extent of correlations between properties, however, differs between studies, especially across larger spatial scales. In this research we analysed soil microbial biomass and substrate‐induced respiration of 156 samples from Irish grasslands. In addition to the standard physicochemical, soil type and land management variables, soil diagnostic properties were included to identify if these important soil–landscape genesis classes affected microbial biomass and respiration dynamics in Irish soil. Apart from physicochemical properties, soil drainage class was identified as having an important effect on microbial properties. In particular, biomass‐specific basal (qCO2) and substrate‐induced respiration (SIR:CFE) were explained best by the soil drainage. Poorly drained soil had smaller values of these respiration measures than well‐drained soil. We concluded that this resulted from different groups within the microbial community that could use readily available carbon sources, which suggests a change in microbial community dynamics associated with soil texture and periods of water stress. Overall, our results indicate that soil quality assessments should include both physicochemical properties and diagnostic classes, to provide a better understanding of the behaviour of soil microbial communities.

Highlights

Assessing the effect of soil diagnostic features and properties on microbial biomass and respiration

A soil biological survey from 156 grassland sites in Ireland

Soil drainage class has an important effect on microbial properties

Soil quality assessments should include both physicochemical properties and diagnostic classes
Lessons learned from using an audience response system in a community setting for research data collection
Authors: Bryant‐Moore Keneshia , Haynes Tiffany , Kuo Dennis Z. , Stewart M. Kathryn , Yeary Karen Hye‐Cheon Kim , Smith Johnny , Turner Jerome , Ounpraseuth Songthip T. , Sullivan Greer , McCoy Stephanie , Hudson Brittany , Harris Kimberly
Published: March 2018

Objectives

A community‐academic team implemented a study involving collection of quantitative data using a computer‐based audience response system (ARS) whereby community partners led data collection efforts. The team participated in a reflection exercise after the data collection to evaluate and identify best practices and lessons learned about the community partner‐led process.

Design & Sample

The methods involved a qualitative research consultant who facilitated the reflection exercise that consisted of two focus groups—one academic and one community research team members. The consultant then conducted content analysis. Nine members participated in the focus groups.

Results

The reflection identified the following themes: the positive aspects of the ARS; challenges to overcome; and recommendations for the future.

Conclusion

The lessons learned here can help community‐academic research partnerships identify the best circumstances in which to use ARS for data collection and practical steps to aid in its success.
An Ocean of Promise
Authors: Ferber Dan
Published: March 2018

This article reviews the growth of the wind industry and the need for engineering expertise and technical innovations for it. Establishing an offshore wind supply chain would spur the development of better ways to manufacture turbine parts, ship them to sea, assemble them, and maintain them. This could create jobs for engineers of all stripes, including civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers. As the offshore wind power industry grows, costs continue to fall, in part because engineers in the industry are developing better and cheaper technologies. The article also highlights that by guaranteeing large and sustained markets for offshore wind, policies can entice large turbine vendors, blade manufacturers, and other major offshore wind vendors to bid on more US projects. After investigating conditions in the industry in Europe and the United States, a research team reported in early 2015 that put-in-place policies to reduce the cost and financial risk of building an offshore wind farm could slash project financing costs and ultimately cut the levelized cost of electricity by 50%. Experience and better logistics are making the European offshore wind supply chain more efficient.
Research and Educational Programs for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles at the University of Waterloo
Authors: Mckenzie Ross , Mcphee John
Published: March 2018

This article presents an overview of the research and educational programs for connected and autonomous vehicles at the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo). UWaterloo is Canada’s largest engineering school, with 9,500 engineering students and 309 engineering faculty. The University of Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR) for faculty, staff and students is contributing to the development of in-vehicle systems education programs for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) at Waterloo. Over 130 Waterloo faculty, 110 from engineering, are engaged in WatCAR’s automotive and transportation systems research programs. The school’s CAV efforts leverage WatCAR research expertise from five areas: (1) Connected and Autonomous; (2) Software and Data; (3) Lightweighting and Fabrication; (4) Structure and Safety; and (5) Advanced Powertrain and Emissions. Foundational and operational artificial intelligence expertise from the University of Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute complements the autonomous driving efforts, in disciplines that include neural networks, pattern analysis and machine learning.
Mind Control
Authors: Sukel Kayt
Published: March 2018

This article focuses on the research and development work conducted by teams to develop a state-of-the-art brain–machine interface (BMI). BMI is composed of a series of computer chips and electrodes implanted directly into the human brain. It allows individuals with tetraplegia, a type of spinal cord injury that results in a lack of movement and feeling to all four limbs, to operate a robotic arm—and do so by thought alone. In order to create usable systems, designers of brain–machine interfaces also need to incorporate sensory feedback. Experts believe that researchers need to develop medically safe, biocompatible, and cost-effective materials and system components. A working system must be smart enough to self-correct from error states, like a self-driving car. It should also be available off the shelf, and be able to easily and effortlessly calibrate itself to the individual brains that will run it. Engineers need to focus on how a brain-controlled prosthetic might actually be used to promote rehabilitation and activities of daily living.
Trust between Humans and Learning Machines: Developing the Gray Box
Authors: Christensen James C. , Lyons Joseph B.
Published: March 2018

This article explores the notion of the ‘Gray Box’ to symbolize the idea of providing sufficient information about the learning technology to establish trust. The term system is used throughout this article to represent an intelligent agent, robot, or other form of automation that possesses both decision initiative and authority to act. The article also discusses a proposed and tested Situation Awareness-based Agent Transparency (SAT) model, which posits that users need to understand the system’s perception, comprehension, and projection of a situation. One of the key challenges is that a learning system may adopt behavior that is difficult to understand and challenging to condense to traditional if-then statements. Without a shared semantic space, the system will have little basis for communicating with the human. One of the key recommendations of this article is that there is a need to provide learning systems with transparency as to the state of the human operator, including their momentary capabilities and potential impact of changes in task allocation and teaming approach.
Strings Attached
Authors: Sprinkle Tim
Published: March 2018

This article discusses reasons for various American startup companies to shift abroad for funding and production, and their impact on the American business scenarios. Founders are accepting funding from overseas investors, setting up supply chains in different parts of the world, servicing customers internationally, and even selling their businesses to foreign government-backed funds. Although the idea of losing American inventions and technologies to international investors and buyers is not generally good for public relations, the current landscape of global startup development has winners on both sides, and overseas involvement in US companies does not necessarily mean a net loss domestically. The US government must find a way to move the US economy forward, preventing predatory pricing and mercantilist practices by exporters while at the same time reaping the international flow of ideas and funds that power innovation. The experts believe that ignoring the rest of the world would not only limit the growth potential of US startups, but over time would reduce America’s global leadership in innovation.
The Wimbledon Championships, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and “Invented Traditions”
Authors: Lake Robert J.
Published: March 2018

The Wimbledon Championships, staged annually at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), is a British sporting event of great social significance. Its popularity stretches beyond the high standards of tennis on display to what it seems to represent culturally for many people. Wimbledon’s public image has been carefully constructed over the years, with consideration given to how the players look, behave, and play; the appearance of the courts and AELTC grounds; the refreshments; its corporate partners; and its relationship to television and media generally. This study suggests that many of these aspects, including Wimbledon’s fashions and the all-whites clothing rule, the grass courts, the strawberries and cream and Pimm’s, the royal box, “Henman Hill,“ and the eulogizing of Fred Perry, conform to Eric Hobsbawm’s concept of “invented traditions.” Through analysis of Wimbledon’s subtle branding and constructed public image, as gleaned from testimonies from AELTC executive-committee members and high-profile Wimbledon officials, this article discusses how these invented traditions serve various functions for the AELTC, namely, to establish social cohesion among an “imagined community” of Wimbledon fans, to legitimize Wimbledon’s high status globally, and to inculcate beliefs, value systems, and behavioral conventions in tandem with Wimbledon’s nostalgia for its amateur “golden age.”
A research behemoth is born in Britain
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: March 2018

Expectations are high for the new £6 billion funder, UK Research and Innovation.
Before we called it “climate change”
Brave New Arctic
: The Untold Story of the Melting North
Mark C. Serreze
Princeton University Press, 2018. 269 pp.
Authors: Boon Sarah
Published: March 2018

A researcher collects accounts of scientists' first inklings that the Arctic was in trouble
Early life experience shapes neural genome
Authors: Song Saera , Gleeson Joseph G.
Published: March 2018

Transposons accumulate in neurons of pups with lack of maternal care in mice
Combination of Amphotericin B and Terbinafine against Melanized Fungi Associated with Chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Deng S. , Lei W. , de Hoog G. S. , Yang L. , Vitale R. G. , Rafati H. , Seyedmousavi M. , Tolooe A. , van der Lee H. , Liao W. , Verweij P. E. , Seyedmousavi S.
Published: March 2018

Our
in vitro
studies showed that a combination of amphotericin B and terbinafine had synergistic effects against the majority of melanized fungi associated with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) and similar infections, including those with
Cladophialophora carrionii
,
Cladophialophora arxii
,
Exophiala
dermatitidis
,
Exophiala
spinifera
,
Fonsecaea monophora
,
Fonsecaea nubica
,
Fonsecaea pedrosoi
, and
Phialophora verrucosa.
This drug combination could provide an option for the treatment of severe or unresponsive cases of CBM, particularly in cases due to species of
Fonsecaea
and
Cladophialophora
.