bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss of Stromal IMP1 Promotes a Tumorigenic Microenvironment in the Colon
Authors: Hamilton Kathryn E. , Chatterji Priya , Lundsmith Emma T. , Andres Sarah F. , Giroux Veronique , Hicks Philip D. , Noubissi Felicite K. , Spiegelman Vladimir S. , Rustgi Anil K.
Published: July 2015

The colon tumor microenvironment is becoming increasingly recognized as a complex but central player in the development of many cancers. Previously, we identified an oncogenic role for the mRNA-binding protein IMP1 (IGF2BP1) in the epithelium during colon tumorigenesis. In the current study, we reveal the contribution of stromal IMP1 in the context of colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis. Interestingly, stromal deletion of Imp1 (Dermo1Cre;Imp1LoxP/LoxP, or Imp1ΔMes) in the azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) model of colitis-associated cancer resulted in increased tumor numbers of larger size and more advanced histologic grade than controls. In addition, Imp1ΔMes mice exhibited a global increase in protumorigenic microenvironment factors, including enhanced inflammation and stromal components. Evaluation of purified mesenchyme from AOM/DSS-treated Imp1ΔMes mice demonstrated an increase in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which has not been associated with regulation via IMP1. Genetic knockdown of Imp1 in human primary fibroblasts confirmed an increase in HGF with Imp1 loss, demonstrating a specific, cell-autonomous role for Imp1 loss to increase HGF expression. Taken together, these data demonstrate a novel tumor-suppressive role for IMP1 in colon stromal cells and underscore an exquisite, context-specific function for mRNA-binding proteins, such as IMP1, in disease states.

Implications: The tumor-suppressive role of stromal IMP1 and its ability to modulate protumorigenic factors suggest that IMP1 status is important for the initiation and growth of epithelial tumors. Mol Cancer Res; 13(11); 1478–86. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Koltsova and Grivennikov, p. 1452
A Bagged, Partially Linear, Tree-Based Regression Procedure for Prediction and Variable Selection
Authors: Mbogning Cyprien , Perdry Hervé , Broët Philippe
Published: July 2015

Objectives: In genomics, variable selection and prediction accounting for the complex interrelationships between explanatory variables represent major challenges. Tree-based methods are powerful alternatives to classical regression models. We have recently proposed the generalized, partially linear, tree-based regression (GPLTR) procedure that integrates the advantages of generalized linear regression (allowing the incorporation of confounding variables) and of tree-based models. In this work, we use bagging to address a classical concern of tree-based methods: their instability. Methods: We present a bagged GPLTR procedure and three scores for variable importance. The prediction accuracy and the performance of the scores are assessed by simulation. The use of this procedure is exemplified by the analysis of a lung cancer data set. The aim is to predict the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation based on gene expression measurements, taking into account the ethnicity (confounder variable) and perform variable selection. Results: The procedure performs well in terms of prediction accuracy. The scores differentiate predictive variables from noise variables. Based on a lung adenocarcinoma data set, the procedure achieves good predictive performance for EGFR mutation and selects relevant genes. Conclusion: The proposed bagged GPLTR procedure performs well for prediction and variable selection.
A Statistical Method for Identifying Trait-Associated Copy Number Variants
Authors: Jeng Jessie , Wu Qian , Li Hongzhe
Published: July 2015

Copy number variants (CNVs), ranging in size from about one kilobase to several megabases, are DNA alterations of a genome that result in the cell having less or more than two copies of segments of the DNA. Such CNVs have been shown to be associated with many complex phenotypes, ranging from diseases to gene expressions. Novel methods have been developed for identifying CNVs both at the individual and at the population level. However, methods for testing CNV association are limited. Most available methods employ a two-step approach, where CNVs carried by the samples are identified first and then tested for association. However, the results of such tests depend on the threshold used for CNV identification and also the number of CNVs to be tested. We developed a method, CNVtest, to directly identify the trait-associated CNVs without the need of identifying sample-specific CNVs. We show that CNVtest asymptotically controls the type I error rate and identifies true trait-associated CNVs with a high probability. We demonstrate the methods using simulations and an application to identify the CNVs that are associated with population differentiation.
Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Esophageal Lichen Planus: A Series of Six Cases
Authors: Franco Diana L. , Islam Sameer R. , Lam-Himlin Dora M. , Fleischer David E. , Pasha Shabana F.
Published: July 2015

Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic disorder that presents with cutaneous and genital manifestations. Esophageal LP (ELP) was first described by Al-Shihabi and Jackson [J Laryngol Otol 1982;96:567-571] in 1982. Only approximately 80 cases have been documented in the literature since. It is a rare and underrecognized disorder, leading to a delay in diagnosis and a lack of standardized management. We describe the presentation, diagnosis, and management of 6 cases of ELP, at a tertiary institution, because we believe that an increasing awareness of this condition can help identify more cases and increase our understanding of this interesting condition.
Endothelial NO-Synthase Gene-Enhanced Progenitor Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Granton John , Langleben David , Kutryk Michael B. , Camack Nancy , Galipeau Jacques , Courtman David W. , Stewart Duncan J.
Published: July 2015

Rationale:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a progressive and eventually lethal disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance because of loss of functional lung microvasculature, primarily at the distal (intracinar) arteriolar level. Cell-based therapies offer the potential to repair and regenerate the lung microcirculation and have shown promise in preclinical evaluation in experimental models of PAH.

Objective:

The Pulmonary Hypertension and Angiogenic Cell Therapy (PHACeT) trial was a phase 1, dose-escalating clinical study of the tolerability of culture-derived endothelial progenitor cells, transiently transfected with endothelial nitric oxide synthase, in patients with PAH refractory to PAH-specific therapies.

Methods and Results:

Seven to 50 million endothelial nitric oxide synthase–transfected endothelial progenitor cells, divided into 3 doses on consecutive days, were delivered into the right atrium via a multiport pulmonary artery catheter during continuous hemodynamic monitoring in an intensive care unit setting. Seven patients (5 women) received treatment from December 2006 to March 2010. Cell infusion was well tolerated, with no evidence of short-term hemodynamic deterioration; rather, there was a trend toward improvement in total pulmonary resistance during the 3-day delivery period. However, there was 1 serious adverse event (death) which occurred immediately after discharge in a patient with severe, end stage disease. Although there were no sustained hemodynamic improvements at 3 months, 6-minute walk distance was significantly increased at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Conclusion:

Delivery of endothelial progenitor cells overexpressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase was tolerated hemodynamically in patients with PAH. Furthermore, there was evidence of short-term hemodynamic improvement, associated with long-term benefits in functional and quality of life assessments. However, future studies are needed to further establish the efficacy of this therapy.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00469027.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Phosphorylation at Ser571 Regulates Late Current, Arrhythmia, and Cardiac Function In Vivo
Authors: Glynn Patric , Musa Hassan , Wu Xiangqiong , Unudurthi Sathya D. , Little Sean , Qian Lan , Wright Patrick J. , Radwanski Przemyslaw B. , Gyorke Sandor , Mohler Peter J. , Hund Thomas J.
Published: July 2015

Background—

Voltage-gated Na
+
channels (Na
v
) are essential for myocyte membrane excitability and cardiac function. Na
v
current (
I
Na
) is a large-amplitude, short-duration spike generated by rapid channel activation followed immediately by inactivation. However, even under normal conditions, a small late component of
I
Na
(
I
Na,L
) persists because of incomplete/failed inactivation of a subpopulation of channels. Notably,
I
Na,L
is directly linked with both congenital and acquired disease states. The multifunctional Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) has been identified as an important activator of
I
Na,L
in disease. Several potential CaMKII phosphorylation sites have been discovered, including Ser571 in the Na
v
1.5 DI-DII linker, but the molecular mechanism underlying CaMKII-dependent regulation of
I
Na,L
in vivo remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

To determine the in vivo role of Ser571, 2
Scn5a
knock-in mouse models were generated expressing either: (1) Na
v
1.5 with a phosphomimetic mutation at Ser571 (S571E), or (2) Na
v
1.5 with the phosphorylation site ablated (S571A). Electrophysiology studies revealed that Ser571 regulates
I
Na,L
but not other channel properties previously linked to CaMKII. Ser571-mediated increases in
I
Na,L
promote abnormal repolarization and intracellular Ca
2+
handling and increase susceptibility to arrhythmia at the cellular and animal level. Importantly, Ser571 is required for maladaptive remodeling and arrhythmias in response to pressure overload.

Conclusions—

Our data provide the first in vivo evidence for the molecular mechanism underlying CaMKII activation of the pathogenic
I
Na,L
. Relevant for improved rational design of potential therapies, our findings demonstrate that Ser571-dependent regulation of Na
v
1.5 specifically tunes
I
Na,L
without altering critical physiological components of the current.
Greater Sensitivity of Blood Pressure Than Renal Toxicity to Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Inhibition With Sunitinib
Authors: Lankhorst Stephanie , Baelde Hans J. , Kappers Mariëtte H.W. , Smedts Frank M.M. , Hansen Alastair , Clahsen-van Groningen Marian C. , Sleijfer Stefan , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Danser A.H. Jan , van den Meiracker Anton H.
Published: July 2015

Hypertension and renal injury are off-target effects of sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor used for the treatment of various tumor types. Importantly, these untoward effects are accompanied by activation of the endothelin system. Here, we set up a study to explore the dose dependency of these side effects. Normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats were exposed to 3 different doses of sunitinib or vehicle. After 8 days, rats were euthanized. Telemetrically measured blood pressure rose dose dependently, from 13 to 30 mm Hg. Proteinuria was present at all doses, but a rise in cystatin C occurred only at the intermediate and high doses. Compared with vehicle circulating endothelin-1 increased dose dependently, whereas 24-hour urinary endothelin excretion decreased. Light and electron microscopy revealed glomerular endotheliosis and ischemia with the intermediate and high doses of sunitinib but completely absent histological abnormalities with the low dose. Podocyte number per glomerular circumference did not change. Glomerular nephrin, Neph1, podocin, and endothelin-converting enzyme gene expression were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that the sunitinib-induced rise in blood pressure requires lower doses than its induction of renal function impairment and that functional changes in glomerular filtration barrier contribute to the occurrence of proteinuria, given the lack of histopathologic changes with the low dose of sunitinib.
Profibrotic Role for Interleukin-4 in Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction
Authors: Peng Hongmei , Sarwar Zeyd , Yang Xiao-Ping , Peterson Edward L. , Xu Jiang , Janic Branislava , Rhaleb Nadia , Carretero Oscar A. , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine
Published: July 2015

Elevated interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels are associated with cardiac fibrosis in hypertension and heart failure in both patients and experimental animals. We hypothesized that chronically elevated IL-4 induces cardiac fibrosis, resulting in a predisposition of the heart to angiotensin II–induced damage. Wild-type Balb/c (WT, high circulating IL-4) and IL-4–deficient Balb/c mice (IL-4
−/−
) were used. WT mice exhibited cardiac fibrosis (evidenced by an increase in expression of procollagen genes/interstitial collagen fraction), enlarged left ventricle chamber, and declined cardiac function associated with a greater number of mast cells and macrophages in the heart compared with IL-4
−/−
. In contrast, IL-4
−/−
mice had normal cardiac architecture/function while showing a 57.9% reduction in heart interstitial collagen compared with WT, despite elevated proinflammatory cytokines in heart tissue. In response to angiotensin II administration, IL-4
−/−
had reduced interstitial myocardial fibrosis and were protected from developing dilated cardiomyopathy, which was seen in WT mice. This was associated with increased macrophage infiltration into the hearts of WT mice, despite a similar degree of hypertension and increased cardiac transforming growth factor-β1 in both groups. In vitro data demonstrated that IL-4 upregulates procollagen genes and stimulates collagen production in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. This process is mediated by signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 signaling pathway via IL-4 receptor alpha. This study not only establishes a causal relationship between IL-4 and cardiac fibrosis/dysfunction, but also reveals a critical role for IL-4 in angiotensin II–induced cardiac damage. IL-4 could serve as an additional target for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.
What Diagrams Argue in Late Imperial Chinese Combinatorial Texts
Authors: Bréard Andrea
Published: July 2015

Attitudes towards diagrammatic reasoning and visualization in mathematics were seldom spelled out in texts from pre-modern China, although illustrations figure prominently in mathematical literature since the eleventh century. Taking the sums of finite series and their combinatorial interpretation as a case study, this article investigates the epistemological function of illustrations from the eleventh to the nineteenth century that encode either the mathematical objects themselves or represent their related algorithms. It particularly focuses on the two illustrations given in Wang Lai’s (1768–1813) Mathematical Principles of Sequential Combinations, arguing that they reflect a specific mode of nineteenth-century mathematical argumentative practice and served as a heuristic model for later authors.
The Purpose of Galen’s Treatise On Demonstration
Authors: Havrda Matyáš
Published: July 2015

This paper concerns the lost treatise On Demonstration (DD) written by Galen of Pergamum (129 – ca. 215 AD). Its aim is to reconstruct the purpose of this treatise, especially the question of how, in Galen’s view, it was supposed to be useful for doctors. While showing that the methods described in DD were designed to settle disagreements among doctors, the paper argues that the choice of topics discussed there was partly determined by Galen’s worry about a mode of reasoning, exemplified by scepticism, that leads people into believing that plain phenomena, such as those on which both medical practice and theory are based, do not exist.
First record of the genus Hephathus Ribaut (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) from China
Authors: YANG LIYUAN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: July 2015

The genus Hephathus with its species Hephathus freyi (Fieber, 1868) is recorded for the first time from China. A new species Hephathus dilatatus is described and illustrated. An updated species checklist with distribution of the genus Hephathus is also provided.
A new species of the genus Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) in Yunnan, China
Authors: LI GUO-FENG , WANG CHUN-MEI , LI HUA-FENG , HOU YUN-PING
Published: July 2015

Oxyporus (Oxyporus) bingshengae sp. nov. in Yunnan, China, is described. Color images of the habitus and aedeagus of the new species are included. A key to the species of Oxyporus of Yunnan is provided.
Canadian RCM Projected Transient Changes to Precipitation Occurrence, Intensity, and Return Level over North America
Authors: Jalbert Jonathan , Favre Anne-Catherine , Bélisle Claude , Angers Jean-François , Paquin Dominique
Published: July 2015

As a consequence of the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, potential changes in both precipitation occurrence and intensity may lead to several consequences for Earth’s environment. It is therefore relevant to estimate these changes in order to anticipate their consequences. Many studies have been published on precipitation changes based on climate simulations. These studies are almost always based on time slices; precipitation changes are estimated by comparing two 30-yr windows. To this extent, it is commonly assumed that nonstationary processes are not significant for such a 30-yr slice. Thus, it frees the investigator to statistically model nonstationary processes. However, using transient runs instead of time slices surely leads to more accurate analysis since more data are taken into account. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop a transient probabilistic model for describing simulated daily precipitation from the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) in order to investigate precipitation evolution over North America. Changes to both the occurrence and intensity of precipitation are then assessed from a continuous time period. Extreme values are also investigated with the transient run; a new methodology using the models for precipitation occurrence and intensity was developed for achieving nonstationary frequency analysis. The results herein show an increase in both precipitation occurrence and intensity for most parts of Canada while a decrease is expected over Mexico. For the continental United States, a decrease in both occurrence and intensity is expected in summer but an increase is expected in winter.
Cyclones and Anticyclones in Seismic Imaging
Authors: Barbosa Aguiar A. C. , Ménesguen C. , Le Gentil S. , Schopp R. , Carton X.
Published: July 2015

Nearly all the subsurface eddies detected in seismic imaging of sections in the northeast Atlantic have been assumed to be anticyclones containing Mediterranean Water (MW). Fewer MW cyclones have been observed and studied. In this study, the work of previous numerical studies is extended to investigate some characteristics of layering surrounding MW cyclones, using a primitive equation model with equal diffusivities for salinity and temperature to suppress the effects of double diffusion. It is shown that, after a stable state is reached, both anticyclones and cyclones display similar patterns of layering: stacked thin layers of high acoustic reflectivity located above and below the core of each vortex, which do not match isopycnals. The authors conclude that it should not be possible to distinguish between MW cyclones and anticyclones based on their signature in seismic imaging alone. Complementary information is needed to determine the sense of rotation.
Toddlers’ Judgments of Media Character Source Credibility on Touchscreens
Authors: Richards Melissa N. , Calvert Sandra L.
Published: July 2015

In three experiments, 32-month-old children ( n = 40 for Experiment 1, n = 36 for Experiment 2) and 24-month-old children ( n = 33 for Experiment 3) were asked to judge the credibility of information presented on a touchscreen device. The information was delivered by a familiar and an unfamiliar media character. Two app conditions varied on which character was accurate in naming familiar fruits. Then both characters labeled four novel fruits with nonsense words. Feedback about the accuracy of the characters’ labels of the familiar fruits was provided in Experiments 1 and 3, but no such feedback was provided in Experiment 2. Children were more likely to endorse the accurate character as the correct labeler of the novel fruits, regardless of prior familiarity with the character, the feedback presented in the touchscreen application, or the age of the child. Parent scaffolding affected only the 24-month-old children. The results reveal that very young children can make relatively sophisticated judgments about the credibility of information encountered on touchscreen devices.
Finding Orchids in a Field of Dandelions
Authors: Piotrowski Jessica Taylor , Valkenburg Patti M.
Published: July 2015

Most youth and media researchers do not believe that media affect all youth in the same manner or to the same degree. While most media effects theories reflect this belief, empirical efforts often do not. Rather than conceptualizing individual differences as noise or nuisance variables, we argue that the future of media effects research lies within understanding these differences. To that end, the aim of this article is to help youth and media researchers identify appropriate moderators for study inclusion. We discuss the concept of differential susceptibility, with a particular focus on the differences between orchid and dandelion children, highlighting theoretical and empirical applications of this susceptibility paradigm to media effects research. We believe that a more integrative approach to youth and media research, built on a differential susceptibility paradigm in which moderators are thoughtfully integrated a priori, can provide us with nuanced answers to the complex questions associated with youth and media effects.
Hematological Parameters as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients
Authors: Saygin Mustafa , Ozturk Onder , Ozguner Mehmet Fehmi , Akkaya Ahmet , Varol Ercan
Published: July 2015

We investigated the role of the red cell distribution width (RDW) and other parameters including platelet (PLT) count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) having cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Patients (n = 142) having sleep disorders and who applied for a night polysomnography were included in this study. For statistical analysis, chi-square test, bivarite correlation, and logistic and stepwise regression tests were used. A positive correlation between RDW MPV, RDW, and body mass index as well as PLT and apnea–hypopnea index were observed. A negative correlation between AHI and PDW ( P = .041) and a positive correlation between AHI and PLT ( P = .010) were found in the patients ≥40 years old with CVD. The RDW was higher in patients ≥40 years old who had CVD ( P = .016), and 19% of them had RDW >14%. The PDW (odds ratio = 6.02 [95% confidence interval = 1.3-28.2], P = .023) appeared to be associated with increased risk of hyperlipidemia in patients with severe OSAS. If these results are confirmed, RDW could be used with other markers, especially PLT and PDW, in prediction of CVD in patients with severe OSAS.
A novel high-throughput method for supported liquid extraction of retinol and alpha-tocopherol from human serum and simultaneous quantitation by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Hinchliffe Edward , Rudge James , Reed Paul
Published: July 2015

Background

Measurement of vitamin A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol) in UK clinical laboratories is currently performed exclusively by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. We investigated whether retinol and alpha-tocopherol could be measured simultaneously by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Methods

Serum samples (100  μL) were extracted using Isolute + Supported Liquid Extraction plates. Chromatography was performed on a Phenomenex Kinetex Biphenyl 2.6  μm, 50 × 2.1 mm column, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry on a Waters Acquity TQD. Injection-to-injection time was 4.3 min. The assay was validated according to published guidelines. Patient samples were used to compare liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection methods.

Results

For retinol and alpha-tocopherol, respectively, the assay was linear up to 6.0 and 80.0  μmol/L, and lower limit of quantification was 0.07 and 0.26  μmol/L. Intra and interassay imprecision were within desirable analytical specifications. Analysis of quality control material aligned to NIST SRM 968e, and relative spiked recovery from human serum, both yielded results within 15% of target values. Method comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection methodology demonstrated a negative bias for retinol and alpha-tocopherol by the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Analysis of United Kingdom National External Quality Assurance Scheme samples yielded mean bias from the target value of +3.0% for retinol and −11.2% for alpha-tocopherol.

Conclusions

We have developed a novel, high-throughput method for extraction of retinol and alpha-tocopherol from human serum followed by simultaneous quantitation by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The method offers a rapid, sensitive, specific and cost-effective alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection methodology, and is suitable for routine clinical monitoring of patients predisposed to fat-soluble vitamin malabsorption.
Evaluating the Impact of Information Technology Tools to Support the Asthma Medical Home
Authors: Matiz L. Adriana , Robbins-Milne Laura , Krause M. Christine , Peretz Patricia J. , Rausch John C.
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of information technology tools on the outcomes of children with asthma in the medical home. A registry was established for children aged 4 to 18 years with an ICD-9 code for asthma. Changes to the electronic health record included modifications to notes, care plans, and orders. A retrospective analysis of emergency department and in-patient utilization for a cohort of patients was conducted from July 2009 through June 2013. Of the study population (n = 1217), 65% had a classification of asthma severity and 63% were risk-stratified. Seventy percent had a control assessment at least once. Care plan use increased from 5% to 22% and enrollment in care coordination increased from 0.1% to 4%. After 3 years, there was a reduction of emergency department and inpatient admissions for asthma ( P < .05 and P < .005, respectively). The implementation of information technology tools was associated with improved asthma outcomes.
Sociologists everywhere: Country representation in conferences hosted by the International Sociological Association, 1990–2012
Authors: Dubrow Joshua Kjerulf , Kołczyńska Marta , Slomczynski Kazimierz M , Tomescu-Dubrow Irina
Published: July 2015

Professional events that feature face-to-face interaction of social scientists from across the world are, next to publications and research, important forms of scientific knowledge production and dissemination. Thus, they are vital to the World Science System (WSS). Like other WSS elements, scholarly involvement in international social science events is characterized by unequal cross-national representation. This article focuses in-depth on the International Sociological Association (ISA), a major international social science professional association, to examine inequality in attendance at its flagship conferences. To what extent do countries differ with respect to the number of scholars attending ISA conferences? What factors drive attendance? The authors base their hypotheses on the economic, political and social dimensions that influence country representation. To test these hypotheses the authors use a dataset containing information on 212 countries and their participation in the eight ISA conferences – World Congresses and Forums – held from 1990 to 2012. Results show that a country’s GDP, level of democracy and social science research infrastructure (SSRI) substantially determine their level of representation. SSRI effects are significant above and beyond the effect of GDP and of other controls. Findings also show a meaningful over-time decrease in representation inequality according to countries’ GDP.
‘In wealth and in poverty?’ The changing role of Spanish municipalities in implementing childcare policies
Authors: Navarro Carmen , Velasco Francisco
Published: July 2015

In the context of more than a decade of economic expansion that ended in 2008, Spanish municipalities were active in expanding their functions through vigorous policy-making in numerous areas. The crisis meant that town halls had difficulty in providing these services and, in 2013, the central government approved a re-centralization policy driven by the belief that local governments had brought about unsustainable patterns of expenditure. Using a neo-institutionalist theoretical perspective, this article analyses the phenomena of expansion of municipal involvement in childcare policies and the impact of these processes on the functioning of local governments. We observe, as an unintended positive effect of the reallocation of tasks, that local governments have legitimized themselves through action in fields not initially foreseen in the formal decentralization arrangements, and are highly valued by citizens as welfare providers. However, they have not overcome the structural lack of autonomy in which the legal system places them and, so far, they have been able to meet citizens’ expectations only when economic conditions have been favourable.

Points for practitioners

The study may be taken to show that we can only understand the decentralization dynamics if we pay attention not only to the implementation of formal rules, but also to other aspects of the functioning of communities such as general favourable financial circumstances, particular citizens’ demands at one point in time and strategic behaviour of political actors. Furthermore, the outputs of decentralization are not only changes in the reallocation of tasks but also in legitimacy of local governments that can be strengthened with good performance.
Is it the twilight of decentralization? Testing the limits of functional reforms in the era of austerity
Authors: Hlepas Nikolaos-Komninos
Published: July 2015

Economic crisis and rigid austerity seem to have brought a long-lasting period of decentralization to an end. The comeback of centralist patterns offers the rapid implementation of austerity measures, while the lack of resources is challenging the sustainability of decentralized services. There is an obvious inconsistency between European decentralization policies, on the one side, and European austerity policies, on the other. Empirical evidence shows that local authorities were more responsive to citizens’ demands for social services, but now municipalities without resources repulse decentralization. In spite of centralist patterns, case studies of fiscal consolidation have revealed a remarkable deviation of municipal responses to top-down fiscal policies. Visionary leadership, active citizenry and inclusive decision-making processes predict good performance, while reproductive leadership and a passive citizenry predetermine unproductive central–local conflicts over burden-sharing and blame-shifting.

Points for practitioners

Our results show that both decentralization and centralization policies are highly dependent on the attitudes and actions of local authorities. In the case of social services, the responsiveness of local authorities brings obvious performance gains. Attempts at burden-shifting to municipalities in times of crisis will, however, most probably face blockades. In the case of austerity policies, top-down unitary strategies with rigid norms and mechanisms cannot rule out performance disparities among the addressees of these policies. The responsiveness of municipalities is highly dependent on local leadership, actors’ constellations and the attributes of the community involved. In case of functional reforms, the prior consultation and ongoing assistance of local authorities and involved communities should be a standard practice.
Mutual gains or mutual losses? Organisational fragmentation and employment relations outcomes at Qantas Group
Authors: Sarina Troy , Wright Chris F
Published: July 2015

While previous studies indicate the commercial benefits for airlines from either ‘high road’ or ‘low road’ employment relations approaches, there is limited evidence of success among organisations utilising a ‘hybrid’ model involving differentiated arrangements with different workforce segments. In analysing the processes and outcomes associated with strategic change at Qantas Group, this article examines the reasons why organisations adopt hybrid employment relations arrangements and the outcomes associated with this approach. Drawing upon the strategic negotiations and employment subsystems frameworks, we find that hybrid strategies emerge under the influence of product market pressures and institutional forces. In the Qantas Group case, these factors combined to inhibit the capacity of management to pursue either low road or high road strategies, resulting in differentiated and fragmented arrangements. The case highlights the potential risks of hybrid employment relations strategies for worker commitment, workplace conflict and organisational performance, with implications for human resource management scholarship and practice.
Strategic Culture Change: The Door to Achieving High Performance and Inclusion
Authors: Miller Frederick A.
Published: July 2015

Diversity is one of the most significant forces influencing organizational change in the 1990s. The number of diversity workshops, videos, journal articles, boardgames, handbooks and CD-ROMs testify to its significance. Many of these present diversity as a problem to overcome or manage. Few recognize diversity as a potential source of organizational effectiveness. This article presents diversity as a key resource to create a high performing work culture that enables all members of the organization to do their best work. I share some of the lessons learned in over twenty-five years experience consulting with public and private organizations in their quest to build inclusive, high performing work environments. The article distinguishes between diversity and inclusion, describes a model for diagnosing an organization's culture, sets forth steps for implementing organizational change, and discusses the human resource professional's role. These concepts grew out of my work with organizations such as Mobil Corporation, Dun & Bradstreet, Apple Computer and the Cities of Portland, Maine; Columbus, Indiana; and San Diego, California.
Managing Diversity: The Department of Energy Initiative
Authors: Dobbs Matti F.
Published: July 2015

More and more executives are recognizing that managing diversity is not a quick fix program but a strategic process that must be aligned with the organization's strategic plan and implemented as a part of business objectives. This case study describes the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Diversity Initiative, a strategic process to change the organization's culture to one that values diversity and quality as a part of on-going business. The case discusses the role of human resource management in facilitating the Initiative.
Diversity: A Principie of Human Resource Management
Authors: Mathews Audrey
Published: July 2015

As more and more organizations implement diversity initiatives, personnel and human resource managers play increasingly significant roles. This arriele explores some of the challenges personnel and human resources managers face implementing diversity. It discusses strategies personnel and human resources managers are employing to address the need for diversity and suggests methods to implement diversity as a principie of human resource management (HRM). These strategies include processes such as diversity audits to identify organizational problems, aligning workforce planning with strategic plans, benchmarking personnel/human resources practices and positioning diversity as a top-level management function. The arricie also examines the benefits of flex management, partnering with management, and educating and training managers/line supervisors to effectively manage diversity.
Performance Appraisal: Maintaining System Effectiveness
Authors: Martin David C. , Bartol Kathryn M.
Published: July 2015

Although most organizations have some form of appraising individual performance, few have well-thought-out systems for ensuring that the appraisal systems they use are continuing to yield the best results over time. This article outlines actions which should be taken and areas to be monitored to keep a performance appraisal system responsive to the needs of the organization.
The Transformation of the South African Public Service, 1994–1997
Authors: Fifield Gerrie
Published: July 2015

This article is a presentation of the case study on the transformation of the South African public service. The Public Service Commission has been in the privileged position to be at the helm of the transformation of the South African public service in close co-operation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Dr Zola Skweyiya. I am glad to share the experience with you.
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency in 2015
Authors: Gramlich Leah , Meddings Liisa , Alberda Cathy , Wichansawakun Sanit , Robbins Sarah , Driscoll David , Bistrian Bruce
Published: July 2015

The fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2ω‐6) and α‐linolenic acid (18:3ω‐3), are essential to the human diet. When these essential fatty acids are not provided in sufficient quantities, essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) develops. This can be suggested clinically by abnormal liver function tests or biochemically by an elevated Mead acid and reduced linoleic acid and arachidonic acid level, which is manifested as an elevated triene/tetraene ratio of Mead acid/arachidonic acid. Clinical features of EFAD may present later. With the introduction of novel intravenous (IV) lipid emulsions in North America, the proportion of fatty acids provided, particularly the essential fatty acids, varies substantially. We describe a case series of 3 complicated obese patients who were administered parenteral nutrition (PN), primarily using ClinOleic 20%, an olive oil–based lipid emulsion with reduced amounts of the essential fatty acids, linoleic and α‐linolenic, compared with more conventional soybean oil emulsions throughout their hospital admission. Essential fatty acid profiles were obtained for each of these patients to investigate EFAD as a potential cause of abnormal liver enzymes. Although the profiles revealed reduced linoleic acid and elevated Mead acid levels, this was not indicative of the development of essential fatty acid deficiency, as reflected in the more definitive measure of triene/tetraene ratio. Instead, although the serum fatty acid panel reflected the markedly lower but still adequate dietary linoleic acid content and greatly increased oleic acid content in the parenteral lipid emulsion, the triene/tetraene ratio remained well below the level, indicating EFAD in each of these patients. The availability and use of new IV lipid emulsions in PN should encourage the clinician to review lipid metabolism based on the quantity of fatty acids provided in specific parenteral lipid emulsions and the expected impact of these lipid emulsions (with quite different fatty acid composition) on measured fatty acid profiles.
Regulators, Conformers and Cowboys: The Enterprise Discourse, Power and Resistance in the UK Passive Fire Protection Industry
Authors: Russell Stephanie , McCabe Darren
Published: July 2015

This article draws on industry-level research to explore the enterprise discourse in the UK passive fire protection industry. It highlights the theoretical weaknesses of the enterprise discourse by questioning the assumption that employers and managers necessarily support enterprise. It examines how employers, not just employees, may seek to resist or evade enterprise and how, far from offering a united front, employers may oppose each other. The article points towards the need for industry-level studies due to the limitations and potentially misleading insights that can flow from organization-level studies. Overall, it is argued that there may be more common ground between employees and employers in terms of opposition to enterprise than has previously been suggested.
Metal detecting: An effective tool for archaeological research and community engagement
Authors: Stine Linda France , Shumate Darren L
Published: July 2015

Although community engagement is an important archaeological goal, working with the avocational metal-detecting community is still under debate. Two North Carolina field school projects successfully integrated avocationalists in their metal detection surveys using two different types of interaction strategies. The first technique was incorporating individual volunteer avocationalists; the second method was working with a single avocational club. Teaming up with the well-established group, as opposed to independent volunteers, offered the best overall research results. At Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, the project survey strategies, built on lessons learned at Troublesome Creek Ironworks, proved to increase artifact recovery by about one-third.
Hybrid motion/force control of multi-backbone continuum robots
Authors: Bajo Andrea , Simaan Nabil
Published: July 2015

The recent growth of surgical applications exploiting continuum robots demands for new control paradigms that ensure safety by controlling interaction forces of tele-operated end-effectors. In this paper, we present the modeling, sensing and control of multi-backbone continuum robots in a unified framework for hybrid motion/force control. Multi-backbone continuum robots allow to estimate forces and torques at the operational point by monitoring loads along their actuation lines without the need for a dedicated transducer at the operational point. This capability is indeed crucial in emerging fields such as robotic surgery where cost and strict sterilization guidelines prevent the adoption of a dedicated sensor to provide force feedback from the sterile field. To advance further the force sensing capabilities of multi-backbone continuum robots, we present a new framework for hybrid motion and force control of continuum robots with intrinsic force sensing capabilities. The framework is based on a kinetostatic modeling of the multi-backbone continuum robot with, a simplified model for online estimate of the manipulator’s compliance, and a new strategy for merging force and motion control laws in the configuration space of the manipulator. Experimental results show the ability to sense and regulate forces at the operational point and evaluate the framework for shape exploration and stiffness imaging in flexible environments.
Bidirectional triggering association between migraine and restless legs syndrome: A diary study
Authors: Chen Ping-Kun , Fuh Jong-Ling , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: July 2015

Objective

Migraine is comorbid with restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, the temporal association between these two episodic disorders remains elusive. The current study investigated the temporal relationship between migraine and RLS attacks.

Methods

Migraine patients with RLS were recruited from a headache clinic. Patients with symptomatic RLS, RLS mimics, daily headaches, or daily RLS attacks were excluded. The patients recorded their headaches and RLS attacks for two weeks in a diary. The severity of each headache or RLS attack was rated on a four-point (0−3) Likert scale. Logit-normal, random-effects models were employed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for the temporal association between migraine and RLS attacks.

Results

Thirty migraine patients with RLS (28 F/2 M, mean age 35.5 ± 9.0 years) completed the study. On the basis of 420 daily diary records, migraine attacks were associated with subsequent RLS attacks occurring on the same and next nights (OR = 6.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.39–11.0 and OR = 3.00, CI = 1.92–4.68; both p < 0.001). RLS attacks were associated with subsequent migraine attacks only on Day 1 (OR = 1.97 (CI = 1.3–2.98; p = 0.01). Overall, the frequencies of migraine and RLS attacks in two weeks were correlated (Spearman’s correlation = 0.56, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study results showed a bidirectional triggering association between migraine and RLS attacks. The association was stronger and lasted longer for migraine triggering subsequent RLS than that for vice versa.
Rural–urban migration, inequality and urban social disorder: Evidence from African and Asian cities
Authors: Østby Gudrun
Published: July 2015

By the mid-century, two-thirds of the world population will reside in urban areas. The bulk of this urban growth will take place in developing countries. Whereas average living standards are usually higher in urban areas, economic growth does not result in prosperity for all. Inequality is a likely source of frustration that could increase the potential for political radicalization and unrest—especially if certain groups suffer from systematic social exclusion. Drawing on household surveys, the article provides new indicators of internal migration, poverty and inequality for 34 cities in Africa and Asia for the period 1986–2006. These data are linked with data on urban social disorder events. The results suggest that it is not the actual movement of rural people into the cities that creates social upheaval. Rather, overall poor and unequal educational opportunities as well as socioeconomic marginalization of rural–urban migrants are found to spur increased levels of urban violence.
Reevaluating conceptual design fidelity: An efficient supersonic air vehicle design case
Authors: Allison Darcy L , Morris Craig C , Schetz Joseph A , Kapania Rakesh K , Watson Layne T
Published: July 2015

Multifidelity and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) results for an efficient supersonic air vehicle (ESAV) are presented. This work builds upon previous published work that created a multifidelity and multidisciplinary analysis and design optimization framework. Based on the usual aircraft conceptual design assumption that low-fidelity analyses are capable of converging upon a design through MDO that would at least be representative of that which would be predicted by higher fidelity methods, a process is created to allow low-fidelity multidisciplinary analysis runs to guide the higher fidelity optimization in an effort to reduce the total required computational expense. Due to disparate physical simulation results between the different fidelity levels, the expected reduction in computational effort was not realized. A separate low-fidelity optimization and a higher fidelity optimization were then subsequently performed. A MDO method that required an order of magnitude fewer objective function evaluations than the low-fidelity MDO method was developed to perform the more computationally expensive higher fidelity MDO in the full ESAV design space. Although optimal low-fidelity and higher fidelity ESAV configurations are identified, the low-fidelity optimal solution is infeasible when analyzed with the higher fidelity framework, and vice versa. This was a surprising and unexpected result as these two fidelity level model suites were developed by the same team for the same aircraft. The common assumption that low-fidelity MDO design methods will find a feasible design close to the eventual higher fidelity design did not hold for the ESAV case. Sensitivity studies were performed around the optimal design to gain insight into this important region of the design space with respect to the particular fidelity level models used.