bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Audience exchange”: cultivating peer-to-peer dialogue at unfamiliar arts events
Authors: Pitts Stephanie , Gross Jonathan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of the “audience exchange” approach for audience development and research, and to highlight the insights offered by peer-to-peer dialogue in understanding experiences of unfamiliar arts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study with contemporary arts audiences, and setting this in the wider context of studies with other first-time attenders at a range of arts events, the paper explores the use of the “audience exchange” method, in which facilitated conversations after performance events allow newcomers to reflect upon and deepen their first-time encounters with live arts.

Findings

The study demonstrates the way in which conversations about arts events can enrich audience experience, and shows how participants use exploratory and emotional language to articulate their understanding of unfamiliar arts events. Peer-to-peer learning occurs through these conversations, in ways that could be further supported by arts organisations as a valuable tool for audience development. The audience exchange discussions also reveal the varieties of participation from “drifting” to full attention that are all part of audience engagement.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small-scale, qualitative study, and the method has potential to be tested in future studies with a greater variety of participants (e.g. younger or more ethnically diverse groups).

Practical implications

Use of the audience exchange for enriching experiences of first-time attendance could be adopted by arts organisations as a regular part of their audience engagement. Greater understanding of how new audience members draw on prior cultural experiences in finding the language to articulate their first impressions of an unfamiliar arts event could be valuable for targeted marketing and increasing accessibility.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its elaboration of the audience exchange method, and its focus on the language and peer-to-peer learning evident in the facilitated post-performance discussions.
Training delivery methods as source of dynamic capabilities: the case of sports’ organisations
Authors: Arraya Marco António Mexia , Porfírio Jose António
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Training as an important source of dynamic capabilities (DC) is important to the performance of sports’ organisations (SO) both to athletes and to non-athletic staff. There are a variety of training delivery methods (TDMs). The purpose of this study is to determine from a set of six TDMs which one is considered to be the most suitable to enhance performance of SO.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the DC theory, a cross-sectional survey from a sample of 554 workers was used to assess which TDM is considered to be the most efficient and presents higher efficacy, according to the preferences and perception of the staff.

Findings

It was concluded that: “on-the-job training” is considered to be the preferred and most effective TDM; formal/informal coaching is the second choice, in terms of perceived effectiveness and “online learning” is considered the least effective TDM. TDM’s preferences and results’ perceptions do not change according to differentiating issues such as gender, educational level of trainees or even hierarchical position.

Research limitations/implications

The present study adopted a cross-sectional survey where relationships and correlations were developed continuously. Although difficult to obtain, it would have been advisable to use a survey based on longitudinal data. Results should only be considered for the purposes of the present sample, although it may be considered that they are generalizable to similar organisations and some preliminary results are raised that worth being analysed further.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study will help managers of SO, according to the situation to be addressed, to choose the best TDM for their non-athletic staff, the ones that will best support their process of continuous improvement and show the best results in terms of renewal of their DC and resources.

Originality/value

This study highlights the training process as a source of DC contributing to overall organisation’s performance and competitive advantage. It enlarges knowledge on SO, from the pure athletic view to the managerial point of view, and operationalises training to decide the most adequate TDM to improve DC and support the success of SO. Considering that it is usually difficult to measure the concrete results of training on the organisational performance, this is also an important field of study for the management theory in the domain of strategy and human resources because the bridge considered here has not been much developed for a long time.
A model for exploring players flow experience in online games
Authors: Liu Chuang-Chun
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Extending on flow theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore how interactivity (human-to-human interactivity and human-to-machine interactivity) and personal beliefs (perceived attractiveness, personal involvement, and perceived uncertainty) impact flow experience; this study also investigates how flow experience is related to replay intention. Furthermore, this is the first study to explore the relationship between perceived uncertainty and challenges in online gaming.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed research model was empirically evaluated using survey data collected from online game players. The evaluation was conducted using partial least squares of structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings revealed that flow experience was a significant predictor of replay intention. Four antecedents of flow (telepresence, focused attention, skills, and challenges) had a positive influence on flow experience. Interactivity (human-to-human interactivity and human-to-machine interactivity) and personal beliefs (perceived attractiveness, personal involvement, and perceived uncertainty) influenced these antecedents. Moreover, human-to-human interactivity exerted a greater impact on the flow experience antecedents than did human-to-machine-associated interactivity. This study reveals that human-to-human interactivity is most crucial to the effective development of online games. In addition, the author find that utilitarian motivations have positive moderating effects on the relationship between flow and replay intention. Finally, additional practical and managerial implications are discussed.

Originality/value

Few empirical studies have explored the moderating role of utilitarian motivations. This original study analyzed how utilitarian motivations moderate the relationships between flow and replay intention of online game players. Moreover, this is one of the first studies to explore the characteristic of uncertainty and its role in the context of online game playing.
Examining the antecedents of online disinhibition
Authors: Wu Sheng , Lin Tung-Ching , Shih Jou-Fan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate psychological dimension, social dimension, and environmental dimension – six internet psychological characteristics (dissociative anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, solipsistic introjection, dissociative imagination, and minimization of status and authority), deindividuation, social influence (subjective norm and descriptive norm), and containment theory (inner containment and outer containment) – to propose an innovative model which can make up for deficiencies in previous studies of the toxic online disinhibition effect.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of 530 valid responses collected from an online survey questionnaire, partial least squares technology was used to examine the research model.

Findings

The result shows that dissociative anonymity has a significant impact on deindividuation and toxic disinhibition. In addition, asynchronicity and dissociative imagination have a direct effect on toxic disinhibition. Besides, in social influence, the authors found that subjective norm is a stronger predictor of toxic disinhibition than descriptive norm. Moreover, in containment theory, the result shows that inner containment can effectively reduce toxic disinhibition but not outer containment.

Originality/value

This study can provide academics and practical side empirical evidence as to what factor would cause toxic disinhibition and provides an innovative view regarding the relationship between social influence and containment theory on toxic disinhibition.
Listen to me, I’m talking: involvement and recovery
Authors: Walsh Fran , Tickle Anna
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how those engaged in service user involvement (SUI) initiatives perceive involvement and recovery; whether involvement is related to their recovery process and, if so, how.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative method, social constructionist grounded theory, was adopted throughout the research process. Nine semi-structured interviews were undertaken with participants who self-defined as having current or previous mental health problems and who were engaged in SUI initiatives.

Findings

Most participants identified explicit links between their own experiences of SUI and recovery. These links represented a connection between the characteristics they perceived to be inherent to involvement and their personal definitions of recovery. In contrast, experiences of consultation and involvement as patient service users was limited and identified as an area for improvement. The core of the tentative grounded theory constructed suggests that individuals found in involvement elements which were concordant with and supported their own definitions of recovery and which were not apparent in their experiences as patients.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample and narrow constituency of participants limit the nature of the claims made by the study.

Practical implications

This study highlights the value of involvement in promoting recovery and indicates the merit of promoting meaningful involvement across the spectrum of the service user experience.

Originality/value

This study offers a unique contribution to the current literature, highlighting the links made between involvement and personal recovery.
Surface properties of radio frequency plasma treated wool and denim fabrics
Authors: Hala Ahmed , Karaca Gozde Yurdabak , Eren Esin , Oksuz Lutfi , Bozduman Ferhat , Kiristi Melek , Komur Ali Ihsan , Gulec Ali , Oksuz Aysegul Uygun
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrazine, methyl methacrylate, styrene and hexamethyldisiloxane by radio-frequency (rf) plasma graftings on surface properties of wool and denim fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

During plasma treatments, processing time was varied under optimized plasma conditions (50 W, rf: 13.56 MHz). All fabrics were comprehensively investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and contact angle measurements.

Findings

The experimental data shows that the rf-plasma processing has important effect on the wettability properties of wool and denim fabrics. The results indicated that HCl plasma treatment significantly improves the hydrophilicity of wool and denim fabrics.

Originality/value

The research on wool and denim fabric treatment by plasma is original.
Identifying and remediating dyslexia in the Reception year, a new possibility?
Authors: Montgomery Diane
Published: May 2017

Research has shown that dyslexics have an inability to establish sound‐symbol correspondence, phonological awareness and alphabetic knowledge by the normal teaching methods used in schools. In new research with Reception year children, ages 4 and 5 years, it was found that 90 per cent on entry to 8 Reception classes had not established sound to symbol correspondence. Five months later, despite the normal daily teaching of reading and writing skills, one third of children had still not ‘cracked the alphabetic code’. Reports were sent to the teachers identifying each child's level of skill in handwriting and spelling with suggestions for specific interventions to promote the learning of sounds and their symbols. On entry into Year 2, in a 10 minute writing test, it was found that all the shildren had now developed sound‐symbol knowledge. At the end of Key Stage 1 the national SATs results showed that the disadvantaged groups in the project schools had raised their performance by 30 per cent in literacy above previous years and the already high perfoorming group had improved by 10 per cent. One dyslexic was identified in the Year 2 test by a need for word‐building teaching.
Understanding the role of the Teaching Assistant: comparing the views of pupils with SEN and TAs within mainstream primary schools
Authors: Wren Alison
Published: May 2017

The number of teaching assistants (TAs) in schools in the UK has risen in recent years, but there remains a lack of clarity about the roles being undertaken by these support staff. This article reports findings from a study investigating how the TA role is understood both by the pupils being supported and by TAs themselves. Eleven students with SEN were interviewed regarding the support received from TAs within school. Following this, the TAs were also interviewed and asked to explain how they viewed their main support role. The data suggest a difference in the understanding of the role between the two groups, with pupils primarily focused on academic support and TAs focusing instead on behavioural support. Implications for practice include the need to clarify the TA role to support consistency across settings, and the importance of ensuring that pupils with SEN are supported to understand the role of TAs within schools.
Effect of β‐glucan on the properties of probiotic set yoghurt with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb‐12
Authors: Kurtuldu Okan , Ozcan Tulay
Published: May 2017

In this study, the effects of β‐glucan from two different cereal sources (barley and oat), as prebiotics, on the viability of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb‐12 in probiotic set yoghurt and the properties of yoghurt were studied. Physicochemical properties of yoghurt samples (including pH, titratable acidity (La%), whey separation, organic acids such as lactic and acetic acid, colour (L*, a*, b*, ΔE, C*, h*) and sensorial properties) were significantly affected by the addition of barley‐ and oat‐based β‐glucan. As a result, the survival of B. animalis subsp. lactis was maintained within probiotic and therapeutic levels (>7 log cfu/g), due to the possible prebiotic effect of barley‐ and oat‐based β‐glucan, after 28 days of cold storage of the probiotic yoghurt. In conclusion, β‐glucan can be used for the development of cereal‐based functional dairy products with sufficient beneficial effects, probiotic viability and acceptable sensory characteristics.
Commercial Mineral Enhanced Dairy By‐Products as Sodium Replacers, Antioxidants and Calcium Fortifiers in Sausages
Authors: Engeloug Anne Maren , Yi Gu , Egelandsdal Bjørg , Haug Anna , Nordvi Berit
Published: May 2017

Sausages are perceived as high in Na and with a too high Na:K ratio. Frankfurter type sausages are regarded as important contributors of sodium in the diet and thereby of health risks. Surplus products from the dairy industry are various mineral powders enriched in either potassium, calcium, or phosphate and include various amounts of lactose. Sausages were produced at 3 sodium levels (equivalent to 13, 15, and 17 g NaCl/kg sausage) using 4 different milk ingredients (a dried skimmed milk powder, a calcium enriched milk powder, a potassium enriched powder, and a lactose enriched powder). The sausages with added calcium and potassium enriched milk powders resulted in the hardest sausages when compared at the same sodium level. Milk mineral addition also produced whiter and less red sausages. No effect on rancidity after 6 wk at chill (4 °C) storage was observed by adding milk minerals, when compared with adding dried skimmed milk powder. A significant advantage of using these milk minerals in sausages is that the Na:K ratio can be reduced from an unhealthy (in this study 36) to a far healthier ratio ( ̴ 2) with limited or no taste changes. High additions of milk calcium (6 g/kg), where Ca‐phosphates prevail, added as milk mineral, had no influence on sensory bitterness or aftertaste as typically observed for CaCl2 additions. Ca additions to sausages are presently presumed to be an advantage with respect to human nutrition.
Distance sampling with camera traps
Authors: Howe Eric J. , Buckland Stephen T. , Després‐Einspenner Marie‐Lyne , Kühl Hjalmar S.
Published: May 2017

Reliable estimates of animal density and abundance are essential for effective wildlife conservation and management. Camera trapping has proven efficient for sampling multiple species, but statistical estimators of density from camera trapping data for species that cannot be individually identified are still in development.

We extend point‐transect methods for estimating animal density to accommodate data from camera traps, allowing researchers to exploit existing distance sampling theory and software for designing studies and analysing data. We tested it by simulation, and used it to estimate densities of Maxwell's duikers (Philantomba maxwellii) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire.

Densities estimated from simulated data were unbiased when we assumed animals were not available for detection during long periods of rest. Estimated duiker densities were higher than recent estimates from line transect surveys, which are believed to underestimate densities of forest ungulates.

We expect these methods to provide an effective means to estimate animal density from camera trapping data and to be applicable in a variety of settings.
Medical students' experience of performing female pelvic examinations: Opportunities and barriers
Authors: Bhoopatkar Harsh , Wearn Andy , Vnuk Anna
Published: May 2017

Background

Teaching and learning female pelvic examination within the undergraduate medical curriculum offers some potential challenges. One such is the extent to which students are provided practice opportunities with patients in the clinical setting.

Aims

To quantify how many pelvic examinations, on real patients, have been performed by medical students at the point of graduation, and to explore opportunities and barriers to performing these examinations.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study using a self‐completed, anonymous, electronic survey was developed as part of a multi‐centre study. Data were collected in the immediate period after graduation from the medical programs at the University of Auckland and Flinders University in 2013. An ordinal set of range categories was used for recording numbers of examinations.

Results

The combined response rate for the survey was 42.9% (134/312). The median range category for the number of pelvic examinations performed in patients who were not in labour was 6–9 and in labour was 2–3. Thirty‐three percent of medical students had never performed a pelvic examination in labour. Male medical students performed significantly fewer pelvic examinations compared with female students. Self‐reported barriers to performing the pelvic exam include: gender of the student, ‘gate‐keeping’ by other health professionals, lack of confidence and patient factors.

Conclusions

The majority of medical students have performed several pelvic examinations on real patients at graduation. Male gender and access being limited by midwives were the main barriers to performing female pelvic examinations. Medical curricula need to address these issues in the learning environment.
How my product works and how it looks: Effects of functional and aesthetic co‐creation and the role of product expertise
Authors: Schnurr Benedikt
Published: May 2017

While past research has successfully shown that co‐creation increases both customers' and companies' value, the possible effects of different types of co‐creation have broadly been neglected. This study investigates the influence of the extent of functional and aesthetic co‐creation on customers' quality perceptions of the co‐created product and the mediating role of customers' satisfaction with the co‐creation process. Results from a field study show that the extent of aesthetic co‐creation positively influences customers' quality perceptions of the co‐created product through satisfaction with the co‐creation process, while no direct effects exist for the extent of functional co‐creation. Further, customers' level of product expertise positively moderates the relationship between the extent of functional co‐creation and customers' quality perceptions of the co‐created product through satisfaction with the co‐creation process, while no moderating effect exists for the extent of aesthetic co‐creation. The findings contribute significantly to both co‐creation theory and practice.
Price‐level versus inflation targeting under model uncertainty
Authors: Cateau Gino
Published: May 2017

It has recently been suggested that price‐level targeting (PLT) may be a superior approach to monetary policy than inflation targeting (IT) due to its ability to automatically influence inflation expectations to stabilize the economy. In this paper, I analyze whether PLT dominates IT if the ability of the central bank to influence expectations is limited by model uncertainty. Specifically, I analyze how the characterization and performance of PLT and IT rules are impacted if private agents form expectations according to a model that deviates from the policy‐maker's reference model. Using robust control to derive robust rules in such a situation, I find that the performance of PLT rules deteriorate faster than that of IT rules as the degree of misspecification increases. Nevertheless, the absolute decline in performance of the PLT rules is relatively small across alternative models that are statistically plausible.
Efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia: A meta‐analysis of randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Wang Linlin , Song Yuanlin
Published: May 2017

Background

Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of children. Zinc is known to play a central role in the immune system. The deficiency of zinc increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct therapy to the treatment of severe pneumonia.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, MEDLINETM and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify all randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled (DBPC) trials which evaluated the clinical efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct in the treatment of severe pneumonia and published between January 1966 and October 2015.

Results

Six randomized DBPC trials including 2216 patients with severe pneumonia were eligible. The results suggested that zinc given as an adjunct therapy to the treatment of severe pneumonia had no significant improvement of treatment failure (RR = 0.97, P = .71) and change of antibiotic therapy (RR = 1.09, P = .52). We also found a favorable trend for clinical deterioration of severe pneumonia but with no statistical significance (RR = 0.88, P = .55). Zinc produced a significant reduction in mortality caused by severe pneumonia (RR = 0.43, P = .01).

Conclusions

Zinc given as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia is effective in reducing the mortality of severe pneumonia, and has no significant effects on treatment failure and change of antibiotic therapy.
Effectiveness of a shared team approach between nurses and doctors for improved risk factor management in survivors of stroke: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olaiya M. T. , Kim J. , Nelson M. R. , Srikanth V. K. , Bladin C. F. , Gerraty R. P. , Fitzgerald S. M. , Phan T. , Frayne J. , Cadilhac D. A. , Thrift A. G. ,   the STANDFIRM investigators
Published: May 2017

Background and purpose

Limited evidence exists on the benefits of organized care for improving risk factor control in patients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack. The effectiveness of an individualized management programme in reducing absolute cardiovascular disease risk in this high‐risk population was determined.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre, cluster‐randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcomes and intention‐to‐treat analysis. Patients hospitalized for stroke/transient ischaemic attack and aged ≥18 years were recruited from four hospitals. General practices treating recruited patients were randomized to provide either usual care or an individualized management programme comprising nurse‐led education and review of care plans by stroke specialists in addition to usual care. The primary outcome was a change in cardiovascular Framingham Risk Score between baseline and 12 months.

Results

From January 2010 to November 2013, 156 general practices (280 patients) were randomly assigned to usual care (control) and 159 (283 patients) to the intervention. The median age was 70.1 years; 65% were male. Overall, >80% of participants were prescribed recommended secondary prevention therapies at baseline. The primary efficacy analysis comprised 533 participants, with 30 either dying or lost to follow‐up. In adjusted analyses, no significant between‐group difference was found in the cardiovascular risk score at 12 months (0.04, 95% confidence interval −1.7, 1.8).

Conclusions

The effectiveness of an organized secondary prevention programme for stroke may be limited in patients from high‐performing hospitals with regular post‐discharge follow‐up and communication with general practices.
Stimulation of Pol III‐dependent 5S rRNA and U6 snRNA gene expression by AP‐1 transcription factors
Authors: Ahuja Richa , Kumar Vijay
Published: May 2017

RNA polymerase III transcribes structurally diverse group of essential noncoding RNAs including 5S ribosomal RNA (5SrRNA) and U6 snRNA. These noncoding RNAs are involved in RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis, thus, coupling Pol III activity to the rate of protein synthesis, cell growth, and proliferation. Even though a few Pol II‐associated transcription factors have been reported to participate in Pol III‐dependent transcription, its activation by activator protein 1 (AP‐1) factors, c‐Fos and c‐Jun, has remained unexplored. Here, we show that c‐Fos and c‐Jun bind to specific sites in the regulatory regions of 5S rRNA (type I) and U6 snRNA (type III) gene promoters and stimulate their transcription. Our chromatin immunoprecipitation studies suggested that endogenous AP‐1 factors bind to their cognate promoter elements during the G1/S transition of cell cycle apparently synchronous with Pol III transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the interaction of c‐Jun with histone acetyltransferase p300 promoted the recruitment of p300/CBP complex on the promoters and facilitated the occupancy of Pol III transcriptional machinery via histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling. The findings of our study, together, suggest that AP‐1 factors are novel regulators of Pol III‐driven 5S rRNA and U6 snRNA expression with a potential role in cell proliferation.
Open tundra persist, but arctic features decline—Vegetation changes in the warming Fennoscandian tundra
Authors: Vuorinen Katariina E. M. , Oksanen Lauri , Oksanen Tarja , Pyykönen Anni , Olofsson Johan , Virtanen Risto
Published: May 2017

In the forest‐tundra ecotone of the North Fennoscandian inland, summer and winter temperatures have increased by two to three centigrades since 1965, which is expected to result in major vegetation changes. To document the expected expansion of woodlands and scrublands and its impact on the arctic vegetation, we repeated a vegetation transect study conducted in 1976 in the Darju, spanning from woodland to a summit, 200 m above the tree line. Contrary to our expectations, tree line movement was not detected, and there was no increase in willows or shrubby mountain birches, either. Nevertheless, the stability of tundra was apparent. Small‐sized, poorly competing arctic species had declined, lichen cover had decreased, and vascular plants, especially evergreen ericoid dwarf shrubs, had gained ground. The novel climate seems to favour competitive clonal species and species thriving in closed vegetation, creating a community hostile for seedling establishment, but equally hostile for many arctic species, too. Preventing trees and shrubs from invading the tundra is thus not sufficient for conserving arctic biota in the changing climate. The only dependable cure is to stop the global warming.
A global synthesis of the effects of diversified farming systems on arthropod diversity within fields and across agricultural landscapes
Authors: Lichtenberg Elinor M. , Kennedy Christina M. , Kremen Claire , Batáry Péter , Berendse Frank , Bommarco Riccardo , Bosque‐Pérez Nilsa A. , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Snyder William E. , Williams Neal M. , Winfree Rachael , Klatt Björn K. , Åström Sandra , Benjamin Faye , Brittain Claire , Chaplin‐Kramer Rebecca , Clough Yann , Danforth Bryan , Diekötter Tim , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Ekroos Johan , Elle Elizabeth , Freitas Breno M. , Fukuda Yuki , Gaines‐Day Hannah R. , Grab Heather , Gratton Claudio , Holzschuh Andrea , Isaacs Rufus , Isaia Marco , Jha Shalene , Jonason Dennis , Jones Vincent P. , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Krauss Jochen , Letourneau Deborah K. , Macfadyen Sarina , Mallinger Rachel E. , Martin Emily A. , Martinez Eliana , Memmott Jane , Morandin Lora , Neame Lisa , Otieno Mark , Park Mia G. , Pfiffner Lukas , Pocock Michael J. O. , Ponce Carlos , Potts Simon G. , Poveda Katja , Ramos Mariangie , Rosenheim Jay A. , Rundlöf Maj , Sardiñas Hillary , Saunders Manu E. , Schon Nicole L. , Sciligo Amber R. , Sidhu C. Sheena , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Tscharntke Teja , Veselý Milan , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Wilson Julianna K. , Crowder David W.
Published: May 2017

Agricultural intensification is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss, which can reduce the provisioning of ecosystem services in managed ecosystems. Organic farming and plant diversification are farm management schemes that may mitigate potential ecological harm by increasing species richness and boosting related ecosystem services to agroecosystems. What remains unclear is the extent to which farm management schemes affect biodiversity components other than species richness, and whether impacts differ across spatial scales and landscape contexts. Using a global metadataset, we quantified the effects of organic farming and plant diversification on abundance, local diversity (communities within fields), and regional diversity (communities across fields) of arthropod pollinators, predators, herbivores, and detritivores. Both organic farming and higher in‐field plant diversity enhanced arthropod abundance, particularly for rare taxa. This resulted in increased richness but decreased evenness. While these responses were stronger at local relative to regional scales, richness and abundance increased at both scales, and richness on farms embedded in complex relative to simple landscapes. Overall, both organic farming and in‐field plant diversification exerted the strongest effects on pollinators and predators, suggesting these management schemes can facilitate ecosystem service providers without augmenting herbivore (pest) populations. Our results suggest that organic farming and plant diversification promote diverse arthropod metacommunities that may provide temporal and spatial stability of ecosystem service provisioning. Conserving diverse plant and arthropod communities in farming systems therefore requires sustainable practices that operate both within fields and across landscapes.
Physician‐initiated first‐in‐human clinical study using a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30/5C, for patients with severe limb ulcers
Authors: Nakagami Hironori , Yamaoka Toshifumi , Hayashi Misa , Tanemura Atsushi , Takeya Yasushi , Kurinami Hitomi , Sugimoto Ken , Nakamura Ayumi , Tomono Kazunori , Tamai Katsuto , Katayama Ichiro , Rakugi Hiromi , Kaneda Yasufumi
Published: May 2017

Aim

In patients with diabetes or ischemia, angiogenesis and infection control are required for chronic leg ulcers, which substantially impair patients’ quality of life. We developed a novel functional peptide, named AG30/5C, with angiogenic and anti‐microbial properties. Treatment with AG30/5C significantly accelerated the wound healing of full‐thickness defects in mice. To evaluate the safety of AG30/5C in the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician‐initiated clinical study was carried out.

Methods

The first‐in‐human trial was designed as an open‐label treatment with AG30/5C (0.1 mg/mL) given twice per day for 11 days, and with a follow‐up period of 17 days. The inclusion criteria for severe skin ulcers were: (i) diabetes or critical limb ischemia; (ii) resistance to standard therapy for 1 month; and (iii) detection of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the skin ulcer.

Results

Four patients were enrolled in this study, and two patients met these criteria. For the evaluation of safety, three adverse effects were reported as possibly related to AG30/5C treatment; however, these adverse effects were not severe and resolved during or after treatment. Thus, there were no safety concerns. In both patients, the size of the ulcer decreased after treatment (44.62% and 10.23% decrease), and further decreased after the follow‐up period (73.85% and 10.23% decrease). The former patient was diagnosed as Werner syndrome and the skin ulcer was resistant to standard therapy; however, it was sensitive to AG30/5C treatment.

Conclusions

Topical treatment with AG30/5C for severe leg ulcers was safe, well tolerated and effective. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2150–2156.
China's Transboundary Groundwater Cooperation in the Context of Emerging Transboundary Aquifer Law
Authors: He Yanmei
Published: May 2017

China shares more than 20 transboundary aquifers with its coaquifer states, but they have not exploited their transboundary groundwater resources, and these resources have not been governed by any international agreements. Given the close interaction between surface water and groundwater, and the growing demands for transboundary groundwater in China and its coaquifer states, there is increasing necessity for these countries to undertake international cooperation on this issue. This article overviews China's transboundary aquifers, reviews the duty to cooperate on China's transboundary groundwater as well as the emerging transboundary aquifer law. It concludes by providing some proposals on international cooperation in this context, based on the two theories of international water law—limited territorial sovereignty and common interests, taking into account the practicability of China's cooperation with its coaquifer states. The author suggests that China cooperates with its coaquifer states through such means as the exchange of data and information, joint monitoring, the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral aquifer agreements, the establishment of joint management mechanisms, and international technical cooperation.
Inhibition of Cx43 mediates protective effects on hypoxic/reoxygenated human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Vicario Nunzio , Calabrese Giovanna , Zappalà Agata , Parenti Carmela , Forte Stefano , Graziano Adriana Carol Eleonora , Vanella Luca , Pellitteri Rosalia , Cardile Venera , Parenti Rosalba
Published: May 2017

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), a special population of glial cells, are able to synthesise several trophic factors exerting a neuroprotective action and promoting growth and functional recovery in both in vitro and in vivo models. In the present work, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of OEC‐conditioned medium (OEC‐CM) on two different human neuron‐like cell lines, SH‐SY5Y and SK‐N‐SH (neuroblastoma cell lines), under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, we also focused our attention on the role of connexins (Cxs) in the neuroprotective processes. Our results confirmed OEC‐CM mediated neuroprotection as shown by cell adherence, proliferation and cellular viability analyses. Reduced connexin 43 (Cx43) levels in OEC‐CM compared to unconditioned cells in hypoxic conditions prompted us to investigate the role of Cx43‐Gap junctions (GJs) and Cx43‐hemichannels (HCs) in hypoxic/reoxygenation injury using carbenoxolone (non‐selective GJ inhibitor), ioxynil octanoato (selective Cx43‐GJ inhibitor) and Gap19 (selective Cx43‐HC inhibitor). We found that Cx43‐GJ and Cx43‐HC inhibitors are able to protect SH‐SY5Y and allow to these cultures to overcome the injury. Our findings support the hypothesis that both OEC‐CM and the inhibition of Cx43‐GJs and Cx43‐HCs offer a neuroprotective effect by reducing Cx43‐mediated cell‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐extracellular environment communications.
Early life traits of farm and wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and first generation hybrids in the south coast of Newfoundland
Authors: Hamoutene D. , Perez‐Casanova J. , Burt K. , Lush L. , Caines J. , Collier C. , Hinks R.
Published: May 2017

This study examined fertilization rates, survival and early life‐trait differences of pure farm, wild and first generation (F1) hybrid origin embryos after crossing farm and wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. Results show that despite a trend towards higher in vitro fertilization success for wild females, differences in fertilization success in river water are not significantly different among crosses. In a hatchery environment, wild females' progeny (pure wild and hybrids with wild maternal parent) hatched 7–11 days earlier than pure farm crosses and hybrids with farm maternal parents. In addition, pure wild progeny had higher total lengths (LT) at hatch than pure farm crosses and hybrids. Directions in trait differences need to be tested in a river environment, but results clearly show the maternal influence on early stages beyond egg‐size differences. Differences in LT were no longer significant at 70 days post hatch (shortly after the onset of exogenous feeding) showing the need to investigate later developmental stages to better assess somatic growth disparities due to genetic differences. Higher mortality rates of the most likely hybrids (farm female × wild male hybrids) at egg and fry stages and their delayed hatch suggest that these F1 hybrids might be less likely to survive the early larval stages than wild stocks.
Comparison of the vaginal environment in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques pre‐ and post‐lactobacillus colonization
Authors: Daggett Gregory J. , Zhao Chunxia , Connor‐Stroud Fawn , Oviedo‐Moreno Patricia , Moon Hojin , Cho Michael W. , Moench Thomas , Anderson Deborah J. , Villinger Francois
Published: May 2017

Background

Rhesus and cynomologus macaques are valuable animal models for the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies. However, for such studies focused on the vaginal route of infection, differences in vaginal environment may have deterministic impact on the outcome of such prevention, providing the rationale for this study.

Methods

We tested the vaginal environment of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques longitudinally to characterize the normal microflora based on Nugent scores and pH. This evaluation was extended after colonization of the vaginal space with Lactobacilli in an effort to recreate NHP models representing the healthy human vaginal environment.

Results and Conclusion

Nugent scores and pH differed significantly between species, although data from both species were suggestive of stable bacterial vaginosis. Colonization with Lactobacilli was successful in both species leading to lower Nugent score and pH, although rhesus macaques appeared better able to sustain Lactobacillus spp over time.
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) regulates hypercapnia/ischemia‐induced increases in n‐acylethanolamines in mouse brain
Authors: Lin Lin , Metherel Adam H. , Jones Peter J. , Bazinet Richard P.
Published: May 2017

N‐acylethanolamines (NAEs) are endogenous lipid ligands for several receptors including cannabinoid receptors and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha (PPAR‐α), which regulate numerous physiological functions. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is largely responsible for the degradation of NAEs. However, at high concentrations of ethanolamines and unesterified fatty acids, FAAH can also catalyze the reverse reaction, producing NAEs. Several brain insults such as ischemia and hypoxia increase brain unesterified fatty acids. Because FAAH can catalyze the synthesis of NAE, we aimed to test whether FAAH was necessary for CO2 ‐induced hypercapnia/ischemia increases in NAE. To test this, we examined levels of NAEs, 1‐ and 2‐arachidonoylglycerols as well as their corresponding fatty acid precursors in wild‐type and mice lacking FAAH (FAAH‐KO) with three Kill methods: (i) head‐focused, high‐energy microwave irradiation (microwave), (ii) 5 min CO2 followed by microwave irradiation (CO2 + microwave), and (iii) 5 min CO2 only (CO2). Both CO2‐induced groups increased, to a similar extent, brain levels of unesterified oleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acid and 1‐ and 2‐arachidonoylglycerols compared to the microwave group in both wild‐type and FAAH‐KO mice. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), and docosahexaenoylethanolamide (DHEA) levels were about 8‐, 7‐, and 2.5‐fold higher, respectively, in the FAAH‐KO mice compared with the wild‐type mice. Interestingly, the concentrations of OEA, AEA, and DHEA increased 2.5‐ to 4‐fold in response to both CO2‐induced groups in wild‐type mice, but DHEA increased only in the CO2 group in FAAH‐KO mice. Our study demonstrates that FAAH is necessary for CO2‐ induced increases in OEA and AEA but not DHEA. Targeting brain FAAH could impair the production of NAEs in response to brain injuries.

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How Do Resource Structuring and Strategic Flexibility Interact to Shape Radical Innovation?
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Peter Ping , Wang Haifeng , Ma Yucheng
Published: May 2017

As high resource consumption and high uncertainty are two of the most critical challenges to radical innovation, it is imperative to adopt resource structuring for an active management of resource portfolios, and also to adopt strategic flexibility for active management of contextual uncertainties, especially for firms in the emerging economies characterized by serious resource deficiency and high contextual uncertainty. Though firms engaging in resource structuring and strategic flexibility separately could foster radical innovation, the interaction effect of resource structuring and strategic flexibility could be complementary or substitutive, and the effective utilization of these two organizational dimensions as a joint force should be well aligned to achieve scientific breakthroughs. Specifically, this study explores how two different types of strategic flexibility (i.e., resource flexibility and coordination flexibility) as special capabilities interact with two different types of resource structuring (i.e., resource acquisition and resource accumulation) as special mechanisms to shape radical innovation under high uncertainty. With a sample of 508 Chinese firms, our results show that the specific effects of resource acquisition and resource accumulation on radical innovation are contingent upon resource flexibility and coordination flexibility in two contrasting patterns. Specifically, a firm with high resource flexibility tends to foster radical innovation under high uncertainty by interacting with resource accumulation, rather than with resource acquisition; in contrast, a firm with high coordination flexibility is likely to foster radical innovation under high uncertainty together with resource acquisition, rather than with resource accumulation. The theoretical and practical implications of the above two contrasting patterns are also discussed.
Shorter duration of non‐rapid eye movement sleep slow waves inEphA4knockout mice
Authors: Freyburger Marlène , Poirier Gaétan , Carrier Julie , Mongrain Valérie
Published: May 2017

Slow waves occurring during non‐rapid eye movement sleep have been associated with neurobehavioural performance and memory. In addition, the duration of previous wakefulness and sleep impacts characteristics of these slow waves. However, molecular mechanisms regulating the dynamics of slow‐wave characteristics remain poorly understood. The EphA4 receptor regulates glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity, which have both been linked to sleep slow waves. To investigate if EphA4 regulates slow‐wave characteristics during non‐rapid eye movement sleep, we compared individual parameters of slow waves betweenEphA4knockout mice and wild‐type littermates under baseline conditions and after a 6‐h sleep deprivation. We observed that, compared with wild‐type mice, knockout mice display a shorter duration of positive and negative phases of slow waves under baseline conditions and after sleep deprivation. However, the mutation did not change slow‐wave density, amplitude and slope, and did not affect the sleep deprivation‐dependent changes in slow‐wave characteristics, suggesting that EphA4 is not involved in the response to elevated sleep pressure. Our present findings suggest a role for EphA4 in shaping cortical oscillations during sleep that is independent from sleep need.
Disqualified Bodies: A Sociolegal Analysis of the Organ Trade in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Columb Seán
Published: May 2017

Legislative and policy interventions in response to the organ trade have centered on the introduction of criminal sanctions in an effort to deter organ sales and/or “trafficking.” Yet, such measures fail to take account of the social and political processes that facilitate the exploitation of individuals in organ markets in different contexts. Informed by empirical data, gathered via a series of in-depth interviews with Sudanese migrants who have sold a kidney, this paper examines the link between increased urbanization, migration patterns, informalization, and the emergence of organ markets in the Egyptian-Sudanese context. The findings illustrate how processes of legal marginalization and social exclusion leave people vulnerable to exploitation in organ markets. The prevailing law enforcement response does not capture or respond to the empirical reality. Accordingly, this paper shifts the emphasis away from criminalization toward an analysis of the legal barriers and policy decisions that shape the poor bargaining position of organ sellers. In doing so, it opens up discussion of the organ trade onto wider critiques that disrupt boundaries between formality and informality in labor markets and trouble dominant modes of criminalization.