bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic overlap between schizophrenia and developmental psychopathology: a longitudinal approach applied to common childhood disorders between age 7 and 15 years
Authors: Nivard Michel G. , Gage Suzanne H. , Hottenga Jouke J. , van Beijsterveldt Catherina E.M. , Abdellaoui Abdel , Baselmans Bart M.L. , Ligthart Lannie , St Pourcain Beate , Boomsma Dorret I. , Munafoò Marcus M. , Middeldorp Christel M.
Published: May 2016

Various non-psychotic psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence can precede the onset of schizophrenia, but the nature of this relationship remains unclear. We investigated to what extent the association between schizophrenia and psychiatric disorders in childhood is explained by shared genetic risk factors.

Polygenic risk scores (PRS), reflecting an individual’s genetic risk for schizophrenia, were constructed for participants in two birth cohorts (2,588 children from the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and 6,127 from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC)). The associations between schizophrenia PRS and measures of anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) were estimated at age 7, 10, 12/13 and 15 years in the two cohorts. Results were then meta-analyzed, and age-effects and differences in the associations between disorders and PRS were formally tested in a meta-regression.

The schizophrenia PRS was associated with childhood and adolescent psychopathology Where the association was weaker for ODD/CD at age 7. The associations increased with age this increase was steepest for ADHD and ODD/CD. The results are consistent with a common genetic etiology of schizophrenia and developmental psychopathology as well as with a stronger shared genetic etiology between schizophrenia and adolescent onset psychopathology.

A multivariate meta-analysis of multiple and repeated observations enabled to optimally use the longitudinal data across diagnoses in order to provide knowledge on how childhood disorders develop into severe adult psychiatric disorders.
Identification of the long, edited dsRNAome of LPS-stimulated immune cells
Authors: Blango Matthew G. , Bass Brenda L.
Published: May 2016

Endogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) must be intricately regulated in mammals to prevent aberrant activation of host inflammatory pathways by cytosolic dsRNA binding proteins. Here, we define the long, endogenous dsRNA repertoire in mammalian macrophages and monocytes during the inflammatory response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Hyperediting by adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADAR) enzymes was quantified over time using RNA-seq data from activated mouse macrophages to identify 342 Editing Enriched Regions (EERs), indicative of highly structured dsRNA. Analysis of publicly available data sets for samples of human peripheral blood monocytes resulted in discovery of 3438 EERs in the human transcriptome. Human EERs had predicted secondary structures that were significantly more stable than those of mouse EERs and were located primarily in introns, whereas nearly all mouse EERs were in 3′ UTRs. Seventy-four mouse EER-associated genes contained an EER in the orthologous human gene, although nucleotide sequence and position were only rarely conserved. Among these conserved EER-associated genes were several TNF alpha-signaling genes, including Sppl2a and Tnfrsf1b, important for processing and recognition of TNF alpha, respectively. Using publicly available data and experimental validation, we found that a significant proportion of EERs accumulated in the nucleus, a strategy that may prevent aberrant activation of proinflammatory cascades in the cytoplasm. The observation of many ADAR-edited dsRNAs in mammalian immune cells, a subset of which are in orthologous genes of mouse and human, suggests a conserved role for these structured regions.
Sociocultural dynamics in whistleblowing: insights from India
Authors: D'Cruz Premilla , Bjørkelo Brita
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Through state-of-the-art insights on whistleblowing in India, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the role of sociocultural dynamics in whistleblowing.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of literature on wrongdoing and whistleblowing in India revealed various aspects of the national context pertinent to different stages of the phenomenon. Thematic analysis of these dimensions, allowing for a nomothetic approach, resulted in identifying six sociocultural themes common across wrongdoing and whistleblowing.

Findings

– Sociocultural dynamics impacting the emergence, persistence and recognition of wrongdoing, the decision to blow the whistle, engagement in whistleblowing and the outcomes of whistleblowing encompass social relationships, power distribution, materialistic considerations, sense of propriety and fairness, public/civic orientation and ideological leanings. These factors coexist with international influences, institutional framework, workplace ethos and individual orientation. The presence of wrongdoing and the trajectory of whistleblowing in India are affected by the aforementioned factors.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on secondary data rather than empirical endeavours.

Social implications

– By underscoring the relevance of contextual dynamics, in particular sociocultural factors, in the whistleblowing process, the paper indicates an important basis for appropriate interventions to manage wrongdoing and encourage whistleblowing while protecting whistleblowers and ensuring attention to rectifying wrongdoing and sanctioning offenders.

Originality/value

– Apart from providing a contemporary and comprehensive overview of whistleblowing in India, the paper uncovers the significance of sociocultural factors which have been overlooked so far in the substantive area. Moreover, a contextualised process model of whistleblowing is proposed based on the analysis. In subsuming temporality, context and outcomes for all stakeholders, the model displays complexity and causality, emphasising holism.
The housing market channel of monetary policy transmission in the Euro area
Authors: Milcheva Stanimira , Sebastian Steffen
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the housing market in the monetary policy transmission to consumption among euro area member states. It has been argued that the housing market in one country is then important when its mortgage market is well developed. The countries in the euro area follow unitary monetary policy; however, their housing and mortgage markets show some heterogeneity, which may lead to different policy effects on aggregate consumption through the housing market.

Design/methodology/approach

The housing market can act as a channel of monetary policy shocks to household consumption through changes in house prices and residential investment – the housing market channel. The authors estimate vector autoregressive models for each country and conduct a counterfactual analysis to disentangle the housing market channel and assess its importance across the euro area member states.

Findings

The authors find little evidence for heterogeneity of the monetary policy transmission through house prices across the euro area countries. Housing market variations in the euro area seem to be better captured by changes in residential investment rather than by changes in house prices. As a result, the authors do not find significantly large house price channels. For some of the countries however, they observe a monetary policy channel through residential investment. The existence of a housing channel may depend on institutional features of both the labour market or with institutional factors capturing the degree of household debt as is the loan-to-value ratio.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature by assessing whether a unitary monetary policy has a different impact on consumption across the euro area countries through their housing and mortgage markets. The authors disentangle monetary-policy-induced effects on consumption associated with variations on the housing markets due to either house price variations or residential investment changes. The authors show that the housing market can play a role in the monetary transmission mechanism even in countries with less developed mortgage markets through variations in residential investment.
Liquidity, interest rates and house prices in the euro area: a DSGE analysis
Authors: Rubio Margarita , Carrasco-Gallego José A.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This study aims to build a two-country monetary union dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with housing to assess how different shocks contributed to the increase in housing prices and credit in the European Economic and Monetary Union. One of the countries is calibrated to represent the core group in the euro area, while the other one corresponds to the periphery.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors explore how a liquidity shock (or a decrease in the interest rate) affects house prices and the real economy through the asset price and the collateral channel. Then, they analyze how a house price shock in the periphery and a technology shock in the core countries are transmitted to both economies.

Findings

The authors find that a combination of an increase in liquidity in the euro area coming from the common monetary policy, together with asymmetric house price and technology shocks, contributed to an increase in house prices in the euro area and a stronger credit growth in the peripheral economies.

Originality/value

This paper represents the theoretical counterpart to empirical studies that show, through macroeconometric models, the interrelation between liquidity and other shocks with house prices. Using a DSGE model with housing, the authors disentangle the mechanisms behind these empirical findings.
House price return volatility patterns in Turkey, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir
Authors: Coskun Yener , Ertugrul Hasan Murat
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze volatility properties of the house price returns of Turkey and Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir provinces over the period of July 2007-June 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses conditional variance models, namely, ARCH, GARCH and E-GARCH. As the supportive approach for the discussions, we also use correlation analysis and qualitative inputs.

Findings

Empirical findings suggest several points. First, city/country-level house price return volatility series display volatility clustering pattern and therefore volatilities in house price returns are time varying. Second, it seems that there were high (excess) and stable volatility periods during observation term. Third, a significant economic event may change country/city-level volatilities. In this context, the biggest and relatively persistent shock was the lagged negative shocks of global financial crisis. More importantly, short-lived political/economic shocks have not significant impacts on house price return volatilities in Turkey, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Fourth, however, house price return volatilities differ across geographic areas, volatility series may show some co-movement pattern. Fifth, volatility comparison across cities reveal that Izmir shows more excess volatility cases, Ankara recorded the highest volatility point and Istanbul and national series show lower and insignificant volatilities.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses maximum available data and focuses on some house price return volatility patterns. The first implication of the findings is that micro/macro dimensions of house price return volatilities should be carefully analyzed to forecast upside/downside risks of house price returns. Second, defined volatility clustering pattern implies that rate of return of housing investment may show specific patterns in some periods and volatile periods may result in some large losses in the returns. Third, model results generally suggest that however data constraint is a major problem, market participants should analyze regional idiosyncrasies during their decision-making in housing portfolio management. Fourth, because house prices are not sensitive to relatively less structural shocks, housing may represent long-term investment instrument if it provides satisfactory hedging from inflation.

Originality/value

The evidences and implications would be useful for housing market participants aiming to manage/use externalities of housing price movements. From a practical contribution perspective, the study provides a tool that will allow measuring first time of the return volatility patterns of house prices in Turkey and her three biggest provinces. Local level analysis for Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir provinces, as the globally fastest growing cities, would be found specifically interesting by international researchers and practitioner.
The sources of house price change: identifying liquidity shocks to the housing market
Authors: Taltavull de La Paz Paloma , White Michael
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of monetary liquidity in house price evolution through examining the Asset (housing) Inflation channel. It identifies the main channels of transmission affecting house prices from monetary supply channels to house price change, examining how the Asset Price channel transmits changes in M1 to housing prices in Spain and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses Vector Auto Regression (VAR) and Error Correction models to test the Asset Inflation channel in the UK and Spain from 1991 to 2013 in two steps. In the first step, the supply elasticity is estimated through the long-term relationship between house prices and stock supply. The second step estimates a Vector Error Correction (VEC) to explain house price dynamics conditioned on supply reactions. The latter is defined as a long-term inverse demand model where housing prices are controlled by fundamentals in each market. Models allow forecast testing using Choleski impulse responses methodology.

Findings

Several results are found. In the supply model, both countries show rapid convergence to equilibrium with a larger elasticity of supply in Spain than in the UK but with a short run effect of new supply on prices in the UK. Regarding the Asset Inflation Channel model, the paper finds evidence of the existence of a housing accelerator effect in Spain, but not in the UK where changes in liquidity fully impact house prices in one direction.

Research limitations/implications

Implications of findings are mainly to forecast the effects of Monetary Policy measures in different economies.

Practical implications

The model supports the evaluation of different impacts of monetary policy in territories. It shows that the same policy will have different impacts in different housing markets and therefore highlights the importance of examining each market separately to identify the appropriate policy interventions.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that estimates the impact of the Asset Inflation Channel on house prices that endogenises housing market conditions and compares effects and interrelationships in two different economies.
Managing money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit
Authors: Chhina Ramandeep Kaur
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the role of banks in detecting and mitigating money laundering risks in trade finance activities, especially in commercial letters of credit, and to answer the central question: do banks comply with regulations that are inadequate (if so, is more stringent regulation compatible with the commercial world of trade finance?), or are banks are in danger of non-compliance?

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant principles promulgated by international organisations as well as the law enacted in UK to prevent money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit was examined to assess banks’ compliance with their anti-money laundering (AML) obligations. The key provisions of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Wolfsberg Trade Finance Principles were discussed, and the extent of banks’ compliance with these provisions was highlighted by carefully analysing the steps a bank might take at various stages of the operation of a commercial letter of credit and what the banks in fact do. The paper relies heavily on the findings of the recent study conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) to analyse the actual practice followed by UK banks in controlling money laundering risks in transactions involving commercial letters of credit.

Findings

The paper establishes that considering the formal nature of commercial letters of credit (which makes them independent from the underlying transaction), any stringent measures to regulate trade finance activities of a bank may destroy the effectiveness of commercial letters of credit as a tool for promoting international trade. The current law and regulations together with the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group Sectoral Guidance and the Wolfsberg Principles provide the requisite legal and regulatory framework to control money laundering risks in commercial letters of credit. The paper however establishes that the majority of banks in UK currently appear to be in danger of non-compliance with the UK AML regime and certainly need to meet their AML obligations in a more serious way.

Practical implications

The findings may influence banks to adopt a more vigilant approach in their trade finance activities and to undertake more responsibility in ensuring compliance with the current AML law and regulations, while highlighting that their current practice may put them in danger of non-compliance.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates in an exceptional way the legal and regulatory requirements for banks to prevent money laundering risks in their trade finance activities and where, in practice, the banks are falling short of compliance with these requirements. By adopting a step-by-step approach in evaluating banks’ “current-and-must have” approach to controlling money laundering risks at various stages of a commercial letter, the paper makes a valuable contribution to the study of combating money laundering in commercial letter of credit transactions.
Mannequin system for the self-training of nurses in the changing of clothes
Authors: Ogata Taiki , Nagata Ayanori , Huang Zhifeng , Katayama Takahiro , Kanai-Pak Masako , Maeda Jukai , Kitajima Yasuko , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Aida Kyoko , Kuwahara Noriaki , Ota Jun
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– For self-training of nursing students, this paper developed a mannequin to simulate and measure the movement of a patient’s arms while nurses changed the patient’s clothes on a bed. In addition, using the mannequin the purpose of this paper is to determine the difference in the handling of a patient’s arms between nursing teachers and students.

Design/methodology/approach

– The target patient was an old man with complete paralysis. Three-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) shoulder joints and one-DOF elbow joints were applied to the mannequin. The angles of all joints were measured using a potentiometer, and those angles were transmitted to a computer via Bluetooth.

Findings

– In a preliminary experiment, the two nursing teachers confirmed that the mannequin arms simulated the motion of the arms of a paralyzed patient. In the experiment, two teachers and six students changed the clothes of the mannequin. The average joint angle of the left elbow and the moving frequency of the left elbow, right shoulder adduction/abduction and right shoulder internal/external rotation were lower in the case of teachers dressing the mannequin than when students were dressing it.

Originality/value

– The proposed system can simulate a completely paralyzed patient that nursing students would normally be almost unable to train with. Additionally, the proposed approach can reveal differences between skilled and non-skilled people in the treatment of a patient’s body.
An empirical examination of the mediating influence of time management on the relationship between adult attention deficit and role stress
Authors: Coetzer Graeme
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical examination of the mediating influence of time management (TM) on relationship between adult attention deficit (AAD) and role stress (RS).

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 117 actively employed business graduate students completed a self-report measure of RS and identified two close associates, one of which completed an observer version of the Brown Attention Deficit Scale while the other complete an observer version of a TM measure. Product moment correlations were used to test the hypotheses that AAD, TM and RS were associated. The Sobel test of mediation was used to test the hypothesis that TM mediated the relationship between AAD and RS.

Findings

– AAD, TM and RS are associated with each other and TM partially mediates the relationship between AAD and RS.

Research limitations/implications

– Research study is limited by a measure of AAD that may not fully represent all the key symptom clusters and an indirect workplace sample. Further investigation of AAD symptoms, including potentially positive manifestations like entre/intrapreneurial cognition and behavior, is required to stabilize the content, structure and measurement of the construct.

Practical implications

– Organizations wishing to ensure timely completion of tasks and limit disruptive RS need to be aware of the influence of AAD. The provision of TM training, productivity management tools and an organized work space free of distractions is suggested for disordered employees. Various forms of organizational coaching including a peer coaching system may help disordered employees better manage both their time and their role. The effective design and management of teams represents a significant opportunity for effectively distributing the potential benefits of the disorder while managing deficits like poor TM and increased RS. Organizational development interventions that focus on TM and role (re)negotiation are suggested. Employee assistance programs that raise awareness and provide access to assessment are an important part of multimodal management of the disorder.

Social implications

– Increasing social, economic and legal pressures to provide reasonable accommodation for functional but disordered employees and take appropriate advantage of employee diversity underscores the general social value of this research.

Originality/value

– This research study is the first empirical examination of the mediating influence of TM on the relationship between AAD and RS. The results are of value to researchers, organizational development specialists, human resource management specialists, managers and employees who are seeking effective multimodal management of the disorder in the workplace.
Organizational socialization tactics and newcomer information seeking in the contingent workforce
Authors: Benzinger Diana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare newcomers’ perceptions on how employers structure the socialization process in the core and peripheral workforce and to explore the proactivity of these new hires in form of information seeking behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data of this study were collected from a German sample with 359 contingent and permanent new hires in skilled jobs.

Findings

– The employment type was linked to both socialization tactics firms provided during organizational entry as well as information seeking of permanent and contingent newcomers. In addition, organizational tenure was positively linked with information seeking of both newly hired temporary agency workers and newcomers holding fixed-term contracts.

Research limitations/implications

– Since most of the participants worked for different employers, differences in socialization might also be caused by different organizational cultures. Future studies should compare the socialization of new permanent and new temporary workers on an inter-organizational and intra-organizational level.

Practical implications

– For skilled jobs firms should offer long-term assignments for temporary agency workers, as they are associated with higher proactivity. Further, firms should intensify the socialization of newcomers holding longer-term work contracts, as these employees may tend to show lower proactivity.

Social implications

– A structured organizational entry of skilled temporary agency workers may represent a stepping stone for permanent employment due to improved work attitudes and behaviors.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that examines employment characteristics as potential determinants of organizational socialization tactics. In addition, the study uses a German sample and therefore, follows recent calls for more research on organizational socialization in non-Anglo-Saxon work contexts.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with pustular psoriasis with an IL‐36RN deficiency treated with infliximab: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Podlipnik Sebastian , de la Mora Lorena , Alsina Mercè , Mascaró José M
Published: May 2016

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a relatively rare complication in non‐HIV patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Since the introduction of tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors cases of this complication have increased. We report the case of a 54‐year‐old, HIV‐negative patient, who presented to our department with a long history of pustular psoriasis with poor response to traditional treatments. During the last admission he developed a severe flare that was unresponsive to cyclosporine, therefore infliximab was initiated. After the third dose he developed PCP that required admission to the intensive care unit, with a positive response to i.v. administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. During follow up a mutation in the IL36RN gene compatible with an IL‐36RN deficiency was found and anakinra was started, with rapid improvement of his psoriasis. PCP is a severe complication in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and is probably underreported by dermatologists. There are no clinical guidelines for PCP prophylaxis in dermatological patients who will receive immunosuppressive or biological treatments. We believe that it is necessary to report the cases of PCP to assess the real impact of this complication and develop appropriate prophylaxis guidelines.
Simple Plex™: A Novel Multi‐Analyte, Automated Microfluidic Immunoassay Platform for the Detection of Human and Mouse Cytokines and Chemokines
Authors: Aldo Paulomi , Marusov Gregory , Svancara Danielle , David James , Mor Gil
Published: May 2016

Problem

Quantitative measurement of proteins in bodily fluids or cellular preparations is critical for the evaluation of biomarkers or the study of complex cellular processes. While immunoassays are the most common quantitative approach used so far, they are not practical for the evaluation of multiple proteins. Microfluidic technology allows a fine spatial control in immobilizing proteins and biomolecules inside microchannels, eliminating cross‐reactivity between competing analytes, and allowing rapid and sensitive detection of targeted antigens for multiple applications. We report the characterization and validation of the Simple Plex™ platform for the detection and quantification of cytokines and chemokines from human and mouse samples.

Method

Cytokine and chemokine expression levels were determined using Simple Plex cartridges from ProteinSimple. Serum samples were obtained from the Yale Biorepository.

Results

Our data demonstrate an excellent correlation between the results obtained with Simple Plex and conventional immunoassays such as ELISA and Luminex.

Conclusion

We describe the characterization and validation of Simple Plex, a novel multi‐analyte, automated microfluidic platform that allows the evaluation of cytokines and chemokines from human and mice biological samples. Simple Plex showed significant advantages over traditional approaches in terms of low sample volume requirements, sensitivity and dynamic range, coefficient of variation, and reproducibility.
A behavioural nutrition intervention for obese pregnant women: Effects on diet quality, weight gain and the incidence of gestational diabetes
Authors: Opie Rachelle S. , Neff Madeleine , Tierney Audrey C.
Published: May 2016

Background

Obese pregnant women have an increased risk of antenatal, intra‐ and post‐partum complications. At present, there is limited evidence to support specific nutritional management of obese women in pregnancy, and guidelines are infrequently translated into practice.

Aims

To implement an individually tailored nutrition program for obese pregnant women to reduce the rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), improve diet quality, achieve weight gain targets, limit gestational weight gain (GWG) and reduce complications for mother and child.

Methods

A prospective dietary intervention study was conducted at a hospital in Melbourne, Australia, using a parallel control group from the Birthing Outcomes System (BOS) database. Obese pregnant women were included if they were ≤21 weeks gestation and aged ≥18 years. The intervention group received one face‐to‐face dietitian‐delivered consultation, with reviews conducted over the phone.

Results

A total of 92 and 125 obese pregnant women were enrolled into the dietary intervention group and BOS control group, respectively. The diet quality of intervention participants improved, without significant differences in GWG across groups. In the control group, 19.3% of women developed GDM, compared to 6.5% in the diet group (P 0.013). However, after adjusting for ethnicity and body mass index, the association between the diet group and GDM incidence was no longer significant.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a behavioural nutrition intervention, individually tailored for obese pregnant women can improve diet quality. A larger randomised controlled trial targeted at obese pregnant women, with comparable groups at baseline, is required to observe the effects of dietary improvement on GDM incidence, and other maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to give birth to children who experience early weight problems
Authors: Hakanen T , Saha MT , Salo MK , Nummi T , Harjunmaa U , Lipiäinen L , Vuorela N
Published: May 2016

Aim

We tracked the body mass index (BMI) of children born to mothers with or without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or type 1 diabetes from birth to 12 years of age and examined the trends in both diseases.

Methods

Antenatal and postnatal health survey data were collected from 6909 Finnish children born at six time points between 1974 and 2004. We compared the BMI trajectory between the offspring of mothers with and without GDM or type 1 diabetes, and the association between GDM and overweight offspring was analysed.

Results

The prevalence of GDM and type 1 diabetes increased markedly over the study period. The BMI trajectory in the GDM or type 1 diabetes offspring differed significantly from the nondiabetic offspring. The timing of adiposity rebound occurred significantly earlier in the GDM (4.8 years) and type 1 diabetes (4.4 years) groups than the nondiabetic group (5.5 years). GDM offspring were more likely to be overweight at five, seven and 12 years of age (24.6%, 28.1%, 29.4%) than nondiabetic offspring (15.6%, 18.3%, 18.1%).

Conclusion

Children born to mothers with GDM were significantly more likely to be overweight at an early age than those born to nondiabetic mothers.
Beyond “Simple” Recategorization: A Commentary on Moss and Vollhardt
Authors: Licata Laurent
Published: May 2016

This commentary on Moss and Vollhardt's (2016) article examines how their findings complement a study by Kanazayire, Licata, Mélotte, Dusingizemungu, and Azzi (2014), which also sought to assess the effectiveness of the Rwandan government's ethnic identity policy for improving reconciliation sentiments in postgenocide Rwanda.
Estradiol stimulates glycogen synthesis whereas progesterone promotes glycogen catabolism in the uterus of the American mink (Neovison vison)
Authors: Bowman Kole , Rose Jack
Published: May 2016

Glycogen synthesis by mink uterine glandular and luminal epithelia (GE and LE) is stimulated by estradiol (E2) during estrus. Subsequently, the glycogen deposits are mobilized to near completion to meet the energy requirements of pre‐embryonic development and implantation by as yet undetermined mechanisms. We hypothesized that progesterone (P4) was responsible for catabolism of uterine glycogen reserves as one of its actions to ensure reproductive success. Mink were treated with E2, P4 or vehicle (controls) for 3 days and uteri collected 24 h (E2, P4 and vehicle) and 96 h (E2) later. To evaluate E2 priming, mink were treated with E2 for 3 days, then P4 for an additional 3 days (E2→P4) and uteri collected 24 h later. Percent glycogen content of uterine epithelia was greater at E2 + 96 h (GE = 5.71 ± 0.55; LE = 11.54 ± 2.32) than E2+24 h (GE = 3.63 ± 0.71; LE = 2.82 ± 1.03), and both were higher than controls (GE = 0.27 ± 0.15; LE = 0.54 ± 0.30; P < 0.05). Treatment as E2→P4 reduced glycogen content (GE = 0.61 ± 0.16; LE = 0.51 ± 0.13), to levels not different from controls, while concomitantly increasing catabolic enzyme (glycogen phosphorylase m and glucose‐6‐phosphatase) gene expression and amount of phospho‐glycogen synthase protein (inactive) in uterine homogenates. Interestingly, E2→P4 increased glycogen synthase 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and hexokinase 1mRNA and protein. Our findings suggest to us that while E2 promotes glycogen accumulation by the mink uterus during estrus and pregnancy, it is P4 that induces uterine glycogen catabolism, releasing the glucose that is essential to support pre‐embryonic survival and implantation.
Stress exposure and psychological stress responses are related to glucose concentrations during pregnancy
Authors: Horsch Antje , Kang Ji Seon , Vial Yvan , Ehlert Ulrike , Borghini Ayala , Marques‐Vidal Pedro , Jacobs Ingo , Puder Jardena J.
Published: May 2016

Objectives

The role of stress in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has so far been neglected. We investigated the impact of stress exposure (pregnancy‐related and pregnancy‐unrelated major life events), psychological stress responses (perceived stress, subjective experience of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep), and physiological stress responses (salivary cortisol, plasma copeptin levels) on glucose concentrations during pregnancy.

Design

Cross‐sectional study, including 203 pregnant women at the maternity department of a Swiss university hospital.

Methods

All women underwent routine screening for GDM with a 75‐g oral glucose‐tolerance test at 24–30 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy‐related and pregnancy‐unrelated major life events, perceived stress, general psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and amount of sleep were assessed by validated self‐report questionnaires. Cortisol was measured using fasting and bedtime saliva samples, and copeptin using fasting plasma. All data were collected before communication of the screening test results.

Results

Significant positive associations were found between the number of pregnancy‐related major life events and fasting glucose, while there was no association with pregnancy‐unrelated major life events. More anxiety and depressive symptoms, a higher general level of distress, and a shorter duration of sleep were related to fasting glucose, although the latter two were no longer significant when age and BMI were controlled for. However, physiological stress responses were not associated with glucose concentrations. When testing for unique associations with fasting glucose, more general distress and shorter duration of sleep independently accounted for higher fasting glucose levels. Finally, when comparing women with and without GDM, we found that women who subsequently received the diagnosis of GDM reported more pregnancy‐related life events.

Conclusions

Some indicators of stress exposure and psychological stress responses were associated with fasting glucose concentrations in pregnant women, thus representing important risk factors for GDM development.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Only approximately half of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) report any known risk factors.

Women after GDM diagnosis reported more major life events compared to healthy pregnant controls.

What does this study add?

Stress exposure and psychological stress responses were associated with fasting glucose concentrations in pregnant before women were aware of their GDM diagnosis.

These represent important risk factors for GDM development and potential targets for intervention.
An experimental test of control theory‐based interventions for physical activity
Authors: Prestwich Andrew , Conner Mark , Hurling Robert , Ayres Karen , Morris Ben
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To provide an experimental test of control theory to promote physical activity.

Design

Parallel groups, simple randomized design with an equal chance of allocation to any group.

Methods

Participants not meeting recommended levels of physical activity but physically safe to do so (N = 124) were recruited on a UK university campus and randomized to goal‐setting + self‐monitoring + feedback (GS + SM + F, n = 40), goal‐setting + self‐monitoring (GS + SM, n = 40), or goal‐setting only (GS, n = 44) conditions that differentially tapped the key features of control theory. Accelerometers assessed physical activity (primary outcome) as well as self‐report over a 7‐day period directly before/after the start of the intervention.

Results

The participants in the GS + SM + F condition significantly outperformed those in the GS condition, d = 0.62, 95% CI d = 0.15–1.08, and marginally outperformed those in the GS + SM condition in terms of total physical activity at follow‐up on the accelerometer measure, d = 0.33, 95% CI d = −0.13 to 0.78. The feedback manipulation (GS + SM + F vs. GS + SM and GS) was most effective when baseline intentions were weak. These patterns did not emerge on the self‐report measure but, on the basis of this measure, the feedback manipulation increased the risk that participants coasted in relation to their goal in the first few days of the intervention period.

Conclusions

Using behaviour change techniques consistent with control theory can lead to significant short‐term improvements on objectively assessed physical activity. Further research is needed to examine the underlying theoretical principles of the model.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Interventions incorporating more techniques that are consistent with control theory are associated with larger positive changes in health behaviours and related outcomes (see reviews by Dombrowski et al., ; Michie et al., ).

However, none of the studies included in these reviews were explicitly based on control theory (see Prestwich et al., ).

What does this study add?

This study is the first experimental test of the cumulative effects of behaviour change techniques as proposed by control theory.

Intervening on all aspects of the feedback loop noted by control theory leads to more change; however, the risk that some participants coast in relation to their set goal is significant.

This approach increased physical activity more in those with weaker intentions pre‐intervention.
Reversibility of Apixaban Anticoagulation with a Four‐Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Nagalla S , Thomson L , Oppong Y , Bachman B , Chervoneva I , Kraft WK
Published: May 2016

It was hypothesized that the four‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F‐PCC) Kcentra 25 unit/kg would reverse impairment of thrombin generation in healthy volunteers dosed with apixaban to steady state. In this randomized, two‐period crossover, assessor‐blinded trial, 12 healthy subjects received 5 mg apixaban every 12 h. Three h after the fifth dose, four‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F‐PCC) 25 unit/kg or saline were infused. Serial blood samples were assessed for thrombin generation using PPP‐reagent and PPP‐reagent low, anti‐Xa, PT, and PTT assays. Geometric mean ratio was calculated at 30 min postinfusion, and at 24, 48, and 72 h. Peak thrombin generation was 76% higher at 30 min postinfusion with 4F‐PCC (p = 0.025). The difference declined to 24% at 24 h and resolved by 48 h. Other thrombin generation parameters were also partially normalized. There was no difference between 4F‐PCC and saline in anti‐Xa assessment at 30 min or later time points.
Supporting the risk management process with land information: a case study of Australia
Authors: Potts Katie Elizabeth , Rajabifard Abbas , Bennett Rohan Mark
Published: May 2016

It is frequently argued that, at the parcel level,stakeholders are capable of and well supported in managing their land‐related risks. Yet, evidence from the contemporary Australian context suggests otherwise: numerous large‐scale disaster events have revealed that citizens are ill‐prepared to respond and recover adequately. This paper begins with the premise that information, specifically land information, could better support parcel‐level risk preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery. State land administration organisations in Australia primarily maintain this information and make it accessible. Land information is used regularly across all levels of government to support risk management activities; however, such application has not always occurred at the parcel and citizen level. Via a case study approach, this paper initially explores the land information available in Australia to stakeholders interested in parcel‐level detail, and then goes on to propose how the utilisation of parcel‐level land information could serve to enhance risk management practices.
Modeling nitrous oxide emission from rivers: a global assessment
Authors: Hu Minpeng , Chen Dingjiang , Dahlgren Randy A.
Published: May 2016

Estimates of global riverine nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions contain great uncertainty. We conducted a meta‐analysis incorporating 169 observations from published literature to estimate global riverine N2O emission rates and emission factors. Riverine N2O flux was significantly correlated with NH4, NO3 and DIN (NH4 + NO3) concentrations, loads and yields. The emission factors EF(a) (i.e., the ratio of N2O emission rate and DIN load) and EF(b) (i.e., the ratio of N2O and DIN concentrations) values were comparable and showed negative correlations with nitrogen concentration, load and yield and water discharge, but positive correlations with the dissolved organic carbon : DIN ratio. After individually evaluating 82 potential regression models based on EF(a) or EF(b) for global, temperate zone and subtropical zone datasets, a power function of DIN yield multiplied by watershed area was determined to provide the best fit between modeled and observed riverine N2O emission rates (EF(a): R2 = 0.92 for both global and climatic zone models, n = 70; EF(b): R2 = 0.91 for global model and R2 = 0.90 for climatic zone models, n = 70). Using recent estimates of DIN loads for 6400 rivers, models estimated global riverine N2O emission rates of 29.6–35.3 (mean = 32.2) Gg N2O–N yr−1 and emission factors of 0.16–0.19% (mean = 0.17%). Global riverine N2O emission rates are forecasted to increase by 35%, 25%, 18% and 3% in 2050 compared to the 2000s under the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's Global Orchestration, Order from Strength, Technogarden, and Adapting Mosaic scenarios, respectively. Previous studies may overestimate global riverine N2O emission rates (300–2100 Gg N2O–N yr−1) because they ignore declining emission factor values with increasing nitrogen levels and channel size, as well as neglect differences in emission factors corresponding to different nitrogen forms. Riverine N2O emission estimates will be further enhanced through refining emission factor estimates, extending measurements longitudinally along entire river networks and improving estimates of global riverine nitrogen loads.
The All‐Age Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Potential Transmission Routes. A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Breckan Ragnar K. , Paulssen Eyvind J. , Asfeldt Anne Mette , Kvamme Jan‐Magnus , Straume Bjørn , Florholmen Jon
Published: May 2016

Background and aims

Previous research on H. pylori epidemiology has mostly focused on adult populations. We have aimed to study H. pylori prevalence in all age groups including children and adolescents and to identify potential routes of transmission.

Methods

Subjects from all age groups (children 0–11 years, adolescents 12–17 years and adults ≥18 years of age), recruited from both an urban and a rural community in Northern Norway, were invited to provide stool samples for the diagnosis of H. pylori antigen and to fill in a questionnaire (adult and adolescents only) on gastrointestinal symptoms, lifestyle factors and biometric data.

Results

A total of 1 624 (35.3%) of the invited subjects, including 173 (39.3%) of the children, 46 (19.2%) of the adolescents, and 1 416 (36.1%) of the adults, responded to the invitation. H. pylori infection was nearly undetectable (0.6%) among the children, whereas the prevalence increased from 20% in adolescents toward a peak of 45% in the highest age group. Univariate analyses of possible risk factors of H. pylori infection showed significant associations to private well water, the use of outhouse toilet, and having farm animals in childhood, but the associations waned in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

In our populations, with apparent high hygienic standards, the transmission of H. pylori infection may start not only in childhood, but also in adolescence, where potential transmission routes may be outdoor toilet use, private well water, and farm animals.
A Review on Wear and Friction Performance of Carbon–Carbon Composites at High Temperature
Authors: Kumar Parshant , Srivastava Vijay Kumar
Published: May 2016

Carbon–carbon (C/C) composite is one of the best ceramic matrix composite due to its high mechanical properties and applications at control environments in various sectors. Carbon–carbon composite is made of woven carbon fibers; carbonaceous polymers and hydrocarbons are used as matrix precursors. These composites generally have densities <2.0 g/cm3 even after densification. C/C composites have good frictional properties and thermal conductivity at high temperature. Also C/C composite can be used as brake pads in high‐speed vehicles. In spite of various applications, C/C composites are very much prone to oxidation at high temperature. Therefore, C/C composites must be protected from oxidation for the use at high temperature.