bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distal Femoral Valgus and Recurrent Traumatic Patellar Instability: Is an Isolated Varus Producing Distal Femoral Osteotomy a Treatment Option?
Authors: Wilson Philip L. , Black Sheena R. , Ellis Henry B. , Podeszwa David A.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Genu valgum, a risk factor for recurrent patellofemoral instability, can be addressed with a varus producing distal femoral osteotomy (DFO). The purpose of this study is to report 3-year clinical and radiographic outcomes on a series of skeletally mature adolescents with traumatic patellofemoral instability and genu valgum who underwent a varus producing DFO.

Methods:

Consecutive patients (n=11) who underwent an isolated DFO for recurrent traumatic patellar instability over a 4-year study period (2009 to 2012) were reviewed. All patients were below 19 years of age, skeletally mature, had ≥2 patellar dislocations, genu valgum (≥ zone II mechanical axis) and failed nonoperative treatment. Exclusion criteria included less than three-year follow-up, congenital or habitual patellar instability, osteotomy indicated for pathology other than patellar instability, or biplanar osteotomies. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence of instability and outcome measures (Kujala and Tegner Activity Scale) were collected at final followed-up prospectively.

Results:

Ten of 11 patients (average age, 16 y; range, 14 to 18 y; 4 male individuals: 7 female individuals) with an average follow-up of 4.25 years (range, 3.2 to 6.0 y) met inclusion criteria. The average body mass index (BMI) of all patients was 31.3 (range, 19.7 to 46.8) with 91% considered overweight (BMI>25) and 55% obese (BMI>30). The average preoperative lateral distal femoral angle was 75.4 degrees with an average correction of 10.4 degrees (range, 7 to 12 degrees) (P<0.001). Mean patellar height ratios were reduced; with Caton-Deschamps Index significantly reduced to 1.08 (range, 0.86 to 1.30) (P<0.005). The average postoperative Kujala score was 83.6 (range, 49 to 99) with 7 subjects (70%) reporting good to excellent function (Kujala > 80) and 8 (80%) having no further episodes of instability. The mean postoperative Tegner activity score was 5.5 (range, 3 to 7).

Conclusions:

A distal femoral varus producing osteotomy may change radiographic parameters associated with patellar instability and improve clinical outcomes by reducing symptomatic patellofemoral instability in this patient population.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Long-Term Outcome After Penetrating Keratoplasty in a Pedigree With the G177E Mutation in the UBIAD1 Gene for Schnyder Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Kitazawa Koji , Wakimasu Koichi , Kayukawa Kanae , Sugimoto Manabu , Nakai Junko , Weiss Jayne S. , Ueno Morio , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To investigate the long-term surgical outcome after penetrating keratoplasty in 5 patients from 1 pedigree with Schnyder corneal dystrophy (SCD), resulting from the same UbiA prenyltransferase domain containing 1 (UBIAD1) mutation.

Methods:

This retrospective study involved 6 eyes of 5 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for treatment of SCD. Postoperative surgical outcome measures included the analysis of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal endothelial cell density, and the rates of corneal graft rejection and disease recurrence. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood samples obtained from each patient at the time of surgery, and mutation analysis of the UBIAD1 gene was then performed.

Results:

All patients were found to have the same G177E mutation in the UBIAD1 gene. Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 61.5 ± 10.4 years (range, 49–72 yrs), and mean postoperative follow-up period was 8.8 ± 3.1 years (range, 3–11 yrs). Preoperatively, BCVA ranged from logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 1.7 to logMAR 0.22; yet, it was found that BCVA had improved to logMAR 0.02 at 3 years postoperatively. Mean corneal endothelial cell density at 3, 5, and 8 years postoperatively was 2181, 1783, and 910 cells/mm2, respectively. In all eyes, no disease recurrence or corneal graft rejection was observed during the follow-up period, and graft transparency was maintained.

Conclusions:

Our findings show that the corneal grafts in the reported SCD pedigree remained clear with no rejection or disease recurrence over the long term.
Chondromyxoid Fibroma Arising in Craniofacial Sites
Authors: Meredith David M. , Fletcher Christopher D.M. , Jo Vickie Y.
Published: January 2018

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare benign tumor, usually arising in the metaphysis of long bones in young adults. Occurrence in craniofacial bones presents a particular diagnostic challenge given its unusual location and resemblance to malignant mimics. We describe the clinicopathologic features of 25 cases of craniofacial CMF identified between 1999 and 2017. Patients were 14 men and 11 women, with median age of 44 years (range, 5 to 83 y). Sites of involvement were sphenoid (7), ethmoid (5), maxilla (3), occipital (2), nasal septum (2), palatine (2), temporal (2), orbit (1), and undisclosed skull (1). Tumor size ranged from 0.8 to 6.0 cm (median, 2.0 cm). Of the 21 tumors with available radiology, 15 arose on the bone surface with expansion into adjacent sinuses; 6 were intraosseous. Bony erosion/destruction was present in most (13/16) cases, and 7/12 showed calcification on imaging. Microscopically, most tumors showed a lobulated growth pattern with hypocellular central chondromyxoid areas and peripheral hypercellularity, though many samples were fragmented. Tumor cells had ovoid to tapered nuclei and abundant palely eosinophilic cytoplasm, frequently with stellate cell processes. Mitoses ranged from 0 to 2 per 10 high-power fields (median count, 0). None showed necrosis. Significant atypia was present in 2 cases, 1 of which was a previously radiated recurrence. Bone infiltration was present in 6 cases. Thirteen tumors had focal calcification, and 2 had foci of hyaline cartilage. All tumors were negative for keratin and GFAP (0/24), with frequent positivity for SMA (7/7) and occasional staining for EMA (5/24) and S-100 (2/24). Most patients underwent piecemeal excision or curettage (5/5 positive margins when reported). Follow-up data were available for 15 patients, and 5 suffered local recurrence. Craniofacial CMF poses diagnostic pitfalls including frequent aggressive radiologic features and lack of a specific immunophenotype. Tumors may recur, largely due to the difficulty of obtaining clear surgical margins in this anatomic region. Furthermore, propensity for local destruction and invasion can create significant morbidity.
Ultrasound Imaging and Guided Injection for the Lateral and Posterior Hip
Authors: Chang Ke-Vin , Wu Wei-Ting , Lew Henry L. , Özçakar Levent
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound has emerged as one of the most utilized tools to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and to assist in interventions. Traditionally, sonographic examination of the hip joint has been challenging because most of the major structures are deeply situated, thus requiring the use of curvilinear transducer for better penetrance. The posterior lateral hip is a frequent area for musculoskeletal pain and nerve entrapments. Common disorders include greater trochanteric pain syndrome, gluteus medius tendinopathy, piriformis syndrome, pudendal neuralgia, and proximal hamstring tendinopathy. The present review article aims to delineate sonoanatomy of the posterior lateral hip and to exemplify several common ultrasound guided procedures at the greater trochanteric, gluteal, and ischial tuberosity regions.
Physical Activity Patterns and Sedentary Behavior in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence: an Accelerometer-based Study
Authors: Chu Christine M. , Khanijow Kavita D. , Schmitz Kathryn H. , Newman Diane K. , Arya Lily A. , Harvie Heidi S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Objective physical activity data for women with urinary incontinence are lacking. We investigated the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the severity of urinary symptoms in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence using accelerometers.

Materials and Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a study that measured physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time) and sedentary behavior (percentage of sedentary time, number of sedentary bouts per day) using a triaxial accelerometer in older community-dwelling adult women not actively seeking treatment of their urinary symptoms. The relationship between urinary symptoms and physical activity variables was measured using linear regression.

Results

Our cohort of 35 community-dwelling women (median, age, 71 years) demonstrated low physical activity (median daily step count, 2168; range, 687–5205) and high sedentary behavior (median percentage of sedentary time, 74%; range, 54%–89%). Low step count was significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.02). Shorter duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time was significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.001), nocturnal enuresis (P = 0.04), and greater use of incontinence products (P = 0.04). Greater percentage of time spent in sedentary behavior was also significantly associated with nocturia (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Low levels of physical activity are associated with greater nocturia and nocturnal enuresis. Sedentary behavior is a new construct that may be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Physical activity and sedentary behavior represent potential new targets for treating nocturnal urinary tract symptoms.
How Does Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Influence the Brain in Depressive Disorders?
Authors: Taïb Simon , Arbus Christophe , Sauvaget Anne , Sporer Marie , Schmitt Laurent , Yrondi Antoine
Published: January 2018

Objective

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a nonpharmacological technique used to stimulate the brain. It is a safe and proven alternative tool to treat resistant major depressive disorders (MDDs). Neuroimaging studies suggest a wide corticolimbic network is involved in MDDs. We researched observable changes in magnetic resonance imaging induced by rTMS to clarify the operational mechanism.

Methods

A systematic search of the international literature was performed using PubMed and Embase, using papers published up to January 1, 2017. The following MESH terms were used: (depression or major depressive disorder) and (neuroimaging or MRI) and (rTMS or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation). We searched the databases using a previously defined strategy to identify potentially eligible studies.

Results

Both structural and functional changes were observed on magnetic resonance imagings performed before and after rTMS. Various areas of the brain were impacted when rTMS was used. Although the results were very heterogeneous, a pattern that involved the anterior cingulate cortex and the prefrontal cortex emerged. These are known to be regions of interest in MDDs. However, the various parameters used in rTMS make any generalization difficult.

Conclusions

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation helps to treat MDDs with good efficacy. Its effect on the brain, as observed in several neuroimaging studies, seems to impact on the structural and functional features of several networks and structures involved in major depressive disorders.
Local Protein Dynamics during Microvesicle Exocytosis in Neuroendocrine Cells
Authors: Somasundaram Agila , Taraska Justin
Published: January 2018

Calcium triggered exocytosis is key to many physiological processes, including neurotransmitter and hormone release by neurons and endocrine cells. Dozens of proteins regulate exocytosis, yet the temporal and spatial dynamics of these factors during vesicle fusion remain unclear. Here we use total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to visualize local protein dynamics at single sites of exocytosis of small synaptic-like microvesicles in live cultured neuroendocrine PC12 cells. We employ two-color imaging to simultaneously observe membrane fusion (using vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) tagged to pHluorin) and the dynamics of associated proteins at the moments surrounding exocytosis. Our experiments show that many proteins, including the SNAREs syntaxin1 and VAMP2, the SNARE modulator tomosyn, and Rab proteins, are pre-clustered at fusion sites and rapidly lost at fusion. The ATPase NSF is locally recruited at fusion. Interestingly, the endocytic BAR domain-containing proteins amphiphysin1, syndapin2, and endophilins are dynamically recruited to fusion sites, and slow the loss of vesicle membrane-bound cargo from fusion sites. A similar effect on vesicle membrane protein dynamics was seen with the over-expression of the GTPases dynamin1 and dynamin2. These results suggest that proteins involved in classical clathrin-mediated endocytosis can regulate exocytosis of synaptic-like microvesicles. Our findings provide insights into the dynamics, assembly, and mechanistic roles of many key factors of exocytosis and endocytosis at single sites of microvesicle fusion in live cells.
Native experience modulates neural timing: plasticity in language prediction hierarchies
Authors: Giannelli Francesco , Molinaro Nicola
Published: January 2018

We investigated how native language experience shapes prediction mechanisms. Two groups of bilinguals (either Spanish or Basque natives) performed a word matching task (WMT) and a picture matching task (PMT). They indicated whether the stimuli they perceived matched with the noun they heard. Spanish noun endings were either diagnostic of the gender (transparent), or ambiguous (opaque). ERPs were time-locked to the gender-marked determiner preceding the predicted noun. In the WMT both groups showed a negative (~340 ms) effect. Basque natives displayed an earlier effect (~150 ms) for determiners preceding transparent nouns. In the PMT both groups showed an early effect (~160 ms) for determiners preceding opaque nouns. Transparent nouns' determiners elicited prediction at ~330 ms in Spanish natives, but at ~460 ms in Basque natives. It is concluded that bilinguals rely on the features of the L1 for predicting in the L2: native experience moulds prediction. Linguistic prediction is hierarchical, with different operation levels communicating at an interface stage.
Value Representations in the Rodent Orbitofrontal Cortex Drive Learning, not Choice
Authors: Miller Kevin J. , Botvinick Matthew M. , Brody Carlos D.
Published: January 2018

Humans and animals make predictions about the rewards they expect to receive in different situations. In formal models of behavior, these predictions are known as value representations, and they play two very different roles. Firstly, they drive choice: the expected values of available options are compared to one another, and the best option is selected. Secondly, they support learning: expected values are compared to rewards actually received, and future expectations are updated accordingly. Whether these different functions are mediated by different neural representations remains an open question. Here we employ a recently-developed multi-step task for rats that computationally separates learning from choosing. We investigate the role of value representations in the rodent orbitofrontal cortex, a key structure for value-based cognition. Electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic perturbations indicate that these representations do not directly drive choice. Instead, they signal expected reward information to a learning process elsewhere in the brain that updates choice mechanisms.
A scalable method to improve gray matter segmentation at ultra high field MRI
Authors: Gulban Omer Faruk , Schneider Marian , Marquardt Ingo , Haast Roy A.M. , De Martino Federico
Published: January 2018

High-resolution (functional) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ultra high magnetic fields (7 Tesla and above) enables researchers to study how anatomical and functional properties change within the cortical ribbon, along surfaces and across cortical depths. These studies require an accurate delineation of the gray matter ribbon, which often suffers from inclusion of blood vessels, dura mater and other non-brain tissue. Residual segmentation errors are commonly corrected by browsing the data slice-by-slice and manually changing labels. This task becomes increasingly laborious and prone to error at higher resolutions since both work and error scale with the number of voxels. Here we show that many mislabeled, non-brain voxels can be corrected more efficiently and semi-automatically by representing three-dimensional anatomical images using two-dimensional histograms. We propose both a uni-modal (based on first spatial derivative) and multi-modal (based on compositional data analysis) approach to this representation and quantify the benefits in 7 Tesla MRI data of nine volunteers. We present an openly accessible Python implementation of these approaches and demonstrate that editing cortical segmentations using two-dimensional histogram representations as an additional post-processing step aids existing algorithms and yields improved gray matter borders. By making our data and corresponding expert (ground truth) segmentations openly available, we facilitate future efforts to develop and test segmentation algorithms on this challenging type of data.
Extrapolating Weak Selection in Evolutionary Games
Authors: Zhuoqun Wang Nanjing U. , Rick Durrett Duke
Published: January 2018

This work is inspired by a 2013 paper from Arne Traulsen’s lab at the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Biology [10]. They studied the small mutation limit of evolutionary games. It has been shown that for 2×2 games the ranking of the strategies does not change as strength of selection is increased [11]. The point of the 2013 paper is that when there are three or more strategies the ordering can change as selection is increased. Wu et al [10] did numerical computations for fixed N. Here, we will instead let the strength of selection β = c/N and let N → ∞ to obtain formulas for the invadability probabilities ϕij that determine the rankings. These formulas, which are integrals on [0, 1], are intractable calculus problems but can be easily evaluated numerically. Here, we concentrate on simple formulas for the ranking order when c is small or c is large.
A thermodynamic atlas of carbon redox chemical space
Authors: Jinich Adrian , Sanchez-Lengeling Benjamin , Ren Haniu , Goldford Joshua E. , Noor Elad , Sanders Jacob N. , Segrè Daniel , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: January 2018

Redox biochemistry plays a key role in the transduction of chemical energy in living systems. However, the compounds observed in metabolic redox reactions are a minuscule fraction of chemical space. It is not clear whether compounds that ended up being selected as metabolites display specific properties that distinguish them from non-biological compounds. Here we introduce a systematic approach for comparing the chemical space of all possible redox states of linear-chain carbon molecules to the corresponding metabolites that appear in biology. Using cheminformatics and quantum chemistry, we analyze the physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of the biological and non-biological compounds. We find that, among all compounds, aldose sugars have the highest possible number of redox connections to other molecules. Metabolites are enriched in carboxylic acid functional groups and depleted of carbonyls, and have higher solubility than non-biological compounds. Upon constructing the energy landscape for the full chemical space as a function of pH and electron donor potential, we find that over a large range of conditions metabolites tend to have lower Gibbs energies than non-biological molecules. Finally, we generate Pourbaix phase diagrams that serve as a thermodynamic atlas to indicate which compounds are local and global energy minima in redox chemical space across a set of pH values and electron donor potentials. Our work yields insight into the physicochemical principles governing redox metabolism, and suggests that thermodynamic stability in aqueous environments may have played an important role in early metabolic processes.
Subgoal- and Goal-Related Prediction Errors in Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Ribas Fernandes José J. F. , Shahnazian Danesh , Holroyd Clay B. , Botvinick Matthew M.
Published: January 2018

A longstanding view of the organization of human and animal behavior holds that behavior is hierarchically organized, meaning that it can be understood as directed towards achieving superordinate goals through subordinate goals, or subgoals. For example, the superordinate goal of making coffee can be broken down as accomplishing a series of subgoals, namely boiling water, grinding coffee, pouring cream, etc.

Learning and behavioral adaptation depend on prediction-error signals, which have been observed in ventral striatum (VS) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In past work, we have shown that prediction error signals (PEs) can be linked not only to superordinate goals, but also to subgoals.

Here we present two functional magnetic resonance imagining experiments that replicate and extend these findings. In the first experiment, we replicated the finding that mPFC signals subgoal-related PEs, independently of goal PEs. Together with our past work, this experiment reveals that BOLD responses to PEs in mPFC are unsigned. In the second experiment, we showed that when a task involves both goal and subgoal PEs, mPFC shows only goal-related PEs, suggesting that context or attention can strongly impact hierarchical PE coding. Furthermore, we observed a dissociation between the coding of PEs in mPFC and VS. These experiments suggest that the mPFC selectively attends to information at different levels of hierarchy depending on the task context.
IsoCon: Deciphering highly similar multigene family transcripts from Iso-Seq data
Authors: Sahlin Kristoffer , Tomaszkiewicz Marta , Makova Kateryna D. , Medvedev Paul
Published: January 2018

A significant portion of genes in vertebrate genomes belongs to multigene families, with each family containing several gene copies whose presence/absence can be highly variable across individuals. For example, each Y chromosome ampliconic gene family harbors several nearly identical (up to 99.99%) gene copies. Existing de novo techniques for assaying the sequences of such highly-similar gene families fall short of reconstructing end to end transcripts with nucleotide-level precision or assigning them to their respective gene copies. We present IsoCon, a novel approach that combines experimental and computational techniques that leverage the power of long PacBio Iso-Seq reads to determine the full-length transcripts of highly similar multicopy gene families. IsoCon uses a cautiously iterative process to correct errors, followed by a statistical framework that allows it to distinguish errors from true variants with high precision. IsoCon outperforms existing methods for transcriptome analysis of Y ampliconic gene families in both simulated and real human data and is able to detect rare transcripts that differ by as little as one base pair from much more abundant transcripts. IsoCon has allowed us to detect an unprecedented number of novel isoforms, as well as to derive estimates on the number of gene copies in human Y ampliconic gene families.
Flexible information coding in frontoparietal cortex across the functional stages of cognitive processing
Authors: Vromen Joyce M. G. , Becker Stefanie I. , Baumann Oliver , Mattingley Jason B. , Remington Roger W.
Published: January 2018

Neural activity in frontoparietal cortex shows overlap across cognitive domains and has been proposed to reflect flexible information processing according to current task demands (Dosenbach et al., 2007; Duncan, 2001). However, a strong assertion of flexibility requires investigating activity across stages of cognitive processing. The current study assessed neural activity in Multiple Demand (MD) regions across the stages of processing that form the core of long-standing cognitive models (Welford, 1952). Specifically, many complex tasks share a comparable structure of subsequent operations: target selection, stimulus-response (SR) mapping, and response execution. We independently manipulated the difficulty of target selection and SR mapping in identical stimulus displays and assessed changes in frontoparietal activity with increased demands in either stage. The results confirmed flexibility in MD regions, with enhanced information representation during difficult target selection as well as SR mapping. Additionally, anterior insula (AI) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed preferential representation of SR stage information, whereas the medial frontal gyrus (MFG) and inferior parietal sulcus (IPS) showed preferential representation of target selection-stage information. Together these results suggest that MD regions dynamically alter the information they represent with changing task demands. This is the first study to demonstrate that MD regions support flexible goal-directed cognition across multiple processing stages. At the same time we show a preference for the representation of information from a specific processing stage in a subset of MD regions.

Significance Statement

Goal-directed cognition in complex tasks is critical to key life outcomes including longevity and academic performance. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying cognition in complex tasks are not well understood. Distinct neural networks are critical to the navigation of specific cognitive domains (e.g. attention), but frontoparietal activity shows cross-domain and -task overlap and supports flexible representation of goal-critical information. This study links flexible frontoparietal processing to longstanding models of meta-cognition that propose a unifying structure of operations underlying most tasks: target selection, SR mapping, and response execution. Our results demonstrate that flexible information representation in frontoparietal cortex is not limited to the SR mapping stage, but applies across the functional stages of cognitive processing, thus maximizing neural efficiency and supporting flexible cognition.
Cigarette smoking and personality: Investigating causality using Mendelian randomization
Authors: Sallis Hannah M , Smith George Davey , Munafò Marcus R
Published: January 2018

Background

Despite the well-documented association between smoking and personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion, little is known about the potential causal nature of these findings. If it were possible to unpick the association between personality and smoking, it may be possible to develop more targeted smoking cessation programmes that could lead to both improved uptake and efficacy.

Methods

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified variants robustly associated with both smoking phenotypes and personality traits. Here we use publicly available GWAS summary statistics in addition to data from UK Biobank to investigate the link between smoking and personality. We first estimated genetic overlap between traits using LD score regression and then applied both one- and two-sample Mendelian randomization methods to unpick the nature of this relationship.

Results

We found clear evidence of a modest genetic correlation between smoking behaviours and both neuroticism and extraversion, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. We found some evidence to suggest an association between neuroticism and increased smoking initiation. We also found some evidence that personality traits appear to be causally linked to certain smoking phenotypes: higher neuroticism and heavier cigarette consumption, and higher extraversion and increased odds of smoking initiation. The latter finding could lead to more targeted smoking prevention programmes.

Conclusion

The association between neuroticism and cigarette consumption lends support to the self-medication hypothesis, while the association between extraversion and smoking initiation could lead to more targeted smoking prevention programmes.
ErbB4 deletion in noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus induces mania-like behavior via elevated catecholamines
Authors: Cao Shu-Xia , Zhang Ying , Hu Xing-Yue , Hong Bin , Sun Peng , He Hai-Yang , Geng Hong-Yan , Bao Ai-Min , Duan Shumin , Yang Jian-Ming , Gao Tian-Ming , Lian Hong , Li Xiao-Ming
Published: January 2018

Dysfunction of the noradrenergic (NE) neurons is implicated in the pathogenesis of manic-depressive psychosis (MDP). ErbB4 is highly expressed in NE neurons, and its genetic variation has been linked to MDP; however, how ErbB4 regulates NE neuronal function and contributes to MDP pathogenesis is unclear. Here we find that conditional deletion of ErbB4 in locus coeruleus (LC) NE neurons increases neuronal spontaneous firing through NMDA receptor hyperfunction, and elevates catecholamines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Furthermore, ErbB4-deficient mice present mania-like behaviors, including hyperactivity, reduced anxiety and depression, and increased sucrose preference. These behaviors are completely rescued by the anti-manic drug lithium or antagonists of catecholaminergic receptors. Our study demonstrates the critical role of ErbB4 signaling in regulating LC-NE neuronal function, reinforcing the view that dysfunction of the NE system may contribute to the pathogenesis of mania-associated disorder.
Count does not recover major events of gene flux in real biological data
Authors: Kapust Nils , Nelson-Sathi Shijulal , Schönfeld Barbara , Hazkani-Covo Einat , Bryant David , Lockhart Peter J. , Röttger Mayo , Xavier Joana C. , Martin William F.
Published: January 2018

In prokaryotes, known mechanisms of lateral gene transfer (transformation, transduction, conjugation and gene transfer agents) generate new combinations of genes among chromosomes during evolution. In eukaryotes, whose host lineage is descended from archaea, lateral gene transfer from organelles to the nucleus occurs at endosymbiotic events. Recent genome analyses studying gene distributions have uncovered evidence for sporadic, discontinuous events of gene transfer from bacteria to archaea during evolution. Other studies have used traditional birth-and-death phylogenetic models to investigate prokaryote genome evolution to claim that gene transfer to archaea was continuous during evolution, rather than involving occasional periodic mass gene influx events. Here we test the ability of Count, a birth-and-death based program, to recover known events of mass acquisition and differential loss using plastid genomes and eukaryotic protein families that were acquired from plastids. Count showed a strong bias towards reconstructed histories having gene acquisitions distributed uniformly across the tree. Sometimes as many as nine different acquisitions by plastid DNA were inferred for the same protein family. That is, Count recovered gradual and continuous lateral gene transfer among lineages, even when massive gains followed by gradual differential loss is the true evolutionary process that generated the gene distribution data.
Orbitofrontal and Thalamic Influences on Striatal Involvement in Human Reversal Learning
Authors: Bell Tiffany , Langdon Angela , Lindner Michael , Lloyd William , Christakou Anastasia
Published: January 2018

Cognitive flexibility is crucial for adaptation and is disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders and psychopathology. Human studies of flexibility using reversal learning tasks typically contrast error trials before and after reversal, which provides little information about the mechanisms that support learning and expressing a new response. However, animal studies suggest a specific role in this latter process for the connections between the dorsal striatum and the centromedian parafascicular (CM-Pf) thalamus, a system which may recruit the striatal cholinergic interneurons, but which is not well understood in humans. This study investigated the role of this system in human probabilistic reversal learning, specifically with respect to learning a new response strategy, contrasting its function to that of the better understood orbitoftontal-striatal systems. Using psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data we show that connectivity between the striatum and both the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) and CM-Pf pathways increased during reversal, but not initial learning. However, while the strength of lOFC-striatal connectivity was associated with the speed of the reversal, the strength of CM-Pf-striatal connectivity was associated specifically with the quality of the reversal (reduced regressive errors). These findings expand our understanding of flexibility mechanisms in the human brain, bridging the gap with animal studies of this system.
Women directors’ propensity towards risk in technology firms
Authors: Mukarram Syed Shafqat , Ajmal Tahira , Saeed Abubakr
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of the presence of women directors on firm’s risk-taking behavior in industries where innovation is pivotal and how this impact varies across ownership structure.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 71 listed technology firms on the National Stock Exchange of India for the period of 2008 to 2013 was used. Generalized method of moment estimation technique was used for data analysis.

Findings

Results reveal a positive impact of the presence of women directors on technology firms’ risk-taking behavior measured in terms of R&D spending, which is in contrast to the traditional notion that women are risk-averse. Further, results also reveal that family ownership negatively affects the impact of the presence of women directors on risk taking in technology firms.

Practical implications

The findings of the study suggest that females are risk takers in the context of R&D-intensive technology firms, thus providing new insight for policymakers to formulate more effective board gender diversity policies.

Originality/value

Based on the integration of agency and behavioral theories, it is suggested that female executives may be risk-averse or risk-takers depending on contextual factors such as innovation and ownership, which drive the impact of the presence of women directors on firms’ risk-taking behavior.
Cultural heritage in sustainable development
Authors: Chalhoub Michel Soto
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Preservation of historic structures meets ecological criteria of sustainable development. In Mount Lebanon, the traditional house is a cultural asset built of native stone one-meter thick double-wythe walls. Today, lack of public policies is causing those environmental assets to approach extinction. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology uses multivariate regression on 128 data points. A mathematical model is developed and empirically tested on public attitudes toward restoration. Independent variables represent the need for protectionist policies, X1; contribution of restoration to environmental sustainability, X2; contribution to culture, X3; and financial benefits, X4.

Findings

It is found that stone houses transfer heat significantly slower than modern construction. There is a statistically significant and positive correlation with X1, X2, and X3, but negative with X4, most likely due to favoring return on investment of multistory buildings over the attractiveness of stone houses.

Research limitations/implications

As future research implications, the undergirding of urban planning policies need to be revisited. Current policies neither protect heritage, nor offer legal means to restore heritage houses.

Practical implications

Practical implications include revisions to building laws in Mount Lebanon, as they marginalize old stone structures. Environmental valuation techniques, use value and existence value, are recommended.

Social implications

Social awareness needs to be built about valuation techniques to account for complex assets that cannot be approximated through short-term real estate market price. Social rather than financial cost-benefit analysis must be performed to quantify environmental assets.

Originality/value

This research illustrates a pilot restoration project with critical issues faced by heritage stone houses. These assets are underrepresented in building laws which warrants social and environmental activism.
Identifying vulnerability to violence: the role of psychopathy and gender
Authors: Ritchie Mary B. , Blais Julie , Forth Adelle E. , Book Angela S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Recent research has suggested that a heightened sensitivity to nonverbal cues may give individuals with psychopathic traits an advantage when selecting potential victims. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of gender on the association between psychopathy and perceptions of vulnerability to violent victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 291 undergraduate students viewed a series of eight videos depicting individual female targets walking down a hallway from behind. Participants rated each target’s vulnerability to violent victimization and provided a justification for each rating. In addition to these ratings, participants completed the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale.

Findings

A series of hierarchical linear regressions revealed gender differences in the association between psychopathy and accuracy. Among male observers, total psychopathy scores, Factor 2 psychopathy scores, and scores on the antisocial behavior facet were positively associated with accuracy in perceiving vulnerability to violent victimization. Conversely, no associations were identified between psychopathy (total, Factors, and facets) and accuracy among female observers. This suggests that the adept ability to accurately perceive nonverbal cues signalling vulnerability is specific to males exhibiting psychopathic traits.

Originality/value

The results of the current study highlight the importance of distinguishing male and female psychopathy in research and practice. Moreover, with an understanding of individual differences in the ability to accurately perceive nonverbal cues associated with vulnerability, we may begin to develop intervention strategies aimed at reducing future incidences of victimization.
Justice in technology policy
Authors: Yeganehfar Masomeh , Zarei Atefe , Isfandyari-Mogghadam Ali Reza , Famil-Rouhani AliAkbar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review of available research evidence on marginal participation of women in ICT-related jobs (ICT – information and communication technology). In this study, it has been attempted to identify gaps in these literature studies according to the Global Index of Gender dimensions and briefly has been explained guidelines for policymakers to improve the participation of women in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow from the method of (Tranfield et al., 2003) for conducting a systematic literature review (a systematic review means that the research has specific and systematic steps). Then key words were searched and appropriate resources with this study were evaluated. Accidentally, 55 articles in the period 2000 to 2014 were investigated, and articles were reviewed according to the Global Index of Gender dimensions.

Findings

A review of previous studies indicated that despite considerable attention given to open access to information and women’s skills, role of women in ICT has been underestimated. Results indicated that to keep pace with today’s information society, we would have to reinforce knowledge and abilities of women and provide them employment grounds in jobs that require new skills in ICT. To reinforce participation of women in the jobs, we need to invest in education and design policies to increase the number of women in educational courses related to ICTs. Also, we need to promote equal educational opportunities. Libraries are suitable platforms to create bold employment of women in jobs related to ICTs. Because it seems that majority of professionals are women in these places. In current information communities, we have to raise the level of individual development for reaching total development. Thus, women’s progress at professional jobs is needed to remove barriers of creativity and entrepreneurship for women. Also, development of strategies for providing contribution of women in ICT jobs should not be neglected.

Originality/value

This study is the first comprehensive study on the systematic review of the literature in the field of Gender Gap to show marginal participation of women in the ICT-related jobs.
The role of firms' qualification in public contracts execution: An empirical assessment
Authors: Ancarani Alessandro , Guccio Calogero , Rizzo Ilde
Published: January 2018

According to the Italian regulation firms must qualify to bid in auctions for public work contracts worth more than 150,000 euros. In this paper, we investigate the link between the efficiency of infrastructure provision, and the Italian regulation concerning the firm's entry and qualification system, employing a large dataset on Italian public works contracts for roads and highways. First, firm's efficiency in public contracts' execution is estimated using a smoothed data envelopment analysis (DEA) bootstrap procedure. Then, the effects of the qualification system on firm's efficiency is evaluated using a semi-parametric technique that produces a robust inference for an unknown serial correlation between efficiency scores. Our analysis shows that fully qualified firms perform better than partially qualified firms.
The utility of relationships in the creation and maintenance of an event portfolio
Authors: Kelly Donna M. , Fairley Sheranne
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Event portfolios promote synergies among events and stakeholders within a destination in order to maximise resources. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of relationships in the creation and maintenance of an event portfolio using the four stages of Parvatiyar and Sheth’s (2000) process model of relationship marketing: formation, management and governance, performance evaluation, and evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with tourism and government stakeholders involved in the creation and maintenance of an event portfolio within a single destination.

Findings

The destination outlined clear strategic goals through an event strategy. An Events Board was established to bring together key stakeholders from tourism, events, and government to oversee the development of an event portfolio. The Events Board gave advice to relevant tourism and government stakeholders on which events they should provide funding. Developing relationships was not a stated objective, but the Events Board realised the importance of relationships to create and maintain the destination’s event portfolio. Long-term funding contracts were used as a mechanism to establish relationships and were an impetus for interaction. Relationships were also maintained through dedicated staff who managed the relationships between the destination stakeholders and the events.

Practical implications

Understanding factors that contribute to the successful creation and maintenance of event portfolios can inform destination stakeholders who are responsible for generating tourism through events.

Originality/value

Limited research has examined the creation and maintenance of event portfolios. This study provides insight into the central importance of relationships in creating and maintaining an event portfolio.
Coloured waterborne aluminium pigments prepared by iron oxides encapsulation method using FeSO4 and FeCl3 as iron source
Authors: Ma Zhiling , Wen Yajing , Zhang Chunyan , Wang Jing
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of encapsulation pH and iron source on the anchorage mode and performance of iron oxide-encapsulated aluminium pigments.

Design/methodology/approach

The coloured waterborne aluminium pigments were prepared at pH 5-7.5 by using FeSO4 and FeCl3 as iron source. The anchorage mode of iron oxides on aluminium was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the pigmentary performance was characterized through anticorrosion test and multi-angle spectroscopy.

Findings

Diaspore and boehmite could form from H2O2 oxidizing aluminium. Both low pH and FeSO4 systems are beneficial for diaspore, inducing green rust anchor on the aluminium to form goethite. Either in FeSO4 or FeCl3 system, slightly high pH is beneficial for the formation of boehmite, which occurred together with ferrihydrite to form denser coating with yellowness and excellent anticorrosion property. At pH above 7, the formation of dendritic iron oxide is detrimental to the anticorrosion property and the glossiness.

Research limitations/implications

Only FeSO4·7H2O and FeCl3·6H2O as iron sources were explored.

Practical implications

The investigation results provide theoretical basis to obtain excellent chromatic waterborne aluminium pigments.

Originality/value

The method for investigation of encapsulation mechanism by surveying the structure of iron oxides on aluminium, which varies with the pH of the system and iron sources, is novel.
The different outcomes of legislative‐ versus advocacy‐led development of cannabis policy
Authors: Rolles Stephen
Published: January 2018

Commentary to: The diverging trajectories of cannabis and tobacco policies in the United States: reasons and possible implications
Anatomy of the upper respiratory tract in domestic birds, with emphasis on vocalization
Authors: Casteleyn C. , Cornillie P. , Van Cruchten S. , Van den Broeck W. , Van Ginneken C. , Simoens P.
Published: January 2018

This work reviews the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract in domestic birds including the chicken and pigeon. Non‐exhaustive additional information on other bird species, illustrating the extraordinary diversity in the biological class Aves, can be found in several footnotes. The described anatomical structures are functionally considered in view of avian sound production. In particular, the Syrinx is invaluable. Its most important structures are the Labia and the lateral and medial tympaniform membranes in non‐songbirds and songbirds, respectively. These structures produce sound by vibrating during expiration and eventually inspiration.