bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating metabarcoding to analyse diet composition of species foraging in anthropogenic landscapes using Ion Torrent and Illumina sequencing
Authors: Forin-Wiart Marie-Amélie , Poulle Marie-Lazarine , Piry Sylvain , Cosson Jean-François , Larose Claire , Galan Maxime
Published: April 2018

DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples is being successfully used to study the foraging niche of species. We assessed the ability of two benchtop high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platforms, to identify a large taxonomic array of food items from domestic cats Felis silvestris catus, including prey and human-related food taxa (pet food and leftovers leaving undetectable solid remains in faeces). Scats from a captive feeding trial (n=41) and from free-ranging individuals (n=326) were collected and analysed using a cytb mini-barcode in independent PCR duplicates on the Ion PGM and the MiSeq platforms. Outputs from MiSeq were more sensitive and reproducible than those from Ion PGM due to a higher sequencing depth and sequence quality on MiSeq. DNA from intact prey taxa was detected more often (82% of the expected occurrences) than DNA from pet food (54%) and raw fish and meat (31%). We assumed that this variability was linked to different degree of DNA degradation: The Ion PGM detected significantly less human-linked food, birds, field voles, murids and shrews in the field-collected samples than the MiSeq platform. Pooling the replicates from both platforms and filtering the data allowed identification of at least one food item in 87.4% of the field-collected samples. Our DNA metabarcoding approach identified 29 prey taxa, of which 25 to species level (90% of items) including 9 rodents, 3 insectivores, 12 birds and 1 reptile and 33 human-related food taxa of which 23 were identified to genus level (75% of items). Our results demonstrate that using HTS platforms such as MiSeq, which provide reads of sufficiently high quantity and quality, with sufficient numbers of technical replicates, is a robust and non-invasive approach for further dietary studies on animals foraging on a wide range of food items in anthropogenic landscapes.
Tissue flow induces cell shape changes during organogenesis
Authors: Erdemci-Tandogan Gonca , Clark Madeline J. , Amack Jeffrey D. , Manning M. Lisa
Published: April 2018

In embryonic development, cell shape changes are essential for building functional organs, but in many cases the mechanisms that precisely regulate these changes remain unknown. We propose that fluid-like drag forces generated by the motion of an organ through surrounding tissue could generate changes to its structure that are important for its function. To test this hypothesis, we study the zebrafish left-right organizer, Kupffer’s vesicle (KV), using experiments and mathematical modeling. During development, monociliated cells that comprise the KV undergo region-specific shape changes along the anterior-posterior axis that are critical for KV function: anterior cells become long and thin, while posterior cells become short and squat. Here, we develop a mathematical vertex-like model for cell shapes, which incorporates both tissue rheology and cell motility, and constrain the model parameters using previously published rheological data for the zebrafish tailbud [Serwaneet al.] as well as our own measurements of the KV speed. We find that drag forces due to dynamics of cells surrounding the KV could be sufficient to drive KV cell shape changes during KV development. More broadly, these results suggest that cell shape changes could be driven by dynamic forces not typically considered in models or experiments.
Reliable individual differences in fine-grained cortical functional architecture
Authors: Feilong Ma , Nastase Samuel A. , Guntupalli J. Swaroop , Haxby James V.
Published: April 2018

Fine-grained functional organization of cortex is not well-conserved across individuals. As a result, individual differences in cortical functional architecture are confounded by topographic idiosyncrasies—i.e., differences in functional-anatomical correspondence. In this study, we used hyperalignment to align information encoded in topographically variable patterns to study individual differences in fine-grained cortical functional architecture in a common representational space. We characterized the structure of individual differences using three common functional indices, and assessed the reliability of this structure across independent samples of data in a natural vision paradigm. Hyperalignment markedly improved the reliability of individual differences across all three indices by resolving topographic idiosyncrasies and accommodating information encoded in spatially fine-grained response patterns. Our results demonstrate that substantial individual differences in cortical functional architecture exist at fine spatial scales, but are inaccessible with anatomical normalization alone.
GlucoPush: A Do-It-Yourself Add-On for Online Tracking of Personal Glucometer Use
Authors: Soenksen Luis R , Mamat Zulkayda
Published: April 2018

Current public health guidelines on diabetes management recommend frequent self-monitoring and physician tracking of blood glucose to reduce complications caused by this condition. While Internet-of-Things glucometers exist to aid in this goal, most commercial glucometers seen in wide-spread use worldwide do not provide these online tracking capabilities or allow for convenient data sharing with health care providers. This situation is caused, among several factors, due to premium pricing of IoT glucometers and resistance from older users to dispose of their previous glucometers. We propose an add-on strategy to enable IoT integration in glucometers to increase the use of wireless connectivity features in this sector. Here we describe and test a simple do-it-yourself system fabricated with low-cost commercially available wireless connectivity components that aim to demonstrate this IoT augmentation strategy to track glucose readings from previously unconnected standard glucometers.
Probing the origin of matching functional jaws: roles ofDlx5/6in cranial neural crest cells
Authors: Shimizu Miki , Narboux-Nême Nicolas , Gitton Yorick , de Lombares Camille , Fontaine Anastasia , Alfama Gladys , Kitazawa Taro , Kawamura Yumiko , Heude Eglantine , Marshall Lindsey , Higashiyama Hiroki , Wada Youichiro , Kurihara Yukiko , Kurihara Hiroki , Levŕ Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Gnathostome jaws derive from the first pharyngeal arch (PA1), a complex structure constituted by Neural Crest Cells (NCCs), mesodermal, ectodermal and endodermal cells. Here, to determine the regionalized morphogenetic impact ofDlx5/6expression, we specifically target their inactivation or overexpression to NCCs. NCC-specificDlx5/6inactivation (NCCΔDlx5/6) generates severely hypomorphic lower jaws that present typical maxillary traits. Therefore, differently from the symmetric jaws obtained after constitutiveDlx5/6inactivation,NCCΔDlx5/6embryos present a strikingly asymmetric mouth. Reciprocally, forcedDlx5expression in maxillary NCCs provokes the appearance of distinct mandibular characters in the upper jaw. We conclude that: 1)Dlx5/6activation in NCCs invariably determines lower jaw identity; 2) the morphogenetic processes that generate functional matching jaws depend on the harmonization ofDlx5/6expression in NCCs and in distinct ectodermal territories. The co-evolution of synergistic opposing jaws requires the coordination of distinct regulatory pathways involving the same transcription factors in distant embryonic territories.
Dimensions of service quality in higher education – critical review (students’ perspective)
Authors: Gupta Pragya , Kaushik Neeraj
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the dimensions of service quality used in different countries across the world, especially in the higher education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis is used to get a comprehensive insight of the studies accumulated from some of the selected databases such as Emerald Insight, Ebsco ABI/inform, etc. All these studies are related to the measuring of service quality in higher education.

Findings

The result of this paper reveals that SERVQUAL is the most widely accepted scale which has its dominance in the higher education setting. The paper focuses on revealing the dimensions which are used in the past studies. The paper notices a huge variation in the items as well as constructs while exploring the dimensions. Further, it is observed that many of the studies considered in this paper picked dimensions from other studies, expert opinions and factor analysis. In addition to this, it is found that different scales are proposed and checked for their reliability and validity through the confirmatory factor analysis. Few studies confirm the validity using average variance extracted (AVE), model fit values and correlations.

Practical implications

The study will help other researchers to get a summarised form of different dimensions used in the higher education setting. It also points out the essential and common dimensions of similar studies. Further, with different samples and geographical location, it can help us to identify how the dimension varies as we move from one part to another around the globe with different samples. Further, it formulates directions to pick correct combination of scale, administration and methods that are useful in collecting the data and getting the inference out of it under correct settings.

Originality/value

The summarisation of different studies will help the researchers to have a holistic view of the important studies that took place in the higher education setting.
Paid internet advertising (PIA) and frequency of apps-buying decisions
Authors: Rezaei Sajad , Emami Maryam , Ismail Nurlida
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Despite the tremendous advancement of information technology worldwide, a few attempts have been made to uncover the effectiveness of paid internet advertising (PIA) on consumers buying decisions for retail enterprises in emerging markets. The purpose of this paper is to examine the structural relationships between consumer self-confidence, perceived intrusiveness, continuance search intention, attitude towards PIA and frequency of apps-buying decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total number of 515 online questionnaires were obtained from a sample of experienced apps shoppers who were disposed to PIA, in order to evaluate the theoretical model. VB-SEM, which is a variance-based structural equation modelling technique, was applied to assess the measurement scales and structural relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs.

Findings

Overall, the structural results imply that the proposed model explains 0.738 per cent of variances in consumer’s continuance search intention and 0.756 per cent of the frequency of apps-buying decisions. The results support that consumer self-confidence positively influences attitude towards PIA, continuance search intention and frequency of apps-buying decisions; however, consumer self-confidence is negatively related to perceived intrusiveness. Similarly, attitude towards PIA is positively related to continuance search intention and frequency of apps-buying decision. Besides, perceived intrusiveness negatively influences attitude towards PIA, continuance search intention and frequency of apps-buying decisions. Finally, continuance search intention and the frequency of apps-buying decisions are positively related.

Originality/value

Despite the fact that PIA and its utilisation has been a recent growing trend in managing retail enterprises worldwide, a few studies have been conducted on possible end results of PIA, including consumer continuous apps search intention and purchase decisions.
Intellectual capital efficiency and corporate book value: evidence from Nigerian economy
Authors: Anifowose Mutalib , Abdul Rashid Hafiz Majdi , Annuar Hairul Azlan , Ibrahim Hassan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the value relevance of intellectual capital (IC) by analysing the relationship between IC efficiency (ICE) and corporate book value of listed firms on main board of Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the resource-based theory in formulating two hypotheses that guide the results analysis. By employing a two-step dynamic system generalised method of moments (GMMs), and controlling for the possible endogeneity effect on the parameters estimated, for a sample of 91 listed firms on main board of Nigeria Stock Exchange, this study investigates the association of ICE and corporate book value, namely, cash flow from operation and economic value added (EVA), using data over the 2010 to 2014 financial years.

Findings

The results show a significant positive relationship between overall ICE and corporate book value (cash flow from operation and EVA). This study contributes to recent evidence concerning the value relevance of IC information to investors and other interested stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The generalisation of the results to smaller firms, in the alternative securities market, may be inappropriate as study sampled listed firms on the main board of Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Practical implications

Those charged with governance should be concerned with the investment and management of IC as it enhances the economic value and operating cash flow in line with the resource-based theory.

Originality/value

This study is first to consider the ICE study across all sectors in the Nigerian economy using modified Pulic value added intellectual capital. The study controls for heteroscedasticity and endogeneity issues by adoption of two-step dynamic system GMMs.
How to be an Exchequer Clerk in the Twelfth Century: What the Dialogue of the Exchequer is Really About
Authors: KYPTA ULLA
Published: April 2018

The article contributes to the ongoing discussion about the Dialogue of the Exchequer. For quite a long time researchers have been puzzled by the treatise written by the royal treasurer Richard of Ely around the year 1180. It has been regarded as a manual for Exchequer clerks, describing in great detail the workings of Henry II's financial administration. Several of these details, however, have been proven to be wrong or not relevant for the clerks’ work. By comparing the Dialogue with the actual records written during the accounting procedures of the twelfth century – the pipe rolls – and by analysing the Dialogue, I come to the conclusion that the Dialogue did not serve as a guidebook on how to write a pipe roll, but as a guidebook on how to be, and how to think, as an Exchequer clerk.
British Emigrants and the Making of the Anglosphere
Authors: RICHARDS ERIC
Published: April 2018

British emigrants tend to be lost in their vast numbers and in their historiographical anonymity. They feature very marginally in most interpretations of British expansion in the age of imperialism. There was a remarkable surge in emigration in the 1820s which presaged the Age of Emigration in the Victorian era. This was also a prototype of modern international migration. The origins of this momentous increase in emigration are unclear but recent emphasis gives priority to the influence of the new forms of propaganda and ‘puffery’. In this article it is contended that more consideration should be accorded to bedrock changes in British demography and agrarian life in the propulsion of this mass emigration, which eventually involved about 19 million people from the British Isles in the long nineteenth century.
Unrepentant Papists: Catholic Responses to Cromwellian Toleration in Interregnum Scotland
Authors: BURNS RYAN
Published: April 2018

The Cromwellian regime has long endured a one‐dimensional reputation for anti‐popery. Historians are beginning to challenge this view, pointing to the relative absence of religious persecution during Oliver Cromwell's tenure as Lord Protector. Cromwell massacred Catholic rebels at Wexford and Drogheda in Ireland, but he did not compel Catholics to attend Protestant churches, and does not seem to have hunted priests as vigorously as his predecessors. This article explores the impact of Cromwellian rule on the Catholic community in Scotland, where the military governor George Monck granted Catholics a significant degree of effective toleration. Monck prohibited the Presbyterian church from subjecting Catholics to ecclesiastical discipline, and actively intervened to protect Catholics if kirk sessions and other church courts summoned them anyway. In return, many Catholics ostentatiously professed their loyalty to the commonwealth. Although Monck did not repeal Scotland's penal laws, his intervention demonstrates that the commonwealth's liberty for ‘tender consciences’ trickled down to those formally excluded from it. Cromwellian officials in Scotland would not allow any institution to coerce one's inward beliefs, even if it meant defending known Catholics from a Protestant kirk.
Sovereign wealth funds, productivity and people: The impact of Norwegian Government Pension Fund‐Global investments in the United Kingdom
Authors: Goergen Marc , O'Sullivan Noel , Wood Geoffrey , Baric Marijana
Published: April 2018

Sovereign wealth funds have an increasing presence in the global financial ecosystem, principally through their investments in equities, which, in turn, may influence HRM. This study examines the influence of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, the Norwegian Government Pension Fund‐Global (NGPF‐G), on employment in its U.K. investee firms. We find that firms with NGPF‐G investment are significantly less likely to reduce their demand for labour, more specifically in the immediate aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. When a drop in the demand for labour does occur, it is less extreme when compared to similar organisations without a NGPF‐G shareholding, and this is evident even in the case of relatively small NGPF‐G investments. These findings are in line with the fund's objective of promoting corporate sustainability and Norwegian values. We draw out the key implications of our findings for HR practice.
Effect of Passive Drying on Ascorbic Acid, α‐Tocopherol, and β‐Carotene in Tomato and Mango
Authors: Smith Jamey C. , Biasi William V. , Holstege Dirk , Mitcham Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2018

The effect of two passive drying methods on the degradation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C),  α‐tocopherol (vitamin E), and β‐carotene (provitamin A) in ripe mango and tomato was determined. Samples of both commodities were dried outdoors in a solar drying cabinet or indoors in sealed plastic boxes containing ceramic zeolite drying beads in a bead‐to‐fruit ratio of 1:10. Nutrient content of the dried samples was compared to fresh samples (undried control) obtained from the same batch of fruit. Mango samples tended to reach an equilibrium weight of approximately 18% of their initial weight after 28 to 30 hr of drying in both drying methods, while tomatoes equilibrated at 5% to 6% of their initial weight after 8 to 10 hr of drying in the solar drying cabinet and after approximately 30 hr using drying beads. The content of all three nutrients in solar dried tomato, and of β‐carotene in mango were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control. α‐Tocopherol and β‐carotene content in tomato and β‐carotene content in mango were significantly lower than the control in samples dried using drying beads. Drying method had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on nutrient content; ascorbic acid and β‐carotene content were lower in solar dried tomato than in tomato dried with drying beads. For mango, β‐carotene content was lower after solar drying as compared to drying with drying beads. Drying fruit at lower temperatures using drying beads resulted in higher overall nutrient content of the dried fruit.

Practical Application

Agriculturalists in developing countries still depend largely on solar drying methods as a means of extending the shelf life and increasing the value of fruit and vegetable products. Zeolite drying beads are reusable and are capable of drying fruit relatively quickly in a controlled environment, and may reduce the degradation of certain nutrients due to heat during solar drying.
Increase in diagnosis of depressive disorders contributes to the increase in antidepressant use in adolescents
Authors: Skurtveit S. , Bramness J. G. , Hjellvik V. , Hartz I. , Nesvåg R. , Hauge L. J. , Handal M.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To study if the observed increase in use of antidepressants (AD) among adolescents may be explained by higher incidence of depressive disorder diagnosis, increasing treatment of other mental disorders or more liberal prescribing practice.

Methods

We used three different study populations of girls and boys aged 13–17 years in Norway: 1) individuals who were diagnosed with depressive disorders in primary health care, 2) individuals who were diagnosed with depressive disorders in secondary health care; 3) individuals who were dispensed ADs as recorded in the prescription database. Dataset 2) and 3) were linked.

Results

Incidence of depressive disorders increased from 2010 to 2015 both in primary and secondary health care, especially in girls. One in four girls with incident depressive disorders was prescribed ADs and this proportion was stable over time. Among girls treated with ADs the proportion with a diagnosis where AD treatment is indicated increased from 61.1% to 66.0%. Furthermore, the proportion with moderate or severe episodes of major depressive disorders was stable and high, 72.9% in 2014.

Conclusion

The only issue studied that could explain increasing AD use in girls was increasing incidence of depressive disorders. Most adolescents with incident diagnosis of depressive disorders were not treated with ADs.
Nasal hyperreactivity in rhinitis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge
Authors: Van Gerven L. , Steelant B. , Hellings P. W.
Published: April 2018

Although nasal hyperreactivity (NHR) is a common feature in patients suffering from allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, it is widely neglected during history taking, underdiagnosed in the majority of patients with rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, not considered as an outcome parameter in clinical trials on novel treatments for rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, and no target for routine treatment. In contrast to the simple nature of diagnosing NHR by a history of nasal symptoms induced by nonspecific exogenous and/or endogenous triggers, quantification is hardly performed in routine clinic given the lack of a simple tool for its diagnosis. So far, limited efforts have been invested into gaining better insight in the underlying pathophysiology of NHR, helping us to explain why some patients with inflammation develop NHR and others not. Of note, environmental and microbial factors have been reported to influence NHR, contributing to the complex nature of understanding the development of NHR. As a consequence of the neglect of NHR as a key clinical feature of rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), patients with NHR might be suboptimally controlled and/or dissatisfied with current treatment. We here aim to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the pathophysiology, and the available tools to diagnose and treat NHR.
Sebaceous carcinoma of the breast in a patient with a pathogenic BRCA2 (886delGT) mutation – focus on histopathologic and immunohistochemical features
Authors: Acosta Andres M. , Al Rasheed Mohamed R. Haroon , Xu Haoliang , Salibay Christine , Pins Michael R.
Published: April 2018

Sebaceous carcinoma of the breast (SCB) is a rare variant of ductal carcinoma arising within the mammary gland and containing at least 50% of malignant cells with sebaceous differentiation. Only 11 cases that adjust to the criteria delineated in the WHO classification have been published in the English literature, to the best of our knowledge. Here, we present the first SCB arising in the context of a deleterious BRCA2 mutation, focusing on the histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of this exceedingly rare tumor.
Editorial: first among Equals—not for either infliximab or adalimumab in Crohn's disease—yet
Authors: Lim M. H. , Doecke J. D. , Radford‐Smith G. L.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Singh et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14466.
Editorial: use of beta‐blockers and band ligation in preventing first and recurrent variceal bleeding—“real life” vs evidence‐based decisions. Authors’ reply
Authors: Pfisterer N. , Mandorfer M. , Reiberger T.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Pfisterer et al and Bosch and Berzigotti papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14485 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14546.
Access to Finance, Financial Development and Firm Ability to Export: Experience from Asia–Pacific Countries
Authors: Kumarasamy Durairaj , Singh Prakash
Published: April 2018

With particular reference to Asia–Pacific countries, the present study examines how access to finance and financial development affects firms’ ability to enter export markets. Using firm‐level data from the World Bank Enterprises Survey, we found that access to finance plays a significant role in improving firms’ ability to export. In addition, development of the financial sector fosters export market entry. Among the financial development indicators, reach of the banking sector variable is most prominent. The present study suggests that improvements in access to finance and financial development (increases in the reach of the banking sector) enable firms operating away from capital or major cities to enter export markets easily. The present study supports policy intervention to strengthen access to the financial sector, which would encourage firms to export, and to facilitate export market entry for remotely located firms.
Prevalence and risk factors for medical events following exercise at Australian Greyhound race meetings
Authors: Karamatic SL , Anderson GA , Parry BW , Slocombe RF , Mansfield CS
Published: April 2018

Aim

A prospective, observational study to determine the prevalence of post‐exercise conditions at Australian Greyhound race meetings and to assess association with race performance and other environmental, race‐ and dog‐related factors was undertaken.

Methods

A total of 4020 starters were observed (2813 Greyhounds, 1009 trainers, 536 races, 52 race meets, 48 race dates and 11 race tracks) following a race. The presence of diaphragmatic flutter (DF), ataxia, seizure, collapse or sudden death was recorded. Risk factors were screened by univariable logistic regression prior to multivariable backward stepwise model building.

Results

In this study, 962 starters (n = 768 dogs) had DF (23.9%), 16 starters were ataxic (0.4%) and there were no observed cases of collapse, seizure or sudden death. Race track location, increasing race distance, race grade based on increasing 1st place prize value, lower (earlier) race number at the meeting, age, a previous observation of DF at the last start, females, colour (white) and better finishing position were all associated with an increased risk of a Greyhound being observed with DF. However, when logistic regression assessing the random effect of dog was performed, the presence of previous DF was not significant. In this cohort, DF was common following strenuous exercise in Greyhounds and on its own does not appear to result in reduced performance or distress to the animal.

Conclusion

The incidence of ataxia was low and collapse, seizure and sudden death were not observed. However, even though uncommon, ataxia has welfare concerns for racing Greyhounds that warrants further investigation.
Observations on Calcium Oxalate Stone Formers
Authors: EL-SHARABASY M. M. H.
Published: April 2018

Biochemical studies were performed on 22 adult patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone disease and 23 healthy controls. It was found that urinary glutamic‐oxaloacetic acid transaminase (UGOT) and urinary glutamic‐pyruvic acid transaminase (UGPT) activity was low and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT) activity was high in the urine of calcium oxalate stone formers. No significant changes were observed in the activity of glutamic‐oxaloacetic acid transaminase, glutamic‐pyruvic acid transaminase and γ‐GT in their blood but a significant reduction was found in both LDH and alkaline phosphatase activity.

It was concluded that the activity of UGOT and UGPT is reduced in patients with kidney stones.
“Race and Housing Values: What Happens When Whites Don't All Move Out?”
Authors: Moye Richard , Thomas Melvin
Published: April 2018

Previous research on neighborhood racial composition and housing values has demonstrated that as the proportion of Black residents in a neighborhood increases housing values lag. In this paper, we investigate whether there are neighborhood types or locations where racial diversity does not have a negative impact on housing values. This research contributes to the study of residential segregation by focusing on stable integrated neighborhoods. Using metropolitan Philadelphia as a strategic case, we compare stable, integrated neighborhoods to racially transitioning neighborhoods and predominantly White and Black neighborhoods. To do this, we comparatively examine housing prices and rates of home value appreciation from 1990 to 2005. We find that stable integrated neighborhoods have rates of appreciation slightly higher than predominantly White neighborhoods.
Association of advanced glycation end products with peri‐implant inflammation in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Alrabiah Mohammed , Al‐Aali Khulud Abdulrahman , Al‐Sowygh Zeyad H. , Binmahfooz Abdulelah M. , Mokeem Sameer A , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: April 2018

Background

It is postulated that peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are higher with high glycemic levels.

Purpose

In the present clinico‐biochemical study, we explored the clinical and radiographic peri‐implant parameters and levels of AGEs among prediabetic, type 2 diabetic (T2DM), and non‐diabetic patients and to evaluate the correlation of AGEs with clinical peri‐implant parameters.

Materials and Methods

Ninety patients were divided into three groups of 30 patients each; group 1: patients with prediabetes; group 2: patients with T2DM; and group 3: non‐diabetic individuals. Clinical and radiographic peri‐implant parameters assessed included plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and marginal bone loss (MBL). PISF was collected and analyzed for AGEs levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Between‐group comparison of means was verified with Kruskal‐Wallis test and Pearson correlation coefficient for correlations of AGE levels with peri‐implant parameters.

Results

Mean peri‐implant PI, BOP, PD, and MBL was significantly higher in group 1 and 2 as compared with non‐diabetic patients (P < .05). Mean PI, BOP, PD, and MBL were comparable between group 1 and group 2 patients (P > .05). Mean levels of AGEs in PISF were significantly higher among prediabetic and T2DM patients as compared with non‐diabetic patients (P < .05). Between group 1 and group 2, mean levels of AGEs was significantly higher in group 2 (P < .05). A significant positive correlations were found between levels of AGEs and PD (P = .0371) and MBL (P = .0117) in T2DM patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Clinical and radiographic peri‐implant parameters were worse and levels of AGEs in PISF were increased in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM. AGEs may play an important role in peri‐implant inflammation in prediabetes and T2DM.
Sarcomatoid pilomatrix carcinoma
Authors: Fernandez‐Flores Angel , Cassarino David S.
Published: April 2018

Pilomatrix (pilomatrical) carcinoma is a rare cutaneous adnexal tumor with matrical differentiation and recurrent and metastatic potential. Sarcomatoid pilomatrix carcinoma is a rare variant which shows a sarcomatoid component intermingling with the epithelial one. There are only 4 cases previously published. We present an additional case on the hand of a 78 year‐old man which appeared as a 6 mm hyperkeratotic, focally ulcerated plaque. A shave biopsy demonstrated a dermal infiltrative neoplasm, composed of markedly atypical‐appearing basaloid cells with focal necrotic/ghost cells, as well as an intimately associated population of atypical oval to spindle‐shaped cells. Both the epithelial and the sarcomatoid components expressed cytokeratins (CKs) AE1/AE3, CK 5/6 and CAM 5.2, as well as beta‐catenin and LEF‐1. The tumor failed to express CK7, CK20, S100, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1), CDX2, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and CD34. The tumor was completely excised with Mohs surgery, and there has been no recurrence in the 8 months of follow‐up to date.
Infants' visual sustained attention is higher during joint play than solo play: is this due to increased endogenous attention control or exogenous stimulus capture?
Authors: Wass Sam V , Clackson Kaili , Georgieva Stanimira D , Brightman Laura , Nutbrown Rebecca , Leong Victoria
Published: April 2018

Previous research has suggested that when a social partner, such as a parent, pays attention to an object, this increases the attention that infants pay to that object during spontaneous, naturalistic play. There are two contrasting reasons why this might be: first, social context may influence increases in infants' endogenous (voluntary) attention control; second, social settings may offer increased opportunities for exogenous attentional capture. To differentiate these possibilities, we compared 12‐month‐old infants' naturalistic attention patterns in two settings: Solo Play and Joint Play with a social partner (the parent). Consistent with previous research, we found that infants' look durations toward play objects were longer during Joint Play, and that moments of inattentiveness were fewer, and shorter. Follow‐up analyses, conducted to differentiate the two above‐proposed hypotheses, were more consistent with the latter hypothesis. We found that infants' rate of change of attentiveness was faster during Joint Play than Solo Play, suggesting that internal attention factors, such as attentional inertia, may influence looking behaviour less during Joint Play. We also found that adults' attention forwards‐predicted infants' subsequent attention more than vice versa, suggesting that adults' behaviour may drive infants' behaviour. Finally, we found that mutual gaze did not directly facilitate infant attentiveness. Overall, our results suggest that infants spend more time attending to objects during Joint Play than Solo Play, but that these differences are more likely attributable to increased exogenous attentional scaffolding from the parent during social play, rather than to increased endogenous attention control from the infant.
Shaping the future of dental education: Caries as a case‐study
Authors: Pitts N. B. , Mazevet M. E. , Mayne C. ,   the Shaping the Future of Dental Education Cariology Group
Published: April 2018

This study reports on the full‐day workshop “The Shape of The Future of Dental Education for Dental Caries—and how we get there” held immediately prior to the May 2017 ADEE/ADEA/King's College London meeting “Shaping the Future of Dental Education.” A standardised, evidence‐led Core Curriculum in Cariology (CCC) was developed jointly and systematically by ORCA and ADEE, starting in 2010. At the same time, the ICDAS Foundation was developing a comprehensive caries management system, ICCMS™. The workshop reported on what has been achieved on a global basis by many building on these initiatives. The CCC has been, or is currently being, localised in a number of places around the world and has, in some countries, been successfully implemented. There are also other areas which are struggling more with the logistics of introducing it. The workshop presented geographical perspectives and experiences on implementing the CCC from Colombia, the United States and Europe, as well as professional perspectives from hygienists, students and policymakers. The workshop then considered the future of the CCC and the roles of Interprofessional Education, Technology, Global Networking and Assessment in a Global Context in 4 breakout groups. Having had reports back and plenary discussion, it was concluded that the caries world has made good progress towards a “futuristic” curriculum with parallel development of a comprehensive, preventive and tooth‐preserving caries management system—ICCMS™. The implementation challenge is now to share even more effectively in order to have these developments more widely accepted and adopted worldwide.
Influence of solidification defects on the fatigue behaviour of heavy‐section silicon solution–strengthened ferritic ductile cast irons
Authors: Borsato T. , Berto F. , Ferro P. , Carollo C.
Published: April 2018

Mechanical and fatigue properties of heavy section solution–strengthened ferritic ductile iron (SSF‐DI) castings have been examined in this contribution. Amounts of silicon varying from 3.2 to 3.55 wt% have been used. The effect of antimony on counteracting the formation of chunky graphite has been evaluated. In order to estimate the influence of solidification defects (microshrinkage porosities or degenerated graphite particles) on the fatigue strength of the investigated materials, scanning electron microscope observations of the fracture surfaces and extreme value analysis of the crack initiating defect dimension, √area, have been performed. The propagation of the fatigue crack through the material has been observed by means of microstructural analysis of the cross sections of the fracture surfaces. It has been found that the treatment with Sb is useful to avoid the formation of degenerated graphite particles. Moreover, it has been observed that the most of the fatigue life is spent in the crack initiation stage, where the microshrinkage porosities play a major role. The presence of chunky graphite affects mostly the propagation stage. Finally, mechanical and fatigue properties of SSF‐DI have been compared with those obtained from traditional ductile cast iron specimens taken from the same casting geometry.
EBSD‐assisted fractography of sub‐surface fatigue crack initiation mechanism in the ultrasonic‐shot‐peened βeta‐type titanium alloy
Authors: Uematsu Y. , Kakiuchi T. , Hattori K.
Published: April 2018

β‐type titanium alloy was surface treated by an ultrasonic shot peening (USP) process. Rotating bending fatigue tests were conducted to investigate the effect of USP on the fatigue properties. Fatigue strengths were improved by USP in the finite life region (105‐107 cycles) owing to the high hardness and compressive residual stress in the surface layer. However, the fatigue strengths of the as‐received and USPed specimens were nearly comparable in very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) regime around 108 cycles. The similar fatigue strengths in both specimens in VHCF regime were attributed to the sub‐surface crack initiation in the USPed specimen. The crack initiation site near the center of fisheye was flat, and inclusions were not observed. Phase analyses by EBSD showed that the microstructure of the as‐received material consisted of α‐phase rich and α‐phase poor β grains. Sub‐surface crack initiated at the α‐phase rich β grain, and consequently the sub‐surface crack initiation without inclusions was attributed to the inhomogeneity of microstructure.
Differential effects of warming and nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration and microbial dynamics in switchgrass croplands
Authors: Li Jianwei , Jian Siyang , de Koff Jason P. , Lane Chad S. , Wang Gangsheng , Mayes Melanie A. , Hui Dafeng
Published: April 2018

The mechanistic understanding of warming and nitrogen (N) fertilization, alone or in combination, on microbially mediated decomposition is limited. In this study, soil samples were collected from previously harvested switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) plots that had been treated with high N fertilizer (HN: 67 kg N ha−1) and those that had received no N fertilizer (NN) over a 3‐year period. The samples were incubated for 180 days at 15 °C and 20 °C, during which heterotrophic respiration, δ13C of CO2, microbial biomass (MB), specific soil respiration rate (Rs: respiration per unit of microbial biomass), and exoenzyme activities were quantified at 10 different collections time. Employing switchgrass tissues (referred to as litter) with naturally abundant 13C allowed us to partition CO2 respiration derived from soil and amended litter. Cumulative soil respiration increased significantly by 16.4% and 4.2% under warming and N fertilization, respectively. Respiration derived from soil was elevated significantly with warming, while oxidase, the agent for recalcitrant soil substrate decomposition, was not significantly affected by warming. Warming, however, significantly enhanced MB and Rs indicating a decrease in microbial growth efficiency (MGE). On the contrary, respiration derived from amended litter was elevated with N fertilization, which was consistent with the significantly elevated hydrolase. N fertilization, however, had little effect on MB and Rs, suggesting little change in microbial physiology. Temperature and N fertilization showed minimal interactive effects likely due to little differences in soil N availability between NN and HN samples, which is partly attributable to switchgrass biomass N accumulation (equivalent to ~53% of fertilizer N). Overall, the differential individual effects of warming and N fertilization may be driven by physiological adaptation and stimulated exoenzyme kinetics, respectively. The study shed insights on distinct microbial acquisition of different substrates under global temperature increase and N enrichment.
Estimation and Testing in M‐quantile Regression with Applications to Small Area Estimation
Authors: Bianchi Annamaria , Fabrizi Enrico , Salvati Nicola , Tzavidis Nikos
Published: April 2018

In recent years, M‐quantile regression has been applied to small area estimation to obtain reliable and outlier robust estimators without recourse to strong parametric assumptions. In this paper, after a review of M‐quantile regression and its application to small area estimation, we cover several topics related to model specification and selection for M‐quantile regression that received little attention so far. Specifically, a pseudo‐R2 goodness‐of‐fit measure is proposed, along with likelihood ratio and Wald type tests for model specification. A test to assess the presence of actual area heterogeneity in the data is also proposed. Finally, we introduce a new estimator of the scale of the regression residuals, motivated by a representation of the M‐quantile regression estimation as a regression model with Generalised Asymmetric Least Informative distributed error terms. The Generalised Asymmetric Least Informative distribution, introduced in this paper, generalises the asymmetric Laplace distribution often associated to quantile regression. As the testing procedures discussed in the paper are motivated asymptotically, their finite sample properties are empirically assessed in Monte Carlo simulations. Although the proposed methods apply generally to M‐quantile regression, in this paper, their use ar illustrated by means of an application to Small Area Estimation using a well known real dataset.
Employment Effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansions
Authors: Leung Pauline , Mas Alexandre
Published: April 2018

We examine whether the recent expansions in Medicaid from the Affordable Care Act reduced “employment lock” among childless adults who were previously ineligible for public coverage. We compare employment in states that chose to expand Medicaid versus those that chose not to expand, before and after implementation. We find that although the expansion increased Medicaid coverage by 3.0 percentage points among childless adults, there was no significant impact on employment.
Exclusions in social inclusion projects: Struggles in involving children in digital technology development
Authors: Iivari Netta , Kinnula Marianne , Molin‐Juustila Tonja , Kuure Leena
Published: April 2018

While social inclusion projects have centred on digital technology for a long time now, they have remained silent about educating and empowering children to act as technology makers and shapers, not merely passive users. We have organized, together with children, digital technology projects that we now critically examine from the perspective of inclusion/exclusion. The paper shows that in social inclusion projects, there is exclusion taking place in a multitude of forms, shaped by a variety of rules and powers. We use nexus analysis as a theoretical and methodological tool that guides us to study inclusion/exclusion as processes, within which both discourses and concrete actions are to be acknowledged as well as historical and interactional aspects—both at individual level and at the level of social structures. Our study shows that inclusion and exclusion may be intentionally accomplished by children themselves, those may result without any intentional effort because of circumstances and those may also be done for children by various kinds of adults. Although children's empowerment and agency are significant, also adults play a decisive role. Implications for social inclusion and digital technology education research and practice are discussed. Nexus analysis is suggested as a useful means for revealing and managing the complexity involved in social inclusion/exclusion.
The importance of the profession of nursing in health care: Current and future issues
Authors: Gatchel Robert J.
Published: April 2018

The present article presents a brief summary of the articles and themes highlighted in this Special Issue on the importance of nursing in our current health care system. As will be reviewed, there is an array of biobehavioral problems encountered by nurses, ranging from chronic low back pain, depression to burnout and workplace stress. In addition, nurses are becoming increasingly involved in important issues, such as the current opioid crisis, pain management, and a host of interpersonal demands of patients. As a consequence of them having to “wear many different hats,” a great number of nurses are now leaving the profession, resulting in a real threat of a nursing‐shortage in this country. Efforts are now underway to stem this exodus from this important profession.
AmotP130 regulates Rho GTPase and decreases breast cancer cell mobility
Authors: Chen Zhe‐Ling , Yang Jiao , Shen Yan‐Wei , Li Shu‐Ting , Wang Xin , Lv Meng , Wang Bi‐Yuan , Li Pan , Zhao Wen , Qiu Rui‐Yue , Liu Yu , Liu Pei‐Jun , Yang Jin
Published: April 2018

Angiomotin (Amot) is a newly discovered, multifunctional protein that is involved in cell migration and angiogenesis. However, the role of its isoform, AmotP130, in the regulation of cytoskeleton and metastasis of breast cancer, is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AmotP130 in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and the changes of morphology in breast cancer cells through the Rho pathway that influences the invasion and migration of cells. The results suggested that AmotP130 suppressed the invasion ability through remodelling the cytoskeleton of breast cancer cells, including the actin fibre organization and focal adhesion protein turnover. Global transcriptome changes in breast cancer cells following knockdown of AmotP130 identified pathways related with the cytoskeleton and cell motility that involved the Rho GTPase family. From database analyses, changes in the Rho GTPase family of proteins were identified as possible prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. We have been suggested that AmotP130 suppressed the invasion ability through remodelling of the cytoskeleton of breast cancer cells, involving regulation of the Rho pathway. The cytoskeleton‐related pathway components may provide novel, clinically therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment.