bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bottom-up approach to developing a neighbourhood-based resilience measurement framework
Authors: Kwok Alan H. , Paton Douglas , Becker Julia , Hudson-Doyle Emma E. , Johnston David
Published: February 2018

Purpose

As disaster resilience activities are increasingly occurring at the neighbourhood level, there is a growing recognition in research and in practice of the contributions that community stakeholders can make in assessing the resilience of their communities. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process in deriving a disaster resilience measurement framework by soliciting the perspectives of stakeholders from urban neighbourhoods in two countries. The authors examined their community values, and their perspectives on both the concept of resilience and the essential elements that they believe would contribute to the resiliency of their neighbourhoods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an appreciative inquiry approach to draw out the perspectives of 58 stakeholders from nine focus groups in five urban neighbourhoods in New Zealand and in the USA.

Findings

Results of this research show common values and recurring perceived characteristics of disaster resilience across the study sites. A neighbourhood-based disaster resilience measurement framework is developed that encompasses individual/psychological, socio-cultural, economic, infrastructural/built, and institutional/governance dimensions of disaster resilience. In the process of developing the framework, the authors identified challenges in engaging certain segments of the population and in accounting for wider structural influences on neighbourhood resilience.

Research limitations/implications

Issues relating to inclusive community engagement and linkages to cross-scalar resilience factors need to be addressed in future studies.

Practical implications

Results of this research provide insights and guidance for policy makers and practitioners when engaging communities in the development of resilience metrics.

Originality/value

This study fills the literature gap in evaluating community values and stakeholders’ perspectives on disaster resilience when identifying metrics for resilience interventions in urban neighbourhoods. The proposed measurement framework is derived from cross-cultural and diverse socioeconomic settings.
The impact of social trends: teenagers’ attitudes for organic food market in Thailand
Authors: Jiumpanyarach Waripas
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate teenagers’ preferences, attitudes, and purchasing power towards organic foods in markets and to explain influences of teenagers’ choices and purchasing intentions on organic foods.

Design/methodology/approach

A paper-based and a web-based survey were conducted among 557 teenagers in Thailand. A choice experiment logit model was used to identify factors influencing decision in purchasing.

Findings

The study found that teen consumers were likely to buy ready-to-cook organic food items instead of conventional food items because of health and food safety concerned under their budget constraints. The willingness to pay found organic food items (eggs, pork, chicken) had negative impact but organic opinion had positive impact. The attitudes on high price of organic food items were positive impact because of production process, quality, and quantity of products.

Research limitations/implications

Teenagers’ consumption impacted on food demands in supermarkets and convenient stores because of their attitudes and behaviours in purchasing. The desired food characteristics should be good quality, safety for consumers, and available in the market nationwide. The supported policies for expanding organic markets were benefits for organic farmers to be sustainable farming.

Originality/value

This study examined the impacts of economic conditions and the premium quality healthy food products on teenagers’ food motivation.
Social learning in information diffusion and capability of farmers
Authors: Shaijumon C.S.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyse the importance of social networking in information diffusion and capability of farmers by understanding the pattern of social networking. This study also looks into the impact of social networking in agriculture and how far the village resource centre as an institution helped the social networking at the rural level.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted an empirical analysis by using primary data. A well-structured interview schedule is used to collect the information about social networking of each of the 170 Village Resource Centre (VRC) attending (VRCAM) and VRC non-attending (VRCNAM) people of Meppadi (Kerala State, India) and 170 VRC non-attending people from neighbouring villages of Meppadi (VRCNANV). Also, 133 samples were collected from VRC attendees (VRCAT), VRC non-attendees (VRCNAT) and VRC non-attendees from neighbouring villages of Thiruvaiyaru (Tamil Nadu state, India).

Findings

This paper provides empirical results that appropriate institutions at rural level can create effective social networking, and thereby help the information dissemination among the farmers. It is understood that the Meppadi VRC social network is expansionary in nature, but in Thiruvaiyaru, the social network is not expansionary. A major motive for the farmers to join a VRC network is to gain “knowledge” in both regions. The two patterns of networking identified that networking and communication between experts and attendees are strong in Triruvaiyaru, but less visible in Meppadi. Similarly, networking between VRC attendees and non-attendees is very strong and evident in Thivaiyaru. At the same time, the study found that the knowledge diffusion from VRC happens maximum in Meppadi famers because of their enhanced skills and capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research has conducted among the farmers who attended one particular type of institution, the result lacks diversity. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to conduct it in different types of institutions.

Practical implications

The study throws light on the importance of appropriate institutional interventions for developing a social network to disseminate knowledge and ideas among the farmers. Farmers rely more on personal interactions with their peers, friends, agricultural professionals, local institutions, media and extension farm advisers for new technology, knowledge, etc., than the formal channels of information sharing.

Social implications

Well-directed social networks among the farmers can enhance the productivity of agriculture, which, in turn, will enhance the living standard of the agriculture-dependent population.

Originality/value

The study conducted an empirical analysis by using primary data and proved that local institutions are important for developing social networks.
Women’s formal and informal labour in Brazil: an inequality decomposition (2000-2010)
Authors: Tonet Maciel Francieli , Hermeto C. Oliveira Ana Maria
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of changes in the relative composition and in the segmentation between formal and informal labour on earnings differentials among women over the last decade in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow Machado and Mata’s method to decompose the changes along the earnings distribution, with correction for sample selection and using microdata from the Demographic Census of 2000 and 2010. Informal labour was divided into informal salaried labour and self-employment, and both groups were compared with the formal labour separately.

Findings

The results indicate that, in both cases, an increase in earnings differentials in the bottom of the earnings distribution due to segmentation, suggesting that the returns to formal labour have grown relatively to informal labour during the period. On the other hand, earnings differentials decrease as one moves up the earnings distribution due to the composition effect, which is stronger on the top of the distribution relatively to the bottom. Furthermore, there are compensating differentials for self-employed women above the 30th quantile, which contributed to reduce the inequality between this group and formal workers.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of the changes taking place in female labour, shedding some light on how they affect different points along the earnings distribution. Furthermore, the adopted approach proposes a new application for the correction of sample bias in the context of quantile regression by employing a logit multinomial, and using the Demographic Census data.
What does “learning organization” mean?
Authors: Örtenblad Anders
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to offer an overview of the definition of the concept of learning organization to be used, related to and taken as a starting point for further conceptual developments by others writing about and using the learning organization concept. An additional purpose is to suggest how the concept of learning organization could be demarcated to define what would be demanded from any particular organization to be counted as a learning organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper. To define the learning organization, a label-focused approach and a content-focused approach are used. A contextual approach is suggested as the most appropriate tool for demarcating the concept of learning organization.

Findings

It is suggested that there are four versions of learning organization, which can all be related to three different forms of organizational aspects. Furthermore, a contextual approach is suggested to demarcate how to define learning organization to develop a much-needed contingency model, which places reasonable demands on organizations in various contexts to qualify them as learning organizations.

Originality/value

An overview definition, which anybody writing about the learning organization could relate to, is presented. It is also discussed what a learning organization is not, something which only few others have done, and a contextual approach to demarcating the learning organization concept is suggested.
Of poisons and parasites—the defensive role of tetrodotoxin against infections in newts
Authors: Johnson Pieter T. J. , Calhoun Dana M. , Stokes Amber N. , Susbilla Calvin B. , McDevitt‐Galles Travis , Briggs Cheryl J. , Hoverman Jason T. , Tkach Vasyl V. , de Roode Jacobus C.
Published: February 2018

Classical research on animal toxicity has focused on the role of toxins in protection against predators, but recent studies suggest these same compounds can offer a powerful defense against parasites and infectious diseases.

Newts in the genus Taricha are brightly coloured and contain the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX), which is hypothesized to have evolved as a defense against vertebrate predators such as garter snakes. However, newt populations often vary dramatically in toxicity, which is only partially explained by predation pressure.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between TTX concentration and infection by parasites. By systematically assessing micro‐ and macroparasite infections among 345 adult newts (sympatric populations of Taricha granulosa and T. torosa), we detected 18 unique taxa of helminths, fungi, viruses and protozoans.

For both newt species, per‐host concentrations of TTX, which varied from undetectable to >60 μg/cm2 skin, negatively predicted overall parasite richness as well as the likelihood of infection by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and ranavirus. No such effect was found on infection load among infected hosts. Despite commonly occurring at the same wetlands, T. torosa supported higher parasite richness and average infection load than T. granulosa. Host body size and sex (females > males) tended to positively predict infection levels in both species. For hosts in which we quantified leucocyte profiles, total white blood cell count correlated positively with both parasite richness and total infection load.

By coupling data on host toxicity and infection by a broad range of micro‐ and macroparasites, these results suggest that—alongside its effects on predators—tetrodotoxin may help protect newts against parasitic infections, highlighting the importance of integrative research on animal chemistry, immunological defenses and natural enemy ecology.
The purple non‐sulfur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris produces novel petrobactin‐related siderophores under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Authors: Baars Oliver , Morel François M. M. , Zhang Xinning
Published: February 2018

Many bacteria produce siderophores to bind and take up Fe(III), an essential trace metal with extremely low solubility in oxygenated environments at circumneutral pH. The purple non‐sulfur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris str. CGA009 is a metabolically versatile model organism with high iron requirements that is able to grow under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Siderophore biosynthesis has been predicted by genomic analysis, however, siderophore structures were not identified. Here, we elucidate the structure of two novel siderophores from R. palustris: rhodopetrobactin A and B. Rhodopetrobactins are structural analogues of the known siderophore petrobactin in which the Fe chelating moieties are conserved, including two 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoate and a citrate substructure. In the place of two spermidine linker groups in petrobactin, rhodopetrobactins contain two 4,4′‐diaminodibutylamine groups of which one or both are acetylated at the central amine. We analyse siderophore production under different growth modes and show that rhodopetrobactins are produced in response to Fe limitation under aerobic as well as under anaerobic conditions. Evaluation of the chemical characteristics of rhodopetrobactins indicates that they are well suited to support Fe acquisition under variable oxygen and light conditions.
Both widespread PEP‐CTERM proteins and exopolysaccharides are required for floc formation of Zoogloea resiniphila and other activated sludge bacteria
Authors: Gao Na , Xia Ming , Dai Jingcheng , Yu Dianzhen , An Weixing , Li Shuyang , Liu Shuangyuan , He Penghui , Zhang Liping , Wu Zhenbin , Bi Xuezhi , Chen Shouwen , Haft Daniel H. , Qiu Dongru
Published: February 2018

Bacterial floc formation plays a central role in the activated sludge (AS) process, which has been widely utilized for sewage and wastewater treatment. The formation of AS flocs has long been known to require exopolysaccharide biosynthesis. This study demonstrates an additional requirement for a PEP‐CTERM protein in Zoogloea resiniphila, a dominant AS bacterium harboring a large exopolysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster. Two members of a wide‐spread family of high copy number‐per‐genome PEP‐CTERM genes, transcriptionally regulated by the RpoN sigma factor and accessory PrsK‐PrsR two‐component system and at least one of these, pepA, must be expressed for Zoogloea to build the floc structures that allow gravitational sludge settling and recycling. Without PrsK or PrsR, Zoogloea cells were planktonic rather than flocculated and secreted exopolysaccharides were released into the growth broth in soluble form. Overexpression of PepA could circumvent the requirement of rpoN, prsK and prsR for the floc‐forming phenotype by fixing the exopolysaccharides to bacterial cells. However, overexpression of PepA, which underwent post‐translational modifications, could not rescue the long‐rod morphology of the rpoN mutant. Consistently, PEP‐CTERM genes and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis gene cluster are present in the genome of the floc‐forming Nitrospira comammox and Mitsuaria strain as well as many other AS bacteria.
What does Brexit Mean for the UK's Climate Change Act?
Authors: Farstad Fay , Carter Neil , Burns Charlotte
Published: February 2018

This article examines the potential implications of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (so‐called ‘Brexit’) for the success and survival of the country's flagship climate policy, the Climate Change Act 2008. The impact of a ‘soft’ and a ‘hard’ Brexit for the main features of the Climate Change Act are assessed, building on documentary evidence and elite interviews with key policy‐makers and policy‐shapers. The article argues that the long‐term viability of the Climate Change Act was being threatened even before the EU referendum, and that Brexit will do little to improve this situation. Even though the existence of the Climate Change Act is not under immediate threat, a range of issues presented by Brexit risk undermining its successful implementation.
Bureaucratic power in note‐writing: authoritative expertise within the state
Authors: Mangset Marte , Asdal Kristin
Published: February 2018

What produces the power of senior civil servants at ministries of finance, positioned at the top of the bureaucratic hierarchy? Max Weber has claimed that a hierarchical organization, meritocratic recruitment and procedural work provide bureaucracies with legitimacy. In particular he insisted on the role of Fachwissen (disciplinary knowledge) obtained through formal education. However, he also argued for the role of Dienstwissen, forms of knowledge and skills stemming from the experience of service in itself. Weber did not elaborate on this concept in detail, and few analysts of governmental expertise have examined this notion. We draw on the practice‐turn in sociology, combining the study of governmental expertise with micro‐sociological studies of administrative practices. By analysing interviews with 48 senior civil servants at the British, French and Norwegian ministries of finance about their daily practices, this article demonstrates that bureaucratic note‐writing and the procedural evaluation of such notes constitute a key form of expertise that yields authority. The study provides an analytical framework for understanding what administrative expertise consists of, how it is integral to procedural work, the forms bureaucratic hierarchies take in practice and how these three dimensions provide authority.
A Systems Approach to Biometrics in the Military Domain
Authors: Wilson Lauren , Gahan Michelle , Lennard Chris , Robertson James
Published: February 2018

Forensic biometrics is the application of forensic science principles to physical and behavioral characteristics. Forensic biometrics is a secondary sub‐system in the forensic science “system of systems,” which describes forensic science as a sub‐system in the larger criminal justice, law enforcement, intelligence, and military system. The purpose of this paper is to discuss biometrics in the military domain and integration into the wider forensic science system of systems. The holistic system thinking methodology was applied to the U.S. biometric system to map it to the system of systems framework. The U.S. biometric system is used as a case study to help guide other countries to develop military biometric systems that are integrated and interoperable at the whole‐of‐government level. The aim is to provide the system of systems framework for agencies to consider for proactive design of biometric systems.
The Influence of Adding Spices to Reduced Sugar Foods on Overall Liking
Authors: Peters John C. , Marker Ryan , Pan Zhaoxing , Breen Jeanne Anne , Hill James O.
Published: February 2018

Reducing sugar intake is a major public health goal but many consumers are reluctant to use low calorie sweeteners. Two studies were conducted in healthy adults aged 18 to 65 to investigate whether addition of culinary spices to foods reduced in sugar could preserve hedonic liking. Test foods, black tea, oatmeal, and apple crisp, were prepared in full sugar (FS), reduced sugar (RS), and reduced sugar with spice (RSS) versions. Sugar reductions were 100%, 35%, and 37% for tea, oatmeal, and apple crisp, respectively. In Study 1, 160 subjects rated absolute liking of FS, RS, and RSS versions of a breakfast of oatmeal and tea and an afternoon snack of apple crisp on consecutive weeks. In Study 2, 150 subjects rated relative liking of all 3 versions of one food at the same seating, with different foods tested 1 wk apart. Liking was assessed using a 9‐point Likert scale. Both studies yielded similar results. For all 3 test items, liking was significantly higher for FS than for RS (P< 0.03). For tea, addition of spices did not significantly improve liking in either study. For oatmeal, addition of spices did not consistently improve liking compared to RS. For apple crisp, relative liking of RSS was not different then FS. These results indicate that it is possible to preserve the hedonic pleasure of a reduced sugar version of a dessert food, apple crisp, by addition of culinary spices. This may be a promising strategy to reduce sugar in some foods without using low calorie sweeteners.

Practical Application

Reducing sugar consumption is an important public health goal. Many consumers are reluctant to use low calorie sweeteners and alternative approaches are needed. Using culinary spices to enhance the flavor of foods may allow sugar reduction while still preserving acceptable overall liking.
Intraguild interactions between two biological control agents in citrus fruit: implications for biological control of medfly
Authors: Tormos J. , Beitia F. , Asís J.D. , de Pedro L.
Published: February 2018

The parasitoid waspSpalangia cameroniand the predatory beetlePseudoophonus rufipeshave long been studied for use as biological control agents against the Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata,particularly in citrus fruit orchards. Nevertheless, these two species of natural enemies, when competing for a common resource, may experience intraguild predation (IGP) interactions. These possible interactions, affecting parasitism and predation, have been evaluated in the present work, under laboratory conditions, through potential changes in functional response. Regarding host/prey density, both natural enemies, when acting alone, showed a type II functional response. Nevertheless, due to IGP,S. cameroni, in the presence ofP. rufipes, showed a higher fertility rate and a type III functional response. The parasitism behaviour ofS. cameroniwas affected by the presence of the predator, reducing the host handling time. Conversely, the parasitism rate ofS. cameronidid not vary in the presence ofP. rufipesbut the degree of superparasitism decreased and led to an increased fertility rate and an increasingly female‐biased sex ratio. Meanwhile, the predatory efficiency ofP. rufipeswas not affected by the presence ofS. cameronibut discrimination between parasitised and unparasitised pupae ofC. capitata, with a preference for the latter, was reported for this predator species. Our results suggest that in biological control programmes, the use of only one of these species is recommended at low infestation levels, whilst at high densities of the pest, the combination of both natural enemies seems to be the most appropriate strategy.
The ecophysiology of apple snails in rice: implications for crop management and policy
Authors: Horgan F.G.
Published: February 2018

This review relates the ecology and physiology of apple snails (Ampullariidae) to their impact on rice‐production systems. Two species in particular, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata, have been introduced to several rice‐growing regions. Flooded rice systems represent a high‐quality habitat for these apple snails because of similarities in the environmental conditions (water temperature, salinity, pH, water flow velocity) necessary for both rice production and for snail survival and development. Furthermore, amphibious respiration, a capacity to aestivate during dry periods, as well as cold acclimation and tolerance (particularly in P. canaliculata), increases the resilience of apple snails to rice farming practices, including agrochemical applications, intermittent drainage and crop rotations – under a wide range of climatic conditions. Risks to regional rice production depend on four principal factors: these are (a) regional climate, (b) regional rice‐production systems, (c) prevailing production practices, and (4) the presence/absence of invasive, non‐native apple snails. Based on these criteria, lowland irrigated rice in tropical and subtropical regions that is wet‐direct seeded is most vulnerable to damage from both native and non‐native apple snails (albeit with greater losses from non‐native snails because of normally higher densities). Adequate quarantine regulations, particularly in vulnerable tropical regions that are adjacent to centres of recent outbreaks (e.g. India and Bangladesh adjacent to Myanmar, Peru and Colombia adjacent to Ecuador) and attention to the preparedness of farming systems could reduce potential impacts as these highly invasive snails continue to spread. The urgent development of labour‐saving crop‐establishment methods that reduce dependencies on chemical molluscicides is necessary to achieve sustainable rice production in regions at risk from non‐native apple snails.
Relying on the heuristic of trust: a case study
Authors: Bruhn Aaron
Published: February 2018

This study examines the reliance on trust as a heuristic by individuals when making personal financial decisions, using a qualitative case study. We show that in the face of complexity and choice, individual investors predominantly resorted to the heuristic of trust to make financial decisions. This demonstrates the need for industry and public policy‐makers to be aware that individuals can and will resort to simplified heuristics as a basis for financial decision‐making, particularly within an environment where substantial complexity and choice exist.
Diagnostic value of the cardiac electrical biomarker, a novel ECG marker indicating myocardial injury, in patients with symptoms suggestive of non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Strebel Ivo , Twerenbold Raphael , Boeddinghaus Jasper , Abächerli Roger , Rubini Giménez Maria , Wildi Karin , Grimm Karin , Puelacher Christian , Badertscher Patrick , Sabti Zaid , Breitenbücher Dominik , Jann Janina , Selman Farah , du Fay de Lavallaz Jeanne , Schaerli Nicolas , Nestelberger Thomas , Stelzig Claudia , Freese Michael , Schumacher Lukas , Osswald Stefan , Mueller Christian , Reichlin Tobias
Published: February 2018

Background

The cardiac electrical biomarker (CEB) is a novel electrocardiographic (ECG) marker quantifying the dipolar activity of the heart with higher levels indicating myocardial injury.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 1097 patients presenting with suspected non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to the emergency department (ED). Digital 12‐lead ECGs were recorded at presentation and the CEB values were calculated in a blinded fashion. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists. The prognostic endpoint was all‐cause mortality during 2 years of follow‐up.

Results

NSTEMI was the final diagnosis in 14% of patients. CEB levels were higher in patients with NSTEMI compared to other causes of chest pain (median 44 (IQR 21–98) vs. 30 (IQR 16–61), p < .001). A weak but significant correlation between levels of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) at admission to the ED and the CEB was found (r = .23, p < .001). The use of the CEB in addition to conventional ECG criteria improved the diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of NSTEMI as quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve from 0.66 to 0.71 (p < .001) and the sensitivity improved from 43% to 79% (p < .001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CEB, an ECG marker of myocardial injury, significantly improves the accuracy and sensitivity of the ECG for the diagnosis of NSTEMI.
The use of anti‐Müllerian hormone for controlled ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology, fertility assessment and ‐counseling
Authors: Pilsgaard Fie , Grynnerup Anna G.‐A. , Løssl Kristine , Bungum Leif , Pinborg Anja
Published: February 2018

Ovarian reserve can be determined by serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and/or antral follicle count before controlled ovarian stimulation. The aim of controlled ovarian stimulation is to achieve an appropriate number of mature follicles and avoid complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Measurement of the ovarian reserve is useful for clinicians as it predicts the ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation. Further, it assists in giving the patient realistic expectations regarding the treatment. By determining the ovarian reserve, the most appropriate stimulation protocol and gonadotropin dose can be chosen specifically for each woman enabling so‐called “individualized treatment” in line with the personalized treatment concept. Many benefits come with using AMH as a biomarker for ovarian reserve; the hormone is considered fairly cycle independent apart from a small decrease in the late follicular phase and there is no inter‐observer variance. However, the use of AMH also has limitations; since the implementation of AMH in fertility treatment several AMH assays have been developed. This has made direct comparisons of AMH serum levels complicated. Currently, no international standardized assays exist. AMH is a valid predictor of the ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation and to some extent the chance of pregnancy in relation to assisted reproductive technology, but AMH is less optimal in prediction of spontaneous pregnancy and live birth after assisted reproductive technology. Accordingly, AMH can be used to optimize gonadotropin stimulation in fertility treatment, but is not recommended as a screening tool in the general population.
Bridging to a Long‐Term Ventricular Assist Device With Short‐Term Mechanical Circulatory Support
Authors: Kurihara Chitaru , Kawabori Masashi , Sugiura Tadahisa , Critsinelis Andre C. , Wang Suwei , Cohn William E. , Civitello Andrew B. , Frazier O. H. , Morgan Jeffrey A.
Published: February 2018

Implanting short‐term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices as a bridge‐to‐decision is increasingly popular. However, outcomes have not been well studied in patients who receive short‐term MCS before receiving long‐term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. We analyzed outcomes in our single‐center experience with long‐term continuous‐flow (CF)‐LVAD recipients with pre‐implantation short‐term MCS. From November 2003 through March 2016, 526 patients (mean age, 54.7 ± 13.5 years) with chronic heart failure (mean ejection fraction, 21.7 ± 3.6%) underwent implantation of either the HeartMate II (n = 403) or the HeartWare device (n = 123). Before implantation, 269 patients received short‐term MCS with the TandemHeart, the Impella 2.5/5.0, an intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO), or the CentriMag. The short‐term MCS patients were compared with the CF‐LVAD–only patients regarding preoperative demographics, incidence of postoperative complications, and long‐term survival. The 269 patients received the following short‐term MCS devices: 57 TandemHeart, 27 Impella, 172 IABP, 12 VA‐ECMO, and 1 CentriMag. Survival at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years was 94.2, 87.2, 79.4, and 72.4%, respectively, for CF‐LVAD–only patients versus 91.0, 78.1, 73.4, and 65.6%, respectively, for short‐term MCS + CF‐LVAD patients (P = 0.17). Within the short‐term MCS group, survival at 24 months was poorest for patients supported with VA‐ECMO or the TandemHeart (P = 0.03 for both), and survival across all four time points was poorest for patients supported with VA‐ECMO (P = 0.02). Short‐term MCS was not an independent predictor of mortality in multivariate Cox regression models (hazard ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 0.84–1.49, P = 0.43). In conclusion, we found that using short‐term MCS therapy—except for VA‐ECMO—as a bridge to long‐term CF‐LVAD support was not associated with poorer survival.
Generation of anti‐porcine CD69 monoclonal antibodies and their usefulness to evaluate early activation of cellular immunity by flow cytometric analysis
Authors: Hayashi Yumiko , Okutani Mie , Ogawa Shohei , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Inoue Ryo
Published: February 2018

T cell‐mediated cellular immunity and humoral immunity are equally important for the prevention of diseases. To assess activation of human and mouse cellular immunity, early activation markers of lymphocytes are often used in flow cytometry targeting expression of CD69 molecules. Response of humoral immunity against infection or vaccination has been well investigated in pigs, but that of cellular immunity has been largely neglected due to lack of direct evaluation tools. Thus, in pig research a proper assay of antibody reacted with porcine CD69 is still unavailable. In the present study, two anti‐porcine CD69 mAb‐producing mouse hybridomas, 01‐14‐22‐51 (IgG2b–κ) and 01‐22‐44‐102 (IgG2a–κ), both showing fine reactivity with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) and ionomycin‐stimulated porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes in flow cytometry, were established. When porcine peripheral blood lymphocytes were activated with PMA and ionomycin and analyzed by flow cytometry, it was found that both mAbs generated in this study stained about 70% of lymphocytes. In contrast, after an identical procedure, only 5% and 13.5% of lymphocytes were stained with anti‐interferon‐γ mAb and anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α mAb, respectively. These results indicate that evaluation of cellular immunity activation turns more sensitive after using our newly generated mAbs.
Reproduction of the introduced oyster Crassostrea gigas (Bivalvia: Ostreidae) cultured on rafts in Spain
Authors: Antonio Ícaro G. , Camacho Alejandro P.
Published: February 2018

The oyster Crassostrea gigas was introduced in Spain for aquaculture purposes; however, until now, it is not known whether populations are established in the wild, being necessary to define whether this species is spawning and which environmental variables trigger this process. The influence of environmental parameters on the reproduction of C. gigas was evaluated from January 2008 to October 2009 with oysters grown on a raft in the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain). Temperature and chlorophyll a are directly correlated to sexual maturation. Oysters can mature at temperatures below 14°C. The temperature necessary for spawning differs between the sexes, requiring a temperature above 15°C for males and 18°C for females. Females had a single massive spawn between June and September, while males had partial spawning from May to December with two peaks, one in May–September and another in October–December, with the second peak more pronounced. The first spawning peak is related to high temperatures and concentrations of chlorophyll a, and the second spawning peak is mainly related to the food availability in the water. The spawning asynchrony may be impeding establishment of wild C. gigas populations in Spain.
Salbutamol‐induced Decrease in Augmentation Index is Related to the Parallel Increase in Heart Rate
Authors: Tikkakoski Antti J. , Kangas Pauliina , Suojanen Lauri , Tahvanainen Anna M. , Eräranta Arttu , Kähönen Mika A.P. , Sipilä Kalle , Mustonen Jukka T. , Pörsti Ilkka H.
Published: February 2018

The change in augmentation index following salbutamol inhalation has been applied to evaluate endothelial function. We examined the contribution of salbutamol‐induced increase in heart rate to the observed decrease in augmentation index. Haemodynamics were recorded using whole‐body impedance cardiography and continuous pulse wave analysis from tonometric radial blood pressure. All subjects (n = 335, mean age 46, body mass index 26, 48% men) were without medications with cardiovascular influences. The effects of salbutamol inhalation (0.4 mg) versus the endothelium‐independent agent nitroglycerin resoriblet (0.25 mg) were examined during passive head‐up tilt, as the haemodynamic influences of these compounds depend on body position. Salbutamol decreased augmentation index by ~3‐4% units in supine and upright positions. Although salbutamol moderately increased cardiac index (+4.5%) and decreased systemic vascular resistance (−8.5%), the significant haemodynamic explanatory factors for decreased augmentation index in multivariate analysis were increased supine heart rate, and increased upright heart rate and decreased ejection duration (p < 0.001 for all, r2 = 0.36–0.37). Sublingual nitroglycerin decreased supine and upright augmentation index by ~15% units and ~23% units, respectively. The haemodynamic explanatory factors for these changes in multivariate analysis were increased heart rate, reduced ejection duration and reduced systemic vascular resistance (p ≤ 0.021 for all, r2 = 0.22–0.34). In conclusion, the lowering influence of salbutamol on augmentation index may be largely explained by increased heart rate, suggesting that this effect may not predominantly reflect endothelial function.
Epigenomic signature of adrenoleukodystrophy predicts compromised oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Schlüter Agatha , Sandoval Juan , Fourcade Stéphane , Díaz‐Lagares Angel , Ruiz Montserrat , Casaccia Patrizia , Esteller Manel , Pujol Aurora
Published: February 2018

Epigenomic changes may either cause disease or modulate its expressivity, adding a layer of complexity to mendelian diseases. X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) is a rare neurometabolic condition exhibiting discordant phenotypes, ranging from a childhood cerebral inflammatory demyelination (cALD) to an adult‐onset mild axonopathy in spinal cords (AMN). The AMN form may occur with superimposed inflammatory brain demyelination (cAMN). All patients harbor loss of function mutations in the ABCD1 peroxisomal transporter of very‐long chain fatty acids. The factors that account for the lack of genotype‐phenotype correlation, even within the same family, remain largely unknown. To gain insight into this matter, here we compared the genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles of morphologically intact frontal white matter areas of children affected by cALD with adult cAMN patients, including male controls in the same age group. We identified a common methylomic signature between the two phenotypes, comprising (i) hypermethylation of genes harboring the H3K27me3 mark at promoter regions, (ii) hypermethylation of genes with major roles in oligodendrocyte differentiation such as MBP, CNP, MOG and PLP1 and (iii) hypomethylation of immune‐associated genes such as IFITM1 and CD59. Moreover, we found increased hypermethylation in CpGs of genes involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation, and also in genes with H3K27me3 marks in their promoter regions in cALD compared with cAMN, correlating with transcriptional and translational changes. Further, using a penalized logistic regression model, we identified the combined methylation levels of SPG20, UNC45A and COL9A3 and also, the combined expression levels of ID4 and MYRF to be good markers capable of discriminating childhood from adult inflammatory phenotypes. We thus propose the hypothesis that an epigenetically controlled, altered transcriptional program may drive an impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation and aberrant immune activation in X‐ALD patients. These results shed light into disease pathomechanisms and uncover putative biomarkers of interest for prognosis and phenotypic stratification.
4‐Hydroxynonenal‐induced GPR109A (HCA2 receptor) activation elicits bipolar responses, Gαi‐mediated anti‐inflammatory effects and Gβγ‐mediated cell death
Authors: Gautam Jaya , Banskota Suhrid , Shah Sajita , Jee Jun‐Goo , Kwon Eunju , Wang Ying , Kim Dong Young , Chang Hyun Wook , Kim Jung‐Ae
Published: February 2018

Background and Purpose

In this study, we examined the possibility that 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) acting as a ligand for the HCA2 receptor (GPR109A) elicits both anti‐inflammatory and cell death responses.

Experimental Approach

Agonistic activity of 4‐HNE was determined by observing the inhibition of cAMP generation in CHO‐K1‐GPR109A‐Gi cell line, using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding and competition binding assays with [3H]‐niacin. 4‐HNE‐mediated signalling pathways and cellular responses were investigated in cells expressing GPR109A and those not expressing these receptors.

Key Results

Agonistic activity of 4‐HNE was stronger than that of niacin or 3‐OHBA at inhibiting forskolin‐induced cAMP production and SPR binding affinity. In ARPE‐19 and CCD‐841 cells, activation of GPR109A by high concentrations of the agonists 4‐HNE (≥10 μM), niacin (≥1000 μM) and 3‐OHBA (≥1000 μM) induced apoptosis accompanied by elevated Ca2+ and superoxide levels. This 4‐HNE‐induced cell death was blocked by knockdown of GPR109A or NOX4 genes, or treatment with chemical inhibitors of Gβγ (gallein), intracellular Ca2+ (BAPTA‐AM), NOX4 (VAS2870) and JNK (SP600125), but not by the cAMP analogue 8‐CPT‐cAMP. By contrast, low concentrations of 4‐HNE, niacin and 3‐OHBA down‐regulated the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐8. These 4‐HNE‐induced inhibitory effects were blocked by a cAMP analogue but not by inhibitors of Gβγ‐downstream signalling molecules.

Conclusions and Implications

These results revealed that 4‐HNE is a strong agonist for GPR109A that induces Gαi‐dependent anti‐inflammatory and Gβγ‐dependent cell death responses. Moreover, the findings indicate that specific intracellular signalling molecules, but not GPR109A, can serve as therapeutic targets to block 4‐HNE‐induced cell death.
Heterogeneity in the dynamic effects of uncertainty on investment
Authors: Byun Sung Je , Jo Soojin
Published: February 2018

We examine how aggregate profit uncertainty influences capital investment activities, focusing on heterogeneous responses of firms. We model aggregate profit uncertainty as the conditional standard deviation of a common factor across unforecasted fluctuations in the sales growth of different industries and exploit cross‐sectional variations for its estimation. From an investment forecasting model that coherently analyzes firm‐ or group‐specific effects of uncertainty, we find that the direction and the size of investment adjustment vary considerably across firms, with a significant but small negative average impact. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for heterogeneity in the transmission of uncertainty, allowing us to reconcile different views on the effect of uncertainty in the existing literature.
Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer‐effect analysis in public schools
Authors: Asirvatham Jebaraj , Thomsen Michael R. , Nayga Rodolfo M. , Rouse Heather L.
Published: February 2018

This study investigates whether obese peers are a contributing factor in childhood body‐weight outcomes. Using an instrumental variables method on exogenously assigned peers (i.e., new peers), we find that the weight of peers within the same grade and school significantly impacts body mass index (BMI) z‐score of an individual student. The size of the peer effect, however, is negligible. We find no evidence of interaction between newly assigned peer groups prior to assignment. Furthermore, the obese peers variable is significant only for those peers with whom a student interacts.
Bis‐2(5H)‐furanone derivatives as new anticancer agents: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism studies
Authors: Wu Yan‐Cheng , Cao Liang , Mei Wen‐Jie , Wu Han‐Qing , Luo Shi‐He , Zhan Hai‐Ying , Wang Zhao‐Yang
Published: February 2018

New bis‐2(5H)‐furanone derivatives containing a benzidine core were synthesized via a one‐step transition‐metal‐free reaction of benzidine with 5‐substituted 3,4‐dihalo‐2(5H)‐furanones. Their antitumor activities against various tumor cells have been evaluated by MTT assay. Among them, compound 4e exhibits significant inhibitory activity against C6 glioma cells with an IC50 value of 12.1 μm and low toxicity toward HaCaT human normal cells. Studies on the antitumor mechanism reveal that cell cycle arrest at S‐phase in C6 cells is induced by compound 4e. Furthermore, investigations with electronic, fluorescence emission and circular dichroism spectra show that compound 4e can significantly interact with C6‐DNA. These data indicate that DNA may be one of the potential targets for bis‐2(5H)‐furanone derivatives as anticancer drugs.
Discovery of thiophene‐containing biaryl amide derivatives as novel glucagon receptor antagonists
Authors: Li Jia , Feng Yang , Li Huihui , Shu Shuangjie , Dai Antao , Cai Xiaoqing , Wang Jiang , Yang Dehua , Ma Dakota , Wang Ming‐Wei , Liu Hong
Published: February 2018

A novel series of thiophene‐containing biaryl amide glucagon receptor (GCGR) antagonists were designed and synthesized. Two compounds of this series, 14f and 14h, exhibited good GCGR binding (IC50 = 6.1 and 4.4 μm, respectively) and cAMP functional activities (IC50 = 4.4 and 14.4 μm, respectively). The possible binding modes of compounds 14f and 14h with GCGR were explored by molecular simulation.
Neuroimaging genomic studies in major depressive disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Feng , Mellor David , Peng Dai‐Hui
Published: February 2018

Genetic‐neuroimaging studies could identify new potential endophenotypes of major depressive disorder (MDD). Morphological and functional alterations may be attributable to genetic factors that regulate neurogenesis and neurodegeneration. Given that the association between gene polymorphisms and brain morphology or function has varied across studies, this systematic review aims at evaluating and summarizing all available genetic‐neuroimaging studies. Twenty‐eight gene variants were evaluated in 64 studies by structural or functional magnetic resonance imaging. Significant genetic‐neuroimaging associations were found in monoaminergic genes, BDNF genes, glutamatergic genes, HPA axis genes, and the other common genes, which were consistent with common hypotheses of the pathogenesis of MDD.
The perpetual state of emergency that sacrifices protected areas in a changing climate
Authors: Twidwell Dirac , Wonkka Carissa L. , Bielski Christine H. , Allen Craig R. , Angeler David G. , Drozda Jacob , Garmestani Ahjond S. , Johnson Julia , Powell Larkin A. , Roberts Caleb P.
Published: February 2018

A modern challenge for conservation biology is to assess the consequences of policies that adhere to assumptions of stationarity (e.g., historic norms) in an era of global environmental change. Such policies may result in unexpected and surprising levels of mitigation given future climate‐change trajectories, especially as agriculture looks to protected areas to buffer against production losses during periods of environmental extremes. We assessed the potential impact of climate‐change scenarios on the rates at which grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) are authorized for emergency harvesting (i.e., biomass removal) for agricultural use, which can occur when precipitation for the previous 4 months is below 40% of the normal or historical mean precipitation for that 4‐month period. We developed and analyzed scenarios under the condition that policy will continue to operate under assumptions of stationarity, thereby authorizing emergency biomass harvesting solely as a function of precipitation departure from historic norms. Model projections showed the historical likelihood of authorizing emergency biomass harvesting in any given year in the northern Great Plains was 33.28% based on long‐term weather records. Emergency biomass harvesting became the norm (>50% of years) in the scenario that reflected continued increases in emissions and a decrease in growing‐season precipitation, and areas in the Great Plains with higher historical mean annual rainfall were disproportionately affected and were subject to a greater increase in emergency biomass removal. Emergency biomass harvesting decreased only in the scenario with rapid reductions in emissions. Our scenario‐impact analysis indicated that biomass from lands enrolled in the CRP would be used primarily as a buffer for agriculture in an era of climatic change unless policy guidelines are adapted or climate‐change projections significantly depart from the current consensus.