bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoreduplication of the mouse genome in the absence of ORC1
Authors: Okano-Uchida Takayuki , Kent Lindsey N. , Ouseph Madhu M. , McCarty Britney , Frank Jeffrey J. , Kladney Raleigh , Cuitino Maria C. , Thompson John C. , Coppola Vincenzo , Asano Maki , Leone Gustavo
Published: July 2018

The largest subunit of the origin recognition complex (ORC1) is essential for assembly of the prereplicative complex, firing of DNA replication origins, and faithful duplication of the genome. Here, we generated knock-in mice with LoxP sites flanking exons encoding the critical ATPase domain of ORC1. Global or tissue-specific ablation of ORC1 function in mouse embryo fibroblasts and fetal and adult diploid tissues blocked DNA replication, cell lineage expansion, and organ development. Remarkably, ORC1 ablation in extraembryonic trophoblasts and hepatocytes, two polyploid cell types in mice, failed to impede genome endoreduplication and organ development and function. Thus, ORC1 in mice is essential for mitotic cell divisions but dispensable for endoreduplication. We propose that DNA replication of mammalian polyploid genomes uses a distinct ORC1-independent mechanism.
Generating Yeast Two-Hybrid Bait Strains
Authors: Reece-Hoyes John S. , Walhout Albertha J.M.
Published: July 2018

Generating DNA-binding domain (DB)-bait strains for Gateway-compatible yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screens involves three steps. The first is to generate an Entry clone containing a DNA fragment encoding the protein of interest (e.g., an open reading frame, ORF). The second is to transfer this DNA fragment from the Entry clone to the Y2H Destination vector, pDEST32. The final step is to transform this construct into the Y2H yeast strain, MaV103. This protocol takes 24–37 d plus sequence confirmation, if necessary, to complete.
Elicitation of Xenopus laevis Tadpole and Adult Frog Peritoneal Leukocytes
Authors: Grayfer Leon
Published: July 2018

Peritoneal lavage of Xenopus laevis tadpoles and adult frogs is a reliable way of isolating resident and/or recruited innate immune populations. This protocol details the isolation of tadpole and adult amphibian (Xenopus laevis) peritoneal leukocytes. The isolated cells are comprised predominantly of innate immune populations and chiefly of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear granulocytes. As described here, these cells are typically elicited by peritoneal injections of animals with heat-killed Escherichia coli, causing peritoneal accumulation of inflammatory cell populations, which are then isolated from the stimulated animals by lavage. E. coli-mediated elicitation of tadpole and adult peritoneal leukocytes greatly enhances the total numbers of recovered cells, at the cost of their inflammatory activation. Conversely, lavage may be performed on naïve, unstimulated animals to isolate nonactivated cells with much lower yield. This protocol represents a reliable means of deriving tadpole and adult frog innate immune cell populations, and the conditions of the stimulation may be amended to suit the specifics of a given experimental design.
RNAi-Mediated Loss of Function of Xenopus Immune Genes by Transgenesis
Authors: Edholm Eva-Stina , Robert Jacques
Published: July 2018

Generation of transgenic frogs through the stable integration of foreign DNA into the genome is well established in Xenopus. This protocol describes the combination of transgenesis with stable RNA interference as an efficient reverse genetic approach to study gene function in Xenopus. Initially developed in the fish medaka and later adapted to Xenopus, this transgenic method uses the I-SceI meganuclease, a “rare-cutter” endonuclease with an 18 bp recognition sequence. In this protocol, transgenic X. laevis with knocked down expression of a specific gene are generated using a double promoter expression cassette. This cassette, which is flanked by I-SceI recognition sites, contains the shRNA of choice under the control of the human U6 promoter and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene under the control of the human EF-1α promoter. Prior to microinjection the plasmid is linearized by digestion with I-SceI and the entire reaction is then microinjected into one-cell stage eggs. The highly stringent recognition sequence of I-SceI is thought to maintain the linearized plasmid in a nonconcatamerized state, which promotes random integration of the plasmid transgene in the genome. The injected embryos are reared until larval stage 56 and then screened for GFP expression by fluorescence microscopy and assessed for effective knockdown by quantitative RT-PCR using a tail biopsy. Typically, the I-SceI meganuclease transgenesis technique results in 35%–50% transgenesis efficiency, a high survival rate (>35%) and bright nonmosaic GFP expression. A key advantage of this technique is that the high efficiency and nonmosaic transgene expression permit the direct use of F0 animals.
Could the pre-M&A performances predict integration risk in cross-border M&As?
Authors: Rozen-Bakher Ziva
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Due to the high failure rate of the M&A strategy, this paper aims to raise the question of whether the pre-M&A performances could predict integration success in cross-border M&As with the aim of reducing the integration risk. Cross-border M&A is considered an important strategy for gaining access to foreign markets, but at the same time, cross-border M&As involve a high risk for failure, particularly due to the problematic integration stage in cross-border M&As.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presents a research model that includes six pre-M&A performances – the revenue and profitability of the acquirer and the target, the revenue ratio and profitability ratio – with the aim of analysing if the pre-M&A performances could predict integration success. The sample of the study includes 68 public firms that were engaged in cross-border M&As from 13 countries. The database of the study is based on 272 annual reports (10-K) of the public companies that are included in the sample.

Findings

The results show that the revenue and profitability of the acquirer and the target predict integration success. However, the revenue ratio predicts integration success, but not the profitability ratio. The results also show that a larger target leads to a complicated integration process that ends in a failure of the integration stage, while a larger acquirer could help to facilitate the integration stage. The study also indicates that buying a small target in relation to the acquirer decreases the risks of the integration stage. Moreover, the pre-performances of the acquirer more predict integration success compared to the pre-performances of the target.

Originality/value

The study suggests that buying an inefficient target creates opportunities for removing redundancies, while buying profitable target may hinder the possibilities for eliminating duplicate jobs and operations. This mixed effect highlights the challenges in implementing of M&A strategy in cross-border-M&As.
Administration of an organization undergoing change
Authors: Chatterjee Abha , Chanda Sasanka Sekhar , Ray Sougata
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to develop conceptual arguments questioning the efficacy of administration by the transaction cost economics (TCE) approach in an organization undergoing a major change.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on three distinct dimensions of organizational life where, as per prior research, TCE is likely to be inadequate: interdependence across transactions, high reliance on managerial foresight and inseparability of administrative decisions made at different points in time.

Findings

The climate of coercion and surveillance engendered by administration based on TCE approaches – that punishes deviation from goals, even when they are framed on inadequate knowledge – forestalls creative problem-solving that is necessary to address unforeseen developments that arise during change implementation. Fiat accomplishes within-group compliance in the change project sub-teams, but between-group interdependencies tend to be neglected, hampering organizational effectiveness. Moreover, attempts to create independent spheres of accountability for concurrent fiats regarding pre-existing and new commitments breed inefficiency and wastage.

Research limitations/implications

The malevolent aspects of TCE-based administration contribute to organizational dysfunctions like escalation of commitment and developing of silos in organizations.

Practical implications

To succeed in effecting a major organizational change, meaningful relaxation of demands for delivering on prior goals is required, along with forbearance of errors made during trial-and-error learning.

Originality/value

TCE-based administration is deleterious to an organization attempting a major change. Supremacy accorded to resolution of conflicts in distinct hierarchical relationships by the mechanism of fiat fails to address the needs of an organizational reality where multiple groups are engaged in a set of interdependent activities and where multiple, interdependent organizational imperatives need to be concurrently served.
Thermal insulation effect on EHL of coated cam/tappet contact during start up
Authors: Meng Xianghui , Yu Changya , Xie Youbai , Mei Benfu
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the lubrication performance of cam/tappet contact during start up. Especially, the thermal insulation effects of coating on the lubrication performance during cold start up process and warm start up process are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

A numerical model for the analysis of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication of coated cam/tappet contact is presented. In this model, the Reynolds equation and the energy equations are discretized by the finite difference method and solved jointly.

Findings

During start up, the contact force at cam nose-to-tappet contact decreases with increasing time, while the absolute entrainment velocity has the upward trend. The minimum film thickness, maximum average temperature and friction power loss increase with increasing time, while the coefficient of friction decreases during start up. Because of the thermal insulation effect, the coating can significantly increase the degree of temperature rise. Compared with the uncoated case, the coated cam/tappet results in a lower friction power loss. Generally, the friction power loss in the cold start up process is much higher than that in the warm start up process.

Originality/value

By this study, the lubrication performance and the kinematics and the dynamics of the cam/tappet during start up process are investigated. Meanwhile, the thermal insulation effect of coating is also illustrated. The difference of lubrication performance between cold start up process and warm start up process is analyzed. The results and thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication method presented in this study can be a guidance in the design of the coated cam/tappet.
An empirical study on the adoption of M-learning apps among IT/ITeS employees
Authors: Pillai Rajasshrie , Sivathanu Brijesh
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to use the novel approach of applying the behavioural reasoning theory (BRT) to understand the relative influence of reason for and reason against the adoption of mobile learning applications (M-learning apps) among information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS) employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveys 680 employees of IT and ITeS companies in India to examine the adoption of M-learning apps for learning using the BRT and the primary data analysis was done using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

It is found that the context-specific adoption factors for M-learning apps are hedonic motivation, self-efficacy, learning autonomy, ubiquitous and relative advantage, whereas the reasons against adoption of the M-learning apps are traditional barrier, usage barrier and image barrier. It is also found that values of openness to change positively affect the reasons for adoption and do not significantly affect reasons against adoption of M-learning. Values of openness to change affect the attitude towards M-learning apps and attitude affects the adoption intention of M-learning apps for learning.

Research/limitations/implications

This cross-sectional study was conducted only in the Indian IT/ITeS firms and future research can be conducted in other sectors and countries to generalize the results.

Practical implications

This research uniquely highlights the adoption factors both for and against, which should be considered while developing marketing strategies for M-learning apps’ adoption. It is imperative for training managers to consider these factors during the selection of M-learning apps and for designers while designing the M-learning apps.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights towards the use of mobile apps for learning with the employees’ perspective using the BRT theory and it highlights the reason for adoption and reason against adoption of M-learning apps.
The swansong of the fascist octopus: creating effective change communications
Authors: Hirsch Peter
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine why corporations frequently do such a bad job in change communications and succumb to clichéd terminology when communicating change.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach was to identify particularly egregious examples of poor communications and to identify some reasons why change communications seems so difficult for large corporations.

Findings

Poor change communications has a number of sources. Chief of these is the failure to involve employees in the change process from the beginning and to acknowledge candidly that all change processes have losers as well as winners.

Research limitations/implications

The views expressed in the paper are based on the author’s own experience rather than extensively researched data.

Practical implications

While poor change communications will always exist, leaders who understand the natural tendency to use obscure and clichéd language in the field will be able to mitigate its effects.

Social implications

With trust in corporations at all-time lows, one can believe that more effective change communications will help to restore some of the lost trust between capital and labor.

Originality/value

While the clichéd corporate language is the frequent target of critics, there are few treatments of its connection with change communications.
Methods for modelling reflective-formative second order constructs in PLS
Authors: Duarte Paulo , Amaro Suzanne
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the estimation of PLS models with second-order formative constructs as existing research has mainly focused on second-order constructs with a reflective measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a model grounded on Roger’s innovation diffusion theory applied to online travel shopping, an empirical application is used to assess and compare the different approaches used to estimate a formative second-order construct. The proposed model examines the innovations characteristics that have an impact on intentions to purchase travel online, using data from a convenience sample of 1,732 responses.

Findings

The findings show that all approaches produce similar results regarding the path coefficients, the predictive relevance of the model and the explained variance. The main differences between the approaches are related to the weights of the first-order constructs on the second-order construct and the significance of those weights. Several recommendations are made for researchers on which approach to use.

Originality/value

Since most research has focused on second-order constructs with a reflective measurement and there is limited research with formative second-order constructs, this paper provides a comparison of the different approaches typically used to estimate a formative second-order construct and present useful guidelines for researchers to decide the method to analyse a model with second-order constructs and how to assess formative second-order constructs.
The need for care integration across hospital services for adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Benenson Irina , Jadotte Yuri T. , Holly Cheryl
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the risk factors and characteristics that influence the integration of quality care across hospital services by adult Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a systematic review.

Findings

Painful vaso-occlusive crisis was the major cause of hospital and emergency department admissions in patients with SCD, although high utilizing patients had more diagnoses of acute chest syndrome and sepsis. High utilizers also had more SCD complications (aseptic necrosis) and infections. Patients who were publically insured accounted for 76.5 percent (95% CI: 0.632–0.861) of all patients. Patients aged 18–30 years had the highest rate of utilization, which declined in those over 50. Women were more likely than men to seek hospital services.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for prospective studies with a prolonged follow-up, reasonable sample size, objective methods of data collection and similar outcome measures that address characteristics of utilization and integration across different clinical settings for this population.

Practical implications

There is a small subset of patients with SCD who consume a large percentage of resources. This may lend itself well to targeted collaborative and integrated care management services for these high consumers of healthcare resources.

Social implications

SCD patients who used hospital services for care, regardless of the frequency of their encounters, were more likely young women who relied heavily on public insurance to seek relief from the pain of vaso-occlusive crises. The majority were from African–American and Hispanic communities.

Originality/value

This study examines the consumption of resources by a high utilizing group as a necessary step in the development of an integrated care management pathway.
SEC’s Division of Investment Management voices concerns over registered funds investing in cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency-related products
Authors: Avdeychik Vadim , Capozzi Justin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of recent US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Investment Management staff (“Staff”) guidance related to investment funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that seeks to provide exposure to cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides analysis regarding the Staff’s view on registered investment companies that intend to invest in cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products, including an overview of the questions posed by the Staff with respect to registered investment companies that seek to hold cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products, which are divided into five categories: valuation, liquidity, custody, arbitrage (for exchange-traded funds) and potential manipulation and other risks.

Findings

The Staff is asking for additional information from industry participants to fully analyze and evaluate registered investment companies that seek to invest in cryptocurrencies.

Practical implications

The industry should continue to provide information to the Staff with the short-term goal of fostering an open dialogue and with the long-term goal of launching a registered investment company that invests in cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products.

Originality/value

This paper provides practical guidance from experienced lawyers of the Investment Company Act and Securities Act.
Five crypto-securities trends that spell more lawsuits in 2018
Authors: Pao William K. , Sibbitt Eric , Evenson Taylor R. , Weisberg Andrew J.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify trends in the unfolding wave of crypto-securities cases targeting initial coin offerings and discuss the reasons why these suits will likely proliferate.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors of this paper, all attorneys, conducted a review of 13 crypto-securities cases filed as of February 8, 2018. High-level common themes and trends were identified based on that review.

Findings

This paper concludes that, for multiple reasons, the number of crypto-securities suits is likely to rise in 2018.

Originality/value

This paper contains in-depth analysis about trends in crypto-securities suits from experienced securities lawyers.
Between ethics and law
Authors: Carminati Lara
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a critical and broad perspective on how transnational companies (TNCs) behave in the global context, focussing its attention on the controversial issue of tax avoidance in the UK. It pursues this aim by taking into account not only economic globalisation, mobility of capital and tax havens but also ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper seeks to provide an interdisciplinary viewpoint drawing not only from well-established scholarly literature but also from real cases and evidence, such as the scandals involving corporate giants, such as Starbucks, Google and Amazon in the UK.

Findings

This paper highlights the fundamental interplay and mutual aid of ethics and international laws, underlining the increasing importance of corporate social responsibility principles in today’s business practices. However, it also emphasises the need of reinforcing these principles with either regional or universalistic legal approaches to tackle TNCs’ misconduct in the international arena.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that by establishing and enforcing international business laws, increasingly aligned with ethical principles, the gap between ethics and legislation can be consistently bridged. Hence, TNCs’ behaviour could be more efficiently controlled.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on modern economic globalisation by providing a comprehensive and integrative perspective on TNCs’ behaviour, accounting for the interplay of socio-ethical, legal and business principles.
A deep learning method for data recovery in sensor networks using effective spatio-temporal correlation data
Authors: Du Jinghan , Chen Haiyan , Zhang Weining
Published: July 2018

Purpose

In large-scale monitoring systems, sensors in different locations are deployed to collect massive useful time-series data, which can help in real-time data analytics and its related applications. However, affected by hardware device itself, sensor nodes often fail to work, resulting in a common phenomenon that the collected data are incomplete. The purpose of this study is to predict and recover the missing data in sensor networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the spatio-temporal correlation of large-scale sensor data, this paper proposes a data recover model in sensor networks based on a deep learning method, i.e. deep belief network (DBN). Specifically, when one sensor fails, the historical time-series data of its own and the real-time data from surrounding sensor nodes, which have high similarity with a failure observed using the proposed similarity filter, are collected first. Then, the high-level feature representation of these spatio-temporal correlation data is extracted by DBN. Moreover, to determine the structure of a DBN model, a reconstruction error-based algorithm is proposed. Finally, the missing data are predicted based on these features by a single-layer neural network.

Findings

This paper collects a noise data set from an airport monitoring system for experiments. Various comparative experiments show that the proposed algorithms are effective. The proposed data recovery model is compared with several other classical models, and the experimental results prove that the deep learning-based model can not only get a better prediction accuracy but also get a better performance in training time and model robustness.

Originality/value

A deep learning method is investigated in data recovery task, and it proved to be effective compared with other previous methods. This might provide a practical experience in the application of a deep learning method.
Measuring the interference of pain on daily life in persons with spinal cord injury: A Rasch‐validated subset of items from the Brief Pain Inventory interference scale
Authors: Hand Brittany N. , Velozo Craig A. , Krause James S.
Published: July 2018

Background/aim

Up to 60% of individuals report chronic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Measurement of the degree to which pain interferes with activities and emotions can provide valuable clinical insights with implications for pain management interventions. One questionnaire that can be used to quantify the impact of pain is the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference scale, a seven‐item self‐report assessment. Our objective was to examine the Rasch measurement properties of the BPI interference scale for measuring pain interference in persons with SCI.

Methods

A secondary analysis of cross‐sectional, population‐based, self‐report data was conducted. Participants were adults with traumatic SCI with residual effects who were at least one year post‐injury and 18 years of age (n = 876). Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the measurement properties of the BPI interference items for persons with SCI.

Results

Two BPI interference scale items were excluded from analysis due to high rates of missing data. Of the remaining five items, four items demonstrated acceptable measurement properties in the SCI population.

Conclusion

Four of the original seven BPI interference items provide acceptable measurements of pain interference in the SCI population.
Is it time for a culture change? Blood culture collection in the emergency department
Authors: Denny Kerina J , Sweeny Amy , Crilly Julia , Maloney Samuel , Keijzers Gerben
Published: July 2018

Objective

To describe how frequently blood cultures (BCs) are obtained in the ED and to describe the incidence of true‐ and false‐positive BC results.

Methods

Retrospective descriptive study of all patients presenting to a tertiary‐level, mixed Australian ED over a 15 month period.

Results

A total of 3617 (3.67%) patients had BCs collected. Around one (12.1%) in eight of these BCs were positive; nearly half (45.2%) of which were identified as a false positive.

Conclusions

BCs are a common investigation in the ED with a high false‐positive rate. Strategies are required to reduce false positives, including reducing inappropriate collection and improving collection techniques.
Systems pathology analysis identifies neurodegenerative nature of age‐related vitreoretinal interface diseases
Authors: Öhman Tiina , Tamene Fitsum , Göös Helka , Loukovaara Sirpa , Varjosalo Markku
Published: July 2018

Aging is a phenomenon that is associated with profound medical implications. Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iEMR) and macular hole (MH) are the major vision‐threatening vitreoretinal diseases affecting millions of aging people globally, making these conditions an important public health issue. iERM is characterized by fibrous tissue developing on the surface of the macula, which leads to biomechanical and biochemical macular damage. MH is a small breakage in the macula and is associated with many ocular conditions. Although several individual factors and pathways are suggested, a systems pathology level understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders is lacking. Therefore, we performed mass spectrometry‐based label‐free quantitative proteomics analysis of the vitreous proteomes from patients with iERM and MH to identify the key proteins, as well as the multiple interconnected biochemical pathways, contributing to the development of these diseases. We identified a total of 1,014 unique proteins, many of which are linked to inflammation and the complement cascade, revealing the inflammation processes in retinal diseases. Additionally, we detected a profound difference in the proteomes of iEMR and MH compared to those of diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A large number of neuronal proteins were present at higher levels in the iERM and MH vitreous, including neuronal adhesion molecules, nervous system development proteins, and signaling molecules, pointing toward the important role of neurodegenerative component in the pathogenesis of age‐related vitreoretinal diseases. Despite them having marked similarities, several unique vitreous proteins were identified in both iERM and MH, from which candidate targets for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can be provided.
Implants induce a new niche for microbiomes
Authors: Jakobsen Tim H. , Eickhardt Steffen R. , Gheorghe Alexandra G. , Stenqvist Charlotte , Sønderholm Majken , Stavnsberg Camilla , Jensen Peter Ø. , Odgaard Anders , Whiteley Marvin , Moser Claus , Hvolris Jesper , Hougen Hans Petter , Bjarnsholt Thomas
Published: July 2018

Although much work is being done to develop new treatments, research and knowledge regarding factors underlying implant‐related microbial colonization leading to infection are less comprehensive. Presence of microorganisms in and around implants clinically characterized as uninfected remains unknown. The objective of this study was to detect and identify bacteria and fungi on implants from various groups of patients with no prior indications of implant related infections. Patient samples (implants and tissue) were collected from five different hospitals in the Capital region of Denmark. By in‐depth microbiological detection methods, we examined the prevalence of bacteria and fungi on 106 clinically uninfected implants from four patient groups (aseptic loosening, healed fractures, craniofacial complications and recently deceased). Of 106 clinically uninfected implants and 39 negative controls investigated, 66% were colonized by bacteria and 40% were colonized by fungi (p < 0.0001 compared to negative controls). A large number of microbes were found to colonize the implants, however, the most prevalent microbes present were not common aetiological agents of implant infections. The findings indicate that implants provide a distinct niche for microbial colonization. These data have broad implications for medical implant recipients, as well as for supporting the idea that the presence of foreign objects in the body alters the human microbiome by providing new colonization niches.
Back to the Source—Geochemical Data from Israel for the Provenance Analyses of Basaltic Rock Artefacts and Their Implications on Previous and Future Studies
Authors: Gluhak T. M. , Rosenberg D.
Published: July 2018

The success of provenance analyses of basaltic rock artefacts relies on the availability of comprehensive geochemical–mineralogical data from samples of geological occurrences in order to facilitate a detailed comparison of artefacts and potential raw material sources. We present new results of a geochemical study of Neogene basaltic rocks in Lower and Upper Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Hula Basin and the western Golan Heights. The results are intended to serve as a geological reference database for provenance analyses. We discuss the implications of these new geochemical data for the different approaches of previous provenance studies.
Housing Associations as institutional space: Care and control in tenant welfare and training for work
Authors: Wainwright Emma , Marandet Elodie
Published: July 2018

Housing Associations (HAs) operate at the community level between the state, market and individual and, in the current political context of austerity, state roll‐back and welfare reform, have been increasingly tasked with focusing on the “welfare” of their tenants. This has included “encouraging” a trajectory of training for work for those tenants who are unemployed; a trajectory that is aimed at producing a certain type of “active” and appropriate citizen‐tenant at the local level and that is based on the problematisation of those in social housing. This paper concentrates on how this trajectory is mobilised and implemented with an emphasis on how we conceptualise the dynamics and complexities of care and control that are central to this. HAs are framed as important locally‐based institutions tasked with the local enactment of national policy imperatives. Through training‐for‐work initiatives, we explore how tenants are marked through the physical and conceptual spaces operated by HAs, and how HAs act as intermediaries between wider policy imperatives and localised, place‐specific and embodied interactions between tenants and housing professionals. We reflect on the dynamics of care and control involved in tenant engagement, with “care” couched in terms of support and empathy but prompted by systems of control that classify and mark out tenants as in most “need.” We highlight the important role of HAs as fluid institutional sites of connection, emphasising the embodied and spatial regulatory relations through which careful control is enacted and practised.
Evaluation of the Effects of Apatinib on the Pharmacokinetics of Venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in SD Male Rats by UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Bao Su‐su , Wen Jian , Lin Qian‐meng , Li Ying‐hui , Huang Yang‐ge , Zhou Hong‐yu , Hu Guo‐xin
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of apatinib on the pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in SD rats and the inhibitory effects of apatinib on venlafaxine in rat and human liver microsomes. Twenty‐one SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7): group A (multiple dose of 40 mg/kg apatinib for 7 days), group B (single dose of 40 mg/kg apatinib) and group C (the control group). All samples were measured by UPLC‐MS/MS. The results indicated that a single dose of apatinib increased the AUC(0‐t), AUC(0‐∞) and Cmax of both venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine significantly, while Vz/F and CLz/F were decreased. As for group A, only AUC(0‐t) and CLz/F of venlafaxine were changed, while no parameters of O‐desmethylvenlafaxine were altered. In addition, apatinib was determined to be a mixed inhibitor of venlafaxine.
Using tablets in free play: The implementation of the digital play framework in Greece
Authors: Hatzigianni Maria , Gregoriadis Athanasios , Karagiorgou Ioanna , Chatzigeorgiadou Sofia
Published: July 2018

The use of tablets in a Greek kindergarten class (16 children aged 4–5) under the digital play framework (Bird & Edwards, 2015) is explored in this study. The Vygotskian framework was adapted with permission in the Greek language and socio‐cultural context. The aim was to understand children's use of new, touchscreen technologies, but also to identify a useful way to observe the progression of that engagement. The project lasted for 4 months and children were observed ten times (written and video recorded observations). Children were observed in pairs or small groups during their free play with the tablets. Findings suggest that the adapted framework was particularly helpful, when observing children, but could benefit from more flexibility and a less linear structure. Children went through the different stages of the framework using social scaffolding as their most dynamic strategy. This study is significant as it reports on an underexplored context going through a range of social and political transformations (Greece), but also because it provides further insights on how to more efficiently document and assess children's play with technology.
Metabolic syndrome emerges after artificial selection for low baroreflex sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Li‐Li , Zhang Ying , Cheng Yan‐Qiong , Zhang Jing‐Ming , Liu Hong‐Qi , Wang Wei‐Zhong , Mehta Jawahar L. , Xiong Zhi‐Gang , Su Ding‐Feng , Liu Ai‐Jun
Published: July 2018

Aims

It is unclear whether the impaired BRS plays a key role in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The molecular mechanism of impaired BRS remains to be fully elucidated. We hypothesized that selection of rats based on deficient and normal intrinsic BRS would yield models that reflect cardiovascular diseases risk.

Methods and Results

Twenty generations of selection produced arterial baroreflex low rats and normal rats that differed in BRS by about 2.5‐fold change. Metabolic syndrome (including hypertension, overweight, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia) emerged in ABR‐DRs. Although ABR‐DRs consumed less food, they gained significantly more body weight.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that intrinsic low BRS induced hypertension and metabolic disorder. Restoration of impaired BRS might be a potent target of therapeutic intervention in metabolic syndrome.
Social decision making in autism: On the impact of mirror neurons, motor control, and imitative behaviors
Authors: Khalil Radwa , Tindle Richard , Boraud Thomas , Moustafa Ahmed A. , Karim Ahmed A.
Published: July 2018

The Mirror Neuron System (MNS) plays a crucial role in action perception and imitative behavior, which is suggested to be impaired in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). In this review, we discuss the plausibility and empirical evidence of a neural interaction between the MNS, action perception, empathy, imitative behavior, and their impact on social decision making in ASDs. To date, there is no consensus regarding a particular theory in ASDs and its underlying mechanisms. Some theories have completely focused on social difficulties, others have emphasized sensory aspects. Based on the current studies, we suggest a multilayer neural network model including the MNS on a first layer and transforming this information to a higher layer network responsible for reasoning. Future studies with ASD participants combining behavioral tasks with neuroimaging methods and transcranial brain stimulation as well as computational modeling can help validate and complement this suggested model. Moreover, we propose applying the behavioral paradigms, and the neurophysiological markers mentioned in this review article for evaluating psychiatric treatment approaches in ASDs. The investigation of modulating effects of different treatment approaches on the neurophysiological markers of the MNS can help find specific subgroups of ASDs patients and support tailored psychiatric interventions.
Evaluation of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in living liver donors
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Ganesh Swaytha , Hughes Christopher , Tevar Amit D. , Hasche John J. , Esper Stephen , Humar Abhinav
Published: July 2018

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol has proven to be effective in many surgery fields in controlling pain and promoting early recovery. Application of the (ERAS) protocol in living donor liver patients is a new step to promote early recovery.

Methods

We analyzed outcomes in two groups. Group A included the living donors who had the ERAS protocol applied (n = 30), and Group B included donors who had their surgery before the ERAS protocol (n = 30). All donors had the same incision. The ERAS protocol involved a multimodality methods. This included intravenous ketamine and lidocaine intraoperatively with single dose intrathecal morphine and local injection of long‐acting bupivacaine. The postoperative regimen included intravenous ketamine, lidocaine, ketorolac, and narcotics as PRN.

Results

Pain on the first three postoperative days was significantly lower in Group A (P < 0.05). Narcotics were also significantly lower in Group A (P < 0.01). Return of bowel function occurred earlier by 1 day in Group A (P < 0.003). Group A patients could tolerate a regular diet by postoperative day (POD) three vs four in Group B patients (P = 0.0057). Mean length of stay was lower in Group A, but not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol was effective in minimizing postoperative pain and helped to decrease the postoperative narcotics and helped early recovery.
Risk of coronary artery disease and stroke according to sex and presence of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Harjutsalo Valma , Thomas Merlin C , Forsblom Carol , Groop Per‐Henrik ,   On Behalf of the FinnDiane Study Group
Published: July 2018

Aims

To determine the effect of different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and sex on the excess and absolute morbidity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in order to distinguish different cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles in people with T1D.

Materials and Methods

The study included 4410 people with T1D from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study (FinnDiane), divided by DN status, and a control population of 12 434 people without diabetes. CVD events were identified from the Finnish nationwide health registries. Cumulative incidences for CAD and stroke were calculated and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated between participants with T1D and the control group, stratified by DN status and sex.

Results

There were 487 incident CADs and 290 strokes at the end of 2014 (median follow‐up 12.9 years). The cumulative incidence rates of CAD and stroke were similar in men and women within different nephropathy groups. The SIR for CAD was 7.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9‐8.2), 17.2 (95% CI 14.9‐19.5) in women and 5.3 (95% CI 4.7‐5.9) in men. The women‐to‐men ratio of SIR increased by nephropathy group: 3.3, 3.7, 5.3 and 6.8 in the normo‐, micro‐ and macroalbuminuria and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) groups, respectively. The SIR for stroke was 5.0 (95% CI 4.3‐5.5), similar in men and women. The women‐to‐men ratio of SIR for stroke was 0.8, 1.3, 1.6 and 1.7, in the normo‐, micro‐ and macroalbuminuria and ESRD groups, respectively. The SIR in participants with normoalbuminuria and an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 3.5 (95% CI 2.5‐4.5) for CAD and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0‐2.3) for stroke.

Conclusions

Although the excess CVD risk is several‐fold greater in women compared to men, the absolute CVD risk in men and women was equal when nephropathy was taken into account. Even participants with normoalbuminuria and normal kidney function were found to have an excess CVD risk compared with the control group without diabetes.
Seasonal differences in body mass and circulating metabolites in a wing‐dimorphic pygmy grasshopper: implications for life history?
Authors: Lehmann Gerlind U. C. , Marco Heather G. , Lehmann Arne W. , Gäde Gerd
Published: July 2018

1. Functional wing polymorphism in insects is an intriguing topic, especially with respect to the adaptive advantage of each wing morph. The common pygmy grasshopper in Germany, Tetrix subulata, displays wing polymorphism skewed towards macropterous (LW) individuals capable of flight. Furthermore, T. subulata is known to undergo adult diapause in winter and reproduce in spring.

2. Morphometric and biochemical parameters were examined in field‐collected grasshoppers during autumn and spring to obtain a ‘snapshot’ from the same/one cohort of grasshoppers in the wild.

3. Flight muscles are largely reduced in brachypterous (SW) specimens, whereas they are well developed in LW individuals. Body mass measurements indicated gain in female T. subulata in spring, especially in LW morphs, which could be attributed to increased reproductive activity (egg production).

4. Metabolic fuel in haemolymph is differentially distributed in autumn: the concentration of lipids is highest in males, while carbohydrates are most abundant in LW specimens. The metabolic data imply that dispersal in T. subulata is predominantly in autumn, by flight in the case of LW specimens and by hopping/walking in males.

5. The season seems to be an important factor for the reproductive versus dispersal trade‐off in this species. Moreover, this study shows that morphological differences in T. subulata individuals are reflected in physiological differences that may ultimately affect behaviour and ecology.
Alternative routes to piscivory: Contrasting growth trajectories in brown trout (Salmo trutta) ecotypes exhibiting contrasting life history strategies
Authors: Hughes Martin R. , Hooker Oliver E. , Van Leeuwen Travis E. , Kettle‐White Alan , Thorne Alastair , Prodöhl Paulo , Adams Colin E.
Published: July 2018

Large and long‐lived piscivorous brown trout, Salmo trutta, colloquially known as ferox trout, have been described from a number of oligotrophic lakes in Britain and Ireland. The “ferox” life history strategy is associated with accelerated growth following an ontogenetic switch to piscivory and extended longevity (up to 23 years in the UK). Thus, ferox trout often reach much larger sizes and older ages than sympatric lacustrine invertebrate‐feeding trout. Conventional models suggest that S. trutta adopting this life history strategy grow slowly before a size threshold is reached, after which, this gape‐limited predator undergoes a diet switch to a highly nutritional prey source (fish) resulting in a measurable growth acceleration. This conventional model of ferox trout growth was tested by comparing growth trajectories and age structures of ferox trout and sympatric invertebrate‐feeding trout in multiple lake systems in Scotland. In two of the three lakes examined, fish displaying alternative life history strategies, but living in sympatry, exhibited distinctly different growth trajectories. In the third lake, a similar pattern of growth was observed between trophic groups. Piscivorous trout were significantly older than sympatric invertebrate‐feeding trout at all sites, but ultimate body size was greater in only two of three sites. This study demonstrates that there are multiple ontogenetic growth pathways to achieving piscivory in S. trutta and that the adoption of a piscivorous diet may be a factor contributing to the extension of lifespan.
Climatic, topographic, and anthropogenic factors determine connectivity between current and future climate analogs in North America
Authors: Carroll Carlos , Parks Sean A. , Dobrowski Solomon Z. , Roberts David R.
Published: July 2018

As climatic conditions shift in coming decades, persistence of many populations will depend on their ability to colonize habitat newly suitable for their climatic requirements. Opportunities for such range shifts may be limited unless areas that facilitate dispersal under climate change are identified and protected from land uses that impede movement. While many climate adaptation strategies focus on identifying refugia, this study is the first to characterize areas which merit protection for their role in promoting climate connectivity at a continental extent. We identified climate connectivity areas across North America by delineating paths between current climate types and their future analogs that avoided nonanalogous climates, and used centrality metrics to rank the contribution of each location to facilitating dispersal across the landscape. The distribution of connectivity areas was influenced by climatic and topographic factors at multiple spatial scales. Results were robust to uncertainty in the magnitude of future climate change arising from differing emissions scenarios and general circulation models, but sensitive to analysis extent and assumptions concerning dispersal behavior and maximum dispersal distance. Paths were funneled along north‐south trending passes and valley systems and away from areas of novel and disappearing climates. Climate connectivity areas, where many potential dispersal paths overlapped, were distinct from refugia and thus poorly captured by many existing conservation strategies. Existing protected areas with high connectivity values were found in southern Mexico, the southwestern US, and western and arctic Canada and Alaska. Ecoregions within the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Great Plains, eastern temperate forests, high Arctic, and western Canadian Cordillera hold important climate connectivity areas which merit increased conservation focus due to anthropogenic pressures or current low levels of protection. Our coarse‐filter climate‐type‐based results complement and contextualize species‐specific analyses and add a missing dimension to climate adaptation planning by identifying landscape features which promote connectivity among refugia.