bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
American Gut: an Open Platform for Citizen-Science Microbiome Research
Authors: McDonalda Daniel , Hyde Embriette , Debelius Justine W. , Morton James T. , Gonzalez Antonio , Ackermann Gail , Aksenov Alexander A. , Behsaz Bahar , Brennan Caitriona , Chen Yingfeng , Goldasich Lindsay DeRight , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Dunn Robert R. , Fahimipour Ashkaan K. , Gaffney James , Gilbert Jack A , Gogul Grant , Green Jessica L. , Hugenholtz Philip , Humphrey Greg , Huttenhower Curtis , Jackson Matthew A. , Janssen Stefan , Jeste Dilip V. , Jiang Lingjing , Kelley Scott T. , Knights Dan , Kosciolek Tomasz , Ladau Joshua , Leach Jeff , Marotz Clarisse , Meleshko Dmitry , Melnik Alexey V. , Metcalf Jessica L. , Mohimani Hosein , Montassier Emmanuel , Navas-Molina Jose , Nguyen Tanya T. , Peddada Shyamal , Pevzner Pavel , Pollard Katherine S. , Rahnavard Gholamali , Robbins-Pianka Adam , Sangwan Naseer , Shorenstein Joshua , Smarr Larry , Song Se Jin , Spector Timothy , Swafford Austin D. , Thackray Varykina G. , Thompson Luke R. , Tripathi Anupriya , Vazquez-Baeza Yoshiki , Vrbanac Alison , Wischmeyer Paul , Wolfe Elaine , Zhu Qiyun ,   The American Gut Consortium, Knight Rob
Published: March 2018

Although much work has linked the human microbiome to specific phenotypes and lifestyle variables, data from different projects have been challenging to integrate and the extent of microbial and molecular diversity in human stool remains unknown. Using standardized protocols from the Earth Microbiome Project and sample contributions from over 10,000 citizen-scientists, together with an open research network, we compare human microbiome specimens primarily from the USA, UK, and Australia to one another and to environmental samples. Our results show an unexpected range of beta-diversity in human stool microbiomes as compared to environmental samples, demonstrate the utility of procedures for removing the effects of overgrowth during room-temperature shipping for revealing phenotype correlations, uncover new molecules and kinds of molecular communities in the human stool metabolome, and examine emergent associations among the microbiome, metabolome, and the diversity of plants that are consumed (rather than relying on reductive categorical variables such as veganism, which have little or no explanatory power). We also demonstrate the utility of the living data resource and cross-cohort comparison to confirm existing associations between the microbiome and psychiatric illness, and to reveal the extent of microbiome change within one individual during surgery, providing a paradigm for open microbiome research and education.

Importance

We show that a citizen-science, self-selected cohort shipping samples through the mail at room temperature recaptures many known microbiome results from clinically collected cohorts and reveals new ones. Of particular interest is integrating n=1 study data with the population data, showing that the extent of microbiome change after events such as surgery can exceed differences between distinct environmental biomes, and the effect of diverse plants in the diet which we confirm with untargeted metabolomics on hundreds of samples.
EukRef: phylogenetic curation of ribosomal RNA to enhance understanding of eukaryotic diversity and distribution
Authors: del Campo Javier , Kolisko Martin , Boscaro Vittorio , Santoferrara Luciana F. , Massana Ramon , Guillou Laure , Simpson Alastair , Berney Cedric , de Vargas Colomban , Brown Matt , Keeling Patrick , Parfrey Laura Wegener
Published: March 2018

Environmental sequencing has greatly expanded our knowledge of micro-eukaryotic diversity and ecology by revealing previously unknown lineages and their distribution. However, the value of these data is critically dependent on the quality of the reference databases used to assign an identity to environmental sequences. Existing databases contain errors, and struggle to keep pace with rapidly changing eukaryotic taxonomy, the influx of novel diversity, and computational challenges related to assembling the high-quality alignments and trees needed for accurate characterization of lineage diversity. EukRef (eukref.org) is a community driven initiative that addresses these challenges by bringing together taxonomists with expertise spanning the complete eukaryotic tree of life and microbial ecologists that actively use environmental sequencing data for the purpose of developing reliable reference databases across the diversity of microbial eukaryotes. EukRef organizes and facilitates rigorous sequence data mining and annotation by providing protocols, guidelines and tools to do so.
Finding Nemo’s Genes: A chromosome-scale reference assembly of the genome of the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula
Authors: Lehmann Robert , Lightfoot Damien J. , Schunter Celia , Michell Craig T. , Ohyanagi Hajime , Mineta Katsuhiko , Foret Sylvain , Berumen Michael L. , Miller David J. , Aranda Manuel , Gojobori Takashi , Munday Philip L. , Ravasi Timothy
Published: March 2018

The iconic orange clownfish, Amphiprion percula, is a model organism for studying the ecology and evolution of reef fishes, including patterns of population connectivity, sex change, social organization, habitat selection and adaptation to climate change. Notably, the orange clownfish is the only reef fish for which a complete larval dispersal kernel has been established and was the first fish species for which it was demonstrated that anti-predator responses of reef fishes could be impaired by ocean acidification. Despite its importance, molecular resources for this species remain scarce and until now it lacked a reference genome assembly. Here we present a de novo chromosome-scale assembly of the genome of the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula. We utilized single-molecule real-time sequencing technology from Pacific Biosciences to produce an initial polished assembly comprised of 1,414 contigs, with a contig N50 length of 1.86 Mb. Using Hi-C based chromatin contact maps, 98% of the genome assembly were placed into 24 chromosomes, resulting in a final assembly of 908.8 Mb in length with contig and scaffold N50s of 3.12 and 38.4 Mb, respectively. This makes it one of the most contiguous and complete fish genome assemblies currently available. The genome was annotated with 26,597 protein coding genes and contains 96% of the core set of conserved actinopterygian orthologs. The availability of this reference genome assembly as a community resource will further strengthen the role of the orange clownfish as a model species for research on the ecology and evolution of reef fishes.
Trends in female lifespan in South Korea, 1987–2016
Authors: Weon Byung Mook
Published: March 2018

South Korea shows a remarkable rapid increase in lifespan in recent decades. Employing a mathematical model that is appropriate for human survival curves, we evaluate current trends in female lifespan for South Korea over three recent decades, 1987–2016, and predict coming trends in female lifespan until 2030. From comparative analyses with industrialized countries such as Japan, France, Australia, Switzerland, UK, Sweden, and USA, we confirm that South Korea has the highest increase rate of female lifespan in recent decades, and estimate that maximum lifespan would reach 125 years and characteristic life would surpass 95 years for South Korean female by 2030. South Korea would deserve much attention in study on human health and longevity as the longest-lived country in coming decades.
Genome-wide Methylation Patterns Under Caloric Restriction inDaphnia magna
Authors: Hearn Jack , Pearson Marianne , Blaxter Mark , Wilson Philip , Little Tom J.
Published: March 2018

The degradation of epigenetic control with age is associated with progressive diseases of ageing, including cancers, immunodeficiency and diabetes. Reduced caloric intake slows the effects of aging and age-related diseases, a process likely to be mediated by the impact of caloric restriction on epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation. We used whole genome bisulphite sequencing to study how DNA methylation patterns change with diet in a small invertebrate, the crustaceanDaphnia magna.Daphniashow the classic response of longer life under CR, and they reproduce clonally, which permits the study of epigenetic changes in the absence of genetic variation. Global CpG methylation was 0.7-0.9%, and there was no difference in overall methylation levels between normal and calorie restricted replicates. However, 453 regions were differentially methylated (DMRs) between the normally fed and calorie restricted (CR) replicates. Of these 61% were hypomethylated in the CR group, and 39% were hypermethylated in the CR group. Gene Ontogeny (GO) term enrichment of hyper and hypo-methylated genes showed significant over- and under-representation in three molecular function terms and four biological process GO terms. Notable among these were kinase and phosphorylation activity, which have a well-known functional link to cancers.
Synthesis and crystal structures of 2-bromo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodides
Authors: Lampl Martin , Laus Gerhard , Kahlenberg Volker , Wurst Klaus , Huppertz Hubert , Schottenberger Herwig
Published: March 2018

Attempts at direct bromination of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium salts were futile. The title compounds, 2-bromo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide chloroform 0.33-solvate, C5H8BrN2
+·I−·0.33CHCl3, 2-bromo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide dichloromethane hemisolvate, C5H8BrN2
+·I−·0.5CH2Cl2, and 2-bromo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide hemi(diiodide), C5H8BrN2
+·I−·0.5I2, were obtained by methylation of 2-bromo-1-methylimidazole. They crystallized as CHCl3, CH2Cl2 or I2 solvates/adducts. The Br atom acts as a σ-hole to accept short C—Br...I interactions. C—H...I hydrogen bonds are observed in each structure.
N-cetyl-N,N,N trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilized polyaniline: a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel
Authors: Rashid Mohd , Waware Umesh S. , A. Rahim Afidah , Hamouda A.M.S.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the inhibitive effect of polyaniline (PAni) and N-cetyl-N,N,N trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilized PAni in a hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium.

Design/methodology/approach

PAni has been deposited potentiodynamically on mild steel in the presence of CTAB as a stabilizing agent to achieve high corrosion inhibition performance by the polymer deposition. The corrosion inhibition studies of CTAB-stabilized PAni inhibitor in 0.1 M HCl acidic solution was carried out by electrochemical methods, namely, open-circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique.

Findings

The results of electrochemical studies have shown that the CTAB-stabilized PAni inhibitor has higher corrosion efficiency than PAni on mild steel in 0.1 M HCl solution. The maximum per cent efficiency evaluated using the potentiodynamic polarization method is approximately 91.9.

Originality/value

CTAB-stabilized PAni has never been studied as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in an acidic medium. The investigations demonstrate relatively the better corrosion inhibition efficiency and high dispersion of the polymer in the acidic medium.
Linking authoritarian leadership to employee creativity
Authors: Gu Jibao , Wang Gang , Liu Hefu , Song Derun , He Changqing
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The present study aims to examine how and when authoritarian leadership affects employee creativity. Based on social exchange theory and team identification literature, the present research attempts to simultaneously explore how leader–member exchange (LMX) and team identification serve as two important mediating processes in the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee creativity. Furthermore, this research uncovers the mechanism under which conditions the effects of authoritarian leadership will be magnified or minimized.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey has been conducted in China by using a questionnaire to collect data. The study sample consisted of 325 employees. LISREL 8.7 and SPSS 18.0 were used to test the mediating and moderating effects, respectively.

Findings

Results from 325 employees revealed that both LMX and team identification mediated the negative relationships between authoritarian leadership and employee creativity. Specifically, the relationship between two mediators was that LMX was positively related to team identification. In addition, the relationship between authoritarian leaderships and LMX and team identification was moderated by power distance, such that the negative relationships will be weaker with high power distance and stronger with low power distance.

Practical implications

First, firms and managers should recognize and take actions to reduce the negative effects of authoritarian leadership, such as effective selection system and interventional mechanisms because authoritarian leadership is important in influencing employee creativity. Second, managers are suggested to take specific actions, such as increasing communications and team-building activities, to promote LMX and team identification, thereby enhancing employee creativity. Third, managers should engage in behaviors that motivate employee creativity, such as empowerment behaviors, other than authoritarian leadership, when the employee has low power distance.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this research is that two psychological processes (i.e. LMX and team identification) have been identified through which authoritarian leadership is related to employee creativity. Meanwhile, this study explores the relationship between LMX and team identification. Moreover, the current research deepens our understanding of power distance by empirically examining the moderating effect of power distance. Overall, the findings extend our understanding about the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee creativity and contribute to literature on authoritarian leadership and creativity.
Localising climate change: heatwave responses in urban households
Authors: Cornes Isabel Clare , Cook Brian
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical insights into urban household perceptions and (in)action towards the perceived impacts of climate change, based on a case study in Kensington, Victoria, Australia. This case utilises households as sites of active agency, rather than as passive recipients of climate change or associated governance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research trialled an approach to engaging a community in the context of disaster risk reduction (DRR). It involved a two-stage quantitative door-knocking survey (reported elsewhere), followed by a qualitative interview with interested households. In total, 76 quantitative surveys contextualise 15 qualitative interviews, which are the focus of this analysis. The findings are presented comparatively alongside the current literature.

Findings

Heatwaves are understood to be the most concerning hazard for the households in this sample who associate their increasing frequency and severity with climate change. However, subsequent (in)action is shown to be situated within the complexities of day-to-day activities and concerns. While respondents did not consider themselves to have “expert” knowledge on climate change, or consider their actions to be a direct response to climate change, most had undertaken actions resulting from experience with heatwaves. These findings suggest there may be an under-representation of DRR, which includes climate change adaptation actions, within the existing research.

Research limitations/implications

While this sample justifies the arguments and conclusions, it is not a representative sample and therefore requires follow-up. It does however challenge traditional approaches to risk management, which focus on awareness raising and education. The research highlights the unique contexts in which households perceive and act on risk, and the need for risk “experts” to consider such contexts.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical evidence of urban household responses to perceived climate change-related risk, an often-neglected dimension of heatwave and adaptation studies in Australia. The findings also suggest promise for the methodological approach.
Orientation measurement of graphically simulated nanoscale electrospun fibrous structures using particle-based modeling and 2-D metaball fitting
Authors: Moon Sun Hee , Hong Kyung Hwa , Lee Jaewoong , Sul In Hwan
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an efficient tool for simulating electrospinning process in virtual 3D space and optimizing experimental parameters. The fiber orientation from virtual or real electrospinning process can be easily measured using the image analysis technique. Using the semi-implicit Euler integration, the time integration can be more fast and stable, which enabled optimization of the electrospinning process. Also boundary conditions can be easily adopted during conjugate gradient matrix solving step.

Design/methodology/approach

To simulate the electrospinning process, the authors have adopted a particle-based modeling technique using the molecular dynamics theory, which is known to be suitable for modeling materials with nonlinear and nonhomogeneous behavior such as fibers or fabrics. Gravitational, tensional, and electrostatical forces and their Jacobians were carefully defined and chosen to maintain the stability of the governing equation. Preconditioned conjugate gradient method was used to solve the matrix iteratively with boundary conditions. The 2-D metaball fitting technique, which was applied in the previous research (Sul et al., 2009) on experimental nanofiber scanning electron microscopy images, was utilized with virtual nanofiber images. A staircase function and a new shading language were proposed to automatically calculate the orientation and radius distribution of the graphically simulated electrospun fiber structures. The automatic measurement procedure was verified via graphically designed virtual replica images. Also the orientation tendency acquired from the simulation was compared with that of experimental data.

Findings

Simulation result of fiber orientation showed linear relationship with the collecting drum speed. Use of particle-based method generated a simple system to simulate electrospinning process.

Originality/value

The semi-implicit Euler integration was applied to the electrospinning process and the final linear system was numerically stable to solve.
Approaches to the design of refugee camps
Authors: Jahre Marianne , Kembro Joakim , Adjahossou Anicet , Altay Nezih
Published: March 2018

Purpose

An unprecedented scale of human migration has lead humanitarians to view camps as long-term settlements rather than temporary holding facilities. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of and identify challenges with this proposed new approach to camp design.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the camp design literature, the authors developed an interview guide and checklist for data collection. A multi-site case study and within- and cross-case analysis was then conducted.

Findings

The findings suggest that the proposed new approach is implemented only to a limited extent, and mostly in a stepwise manner. As camps mature, there is a shift toward the new approach, but most camps are established using the traditional top-down, temporary, and isolated approach.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on four camps in four different countries and do not provide an exhaustive global coverage.

Practical implications

The insights the authors derived and the challenges identified from the empirical evidence can be used to better plan future camps.

Social implications

The results can support improvements in camp design, thus alleviating suffering for both refugees and host communities, particularly in developing countries. In particular, the trade-off between a permanent solution and the temporary must be accounted for.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by developing and proposing a conceptual framework to camp design. The cross-case analysis provides an initial understanding and categorization of challenges with implementing the new approach. It also suggests an evolutionary perspective of camp design.
Shared leadership as a vehicle to healthy service eco-systems: practical or fanciful?
Authors: Johansson Clare , Bedggood Rowan , Farquharson Karen , Perenyi Aron
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether a shared leadership governance arrangement facilitates improved outcomes within a social marketing service eco-system. The research was focussed on gaining an understanding of participants involved in a cross-institutional partnership. The case study selected to facilitate this exploration was a social marketing project that aimed to support aboriginal households in Victoria with regard to their energy efficiency. It thus investigated the meso-level insights experienced by partners and those delivering the service.

Design/methodology/approach

Interview (yarn-based) data from 20 individuals involved in an energy efficiency programme were collected and analysed. Participants shared their experiences via informal “yarns” that were conducted in the first 12 months of the programme. This timing was chosen to gain their initial self-reflective perspectives and their interactions within the shared leadership model.

Findings

The results of the analysis identified six key themes that are interrelated and fundamental to building trust between all actors involved. The themes include relationship building, advocating rights, managing competing priorities, being community driven, using communication that translates and using community networks. Four of the themes were found to be components of relationship and trust building, which collectively lead to effectively accessing aboriginal communities. These findings extend current knowledge on the structures necessary to ensure healthy eco-systems are sustained throughout social marketing programmes.

Research limitations/implications

The authors established that shared leadership is well aligned with service-dominant logic, and the findings of this study reveal that it can positively contribute to meso-level service eco-systems and thus improve social outcomes for recipients of social marketing efforts. The findings also underscore the need for social marketers to recognise the importance of having a culturally acceptable value co-creation model in social marketing programmes when working with Aboriginal Australians.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to explore and develop the authors’ understanding of the efficacy of adopting a shared leadership approach in social marketing. Shared leadership has the potential to be an institutional arrangement that facilitates service-dominant logic and the value co-creation process, influencing positive behaviour change at the micro level in aboriginal communities. Specifically, it is the first to identify that “advocating rights” is an important component for partners to adopt in cross-cultural collaborations when collectively running social marketing programmes.
General principles of systems
Authors: Korn Janos
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Three problematic issues followed by paradigm changes over the recent history of human intellectual endeavour are identified as 1. mysticism/superstition to – conventional science (of physics), 2. predominant use of qualitative/quantitative properties for analysis and design to – structural or systemic properties, and 3. current speculative/fragmented, multiple approaches to the “systemic view” to – a firmer knowledge-based approach reflecting the empirical and universal nature of this view. This paper aims to consider the problematic issues, to conclude that conventional science is inadequate to cope with the 2nd paradigm change and to introduce a “new science of systems” which can integrate conventional science and alleviate the 3rd problematic issue by suggesting three principles implemented by linguistic modelling as operational model.

Design/methodology/approach

The highly successful methodology of conventional science is followed with systemic content by suggesting three general principles of systems, namely, principle of existence (pervasiveness of structural description), principle of complexity (aggregates for emergence of outcomes) and principle of change (change by purpose or chance), and linguistic modelling of static and dynamic scenarios based on natural language as operational model. This language is processed to “elementary constituents”, of which complex structures can be constructed. These constituents are converted into reasoning schemes consisting of “ordered pairs” and “predicate logic statements” in static and dynamic states.

Findings

Stories of problematic scenarios are converted into the universal scheme of “management/producers” – “products” – “users/consumers” by constructing linguistic networks of products and semantic diagrams of organizations/user/consumers for investigating the emergence of outcomes in analysis and for designing prototypes. Problematic issues of individual objects in a scenario are resolved by methods of conventional science, which is thus integrated with systems science to form the “scientific enterprise”.

Research limitations/implications

Once the new approach is debated, further developments in the mathematics of ordered pairs, predicate logic and uncertainties are needed. The linguistic basis is to be further investigated. Connection with AI and “logical atomism of Bertrand Russell” is to be explored.

Practical implications

Further applications to large-scale scenarios by practitioners using the “universal scheme” and development of software are needed.

Social implications

The approach is rooted in accepted branches of knowledge, is highly teachable and should lead to be used by professionals and others once debated and accepted.
Malignant atrophic papulosis with motor aphasia and intestinal perforation: A case report and review of published works
Authors: Hu Pan , Mao Zhi , Liu Chao , Hu Xin , Kang Hongjun , Zhou Feihu
Published: March 2018

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP) is a rare type of obliterating vasculopathy that can present as pure cutaneous lesions or a systemic entity affecting multiple organs. Systemic disease, such as gastrointestinal or central nervous system involvement, may predispose the patients to poorer or even fatal outcomes. We present a 30‐year‐old female patient with systemic manifestation of MAP 10 days after delivery of a full‐term pregnancy who subsequently developed motor aphasia and intestinal perforation. The patient was administrated empirical treatment with an antiplatelet, anticoagulant, methylprednisolone sodium succinate and alprostadil. Antibiotics were administrated due to intestinal perforation and secondary sepsis. Despite all treatment, the patient died a week later. We summarized all the previous reports of MAP based on thorough review of previous published work. Overall, this is the first patient with MAP combined with motor aphasia and intestinal perforation and may provide insights for future studies on the treatment of this disease.
Technological Progress and Sectoral Shares
Authors: Atallah Gamal , Semenov Aggey
Published: March 2018

This paper studies the effect of differences in the rate of technological progress between sectors on their relative sizes. There are two sectors: a stagnant sector, where productivity does not change over time, and a progressive sector, where costs decrease over time. We consider a conjectural variation approach which encompasses perfect competition, oligopoly and monopoly. The evolution of the relative shares of the stagnant and progressive sectors over time depends on the type of competition, cost levels and the price elasticity of demand. The relationship with the cost disease literature is discussed.
China's Abolition of the Agricultural Tax, Local Governments’ Responses and Economic Growth
Authors: Shi Hao , Ye Bing
Published: March 2018

When evaluating agricultural policy changes, much of the attention in the literature has been limited to agricultural productivity growth. This study demonstrates that, under a regionally decentralised authority system, the effect of China's abolition of the agricultural tax (AAT) in 2004–05 extended beyond the realm of agriculture. We find that, following the AAT reform, Chinese counties with higher reliance on agricultural taxation for budgetary revenue prior to the AAT reform experienced higher agricultural economic growth, as expected, but lower non‐agricultural economic growth in the short run. This growth‐inhibiting effect of the AAT reform on non‐agricultural production in the short run can be explained, to some extent, by the increased non‐agricultural taxation due to the insufficient funds that Chinese county governments received from the upper‐level governments following the AAT reform; the magnitude of this tax increase was associated with the degree to which each county relied on agricultural taxation for budgetary revenue prior to the reform. In addition, our results show that the AAT reform resulted in a high level of regional inequality in terms of non‐agricultural GDP per capita. In summary, our study shows that although the AAT reform succeeded in promoting agricultural production, such accomplishments were achieved at the cost of lower non‐agricultural output growth and higher regional inequality of non‐agricultural GDP per capita at the county level.
Frequency of Dermatologic Findings at Autopsy
Authors: Cocks Margaret , Sander Inbal , Crain Barbara
Published: March 2018

A complete academic autopsy includes an external examination with inspection of gross dermatologic findings. At our institution, the postmortem examination also includes a standard skin biopsy. We determined the microscopic yield of this standard postmortem skin biopsy and the overall frequency of macroscopic dermatologic diagnoses. We reviewed 389 complete autopsies conducted between 2012 and 2014. Both microscopic and macroscopic dermatologic diagnoses were analyzed. A macroscopic dermatologic diagnosis was made in 32% of cases while a microscopic diagnosis was recorded in 10% of cases. Dermatologic diagnoses were identified as leading directly to cause of death in 4% of patients and as contributing to death in another 20%. Targeted biopsies were more likely to reveal histologic abnormalities than routine biopsies from a standard anatomic site. Better training in skin gross examination in addition to systematic sampling of both skin lesions and grossly normal skin may improve diagnostic accuracy and enhance clinical pathologic correlations.
Line managers and HRM: A managerial discretion perspective
Authors: López‐Cotarelo Juan
Published: March 2018

Line managers play a central role in HRM practices, but research and theory on how their role is enacted remains underdeveloped. This paper presents a case study of a large U.K.‐based fashion retailer and uses managerial discretion theory to develop a novel understanding of line managers' contribution to the implementation of HRM practices. We describe three distinct ways in which line managers engage with HRM policies and procedures, and propose that line managers make an important contribution to the effective implementation of HRM systems through exerting their cognitive and political abilities to bring about decisions that are well suited to their local situations. Moreover, we find that HR specialists design and manage HRM policies and procedures to afford different levels of managerial discretion in different areas of HRM.
Operating cash flow asymmetric timeliness in Australia
Authors: Lu Meiting , Shan Yaowen , Wright Sue , Yu Yimeng
Published: March 2018

Operating cash flow (CFO) asymmetric timeliness occurs when CFO reflects bad news more quickly than good news. We examine the presence and determinants of CFO asymmetric timeliness in Australia, where substantial differences in reporting requirements of cash flow components, in characteristics of listed companies and in the degree of conservative financial reporting produce contrasting findings to those in the United States. We find supportive evidence for the novel ‘sticky cost behaviour’ explanation and also the product‐pricing strategy, but not the life cycle hypothesis. These findings are useful for investors and analysts concerned with forecasting the future values of companies.
Genetic association of the ACACB gene with milk yield and composition traits in dairy cattle
Authors: Han B. , Liang W. , Liu L. , Li Y. , Sun D.
Published: March 2018

Previously, we re‐sequenced the whole genomes of eight Holstein bulls with high or low milk protein and fat percentage, and we detected two indels in the ACACB (acetyl‐CoA carboxylase beta) gene that were polymorphic between the two groups. Thus, we considered ACACB as a promising candidate gene potentially affecting milk composition traits. Herein, we verified the genetic effects of ACACB on five milk traits in a Chinese Holstein population. We identified six SNPs in the 5′‐promoter region, five in the 5′‐ untranslated region (UTR), 11 in exons, four in the 3′‐UTR and three in the 3′‐flanking region by re‐sequencing the entire coding and regulatory regions of ACACB. One of these SNPs (ss1987461005) is reported here for the first time, and three of the SNPs (rs109482081, rs110819816 and rs109281947) were predicted to result in amino acid replacements. Genotype–phenotype association analyses showed that all the identified SNPs, except for ss1987461005, rs208919019 and rs134447911, were significantly associated with milk yield, fat yield, fat percentage, protein yield or protein percentage (P < 0.0001 to 0.0484). Linkage disequilibrium analyses were conducted among the identified SNPs to confirm the genetic associations. Two SNPs—rs135874354 (g.66218726T>C) and rs210928430 (g.66218117G>A)—were predicted to alter transcription factor binding sites in the 5′‐promoter region of ACACB. A luciferase activity assay showed that the promoter activity of haplotype TG was significantly higher than that of CG (P = 0.0002) and that the promoter activity of haplotype TA was remarkably higher than that of CA (P = 7.4285E−09), showing that the T allele of rs135874354 increased promoter activity. Thus, rs135874354 was considered to be a potentially functional mutation. Our findings have, for the first time, profiled the genetic effect of ACACB on milk production traits in dairy cattle and revealed a potentially causal mutation that requires further the in‐depth validation.
Gender, Political Knowledge, and Descriptive Representation: The Impact of Long‐Term Socialization
Authors: Dassonneville Ruth , McAllister Ian
Published: March 2018

Successive studies have found a persistent gender gap in political knowledge. Despite much international research, this gap has remained largely impervious to explanation. A promising line of recent inquiry has been the low levels of women's elected representation in many democracies. We test the hypothesis that higher levels of women's elected representation will increase women's political knowledge. Using two large, comparative data sets, we find that the proportion of women elected representatives at the time of the survey has no significant effect on the gender gap. By contrast, there is a strong and significant long‐term impact for descriptive representation when respondents were aged 18 to 21. The results are in line with political socialization, which posits that the impact of political context is greatest during adolescence and early adulthood. These findings have important implications not only for explaining the gender knowledge gap, but also for the impact of descriptive representation on political engagement generally.
Novel method for DNA methylation analysis using high‐performance liquid chromatography and its clinical application
Authors: Yotani Takuya , Yamada Yuriko , Arai Eri , Tian Ying , Gotoh Masahiro , Komiyama Motokiyo , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Michiie , Kanai Yae
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to develop a new methodology that is suitable for DNA methylation diagnostics and to demonstrate its clinical applicability. We developed a new anion‐exchange column for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrostatic and hydrophobic properties. Both cytosine and thymine, corresponding to methylated and unmethylated cytosine after bisulfite modification, respectively, are captured by electrostatic interaction and then discriminated from each other by their hydrophobic interactions. The DNA methylation levels of synthetic DNA were quantified accurately and reproducibly within 10 minutes without time‐consuming pretreatment of PCR products, and the measured values were unaffected by the distribution of methylated CpG within the synthetic DNA fragments. When the DNA methylation status of the FAM150A gene, a marker of the CpG island methylator phenotype specific to clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), was examined in 98 patients with ccRCC, bulk specimens of tumorous tissue including cancer cells showing DNA methylation of the FAM150A gene were easily identifiable by simply viewing the differentiated chromatograms, even when the cancer cell content was low. Sixteen ccRCC showing DNA methylation more frequently exhibited clinicopathological parameters reflecting tumor aggressiveness (ie, a larger diameter, higher histological grade, vascular involvement, renal vein tumor thrombi, infiltrating growth, tumor necrosis, renal pelvis invasion and higher pathological TNM stage), and had significantly lower recurrence‐free and overall survival rates. These data indicate that HPLC analysis using this newly developed anion‐exchange column could be a powerful tool for DNA methylation diagnostics, including prognostication of patients with cancers, in a clinical setting.
Time series analysis reveals synchrony and asynchrony between conflict management effort and increasing large grazing bird populations in northern Europe
Authors: Cusack Jeremy J. , Duthie A. Brad , Rakotonarivo O. Sarobidy , Pozo Rocío A. , Mason Tom H.E. , Månsson Johan , Nilsson Lovisa , Tombre Ingunn M. , Eythórsson Einar , Madsen Jesper , Tulloch Ayesha , Hearn Richard D. , Redpath Steve , Bunnefeld Nils
Published: March 2018

The management of conflicts between wildlife conservation and agricultural practices often involves the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing the cost of wildlife impacts on crops. Vital to the success of these strategies is the perception that changes in management efforts are synchronized relative to changes in impact levels, yet this expectation is never evaluated. We assess the level of synchrony between time series of population counts and management effort in the context of conflicts between agriculture and five populations of large grazing birds in northern Europe. We reveal inconsistent patterns of synchrony and asynchrony between changes in population counts and impact management effort relating to population harvesting, monetary payments, or scaring practices. This variation is likely due to differing management aims, the existence of lags between management decisions and population monitoring, and the inconsistent use of predictive models across case studies. Overall, our findings highlight the need for more adaptive and timely responses of management to changes in target species numbers so as not to unexpectedly increase social conflicts and jeopardize the status of wildlife populations.
Symptomatic hallux valgus and dorsal bunion in adolescents with cerebral palsy: clinical and biomechanical factors
Authors: van de Velde Samuel K , Cashin Megan , Johari Ratna , Blackshaw Rachel , Khot Abhay , Graham H Kerr
Published: March 2018

Aim

The prevalence of severely symptomatic deformities of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) requiring arthrodesis is unknown. Recent literature regarding these deformities is limited. We studied the presentation of severe, symptomatic deformities of the first ray in a large population of children and adolescents with CP and their association with gross motor function, CP subtype, and other musculoskeletal deformities.

Method

We identified 41 patients with CP and a symptomatic deformity of the first MTP joint, managed by arthrodesis, from a large population based database over a 21‐year period. Information recorded included demographics, CP subtype, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), clinical presentation, and radiological features.

Results

Adolescents with spastic diplegia, at GMFCS levels II and III, were the most common group to develop symptomatic hallux valgus. In contrast, non‐ambulant adolescents, at GMFCS levels IV and V, with dystonia or mixed tone, more commonly had dorsal bunions.

Interpretation

The type of first MTP joint deformity in patients with CP may be predicted by the type and distribution of movement disorder, and by GMFCS level. Specific patterns of associated musculoskeletal deformities may contribute to the development of these disorders and may provide a guide to surgical management.

What this paper adds

The prevalence of severe bunions requiring fusion surgery was 2%.

The two types of bunion were hallux valgus and dorsal bunion.

The type of bunion can be identified on both clinical and radiological grounds.

The cerebral palsy subtype is predictive of the type of bunion.
Heroin seeking becomes dependent on dorsal striatal dopaminergic mechanisms and can be decreased by N‐acetylcysteine
Authors: Hodebourg Ritchy , Murray Jennifer E. , Fouyssac Maxime , Puaud Mickaël , Everitt Barry J. , Belin David
Published: March 2018

The alarming increase in heroin overdoses in the USA is a reminder of the need for efficacious and novel treatments for opiate addiction. This may reflect the relatively poor understanding of the neural basis of heroin, as compared to cocaine, seeking behaviour. While cocaine reinforcement depends on the mesolimbic system, well‐established cocaine seeking is dependent on dorsolateral striatum (aDLS) dopamine‐dependent mechanisms which are disrupted by N‐acetylcysteine, through normalisation of corticostriatal glutamate homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether a functional recruitment of aDLS dopamine‐dependent control over instrumental responding also occurs for heroin seeking, even though heroin reinforcement does not depend on the mesolimbic dopamine system. Lister Hooded rats acquired heroin self‐administration and were subsequently trained to seek heroin daily over prolonged periods of time under the control of drug‐paired cues, as measured under a second‐order schedule of reinforcement. At different stages of training, that is, early on and when heroin seeking behaviour was well established, we measured the sensitivity of drug‐seeking responses to either bilateral aDLS infusions of the dopamine receptor antagonist α‐flupenthixol (5, 10 and 15 μg/side) or systemic administration of N‐acetylcysteine (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg). The results demonstrate that control over heroin seeking behaviour devolves to aDLS dopamine‐dependent mechanisms after extended training. Further aDLS‐dependent well‐established, cue‐controlled heroin seeking was disrupted by N‐acetylcysteine. Comparison with previous data on cocaine suggests that the development of drug seeking habits and the alteration of corticostriatal glutamate homeostasis, which is restored by N‐acetylcysteine, are quantitatively similar between heroin and cocaine.
Woody encroachment slows decomposition and termite activity in an African savanna
Authors: Leitner Monica , Davies Andrew B. , Parr Catherine L. , Eggleton Paul , Robertson Mark P.
Published: March 2018

Woody encroachment can lead to a complete switch from open habitats to dense thickets, and has the potential to greatly alter the biodiversity and ecological functioning of grassy ecosystems across the globe. Plant litter decomposition is a critical ecosystem process fundamental to nutrient cycling and global carbon dynamics, yet little is known about how woody encroachment might alter this process. We compared grass decay rates of heavily encroached areas with adjacent nonencroached open areas in a semi‐arid South African savanna using litterbags that allowed or excluded invertebrates. We also assessed the effect of woody encroachment on the activity of termites— dominant decomposer organisms in savanna systems. We found a significant reduction in decomposition rates within encroached areas, with litter taking twice as long to decay compared with open savanna areas. Moreover, invertebrates were more influential on grass decomposition in open areas and termite activity was substantially lower in encroached areas, particularly during the dry season when activity levels were reduced to almost zero. Our results suggest that woody encroachment created an unfavourable environment for invertebrates, and termites in particular, leading to decreased decomposition rates in these areas. We provide the first quantification of woody encroachment altering the functioning of African savanna ecosystems through the slowing of aboveground plant decomposition. Woody encroachment is intensifying across the globe, and our results suggest that substantial changes to the carbon balance and biodiversity of grassy biomes could occur.
Opioid‐Induced “Likeability” and “Feeling Good” Are Not Associated With Return Visits to an ED Among Migraine Patients Administered IV Hydromorphone
Authors: Friedman Benjamin W. , Latev Alexander , Campbell Caron , White Deborah
Published: March 2018

Background

Parenteral opioids are used in more than 50% of emergency department (ED) visits for migraine. Use of opioids for migraine has been associated with subsequent ED visits, perhaps because of opioid‐induced euphoria. In this study, we quantify the extent to which nontherapeutic effects of opioids influence migraine outcomes. We hypothesized that “feeling good” and medication likeability would in fact be associated with receipt of opioids (rather than relief of migraine pain) and that receipt of opioids (rather than relief of migraine pain) would be associated with return visits to the ED.

Methods

During an ED‐based clinical trial, migraine patients were randomized to receive hydromorphone 1 mg or prochlorperazine 10 mg + diphenhydramine 25 mg IV. Thirty minutes after medication administration, we asked, (1) How much did you like the medication you received? and (2) How good did the medication make you feel? Participants were asked to provide answers on a 0‐10 scale. We also determined 0‐10 pain scores at baseline and 1 hour and number of return visits for headache during the subsequent month.

Results

Sixty‐three patients received prochlorperazine and 64 hydromorphone. Prochlorperazine pain scores improved by 6.8 (SD: 2.6), hydromorphone by 4.7 (SD: 3.3) (95%CI for difference of 2.1: 1.0, 3.2). On the 0‐10 likeability scale, prochlorperazine patients reported a mean of 7.2 (SD: 2.8), hydromorphone 6.9 (SD: 2.9) (95% CI for difference of 0.3: −0.7, 1.3). On the 0‐10 feeling good scale, prochlorperazine patients reported a mean of 7.5 (SD: 2.3), hydromorphone 6.8 (SD: 2.8) (95%CI: for difference of 0.7: −0.2, 1.6). In the hydromorphone group, 8/57 (14%, 95%CI: 7, 26%) returned to the ED vs 5/63 (8%, 95%CI: 3,18%) in the prochlorperazine group. In regression modeling, feeling good was independently associated with pain relief (P < .01) but not with medication received (P = .67) or return visits (P = .12). Similarly, medication likeability was independently associated with pain relief (P < .01) but not medication received (P = .12) or return visits (P = .16).

Conclusion

We did not detect an association between hydromorphone and medication likeability, feeling good, or return visits to the ED. Headache relief was associated with medication likeability and feeling good.