bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive compensatory processes of older, clinically fit patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Libert Yves , Borghgraef Cindy , Beguin Yves , Delvaux Nicole , Devos Martine , Doyen Chantal , Dubruille Stéphanie , Etienne Anne‐Marie , Liénard Aurore , Merckaert Isabelle , Reynaert Christine , Slachmuylder Jean‐Louis , Straetmans Nicole , Van Den Neste Eric , Bron Dominique , Razavi Darius
Published: March 2017

Objective

Despite the well‐known negative impacts of cancer and anticancer therapies on cognitive performance, little is known about the cognitive compensatory processes of older patients with cancer. This study was designed to investigate the cognitive compensatory processes of older, clinically fit patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

We assessed 89 consecutive patients (age ≥ 65 y) without severe cognitive impairment and 89 age‐, sex‐, and education level‐matched healthy controls. Cognitive compensatory processes were investigated by (1) comparing cognitive performance of patients and healthy controls in novel (first exposure to cognitive tasks) and non‐novel (second exposure to the same cognitive tasks) contexts, and (2) assessing psychological factors that may facilitate or inhibit cognitive performance, such as motivation, psychological distress, and perceived cognitive performance. We assessed cognitive performance with the Trail‐Making, Digit Span and FCSR‐IR tests, psychological distress with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and perceived cognitive performance with the FACT‐Cog questionnaire.

Results

In novel and non‐novel contexts, average cognitive performances of healthy controls were higher than those of patients and were associated with motivation. Cognitive performance of patients was not associated with investigated psychological factors in the novel context but was associated with motivation and psychological distress in the non‐novel context.

Conclusions

Older, clinically fit patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy demonstrated lower cognitive compensatory processes compared to healthy controls. Reducing distress and increasing motivation may improve cognitive compensatory processes of patients in non‐novel contexts.
Structural and mechanistic insights into homocysteine degradation by a mutant of methionine γ‐lyase based on substrate‐assisted catalysis
Authors: Sato Dan , Shiba Tomoo , Yunoto Shunsuke , Furutani Kazuo , Fukumoto Mitsuki , Kudou Daizou , Tamura Takashi , Inagaki Kenji , Harada Shigeharu
Published: March 2017

Methionine γ‐lyse (MGL) catalyzes the α, γ‐elimination of l‐methionine and its derivatives as well as the α, β‐elimination of l‐cysteine and its derivatives to produce α‐keto acids, volatile thiols, and ammonia. The reaction mechanism of MGL has been characterized by enzymological studies using several site‐directed mutants. The Pseudomonas putida MGL C116H mutant showed drastically reduced degradation activity toward methionine while retaining activity toward homocysteine. To understand the underlying mechanism and to discern the subtle differences between these substrates, we analyzed the crystal structures of the reaction intermediates. The complex formed between the C116H mutant and methionine demonstrated that a loop structure (Ala51–Asn64) in the adjacent subunit of the catalytic dimer cannot approach the cofactor pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP) because His116 disrupts the interaction of Asp241 with Lys240, and the liberated side chain of Lys240 causes steric hindrance with this loop. Conversely, in the complex formed between C116H mutant and homocysteine, the thiol moiety of the substrate conjugated with PLP offsets the imidazole ring of His116 via a water molecule, disrupting the interaction of His116 and Asp241 and restoring the interaction of Asp241 with Lys240. These structural data suggest that the Cys116 to His mutation renders the enzyme inactive toward the original substrate, but activity is restored when the substrate is homocysteine due to substrate‐assisted catalysis.
Biochemical characterization and structural insight into aliphatic β‐amino acid adenylation enzymes IdnL1 and CmiS6
Authors: Cieślak Jolanta , Miyanaga Akimasa , Takaku Ryoma , Takaishi Makoto , Amagai Keita , Kudo Fumitaka , Eguchi Tadashi
Published: March 2017

Macrolactam antibiotics such as incednine and cremimycin possess an aliphatic β‐amino acid as a starter unit of their polyketide chain. In the biosynthesis of incednine and cremimycin, unique stand‐alone adenylation enzymes IdnL1 and CmiS6 select and activate the proper aliphatic β‐amino acid as a starter unit. In this study, we describe the enzymatic characterization and the structural basis of substrate specificity of IdnL1 and CmiS6. Functional analysis revealed that IdnL1 and CmiS6 recognize 3‐aminobutanoic acid and 3‐aminononanoic acid, respectively. We solved the X‐ray crystal structures of IdnL1 and CmiS6 to understand the recognition mechanism of these aliphatic β‐amino acids. These structures revealed that IdnL1 and CmiS6 share a common recognition motif that interacts with the β‐amino group of the substrates. However, the hydrophobic side‐chains of the substrates are accommodated differently in the two enzymes. IdnL1 has a bulky Leu220 located close to the terminal methyl group of 3‐aminobutanoate of the trapped acyl‐adenylate intermediate to construct a shallow substrate‐binding pocket. In contrast, CmiS6 possesses Gly220 at the corresponding position to accommodate 3‐aminononanoic acid. This structural observation was supported by a mutational study. Thus, the size of amino acid residue at the 220 position is critical for the selection of an aliphatic β‐amino acid substrate in these adenylation enzymes. Proteins 2017; 85:1238–1247. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermodynamics of an aminoglycoside modifying enzyme with low substrate promiscuity: The aminoglycoside N3 acetyltransferase‐VIa
Authors: Kumar Prashasti , Serpersu Engin H.
Published: March 2017

Kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural properties of the aminoglycoside N3‐acetyltransferase‐VIa (AAC‐VIa) are determined. Among the aminoglycoside N3‐acetyltransferases, AAC‐VIa has one of the most limited substrate profiles. Kinetic studies showed that only five aminoglycosides are substrates for this enzyme with a range of fourfold difference in kcat values. Larger differences in KM (∼40‐fold) resulted in ∼30‐fold variation in kcat/KM. Binding of aminoglycosides to AAC‐VIa was enthalpically favored and entropically disfavored with a net result of favorable Gibbs energy (ΔG < 0). A net deprotonation of the enzyme, ligand, or both accompanied the formation of binary and ternary complexes. This is opposite of what was observed with several other aminoglycoside N3‐acetyltransferases, where ligand binding causes more protonation. The change in heat capacity (ΔCp) was different in H2O and D2O for the binary enzyme–sisomicin complex but remained the same in both solvents for the ternary enzyme–CoASH–sisomicin complex. Unlike, most other aminoglycoside‐modifying enzymes, the values of ΔCp were within the expected range of protein‐carbohydrate interactions. Solution behavior of AAC‐VIa was also different from the more promiscuous aminoglycoside N3‐acetyltransferases and showed a monomer‐dimer equilibrium as detected by analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC). Binding of ligands shifted the enzyme to monomeric state. Data also showed that polar interactions were the most dominant factor in dimer formation. Overall, thermodynamics of ligand‐protein interactions and differences in protein behavior in solution provide few clues on the limited substrate profile of this enzyme despite its >55% sequence similarity to the highly promiscuous aminoglycoside N3‐acetyltransferase. Proteins 2017; 85:1258–1265. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resistivity transients in solution‐processed transparent ZnO thin films as a function of UV illumination wavelength
Authors: Fuchs Peter , Steinhauser Jérôme , Romanyuk Yaroslav E. , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: March 2017

Transparent conductive zinc oxide thin films are deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) followed by exposure to UV‐visible light to increase their electrical conductivity. Selected spectral bandwidths are filtered from a Hg(Xe) lamp in the range of 280–546 nm to investigate resistivity transients as a function of the illumination wavelength. The conductivity increases by a factor of ∼103 for illumination wavelengths shorter than the fundamental absorption edge, as predicted by the ionized oxygen species adsorption model. If the thin film thickness exceeds the UV radiation penetration depth significantly (≳1 µm), the conductivity can most effectively be increased by exposing the films to wavelengths situated in the Urbach tail at ∼365 nm as both, absorptance and transmittance lie above 20%, enabling the radiation to penetrate the whole layer, while still locally generating enough electron‐hole pairs for the desorption of chemisorbed species.
Bi‐centric view of the isostructural phase transitions in α‐Bi2Se3 and α‐Bi2Te3
Authors: Zhu Hailiang , Dong Juncai , Li Pengshan , Wang Yan , Guo Zhiying , Shan Xuemei , Gong Yu , An Pengfei , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Jing , Chen Dongliang
Published: March 2017

Most of A2B3‐type 3D topological insulators (e.g., Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3) have been reported to exhibit a pressure‐induced isostructural phase transition (IPT) in the low‐pressure region (<5 GPa); however, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we comparatively investigated the IPTs in α‐Bi2Se3 and α‐Bi2Te3 using high‐pressure Bi L3‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, complemented with density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Near the IPT, the slope of the Bi L3‐edge absorption energy shows a sudden decrease. In contrast to the monotonous shortening of the Bi–Bi bond‐distance under compression, it is moreover rather surprising that the Bi–Se2 (Te2) and Bi–Se1 (Te1) bond‐distances exhibit abnormal elongations around the IPT, which is synchronized with abrupt increases for their Debye–Waller factor. DFT calculation results show that near the IPT a structural distortion may appear for extremely small energy barrier. Those results indicate that each quintuple layer unit shrinks along the layer direction but elongates perpendicular to the layers at the onset of the IPT, which would be associated with a remarkable increase for the local structural disorder. Therefore, our findings suggest that the IPTs in α‐Bi2Se3 and α‐Bi2Te3 are coupled with a simultaneous charge redistribution and structural distortion accompanied with a static structural disorder increase.

Sketch of the changes of local structure of centric Bi and lattice structure around the IPT.
Extractives fom Cedar Deodara and Alnus Cordata in the Presence of Molybdenum Catalysts
Authors: Mecca Marisabel , Todaro Luigi , D'Auria Maurizio
Published: March 2017

Soxhlet extraction of cedar wood with ethanol/toluene mixture in the presence of molybdenum catalysts can increase the amount of extracts. The treatment of cedar wood in the presence of H3PMo12O40 gave 7.9 % extractives. In the presence of silica supported MoO3, the amount of extractives was 17.0 %. The extractives were partially soluble in chloroform (76.5 % with silica supported MoO3 and 33 % by using H3PMo12O40). The extracts of cedar can be a source of fatty acids for biodiesel production and simple carbohydrates. The analysis of the chloroform soluble fraction showed that cedar wood gave a mixture of 2‐hydroxy‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)ethyl hexadecanoate and 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate. GC‐MS of water soluble fraction showed the presence of some simple carbohydrates. The treatment of alder in the same conditions gave 3.5 % (37.6 % soluble in chloroform) extractives when silica supported MoO3 was used and 15.5 % (6.1 % soluble in chloroform) extractives when H3PMo12O40 was the catalyst. The soluble fraction is a source of fatty acid derivatives, while in the insoluble fraction ribose, glucose and myo‐inositol were recovered.
Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of Spiroindolone Scaffolds by Iso‐Pictet‐Spengler Spirocyclisation and Evaluation of their Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Dawange Monali A. , Urmode Tukaram D. , Khan Ayesha , Kusurkar Radhika S.
Published: March 2017

Acetic acid catalyzed synthesis of new spiroindolones (tetrahydrospiro‐γ‐carbolines) was achieved in good yield by iso‐Pictet Spengler spirocyclisation of substituted isotryptamines with isatins. All the compounds were characterized by spectral and analytical data and were screened for antibacterial activities against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi bacteria. The preliminary antibacterial study indicated that compounds bearing halo substituent are showing potent inhibitory activity towards S. typhi and P. aeruginosa and moderate activities towards S. aureus and E. coli.
5‐Amino‐6,7,8,9‐Tetrahydrobenzo[b][1,8]Naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐One: The first Example of a new Family of HuperTacrines for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy
Authors: Balmori Alba , Chioua Mourad , de la Bellacasa Raimon Puig , Estrada‐Tejedor Roger , Ismaili Lhassane , Marco‐Contelles José , Borrell José I.
Published: March 2017

In this communication we have described the synthesis of 2‐amino‐6‐oxo‐1,6‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbonitrile (4), and the preparation of 5‐amino‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydrobenzo[b][1,8]naphthyridin‐2(1H)‐one (3 a), a non‐hepatotoxic, antioxidant agent, showing moderate, but selective human acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Improvement of Utilization Ratio of Nanoparticles in Steel and Its Influence on Acicular Ferrite Formation
Authors: Gao Xiangzhou , Yang Shufeng , Li Jingshe , Ma Alvin , Chattopadhyay Kinnor
Published: March 2017

In the present study, 35MnVS experimental steels containing nanoparticles are manufactured using a vacuum induction furnace (VIF), as well as a vacuum induction levitation furnace (VILF). The differences on the utilization ratio of nanoparticles (URN), inclusion characteristics, and steel microstructure between the original steel and experimental steels are compared. The results reveal that the steel processed with a VILF has a higher URN that helps to form a finer inclusion size range. There is a critical size for each inclusion, and only when the inclusion size is ≤ the critical value, the inclusions can efficiently induce acicular ferrites (AF). Among the three steels, only the inclusion size range of the VILF steel is less than the critical size which is between ≈2.2 and ≈5.2 µ. Therefore, the inclusions in VILF steel have a relatively stronger ability on inducing AF, and that is revealed by its microstructure showing large proportions of AF.
Concise Review: MSC Adhesion Cascade—Insights into Homing and Transendothelial Migration
Authors: Nitzsche Franziska , Müller Claudia , Lukomska Barbara , Jolkkonen Jukka , Deten Alexander , Boltze Johannes
Published: March 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for adult cell therapies in regenerative medicine. To fully exert their potential, efficient homing and migration toward lesion sites play an important role. Local transplantation deposits MSC in spatial proximity to the lesion, but often requires invasive procedures. Systemic administration routes are favored, but require the targeted extravasation of the circulating MSC at the site of injury. Transplanted MSC can indeed leave the blood flow and transmigrate through the endothelial barrier, and reach the lesion site. However, the underlying processes are not completely dissolved yet. Recent in vitro and in vivo research identified some key molecules scattered light on the extravasation mechanism. This review provides a detailed overview over the current knowledge of MSC transendothelial migration. We use the leukocyte extravasation process as a role model to build a comprehensive concept of MSC egress mechanisms from the blood stream and identified relevant similarities as well as important differences between the extravasation mechanisms.
GABAA and GABAB receptor dysregulation in superior frontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Fatemi S. Hossein , Folsom Timothy D. , Thuras Paul D.
Published: March 2017

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are complex psychiatric disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. Evidence from gene association and postmortem studies has identified abnormalities of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system in both disorders. Abnormal GABAergic signaling and transmission could contribute to the symptomatology of these disorders, potentially through impaired gamma oscillations which normally occur during cognitive processing. In the current study, we examined the protein expression of 14 GABAA and two GABAB receptor subunits in the superior frontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and healthy controls. Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) identified significant group effects for protein levels for the α1, α6, β1, β3, δ, ɛ, and π GABAA receptor subunits and R1 and R2 GABAB receptor subunits. Follow‐up t tests confirmed changes for these subunits in subjects with schizophrenia, subjects with bipolar disorder, or both groups. Alterations in stoichiometry of GABA receptor subunits could result in altered ligand binding, transmission, and pharmacology of GABA receptors in superior frontal cortex. Thus, impaired GABAergic transmission may negatively contribute to symptoms such as anxiety or panic as well as impaired learning and information processing, all of which are disrupted in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Taken together, these results provide additional evidence of GABAergic receptor abnormalities in these disorders.
Synergistic effects of G‐CSF and bone marrow stromal cells on nerve regeneration with acellular nerve xenografts
Authors: Jia Hua , Wang Ying , Wang Tao , Dong Yi , Li Wei‐Li , Li Jun‐Ping , Ma Wen‐Zhi , Tong Xiao‐Jie , He Zhong‐Yi
Published: March 2017

Peripheral nerve defects result in severe denervation presenting sensory and motor functional incapacitation. Currently, a satisfactory therapeutic treatment promoting the repair of injured nerves is not available. As shown in our previous study, acellular nerve xenografts (ANX) implanted with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) replaced allografts and promoted nerve regeneration. Additionally, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been proven to mobilize supplemental cells and enhance vascularization in the niche. Thus, the study aimed to explore whether the combination of G‐CSF and BMSC‐laden ANX exhibited a synergistic effect. Adult Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: ANX group, ANX combined with G‐CSF group, BMSCs‐laden ANX group, BMSCs‐laden ANX combined with G‐CSF group and autograft group. Electrophysiological parameters and weight ratios of tibialis anterior muscles were detected at 8 weeks post‐transplantation. The morphology of the regenerated nerves was assayed, and growth‐promoting factors present in the nerve grafts following G‐CSF administration or BMSCs seeding were also investigated. Nerve regeneration and functional rehabilitation induced by the combination therapy were significantly advanced, and the rehabilitation efficacy was comparable with autografting. Moreover, the expression of Schwann cell markers, neurotrophic factors and neovessel markers in the nerve grafts was substantially increased. In conclusion, G‐CSF administration and BMSCs transplantation synergistically promoted the regeneration of ANX‐bridged nerves, which offers a superior strategy to replace autografts in repairing peripheral nerve injuries.
Empowering Nonnative‐English–Speaking Teachers in Primary School Contexts: An Ethnographic Case Study
Authors: Burri Michael
Published: March 2017

With the prospect of economic growth, governments in many parts of the world where English is spoken as an additional language have pushed for educational reforms and introduced English at the primary school level. However, the implementation of such reforms along with a general lack of training opportunities available to primary school teachers has caused considerable uncertainty and anxiety among practitioners. This article reports on a small‐scale ethnographic case study that explored a Japanese approach to English teaching/learning with the aim of identifying pedagogical practices that nonnative‐English–speaking teachers could implement in their primary English lessons. Seven observations, four unstructured interviews, and five semistructured interviews were triangulated to collect data in the Kansai and Tokyo areas over a period of 4 weeks. Findings show that the approach consists of seven distinct stages that not only include a multitude of pedagogical practices but also provide a rich learning environment. Findings further suggest that two practices could be of particular use in primary school contexts: input‐focused teaching and theme‐based teaching.
The effect of aquatic and terrestrial habitat characteristics on occurrence and breeding probability in a montane amphibian: insights from a spatially explicit multistate occupancy model
Authors: Băncilă Raluca Ioana , Cogălniceanu Dan , Ozgul Arpat , Schmidt Benedikt R.
Published: March 2017

Understanding species distribution and predicting range shifts are major goals of ecology and biogeography. Obtaining reliable predictions of how species distribution might change in response to habitat change requires knowledge of habitat availability, occupancy, use for breeding, and spatial autocorrelation in these parameters. Amphibians in alpine areas provide an excellent model system for disentangling habitat drivers of occupancy from that of breeding while explicitly accounting for spatial autocorrelation. We focused on the widespread common frog (Rana temporaria) inhabiting alpine lakes in the Southern Carpathians, Romania. We used single season multistate occupancy models developed to account for imperfect detection and spatial autocorrelation to estimate the occupancy and breeding probabilities and to evaluate their response to habitat characteristics. We found that frogs do not occur in all water bodies [occupancy probability: 0.697; 95% credible interval (0.614, 0.729)] and do not breed in a substantial proportion of water bodies where they occur [breeding probability conditional on occupancy: 0.707; 95% credible interval (0.670, 0.729)]. Habitat characteristics explain water body occupancy but not breeding probability; and altitude, water body surface area, water body sinuosity and permanency, presence of invertebrates, and grazing along the banks all had positive effects on occupancy. We also detected strong spatial autocorrelation in occupancy and breeding probabilities. Thus, our results indicate that habitat choice by montane amphibians is influenced by both spatial autocorrelation and habitat characteristics. Because spatial autocorrelations matter and because the presence of adults is not the same as the presence of a reproducing population, it will be difficult to predict the effects of habitat change on high altitude amphibian populations.
Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Support Psychotherapy for Depression Treatment Among People with HIV/AIDS in Northern Uganda
Authors: Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda , Wamala Kizito , Okello James , Ndyanabangi Sheila , Kanters Steve , Mojtabai Ramin , Nachega Jean B. , Mills Edward J. , Musisi Seggane
Published: March 2017

We describe the process evaluation for a randomized controlled trial that compared group support psychotherapy (GSP) with group HIV education for treatment of depression among people with HIV. Process data were obtained using mixed methods. Variables evaluated were indicators of feasibility and acceptability; causal mediating processes and contextual influences. GSP was feasible and acceptable. Potential mediating variables between GSP and reduction of depression were improved emotional and social support, better coping strategies, and pursuit of livelihoods. Culturally sensitive intervention content facilitated intervention delivery. These data complement the trial outcomes, and may provide a contextualized description of how GSP treats depression.
A Qualitative Study to Explore the Views and Attitudes towards Prenatal Testing in Adults Who Have Muenke Syndrome and their Partners
Authors: Phipps Julie , Skirton Heather
Published: March 2017

Muenke syndrome constitutes the most common syndromic form of craniosynostosis, occurring in 1 in 30,000 live births. The phenotype is variable, ranging from no clinical findings to complex presentation. Facilitating reproductive decision making for couples at genetic risk of having a child with Muenke syndrome is an important aspect of genetic counselling. Prenatal genetic testing for Muenke syndrome is accurate; however the value of testing is uncertain with a variable phenotype. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes towards prenatal testing in couples where one partner had tested positive for the Muenke mutation. We used a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis and collected data using individual semi‐structured interviews with eight parents. Five key themes were: The Muenke journey; Impact and knowledge of diagnosis; Knowledge and attitude to prenatal testing; Stigma and sharing of information; and Information retention. Knowledge of Muenke syndrome and prenatal testing was poor. Genetic information was provided when treatment of their affected child was their paramount concern. Couples reported not sharing genetic information with family due to fear of stigmatisation. Couples cannot make reproductive decisions if lacking appropriate understanding of the choices: timely genetic counselling regarding prenatal testing is needed when relevant to them.
“Leaving the Faith of Our Fathers”: Intergenerational Persistence and Class Cleavage of Evangelicals in Chile
Authors: Alcaino Manuel , Mackenna Bernardo
Published: March 2017

Several studies have consistently linked the Evangelical breakdown in Latin America as a mass movement mainly adopted by impoverished working class individuals. However, little is known about how religious inheritance and recruitment of Evangelical movements is affected when status conditions improve along individuals trajectories. Using Bicentenario Survey from 2006 to 2010 we analyze how intergenerational patterns of religious persistence in Chile relate to individuals’ educational attainment and intergenerational mobility. Two mechanisms are evaluated: first, the intergenerational persistence of Evangelicals compared to Catholics and “None's”; and second, the probability of conversion or reaffiliation to Evangelical Protestantism. Multinomial regression analysis shows that the greater an individual's educational credentials and upward mobility, the lesser their identification with Evangelical movements, regardless of their religious affiliation or educational attainment of origin. This evidence suggests there are obstacles for Evangelical movements’ vertical mobility, which could be related to Chile's strong social cleavage in terms of religion.
Masculinidad y montaje: sobre Cuerpos en fuga de Mirna Roldán
Authors: Parrini Roses Rodrigo
Published: March 2017

La artista Mirna Roldán realizó una investigación y una instalación titulada “Comunidad imaginaria: cuerpos en fuga”, sobre los hombres de su familia. A partir de esos materiales, en este artículo reflexiono sobre las relaciones entre masculinidad y montaje. El montaje es una forma de trabajar con imágenes, pero también de pensar los vínculos entre un mundo visual y otro representacional, sin fundirlos. Al observar el trabajo de Mirna Roldán, que utiliza fundamentalmente imágenes, percibí que esas formas de habitar el mundo, ese estar-ahí masculino, eran inseparables de los espacios, de los objetos y de las técnicas que las rodeaban. Entonces, lo que efectivamente era una yuxtaposición más o menos consciente o explícita (fotografías, videos, archivos, textos), me parece que muestra un montaje cultural sistemático, pero implícito, que trato de explorar.
La inversión de impacto como medio de impulso al desarrollo sostenible: una aproximación multicaso a nivel de empresa en Colombia
Authors: Contreras-Pacheco Orlando E. , Pedraza Avella Aura Cecilia , Martínez Pérez Mauricio José
Published: March 2017

En el presente trabajo se formula un planteamiento conceptual que expone el fenómeno de las inversiones de impacto como promotoras del desarrollo sostenible desde la perspectiva de la dinámica de creación y gestión de empresas sostenibles. Para ello se parte de una metodología inductiva que emplea 3 casos de estudio del entorno colombiano y que expone la participación del emprendimiento sostenible y del desempeno empresarial sostenible como constructos mediadores en la relación propuesta. Con lo anterior ˜ se contribuye a ilustrar el tópico emergente de las inversiones de impacto desde un enfoque teórico y práctico, enlazándolo con las temáticas de emprendimiento y gestión de empresas sostenibles, y se cimienta el terreno para la comprobación empírica del modelo sugerido.
The influence of methamphetamine on maternal behavior and development of the pups during the neonatal period
Authors: Ševčíková Mária , Hrebíčková Ivana , Macúchová Eva , Šlamberová Romana
Published: March 2017

Since it enters breast milk, methamphetamine (MA) abuse during lactation can not only affect the quality of maternal behavior but also postnatal development of pups. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of injected MA (5 mg/kg) on maternal behavior of rats and the differences in postnatal development, during postnatal days (PD) 1–11, of pups when the pups were directly exposed (i.e., injected) to MA or received MA indirectly via breast milk. Maternal behavior was examined using observation test (PD 1–22) and pup retrieval test (PD 1–12). The following developmental tests were also used: surface righting reflex (PD 1–12), negative geotaxis (PD 9), mid‐air righting reflex (PD 17), and the rotarod and beam‐balance test (PD 23). The weight of the pups was recorded during the entire testing period and the day of eye opening was also recorded. MA‐treated mothers groomed their pups less and returned the pups to the nest slower than control dams. The weight gain of pups indirectly exposed to MA was significantly slower. In addition, pups indirectly exposed to MA were slower on the surface righting reflex (on PD 1 and PD 2) and the negative geotaxis test. In females, indirect exposure to MA led to earlier eye opening compared to controls. At the end of lactation, males who received MA indirectly via breast milk performed worse on the balance beam test compared to males who received MA directly. However, direct exposure to MA improved performance on rotarod relative to controls. Our results suggest that indirect MA exposure, via breast milk, has a greater impact than direct MA exposure.
Early‐postnatal iron deficiency impacts plasticity in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in piglets
Authors: Nelissen Ellis , De Vry Jochen , Antonides Alexandra , Paes Dean , Schepers Melissa , van der Staay Franz Josef , Prickaerts Jos , Vanmierlo Tim
Published: March 2017

In this study, we investigated whether alterations in plasticity markers such as brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) are underlying iron deficiency (ID)‐induced cognitive impairments in iron depleted piglets. Newborn piglets were either fed an iron‐depleted diet (21 mg Fe/kg) or an iron‐sufficient diet (88 mg Fe/kg) for four weeks. Subsequently, eight weeks after iron repletion (190–240 mg Fe/kg) we found a significant decrease in mature BDNF (14 kDa) and proBDNF (18 kDa and 24 kDa) protein levels in the ventral hippocampus, whereas we found increases in the dorsal hippocampus. The phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) follows the mature BDNF protein level pattern. No effects were found on BDNF and CREB protein levels in the prefrontal cortex. The protein levels of the high affinity BDNF receptor, TrkB, was significantly decreased in both dorsal and ventral hippocampus of ID piglets, whereas it was increased in the prefrontal cortex. Together, our data suggest a disrupted hippocampal plasticity upon postnatal ID.
Intrauterine exposure to maternal stress alters Bdnf IV DNA methylation and telomere length in the brain of adult rat offspring
Authors: Blaze Jennifer , Asok Arun , Borrelli Kristyn , Tulbert Christina , Bollinger Justin , Ronca April E. , Roth Tania L.
Published: March 2017

DNA methylation (addition of methyl groups to cytosines) and changes in telomere length (TTAGGG repeats on the ends of chromosomes) are two molecular modifications that result from stress and could contribute to the long‐term effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal stress on offspring behavior. Here, we measured methylation of DNA associated with the Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene, a gene important in development and plasticity, and telomere length in the brains of adult rat male and female offspring whose mothers were exposed to unpredictable and variable stressors throughout gestation. Males exposed to prenatal stress had greater methylation (Bdnf IV) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared to non‐stressed male controls and stressed females. Further, prenatally‐stressed animals had shorter telomeres than controls in the mPFC. Together findings indicate a long‐term impact of prenatal stress on brain DNA methylation and telomere biology with relevance for behavioral and health outcomes, and contribute to a growing literature linking stress to intergenerational molecular changes.
Laser-direct-drive program: Promise, challenge, and path forward
Authors: Campbell E.M. , Goncharov V.N. , Sangster T.C. , Regan S.P. , Radha P.B. , Betti R. , Myatt J.F. , Froula D.H. , Rosenberg M.J. , Igumenshchev I.V. , Seka W. , Solodov A.A. , Maximov A.V. , Marozas J.A. , Collins T.J.B. , Turnbull D. , Marshall F.J. , Shvydky A. , Knauer J.P. , McCrory R.L. , Sefkow A.B. , Hohenberger M. , Michel P.A. , Chapman T. , Masse L. , Goyon C. , Ross S. , Bates J.W. , Karasik M. , Oh J. , Weaver J. , Schmitt A.J. , Obenschain K. , Obenschain S.P. , Reyes S. , Van Wonterghem B.
Published: March 2017

Along with laser-indirect (X-ray)-drive and magnetic-drive target concepts, laser direct drive is a viable approach to achieving ignition and gain with inertial confinement fusion. In the United States, a national program has been established to demonstrate and understand the physics of laser direct drive. The program utilizes the Omega Laser Facility to conduct implosion and coupling physics at the nominally 30-kJ scale and laser–plasma interaction and coupling physics at the MJ scale at the National Ignition Facility. This article will discuss the motivation and challenges for laser direct drive and the broad-based program presently underway in the United States.
Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on otologic symptoms associated with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Teo Neville W. , Mace Jess C. , Smith Timothy L. , Hwang Peter H.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To evaluate improvements in otologic symptoms after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and identify differences in symptoms, if any, between CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyposis.

Material and methods

This is a prospective multi‐center observational cohort study. Adults with medically recalcitrant CRS who elected ESS were enrolled in a prospective, multi‐center, observational cohort study between March, 2011 and October, 2014. Preoperative evaluation of subjects included assessment of clinical characteristics, measures of disease severity, and quality of life evaluation using the 22‐item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Postoperative improvement in otologic symptoms (ear fullness, dizziness, ear pain) scores were evaluated and compared between CRSwNP and CRSsNP subgroups.

Results

Three hundred and ninety‐five study patients completed both preoperative and postoperative evaluations, with an average follow‐up of 13.9 months after ESS. The prevalence of patients reporting at least one otologic symptom preoperatively (87%) significantly decreased after ESS (63%, P < 0.001). Significant postoperative improvement across all otologic scores was also reported (P < 0.001). Relative mean improvement in otologic symptom severity was similar for both CRSwNP and CRSsNP, except patients with CRSwNP reported significantly greater postoperative improvement in ear fullness compared to CRSsNP (54% vs. 41%, P = 0.039). A total of 61%, 44%, and 43% of patients reported experiencing improvement in “ear fullness”, “dizziness” and “ear pain”, respectively.

Conclusion

Sinus surgery significantly improves otologic symptoms associated with CRS. CRSwNP patients reported slightly greater relief of ear fullness than CRSsNP patients following ESS.
COHERENT FORECASTING OF MORTALITY RATES: A SPARSE VECTOR-AUTOREGRESSION APPROACH
Authors: Li Hong , Lu Yang
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a spatial-temporal autoregressive model for the mortality surface, where mortality rates of each age depend on the historical values of itself (temporality) and the neighbouring ages (spatiality). The mortality dynamics is formulated as a large, first order vector autoregressive model which encompasses standard factor models such as the Lee and Carter (1992) model. Sparsity and smoothness constraints are then introduced, based on the idea that the nearer the two ages, the more important the dependence between mortalities at these ages. Our model has several novelties. First, it ensures that in the long-run, mortality rates at different ages do not diverge. Second, it provides a natural explanation of the so-called cohort effect without identifiability difficulties. Third, the model is easily extended to the multiple-population case in a coherent way. Finally, the model is associated with a closed form, non-parametric estimation method: the penalized least square, which ensures spatial smoothness of the age-dependent parameters. Using US and UK mortality data, we find that our model produces reasonable projected mortality profile in the long-run, as well as satisfying short-run out-of-sample forecast performance.
Enough Already! HR Is Rising (With I-O)
Authors: Alonso Alexander , Kurtessis James N. , Waters Shonna D.
Published: March 2017

For years now, the call for human resources’ (HR's) head has been ringing through the halls of academic institutions and organizations throughout the globe. Whether it is Buckingham and Goodall (2015) calling for the total overhaul of performance management or Ram Charan (2014) asking us to split HR into the sum of its responsibilities, people have opinions of HR and the way it is practiced today and how it should be practiced in the future. The cavalcade of thought leaders, futurists, and soothsayers calling for the rethinking of HR seems longer than the procession at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
A Broader Perspective for Subtle Discrimination Interventions
Authors: Odeh Amer , Bruce Timothy J. , Krenn Daniel R. , Ran Shan
Published: March 2017

Jones, Arena, Nittrouer, Alonso, and Lindsey (2017) make the case that discrimination is multifaceted and can be identified along several continua. They also emphasize the role that every individual may play in the propagation of discrimination. As such, they make note of several interventions from bystanders and allies to combat subtle discrimination. Although we agree that subtle discrimination causes harm and that interventions targeted at such discrimination are necessary, we propose some additional considerations for the science and practice of subtle discrimination reduction. Specifically, we discuss the limitations of focusing on subtle discrimination at the individual level, the ambiguous nature of intentionality, the view of subtle discrimination as a manifestation of a hostile environment that falls under the broader umbrella of negative interpersonal treatment, and the emphasis placed by Jones et al. on the potential for organizational level interventions by proposing several considerations for tackling a climate of negative interpersonal treatment.
Identification of Blastocystis subtypes in clinical stool samples from Sao Paulo City, Brazil
Authors: MELO GESSICA B. , PAULA FABIANA M. , MALTA FERNANDA M. , MARUTA CELINA W. , CRIADO PAULO R. , CASTILHO VERA L. P. , GONÇALVES ELENICE M. N. , ESPIRITO SANTO MARIA C. , GRYSCHEK RONALDO C. B.
Published: March 2017

Blastocystis sp. is a protozoan commonly found in human and animal stool samples. Several pathogenic and zoonotic aspects of this organism are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate Blastocystis subtypes (STs) in samples from patients of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculdade de Medicina at the Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), Brazil. Blastocystis sp.-positive stool samples diagnosed at the Section of Parasitology of the Central Laboratory (HC-FMUSP) were used for DNA isolation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers targeting the small-subunit rRNA gene. Direct DNA sequencing of the PCR products was performed and the DNA sequences were then aligned and compared with other sequences obtained from the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis was used to identify STs and determine the phylogenetic relationships between the sequences. Four STs were identified: ST1 (22·5%), ST2 (12·5%), ST3 (60%) and ST6 (5%). In conclusion, ST3 was the most prevalent ST among the human isolates followed by ST1. The present study is one of the few providing STs data from the human population in South America. Determining ST prevalence in human samples may contribute to the monitoring of Blastocystis sp. infection transmission in endemic regions.
JAPAN'S PASSPORT SYSTEM AND THE OPENING OF BORDERS, 1866–1878
Authors: YAMAMOTO TAKAHIRO
Published: March 2017

abstract

This article sheds new light on the opening of Japan in the late nineteenth century focusing on the legalization of overseas travel and the introduction of passports. It argues that the Tokugawa shogunate introduced passports as a belated endorsement of the increasingly common practice of undercover border-crossing as it feared losing the political grip. Once the new regulation was in place, most travellers went to China or Korea as petty merchants or low-skill labourers, in part recruited by Western merchants and consuls. The foreign ministry, fearing that unrestricted emigration of labourers and mercenaries might harm the country's international reputation and political stability, limited the number of passports to distribute to the treaty ports. Japan's passport system thus focused more on regulating the overseas travel than promoting it, in contrast to the positive light in which the opening of Japan is commonly portrayed. The government largely succeeded in preventing the unwanted emigration, but never fully controlled the process because of the less vigilant port officials and the ambiguity on some of the borders' exact location. Overall, the investigation into the first two decades of the Japanese passport travellers leads to a more complex understanding of modern Japan's opening of borders.
Wheat cultivar yield response to some organic and conventional farming conditions and the yield potential of mixtures
Authors: NEWTON A. C. , GUY D. C. , PREEDY K.
Published: March 2017

A range of wheat cultivars, including elite cultivars, older cultivars and some preferred by organic growers, were trialled under high and low nitrogen (N) conventional and organic conditions to determine whether cultivars that yield highly under organic conditions have the same relative yield under conventional conditions. A range of cultivar mixtures was also assessed to see whether these gave yield advantages or superiority in either farming system. The conventional trials were grown with and without full fungicide programmes, which largely controlled disease. Amongst the cultivars, Alchemy showed superior yield under organic conditions as did Pegassos, but under conventional conditions Pegassos was always one of the low-ranking cultivars. Under conventional conditions the more recent cultivars Alchemy, Glasgow and Istabraq yielded highly, while an older one, Consort, yielded highly under low fertilizer conditions, and both Ambrosia and Deben also yielded highly generally. Fungicide and high N favoured the disease-susceptible, high-yield cultivars such as Glasgow whereas Consort, an older susceptible cultivar, was favoured by fungicide and low N. Together this demonstrates that whilst the yield characteristics of some elite germplasm are also expressed under organic conditions, at least one cultivar that yielded poorly under conventional conditions showed adaptation towards the organic conditions of these trials. Other cultivars yielding poorly under conventional conditions also gave poor yield under organic conditions. The equal proportion mixtures of cultivars grown under conventional conditions showed no evidence of differences in yield from the mean of the component cultivars grown separately, but combinations of Glasgow, Alchemy and Istabraq gave consistently high yield.
CEO Turnover–Performance Sensitivity in Private Firms
Authors: Gao Huasheng , Harford Jarrad , Li Kai
Published: March 2017

We compare chief executive officer (CEO) turnover in public and large private firms. Public firms have higher turnover rates and exhibit greater turnover–performance sensitivity (TPS) than private firms. When we control for pre-turnover performance, performance improvements are greater for private firms than for public firms. We investigate whether these differences are due to differences in quality of accounting information, the CEO candidate pool, CEO power, board structure, ownership structure, investor horizon, or certain unobservable differences between public and private firms. One factor contributing to public firms’ higher turnover rates and greater TPS appears to be investor myopia.
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I haplotype reveals high genetic diversity of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae)
Authors: Eamsobhana P. , Yong H.S. , Song S.L. , Prasartvit A. , Boonyong S. , Tungtrongchitr A.
Published: March 2017

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus malaysiensis is a metastrongyloid nematode parasite. It has been reported in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan. In this study, A. malaysiensis adult worms recovered from the lungs of wild rats in different geographical regions/provinces in Thailand were used to determine their haplotype by means of the mitochondrial partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence. The results revealed high COI haplotype diversity of A. malaysiensis from Thailand. The geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis from Thailand and other countries formed a monophyletic clade distinct from the closely related A. cantonensis. In the present study, five new haplotypes were identified in addition to the four haplotypes reported in the literature. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that four of these five new haplotypes – one from Mae Hong Song (northern region), two from Tak (western region) and one from Phang Nga (southern region) – formed a distinct clade with those from Phatthalung (southern region) and Malaysia. The haplotype from Malaysia was identical to that of Phatthalung (haplotype AM1). In general, the COI sequences did not differentiate unambiguously the various geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis. This study has confirmed the presence of high COI genetic diversity in various geographical isolates of A. malaysiensis. The COI gene sequence will be suitable for studying genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeography.