bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered exhaled biomarker profiles in children during and after rhinovirus-induced wheeze
Authors: van der Schee Marc P. , Hashimoto Simone , Schuurman Annemarie C. , Repelaer van Driel Janine S. , Adriaens Nora , van Amelsfoort Romy M. , Snoeren Tessa , Regenboog Martine , Sprikkelman Aline B. , Haarman Eric G. , van Aalderen Wim M.C. , Sterk Peter J.
Published: October 2014

Preschool rhinovirus-induced wheeze is associated with an increased risk of asthma. In adult asthma, exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) are associated with inflammatory activity. We therefore hypothesised that acute preschool wheeze is accompanied by a differential profile of exhaled VOC, which is maintained after resolution of symptoms in those children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze.

We included 178 children (mean±sdage 22±9 months) from the EUROPA cohort comparing asymptomatic and wheezing children during respiratory symptoms and after recovery. Naso- and oropharyngeal swabs were tested for rhinovirus by quantitative PCR. Breath was collectedviaa spacer and analysed using an electronic nose. Between-group discrimination was assessed by constructing a 1000-fold cross-validated receiver operating characteristic curve. Analyses were stratified by rhinovirus presence/absence.

Wheezing children demonstrated a different VOC profile when compared with asymptomatic children (p<0.001), regardless of the presence (area under the curve (AUC) 0.77, 95% CI 0.07) or absence (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.05) of rhinovirus. After symptomatic recovery, discriminative accuracy was maintained in children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.06), whereas it dropped significantly in infants with non-rhinovirus-induced wheeze (AUC 0.67, 95% CI 0.06).

Exhaled molecular profiles differ between preschool children with and without acute respiratory wheeze. This appears to be sustained in children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze after resolution of symptoms. Therefore, exhaled VOC may qualify as candidate biomarkers for early signs of asthma.
Quantifying the ventilatory control contribution to sleep apnoea using polysomnography
Authors: Terrill Philip I. , Edwards Bradley A. , Nemati Shamim , Butler James P. , Owens Robert L. , Eckert Danny J. , White David P. , Malhotra Atul , Wellman Andrew , Sands Scott A.
Published: October 2014

Elevated loop gain, consequent to hypersensitive ventilatory control, is a primary nonanatomical cause of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) but it is not possible to quantify this in the clinic. Here we provide a novel method to estimate loop gain in OSA patients using routine clinical polysomnography alone. We use the concept that spontaneous ventilatory fluctuations due to apnoeas/hypopnoeas (disturbance) result in opposing changes in ventilatory drive (response) as determined by loop gain (response/disturbance). Fitting a simple ventilatory control model (including chemical and arousal contributions to ventilatory drive) to the ventilatory pattern of OSA reveals the underlying loop gain.

Following mathematical-model validation, we critically tested our method in patients with OSA by comparison with a standard (continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) drop method), and by assessing its ability to detect the known reduction in loop gain with oxygen and acetazolamide.

Our method quantified loop gain from baseline polysomnography (correlationversusCPAP-estimated loop gain: n=28; r=0.63, p<0.001), detected the known reduction in loop gain with oxygen (n=11; mean±semchange in loop gain (ΔLG) −0.23±0.08, p=0.02) and acetazolamide (n=11; ΔLG −0.20±0.06, p=0.005), and predicted the OSA response to loop gain-lowering therapy.

We validated a means to quantify the ventilatory control contribution to OSA pathogenesis using clinical polysomnography, enabling identification of likely responders to therapies targeting ventilatory control.
Neural respiratory drive and breathlessness in COPD
Authors: Jolley Caroline J. , Luo Yuanming M. , Steier Joerg , Rafferty Gerrard F. , Polkey Michael I. , Moxham John
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that neural respiratory drive, measured using diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) activity expressed as a percentage of maximum (EMGdi%max), is closely related to breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We also investigated whether neuroventilatory uncoupling contributes significantly to breathlessness intensity over an awareness of levels of neural respiratory drive alone.

EMGdiand ventilation were measured continuously during incremental cycle and treadmill exercise in 12 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s±sdwas 38.7±14.5 % pred). EMGdiwas expressed both as EMGdi%maxand relative to tidal volume expressed as a percentage of predicted vital capacity to quantify neuroventilatory uncoupling.

EMGdi%maxwas closely related to Borg breathlessness in both cycle (r=0.98, p=0.0001) and treadmill exercise (r=0.94, p=0.005), this relationship being similar to that between neuroventilatory uncoupling and breathlessness (cycling r=0.94, p=0.005; treadmill r=0.91, p=0.01). The relationship between breathlessness and ventilation was poor when expansion of tidal volume became limited.

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the intensity of exertional breathlessness is closely related to EMGdi%max. These data suggest that breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be largely explained by an awareness of levels of neural respiratory drive, rather than the degree of neuroventilatory uncoupling. EMGdi%maxcould provide a useful physiological biomarker for breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Medication adherence and the risk of severe asthma exacerbations: a systematic review
Authors: Engelkes Marjolein , Janssens Hettie M. , de Jongste Johan C. , Sturkenboom Miriam C.J.M. , Verhamme Katia M.C.
Published: October 2014

The benefits of drug therapy for asthma have been well established, but adherence to treatment is poor, and this might be associated with an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the association between adherence to asthma controller treatment and risk of severe asthma exacerbations in children and adults.

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, from inception until January 2014. Studies were included if data on the association between medication adherence and severe asthma exacerbations were presented. Quality was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

The search yielded 2319 unique publications, of which 23 met the inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction and quality scoring. High levels of heterogeneity across studies with regard to adherence and exacerbation measurements, designs and analysis precluded a formal meta-analysis. Although effect measures varied widely, good adherence was associated with fewer severe asthma exacerbations in high-quality studies.

Good adherence tended to be associated with lower risk of severe asthma exacerbations. Future studies should use standardised methodology to assess adherence and exacerbations, and should consider inhaler competence.
Clinical manifestations of invasive pneumococcal disease by vaccine and non-vaccine types
Authors: Browall Sarah , Backhaus Erik , Naucler Pontus , Galanis Ilias , Sjöström Karin , Karlsson Diana , Berg Stefan , Luthander Joachim , Eriksson Margareta , Spindler Carl , Ejdebäck Mikael , Trollfors Birger , Darenberg Jessica , Kalin Mats , Örtqvist Åke , Andersson Rune , Henriques-Normark Birgitta
Published: October 2014

Pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs) have shown protection against invasive pneumococcal disease by vaccine serotypes, but an increase in non-vaccine serotype disease has been observed. Type-specific effects on clinical manifestation need to be explored.

Clinical data from 2096 adults and 192 children with invasive pneumococcal disease were correlated to pneumococcal molecular serotypes. Invasive disease potential for pneumococcal serotypes were calculated using 165 invasive and 550 carriage isolates from children.

The invasive disease potential was lower for non-PCV13 compared to vaccine-type strains. Patients infected with non-PCV13 strains had more underlying diseases, were less likely to have pneumonia and, in adults, tended to have a higher mortality. Furthermore, patients infected with pneumococci belonging to clonal serotypes only expressing non-PCV13 capsules had a higher risk for septicaemia and mortality.

PCV vaccination will probably lead to a decrease in invasive pneumococcal disease but an alteration in the clinical manifestation of invasive pneumococcal disease. Genetic lineages causing invasive pneumococcal disease in adults often express non-vaccine serotypes, which can expand after vaccination with an increased risk of infection in patients with underlying diseases.
Early-life origins of chronic respiratory diseases: understanding and promoting healthy ageing
Authors: Carraro Silvia , Scheltema Nienke , Bont Louis , Baraldi Eugenio
Published: October 2014

Chronic obstructive respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often originate early in life. In addition to a genetic predisposition, prenatal and early-life environmental exposures have a persistent impact on respiratory health. Acting during a critical phase of lung development, these factors may change lung structure and metabolism, and may induce maladaptive responses to harmful agents, which will affect the whole lifespan.

Some environmental factors, such as exposure to cigarette smoke, type of childbirth and diet, may be modifiable, but it is more difficult to influence other factors, such as preterm birth and early exposure to viruses or allergens.

Here, we bring together recent literature to analyse the critical aspects involved in the early stages of lung development, going back to prenatal and perinatal events, and we discuss the mechanisms by which noxious factors encountered early on may have a lifelong impact on respiratory health.

We briefly comment on the need for early disease biomarkers and on the possible role of “-omic” technologies in identifying risk profiles predictive of chronic respiratory conditions. Such profiles could guide the ideation of effective preventive strategies and/or targeted early lifestyle or therapeutic interventions.
Inhaled antibiotics: dry or wet?
Authors: Tiddens Harm A.W.M. , Bos Aukje C. , Mouton Johan W. , Devadason Sunalene , Janssens Hettie M.
Published: October 2014

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) delivering antibiotics for the suppressive treatment ofPseudomonas aeruginosain cystic fibrosis patients were developed recently and are now increasingly replacing time-consuming nebuliser therapy. Noninferiority studies have shown that the efficacy of inhaled tobramycin delivered by DPI was similar to that of wet nebulisation. However, there are many differences between inhaled antibiotic therapy delivered by DPI and by nebuliser. The question is whether and to what extent inhalation technique and other patient-related factors affect the efficacy of antibiotics delivered by DPI compared with nebulisers. Health professionals should be aware of the differences between dry and wet aerosols, and of patient-related factors that can influence efficacy, in order to personalise treatment, to give appropriate instructions to patients and to better understand the response to the treatment after switching.

In this review, key issues of aerosol therapy are discussed in relation to inhaled antibiotic therapy with the aim of optimising the use of both nebulised and DPI antibiotics by patients. An example of these issues is the relationship between airway generation, structural lung changes and local concentrations of the inhaled antibiotics. The pros and cons of dry and wet modes of delivery for inhaled antibiotics are discussed.
Selection criteria for intensive care unit referral of lung cancer patients: a pilot study
Authors: Toffart Anne-Claire , Pizarro Carola Alegria , Schwebel Carole , Sakhri Linda , Minet Clemence , Duruisseaux Michaël , Azoulay Elie , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Timsit Jean-François
Published: October 2014

The decision-making process for the intensity of care delivered to patients with lung cancer and organ failure is poorly understood, and does not always involve intensivists. Our objective was to describe the potential suitability for intensive care unit (ICU) referral of lung cancer in-patients with organ failures.

We prospectively included consecutive lung cancer patients with failure of at least one organ admitted to the teaching hospital in Grenoble, France, between December 2010 and October 2012.

Of 140 patients, 121 (86%) were evaluated by an oncologist and 49 (35%) were referred for ICU admission, with subsequent admission for 36 (73%) out of those 49. Factors independently associated with ICU referral were performance status ⩽2 (OR 10.07, 95% CI 3.85–26.32), nonprogressive malignancy (OR 7.00, 95% CI 2.24–21.80), and no explicit refusal of ICU admission by the patient and/or family (OR 7.95, 95% CI 2.39–26.37). Factors independently associated with ICU admission were the initial ward being other than the lung cancer unit (OR 6.02, 95% CI 1.11–32.80) and an available medical ICU bed (OR 8.19, 95% CI 1.48–45.35).

Only one-third of lung cancer patients with organ failures were referred for ICU admission. The decision not to consider ICU admission was often taken by a non-intensivist, with advice from an oncologist rather than an intensivist.
The severity of irritable bowel syndrome or the presence of fibromyalgia influencing the perception of visceral and somatic stimuli
Authors: Tremolaterra Fabrizio , Gallotta Serena , Morra Yvonne , Lubrano Ennio , Ciacci Carolina , Iovino Paola
Published: October 2014

Background

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a frequent comorbidity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients with a higher functional bowel disorder severity index (FBDSI). We tested the possibility that mild to severe IBS patients without FMS would have a graduated visceral and somatic perception, and the presence of FMS would further enhance somatic, but conversely attenuate visceral perception.

Our aim was to study visceral and somatic sensitivity in mild IBS patients and in severe IBS patients with or without FMS.

Methods

Eleven mild IBS and 19 severe IBS with and without FMS patients were studied. Somatic and visceral stimuli were applied in each patient by means of electrical stimulations at active and control sites and by means of an electronic barostat in the rectum. Thresholds for discomfort and perception cumulative scores were measured.

Results

Mild and severe IBS patients without FMS demonstrated a significantly lower somatic perception cumulative score than severe IBS patients with FMS at active site. Conversely only severe IBS patients without FMS had significantly lower visceral thresholds for discomfort than mild IBS patients and severe IBS patients with FMS.

Conclusions

The presence of co-existing FMS or greater FBDSI affects somatic and visceral perception in a graded fashion across IBS patients.
Role of the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Salava Alexander , Lauerma Antti
Published: October 2014

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder and characterized by abnormalities in both skin barrier structures and alternations of the immune response. Molecular genetics have dramatically changed our vision of the micro‐organisms colonizing the human skin and recently well‐documented changes in the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis have become evident. The microbiome shifts have been primarily documented during disease flares and localized to sites of disease predilection, e.g. folds or facial area. In contrast, active treatment has been associated with a recolonisation and higher cutaneous microbial diversity. Additionally to the known dysfunctions in barrier function of the skin (e.g. filaggrin mutations) and immunologic disturbances (e.g. Th2‐shift), evidence is rising that atopic dermatitis is also connected to a dysbiosis of the microbial community without an invading pathogen. In the future the investigation of the patient's skin microbiome may have a foothold in the clinician's diagnostic repertoire and treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Boronic acids for sensing and other applications - a mini-review of papers published in 2013
Authors: Lacina Karel , Skládal Petr , James Tony D
Published: October 2014

Boronic acids are increasingly utilised in diverse areas of research. Including the interactions of boronic acids with diols and strong Lewis bases as fluoride or cyanide anions, which leads to their utility in various sensing applications. The sensing applications can be homogeneous assays or heterogeneous detection. Detection can be at the interface of the sensing material or within the bulk sample. Furthermore, the key interaction of boronic acids with diols allows utilisation in various areas ranging from biological labelling, protein manipulation and modification, separation and the development of therapeutics. All the above uses and applications are covered by this mini-review of papers published during 2013.
Identification and Characterization of Membrane Androgen Receptors in the ZIP9 Zinc Transporter Subfamily: II. Role of Human ZIP9 in Testosterone-Induced Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Thomas Peter , Pang Yefei , Dong Jing , Berg A. Håkan
Published: October 2014

Recently, we discovered a cDNA in teleost ovarian follicle cells belonging to the zinc transporter ZIP9 subfamily (SLC39A9) encoding a protein with characteristics of a membrane androgen receptor (mAR). Here, we demonstrate that human ZIP9 expressed in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells and stably overexpressed in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells (PC-3-ZIP9) also displays the ligand binding and signaling characteristics of a specific, high-affinity mAR. Testosterone treatment of MDA-MB-468 and PC-3-ZIP9 cells caused activation of G proteins and second messenger pathways as well as increases in intracellular free zinc concentrations that were accompanied by induction of apoptosis. [1,2,6,7-3H]-testosterone binding and these responses were abrogated in MDA-MB-468 cells after ZIP9 small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment and absent in PC-3 cells transfected with empty vector, confirming that ZIP9 functions as an mAR. Testosterone treatment caused up-regulation of proapoptotic genes Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein), p53 (tumor protein p53), and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) in both cell lines and increased expression of Bax, Caspase 3, and cytochrome C proteins. Treatment with a zinc chelator or a MAPK inhibitor blocked testosterone-induced increases in Bax, p53, and JNK mRNA expression. The results suggest that both androgen signaling and zinc transporter functions of ZIP9 mediate testosterone promotion of apoptosis. ZIP9 is widely expressed in human tissues and up-regulated in malignant breast and prostate tissues, suggesting that it is a potential therapeutic target for treating breast and prostate cancers. These results provide the first evidence for a mechanism mediated by a single protein through which steroid and zinc signaling pathways interact to regulate physiological functions in mammalian cells.
Attachment ofGalerucella nymphaeae(Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)to surfaces with different surface energy
Authors: Grohmann Constanze , Blankenstein Andreas , Koops Sven , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: October 2014

Numerous studies deal with insect attachment on surfaces with different roughness, however, little is known about insect attachment on surfaces with different chemistry. In the present study, we describe attachment structures of the water-lily leaf beetle Galerucella nymphaeae (Linnaeus, 1758) and test the hypothesis that larval and adult stages can generate strongest attachment on surfaces with contact angles that are similar to those of leaves of their host plants. The larvae bear a smooth attachment system with arolium-like structures at their legs and a pygopodium at the abdomen tip. Adults have pointed setae on the ventral side of the two proximal tarsomeres and densely arranged spatula-shaped ones on their third tarsomere. In a centrifugal force tester, larvae and adults attained highest friction forces and safety factors on surfaces with a water contact angle of 83° compared to those of 6, 26 and 109°. This comes close to the contact angle of their host plant Nuphar lutea (86°). The similarity of larval and adult performances might be a result of a similar chemical composition of their attachment fluid. We compare our findings with previous studies on the forces insects generate on surfaces with different surface energies.
Orchestration of salivary secretion mediated by two different dopamine receptors in the blacklegged tickIxodes scapularis
Authors: Kim Donghun , Šimo Ladislav , Park Yoonseong
Published: October 2014

Salivary secretion is crucial for successful tick feeding, and it is the mediator of pathogen transmission. Salivation functions to inhibit various components of the host immune system and remove excess water and ions during the ingestion of large blood meals. Control of salivary glands involves autocrine/paracrine dopamine, which is the most potent inducer of tick salivation. Previously, we reported the presence of two dopamine receptors in the salivary glands of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis): dopamine receptor (D1) and invertebrate specific D1-like dopamine receptor (InvD1L). Here, we investigated the different physiological roles of the dopamine receptors in tick salivary glands by using pharmacological tools that discriminate between the two distinct receptors. Heterologous expressions followed by reporter assays of the dopamine receptors identified receptor-specific antagonists and agonists. These pharmacological tools were further used to discriminate the physiological role of each receptor by using in vitro assays: measuring salivary secretions of isolated salivary glands and monitoring dynamic changes in the size of individual salivary gland acini. We propose that the D1 receptor acts on salivary gland acini epithelial cells for inward fluid transport. InvD1L controls (or modulates) each acinus for expelling saliva from the acini to the salivary ducts, presumably through the actions of myoepithelial cells and valves for pumping/gating. We conclude that dopamine acts on the D1 and the InvD1L receptors and leads different physiological actions to orchestrate tick salivary secretion.
Olfactory sensitivity to steroid glucuronates in Mozambique tilapia suggests two distinct and specific receptors for pheromone detection
Authors: Keller-Costa Tina , Canario Adelino V.M. , Hubbard Peter C.
Published: October 2014

Cichlids offer an exciting opportunity to understand vertebrate speciation; chemical communication could be one of the drivers of African cichlid radiation. Chemical signals mediate key aspects in the lives of vertebrates and often are species-specific. Dominant male Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus Peters 1852) release a sex pheromone, 5β-pregnan-3α,17α,20β-triol 3-glucuronate and its 20α-epimer, via their urine. The objective of this study was to assess sensitivity, specificity and versatility of the olfactory system of O. mossambicus to other steroids and their conjugates using the electro-olfactogram. O. mossambicus was sensitive to several 3-glucuronidated steroids, but did not respond to prostaglandins, unconjugated steroids or 17- or 20-conjugated steroids. Stimulation of the olfactory epithelium with increasing concentrations (10-12 M to 10-5 M) of 5β-pregnan-3α,17α,20β-triol 3-glucuronate, 5β-pregnan-3α,17α,20α-triol 3-glucuronate, 3α,17α-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one 3-glucuronate, etiocholanolone 3α-glucuronate and 17β-estradiol 3-glucuronate produced characteristic sigmoidal concentration-response curves. However, tilapia were most sensitive to 17β-estradiol-3-glucuronate, which also had the lowest apparent EC50 and maximal response amplitude. Cross-adaptation and binary mixture experiments suggested that 5β,3α-reduced pregnan- and androsta- 3-glucuronates share (a) common olfactory receptor(s), whereas 17β-estradiol 3-glucuronate is detected via (a) distinct olfactory receptor(s). In conclusion, the Mozambique tilapia has evolved high olfactory sensitivity and specificity to 3-glucuronidated steroids through two distinct olfactory receptor types; one detecting a male sex pheromone and a second detecting 17β-estradiol 3-glucuronate, a putative female-derived signal. However, O. mossambicus differs much in its olfactory perception from the more recently derived East African cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni, suggesting that chemical communication could, indeed, be involved in speciation.
Synthesis of Responsive Fluorescent Nucleobases 7-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazahypoxanthine and 7-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazaguanine Using Cross-coupling Reaction
Authors: Tokugawa Munefumi , Kaneko Kazuhei , Saito Masanori , Kanamori Takashi , Masaki Yoshiaki , Ohkubo Akihiro , Sekine Mitsuo , Seio Kohji
Published: October 2014

In order to develop fluorescent guanine analogs having substitutions at the 7-positions, 7-(benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazahypoxanthine (1a) and 7-(benzofuran-2-yl)-7-deazaguanine (1b), were synthesized from 7-deaza-7-iodohypoxanthine and 7-deaza-7-iodo-2-N-pivaloylguanine via a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, respectively. Compound 1b showed strong fluorescence, with higher fluorescent quantum yields in less polar solvents; meanwhile, 1a showed higher activity in more polar solvents. It is expected that the guanine analogs can be incorporated into nucleosides to develop new fluorescent oligonucleotides.
Isocrates and Some topoi Re-Invented
Authors: Janik Joanna
Published: October 2014

Isocrates and Some topoi Re-Invented

Isocrates, a political commentator, writer and teacher, was usually praised for his style and erudition, but hardly considered to be an original author. This opinion, however, seems to be a little unjust; Isocrates was perfectly able to use his profound knowledge of the Greek tradition in order to support his views, not always in a way one might have expected. In the way Isocrates refers to the well-known motifs and personalities one may discover an original approach. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate this technique with reference to Solon’ ethics and the person of Socrates.
The Buffer Effect: The Role of Color When Advertising Exposures Are Brief and Blurred
Authors: Wedel Michel , Pieters Rik
Published: October 2014

What is the role that color plays in consumers’ perception of the gist of ads during the increasingly brief and blurred exposures in practice? Two studies address this question. The first study manipulates the level of blur of the exposure and the presence or absence of color in the ad image, during exposures that lasted 100 milliseconds (msec). It reveals a buffer effect of color: color contributes little to gist perception when sufficient visual detail is available and ads are typical, but color enables consumers to continue to perceive the gist of ads accurately when the exposure is blurred. The second study finds that color inversion of the entire ad deteriorates gist perception, but that color inversion of the background scene does not affect gist perception when the exposure is blurred. This provides evidence that the color composition of the central object in the ad scene plays a key role in protecting the gist perception of advertising under adverse exposure conditions. The underlying mechanism is likely to be cognitive rather than sensory. Implications for advertising theory and design are discussed.
Global Dual Sourcing and Order Smoothing: The Impact of Capacity and Lead Times
Authors: Boute Robert N. , Van Mieghem Jan A.
Published: October 2014

After decades of offshoring production across the world, companies are rethinking their global networks. Local sourcing is receiving more attention, but it remains challenging to balance the offshore sourcing cost advantage against the increased inventories, because of its longer lead time, and against the cost and (volume) flexibility of each source’s capacity. To guide strategic allocation in this global network decision, this paper establishes reasonably simple prescriptions that capture the key drivers. We adopt a conventional discrete-time inventory model with a linear control rule that smoothes orders and allows an exact and analytically tractable analysis of single- and dual-sourcing policies under normal demand. Distinguishing features of our model are that it captures each source’s lead time, capacity cost, and flexibility to work overtime. We use Lagrange’s inversion theorem to provide exact and simple square-root bound formulae for the strategic sourcing allocations and the value of dual sourcing. The formulae provide structural insight on the impact of financial, operational, and demand parameters, and a starting point for quantitative decision making. We investigate the robustness of our results by comparing the smoothing policy with existing single- and dual-sourcing models in a simulation study that relaxes model assumptions.

This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Buy-It-Now or Take-a-Chance: Price Discrimination Through Randomized Auctions
Authors: Celis L. Elisa , Lewis Gregory , Mobius Markus , Nazerzadeh Hamid
Published: October 2014

Increasingly detailed consumer information makes sophisticated price discrimination possible. At fine levels of aggregation, demand may not obey standard regularity conditions. We propose a new randomized sales mechanism for such environments. Bidders can “buy-it-now” at a posted price, or “take-a-chance” in an auction where the top d > 1 bidders are equally likely to win. The randomized allocation incentivizes high-valuation bidders to buy-it-now. We analyze equilibrium behavior and apply our analysis to advertiser bidding data from Microsoft Advertising Exchange. In counterfactual simulations, our mechanism increases revenue by 4.4% and consumer surplus by 14.5% compared to an optimal second-price auction.

This paper was accepted by Assaf Zeevi, stochastic models and simulation.
What Death Can Tell: Are Executives Paid for Their Contributions to Firm Value?
Authors: Nguyen Bang Dang , Nielsen Kasper Meisner
Published: October 2014

Using stock price reactions to sudden deaths of top executives as a measure of expected contribution to shareholder value, we examine the relationship between executive pay and managerial contribution to shareholder value. We find, first, that the managerial labor market is characterized by positive sorting: managers with high perceived contributions to shareholder value obtain higher pay. The executive pay-contribution relationship is stronger for professional executives and for executives with high compensation. We estimate, second, that an average top executive (chief executive officer) appears to retain 71% (65%) of the marginal rent from the firm-manager relationship. We examine, third, how the executive pay-contribution relationship varies with individual, firm, and industry characteristics. Overall, our results are informative for the ongoing discussion about the level of executive compensation.

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Selecting the Best? Spillover and Shadows in Elimination Tournaments
Authors: Brown Jennifer , Minor Dylan B.
Published: October 2014

We consider how past, current, and future competition within an elimination tournament affect the probability that the stronger player wins. We present a two-stage model that yields the following main results: (1) a shadow effect wherein the stronger the expected future competitor, the lower the probability that the stronger player wins in the current stage; and (2) an effort spillover effect wherein previous effort reduces the probability that the stronger player wins in the current stage. We test our theory predictions using data from high-stakes tournaments. Empirical results suggest that shadow and spillover effects influence match outcomes and have already been priced into betting markets.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
An exploration of cultural diversity instruction strategy based on Story Telling
Authors: Jung Minsoo , Jang Seongmin
Published: October 2014

This study aims at investigating how story telling principle can be linked with cultural diversity instruction, at developing instruction strategy and strategy, appropriate to cultural diversity traits, at improving cultural diversity instruction, and at offering development strategy and ideas of teacher guide books on new cultural diversity. So this study looked into the literatures, related with storytelling and cultural diversity, and developed the procedure and component of cultural diversity instruction strategy based on story telling. This study developed cultural diversity instruction strategy based on story telling by applying instruction design principle and strategy of story telling to CPR (culturally responsive pedagogy) teaching method of cultural diversity. This study organized cultural diversity instruction strategy based on story telling by carrying CPR 3-step teaching method strategy, and 12 core concepts and values of cultural diversity education to story composition method of story telling. Concrete teaching strategy and instruction procedure of cultural diversity instruction strategy based on story telling are as followings. First, the 1st step teaching strategy of CRP is core concept and value analysis activity of cultural diversity through concept analysis learning, and instruction procedure is composed of question presentation - concept definition - case discovery - concept analysis - concept application. Next, the 2nd teaching strategy of CRP is an emotional and psychological empathy activity of cultural diversity through value clarity learning, and instruction procedure is composed of question grasping - selection - pride confirmation - activity - clarification. At last, the 3rd teaching strategy of CRP is expression and action experience activity of cultural diversity through vertical experience activity, and instruction procedure is composed of subject grasping - situation presentation - activity selection - experience implementation - internalization. The culture diversity instruction strategy based on story telling was invented through literature model. So, related with site possibility and effectiveness, experiential study and investigation research are indispensible.
Welfare state regimes and educational welfare policies
Authors: Ham Seung-hwan , Kim Wang Jun , Kim Jung Deok , Yang Kyung-eun , Choi Kyoung-jun
Published: October 2014

As an effort to elaborate the notion of educational welfare, this study attempts to systematically examine the socio-political nexus between social welfare and education. To this end, this study first sheds light on educational welfare in relation to a range of socio-political purposes of education, and then provides a preliminary analysis of the institutionalization of educational welfare policies in Sweden, Germany, and the United States from a welfare state regimes perspective. Finally, implications are discussed in light of developing a useful conceptual framework for sharpening our understanding of educational welfare within the Korean context of the historical evolution of social policies.
A study of foreign professors’ perceptions toward their lived experience in Korean university
Authors: Sim Mikyung
Published: October 2014

The Purpose of this study is to explore the foreign professors' perceptions toward their lived experiences at a university in Korea. The data for this study were collected through qualitative research with three foreign professors who have been teaching in Korea for 3-5 years. For a better understanding of the research participants' perceptions, narrative inquiry was conducted for a period of four months. And to grasp the meaning of their experience in the broad context, the semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview were conducted not only on these foreign professors' experience at their university but also on their family life and life outside university. The author of this study believe that this kind of descriptive analysis of foreign professors' perceptions of their experience can provide important clues for the development of better higher education system over time.
A narrative study on the life and the education of a paternal international-marriage family
Authors: Jeon Eunhee
Published: October 2014

The aim of this narrative study was designed to analyze the life and the education of a paternal international-marriage family whose marriage-immigrant man was from Bangladesh. The results are as follow. First, this paper shows the life of Bangladesh marriage-immigrant man’s family. The legal system and social attitude of Korea was not friendly for immigrant-worker and marriage-immigrant man, so that the couple of the family could not help but struggle for their marriage against social biases and institutional obstacles on marriage-immigrant man. After marriage, though the economic difficulties and everyday discrimination, they tried to strengthen the unity of family and leaded atransnational life with other immigrant-workers and Bangladesh relatives. Moreover, all family members including were bilingual even though the linguistic fluency among them varies noticeably. Since the marriage-immigrant man had taken Korean nationality a few years ago, the couple changed their mind and started to consider Korea as their permanent residence. Next, this paper shows the education of Bangladesh marriage-immigrant man’s family. Above all, the couple of the family not only revealed an open attitude on their multicultural background, but also tried to signify their differences affirmatively and positively. The marriage-immigrant man, furthermore, made an effort to show his kids authority and role-model as a father with the support and aid of his spouse and transmit his religious belief and cultural way of life to his kids. The wife of marriage-immigrant man tried not to internalize the partial, prejudiced attitude on the multiculture for herself and get along with the other immigrant-workers around her husband. Based on the above results, this paper examined in what contexts the case family is located coming to the conclusion that there were contexts such as immigrant, cultural, social, domestic and intrepeted the meaning of connections and interactions between those contexts and their life and education. In additon to, this paper drew some institutional, academic, educational implications for the future.
Structural characterization of a C-terminally truncated E5 oncoprotein from papillomavirus in lipid bilayers
Authors: Windisch Dirk , Ziegler Colin , Bürck Jochen , Ulrich Anne S.
Published: October 2014

E5 is the major transforming oncoprotein of bovine papillomavirus, which activates the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β in a highly specific manner. The short transmembrane protein E5 with only 44 residues interacts directly with the transmembrane segments of the receptor, but structural details are not available. Biophysical investigations are challenging, because the hydrophobic E5 protein tends to aggregate and get cross-linked non-specifically via two Cys residues near its C-terminus. Here, we demonstrate that a truncation by 10 amino acids creates a more manageable protein that can be conveniently used for structure analysis. Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism and solid-state15N- and31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy show that this E5 variant serves as a representative model for the wild-type protein. The helical conformation of the transmembrane segment, its orientation in the lipid bilayer, and the ability to form homodimers in the membrane are not affected by the C-terminal truncation.
A Comparison of Exact Tests for Trend with Binary Endpoints Using Bartholomew’s Statistic
Authors: Consiglio J. D. , Shan G. , Wilding G. E.
Published: October 2014

Tests for trend are important in a number of scientific fields when trends associated with binary variables are of interest. Implementing the standard Cochran–Armitage trend test requires an arbitrary choice of scores assigned to represent the grouping variable. Bartholomew proposed a test for qualitatively ordered samples using asymptotic critical values, but type I error control can be problematic in finite samples. To our knowledge, use of the exact probability distribution has not been explored, and we study its use in the present paper. Specifically we consider an approach based on conditioning on both sets of marginal totals and three unconditional approaches where only the marginal totals corresponding to the group sample sizes are treated as fixed. While slightly conservative, all four tests are guaranteed to have actual type I error rates below the nominal level. The unconditional tests are found to exhibit far less conservatism than the conditional test and thereby gain a power advantage.
A study to investigate the biological activity of proteoglycan mixture extract from Convolvulus arvensis
Authors: Mahmoudi Mahmoud , Zamani Taghizadeh Rabe Shahrzad , Zamani Taghizadeh Rabe Shahin , Emami Seyed Ahmad
Published: October 2014

Background: Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae), bindweeds, is inhabitant to Iran and its proteoglycan mixture (PGM) has been reported to possess different biological activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate different properties of PGM including anti-tumor, anti-angiogenesis and immunostimulatory activities.

Methods: PGM was prepared from the roots of C. arvensis. Various cancer cell lines were treated with PGM and the cytotoxicity was assessed after 24 h of incubation using MTT assay. In addition, J774A.1 macrophages were stimulated with LPS (1 µg/mL) and then with PGM. Then, production of nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of inflammation was measured using Griess reagent. Moreover, PGM was subjected to cultivated Leishmania major promastigotes and leishmanicidal activity was determined using MTT assay. More importantly, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured on matrigel basement matrix and tube formation after treatment with PGM was considered microscopically for the determination of angiogenesis.

Results: Obtained results revealed that PGM significantly inhibited the formation of vascular-like tubes by HUVECs without any effect on their viability. Furthermore, PGM significantly exhibited leishmanicidal activity by the mechanism of suppressing L. major promastigotes developmental growth in vitro. However, PGM was shown to have no effect on the growth of cancer cells and production of NO by LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Conclusions: The present study provides some new evidence on remarkable leishmanicidal and anti-angiogenic activities of PGM. These findings also afford the scientific basis for the use of C. arvensis as a candidate medicinal plant for further thoroughly phytochemical investigations toward discovering leishmanicidal and anti-angiogenic compounds.
Enrique Peña Nieto’s National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Challenges of Waging War against Corruption in Mexico
Authors: Tromme Mathieu , Otaola Miguel Angel Lara
Published: October 2014

This paper analyses the proposals of Mexico’s President, Enrique Peña Nieto, to foster accountability and transparency in his country. Of particular interest is the creation of Mexico’s Anti-Corruption Commission (Comisión Nacional Anticorrupción). After reviewing success factors of other Anti-Corruption Commissions (ACC), particularly the need to guarantee their independence, the paper evaluates the challenges facing the Commission and Peña Nieto’s anti-corruption strategy, from a legal (constitutional), institutional and political point of view. Reference is also made on the linkages between organised crime and corruption. The paper finds that the main challenges include a weak Judiciary, an under-developed legal system, and the lack of coordination between the country’s federal, state and municipal governments. The paper concludes with reflections in order to foster integrity and inform debate on anti-corruption in the country.

Este artículo analiza las propuestas del presidente de México, Enrique Peña Nieto, para fomentar la responsabilidad y la transparencia en su país. De particular interés resulta la creación de la Comisión Nacional Anticorrupción de México. Tras revisar los factores de éxito de otras comisiones anticorrupción (CAC), particularmente la necesidad de garantizar su independencia, el artículo evalúa los desafíos que enfrenta la Comisión y la estrategia anticorrupción de Peña Nieto desde un punto de vista legal (constitucional), institucional y político. También se hace referencia a los vínculos entre el crimen organizado y la corrupción. El artículo encuentra que entre los desafíos principales se encuentra un poder judicial débil, un sistema legal mal desarrollado y la falta de coordinación entre los gobiernos federal, estatal y municipal del país. El artículo concluye con reflexiones destinadas a fomentar la integridad e informar el debate anticorrupción en el país.
Violent Video Games, Mass Shootings, and the Supreme Court
Authors: Ferguson Christopher J.
Published: October 2014

The issue of video game violence continues to attract attention from the legal and policy communities, particularly in the wake of mass shootings. However, focusing on video game violence has generally not resulted in successful legal or public policy. In part this is because the science upon which beliefs of “harm” in video game violence are based remains inconsistent and heavily disputed. The current article examines several issues. First, the article examines the current evidence about video game violence influences on negative outcomes in players. Second, the article concerns itself with the application of video game science to several recent legal cases, involving both criminal prosecutions and attempted regulation/censorship of video game violence in the United States. Finally, the manuscript addresses several common talking points used in legal cases and by policy makers and examines whether these talking statements survive careful scientific scrutiny. It is advised that, consistent with the legal decisions and government reviews in the United States, Sweden, Australia, and elsewhere, current evidence does not support the regulation of violent video games, and legal or policy attempts to connect video game violence to specific crimes are unlikely to survive careful scrutiny.
Evaluation of neuromotor development by means of the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test
Authors: Lopes Márcia Maria Coelho Oliveira , Cardoso Maria Vera Lúcia Moreira Leitão
Published: October 2014

Objective: To investigate the neuromotor development of at-risk children between three and 12 months of life, administering the Brazilian version of the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT).Method: A longitudinal study, with 78 children and 76 parents/guardians discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit in Fortaleza-CE/Brazil. Two instruments were administered: HINT and a socioeconomic questionnaire, between July/2009 to August/2010. Data from 55 preterm and 23 term children were analyzed. Results: The final mean scores ranged from 14.6 to 25.2 and from 11.2 to 24.7, for preterm and term, respectively, showing that 91% of children demonstrated good neuromotor performance; seven premature infants showed alterations which led to the referral of three children to a specialized clinic for examination and diagnostics.Conclusion: The test allowed nurses to assess infant development, identify deviations early, and plan interventions.