bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of cephalosporin and carbapenem susceptibility in multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Takebayashi Yuiko , Wan Nur Ismah Wan Ahmad Kamil , Findlay Jacqueline , Heesom Kate J. , Zhang Jay , Williams O. Martin , MacGowan Alasdair P. , Avison Matthew B.
Published: May 2017

In vitro antibacterial susceptibility testing informs clinical decision making concerning antibacterial therapeutics. Predicting, in a timely manner, which bacterial infection will respond to treatment by a given antibacterial drug reduces morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. It also allows prudent antibacterial use, because clinicians can focus on the least broad-spectrum agent suitable for each patient. Existing susceptibly testing methodologies rely on growth of bacteria in the presence of an antibacterial drug. There is significant interest in the possibility of predicting antibacterial drug susceptibility directly though the analysis of bacterial DNA or protein, because this may lead to more rapid susceptibility testing directly from clinical samples. Here we report a robust and tractable methodology that allows measurement of the abundance of key proteins responsible for antibacterial drug resistance within samples of 1 µg of total bacterial protein. The method allowed correct prediction of β-lactam susceptibility in clinical isolates from four key bacterial species and added considerable value over and above the information generated by whole genome sequencing, allowing for gene expression, not just gene presence to be considered, which is key when considering the complex interplays of multiple mechanisms of resistance.
A small RNA pathway mediates global allelic dosage in endosperm
Authors: Erdmann Robert M. , Satyaki P.R. V. , Klosinska Maja , Gehring Mary
Published: May 2017

Balance between maternal and paternal genomes within the triploid endosperm is necessary for normal seed development. The majority of genes in Arabidopsis endosperm are expressed in a 2:1 maternal:paternal ratio, reflecting endosperm genomic DNA content. Here we find that the 2:1 transcriptional ratio is not, unexpectedly, a passive default but is actively regulated. We describe an inverse relationship between the parent-of-origin of small RNAs and mRNAs in endosperm on a genome-wide scale. Disruption of the Pol IV small RNA pathway causes the entire transcriptome to become more maternally biased. Furthermore, paternal inheritance of a RNA Pol IV mutation is sufficient to rescue seed abortion caused by excess paternal genome dosage. These results indicate that maintenance of the maternal:paternal transcriptome ratio in endosperm is an active process and reveal a function for RNA Pol IV in mediating the global transcriptional balance between maternally and paternally inherited genomes in endosperm.
A cyber-anima-based model of material conscious information network
Authors: Shen Jianping , Huang Yadong , Chai Yueting
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study the node modeling, multi-agent architecture and addressing method for the material conscious information network (MCIN), which is a large-scaled, open-styled, self-organized and ecological intelligent network of supply–demand relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study models the MCIN by node model definition, multi-agent architecture design and addressing method presentation.

Findings

The prototype of novel E-commerce platform based on the MCIN shows the effectiveness and soundness of the MCIN modeling. By comparing to current internet, the authors also find that the MCIN has the advantages of socialization, information integration, collective intelligence, traceability, high robustness, unification of producing and consuming, high scalability and decentralization.

Research limitations/implications

Leveraging the dimensions of structure, character, knowledge and experience, a modeling approach of the basic information can fit all kinds of the MCIN nodes. With the double chain structure for both basic and supply–demand information, the MCIN nodes can be modeled comprehensively. The anima-desire-intention-based multi-agent architecture makes the federated agents of the MCIN nodes self-organized and intelligent. The MCIN nodes can be efficiently addressed by the supply–demand-oriented method. However, the implementation of the MCIN is still in process.

Practical implications

This paper lays the theoretical foundation for the future networked system of supply–demand relationship and the novel E-commerce platform.

Originality/value

The authors believe that the MCIN, first proposed in this paper, is a transformational innovation which facilitates the infrastructure of the future networked system of supply–demand relationship.
Crowd wisdom drives intelligent manufacturing
Authors: Lu Jiaqi , Liu Shijun , Cui Lizhen , Pan Li , Wu Lei
Published: May 2017

Purpose

A fundamental problem for intelligent manufacturing is to equip the agents with the ability to automatically make judgments and decisions. This paper aims to introduce the basic principle for intelligent crowds in an attempt to show that crowd wisdom could help in making accurate judgments and proper decisions. This further shows the positive effects that crowd wisdom could bring to the entire manufacturing process.

Design/methodology/approach

Efforts to support the critical role of crowd wisdom in intelligent manufacturing involve theoretical explanation, including a discussion of several prevailing concepts, such as consumer-to-business (C2B), crowdfunding and an interpretation of the contemporary Big Data mania. In addition, an empirical study with three business cases was conducted to prove the conclusion that our ideas could well explain the current business phenomena and guide the future of manufacturing.

Findings

This paper shows that crowd wisdom could help make accurate judgments and proper decisions. It further shows the positive effects that crowd wisdom could bring to the entire manufacturing process.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of crowd wisdom in manufacturing with sufficient theoretical and empirical analysis, potentially providing a guideline for future industry.
Experimental results on large-scale cyber-physical hybrid discussion support
Authors: Ito Takayuki , Otsuka Takanobu , Kawase Satoshi , Sengoku Akihisa , Shiramatsu Shun , Ito Takanori , Hideshima Eizo , Matsuo Tokuro , Oishi Tetsuya , Fujita Rieko , Fukuta Naoki , Fujita Katsuhide
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a preliminary experimental result on a large-scale experiment on a cyber-physical hybrid discussion support environment in a panel discussion session in an international conference.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a hybrid (cyber-physical) environment in which people can discuss online and also offline simultaneously. The authors conducted a large-scale experiment in a panel discussion session in an international conference where participants can discuss by using their online discussion support system and by physical communications as usual.

Findings

The authors analyzed the obtained date from the following three viewpoints: participants’ cyber-physical attention, keywords cyber-physical linkage and cyber-physical discussion flow. These three viewpoints indicate that the methodology of the authors can be effective to support hybrid large-scale discussions.

Originality/value

Online large-scale discussion has been focused as a new methodology that enable people to discuss, argue and make consensus in terms of political issues, social complex problems (like climate change), city planning and so on. In several cases, the authors found that online discussions are very effective to gather people opinions and discussions so far. Moreover, this paper proposes a hybrid (cyber-physical) environment in which people can discuss online and also offline simultaneously.
Crowd science and engineering: concept and research framework
Authors: Chai Yueting , Miao Chunyan , Sun Baowen , Zheng Yongqing , Li Qingzhong
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The synthetic application and interaction of/between the internet, Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, Industry 4.0 and other new patterns and new technologies shall breed future Web-based industrial operation system and social operation management patterns, manifesting as a crowd cyber eco-system composed of multiple interconnected intelligent agents (enterprises, individuals and governmental agencies) and its dynamic behaviors. This paper aims to explore the basic principles and laws of such a system and its behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose the concepts of crowd science and engineering (CSE) and expound its main content, thus forming a research framework of theories and methodologies of crowd science.

Findings

CSE is expected to substantially promote the formation and development of crowd science and thus lay a foundation for the advancement of Web-based industrial operation system and social operation management patterns.

Originality/value

This paper is the first one to propose the concepts of CSE, which lights the beacon for the future research in this area.
Motivation mechanism of gamification in crowdsourcing projects
Authors: Zeng Zhiyuan , Tang Jian , Wang Tianmei
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the participation behaviors in the context of crowdsourcing projects from the perspective of gamification.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first proposed a model to depict the effect of four categories of game elements on three types of motivation based upon several motivation theories, which may, in turn, influence user participation. Then, 5 × 2 between-subject Web experiments were designed for collecting data and validating this model.

Findings

Game elements which provide participants with rewards and recognitions or remind participants of the completion progress of their tasks may positively influence the extrinsic motivation, whereas game elements which can help create a fantasy scene may strengthen intrinsic motivation. Besides, recognition-kind and progress-kind game elements may trigger the internalization of extrinsic motivation. In addition, when a task is of high complexity, the effects from game elements on extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation will be less prominent, whereas the internalization of extrinsic motivation may benefit from the increase of task complexity.

Originality/value

This study may uncover the motivation mechanism of several different kinds of game elements, which may help to find which game elements are more effective in enhancing engagement and participation in crowdsourcing projects. Besides, as task complexity is used as a moderator, one may be able to identify whether task complexity is able to influence the effects from game elements on motivations. Last, but not the least, this study will indicate the interrelationship between game elements, individual motivation and user participation, which can be adapted by other scholars.
Combining cognition and emotion in virtual agents
Authors: Pérez Marco Joaquín , Serón Arbeloa Francisco José , Cerezo Bagdasari Eva
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to explain the limitations of existing cognitive architectures and affective models, and propose a new cognitive-affective architecture that can be integrated in real intelligent agents to make them more realistic and believable.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper evaluates the state of the art, and describes the design and implementation of the cognitive-affective architecture in an agent. A brief evaluation of the agent is provided.

Findings

The paper clearly states that it is possible to use cognitive architectures to help, but there is a lack of architectures that address the problem of combining cognition and emotion in agents in a unified, simplified way. A cognitive-affective architecture is useful to make believable intelligent agents in an easier way.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not explore a lot of possible future work that can be done to extend the emotional expressions of the agent, as well as including direct emotional-sensing capabilities in real time.

Practical implications

The paper argues about the need to include cognitive-affective architectures in modern intelligent agents. The architecture allows to influence and modify the behavior of the agent in real time, to achieve a more realistic and believable interaction with the user.

Social implications

The paper remarks the importance of a cognitive-affective architecture that makes intelligent agents able to help the users in different tasks and environments.

Originality/value

The paper describes a new cognitive-affective architecture and its utility for modern intelligent agents. This is proven by including it in a previous agent, which boosts its behavior and emotional expression possibilities and thus improves user experience.
Exploring the role of occupational therapy in caring for cancer survivors in Australia: A cross sectional study
Authors: Buckland Nicole , Mackenzie Lynette
Published: May 2017

Background/aim

With increasing rates of cancer survival in Australia, more people are living with long‐term side effects of cancer and its treatment, and cancer survivorship is now considered a distinct phase of cancer care. While occupational therapists play an integral role in multidisciplinary care for people with chronic conditions, there is little evidence documenting the occupational therapy role for people living with chronic cancer‐related conditions. This study aimed to explore the views of Australian occupational therapists about current practice and what constitutes best practice for cancer survivors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was developed and distributed via emailed invitations to the Occupational Therapy Australia membership to collect responses from occupational therapists in a range of locations and practice settings around Australia.

Results

A total of 204 completed surveys were returned (response rate of 4%). More than 70% (n = 143) of respondents worked with people with cancer at least sometimes and most worked in acute (13.8%, n = 28) or community (11.2%, n = 23) settings. Participants rated equipment provision as the most common intervention (94%, n = 192), followed by energy conservation (91%, n = 185) and pressure care (78%, n = 160). Lack of funding for occupational therapy positions and a lack of recognition of the role of occupational therapy by health professionals and consumers were identified as key barriers to survivorship care.

Conclusion

Research is needed to provide evidence supporting the role and practice of occupational therapy with cancer survivors. Collaborative work with multidisciplinary teams is needed to develop long‐term routine treatment pathways that include occupational therapy interventions.
A model of recommended retail prices
Authors: Lubensky Dmitry
Published: May 2017

Manufacturers frequently post nonbinding public price recommendations, but neither the rationale for this practice nor its impact on prices is well understood. I develop a model in which recommendations signal a manufacturer's production cost to searching consumers, who then form beliefs about retail prices. Increasing search makes consumers reject offers for the manufacturer's and competitors' products more often, and I show that both consumers and the manufacturer prefer more search when the production cost is low and less search when it is high. With incentives thus aligned, manufacturer recommendations inform consumers via cheap talk, and their removal harms both parties.
Estimating dynamic R&D choice: an analysis of costs and long‐run benefits
Authors: Peters Bettina , Roberts Mark J. , Vuong Van Anh , Fryges Helmut
Published: May 2017

This article estimates a dynamic structural model of discrete Research and Development (R&D) investment and quantifies its cost and long‐run benefit for German manufacturing firms. The model incorporates linkages between R&D choice, product and process innovations, and future productivity and profits. The long‐run payoff to R&D is the proportional difference in expected firm value generated by the investment. It increases firm value by 6.7% for the median firm in high‐tech industries but only 2.8% in low‐tech industries. Simulations show that reductions in maintenance costs of innovation significantly raise investment rates and productivity, whereas reductions in startup costs have little effect.
Delegated Service Authority: Institutional Evolution of PEPFAR Health‐Based Program Implementing Units in Tanzania
Authors: Long Catherine
Published: May 2017

The critical development literature examines donor interventions' institutions and institutional impact. Donor agencies examine specific intervention mechanisms to improve intervention effectiveness or conformity with given development trends. Both literatures insufficiently address the potential evolution of program implementing units (PIUs) deployed by donor agencies according to the units' respective technical capacities. This article assesses PIU evolution using specific units contracted under the United States Government's PEPFAR program in Tanzania. These units evolved in their respective operational space that exists in the interactions between three stakeholder categories: (1) the contracting agency of PEPFAR; (2) relevant Tanzanian national public institutions; and (3) local Tanzanian authorities responsible for HIV/AIDS or health service delivery. This article examines how stakeholders' delegation of authority to PIUs for technical management and/or implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services drive the units' institutional evolution. This evolution is ongoing given iterative PIU‐stakeholder interaction expanding units' services along with delegated authority. In the Tanzanian case, evolved PIUs became essential to the national health system with few institutions able to re‐assume the units' services or delegated authority. They also fostered a new domestic technocracy with transnational network connections to the global public health epistemic community offering new policy platform voice and exit opportunities.
The PPARγ‐SETD8 axis constitutes an epigenetic, p53‐independent checkpoint on p21‐mediated cellular senescence
Authors: Shih Chieh‐Tien , Chang Yi‐Feng , Chen Yi‐Tung , Ma Chung‐Pei , Chen Hui‐Wen , Yang Chang‐Ching , Lu Juu‐Chin , Tsai Yau‐Sheng , Chen Hua‐Chien , Tan Bertrand Chin‐Ming
Published: May 2017

Cellular senescence is a permanent proliferative arrest triggered by genome instability or aberrant growth stresses, acting as a protective or even tumor‐suppressive mechanism. While several key aspects of gene regulation have been known to program this cessation of cell growth, the involvement of the epigenetic regulation has just emerged but remains largely unresolved. Using a systems approach that is based on targeted gene profiling, we uncovered known and novel chromatin modifiers with putative link to the senescent state of the cells. Among these, we identified SETD8 as a new target as well as a key regulator of the cellular senescence signaling. Knockdown of SETD8 triggered senescence induction in proliferative culture, irrespectively of the p53 status of the cells; ectopic expression of this epigenetic writer alleviated the extent doxorubicin‐induced cellular senescence. This repressive effect of SETD8 in senescence was mediated by directly maintaining the silencing mark H4K20me1 at the locus of the senescence switch gene p21. Further in support of this regulatory link, depletion of p21 reversed this SETD8‐mediated cellular senescence. Additionally, we found that PPARγ acts upstream and regulates SETD8 expression in proliferating cells. Downregulation of PPARγ coincided with the senescence induction, while its activation inhibited the progression of this process. Viewed together, our findings delineated a new epigenetic pathway through which the PPARγ‐SETD8 axis directly silences p21 expression and consequently impinges on its senescence‐inducing function. This implies that SETD8 may be part of a cell proliferation checkpoint mechanism and has important implications in antitumor therapeutics.
Influence of primary site on metastatic distribution and survival in stage IV colorectal cancer
Authors: Suthananthan Arul E. , Bhandari Mayank , Platell Cameron
Published: May 2017

Background

To assess pattern distribution and prognosis of the three anatomical entities of metastatic colorectal cancer, and influence of treatment of metastases on survival.

Methods

Patients presenting with stage IV colorectal cancer (synchronous group), or who developed metastatic recurrence (metachronous group) after initial curative treatment between January 2005 and August 2015 were reviewed. Right sided (cecum to transverse colon), left sided (splenic flexure to sigmoid colon) and rectal cancers were identified. Distribution of metastases were noted as hepatic, lung or peritoneal.

Results

Of 374 patients, 276 were synchronous, 98 were metachronous. Metachronous group had a better 3‐year survival (54%, 95% CI: 42–64 versus 33%, 95% CI: 27–39, log rank P = 0.0038). There were equal numbers of right (n = 119), left (n = 115) and rectal cancers (n = 140). Rectal cancers had a higher metastatic recurrence, yet demonstrated better 3‐year survival (right colon 45%, 95% CI: 19–67, left colon 49%, 95% CI: 27–68, rectum 59%, 95% CI: 42–72, P = 0.39) due to higher proportions of metachronous patients undergoing treatment for metastases (40 versus 14%). Over half of all organ metastases spread to liver, with equal distribution from all three anatomical groups. Rectal cancers showed highest preponderance for lung metastases.

Conclusion

Rectal cancers have a higher chance of recurring, with a higher metastatic rate to the lung, yet demonstrate better survival outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer, reflecting the benefit of intervention for metastases.
Patterns of head and neck sarcoma in Australia
Authors: Woods Roger H. , Potter J. Alexa , Reid Jessica L. , Louise Jennie , Bessen Taryn , Farshid Gelareh , Neuhaus Susan J.
Published: May 2017

Background

Sarcomas affecting the head and neck often require complex management due to the combination of anatomic, aesthetic and oncological considerations. The incidence and patterns of presentation are poorly understood and have not been reviewed in the Australian population.

Method

This study sourced incidence and demographic data from the National Cancer Registry at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the years 1982–2009 (corresponding to 97.3% of the Australian population). All cases of sarcoma, according to ICD‐O‐3 classification ((International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd edition), were assessed.

Results

A total of 3911 new cases of sarcoma affecting the head and neck were recorded during the period 1982–2009, including 1383, 2106 and 442 cases arising from skin, soft tissue and bone, respectively. The annual incidence rate of sarcomas affecting the head and neck was 1.59 per 100 000 population. The incidence of head and neck sarcoma rose substantially in older age groups (age 65 years and above) and was most common in male patients (69%). Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) was the most common pathology. There was an increase in incidence in skin‐origin sarcoma in the head and neck, particularly affecting elderly males.

Conclusion

The incidence of head and neck sarcoma in Australia is higher than that reported for an equivalent European population. The increase in MFH arising from the skin in elderly male patients mirrors the patterns of common cutaneous malignancy, particularly melanoma, suggesting that ultraviolet radiation is an epidemiological factor. Management of head and neck sarcoma is complex and best managed in a specialist multidisciplinary environment.
Modern cardiac surgery: the future of cardiac surgery in Australia
Authors: Stamp Nikki , Granger Emily , Larbalestier Robert
Published: May 2017

Cardiac surgery is a relatively young specialty and is undergoing many changes presently. The advent of catheter‐based technology, minimally invasive surgery and better information regarding the roles of cardiac surgery in the management of common cardiac disease is changing the way we provide services. In Australia, attention must be turned to the way cardiac surgical services are provided to enable delivery of modern procedures. This has implications for the provision of training. We explore the face of modern cardiac surgery and how this may be taken up in Australia.
Isopimaric acid – a multi‐targeting ion channel modulator reducing excitability and arrhythmicity in a spontaneously beating mouse atrial cell line
Authors: Salari S. , Silverå Ejneby M. , Brask J. , Elinder F.
Published: May 2017

Aim

Atrial fibrillation is the most common persistent cardiac arrhythmia, and it is not well controlled by present drugs. Because some resin acids open voltage‐gated potassium channels and reduce neuronal excitability, we explored the effects of the resin acid isopimaric acid (IPA) on action potentials and ion currents in cardiomyocytes.

Methods

Spontaneously beating mouse atrial HL‐1 cells were investigated with the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.

Results

1–25 μmol L−1 IPA reduced the action potential frequency by up to 50%. The effect of IPA on six different voltage‐gated ion channels was investigated; most voltage‐dependent parameters of ion channel gating were shifted in the negative direction along the voltage axis, consistent with a hypothesis that a lipophilic and negatively charged compound binds to the lipid membrane close to the positively charged voltage sensor of the ion channels. The major finding was that IPA inactivated sodium channels and L‐ and T‐type calcium channels and activated the rapidly activating potassium channel and the transient outward potassium channel. Computer simulations of IPA effects on all of the ion currents were consistent with a reduced excitability, and they also showed that effects on the Na channel played the largest role to reduce the action potential frequency. Finally, induced arrhythmia in the HL‐1 cells was reversed by IPA.

Conclusion

Low concentrations of IPA reduced the action potential frequency and restored regular firing by altering the voltage dependencies of several voltage‐gated ion channels. These findings can form the basis for a new pharmacological strategy to treat atrial fibrillation.
Microparticles of healthy origins improve endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction via microRNA transfer in an atherosclerotic hamster model
Authors: Alexandru N. , Andrei E. , Niculescu L. , Dragan E. , Ristoiu V. , Georgescu A.
Published: May 2017

Aim

In this study, we aimed: (i) to obtain and functionally characterize the cultures of late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the animal blood; (ii) to investigate the potential beneficial effects of circulating microparticles (MPs) of healthy origins on EPC dysfunctionality in atherosclerosis as well as involved mechanisms.

Methods

Late EPCs were obtained and expanded in culture from peripheral blood isolated from two animal groups: hypertensive–hyperlipidaemic (HH) and control (C) hamsters. In parallel experiments, late EPC cultures from HH were incubated with MPs from C group.

Results

The results showed that late EPCs display endothelial cell phenotype: (i) have ability to uptake 1,1‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3,3 tetramethylindocarbocyanine‐labelled acetylated low‐density lipoprotein and Ulex europaeus agglutinin lectin‐1; (ii) express CD34, CD133, KDR, CD144, vWF, Tie‐2. Late EPCs from HH exhibited different morphological and functional characteristics compared to control: (i) are smaller and irregular in shape; (ii) present decreased endothelial surface marker expression; (iii) display reduced proliferation, migration and adhesion; (iv) lose ability to organize themselves into tubular structures and integrate into vascular network; (v) have diminished function of inward rectifier potassium channels. The incubation of late EPCs with MPs improved EPC functionality by miR‐10a, miR‐21, miR‐126, miR‐146a, miR‐223 transfer and IGF‐1 expression activation; the kinetic study of MP incorporation into EPCs demonstrated MP uptake by EPCs followed by the miRNA transfer.

Conclusion

The data reveal that late EPCs from atherosclerotic model exhibit distinctive features and are dysfunctional, and their function recovery can be supported by MP ability to transfer miRNAs. These findings bring a new light on the vascular repair in atherosclerosis.
Predictors and the distal outcome of general Internet use: The identification of children's developmental trajectories
Authors: Yu Jeong Jin , Park Su Jung
Published: May 2017

This study examined the predictors and distal outcome in relation to the frequency of online activities and investigated the presence of prototypical trajectories following different patterns of general Internet use over 5 years. The data set consisted of a nationally representative sample of 2,840 fourth graders (Mage = 9.86 years) in South Korea at baseline. Analyses revealed rank‐order stability in general Internet use with four latent classes: high stable (5.8%), high quadratic (20.3%), moderate stable (32.7%), and low stable (41.2%). Youth with higher levels of perceived parental monitoring knowledge, friendship closeness, and depressed mood at baseline were more likely to belong to the high stable class, while girls were more likely to be in the high quadratic or moderate stable classes relative to the low stable class. The high stable class had the greatest odds of reporting alcohol use at grade eight, whereas the low stable class had the lowest odds.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Internet usage increases as children progress through to early adolescence and then levels off

Longitudinal data have shown that adolescents’ greater Internet use is predictive of their higher levels of drinking

What does this study add?

To explore different developmental pathways of Internet use in relation to its antecedents and distal outcome

Early adolescents who spend more time on the Internet have a greater chance of starting to drink

The interindividual rank‐order stability of general Internet usage exists at least before late childhood
Altered glycan accessibility on native immunoglobulin G complexes in early rheumatoid arthritis and its changes during therapy
Authors: Stümer J , Biermann M H C , Knopf J , Magorivska I , Kastbom A , Svärd A , Janko C , Bilyy R , Schett G , Sjöwall C , Herrmann M , Muñoz L E
Published: May 2017

The goal of this study was to investigate the glycosylation profile of native immunoglobulin (Ig)G present in serum immune complexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To accomplish this, lectin binding assays, detecting the accessibility of glycans present on IgG-containing immune complexes by biotinylated lectins, were employed. Lectins capturing fucosyl residues (AAL), fucosylated tri-mannose N-glycan core sites (LCA), terminal sialic acid residues (SNA) and O-glycosidically linked galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNac-L) were used. Patients with recent-onset RA at baseline and after 3-year follow-up were investigated. We found that native IgG was complexed significantly more often with IgM, C1q, C3c and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients, suggesting alterations of the native structure of IgG. The total accessibility of fucose residues on captured immune complexes to the respective lectin was significantly higher in patients with RA. Moreover, fucose accessibility on IgG-containing immune complexes correlated positively with the levels of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP). We also observed a significantly higher accessibility to sialic acid residues and galactose/GalNAc glyco-epitopes in native complexed IgG of patients with RA at baseline. While sialic acid accessibility increased during treatment, the accessibility of galactose/GalNAc decreased. Hence, successful treatment of RA was associated with an increase in the SNA/GalNAc-L ratio. Interestingly, the SNA/GalNAc-L ratio in particular rises after glucocorticoid treatment. In summary, this study shows the exposure of glycans in native complexed IgG of patients with early RA, revealing particular glycosylation patterns and its changes following pharmaceutical treatment.
Influence of serum lipids on the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema: Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology And Molecular genetics Study‐II
Authors: Srinivasan Sangeetha , Raman Rajiv , Kulothungan Vaitheeswaran , Swaminathan Gayathri , Sharma Tarun
Published: May 2017

Importance

The importance of lipids on incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy has not been studied in the Indian population.

Background

To elucidate the influence of serum lipid control on the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Population‐based longitudinal observational study in a hospital setting.

Participants

Eight hundred ninety subjects were examined at baseline and follow‐up.

Methods

Diabetic retinopathy was graded per Modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scales; 45°, 4‐field dilated stereoscopic digital photography was performed with an additional 30°, 7‐field for those who had retinopathy. Macular oedema was evaluated per Proposed International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Oedema Disease Severity Scales.

Main Outcome Measures

Association of serum lipids and incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Results

Poor control of total cholesterol was associated with the incidence of sight‐threatening retinopathy (odds ratio = 7.2 [95% confidence interval: 1.5–34.3], P = 0.012) and macular oedema (odds ratio = 5.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.4–27.4], P = 0.037) after adjusting for potential confounders. Poor control of triglycerides was associated with progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio = 3.2 [95% confidence interval: 1.1–10.5], P = 0.048). Risk for incident macular oedema (P = 0.041) and progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.028) was greater when all lipid types were abnormal.

Conclusions and Relevance

Poor control of lipids is a risk factor for incidence of and progression to late stages of retinopathy. Abnormal levels of all lipid types are associated with risk of incident macular oedema and progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Non‐mix fragrances are top sensitizers in consecutive dermatitis patients – a cross‐sectional study of the 26 EU‐labelled fragrance allergens
Authors: Bennike Niels H. , Zachariae Claus , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: May 2017

Background

For cosmetics, it is mandatory to label 26 fragrance substances, including all constituents of fragrance mix I (FM I) and fragrance mix II (FM II). Earlier reports have not included oxidized R‐limonene [hydroperoxides of R‐limonene (Lim‐OOH)] and oxidized linalool [hydroperoxides of linalool (Lin‐OOH)], and breakdown testing of FM I and FM II has mainly been performed in selected, mix‐positive patients.

Objectives

To report the prevalence of sensitization to the 26 fragrances, and to assess concomitant reactivity to FM I and/or FM II.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study on consecutive dermatitis patients patch tested with the 26 fragrances and the European baseline series from 2010 to 2015 at a single university clinic was performed.

Results

Of 6004 patients, 940 (15.7%, 95%CI: 14.7–16.6%) were fragrance‐sensitized. Regarding the single fragrances, most patients were sensitized to Lin‐OOH (3.9%), Evernia furfuracea (3.0%), Lim‐OOH (2.5%), and hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (2.1%). Significantly fewer patients were ‘FM I‐positive and constituent‐positive’ than ‘FM II‐positive and constituent‐positive’ (32.7% versus 57.0%, p < 0.0001). Additionally, significantly more patients were ‘FM II‐negative but constituent‐positive’ than ‘FM I‐negative but constituent‐positive’ (12.4% versus 3.2%, p = 0.0008).

Conclusions

Non‐mix fragrances are the most important single fragrance allergens among consecutive patients. The test concentration of the single FM I constituents should be increased when possible.
Economic Value of Country Image: Evidence from International Trade and Implications for China
Authors: Zhi Yan , Bao Di , Luo Changyuan
Published: May 2017

This paper examines the economic value of country image from the perspective of export prices through matching the CEPII export price data with the British Broadcasting Company country image data from 2006 to 2013. The estimation results show that positive country image has an “elevating” effect and negative country image has a “depressing” effect on export prices. The results also indicate that the lower the level of economic development of an export or import country, the stronger the export price effect of country image. As distances between export countries and trading partners increase, the elevating effect of positive country image on export prices becomes weaker. However, the depressing effect of negative country image does not become weaker over greater distances. We find that export prices are depressed by negative country image to a greater degree for China than for other countries. Therefore, it is necessary for China to prevent the occurrence of incidents detrimental to country image.
Exporting stimulus and “shared prosperity”: Reinventing foreign aid for a retroliberal era
Authors: Mawdsley Emma , Murray Warwick E. , Overton John , Scheyvens Regina , Banks Glenn
Published: May 2017

The global aid world has changed, partly in response to the reconfigurations of geopolitical power and to the global financial crisis (GFC). Paradoxically, in the face of recession in most northern economies, collectively foreign aid contributions have not fallen. However there has been a qualitative shift in its narrative and nature. This new regime—which we term retroliberalism—projects the concept of “shared prosperity,” but constitutes a return to explicit self‐interest designed to bolster private sector trade and investment. Drawing evidence from New Zealand and the United Kingdom, we argue that aid programmes are increasingly functioning as “exported stimulus” packages.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Education: New Evidence from Adoptions in the USA
Authors: Silles Mary A.
Published: May 2017

This paper examines the influence of parental education on children's grade‐for‐age using a large sample of adoptees drawn from the American Community Survey between 2008 and 2014. The results show that mother's education is not an important determinant of the education of adopted children, despite statistically significant effects for own‐birth children. The results for fathers are different. Among adopted white children, the effect of father's education is shown to be a statistically significant determinant of grade retention. However, among black children, adoptive father's education does not appear to have any discernible effect on children's education. A range of sensitivity tests are undertaken to check the validity of these results. The differences in these patterns between white and black students suggest the presence of racial differences in the intergenerational transmission of education.
Nitrogen‐fixing tree abundance in higher‐latitude North America is not constrained by diversity
Authors: Menge Duncan N. L. , Batterman Sarah A. , Liao Wenying , Taylor Benton N. , Lichstein Jeremy W. , Ángeles‐Pérez Gregorio
Published: May 2017

The rarity of nitrogen (N)‐fixing trees in frequently N‐limited higher‐latitude (here, > 35°) forests is a central biogeochemical paradox. One hypothesis for their rarity is that evolutionary constraints limit N‐fixing tree diversity, preventing N‐fixing species from filling available niches in higher‐latitude forests. Here, we test this hypothesis using data from the USA and Mexico. N‐fixing trees comprise only a slightly smaller fraction of taxa at higher vs. lower latitudes (8% vs. 11% of genera), despite 11‐fold lower abundance (1.2% vs. 12.7% of basal area). Furthermore, N‐fixing trees are abundant but belong to few species on tropical islands, suggesting that low absolute diversity does not limit their abundance. Rhizobial taxa dominate N‐fixing tree richness at lower latitudes, whereas actinorhizal species do at higher latitudes. Our results suggest that low diversity does not explain N‐fixing trees' rarity in higher‐latitude forests. Therefore, N limitation in higher‐latitude forests likely results from ecological constraints on N fixation.
The Effectiveness of Structured Input and Structured Output on the Acquisition of Japanese Comparative Sentences
Authors: Yamashita Taichi , Iizuka Takehiro
Published: May 2017

Discussion of the roles of input and output has been attracting a number of researchers in second language acquisition (e.g., DeKeyser, 2007; Doughty, 1991; Krashen, 1982; Long, 1983; Norris & Ortega, 2000; Swain, 2000), and VanPatten (2004) advocated that both structured input and structured output allow learners to process input properly. Some researchers explored the comparative effectiveness of traditional instruction and structured input (e.g., Benati, 2004), and others observed the effectiveness of structured input and structured output on receptive and productive knowledge (e.g., Keating & Farley, 2008). The present study investigated structured input and structured output in the acquisition of Japanese. Two experimental groups (N = 15 and N = 12) received either structured input or structured output activities during class on two successive days. Analyses of pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest data showed that both types of activity were equally effective in improving learners’ receptive and productive knowledge.
Shift in community structure in an early‐successional Mediterranean shrubland driven by long‐term experimental warming and drought and natural extreme droughts
Authors: Liu Daijun , Estiarte Marc , Ogaya Romà , Yang Xiaohong , Peñuelas Josep
Published: May 2017

Global warming and recurring drought are expected to accelerate water limitation for plant communities in semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems and produce directional shifts in structure and composition that are not easily detected, and supporting evidence is scarce. We conducted a long‐term (17 years) nocturnal‐warming (+0.6°C) and drought (−40% rainfall) experiments in an early‐successional Mediterranean shrubland to study the changes in community structure and composition, contrasting functional groups and dominant species, and the superimposed effects of natural extreme drought. Species richness decreased in both the warming and drought treatments. Responses to the moderate warming were associated with decreases in herb abundance, and responses to the drought were associated with decreases in both herb and shrub abundances. The drought also significantly decreased community diversity and evenness. Changes in abundance differed between herbs (decreases) and shrubs (increases or no changes). Both warming and drought, especially drought, increased the relative species richness and abundance of shrubs, favoring the establishment of shrubs. Both warming and drought produced significant shifts in plant community composition. Experimental warming shifted the community composition from Erica multiflora toward Rosmarinus officinalis, and drought consistently shifted the composition toward Globularia alypum. The responses in biodiversity (e.g., community biodiversity, changes of functional groups and compositional shifts) were also strongly correlated with atmospheric drought (SPEI) in winter–spring and/or summer, indicating sensitivity to water limitation in this early‐successional Mediterranean ecosystem, especially to natural extreme droughts. Our results suggest that the shifts in species assembles and community diversity and composition are accelerated by the long‐term nocturnal‐warming and drought, combined with natural severe droughts, and that the magnitude of the impacts of climate change is also correlated with the successional status of ecosystem. The results thus highlight the necessity for assessing the impacts on ecosystemic functioning and services and developing effective measures for conserving biodiversity.
Sex differences in metabolic risk indicator of dementia in an elderly urban Korean population: A community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kim Yeon‐Ha , Kim Nam Hoon , Jung Moon‐Hee , Kim Hee‐Jin
Published: May 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the age‐specific prevalence of dementia, and develop a metabolic risk indicator for dementia according to sex.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was carried out from September 2007 through December 2012 with 19 935 elderly participants in metropolitan Seoul, Korea. Multiphase assessments were used to measure metabolic risk factors and confirm dementia according to sex. Specifically, multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify how elderly men and women differed in regard to metabolic risk indicators of dementia.

Results

The adjusted prevalence rates of dementia in elderly Seoul residents were estimated at 4.9%, 6.1% and 5.6% in men, women and the overall population, respectively. Stroke conferred an odds ratio of 5.14 (95% CI 3.91–6.77) and 2.55 (95% CI 2.01–3.25) in men and women, respectively. Additionally, within the female population, diabetes mellitus conferred an odds ratio of 1.29 (95% CI 1.09–1.53), whereas alcohol consumption conferred an odds ratio of 0.77 (95% CI 0.61–0.97).

Conclusions

Stroke played a primary role as a metabolic risk indicator of dementia in elderly men, while diabetes mellitus and alcohol abstinence were important metabolic risk factors in elderly women. Taken together, the data show that when designing preventative measures against dementia based on metabolic risk, sex needs to be taken into account. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2136–2142.
South–North and South–South production networks: diverging socio‐spatial practices of Indian pharmaceutical firms
Authors: HORNER RORY , MURPHY JAMES T.
Published: May 2017

We know less about the structures and processes associated with South–South production networks than about those with a South–North orientation. Using an inductive approach, in this article we explore these differences by analysing the everyday practices that Indian pharmaceutical firms employ to meet production and quality standards, access markets and innovate. We use extensive primary interview evidence to demonstrate that Indian pharmaceutical firms employ different business practices towards Northern and Southern end markets. Our findings reveal the presence of significant discontinuities within the Indian pharmaceutical industry. They also demonstrate how a practice‐oriented approach to the study of GPNs can help to identify some of the micro social processes through which governance is achieved and transformed over time, and divergences in value creation, enhancement and capture trajectories between Southern and Northern end markets.