bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niche level segmentation of green consumers
Authors: Verma Sanjeev 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find the niche segmentation of green consumers as a solution to psychographic or demographic predicament. Age cohort and generational cohort (Gen Y and Gen Z) of young consumers are studied for individualization and customization.Design/methodology/approachAge cohorts (Gen Z and Gen Y customers) have their unique needs. Both Gen Y (1981-1995) and Gen Z (post-1995) belong to the young consumer segment in the age group of 20-30 years but their generational cohorts are different. Strategic marketing advocates both generational marketing based on age cohorts and segmented marketing for young consumers. Strategic marketing faces cross-road between youth segmentation and generational cohort (Gen Z and Gen Y) due to intersection between the two during the 20-30 age group. Primary data using the ecological conscious consumer behavior (ECCB) scale was collected and analyzed for understanding the individual and relative importance of psychographic and demographic factors in influencing green behavior. The traditional youth segment is sliced into four sub-groups (Young Nest 1-4), and their interaction effect withpost hocanalysis was done for the identification of sources of difference between different age cohorts. The findings of the study were compared with previous studies and unique contributions of this study were identified.FindingsThe findings indicate multiple niche young segments with demographic as the primary criterion and psychographic as the building block. Niche level and individual level segments emerge due to the interaction of various factors within a given age cohort. The findings confirm the identity development process which considered age as an important factor that affects varying choices throughout life from adolescence to adulthood.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study may be used for effective targeting and positioning strategy of green marketing. In the time of analytics, age cohorts and generational cohort of young consumers can be approached differently for yielding better environmental results. The magnified niche level segmentation of young consumers may be used to develop individualized and customized promotions for young customers in Young Nest 1-4 for an enhanced ECCB.Originality/valuePrevious studies have focused more on consumer characteristics (demographic or psychographic) and their relative importance but niche level segmentation within given demographic segment was not attempted before. This study is unique in offering microscopic analysis of age cohorts of young consumers (Young Nest 1-4) and their interaction with other demographic variables (gender and income) for niche level segmentation.
Development of nuclear microsatellite markers for the Japanese conifers Tsuga diversifolia and T. sieboldii (Pinaceae)
Authors: Worth James R.P. , Yang Jong‐Cheol , Kanetani Seiichi , Kikuchi Satoshi , Sakaguchi Shota , Ihara‐Udino Tokuko 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNuclear microsatellite markers were developed for the two Tsuga species native to the Japanese Archipelago, Tsuga diversifolia and T. sieboldii, and a population with genetic affinities to T. diversifolia on Ulleung Island, Korea. Tsuga diversifolia and T. sieboldii are widespread dominant trees of temperate and subalpine forests in Japan but to date no genetic markers have been developed for these species. Fifteen polymorphic loci were developed and characterized, of which 14 are reliably amplified in each taxon. Across both species and the Ulleung Island population, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 26 (average = 13.93) and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.005 to 0.935 (average = 0.535). In addition, all 15 loci were successfully amplified in a single accession of the Chinese species, T. chinensis. These markers will be useful for investigating the species’ biogeography, range‐wide genetic diversity, conservation genetic issues and potential for hybridisation.
The diversity and biogeography of abundant and rare intertidal marine microeukaryotes explained by environment and dispersal limitation
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Pan Yongbo , Yang Jun , Chen Huihuang , Holohan Bridget , Vaudrey Jamie , Lin Senjie , McManus George B. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryBenthic microeukaryotes are key ecosystem drivers in marine sandy beaches, an important and dynamic environment; however, little is known about their diversity and biogeography on a large spatial scale. Here, we investigated the community composition and geographical distributions of benthic microeukaryotes using high‐throughput sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene and quantified the contributions of environmental factors and spatial separation on the distribution patterns of both rare and abundant taxa. We collected 36 intertidal samples at 12 sandy beaches from four regions that spanned distances from 0.001 to 12,000 km. We found 12,890 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; 97% sequence identity level) including members of all eukaryotic super‐groups and several phyla of uncertain position. Arthropoda and Diatomeae dominated the sequence reads in abundance, but Ciliophora and Discoba were the most diverse groups across all samples. About one‐third of the OTUs could not be definitively classified at a similarity level of 80%, supporting the view that a large number of rare and minute marine species may have escaped previous characterization. We found generally similar geographical patterns for abundant and rare microeukaryotic sub‐communities, and both showed a significant distance–decay similarity trend. Variation partitioning showed that both rare and abundant sub‐communities exhibited a slightly stronger response to environmental factors than spatial (distance) factors. However, the abundant sub‐community was strongly correlated with variations in spatial, environmental and sediment grain size factors (66% of variance explained), but the rare assemblage was not (16%). This suggests that different or more complex mechanisms generate and maintain diversity in the rare biosphere in this habitat.
Skeletal and myocardial microvascular blood flow in hydroxycarbamide‐treated patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Sachdev Vandana , Sidenko Stanislav , Wu Melinda D. , Minniti Caterina P. , Hannoush Hwaida , Brenneman Cynthia L. , Waclawiw Myron A. , Arai Andrew E. , Schechter Alan N. , Kato Gregory J. , Lindner Jonathan R. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryIn sickle cell disease (SCD), abnormal microvascular function combined with chronic anaemia predisposes patients to perfusion‐demand mismatch. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle and myocardial perfusion, normalized to the degree of anaemia, is reduced at basal‐state compared to controls, and that this defect is ameliorated by hydroxycarbamide (HC; also termed hydroxyurea) therapy. Twenty‐one SCD patients, of whom 15 were treated with HC, and 27 controls underwent contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEU) perfusion imaging of the forearm as well as the myocardium. HC treatment was associated with lower white cell and reticulocyte counts, and higher fetal haemoglobin and total haemoglobin levels. When corrected for the degree of anaemia in SCD patients, skeletal flow in HC‐treated patients was significantly higher than in untreated SCD patients (217·7 ± 125·4 vs. 85·9 ± 40·2, P = 0·018). Similarly, when normalized for both anaemia and increased myocardial work, resting myocardial perfusion was also significantly higher in HC‐treated patients compared with untreated SCD patients (0·53 ± 0·47 vs. 0·13 ± 0·07, P = 0·028). Haemoglobin F (HbF) levels correlated with skeletal muscle microvascular flow (r = 0·55, P = 0·01). In conclusion, patients with SCD not on HC therapy have resting flow deficits in both skeletal muscle and myocardial flow. HC therapy normalizes flow and there is a direct correlation with HbF levels. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01602809; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01602809?term=sACHDEV&rank=9.
Suffering and Tears: Authenticity and Student Volunteerism in Postreform China
Authors: Sum Chun‐Yi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article examines a conundrum in my ethnographic fieldwork with Chinese university students who volunteered in service trips to rural communities: why did participants volunteer to suffer and to cry? This article explains students’ quest for hardship and tears in relation to emerging desires for authenticity in China. It discusses how the political state and student volunteers co‐constructed the peculiar expressions of these desires. As authentic emotions came to the forefront in students’ understanding of meaningful engagement, they diluted the political connotation of volunteerism and consequently undermined the state's moral authority as the “lead volunteer.” This created the room for students to align the definition of responsible citizenship with authentic commitment and youthful innocence. Delineating the paradoxes and obstacles that volunteers encountered in their quests, this article problematizes the potential and limits of authenticity in transforming the foundations of sociability and moral leadership in postreform China.本文通过大学生对情绪表达的追求分析志愿活动在中国的冒起。作者跟随大学生往赴农村「支教」, 发现志愿者都渴慕最苦最累的体验, 以及由心而发的泪水。这些追求反映了年轻人对社会上种种造假和功利主义的不满。志愿者以汗水和泪水明志, 宣告自己参与志愿工作不为名利报酬, 只为满腔热诚所使。这种热血主导的志愿精神对参与者的道德观带来什么冲击, 如何造就年轻人对社会状况的反思? [Authenticity, Emotion, Youth, Volunteerism, China]
Health checkup behavior and individual health beliefs in older adults
Authors: Okura Mika , Ogita Mihoko , Yamamoto Miki , Nakai Toshimi , Numata Tomoko , Arai Hidenori 
Published: September 2017

AimDespite Japan being a developed nation, half of its older population does not attend regular health checkups. The aim of the present study was to examine the individual health beliefs and personal recommendations that strongly influence health checkup attendance among community‐dwelling older adults.MethodsIn 2013, questionnaires were sent to 5401 community‐dwelling older adults who were not receiving long‐term institutionalized care. The response rate was 94.3%. We analyzed response data from 4984 older adults using multiple imputation to manage missing data. Participation in health checkups was defined as having undergone at least one checkup in the past 3 years, and non‐participation as having attended no checkups in this period.ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 75.8 years, and 57.9% were women. The adjusted odds ratio of health checkup participation ranged from 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–1.61) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.34–1.95) for positive individual health beliefs about health checkups, and was 2.21 (95% CI: 1.51–3.24) and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.17–2.08) for recommendations to participate from family and neighbors, respectively. All odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, driving by oneself to daily shopping or clinic, paid work, method of response, internal medical therapy, polypharmacy, serious disease, periodic blood test, frailty and neighborly relationships.ConclusionsThe present findings suggest that both individual and community approaches might be effective in promoting participation in health checkups among community‐dwelling older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 338–351.
Decision aid use during post‐biopsy consultations for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Holmes‐Rovner Margaret , Srikanth Akshay , Henry Stephen G. , Langford Aisha , Rovner David R. , Fagerlin Angela 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundDecision Aids (DAs) effectively translate medical evidence for patients but are not routinely used in clinical practice. Little is known about how DAs are used during patient‐clinician encounters.ObjectiveTo characterize the content and communicative function of high‐quality DAs during diagnostic clinic visits for prostate cancer.Participants252 men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who had received a DA, 45 treating physicians at 4 US Veterans Administration urology clinics.MethodsQualitative analysis of transcribed audio recordings was used to inductively develop categories capturing content and function of all direct references to DAs (booklet talk). The presence or absence of any booklet talk per transcript was also calculated.ResultsBooklet talk occurred in 55% of transcripts. Content focused on surgical procedures (36%); treatment choice (22%); and clarifying risk classification (17%). The most common function of booklet talk was patient corroboration of physicians’ explanations (42%), followed by either physician or patient acknowledgement that the patient had the booklet. Codes reflected the absence of DA use for shared decision‐making. In regression analysis, predictors of booklet talk were fewer years of patient education (P = .027) and more time in the encounter (P = .027). Patient race, DA type, time reading the DA, physician informing quality and physician age did not predict booklet talk.ConclusionsResults show that good decision aids, systematically provided to patients, appeared to function not to open up deliberations about how to balance benefits and harms of competing treatments, but rather to allow patients to ask narrow technical questions about recommended treatments.
A novel technique for biobanking of large sections of radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Lindh Claes , Delahunt Brett , Samaratunga Hemamali , Yaxley John , Gudjónsdóttir Jóna , Clements Mark , Lindberg Johan , Egevad Lars 
Published: September 2017

AimsHarvesting of unfixed tissue from radical prostatectomy specimens for research purposes is challenging. Many prostate cancers cannot be identified at gross inspection, and this tumour is notoriously multifocal and heterogeneous. We aimed to develop a technique to allow detailed topographic analysis and the sampling of a sufficient amount of tumour without jeopardising clinical reporting.Methods and resultsA custom‐made double‐bladed knife was utilised for cutting a 4‐mm‐thick horizontal section of the prostate. The slices were split into segments that were frozen in gel, cryosections were cut, and RNA integrity numbers (RINs) were analysed. Sections were cut from all blocks of 20 cases, and the cutting time was monitored. Slides were scanned, and the slices were digitally reconstructed. Cutting frozen sections of an entire slice took 79–253 min (mean 162 min). Tumour was detected in frozen sections of 85% (17/20) of cases and in 46% (72/155) of blocks. The morphological quality was determined to be excellent, and RIN values were high (mean 8.9).ConclusionsThis novel protocol for biobanking of fresh tissue from prostatectomy specimens provides sufficient tumour material for research purposes, while also enabling reporting of histopathology. The harvesting of a full tissue slice facilitates studies of tumour multifocality and heterogeneity.
Innate lymphoid cells at the interface between obesity and asthma
Authors: Everaere Laetitia , Ait Yahia Saliha , Bouté Mélodie , Audousset Camille , Chenivesse Cécile , Tsicopoulos Anne 
Published: September 2017

SummaryObesity and asthma prevalence has dramatically and concomitantly increased over the last 25 years, and many epidemiological studies have highlighted obesity as an important risk factor for asthma. Although many studies have been performed, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Innate mechanisms have been involved in both diseases, in particular through the recently described innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). ILCs are subdivided into three groups that are defined by their cytokine production and by their master transcription factor expression, in sharp correlation with their T helper counterparts. However, unlike T helper cells, ILCs do not express antigen‐specific receptors, but respond to damage‐induced signals. ILCs have been found in target tissues of both diseases, and data have implicated these cells in the pathogenesis of both diseases. In particular group 2 ILCs (ILC2) are activated in both the adipose and lung tissues under the effect of interleukin‐33 and interleukin‐25 expression. However, counter‐intuitively to the well‐known association between obesity and asthma, ILC2 are beneficial for obesity but deleterious for asthma. This review will examine the roles of ILCs in each disease and recent data highlighting ILCs as a putative link between obesity and asthma.
Phenotype of human corneal stroma‐derived cells obtained by different isolation techniques from various corneal regions
Authors: Nagymihaly R. , Veréb Z. , Facskó A. , Moe M. , Petrovski G. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeInvestigating the effect of isolation technique and location upon the phenotype of human corneal stroma‐derived cells (CSCs).MethodsCells were obtained from the center and periphery of the corneal stroma using the explant and enzymatic digestion methods. The native tissue was stained for markers of functionality, stemness, proliferation, adhesion and matrix proteins. Surface immunophenotyping was performed on ex vivo cultured CSCs obtained by the different methods by three‐colour fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Finally, RT qPCR was used to determine the expression of corneal stroma‐specific genes and to verify the results of immunostaining.ResultsCultures of human CSCs were established by explant and enzymatic techniques from the central and peripheral corneal stroma regions. The corneal stroma, in situ was positive for a‐actinin, ALDH1A1, CD31, CD34, Collagen I and Vimentin, while ABCG2, ABCG5, fibroblast marker, CD73, CD90, CD105, Collagen IV, Fibronectin, Ki‐67, Nestin and VE‐Cadherin were not detected. Ex vivo cultured CSCs expressed CD73, CD90, CD105, CD51, Nestin, CD49a, CD49d, ABCG2, CD47, while CD34 and CD31 were absent. RT qPCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of ALDH1A1, AQP1, ITGB4, ALDH1A1 and CD34 in cultured versus native cells, with the upregulation of ABCG2, ITGAV, Nestin, CD73, CD90, CD105 and Vimentin. KLF4, GPC4 and CD31 were not significantly different.ConclusionsThe present study finds no significant difference between the phenotype of the CSCs generated by the explant or enzymatic digestion technique from the central or peripheral part of the stroma. For research purposes, any type of corneal stroma tissue may be used, however the change in cultivated cells’ surface marker and genotype prolife during ex vivo expansion needs to be considered.
Importance of cellular factors in the retention of melanin‐binding drugs in pigmented ocular tissues
Authors: Rimpelä A.K. , Urtti A. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeMany clinical drugs bind to melanin pigment in ocular tissues, affecting their pharmacokinetics in the eye. Drug‐melanin binding is frequently studied in vitro with isolated or synthetic melanin. The effect of other factors, such as permeability of melanosomal and plasma membrane, dissociation rate from melanin, melanin content of the tissue and ion trapping in melanosomes, are poorly understood. This study aims to probe the impact of the above‐mentioned factors together with melanin binding on drug retention in the pigmented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid by kinetic simulations.MethodsWe simulated drug retention in the RPE‐choroid after intravitreal and systemic administration of a high and a moderate melanin‐binding drug using a bottom‐up approach with Stella software. The model parameters were based on realistic values from experimental studies and the model integrated these parameters together allowing the exploration of their interplay.ResultsThe high melanin binder was retained in the pigmented but not in the non‐pigmented RPE‐choroid after both intravitreal and systemic administration. Lowering the cell membrane permeability increased retention, but changes in dissociation rate from melanin had minimal effect. Ion trapping in melanosomes increased retention. The moderate melanin binder was not retained considerably in the pigmented RPE‐choroid, although the concentrations increased compared to the non‐pigmented RPE‐choroid. Lowering the permeability values and dissociation rate lengthened the retention in the pigmented RPE‐choroid.ConclusionsMelanin binding can accumulate high‐binding drugs into pigmented tissues, but other factors, including melanosomal and plasma membrane permeability, ion trapping in melanosomes, and dissociation rate from melanin, play an important role in drug distribution to pigmented ocular tissues.
Activation of retinal microglia and accumulation of sub‐retinal fluid after systemic challenge with Lipopolysaccharide in mice
Authors: Kokona D. , Ebneter A. , Zinkernagel M. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeRetinal pathology such as diabetic retinopathy can be exacerbated by systemic viral illness. However, little is known whether systemic inflammation causes activation of retinal microglia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a systemic inflammatory stimulus with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on retinal microglia activation.MethodsLPS (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously for 4 days in Cx3cr1gfp/+ mice, specifically expressing gfp in microglia/macrophages. Retinas were examined with optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography and autofluorescence imaging before and after the LPS challenge. A group of mice was fed with the colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) inhibitor PLX5622, which has been shown to deplete retinal microglia after 48 hours, for 7 days and until the end of the experiments. PLX‐fed mice were challenged with LPS as above, imaged and euthanized at day 4 of the LPS challenge.ResultsAccumulation of sub‐retinal fluid and leakage of fluorescein was observed in the retinas of LPS mice, suggesting disruption of the blood retinal barrier (BRB). In vivo imaging and histology showed increased numbers of gfp+ cells in retinas and brains and accumulation around retinal vessels in the LPS group. Increase of gfp+ cell numbers was partially attributed to proliferation, based on Ki67 staining. PLX attenuated the numbers of gfp+ cells and reversed the effects of LPS on sub‐retinal fluid accumulation.ConclusionsOur data suggest that systemic LPS challenge initiates inflammatory responses in the retina and can lead to disruption of the BRB, whose integrity seems to be highly dependent on retinal microglia and/or invading macrophages. Pathology is completely abrogated in microglia depleted mice, suggesting that novel CSF‐1R inhibitors may be a promising target for inflammation mediated retinal diseases.
Surgical techniques for failed/difficult macular holes
Authors: Ozdek S. O. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryFree ILM flap technique for difficult macular hole cases: Failed macular holes, macular holes associated with pathologic myopia and retinal detachment and chronic atrophic macular holes are usually difficult to handle with standard techniques. Here we describe the PFCL‐assisted free ILM flap technique as a good surgical option for failed MH closures. The technique is very promising in retaining the flap during the crucial FAE, which results in favorable outcomes, both morphological and functional.
Optic disk melanocytoma and juxtapapillary melanoma. Diagnosis and management
Authors: Shields C. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe two most important pigmented lesions of the optic disc include melanocytoma and melanoma. Melanocytoma is a benign nevus and a normal finding in some lower animals such as camels, crocodiles and snakes. It appeas as a dark brown‐black mass at the disc, often with disc atrophy and invasion of retina and choroid. Transformation to melanoma is rare. On the other hand, optic disc melanoma generally arises from a juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma and secondarily invades the nerve. There is usually subretinal fluid and overlying orange pigment in the choroidal portion. Of all uveal melanomas, less than one percent invade the nerve. Enucleation is usually necessary. Understanding the differences in these two tumors is importan