bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene are associated with reduced rate of sputum culture conversion in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in South Africa
Authors: Magee Matthew J , Sun Yan V. , Brust James CM , Sarita Shah N. , Ning Yuming , Allana Salim , Campbell Angela , Hui Qin , Mlisana Koleka , Moodley Pravi , Gandhi Neel R 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D modulates the inflammatory and immune response to tuberculosis (TB) and also mediates the induction of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin. Deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene may increase the risk of TB disease and decrease culture conversion rates in drug susceptible TB. Whether these VDR SNPs are found in African populations or impact multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB treatment has not been established. We aimed to determine if SNPs in the VDR gene were associated with sputum culture conversion among a cohort of MDR TB patients in South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of adult MDR TB patients receiving second-line TB treatment in KwaZulu-Natal province. Subjects had monthly sputum cultures performed. In a subset of participants, whole blood samples were obtained for genomic analyses. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyped with Affymetrix Axiom Pan-African Array. Cox proportional models were used to determine the association between VDR SNPs and rate of culture conversion.ResultsGenomic analyses were performed on 91 MDR TB subjects enrolled in the sub-study; 60% were female and median age was 35 years (interquartile range [IQR] 29-42). Smoking was reported by 21% of subjects and most subjects had HIV (80%), were smear negative (57%), and had cavitary disease (55%). Overall, 87 (96%) subjects initially converted cultures to negative, with median time to culture conversion of 57 days (IQR 17-114). Of 121 VDR SNPs examined, 10 were significantly associated (p<0.01) with rate of sputum conversion in multivariable analyses. Each additional risk allele on SNP rs74085240 delayed culture conversion significantly (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.67).ConclusionsPolymorphisms in the VDR gene were associated with rate of sputum culture conversion in MDR TB patients in this high HIV prevalence setting in South Africa.Author contributionsMJM, YVS, JCMB, SS, and NRG conceived and designed the study and drafted the initial manuscript. MJM, YVS, YN, and QH performed the data analyses. All authors contributed to interpretation of the data, revised the manuscript, and approved the final version.The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC.
High-Resolution Epidemic Simulation Using Within-Host Infection and Contact Data
Authors: Nguyen Van Kinh , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Hernandez-Vargas Esteban A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundTransmission in epidemics of infectious diseases is characterized by a high level of subject-specific elements. These include heterogeneous infection conditions, time-dependent transmission potential, and age-dependent contact structure. These insights are often lost in epidemic models using population data. Here we submit an approach that can capture these details, paving the way for studying epidemics in a more mechanistic and realistic way.MethodsUsing experimental data, we formulated mathematical models of a pathogen infection dynamics from which we can simulate its transmission potential mechanistically. The models were then embedded in our implement of an age-specific contact network structure that allows to express all elements relevant to the transmission process. This approach is illustrated here with an example of Ebola virus (EBOV).ResultsThe results showed that within-host infection dynamics can capture EBOV’s transmission parameters as good as approaches using population data. Population age-structure, contact distribution and patterns can also be captured with our network generating algorithm. This framework opens vast opportunities for the investigations of each element involved in the epidemic process. Here, estimating EBOV’s reproduction number revealed a heterogeneous pattern among age-groups, prompting questions on current estimates which are not adjusted for this factor. Assessments of mass vaccination strategies showed that a time window from five months before to one week after the start of an epidemic appeared to be effective. Noticeably, compared to a non-intervention scenario, a low vaccination coverage of 33% could reduce number of cases by ten to hundred times as well as lessen the case-fatality rate.ConclusionsThis is the first effort coupling directly within-host infection model into an age-structured epidemic network model, adding more realistic elements in simulating epidemic processes. Experimental data at the within-host infection are shown able to capture upfront key parameters of a pathogen; the applications of this approach will give us more time to prepare for potential epidemics. Population of interest in epidemic assessments could be modeled with an age-specific contact network without exhaustive amount of data. Further assessments and adaptations for different pathogens and scenarios are underway to explore multilevel aspects in infectious diseases epidemics.
A safer, urea-based in situ hybridization method improves detection of gene expression in diverse animal species
Authors: Sinigaglia Chiara , Thiel Daniel , Hejnol Andreas , Houliston Evelyn , Leclère Lucas 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn situ hybridization is a widely employed technique allowing spatial visualization of gene expression in fixed specimens. It has proven to be essential to our understanding of biological processes, including developmental regulation. In situ protocols are today routine in numerous laboratories, and although details might change, they all include a hybridization step, where specific antisense RNA or DNA probes anneal to the target nucleic acids strand. This step, in general, is carried out at high temperatures and in a denaturing solution, the hybridization buffer, commonly containing 50% (v/v) formamide. An important drawback is that hot formamide poses a significant health risk and so must be handled with great care.We were prompted to test alternative hybridization solutions for in situ detection of gene expression in the medusa of the hydrozoanClytia hemisphaerica,where traditional protocols caused extensive deterioration of the morphology and texture during hybridization, hindering observation and interpretation of results. Inspired by optimized protocols for Northern and Southern blot analysis, we substituted the 50% formamide with an equal volume of 8 M urea solution in the hybridization buffer. The new protocol yielded better morphologies and consistency of tissues, and also notably improved the resolution of the signal, allowing more precise localization of gene expression, as well as reduced staining at non-specific sites. Given the improved results using a less toxic hybridization solution, we tested the urea protocol on a number of other metazoans: two brachiopod species (Novocrania anomalaandTerebratalia transversa) and the wormPriapulus caudatus,obtaining a similar reduction of aspecific probe binding. Overall, substitution of formamide by urea in in situ hybridization offers safer alternative protocols, potentially useful in research, medical and teaching contexts. We encourage other workers to test this approach on their study organisms, and hope that they will also obtain better sample preservation, more precise expression patterns and fewer problems due to aspecific staining, as we report here forClytiamedusae andNovocraniaandTerebrataliadeveloping larvae.
The spectral features of EEG responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary motor cortex depend on the amplitude of the motor evoked potentials
Authors: Fecchio Matteo , Pigorini Andrea , Comanducci Angela , Sarasso Simone , Casarotto Silvia , Premoli Isabella , Derchi Chiara-Camilla , Mazza Alice , Russo Simone , Resta Federico , Ferrarelli Fabio , Mariotti Maurizio , Ziemann Ulf , Massimini Marcello , Rosanova Mario 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) can excite both cortico-cortical and cortico-spinal axons resulting in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), respectively. Despite this remarkable difference with other cortical areas, the influence of motor output and its amplitude on TEPs is largely unknown. Here we studied TEPs resulting from M1 stimulation and assessed whether their waveform and spectral features depend on the MEP amplitude. To this aim, we performed two separate experiments. In experiment 1, single-pulse TMS was applied at the same supra-threshold intensity on primary motor, prefrontal, premotor and parietal cortices and the corresponding TEPs were compared by means of local mean field power and time-frequency spectral analysis. In experiment 2 we stimulated M1 at resting motor threshold in order to elicit MEPs characterized by a wide range of amplitudes. TEPs computed from high-MEP and low-MEP trials were then compared using the same methods applied in experiment 1. In line with previous studies, TMS of M1 produced larger TEPs compared to other cortical stimulations. Notably, we found that only TEPs produced by M1 stimulation were accompanied by a late (∼300 ms after TMS) event-related desynchronization (ERD), whose magnitude was strongly dependent on the amplitude of MEPs. Overall, these results suggest that M1 produces peculiar responses to TMS possibly reflecting specific anatomo-functional properties, such as the re-entry of proprioceptive feedback associated with target muscle activation.
Dissociable neural information dynamics of perceptual integration and differentiation during bistable perception
Authors: Canales-Johnson Andrés , Billig Alexander J. , Olivares Francisco , Gonzalez Andrés , del Carmen Garcia María , Silva Walter , Vaucheret Esteban , Ciraolo Carlos , Mikulan Ezequiel , Ibanez Agustín , Huepe David , Chennu Srivas , Bekinschtein Tristan A. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTAt any given moment, we experience a perceptual scene as a single whole and yet we may distinguish a variety of objects within it. This phenomenon instantiates two properties of conscious perception: integration and differentiation. Integration to experience a collection of objects as a unitary percept, and differentiation to experience these objects as distinct from each other. Here we evaluated the neural information dynamics underlying integration and differentiation of perceptual contents during bistable perception. Participants listened to a sequence of tones (auditory bistable stimuli) experienced either as a single stream (perceptual integration) or as two parallel streams (perceptual differentiation) of sounds. We computed neurophysiological indices of information integration and information differentiation with electroencephalographic and intracranial recordings. When perceptual alternations were endogenously driven, the integrated percept was associated with an increase in neural information-integration and a decrease in neural differentiation across frontoparietal regions, whereas the opposite pattern was observed for the differentiated percept. However, when perception was exogenously driven by a change in the sound stream (no bistability) neural oscillatory power distinguished between percepts but information measures did not. We demonstrate that perceptual integration and differentiation can be mapped to theoretically-motivated neural information signatures, suggesting a direct relationship between phenomenology and neurophysiology.
Predicting Morphological Disparities in Sea Urchin Skeleton Growth and Form
Authors: Abou Chakra Maria , Lovric Miroslav , Stone Jonathon 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSea urchins exhibit among their many species remarkable diversity in skeleton form (e.g., from spheroid to discoid shapes). However, we still do not understand how some related species show distinct morphologies despite inherent similarities at the genetic level. For this, we use theoretical morphology to disentangle the ontogenic processes that play a role in skeletal growth and form. We developed a model that simulates these processes involved and predicted trajectory obtaining 94% and 77% accuracies. We then use the model to understand how morphologies evolved by exploring the individual effects of three structures (ambulacral column, plate number, and polar regions). These structures have changed over evolutionary time and trends indicate they may influence skeleton shape, specifically height–to-diameter ratio, h:d. Our simulations confirm the trend observed but also show how changes in the attributes affect shape; we show that widening the ambulacral column or increasing plate number in columns produces a decrease in h:d (flattening); whereas increasing apical system radius to column length ratio produces an increase in h:d (gloublar shape). Computer simulated h:d matched h:d measured from real specimens. Our findings provide the first explanation of how small changes in these structures can create the diversity in skeletal morphologies.
The financial gap for women in the MENA region: a systemic perspective
Authors: Saviano Marialuisa , Nenci Luisa , Caputo Francesco 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate women’s financial inclusion as a critical element for the competitiveness of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market for entrepreneurship and sustainable development of the region, as MENA financial institutions’ loans to women-owned SMEs tend to be significantly lower than the share of women-owned SMEs in their target markets. Causes of under-serving this market are not very well studied.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper builds on an inductive approach supported by the interpretative contribution offered by the viable systems approach as methodological and interpretative lens to investigate the topic of women financial inclusion in MENA regions. Reflections herein are supported by an exploratory study on the conditions for women financial inclusion in MENA regions.

Findings
The main focus of this paper is to study the financial gap that women entrepreneurs are experiencing in enlarging their businesses and/or lunching innovative projects. In accordance with this, the paper highlights the need of a more systemic approach and long-term vision to support a more extensive women financial inclusion in MENA regions.

Originality/value
Financial institutions’ need to understand women-owned SMEs’ financial needs for innovation and growth to build new customized financial products. This paper’s argument is that the dominant short-term approach to credit-granting for women, although providing support, may be inadequate to achieve a real financial inclusion, and possible causes and solutions are discussed.
Conflict management systems for large scientific research projects
Authors: Löhr Katharina , Graef Frieder , Bonatti Michelle , Mahoo Henry F. , Wambura Jane , Sieber Stefan 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the transferability of a conflict management model developed for business organizations to a temporary and international research project to serve as a support tool for internal communication and in case of conflict.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyze the transferability of a conflict management model that was initially developed for business organizations to an international, inter-organizational and temporary research project that is third-party funded. Using a case study, a participatory approach is applied with both qualitative and quantitative methods used.

Findings
The transferability is possible but only with the adaption of conflict prevention. The project’s international and inter-organizational structure further results in a need for decentralization of conflict management responsibilities and diversification of conflict management approaches. Time, financial resources and a high autonomy of cooperation partners limit the degree of participation in the design process.

Research limitations/implications
The research is based on a case study. Research on comparative design processes are needed to verify or extrapolate findings and to help assess the impact of conflict management systems in other large research projects.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on conflict management systems. By implementing a conflict management system in a temporary, international and scientific project environment, this case study identifies contextual factors relevant for the system design and provides initial test results. As conflict management systems in research projects are not yet prominent, this adapted model of conflict prevention and management can benefit similar projects.
Adaptive mediation: an evidence-based contingency approach to mediating conflict
Authors: Coleman Peter T. , Kugler Katharina G. , Chatman Ljubica 
Published: May 2017

PurposeAlthough mediation has increased considerably in popularity and usage, it lacks a coherent framework and evidence base to illuminate the conditions under which different types of mediation strategies are most effective. This has resulted in a wide array of strategies and tactics being offered to mediators, with little sense of which may work best under different conditions. This paper aims to further develop a contingency model of adaptive mediation.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper extends previous research on adaptive mediation by presenting findings from focus group and survey research with experienced mediators that help to further develop and specify a new adaptive model of mediation.FindingsThe findings support the utility of a contingency model of adaptive mediation based on the four fundamental dimensions of mediation situations (conflict intensity, situational constraints, cooperative vs competitive disputant relationships and overt vs covert issues and processes) for better understanding and predicting changes in mediator strategies independent of mediator style preferences.Research limitations/implicationsThe present studies reflect the behavioral tactics experienced mediators recommend when facing the four distinct challenges to mediation. Research has yet to determine whether the sets of tactics recommended would actually be more successfully used in mediations presenting the four challenges. Subsequent research should assess the relative effects of the use of the different behavioral strategies under these conditions.Originality/valueThe program of research described and extended in this paper is an attempt to develop an integrative model of adaptive mediation, which can ultimately enhance the critical link between mediation research on the one hand and mediation practice on the other.
Managed care Medicaid
Authors: Trombetta William 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Providing health care to the poor is evolving in the new US marketplace. The Affordable Care Act has set goals enhancing access to health care, lowering costs and improving patient outcomes. A key segment in this evolution is the most vulnerable health-care population of all: Medicaid. This paper aims to provide a general review of how providing health care to Medicaid patients is changing including how socio-economic aspects of this vulnerable population affects the quality of the health care provided.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper is entirely secondary research; no primary research has been conducted.

Findings
Managed care Medicaid provides a risk-based model to treating a vulnerable health-care market segment. The jury is still out on whether managed care Medicaid (MCM) is improving health-care quality and saving cost, but the provision of health care to the Medicaid segment is definitely shifting from a fee-for-service model to value based payment. Very recent developments of new health-care delivery approaches present a positive outlook for improving quality and containing costs going forward.

Research limitations/implications
At this stage, whether or not MCM saves money or provides better health-care quality to this vulnerable population is a work in progress. Health-care marketing can impact socio-economic aspects of health care for the poor. There is a need to follow up on the positive results being documented in demonstration health-care delivery models.

Practical implications
At this point, there has been no long-term study of whether managed care Medicaid offers better quality of health care and cost savings. The research to date suggest that the quality of health-care delivery to the poor is improving at a lower cost to payers.

Social implications
Medicaid patients are an underserved market segment. Managed care Medicaid offers a new model that has the potential to provide quality care at acceptable cost. Critical to this vulnerable market segment is the need to integrate socio-economic aspects of the population with the delivery of health care.

Originality/value
There has been very little discussion of Medicaid overall in the marketing literature, much less any discussion of managed care Medicaid.
The new deflation and housing market bubbles in the USA and UK: a monetary policy dilemma
Authors: Bono Heather Richardson , Leathers Charles G. , Raines J. Patrick 
Published: May 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an analysis of the improbable events of housing market bubbles occurring in a period when US and UK central bankers were responding to perceived risks of a new deflation.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology focuses on how the anti-deflation policies implemented by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England contributed to the housing market bubbles. The central bankers perceived the deflation as a Keynesian short-run deficiency in aggregate demand, triggered by a financial crisis. Indications are that the deflation is in the nature of long-run aggregate-supply-driven trend as explained in Veblen’s theory of “chronic” deflation driven by cost-reducing advances in technology and globalization.FindingsThe Keynesian anti-deflation policies of the Federal Reserve and Bank of England failed to counter the deflation risks while contributing to housing market bubbles. Moreover, the policies failed to address the structural problems of unemployment and income inequality associated with long-run aggregate supply deflation.Originality/valueEffective policies must be based on a correct theoretical understanding of the problems. The chronic nature of the new deflation points to the need for new approaches to deal with the negative income and employment effects that exclude an increasing number from the housing markets.