bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workplace work‐family interventions
Authors: Riva Egidio 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate work‐family interventions in Italian organizations within the context of a national welfare regime and in the face of recession.Design/methodology/approachThe results of case studies carried out on eight leading companies in the field of workplace work‐family policies are presented. The case study research is supported by a literature review as well as an analysis of national legislation and political agenda concerning work‐family issues.FindingsFindings indicate that, against the backdrop of the institutional framework, one impact of the recession may be the setting aside of workplace work‐family intervention, especially in small and medium‐sized organizations with limited resources. Evidence collected using case study research suggests that this has not happened in larger companies where employers have adopted a strategic approach to work‐family issues. In these larger firms, work‐family policies have been assessed and reorganized as a result of an increasing concern for workplace performance and efficiency. In this regard, resilience to the crisis in workplace arrangements is related to the fact that the adoption of an evidence‐based approach makes economic sense and contributes to obtaining the long‐term support needed from important stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study companies are not necessarily representative of current workplace intervention in the field; a generalization of the findings may not therefore be appropriate. They do however provide valuable insights for both future research on workplace support and public policy design.Originality/valueThe article investigates the links between the wider social, economic and political context and workplace work‐family arrangements in specific organizations.
Revisiting quality management and performance
Authors: Laosirihongthong Tritos , Teh Pei‐Lee , Adebanjo Dotun 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between quality management practices as well as their impact on organisational performance in the ASEAN regional context.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 115 data collected from automotive parts/components manufacturing companies in five ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) was used to test the proposed research hypotheses. A two‐step modelling approach was employed to model the data by using structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsLeadership of the organisations tend to focus on their external (customers and suppliers) rather than internal (employees) partners. The result of this study also suggests that tier 1 suppliers of the automotive industry in ASEAN considered quality information and supplier relationship instead of people management, as the drivers of process management.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to a single industry. The study did not consider some aspects culture in its investigation.Practical implicationsThe results of this study clarify differences in how quality is managed in an emerging region when compared to previous studies in developed countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to explore quality management implementation in a specific sector in the ASEAN region.
Prisoners with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Underwood Lisa , Forrester Andrew , Chaplin Eddie , McCarthy Jane 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the evidence on providing services to people with neurodevelopmental disorders in prisons, with a focus on those prisoners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Design/methodology/approachElectronic databases were used to search for literature specifically on ASD in prisons. The literature was supplemented with the authors’ experiences of carrying out research on ASD in prison.FindingsThe searches only identified four articles and therefore the broader literature on people with ASD and other developmental disorders was reviewed in relation to the prison context.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the current limited evidence base on prisoners with autism spectrum disorders.
An image analysis method to detect CSD on rocks with adjusted color images
Authors: Karsli Fevzi , Dihkan Mustafa 
Published: August 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide crystal size distribution (CSD) using photogrammetric and image analysis techniques. A new algorithm is proposed to detect CSDs and a comparison is carried out with conventional watershed segmentation algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach
– Polished granite plates were prepared to designate the metrics of CSD measurements. There are many important metrics for measurements on CSD. Some of them are orientation, size, position, area, aspect ratio, convexity, circularity, perimeter, convex hull, bounding box, eccentricity, shape, max-min length of CSD's fitted and corrected ellipse, and population density in a per unit area. Prior to image processing stage, camera calibration was performed to remove the image distortion errors. Image processing techniques were applied to corrected images for detecting the CSD parameters.

Findings
– The proposed algorithm showed the improved preservation of size and shape characteristics of the crystal material when compared to the watershed segmentation. According to the experimental results, proposed algorithm revealed promising results in identifying CSDs more easily and efficiently.

Originality/value
– This paper describes CSD of granitic rocks by using automated grain boundary detection methods in polished plate images. Some metrics of CSDs were detected by employing a new procedure. A computer-based image analysis technique was developed to measure the CSDs on the granitic rock plates. A validation is done by superimposing digitally detected CSD metrics to original samples.
Bti sprays do not adversely affect non‐target aquatic invertebrates in French Atlantic coastal wetlands
Authors: Lagadic Laurent , Roucaute Marc , Caquet Thierry 
Published: August 2013

Summary

Both the increase in human mobility and climate change contribute to the globalization of vector‐borne diseases. Some mosquito species are efficient disease vectors in Europe, thus increasing the risk of epidemic (re)emergence.

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) is considered as the most efficient larvicide to control mosquito populations with negligible environmental impacts. However, repeated field applications of Bti over many years raise the question of possible long‐term effects on non‐target invertebrates with putative subsequent alterations of food webs.

Environmental effects of Bti have mainly been studied in continental freshwater wetlands. Much less is known for brackish water coastal wetlands. We investigated whether repeated treatments with Bti, applied as VectoBac® WG over seven consecutive years, may affect non‐target invertebrate communities in wetlands of the French Atlantic coast. Particular attention was devoted to invertebrates potentially used as food sources by shorebirds and wading birds.

Invertebrates were sampled in the water and sediment of control and VectoBac®‐treated saltmarsh pools between 2006 and 2012. Taxa abundance data were used to calculate community descriptors and to analyse the potential structural changes due to VectoBac® using the principal response curve method and similarity analysis. Physicochemical parameters were measured in the same pools so that homogeneity of the environmental conditions between the control and treated areas could be tested.

We demonstrated that long‐term use of VectoBac® WG in French Atlantic coastal wetlands had no influence on the temporal evolution of the taxonomic structure and taxa abundance of non‐target aquatic invertebrate communities, which is highly driven by abiotic factors. In addition, over the long term, the amount of invertebrates that could be used as food resources by birds is maintained in VectoBac®‐treated areas.

Synthesis and applications. Reduced application rate and targeted spraying of VectoBac® WG in mosquito breeding sites minimize potential environmental impacts of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). Even so, surveillance of its possible primary side effects is needed, which requires comparable control and treated areas. Indeed, systematic temporal trends and subtle differences in the range of variation of abiotic factors result in discrepancies between control and treated area in terms of invertebrate abundance, which could be wrongly attributed to VectoBac®. Management decisions and mitigation measures may therefore benefit from (i) extending surveillance to a time frame that allows for coverage of the immense temporal variation in taxa abundance and diversity and (ii) the inclusion of environmental variables in the monitoring of non‐target animal communities potentially exposed to Bti.
Restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing generates high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms for assessing hybridization between bighead and silver carp in the United States and China
Authors: Lamer James T. , Sass Greg G. , Boone Jason Q. , Arbieva Zarema H. , Green Stefan J. , Epifanio John M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) are invasive species and listed as US federally injurious species under the Lacy Act. They have established populations in much of the Mississippi River Basin (MRB; Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers) and are capable of producing fertile hybrids and complex introgression. Characterizing the composition of this admixture requires a large set of high‐quality, evolutionarily conserved, diagnostic genetic markers to aid in the identification and management of these species in the midst of morphological ambiguity. Restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing of 45 barcoded bighead and silver carp from the United States and China produced reads that were aligned to the silver carp transcriptome yielded 261 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with fixed allelic differences between the two species. We selected the highest quality 112 SNP loci for validation using 194 putative pure‐species and F1 hybrids from the MRB and putative bighead carp and silver carp pure species from China (Amur, Pearl and Yangtze rivers). Fifty SNPs were omitted due to design/amplification failure or lack of diagnostic utility. A total of 57 species‐diagnostic SNPs conserved between carp species in US and Chinese rivers were identified; 32 were annotated to functional gene loci. Twenty‐seven of the 181 (15%) putative pure species were identified as hybrid backcrosses after validation, including three backcrosses from the Amur River, where hybridization has not been documented previously. The 57 SNPs identified through RAD sequencing provide a diagnostic tool to detect population admixture and to identify hybrid and pure‐species Asian carps in the United States and China.
Sevoflurane is less sensitive than halothane for in vitro detection of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Authors: JOHANNSEN S. , KLINGLER W. , SCHNEIDERBANGER D. , HEIDERICH S. , ROEWER N. , SCHUSTER F. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundSevoflurane is a known triggering agent of malignant hyperthermia (MH). The present study analyzed different effects of sevoflurane on skeletal muscle of MH susceptible and nonsusceptible individuals in vitro and compared the results to the standardized test protocol with halothane and caffeine. A potential influence of a present ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) mutation was investigated.MethodsMuscle bundles of 24 MH‐susceptible patients with or without an RyR1 mutation, 35 MH‐nonsusceptible and 10 MH‐equivocal patients were exposed either to sevoflurane 8 vol% bolus or increasing doses of 2, 4, 6, and 8 vol%. In MH‐positive patients, a screening for mutations in the RyR1 gene was performed.ResultsThe in vitro parameters initial length, weight, predrug resting tension, and predrug twitch height did not differ between the groups. Sevoflurane caused significant contractures in MH‐susceptible but not in MH‐nonsusceptible muscle after increasing doses [1.4 (0.3–6.0) vs. 0 (0‐0) mN] and after bolus application [6.9 (2.4–21.4) vs. 0 (0‐0) mN]. However, only 50% of the susceptible patients developed contractures ≥ 2 mN after increasing concentrations while 83% did so after rapid bolus administration. Presence of an RyR1 mutation was detected in 36% of the examined MH‐positive patients but had no influence on developing contractures.ConclusionSevoflurane‐induced contractures do not reliably detect MH susceptibility on an individual level. Therefore, sevoflurane is no suitable alternative for diagnostic use. Mutation‐specific effects regarding contracture sizes after incubation with sevoflurane, halothane, or caffeine were not found.
The conserved Mediator subunit MDT‐15 is required for oxidative stress responses in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Goh Grace Y. S. , Martelli Katherine L. , Parhar Kulveer S. , Kwong Ada W. L. , Wong Marcus A. , Mah Allan , Hou Nicole S. , Taubert Stefan 
Published: August 2013

SummaryReactive oxygen species (ROS) play important signaling roles in metazoans, but also cause significant molecular damage. Animals tightly control ROS levels using sophisticated defense mechanisms, yet the transcriptional pathways that induce ROS defense remain incompletely understood. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the transcription factor SKN‐1 is considered a master regulator for detoxification and oxidative stress responses. Here, we show that MDT‐15, a subunit of the conserved Mediator complex, is also required for oxidative stress responses in nematodes. Specifically, mdt‐15 is required to express SKN‐1 targets upon chemical and genetic increase in SKN‐1 activity. mdt‐15 is also required to express genes in SKN‐1‐dependent and SKN‐1‐independent fashions downstream of insulin/IGF‐1 signaling and for the longevity of daf‐2/insulin receptor mutants. At the molecular level, MDT‐15 binds SKN‐1 through a region distinct from the classical transcription‐factor‐binding KIX‐domain. Moreover, mdt‐15 is essential for the transcriptional response to and survival on the organic peroxide tert‐butyl‐hydroperoxide (tBOOH), a largely SKN‐1‐independent response. The MDT‐15 interacting nuclear hormone receptor, NHR‐64, is specifically required for tBOOH but not arsenite resistance, but NHR‐64 is dispensable for the transcriptional response to tBOOH. Hence, NHR‐64 and MDT‐15's mode of action remain elusive. Lastly, the role of MDT‐15 in oxidative stress defense is functionally separable from its function in fatty acid metabolism, as exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acid complementation rescues developmental, but not stress sensitivity phenotypes of mdt‐15 worms. Our findings reveal novel conserved players in the oxidative stress response and suggest a broad cytoprotective role for MDT‐15.
Biological phenotypes underpin the physio‐somatic symptoms of somatization, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Anderson G. , Berk M. , Maes M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveSomatization is a symptom cluster characterized by ‘psychosomatic’ symptoms, that is, medically unexplained symptoms, and is a common component of other conditions, including depression and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This article reviews the data regarding the pathophysiological foundations of ‘psychosomatic’ symptoms and the implications that this has for conceptualization of what may more appropriately be termed physio‐somatic symptoms.MethodThis narrative review used papers published in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar electronic databases using the keywords: depression and chronic fatigue, depression and somatization, somatization and chronic fatigue syndrome, each combined with inflammation, inflammatory, tryptophan, and cell‐mediated immune (CMI).ResultsThe physio‐somatic symptoms of depression, ME/CFS, and somatization are associated with specific biomarkers of inflammation and CMI activation, which are correlated with, and causally linked to, changes in the tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway. Oxidative and nitrosative stress induces damage that increases neoepitopes and autoimmunity that contribute to the immuno‐inflammatory processes. These pathways are all known to cause physio‐somatic symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, autonomic symptoms, hyperalgesia, intestinal hypermotility, peripheral neuropathy, etc.ConclusionBiological underpinnings, such as immune‐inflammatory pathways, may explain, at least in part, the occurrence of physio‐somatic symptoms in depression, somatization, or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and thus the clinical overlap among these disorders.
Predictive validation of single‐episode uncomplicated depression as a benign subtype of unipolar major depression
Authors: Wakefield J. C. , Schmitz M. F. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive validity of a proposed benign major depressive disorder (MDD) subtype, single‐episode ‘uncomplicatedMDD’, defined asMDDthat remits within 6 months and lacks severe impairment, psychotic ideation, suicidal ideation, psychomotor retardation, and feeling worthless.MethodUsing two‐wave National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data, four groups differing in wave 1 lifetimeMDDhistory (no history [n = 27 609]; single‐episode uncomplicated [n = 418]; other single‐episode [n = 1943]; multiple episode [n = 2473]) were evaluated for 3‐year follow‐up rates of major depressive episode (MDE), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and suicide attempt.ResultsFollow‐up rates for no‐MDD‐history, single‐episode uncomplicatedMDD, other single‐episodeMDD, and multiple‐episodeMDD, respectively, were depressive episode 6.1%, 6.9%, 19.5%, 27.1%;GAD2.7%, 4.3%, 7.8%, 11.2%; and suicide attempt 0.3%, 0.1%, 0.8%, 1.7%. For all validators, 3‐year rates for single‐episode uncomplicated cases were not significantly different from no‐MDD‐history rates, but significantly lower than both single‐ and multiple‐episode other‐MDDrates. MildMDD, defined by having only five or six symptoms, did not yield similarly benign results; logistic regression showed ‘uncomplicated’ provides incremental validity over ‘mild’ in explaining validator rates. Validator differences were not explainable by treatment‐rate differences.ConclusionSingle‐episode uncomplicatedMDDis a benign subtype lacking typicalMDDnegative sequelae. The plannedDSM‐5.1 revision should reinstitute an extended bereavement exclusion applied to all stressors.
When less is more – microRNAs and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Kolshus E. , Dalton V. S. , Ryan K. M. , McLoughlin D. M. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveMicroRNAs are small non‐coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, including genes involved in neuronal function and plasticity that have relevance for brain function and mental health. We therefore performed a systematic review of miRNAs in general adult psychiatric disorders.MethodSystematic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science were conducted to identify published clinical articles on microRNAs in general adult psychiatric disorders. We also reviewed references from included articles.ResultsThere is mounting evidence of microRNAs’ regulatory roles in a number of central nervous system processes, including neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The majority of clinical studies of microRNAs in psychiatric disorders are in schizophrenia, where a number of specific microRNAs have been identified in separate studies. There is some evidence of marked downregulation of some microRNAs in affective disorders. Treatment with antidepressants appears to upregulate microRNA levels. There is currently little evidence from human studies in anxiety, addiction or other psychiatric disorders.ConclusionMicroRNA research in psychiatry is currently in a nascent period, but represents an emerging and exciting area, with the potential to clarify molecular mechanisms of disease and identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents.
Identification and Characterization of New Mechanisms in Vascular Oestrogen Signalling
Authors: Holm Anders , Nilsson Bengt‐Olof 
Published: August 2013

AbstractOestrogen exerts vasculoprotective effects in different experimental settings through inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, stimulation of nitric oxide production and attenuation of inflammation. Although these oestrogen‐evoked beneficial effects have been attributed to oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα), also ER beta (ERβ) and the novel ER G protein‐coupled receptor 30 (GPR30)/G protein‐coupled ER1 probably play significant roles in vascular oestrogen signalling. Oestrogen‐evoked vasculoprotective effects are well documented in various experimental models, but the underlying mechanisms are still incompletely understood. The age hypothesis represents an interesting and promising model to explain the discrepancy between experimental data showing beneficial vascular effects of oestrogen treatment and the clinical findings on hormone replacement therapy obtained in big epidemiology surveys, where no protective effect from supplementation with oestrogen is observed. Identification of novel ERs expressed also in the vascular system offers exciting opportunities for the future to find and characterize the mechanisms behind oestrogen‐evoked beneficial effects in vascular health and disease. Importantly, some vascular effects of pharmacological concentrations of oestrogen are ER‐independent, suggesting that oestrogen besides its specific effects through ERα, ERβ and GPR30 also affects vascular function via ER‐independent mechanisms probably reflecting interaction of the hydrophobic oestrogen molecule with cell membrane properties. In this MiniReview, we focus on the importance of these different vascular ER subtypes in health and disease.
The insulin sensitizing effect of topiramate involves KATP channel activation in the central nervous system
Authors: Coomans C P , Geerling J J , van den Berg S A A , van Diepen H C , Garcia‐Tardón N , Thomas A , Schröder‐van der Elst J P , Ouwens D M , Pijl H , Rensen P C N , Havekes L M , Guigas B , Romijn J A 
Published: August 2013

Background and PurposeTopiramate improves insulin sensitivity, in addition to its antiepileptic action. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the mechanism of the insulin‐sensitizing effect of topiramate both in vivo and in vitro.Experimental ApproachMale C57Bl/6J mice were fed a run‐in high‐fat diet for 6 weeks, before receiving topiramate or vehicle mixed in high‐fat diet for an additional 6 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp. The extent to which the insulin sensitizing effects of topiramate were mediated through the CNS were determined by concomitant i.c.v. infusion of vehicle or tolbutamide, an inhibitor of ATP‐sensitive potassium channels in neurons. The direct effects of topiramate on insulin signalling and glucose uptake were assessed in vivo and in cultured muscle cells.Key resultsIn hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp conditions, therapeutic plasma concentrations of topiramate (∼4 μg·mL−1) improved insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate + 58%). Using 2‐deoxy‐D‐[3H]glucose, we established that topiramate improved the insulin‐mediated glucose uptake by heart (+92%), muscle (+116%) and adipose tissue (+586%). Upon i.c.v. tolbutamide, the insulin‐sensitizing effect of topiramate was completely abrogated. Topiramate did not directly affect glucose uptake or insulin signalling neither in vivo nor in cultured muscle cells.Conclusion and ImplicationsIn conclusion, topiramate stimulates insulin‐mediated glucose uptake in vivo through the CNS. These observations illustrate the possibility of pharmacological modulation of peripheral insulin resistance through a target in the CNS.