High-Performing Corporate Communications Teams: Views of Top CCOs

A study of the views of the chief communications officers (CCOs) at large organizations revealed views about “high performance” of the communication function is considered more in terms of the entire organization than evaluation only of the communications or public relations function. Depth interviews followed by a survey showed that top CCOs see high performance most important in IT and finance, but that high performance in communications is more vital to organizational success than it is in marketing, legal and the human resources function. Key drivers and impediments to high-performance of corporate communications were identified. The study matters to the profession by going beyond other research on communications and public relations evaluation that is focused more within the function than in the broader organizational context. It also extends recent research on public relations and leadership. Finally, the study shows a distinction in viewpoint between top communications executives and other professionals, and indicates a mindset necessary to be successful as a function as well as to gain respect across the enterprise

Comparison of the solophenyl-red polarization method and the immunohistochemical analysis for collagen type III

In the present study, we have compared the staining pattern of the Solophenyl-Red 3 BL-method for the visualization of collagen type III with the immunohistochemical staining in serial sections from 7 skin wounds (wound age 3 days up to 4 weeks) to elucidate the specifity of the histochemical staining method. Large amounts of collagen type III were clearly detectable in the investigated wounds using the immunohistochemical technique. In the sections stained with Solophenyl-Red, however, only 3 out of 7 skin lesions showed a significant positive red staining at the wound margin or in the granulation tissue, while the adjacent normal connective tissue revealed a typical intensive staining. Using polarization microscopy no characteristic bright green fibrils, as reported for collagen type 111, could be seen in the wound areas without positive Solophenyl-Red staining. Since the localization of collagen type III detected by immunohistochemistry and the presumed distribution of this collagen type by the Solophenyl-Red method was not identical, the histochemical polarization method has to be regarded as non-specific for visualization of this collagen type

Laparoscopic vasectomy in African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) : surgical technique and results

Several small, enclosed reserves in southern Africa are experiencing significant elephant population growth, which has resulted in associated environmental damage and changes in biodiversity. Although several techniques exist to control elephant populations, e.g., culling, relocation, and immunocontraception, the technique of laparoscopic vasectomy of free-ranging bull elephants was investigated. Bilateral vasectomies were performed in 45 elephants. Of these elephants, one died within 24 hr of recovery and two had complications during surgery but recovered uneventfully. Histologic examination confirmed the resected tissue as ductus deferens in all the bulls. Most animals recovered uneventfully and showed no abnormal behavior after surgery. Complications recorded included incisional dehiscence, 1 full-thickness and 2 partial-thickness lacerations of the large intestine, and initial sling-associated complications, for example, deep radial nerve paresis. One bull was found dead 6 weeks after surgery without showing any prior abnormal signs. Vasectomy in free-ranging African bull elephants may be effectively performed in their normal environment. The surgical procedure can be used as a realistic population management tool in free-ranging elephants without major anesthetic, surgical, or postoperative complications.http://zoowildlifejournal.com/am201

NACC2, a molecular effector of miR-132 regulation at the interface between adult neurogenesis and Alzheimer’s disease

The generation of new neurons at the hippocampal neurogenic niche, known as adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), and its impairment, have been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). MicroRNA-132 (miR-132), the most consistently downregulated microRNA (miRNA) in AD, was recently identified as a potent regulator of AHN, exerting multilayered proneurogenic effects in adult neural stem cells (NSCs) and their progeny. Supplementing miR-132 in AD mouse brain restores AHN and relevant memory deficits, yet the exact mechanisms involved are still unknown. Here, we identify NACC2 as a novel miR-132 target implicated in both AHN and AD. miR-132 deficiency in mouse hippocampus induces Nacc2 expression and inflammatory signaling in adult NSCs. We show that miR-132-dependent regulation of NACC2 is involved in the initial stages of human NSC differentiation towards astrocytes and neurons. Later, NACC2 function in astrocytic maturation becomes uncoupled from miR-132. We demonstrate that NACC2 is present in reactive astrocytes surrounding amyloid plaques in mouse and human AD hippocampus, and that there is an anticorrelation between miR-132 and NACC2 levels in AD and upon induction of inflammation. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms by which miR-132 regulates neurogenesis and cellular reactivity in AD, will provide valuable insights towards its possible application as a therapeutic target

Estrogen biosynthesis in human H295 adrenocortical carcinoma cells

Adrenocortical carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy and feminizing symptoms secondary to adrenal estrogen-secretion are extremely rare. The direct secretion of estradiol by adrenocortical tumors requires, in addition to the expression of aromatase (CYP19), the expression of one or more of the reductive 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The expression of CYP19 transcripts and protein were markedly induced in the H295 adrenocortical carcinoma cell line after treatment with either forskolin or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Western immunoblotting demonstrated a marked induction of the CYP19 protein of characteristic size after only a short (6 h) treatment period with VIP or forskolin. The CYP19 mRNA transcripts were derived from both promoters PII (Ic) and I.3 (Id) after treatment with both agents. The reductive type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) was also constitutively expressed in the H295 cells but neither its mRNA transcript nor protein levels were altered after forskolin or VIP treatment. Western immunoblotting of an estrogen-secreting adrenal carcinoma revealed notable levels of both aromatase and AKR1C3 expression while an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma lacked aromatase expression and showed a reduced level of AKR1C3 expression. Immunohistochemistry of the carcinoma-bearing adrenal revealed localization of AKR1C3 not only in the tumor but also principally in the zona reticularis of the normal adrenal tissue. Adrenal aromatase and AKR1C3 expression therefore appear to be features of adrenocortical malignancies that are associated with biosynthesis of active estrogen

Coumarin anticoagulants and co-trimoxazole: avoid the combination rather than manage the interaction

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to examine the management of the interaction between acenocoumarol or phenprocoumon and several antibiotics by anticoagulation clinics and to compare the consequences of this interaction on users of co-trimoxazole with those for users of other antibiotics. METHODS: A follow-up study was conducted at four anticoagulation clinics in The Netherlands. Data on measurements of the International Normalised Ratio (INR), application of a preventive dose reduction (PDR) of the coumarin anticoagulant, fever and time within or outside the therapeutic INR range were collected. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 326 subjects. A PDR was given more often to users of co-trimoxazole PDR than to users of other antibiotics. The PDR in co-trimoxazole users resulted in a significantly reduced risk of both moderate overanticoagulation (INR >4.5) and severe overanticoagulation (INR >6.0) compared with no PDR, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.51] and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01-0.92), respectively. In co-trimoxazole users without PDR, the risk of overanticoagulation was significantly increased compared with users of other antibiotics. All co-trimoxazole users spent significantly more time under the therapeutic INR range during the first 6 weeks after the course than users of other antibiotics. CONCLUSION: PDR is effective in preventing overanticoagulation in co-trimoxazole users, but results in a significantly prolonged period of underanticoagulation after the course. Avoidance of concomitant use of co-trimoxazole with acenocoumarol or phenprocoumon seems to be a safer approach than management of the interaction between these drugs

A stress-induced source of phonon bursts and quasiparticle poisoning.

The performance of superconducting qubits is degraded by a poorly characterized set of energy sources breaking the Cooper pairs responsible for superconductivity, creating a condition often called quasiparticle poisoning. Both superconducting qubits and low threshold dark matter calorimeters have observed excess bursts of quasiparticles or phonons that decrease in rate with time. Here, we show that a silicon crystal glued to its holder exhibits a rate of low-energy phonon events that is more than two orders of magnitude larger than in a functionally identical crystal suspended from its holder in a low-stress state. The excess phonon event rate in the glued crystal decreases with time since cooldown, consistent with a source of phonon bursts which contributes to quasiparticle poisoning in quantum circuits and the low-energy events observed in cryogenic calorimeters. We argue that relaxation of thermally induced stress between the glue and crystal is the source of these events

Endocrine Activity of Extraembryonic Membranes Extends beyond Placental Amniotes

BACKGROUND. During development, all amniotes (mammals, reptiles, and birds) form extraembryonic membranes, which regulate gas and water exchange, remove metabolic wastes, provide shock absorption, and transfer maternally derived nutrients. In viviparous (live-bearing) amniotes, both extraembryonic membranes and maternal uterine tissues contribute to the placenta, an endocrine organ that synthesizes, transports, and metabolizes hormones essential for development. Historically, endocrine properties of the placenta have been viewed as an innovation of placental amniotes. However, an endocrine role of extraembryonic membranes has not been investigated in oviparous (egg-laying) amniotes despite similarities in their basic structure, function, and shared evolutionary ancestry. In this study, we ask whether the oviparous chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken (Gallus gallus) has the capability to synthesize and receive signaling of progesterone, a major placental steroid hormone. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. We quantified mRNA expression of key steroidogenic enzymes involved in progesterone synthesis and found that 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which converts pregnenolone to progesterone exhibited a 464 fold increase in the CAM from day 8 to day 18 of embryonic development (F5, 68=89.282, p<0.0001). To further investigate progesterone synthesis, we performed explant culture and found that the CAM synthesizes progesterone in vitro in the presence of a steroid precursor. Finally, we quantified mRNA expression and performed protein immunolocalization of the progesterone receptor in the CAM. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE. Collectively, our data indicate that the chick CAM is steroidogenic and has the capability to both synthesize progesterone and receive progesterone signaling. These findings represent a paradigm shift in evolutionary reproductive biology by suggesting that endocrine activity of extraembryonic membranes is not a novel characteristic of placental amniotes. Rather, we hypothesize that these membranes may share an additional unifying characteristic, steroidogenesis, across amniotes at large.Sigma Xi (G20073141634396861); National Science Foundation (2008059161); UF-Howard Hughes G.A.T.O.R. Program; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professorshi

A Stress Induced Source of Phonon Bursts and Quasiparticle Poisoning

The performance of superconducting qubits is degraded by a poorly characterized set of energy sources breaking the Cooper pairs responsible for superconductivity, creating a condition often called "quasiparticle poisoning." Recently, a superconductor with one of the lowest average quasiparticle densities ever measured exhibited quasiparticles primarily produced in bursts which decreased in rate with time after cooldown. Similarly, several cryogenic calorimeters used to search for dark matter have also observed an unknown source of low-energy phonon bursts that decrease in rate with time after cooldown. Here, we show that a silicon crystal glued to its holder exhibits a rate of low-energy phonon events that is more than two orders of magnitude larger than in a functionally identical crystal suspended from its holder in a low-stress state. The excess phonon event rate in the glued crystal decreases with time since cooldown, consistent with a source of phonon bursts which contributes to quasiparticle poisoning in quantum circuits and the low-energy events observed in cryogenic calorimeters. We argue that relaxation of thermally induced stress between the glue and crystal is the source of these events, and conclude that stress relaxation contributes to quasiparticle poisoning in superconducting qubits and the athermal phonon background in a broad class of rare-event searches.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures. W. A. Page and R. K. Romani contributed equally to this work. Correspondence should be addressed to R. K. Roman