bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Service Delivery through State–Citizen Partnership: The Case of theAhmedabad Urban Transport System
Authors: Verma Manisha , Priyadarshee Anurag
Published: October 2014

It is widely acknowledged that deeper engagements with people may improve systems of governance at all levels. However, urban local governments inIndia have not generally developed effective structures and mechanisms for engaging with their citizens. This article draws from a study ofAhmedabad,India, where the local municipal corporation actively engaged with the citizens to develop an efficient urban public transport system. The study demonstrates that appropriate partnerships with citizens may effectively address various institutional deficiencies normally faced by urban local governments, and may facilitate improvements in their service delivery.
Physical Capital, Human Capital, and Social Capital: The Changing Roles in China's Economic Growth
Authors: Li Yuheng , Wang Xun , Westlund Hans , Liu Yansui
Published: October 2014

This paper examines the roles of physical capital, human capital, and social capital in China's economic growth during the reform period 1981–2010. Empirical estimation confirms that physical capital and human capital contribute to the economic growth, probably due to the capital accumulation and the improvement of labor productivity. The impact of social capital turns from being insignificant in the 1980s and the 1990s to be positive in the 2000s, suggesting its rising importance in recent decades. A declining role of physical capital in the economic growth in China from 1990s to 2000s is also found. The findings hold for several additional robustness checks, including focusing on longer term determinants of the economic growth, subregional analysis, and endogeneity. Furthermore, the foreign direct investment inflows and adjustment of economic ownership structure are also important for economic growth in China.
Collaboration, Transferable and Non‐transferable Knowledge, and Innovation: A Study of a Cool Climate Wine Industry (Canada)
Authors: Doloreux David , Shearmur Richard , Guillaume Régis
Published: October 2014

The connection between innovation and territory is increasingly being questioned as evidence shows that collaboration and information exchange are not necessarily localised. However, this general observation may differ depending on the industry and type of exchange studied: some types of information may be more transferable than others. This may particularly be the case in the wine industry which, especially inCanada, is concentrated in a few regions, each with its own climate, geography, and institutions. This paper examines the nature and geography of collaboration in this industry, with emphasis on the relative importance of different sources of knowledge, the spatial dimension of exchanges, and their relevance for innovation. We find that certain knowledge exchanges are localised, particularly those that are closely associated with local growing conditions, whereas other more generic industry‐level exchanges occur at a wider spatial scale. Local knowledge transfers are characterised less by the type of knowledge exchanged than by the fact that it focuses on local conditions, and is therefore of little value outside the region.
Interleukin‐21 suppresses the differentiation and functions of T helper 2 cells
Authors: Lin Pin‐Yi , Jen Hsiao‐Yu , Chiang Bor‐Luen , Sheu Fuu , Chuang Ya‐Hui
Published: October 2014

T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, which produce interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5 and IL‐13, control immunity to all forms of allergic inflammatory responses. Interleukin‐21 (IL‐21) reduces allergic symptoms in murine models and inhibits IL‐4‐induced IgE secretion by B cells. However, whether or not IL‐21 directly affects Th2 cells, which leads to reduced allergic symptoms, is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL‐21 on the differentiation and effector functions of Th2 cells. We found that IL‐21 reduced the number of differentiated Th2 cells and these Th2 cells showed a diminished Th2 cytokine production. Interleukin‐21 suppressed Th2 cytokine production of already polarized Th2 cells by down‐regulation of transcription factor GATA‐3. It also induced apoptosis of Th2 cells with decreased anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl‐2. Intranasal administration of IL‐21 at the beginning of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization or before OVA challenge decreased Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of OVA/alum‐immunized allergic mice. In addition, the inhibitory effects of IL‐21 on Th2 effector functions can also be found in allergic patients. Our results demonstrate that IL‐21 suppresses the development of Th2 cells and functions of polarized Th2 cells. Hence, the administration of IL‐21 may be considered for use as a preventive and therapeutic approach when dealing with Th2‐mediated allergic diseases.
The antecedents of union commitment and participation: evaluating moderation effects across unions
Authors: Redman Tom , Snape Ed
Published: October 2014

This article evaluates whether the nature of the union moderates the antecedents of union commitment and participation, based on a study of member attitudes in Voice, formerly the Professional Association of Teachers, and the National Unions of Teachers, often seen as the most ‘moderate’ and ‘militant’ teacher unions, respectively.
The State of Asian Corporate Governance: A Presentation by Jamie Allen: CARE Conference | Hong Kong Polytechnic University | June 9, 2014
Authors: Allen Jamie
Published: October 2014

Since the 1998 Asian financial crisis, there has been considerable corporate governance reform in the region. But such reform has proceeded on two tracks. On one track, international rules are dominant, and common accounting and financial reporting standards are essentially accepted as necessary for trade and investment. On the second track, however, local cultural norms continue to exert a strong influence on the functioning of the boards, the quality of dialogue with shareholders, and the way they manage related party transactions and capital raising. As a consequence, in these matters of internal governance—where legacy issues and culture, and not international standards, continue to be the main driving force behind governance—there continue to be significant differences among Asian countries. And thus even as convergence is occurring in certain aspects of governance, it is expected to remain limited, particularly in the functioning of boards and internal governance.

As for the case of China, there was such a flurry of rule‐making in the early 2000s—a national Code of Corporate Governance in 2002, and a Directive on Quarterly Reports in 2003—that people in Hong Kong used to enjoy saying that China's corporate governance standards were higher than Hong Kong's. But if that may have been true on paper, the reality has been quite different.
Return of the glucoreceptor: Glucose activates the glucose‐sensing receptor T1R3 and facilitates metabolism in pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Kojima Itaru , Nakagawa Yuko , Ohtsu Yoshiaki , Hamano Kunihisa , Medina Johan , Nagasawa Masahiro
Published: October 2014

Subunits of the sweet taste receptor, namely T1R2 and T1R3, are expressed in mouse pancreatic islets. Quantitatively, the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid for T1R2 is much lower than that of T1R3, and immunoreactive T1R2 is in fact undetectable. Presumably, a homodimer of T1R3 could function as a signaling receptor. Activation of this receptor by adding an artificial sweetener, sucralose, leads to an increase in intracellular adenosine triphosphate ([ATP]c). This increase in [ATP]c is observed in the absence of ambient glucose. Sucralose also augments elevation of [ATP]c induced by methylsuccinate, a substrate for mitochondria. Consequently, activation of T1R3 promotes metabolism in mitochondria and increases [ATP]c. 3‐O‐Methylglucose, a non‐metabolizable analog of glucose, also increases [ATP]c. Conversely, knockdown of T1R3 attenuates elevation of [ATP]c induced by glucose. Hence, glucose promotes its own metabolism by activating T1R3 and augmenting ATP production. Collectively, a homodimer of T1R3 functions as a cell surface glucose‐sensing receptor and participates in the action of glucose on insulin secretion. The glucose‐sensing receptor T1R3 might be the putative glucoreceptor proposed decades ago by Niki et al. The glucose‐sensing receptor is involved in the action of glucose and modulates glucose metabolism in pancreatic β‐cells.
Trademarks, Triggers, and Online Search
Authors: Bechtold Stefan , Tucker Catherine
Published: October 2014

Internet search engines display advertisements along with search results, providing them with a major source of revenue. The display of ads is triggered by the use of keywords, which are found in the searches performed by search engine users. The fact that advertisers can buy a keyword that contains a trademark they do not own has caused controversy worldwide. To explore the actual effects of trademark and keyword advertising policies, we exploit a natural experiment in Europe. Following a decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, Google relaxed its AdWords policy in continental Europe in September 2010. After the policy change, Google allowed advertisers to select a third party's trademark as a keyword to trigger the display of ads, with only a limited complaint procedure for trademark owners. We use click‐stream data from European Internet users to explore the effect this policy change had on browsing behavior. Based on a data set of 5.38 million website visits before and after the policy change, we find little average change. However, we present evidence that this lack of average effect stems from an aggregation of two opposing effects. While navigational searches are less likely to lead to the trademark owner's website, non‐navigational searches are more likely to lead to the trademark owner's website after the policy change. The effect of changing keyword advertising policies varies with the purpose of the consumers using the trademark, and it is more pronounced for lesser‐known trademarks. The article points to tradeoffs trademark policy is facing beyond consumer confusion. More generally, the article proposes a novel way of analyzing the effect of different allocations of property rights in intellectual property law.
How Copyright Keeps Works Disappeared
Authors: Heald Paul J.
Published: October 2014

A random sample of new books for sale on Amazon.com shows more books for sale from the 1880s than the 1980s. Why? This article presents new data on how copyright stifles the reappearance of works. First, a random sample of more than 2,000 new books for sale on Amazon.com is analyzed along with a random sample of almost 2,000 songs available on new DVDs. Copyright status correlates highly with absence from the Amazon shelf. Together with publishing business models, copyright law seems to deter distribution and diminish access. Further analysis of eBook markets, used books on Abebooks.com, and the Chicago Public Library collection suggests that no alternative marketplace for out‐of‐print books has yet developed. Data from iTunes and YouTube, however, tell a different story for older hit songs. The much wider availability of old music in digital form may be explained by the differing holdings in two important cases, Boosey & Hawkes v. Disney (music) and Random House v. Rosetta Stone (books).
Expression profile and ligand‐binding characterization of odorant‐binding protein 2 from Batocera horsfieldi (Hope)
Authors: Li H. , Pan X.‐Y. , Chen L.‐Z. , Zhang A. , Wang D.‐X. , Wang M.‐Q.
Published: October 2014

Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are important components in insect olfactory systems that transport semiochemicals through the aqueous sensillum lymph to surface of olfactory receptor neurons. In this study, we cloned the cDNA of odorant‐binding protein 2 (BhorOBP2) in Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) and measured the level of the BhorOBP2 mRNA in a variety of tissues using quantitative reverse transcription and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We found that the BhorOBP2 mRNA was primarily expressed in the antennae, the level of BhorOBP2 mRNA was higher in males than in females, and correlated with age and mating status. The BhorOBP2 mRNA was also expressed in the labial palps at relatively high level, suggesting that it might have a role in gestation as well. To better understand the functions of the BhorOBP2 protein in odorant reception, recombinant BhorOBP2 was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the binding specificity of the protein for 18 volatile developmentally relevant chemicals and host‐plant‐related metabolites were assessed using N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine as a fluorescent probe. Competitive fluorescence binding assays showed that BhorOBP2 bound a broad range of host‐plant‐related odorants, including (E)‐2‐hexenal, 2‐methyl‐butanal, salicylaldehyde, (1S)‐(‐)‐verbenone, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, β‐pinene and ethyl acetate. Our results imply that BhorOBP2 might play an important role in the selectivity and specificity of odorant reception.
Epidural anesthesia in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)
Authors: Cordeiro Jefferson F. , Araújo Ana L. , Tanikawa Atticcus , Santos José R.S. , Bragagnoli André L. , Nóbrega Neto Pedro I. , Menezes Danilo J.A.
Published: October 2014

Background

Many primates are kept in breeding for scientific or conservation purposes, but much of the clinical care is represented by trauma. To provide more effective interventions in some of these cases, the present study aimed to evaluate the technique of local anesthesia through the epidural space in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus).

Methods

Ten animals were used, which have been deposited in the epidural space 1% lidocaine at a dose of 0.3 ml/kg over the lumbosacral joint. Heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation in arterial hemoglobin, blood pressure, rectal temperature, nociception, and cutaneous sensitivity were assessed before and after application.

Results

The technique promoted loss of sensation of the skin and muscle relaxation of the pelvic limbs, tail, and perineal region for a period of 35 minutes without any of the physiological parameters measured varies beyond normal values.

Conclusions

The technique proved easy to perform, safe, and effective.
Fear conditioning leads to alteration in specific genes expression in cortical and thalamic neurons that project to the lateral amygdala
Authors: Katz Ira K. , Lamprecht Raphael
Published: October 2014

RNA transcription is needed for memory formation. However, the ability to identify genes whose expression is altered by learning is greatly impaired because of methodological difficulties in profiling gene expression in specific neurons involved in memory formation. Here, we report a novel approach to monitor the expression of genes after learning in neurons in specific brain pathways needed for memory formation. In this study, we aimed to monitor gene expression after fear learning. We retrogradely labeled discrete thalamic neurons that project to the lateral amygdala (LA) of rats. The labeled neurons were dissected, using laser microdissection microscopy, after fear conditioning learning or unpaired training. The RNAs from the dissected neurons were subjected to microarray analysis. The levels of selected RNAs detected by the microarray analysis to be altered by fear conditioning were also assessed by nanostring analysis. We observed that the expression of genes involved in the regulation of translation, maturation and degradation of proteins was increased 6 h after fear conditioning compared to unpaired or naïve trained rats. These genes were not expressed 24 h after training or in cortical neurons that project to the LA. The expression of genes involved in transcription regulation and neuronal development was altered after fear conditioning learning in the cortical‐LA pathway. The present study provides key information on the identity of genes expressed in discrete thalamic and cortical neurons that project to the LA after fear conditioning. Such an approach could also serve to identify gene products as targets for the development of a new generation of therapeutic agents that could be aimed to functionally identified brain circuits to treat memory‐related disorders.

image

We monitored gene expression after fear conditioning learning in thalamus‐lateral amygdala (LA) and cortex‐LA brain pathways. We detected genes that are specifically increased after fear learning and that encode proteins that function as regulators of protein synthesis, maturation and degradation in thalamus‐LA pathway and regulators of transcription in the cortex‐LA pathway. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in fear memory formation.
Prevalence and Perpetrators of Workplace Violence by Nursing Unit and the Relationship Between Violence and the Perceived Work Environment
Authors: Park Mihyun , Cho Sung‐Hyun , Hong Hyun‐Ja
Published: October 2014

Aims

To identify the prevalence and perpetrators of workplace violence against nurses and to examine the relationship of work demands and trust and justice in the workplace with the occurrence of violence.

Design

This study employed cross‐sectional data from a 2013 nurse survey conducted at a university hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The study sample included 970 female nurses from 47 nursing units, including general, oncology, intensive care units (ICUs), operating rooms, and outpatient departments.

Methods

The second version of the medium‐sized Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II) was used to measure work demands (i.e., quantitative demands, work pace, and emotional demands), trust and justice, and violence. Relationships among those variables were examined by conducting multiple logistic regression analyses with multilevel modeling.

Findings

The 12‐month prevalence of verbal abuse (63.8%) was highest, followed by threats of violence (41.6%), physical violence (22.3%), and sexual harassment (19.7%), but bullying had the lowest prevalence (9.7%). Physical violence, threats of violence, and verbal abuse occurred most frequently in ICUs, whereas sexual harassment and bullying were highest in operating rooms. The main perpetrators were patients, followed by physicians and patients’ families. Nurses perceiving greater work demands and less trust and justice were more likely to have been exposed to violence.

Conclusions

The prevalence and perpetrators of violence varied considerably among nursing units. Greater work demands and less trust and justice were associated with nurses’ experiences of violence.

Clinical Relevance

Adequate work demands and a trusted and just work environment may reduce violence against nurses. In return, reduction of violence will contribute to creating a better nursing work environment.
Isolation of Butyl 2,3‐Dihydroxybenzoate From Paenibacillus elgii HOA73 Against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Hoa , Naing Kyaw Wai , Lee Young Seong , Kim Kil Yong
Published: October 2014

Here we report for the first time the isolation of butyl 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoate (B2,3DB) from the novel antagonistic bacterium Paenibacillus elgii HOA73 and its activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL). In this study, the bacterial strain P. elgii HOA73 was isolated from soil and identified via 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolate demonstrated significant antagonism towards several plant pathogens including FOL. Our results showed the bacterial culture filtrate of P. elgii HOA73 to be highly active, inhibiting 86.1% of the growth of FOL at 50% concentration. Similarly, the bacterial crude extract of P. elgii HOA73 at 2 mg significantly inhibited FOL growth by 72.5%. An antifungal compound was purified from the bacterial crude extract of P. elgii HOA73 through different chromatographic techniques and was identif‐ied as butyl 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoate (B2,3DB) based on nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analyses. B2,3DB displayed potent antifungal properties, inhibiting FOL growth by 83.2% when used at 0.6 mg. The minimum inhibitory concentration of B2,3DB to inhibit any visible mycelial growth of FOL was 32 μg ml−1. All FOL conidia displayed an absence of germination or degradation when treated with 32 μg ml−1 B2,3DB after 8 or 24 h, respectively. Therefore, our results clearly demonstrated B2,3DB, as well as P. elgii HOA73, as potential biological control agents for the management of FOL.
Risk of Early Onset Substance Use among Students with and without Mild Academic Disabilities: Results of a Discrete–Time Survival Analysis
Authors: Kepper Annelies , Koning Ina , Vollebergh Wilma , Monshouwer Karin
Published: October 2014

This study investigated the age of onset of substance use among 536 students with mild academic disabilities and 906 students without academic disabilities, and the extent to which emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity problems explain the differences between these two groups. Using discrete–time survival analysis, the results of this study showed that students with a mild academic disability were not at higher risk for the onset of daily smoking, and were at a significantly lower risk for the onset of weekly alcohol use and cannabis use. Though students with a mild academic disability displayed higher scores on conduct, emotional, and hyperactivity problems compared with their counterparts without an academic disability, this was not reflected in an increased risk for early onset substance use.
Salient Predictors of School Dropout among Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Doren Bonnie , Murray Christopher , Gau Jeff M.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to identify the unique contributions of a comprehensive set of predictors and the most salient predictors of school dropout among a nationally representative sample of students with learning disabilities (LD). A comprehensive set of theoretically and empirically relevant factors was selected for examination. Analyses were conducted to explore the unique contribution and relative importance of these factors in predicting dropout. Results indicated that the most salient predictors of school dropout included a set of malleable individual (grades, and engagement in high–risk behaviors), family (parent expectations), and school (quality of students’ relationship with teachers and peers) factors. The findings validate multicomponent dropout prevention and intervention models for this population while at the same time illuminating specific key components that appear to be of particular importance in school dropout among students with LD.
A Murine Toolbox for Imaging the Neurovascular Unit
Authors: Hartmann David A. , Underly Robert G. , Watson Ashley N. , Shih Andy Y.
Published: October 2014

The neurovascular unit (NVU) coordinates many essential functions in the brain including blood flow control, nutrient delivery, and maintenance of BBB integrity. These functions are the result of a cellular and molecular interplay that we are just beginning to understand. Cells of the NVU can now be investigated in the intact brain through the combined use of high‐resolution in vivo imaging and non‐invasive molecular tools to observe and manipulate cell function. Mouse lines that target transgene expression to cells of the NVU will be of great value in future work. However, a detailed evaluation of target cell specificity and expression pattern within the brain is required for many existing lines. The purpose of this review was to catalog mouse lines available to cerebrovascular biologists and to discuss their utility and limitations in future imaging studies.
Nursing essential principles: continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Richardson Annette , Whatmore Jayne
Published: October 2014

Aims

This article aims to guide critical care nurses with the care and management of patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Background

CRRT, a highly specialized therapy involving complex nursing care, is used widely in the intensive care unit to treat patients with acute kidney injury.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, Medline from PubMed and BNI using the search terms CRRT or continuous veno‐venous haemofiltration and nursing or nurses from 2000 onwards and limited to the English language. The appraised evidence and expert opinion is used in this article.

Results

Four essential nursing principles for CRRT are reviewed (1) the importance of continuous assessment of the indications to influence the appropriate mode; (2) ensuring good vascular access; (3) the avoidance of unnecessary interruptions and (4) the prevention of complications.

Conclusion

The identified four essential nursing principles provide guidance on this complex aspects of nursing practice. Specific nursing research to guide the care and management of this therapy is limited so should be explored in the future.

Relevance to clinical practice

Critical care nurses caring for and managing patients on CRRT require an understanding of how to deliver safe CRRT.
The rhizosphere and hyphosphere differ in their impacts on carbon and nitrogen cycling in forests exposed to elevated CO2
Authors: Meier Ina C. , Pritchard Seth G. , Brzostek Edward R. , McCormack M. Luke , Phillips Richard P.
Published: October 2014

While multiple experiments have demonstrated that trees exposed to elevated CO2 can stimulate microbes to release nutrients from soil organic matter, the importance of root‐ versus mycorrhizal‐induced changes in soil processes are presently unknown.

We analyzed the contribution of roots and mycorrhizal activities to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) turnover in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest exposed to elevated CO2 by measuring extracellular enzyme activities at soil microsites accessed via root windows. Specifically, we quantified enzyme activity from soil adjacent to root tips (rhizosphere), soil adjacent to hyphal tips (hyphosphere), and bulk soil.

During the peak growing season, CO2 enrichment induced a greater increase of N‐releasing enzymes in the rhizosphere (215% increase) than in the hyphosphere (36% increase), but a greater increase of recalcitrant C‐degrading enzymes in the hyphosphere (118%) than in the rhizosphere (19%). Nitrogen fertilization influenced the magnitude of CO2 effects on enzyme activities in the rhizosphere only. At the ecosystem scale, the rhizosphere accounted for c. 50% and 40% of the total activity of N‐ and C‐releasing enzymes, respectively.

Collectively, our results suggest that root exudates may contribute more to accelerated N cycling under elevated CO2 at this site, while mycorrhizal fungi may contribute more to soil C degradation.
Notch signaling in the malignant bone marrow microenvironment: implications for a niche‐based model of oncogenesis
Authors: Evans Andrew G. , Calvi Laura M.
Published: October 2014

Fueled by the growing interest in stem cell biology and the promise of regenerative medicine, study of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) microenvironment has provided critical insights into normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Notch receptor signaling in this microenvironment is a critical regulator of HSC fate and differentiation. Notch signaling also has the potential to modulate the growth of various malignant cell types, as evidenced by the growing list of hematologic cancers and other malignancies associated with either mutations in Notch genes or alterations in Notch signaling. In both health and disease, activation of Notch signaling predominantly exerts influence through stromal cell interactions with the tumor or stem cell microenvironments. Definitive evidence from transgenic mouse models has shown that alterations in stromal cell signaling from the bone marrow niche can induce malignant outgrowth of preleukemic clones and leukemia. Understanding how Notch receptor signals in the bone marrow microenvironment govern stem cell behavior will advance our understanding of cancer pathogenesis in hematologic malignancies and may have implications for treating metastatic solid tumors involving bone. These microenvironmental interactions are potential therapeutic targets for treating and preventing a variety of diseases, including bone marrow failure disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes, leukemia, and lymphoma.
Effects of long‐term individual and combined water and temperature stress on the growth of rice, wheat and maize: relationship with morphological and physiological acclimation
Authors: Perdomo Juan Alejandro , Conesa Miquel À. , Medrano Hipólito , Ribas‐Carbó Miquel , Galmés Jeroni
Published: October 2014

This study evaluates the long‐term individual and combined effects of high temperature (HT) and water deficit (WD) stress on plant growth, leaf gas‐exchange and water use efficiency in cultivars of the three most important crops worldwide, rice, wheat and maize. Total plant biomass (Bt) accumulation decreased under all treatments, being the combined HT–WD treatment the most detrimental in all three species. Although decreases in Bt correlated with adjustments in biomass allocation patterns (i.e. the leaf area ratio), most of the variation observed in Bt was explained by changes in leaf gas exchange parameters. Thus, integrated values of leaf carbon balance obtained from daily course measurements of photosynthesis and respiration were better predictors of plant growth than the instantaneous measurements of leaf gas exchange. Leaf water use efficiency, assessed both by gas exchange and carbon isotope measurements, was negatively correlated with Bt under WD, but not under the combined WD and HT treatment. A comparative analysis of the negative effects of single and combined stresses on the main parameters showed an additive component for WD and HT in rice and maize, in contrast to wheat. Overall, the results of the specific cultivars included in the study suggest that the species native climate plays a role shaping the species acclimation potential to the applied stresses. In this regard, wheat, originated in a cold climate, was the most affected species, which foretells a higher affectation of this crop due to climate change.
Sucrose transport and phloem unloading in peach fruit: potential role of two transporters localized in different cell types
Authors: Zanon Laura , Falchi Rachele , Santi Simonetta , Vizzotto Giannina
Published: October 2014

Several complex physiological processes, which include long‐distance translocation in the phloem and unloading in sink tissues, govern the partitioning of sugars in economically important organs, such as peach fruit. In this study, we took advantage of a symplastic tracer, carboxyfluorescein (CF), providing evidence for an apoplastic sucrose transfer in the early (SI) and middle (SIII) phases of peach fruit development. Moreover, using a combination of in situ hybridization and laser microdissection‐assisted expression analysis, three putative sucrose transporters encoding genes (PpSUT1, PpSUT2, PpSUT4) were transcriptionally analyzed to relate their expression with sucrose storage in this organ. Our study revealed that PpSUT2 and PpSUT4 are the genes predominantly expressed in fruit flesh, and the detailed analysis of their expression pattern in the different cell types enabled us to suggest a specialized role in sucrose distribution. Both PpSUTs transporters could be involved in the retrieval of sucrose lost from the symplastic continuum of the phloem and, when expressed in parenchyma cells, they could be active in the import of sucrose into sink tissues, via symport from the apoplast. An alternative hypothesis has been proposed and discussed for PpSUT4 because of its putative tonoplastic localization. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning sucrose unloading and accumulation in peach fruit.
How to counteract the suppression of exploration in publicly traded corporations
Authors: Walrave Bob , van Oorschot Kim E. , Romme A. Georges L.
Published: October 2014

Top management teams frequently overemphasize efforts to exploit the current product portfolio, even in the face of the strong need to step up exploration activities. This mismanagement of the balance between explorativeR&Dactivities and exploitation of the current product portfolio can result in the so‐called success trap, the situation where explorative activities are fully suppressed. The success trap constitutes a serious threat to the long‐term viability of a firm. Recent studies of publicly traded corporations suggest that the suppression of exploration arises from the interplay among the executive team's myopic forces, the board of directors as gatekeeper of the capital market, and the exploitation–exploration investments and their outcomes. In this paper, system dynamics modeling serves to identify and test ways in which top management teams can counteract this suppression process. For instance, we find that when the executive board is suppressing exploration, the board of directors can still prevent the success trap by actively intervening in the exploitation–exploration strategy.
China's intellectual property protection strength and its evaluation – based on the accession to TRIPS Agreement (Agreement On Trade‐related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)
Authors: Li Wei , Yu Xiang
Published: October 2014

This paper builds China's intellectual property protection strength from the aspects of intellectual property legislation protection strength and law enforcement protection strength, and calculates by using the actual data from 1985 to 2010. The results show that China's intellectual property protection strength has always been enhanced, and Chow test shows that the structural breakpoints appeared in China's intellectual property protection strength in 2001(when China joined TRIPS Agreement). The further Granger causality test shows that the economic development level and technological innovation ability are the factors promoting China's intellectual property protection strength, which, however, has not effectively promoted economic development and technological innovation ability due to the impact of the overall economic development level.
State of Innovation in Suicide Intervention Research with Military Populations
Authors: Conner Kenneth R. , Simons Kelsey
Published: October 2014

A systematic search was performed to identify active, externally funded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that target suicidal ideation or behavior as a primary or secondary outcome among U.S. military service members, guard–reservists, and veterans. Twenty‐three studies were identified, most funded by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Several innovations were identified based on departures from or modernizations of usual practices and included the targeting of suicide deaths or attempts as primary outcome, delivery of interventions through technology and/or outside clinical settings, and examinations of rarely studied treatments.
The Political CEO: An Event Study Comparing Consumer Attributions of CEO Behavior*
Authors: Mikeska Jessica , Harvey Elise Johansen
Published: October 2014

Objective

We sought to establish a relationship between negative political behavior of key firm members and consumer evaluations of the firm through an attribution theories extension.

Method

We sample and code approximately 1,500 Tweets surrounding Dan Cathy's political beliefs about marriage and Taco Bell's response to a lawsuit regarding beef.

Results

Consumers are more likely to attribute a volitional event (CEO political disapproval) toward the firm than toward societal elements. However, consumers experienced a greater degree of negative affect following the situational than the volitional event.

Conclusion

While none of the consumers who attributed this situation toward Taco Bell also communicated decisions to no longer return for Taco Bell products, approximately 15 percent of the consumers who attributed Dan Cathy's political beliefs toward Chick‐fil‐A communicated intentions to no longer return to Chick‐fil‐A. A firm operated by a political CEO could lose 15 percent of all its consumers.
Frobenius categories, Gorenstein algebras and rational surface singularities
Authors: Kalck Martin , Iyama Osamu , Wemyss Michael , Yang Dong
Published: October 2014

We give sufficient conditions for a Frobenius category to be equivalent to the category of Gorenstein projective modules over an Iwanaga–Gorenstein ring. We then apply this result to the Frobenius category of special Cohen–Macaulay modules over a rational surface singularity, where we show that the associated stable category is triangle equivalent to the singularity category of a certain discrepant partial resolution of the given rational singularity. In particular, this produces uncountably many Iwanaga–Gorenstein rings of finite Gorenstein projective type. We also apply our method to representation theory, obtaining Auslander–Solberg and Kong type results.
High resolution Cerenkov light imaging of induced positron distribution in proton therapy
Authors: Yamamoto Seiichi , Toshito Toshiyuki , Fujii Kento , Morishita Yuki , Okumura Satoshi , Komori Masataka
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

In proton therapy, imaging of the positron distribution produced by fragmentation during or soon after proton irradiation is a useful method to monitor the proton range. Although positron emission tomography (PET) is typically used for this imaging, its spatial resolution is limited. Cerenkov light imaging is a new molecular imaging technology that detects the visible photons that are produced from high‐speed electrons using a high sensitivity optical camera. Because its inherent spatial resolution is much higher than PET, the authors can measure more precise information of the proton‐induced positron distribution with Cerenkov light imaging technology. For this purpose, they conducted Cerenkov light imaging of induced positron distribution in proton therapy.

Methods:

First, the authors evaluated the spatial resolution of our Cerenkov light imaging system with a 22Na point source for the actual imaging setup. Then the transparent acrylic phantoms (100 × 100 × 100 mm3) were irradiated with two different proton energies using a spot scanning proton therapy system. Cerenkov light imaging of each phantom was conducted using a high sensitivity electron multiplied charge coupled device (EM‐CCD) camera.

Results:

The Cerenkov light's spatial resolution for the setup was 0.76 ± 0.6 mm FWHM. They obtained high resolution Cerenkov light images of the positron distributions in the phantoms for two different proton energies and made fused images of the reference images and the Cerenkov light images. The depths of the positron distribution in the phantoms from the Cerenkov light images were almost identical to the simulation results. The decay curves derived from the region‐of‐interests (ROIs) set on the Cerenkov light images revealed that Cerenkov light images can be used for estimating the half‐life of the radionuclide components of positrons.

Conclusions:

High resolution Cerenkov light imaging of proton‐induced positron distribution was possible. The authors conclude that Cerenkov light imaging of proton‐induced positron is promising for proton therapy.
The Healing Power of Sleep
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2014

Epidermal growth factor signaling in a single neuron induces a sleeplike state that allows nematodes to recover from cellular stress.
Morphin’ Mutant p85α
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: October 2014

Some mutations in a PI3K subunit promote cancer cell proliferation through a PI3K-independent pathway.
Contaminated Handwashing Sinks as the Source of a Clonal Outbreak of KPC-2-Producing Klebsiella oxytoca on a Hematology Ward
Authors: Leitner Eva , Zarfel Gernot , Luxner Josefa , Herzog Kathrin , Pekard-Amenitsch Shiva , Hoenigl Martin , Valentin Thomas , Feierl Gebhard , Grisold Andrea J. , Högenauer Christoph , Sill Heinz , Krause Robert , Zollner-Schwetz Ines
Published: October 2014

We investigated sinks as possible sources of a prolonged
Klebsiella pneumonia
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
Klebsiella oxytoca
outbreak. Seven carbapenem-resistant
K. oxytoca
isolates were identified in sink drains in 4 patient rooms and in the medication room. Investigations for resistance genes and genetic relatedness of patient and environmental isolates revealed that all the isolates harbored the
bla
KPC-2
and
bla
TEM-1
genes and were genetically indistinguishable. We describe here a clonal outbreak caused by KPC-2-producing
K. oxytoca
, and handwashing sinks were a possible reservoir.
Structural Basis of the Proteolytic and Chaperone Activity of Chlamydia trachomatis CT441
Authors: Kohlmann Friedrich , Shima Kensuke , Hilgenfeld Rolf , Solbach Werner , Rupp Jan , Hansen Guido
Published: October 2014

Chlamydia trachomatis
is the most prevalent cause of preventable blindness worldwide and a major reason for infectious infertility in females. Several bacterial factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of
C. trachomatis
. Combining structural and mutational analysis, we have shown that the proteolytic function of CT441 depends on a conserved Ser/Lys/Gln catalytic triad and a functional substrate-binding site within a flexible PDZ (
p
ostsynaptic density of 95 kDa,
d
iscs large, and
z
onula occludens) domain. Previously, it has been suggested that CT441 is involved in modulating estrogen signaling responses of the host cell. Our results show that although
in vitro
CT441 exhibits proteolytic activity against SRAP1, a coactivator of estrogen receptor α, CT441-mediated SRAP1 degradation is not observed during the intracellular developmental cycle before host cells are lysed and infectious chlamydiae are released. Most compellingly, we have newly identified a chaperone activity of CT441, indicating a role of CT441 in prokaryotic protein quality control processes.
Automatic identification of methotrexate-induced liver toxicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from the electronic medical record
Authors: Lin Chen , Karlson Elizabeth W , Dligach Dmitriy , Ramirez Monica P , Miller Timothy A , Mo Huan , Braggs Natalie S , Cagan Andrew , Gainer Vivian , Denny Joshua C , Savova Guergana K
Published: October 2014

Objectives To improve the accuracy of mining structured and unstructured components of the electronic medical record (EMR) by adding temporal features to automatically identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with methotrexate-induced liver transaminase abnormalities.

Materials and methods Codified information and a string-matching algorithm were applied to a RA cohort of 5903 patients from Partners HealthCare to select 1130 patients with potential liver toxicity. Supervised machine learning was applied as our key method. For features, Apache clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System (cTAKES) was used to extract standard vocabulary from relevant sections of the unstructured clinical narrative. Temporal features were further extracted to assess the temporal relevance of event mentions with regard to the date of transaminase abnormality. All features were encapsulated in a 3-month-long episode for classification. Results were summarized at patient level in a training set (N=480 patients) and evaluated against a test set (N=120 patients).

Results The system achieved positive predictive value (PPV) 0.756, sensitivity 0.919, F1 score 0.829 on the test set, which was significantly better than the best baseline system (PPV 0.590, sensitivity 0.703, F1 score 0.642). Our innovations, which included framing the phenotype problem as an episode-level classification task, and adding temporal information, all proved highly effective.

Conclusions Automated methotrexate-induced liver toxicity phenotype discovery for patients with RA based on structured and unstructured information in the EMR shows accurate results. Our work demonstrates that adding temporal features significantly improved classification results.
Supporting London's dog owners
Authors: Cutmore Heather
Published: October 2014

Heather Cutmore, VN, is a veterinary welfare officer with Dogs Trust. She splits her time between working with the homeless and providing dog health and welfare advice to London's dog owning communities
Animal welfare education – can MOOCs contribute?
Authors: MacKay Jill , Langford Fritha , Waran Natalie
Published: October 2014

Jill MacKay, Fritha Langford and Natalie Waran were three of the lecturers on the University of Edinburgh's massive open online course (MOOC) on animal welfare and behaviour that began in July. Here, they assess its global appeal and judge its success
Garlic extract attenuates brain mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive deficit in obese-insulin resistant rats
Authors: Pintana Hiranya , Sripetchwandee Jirapas , Supakul Luerat , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn
Published: October 2014

Oxidative stress in the obese-insulin resistant condition has been shown to affect cognitive as well as brain mitochondrial functions. Garlic extract has exerted a potent antioxidant effect. However, the effects of garlic extract on the brain of obese-insulin resistant rats have never been investigated. We hypothesized that garlic extract improves cognitive function and brain mitochondrial function in obese-insulin resistant rats induced by long-term high-fat diet (HFD) consumption. Male Wistar rats were fed either normal diet or HFD for 16 weeks (n = 24/group). At week 12, rats in each dietary group received either vehicle or garlic extract (250 and 500 mg·kg–1·day–1) for 28 days. Learning and memory behaviors, metabolic parameters, and brain mitochondrial function were determined at the end of treatment. HFD led to increased body weight, visceral fat, plasma insulin, cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating the development of insulin resistance. Furthermore, HFD rats had cognitive deficit and brain mitochondrial dysfunction. HFD rats treated with both doses of garlic extract had decreased body weight, visceral fat, plasma cholesterol, and MDA levels. Garlic extract also improved cognitive function and brain mitochondrial function, which were impaired in obese-insulin resistant rats caused by HFD consumption.
Relationship between vessel porosity and leaf emergence pattern in ring- and diffuse-porous deciduous trees in a temperate hardwood forest
Authors: Takahashi Sayaka , Okada Naoki , Nobuchi Tadashi
Published: October 2014

To elucidate the functional relationship between intra-annual variations in vessel diameter and leaf emergence pattern of ring-porous and diffuse-porous deciduous trees in temperate forests, we determined the temporal relationships between leaf phenology and vessel formation. Cylindrical stem cores were periodically collected from each of five ring- and diffuse-porous species, and the leaf and vessel formation were observed simultaneously. In the ring-porous species, vessel formation began within 2 weeks of leaf appearance, and most wide vessels were formed within 2 weeks of full leaf expansion. More of the trees with intermediate-type formed medium-sized vessels or sparse wide vessels than trees with the flush-type leaf emergence, especially between full leaf expansion and the end of shoot elongation. Narrow vessel formation began 2–8 weeks after full leaf expansion in all specimens. The transition between the pore- and non-pore zones was abrupt in the flush-type species, and gradual in the intermediate-type species. In contrast, diffuse-porous species formed vessels 0–8 weeks after full leaf expansion. Our findings suggest that ring-porous species form leaves and vessels synchronously to accommodate water-transport requirements, whereas diffuse-porous species form these tissues asynchronously; thus, unlike the latter type, the former species change vessel diameters according to leaf formation.