bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship of CTLA4 and CD28 polymorphisms with lung involvement, HRCT findings and pulmonary function tests in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Karakose Okyaltırık Fatmanur , Rezvani Aylin , Turan Saime , Uysal Ömer , Yakar Fatih , Sozgen Hatice , Ozkan Nazlı Ezgi , Akkoyunlu Muhammet Emin , Bayram Mehmet , Kutbay Ozcelik Hatice , Sezer Murat , Guler Mustafa , Yaylım İlhan , Kart Levent
Published: September 2015

Background and Aims

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a multisystem disorder with ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular involvement. The incidence of pulmonary involvement varies from 1 to 52%. Abnormal T‐cell function‐derived immune responses are involved in AS pathogenesis. Numerous genes such as CTLA4 and CD28 control T‐cell functions. In this study, we aimed to address the relationship between CTLA4 and CD28 polymorphisms and lung involvement in Turkish patients with AS.

Methods

A cross‐sectional evaluation of 80 healthy and 89 AS subjects with no active infection or malignancy was performed to determine the relationship between pulmonary involvement and CTLA4 and CD28 gene polymorphisms. All patients were assessed for clinical, radiological, and spirometric findings. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests, and independent‐sample t‐tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results

All patients with the CD28 CC genotype (n = 4) had abnormal HRCT, but it was not significant (p = 0.47). All of the normal HRCT patients have CD 28 T alleles. In addition to this data ; 4 patients who have not any T alleles have abnormal HRCT finding. It was significant and was considered that T genotype have protective effect (p= 0,047) on radiologic involvement but no other association was found between CTLA4 and CD28 gene polymorphism with respect to pulmonary function tests (PFT), diffusion capacity, and clinical characteristics in the Turkish patients with AS.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a possible association of CTLA4 and CD28 variants with AS pulmonary involvement. Furthermore, these results may lead to the development of new therapeutic agents to control more aggressive forms of the disease. However, further studies are needed in larger populations.
Child and adolescent exposure to alcohol advertising in Australia's major televised sports
Authors: Carr Sherilene , O'Brien Kerry S. , Ferris Jason , Room Robin , Livingston Michael , Vandenberg Brian , Donovan Robert J. , Lynott Dermot
Published: September 2015

Introduction and Aims

Exposure to alcohol advertising is associated with greater alcohol consumption in children and adolescents, and alcohol advertising is common in Australian sport. We examine child, adolescent and young adult exposure to alcohol advertising during three televised sports in Australia: Australian Football League (AFL), cricket and the National Rugby League (NRL).

Methods

Alcohol advertising and audience viewing data were purchased for all AFL, cricket and NRL TV programs in Australia for 2012. We estimated children and adolescents (0–17 years) and young adults (18–29 years) exposure to alcohol advertising during AFL, cricket and NRL programs in the daytime (06:00–20:29 h), and night‐time (20:30–23:59 h).

Results

There were 3544 alcohol advertisements in AFL (1942), cricket (941) and NRL programs (661), representing 60% of all alcohol advertising in sport TV, and 15% of all alcohol advertisements on Australian TV. These programs had a cumulative audience of 26.9 million children and adolescents, and 32 million young adults. Children and adolescents received 51 million exposures to alcohol advertising, with 47% of this exposure occurring during the daytime. Children and adolescents exposure to alcohol advertising was similar to young adults and peaked after 8.30pm.

Discussion and Conclusions

Child and adolescent and young adult's exposure to alcohol advertising is high when viewing sport TV in Australia in the daytime and night‐time. Current alcohol advertising regulations are not protecting children and adolescents from exposure, particularly in prominent televised sports. The regulations should be changed to reduce children and adolescent excessive exposure to alcohol advertising when watching sport. [Carr S, O'Brien KS, Ferris J, Room R, Livingston M, Vandenberg B, Donovan RJ, Lynott D. Child and adolescent exposure to alcohol advertising in Australia's major televised sports. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:406–411]
Coping with problematic drug use in the family: An evaluation of the Stepping Stones program
Authors: Gethin Anni , Trimingham Tony , Chang Theo , Farrell Michael , Ross Joanne
Published: September 2015

Introduction and Aims

Problematic substance use by an individual is often highly destructive to their family, creating emotional turmoil and destroying healthy family functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of participation in the Stepping Stones family support program on the coping capacity of family members affected by another's substance use.

Design and Methods

A pre and post study of the Stepping Stones intervention for families was conducted, involving 108 participants recruited from March 2013 to March 2014.

Results

Significant improvement in coping across all domains was observed post course and at follow up on both outcome measures (Coping Questionnaire and the Family Drug Support Questionnaire). Improvements for participants were either increased or sustained at 3 months follow up. Participants recorded high satisfaction ratings.

Discussion and Conclusions

The findings from this study demonstrate that participation in the Stepping Stones program assists family members to cope better with problematic substance use of a family member, as indicated by reductions in negative coping strategies, such as over‐engagement, making excuses for the drug user or hopelessly tolerating the problem, and improvements in positive coping strategies such as self‐care and engagement with their own activities and interests. [Gethin A, Trimingham T, Chang T, Farrell M, Ross J. Coping with problematic drug use in the family: An evaluation of the Stepping Stones program. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:470–476]
Effects of host heterogeneity on pathogen diversity and evolution
Authors: Fleming‐Davies Arietta E. , Dukic Vanja , Andreasen Viggo , Dwyer Greg
Published: September 2015

Phenotypic variation is common in most pathogens, yet the mechanisms that maintain this diversity are still poorly understood. We asked whether continuous host variation in susceptibility helps maintain phenotypic variation, using experiments conducted with a baculovirus that infects gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae. We found that an empirically observed tradeoff between mean transmission rate and variation in transmission, which results from host heterogeneity, promotes long‐term coexistence of two pathogen types in simulations of a population model. This tradeoff introduces an alternative strategy for the pathogen: a low‐transmission, low‐variability type can coexist with the high‐transmission type favoured by classical non‐heterogeneity models. In addition, this tradeoff can help explain the extensive phenotypic variation we observed in field‐collected pathogen isolates, in traits affecting virus fitness including transmission and environmental persistence. Similar heterogeneity tradeoffs might be a general mechanism promoting phenotypic variation in any pathogen for which hosts vary continuously in susceptibility.
New species of alderfly genus Sialis (Megaloptera: Sialidae) from China and Vietnam, with a key to species of Sialis from Asia
Authors: Liu Xingyue , Hayashi Fumio , Yang Ding
Published: September 2015

The alderfly genus Sialis is the most species‐rich group of the family Sialidae. However, discovery of new Sialis species is becoming difficult because of previous good faunal exploration. In this paper, we describe two new Sialis species from the southern part of East Asia, S. australis and S. jiyuni, based on materials from historical and recent collections. These two species are closely related to the insular species S. kumejimae and are among the early diverged species within Sialis. Presently, 32 species of Sialis are recorded from Asia. A key to all the Sialis species from Asia is provided.
Seed dispersal of the hemiparasitic plant Thesium chinense by Tetramorium tsushimae and Pristomyrmex punctatus
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji
Published: September 2015

Heterotrophic plants normally produce a vast number of dust‐like seeds containing minimal energy reserves, which are usually wind dispersed. However, some heterotrophic species have evolved adaptive strategies to use zoochorous seed dispersal. Seed dispersal by ants, known as myrmecochory, is one of the most widespread animal dispersal systems and has been reported in a diverse range of plant taxa. However, the combination of myrmecochory and heterotrophy seems to be very rare. Here I report the discovery of myrmecochory in the hemiparasitic plant Thesium chinense by Tetramorium tsushimae and Pristomyrmex punctatus. Myrmecochory would be an advantageous dispersal system for T. chinense because its fruits are quickly transferred to the ants' nests, which provide a refuge from the seed predator Canthophorus niveimarginatus. Myrmecochory is also potentially beneficial for T. chinense, as the nests of these ants are frequently located close to poaceous plants, which are the preferred hosts.
Structure of product‐bound SMG1 lipase: active site gating implications
Authors: Guo Shaohua , Xu Jinxin , Pavlidis Ioannis V. , Lan Dongming , Bornscheuer Uwe T. , Liu Jinsong , Wang Yonghua
Published: September 2015

Monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol lipases are industrially interesting enzymes, due to the health benefits that arise from the consumption of diglycerides compared to the traditional triglyceride oils. Most lipases possess an α‐helix (lid) directly over the catalytic pocket which regulates the activity of the enzyme. Generally, lipases exist in active and inactive conformations, depending on the positioning of this lid subdomain. However, lipase SMG1, a monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol specific lipase, has an atypical activation mechanism. In the present study we were able to prove by crystallography, in silico analysis and activity tests that only two positions, residues 102 and 278, are responsible for a gating mechanism that regulates the active and inactive states of the lipase, and that no significant structural changes take place during activation except for oxyanion hole formation. The elucidation of the gating effect provided data enabling the rational design of improved lipases with 6‐fold increase in the hydrolytic activity toward diacylglycerols, just by providing additional substrate stabilization with a single mutation (F278N or F278T). Due to the conservation of F278 among the monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol lipases in the Rhizomucor miehei lipase‐like family, the gating mechanism described herein might represent a general mechanism applicable to other monoacylglycerol and diacylglycerol lipases as well.

Database

Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4ZRE (F278D mutant) and 4ZRD (F278N mutant).
Recent insights into cell death and autophagy
Authors: Fitzwalter Brent E. , Thorburn Andrew
Published: September 2015

Macroautophagy (hereafter autophagy) is an evolutionarily‐ancient mechanism by which cellular material is delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy and cell death are intimately linked. For example, both processes often use the same molecular machinery and recent work suggests that autophagy has great influence over a cell's decision to live or die. However, this decision‐making is complicated by the fact that the role of autophagy in determining whether a cell should live or die goes both ways: autophagy inhibition can result in more or less cell death depending on the death stimulus, cell type or context. Autophagy may also differentially affect different types of cell death. In the present review, we discuss the recent literature that helps make sense of this apparently inconsistent role of autophagy in influencing a cell to live or die.
Risk analysis reveals global hotspots for marine debris ingestion by sea turtles
Authors: Schuyler Qamar A. , Wilcox Chris , Townsend Kathy A. , Wedemeyer‐Strombel Kathryn R. , Balazs George , van Sebille Erik , Hardesty Britta Denise
Published: September 2015

Plastic marine debris pollution is rapidly becoming one of the critical environmental concerns facing wildlife in the 21st century. Here we present a risk analysis for plastic ingestion by sea turtles on a global scale. We combined global marine plastic distributions based on ocean drifter data with sea turtle habitat maps to predict exposure levels to plastic pollution. Empirical data from necropsies of deceased animals were then utilised to assess the consequence of exposure to plastics. We modelled the risk (probability of debris ingestion) by incorporating exposure to debris and consequence of exposure, and included life history stage, species of sea turtle and date of stranding observation as possible additional explanatory factors. Life history stage is the best predictor of debris ingestion, but the best‐fit model also incorporates encounter rates within a limited distance from stranding location, marine debris predictions specific to the date of the stranding study and turtle species. There is no difference in ingestion rates between stranded turtles vs. those caught as bycatch from fishing activity, suggesting that stranded animals are not a biased representation of debris ingestion rates in the background population. Oceanic life‐stage sea turtles are at the highest risk of debris ingestion, and olive ridley turtles are the most at‐risk species. The regions of highest risk to global sea turtle populations are off of the east coasts of the USA, Australia and South Africa; the east Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asia. Model results can be used to predict the number of sea turtles globally at risk of debris ingestion. Based on currently available data, initial calculations indicate that up to 52% of sea turtles may have ingested debris.
Interactive effects of warming, eutrophication and size structure: impacts on biodiversity and food‐web structure
Authors: Binzer Amrei , Guill Christian , Rall Björn C. , Brose Ulrich
Published: September 2015

Warming and eutrophication are two of the most important global change stressors for natural ecosystems, but their interaction is poorly understood. We used a dynamic model of complex, size‐structured food webs to assess interactive effects on diversity and network structure. We found antagonistic impacts: Warming increases diversity in eutrophic systems and decreases it in oligotrophic systems. These effects interact with the community size structure: Communities of similarly sized species such as parasitoid–host systems are stabilized by warming and destabilized by eutrophication, whereas the diversity of size‐structured predator–prey networks decreases strongly with warming, but decreases only weakly with eutrophication. Nonrandom extinction risks for generalists and specialists lead to higher connectance in networks without size structure and lower connectance in size‐structured communities. Overall, our results unravel interactive impacts of warming and eutrophication and suggest that size structure may serve as an important proxy for predicting the community sensitivity to these global change stressors.
Vagus Nerve and Vagus Nerve Stimulation, a Comprehensive Review: Part I
Authors: Yuan Hsiangkuo , Silberstein Stephen D.
Published: September 2015

The vagus nerve (VN), the “great wondering protector” of the body, comprises an intricate neuro‐endocrine‐immune network that maintains homeostasis. With reciprocal neural connections to multiple brain regions, the VN serves as a control center that integrates interoceptive information and responds with appropriate adaptive modulatory feedbacks. While most VN fibers are unmyelinated C‐fibers from the visceral organs, myelinated A‐ and B‐fiber play an important role in somatic sensory, motor, and parasympathetic innervation. VN fibers are primarily cholinergic but other noncholinergic nonadrenergic neurotransmitters are also involved. VN has four vagal nuclei that provide critical controls to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and alimentary systems. Latest studies revealed that VN is also involved in inflammation, mood, and pain regulation, all of which can be potentially modulated by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). With a broad vagal neural network, VNS may exert a neuromodulatory effect to activate certain innate “protective” pathways for restoring health.
Can consumers learn to ask three questions to improve shared decision making? A feasibility study of the ASK (AskShareKnow) Patient–Clinician Communication Model® intervention in a primary health‐care setting
Authors: Shepherd Heather L , Barratt Alexandra , Jones Anna , Bateson Deborah , Carey Karen , Trevena Lyndal J , McGeechan Kevin , Del Mar Chris B , Butow Phyllis N , Epstein Ronald M , Entwistle Vikki , Weisberg Edith
Published: September 2015

Objective

To test the feasibility and assess the uptake and acceptability of implementing a consumer questions programme, AskShareKnow, to encourage consumers to use the questions ‘1. What are my options; 2. What are the possible benefits and harms of those options; 3. How likely are each of those benefits and harms to happen to me?’ These three questions have previously shown important effects in improving the quality of information provided during consultations and in facilitating patient involvement.

Methods

This single‐arm intervention study invited participants attending a reproductive and sexual health‐care clinic to view a 4‐min video‐clip in the waiting room. Participants completed three questionnaires: (T1) prior to viewing the intervention; (T2) immediately after their consultation; and (T3) two weeks later.

Results

A total of 121 (78%) participants viewed the video‐clip before their consultation. Eighty‐four (69%) participants asked one or more questions, and 35 (29%) participants asked all three questions. For those making a decision, 55 (87%) participants asked one or more questions, while 27 (43%) participants asked all three questions. Eighty‐seven (72%) participants recommended the questions. After two weeks, 47 (49%) of the participants recalled the questions.

Conclusions

Enabling patients to view a short video‐clip before an appointment to improve information and involvement in health‐care consultations is feasible and led to a high uptake of question asking in consultations.

Practice Implications

This AskShareKnow programme is a simple and feasible method of training patients to use a brief consumer‐targeted intervention that has previously shown important effects in improving the quality of information provided during consultations and in facilitating patient involvement and use of evidence‐based questions.
First records of Hippocampus algiricus in the Canary Islands (north‐east Atlantic Ocean) with an observation of hybridization with Hippocampus hippocampus
Authors: Otero‐Ferrer F. , Herrera R. , López A. , Socorro J. , Molina L. , Bouza C.
Published: September 2015

Morphometric and genetic analyses confirmed the first records of the West African seahorse Hippocampus algiricus at Gran Canaria Island (north‐east Atlantic Ocean), and also the first evidence of interspecific hybridization in seahorses. These results provide additional data on the distribution of H. algiricus that may help to establish future conservation strategies, and uncover a new potential sympatric scenario between H. algiricus and Hippocampus hippocampus.
Correction of image drift and distortion in a scanning electron microscopy
Authors: JIN P. , LI X.
Published: September 2015

Continuous research on small‐scale mechanical structures and systems has attracted strong demand for ultrafine deformation and strain measurements. Conventional optical microscope cannot meet such requirements owing to its lower spatial resolution. Therefore, high‐resolution scanning electron microscope has become the preferred system for high spatial resolution imaging and measurements. However, scanning electron microscope usually is contaminated by distortion and drift aberrations which cause serious errors to precise imaging and measurements of tiny structures. This paper develops a new method to correct drift and distortion aberrations of scanning electron microscope images, and evaluates the effect of correction by comparing corrected images with scanning electron microscope image of a standard sample. The drift correction is based on the interpolation scheme, where a series of images are captured at one location of the sample and perform image correlation between the first image and the consequent images to interpolate the drift–time relationship of scanning electron microscope images. The distortion correction employs the axial symmetry model of charged particle imaging theory to two images sharing with the same location of one object under different imaging fields of view. The difference apart from rigid displacement between the mentioned two images will give distortion parameters. Three‐order precision is considered in the model and experiment shows that one pixel maximum correction is obtained for the employed high‐resolution electron microscopic system.
Electron energy loss spectroscopy on semiconductor heterostructures for optoelectronics and photonics applications
Authors: ELJARRAT A. , LÓPEZ‐CONESA L. , ESTRADÉ S. , PEIRÓ F.
Published: September 2015

In this work, we present characterization methods for the analysis of nanometer‐sized devices, based on silicon and III‐V nitride semiconductor materials. These methods are devised in order to take advantage of the aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope, equipped with a monochromator. This set‐up ensures the necessary high spatial and energy resolution for the characterization of the smallest structures. As with these experiments, we aim to obtain chemical and structural information, we use electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The low‐loss region of EELS is exploited, which features fundamental electronic properties of semiconductor materials and facilitates a high data throughput. We show how the detailed analysis of these spectra, using theoretical models and computational tools, can enhance the analytical power of EELS. In this sense, initially, results from the model‐based fit of the plasmon peak are presented. Moreover, the application of multivariate analysis algorithms to low‐loss EELS is explored. Finally, some physical limitations of the technique, such as spatial delocalization, are mentioned.
Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is targeted to postsynaptic specializations and interacts with the Fezzin ProSAPiP1/Lzts3
Authors: Dolnik Anna , Kanwal Noreen , Mackert Sarah , Halbedl Sonja , Proepper Christian , Bockmann Juergen , Schoen Michael , Boeckers Tobias M , Kühl Susanne J , Schmeisser Michael J
Published: September 2015

Rap GTPase‐activating proteins (RapGAPs) are essential for synaptic function as they tightly regulate synaptic Rap signaling. Among the most abundant synaptic RapGAPs in brain are the Spine‐associated RapGAPs (SPARs) Sipa1l1/SPAR and Sipa1l2/SPAR2, whereas nothing has been reported on Sipa1l3/SPAR3. In this study, we show that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is conserved across species, has a distinct expression pattern in the developing rat brain and is localized at excitatory postsynapses. We further demonstrate that the Sipa1l3/SPAR3 C‐terminus is required for postsynaptic targeting and represents an interaction module for Fezzins such as ProSAPiP1/Lzts3, a binding partner of the postsynaptic scaffold protein Shank3. Taken together, our data imply that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is a hitherto unknown synaptic RapGAP, which is targeted to postsynaptic specializations and interacts with Fezzins.

image

Spine‐associated RapGAPs (SPARs) are essential modulators of synaptic signaling. Our study is the first to characterize the SPAR family member Sipa1l3/SPAR3 in neuronal tissue. We show that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is conserved across species, has a distinct expression pattern in brain and is localized to excitatory postsynapses via its C‐terminus, which represents an interaction module for other postsynaptic proteins including the Fezzin ProSAPiP1/Lzts3.
Novel synthetic sulfoglycolipid IG20 facilitates exocytosis in chromaffin cells through the regulation of sodium channels
Authors: Crespo‐Castrillo Andrea , Punzón Eva , de Pascual Ricardo , Maroto Marcos , Padín Juan Fernando , García‐Álvarez Isabel , Nanclares Carmen , Ruiz‐Pascual Lucía , Gandía Luis , Fernández‐Mayoralas Alfonso , García Antonio G.
Published: September 2015

In search of druggable synthetic lipids that function as potential modulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity, we synthesized sulfoglycolipid IG20, which stimulates neuritic outgrowth. Here, we have explored its effects on ion channels and exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells. IG20 augmented the rate of basal catecholamine release. Such effect did not depend on Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores; rather, IG20‐elicited secretion entirely dependent on Ca2+ entry through L‐subtype voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels. Those channels were recruited by cell depolarization mediated by IG20 likely through its ability to enhance the recruitment of Na+ channels at more hyperpolarizing potentials. Confocal imaging with fluorescent derivative IG20‐NBD revealed its rapid incorporation and confinement into the plasmalemma, supporting the idea that IG20 effects are exerted through a plasmalemmal‐delimited mechanism. Thus, synthetic IG20 seems to mimic several physiological effects of endogenous lipids such as regulation of ion channels, Ca2+ signaling, and exocytosis. Therefore, sulfoglycolipid IG20 may become a pharmacological tool for investigating the role of the lipid environment on neuronal excitability, ion channels, neurotransmitter release, synaptic efficacy, and neuronal plasticity. It may also inspire the synthesis of druggable sulfoglycolipids aimed at increasing synaptic plasticity and efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain–spinal cord injury.

image

The novel synthetic sulfoglycolipid IG20 mimics several physiological effects of endogenous lipids such as regulation of ion channels, Ca2+ signaling, and exocytosis. This profile may eventually drive enhanced synaptic plasticity and efficacy.
Sulforaphane is anticonvulsant and improves mitochondrial function
Authors: Carrasco‐Pozo Catalina , Tan Kah Ni , Borges Karin
Published: September 2015

The nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2) has been previously identified to protect the brain against various impacts. Here, we investigated the effect of the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane in various seizure models and hippocampal mitochondrial bioenergetics. We found that daily injections of sulforaphane for 5 days elevated the seizure thresholds to 6 Hz stimulation and fluorothyl‐, but not pentylenetetrazole‐induced tonic seizures and protected mice against pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Also, sulforaphane increased the antioxidant defences within hippocampal formations and blood plasma. In addition, sulforaphane treatment reduced the extent of hippocampal lipid peroxidation 24 h post‐SE and protected hippocampal mitochondria against SE‐induced reduction in state 2 and uncoupler‐stimulated state 3 respiration. SE‐mediated partial loss of rotenone‐sensitive and complex II‐driven respiration was reduced, consistent with the enhanced activities of complexes I and II in sulforaphane‐treated SE mice. In mitochondria isolated from both no SE and SE mice, sulforaphane increased state 3 respiration and respiration linked to ATP synthesis, which may contribute to its anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects by providing more ATP for cellular vital and protective functions. However, sulforaphane did not prevent SE‐induced hippocampal cell death. In conclusion, sulforaphane and/or Nrf2 activation are viable anticonvulsant strategies, which are antioxidant and enhance mitochondrial function, especially the ability to produce ATP.

image

Sulforaphane was anticonvulsant in two acute mouse models of epilepsy and protected mice against pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). We also found antioxidant effects of sulforaphane in mouse plasma and hippocampal formations, exhibited by increased catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as increased abilities of hippocampal mitochondria to produce ATP. These effects likely underlie sulforaphane's anticonvulsant mechanisms of action.
Soaking It Up: Absorptive Capacity in Interorganizational New Product Development Teams
Authors: Backmann Julia , Hoegl Martin , Cordery John L.
Published: September 2015

Prior research has acknowledged the importance of an organization's absorptive capacity—the ability to acquire new knowledge and information, assimilate, transform, and exploit it—for innovation purposes. Because innovations are usually developed by project teams, this suggests that absorptive capacity, as a construct, may also be usefully applied at the team level. Consequently, this study developed a measure for team‐level absorptive capacity, investigated the potential influencing factors, and examined its relationship to team effectiveness in terms of product innovativeness in an interorganizational context. Specifically, building on the theory of homophily and information and decision‐making theories, three factors (social‐category similarity, work‐style similarity, and knowledge complementarity between the recipient and the partner organization teams) were identified as likely antecedents of team absorptive capacity. The hypotheses were tested on data from 98 interorganizational new product development teams and included responses from team members, team leaders, and team‐external managers. With regard to the antecedents of team absorptive capacity in interorganizational settings, the results showed a significant positive association with partners' work‐style similarity and an invertedU‐shaped relationship with partners' knowledge complementarity. Social‐category similarity was not significantly associated with team absorptive capacity. We also examined whether team absorptive capacity was related to interorganizational team effectiveness and found a significant positive relationship between team absorptive capacity and product innovativeness. The study demonstrates that absorptive is indeed related to team effectiveness outcomes in an interorganizational context, which underlines the importance of team‐level absorptive capacity for product innovation management and suggests paying more attention to the lower levels of absorptive capacity.
Effect of smoking cessation for 1 year on periodontal biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Liu K. H. , Hwang S. J.
Published: September 2015

Background and Objective

The aim of this 12 mo prospective study was to assess the effect of smoking cessation on periodontal tissue without periodontal intervention, using matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9 and interleukin (IL)‐1ß in gingival crevicular fluid, and nicotine and cotinine in saliva.

Material and Methods

Of the 122 male smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation clinic, 11 quitters, nine non‐quitters, six oscillators and 13 non‐smokers participated in all experiments done at follow‐up week 2, and follow‐up months 2, 4, 6 and 12. The following were measured: gingival index; dental plaque index and sites of 3.5 mm < probing depth < 5.5 mm using a WHO probe for the full mouth; amounts of MMP‐8, MMP‐9 and IL‐1β in gingival crevicular fluid of the upper anterior teeth area using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; and concentrations of nicotine, cotinine and hydroxycotinine in saliva using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

No significant differences in MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in gingival crevicular fluid were detected between smokers, quit‐smokers, oscillators and non‐smokers for 1 year. Only the amount of IL‐1β showed that smokers (90.14 ± 65.32 pg/mL) had a significantly higher value compared with non‐smokers (37.70 ± 40.90 pg/mL), quit‐smokers (32.11 ± 40.50 pg/mL) and oscillators (11.90 ± 12.46 pg/mL) at 2 mo follow‐up (p = 0.007). IL‐1β had a positive correlation with nicotine (r = 0.351) and the cotinine (r = 0.376), nicotine (r = 0.492) and hydroxycotinine (r = 0.358), and hydroxycotinine (r = 0.413) levels at 2 wk and 4 and 6 mo follow‐up, respectively.

Conclusions

This 1‐year prospective smoking cessation study without nonsurgical periodontal therapy shows IL‐1β in gingival crevicular fluid could have a positive relationship with the nicotine and cotinine levels in saliva.
Comparisons of complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6–23 months in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries
Authors: Issaka Abukari I. , Agho Kingsley E. , N. Page Andrew , L. Burns Penelope , Stevens Garry J. , Dibley Michael J.
Published: September 2015

Stunting, a consequence of suboptimal complementary feeding practices, continues to be a significant public health problem in West Africa. This paper aimed to compare rates of complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6–23 months between four Anglophone and seven Francophone West African countries. The data used for this study were the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of the various countries, namely Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone (Anglophone countries), Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal (Francophone countries) conducted between 2006 and 2013. The analyses were limited to last‐born children aged 6–23 months and covered 34 999 children: 12 623 in the Anglophone countries and 22 376 children in the Francophone countries. Complementary feeding indicators were examined using the method proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008. Introduction of solid, semi‐solid or soft foods among children aged 6–23 months in the Anglophone countries ranged from 55.3% (Liberia) to 72.6% (Ghana). The corresponding rates for the Francophone countries ranged from 29.7% (Mali) to 65.9% (Senegal). The average rate of minimum dietary diversity for the Anglophone countries was 32.0% while that of the Francophone countries was only 10.6%. While the minimum meal frequency rates ranged between 42.0% (Sierra Leone) and 55.3% (Nigeria) for the Anglophone countries, the corresponding rates for the Francophone countries ranged between 25.1% (Mali) and 52.4% (Niger). Both the Anglophone and the Francophone countries reported alarmingly low rates of minimum acceptable diet, with the two groups of countries averaging rates of 19.9% (Anglophone) and 5.5% (Francophone). The rates of all four complementary feeding indicators across all the 11 countries fell short of the WHO's requirement for optimal complementary feeding practices. Intervention studies using cluster‐randomised controlled trials are needed in order to improve the nutritional status of young children in West Africa.
Helicobacter pylori strains vary cell shape and flagellum number to maintain robust motility in viscous environments
Authors: Martínez Laura E. , Hardcastle Joseph M. , Wang Jeffrey , Pincus Zachary , Tsang Jennifer , Hoover Timothy R. , Bansil Rama , Salama Nina R.
Published: September 2015

The helical shape of the human stomach pathogen Helicobacter pylori has been suggested to provide mechanical advantage for penetrating the viscous stomach mucus layer. Using single‐cell tracking and quantitative morphology analysis, we document marked variation in cell body helical parameters and flagellum number among H. pylori strains leading to distinct and broad speed distributions in broth and viscous gastric mucin media. These distributions reflect both temporal variation in swimming speed and morphologic variation within the population. Isogenic mutants with straight‐rod morphology showed 7–21% reduction in speed and a lower fraction of motile bacteria. Mutational perturbation of flagellum number revealed a 19% increase in speed with 4 versus 3 median flagellum number. Resistive force theory modeling incorporating variation of both cell shape and flagellum number predicts qualitative speed differences of 10–30% among strains. However, quantitative comparisons suggest resistive force theory underestimates the influence of cell body shape on speed for helical shaped bacteria.
Environment and host genotype determine the outcome of a plant–virus interaction: from antagonism to mutualism
Authors: Hily Jean‐Michel , Poulicard Nils , Mora Miguel‐Ángel , Pagán Israel , García‐Arenal Fernando
Published: September 2015

It has been hypothesized that plant–virus interactions vary between antagonism and conditional mutualism according to environmental conditions. This hypothesis is based on scant experimental evidence, and to test it we examined the effect of abiotic factors on the Arabidopsis thaliana–Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) interaction.

Four Arabidopsis genotypes clustering into two allometric groups were grown under six environments defined by three temperature and two light‐intensity conditions. Plants were either CMV‐infected or mock‐inoculated, and the effects of environment and infection on temporal and resource allocation life‐history traits were quantified.

Life‐history traits significantly differed between allometric groups over all environments, with group 1 plants tolerating abiotic stress better than those of group 2. The effect of CMV infection on host fitness (virulence) differed between genotypes, being lower in group 1 genotypes. Tolerance to abiotic stress and to infection was similarly achieved through life‐history trait responses, which resulted in resource reallocation from growth to reproduction. Effects of infection varied according to plant genotype and environment from detrimental to beneficial for host fitness.

These results are highly relevant and demonstrate that plant viruses can be pleiotropic parasites along the antagonism–mutualism continuum, which should be considered in analyses of the evolution of plant–virus interactions.
Legal strategies and tools for mitigating legal risks associated with oil and gas investments in Africa
Authors: Olawuyi Damilola S.
Published: September 2015

Africa provides unique opportunities for international oil and gas companies to spearhead oil exploration and production in emerging markets, and to acquire interests in fields with unexplored economic potentials. Despite these investment opportunities, entrants into oil and gas markets in Africa often face legal risks that pose monumental threats to the economic viability of oil and gas investments. These include resource nationalism; lopsided contractual provisions in oil production contracts that confer unfair advantages on national oil companies; arbitrary change in contract terms; delays in operational approvals, complex local content requirements and high corruption potentials, among others. If not properly considered and managed, these risks may reduce the positive economic prospects and gains in a hitherto profitable investment enterprise; they may also frustrate a first time investor. While these legal risks have been perceived as disincentives to oil and gas investments in Africa, this paper takes the view that these risks do not call for surrender, rather they could be efficiently managed at contract negotiation phases.

This paper draws examples from key resource‐based African countries to provide an overview of the commonly encountered legal risk points in African oil and gas investments. The paper provides suggestions on how to effectively deal with these risks as early as possible through extensive due diligence and diligent contract negotiations.
Oil price uncertainty and savings in South Africa
Authors: Dave Diksha , Aye Goodness C.
Published: September 2015

Oil prices have become increasingly important to determine indicators such as inflation; this in turn affects savings and investments. This paper investigates the impact of the volatility of oil prices on savings in South Africa using quarterly data covering the period 1960–2014. The study used the GARCH‐in‐mean VAR model. This model also provides a way of examining the effect of a negative and positive shock in oil prices on savings. The outcome of this study proves that oil price uncertainty which is measured as the conditional standard deviation of a one‐step‐ahead forecast error of the change in oil price affects South Africa's savings in a negative way. The responses of savings to a positive and negative oil price shocks are symmetric in both direction and magnitude.
The electricity consumption, employment and growth nexus: evidence fromLebanon
Authors: Fakih Ali , Marrouch Walid
Published: September 2015

The causal relationship between electricity consumption and growth inLebanon is examined using aggregate employment in a trivariate setting for the period 1980–2011. We test the main hypothesis that electricity is an input in the aggregate production function. Our results reject the input hypothesis inLebanon in both the short run and long run. However, electricity is found to be a by‐product only when we employ a stronger test forGranger causality. These results seem to suggest that electricity conservation strategies should be easier to implement without additional sacrifices to growth inLebanon. By contrast, we find evidence of a long‐run relationship between employment and growth. We offer some specific detailed strategy toLebanon that provides support for carrying out policies that increase the level of labour‐promoting investments in the country.
Climate change and electricity consumption in Sub‐Saharan Africa: assessing the dynamic responses to climate variability
Authors: Karimu Amin , Mensah Justice Tei
Published: September 2015

Electricity consumption in Sub‐Saharan Africa has surged over the past two decades, whereas economic fundamentals like growth in gross domestic product (GDP) might have contributed to this trend, the impact of changing climatic conditions cannot be underestimated. This study therefore investigates the dynamics among electricity consumption, temperature variability (a proxy for climate change) and economic growth, while controlling for urbanization within a structural vector error correction model for 11 countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Findings from the study indicate that a positive shock in temperature variability has a positive permanent effect on electricity consumption for all the countries except Togo, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In the case of Togo we find only transitory effects of positive shocks in temperature variability on electricity consumption. However, these effects are minimal, given the low penetration rate for air conditioners and heating devices in these countries. Moreover the findings further indicate that the effects of a positive shock in temperature variability on real GDP is consistent in terms of the direction of the effects, which is negative, but only vary across the sampled countries in relation to the period(s) the effects of the shocks completely diminished.
Investigating Implausible Gestational Age and High Birthweight Combinations
Authors: England Lucinda J. , Bulkley Joanna E. , Pazol Karen , Bruce F. Carol , Kimes Terry , Berg Cynthia J. , Hornbrook Mark C. , Callaghan William M.
Published: September 2015

Background

Birth certificate data overestimate national preterm births because a high percentage of last menstrual period (LMP) dates have errors. Study goals were to determine: (i) To what extent errors in transfer of birthweight and LMP date from medical records to birth certificates contribute to implausibly high birthweight‐for‐gestational‐age births; (ii) What percentage of implausible births would be resolved if the clinical estimate (CE) from birth certificates were used instead of LMP‐based gestational age, and with what degree of certainty; and (iii) Of those not resolved, what percentage had a medical explanation.

Methods

Medical records and birth certificates for all singleton infants with implausibly high birthweight‐for‐gestational‐age based on LMP delivered in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest system in Oregon during 1998–2007 were examined. Percentages of implausible records resolved under various scenarios were calculated.

Results

A total of 100 births with implausibly high birthweight‐for‐gestational age combinations were identified. When LMP date and birthweight from medical records were used instead of from birth certificates, 31% of births with implausible combinations were resolved. Substituting the CE on the birth certificate for the LMP date resolved 92%. Of the latter, the clinician's gestational age estimate in the medical record was obtained in early pregnancy in 72%. Five of the eight births with unresolved implausible combinations were to mothers with diabetes; the remaining three had no documented medical explanation.

Conclusions

In this study, use of the birth certificate CE rather than the LMP resulted in a clinically reliable reclassification for the majority of implausible birthweight‐for‐gestational age deliveries.
In the Shadow of Judicial Supremacy: Putting the Idea of Judicial Dialogue in Its Place
Authors: Kuo Ming‐Sung
Published: September 2015

I aim to shed theoretical light on the meaning of judicial dialogue by comparing its practice in different jurisdictions. I first examine the practice of dialogic judicial review inWestminster democracies and constitutional departmentalism inAmerican constitutional theory, showing the tendency toward judicial supremacy in both cases. Turning finally to continentalEurope, I argue that the practice of constitutional dialogue there is reconciled with its postwar tradition of judicial supremacy through the deployment of proportionality analysis‐framed judicial admonition. I conclude that constitutional dialogue may take place amid the judicialization of constitutional politics, albeit in the shadow of judicial supremacy.
What Explains the Gender Gap in Schlepping? Testing Various Explanations for Gender Differences in Household‐Serving Travel*
Authors: Taylor Brian D. , Ralph Kelcie , Smart Michael
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Many gender differences in travel have begun to converge. Has convergence occurred for household‐serving travel, which constitutes a very large and growing share of all trips? Moreover, what explains the division of household‐serving travel in heterosexual couples? In answering these questions, we test the salience of three theories about the gendered division of household labor: (1) time availability, (2) microeconomic, and (3) gender socialization.

Methods

Using data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) from 2003 to 2012, we calculated the female‐to‐male ratio of household‐serving trips in several types of households (i.e., singles vs. couples and male vs. female breadwinner households).

Results

There was some empirical support for each theory, but we find the most consistent and compelling evidence for gender socialization. We observe substantial gender differences in child‐ and household‐serving trips apart from household formation; even in households where women earn more, are better educated, or work more hours than their partners, women still make about half again as many child‐serving and grocery‐shopping trips as their male partners.

Conclusion

Despite dramatic changes in women's labor force participation over the past half‐century, the gender division of household‐serving travel remains strong.