bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microhabitat use by mountain pygmy‐possum (Burramys parvus): Implications for the conservation of small mammals in alpine environments
Authors: Shi Haijing , Paull David , Broome Linda , Bates Hayley
Published: January 2015

The Australian alpine region harbours a wide range of species, many of which are endemic and of high conservation value. Among these species, the endangered mountain pygmy‐possum, Burramys parvus, is of particular interest because this specialized marsupial is highly sensitive to extreme temperatures. The selection of microhabitats by B. parvus is a critical but poorly understood element of its biological characteristics. To understand the microhabitat preferences of B. parvus, we performed detailed investigations of the thermal properties of alpine boulder fields. The selection of a preferred microclimate was demonstrated by comparing temperatures and environmental conditions in preferred and non‐preferred boulder fields. The variability of the daily temperature depended on the depth at which measurements were made within the boulder fields. Temperatures were more stable as depth increased. The results suggest that B. parvus prefers to occupy deep boulder fields at high elevations with good rock structure (small rock and cavity size with multiple layers) and long snow duration because these boulder fields can provide a favourable microclimate. At 1 m depth, the maximum temperatures in the hottest part of the year were 1.27°C cooler in preferred compared to non‐preferred boulder fields. In the coldest part of the year, immediately following the melting of persistent snow cover, the minimum temperatures at a depth of 1 m were 1.67°C warmer in preferred compared to non‐preferred boulder fields. On average, the snow duration was 27 days greater in the boulder fields preferred by B. parvus than in non‐preferred boulder fields. Our results emphasize the value of boulder field microhabitats as thermal refuges for small mammals in rocky habitats within alpine environments in the light of continuing habitat loss and climate change.
Hostile sexism (de)motivates women's social competition intentions: The contradictory role of emotions
Authors: Lemonaki Elena , Manstead Antony S. R. , Maio Gregory R.
Published: January 2015

In the present research, we examine the ways in which exposure to hostile sexism influences women's competitive collective action intentions. Prior to testing our main model, our first study experimentally induced high versus low levels of security‐comfort with the aim of providing experimental evidence for the proposed causal link between these emotions and intentions to engage in social competition. Results showed that lower levels of security‐comfort reduced women's readiness to compete socially with men. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of hostile sexism on women's emotional reactions and readiness to engage in social competition. Consistent with the proposed model, results showed that exposure to hostile beliefs about women (1) increased anger‐frustration and (2) decreased security‐comfort. More specifically, exposure to hostile sexism had a positive indirect effect on social competition intentions through anger‐frustration, and a negative indirect effect through security‐comfort.
Natural killer cell subsets in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín E , Picón C , Costa-Frossard L , Alenda R , Sainz de la Maza S , Roldán E , Espiño M , Villar L M , Álvarez-Cermeño J C
Published: January 2015

Changes in blood natural killer (NK) cells, important players of the immune innate system, have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied percentages and total cell counts of different effector and regulatory NK cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and other neurological diseases to gain clearer knowledge of the role of these cells in neuroinflammation. NK cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry in CSF of 85 consecutive MS patients (33 with active disease and 52 with stable MS), 16 with other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (IND) and 17 with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). MS patients showed a decrease in percentages of different CSF NK subpopulations compared to the NIND group. However, absolute cell counts showed a significant increase of all NK subsets in MS and IND patients, revealing that the decrease in percentages does not reflect a real reduction of these immune cells. Remarkably, MS patients showed a significant increase of regulatory/effector (CD56bright/CD56dim) NK ratio compared to IND and NIND groups. In addition, MS activity associated with an expansion of NK T cells. These data show that NK cell subsets do not increase uniformly in all inflammatory neurological disease and suggest strongly that regulatory CD56bright and NK T cells may arise in CSF of MS patients as an attempt to counteract the CNS immune activation characteristic of the disease.
Helping foster youth find a job: a random‐assignment evaluation of an employment assistance programme for emancipating youth
Authors: Zinn Andrew , Courtney Mark
Published: January 2015

A primary task for youth aging out of foster care is finding and maintaining a job. In recognition of the challenges that foster youth face, employment assistance has become an important part of child welfare agencies' efforts to prepare youth for emancipation. The current study uses random assignment to evaluate the impact of an employment assistance programme for foster youth on the rate of employment, income and other self‐sufficiency outcomes among a group of adolescents in substitute care in Kern County, California. Data were collected via multi‐wave, in‐person interviews of 254 foster youth. At the second follow‐up interview, only two‐fifths of the sample report being employed. However, three‐quarters of the sample are either working or attending school, and a quarter reports both working and attending school. Nevertheless, significant minorities report experiencing financial hardships and receiving financial assistance. No statistically significant impacts of the evaluated programme are found on any measured employment or self‐sufficiency outcome. Implications for child welfare policy are discussed.
Comparing the Performance Status Scale and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory as swallowing outcome measures in head and neck cancer: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Khan M.K. , Patterson J. , Owen S. , Rees S. , Gamberini L. , Paleri V. ,   North of England Cancer Network Audit group
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To examine the relationship between the two disease‐specific measures currently in use to assess swallowing outcomes following treatment in patients with head and neck cancer: the Performance Status Scale (PSS) and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI).

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

Four head and neck cancer multidisciplinary clinics in the North of England Cancer Network.

Participants

114 patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Main outcome measure

Measures of swallowing function administered prospectively across 4 timepoints

Results

Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to measure the relationship between the two scales. There was statistically significant correlation between the two tools at pre‐treatment (rs = 0.428, P < 0.000), 3 months post‐treatment (rs  = 0.454, P < 0.002), 6 months post‐treatment (rs = 0.551, P < 0.000) and 12 months post‐treatment (rs = 0.680, P < 0.000).

Conclusion

This is the first prospective study comparing the MDADI and PSS questionnaires at multiple time points. Our study shows that these different instruments have a good relationship in measuring swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer in short and medium term after treatment.
Thresholds of species loss in Amazonian deforestation frontier landscapes
Authors: Ochoa‐Quintero Jose Manuel , Gardner Toby A. , Rosa Isabel , de Barros Ferraz Silvio Frosini , Sutherland William J.
Published: January 2015

In the Brazilian Amazon, private land accounts for the majority of remaining native vegetation. Understanding how land‐use change affects the composition and distribution of biodiversity in farmlands is critical for improving conservation strategies in the face of rapid agricultural expansion. Working across an area exceeding 3 million ha in the southwestern state of Rondônia, we assessed how the extent and configuration of remnant forest in replicate 10,000‐ha landscapes has affected the occurrence of a suite of Amazonian mammals and birds. In each of 31 landscapes, we used field sampling and semistructured interviews with landowners to determine the presence of 28 large and medium sized mammals and birds, as well as a further 7 understory birds. We then combined results of field surveys and interviews with a probabilistic model of deforestation. We found strong evidence for a threshold response of sampled biodiversity to landscape level forest cover; landscapes with <30–40% forest cover hosted markedly fewer species. Results from field surveys and interviews yielded similar thresholds. These results imply that in partially deforested landscapes many species are susceptible to extirpation following relatively small additional reductions in forest area. In the model of deforestation by 2030 the number of 10,000‐ha landscapes under a conservative threshold of 43% forest cover almost doubled, such that only 22% of landscapes would likely to be able to sustain at least 75% of the 35 focal species we sampled. Brazilian law requires rural property owners in the Amazon to retain 80% forest cover, although this is rarely achieved. Prioritizing efforts to ensure that entire landscapes, rather than individual farms, retain at least 50% forest cover may help safeguard native biodiversity in private forest reserves in the Amazon.

Umbrales de Pérdida de Especies en los Paisajes Fronterizos de Deforestación en el Amazonas Ochoa‐Quintero
Response shift in severity assessment of hand eczema with visual analogue scales
Authors: Mollerup Annette , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: January 2015

Background

Hand eczema is a common and fluctuating disease. Visual analogue scales (VASs) are used to assess disease severity, both currently and when at its worst. However, such patient‐reported outcomes may be at risk of being flawed owing to recall bias or response shifts.

Objective

To explore whether the current state of hand eczema severity affects the recollection of the eczema when at its worst, thus resulting in a response shift.

Methods

We utilized a dataset from a recent clinical trial examining nurse counselling of hand eczema patients. The patients assessed the disease severity currently (VASnow) and when at its worst (VASworst), both at baseline and at a 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

The patients who reported improvement during the course were generally more likely to downwardly adjust their assessment of VASworst than patients reporting unchanged or worsened severity (odds ratio 1.94, p = 0.017). No other determinants were found.

Conclusion

Patients may downwardly adjust their assessment of worst‐ever disease severity according to the assessment of present disease severity. Regular photographic documentation of the hand eczema along with the patient's self‐monitoring of symptoms as part of the treatment course could perhaps counteract this tendency for there to be severity habituation.
Who Makes the Choice on IPO Underwriting Methods? Issuers Versus Underwriters
Authors: Chen Hsuan‐Chi , Wu Sheng‐Ching
Published: January 2015

Using unique Taiwanese initial public offering (IPO) features, we examine whether the underwriters control the issue method choice (the expected revenue collection hypothesis) or whether the issuers make the choice in the best interests of the pre‐IPO shareholders (the expected net wealth gain hypothesis). We find that the choice of issue method is consistent with maximizing pre‐IPO shareholders’ expected net wealth gains. The findings also suggest that most IPO issuers do not choose auctions. Though we offer insights into why IPO auctions have been declining, we note that this evidence cannot completely explain the total disappearance of auctions in many countries.
Design and performance of combined infrared canopy and belowground warming in the B4WarmED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) experiment
Authors: Rich Roy L. , Stefanski Artur , Montgomery Rebecca A. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Kimball Bruce A. , Reich Peter B.
Published: January 2015

Conducting manipulative climate change experiments in complex vegetation is challenging, given considerable temporal and spatial heterogeneity. One specific challenge involves warming of both plants and soils to depth. We describe the design and performance of an open‐air warming experiment called Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger (B4WarmED) that addresses the potential for projected climate warming to alter tree function, species composition, and ecosystem processes at the boreal‐temperate ecotone. The experiment includes two forested sites in northern Minnesota, USA, with plots in both open (recently clear‐cut) and closed canopy habitats, where seedlings of 11 tree species were planted into native ground vegetation. Treatments include three target levels of plant canopy and soil warming (ambient, +1.7 °C, +3.4 °C). Warming was achieved by independent feedback control of voltage input to aboveground infrared heaters and belowground buried resistance heating cables in each of 72‐7.0 m2 plots. The treatments emulated patterns of observed diurnal, seasonal, and annual temperatures but with superimposed warming. For the 2009 to 2011 field seasons, we achieved temperature elevations near our targets with growing season overall mean differences (∆Tbelow) of +1.84 °C and +3.66 °C at 10 cm soil depth and (∆Tabove) of +1.82 °C and +3.45 °C for the plant canopies. We also achieved measured soil warming to at least 1 m depth. Aboveground treatment stability and control were better during nighttime than daytime and in closed vs. open canopy sites in part due to calmer conditions. Heating efficacy in open canopy areas was reduced with increasing canopy complexity and size. Results of this study suggest the warming approach is scalable: it should work well in small‐statured vegetation such as grasslands, desert, agricultural crops, and tree saplings (<5 m tall).
Impact of serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2 binding protein levels on liver functional reserves and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Shiraki Makoto , Ohnishi Sachiyo , Miyazaki Tsuneyuki , Ideta Takayasu , Kochi Takahiro , Imai Kenji , Suetsugu Atsushi , Takai Koji , Shimizu Masahito , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: January 2015

Aim

Serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) levels are a non‐invasive and reliable marker to assess the degree of liver fibrosis. We investigated the use of WFA+‐M2BP levels to predict mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

Methods

This retrospective study consisted of 59 consecutive patients. Liver fibrosis was estimated by hyaluronic acid (HA), 7S fragment of type IV collagen (7S collagen), aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB‐4 index. The severity of liver disease was evaluated by Child–Pugh classification and the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for mortality, and the diagnostic accuracy of WFA+‐M2BP levels to predict mortality was examined using receiver–operator curves.

Results

Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels of Child–Pugh class A, B and C had cut‐off indexes (COI) of 2.90, 6.15 and 9.45, respectively. WFA+‐M2BP levels were positively correlated with HA, 7S collagen, APRI, FIB‐4 index, Child–Pugh class and MELD score. Multivariate analysis identified WFA+‐M2BP levels as an independent risk factor of mortality (hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.41, P = 0.03), and the optimal cutoff point to predict mortality was 5.0 COI. The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with WFA+‐M2BP levels 5.0 or more COI than in patients with WFA+‐M2BP of less than 5.0 COI (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels were significantly correlated with both liver function reserves and liver fibrosis, and were independently associated with mortality in patients with LC.
Sleep and nighttime energy consumption in early childhood: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: McDonald L. , Wardle J. , Llewellyn C. H. , Johnson L. , van Jaarsveld C. H. M. , Syrad H. , Fisher A.
Published: January 2015

Background

Shorter sleep is a risk factor for weight gain in young children. Experimental studies show that sleep deprivation is associated with higher nighttime energy intake, but no studies have examined the patterning of energy intake in relation to nighttime sleep duration in young children.

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to test the hypothesis that shorter‐sleeping children would show higher nighttime energy intake and to examine whether the additional calories were from drinks, snacks or meals.

Methods

Participants were 1278 families from the Gemini twin cohort, using data from one child per family selected at random to avoid clustering effects. Nighttime sleep duration was measured at 16 months of age using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Energy intake by time of day and eating episode (meal, snack, drink) were derived from 3‐day diet diaries completed when children were 21 months.

Results

Consistent with our hypothesis, shorter‐sleeping children consumed more calories at night only (linear trend P < 0.001), with those sleeping <10 h consuming on average 120 calories (15.2% of daily intake) more at night than those sleeping ≥13 h. The majority of nighttime intake was from milk drinks. Associations remained after adjusting for age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, maternal education, weight and daytime sleep.

Conclusions

Shorter‐sleeping, young children consume more calories, predominantly at night, and from milk drinks. Parents should be aware that providing milk drinks at night may contribute to excess intake. This provides a clear target for intervention that may help address associations between sleep and weight observed in later childhood.
Genetic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm
Authors: Sakina A. , Ahmed I. , Shahzad A. , Iqbal M. , Asif M.
Published: January 2015

Soil salinity is one of the major production constraints. Development and planting of salt‐tolerant varieties can reduce yield losses due to salinity. We screened 185 rice genotypes at germination stage in petri dishes under control, 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress, and at seedling stage in Yoshida's hydroponic nutrient solution under control, 50 and 100 mm salt stress. At germination stage, 15 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Sonahri Kangni, 7421, 7423 and 7467, whereas at seedling stage, 28 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Jajai‐77, KSK‐133, KSK‐282, Fakhr‐e‐Malakand, Pakhal, IR‐6, Khushboo‐95, Shahkar and Shua‐92 were found salt tolerant. Basmati‐370, Mushkan, Homo‐46 and accessions 7436, 7437 and 7720 were sensitive to salinity at both germination and seedling stage. We further screened a subset of 33 salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive genotypes with SSR markers. Four SSR markers (RM19, RM171, RM172 and RM189) showed significant association with two or more of the studied traits under 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress. These markers may be further tested for their potential in marker‐assisted selection. The salt‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study may prove useful in the development of salt‐tolerant rice varieties in adapted genetic background.
Is Discrimination of 13C in Potato Leaflets and Tubers an Appropriate Trait to Describe Genotype Responses to Restrictive and Well‐Watered Conditions?
Authors: Ramírez D. A. , Rolando J. L. , Yactayo W. , Monneveux P. , Quiroz R.
Published: January 2015

Selection for drought tolerance entails prioritizing plant traits that integrate critical physiological processes occurring during crop growth. Discrimination against 13C (∆) in leaflets (∆leaflet) and tubers (∆tuber) was compared under two water regimes in two potato‐improved varieties selected to maintain yield under drought conditions (Unica and Sarnav) and one drought susceptible European cultivar (Désirée). In the control treatment, soil water content was kept at field capacity over the whole growth cycle, while in the drought treatment water supply was restricted after tuber initiation (50 % of field capacity). Gas exchange and N content per unit leaf area (Narea) as well as ∆ were assessed at different stages. Sarnav showed the highest tuber yield in both water conditions, suggesting that yield in the water restriction treatment was largely driven by yield potential in this genotype. Higher stomatal conductance (gs) and Narea and lower ∆leaflet in well‐watered Sarnav suggested higher photosynthetic capacity. Under water restriction, Sarnav maintained higher gs indicating that carbon diffusion was a key factor for biomass accumulation under water restriction. Our results suggest the use of ∆ determined after tuber initiation as an indirect selection indicator for tuber yield under both well‐watered and restricted soil water availability conditions.
Glycinebetaine Improved Photosynthesis in Canola under Salt Stress: Evaluation of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters as Potential Indicators
Authors: Athar H.‐u.‐R. , Zafar Z. U. , Ashraf M.
Published: January 2015

Salinity is a widespread soil problem limiting productivity of oilseed crops worldwide. Reduction in growth generally associated with decline in photosynthesis. Accumulation of osmo‐protectants such as glycinebetaine (GB) permits the plant to cope with salt stress. This study was aimed to understand the mechanism by which exogenous GB application improves photosynthetic capacity and salt tolerance in two diverse lines of canola differing in salt tolerance using chlorophyll fluorescence technique. Glycinebetaine was applied as foliarly or through rooting medium to two canola lines Dunkeld and Cyclone that were grown under non‐saline or saline conditions. Root‐applied GB caused adverse effects whereas foliar application of GB was effective in improving growth of canola cultivars. However, the response of salt‐tolerant cultivar Dunkeld was stronger than that of salt sensitive Cyclone. Foliar application of GB improved accumulation of proline and plant water status. Application of GB enhanced the photosynthetic CO2 fixation, stomatal conductance (gs) and water‐use efficiency. The tolerant lines Dunkeld had more responsive to GB application. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements (Fo, Fm, Fv, Fo/Fm, Fv/Fo and Fv/Fm ratios) revealed that salt stress reduced energy trapping efficiency by damaging oxygen evolving complex, over reduction of QA resulting in occurrence of chronic photoinhibition. However, exogenous GB protected the oxygen evolving centre of PSII and maintains activity of PSII. Although root‐applied GB adversely affected the growth of canola plants, it did not have any adverse effect on PSII photochemistry. Moreover, fluorescence parameters could provide a rapid means for determining salt tolerance in canola and could be a rapid and sensitive test to identify genotypes highly tolerant to salt stress.
Lipidomic analysis can distinguish between two morphologically similar strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica
Authors: Li Shuang , Xu Jilin , Jiang Ying , Zhou Chengxu , Yu Xuejun , Zhong Yingying , Chen Juanjuan , Yan Xiaojun
Published: January 2015

The two morphologically similar microalgae NMBluh014 and NMBluh‐X belong to two different strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica. They possess obviously different feeding effects on bivalves, but are indistinguishable by 18S rRNA and morphological features. In this work, lipidomic analysis followed by principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis provided a clear distinction between these strains. Metabolites that definitively contribute to the classification were selected as potential biomarkers. The most important difference in polar lipids were sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (containing 18:1/16:0 and 18:3/16:0) and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (containing 18:3/16:3 and 20:5/14:0), which were detected only in NMBluh‐X. Additionally, an exhaustive qualitative and quantitative profiling of the neutral lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) in the two strains was carried out. The predominant species of TAG containing 16:1/16:1/16:1 acyl groups was detected only in NMBluh‐X with a content of ~93.67 ± 11.85 nmol · mg−1 dry algae at the onset of stationary phase. Meanwhile, TAG containing 16:0/16:0/16:0 was the main TAG in NMBluh014 with a content of 40.25 ± 3.92 nmol · mg−1. These results provided the most straightforward evidence for differentiating the two species. The metabolomic profiling indicated that NMBluh‐X underwent significant chemical and physiological changes during the growth process, whereas NMBluh014 did not show such noticeable time‐dependent metabolite change. This study is the first using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Electrospray ionization‐Quadrupole‐Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) for lipidomic profiling with multivariate statistical analysis to explore lipidomic differences of plesiomorphous microalgae. Our results demonstrate that lipidomic profiling is a valid chemotaxonomic tool in the study of microalgal systematics.
Decision Making and Underperformance in Competitive Environments: Evidence from the National Hockey League
Authors: Kolev Gueorgui I. , Pina Gonçalo , Todeschini Federico
Published: January 2015

We find evidence of suboptimal decisions leading to underperformance in a policy experiment where two teams of professionals compete in a tournament (National Hockey League shootout) performing a task (penalty shot) sequentially. Before an exogenous policy change, home teams had to perform the task second in the sequence. After the policy change, home teams were given the choice to lead or to follow in the sequence. Home teams should move first only when this is optimal, and this should lead them to winning the tournament more often. We find that after given the choice, home teams most of the time choose to move first in the sequence, and this results in a lower winning frequency for them. Contrary to what economic theory would predict, we find that an expanded choice set can lead to worse outcomes for the agents.
Religion and the Shadow Economy
Authors: Schneider Friedrich , Linsbauer Katharina , Heinemann Friedrich
Published: January 2015

Religion is increasingly acknowledged to be a cultural dimension which affects economic outcomes in different regards. This contribution focuses on the possible impact of religion's different dimensions, the overall degree of religiosity, the specific impact of different religions, religious competition and the proximity between religion and the state, on the shadow economy. The empirical test matches the largest available cross‐section on the size of the shadow economy with numerous religious indicators. General religiosity seems to increase the shadow economy. Moreover, robust differences emerge across religions. Furthermore, a closer proximity between state and religion is typical for smaller shadow economies.
A partial melting study of an ordinary (H) chondrite composition with application to the unique achondrite Graves Nunataks 06128 and 06129
Authors: Usui Tomohiro , Jones John H. , Mittlefehldt David W.
Published: January 2015

Melting experiments of a synthesized, alkali‐bearing, H‐chondrite composition were conducted at ambient pressure with three distinct oxygen fugacity conditions (IW‐1, IW, and IW+2). Oxygen fugacity conditions significantly influence the compositions of partial melts. Partial melts at IW‐1 are distinctly enriched in SiO2 relative to those of IW and IW+2 melts. The silica‐enriched, reduced (IW‐1) melts are characterized by high alkali contents and have silica‐oversaturated compositions. In contrast, the silica‐depleted, oxidized (≥IW) melts, which are also enriched in alkali contents, have distinctly silica‐undersaturated compositions. These experimental results suggest that alkali‐rich, felsic, asteroidal crusts as represented by paired achondrites Graves Nunataks 06128 and 06129 should originate from a low‐degree, relatively reduced partial melt from a parent body having near‐chondritic compositions. Based on recent chronological constraints and numerical considerations as well as our experimental results, we propose that such felsic magmatism should have occurred in a parent body that is smaller in size and commenced accreting later than those highly differentiated asteroids having basaltic crusts and metallic cores.
Pivotal and distinct role for Plasmodium actin capping protein alpha during blood infection of the malaria parasite
Authors: Ganter Markus , Rizopoulos Zaira , Schüler Herwig , Matuschewski Kai
Published: January 2015

Accurate regulation of microfilament dynamics is central to cell growth, motility and response to environmental stimuli. Stabilizing and depolymerizing proteins control the steady‐state levels of filamentous (F‐) actin. Capping protein (CP) binds to free barbed ends, thereby arresting microfilament growth and restraining elongation to remaining free barbed ends. In all CPs characterized to date, alpha and beta subunits form the active heterodimer. Here, we show in a eukaryotic parasitic cell that the two CP subunits can be functionally separated. Unlike the beta subunit, the CP alpha subunit of the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium is refractory to targeted gene deletion during blood infection in the mammalian host. Combinatorial complementation of Plasmodium berghei CP genes with the orthologs from Plasmodium falciparum verified distinct activities of CP alpha and CP alpha/beta during parasite life cycle progression. Recombinant Plasmodium CP alpha could be produced in Escherichia coli in the absence of the beta subunit and the protein displayed F‐actin capping activity. Thus, the functional separation of two CP subunits in a parasitic eukaryotic cell and the F‐actin capping activity of CP alpha expand the repertoire of microfilament regulatory mechanisms assigned to CPs.
The eukaryotic way to defend and edit genomes by sRNA‐targeted DNA deletion
Authors: Swart Estienne C. , Nowacki Mariusz
Published: January 2015

While there is currently burgeoning interest in the application of the CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated genes) to genome editing, it is perhaps not widely appreciated that this is the second discovery of a small RNA (sRNA)–targeted DNA‐deletion system. The first sRNA–targeted DNA‐deletion system to be discovered, which we call IES/Ias (internal eliminated sequence/IES‐associated genes) to contrast with CRISPR/Cas, is found in ciliates, and, like CRISPR/Cas, is thought to serve as a form of immune defense against invasive DNAs. The manner in which the ciliate IES/Ias system functions is distinct from that of the CRISPR/Cas system in archaea and bacteria, and arose independently through a synthesis of RNA interference–derived and DNA‐specific molecular components. Despite the major differences between CRISPR/Cas and IES/Ias, both systems face similar conceptual challenges in targeting invasive DNAs. In this review, we focus on the discovery, effects, function, and evolutionary consequences of the IES/Ias system.
The opposing roles of NOTCH signalling in head and neck cancer: a mini review
Authors: Yap LF , Lee D , Khairuddin ANM , Pairan MF , Puspita B , Siar CH , Paterson IC
Published: January 2015

NOTCH signalling can exert oncogenic or tumour suppressive effects in both solid and haematological malignancies. Similar to T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T‐ALL), early studies suggested a pro‐tumorigenic role of NOTCH in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), mainly based on the increased expression levels of the genes within the pathway. Recently, data from exome sequencing analyses unexpectedly pointed to a tumour suppressor role for NOTCH in HNSCC by identifying loss‐of‐function mutations in the NOTCH1 gene in a significant proportion of patients. These data have questioned the accepted role of NOTCH in HNSCC and the possible rationale of targeting NOTCH in this disease. This review summarises the current information on NOTCH signalling in HNSCC and discusses how this pathway can apparently exert opposing effects within the same disease.
Plumbagin suppresses tumor cell growth in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Ono T , Ota A , Ito K , Nakaoka T , Karnan S , Konishi H , Furuhashi A , Hayashi T , Yamada Y , Hosokawa Y , Kazaoka Y
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Plumbagin (PL), a naturally occurring quinoid, exerts antitumoral effects in diverse types of cancer cells. However, the effect of PL on tumor cell proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of PL, in human OSCC cells.

Methods

The effect of PL on the cell growth and apoptosis of OSCC cell lines was evaluated using MTT and Annexin V assays, respectively. The effect of PL on mitochondrial membrane potential loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated using flow cytometry analysis.

Results

MTT assay showed that PL dose‐dependently suppressed OSCC cell growth, with IC50 values ranging from 3.87 to 14.6 μM. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PL treatment resulted in a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Notably, ROS generation was significantly elevated after PL treatment. Furthermore, a ROS scavenger, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), clearly suppressed the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increase of caspase‐3/7 activity, and apoptosis after PL treatment.

Conclusion

This study provides the considerable evidence of the tumor‐suppressive effect of PL, thereby highlighting its therapeutic potential for OSCC treatment.
A palaeobotanical pot‐pourri
Authors: Edwards Dianne
Published: January 2015

This study, the third in the series of virtual issues of Palaeontology, examines the contributions the journal has made to the field of palaeobotany from 1961 onwards. I offer a personal selection of six papers representing four decades of research, with a range of specific geographical (Canada, Australia, China), temporal (Mesozoic, Devonian, Silurian) or more general (cycads, palynology, stratigraphy) focus.
Twelve‐Month Follow‐Up of a Randomized Trial Assessing Cooled Radiofrequency Denervation as a Treatment for Sacroiliac Region Pain
Authors: Patel Nilesh
Published: January 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to report the long‐term outcomes of cooled radiofrequency (CRF) lateral branch neurotomy (LBN) as a treatment for sacroiliac (SI) region pain. Whereas the 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, and 9‐month outcomes of this procedure compared to sham treatment were previously reported, this current report shows the 12‐month outcomes of CRF/LBN treatment for SI region pain.

Design

This study originally included 51 subjects who were randomized 2:1 to receive CRF/LBN treatment or a sham intervention, respectively, for SI region pain. Subjects and assessors were blinded for 3 months. At that time, sham participants were permitted to receive CRF/LBN, designated as “crossover” study subjects, and followed for 6 additional months. For the purpose of this evaluation, the original CRF/LBN‐treated study subjects were followed for a total of 12 months. Study participants were 18 to 88 years of age and had chronic (symptomatic for >6 months) axial back pain. All subjects were qualified for study inclusion following positive responses to dual lateral branch blocks. Lateral branch neurotomy was performed by CRF to ablate the S1 to S3 lateral branches and the L5 dorsal ramus. Pain was measured by a numerical rating scale (NRS) and Short Form 36‐bodily pain (SF36‐BP) scores. The Oswestry disability index and Short Form 36‐physical functioning (SF36‐PF) assessment each served to evaluate subject disability. Treatment successes (“responders”) in the originally treated CRF/LBN group at 12 months, and in the crossover group at 6 months, were also determined.

Results

In the original CRF/LBN treatment group, 12‐month outcomes compared to baseline were favorable, with a mean 2.7 point drop in the NRS score, a 13.9 decrease in the ODI, and a 15.8 increase in SF‐36BP. In the crossover study group, 6‐month outcomes were also favorable, with a mean NRS score decrease of 2.5 points, a reduction in ODI of 8.8, and an increase in SF36‐BP of 11.9.

Conclusions

These favorable 12‐month results illustrate the durability of effective CRF/LBN‐mediated treatment of SI region pain for selected patients. Furthermore, successful CRF/LBN treatments in unblinded crossover study subjects demonstrate the unlikelihood that such positive outcomes are attributable to a “placebo” effect, and suggest that CRF/LBN is an effective therapeutic option for alleviating pain, and improving physical function and quality of life, with few complications.
Sleep Disturbances and Osteoarthritis
Authors: Pickering Marie‐Eva , Chapurlat Roland , Kocher Laurence , Peter‐Derex Laure
Published: January 2015

Sleep disturbances are particularly troublesome in patients with painful rheumatic disease. This article reviews the literature specifically published on sleep disturbances in osteoarthritis, a prevalent pathology and leading cause of disability. Several aspects of the relationship between sleep and osteoarthritis are discussed, including epidemiology, pathophysiological hypotheses, and treatment outcomes. Sleep is of central importance in the well‐being of patients and should systematically be assessed in patients with osteoarthritis. When needed, a specific treatment of sleep disorders should be associated with an optimal management of pain to achieve synergistic improvements in quality of life. More large‐scale studies are needed to identify predictive factors of sleep impairment in osteoarthritis.
Genome‐wide association studies in elite varieties of German winter barley using single‐marker and haplotype‐based methods
Authors: Gawenda Inka , Thorwarth Patrick , Günther Torsten , Ordon Frank , Schmid Karl J.
Published: January 2015

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) became a widely used method to map qualitative and quantitative traits in plants. We compared existing single‐marker and haplotype‐based methods for GWAS with a focus on barley. Based on German winter barley cultivars, four different single‐marker and haplotype‐based methods were tested for their power to detect significant associations in a large genome with a limited number of markers. We identified significant associations for yield and quality‐related traits using the iSelect array with 3886 mapped single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a structured population consisting of 109 genotypes. Genome simulations with different numbers of genotypes, marker densities and marker effects were used to compare different GWAS methods. Results of simulations revealed a higher power in detecting significant associations for haplotype‐ than for single‐marker approaches, but showed a higher false discovery rate for SNP detection, due to lack of correction for population structure. Our simulations revealed that a population size of about 500 individuals is required to detect QTLs explaining a small trait variance (<10%).
Mining and characterization of SSRs from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by pyrosequencing
Authors: Ravishankar Kundapura V. , Chaturvedi Kanupriya , Puttaraju Nischita , Gupta Santhoshkumar , Pamu Sampathkumar
Published: January 2015

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important fruit‐bearing deciduous shrub which has been under cultivation since ancient times. Genomic resources like microsatellite markers are limited in pomegranate; therefore, this study was undertaken with the objective to develop and characterize microsatellite markers using Roche 454 GS FLX Titanium pyrosequencing technology. The total length of non‐redundant sequences obtained was 19.7 Mbp, consisting of 59 603 reads assembled into 7361 contigs, of which, 567 (7.70%) contained microsatellite repeats. The average G+C content was 41.3%. Functional annotation to Arabidopsis thaliana sequences yielded 734 unigenes from 7361 contigs which were classified based on GO terms. Primer pairs were designed for total of 171 loci, out of which 167 produced reproducible polymorphic bands in 12 genotypes of pomegranate. A total of 951 alleles were identified, ranging from 1 to 14 per locus (average of 5.56). The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged between 0.00 and 0.910 (mean of 0.5427). The markers developed here will be useful for genetic diversity studies, gene mapping and genotyping in pomegranate.
Excited‐State Multiple Proton Transfer Depending on the Acidity and Basicity of Mediating Alcohols in 7‐Azaindole–(ROH)2 (R=H, CH3) Complexes: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Fang Hua , Mai Binh Khanh , Kim Yongho
Published: January 2015

Long‐range proton transfer plays an important role in many chemical and biological phenomena. It has recently been reported that the rate of excited‐state multiple proton transfer depends on the acidity and basicity of mediating alcohols in the H‐bonded wire. The excited‐state triple proton transfer in 7‐azaindole complexes through cyclic H‐bonded wires was theoretically studied to investigate rates depending on the mediating alcohols. This study showed that the acidity and basicity of alcohols collectively functioned to assist proton transfers depending on the paths; the proton transfers of protolytic and solvolytic paths were assisted by the pull‐behind effect and the push‐ahead effect, respectively. Both proton‐donating and accepting abilities of alcohols in the H‐bonded wire can accumulate to help proton transfer, and the strong acidity and basicity of the alcohols with relatively small structural changes in the wire have larger impacts on reducing the activation energies than those of alcohols that trigger proton transfer.
Impact of comorbidities on physical activity in COPD
Authors: Sievi Noriane A. , Senn Oliver , Brack Thomas , Brutsche Martin H. , Frey Martin , Irani Sarosh , Leuppi Jörg D. , Thurnheer Robert , Franzen Daniel , Kohler Malcolm , Clarenbach Christian F.
Published: January 2015

Background and objective

Both comorbidities and physical inactivity have been shown to impair quality of life and contribute to hospital admissions and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We hypothesized that the comorbid status predicts the level of daily physical activity (PA) in COPD.

Methods

In 228 patients with COPD (76% men; median (quartiles) age: 64 (59/69) years; percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1% pred): 44 (31/63)), comorbidities were assessed by medical history, clinical interviews, examination and blood analysis. PA level (PAL) was measured by an activity monitor (SenseWear Pro, Bodymedia Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA). The association between PAL and comorbidities was investigated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Seventy‐nine per cent of the COPD patients had at least one additional chronic comorbidity, 56% had two or more comorbidities and 35% had three or more comorbidities. In univariate analysis body mass index, the number of pack years and having at least one additional comorbidity was negatively associated with PAL while there was a positive nonlinear association between FEV1 and PAL. The presence of at least one additional comorbidity was independently associated with PAL irrespective of airflow limitation.

Conclusions

In this cohort, almost 80% of COPD patients had at least one additional chronic comorbidity. The level of daily PA seems to be significantly impaired by the presence of comorbidities irrespective of the type of comorbidity and independent of the degree of airflow limitation.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT01527773 at http://www.clinicalTrials.gov.
How Emotions Shape Moral Behavior: Some Answers (and Questions) for the Field of Moral Psychology
Authors: Teper Rimma , Zhong Chen‐Bo , Inzlicht Michael
Published: January 2015

Within the past decade, the field of moral psychology has begun to disentangle the mechanics behind moral judgments, revealing the vital role that emotions play in driving these processes. However, given the well‐documented dissociation between attitudes and behaviors, we propose that an equally important issue is how emotions inform actual moral behavior – a question that has been relatively ignored up until recently. By providing a review of recent studies that have begun to explore how emotions drive actual moral behavior, we propose that emotions are instrumental in fueling real‐life moral actions. Because research examining the role of emotional processes on moral behavior is currently limited, we push for the use of behavioral measures in the field in the hopes of building a more complete theory of real‐life moral behavior.
Identification of a new HLA‐DRB1*04 allele, DRB1*04:10:03
Authors: Kim S.‐K. , Park B.G. , Oh H.‐B. , Jun J.‐H. , Kwon O.‐J.
Published: January 2015

The new allele, DRB1*04:10:03, showed one nucleotide difference with DRB1*04:10:01 (705C>T).
The Influence of the Visual Modality on Language Structure and Conventionalization: Insights From Sign Language and Gesture
Authors: Perniss Pamela , Özyürek Asli , Morgan Gary
Published: January 2015

For humans, the ability to communicate and use language is instantiated not only in the vocal modality but also in the visual modality. The main examples of this are sign languages and (co‐speech) gestures. Sign languages, the natural languages of Deaf communities, use systematic and conventionalized movements of the hands, face, and body for linguistic expression. Co‐speech gestures, though non‐linguistic, are produced in tight semantic and temporal integration with speech and constitute an integral part of language together with speech. The articles in this issue explore and document how gestures and sign languages are similar or different and how communicative expression in the visual modality can change from being gestural to grammatical in nature through processes of conventionalization. As such, this issue contributes to our understanding of how the visual modality shapes language and the emergence of linguistic structure in newly developing systems. Studying the relationship between signs and gestures provides a new window onto the human ability to recruit multiple levels of representation (e.g., categorical, gradient, iconic, abstract) in the service of using or creating conventionalized communicative systems.
Negative Effective Mass Density of One-Dimensional Hierarchical Metacomposite
Authors: An Xiyue , Sun Fangfang , Yu Peishi , Fan Hualin , He Shiping , Fang Daining
Published: January 2015

A theoretical model of one-dimensional (1D) hierarchical metacomposite with internal resonators was proposed to generate negative effective mass over specific frequency ranges. Different from the single-resonator microstructure, the current hierarchical metamaterial with multilevel resonators was constructed by a series of springs and rigid bodies. The general formula of the current hierarchical metamaterial model was induced to reveal the relationship between the effective mass and the forcing frequency. It is found that the hierarchical metamaterial with multilevel resonators generates multifrequency band gaps with negative effective masses. The number of the band gaps equals to the order of the hierarchy. The total bandwidth for the negative effective mass increases with the hierarchy, meanwhile increasing the mass ratio can also obviously increase the bandwidth generating negative effective mass.