bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific Membrane Lipid Composition Is Important for Plasmodesmata Function in Arabidopsis
Authors: Grison Magali S. , Brocard Lysiane , Fouillen Laetitia , Nicolas William , Wewer Vera , Dörmann Peter , Nacir Houda , Benitez-Alfonso Yoselin , Claverol Stéphane , Germain Véronique , Boutté Yohann , Mongrand Sébastien , Bayer Emmanuelle M.
Published: March 2015

Plasmodesmata (PD) are nano-sized membrane-lined channels controlling intercellular communication in plants. Although progress has been made in identifying PD proteins, the role played by major membrane constituents, such as the lipids, in defining specialized membrane domains in PD remains unknown. Through a rigorous isolation of “native” PD membrane fractions and comparative mass spectrometry-based analysis, we demonstrate that lipids are laterally segregated along the plasma membrane (PM) at the PD cell-to-cell junction in Arabidopsis thaliana. Remarkably, our results show that PD membranes display enrichment in sterols and sphingolipids with very long chain saturated fatty acids when compared with the bulk of the PM. Intriguingly, this lipid profile is reminiscent of detergent-insoluble membrane microdomains, although our approach is valuably detergent-free. Modulation of the overall sterol composition of young dividing cells reversibly impaired the PD localization of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins Plasmodesmata Callose Binding 1 and the β-1,3-glucanase PdBG2 and altered callose-mediated PD permeability. Altogether, this study not only provides a comprehensive analysis of the lipid constituents of PD but also identifies a role for sterols in modulating cell-to-cell connectivity, possibly by establishing and maintaining the positional specificity of callose-modifying glycosylphosphatidylinositol proteins at PD. Our work emphasizes the importance of lipids in defining PD membranes.
Usage of e-journals in French business schools
Authors: Leduc Claire , Schöpfel Joachim
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The paper of this paper is to explore the usage patterns of e-journals in French business schools.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper exploits COUNTER-compliant usage statistics from a nationwide usage study with data from journal collections of an international academic publisher.

Findings

– With regard to online collections, the usage appears to be relatively intensive, especially when compared to usage statistics from universities in the same fields. This result may reflect an emerging research activity in business schools and a projected and required international orientation. However, the study also reveals important differences between schools, a fact that should not be overestimated because of the small sample size, even if the sample is a representative of French business schools.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper uses empirical data from a national usage study to identify specific patterns in business schools. It does not integrate qualitative survey data or deep log file analysis.

Originality/value

– Very few studies provide empirical evidence of e-journal usage in business schools. The paper enhances the knowledge on usage in specific environments in higher education. This is the first usage study with French business schools.
Critical success factors for institutional repositories implementation
Authors: Lagzian Fatemeh , Abrizah A , Wee Mee Chin
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the critical factors that contribute to the success of institutional repositories worldwide. Previous research indicates that there is little agreement surrounding what constitutes a successful institutional repository.

Design/methodology/approach

– Possible key factors were extracted from literature review and responses from expert panels. A web-based survey questionnaire forming a total of 69-item statements was developed. The questionnaire, when pilot-tested, was found highly reliable. The questionnaire was then distributed to 322 institutional repository managers, who are representative of the population, via the OpenDOAR email distribution service. Data collection ended in four months, once the sample volume of usable questionnaires reached 295, which is 91.6 per cent response rate.

Findings

– The results of the factor analysis indicate the possibility of 46 variables under six factors being important for the success of institutional repository implementation. These six factors are “Management”, “Services”, “Technology”, “Self-archive Practices”, “People” and “Resources”.

Practical implications

– This study has empirically tested and consolidated the factors which are important in institutional repository implementation worldwide and documented them as critical success factors.

Originality/value

– It also frames questions about the possible value of developing some guidelines or standards related to success factors to be able to monitor the deployment of institutional repositories.
Sustaining Lesson Study in schools with positive peer leadership
Authors: Zhang Yuefeng
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– Multi-cycle Learning Study and multi-cycle Lesson Study are the main collaborative action research approaches for teacher professional development in Hong Kong. The sustaining of these Lesson Study innovations may be inhibited by many challenges. The purpose of this paper is to identify the strategies school leaders utilized to overcome challenges and sustain Lesson Study innovations successfully in a Hong Kong primary school.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth case study was adopted as the methodological approach to explore how Lesson Study was implemented to improve teaching and learning in the school and what leadership practices were enacted to sustain Lesson Study in the case school.

Findings

– It was found that the leadership team under study had adopted positive peer leadership to successfully implement Lesson Study activities. The strategies of positive peer leadership will be discussed in detail.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper concludes with implications for sustaining school development and professional development with Lesson Study and a checklist of positive peer leadership practices for school leaders, teacher leaders and teacher trainers.

Originality/value

– This paper will enrich the understanding of successful leadership practices for sustaining Lesson Study innovations in schools, on which few empirical studies have been conducted.
Developing mathematics teachers’ competence through parallel lesson study
Authors: Huang Rongjin , Han Xue
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine practicing mathematics teachers’ learning through parallel lesson study in China. Lesson study in China has been practiced for decades. Parallel lesson is an enriched mode of lesson study to address the implementation of new curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

– The expansive learning perspective has been used to explore the ways practicing teachers learned to improve teaching through the transformation of learning objects and boundary crossing.

Findings

– Two cases are illustrated and compared to highlight features of teachers’ learning through parallel lesson study. The practicing teachers developed their competence in transforming instructional objectives and task selection and implementation. In addition, they also developed professional vision in alignment with the reform-oriented curriculum.

Originality/value

– This study makes significant contribution to understanding teachers’ learning through lesson study in China. Meanwhile, it also demonstrates how the theory of expansive learning could be used as a conceptual framework to examine teachers’ learning through lesson study.
Developing a model for an agile supply chain in pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Mehralian Gholamhossein , Zarenezhad Forouzandeh , Rajabzadeh Ghatari Ali
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to develop a model for an agile supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry. In a continuous changing global competitive environment, an organization’s supply chain agility directly impacts its ability to produce and deliver novel products to its customers in a timely and cost-effective manner. While the beneficial effect of supply chain agility is generally appreciated, the literature addressing how a pharmaceutical company can achieve supply chain agility is limited.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper analyzes the three parts of pharmaceutical supply chain including supply of active pharmaceutical ingredient, manufacturing and distribution based on the supply chain operations reference model to assess agile supply chains by using three diverse questionnaires. In addition, to prioritize critical factors, TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) algorithm as a common technique of multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) model has been used.

Findings

– Achieving supply chain agility is dependent on other capabilities; including flexibility, responsibility, competency and quickness. Findings reveal several factors identified as critical factors to being agile in each part of pharmaceutical supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was challenged with some limitations such as novelty of the subject in this environment, and the lake of data in this area is also another constraint.

Originality/value

– This is an initial and pioneering study to highlight the importance of agility concept in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study also provides a new aspect of supply chain management for such industry, and would be a good topic for further research. Finally, this study contributes to highlight and prioritize factors involved in this area.
Prevalence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Chicken Meat in Turkey
Authors: Siriken Belgin , Türk Haldun , Yildirim Tuba , Durupinar Belma , Erol Irfan
Published: March 2015

This study was conducted in a Turkish province to investigate the presence of Salmonella spp. in 150 chicken meat samples using 2 phenotyping techniques: classic culture technique (CCT) and immunomagnetic separation (IMS). For the confirmation of the isolates at molecular levels, invA gene was detected in these isolates. The presence of invA, class 1 (Cls1) integrons, and integrase (Int1) genes was demonstrated by PCR assay; and the resistance of the isolated Salmonella spp. strains to antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion test. All the cultural and PCR results were evaluated together; Salmonella spp. were detected in a total of 64 (42.66%) chicken meat samples. Contamination rate was higher in carcasses (53.33%, n = 75) than in meat pieces (32%, n = 75). When results of standard culture were compared with IMS technique, IMS (n = 54) showed a clear superiority over the CCT (n = 38). A very high resistance rate (≥89.28%) to vancomycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, or nalidixic acid was found. Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole resistance was present in 32.14%. Relatively lower incidence of resistance (≤8.33%) to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and ceftriaxone was observed. Concurrent resistance to at least 4 antibiotics was detected in 92.85% of the isolates. Cls1 integrons and Int1 were positive in 80.95% and 95.23% of the isolates, respectively. However, Int1 alone was detected in 15.47% (n = 13). In conclusion, the high prevalence of Salmonella spp. in chicken meat may pose a potential public health risk, and the presence of antibiotic‐resistant Salmonella spp. isolate together with Cls1 integron and/or integrase might play an important role in horizontal antibiotic gene transfer.
Total and Inorganic Arsenic in Iranian Rice
Authors: Cano‐Lamadrid Marina , Munera‐Picazo Sandra , Burló Francisco , Hojjati Mohammad , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A.
Published: March 2015

It is well known that arsenic (As) exposure, particularly to inorganic species (i‐As), has adverse effects on humans. Nowadays, the European Union (EU) has still not regulated the maximum residue limit of As in commercial samples of rice and rice‐based products, although it is actively working on the topic. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is collecting data on total arsenic (t‐As) and i‐As from different rice‐producing regions not only from EU countries but also from other parts of the world to finally set up this maximum threshold. As Iran is a rice‐producing country, the aim of this work was to evaluate the contents of t‐As and i‐As in 15 samples of Iranian white, nonorganic, and aromatic rice collected from the most important rice‐producing regions of the country. The means of t‐As and i‐As were 120 and 82 μg/kg, respectively. The experimental i‐As mean in Iranian rice was below the Chinese standard for the i‐As in rice, 150 μg/kg, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) limit, 200 μg/kg. Therefore, Iranian rice seems to have reasonable low i‐As content and it is safe to be marketed in any market, including China and the EU.
A persistently high body mass index increases the risk of atopic asthma at school age
Authors: Loid Petra , Goksör Emma , Alm Bernt , Pettersson Rolf , Möllborg Per , Erdes Laslo , Åberg Nils , Wennergren Göran
Published: March 2015

Aim

Being overweight has been associated with the risk of developing childhood asthma, but studies have produced conflicting results, for example with regard to possible links to allergic diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and school‐age asthma.

Methods

Data were obtained from a prospective, longitudinal study of 5044 children born in western Sweden. The parents answered questionnaires at six months and one, four‐and‐a‐half and eight years of age. The response rate to the final questionnaire at the age of eight was just over 80%. BMI was adjusted for age and gender, and a high BMI was defined as the 85th percentile and above.

Results

A multivariate analysis showed an independently increased risk of doctor‐diagnosed asthma among children with a persistently high BMI, both in infancy and at school age, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.9 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.3–6.4. In addition, persistently high BMI was associated with an increased risk of atopic asthma (aOR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0–11.0).

Conclusion

A persistently high BMI during childhood increased the risk of doctor‐diagnosed asthma at school age. The increased risk of atopic asthma suggests an effect mediated via the immune system.
The percentage of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) isoform [–2]proPSA and the Prostate Health Index improve the diagnostic accuracy for clinically relevant prostate cancer at initial and repeat biopsy compared with total PSA and percentage free PSA in men aged ≤65 years
Authors: Boegemann Martin , Stephan Carsten , Cammann Henning , Vincendeau Sébastien , Houlgatte Alain , Jung Klaus , Blanchet Jean‐Sebastien , Semjonow Axel
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To prospectively test the diagnostic accuracy of the percentage of prostate specific antigen (PSA) isoform [–2]proPSA (%p2PSA) and the Prostate Health Index (PHI), and to determine their role for discrimination between significant and insignificant prostate cancer at initial and repeat prostate biopsy in men aged ≤65 years.

Patients and Methods

The diagnostic performance of %p2PSA and PHI were evaluated in a multicentre study. In all, 769 men aged ≤65 years scheduled for initial or repeat prostate biopsy were recruited in four sites based on a total PSA (t‐PSA) level of 1.6–8.0 ng/mL World Health Organization (WHO) calibrated (2–10 ng/mL Hybritech‐calibrated). Serum samples were measured for the concentration of t‐PSA, free PSA (f‐PSA) and p2PSA with Beckman Coulter immunoassays on Access‐2 or DxI800 instruments. PHI was calculated as (p2PSA/f‐PSA × √t‐PSA). Uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression models and an artificial neural network (ANN) were complemented by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

In univariate analysis %p2PSA and PHI were the best predictors of prostate cancer detection in all patients (area under the curve [AUC] 0.72 and 0.73, respectively), at initial (AUC 0.67 and 0.69) and repeat biopsy (AUC 0.74 and 0.74). t‐PSA and %f‐PSA performed less accurately for all patients (AUC 0.54 and 0.62). For detection of significant prostate cancer (based on Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance [PRIAS] criteria) the %p2PSA and PHI equally demonstrated best performance (AUC 0.70 and 0.73) compared with t‐PSA and %f‐PSA (AUC 0.54 and 0.59). In multivariate analysis PHI we added to a base model of age, prostate volume, digital rectal examination, t‐PSA and %f‐PSA. PHI was strongest in predicting prostate cancer in all patients, at initial and repeat biopsy and for significant prostate cancer (AUC 0.73, 0.68, 0.78 and 0.72, respectively). In DCA for all patients the ANN showed the broadest threshold probability and best net benefit. PHI as single parameter and the base model + PHI were equivalent with threshold probability and net benefit nearing those of the ANN. For significant cancers the ANN was the strongest parameter in DCA.

Conclusion

The present multicentre study showed that %p2PSA and PHI have a superior diagnostic performance for detecting prostate cancer in the PSA range of 1.6–8.0 ng/mL compared with t‐PSA and %f‐PSA at initial and repeat biopsy and for predicting significant prostate cancer in men aged ≤65 years. They are equally superior for counselling patients before biopsy.
Multilevel multidimensional item response model with a multilevel latent covariate
Authors: Cho Sun‐Joo , Bottge Brian
Published: March 2015

In a pre‐test–post‐test cluster randomized trial, one of the methods commonly used to detect an intervention effect involves controlling pre‐test scores and other related covariates while estimating an intervention effect at post‐test. In many applications in education, the total post‐test and pre‐test scores, ignoring measurement error, are used as response variable and covariate, respectively, to estimate the intervention effect. However, these test scores are frequently subject to measurement error, and statistical inferences based on the model ignoring measurement error can yield a biased estimate of the intervention effect. When multiple domains exist in test data, it is sometimes more informative to detect the intervention effect for each domain than for the entire test. This paper presents applications of the multilevel multidimensional item response model with measurement error adjustments in a response variable and a covariate to estimate the intervention effect for each domain.
Dietary patterns and asthma prevalence, incidence and control
Authors: Barros R. , Moreira A. , Padrão P. , Teixeira V.H. , Carvalho P. , Delgado L. , Lopes C. , Severo M. , Moreira P.
Published: March 2015

Background

The increased asthma prevalence in westernized societies has been suggested to be related to environment exposures and lifestyle changes, particularly diet. We aimed to explore the association between dietary patterns and asthma prevalence, incidence and control in a nationally representative population.

Methods

Data from 32 644 adults, 53% female, from the 4th Portuguese National Health Survey were analysed. Prevalence of asthma was 5.3%; ‘current asthma’, defined by asthma symptoms within previous year, 3.5%; ‘current medicated asthma’ defined by use of asthma medication within previous year, 3.0%; ‘current severe asthma’ defined by emergency visit because of asthma within previous year, 1.4%; and ‘incident asthma’, 0.2%. Dietary patterns (DP) were identified by latent trait models based on dietary intake. Unconditional logistic regression models were performed to analyse association between DP and asthma. Age, gender, education, family income, proxy reporting information, smoking, body mass index and physical activity level were analysed as confounders.

Results

Two of the five identified DP were associated with asthma: ‘high fat, sugar and salt’ DP (positively correlated with pastry, chocolate and sweet desserts, candies, salty snacks, chips, fruit juices, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages consumption at snacks) was associated with asthma prevalence (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.24) and current severe asthma (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.48), while ‘fish, fruit and vegetables’ DP (positively correlated with fish, vegetables and fruit intake at meals) was negatively associated with current (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73, 0.98), and current medicated asthma (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72, 0.98), after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusion & Clinical Relevance

Our results suggest a protective association between ‘fish, vegetables and fruit’ DP and current asthma and current medicated asthma, and a detrimental association between ‘high fat, sugar and salt’ DP and severe asthma prevalence, further supporting the rational for diet and lifestyle intervention studies in asthma based on whole dietary patterns and physical activity.
Visual Similarity of Words Alone Can Modulate Hemispheric Lateralization in Visual Word Recognition: Evidence From Modeling Chinese Character Recognition
Authors: Hsiao Janet H. , Cheung Kit
Published: March 2015

In Chinese orthography, the most common character structure consists of a semantic radical on the left and a phonetic radical on the right (SP characters); the minority, opposite arrangement also exists (PS characters). Recent studies showed that SP character processing is more left hemisphere (LH) lateralized than PS character processing. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether this is due to phonetic radical position or character type frequency. Through computational modeling with artificial lexicons, in which we implement a theory of hemispheric asymmetry in perception but do not assume phonological processing being LH lateralized, we show that the difference in character type frequency alone is sufficient to exhibit the effect that the dominant type has a stronger LH lateralization than the minority type. This effect is due to higher visual similarity among characters in the dominant type than the minority type, demonstrating the modulation of visual similarity of words on hemispheric lateralization.
The cost‐effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus sulfonylurea as an add‐on to metformin in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Charokopou M. , McEwan P. , Lister S. , Callan L. , Bergenheim K. , Tolley K. , Postema R. , Townsend R. , Roudaut M.
Published: March 2015

Aims

To assess the cost‐effectiveness of dapagliflozin, a sodium–glucose co‐transporter–2 (SGLT–2) inhibitor, compared with a sulfonylurea, when added to metformin for treatment of UK people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin alone.

Methods

Clinical inputs sourced from a head‐to‐head randomized controlled trial (RCT) informed the Cardiff diabetes decision model. Risk equations developed from the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) were used in conjunction with the clinical inputs to predict disease progression and the incidence of micro‐ and macrovascular complications over a lifetime horizon. Cost and utility data were generated to present the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for both treatment arms, and sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted to assess the impact of uncertainty on the final model results.

Results

The dapagliflozin treatment arm was associated with a mean incremental benefit of 0.467 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.420; 0.665], with an incremental cost of £1246 (95% CI: £613; £1637). This resulted in an ICER point estimate of £2671 per QALY gained. Incremental costs were shown to be insensitive to parameter variation, with only treatment‐related weight change having a significant impact on the incremental QALYs. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis determined that dapagliflozin had a 100% probability of being cost‐effective at a willingness‐to‐pay threshold of £20 000 per QALY.

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin in combination with metformin was shown to be a cost‐effective treatment option compared with sulfonylurea from a UK healthcare perspective for people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who are inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy.
How sampling influences the statistical power to detect changes in abundance: an application to river restoration
Authors: Vaudor Lise , Lamouroux Nicolas , Olivier Jean‐Michel , Forcellini Maxence
Published: March 2015

Assessing how populations respond to ecological restoration is particularly difficult because their abundance results from many sources of variation. In addition, abundance estimates depend on sampling efforts that are limited by financial or practical constraints.

We used local abundance counts from the Rhône river restoration monitoring programme to quantify how sampling strategies and population characteristics influenced statistical power for detecting restoration effects.

We first fitted observed changes in abundance of 13 fish taxa and 35 invertebrate taxa collected in microhabitats of four restored reaches of the Rhône river over 15 years, using a generalised linear mixed model. The model accounted for a restoration effect, random temporal variation between field surveys and spatial variation within surveys (i.e. microhabitat variation in abundance was assumed to follow a negative binomial distribution). We then used numerical simulations to calculate the statistical power (i.e. the probability of detecting a true change) and the type I error (the probability of detecting a non‐existent change) associated with various hypotheses of restoration effect size, mean abundance and temporal and spatial variation.

Model fits revealed that accounting for temporal variation is needed to reduce type I error associated with the effect of restoration. Significant abundance changes were observed for 27 of 104 (26%) of the taxa‐reach combinations.

When assuming temporal variation and population characteristics typical of our data sets, power simulations showed that the probability of detecting a moderate change (50–200%) in abundance was <38% in all tests. The average probability of detecting large changes (500–1000%) was 61%. In these conditions, power was increased by low spatial variation and high sampling effort. Large numbers of surveys (e.g. 16 instead of 4) increased the power by 20 points if surveys were balanced before and after restoration.

Because our simulations covered a wide variety of population characteristics and sampling strategies, they can be used a priori to determine which sampling strategy is best adapted for detecting restoration effects from repeated abundance counts.
The ecological restoration of large rivers needs science‐based, predictive tools meeting public expectations: an overview of the Rhône project
Authors: Lamouroux Nicolas , Gore James A. , Lepori Fabio , Statzner Bernhard
Published: March 2015

Effective environmental management needs models that reliably predict quantitative ecological changes as a function of restoration effort (e.g. cost) and meet expectations of stakeholders. Principal threats to large rivers are linked to human‐caused modifications of discharge and morphology of channels and floodplains. However, comprehensive large‐scale tests of the reliability of models predicting ecological consequences of restoring these elements are still lacking.

Following a governmental decision, water managers, local authorities and the ‘Compagnie Nationale du Rhône’ financed a scientific programme to develop, test and subsequently use predictive models to assess the restoration (particularly minimum flow increases and reconnections of floodplain channels with the main channel) of eight regulated reaches of the French Rhône River. This approach was fostered by (i) the existence of local initiatives aimed at the ecological improvement of the Rhône; (ii) a history of interactions based on trust among stakeholders; and (iii) knowledge provided by a large interdisciplinary research group that studied the Rhône for two decades before the programme started in 1998.

This Special Issue synthesises the insights gained over recent decades of research during which four river reaches (total length 47 km) were restored since 1999. It contains 11 articles including this overview. One article relates physical habitats in the floodplain to river hydrology and morphology; five articles test predictive models linking changes in habitat conditions to changes in taxa abundance, community metrics and biological traits of macroinvertebrates and fish; and four articles address the effects of restoration in larger contexts (long‐term community trends, optimisation of sampling strategies, social processes and bioindication).

We describe the Rhône restoration project, explain the conceptual framework used to predict the effects of restoration on river biota and describe the contents of the Special Issue, the main results and their implications.

The Rhône restoration led to more lotic and diverse aquatic communities and renewed social links with the river. When reliable pre‐restoration data are available, simple habitat models can be used to predict quantitative ecological changes as a function of restoration effort. The project illustrates the need to describe changes in hydraulic conditions in studies of physical river restoration and shows the effort required for a powerful assessment of restoration effects.
Optical Evaluation of In Situ Crack Propagation by Using Mechanoluminescence of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+
Authors: Timilsina Suman , Lee Kwang Ho , Kwon Yong Nam , Kim Ji Sik
Published: March 2015

New theoretical solutions involving conventional crack propagation from static to dynamic fracture in terms of mechanoluminescence (ML) and the experimental techniques to trace the in situ crack and its instantaneous stress intensity factor (SIF) have been suggested in SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ (SAO). The direct optical method to determine the moving crack tip on behalf of ML was verified by indirect crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD). The mode I SIF calculated from the instantaneous cumulative ML fringes showed proper agreement with the SIFs and acquired from conventional ASTM E‐399 measurements under quasidynamic condition. The magnitude and shape of the theoretically predicted crack tip stress field was in accordance with the experimental in situ ML evidence while determining the quasidynamic SIF from the cumulative ML intensity. Therefore, the use of ML technology could be one of the possible substitutive and substantial alternatives for structural health monitoring systems due to its simplicity but effectiveness in detecting arrested or propagating crack tips and in assessing the instantaneous structural integrity by means of the ML fracture parameters.
Housing, Leverage, and Stability in the Wider Economy
Authors: MILES DAVID
Published: March 2015

This paper explores ways in which volatility in the housing market that has damaging impacts on the financial system and the wider economy can be reduced. Alternatives to standard debt contracts to finance house purchase are considered. A form of equity loan, where repayments are linked to the value of the house, have major advantages in terms of risk reduction. The way in which such loans can be structured is analyzed.
Housing Really Is the Business Cycle: What Survives the Lessons of 2008–09?
Authors: LEAMER EDWARD E.
Published: March 2015

The downturn of 2008–09 has confirmed that: (i) housing is the single most critical part of the U.S. business cycle, (ii) the proper conduct of monetary policy needs to be cognizant that choices made at one point in time affect the options later, and (iii) the best time to intervene in the housing cycle is when the volume of building is above normal and growing more so. What was different this time was the rapid and substantial decline in home prices.
Housing and the Macroeconomy: Inflation and the Financial Accelerator
Authors: MUELLBAUER JOHN
Published: March 2015

Three themes connecting housing and the macroeconomy are discussed. First, evidence is presented for the property market as one of the drivers of U.S. consumer price inflation. Second, key drivers of house prices are explained to account for the remarkable diversity of international experience. Finally, three potential links between housing, credit, and the financial accelerator are discussed. These are the consumption channel, the investment channel, and feedback between bad loans and risk‐spreads via the financial system—and how institutional differences between countries can explain the presence, absence and magnitudes of these linkages.
Real Estate Markets and Macroprudential Policy in Europe
Authors: HARTMANN PHILIPP
Published: March 2015

Boom‐bust cycles in real estate markets have been major factors in systemic financial crises and therefore need to be at the forefront of macroprudential policy. The geographically differentiated nature of real estate market fluctuations implies that these policies need to be granular across regions and countries. Before the financial crisis that started in 2007 property markets were overvalued in a range of European countries, but much like in other constituencies active policies addressing this were an exception. An increasing number of studies suggest that borrower‐based regulatory policies, such as reductions in loan‐to‐value or debt‐to‐income limits, can be effective in leaning against real estate booms. But many of the new macroprudential policy authorities in Europe do not have clear powers to determine them. Moreover, the cross‐border spillovers they may give rise to suggest the establishment of a well‐defined macroprudential coordination mechanism for the single European market.
Joint Dynamics of House Prices and Foreclosures
Authors: ARSLAN YAVUZ , GULER BULENT , TASKIN TEMEL
Published: March 2015

This paper studies the joint transitional dynamics of the foreclosures and house prices in a standard life‐cycle incomplete markets model with housing and a realistic long‐term mortgage structure. We calibrate our model to match several long‐term features of the U.S. housing market, and analyze the effects of several unexpected and permanent shocks on the house price and the foreclosure rate both across the steady states and along the transition between the steady states. We examine permanent, unexpected shocks to the risk‐free interest rate, the minimum down‐payment ratio, and unemployment. During the transition, these shocks create large movements in house prices. More importantly, the foreclosure dynamics are quite significant along the transition compared to the steady‐state changes, and there are strong feedbacks between foreclosures and house prices. We assess the effects of a temporary reduction in the risk‐free interest rate, which has moderate effects on house prices but little effect on foreclosure dynamics. We also study the effects of an ex ante macroprudential policy, which establishes a minimum down‐payment requirement at a higher threshold. Such a macroprudential policy helps substantially stabilize both house prices and foreclosures.
Hypercoagulability in Dogs with Blastomycosis
Authors: McMichael M.A. , O'Brien M. , Smith S.A.
Published: March 2015

Background

Blastomycosis is a potentially fatal fungal disease that most commonly affects humans and dogs. The organism causes systemic inflammation and has a predilection for the lungs. The inflammation might lead to a hypercoagulable state with microemboli in the pulmonary circulation which could contribute to inadequate oxygen exchange in infected dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Dogs with blastomycosis will be hypercoagulable compared with healthy case‐matched controls.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs with a diagnosis of blastomycosis (n = 23) and healthy case‐matched controls (n = 23).

Methods

Prospective case‐controlled study of client‐owned dogs presented to a veterinary teaching hospital with clinical signs compatible with blastomycosis. Complete blood counts, fibrinogen,PT,aPTT, thromboelastometry (TE), thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT), and thrombin generation were evaluated.

Results

Cases had a leukocytosis compared with controls [mean (SD) 16.6 (7.6) × 103/μL versus 8.2 (1.8) × 103/μL,P < .001], hyperfibrinogenemia [median 784 mg/dL, range 329–1,443 versus median 178 mg/dL, range 82–257,P < .001], and increasedTATconcentrations [mean (SD) 9.0 (5.7) μg/L versus 2.0 (2.8) μg/L,P < .001]. As compared to controls, cases were also hypercoagulable as evaluated by thromboelastometry and had increased in vitro thrombin generation on calibrated automated thrombography.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hypercoagulability occurs in dogs with systemic blastomycosis. Additional studies are needed to explore a possible contribution of thrombogenicity to the clinical manifestations of systemic blastomycosis.
Quantitative Physicochemical Analysis of Acid‐Base Balance and Clinical Utility of Anion Gap and Strong Ion Gap in 806 Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea
Authors: Trefz F.M. , Constable P.D. , Lorenz I.
Published: March 2015

Background

Acid‐base abnormalities in neonatal diarrheic calves can be assessed by using the Henderson‐Hasselbalch equation or the simplified strong ion approach which use the anion gap (AG) or the strong ion gap (SIG) to quantify the concentration of unmeasured strong anions such asd‐lactate.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine and compare the clinical utility ofAGandSIGin quantifying the unmeasured strong anion charge in neonatal diarrheic calves, and to examine the associations between biochemical findings and acid‐base variables by using the simplified strong ion approach. We hypothesized that theSIGprovides a more accurate prediction of unmeasured strong anions than theAG.

Animals

Eight hundred and six neonatal diarrheic calves admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital.

Methods

Retrospective study utilizing clinicopathologic findings extracted from medical records.

Results

Hyperphosphatemia was an important predictor of venous bloodpH. Serum inorganic phosphorus and plasmad‐lactate concentrations accounted for 58% of the variation in venous bloodpHand 77% of the variation inAGandSIG. Plasmad‐ and total lactate concentrations were slightly better correlated withSIG(rs = −0.69; −0.78) than toAG(rs = 0.63; 0.74).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Strong ion gap is slightly better at quantifying the unmeasured strong anion concentration in neonatal diarrheic calves thanAG. Phosphorus concentrations should be included as part of the calculation ofAtotwhen applying the simplified strong ion approach to acid‐base balance to critically ill animals with hyperphosphatemia.
Polo‐like kinase 3 is associated with improved overall survival in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Juntermanns Benjamin , Sydor Svenja , Kaiser Gernot M. , Jaradat Derar , Mertens Joachim C. , Sotiropoulos Georgios C. , Swoboda Sandra , Neuhaus Jan P. , Meng Wei , Mathé Zoltan , Baba Hideo A. , Canbay Ali , Paul Andreas , Fingas Christian D.
Published: March 2015

Background & Aims

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) paradoxically express the death ligand TRAIL and thus, are dependent on effective survival signals to circumvent apoptosis. Hedgehog signalling exerts major survival signals in CCA by regulating serine/threonine kinase polo‐like kinase (PLK)2. We here aimed to examine the role of PLK1/2/3 expression for CCA tumour biology.

Methods

We employed CCA samples from 73 patients and human HUCCT–1/Mz–CHA1/KMCH‐1 CCA cells. Immunohistochemistry for PLK1/2/3 was performed using tissue microarrays from representative tumour areas.

Results

PLK1/2/3‐immunoreactive cancer cells were present in most of the CCA samples. However, only PLK1 and especially PLK3 were expressed in higher amounts within CCA cells as compared to normal liver. Given that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) can induce PLK3 expression and also is present in CCA, we examined the effect of FGF on PLK3 in vitro. Indeed, rhFGF rapidly increased PLK3 mRNA expression all three CCA cell lines giving an explanation for the abundant PLK3 presence in the tissue samples. Clinicopathologically, PLK3 expression was associated with decreased tumour cell migration and lymph/blood vessel infiltration whereas higher levels of PLK1 were correlated with larger tumour sizes. Moreover, strong PLK3 expression was associated with prolonged overall survival.

Conclusions

The results suggest that PLK3 predominantly is expressed in CCA cells and that high PLK3 expression correlates with prolonged overall survival. These observations might have implications for prognosis prediction of human CCA as well as the potential therapeutic use of polo‐like kinase inhibitors (i.e., PLK1/2 specifity).
Habitat fragmentation in coastal southern California disrupts genetic connectivity in the cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Authors: Barr Kelly R. , Kus Barbara E. , Preston Kristine L. , Howell Scarlett , Perkins Emily , Vandergast Amy G.
Published: March 2015

Achieving long‐term persistence of species in urbanized landscapes requires characterizing population genetic structure to understand and manage the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on connectivity. Urbanization over the past century in coastal southern California has caused both precipitous loss of coastal sage scrub habitat and declines in populations of the cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). Using 22 microsatellite loci, we found that remnant cactus wren aggregations in coastal southern California comprised 20 populations based on strict exact tests for population differentiation, and 12 genetic clusters with hierarchical Bayesian clustering analyses. Genetic structure patterns largely mirrored underlying habitat availability, with cluster and population boundaries coinciding with fragmentation caused primarily by urbanization. Using a habitat model we developed, we detected stronger associations between habitat‐based distances and genetic distances than Euclidean geographic distance. Within populations, we detected a positive association between available local habitat and allelic richness and a negative association with relatedness. Isolation‐by‐distance patterns varied over the study area, which we attribute to temporal differences in anthropogenic landscape development. We also found that genetic bottleneck signals were associated with wildfire frequency. These results indicate that habitat fragmentation and alterations have reduced genetic connectivity and diversity of cactus wren populations in coastal southern California. Management efforts focused on improving connectivity among remaining populations may help to ensure population persistence.
The Ibāḍī Approach to the Methodology of Qur'anic Exegesis
Authors: Albayrak İsmail , al‐Shueili Sulayman
Published: March 2015

In recent times, research on the Ibāḍī tradition by both Muslim and non‐Muslim scholars has increased, but has not yet shed light on the wider significance of this tradition. While the primary focus of researchers has been on the Ibāḍī tradition as a school of thought, its important contribution to various Islamic disciplines is still neglected. For this reason, there is a serious need for a comprehensive study of the Ibāḍī works on Islam, especially as new manuscripts are continually being discovered. When we look at Ibāḍī Islamic literature in general and compare Ibāḍī jurisprudence and theology, we realise that the poorest and most unexplored field of study consists of the Ibāḍī works on exegesis (tafsīr). The once inaccessible and insufficient amount of Ibāḍī sources and materials may have accounted for this lack of interest; however, today, materials related to Ibāḍī exegesis and understanding are becoming available. In this article, we focus on the methodology of Qur'anic exegesis with reference to commentators from the Ibāḍī tradition. As far as we know, this paper is a first in this field of research, and will discuss the primary features of the Ibāḍī method, its similarities to and differences from other exegetical approaches, and its original contributions.
Neonatal sepsis in a rapidly growing, tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: Trends over 18 years
Authors: Heo Ju Sun , Shin Seung Han , Jung Young Hwa , Kim Ee‐Kyung , Choi Eun Hwa , Kim Han‐Suk , Lee Hoan Jong , Choi Jung‐Hwan
Published: March 2015

Background

We investigated changes in the admission patterns of neonatal intensive care units and the epidemiology of neonatal sepsis following the rapid expansion and improvements in neonatal intensive care.

Methods

Data on the admission of neonates with culture‐proven sepsis between 1996 and 2013 (period I, 1996–2005; period II, 2006–2013) were collected retrospectively.

Results

The admission of extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) infants increased between periods I and II (11.1 vs 28.7 infants per 1000 live births, P < 0.001). The survival rate of the ELBW infants improved (57.5 vs 80.1%, P < 0.001), and duration of hospital stay increased (median, 64 vs 80 days, P = 0.001). The incidence of sepsis among all infants and ELBW infants increased (all infants, 5.9 vs 12.7 cases per 1000 live births; ELBW infants, 189.5 vs 290.1 cases per 1000 live births). In ELBW infants, the incidence of sepsis caused by coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (CONS), significantly increased during period II (8.8 vs 25.4%, P = 0.039). On multivariate analysis, central vascular catheters and prolonged hospitalization were independently associated with increased sepsis rate, particularly CONS in ELBW infants.

Conclusions

The inborn admission rate for ELBW infants has increased significantly and is accompanied by improved survival and longer hospital stay. The incidence of neonatal sepsis, particularly in ELBW infants, has also increased, and CONS has emerged as a major pathogen. Central vascular catheters and prolonged hospitalization could be independent risk factors for the increased sepsis rate, particularly sepsis due to CONS.
Supernatants from stored red blood cell (RBC) units, but not RBC‐derived microvesicles, suppress monocyte function in vitro
Authors: Muszynski Jennifer A. , Bale Justin , Nateri Jyotsna , Nicol Kathleen , Wang Yijie , Wright Valerie , Marsh Clay B. , Gavrilin Mikhail A. , Sarkar Anasuya , Wewers Mark D. , Hall Mark W.
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that critically ill children transfused with red blood cells (RBCs) of longer storage durations have more suppressed monocyte function after transfusion compared to children transfused with fresher RBCs and that older stored RBCs directly suppress monocyte function in vitro, through unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that RBC‐derived microvesicles (MVs) were responsible for monocyte suppression.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

To determine the role of stored RBC unit–derived MVs, we cocultured monocytes with supernatants, isolated MVs, or supernatants that had been depleted of MVs from prestorage leukoreduced RBCs that had been stored for either 7 or 30 days. Isolated MVs were characterized by electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Monocyte function after coculture experiments was measured by cytokine production after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

RESULTS

Monocyte function was suppressed after exposure to supernatants from 30‐day RBC units compared to monocytes cultured in medium alone (LPS‐induced tumor necrosis factor‐α production, 17,611 ± 3,426 vs. 37,486 ± 5,598 pg/mL; p = 0.02). Monocyte function was not suppressed after exposure to MV fractions. RBC supernatants that had been depleted of MVs remained immunosuppressive. Treating RBC supernatants with heat followed by RNase (to degrade protein‐bound RNA) prevented RBC supernatant–induced monocyte suppression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings implicate soluble mediators of stored RBC‐induced monocyte suppression outside of MV fractions and suggest that extracellular protein‐bound RNAs (such as microRNA) may play a role in transfusion‐related immunomodulation.