bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Contribution of Immigration to Population Renewal in Canada: A Simulation
Authors: Dion Patrice , Caron‐Malenfant Éric , Grondin Chantal , Grenier Dominic
Published: March 2015

We analyze the direct and indirect demographic contribution of immigration to the foreign‐origin composition of the Canadian population according to various projection scenarios over a century, from 2006 to 2106. More specifically, we use Statistics Canada's Demosim microsimulation model to assess the long‐term sensitivity to immigration levels and the frequency of mixed unions of the share of immigrants in Canada and of persons who have at least one ancestor who arrived after 2006. The results of the simulations show that the population renewal process through immigration happens at a fast pace in a high immigration and low fertility country such as Canada. Under the scenarios developed, immigrants who entered after 2006 and their descendants could form the majority of the population by 2058 at the earliest and by 2079 at the latest and could represent between 62 percent and 88 percent in 2106. They also show that mixed unions are a key element of the speed at which the changes are likely to occur in the long run.
Competing Demands from Aging Parents and Adult Children in Two Cohorts of American Women
Authors: Wiemers Emily E. , Bianchi Suzanne M.
Published: March 2015

In late middle age, individuals may face competing demands on their time and financial resources from elderly parents and young adult children. This study uses the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to examine changes over time in the probability of having children and living parents for women aged 45 to 64. We compare two cohorts: those born in the 1920s and 1930s and those born in the 1940s and 1950s. We find that there has been a dramatic increase in the probability of having children and living parents and that this increase has been driven mainly by changes in life expectancy of the parent generation. We further examine transfers of money and co‐residence for women in the later cohort. We find that while women may not give to parents and children concurrently, approximately 30 percent of them have provided support to both parents and children at some point in the past.
Sedimentary Features and Their Implications of Microdigital Stromatolites from the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation at the Jixian Section in North China
Authors: MEI Mingxiang , GAO Jinhan , MENG Qingfen , LIU Zhirong
Published: March 2015

The Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation at the Jixian section in Tianjin is a set of more than 3000‐m‐thick stromatolitic carbonate succession. In this succession, several lithofacies units, that is, the subtidal stromatolitic biostrome, the thrombolitic bioherm, tidal‐flat micritic dolomite and lagoon dolomitic shale, make up many meter‐scale cycles of the peritidal carbonate type that have been nominated as the Wumishan cycles. Importantly, many microdigital stromatolites make up the stromatolitic biostrome unit of the Wumishan cycles in the lower part of the Wumishan Formation. These microdigital stromatolites have been grouped as a stromatolitic assemblage by paleontologists, that is, “Pseudogymnosolen mopanyuensis‐Scuphus‐Yangzhuang columnaris” assemblage. These microdigital stromatolites had also been interpreted as the aragonite (tufa) sea‐floor precipitates by sedimentologists, and has further been thought as the special products of the transitional period from the sea‐floor aragonite precipitates of the Archean to the clastic and muddy carbonates of the Neoproterozoic. Although there are some restrictions for the stratigraphic meaning of the concept of the stromatolitic assemblage, detailed studies on classification by paleontologists provide an important clue to understand the sedimentological meaning of the microdigital stromatolites. Furthermore, an important and obvious horizon for the end of the microdigital stromatolites was recorded in the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation at the Jixian section, which provides useful information to understand the stromatolite decline occurred at c.1250 Ma and the evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian.
Mineralogical and Petrological Characteristics of the Neoproterozoic Orthoamphibolite and Orthogneisses in the Mutki Area, the Bitlis Massif, Southeast Turkey
Authors: KOCAK Kerim , CERAN F. Mehmet
Published: March 2015

The rocks form as amphibolite ± garnet ± epidote and orthogneisses in the Pan‐African basement of the Bitlis Massif. The petrochemical data of the studied metamorphic rocks suggest different igneous protoliths ranging from calcalkaline basalt to andesite in composition. Petrochemically, the rocks can be classified as group 1 (low Zr and La) and group 2 (high Zr and La), all showing various enrichments in large ion lithophiles and light rare earth elements, and a depletion in high‐field strength elements, suggestive of a destructive plate margin setting. The protoliths of the all samples might have formed mostly by the partial melting of an enriched source, possibly coupled with the fractional crystallization of plagioclase, apatite, and titaniferous magnetite ± olivine ± clinopyroxene ± amphibole in relation with subduction‐related magmatism neighboring the Andean‐type active margins of Gondwana. The group 2 samples could, however, be generated by a relatively lower degree of the partial melting of an inhomogeneous source with a preponderance of a high‐level, fractional crystallization process in comparison to group 1. The protoliths of the samples were metamorphosed up to amphibolite facies conditions, which destroys original igneous texture and mineral assemblages. Geothermobarometric calculations show that the metamorphic rocks are finally equilibrated between 540 and 610°C and ∼5 kbars, following a clockwise P‐T‐t path.
Petrology and Geochemistry of the Huangshan Granitic Intrusion in Anhui Province, Southeast China: Implications for Petrogenesis and Geodynamics
Authors: ZHANG Shu , ZHANG Zhaochong
Published: March 2015

The Huangshan granitic intrusion in Anhui province, SE China, is tectonically located at the southeastern boundary of the Yangtze Block. Based on the contact relation and the petrography, the Huangshan granitic intrusion can be divided into four stages, from early to late, medium‐grained monzogranite, coarse‐grained porphyric granite, fine‐medium grained porphyric granite, and fine‐coarse grained granite. All rocks from the Huangshan granitic intrusion display similar petrological and geochemical characteristics, i.e. relatively high SiO2(>75%) and alkali (7.85%–8.59%), low CaO(<1%), high Fe‐number (FeOT/(MgO+FeOT) = 0.93–0.97) and A/CNK (atomic Al/(Ca+Na+K)) = 1.04–1.19. They are also enriched in rare earth elements (REE, except for Eu, with a total REE contents ranging from 116 ppm to 421 ppm), high strength field elements such as Zr, Hf, Nb, but depleted in Ba, Sr and Ni. The 10 000×Ga/Al ratios are higher than 2.6, which are consistent with the A‐type granitoids. Based on the classification diagrams proposed by Eby, the Huangshan granite can be classified into the A2 group, which is usually believed to be formed under an extensional tectonic setting. Their Nd isotopic compositions suggest that the primary magmas of the Huangshan granite are predominantly derived from the Proterozoic andesitic rocks in the region, and this conclusion is also supported by REE modeling. The systemic investigations on the geochemistry of the Huangshan granitic intrusion can provide significant implications for the understanding of the petrogenesis and the geodynamic regime of southeastern China during the Late‐Mesozoic.
(K, Na, Li)(Nb, Ta)O3:Mn Lead‐Free Single Crystal with High Piezoelectric Properties
Authors: Huo Xiaoqing , Zhang Rui , Zheng Limei , Zhang Shujun , Wang Rui , Wang Junjun , Sang Shijing , Yang Bin , Cao Wenwu
Published: March 2015

Lead‐free single crystal, (K, Na, Li)(Nb, Ta)O3:Mn, was successfully grown using top‐seeded solution growth method. Complete matrix of dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic constants for [001]C poled single crystal was determined. The piezoelectric coefficient d33 measured by the resonance method was 545 pC/N, which is almost three times that of its ceramic counterpart. The values measured by the Berlincourt meter ( = 630 pC/N) and strain–field curve ( = 870 pm/V) were even higher. The differences were assumed to relate with the different extrinsic contributions of domain wall vibration and domain wall translation during the measurements by different approaches, where the intrinsic contribution (on the order of 539 pm/V) was supposed to be the same. The crystal has ultrahigh electromechanical coupling factor (k33 ~95%) and high ultrasound velocity, which make it promising for high‐frequency medical transducer applications.
Validation of the STRATIFY falls risk‐assessment tool for acute‐care hospital patients and nursing home residents: study protocol
Authors: Aranda‐Gallardo Marta , Enriquez de Luna‐Rodriguez Margarita , Canca‐Sanchez Jose Carlos , Moya‐Suarez Ana Belen , Morales‐Asencio Jose Miguel
Published: March 2015

Aim

To evaluate the accuracy of the STRATIFY tool in detecting and predicting fall risk in acute‐care hospitals and nursing homes for the older people.

Background

Falls are the predominant cause of injury in people aged over 65 years. Testing the falls risk‐assessment tools in settings other than those for which they were originally developed obtained conflicting results and has highlighted difficulties in their adoption for widespread use. Current guidelines for practice call into question the appropriateness of using these instruments.

Design

Two‐stage study: a cross‐cultural adaptation and psychometric validation; and a longitudinal, prospective follow‐up of the cohort of patients recruited.

Methods

A cross‐cultural adaptation of STRATIFY, followed by its empirical validation will be performed, on a total sample of 2097 patients. The diagnostic validity will be assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and the ratios of positive and negative probability. Data for statistical reliability and the internal consistency of the instrument will be calculated; construct validity will be assessed by factor analysis and criterion validity determined according to the Downton index. The incidence and the hazard ratio of falls will be analysed for the study factors included. Funding of the review was confirmed in December 2013.

Discussion

The rigorous assessment of STRATIFY using large samples, in populations with different levels of risk and implementing a longitudinal follow‐up to determine the effect of revaluation on the incidence of falls, will give stronger evidence for the establishment of future recommendations in Clinical Practice Guidelines.
The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in Out‐of‐home Care: Increased Risk for Children with a Mild Intellectual Disability
Authors: Euser Saskia , Alink Lenneke R.A. , Tharner Anne , van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J.
Published: March 2015

Background

Children without disabilities in out‐of‐home care have a higher risk of child sexual abuse [CSA (Euser et al. 2013)]. In this study, we examined the year prevalence of CSA in out‐of‐home care for children with a mild intellectual disability, and compared it with the prevalence in out‐of‐home care for non‐disabled children and children in the general population.

Materials and Methods

Professionals (N = 104) from out‐of‐home care facilities reported cases of CSA that occurred in 2010 for the children they worked with (N = 1650).

Results

In out‐of‐home care for children with a mild intellectual disability, 9.8 per 1000 children were victims of CSA. This prevalence was significantly higher than in regular out‐of‐home care and in the general population.

Conclusion

Children with a mild intellectual disability in out‐of‐home care have an increased risk of CSA. Adequate education and support for both children and caregivers is necessary to recognize and prevent further sexual abuse.
A 57‐bp deletion in the ovine KAP6‐1 gene affects wool fibre diameter
Authors: Zhou H. , Gong H. , Li S. , Luo Y. , Hickford J.G.H.
Published: March 2015

High glycine–tyrosine keratin‐associated proteins (HGT‐KAPs) are predominantly present in the orthocortex of wool fibres. They vary in abundance in different wools and have been implicated in regulating wool fibre properties, but little is known about the functional roles of these proteins in the fibre matrix. In this study, we used polymerase chain reaction – single‐strand conformational polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis to screen for variation in a gene encoding the ovine HGT‐KAP6‐1 protein. We identified three gene variants (A, B and C). Variants A and B were similar to each other, with only three nucleotide differences occurring downstream of the coding sequence. However, variant C had a 57‐bp deletion that would notionally result in a loss of 19 amino acids in the protein. The presence of C was found to be associated with an increase in mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD) and prickle factor (percentage of fibres over 30 microns; PF). Sheep of genotype BC produced wool of greater MFD, FDSD and PF than sheep of genotypes AA, AB and BB. The CVFD was greater in the BC sheep than the AB sheep. The results suggest that variation in ovine KRTAP6‐1 affects wool fibre diameter‐associated traits and that the 57‐bp deletion in this gene would lead to coarser wool with greater FDSD, CVFD and PF.
Global patterns and environmental correlates of high‐priority conservation areas for vertebrates
Authors: Albuquerque Fábio , Beier Paul
Published: March 2015

Aim

A major challenge for the emerging discipline of conservation biogeography is to identify conservation areas and understand the factors and processes that govern the spatial distribution of those areas. We aimed to identify high‐priority conservation cells (HPCC) – 1° cells that efficiently represent species – for amphibians, birds and mammals at the global extent, to identify the environmental variables associated with conservation priority, and to evaluate how well the areas of highest species richness correspond to these high‐priority areas.

Location

A global analysis.

Methods

Distribution maps for 21,697 vertebrates and complementarity‐based approaches were used to mapHPCCs for vertebrates. We used 41 potential predictor variables and varimax‐rotated factor analysis (VrFA) to identify sets of relatively uncorrelated environmental factors, and then used random forest models to investigate the relationships between VrFAfactors and vertebrate conservation priorities. Finally, we evaluated whether species richness and threatened‐species richness were efficient surrogates to identifyHPCCs for each vertebrate taxon.

Results

For each of the three taxa,HPCCs were concentrated in the Neotropical, Afrotropical and Indo‐Malay biogeographical realms. The spatial distribution ofHPCCs was strongly correlated with environmental variables, especially energy‐related variables. The cells with the highest species richness did not correspond toHPCCs for either birds or mammals.

Discussion

We suggest that elucidating the patterns and drivers of conservation priority could become a major focus of conservation biogeography. The ability to identify high‐priority conservation sites from the environmental conditions in those sites may improve how sites are prioritized for conservation, so that all or most species can be conserved in affordable areas.
Renalase contributes to the renal protection of delayed ischaemic preconditioning via the regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Guangyuan , Xing Tao , Lu Zeyuan , Li Junhui , Peng Cheng , Liu Guohua , Wang Niansong
Published: March 2015

Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) attenuates acute kidney injury (AKI) from renal ischaemia reperfusion. Renalase, an amine oxidase secreted by the proximal tubule, not only degrades circulating catecholamines but also protects against renal ischaemia reperfusion injury. Here, it has been suggested that the renoprotective effect of renal IPC is partly mediated by renalase. In a model of brief intermittent renal IPC, the increased cortex renalase expression was found to last for 48 hrs. IPC significantly reduced renal tubular inflammation, necrosis and oxidative stress following renal ischaemia reperfusion injury. Such effects were attenuated by blocking renalase with an anti‐renalase monoclonal antibody. We further demonstrated that renalase expression was up‐regulated by hypoxia in vitro via an hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α mechanism. The IPC‐induced up‐regulation of renalase in vivo was also reduced by pre‐treatment with an HIF‐1α inhibitor, 3‐(5′‐Hydroxymethyl‐2′‐furyl)‐1‐benzyl indazole. In summary, the renoprotective effect of IPC is partly dependent on the renalase expression, which may be triggered by hypoxia via an HIF‐1α mechanism. Endogenous renalase shows potential as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of AKI.
The activation of the atypical PKC zeta in light‐induced retinal degeneration and its involvement in L‐DNase II control
Authors: Jaadane Imene , Chahory Sabine , Leprêtre Chloé , Omri Boubaker , Jonet Laurent , Behar‐Cohen Francine , Crisanti Patricia , Torriglia Alicia
Published: March 2015

Light‐induced retinal degeneration is characterized by photoreceptor cell death. Many studies showed that photoreceptor demise is caspase‐independent. In our laboratory we showed that leucocyte elastase inhibitor/LEI‐derived DNase II (LEI/L‐DNase II), a caspase‐independent apoptotic pathway, is responsible for photoreceptor death. In this work, we investigated the activation of a pro‐survival kinase, the protein kinase C (PKC) zeta. We show that light exposure induced PKC zeta activation. PKC zeta interacts with LEI/L‐DNase II and controls its DNase activity by impairing its nuclear translocation. These results highlight the role of PKC zeta in retinal physiology and show that this kinase can control caspase‐independent pathways.
Induction of p53‐independent growth inhibition in lung carcinoma cell A549 by gypenosides
Authors: Liu Jung‐Sen , Chiang Tzu‐Hsuan , Wang Jinn‐Shyan , Lin Li‐Ju , Chao Wei‐Chih , Inbaraj Baskaran Stephen , Lu Jyh‐Feng , Chen Bing‐Huei
Published: March 2015

The objectives of this study are to investigate antiproliferative effect and mechanisms of bioactive compounds from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) on lung carcinoma cell A549. Saponins, carotenoids and chlorophylls were extracted and fractionated by column chromatography, and were subjected to high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analyses. The saponin fraction, which consisted mainly of gypenoside (Gyp) XXII and XXIII, rather than the carotenoid and chlorophyll ones, was effective in inhibiting A549 cell growth in a concentration‐ and a time‐dependent manner as evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The estimated half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Gyp on A549 cells was 30.6 μg/ml. Gyp was further demonstrated to induce an apparent arrest of the A549 cell cycle at both the S phase and the G2/M phase, accompanied by a concentration‐ and a time‐dependent increase in the proportions of both the early and late apoptotic cells. Furthermore, Gyp down‐regulated cellular expression of cyclin A and B as well as BCL‐2, while up‐regulated the expression of BAX, DNA degradation factor 35 KD, poly [ADP‐ribose] polymerase 1, p53, p21 and caspase‐3. Nevertheless, both the treatment of a p53 inhibitor, pifithrin‐α, and the small hairpin RNA‐mediated p53 knockdown in the A549 cells did not alter the growth inhibition effect induced by Gyp. As a result, the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of A549 cells induced by Gyp would most likely proceed through p53‐independent pathway(s).
Evolutionary problems in centrosome and centriole biology
Authors: Ross L. , Normark B. B.
Published: March 2015

Centrosomes have been an enigma to evolutionary biologists. Either they have been the subject of ill‐founded speculation or they have been ignored. Here, we highlight evolutionary paradoxes and problems of centrosome and centriole evolution and seek to understand them in the light of recent advances in centrosome biology. Most evolutionary accounts of centrosome evolution have been based on the hypothesis that centrosomes are replicators, independent of the nucleus and cytoplasm. It is now clear, however, that this hypothesis is not tenable. Instead, centrosomes are formed de novo each cell division, with the presence of an old centrosome regulating, but not essential for, the assembly of a new one. Centrosomes are the microtubule‐organizing centres of cells. They can potentially affect sensory and motor characters (as the basal body of cilia), as well as the movements of chromosomes during cell division. This latter role does not seem essential, however, except in male meiosis, and the reasons for this remain unclear. Although the centrosome is absent in some taxa, when it is present, its structure is extraordinarily conserved: in most taxa across eukaryotes, it does not appear to evolve at all. And yet a few insect groups display spectacular hypertrophy of the centrioles. We discuss how this might relate to the unusual reproductive system found in these insects. Finally, we discuss why the fate of centrosomes in sperm and early embryos might differ between different groups of animals.
Prey size selection and cannibalistic behaviour of juvenile barramundiLates calcarifer
Authors: Ribeiro F. F. , Qin J. G.
Published: March 2015

This study assessed the cannibalistic behaviour of juvenile barramundiLates calcariferand examined the relationship between prey size selection and energy gain of cannibals. Prey handling time and capture success by cannibals were used to estimate the ratio of energy gain to energy cost in prey selection. Cannibals selected smaller prey despite its capability of ingesting larger prey individuals. In behavioural analysis, prey handling time significantly increased with prey size, but it was not significantly affected by cannibal size. Conversely, capture success significantly decreased with the increase of both prey and cannibal sizes. The profitability indices showed that the smaller prey provides the most energy return for cannibals of all size classes. These results indicate thatL. calcarifercannibals select smaller prey for more profitable return. The behavioural analysis, however, indicates thatL. calcarifercannibals attack prey of all size at a similar rate but ingest smaller prey more often, suggesting that prey size selection is passively orientated rather than at the predator's choice. The increase of prey escape ability and morphological constraint contribute to the reduction of intracohort cannibalism as fish grow larger. This study contributes to the understanding of intracohort cannibalism and development of strategies to reduce fish cannibalistic mortalities.
The Power Series as Water Sorption Isotherm Models
Authors: Mitrevski Vangelce , Lutovska Monika , Pavkov Ivan , Mijakovski Vladimir , Popovski Filip
Published: March 2015

In this study, a power series which can generate different families of new water sorption isotherm models were presented. Experimentally obtained values for equilibrium moisture content of pear for three different temperatures, 15, 30 and 45C, and water activities, from 0.112 to 0.920, as well as literature experimental values for equilibrium moisture content of potato for three different temperatures, 30, 45 and 60C, and water activities, from 0.112 to 0.900, were fitted with the newly generated sorption isotherm models plus the referent Anderson model known in the literature as Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model. In order to find which model gives the best results for approximation of experimental sorption data, several statistical criteria proposed in scientific literature were used. For each model and experimental data set, the average performance index was calculated and models were ranked afterwards. After that, some statistical rejection criteria were checked (D’Agostino‐Pearson test of normality, single‐sample run test, confidence intervals of estimated parameters, significance and precision of the model parameters). The performed statistical analysis shows that the two newly generated three‐parameter models, M32 and M34, give the better fit to the sorption data of pear than the referent three‐parameter Anderson model, while M32 gives the best fit to the sorption data of potato.

Practical Applications

The sorption isotherms of food materials are of great importance in the food industry and technology, especially for the design and optimization of the drying equipment and in the approach to the prediction of shelf life stability of material. The new generated three‐parameter models, M32 and M34, can be successfully used in practical calculations of the equilibrium moisture content, which is an important parameter in storage conditions of dry food materials. With the incorporation of M32 or M34 in the drying model, more accurate values of transient moisture and temperature profiles on the dried materials will be obtained.
Bismuth and Silver in Cosmetic Products: A Source of Environmental and Resource Concern?
Authors: Amneklev Jennie , Augustsson Anna , Sörme Louise , Bergbäck Bo
Published: March 2015

Bismuth (Bi) and silver (Ag) are used in increasing amounts and are consequently being emitted from various sources and showing high accumulation rates in soils when sewage sludge is applied on arable land. This study aimed to analyze the amounts of Bi and Ag in three cosmetic products (foundation, powder, and eye shadow) in order to study the flows in urban wastewater in Stockholm, Sweden. Analyses showed that Bi was present in very high concentrations (7,000 to 360,000 milligrams per kilogram) in one third of the analyzed foundation and powder samples, whereas Ag concentrations all were below the detection limit. These cosmetic products explained approximately 24% of the measured total Bi amounts per year reaching the WWTP (wastewater treatment plant), making cosmetics a major Bi source, whereas for Ag the corresponding contribution was <0.1% of the measured annual Ag amounts. The results were roughly adapted for Europe and the United States, estimating the Bi flows from cosmetics to WWTPs. On a global scale, these flows correspond to a non‐negligible part of the world Bi production that, every year, ends up in sewage sludge, limiting the reuse of a valuable metal resource. From an environmental and resource perspective, foundations and powder products should be considered as significant sources of measured Bi amounts in sludge. This large Bi flow must be considered as unsustainable. For Ag, however, the three analyzed cosmetic products are not a significant source of the total Ag load to WWTPs.
Evolution of Public Supply Water Withdrawal in the USA: A Network Approach
Authors: Ahmad Nasir , Derrible Sybil
Published: March 2015

Water is essential to life, and tracking trends in the withdrawal of water is paramount if we aspire to become more sustainable. Traditional statistical indicators, such as mean and standard deviation, are useful to track these trends, but they can sometimes fail to capture relevant and nontrivial properties. In this work, we first highlight the limits of these traditional statistical tools and we then offer a new network approach to study water withdrawals. Public supply water withdrawal data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the years 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2005 were used in gallons of water per capita per day for all U.S. counties. Essentially, a network is formed between counties when they have withdrawal values within a certain range, ± ξ, of one another. A giant cluster rapidly emerges, containing more than 80% of the nodes for a ξ of 1%. The counties with the highest number of connections are associated with the mode of distribution, and we found multimodal patterns for earlier years. Moreover, the average shortest‐path length can be seen as the spread of a distribution. Overall, beyond a possible process of homogenization, water withdrawal patterns do not seem to have evolved much from 1985 to 2005, and no spatial correlation was detected. Though the methodology is yet to be formalized, it manages to give meaningful insights to supplement traditional statistical analyses.
Evaluation of a Midwife‐ and Nurse‐Delivered 5 A's Prenatal Smoking Cessation Program
Authors: Chertok Ilana R. Azulay , Archer Stacey Haynes
Published: March 2015

Introduction

West Virginia has the highest rate of prenatal smoking in the United States. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the implementation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' 5 A's smoking cessation intervention among pregnant women being cared for by 5 A's‐trained midwives working with a team of nurse researchers in an effort to reduce prenatal smoking exposure. The evidence‐based 5 A's smoking cessation program has been recommended for use in prenatal care by health care providers.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted evaluating the implementation of the 5 A's prenatal smoking cessation program for 35 women who smoked during pregnancy. The women received consistent messages to quit or reduce smoking from the midwives and were followed by the nurse research team via telephone with continued support, guidance, and strategic planning for tobacco exposure reduction.

Results

Among the 35 women who enrolled in the study, 32 (91.4%) decreased smoking and 3 (8.6%) quit smoking by one month after the intervention. For those who continued to smoke, the average number of cigarettes smoked was reduced from 10 cigarettes per day at baseline to 8 cigarettes per day at one month, 7 cigarettes per day at 2 months, and 6 cigarettes per day by the end of pregnancy. The women further reduced their tobacco exposure by delaying the timing of initiating smoking in the morning and by increasing indoor smoking restrictions.

Discussion

Midwives and nurses can be trained in the implementation of the evidence‐based 5 A's smoking cessation program for incorporation into regular prenatal care of pregnant women who smoke. By guiding women in techniques aimed at reducing the amount and frequency of cigarette smoking, nurses and midwives facilitate a decrease in prenatal smoking exposure.
Influence of Acupuncture on the Third Stage of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: López‐Garrido Beatriz , García‐Gonzalo Javier , Patrón‐Rodriguez Clara , Marlasca‐Gutiérrez Maria Jesús , Gil‐Pita Roberto , Toro‐Flores Rafael
Published: March 2015

Introduction

A prolonged third stage of labor is considered to be a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of acupuncture to reduce the length of the third stage of labor.

Methods

Seventy‐six puerperal women who had a normal spontaneous birth at the Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Spain, were included in a single‐blind randomized trial and evaluated by a third party. Women were randomly assigned to receive true acupuncture or placebo acupuncture (also known as sham acupuncture). In the first group, a sterilized steel needle was inserted at the Ren Mai 6 point, which is located on the anterior midline between the umbilicus and the upper part of the pubic symphysis. In the second group, the insertion site was located at the same horizontal level as the Ren Mai 6 point but shifted slightly to the left of the anterior midline. The management of the third stage of labor was the same in both groups.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found, with an average time to placental expulsion of 15.2 minutes in the placebo group and 5.2 minutes in the acupuncture group. No major complications occurred in either group.

Discussion

These results confirm that acupuncture at the Ren Mai 6 point can decrease the time to placental expulsion. This treatment represents a simple, safe, and inexpensive way of decreasing the duration of the third stage of labor.
Hypothalamic Neurones Governing Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Coppari R.
Published: March 2015

The notion that the brain directly controls the level of glucose in the blood (glycaemia) independent of its known action on food intake and body weight has been known ever since 1849. That year, the French physiologist Dr Claude Bernard reported that physical puncture of the floor of the fourth cerebral ventricle rapidly leads to an increased level of sugar in the blood (and urine) in rabbits. Despite this important discovery, it took approximately 150 years before significant efforts aimed at understanding the underlying mechanism of brain‐mediated control of glucose metabolism were made. Technological developments allowing for genetically‐mediated manipulation of selected molecular pathways in a neurone‐type‐specific fashion unravelled the importance of specific molecules in specific neuronal populations. These neuronal pathways govern glucose metabolism in the presence and even in the absence of insulin. Also, a peculiarity of these pathways is that certain biochemically‐defined neurones govern glucose metabolism in a tissue‐specific fashion.
Coordinated regulation of melatonin synthesis and degradation genes in rice leaves in response to cadmium treatment
Authors: Byeon Yeong , Lee Hyoung Yool , Hwang Ok Jin , Lee Hye‐Jung , Lee Kyungjin , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: March 2015

We investigated the expression patterns of genes involved in melatonin synthesis and degradation in rice leaves upon cadmium (Cd) treatment and the subcellular localization sites of melatonin 2‐hydroxylase (M2H) proteins. The Cd‐induced synthesis of melatonin coincided with the increased expression of melatonin biosynthetic genes including tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), tryptamine 5‐hydroxylase (T5H), and N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT). However, the expression of serotonin N‐acetyltransferase (SNAT), the penultimate gene in melatonin biosynthesis, was downregulated, suggesting that melatonin synthesis was counter‐regulated by SNAT. Notably, the induction of melatonin biosynthetic gene expression was coupled with the induction of four M2H genes involved in melatonin degradation, which suggests that genes for melatonin synthesis and degradation are coordinately regulated. The induced M2H gene expression was correlated with enhanced M2H enzyme activity. Three of the M2H proteins were localized to the cytoplasm and one M2H protein was localized to chloroplasts, indicating that melatonin degradation occurs both in the cytoplasm and in chloroplasts. The biological activity of 2‐hydroxymelatonin in the induction of the plant defense gene expression was 50% less than that of melatonin, which indicates that 2‐hydroxymelatonin may be a metabolite of melatonin. Overall, our data demonstrate that melatonin synthesis occurs in parallel with melatonin degradation in both chloroplasts and cytoplasm, and the resulting melatonin metabolite 2‐hydroxymelatonin also acts as a signaling molecule for defense gene induction.
Sudden Death Associated withQTInterval Prolongation andKCNQ1 Gene Mutation in a Family of English Springer Spaniels
Authors: Ware W.A. , Reina‐Doreste Y. , Stern J.A. , Meurs K.M.
Published: March 2015

Background

A 5‐year‐old, healthy English Springer Spaniel died suddenly 4 months after delivering a litter of 7 puppies. Within 4 months of the dam's death, 3 offspring also died suddenly.

Hypothesis

Abnormal cardiac repolarization, caused by an inherited longQTsyndrome, is thought to be responsible for arrhythmias leading to sudden death in this family.

Animals

Four remaining dogs from the affected litter and 11 related dogs.

Methods

Physical examination and restingECGwere done on the littermates and 9 related dogs. Additional tests on some or all littermates included echocardiogram with Doppler, Holter monitoring, and routine serum biochemistry. Blood forDNAsequencing was obtained from all 15 dogs.

Results

Three of 4 littermates examined, but no other dogs, had prolongedQTintervals with unique T‐wave morphology.DNAsequencing of theKCNQ1 gene identified a heterozygous single base pair mutation, unique to these 3 dogs, which changes a conserved amino acid from threonine to lysine and is predicted to change protein structure.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This family represents the first documentation in dogs of spontaneous familialQTprolongation, which was associated with aKCNQ1 gene mutation and sudden death. Although the final rhythm could not be documented in these dogs, their phenotypic manifestations ofQTinterval prolongation and abnormalECGrestitution suggested increased risk for sudden arrhythmic death. TheKCNQ1 gene mutation identified is speculated to impair the cardiac repolarizing currentIKs,similar toKCNQ1 mutations causing longQTsyndrome 1 in humans.
Changes in Serum and Urine SAA Concentrations and Qualitative and Quantitative Proteinuria in Abyssinian Cats with Familial Amyloidosis: A Five‐year Longitudinal Study (2009–2014)
Authors: Paltrinieri S. , Sironi G. , Giori L. , Faverzani S. , Longeri M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Diagnosis of familial amyloidosis (FA) in Abyssinian cats usually is made on postmortem examination.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Sequential analysis of serum SAA (sSAA), urinary SAA (uSAA), urinary protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio, or sodium‐dodecylsulfate agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS‐AGE) may facilitate early identification of cats with FA.

Animals

Twenty‐three Abyssinian cats belonging to cattery A or B (low and high prevalence of FA, respectively).

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study using 109 blood and 100 urine samples collected over 4‐year period every 4 months, if possible, or more frequently in case of illness. Cats that died during study were necropsied. Health status of live cats was checked 5 years after enrollment. Serum amyloid A (sSAA) and urinary SAA (uSAA) were measured using ELISA kit. The UPC ratio and SDS‐AGE also was performed.

Results

Familial amyloidosis was not identified in cattery A, whereas 7/14 cats from cattery B had FA. Serum amyloid A concentrations were not significantly different between cats in catteries A and B or between cats with or without FA, despite frequent peaks in cats from cattery B. Conversely, uSAA was significantly higher in cattery B, especially in the terminal phases of FA. Proteinuria occasionally was found in cats from both catteries, especially in those with FA. Urine protein electrophoresis identified mixed proteinuria only in cats with FA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum amyloid A and UPC ratio are not helpful for early identification of Abyssinian cats with FA. Conversely, increases in uSAA with or without mixed proteinuria may be found before onset of clinical signs in cats with FA.
ACVIMConsensus Statement on Therapeutic Antimicrobial Use in Animals and Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Weese J.S. , Giguère S. , Guardabassi L. , Morley P.S. , Papich M. , Ricciuto D.R. , Sykes J.E.
Published: March 2015

The epidemic of antimicrobial resistant infections continues to challenge, compromising animal care, complicating food animal production and posing zoonotic disease risks. While the overall role of therapeutic antimicrobial use in animals in the developmentAMRin animal and human pathogens is poorly defined, veterinarians must consider the impacts of antimicrobial use in animal and take steps to optimize antimicrobial use, so as to maximize the health benefits to animals while minimizing the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and other adverse effects. This consensus statement aims to provide guidance on the therapeutic use of antimicrobials in animals, balancing the need for effective therapy with minimizing development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from animals and humans.
Persistent Ehrlichia ewingii Infection in Dogs after Natural Tick Infestation
Authors: Starkey L.A. , Barrett A.W. , Beall M.J. , Chandrashekar R. , Thatcher B. , Tyrrell P. , Little S.E.
Published: March 2015

Background

Ehrlichia ewingii, which causes disease in dogs and people, is the most common Ehrlichia spp. infecting dogs in the United States, but little is known about how long E. ewingii infection persists in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the persistence of natural infection with E. ewingii in dogs.

Animals

Four Class A Beagles; no previous exposure to ticks or tick‐borne infectious agents.

Methods

Dogs were exposed to ticks by weekly walks through tick habitat in north central Oklahoma; dogs positive for infection with Ehrlichia spp. by sequence‐confirmed PCR and peptide‐specific serology were evaluated for 733 days (D). Whole blood was collected once weekly for PCR, and serum was collected once monthly for detection of antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (peptide p16), Ehrlichia chaffeensis (indirect fluorescence antibody [IFA] and variable‐length PCR target [VLPT]), and E. ewingii (peptide p28).

Results

All dogs (4/4) became infected with Ehrlichia spp. as evidenced by seroconversion on IFA to E. chaffeensis (4/4); PCR detection of E. ewingii (4/4) and E. chaffeensis (2/4) DNA using both nested and real‐time assays; and presence of specific antibodies to E. ewingii (4/4) and E. chaffeensis (2/4). Infection with E. chaffeensis was not detected after D55. Intermittent E. ewingii rickettsemia persisted in 3 of 4 dogs for as long as 733 days.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Our data demonstrate that dogs infected with E. ewingii from tick feeding are capable of maintaining infection with this pathogen long‐term, and may serve as a reservoir host for the maintenance of E. ewingii in nature.
Dietary Management of Labrador Retrievers with Subclinical Hepatic Copper Accumulation
Authors: Fieten H. , Biourge V.C. , Watson A.L. , Leegwater P.A.J. , van den Ingh T.S.G.A.M. , Rothuizen J.
Published: March 2015

Background

Genetic and environmental factors, including dietary copper intake, contribute to the pathogenesis of copper‐associated hepatitis in Labrador retrievers. Clinical disease is preceded by a subclinical phase in which copper accumulates in the liver.

Objective

To investigate the effect of a low‐copper, high‐zinc diet on hepatic copper concentration in Labrador retrievers with increased hepatic copper concentrations.

Animals

Twenty‐eight clinically healthy, client‐owned Labrador retrievers with a mean hepatic copper concentration of 919 ± 477 mg/kg dry weight liver (dwl) that were related to dogs previously diagnosed with clinical copper‐associated hepatitis.

Methods

Clinical trial in which dogs were fed a diet containing 1.3 ± 0.3 mg copper/Mcal and 64.3 ± 5.9 mg zinc/Mcal. Hepatic copper concentrations were determined in liver biopsy samples approximately every 6 months. Logistic regression was performed to investigate effects of sex, age, initial hepatic copper concentration and pedigree on the ability to normalize hepatic copper concentrations.

Results

In responders (15/28 dogs), hepatic copper concentrations decreased from a mean of 710 ± 216 mg/kg dwl copper to 343 ± 70 mg/kg dwl hepatic copper after a median of 7.1 months (range, 5.5–21.4 months). Dogs from a severely affected pedigree were at increased risk for inability to have their hepatic copper concentrations normalized with dietary treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Feeding a low‐copper, high‐zinc diet resulted in a decrease in hepatic copper concentrations in a subset of clinically normal Labrador retrievers with previous hepatic copper accumulation. A positive response to diet may be influenced by genetic background. Determination of clinical benefit requires further study.
Silencing Women's Voices: Nuisance Property Laws and Battered
Women
Authors: Arnold Gretchen , Slusser Megan
Published: March 2015

There is little documentation about how nuisance property laws, which
fine people for excessive 911 calls, affect victims of domestic violence. In
St. Louis, we found that police and prosecutors believe that the law
benefits victims of domestic violence by providing them with additional
services. By contrast, advocates for domestic violence victims believe that
the law undermines battered women's access to housing and discourages them
from calling 911. Using qualitative data, we analyze how the organizational
structures and dynamics within which each group works give rise to different
stocks of working knowledge. We conclude that law enforcement officials are
unaware of these harms because women's voices and experiences are
marginalized during the enforcement process. This research reveals
mechanisms through which law enforcement policies reinforce gender
inequality, and illustrates some ways in which gender relations and power
come into play in what, on their surface, appear to be gender‐neutral
laws.
Identification of microRNAs and their mRNA targets during soybean nodule development: functional analysis of the role of miR393j‐3p in soybean nodulation
Authors: Yan Zhe , Hossain Md Shakhawat , Arikit Siwaret , Valdés‐López Oswaldo , Zhai Jixian , Wang Jun , Libault Marc , Ji Tieming , Qiu Lijuan , Meyers Blake C. , Stacey Gary
Published: March 2015

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in a number of developmental processes. The present work investigated the roles of miRNAs during nodule development in the crop legume soybean (Glycine max).

Fifteen soybean small RNA libraries were sequenced from different stages of nodule development, including young nodules, mature nodules and senescent nodules. In order to identify the regulatory targets of the miRNAs, five parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE) libraries were also sequenced from the same stages of nodule development.

Sequencing identified 284 miRNAs, including 178 novel soybean miRNAs. Analysis of miRNA abundance identified 139 miRNAs whose expression was significantly regulated during nodule development, including 12 miRNAs whose expression changed > 10‐fold. Analysis of the PARE libraries identified 533 miRNA targets, including three nodulation‐related genes and eight nodule‐specific genes.

miR393j‐3p was selected for detailed analysis as its expression was significantly regulated during nodule formation, and it targeted a nodulin gene, Early Nodulin 93 (ENOD93). Strong, ectopic expression of miR393j‐3p, as well as RNAi silencing of ENOD93 expression, significantly reduced nodule formation. The data indicate that miR393j‐3p regulation of ENOD93 mRNA abundance is a key control point for soybean nodule formation.
Confluence, synnovation, and depauperons in plant diversification
Authors: Donoghue Michael J. , Sanderson Michael J.
Published: March 2015

We review the empirical phylogenetic literature on plant diversification, highlighting challenges in separating the effects of speciation and extinction, in specifying diversification mechanisms, and in making convincing arguments. In recent discussions of context dependence, key opportunities and landscapes, and indirect effects and lag times, we see a distinct shift away from single‐point/single‐cause ‘key innovation’ hypotheses toward more nuanced explanations involving multiple interacting causal agents assembled step‐wise through a tree. To help crystalize this emerging perspective we introduce the term ‘synnovation’ (a hybrid of ‘synergy’ and ‘innovation’) for an interacting combination of traits with a particular consequence (‘key synnovation’ in the case of increased diversification rate), and the term ‘confluence’ for the sequential coming together of a set of traits (innovations and synnovations), environmental changes, and geographic movements along the branches of a phylogenetic tree. We illustrate these concepts using the radiation of Bromeliaceae. We also highlight the generality of these ideas by considering how rate heterogeneity associated with a confluence relates to the existence of particularly species‐poor lineages, or ‘depauperons.’ Many challenges are posed by this re‐purposed research framework, including difficulties associated with partial taxon sampling, uncertainty in divergence time estimation, and extinction.

Contents

Summary
260

I.
Introduction
260

II.
Lessons from the literature
261

III.
New terms, new possibilities
265

IV.
Rate heterogeneity and depauperons
268

V.
Obstacles to identifying synnovation, confluence, and depauperons
269

VI.
Conclusions
270

Acknowledgements
270

References
270