bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Correlates of Burden in Primary Caregivers of Older Relatives: A Cross‐sectional Study
Authors: del‐Pino‐Casado Rafael , Millán‐Cobo Martín David , Palomino‐Moral Pedro A. , Frías‐Osuna Antonio
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To analyze the effect of cultural factors on the subjective burden of primary home caregivers of older relatives.

Design

Cross‐sectional study. Primary home caregivers (N = 208) of older relatives were recruited in Spain using systematic random sampling.

Methods

The data were collected in 2010 through interviews. The measures included sociodemographic characteristics, stressors (the intensity of care provided and the care‐recipient's needs; the latter were assessed using the Barthel Index, the Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Cummings Neuropsychiatric Inventory), cultural factors (kinship ties, common residence, perceived social support, and cultural motives for caregiving), and caregiver subjective burden (Caregiver Strain Index). The data were analyzed using bivariate procedures and multiple linear regression.

Findings

After controlling for caregiver age, caregiver gender, stressors, and duration of caregiving, subjective burden was negatively associated with perceived social support and reciprocity, and in the subgroup of adult children, it was positively associated with common residence. Cultural factors explained 29% of the variance in burden.

Conclusions

Our findings add to the existing evidence regarding the influence of cultural factors in the perception of burden in caregiving situations.

Clinical Relevance

A risk profile could be proposed for subjective burden in primary family caregivers. Individuals who are at risk are characterized as young, offspring who live with the care recipient, care for a care recipient with behavioral problems, are unsatisfied with the social support received, and have a low balanced reciprocity.
On the Design of Contingent Capital with a Market Trigger
Authors: SUNDARESAN SURESH , WANG ZHENYU
Published: March 2014

Contingent capital (CC), which aims to internalize the costs of too‐big‐to‐fail in the capital structure of large banks, has been under intense debate by policy makers and academics. We show that CC with a market trigger, in which direct stakeholders are unable to choose optimal conversion policies, does not lead to a unique competitive equilibrium unless value transfer at conversion is not expected ex ante. The “no value transfer” restriction precludes penalizing bank managers for taking excessive risk. Multiplicity or absence of equilibrium introduces the potential for price uncertainty, market manipulation, inefficient capital allocation, and frequent conversion errors.
Effects of Deregulation and Vertical Unbundling on the Performance ofChina's Electricity Generation Sector
Authors: Gao Hang , Van Biesebroeck Johannes
Published: March 2014

The restructuring of theChinese electricity sector in 2002 reshaped the market structure by vertically unbundling the dominant integrated firm and started the process of wholesale price liberalization. We estimate factor demands to study whether these reforms boosted productivity in the generation segment of the industry. Controlling explicitly for price‐heterogeneity across firms and unobservable productivity shocks, we find that the reforms are associated with reductions in labor and material use of 7 and 5 per cent, respectively. These effects only appear two years after the reforms and are robust to many specification checks. The absolute magnitudes of the estimated restructuring effects vary in intuitive ways by location, firm size or age, and for different definitions of restructured firms.
Price Adjustment Policies in Procurement Contracting: An Analysis of Bidding Behavior
Authors: Kosmopoulou Georgia , Zhou Xueqi
Published: March 2014

The fluctuations in fuel prices over the past decade led a number of government agencies to introduce price adjustment clauses in procurement contracting. Those clauses were primarily designed to reduce contractors’ uncertainty without considering the impact of such initiatives on bidding and the budget. We analyze a newly constructed, detailed panel of observations on bids for construction contracts and compare bidding behavior across periods and projects, and across items within projects. Estimates from a difference‐in‐differences approach, indicate that bidding becomes more aggressive and less dispersed after the implementation of this policy. The difference is more pronounced when we consider itemized bids than overall project bids. Alternative techniques of regression discontinuity and nonparametric estimation are applied and yield consistent results.
Is age‐related macular degeneration a manifestation of systemic disease? New prospects for early intervention and treatment
Authors: Cheung C. M. G. , Wong T. Y.
Published: March 2014

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common vision‐threatening condition affecting the elderly. AMD shares common risk factors and processes, including vascular and inflammatory pathways, with many systemic disorders. Associations have been reported between AMD and hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, dyslipidaemia, chronic kidney disease and neurodegenerative disorders. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that individuals with AMD are also at risk of systemic diseases such as stroke. In this review, we summarize the latest evidence to support the notion that AMD is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease processes, and discuss the potential systemic side effects of ocular AMD therapy of which general physicians should be aware. Recent genetic discoveries and understanding of the pathogenic pathways in AMD in relation to systemic disorders are also highlighted.
Word Association Technique Applied to Cosmetic Products – a Case Study
Authors: Gámbaro Adriana , Parente Emma , Roascio Antonela , Boinbaser Lucía
Published: March 2014

Word association, a projective qualitative technique, was applied to the development of olive oil‐based and olive leaf extract‐supplemented cosmetic creams.

One hundred twenty female respondents presented with five stimulus terms – namely, “nourishing cream,” “antiaging cream,” “olive oil‐based cream,” “olive leaf extract‐supplemented cream” and “antioxidant‐rich cream” – were asked to write down four images, associations, thoughts or feelings evoked by each of the different stimuli. Word associations made by the surveyed sample were then grouped into 14 categories. For each of the proposed stimuli, the frequency of mention of elicited words was analyzed according to and within each category.

The use of word association enabled the identification of expected or desired sensory properties and efficacy of the studied cosmetic creams, as well as the concepts associated – in the minds of respondents – with each of the creams. The resulting information may be used to optimize the selection of new products and their denominations.

Practical Applications

Relevant information regarding consumer perception of different aspects of prospective cosmetic creams, made available by application of a word association technique, enables the definition of major product development processes as well as the identification of most suitable marketing and communication strategies.
Effect of feeding level on ileal and total tract digestibility of nutrients and energy from soybean meal‐based diets for piglets
Authors: Goerke M. , Mosenthin R. , Jezierny D. , Sauer N. , Piepho H.‐P. , Messerschmidt U. , Eklund M.
Published: March 2014

A total of 36 piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 5.6 ± 0.7 kg, fitted with simple T‐cannulas at the distal ileum, were used to evaluate the effect of three graded feeding levels (50, 75 or 100 g/kg BW0.75 day) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy, and on ATTD of organic matter (OM), ether extracts (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and digestible (DE), metabolisable (ME) and net energy (NE) content in soybean meal (SBM)–casein–cornstarch‐based diets. The AID of DM, N and energy and ATTD of NDF, ADF and EE in the diets were not affected (p > 0.05) by the feed intake (FI) level. There was a small decrease in ATTD of DM, N (CP), OM, ash and energy, and in DE, ME and NE content in the diets (p < 0.05) with increasing FI level. The net disappearance in the large intestine (in % of ileal recovery) decreased for DM, N and energy (p < 0.05) with increasing FI level. The design of the study allowed for estimating ileal endogenous loss of N and total tract endogenous loss of ash, N and EE, for estimating corresponding true ileal and total tract digestibility values, and for estimating urinary endogenous N loss. High variability in estimates of ileal endogenous N loss and total tract endogenous losses of N, EE and ash reflects great variation in individual endogenous losses between animals. Estimation of true total tract digestibility of N, EE and ash by regression analysis was affected by their decrease in ATTD with increasing FI level, as estimates for true digestibility were lower compared to their apparent values. The present results suggest that FI level can affect both apparent and true total tract nutrient digestibility in piglets.
Effect of physical training on nutrient digestibility and faecal fermentative parameters inStandardbred horses
Authors: Goachet A. G. , Harris P. , Philippeau C. , Julliand V.
Published: March 2014

This study aimed at evaluating, in previously inactiveStandardbreds horses, the effect of 5 weeks of an exercise training programme on nutrient digestibility and faecal fermentative parameters (FFPs). As an increase in digestibility had previously been reported in trained endurance horses, we hypothesized that similar results would be found in horses being trained for other types of exercise on a different type of diet. After 3 weeks of dietary adaptation, a digestibility trial (DT1) was undertaken, over 3 days, in eight untrained Standardbreds with a fresh faecal sample being collected on the second day forFFPdeterminations. Six of the eight horses undertook a training programme, and after 5 weeks of exercise, theDTand theFFPmeasurements were then repeated (DT2).DT2 began after 3 days of inactivity. The same natural meadow hay (H) and pelleted complementary feed (CF) were fed throughout. For 5 days before theDTs, horses were fed 2.1%BWon a dry matter basis (55:45 ratioH:CF). Body weight and body condition score remained constant. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, hemicellulose, crude protein and gross energy, as well as faecal total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate and propionate concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher atDT2 than atDT1. A 5‐week exercise programme had a positive impact on nutrient digestibility andFFP. Training may improve dietary energy supply, in particular via increased hindgutVFAproduction. The potential improvement of digestive efficiency with training should be taken into account when formulating nutritional recommendations for the exercising horse, particularly when performing light work, which is low‐intensity exercise for 1–3 h per week.
Influences shaping nurses' use of distraction for children's procedural pain
Authors: Olmstead Deborah L. , Scott Shannon D. , Mayan Maria , Koop Priscilla M. , Reid Kathy
Published: March 2014

Purpose

This study explored pediatric nurses' choices to use distraction for managing painful procedures.

Design and Methods

Using interpretive description approaches, interviews with pediatric nurses provided descriptions of choices to manage procedural pain.

Results

Nurses' distress influenced distraction use to mitigate the suffering of children and themselves. Newer nurses described task mastery as influencing distraction choices. Nurses' accounts of performing painful procedures on children mirrored children's descriptions of pain from the literature.

Practice Implications

Nurses' distress and competency performing painful procedures on children influenced practice. Future qualitative studies could extend understanding of pain management choices by pediatric nurses and the impact on undermanaged pain.
The timing of molecular and morphological changes underlying reproductive transitions in wild tomatoes (Solanumsect.Lycopersicon)
Authors: Vosters S. L. , Jewell C. P. , Sherman N. A. , Einterz F. , Blackman B. K. , Moyle L. C.
Published: March 2014

Molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from genetic self‐incompatibility to self‐compatibility are well documented, but the evolution of other reproductive trait changes that accompany shifts in reproductive strategy (mating system) remains comparatively under‐investigated. A notable exception is the transition from exserted styles to styles with recessed positions relative to the anthers in wild tomatoes (SolanumSectionLycopersicon). This phenotypic change has been previously attributed to a specific mutation in the promoter of a gene that influences style length (style2.1); however, whether this specific regulatory mutation arose concurrently with the transition from long to short styles, and whether it is causally responsible for this phenotypic transition, has been poorly investigated across this group. To address this gap, we assessed 74 accessions (populations) from 13 species for quantitative genetic variation in floral and reproductive traits as well as the presence/absence of deletions at two different locations (StyleD1 and StyleD2) within the regulatory region upstream ofstyle2.1. We confirmed that the putatively causal deletion variant (a 450‐bp deletion at StyleD1) arose within self‐compatible lineages. However, the variation and history of both StyleD1 and StyleD2 was more complex than previously inferred. In particular, although StyleD1 was statistically associated with differences in style length and stigma exsertion across all species, we found no evidence for this association within two species polymorphic for the StyleD1 mutation. We conclude that the previous association detected between phenotypic and molecular differences is most likely due to a phylogenetic association rather than a causal mechanistic relationship. Phenotypic variation in style length must therefore be due to other unexamined linked variants in thestyle2.1regulatory region.
Effect of cinacalcet treatment on vascular arterial stiffness among peritoneal dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Chow Kai Ming , Szeto Cheuk Chun , Kwan Bonnie Ching‐Ha , Cheng Phyllis Mei‐Shan , Pang Wing Fai , Leung Chi Bon , Li Philip Kam‐Tao
Published: March 2014

Aim

Although calcimimetics cinacalcet can reduce parathyroid hormone level and control secondary hyperparathyroidism in end‐stage renal disease patients, risk of vascular calcification remains high. Whether cinacalcet can further reduce vascular damage or arterial stiffness is unknown.

Methods

We studied the effect of cinacalcet in 33 peritoneal dialysis patients with inadequately controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism despite standard treatment. The primary outcome was the aortic pulse wave velocity at 26 and 52 months after cinacalcet treatment. The pulse wave velocity was compared with that of a matched control cohort of 37 peritoneal dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Results

Thirty‐three patients completed the cinacalcet treatment, after median dialysis duration of 1.0 year. Significant improvement of parathyroid hormone level was achieved after 52 weeks, from 87.5 ± 28.7 pmol/L to 34.5 ± 45.5 pmol/L (P < 0.0001). Serial carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity did not differ between cinacalcet treatment group and control group (general linear model with repeated measures, P = 0.19). Among patients receiving cinacalcet, the average carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity increased from 10.46 ± 2.12 m/s at baseline to 11.41 ± 2.79 m/s at 52 weeks (P = 0.001). The change in carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity over 1 year had no significant correlation with the final parathyroid hormone level or change in parathyroid hormone level.

Conclusions

Among prevalent patients receiving peritoneal dialysis and with hyperparathyroidism, a reduction of 60.6% parathyroid hormone level after cinacalcet treatment for one year did not reduce the carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity.
Acute respiratory complication presenting at birth due to an intra‐oral teratoma arising from the tonsil
Authors: Gomes S. , Rashid M. , Acharya V.
Published: March 2014

Oral teratomas are rare congenital tumours. They can result in rapid asphyxia following birth if undetected prenatally. Antenatal ultrasound diagnosis allows for careful and early evaluation, thereby leading to timely intervention. This report highlights a male infant delivered prematurely but spontaneously with an unremarkable prenatal course and normal antenatal scans who was then found to have an intraoral teratoma requiring intubation, diagnosed using MRI scans. Upon ENT surgical intervention for removal, it was found to arise from the tonsil. This report will focus on acute management and surgical intervention in a prenatally undiagnosed case.
Bare Quantifiers?
Authors: Ben‐Yami Hanoch
Published: March 2014

In a series of publications I have claimed that by contrast to standard formal languages, quantifiers in natural language combine with a general term to form a quantified argument, in which the general term's role is to determine the domain or plurality over which the quantifier ranges. In a recent paper Zoltán Gendler Szabó tried to provide a counterexample to this analysis and derived from it various conclusions concerning quantification in natural language, claiming it is often ‘bare’. I show that Szabó's example fails, and that even if it were successful his conclusions would not be supported by it.
The Role of Freedom in Descartes' Ethics of Belief
Authors: Mihali Andreea
Published: March 2014

This article brings to light the role and importance of Descartes' concept of freedom for his ethics of belief. For Descartes, I argue, correctly assigning epistemic praise/blame means tracking authentic freedoms: ascertaining whether an act of assent is spontaneous or perverse both before and after eliciting the act of will. Authentic spontaneity ensures that the agent receives praise for his epistemic accomplishment, which includes the right results as well as the right order of steps. Authentic perversity leads to the agent being blamed for not accepting the truth while fully aware of the gravity of the gesture.
Relax and refill: xylem rehydration prior to hydraulic measurements favours embolism repair in stems and generates artificially low PLC values
Authors: TRIFILÒ PATRIZIA , RAIMONDO FABIO , LO GULLO MARIA A. , BARBERA PIERA M. , SALLEO SEBASTIANO , NARDINI ANDREA
Published: March 2014

Diurnal changes in percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC), with recorded values being higher at midday than on the following morning, have been interpreted as evidence for the occurrence of cycles of xylem conduits' embolism and repair. Recent reports have suggested that diurnal PLC changes might arise as a consequence of an experimental artefact, that is, air entry into xylem conduits upon cutting stems, even if under water, while under substantial tension generated by transpiration. Rehydration procedures prior to hydraulic measurements have been recommended to avoid this artefact. In the present study, we show that xylem rehydration prior to hydraulic measurements might favour xylem refilling and embolism repair, thus leading to PLC values erroneously lower than those actually experienced by transpiring plants. When xylem tension relaxation procedures were performed on stems where refilling mechanisms had been previously inhibited by mechanical (girdling) or chemical (orthovanadate) treatment, PLC values measured in stems cut under native tension were the same as those measured after sample rehydration/relaxation. Our data call for renewed attention to the procedures of sample collection in the field and transport to the laboratory, and suggest that girdling might be a recommendable treatment prior to sample collection for PLC measurements.
Multisystemic Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Mimicking Diffuse Neonatal Hemangiomatosis
Authors: Rubio‐González Belén , García‐Bracamonte Beatriz , Ortiz‐Romero Pablo L. , Postigo‐Llorente Concepción , Vanaclocha‐Sebastián Francisco
Published: March 2014

We report the first case of multisystemic Langerhans cell histiocytes mimicking diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis clinically. This has been described in patients with congenital self‐healing reticulohistiocytosis but not in patients with acute, disseminated, and multisystemic disease. In our experience, dermoscopic findings did not help to diagnose the condition.
Shifting attention between the space of the body and external space: Electrophysiological correlates of visual‐nociceptive crossmodal spatial attention
Authors: Favril Louis , Mouraux André , Sambo Chiara F. , Legrain Valéry
Published: March 2014

The study tested whether nociceptive stimuli applied to a body limb can orient spatial attention in external space toward visual stimuli delivered close to that limb. Nociceptive stimuli were applied to either the left or the right hand. Task‐relevant visual stimuli were delivered at the location adjacent to the stimulated hand (70% valid trials) or adjacent to the other hand (30% invalid trials). Visual stimuli were discriminated with shorter reaction times and elicited ERPs of greater magnitude in the valid as compared to the invalid trials. This enhancement affected the N1 component, suggesting that the location of the nociceptive cue modifies visual processing through a modulation of neural activity in the visual cortex. We hypothesize the existence of a common frame of reference able to coordinate the mapping of the space of the body and the mapping of the external space.
Reconciling discrepant findings for P3 brain response in criminal psychopathy through reference to the concept of externalizing proneness
Authors: Venables Noah C. , Patrick Christopher J.
Published: March 2014

We sought to address inconsistencies in the literature on amplitude of P3 brain potential response in offenders diagnosed with psychopathy. These inconsistencies contrast with the reliable finding of reduced P3 in relation to externalizing tendencies, which overlap with impulsive‐antisocial features of psychopathy, as distinguished from the affective‐interpersonal features. Employing a sample of incarcerated male offenders (N = 154) who completed the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised along with a three‐stimulus visual oddball task, we tested the hypothesis that impulsive‐antisocial features of psychopathy would selectively exhibit an inverse relationship with P3 amplitude. Clear support for this hypothesis was obtained. Our findings clarify the discrepant findings regarding psychopathy and P3, and establish P3 as a neurophysiological point of contact between psychopathy and externalizing proneness from the broader psychopathology literature.
Mixing rich and asynchronous communication for new service development performance
Authors: Storey Chris , Perks Helen
Published: March 2014

This article explores the nature of relationships between internal communication modes, new service development (NSD) competencies (specifically learning and development competencies) and NSD performance. To do so, it draws on and advances communication theory by comparing and contrasting the contingent approach, favoured by media richness theory and media synchronicity theory, with the multiplicative manner of dual coding theory. Antecedent roles of rich and asynchronous communication modes for two NSD competencies are investigated, and their function as critical contingency variables affecting the competencies–performance link is unravelled. An empirical quantitative study of senior managers of leading service firms was conducted, with a survey‐based methodology. Results show that a learning competency drives development competency which in turn drives NSD performance. Asynchronous communication is essential for learning competency but not for development competency. In contrast, rich communication underpins development but has no direct effect on learning competency. Rich communication is essential for NSD performance when a firm has a low development competency. The interaction between asynchronous and rich communication is shown to be positive for learning, whereas surprisingly it is negative for development competency.
Decision making at the front end of innovation: the hidden influence of knowledge and decision criteria
Authors: de Oliveira Maicon Gouvêa , Rozenfeld Henrique , Phaal Robert , Probert David
Published: March 2014

Decision making at the front end of innovation is critical for the success of companies. This paper presents a method, called decision making based on knowledge (DeBK), which was created to analyze the decision‐making process at the front end. The method evaluates the knowledge of project information and the importance of decision criteria, compiling a measure that indicates whether decisions are founded on available knowledge and what criteria are in fact being considered to delineate them. The potential contribution of DeBK is corroborated through two projects that faced decision‐making issues at the front end of innovation.
Income as the Outcome: How to Broaden the Narrow Framing of U.S. Retirement Policy
Authors: Brown Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2014

This article provides a brief review of behavioral economics research on annuitization. It applies the lessons learned from this literature to examine how public policy toward defined contribution plans has narrowly framed the conversation about retirement in a manner that may discourage the provision of lifetime income. It then discusses a number of policy changes that could be made to reframe the conversation to focus on retirement income security rather than wealth accumulation.
A General Approach to Effect Decomposition
Authors: Hou Feng
Published: March 2014

Objective

This article illustrates the commonality among the Oaxaca decomposition, mediation analysis, and path analysis used in various social science fields to decompose the effect of a predictor on the outcome into constituent components.

Methods

A general approach is proposed that extends the Oaxaca decomposition to continuous predictors. It also removes one critical restriction on covariates in mediation analysis.

Results

An empirical example shows that the effect of fathers’ education on children's years of schooling primarily works through children's early skill development and educational aspirations.

Conclusion

The proposed approach is easy to implement since it requires only two pieces of information: simple correlations and standardized regression coefficients.
Plant mating systems affect adaptive plasticity in response to herbivory
Authors: Campbell Stuart A. , Halitschke Rayko , Thaler Jennifer S. , Kessler André
Published: March 2014

The fitness consequences of mating system variation (e.g. inbreeding) have been studied for at least 200 years, yet the ecological consequences of this variation remain poorly understood. Most plants are capable of inbreeding, and also exhibit a remarkable suite of adaptive phenotypic responses to ecological stresses such as herbivory. We tested the consequences of experimental inbreeding on phenotypic plasticity in resistance and growth (tolerance) traits in Solanum carolinense (Solanaceae). Inbreeding reduced the ability of plants to up‐regulate resistance traits following damage. Moreover, inbreeding disrupted growth trait responses to damage, indicating the presence of deleterious mutations at loci regulating growth under stress. Production of the phytohormones abscisic and indole acetic acid, and wounding‐induced up‐regulation of the defence signalling phytohormone jasmonic acid were all significantly reduced under inbreeding, indicating a phytohormonal basis for inbreeding effects on growth and defence trait regulation. We conclude that the plasticity of induced responses is negatively affected by inbreeding, with implications for fragmented populations facing mate limitation and stress as a consequence of environmental change.
microRNA156‐targeted SPL/SBP box transcription factors regulate tomato ovary and fruit development
Authors: Silva Geraldo Felipe Ferreira e , Silva Eder Marques , da Silva Azevedo Mariana , Guivin Mike Anderson Corazon , Ramiro Daniel Alves , Figueiredo Cassia Regina , Carrer Helaine , Peres Lázaro Eustáquio Pereira , Nogueira Fabio Tebaldi Silveira
Published: March 2014

Fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is well understood at the molecular level. However, information regarding genetic pathways associated with tomato ovary and early fruit development is still lacking. Here, we investigate the possible role(s) of the microRNA156/SQUAMOSA promoter‐binding protein‐like (SPL or SBP box) module (miR156 node) in tomato ovary development. miR156‐targeted S. lycopersicum SBP genes were dynamically expressed in developing flowers and ovaries, and miR156 was mainly expressed in meristematic tissues of the ovary, including placenta and ovules. Transgenic tomato cv. Micro‐Tom plants over‐expressing the AtMIR156b precursor exhibited abnormal flower and fruit morphology, with fruits characterized by growth of extra carpels and ectopic structures. Scanning electron microscopy and histological analyses showed the presence of meristem‐like structures inside the ovaries, which are probably responsible for the ectopic organs. Interestingly, expression of genes associated with meristem maintenance and formation of new organs, such as LeT6/TKN2 (a KNOX‐like class I gene) and GOBLET (a NAM/CUC‐like gene), was induced in developing ovaries of transgenic plants as well as in the ovaries of the natural mutant Mouse ear (Me), which also displays fruits with extra carpels. Conversely, expression of the MADS box genes MACROCALYX (MC) and FUL1/TDR4, and the LEAFY ortholog FALSIFLORA, was repressed in the developing ovaries of miR156 over‐expressors, suggesting similarities with Arabidopsis at this point of the miR156/SPL pathway but with distinct functional consequences in reproductive development. Altogether, these observations suggest that the miR156 node is involved in maintenance of the meristematic state of ovary tissues, thereby controlling initial steps of fleshy fruit development and determinacy.
Photoactivation Approaches Reveal a Role for Rab11 in FGFR4 Recycling and Signalling
Authors: Haugsten Ellen M. , Brech Andreas , Liestøl Knut , Norman Jim C. , Wesche Jørgen
Published: March 2014

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) plays important roles during development and in the adult to maintain tissue homeostasis. Moreover, overexpression of FGFR4 or activating mutations in FGFR4 has been identified as tumour‐promoting events in several forms of cancer. Endocytosis is important for regulation of signalling receptors and we have previously shown that FGFR4 is mainly localized to transferrin‐positive structures after ligand‐induced endocytosis. Here, using a cell line with a defined pericentriolar endocytic recycling compartment, we show that FGFR4 accumulates in this compartment after endocytosis. Furthermore, using classical recycling assays and a new, photoactivatable FGFR4‐PA‐GFP fusion protein combined with live‐cell imaging, we demonstrate that recycling of FGFR4 is dependent on Rab11. Upon Rab11b depletion, FGFR4 is trapped in the pericentriolar recycling compartment and the total levels of FGFR4 in cells are increased. Moreover, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1)‐induced autophosphorylation of FGFR4 as well as phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC)‐γ is prolonged in cells depleted of Rab11. Interestingly, the activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase and AKT pathways were not prolonged but rather reduced in Rab11‐depleted cells, indicating that recycling of FGFR4 is important for the nature of its signalling output. Thus, Rab11‐dependent recycling of FGFR4 maintains proper levels of FGFR4 in cells and regulates FGF1‐induced FGFR4 signalling.
Financial Sector Volatility, Banking Market Structure and Exports
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chien , Huang Ho‐Chuan
Published: March 2014

This paper assesses the impacts of financial sector volatility and banking market structure on industrial exports. By utilising the specification of Rajan and Zingales (American Economic Review 1998; 88, 559) on the cross‐country, cross‐industry data from Manova (Journal of International Economics 2008; 76, 33), we find that financial sector volatility, measured as the standard deviation of the growth of private credit, and banking market structure, measured as the share of the three largest banks’ assets in a country, respectively exert significantly negative and positive impacts on industrial exports, particularly for those industries that are more externally financially dependent. The findings are robust to a variety of kinds of sensitivity analysis and thus lend support to the notion that a more stable and concentrated banking system is important to the exports of those industries that rely more on external finance.
Aid for Trade: Do Those Countries that Need it, Get it?
Authors: Gamberoni Elisa , Newfarmer Richard
Published: March 2014

This paper is designed to help both the beneficiary governments and donors of aid for trade identify countries that are under‐performing in trade and which are receiving less aid for trade than their global performance might otherwise suggest is necessary. Building on previous work, it provides a procedure to assess potential need for spurring trade volume, and then looks at country allocations of aid for trade to see which are receiving below‐average amounts in the supply of aid for trade – relative to their potential needs. Countries, as they design national development strategies, may wish to consider giving greater attention to trade and requesting that donors allocate to them more aid for trade. As part of the analysis, the paper provides a conceptual framework for selecting indicators of trade performance and its policy determinants that the WTO and its partners might monitor closely as part of the aid for trade initiative.
Analytical performance of a dry chemistry analyzer designed for in‐clinic use
Authors: Flatland Bente , Breickner Liesl C. , Fry Michael M.
Published: March 2014

Background

The Heska Dri‐Chem 4000 uses dry slide technology to evaluate serum or plasma. No previous independent performance evaluation is published to the authors' knowledge.

Objectives

The objectives were to (1) characterize analytical performance of a Dri‐Chem 4000 by measuring precision and bias, (2) compare analytical performance of that Dri‐Chem 4000 unit with a predetermined quality requirement, and (3) determine whether statistical QC of the Dri‐Chem 4000 is possible using the 13s control rule.

Methods

Sixteen analytes were measured using plasma from dogs, cats, and horses. Coefficient of variation (CV), bias, and observed total error (TEobs) were calculated. TEobs was compared with allowable total error (TEa). Sigma metric and quality goal index were calculated where relevant. QC validation was performed.

Results

Bias and TEobs calculated using quality control material (QCM) data were smaller than those calculated using method comparison data. Using TEobs calculated from species‐specific CV and QCM‐based bias, 100% of analytes in each species met ASVCP‐recommended TEa. Desired error detection and false rejection rates were achievable using the 13s control rule and ASVCP‐recommended TEa values for 9/16 (56%) of analytes in dogs, 9/14 (64%) of analytes in cats, and 8/13 (62%) of analytes in horses.

Conclusions

Analytical performance of the Dri‐Chem 4000 is comparable to that reported by other authors for other small benchtop biochemistry analyzers. Statistical QC using a simple control rule is possible for most analytes in dogs, cats, and horses.
An automated turbidimetric method for fibrinogen determination in dogs
Authors: Tecles F. , Tvarijonaviciute A. , Caldín M. , Martínez‐Subiela S. , Cerón J.J.
Published: March 2014

Background

Several methods have been used for fibrinogen determination in dogs, but to the authors' knowledge, methods based on ammonium sulfate precipitation have not yet been reported in this species.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an automated method based on ammonium sulfate precipitation for canine fibrinogen determination.

Methods

A reagent containing ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, and K2EDTA was used to precipitate fibrinogen at a final ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.57 M and final turbidity was measured on a Cobas Mira Plus autoanalyzer. Analytic validation included imprecision, accuracy, comparison with reference method (Clauss), limits of detection and quantification, and the evaluation of the influence of different anticoagulants. For diagnostic validation, fibrinogen was determined in a group of Beagle dogs before and after neutering, and in dogs affected by diseases known to produce low fibrinogen plasma concentration, such as liver insufficiency, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and protein‐losing enteropathy.

Results

Low imprecison (<4%), excellent recovery (>90%), and low bias (0.092 g/L) with respect to Clauss method indicated a high reproducibility and accuracy. Limits of detection and quantification were 0.01 and 0.22 g/L, respectively. The method was applicable in plasma samples anticoagulated with EDTA, heparin, or sodium citrate. The fibrinogen concentration in Beagle dogs after neutering was increased, and decreased in animals with disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver insufficiency, or gastrointestinal protein loss.

Conclusions

The automated method validated in this study represents a rapid, cheap, and easy protocol to quantify canine fibrinogen in routine practice.
Herbicidal activity on acetolactate synthase‐resistant barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) in Arkansas, USA
Authors: Norsworthy Jason K. , Wilson Michael J. , Scott Robert C. , Gbur Edward E.
Published: March 2014

The intensive use of the acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides, imazethapyr, penoxsulam and bispyribac‐sodium, in imidazolinone‐resistant (Clearfield) rice increases the risk of the evolution of ALS‐resistant barnyardgrass. In 2009, imazethapyr failed to control barnyardgrass that was collected from a field in Arkansas, USA, following the failure of the herbicide in 2008. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to confirm and document the level of resistance of the biotype against three ALS‐inhibiting herbicides that currently are labeled in rice. The level of control of the resistant biotype at the labeled rate of bispyribac‐sodium of 35 g ai ha−1 was 10%, penoxsulam at 22 g ai ha−1 was 0% and imazethapyr at 70 g ai ha−1 was 25%. The level of mortality of the susceptible biotype was 100% with all the herbicides at the labeled rate. The dose needed to kill 50% of the resistant plants was 49 g ha−1 of bispyribac‐sodium, 254 g ha−1 of penoxsulam and 170 g ha−1 of imazethapyr. For the susceptible biotype, bispyribac‐sodium at 6 g ha−1, penoxsulam at 10 g ha−1 and imazethapyr at 12 g ha−1 killed 50% of the treated plants. Based on these findings, it was confirmed that a barnyardgrass population has evolved cross‐resistance to three ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in rice culture in Arkansas. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted to determine if the ALS‐resistant biotype could be controlled using other mechanisms of action. The results indicated that propanil, a photosystem II inhibitor, and quinclorac, a synthetic auxin, failed to control the resistant biotype at the labeled rates, whereas all the other evaluated herbicides provided effective control of both biotypes.
Iatrogenic oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Meshikhes Abdul-Wahed Nasir , Al-Saif Osama Habib
Published: March 2014

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been hailed as an easy and safe procedure when compared with other bariatric operations. However, it may be associated with well-recognised early complications such as leaks and bleeding, as well as late ones such as stenosis and weight regain. Iatrogenic complete oesophageal transection has never been reported before as a complication. We report a case of complete oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy that was not recognised intraoperatively. The repair of this iatrogenic injury was staged, with the final stage carried out some 3 months after the initial procedure. This case report highlights the possible occurrence of complete oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and suggests steps to avoid and correct such complications.
Ischaemic stroke as initial presentation of systemic malignancy
Authors: Goedee Stephan , Naber Alike , Rovers Jörgen M P , Roks Gerwin
Published: March 2014

Ischaemic stroke as the initial presentation of systemic malignancy is reported infrequently and is characterised by ischaemic lesions that exceed the vascular territory of a single vessel. There is also a high rate of early stroke recurrence. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are known to cause cerebrovascular complications in malignancies, as a direct effect of the tumour, paraneoplastic or even of the tumour treatment itself. Prognosis is reportedly poor, treatment is symptomatic and at best anecdotal. We present a case report and available literature.
Mapping crustal structure of the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau using teleseismic receiver function analysis,
Authors: Kim H.S. , Cassidy J.F. , Dosso S.E. , Kao H.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents results of a passive-source seismic mapping study in the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau of central British Columbia, with the ultimate goal of contributing to assessments of hydrocarbon and mineral potential of the region. For the present study, an array of nine seismic stations was deployed in 2006–2007 to sample a wide area of the Nechako–Chilcotin plateau. The specific goal was to map the thickness of the sediments and volcanic cover, and the overall crustal thickness and structural geometry beneath the study area. This study utilizes recordings of about 40 distant earthquakes from 2006 to 2008 to calculate receiver functions, and constructs S-wave velocity models for each station using the Neighbourhood Algorithm inversion. The surface sediments are found to range in thickness from about 0.8 to 2.7 km, and the underlying volcanic layer from 1.8 to 4.7 km. Both sediments and volcanic cover are thickest in the central portion of the study area. The crustal thickness ranges from 22 to 36 km, with an average crustal thickness of about 30–34 km. A consistent feature observed in this study is a low-velocity zone at the base of the crust. This study complements other recent studies in this area, including active-source seismic studies and magnetotelluric measurements, by providing site-specific images of the crustal structure down to the Moho and detailed constraints on the S-wave velocity structure.
THE INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO STEM AND CROWN RUST IN KYTO OATS
Authors: Martens J. W. , McKenzie R. I. H. , Fleischmann G.
Published: March 2014

The oat variety Kyto possesses a recessive gene, designated pg-12, which confers seedling resistance to all nine races of oat stem rust tested. This gene is inherited independently of the Pg-2, Pg-4 and pg-9 loci for seedling stem rust resistance. Kyto also possesses a dominant gene, Pc-44, for resistance to crown rust of oats. Gene Pc-44 is inherited independently of the Pg-2, Pg-4 and pg-12 loci but is associated with the pg-9 locus. Resistance conferred by genes pg-12 and Pc-44 is not expressed at constant temperatures of 25°C and above.
SUPERNUMERARY CHROMOSOMES IN SYNTHETIC POPULATIONS OF CRESTED WHEATGRASS, AGROPYRON DESERTORUM
Authors: Baenziger H. , Carr R. B.
Published: March 2014

Twelve experimental synthetics were formed from plants with various frequencies of supernumerary chromosomes and multiplied through three generations. Chromosome counts were made of representative samples of these populations in all generations.Synthetics formed from plants free of supernumerary chromosomes remained relatively free of them through three generations. Where basic plants showed supernumeraries the mean chromosome numbers of the populations increased in the first and second generations, and decreased in the third generation. Three synthetics with the lowest number of supernumerary chromosomes showed a decrease in the mean chromosome numbers.
MEIOSIS IN PRUNUS AVIUM L. II. THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT OF BUD FORCING AND STORAGE ON MEIOSIS IN CV. LAMBERT
Authors: Whelan E. D. P. , Hornby C. A. , Eaton G. W.
Published: March 2014

Meiosis of Lambert fruit spurs sampled directly from the tree was synchronous, and characterized by a low frequency (about 7%) of abnormal division. The most common meiotic abnormalities were a diakinetic chromosome in metaphase I and a single pair of univalents and related defects. Meiosis of immediately forced pre-meiotic fruiting wood was comparable with that of samples taken from the same tree during meiosis, but cold storage prior to forcing resulted in increased abnormal meiosis at all stages of division, the extent increasing with storage time. Storage also induced asynchronous division.
GENETIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN MICE. I. CROSSES BETWEEN A/J, SWR/J, AND THEIR HYBRIDS
Authors: Schlager Gunther
Published: March 2014

Analysis of data from crosses between the A/J and SWR/J strains showed that the genic action of the alleles affecting blood pressure by which these strains differ act additively in the males. The apparent partial dominance observed in the female data was due to the truncation of the upper tail of the distribution of blood pressures in the SWR/J strain. When the data were corrected for this truncation, an additive model of inheritance also fitted the female data.The genetic control of hematocrit per cent and relative kidney weight was indicated. The inheritance is additive for hematocrit, and is more complex for relative kidney weight where epistatic interactions are involved. The A/J and SWR/J strains did not differ in renin granularity.The interrelationship of hematocrit per cent, relative kidney weight, renin granularity, and blood pressure was investigated. Hematocrit and renin granularity were considered not to be the source of the blood pressure differences between the two strains. Significant phenotypic and genetic correlations between relative kidney weight and blood pressure were discernible in the male data, but not among the females.
VARIATION IN THE TRANSMISSION OF UNIVALENT CHROMOSOMES FROM PENTAPLOID WHEAT HYBRIDS
Authors: Alston F. H. , Jones J. K.
Published: March 2014

Univalent transmission was studied in aneuploids from pentaploid (AABBD) wheat hybrids. Two groups of such hybrids were used: one group carried heterozygous AABB chromosome complements derived from crosses between T. aestivum cv. Chinese Spring monosomics XV-XXI and T. durum, cvs. Nursi and Samara, 2n = 28; the second group had homozygous AABB complements and came from crosses between the amphiploid (T. durum cv. Carleton × Aegilops squarrosa) and T. durum cv. Carleton. The transmission of univalent D chromosomes was markedly reduced when most of the AABB chromosome complement was derived from T. durum.
A NEW MUTATION INNEUROSPORAFOR SENSITIVITY TO ULTRAVIOLET
Authors: Stadler David R. , Smith David A.
Published: March 2014

A failure of the dark repair system for UV damage in Neurospora is determined by a single gene (uvs-2) located far out on the right arm of linkage group IV. The mutant gene has no effect on genetic recombination. The study of a heterokaryon between a normal strain and the sensitive mutant reveals that the mutant is recessive. All conidia from the heterokaryon (even those carrying only the sensitive nuclei) contain sufficient product of the wild-type gene to show normal resistance to UV.