bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good practices in the compilation of FOLK, the Research and Teaching Corpus of Spoken German
Authors: Schmidt Thomas
Published: September 2016

This paper presents practices in the compilation of FOLK, the Research and Teaching Corpus of Spoken German, a large collection of spontaneous verbal interaction from diverse discourse domains. After introducing the aims and organisational circumstances of the construction of FOLK, the general idea discussed is that good practices cannot be developed without considering methodological, technological and organisational aspects on equal footing. Starting from this idea, this paper inspects more closely some actual practices in FOLK, namely the handling of legal (especially privacy protection) issues, the decisions taken for the transcription and annotation workflow, and the question of how to best disseminate a corpus like FOLK. The final section sketches some possible future improvements for practices in FOLK.
Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Eating Qualities of Fermented Rice Noodles
Authors: Yi Cuiping , Yang Youwang , Zhou Sumei , He Yinghe
Published: September 2016

To ascertain the role of natural fermentation and its associated microorganisms in the eating quality of fermented rice noodles, we compared changes in main chemical components, microorganisms, and eating qualities of fermented rice noodles compared with unfermented ones. The results indicated that noodles made from rice grains fermented at 40°C have higher tensile strength, hardness, springiness, and chewiness. Statistical analyses show that fermentation significantly changed the content and composition of the starch, lipid, protein, amylose, and ash of the indica rice. High‐throughput sequencing analyses of the supernatant of the fermentation samples revealed the dynamic changes of the bacteria population during fermentation. Lactic acid bacteria are found to be the dominant bacteria (more than 90%) during the entire process. The relatively high abundance of Lactobacillus fermentum and L. delbrueckii at each phase of the fermentation suggests that the two species are likely to be the species that determine eating quality in the rice fermentation process. The results may provide guidance on the maintenance of quality consistency of fermented rice at the industrial scale.
Direct Estimation of Local pH Change at Infection Sites of Fungi in Potato Tubers
Authors: Tardi-Ovadia R. , Linker R. , Tsror (Lahkim) L.
Published: September 2016

Fungi can modify the pH in or around the infected site via alkalization or acidification, and pH monitoring may provide valuable information on host–fungus interactions. The objective of the present study was to examine the ability of two fungi, Colletotrichum coccodes and Helminthosporium solani, to modify the pH of potato tubers during artificial inoculation in situ. Both fungi cause blemishes on potato tubers, which downgrades tuber quality and yield. Direct visualization and estimation of pH changes near the inoculation area were achieved using pH indicators and image analysis. The results showed that the pH of the area infected by either fungus increased from potato native pH of approximately 6.0 to 7.4 to 8.0. By performing simple analysis of the images, it was also possible to derive the growth curve of each fungus and estimate the lag phase of the radial growth: 10 days for C. coccodes and 17 days H. solani. In addition, a distinctive halo (an edge area with increased pH) was observed only during the lag phase of H. solani infection. pH modulation is a major factor in pathogen–host interaction and the proposed method offers a simple and rapid way to monitor these changes.
Spicing Up theNGene: F. O. Holmes andTobacco mosaic virusResistance inCapsicumandNicotianaPlants
Authors: Scholthof Karen-Beth G.
Published: September 2016

One of the seminal events in plant pathology was the discovery by Francis O. Holmes that necrotic local lesions induced on certain species of Nicotiana following rub-inoculation of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was due to a specific interaction involving a dominant host gene (N). From this, Holmes had an idea that if the N gene from N. glutinosa was introgressed into susceptible tobacco, the greatly reduced titer of TMV would, by extension, prevent subsequent infection of tomato and pepper plants by field workers whose hands were contaminated with TMV from their use of chewing and smoking tobacco. The ultimate outcome has many surprising twists and turns, including Holmes’ failure to obtain fertile crosses of N. glutinosa × N. tabacum after 3 years of intensive work. Progress was made with N. digluta, a rare amphidiploid that was readily crossed with N. tabacum. And, importantly, the first demonstration by Holmes of the utility of interspecies hybridization for virus resistance was made with Capsicum (pepper) species with the identification of the L gene in Tabasco pepper, that he introgressed into commercial bell pepper varieties. Holmes’ findings are important as they predate Flor’s gene-for-gene hypothesis, show the use of interspecies hybridization for control of plant pathogens, and the use of the local lesion as a bioassay to monitor resistance events in crop plants.
Brand management in a situation of an economic crisis
Authors: Drewniak Rafał , Karaszewski Robert
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present modern marketing tools used by today’s businesses to maintain or strengthen the value of their brands in the conditions of deteriorating economic situation. The specific purpose is an analysis of activities that might be attempted by companies in emerging markets in order to increase the strength of their brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the determinants of the development of brand value. An analysis has also been made of activities connected with the development of the brand based on the experience of the best brands in the world. Considerations are based on secondary sources, from national and international journals, books, magazines and specialist reports, as well as were supported by research results of the most valuable brands in the world.

Findings

The paper provides the insight of marketing activities, that may favor building brand value in the time of recession. It was suggested that recession may be a good time for some companies to invest in the brand. However, today’s competition conditions are forcing companies to used more modern marketing techniques in order to build a positive brand image. In addition, customers increasingly expect to be able to engage in brand and wish to influence its image.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for companies in emerging markets, through which it is possible to effectively manage brand value in the time of crisis. These proposals are an important course of action for companies from emerging markets, which tend to increase the strength of its brand.

Originality/value

Due to the fact that the considerations in the paper relate to general proposals for action, the results can constitute a starting point for in-depth research in the future. An interesting issue would be to assess the effectiveness of the proposed activities in emerging markets.
The impact of country-of-origin image on brand loyalty: evidence from Iran
Authors: Esmaeilpour Fariba , Abdolvand Mohammad Ali
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of country-of-origin (COO) image on brand attitude and brand loyalty of Generation Y’s consumers toward two categories of luxury fashion brands.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a structural equation modeling method was employed based on data collected from 419 individuals born between 1977 and 1994 in Iran. In next steps, analysis was conducted using hierarchical regression analysis with a two-way interaction and a slope analysis. Watches and sunglasses are two luxury product categories chosen in this study.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that consumers’ perception from COO technology advancement is the determinant of attitude toward luxury brands. COO technology advancement also, mediated by brand attitude, has an indirect positive effect on luxury brand loyalty. Moreover, the interaction between COO technology advancement and product-origin congruency has a significant and positive effect on consumers’ brand attitude.

Originality/value

This study has tried to investigate the impact of the constructs of the COO image on attitude and loyalty toward luxury brands in Generation Y. It has also dealt with the effect of product-origin congruency on the relationship between each one of the constructs of the COO image and brand attitude.
Construction by Contour Crafting using sulfur concrete with planetary applications
Authors: Khoshnevis Behrokh , Yuan Xiao , Zahiri Behnam , Zhang Jing , Xia Bin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the experiments with the Contour Crafting Automated Construction process using sulfur concrete as the choice of construction material.

Design/methodology/approach

Several experiments have been performed at centimeter and meter scales. A finite element analysis simulation model for the behavior of sulfur concrete-based structures has been developed. Experimental results were compared with the results of simulation.

Findings

Sulfur concrete has numerous terrestrial applications and is potentially an ideal construction material for planetary construction.

Originality/value

Experimental samples of sulfur concrete were fabricated using a novel mixer/extrusion system. The mechanism was proven to be durable and stable after more than 500 h of work.
Designing passive dynamic walking robots for additive manufacture
Authors: Stöckli Fritz , Modica Fabio , Shea Kristina
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Ongoing research in computational design synthesis of passive dynamic systems aims to automatically generate robotic configurations based on a given task. However, an automated design-to-fabrication process also requires a flexible fabrication method. This paper aims to explore designing and fabricating passive dynamic walking robots and all necessary components using single-material fused deposition modeling (FDM). Being able to fabricate all components of a robot using FDM is a step toward the goal of automated design and fabrication of passive dynamic robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different configurations of passive dynamic walking robots are re-designed to be fabricated using FDM. Different robotic joint assemblies are designed and tested. To arrive at feasible solutions, a modular design approach is chosen and adjustability of components after printing is integrated in the design.

Findings

The suitability of FDM for printing passive dynamic robots is shown to depend heavily on the sensitivity of the configuration. For one robot configuration, all components are printed in one job and only little assembly is needed after printing. For the second robot configuration, which has a more sensitive gait, a metal bearing is found to increase the performance substantially.

Originality/value

Printable, monolithic mechatronic systems require multi-material printing, including electronics. In contrast, passive dynamic systems not only have the potential to save energy and component cost compared to actuated systems but can also be fabricated using single-material FDM as demonstrated in this paper.
Public spaces protection orders – an “attack of vagueness”
Authors: O’Brien Brendan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight legislative and procedural problems with the implementation across England and Wales of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a review of current and planned PSPOs across England and Wales.

Findings

A patchwork quilt of unenforceable and vague legislation will only cause enforcement agencies to become confused and for potentially innocent people to be convicted.

Originality/value

The author does not believe any similar papers have been published.
The anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act in practice – a practitioner perspective
Authors: Varley Kirsty
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a practitioner’s perspective to the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. Many of the new sections are now in force and three in particular have been of interest to me in the last 12-18 months.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is written on the basis of the author’s own knowledge, experience and cases that the author has dealt with under the new legislation. Where cases have been published the author has included the relevant links to press coverage.

Findings

The financial limitations upon registered provides of social housing (RPs) will affect the way in which they conduct litigation and so might mean that RPs are less likely to want to take risks in court. The new grounds have not faced meaningful challenge yet, and so their use might be limited until case law is developed and settled to provide more certainty in this area.

Originality/value

The perspective is the author’s own and has been written solely by the author for this specific purpose. It is hoped that this will offer insight into the development of anti-social behaviour/housing law and how practitioners view the changes now that they are in force.
Jumping Together: A Fatal Suicide Pact
Authors: Sikary Asit Kumar , Swain Rajanikanta , Dhaka Shivani , Gupta Sudhir K , Yadav Abhishek
Published: September 2016

In suicide pact, two or more victims mutually agree and execute to end their lives together by predetermined method, preferably by hanging, drowning, gunshot, or poisoning. The victims are usually spouses, lovers, or friends, and the reasons behind such steps are various. In this reported suicide pact, husband–wife duo jumped from the terrace of a 12‐meter‐high building with their wrist bound to each other. Although they jumped together, the injury patterns were completely different. The man landed on head sustaining mainly craniocerebral injuries, and the wife landed on feet sustaining long bone injuries. They left a suicide note pointing out sudden demise of their only child as the reason for the suicide, and it was signed by both of them. Jumping from a height in suicide pact has not been reported in the scientific literature yet.
Ricochet Behavior on Glass—Critical Ricochet Angles, Ricochet Angles, and Deflection Angles
Authors: Mattijssen Erwin J. A. T. , Pater K. Dieter H. , Stoel Reinoud D.
Published: September 2016

For shooting scene reconstruction purposes, knowledge about the ricochet behavior of bullets provides valuable information. In this study, the critical ricochet angles of four cartridge types were established on plain float glass. The estimates of the critical ricochet angles varied between cartridge types and were 21.0° for .32 Auto FMJ bullets, 15.8° for 9 mm Luger FMJ bullets, 17.6° for .45 Auto FMJ bullets, and 21.3° for 9 mm Luger, Action NP bullets. The corresponding ricochet and deflection angles per incidence angle varied depending on the state of the ricocheted bullets. The mean ricochet angles are always lower than the corresponding angles of incidence, and the mean ricochet angles for the FMJ bullets with undamaged jackets are lower than those of bullets where the jacket is either damaged or the bullet partially ricocheted and partially perforated. Mean ricochet angles are lower for undamaged FMJ bullets than for undamaged Action NP bullets.
Using RNA‐Seq SNP data to reveal potential causal mutations related to pig production traits and RNA editing
Authors: Martínez‐Montes A. M. , Fernández A. , Pérez‐Montarelo D. , Alves E. , Benítez R. M. , Nuñez Y. , Óvilo C. , Ibañez‐Escriche N. , Folch J. M. , Fernández A. I.
Published: September 2016

RNA‐Seq technology is widely used in quantitative gene expression studies and identification of non‐annotated transcripts. However this technology also can be used for polymorphism detection and RNA editing in transcribed regions in an efficient and cost‐effective way. This study used SNP data from an RNA‐Seq assay to identify genes and mutations underlying production trait variations in an experimental pig population. The hypothalamic and hepatic transcriptomes of nine extreme animals for growth and fatness from an (Iberian × Landrace) × Landrace backcross were analyzed by RNA‐Seq methodology, and SNP calling was conducted. More than 125 000 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified in each tissue, and 78% were considered to be potential SNPs, those SNVs segregating in the context of this study. Potential informative SNPs were detected by considering those showing a homozygous or heterozygous genotype in one extreme group and the alternative genotype in the other group. In this way, 4396 and 1862 informative SNPs were detected in hypothalamus and liver respectively. Out of the 32 SNPs selected for validation, 25 (80%) were confirmed as actual SNPs. Association analyses for growth, fatness and premium cut yields with 19 selected SNPs were carried out, and four potential causal genes (RETSAT, COPA, RNMT and PALMD) were identified. Interestingly, new RNA editing modifications were detected and validated for the NR3C1:g.102797 (ss1985401074) and ACSM2B:g.13374 (ss1985401075) positions and for the COG3:g3.4525 (ss1985401087) modification previously identified across vertebrates, which could lead to phenotypic variation and should be further investigated.
ASXL1 and JAK2V617F gene mutation screening in Iranian patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Valikhani Amir , Poopak Behzad , Ferdowsi Shirin , Azizi Tabesh Ghasem , Ghaffari Seyed H , Saraf Kazeruoni Ehsan , Rezaei Negar , Farshchi Alireza , Amirizadeh Naser
Published: September 2016

Aim

In recent years, a few cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have been reported with both BCR‐ABL and JAK2V617F mutations. Moreover, mutations in the additional sex comb‐like 1 (ASXL1) gene were recently shown in various myeloid malignancies.There were no previous studies investigating the incidence of the ASXL1 and JAK2V617F mutations in Iranian patients with CML. Consequently, this study focuses on the analysis of these mutations in patients with CML.

Methods

In total, 66 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CML were examined at the time of diagnosis. Thirty healthy subjects were checked as controls. Exon 12 of ASXL1 was amplified from genomic DNA and bidirectionally sequenced. We also performed JAK2V617F screening by amplification refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.

Results

Mutations in the ASXL1 gene were found in five out of 66 CML patients (7.6%). We identified a novel variant (c.1968G > A, p.Asp656Asn) in one of the patients that has not been reported before. We also identified BCR‐ABL and JAK2V617F mutations simultaneously in four patients (6%).

Conclusion

Our demonstration of ASXL1 mutation, a putative tumor suppressor gene, represents an important molecular abnormality in CML. We also showed that concomitant detection of BCR‐ABL and JAK2V617F mutations has a relatively high incidence in Iranian patients.
Getting participants' voices heard: using mobile, participant led, sound‐based methods to explore place‐making
Authors: Stevenson Andrew , Holloway Julian
Published: September 2016

Varieties of sound‐based research methods have been used for exploring participants' relations with environment, space and place. For example, soundwalking, field‐recording and audio guides have all been employed to help research participants become attuned to the sonic environment. Some of these have been used as participant‐led approaches, enabling participants to devise walking routes and produce their own soundscape compositions. This paper explores these various uses and reports on two primary research collaborations that adopt mobile, participant‐led approaches, in which participants negotiate the precise nature of the research collaboration. Furthermore, it examines diverse methods for disseminating soundscape recordings that emerge from such projects. The examples presented here reveal that sound‐based research can be employed to do more than attune participants to sonic environments. This research highlights instances of productive, participant‐led research that reveal diverse strategies for disseminating this work. There are many channels and media through which sound work can be made available to a wider audience, across disciplines and beyond academia. Reflexively adopted, dissemination through web and social media, exhibition spaces and other public events offers researchers and their participants a performative complement to the publication of work through journal articles.
Global fishing capacity and fishing effort from 1950 to 2012
Authors: Bell Justin D , Watson Reg A , Ye Yimin
Published: September 2016

Global marine wild‐capture landings have remained relatively stable for >20 years; however, there is a lack of credible fishing capacity and effort information required to assess the sustainability and efficiency of the global fleet. As such, we estimated global fishing capacity and effort from 1950 to 2012 using a relatively comprehensive database developed by the FAO, supplemented by other data sources. Using random sampling techniques, we estimated the uncertainty surrounding many of our estimates enabling the identification of deficiencies and limitations. Global fishing capacity and effort increased rapidly from the late 1970s through to around 2010 before stabilizing. The Asian fleet is more than an order of magnitude larger than any other region in both capacity and effort, and continues to increase. Most other regions have stabilized, and there have been considerable declines in Europe and, to a lesser extent, in North America. Developed nations, as a whole, have decreased in both measures in the recent years and are responsible for the stabilization of the global trend. Developing and undeveloped countries are still increasing with the former having the largest fleet and showing the greatest relative increase with the socioeconomic impacts of reversing these trends likely to be high. The efficiency of the global fleet, in terms of watt days of fishing effort per tonnage of wild marine catch, is now less than in 1950 despite the considerable technological advances, and expansion throughout the world's oceans, that has occurred during this period of time.
Changes in insulin‐like growth factor signaling alter phenotypes in Fragile X Mice
Authors: Wise T. L.
Published: September 2016

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited form of intellectual disability that is usually caused by expansion of a polymorphic CGG repeat in the 5′ untranslated region of the X‐linked FMR1 gene, which leads to hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing. Two non‐neurological phenotypes of FXS are enlarged testes and connective tissue dysplasia, which could be caused by alterations in a growth factor signaling pathway. FXS patients also frequently have autistic‐like symptoms, suggesting that the signaling pathways affected in FXS may overlap with those affected in autism. Identifying these pathways is important for both understanding the effects of FMR1 inactivation and developing treatments for both FXS and autism. Here we show that decreasing the levels of the insulin‐like growth factor (Igf) receptor 1 corrects a number of phenotypes in the mouse model of FXS, including macro‐orchidism, and that increasing the levels of IGF2 exacerbates the seizure susceptibility phenotype. These results suggest that the pathways altered by the loss of the FMR1‐encoded protein (FMRP) may overlap with the pathways affected by changes in Igf signaling or that one or more of the proteins that play a role in Igf signaling could interact with FMRP. They also indicate a new set of potential targets for drug treatment of FXS and autism spectrum disorders.
Architecture of collapse: regime shift and recovery in an hierarchically structured marine ecosystem
Authors: Daskalov Georgi M. , Boicenco Laura , Grishin Alexandre N. , Lazar Luminita , Mihneva Vesselina , Shlyakhov Vladislav A. , Zengin Mustafa
Published: September 2016

By the late 20th century, a series of events or ‘natural experiments’, for example the depletion of apex predators, extreme eutrophication and blooms of invasive species, had suggested that the Black Sea could be considered as a large ecosystem ‘laboratory’. The events resulted in regime shifts cascading through all trophic levels, disturbing ecosystem functioning and damaging the water environment. Causal pathways by which the external (hydroclimate, overfishing) and internal (food web interactions) drivers provoke regime shifts are investigated. Statistical data analyses supported by an interpretative framework based on hierarchical ecosystem theory revealed mechanisms of hierarchical incorporation of environmental factors into the ecosystem. Evidence links Atlantic teleconnections to Black Sea hydroclimate, which together with fishing shapes variability in fish stocks. The hydroclimatic signal is conveyed through the food web via changes in productivity at all levels, to planktivorous fish. Fluctuating fish abundance is believed to induce a lagged change in competitor jelly plankton that cascades down to phytoplankton and influences water quality. Deprived of the stabilising role of apex predators, the Black Sea's hierarchical ecosystem organisation is susceptible to both environmental and anthropogenic stresses, and increased fishing makes fish stock collapses highly probable. When declining stocks are confronted with burgeoning fishing effort associated with the inability of fishery managers and decision‐makers to adapt rapidly to changes in fish abundance, there is overfishing and stock collapse. Management procedures are ineffective at handling complex phenomena such as ecosystem regime shifts because of the shortage of suitable explanatory models. The proposed concepts and models reported here relate the hydroclimate, overfishing and invasive species to shifts in ecosystem functioning and water quality, unravelling issues such as the causality of ecosystem interactions and mechanisms and offering potential for finding ways to reverse regime shifts. We advocate a management approach aiming at restoring ecosystem hierarchy that might mitigate the costly consequences of regime shifts.
Antarctic Ice‐Core Water (USGS49) – A New Isotopic Reference Material for δ2H and δ18O Measurements of Water
Authors: Lorenz Jennifer M. , Qi Haiping , Coplen Tyler B.
Published: September 2016

As a result of the scarcity of isotopic reference waters for daily use, a new secondary isotopic reference material for international distribution has been prepared from ice‐core water from the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. This isotopic reference material, designated as USGS49, was filtered, homogenised, loaded into glass ampoules, sealed with a torch, autoclaved to eliminate biological activity and measured by dual‐inlet isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry. The δ2H and δ18O values of USGS49 are −394.7 ± 0.4 and −50.55 ± 0.04 mUr (where mUr = 0.001 = ‰), respectively, relative to VSMOW, on scales normalised such that the δ2H and δ18O values of SLAP reference water are, respectively, −428 and −55.5 mUr. Each uncertainty is an estimated expanded uncertainty (U = 2uc) about the reference value that provides an interval that has about a 95% probability of encompassing the true value. This isotopic reference material is intended as one of two isotopic reference waters for daily normalisation of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic analysis of water with an isotope‐ratio mass spectrometer or a laser absorption spectrometer. It is available by the case of 144 glass ampoules or as a set of sixteen glass ampoules containing 5 ml of water in each ampoule.
Application of Large‐Scale Inversion Algorithms to Hydraulic Tomography in an Alluvial Aquifer
Authors: Fischer P. , Jardani A. , Soueid Ahmed A. , Abbas M. , Wang X. , Jourde H. , Lecoq N.
Published: September 2016

Large‐scale inversion methods have been recently developed and permitted now to considerably reduce the computation time and memory needed for inversions of models with a large amount of parameters and data. In this work, we have applied a deterministic geostatistical inversion algorithm to a hydraulic tomography investigation conducted in an experimental field site situated within an alluvial aquifer in Southern France. This application aims to achieve a 2‐D large‐scale modeling of the spatial transmissivity distribution of the site. The inversion algorithm uses a quasi‐Newton iterative process based on a Bayesian approach. We compared the results obtained by using three different methodologies for sensitivity analysis: an adjoint‐state method, a finite‐difference method, and a principal component geostatistical approach (PCGA). The PCGA is a large‐scale adapted method which was developed for inversions with a large number of parameters by using an approximation of the covariance matrix, and by avoiding the calculation of the full Jacobian sensitivity matrix. We reconstructed high‐resolution transmissivity fields (composed of up to 25,600 cells) which generated good correlations between the measured and computed hydraulic heads. In particular, we show that, by combining the PCGA inversion method and the hydraulic tomography method, we are able to substantially reduce the computation time of the inversions, while still producing high‐quality inversion results as those obtained from the other sensitivity analysis methodologies.
Uterus human leucocyte antigen expression in the perspective of transplantation
Authors: Gauthier Tristan , Filloux Matthieu , Guillaudeau Angelique , Essig Marie , Bibes Romain , Pacha Adam Fodil , Piver Pascal , Aubard Yves , Marquet Pierre , Drouet Mireille
Published: September 2016

Aim

To describe class I and II human leucocyte antigen (HLA) expression using different uterine tissues in the perspective of uterus transplantation.

Methods

Human uterine tissues were obtained from 12 women who had undergone hysterectomy for the treatment of benign disease. HLA class I and HLA‐antigen D related (DR) expression were assessed via immunochemistry. HLA class I expression in the uterus was compared with expression in other organs and tissues, including kidney and myocardium samples.

Results

HLA class I expression was strong in the endometrial glands and mild in the myometrium. Staining of endometrial glands was similar to glomerular staining in the kidney. The myometrium seems to express HLA class I similarly to hepatocytes and myocardial cells. HLA class I expression in the uterus did not differ in younger or post‐menopausal women. HLA‐DR was expressed in the endometrial glands, but not in the myometrium. A lack of HLA‐DR expression seemed to be correlated with cell proliferation.

Conclusion

HLA expression in the endometrium and myometrium is different. The endometrium should be the major target of alloreactive response. As for other transplanted organs, assessment of HLA unacceptable antigens and multiple immunosuppressive treatments is necessary in uterus transplantation.
Pharmacokinetics of an extended‐release formulation of eprinomectin in healthy adult alpacas and its use in alpacas confirmed with mange
Authors: Pollock J. , Bedenice D. , Jennings S. H. , Papich M. G.
Published: September 2016

The study objective was to determine the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of an extended‐release 5% eprinomectin formulation (Longrange®) following subcutaneous (s.c.) injection in healthy (n = 6) and mange‐infected (n = 4) adult alpacas. High‐performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze plasma samples obtained at regular intervals for 161 days following a single 5 mg/kg injection s.c. in healthy alpacas, and for 5 days following each dose (3 treatments, 2 months apart) in mange‐affected animals. Skin scrapings and biopsies were performed pre‐ and post‐treatment at two comparable sites in alpacas with mange. Four alpacas served as healthy controls. Eprinomectin plasma concentrations showed a biphasic peak (CMAX‐1: 5.72 ± 3.25 ng/mL; CMAX‐2: 6.06 ± 2.47 ng/mL) in all animals at 3.88 ± 5.16 days and 77 ± 12.52 days, respectively. Eprinomectin plasma concentrations remained above 1.27 ± 0.96 ng/mL for up to 120 days. Hematocrit (35.8 vs. 31.3%, P < 0.003) and albumin (3.5 vs. 2.8 g/dL P < 0.006) reduced significantly over 6 months in multidose animals, while fecal egg counts did not differ between groups. Self‐limiting injection site reactions occurred in 9 of 10 animals. Pre‐ and post‐treatment skin biopsies showed reduced hyperkeratosis, but increased fibrosis, with 1 of 4 alpacas remaining positive on skin scraping for mange. In conclusion, alpacas require a higher eprinomectin dose (5.0 mg/kg s.c.) than cattle, to reach comparable plasma concentrations.
Changes in New Zealand forest plant communities following the prehistoric extinction of avian megaherbivores
Authors: Wood Jamie R. , Wilmshurst Janet M.
Published: September 2016

Questions

Following the mid 15th century AD extinction of moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) there was a ~400‐yr period when large herbivores were absent from New Zealand's terrestrial ecosystems. This ended with the introduction of mammalian herbivores by European settlers in the 19th century. For at least 40 yr researchers have speculated about how New Zealand's vegetation communities might have responded to the ‘herbivore gap’. Did plant taxa once consumed by moa flourish in forest understoreys without large herbivores to browse them? Did forest understoreys become denser, preventing regeneration of long‐lived conifers and altering forest composition? Such questions remain to be tested using palaeoecological records.

Location

Three locations on South Island, New Zealand (from <20 to 750 m a.s.l) where forest has not been burned since human settlement, and where there has been no obvious geological or climatic disturbance events over the past 1000 yr that have influenced vegetation dynamics.

Methods

We identified and quantified pollen grains and fern spores from soil/peat cores taken beneath, or adjacent to, tall forest canopies. Soil/peat samples from the cores were radiocarbon dated and Bayesian age–depth models were constructed for each core, from which depths corresponding to the herbivore gap period were identified. Changes in pollen/spore abundances occurring within the herbivore gap were identified and critically examined for consistency between cores and likelihood of being caused by loss of browsing pressure from large herbivores (through comparison with plant taxa known to have been consumed by moa).

Results

Ground fern spores and Coprosma pollen exhibited increases in relative abundance at all three sites during the herbivore gap. Both occur frequently in moa coprolites and gizzard content, and so can be interpreted as possible responses to moa extinction. However, other changes in pollen assemblages at this time were inconsistent between sites, or could be better explained as being related to anthropogenic burning in the local region.

Conclusions

New Zealand forest plant communities appear to have experienced only relatively minor changes during the herbivore gap. Our results contradict long‐standing hypotheses that shrubs and ferns had flourished in New Zealand forest understoreys at this time, preventing podocarp regeneration. However, due to the relatively recent extinction of moa, and long life span of many forest trees, there may be an extinction debt where the long‐term consequences of moa extinction are still to be fully realized.
Plant community assembly in Mediterranean grasslands: understanding the interplay between grazing and spatio‐temporal water availability
Authors: Rota Cristina , Manzano Pablo , Carmona Carlos P. , Malo Juan E. , Peco Begoña
Published: September 2016

Questions

How does grazing affect taxonomic diversity and functional structure of Mediterranean grassland communities? How do spatial and inter‐annual variations in water availability, as a proxy for productivity, modulate grazing effects? Are shifts in taxonomic diversity systematically mirrored by analogous changes in functional diversity along these gradients?

Location

Mediterranean grasslands in central Spain.

Methods

We surveyed grassland plant communities in 3 yrs with contrasting mean annual rainfall (total n = 441 plots). Grazing gradients were quantified by periodic visual observation. DEM and annual rainfall data were used to quantify water availability. We examined the effects of grazing and spatio‐temporal water availability on taxonomic diversity (TD; species richness), functional diversity (FD; Rao's Q) and community mean trait values (CMT) for three key plant traits (specific leaf area –SLA–, height and seed mass). Functional redundancy was discussed through the relationship between TD and FD trends.

Results

The results for TD, FD and CMT showed that environmental filtering determined the differences between plots with different grazing and water availability conditions. In contrast to seed mass FD, FD of vegetative traits (height and SLA) was highly decoupled from TD as a result of both spatial and inter‐annual variations in water availability. Grazing reduced TD and functional redundancy only in the wettest year (i.e. in the absence of drought filtering), but selected for species with grazing tolerance and grazing avoidance strategies (reflected by high SLA CMT and low height CMT, respectively) in all water availability conditions.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of grazing and both spatial and temporal variation in water availability as drivers of the assembly of Mediterranean grassland communities. The complex and decoupled responses that we found confirm that future studies should combine the use of different analytical methods to elucidate the multiple facets of community change, along with an optimal characterization of livestock pressure and its potential interactions with habitat productivity.
Can experience reduce collisions between birds and vehicles?
Authors: DeVault T. L. , Seamans T. W. , Blackwell B. F. , Lima S. L. , Martinez M. A. , Fernández‐Juricic E.
Published: September 2016

Bird collisions with vehicles cause serious safety, financial and conservation concerns worldwide, but the causes of such collisions are poorly described. We investigated how experience with vehicles influenced avian avoidance responses. We trained three groups of vehicle‐naïve rock pigeons Columba livia with 32 near‐miss vehicle approaches over 4 weeks at 60 and 120 km h−1, and also included individuals that heard but did not see the approaches (control group). We subsequently measured flight initiation distance (FID) and whether individuals ‘collided’ with a virtual vehicle directly approaching at 120 or 240 km h−1 using video playback. We found that inexperienced individuals (i.e. the control group) had longer FIDs than experienced birds, although only one of 90 individuals across groups successfully avoided virtual collision. Vehicle approach speed during video playback and the interaction of approach speed and training group did not influence FID. Our results suggest that a habituation‐like effect based on repeated observations of passing vehicles could contribute to ineffective vehicle avoidance responses by birds when collisions are imminent. Novel strategies should be developed to enhance avoidance responses to high‐speed vehicles to minimize bird mortality.
Disseminated cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation manifesting as non‐convulsive status epilepticus
Authors: Watanabe Yasuaki , Kuroda Hiroshi , Nishiyama Shuhei , Kobayashi Junpei , Jin Kazutaka , Aoki Masashi
Published: September 2016

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation is a rare treatable encephalopathy in the elderly. Although cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation often manifests as seizures, the details have not been well documented. We describe a 70‐year‐old man with disseminated cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation manifesting as secondary non‐convulsive status epilepticus, whose ictal electroencephalogram showed periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges. The cerebral microbleeds were disseminated, but rather obscure in the region where the magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalogram abnormalities were prominent. The symptoms ameliorated after the administration of corticosteroids in combination with an antiepileptic drug. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation should be taken into consideration when elderly patients present with progressive mental and cognitive decline with disseminated cortical and subcortical lesions. As some cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related inflammation patients might manifest as non‐convulsive seizure, electroencephalograms are necessary for deciding the therapeutic strategy.
Ecological study on solid fuel use and pneumonia in young children: A worldwide association
Authors: Accinelli Roberto A. , Leon‐Abarca Juan A. , Gozal David
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Pneumonia constitutes one of the major causes of worldwide mortality in young children. Poverty has been traditionally assigned as the underlying factor accounting for these trends. However, the independent role of solid fuel use yielding biomass pollution on pneumonia rates among young children has not been extensively examined.

Methods

Independent socio‐economic variables, and the percentage of solid fuel use, tobacco consumption, improved water access source and sanitation facilities were extracted for each country from the available public databases. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to assess potential associations between these recognized risk factors and country pneumonia incidence in young children <5 years of age.

Results

Multivariate linear regression analyses yielded two models that accounted for approximately 87% of the variance, and included solid fuel use, tobacco consumption, sanitation access, measles immunization, life expectancy, access to electricity and the Human Development Index (HDI) as being independently associated with the number of annual pneumonia cases per child <5 years of age.

Conclusion

In this ecological study, current country rates of pneumonia among young children are independently associated with the use of solid fuels. We postulate that interventions aimed at reducing indoor solid fuel biomass pollution through implementation of efficient stoves will translate into meaningful decreases in child mortality and morbidity.
Dental treatment of a patient with Opitz G/BBB syndrome
Authors: Giovani Élcio Magdalena , Marinho Kelly Cristine Tarquinio , Andia‐Merlin Ruth
Published: September 2016

Opitz G/BBB syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by several abnormalities along the midline of the body, such as hypertelorism, craniofacial deformities, and dysphagia. This study reports the clinical features of Optiz syndrome and its importance in the knowledge of patients who are developmentally challenged as a whole, in order to establish adequate dental treatment for a certain clinical case. A 19‐year‐old patient visited the Paulista University for a dental treatment. The extraoral examination revealed ocular hypertelorism (wide‐spaced eyes), oblique eyelids, epicanthus, low‐set cart, and intellectual disability. During the intraoral examination, large caries lesions were observed surrounding the braces of the fixed orthodontic appliance and poor oral hygiene. Preventive and restorative treatments were carried out. It was concluded that the knowledge of patients with special needs as a whole is mandatory for an adequate dental treatment. This is a case report that highlights the importance of dentist and interdisciplinary care attendance for all patient systems, the examination and analyses should not be restricted to the oral cavity.
The epidemiology and outcomes of invasive Candida infections among organ transplant recipients in the United States: results of the Transplant‐Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET)
Authors: Andes David R. , Safdar Nasia , Baddley John W. , Alexander Barbara , Brumble Lisa , Freifeld Allison , Hadley Susan , Herwaldt Loreen , Kauffman Carol , Lyon G. Marshall , Morrison Vicki , Patterson Thomas , Perl Trish , Walker Randall , Hess Tim , Chiller Tom , Pappas Peter G. ,   The TRANSNET Investigators
Published: September 2016

Background

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a common cause of mortality in solid organ transplant recipients (OTRs), but knowledge of epidemiology in this population is limited.

Method

The present analysis describes data from 15 US centers that prospectively identified IC from nearly 17 000 OTRs. Analyses were undertaken to determine predictors of infection and mortality.

Results

A total of 639 cases of IC were identified. The most common species was Candida albicans (46.3%), followed by Candida glabrata (24.4%) and Candida parapsilosis (8.1%). In 68 cases >1 species was identified. The most common infection site was bloodstream (44%), followed by intra‐abdominal (14%). The most frequently affected allograft groups were liver (41.1%) and kidney (35.3%). All‐cause mortality at 90 days was 26.5% for all species and was highest for Candida tropicalis (44%) and C. parapsilosis (35.2%). Non‐white race and female gender were more commonly associated with non‐albicans species. A high rate of breakthrough IC was seen in patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis (39%). Factors associated with mortality include organ dysfunction, lung transplant, and treatment with a polyene antifungal. The only modifiable factor identified was choice of antifungal drug class based upon infecting Candida species.

Conclusion

These data highlight the common and distinct features of IC in OTRs.
Differential deposition of H2A.Z in combination with histone modifications within related genes in Oryza sativa callus and seedling
Authors: Zhang Kang , Xu Wenying , Wang Chunchao , Yi Xin , Zhang Wenli , Su Zhen
Published: September 2016

As a histone variant, H2A.Z is highly conserved among species and plays a significant role in diverse cellular processes. Here, we generated genome‐wide maps of H2A.Z in Oryza sativa (rice) callus and seedling by combining chromatin immunoprecipitation using H2A.Z antibody and high‐throughput sequencing. We found a significantly high peak and a small peak of H2A.Z distributed at the 5′ and 3′ ends of highly expressed genes, respectively. H2A.Z was also associated with inactive genes in both tissues. H3 lysine 4 trimethylation was associated with H2A.Z deposition at the 5′ end of expressed genes, and H3 lysine 27 trimethylation peaks were partially associated with H2A.Z. In summary, our study provides global analysis data for the distribution of H2A.Z in the rice genome. Our results demonstrate that the differential deposition of H2A.Z might play important roles in gene transcription during rice development.