bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silicoassessment of primers for eDNA studies using PrimerTree and application to characterize the biodiversity surrounding the Cuyahoga River
Authors: Cannon M.V. , Hester J. , Shalkhauser A. , Chan E.R. , Logue K. , Small S.T. , Serre D.
Published: September 2015

Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) enables the detection of species of interest from water and soil samples, typically using species-specific PCR. Here, we describe a method to characterize the biodiversity of a given environment by amplifying eDNA using primer pairs targeting a wide range of taxa and high-throughput sequencing for species identification. We tested this approach on 91 water samples of 40 mL collected along the Cuyahoga River (Ohio, USA). We amplified eDNA using 12 primer pairs targeting mammals, fish, amphibians, birds, bryophytes, arthropods, copepods, plants and several microorganism taxa and sequenced all PCR products simultaneously by high-throughput sequencing. Overall, we identified DNA sequences from 15 species of fish, 17 species of mammals, 8 species of birds, 15 species of arthropods, one turtle and one salamander. Interestingly, in addition to aquatic and semiaquatic animals, we identified DNA from terrestrial species that live near the Cuyahoga River. We also identified DNA from one Asian carp species invasive to the Great Lakes but that had not been previously reported in the Cuyahoga River. Our study shows that analysis of eDNA extracted from small water samples using wide-range PCR amplification combined with high-throughput sequencing can provide a broad perspective on biological diversity.
REC-1 and HIM-5 distribute meiotic crossovers and function redundantly in meiotic double-strand break formation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Chung George , Rose Ann M. , Petalcorin Mark I.R. , Martin Julie S. , Kessler Zebulin , Sanchez-Pulido Luis , Ponting Chris P. , Yanowitz Judith L. , Boulton Simon J.
Published: September 2015

The Caenorhabditis elegans gene rec-1 was the first genetic locus identified in metazoa to affect the distribution of meiotic crossovers along the chromosome. We report that rec-1 encodes a distant paralog of HIM-5, which was discovered by whole-genome sequencing and confirmed by multiple genome-edited alleles. REC-1 is phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) in vitro, and mutation of the CDK consensus sites in REC-1 compromises meiotic crossover distribution in vivo. Unexpectedly, rec-1; him-5 double mutants are synthetic-lethal due to a defect in meiotic double-strand break formation. Thus, we uncovered an unexpected robustness to meiotic DSB formation and crossover positioning that is executed by HIM-5 and REC-1 and regulated by phosphorylation.
AutoFP: a GUI for highly automated Rietveld refinement using an expert system algorithm based onFullProf
Authors: Cui Xiaopeng , Feng Zhenjie , Jin Yuan , Cao Yiming , Deng Dongmei , Chu Hao , Cao Shixun , Dong Cheng , Zhang Jincang
Published: September 2015

AutoFP, a highly automated software toolkit, has been developed to improve the extent of automation of the widely used Rietveld refinement programFullProf[Rodríguez-Carvajal (1993).Physica B,192, 55–69]. An expert system algorithm is used as the control layer to simulate the manual process whenFullProfis used to perform Rietveld refinement. This enables the program to complete the Rietveld refinement highly automatically. It is shown that the expert system algorithm is a good choice for automating Rietveld refinement. The programming interface is available for advanced users to implement their own acquired experience of refinement or add new Rietveld refinement engines toAutoFP. AutoFPcan be also used as an automated Rietveld refinement engine by other programs.AutoFPis an open-source software package developed in Python, and it is user friendly, easy to learn and easy to use.
SASfit: a tool for small-angle scattering data analysis using a library of analytical expressions
Authors: Breßler Ingo , Kohlbrecher Joachim , Thünemann Andreas F.
Published: September 2015

SASfitis one of the mature programs for small-angle scattering data analysis and has been available for many years. This article describes the basic data processing and analysis workflow along with recent developments in theSASfitprogram package (version 0.94.6). They include (i) advanced algorithms for reduction of oversampled data sets, (ii) improved confidence assessment in the optimized model parameters and (iii) a flexible plug-in system for custom user-provided models. A scattering function of a mass fractal model of branched polymers in solution is provided as an example for implementing a plug-in. The newSASfitrelease is available for major platforms such as Windows, Linux and MacOS. To facilitate usage, it includes comprehensive indexed documentation as well as a web-based wiki for peer collaboration and online videos demonstrating basic usage. The use ofSASfitis illustrated by interpretation of the small-angle X-ray scattering curves of monomodal gold nanoparticles (NIST reference material 8011) and bimodal silica nanoparticles (EU reference material ERM-FD-102).
Unusual centrosymmetric structure of [M(18-crown-6)]+(M= Rb, Cs and NH4) complexes stabilized in an environment of hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions
Authors: Ponomarova Vira V. , Rusanova Julia A. , Rusanov Eduard B. , Domasevitch Konstantin V.
Published: September 2015

In (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane)rubidium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Rb(C12H24O6)][SbCl6], (1), and its isomorphous caesium {(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane)caesium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Cs(C12H24O6)][SbCl6]}, (2), and ammonium {ammonium hexachloridoantimonate(V)–1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (1/1), (NH4)[SbCl6]·C12H24O6}, (3), analogues, the hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions and 18-crown-6 molecules reside across \overline{3} axes passing through the Sb atoms and the centroids of the 18-crown-6 groups, both of which coincide with centres of inversion. The Rb+[in (1)], Cs+[in (2)] and NH4+[in (3)] cations are situated inside the cavity of the 18-crown-6 ring; they are situated on \overline{3} axes and are equally disordered about centres of inversion, deviating from the centroid of the 18-crown-6 molecule by 0.4808 (13), 0.9344 (7) and 0.515 (8) Å, respectively. Interaction of the ammonium cation and the 18-crown-6 group is supported by three equivalent hydrogen bonds [N...O = 2.928 (3) Å and N—H...O = 162°]. The centrosymmetric structure of [Cs(18-crown-6)]+, with the large Cs+cation approaching the centre of the ligand cavity, is unprecedented and accompanied by unusually short Cs—O bonds [2.939 (2) and 3.091 (2) Å]. For all three compounds, the [M(18-crown-6)]+cations and [SbCl6]−anions afford linear stacks along thecaxis, with the cationic complexes embedded between pairs of inversion-related anions.
A moderate distortion of the `picket-fence' porphyrin (cryptand-222)potassium chlorido[meso-α,α,α,α-tetrakis(o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinato]ferrate(II)n-hexane monosolvate
Authors: Yu Qiang , Liu Diansheng , Li Xiangjun , Li Jianfeng
Published: September 2015

As representative porphyrin model compounds, the structures of `picket-fence' porphyrins have been studied intensively. The title solvated complex salt {systematic name: (4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane)potassium(I) [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2-tert-butanamidophenyl)porphyrinato]iron(II)n-hexane monosolvate}, [K(C18H36N2O6)][Fe(C64H64N8O4)Cl]·C6H14or [K(222)][Fe(TpivPP)Cl]·C6H14[222 is cryptand-222 or 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane, and TpivPP ismeso-α,α,α,α-tetrakis(o-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinate(2−)], [K(222)][Fe(TpivPP)Cl]·C6H14, is a five-coordinate high-spin iron(II) picket-fence porphyrin complex. It crystallizes with a potassium cation chelated inside a cryptand-222 molecule; the average K—O and K—N distances are 2.81 (2) and 3.05 (2) Å, respectively. One of the protectingtert-butyl pickets is disordered. The porphyrin plane presents a moderately ruffled distortion, as suggested by the atomic displacements. The axial chloride ligand is located inside the molecular cavity on the hindered porphyrin side and the Fe—Cl bond is tilted slightly off the normal to the porphyrin plane by 4.1°. The out-of-plane displacement of the metal centre relative to the 24-atom mean plane (Δ24) is 0.62 Å, indicating a noticeable doming of the porphyrin core.
Structure and packing of aminoxyl and piperidinyl acrylamide monomers
Authors: Goswami Shailesh K. , Hanton Lyall R. , McAdam C. John , Moratti Stephen C. , Simpson Jim
Published: September 2015

The closely related title compounds, 4-acrylamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, C12H21N2O2, (I), andN-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)acrylamide monohydrate, C12H22N2O·H2O, (II), are important monomers in the preparation of redox-active polymers. They comprise an acrylamide group of the usuals-cisconfiguration appended to a 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-substituted piperidine-1-oxyl radical or a piperidinyl chair, respectively. The adjacent amide and piperidinyl H atoms are approximatelytransacross the C—N bond. The packing in (I) is dominated by N—H...O hydrogen bonds; these are supported by C—H...O contacts to form anR21(6) ring repeat, a motif which has been observed in other acrylamide structures. In (II), hydrogen bonds are again key to the packing arrangements. In this case, the incorporated solvent water molecule acts as an acceptor through its O atom and as a donor through both H atoms, binding three adjacent piperidinylacrylamide molecules into layers. In both structures, weak C—H...O contacts involving the piperidinyl methyl H atoms and a proximal acrylamide carbonyl O atom extend the structure in the third dimension.
A new CoIIcomplex of diniconazole: synthesis, crystal structure and antifungal activity
Authors: Xi Teng , Li Jie , Yan Biao , Yang Mingyan , Song Jirong , Ma Haixia
Published: September 2015

A new CoIIcomplex of diniconazole, namely diaqua[(E)-(RS)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-κN4)pent-1-en-3-ol]cobalt(II) dinitrate dihydrate, [Co(C15H17Cl2N3O)3(H2O)2](NO3)2·2H2O, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structural analysis shows that the centrosymmetric CoIIcation is coordinated by four diniconazole ligands and two water molecules, forming a six-coordinated octahedral structure. There are also two free nitrate counter-anions and two additional solvent water molecules in the structure. Intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the complex cations into a one-dimensional chain. In addition, the antifungal activity of the complex againstBotryosphaeria ribis,Gibberella nicotiancola,Botryosphaeria berengrianaandAlternariasolaniwas studied. The results indicate that the complex shows a higher antifungal activity forBotryosphaeria ribisandBotryosphaeria berengrianathan diniconazole, but a lower antifungal activity forGibberella nicotiancolaandAlternariasolani.
Two new cadmium(II) coordination polymers based on bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)alkane ligands and pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Xia Jun , Gong Xiao-Lin , Fan Xing
Published: September 2015

Assemblies of pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and CdIIin the presence of bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane or bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane under ambient conditions yielded two new coordination polymers, namely poly[[tetraaqua[μ2-1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane-κ2N4:N4′]bis(μ2-pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylato-κ3N1,O2:O3)dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd2(C6H2N2O4)2(C8H12N6)(H2O)4]·2H2O}n, (I), and poly[[diaqua[μ2-1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane-κ2N4:N4′]bis(μ3-pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylato-κ4N1,O2:O3:O3′)dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd2(C6H2N2O4)2(C6H8N6)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, (II). Complex (I) displays an interesting two-dimensional wave-like structure and forms a distinct extended three-dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Complex (II) has a three-dimensional framework structure in which hydrogen bonds of the O—H...N and O—H...O types are found.
Photoluminescence properties of a cationic trinuclear zinc(II) complex with the tetradentate Schiff base ligand 6-methyl-2-({[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate
Authors: Kim Young-Inn , Song Young-Kwang , Kim Daeyoung , Kang Sung Kwon
Published: September 2015

Metal complexes with Schiff base ligands have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. In the title complex, tetrakis[6-methyl-2-({[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolato-1:2κ8N,N′,O:O;3:2κ8N,N′,O:O]trizinc(II) hexafluoridophosphate methanol monosolvate, [Zn3(C14H13N2O)4](PF6)2·CH3OH, the ZnIIcations adopt both six- and four-coordinate geometries involving the N and O atoms of tetradentate 6-methyl-2-({[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate ligands. Two terminal ZnIIcations adopt distorted octahedral geometries and the central ZnIIcation adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The O atoms of the phenolate ligands bridge three ZnIIcations, forming a dicationic trinuclear metal cluster. The title complex exhibits a strong emission at 469 nm with a quantum yield of 15.5%.
Zen room enhances the workplace for NobelTek’s women employees
Authors: Pathak Atul Arun
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Aims to describe the key role of human resource management (HRM) in providing a better workplace environment to women employees at NobelTek, India, thereby stemming attrition and increasing employee satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Describes how a few simple changes made by HR managers to the workplace layout and design can make a tremendous difference to the life of women, especially expectant mothers. Draws on interviews with the company management team and the author’s observations.

Findings

– Shows that, quite often, poorly designed workplaces mean that women cannot deliver to their full potential. HRM can play a key role in improving this.

Practical implications

– Reveals how HRM’s interventions led to employees continuing to contribute to software-development projects and managing their own health and well-being simultaneously. This means that the talent and experience of women employees remain available to the company.

Social implications

– Research shows that many women withdraw from the formal economy, either temporarily or permanently, when they become mothers, or are about to become mothers. HRM can play a crucial role in ensuring that women stay in employment longer and continue to contribute to the economy during their pregnancy. This not only benefits the company but also the economy and society as a whole.

Originality/value

– Considers the context of expectant mothers working in the software industry. Provides insights into how the challenges faced by expectant mothers can be reduced and overcome by well-designed and implemented HRM practices.
Common US immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Diaz William
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Observes that, with increasing federal scrutiny and the risk of raids, fines and even prosecution, businesses engaged in mergers and acquisitions must ensure that violations of US immigration law are minimized through due diligence and planning.

Design/methodology/approach

– Examines the common US immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions under the sub-headings of ensuring I-9 compliance; preserving qualifying corporate relationships for L-1A/L-1B intra-company transferees; retaining current H-1B visa employees; corporate ownership and maintaining eligibility for E-1/E-2 visas; and employees awaiting legal permanent resident status.

Findings

– Shows that, while there are a number of US immigration consequences that flow from a merger or acquisition, critical considerations include the effect on current employees; ease of future global mobility in hiring and transferring personnel; and compliance to avoid fines and other sanctions.

Practical implications

– Argues that failure to adequately consider US immigration consequences can prove costly, as foreign employees may face inconvenient limitations or outright termination of their ability to work in the USA on the basis of changes in corporate structure, ownership or occupation.

Social implications

– Draws attention to the fact that, in the midst of a merger or acquisition, US immigration matters are often an afterthought to be addressed by in-house counsel lacking immigration expertise, or by outside immigration counsel potentially engaged late in a transaction.

Originality/value

– Concludes that the consequences of mergers and acquisitions affect current personnel, global mobility of future hires and liabilities pertaining to regulatory compliance. As a result, due diligence and early involvement of qualified US immigration counsel are critical to ensure a smooth transition for businesses and employees alike.
Walgreens Boots Alliance goes multi-lingual through e-learning
Authors: Guinzoni Roberta
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Explains how Walgreens Boots Alliance teamed up with Rosetta Stone on a digital language-learning program that is bringing many and significant benefits to individual employees and the company as a whole.

Design/methodology/approach

– Reveals that the aims were to develop English fluency for the non-English native speakers in the organization that work across countries and divisions and build language skills in at least one other main language spoken widely within the business. Provides a series of tips for anyone wanting to gain the far-reaching benefits of language learning in their organization.

Findings

– Describes how the e-learning course includes live online sessions with native-speaking tutors, conversation practice and games. Explains that the company also plans to supplement the structured digital-based learning with practice sessions in a work setting. These are planned to be so informal that people do not feel like they are learning or being taught. They will be social, networking occasions, such as “lunch in French” or other scheduled get-togethers where people are able to practice the language that they are learning.

Practical implications

– Highlights the importance of being realistic about time, supporting employees facing a digital challenge, getting sponsor support, integrating the continuous-learning concept into the organization, and using ambassadors.

Social implications

– Advances the view that a mastery of foreign languages is essential for successful business collaboration across countries and cultures, particularly for managers and directors. In providing language training for these serious learners, the company is not only helping its employees to understand each other better and relate to each other’s background and culture but also growing the business.

Originality/value

– Concludes that a digital-learning approach to language learning can help businesses to meet their learning goals and deliver training that is interactive, convenient and fun for learners.
Making of a team: role of it’s leader. Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals
Authors: Hajela Shubhra
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine a team sport and draw implications for organizational functioning. The case focuses on Rajasthan Royals which is a cricket team of the Indian Premier League. By using the sports context the case encourages critical thought on concepts like team formation, team leadership, team effectiveness and managing diversity in team.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study contains a descriptive account of building of a team and how leadership in team aided the process. The account is based on secondary sources of data reflecting multiple perspectives of the coach, players, and critics along with the reflective account of the leader.

Findings

– The concept of “shared leadership”, various roles of a leader, importance of productive team culture, motivation, coaching, handling diversity and team effectiveness have been illustrated.

Research limitations/implications

– The issues dealt in the case are similar to what the competing teams in organisations face today. The case helps draw insight into team formation and the role of a leader in forming a strong team.

Practical implications

– The case is designed to represent the challenges one can meet while building a team and in playing the role of a team leader. Through this case the perspective of “leadership as a process” is presented as against the oft accepted understanding of “leadership as a person”. It also posits strategies that can be adopted to inculcate team identity, team commitment and lays the foundation of a productive work culture where teams can flourish. In doing so it gives an opportunity to critically understand and apply these concepts within an organisational scenario.

Social implications

– It gives an example of a passionate leader who built a winning team and also empowered the individual team members.

Originality/value

– The case study draws its strength from a sport and provides insight into the team building issues pertinent in organisations today. The case can be used in the classroom (to discuss topics like team building and leadership) as well as in training managers.
The role of the law in Chinese judicial mediation: a case study
Authors: Lanfang Fei
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine how the law may play a role in mediation by paying special attention to how the law is excluded from and included in the process of court mediation in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hundred model court mediation cases selected by the Supreme People’s Court of China were analysed and reviewed.

Findings

– The law is relevant in Chinese-style court mediation in four ways: first, judge-mediators are intended to use mediation to avoid resolving legal difficulties or challenges; second, judge-mediators consult the law to anticipate the losing party and the potential negative effects that might result from the adjudication; third, judge-mediators refer to the law to propose a mediation scheme or plan to guide the parties to settle; and fourth, judge-mediators would use the law as a bargaining chip in various ways to induce the parties to settle.

Research limitations/implications

– Standards should be set out for the use of law in the mediation process to standardise judge-mediators’ actions, to ensure that the law is not used coercively to push settlement, which would undermine the parties’ self-determination in mediation.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an original understanding of how law affects the process, the outcomes and, ultimately, the nature of settlements that parties achieve through court mediation in China. This study contributes to the literature that argues that ethical norms and legal standards should be set to direct those legal evaluations.
Informed consent in probation and parole settings
Authors: Yeates Kevin
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the complex factors associated with informed consent in probation and parole settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author conducted a literature review exploring informed consent in correctional settings. To identify articles for review, the author searched electronic peer-reviewed literature databases for articles on: informed consent, corrections, probation, parole, voluntariness, and coercion.

Findings

– There is evidence in the literature to suggest that the informed consent process is significantly more complicated within correctional settings than in civilian contexts. The use of implicit and explicit coercion and determining an offender’s voluntariness status may be a problematic prospect unique to the setting. This manuscript makes recommendations to ensure informed consent is truly obtained and to safeguard client welfare.

Originality/value

– There is a paucity of literature on providing mental health services in probation and parole settings. Furthermore, this paper is unique in discussing factors associated with the informed consent process in that context.
Critical design and evaluation factors of mobile business models
Authors: Al-Debei Mutaz M. , Al-Lozi Enas , Al-Hujran Omar
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to define critical design and evaluation factors of business models (BM) for mobile network operators (MNOs) in general, and more specifically for mobile data services.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper follows a qualitative approach. Aiming to identify critical design factors for mobile BMs, this research, as a part of larger research, examines three real-life cases related to mobile data service BM design and engineering. These cases are Orange Business Services (OBS); Apple’s iPhone services and applications, and NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service.

Findings

– In this paper, the authors provide a framework for designing and developing Market-Aligned, Cohesive, Dynamic, Explicit, and Unique BMs with Fitting Network-Mode, which, if adopted by MNOs, would ensure their long-term success by improving the sustainability and innovation capabilities of their BMs. These critical design factors address different spheres of the mobile business: “Cohesion” and “Explicitness” are operator-oriented, whereas “Market-Alignment,” “Dynamicity,” “Uniqueness,” and “Fitting Network-Mode” are industry-oriented.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the paper provides in-depth analysis of three case studies in the context of mobile telecommunications, the authors cannot claim that the developed framework can be generalized to all services in the mobile telecommunications industry. Further validation through empirical testing is preferred and this could be done in future research.

Practical implications

– The developed framework is of value to MNOs as it provides them with a holistic approach for designing and also evaluating successful BMs over time. This is because the developed framework defines critical design factors for BMs in the contexts of their environments.

Originality/value

– The domain of BMs is still emerging within the field of information systems. The majority of prior studies either tackled the issue of BM definition or provided taxonomies and classifications of this concept. The originality of this paper comes from the fact that it takes further steps in developing the concept by providing a comprehensive framework which encapsulates critical design and evaluation factors of mobile BMs.
Ecological legacies of civil war: 35‐year increase in savanna tree cover following wholesale large‐mammal declines
Authors: Daskin Joshua H. , Stalmans Marc , Pringle Robert M.
Published: September 2015

Large mammalian herbivores (LMH) exert strong effects on plants in tropical savannas, and many wild LMH populations are declining. However, predicting the impacts of these declines on vegetation structure remains challenging.

Experiments suggest that tree cover can increase rapidly following LMH exclusion. Yet it is unclear whether these results scale up to predict ecosystem‐level impacts of LMH declines, which often alter fire regimes, trigger compensatory responses of other herbivores and accompany anthropogenic land‐use changes. Moreover, theory predicts that grazers and browsers should have opposing effects on tree cover, further complicating efforts to forecast the outcomes of community‐wide declines.

We used the near‐extirpation of grazing and browsing LMH from Gorongosa National Park during the Mozambican Civil War (1977–1992) as a natural experiment to test whether megafaunal collapse increased tree cover. We classified herbaceous and tree cover in satellite images taken (a) at the onset of war in 1977 and (b) in 2012, two decades after hostilities ceased.

Throughout the 3620‐km2 park, proportional tree cover increased by 34% (from 0.29 to 0.39) – an addition of 362 km2. Four of the park's five major habitat zones (including miombo woodland, Acacia–Combretum–palm savanna, and floodplain grassland) showed even greater increases in tree cover (51–134%), with an average increase of 94% in ecologically critical Rift Valley habitats. Only in the eastern Cheringoma Plateau, which had historically low wildlife densities, did tree cover decrease (by 5%).

The most parsimonious explanation for these results is that reduced browsing pressure enhanced tree growth, survival and/or recruitment; we found no directional trends in rainfall or fire that could explain increased tree cover.

Synthesis. Catastrophic large‐herbivore die‐offs in Mozambique's flagship national park were followed by 35 years of woodland expansion, most severely in areas where pre‐war wildlife biomass was greatest. These findings suggest that browsing release supersedes grazer–grass–fire feedbacks in governing ecosystem‐level tree cover, consistent with smaller‐scale experimental results, although the potentially complementary effect of CO2 fertilization cannot be definitively ruled out. Future work in Gorongosa will reveal whether recovering LMH populations reverse this trend, or alternatively whether woody encroachment hinders ongoing restoration efforts.
Anxious? Depressed? You might be suffering from capitalism: contradictory class locations and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the USA
Authors: Prins Seth J. , Bates Lisa M. , Keyes Katherine M. , Muntaner Carles
Published: September 2015

Despite a well‐established social gradient for many mental disorders, there is evidence that individuals near the middle of the social hierarchy suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than those at the top or bottom. Although prevailing indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) cannot detect or easily explain such patterns, relational theories of social class, which emphasise political‐economic processes and dimensions of power, might. We test whether the relational construct of contradictory class location, which embodies aspects of both ownership and labour, can explain this nonlinear pattern. Data on full‐time workers from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n = 21859) show that occupants of contradictory class locations have higher prevalence and odds of depression and anxiety than occupants of non‐contradictory class locations. These findings suggest that the effects of class relations on depression and anxiety extend beyond those of SES, pointing to under‐studied mechanisms in social epidemiology, for example, domination and exploitation.
Effect of Cellulose Acetate Beads on the Release of Transforming Growth Factor‐β
Authors: Nishise Shoichi , Abe Yasuhiko , Nomura Eiki , Sato Takeshi , Sasaki Yu , Iwano Daisuke , Yagi Makoto , Sakuta Kazuhiro , Shibuya Rika , Mizumoto Naoko , Kanno Nana , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: September 2015

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is released by activated platelets and induces the differentiation of T‐helper 17 from naïve T cells. Contact between blood and cellulose acetate (CA) beads induces cytokine release, although their inflammatory effects on TGF‐β release are unclear. We aimed to clarify the effect of CA beads on the release of TGF‐β in vitro. We incubated peripheral blood with and without CA beads and measured platelets and TGF‐β. Compared with blood samples incubated without beads, the platelet count and amount of TGF‐β significantly decreased in blood samples incubated with CA beads. In conclusion, CA beads inhibited the release of TGF‐β from adsorbed platelets. The biological effects of this reduction of TGF‐β release during platelet adsorption to CA beads need further clarification.
The Dynamics of State Policy Liberalism, 1936–2014
Authors: Caughey Devin , Warshaw Christopher
Published: September 2015

Applying a dynamic latent‐variable model to data on 148 policies collected over eight decades (1936–2014), we produce the first yearly measure of the policy liberalism of U.S. states. Our dynamic measure of state policy liberalism marks an important advance over existing measures, almost all of which are purely cross‐sectional and thus cannot be used to study policy change. We find that, in the aggregate, the policy liberalism of U.S. states steadily increased between the 1930s and 1970s and then largely plateaued. The policy liberalism of most states has remained stable in relative terms, though several states have shifted considerably over time. We also find surprisingly little evidence of multidimensionality in state policy outputs. Our new estimates of state policy liberalism have broad application to the study of political development, representation, accountability, and other important issues in political science.
When Governments Regulate Governments
Authors: Konisky David M. , Teodoro Manuel P.
Published: September 2015

This article advances a political theory of regulation that accounts for the choices of regulators and regulated entities when both are governments. Leading theories of regulation assume that governments regulate profit‐maximizing firms: Governments set rules, to which firms respond rationally in ways that constrain their behavior. But often the entities that governments regulate are other governments. We argue that government agencies and private firms often face different compliance costs, and that agencies have greater incentives than firms to appeal regulations through political channels. Simultaneously, the typical enforcement instruments that regulators use to influence firm behavior may be less effective against governments. Our empirical subjects are public and private entities’ compliance with the U.S. Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. We find that, compared with private firms, governments violate these laws significantly more frequently and are less likely to be penalized for violations.
Possibilities of Urban Belonging
Authors: Bauder Harald
Published: September 2015

Many migrants who inhabit cities are illegalized, excluded from formal membership in urban communities, and denied full participation in urban life. In this article, I examine the possibilities of all inhabitants to belong to the city. Drawing on Ernst Bloch, David Harvey, Henry Lefebvre, and others, I theorize different “layers” of possibility and review the literature to explore how these layers apply to urban belonging. Furthermore, I investigate how urban protests and activist practices can materially transform the city to be more accommodating to illegalized migrants, while evoking the different layers of possibility. I conclude with a discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of contemplating the possibilities of urban belonging.
Retracted: rhBNP therapy can improve clinical outcomes and reduce in‐hospital mortality compared with dobutamine in heart failure patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lv Ming‐Yi , Deng Shu‐Ling , Long Xiao‐Feng
Published: September 2015

Aims

A meta‐analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic outcomes in patients treated for heart failure (HF) with recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) and dobutamine.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Chinese Biomedical Database were exhaustively searched to identify studies relevant to this meta‐analysis. Eight cohort studies were found suitable for inclusion. Data regarding trial validity, methodological processes and clinical outcomes were extracted.

Results

Patients treated with rhBNP showed statistically significant reduction of in‐hospital mortality and re‐admission rates compared with the dobutamine treated patient group (both P < 0.05). Further, the rhBNP treated patient group showed higher survival outcomes, compared with dobutamine treated patients, when the post‐treatment follow‐up period was longer than 6 months (P < 0.05). Stratified analysis based on ethnicity showed a dramatic decrease of in‐hospital mortality among mixed race HF patients receiving rhBNP treatment (P < 0.05), but such decreases were not statistically significant in Asian and Caucasian populations (both P > 0.05). On the other hand, re‐admission rates were significantly lower in rhBNP treated Caucasian and mixed race populations (both P < 0.05). Notably, in rhBNP treated group, dose levels of 0.015 and 0.03 incrementally lowered the re‐admission rates, displaying dose effect, and the re‐admission rates at both rhBNP doses were significantly lower than the dobutamine treated group (both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis results suggested that rhBNP therapy is associated with lower in‐hospital mortality and re‐admission rates in HF patients compared to the dobutamine regimen. Nevertheless, large scale prospective, randomized trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
Long‐term outcomes of soft tissue augmentation around dental implants on soft and hard tissue stability: a systematic review
Authors: Rotundo Roberto , Pagliaro Umberto , Bendinelli Elena , Esposito Marco , Buti Jacopo
Published: September 2015

Aim

To investigate whether the height and volume of the soft tissues and peri‐implant bone levels around dental implants are stable, when soft tissue augmentation has been performed.

Materials and Methods

Three operators conducted a search on electronic databases (MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE) and a hand searching on the main journals dealing with periodontology and implantology until 30 October 2014. Only articles that considered peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation performed in a group of at least 10 patients and with a follow‐up of at least 1 year were selected. The outcome variables were peri‐implant attached/keratinized tissue width (KTW) changes, peri‐implant marginal soft tissue level (PSL) changes, and peri‐implant marginal bone level (PBL) changes. The review was performed according to the PRISMA statements.

Results

Ten articles were selected for the qualitative synthesis, but only one meta‐analysis was accomplished, indicating that 1 year after implant recession coverage procedures, a mean gain of 1.65 ± 0.01 mm (90% CrI [1.44; 1.85]) was observed.

Conclusions

There is no long‐term evidence whether augmented soft tissues can be maintained over time and able to influence the peri‐implant bone levels.
Spinal Reflexes and Windup In Vitro: Effects of Analgesics and Anesthetics
Authors: Rivera‐Arconada Ivan , Roza Carolina , Lopez‐Garcia Jose A.
Published: September 2015

The spinal cord is the first relay center for nociceptive information. Following peripheral injury, the spinal cord sensitizes. A sign of spinal sensitization is the hyper‐reflexia which develops shortly after injury and can be detected in the isolated spinal cord as a “memory of pain.” In this context, it is easy to understand that many analgesic compounds target spinally located sites of action to attain analgesia. In vitro isolated spinal cord preparations have been used for a number of years, and experience on the effects of compounds of diverse pharmacological families on spinal function has accumulated. Recently, we have proposed that the detailed study of spinal segmental reflexes in vitro may produce data relevant to the evaluation of the analgesic potential of novel compounds. In this review, we describe the main features of segmental reflexes obtained in vitro and discuss the effects of compounds of diverse chemical nature and pharmacological properties on such reflexes. Our aim was to compare the different profiles of action of the compounds on segmental reflexes in order to extract clues that may be helpful for pharmacological characterization of novel analgesics.
Take‐Back Legislation: Consequences for Remanufacturing and Environment
Authors: Esenduran Gökçe , Kemahlıoğlu‐Ziya Eda , Swaminathan Jayashankar M.
Published: September 2015

In the last two decades, many countries have enacted product take‐back legislation that holds manufacturers responsible for the collection and environmentally sound treatment of end‐of‐use products. In an industry regulated by such legislation, we consider a manufacturer that also sells remanufactured products under its brand name. Using a stylized model, we consider three levels of legislation: no take‐back legislation, legislation with collection targets, and legislation with collection and reuse targets. We characterize the optimal solution for the manufacturer and analyze how various levels of legislation affect manufacturing, remanufacturing, and collection decisions. First, we explore whether legislation with only collection targets causes an increase in remanufacturing levels, which is argued to be an environmentally friendlier option for end‐of‐use treatment than other options such as recycling. While increased remanufacturing alone is usually perceived as a favorable environmental outcome, if one considers the overall environmental impact of new and remanufactured products, this might not be the case. To study this issue, we model the environmental impact of the product following a life cycle analysis–based approach. We characterize the conditions under which increased remanufacturing due to take‐back legislation causes an increase in total environmental impact. Finally, we model the impact of legislation on consumer surplus and manufacturer profits and identify when total welfare goes down because of legislation.
Miniscrew implant fracture and effects of such retained tip on dentin–pulp complex: a histological report
Authors: Ahmed Valai Kasim Shakeel , Krishnaswamy Nathamuni Rengarajan , Thavarajah Rooban
Published: September 2015

Miniscrew implants provide an excellent orthodontic anchorage. Besides the clinical benefits, miniscrew implants cause minor discomforts and in certain instances poses problematic complications. Damage to the adjacent tooth structure is the most feared complication of miniscrew implant placement, while fracture of miniscrew implants is the rarest. Miniscrew fracture could occur either during its placement or during its removal. An unusual case report is presented of a miniscrew implant tip fracture following root contact while attempting to remove it. This report highlights the effect of such miniscrew implant fracture on the dentin–pulp complex. The present case is probably the first to give direct histological evidence in humans that a miniscrew fracture or a retained miniscrew implant tip along the dentin/cementum without obvious miniscrew implant penetration could elicit pulp changes. Therefore this case report emphasizes the fact that prior to placing miniscrew implant, clinicians should have acquired proper training and adequate skills in terms of MSI placement and management of fractured MSI.
Smoking and philadelphia‐negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Lindholm Sørensen Anders , Hasselbalch Hans Carl
Published: September 2015

Objective

A single‐institution case–control study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a history of smoking was associated with a higher risk of developing MPNs compared to CLL.

Methods

Cases (n = 323) were all MPN patients diagnosed in a 10‐year period, and controls (n = 333) were all patients with CLL diagnosed during that same period. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for gender and age by logistic regression.

Results

A significant association between a personal history of smoking and the risk of MPNs compared to CLL were observed for all MPNs (OR = 1.73, 95%CI 1.25–2.40) and for the WHO 2008 classified MPNs (OR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.16–2.30).

Conclusions

No other larger case–control study has described a positive association between the risk of MPN and a history of smoking in the general MPN population. This association might be explained by the chronic inflammatory state and oxidative stress in response to smoking, eliciting genomic instability in the stem cell compartment and ultimately clonal evolution resulting in MPNs.
Interferon‐α induces marked alterations in circulating regulatory T cells, NK cell subsets, and dendritic cells in patients with JAK2V617F‐positive essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera
Authors: Riley Caroline H. , Brimnes Marie K. , Hansen Morten , Jensen Morten Krogh , Hasselbalch Hans C. , Kjaer Lasse , Straten Per thor , Svane Inge Marie
Published: September 2015

Long‐term therapy with IFN‐α2 is associated with sustained major molecular remissions in JAK2‐positive ET and PV. The efficacy of IFN‐α2 may be partly mediated by modulation of immune cells, which was investigated in twenty patients with ET (n = 6) and PV (n = 14). The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells was significantly increased during IFN‐α2 treatment in all patients (P < 0.0001). A significant expansion of the CD56bright NK cells (P = 0.0002) and a concomitant decrease in the frequency of CD56dim NK cells (P < 0.0001) were also detected. Myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) were studied in nine patients, and decreased frequencies of both cell types were observed during the course of treatment. On both mDCs and pDCs, HLA‐ABC expression was upregulated (P = 0.003), but decreasing expression levels of HLA‐DR was detected on mDCs. The expression of CD40 (P = 0.002), CD83 (P = 0.03), and CD86 (P = 0.01) increased, but was confined to pDCs. Furthermore, PD‐L1 expression was reduced on mDC (P = 0.003) and increased on pDCs (P = 0.02). No significant correlations were found between the changes in immune cells and hematological or molecular responses achieved in our cohort of patients. So forth, it remains to be revealed whether the profound changes in circulating immune cells contribute to the beneficial effects of long‐term IFN‐α2 treatment in some patients.
A method for identifying associations between seizures and possible trigger events in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Illingworth Josephine L. , Watson Peter , Xu Stanley , Manford Mark , Ring Howard
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Precipitants of seizures are often reported by patients and carers, but the accuracy of these claims remains unknown. Focusing on epilepsy in people with intellectual disability (ID), the aims of this work were to (1) identify a set of methods for assessing the validity of reported seizure triggers in individual patients; and (2) undertake an initial assessment of the ease of implementation and acceptability of the method by applying it to a series of cases.

Methods

Data collection materials (developed with carer involvement) consisted primarily of carer diaries of seizure and trigger occurrences. Statistical analysis of diary data was using the self‐controlled case series method. Unlike previously used methods, the analysis method included a means of choosing the time window, following trigger exposure, during which changes in seizure likelihood are to be assessed.

Results

The method developed was trialed in five adults with ID and epilepsy, who had a range of ID severities and living circumstances. Examples of the application of the method in two of the five cases are presented for illustrative purposes. The method was acceptable to participants and most aspects successfully implemented.

Significance

This method may be useful for clinicians and researchers wishing to investigate possible triggers in individual patients with epilepsy and ID. It also supports the identification of a statistically defined time window following exposure to a precipitant, during which the risk of developing a seizure is increased. The identification of such a window has value not just in contributing to clinical management, but also in guiding future work into the mechanisms of seizure precipitation.