bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daily smoking and 4‐year caries increment in Finnish adults
Authors: Bernabé Eduardo , Delgado‐Angulo Elsa K. , Vehkalahti Miira M. , Aromaa Arpo , Suominen Anna L.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

Although the harmful effects of smoking on periodontal disease and oral cancer are now indisputable, its effect on dental caries is less well known. This study assessed whether daily smoking predicts caries increment in adults over 4 years.

Methods

Data from 955 adults who participated in both the Health 2000 Survey and the Follow‐Up Study of Finnish Adults' Oral Health were analysed. At baseline, participants provided information on demographic characteristics, education and dental behaviours. The 4‐year net increment in the numbers of decayed (DT), filled (FT) and missing (MT) teeth and the DMFT index were calculated using the data from baseline and follow‐up clinical oral examinations.

Results

Daily smoking was not associated with net DMFT increment. In subsequent analysis by components, daily smoking was associated with net DT increment, but not with net FT or MT increments. When daily smokers were split into two groups by consumption level (1–19 and 20+ cigarettes/day) and compared to nondaily smokers, a significant dose–response relationship was additionally found between levels of tobacco consumption and net DT increment. Although daily smokers reported less favourable behaviours than nonsmokers, these associations only explained partially the effect of daily smoking on net DT increment.

Conclusions

Daily smoking was independently related to caries development (net DT increment) in adults over 4 years, but not to caries treatment (net FT and MT increments) or caries experience (net DMFT increment).
Clinical and molecular characterization of Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome patients carrying distinct novel mutations of the EP300 gene
Authors: Negri G. , Milani D. , Colapietro P. , Forzano F. , Della Monica M. , Rusconi D. , Consonni L. , Caffi L. G. , Finelli P. , Scarano G. , Magnani C. , Selicorni A. , Spena S. , Larizza L. , Gervasini C.
Published: January 2014

Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare congenital neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by postnatal growth deficiency, skeletal abnormalities, dysmorphic features and cognitive deficit. Mutations in two genes, CREBBP and EP300, encoding two homologous transcriptional co‐activators, have been identified in ˜55% and ˜3–5% of affected individuals, respectively. To date, only eight EP300‐mutated RSTS patients have been described and 12 additional mutations are reported in the database LOVD. In this study, EP300 analysis was performed on 33 CREBBP‐negative RSTS patients leading to the identification of six unreported germline EP300 alterations comprising one deletion and five point mutations. All six patients showed a convincing, albeit mild, RSTS phenotype with minor skeletal anomalies, slight cognitive impairment and few major malformations. Beyond the expansion of the RSTS‐EP300‐mutated cohort, this study indicates that EP300‐related RSTS cases occur more frequently than previously thought (˜8% vs 3–5%); furthermore, the characterization of novel EP300 mutations in RSTS patients will enhance the clinical practice and genotype–phenotype correlations.
Risk Assessment of Inbreeding and Outbreeding Depression in a Captive‐Breeding Program
Authors: ROLLINSON NJAL , KEITH DAVE M. , HOUDE AIMEE LEE S. , DEBES PAUL V. , MCBRIDE MEGHAN C. , HUTCHINGS JEFFREY A.
Published: January 2014

Captive‐breeding programs can be implemented to preserve the genetic diversity of endangered populations such that the controlled release of captive‐bred individuals into the wild may promote recovery. A common difficulty, however, is that programs are founded with limited wild broodstock, and inbreeding can become increasingly difficult to avoid with successive generations in captivity. Program managers must choose between maintaining the genetic purity of populations, at the risk of inbreeding depression, or interbreeding populations, at the risk of outbreeding depression. We evaluate these relative risks in a captive‐breeding program for 3 endangered populations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). In each of 2 years, we released juvenile F1and F2interpopulation hybrids, backcrosses, as well as inbred and noninbred within‐population crosstypes into 9 wild streams. Juvenile size and survival was quantified in each year. Few crosstype effects were observed, but interestingly, the relative fitness consequences of inbreeding and outbreeding varied from year to year. Temporal variation in environmental quality might have driven some of these annual differences, by exacerbating the importance of maternal effects on juvenile fitness in a year of low environmental quality and by affecting the severity of inbreeding depression differently in different years. Nonetheless, inbreeding was more consistently associated with a negative effect on fitness, whereas the consequences of outbreeding were less predictable. Considering the challenges associated with a sound risk assessment in the wild and given that the effect of inbreeding on fitness is relatively predictable, we suggest that risk can be weighted more strongly in terms of the probable outcome of outbreeding. Factors such as genetic similarities between populations and the number of generations in isolation can sometimes be used to assess outbreeding risk, in lieu of experimentation.

Evaluación del Riesgo de Depresión por Endogamia y Exogamia en un Programa de Reproducción en Cautiverio
Complex responses of birds to landscape‐level fire extent, fire severity and environmental drivers
Authors: Lindenmayer David B. , Blanchard Wade , McBurney Lachlan , Blair David , Banks Sam C. , Driscoll Don A. , Smith Annabel L. , Gill A. M.
Published: January 2014

Aim

To quantify bird responses to a large unplanned fire, taking into consideration landscape‐level fire severity and extent, pre‐fire site detection frequency and environmental gradients.

Location

South‐easternAustralia.

Methods

A major wildfire in 2009 coincided with a long‐term study of birds and provided a rare opportunity to quantify bird responses to wildfire. Using hierarchicalBayesian analysis, we modelled bird species richness and the detection frequency of individual species in response to a suite of explanatory variables, including (1) landscape‐level fire severity and extent (2) pre‐fire detection frequency, (3) site‐level vegetation density and (4) environmental variables (e.g. elevation and topography).

Results

Landscape‐level fire severity had strong effects on bird species richness and the detection frequency of the majority of bird species. These effects varied markedly between species; most responded negatively to amount of severely burned forest in the landscape, one negatively to the amount of moderately burned forest and one responded negatively to the total area of burned forest. Only one species – theFlameRobin – responded positively to the amount of burned forest. Relationships with landscape‐scale fire extent changed over time for one species – theBrownThornbill – with initially depressed rates of detection recovering after just 2 years. The majority of species were significantly more likely to be detected in burned areas if they have been recorded there prior to the fire.

Main conclusions

Birds responded strongly to the severity and spatial extent of fire. They also exhibited strong site fidelity even after severe wildfire which causes profound changes in vegetation cover – a response likely influenced by environmental features such as elevation and topography.
Encounter Satisfaction in E‐tailing: Are the Relationships of Order Fulfillment Service Quality with its Antecedents and Consequences Moderated by Historical Satisfaction?
Authors: Koufteros Xenophon , Droge Cornelia , Heim Gregory , Massad Nelson , Vickery Shawnee K.
Published: January 2014

This study focuses on whether historical satisfaction with an e‐tailer (HSat) moderates baseline relationships in order fulfillment service quality models. HSat is defined as satisfaction with the e‐tailer spanning all transactions except the current encounter. Encounter satisfaction (ESat) is defined as the consumer's satisfaction with the current transaction. In the baseline model, four order fulfillment service quality (OFSQ) dimensions managerially relevant to consumer e‐tailing are examined: timeliness, availability, condition, and billing accuracy. The baseline structural model results support that OFSQ dimensions impact ESat, which in turn predicts two key consequences—repurchase intention and word‐of‐mouth. Adaptation theory is used to model the role of HSat, while controlling for transaction recency, vendor familiarity, and competitive pricing. HSat is shown to have pervasive main and interaction effects upon all baseline model relationships. These moderation effects have great managerial relevance. For example, the results illustrate a phenomenon similar to the service recovery paradox, wherein when a negative service encounter is followed by a highly positive service recovery event, previously dissatisfied consumers, as compared to previously satisfied consumers, respond with higher levels of current satisfaction. For managers, this finding is encouraging because policies that create highly positive events for consumers can thus supersede past negative experiences. Our results show however that HSat cannot be completely superseded by current OFSQ or current ESat.
Quantity Flexibility Contract in the Presence of Discount Incentive
Authors: Chung Wenming , Talluri Srinivas , Narasimhan Ram
Published: January 2014

We design a new contract, which we refer to as the QFi contract, that combines the quantity flexibility (QF) mechanism and the price‐only discount incentive. Under the QF contract, the buyer does not assume full responsibility for the forecast, yet the supplier guarantees the availability of the forecasted quantity and extra buffer inventory. In contrast, the price‐only discount contract places full inventory burden on the buyer. We show that the proposed QFi contract effectively balances the inventory risk for both the buyer and the supplier considering both the QF and discount mechanisms. We also show that the QFi contract is able to achieve supply chain coordination. More importantly, the QFi contract's coordinating price scheme does not require knowledge of demand distribution. We identify areas where the buyer and supplier may both benefit from implementing the QFi contract as opposed to the extant QF or price‐only (wholesale) discount contractual decisions in a decentralized supply chain. We also specify the conditions under which supply chain coordination can be achieved in a win‐win manner. We conclude with managerial implications and provide directions for future research.
Prevention of type 2 diabetes; a systematic review and meta‐analysis of different intervention strategies
Authors: Merlotti C. , Morabito A. , Pontiroli A. E.
Published: January 2014

Aim

Different intervention strategies can prevent type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies.

Methods

Studies were grouped into 15 different strategies: 1: diet plus physical activity; 2: physical activity; 3–6: anti‐diabetic drugs [glitazones, metformin, beta‐cell stimulating drugs (sulphanylureas, glinides), alfa‐glucosidase inhibitors]; 7–8: cardiovascular drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARB, calcium antagonists); 9–14 [diets, lipid‐affecting drugs (orlistat, bezafibrate), vitamins, micronutrients, estrogens, alcohol, coffee]; 15: bariatric surgery. Only controlled studies were included in the analysis, whether randomized, non‐randomized, observational studies, whether primarily designed to assess incident cases of diabetes, or performed with other purposes, such as control of hypertension, of ischemic heart disease or prevention of cardiovascular events. Appropriate methodology [preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement] was used. Seventy‐one studies (490 813 subjects), published as full papers, were analysed to identify predictors of new cases of T2DM, and were included in a meta‐analysis (random‐effects model) to study the effect of different strategies. Intervention effect (new cases of diabetes) was expressed as odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (C.I.s). Publication bias was formally assessed.

Results

Body mass index was in the overweight range for 13 groups, obese or morbidly obese in lipid‐affecting drugs and in bariatric surgery. Non‐surgical strategies, except for beta‐cell stimulating drugs, estrogens and vitamins, were able to prevent T2DM, with different effectiveness, from 0.37 (C.I. 0.26–0.52) to 0.85 (C.I. 0.77–0.93); the most effective strategy was bariatric surgery in morbidly obese subjects [0.16 (C.I. 0.11,0.24)]. At meta‐regression analysis, age of subjects and amount of weight lost were associated with effectiveness of intervention.

Conclusions

These data indicate that several strategies prevent T2DM, making it possible to make a choice for the individual subject.
The effects of α‐pinene on the feeding performance and pheromone production of Dendroctonus valens
Authors: Xu Bing‐Bing , Liu Zhu‐Dong , Sun Jiang‐Hua
Published: January 2014

Herbivorous insects exploit multiple plant cues to detect and orient toward suitable hosts and, accordingly, hosts have evolved complex constitutive and inducible defenses in response. In China, the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), an invasive bark beetle from North America, attacks mainly Pinus tabuliformis Carrière (Pinaceae), which contains many monoterpenes. In this study, we explored how the monoterpene α‐pinene affects the feeding performance and pheromone production of D. valens. First, the composition and quantities of monoterpenes of both P. tabuliformis healthy trees and fresh stumps were determined and the infestation of D. valens in healthy trees and fresh stumps was investigated, linking the amount of monoterpenes and D. valens infestation. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis showed that P. tabuliformis mainly contained α‐pinene, with concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 mg g−1 in healthy pine phloem and stump phloem, respectively. Second, the monoterpene's influence on feeding performance was tested using phloem media with α‐pinene concentrations ranging from 0 to 30 mg g−1. The results showed that the percentages of beetles boring and the gallery lengths of both adult females and larvae were negatively correlated with the α‐pinene concentration although body weight changes did not correlate with α‐pinene concentration. Finally, pheromone analysis showed that the production of all pheromones increased with increasing α‐pinene concentrations. This study showed the dual effects of α‐pinene on D. valens: α‐pinene inhibited the bark beetle's feeding activities and in turn the bark beetle made use of it to produce pheromones. Our study indicated the importance of promptly removing fresh stumps in the field for the management of the bark beetle.
Baseline susceptibility and insecticide resistance monitoring in European populations of Meligethes aeneus and Ceutorhynchus assimilis collected in winter oilseed rape
Authors: Zimmer Christoph T. , Köhler Harald , Nauen Ralf
Published: January 2014

Pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), and cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are important pests in the production of European winter oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae), which is grown on several million hectares in Europe. Insecticide treatments are common to control both pests once they exceed economic damage thresholds; however, not many chemical classes are available for their control in European oilseed rape. Particularly pollen beetles recently developed high levels of pyrethroid resistance impairing field control at recommended rates in many countries, whereas no resistance is yet reported to another important insecticide, thiacloprid. The major objective of this study was to investigate the spatio‐temporal susceptibility status of pollen beetle against the recently introduced insecticide thiacloprid. From 2009 to 2012 more than 630 populations of pollen beetle collected in 13 countries were monitored for resistance to thiacloprid by using an adult vial test. No shifting to lower susceptibility of pollen beetle to thiacloprid has been observed between 2009 and 2012. Furthermore, we were able to show that pollen beetle larvae are extremely susceptible to thiacloprid, whereas within strains larvae are significantly more resistant than adults to pyrethroids such as lambda‐cyhalothrin. Dose‐response data for thiacloprid against cabbage seed weevil populations collected in 2011 in Germany, Sweden, and Ukraine showed a 10‐fold higher intrinsic sensitivity compared to pollen beetle, and showed only a low variation in response. In addition, we also tested 17 cabbage seed weevil populations collected in five countries against lambda‐cyhalothrin with low variation in response (three‐fold), suggesting full baseline susceptibility and no resistance to pyrethroids. The implications of the data presented for resistance management in coleopteran pests in winter oilseed rape are discussed.
The impact of caregiver familiarity with mental disorders on timing of intervention in first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Lutgens Danyael , Malla Ashok , Joober Ridha , Iyer Srividya
Published: January 2014

Aim

Based on prior research, we hypothesized that personal or family familiarity with psychosis would have a different effect on pathways to care as compared to personal or family familiarity with mental disorders.

Methods

Caregivers of 32 patients receiving treatment for a first episode of psychosis at a specialized early intervention centre provided information regarding their familiarity with psychosis and mental disorders. Information on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and on the duration of untreated illness (DUI) was collected from patients and their caregivers.

Results

Although we found a trend in the direction of lowered DUP and longer DUI for those with personal or family familiarity with psychosis, these effects were not statistically significant. A trend was found for a higher DUI for those with personal or family familiarity with mental disorders in general, but this effect was not significant.

Conclusion

We did not find that differential familiarity with mental disorders and by extension, personal or family familiarity, affected measures of delay in treatment of a first episode of psychosis. Trends in our findings in the hypothesized directions suggest that a larger sample size may reveal significant differential effects of previous experience with mental disorders in general and psychosis in particular on delay in help seeking during different phases of the illness.
Intersaccadic drift velocity is sensitive to short‐term hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Di Stasi Leandro L. , Cabestrero Raúl , McCamy Michael B. , Ríos Francisco , Catena Andrés , Quirós Pilar , Lopez Jose A. , Saez Carolina , Macknik Stephen L. , Martinez‐Conde Susana
Published: January 2014

Hypoxia, defined as decreased availability of oxygen in the body's tissues, can lead to dyspnea, rapid pulse, syncope, visual dysfunction, mental disturbances such as delirium or euphoria, and even death. It is considered to be one of the most serious hazards during flight. Thus, early and objective detection of the physiological effects of hypoxia is critical to prevent catastrophes in civil and military aviation. The few studies that have addressed the effects of hypoxia on objective oculomotor metrics have had inconsistent results, however. Thus, the question of whether hypoxia modulates eye movement behavior remains open. Here we examined the effects of short‐term hypobaric hypoxia on the velocity of saccadic eye movements and intersaccadic drift of Spanish Air Force pilots and flight engineers, compared with a control group that did not experience hypoxia. Saccadic velocity decreased with time‐on‐duty in both groups, in correlation with subjective fatigue. Intersaccadic drift velocity increased in the hypoxia group only, suggesting that acute hypoxia diminishes eye stability, independently of fatigue. Our results suggest that intersaccadic drift velocity could serve as a biomarker of acute hypoxia. These findings may also contribute to our understanding of the relationship between hypoxia episodes and central nervous system impairments.
Tropical cyclone cooling combats region‐wide coral bleaching
Authors: Carrigan Adam D. , Puotinen Marji
Published: January 2014

Coral bleaching has become more frequent and widespread as a result of rising sea surface temperature (SST). During a regional scale SST anomaly, reef exposure to thermal stress is patchy in part due to physical factors that reduce SST to provide thermal refuge. Tropical cyclones (TCs – hurricanes, typhoons) can induce temperature drops at spatial scales comparable to that of the SST anomaly itself. Such cyclone cooling can mitigate bleaching across broad areas when well‐timed and appropriately located, yet the spatial and temporal prevalence of this phenomenon has not been quantified. Here, satellite SST and historical TC data are used to reconstruct cool wakes (n=46) across the Caribbean during two active TC seasons (2005 and 2010) where high thermal stress was widespread. Upon comparison of these datasets with thermal stress data from Coral Reef Watch and published accounts of bleaching, it is evident that TC cooling reduced thermal stress at a region‐wide scale. The results show that during a mass bleaching event, TC cooling reduced thermal stress below critical levels to potentially mitigate bleaching at some reefs, and interrupted natural warming cycles to slow the build‐up of thermal stress at others. Furthermore, reconstructed TC wave damage zones suggest that it was rare for more reef area to be damaged by waves than was cooled (only 12% of TCs). Extending the time series back to 1985 (n = 314), we estimate that for the recent period of enhanced TC activity (1995–2010), the annual probability that cooling and thermal stress co‐occur is as high as 31% at some reefs. Quantifying such probabilities across the other tropical regions where both coral reefs and TCs exist is vital for improving our understanding of how reef exposure to rising SSTs may vary, and contributes to a basis for targeting reef conservation.
Evapotranspiration, crop coefficient and water use efficiency of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.) in a Mediterranean environment.
Authors: Triana Federico , Nassi o Di Nasso Nicoletta , Ragaglini Giorgio , Roncucci Neri , Bonari Enrico
Published: January 2014

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.) are two perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs), considered as promising sources of lignocellulosic biomass for renewable energy production. Although the agronomic performance of these species has been addressed by several studies, the literature dedicated to the crop water use of giant reed and miscanthus is still limited. Our objective was thus to investigate giant reed and miscanthus water use by assessing crop evapotranspiration (ETc), crop coefficients (Kc) and water use efficiency (WUE). The study was carried out in central Italy and specifically designed water‐balance lysimeters were used to investigate the water use of these PRGs during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Giant reed showed the highest cumulative evapotranspiration, with an average consumption of approximately 1100 mm, nearly 20% higher than miscanthus (900 mm). Crop evapotranspiration rates differed significantly between the species, particularly during the midseason (from June to September), when average daily ETc was 7.4 and 6.2 mm in giant reed and miscanthus respectively. The Kc values determined in our study varied from 0.4 to 1.9 for giant reed and 0.3 to 1.6 for miscanthus. Finally, WUE was higher in miscanthus than in giant reed, with average values of 4.2 and 3.1 g L−1 respectively. Further studies concerning water use under nonoptimal water conditions should be carried out and an assessment of the response to water stress of both crops is necessary to integrate the findings from this study.
Upsetting ‘Others’ in theNetherlands: Narratives ofMuslimTurkish Migrant Businesswomen at the Crossroads of Ethnicity, Gender and Religion
Authors: Essers Caroline , Tedmanson Deirdre
Published: January 2014

In this paper we use insights from postcolonial feminism to explore the identity narratives of threeMuslim businesswomen ofTurkish descent in theNetherlands. We identify some of the ways in which contemporary political discourse in theNetherlands constructsMuslim ‘Others’ and discuss how this discursive positioning impacts on the multiple identities these women create for themselves in response. Postcolonial feminism challenges the discursive and material relations of both patriarchy and Eurocentric feminisms, which work together to obscure the rich diversity of women's lived experiences, their agency and identities. By exploring howOthering impacts on these women's multiple identities, we aim to enrich understandings of women's migrant entrepreneurship. These identity narratives, shared by women who each describe quite different ways of experiencing, interpreting and responding to marginalization, shed light on theWest's relationship to theOther and reveal some of the underlying relations of power that shape identity.
Induced Temperature Gradients to Examine Groundwater Flowpaths in Open Boreholes
Authors: Banks Eddie W. , Shanafield Margaret A. , Cook Peter G.
Published: January 2014

Techniques for characterizing the hydraulic properties and groundwater flow processes of aquifers are essential to design hydrogeologic conceptual models. In this study, rapid time series temperature profiles within open‐groundwater wells in fractured rock were measured using fiber optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS). To identify zones of active groundwater flow, two continuous electrical heating cables were installed alongside a FO‐DTS cable to heat the column of water within the well and to create a temperature difference between the ambient temperature of the groundwater in the aquifer and that within the well. Additional tests were performed to examine the effects of pumping on hydraulic fracture interconnectivity around the well and to identify zones of increased groundwater flow. High‐ and low‐resolution FO‐DTS cable configurations were examined to test the sensitivities of the technique and compared with downhole video footage and geophysical logging to confirm the zones of active groundwater flow. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the usefulness of this new technique for rapid characterization of fracture zones in open boreholes. The combination of the FO‐DTS and heating cable has excellent scope as a rapid appraisal tool for borehole construction design and improving hydrogeologic conceptual models.
Understanding the experience of caring for children with haemophilia: cross‐sectional study of caregivers in the United States
Authors: DeKoven M. , Karkare S. , Kelley L. A. , Cooper D. L. , Pham H. , Powers J. , Lee W. C. , Wisniewski T.
Published: January 2014

Congenital haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder typically diagnosed at birth or shortly thereafter. Haemophilia imposes a significant burden on patients and their caregivers. The aim of the study was to quantify the overall burden of haemophilia on caregivers in the USA using a novel disease‐specific questionnaire and the previously validated CarerQol. Targeted literature review and a previous survey conducted by the authors was used to develop an online questionnaire with six burden domains of interest to caregivers (emotional stress, financial, sacrifice, medical management, child's pain and transportation) and several visual analogue scales (VAS). Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by three haemophilia caregivers. The study sample consisted of caregivers of children with haemophilia identified via a previously developed opt‐in research database. Descriptive statistics were employed for demographic and clinical characteristics; a generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify factors influencing caregiver burden. A total of 310 caregivers completed the survey (45.5% response rate). Most of the participating caregivers were mothers of a child with haemophilia (88%), between 35 and 44 years of age (48%), and with a college education or a postgraduate degree (63%). ‘Child's pain’ was identified as the most burdensome domain to caregivers (median score = 3.50 out of 5), followed by ‘emotional stress’ (2.67), ‘financial’ (2.40), ‘transportation’ (2.33), ‘sacrifice’ (2.17) and ‘medical management’ (2.00) domains. Although higher income exhibited a protective effect, episodes of bleeds, current presence of an inhibitor and lower caregiver productivity in the past month negatively affected caregiver burden per GLM results. Training and educational programs should potentially be developed to address caregiver burden.
Formulation of lyotropic liquid crystal containing mulberry stem extract: influences of formulation ingredients on the formation and the nanostructure
Authors: Yhirayha C. , Soontaranon S. , Wittaya‐Areekul S. , Pitaksuteepong T.
Published: January 2014

Synopsis

Objective

This study focused on the formulation of lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) loaded with mulberry stem extract (MSE).

Methods

TheLLCformulation tested used two oils: n‐dodecane or tridecyl salicylate, a co‐solvent (propylene glycol) and a single (PEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate) or mixed surfactant system. The mixed surfactant wasPEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/PEG‐40 hydrogenated castor oil/glyceryl monooleate. TheLLCformation and phase behaviour were observed by polarized optical microscopy (POM) before and afterMSEloading. Nanostructure determinations on these formulations followingMSEloading used small angleX‐ray scattering (SAXS) at 25–40°C.

Results

LamellarLLCs are formed more easily with n‐dodecane than tridecyl salicylate. Propylene glycol, in the aqueous phase (1 : 1), failed to formLLCdue to suboptimal critical packing parameter (CPP) value. A single or mixed surfactant system also influenced the formation of lamellarLLCaccording to the chemical structure of both oils and especially the surfactants used. The four lamellarLLCformulations selected forMSEloading werePEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/tridecyl salicylate/water; mixed surfactant/tridecyl salicylate/water;PEG‐7 glyceryl cocoate/n‐dodecane/water and mixed surfactant/n‐dodecane/water, named F1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively.MSEin F1 and F3 did not affect the lamellar structure, whileMSEin F2 and F4 enlarged the lamellar structure. TheSAXSdata confirmed that theLLCformulations obtained were lamellar and the structure persisted withMSE.

Conclusion

These lamellar formulations should find widespread application forMSEand perhaps other similar herbal cosmetics.
Bakuchiol: a retinol‐like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti‐aging effects
Authors: Chaudhuri R. K. , Bojanowski K.
Published: January 2014

Synopsis

Objective

The study was undertaken to compare the skin care related activities of retinol and bakuchiol, a potential alternative to retinoids. Retinol is a pivotal regulator of differentiation and growth of developing as well as adult skin. Retinoic acid is the major physiologically active metabolite of retinol regulating gene expression through retinoic acid receptor – dependant and independent pathways.

Methods

Comparative gene expression profiling of both substances in the EpiDerm FT full thickness skin substitute model was undertaken. Furthermore, type I, III and IV collagen, as well as aquaporin 3 expression was analyzed by ELISA and/or histochemistry in human dermal fibroblasts and/or Epiderm FT skin substitutes.

Results

Bakuchiol is a meroterpene phenol abundant in seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia. We present evidence that bakuchiol, having no structural resemblance to retinoids, can function as a functional analogue of retinol. Volcano plots showed great overall similarity of retinol and bakuchiol effects on the gene expression profile. This similarity was confirmed by the side‐by‐side comparison of the modulation of individual genes, as well as on the protein level by ELISA and histochemistry. Retinol‐like functionality was further confirmed for the upregulation of types I and IV collagen in DNA microarray study and also show stimulation of type III collagen in the mature fibroblast model. Bakuchiol was also formulated into a finished skin care product and was tested in clinical case study by twice‐a‐day facial application. The results showed that, after 12 weeks treatment, significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall reduction in photo‐damage was observed, without usual retinol therapy‐associated undesirable effects.

Conclusion

Based on these data, we propose that bakuchiol can function as an anti‐ageing compound through retinol‐like regulation of gene expression.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Spectroscopic and Thermal Analysis of Strontium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Nanoparticles
Authors: Solanki Pushpakant , Vasant Sonal , Joshi Mihir
Published: January 2014

Various pyrophosphates are very useful as bioceramics; for instance, strontium pyrophosphate is one of the emerging forms of alkaline phosphate. Strontium pyrophosphate dihydrate (Sr2P2O72H2O) nanoparticles were synthesized by the surfactant‐mediated approach and characterized by different techniques. From the powder XRD study, the average crystallite size was evaluated by applying Scherrer's formula, which was found to be 33.57 nm. The average crystallite size and internal strain were also evaluated using Williamson–Hall (W‐H) method. The FT‐IR spectroscopy study confirmed the presence of symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrations of P–O–P and PO3. The UV‐NIR absorption spectroscopy over the spectral range of 210–1200 nm was employed, and the energy band gap was calculated from Tauc's plot which was found to be 4.9 eV. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the presence of two water molecules in the sample. From TGA, it was found that the sample become anhydrous and on heating above 410–800°C, the sample remained almost stable with slight weight gain due to adsorption of purged gas. Various kinetic parameters and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated for dehydration process.
Effect of Excess Li+ on Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Yuan Changlai , Chen Guohua , Zhou Changrong , Yang Yun , Peng Fuwei
Published: January 2014

The effect of excess Li+ (δ) on microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 ceramics with δ = 0.00125–0.0125 was investigated. XRD analysis showed that lattice parameters in a‐axis, b‐axis, and c‐axis became longer by the addition of small amount of excess Li+. Ca0.16Sr0.04Li0.4Nd0.4TiO3 ceramics with δ = 0.0075 after being sintered at 1270°C showed the optimal values with εr = 138, Q.f = 1591 GHz, and τf = 52 ppm/°C. Impedance measurement indicated that the grain regions showed the inhomogeneity in electrical properties and dielectric loss of the ceramic system were mainly derived from the semiconducting grain cores.
Age‐related differences in motivation in learning English among Mainland Chinese students
Authors: Xu Wei , Case Rod E.
Published: January 2014

Despite the fact that the majority of English learners in China are children, much of what is known about English learners in China is restricted to studies of high school and adult populations. Learning English is an experience that spans many years for Chinese students, yet little is known about how or if motivations change across age groups. The limited amount of research which does explore age‐related differences has been restricted to European populations. This study provides findings from a survey of 1,213 school‐age students, grades 1 to 11 in Mainland China. Findings demonstrated significant differences in motivation separating middle school from their elementary and high school peers. Suggestions for future research and classroom instruction are given.
Serum amyloid A induces interleukin‐6 in dermal fibroblasts via Toll‐like receptor 2, interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 and nuclear factor‐κB
Authors: O'Reilly Steven , Cant Rachel , Ciechomska Marzena , Finnigan James , Oakley Fiona , Hambleton Sophie , van Laar Jacob M.
Published: January 2014

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune idiopathic connective tissue disease, characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. There appears to be a link between inflammation and fibrosis, although the exact nature of the relationship is unknown. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute‐phase protein that is elevated up to 1000‐fold in times of infection or inflammation. This acute‐phase reactant, as well as being a marker of inflammation, may initiate signals in a cytokine‐like manner, possibly through toll‐like receptors (TLRs) promoting inflammation. This study addressed the role of SAA in initiating interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production in dermal fibroblasts and the role of TLR2 in this system. We show that SAA induces IL‐6 secretion in healthy dermal fibroblasts and that blockade of TLR2 with a neutralizing antibody to TLR2 or specific small interfering RNA attenuated the SAA‐induced IL‐6 secretion and that this was also mediated through the TLR adaptor protein IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4. The effect is nuclear factor‐κB‐mediated because blockade of nuclear factor‐κB reduced the induction. We also demonstrate that dermal fibroblasts express TLR2; this is functional and over‐expressed in the fibroblasts of patients with systemic sclerosis. Taken together these data suggest that SAA is a danger signal that initiates IL‐6 signalling in systemic sclerosis via enhanced TLR2 signalling.
Systematic review of the use of prophylactic dressings in the prevention of pressure ulcers
Authors: Clark Michael , Black Joyce , Alves Paulo , Brindle CT , Call Evan , Dealey Carol , Santamaria Nick
Published: January 2014

This systematic review considers the evidence supporting the use of prophylactic dressings for the prevention of pressure ulcer. Electronic database searches were conducted on 25 July 2013. The searches found 3026 titles and after removal of duplicate records 2819 titles were scanned against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 2777 were excluded based on their title and abstract primarily because they discussed pressure ulcer healing, the prevention and treatment of other chronic and acute wounds or where the intervention was not a prophylactic dressing (e.g. underpads, heel protectors and cushions). Finally, the full text of 42 papers were retrieved. When these 42 papers were reviewed, 21 were excluded and 21 were included in the review. The single high‐quality randomised controlled trial (RCT) and the growing number of cohort, weak RCT and case series all suggest that the introduction of a dressing as part of pressure ulcer prevention may help reduce pressure ulcer incidence associated with medical devices especially in immobile intensive care unit patients. There is no firm clinical evidence at this time to suggest that one dressing type is more effective than other dressings.
Articular Cartilage Lesions of the Patellofemoral Joint in Dogs With Naturally Occurring Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
Authors: Agnello Kimberly A. , Holsworth Ian G. , Caceres Ana Vanessa , Brown Dorothy Cimino , Runge Jeffrey J. , Schlicksup Michael , Hayashi Kei
Published: January 2014

Objective

To evaluate frequency, severity, and location of patellofemoral (PF) osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional observational study.

Animals

Dogs (n = 40; stifles, 44).

Methods

Stifle arthroscopic video recordings and radiographs were performed. Cartilage pathology was scored at 3 locations (proximal, middle, distal) in the trochlear groove and patella. A radiographic osteoarthrosis and synovial pathology score were assigned. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine if lesion severity varied by site, synovitis, and osteoarthrosis, and the Dunn's test was used for pairwise comparisons. The variability of body weight was evaluated using 1 way ANOVA; P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Cartilage pathology and synovitis was identified in all PF joints. The proximal aspect of the trochlear groove had significantly higher cartilage scores than the middle and distal sites and the middle groove site was significantly higher than the distal site. The distal aspect of the patella had significantly greater scores than the middle and proximal patellar locations. Higher synovitis scores were associated with increased cartilage scores. Cartilage scores were significantly greater in stifles with higher radiographic osteophytosis, tibial sclerosis, and patellar enthesiophytosis scores. Higher body weights were significantly associated with greater synovial and radiographic scores.

Conclusions

Dogs with CCL disease have a high incidence of PF cartilage pathology and the severity of cartilage lesions varies depending on location within the joint.
Participatory Learning and Popular Education Strategies for Water Education
Authors: Missingham Bruce
Published: January 2014

This paper presents some experiences of bringing critical pedagogy and participatory learning approaches into postgraduate university classrooms in teaching about water and sustainable development. Employing critical pedagogy and participatory approaches offer ways of escaping conventional lecture and tutorial approaches to pedagogy in university, strategies for incorporating and sharing student knowledge and experience, engaging students in the production of theory and knowledge (and not just their consumption), and problem‐posing approaches that encourage critical thinking and creativity. First I discuss the need to break away from conventional university teaching approaches and the usefulness of critical pedagogy and participatory perspectives that seek education for social change. Then I explore four elements of participatory learning that have been effective in my water education practice and seem to offer lessons for innovation in water education in higher education. These elements are i) asset‐based teaching and learning, ii) participatory learning to enable deliberative processes and collective learning, iii) problem‐posing pedagogy, and iv) involving students in construction of knowledge.
Cross‐Boundary Peer Learning in the Mekong: A Case of Field‐Based Education in Natural Resources Management
Authors: Lyu Xing , Hirsch Philip , Kimkong Ham , Manorom Kanokwan , Tubtim Tubtim
Published: January 2014

This article analyzes the process and output of a cross‐boundary peer learning exercise about policy and implementation on natural resource management in the Mekong. The exercise involved university students and academics from Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Australia. The pedagogic approach taken was student‐centred learning, whereby students learned with and from their fellow students, and about their peers’ perspectives in other Mekong countries on similar issues. The article consists of four parts. The first part introduces the exercise and discusses conceptual frameworks including cross‐cultural learning, peer‐based learning, and experiential learning. The second part describes the Mekong Learning Initiative research exchange program, explaining the process by which students from different countries and different learning cultures engage in peer‐based learning. The third part uses students’ own reflections to show ways in which learning outcomes from the student research exchange differ from conventional learning activities. The discussion section draws on the successes and challenges of the exercise to explain how we as teachers engage with adaptive learning for both research and pedagogic purposes, to identify elements critical to enhancing experiential learning in the cross‐boundary peer based learning situation.
An “IGERT” Model for Interdisciplinary Doctoral Education in Water‐Related Science and Policy
Authors: Pinter Nicholas , Baer Sara , Chevalier Lizette , Kowalchuk Rhonda , Lant Christopher , Whiles Matt
Published: January 2014

Most doctoral programs in the U.S. remain “stove‐piped” in traditional single‐discipline fields, while scientific progress increasingly occurs at the boundaries between multiple disciplines. In response, the U.S. National Science Foundation has been funding projects in Integrative Graduate Education, Research, and Training (IGERT) to train a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists. The IGERT Ph.D. program in “Watershed Science and Policy” at Southern Illinois University (SIU) builds each year's student class as a diverse “cadre” who work intensively together on one hot‐button river basin. The structure of these projects, and other program elements, are reviewed here along with successes and challenges to date. One challenge is the seeming tradeoff between (1) the development of tightly focused expertise versus (2) the breadth that characterizes interdisciplinary research. We conclude that interdisciplinary scientists must have disciplinary depth, but so too should they be trained in collaboration and integrating their results to address the challenges that face today's complex world.
Developing T‐Shaped Water Professionals: Building Capacity in Collaboration, Learning, and Leadership to Drive Innovation
Authors: McIntosh Brian S. , Taylor André
Published: January 2014

As we progress into the 21st century, change is an increasingly central theme for water professionals and for professionals in sectors where water plays a central role. Building the capacity of professionals in water and closely related sectors to lead such change will be an essential component of the response to global water challenges this century. This paper provides a contribution by critically developing a concept, the T‐shaped water professional, as a framework for the design of curricula for educational programs to build the capacity of water professionals to stimulate and drive processes of innovation and change. The T‐shaped water professional concept integrates insights from leadership, organizational management, learning theory, collaboration, critical thinking, and praxis. In doing so, the concept provides a response to two basic questions – (i) what skills and knowledge do water professionals need to stimulate and lead change, and; (ii) how can we develop them?
Modulation of adipocyte differentiation by omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids involves the ubiquitin‐proteasome system
Authors: Wójcik Cezary , Lohe Kimberly , Kuang Chenzhong , Xiao Yan , Jouni Zeida , Poels Eduard
Published: January 2014

We have evaluated the effects of three different omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 PUFAs) – docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) on fat accumulation and expression of adipogenic and inflammatory markers using both 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes and differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that ω‐3 PUFAs induce the degradation of fatty acid synthase through the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, which is likely to have beneficial metabolic effect on adipose cells. Omega‐3 PUFAs also increase overall levels of polyubiquitinated proteins, at least in part through decreasing the expression of proteasome subunits. Moreover, adipocytes are resistant to proteasome inhibition, which induces adipophilin while decreasing perilipin expression. On the other hand, ω‐3 PUFAs decrease expression of SREBP1 while inducing expression of adipophilin and GLUT4. Moreover, all three ω‐3 PUFAs appear to induce tumour necrosis factor‐α without affecting NFκB levels. All three ω‐3 PUFAs appear to have overall similar effects. Further research is needed to elucidate their mechanism of action.