bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raw Water Consumption Does Not Affect All-Cause or Cardiovascular Mortality: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Loomba Rohit S. , Aggarwal Saurabh , Arora Rohit R.
Published: January 2015

Previous studies have examined water quality and its association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, there is a lack of data regarding association between the amount of water consumption and risk of mortality. We used the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) database and its subsequent follow-up data. Only patients older than 45 years who reported amount of average water consumption and for whom follow-up mortality data were available were included in the study. Patients were stratified into following groups of average daily raw water consumption: (1) no water consumption, (2) ≤2 cups, (3) >2 to ≤ 4 cups, (4) >4 to ≤6 cups, (5) >6 to ≤8 cups, and (6) ≥8 cups. End points studied were all-cause mortality, ischemia-related mortality, congestive heart failure–related mortality, and stroke-related mortality. Baseline characteristics were compared using t tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values were calculated for univariate analysis using >6 cups to ≤8 cups of water a day group as reference. Multivariate analysis was then performed adjusting for various factors. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 7666 patients were ultimately included in the study. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences in all-cause, ischemia-related, heart failure–related, or stroke-related mortality among various raw water intake groups when compared with the reference group. The significance noted for all-cause mortality in >2 glasses to ≤4 glasses a day group in the univariate analysis was not seen with multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 0.747; 95% confidence interval: 0.437–1.276; P = 0.285). Daily raw water consumption does not seem to impact all-cause mortality or cause-specific cardiovascular mortality.
Repeatability in the contact calling system of Spix's disc-winged bat (Thyroptera tricolor)
Authors: Chaverri Gloriana , Gillam Erin H.
Published: January 2015

Spix's disc-winged bat (Thyroptera tricolor) forms cohesive groups despite using an extremely ephemeral roost, partly due to the use of two acoustic signals that help individuals locate roost sites and group members. While the calls that aid in group cohesion are commonly used, some bats rarely or never produce them. Here, we examine whether the differences observed in the contact calling behaviour ofT. tricolorare repeatable; that is, whether individual differences are consistent. We recorded contact calls of individuals in the field and rates and patterns of vocalization. To determine whether measured variables were consistent within individuals, we estimated repeatability (R), which compares within-individual to among-individual variance in behavioural traits. Our results show that repeatability for call variables was moderate but significant, and that repeatability was highest for the average number of calls produced (R=0.46–0.49). Our results demonstrate important individual differences in the contact calling behaviour ofT. tricolor; we discuss how these could be the result of mechanisms such as frequency-dependent selection that favour groups composed of individuals with diverse vocal strategies. Future work should address whether changes in social environment, specifically group membership and social status, affect vocal behaviour.
Emotion recognition deficits in eating disorders are explained by co-occurring alexithymia
Authors: Brewer Rebecca , Cook Richard , Cardi Valentina , Treasure Janet , Bird Geoffrey
Published: January 2015

Previous research has yielded inconsistent findings regarding the ability of individuals with eating disorders (EDs) to recognize facial emotion, making the clinical features of this population hard to determine. This study tested the hypothesis that where observed, emotion recognition deficits exhibited by patients with EDs are due to alexithymia, a co-occurring condition also associated with emotion recognition difficulties. Ability to recognize facial emotion was investigated in a sample of individuals with EDs and varying degrees of co-occurring alexithymia, and an alexithymia-matched control group. Alexithymia, but not ED symptomology, was predictive of individuals' emotion recognition ability, inferred from tolerance to high-frequency visual noise. This relationship was specific to emotion recognition, as neither alexithymia nor ED symptomology was associated with ability to recognize facial identity. These findings suggest that emotion recognition difficulties exhibited by patients with ED are attributable to alexithymia, and may not be a feature of EDs
per se
.
Well-posedness and qualitative behaviour of a semi-linear parabolic Cauchy problem arising from a generic model for fractional-order autocatalysis
Authors: Meyer J. C. , Needham D. J.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we examine a semi-linear parabolic Cauchy problem with non-Lipschitz nonlinearity which arises as a generic form in a significant number of applications. Specifically, we obtain a well-posedness result and examine the qualitative structure of the solution in detail. The standard classical approach to establishing well-posedness is precluded owing to the lack of Lipschitz continuity for the nonlinearity. Here, existence and uniqueness of solutions is established via the recently developed generic approach to this class of problem (Meyer & Needham 2015The Cauchy problem for non-Lipschitz semi-linear parabolic partial differential equations. London Mathematical Society Lecture Note Series, vol. 419) which examines the difference of the maximal and minimal solutions to the problem. From this uniqueness result, the approach of Meyer & Needham allows for development of a comparison result which is then used to exhibit global continuous dependence of solutions to the problem on a suitable initial dataset. The comparison and continuous dependence results obtained here are novel to this class of problem. This class of problem arises specifically in the study of a one-step autocatalytic reaction, which is schematically given byA→Bat rateapbq(whereaandbare the concentrations ofAandB, respectively, with 0<p,q<1) and well-posedness for this problem has been lacking up to the present.
Mechanisms for mechanical trapping of geologically sequestered carbon dioxide
Authors: Cohen Yossi , Rothman Daniel H.
Published: January 2015

Carbon dioxide (CO
2
) sequestration in subsurface reservoirs is important for limiting atmospheric CO
2
concentrations. However, a complete physical picture able to predict the structure developing within the porous medium is lacking. We investigate theoretically reactive transport in the long-time evolution of carbon in the brine–rock environment. As CO
2
is injected into a brine–rock environment, a carbonate-rich region is created amid brine. Within the carbonate-rich region minerals dissolve and migrate from regions of high-to-low concentration, along with other dissolved carbonate species. This causes mineral precipitation at the interface between the two regions. We argue that precipitation in a small layer reduces diffusivity, and eventually causes mechanical trapping of the CO
2
. Consequently, only a small fraction of the CO
2
is converted to solid mineral; the remainder either dissolves in water or is trapped in its original form. We also study the case of a pure CO
2
bubble surrounded by brine and suggest a mechanism that may lead to a carbonate-encrusted bubble owing to structural diffusion.
Not-so-social learning strategies
Authors: Heyes Cecilia , Pearce John M.
Published: January 2015

Social learning strategies (SLSs) are rules specifying the conditions in which it would be adaptive for animals to copy the behaviour of others rather than to persist with a previously established behaviour or to acquire a new behaviour through asocial learning. In behavioural ecology, cultural evolutionary theory and economics, SLSs are studied using a ‘phenotypic gambit’—from a purely functional perspective, without reference to their underlying psychological mechanisms. However, SLSs are described in these fields as if they were implemented by complex, domain-specific, genetically inherited mechanisms of decision-making. In this article, we suggest that it is time to begin investigating the psychology of SLSs, and we initiate this process by examining recent experimental work relating to three groups of strategies:
copy when alternative unsuccessful
,
copy when model successful
and
copy the majority
. In each case, we argue that the reported behaviour could have been mediated by domain-general and taxonomically general psychological mechanisms; specifically, by mechanisms, identified through conditioning experiments, that make associative learning selective. We also suggest experimental manipulations that could be used in future research to resolve more fully the question whether, in non-human animals, SLSs are mediated by domain-general or domain-specific psychological mechanisms.
Frigoribacterium endophyticum sp. nov., an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from the root of Anabasis elatior (C. A. Mey.) Schischk
Authors: Wang Hong-Fei , Zhang Yong-Guang , Chen Ji-Yue , Guo Jian-Wei , Li Li , Hozzein Wael N. , Zhang Yuan-Ming , Wadaan Mohammed A. M. , Li Wen-Jun
Published: January 2015

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated EGI 6500707T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of a halophyte Anabasis elatior (C. A. Mey.) Schischk collected from Urumqi, Xinjiang province, north-west China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, short rods and produced white colonies. Growth occurred at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), at pH 5–10 (optimum pH 8) and in presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0–3 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-9. The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain EGI 6500707T was 69.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EGI 6500707T should be placed in the genus

Frigoribacterium

(family

Microbacteriaceae

, phylum

Actinobacteria

), and that the novel strain exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Frigoribacterium faeni

JCM 11265T (99.1 %) and

Frigoribacterium mesophilum

MSL-08T (96.5 %). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain EGI 6500707T and

F. faeni

JCM 11265T was 47.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness data, strain EGI 6500707T represents a novel species of the genus

Frigoribacterium

, for which the name Frigoribacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 6500707T ( = JCM 30093T = KCTC 29493T).
Efficient calculation of diffracted intensities in the case of nonstationary scattering by biological macromolecules under XFEL pulses
Authors: Lunin Vladimir Y. , Grum-Grzhimailo Alexei N. , Gryzlova Elena V. , Sinitsyn Dmitry O. , Petrova Tatiana E. , Lunina Natalia L. , Balabaev Nikolai K. , Tereshkina Ksenia B. , Stepanov Alexei S. , Krupyanskii Yurii F.
Published: January 2015

The calculation of diffracted intensities from an atomic model is a routine step in the course of structure solution, and its efficiency may be crucial for the feasibility of the study. An intense X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulse can change the electron configurations of atoms during its action. This results in time-dependence of the diffracted intensities and complicates their calculation. An algorithm is suggested that enables this calculation with a computational cost comparable to that for the time-independent case. The intensity is calculated as a sum of the `effective' intensity and a finite series of `correcting' intensities. These intensities are calculated in the conventional way but with modified atomic scattering factors that are specially derived for a particular XFEL experiment. The total number of members of the series does not exceed the number of chemically different elements present in the object under study. This number is small for biological molecules; in addition, the correcting terms are negligible within the parameter range and accuracy acceptable in biological crystallography. The time-dependent atomic scattering factors were estimated for different pulse fluence levels by solving the system of rate equations. The simulation showed that the changes in a diffraction pattern caused by the time-dependence of scattering factors are negligible if the pulse fluence does not exceed the limit that is currently achieved in experiments with biological macromolecular crystals (104 photons Å−2per pulse) but become significant with an increase in the fluence to 106or 108 photons Å−2per pulse.
Jacalin–carbohydrate interactions: distortion of the ligand molecule as a determinant of affinity
Authors: Abhinav K. V. , Sharma Kaushal , Swaminathan C. P. , Surolia A. , Vijayan M.
Published: January 2015

Jacalin is among the most thoroughly studied lectins. Its carbohydrate-binding site has also been well characterized. It has been postulated that the lower affinity of β-galactosides for jacalin compared with α-galactosides is caused by steric interactions of the substituents in the former with the protein. This issue has been explored energetically and structurally using different appropriate carbohydrate complexes of jacalin. It turns out that the earlier postulation is not correct. The interactions of the substituent with the binding site remain essentially the same irrespective of the anomeric nature of the substitution. This is achieved through a distortion of the sugar ring in β-galactosides. The difference in energy, and therefore in affinity, is caused by a distortion of the sugar ring in β-galactosides. The elucidation of this unprecedented distortion of the ligand as a strategy for modulating affinity is of general interest. The crystal structures also provide a rationale for the relative affinities of the different carbohydrate ligands for jacalin.
The structure of SAV1646 fromStaphylococcus aureusbelonging to a new `ribosome-associated' subfamily of bacterial proteins
Authors: Chirgadze Yuri N. , Clarke Teresa E. , Romanov Vladimir , Kisselman Gera , Wu-Brown Jean , Soloveychik Maria , Chan Tiffany S. Y. , Gordon Roni D. , Battaile Kevin P. , Pai Emil F. , Chirgadze Nickolay Y.
Published: January 2015

The crystal structure of the SAV1646 protein from the pathogenic microorganismStaphylococcus aureushas been determined at 1.7 Å resolution. The 106-amino-acid protein forms a two-layer sandwich with α/β topology. The protein molecules associate as dimers in the crystal and in solution, with the monomers related by a pseudo-twofold rotation axis. A sequence-homology search identified the protein as a member of a new subfamily of yet uncharacterized bacterial `ribosome-associated' proteins with at least 13 members to date. A detailed analysis of the crystal protein structure along with the genomic structure of the operon containing thesav1646gene allowed a tentative functional model of this protein to be proposed. The SAV1646 dimer is assumed to form a complex with ribosomal proteins L21 and L27 which could help to complete the assembly of the large subunit of the ribosome.
Generalized Penrose tiling as a quasilattice for decagonal quasicrystal structure analysis
Authors: Chodyn Maciej , Kuczera Pawel , Wolny Janusz
Published: January 2015

The generalized Penrose tiling is, in fact, an infinite set of decagonal tilings. It is constructed with the same rhombs (thick and thin) as the conventional Penrose tiling, but its long-range order depends on the so-called shift parameter (s∈ 〈0; 1)). The structure factor is derived for the arbitrarily decorated generalized Penrose tiling within the average unit cell approach. The final formula works in physical space only and is directly dependent on thesparameter. It allows one to straightforwardly change the long-range order of the refined structure just by changing thesparameter and keeping the tile decoration unchanged. This gives a great advantage over the higher-dimensional method, where every change of the tiling (change in thesparameter) requires the structure model to be built from scratch,i.e.the fine division of the atomic surfaces has to be redone.
Negative media coverage, law environment and tunneling of controlling shareholder
Authors: Ye Yong , Huang Lei , Li Ming
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship among negative media coverage, law environment and tunneling of controlling shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Under the Chinese especial institutional background, this paper empirically test the relationship among negative media coverage, law environment and tunneling of controlling shareholders with the sample of 2009-2011 Chinese listed companies.

Findings

– The empirical results demonstrate that negative media coverage can reduce tunneling of controlling shareholder, and compared with state-owned listed companies, negative media coverage have a greater effect on tunneling in non-state-owned listed companies; and negative media coverage have a greater effect on tunneling in areas with better law environment. Further study shows that the reduction of controlling shareholder’s behavior of tunneling can improve company performance, and the improvement is more significant in non-state-owned listed companies and areas with better law environment. The research results indicate that media coverage play a very active role on restraining stakeholder’s behavior and perfecting corporate governing.

Originality/value

– First, this paper will study of tunneling from the perspective of media coverage for the first time. Second, this paper further analyzes how the decrease of tunneling improves corporate performance following the research of how media coverage influence tunneling. Third, this study enrich literatures about the effects of media coverage on corporate governance in Chinese capital market.
The perception of earnings management motivations in Saudi public firms
Authors: Habbash Murya , Alghamdi Salim
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivations of earnings management in less-developed economy using Saudi listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– While numerous motivations for earnings management are proposed in the literature, many of these motivations have inconsistent empirical support. A number of studies report discontinuities in the distribution of earnings around benchmarks such as the zero profit level. However, the evidence regarding whether these discontinuities are associated with earnings management behaviour is still uncertain. In addition, evidence regarding the ability of various governance mechanisms to constrain earnings management is also mixed. These issues raise the necessity to investigate managers behaviour that incentivise earnings management practices through qualitative research approach. A questionnaire survey and interviews are mainly used to explore the motivations for earnings management in Saudi Arabia in order to obtain the different perceptions of respondents.

Findings

– The findings reveal that the four main incentives for Saudi managers to manage earnings are “to increase the amount of remuneration”, “to report a reasonable profit and avoid loss”, “to obtain a bank loan” and “to increase share price”.

Research limitations/implications

– Hence, agency-institutional theory may provide a sensible explanation for earnings management practices in Saudi Arabia.

Practical implications

– Previous findings could be helpful for external auditors and regulators and legislators in their attempts to constrain the incidence of earnings management and enhance the quality of monitoring mechanisms.

Originality/value

– While numerous motivations for earnings management are proposed in the literature, many of these motivations have inconsistent empirical support. A number of studies report discontinuities in the distribution of earnings around benchmarks such as the zero profit level. However, there is no evidence that these discontinuities are associated with earnings management behaviour. In addition, evidence regarding the ability of various governance mechanisms to constrain earnings management is also mixed. These issues raise the necessity to investigate managers behaviour that incentivise earnings management practices through qualitative research approach.
Personality characteristics of the female serial murderer
Authors: Hildebrand Meagen M. , Culhane Scott E.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review and compare information obtained for four female serial murder perpetrators, exploring possible personality features that make the female serial killer unique. As this is the first project to explore the personalities of female serial murderers through data collected from the offenders themselves, it is primarily an exploratory study.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data presented were collected as part of a larger project, which solicited participation from incarcerated, suspected serial murderers. Upon agreeing to participate, each potential participant's background was searched to ensure they met the definition of a serial murderer. The participants were sent a survey packet containing measures related to demographics, psychopathology, psychopathy, and personality features. These packets were sent to participants at their respective prisons, with a return envelope provided. Upon return, surveys were scored and analyzed to create a comprehensive profile of each offender.

Findings

– The subjects of this study each presented a unique personality profile as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Invetory-III. Three of the four participants did not appear to by psychopathic, which is not surprising given the low incidence of psychopathy in women.

Originality/value

– This study, while limited by the small sample size, provides the first data set of valid psychological measures collected through first-hand accounts with female serial murderers. Although the data presented did not display a single comprehensive profile indicative of a female serial murderer, it does provide a foundation for further research.
Towards an evaluation of semantic searching in digital repositories: a DSpace case-study
Authors: Solomou Georgia , Koutsomitropoulos Dimitrios
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– Successful learning infrastructures and repositories often depend on well-organized content collections for effective dissemination, maintenance and preservation of resources. By combining semantic descriptions already lying or implicit within their descriptive metadata, reasoning-based or semantic searching of these collections can be enabled and produce novel possibilities for content browsing and retrieval. The specifics and necessities of such an approach, however, make it hard to assess and measure its effectiveness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Therefore in this paper the authors introduce a concrete methodology toward a pragmatic evaluation of semantic searching in such scenarios, which is exemplified through the semantic search plugin the authors have developed for the popular DSpace repository system.

Findings

– The results reveal that this approach can be appealing to expert as well as novice users alike, improve the effectiveness of content discovery and enable new retrieval possibilities in comparison to traditional, keyword-based search.

Originality/value

– This paper presents applied research efforts to employ semantic searching techniques on digital repositories and to construct a novel methodology for evaluating the outcomes against various perspectives. Although this is original in itself, value lies also within the concrete and measurable results presented, accompanied by an analysis, that would be helpful to assess similar (i.e. semantic query answering and searching) techniques in the particular scenario of digital repositories and libraries and to evaluate corresponding investments. To the knowledge there has been hardly any other evaluation effort in the literature for this particular case; that is, to assess the merit and usage of advanced semantic technologies in digital repositories.
Setting evolutionary‐based conservation priorities for a phylogenetically data‐poor taxonomic group (Scleractinia)
Authors: Curnick D. J. , Head C. E. I. , Huang D. , Crabbe M. J. C. , Gollock M. , Hoeksema B. W. , Johnson K. G. , Jones R. , Koldewey H. J. , Obura D. O. , Rosen B. R. , Smith D. J. , Taylor M. L. , Turner J. R. , Wren S. , Redding D. W.
Published: January 2015

Given the current extinction crisis coupled with the shortfall in funding, there is a pressing need to establish species conservation priorities. The prioritization of phylogenetic diversity and evolutionary distinctiveness is one approach; however, taking such an approach requires more phylogenetic data than are currently available for most taxa. Here, we investigate the effects of increased phylogenetic knowledge on the accuracy of evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) scores over time using scleractinian corals as a case study. ED scores were calculated from four molecular‐based phylogenies from 2008 to 2013, each one representing a chronological step of increased phylogenetic knowledge for scleractinian corals, finally resulting in a full species‐level phylogeny which is used here as the reference dataset. As expected, the most complete and up‐to‐date phylogenies performed well at predicting scores taken from a recent, full‐coverage species‐level phylogeny of scleractinian corals. Surprisingly, however, older phylogenies and scores derived from expert opinion also performed well. More unexpectedly, the expert opinion‐led scores, when used as a basis for imputing scores for missing species, achieved a close second in terms of prediction accuracy compared with the most recent and largest tree, which had nearly 10 times more taxonomic coverage. We recommend, once tested further, that ED score imputation be considered for assessing the conservation priorities for other poorly studied groups.
Bone marrow stromal mesenchymal cells induce down regulation of CD20 expression on B‐CLL: implications for rituximab resistance in CLL
Authors: Marquez Maria‐Elena , Hernández‐Uzcátegui Octavio , Cornejo Alejandro , Vargas Paula , Da Costa Osiris
Published: January 2015

Although the majority of B cells express surface CD20 in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL), only ∼50% of patients respond to treatment with rituximab. Decreased CD20 expression on these tumour B cells could be responsible for the lack of response observed in some patients treated with rituximab. Despite the potential critical role of CD20 in the biology of B cell malignancies, the mechanisms controlling its expression are poorly understood. At the bone marrow level, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) may regulate and support the survival of malignant cells, such as B‐CLL cells. In this study, we investigated whether MSC may regulate the CD20 expression on B‐CLL. For this purpose, B cells from CLL patients were isolated and co‐cultured on MSC. B‐CLL cells were collected from B‐CLL/MSC co‐cultures and examined for their expression of CD20. We demonstrate decreased CD20 expression in B‐CLL cells after 2 weeks of co‐culture with MSC, under contact and non‐contact conditions, which was associated with a decreased susceptibility to rituximab. Additionally, B cells co‐cultured with MSCs show an increase in CD59 expression. Our findings strongly suggest that the interaction between B‐CLL cells and MSC may play a major role in the resistance to rituximab‐induced apoptosis of B‐CLL cells.
Income‐related inequalities in inadequate dentition over time in Australia, Brazil and USA adults
Authors: Peres Marco A. , Luzzi Liana , Peres Karen G. , Sabbah Wael , Antunes Jose L. , Do Loc G.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To assess changes over time of the absolute and relative household income‐related inequalities in inadequate dentition (ID) among Australians, Brazilians and USA adults.

Methods

This study used nationwide oral health survey data from Australia (n = 1200 in 1999;n = 2729 in 2005), Brazil (n = 13 431 in 2003;n = 9779 in 2010) and USA (n = 2542 in 1999;n = 1596 in 2005). Absolute income inequalities were calculated using Absolute Concentration Index (ACI) and Slope Index of Inequality (SII), while relative inequalities were calculated using Relative Concentration Index (RCI) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII).

Results

Prevalence of ID in the studied period dropped from 8.7% to 3.1% in Australia; from 42.1% to 22.4% in Brazil; and remained stable in USA, nearly 8.0%. Absolute income inequalities were highest in Brazil, followed by the USA and Australia; relative inequalities were lower in Brazil than in Australia and the USA. ID was higher among Brazilian females (2010) and for the poorest group in all countries and periods. A remarkable reduction in absolute inequalities were found in Australia [Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and AIC 60%] and in Brazil (SII 25%; ACI 33%) while relative inequalities increased both in Australia (RCI and RII 40%) and in Brazil (RCI 24%; RII 38%). No changes in absolute and relative income inequalities were found in the USA.

Conclusion

There were still persistent absolute and relative income inequalities in ID in all examined countries. There has been a reduction in absolute income inequalities in ID but an increase in relative income inequalities.
Genetic susceptibility to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a pooled study of three Eastern Asian populations
Authors: Bassig Bryan A. , Cerhan James R. , Au Wing‐Yan , Kim Hee Nam , Sangrajrang Suleeporn , Hu Wei , Tse Jovic , Berndt Sonja , Zheng Tongzhang , Zhang Heping , Pornsopone Pattarapong , Lee Je‐Jung , Kim Hyeoung‐Joon , Skibola Christine F. , Vijai Joseph , Burdette Laurie , Yeager Meredith , Brennan Paul , Shin Min‐Ho , Liang Raymond , Chanock Stephen , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and is the most common NHL subtype diagnosed worldwide. The first large‐scale genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of DLBCL with over 4000 cases conducted among individuals of European ancestry recently identified five independent SNPs that achieved genome‐wide significance, and two SNPs that showed a suggestive association with DLBCL risk.

Methods

To evaluate whether Eastern Asians and individuals of European ancestry share similar genetic risk factors for this disease, we attempted to replicate these GWAS findings in a pooled series of 1124 DLBCL cases and 3596 controls from Hong Kong, South Korea, and Thailand.

Results

Three of the five genome‐wide significant SNPs from the DLBCL GWAS were significantly associated with DLBCL in our study population, including the top finding from the GWAS, EXOC2 rs116446171, which achieved genome‐wide significance in our data (per allele OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.63–2.56; ptrend = 3.9 × 10−10). Additionally, we observed a significant association with PVT1 rs13255292 (per allele OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.19–1.52; ptrend = 2.1 × 10−6), which was the second strongest finding in the GWAS, and with HLA‐B rs2523607 (per allele OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.32–7.05; ptrend = 0.009).

Conclusions

Our study, which provides the first evaluation in Eastern Asians of SNPs definitively associated with DLBCL risk in individuals of European ancestry, indicates that at least some of the genetic factors associated with risk of DLBCL are similar between these populations.
Influence of loading rate on fracture behaviour of extra deep drawn steel sheets
Authors: Chaudhari V. V. , Kulkarni D. M.
Published: January 2015

Fracture tests of extra deep drawn steel sheet were carried out at ambient temperature to investigate the effect of loading rate on fracture toughness. To determine fracture limits, fracture tests and finite‐element cohesive zone model simulation tool are used. Fracture tests are conducted at various loading rates (0.1–2.5 mm min−1). An alternative constant traction separation law is used to account for maximum load and large load line displacements. Experimental findings, as well as cohesive zone model, show that the loading rate has no significant effect on fracture toughness till 0.4 mm min−1; however, there is a sharp decrease in fracture toughness beyond 0.4 mm min−1.
Efficiency Defense in EU and US Horizontal Merger Control if Costs are Endogenous
Authors: Neumann Manfred
Published: January 2015

If fixed costs are endogenous, following from profit maximization, horizontal mergers are always profitable. They cause the price to rise and consumer surplus to decrease. A case of horizontal merger in which, according to the requirement of US and EU Merger Guidelines for an efficiency defense to be acceptable, the price declines or remains constant does not exist and therefore cannot be expected by profit maximizing partners to arise following a merger. Merger control should be guided by focusing on total welfare. Permitting cooperation in R&D, although profitable, is likely to be detrimental to welfare.
Vertically Linked Industries, Product Quality and Minimum Quality Standards
Authors: Hofmann Annette , Oldehaver Gunnar
Published: January 2015

This paper extends the seminal model of vertical product differentiation by Ronnen (1991) to a two-tier supply chain. While Ronnen considers the duopoly case, we add a vertical structure such that each downstream firm procures an input from a monopolistic upstream supplier. While simultaneous up- and downstream regulation in the form of a minimum quality standard restores Ronnen’s findings, if only one firm is regulated in the vertical chain, a free-rider effect results: all the bargaining power is given to the non-regulated member of the chain, which uses it to free-ride on the pressure exerted by the regulator onto the other member.
Effect of complexation of oxidised corn starch with mineral elements on physicochemical properties
Authors: Pietrzyk Sławomir , Fortuna Teresa , Juszczak Lesław , Gałkowska Dorota , Królikowska Karolina , Zięba Karolina
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of complexation of oxidised starch with mineral elements on its physicochemical properties. Corn starch was oxidised with sodium hypochlorite and, afterwards, modified with ions of potassium, magnesium and iron. Thus, native and modified starches were analysed for: contents of mineral elements, colour parameters (L*a*b*), water binding capacity and solubility in water at temperature of 60 and 80 °C. Thermodynamic characteristics of gelatinisation by DSC, molecular weight distribution by GPC, intrinsic viscosity and pasting properties by RVA were studied. The efficiency of incorporation of metal ions into oxidised corn starch was about 30%, 20% and 20% for potassium, magnesium and iron ions, respectively. The complexation with potassium ions caused the greatest changes in the molecular weight distribution and the intrinsic viscosity of starches and viscosity of starch pastes. Only modification of starch with iron ions affected the colour parameters of the starch. Incorporation of metal ions into starch resulted also in changes in its water binding capacity and solubility in water.
A potential of ultrasound on minerals, micro‐organisms, phenolic compounds and colouring pigments of grapefruit juice
Authors: Aadil Rana Muhammad , Zeng Xin‐An , Wang Man‐Sheng , Liu Zhi‐Wei , Han Zhong , Zhang Zhi‐Hong , Hong Jing , Jabbar Saqib
Published: January 2015

The grapefruit juice was sonicated in an ultrasonic bath at 28 kHz frequency (amplitude 70%), for 0, 30, 60 and 90 min at 20 °C. This research was focused on the effects of ultrasound treatment on phenolic compounds, minerals, viscosity, lycopene, total anthocyanins, total carotenoids, micro‐organism analysis and sugars. A statistically significant increase was observed in total carotenoids, lycopene, sugar contents (sucrose, glucose and fructose) and phenolic compounds, whereas a decrease in viscosity and micro‐organisms were found in all the grapefruit juice samples sonicated for 30, 60 and 90 min as compared to control. However, maximum improvement was observed in the sonication treatment for 90 min. The results of this study suggest that ultrasound treatment may improve the quality of grapefruit juice.
Effect of increased intake of skimmed milk, casein, whey or water on body composition and leptin in overweight adolescents: a randomized trial
Authors: Larnkjær A. , Arnberg K. , Michaelsen K. F. , Jensen S. M. , Mølgaard C.
Published: January 2015

Backgrounds

Dairy proteins may support muscle protein synthesis and improve satiety in adults. However, there are limited studies using exact measures of body composition, especially in adolescents.

Objectives

This study investigates the effect of milk proteins and water on body composition and leptin in overweight adolescents.

Methods

Subjects (n = 193) aged 12–15 years were randomized to drink 1 L d−1 of skimmed milk, whey, casein (all milk‐based drinks 35 g protein L−1) or water for 12 weeks. Twenty participants dropped out. A pre‐test control group of 32 adolescents was examined 12 weeks before start of intervention. Outcomes included leptin and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning. The effects of the milk‐based drinks on body composition and leptin were compared with baseline, pre‐test control and water.

Results

Lean mass index (LMI) increased compared to baseline (all 95% confidence intervals 0.05–0.50 kg m−2, all P ≤ 0.009) and the pre‐test control group (0.044–0.247 kg m−2, P ≤ 0.002) for all four test drinks. Fat mass index (FMI) increased only for milk‐based drink groups compared with baseline (0.15–0.67 kg m−2, P < 0.001) and also compared with water (0.029–0.255 kg m−2, P ≤ 0.011). For pre‐test control, there was no change in FMI or LMI. Leptin increased in the casein (1.016–3.246 ng mL−1, P < 0.001; 0.952–3.294 ng mL−1, P < 0.001) and whey groups (0.135–2.273 ng mL−1, P = 0.027; 0.069–2.322, P = 0.038) compared with water and pre‐test control group, respectively.

Conclusions

Although milk proteins increased LMI in overweight adolescents, there was a concurrent increase in FMI and leptin, whereas water only resulted in increased LMI. Thus, increased water intake may be beneficial for body composition in overweight adolescents.
International Prostate Symptom Score is a predictive factor of lower urinary tract symptoms after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Bayoud Younes , de la Taille Alexandre , Ouzzane Adil , Ploussard Guillaume , Allory Yves , Yiou René , Vordos Dimitri , Hoznek Andras , Salomon Laurent
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate the impact of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms by using the International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life.

Methods

The present prospective study comprised 804 patients having localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life were recorded preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Two study groups were considered: group 1 included patients with International Prostate Symptom Score ≤7 (mild) and group 2 included patients with International Prostate Symptom Score ≥8 (moderate to severe). Student's t‐test and logistic regression were carried out to detect a predictive factor of International Prostate Symptom Score ≤7 at 24 months.

Results

The mean International Prostate Symptom Score was 5.58 ± 6.6, 11.12 ± 7.1 and 7.62 ± 6 at baseline, 1 month and 3 months, respectively (P <0.0001). The mean quality of life score showed the same evolution with a significant difference at 1 and 3 months. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score was initially 1.57 ± 1.9 in group 1 and 13.51 ± 5.5 in group 2 (P <0.0001), evolving to 3.41 ± 3.1 and 7.69 ± 5.8 at 24 months (P <0.0001), respectively. The mean quality of life score was significantly different between the groups initially, and at 6 and 12 months with P <0.0001, P = 0.005 and P = 0.02, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression showed that age, prostate volume and preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score were independent predictive factors of International Prostate Symptom Score ≤7 at 24 months (P <0.0001). In group 2, 47 patients (17%) had an International Prostate Symptom Score ≥8 at 24 months, 15 of them (32%) having a QoL score ≥3.

Conclusions

The present study shows the beneficial impact of radical prostatectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms. However, a proportion of patients with a baseline International Prostate Symptom Score ≥8 maintain the same score at 24 months, with worsening in quality of life score in one‐third of them.
Oxidation Behavior of Aerospace Materials in High Enthalpy Flows Using an Oxyacetylene Torch Facility
Authors: Miller‐Oana Melia , Neff Paul , Valdez Mario , Powell Amber , Packard Matthew , Walker Luke S. , Corral Erica L.
Published: January 2015

The oxyacetylene torch facility is used to measure the ablation rates of graphite and the surface temperatures of different aerospace materials. The free‐stream flame environment is characterized as a function of flame chemistry for heat flux, pO2, and flow velocity. Measured ablation rates for graphite increase as a function of increasing heat flux and pO2, which are validated by applying an oxygen diffusion based model. The model uses experimentally measured values for temperature, pO2, and gas velocity in order to confirm torch testing results are reliable and reproducible. Surface temperatures of ultra‐high temperature ceramic composites are measured as a function of increasing heat flux and show an enthalpic cooling effect on the flame during oxidation testing.
Structure, Microwave Dielectric Properties and Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents of (1 − x)Ba0.6Sr0.4La4Ti4O15–xBa5Nb4O15 Solid Solutions
Authors: Zhang Xiaohua , Zhang Jie , Xie Zhenkun , Yuan Lixin , Yue Zhenxing , Li Longtu
Published: January 2015

(1 − x)Ba0.6Sr0.4La4Ti4O15–xBa5Nb4O15 (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2, BSLT–BN) ceramic samples were prepared by co‐firing the mixtures of Ba0.6Sr0.4La4Ti4O15 and Ba5Nb4O15 powders. Crystal structure, microwave dielectric properties and thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) of the BSLT–BN series ceramics were investigated. X‐ray diffraction patterns reveal that all the samples exhibit a hexagonal perovskite structure, which implies that the BSLT–BN mixtures form solid solutions. With increasing Ba5Nb4O15 content, the diffraction peaks shift to low angles and the sintering temperature of BSLT–BN decreases. Raman spectra analysis reveals the shifting and splitting of the vibration modes. The microwave dielectric properties of the well‐sintered (1 − x)BSLT–xBN ceramics vary with Ba5Nb4O15 content. The dielectric permittivity of the ceramics exhibits a slight decreasing trend. The quality factor varies in the range of 45 000–11 200 GHz, whereas near‐zero temperature coefficients of the resonant frequency may be achieved by changing the Ba5Nb4O15 content. TSDC was utilized to explore the extrinsic loss mechanism associated with defects. TSDC relaxation peaks are mainly generated by oxygen vacancies, and the Ba5Nb4O15 content has a significant influence on the TSDC spectra.
Selection for territory acquisition is modulated by social network structure in a wild songbird
Authors: Farine D. R. , Sheldon B. C.
Published: January 2015

The social environment may be a key mediator of selection that operates on animals. In many cases, individuals may experience selection not only as a function of their phenotype, but also as a function of the interaction between their phenotype and the phenotypes of the conspecifics they associate with. For example, when animals settle after dispersal, individuals may benefit from arriving early, but, in many cases, these benefits will be affected by the arrival times of other individuals in their local environment. We integrated a recently described method for calculating assortativity on weighted networks, which is the correlation between an individual's phenotype and that of its associates, into an existing framework for measuring the magnitude of social selection operating on phenotypes. We applied this approach to large‐scale data on social network structure and the timing of arrival into the breeding area over three years. We found that late‐arriving individuals had a reduced probability of breeding. However, the probability of breeding was also influenced by individuals’ social networks. Associating with late‐arriving conspecifics increased the probability of successfully acquiring a breeding territory. Hence, social selection could offset the effects of nonsocial selection. Given parallel theoretical developments of the importance of local network structure on population processes, and increasing data being collected on social networks in free‐living populations, the integration of these concepts could yield significant insights into social evolution.
The evolution of reproductive isolation in the Drosophila yakuba complex of species
Authors: Turissini D. A. , Liu G. , David J. R. , Matute D. R.
Published: January 2015

In the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup, the yakuba species complex, D. yakuba, D. santomea and D. teissieri have identical mitochondrial genomes in spite of nuclear differentiation. The first two species can be readily hybridized in the laboratory and produce fertile females and sterile males. They also form hybrids in natural conditions. Nonetheless, the third species, D. teissieri, was thought to be unable to produce hybrids with either D. yakuba or D. santomea. This in turn posed the conundrum of why the three species shared a single mitochondrial genome. In this report, we show that D. teissieri can indeed hybridize with both D. yakuba and D. santomea. The resulting female hybrids from both crosses are fertile, whereas the hybrid males are sterile. We also characterize six isolating mechanisms that might be involved in keeping the three species apart. Our results open the possibility of studying the history of introgression in the yakuba species complex and dissecting the genetic basis of interspecific differences between these three species by genetic mapping.
Microencapsulated Propolis to Enhance the Antioxidant Properties of Fresh Fish Burgers
Authors: Spinelli Sara , Conte Amalia , Lecce Lucia , Incoronato Anna Lucia , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro
Published: January 2015

The aim of the study was to enhance the antioxidant properties of fish burgers with microencapsulated propolis. Spray‐drying process was used to microencapsulate propolis (30 g in 100 mL of ethanol 70% v/v) by means of gum Arabic and Capsul in different ratios (1:6 for gum Arabic and Capsul and then 1:20 just for Capsul). Once defined the optimal microencapsulation conditions, an alcohol‐free powder able to mask the strong odor of propolis was obtained, thus promoting a potential food application as source of phenolics and antioxidants. Specifically, 5% w/w of spray‐dried propolis was incorporated in fish burgers. To improve their sensory properties, new ingredients such as potato flakes (3%, 5%, 7% and 10% w/w) and extra virgin olive oil (9% w/w) were tested and optimized to give a final fish product with good acceptability. Proper tests on burgers also demonstrated an effective increase of both phenolic content and antioxidant activity.

Practical Applications

Propolis exhibits strong antioxidant properties because of its high content of polyphenols. Thus, it can be potentially used as natural food additive and functional food ingredient, but its application to food products is still limited because of its strong and unpleasant taste and odor that generally compromise food acceptability. The results of this study increase the possibility to embed the propolis as a microencapsulated natural ingredient in various foods to enhance antioxidant properties and phenolic contents.