bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-8 targets the Wingless signaling pathway in the female mosquito fat body to regulate reproductive processes
Authors: Lucas Keira J. , Roy Sourav , Ha Jisu , Gervaise Amanda L. , Kokoza Vladimir A. , Raikhel Alexander S.
Published: January 2015

Significance

Mosquitoes transmit some of the most devastating human diseases. Acquisition of blood initiates a cascade of events in various tissues in the female mosquito. Here we describe our study using newly established genetic tools in mosquito biology and a comprehensive microRNA target identification analysis to characterize microRNA-8 (miR-8) functionally in
Aedes aegypti
female mosquitoes. miR-8 works in the fat body by regulating its target,
secreted wingless-interacting molecule
. miR-8 acts on the long-range Wingless signaling pathway and plays an essential role in the female mosquito fat body controlling the secretory activity of yolk protein precursors required for oocyte development. Thus, this study identifies the fat body specific action of miR-8 and its target in regulating mosquito reproduction.
Spata6is required for normal assembly of the sperm connecting piece and tight head–tail conjunction
Authors: Yuan Shuiqiao , Stratton Clifford J. , Bao Jianqiang , Zheng Huili , Bhetwal Bhupal P. , Yanagimachi Ryuzo , Yan Wei
Published: January 2015

Significance

Male infertility due to acephalic spermatozoa has been reported in both animals and humans, but its cause remains largely unknown. Here we report that inactivation ofSpata6, an evolutionarily conserved gene, in mice leads to failure in development of the connecting piece during late spermiogenesis, along with production of headless spermatozoa in the epididymis and ejaculates. The defects may be ascribed to the disrupted myosin-based microfilament transport mediated by SPATA6 through its interactions with myosin light-chain and heavy-chain subunits. This study not only unveils the process of sperm neck formation at both the ultrastructural and molecular levels, but also provides a genetic basis for the production of acephalic spermatozoa in both humans and animals.
Fatwa and the internet: a study of the influence of Muslim religious scholars on internet diffusion in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Kandari Ali A. , Dashti Ali
Published: January 2015

This study uses diffusion of innovations theory to examine the influence of Muslim religious scholars on internet diffusion in Saudi Arabia. It applies content analysis to the fatwa, the religious edicts that Muslim religious scholars issue, to explore fatwa decisions relating to the internet since its launch in Saudi Arabia in 1999. There are 34 fatwa in total, 11 with approving decisions, 11 with disapproving ones, and 12 with conditionally approving decisions. Those who issue approving fatwa argue that it helps to spread the word of Allah and that if Muslims do not exploit the opportunities provided by the internet, then non-Muslims and non-believers will use it for evil. To explain their disapproving fatwa, other scholars argue that the internet corrupts people. The study discusses the impact of religion and religious scholars on the dissemination of communication technologies in Saudi society. It also predicts a pattern of opinions that scholars may be expected to adopt on the introduction of any new communication technology that is culturally controversial.
Acute protease supplementation effects on muscle damage and recovery across consecutive days of cycle racing
Authors: Shing Cecilia M. , Chong Suzzen , Driller Matthew W. , Fell James W.
Published: January 2015

Bromelain, a mixture of proteases obtained from pineapples, has been demonstrated to reduce exercise‐induced muscle damage and inflammation, enhancing recovery. This investigation aimed to establish if markers of muscle damage and testosterone were influenced by acute bromelain supplementation in competitive cyclists taking part in a six‐day cycle stage race. Fifteen highly trained cyclists [age: 22, = 1.2 years, height: 1.79, = 0.01 m, body mass: 68.69, = 1.97 kg] were supplemented with either bromelain (1000 mg·day−1) (n = 8) or a placebo (n = 7) across six days of competitive racing in a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Blood was collected from each cyclist on days one, three and six of racing and analysed for creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and testosterone. CK activity (P < 0.001, d = 17.4–18.8), LDH activity (P < 0.004, d = 0.5–2.5) and myoglobin concentration (P < 0.007, d = 3.4–4.8) were elevated from pre‐race on days three and six of racing in both groups. Testosterone concentrations were significantly lower on the final day of racing (P = 0.03, d = 1.3) and there was a trend for bromelain to maintain testosterone concentrations across the race period (P = 0.05, d = 1.04–1.70) when compared to placebo. Fatigue rating was lower in the bromelain group on day four of racing (P = 0.01). Consecutive days of competitive cycling were associated with increased markers of muscle damage and a reduction in circulating testosterone across the race period. Bromelain supplementation reduced subjective feelings of fatigue and was associated with a trend to maintain testosterone concentration.
Dual-task interference in evaluative conditioning: Similarity matters!
Authors: Halbeisen Georg , Walther Eva
Published: January 2015

Evaluative conditioning (EC) refers to changes in liking that are due to the pairing of stimuli. Although the question of whether a secondary task can interfere with the occurrence of EC is of great theoretical relevance, previous research has not obtained a consistent pattern of results. Whereas in some studies EC remains intact under dual-task conditions, in others a secondary task resulted in reduced or diminished EC. In order to reconcile these inconsistent findings, we hypothesized that dual-task interference in EC depends on the similarity of demands incurred by processing the stimuli used in the conditioning procedure and the secondary task. Specifically, we assumed that interference only occurs when similar verbal or visuospatial demands are imposed. In order to test this hypothesis, we investigated the occurrence of EC under conditions of a demanding 3-back working memory task while using either orthographic or pictorial stimuli to manipulate verbal and visuospatial processing demands, respectively. Relative to conditions using dissimilar types of stimuli, we found that the 3-back task interfered with the occurrence of EC only when the same types of stimuli were used. The implications for the underlying processes of EC are discussed.
The fluid events model: Predicting continuous task action change
Authors: Radvansky Gabriel A. , D'Mello Sidney , Abbott Robert G. , Morgan Brent , Fike Karl , Tamplin Andrea K.
Published: January 2015

The fluid events model is a behavioural model aimed at predicting the likelihood that people will change their actions in ongoing, interactive events. From this view, not only are people responding to aspects of the environment, but they are also basing responses on prior experiences. The fluid events model is an attempt to predict the likelihood that people will shift the type of actions taken within an event on a trial-by-trial basis, taking into account both event structure and experience-based factors. The event-structure factors are: (a) changes in event structure, (b) suitability of the current action to the event, and (c) time on task. The experience-based factors are: (a) whether a person has recently shifted actions, (b) how often a person has shifted actions, (c) whether there has been a dip in performance, and (d) a person's propensity to switch actions within the current task. The model was assessed using data from a series of tasks in which a person was producing responses to events. These were two stimulus-driven figure-drawing studies, a conceptually driven decision-making study, and a probability matching study using a standard laboratory task. This analysis predicted trial-by-trial action switching in a person-independent manner with an average accuracy of 70%, which reflects a 34% improvement above chance. In addition, correlations between overall switch rates and actual switch rates were remarkably high (mean r = .98). The experience-based factors played a more major role than the event-structure factors, but this might be attributable to the nature of the tasks.
Rapid Communication: Delay between recruitment and participation impacts on preinclusion attrition
Authors: Walsh Erin I. , Brinker Jay K.
Published: January 2015

Despite being a common aspect of psychological research, the impact of delay between recruitment and active participation on dropout rates has received little research attention. This is probably due to the intuitive sense that longer delays will increase the dropout rate. Preinclusion attrition diminishes sample sizes and may threaten data representativeness. One hundred and two university undergraduates were recruited to participate in a short, one-off study via Short Message Service (SMS). Upon receipt of an SMS indicating consent to participate, the researchers delayed sending the study questions for one day, one week, one month, or two months. Delay was significantly associated with response rate with an 80% response rate in the one-day delay condition, 56% at one week, and 42% at one month. No responses were received in the two-month delay condition. This research confirms that the delay between recruitment and active participation impacts on preinclusion attrition when conducting research via SMS.
Mechanical properties of nickel-graphene composites synthesized by electrochemical deposition
Authors: Ren Zhaodi , Meng Nan , Shehzad Khurram , Xu Yang , Qu Shaoxing , Yu Bin , Luo J K
Published: January 2015

Graphene (Gr) nanosheets with multilayer structures were dispersed in a nickel (Ni) plating solution by using a surfactant with a magnetic stirring method. Gr nanosheets were incorporated into a Ni matrix through a plating process to form Ni-Gr composites on a target substrate. Gr nanosheets were uniformly dispersed in the Ni matrix, and the oxygen radicals present in the Gr were reduced during the electro-deposition process. The incorporation of Gr in the Ni matrix increases both the inter-planar spacing and the degree of preferred orientation of crystalline Ni. With the addition of Gr content as low as 0.05 g L−1, the elastic modulus and hardness of the Ni-Gr composites reach 240 GPa and 4.6 GPa, respectively, which are about 1.7 and 1.2 times that of the pure Ni deposited under the same condition. The enhancement in mechanical properties of the composites is attributed to the preferred formation of the Ni crystalline phases in its (111) plane, the high interaction between Ni and Gr and the prevention of the dislocation sliding in the Ni matrix by the Gr. The results suggest that the method of using Gr directly instead of graphene oxide (GO) is efficient and scalable.
A maximum principle for Hermitian (and other) metrics
Authors: Lempert László
Published: January 2015

We consider homomorphisms of hermitian holomorphic Hilbert bundles. Assuming the homomorphism decreases curvature, we prove that its pointwise norm is plurisubharmonic.
Topological Birkhoff
Authors: Bodirsky Manuel , Pinsker Michael
Published: January 2015

One of the most fundamental mathematical contributions of Garrett Birkhoff is the HSP theorem, which implies that a finite algebra

B

\mathbf {B}

satisfies all equations that hold in a finite algebra

A

\mathbf {A}

of the same signature if and only if

B

\mathbf {B}

is a homomorphic image of a subalgebra of a finite power of

A

\mathbf {A}

. On the other hand, if

A

\mathbf {A}

is infinite, then in general one needs to take an infinite power in order to obtain a representation of

B

\mathbf {B}

in terms of

A

\mathbf {A}

, even if

B

\mathbf {B}

is finite.

We show that by considering the natural topology on the functions of

A

\mathbf {A}

and

B

\mathbf {B}

in addition to the equations that hold between them, one can do with finite powers even for many interesting infinite algebras

A

\mathbf {A}

. More precisely, we prove that if

A

\mathbf {A}

and

B

\mathbf {B}

are at most countable algebras which are oligomorphic, then the mapping which sends each term function over

A

\mathbf {A}

to the corresponding term function over

B

\mathbf {B}

preserves equations and is Cauchy-continuous if and only if

B

\mathbf {B}

is a homomorphic image of a subalgebra of a finite power of

A

\mathbf {A}

.

Our result has the following consequences in model theory and in theoretical computer science: two

ω
\omega

-categorical structures are primitive positive bi-interpretable if and only if their topological polymorphism clones are isomorphic. In particular, the complexity of the constraint satisfaction problem of an

ω
\omega

-categorical structure only depends on its topological polymorphism clone.
ARGONAUTE2 cooperates with SWI/SNF complex to determine nucleosome occupancy at human Transcription Start Sites
Authors: Carissimi Claudia , Laudadio Ilaria , Cipolletta Emanuela , Gioiosa Silvia , Mihailovich Marija , Bonaldi Tiziana , Macino Giuseppe , Fulci Valerio
Published: January 2015

Argonaute (AGO) proteins have a well-established role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression as key component of the RNA silencing pathways. Recent evidence involves AGO proteins in mammalian nuclear processes such as transcription and splicing, though the mechanistic aspects of AGO nuclear functions remain largely elusive. Here, by SILAC-based interaction proteomics, we identify the chromatin-remodelling complex SWI/SNF as a novel AGO2 interactor in human cells. Moreover, we show that nuclear AGO2 is loaded with a novel class of Dicer-dependent short RNAs (sRNAs), that we called swiRNAs, which map nearby the Transcription Start Sites (TSSs) bound by SWI/SNF. The knock-down of AGO2 decreases nucleosome occupancy at the first nucleosome located downstream of TSSs in a swiRNA-dependent manner. Our findings indicate that in human cells AGO2 binds SWI/SNF and a novel class of sRNAs to establish nucleosome occupancy on target TSSs.
Bacterial global regulators DksA/ppGpp increase fidelity of transcription
Authors: Roghanian Mohammad , Zenkin Nikolay , Yuzenkova Yulia
Published: January 2015

Collisions between paused transcription elongation complexes and replication forks inevitably happen, which may lead to collapse of replication fork and could be detrimental to cells. Bacterial transcription factor DksA and its cofactor alarmone ppGpp were proposed to contribute to prevention of such collisions, although the mechanism of this activity remains elusive. Here we show that DksA/ppGpp do not destabilise transcription elongation complexes or inhibit their backtracking, as was proposed earlier. Instead, we show, both in vitro and in vivo, that DksA/ppGpp increase fidelity of transcription elongation by slowing down misincorporation events. As misincorporation events cause temporary pauses, contribution to fidelity suggests the mechanism by which DksA/ppGpp contribute to prevention of collisions of transcription elongation complexes with replication forks. DksA is only the second known accessory factor, after transcription factor Gre, that increases fidelity of RNA synthesis in bacteria.
Ethylene Signaling Modulates Herbivore-Induced Defense Responses in the Model Legume Medicago truncatula
Authors: Paudel Jamuna Risal , Bede Jacqueline C.
Published: January 2015

One or more effectors in the labial saliva (LS) of generalist Noctuid caterpillars activate plant signaling pathways to modulate jasmonate (JA)-dependent defense responses; however, the exact mechanisms involved have yet to be elucidated. A potential candidate in this phytohormone interplay is the ethylene (ET) signaling pathway. We compared the biochemical and molecular responses of the model legume Medicago truncatula and the ET-insensitive skl mutant to herbivory by fourth instar Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) caterpillars with intact or impaired LS secretions. Cellular oxidative stress increases rapidly after herbivory, as evidenced by changes in oxidized-to-reduced ascorbate (ASC) and glutathione (GSH) ratios. The caterpillar-specific increase in GSH ratios and the LS-specific increase in ASC ratios are alleviated in the skl mutant, indicating that ET signaling is required. Ten hours postherbivory, markers of the JA and JA/ET pathways are differentially expressed; MtVSP is induced and MtHEL is repressed in a caterpillar LS- and ET-independent manner. In contrast, expression of the classic marker of the systemic acquired resistance pathway, MtPR1, is caterpillar LS-dependent and requires ET signaling. Caterpillar LS further suppresses the induction of JA-related trypsin inhibitor activity in an ET-dependent manner. Findings suggest that ET is involved in the caterpillar LS-dependent, salicylic acid/NPR1-mediated attenuation of JA-dependent induced responses.
Effects of the Novel Fungicide Benzothiostrobin on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the Laboratory and on Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Rape Fields
Authors: Xu Congying , Liang Xiaoyu , Hou Yiping , Zhou Mingguo
Published: January 2015

We determined the effects and efficacy of benzothiostrobin, a new strobilurin-derived fungicide, against the plant-pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot). Mycelial growth and sclerotial germination in vitro were strongly inhibited by benzothiostrobin in the presence of salicylhydroxamic acid. On detached rapeseed leaves, benzothiostrobin at 40 μg/ml reduced lesion development by 87%. No cross-resistance was detected between benzothiostrobin and carbendazim, iprodione, fludioxonil, or boscalid. A formulated mixture of benzothiostrobin and fluazinam at 1:1 had synergistic activity against S. sclerotiorum in vitro. In field trials, benzothiostrobin alone or formulated with fluazinam at 1:1 (150 g a.i. ha−1) was significantly (P < 0.05) superior to iprodione in controlling Sclerotinia stem rot of rapeseed. These results suggest that benzothiostrobin has substantial potential for the control of Sclerotinia stem rot.
Elastocapillary coalescence of plates and pillars
Authors: Wei Z. , Schneider T. M. , Kim J. , Kim H.-Y. , Aizenberg J. , Mahadevan L.
Published: January 2015

When a fluid-immersed array of supported plates or pillars is dried, evaporation leads to the formation of menisci on the tips of the plates or pillars that bring them together to form complex patterns. Building on prior experimental observations, we use a combination of theory and computation to understand the nature of this instability and its evolution in both the two- and three-dimensional setting of the problem. For the case of plates, we explicitly derive the interaction torques based on the relevant physical parameters associated with pillar deformation, contact-line pinning/depinning and fluid volume changes. A Bloch-wave analysis for our periodic mechanical system captures the window of volumes where the two-plate eigenvalue characterizes the onset of the coalescence instability. We then study the evolution of these binary clusters and their eventual elastic arrest using numerical simulations that account for evaporative dynamics coupled to capillary coalescence. This explains both the formation of hierarchical clusters and the sensitive dependence of the final structures on initial perturbations, as seen in our experiments. We then generalize our analysis to treat the problem of pillar collapse in three dimensions, where the fluid domain is completely connected and the interface is a minimal surface with the uniform mean curvature. Our theory and simulations capture the salient features of experimental observations in a range of different situations and may thus be useful in controlling the ensuing patterns.
Four-dimensional Fano toric complete intersections
Authors: Coates T. , Kasprzyk A. , Prince T.
Published: January 2015

We find at least 527 new four-dimensional Fano manifolds, each of which is a complete intersection in a smooth toric Fano manifold.
Methanogenic archaea database containing physiological and biochemical characteristics
Authors: Jabłoński Sławomir , Rodowicz Paweł , Łukaszewicz Marcin
Published: January 2015

The methanogenic archaea are a group of micro-organisms that have developed a unique metabolic pathway for obtaining energy. There are 150 characterized species in this group; however, novel species continue to be discovered. Since methanogens are considered a crucial part of the carbon cycle in the anaerobic ecosystem, characterization of these micro-organisms is important for understanding anaerobic ecology. A methanogens database (MDB; http://metanogen.biotech.uni.wroc.pl/), including physiological and biochemical characteristics of methanogens, was constructed based on the descriptions of isolated type strains. Analysis of the data revealed that methanogens are able to grow from 0 to 122 °C. Methanogens growing at the same temperature may have very different growth rates. There is no clear correlation between the optimal growth temperature and the DNA G+C content. The following substrate preferences are observed in the database: 74.5 % of archaea species utilize H2+CO2, 33 % utilize methyl compounds and 8.5 % utilize acetate. Utilization of methyl compounds (mainly micro-organisms belonging to the genera

Methanosarcina

and

Methanolobus

) is seldom accompanied by an ability to utilize H2+CO2. Very often, data for described species are incomplete, especially substrate preferences. Additional research leading to completion of missing information and development of standards, especially for substrate utilization, would be very helpful.
Hyunsoonleella pacifica sp. nov., isolated from seawater of South Pacific Gyre
Authors: Gao Xin , Zhang Zenghu , Dai Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiao-Hua
Published: January 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, oxidase- and catalase-positive and rod-shaped yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain SW033T was isolated from a surface seawater sample collected from the South Pacific Gyre (GPS position: 26° 29′ S 137° 56′ W) during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, expedition 329. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SW033T belonged to the genus

Hyunsoonleella

and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with

Hyunsoonleella jejuensis

CNU004T (96.8 %). It showed 94.7–95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to members of the genera

Jejuia

,

Arenitalea

and

Algibacter

in the family

Flavobacteriaceae

. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 8.0 and at 28 °C. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SW033T was 36.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of the polyphasic analyses, strain SW033T is considered to represent a member of a novel species in the genus

Hyunsoonleella

, for which the name Hyunsoonleella
pacifica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW033T ( = CGMCC 1.11009T = JCM 17860T).
Methanosarcina subterranea sp. nov., a methanogenic archaeon isolated from a deep subsurface diatomaceous shale formation
Authors: Shimizu Satoru , Ueno Akio , Naganuma Takeshi , Kaneko Katsuhiko
Published: January 2015

A methanogenic archaeon, strain HC-2T, was isolated from a deep diatomaceous shale formation. The strain grew on methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine and dimethylsulphide, but not on acetate, H2/CO2, formate, 2-propanol, 2-butanol or cyclopentanol. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and coccus-like, 0.9–1.4 µm in diameter, and occurred singly, in pairs, or as aggregates. The strain grew at 10–40 °C (optimum 35 °C), pH 5.9–7.4 (optimum pH 6.6–6.8) and in 0–0.6 M NaCl (optimum 0.1–0.2 M). The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.5 mol% and the 16S rRNA gene sequence was closely related to those of

Methanosarcina lacustris

DSM 13486T (99.1 %) and

Methanosarcina siciliae

DSM 3028T (98.3 %). Values for DNA–DNA hybridization with these strains were less than 30 %. The phenotypic and phylogenetic features of HC-2T indicate that it represents a novel species of the genus

Methanosarcina

, for which the name Methanosarcina subterranea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HC-2T ( = DSM 22503T = JCM 15540T = NBRC 102578T).
Intramammary coinfection by vaccinia virus and staphylococcus aureus in a bovine vaccinia outbreak
Authors: Antunes João Marcelo Azevedo De Paula , Ribeiro Márcio Garcia , Megid Jane
Published: January 2015

Introduction:

Bovine vaccinia virus (VACV) is a well‐known zoonotic agent related to exanthemous lesions in skin and mucous membranes of dairy cattle and humans, characterized by the formation of vesicles, pustules and ulcers. Mastitis is one of the most common infectious diseases of dairy herds. Bovine mammary infections are caused mainly by bacterial micro‐organisms, especially staphylococci. To the best of our knowledge, intramammary coinfection with VACV and Staphylococcus aureus in cows has not been reported previously.

Case presentation:

During an outbreak of exanthematic bovine VACV infection with animals showing vesicles, pustules and haemorrhagic ulcers on the teats, milk samples were collected for mastitis detection.

Conclusion:

The present report describes a case of intramammary coinfection by VACV and S. aureus in a bovine VACV outbreak.
The genetics of resistance toMorindafruit toxin during the postembryonic stages inDrosophila sechellia
Authors: Huang Yan , Erezyilmaz Deniz
Published: January 2015

Many phytophagous insect species are ecologic specialists that have adapted to utilize a single host plant.Drosophila sechelliais a specialist that utilizes the ripe fruit ofMorinda citrifolia, which is toxic to its sibling species,D. simulans. Here we apply multiplexed shotgun genotyping and QTL analysis to examine the genetic basis of resistance toM. citrifoliafruit toxin in interspecific hybrids. We find that at least four dominant and four recessive loci interact additively to confer resistance to theM. citrifoliafruit toxin. These QTL include a dominant locus of large effect on the third chromosome (QTL-IIIsima) that was not detected in previous analyses. The small-effect loci that we identify overlap with regions that were identified in selection experiments withD. simulanson octanoic acid and in QTL analyses of adult resistance to octanoic acid. Our high-resolution analysis sheds new light upon the complexity ofM. citrifoliaresistance, and suggests that partial resistance to lower levels ofM. citrifoliatoxin could be passed through introgression from D. sechellia toD. simulansin nature. The identification of a locus of major effect, QTL-IIIsima, is an important step towards identifying the molecular basis of host plant specialization byD. sechellia.
Crystal structure of 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1,3-benzoxazole
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Imelda , Martínez-Otero Diego , Rojas-Lima Susana , López-Ruiz Heraclio
Published: January 2015

Crystals of the title compound, C13H10N2O, were grown from a dichloromethane/ketone/methanol solvent mixture. It crystallizes with two molecules,AandB, in the asymmetric unit with very similar almost planar conformations [dihedral angles between the ring planes = 0.74 (8) and 0.67 (6)° for moleculesAandB, respectively; r.m.s. overlay fit = 0.019 Å]. Each molecule features an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond, which closes anS(6) ring and therefore establishes asynrelationship for the N atoms. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...N hydrogen bonds, generating [100] chains containing alternatingAandBmolecules. Weak aromatic π–π stacking [minimum centroid–centroid separation = 3.6212 (9) Å] links the chains into a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of dibromido(N,N-dimethylformamide-κO){2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-[(quinolin-2-yl-κN)methylidene]ethanamine-κN}cadmium
Authors: Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Sharkina Natalia O. , Davydenko Yuliya M.
Published: January 2015

In the mononuclear title complex, [CdBr2(C20H17N3)(C3H7NO)], synthesized from the quinoline-derived Schiff base 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-(quinolin-2-ylmethylene)ethanamine (IQME), the coordination geometry around the Cd2+atom is distorted trigonal bipyramidal, the axial positions being occupied by the quinoline N atom [Cd—N = 2.401 (3) Å] and one dimethylformamide O-atom donor [Cd—O = 2.399 (2) Å]. The equatorial plane is formed by the imine N atom [Cd—N = 2.293 (3) Å] and two bromides [Cd—Br = 2.5621 (8) and 2.5676 (8) Å], with the deviation of the CdIIatom from the equatorial plane being 0.046 (1) Å. An intramolecular C—H...Br interaction occurs. In the crystal, N—H...Br interactions generate [101] chains.
The effects of adjacent competitors and promotion on brand sales
Authors: Keel Astrid Lei , Padgett Daniel
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the potential for adjacent brands to influence sales of a focal brand. Specifically, this paper examines whether the type of adjacent brand (market leader or non-market leader competitor) and its promotion (featuring or discounting) have an effect on sales of a focal product.

Design/methodology/approach

– Store-level scanner data supplemented with in-store audits are used.

Findings

– It is demonstrated that adjacent brands and their specific marketing activities influence focal brand sales in specific ways, and that market leaders have a disproportionate and different effect than other competitors on the sales of adjacent brands.

Originality/value

– Recent marketing research has suggested that brand activities such as featuring and discounting and in-store environmental stimuli such as shelf allocation and displays can have an important effect on category and individual brand sales. Prior work in this area, however, has not explicitly considered the potential influence of relative shelf positions (i.e. adjacencies) on brand and category sales.
The impact of choice on co-produced customer value creation and satisfaction
Authors: Flores Jason , Vasquez-Parraga Arturo Z.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This study’s aim is to investigate whether offering a co-production opportunity as a choice or as the only means of service rendering influences customer value creation and satisfaction. This research incorporates two empirically supported sources of co-created value, relational and economic, and it investigates a new dimension of co-created value, individual value. The study focus supports the need for more empirically based guidance for the management and design of co-creation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 2 × 2 between-subjects experimental design was utilized to test the choice/no-choice condition. Data were collected through a survey of 214 respondents who were selected on the basis of their familiarity with the context of the experimental scenarios.

Findings

– The results show that co-production as an option for service rendering has a stronger positive impact on value creation than does the context when co-production is necessary. Choice was found to positively influence relational and economic value. Value creation was found to mediate the choice and satisfaction relationship. Individual value had the strongest relative impact on satisfaction but was not significantly related to choice.

Practical implications

– Designers and managers of co-production-enabling processes can enhance customer and organizational outcomes simply by offering customers a choice when considering whether or not to engage in co-production.

Originality/value

– This originality of this study lies in the supporting evidence found for the influence of choice on value creation and the empirical corroboration for individual value creation as a source of co-created value. The on-line context of this study in this context is also novel.
Why Are Some Subsidiaries of Multinationals the Source of Novel Practices while Others Are Not? National, Corporate and Functional Influences
Authors: Edwards Tony , Sanchez‐Mangas Rocio , Bélanger Jacques , McDonnell Anthony
Published: January 2015

It has frequently been argued that multinational companies are moving towards network forms whereby subsidiaries share different practices with the rest of the company. This paper presents large‐scale empirical evidence concerning the extent to which subsidiaries input novel practices into the rest of the multinational. We investigate this in the field of human resources through analysis of a unique international data set in four host countries – Canada, Ireland, Spain and the UK – and address the question of how we can explain variation between subsidiaries in terms of whether they initiate the diffusion of practices to other subsidiaries. The data support the argument that multiple, rather than single, factor explanations are required to more effectively understand the factors promoting or retarding the diffusion of human resource practices within multinational companies. It emerges that national, corporate and functional contexts all matter. More specifically, actors at subsidiary level who seek to initiate diffusion appear to be differentially placed according to their national context, their place within corporate structures and the extent to which the human resource function is internationally networked.
Common single nucleotide variants underlying drug addiction: more than a decade of research
Authors: Bühler Kora‐Mareen , Giné Elena , Echeverry‐Alzate Victor , Calleja‐Conde Javier , de Fonseca Fernando Rodriguez , López‐Moreno Jose Antonio
Published: January 2015

Drug‐related phenotypes are common complex and highly heritable traits. In the last few years, candidate gene (CGAS) and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a huge number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with drug use, abuse or dependence, mainly related to alcohol or nicotine. Nevertheless, few of these associations have been replicated in independent studies. The aim of this study was to provide a review of the SNPs that have been most significantly associated with alcohol‐, nicotine‐, cannabis‐ and cocaine‐related phenotypes in humans between the years of 2000 and 2012. To this end, we selected CGAS, GWAS, family‐based association and case‐only studies published in peer‐reviewed international scientific journals (using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Addiction GWAS Resource databases) in which a significant association was reported. A total of 371 studies fit the search criteria. We then filtered SNPs with at least one replication study and performed meta‐analysis of the significance of the associations. SNPs in the alcohol metabolizing genes, in the cholinergic gene cluster CHRNA5‐CHRNA3‐CHRNB4, and in the DRD2 and ANNK1 genes, are, to date, the most replicated and significant gene variants associated with alcohol‐ and nicotine‐related phenotypes. In the case of cannabis and cocaine, a far fewer number of studies and replications have been reported, indicating either a need for further investigation or that the genetics of cannabis/cocaine addiction are more elusive. This review brings a global state‐of‐the‐art vision of the behavioral genetics of addiction and collaborates on formulation of new hypothesis to guide future work.
Maternal outcomes after uterine balloon tamponade for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Martin Emmanuelle , Legendre Guillaume , Bouet Pierre‐Emmanuel , Cheve Marie‐Therese , Multon Olivier , Sentilhes Loïc
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate maternal outcomes following uterine balloon tamponade in the management of postpartum hemorrhage.

Design

Retrospective case‐series.

Setting

Two French hospitals, a level 3 university referral center and a level 2 private hospital.

Population

All women who underwent balloon tamponade treatment for primary postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods

Uterine tamponade was used after standard treatment of postpartum hemorrhage had failed. The study population was divided into two groups, successful cases where the bleeding stopped after the balloon tamponade, and failures requiring subsequent surgery or embolization.

Main outcome measures

Success rates.

Results

Uterine tamponade was used in 49 women: 30 (61%) after vaginal delivery and 19 (39%) after cesarean section. Uterine atony was the main cause of hemorrhage (86%). The overall success rate was 65%. Of 17 failures, surgery was required in 16 cases, including hysterectomy in 11, and uterine artery embolization in one case. Demographic and obstetric characteristics did not differ significantly between the success and failure groups. No complications were directly attributed to the balloon tamponade in the postpartum period. Two women had a subsequent full‐term pregnancy without recurrence of postpartum hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Balloon tamponade is an effective, safe and readily available method for treating primary postpartum hemorrhage and could reduce the need for invasive procedures.
No association between allergy and current 25‐hydroxy vitamin D in serum or vitamin D intake
Authors: Barman Malin , Jonsson Karin , Hesselmar Bill , Sandin Anna , Sandberg Ann‐Sofie , Wold Agnes E.
Published: January 2015

Aim

Vitamin D may be involved in allergy development, but there is conflicting evidence. We investigated if dietary intake of vitamin D and levels of 25OHD in serum differed between allergic and nonallergic adolescents and if serum 25OHD correlated with dietary intake of vitamin D or season of blood sampling.

Methods

Serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels were analysed in 13‐year‐old subjects with atopic eczema (n = 55), respiratory allergy (n = 55) or no allergy (n = 55). Intake of fat‐containing foods was assessed by food‐frequency questionnaires, and total daily vitamin D intake was calculated. Logistic regression was used to adjust for gender, parental allergy and time of blood sampling.

Results

Subjects with atopic eczema or respiratory allergy did not differ from nonallergic controls regarding serum 25OHD levels or calculated vitamin D intake. Subjects sampled in the autumn had significantly higher levels of serum 25OHD than subjects sampled in the winter or spring. Serum 25OHD levels correlated to consumption of vitamin D‐fortified lean milk (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings suggest no association between allergy and 25OHD levels in serum or vitamin D intake in adolescents. Serum 25OHD levels correlated to intake of vitamin D‐fortified lean milk.
Distinct features of immunoglobulin G2 aquaporin‐4 antibody carriers with neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Isobe Noriko , Yonekawa Tomomi , Matsushita Takuya , Kawano Yuji , Masaki Katsuhisa , Yoshimura Satoshi , Murai Hiroyuki , Yamasaki Ryo , Kira Jun‐ichi
Published: January 2015

Objective

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease in which NMO‐immunoglobulin G (IgG) targeting aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) is specifically detected. Although the main subclass of AQP4 antibody was reported to be in the IgG1 subclass, other subclasses have also been described, including IgG2 AQP4 antibody, as a second common subclass. NMO patients were analyzed to clarify the clinical features of NMO patients with IgG2 AQP4 antibody.

Methods

Serum samples from 58 NMO patients, who met the revised 2006 criteria for NMO, were analyzed for AQP4 antibody subclass expression using an established flow cytometric assay, and clinical features were compared according to the main AQP4 antibody subclasses.

Results

A total of 50 patients (86.2%) had IgG1 AQP4 antibodies, while eight (13.8%) expressed IgG2 AQP4 antibody as the main subclass. Those eight individuals exhibited younger age of onset (P = 0.0089), lower AQP4 antibody titers (P = 0.0024) and a more common fulfillment of Barkhof's criteria (P = 0.0466) than patients with IgG1 AQP4 antibody expression.

Conclusions

Results from the present study suggest that the characteristics of individuals with IgG2 AQP4 antibody as a main subclass are more similar to multiple sclerosis and somewhat distinct from NMO patients with IgG1 AQP4 antibody.
Phylogenetic visualization of the spread of H7 influenza A viruses
Authors: Janies Daniel A. , Pomeroy Laura W. , Krueger Chris , Zhang Yuqi , Senturk Izzet F. , Kaya Kamer , Çatalyürek Ümit V.
Published: January 2015

Viruses of influenza A subtype H7 can be highly pathogenic and periodically infect humans. For example, there have been numerous outbreaks of H7 in the Americas and Europe since 1996. More recently, a reassortant H7N9 has emerged among humans and birds during 2013–2014 in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. This H7N9 genome consists of genetic segments that assort with H7 and H9 viruses previously circulating in chickens and wild birds in China and ducks in Korea. Epidemic risk modellers have used agricultural, climatic and demographic data to predict that the virus will spread to northern Vietnam via poultry. To shed light on the traffic of H7 viruses in general, we examine genetic segments of influenza that have assorted with many strains of H7 viruses dating back to 1902. We focus on use cases from the United States, Italy and China. We apply a novel metric, betweenness, an associated phylogenetic visualization technique, transmission networks, and compare these with another technique, route mapping. In contrast to traditional views, our results illustrate that segments that assort with H7 viruses are spread frequently between the Americas and Eurasia. In summary, genetic segments that historically assort with H7 influenza viruses have been spread from China to: Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the US, and Vietnam.
One‐year protocol biopsies from ABO‐incompatible renal allografts compared with a matched cohort of ABO‐compatible allografts
Authors: Dörje Christina , Mjøen Geir , Strøm Erik H. , Holdaas Hallvard , Jenssen Trond , Øyen Ole , Akalin Akkök Çigdem , Cvancarova Milada , Midtvedt Karsten , Reisæter Anna Varberg
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Early acute antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) occurs more frequently in ABO‐incompatible (ABOi) than in ABO‐compatible (ABOc) kidney transplantation. This could lead to increased inflammation/scarring in the ABOi grafts. Protocol biopsy data in ABOi kidney recipients are scarce.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective matched cohort study was conducted. Eighty adult living donor (LD) renal transplant recipients without HLA donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) transplanted between 2009 and 2012 were included; 20 ABOi and 60 ABOc controls matched for donor age and transplantation year. Protocol biopsies at one yr were scored according to the Banff classification. Three sums of scores were constructed: tubulointerstitial inflammation (t + i = 0 vs. >0), microvascular inflammation (g + ptc = 0 vs. >0), scarring/hyalinosis (ci + ct + cv + ah ≤ 1 vs. >1. Scores and presence of subclinical rejection (SCR) at one yr were compared.

Results

Protocol biopsy findings at one yr in the ABOi vs. ABOc matched control group were not statistically different: (t + i) > 0, 30% vs. 20%; (g + ptc) > 0, 5% vs. 8%; (ci + ct + cv + ah) > 1, 85% vs. 60%, respectively. No transplant glomerulopathy occurred. SCR rate at one yr was 30% vs. 18%, subclinical ABMR 5% vs. 7% (all with de novo HLA DSA).

Conclusion

One‐year protocol biopsies of ABOi and ABOc LD recipients do not differ in chronic changes, inflammation, or SCRs.
Epidemiology of invasive fungal infections in lung transplant recipients on long‐term azole antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Chong Pearlie P. , Kennedy Cassie C. , Hathcock Matthew A. , Kremers Walter K. , Razonable Raymund R.
Published: January 2015

Lung transplant recipients (LTR) at our institution receive prolonged and mostly lifelong azole antifungal (AF) prophylaxis. The impact of this prophylactic strategy on the epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infections (IFI) is unknown. This was a single‐center, retrospective cohort study. We reviewed the medical records of all adult LTR from January 2002 to December 2011. Overall, 16.5% (15 of 91) of patients who underwent lung transplantation during this time period developed IFI. Nineteen IFI episodes were identified (eight proven, 11 probable), 89% (17 of 19) of which developed during AF prophylaxis. LTR with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were more likely to develop IFI (HR: 4.29; 95% CI: 1.15–15.91; p = 0.03). A higher hazard of mortality was observed among those who developed IFI, although this was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.58–4.05]; p = 0.27). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common cause of IFI (45%), with pulmonary parenchyma being the most common site of infection. None of our patients developed disseminated invasive aspergillosis, cryptococcal or endemic fungal infections. IFI continue to occur in LTR, and the eradication of IFI appears to be challenging even with prolonged prophylaxis. Azole resistance is uncommon despite prolonged AF exposure.
Health literacy in patients referred for transplant: do patients have the capacity to understand?
Authors: Miller‐Matero Lisa R. , Hyde‐Nolan Maren E. , Eshelman Anne , Abouljoud Marwan
Published: January 2015

Adequate levels of health literacy are needed for transplant recipients to be able to understand and comply with medical recommendations. However, little is known about health literacy among transplant candidates. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the levels of health literacy and cognitive functioning among patients being evaluated for various types of transplantation. There were 398 patients who completed a required psychological evaluation prior to being listed for transplant. This included a screen for cognitive impairment and limited reading and math ability. The prevalence of limited reading ability was 27.5%, limited math ability was 42.8%, and 30.7% had probable cognitive impairment. Rates of limited reading and math ability and cognitive impairment varied for each type of end‐stage disease. Limited reading ability was related to poorer cognitive functioning. Those with a higher likelihood of limited reading ability included blacks and males. Those more likely to have cognitive impairment included blacks and patients who are older. Results from this study suggest that patients should be regularly screened for health literacy and cognitive impairment. Once patients with difficulties are identified, recommendations can be provided to these patients at a level that they are able to understand.