bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigating Multiple Identities: The Simultaneous Influence of Advantaged and Disadvantaged Identities on Politicization and Activism
Authors: Curtin Nicola , Kende Anna , Kende Judit
Published: June 2016

Most identity‐based models of activism assume that action is motivated either by a disadvantaged identity (predicting own‐group activism), or a feeling of solidarity with disadvantaged groups (predicting ally activism). They do not account for advantaged and disadvantaged identifications within the same person. Yet many activists have both advantaged and disadvantaged identities. Two interview studies from Hungary and the United States (N = 47) were used to examine how both disadvantaged and advantaged identities influence politicization and activism (both own‐group and ally), via both direct and indirect experiences of marginalization and privilege. We also discuss the emergence of new identities from activist engagements and how such new activist identities recursively influence activism and politicization. We conclude our analysis by arguing that identity‐based organizations may be more successful emphasizing multiple and intersecting identities and the structural aspects of disadvantages rather than singular disadvantaged identities.
Separating Social Science Research on Activism from Social Science as Activism
Authors: Kende Anna
Published: June 2016

This special issue illustrates that for a better understanding of activism, we need to look at activities that differ from one another in their means and goals. As the topic is inherently politically contentious, reflection on what, why, and how we study activism becomes especially important. Drawing on the findings of the studies in this special issue, this concluding article outlines five propositions for areas of self‐reflection from scientific and policy perspectives. The propositions touch on (a) broadening the scope of activism research to include movements with politically antagonistic goals, (b) the importance of examining activities that contest the social structure as well as those that work within the system by providing support and services, (c) the necessity of testing traditional theories of activism in a technologically changing context, (d) endorsing methodological plurality in activism research, and finally (e) researchers’ responsibilities for the practical implications of their findings.
Territory selection in the city: can birds reliably judge territory quality in a novel urban environment?
Authors: Minias P. , Janiszewski T.
Published: June 2016

Although territory selection is likely to be under strong natural selection, in many cases it might be impossible for individuals to judge territory quality directly in terms of fitness return. Thus, animals often rely on some indirect environmental cues in territory assessment and they may not be able to make optimal settlement decisions when subjected to a novel environment. The aim of this study was to investigate adaptiveness of territory selection in a newly established urban population (Łódź, central Poland) of a waterbird, the Eurasian coot Fulica atra. For this purpose, we correlated occupancy rate of urban breeding territories over a 7‐year period with basic fitness‐related traits of coots. We found that the average number of fledglings raised by Eurasian coots increased with territory occupancy, indicating that birds were able to reliably judge territory quality and to choose nest sites which maximized their reproductive success. This conclusion was supported by the fact that in the process of territory selection coots used a set of habitat cues important for successful nest concealment and brood safety. In contrast, we found that coots showed no preferences for territories which provided easy access to anthropogenic food resources (via public feeding of waterbirds) and there was no relationship between condition of adult birds and territory occupancy, suggesting that either: (1) brood safety was a more important component in territory assessment than food availability, or (2) birds were unable to reliably judge food resources in a novel urban landscape.
Review: Roles for astrocytes in epilepsy: insights from malformations of cortical development
Authors: Kielbinski M. , Gzielo K. , Soltys Z.
Published: June 2016

Malformations of cortical development (MCDs), such as cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis complex, are common causes of intractable epilepsy, especially in paediatric patients. Recently, mounting evidence points to a common pathology of these disorders. Hyperactivation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been proposed as a central mechanism in most, if not all, MCDs. The transition from mTOR hyperactivation and cellular abnormalities to large‐scale functional changes and seizure is, however, not fully understood. In this article we set out to review currently available information regarding MCD pathology, focusing on glial cells – especially astrocytes – and their interactions with the brain vascular system. A large body of evidence points to these elements as potential targets in MCD. Here, we attempt to provide a review of this evidence and propose some hypotheses regarding the possible chain of events linking primary glial dysfunction and epilepsy. We focus on extracellular matrix remodelling, blood–brain barrier leakage and failure of astrocyte‐dependent removal of extracellular debris. We posit that the failure of these systems results in a chronically pro‐inflammatory environment, maintaining local astrocytes in a state of gliosis, with increased susceptibility to seizures as a consequence.
The decision to germinate is regulated by divergent molecular networks in spores and seeds
Authors: Vesty Eleanor F. , Saidi Younousse , Moody Laura A. , Holloway Daniel , Whitbread Amy , Needs Sarah , Choudhary Anushree , Burns Bethany , McLeod Daniel , Bradshaw Susan J. , Bae Hansol , King Brian Christopher , Bassel George W. , Simonsen Henrik Toft , Coates Juliet C.
Published: June 2016

Dispersal is a key step in land plant life cycles, usually via formation of spores or seeds. Regulation of spore‐ or seed‐germination allows control over the timing of transition from one generation to the next, enabling plant dispersal. A combination of environmental and genetic factors determines when seed germination occurs. Endogenous hormones mediate this decision in response to the environment. Less is known about how spore germination is controlled in earlier‐evolving nonseed plants.

Here, we present an in‐depth analysis of the environmental and hormonal regulation of spore germination in the model bryophyte Physcomitrella patens (Aphanoregma patens).

Our data suggest that the environmental signals regulating germination are conserved, but also that downstream hormone integration pathways mediating these responses in seeds were acquired after the evolution of the bryophyte lineage. Moreover, the role of abscisic acid and diterpenes (gibberellins) in germination assumed much greater importance as land plant evolution progressed.

We conclude that the endogenous hormone signalling networks mediating germination in response to the environment may have evolved independently in spores and seeds. This paves the way for future research about how the mechanisms of plant dispersal on land evolved.
Anticonvulsant discovery through animal models of status epilepticus induced by organophosphorus nerve agents and pesticides
Authors: McCarren Hilary S. , McDonough John H.
Published: June 2016

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and nerve agents (NAs) are highly toxic chemicals that pose a significant threat to human health worldwide. These compounds induce status epilepticus (SE) by irreversibly blocking the ability of acetylcholinesterase to break down acetylcholine at neural synapses. Animal models of organophosphate‐induced SE are a crucial resource for identifying new anticonvulsant therapies. Here, we describe the development of various animal models of SE induced by NA or OP exposure. Experiments in nonhuman primates, rats, mice, and guinea pigs have helped to identify novel therapeutic targets in the central nervous system, with particular success at modulating GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors. The anticonvulsants identified by NA‐ and OP‐induced SE models are well poised for fast advancement into clinical development, and their potential utility in the broader field of epilepsy should make them all the more attractive for commercial pursuit.
Unhealthy diets, obesity and time discounting: a systematic literature review and network analysis
Authors: Barlow Pepita , Reeves Aaron , McKee Martin , Galea Gauden , Stuckler David
Published: June 2016

There is an increasing policy commitment to address the avoidable burdens of unhealthy diet, overweight and obesity. However, to design effective policies, it is important to understand why people make unhealthy dietary choices. Research from behavioural economics suggests a critical role for time discounting, which describes how people's value of a reward, such as better health, decreases with delay to its receipt. We systematically reviewed the literature on the relationship of time discounting with unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity in Web of Science and PubMed. We identified 41 studies that met our inclusion criteria as they examined the association between time discount rates and (i) unhealthy food consumption; (ii) overweight and (iii) response to dietary and weight loss interventions. Nineteen out of 25 cross‐sectional studies found time discount rates positively associated with overweight, obesity and unhealthy diets. Experimental studies indicated that lower time discounting was associated with greater weight loss. Findings varied by how time discount rates were measured; stronger results were observed for food than monetary‐based measurements. Network co‐citation analysis revealed a concentration of research in nutrition journals. Overall, there is moderate evidence that high time discounting is a significant risk factor for unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity and may serve as an important target for intervention. © 2016 The Authors Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO)
Is there a link between dizziness and vision? A systematic review
Authors: Armstrong Deborah , Charlesworth Emily , Alderson Alison J. , Elliott David B.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to investigate the link (if any) between vision and dizziness.

Methods

Medline, CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library were searched with keywords chosen to find articles which investigated the causes of dizziness and considered vision as a possible trigger. Citation chaining of all included papers was performed in addition to the hand searching of all reference lists. Unpublished literature was identified using www.opengrey.eu. The review considered studies involving adults which link, measure or attempt to improve any aspect of vision in relation to dizziness.

Results

Nine thousand six hundred and eighty one possible references were found, and the abstracts were screened independently by two reviewers to determine if they should be included in the study. Thirteen papers were found which investigated whether dizziness was linked to an assessment of vision. Visual impairment measures were crude and typically self‐report, or Snellen visual acuity with little or no measurement details. Five studies found an independent link between dizziness and vision, five found a weak association (typically finding a link when univariate analyses were used, but not when multivariate analyses were used), and three found no association. Studies finding a strong link were usually cross‐sectional with a large study population whereas those finding a weak association had relatively small numbers of participants. Studies which did not find an association used a broad definition of dizziness that included the term light‐headedness, an unreliable Rosenbaum near visual acuity chart or an unusual categorisation of visual acuity.

Conclusions

This review suggests that dizziness (although likely not ‘light‐headedness’) is linked with poor vision although further studies using more appropriate measures of vision are recommended.
Impact of pretransplant minimal residual disease on the post‐transplant outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Umeda Katsutsugu , Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Kawaguchi Koji , Iwai Atsushi , Mikami Masamitsu , Nodomi Seishiro , Saida Satoshi , Heike Toshio , Ohomori Katsuyuki , Adachi Souichi
Published: June 2016

There are few reports on the clinical significance of MRD before HSCT in pediatric ALL. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical significance of FCM‐based detection of MRD (FCM‐MRD) before allogeneic HSCT in pediatric ALL. Of 38 pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT for the first time between 1998 and 2014, 33 patients were in CR and five patients were in non‐CR. The CR group was further divided into two groups based on the pretransplant FCM‐MRD level: the MRDneg (<0.01%; 30 patients) group and the MRDpos (≥0.01%; three patients) group. There were significant differences in the three‐yr event‐free survival rates between the CR and non‐CR group, and between the MRDneg and MRDpos group. The three‐yr cumulative RI in the MRDneg group were 27.3% ± 8.8%, whereas two of the three patients in the MRDpos group relapsed within one yr after HSCT. The clinical outcome of the MRDpos group was as poor as that of the non‐CR group in pediatric ALL. Therefore, an improvement in pretransplant treatment that aims to achieve a more profound remission would contribute to reducing the risk of relapse.
Temporal rhythm of petal programmed cell death in Ipomoea purpurea
Authors: Gui M.‐Y. , Ni X.‐L. , Wang H.‐B. , Liu W.‐Z.
Published: June 2016

Flowers are the main sexual reproductive organs in plants. The shapes, colours and scents of corolla of plant flowers are involved in attracting insect pollinators and increasing reproductive success. The process of corolla senescence was investigated in Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae) in this study.

In the research methods of plant anatomy, cytology, cell chemistry and molecular biology were used.

The results showed that at the flowering stage cells already began to show distortion, chromatin condensation, mitochondrial membrane degradation and tonoplast dissolution and rupture. At this stage genomic DNA underwent massive but gradual random degradation. However, judging from the shape and structure, aging characteristics did not appear until the early flower senescence stage. The senescence process was slow, and it was completed at the late stage of flower senescence with a withering corolla.

We may safely arrive at the conclusion that corolla senescence of I. purpurea was mediated by programmed cell death (PCD) that occurred at the flowering stage. The corolla senescence exhibited an obvious temporal rhythm, which demonstrated a high degree of coordination with pollination and fertilization.
Egress! How technophilia can reinforce biophilia to improve ecological restoration
Authors: Buettel Jessie C. , Brook Barry W.
Published: June 2016

For effective and sustained ecological restoration, community support is essential. Yet, in modern society, artificial constructs and electronic technology now dominate most peoples' interests (technophilia). This has led to a perceived growing disconnection between humans and nature. We ask how such technology might be harnessed as an agent of connection to the environment, rather than being seen as a driver of detachment. We use the example of a hugely popular mobile augmented reality smartphone game “Ingress” to show how gaming technology can excite people about nature, unlock their inherent biophilia, and highlight the value of ecological restoration in their everyday lives.
Restoration dialogues: improving the governance of ecological restoration
Authors: Richardson Benjamin J. , Lefroy Ted
Published: June 2016

Ecological restoration activities should be conceptualized as a form of governance, as this lens best captures the multiactor, collaborative processes by which societies through governments and nonstate entities seek to achieve environmental outcomes. Successful restoration governance depends on addressing a cluster of challenges concerning optimal spatiotemporal scales, biological feasibility, sociocultural acceptability, financial viability, and institutional tractability. Changes to private law, company law, and taxation are some of the governance reforms available to tackle these challenges.
Labor Unions and Minority Group Members’ Voter Turnout*
Authors: Kim Dukhong
Published: June 2016

Object

This study examines the effects of labor union membership and labor unions’ mobilization efforts on minority group members’ participation in voting.

Methods

It uses a hierarchical linear model with data from the Current Population Survey (2000, 2004, and 2008) and state‐level information.

Results

The analysis shows that the effect of union membership on voter turnout varies somewhat by racial and ethnic group. Also, it finds that labor unions’ mobilization efforts, measured by union density in states, significantly increase minority group members’ participation in voting more than it does that of whites. Finally, the effect of union density in states among Latinos changes significantly by political conditions.

Conclusion

Labor unions play an important role in assisting minority group members, who traditionally have been considered to lack resources as compared to whites, to participate in voting by engaging in voter mobilization at the state level as well as by increasing membership among minority members.
Tropheryma whipplei infection (Whipple's disease) in a patient after liver transplantation
Authors: Vindigni S.M. , Taylor J. , Quilter L.A.S. , Hyun T.S. , Liu C. , Rosinski S.L. , Rakita R.M. , Fredricks D.N. , Damman C.J.
Published: June 2016

Whipple's disease (WD) is a rare infection caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei that can affect multiple organs and most commonly occurs in the immunocompetent host. Only 3 cases of WD have been reported in the setting of immunosuppression for organ transplantation. Here, we report the first case of WD, to our knowledge, in a patient after liver transplantation with comorbid graft‐versus‐host‐disease. We discuss the diagnostic challenges in this setting and the value of electron microscopy and in situ hybridization methods for confirming the infection. WD may be under‐diagnosed in immunosuppressed transplant patients because the disease can present with atypical clinical and histological features that suggest other conditions.
Fungal meningitis caused by Lomentospora prolificans after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tamaki M. , Nozaki K. , Onishi M. , Yamamoto K. , Ujiie H. , Sugahara H.
Published: June 2016

Central nervous system lomentosporiosis is a rare pathological condition in immunocompromised patients. We describe a fatal case of meningitis caused by Lomentospora prolificans (which was previously named Scedosporium prolificans), after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). To our knowledge, no cases of Lomentospora meningitis following allo‐HSCT have been reported previously. Particularly in neutropenic patients, it is important to consider L. prolificans when a fungal infection is suspected and antifungal agents are ineffective.
Stakeholder Participation in System Change: A New Conceptual Model
Authors: O'Rourke Tammy , Higuchi Kathryn S. , Hogg William
Published: June 2016

Background

A recent change in Canada's primary care system led to the introduction of Nurse Practitioner‐Led clinics. The literature suggests that stakeholders can influence system change initiatives. However, very little is known about healthcare stakeholder motivations, particularly stakeholders who are seen as resistors to change.

Aim

To examine stakeholder participation in the system change process that led to the introduction of the first Nurse Practitioner‐Led clinic in Ontario.

Methods

This single case study included two site visits, semistructured individual tape‐recorded interviews, and the examination of relevant public documents. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results

Sixteen individuals from different healthcare sectors and professions participated in the interviews and 20 documents were reviewed. Six key themes emerged from the data.

Linking Evidence to Action

The findings from the study present a new perspective on stakeholder participation that includes both those who supported the proposed change and those who advocated for a different change. The findings identify stakeholder activities used to shape, share, and protect their visions for system change. The conceptual model presented in this study adds to the understanding of challenges and complexities involved in healthcare system change. Understanding why and how stakeholders participate in change can help healthcare leaders in planning activities to enhance stakeholder involvement in healthcare system change.
Simulation of Electric-Current-Induced Drowning Accident Scenarios for Boating Safety
Authors: Koko Tamunoiyala S. , Ayyub Bilal M. , Gallant Keith
Published: June 2016

In the companion paper (Ayyub et al., 2016, “Risk Assessment Methodology for Electric-Current Induced Drowning Accidents,” ASCE-ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Eng. Syst. Part B Mech. Eng., 3(3), pp. XXX-XXX.), the authors developed a methodology to identify hazards associated with electric-current-induced drowning and electric shocks for swimmers around docks, houseboats, and other boats in both freshwater and saltwater; and to assess scenarios and risks associated with these hazards. This paper presents numerical simulations of the electric field and potential in the surrounding water for a number of these electric-current-induced drowning accident scenarios in support of boating safety studies. A boundary-element-based computational tool was employed. A combined experimental and numerical validation study was first undertaken. The tool was then used to compute the electric field and potential in the fluid surrounding the boat with and without a person in the surrounding field for four accident scenarios, including two scenarios with boat at dock in freshwater or saltwater; and two scenarios with boat offshore in freshwater or saltwater. Parametric studies were also undertaken, giving consideration to parameters such as the location of the human with respect to the boat and dock; nature of the water body (freshwater or saltwater); and intensity of the applied current (i.e., at source); and to establish general trends of electric potential and electric field due to the presence of an electric power source in water. The observations from the parametric study are useful for developing information for communicating these risks to swimmers, first responders, boat owners and operators, marina and boatyard owners, and other persons in the vicinity of boats.
High emission current of 1000 μA at 4 × 10−10 Pa from W⟨310⟩ cold field emitter in electron gun
Authors: Kasuya Keigo , Katagiri Souichi , Ohshima Takashi
Published: June 2016

Total cold field emission (CFE) current has generally been limited to 30 μA because a higher current may initiate a vacuum arc that destroys the emitter. However, high emission current is needed to reduce the operation time in analytical electron microscopy and to further enhance the brightness of CFE. The authors achieved a total emission current of 1000 μA by reducing the pressure around the electron gun to 4 × 10−10 Pa. This high emission current was achieved without initiating a vacuum arc apparently because the number of ions striking the emitter surface was reduced. While a high angular current density of 1670 μA/sr was obtained at 1000 μA, current fluctuation occurred during the initial “plateau region” period of the probe current, and this needs to be investigated. This fluctuation is attributed to surface adsorption of gases emitted by electron stimulated desorption (ESD). Evaluation of the effect of introducing dominant ESD gases, namely, H2 or CO, on the current fluctuation revealed that the adsorption of H2 maintained the plateau region while the adsorption of CO caused current fluctuation in the plateau region.
Core–shell carrier and exciton transfer in GaAs/GaNAs coaxial nanowires
Authors: Chen Shula , Jansson Mattias , Filippov Stanislav , Ishikawa Fumitaro , Chen Weimin M. , Buyanova Irina A.
Published: June 2016

Comprehensive studies of GaAs/GaNAs coaxial nanowires grown on Si substrates are carried out by temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation, to evaluate effects of the shell formation on carrier recombination. The PL emission from the GaAs core is found to transform into a series of sharp PL lines upon radial growth of the GaNAs shell, pointing toward the formation of localization potentials in the core. This hampers carrier transfer at low temperatures from the core in spite of its wider bandgap. Carrier injection from the core to the optically active shell is found to become thermally activated at T > 60 K, which implies that the localization potentials are rather shallow.
Scattering of guided waves at delaminations in composite plates
Authors: Murat Bibi I. S. , Khalili Pouyan , Fromme Paul
Published: June 2016

Carbon fiber laminate composites are increasingly employed for aerospace structures as they offer advantages, such as a good strength to weight ratio. However, impact during the operation and servicing of the aircraft can lead to barely visible and difficult to detect damage. Depending on the severity of the impact, fiber and matrix breakage or delaminations can occur, reducing the load carrying capacity of the structure. Efficient nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring of composite panels can be achieved using guided ultrasonic waves propagating along the structure. The scattering of the A0 Lamb wave mode at delaminations was investigated using a full three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. The influence of the delamination geometry (size and depth) was systematically evaluated. In addition to the depth dependency, a significant influence of the delamination width due to sideways reflection of the guided waves within the delamination area was found. Mixed-mode defects were simulated using a combined model of delamination with localized material degradation. The guided wave scattering at cross-ply composite plates with impact damage was measured experimentally using a non-contact laser interferometer. Good agreement between experiments and FE predictions using the mixed-mode model for an approximation of the impact damage was found.
Chemical genetic discovery of PARP targets reveals a role for PARP-1 in transcription elongation
Authors: Gibson Bryan A. , Zhang Yajie , Jiang Hong , Hussey Kristine M. , Shrimp Jonathan H. , Lin Hening , Schwede Frank , Yu Yonghao , Kraus W. Lee
Published: June 2016

Mapping ADP-ribosylation by PARPs

During many cell processes, ADP-ribose is transferred from NAD
+
onto protein substrates by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). Gibson
et al.
developed a method to track ribose transfer events and mapped hundreds of sites of ADP-ribosylation for PARPs 1, 2, and 3 across the proteome and genome. One PARP-1 target is NELF, a protein complex that regulates pausing by RNA polymerase II. If NELF is ribosylated, pausing is released and productive transcription elongation resumes.

Science
, this issue p.
45
Draft Genome Sequence of
Methylobacterium
sp. Strain ARG-1 Isolated from the White-Rot Fungus
Armillaria gallica
Authors: Collins Caitlin , Kowalski Caitlin , Zebrowski Jessica , Tulchinskaya Yevgeniya , Tai Albert K. , James-Pederson Magdalena , Hirst Rachel
Published: June 2016

Methylobacterium
sp. strain ARG-1 was isolated from a cell culture of hyphal tips of the white-rot fungus
Armillaria gallica
. We describe here the sequencing, assembly, and annotation of its genome, confirming the presence of genes involved in methylotrophy. This is the first genome announcement of a strain of
Methylobacterium
associated with
A. gallica
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces ambofaciens DSM 40697, a Paradigm for Genome Plasticity Studies
Authors: Thibessard Annabelle , Leblond Pierre
Published: June 2016

The sequence of
Streptomyces ambofaciens
DSM 40697 was completely determined. The genome consists of an 8.1-Mbp linear chromosome with terminal inverted repeats of 210 kb. Genomic islands were identified, one of which corresponds to a new putative integrative and conjugative element (ICE) called pSAM3.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. GZT, a 2,4,6-Tribromophenol-Degrading Strain Isolated from the River Sludge of an Electronic Waste-Dismantling Region
Authors: Liang Zhishu , Li Guiying , An Taicheng , Das Ranjit
Published: June 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain GZT, a 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP)-degrading bacterium previously isolated from an electronic waste-dismantling region. The draft genome sequence is 5.18 Mb and has a G+C content of 35.1%. This is the first genome report of a brominated flame retardant-degrading strain.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Endophytic Fungus
Diaporthe
(
Phomopsis
)
ampelina
Authors: Savitha J. , Bhargavi S. D. , Praveen V. K.
Published: June 2016

Diaporthe ampelina
was isolated as an endophytic fungus from the root of
Commiphora wightii,
a medicinal plant collected from Dhanvantri Vana, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
.
The whole genome is 59 Mb, contains a total of 905 scaffolds, and has a G+C content of 51.74%. The genome sequence of
D. ampelina
shows a complete absence of lovastatin (an anticholesterol drug) gene cluster.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of 11 Bacillus cereus Food Isolates
Authors: Hayrapetyan Hasmik , Boekhorst Jos , de Jong Anne , Kuipers Oscar P. , Nierop Groot Masja N. , Abee Tjakko
Published: June 2016

Bacillus cereus
is a foodborne pathogen causing emetic and diarrheal-type syndromes. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of 11
B. cereus
food isolates.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus 905, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium of Wheat
Authors: Ding Haixia , Niu Ben , Fan Haiyan , Li Yan , Wang Qi
Published: June 2016

Bacillus cereus
905 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, isolated from wheat rhizosphere. The draft genome sequence of this strain is 5.39 Mb and harbors 5,412 coding sequences.
Draft Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter enclensis NCIM 5488
T
for Secondary Metabolism
Authors: Neurgaonkar Priya S. , Dharne Mahesh S. , Dastager Syed G.
Published: June 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Arthrobacter enclensis
NCIM 5488
T
, an actinobacterium isolated from a marine sediment sample from Chorao Island, Goa, India. This draft genome sequence consists of 4,226,231 bp with a G+C content of 67.08%, 3,888 protein-coding genes, 50 tRNAs, and 10 rRNAs. Analysis of the genome using bioinformatics tools such as antiSMASH and NaPDoS showed the presence of many unique natural product biosynthetic gene clusters.
First Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus condimenti F-2
T
Authors: Zheng Beiwen , Hu Xinjun , Jiang Xiawei , Li Ang , Yao Jian , Li Lanjuan
Published: June 2016

This report describes the draft genome sequence of
S. condimenti
strain F-2
T
(DSM 11674), a potential starter culture. The genome assembly comprised 2,616,174 bp with 34.6% GC content. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation that reports the whole-genome sequence of
S. condimenti.
Treatment of Insulin Resistance by Acupuncture: A Review of Human and Animal Studies
Authors: Martinez Bridget , Peplow Philip V
Published: June 2016

Background

Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can correct various metabolic disorders such as hyperglycaemia, overweight, hyperphagia, hyperlipidaemia, inflammation, altered activity of the sympathetic nervous system, and insulin signalling defects, all of which contribute to the development of insulin resistance.

Objective

To review human and animal studies investigating acupuncture as a treatment for insulin resistance, and to evaluate its potential to increase insulin sensitivity.

Methods

PubMed was searched for relevant articles published between January 2008 and October 2015. Search terms used were ‘acupuncture’, ‘insulin resistance’, ‘insulin sensitivity’, and ‘blood glucose’. Additional secondary sources of information included reference lists from retrieved papers and pertinent papers identified by hand searches of relevant journals not found in the database.

Results

In total, 31 articles were included in this review and comprised studies of the following insulin resistant conditions: obesity (n=9); diabetes mellitus (n=12); polycystic ovarian syndrome (n=7); skeletal muscle atrophy (n=1); ischaemic heart disease (n=1); and fatty liver disease (n=1). Of these articles, seven were human trials and 24 animal experiments. Collectively, the studies suggest that electroacupuncture (EA) at low intensity and low frequency can reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity in a range of different insulin-resistant conditions.

Conclusions

EA, used alone or in combination with other therapies, such as Chinese herbs or diet-exercise interventions, has the potential to be an effective treatment for insulin resistance. Additional controlled clinical studies of acupuncture are needed in subjects with diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, muscle atrophy, and fatty liver disease.
Establishing the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and student experience of a Simulation-based education Training program On the Prevention of Falls (STOP-Falls) among hospitalised inpatients: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Williams Cylie , Bowles Kelly-Ann , Kiegaldie Debra , Maloney Stephen , Nestel Debra , Kaplonyi Jessica , Haines Terry
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Simulation-based education (SBE) is now commonly used across health professional disciplines to teach a range of skills. The evidence base supporting the effectiveness of this approach for improving patient health outcomes is relatively narrow, focused mainly on the development of procedural skills. However, there are other simulation approaches used to support non-procedure specific skills that are in need of further investigation. This cluster, cross-over randomised controlled trial with a concurrent economic evaluation (cost per fall prevented) trial will evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and student experience of health professional students undertaking simulation training for the prevention of falls among hospitalised inpatients. This research will target the students within the established undergraduate student placements of Monash University medicine, nursing and allied health across Peninsula Health acute and subacute inpatient wards.

Methods and analysis

The intervention will train the students in how to provide the Safe Recovery program, the only single intervention approach demonstrated to reduce falls in hospitals. This will involve redevelopment of the Safe Recovery program into a one-to-many participant SBE program, so that groups of students learn the communication skills and falls prevention knowledge necessary for delivery of the program. The primary outcome of this research will be patient falls across participating inpatient wards, with secondary outcomes including student satisfaction with the SBE and knowledge gain, ward-level practice change and cost of acute/rehabilitation care for each patient measured using clinical costing data.

Ethics and dissemination

The Human Research Ethics Committees of Peninsula Health (LRR/15/PH/11) and Monash University (CF15/3523-2015001384) have approved this research. The participant information and consent forms provide information on privacy, storage of results and dissemination. Registration of this trial has been completed with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000817549. This study protocol has been prepared according to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615000817549; Pre-results.
Risk factors of direct heat-related hospital admissions during the 2009 heatwave in Adelaide, Australia: a matched case–control study
Authors: Zhang Ying , Nitschke Monika , Krackowizer Antoinette , Dear Keith , Pisaniello Dino , Weinstein Philip , Tucker Graeme , Shakib Sepehr , Bi Peng
Published: June 2016

Objective

The extreme heatwave of 2009 in South Australia dramatically increased morbidity, with a 14-fold increase in direct heat-related hospitalisation in metropolitan Adelaide. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for the excess morbidity.

Design

A matched case–control study of risk factors was conducted.

Setting

Patients and matched community controls were interviewed to gather data on demographics, living environment, social support, health status and behaviour changes during the heatwave.

Participants

Cases were all hospital admissions with heat-related diagnoses during the 5-day heatwave in 2009. Controls were randomly selected from communities.

Outcome measures

Descriptive analyses, simple and multiple conditional logistic regressions were performed. Adjusted ORs (AORs) were estimated.

Results

In total, 143 hospital patients and 143 matched community controls were interviewed, with a mean age of 73 years (SD 21), 96% European ethnicity, 63% retired, 36% with high school or higher education, and 8% institutional living. The regression model indicated that compared with the controls, cases were more likely to have heart disease (AOR=13.56, 95% CI 1.27 to 144.86) and dementia (AOR=26.43, 95% CI 1.99 to 350.73). The protective factors included higher education level (AOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.99), having air-conditioner in the bedroom (AOR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.74), having an emergency button (AOR=0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.96), using refreshment (AOR=0.10, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.84), and having more social activities (AOR=0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.57).

Conclusions

Pre-existing heart disease and dementia significantly increase the risk of direct heat-related hospitalisations during heatwaves. The presence of an air-conditioner in the bedroom, more social activities, a higher education level, use of emergency buttons and refreshments reduce the risk during heatwaves.
Retrospective angiographic study to determine the effect of atherosclerotic stenoses of upstream arteries on the degree of atherosclerosis in distal vascular territories
Authors: Rehwald Rafael , Petersen Johannes , Gratl Alexandra , Zoller Heinz , Mader Andreas , Loizides Alexander , Grams Astrid E , Klocker Josef , Glodny Bernhard
Published: June 2016

Objective

Experimental coarctation of the aorta prevents the development of downstream atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to find out whether or not atherosclerotic stenoses protect distal vascular territories from developing atherosclerosis in humans.

Design and setting

A total of 2125 vascular segments from angiographies of 101 patients were evaluated by calculating the maximum degree of stenosis (NASCET criteria), the degree of calcification, the degree of collaterals and the Friesinger score.

Results

Stenosis ≥30–49% was found in 685 vascular segments (32.2%), ≥50–69% in 490 (23.1%), ≥70–89% in 373 (17.6%) and ≥90% in 265 (12.5%). If a stenosis of at least ≥70–89% was present in the common iliac, the external iliac or the common femoral artery, the degrees of stenosis distal to it were lower than those on the contralateral side (19.8±22.3% (CI 11.7 to 28.0) vs 25.2±20.7% (CI 21.2 to 29.1); Friesinger scores 1.1±1.2 (CI 0.6 to 1.5) vs 1.4±1.1 (CI 1.2 to 1.6); degrees of calcification 0.8±1.0 (CI 0.4 to 1.1) vs 1.2±1.1 (CI 1.2 to 1.6); p<0.05 each). This effect depended on the degree of proximal stenosis, but not on collaterals, and was most pronounced distal to stenoses of the common iliac, the superficial femoral and the popliteal artery. In regression models, stenoses of the pelvic arteries were shown to be an independent protective factor for the distal vascular territories.

Conclusions

Atherosclerotic stenoses seem to protect distal vascular territories from developing atherosclerosis. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism of this phenomenon remains to be determined. It could be based on pulse pressure reduction.
Protocol of a randomised phase III clinical trial of sequential capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil plus bevacizumab (Cape/5-FU-Bmab) to capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab (CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab) versus combination CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab in advanced colorectal cancer: the C-cubed (C3) study
Authors: Nagasaka Takeshi , Mishima Hideyuki , Sawaki Akira , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Inukai Michio , Shinozaki Katsunori , Tanioka Hiroaki , Nasu Junichiro , Nishina Tomohiro , Hazama Shoichi , Okajima Masazumi , Yamaguchi Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Results from several randomised trials suggest that the sequential use of cytotoxic agents in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has the potential to improve overall survival compared with combination chemotherapy. This study is designed to investigate whether sequential treatment with bevacizumab-based first-line treatment with oxaliplatin is superior to combination treatment of mCRC.

Methods and analysis

The C-cubed (C3) study is a two-arm, multicentre, open-label, randomised phase III trial in Japan comparing the efficacy and safety of sequential capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil plus bevacizumab (Cape/5-FU-Bmab) with escalation to capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab (CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab) versus combination CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab as the first-line treatment of mCRC. In the sequential arm (Arm A: oxaliplatin ‘wait-and-go’), treatment escalation from Cape/5-FU-Bmab to CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab is recommended in the case of progressive disease. In the combination arm (Arm B: oxaliplatin ‘stop-and-go’), de-escalation from CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab to Cape/5-FU-Bmab is possible after 12 weeks of treatment. Re-escalation to CapeOX/mFOLFOX6-Bmab after progressive disease is considered only for patients who received de-escalation of oxaliplatin after 12 weeks of treatment not caused by oxaliplatin-associated toxicity. A target sample size of 304 evaluable patients is considered sufficient to validate an expected HR for time to failure of strategy of the sequential approach ‘wait-and-go’ compared to the combination approach ‘stop-and go’ with 80% power and 2-sided 5% α in case of a true HR<0.69.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is conducted according to the standards of Good Clinical Practice and in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki 2013 and local regulations, and has been submitted and approved by the Ethical Committee of the Non-Profit Organization MINS Institutional Review Board. The protocol and the trial results, even inconclusive, will be presented at international oncology congresses and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

UMIN000015405, Pre-results.
Optimal profile for concave slopes under static and seismic conditions
Authors: Vahedifard Farshid , Shahrokhabadi Shahriar , Leshchinsky Dov
Published: June 2016

This study presents a methodology to determine the stability and optimal profile for slopes with concave cross section under static and seismic conditions. Concave profiles are observed in some natural slopes suggesting that such geometry is a more stable configuration. In this study, the profile of a concave slope was idealized by a circular arc defined by a single variable, the mid-chord offset (MCO). The proposed concave profile formulation was incorporated into a limit equilibrium–based log spiral slope stability method. Stability charts are presented to show the stability number, MCO, and mode of failure for homogeneous slopes corresponding to the most stable configuration under static and pseudostatic conditions. It is shown that concave profiles can significantly improve the stability of slopes. Under seismic conditions, the impact of concavity is most pronounced. Good agreement was demonstrated upon comparison of the results from the proposed method against those attended from a rigorous upper bound limit analysis. The proposed methodology, along with recent advances in construction technology, can be employed to use concave profiles in trenches, open mine excavations, earth retaining systems, and naturally cemented and stabilized soil slopes. The results presented provide a useful tool for preliminary evaluation for adopting such concave profiles in practice.
Restoration of slash pile burn scars to prevent establishment and propagation of non-native plants
Authors: DeSandoli L. , Turkington R. , Fraser L.H.
Published: June 2016

Logging and burning of the resultant woody debris is a management tool to reduce fire risk. Burning of the debris as piles affects the underlying soil biota and soil physical and (or) chemical properties. The resulting disturbance created by the burns may create opportunities for the establishment and spread of non-native plant species. Here, we test three restoration treatments on recent, approximately 1-year-old, pile burn scars, including an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculant (present or absent), a ground cover (straw or no straw added), and different seeding types (native seed mix, agronomic seed mix, and no seed). The most effective treatment in reducing undesired non-native species cover was the seeding of agronomic species; here “native” and “non-native” groups exclude sown agronomic species. Undesired non-native cover was 15.1% in plots with no seed, 9.1% in plots with native seed added, and 3.5% in plots with agronomic seed added. Total vegetation cover, mostly through the increase of agronomic species, was increased by seeding and by the application of straw cover. Commercial AMF inoculum was an ineffective treatment, suggesting that a better understanding of host specificity is warranted. Restoration efforts should be directed at burn scar sites after burning to ameliorate the effects of invasive species colonization, and the use of agronomic species may prevent non-native invasive plants from establishing.
Nature and magnitude of genetic variability and diversity analysis of Indian turmeric accessions using agro-morphological descriptors
Authors: Bahadur Vijay , Yeshudas Vijay , Meena Om Prakash
Published: June 2016

Turmeric, a vegetatively propagated crop, may have restricted variability from which to breed new cultivars. Understanding the genetic variability of a species is crucial for the progress of a genetic breeding program and requires characterization and evaluation of accessions. The objectives of this study were to determine extent of variability, relationships between different agro-morphological traits, and diversity among 25 different accessions of turmeric. The present experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, India during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010. Accessions were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant mean square of accessions for all the traits studied indicates the existence of sufficient genetic variability among the studied accessions. The rhizome yield exhibited highly significant and positive association with plant height, number of leaves plant−1, number of tillers plant−1, weight of rhizomes plant−1, length of primary rhizome, and dry matter recovery. The highest positive direct effect on rhizome yield was exerted by plant height. Multivariate analysis techniques allowed an effective study of genetic divergence and the grouping of the 25 accessions into six clusters. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and IV, accessions from these clusters can be used as potential parents for future breeding programs.