bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Un análisis descriptivo de los determinantes del éxito de nuevos servicios de acuerdo con indicadores subjetivos de resultados
Authors: Jiménez Zarco Ana , González González Ines
Published: October 2014

Académicos y profesionales reconocen la importancia de ciertas variables en el éxito de los nuevos servicios, tales como la cultura organizacional, el tamaño y la antigüedad de la empresa, y las características del emprendedor. Sin embargo, la percepción de éxito que demuestra el emprendedor se ve influenciada en gran medida por el sector de actividad de la empresa y por el tipo de innovación que ha llevado a cabo, y esto, a su vez, influye en el significado de cada uno de los factores mencionados. Es especialmente relevante en el sector de servicios, donde gran parte del éxito de la innovación se caracteriza por la percepción del empresario.
Con el objetivo de analizar las últimas ideas, y la evidencia de la influencia de los impulsores de la innovación en la percepción del resultado del empresario, se realizó un estudio de muestreo de 354 pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME) del sector turístico en España, que han desarrollado nuevos servicios en el últimos dos años. Los resultados obtenidos, después del desarrollo de un análisis de regresión logística, muestran la importancia de variables como el grado de novedad del producto, la edad de la organización y el grado de empoderamiento de los trabajadores.
Marketing mix dynamism and performance: evidence from commercial firms
Authors: Martínez-Ruiz María del Pilar , Lopes Dias Álvaro , Blazquez-Resino Juan Jose
Published: October 2014

We focused on the analysis of marketing mix dynamic capabilities, taking into account their influence on customer, market and financial performance. In order to achieve this research goal, 201 SMEs in the Portuguese commercial sector were contacted and personally administered a questionnaire pertaining to the presence of diverse marketing mix dynamic capabilities. Data were analyzed by means of factorial analyses of the main components, as well as linear parametric regressions. Our findings show that there is a clear relationship between marketing mix dynamic capabilities and diverse performance metrics. Especially, the marketing dynamic capabilities related to aspects external to the product exert the greatest impact. This study highlights how Portuguese company managers are conscious of the importance of developing marketing mix dynamic capabilities and to adapt them to the changes in the environment..
Escrutinio de la Alianza del Pacífico
Authors: García Pio
Published: October 2014

En los dos últimos años, Chile, México, Perú y Colombia multiplicaron sus encuentros, con el fin de establecer la Alianza del Pacífico. Se trata de un mecanismo de cooperación que busca la integración profunda de sus economías, de por sí expuestas a la competencia mutua, con base en los acuerdos de libre comercio vigentes. El presente análisis explica la expansión marginal del intercambio en el mediano plazo y resalta los efectos adversos del experimento sobre las iniciativas de integración pampacífica y latinoamericana. No obstante, los resultados de la movilización social y la cooperación científica serán aportes valiosos para el desarrollo concertado de América Latina.
Trophic cascades in agricultural landscapes: indirect effects of landscape composition on crop yield
Authors: Liere Heidi , Kim Tania N. , Werling Benjamin P. , Meehan Timothy D. , Landis Douglas A. , Gratton Claudio
Published: October 2014

The strength and prevalence of trophic cascades, defined as positive, indirect effects of natural enemies (predatory and parasitic arthropods) on plants, is highly variable in agroecosystems. This variation may in part be due to the spatial or landscape context in which these trophic cascades occur. In 2011 and 2012, we conducted a natural enemy exclusion experiment in soybean fields along a gradient of landscape composition across southern Wisconsin and Michigan, USA. We used structural equation modeling to ask (1) whether natural enemies influence biocontrol of soybean aphids (SBA) and soybean yield and (2) whether landscape effects on natural enemies influence the strength of the trophic cascades. We found that natural enemies (NE) suppressed aphid populations in both years of our study, and, in 2011, the yield of soybean plants exposed to natural enemies was 37% higher than the yield of plants with aphid populations protected from natural enemies. The strength of the trophic cascade was also influenced by landscape context. We found that landscapes with a higher proportion of soybean and higher diversity habitats resulted in more NE, fewer aphids, and, in some cases, a trend toward greater soybean yield. These results indicate that landscape context is important for understanding spatial variability in biocontrol and yield, but other factors, such as environmental variability and compensatory growth, might overwhelm the beneficial effects of biocontrol on crop yield.
Disentangling the effects of climate, density dependence, and harvest on an iconic large herbivore's population dynamics
Authors: Koons David N. , Colchero Fernando , Hersey Kent , Gimenez Olivier
Published: October 2014

Understanding the relative effects of climate, harvest, and density dependence on population dynamics is critical for guiding sound population management, especially for ungulates in arid and semiarid environments experiencing climate change. To address these issues for bison in southern Utah, USA, we applied a Bayesian state‐space model to a 72‐yr time series of abundance counts. While accounting for known harvest (as well as live removal) from the population, we found that the bison population in southern Utah exhibited a strong potential to grow from low density (β0= 0.26; Bayesian credible interval based on 95% of the highest posterior density [BCI] = 0.19–0.33), and weak but statistically significant density dependence (β1= −0.02, BCI = −0.04 to −0.004). Early spring temperatures also had strong positive effects on population growth (βfat1= 0.09, BCI = 0.04–0.14), much more so than precipitation and other temperature‐related variables (model weight > three times more than that for other climate variables). Although we hypothesized that harvest is the primary driving force of bison population dynamics in southern Utah, our elasticity analysis indicated that changes in early spring temperature could have a greater relative effect on equilibrium abundance than either harvest or the strength of density dependence. Our findings highlight the utility of incorporating elasticity analyses into state‐space population models, and the need to include climatic processes in wildlife management policies and planning.
Mapping Net Blotch Resistance in ‘Nomini’ and CIho 2291 Barley
Authors: O'Boyle P. D. , Brooks W. S. , Barnett M. D. , Berger G. L. , Steffenson B. J. , Stromberg E. L. , Maroof M. A. Saghai , Liu S.Y. , Griffey C. A.
Published: October 2014

Net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) is one of the most devastating diseases of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) worldwide. Identification of diagnostic molecular markers associated with genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for net blotch resistance will facilitate pyramiding of independent genes. Linkage mapping was used to identify chromosomal locations of the independent, dominant genes conditioning net blotch resistance in the winter barley ‘Nomini’ (PI 566929) and spring barley CIho 2291. The F2 populations of 238 and 193 individuals, derived from crosses between the susceptible spring barley parent ‘Hector’ (CIho 15514) and the resistant parents Nomini and CIho 2291, respectively, were used to map the genes governing resistance in the resistant parents. The dominant gene governing resistance in Nomini, temporarily designated Rpt‐Nomini, was mapped to a 9.2‐cM region of barley chromosome 6H between the flanking microsatellite markers Bmag0344a (r2 = 0.7) and Bmag0103a (r2 = 0.9), which were 6.8 and 2.4 cM away from Rpt‐Nomini, respectively. The dominant gene governing resistance in CIho 2291, temporarily designated Rpt‐CIho2291, was mapped to a 34.3‐cM interval on the distal region of barley chromosome 6H between the flanking microsatellite markers Bmag0173 (r2 = 0.65) and Bmag0500 (r2 = 0.26), which were 9.9 and 24.4 cM away from Rpt‐CIho2291, respectively. Identification of the chromosomal location of Rpt‐Nomini and Rpt‐CIho2291 will facilitate efforts in pyramiding multiple genes for net blotch resistance.
Diallel Analysis of Diverse Maize Germplasm Lines for Agronomic Characteristics
Authors: Henry W. Brien , Blanco Michael H. , Rowe Dennis E. , Windham Gary L. , Murray Seth C. , Williams W. Paul
Published: October 2014

Diverse, novel maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm from the Genetic Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project and aflatoxin‐resistant and aflatoxin‐susceptible maize lines were used as parents to produce a diallel cross. This manuscript documents the agronomic performance of the progeny of the diallel cross. Nine GEM germplasm lines and six known resistant and susceptible lines were selected as parents of a diallel cross that was evaluated over 2 yr at Mississippi State, MS, and 1 yr at College Station, TX. Mp317, Mp494, NEI9008, and GEMN‐0130 had positive and significant GCA effects for yield in at least two of the three environments. This is especially useful because prior research suggested that both Mp494 and GEMN‐0130 also reduce aflatoxin accumulation. Of the GEM lines evaluated, NEI9008 was the best source for enhanced yield with significant and positive GCA values across all three environments. Mp313E × GEMN‐0157 yielded well across all environments with an additional benefit of relatively low aflatoxin accumulation in the Mississippi environments. Because the GEM lines evaluated in this diallel cross have a distinctly different genetic background than the aflatoxin‐resistant Mississippi inbreds, NEI9008 and GEMN‐0130 (improved yield), GEMS‐0002 and GEMS‐0074 (earlier maturity by 3 to 4 d), CUBA117, GEMS‐0030, GEMN‐0071, GEMS‐0100 (reduced plant height 0.1 to 0.2 m), GEMN‐0157, NEI9008, GEMS‐0002, and GEMS‐0074 (reduced height by 0.3 to 0.4 m) should be useful sources of alleles for pyramiding improved yield, earlier maturity, and shorter plant heights into improved breeding lines.
Genotypic Association of Parameters Commonly Used to Predict Canning Quality of Dry Bean
Authors: Khanal R. , Burt A.J. , Woodrow L. , Balasubramanian P. , Navabi A.
Published: October 2014

To select dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties suitable for the canning and processing industry, it is essential to understand the genetic and environmental effects on the quality parameters as well as their associations. A dataset of 6 yr of dry bean quality evaluations in the multi‐location provincial registration trials in Ontario, Canada, with data for parameters routinely used by breeding programs to predict the final canning quality of breeding materials was used. Genetic, environmental, and genotype (G) × environmental effects and multi‐variable associations were studied using the estimates of the genotypic least squared means for the balanced yearly data and the best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for the overall unbalanced data. Genetic effects, accounting for 35 to 76% of the variation in navy bean and 38 to 88% of the variation in large‐seeded bean, followed by location (L) effects, accounting for 11 to 66% of the variation in navy bean and 11 to 64% of the variation in large‐seeded bean, were more important than the genotype × location (GL) interaction effects for seed composition parameters. This was not the case for physical and texture parameters, where GL interaction effects were often most important. Positive associations were observed among hydration coefficient, can yield, and protein content in the yearly analyses as well as in the multi‐year analysis. The negative association between percent washed‐drain solids and bean texture after processing was also repeatedly observed over years. The associations reported here may guide further selection efforts in bean breeding programs.
Origin of Ladino White Clover as Inferred from Patterns of Molecular and Morphophysiological Diversity
Authors: Annicchiarico Paolo , Carelli Maria
Published: October 2014

The Ladino type of white clover (Trifolium repensL.) evolved in the Lombardy plain and has largely been used for cultivation and breeding. Different authors hypothesized its origin from Dutch white clover (domesticated in the 16th century) rather than indigenous wild populations. This study aimed to provide insight into the origin of Ladino, as well as assessing the consistency between morphophysiological and simple sequence repeats (SSR) marker information and the extent of among‐population and within‐population genetic variation in white clover. One landrace and one wild population of Ladino, four Italian non‐Ladino wild populations collected along a latitudinal gradient at different elevations, and one Fries–Groninger (Dutch) landrace, were evaluated for 10 morphophysiological traits. Twenty‐five individuals per population were genotyped by 32 well‐distributed SSR markers. Population ordination and classification of molecular diversity based on Nei's (1972) or Reynolds’ distance, and structure analysis, did not support the origin of Ladino from Dutch germplasm. Molecular marker‐based ordination of the Italian wild populations reflected the geographical and altitudinal similarity of their collecting sites. Within‐population molecular variation did not differ among populations, and was about 10‐fold greater than among‐population variation. Morphophysiological diversity of the populations was substantially unrelated to molecular diversity, while reflecting evolutionary adaptation to environments of origin.
A New Worldview of Soils
Authors: Lin Henry
Published: October 2014

In the spectrum of things in nature that range from nonliving to living, soils fall right in the middle—functioning as the bridge between the biotic and the abiotic worlds and possessing enormous internal power as the nurturing ground for life. A fundamental shift is needed to understand and manage complex, semi‐living soil systems. After the Newtonian and Darwinian worldviews, a third worldview is emerging that integrates living and nonliving entities as well as space and time cultures. This new worldview emphasizes the interwoven nature of conservation and evolution, the intimate link between internal organization and system function, the system between extremes, and the unprecedented anthropogenic impacts. A new kind of physics is suggested for enhanced understanding of soil complexity, including (i) the modification of Newton's three laws of motion, (ii) the internal organization (rather than externality) of soils in response to perturbations, and (iii) the medium number syndrome (systems too complex for classical analytics and too organized for statistical treatment). Soils are a great subject for the study of complexity and sustainability, where non‐closed cycles and irreversible thermodynamics prevail. However, modern soil vulnerability to global change and anthropogenic threats is unprecedented. If current land use and hazard trends are not adjusted, we may run the risk of losing the ground for sustainability. We need innovative investigations toward building better human systems that are in harmony with functional soils and ecosystems.
A comparative study between currently used methods and Small Volume-Cone Beam Tomography for surgical placement of mini implants
Authors: Landin Melissa , Jadhav Aniket , Yadav Sumit , Tadinada Aditya
Published: October 2014

Objective: 

To compare the outcome of mini implant placement by four different methods: blind placement, a single periapical radiograph (PA), a single panoramic radiograph, and a small-volume cone-beam computed tomography (SV-CBCT). Our hypothesis was that SV-CBCT, with its high resolution, low radiation dose, and three-dimensional depiction of area of interest would yield superior diagnostic information in assessing the potential anchorage site compared to currently used methods that often result in undesired root perforations.

Materials and Methods: 

Potential mini implant sites of 20 dentate or partially dentate human skulls were imaged using three different imaging modalities: PA, panoramic radiograph, and SV-CBCT. Mini implants were placed in 10 maxillary and 10 mandibular randomized sites blindly and using each of the three imaging modalities. Large-volume CBCT scans done postoperatively were used to detect root perforation. Two oral radiologists analyzed the images for perforation of root structures at each site.

Results: 

There was significantly (P < .05) less root perforation with SV-CBCT when compared with other imaging modalities. Fifty-five percent of mini implants placed blindly, 60% of mini implants placed using PA, and 50% of mini implants placed using a panoramic radiograph perforated a root structure, whereas only 5% of mini implants placed using SV-CBCT perforated a root structure.

Conclusions: 

Preoperative evaluation of potential mini implant insertion sites using SV-CBCT aids in predictable placement and results in the least amount of root perforation.
The influence of text messaging on oral hygiene effectiveness
Authors: Brent Bowen T. , Rinchuse Daniel J. , Zullo Thomas , DeMaria Mark E.
Published: October 2014

Objective: 

To investigate whether text message reminders regarding oral hygiene have an effect on plaque removal in orthodontic patients.

Materials and Methods: 

In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 50 orthodontic patients were assigned to either a text message or control group. Patients in the text message group received 12 text messages over the course of 4 weeks and one text message for 8 weeks thereafter. Photos were taken at baseline (T0), at 4 weeks after baseline (T1), and at 12 weeks after baseline (T2). For each subject, photos of eight teeth were taken and then the area of the tooth and amount of plaque were measured using planimetry.

Results: 

There was a statistically significant difference in plaque coverage between baseline and both T1 and T2 in the text message group as measured using planimetry. This was demonstrated by comparing the average measurements of the control group and the treatment group.

Conclusion: 

This study demonstrated that the use of automated text message reminders sent from an orthodontic office was effective in improving oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients.
Increases in microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation via pulsed electromagnetic fields in the healthy rat brain
Authors: Bragin Denis E. , Statom Gloria L. , Hagberg Sean , Nemoto Edwin M.
Published: October 2014

OBJECT

High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation is an emerging noninvasive therapy being used clinically to facilitate bone and cutaneous wound healing. Although the mechanisms of action of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are unknown, some studies suggest that its effects are mediated by increased nitric oxide (NO), a well-known vasodilator. The authors hypothesized that in the brain, PEMF increase NO, which induces vasodilation, enhances microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation, and may be a useful adjunct therapy in stroke and traumatic brain injury. To test this hypothesis, they studied the effect of PEMF on a healthy rat brain with and without NO synthase (NOS) inhibition.

METHODS

In vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) was used on the parietal cortex of rat brains to measure microvascular tone and red blood cell (RBC) flow velocity in microvessels with diameters ranging from 3 to 50 μm, which includes capillaries, arterioles, and venules. Tissue oxygenation (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NADH] fluorescence) was also measured before and for 3 hours after PEMF treatment using the FDA-cleared SofPulse device (Ivivi Health Sciences, LLC). To test NO involvement, the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was intravenously injected (10 mg/kg). In a time control group, PEMF were not used. Doppler flux (0.8-mm probe diameter), brain and rectal temperatures, arterial blood pressure, blood gases, hematocrit, and electrolytes were monitored.

RESULTS

Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation significantly dilated cerebral arterioles from a baseline average diameter of 26.4 ± 0.84 μm to 29.1 ± 0.91 μm (11 rats, p < 0.01). Increased blood volume flow through dilated arterioles enhanced capillary flow with an average increase in RBC flow velocity by 5.5% ± 1.3% (p < 0.01). Enhanced microvascular flow increased tissue oxygenation as reflected by a decrease in NADH autofluorescence to 94.7% ± 1.6% of baseline (p < 0.05). Nitric oxide synthase inhibition by L-NAME prevented PEMF-induced changes in arteriolar diameter, microvascular perfusion, and tissue oxygenation (7 rats). No changes in measured parameters were observed throughout the study in the untreated time controls (5 rats).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first demonstration of the acute effects of PEMF on cerebral cortical microvascular perfusion and metabolism. Thirty minutes of PEMF treatment induced cerebral arteriolar dilation leading to an increase in microvascular blood flow and tissue oxygenation that persisted for at least 3 hours. The effects of PEMF were mediated by NO, as we have shown in NOS inhibition experiments. These results suggest that PEMF may be an effective treatment for patients after traumatic or ischemic brain injury. Studies on the effect of PEMF on the injured brain are in progress.
Different magnetic resonance imaging patterns after transcranial magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus and anterior limb of the internal capsule in patients with essential tremor or obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Jung Hyun Ho , Chang Won Seok , Rachmilevitch Itay , Tlusty Tal , Zadicario Eyal , Chang Jin Woo
Published: October 2014

OBJECT

The authors report different MRI patterns in patients with essential tremor (ET) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and discuss possible causes of occasional MRgFUS failure.

METHODS

Between March 2012 and August 2013, MRgFUS was used to perform unilateral thalamotomy in 11 ET patients and bilateral anterior limb capsulotomy in 6 OCD patients; in all patients symptoms were refractory to drug therapy. Sequential MR images were obtained in patients across a 6-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

For OCD patients, lesion size slowly increased and peaked 1 week after treatment, after which lesion size gradually decreased. For ET patients, lesions were visible immediately after treatment and markedly reduced in size as time passed. In 3 ET patients and 1 OCD patient, there was no or little temperature rise (i.e., < 52°C) during MRgFUS. Successful and failed patient groups showed differences in their ratio of cortical-to-bone marrow thickness (i.e., skull density).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors found different MRI pattern evolution after MRgFUS for white matter and gray matter. Their results suggest that skull characteristics, such as low skull density, should be evaluated prior to MRgFUS to successfully achieve thermal rise.
Unplanned readmissions and survival following brain tumor surgery
Authors: Dickinson Holly , Carico Christine , Nuño Miriam , Mukherjee Debraj , Ortega Alicia , Black Keith L. , Patil Chirag G.
Published: October 2014

OBJECT

Research on readmissions has been influenced by efforts to reduce hospital cost and avoid penalties stipulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Less emphasis has been placed on understanding these readmissions and their impact on patient outcomes. This study 1) delineates reasons for readmission, 2) explores factors associated with readmissions, and 3) describes their impact on the survival of glioblastoma patients.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of 362 cases involving patients with glioblastoma undergoing biopsy or tumor resection at their institution between 2003 and 2011. Reasons for re-hospitalization were characterized according to whether or not they were related to surgery and considered preventable. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the effect of readmission on survival and determine factors associated with re-hospitalizations.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven (7.5%) of 362 patients experienced unplanned readmissions within 30 days of surgery. Six patients (22.2%) were readmitted by Day 7, 14 (51.9%) by Day 14, and 20 (74.1%) by Day 21. Neurological, infectious, and thromboembolic complications were leading reasons for readmission, accounting for, respectively, 37.0%, 29.6%, and 22.2% of unplanned readmissions. Twenty-one (77.8%) of the 27 readmissions were related to surgery and 19 (70.4%) were preventable. The adjusted hazard ratio of mortality associated with a readmission was 2.03 (95% CI 1.3–3.1). Higher-functioning patients (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.9–1.0) and patients discharged home (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.1–0.6) were less likely to get readmitted.

CONCLUSIONS

An overwhelming fraction of documented unplanned readmissions were considered preventable and related to surgery. Patients who were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of surgery had twice the risk of mortality compared with patients who were not readmitted.
Clival fractures in a Level I trauma center
Authors: Winkler-Schwartz Alexander , Correa José A. , Marcoux Judith
Published: October 2014

OBJECT

Clival fracture (CF) is rare among head traumas. The aim of this study was to explore how radiological features observed in CF reflect the clinical picture and mechanism of injury in such cases.

METHODS

Radiological data for patients with skull base fracture admitted to the Montreal General Hospital between February 2002 and October 2012 were obtained from the Quebec Trauma Registry and reviewed for CF. Identified CF was categorized by orientation and quality. Injury mechanism, clinical presentation, and follow-up outcome were obtained through retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

Of the 1738 patients with skull base fractures, 65 exhibited CF, representing 1.2% of the 5416 patients with traumatic brain injuries admitted during the period studied. Thirty-nine (60%) of the 65 CFs were obliquely oriented, 17 (26.2%) were longitudinal, and 9 (14%) were transverse. Twenty-nine (45%) of the 65 patients demonstrated linear fracture, 17 (26%) hairline, 10 (15%) diastatic, and 9 (14%) displaced. Cranial nerve deficits and vascular injury occurred in 13.8% and 7.7% of cases, respectively. Twenty-five patients (38.5%) died in hospital. The long-term Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score was significantly lower in transverse compared with longitudinal and oblique fractures (p = 0.03 and 0.03, respectively) and lower in diastatic compared with displaced fractures (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides information on the largest CF population studied to date, expands the current CF classification to include fracture quality as well as orientation, and underscores the existence of significant differences in pathogenesis and clinical presentation of CF subtypes.
The Pathogenetic Role of the HGF/c-Met System in Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Ruco Luigi , Scarpino Stefania
Published: October 2014

The MET oncogene encodes for Met protein, a trans-membrane tyrosine kinase identified as the high affinity receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated that Met protein is intensely expressed in tumor cells of >95% cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma. High density of Met protein in tumor cells is the result of increased transcription of a normal MET gene, probably due to a combination of intracellular and extracellular signals. Over-expression of Met protein is more pronounced at the invading front of the tumor and can profoundly affect the tumorigenesis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. In fact, Met protein-positive papillary carcinoma cells are highly responsive to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is effective in stimulating tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasiveness. In addition, HGF stimulation of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (PTC) cells causes up-regulation of COX-2 and down-regulation of CD82/KAI-1; both these molecules have a major role in controlling tumor cell invasiveness. Finally, HGF stimulation of tumor cells may significantly affect the tumor microenvironment. In fact, HGF induces tumor cells to release chemokines active in the recruitment of dendritic cells, and is involved in regulating the production of proangiogenic factors.
Reproducible Design for the Optical Screening and Sensing of Hg(II) Ions
Authors: Elshehy Emad , EL-Safty Sherif , Shenashen Mohamed
Published: October 2014

We fabricated silica nanotubes with hexagonally ordered mesopores (6 nm) inside a membrane disc with a uniform channel neck size of 200 nm and a longitudinal thickness of 60 μm to design an optical sensor membrane (OSM) for the screening and sensing of extremely toxic Hg(II) ions. The optical detection and quantitative recognition of Hg(II) ions in water were conducted even at trace concentrations without the need for sophisticated instruments. The OSM design was based on the physical interaction of a responsive organic probe with silica pore surfaces followed by strong and selective binding Hg(II)–probe interactions under specific sensing conditions, particularly at pH 5. Ultra-trace concentrations of Hg(II) ions were easily detected with the naked eye using the OSM. The remarkable ion spectral response of Hg(II) ion–OSM ensured the excellent quantification of the OSM for Hg(II) ion sensing over a wide range of concentrations with a detection limit of 1.75 × 10−9 M. This result indicated that low concentrations of Hg(II) ions can be detected with a high sensitivity. One of the key issues of OSM is the Hg(II) ion-selective workability even in the presence of high doses of competitive matrices and species. The OSM design showed significant Hg(II) ion-sensing capability despite the number of reuse/recycles using simple decomplexation. Given its high selectivity, fast response, and sensitivity, the OSM could be developed into a specific Hg(II) ion-sensing kit in aqueous solutions.
An Archeology of Fragments
Authors: Bruns Gerald
Published: October 2014

This is a short (fragmentary) history of fragmentary writing from the German Romantics (F. W. Schlegel, Friedrich Hölderlin) to modern and contemporary concrete or visual poetry. Such writing is (often deliberately) a critique of the logic of subsumption that tries to assimilate whatever is singular and irreducible into totalities of various categorical or systematic sorts. Arguably, the fragment (parataxis) is the distinctive feature of literary Modernism, which is a rejection, not of what precedes it, but of what Max Weber called “the rationalization of the world” (or Modernity) whose aim is to keep everything, including all that is written, under surveillance and control.
Uncertainty in Geographic Data on Bivariate Maps: An Examination of Visualization Preference and Decision Making
Authors: Scholz Ruojing , Lu Yongmei
Published: October 2014

Uncertainty exists widely in geographic data. However, it is often disregarded during data analysis and decision making. Proper visualization of uncertainty can help map users understand uncertainty in geographic data and make informed decisions. The study reported in this paper examines map users’ perception of and preferences for different visual variables to report uncertainty on bivariate maps. It also explores the possible impact that knowledge and training in Geographic Information Sciences and Systems (GIS) may have on map users’ decision making with uncertainty information. A survey was conducted among college students with and without GIS training. The results showed that boundary fuzziness and color lightness were the most preferred visual variables for representing uncertainty using bivariate maps. GIS knowledge and training was found helpful for some survey participants in their decision making using bivariate uncertainty maps. The results from this case study provide guidance for reporting uncertainty on bivariate maps, aiming at encouraging informed decision making.
Impacts of Scale on Geographic Analysis of Health Data: An Example of Obesity Prevalence
Authors: Lee Jay , Alnasrallah Mohammad , Wong David , Beaird Heather , Logue Everett
Published: October 2014

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in recent decades. It is an important public health issue as it causes many other chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and type II diabetics. Obesity affects life expectancy and even the quality of lives. Eventually, it increases social costs in many ways due to increasing costs of health care and workplace absenteeism. Using the spatial patterns of obesity prevalence as an example; we show how different geographic units can reveal different degrees of detail in results of analysis. We used both census tracts and census block groups as units of geographic analysis. In addition; to reveal how different geographic scales may impact on the analytic results; we applied geographically weighted regression to model the relationships between obesity rates (dependent variable) and three independent variables; including education attainment; unemployment rates; and median family income. Though not including an exhaustive list of explanatory variables; this regression model provides an example for revealing the impacts of geographic scales on analysis of health data. With obesity data based on reported heights and weights on driver’s licenses in Summit County, Ohio, we demonstrated that geographically weighted regression reveals varying spatial trends between dependent and independent variables that conventional regression models such as ordinary least squares regression cannot. Most importantly, analyses carried out with different geographic scales do show very different results. With these findings, we suggest that, while possible, smaller geographic units be used to allow better understanding of the studies phenomena.
Genetic Variations rs11892031 and rs401681 Are Associated with Bladder Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population
Authors: Zhang Yu , Sun Yan , Chen Tao , Hu Hailong , Xie Wanqin , Qiao Zhihui , Ding Na , Xie Linguo , Li Sheng , Wang Wenlong , Xing Chen , Wang Yihan , Qie Yunkai , Wu Changli
Published: October 2014

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of genetic variants associated with risk of bladder cancer in populations of European descent. Here, we assessed association of two of these variants, rs11892031 (2q37.1 region) and rs401681 (5p15.33 region) in a Chinese case-control study, which included 367 bladder cancer cases and 420 controls. We found that the AC genotype of rs11892031 was associated with remarkably decreased risk of bladder cancer (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.09–0.81; p = 0.019), compared with the AA genotype of rs11892031; and that CT/CC genotypes of rs401681 were associated with significantly increased risk of bladder cancer (adjusted OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.10–2.91; p = 0.02), compared with the TT genotype of rs401681. We further conducted stratification analysis to examine the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11892031/rs401681 and tumor grade/stage. Results showed that heterogeneity in ORs of tumor categories was not significant for either rs11892031 or rs401681 (p > 0.05), indicating that the two SNPs seemingly do not associate with tumor grade and stage of bladder cancer in our study population. The present study suggests that the SNPs rs11892031 and rs401681 are associated with bladder cancer risk in a Chinese population. Future analyses will be conducted with more participants recruited in a case-control study.
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Legume Nodules: Metabolism and Regulatory Mechanisms
Authors: Sulieman Saad , Tran Lam-Son
Published: October 2014

The special issue “Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Legume Nodules: Metabolism and Regulatory Mechanisms” aims to investigate the physiological and biochemical advances in the symbiotic process with an emphasis on nodule establishment, development and functioning. The original research articles included in this issue provide important information regarding novel aspects of nodule metabolism and various regulatory pathways, which could have important future implications. This issue also included one review article that highlights the importance of using legume trees in the production of renewable biofuels.
Catalpol Suppresses Proliferation and Facilitates Apoptosis of OVCAR-3 Ovarian Cancer Cells through Upregulating MicroRNA-200 and Downregulating MMP-2 Expression
Authors: Gao Na , Tian Jian-Xin , Shang Yu-Hong , Zhao Dan-Yi , Wu Tao
Published: October 2014

Catalpol is expected to possess diverse pharmacological actions including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic properties. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is closely related to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. In addition, microRNA-200 (miR-200) can modulate phenotype, proliferation, infiltration and transfer of various tumors. Here, OVCAR-3 cells were employed to investigate whether the effect of catalpol (25, 50 and 100 μg/mL) promoted apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells and to explore the potential mechanisms. Our results demonstrate that catalpol could remarkably reduce the proliferation and accelerate the apoptosis of OVCAR-3 cells. Interestingly, our findings show that catalpol treatment significantly decreased the MMP-2 protein level and increased the miR-200 expression level in OVCAR-3 cells. Further, microRNA-200 was shown to regulate the protein expression of MMP-2 in OVCAR-3 cells. It is concluded that catalpol suppressed cellular proliferation and accelerated apoptosis in OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells via promoting microRNA-200 expression levels and restraining MMP-2 signaling.
Comparing ESC and iPSC—Based Models for Human Genetic Disorders
Authors: Halevy Tomer , Urbach Achia
Published: October 2014

Traditionally, human disorders were studied using animal models or somatic cells taken from patients. Such studies enabled the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of numerous disorders, and led to the discovery of new treatments. Yet, these systems are limited or even irrelevant in modeling multiple genetic diseases. The isolation of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from diseased blastocysts, the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients’ somatic cells, and the new technologies for genome editing of pluripotent stem cells have opened a new window of opportunities in the field of disease modeling, and enabled studying diseases that couldn’t be modeled in the past. Importantly, despite the high similarity between ESCs and iPSCs, there are several fundamental differences between these cells, which have important implications regarding disease modeling. In this review we compare ESC-based models to iPSC-based models, and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each system. We further suggest a roadmap for how to choose the optimal strategy to model each specific disorder.
Compared Binding Properties between Resveratrol and Other Polyphenols to Plasmatic Albumin: Consequences for the Health Protecting Effect of Dietary Plant Microcomponents
Authors: Latruffe Norbert , Menzel Matthias , Delmas Dominique , Buchet René , Lançon Allan
Published: October 2014

Phytophenols are considered to have beneficial effects towards human physiology. They are food microcomponents with potent chemopreventive properties towards the most three frequent contemporary human diseases, e.g., cardiovascular alterations, cancer and neurodegenerative pathologies. Related to this, the plasmatic form and plasmatic level of plant polyphenols in the body circulation are crucial for their efficiency. Thus, determinations of the binding process of resveratrol and of common flavonoids produced by major edible plants, berries and fruits to plasma proteins are essential. The interactions between resveratrol and albumin, a major plasma protein, were compared with those already published, involving curcumin, genistein, quercetin and other well-known food-containing polyphenols. The approaches used are usually intrinsic fluorescence intensity changes, quenching of protein intrinsic fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy. It appears that: (1) all of the studied polyphenols interact with albumin; (2) while most of the studied polyphenols interact at one albumin binding site, there are two different types of resveratrol binding sites for bovine serum albumin, one with the highest affinity (apparent KD of 4 µM) with a stoichiometry of one per monomer and a second with a lower affinity (apparent KD of 20 µM) with also a stoichiometry of one per monomer; (3) at least one binding site is in the vicinity of one tryptophanyl residue of bovine serum albumin; and (4) resveratrol binding to bovine serum albumin produces a very small structural conformation change of the polypeptide chain. These results support a role played by polyphenols-albumin interactions in the plasma for the bio-activities of these food microcomponents in the body.
Microemulsion System for Topical Delivery of Thai Mango Seed Kernel Extract: Development, Physicochemical Characterisation and Ex Vivo Skin Permeation Studies
Authors: Leanpolchareanchai Jiraporn , Padois Karine , Falson Françoise , Bavovada Rapepol , Pithayanukul Pimolpan
Published: October 2014

A microemulsion system containing Thai mango seed kernel extract (MSKE, cultivar “Fahlun”) was developed and characterised for the purpose of topical skin delivery. The MSKE-loaded microemulsions were prepared by using the spontaneous emulsification method. Isopropyl myristate (IPM) was selected as the oil phase. A polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan monododecanoate (1:1, w/w) system was used as the surfactant phase; an aqueous mixture of different cosurfactants (absolute ethanol, 96.3% v/v ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol or 1,2-propanediol) at a weight ratio of 1:1 was used as the aqueous phase. Among the cosurfactants studied, the 1-propanol aqueous mixture had the largest microemulsion region (48.93%) in the pseudo-ternary phase diagram. Microemulsions containing 1% MSKE demonstrated good physicochemical stability during a six-month study period at 25 ± 2 °C/60% ± 5% RH. The ex vivo skin permeation study demonstrated that the microemulsions exhibited a potent skin enhancement effect allowing MSKE to penetrate skin layers up to 60-fold higher compared with the control. Neither skin irritation nor skin corrosion was observed in ex vivo studies. The present study revealed that IPM-based microemulsion systems may be promising carriers to enhance skin penetration and delivering MSKE for topical treatment.
Enhancing the Delivery of Resveratrol in Humans: If Low Bioavailability is the Problem, What is the Solution?
Authors: Smoliga James , Blanchard Otis
Published: October 2014

Resveratrol has emerged as a leading candidate for improving healthspan through potentially slowing the aging process and preventing chronic diseases. The poor bioavailability of resveratrol in humans has been a major concern for translating basic science findings into clinical utility. Although a number of positive findings have emerged from human clinical trials, there remain many conflicting results, which may partially be attributed to the dosing protocols used. A number of theoretical solutions have been developed to improve the bioavailability of resveratrol, including consumption with various foods, micronized powders, combining it with additional phytochemicals, controlled release devices, and nanotechnological formulations. While laboratory models indicate these approaches all have potential to improve bioavailability of resveratrol and optimize its clinical utility, there is surprisingly very little data regarding the bioavailability of resveratrol in humans. If bioavailability is indeed a limitation in the clinical utility of resveratrol, there is a need to further explore methods to optimize bioavailability in humans. This review summarizes the current bioavailability data, focusing on data from humans, and provides suggested directions for future research in this realm.
Improving the Conductivity of Sulfonated Polyimides as Proton Exchange Membranes by Doping of a Protic Ionic Liquid
Authors: Chen Bor-Kuan , Wong Jhong-Ming , Wu Tzi-Yi , Chen Lung-Chuan , Shih I-Chao
Published: October 2014

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are a key component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were doped by protic ionic liquid (PIL) to prepare composite PEMs with substantially improved conductivity. SPIs were synthesized from diamine, 2,2-bis[4-(4-amino-phenoxy)phenyl]propane (BAPP), sulfonated diamine, 4,4'-diamino diphenyl ether-2,2'-disulfonic acid (ODADS) and aromatic anhydride. BAPP improved the mechanical and thermal properties of SPIs, while ODADS enhanced conductivity. A PIL, 1-vinylimidazolium trifluoromethane-sulfonate ([VIm][OTf]), was utilized. [VIm][OTf] offered better conductivity, which can be attributed to its vinyl chemical structure attached to an imidazolium ring that contributed to ionomer-PIL interactions. We prepared sulfonated polyimide/ionic liquid (SPI/IL) composite PEMs using 50 wt% [VIm][OTf] with a conductivity of 7.17 mS/cm at 100 °C, and in an anhydrous condition, 3,3',4,4'-diphenyl sulfone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA) was used in the synthesis of SPIs, leading to several hundred-times improvement in conductivity compared to pristine SPIs.
Effect of Trapping Agent and Polystyrene Chain End Functionality on Radical Trap-Assisted Atom Transfer Radical Coupling
Authors: Carnicom Elizabeth , Abruzzese Jessica , Sidibe Yacouba , Myers Kenneth , Tillman Eric
Published: October 2014

Coupling reactions were performed to gauge the effect of the inclusion of a radical trap on the success of coupling reactions of monohalogenated polystyrene (PSX) chains in atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) type reactions. The effect of both the specific radical trap chosen and the structure of the polymer chain end were evaluated by the extent of dimerization observed in a series of analogous coupling reactions. The commonly used radical trap 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) showed the highest amounts of dimerization for PSX (X = Br, Cl) compared to coupling reactions performed in its absence or with a different radical trap. A dinitroxide coupling agent was also studied with the extent of coupling nearly matching the effectiveness of MNP in RTA (Radical trap-assisted)-ATRC reactions, while N-nitroso and electron rich nitroso coupling agents were the least effective. (2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-piperin-l-yl)oxyl-capped PS (PS-TEMPO), prepared by NMP, was subjected to a coupling sequence conceptually similar to RTA-ATRC, but dimerization was not observed regardless of the choice of radical trap. Kinetic experiments were performed to observe rate changes on the coupling reaction of PSBr as a result of the inclusion of MNP, with substantial rate enhancements found in the RTA-ATRC coupling sequence compared to traditional ATRC.