bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaling up from greenhouse resistance to fitness in the field for a host of an emerging forest disease
Authors: Hayden Katherine J. , Garbelotto Matteo , Dodd Richard , Wright Jessica W.
Published: July 2013

Forest systems are increasingly threatened by emergent, exotic diseases, yet management strategies for forest trees may be hindered by long generation times and scant background knowledge. We tested whether nursery disease resistance and growth traits have predictive value for the conservation of Notholithocarpus densiflorus, the host most susceptible to sudden oak death. We established three experimental populations to assess nursery growth and resistance to Phytophthora ramorum, and correlations between nursery‐derived breeding values with seedling survival in a field disease trial. Estimates of nursery traits’ heritability were low to moderate, with lowest estimates for resistance traits. Within the field trial, survival likelihood was increased in larger seedlings and decreased with the development of disease symptoms. The seed‐parent family wide likelihood of survival was likewise correlated with family predictors for size and resistance to disease in 2nd year laboratory assays, though not resistance in 1st year leaf assays. We identified traits and seedling families with increased survivorship in planted tanoaks, and a framework to further identify seed parents favored for restoration. The additive genetic variation and seedling disease dynamics we describe hold promise to refine current disease models and expand the understanding of evolutionary dynamics of emergent infectious diseases in highly susceptible hosts.
Explicit consideration of topological and parameter uncertainty gives new insights into a well‐established model of glycolysis
Authors: Achcar Fiona ,  Barrett Michael P. , Breitling Rainer
Published: July 2013

Previous models of glycolysis in the sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei assumed that the core part of glycolysis in this unicellular parasite is tightly compartimentalized within an organelle, the glycosome, which had previously been shown to contain most of the glycolytic enzymes. The glycosomes were assumed to be largely impermeable, and exchange of metabolites between the cytosol and the glycosome was assumed to be regulated by specific transporters in the glycosomal membrane. This tight compartmentalization was considered to be essential for parasite viability. Recently, size‐specific metabolite pores were discovered in the membrane of glycosomes. These channels are proposed to allow smaller metabolites to diffuse across the membrane but not larger ones. In light of this new finding, we re‐analyzed the model taking into account uncertainty about the topology of the metabolic system in T. brucei, as well as uncertainty about the values of all parameters of individual enzymatic reactions. Our analysis shows that these newly‐discovered nonspecific pores are not necessarily incompatible with our current knowledge of the glycosomal metabolic system, provided that the known cytosolic activities of the glycosomal enzymes play an important role in the regulation of glycolytic fluxes and the concentration of metabolic intermediates of the pathway.

Database

The mathematical models described here have been submitted to the JWS Online Cellular Systems Modelling Database and can be accessed at http://jjj.mib.ac.uk/database/achcar/index.html.

[Database section added 24 June 2014 after original online publication]
Relative influence of static and dynamic features on black‐footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) habitat use in central California Sanctuaries
Authors: Michael P. E. , Jahncke J. , Hyrenbach K. D.
Published: July 2013

Effective conservation of highly mobile species requires an understanding of the factors that influence their habitat use patterns, locally and within a large‐scale oceanographic context. We characterized the seasonal (chick‐rearing, post‐breeding) and inter‐annual (2004–2008) distribution and abundance of black‐footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes; BFAL) along the central California continental shelf/slope using standardized vessel‐based surveys. We used a hypothesis‐based information‐theoretic approach to quantify the relative influence of environmental conditions on BFAL occurrence and abundance by assessing their association with: (i) local static bathymetric features, (ii) local and regional dynamic oceanographic processes, and (iii) seasonal and inter‐annual basin‐wide variability. While the presence/absence models yielded stronger results than the abundance models, both revealed that static and dynamic features influence BFAL habitat use. Specifically, occurrence was greatest near the shelf‐break, particularly in months with strong upwelling. High BFAL densities were associated with Rittenburg Bank, especially during the chick‐rearing season, periods of positive North Pacific Gyre Oscillation index and large northern monthly upwelling, evidenced by cool, salty waters in the study area. BFAL aggregation intensity was greatest onshore of the shelf‐break (200 m isobath). Behavioral observations reinforced the notion that transiting BFAL are widely dispersed near the shelf‐break and concentrate in large flocks of birds sitting on the water farther onshore. These results underscore the need to consider oceanographic processes at multiple spatial scales when interpreting changes in BFAL dispersion within marine sanctuaries, and highlight the feasibility of implementing bathymetrically defined protected areas targeting predictable BFAL aggregations within these larger management jurisdictions.
Food web de‐synchronization in England's largest lake: an assessment based on multiple phenological metrics
Authors: Thackeray Stephen J. , Henrys Peter A. , Feuchtmayr Heidrun , Jones Ian D. , Maberly Stephen C. , Winfield Ian J.
Published: July 2013

Phenological changes have been observed globally for marine, freshwater and terrestrial species, and are an important element of the global biological ‘fingerprint’ of climate change. Differences in rates of change could desynchronize seasonal species interactions within a food web, threatening ecosystem functioning. Quantification of this risk is hampered by the rarity of long‐term data for multiple interacting species from the same ecosystem and by the diversity of possible phenological metrics, which vary in their ecological relevance to food web interactions. We compare phenological change for phytoplankton (chlorophyll a), zooplankton (Daphnia) and fish (perch, Perca fluviatilis) in two basins of Windermere over 40 years and determine whether change has differed among trophic levels, while explicitly accounting for among‐metric differences in rates of change. Though rates of change differed markedly among the nine metrics used, seasonal events shifted earlier for all metrics and trophic levels: zooplankton advanced most, and fish least, rapidly. Evidence of altered synchrony was found in both lake basins, when combining information from all phenological metrics. However, comparisons based on single metrics did not consistently detect this signal. A multimetric approach showed that across trophic levels, earlier phenological events have been associated with increasing water temperature. However, for phytoplankton and zooplankton, phenological change was also associated with changes in resource availability. Lower silicate, and higher phosphorus, concentrations were associated with earlier phytoplankton growth, and earlier phytoplankton growth was associated with earlier zooplankton growth. The developing trophic mismatch detected between the dominant fish species in Windermere and important zooplankton food resources may ultimately affect fish survival and portend significant impacts upon ecosystem functioning. We advocate that future studies on phenological synchrony combine data from multiple phenological metrics, to increase confidence in assessments of change and likely ecological consequences.
Responses of CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes between atmosphere and forest soil to changes in multiple environmental conditions
Authors: Yan Junhua , Zhang Wei , Wang Keya , Qin Fen , Wang Wantong , Dai Huitang , Li Peixue
Published: July 2013

To investigate the effects of multiple environmental conditions on greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O, CH4) fluxes, we transferred three soil monoliths from Masson pine forest (PF) or coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest (MF) at Jigongshan to corresponding forest type at Dinghushan. Greenhouse gas fluxes at the in situ (Jigongshan), transported and ambient (Dinghushan) soil monoliths were measured using static chambers. When the transported soil monoliths experienced the external environmental factors (temperature, precipitation and nitrogen deposition) at Dinghushan, its annual soil CO2 emissions were 54% in PF and 60% in MF higher than those from the respective in situ treatment. Annual soil N2O emissions were 45% in PF and 44% in MF higher than those from the respective in situ treatment. There were no significant differences in annual soil CO2 or N2O emissions between the transported and ambient treatments. However, annual CH4 uptake by the transported soil monoliths in PF or MF was not significantly different from that at the respective in situ treatment, and was significantly lower than that at the respective ambient treatment. Therefore, external environmental factors were the major drivers of soil CO2 and N2O emissions, while soil was the dominant controller of soil CH4 uptake. We further tested the results by developing simple empirical models using the observed fluxes of CO2 and N2O from the in situ treatment and found that the empirical models can explain about 90% for CO2 and 40% for N2O of the observed variations at the transported treatment. Results from this study suggest that the different responses of soil CO2, N2O, CH4 fluxes to changes in multiple environmental conditions need to be considered in global change study.
Competition of Leymus chinensis and Bromus inermis in response to gap size and neighbouring root exclusion
Authors: Liu G. X. , Zhang Y. J. , Hovstad K. A. , Mao P. S. , Han J. G.
Published: July 2013

A two‐year small‐plot field experiment was carried out to investigate the competitive relationship between seedlings of two important forage grasses, Leymus chinensis and Bromus inermis, under three levels of gap size (distance between seedlings and their neighbours) of 10, 20 and 40 cm in diameter, with neighbouring roots present or absent. Seeds of the two species were sown into artificially created gaps, in either monoculture or mixtures at equal rates. Results indicated that gap size had significant effects on seedling emergence, seedling survival and the growth performance of the two species, grown alone or in a mixture. Excluding the roots of neighbouring plants enhanced all the measured attributes and had significant effects on both the number of inflorescences and the biomass of B. inermis and on the biomass of L. chinensis. The performance of the two species differed significantly, both alone and in mixtures, with B. inermis outperforming L. chinensis consistently. The number of inflorescences of B. inermis was 2·6‐fold higher than L. chinensis when grown in a mixture, and L. chinensis displayed a large and significant reduction in biomass when grown in a mixture with B. inermis (5·7 g plot−1) as compared with a monoculture (25·9 g plot−1). The relative yield (RY) for B. inermis exceeded 0·5, but for L. chinensis, it was below 0·5 in all treatments, and aggressivity (A) in all treatments was above 0. In addition, the relative competition intensity (RCI) of B. inermis was less than that of L. chinensis in all treatments, both separately and when averaged across treatments. We conclude that B. inermis is a superior competitor to L. chinensis in gaps, whereas the performance of L. chinensis was greatly suppressed in mixtures. This indicated that under similar conditions, B. inermis outcompetes L. chinensis during early growth stages. The results have practical implications for the restoration and revegetation of grasslands in northern China.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Associates with a Mucosal Downregulation of Ghrelin, Negative Regulator of Th1‐Cell Responses
Authors: Paoluzi Omero Alessandro , Del Vecchio Blanco Giovanna , Caruso Roberta , Monteleone Ivan , Caprioli Flavio , Tesauro Manfredi , Turriziani Mario , Monteleone Giovanni , Pallone Francesco
Published: July 2013

Background

Helicobacter pylori (Hp)‐related gastritis is characterized by a predominant T helper (Th)1/Th17 cell immunity. Ghrelin (GR) has immunoregulatory properties and inhibits experimental Th cell‐dependent pathology.

Aims

To evaluate whether Hp infection associates with changes in GR expression and whether GR negatively regulates Th1/Th17 cytokines during Hp infection.

Methods

GR expression was evaluated by real‐time PCR in gastric biopsies taken from Hp‐infected and Hp‐uninfected patients and in gastric biopsies of Hp‐negative subjects cultured with or without H. pylori culture supernatant. To examine whether GR regulates Hp‐induced cytokine production, H. pylori‐infected gastric biopsies were stimulated with GR, and interleukin (IL)‐12, interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐4 transcripts were evaluated by real‐time PCR. IL‐12 and IFN‐γ were also analyzed in lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) extracted from Hp‐infected gastric biopsies and cultured with GR.

Results

GR RNA transcripts were reduced in biopsies from Hp‐infected patients. Treatment of Hp‐negative gastric biopsies with Hp culture supernatant reduced GR RNA expression. GR dose‐dependently inhibited RNA expression of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ but not IL‐4 in ex vivo cultures of mucosal explants and in cultures of gastric LPMCs from Hp‐positive patients.

Conclusions

GR is downregulated in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori‐infected patients. Such a defect could contribute to sustain the ongoing Th1‐cell response.
The Gastrin Receptor Antagonist Netazepide (YF476) Prevents Oxyntic Mucosal Inflammation Induced by Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Sørdal Øystein , Waldum Helge , Nordrum Ivar S. , Boyce Malcolm , Bergh Kåre , Munkvold Bjørn , Qvigstad Gunnar
Published: July 2013

Objective

Long‐term Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis leading to hypergastrinemia and predisposes to gastric cancer. Our aim was to assess the role of gastrin in oxyntic mucosal inflammation in H. pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils by means of the gastrin receptor antagonist netazepide (YF476).

Design

We studied 60 gerbils for 18 months and left five animals uninfected (control group), inoculated 55 with H. pylori, and treated 28 of the infected animals with netazepide (Hp+YF476 group). Twenty‐seven infected animals were given no treatment (Hp group). We measured plasma gastrin and intraluminal pH. H. pylori detection and histologic evaluations of the stomach were carried out.

Results

All 55 inoculated animals were H. pylori positive at termination. Eighteen animals in the Hp group had gastritis. There was a threefold increase in mucosal thickness in the Hp group compared to the Hp+YF476 group, and a threefold increase in oxyntic neuroendocrine cells in the Hp group compared to the Hp+YF476 group (p < .05). All animals in the Hp+YF476 group had macro‐ and microscopically normal findings in the stomach. Plasma gastrin was higher in the Hp group than in the control group (172 ± 16 pmol/L vs 124 ± 5 pmol/L, p < .05) and highest in the Hp+YF476 group (530 ± 36 pmol/L). Intraluminal pH was higher in the Hp group than in the Hp+YF476 group (2.51 vs 2.30, p < .05).

Conclusion

The gastrin antagonist netazepide prevents H. pylori‐induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils. Thus, gastrin has a key role in the inflammatory reaction of the gastric mucosa to H. pylori infection in this species.
Fibre type‐specific satellite cell content in two models of muscle disease
Authors: Bankolé Landry‐Cyrille , Feasson Léonard , Ponsot Elodie , Kadi Fawzi
Published: July 2013

Aims

Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are responsible for the regenerative events following muscle fibre injury. This study aimed to improve our understanding of SC behaviour in two models of muscle disorder with different pathological mechanisms and onset of disease.

Methods and results

Pax7+SC content was assessed in types I and II fibres of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD; n = 9; age 13 ± 2 years), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM; n = 9; age 52 ± 12 years) and in controls (n = 5; age 26 ± 5 years). Pax7+SCs number in type I and II fibres was higher (P < 0.05) in DMD and in PM/DM compared to controls. Type I fibres were associated with a higher number of Pax7+SCs compared to type II fibres only in DMD; Pax7+SCs number in type I fibres was about threefold higher in DMD compared to PM/DM (P < 0.05). In DMD, Pax7+SC content in small regenerating fibres (0.09 ± 0.09 SCs/fibre) was similar to that in fibres from healthy skeletal muscle. The proportion of activated SCs (Ki‐67+SCs) was fivefold lower in DMD (0.4 ± 0.4%) compared to PM/DM (2.8 ± 2%). Pax7+ cells located outside the basal lamina were observed in DMD muscles only.

Conclusion

The capacity to generate new SCs is increased even in severely impaired muscles and a fibre type‐specific enhancement of SC occurs in type I muscle fibres in DMD.
Significance of p53‐binding protein 1 (53BP1) expression in thyroid papillary microcarcinoma: association with BRAFV600E mutation status
Authors: Mussazhanova Zhanna , Matsuda Katsuya , Naruke Yuki , Mitsutake Norisato , Stanojevic Boban , Rougounovitch Tatiana , Saenko Vladimir , Suzuki Keiji , Nishihara Eijyun , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Ito Masahiro , Nakashima Masahiro
Published: July 2013

Aims

In a previous report, we proposed that analysis of 53BP1 expression by immunofluorescence could be a useful tool in estimating the level of genomic instability (GIN), as well as the malignant potential, of thyroid tumours. In an attempt to clarify the value of 53BP1 expression as a new molecular marker for the aggressiveness of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (PMC), we assessed the association between the type of 53BP1 expression and clinicopathological features such as tumour size, extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis and BRAFV600E mutation of PMC.

Methods and results

A total of 36 surgically resected thyroid tumours, including 13 PMC and 23 conventional papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), were available for this study. Analysis using immunofluorescence revealed that the incidence of an abnormal or high DNA damage response (DDR) type of 53BP1 expression was significantly higher in PTC than PMC. BRAFV600E mutation was not associated significantly with tumour aggressiveness in either PMC or PTC cases. Abnormal/high DDR type of 53BP1 expression was associated closely with both BRAFV600E mutation and papillary and/or trabecular architecture of PMC.

Conclusions

Abnormal/high DDR type of 53BP1 expression might be associated with GIN and papillary/trabecular morphology at an early stage of PTC carcinogenesis through BRAFV600E mutation.
Oral health assessment in the San Blas and Santa Ana populations of Nicaragua
Authors: Gianopoulos V , Pizanis C , Murray‐Krezan C , Gonzalez E , Aboytes D , Gonzales N
Published: July 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health of a population in rural Nicaragua.

Methods

A total of 241 individuals were recruited from areas around San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua. A demographic questionnaire assessing income, access to oral health care, means of transportation and presence of dental/health insurance was collected for each patient. Oral screenings were also conducted to assess for evidence of untreated decayed teeth, restorations, missing/extracted teeth and presence/absence of periodontal disease.

Results

The majority of residents in San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua, have little income if any, no medical or dental insurance of any kind and no means of transportation. There was a very high prevalence of untreated decayed teeth among the population studied where 51.1% of our sample had three or more dental caries. Children aged fewer than 20 years had five times the prevalence of dental decay than those in the United States. No statistically significant difference was found in untreated decayed teeth by age or gender. A smaller percentage (25.2%) of all patients had restorations with a statistically significant difference found between genders (P < 0.0001). There was also a relationship between gender and number of missing/extracted teeth (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in amount of untreated decayed teeth among those who reported having been seen by a dentist within the previous one‐to‐three, greater than 3 years or never at all.

Conclusion

Among a population of individuals from San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua, there are major socio‐economic barriers present, and a significant burden of oral pathology is evident.
Optimization Study of C/SiC Threaded Joints
Authors: Li Guangde , Zhang Changrui , Hu Haifeng , Zhang Yudi
Published: July 2013

The influences of fiber preform structure and thread engagement length on the mechanical properties of Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) threaded joints were studied. The results show that stacking 3K carbon fiber cloth followed by stitching is a good preform for preparing a C/SiC nut because of its high bearing ability. Stacking 1K carbon fiber cloth followed by stitching is a preferred preform to prepare a C/SiC bolt, and its minimum thread engagement length resulting in bolt rupture instead of thread spalling failure is 4 mm, which is obviously smaller than those of other bolts.
In Situ Foaming of Porous (La0.6Sr0.4)0.98 (Co0.2Fe0.8) O3−δ (LSCF) Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Gandavarapu Sodith , Sabolsky Edward , Sabolsky Katarzyna , Gerdes Kirk
Published: July 2013

A binder system containing polyurethane precursors was used to in situ foam (direct foam) a (La0.6Sr0.4)0.98 (Co0.2 Fe0.8) O3−δ (LSCF) composition for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode applications. The relation between in situ foaming parameters on the final microstructure and electrochemical properties was characterized by microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The optimal porous cathode architecture was formed with a 70 vol% solids loading within a polymer precursor composition with a volume ratio of 8:4:1 (isocyanate: PEG: surfactant) in a terpineol‐based ink vehicle. The resultant microstructure displayed a broad pore size distribution with highly elongated pore structure.
A conceptual framework for analyzing consumers' food label preferences: An exploratory study of sustainability labels in France, Quebec, Spain and the US
Authors: Zepeda Lydia , Sirieix Lucie , Pizarro Ana , Corderre François , Rodier Francine
Published: July 2013

In a qualitative study of 375 consumers in France, Quebec, Spain and the US, respondents are asked to choose between pairs of actual food labels and to describe the reason(s) for their choice. The food labels included sustainability labels (eco‐labels, Fair Trade, origin) as well as product attribute (e.g. quality, kosher) and health/nutrition labels. Respondents' reasons were coded in the original language using the same coding system across all four nations to examine their preferences for label message, design and source. We also examined the role of consumers' values, beliefs and experiences on their label choices. The coding system was drawn from a review of theoretical and empirical literature and provides a conceptual framework we call the Label Consumer Interaction model for evaluating consumers' food label preferences. Although this is case study, the results point to substantial differences across nations in terms of preferred labels, as well as the rationale for their choice in terms of attributes of the labels and consumer characteristics.
Spray drying of red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruit juices: physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the powder
Authors: Lee Kar‐Hing , Wu Ta‐Yeong , Siow Lee‐Fong
Published: July 2013

This study aims to investigate physical stability and antioxidant properties of spray‐dried red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruit powder upon storage at various relative humidity (RH). Inlet air temperatures of 120 °C (red dragon fruit) and 110 °C (white dragon fruit) as well as maltodextrin concentration of 30% (w/v) were selected as the spray drying conditions as powder was obtained at these minimum conditions. The powder was ranging from 3 to 7 μm in particle size with spherical morphology. The powder had lower antioxidant content and antioxidant activities compared with the control before spray drying. Storage of powder at 43%, 54% or 75% RH at 25 °C for 25 days resulted in structural changes correlating to the depression of glass transition temperatures (Tg) to below storage temperature. At 33% RH, no visible structural changes were observed. Antioxidant properties of the powder remained unchanged after 25 days' storage at the studied RHs.
Stress relaxation behaviour of high acyl gellan gels
Authors: Chen Qing , Li Maoming , Yuan Yan , Han Xiaoxiang
Published: July 2013

Stress relaxation behaviour of high acyl gellan gels has been investigated, and data were fitted successfully by a seven elements empirical model and a four term modified Maxwell model with three fixed relaxation times (20, 200 and 2000 s). In addition, the effect of testing parameters on stress relaxation characteristics and the relationship between those characteristics and intrinsic gel properties were studied. High acyl gellan gels were tested in stress relaxation with different cross‐head speeds (0.1–10 mm s−1) to applied strains (3–30%). The results showed that the cross‐head speed had little effect on stress relaxation behaviour of gels. With increasing the applied strain, the initial stress and the equilibrium stress increased. The equilibrium stresses from relaxation measurement were positively related to the hardness fromTPAtests (R2 = 0.991). Relaxation appeared to be associated with the shifting of cross‐links in the gel matrix.
Effects of pasteurisation and storage on quality characteristics of table olives preserved in olive oil
Authors: Lanza Barbara , Di Serio Maria G. , Giansante Lucia , Di Loreto Giuseppina , Russi Francesca , Di Giacinto Luciana
Published: July 2013

Two types of products obtained from the processing of Olea europaea cv ‘Taggiasca’ were monitored: pitted olives and olive paste preserved in monovarietal extra‐virgin olive oil of the same variety. The aim of this study was to follow the trends in the main physico‐chemical and sensory parameters related to the quality of these table olives and their covering oils, for simulation of the shelf‐life conditions. From all of the analyses carried out, it can be concluded that the optimum time of storage of these two products packaged in glass jars at room temperature (between 18 and 25 °C) and under artificial light and away from heat sources is approximately 9 months. After 9 months of storage, the covering oils were greatly affected by the contact with the broken fruit, which was accompanied by reductions in their antioxidant content due to the thermal treatment. The oxidative effects seen through physico‐chemical analyses are in agreement with the organoleptic analysis.
Differential responses of migratory locusts to systemic RNA interference via double‐stranded RNA injection and feeding
Authors: Luo Y. , Wang X. , Wang X. , Yu D. , Chen B. , Kang L.
Published: July 2013

The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, is one of the most destructive agricultural pests and has been widely used as a model system for insect physiology, neurobiology and behavioural research. In the present study, we investigated the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) using two delivery methods for double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, namely, injection and feeding, to develop a potential new pest control strategy. Our results showed that locusts have a sensitive and systemic response to the injection of dsRNAs in a dose‐dependent manner, but do not respond to the feeding of dsRNAs. Further experiments suggested that the ineffectiveness of dsRNA feeding was attributable to the rapid degradation of dsRNA, which was probably induced by nuclease enzymes in the locust midgut. Moreover, we identified almost all the homologous genes involved in the endocytosis‐mediated dsRNA uptake from the locust genome, which provided possible clues regarding the dsRNA uptake mechanisms from the intestine to the midgut epithelium. These findings reveal the differential response models of fourth instar locust nymphs to dsRNA delivery methods, contribute to the current understanding of insect RNAi mechanisms and provide important information for the further application of RNAi as a genetic tool and pest control strategy.
In vitro three‐dimensional development of mouse molar tooth germs in a rotary cell culture system
Authors: Sun Liang , Yang Chao , Ge Yaneng , Yu Mei , Chen Guoqing , Guo Weihua , Tian Weidong
Published: July 2013

Objective

In vitro tooth germ cultivation is an effective method to explore the mechanism of odontogenesis. The three‐dimensional rotary cell culture system (RCCS) is typically used to culture simulated organs such as cartilage, skin, and bone. In this study, we established an in vitro tooth germ culture model using RCCS to investigate whether RCCS could provide an appropriate environment for tooth germ development in vitro.

Methods

Mandibular first molar tooth germs from 1‐day post‐natal mice were cultured in RCCS for 3, 6, and 9 days. Tooth germ development was monitored via histology (hematoxylin & eosin staining), stereoscopic microscopy, and quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR).

Results

Tooth germs cultured in RCCS maintained their typical spatial shape. Blood vessels were maintained on the dental follicle surface surrounding the crown. After cultivation, thick layers of dentin and enamel were secreted. Compared with tooth germs grown in jaw, the tooth germs grown in RCCS exhibited no significant difference in DMP1 or FGF10 expression at all time points.

Conclusions

Use of RCCS enhanced the development of tooth germs and allowed the tooth germs to maintain their spatial morphology. These results indicate that RCCS may be an effective culture system to investigate the mechanism of tooth development.
Knowledge transfer in IT offshoring relationships: the roles of social capital, efficacy and outcome expectations
Authors: Zimmermann Angelika , Ravishankar M. N.
Published: July 2013

Information technology (IT) development in global organisations relies heavily on the transfer of tacit and complex knowledge from onshore units to offshore subsidiaries. A central concern of such organisations is the development of social capital, which is known to facilitate the smooth transfer of knowledge. However, only a few studies in IS research have explicitly examined the role of social capital for knowledge transfer in an IT offshoring context. In this paper, we argue that such knowledge transfer mechanisms can be understood better by considering social capital in concert with knowledge senders' efficacy and outcome expectations, two of the potentially key motivational drivers of knowledge transfer. We develop our arguments through a qualitative case study of a large German multinational company. German IT developers in this firm provided in‐depth accounts of their experience with offshore colleagues in an Indian captive subsidiary unit. Drawing on our analysis, we develop a model that depicts the influence of social capital, efficacy and outcome expectations on onshore IT developers' ability and willingness to transfer knowledge to offshore colleagues. Through the model, we also explain how social capital, efficacy and outcome expectations are interrelated and generate three interlocked, self‐reinforcing circles of knowledge transfer success in IT offshoring relationships.
Trauma Exposure Predicts Alcohol, Nicotine, and Drug Problems Beyond the Contribution of PTSD and Depression in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study
Authors: Waldrop Angela E. , Cohen Beth E.
Published: July 2013

Background and Objectives

This study examined the role of lifetime trauma exposure in a longitudinal study of adults with cardiovascular disease to determine the unique contribution of trauma exposure to risk for drug and alcohol problems and smoking.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Heart and Soul Study, a prospective cohort study designed to determine the mechanisms of associations between psychological factors and increased risk of cardiovascular events in high‐risk patients (n = 1,022).

Results

Lifetime exposure to a higher number of trauma types predicted substance use outcomes beyond risk explained by PTSD and depression. In addition, across trauma types, interpersonal traumas were most strongly associated with substance use problems.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, though PTSD and depression play a role in the association between trauma exposure and substance use, many other factors also contribute; therefore focusing on these psychological comorbidities alone is not sufficient.

Scientific Significance

The integration of mental health care and/or case management support with primary and specialty medical care may improve detection and treatment for patients with substance use and comorbid mental and physical health problems. Screening for trauma exposure is an important part of good clinical care. (Am J Addict 2014;23:53–61)
The Pulley Suture
Authors: HITZIG GARY S. , SADICK NEIL S.
Published: July 2013

A suture variation not commonly utilized in dermatologic surgery is helpful in approximating wound edges without the complications of excessive undermining or the scarring of conventional retention sutures. It is especially useful in scalp reduction surgery.
Direct Transfer of Curettings to Cryostat Chuck in Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Authors: KIST DAVID A. , ZACHARY CHRISTOPHER B.
Published: July 2013

In the routine handling of Mohs specimens the curetted first layer is integral to the process of tumor identification. Small specimens may be smeared inadvertently on filter paper or gauze or even lost between the operating room and laboratory. An efficient method for processing small curetted specimens has been devised that bypasses the use of a tissue tray. This method improves tissue morphology and saves time.
Know Your Anatomy
Authors: RANDLE HENRY W. , SALASSA JOHN R. , ROENIGK RANDALL K.
Published: July 2013

Peripheral nerve blocks can be used routinely in an outpatient setting. The innervation of the face and the technique we use to perform nerve blocks are reviewed. We present four cases of skin cancer and one of rhinophyma in which nerve blocks were used to minimize the discomfort associated with local anesthesia.
Perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain in children and adolescents undergoing elective surgical procedures: a quantitative systematic review
Authors: Chieng Ying Jia Shermin , Chan Wai Chi Sally , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee , He Hong‐Gu
Published: July 2013

Aims

To examine the relationship between perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain in children and adolescents undergoing elective surgical procedures and the differences in children's perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain among subgroups of demographics.

Background

While anxiety and pain are regarded as two common problems experienced by children and adolescents perioperatively and the relationship between them has been reported in previous studies, there has been no review paper examining this phenomenon.

Design

A quantitative systematic review.

Data sources

Nine electronic databases were searched for studies published in English from the inception date of the databases to December 2010, using various combinations of search terms of ‘adolescents', ‘anxiety’, ‘child’, ‘pain’, ‘surgery’ and ‘correlation/relationship’.

Review methods

Using the Joanna Briggs Institute's comprehensive systematic review strategies, relevant studies were independently appraised and extracted by two reviewers using the standardized critical appraisal instruments and data extraction tool from Joanna Briggs Institute Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument.

Results

Ten studies were included in this review from 943 studies initially retrieved. Children and adolescents who had higher level of perioperative anxiety experienced a higher level of postoperative pain. Inconclusive evidence was found regarding differences of perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain between demographic subgroups of gender, age and past surgical experience.

Conclusion

Results of this review inform healthcare providers of the role perioperative anxiety plays on children's and adolescents' postoperative pain and indicate the need to use interventions to reduce perioperative anxiety and, therefore, optimize their postoperative pain management during the perioperative period.
Examining clinical supervision as a mechanism for changes in practice: a research protocol
Authors: Dilworth Sophie , Higgins Isabel , Parker Vicki , Kelly Brian , Turner Jane
Published: July 2013

Aim

This paper describes the research protocol for a study exploring if and how clinical supervision facilitates change in practice relating to psychosocial aspects of care for Health Professionals, who have been trained to deliver a psychosocial intervention to adults with cancer.

Background

There is a recognized need to implement care that is in line with clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer. Clinical supervision is recommended as a means to support Health Professionals in providing the recommended psychosocial care.

Design

A qualitative design embedded within an experimental, stepped wedge randomized control trial.

Methods

The study will use discourse analysis to analyse audio‐recorded data collected in clinical supervision sessions that are being delivered as one element of a large randomized control trial. The sessions will be attended primarily by nurses, but including physiotherapists, radiation therapists, occupational therapists. The Health Professionals are participants in a randomized control trial designed to reduce anxiety and depression of distressed adults with cancer. The sessions will be facilitated by psychiatrists experienced in psycho‐oncology and the provision of clinical supervision.

Discussion

The proposed research is designed specifically to facilitate exploration of the mechanisms by which clinical supervision enables Health Professionals to deliver a brief, tailored psychosocial intervention in the context of their everyday practice. This is the first study to use discourse analysis embedded within an experimental randomized control trial to explore the mechanisms of change generated within clinical supervision by analysing the discourse within the clinical supervision sessions.
Does a customer by any other name tip the same?: The effect of forms of address and customers' age on gratuities given to food servers in the United States
Authors: Seiter John S. , Weger Harry
Published: July 2013

This study examined whether different forms of address used by food servers were related to customers' tipping behavior. Food servers addressed diners who paid with credit cards by their first names, titles plus last names, sir/ma'am, or no address. Results indicated that when food servers personalized their service by addressing their customers by name, they earned significantly higher tips than when they used less immediate forms of address, although customers' estimated age mediated these results.
The relationship between learning goal orientation, goal setting, and performance: a longitudinal study
Authors: Taing Meng U. , Smith Tiffany , Singla Neha , Johnson Russell E. , Chang Chu‐Hsiang
Published: July 2013

In an educational setting, we examined the relationship of learning goal orientation with goal setting and performance over time. At the first time point, we assessed levels of trait learning goal orientation and asked participants to set performance goals. At each follow‐up time point, we reported to participants their current course grade and allowed them to revise their goals. Learning goal orientation was associated with both setting higher goals and maintaining higher performance over time. Additionally, the relationship of learning goal orientation and performance was found to be mediated by goal setting.
Estimating Suspended Solids from Turbidity in the Robeson Creek, NC Watershed
Authors: Line D.E. , Hall K.R. , Blackwell J.D.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this project was to assess the effect of estimating total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations from turbidity on TSS loads for streams in the Robeson Creek watershed. Discharge was monitored continuously and base‐flow grab and storm event composite samples were collected and analyzed for TSS and turbidity from five sites during five years of monitoring. For base‐flow samples, the TSS‐turbidity relationship for all five sites was poor indicating that TSS concentrations in base flow cannot be estimated from a TSS‐turbidity relationship. To test the effect of analyzing fewer samples, TSS from every third and the first 20 samples collected from each site was used to develop TSS‐turbidity relationships. In addition, the TSS‐turbidity relationship developed from the most downstream site was used to estimate TSS concentrations from turbidity measured at the other four sites. For four of the five sites, analyzing every third sample for TSS and using the TSS‐turbidity relationship to estimate the missing TSS concentrations would result in mean TSS loads that were not significantly different from the observed. Using the TSS‐turbidity relationship from the outlet to estimate TSS from turbidity measured at the other four sites resulted in significantly different mean TSS loads at three of the four sites. These results indicate that estimating TSS concentrations from turbidity using a TSS‐turbidity relationship developed from a subset of the overall dataset should be done with great caution.
Phylogeography of two closely related species of Nolana from the coastal Atacama Desert of Chile: post‐glacial population expansions in response to climate fluctuations
Authors: Ossa Paulina G. , Pérez Fernanda , Armesto Juan J.
Published: July 2013

Aim

To investigate the impact of Quaternary climate cycles on the coastal Atacama Desert flora by assessing phylogeographical patterns of the desert shrub Nolana crassulifolia (Solanaceae) and its congener Nolana incana.

Location

The latitudinal aridity gradient from the southern margin of the coastal Atacama Desert to the mediterranean semi‐arid region of Chile (25–33° S).

Methods

Two cpDNA regions were sequenced for 130 individuals in 15 populations of these two closely related species, covering their entire distribution range (1000 km) along the arid to semi‐arid Chilean coast. We explored haplotype relationships in a statistical parsimony network, and assessed population genetic diversity, population differentiation and phylogeographical structure. In addition, we conducted demographic analyses and spatial analysis of genetic variation, identified barriers to gene flow with Monmonier's algorithm, and used Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction to estimate divergence dates between lineages.

Results

We found a total of 14 haplotypes – four of them shared by both species – and high levels of genetic differentiation among populations, but no past distribution breaks that could account for major vicariant events. Genetic diversity decreased continuously from north to south, with loss of haplotypes and a greater number of monomorphic populations in the southern range. Landscape analysis revealed greater genetic differentiation in the northernmost populations of both species.

Main conclusions

The documented north–south gradient of declining genetic diversity, the origin and location of ancestral haplotypes in northern sites, and the loss of haplotypes from southern populations all support the hypothesis of post‐glacial range expansion of Nolana southwards during arid/warmer cycles in the Atacama. The higher genetic diversity and greater differentiation of northern populations of both Nolana species support the hypothesis that populations survived in northern arid sites during wetter/colder episodes of the glacial cycles. We suggest that Quaternary arid phases in the Atacama promoted southward expansion of the coastal desert vegetation.
Dispersal pathways across the Pacific: the historical biogeography of Astelia s.l. (Asteliaceae, Asparagales)
Authors: Birch Joanne L. , Keeley Sterling C.
Published: July 2013

Aim

To investigate the origin and pathways of expansion of the austral genus Astelia s.l. (Asteliaceae, Asparagales) and to reconstruct the historical biogeography of the genus across the Pacific.

Location

Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Guinea, South America, Pacific archipelagos (Austral Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Society Islands and Vanuatu) and the Mascarene Islands.

Methods

Biogeographical patterns were determined using the Asteliaceae phylogeny, divergence dating, and ancestral area reconstruction techniques. All Asteliaceae genera, including 46 of 47 ingroup taxa, were sampled. Divergence times were estimated using a relaxed molecular clock model, calibrated according to Astelia s.l. fossil data from New Zealand. Ancestral areas were reconstructed using statistical dispersal–vicariance (S‐DIVA) and dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis (DEC) models.

Results

Asteliaceae originated in Australia and Astelia s.l. (including Collospermum) underwent its greatest radiation in New Zealand. Within Astelia s.l., every node along the backbone of the phylogeny was assigned to New Zealand, with the earliest of these dated to 27.1 Ma (95% HPD: 17.6–40.0 Ma). Five range expansions from Australia and New Zealand to islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans were identified for Astelia s.l. New Zealand origins are identified for all Pacific taxa, with the earliest divergence of a Pacific taxon, that of the New Caledonian A. neocaledonica, at 7.6 Ma (95% HPD: 1.1–15.3 Ma). There were six dispersals from New Zealand, including four to Pacific archipelagos, and independent dispersals to Australia and South America. Additionally, stepping‐stone pathways from New Zealand included dispersal to the western Pacific (Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu) and – independently – to the eastern/northern Pacific (Austral Islands, Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands).

Main conclusions

The Asteliaceae originated in Australia, but the largest genus, Astelia s.l., radiated most extensively in New Zealand, beginning at c. 27.1 Ma. Both western and eastern Pacific islands were colonized via direct and stepping‐stone dispersal pathways from New Zealand.
Consensus in the search for areas of endemism
Authors: Aagesen Lone , Szumik Claudia , Goloboff Pablo
Published: July 2013

For ambiguous data sets, methods to determine areas of endemism based on an optimality criterion may result in large numbers of candidate areas, and thus some kind of consensus technique is required to summarize those results. This paper presents a formal description of two possible algorithms or rules for area consensus, which merge candidate areas if they share a user‐defined percentage of the species that define each candidate area. The two consensus rules summarize ambiguity in different ways. Applying the ‘tight’ rule will result in consensus areas defined by species present in nearly all cells, but in cases where there is significant conflict the result may be a high number of distinct consensus areas. The ‘loose’ consensus rule is more agglomerative and will result in fewer consensus areas, combining areas when overlapping distribution patterns exist. Depending on the aim and scale of the analysis, the two consensus rules can be used either to delimit areas of endemism with sharp boundaries or to identify diffuse and gradually replacing biogeographical patterns. These two different approaches are discussed and demonstrated using real data.