bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of thermal conductivity enhancement of aqueous suspensions containing silver nanoparticles
Authors: Iyahraja S. , Rajadurai J. Selwin
Published: May 2015

Nanofluids are prepared by dispersing polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silver nanoparticles in distilled water. The thermal conductivity of nanofluids is measured by KD2 Pro thermal analyzer which is based on transient hot wire method. The influence of size and concentration of nanoparticles, surfactant and temperature of suspensions on the enhancement of the thermal conductivity is analyzed. The experimental results show that the thermal conductivity of nanofluids increases with the decrease in the size and increase in the concentration of the nanoparticles. Even with low volume fraction of 0.1 % and 20 nm size of silver nanoparticles, a high thermal conductivity enhancement of 54 % has been achieved. The surfactant and the temperature have a significant effect on the thermal conductivity enhancement of the nanofluids. The increase in temperature of the nanofluid from 30oC to 60oC increases its thermal conductivity up to 69 % whereas the addition of surfactant lessens the thermal conductivity enhancement to 34.2% with polyvinylpyrrolidone and 31.5 % with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The experimental results are compared with the existing theoretical models.
Oxygen vacancy induced magnetization switching in Fe3O4 epitaxial ultrathin films on GaAs(100)
Authors: Huang Zhaocong , Chen Qian , Zhai Ya , Wang Jinlan , Xu Yongbing , Wang Baoping
Published: May 2015

The magnetic and transport properties of half metallic Fe3O4, which are sensitive to the stoichiometry, are the key issue for applications in spintronics. An anomalous enlargement of the saturation magnetic moment is found in a relatively thick sample of epitaxial Fe3O4 film by post-growth oxidation method. The investigation of the thickness dependence of magnetic moment suggests that the enhanced magnetism moment may come from the existence of oxygen vacancies. First-principles calculations reveal that with oxygen vacancies in Fe3O4 crystal the spin of Fe ions in the tetrahedron site near the vacancy is much easier to switch parallel to the Fe ions in the octahedron site by temperature disturbance, supported by the temperature dependence of magnetic moment of Fe3O4 films in experiment.
Nickel accumulation by species of Alyssum and Noccaea (Brassicaceae) from ultramafic soils in the Urals, Russia
Authors: Teptina Anzhelika Yu. , Paukov Alexander G.
Published: May 2015

Cool temperate regions have a limited number of species able to accumulate nickel (Ni) and other heavy metals in above-ground tissues. Our study was conducted in order to find accumulators of Ni on serpentine soils in the Middle and Southern Urals. Above-ground tissues of plants as well as soil samples were collected in 10 ultramafic massifs. Our results confirmed hyperaccumulation activity of Alyssum obovatum (C.A.Mey.) Turcz. Three species that appeared to be hemi-accumulators of Ni are Alyssum litvinovii Knjaz., Alyssum tortuosum Willd. and Noccaea thlaspidioides (Pall.) F.K.Mey. All these species are facultative accumulators/hyperaccumulators and exhibit different concentrations of Ni under a range of soil conditions. The highest Ni concentration was found in A. obovatum in Krakinskiy massif (6008 μg·g–1 dry mass), A. tortuosum (1789 μg·g–1) and A. litvinovii (160 μg·g–1) in Khabarninskiy massif, and N. thlaspidioides (741 μg·g–1) in Sugomakskiy massif (Southern Urals). Regression analysis shows statistically significant dependence of Ni concentrations in soil and tissue of both A. obovatum and A. tortuosum. The latter shows a dramatically high difference in the level of accumulation that varies from excluder to 20 μg g–1 Ni to hyperaccumulator levels, suggesting the existence of genetically distinct populations with the ability to vary their accumulation of Ni.
The Lapérouse Expedition and Geomagnetism: The Unexpected Discovery of Lamanon’s ‘Lost’ Letter and Ledru’s Instructions
Authors: Morrison Doug , Barko Ivan
Published: May 2015

In January 1787, on board Lapérouse's Boussole anchored off Macao, the chevalier de Lamanon wrote a letter to the marquis de Condorcet, the then permanent secretary of the Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris. Lamanon's letter contained a summary of his magnetic observations made up to that point on Lapérouse's famous but ill-fated expedition. The letter, amongst other detail, included evidence that the Earth's magnetic field increased in intensity from the equator towards the poles. Sent to Condorcet via the then minister for the French Navy (the maréchal de Castries), the letter was subsequently lost, but not before it was copied. The copy, with early nineteenth-century ownership identified first to Nicolas Philippe Ledru and subsequently to Louis Isidore Duperrey, was itself then lost for over 150 years, but recently rediscovered bound-in with other manuscripts related to the Lapérouse expedition and terrestrial magnetism, including instructions by Ledru and remarks written in the 1830s and 1840s by Duperrey on Lamanon's letter and observations. The significance of Lamanon's letter and the Ledru and Duperrey manuscripts to the history of geomagnetism is discussed here. Duperrey's notes are transcribed in French for the first time and the Lamanon, Ledru and Duperrey manuscripts are translated into English, also for the first time.
The productivity of the macroinvertebrate prey of the platypus in the upper Shoalhaven River, New South Wales
Authors: Marchant R. , Grant T. R.
Published: May 2015

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) feeds almost exclusively on benthic macroinvertebrates, yet no attempt has been made to link its energy demands with the productivity of its benthic macroinvertebrate prey. In the upper Shoalhaven River, New South Wales, we estimated macroinvertebrate production (in 2009 and 2011) from benthic samples and recorded platypus diet (2009 only) from cheek pouch samples. Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Chironomidae were the most numerous of six major groups in both the cheek pouches and the benthic samples. Three other groups (Odonata, Coleoptera, Sphaeriidae) were much less abundant in the benthos, but Odonata were common in the cheek pouches. In both years the Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Chironomidae had levels of production that were an order of magnitude higher than those of the three other groups. Rank correlation indicated that the most productive taxa were those most likely to occur in the cheek pouches. Total macroinvertebrate production for the six groups varied from 7.8gDWm–2year–1 in 2009 to 13.1gDWm–2year–1 in 2011. Previous estimates of field metabolic demand of the platypus enabled calculation of the number that could be supported by a given level of production. The observed levels of production were sufficient to support 13–27 platypuses in 2009 and 22–45 in 2011 along a 1.5-km reach of the river. Despite considerable landscape change, productive foraging habitat persists in the upper Shoalhaven River.
First observations of dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) attacking a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calf
Authors: Dicken M. L. , Kock A. A. , Hardenberg M.
Published: May 2015

Direct observations of sharks attacking mysticetes are rare. The present study provides the first direct observation of dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) attacking a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calf. The event was witnessed on 16 July 2014 within the Pondoland Marine Protected Area, South Africa, during the annual sardine run. The event involved a group of ~10 to 20 dusky sharks ranging in length between 2 and 3m. The sharks followed in a loose group behind the whale and attacked it while it was on the surface as well as when diving. Shark bites were concentrated on the left-hand side of the whale’s body primarily between the pectoral fin and tail fluke, with almost no bites on the right-hand side. Most of the bites were superficial and resulted in tooth impressions and scrapes with little tissue removed. The condition of the calf deteriorated over the study period and it was presumed to have drowned from exhaustion when it stopped surfacing. These observations provide a new insight into the potential threat that dusky sharks may pose to whale calves.
Processing Affects the Physicochemical Properties of Fiber from Wheat and Flax in Ready‐to‐Eat (RTE) Flaked Cereal
Authors: Lafond David W. , Jin YuLai , Cho KiYul , Romsos Dale R.
Published: May 2015

Fiber from wheat and flax is mostly insoluble, making addition in high amounts to a food difficult without adversely affecting product attributes. One approach to increasing the level of these fibers in food is to hydrolyze fiber to more soluble forms through processing. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a steam pressure cooking process on physicochemical properties of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) cereal with 17.7% added unhydrolyzed flax fiber (a combination of arabinoxylans, rhamnogalacturonans, and pectins) or 15.4% added hydrolyzed wheat fiber (a purified arabinoxylan extract). Peak molecular weights of unhydrolyzed and hydrolyzed fibers were ∼2.9 × 106 and ∼800 g/mol, respectively, with a ∼400‐fold higher viscosity for unhydrolyzed fiber. Molecular weight of the unhydrolyzed fiber ingredient was reduced to approximately the molecular weight of the hydrolyzed fiber as a result of the low‐shear steam pressure cooking process used, and consistent with molecular weight results, there was only a twofold difference in viscosity of the cereal remaining. The low‐fiber control RTE cereal had the highest viscosity owing to starch content.
Sensitivity ofColletotrichum truncatumto Four Fungicides and Characterization of Thiabendazole-Resistant Isolates
Authors: Torres-Calzada C. , Tapia-Tussell R. , Higuera-Ciapara I. , Martin-Mex R. , Nexticapan-Garcez A. , Perez-Brito D.
Published: May 2015

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum truncatum (syn. C. capsici), has become a common disease of tropical crops, severely affecting the quantity and quality of fruit and seed and, therefore, reducing their market value. For years, chemical control has been extensively used for managing this disease. However, the appearance of isolates that are resistant to the most commonly employed fungicides is increasingly widespread. Twenty C. truncatum isolates from pepper, papaya, and physic nut were tested in vitro against four fungicides to determine their sensitivity. All evaluated isolates were resistant to azoxystrobin and thiabendazole and susceptible to cyprodinil + fludioxonil and mancozeb. To determine the molecular mechanism conferring thiabendazole resistance, the TUB-2 gene was characterized, revealing a glutamic acid to alanine substitution at position 198 in 6 of the 20 isolates that were tested. This work confirms the emergence of benzimidazole-based fungicide resistance in C. truncatum populations and highlights the need for monitoring fungicide sensitivity as an essential activity for the development of effective control schemes.
Identification of a New Genotype of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on Cotton in China
Authors: Guo Qinggang , Li Shezeng , Lu Xiuyun , Gao Hui , Wang Xiaoguang , Ma Yinan , Zhang Xiaoyun , Wang Peipei , Ma Ping
Published: May 2015

Genetic composition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum strains, including race 3, 7, and 8, Australian genotype strain, and 80 strains collected from China, were studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Based on AFLP analysis, these strains were separated into four groups. Race 3, strain CN3, was the only strain in group A. Race 8, strain CN8, was the only strain in group B. Race 7, strain CN7, was grouped with 75 strains from China in group C. The Australian genotype strain ATCC96291 was grouped with five strains from China in group D. Evolution of the five native strains in group D was studied using multigene genealogies. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the five strains of group D had a closer genetic relationship to the Australian genotype strain than the other races based on the combined elongation factor, β-tubulin, and phosphate permase gene sequence data. Group D was further tested for pathogenicity and virulence on four cotton cultivars from Upland (Gossypium hirsutum) and Sea Island (G. barbadense) cotton. All five strains caused typical Fusarium wilt symptoms on all four cotton cultivars but virulence were relatively low compared with race 3, race 7, and race 8.
Occurrence and Identification of a New Vector of Rice Orange Leaf Phytoplasma in South China
Authors: Li Shu , Hao Weijia , Lu Guanghua , Huang Jilei , Liu Chuanhe , Zhou Guohui
Published: May 2015

Rice orange leaf disease (ROLD) is caused by rice orange leaf phytoplasma (ROLP) and occurs sporadically in rice-growing areas in countries of eastern and southeastern Asia. ROLD caused severe damage to rice production in South China in the 1980s. Although its impact subsequently declined in South China, it has reemerged as a serious threat recently. Our study showed that ROLD occurrence varies in different seasons and fields. It was more severe in summer-grown crops (from July to October) than in spring-grown crops (from March to July). In most fields, the incidence was less than 10%, and diseased plants were scattered throughout the fields. In 20% of fields, the incidence was between 10 and 30%. In some fields, over 90% of plants were affected, causing crop failure. Typical symptoms of ROLD include orange-colored leaves and poor growth. Diseased plants were determined as positive for ROLP but negative for Rice tungro bacilliform virus, Rice tungro spherical virus, and Rice transitory yellowing virus through polymerase chain reaction and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Phytoplasma bodies but not virus-like particles were observed by electron microscopy in phloem tissue of diseased leaves. The leafhopper Inazuma dorsalis, previously identified as the unique vector for ROLP, was rare in the affected fields. Another leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps, previously considered a nonvector for this phytoplasma, was very common. Transmission tests revealed that this insect could also transmit ROLP; therefore, it might represent a new vector responsible for the recent incidence of ROLD.
Maple Bark Biochar Affects Rhizoctonia solani Metabolism and Increases Damping-Off Severity
Authors: Copley Tanya R. , Aliferis Konstantinos A. , Jabaji Suha
Published: May 2015

Many studies have investigated the effect of biochar on plant yield, nutrient uptake, and soil microbial populations; however, little work has been done on its effect on soilborne plant diseases. To determine the effect of maple bark biochar on Rhizoctonia damping-off, 11 plant species were grown in a soilless potting substrate amended with different concentrations of biochar and inoculated or not with Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 4. Additionally, the effect of biochar amendment on R. solani growth and metabolism in vitro was evaluated. Increasing concentrations of maple bark biochar increased Rhizoctonia damping-off of all 11 plant species. Using multivariate analyses, we observed positive correlations between biochar amendments, disease severity and incidence, abundance of culturable bacterial communities, and physicochemical parameters. Additionally, biochar amendment significantly increased R. solani growth and hyphal extension in vitro, and altered its primary metabolism, notably the mannitol and tricarboxylic acid cycles and the glycolysis pathway. One or several organic compounds present in the biochar, as identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, may be metabolized by R. solani. Taken together, these results indicate that future studies on biochar should focus on the effect of its use as an amendment on soilborne plant pathogens before applying it to soils.
Class and comparison: subjective social location and lay experiences of constraint and mobility
Authors: Irwin Sarah
Published: May 2015

Lay perceptions and experiences of social location have been commonly framed with reference to social class. However, complex responses to, and ambivalence over, class categories have raised interesting analytic questions relating to how sociological concepts are operationalized in empirical research. For example, prior researchers have argued that processes of class dis‐identification signify moral unease with the nature of classed inequalities, yet dis‐identification may also in part reflect a poor fit between ‘social class’ as a category and the ways in which people accord meaning to, and evaluate, their related experiences of socio‐economic inequality. Differently framed questions about social comparison, aligned more closely with people's own terms of reference, offer an interesting alternative avenue for exploring subjective experiences of inequality. This paper explores some of these questions through an analysis of new empirical data, generated in the context of recession. In the analysis reported here, class identification was common. Nevertheless, whether or not people self identified in class terms, class relevant issues were perceived and described in highly diverse ways, and lay views on class revealed it to be a very aggregated as well as multifaceted construct. It is argued that it enables a particular, not general, perspective on social comparison. The paper therefore goes on to examine how study participants compared themselves with familiar others, identified by themselves. The evidence illuminates social positioning in terms of constraint, agency and (for some) movement, and offers insight into very diverse experiences of inequality, through the comparisons that people made. Their comparisons are situated, and pragmatic, accounts of the material contexts in which people live their lives. Linked evaluations are circumscribed and strongly tied to these proximate material contexts.The paper draws out implications for theorizing lay perspectives on class, and subjective experiences of inequality.
Preventing and reducing the impacts of intimate partner violence: Opportunities for Australian ambulance services
Authors: Sawyer Simon , Coles Jan , Williams Angela , Williams Brett
Published: May 2015

Background

Violence against women is pervasive worldwide, and a high proportion of the most damaging violence is perpetrated by male intimate partners. The Australian government is committed to action to prevent such violence; however, strategies require input and collaboration from all agencies engaging patients, including ambulance services. To date no Australian ambulance service has published comprehensive guidelines or strategies to improve health outcomes for intimate partner violence patients in line with national strategies.

Objective

To propose key actions for Australian ambulance services to undertake to reduce the impacts of intimate partner violence in line with national strategies.

Methods

We reviewed the Australian government's National Plan to reduce violence towards women and its supporting literature, and created key actions for Australian ambulance services.

Results

Our review has yielded four key actions that Australian ambulance services could undertake immediately for the benefit of intimate partner violence patients. Actions include collaboration with external agencies, education, data collection and championing values promoting zero tolerance of violence towards women.

Conclusions

Australian ambulance services are currently underserving intimate partner violence patients and must undertake immediate action. Successful strategies to address knowledge and policy gaps will require significant input and guidance from key organisations, including advocacy groups, police and EDs. It is likely that EDs will need to take the lead in creating comprehensive policies and guidelines from which ambulance services can derive their own policies. Failure to address this practice gap might result in paramedics becoming a barrier for intimate partner patients to receive appropriate care and support.
Association of BAFF and IL‐17A with subphenotypes of primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Deng Fengyuan , Chen Juan , Zheng Junfeng , Chen Yan , Huang Renliang , Yin Junping , Gao Xing , Lin Qingyan , Huang Chaoyang , Gao Yushan , Yu Xinhua , Liu Zuguo
Published: May 2015

Aim

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease affecting exocrine glands. Both autoreactive T cells and B cells are involved in the development of pSS, but their exact contribution to the pathogenesis is not clear. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of B‐cell activating factor (BAFF) and interleukin (IL)‐17A with subphenotypes of pSS.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 31 pSS patients and 28 healthy controls. The serum levels of BAFF and IL‐17A were quantified by sandwich ELISA.

Results

The increased circulating BAFF levels are associated with higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (P = 0.0167) and anti‐Ro/SS antigen A autoantibody (P = 0.032), while the elevated circulating levels of IL‐17A are associated with lower C3 levels (P = 0.0213) and higher focus score of salivary gland tissue (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Our results show that BAFF and IL‐17A are associated with different subphenotypes of pSS, suggesting both humoral and cellular immune response are involved in the pathogenesis of pSS.
Guanidinylations of albumin decreased binding capacity of hydrophobic metabolites
Authors: Rueth M. , Lemke H.‐D. , Preisinger C. , Krieter D. , Theelen W. , Gajjala P. , Devine E. , Zidek W. , Jankowski J. , Jankowski V.
Published: May 2015

Aim

As post‐translational modifications of proteins may have an impact on the pathogenesis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD), post‐translational modifications are currently gaining increasing interest. In this study, a comprehensive method for analysis of these post‐translational modifications is established for the clinical diagnostic routine.

Methods

Here, we analysed albumin – the most abundant plasma protein in human – isolated from patients with CKD and healthy controls by chromatographic steps and identified by MALDI mass spectrometry. Post‐translational modifications of albumin were identified after digestion by analysing mass signal shifts of albumin peptides using pertinent mass databases.

Results

Albumin isolated from plasma of patients with CKD but not from healthy control subjects was specifically post‐translationally modified by guanidinylation of lysines at positions 249, 468, 548, 565 and 588. After identification of guanidinylations as post‐translational modifications of albumin isolated from patients with CKD, these modifications were quantified by mass spectrometry demonstrating a significant increase in the corresponding mass signal intensities in patients with CKD compared to healthy controls. The relative amount of guanidinylation of lysine at position 468 in patients with CKD was determined as 63 ± 32% (N = 3). Subsequently, we characterized the pathophysiological impact of the post‐translational guanidinylation on the binding capacity of albumin for representative hydrophobic metabolic waste products. In vitro guanidinylation of albumin from healthy control subjects caused a decreased binding capacity of albumin in a time‐dependent manner. Binding of indoxyl sulphate (protein‐bound fraction) decreased from 82 ± 1% of not post‐translationally modified albumin to 56 ± 1% after in vitro guanidinylation (P < 0.01), whereas the binding of tryptophan decreased from 20 to 4%. These results are in accordance with the binding of indoxyl sulphate to albumin from healthy control subjects and patients with CKD (88 ± 3 vs. 74 ± 10, P < 0.01). Thus, in vitro post‐translational guanidinylation of albumin had a direct effect on the binding capacity of hydrophobic metabolites such as indoxyl sulphate and tryptophan.

Conclusion

We used a mass spectrometry‐based method for the characterization of post‐translational modification and demonstrated the pathophysiological impact of a representative post‐translational modification of plasma albumin. The data described in this study may help to elucidate the pathophysiological role of protein modifications.
Responses of an ancient woodland field layer to soil translocation: methods and timing
Authors: Craig Marja , Buckley Peter , Howell Ruth
Published: May 2015

Questions

Do woodland field layer communities reassemble effectively after being translocated from a donor to a receptor site? Does the method of soil handling (turfing or loose‐tipping) or the season of transfer determine the outcome?

Location

A deciduous ancient coppice woodland in Kent, southeast England.

Methods

Two methods of soil translocation were compared: loose‐tipping, involving stripping a layer of topsoil and re‐spreading it at a receptor site; and soil placement, in which soil turves were cut and laid intact. The operation also provided an opportunity to observe the effects of seasonal translocation, respectively, in autumn and spring. Soil compaction, texture and chemistry were assessed after translocation, while vegetation cover changes were followed over a 10‐yr period.

Results

Immediately after soil transfer, the vegetation community reverted to an earlier successional stage, with bare ground rapidly colonized by annuals and biennials, many germinating from the soil seed bank. By the third year after translocation, a perennial vegetation cover had developed comprising grasses and woodland‐edge opportunists as well as most of the original woodland species. After 10 yr, bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) dominated the receptor sites, along with the woodland geophyte bluebell (Hyacinthoides non‐scripta), while some woodland species became less abundant. Localized soil compaction radically altered species composition. Autumn translocation promoted better immediate recovery of forest species than spring translocation, while soil placement caused less initial damage than loose‐tipping. Convergence in vegetation composition in all soil handling treatments was observed towards canopy closure.

Conclusions

Results illustrate the importance of conducting translocation operations in the autumn when the vegetation is dormant and soil moisture is low, and point to the need for sensitive soil handling. After 10 yr the field layer at the receptor site still resembled that of the donor, but with differences in abundance of some individual species.
Goal linking and everyday worries in clinical work stress: A daily diary study
Authors: Verkuil Bart , Brosschot Jos F. , Gebhardt Winifred A. , Korrelboom Kees
Published: May 2015

Objectives

In this study, we tested whether high levels of daily worrying are associated with linking, a tendency to overvalue the attainment of specific lower level goals for attaining higher level goals, and more specifically the attainment of experiencing happiness.

Methods

Thirty‐two patients suffering from work stress complaints and awaiting a stress management treatment and 31 healthy adults, who formed the comparison group, filled in a goal linking questionnaire and two widely used trait worry questionnaires. Subsequently, they reported the frequency and duration of worry during 14 consecutive days and nights.

Results

The patients suffering from work stress complaints scored higher on the linking questionnaire and worried almost twice as much as the healthy comparison group, especially during the night‐time. Furthermore, goal linking was a stronger predictor of the frequency and duration of worry in daily life than the trait worry questionnaires and this was independent of the observed group differences in daily worry.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence that people who believe that their happiness is strongly dependent on the attainment of specific lower level goals worry frequently in daily life. Linking seems to be at least partly responsible for the excessive worry found in high work stress.

Practitioner points

Worry is elevated in patients seeking professional help for work stress complaints, compared to healthy controls

The higher levels of worry in the patient group were related to elevated tendencies to overvalue the attainment of specific lower level goals as a means to attain higher level goals (‘linking’).

It could be beneficial for high worriers to learn how to reduce linking tendencies.

No strong inferences on the direction of the association between worry and linking can be made, as we relied on correlational data in which a linking questionnaire predicted worry in daily life.
Nucleus accumbens stimulation in partial epilepsy—A randomized controlled case series
Authors: Kowski Alexander B. , Voges Jürgen , Heinze Hans‐Jochen , Oltmanns Frank , Holtkamp Martin , Schmitt Friedhelm C.
Published: May 2015

Neuromodulative treatment options are warranted in patients with difficult‐to‐treat epilepsy. However, acquisition of controlled data on deep brain stimulation has so far been achieved only for the centromedian and anterior thalamic nucleus. In a case series of four patients with intractable partial epilepsy, a randomized controlled cross‐over protocol was used to get insight into efficacy and safety of 3‐month nucleus accumbens stimulation. Seizure frequency, neurocognitive testing, “Liverpool Seizure Severity Score,” “Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory,” “Beck Depression Inventory,” and “Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview” were obtained at every visit. In a subsequent open‐label phase, nucleus accumbens stimulation responders underwent concomitant anterior thalamic nucleus stimulation, whereas nonresponders received solely thalamic stimulation. Under nucleus accumbens stimulation, three of four patients had ≥50% reduction in frequency of disabling seizures without further improvement with additional anterior thalamic nucleus stimulation. Patient‐reported outcome and neurocognitive testing remained unchanged. Accumbens stimulation is safe and seems to be a suitable option in intractable partial epilepsy. The current findings require substantiation by an adequately powered multicenter study.
Predictors of long‐term quality of life after pediatric epilepsy surgery
Authors: Puka Klajdi , Smith Mary Lou
Published: May 2015

Objective

This study examined the influence of seizures, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), intelligence quotient (IQ), and symptoms of depression and anxiety on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) 4–11 years after pediatric epilepsy surgery.

Methods

Participants were 109 patients with childhood‐onset intractable epilepsy; 71 had undergone surgery on average 6.9 years before this study. Patients and their parents completed questionnaires assessing HRQOL and internalizing behavior, a measure of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Results

Similar rates of recent seizure freedom were found for surgical and nonsurgical patients, although surgical patients had achieved seizure freedom sooner and with fewer AEDs. Few differences were found between surgical and nonsurgical patients. Differences emerged when comparing patients with continued seizures and those who had been seizure‐free in the 12 months preceding the study. Almost all HRQOL ratings were enhanced in seizure‐free patients. Internalizing behavior (anxiety/depression) mediated the relationship between seizure freedom and better HRQOL, where seizure freedom led to better ratings of anxiety/depression, which in turn led to better ratings of HRQOL. AED use was found to be associated with social functioning, medication effects, and seizure worry. IQ and duration of follow‐up were not found to independently influence HRQOL.

Significance

The findings highlight the integral role of depression and anxiety symptoms in determining HRQOL; seizure control seems to play a secondary role. This study expands this relationship to individuals who have a history of intractable childhood epilepsy. The findings highlight the importance of managing depression and anxiety in improving the HRQOL and reducing seizure burden on patients.
Consequences of extensive habitat fragmentation in landscape‐level patterns of genetic diversity and structure in the Mediterranean esparto grasshopper
Authors: Ortego Joaquín , Aguirre María P. , Noguerales Víctor , Cordero Pedro J.
Published: May 2015

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation has altered the distribution and population sizes in many organisms worldwide. For this reason, understanding the demographic and genetic consequences of this process is necessary to predict the fate of populations and establish management practices aimed to ensure their viability. In this study, we analyse whether the spatial configuration of remnant semi‐natural habitat patches within a chronically fragmented landscape has shaped the patterns of genetic diversity and structure in the habitat‐specialist esparto grasshopper (Ramburiella hispanica). In particular, we predict that agricultural lands constitute barriers to gene flow and hypothesize that fragmentation has restricted interpopulation dispersal and reduced local levels of genetic diversity. Our results confirmed the expectation that isolation and habitat fragmentation have reduced the genetic diversity of local populations. Landscape genetic analyses based on circuit theory showed that agricultural land offers ~1000 times more resistance to gene flow than semi‐natural habitats, indicating that patterns of dispersal are constrained by the spatial configuration of remnant patches of suitable habitat. Overall, this study shows that semi‐natural habitat patches act as corridors for interpopulation gene flow and should be preserved due to the disproportionately large ecological function that they provide considering their insignificant area within these human‐modified landscapes.
Morphological and genomic comparisons of Hawaiian and Japanese Black‐footed Albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes) using double digest RADseq: implications for conservation
Authors: Dierickx Elisa G. , Shultz Allison J. , Sato Fumio , Hiraoka Takashi , Edwards Scott V.
Published: May 2015

Evaluating the genetic and demographic independence of populations of threatened species is important for determining appropriate conservation measures, but different technologies can yield different conclusions. Despite multiple studies, the taxonomic status and extent of gene flow between the main breeding populations of Black‐footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), a Near‐Threatened philopatric seabird, are still controversial. Here, we employ double digest RADseq to quantify the extent of genomewide divergence and gene flow in this species. Our genomewide data set of 9760 loci containing 3455 single nucleotide polymorphisms yielded estimates of genetic diversity and gene flow that were generally robust across seven different filtering and sampling protocols and suggest a low level of genomic variation (θ per site = ~0.00002–0.00028), with estimates of effective population size (Ne = ~500–15 881) falling far below current census size. Genetic differentiation was small but detectable between Japan and Hawaii (FST ≈ 0.038–0.049), with no FST outliers. Additionally, using museum specimens, we found that effect sizes of morphological differences by sex or population rarely exceeded 4%. These patterns suggest that the Hawaiian and Japanese populations exhibit small but significant differences and should be considered separate management units, although the evolutionary and adaptive consequences of this differentiation remain to be identified.
Regulation of RPTPα–c‐Src signalling pathway by miR‐218
Authors: Lai Xueping , Chen Qin , Zhu Changhong , Deng Rong , Zhao Xian , Chen Cheng , Wang Yanli , Yu Jianxiu , Huang Jian
Published: May 2015

Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha (RPTPα), an activator of Src family kinases, is found significantly overexpressed in human cancer tissues. However, little is known about the regulation of RPTPα expression. miRNAs target multiple genes and play important roles in many cancer processes. Here, we identified a miRNA, miR‐218 that binds directly to the 3′‐UTR of RPTPα. Ectopic overexpression of miR‐218 decreased RPTPα protein leading to decreased dephosphorylation of c‐Src and decreased tumour growth in vitro and in vivo. A feedback loop between c‐Src and miR‐218 was revealed where c‐Src inhibits transcription of SLIT2, which intronically hosts miR‐218. These results show a novel regulatory pathway for RPTPα–c‐Src signalling.
Phenotype‐based clustering of glycosylation‐related genes by RNAi‐mediated gene silencing
Authors: Yamamoto‐Hino Miki , Yoshida Hideki , Ichimiya Tomomi , Sakamura Sho , Maeda Megumi , Kimura Yoshinobu , Sasaki Norihiko , Aoki‐Kinoshita Kiyoko F. , Kinoshita‐Toyoda Akiko , Toyoda Hidenao , Ueda Ryu , Nishihara Shoko , Goto Satoshi
Published: May 2015

Glycan structures are synthesized by a series of reactions conducted by glycosylation‐related (GR) proteins such as glycosyltransferases, glycan‐modifying enzymes, and nucleotide‐sugar transporters. For example, the common core region of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is sequentially synthesized by peptide‐O‐xylosyltransferase, β1,4‐galactosyltransferase I, β1,3‐galactosyltransferase II, and β1,3‐glucuronyltransferase. This raises the possibility that functional impairment of GR proteins involved in synthesis of the same glycan might result in the same phenotypic abnormality. To examine this possibility, comprehensive silencing of genes encoding GR and proteoglycan core proteins was conducted in Drosophila. Drosophila GR candidate genes (125) were classified into five functional groups for synthesis of GAGs, N‐linked, O‐linked, Notch‐related, and unknown glycans. Spatiotemporally regulated silencing caused a range of malformed phenotypes that fell into three types: extra veins, thick veins, and depigmentation. The clustered phenotypes reflected the biosynthetic pathways of GAGs, Fringe‐dependent glycan on Notch, and glycans placed at or near nonreducing ends (herein termed terminal domains of glycans). Based on the phenotypic clustering, CG33145 was predicted to be involved in formation of terminal domains. Our further analysis showed that CG33145 exhibited galactosyltransferase activity in synthesis of terminal N‐linked glycans. Phenotypic clustering, therefore, has potential for the functional prediction of novel GR genes.
Does a decision aid for prostate cancer affect different aspects of decisional regret, assessed with new regret scales? A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: van Tol‐Geerdink Julia J. , Leer Jan Willem H. , Wijburg Carl J. , van Oort Inge M. , Vergunst Henk , van Lin Emile J. , Witjes J. Alfred , Stalmeier Peep F. M.
Published: May 2015

Objective

To develop and validate new regret scales and examine whether a decision aid affects different aspects of regret in the treatment choice for prostate cancer.

Methods

This was a multicentre trial (three sites) with imbalanced randomization (1 : 2). From 2008 to 2011, patients with localized prostate cancer were randomized 1 : 2 to usual care (N = 77) or usual care plus a decision aid presenting risks and benefits of different treatments (N = 163). The treatments were surgery and (external or interstitial) radiotherapy. Regret was assessed before, and 6 and 12 months after treatment, using the Decisional regret scale by Brehaut et al. (Medical Decision Making, 23, 2003, 281), and three new scales focusing on process, option and outcome regret. The relation between decision aid and regret was analysed by anova.

Results

The concurrent validity of the new regret scales was confirmed by correlations between regret and anxiety, depression, decision evaluation scales and health‐related quality of life. With a decision aid, patient participation was increased (P = 0.002), but regret was not. If anything, in patients with serious morbidity the decision aid resulted in a trend to less option regret and less Brehaut regret (P = 0.075 and P = 0.061, with effect sizes of 0.35 and 0.38, respectively). Exploratory analyses suggest that high‐risk patients benefitted most from the decision aid.

Conclusion

The new regret scales may be of value in distinguishing separate aspects of regret. In general, regret was not affected by the decision aid. In patients with serious morbidity, a trend to lower option regret with a decision aid was observed.
The effects of scent on consumer behaviour
Authors: Rimkute Justina , Moraes Caroline , Ferreira Carlos
Published: May 2015

This article presents a systematic review of extant research on the effects of scent on consumer behaviour for readers of the International Journal of Consumer Studies. Although many articles have been published on this topic in recent years, there is a need for a comprehensive summary of up‐to‐date findings in this area of research. A systematic literature review is conducted with selected Chartered Association of Business Schools‐ranked journals in the fields of marketing and psychology, covering the period between 1980 and 2015. Thematic areas include the impact of scent on consumers’ cognitive and affective responses, attitudes and perceptions, as well as memory and behaviours. Relevant mediators and moderators of the effects of scent on these variables include affect, cognition, awareness and individual or environmental stimuli. Gaps for future research are identified and include the role of consumer awareness of scent and its influence on behaviour. Although this article provides a systematic review of the literature within the fields of psychology and marketing, it acknowledges that a large body of research regarding human responses to odours exists within other disciplinary fields such as neuroscience. The potential for, as well as the ethical caveats of, using scent stimuli for marketing purposes are also considered. This article makes a significant contribution to the consumer behaviour literature given its systematic article selection and review process, encompassing the most up‐to‐date research and focusing on all key thematic areas related to scent and consumption.
Antecedents of green behavioral intentions: a cross‐country study of Turkey, Finland and Pakistan
Authors: Konuk Faruk Anıl , Rahman Saleem Ur , Salo Jari
Published: May 2015

Quality of life of the future generations depends on the efforts of current generations to protect environment. The purchase decisions based on their green behavioral intentions not only helps the society, but also helps companies to gain a green competitive advantage. In this study, the relationships between green satisfaction, green trust, green equity and behavioral intentions are examined. Data were collected from Turkey, Finland and Pakistan with self‐administered questionnaires regarding with green white goods. The hypotheses were tested with structural equation modeling. Results of a structural model reveal positive relationships green satisfaction, green trust and green brand equity across three countries. In addition, green brand equity plays a remarkable role in behavioral intentions towards green white goods in general. Managers should consider green trust, green satisfaction, and green brand equity while implementing green marketing strategies in a global marketplace.
Why buy organic rice? genetic algorithm‐based fuzzy association mining rules for means‐end chain data
Authors: Chen Nai‐Hua , Lee Chi‐Hsun , Huang Chi‐Tsun
Published: May 2015

While empirical studies of organic food consumption have centred primarily on European and North American countries, the amount of research occurring in Asian countries is increasing. This article describes the attributes, consequences, and values influencing consumer perceptions and adoption of organic rice in Taiwan, where rice is the major food. Based on a means‐end chain (MEC) rationale, regulatory focus theory and self‐construal theory, this article describes the attributes, consequences and values influencing Taiwanese consumer perceptions and adoption of organic rice. Using a questionnaire and a sample of 300 organic food shoppers in Taiwan, we applied the MEC technique in a different fashion via the proposed genetic algorithm‐based fuzzy association mining rules (GFAMR) algorithm to depict the attribute‐consequence‐value links to purchasing organic rice. This study has at least two merits: (a) it is among the first integrating regulatory focus theory, self‐construal theory and MEC to explore the reason why Taiwanese consumers purchase organic rice and (b) it introduces a new method to quantitatively deal with MEC analysis. The results show that the most important ultimate values are fun and enjoyment in life and security, which are in line with the promotion focus and prevention focus, respectively, of regulatory focus theory. Furthermore, we found three consumer segments related to organic rice: prevention focused housekeepers, promotion‐focused egoists, and promotion‐focused (meta‐personal self) altruists. The different paths found in the results can also provide green companies and policy makers with more information about organic rice consumers, allowing them to craft better marketing and communication strategies by which to promote organic food.
Aroma compounds and sensory characteristics as biomarkers of quality of differently processed Tunisian virgin olive oils
Authors: Issaoui Manel , Gharbi Ines , Flamini Guido , Cioni Pier Luigi , Bendini Alessandra , Gallina Toschi Tullia , Hammami Mohamed
Published: May 2015

The influence of the extraction system (continuous vs. discontinuous) and the degree of freshness of olives on the chemical composition and the quality of Chemlali and Chétoui virgin olive oil has been studied. Analytical data mainly concerning the volatile and sensory profiles revealed statistically significant differences in relation to the extraction system. All quality indices and sensory characteristics showed statistically significant differences associated with the degree of freshness of fruits. These results further confirm the general consensus that volatile compounds can be very useful as biomarkers of the quality of virgin olive oil and show correlations with the sensory characteristics.
Optimised methodology for the extraction of protein from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)
Authors: Guerreo‐Ochoa Manuel R. , Pedreschi Romina , Chirinos Rosana
Published: May 2015

Quinoa is a highly appreciated Andean pseudo‐cereal and has sparked attention worldwide due to its excellent nutritional value. The protein extraction parameters for defatted quinoa seed meal (DQSM) were optimised in this study. Initially, a Plackett–Burman design was applied to screen the factors displaying a potential effect on the quinoa protein extraction yield (Y %, g soluble protein/100 g total protein) being the main evaluated factors: pH, NaCl concentration, time, temperature, solvent type, particle size and solvent/meal ratio. Four main factors: temperature, solvent/meal ratio, pH and time selected from the screening step were optimised with a central composed design (CCD). The obtained response surface model (RSM) produced a satisfactory fitting of the results (R2 = 0.9308). Optimal quinoa protein extraction conditions of 36.2 °C, solvent/meal ratio of 19.6/1 (v/w) and 90 min resulted in a protein yield of 62.1% (9.06 g of protein/100 g DQSM) which closely agree with the predicted value of 62.5%.The model was experimentally validated by extracting the quinoa protein using the optimal conditions revealed by RSM. The optimised conditions could be successfully employed in the design process of protein extraction from quinoa seed meal to obtain optimal yields.