bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conjunctive Water Use in Confined Basalt Aquifers: An Evaluation Using Geochemistry, a Numerical Model, and Historical Water Level
Authors: Royer Patrick D. , Tonkin Matthew , Hammond Travis
Published: December 2013

As withdrawals from deep compartmentalized aquifers increasingly exceed recharge throughout the western United States, conjunctive water use management alternatives have become an applied research priority. This study highlights both details and limitations of the role of irrigation canal seepage as groundwater recharge, revealing the regional limitations of canal seepage as a dependable source of recharge in overdrawn aquifers. A suite of geochemical indicators were used together with a numerical model to evaluate current and future management scenarios focused on recharge derived from seepage from a region‐wide irrigation canal system. Twenty‐five years of static groundwater level data were used to relate spatial trends determined using geochemistry and groundwater modeling with “on‐the‐ground” management practices, which vary based on acreage, crop, and irrigation scheduling. Increasing groundwater age determined using isotope analysis, and declines in potentiometric heads, each correlate with increasing distance from the canal reaches. Predictive modeling indicates that if pumping is gradually reduced, as has been suggested by management agencies, that recharge from canal seepage will be negligible by 2035 due to regional groundwater through‐flow and the pattern of potentiometric head recovery. Unfortunately, historic hydrographs suggest that under current groundwater development conditions most wells are not sustainable, irrespective of proximity to the canal.
Asset Liquidity and Stock Liquidity: International Evidence
Authors: Charoenwong Charlie , Chong Beng Soon , Yang Yung Chiang
Published: December 2013

This study examines the relationship between asset liquidity and stock liquidity across 47 countries. In support of thevaluation uncertaintyhypothesis, we find that firms with greater asset liquidity on average have higher stock liquidity. More importantly, our study shows that asset liquidity plays a more significant role in resolvingvaluation uncertaintyin countries with poor information environment. For example, we find that the asset–stock liquidity relationship is stronger in countries with poor accounting standards. We further find evidence that after the adoption of IFRS, the improved accounting information environment results in a weaker asset–stock liquidity relation, but only in countries with a strong legal regime. Finally, our study shows that the positive asset–stock liquidity relationship may be attributed to transparency and/or liquidity reasons.
Commentary: Diverging trajectories from a similar starting point: the outcome in adults whose autism was diagnosed in childhood – reflections on Howlin et al. (2013)
Authors: Baird Gillian
Published: December 2013

Howlin and colleagues are to be congratulated on a further follow up from the cohort of children first diagnosed by Rutter at the age of 2‐13 years nearly 40 years ago (Howlin, Savage, Moss, Tempier, & Rutter, 2013).
Editorial: Bridging gaps between basic research and clinical practice
Authors: Petrill Stephen A.
Published: December 2013

Over the past several decades, child psychology and psychiatry has witnessed an explosion in the volume of, and a decided quickening in the pace of, dissemination of research findings. On the one hand, this has led us to an enviable position.
Perceptions of Partners' Attributions for Depression in Relation to Perceptions of Support and Conflict in Romantic Relationships
Authors: Blais Rebecca K. , Renshaw Keith D.
Published: December 2013

People's attributions for their own psychological problems are linked to their interpersonal behaviors and attitudes. However, depressed individuals' inferences about their romantic partners' attributions for their depressive symptoms have yet to be studied in relation to their perceptions of relationship quality. This study examined perceived support from and conflict with partners in relation to perceptions of partners' attributions for depression in 165 individuals experiencing at least mild depressive symptoms. After controlling for relevant demographic characteristics, perceived internal/controllable psychological attributions were related to greater perceived conflict and lower perceived support, and perceived controllable biological attributions were related to greater perceived conflict. Perceived external/uncontrollable psychological and uncontrollable biological attributions were unrelated to perceived support and conflict. Findings suggest that perceived attributions may help explain the link between depression, support, and conflict in romantic relationships.
Intestinal helminths in wildPeruvian red uakari monkeys(Cacajao calvus ucayalii)in the northeasternPeruvianAmazon
Authors: Conga David F. , Bowler Mark , Tantalean Manuel , Montes Daniel , Serra‐Freire Nicolau Maués , Mayor Pedro
Published: December 2013

Parasites are important in the management of the health of primate populations. We examined 36 fecal samples fromPeruvian red uakari monkeys (Cacajao calvus ucayalii) collected from wild animals in the northeasternPeruvianAmazon. Samples were positive for helminth infection.Nematodes egg:Strongyloididae,Trypanoxyurissp., Spirurid, and a cestode egg were identified.
Symptoms, clusters and quality of life prior to surgery for breast cancer
Authors: Denieffe Suzanne , Cowman Seamus , Gooney Martina
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the pretreatment symptoms and symptom clusters that women awaiting breast cancer surgery are experiencing and the impact of these symptoms on their quality of life.

Background

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer will have surgery as a first‐line treatment. The presence of presurgery symptoms may be significant in contributing to distress and impaired quality of life. While it seems that women with breast cancer may experience the symptoms of fatigue, pain, depression and sleep disturbance as a cluster, this has not yet been confirmed by empirical research in the presurgery time period.

Design

A multiple‐point prospective longitudinal cohort panel design is used.

Methods

Presurgery symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue, Brief Pain Inventory and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(3).

Results

Participants (n = 94, age range 30–92) experienced symptoms prior to surgery, with pain being a more prevalent symptom (35%) than fatigue (32%), sleep disturbances (25·5%) or depression (11%). global quality of life was significantly impacted on by fatigue and showed a moderate correlation with emotional functioning and a weak correlation with physical and social functioning. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified the presence of five clusters with symptoms present in differing intensities in each cluster.

Conclusion

In this cohort of women, healthy other than having a diagnosis of breast cancer, symptoms were impacting on quality of life. It is evident that clusters of symptoms are present presurgery that must be assessed and managed.

Relevance to practice

Healthcare delivery systems must ensure that early symptoms are addressed effectively in the presurgery period to improve quality of life and reduce adverse outcomes postsurgery.
Examining the causal model linking health literacy to health outcomes of asthma patients
Authors: Wang Kwua‐Yun , Chu Nain‐Feng , Lin Sieh‐Hwa , Chiang I‐Chyun , Perng Wann‐Cherng , Lai Hsiang‐Ru
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore health literacy status in asthma patients and to examine the causal model linking health literacy to health outcome–related factors via mediator and moderator variables.

Background

Understanding how low health literacy may influence health outcomes is important.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional survey study.

Methods

A total of 326 asthma patients aged 20 years and older (average: 51 ± 18·3 years) were recruited by purposive sampling from pulmonary medicine outpatient departments at three medical centres and a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Data were collected via structured questionnaires, including measures of socio‐demographic and disease characteristics; medical decision‐making; asthma knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy; healthcare experience and health outcome–related factors (metered‐dose inhaler/dry‐powder inhaler usage proficiency, medical use, self‐management behaviour). Three hundred patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire survey were analysed.

Results

Overall, 217 subjects (72·3%) had adequate functional health literacy, 42 (14%) had inadequate functional health literacy, and 41 (13·7%) had marginal functional health literacy. Subjects' average asthma knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy scores were 7·23 ± 2·69, 51·46 ± 6·18 and 58·31 ± 8·10, respectively. Health literacy correlated positively with asthma knowledge (r = 0·605), attitudes (r = 0·192) and medical decision‐making (r = 0·413).

Conclusions

Health literacy is positively associated with proficiency in metered‐dose inhaler usage, asthma knowledge, attitudes and medical decision‐making, but is not significantly associated with medical care use and self‐management behaviour. Health literacy had an indirect effect on self‐management behaviour through the mediation effect of asthma attitudes. No moderator was found for the effect of health literacy on health outcome–related factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

Results of this study may help to develop adequate intervention strategies to improve the health outcomes of asthma patients.
Adolescents' Prosocial Behavior Toward Family, Friends, and Strangers: A Person‐Centered Approach
Authors: Padilla‐Walker Laura M. , Dyer W. Justin , Yorgason Jeremy B. , Fraser Ashley M. , Coyne Sarah M.
Published: December 2013

This study examined longitudinal change in adolescents' prosocial behavior toward family, friends, and strangers. Participants included 491 mother–child dyads (average age of child at Time 1 = 11.5, 67% European American). Growth mixture modeling suggested that prosocial behavior toward family was generally stable or decreased over time, while prosocial behavior toward friends increased over time. However, findings highlighted unique developmental trajectories within subgroups of adolescents for prosocial behavior toward family and friends and found that maternal warmth and adolescent sympathy, self‐regulation, and gender consistently distinguished between groups. Discussion focuses on the need for a more multidimensional approach to prosocial development.
Using Experimental Designs to Understand the Development of Peer Relations
Authors: de Castro Bram Orobio , Thomaes Sander , Reijntjes Albert
Published: December 2013

In the past decades, tremendous advances have been made in our understanding of peer relations. A description is emerging of how peer relations develop. Surprisingly, though, we know less about why peer relations develop as they do. Experimental designs provide opportunities to learn about causal processes in peer relations, yet they have not been used frequently in this field. The aim of this paper is to encourage greater use of experimental designs to unravel causal processes that shape the development of peer relations. To this end, limitations of causal inferences from longitudinal studies are presented, it is demonstrated how experimental designs and experiments nested in longitudinal studies can be used to test causal mechanisms, and intervention trials as real‐life experiments are discussed.
Effects of Written Feedback and Revision on Learners’ Accuracy in Using Two English Grammatical Structures
Authors: Shintani Natsuko , Ellis Rod , Suzuki Wataru
Published: December 2013

The study compared the effects of two types of form‐focused written feedback—direct corrective feedback (DCF) and metalinguistic explanation (ME) given to the whole class—on Japanese university students’ accuracy of use of two grammatical structures: indefinite article and the hypothetical conditional. Both types of feedback were given with and without an opportunity to rewrite. Accuracy of use was measured in new pieces of writing. The feedback led to increased accuracy for the hypothetical conditional but not for the indefinite article. The effectiveness of the DCF proved longer lasting than the ME. Also, providing opportunity for revision enhanced the effect of the feedback. Overall, DCF followed by revision proved the most effective type of feedback. The results suggest that when form‐focused written feedback is directed at two features that vary in saliency and complexity, learners are likely to focus on the structure that contributes more to the global meaning of the text. The results also indicate that directly correcting the errors learners make with respect to a complex syntactical structure is more beneficial than giving them a metalinguistic explanation.
Therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy in huge (≥10 cm) unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Kyung Hwan , Kim Mi Sun , Chang Jee Suk , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Kim Do Young , Seong Jinsil
Published: December 2013

Background & Aims

Huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) show dismal prognosis and only a limited number of cases are eligible for curative resection. We studied the therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with huge unresectable HCCs.

Methods

Data from 283 patients with huge HCCs and preserved liver function who underwent non‐surgical treatment from July 2001 to March 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the initial treatment: Group A (N= 49), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE); Group B (N = 35), TACE + RT; Group C (N = 50), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; and Group D (n = 149), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Results and Conclusions

The median follow‐up period was 27.8 months (range, 12.9–121.9 months). The median overall survival (OS) was longer in Groups B (15.3 months) and D (12.8 months) than in Groups A (7.5 months) and C (8.2 months; Group B vs. A, Bonferroni corrected P [Pc] = 0.04; Group B vs. C, Pc = 0.02; Group D vs. A, Pc = 0.01; Group D vs. C, Pc = 0.006). Groups B and D also showed superior progression‐free survival (PFS) and intrahepatic control than Groups A and C. In multivariate analysis, tumour multiplicity, serum alpha‐foetoprotein level (≥200 ng/ml) and initial treatment were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Patients with huge unresectable HCCs treated with RT, either as CCRT or in combination with TACE, showed excellent intrahepatic control and prolonged survival. RT could be considered a promising treatment modality in these patients.
Maintaining remission in lamivudine‐resistant patients with a virological response to adefovir add‐on lamivudine after stopping lamivudine therapy
Authors: Kim Mi Na , Lee Chun Kyon , Ahn Sang Hoon , Lee Sangheun , Kim Seung Up , Kim Do Young , Kim Hyon Suk , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Chon Chae Yoon , Park Jun Yong
Published: December 2013

Background & Aims

We examined the durability of the virological response after discontinuing lamivudine (LVD) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with LVD‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV), who responded to LVD plus adefovir (ADV) combination therapy, and the outcome of switching to ADV monotherapy compared to maintaining combination therapy.

Methods

This study enrolled 72 patients with undetectable viral loads (≤12 IU/ml) and normal alanine aminotransferase levels after ADV add‐on therapy for at least 6 months in LVD‐resistant CHB patients. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to continue with LVD–ADV combination therapy or switch to ADV monotherapy (n = 36 per group). Virological rebound was defined as HBV DNA detection at more than 12 IU/ml by quantitative polymerase chain reaction determined on two consecutive measurements.

Results

During 96 weeks of follow‐up, 100% (36/36) of the patients in the LVD–ADV combination maintained group had persistently undetectable HBV DNA, compared with 94.4% (34/36) patients in the ADV monotherapy switched group. These two patients had undetectable HBV DNA after switching back to LVD–ADV combination therapy. There were no significant differences in the HBsAg levels between the two treatment groups during the 96‐week follow‐up period.

Conclusions

In our study, switching to ADV monotherapy resulted in sustained HBV DNA suppression in 94.4% of the patients for 96 weeks. Prior complete viral suppression with LVD–ADV combination therapy conferred a significant advantage in patients who switched to ADV monotherapy. LVD may be discontinued in patients who show a complete virological response to LVD–ADV combination therapy for at least 6 months.
Cardiomyopathy reverses with recovery of liver injury, cholestasis and cholanemia in mouse model of biliary fibrosis
Authors: Desai Moreshwar S. , Eblimit Zeena , Thevananther Sundararajah , Kosters Astrid , Moore David D. , Penny Daniel J. , Karpen Saul J.
Published: December 2013

Background

Triggers and exacerbants of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) are poorly understood, limiting treatment options in patients with chronic liver diseases. Liver transplantation alone reverses some features of CC, but the physiology behind this effect has never been studied.

Aims

We aimed to determine whether reversal of liver injury and fibrosis in mouse affects cardiac parameters. The second aim was to determine whether cardiomyopathy can be induced by specifically increasing systemic bile acid (BA) levels.

Methods

6–8 week old male C57BL6J mice were fed either chow (n = 5) or 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydroxychollidine (DDC) (n = 10) for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks, half the mice in the DDC fed group were randomized to chow (the reversed [REV] group). Serial ECHOs and electrocardiographic analysis was conducted weekly for 6 weeks followed by liver tissue and serum studies. Hearts were analysed for key components of function and cell signalling. Cardiac physiological and molecular parameters were similarly analysed in Abcb11−/− mice (n = 5/grp) fed 0.5% cholic acid supplemented diet for 1 week.

Results

Mice in the REV group showed normalization of biochemical markers of liver injury with resolution of electrocardiographic and ECHO aberrations. Catecholamine resistance seen in DDC group resolved in the REV group. Cardiac recovery was accompanied by normalization of cardiac troponin‐T2 as well as resolution of cardiac stress response at RNA level. Cardiovascular physiological and molecular parameters correlated with degree of cholanemia. Cardiomyopathy was reproduced in cholanemic BA fed Abcb11−/− mice.

Conclusions

Cardiomyopathy resolves with resolution of liver injury, is associated with cholanaemia, and can be induced by BA feeding.
Does telaprevir possess a direct antidiabetic effect?
Authors: Tallón de Lara Paulino , Himschoot Thomas , Frossard Jean‐Louis , Negro Francesco
Published: December 2013

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) induces insulin resistance, which improves upon viral clearance. Telaprevir is a protease inhibitor effective against HCV genotype 1. We reported a case, whose history suggests that telaprevir may induce some antidiabetic effect independently of its suppression of HCV. A 56‐year‐old woman with obesity, type 2 diabetes treated with sitagliptin and metformin, and HCV‐related cirrhosis was given triple therapy with pegylated interferon‐alpha, ribavirin and telaprevir. After 2 weeks of treatment, HCV RNA was no longer detectable but the patient described a pronounced drop in the capillary glucose levels and episodes of hypoglycaemia that compelled her to stop all antidiabetic treatment. One month after stopping telaprevir, she had to resume her antidiabetic treatment, despite a persisting virological response. Despite reaching a sustained virological response, her diabetes progressed. Although the suppression of HCV replication may have played a role in reducing glucose intolerance, the fact that this patient resumed her prior antidiabetic treatment upon completing the telaprevir treatment, while still aviremic, suggests that telaprevir may have an additional antidiabetic effect. Further evidence about the possible role and mechanisms of telaprevir as antidiabetic agent is warranted.
The Tajikistan superbolide of July 23, 2008. I. Trajectory, orbit, and preliminary fall data
Authors: Konovalova Natalia A. , Madiedo Jose M. , Trigo‐Rodríguez Josep M.
Published: December 2013

The results of the atmospheric trajectory, radiant, heliocentric orbit, and preliminary strewn field calculations for an extremely bright slow‐moving fireball are presented. In the evening hours of July 23, 2008, a bright object entered Earth's atmosphere over Tajikistan. The fireball had a −20.3 maximum absolute magnitude and a spectacularly long persistent dust trail remained visible over a widespread region of Tajikistan for about 28 minutes after sunset. The fireball was also recorded by a visible‐light satellite system at 14 h 45 min 25 s UT, and the dust trail was imaged by video and photocameras. A unique aspect of this event is that it was detected by two infrasound and five seismic stations too. The bolide was first recorded at a height of 38.2 km, reached its maximum brightness at a height of 35.0 km, and finished at a height of 19.6 km. The first breakup occurred under an aerodynamic pressure of approximately 1.6 MPa, similar to the values derived for breakups of the scarcely reported meteorite‐dropping bolides. The fireball's trajectory and dynamic results suggest that meteorite survival is likely. The meteoroid followed an Apollo‐like asteroid orbit comparable to those derived for previously recovered meteorites with accurately known orbits.
The Corossol structure: A possible impact crater on the seafloor of the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Eastern Canada
Authors: Lajeunesse Patrick , St‐Onge Guillaume , Locat Jacques , Duchesne Mathieu J. , Higgins Michael D. , Sanfaçon Richard , Ortiz Joseph
Published: December 2013

We report on a 4.1 (±0.2) km diameter and 185 m deep circular submarine structure exposed on the seabed in >40 m water depths in the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Eastern Canada) from the analysis of high‐resolution multibeam bathymetric and seismic data. The presence of a circular form characterized by a central uplift and concentric rings resembles the morphology and geometry of complex meteorite impact structures. Also, other origins, such as kimberlites, intrusions, karsts, or diapirs, can be eliminated on geological criteria. A single 4 cm long breccia fragment recovered from the central uplift has numerous glassy droplets of fluorapatite composition, assumed to be impact melts, and a single quartz grain with planar intersection features thought to be shock‐induced planar deformation features (PDFs). The absolute age of this possible impact structure is unknown, but its geological setting indicates that it was formed long after the Mid‐Ordovician and before regional pre‐Quaternary sea‐level lowstands. Present results outline the need for further examination to confirm an impact origin and to precisely date the formation of the structure.
The abundance and isotopic composition of Cd in iron meteorites
Authors: Kruijer Thomas S. , Sprung Peter , Kleine Thorsten , Leya Ingo , Wieler Rainer
Published: December 2013

Cadmium is a highly volatile element and its abundance in meteorites may help better understand volatility‐controlled processes in the solar nebula and on meteorite parent bodies. The large thermal neutron capture cross section of113Cd suggests that Cd isotopes might be well suited to quantify neutron fluences in extraterrestrial materials. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the range and magnitude of Cd concentrations in magmatic iron meteorites, and (2) to assess the potential of Cd isotopes as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites. Our new Cd concentration data determined by isotope dilution demonstrate that Cd concentrations in iron meteorites are significantly lower than in some previous studies. In contrast to large systematic variations in the concentration of moderately volatile elements like Ga and Ge, there is neither systematic variation in Cd concentration amongst troilites, nor amongst metal phases of different iron meteorite groups. Instead, Cd is strongly depleted in all iron meteorite groups, implying that the parent bodies accreted well above the condensation temperature of Cd (i.e., ≈650 K) and thus incorporated only minimal amounts of highly volatile elements. No Cd isotope anomalies were found, whereas Pt and W isotope anomalies for the same iron meteorite samples indicate a significant fluence of epithermal and higher energetic neutrons. This observation demonstrates that owing to the high Fe concentrations in iron meteorites, neutron capture mainly occurs at epithermal and higher energies. The combined Cd‐Pt‐W isotope results from this study thus demonstrate that the relative magnitude of neutron capture‐induced isotope anomalies is strongly affected by the chemical composition of the irradiated material. The resulting low fluence of thermal neutrons in iron meteorites and their very low Cd concentrations make Cd isotopes unsuitable as a neutron dosimeter for iron meteorites.
Sentimental Drivers of Social Entrepreneurship: A Study of China's Guangcai (Glorious) Program
Authors: Yiu Daphne W. , Wan William P. , Ng Frank W. , Chen Xing , Jun Su
Published: December 2013

Social entrepreneurship plays an important role in local development in emerging economies, but scholars have paid little attention to this emerging phenomenon. Under the theory of moral sentiments, we posit that some entrepreneurs are altruistically motivated to promote a morally effective economic system by engaging in social entrepreneurial activities. Focusing on China's Guangcai (Glorious) Program, a social entrepreneurship program initiated by China's private entrepreneurs to combat poverty and contribute to regional development, we find that private entrepreneurs are motivated to participate in such programs if they have more past distressing experiences, including limited educational opportunities, unemployment experience, rural poverty experience, and startup location hardship. Their perceived social status further strengthens these relationships. Our study contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by offering a moral sentiment perspective that explains why some entrepreneurs voluntarily join a social entrepreneurship program to mitigate poverty in society.
Doing the month in aTaiwanese postpartum nursing center: An ethnographic study
Authors: Yeh Yueh‐Chen , St John Winsome , Venturato Lorraine
Published: December 2013

TraditionallyChinese andTaiwanese postpartum women conducted postpartum ritual practices, called “doing the month,” at home. Today, manyTaiwanese women undertake this ritual in postpartum nursing centers. However, little is known about how the traditional practices are being transformed in relation to contemporary health care inTaiwan. In this ethnographic study observations were carried out in a large post‐partum center attached to a major hospital inTaipei for nine months, and 27 postpartum women were interviewed. Data were analyzed using ethnographic approaches to extract codes and categories. Doing the month was reshaped by being relocated from the home to a healthcare setting. Midwives took on roles traditionally taken by family members, which had an impact on family roles and relationships. Some postpartum practices were maintained, based on traditional explanations. However, many were modified or challenged, based on explanations from contemporary scientific knowledge. Midwives need to be aware that there could be differences between their culture of care and the cultural values of the women they care for. This study informs culturally appropriate postpartum care and support for women with traditional and contemporary cultural beliefs and attitudes to doing the month in a range of healthcare contexts.
Preventive oral surgery before bisphosphonate administration to reduce osteonecrosis of the jaws
Authors: Mozzati M , Maggiora M , Scoletta M , Vasta A , Canuto RA , Muzio G
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The intravenous injection of bisphosphonates, currently used for osteoporosis, myeloma, or bone metastases, can cause ONJ especially in consequence of trauma. To avoid trauma during bisphosphonate treatment, preventive oral surgery is recommended. The research aimed to evidence whether inflammatory and osteoclastogenic factors are not induced in oral mucosa after bisphosphonate treatment in patients receiving oral preventive surgery procedure and whether proliferation factors are not inhibited.

Patients and Methods

Specimens of oral mucosa were removed from healthy subjects and from patients undergoing preventive oral surgery before bisphosphonate treatment. The expression of cytokines and factors involved in osteoclast activity, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis were examined.

Results

Cytokines and RANK‐L levels decreased significantly in mucosa from patients undergoing preventive oral surgery procedure before bisphosphonate treatment in comparison with their levels at the beginning of procedure and also in comparison with the level in patients treated only with bisphosphonates and not developing ONJ; conversely, osteoprotegerin and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase significantly increased or not changed.

Conclusions

The results suggest that preventive oral surgery could be able to prevent ONJ due to bisphosphonate treatment: The mucosa is not stimulated by bisphosphonates to cause ONJ, as bisphosphonates are probably not released from the bone.
Intercellular trafficking of transcription factors in the vascular tissue patterning
Authors: Jang Geupil , Lee Ji‐Young
Published: December 2013

Throughout life cycles, plants grow in an indeterminate manner by adding new cells and organs with specialized functions. Newly emerging cells acquire their identities depending on their positions relative to the neighboring cells. Exchanging positional signals between cells is critical in this process. Recent studies showed that many transcription factors move between cells or between organs in forms of proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA). Some of these were found to be important positional signals for cell type patterning. Cell type patterning in the vascular system is no exception from this. In this review, we describe recent discoveries of mobile transcription factors that function as positional signals for vascular tissue patterning and propose how these transcription factors integrate with other forms of signals.
A coumarin‐specific prenyltransferase catalyzes the crucial biosynthetic reaction for furanocoumarin formation in parsley
Authors: Karamat Fazeelat , Olry Alexandre , Munakata Ryosuke , Koeduka Takao , Sugiyama Akifumi , Paris Cedric , Hehn Alain , Bourgaud Frédéric , Yazaki Kazufumi
Published: December 2013

Furanocoumarins constitute a sub‐family of coumarin compounds with important defense properties against pathogens and insects, as well as allelopathic functions in plants. Furanocoumarins are divided into two sub‐groups according to the alignment of the furan ring with the lactone structure: linear psoralen and angular angelicin derivatives. Determination of furanocoumarin type is based on the prenylation position of the common precursor of all furanocoumarins, umbelliferone, at C6 or C8, which gives rise to the psoralen or angelicin derivatives, respectively. Here, we identified a membrane‐bound prenyltransferase PcPT from parsley (Petroselinum crispum), and characterized the properties of the gene product. PcPT expression in various parsley tissues is increased by UV irradiation, with a concomitant increase in furanocoumarin production. This enzyme has strict substrate specificity towards umbelliferone and dimethylallyl diphosphate, and a strong preference for the C6 position of the prenylated product (demethylsuberosin), leading to linear furanocoumarins. The C8‐prenylated derivative (osthenol) is also formed, but to a much lesser extent. The PcPT protein is targeted to the plastids in planta. Introduction of this PcPT into the coumarin‐producing plant Ruta graveolens showed increased consumption of endogenous umbelliferone. Expression of PcPT and a 4–coumaroyl CoA 2'–hydroxylase gene in Nicotiana benthamiana, which does not produce furanocoumarins, resulted in formation of demethylsuberosin, indicating that furanocoumarin production may be reconstructed by a metabolic engineering approach. The results demonstrate that a single prenyltransferase, such as PcPT, opens the pathway to linear furanocoumarins in parsley, but may also catalyze the synthesis of osthenol, the first intermediate committed to the angular furanocoumarin pathway, in other plants.
The DROOPING LEAF and OsETTIN2 genes promote awn development in rice
Authors: Toriba Taiyo , Hirano Hiro‐Yuki
Published: December 2013

The awn is a long needle‐like appendage that, in some grass species, is formed on the lemma that encloses floral organs together with the palea. In rice, most wild species and most strains of Oryza sativa ssp. indica generate an awn, whereas most strains of O. sativa ssp. japonica do not. In japonica, the long‐awn characteristic appears to have been lost during domestication and breeding programs. Here, we found that the genes DROOPING LEAF (DL) and OsETTIN2 (OsETT2) are involved in awn development in the awned indica strain Kasalath. Genetic analyses and RNA‐silencing experiments indicate that DL and OsETT2 act independently in awn formation, and that either gene alone is not sufficient for awn development. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the top region of the lemma (a putative awn primordium) is larger in an awned floret than in an awnless floret. OsETT2 is expressed in the awn primordium in the awned indica floret, but not in the awnless japonica floret except in the provascular bundle. DL is expressed underneath the primordium at similar levels in both indica and japonica florets, suggesting non‐cell‐autonomous action. We hypothesize that loss of expression of OsETT2 in the awn primordium is probably associated with the failure of awn formation in japonica strains.
Comparative BAC‐based physical mapping of Oryza sativa ssp. indica var. 93–11 and evaluation of the two rice reference sequence assemblies
Authors: Pan Yonglong , Deng Ying , Lin Haiyan , Kudrna David A. , Wing Rod A. , Li Lijia , Zhang Qifa , Luo Meizhong
Published: December 2013

Reference sequences are sequences that are used for public consultation, and therefore must be of high quality. Using the whole‐genome shotgun/next‐generation sequencing approach, many genome sequences of complex higher plants have been generated in recent years, and are generally considered reference sequences. However, none of these sequences has been experimentally evaluated at the whole‐genome sequence assembly level. Rice has a relatively simple plant genome, and the genome sequences for its two sub‐species obtained using different sequencing approaches were published approximately 10 years ago. This provides a unique system for a case study to evaluate the qualities and utilities of published plant genome sequences. We constructed a robust BAC physical map embedding a large number of BAC end sequences forrice variety 93–11. Through BAC end sequence alignments and tri‐assembly comparisons of the 93–11 physical map and the two reference sequences, we found that the Nipponbare reference sequence generated using the clone‐by‐clone approach has a high quality but still contains small artifact inversions and missing sequences. In contrast, the 93–11 reference sequence generated using the whole‐genome shotgun approach contains many large and varied assembly errors, such as inversions, duplications and translocations, as well as missing sequences. The 93–11 physical map provides an invaluable resource for evaluation and improvements toward completion of both Nipponbare and 93–11 reference sequences.
Precise plant breeding using new genome editing techniques: opportunities, safety and regulation in the EU
Authors: Hartung Frank , Schiemann Joachim
Published: December 2013

Several new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) have been developed during the last decade, and make it possible to precisely perform genome modifications in plants. The major problem, other than technical aspects, is the vagueness of regulation concerning these new techniques. Since the definition of eight NPBTs by a European expert group in 2007, there has been an ongoing debate on whether the resulting plants and their products are covered by GMO legislation. Obviously, cover by GMO legislation would severely hamper the use of NPBT, because genetically modified plants must pass a costly and time‐consuming GMO approval procedure in the EU. In this review, we compare some of the NPBTs defined by the EU expert group with classical breeding techniques and conventional transgenic plants. The list of NPBTs may be shortened (or extended) during the international discussion process initiated by the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development. From the scientific point of view, it may be argued that plants developed by NPBTs are often indistinguishable from classically bred plants and are not expected to possess higher risks for health and the environment. In light of the debate on the future regulation of NPBTs and the accumulated evidence on the biosafety of genetically modified plants that have been commercialized and risk‐assessed worldwide, it may be suggested that plants modified by crop genetic improvement technologies, including genetic modification, NPBTs or other future techniques, should be evaluated according to the new trait and the resulting end product rather than the technique used to create the new plant variety.
Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in female blood donors 1 week after blood donation
Authors: Pedrazzini B. , Waldvogel S. , Vaucher P. , Cornuz J. , Heinzer R. , Tissot J.‐D. , Favrat B.
Published: December 2013

Background and Objective

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a frequent condition with a prevalence of 5–15% in the general population. Clinical and genetic observations have shown that iron deficiency, highly prevalent among blood donors, can be related to RLS. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of RLS in female blood donors 1 week after blood donation.

Methods

One week after blood donation, 291 female blood donors, aged <50 years, self‐responded to all four RLS questions defined by the 1995 International RLS study group. Blood donation rate, fatigue, aerobic capacity, menstruation, mood disorder and quality of life were also assessed along with haemoglobin and ferritin blood concentrations.

Results

Prevalence of RLS in female blood donors 1 week after blood donation was 6·9% (CI 95% 4·2–10·4%). Female blood donors with RLS had a higher prevalence of hyper‐menorrhaea (P = 0·033) and were significantly more tired (P = 0·001). We observed no associations between RLS and number of previous donations (P = 0·409), aerobic capacity (P = 0·476), mood disorder (P = 0·169), quality of life (P = 0·356), haemoglobin (P = 0·087), and serum ferritin level (P = 0·446).

Conclusion

Restless legs syndrome prevalence in female blood donors is not as important as described in some other studies, which could reassure blood donors. The prevalence of hypermenorrhaea and fatigue is higher in RLS blood donors. Therefore, screening for fatigue and hypermenorrhaea could be considered as these symptoms are associated with RLS in female blood donors.
Modelling of natural water retention in the catchment basin of the Opava river during flood
Authors: Palát M. , Palát M. , Prudký J.
Published: December 2013

The aim of the analysis involved in the article is to define the significance of separate factors affecting the natural process of retention in the catchment basin thus can assess the priorities in undertaking flood protection. The analysis was based on results achieved by using a new method how to determine water retention in the catchment basin. Resulting dependent variables of effective long-time retention, effective short-time retention, effective total retention and maximum specific runoff for single catchment basins of the Opava river, were evaluated statistically by means of linear regression and correlation analysis, stepwise regression and multiple regression. It is possible to say, that the results achieved may suggest to re-evaluate some established views concerning the role of separate factors influencing natural retention of the landscape. The results of the research testify the fact that in case of densely settled floodplain regions the combined flood protection measures, i.e. as technical and nature friendly ones should be applied. Due to relatively small collection of observations it is not possible to generalize all the conclusions absolutely, nevertheless they have a certain validity at least for the given area.
Evaluation of the appearing changes in water regime at Ráztoka and Červík basins in the Beskydy Mts.
Authors: Tesař M. , Buchtele J.
Published: December 2013

The influence of vast salvage clear cutting in some hilly regions induced by acid rains is sometimes considered as a significant contribution to the disastrous character of the recent floods. Then the considerations having also partly emotional character, appeared, namely after large floods in the Morava and Odra Rivers in the July 1997 and in the Labe River basins in August 2002. The simulations of rainfall-runoff process for several experimental catchments have been carried out using daily time series up to 50 years long. The outputs of hydrological models SAC-SMA and BROOK´90 provide naturally the differences between observed and simulated discharge, which could show the tendencies in the runoff. They have been analysed and findings indicate the increases of runoff after deforestation. The differences between observed and simulated flows can be helpful also for the assessment of changes in evapotranspiration demands as the significant long-termed phenomenon.
Amalgamated free product type III factors with at most one Cartan subalgebra
Authors: Boutonnet Rémi , Houdayer Cyril , Raum Sven
Published: December 2013

We investigate Cartan subalgebras in nontracial amalgamated free product von Neumann algebras ${\mathop{M{}_{1} \ast }\nolimits}_{B} {M}_{2} $ over an amenable von Neumann subalgebra $B$. First, we settle the problem of the absence of Cartan subalgebra in arbitrary free product von Neumann algebras. Namely, we show that any nonamenable free product von Neumann algebra $({M}_{1} , {\varphi }_{1} )\ast ({M}_{2} , {\varphi }_{2} )$ with respect to faithful normal states has no Cartan subalgebra. This generalizes the tracial case that was established by A. Ioana [Cartan subalgebras of amalgamated free product ${\mathrm{II} }_{1} $factors, arXiv:1207.0054]. Next, we prove that any countable nonsingular ergodic equivalence relation $ \mathcal{R} $ defined on a standard measure space and which splits as the free product $ \mathcal{R} = { \mathcal{R} }_{1} \ast { \mathcal{R} }_{2} $ of recurrent subequivalence relations gives rise to a nonamenable factor $\mathrm{L} ( \mathcal{R} )$ with a unique Cartan subalgebra, up to unitary conjugacy. Finally, we prove unique Cartan decomposition for a class of group measure space factors ${\mathrm{L} }^{\infty } (X)\rtimes \Gamma $ arising from nonsingular free ergodic actions $\Gamma \curvearrowright (X, \mu )$ on standard measure spaces of amalgamated groups $\Gamma = {\mathop{\Gamma {}_{1} \ast }\nolimits}_{\Sigma } {\Gamma }_{2} $ over a finite subgroup $\Sigma $.
Design Considerations of Unglazed Transpired Collectors: Energetic and Exergetic Studies
Authors: Gholampour M. , Ameri M.
Published: December 2013

Unglazed transpired collector (UTC) is a kind of solar air heater is used for different applications such as air ventilation, preheating, and crop drying. Passing air through the perforated plate, which acts as an absorber, is the main mechanism of heat transfer and air preheating in UTCs. In order to design UTCs and determine the effective parameters, energy and exergy analyses are performed. A mathematical model which is solved using an iterative method by a computer code has been developed. In order to validate the present model, this solution is compared with numerical and experimental results available in the literature, where a good agreement is obtained. After verifying the model, the code has been used to study the influence of the effective parameters on the performance of the system. The results show that the exergetic analysis is very important to design.
Performance improvement of gadolinium oxide resistive random access memory treated by hydrogen plasma immersion ion implantation
Authors: Wang Jer-Chyi , Hsu Chih-Hsien , Ye Yu-Ren , Ai Chi-Fong , Tsai Wen-Fa
Published: December 2013

Characteristics improvement of gadolinium oxide (GdxOy) resistive random access memories (RRAMs) treated by hydrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) was investigated. With the hydrogen PIII treatment, the GdxOy RRAMs exhibited low set/reset voltages and a high resistance ratio, which were attributed to the enhanced movement of oxygen ions within the GdxOy films and the increased Schottky barrier height at Pt/GdxOy interface, respectively. The resistive switching mechanism of GdxOy RRAMs was dominated by Schottky emission, as proved by the area dependence of the resistance in the low resistance state. After the hydrogen PIII treatment, a retention time of more than 104 s was achieved at an elevated measurement temperature. In addition, a stable cycling endurance with the resistance ratio of more than three orders of magnitude of the GdxOy RRAMs can be obtained.
Phylogeography of Cylindrospermopsin and Paralytic Shellfish Toxin-Producing Nostocales Cyanobacteria from Mediterranean Europe (Spain)
Authors: Cirés Samuel , Wörmer Lars , Ballot Andreas , Agha Ramsy , Wiedner Claudia , Velázquez David , Casero María Cristina , Quesada Antonio
Published: December 2013

Planktonic
Nostocales
cyanobacteria represent a challenge for microbiological research because of the wide range of cyanotoxins that they synthesize and their invasive behavior, which is presumably enhanced by global warming. To gain insight into the phylogeography of potentially toxic
Nostocales
from Mediterranean Europe, 31 strains of
Anabaena
(
Anabaena crassa
,
A. lemmermannii
,
A. mendotae
, and
A. planctonica
),
Aphanizomenon
(
Aphanizomenon gracile
,
A. ovalisporum
), and
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
were isolated from 14 freshwater bodies in Spain and polyphasically analyzed for their phylogeography, cyanotoxin production, and the presence of cyanotoxin biosynthesis genes. The potent cytotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) was produced by all 6
Aphanizomenon ovalisporum
strains at high levels (5.7 to 9.1 μg CYN mg
−1
[dry weight]) with low variation between strains (1.5 to 3.9-fold) and a marked extracellular release (19 to 41% dissolved CYN) during exponential growth. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) neurotoxins (saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, and decarbamoylsaxitoxin) were detected in 2
Aphanizomenon gracile
strains, both containing the
sxtA
gene. This gene was also amplified in non-PSP toxin-producing
Aphanizomenon gracile
and
Aphanizomenon ovalisporum
. Phylogenetic analyses supported the species identification and confirmed the high similarity of Spanish
Anabaena
and
Aphanizomenon
strains with other European strains. In contrast,
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
from Spain grouped together with American strains and was clearly separate from the rest of the European strains, raising questions about the current assumptions of the phylogeography and spreading routes of
C. raciborskii
. The present study confirms that the nostocalean genus
Aphanizomenon
is a major source of CYN and PSP toxins in Europe and demonstrates the presence of the
sxtA
gene in CYN-producing
Aphanizomenon ovalisporum
.