bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early entry, capabilities and shakeout in the US brewing industry
Authors: Walter Lynn A. , Edelman Linda F. , Hatten Keneth J.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine how early-entry and process-based capability development affected firm survival during shakeout in the US brewing industry between 1938 and 1980.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hazard analysis was conducted on US brewing industry data spanning 42 years from 1938 to 1980.

Findings

– Both early-entry and later capability developments enhance the probability of survival. In addition, firms which entered early were also more likely to be the firms who continually developed capabilities across the decades.

Research limitations/implications

– This study contributes to our understanding of shakeout in traditional, non-high-technology businesses. However, because it is a single industry study, the ability to the generalize findings to other industry contexts is limited.

Practical implications

– Early entry can determine survival in industries with stable products and low levels of technological change.

Social implications

– Policy-makers interested in competitive dynamics should take note of the historical conditions that lead to industry consolidation in traditional industries, which, while not as glamorous as the technology sector, provide the core of US industry.

Originality/value

– Historical firm characteristics can impact industry structure and firm survival for over a century.
Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands have a higher resistance but a lower resilience than intensively managed agricultural grasslands in response to climate anomalies
Authors: De Keersmaecker Wanda , van Rooijen Nils , Lhermitte Stef , Tits Laurent , Schaminée Joop , Coppin Pol , Honnay Olivier , Somers Ben
Published: December 2015

The stable delivery of ecosystem services provided by grasslands is strongly dependent on the stability of grassland ecosystem functions such as biomass production. Biomass production is in turn strongly affected by the frequency and intensity of climate extremes. The aim of this study is to evaluate to what extent species‐poor intensively managed agricultural grasslands can maintain their biomass productivity under climate anomalies, as compared to species‐rich, semi‐natural grasslands. Our hypothesis is that species richness stabilizes biomass production over time.

Biomass production stability was assessed in response to drought and temperature anomalies using 14 years of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), temperature and drought index time series. More specifically, vegetation resistance (i.e. the ability to withstand the climate anomaly) and resilience (i.e. the recovery rate) were derived using an auto‐regressive model with external input variables (ARx). The stability metrics for both grasslands were subsequently compared.

We found that semi‐natural grasslands exhibited a higher resistance but lower resilience than agricultural grasslands in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the difference in stability between semi‐natural and agricultural grasslands was dependent on the physical geography: the most significant differences in resistance were observed in coastal dunes and riverine areas, whereas the differences in resilience were the most significant in coastal dunes and fens.

Synthesis and applications. We conclude that semi‐natural grasslands show a higher resistance to drought and temperature anomalies compared to agricultural grasslands. These results underline the need to reassess the ways agricultural practices are performed. More specifically, increasing the plant species richness of agricultural grasslands and lowering their mowing and grazing frequency may contribute to buffer their biomass production stability against climate extremes.
Herbivore intoxication as a potential primary function of an inducible volatile plant signal
Authors: Veyrat Nathalie , Robert Christelle Aurélie Maud , Turlings Ted Christiaan Johannes , Erb Matthias
Published: December 2015

Plants release herbivore‐induced volatiles (HIPVs), which can be used as cues by plants, herbivores and natural enemies. Theory predicts thatHIPVs may initially have evolved because of their direct benefits for the emitter and were subsequently adopted as infochemicals.

Here, we investigated the potential direct benefits of indole, a majorHIPVconstituent of many plant species and a key defence priming signal in maize. We used indole‐deficient maize mutants and synthetic indole at physiologically relevant doses to document the impact of the volatile on the generalist herbivoreSpodoptera littoralis.

Our experiments demonstrate that indole directly decreases food consumption, plant damage and survival ofS. littoraliscaterpillars. Surprisingly, exposure to volatile indole increased caterpillar growth. Furthermore, we show thatS. littoraliscaterpillars and adults consistently avoid indole‐producing plants in olfactometer experiments, feeding assays and oviposition trials.

Synthesis. Together, these results provide a potential evolutionary trajectory by which the release of aHIPVas a direct defence precedes its use as a cue by herbivores and an alert signal by plants. Furthermore, our experiments show that the effects of a plant secondary metabolite on weight gain and food consumption can diverge in a counterintuitive manner, which implies that larval growth can be a poor proxy for herbivore fitness and plant resistance.
From the individual to the landscape and back: time‐varying effects of climate and herbivory on tree sapling growth at distribution limits
Authors: Herrero Asier , Almaraz Pablo , Zamora Regino , Castro Jorge , Hódar José A.
Published: December 2015

As herbivory can modulate climate‐induced shifts in species distribution, disentangling the relative importance of herbivory and climate on plant growth can help to predict and manage future changes in vegetation, such as those occurring at treeline areas.

An individual‐based hierarchical Bayesian time‐series model (individual‐based model; IBM) was developed to estimate the time‐varying impact of climate and herbivory on individual pine sapling height growth in woodland and treeline ecosystems of southern Europe during a 16‐year period. The performance of the IBM was compared to a linear mixed‐effects (LME) model to test for potential inferential effects when individual variability is marginalized. Time‐varying models were also compared to constant parameter approaches.

Model fitting and posterior predictive checking suggests a better statistical performance of individual‐scale, time‐varying inference. LME modelling overestimated herbivory effects and underestimated environmental stochastic effects, and model validation indeed suggested severe overfitting in the LME model relative to the IBM strategy. These results reveal a potential failure of common aggregation strategies to correctly resolve the effects of climate and herbivory variability at the individual scale. Moreover, ignoring the time‐varying nature of the effects may preclude the correct estimation of the temporal scale of climate and herbivory impacts.

In general, we found stronger individual‐ and time‐averaged effects of summer precipitation relative to the effects of herbivory, particularly at the treelines. Also, individual pine responses showed effects of the same sign more consistently in the case of precipitation. This suggests that precipitation is more pervasive at the population level, while herbivory act as a spatially aggregating force through individual‐level damage.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that accounting for individual and temporal variability in ecological inference greatly improves the assessment of the relative importance of climate and herbivory on species distribution shifts. Strong effects of precipitation at the treeline could allow tree upward expansion, although increasing ungulate populations and associated browsing damages might limit positive climatic responses of pine saplings in the near future. In this context, the spatially heterogeneous effect exerted by herbivory could result in diverse vegetation structures in ecotones, adding a new dimension to the predictions on climate‐driven vegetation shifts.
Quantitative fetal fibronectin testing in combination with cervical length measurement in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in symptomatic women
Authors: Bruijn MMC , Vis JY , Wilms FF , Oudijk MA , Kwee A , Porath MM , Oei G , Scheepers HCJ , Spaanderman MEA , Bloemenkamp KWM , Haak MC , Bolte AC , Vandenbussche FPHA , Woiski MD , Bax CJ , Cornette JMJ , Duvekot JJ , Nij Bijvanck BWA , van Eyck J , Franssen MTM , Sollie KM , van der Post JAM , Bossuyt PMM , Opmeer BC , Kok M , Mol BWJ , van Baaren G‐J
Published: December 2015

Objective

To evaluate whether in symptomatic women, the combination of quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing and cervical length (CL) improves the prediction of preterm delivery (PTD) within 7 days compared with qualitative fFN and CL.

Design

Post hoc analysis of frozen fFN samples of a nationwide cohort study.

Setting

Ten perinatal centres in the Netherlands.

Population

Symptomatic women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods

The risk of PTD <7 days was estimated in predefined CL and fFN strata. We used logistic regression to develop a model including quantitative fFN and CL, and one including qualitative fFN (threshold 50 ng/ml) and CL. We compared the models’ capacity to identify women at low risk (<5%) for delivery within 7 days using a reclassification table.

Main outcome measures

Spontaneous delivery within 7 days after study entry.

Results

We studied 350 women, of whom 69 (20%) delivered within 7 days. The risk of PTD in <7 days ranged from 2% in the lowest fFN group (<10 ng/ml) to 71% in the highest group (>500 ng/ml). Multivariable logistic regression showed an increasing risk of PTD in <7 days with rising fFN concentration [10–49 ng/ml: odds ratio (OR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.23–7.0; 50–199 ng/ml: OR 3.2, 95% CI 0.79–13; 200–499 ng/ml: OR 9.0, 95% CI 2.3–35; >500 ng/ml: OR 39, 95% CI 9.4–164] and shortening of the CL (OR 0.86 per mm, 95% CI 0.82–0.90). Use of quantitative fFN instead of qualitative fFN resulted in reclassification of 18 (5%) women from high to low risk, of whom one (6%) woman delivered within 7 days.

Conclusion

In symptomatic women, quantitative fFN testing does not improve the prediction of PTD within 7 days compared with qualitative fFN testing in combination with CL measurement in terms of reclassification from high to low (<5%) risk, but it adds value across the risk range.

Tweetable abstract

Quantitative fFN testing adds value to qualitative fFN testing with CL measurement in the prediction of PTD.
The effects of single‐dose dexamethasone on inflammatory response and pain after uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Kim SY , Koo B‐N , Shin CS , Ban M , Han K , Kim MD
Published: December 2015

Objective

To investigate the effects of single‐dose intravenous dexamethasone on inflammatory responses, pain, nausea, and vomiting after uterine artery embolisation (UAE).

Design

Prospective, randomised, double‐blind, and placebo‐controlled study.

Setting

Tertiary‐care University centre in Korea.

Population

Patients undergoing UAE for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids or adenomyosis.

Methods

Patients were randomised to receive either intravenous dexamethasone (10 mg; dexamethasone group) or normal saline (control group) 1 hour before UAE. Both groups received fentanyl‐based intravenous patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) during the 24 hours after UAE.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcomes were the inflammatory and stress responses measured by white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C–reactive protein (CRP), interleukin–6 (IL–6), and cortisol. Secondary outcomes were severity of pain and incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Results

Sixty‐four patients were enrolled and 59 patients completed the study. CRP, IL–6, and cortisol were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the control group during the 24 hours after UAE. Although the cumulative dose of fentanyl and additional analgesics administered during the 24 hours after UAE were similar between the two groups, pain scores were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group from 12 hours after UAE, and the incidence of severe nausea and vomiting was lower in the dexamethasone group.

Conclusions

The administration of single‐dose intravenous dexamethasone as an adjunct to fentanyl‐based intravenous PCA is effective in reducing inflammation and pain during the first 24 hours after UAE.

Tweetable abstract

Dexamethasone is effective in reducing inflammation and pain after uterine artery embolisation.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with sickle‐cell disease in low and high income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Boafor TK , Olayemi E , Galadanci N , Hayfron‐Benjamin C , Dei‐Adomakoh Y , Segbefia C , Kassim AA , Aliyu MH , Galadanci H , Tuuli MG , Rodeghier M , DeBaun Michael R , Oppong SA
Published: December 2015

Background

Pregnancy in women with sickle‐cell disease (SCD) is associated with increased adverse outcomes. Findings on the association between SCD and adverse pregnancy outcomes are conflicting, and the results do not address whether these associations are similar in both low‐ and high‐income countries.

Objectives

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate pregnancy outcomes associated with SCD.

Search strategy

The MEDLINE database was searched using medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords for articles on pregnancy outcomes in women with SCD.

Selection criteria

We used full research articles published in English that compared women with SCD with women who did not have SCD, as controls.

Data collection and analysis

Data were abstracted and analysed using comprehensive Meta‐analysis 2.2. The primary outcomes were intrauterine growth restriction and perinatal mortality. Secondary outcomes were rates of caesarean sections, pre‐eclampsia, eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, maternal mortality, prematurity, and low birthweight. Random‐effects models were used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Main results

Sixteen studies met all of the selection criteria and were included in the analysis. SCD was associated with intrauterine growth restriction (pooled OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.85–4.21), perinatal mortality (pooled OR 3.76, 95% CI 2.34–6.06), and low birthweight (pooled OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.42–2.83). SCD was also associated with an increased risk of pre‐eclampsia (pooled OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.47–2.85), maternal mortality (pooled OR 10.91, 95% CI 1.83–65.11, P = 0.009), and eclampsia (pooled OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.20–7.58).

Conclusion

Pregnancy in women with SCD is associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes in both low‐ and high‐income countries.

Tweetable abstract

This meta‐analysis showed worse pregnancy outcomes in women with sickle‐cell disease compared with controls.
Ecoacoustic indices as proxies for biodiversity on temperate reefs
Authors: Harris Sydney A. , Shears Nick T. , Radford Craig A.
Published: December 2015

Diversity measurement techniques can present logistical and financial obstacles to conservation efforts. Ecoacoustics has recently emerged as a promising solution to these issues, providing a mechanism for measuring diversity using acoustic indices, which have proven to be beneficial in terrestrial habitats. This study investigates the application of acoustic measures as a tool for quick and effective marine diversity monitoring via direct, in situ comparison of ecoacoustics indices with species assemblage diversity measures from temperate rocky reefs.

Acoustic recordings and visual surveys of reef fish abundance were collected at nine sites in north‐eastern New Zealand. Three ecoacoustic indices originally developed for terrestrial use were then compared to three species assemblage diversity measures and compared using Pearson correlations. Additionally, four criteria for successful ecoacoustic indices were developed and tested as a means of standardizing future evaluation and use of acoustic indices: (i) positive correlations between species diversity and ecoacoustic indices in relevant frequency ranges, (ii) robustness to changes in spectral resolution, (iii) robustness to the presence of natural noise interference (i.e. wind) and (iv) robustness to the presence of anthropogenic noise.

Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) was significantly correlated with Pielou's Evenness (J′) and Shannon's index (H′). Neither Acoustic Richness (AR) nor ACI was impacted by changes in spectral resolution, but values of the Acoustic Entropy Index (H) increased significantly between fast Fourier transformation (FFT) sizes 512 and 1024. H was consistently positively correlated with both H′ and estimated number of species (S) above a spectral resolution of c. 140·6 Hz (FFT size 1024). Wind did not affect any of the acoustic indices. As anthropogenic noise was included in these investigations, both ACI and H were considered robust to its presence.

While AR failed to meet all four criteria for a successful ecoacoustic indices, both ACI and H appeared to be appropriate for use on temperate reefs. In a time of accelerated global diversity loss, these two ecoacoustic indices show strong potential for use as efficient, non‐invasive marine diversity measures.
Integrated step selection analysis: bridging the gap between resource selection and animal movement
Authors: Avgar Tal , Potts Jonathan R. , Lewis Mark A. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: December 2015

A resource selection function is a model of the likelihood that an available spatial unit will be used by an animal, given its resource value. But how do we appropriately define availability? Step selection analysis deals with this problem at the scale of the observed positional data, by matching each ‘used step’ (connecting two consecutive observed positions of the animal) with a set of ‘available steps’ randomly sampled from a distribution of observed steps or their characteristics.

Here we present a simple extension to this approach, termed integrated step selection analysis (iSSA), which relaxes the implicit assumption that observed movement attributes (i.e. velocities and their temporal autocorrelations) are independent of resource selection. Instead, iSSA relies on simultaneously estimating movement and resource selection parameters, thus allowing simple likelihood‐based inference of resource selection within a mechanistic movement model.

We provide theoretical underpinning of iSSA, as well as practical guidelines to its implementation. Using computer simulations, we evaluate the inferential and predictive capacity of iSSA compared to currently used methods.

Our work demonstrates the utility of iSSA as a general, flexible and user‐friendly approach for both evaluating a variety of ecological hypotheses, and predicting future ecological patterns.
Religion, coping and outcome in out‐patients with depression or diabetes mellitus
Authors: Amadi K. U. , Uwakwe R. , Odinka P. C. , Ndukuba A. C. , Muomah C. R. , Ohaeri J. U.
Published: December 2015

Objective

The study assesses the association between religiosity and coping style with the outcome of depression and diabetes.

Method

Using a simple random sampling, we recruited 112 participants with diabetes and an equal number with depression consecutively, matching for gender. Religiosity was determined using Religious Orientation Scale (revised) (ROS‐R), coping styles with Brief Religious Coping (Brief RCOPE) scale and Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale (adapted). Primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated using Sheehan's Disability Scale (SDS) and Becks Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) respectively.

Results

Among participants with diabetes, BDI‐II total scores correlated negatively with ROS‐R Extrinsic Social (r = −0.2, P < 0.05) and Fighting Spirit (r = −0.3, P < 0.05) but correlated positively with Helplessness/Hopelessness (r = 0.3, P < 0.05) and Brief RCOPE Negative (r = 0.4, P < 0.05). SDS global scores correlated positively with Helplessness/Hopelessness (r = 0.3, P < 0.05) and Brief RCOPE Negative (r = 0.4, P < 0.05). Among participants with depression, BDI‐II total scores correlated negatively with Intrinsic religiosity (r = −0.2, P < 0.05) and Fighting Spirit (r = −0.4, P < 0.05) but correlated positively with Helplessness/Hopelessness (r = 0.6, P < 0.05) and Brief RCOPE Negative (r = 0.7, P < 0.05). SDS global scores correlated negatively with Intrinsic religiosity (r = −0.2, P < 0.05) and Fighting Spirit (r = −0.3, P < 0.05) but correlated positively with Helplessness/Hopelessness (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) and Brief RCOPE Negative (r = 0.4, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

High intrinsic and extrinsic religiosities are likely to be associated with positive coping skills and better treatment outcome in patients with depression or diabetes.
Effects of non‐carious cervical lesion size, occlusal loading and restoration on biomechanical behaviour of premolar teeth
Authors: Zeola LF , Pereira FA , Machado AC , Reis BR , Kaidonis J , Xie Z , Townsend GC , Ranjitkar S , Soares PV
Published: December 2015

Background

Information on fracture biomechanics has implications in materials research and clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of non‐carious cervical lesion (NCCL) size, restorative status and direction of occlusal loading on the biomechanical behaviour of mandibular premolars, using finite element analysis (FEA), strain gauge tests and fracture resistance tests.

Methods

Ten buccal cusps were loaded on the outer and inner slopes to calculate the strain generated cervically. Data were collected for healthy teeth at baseline and progressively at three lesion depths (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm), followed by restoration with resin composite. The magnitude and distribution of von Mises stress and maximum principal stress were simulated at all stages using FEA, and fracture strength was also determined (n = 7 per group).

Results

There were significant effects of the lesion size and loading directions on stress, strain and fracture resistance (p < 0.05). Fracture resistance values decreased with increase in lesion size, but returned to baseline with restorations.

Conclusions

Combined assessment of computer‐based and experimental techniques provide an holistic approach to characterize the biomechanical behaviour of teeth with both unrestored and restored NCCLs.
Macrophage Phenotype Is Associated With the Regenerative Response in Experimental Replacement of the Porcine Esophagus
Authors: Jönsson Linus , Dellenmark Blom Michaela , Friberg Lars , Gatzinsky Vladimir , Holmquist Olof , Jennische Eva , Sandin Anders , Abrahamsson Kate
Published: December 2015

A porcine model for bridging circumferential defects in the intrathoracic esophagus has been developed in order to improve the treatment of children born with long‐gap esophageal atresia. The aim of this study was to identify factors beneficial for tissue regeneration in the bridging area in this model and to describe the histological progression 20 days after replacement with a silicone‐stented Biodesign mesh. Resection of 3 cm of intrathoracic esophagus and replacement with a bridging graft was performed in six newly weaned piglets. They were fed through a gastrostomy for 10 days, and then had probe formula orally for another 10 days prior to sacrifice. Two out of six piglets had stent loss prior to sacrifice. In the four piglets with the stent in place, a tissue tube, with visible muscle in the wall, was seen at sacrifice. Histology showed that the wall of the healing area was well organized with layers of inflammatory cells, in‐growing vessels, and smooth muscle cells. CD163+ macrophages was seen toward the esophageal lumen. In the animals where the stent was lost, the bridging area was narrow, and histology showed a less organized structure in the bridging area without the presence of CD163+ macrophages. This study indicates that regenerative healing was seen in the porcine esophagus 20 days after replacement of a part of the intrathoracic esophagus with a silicone‐stented Biodesign mesh, if the bridging graft is retained. If the graft is lost, the inflammatory pattern changes with invasion of proinflammatory, M1 macrophages in the entire wall, which seems to redirect the healing process toward scar formation.
Clinical features of functional somatic symptoms in children and referral patterns to child and adolescent mental health services
Authors: Tøt‐Strate Simone , Dehlholm‐Lambertsen Gitte , Lassen Karin , Rask Charlotte Ulrikka
Published: December 2015

Aim

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are common in paediatric patients who are referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), but little is known about current referral practices. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate clinical features of paediatric inpatients with FSS referred to CAMHS and to describe why paediatricians referred them.

Methods

The study population comprised 60 children with FSS admitted to a large Danish paediatric department during 2012. We compared medical record data on the clinical characteristics and paediatric management of 16 children who had been referred and 44 children who had not.

Results

Most paediatric records lacked information on psychosocial factors and symptoms. Referred children were significantly more multisymptomatic of FSS (p < 0.01) than the controls, had longer symptom duration, underwent more clinical investigations, had longer paediatric admissions of at least two weeks and received more treatment elements before referral. The most frequently stated referral reason was inadequate treatment response.

Conclusion

Paediatric inpatients with more severe FSS were more likely to be referred to CAMHS, but referral reasons were generally vague and psychosocial information was frequently missing. Clinical guidelines are needed to improve and systematise mental health referrals for children with FSS.
Trends, correlates, and disease patterns of antipsychotic use among elderly persons in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Chia‐Lun , Chien I.‐Chia , Lin Ching‐Heng
Published: December 2015

Introduction

We used the population‐based database to investigate the trends, correlates, and disease patterns of antipsychotic use among elderly people in Taiwan.

Methods

The National Health Research Institutes provided a database of 1,000,000 random subjects for health service studies. We analyzed a sample of subjects over the age of 65 years from 1997 to 2005. The trends in and factors associated with antipsychotic use were detected. We also examined the proportions of antipsychotics used for psychiatric and medical disorders.

Results

The 1‐year prevalence of antipsychotic use in elderly persons increased from 9.8% in 1997 to 12.8% in 2005. The prevalence of first‐generation antipsychotic (FGA) use increased from 9.8% to 11.6%, and the prevalence of second‐generation antipsychotic (SGA) use increased greatly from 0.01% to 2.02%. Higher prevalence of both FGAs and SGAs were associated with age and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Psychiatric disorders were commonly found in SGA users (80.8%), whereas only 19.3% of the FGA users had psychiatric disorders. Among the major psychiatric disorders, greater proportions of antipsychotic use were for senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions, other organic psychotic conditions, and affective psychoses. FGAs were much more commonly prescribed for nonpsychiatric disorders, including diseases of symptoms, signs, and ill‐defined conditions, the digestive system, and the respiratory system.

Discussion

The prevalence of antipsychotic use, particularly the use of SGAs, increased greatly from 1997 to 2005 among elderly persons in Taiwan. SGAs were most used by subjects with psychiatric disorders, and FGAs were most used by those with nonpsychiatric disorders.
Alterations in neural Theory of Mind processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and unaffected relatives
Authors: Willert Anna , Mohnke Sebastian , Erk Susanne , Schnell Knut , Romanczuk‐Seiferth Nina , Quinlivan Esther , Schreiter Stefanie , Spengler Stephanie , Herold Dorrit , Wackerhagen Carolin , Romund Lydia , Garbusow Maria , Lett Tristram , Stamm Thomas , Adli Mazda , Heinz Andreas , Bermpohl Felix , Walter Henrik
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Behavioral deficits in the Theory of Mind (ToM) have been robustly demonstrated in bipolar disorder. These deficits may represent an intermediate phenotype of the disease. The aim of this study was: (i) to investigate alterations in neural ToM processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, and (ii) to examine whether similar effects are present in unaffected relatives of patients with bipolar disorder suggesting that ToM functional activation may be, in part, due to genetic risk for the disease.

Methods

A total of 24 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, 21 unaffected first‐degree relatives, and 81 healthy controls completed a ToM task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

We observed reduced bilateral activation of the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and diminished functional fronto‐temporoparietal connectivity in patients compared to controls. Relatives tended towards intermediate temporoparietal activity and functional coupling with medial prefrontal areas. There was also evidence for a potentially compensatory enhanced recruitment of the right middle temporal gyrus and stronger connectivity between this region and the medial prefrontal cortex in relatives.

Conclusions

These findings provide further evidence of altered neural ToM processing in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Further, our findings in relatives lend support to the idea that altered ToM processing may act as an intermediate phenotype of the disorder.
‘He's got his father's bias’: Parental influence on weight bias in young children
Authors: Spiel Emma C. , Rodgers Rachel F. , Paxton Susan J. , Wertheim Eleanor H. , Damiano Stephanie R. , Gregg Karen J. , McLean Siân A.
Published: December 2015

Our aim was to explore the role of parents in the transmission of stereotypical body size attitudes and awareness of weight loss strategies to preschool children. Participants were 279 3‐year‐old children and their parents, who provided data at baseline and 1 year later. Parents completed self‐report body size attitude and dieting measures. Child weight bias and awareness of weight loss strategies were assessed through interview. Over time, negative associations with large bodies and awareness of weight loss strategies increased. Fathers’ attitudes prospectively predicted boys’ weight bias and awareness of weight loss strategies. Among girls, parental attitudes were less predictive. Findings confirm the importance of fathers in the development of boys’ body attitudes and inform prevention programmes.
Cretaceous evolution of the Andean margin between 36°S and 40°S latitude through a multi‐proxy provenance analysis of Neuquén Basin strata (Argentina)
Authors: Di Giulio Andrea , Ronchi Ausonio , Sanfilippo Alessio , Balgord Elizabeth A. , Carrapa Barbara , Ramos Victor A.
Published: December 2015

During the Cretaceous, the Neuquén Basin transitioned from an extensional back‐arc to a retroarc foreland basin. We present a multi‐proxy provenance study of Aptian to Santonian (125–84 Ma) continental sedimentary rocks preserved in the Neuquén Basin used to resolve changes of sediment drainage pattern in response to the change in tectonic regime. Sandstone petrology and U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology constrain the source units delivering detritus to the basin; apatite U–Pb and fission track dating further resolve provenance and determine the age and patterns of exhumation of the source rocks. Sandstone provenance records a sharp change from a mixed orogenic source during Aptian time (ca. 125 Ma), to a magmatic arc provenance in the Cenomanian (ca. 100 Ma). We interpret this provenance change as the result of the drainage pattern reorganisation from divergent to convergent caused by tectonic basin inversion. During this inversion and early stages of contraction, a transient phase of uplift and basin erosion, possibly due to continental buckling, caused the pre‐Cenomanian unconformity dividing the Lower from Upper Cretaceous strata in the Neuquén Basin. This phase was followed by the development of a retroarc foreland basin characterised by a volcanic arc sediment provenance progressively shifting to a mixed continental basement provenance during Turonian‐Santonian (90–84). According to multi‐proxy provenance data and lag times derived from apatite fission track analysis, this trend is the result of a rapidly exhuming source within the Cordillera to the west, in response to active compressional tectonics along the western margin of South America, coupled with the increasing contribution of material from the stable craton to the east; this contribution is thought to be the result of the weak uplift and exhumation of the foreland due to eastward migration of the forebulge.
TERT promoter mutations are a major indicator of recurrence and death due to papillary thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Bullock Martyn , Ren Yan , O'Neill Christine , Gill Anthony , Aniss Adam , Sywak Mark , Sidhu Stan , Delbridge Leigh , Learoyd Diana , de Vathaire Florent , Robinson Bruce G. , Clifton‐Bligh Roderick J.
Published: December 2015

Context

TERT promoter mutations have been associated with adverse prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).

Objective

We investigated the association between TERT promoter mutations and survival from PTC.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Patients

Eighty consecutive patients with PTC who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2003.

Measurements

TERT promoter was genotyped in DNA from 80 archival PTCs by Sanger sequencing. Median follow‐up was 106 months (range 1–270). Outcomes analysis was stratified according to disease and overall survival status. For each parameter, relative risk (RR) adjusted for age at first surgery and gender was estimated. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression models.

Results

PTCs from 11 patients (14%) contained either C228T or C250T TERT promoter mutation. TERT mutations were significantly associated with adverse prognostic features such as older age (P = 0·002), male gender (P = 0·01) and Stage IV disease (P = 0·03). Four patients died from PTC during follow‐up: 3 patients with TERT mutations (27%) and one without (1·5%). Disease‐related mortality rate with or without TERT mutations was 33·7 vs 1·6 per 1000 patient‐years respectively, that is 10 (95% CI = 1·0–104·1, P = 0·05) fold higher, after adjustment for age at first surgery and gender. The combination of TERT promoter mutation and BRAFV600E significantly increased disease‐related death risk (P = 0·002). TERT mutations increased expression of a reporter gene in thyroid cells containing BRAFV600E.

Conclusions

TERT promoter mutations are a major indicator of death due to PTCs. Conversely, absence of TERT mutations portends better survival.
Management recommendations for osteoporosis in clinical guidelines
Authors: Wang Michael , Bolland Mark , Grey Andrew
Published: December 2015

Objective

Numerous guidelines advise about management of osteoporosis, but little research has been conducted on their recommendations. We analysed recommendations on management of bone health in clinical guidelines.

Design

We surveyed recommendations on assessment, treatment and monitoring of bone health in 78 clinical guidelines (22 primary focus osteoporosis, 56 primary focus not osteoporosis) lodged at the Agency for Health Research and Quality National Guidelines Clearinghouse between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2014.

Measurements

Governance of guidelines; discussion of fracture risk in the target population; recommendations for assessment, treatment and monitoring of bone health.

Results

Only 14% of guidelines discussed fracture risk in the target population. When guidelines discussed assessment, 98% recommended bone mineral density (BMD) measurement but only 27% recommended estimation of fracture risk. When guidelines discussed treatment, 63–71% recommended calcium and/or vitamin D, while <12% recommended avoiding low body weight or smoking cessation. When guidelines discussed intervention, 53% did so on the basis of BMD measurement, and only 27% on the basis of estimated fracture risk. When guidelines discussed monitoring, >90% recommended BMD measurements, and only 3% recommended estimation of fracture risk. About 65% of guidelines that suggested a BMD monitoring interval recommended one of ≤3 years. Compared to guidelines with a primary focus on osteoporosis, guidelines whose primary focus was not osteoporosis were less likely to discuss fracture risk in the target population (2% vs 45%), recommend estimation of fracture risk (11% vs 55%) and recommend intervention on the basis of estimated fracture risk (10% vs 67%) (all P < 0·005).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight a strong focus in clinical guidelines on BMD, a surrogate measure, rather than fracture risk, the clinically important outcome, particularly when bone health is not the primary focus. Addressing this issue might facilitate more rational use of resources and improve patient care.
What is a cladogram and what is not?
Authors: Brower Andrew V.Z.
Published: December 2015

The origins and meanings of “cladogram” are reviewed. Traditionally, “cladogram” has been defined as a graphical representation of an empirical hypothesis of relationships among taxa, based on evidence from synapomorphies alone. Disturbingly, numerous recent authors treat “cladogram” as synonymous with “dendrogram” and do not appreciate the particular methodological connotations of the former term. This is lamented.
Quantitative imaging with Fucci and mathematics to uncover temporal dynamics of cell cycle progression
Authors: Saitou Takashi , Imamura Takeshi
Published: December 2015

Cell cycle progression is strictly coordinated to ensure proper tissue growth, development, and regeneration of multicellular organisms. Spatiotemporal visualization of cell cycle phases directly helps us to obtain a deeper understanding of controlled, multicellular, cell cycle progression. The fluorescent ubiquitination‐based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) system allows us to monitor, in living cells, the G1 and the S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle in red and green fluorescent colors, respectively. Since the discovery of Fucci technology, it has found numerous applications in the characterization of the timing of cell cycle phase transitions under diverse conditions and various biological processes. However, due to the complexity of cell cycle dynamics, understanding of specific patterns of cell cycle progression is still far from complete. In order to tackle this issue, quantitative approaches combined with mathematical modeling seem to be essential. Here, we review several studies that attempted to integrate Fucci technology and mathematical models to obtain quantitative information regarding cell cycle regulatory patterns. Focusing on the technological development of utilizing mathematics to retrieve meaningful information from the Fucci producing data, we discuss how the combined methods advance a quantitative understanding of cell cycle regulation.
Physiological and biochemical differences amongUlmus minorgenotypes showing a gradient of resistance toDutch elm disease
Authors: Li M. , López R. , Venturas M. , Martín J. A. , Domínguez J. , Gordaliza G. G. , Gil L. , Rodríguez‐Calcerrada J.
Published: December 2015

Dutch elm disease (DED) spread across Europe and North America in the 20th century killing most natural elm populations. Today, breeding programmes aim at identifying, propagating and studying elm clones resistant toDED. Here, we have compared the physiology and biochemistry of six genotypes ofUlmus minorof variableDEDresistance. Leaf gas exchange, water potential, stem hydraulic conductivity and biochemical status were studied in 5‐year‐old trees ofAB‐AM2.4, M‐DV2.3, M‐DV2 × M‐CC1.5 and M‐DV1 and 6‐year‐old trees ofVA‐AP38 andBU‐FL7 before and after inoculation withOphiostoma novo‐ulmi. Leaf water potential and net photosynthesis rates declined, while the percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) increased after the inoculation in susceptible trees. By the 21st day, leaf predawn and midday water potential, stomatal conductance to water vapour and net photosynthesis rates were lower, andPLCwas higher in trees of susceptible (S) genotypes inoculated with the pathogen than in control trees inoculated with water, whereas no significant treatment effect was observed on these variables in the resistant (R) genotypes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses revealed a different biochemical profile for branches of R and S clones. R clones showed higher absorption peaks that could be assigned to phenolic compounds, saturated hydrocarbons, cellulose and hemicellulose than S clones. The differences were more marked at the end of the experiment than at the beginning, suggesting that R and S clones responded differently to the inevitable wounding from inoculation and repeated sampling over the experimental course. We hypothesize that a weak activation of the defence system in response to experimental wounding can contribute to the susceptibility of some genotypes toO. novo‐ulmi. In turn, the decline in shoot hydraulic conductivity and leaf carbon uptake caused by the infection further exacerbates tree susceptibility to the fungus.
Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future: issues and agendas in education
Authors: Carneiro Roberto , Looney Janet , Vincent‐Lancrin Stéphan
Published: December 2015

This year, EJE has marked its 50th anniversary with a special set of four linked issues, the organisation of which was inspired in part by the four pillars of learning first set out in the 1996 Delors Report, Learning: the treasure within. In this article, the authors highlight key themes that have emerged. Several of the contributing authors suggest that deepening tensions have driven education systems further away from the holistic, humanist vision of the Delors Report. At the same time, there are innovative policies and practices that address a broader range of aims of learning and have flourished despite challenges. Moving forward, the authors examine the challenges of citizenship, creativity and innovation in education. The article concludes with suggestions on important themes for the education agenda in the near future to which EJE may contribute further insights.
Perinatal citalopram does not prevent the effect of prenatal stress on anxiety, depressive‐like behaviour and serotonergic transmission in adult rat offspring
Authors: Zohar Inbar , Shoham Shai , Weinstock Marta
Published: December 2015

It is still not clear whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors frequently prescribed to depressed pregnant women improve the behavioural outcome in their children. The current study investigated whether administration of citalopram to pregnant rats could prevent anxiety and depressive‐like behaviour induced by gestational stress in their offspring, and restore the expression of serotonin 1A autoreceptors in GABAergic interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex and dorsal raphe nuclei in males, and of corticotropin‐releasing factor type 2 receptors in GABAergic interneurons in the dorsal raphe nuclei in females. Activation of these receptors modulates serotonergic transmission to target areas and is reduced in a sex‐dependent manner by prenatal stress. Citalopram (10 mg/kg/day), administered orally from day 7 of gestation until 21 days postpartum, prevented the increase in anxiety in stressed mothers but did not reduce anxiety and depressive‐like behaviour in their offspring and even induced depressive‐like behaviour in the offspring of control mothers. Citalopram failed to restore the reduction in the expression of serotonin 1A autoreceptors in the prefrontal cortex of males and in corticotropin‐releasing factor type 2 receptors in the dorsal raphe nuclei of females induced by prenatal stress. Prenatal citalopram did not prevent the behavioural changes or reduction in serotonergic transmission to target areas induced by prenatal stress. It had adverse behavioural effects in the offspring of control rats, which, together with the lack of any change in prenatally‐stressed rats, may be due to inhibition of the foetal serotonin transporter thereby preventing normal development of the serotonin system.
Bacteria as transporters of phosphorus through soil
Authors: Glæsner N. , Bælum J. , Jacobsen C. S. , Ritz C. , Rubæk G. H. , Kjaergaard C. , Magid J.
Published: December 2015

The transport of phosphorus (P) from agricultural land has led to the eutrophication of surface waters worldwide, especially in areas with intensive animal production. In this research, we investigated the role of bacteria in the leaching of P through three agricultural soils with different textures, before and after the surface application of dairy slurry manure (Bos taurus L.). Leachates of intact soil columns (diameter 20 cm, height 20 cm) of loamy sand, sandy loam and loam were analysed for total bacterial cells measured by universal 16S rRNA genes, and compared with the P content of leachates. The number of 16S rRNA genes per bacterial cell was validated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a universal 16S rRNA gene primer set. Enumeration of bacterial cells by DAPI staining of cells extracted by density gradient centrifugation of the sandy loam estimated 4.6 16S rRNA genes cell−1. Leaching of bacteria was in the range of 2.5–4.5 × 105 cells ml−1 prior to application of slurry to the three soil textures. After slurry application, leaching increased to 1.1 × 106 cells ml−1 in the loamy sand, 4.9 × 106 cells ml−1 in the sandy loam and 5.0 × 106 cells ml−1 in the loam. Based on the reported P content of soil bacteria, 0.3–1.8% of the total P leached was present in the bacterial biomass when no slurry was applied, whereas slurry application increased the leaching of P from the bacterial biomass to 3−7.9% of total P leached. Bacterial leaching was related to the particulate P fraction of leachates of the loamy sand and sandy loam, but was also related to both dissolved and particulate leachate fractions of the loam. These results indicate that bacterial transport might play a role in the leaching of P from soil where manure has been applied, but this mechanism of transport is generally not addressed when considering the leaching of P.
A new proposal for assessment of the fatigue strength of steel butt‐welded joints improved by peening (HFMI) under constant amplitude tensile loading
Authors: Nykänen T. , Björk T.
Published: December 2015

Experimental fatigue data for butt‐welded joints in as‐welded condition and under constant amplitude tensile loading were analysed using the effective notch stress system and a new master curve analysis that takes the local stress ratio, Rlocal, into account. The local stresses needed for computation of Rlocal are calculated with the notch strain approach in conjunction with the reference radius concept.

The main focus was to predict with the derived master curve the fatigue strength of peened butt‐welded joints. The lowest surface residual stresses after peening were first estimated based on reported measurements and an analytical lower bound result. The predictions showed quite similar strength dependences and FAT values as reported for high‐frequency mechanical impact treated welds for applied stress ratio R = 0.1. The benefits of peening reduce faster for higher strength steels when R increases. When R = 0.5, the FATs are practically the same for all steel grades.