bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlations between self‐rating and observer‐rating of psychopathology in at‐risk mental state and first‐episode psychosis patients: influence of disease stage and gender
Authors: Spitz Andrea , Studerus Erich , Koranyi Susan , Rapp Charlotte , Ramyead Avinash , Ittig Sarah , Heitz Ulrike , Uttinger Martina , Riecher‐Rössler Anita
Published: September 2015

Aim

Research findings on the correlations between self‐rating and observer‐rating of schizophrenic psychopathology are inconsistent and have rarely considered first‐episode psychosis (FEP) and at‐risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis patients. This study investigates these correlations inARMSandFEPpatients and how they are moderated by disease stage and gender.

Methods

In theBaselFrüherkennung vonPsychosen (FePsy) study, positive and negative psychotic and affective symptoms were rated in 126ARMSand 94FEPpatients using two observer‐ and three self‐rating scales. The agreement between self‐rating and observer‐rating and the moderating influence of disease stage and gender was quantified using Pearson correlation and multiple regression models.

Results

Correlations between self‐ and observer‐rated subscales covering the same symptom dimension were low and mostly non‐significant except for one correlation of positive and one of negative symptoms. There was no moderating influence of disease stage and gender on the correlations between self‐rating and observer‐rating except for one higher association in positive symptoms inFEPcompared toARMSand in women compared to men. However, these significant interaction effects did not withstand correction for multiple testing.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the agreement between self‐rating and observer‐rating inFEPandARMSpatients is rather low, similar across symptom dimensions, and only partially dependent on disease stage and gender. However, low correlations between self‐rating and observer‐rating do not necessarily indicate that these patients have difficulties reporting their symptoms. They could also have occurred because the scales did not exactly cover the same symptom dimensions.
How do Lead Financiers Select Their Partners in Buyout Syndicates? Empirical Results from Buyout Syndicates in Europe
Authors: Huyghebaert Nancy , Priem Randy K.
Published: September 2015

Relying on a unique dataset covering 366 buyout syndicates in Europe over the period 1999–2009, we empirically investigate the partnering decisions of lead financiers. We find that lead financiers select investors with whom they developed a prior relationship, either directly or indirectly. Also, lead financiers prefer partners with expertise in the target industry and partners with knowledge about target‐country institutions, particularly when their own knowledge in these areas is limited. Finally, they favor investors with a similar level of cognition and status. We further show that these results are mainly driven by the risky buyouts in the sample. Overall, the above partnering choices are found to have genuine economic effects for the post‐buyout performance of target firms, with expertise as regards the target industry and target‐country institutions having the largest beneficial effect.
Cold tolerance of invasive freshwater snails, Pomacea canaliculata, P. maculata, and their hybrids helps explain their different distributions
Authors: Matsukura Keiichiro , Izumi Yohei , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Wada Takashi
Published: September 2015

Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata are invasive freshwater snails originating from South America. The limits of the distributions of the two snails in East and South‐East Asia differ. This study verified a role of cold tolerance in range expansion of the snails and the significance of hybridisation between the two species by comparing overwintering ability and cold tolerance among P. canaliculata, P. maculata and their hybrids.

Field observations, laboratory tests and chemical analyses of glucose and glycerol contents in the snails’ organs demonstrated that P. maculata cannot colonise temperate regions because it lacks adequate cold tolerance.

The hybrids between P. maculata and P. canaliculata exhibited intermediate cold tolerance that is reflected in their current intermediate distribution between the two species in the invaded areas. This indicates a risk of further spread of the hybrid snails into the temperate regions of the invaded area.
Food waste, sustainability, and the corporate sector: case study of a US food company
Authors: Warshawsky Daniel N
Published: September 2015

Food waste has emerged as one of the world's most critical issues, as record levels of food waste have resulted in negative outcomes for food security, land use, and methane production associated with climate change. As key institutions in the world's food system, retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers have taken steps to reduce food waste. Yet, while food corporations promote their food waste programs as part of their broader green sustainability initiatives, it is unclear how and why they have developed these initiatives. To fill this research gap, this study examines a US company's food waste reduction programs as a case study. To this end, this study utilises interview data of key stakeholders to examine the ways that food waste is produced, regulated, and reused by food corporations. Research findings point to some positive outcomes, such as the transformation of food waste into alternative energy and increased efficiency in food donation systems. Yet, these positive outcomes may be overshadowed by corporate priorities which privilege profitability, brand enhancement, and short‐term high‐visibility solutions. This research highlights that the broad and somewhat diffuse definition of sustainability may allow corporations to highlight narrow, company‐specific technical fixes rather than do the hard work associated with reducing food waste in their supply chains. Moreover, data suggest that many food corporations use the sustainability trope as a way to ensure that they are recognised as legitimate, ethical, and profitable companies. Thus, while some argue that sustainable development institutionalises important environmental practices into the market, evidence from this study suggests that these corporate practices may be evidence of neoliberal environmental governance which is determined by market logics rather than environmental or social justice. In this way, corporate profitability determines how sustainability is defined, when and where sustainability is implemented, and how sustainability is to be measured.
Effect of helicopter transport on neurological outcomes in a mouse model of embolic stroke with reperfusion: AIR-MICE pilot study
Authors: Leira Enrique C. , Zaheer Asgar , Schnell Thomas , Torner James C. , Olalde Heena M. , Pieper Andrew A. , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Nagaraja Nandakumar , Marks Nancy L. , Adams Harold P.
Published: September 2015

Background

Patients often suffer a stroke at a significant distance from a center capable of delivering endovascular therapy, thus requiring rapid transport by helicopter emergency medical services while receiving a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion that was initiated locally. But little is known about how a helicopter flight may impact the safety and efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator-induced reperfusion and patient outcomes.

Aim

To establish a new animal method to address with fidelity the safety and overall effect of helicopter emergency medical services during thrombolysis.

Methods

Prospective randomized open blinded end-point study of an actual helicopter flight exposure. Adult C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a 10 mg/kg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion two-hours after an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mice were randomized in pairs to simultaneously receive the infusion during a local helicopter flight or in a ground hangar.

Results

Eighteen mice (nine pairs) were analyzed. The paired t-test analysis showed nonsignificant smaller infarction volumes in the helicopter-assigned animals (mean pair difference 33 mm3, P = 0.33). The amount of hemorrhagic transformation between the helicopter and ground groups was 4.08 vs. 4.56 μl, respectively (paired t-test, P = 0.45).

Conclusions

This study shows that helicopter emergency medical services do not have an inherent adverse effect on outcome in a mouse model of ischemic stroke with reperfusion. These results endorse the safety of the practice of using helicopter emergency medical services in stroke patients. The observed potential synergistic effect of helicopter-induced factors, such as vibration and changes in altitude, with reperfusion merits further exploration in animal experimental models and in stroke patients.
Promoting patient‐centred care in psoriatic arthritis: a multidisciplinary European perspective on improving the patient experience
Authors: Betteridge N. , Boehncke W.‐H. , Bundy C. , Gossec L. , Gratacós J. , Augustin M.
Published: September 2015

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may not be optimally treated. The impact of the disease extends beyond skin and joint symptoms, impairing quality of life. This indicates that the adoption of a patient‐focused approach to PsA management is necessary. An expert multidisciplinary working group was convened, with the objective of developing an informed perspective on current best practice and needs for the future management of PsA. Topics of discussion included the barriers to current best practice and calls to action for the improvement of three areas in PsA management: early and accurate diagnosis of PsA, management of disease progression and management of the impact of the condition on the patient. The working group agreed that, to make best use of the available of diagnostic tools, clinical care recommendations and effective treatments, there is a clear need for healthcare professionals from different disciplines to collaborate in the management of PsA. By facilitating appropriate and rapid referral, providing high quality information about PsA and its treatment to patients, and actively involving patients when choosing management plans and setting treatment goals, management of PsA can be improved. The perspective of the working group is presented here, with recommendations for the adoption of a multidisciplinary, patient‐focused approach to the management of PsA.
Analysis of the level of general clinical skills of physician assistant students using an objective structured clinical examination
Authors: van Vught Anneke J. A. H. , Hettinga Agatha M. , Denessen Eddie J. P. G. , Gerhardus Martin J. T. , Bouwmans Geert A. M. , van den Brink Geert T. W. J. , Postma Cornelis T.
Published: September 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

The physician assistant (PA) is trained to perform clinical tasks traditionally performed by medical doctors (MDs). Previous research showed no difference in the level of clinical skills of PAs compared with MDs in a specific niche, that is the specialty in which they are employed. However, MDs as well as PAs working within a specialty have to be able to recognize medical problems in the full scope of medicine. The objective is to examine PA students' level of general clinical skills across the breadth of clinical cases.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was conducted. PA students and recently graduated MDs in the Netherlands were observed on their clinical skills by means of an objective structured clinical examination comprising five stations with common medical cases. The level of mastering history taking, physical examination, communication and clinical reasoning of PA students and MDs were described in means and standard deviation. Cohen's d was used to present effect sizes.

Results

PA students and MDs score about equal on history taking (PA 5.8 ± 0.8 vs. MD 5.7 ± 0.7), physical examination (PA 4.8 ± 1.3 vs. MD 5.4 ± 0.8) and communication (PA: 8.2 ± 0.8 vs. MD: 8.6 ± 0.5) in the full scope of medicine. In the quality of the report, including the patient management plan, PA students scored a mean of 6.0 ± 0.6 and MDs 6.8 ± 0.6.

Conclusions

In this setting in the Netherlands, PA students and MDs score about equal in the appraisal of common cases in medical practice. The slightly lower scores of PA students' clinical reasoning in the full scope of clinical care may have raise attention to medical teams working with PAs and PA training programmes.
Seeking the sun in deep, dark places: mesopelagic sightings of ocean sunfishes (Molidae)
Authors: Phillips N. D. , Harrod C. , Gates A. R. , Thys T. M. , Houghton J. D. R.
Published: September 2015

Evidence is presented from publicly available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) footage that suggests deep‐water ranging in ocean sunfishes (family Molidae) is more common than typically thought, including a new maximum depth recorded for the southern sunfish Mola ramsayi.
Trap‐shyness subsidence is a threshold function of mark–recapture interval in brown mudfish Neochanna apoda populations
Authors: White R. S. A. , McHugh P. A. , Glover C. N. , McIntosh A. R.
Published: September 2015

The influence of capture interval on trap shyness, and temperature, rainfall and drought on capture probability (p) in 827 brown mudfish Neochanna apoda was quantified using mark–recapture models. In particular, it was hypothesized that the loss of trapping memory in marked N. apoda would lead to a capture‐interval threshold required to minimize trap shyness. Neochanna apoda trap shyness approximated a threshold response to capture interval, declining rapidly with increasing capture intervals up to 16·5 days, after which p remained constant. Tests for detecting trap‐dependent capture probability in Cormack–Jolly–Seber models failed to detect trap shyness in N. apoda capture histories with capture intervals averaging 16 days. This confirmed the applicability of the 16 day capture‐interval threshold for mark–recapture studies. Instead, N. apoda p was positively influenced by water temperature and rainfall during capture. These results imply that a threshold capture interval is required to minimize the trade‐off between the competing assumptions of population closure and p homogeneity between capture occasions in closed mark–recapture models. Moreover, environmental factors that influence behaviour could potentially confound abundance indices, and consequently abundance trends should be interpreted with caution in the face of long‐term climate change, such as with global warming.
Expression of myostatin in the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus during larval and juvenile development under cultured conditions
Authors: Torres‐Velarde J. , Ibarra‐Castro L. , Rodríguez‐Ibarra E. , Sifuentes‐Romero I. , Hernández‐Cornejo R. , García‐Gasca A.
Published: September 2015

In this study, the developmental expression pattern of myostatin (mstn) in the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus under culture conditions is presented. The full coding sequence of mstn from L. guttatus was isolated from muscle tissue, obtaining 1134 nucleotides which encode a peptide of 377 amino acids. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that this sequence corresponds to mstn‐1. mstn expression was detected in embryonic stages, and maintained at low levels until 28 days post‐hatch, when it showed a significant increase, coinciding with the onset of metamorphosis. After that, expression was fluctuating, coinciding probably with periods of rapid and slow muscle growth or individual growth rates. mstn expression was also analysed by body mass with higher levels detected in smaller animals, irrespective of age. mstn was also expressed in other tissues from L. guttatus, presenting higher levels in brain, eye and gill. In brain for instance, two variants of mstn were isolated, both coding sequences were identical to muscle, except that one of them contained a 75 nucleotide deletion in exon 1, maintaining the reading frame but deleting two conserved cysteine residues. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this brain variant was also mstn‐1. The function of this variant is not clear and needs further investigation. These results indicate that mstn‐1 participates in different physiological processes other than muscle growth in fishes.
Tracking the startle response of guppiesPoecilia reticulatain three dimensions
Authors: Vanesyan A. , Rodd F. H. , Ryu W. S.
Published: September 2015

A three‐dimensional analysis of startle behaviours of guppiesPoecilia reticulata, in dyads or alone, from two populations that show distinct differences in shoaling behaviour was performed. During the first few seconds after a startling stimulus, changes in behaviour, which could be critical if an individual is to survive a predatory attack, and the interactions between pairs ofP. reticulatawere examined. The enhanced social interactions immediately after the stimulus, as a proxy for shoaling behaviour, and their dissipation were quantified. Social (individuals tested in dyads)v.asocial (tested alone) responses to the startling stimulus were also compared. The three‐dimensional reconstruction, from a two‐camera, high‐frame‐rate tracking system allowed for the tracking of the individuals' speed and speed recovery and, forP. reticulatain dyads, interindividual distance and orientation. For the dyads from the high‐predation population, the closer the individuals were to each other, the more likely they were to be parallel, but no correlation was found for the low‐predationP. reticulata. The startle response ofP. reticulatacomprised the following sequence: freezing, darting and skittering and recovery to pre‐stimulus swimming behaviour. Upon repeated encounters with the stimulus, a reduced shoaling and startle response was observed, although the rate of reduction was faster inP. reticulatafrom the high‐predation population than those from the low‐predation population. The results are discussed in light of what is known about the anti‐predator behaviour of this species.
Trophodynamics of Protomyctophum (Myctophidae) in the Scotia Sea (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Saunders R. A. , Collins M. A. , Ward P. , Stowasser G. , Shreeve R. , Tarling G. A.
Published: September 2015

This study investigated spatial and temporal patterns in distribution, population structure and diet of Bolin's lanternfish Protomyctophum bolini, Tenison's lanternfish Protomyctophum tenisoni and gaptooth lanternfish Protomyctophum choriodon in the Scotia Sea using data collected by midwater trawl during spring, summer and autumn. Protomyctophum bolini was the most abundant species of the genus encountered throughout the Scotia Sea with the greatest concentrations occurring around the Antarctic Polar Front (APF). This species had a life cycle of 2+ years, but spatial differences in population structure were apparent as the I‐group was absent from all regions south of the APF, suggesting that the species does not recruit in the Scotia Sea. Protomyctophum tenisoni occurred mostly in waters characteristic of the APF and was absent from the southern Scotia Sea. It had a limited size range, but there was clear size‐related sexual dimorphism with males significantly larger than females. The species had a life cycle of c. 2 years, but the I‐group (c. 1 year old, 1 November to 31 October the next year) occurred only in regions close to the APF suggesting that recruitment is restricted to these waters. A seasonal southward migration for P. choriodon is likely as the species occurred mostly to the south‐west of South Georgia in summer, but extended to the sea‐ice sectors in autumn. Protomyctophum choriodon had a life cycle of 4+ years in the Scotia Sea and the population was dominated by age classes >3 years old. Larval stages were absent during the surveys for all species. Diurnal variations in vertical distribution were apparent for all three species. Interspecific variations in diet were evident, but all species were primarily copepod feeders, with Metridia spp., Rhincalanus gigas and Calanus simillimus generally dominating their diet. Small euphausiids, principally Thysanoessa spp., were also an important component of their diets, particularly for P. choriodon which had the largest body size. The spatial and temporal variations in diet for both P. bolini and P. tenisoni were broadly consistent with underlying abundance patterns within the mesozooplankton community.
Variation in habitat use along the freshwater–marine continuum by grey mullet Mugil cephalus at the southern limits of its distribution
Authors: Górski K. , De Gruijter C. , Tana R.
Published: September 2015

In this study, habitat use by Mugil cephalus was investigated in the waters of the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand by analysing microchemical composition of otoliths (laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) obtained from individuals from commercial fish stocks and research surveys. Results of this study show that M. cephalus at the southern limits of its distribution display highly flexible migratory behaviour with extensive use of freshwater and brackish habitats, potentially enabling them to maximize foraging opportunities. Mugil cephalus can tolerate a wide range of salinities and can therefore utilize higher productivity areas, such as estuaries and eutrophic riverine lakes. Finally, M. cephalus populations across a range of climates and latitudes appear to differ in the extent to which they utilize freshwater and brackish habitats, possibly with increasing penetration of fresh waters with increasing latitude.
Notes on the reproductive biology of the Brazilian electric ray Narcine brasiliensis (Elasmobranchii: Narcinidae)
Authors: Rolim F. A. , Rotundo M. M. , Vaske‐Júnior T.
Published: September 2015

This study provides information on the reproductive biology of Narcine brasiliensis based on 105 individuals (72 females and 33 males) sampled in São Paulo State, Brazil. The total length at maturity for females was 318·9 mm and for males was 279·8 mm; pregnant females were observed only during summer and autumn. The peak of the gonado‐somatic index for females and condition factor for males in the spring suggest a preparation for pregnancy and a mating period during this season. The capture of immature individuals indicates a need for management of the species in this region.
New insights on molecular regulation of biofilm formation in plant‐associated bacteria
Authors: Castiblanco Luisa F. , Sundin George W.
Published: September 2015

Biofilms are complex bacterial assemblages with a defined three‐dimensional architecture, attached to solid surfaces, and surrounded by a self‐produced matrix generally composed of exopolysaccharides, proteins, lipids and extracellular DNA. Biofilm formation has evolved as an adaptive strategy of bacteria to cope with harsh environmental conditions as well as to establish antagonistic or beneficial interactions with their host. Plant‐associated bacteria attach and form biofilms on different tissues including leaves, stems, vasculature, seeds and roots. In this review, we examine the formation of biofilms from the plant‐associated bacterial perspective and detail the recently‐described mechanisms of genetic regulation used by these organisms to orchestrate biofilm formation on plant surfaces. In addition, we describe plant host signals that bacterial pathogens recognize to activate the transition from a planktonic lifestyle to multicellular behavior.
Visual Assessment of Brain Perfusion MRI Scans in Dementia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fällmar David , Lilja Johan , Velickaite Vilma , Danfors Torsten , Lubberink Mark , Ahlgren André , van Osch Matthias J.P. , Kilander Lena , Larsson Elna‐Marie
Published: September 2015

PURPOSE

Functional imaging is becoming increasingly important for the detection of neurodegenerative disorders. Perfusion MRI with arterial spin labeling (ASL) has been reported to provide promising diagnostic possibilities but is not yet widely used in routine clinical work. The aim of this study was to compare, in a clinical setting, the visual assessment of subtracted ASL CBF maps with and without additional smoothing, to FDG‐PET data.

METHODS

Ten patients with a clinical diagnosis of dementia and 11 age‐matched cognitively healthy controls were examined with pseudo‐continuous ASL (pCASL) and 18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET). Three diagnostic physicians visually assessed the pCASL maps after subtraction only, and after postprocessing using Gaussian smoothing and GLM‐based beta estimate functions. The assessment scores were compared to FDG PET values. Furthermore, the ability to discriminate patients from healthy elderly controls was assessed.

RESULTS

Smoothing improved the correlation between visually assessed regional ASL perfusion scores and the FDG PET SUV‐r values from the corresponding regions. However, subtracted pCASL maps discriminated patients from healthy controls better than smoothed maps. Smoothing increased the number of false‐positive patient identifications. Application of beta estimate functions had only a marginal effect.

CONCLUSION

Spatial smoothing of ASL images increased false positive results in the discrimination of hypoperfusion conditions from healthy elderly. It also decreased interreader agreement. However, regional characterization and subjective perception of image quality was improved.
Neamine and 2-deoxystreptamine neomycin derivatives exhibit antinociceptive activity in rat models of phasic, incision and neuropathic pain
Authors: Prado Wiliam A. , Rossaneis Ana C. , Carvalho Ivone , Zamoner Luis Otávio B. , Corrado Alexandre P.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To assess the antinociceptive activity of the neomycin derivatives neamine and 2-deoxystreptamine following intraspinal administration in rats.

Methods

We used the tail-flick test and measured the threshold to mechanical stimulation in models of incisional and neuropathic pain.

Key findings

The derivatives produced antinociception in the tail-flick test and reduced mechanical allodynia in models of incisional and neuropathic pain. The approximate ED50 in milligrams (confidence limits in parenthesis) in these tests were 1.35 mg (0.61; 2.95), 0.20 mg (0.14; 0.27) and 0.28 mg (0.12; 0.63) for neamine, and 1.05 mg (0.68; 1.60), 0.78 mg (0.776; 0.783) and 0.79 mg (0.46; 1.34) for 2-deoxystreptamine, respectively. Neamine was more potent than 2-deoxystreptamine in the incisional and neuropathic pain models, but they had similar potency in the tail-flick test. Tetra-azidoneamine, a neamine derivative in which free amino groups are replaced with azido groups, did not change the incisional mechanical allodynia. The reduction of incisional allodynia by neamine and 2-deoxystreptamine was transitorily antagonized by intrathecal administration of calcium chloride.

Conclusions

The intraspinal administration of neamine and 2-deoxystreptamine is antinociceptive in rats. The presence of amino groups in the structure of these derivatives is fundamental to their antinociceptive effect, which may be due to a calcium antagonist activity.
Phylogenetic tree of vascular plants reveals the origins of aquatic angiosperms
Authors: Du Zhi‐Yuan , Wang Qing‐Feng ,   China Phylogeny Consortium
Published: September 2015

Although aquatic plants are discussed as a unified biological group, they are phylogenetically well dispersed across the angiosperms. In this study, we annotated the aquatic taxa on the tree of vascular plants, and extracted the topology of these aquatic lineages to construct the tree of aquatic angiosperms. We also reconstructed the ancestral areas of aquatic families. We found that aquatic angiosperms could be divided into two different categories: the four aquatic orders and the aquatic taxa in terrestrial orders. Aquatic lineages evolved early in the radiation of angiosperms, both in the orders Nymphaeales and Ceratophyllales and among basal monocots (Acorales and Alismatales). These aquatic orders do not have any extant terrestrial relatives. They originated from aquatic habitats during the Early Cretaceous. Asia would have been one of the centers for early diversification of aquatic angiosperms. The aquatic families within terrestrial orders may originate from other areas besides Asia, such as America or Australia. The lineages leading to extant angiosperms diversified early in underexploited freshwater habitats. The four extant aquatic orders were relicts of an early radiation of angiosperm in aquatic environments. Their extinct ancestors might be aquatic early angiosperms.
Association of incident restless legs syndrome with outcomes in a large cohort of US veterans
Authors: Molnar Miklos Z. , Lu Jun L. , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar , Kovesdy Csaba P.
Published: September 2015

Restless legs syndrome is a common sleep disorder, but there is a paucity of large cohort studies examining the association of restless legs syndrome with clinical outcomes, including all‐cause mortality, incident coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. From a nationally representative prospective cohort of over 3 million US veterans [93% male, median follow‐up time of 8.1 years (interquartile range: 7.0–8.5 years)] with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL min−1 1.73 m−2, a propensity‐matched cohort of 7392 patients was created, and the association between incident restless legs syndrome and the following was examined: (1) all‐cause mortality; (2) incident coronary heart disease; (3) incident strokes; and (4) incident chronic kidney disease defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL min−1 1.73 m−2. Associations were examined using Cox models. The mean ± SD age of the propensity‐matched cohort at baseline was 59 ± 12 years; 89 and 8% of patients were white and black, respectively; 31% of the patients were diabetic; and the mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was 83.9 ± 15.1 mL min−1 1.73 m−2. Propensity matching resulted in a balanced cohort, with the disappearance in baseline differences in comorbidities. Compared with restless legs syndrome‐negative patients, incident restless legs syndrome was associated with 88% higher mortality risk [hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.88 (1.70–2.08)], and almost four times higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke [hazard ratio: 3.97 (3.26–4.84) and 3.89 (3.07–4.94), respectively]. The risk of incident chronic kidney disease was also significantly higher in incident restless legs syndrome patients [hazard ratio: 3.17 (2.74–3.66)] compared with restless legs syndrome‐negative counterparts. In this large and contemporary cohort of US veterans, incident restless legs syndrome was associated with higher risk of mortality, incident coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease.
Is it possible to be a phenomenological Thomist? An investigation of the notions of esse and esse commune
Authors: Brook Angus
Published: September 2015

This article tests whether it is possible to be a ‘phenomenological-Thomist’ through the provision of the first stages of a loosely speaking Heideggerian phenomenological interpretation of the meaning of being an entity as it is disclosed in experience. In the process, the article will unpack and reinterpret the concepts of esse and esse commune in the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
Knock‐down of transcript abundance of a family ofKunitz proteinase inhibitorgenes in white clover (Trifolium repens) reveals a redundancy and diversity of gene function
Authors: Islam Afsana , Leung Susanna , Burgess Elisabeth P. J. , Laing William A. , Richardson Kim A. , Hofmann Rainer W. , Dijkwel Paul P. , McManus Michael T.
Published: September 2015

The transcriptional regulation of four phylogenetically distinct members of a family ofKunitz proteinase inhibitor(KPI) genes isolated from white clover (Trifolium repens; designatedTr‐KPI1,Tr‐KPI2,Tr‐KPI4andTr‐KPI5) has been investigated to determine their wider functional role.

The four genes displayed differential transcription during seed germination, and in different tissues of the mature plant, and transcription was also ontogenetically regulated. Heterologous over‐expression ofTr‐KPI1,Tr‐KPI2,Tr‐KPI4andTr‐KPI5inNicotiana tabacumretarded larval growth of the herbivoreSpodoptera litura, and an increase in the transcription of the pathogenesis‐related genesPR1andPR4was observed in theTr‐KPI1andTr‐KPI4over‐expressing lines.

RNA interference (RNAi) knock‐down lines in white clover displayed significantly altered vegetative growth phenotypes with inhibition of shoot growth and a stimulation of root growth, while knock‐down ofTr‐KPI1,Tr‐KPI2andTr‐KPI5transcript abundance also retarded larval growth ofS. litura. Examination of theseRNAi lines revealed constitutive stress‐associated phenotypes as well as altered transcription of cellular signalling genes.

These results reveal a functional redundancy across members of theKPIgene family. Further, the regulation of transcription of at least one member of the family,Tr‐KPI2, may occupy a central role in the maintenance of a cellular homeostasis.
PROTECTING PRIVATE TRANSNATIONAL AUTHORITY AGAINST PUBLIC INTERVENTION: FIFA'S POWER OVER NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
Authors: MEIER HENK ERIK , GARCíA BORJA
Published: September 2015

Scholars have engaged in discussions over whether the rise of transnational private authority is beneficial or undermines public legitimate authority. While the recent focus on civil regulation has emphasized the key role of public authorities and civil societies in such arrangements, the case of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) provides strong evidence that global policies can be formulated and administered by completely private institutions relying on strong enforcement mechanisms and able to confront public authorities.FIFA's power results from its control of market access to global football, which represents a vital ‘club good’ for national football industries. Therefore,FIFAis able to force European Union member states to deviate from national paths of sport regulation. Without orchestrating their efforts, public authorities are unlikely to succeed in challengingFIFA's power. Although the recent corruption scandals might forceFIFAto implement some reforms,FIFAhas a vital interest in protecting its regulatory powers.
CONSULTATION IN THE POLICY PROCESS: DOUGLASIAN CULTURAL THEORY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCOUNTING REGULATION IN THE FACE OF CRISIS
Authors: LINSLEY PHILIP , MCMURRAY ROBERT , SHRIVES PHILIP
Published: September 2015

This article employs Douglasian cultural theory to explain how policy consultations intended to secure meaningful reform can, in fact, work to reinforce the status quo. The context for this is an examination of responses to three consultations established by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the body responsible for regulating accounting and auditing in the UK. The results reveal a lack of diversity of voices in the responses to three consultations, with the enclave and isolate voices being significantly under‐represented despite the policy issues under debate being related to the financial crisis. Further, the initial pre‐consultation proposals are largely unchanged post‐consultation. We suggest that the regulator has not been captured; but instead is subject to what may be described as self‐capture. Self‐capture describes the instinctive reaction of a solidarity to act to uphold its pattern of social relations which results in the regulator's worldview inevitably (and unwittingly) being perpetuated.
Determinants of Depositor Demand for the Texas Local Government Investment Pool
Authors: Bland Robert L. , Nukpezah Julius A. , Shinkle Patrick
Published: September 2015

Local government investment pools (LGIP's) provide the political subdivisions of a state with a cost‐effective option for investing their daily cash balances in an income‐producing fund. LGIP's have grown into a $250 billion dollar industry in 44 states. This study reports on the factors that affect demand by depositors using time series data from TexPool. The results show that the yield spread of LGIP's has a nonlinear relationship with demand, the pool's liquidity was inversely related to demand, and TexPool's average monthly yield levels had no effect on demand. This study supports the normative values expected of local government investors—priority on safety and liquidity of principal. Outsourcing of the fund's management and aligning the pool's average maturity to the purpose of the pool brought a high level of confidence in the fund as seen by the substantial growth in both the average balance of investments and the number of depositors.
Perceptions of Public and Private Performance: Evidence from a Survey Experiment
Authors: Hvidman Ulrik , Andersen Simon Calmar
Published: September 2015

Media, politicians, and reform proponents frequently assert that public sector organizations are inefficient and burdened by administrative procedures. But are negative stereotypes of the public sector reflected in people's perceptions of public service provision? Given the methodological challenges of isolating the perception of publicness from other factors related to public organizations, little is known about whether public organizations have a negative image. The authors use a survey experimental design to isolate the effect of publicness on perceptions of the performance of hospitals. The results suggest that public sector organizations have a negative image on productivity‐related aspects of performance but not on normative aspects of performance. As this article is a randomized experiment, it provides strong evidence regarding the causal nature of the relationship between publicness and perceptions of performance. Implications for researchers aiming to understand these mechanisms and for public managers concerned about the image of their organization are discussed.
Accessed external knowledge, centrality of intra‐team knowledge networks, and R&D employee creativity
Authors: Tang Chaoying
Published: September 2015

Accessing knowledge is an important component of managing research and development (R&D) employee creativity. Although previous literature on creativity highlights the value of external diversified knowledge and the centrality of intra‐team knowledge network to creativity, the effects of accessed external knowledge characteristics on the network position of intra‐team knowledge and creativity, as well as the moderating role of accessed knowledge content reliability, have hardly been considered. This empirical study helps shed some light on this issue in the context of R&D. In particular, the mediated moderation effect of the diversity and reliability of accessed knowledge on the centrality of intra‐team knowledge network and employee creativity was analyzed. The data were gathered via questionnaires completed by R&D employees and leaders in biopharmaceutical companies in China. The results indicated that the reliability of accessed knowledge moderated the relation between the diversity of the accessed knowledge and centrality of intra‐team knowledge network. The centrality, in turn, improved employee creativity. Theoretical and practical suggestions for R&D management are discussed.
Second‐order Accurate Confidence Regions Based on Members of the Generalized Power Divergence Family
Authors: Lunardon Nicola , Adimari Gianfranco
Published: September 2015

Recently, a technique based on pseudo‐observations has been proposed to tackle the so‐called convex hull problem for the empirical likelihood statistic. The resulting adjusted empirical likelihood also achieves the high‐order precision of the Bartlett correction. Nevertheless, the technique induces an upper bound on the resulting statistic that may lead, in certain circumstances, to worthless confidence regions equal to the whole parameter space. In this paper, we show that suitable pseudo‐observations can be deployed to make each element of the generalized power divergence family Bartlett‐correctable and released from the convex hull problem. Our approach is conceived to achieve this goal by means of two distinct sets of pseudo‐observations with different tasks. An important effect of our formulation is to provide a solution that permits to overcome the problem of the upper bound. The proposal, which effectiveness is confirmed by simulation results, gives back attractiveness to a broad class of statistics that potentially contains good alternatives to the empirical likelihood.
Selection Strategy for Covariance Structure of Random Effects in Linear Mixed‐effects Models
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Liang Hua , Liu Anna , Ruppert David , Zou Guohua
Published: September 2015

Linear mixed‐effects models are a powerful tool for modelling longitudinal data and are widely used in practice. For a given set of covariates in a linear mixed‐effects model, selecting the covariance structure of random effects is an important problem. In this paper, we develop a joint likelihood‐based selection criterion. Our criterion is the approximately unbiased estimator of the expected Kullback–Leibler information. This criterion is also asymptotically optimal in the sense that for large samples, estimates based on the covariance matrix selected by the criterion minimize the approximate Kullback–Leibler information. Finite sample performance of the proposed method is assessed by simulation experiments. As an illustration, the criterion is applied to a data set from an AIDS clinical trial.
Contrasting actions of a convulsant barbiturate and its anticonvulsant enantiomer on the α1β3γ2L GABAA receptor account for their in vivo effects
Authors: Desai Rooma , Savechenkov Pavel Y. , Zolkowska Dorota , Ge Ri Le , Rogawski Michael A. , Bruzik Karol S. , Forman Stuart A. , Raines Douglas E. , Miller Keith W.
Published: September 2015

Key Points

Most barbiturates are anaesthetics but unexpectedly a few are convulsants whose mechanism of action is poorly understood.

We synthesized and characterized a novel pair of chiral barbiturates that are capable of photolabelling their binding sites on GABAA receptors. In mice the S‐enantiomer is a convulsant, but the R‐enantiomer is an anticonvulsant.

The convulsant S‐enantiomer binds solely at an inhibitory site. It is both an open state inhibitor and a resting state inhibitor. Its action is pH independent, suggesting the pyrimidine ring plays little part in binding. The inhibitory site is not enantioselective because the R‐enantiomer inhibits with equal affinity.

In contrast, only the anticonvulsant R‐enantiomer binds to the enhancing site on open channels, causing them to stay open longer. The enhancing site is enantioselective.

The in vivo actions of the convulsant S‐enantiomer are accounted for by its interactions with GABAA receptors.

Most barbiturates are anaesthetics but a few unexpectedly are convulsants. We recently located the anaesthetic sites on GABAA receptors (GABAARs) by photolabelling with an anaesthetic barbiturate. To apply the same strategy to locate the convulsant sites requires the creation and mechanistic characterization of a suitable agent. We synthesized enantiomers of a novel, photoactivable barbiturate, 1‐methyl‐5‐propyly‐5‐(m‐trifluoromethyldiazirinyl) phenyl barbituric acid (mTFD‐MPPB). In mice, S‐mTFD‐MPPB acted as a convulsant, whereas R‐mTFD‐MPPB acted as an anticonvulsant. Using patch clamp electrophysiology and fast solution exchange on recombinant human α1β3γ2L GABAARs expressed in HEK cells, we found that S‐mTFD‐MPPB inhibited GABA‐induced currents, whereas R‐mTFD‐MPPB enhanced them. S‐mTFD‐MPPB caused inhibition by binding to either of two inhibitory sites on open channels with bimolecular kinetics. It also inhibited closed, resting state receptors at similar concentrations, decreasing the channel opening rate and shifting the GABA concentration–response curve to the right. R‐mTFD‐MPPB, like most anaesthetics, enhanced receptor gating by rapidly binding to allosteric sites on open channels, initiating a rate‐limiting conformation change to stabilized open channel states. These states had slower closing rates, thus shifting the GABA concentration–response curve to the left. Under conditions when most GABAARs were open, an inhibitory action of R‐mTFD‐MPPB was revealed that had a similar IC50 to that of S‐mTFD‐MPPB. Thus, the inhibitory sites are not enantioselective, and the convulsant action of S‐mTFD‐MPPB results from its negligible affinity for the enhancing, anaesthetic sites. Interactions with these two classes of barbiturate binding sites on GABAARs underlie the enantiomers’ different pharmacological activities in mice.
Placental phenotype and resource allocation to fetal growth are modified by the timing and degree of hypoxia during mouse pregnancy
Authors: Higgins J. S. , Vaughan O. R. , Fernandez de Liger E. , Fowden A. L. , Sferruzzi‐Perri A. N.
Published: September 2015

Key points

Hypoxia is a major cause of fetal growth restriction, particularly at high altitude, although little is known about its effects on placental phenotype and resource allocation to fetal growth.

In the present study, maternal hypoxia induced morphological and functional changes in the mouse placenta, which depended on the timing and severity of hypoxia, as well as the degree of maternal hypophagia.

Hypoxia at 13% inspired oxygen induced beneficial changes in placental morphology, nutrient transport and metabolic signalling pathways associated with little or no change in fetal growth, irrespective of gestational age.

Hypoxia at 10% inspired oxygen adversely affected placental phenotype and resulted in severe fetal growth restriction, which was due partly to maternal hypophagia.

There is a threshold between 13% and 10% inspired oxygen, corresponding to altitudes of ∼3700 m and 5800 m, respectively, at which the mouse placenta no longer adapts to support fetal resource allocation. This has implications for high altitude human pregnancies.

The placenta adapts its transport capacity to nutritional cues developmentally, although relatively little is known about placental transport phenotype in response to hypoxia, a major cause of fetal growth restriction. The present study determined the effects of both moderate hypoxia (13% inspired O2) between days (D)11 and D16 or D14 and D19 of pregnancy and severe hypoxia (10% inspired O2) from D14 to D19 on placental morphology, transport capacity and fetal growth on D16 and D19 (term∼D20.5), relative to normoxic mice in 21% O2. Placental morphology adapted beneficially to 13% O2; fetal capillary volume increased at both ages, exchange area increased at D16 and exchange barrier thickness reduced at D19. Exposure to 13% O2 had no effect on placental nutrient transport on D16 but increased placental uptake and clearance of 3H‐methyl‐d‐glucose at D19. By contrast, 10% O2 impaired fetal vascularity, increased barrier thickness and reduced placental 14C‐methylaminoisobutyric acid clearance at D19. Consequently, fetal growth was only marginally affected in 13% O2 (unchanged at D16 and −5% at D19) but was severely restricted in 10% O2 (−21% at D19). The hypoxia‐induced changes in placental phenotype were accompanied by altered placental insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐2 expression and insulin/IGF signalling, as well as by maternal hypophagia depending on the timing and severity of the hypoxia. Overall, the present study shows that the mouse placenta can integrate signals of oxygen and nutrient availability, possibly through the insulin‐IGF pathway, to adapt its phenotype and optimize maternal resource allocation to fetal growth during late pregnancy. It also suggests that there is a threshold between 13% and 10% inspired O2 at which these adaptations no longer occur.
Modern Kaleidophones
Authors: Daffron John A. , Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: September 2015

The Kaleidophone, invented by Charles Wheatstone (1802–1875) in 1827, is a delightful mixture of physics and art. A typical example of the device, dating from the latter part of the 19th century, is shown in Fig. 1. The upright rods, which are approximately 25 cm in length, are of variously circular, oval, square, and rectangular cross section, and are topped by shiny glass beads. When plucked, the rods give out a musical sound and the tips vibrate in complex patterns. These can be seen if the instrument is put into a dark room with a single bright light source; the inverted, virtual image of the source is seen as a bright spot on the bead. The difficulty here is that only a small number of people can view the figures traced out by the beads.