bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐evolution of foraging behaviour in herbivores and their natural enemies predicts multifunctionality of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles
Authors: Yoneya Kinuyo , Miki Takeshi
Published: December 2014

Herbivorous arthropods often induce phenotypic changes in plants of terrestrial systems, which include increased direct resistance to herbivores. In addition, infested plants release quantitatively and qualitatively different volatiles from those of uninfested plants, which are so‐called herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). Due toHIPVs, plants are more conspicuous to herbivorous arthropods and their natural enemies (carnivorous arthropods) than uninfested plants, thus acting as foraging cues in tri‐trophic systems.

Intriguingly, herbivore and natural enemy responses toHIPVs are highly diverse. Whether they are attracted or repelled byHIPVs depend on the plant–herbivore–natural enemy species combination, suggesting aHIPVmultifunctionality. We hypothesized that co‐evolutionary diversification of foraging strategies in herbivores and natural enemies, where arthropods adapted to diverse plant ecological traits, served to explainHIPVmultifunctionality.

We developed a food chain model of plant–herbivore–natural enemy to test our hypothesis, where plants exhibited three different states and different apparency (uninfested < lightly infested < highly infested) and quality (lightly infested > highly infested). The shifts between plant states were mediated by herbivore life cycle, interactions among herbivores, natural enemies and plant reproduction.

The natural enemy evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) was predicted to choose the lightly and heavily infested plants in broad ranges of induced direct resistance and plant apparency (HIPVlevels), implying thatHIPVs acted as the induced indirect resistance. The corresponding herbivoreESSwas to choose (or avoid)HIPVs whenHIPVlevels were low (or high). When the induced direct resistance was very high and thus herbivore quality was low, natural enemies tended to avoid increasedHIPVs with increasing herbivory levels. This was associated with herbivoreESSchoice forHIPVs, leading to intraspecific enemy‐free space. These predictedESSdiversities explained observed herbivore and natural enemy responses toHIPVs in several contrasting plant systems, including willow trees, lima bean and wild tobacco.

Our findings suggest that non‐lethal herbivory and variations in induced plant responses are key mechanisms for evolutionary diversification of animal foraging behaviour and thus structure of ecological networks.
The effects of experimental warming on the timing of a plant–insect herbivore interaction
Authors: Kharouba Heather M. , Vellend Mark , Sarfraz Rana M. , Myers Judith H.
Published: December 2014

The phenology of many species is shifting in response to climatic changes, and these shifts are occurring at varying rates across species. This can potentially affect species' interactions and individual fitness. However, few studies have experimentally tested the influence of warming on the timing of species interactions. This is an important gap in the literature given the potential for different direct and indirect effects of temperature via phenological change.

Our aim was to test the effects of warming on the western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum pluviale). In addition to the direct effects of warming, we considered the two primary indirect effects mediated by warming‐driven changes in its host plant, red alder (Alnus rubra): changes in resource availability due to phenological mismatch (i.e. changes in the relative timing of the interaction), and changes in resource quality associated with leaf maturation.

We experimentally warmed egg masses and larvae of the western tent caterpillar placed on branches of red alder in the field.

Warming advanced the timing of larval but not leaf emergence. This led to varying degrees of phenological mismatch, with larvae emerging as much as 25 days before to 10 days after the emergence of leaves. Even the earliest‐emerging larvae, however, had high survival in the absence of leaves for up to 3 weeks, and they were surprisingly resistant to starvation. In addition, although warming created phenological mismatch that initially slowed the development of larvae that emerged before leaf emergence, it accelerated larval development once leaves were available. Therefore, warming had no net effect on our measures of insect performance.

Our results demonstrate that the indirect effects of warming, in creating phenological mismatch, are as important to consider as the direct effects on insect performance. Although future climatic warming might influence plants and insects in different ways, some insects may be well adapted to variation in the timing of their interactions.
The MqsR/MqsA toxin/antitoxin system protects Escherichia coli during bile acid stress
Authors: Kwan Brian W. , Lord Dana M. , Peti Wolfgang , Page Rebecca , Benedik Michael J. , Wood Thomas K.
Published: December 2014

Toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems are ubiquitous within bacterial genomes, and the mechanisms of many TA systems are well characterized. As such, several roles for TA systems have been proposed, such as phage inhibition, gene regulation and persister cell formation. However, the significance of these roles is nebulous due to the subtle influence from individual TA systems. For example, a single TA system has only a minor contribution to persister cell formation. Hence, there is a lack of defining physiological roles for individual TA systems. In this study, phenotype assays were used to determine that the MqsR/MqsA type II TA system of Escherichia coli is important for cell growth and tolerance during stress from the bile salt deoxycholate. Using transcriptomics and purified MqsR, we determined that endoribonuclease toxin MqsR degrades YgiS mRNA, which encodes a periplasmic protein that promotes deoxycholate uptake and reduces tolerance to deoxycholate exposure. The importance of reducing YgiS mRNA by MqsR is evidenced by improved growth, reduced cell death and reduced membrane damage when cells without ygiS are stressed with deoxycholate. Therefore, we propose that MqsR/MqsA is physiologically important for E. coli to thrive in the gallbladder and upper intestinal tract, where high bile concentrations are prominent.
How Does Market Size Affect Vertical Structure When Considering Vertical Coordination? Application to the Railway Industry
Authors: Matsushima Noriaki , Mizutani Fumitoshi
Published: December 2014

We provide a theoretical framework to discuss the relation between market size and vertical structure in the railway industry. The framework is based on a simple downstream monopoly model with two input suppliers: the labour force and the rail infrastructure firm. The operation of the downstream firm (i.e. the train operating firm) imposes costs on the rail infrastructure firm. We show that the downstream firm with a larger market size is more likely to integrate with the rail infrastructure firm. This is consistent with the phenomenon in the railway industry.
The Effect of Image Quality and Forensic Expertise in Facial Image Comparisons
Authors: Norell Kristin , Läthén Klas Brorsson , Bergström Peter , Rice Allyson , Natu Vaidehi , O'Toole Alice
Published: December 2014

Images of perpetrators in surveillance video footage are often used as evidence in court. In this study, identification accuracy was compared for forensic experts and untrained persons in facial image comparisons as well as the impact of image quality. Participants viewed thirty image pairs and were asked to rate the level of support garnered from their observations for concluding whether or not the two images showed the same person. Forensic experts reached their conclusions with significantly fewer errors than did untrained participants. They were also better than novices at determining when two high‐quality images depicted the same person. Notably, lower image quality led to more careful conclusions by experts, but not for untrained participants. In summary, the untrained participants had more false negatives and false positives than experts, which in the latter case could lead to a higher risk of an innocent person being convicted for an untrained witness.
Forensic Features of Pharmacobezoars
Authors: England Georgina , Heath Karen J. , Gilbert John D. , Byard Roger W.
Published: December 2014

Three cases of pharmacobezoars are reported to demonstrate typical autopsy findings and potential lethal mechanisms: (i) A 32‐year‐old woman died following an overdose of prescription medications. A gelatinous pharmacobezoar was found forming a cast of her bronchial tree. (ii) A 24‐year‐old woman also died following an overdose of prescription medications. At autopsy, two pharmacobezoars were present, one within the larynx and another occluding the right main bronchus. Deaths in both cases were attributed to airway occlusion by pharmacobezoars complicating mixed drug toxicity. (iii) A 79‐year‐old man was found dead in a car. Death was attributed to the combined effects of carbon monoxide and drug toxicity with a large pharmacobezoar lodged within the esophagus. Pharmacobezoars are specific types of bezoars that occur when pharmaceutical materials, such as tablets, suspensions, and/or drug delivery devices, aggregate and contribute to death by occluding airways with tenacious material or by eluting drugs.
Identification of Natural Images and Computer‐Generated Graphics Based on Statistical and Textural Features
Authors: Peng Fei , Li Jiao‐ting , Long Min
Published: December 2014

To discriminate the acquisition pipelines of digital images, a novel scheme for the identification of natural images and computer‐generated graphics is proposed based on statistical and textural features. First, the differences between them are investigated from the view of statistics and texture, and 31 dimensions of feature are acquired for identification. Then, LIBSVM is used for the classification. Finally, the experimental results are presented. The results show that it can achieve an identification accuracy of 97.89% for computer‐generated graphics, and an identification accuracy of 97.75% for natural images. The analyses also demonstrate the proposed method has excellent performance, compared with some existing methods based only on statistical features or other features. The method has a great potential to be implemented for the identification of natural images and computer‐generated graphics.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide: key regulator of cutaneous immunity
Authors: Granstein R. D. , Wagner J. A. , Stohl L. L. , Ding W.
Published: December 2014

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) has been viewed as a neuropeptide and vasodilator. However, CGRP is more appropriately thought of as a pleiotropic signalling molecule. Indeed, CGRP has key regulatory functions on immune and inflammatory processes within the skin. CGRP‐containing nerves are intimately associated with epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), and CGRP has profound regulatory effects on Langerhans cell antigen‐presenting capability. When LCs are exposed to CGRP in vitro, their ability to present antigen for in vivo priming of naïve mice or elicitation of delayed‐type hypersensitivity is inhibited in at least some situations. Administration of CGRP intradermally inhibits acquisition of immunity to Th1‐dominant haptens applied to the injected site while augmenting immunity to Th2‐dominant haptens, although the cellular targets of activity in these experiments remain unclear. Although CGRP can be a pro‐inflammatory agent, several studies have demonstrated that administration of CGRP can inhibit the elicitation of inflammation by inflammatory stimuli in vivo. In this regard, CGRP inhibits the release of certain chemokines by stimulated endothelial cells. This is likely to be physiologically relevant as cutaneous blood vessels are innervated by sensory nerves. Exciting new studies suggest a significant role for CGRP in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and, most strikingly, that CGRP inhibits the ability of LCs to transmit the human immunodeficiency virus 1 to T lymphocytes. A more complete understanding of the role of CGRP in the skin immune system may lead to new and novel approaches for the therapy of immune‐mediated skin disorders.
The Effect of ABCB1 C3435T Polymorphism on Cyclosporine Dose Requirements in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lee Jun , Wang Rongrong , Yang Yuan , Lu Xiaoyang , Zhang Xingguo , Wang Linrun , Lou Yan
Published: December 2014

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a substrate of the multi‐drug efflux pump P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) encoded by ABCB1. Among the various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCB1, C3435T has been extensively investigated to determine the relationship with the pharmacokinetics of CsA. However, the results are controversial. This meta‐analysis was designed to evaluate the influence of C3435T SNP on the dose‐adjusted trough (C0/D) and peak (Cmax/D) concentrations of CsA. Based on a literature search of four authoritative databases, 13 studies since 2001 concerning 1293 kidney transplant recipients were included. The results indicated a significant difference of C0/D and Cmax/D between 3435CC and 3435TT genotype carriers (weighted mean difference (WMD) of C0/D: 4.18 (ng ml−1)/(mg kg−1), 95% CIs: 1.00–7.37, p = 0.01; WMD of Cmax/D: 20.85 (ng ml−1)/(mg kg−1), 95% CIs: 2.25–39.46, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity demonstrated that C0/D was lower in Asian CC versus TT genotype carriers (WMD = 10.32 (ng ml−1)/(mg kg−1), 95% CIs: 4.78–15.85, p = 0.0003) but did not vary by genotype for Caucasian recipients. Moreover, significant variation of C0/D was found at 1 week and 1–3 months after transplantation between CC and TT genotype carriers. Therefore, this meta‐analysis showed a correlation between ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism and the dose‐adjusted concentration of CsA. Patients with 3435CC genotype will require a higher dose of CsA to achieve target therapeutic concentrations when compared with 3435TT carriers after kidney transplantation, especially in the Asian population and especially during the early and middle time periods after transplantation.
Pregnancy Exposure to Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone, Aripiprazole and Risk of Congenital Malformations. A Systematic Review
Authors: Ennis Zandra Nymand , Damkier Per
Published: December 2014

To review available data on first‐trimester exposure to olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and aripiprazole and risk of congenital malformations. We performed a systematic literature search in accordance with PRISMA guidelines identifying studies containing original data on first‐trimester exposure and pregnancy outcome with respect to congenital malformations. Cumulated data for olanzapine were 1090 first‐trimester‐exposed pregnancies with 38 malformations resulting in a malformation rate of 3.5%. The corresponding numbers for quetiapine, risperidone and aripiprazole were 443/16 (3.6%), 432/22 (5.1%) and 100/5 (5.0%), respectively. Relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals were 1.0 (0.7–1.4) (olanzapine), 1.0 (0.6–1.7) (quetiapine), 1.5 (0.9–2.2) (risperidone) and 1.4 (0.5–3.1) (aripiprazole). First‐trimester exposure to olanzapine is not associated with an increased risk of congenital malformation. Data for quetiapine and risperidone do not suggest a substantially increased risk, while the risk estimate for aripiprazole remains imprecise owing to a low amount of data.
Structure‐guided Discovery of a Novel Non‐peptide Inhibitor of Dengue Virus NS2B–NS3 Protease
Authors: Li Linfeng , Basavannacharya Chandrakala , Chan Kitti Wing Ki , Shang Luqing , Vasudevan Subhash G. , Yin Zheng
Published: December 2014

Dengue fever is a fast emerging epidemic‐prone viral disease caused by dengue virus serotypes 1‐4. NS2B–NS3 protease of dengue virus is a validated target to develop antiviral agents. A major limitation in developing dengue virus protease inhibitors has been the lack of or poor cellular activity. In this work, we extracted and refined a pharmacophore model based on X‐ray crystal structure and predicted binding patterns, followed by a three‐dimensional flexible database filtration. These output molecules were screened according to a docking‐based protocol, leading to the discovery of a compound with novel scaffold and good cell‐based bioactivity that has potential to be further optimized. The discovery of this novel scaffold by combination of in silico methods suggests that structure‐guided drug discovery can lead to the development of potent dengue virus protease inhibitors.
Binding and Anticancer Properties of Plumbagin with Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Gou Yi , Zhang Yao , Qi Jinxu , Kong Linlin , Zhou Zuping , Liang Shichu , Yang Feng , Liang Hong
Published: December 2014

Plumbagin has received extensive attention as a promising anticancer drug. Therefore, we investigated the binding and anticancer properties of plumbagin with human serum albumin. Fluorescence results demonstrated that plumbagin interacts with human serum albumin, although its binding affinity may be affected to various extents by different compounds. The human serum albumin–plumbagin complex structure revealed that plumbagin binds to the hydrophobic cavity in the IIA subdomain of human serum albumin through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The plumbagin–human serum albumin complex enhances cytotoxicity by 2‐ to 3‐fold particularly in cancer cells but has no effect on normal cells in vitro. Compared with the unbound drug, the human serum albumin–plumbagin complex promotes HeLa cell apoptosis and has a stronger capacity for cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase of HeLa cells. In conclusion, this study contributes to the rational design and development of plumbagin‐based drugs and a drug–human serum albumin delivery system.
Brain and arterial abnormalities following prenatal X‐ray irradiation in mice assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and angiography
Authors: Saito Shigeyoshi , Sawada Kazuhiko , Mori Yuki , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Murase Kenya
Published: December 2014

The present study aimed to quantitatively characterize changes in the whole brain and arterial morphology in response to prenatal ionizing irradiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA) were used to evaluate brain and arterial abnormalities in 8‐week‐old male mice prenatally exposed to X‐ray radiation at a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 Gy on embryonic day (E) 13. Irradiated mice demonstrated decreased brain volume, increased ventricular volume, and arterial malformation. Additionally, MRA signal intensity and arterial thickness in the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and basilar artery were lower in radiation‐exposed mice than in control mice. MRI and MRA are useful tools for assessing brain and arterial abnormalities after prenatal exposure to radiation.
Incidence of First Implant Failure: A Retroprospective Study of 27 Years of Implant Operations at One Specialist Clinic
Authors: Jemt Torsten , Olsson Malin , Franke Stenport Victoria
Published: December 2014

Background

Even though there are many studies available reporting on implant failures, there are few studies that follow implant failures over time in large populations.

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the annual incidence of reported implant failures for patients and operations over a 28‐year period.

Materials and Methods

A total of 8,528 patients were consecutively provided with 39,077 implants in 10,719 implant operations during a 27‐year period (1986–2012) at one specialist clinic. All patients with reported failures of implants during a 28‐year routine follow‐up period (1986–2013) were included, and data from the patients' files were retrieved and reported.

Results

Altogether, 857 patients (882 jaws/operations) were identified with one or more failures (10.0% of patients/8.5% of operations). Mean annual incidence of first failure showed obvious variations between years, even between seemingly clinically similar situations. However, incidence of first implant failure was higher for upper than lower jaws (p < .05), within 1 year of surgery (69%) than after 1 year (p < .05), and for implants with a turned surface compared with implants with a moderately rough surface (p < .05).

Conclusions

With regard to annual failure incidence in relation to total number of operations over time, obvious variations in failure rate can be observed between seemingly similar clinical situations, as well as significant differences in incidence of first implant failure between the first year after surgery and later time points, between upper and lower jaws using implants with turned surfaces, and between operations to install implants with turned surfaces and those to install implants with moderately rough surfaces.
Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of Horizontal and Vertical Dimensional Changes in Buccal Peri‐Implant Alveolar Bone and Soft Tissue: A 1‐Year Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Kaminaka Akihiro , Nakano Tamaki , Ono Shinji , Kato Tokinori , Yatani Hirofumi
Published: December 2014

Purpose

This study evaluated changes in the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the buccal alveolar bone and soft tissue over a 1‐year period following implant prosthesis.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐three participants with no history of guided bone regeneration or soft tissue augmentation underwent dental implant placement with different types of connections. The dimensions of the buccal alveolar bone and soft tissue were evaluated immediately and at 1 year after prosthesis from reconstructions of cross‐sectional cone‐beam computed tomography images.

Results

The vertical and horizontal loss of buccal bone and soft tissue around implants with conical connections were lower than around those with external or internal connections. Statistically significant negative correlations were observed between initial horizontal bone thickness and changes in vertical bone and soft tissue height (p < .05), and between initial horizontal soft tissue thickness and the change in vertical soft tissue height (p < .05).

Conclusion

Implants with a conical connection preserve peri‐implant alveolar bone and soft tissue more effectively than other connection types. Furthermore, the initial buccal alveolar bone and soft tissue thickness around the implant platform may influence their vertical dimensional changes at 1 year after implant prosthesis.
Ethyl Pyruvate Protects against Blood–Brain Barrier Damage and Improves Long‐term Neurological Outcomes in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Shi Hong , Wang Hai‐Lian , Pu Hong‐Jian , Shi Ye‐Jie , Zhang Jia , Zhang Wen‐Ting , Wang Guo‐Hua , Hu Xiao‐Ming , Leak Rehana K. , Chen Jun , Gao Yan‐Qin
Published: December 2014

Aims

Many traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors sustain neurological disability and cognitive impairments due to the lack of defined therapies to reduce TBI‐induced long‐term brain damage. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has shown neuroprotection in several models of acute brain injury. The present study therefore investigated the potential beneficial effect of EP on long‐term outcomes after TBI and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Male adult rats were subjected to unilateral controlled cortical impact injury. EP was injected intraperitoneally 15 min after TBI and again at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after TBI. Neurological deficits, blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and neuroinflammation were assessed.

Results

Ethyl pyruvate improved sensorimotor and cognitive functions and ameliorated brain tissue damage up to 28 day post‐TBI. BBB breach and brain edema were attenuated by EP at 48 h after TBI. EP suppressed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 production from peripheral neutrophils and reduced the number of MMP‐9‐overproducing neutrophils in the spleen, and therefore mitigated MMP‐9‐mediated BBB breakdown. Moreover, EP exerted potent antiinflammatory effects in cultured microglia and inhibited the elevation of inflammatory mediators in the brain after TBI.

Conclusion

Ethyl pyruvate confers long‐term neuroprotection against TBI, possibly through breaking the vicious cycle among MMP‐9‐mediated BBB disruption, neuroinflammation, and long‐lasting brain damage.
Inflammation and Epilepsy in the Developing Brain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence
Authors: Dupuis Nina , Auvin Stéphane
Published: December 2014

There is an increasing evidence to support a role of inflammatory processes in epilepsy. However, most clinical and experimental studies have been conducted in adult patients or using adult rodents. The pediatric epilepsies constitute a varied group of diseases that are most frequently age specific. In this review, we will focus on the possible role of inflammation in pediatric epilepsy syndromes. We will first describe the clinical data available and provide an overview of our current understanding of the role of inflammation in these clinical situations. We will then review experimental data regarding the role of inflammation in epilepsy in the developing brain. To summarize, inflammation contributes to seizure precipitation, and reciprocally, prolonged seizures induce inflammation. There is also a relationship between inflammation and cell injury following status epilepticus, which differs according to the developmental stage. Finally, inflammation seems to contribute to epileptogenesis even in the developing brain. Based on the available data, we highlight the need for further studies dissecting the exact role of inflammation in epilepsy during development.
Investigation of diethylthiourea and ethyl isothiocyanate as potent skin allergens in chloroprene rubber
Authors: Ramzy Ahmad G. , Hagvall Lina , Pei Mansoureh N. , Samuelsson Kristin , Nilsson Ulrika
Published: December 2014

Background

Exposure to chloroprene rubber has resulted in numerous cases of allergic contact dermatitis, attributed to organic thiourea compounds used as vulcanization accelerators. However, thiourea compounds are not considered to be strong haptens.

Objectives

To analyse common commercial chloroprene materials for their contents of diethylthiourea (DETU), dibutylthiourea (DBTU), diphenylthiourea (DPTU), and their degradation products, isothiocyanates; and to investigate the sensitization potencies of possible degradation products of the mentioned thiourea compounds.

Methods

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (MS) was used for quantification of organic thiourea compounds in chloroprene products, such as medical, sports and diving gear; isothiocyanates were measured by solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography/MS. Sensitization potencies were determined with the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA).

Results

DETU was identified at concentrations of 2.7–9.4 µg/cm2 in all samples, whereas neither DBTU nor DPTU was detected. At 37°C, degradation of DETU in the materials to ethyl isothiocyanate (EITC) was detected. EITC and ethyl isocyanate showed extreme and strong sensitization potencies, respectively, in the LLNA.

Conclusions

DETU can act as a prehapten, being degraded to EITC when subjected to body temperature upon skin contact. EITC could thus be the culprit behind allergic contact dermatitis caused by chloroprene rubber.
Bears benefit plants via a cascade with both antagonistic and mutualistic interactions
Authors: Grinath Joshua B. , Inouye Brian D. , Underwood Nora
Published: December 2014

Predators can influence primary producers by generating cascades of effects in ecological webs. These effects are often non‐intuitive, going undetected because they involve many links and different types of species interactions. Particularly, little is understood about how antagonistic (negative) and mutualistic (positive) interactions combine to create cascades. Here, we show that black bears can benefit plants by consuming ants. The ants are mutualists of herbivores and protect herbivores from other arthropod predators. We found that plants near bear‐damaged ant nests had greater reproduction than those near undamaged nests, due to weaker ant protection for herbivores, which allowed herbivore suppression by arthropod predators. Our results highlight the need to integrate mutualisms into trophic cascade theory, which is based primarily on antagonistic relationships. Predators are often conservation targets, and our results suggest that bears and other predators should be managed with the understanding that they can influence primary producers through many paths.
Determining fatigue life of bent and tensioned elements with a notch, with use of fictitious radius
Authors: Krzyżak D. , Robak G. , Łagoda T.
Published: December 2014

The work presents verification of Neuber's fictitious radius method, used in fatigue life calculation of notched elements and welded joints. Stress values, calculated according with fictitious radius method, were compared with smooth specimens Basquin fatigue curves, and number of cycles was read. However, obtained calculated number of cycles of fatigue life does not correspond to experimental fatigue life, especially in a low cycle fatigue range. Hence, different equivalent microstructural length values were calculated for different loading levels. It was observed that equivalent microstructural length depends on loading level and type of loading. Finally, equivalent microstructural length was presented in a linear regression equation, as dependant on loading level and its relation to yield strength.
Do Poorly Governed Acquirers Transfer Wealth to Targets in Cross‐Border Acquisitions?
Authors: Chang Charles , Choi Paul Moon Sub , Huang Seth H.
Published: December 2014

We use the number of antitakeover provisions (ATPs) as a proxy for corporate governance and examine its impact in US domestic and foreign acquisitions made by US acquirers. We find that the targets of poorly governed acquirers earn higher postannouncement premiums, despite controls for deal characteristics, macroeconomic conditions, and country‐level protections, suggesting that these acquirers overpay. Puzzlingly, in contrast with the domestic US findings of Masulis, Wang, and Xie, poorly governed acquirers in cross‐border deals experience higher announcement period returns. The relation between governance and target returns appears concave, but this nonlinearity disappears once differences in country‐level governance and deal characteristics are accounted for.
Analytical and Semi‐Analytical Tools for the Design of Oscillatory Pumping Tests
Authors: Cardiff Michael , Barrash Warren
Published: December 2014

Oscillatory pumping tests—in which flow is varied in a periodic fashion—provide a method for understanding aquifer heterogeneity that is complementary to strategies such as slug testing and constant‐rate pumping tests. During oscillatory testing, pressure data collected at non‐pumping wells can be processed to extract metrics, such as signal amplitude and phase lag, from a time series. These metrics are robust against common sensor problems (including drift and noise) and have been shown to provide information about aquifer heterogeneity. Field implementations of oscillatory pumping tests for characterization, however, are not common and thus there are few guidelines for their design and implementation. Here, we use available analytical solutions from the literature to develop design guidelines for oscillatory pumping tests, while considering practical field constraints. We present two key analytical results for design and analysis of oscillatory pumping tests. First, we provide methods for choosing testing frequencies and flow rates which maximize the signal amplitude that can be expected at a distance from an oscillating pumping well, given design constraints such as maximum/minimum oscillator frequency and maximum volume cycled. Preliminary data from field testing helps to validate the methodology. Second, we develop a semi‐analytical method for computing the sensitivity of oscillatory signals to spatially distributed aquifer flow parameters. This method can be quickly applied to understand the “sensed” extent of an aquifer at a given testing frequency. Both results can be applied given only bulk aquifer parameter estimates, and can help to optimize design of oscillatory pumping test campaigns.
The risks of do‐it‐yourself and over‐the‐counter devices for tattoo removal
Authors: Kluger Nicolas
Published: December 2014

The tattoo removal market has boomed over the years following the increased prevalence of tattooed individuals around the world. Surgery and laser are currently the gold standards for tattoo removal. However, both of them have drawbacks. Surgery is better suited for small tattoos in areas of adequate skin laxity but leave a scar, while laser removal is a long and painful procedure, with no guarantee of a complete efficacy. Both are expensive procedures, and not all individuals are ready to fund them privately. Consequently, some individuals are in the search of faster, easier, and cheaper procedures that can be performed either by themselves or by laypeople. The unregulated market of internet provides a favorable ground for many websites to offer various tattoo removal methods. Besides, some tattooists and other non‐medical laypeople have started to get interested by such a growing market, especially as some laser devices manufactured in Asia are now available at competitive prices, and due to weaknesses in the EU legislation regarding the use of lasers for cosmetic procedures by non‐medical laypeople. We review here different do‐it‐yourself and over‐the‐counter tattoo removal methods. We discuss the potential risks for tattooed individuals and stress the importance of a better regulation of such a market.
Managing e‐Government: value positions and relationships
Authors: Rose Jeremy , Persson John Stouby , Heeager Lise Tordrup , Irani Zahir
Published: December 2014

Public sector managers take much of the responsibility for selecting, commissioning, implementing and realising benefits from information technology (IT) projects. However, e‐Government initiatives often suffer from complexity, vision failure, lack of goal clarity and insufficient commitment. These problems may stem from value traditions that are deeply ingrained in managers' cultural environments but not always in harmony with each other. A first step towards working with value complexity is to understand it; we synthesise a model of value positions for e‐Government derived from major traditions in the public administration literature. Four value positions relevant to e‐Government together with their IT assumptions are identified; they reflect the ideals of professionalism, efficiency, service and engagement. A qualitative investigation of Danish local authority managers displays both value congruence and value divergence. The interpretive study results in a theoretical model that combines value positions and relationships, and the model's implications for researchers and practitioners in focusing successful e‐Government initiatives are outlined.
M&A Decisions and US Firms’ Voluntary Adoption of Clawback Provisions in Executive Compensation Contracts
Authors: Brown Anna Bergman , Davis‐Friday Paquita Y. , Guler Lale , Marquardt Carol
Published: December 2014

We examine whether US firms’ M&A decisions influence the likelihood of voluntary adoption of clawback provisions in executive compensation contracts and whether clawback adoption improves subsequent M&A decisions. Because prior research finds that poor M&A decisions are associated with future earnings restatements, we predict that clawback adoption is more likely after these transactions. We further conjecture that M&A decisions will improve after clawback adoption, as its presence reduces executives’ willingness to manipulate post‐acquisition earnings. Consistent with our expectations, we find that (1) firms with more negative M&A announcement returns are more likely to adopt clawbacks; (2) firms that acquire targets with relatively poor accounting quality are more likely to adopt clawbacks; (3) clawbacks improve investor perception of M&A quality; and (4) executives are more responsive to the market when completing M&A deals if their compensation contracts include clawbacks. These results suggest that boards take a pro‐active approach and consider factors that may lead to restatements when adopting clawbacks. Our results have implications for US policymakers, as the Dodd‐Frank Act of 2010 requires mandatory adoption of clawbacks. Our results also suggest that non‐US firms can reduce managerial incentives to manipulate post‐takeover earnings by using clawbacks.
Risk Prediction Models for Postoperative Delirium: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: van Meenen Laura C. C. , van Meenen David M. P. , de Rooij Sophia E. , ter Riet Gerben
Published: December 2014

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, fluctuating levels of consciousness, and disorganized thinking. POD can have serious consequences, including institutionalization and death. Risk stratification may target prevention to individuals at greater risk of POD. The objective of this study was to identify all published POD risk prediction models (RPMs) and to compare them with regard to their clinical practicability and predictive and discriminative performance. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to January 1, 2013, for articles describing POD RPMs. Studies were included if they presented data from a cohort study, examined one or more RPMs, examined POD as an outcome, and assessed the performance of the RPM(s). Thirty of 2,246 articles were included, and 37 RPMs were found. Sixteen and six studies described individuals who had undergone cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery, respectively. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for the intensive care unit checklist was the most often used diagnostic method (65%), followed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fourth Edition criteria (16%). Predictors most often used in RPMs were age (20), preoperative Mini‐Mental State Examination score (10), and preoperative increased alcohol use (7). Thirty RPMs were not validated, three were validated internally, and four were validated externally. Size of the models was not associated with their discriminatory performance. Instead of creating steadily new RPMs, existing RPMs should be further tested, improved, and meta‐analytically integrated. It may be too early to implement a particular PODRPM in clinical practice with confidence.
Induction of Labor: Update and Review
Authors: Bonsack Carrie F. , Lathrop Anthony , Blackburn Mary
Published: December 2014

Rates of labor induction in the United States have more than doubled in the past 2 decades. Trends of indications and risk factors related to induction of labor are also increasing. Professional organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The Joint Commission have taken steps to discourage elective induction of labor prior to 39 weeks’ gestation and have created new definitions of early‐term, full‐term, late‐term, and postterm gestation to guide clinicians in the timing of birth for specified indications. Induction of labor is associated with potential risks to both the woman and her fetus. The cost associated with induction of labor and the impact on the health care system is of growing concern. Education of women and the process of shared decision making when obtaining informed consent are key factors in reducing early elective births. Use of tools such as scheduling forms, hard stop methods, induction of labor indication tools, and informed consents may aid the provider in reducing overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and disease creep. This article provides a review of the trends of induction of labor, medical indications and criteria, associated risks, cost and health system impact, and initiatives to lower the incidence of induction of labor.
Examining the perceived social support and psychological symptoms among adolescents with leukemia
Authors: Çavuşoğlu Hicran , Sağlam Hatice
Published: December 2014

Purpose

The purpose was to determine the perceived social support and psychological symptoms of adolescents with leukemia.

Design and Methods

The sample consisted of 70 adolescents with leukemia. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), and a demographical data form were used for data collection.

Results

Scores of the Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI), and Positive Symptom Total (PST) of the BSI were higher than those of the healthy adolescents with the same age in other studies. There was a negative relationship between the MPSSS and negative self‐image, depression, anxiety, PSDI, and PST of the BSI.

Practice Implications

It would likely be beneficial to increase adolescents' perceived social support in order to decrease psychological symptoms.
Mechanistic insights into landscape genetic structure of two tropical amphibians using field‐derived resistance surfaces
Authors: Nowakowski A. Justin , DeWoody J. Andrew , Fagan Matthew E. , Willoughby Janna R. , Donnelly Maureen A.
Published: December 2014

Conversion of forests to agriculture often fragments distributions of forest species and can disrupt gene flow. We examined effects of prevalent land uses on genetic connectivity of two amphibian species in northeastern Costa Rica. We incorporated data from field surveys and experiments to develop resistance surfaces that represent local mechanisms hypothesized to modify dispersal success of amphibians, such as habitat‐specific predation and desiccation risk. Because time lags can exist between forest conversion and genetic responses, we evaluated landscape effects using land‐cover data from different time periods. Populations of both species were structured at similar spatial scales but exhibited differing responses to landscape features. Litter frog population differentiation was significantly related to landscape resistances estimated from abundance and experiment data. Model support was highest for experiment‐derived surfaces that represented responses to microclimate variation. Litter frog genetic variation was best explained by contemporary landscape configuration, indicating rapid population response to land‐use change. Poison frog genetic structure was strongly associated with geographic isolation, which explained up to 45% of genetic variation, and long‐standing barriers, such as rivers and mountains. However, there was also partial support for abundance‐ and microclimate response‐derived resistances. Differences in species responses to landscape features may be explained by overriding effects of population size on patterns of differentiation for poison frogs, but not litter frogs. In addition, pastures are likely semi‐permeable to poison frog gene flow because the species is known to use pastures when remnant vegetation is present, but litter frogs do not. Ongoing reforestation efforts will probably increase connectivity in the region by increasing tree cover and reducing area of pastures.
A thioesterase bypasses the requirement for exogenous fatty acids in the plsX deletion of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Parsons Joshua B. , Frank Matthew W. , Eleveld Marc J. , Schalkwijk Joost , Broussard Tyler C. , de Jonge Marien I. , Rock Charles O.
Published: December 2014

PlsX is an acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACP):phosphate transacylase that interconverts the two acyl donors in Gram‐positive bacterial phospholipid synthesis. The deletion of plsX in Staphylococcus aureus results in a requirement for both exogenous fatty acids and de novo type II fatty acid biosynthesis. Deletion of plsX (SP0037) in Streptococcus pneumoniae did not result in an auxotrophic phenotype. The ΔplsX S. pneumoniae strain was refractory to myristic acid‐dependent growth arrest, and unlike the wild‐type strain, was susceptible to fatty acid synthesis inhibitors in the presence of exogenous oleate. The ΔplsX strain contained longer chain saturated fatty acids imparting a distinctly altered phospholipid molecular species profile. An elevated pool of 18‐ and 20‐carbon saturated fatty acids was detected in the ΔplsX strain. A S. pneumoniae thioesterase (TesS, SP1408) hydrolyzed acyl‐ACP in vitro, and the ΔtesS ΔplsX double knockout strain was a fatty acid auxotroph. Thus, the TesS thioesterase hydrolyzed the accumulating acyl‐ACP in the ΔplsX strain to liberate fatty acids that were activated by fatty acid kinase to bypass a requirement for extracellular fatty acid. This work identifies tesS as the gene responsible for the difference in exogenous fatty acid growth requirement of the ΔplsX strains of S. aureus and S. pneumoniae.
Variations in heart rate and rhythm of harbor seal pups during rehabilitation
Authors: Fonfara Sonja , Casamian‐Sorrosal Domingo , Sundermeyer Janne , Rosenberger Tanja
Published: December 2014

Heart rate and rhythm is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which matures during the first months of life. Little is known about heart rate and rhythm development and potential arrhythmias in seal pups during rehabilitation in seal centers. Using an iPhone ECG device, 1 min ECGs were obtained from harbor seal pups admitted to a seal rehabilitation facility. ECGs were taken from 55 seals after admission, 53 seals after 14 d, and 52 seals prior to release. From 24 seal pups additional ECGs were taken daily for the first week of rehabilitation. At admission sinus rhythm with a median heart rate of 148 complexes per minute was detected, prior to release sinus bradycardia or sinus arrhythmia with a median heart rate of 104 complexes minute was present. P wave morphology was highly variable and single supra‐ and ventricular premature complexes were recorded in individual animals. The first 14 d were characterized by highly variable heart rates and rhythms, including episodes of sinus tachycardia and 2nd degree atrioventricular blocks. The reduction in heart rates and development of a regular heart rhythm during rehabilitation suggest adaptation to the unfamiliar environment, resolution of disease, and/or maturation of the autonomic nervous system.
Soil bacteria hold the key to root cluster formation
Authors: Lamont Byron B. , Pérez‐Fernández Maria , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Jesús
Published: December 2014

Root clusters are bunches of hairy rootlets that enhance nutrient uptake among many plants. Since first being reported in 1974, the involvement of rhizobacteria in their formation has received conflicting support. Attempts to identify specific causative organisms have failed and their role has remained speculative.

We set up a gnotobiotic experiment using two root‐clustered species, Viminaria juncea (Fabaceae) and Hakea laurina (Proteaceae), and inoculated them with two plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bradyrhizobium elkanii and Bacillus mageratium, that produce indole‐3‐acetic‐acid (IAA). Plants were suspended in water culture with four combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Clusters only developed in the presence of PGPR in two treatments, were greatly enhanced in another four, suppressed in five, and unaffected in five. Nitrogen amendment was associated with a higher density of clusters. Bradyrhizobium promoted cluster formation in Hakea, whereas Bacillus promoted cluster formation in Viminaria and suppressed it in Hakea.

Greater root cluster numbers were due either to a larger root system induced by PGPR (indirect resource effect) and/or to more clusters per unit length of parent root (direct morphogenetic effect). The results are interpreted in terms of greater IAA production by Bradyrhizobium than Bacillus and greater sensitivity of Viminaria to IAA than Hakea.