bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of simulated historical tree litter raking on the understorey vegetation in a central European forest
Authors: Vild Ondřej , Kalwij Jesse M. , Hédl Radim
Published: June 2015

Questions

What is the impact of simulated historical tree litter removal on understorey plants and soil properties in a temperate deciduous forest? What is the role of seasonal timing of tree litter removal on understorey plants?

Location

Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic.

Methods

We conducted an experiment in a randomized complete block design of 45 plots (5 × 5 m). Each block (N = 15) consisted of one plot for each of the three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) tree litter removal during spring, (2) tree litter removal during autumn, or (3) no litter removal as control treatment. These treatments were repeated over 4 yr. In each plot we recorded the understorey plant species composition and collected soil samples prior to treatment (year 0) and in each subsequent year (years 1–4). Temporal trends in species richness were analysed using repeated measures ANOVAs. The impact of the treatments on vegetation composition over time was analysed using principal response curves.

Results

Total species richness per plot significantly changed over time, but this was not related to treatment. Annual species richness increased significantly, but only for the autumn treatment. Annual species also showed the highest inter‐annual variation. Endangered species were not affected. When compared to the control treatment, the effect of autumn raking on species composition was stronger than the effect of spring raking. Although the amount of removed nutrients substantially exceeded ambient nitrogen input, no changes in soil conditions were detected.

Conclusions

The season in which tree litter removal took place had a small but significant impact on the understorey vegetation, in particular affecting the germination and establishment of annual species. The large inter‐annual variation in species richness calls for a long‐term field experiment. The removal of nutrients via litter raking greatly exceeds atmospheric nutrient deposition, warranting a further investigation of litter raking as a potential tool for forest conservation.
Does vegetation in restored salt marshes equal naturally developed vegetation?
Authors: Van Loon‐Steensma Jantsje M. , Van Dobben Han F. , Slim Pieter A. , Huiskes Hendrik P.J. , Dirkse Gerard M.
Published: June 2015

Question

Do low stone dams built to prevent erosion and to restore salt marshes through increased sedimentation affect plant species composition?

Location

Dutch Wadden Sea area (ca. 53°N 5°E).

Methods

Relevés (N = 170) were made of the vegetation of two restored salt marsh sites on the barrier islands Terschelling (Grië) and Ameland (Neerlands Reid). Existing relevés of salt‐marsh vegetation (N = 6198) made along the entire Dutch Wadden Sea coast (both the mainland and the barrier islands) were used as a reference. The vegetation of the two restored sites (Grië NLR data) was compared with the reference by (1) simple species‐by‐species analysis based on frequencies in both data sets, and by (2) ordination, where relevés of the restored sites were projected into a multivariate space defined by the species' abundances in the reference relevés.

Results

Out of the 37 species that are common (i.e. have a frequency >5%) in either the Grië NLR data or the reference data, 31 have frequencies that differ by less than a factor of five, and 23 differ by less than a factor of two. Furthermore, the Grië NLR data occupy a space that is well in the centre of the ordination space defined by the reference data.

Conclusions

There are no conspicuous differences between salt‐marsh vegetation behind low dams and the vegetation that has naturally developed on unprotected mudflats. We conclude that measures targeting salt marsh development in view of flood protection do not interfere with nature conservation.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis After Exposure to Dithiocarbamate Fungicide Mancozeb
Authors: Zakharov Sergey , Csomor Jan , Urbanek Petr , Pelclova Daniela
Published: June 2015

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life‐threatening mucocutaneous disease with high mortality. Dithiocarbamates (DTC) are organosulphur compounds widely used in agriculture, industry and households. We report a case of TEN after exposure to mancozeb in fungicide. A 48‐year‐old 75 kg b.w. man was admitted with fever and generalized skin/mucous lesions after application of fungicide in a home garden. The patient had necrotic desquamation of gastrointestinal/respiratory tract mucosa, ocular lesion and skin epidermolysis of 90% of body surface. The laboratory findings included elevation of inflammatory parameters, hyperglycaemia, increased urea, creatinine, liver enzymes, hypoalbuminemia and electrolyte disturbances. The treatment included supportive care, management of fluid/electrolyte requirements, analgesics and enteral nutrition. Skin lesions were treated with occlusive non‐adhesive biological wound dressings. Due to the proof of Acinetobacter, Escherichia coli and Escherichia faecalis from skin swabs, a combination of meropenem with amikacin was administered. During the next 2 weeks, complete re‐epithelialization of skin lesions occurred, mucosal lesions healed and the laboratory parameters returned to normal. The patient was discharged on day 42. TEN is a rare condition that is generally caused by medications. Nevertheless, high attention should be paid to the cases of occupational or household exposure to DTC fungicides widely used in agriculture and home gardens because of their ability to cause TEN after skin and inhalation exposure. Greater emphasis on the hazardous properties of these products is necessary to ensure non‐professional users are aware of the necessity of protective clothing during mixing, loading, application and early re‐entry into treated fields.
Comparison of survival rates in stage 1 renal cell carcinoma between partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy patients according to age distribution: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Iizuka Junpei , Omae Kenji , Kobayashi Hirohito , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Hashimoto Yasunobu , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: June 2015

Objective

To assess differences in overall survival (OS) between patients receiving partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) for stage 1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) according to age distribution, as the survival advantage of PN vs RN has been unclear owing to conflicting data.

Patients and Methods

We studied 952 patients with stage 1 RCC who underwent either PN or RN. Patients were divided into three groups according to age: Group 1 (≤54 years), Group 2 (55–64 years), and Group 3 (≥65 years). Patient variables including age, body mass index, sex, presence of hypertension (HT) and/or diabetes mellitus (DM), performance status, tumour size, pathological diagnosis, nuclear grade, and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were adjusted using 1:1 propensity score matching between PN and RN.

Results

Group 1 included 66 matched patients; Group 2, 72; and Group 3, 70. Group 1 tended to have higher preoperative eGFR values and lower rates of HT and DM compared with Groups 2 and 3. Postoperative eGFR dropped by 11–13% in PN patients and by 34–36% in RN patients. In Group 3, PN patients had longer OS than RN patients (5‐year OS: PN 96%, RN 81%, P = 0.043); however, there was no significant difference in Group 1 (5‐year OS: PN 100%, RN 93%, P = 0.302) or Group 2 (5‐year OS: PN 94%, RN 87%, P = 0.358).

Conclusions

Only the oldest group of patients showed significantly better OS for PN compared with RN; however, we still recommend PN in young patients.
Sexual function and stress level of male partners of infertile couples during the fertile period
Authors: Song Seung‐Hun , Kim Dong Suk , Yoon Tae Ki , Hong Jae Yup , Shim Sung Han
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the sexual function and stress level during timed intercourse (TI) of male partners of infertile couples.

Patients and Methods

The study included 236 male partners of couples with >1 year of infertility who sought medical care or an evaluation of couple infertility. Besides infertility evaluation, all men were asked to complete the five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) for evaluation of sexual function, and stresses related to infertility and TI were measured using 10‐division visual analogue scales (VAS).

Results

Stress levels for sexual function were higher during fertile than non‐fertile periods in109 of the 236 (46.2%) male partners, with 122 (51.7%) reporting no difference in stress during fertile and non‐fertile periods. The mean (sd) VAS score of sexual relationship stress was significantly higher during fertile than non‐fertile periods, at 3.4 (2.6) vs 2.1 (2.2) (P < 0.001). Of the 236 men, 21 (8.9%) reported more than mild‐to‐moderate erectile dysfunction (ED; IIEF‐5 score ≤16) and 99 (42%) reported mild ED (IIEF‐5 score 17–21).

Conclusion

Male partners of infertile couples experience significantly higher TI‐related stresses during the fertile period compared with the non‐fertile period. Sexual dysfunction is also common in male partners of infertile couples. Medical personnel dealing with infertile couples should be aware of these potential problems in male partners and provide appropriate counselling.
Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection as validation of the performance of [11C]‐acetate positron emission tomography/computer tomography in the detection of LN metastasis in intermediate‐ and high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Daouacher Georgios , von Below Catrin , Gestblom Charlotta , Ahlström Håkan , Grzegorek Rafael , Wassberg Cecilia , Sörensen Jens , Waldén Mauritz
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy of the radiopharmaceutical [11C]‐acetate combined with positron emission tomography/computer tomography (acetate‐PET/CT) in lymph node (LN) staging in newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases. A second aim was to evaluate the potential discriminative properties of acetate‐PET/CT in clinical routine.

Patients and Methods

In a prospective comparative study, from July 2010 to June 2013, 53 men with newly histologically diagnosed intermediate‐ or high‐risk prostate cancer underwent acetate‐PET/CT investigation at one regional centre before laparoscopic extended pelvic LN dissection (ePLND) at one referral centre. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of acetate‐PET/CT were calculated. Comparisons were made between true‐positive and false‐negative PET/CT cases to identify differences in the clinical parameters: PSA level, Gleason status, lymph metastasis burden and size, calculated risk of LN involvement, and curative treatment decisions.

Results

In all, 26 patients had surgically/histologically confirmed LN metastasis (LN+). Acetate‐PET/CT was true positive in 10 patients, false positive in one, false negative in 16, and true negative in 26. The individual sensitivity was 38%, specificity 96%, and accuracy 68%. The acetate‐PET/CT positive cases had significantly more involved LNs (mean 7.9 vs 2.4, P < 0.001) with larger cancer diameters (14.1 vs 4.9 mm, P = 0.001) and fewer eventually had treatment with curative intent (40% vs 94%, P <0.005), although we lack long‐term outcome data.

Conclusion

Acetate‐PET/CT has too low a sensitivity for routine LN staging but the specificity is high. The acetate‐PET/CT positive cases have a very high burden of LN spread.
Changing threat perceptions and the efficient provisioning of international security
Authors: Gupta Rupayan
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a mechanism for structuring international institutions to efficiently provision global security against the threat of a rogue nation, by an alliance of nations. This paper investigates how the evolution of public opinion, in the respective countries facing the rogue nation's threat, affects the mechanism. It also analyzes the impact of “fair‐weather friends” within the alliance, i.e., allies that increase support for security effort when the threat becomes less dangerous but withdraw support in more dangerous circumstances. Additionally, it explores how the possibility of sequential action by the allies, rather than simultaneous action, might affect joint security efforts.
Associations between psychotic symptoms and substance use in young offenders
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Coffey Carolyn , Hearps Stephen , Kinner Stuart A. , Borschmann Rohan , Moran Paul , Patton George
Published: June 2015

Introduction and Aims

Substance use and psychotic symptoms/disorders are associated. There has been little examination of this issue in young offenders, despite elevated substance use in this group.

Design and Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted by trained researchers with 514 young offenders. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using a previously validated screening measure, with scores ≥3 indicative of possible psychotic disorder. Associations between this indicator and patterns of offending, common symptoms of mental disorders and health risk behaviours, including substance use were examined. The extent to which substance use and psychotic symptoms remained associated after adjustment for possible confounding was evaluated.

Results

Thirteen percent screened positive for psychosis. Participants who screened positive for psychosis were more likely than those who did not to have: unstable housing; been expelled from school; a family history of substance use/mental health problems, and depressive symptoms. Amphetamine, sedative and cannabis dependence were all strongly associated with screening positive for psychosis. Screening positive remained significantly associated with amphetamine and sedative dependence, and daily cannabis and sedative use, in multivariable regressions.

Discussion and Conclusions

One in eight young offenders reported symptoms consistent with psychosis. Symptomatology was strongly associated with heavy use of a range of illicit drugs. Given the frequency of these symptoms and the potential for them to be related to or exacerbated by drug use, this study highlights the importance of co‐ordinated alcohol and other drugs and mental health treatment for young offenders, both due to co‐occurrence and given the possibility that treating SUDs may impact on mental health symptoms. [Degenhardt L, Coffey C, Hearps S, Kinner SA, Borschmann R, Moran P, Patton G. Associations between psychotic symptoms and substance use in young offenders. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:673–682]
Grey matter injury in cerebral palsy – pallidum for the role of the predicting severity
Authors: Krägeloh‐Mann Ingeborg
Published: June 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Reid et al. on pages 1159–1167 of this issue.
Wage Incentive Profiles in Dual Labour Markets
Authors: Di Cintio Marco , Grassi Emanuele
Published: June 2015

This paper formalizes the use of flexible labour contracts in an efficiency wage framework, and derives market dualism as an endogenous outcome. By allowing temporary contracts to be either renewed or converted into permanent contracts, we obtain new theoretical insights into the market equilibrium. The conversion rate is itself an incentive device that acts as a substitute for the wage, and firms pay a wage differential in favour of permanent workers. The model also predicts that even if firms hire exclusively under flexible contracts, dualism arises as a feature internal to each firm and, consequently, as a market property.
The diagnostic accuracy of routine electroencephalography after a first unprovoked seizure
Authors: Bouma H. K. , Labos C. , Gore G. C. , Wolfson C. , Keezer M. R.
Published: June 2015

The clinical utility of routine electroencephalography (EEG) after a first unprovoked seizure remains uncertain. Its diagnostic accuracy in identifying adults and children with new onset epilepsy was examined. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies examining individuals who underwent routine EEG after a first unprovoked seizure and were followed for seizure recurrence for at least 1 year was performed. A ‘positive’ test was defined by the presence of epileptiform discharges (ED). Pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates were calculated using a bivariate random effects regression model. In all, 3096 records were reviewed, from which 15 studies were extracted with a total of 1799 participants. Amongst adult studies, the sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of routine EEG were 17.3% (7.9, 33.8) and 94.7% (73.7, 99.1), respectively. Amongst child studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 57.8% (49.7, 65.6) and 69.6% (57.5, 79.5), respectively. Based upon our positive likelihood ratios, and assuming a pre‐test probability of 50%, an adult with ED on routine EEG after a first unprovoked seizure has a 77% probability of having a second seizure, whilst a child with similar findings has a 66% probability. Further studies are required to examine the impact of patient characteristics and EEG features on the diagnostic accuracy of routine EEG for new onset epilepsy.
Are auras a reliable clinical indicator in medial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis?
Authors: Dupont S. , Samson Y. , Nguyen‐Michel V.‐H. , Zavanone C. , Clémenceau S. , Miles R. , Baulac M. , Adam C.
Published: June 2015

Background and purpose

Medial temporal lobe epilepsy with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE‐HS) is the most frequent form of surgical temporal lobe epilepsy. In this study, it was aimed to determine whether different types of aura represent a cardinal and characteristic feature of MTLE‐HS and might provide a diagnostic complement to help identify patients who will be seizure‐free after surgery.

Methods

All types of auras and associations of auras reported by 400 MTLE‐HS patients referred for surgery were retrospectively collected and their statistical correlation with the postoperative outcome was examined in a subgroup of 305 patients who underwent surgery.

Results

A total of 876 auras were collected, classified into 12 categories. Globally, MTLE‐HS patients reported widely variable auras and groupings of auras. Most common were autonomic and abdominal visceral auras, followed by psychoaffective and experiential auras; less common, but seen in 10%–15% of patients, were non‐specific auras, somatosensory auras and visual auras, and least common, reported by less than 10% of patients, were auditory, gustatory, vestibular, olfactory and intellectual auras. No auras were reported in 10% of patients. 65% of patients experienced more than one type of aura (two to seven). No specific groupings of aura type were apparent. No evidence was found for correlation between postoperative outcome and (i) any category of aura, (ii) the number of categories of aura per patient and (iii) any association of categories of auras.

Conclusion

Auras and association of auras vary widely in MTLE‐HS and provide no useful insight into surgical outcome.
Left parietal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation enhances gesture processing in corticobasal syndrome
Authors: Bianchi M. , Cosseddu M. , Cotelli M. , Manenti R. , Brambilla M. , Rizzetti M. C. , Padovani A. , Borroni B.
Published: June 2015

Background and purpose

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a clinical entity characterized by higher cortical dysfunctions associated with asymmetric onset of levodopa‐resistant parkinsonism, dystonia and myoclonus. One of the most typical and distressful features of CBS is limb apraxia, which affects patients in their everyday life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non‐invasive procedure of cortical stimulation, which represents a promising tool for cognitive enhancement and neurorehabilitation. The present study investigated whether anodal tDCS over the parietal cortex (PARC), would improve ideomotor upper limb apraxia in CBS patients.

Methods

Fourteen patients with possible CBS and upper limb apraxia were enrolled. Each patient underwent two sessions of anodal tDCS (left and right PARC) and one session of placebo tDCS. Ideomotor upper limb apraxia was assessed using the De Renzi ideomotor apraxia test that is performed only on imitation.

Results

A significant improvement of the De Renzi ideomotor apraxia test scores (post‐stimulation versus pre‐stimulation) after active anodal stimulation over the left PARC was observed (χ2 = 17.6, P = 0.0005), whilst no significant effect was noticed after active anodal stimulation over the right PARC (χ2 = 7.2, P = 0.07). A post hoc analysis revealed a selective improvement in the De Renzi ideomotor apraxia score after active anodal stimulation over the left PARC compared with placebo stimulation considering both right (P = 0.03) and left upper limbs (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that tDCS to the PARC improves the performance of an ideomotor apraxia test in CBS patients and might represent a promising tool for future rehabilitation approaches.
A collaborative system for endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke: the Madrid Stroke Network experience
Authors: Alonso de Leciñana M. , Fuentes B. , Ximénez‐Carrillo Á. , Vivancos J. , Masjuan J. , Gil‐Nuñez A. , Martínez‐Sánchez P. , Zapata‐Wainberg G. , Cruz‐Culebras A. , García‐Pastor A. , Díaz‐Otero F. , Fandiño E. , Frutos R. , Caniego J.‐L. , Méndez J.‐C. , Fernández‐Prieto A. , Bárcena‐Ruiz E. , Díez‐Tejedor E. ,   the Madrid Stroke Network
Published: June 2015

Background and purpose

The complexity and expense of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) can present difficulties in bringing this approach closer to the patients. A collaborative node was implemented involving three stroke centres (SCs) within the Madrid Stroke Network to provide round‐the‐clock access to EVT for AIS.

Methods

A weekly schedule was established to ensure that at least one SC was ‘on‐call’ to provide EVT for all those with moderate to severe AIS due to large vessel occlusion, >4.5 h from symptom onset, or within this time‐window but with contraindication to, or failure of, systemic thrombolysis. The time‐window for treatment was 8 h for anterior circulation stroke and <24 h in posterior stroke. Outcomes measured were re‐canalization rates, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months, mortality and symptomatic intra‐cranial haemorrhage (SICH).

Results

Over a 2‐year period (2012–2013), 303 candidate patients with AIS were considered for EVT as per protocol, and 196 (65%) received treatment. Reasons for non‐treatment were significant improvement (14%), spontaneous re‐canalization (26%), clinical worsening (9%) or radiological criteria of established infarction (31%). Re‐canalization rate amongst treated patients was 80%. Median delay from symptom onset to re‐canalization was 323 min (p25; p75 percentiles 255; 430). Mortality was 11%; independence (mRS 0–2) was 58%; SICH was 3%.

Conclusions

Implementation of a collaborative network to provide EVT for AIS is feasible and effective. Results are good in terms of re‐canalization rates and clinical outcomes.
Early evolution of large micro‐organisms with cytological complexity revealed by microanalyses of 3.4 Ga organic‐walled microfossils
Authors: Sugitani K. , Mimura K. , Takeuchi M. , Lepot K. , Ito S. , Javaux E. J.
Published: June 2015

The Strelley Pool Formation (SPF) is widely distributed in the East Pilbara Terrane (EPT) of the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, and represents a Paleoarchean shallow‐water to subaerial environment. It was deposited ~3.4 billion years ago and displays well‐documented carbonate stromatolites. Diverse putative microfossils (SPF microfossils) were recently reported from several localities in the East Strelley, Panorama, Warralong, and Goldsworthy greenstone belts. Thus, the SPF provides unparalleled opportunities to gain insights into a shallow‐water to subaerial ecosystem on the early Earth. Our new micro‐ to nanoscale ultrastructural and microchemical studies of the SPF microfossils show that large (20–70 μm) lenticular organic‐walled flanged microfossils retain their structural integrity, morphology, and chain‐like arrangements after acid (HF‐HCl) extraction (palynology). Scanning and transmitted electron microscopy of extracted microfossils revealed that the central lenticular body is either alveolar or hollow, and the wall is continuous with the surrounding smooth to reticulated discoidal flange. These features demonstrate the evolution of large micro‐organisms able to form an acid‐resistant recalcitrant envelope or cell wall with complex morphology and to form colonial chains in the Paleoarchean era. This study provides evidence of the evolution of very early and remarkable biological innovations, well before the presumed late emergence of complex cells.
A structuration framework for bridging the macro–micro divide in health‐care governance
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin , Tofan Gabriela
Published: June 2015

Background

Extant studies demonstrate that macro (hierarchical) and micro (relational) governance initiatives in health‐care settings continue to be developed in isolation rather than interactively. Government‐driven hierarchical governance endeavours that guide health‐care reforms and medical practice are disconnected from micro‐level physician–patient interactions being unable to account for patient preferences in the macro‐level policymaking.

Method/Objective

We undertake a review of the recent literature to couch our argument for a unified governance framework for bridging the macro–micro divide in medical contexts. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach to health‐care delivery, we maintain that the (strong) structuration theory provides a fruitful opportunity for narrowing the gap between hierarchical and relational governance.

Discussion

Emphasizing the coexistence of institutional structures and human agency, the (strong) structuration theory elucidates how macro and micro governance devices shape each other's structure via mutually reinforcing cycles of influence. Micro‐level encounters between patients and physicians give rise to social structures that constitute the constraining and enabling forces through which macro‐level health‐care infrastructures are altered and reproduced over time. Permitting to illustrate how patients' agency can effectively emerge from complex networks of clinical trajectories, the advanced structuration framework for macro–micro governance integration avoids the extremes of paternalism and autonomy through a balanced consideration of professional judgement and patient preferences.

Conclusion/Implications

The macro–micro integration of governance efforts is a critical issue in both high‐income states, where medical institutions attempt to deploy substantial realignment efforts, and developing nations, which are lagging behind due to leadership weaknesses and lower levels of governmental investment. A key priority for regulators is the identification of relevant systems to support this holistic governance by providing clinicians with needed resources for focusing on patient advocacy and installing enabling mechanisms for incorporating patients' inputs in health‐care reforms and policymaking.
Biosamples as gifts? How participants in biobanking projects talk about donation
Authors: Locock Louise , Boylan Anne‐Marie R.
Published: June 2015

Background

In the UK, altruism has featured explicitly as an underpinning principle for biobanking. However, conceptualizing donation as altruistic downplays the role of reciprocity and personal or family benefit.

Objective

To investigate how biosample donors talk about their donation and whether they regard samples as ‘gifts’.

Methods

In this qualitative study, 21 people, both healthy volunteers and people with health conditions, who had been invited to give biosamples took part in semi‐structured narrative interviews. The data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results

The term ‘gift’ was considered appropriate by some, but it also evoked puzzlement, especially in relation to ‘waste’ material (e.g. urine or tumour samples). Whilst ‘giving’ or ‘donating’ were commonly mentioned, the noun ‘gift’ signified something more special and deliberate. Analysis suggested biosamples could be interpreted as gifts in several different ways, including unreserved gift; reciprocal gift; collective gift; unwanted/low‐value gift; and gift as an exaggeration.

Discussion and conclusions

Although people describe a network of exchange consistent with anthropological understandings of gift relationships, lay (and biomedical) understandings of the term ‘gift’ may differ from anthropological definitions. For donors (and researchers), value is attached to the information derived from the sample, rather than the sample itself. Consequently, when asking people for biosamples, we should avoid using the term ‘gift’. Acknowledging the value of participation and the information the sample holds may mean more to potential donors.
Emerging roles of Lys63‐linked polyubiquitylation in immune responses
Authors: Wu Xuefeng , Karin Michael
Published: June 2015

Among all the E2 ubiquitin‐conjugating enzymes, Ubc13, which heterodimerizes with Uev1a, specifically mediates lysine 63 (K63)‐linked protein polyubiquitylation, a process that does not lead to proteasomal degradation of its substrates. Instead, it plays a key role in signal transduction. Numerous roles of Lys63‐linked polyubiquitylation in immune responses have emerged, indicating the importance of this regulatory strategy. Here, we summarize some of the signaling pathways that depend on Lys63‐linked polyubiquitylation during innate and adaptive immune responses, with a focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition, we describe how Ubc13 itself is regulated and outline its function in transforming growth factor β signaling. We discuss the current progress in pharmacological targeting of Ubc13 in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer therapy.
Parental perceptions and predictors of consent for school‐located influenza vaccination in urban elementary school children in the United States
Authors: Cheung Susan , Wang Hai‐Lin , Mascola Laurene , El Amin Alvin Nelson , Pannaraj Pia S.
Published: June 2015

Background

School‐located influenza vaccination (SLV) programs have the potential to mass‐vaccinate all enrolled children, but parental consent is required.

Objective

To examine parental attitudes and determine predictors of parental consent for vaccination of schoolchildren through SLV programs.

Patients/Methods

Surveys were distributed to parents of 4517 children during 2009–2010 (year 1) and 4414 children during 2010–2011 (year 2) in eight elementary schools in conjunction with a SLV program.

Results

Participants included 1259 (27·9%) parents in year 1 and 1496 (33·9%) in year 2. Parental consent for 2009 H1N1, 2009 seasonal, and 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines was obtained from 738 (70·8%), 673 (64·5%), and 1151 (77·2%) respondents, respectively. During the 2009 pandemic, respondents concerned about influenza severity were twice as likely to consent for the 2009 H1N1 vaccination compared to unconcerned respondents (OR 2·04, 95% CI:1·19–3·51). During year 2, factors that predicted parental consent were the perception of high susceptibility to influenza infection (OR 2·19, 95% CI:1·50–3·19) and high benefit of vaccine (OR 2·23, 95% CI:1·47–3·40). In both years, college‐educated parents were more likely to perceive vaccine risks (year 1: 83·6 versus 61·5%, P < 0·001 and year 2: 81·1% versus 60·6%, P < 0·001) and less likely to consent for seasonal influenza vaccine (year 1: OR 0·69, 95% CI:0·53–0·89 and year 2: OR 0·61, 95% CI:0·47–0·78) compared to non‐college‐educated parents.

Conclusions

Parents who appreciate the risks of influenza and benefits of vaccination are more likely to consent for SLV. More research is needed to determine how to address heightened safety concerns among college‐educated parents.
Optimisation of a micro‐neutralisation assay and its application in antigenic characterisation of influenza viruses
Authors: Lin Yipu , Gu Yan , Wharton Stephen A. , Whittaker Lynne , Gregory Victoria , Li Xiaoyan , Metin Simon , Cattle Nicholas , Daniels Rodney S. , Hay Alan J. , McCauley John W.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The identification of antigenic variants and the selection of influenza viruses for vaccine production are based largely on antigenic characterisation of the haemagglutinin (HA) of circulating viruses using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. However, in addition to evolution related to escape from host immunity, variants emerging as a result of propagation in different cell substrates can complicate the interpretation of HI results. The objective was to develop further a micro‐neutralisation (MN) assay to complement the HI assay in antigenic characterisation of influenza viruses to assess the emergence of new antigenic variants and reinforce the selection of vaccine viruses.

Design and setting

A 96‐well‐plate plaque reduction MN assay based on the measurement of infected cell population using a simple imaging technique.

Sample

Representative influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses isolated between 2004 and 2013

Main outcome measures and results

Improvements to the plaque reduction MN assay included selection of the most suitable cell line according to virus type or subtype, and optimisation of experimental design and data quantitation. Comparisons of the results of MN and HI assays showed the importance of complementary data in determining the true antigenic relationships among recent human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and type B viruses.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that the improved MN assay has certain advantages over the HI assay: it is not significantly influenced by the cell‐selected amino acid substitutions in the neuraminidase (NA) of A(H3N2) viruses, and it is particularly useful for antigenic characterisation of viruses which either grow to low HA titre and/or undergo an abortive infection resulting in an inability to form plaques in cultured cells.
An Improved Internal Gelation Process for Preparing ZrO2 Ceramic Microspheres Without Cooling the Precursor Solution
Authors: Gao Yong , Ma Jingtao , Zhao Xingyu , Hao Shaochang , Deng Changsheng , Liu Bing
Published: June 2015

ZrO2 microspheres were prepared with an improved internal gelation process without cooling the precursor solution. The stability of the broth for internal gelation process has been systematically investigated, and the results show that the preparation and storage temperature, the concentration of NO3− and the urea in the broth have important effects on the stability of the broth. Through optimizing the broth formulation the broth prepared can be stable for 14 h at 25°C. The prepared ZrO2 ceramic microspheres have uniform size and good sphericity, with a density of 5.87 g/cm3.
Predicting the Onset of Flash Sintering
Authors: Dong Yanhao , Chen I.‐Wei
Published: June 2015

Analyzing the temperature trajectory during flash sintering, this study demonstrates that Joule heating alone is responsible for thermal runaway that is the most likely cause for rapid densification. The calculated onset temperature Ton is in good agreement with the literature data. As predicted by the analysis the Ton data follow a 1/Ton~log(field) linear dependence, which affords an expeditious means to estimate the activation energy of resistivity/conductivity of the sintered ceramics.
Mechanical Properties of Anisotropic Metaphosphate Glass
Authors: Endo Jun , Inaba Seiji , Ito Setsuro
Published: June 2015

The effect of anisotropy on the mechanical properties was investigated for a chain‐structured metaphosphate glass (12.5Li2O–12.5Na2O–12.5K2O–12.5Cs2O–50P2O5 mol%). Anisotropic glasses with different birefringence values were prepared with a fiber elongation method. The strength and Young's moduli of the glasses were measured with a three‐point bending method. It was found that the strength and Young's modulus increased with increasing birefringence, reaching about 160% and 140%, respectively, compared with the values for the isotropic glass. The enhancement of the mechanical properties was attributed to the orientation of ‐P‐O‐P‐ chains in the glass.
Why renew fresh feathers? Advantages and conditions for the evolution of complete post‐juvenile moult
Authors: Kiat Yosef , Izhaki Ido
Published: June 2015

Juveniles of several passerine species renew all of their fresh juvenile feathers immediately after fledging (complete post‐juvenile moult), in contrast to the majority, which perform a partial post‐juvenile moult. To understand the adaptive roles of this phenomenon we compared the quality of juvenile plumage in species that perform a complete post‐juvenile moult with that of species which perform a partial post‐juvenile moult; we similarly compared juveniles and adults in each of these groups. The quality of feathers was measured by mass of primaries, colour, and length. In species which perform a complete post‐juvenile moult the plumage quality of second‐year individuals, in their first breeding season, is similar to the plumage quality of adults, unlike those species that perform a partial post‐juvenile moult. In species which perform complete post‐juvenile moult, the quality of the feathers grown in the nest is lower than the quality of adult post‐breeding feathers. In contrast, in species which perform partial post‐juvenile moult the quality of the feathers grown in the nest is similar to that of adult post‐breeding feathers. We found that a complete post‐juvenile moult strategy is much more common 1) in residents and short‐distance migrants than in long‐distance migrants, 2) in southern latitudes, 3) in species with medium body mass and 4) in omnivores and granivores. Our results indicate two adaptive roles of the complete post‐juvenile moult strategy: 1) achieving high quality plumage in the first year which may increase individual survival probability and fitness and 2) allocating fewer resources to nestling plumage and more to nestling development, which enables the nestlings to leave the nest earlier, thus reducing the probability of encountering nest predators. We suggest that the complete post‐juvenile moult, immediately after fledging, is an optimal strategy in favourable habitats and under low time constraints, as in some tropical ecosystems.
Biogeography of goby lineages (Gobiiformes: Gobioidei): origin, invasions and extinction throughout the Cenozoic
Authors: Thacker Christine E.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To combine a time‐calibrated phylogeny with distributional, fossil and geomorphological data to infer the patterns of lineage origins and biogeography among gobies.

Location

Global marine areas (Indo‐West Pacific, Western Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Atlantic and Eastern Pacific) throughout the Cenozoic.

Methods

I inferred a molecular phylogeny using beast, simultaneously calibrating nodes for Gobiidae, Gobionellidae and their combined clade. I used that phylogeny, coupled with current range data, to reconstruct historical distributions with the R module BioGeoBEARS under both a dispersal, extinction and cladogenesis (DEC) model and an augmented model including founder effect speciation (DEC+J). I then compared model fits for placing the ancestral node of Gobiidae + Gobiidae at varying reef hotspots throughout the Cenozoic: the West Tethys (Mediterranean), Western Indian Ocean or Indo‐West Pacific.

Results

Goby lineages arose over a 12–13 million year period in the late Eocene, followed by repeated invasions of the Eastern Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean from an ancestral Indo‐West Pacific distribution. Optimization with DEC+J is preferred to DEC, but constraining the root of the phylogeny with a West Tethyan (Mediterranean) or Western Indian Ocean distribution does not result in significantly different model fits under DEC+J.

Main conclusions

In Gobiidae, several lineages migrated through the West Tethys to the Atlantic, followed by extinction in the Mediterranean. In contrast, lineages of Gobionellidae in the Mediterranean did not spread beyond the eastern North Atlantic. Gobionellidae invaded the Eastern Pacific by distinct routes in different lineages, either from the Caribbean through the open Isthmus of Panama or around the northern Pacific Rim. Eastern Pacific Gobiidae are younger and derived from tropical Atlantic clades. Although the reconstructed ancestral area of gobies is the Indo‐West Pacific, fossils indicate that gobioids were present in the West Tethys region throughout the Oligocene and Miocene, including taxa that are not known from that area today.
Electrophysiological Characteristics, Rhythm, Disturbances and Conduction Discontinuities Under Autonomic Stimulation in the Rat Pulmonary Vein Myocardium
Authors: EGOROV YURIY V. , KUZ'MIN VLADISLAV S. , GLUKHOV ALEXEY V. , ROSENSHTRAUKH LEONID V.
Published: June 2015

Pulmonary Vein Arrhythmogenesis

Introduction

Despite the importance of neurogenic initiation of rapid firing from pulmonary veins (PVs), the mechanism of autonomic modulation of electrophysiological properties of the PV myocardium to form a substrate for atrial arrhythmia remains poorly understood.

Methods and Results

A 2‐microelectrode technique was used to characterize electrophysiological properties of rat PV myocardium and to explore PV arrhythmogenesis, at baseline, during electrical stimulation and/or under autonomic modulation. PV myocardium was characterized by prolonged action potential duration (APD), high degree of APD alternans, and spontaneous depolarizations. Autonomic stimulation resulted in significantly enhanced APD dispersion within the PV, which dynamically changed over time and was associated with intra‐PV and atria‐PV conduction blocks and could lead to spontaneous fibrillation‐like high‐frequency activity. In the distal part of the PV we found an unexcitable area that was characterized by depolarized resting potential (−50 ± 4 mV vs. –75 ± 2 mV vs. PV mouth, P < 0.01). This region could be activated during autonomic stimulation or fast pacing that led to multiple conduction discontinuities (uni‐ and bi‐directional conduction blocks, Wenckebach periodicity, electrotonic modulation conduction block, echo phenomenon) in 17/23 preparations, including those occurring under norepinephrine superfusion (14/17) and during pacing frequency changes (3/17). PV echoes (unstable reentrant circuits) were found in 8/23 preparations. In some experiments, several types of conduction abnormalities were observed.

Conclusion

The PV myocardium demonstrates distinct electrophysiological characteristics, which could be considerably exaggerated by electrical stimulation and/or autonomic nervous system to dynamically form a functional substrate to support re‐entry as well as focal activity.
Association between dental pain and caries: a multilevel analysis to evaluate the influence of contextual and individual factors in 34 843 adults
Authors: Ardila Carlos Martín , Agudelo‐Suárez Andrés A.
Published: June 2015

Objective

To evaluate the influence of the social context and individual factors on the relationship between oral pain and caries

Methods

Data from the 2007 National Public Health Survey in Colombia were collected. A multiple‐stage stratified sampling was used. The influence of different factors in oral pain was investigated with logistic and multilevel regression analyses.

Results

A total of 34 843 individuals (individual level) in 32 states and one Capital District (contextual level) were studied. Dental pain was associated with caries in the logistic (odds ratios = 56.2, confidence interval 49.5–63.9) and multilevel (3.342 ± 0.073; P < 0.0001) models. After adjusting for covariables, dental pain variance was still significant at individual and contextual levels; interestingly the variation in individual level was smaller (28%) than the variation among states (72%). In addition, individual‐level variables explained 80% of the individual‐level variance in dental pain, and contextual‐level variables explained 35% of the community‐level variance. All individual variables, including caries, had a significant association with dental pain. Low gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI) at contextual level were associated with dental pain.

Conclusion

Dental pain associated strongly with caries and other individual factors were also significant, however, contextual factors, specifically low GDP and HDI affect dental pain significantly.
Phonological Development in Hearing Learners of a Sign Language: The Influence of Phonological Parameters, Sign Complexity, and Iconicity
Authors: Ortega Gerardo , Morgan Gary
Published: June 2015

The present study implemented a sign‐repetition task at two points in time to hearing adult learners of British Sign Language and explored how each phonological parameter, sign complexity, and iconicity affected sign production over an 11‐week (22‐hour) instructional period. The results show that training improves articulation accuracy and that some sign components are produced more accurately than others: Handshape was the most difficult, followed by movement, then orientation, and finally location. Iconic signs were articulated less accurately than arbitrary signs because the direct sign‐referent mappings and perhaps their similarity with iconic co‐speech gestures prevented learners from focusing on the exact phonological structure of the sign. This study shows that multiple phonological features pose greater demand on the production of the parameters of signs and that iconicity interferes in the exact articulation of their constituents.
A comparison of two methods for measuring vessel length in woody plants
Authors: Pan Ruihua , Geng Jing , Cai Jing , Tyree Melvin T.
Published: June 2015

Vessel lengths are important to plant hydraulic studies, but are not often reported because of the time required to obtain measurements. This paper compares the fast dynamic method (air injection method) with the slower but traditional static method (rubber injection method). Our hypothesis was that the dynamic method should yield a larger mean vessel length than the static method. Vessel length was measured by both methods in current year stems of Acer, Populus, Vitis and Quercus representing short‐ to long‐vessel species. The hypothesis was verified. The reason for the consistently larger values of vessel length is because the dynamic method measures air flow rates in cut open vessels. The Hagen–Poiseuille law predicts that the air flow rate should depend on the product of number of cut open vessels times the fourth power of vessel diameter. An argument is advanced that the dynamic method is more appropriate because it measures the length of the vessels that contribute most to hydraulic flow. If all vessels had the same vessel length distribution regardless of diameter, then both methods should yield the same average length. This supports the hypothesis that large‐diameter vessels might be longer than short‐diameter vessels in most species.